>>40342471
Qualaji grins, spinning on her heels, forcing me to stop suddenly.

“Admiring the behemoths? Those two are still growing, being raised for a couple of this clan's young riders. Scales are still too soft to fight anything too dangerous, and their adult teeth haven't come through yet. They'll grow up strong though, large feet you see, always a good sign,” she smiles, giving one of the sleeping behemoths a pat on its flank.

>Ask if you can meet Qualaji's behemoth
>Question her about her plans for Mama Stump and her family
>Continue on to whatever celebration she has planned

>>40342476
>Continue on to whatever celebration she has planned
LIKE A BEASSSTTT

>Archive:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=golem+knight

>Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BrightTegu

>>40342476
>>Ask if you can meet Qualaji's behemoth
There will be plenty of time for combat strategies after the celebration.

>>40342476
>>Continue on to whatever celebration she has planned

>>40342476
>Ask if you can meet Qualaji's behemoth
This is probably rude but I like Behemoths already

>>40342476
>Laugh that you hadn't been beyond your little patch of wood unlike her, so seeing behemoths are still impressive. Make her feel like showing off to you.

>>40342476
>Question her about her plans for Mama Stump and her family

Okay, taking >>40342533 to be a vote towards seeing her behemoth, albeit without outright asking, I'm taking that to be the winning option.

Writing.

If you wish to correct me on your intentions with that post anon, feel free.

>>40342476
>Ask if you can meet Qualaji's behemoth

>>40342768
Not the anon that wrote that, but Im with that as is.

I smile, watching her pat the beast, it's already three times the size of the Iquani horses.

“This is my first time in Iquani lands, and until I met Prince Juti, I'd never come across a behemoth before. They're still quite an impressive sight, for me at least.”

Qualaji grins, turning away from the young behemoth. “You met my brother's behemoth? It's bigger than mine, a little, but nowhere near as cute.”

I'm not sure 'cute' is quite the word I'd use to describe massive, scaly beasts of war, but I suppose I'm no Iquani.

“I'm sure.”

“Come on, I'll introduce you. She's a little shy with new people though, so try not to scare her,” Qualaji grins, jogging past me. I can't imagine I'd be all that frightening to something with claws bigger than my arm, but I'll take her word for it.

I follow after her, as she rushes off ahead, stopping and turning to wait for me with a look of good-natured impatience. We reach her behemoth soon enough, not that I haven't already seen it towering over the tents since before I even arrived. It's a massive, powerfully built thing, slightly smaller than Juti's I suppose, though I'd say that's an academic distinction for great beasts of such impressive size.

The behemoth opens one massive reptilian eye to stare lazily at us as we approach. Patches of blackish, shiny scales along its spine and flanks glinting in the light as it lets out a heavy yawn.

“This is Kajilapa, my behemoth,” Qualaji smiles, walking over to the sunbathing behemoth to pat it on the nose.

The behemoth's snout nudges forward, nuzzling against her master as Qualaji scratches it on the bridge of the snout. I wonder if it can even feel it with scales that thick, but it seems to enjoy the attention all the same.

“See, what did I tell you, far cuter than Juti's behemoth."

>Ask about her behemoth (write-in)
>Make some polite, flattering statements and continue to the celebration
>Other (write-in)

>>40343018
>>Make some polite, flattering statements and continue to the celebration

>>40343018
>Ask about her behemoth (write-in)
How old is this one?

>>40343018
>>Ask about her behemoth (write-in)
Is this how it acts when it's shy?

>>40343018
>Make some polite, flattering statements
But in a way that doesn't sound insincere or just out of formality, more like we're generally pleased.
>Ask about her behemoth (write-in)
Ask how much fighting the behemoth has been in.

>>40343018
I forgot, how old are Sief and Qualaji?

>>40343319
Sief is 17, Qualaji is 16.

“She's very affectionate, how old is she?” I smile.

“She hatched when I was three years old, and we've been together ever since, so thirteen years old. She finished growing around two years ago,” Qualaji explains, stretching her arms out to rub either side of the behemoth's snout.

“Is this how she acts when she's shy?”

Qualaji laughs. “She's a little wary of strangers, but as long as I'm around she's alright. You want to come say hello?”

I suppose I am standing fairly far back, friendly though this behemoth might seem, there's still an underlying sense of unease about getting close to many tons of lizard. I take a step forward as Qualaji stands to one side, still resting a hand on the side of the behemoth's snout, making some reassuring noises.

I stand up in front of the beast's head, one big eye fixed on me as I linger awkwardly, not quite sure what to do from here.

“You can pet her, it's fine,” Qualaji smiles, giving Kajilapa a reassuring scratch.

Well, nothing for it now, I suppose. I reach out and place a hand on the tip of the behemoth's nose, patting it. With a snort, the behemoth shifts, one massive clawed foot sliding round behind me, trapping me in place and pushing me forward towards the behemoth's snout. Its nostrils flare, subjecting me to the very strange sensation of being sniffed by a giant lizard. With a low noise from its throat, the sniffing stops and it starts nuzzling up against my chest, the powerful leg still trapping me in place.

I suppose it could have gone a lot worse. Qualaji for her part has burst out laughing, I would imagine I look quite a sight right now.

“I think she likes you,” she chuckles, patting the behemoth on the snout.

(cont)

>>40343467
“Really Kajilapa, I told him what a shy girl you were and look at you, flirting with a man you just met,” she grins, the behemoth giving another low grumbling sound in its throat.

“She really is affectionate,” I smile, as Qualaji taps the behemoth on the leg, the great beast promptly releasing me from its grip.

“Juti says she's too soft, I say there's nothing wrong with it as long as she can still fight,” the princess shrugs.

“Has she fought much then?”

“We've been in a few battles together, Kajilapa and I, we've fought a couple of giants in our time, and one of the great crocodiles, even faced down a massive basilisk once, didn't we,” she grins, giving Kajilapa one last pat on the snout.

“Alright, come on, let's go before she gets too attached to you,” Qualaji laughs, slapping me on the shoulder as she passes, leading me back towards the rest of the camp.

“So you any good at archery? Running? Horse-riding? Wrestling? Drinking?”

“I'm not really much of a drinker.”

