>>39941588
> Climb down and ride the Bunyip.

You drop down the rope ladder and scale down it as fast as you can, landing atop the Bunyip’s back with a muffled thump as you dig your hands into a layer of furry blubber. It growls but not in an unfriendly fashion as you settle down atop his back.

The sun is at its zenith and the oceans around you are wide and blue. What do you do?

> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.

> Ride the Bunyip around the ship.

> See if the Bunyip can dive underwater.

> Other

>>39941590
>> Ride the Bunyip around the ship.
then it it's okay with it
> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.
Long hairs, clumped hairs, thing it won't miss and may be better off without.

>>39941590
> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.
> Ride the Bunyip around the ship.

>>39941590
>> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.

Lets find out how to brew a water breathing potion first, yes?

>>39941590
Pet and scratch the bunyip affectionately

>>39941590
> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.

Pet him scratch behind the ears etc;

> Sit on the Bunyip’s back for a few minutes and gather alchemical ingredients.
> Ride the Bunyip around the ship.

You spur the Bunyip on with a quick shout and with a great surge forward it begins to outpace the ship! You can see sailors staring at you as the Bunyip takes you right across the prow of the ship before circling you around it.
The Bunyip stays afloat but the journey is a messy around all the same, salt-water splashing all over you as it takes you through the ocean.

You pet the Bunyip on the head and scratch him behind the ears, eliciting a long rumble of pleasure. As you do so you start plucking hairs, long clumped hairs that it doesn't need. Just basic cleanliness really, even if you have an alchemical motive in mind.
The Bunyip's hair isn't as strong as any of Hiss' reagents but it should be a fine thing to experiment with all the same.

The Bunyip stops at around the back of the ship. You can see a row of curtained portholes in the back, all no doubt leading into the most privileged cabins with the most space. You can only think of three people who'd be using them.

A sudden idea strikes you. It's probably a bad one but...

> Stay on the Bunyip a bit longer.

> See if you can climb up to the portholes.

> Just make your way back to deck normally.

> Other

>>39941888
> See if you can climb up to the portholes.

>>39941888
> Just make your way back to deck normally.

Honestly it is a bad idea. Tash would be pissed and might kill us, The Constrictor would be pissed and likely kill us, and I want to get through a day that we're conscious through without Hiss calling us an idiot at least once.

>>39941888
> Just make your way back to deck normally.

>>39941888
> See if you can climb up to the portholes.

What could go wrong?

>>39941925
>>39941975
Do you not remember what could go wrong here? Really? Are you new or idiots?

>>39941888
>Just make your way back to deck normally.

>>39942025
No I know exactly what could go wrong I just want to see it play out.

>>39942072
Constrictor rips you in half

Quest over.

> Just make your way back to deck normally.

You shake your head, banishing foolish dreams. Maybe later. For now you simply direct the Bunyip back around to the side of the ship where you had left the rope ladder.
You give him one last pat before scrambling up the ladder as best you can. You're pretty wet and the smell of salt and wet fur clings to you as you stand upon the deck.

> Stay on the deck for a while to dry out first before you do anything else.

> Find Hiss.

> Seek an audience with the constrictor.

> Go find Oster again.

> Talk to Tash.

> Brew.

> Other

>>39942111
That's not gonna happen retard. She likes Cennen. You're being too paranoid

>>39942153
> Stay on the deck for a while to dry out first before you do anything else.
> Brew.
Heal potion with Bunyip hair added in, also id potion


>>39942183
He still entered her room and saw her form without permission, worse he willfully snuck in.

>>39942111
>find hiss

>>39942203
She'd call us an idiot, maybe bite us if we got too close to quick.

>>39942153
Learn to brew a purification potion, they're good for cleaning clothes and whatnot

>>39942153
> Stay on the deck for a while to dry out first before you do anything else.
> Brew.

>>39942246
Why are you so damn paranoid right now? Relax nigga you're acting ridiculous

>>39942311
Not paranoid, The idiot is a given considering it's Hiss. Also Remember anon she has a radius around her that is a no fly zone without permission, especially since the wish bond is gone. Violating it means she'd bite us on reflex, like Melire boot scene, or the kiss. I'd rather test Cennen's poison reisstance slowly alright?

>>39942350
Finding hiss isn't a vote to get too close to her too quickly. And we haven't done anything for her to call us an idiot lately. You're the one who's being an idiot right now.

> Stay on the deck for a while to dry out first before you do anything else.
> Brew.

You decide to hang around a bit on deck first drying out. You're not going to make good impressions while you're sopping wet.

You find a relatively empty part of the deck and sit down, pulling out your cauldron as you do so. You'll be able to prepare some cold mixes while you wait.

> Brew a potion you already know. (Specify)

> Experiment with the Bunyip Hair.

>>39942431
> Brew a potion you already know. (ID potion
then
> Experiment with the Bunyip Hair.
Healing potion with it added in?


>>39942420
That wasn't a vote to find Hiss it was a reply anon.

>>39942431
> Experiment with the Bunyip Hair.
And learn to make a purification potion. At least I think that's what it's called. Whichever one is good for cleaning as well

>>39942440
I'm being trolled right? If so 10/10 nice job

>>39942487
No >>39942203
The "vote" to find Hiss was a reply. But thank you.

