>>41775877
You wake slowly, your eyelids feeling almost as if they were glued shut. You’re lying in the wagon, the contraption bumping beneath you as it trundles along. The canvas is shut but you can see pale light creeping through the crack. The pallor and the uncharacteristic cool tells you that it must be early morning still.

You struggle to sit up, your muscles feeling loose. What happened? You can’t remember how you got here or anything much at all. Your recent memory is naught but a scratchy blur. Something about campfires and cards?
Your pack is missing.


> Go back to sleep.

> Call out.

> Try to recollect what happened last night.

> Wake up and get out of the wagon.

> Pray for assistance.

> Other

>>41775890
>> Try to recollect what happened last night.

>>41775890
> Try to recollect what happened last night.
> FIND THAT PACK

>>41775890
> Try to recollect what happened...
THE PACK! WHERE IS IT?!!!
> Wake up and get out of the wagon.
Also, do we feel an overwhelming desire to make Aash happy? If so...
> Look for Aash

>>41775890
> Try to recollect what happened last night.

>>41775890
>> Try to recollect what happened last night.
>> Wake up and get out of the wagon.

> Try to recollect what happened last night.
>Get out of the wagon, locate pack.

You hold your head as you try to think back to last night? Why can't you remember anything? Were you drunk? A split-second image of Hiss holding out a flask flashes through your mind, one accompanied by the smell of alcohol.
That's it, you must have been drunk. That's unusual, you've never considered yourself much of an imbiber. Not of alcohol at any rate.

And besides, Hiss is awful at holding her drink. If you were drinking with her she would have gone out long before you. Wouldn't she?

It's all still a blur to you, a rush of disconnected sensations. The heat of the flames, the feeling of metal at your fingertips, the brush of lips against yours...
Oh. You didn't kiss Hiss again did you? That might explain why you feel so out of it. Your limited resistance to venom can only withstand so much.

Well, that's that. You need to find your pack, pronto. You stick your head out of the wagon, squinting in the light. The sun has just cleared the horizon before you, by the looks of things. Early morning, as suspected.
You can see the Ranadin walking alongside the wagon and you think you can hear Aashenpreet and Oster sitting out in the front. You don't know where Hiss and Rock are.

> Look for Hiss.

> Look for Rock.

> Try to listen in on Oster and Aashenpreet.

> Greet Oster and Aashenpreet.

> Speak with the Ranadin.

> Pray

> "Where's my pack!?"

> Other

>>41776328
> Look for Hiss.
> "Where's my pack!?"

>>41776328
> Try to listen in on Oster and Aashenpreet.
> "Where's my pack!?"

>>41776328
>> Look for Hiss.
>> Look for Rock.
in that order

>>41776328
> Greet Oster and Aashenpreet.
I bet they know what's going on. Also I bet we kissed Aash. Which is weird because that wasn't supposed to be that sort of love potion. Maybe aash told us to?

>>41776328
> Greet Oster and Aashenpreet.
> "Where's my pack!?"

>>41776406
We can love anything that we have Nobbled. We love nobbling first

> "Where's my pack!?"

You have no time for trying to be subtle about anything.
"Oi! Cooeee! Where's my pack!"

"Hold on!"
Aashenpreet shouts from the front of the wagon and you hear footsteps as she jumps down to the ground and runs around to the back where you are. Is it just you or is something different about her? She looks a lot happier than she did yesterday.
She's also wearing your pack.
"Sorry about that, here you are. I was holding onto it for you."

"Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why would you need to do that."

She laughs.
"You gave it to me. Don't you remember?"

"No. What the fuck happened last night?"

"You mean you don't remember?"

"Uh, no. What happened?"

She looks away.
"Nothing. I...I don't think I'm the best one to tell you about it."
She hands the pack to you.

> Press her on the subject.

> Inspect pack first.

> "Where's Hiss gone?"

> Go for a walk around the wagon.

> Other

>>41776742
> Press her on the subject.
> "Where's Hiss gone?"

>>41776742
>> "Where's Hiss gone?"

>>41776742
> Inspect pack first.
> Press her on the subject.

>>41776742
> "Where's Hiss gone?"
Did it involve alcohol?

>>41776742
> Press her on the subject.

>>41776742
> Inspect pack first.
> "Where's Hiss gone?"
> I remember spending the night with her.

>>41776742
>> "Where's Hiss gone?"
> Press her on the subject.
oh man i am so hyped for how fucked we are

>>41776916
also what are the odds this is hiss incidentally, we should probably check just in case she's fucking with us

> Press her on the subject.
> "Where's Hiss gone?"

It looks like she's about to turn around and walk away so you reach out and grab her by the arm. Aashenpreet just looks at quizzically and then pulls herself out of your grip easily.
"Don't go anywhere, just yet. What happened? Please."

She looks incredibly uncomfortable but doesn't leave.
"It was a very strange night. Do you remember that bet you made with Hiss?"

A bet? About what? The flask passes through your mind once again and then all at once, it starts coming back. The fire, the game, the bet. The result. But...you don't remember anything about what happened after drinking the potion.
"Shit," you mutter. "Did I fall in love with you?"

"It was very sweet. But mostly weird. I asked you to cure yourself because I couldn't stand you anymore. Nothing untoward happened."

You stare at her, doing your best to search your memories. Nothing. You can't tell if she's telling the truth or not.
"So what happened to Hiss? Is she off sulking somewhere?"

"You could say that," Aashenpreet mumbles, looking guilty as hell. She relents a moment later, pulling your pack open.
"She's in here!"
She reaches in and yanks Hiss out, cradling the black snake roughly in her arms. You flinch back in response but Hiss doesn't strike. She just lies there limply.

"Don't just grab her out like that! She could have killed you."

"No," Aashenpreet says firmly. "She wouldn't have. She's not going to kill anyone ever again."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing! I mean, uh. Remember when I said that I did nothing untoward? I may have been...stretching the truth."
She seems intent at looking anywhere but you.

You sigh, doing your best to stay calm.
"It's alright Aash. Just tell me what you did."

"ImayhaveaskedyoutocatchHiss," she blurts out.

