>>42201167
You sink into the abyss, dragged down by loving hands.

_____________________________________________________

You wake.

The night is silent, interrupted only by the crackle of the large campfire in front of you. The usual sounds of night birds, forest predators and other assorted beasts seem to have fallen away. Maybe that's just your imagination. Two men are silhouetted against the flame, both standing over your prone form. Between them, the shadow of something huge flits uncertainly. You'd like to struggle more but the ropes around you have been competently tied and to visibly seek escape would invite nothing but pain from these two. They've certainly had no compunctions about it in the past

The sky above is dull red and starless, a black moon shedding no light.

One of them squats down besides you.
"Let me ask again. There won't be a third time. What were you doing in the ###### in the first place?"

> Branded Servant: You are branded with your lady’s mark, given a measure of power in exchange for unending servitude. There is a bond between the two of you and you will do whatever it takes to continue that.

> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.

> Spiritbane: You have fought and killed more spirits than most humans still alive in the world today. You have walked the Dreaming, befriended the mountain and frozen your soul. Where else could you be but here?

> Master Alchemist: You possess a powerful mastery over your Art and alchemy and she is the catalyst that gave you all that. You owe her that at the very least.

> Snakecatcher: You are but a wandering Snakecatcher. This is a snake, this is what you do.

>>42201183
> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.
> Master Alchemist: You possess a powerful mastery over your Art and alchemy and she is the catalyst that gave you all that. You owe her that at the very least.

>>42201183
> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.

>>42201183
> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.

>>42201212
if two are valid this
if not

> Snakecatcher: You are but a wandering Snakecatcher. This is a snake, this is what you do.

>>42201183
> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.

> Royal Consort: You are in love with the princess and she has reciprocated, no matter how twisted the relationship might be. Nothing else comes before that.

"Why wouldn't I? I love her. I guess that makes me a moron but it's the truth."

You try to sit up, watching the two men closely. They aren't real, just blank silhouettes against the flame.
"And I'm pretty sure I've been here before."

The two men disappear, the campfire snuffing out as the sun rises. You are sitting untied in the clearing with Hiss sitting beside you. She's still dressed in her Vtriya robes, her horned head covered by a golden mask. It's hard to see exactly though because you're both sitting together and she's still twice your height.

"Sorry about that," she says. "I almost forgot who you were."

> Forgot? "What do you mean?"

> "Where are we?"

> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.

> "Why do you have a halo?"

> "You don't need to tell me what just happened. Just promise me that you'll never scare me like that again."

> Nobble.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42201584
> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.
> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
> "Where are we?"
> "Why do you have a halo?"

>>42201584
> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
> "Where are we?"
> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.
> "Why do you have a halo?"

>>42201584
> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
> "Where are we?"
> "Why do you have a halo?"
> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.

>>42201584
> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.
> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
> "Where are we?"
> "Why do you have a halo?"

RESIST THE PRIMAL NOBBLE

>>42201584
>> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.
>> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
>> "Where are we?"

>>42201714
Hiss is for lewds, not intentional nobbling.

Now accidental on the other hand........

> Embrace her. You thought she might be gone forever.
> Forgot? "What do you mean?"
> "Where are we?"
> "Why do you have a halo?"

At first you don't know what to say. She's back. You'd thought it had been her that had been calling you but you hadn't been certain. But she's here, she isn't dead or gone forever.

You stand up so that you're more or less eye-level with her and then throw yourself up at her, trying unsuccessfully to wrap your arms all the way around her. You can't keep your grip as a result, sliding down into her chest before she awkwardly catches you, holding you to her.
"I thought you were gone for good," you croak after you find your breath. "I don't know what I was going to do. Uh...where are we? Why do you have a halo?"

The mask stares down at you solemnly, its visage unchanging.
"The Hiss you know is dead. The snake is no longer."

You don't understand.
"So you're a spirit?"

"Not quite. Hiss was never a spirit originally. I am the broken made whole, the ouroboros. I think I am something new or at the very least, something very old."
Her perfect halo glows for a moment, shedding a circle of light around you.
"Right now you are in my Dreaming. The space between my wings."

"Wait. Wouldn't that make you-"

She laughs, still holding you.
"Maybe. I don't do much creating though. More the opposite."

She's so warm, you feel like you could just stay here forever. But there's something on your mind, something even more important then what she just said.
"Hiss-"

"That is not my name."

"I know. But before, you said you nearly forgot me. What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry Ce-..uh, Ta? No. I'm sorry, human. But you're just so small. I can barely see you, let alone know you. It's so hard to wrap my head around you, anymore then you could love a mote of dust. But I appreciate what you feel for me, even if I don't know who you are."

She sets you down gently. You sit back down without thinking. You don't know what to say.

1/2

>>42202163
Ouch

>>42202163
"But first, maybe you can help me with some house-keeping. You aren't the only thing that's fallen into my Dreaming."

She holds out her hands and suddenly there sits a tiny crystal bell, one barely the size of a fingernail. It chimes without sound.
"Do you think I should break this spirit or make it mine? The Compact depends on its life."

> "Destroy it."

> "Make it yours."