“Eh, me either. What about the others though? I bet some of our warriors would love to test themselves against an Imperial, unless you want to just relax after your long journey, that's fine too... I suppose.”

>I have had some training at archery
>I am quite a fast runner
>I know how to ride a horse
>I've never really wrestled before, but... I suppose I could do it
>I think I'd rather take it easy tonight

>>40343476
>I have had some training at archery
>I am quite a fast runner
>I know how to ride a horse
>I've never really wrestled before, but... I suppose I could do it
E all of the above

>>40343476
> yes

>>40343476
>>I have had some training at archery

>>40343476
this was a hard decision, let's try impressing the princess
>I've never really wrestled before, but... I suppose I could do it

>>40343476
>I have had some training at archery
But I am still behind people who hunt more often than not.

>>40343476
>I'm not really opposed to anything other than horse riding, as I believe your warriors have a lot more experience with that, if you think it's appropriate then I suppose I don't mind.

>>40343519
You're counting on those bedroom warrior genes to kick in, eh?

>>40343544
I am hoping they translate to at least one "practical" skill, yes.

>>40343476
>>I have had some training at archery
>>I am quite a fast runner
>>I know how to ride a horse

>>40343476
>I have had some training at archery
>I am quite a fast runner
>I know how to ride a horse
>I've never really wrestled before, but... I suppose I could do it

Celebration montage here we go. Aim to have fun and raise a merry time, show we aren't a try hard at a fun celebration but do good enough that we aren't a push over. Make some friend and have fun is what I'm saying.

>>40343513
>>40343578
>>40343597
>>>I know how to ride a horse
Why are you saying this? these people were trained to fight using horses, while Sief was trained to fight using golems, obviously they'd be better riders.

>>40343614
So? I don't plan to win.

>>40343614
I know how =/= I'm an expert

>>40343476
Well, Warlord, how good IS Sief at those things?
We know he's good at running from kelpies, at least, and decent at shooting them.

>>40343670
He's competent at all of those things, except maybe wrestling. Whether he can stand up to Iquani warriors at them is another matter entirely. Dependent on dicerolls, naturally

I will say this, none of those options will result in you getting humiliated without having the chance to even roll.

>>40343661
Yes, Sief "knows how" so he isn't an expert.
These people travel using horses, anon, you saw how well trained the brat's horse was.
>>40343645
>bringing shame to the Atanor name in combat matters

>>40343614
Dude this is a celebration, we're just hear for fun and friendly competition. If we get our ass kicked that's fine, makes us more personable and they'll relax a little by us.

Though I'm not saying we should get our asses kicked, but if rather lose a little than win at everything here. Makes us seem like a cunt ruining the fun.

I'm going to hold a second vote here since I'm seeing three choices pushing to the front.

>Just archery
>Everything except horse-riding
>Try everything

>>40343717
Read
>>40343748

>>40343759
>>Just archery

>>40343759
>Try everything

>>40343759

>Just archery

>>40343759

>Try everything

>>40343759
Everything

>>40343759
>>Try everything

>>40343759
>try everything

>>40343759
>Just archery

Little bit of everything wins, celebration montage it is.

>Roll 4d20 for competence.

Rolled 6, 18, 20, 19 = 63 (4d20)

>>40343938
Fuck yeah!

Rolled 6, 20, 2, 12 = 40 (4d20)

>>40343938

Rolled 17, 7, 7, 6 = 37 (4d20)

>>40343938

>>40343964
>>40343965
>>40343978
We are the best at everything.

>>40343964
>>40343965
>>40343978
So that's
17 for archery
20 for running
20 for horse riding
19 for wrestling

Jesus, Sief.

Writing.

Apparently even the nobles are bred tough on the frontier.

>>40343964
>>40343965
>>40343978
Hahahaha I hope that they all don't see us an over achieving cunt for winning everything.

>>40343964
>>40343965
>>40343978
>17, 20, 20, 19
Pretty damn solid.

I'm weirdly proud of rolling that 17, even though it's the weakest of the set and presumably our score for archery, which we probably get the best modifiers to anyways.

Probably something to do with being the only roll that needed "saving" or something.

>>40343964
>>40343965
>>40343978
>17, 20, 20, 19
Not bad

>>40344011
Dear fucking god, at this rate we're totally going to be Mighty Whitey.

>>40344011
fuck yeah

>>40344011
>Eh im passable, i coukd give it a try i guess
>Iquani BTFO
>Sief placed most of his aggression and anger toward his father in getting swole

>>40344011
>wrestling not the best roll
Come on, Sief, get those lewd genes in action!

>>40344066
I have mentioned before that Sief had a strict exercise and training regime back home, he was rather obsessed with being a proper golem knight after all.

This is a young man who has never skipped leg day.

>>40344103
Or archery day, horse racing day, wrestling day, being badass day, etc

I wonder if the competitions will get glossed over, or if we get each of them fairly detailed.

>>40344342
We chose four and did almost equally well in all of them when we were supposed to take only one at most.

Odds are we're either going to have them glossed over, wake up tomorrow with no idea what happened or lose an entire thread to this.

Had we at least scored badly in one or two, that could have been glossed over with "this didn't go nearly as well as [other category], but as things are it's hard to argue for a mix and match approach for how muchd etail each gets.

>>40344413
I doubt we'll lose the entire thread, Lordy is good enough to work around a whole pile o' success

Well, I've had some training in all of those things, except wrestling. I've had some training in unarmed combat from Paxton, but something tells me most of it isn't really suitable for friendly competitions. Still, I suppose there's no harm in being friendly and joining in.

“I could give all of them a try, I suppose. Any rules I should know about?”

“Nothing too serious, I'm sure you'll pick it up as you go along. Target shooting for archery, three shots each, horse riding will just be a race, as long as you don't try to interfere with other riders, it's all good, same with running.” Qualaji explains as she walks, looks like the Iquani are getting things set up as we speak.

“Wrestling, you've just got to pin your opponent for a few seconds or make him yield, just keep it respectable, and don't grab anyone in the... w-well, just don't go too low,” the princess continues, coughing awkwardly as her explanation trails away.

I spot a familiar figure walking over as I approach the archery range.

