>>42315190
You look around anxiously while Hiss bangs on the door and calls for the priests. Nobody seems to have left the House yet or seen you as the four of you crouch by the entrance. Can they even follow you yet? Jallahaodesh’s barrier is still encircling the mountain’s peak and you’re not sure if it’s selective or not.
But if it isn’t and if it’s been up for the entirety of your debacle, nobody should have told those in the shrines what you have done. They should let you pass!

The door creaks open, pushed by the same mind-eaten slave that had allowed you through on your ascent. But where he once stood tall he is now hunched, supported by a gnarled stick and bent under the weight of a passenger. A yellow python rides him, a fat and red-eyed thing that shies away from the sunlight. It’s wrapped itself around him almost completely save for the last length of tail which is dragged limply on the ground behind.
It looks like one of the priestesses has come to guide you personally. But why would they do that? Do they know what you’ve done somehow?
Are they leading you into a trap? You know that past the antechamber is a long descent into complete darkness, the homeground of the albino constrictors. What would you even do if they attempted to kill you there?

> Just let them lead you in. You’ve got no time to dally about.

> Ask for your weapons back first before you enter.

> Is it possible to carry some light in here with you?

> Try to nobble them as a hostage.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42315203
>> Is it possible to carry some light in here with you?
> Ask for your weapons back first before you enter.

>>42315203
> Ask for your weapons back first before you enter.
> Use Potion (Specify)
Drink a farsight brew

>>42315203
> Just let them lead you in. You’ve got no time to dally about.
Farsight brew for night vision.

>>42315203
Hiss and Aash can see in the dark, right? Do they have pit organs?
> Just let them lead you in. You’ve got no time to dally about.
> Ask for your weapons back first before you enter.

>>42315417
Don't snakes feel for the vibrations in the ground to see what's going on around them? I think their eyesight is pretty mediocre but I'm not totally sure

>>42315516
I think they do that as well as tasting the air around them when they stick their tongues out. Their vision is shit.

>>42315516
It really depends on the snake, some of them depend exclusively on their eyesight.
But most of them are night hunters, so they get around very well in the dark.
Some of them, like vipers and boas, also have pit organs, they are like little slits on their faces (under the eyes for vipers, over the upper lip for boas and pythons) and allow them to sense heat emmisions, basically infrared. Also, the slit, cat like pupils are specialised for low light detection.

>>42315417
They're fine, Cennen less so.

> Ask for your weapons back first before you enter.
>Drink Farsight Brew

"What about our weapons?"

"Good point," Oster says as he approaches the slave and their passenger. "Before we go anywhere I'd like to take back the weapons we left with you."

The serpent hisses and writhes, passing down some intangible message to their human bearer.
"Your blades are kept at the front of the shrine, you will have to cross with us first before you can get them."

"Can't you bring them out here?"

"...We could but we are forced to question just why you desire them so urgently?"

Aashenpreet gently pushes Oster out of the way, crouching down to address the priestess in a humble fashion.
"Please excuse my companions, there's no need."

The slave has no reaction to her but the albino snake does, rearing back slightly. Several seconds later, the man speaks.
"You were much smaller on your ascent, pretending to be a human. Why?"

"Uh..."

While Aashenpreet dithers, Hiss marches herself up to the slave and does her best to look the constrictor in the eye.
"Who cares? Can we just get going now? We don't need the weapons!"

What follows is almost a minute of silence from the man as the snake seems to confer with itself.
"Very well. It is not our place to question."

"Damn straight."

When the snake is no longer looking in your direction, you down the Farsight Brew that you had worked free from your pack. You're not going in blind this time, not again.

And maybe it's just the benefit of sight but your return trip through the Shrine is far less unsettling than your initial one. With the darkness they covet banished, you can see that it's just a bunch of moldering old passages. There's nothing especially mystical here.

You can't see any of the other snakes though. Where have they gone?

Before long, you're standing back before the giant doors leading out back onto the mountainside.
1/2

File: pit organs.jpg (91 KB, 500x661)

91 KB JPG

>>42315647
Picture for reference.
>>42315568 is right about their sense of smell too, also, the forked tongue allows them to pinpoint the direction in which the smell comes from.
I believe consensus is their vision is average, not terrible, but nothing to write home about either, it's specialised for low light and short range.

>>42315747
Oster, the only one of you to have been completely blind during your journey, is getting antsy.
"Alright, we're here. We're good to go. Where are my swords?"

The python unwinds itself from the slave, slithering back into a small crawlspace in the wall. But he still speaks, apparently given instructions to do so.
"We will return what we have taken from you...when you return what you have taken from us?"

The walls around you grow restless and loud with the sound of slithering as the priests begin to gather, hiding safely in the tunnels within the walls.

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," you say. You turn and look back, noticing Aashenpreet beginning to cower.

