>>42074790
The next few days pass uneventfully, the majority of the remaining shrines proving to not be quite as exciting as the Second had been. Aashenpreet has explained to you several times that the climb itself is meant to be a purifying experience but the best you can describe it as is torture. She’d try to rebuff you for that but considering that she has the worst stamina of you all, her admonitions ring a little hollow.
“Maybe I should have left you under that potion until we reached the top then, if you’re going to make such a fuss over it,” she huffs.

“At least then I wouldn’t remember having to do this.”

“It’s good for the soul!”

You shake your head, pulling Rock out from your backpack where the spirit had been sitting.
“We’ll see about that. Hey Rock, is this good for our souls?”


The spider is quiet for a time, radiating a gentle warmth that is at odds with the icicles her ‘voice’ plants within your head.
-It’s not bad for them.-

“Do you two need some help?”
Oster calls down from above, having made his way to the top of the cliff that you and Aashenpreet are currently scaling with only a rough set of steep steps carved out in the side. The burnt orange of the sunset paints the world around you.
“The princess wants to be at the peak before dark.”

You groan. Oster and Hiss had been able to scale this area with ease enough to make you and Aashenpreet’s current struggles look rather embarrassing
“Well if she wants us up that quickly then she can come down and help!”

Hiss pokes her face out over the lip of the cliff above you, contriving to look supremely disinterested.
“It’s not my fault that I’m better than you!”
1/?

>>42074798
You don’t bother to reply, instead opting to just struggle the rest of the way up in silence. Aashenpreet makes it up right behind you, flushed and panting. She’s still not used to long periods of exertion, even after more than seventy shrines worth of mountain.
But that mountain is about to come to an end. There’s only the Seventy-Seventh shrine left now and beyond that, the Compact House itself.

It’s been nearly two days since the fiasco at the Second shrine and while you have not had the pleasure of the wagon or your lab in which to conduct experiments, you’ve made good use of the free time available to you.

You've spent most of what free time you could find practicing with Oster, mostly trying out with the sword that Tanni gave you.
The sword looks almost identical to those wielded by Ishmin but Oster claims it to be of finer make. You'll have to take his word for it since you can't really tell.
It's a thin curved sabre that widens near the end in a fashion that Oster assures you gives it extra cutting power while still being straight enough to be used as thrusting weapons if need be. The pommel is shaped like a disc and is angled towards the handle in an uncomfortable way that practically forces your grip to lock around it. Above the pommel is a small spike that can apparently be used to gouge at an enemy and force them back if they're too close to slash effectively. Like the swords of the Ishmin the blade is cast from a queer sort of steel that is mottled with a rippling pattern. You've asked Oster about it but all he has to say is that he's never seen that sort of steel in his life.

At first, it was all you could do to hold it since the grip was so awkward but Oster drills the proper grip into you and afterwards you can see the peculiar way that it stops you from letting go. Oster isn't entirely a fan of it however, telling you that sometimes letting go of a sword is far more important than holding onto it.

2/?

>>42074816
It doesn't take long before you know how to use the Ishmin sword just as well as you can use the guard-sword that Oster gave you before.
And then when you judge Hiss and Aashenpreet to be far enough out of earshot, you asked him about what had happened to him in the Second shrine.
He didn't reply and the rest of your training was done in silence.

But even after having endured the pain and discomforts of Oster's brief training regime, you found yourself laying awake at night and ended up sacrificing sleep for restocking your alchemical supplies and potions, filling your pack with brews that you hope will be useful in the times to come.
And you'll probably need them because although you'd rather that your trip to the Compact House goes without incident, you know all too well that it won't. Even if your enemies were not congregating to it, even if you didn't have you ulterior motive, you know that Hiss by herself would probably cause some sort of ruckus before the end of things.

And speaking of which, you are snapped back to the present by Hiss playfully flicking you in the forehead. It only stings a little.
"Are you ready, Cennen? We need to keep moving before the sun sets entirely."

The Seventy-Seventh shrine is surprisingly difficult to spot, a domed temple carved out of the cliff-face itself, appearing as if it had simply melted through the mountain. The path ends before it and the cliff bars your way, making the path through the shrine the only safe route.