"What?"

"You were very eager. And...I may have asked you to make a wish."

"What wish?"

She stops faltering, looking you straight in the eye.
"That she never hurt anyone ever again."

Oh shit.

1/2

>>41777130
fuck.

>>41777130
DAMMIT AASH.

>>41777130
"So that's why you felt safe grabbing her like that."
You are way too tired for this.

"Maybe!"
Aashenpreet waves the snake around gently, Hiss flopping about but making no attempt to coil or bite her.
"She can't bite now, not even accidentally. Those instincts have been removed. Everything is fine now, right?"

> No it's fucking not. How dare she?

> "I guess this is fine for a temporary amount of time." Maybe she deserves it.

> Ask Hiss to return to human form.

> Make two wishes.

> Grab Hiss from her.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> "I don't think you've thought this through."

> Other

>>41777295
> No it's fucking not. How dare she?
> Grab Hiss from her.
> "I don't think you've thought this through."
> Ask Hiss to return to human form.

>>41777295
> "I don't think you've thought this through."
> Ask Hiss to return to human form.

>>41777295
> "I don't think you've thought this through."
> Ask Hiss to return to human form.
Oh, Aash...

>>41777295
> "I don't think you've thought this through."
>Aash imagine if I made it so you couldn't defend yourself from someone who attacked you? You left her defenseless. Now if someone does try to hurt her, she can't do anything. It'd be worse than taking my pack from me or Oster's sword from him. It's be the same to ripping you fangs out and removing your muscles. Wishes don't magically make everything better, often they make it worse once the bond wears off.
> Ask Hiss to return to human form.

>>41777295
>> No it's fucking not. How dare she?
>> Ask Hiss to return to human form.
>> Grab Hiss from her.
>> "I don't think you've thought this through."
Over the fucking line.

>>41777295
>> No it's fucking not. How dare she?

> "I don't think you've thought this through."

>>41777295
Fuck. I was really hoping they would become friends.

>>41777433
Them snakes are only good at getting nobbled

>>41777433
we knew that wasn't going to happen, more like we hoped they wouldn't become permanently mutually homicidal

> "I don't think you've thought this through."
> Ask Hiss to return to human form.

You watch the snake hang from Aashenpreet's grasp, feeling faintly sick all the while. She's awake, she's just not doing anything. Just completely passive and patient, not like Hiss at all. If it hadn't been for her coloration, you don't think you would have ever recognized her.

"I really don't think you've thought this through."

"What do you mean?"

"Aash, imagine if I made it so that you could never defend yourself against someone who attacked you? If someone tries to hurt her now she won't be able to do anything. You left her defenseless! Why did you think I would ever want this?"

"But she has you and Oster to protect her anyway! And now she can't personally torment anyone ever again. Isn't this what you told me yesterday? You wanted to change her, to make her like this!"
The snake moves, her head pointed at you.

"This isn't what I wanted. And you use ME to make her like this? You're lucky that wishes are reversible."

"But she's so much nicer like this! Watch!"

The snake begins to shed, rapidly crawling out of its skin and assuming a new one until Hiss in her Teln human shape is cradled awkwardly in Aashenpreet's arms.
Hiss looks at the both of you and you can't help but meet her eyes. There's no anger there, no hatred. Or if there is, it's buried extremely deep.
"Aashenpreet," she says conversationally. "Please put me down."

"See?"
Aashenpreet shakes her around a bit more before setting her down, Hiss merely nodding and standing back up.
"She's so much nicer now!"

You peer at Hiss, trying to find even a hint of ill-intent.
"Uh, are you alright? Is everything fine?"

Hiss smiles.
"I'm extremely angry at both of you but I don't want to say anything mean or hurtful."

"Isn't she considerate now? You can always take it off when she needs it but for now, it's like she's been defanged. Or something."
Aashenpreet is sounding less and less enthusiastic by the second.
1/2

>>41777752
"Alright, I know it's a bad idea. I made an impulsive decision and it wasn't very nice. But you can't take it off now or she'll kill both of us!"

"Well whose fault is that?"

"Mine," Hiss interrupts you. "If I hadn't been such an atrocious person, none of this would have happened to me. I don't hold any of you responsible."

Aashenpreet slowly shakes her head in the peripheral of your vision.
"She's lying. I'm sure her anger is only growing. So now do you see the problem, Cennen? I made a mistake, yes. But we can't take it off. We can NEVER take it off. And really, is there anything wrong with making sure that she'll never kill any more people? Think of it as a probation."

"Probation doesn't sound right," Hiss says. "I think domestication is the most appropriate term here."
She sounds as cheerful as ever but something in her eyes catches you off-guard. She loathes that idea. You know that and she knows that you know that. She can't say anything that could be construed as hurtful but she IS giving you a sign of just what she truly feels.
She feels tame. And that's all you need to know that she is exceptionally angry.

"Hiss," you start. "What will you do if I take the wish off?"

"I don't think I'm capable of answering that question."

> Release her by making two more wishes.

> Maybe cook up something to calm her down first.

> Maybe it's best to just leave well enough alone for now.

> This isn't Hiss. Tell Aashenpreet to get the hell out of your sight.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41777998
>Nobble Ash
> Maybe cook up something to calm her down first.
> Release her by making two more wishes.

>>41777998
>> Maybe cook up something to calm her down first.

>>41777998
> This isn't Hiss. Tell Aashenpreet to get the hell out of your sight.
> Wish for Hiss to be able to speak her mind, even if it results hurtful
> Ask her to walk with us

>>41777998
Just wish that she can hurt anybody but Aash. We need them to both reconcile because I don't want to see more unnecessary death.

>>41777998
> Ask Oster to get Aash to a vaguely safe distance away. Or at least out of eyesight.
>> Release her by making two more wishes.

>>41777998
>>41778149
ill posit that, instead of immediately doing the wishes we find rock and query them, other wise i agree with this

> Other -> Ask Aash to leave while you sort this out. Tell Hiss you're going to release her from the bond to TALK this out.
> Release her by making two more wishes.
> Other -> Explain to Hiss you want her to rule, but not as a tyrant.