You take the time to cook up an identification potion first before you start any experimentation. Only after you've bottled the clear brew do you feel ready. You haven't done much with Bunyip hair in the past but you know it strengthens bodily functions. It should be pretty strong too.

The sun drops lower as you spend over an hour on the deck sipping your identification potion and painstakingly mixing the hair in with a variety of healing potions as you seek out the 'proper' combination.
You can spot several different things you might be able to do with this combination but you only have time to pursue one path of research.

> Greater Restoration. This brew wipes out all fatigue and counts as over ten hours of sleep from just drinking it. Leaves you very energetic.

> Hyperactivity. Crowds the mind with energy, leaving the imbiber unable to follow any proper trains of thought and rendering them unable to focus on anything for a few hours.

> Regeneration. Drinking this gives you a lesser form of the Bunyip's regeneration for a few hours. Does not heal pre-existing wounds.

> Potency. You could refine a brew that fills one with the strength and endurance of the Bunyip for a limited time.

>>39942709
>> Regeneration. Drinking this gives you a lesser form of the Bunyip's regeneration for a few hours. Does not heal pre-existing wounds.

>>39942709
> Potency. You could refine a brew that fills one with the strength and endurance of the Bunyip for a limited time.

Beast mode for us, Oster or Hiss should we need it.

>>39942709
> Regeneration. Drinking this gives you a lesser form of the Bunyip's regeneration for a few hours. Does not heal pre-existing wounds.

>>39942709
Potency

And why not see what hiss is up too are we avoiding her for some reason I missed?

>>39942709
How long exactly would the potency potion last?

>>39942721
>>39942788
You do realize it's a lesser version which means it likely won't save us from a mortal wound right? It also is useless for Hiss since it won't heal her eye.

>>39942817
Saving best for last I think. Also we wanted to get training out of the way first, then play with our lonely pet.

>>39942817
We just have other things to keep us busy right now. I'd like to talk to her next and visit the constrictor after her though. Maybe she could give us advice on how to act towards the constrictor

>>39942834
It could lead to an amazing potion once we've mastered alchemy though, a permanent regeneration ability

>>39942817
I'd like to change to regeneration if it is a possibility to be the first step on an upgrade path that leads to fixed eyeball for hiss

>>39942826
An hour.

>>39942853
Not really since these aren't permanent potions. Chosing this one over any others won't grant and super special abilities. Especially since the book its still going to take a long while. Potence we can show off without getting cut at least.

>>39942872
We have plenty of hair yet anon, and we are nowhere near mastery. Need to be a master to even have a shot at it. As per Ouro's ask.

In case anyone is wondering, the Bunyip is both exceptionally hairy (well, not on his fish tail) and grows hair back pretty quickly.
And unlike your other major source of very magical ingredients, he's not very likely to get temperamental.

So there's no danger of 'wasting' Bunyip hair for the time being.

>>39942896
Oh okay let's stick with potency then sorry for the flip flopping

>>39942938
Could we also try bunyip hair+treebrew potion?

Rolled 4 (1d6)

Alright, it looks like a tie between Regeneration and Potency. Evens for the former, odds the latter.

>>39943073

After a period of experimentation, your new brew is finally ready. The Regeneration potion, as you decide to call it, will grant the drinker a portion of the Bunyip's own powerful regenerative capacity. Should be pretty damn useful though it won't work for any injuries taken before drinking it. Might require some forethought to use correctly.

You're well and truly dry now and you feel quite refreshed, having worked off your confusion and bruises with the Bunyip ride and the resulting experimentation.

> Go find Hiss.

> Seek out the constrictor.

> Find Oster.

> Back to your room to read.

> Find Tash.

> Do some more experimental brewing with the Bunyip hair (Specify)

> Other

>>39943130
> Do some more experimental brewing with the Bunyip hair (Specify)
> Greater Restoration. This brew wipes out all fatigue and counts as over ten hours of sleep from just drinking it. Leaves you very energetic.

>>39943130
> Go find Hiss.

>>39943130
>> Go find Hiss.

>>39943130
Try treebrew+bunyip hair

>>39943130
> Do some more experimental brewing with the Bunyip hair
potency brew

>>39943130
>go find hiss

>>39943165
Maybe some combination of treebrew plus potency potion would allow cennen to grow a bit of muscle permanently?

>>39943130
>> Do some more experimental brewing with the Bunyip hair (Specify)
Potency

> Go find Hiss.

You might have had enough of brewing you decide. It's not like you'll not be able to do it later. You'll have to ask Tash just how long the voyage will be but it's not going to be short. There'll be time enough for brewing.

With that in mind, you decide to seek out Hiss. You haven't seen her at all today and that feels a little strange, considering that you've spent the last few weeks in near-constant contact with her. Hell, she might need someone to bring her back down to earth, considering that she's surrounded by sycophants.
Are you the only person on this ship who doesn't worship snakes?

You go back below decks, navigating the black ship easier than you did this morning. You don't know which cabin is hers exactly but you know she'll be in the back of the ship, enjoying one of the luxurious cabins you spotted there.

Out of the three you find, only one door isn't guarded by a faceless man. That's probably her.
You knock on the door but receive no reply.