“Princess, I am most honored by your presence,” says Ratu, the young behemoth rider, bowing his head deeply to Qualaji, who grins, waving off the formality.

“Always glad to meet another behemoth rider, Redscale clan was it?”

“Yes, I came here with the Imperial as an escort,” Ratu continues, lifting his head awkwardly from the bow, as if not entirely certain he should.

Not entirely sure how I should feel about being called 'the Imperial' when I'm standing right there, I decide to move things along.

(cont)

>>40344445
“Will you be competing, Ratu?”

Ratu turns to me as if having only just noticed I'm there. “I will, I represent the strength of my clan after all.”

I suppose I'm representing the strength of the Empire too, in a way.

“Well, good luck to both of you, maybe I'll join in some of the events myself, provided Jira doesn't interfere,” the princess laughs, patting us both on the shoulder, which makes Ratu flush a little.

The Iquani seem a little stiff in my presence I notice, as I approach the archery range, but that's why I'm taking part, let's see if I can't get them to lighten up around me a little.

-

I'm really not sure how to accurately describe the events of the celebration, or my achievements in them. By the end of the night, I'm fairly certain that half the Iquani want to kill me and the other half want to be my best friend. Fortunately the former category are content to sulk and mutter in the background while the latter slap me on the shoulder and try to share drinks, food and stories with me.

Ratu looks a little gloomy I notice, sat off to one side of the celebration picking at some food, coming in fourth or fifth in most events. I don't even know how I did it, but I out-raced, out-ran and out-wrestled everyone I came up against, and came close to winning the archery contest, edged out on the last shot by none other than the princess herself.

Speaking of the princess, I see her break away from a group of Iquani, laughing about some joke as she bounds over, filled with her usual enthusiasm.

“So the leading theories are that you are either a spirit in disguise, or that the empire feeds its nobles special herbs like we do for royal behemoths. So which is it?”

>Write-in

>>40344485
"Definitely herbs. There's ones that make your ears emit smoke when angry and turn your nose blue"

>>40344485
tell her>>40344066

>>40344485
>Good lord, if that's the case then I need to find an old hermit spirit to become my mentor in the way of spirit majjyks, because I was not aware of this until now!
Joke a little, but tell them it was probably just luck, or the inspiration of the moment or something, we never excelled at these things before.
Also, you know, training and shit, I dunno.

>>40344485
Make a joke about them using breeding programs similiar to the ones used beasts shock her a little, then cave and say we just train regularly.

>>40344485
"Not sure, to tell the truth. Maybe it's something in the water."

>>40344485
"My house isn't very social, in a manner of speaking. I spend much of my time away from court. Everything else i do to train as a golem knight, those that pilot them are no slouches. My mother made the golem I pilot so, i try to honor it."

>>40344485
I'm actually am herb in disguise and the empire feeds us special spirits

>>40344485
My personal circumstances have led me to be a very driven individual, so I spend a lot of time training
>>40344903
Can we lead with this then give a real answer

“If I am a spirit that's news to me. I suppose it must be the herbs, like your behemoths. Or the breeding programs... like your behemoths.”

Qualaji's eyes widen. “B-breeding programs?”

I'll admit, it's a little fun teasing her, it makes a nice change from always losing every exchange with Loren. I let the serious expression hold for a few seconds before I can't keep the smile down any more, cracking a grin.

“You shouldn't be talking to a princess like that,” she huffs, punching me on the arm, before her familiar grin returns.

“I've spent a lot of my life training, and life out on the edge of the empire is a lot different from life in the capital,” I smile.

“I can tell, Juti was complaining for months about having to deal with all the fops in the capital. He said most of them have never even sat on a horse, how can you even call that living?” the princess laughs.

“Life at court is a strange thing,” I shrug, not that I'm particularly familiar with it myself.

“Ah well, don't stay up too late enjoying your popularity, I want to start off early tomorrow,” Qualaji smiles, stifling a yawn, looks like she should take her own advice.

So is there anything else I want to do this evening, or should I go get some rest?

>(Write-in)
>Get some sleep

>>40345078

>Get some sleep

>>40345078
>Get some sleep

>>40345078
>Get some sleep

>>40345078
>give her the D
But not really.
Instead,
>Talk to Ratu
even though I dislike him

>Get some sleep

Though we should ask her if she intends to let that other fellow join us tomorrow.

Frankly after today, he is bound to be a little reckless to try impress. If he comes with, she needs to give him a talking to.

>>40345078
>Get some sleep
Hasn't it been some one since we actually got some restful sleep? I remember a lot of shitty sleeping in the golem but can't remember if we got any good sleep in recently a.

Writing.

>>40345284
This is going to be your first night's sleep outside of your golem in around three or four days.

>>40345308
Yeah we definitely need some fucking sleep. After all that and all those competitions, I'm surprised our guys in still up.

>>40345308
hopefully no one cuts our throat
>tfw no one wanted to talk to Ratu
>>40345402
>surprised our guy is still up
Oh, Sief's guy can get up whenever he's needed.

>>40345472
>tfw no one wanted to talk to Ratu
Why would we want to talk to Ratu? He's been a disrespectful little shit ever since we met him.

>>40345531
Even after we saved his life.

>>40345531
I know, but I don't want him to do something retarded because of "muh feelings"

I glance over at Ratu, perhaps I should go and talk to him, but... he's just really not a pleasant person to be around.

“You're right, I think I'll go get some sleep. You should probably do the same before too long,” I smile, turning back to the princess.

“I suppose, most of the competitions are over now, and all the stories they're telling out there are ones I've heard before. Sleep well, Sief,” Qualaji grins, turning away and wandering off into the camp.

I make my way back over to my golem, retrieving a tent from my belongings, setting it up next to Raziel. I must have been exhausted, since I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow before I'm blinking myself awake to the sight of the morning sun peeking through the entrance to my tent.

I enjoy the sensation of not waking up with everything feeling terrible for a few moments, before picking myself up and preparing for the day to come. It looks like many of the Iquani are already hard at work about camp, and I take the opportunity to run through some quick exercises and get myself some breakfast.

“Sief, good morning,” an energetic voice calls as I sit gulping down some water, Qualaji emerging from the camp, looking as enthusiastic as ever.