>>41777998
>>41778194
Shit, forgot to link my votes.

>>41777998
> Release her by making two more wishes.
Beg hiss not to kill aash. I'm all for killing and hurting those who want to hurt us but I'm worried about what cennen will become if he's exposed to more senseless murder

>>41778194
Yeah we probably ought to discuss why we want hiss to become less evil. Remind her of how awful we felt about Dhinapreet. I remember she was desperate to make us forget it after she saw how bad we felt so she might actually take it seriously

> Release her by making two more wishes.

"No," you say. "I'm going to free her."

"Nooo! Don't! She'll kill me!"

"Then maybe you should leave."

But despite her words, Aashenpreet doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
You turn back and face Hiss.
"Please don't kill Aashenpreet. Or me. It was a mistake, just a bad decision. Please just let it go."

> Make a wish (Specify)

>>41778333
I wish for a bottle of your strongest venom.

>>41778333
Say whatever you want to say, to me or Aash, it no matter how harsh it sounds, even if it breaks the first wish, just get it out of your system.

>>41778417
> it no matter
fuck

>>41778417
second, minus the it

>>41778333
First ask her to listen to what we had to say in those late write ins

>>41778333
>>41778417
I like this. It's a nice gesture, if nothing else.

>>41778333
Before the wish, let's ask how did we nobble her

>>41778449
also for some reason i can't get the idea out of my head that we are getting pranked here.
There's almost no reason to believe it, and the consequences are deadly serious for acting on such an impression, but still...

>>41778333
Make a venom antidote first

Sorry about the slow updates by the way, I think I have a small cold.

> Wish that she could say whatever she wants to say, no matter how harsh. That might help her get it out of her system.

Alright, you have an idea. You just need to let her exercise some of that anger first before you let it out all at once. But first, there's something you want to know.
"Hey Hiss, how did I nobble you this time anyway?"
You're pretty sure that she would have been doing her best to keep her distance during the incident last night.

"You fed me a potion while I was sleeping. It startled me a lot at the time, particularly since it reminded me of..oh. I don't think I can say that."
She grins, polite and helpful.

"Shit, I'm so sorry. You know I didn't mean any of that, right? Well...I wish that you can say whatever you want to say, no matter how harsh it is or even if it breaks the first wish. Just get it out of your system."

Hiss takes a deep breath and then says nothing. An awkward silence stretches on until you try to break it.
"Aren't you going to shout at us?"

"We are long past that point," Hiss murmurs. "I've had more than enough time to think things over. And I mean really, this isn't so bad. It's just incredibly humiliating in every aspect but who cares about that, right? So just leave me behind, it'll be fine. You can go spend more time with your girlfriend."

"But you're my girlf-"

"Nope. You can go kiss her for all I care, you certainly did enough of that last night."

Aashenpreet jumps.
"You saw? I mean, no! We didn't do anything! And it wasn't very fun anyway!"

"So just make your next wish and release me Cennen, then I can leave you two lovebirds in peace."

> Make a wish (Specify)

>>41778834
>Give Aashenpreet a look.
>I wish you would realize how striking out at everyone affects them and their perception of you.

>>41778883
> Giving Hiss a way to find out the most devastating thing to say to any given person.

>>41778834
. . . Hiss, you are the most difficult thing in my life. Absolutely worth it, but goddammit.

You made me drink a potion that put me in the same place you are, and I did it completely trusting you.

You acting this way about it hurts more than when you hit me.

Anyways, I wish you could be yourself again, no matter how shirt you are to me, because I still love you.

But if you leave, this time, I'll wait for you to come back but I won't chase you. I'm done catching you.

>>41778834
>I wish you knew how much I love you.

>>41778910
That is not the intent of the wish. Wishes can't be jacked like that.

>>41778834
ok now im like almost certain we are getting our shit pranked.
>play along
Please hiss don't hurt our friends, we've worked so hard
>wish she was free of the bond

>>41778955
>"You fed me a potion while I was sleeping. It startled me a lot at the time, particularly since it reminded me of..oh. I don't think I can say that."
She wouldn't joke about the time she was tortured.

>>41778834
You know how that potion works right? I didn't want to do anything Aash made me do last night. I understand that you're mad and hurt but you still know that I love you and only you

>>41778912
Fuck that we will definitely chase her if she leaves

>>41778834
> "What?! Aash, why didn't you stop me?!"

>>41779052
Aash made us do it. We only do what she tells us to with the effects of a love potion

>>41778834
> Other: Flee, where is Rock?

>>41778834
>>41778912

I don't know how to deal with this intense suffering ouro why must you do this

>>41779000
i don't think im going to convince anybody and its probably for the best since i think hiss needs to get one over on cennan by now anyway.
Maybe aash fucked up that badly, i guess its not impossible.
but if so why why would she stay, she's not very insistent for a person who's life in danger.
There's a lot of other stuff too, and i absolutely believe Hiss would twist the knife with her personal experiances, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.
If its a prank, we get fooled, no big deal, if its not then its better to be safe then dead.

>>41778834
Don't make any wishes I guess

>>41779150
Let's bail, man! Escape into the jungle to hide from our shame, hunting magical creatures and brewing like a madman, like when life was easy and we didn't destroy everything we touched.

Kissing her? Aashenpreet wouldn't have taken advantage of you, would she? You turn to look at her and see how the constrictor shrivels under your gaze.
"Tha-Um. That wasn't my intention! I had a slip of the tongue and you misunderstood my orders!"

"You didn't exactly stop him," Hiss says bitterly.

"How would I have done that? I couldn't say anything."

You just sigh again.
"Hiss, would you prefer to hit me instead?"

"Eh?"

"Because right now, all that seems easier. You're so difficult, you know? You're absolutely worth it but damn. You made me drink something that put me in the same place you are, worse even, and I did it completely trusting you. But I guess that doesn't matter. I wish you can be yourself again, no matter how shit you want to be to me. You can leave if you want."

You sit back down in the wagon and wait. Is she going to hurt you? Will she be there when you look back up again?