> Knock really loudly in case she can't hear you for some reason.

> Look through the keyhole.

> Just open the door anyway.

> Ask one of the faceless guards if they know anything.

> Other

>>39943353
>> Look through the keyhole.

>>39943353
>> Knock really loudly in case she can't hear you for some reason.

>>39943353
> Just open the door anyway

>>39943353
> Just open the door anyway.

> Just open the door anyway

You test the door handle and find that it slides open beneath your fingertips. Doesn't look locked but then again why it would be? You push the door open, wondering what could be detaining Hiss such that she wouldn't answer.
Maybe she isn't here at all or is having another bath. You'd like that.

What you find is a little more confusing. The cabin is luxurious and draped in ornate Quedeshi tapestries. A variety of cushions seem to be taking the place of any furnishings and a roaring fireplace fills the room with an oppressive heat. The back of your mind registers that as being rather dangerous in a ship, particularly in a room so filled with the flammable. Where are they even going to get more logs from?

But all of those thoughts take the back-seat as you see the snakes resting in front of the fire. Yes, snakes plural. You can see Hiss in her true form, the lithe black and red snake. But she is dwarfed by the constrictor beside her, the vast pale snake making her look like some sort of infant.

The two snakes are coiled around each in front of the fire, intertwined and moving slowly. The princess is nearly lost among the constrictor's bulk.

> You don't think this is good. See if you can pull them apart.

> Pray.

> Call out.

> Just stay back until one of them notices you.

> Other

>>39943571
> Just stay back until one of them notices you.
I'm not sure if this is lesbian snake shenanigans or just some kind of mental communication stuff

>>39943606
>lesbian snake shenanigans

kek
But no, you don't need to worry about that. Constrictors coil around things for a very different reason than Hiss does.

>>39943571
> Just stay back until one of them notices you.
Snakes are weird.

>>39943571
> Pray.

>>39943571
>> Just stay back until one of them notices you.
Have Potence ready in case.

>>39943571
>> Just stay back until one of them notices you.
Cover your eyes Cennen

>>39943670
We never learned to make that potion anon.

>>39943571
> Just stay back until one of them notices you.
> Pray.

L-lewd

>>39943633
Well obviously they constrict their prey to kill it but that can't be whats happening in this situation

>>39943571
>> Call out.
We like Hiss. Constrictors give hugs of death. Magical constrictors likely have very weird hugs of not-necessarily-death-but-probably-not-pleasant-things.
Interrupting seems... not wise, but possibly necessary.

> Just stay back until one of them notices you.

Alright, you have no idea what the fuck this is. Several ideas come to mind and you don't think you're okay with any of them to be honest.
But you don't know if you want to interrupt it. Hiss is looking heat-dazed but she might still bite you if you do anything abrupt, much less the constrictor itself.

You sit down on a cushion and resign yourself to waiting this out until one of them notices you.
And as it would happen, Hiss seems to see you after just a minute as she abruptly stops moving. You can see her skin slowly sloughing off in one piece so you're prepared for when her human form pops into being looking dazed.

"Uh?"
She looks around, confused and heat-drunk. She's sitting by the fire with the vast constrictor lying around her, still coiling around an empty snake-skin. The python flows over her slowly but she slowly reaches out and shoves it off.
"Cennen? What are you doing?"

> "What are YOU doing?"

> "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

> "I need more reagents."

> "Enjoying yourself?"

> Other

>>39943851
> "What are YOU doing?"
That looked.... strange

>>39943851
> "What are YOU doing?"
> "I need more reagents."
Smooth

>>39943851
> "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
> "What are YOU doing?"

>>39943900
Second

I'd rather ask curiously not accusingly

>>39943851
>> "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
so
> "What are YOU doing?"
Because I'm fairly certain the context with snakes is different.

>>39943851
> "What are YOU doing?"
The lesbian thing was a joke cennen don't act all jealous

>>39943851
nobble that discarded snakeskin

>>39943851
>> "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
>> "What ARE you doing?"

>>39943992
You have to admit, it was a pretty romantic scene

> "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
>"What are YOU doing?"

"What am I doing? I could ask you the same question."
You swallow down any accusatory tone. The two have covered this ground before and it'd do no good acting up right now without knowing what's going on.
"I just wanted to see how you're doing."

"I'm doing fine," she yawns. "We were just talking, me and..and..and..."
She tries several times to make a sibilant hiss with her human tongue before making a face.
"Me and the constrictor. There's so much about Quedesh I have to learn before we arrive."

"Bit of a weird way to talk."

She goes red.
"Don't you start this. We were touching minds for easier communication. It's easier than just hissing at each other."

"Well you know, it looked a little-"

You grin as she interrupts you.
"It's not my fault if your mind lives in the gutter. She was just doing what she has to do. Constrictors have different Arts and other requirements. Theirs not the swift strike but the death that comes slowly."

"It looked like you were in a bit of trouble there for a moment."

"Well I wasn't," she snaps.
"I was a ...little uncertain I'll admit. But that's just because she's so big. Look at her!"

The pale constrictor coils around one of her arms and rests a head in her lap.
"You don't have to worry about speaking," Hiss adds. "She doesn't understand anything. She doesn't even have any souls in her."

"Really? Why not?"