And before the shrine's gates...
Hiss tenses, stopping you from walking further. Oster is already drawing his sword.
Camped out before the shrine is at least twenty Ishmin, their belongings scattered about a group of hastily-made huts that seems to imply that they've been here for quite some time.
And while distinguishing any individual is as futile as ever, you've seen these Ishmin before. Their armor is dotted with red, an affectation of those who serve Laldeep.
3/4

>>42074899
And if Laldeep is around, Attaraan has to be nearby surely? Did he actually beat you here? And if he did, why leave his Ishmin outside the final shrine? Are they waiting for you?

Fortunately they don't seem to be on guard. Though they haven't broken discipline, they appear to be at rest.
Oster sheathes his sword but keeps his hand on the hilt.
"Stay back," he whispers. "I don't think they've seen us yet."

> Call out to greet them.

> Maybe there's a way to sneak around the mountain peak without going through the final shrine.

> Just walk past them and hope they aren't here for you.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42074959
Make a soulsight brew to try and get an idea of what's going on inside. Then discuss what to do with our companions, I don't think violence would be the best idea here.

>>42074959
Use a sousight to see what's going on in the shrine, maybe Ataraan is in there and left his escort to wait outside.

>>42074959
Brew up a soulsight use it to scout.

>>42074959
soulsight scouting

>>42074991
This. Aren't they prohibited from interfering with any pilgrimage?

>Soulsight

"There's no need to go anywhere just yet, they might not even be here for us."
You pull back until you're back past the corner and squat, pulling your pack off of your back.

"Cennen?"

"Just give me a moment and let me try to brew this up real quick."
You empty your waterskin into your pot. Looks like another cold brew.
"Hiss, I'll need some blood."

She groans but complies holding her hand for you to cut. You press your small knife down on her hand and...get nothing, as her scales stop the knife from cutting. You stare at her and she laughs before letting you continue.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," Aashenpreet says. "It is forbidden to interfere with the pilgrimage. These Ishmin are too easily traced to Attaraan!"

"But," Oster interjects. "Maybe they plan on getting rid of us without anyone finding out."

"Then they wouldn't do it right in front of the shrine! Attaraan is a suzerain of the House, this would be suicide for him."

"That reminds me," Hiss says. "He's not going to try anything in the House itself, is he?"

"The Compact House is a sanctuary for all! He wouldn't break his oath."

Hiss smirks.
"As simple as ever. Are you done yet, Cennen?"

"Nearly!"
You get the soulsight brew simmering, an inferior concoction due to time and resource constraints but it should do the job. You drink it, clutching your head as your vision expands.

Straight away you can tell that it's not as good as the sight granted by your usual Soulsight brews but such is the nature of convenience you suppose. The nature of the physical world fades away to insignificance, your companions becoming a collection of bright lights. And what a sorry lot you all are.
Aashenpreet's light is pure but dim, eclipsed by the soul she has eaten. Oster is murky and wounded, a soul bleeding from a thousand cuts. Hiss is as small and dark as ever, covered in a protective layer of tortured souls. And Rock is a beacon, albeit one with an empty space in its heart.
1/2

>>42075361
And beyond that, the Ishmin are surprisingly whole. They are not bitten or marred as you had assumed they would be. There is nothing strange about them.

The cliff melts away and the shrine is pierced, its many walls becoming transparent veils. There are five snakes within, all pure and bright without so much as a single soul held in thrall. And spread throughout the temple are several dozen wounded human souls, each one bitten to the bone in a manner that makes Oster look whole.
Those are probably the servants, the ones trained to obey the body language of the five priests. And of Attaraan, you can see nothing.

You strain your eyes, letting the pain grow in exchange for furthering your vision. Beyond the shrine...you begin to see through the mountain itself, physical reality flickering absently. The sky becomes desert and you must look away from it lest you be called back.
And past the shrine you see a bright light, something both solid and liquid. A captive star at the peak that scorches your eyes and you have to bite down to stop yourself from crying out loud. You avert your eyes and end the Soulsight.

Hiss shakes you by the shoulders as your vision realigns with the real world, her familiar Teln form briefly overlaid by the nightmare that lives inside of her.
"What's happening?"