> "Keep him alive, what he did wrong wasn't his fault."

> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42202288
>> "Make it yours."
We need to work up to Nobbling her
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.

>>42202288
>Can't you transfer his binds and a large part of his power to Rock? Then send him back home?
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you. Even is she proper is gone the memories should still be there.

>>42202288
>> "Keep him alive, what he did wrong wasn't his fault."
I'm torn between doing what i think is in character for cennan which is freaking out and my desire to understand these circumstances, for now the latter, maybe there can be some freaking out once he realizes the import of all this.

>>42202288
> "Keep him alive, what he did wrong wasn't his fault."
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.

>>42202288
> "Keep him alive, what he did wrong wasn't his fault."

>>42202288
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.
> "You were planning on eating it even before you knew what it was! What do you care about the compact? What the fuck happened to you, Hiss? Where were you just now? Where are your soul and your memories?"

>>42202288
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.

> "Keep him alive, what he did wrong wasn't his fault."
> No, fuck this. This was supposed to be Hiss, damnit! Make her remember you.

You shake your head.
"Leave Jallhaodesh alone, I don't think it was his fault."

"Really? Well I don't have any particular malice for it anyway so that should be fine."
She secretes the bell back within herself.

You punch the ground, surprising her.
"Damn it Hiss, you were planning on eating that spirit long before you even knew what it was! What do you care about the Compact? And holding no malice for it? What the fuck happened to you, Hiss? You hate everything! If someone gave you a spirit in your power like that, you wouldn't even hesitate before you crushed it!"

"I don't understand. Do you want me to kill it?"

"No! I want YOU, Hiss! I want you to-"

"That is not my name."

"Yes it is! You have a name! You have a face!"
You rise to your feet and without even knowing what you're doing, you punch her in the face as hard as you can.

You lose the skin on your knuckles as the blow breaks her golden mask in half, revealing her face beneath it. She looks shocked.
"You...You hit me!"

"That's what Hiss would have done if she met you," you pant, lowering your bleeding fist. You don't know what to do. You're out of options.
"She would have hit me and she would have done it out of love! She's done it before!"

"No. I mean, how dare you? Don't you know what I am? I can fucking crush you like a bug, you half-witted moron!"
She strikes out reflexively, clipping you in the side of the head hard enough to send you flying. You slam into a tree, blood running over your eyes. And then she stops, her eyes widening. She suddenly compresses, shrinking down to a normal human size in an instant.
She rushes over to you, kneeling over your prone form while you struggle to stay conscious.
"Cennen?"

> Kiss her.

> Punch her again.

> "Just end this now."

> Nobble.

> Other

>>42202923
>> Kiss her.

>>42202923
> Kiss her.
> Nobble.

>>42202923
>> Kiss her.
> Nobble.
Nobble her with a kiss

>>42202923
That's more like it
> Kiss her

>>42202923
> "Just end this now."
No Hiss. Hiss quest is pointless.

>>42202923
>> Kiss her.
i guess this i just how cennan likes it. totally provoked this time at least

>>42202923
> Kiss her.
> Nobble.

>>42203061
I don't think he likes it. but that was no more Hiss than the spirits that possess men are human.

>>42203034
lrn2read

>>42203304
I did read. Odd spirit creature slaps Cennens shit feels bad. Clearly not Hiss.

>>42203061
He doesn't really like it, he's just mad.

>Kiss her.

You pull her in for a kiss, only for her to push you back and lean away.
"Stop that Cennen, it'll kill you."

"What, are you still venomous?"

"Uh...I'm not sure. I'm not sure what I am or what I'm doing."
Her temperament has changed completely, her control of the world dropped.
"But I do know that I can't be what this is and still be, well, me. It's too vast for me. I'll become something new."

You sit up, fighting the urge to vomit again. You hold out your right palm and show her your brand. It's still visible, albeit extremely faded.
"You're still alive, according to this."

"But not for much longer. I won't die but I will be reborn. And there'll be no room for anything else."

"I don't get it. I thought this was a good thing. Can't you hold on to what you are?"

"No! Cennen, I'm way too big. What I used to be is but a speck in an ocean. It'll be swallowed up."

"Then...can you give it up?"

'What?'

"Can't you throw all of this away? And go back?"

"Uh, I don't know? But why would I do that? It's power Cennen, it's the power I've always wanted! Why would I throw it away?"

"Do you really value it over your own life?"

"I-...uh. Maybe. Maybe I do. But..."
She looks away, her face screwed up.

You reach out for her only for everything to drop away, evaporating back into the void. And then you're rolling down the broken stairway in the Compact House, every bruise stinging like crazy.

-Cennen!-
Rock lunges for you but something grabs onto her, pulling her back away from you. It's Hiss, sitting atop the landing where Jallhaodesh had been. She's in her Teln form, completely normal.
"But I don't think I value it over yours."

She pulls you up to her, letting you sit beside her as you look out across the rubble.
"Call it jealousy but I've been having a lot of fun with you, Cennen. And I don't want it to end just yet. As long as you can forgive me for throwing that power away."

1/2

>>42203402
Above you, the shadow serpent hisses and breaks apart.