"It's her condition," Hiss says as she absent mindedly strokes the snakes head.
"She's what her people call an albino, too pale to truly bathe in the sun and fragile of a sort. Weak."
She says the last word with a sudden vindictiveness, a judgement of purity.

"I'm aware of what an albino is. Don't you get any in Snakehome?"

"I'm sure we must. But like any other defect, the stunted hatchlings are eaten."

You wrinkle their nose.
"Yeah, you told me parenthood isn't all it's cracked up to be with you guys."

1/2

>>39944304
2/2

She laughs.
"Not by the adults! By their broodmates. I told you that all the young are raised together, right? It's not a friendly environment. I ate a few of my 'siblings' while they were still in the egg."
A thought crosses her face and her mood dulls.
"Not true siblings. I have no siblings. Absolutely none. But these snakes are different. Softer, I think. They've spent too long with humans, they've gotten...civilized."
She says it with a sneer.
"They have lost our essential predation and have become eaters of the dead. And when people like this one is born, they let them live and isolate them as holy. She's barely even seen another human before she was elected to speak to Snakehome."

You shrug.
"Bit of a strange snake to send, doesn't it?"

Hiss frowns.
"Yes. I'm starting to get the impression that the rulers of Quedesh don't think much of us. That we're barbaric or cruel. Most of them didn't even seem interested in the idea of re-establishing contact as far as she's let slip. Well, that's a mistake they'll come to regret."

> "You're not planning anything rash are you?"

> "What's she like?"

> "Are you sure you're alright?"

> "Is it possible for a snake to eat another?"

> Other

>>39944416
> "You're not planning anything rash are you?"
> "What's she like?"
> "Are you sure you're alright?"

>>39944416
>> "You're not planning anything rash are you?"
>> "What's she like?"
>> "Are you sure you're alright?"

>>39944416
I'd like to speak with her myself if I could

>>39944416
> "You're not planning anything rash are you?"
Remember lack of understanding has bitten us both in the ass before.
> "What's she like?"
> "Are you sure you're alright?"
You seem agitated, and not just by me seeing you coil with her.

>>39944416
>> "Is it possible for a snake to eat another?"

>>39944416
> "Are you sure you're alright?"

>>39944416
Your culture is cruel compared to theirs. An important to thing to remember whenever you deal with them.

>> "You're not planning anything rash are you?"
>> "What's she like?"
>> "Are you sure you're alright?"

You don't like the sound of her last words, you don't like them at all.
"Hiss, you're not planning anything...rash are you?"

"What makes you think that?"

"You're doing your 'I'll show them all' routine again."

She glares at you.
"And I will show them all. By showing them my grace and power. I'm not planning to kill them or anything! I need them!"

"Hmph. What's she like?"

"What's who like?"

"Her. The constrictor. You seem to know her pretty well."

"Naturally. I got a much better look at her mind than she did mine. She seems nice enough, I suppose. Weak. Curious. A bit adventurous which makes sense if she's been cooped up all her life. I can sympathize."

"So she'd be okay with me talking to her?"

She shakes her head.
"And how would you do that, exactly? She can't draw you into her gaze, not properly. Your Bane is too cold for any of us. She lacks the True Speech so she can't speak in human tongue even if she understood it. She would have to take human form and I doubt she can even do that. She's barely seen a human, much less tasted one's soul."

"Eh. I'm sure we'll find some way. You keep saying she's weak but she's uh, very big isn't she?"

"I know, right?"
She hefts the constrictor's head off her lap before letting it drop back down.
"They're all like this, it's crazy. I meant mentally weak. She's far from weak physically."

"And you're fine with her just coiling around you? With that strength?"

"Y..yes."
She looks a little confused.
"I guess I am."

You sigh.
"Hiss, are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine! She has not snared me."

"You just seem a little agitated. More than normal, that is."

She acts as if she's about to say something mean-spirited before sighing and eating her words back.
"It's just been a tense few days, right? And the Snakecatcher...the Snakecatcher was worrying."

"He didn't know when to die, that's for sure."
1/2

>>39944962
2/2

"Yeah, that's it," she says insincerely. "But don't bother your pretty head about it Cennen, it's a snake matter for snake thoughts. And besides, if I wasn't feeling fine would I be able to do THIS?"

You step back in surprise at her sudden display. When did she pick up another Snake Art?

Choose a new Art upgrade for Hiss:

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

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

> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to mix traits from your assumed form with that of your snake form freely.

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

> Growth: The same Art that allowed for both the size of the constrictor and the Snakecatcher alike. Permanent.

> Snake Eater: You can devour the souls of other snakes.

> Soul Gullet: You have vomited up your souls and swallowed them back down again. You now have greater control of them and can access their physical skills.

> Shallow Bite: You can control the lethality of your venom.

>>39945071
>> Shallow Bite: You can control the lethality of your venom.
or
> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to mix traits from your assumed form with that of your snake form freely.

>>39945071
No venom upgrades?

>>39945071
Yes, a lot of these options are the same from Hiss picked her last upgrade in Melire. But she's also received some other options from her experiences with the constrictor, the Snakecatcher and Cennen.