"Cennen, I can't believe you're such an idiot!"
What? You look up just in time for Hiss to casually strike you in the face, a lazy backhand swipe that digs her knuckles into your cheekbones and leaves your whole head ringing.
"Do you really think I would leave you? And waste my best servant? Do you really think that your fucking feelings should be that much more important than my convenience?"

"I-"

She pulls you off the wagon and kisses you, her lips icy cold and tasting of blood. And she doesn't let you go.
"You're lucky that I am a merciful master," she whispers. "Of course I'm not releasing you. You're bound to me for LIFE, remember?"

Your knees buckle, the strength leaving your body. There's too much venom, more than you can handle and you sink to your knees before her. She smiles down at you.
"You'll never be free."

> ....

>>41779455
>...
You wake up with a start, back in the wagon. You're lying on your back and you feel like crap. Hiss is lying beside you, her arms coiled around your with an unbreakable death-grip.
"Oh, I was wondering when you'd wake."

"Hiss?"

"What? I knew you could survive a small dose like that! Don't be such a baby."

"No, I mean all that. What was that?"

"That was me forgiving you, of course. You're not just my lover, you know. You're my sworn servant and sometimes I think you forget that. You're mine, I own you and will continue to own you until you grow old and withered and useless."
Her lips trace along your neck and you feel the faintest hints of fangs. This is, you realize, her way of asserting herself that she had forgiven you without seeming too weak. Or maybe even a declaration of love, one twisted and possessive but love all the same.
"So you have nothing to worry about Cennen. Don't you understand? Unless I kill you, there's nothing you could do to make me let you go."

> Go back to sleep.

> "I love you."

> "...What did you to do to Aashenpreet?"

> Start brewing.

> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.

> "Are you sure you're fine about it?"

> Other

>>41779643
> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.
> "Are you sure you're fine about it?"
> "...What did you to do to Aashenpreet?"

>>41779643
>> "I love you."
> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.
>> "...What did you to do to Aashenpreet?"

>>41779643
>>41779680
second

>>41779643

> "I love you."
> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.
> "...What did you to do to Aashenpreet?"
> "Where is Rock?"
> Start brewing.

>>41779643
So why did you say that you'd leave? Scared the shit out of me.
> "...What did you to do to Aashenpreet?"

>>41779643
Sardonically: I love you too honey. Do you think our babies will take my hair as part of their colouring? You'll have to meet my mother before the wedding though.

>>41779643
>> "I love you too."
>> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.
>> Start brewing.
I feel like we should say something about catching her again forever and blah, but I'm drawing a blank on phrasing.

>could have stayed with qt snek
>decide to go back to domestic abuser
For what purpose?

>>41779745
Cennen must be a masochist at this point

>>41779727
>implying we can remember our own mother

>>41779788
Poor guy needs a safe word.

>>41779928
I nominate 'nobble'.

> "I love you too."
> Get up. You've spent way too much of today sleeping.
> "What did you do to Aashenpreet?"

"I love you too."
You do your best to sit up, gently extricating yourself from her clutches. Ow. Your face stings, a tender bruise springing up from where Hiss had hit you.
"Oof. Let me get a heal-all."

To her credit, Hiss looks a little guilty.
"Sorry about that. I had a little pent-up temper still left. I won't do it again."
You've heard that before.

"Hm. Speaking of which, what did you do to Aashenpreet?"

Hiss chuckles.
"Oh don't worry about her. Doesn't she look comfortable?"
She motions behind her and that's when you see the bundle.

It's a pale yellow snake, Aashenpreet's true form and one over twenty feet long. Is she coiled up? No, that's a trick of the light. She's literally been tied into knots. It looks painful. The python sees you and inclines her head towards you slightly and hisses, incapable of much else movement.

Hiss tuts, prodding her.
"What did I tell you about making noise? And don't even think of trying for human form again, I'm watching you. I'm always watching."

You look at the twitching snake with no small amount of sympathy.
"How long are you going to keep her like that?'

"Maybe forever? Who knows? She certainly doesn't."

> "Please let her go."

> Set Aashenpreet free.

> You suppose it's a learning experience.

> Other

>>41780096
>At least let her not be in knots.
> You suppose it's a learning experience.

>>41780096
> Set Aashenpreet free.

>>41780096
>> "Please let her go."
>You tired to do the same damn thing to her, and you've been purposefully trying to get her to attack you? Much like Attaran in that respect. She's a nice girl but you can only push so far before something happens hiss, you know that. You're lucky she didn't kill you like most snakes or humans would have in her place. Before, you go into how that makes her weak, she isn't, sometimes not giving into your basic instincts requires a strength rarely seen among men or snakes from what I've seen.

>>41780096
> "Please let her go."
I'm sure she's learned her lesson by now. It was mostly just bad luck that this all happened anyway

>>41780096
>> "Please let her go."
I don't suppose there is any thing i can do that would convince you to let her go?
(how the fuck did she do that?)

>>41780096
> Set Aashenpreet free

>>41780172
I don't like anything about this write in

>>41780096
>> Set Aashenpreet free.
I should be less amused by this than I am.

>>41780096
>>41780153
This
> Other
Lets do some brewing
And where's Rock, though I guess she wouldn't approve of this.

>>41780192
Skill born of sheer malevolence.

>>41780096
> Set Aashenpreet free
What the fuck Hiss?

>>41780192
Aashenpreet was too busy apologizing to put up much of a fight. She's not very good at fighting in general and won't do it unless she's pushed to the edge.

>>41780265
i assumed as much but its still amusing

>>41780096
Hiss. Seriously, this kind of shit is why she did what she did. If enough people hate you, then eventually no matter how much the fear you someone WILL take you down. What if she hadn't released me?

I know you're capable of being more than just a tyrant. It's one of the reasons why I love you. But would it be so terrible to show that side of yourself to other people too? I know you're strong enough to do it.

>>41780096
Are you a bad enough snake to forgive your enemies, showing them that nothing they do can truly hurt you

> Set Aashenpreet free

You just shake your head and step over Hiss, crouching down by the tangled up snake. That can't be good for her. You grab her tail and start to work it backwards, trying to push it through and undo all of the knots. Aashenpreet doesn't resist and even does her best to help.
Hiss, on the other hand...
"Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?"