>Of course, Hiss didn't exactly give up on all of that power. Choose three (3) Snake Arts:

> Shed Skin: An improvement on her existing shapeshifting ability, allowing her to mix traits of her assumed form and her snake form freely.

> Camouflage: Hiss can cease all movement and blend in with her surroundings, no matter what shape she's using.

> Death Rattle: She can strike off a loud sound that fills humans with instinctive fear, forcing them to flee.

> Growth: A permanent Art that makes Hiss' true form very large and allows her to shapeshift into much bigger forms if she chooses to.

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

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

> Serpent's Temptation: An upgrade to Hypnotic Gaze and Devour Soul, Hiss can alter the soul of one in trance in different ways than simply eating them, allowing her to implant suggestions and compulsions.

> Gorgon Eyes: An upgrade to Hypnotic Gaze, Hiss can destroy the soul of any human who meets her gaze.

> Precise Fangs: An upgrade to Devour Soul, Hiss can now eat away whatever she wishes, no matter how small it might be.

> Consummate Predator: An upgrade of Life's Blood, Hiss can automatically consume the soul of anything she kills.

> Sidewinder: An upgrade to Constrictor Strength, Hiss can put such strength to use to boost her speed and endurance.

> Rend: An upgrade to Constrictor Strength, Hiss can rip or tear her way through anything nonmagical, no matter how strong or durable it is.

> Soul Kingdom: An upgrade to Soul Gullet, Hiss can summon up the souls from within her and can regurgitate souls if she wishes.

>Cockatrice: Hiss can make her breath lethal by lacing it with her venom. This is almost imperceptible.

> Prey Scent: Hiss can track anyone she pleases, provided she has wounded them or taken part of their soul before.

2/3 (More choices incoming)

>>42203504
Kiss and Kiss + Nobble were tied

>>42203529
Given she wasn't a snake then. It'd have ended poorly.

>>42203504
> Amphibious: Can survive underwater just as easily as above it.

> Shed Skin Expertise: Can only take this Art if you also selected the Shed Skin upgrade. Hiss can change assumed form without returning to her base shape.

> Shed Skin Mastery: Can only select this Art if you're also selecting the Shed Skin upgrade and Shed Skin Mastery. Injuries Hiss takes no longer transfer between shapes.

> Last Gasp: You can only select this Art if you're also selecting Consummate Predator. Hiss can needs to make physical contact with someone to start devouring their soul.

> Dragon Scales: Hiss' scales protect her from elemental damage and also from blunt impacts and falling damage.

> Hungry Scales: Hiss can make her scales razor sharp on a whim, allowing her to shred anyone who brushes her.

> Hunt Sense: Hiss will automatically raise her scales in response to an attack.

> Artskin: The effects of mere mortal magics do not impede Hiss. While her scales are raised, they will protect her from being affected or even targeted by non-Snake magic. The scales themselves are vulnerable however.

> Sacrificial Scales: Hiss can now discard all of her scales to protect herself from death.

> Quickskin: Hiss can regrow any damaged or removed scales in minutes.

> Serpent Empress: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Soul Kingdom. Hiss can briefly use the magical Art and abilities of any soul she has devoured at the cost of destroying that soul for good.

> Lore Gullet: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Soul Kingdom. Hiss can effectively read the minds of anyone whose soul she has partially devoured and predict their actions.

> Shroud: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Camouflage. Hiss can force all light to bend away from her.

> Ambush: Only select this Art if you are selecting both Camouflage and Shroud. Hiss can extend her Shroud to those in her immediate vicinity.

3/4 (EVEN MORE choices coming)

Wait so hiss is abandoning power temporarily for Cennen or forever?

>>42203851
Seems like forever. At least she gained several arts from the deal.

Snake eater + soul kingdom + Serpent empress looking really OP

>>42203890
If she can use royal blood it's worse. Since it's the serpent Sharingan.

>>42203888
well she did the ascending thing once, depending on the state jalla she might be able to do it again.

sacrificial scales

>>42203888
She said "just yet". Besides, from a mortal's perspective, loosing oneself to attain godhood doesn't sound all that great, she didn't sound so sure about it when we asked her.

>>42203797
>Unseen Hunter: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Camouflage. Hiss cannot be detected by any sort of magical scrying or senses while she is camouflaged.

>Worldbreaker Coils: Only select this if you are also selecting Growth. Hiss is capable of burning held souls within her to become temporarily much larger and stronger.

> Mesmerizing Rattle: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Death Rattle. Hiss' Rattle can now bring all humans who hear it into trance ala Hypnotic Gaze.

>Last Rattle: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Death Rattle: Hiss can modify her Rattle so that hearing it can cause humans hearts to stop.

> Sea Snake: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Amphibious. Hiss can use all of her Arts freely underwater as if there was nothing impeding her.

> Snake In The Grass: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Shallow Bite. Hiss can automatically alter herself into something that an opponent finds the most vulnerable and appealing.

>Toxin Immunity: Only select this if you are also selecting Shallow Bite. Hiss is immune to all forms of poisons and toxin, magical and non-magical.

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

>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.

And that's all to choose from now. I really need to make a skill-tree diagram.