>>39945099
Shallow Bite is down there, anon. Unless you mean something that actually makes her poison even more dangerous in which case, no. Hiss' venom is already almost immediately fatal to humans and she's never really been in a situation where she's wanted it to be stronger than that.

>>39945071
> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

>>39945091
Just vote for one dummy

>>39945071
> Shallow Bite: You can control the lethality of your venom.

>>39945071
> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

>voting for the art that lets her be weaker instead of stronger just so she can make out with Cennen
you people disgust me

>>39945071
>> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

>>39945071
>> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

>>39945071
If we had chosen snake eater would she have demonstrated by eating the constrictors soul? That would be awful

>>39945252
No. A few of the more obtuse choices will require the next update to retcon the previous a little.

>>39945071
>> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to mix traits from your assumed form with that of your snake form freely.
Scales was a tempting prospect. So was growth and soul gullet.

>>39945347
Yeah my second choice is a toss up between scales and soul gullet

Alright, here's the Alchemy pastebin. It's more or less complete.

http://pastebin.com/GU3BCqEQ

>>39945566
Nice. You weren't kidding when you said we were getting an upgrade

>> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you are the heir of all serpentine power and can access their Art of irresistible strength.

"Yeah, that's it," she says insincerely. "But don't bother your pretty head about it Cennen, it's a snake matter for snake thoughts. And besides, if I wasn't feeling fine would I be able to do THIS?"

She gets to her feet, suddenly lifting the lazy constrictor with her as if it weighed almost nothing.
"Here, check it out."

She crosses the room before you can say anything, still dragging the constrictor with her under one arm and grabs you by the collar. She spins you around and plucks your pack off your back.

"Oi! Give that back!"

"Come take it then, I'm not going anywhere."

You hesitantly take hold of your pack that she's holding lazily in one hand and tug. It doesn't budge. You pull harder and harder, eventually using both hands but you aren't able to get it back until Hiss lets go.

She smirks at you, still heat-dazed and playful.
"Looking at this girl here and the Snakecatcher...I've been learning some things."

"What's that, strength?"

She nods, dropping the constrictor which immediately slithers back towards the fireplace.
"Their strength to be exact. Stronger than any human and a good many other things besides."

She sits down by one of the larger cushions and holds her hand out, beckoning you to sit across from her.
"Here, sit down and let me demonstrate some more."

Is that arm-wrestling? When did she learn about that? Well no matter, she's already proved her strength. You're pretty sure she just wants an excuse to beat you again so she can lord it over you.

> Agree.

> "No, you've already proved your strength."

> "Well, I guess you won't mind if I do this then first?" Use Potion. (Specify)

> "I'm surprised she just lets you manhandle her like that."

> Other

>>39945784
> "Well, I guess you won't mind if I do this then first?" Use Potion. (Specify)
Take a bit of time to make a potency potion first if she's willing to wait a bit

>>39945830
We don't know potence. We'd have to experiment for it to be part of our repertoire.

>>39945736
Feel free to point out any mistakes you can find. I can edit pastes now and I am bad at proof-reading.

>>39945830
>>39945862
You never developed the Potence unfortunately. To figure it out now would take at least an hour, probably a few.

If you want to win it immediately you'll have to use one of the other brews you have to even the scales one way or the other.

>>39945877
Well then tell her No we know we stand no chance and we don't feel like trying to heal a shattered wrist. Only potions we have left are regen and shapeshift anyways.

>>39945877
Fine then, let's drink a regen potion for when she hurts our arm with her ridiculous strength

>>39945784
> "No, you've already proved your strength."
> "I'm surprised she just lets you manhandle her like that."

>>39945784
>> "No, you've already proved your strength
> "I'm surprised she just lets you manhandle her like that."

>>39945784
>> "Well, I guess you won't mind if I do this then first?" Use Potion. (Specify)
Regeneration
Only other thing we have that I can think of that MIGHT help us is the treebrew.

>>39945972
On second thought that's an awful idea, I don't want to risk missing out on sword practice due to a messed up arm

>>39946033
Treebrew would just make us taller. Not helpful in cramped ship quarters.

>>39945784
> "No, you've already proved your strength."

> "No, you've already proved your strength."

The thought of trying to mess with her with potions briefly springs to mind. Your new regenerative brew would at least ease the pain, Treebrew might do something but probably wouldn't be much help. If you shapeshifted into something strong you could probably win easy but you don't waste that. Same for using one of your last few of Eugene's potions to diminish Hiss to let you win, as entertaining as the prospect is.

You settle for just shaking your head.
"Nah, you've already proved your strength. You just want to lord it over me."

She pokes her tongue out at you.
"Spoilsport. And besides, if I want to lord it over you I can do that anytime I want now and you can't stop me. Don't make me put you in a headlock."

You shrug.
"If you want to look undignified in front of the Quedeshi and the constrictors, go ahead."
You sit down beside her.
"Speaking of which, I'm surprised she lets you manhandle her like that."

Hiss waves a hand lazily.
"She's too heatstruck to care right now. She doesn't even have the resistance from sunbathing like I do, she's basically putty. Or at least that's what I think."
She looks thoughtful for a time.
"It could be that a life of human contact and a habit that forces them to entangle with their prey has lead to her kind being happier about contact. Who knows?"