"It's okay, I'm fine! I'm fine. I don't think Attaraan is there. Or if he is, he's already at the House."

"Then why are his Ishmin here?"

"I don't know!"

> Call out to greet them.

> See if you can scale the cliff and avoid the shrine altogether.

> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42075489
>> Make a wish (Specify)
Release the Soul Aashenpreet is holding. So we can soul guise her.
> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.
Also you think there may be another spirit in the shrine, a big one.

>>42075489
> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.
If necessary we should disguise everyone but it probably doesn't matter at this point. Drink a soul guise and give one to Aash just in case they have a seer somewhere.

>>42075489
> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.
Give the serpentbane to hiss to be prepared in case she gets nobbled again somehow

>>42075552
Soul guise probably won't cover the fact Aash has a soul she's eaten.

>>42075489
>> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.
but be ready for any kind of provocation.

Just because Attaraan can't do anything here it doesn't mean he can't try to trick Hiss into doing something.

>>42075489
Don't like this one bit.
> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.
Lets disguise ourselves first. Also, >>42075612 this, she should have one on her at all times and we should have another, just in case.

>>42075550
In the shrine? No there's something weird past the shrine but that's probably just the compact, it doesn't look like a spirit.

>> Just keep walking. They can't stop you.

"Well," Hiss says,"we're not getting anything done just standing around in any case. Let's go."

"Wait. Shouldn't we disguise ourselves first?"

Hiss shrugs.
"I honestly don't see the point. A party of four, they'd have to guess that it'd be us by now. And I don't want to be tossed out because of attempted deceit."
No, she wants to get tossed out because of successful deceit. But that's beside the point.

"They can't do anything to us there," Aashenpreet says. "Even I'd be safe, though I don't really feel like revealing myself."

"I'm sure Attaraan will be able to guess that it's you, no matter what form you have."

You ponder the matter. You can do more than just disguise if need be. And even if Hiss doesn't want to be, that doesn't mean the rest of you can't be hidden.

> No disguises is fine. You don't want the argument anyway.

> Break out the Alteration potions for yourself at least.

> The Shapestealer might be useful. They'll know who you are but they won't know who would be who, especially if they're just targeting Hiss.

> If the area really is a sanctuary, maybe Aashenpreet should change her form to something more obviously constrictor-y. That should get you through any problem.

> Other

>>42075798
> The Shapestealer might be useful. They'll know who you are but they won't know who would be who, especially if they're just targeting Hiss.

>>42075798
>> The Shapestealer might be useful. They'll know who you are but they won't know who would be who, especially if they're just targeting Hiss.
I like this idea but we can all recall how poorly it went last time somebody stole Hiss' shape.
Propose it but don't push too hard if there's a strong argument, we probably can't afford it at this stage.

>>42075798
> The Shapestealer might be useful. They'll know who you are but they won't know who would be who, especially if they're just targeting Hiss.
Queens often make use of body doubles for good reason

I wonder if hiss could take our normal human form? If we used soul guise then used bloodkin first we would probably switch bodies when we use the shapestealer.

>>42075798
> No disguises is fine. You don't want the argument anyway.
Shapestealer seems a bit risky to me.

>>42075798
> No disguises is fine. You don't want the argument anyway.
It could give us an advantage in case we had to fight, but I doubt it will come to that at this moment.
Plus I dont think the priestesses will appreciate the deception

>>42075974
I'd rather hiss not have a weak human form. She can probably emulate us pretty well already.

>>42075798
> No disguises is fine. You don't want the argument anyway.

> The Shapestealer might be useful. They'll know who you are but they won't know who would be who, especially if they're just targeting Hiss.

You nod as an idea strikes you. It's effective but it's also rather strange and you need to sell it right, particularly considering the last time.
"I agree Hiss, you shouldn't disguise yourself. The snakes in the House should be very curious to meet you anyway so obscuring that doesn't work."

"Exactly!"

"But that doesn't mean the rest of us can't change. Especially to protect you."

"Huh?"
Hiss' expression changes as you hold out one of the two Shapestealer brews you have in your pack for her to drink.
"Nnno. I don't like that."

"It makes sense for a Queen to have body doubles, people that make it hard for others to strike them."

