>>42893917
You yawn as finish decanting, your fragile alchemy lab littering the small room around you. You’ve got some good experimental brews going on here along with having started on restocking your supplies. You haven’t actually left this room for a few days now save to attend to the very barest of necessities. Your only steady companion has been Hiss, who often stopped by to contribute by telling you that this was all very boring.

You can hear some sort of commotion outside, raised voices speaking Melach. It doesn’t sound aggressive however. Probably nothing important.

> Continue experimenting.

> Study your Quedeshi book for brews.

> Continue restocking.

> You should probably use the Persistence Brew and start loading yourself up.

> Call out and ask what’s going on.

> Go out onto the deck.

> Pray.

> Other

>>42893930
>> Call out and ask what’s going on.
> Study your Quedeshi book for brews.

>>42893930
> Go out onto the deck.

>>42893930
>> You should probably use the Persistence Brew and start loading yourself up.

We should ask Oster and Hiss about the other agents of the serpent king. I doubt he just stood idle while we were gone.

>>42893930
> Study your Quedeshi book for brews.

> Study your Quedeshi book for brews.

Whatever it is, it can wait a little longer. You take the browned book out from your pack and leaf through it once more. You've already read it from cover to cover but that doesn't mean you've learned all of its recipes. So far, you've only brewed the Weakening Cloud.
And what's more, you can't help but want to know about the man who once wrote this. Was he a willing prisoner? Did he meet his death by Tanni's hand? It's more than a little interesting since that could have easily been you. But his notes are as precise and impersonal as ever, betraying nothing.


> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

> Alchemist's Bane: A preventative that protects the drinker from being affected by alchemical concoctions for the next few hours. If drunk by an alchemist it dulls their own Art and interferes with their brewing for the duration.

> Dulling Cloud: Releases a cloud that renders anyone who breathes it in temporarily imbecilic and suggestible. Pointedly only works on humans.

> Try to experiment with combining these and the brews you already have instead.

>>42894264
>> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

>>42894264
> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

>>42894264
> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

>>42894264
> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

>>42894264
>> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

> Heal-All: Much better than your Inferior Heal-Alls, this potion is the most powerful healing brew known. Can heal anything that isn't a fatal wound and can even regrow limbs with repeated use.

There's no doubt about it, this really has to be your next choice. It's about time you upgraded your healing brews and this should do nicely. This potion is simply strictly better than the inferior variants you'd been using, obsoleting them entirely. You shouldn't need to brew them ever again.

You fix up a Heal-All to celebrate and put it into your pack. You never know when you might need this!

The door opens just a crack, allowing a small stream of sand and grit to flow in, promptly reforming itself into a fluffy seven-legged spider.

"Oh hey Rock, what's up? Is something going on?"

-We appear to be approaching land.-

You nearly drop your glassware.
"What? We can't be home yet! Teleran is ages away!"

-More specifically, we have reached the island where I found the Melach.-

"Oh that makes more sense."
Back at the Teeth already, huh? You guess time flies.

-The rest of us will be making landfall. The Melach have extended an invitation. I was wondering if you would like to come with us.-

You scratch your chin, running your fingers through the new growth. You haven't shaved for a ...while.

> "Sorry Rock but I'd like to focus on my alchemy a little more."

> "Sure, I'll come."

> "Yeah, I guess I can come. I can brew on the island too."

> "You're welcome to stay here with me Rock. I haven't talked to you in ages."

> Other

>>42894496
> "Sure, I'll come."

>>42894496
>> "Sure, I'll come."

>>42894496
> "You're welcome to stay here with me Rock. I haven't talked to you in ages."
> "Is any of the others staying?"

>>42894496
> "Yeah, I guess I can come. I can brew on the island too."

>>42894496
I get the feeling Hiss is about to discover the concept of a workers strike

>>42894691
And they're going to hold us at sword point until she caves.

>>42894496
>> "Sure, I'll come."

>>42894715
we can always make a bunyip powered raft if we absolutely have to leave under our own power

> "Sure, I'll come."

"No worries, I'm coming. Might do me some good."

-Yes, that is almost word for word for what Hiss said.-

"Really?"