"Hmm.."
You inspect the long yellow python. It certainly looks less prickly than Hiss, to the point of looking soft. It doesn't even have fangs.

> See if you can touch the constrictor.

> Pet it while Hiss watches.

> Leave the constrictor alone.

File: python.png (277 KB, 405x692)

277 KB PNG

>>39946189
Pic related

>>39946189
> See if you can touch the constrictor.
Dear lord in heaven please don't let us die.

>>39946189
> Pet it while Hiss watches.

>>39946189
> Pet it while Hiss watches.
Pefer to pet the hiss

>>39946189
> Pet it while Hiss watches.
inb4 hiss gets just as jealous as cennen always used to

>>39946189
> Leave the constrictor alone.

>>39946189
>> Leave the constrictor alone.
That sounds like a bad idea. Let's live instead.

> Pet it while Hiss watches.

You reach out and touch the python, running your fingers down its smooth hide. It barely reacts and feeling emboldened, you start petting it like you do the Bunyip.
The constrictor scrapes its head against your arm as you do so, trying to languorously coil around your arm but you gently push it back while you continue to pet it.
It doesn't feel dangerous at all! So where's that sinking feeling in your stomach coming from?

Ah, right. Hiss is feeling dangerous enough for the two of them right now.
"Just what," she says slowly, "do you think you're doing?"

"Petting her. Like you were."

You see her fangs slowly extend and you stop stroking it.
"You are MY servant Cennen, you do not serve this one."

"I'm just petting i-"

She lunges forward! Possessing now both vastly superior speed and strength, there's really nothing you can do to stop her. But she isn't here to bite. The constrictor is pushed away and you find yourself with Hiss sitting in your lap.

"The only snake you should serve is your Queen, I thought we talked about this."

> Try to push her off.

> Apologize first then push her off.

> "It was really nothing, you shouldn't let yourself get worked up about this!"

> Pet your Queen.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Other (Specify)

>>39946429
>> Pet your Queen.

>>39946429
> Pet your Queen.

>>39946429
> Pet your Queen.
Wasn't aware petting was that big of a deal. Better?

>>39946429
>> Pet your Queen.
>> "It was really nothing, you shouldn't let yourself get worked up about this!"

>>39946429
> Pet your Queen.
The joke's on you, I'd much rather pet you anyway

>>39946429
> Pet your Queen.

>>39946429
>>39946484
>>39946485
I support the snake teasing.

> Pet your Queen.

"You really shouldn't let yourself get worked up about it, it didn't mean anything."

She frowns and goes to say something but is interrupted by you starting to rub her back.
"It's the principle of ooah..."
You like to think that you've gotten a little better at this by now, after all you have a bit of experience with doing this with her now. Of course, the last time you had done this she'd been naked.
"I'm afraid the joke's on you, your Highness. I'd much rather pet you anyway."

"No, noooah, sssssssstop."
She hisses her s's as she moans, a rather embarrassing habit. She squirms helplessly in your lap, inviting all sorts of bodily reactions from you.
"This isssn't fair. Ssstop."

> "What is fair then?"

> Let go of her and push her off.

> Stop but don't push her off.

> Don't stop.

> "Okay, I'll just pat the constrictor then. You don't mind right?"

> Other

>>39946631
> "What is fair then?"
> Stop but don't push her off.
> "Okay, I'll just pat the constrictor then. You don't mind right?"
Last as jokingly as possible.

>>39946631
> "What is fair then?"
> Stop but don't push her off.

>>39946631
>> "Okay, I'll just pat the constrictor then. You don't mind right?"

>>39946631
> "What is fair then?"
> Don't stop.
> "Okay, I'll just pat the constrictor then. You don't mind right?"
She's strong enough to stop us

>>39946631
>"Okay, I'll just pat the constrictor then. You don't mind right?"
Since you don't want me to pet you I guess I'll just have to settle.

>>39946659
>>39946631
I'll shoot for this.

>>39946631
> "What is fair then?"
> Stop but don't push her off.

>>39946631
>"What is fair then?"
>Stop but don't push her off.

>>39946668
>>39946677
>>39946686
guys please don't try to incite the scary snake waifu to jealous rage

>>39946718
She's heatstruck right now, nice and agreeable

>>39946631
>> "What is fair then?"
>> Don't stop, but slow down

>>39946751
Clearly not enough to avoid jealous rage

>>39946751
She was talking about how she's built a resistance, I don't think she's that mellow from heat right now

>>39946784
Which is why my write in was as jokingly as possible.

>>39946784
Speaking of which we should make sure she isn't affected so much by heat that this would be considered taking advantage of her or something

>"What is fair then?"
>Stop but don't push her off.

You stop, letting Hiss relax. You don't really buy her protestations, she's more than able to stop you.
"What is fair then?"

She smiles lazily and puts an arm around your shoulders, remaining perched where she is.
"I think this is fair."

Her hand stops at your throat and stays there. It doesn't squeeze or grab but you suddenly lose all desire at the unspoken threat.
It's too easy to forget about the wish-bond's absence. That she could kill you almost instantly with just a whim.
You don't say anything as you gaze down into emotionless snake eyes.