The slave ignores you, pacing by the doors.
"You betrayed us. Worse, you betrayed Aashimid himself. How dare you even think to smuggle yourself here? You are a traitor before Aashimid! Filth!"

Aashenpreet abruptly sits down, her arms hanging limply.
"Don't! I didn't mean it! I didn't want to!"

"Liar!"

"Hold on!"
Hiss holds up a hand, somehow managing to still the sound of the serpents around her.
"You freaks want her before we can leave? You want to take one of MY companions?"

Is she actually defending Aash of all people? You can't believe your ears. Aashenpreet looks up in confusion as Hiss points to her.
"Well there she is! Hurry up and take her, already! She's certainly no use to us anymore. We're wasting time with this nonsense."

Oh. Never mind.

> Try to argue that she's not a priestess.

> They don't like light huh? Throw open the doors.

> Berate Hiss.

> Ask Rock to step in.

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42316125
> Ask Rock to step in.
Surely being a vessel for a spirit would trump any crime she committed

>>42316125
>> They don't like light huh? Throw open the doors.

>>42316125
> Ask Rock to step in.
I would vote to open the doors if the ishmin weren't waiting right outside

>>42316125
> Ask Rock to step in.
> Give Hiss a stern look of disapproval

>>42316125
> Ask Rock to step in.
>Give Hiss a "Really?" look

> Ask Rock to step in.

You do your best to look disapproving while you eye Hiss and you're not sure if she even notices. If she does she does a really good job hiding it.
Aashenpreet herself seems unresponsive and you're not sure what you and Oster could do that wouldn't make the situation worse.

"Hey Rock! Can you do something about this?"

Aashenpreet's head jerks to the side.
"SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT?"
She doesn't seem to have gotten the hang of speaking properly with vocal cords yet.

"They want to take Aash back!"

The priestesses stop as Aashenpreet suddenly doubles over and begins to cough, thick sand flowing from her mouth with each one.
And when she sways to her feet, her mouth is stretched grotesquely wide, her jaw unhinged. Her mouth is full of sand and grist and within those, several red eyes flicker in the darkness of her throat.
-I cannot leave her yet so forgive me ungraceful extrusion. Now leave her alone. She is my priestess now.-

The slithering in the walls stops and when the albino that had been riding the slave emerges once more, it almost looks as if it moves with shame as it relays another message through the man.
"We beg your forgiveness, Suzerain," he says, with the same flat tone as always. "Is there anything we can do for you? We are at your command."

-Cennen?-

"Eh?"

-Nobody should be able to hear me now but you. I don't want anything as reparations. Do you have any requests?-

> No, just leaving Aashenpreet alone is fine.

> Actually...(Specify)

>>42316612
> Actually...(Specify)
Do they have another exit besides the two we went through? If so may we use that one? Also some provisions for the way down.

>>42316612
Give us back our weapons.
Anything else isn't worth it because we need to leave quickly.

>>42316612
>>42316670
This, also, our weapons.

>>42316612

This >>42316670
and our weapons please.

>>42316670
When have we ever had to worry about provisions? It's a waste of time.

>>42316922
If we want to move fast, it easier to do so with food in hand than having to make restoration potions.

>Ask for weapons
>And another exit

Well obviously you'll need your weapons back, no point in leaving them behind. But what else to ask?
Now that you think about it, you remember getting the idea on your ascent that this place hides a LOT of passages snaking all over the place. And Attaraan's Ishmin are probably still waiting for you outside.
In fact, you're pretty sure that's why he brought them here in the first place. That's why they didn't stop you on the way up. They weren't here to keep you out, they're here to keep you in.
"We'd like our weapons back and also, are there any other exits from this place besides this one and the one leading to the peak? If so, I'd like to use that one."

The priestess hisses, several moments passing before the slave speaks.
"We are not beholden to you, human."

-No, do what he says.-

"As you wish. Follow me, I shall guide you through the deep ways."

And with that, Rock stops coughing and looks confused.
"What just happened?"

You'll let Rock answer that one inside of her own head. The slave brings you and Oster your weapons, him his array of swords and you your several knives and the Ishmin sword that Tanni had given you.

"I'd also like some provisions," Hiss says. "You cripples eat something down here, don't you?"
She is rewarded with several wrapped packages, each one holding some sort of dried meat. Hiss makes a face.
"Forget I asked."

With that taken care of, the priestess coils around the slave once more and leads you back into the tunnels, this time branching off from the one leading to the peak. This passage leads down, ramping down slowly in a straight line for as far as even your Farsight can see.

"Follow me," the priestess says through the slave. "If you are lost here, you will never find sunlight again."