"I don't need protection," Hiss grumbles but you can see that she's being swayed by the apparent regality of it.

"If you don't like the potion, that's fine," Aashenpreet says. "Cennen doesn't have to do it, I can become your double instead."

"Fuck off!"
Hiss snatches the potion from you and drinks deep, passing the remnant to you.
"Cennen can. You CAN'T."

Behind Hiss, Aashenpreet smiles at you and you try to nod gratefully back without Hiss noticing. It seems that she's learned what motivates the princess.
You drink the rest of the brew, letting the warmth spread through your entire body as it begins to change.

"Just give me a minute," you try to say but your tongue has already changed too much for anything approaching speech. You hastily sit down before you lose your legs and watch as your companions grow around you.
This time you manage to stay conscious, completely aware of your diminishing.

Hiss picks you up by the tail as you finish, exposing your red belly. She doesn't look angry like she was last time, just a little disgusted.
"You really do look identical," she wonders before dropping you gently on the ground.

1/2

>>42076218
>dropping you gently on the ground.
>gently
SHIT GUYS THIS HISS IS AN IMPOSTOR

>>42076196
ah man, we missed a perfectly good opportunity for sacrifice.
Oh well, guess I should be happy my preference won.

>>42076196
Whoops, didn't see this one as it came in just a little late. My bad.

>>42076218
2/2
You're already shedding your skin and while you are not familiar with her Art, you know how to tread the path that she's widened every day.
Before long you're sprawled on the ground in a human form once more...just not YOUR human form.
You've well and truly become a replica of her Teln form and you'd probably find this a lot more exciting if you weren't very familiar with the body already. It still feels very strange however.

Hiss pulls you to your feet, examining your face.
"You got it down perfectly! I have to say, I feel a little threatened right now."
But she says it in jest, her tone slightly mirthful.
"But both of us being like this might give the game away just a little too much."

"Then just change to something else," you say and then stop, completely unused to your new voice.

"Oh, I will..."
She laughs and dissolves back into her serpent shape, quickly reforming into...you. Or at least, a man who is very much like you. She(???) picks up your pack from where it had been lying on the ground and pulls a face.
"Duh, look at me, I'm a moron."

"The resemblance is uncanny," Oster says, even though he appears discomforted by the situation.

"What's wrong Cennen? This makes sense, doesn't it? Fair's fair, right? Let's go!"

> Get your pack off of her. You know it'll look weird but it's your pack! You need it.

> Let her carry it.

> Give it to Oster.

> Other

>>42076381
>Try not to strike her for taking Your pack
>> Let her carry it.

>>42076381
> Let her carry it.
Make sure she stays super close to us though.

>>42076381
> Let her carry it.
be very clear we aren't happy about this situation

>>42076381
> Let her carry it.
Keep the knockout brew with us at least, hide it in a pocket or in our new cleavage if necessary. Practice the scale trick a bit too before we go

>>42076381
> Let her carry it.
Just don't start throwing Shit Around, unless you want to kill us all.

>>42076381
At least make sure she knows which one is a Serpentbane first.

>>42076435
Also ask her for a quick run down on how she uses her simpler arts like her trance gaze and scales

> Let her carry it.

You shake your head, trying to keep track of everything. She (is it a she? Isn't it a he now?) should probably hold onto that. You can't carry it, it would strange for 'Hiss' to be doing that.

You reach out and pull the faux-Cennen close, your newfound strength equaling hers. It's hard to describe really. You feel so powerful, a languid physical strength that would let you overpower any human. It's incredible and you find yourself having a hard time believing Hiss could ever be gentle like this. How much has she been holding back just to hold or touch you without harm?
"You can keep the pack, just stay close. And give me this."
You open the pack and pull out your flask of Knockout Brew, breaking a Collapsibility potion over it to shrink it down to something that can balance on your finger-tip. You stuff it down your tunic.

Hiss laughs. "You need any help with that?"

"Pardon?"

She tries to creep her hand up your top but you push it away.
"Stop that."

"What, why not? Can't I at least get my revenge for every time you've done that to me?"

"Not right now. Now just stay close and don't touch anything in the pack please."