And then she taps you on the neck and drops her arm. Sheathed fangs, the execution stayed. The choice of death, of the hunt but in the end, the refusal of either. She'd told you a few times that she wouldn't kill you when the wish-bond was down but this was the first demonstration of it.
She probably intended it to be much more of a affectionate expression than it came off.

She shoves you in the chest playfully, sending you toppling over with irresistible force. She rolls off you, collapsing by the constrictor.
"This is going to be a fun trip."

"You think so?"
You're not sure what to think about what just happened there. You try to say more but she just leans over you and interrupts you by jamming a finger into your mouth.
"You don't need to talk for this."

Her words send your heart racing even more than it already was. What did she have in mind? But then you realize that even she doesn't seem to know. She looks from side to side, dithering.
"No, just this is fine. You are fine."

She disappears in a cloud of quickly-vanishing dust, replacing herself with a red and black serpent. You suppose that's one way to retreat from a situation and backtrack what she'd just been attempting. Now you can't talk to her at all.

> Pick up the snake.

> Leave.

> Stay there with them.

> Other

>>39947070
Damn Hiss. Getting a lot of mixed signals here.

> Leave.
> Invent potency potion?

>>39947070
>> Pick up the snake.
>Read a book

>>39947070
> Stay there with them.
>Smooth Hiss. I'll be reading this book if you actually want to talk or do something.

>>39947070
> Stay there with them.
This is as good a place as any to read a bit more I suppose. And work on that potency brew

>>39947070
>> Stay there with them.

>>39947070
>>39947111
>>39947134
These are good

> Stay there with them.

You sigh, feeling extremely conflicted. Those were some mixed signals alright, you can't help but feel awkward just watching it.
Smooth, Hiss, real smooth. You don't actually say this, mind you. The last thing you want is to get bitten out of humiliation.
You suppose that's progress. She would have probably killed you just to save face once.

You pull out your half-finished book from your pack and set it down in your lap.
"I'll be right here reading if you want to talk."

She doesn't transform back and you didn't expect her to. She'd gone to assert her desires and then backtracked halfway, undercutting herself better than anyone else could. Gone to bite but had only latched onto her own tail. Had to hurt.
But you don't let that dissuade you and you don't leave her cabin until long past the sun has set.

>>39947271
And that's that for today. This and yesterday have just been a bit of relaxation after all that running around. Adventure resumes with the next thread, which should not be tomorrow but the day after, check the twitter etc etc.

This thread had a much slower pacing due to working on the pastebins but I've decided that it's just not tenable to do them while also updating. I'll do them tomorrow and they'll be ready for the thread the day after.

I hope you guys had fun. A few interludes are coming if you stick around.

>>39947309
Was us sticking around good or bad? How mortified is Hiss on a scale of 1-10?

>>39947332
Why do you have to ask how good or bad our decisions were after every thread?

>>39947366
Curiosity.

>>39947377
We'll find out in time, won't we?

>>39947391
Yes but asking never hurt. Also this is hiss's state of mind, which can be hard for some anons to read.

calling it now, one of the interludes will be the old alchemist lady finding the piece of the snakecatchers body we threw while in dragon form and using it to perfect the souldrift brew

>>39947473
Nah he had human blood if I remember correctly. I bet that a master alchemist could make some cool shit with bunyip hair though

>>39947498
Yeah seems she's a true master like Yolan,meaning she actually makes master potions some what regularly.

Interlude One

The sun was setting as they stood in the cemetery. It wasn’t much, one of the many poor-man’s cemeteries scattered around Taldenral, the graveyards that would take anyone regardless of money or honor. It didn’t even ask that they had lived in the city, just that they died there.

Frahm stood to attention as his bulk was still able as the patch-robed Sister read the final blessings and the celebrations of the dead. She hadn’t known him, she hadn’t known any of them. It was all he could do to stay respectful and to let her finish her drawn-out generic accolades of corpses she had never seen. He could hear what handful of men he still had left shuffling behind him, no doubt having the same thoughts.

He had left Melire with his chest puffed out and his head held high with childish infatuation but this city had been nothing but a hell beginning to end. There had been a monster in the shadows that had picked them off one by one, something that could not be seen and could not be killed. King Edwin had looked through his scrolls of proof and nodded politely but the news had already reached Taldenral that the old Mayor-In-Standing was now a madman. It had been easy for him to dismiss them as delusions and to blunt Frahm’s final attempt to fulfill his duty. The city had burned around him and he had been helpless to stop that too.
He had failed.

He had taken some of his best men when he had left the familiar streets of home. Hell he’d taking two Lieutenants with him, pulling them away from their families and for what? What had become of them?
There were too many fresh graves here but at the forefront of them were two wooden markers. The carving on them was quick and imprecise, there had been little time to give them the honor they were due.
1/??

>>39947629
2/2

Lieutenant Skreln, whose marker lay above an empty coffin as his body had never been found. He was a widower but Frahm knew from the times he’d done a beat with him that he had an ageing mother. He’d have to tell her himself.
Lieutenant Vickers, who had died doing his duty. His crossbowman had survived and had told Frahm everything. He’d given himself for people who didn’t even deserve it just so he could avenge himself on the thing that had already taken so men. And he had failed at that. He’d had a wife and son, with a daughter on the way. Was he supposed to turn up at the doorstep and tell them that he died in failure?