It's a long walk through the dark, the priestess changing directions every second branch or so, leading you through a hopeless tangle of passages.
1/2

>>42317089
And you are not alone. The further down you walk and the darker it grows to even your alchemically-assisted vision, the more certain of that you become.
There's a whispering lurking around your field of vision, a ceaseless half-noise that you can never focus on or hear correctly but you know it's there.
Something walking behind you, something immense dragging itself down the passages the priestess doesn't lead you on, just a stone's throw away.

At first you think it's just you but then you notice Oster's fingers drumming along the hilt of his newly acquired sword. It's not long before he speaks.
"Do any of you hear that?"

"Pay it no attention," the slave says, the priestess' tail twitching from side to side as it drags on the ground behind him.
"Do not linger."

And there's something about the ways you walk, carved deep beneath tons of mountain, that keeps even Hiss silent for the rest of the walk. Even as hour after hour ticks by.

You don't know how much time has passed but when the slave finally hoists open a door, the dawn has long since faded and the sun is already moving down towards dusk.
You step outside, blinking in the half-light as you look around. You are stepping out of an opening in the giant wall that surrounds Chau Devi, the First shrine itself. You aren't near the Pilgrim's Way either but you fancy you can see its black outline in the distance as it winds towards the other two mountains but leaves this one alone.
"Do not speak of this."
And that serves as your only farewell from the priestess as the slave slams the door shut behind you, the giant door blending in with the wall of the First so seamlessly that you'd never have believed it was there if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes.

Oster sits down, inspecting all of his weapons one by one.
"What now? I don't fancy trying to find our cart again."

2/3

>>42317359
Ah shit. Was our alchemy lab still in the cart or is it in our bag?

>>42317359
"We can't stop," Aashenpreet says. "I don't know if any of you understand just what you did back up there but when word gets out to the Courts, none of us will be safe! They'll never stop looking for us! Nowhere in Quedesh will be safe!"

"Good thing we're not going to stick around here then, huh?"
Hiss rolls her eyes.
"I'm done here. Let's go home."

"Shut up! You tried to give me back to them! And you can't just leave, there'll be trouble!"

"Well," you weigh in. "If we go back to Pataliputna, Tanni might be able to shelter us until we can find a way to leave. We did what she asked us to, after all."
Did you? Come to think of it, you're not really sure what she wanted from you! You've certainly learned plenty of Tash's misdeeds.

Hiss scowls.
"I can't say I'm looking forward to meeting her again. Not yet, anyway. Are you sure we can't just make a beeline straight for the Ulund and catch a boat there? We can wear disguises!"

Aashenpreet sighs.
"No, you can't just hire a boat at random for a trip to another continent! And even if you find someone willing, people will still talk!"

Oster shrugs.
"Can't say I like either course of action. But what choice do we have?"

Hiss' face lights up with a sudden revelation.
"Actually...Aashenpreet, do you mind if I borrow Rock for a second?"

"N-"

Hiss cranes her head up until she has tenuous eye contact with her and Aashenpreet stops talking, her jaw going slack.
"That wasn't a request."

"Hiss, what are you doing?"

-I'd like to know that as well.-
Aashenpreet is moving again, animated by Rock even as Hiss holds Aash's soul in trance.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you! I just need you for an errand. It might solve all of our problems. Now come on out, I can give you a soul if you need one."

Hiss giving up one of her souls? This must be serious.
"Hiss, what are you doing?"

She laughs.
"I don't want to tell you. I want to see your face when you find out."
3/4

>>42317603

> "Alright, I trust you. But don't let me down."

> "No seriously, tell me. What do you need Rock for?"

> "Only if you promise never to do that to Aashenpreet again."

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42317667
> "Alright, I trust you. But don't let me down."

>>42317495
It's shrunken down inside your bag.

>>42317667
> "Alright, I trust you. But don't let me down."
>Also can you not just put everyone who disagrees with you in a gaze? Makes people upset.

>>42317667
> "Alright, I trust you. But don't let me down."

>>42317667
> "Hiss..."
> Put a hand on Aashenpreet's shoulder to reasure her and give Hiss a warning glare
This should send the message we don't want any harm done to her.
Also, we should ask Aash what did she mean by that? Was it Hiss' ascentinon or just the general ruckus we made? And what kind of response should we expect?

>>42317821
You really think that would work? Hiss would just get jealous that we're getting handsy with and protective of Aash.

>>42317667
> "No seriously, tell me. What do you need Rock for?"

> "Alright, I trust you. But don't let me down."

"Hiss, can you not just put everyone who disagrees with you into a gaze?"

"I will when it stops solving problems. Now tell your pet spirit to come along."

"Alright, I'll trust you on this one. But don't let me down. Rock, you can go with her right?"

-I don't feel comfortable leaving Aashenpreet with her.-

Hiss scoffs.
"She'll be fine. Now pop yourself out, I can feed you if you need it."