-She had additional expletives.-

Rock jumps onto your shoulder and the two of you arrive at the deck together. The sun is sinking towards dusk but while the skies are darker, they are almost entirely cloudless, a far cry from the stormy night when you first came here.

The Tooth looks no nicer in the daylight however, a jagged mountain puncturing the ocean. Rock and salt and not much else.

The ship is nearly at the shore and you can spot smaller boats milling about in the water as Melach shuttle themselves to and fro. The ramshackle dinghies have holes in them half the time but you don't think that bothers them. They can just walk to shore after all.

There is a small amount of skeletons on the deck and you can see Hiss and Oster standing by the prow. They have their backs turned.

You can also see Aashenpreet standing with three Melach, speaking animatedly with them. She seems to be enjoying herself.

> Join Hiss and Oster.

> Go see how Aashenpreet is doing.

> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

> Other

>>42894780
> Go see how Aashenpreet is doing.

>>42894780
> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

>>42894780
> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

>>42894780
> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

>>42894780
>> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

>>42894780
>> Go see how Aashenpreet is doing.

> Just wait for the boat to come in with Rock.

Aashenpreet seems to be settling in better than you expected. You guess she got over her fear of skeletons pretty quickly. And you could do without talking to Hiss and Oster right now.

So that just leaves you and Rock which is fine with you, considering how little you've spoken to the diminutive spirit recently.
"So what have you been up to lately?"

-I have been inspecting the ocean.-

"Not much else to look at, I suppose. So, uh, are you doing alright?"

-Why do you ask?-

"Well, it's just what you said to me on that day when we were escaping. About death. Is that still troubling you?"

Rock is silent for some time.
-I have come to terms with it. In this world, to live is to kill.-

You frown. That sounds more like something Hiss would say than Rock.
"And you're fine with that?"

-No. It seems needlessly cruel. But it is a fact that I must accept, particularly in light of what I did.-

It was Rock's actions that had led the Melach to you, potentially saving your life. But only at the cost of many other deaths. Deaths of people you never met or knew, people you never even saw. But Rock has never killed.
"Try not to think about it."

-Is that what you do?"

You suck in your breath.
"Yes. There's no point in beating yourself up over the past. You can't change it. And besides, you saved all of our lives."

-Yes but it is not given to me to judge who is worthy to live and who deserves to die. I couldn't do it.-

"But you must have made some sort of judgement, right? We're here after all."

-Not a proper one. I merely decided I would prefer the lives of people I knew over people I didn't.-

You shrug, not entirely sure on what to say.
"That's what we all do, in the end. Nothing to be ashamed of."

-You are wrong. It should not have been my decision in the first place.-

"But it wasn't! Hiss had told you to do it. You were just carrying out her plan."

1/2

>>42895176
-Is that how you really think? Cennen, you always have a choice. And sometimes inaction is just as bad as actively seeking to do harm. Besides, that is a justification of a tool, not a person. We are both better than that.-

You shift uncomfortably.
"You might be overthinking this a little."

-That is not possible. There is no subject deserving of more thought.-

"Hrm."
You look over the railing, waving to the Bunyip as he sits in the ocean below.
"You're probably safer than one of those shitty boats, aren't you?"

> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.

> Wait for the boat and take it with the others.

> Call the others over to ride the Bunyip over with you.

> Speak to Rock (Specify)

> Other

>>42895290
> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.
> Speak to Rock (Specify)
Ask her about spirit Hiss

>>42895290
> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.

>>42895290
>> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.

>>42895346
This.
Also your well rested writing speed is amazing Ouro.

>>42895290
> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.

>>42895392
Truly.

>>42895290
>>42895346
This

>>42895290
>>42895346
this
also, lets please ask rock about the anti creator hanging out in hiss, or if that's a violation of trust angle to questions in thedirection of unpacking that mystery

> Ride to shore on the Bunyip.

The Bunyip is incapable of comprehending anything of what you just said but groans agreeably anyway.
"Hey Rock, want to come with? I'm hitching a ride."

-I believe we are supposed to wait for a rowboat that we will be taking together.-

"Yeah but...the Bunyip! He's faster and probably much safer. We'll meet up with the rest later."

You climb down, seating yourself atop the monster's fur-covered and rubbery hide. You scratch the Bunyip's behind the ears, causing him to crane his head back.
"You don't mind getting wet do you?"