“Good morning, princess. Ready to get going?”

“I am, very soon,” Qualaji nods, grinning.

“How many men are you going to bring?”

The princess cocks her head a little, a bemused smile quirking up the corner of her mouth.

“I wasn't going to bring anyone, more people mean more sharing out the glory, not to mention slowing us down and making us easier to spot. I have had a few people offering, I suppose, like that Redscale, Ratu.”

I wonder if that's wise. She's not entirely incorrect, I suppose.

> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”
> “We could bring along some riders.”
> “We could take Ratu with us.”
> “We could take some riders and Ratu.”

>>40345597
> “We could take Ratu with us.”

>>40345597

> “We could take Ratu with us.”
Emphasis on could, we should probably warn him not to try impressing anyone, living is good.

>>40345597
>whichever you prefer

I have no opinion on this.

>>40345597

> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”

As much as having help would be cool, Ratu is going to get his ass killed trying to show off vs a clan of giants. Really don't much care either way though.

>>40345597
>You think he'd be a good addition to the fight?

>>40345597
> “We could take Ratu with us.”

>>40345597
>> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”

>>40345597
>> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”
Bringing Ratu isn't exactly the best idea.

Counting the "whichever you prefer" as a vote for going alone, since she already said that was her plan, looks like going alone wins.

Writing.

>>40345597

> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”

>>40345597
> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”

>>40345597
>> “You're right, we can move quicker and easier alone.”
probably the wiser move now that i think about it

“You'd prefer to go alone, then?”

“Of course, we need to stay mobile, horses get tired out a lot faster than behemoths and golems.”

“...and Ratu?”

“Well, another behemoth is always useful, but...”

Qualaji trails off, I suppose I can understand even if I have some doubts. She looks like she has her mind set on it though, and tactically I can see where she's coming from, so I can't really argue.

“Alright, I'm ready to go when you are,” I nod.

“Great, the sooner the better, get in your golem meet me over by Kajilapa,” the princess grins, spinning on her heels and running off towards her massive behemoth.

I dismantle my tent and stow it back in Raziel, powering up the golem, which draws a fair bit of attention. I circle the edge of the camp, heading over to where I'm meeting the princess, finding her piling supplies up onto her behemoth with the help of some of the other Iquani. I'm a little surprised to see her lugging all the supplies up onto Kajilapa's back on her own mind you, with the others simply passing them to her, surely it would be easier if she had some help up there.

Anyway, none of my business I suppose, since she's mostly done when I arrive. Kajilapa turns as I approach, giving a low, menacing hiss, head low and teeth bared. Qualaji climbs over to the behemoth's neck with impressive grace, picking her way across the uneven scales with ease, patting it on the head, making reassurances. Kajilapa stops hissing, though the behemoth still looks rather uncertain about Raziel.

Sighing, I open up the cockpit. Kajilapa blinks, craning her neck to sniff at me, and for a moment I fear the massive behemoth is about to try and climb up onto Raziel to get closer, but with another few words from Qualaji, the behemoth loses interest.

“Ready to go, Sief?” she calls, and I wave in response.

(cont)

>>40346175
“Princess, what are you doing?” another voice shouts, the elderly Jira from yesterday.

“Going scouting with Sief, I'll be back in a few days,” Qualaji calls, climbing back over to the saddle, securing the last of her supplies.

“Princess, you can't go running off into the wilderness alone with an Imperial... an Imperial man,” Jira shouts. The old woman really does not look too happy, unsurprisingly.

Qualaji gives her behemoth a pat on the side of the head, the great beast turning and lumbering away from the camp.

“Sorry Jira, can't hear you, I'll be leaving now,” she shouts back, and I follow, closing back up the cockpit to the sounds of indignation from her old minder. I can't imagine that's an easy job.

A little while later the camp is long gone, and I bring Raziel up alongside Qualaji.

“So where is this Mama Stump anyway?”

“Oh, she's over about two days that way,” Qualaji calls back, pointing off to the east, where I can vaguely make out the flat scrubland giving way to rockier and more hilly terrain.

“We'll have to either come at her family's lands from through the battlefield, or over the open scrub. First one's more dangerous, but also a lot more likely to get us closer without getting spotter. Going across the scrub we're going to need some serious luck to sneak up on her, but it also means no tangling with the things in the battlefield,” she continues.

Looks like I might not be able to avoid crossing an old battlefield this time.

>Other Questions (write-in)
>Continue on towards the giants.

>>40346195
What exactly can we expect when we close on Mama Stump's location? How many are in her brood? Are there any other dangerous creatures that might hinder us? Or alternatively use as a distraction by shepherding them towards her?

>>40346195
>>Continue on towards the giants.

>>40346175
>Sighing, I open up the cockpit. Kajilapa blinks, craning her neck to sniff at me, and for a moment I fear the massive behemoth is about to try and climb up onto Raziel to get closer
Kajilapa a cutiepie, best girl
>>40346195
How stupid are they, and is Mama smarter than average? Any weapons or just giant clubs and shit? How many? Animals?

>>40346195
>Other Questions (write-in)
So how has Mama Stump made herself a nuisance in your lands?

As is becoming something of a habit in these threads at some point, I'm going to need to step out for a bit. I should have the next post up within the hour.

Alright, back and writing.

>>40346236
The spirits of either side furious that there's us two cooperating?

>>40347676
More glory then, all is well

“So how have Mama Stump and her brood been making a nuisance of themselves in your lands?”

Qualaji shrugs, leaning back against a pile of supplies at the back of the saddle.

“They're giants, making a nuisance is what they do. Mostly they just ambush travellers who get too close, drag them off back to their home for food. Sometimes she'll send some of her children out further afield to do something for her, usually raiding clans.”

“Why hasn't anyone done anything about this before?”

“We have, we've killed a dozen of her children over the years, even badly wounded Mama Stump herself a few times, that's why she's Mama Stump now, used to be she called herself Mama Blacktooth. She's smart for a giant though, always seems to get away. Plus their home is rocky and hard to get to without going straight through one of the passes, which is a good way to get rocks dropped on your head. None of the clans are willing to get decimated trying to put her down once and for all in unfavorable terrain.”