Rock flows out and fully manifests herself once more, just a cloud of dust in Hiss' hand. Hiss smirks and holds the spirit up to her mouth and whispers something.
There's an interchange of some sort, something intangible flowing from the princess to the spirit before Hiss throws Rock up into the air, where the spirit catches the wind and flies off in the form of a dusty falcon. And she does it quickly too, Rock disappearing over the horizon in just seconds.
"Relax," Hiss says. "I gave her a few souls, she'll be able to do miracles right now."

"Then why couldn't you get her to carry us while she did that?"

"Cennen, I'm being remarkably generous here already. I'm not going to give Rock THAT many souls. She can't return them, you know that? She just eats them up and turns them to power instantly. Now, where are we going?"

"Pardon?"

"You heard me. We need to get to the ocean in a few days. You can choose, I don't care anymore."

> Just find a small fishing place and try to stay undercover, you suppose.

> Go back to Pataliputna and tell Tanni about what you've found.

> If you take the direct way, you might be able to work your way back to Lombai.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42318088
> Go back to Pataliputna and tell Tanni about what you've found.
Shit dude I don't know

>>42318088
>> Go back to Pataliputna and tell Tanni about what you've found.

>>42318088
> Go back to Pataliputna and tell Tanni about what you've found.

I mean, we kind of have sidequest stuff to do there. Right? Also, we should fiddle with our Ishmin. See what kind of goodies we can brew up with 'em.

>>42318088
> Just find a small fishing place and try to stay undercover, you suppose.
I don't know about Tanni...

>>42318088
> Just find a small fishing place and try to stay undercover, you suppose.
Wouldn't we fall in love with Tanni if we spent much more time with her?

>>42318273
>implying that's a bad thing

>>42318273
we will make a brew to counter it.

>>42318273
I'm fairly certain reporting in and potentially receiving her hospitality isn't going to be enough exposure to make us her boner-slave.

File: Hiss.png (105 KB, 388x559)

105 KB PNG

This look like her, Ouro?

>>42318273
It'd be worth it. She wants to fuck Attaraan over and she can use thr fact that he smuggled weapons into the compact house to do so.

> Go back to Pataliputna and tell Tanni about what you've found.

"Well I don't know what you're trying to do but if we're heading back to the coast anyway, Pataliputna is probably our best bet. Tanni can shelter us for a few days, surely."

Aashenpreet stirs, slowly blinking back to life.
"Uh? What? What did you do? That shouldn't be possible?"
She cowers away from Hiss, an inherently ludicrous sight considering the difference in their sizes.
Hiss just laughs.
"I do what I want. Just be happy I didn't take any of your soul while I was down there. But don't think I'll be so merciful next time. Stay out of my way."

Hiss starts walking, clearly looking for the path back. Oster is quick to follow her while you hang back with Aashenpreet.
"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I guess so."

"So...what exactly is going to happen to us when the news gets out?"

"You practically ransacked the House, didn't you? Attacked the pilgrims, vandalized it...I know you meant well but there'll be a hunt for us now, especially if the priests in the shrine talk about me. They'll do their best to hunt us down and they won't ever stop!"

"Oh. Yeah, I guess that's a big deal. We just have to leave Quedesh though, right?"

Aashenpreet looks more than a little conflicted.
"I don't know. And about leaving..."

"Is something wrong? I thought you wanted to go out and see the world!"

"I do! But I've always wanted to come back someday! But if I go with you, I won't be able to do that."

"I think you'll like Teleran, Aash. If you can handle the cold, that is."

"Oh Cennen, I'm sure your country is very nice and I'd love to visit it temporarily a second time. But there's only ONE truly civilized place in the world and I'll never be able to come here again."

> "It'll be fine. You'll be able to come back someday."

> "My country is plenty civilized, thanks."

> "No offense Aashenpreet but your idea of 'civilization' sucks."

> "Stay here if you want."

> Other

>>42318618
> "No offense Aashenpreet but your idea of 'civilization' sucks."
> Come with us to make a better one

>>42318508
In terms of features and hair and whatnot? That is actually pretty close, yeah.

>>42318273
That's entirely under Tanni's control.

>>42318618
> "My country is plenty civilized, thanks."

>>42318088

Back to pataliputna! It's good to leave a snake in the grass behind to mess with our enemies.

>>42318618
> "My country is plenty civilized, thanks."
>Every Nation is different Aash, and quite frankly, to me several parts of your nation seems primitive and Barbaric. Look and think before you judge. Leave the hasty judgments to Hiss, she does it more than enough for all of us.

>>42318618
Frankly everyone you know that doesn't want to kill you is going to Teleran. If you want to stay here alone that's your choice I suppose. But we'd like it if you joined us.

>>42318618
> "My country is plenty civilized, thanks."