-It turns me into mud but is otherwise harmless.-
Rock floats down to land beside you, the Bunyip ignoring the spirit entirely.

You stop scratching and the Bunyip starts moving immediately, heading towards the island. You suppose this place must be very familiar to him since he was apparently living here after you left behind. You feel a little bad about that.
Hiss notices you as you pull away from the ship and she waves a fist at you, shouting something you cannot hear. You wave back at her.

"By the way Rock, there's something else I want to talk to you about."
You fill her in with a short version of everything you know about the strange spirit-like creature that you first met in the Compact House.

-That is not a spirit.-

"You sure. She had a halo?"

-Very.-

"Then what is it?"

-Something very dangerous. You said she called it her Dreaming?-

"Yeah, what does that mean?"

-Either foolishness or blasphemy. I would have to speak with her directly to know and I lack the means to do so. But have you ever found anything besides her down there?-

"Nope. Why, should I?"

-I don't know. It could be that her Dream is young. But if it's anything like...-

You nod.
"Spirits?"

-Yes. She should be birthing spirits. Or her own variations of them at least. It is the nature of the Dream.-

"But she can't do that inside of Hiss!"

-You should hope not.-

1/2

>>42895607
>Hiss notices you as you pull away from the ship and she waves a fist at you, shouting something you cannot hear.
This worries me.

>>42895643
>Tonight you and the rock
She just wants to mud wrestle Cennen anon. Worry not.

>>42895607
The Bunyip flops onto the shore, the ship still far away. You dismount onto the sand, vaguely wondering if this is the same gravelly beach where you and Hiss had first washed up. That had been a weird night.
"But I don't get how she was even made. How does it work?"

-I don't know. How should I know? I don't know the purposes of ascension or why the Creator does anything. Nor is it my place to know. Indeed, I can think of only one who would know.-

"Who?"

-Jallahaodesh.-

"Ugh. We're never going to see them again. So we're all out of experts?"

-You could always just ask her. The false Hiss.-

"I don't like going down there. The way the Introspection Brew works means that Hiss has to come with me and she enjoys tormenting her."

-But she leaves you alone?-
Rock doesn't sound the least bit phased about any suffering Hiss might have to endure.

"Yeah, I guess. She seems to like me."

-I have neither the means or the inclination to visit her myself but if you could just ask her about herself and relay the answers to me, I might be able to think of something.-

"Do you really think she would just tell me that stuff?"

-She's Hiss so yes. She probably loves to talk about herself.-

"Fair point."

Not that you can do that now anyway, what with Hiss being back on the ship and everything. Looks like you have some time to kill before they get here.

> Brew.

> Check out the island.

> Go find some Melach.

> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.

> Other

>>42895757
> Check out the island.
Just look around nearby for some exotic ingredients, bring the bunyip too

File: King Of Everything.png (199 KB, 500x181)

199 KB PNG

>>42895757
>> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.

>>42895757
> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.
and clean his fur, make up for leaving him by making him feel like a good Bunyip.

>>42895757
> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.
Play around with it a bit, keep an eye on the ship too though.

>>42895757
> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.

Could it be that false Hiss views Hiss as the real Hiss views Aash?

>>42895757
> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.

> Ride the Bunyip around a bit.

You pat the Bunyip on the head.
"I've neglected you an awful lot, haven't I boy? Well, we've got some spare time now..."

You climb back on and let the Bunyip slide back into the serf, running your hands down his mane. You spend the next twenty minutes or so riding him about in the surf, Rock floating behind you.
"Did you miss me?"
The nearly subsonic rumble tells you that he in fact did.

When you get back to the shore you start patting him down, doing your best to clean him. That this nets you a large amount of his hair in the process is just an upside. You also cook him another Beastmaster Brew, letting him drink it down all the way.

The Bunyip groans ominously while you're busy, making you jump.
There are five Melach making their way down the beach towards you, their hooked axes held loosely.

You don't know if that is menacing or not. As far as you can tell they take those things everywhere.

> Go out and greet them.

> See if you can hide.

> Walk off in the other direction.

> Ride the Bunyip back out to sea.

> Other

>>42896102
> Go out and greet them.
Bring our trusty steed(Bunyip) and familiar(Rock).