"Setting her free. She's suffered enough and she doesn't deserve this."

"Did you not see what she did to me? Did to us?"

"You were trying to make her your permanent slave yesterday, Hiss! She's a nice girl and you pushed her too far. Isn't tying her up for this long enough punishment?"

"A nice girl? More like a weak girl."

"Then you're lucky that she was so 'weak'. Somebody less scrupulous could have done much worse to both of us last night."

Hiss falls silent for a long moment before groaning and lying back down.
"Whatever."

You finish untying Aashenpreet and do your best to carry part of her outside the wagon. She immediately begins to shed, taking on human form once more.
And now that she's in human form, you can see the extent of the injuries. Her eyes are blackened and you can see bruises darkening her arms and her bare midriff. She moves stiffly and with no small amount of pain.
"Thank you Cennen. I'm sorry about getting you into this. I should have just minded my own business last night."

> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."

> "You have nothing to be sorry for. That was excessive."

> Go find Oster.

> Go find Rock.

> Brew.

> Other

>>41780561
> "You have nothing to be sorry for. That was excessive."

>>41780561
Give her a heal-all. "Yeah you certainly made bad choices last night but it was just chance that made it all happen."
> Go find Rock.
I wanna make some funky spirit brews to cheer myself up

>>41780561
> "You have nothing to be sorry for. That was excessive."
> Brew.
Heal all for her
Then we should talk to Hiss, these two write ins that didn't make it are good.
>>41780454
>>41780481

>>41780638
This. Let's brew with rock.

>>41780561
>> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."
> "You have nothing to be sorry for. That was excessive."
>Brew heal alls for all involved.
>I hope both of you realize we don't work together all of us are as good as dead, or worse.

>>41780674
What happens if we put rock in the cauldron while we brew?

>>41780655
She's not gonna be receptive to a lecture right now. Maybe later.

>>41780561
>> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."
While she tells us
>> Brew.

>>41780561
>> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."
>Brew some healing
> Go find Rock.
not quite, you have nothing to be sorry for, but obviously hiss' reaction is as ever out of proportion

>>41780593
>>41780655
>>41780693
You guys really think she has nothing to be sorry for? That's not accurate at all.

>>41780701
>>41780749
Both of you are right,
change
>>41780655
to
> Brew a heal all for her
> Go find Rock and brew with her

>>41780561
> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."
> Brew. (Heal-Alls)
I agree that Aash has something to be sorry for. We vouched for her and she took advantage of our trust. Just because Hiss was being awful (as usual) doesn't mean Aash gets a pass when she lashes out. We make Hiss accountable too.

> "What happened last night anyway? All of it."
> Give her a heal-all
> Go find Rock.

"Yeah, you certainly some real bad choices last night. Hell of a time to take advantage of my trust, considering the circumstances."
You take an Inferior Heal-all from your pack and pass it to her.

"I didn't mean to!"

"You've said that a lot lately. I suppose your hands just move by themselves?"

"You know what I mean."

"Do I? What happened last night? All of it."

Aashenpreet winces and bites her lip. Her human teeth are gone, replaced by a row of backwards sawteeth.
"I suppose you deserve to know. I didn't mean to do anything at first, you have to understand. But the idea of neutralizing Hiss...no, reforming Hiss. It was too tempting. I used you as a weapon against the woman you love and for that I'm sorry, I really am. I didn't think any of this through."

"That's evident. And the kiss?"

Her eye twitches.
"It was after Hiss had been defanged. I didn't like what I had done and I found myself wishing that there could be something to comfort me. A-and you were still there, working on your Persistence Antidote and you did it before I knew what was happening."

"According to Hiss you didn't really try to stop me."

"I was surprised! And maybe it actually did feel a little comforting, can you really call that taking advantage of you? I didn't take things any further and THAT was a struggle because that very much seemed your intention at the time."

"What?"

"Yeah, you weren't being very subtle. I suppose it was my fault for encouraging you by not refusing the kiss. But I pushed you away then and nothing more happened! It was really weird."

"Uhuh. I'll take your word for it I guess, none of this has really sparked any memories. See you round, try not to bother Hiss this time."

She has nothing to say to that, allowing you to start walking around the wagon in search of Rock. Eventually you spot his halo in the distance, orbiting around the Ranadin. What's she doing with him?

1/2

>>41781286

> Greet the two of them.

> See if you can sneak up and eavesdrop on them.

> Pray to Rock.

> Other

>>41781309
> Greet the two of them.
Let's show rock some trust

>>41781286
>> Greet the two of them.

>>41781309
>> Greet the two of them.

>>41781309
Can we speak quedeshi right now? And have we been disguised at all in front of this dude?

>>41781309
>> Greet the two of them.

>>41781286
hmm, i wonder if that was just a bog standard love potion that tani gave hiss, seems odd that cennan would act that way.

>>41781309
> Greet the two of them.
Rock already told us they're on the up and up. Let's not make matters between the party worse.

>>41781309
> Pray to Rock.
I'm pretty sure I just saw a picture of some marijuana in the captcha

Hold on guys, I need to eat something today. Be back in a bit.

>>41781475
Cheers, Ouro. See you in a bit.

>>41780749
What exactly did she do to deserve getting beaten? Also no, she really didn't do anything wrong at all.

>>41781286
>Persistence Antidote

So I suppose that means our persistent Potency is gone too? If so we need to renew it.

>>41781523
Making hiss defenseless was definitely wrong.

>>41781523
Just because she didn't deserve that harsh punishment doesn't mean she didn't do anything to be sorry for.

>>41781523
>>41781556
Yea, plus, the way we did it reminded her of her torture in Melire. Also, she should have stopped Cennen right away.
I think Hiss went overboar with her, but this is one of the worst things done to her, right after her torture and the fight with the lightning guy

>>41781628
incidentally, when we get the chance it would be a good idea to tell the sane people our story assuming they haven't heard it yet.
It probably wouldn't hurt them to have some perspective on where all this shit comes from.

>>41781669
Sane people being Rock?