>>42318618
> "It'll be fine. You'll be able to come back someday."

Alright, we survived the Compact House!

Now what? We'd probably get rekt by Hissdad as it is

>>42318618
>"No offense Aashenpreet but your idea of 'civilization' sucks."

>>42318933
It's gonna take a really long time to get all the way back to Snakehome. And Hiss will probably temporarily revert to her spirit form when it's time to fight snakedaddy

>>42318954
Given he has an Ouroboros halo. Might not be enough, especially since Hiss can't know how long she'd last.

>>42318990
Does he really have a halo? If so I completely forgot about it somehow.

> "My country is plenty civilized, thanks."

You shrug, not sure what to say. You aren't exactly offended since you've never cared about Teleran as a whole but coming from her, it sort of irks you.
"I think my country is plenty civilized, thanks. For starters, we don't try to skin people who break their vows."

"But it's an entire country of humans! Even your High King is a human, right? How does any of it work?"

"You'll have to get used to it because I think you'll find that being ruled by a group of soul-eating shapeshifting reptiles is actually the exception rather than the norm."
Though not if Hiss gets her way you suppose.

"I know. I just don't understand how you could get anything done with humans in control. I don't mean to offend you Cennen or anything, I love humans. But it doesn't seem right. How can your 'nobles' manage anything in the long-term when they don't even live for a single century?"

"It just does. And it does it as well as yours, as best as I can tell."

"Except you're just an island while we are the largest empire in the world."

"You don't know that. And if you were so powerful, then I'd think you'd make a bigger contribution to the Jheri War then what you did."

She looks blank for a moment.
"Oh that? Tash told me about that. Quedesh was never a part of that war."

"Yes you were. Tash was even the ambass-"

"No, Tash was not. Being the ambassador of all Quedesh was just a white lie, something that your rulers would accept. Quedesh was never a part of the war as a whole. Tanni was and a few other serpents were but what was sent were just their personal regiments and nothing more."

"I fail to see the difference."

"I'm just saying, the empire itself had nothing to do with it. If it had, you'd know. And THAT is why we are the center of civilization."

To be honest, you don't think much of the Quedeshi ideal of civilization.
1/2

>>42319021
She mentioned him having an Ouroboros back when she killed the Master of that little hamlet if memory serves.

>>42319076
Maybe it's just your foreign mores but to your eye, the whole system seems nothing more than an increasingly complex system of slavery.
Slaves owned by slaves owned by slaves owned by snakes. And as far as you can tell, those snakes focus their efforts on biting each other than doing anything productive. Everything in Quedesh is ancient, an entire collection of human cultures and traditions frozen in stasis and hollowed out from within to support the inhuman things that had conquered them.

You don't tell her that of course, you have SOME tact.
"To be frank Aash, everyone you know that doesn't want to kill you is going to Teleran. If you want to stay here alone that's your choice, I suppose. But I'd like it if you joined us."

"The princess wouldn't."

"She'll warm up to you eventually. Probably."

The two of you catch up to Hiss and Oster, Oster leading Hiss along a track in the forests that runs in the same direction as the Pilgrim's Way without following it close enough to be seen by the Ranadin.

"We're going to have to do something about THAT," Hiss remarks, pointing out the way Aashenpreet's head brushes against the treetops. "Get back to being human sized again."

"I'll change when we stop for the night," Aashenpreet groans. "We've been walking literally all day."

"Fine. Hey Oster, can you start a fire without any of the Ranadin noticing?"

"Probably, your Highness. It'll be a small one though."

"That'll do, I guess. I'll find other ways to keep warm."

And as the sun sinks below the horizon, the four of you stop for the night.

> Time to brew.

> Speak with Hiss.

> Speak with Oster.

> Speak with Aashenpreet.

> Just go to sleep. You're pretty exhausted, yourself.

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42319255
>> Speak with Oster.
Make sure he's ok. He's had it rough.

>>42319255
> Time to brew.
I want to make a more offensive soul related brew

>>42319255
> Speak with Hiss.
I'd like to talk to someone after almost becoming a god. I also want to know what does she want to do now

>>42319255
> Speak with Hiss.

>>42319378
>>42319451
We talk to Hiss literally every time. We're ignoring our party until their issues bite us in the ass. Come on guys.

>>42319513
Hiss just had some crazy shit happen and we've hardly talked about it.

>>42319513
I usually feel like this, but right now I think Hiss has priority.

>>42319563
and Oster nearly died. We never talk to anyone but Hiss which isn't healthy.

>>42319255
>> Speak with Oster.

>>42319601
Feck off we just got done talking to Aash

>>42319255
> Speak with Oster.

Hiss is just going to brush it off and "keep warm" for the night. If we actually want to talk with Hiss we should do so during the day.