“Okay, how many left in her brood? Do they have any animals or anything else?”

“Ehh, three or four children left, I think. Might be others that we haven't seen, but that's the number I know about. They've got a pet wyvern too, never seen it, but I've heard about it from clans that got raided by her children. They're also a whole lot better armed that giants ought to be on account of scavenging the battlefield for old golem weapons, they never figured out how the fancy stuff worked, but big swords and axes they understand.”

This is starting to wound a little worrying, but I knew this wasn't going to be easy since I first set out.

(cont)

>>40348119
“Don't worry, Sief, we can handle them, we just need to pick them off, and if we can take Mama Stump's head, the rest will scatter,” Qualaji shrugs. I wish I could share her optimism.

“Okay, how about other dangerous animals around, anything that might get in the way, or maybe even that we could shepherd towards her as a distraction.”

Qualaji taps a finger to her chin, staring out into the distance as Kajilapa lumbers on.

“Oh, that's an idea, now that you mention it, there's a basilisk not far from their home, living in a cave on the far side of the battlefield. I bet if we could wound it and make it panic, we could drive it straight into her and her kin, that's sure to spread some chaos,” the princess grins, hopping up on the saddle. Her balance is impressive, the way she walks around on the behemoth's back even as it moves, that's for sure.

“The battlefield won't be easy though,” you note.

“No. Lot of bad things lurking there, especially at night, nothing we can't handle though,” Qualaji smiles. I hope she's right.

>Okay, through the battlefield it is
>Let's avoid the battlefield and go across the scrub

>>40348141
>Okay, through the battlefield it is

>>40348141
>Okay, through the battlefield it is

>>40348141
>Okay, through the battlefield it is

>>40348141
>>Okay, through the battlefield it is

>>40348141

>Okay, through the battlefield it is

File: TO GLORY.gif (2.83 MB, 318x178)

2.83 MB GIF

>>40348141
>Okay, through the battlefield it is
HONOUR AND GLORY

“Sounds like we have a plan then, more or less.”

“We can figure the rest out once we get a better look at everything,” Qualaji replies, smiling.

The rest of the morning goes pretty uneventfully, we spot a group of boggarts skulking around, but the sight of a golem and behemoth is enough to send the wrinkly little wretches fleeing in all directions, and they're soon long gone. We stop for a quick lunch from the supplies and start off again in the afternoon, the rocky land ahead looming up higher and higher as we press on towards Mama Stump's home.

We stop once the sun sets, and Qualaji lets Kajilapa flop down to the ground, the behemoth giving a yawn, eyes closing as soon as it has settled.

“Let's camp here,” the princess calls, waving down at me.

“Is it safe to camp out here?”

“It's fine, Kajilapa will listen out for anything coming too close,” Qualaji smiles.

> “All the same, I'd rather sleep in here tonight”
> Power down Raziel and get out

>>40348563
>Power down Raziel and get out

>>40348563
>> “All the same, I'd rather sleep in here tonight”
Say its to help us focus for the upcoming fight

>>40348563
> Power down Raziel and get out
sleep as close to the way in as possible.

>>40348563
>Power down Raziel and get out

>>40348563
> Power down Raziel and get out

>>40348563
> Power down Raziel and get out

>>40348563
>> Power down Raziel and get out
We were told behemoths are good at this shit.
Just remember not to trust and sketchy shit like a nymph or spirit or whatever. or ghosts.

>>40348563
>Power down Raziel and get out

Writing.

Haha I think we can almost all agree the poor guy had slept in their enough.

I power down Raziel, not eager to start my habit of sleeping in the cockpit again unless I really have to. I clamber down with my tent, starting to set it up as Qualaji starts a fire, setting up a pot of some sort of stew on it once she's got it going.

“You want some, Sief? It's zebra.”

“Those stripy horses?”

“Those are the ones, they taste pretty good.”

I frown, eyeing the stew.

“Doesn't it bother you, eating things that look like horses?”

“...You've never eaten horse before?”

Well I suppose that answers that question. I'd rather not go back to dried meat, so some stew does sound pretty good, and as it starts to boil, it smells pretty damned good too.

“We should be pretty safe tonight. Tomorrow night though we'll be camping close to the edge of the battlefield, which can't really be helped if we want to cross it in one day. I brought salt though, so we should be okay,” the princess explains, sprinkling a little salt into the stew.

I have heard about this, not that I've ever had much reason to learn about such things. Salt's used to ward off ghosts and, to a lesser extent, other things born out of death.

“You take some too, you see anything weird tomorrow night, throw some salt on it, if it starts freaking out, it's probably not human,” the princess grins, handing me a sack filled with salt.

“Do you think it's likely?”

“I saw some pretty strange things last time I went there scouting, didn't stay a whole night though.”

(cont)

>>40349270
“Tonight though, we can just relax,” Qualaji smiles, stirring the stew.

A relaxing night sounds good to me, not that I didn't enjoy the celebration, but it feels like it's been non-stop since I left home.

“You know, I don't think I ever asked why you were after Mama Stump. I'm here to make sure none of my people ever have to die to that inbred clan of giants again, and for the glory of course, but what about you, these aren't your people or your lands, and I doubt there's much glory in it for you with your own people either. So what are you doing here, Sief?” the princess asks, fixing me with an unusually intense stare.

>Give a complete answer
>Give a complete answer minus family stuff
>Give a short answer
>Don't answer

>>40349295
>Give a complete answer

>>40349295
Extract a promise/oath for her not to tell anyone.
then
>Give a complete answer

>>40349295
>Give a complete answer
>>40349331
Supporting this too, it's personal

>>40349295
>>Give a complete answer
>>40349331
Basically this yeah.

>>40349331
>>40349295
+1

>>40349295
>>Give a complete answer

Writing.

I suppose I can't keep this from her if we're going to be going to face Mama Stump together.

“If I tell you, I want your oath that you won't tell this to anyone else,” I frown, locking my gaze with hers.

The princess pauses, stopping her stirring of the stew, watching me for a few seconds before she nods.

“I swear it on my ancestors, what you say to me stays between us.”

I sigh, this is going to be a long story...