"Aye aye, your Highness," Hiss laughs. You suppose you should be happy that she's taking this in her stride.
And together, you march out towards the shrine and the Ishmin.

> Just stay back and let someone else handle everything. Don't need to accidentally break your disguise yet.

> Be in charge but act reserved and don't speak much.

> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.

> Other

>>42076769
> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.
If anyone can impersonate hiss, it's us. Just don't cause any trouble.

>>42076769
>> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.
>Like we have a choice

>>42076769
> Be in charge but act reserved and don't speak much.

>>42076769
> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.
Ask hiss not to break character no matter what.

>>42076769
> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.
But let's try not to start shit unless they intercept us.

>>42076769
> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.
Haha this is so weird. Let's hope it pays off in the end. I wonder what Hiss will think when she sees her own behavior from an outside perspective.

>>42076769
>> Be in charge but act reserved and don't speak much.

>>42076875
I'm very interested in this as well.

We probably should have used a wordtheft brew first.

>>42077008
Maybe it's not too late?

>>42077008
It's easy to forget since it's usually been done without our input

> Act like you think Hiss would to the fullest of your capabilities.

The Ishmin look up as you approach, their heads moving as one. And they do nothing else and you cannot gauge their reaction behind their veils.
You simply hold your head high and ignore them. What else would Hiss do? She certainly wouldn't let anything show that she's even remotely the same status as a bunch of human servants.

The gate to the Seventy Seventh is an echo of the First, a giant set of hinged circular doors. You stride up to them without hesitation and balling up your fist, slam it into the door. You do it hard enough to dent the metal and black scales instinctively dance up your arm for a moment in response.
"Oi!," you cry out. "Open up! Do you think I have all day?"

Aashenpreet smiles and turns away as Hiss scowls.
"I don't sound lik-"

She is cut off by the doors swinging outward, a mind-eaten servant awaiting you on the other side. A fat white constrictor is coiled around him, shaking its tail before his eyes. And his eyes, otherwise vacant, follow that movement with cold precision before he speaks.
"Welcome, princess. We have heard much about your coming."

You do your best to look disgusted.
"That's nice, you crippled freak."
Aashenpreet squeaks behind you.
"Now how about you just let us through already? I'm sick of waiting!"

Aashenpreet shoves past you, still stronger than you, and prostrates herself before the serpent.
"Forgive her impudence-"

"Impudence?"
You let outrage fill your voice, as if you could ever be IMPUDENT. Behind you, Hiss is frowning and it doesn't look like she appreciates your act. But she stays silent for now.

The servant speaks up once more, the constrictor curling around him as protection against the light of the sun.
"Do not fear. We were prewarned of her ...attitude. But all are allowed to pass if they so desire, particularly one of such a distinguished bloodline."

1/2

hey guys phoneposting here. I snapped my laptops monitor off accidentally. Im going to go get a new one but considering that it takes hours to get anywhere selling computers I'm going to have to shelve this until tomorrow. And it will run tomorrow.
If one of you guys could archive this for me it'd be great, I don't trust my mobile to do it

>>42077344
Haha damn ouro you keep blueballing us with the compact house

>>42077344
Ouch, sorry to hear that Ouro. Thanks for running!

>>42077344
Oh Ouro, when will you realize your snake strength.

>>42077099
ah damn
thanks for running man, good thread

>>42077364
honestly the fact that you guys have been so patient with me during this recent ruckus is a blessing I probably dont deserve

>>42077344
Condolences for your laptop man, thanks for running

>>42077392
Hope my archive description was okay. It's less informative than humorous but I couldn't resist

>>42077392
How'd you manage to break your laptop? What kind of pleb doesn't have a gaming desktop?

File: 1439493690263.jpg (87 KB, 500x667)

87 KB JPG

>>42077458
o u

>>42077479
Funny story, this laptop cant handle a game better than hearthstone or Darkest dungeons without overheating. Fans have been busted for ages, outer casing is broken and the motherboard is sticky-taped in since the bottom panel fell out a few months back.
I guess what Im saying is that i should have seen this coming

>>42077585
Build yourself something respectable using newegg.com. I made a decent gaming rig for 600 bucks there

>>42077585
On a scale of 1 to Hissy Fit, how pissed is Hiss?