>>42319615
Only cause Ouro made us hang back. If he let it up to a vote we'd have likely ignored her too.

>>42319601
Hiss nearly died too. And frankly I care about her more than Oster and cennen feels the same way.

>>42319659
Everyone here cares about Aash. We hardly ever ignore her.

>>42319255
>Speak with Hiss.

I want Ouro to roll

>>42319724
Yes he does, but he also knows it's going to be cold, which means Hiss is going to want us to shut up and be her warmer. She isn't going to want to talk.

>>42319770
Dice for the dice gods! RNJesus take the wheel.

>>42319776
That's a completely baseless assumption.

>>42319811
Which part, the cold part, the she like us to snuggle her when it's cold so she can be warm part, or the not talking while trying to be warm part? All this provided she doesn't just jump our bones.

>>42319854
The assumption that it's impossible to talk while huddling for warmth

>>42319811
You say baseless, I say pattern recognition. Think back to all the other times we "Spoke with Hiss" around a campfire. Or, better yet, go consult the archives. Hiss wants to either use us as a Cennen-sized hand warmer or she wants to bang.

>>42319865
She never does want to talk while doing so though. It's always shut up and let me enjoy this with her.

>>42319770
screw you mate, you're getting the double feature instead.

> Speak with Oster
> Speak with Hiss

Aashenpreet is quick to sit by the fire with Oster, having shifted back and forth until her human form was at a size that would no longer raise any eyebrows or immediately out her as a constrictor.
You decide to join Oster for a little, sitting by his side of the fire while Aashenpreet rips into the dried meat that the priestess had given you.
Hiss takes one look at this and goes off to sit by herself underneath a tree.

"You doing alright, mate? You don't look so hot."

Oster laughs weakly.
"Me? I feel pretty awful, gotta say. But at least I managed to walk for myself back there. Small victories."

"Here, I'll make up some more heal-alls for you."

He waves you off.
"Nah. I don't mean in that way. This'll pass with time. It's just that...Cennen, how often do you think about death?"

You watch the fire for a few minutes before answering.
"It's there, I guess. I try not to think about it much. Why do you ask?"

"I think I'm dying."

"Shit, I'll get the potio-"

"Not in that way. And I'm not sure if its anything your potions can cure."

"Try me."

He laughs.
"Is that how everything is for you? Just take a swig from a bottle and all your problems are over?"

"More or less."

He shakes his head.
"I don't mean physically dying. I don't even mean my soul either, though who the fuck knows how that's working out. I don't even mean in the way that we're ALL dying compared to Aashenpreet and the princess. You can't be anything more than just a phase to her, you understand. You'll die in a few decades and she'll live for centuries after that and compared to that, all the time she ever had with you will be vanishingly small. The same goes for me and everything I've given her."

"Look, if you just want to talk shit then you can do it on your own."

"Fuck off. I'm just getting off-track."
1/2

>>42319900
>>screw you mate, you're getting the double feature instead.
YOUVE ANGERED THE DICE GODS

>>42319900
The dice gods have been angered! What have you done?!?

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>42319941
>>42319979

>>42319900
Oi, that's not what I wanted at all!

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>42319900
YOU'VE DOOMED US ALL

>>42319988
Don't let them lull you into a false sense of security, we will pay in blood for neglecting our ritual sacrifice

>>42319900
Oster waves his hands in an uncertain fashion, clearly struggling to articulate his ideas.
"What I mean is that I feel like I'm fading. And not in the soul way, she hasn't bitten me for weeks. But the duty's still there and that's more than enough to eat a man whole."

"Uh-"

"Look, back at the House I made a choice. I'm done with struggling. I'll be whatever the princess wants me to be. I'll walk her path she chooses for me"
He reaches into his own pack and rummages around for a minute before dragging something out. It's one of his wooden masks but there's nothing carved on it. No jeering face, no display of emotion and life. Just a blank set of eyeholes and a slit for a mouth.
"This is my choice and it's what I've resigned myself to. I won't put it on just yet, I'm still a little fucking scared, would you believe it? I might still be walking and talking after it but make no mistake, this thing is my death right here. When I can man up enough."

"Oster, you don't have to do that."

"It's my choice. Or rather, I guess it's her choice. Same thing. Just promise me one thing. I hear you've got a pretty good track record for those lately. Promise me that you'll remember me after I'm gone."

"We all will, Oster. I don't need to promise that."

"You think so? I'm not so sure about the princess. But thanks anyway."

> "Oster, this is insane."

> "No worries. I'll tell people all about you."

> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.

> Use potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.

Time to get Hiss to give a little back

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.
Fuck that mate, you're plenty useful to Hiss as you are now. And I'd rather not lose a friend.

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.
If he's telling us about it then he wants us to stop him. He just doesn't want to come out and say it.