-

The stew is every bit as good as it smelled, Qualaji being a good cook it seems, even if the atmosphere has become very heavy. The princess listened to the whole story in silence, a silence she hasn't broken since it ended, even when she passed me the bowl and sat down to eat her own.

I finish the bowl, placing it down and nodding to the princess, turning to head for my tent.

“She sounded like a wonderful woman, your mother,” a quiet voice comes from behind me.

“She was,” I smile, glancing back over my shoulder, Qualaji wearing a stern expression.

“Mama Stump will pay for her part in your family's misfortune, Sief, I promise you.”

I nod, heading for my tent, eager to get to sleep before the memories can well up again.

-

>>40350142
Awakening the next morning, I find Qualaji back to her usual cheerful self, grinning and handing me a bowl of some sort of mixture of mushrooms, herbs, and some more leftover meat.

“Good morning, Sief, ready to go? Today should be easy too, I think. The hard part comes from tonight onwards.”

I thank her for the breakfast, making a mental note to handle dinner later, hardly seems fair to lean too heavily on the princess in that respect. With that, we set off once more, the scrubland slowly giving way to sandy ground broken up with rocky outcroppings which grow taller and heavier as the day goes on.

“The battlefield past here's old, very old, first war we had with your people. They'd fortified the mesa into a staging point for attacks further into our lands. Khan Ajeti saw it as an insult to the spirits, launched an attack, threw waves and waves of our people at the mesa until they overwhelmed the defenders. Whole clans ceased to exist in that assault, the rocks are littered with bones and broken golems.”

I've read a little about that battle, it was not a good one, from anyone's estimation. The empire overextended itself, convinced that mere barbarians couldn't stop their new golems. Supply lines got cut off by raids, the forts were forced to fend for themselves, they were starving, sick, waiting for reinforcements that may never come. If the Iquani had just waited them out they would have died on their own most likely, but Khan Ajeti was a madman, at least from what I've read in imperial history books. Bloodthirsty and erratic, prone to fits where he believed he saw visions from the spirits guiding him. Maybe there was something in those visions, judging by how long he held his title, but that day all it did was got a lot of his people killed needlessly.

“So Mama Stump is in the old fort?”

“Yes, it was mostly caverns carved out by the empire's golems into the mesa, big enough for giants to live in.”

(cont)

>>40350162
I stare out into the distance, spying the jutting remnants of an ancient golem sword, rusting and broken, half-buried in the sand. It makes my skin crawl, thinking about how many people died there, but I won't turn back now.

The rest of the day is, thankfully, as the princess predicted, peaceful. We stop for stew, which I prepare this time, gazelle, and Qualaji is good enough to compliment me on the meal. The ground is very rocky now, but I can see the battlefield in the distance all the same, mangled remnants of ancient golems, the giant ribcages of long-dead behemoths, and no doubt countless human bones beneath.

Qualaji seems content to set up her tent outside again, up against Kajilapa's side. Another night sleeping in the cockpit does not sound enticing, despite my nerves.

>Sleep in the cockpit tonight
>Sleep in your tent

>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent
I ain't afraid of no ghosts

File: 1413429325981s.jpg (2 KB, 125x125)

2 KB JPG

>>40342476
CRAAAAAAAAAAAWWWLING IN MY SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN

File: 1392807342324.png (1.02 MB, 826x738)

1.02 MB PNG

>>40350218
what?

>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent

>>40350188
>in the cockpit

>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent
Sief's saltiness at giants and his father will protect him.

>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent

File: 1430775016874.jpg (68 KB, 500x748)

68 KB JPG

>>40350188
>Sleep in the cockpit tonight

>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent
Ask if we can sleep close to Kajilapa also

>>40350254
Sorry, I forgot this isn't /r9k/. Making fun of Linkin Park is always good there.

Anyway,
>>40350188
>Sleep in your tent

>>40350254
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd9OhYroLN0

this whole ghost haning an ancient battlefield reminds me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7bfHur9m2Q

Tent time.

Writing.

>>40350428
I know it was probably a bad idea, but I wanted to do it anyways because it seems like interesting things will happen. Maybe.
Hopefully.

Checking to make sure I still have that bag of salt handy, I set up my tent, the sun slowly sinking beneath the horizon.

“Most ghosts can't hurt you, but be careful all the same, some are smarter or more dangerous than others. I'll see you in the morning, Sief,” Qualaji explains, giving Kajilapa one last pat on the flank before climbing into her tent.

I let out a sigh. Though I always imagined myself as a golem knight fighting glorious battles, I never really thought about all the dangers out there beyond simply trading blows with a titan. Seeing how calm Qualaji is about a lot of things that are still new and strange to me makes me realize all too well how narrow my experience of the world truly is.

I climb into my tent, checking the bag of salt one last time and drifting off into a fitful sleep.

It's two hours later that I awaken to whispers and strange shuffling sounds outside the tent. A vague wisp of fog curls from the tent's entrance. The shuffling grows closer, until I swear I can hear low voices just outside. The salt on one side of me and the sword on my other is reassuring, and I grip the hilt, appreciating the comfortable weight in my hand, but it doesn't change the unease I feel as I listen to the sounds beyond.

>Step out of the tent, confront the source of the noise
>Stay here and wait it out

>>40350684
>Step out
It's showtime, Sief-meister.

>>40350684
>>Step out of the tent, confront the source of the noise

>>40350684
>>Stay here and wait it out

>>40350684
>>Stay here and wait it out
I'm tempted to try and figure out what they're saying but we might lose sanity.

>>40350684
>>Step out of the tent, confront the source of the noise
remember the salt

>>40350684
>Step out of the tent, confront the source of the noise
Take a knife and some salt with you. Who knows what manner of spooky spectacle you'll encounter out there in the bleak, black wilderness

>>40350845
Knife? Brah we got a sword on us.

>>40350910
Forgot about that, so yeah, disregard knife, sword works better.

>>40350684
>Sprinkle Salt on your sword

Looks like you are confronting the spookiness.

Writing.

>>40350989
Salt will fall off

I pick up the sword and the bag. No way I'm going to be getting back to sleep with whatever that is shuffling around outside. Besides, I need to make sure whatever it is doesn't go after Qualaji too.