>>42204056
>Snake Eater: Hiss can devour the souls of other snakes.
>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.
> Soul Kingdom: An upgrade to Soul Gullet, Hiss can summon up the souls from within her and can regurgitate souls if she wishes.

TOO MANY GOOD CHOICES

>>42203504
> Snake Eater: You can devour and use the souls of other snakes.
> Serpent's Temptation: An upgrade to Hypnotic Gaze and Devour Soul, Hiss can alter the soul of one in trance in different ways than simply eating them, allowing her to implant suggestions and compulsions.
>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.

>>42203851
>>42203888
She's doing it for now at the very least. Hiss likes being Hiss quite a lot.

>>42204150
>No Royal Blood Ouro?
Nah, Hiss still can't use that or Art Control.

>>42204056
>Snake Eater: Hiss can devour the souls of other snakes.
>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.
> Lore Gullet: Only select this Art if you are also selecting Soul Kingdom. Hiss can effectively read the minds of anyone whose soul she has partially devoured and predict their actions.
Holy shit there are way too many options

>>42204056
>growth
necessary for all kinds of useful stuff
>gorgon's eyes
murder vision
>king cobra
that can be used on snakes

>>42204232
And she just maybe likes Cennen? Even if she beats him regularly

Sacrificial scales guys. It's literally an extra life.

>>42204342
She does. And she really feels bad about the beatings.

>>42204287
You can't take Lore Gullet without also taking Soul Kingdom unfortunately. It's a pre-req.

>>42204338
The same for King Cobra, it needs Snake Eater.

>>42204056
> Consummate Predator: An upgrade of Life's Blood, Hiss can automatically consume the soul of anything she kills.
>Snake Eater: Hiss can devour the souls of other snakes.
>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.

>>42204391
derp, well change
>>42204338
to
>growth
>snakeater
>king cobra
as an argument for growth, its going to be hard to actually kill snakes without some extra oomph

I'll leave the vote open for a little while longer, this is a pretty complex decision.

>>42204056
>Snake Eater: Hiss can devour the souls of other snakes.
>King Cobra: Only select this if you are also selecting Snake Eater. Any of Hiss' Arts that only work on humans now work on snakes as well.
> Growth: A permanent Art that makes Hiss' true form very large and allows her to shapeshift into much bigger forms if she chooses to.

>>42204543
I didn't vote for growth because we can do that with alchemy

>>42204604
Not without plant souling her first, and we will need killing power very shortly.

>>42204604
sure but it also has some nice stuff that branches from it, not to mention it'll help hiss deal with these people socially

Does King cobra give Hiss a hood?

>>42204729
Only when she wants to have one. But yes. The reason the Art is named that is because King Cobras are famous for eating other snakes.

>>42204753
Their genus is even called Ophiophagus

Alright, Snake Eater and King Cobra are both winners by a big margin so I'm calling it for them. That just leaves the third Art which doesn't have anything in a solid lead.

Opening a vote between all of the Arts that were 'nominated' in the last vote:

> Soul Kingdom

> Growth

> Serpent's Temptation

> Consummate Predator

> Sacrificial Scales

>>42205037
> Growth

>>42205037
> Sacrificial Scales

>>42205037
> Soul Kingdom
Might be useful with our soul alchemy. Like we could experiment on souls she regurgitates

>>42205100
Pretty sure' they'd go poof without a mortal coil.

>>42205037
> Soul Kingdom
Defeated enemy advisors and we don't have to nobble her if she eats a bad soul

>>42205037
>> Growth

>>42205037
> Soul Kingdom

>>42205110
Not immediately. And we could grab them with soulgrasp. We could even store them in our pack since it is somehow included in our invincible soulform.

>>42205037
> Soul Kingdom

Soul Kingdom it is! Writing.

>Snake Eater
>King Cobra
>Soul Kingdom

You watch as shreds of darkness rain down around you, Hiss' hand in yours.
"Really? You'd do that? For me?"

She looks down.
"Not just for YOU of course. I mean, really? Talk about being presumptuous. I really like being me, you know."

"Of course you do."

"And besides, I can always do it later after you die."

"Woah! Don't sound so hopeful."

"You know what I mean! And Cennen?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry about hitting you back there. I really have been trying to control myself and I really won't do that again. You believe me, right?"

> "I do."

> "Sorry Hiss but this is something that we REALLY need to talk about. But not now."

> "To be fair, that time it was justified."

> "If you could just not make a habit of it, that would be great. That's all I ask."

> "We should probably be running right now."

> Other

>>42205490
>> "To be fair, that time it was justified."
>> "If you could just not make a habit of it, that would be great. That's all I ask."
> "We should probably be running right now."

>>42205490
> "To be fair, that time it was justified."
> "If you could just not make a habit of it, that would be great. That's all I ask."
> "We should probably be running right now."
Attaran is out for blood, and my alchemy is about spent. Also we need to find Oster and aash, stat.

Is Cennen still a mess from being thrown by a minor deity into a tree?

>>42205490
> "I do."
> Other. Check up on the rest of the party, Oster and Aash need help.
> "Rock, are you with us, mate?"
> "We should probably be running right now."