>>41781719
I guess aash doesn't 100% qualify as sane as because that was some insanely risky buisness.

That said it probably wouldn't hurt her to know about some of Cennan's past experiences.

>>41781793
Yeah, we can talk about that with her while we brew. We should also hear her insight of our plans.

Alright, I'm back.

>> Greet the two of them.

Oh nuts, is your Wordtheft still working? You used it yesterday, last you checked. It should still have some dregs circulating about in your system, surely?
"What's going on?," you call out in mostly-perfect Quedeshi, attracting the attention of both Rock and the Ranadin. Aw yes, you've still got it. You should replace it soon though, who knows when it's going to run out?

-Good morning, Cennen.-
"Greetings, pilgrim."

You force out a chuckle.
"I have a name, you know."
You can't help but peer at the Ranadin. Does he remember anything of yesterday? He shouldn't, thanks to Hiss, but it's still a strange situation.
"It's Cennen by the way. My name's Cennen."

The Ranadin bows his head.
"Then greetings Cennen, you may call me Sukh."

"Sukh?"

"Yes. Is something strange?"

"No, nothing. Nothing at all."
You do your best to avoid pronouncing it like 'sook', the word in Teln-Avling denoting childish tantrums and sulking.

"It must be a strange name for a foreigner like yourself."

"A..a little. But I guess Cennen isn't much different from your perspective. You know, you've never seemed much perturbed by us. Do you get foreigners often?"

"It matters not. You are pilgrims before you are foreigners. And to answer your question, yes. I have escorted strangers before, both wildmen from above the Ti and anacondas. I have even seen those from the south like you, though they had not your pallor."

-Interesting. Cennen, Sukh and I were just talking about the Chau. Are you here to talk or do you have something else in mind-

> "I want to try some brewing with you, Rock."

> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"

> "Are you like, Ishmin or something?'

> "Anacondas?"

> "I think I found your flask, Sukh."

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41781955
>> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"
> "Anacondas?"
later
> "I want to try some brewing with you, Rock."

>>41781955
>> "Anacondas?"
>> "I think I found your flask, Sook."

>>41781955
> "Anacondas?"
> "I think I found your flask, Sukh."
> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"
> "I want to try some brewing with you, Rock."

>>41781955
> "Anacondas?"
> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"
Ask what the rest of our pilgrimage will be like and after that
> "I want to try some brewing with you, Rock."

>>41781955
>> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"
>> "Anacondas?"

>>41781955
> "Anacondas?"
> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"

> "Anacondas?"
> "So what's the deal with the Ranadin anyway? What do you do?"

"Oh no, I'm happy to just talk for now. So, Sukh, what's that you said about anacondas?"

He twitches back a little and though his face is veiled you get the distinct idea that he hadn't meant to mention them.
"They are...," he sounds out, clearly unsure of how to say it. "They are cousins to our lords and masters but they have forsaken their path for savagery. They live in the heart of the jungles and it is said that they hunt and kill anyone who trespasses upon their territory."

"And you consider them foreigners? I thought they lived in Qesh!"

"They do. But though they live in Qesh, they are not OF Qesh. The jungles cannot be tamed or settled."

"Ah. And what were they like?"

Sukh is silent for a time before speaking next.
"Big."

"What, like your lords or-"

"Bigger. The one I escorted, I barely stood up to their knees. They are ruled by their women or so he told me. A strange idea."

"So what was he like?"

"Big."

"Yeah but besides that."

"He wore almost nothing and his skin was like wood, thick and gnarled. He carried no weapon and I cannot imagine he would ever need one."

"Did you ever see his true form?"

"No!"
He sounds shocked at the mere idea.

"Alright, I'll drop it. But it seems like you must see a lot of strange people on the Way. How many get forced to?"

"Nobody is forced to walk the Way. There are just given disincentive to leave. We have more than enough refugee pilgrims, people who take to the Way to avoid prosecution."

"And that's all you do, hang around and maintain the Way?"

"You make it sound an easy task. It isn't."

"Hrm. Aashenpreet said you guys came from, uh...Uh? Something starting with a U."

"Ur. I was born in Ur, yes. We all are."

"What's Ur?"

"A slav- subordinate satrapy to the northeast. Our people live up in the mountains, the best to be closest to Aashimid's gaze."

1/2

>>41782508
"Ah, I think I remember now. Yeah, she told me that you had a bunch of warrior monasteries or the like. What are they like?"

"Most of them? Extinct. They were misled and made the mistake of rising up against the hand of Qesh when it came for Ur. Only my order, the ancestors of the Ranadin bent the knee and were permitted survival."

"So if all of you come from Ur, what are you doing here?"

"It has always been the dictate of the Ranadin to guard the holy places. But after the war, Ur had no shrines left. The invisible masters were gracious enough to allow us to serve theirs instead."

"I see. So what's the Compact House like?"

"I wouldn't know. The Ranadin are permitted to walk the Way and the two lesser Chau but Chau Devi is forbidden to us. We are just slaves, after all."

"Oh. Oh. That's awful."

Sukh shakes his head.
"It is anything but. It is simply our Tash, our fate in the world. When the Ranadin was first founded, Ranai received a list of rules from Aashimid himself. There were three commands for our order. That we were to guard the sacred places of the world, wherever we may find them. That we focus on improving our bodies so that we may improve our souls and not waste Aashimid's gift. And to be slaves."

Rock twitches, ceasing her orbit around the Ranadin.
-Faith is admirable as always but...-

"You had something to ask, Suzerain?"

-No. It is fine.-


> Brew with Rock.

> Give Sukh his flask back.

> Go find Oster.

> Go back to Hiss.

> Go back to Aashenpreet.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41782690
> Brew with Rock.

>>41782690
> Brew with Rock.
> Give Sukh his flask back.

>>41782690
>> Brew with Rock.
>> Give Sukh his flask back.

>>41782690
> Give Sukh his flask back.
> Brew with Rock.

>>41782690
>> Brew with Rock.
>> Give Sukh his flask back.

>>41782690
>> Brew with Rock.
>> Give Sukh his flask back.
Damn. Wonder how they'll take it when the truth comes out.