I sprinkle some salt on the blade of the sword, most of which falls straight off unsurprisingly, but it makes me feel a little better all the same, and readying myself, I open the tent flap in one quick motion, stepping out.

A thick fog has descended on the camp from somewhere, and I can make out little more than the tent behind me, and Raziel's foot behind that, Qualaji's tent and the behemoth being little more than vague shadowy outlines through the heavy clouds.

The shuffling has stopped however, and squinting into the mist I see nothing that could have been the cause. Looking down though, I spot footprints in the sand, small and barefoot.

The shuffling sound starts again, off in the distance, but try as I might I can't make out the source through this damned fog.

>Go after the noise
>Stay put
>Go back inside
>Call for Qualaji

>>40351160
>Stay put
>Call for Qualaji

>>40351160
>Stay put.

>>40351160
>>Call for Qualaji

>>40351160
>Edge towards Quali's tent

Writing.

“Princess...” I hiss, the shuffling continuing as I wait.

“Princess Qualaji, can you hear me,” I whisper, a little louder.

Still nothing. I'm starting to get more than a little worried now.

“Qualaji,” I call, louder now. Still no response, but as I listen to the silence I realize that the shuffling has stopped.

“Princess, can you hear me?” I call, taking a step forward towards her tent, then another. We were not far from each other when we camped, but the vague outline of the tent grows no clearer, no closer. Frowning, I glance back towards my own tent, still just about visible through the fog.

>Keep heading for her tent
>Trust Qualaji will be okay, return to my own tent

>>40351494
>Trust Qualaji will be okay, return to my own tent

>>40351494
>Trust Qualaji will be okay, return to my own tent

>>40351494
>>Keep heading for her tent

>>40351494
>Keep heading for her tent

>>40351494
>Trust she'll be ok

>>40351615
>>40351617
Guys this is a ghost that wants us to get lost. It's a trap. Girl's dealt with this before she'll be fine.

Okay, writing.

>>40351704
That's what I was thinking.

This whole thing seems off to me, and I back up towards my tent, scanning the fog for any signs of movement, but the shuffling doesn't return, and I reach my tent much more, glancing back inside it and finding it just as I left it.

Frowning once more into the mist, I climb back into the tent, shutting the flap. It's hardly easy to get back to sleep after that, and I keep the sword and the salt in my hands as I lie there, ears pricked for any noises outside.

I've lost track of time, drifting in and out of a fitful sleep, when I hear another sound outside the tent, a scuffing footstep against the sand, shaking breathing.

“Sief? Sief are you in there?” a quiet voice whispers outside.

It sounds like Qualaji.

“Princess?”

“Oh thank the spirits, I thought I heard something, so I stepped out to take a look. I... I couldn't find my way back to my tent, I can't find Kajilapa, it feels like I've been wandering for hours.”

>Invite her in
>Open the tent flap, take a look
>Nope, not falling for that

>>40351862
>>Open the tent flap, take a look
Toss salt.

>>40351862
>Open the tent flap, take a look
>Ready salt.

>>40351862
>Open the tent flap, take a look

Throw some salt on her first

>>40350254
>What's my issue with Mama Stump?

>>40351862
>>Open the tent flap, take a look
throw salt out

>>40351862
>open, throw salt

Writing.

I reach into the bag, taking a handful of salt, opening the tent flap slowly.

Qualaji stands outside, shivering in the chill fog, hair dishevelled, eyes wide with relief, a faint smile starting to curl up the corners of her mouth. More noticeable still is her current state of dress, her riding leathers gone in favor of a loose shirt and breeches, the shirt lies half-open, hanging off her shoulder, exposing more than a little of her dusky skin.

“I'm so glad you're alright, Sief. I was so worried when I couldn't find you or Kajilapa. I... can I sleep here tonight?”

“I don't know if that's wise,” I frown, trying to draw my eyes away from the curve of her collar bone and the pert breast barely covered beneath.

“It's okay, Sief, we both knew this would happen. A man and woman, alone in the wilderness, it's only natural,” the princess smiles, the shirt slipping down a little further as she clutches a hand to her other arm shyly, the fabric slipping over her breast, exposing one small, dark nipple.

Oh spirits. Now I don't know whether I'm hoping this will work or not.

“Just, one thing first. You might want to close your eyes for this.”

“What do you mean?” the princess asks, cocking her head.

I toss the handful of salt, and the effect is near instantaneous, the form of Qualaji erupts outwards into mist, her exotic features giving way to an exaggerated mask of rage for just a second before it disappears completely into the fog, leaving only the lingering echoes of an ear-splitting shriek of rage in its wake.

I sit back in the tent, closing the flap, staring ahead for several minutes, unable to move. Finally I manage to lie back down, frowning to myself. Great, as if being on edge about ghosts wasn't bad enough, now I have other uncomfortable thoughts and images swirling around in my head.

Damned ghosts.

(cont)

>>40352493
I don't know when I got back to sleep, but when I next wake, I can see the welcome sight of the sunlight beyond the tent. I open up the flap, looking outside, spotting Qualaji at work peeling some sort of root vegetables, leaning back against the side of her behemoth.

She doesn't look up as I approach, intent at her work. There's a long pause before she finally speaks, still not looking me in the eye.

“Good morning, Sief. Did you... did you see anything strange last night?”

>Nothing whatsoever
>A few things
>Well now that you mention it...(tell her everything)

>>40352519
Yes, I am fine. No, I do not wish to talk abut it.

>>40352519
>>Well now that you mention it...(tell her everything)

>>40352519
>SAW YOUR TITTY GUUUUUUUUURL

>>40352519
>>A few things

>>40352519
>A few things. A ghost imitated you.

>>40352519
>What did you see?
>Well now that you mention it...(tell her everything)

>>40352519
>Throw salt on her

>>40352519
>>A few things

>>40352519
>A few things

Writing.

>>40351160
>I sprinkle some salt on the blade of the sword, most of which falls straight off unsurprisingly
Top kek, fuckin called it.

I reach into a pocket, tossing some salt onto the princess, who looks down at the white granules in her lap with a bemused expression.

“Sorry, I saw a few things last night. A ghost imitating you for one.”

Qualaji brushes the salt off of her lap, a slight blush rising in her cheeks.