>>42205583
Nope, his body is just janked up from a building dropping on him.

>>42205490
>>42205590
this

>>42205490
>>42205590
Add.
> "Hiss, what did you do with Jallahaodesh? Also, Attaraan is coming for us

>>42205490
> "I do."
> "We should probably be running right now."

>>42205583
That wasn't your body though, it was your soul form. You've returned to your body now.

>>42205670
So our soul is bleeding?

>>42205695
I take it was a projection from the clearing at the begining of the quest, there was no tree, just our perception of Hiss giving us a tap on the soul

>>42205849
Look man I'm just making sure Cennen is going to lapse into a soul coma or bleed soul all over the place.

>>42205918
Fair enough. Rock should be able to tell us if we messed something up

>>42205695
metaphysics

> "I do."
> Other. Check up on the rest of the party, Oster and Aash need help.
> "Rock, are you with us, mate?"
> "We should probably be running right now."

"Of course I believe you. But we can't stay here, we need to get moving. Now, where's everyone else?"

-I'm still here-
Rock floats out of Hiss' grasp, still diminished and weakened from Jallahaodesh's torment. She's barely coherent, a moving puff of dust.
-I am running out of energy but I am here.-

"But what about Oster and Aashenpreet?"
You raise your voice, starting to call out.
"Oster? Aashenpreet?"

"We're here!"
It's Aashenpreet, shoving rubble aside easily. She's bruised and looks pretty dazed but otherwise fine. She's holding Oster under one arm and the swordsman is in very bad shape.
"You have to heal Oster!"

Hiss sniffs, glowering up at Aashenpreet.
"No, Cennen's right. We need to start moving now. We can tend to the lot of you later."

"But he's dying!"

"Then just toss him a heal-all and let's go! He can keep holding on for a bit longer, can't he? He has to be good for something."

Aashenpreet twitches, holding back her left hand as it jerks towards Hiss. Her mouth is full of saw-teeth.
"I can't believe you, Hiss. All of this, he did for you! He threw himself through everyone for your sake!"

"Good for him. I wasn't there to see it though, so it doesn't count. And don't you ever threaten me again or I'll eat you."

> Do as Hiss says. Just give Oster a heal-all, that'll have to hold him for now.

> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.

> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"

> "Sorry Aash, but we really do need to get moving."

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42205995
Pour a Soulguard over Rock, Give one to Oster too, and give him a heal all.
> "Sorry Aash, but we really do need to get moving."
>Hiss Oster saved my ass and your life when you passed out. You're being monstrously unfair to him. *notice cloven in two ishmin* Hell he killed a man possessed by a spirit.

>>42205995
> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"
Hiss can go through Osters mind to see what he did.

>>42205995
> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"
If we're gonna make it through it'd be better to have oster in the best condition possible

>>42205995
>> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"
as an aside while we figure this out
> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.

>>42205995
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"

>>42205995
> Quickly try to stabilize Oster, make sure he'll stay alive until we reach somewhere safe.
> Confer with Hiss, what should we do? Attaraan's guys are dealt with for the moment, I also hit him with a knockout brew but I'm not sure how well it worked. Where's Jallahaodesh?
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy? Also, thank you"

>>42205995
> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"

> Let Aashenpreet lay Oster down and tend to him properly.
> "Rock, what did you mean you need more energy?"

"Hiss, no."
You put your arm in front of her, doing your best to place yourself between her and Aashenpreet.
"Don't eat my friends."
Can she even eat snakes? You've never really asked her.

You let Aashenpreet lay Oster down on the landing, getting your cauldron out as you do so.
"It'll be okay Hiss. I dinged Attaraan with a knockout brew earlier and the collapsed staircase should stop the power from lower down getting to us soon. That just leaves Tash, who I doubt plans on attacking and Attaraan's priests who I saw ar-"

Aashenpreet shakes her head and smiles.
"You won't have to worry about them."

"Alright. So that just leaves Jallahaodesh. What did you do to him?"
You start mixing up as many salves as you can while you strip Oster down. Aashenpreet looks away.

"I'm not sure. I don''t remember."

"What do you mean you don't remember? It was minutes ago!"

"Look Cennen, I really wasn't myself at the time! I don't know what she was thinking!"

"Well that's great. We have an unconfirmed spirit of tremendous power maybe wandering about then. In that case, I don't think running helps us anyway so we might as well stay here."

-She better stay away. I'll make her wish that the Creator had never coalesced her.-
Rock floats around you, mustering up a lot of spirit for a dust-cloud with a half-broken halo.

"Rock, what did you mean you were running out of energy?"

The spirit pauses.
-You knew this moment was coming, Cennen. This world is beautiful, so beautiful that it hurts. But it is not made for me. It belongs to you. It's a constant burn to exist here, even with the halo and what Jallahaodesh did to me just made it come sooner. I will have to go back to the Dreaming soon or risk cessation.-

"Then do that! You don't need to stick around on my behalf."