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.
That mask is irrelevant, It's a symbol you're building your mind around. You said it yourself she hasn't bitten you in weeks. That is your choice. You told me, so I chose. Stay yourself.

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.
Do you really want to loose everything that you are? Become like one of those empty puppets at the temple?

>>42320268
> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.
Hah. Like I'd want to hang around a creepy emotionless version of you. No thanks.

>>42320268
>> "Oster, this is insane."
i wonder if the popular option requires a dice roll

>>42320590
I hope so. I'm ready to accept our divine punishment.

> Try to grab the mask off of him and throw it into the fire.

You think for a moment and then pluck the mask from his hands and toss it into the fire. Oster grabs your arm just a little too late, slowed by his own injuries.
"What the hell are you doing!"

"Screw that sobstory nonsense, you're plenty useful to Hiss as you are now. And I'd rather not lose a friend."

"Damn it Cennen, I was trying to be serious with that. Now you've gone and just fucked it all up. I'll have to find some more wood and it'll take ages to whittle that back into shape. Days, weeks, months, even!"
He doesn't start carving immediately though, you note.

"You'll thank me later. You wanted me to do that, didn't you?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Now sod off, wanker."

Aashenpreet sits down in the middle of you, looking from you to Oster seriously. Looks like she caught wind of that last part.
"Is something wrong?"

"No, Oster's just trying to pull some bullshit. Like always."

"More like Cennen's being a cunt. Like always."

Aashenpreet narrows her eyes.
"Well Cennen can just take his leave, can't he?"

"Hey, I'm not going to-"
Aashenpreet gently nudges you around towards Hiss, the princess still sitting on the far side of the clearing by herself.
"You heard me."

"Yeah, I guess I did. Thanks."

You wander over to where Hiss is and sit down beside her.
"Something on your mind?"

"A lot. More than on yours, most likely."

"Gee, thanks. Anything you want to talk about? We went through some weird shit back there."

Hiss shrugs.
"Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure if I understand it myself."

You stay silent.

"I can't believe I gave it up. I could have been something important."

"Hiss, you're plenty important as it is."

"You know what I mean. But I didn't want to give it up. Didn't want to give myself up. Or you. But now I don't know if I'll ever get that chance again. Do you think I made the right choice?"

> Yes.

> No.

> What was it like?

>>42320268
Ask him if we can try our patented brew fix before he goes this route. Maybe shore up his soul or something.

Besides, all he's doing is running away. It won't happen when he's manned up enough, but when he's scared enough of continuing on his path.

Anyways, we need him as HIM to help Hiss be a better snake, because him being just a tool doesn't help that at all.

>>42320665
> Yes.
> What was it like?

>>42320665
> Yes.
I don't think anything is worth losing you. I might be a little biased though to be honest.
> What was it like?

>>42320665
> Yes.
You don't need those large leaps in power.
Don't you remember how you fell apart with the wish before.

>>42320665
> Yes.
You were not you, and were getting less like you by the second. What that was would be no more you, than if my body lost my soul and spirit started puppeting it. Power is not the most important thing in the world Hiss. Those who fail to realize it, live empty sad, lonely lives. Then they die unremembered or worse hated.
> What was it like?

>>42320665
> Yes.
Power at the cost of being, what's the point of that?
> What was it like?

>>42320665
> Yes.
You weren't yourself anymore. What good is power if you're not really the one wielding it? Between your natural power and my alchemy, you'll gain all the strength you'll ever need. I promise.

>durr hiss won't want to talk about anything she just wants sex

>>42320906
Nice strawmanning, chill your mantits.

>>42320665
> Yes.
> What was it like?
There's a lot more of the world to learn about, who knows what you might have been giving up. Anyway maybe we can investigate that power alchemically.

> Yes.
> What was it like?

"Absolutely. Maybe I'm just being selfish but I prefer the world that has you in it. And power isn't the most important thing in the world."

"If it isn't it's pretty damn close. But yes, thank you. Power at the cost of being is no power at all."

She cozens up to you, taking in your warmth for herself. She's very cold. You remember how the other Hiss had been, she'd been so warm.
"What was it like?"

"It was really beautiful. I saw everything and how it all fit together. But now it's all a dream."

"What do you mean?"

"I can still recall everything I saw. But...But now I can't understand it. It's just there and I can look at it all day long and never know what it is or why. But I can still remember how it felt to understand and I don't know if I'll ever know it again. It's like I've become an idiot, like there's something wrong with my brain and I just can't think the way I used to. And I'm afraid to sleep."

"Oh?"
That last bit came out of nowhere.

"If I go back to sleep I'm just going to see it all again, that's what I'm afraid of. That it'll always be there. Taunting me! An endless reminder of something I'll never be."

> You might have a potion to help with that.