“Oh... I see. Yes, ghosts can be tricky like that. There was one pretending to be you too, but I didn't fall for it for a second,” she explains, looking away, cheeks still burning. I glance over to Qualaji's tent, spotting a fair bit of salt mixed in with the sand just outside the flap, I suppose she must have had a difficult night too.

“Right, well then, good to see we both made it through the night safely,” I smile, trying not to think about her semi-undressed state as I do, which is proving... difficult.

“Yes, we should get moving as soon as we've eaten, we'll be crossing the battlefield today, after that we're at the mesa, it's going to get tough from here on out,” the princess explains, giving me a slight smile before returning to her vegetables with an intense focus.

I look over into the distance, towards the looming form of the mesa, and the rough rocky land between us and it, jagged sheets of metal glinting in the sun between sun-bleached bones. Finally, I can get the answers I came here for.

>End of Thread

Right, thread done, thank you all for playing.

I can hang about for q&a if people have anything to ask me about Golem Knight Quest.

>>40353026
>but I didn't fall for it for a second

Could she lie even harder?

>>40353046
So what did we run into? On a scale of 1-10 where is the princess? How close was the archery amtch? What does the princess think of us? How irritated is Ratu we BTFO'd him and left without inviting him to the hunt? If Sief were a spirit what kind would he be?

>>40353046
She fell for it didn't she?
How far did she go?

>>40353046
Felt a little empty today, but thanks a lot for running today!

>>40353110
>So what did we run into?
The first thing was not a ghost, it was something else entirely trying to lure you away from the tent. I will not tell you what, because you might run into it again.

The second thing was a ghost.

>On a scale of 1-10 where is the princess?
Are we talking attractiveness here? If so, she's a definite 10, as befits qt brown princesses.

>How close was the archery amtch?
Very, she just barely beat you on the last shot by a very slight margin. Qualaji's a pretty impressive shot.

>What does the princess think of us?
Well now that is a good question.

>How irritated is Ratu we BTFO'd him and left without inviting him to the hunt?
Probably pretty mad.

>If Sief were a spirit what kind would he be?
Spirits aren't really that easy to categorize.

>>40353119
>She fell for it didn't she?
>How far did she go?
Well considering that said ghosts obviously had more malevolent intentions than merely boning the living, it's a safe bet that nothing too intense happened, or you would probably be minus one princess right now.

>>40353177
Glad I could make your day, anon.

>>40353177
>>40353289
Oh wait, I see, you meant the thread felt a little empty today.

I read it as you feeling a little empty today.

How embarrassing. Yes, it was a little slow today, not that GKQ has ever been my most popular quest.

>>40353349
I enjoy it. The lack of smutfags or lel 4 demons at once posters is more fun for me. Basilisks have petrifying gaze in this world?

>>40353382
A fatal gaze and lethal venom, which they tend to leave behind everywhere they go. It's a good idea not to drink from water sources found anywhere near a basilisk, since it's probably tainted.

>>40353428
Alright then. They serpents or lizards? Golems and pilots of such are immune to the gaze right?

Also possible useful salvage in the fort ruins after we clear out the giant kin?

>>40353477
>Alright then. They serpents or lizards?
Serpents, although some breeds have small, stunted legs.

>Golems and pilots of such are immune to the gaze right?
Yes, your viewing screen does not count as "looking at it" for the purposes of its gaze, this has been proven in the past by other golem knight who have encountered them.

>Also possible useful salvage in the fort ruins after we clear out the giant kin?
It will all be somewhat outdated, but it is possible you'll find some good things, yes.

>>40353349
Haha it still made my day. Your three quests are very enjoyable.

>>40353540
Thanks anon, always good to hear people are having fun in my quests.

>>40353529
Behemoths are vulnerable to the gaze correct? How outdated would the gear be? Since Paxton's golem is from that era and still is fairly dangerous.

>>40353603
>Behemoths are vulnerable to the gaze correct?
Correct.

>How outdated would the gear be? Since Paxton's golem is from that era and still is fairly dangerous.
Fairly outdated, but still useful. Especially for Sief considering that he has a sum total of jack and shit in his family's armory until he can secure some more modern equipment.

Paxton's golem still being capable of standing on an equal level to Sief and Raziel is more a testament to the difference in Sief's and Paxton's experience at golem piloting. Paxton is damned good at what he does.

>>40353677
>>40353603
Also I should point out, Paxton wasn't a golem knight during the first Iquani war, which this fort was established in. He was ground infantry in that war, he had a pike and some light armor and hoped that today wasn't the day he got stomped on by something huge, like all the rest of the ground infantry.

He got promoted shortly before the second Iquani war after he was shown to have an aptitude when all the veterans were tested.

>>40353677
Anything that could be recovered from the giant bodies that could be useful for gear?
Like that spriggan salvage we still need worked.

>>40353724
Thankfully weapons are fairly straightforward compared to golems.

>>40353750
Giant bodies are completely useless. Just as well, because no-one really wants to go rummaging around in a giant carcass looking for something of value anyway.

>>40353811
What about Basilisks?

>>40353881
Some parts might be useful, eyes, tongue or teeth would be your best bet.

Handle with extreme care though, their venom does not grow less potent after death.

>>40353902
Ok then. How much money will we need to start getting the Iquani trade road up?

>>40353976
A fair bit, either you'll need to get some serious income coming in, or you'll need to find investors to help fund it.

Thread archived.

>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Golem%20Knight%20Quest

Going to need to crash now, sleep is overtaking me.

Thank you all once again for playing, and I hope to see you all again next time.

>>40353996
How much would some salvage(golem bits we pick up but don't need for Paxton's amchine or our own) and possibly some basilisks bits be worth?

Thanks for running!

>>40354014
Hard to say without getting them valued. Basilisk bits would probably fetch a decent price since basilisks aren't native to the empire. The old golem parts might get a good price, that depends on whether you can sell them as antique pieces to collectors rather than as scrap metal.

Anyway, this time I'm off for real, any more questions you can ask on my ask.fm, which I should really start linking in these threads, and I'll answer them tomorrow.

>http://ask.fm/BrightTegu

>>40354079
Thanks for running, sorry I wasn't able to catch it.