1/2

>>42206387

-The gates are barred and sealed, remember? And mortal lives are so short. Even if I escape the Gatekeepers that will be waiting for me, I may never be able to find a way to return within your lifetime.-
The spirit floats up, directly in front of your face.
-And I don't want to abandon you here. My task is not yet done.-

> "Then stay for now, just don't do anything flashy alright?"

> "No. Just go home, Rock."

> Offer yourself up to ride.

> Offer someone else up to ride.

> All she needs is a human sacrifice, right? Can you do that?

> Other

Gah! We can't let Rock die. She actually turned out to be really decent once we won her over with our rapier wit and sterling charm.

>>42206481
> "Then stay for now, just don't do anything flashy alright?"
> Offer yourself up to ride.
We can work on a potion to help him when we have time.

>>42206481
Will a soulguard help?

Ride Oster, he could use the help Rock.

>>42206509
>>42206515
It won't work since we're a spiritbane

>>42206509
>>42206515

Hiss just gave up becoming the antithesis of the Creator for us. We owe it to her to not just potentially throw ourselves away like that. We can't in good faith offer ourselves up to Rock.

>>42206481
> All she needs is a human sacrifice, right? Can you do that?

>>42206481
> Offer someone else up to ride.
I bet Aash would be okay with it

>>42206509
>>42206515
I doubt our Bane would get along with her

>>42206481
Use our persistence brew on her to maintain the halo indefinitely. Failing that, ask if Aash is willing to let her ride her.

>>42206634
This.

>>42206481
Is the riding permanent? Could you separate from your host without killing them?
If so, and if Oster is conscious, ask him to let Rock ride him

>>42206634
Persistence and Soulguard.

>>42206481
>> Offer someone else up to ride.
ask how people feel about and how safe it is first, we can still try other solutions later

>>42206634
Won't work unfortunately. Firstly, Rock is too intangible most of the time to drink anything.
But the main reason is because holding the halo together doesn't solve the problem. The problem is her energy expenditure, something that's always increasing beyond even the capabilities of her halo to sustain her.

>>42206686
I think it's harmless to the host as long as they're willing to let the spirit in. Might need to check the spirits and souls pastebin though.

>>42206813
Found it
>It is the act of 'riding' a human, to fold their essence into a creature's physical form and settling themselves into their mind. While possessing their target, the spirit basks within and siphons the soul and is thus shielded from the harsh world outside. How uncomfortable this is for the victim depends on how forceful the spirit is. It is quite possible for a spirit to bask within a mortal's body as nothing more than a voice and only causing superficial harm to the soul. But it is also more than possible for a possessing spirit to seize control of the body and begin burning their host's soul out from the inside for additional power.

>>42206686
I still think aash is a better choice since osters souls is already in awful shape

>>42206859
Yeah, but what will happen when she tries to leave the host?
>>42206893
Right, but are snake souls compatible with spirits?
Then I'll change >>42206686 to Aash

>>42206893
Maybe Rock could use Aash's unwanted human soul as fuel?>>42206944
It didn't seem harmful when the compact spirit left the ishmins body

>>42206753
So Permanence on the Halo wouldn't do anything? I just want to be sure because we roasted that first spirit with a Dispel Elixer to the Halo.

>>42206481
We have know IC way of knowing this but hiss could vomit up a soul to fuel rock

>>42207093
So we depend on her good nature for that solution, great.

Sorry for the delay, was eating.

>Offer Aash up as a host.

"Hold on," Hiss interrupts. "Why is this Cennen's decision? Why is nobody listening to me? I'm the leader here!"

-I did not come to this world for you.-
Rock's 'voice' is as cold and emotionless as ever but you imagine that you can almost hear a hint of the snide.

"Hold on Rock," you say. "I get that you don't want to go back yet but I sure as hell don't want you risking yourself out here. Can't you take someone's body? What about Oster?"

-I do not wish to intrude in such a disgusting fashion. And Oster is already far too damaged, I would fear to break him.-

"Oh! Oh! Rock! Suzerain! Do me, do me!"
Everyone stares at Aashenpreet, who's leapt to her feet. She blushes.
"I mean, I would be honored if you would ride me until you have recuperated. I shall be a most gracious host."

-If you insist. I will do my best to be a considerate visitor. But don't think this will be a common occurrence.-
Rock comes apart at the seam, changing into a stream of sand and dust that flows right into Aashenpreet's open mouth and nostrils, causing her to cough explosively.

"Aash? Are you alright?"

She looks back down at the three of you once more, her eyes flickering a bright red.
"I feel stran-I'M MADE OUT OF MEAT!'
She clamps her hands over her mouth before slowly letting go.
"The suzerain was just a little startled, is all. And also doesn't know how to use an inside voice. Yes, yes, I KNOW you don't normally have to think about volume."

"Uh, Aash? Are you sure you're fine."

She coughs again, sand trickling around inside her mouth.
"I'm fine. Absolutely fine."

Hiss laughs.
"Good luck with that, you know that thing is gonna be eating away at your soul the whole time right? They can't help it, they're too empty."

"I HAVE LOCATED ANOTHER SOUL. Stop it! Give me my mouth back! Sorry. But no, she can live off my mistake without harming me. That's one good thing to have come out of that at least."