> "Well, you won't be going to sleep alone."

> "We all have paths that we didn't choose. There's no use getting hung up on the choices you could have made but didn't."

> "Don't worry, you won't be getting any sleep tonight."

> Insist that she get up and join everyone else by the fire.

> Other

>>42320956

>>42319854
>>42319867
I'm not sure you really know what that word means.

>>42320995
> "Well, you won't be going to sleep alone."
> Insist that she get up and join everyone else by the fire.
> You have friends/followers Hiss

>>42320995
What potion is the first option referring to?

>>42320995
> "Well, you won't be going to sleep alone."
> Insist that she get up and join everyone else by the fire.
>If you let more people in, you'd be less afraid. Everyone is scared of something Hiss.

>>42321031
Depending on what she wants, either Snake Oil or an Introspection Brew.

>>42320995
> "Well, you won't be going to sleep alone."
> "We all have paths that we didn't choose. There's no use getting hung up on the choices you could have made but didn't."

>>42321104
Oh, you mean just to knock her out so she can sleep? Or would the introspection brew give her some insight into her current confusion?

>>42321164
Both.

>>42320995
> You might have a potion to help with that.
> "Well, you won't be going to sleep alone."
I wouldn't mind using the introspection brew to poke around in there a bit with her

>>42320995
>>42321133
Well shit, changing this to
> You might have a potion to help with that.
as long as it's the introspection brew

Rolled 3 (1d6)

I believe that makes a tie between brewing her a potion and bringing her over to the fire. Evens for former, odds the latter.
The Dice Gods demand their due.

>>42320995
> "You have a long time to figure it out, and remain yourself when you do. We've seen plenty of times that shortcuts to power don't work out that well"
> You might have a potion to help with that.
Introspection go!

>>42320995
>>42321026
its a tough choice, i really want to investigate this alchemically, hopefully we still get a chance to

>>42320995
add
>> You might have a potion to help with that.
to
>>42321072

>>42320995
> You might have a potion to help with that.

>>42321293
Oh come on the brew won a second too late

>>42321319
Maybe we'll have another chance after she spends some time with the others?

>>42321319
Yeah I noticed that. Changing to the brew. The Dice Gods have been angered.
Writing.

> You might have a potion to help with that.

"Well you're not going to be sleeping alone."

She laughs, squirming in your grasp.
"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Yeah yeah, that's what you say. Here, I might have a brew that can help."
You let go of her and sit up, pulling the cauldron out of your pack.

Hiss crosses her arms.
"Really? Now, of all times? I thought I had you all to myself in times like this at the very least."

"Come on, it's for your benefit. Now give me some scales."
You comb around in the bush, taking what looks like it might suffice as substitution ingredients.
And only a few minutes later, you have an Introspection Brew ready.
"You remember this, right?"

"I think so. But..."
She raises one finger in front of your eyes.
"I think I'll be taking a look at this alone. You can stay out."

She tips the cauldron to her mouth, groaning in disgust as she does so. After she's put it down however, she bears a glazed look of satisfaction and pleasure.
"Aah, I'd forgotten what this oil stuff does to me. Rude."

She tries to lean in closer to you but misses, dropping her head into your lap instead. She then goes to sleep immediately.
Your gaze goes to the unfinished potion.

> Drink it and join her.

> Maybe just stay out of it.

>>42321583
>> Drink it and join her.

>>42321583
> Maybe just stay out of it.
Well damn. Maybe next time. For now we can brew some other shit while keeping an eye on her I guess. Keep the potion handy if it seems like things are going badly so we can jump in if needed.

>>42321583
> Maybe just stay out of it.

>>42321583
> Maybe just stay out of it.
> Pet the snaek

>>42321583
>> Maybe just stay out of it.

>>42321583
> Maybe just stay out of it.
>>42321652 This, very important
Then brew.

>>42321652
Always pet snek

>>42321583
>>42321652
this, then brew, but only once we know she's not having a bad trip.

>>42321583

> Maybe just stay out of it
> Pet snek

>>42321583
>>42321966

Addendum:
> Bottle leftover Brew

>Maybe just stay out of it.
>Pet the snake

You know what? You're fine with this. You push her off your lap and lie down next to her, your arms around her.
She's still cold but she's warming up by quite a bit.

Maybe you can just pet her for a while, help pass the time while you wait for her to come back...
You yawn, feeling your own eyelids grow heavy.
You don't make the decision to do so but in the end you curl up and join her, in non-magical sleep if nothing else.

>>42322031
Sorry guys, gonna be ending a little early again. I will be running tomorrow.

>>42322068
See you tomorrow then, thanks for running

>>42322068
Thanks for running tonight. Welcome back, too.

>>42322031
>she's warming up by quite a bit.
shit, she's not reverting to spirit form or something right?