>>41782838
I think the outcome of this will be Cennen finding out Hiss was lying about the flask being the Ramadin's

>> Brew with Rock.
>> Give Sukh his flask back.

"Now, Cennen, is that all? You are a man of many questions."

"No, that's fine. Sorry if I was bothering you. And I think this belongs to you."
You hold out the metal flask that Hiss stole from him. He looks at you blankly.
"This is yours, right?"

"No. We do not drink."

"But-"

"It is not mine."
He snatches it off of you.
"But I'll be happy to investigate this for you, to find out who has been despoiling the purity the Way."
He shakes it, realizes that it's empty and makes an audible grunt of disappointment.
"This might take some time."

"No worries. I'll just be borrowing the Suzerain here."
Rock flits down and perches onto you shoulder as you walk off, trying to find someplace that's relatively private.
Alas, the wagon is moving and so the only private place that moves with it is inside the covered wagon itself. Which means sitting next to Hiss while you brew with Rock.

"Oh here we go," Hiss starts. "You can't go a day without doing this."

"Alchemy is a matter of constant attention, Hiss."

"So am I! Now attend me, I'm getting bored again."

> "Okay." Pass her the Quedeshi alchemy book.

> Distract her.

> Let her in on the brewing.

> She'll just have to deal with it.

> Brewing can wait a little while longer.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41783019
>> "Okay." Pass her the Quedeshi alchemy book.

>>41783019
> Let her in on the brewing.
What would be the outcome of brewing with Hiss, Rock and an advanced alchemy lab?

>>41783019
> Let her in on the brewing.
Teamwork! Might be cool brewing with a spirit and the intermediary between souls and spirits

>>41783019
>> Distract her.
perhaps we can spend some time with hiss in a manner that isn't damage control

>>41783019
>> "Okay." Pass her the Quedeshi alchemy book.

>>41783019
> She'll just have to deal with it.

>>41783019
> Let her in on the brewing.

>>41783019
>>41783072
Adding
> Tell Hiss about anacondas

>>41783019
>> Let her in on the brewing.
>Tell her about the Anacondas
Last time we brewed with her, we only invented Biohazard-Hiss. What's the worst that could happen?

>>41783019
Third for teamwork brewing. See what Hiss can make with a spirit helping to guide her.

We should brew one potion with both Hiss and Rock and one with just Rock

> Let her in on the brewing.

"You can join us if you want, like you did back in the Ulun."

Hiss shrugs.
"Because that session went so well."

"It did!"
She glares at you.
"The alchemical part of it, anyway."

-How can I help this? I am not capable of producing ingredients.-

"No Rock, it's not that. It's more that I teach you how to use alchemy. Hiss already knows a bit about it though so you might be playing catch-up. And in return the resulting brews are altered by your properties."

-I see.-

"Oh, so you only do it because it helps your potions? And there I thought you wanted to spend time with me."

"Well Hiss, you can always translate this alchemy book for me if you want."

"No, I'm fine. Let's go!"

> Return to the attempts of shapeshifting potions you'd already done with Hiss.

> Let's do something soul-related instead.

> Work on improving a recipe you already know.

> A different experiment (Specify)

> Other

>>41783298
>> Return to the attempts of shapeshifting potions you'd already done with Hiss.

>>41783298
> Let's do something soul-related instead.

>>41783298
> Return to the attempts of shapeshifting potions you'd already done with Hiss.
> Tell her about anacondas while we brew

>>41783298
>> Let's do something soul-related instead.

>>41783298
> Let's do something soul-related instead.

>>41783298
>> Let's do something soul-related instead.

>>41783298
> Return to the attempts of shapeshifting potions you'd already done with Hiss.
Shapeshift into a spirit?

>>41783298
>> Let's do something soul-related instead.
since this is our focus, lets see what we can do

>>41783298
Shapeshift+souldrift

Just a reminder that we have proper brewing equipment so we could possibly recreate the shapeshifting brew.

>>41783552
True but I don't like depending on shapeshifting into some absurdly powerful creature to solve all our problens

>> Let's do something soul-related instead.

You get to work, showing Rock how to handle the ingredients and how to use various parts of the lab. The lab is a mystery to Hiss as well and you have to stop her multiple times from touching something she really shouldn't.

Choose One:

> Mindrift Brew: A combination of your work on love potions and both Rock and Hiss' ability to put people into trance, drinking this should place the drinker into a trance in which they become very suggestible.

> Serpentkin: Anyone who drinks from this is given a snake-like nature for a day, rendering them vulnerable to any affects that target snakes and the Wishbond.

> Wish Brew: If a snake drinks this it counts as establishing a wish-bond with them.

> Smallsoul Brew: This is built off your Collapsible Brew and from Hiss' and Rock's ability to manipulate souls. Drinking this shrinks your soul, though you don't know what that means. Should also shrink the earthly form of spirits on contact.

> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

> Artfuel Flask: The combination of Rock's energy with Hiss' Snake Arts. If a snake drinks this, they can gain access to one Snake Art that it is possible for them to learn but do not yet know.

> Spelltheft Brew: This brew creates a link between those who drink from it, allowing someone who drinks from it to steal one type of Art or magic from someone who has drunk from the same bottle.

>>41783635
>> Wish Brew: If a snake drinks this it counts as establishing a wish-bond with them.
NOBBLING THE DRINK !!!!
But seriously voting for:
> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

>>41783635
>> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

>>41783635
Is the spell theft brew permanent?

>>41783635
Is the artfuel permanent?
Also, the wishbrew would be really op in this context, but I don't think Hiss would approve

>>41783635
Wish Brew is tempting, but what are the limitations on Artfuel? Duration, stackability?

>>41783635
Would drinking serpentkin and artfuel let us gain another snake art?

Oh sorry. Artfuel and Spelltheft both last for a day, Artfuel does not stack.

>>41783728
Yes, if you were capable of learning another Snake Art. You are not.

>>41783635
> Mindrift Brew: A combination of your work on love potions and both Rock and Hiss' ability to put people into trance, drinking this should place the drinker into a trance in which they become very suggestible.
This would be good to use on tash to figure out what he's planning

>>41783635
> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

>>41783731
Ah, well. Might be useful with permanence, but eh.