1/2

Aash is adorable

>>42207330
We gota let her gobble up a couple of souls so there is an emergency ration. Some of the half eaten ones that need to die.

>>42207330
You just shrug and continue tending Oster as Aashenpreet/Rock explore the stairway around you and Aash lets Rock accustom herself to the ways of the flesh in case she ever needs to assume control.

"You know," Hiss says conversationally when they've gotten far enough away. "I could have just vomited up a soul for Rock."

"You can do that? And why didn't you do?"

"Because they're MY souls, duh. I worked long and hard for them. And besides, I wanted to see if she'd eat that sanctimonious bitch by accident."

You rub your knuckles into her hair playfully, causing her to yelp.
"Be nice, Hiss."

"Ow! Screw you!"
She pushes you into the wall but you push back with what Potence is still left within you, the pair of you rolling around until you've never fallen off the stair.

"Am I interrupting something?"
The voice is raspy and weak and it makes both of you freeze. Oster is sitting up, looking pale and sickly and in no way fit to move.

"Oster!," Hiss cries out. "You're alive!"
Is she happy?

"Princess! I thought I heard you before. I was-"

"And yet you're late. Laaaaaate."

"I was fighting a dozen men!"

"Pfft? And? Next time you better fight a dozen men and still be ready to hold my stuff afterwards. Look at you, you're a wreck! How can you be so useless?"
Despite her words however, Hiss is smiling and Oster is too, apparently unaffected by her insults.

"I'll do my best next time, your Highness. And thanks Cennen, I assume all this was you?"
He motions down to his body, still covered in makeshift bandages and salves.

"No worries mate, don't mention it. Now, are you good to go?"

"Just give me a minute."
Oster tries to stand up and almost succeeds before what little color is left in his face drains away and he sits back down again.
"Maybe an hour. I feel fucking wrecked."

Hiss pokes him in the ribs, causing him to gasp as she touches something still healing.
"We don't have an hour, you big brute! So come here!"
Oster screams in pain.
2/3

>>42207576
For a moment, you fear the worst. She's killing him, she's actually doing it. And for what? Because she was impatient?

But no, she's hefted him him onto her back, looking faintly ludicrous as she carries a man bigger than she is. Oster is gurgling in pain as a dozen tender spots are poked all at once.
"Oh stop crying. What are you, a baby? I'm not leaving you to die here, I've got to take you home so I can kill you myself! Cennen! Where are we?"

"We're in the last stairwell on th-"
Oh right. Hiss was unconscious during all of that. She doesn't know where you all are.

"Yeah yeah. What's the best way out of here, dingus?"

> Get over the rubble and go back the way you came.

> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?

> Find a window. Go through the window.

> "Uh, I think we should find another way to move Oster."

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42207673
>> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?
Oster is probably in paradise being carried by Hiss

>>42207673
> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?
> "Uh, I think we should find another way to move Oster."
Shrink him and toss him in the bag!

>>42207673
> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?
> Oster can you take it, or do we need to think about another way?

>>42207704
Shrink wouldn't work on him.

>>42207713
I'm referring to using the Eugene brew.

>>42207673
> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?
Yo Ouro did our brand ever come back?

>>42207673
Things have changed, we got Hiss back, and the fact that she almost ascended should give us some leverage, right?
On the other hand, one of the resident spirits attacked us and we did something to it, but also saved its life.

>>42207673
> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?

>>42207673
>>42207818
Still,
> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?

>>42207673
>> Find a window. Go through the window.

>>42207843
I'm gonna assume you linked my post unintentionally

>>42207902
Yeah, sorry, meant >>42207816

>>42207755
Yeah it never truly left, it was just faint. It's back to full strength now.

>> Keep going up. Sint mentioned something about a suzerain and an exterior staircase going down on the roof?

"Hey Aashenpreet, we're going up!"

"Coming!"
It doesn't take long for Aashenpreet to catch up with the rest of you, especially considering that the giant stairs are actually sized properly for her. Hiss, who has to not only struggle up stairs made for legs twice the size of her own but has to carry Oster as well, can only scowl impotently as the constrictor passes you.

"Is something wrong, Hiss? I can carry you if you want."
Aashenpreet seems to know exactly how she feels and is reaching dangerously Hiss-like levels of smugness.
Hiss just grumbles in an indecipherable fashion.

It doesn't take you long until you reach the top of the tower, finding yourself standing in what is practically a huge garden.
The rooftops are packed with dirt and filled with trees, bushes and grass. Aashenpreet uses her height to pluck several orange fruit as you continue onward.
"Mango! I'll save these for later."

You don't find the suzerain meant to be up here but it isn't long until you find the artificial river, bubbling up from a spring set onto the roof of the tower next-door, connected by a thin stone bridge. And next to the spring is the exterior way down, stairs carved into the stone of the tower wall itself.
Looking down, you see that they spiral all the way around the tower's exterior down to the peak of the mountain.

Hiss wrinkles her nose when she sees it.
"Ugh. We're going to be way too visible when we climb down that way. Anyone outside would be able to spot a whole group of people easily! What if I change back into my true form so you can carry me down? Reduces visibility."