And the graves behind them, of the guards that had died with them, there was the greatest shame of all. Frahm had never even known their names, even though he had thrown them to their death. Their markers were left blank. Blank men under blank graves in a graveyard that was full of convicted murderers and thieves.

As the Sister finished her blessings, he knelt forward and placed a helmet atop Vickers' grave marker. A standard issue guard helm, one rent nearly in half by the claw that had killed him. The Sister tried to make him take it off but one look at his face dissuaded her.
No doubt she’d come back and remove it when he was gone. Probably sell it if she could. Couldn’t really blame her, Frahm supposed.

The guards were looking to him as he rose, he realised. No doubt they were looking for a speech, a blessing from someone who had actually known some of the dead men. He stood for a minute trying to think of an appropriate speech.

“Right,” he said. “I think I’m going to go home.”

>>39947642
RIP Vickers
Should've been an alchemist instead of a city guard mate

>>39947713
We should've talked to frahm and said we killed the monster that killed all his men. Although he probably wouldn't have believed it

Aina wasn’t crying but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. She’d cried too much already and now that when she tried all she got were great wracking sobs that hurt her raw throat and only dried her eyes further. She’d run out. She’d never run out of tears before and she’d spent a lot of her life crying. Too long.

It had always been Liss to dry her eyes and to tell her to toughen up, even after the Master had taken their mother. But now Liss was...this. Just a body on a bed. She breathed and her heart still beat but she could no longer see anything of her sister in it.

She had taken her to the noble house and she had even been permitted in. She had fed her the healing potions. She had done all Cennen had asked of her. Cennen! She sobbed again. She should have known from their first meeting, where he had been a specter of blood and acid. This was all his fault! His intentions were good but Aina knew that he carried death with him as surely as she knew anything. Liss and her should have gone in the opposite direction of him from the start.
Then they would have never come here, to this burning city of old blood and death. Liss would have never taken the scars that she had tried to hide from her and she would have never been swept aside protecting her. She still remembered that impossible black claw scything down towards her and more than anything she remembered Liss taking the strike for her. Just one more way she had been worthless.

So what could she even do now?
As she lay awake at night she pondered forbidden thoughts, of taking Liss back to Tedwell where they had been born. If she was doomed then at least she would not pass on, the Master would draw her into his paradise to live and rot forever. But the people of Tedwell surely hated them as tainted and traitor besides. And the Master was dead, his afterlife despoiled forever.
Another act of Cennen and the shadow that walked by his side.

1/2

Whoops that should be marked Interlude Two

>>39947831
2/2

She lay her head on the bed and slept, utterly void of will. She slept for nearly fourteen hours straight and might have given up and slept forever if Liss had not grasped her hand.

>>39947844
... good girl, Aina. Good girl.

Interlude Three

Iana ran, fleeing further and further into the trees. She wasn’t running from anything concrete though a collection of guards and servants did their best to follow her. She was running from the Mayorship, the responsibility and power that she couldn’t handle. She was running from her uncle and his witless life in the high tower, his mute eyes judging her for his living death. She was running from the men that she had sent to their deaths. She was running from her curse, the thing afflicting her that she still took dispel elixirs to this day. She was running from the dispel elixir, for the want of it had started this entire disaster. She hadn’t taken one for many days.

But most of all she was running from Melire.

She couldn’t do it, not anymore. She’d messed everything up, she was unworthy of her uncle’s position. Uncle Alder had commanded the city, this was his place. She could only ride it and hope that it didn’t throw her off. She was just an unworthy cursed girl who shouldn’t be here. She hadn’t been able to bring vengeance against her uncle’s despoiler, against the girl who had broken her violin and beaten her. Against her entire kind of which there are many.
It was impossible enemy and she couldn’t do it.

The Duke’s old gardens welcomed as she fled through them, her dress ripping upon the thorns. She didn’t know where she was going, all that mattered was what she was leaving behind. She would stay here until her fit left her and perhaps she would slink back into the mansion, back into Melire’s strangling grasp.
1/2

>>39948100
2/2

She stopped for breath and a doomed attempt to collect herself and it was there that she found it. Or perhaps it found her. She lifted the staff from where it been abandoned, tossed aside by a man who was fool to the end. And while she held it, she couldn’t hear them. The judgement of the dead and the city departed her and let her be.

She stayed within the overgrown gardens for three days and four nights and they never found her. They sent guards and trackers into them and combed every inch of the Duke’s old pet wilderness but it was useful because for those days she had vanished elsewhere. She had taken the old paths and walked inward, unknowingly tracing footsteps recently left by another pilgrim who had been similarly tempted.

But she had not turned aside at the end like he had. She had done it. She had struck down the old totem stick that bore the invisible spiral of the land’s power and she had planted the hungry staff in its place.

And she went back to the mansion with a smile upon her face and condensation upon her soul. And within the most secret places of the old gardens, the staff drank and drank and grew and grew until it was not a staff but a mighty tree, one swollen with avarice and wizardry.

Wizard’s are not human. And they do not die so easily.

>>39948100
OH SHIT
BARTS STAFF
MOTHERFUCK

>>39948122
2 spooky

Sorry, I was busy for a few minutes there. That's everything. See you guys in a few days!

>>39948162
thanks anon