>>41783635
>> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

>>41783635
> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.
I guess there's a chance of spirit combat at the compact

>>41783748
So soulgrasp lets us bypass any spirit invulnerability? Is it only with close quarters physical attacks?

>>41783635
> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.
This'll do until we learn how to brew up some dispells. Heheheh.

>>41783569
Ouro has seen to it that absurdly powerful does not always equal winning. Remember the shadows? Besides, think of the utility. Shapshifting brews are a fantastic ace up our sleeve. Assuming other anons don't waste them, that is..

> Soulgrasp Elixir: Drinking this lets you interact and attack spirits as if they were physical, tangible beings. It also lets you perceive and grab the souls of the recently deceased.

It takes you quite some time, well over an hour during which the sun is already beginning its downward track towards the horizon. But in the end you are left the Soulgrasp Elixir, the meld of the soulform and the physical body. And you know that it was only possible because of both Hiss and Rock, a spirit and a soul linked to spirits. Rock's power is perhaps a little too alien for you to easily grasp but Hiss acts a bridge, though you doubt she would appreciate the metaphor.
You stow it away in your pack and you are about the raise the issue of anacondas with Hiss when you hear a shout from Oster up in front.
"Oi! We're here!"

Hiss leaps from the wagon with you only one step behind. She passes Aashenpreet without any reaction, though Aashenpreet flinches away from her almost uncontrollably.

The black path ends here, pooling in a halted lake of obsidian. And just after it is a huge wall-like building fashioned from stone, each wall painted with a blurred frieze of many colors. It's scales, you realize. This extended building represents a vast rainbow serpent, one that walls all the way around the mountain beyond.

"The First of the Seventy-Seven," Aashenpreet breathes. "I'm home. I'm finally home."

"Who cares," Hiss says, shoving her out of the way. "Look at the mountain!"

Beyond the First Shrine, the Chau Devi rises from the earth. Trees dot its sides and a sidewinding path is clearly visible, one marked by many more shrines all the way up its slope. And at the top is something bright, something indistinct. It's not that it's too far away to see but that its very nature is formless, looking like something out more out of an illustration or a painting than anything that should be real.
1/2

>>41784017
It's like the Dreaming, you realize. A piece of the Dream carved out at the very peak. From this distance you can see nothing but a bright light because that is all that it needs to be at this distance. A beacon to draw out the faithful.

"Farewell pilgrims!"
Sukh draws his sword and points it towards the mountain's peak.
"I can go no further. May Aashimid guide your steps."

And in response to his signal, the huge circular doors at the base of the First Shrine creak open.
A hunchbacked figure slowly waddles out, his form entirely obscured by a hooded gray cloak. Though his face is human there is something about him that makes you uneasy, something of the shapeless about him.
It's his eyes, you think. They're completely blank, devoid of thought or will. His cloak rustles, moving independently of him to reveal a massive serpent as pale as milk, easily Aashenpreet's size or even bigger. It wraps around the mind-eaten slave and constricts him, using his body and cloak as protection from the sun while the rest of its bloated body unwinds back inside the Shrine.

Sukh prostrates himself.
"The priestesses have allowed you entry," he explains. "I would not advise you to dally. For the doors of the First are never open for long and they never open to the same face twice."

> Enter.

> Hold on, I've got something to do first (Specify)

>>41784099
> Enter.

>>41784099
>> Enter.

>>41784099
> Enter.

>>41784099
Where's Rock? Hiding in our pack or riding on our shoulder?

>>41784099
> Enter.

>>41784099
>> Enter.
Well, that's freaksome. I chose a bad time to need sleep.
Toodles, gents.

> Enter

Shit, where's Rock gone? You look around for a wild moment before realizing that she's in your pack. Phew.

"Come on, let's go!"
Aashenpreet is practically hopping from one foot to another, all hesitation about this journey gone in an instant. She walks past the hooded man, following the rest of the constrictor's body where it links the man to the darkness of the Shrine's interior like a fat umbilical cord.

Before you leave, Sukh stops for a moment next to you. He speaks, but it isn't for you.
"It was an honor to speak with you, Suzerain. I hope you find the woman you are searching for."

-Thank you. And Sukh?-
The second part of the sentence comes in at the last moment, as if Rock almost decided to not say it.

"Yes?"

-Aashimid would never have told you to be slaves.-

You are already walking forward, Hiss just ahead of you and Oster at the rear. The doors to the First Shrine are huge, a circular opening nearly five times your height. And inside there is musk and darkness, lit only by faint glowing moss.
The mind-eaten man enters with a long familiarity, tapping on the walls to guide him while you let your eyes get used to the dark.

You are in a long hollow room, one that must stretch across the entire mountain perimeter. The walls, in contrast to the vibrant exterior, are ill-formed stone that bears no decoration whatsoever save for being dotted with strange pools of deeper darkness.
No, they're holes. Small holes set into the walls and the roof. But for what?

You get your answer when the doors slam shut behind you and the First Shrine comes alive. The sound of slithering fills the chamber, echoing countless times and overlapping itself. Pale serpents, albino serpents, deformed serpents, some with wriggling pseudo-legs or double heads, others fat pulsating things more akin to worms than snakes, all of them slide through the holes in what seems to be countless numbers.
The priestesses have assembled for you.

>>41784305
And that's that for the thread today, just archived the thread. Thanks for bearing with my cold-afflicted writing as well as you did.

Next thread should either be tomorrow or the day after, check the Twitter, etc.

>>41784305
Shit hiss is gonna have to resist the urge the destroy these abominations

>>41784331
Thanks for running! I hope you start feeling better.

>>41784305
Good job Rock, plant the seed of rebellion.
>>41784331
Thanks for running Ouro, take care.

>>41784305
ALL THEM CHANCES AT NOBBLING. I WISH THERE WAS AN AEROSOL WISH BREW FOR THIS CHANCE.

>>41784411
Hiss would actually like that idea. We'd become a force to be reckoned with.
So lets not tell her