"But what about Oster then? And Aashenpreet is still huge."

"I can't get this body much smaller than what you are now, sorry."
Aashenpreet looks down, demure.
"I can carry Oster though."

1/2

>>42208138
"No," Hiss snarls. "If you're still going to be like that then there's no point in me trying to disguise myself. You'll draw the eye anyway. Let's just go."
She starts to stomp down the stairs, apparently unconcerned by the complete lack of a railing or the drop that's right beside her.

> Yeah, might as well just get it over with.

> What if Aashenpreet carries everyone? There'll only be one person to watch then.

> You might be able to fit them all into your pack actually.

> Ask Rock if they can lend some power and just slide you down, if she can.

> Make a Wish (specify)

> Other

>>42208209
>> You might be able to fit them all into your pack actually.

>>42208209
>> What if Aashenpreet carries everyone? There'll only be one person to watch then.

>>42208209
Hide hiss and Oster in our pack, aash can become invisible

>>42208311
This.

>>42208209
>> Ask Rock if they can lend some power and just slide you down, if she can.
if there aren't adverse consequences to anybodies health to doing this that is

>>42208311
Can aash extend her invisibility to anyone else?

>>42208397
No, but she blends into her surroundings, and since she's so big she could cover us.

>>42208311
Yeah I'll go for this. If she can somehow hide oster while carrying her that would be better though. Maybe use a farsight brew to identify any threats who might spot us from afar too.

>>42208496
Carrying him*
Geez I'm barely tipsy and I'm still making a lot of typos

You snap your fingers.
"Oh right, Aashenpreet you can camouflage yourself can't you?"

"I can? I mean, I can! I'd forgotten about that."
She wilts under Hiss' stare.
"What? It's not a native Art, it's fine if I forget about it!"

"Well there you go. Hiss can get in my pack and Aashenpreet can carry Oster while I hide behind her. Can you camouflage yourself in a way that you don't reveal us when we're behind you?"

"Yeah, I think I can manage that."

Hiss passes Oster to Aashenpreet before dissolving back into a black snake with a crimson belly. You then gently pick her up and slide her into your pack, following Aashenpreet as best you can while she starts to fade from vision.

It's a little uncomfortable, to tell the truth. Aashenpreet stalks along the outer edge of the stair while you keep to the inside, squished against her invisible bulk with a hand on her leg to make sure that you keep moving at the same pace as she does.

But you don't hear anything or see anyone pointing so damn it, it works. You reach the bottom of the tower safely, dropping down onto the flat peak of the mountain itself.
Aashenpreet wavers back into visibility, still carrying Oster while you let Hiss out of the pack and she retakes human form.

You pass Soulguard potions to Oster and Aashenpreet as you approach what should be the line of the invisible barrier. You have no fucking clue where it is or even if Jallahaodesh has it still raised but you're not taking any chances.

And from there, it's only a short dash to the cliff and to the door that opens into the tunnel that leads back into the Seventy-Seventh. Only, of course, it's barred shut from the inside.

> Try to bash it down.

> Call out for the priests on the other side to open it, hope they haven't been alerted about you yet.

> Fuck it, going through the shrine would be too complex anyway. Just go straight down the cliff, it should deposit you right outside the front entrance of the Seventy-Seventh.

> Make a Wish (Specify)

>>42208818
>> Fuck it, going through the shrine would be too complex anyway. Just go straight down the cliff, it should deposit you right outside the front entrance of the Seventy-Seventh.

>>42208818
>> Fuck it, going through the shrine would be too complex anyway. Just go straight down the cliff, it should deposit you right outside the front entrance of the Seventy-Seventh.

>>42208818
>> Fuck it, going through the shrine would be too complex anyway. Just go straight down the cliff, it should deposit you right outside the front entrance of the Seventy-Seventh.

>>42208818
>> Call out for the priests on the other side to open it, hope they haven't been alerted about you yet.
would be interesting

>>42208818
> Call out for the priests on the other side to open it, hope they haven't been alerted about you yet.
I realize my attachment to that sword isn't exactly reasonable but I still want it back. Oster doesn't have any left either.

>>42208847
>>42208863
>>42208890
Wasn't there a bunch of Ishmin camping there?

>>42208818
> Call out for the priests on the other side to open it, hope they haven't been alerted about you yet.
We should stop do a little planning. Hiss almost ascended and Aash is hosting a spirit, that should give them some leeway, right?

>>42208955
If so, I have forgotten about it. I'm drunk, so it's a distinct possibility.

>>42208955
Yeah. We'll have to go through them no matter what but I'd rather do it after retrieving our weapons from the shrine.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

Looks like a tie between trying to talk your way through the shrine and just going down the cliff.

>>42209057
Uh... which one won?

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>42209057
Oh derp, forgot to assign numbers. Odds the former, evens the latter.

Sorry guys, my boss just called and he wants me to take this shift. Annoying since this is supposed to be my day off but what can you do?
I'll do 52.5 tomorrow, same time as always, check the twitter etc. It'll start with talking to the priests and whatnot.

Could someone else archive this for me please? I'm typing this as I walk out the door almost.

>>42209167
Archived. Thanks for running.