>>42896102
> Ride the Bunyip back out to sea.

>>42896102
>> See if you can hide.

>>42896102
Are the others ashore yet? I may be Hiss calling for us.
> Get on the Bunyip an greet then from there.

>>42896102
> Ride the Bunyip back out to sea.
They probably only remember hiss.

>>42896196
We killed the saltlord and the Bunyip has been living with them

>>42896102
>>42896194
This works.

Looks like a tie between just riding the Bunyip away and >>42896194
Evens the former, odds the latter.

>>42896383
can ichange>>42896125
to>>42896194?

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>42896383
You're welcome

>>42896402
Oh sure, that's fine. I messed up the dice command anyway.

> Get on the Bunyip and greet them from there.

-Is something wrong, Cennen?-

"Hold on, I'm not sure if I trust them when they're on their own."
Hiss isn't here after all and they're armed. You remember the last time this situation played out and it didn't end well.
You hoist yourself back onto the Bunyip and let the beast take you out a little into the ocean. Far enough to give you some space between you and them but close enough to hold a loud conversation.
"Oi! Hello!"

The five of them turn to you, remaining on the shore. They appear to be speaking among themselves for a moment before the lead one starts to speak in rusty Avling.
"Soilborn! You are required inside!"

"Why? What for?"

"We need your help!"

"For what?"

The skeleton twitches, rotating around once.
"Just come and look! It's hard to explain!"

> Come to shore but keep the Bunyip close.

> "It can wait until the saltlord arrives!"

> "Fuck off!"

> Head back to the ship.

> Have the Bunyip ride around the bay back to the cove so you can get a look yourself.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42896632
> Come to shore but keep the Bunyip close.
Rock could wreck these guys, she could probably use their souls for energy.

>>42896632
Bullshit
> Have the Bunyip ride around the bay back to the cove so you can get a look yourself.
If they inquire about this tell them it's faster this way

>>42896632
> "It can wait until the saltlord arrives!"
Nope.

>>42896632
>> Have the Bunyip ride around the bay back to the cove so you can get a look yourself.

>>42896632
>> Have the Bunyip ride around the bay back to the cove so you can get a look yourself.

> Have the Bunyip ride around the bay back to the cove so you can get a look yourself.

You shake your head. What the hell do they want that they can't explain? Are they plotting something? For once you'd like to go a day without running into some nefarious plot bullshit but you guess that just can't happen.

"What do you think, Rock?"

-About what?-

"About these guys. Are they on the level or what?"

-This is not my area of expertise.-

"Hmph."

No, you know what? Fuck this. Even if it is an innocent request, you're not obliged to them in any way. As a close cohort of the saltlord you're pretty sure you should be ordering THEM around.

Perhaps you should go investigate just what they're up to.
"Okay!," you call out. "I'm going to swim back around then! It's quicker!"

You spur the Bunyip on without looking back. From here you should be able to sail around the Tooth back towards the cove where they all live. Can you really call it living?
Maybe that will give you a better idea of what's going on.

It only takes a few minutes to round the island with Bunyip, the beast weaving around the many rocks and occasional shipwrecks that surround the cove.
And there it is, a small sandy semi-circle carved into the mountain of the Tooth itself, one lined with holes leading into the Melach dream-chambers. And the cove is absolutely full of Melach, hundreds of skeletons milling about.
Where did they come from? Are they from the other ships? They must have been sending them back here in secret!
That's plenty suspicious all by itself of course but it doesn't really tell you their intentions.

> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.

> It's time to get back to the ship and tell Hiss!

> Call out to the Melach and ask what's going on.

> Use Potion

> Other

>>42897036
> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.

>>42897036
>> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.

>>42897036
> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.

>>42897036
> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.
Are we in praying range?

>>42897145
If we are I'd definitely support giving hiss a quick update

> Try to sneak a little closer, see what's going on.

You're not sure if Hiss would be able to hear any of your prayers right now but it wouldn't hurt. Who else is gonna hear, right?
So you lower your head for a few seconds, begging Hiss to hear you and relaying what you've found.
You have no way of knowing whether she got that or not.

"Get in here, Rock."

You hold out your hand and Rock settles into it as you slide down the Bunyip to lower your profile. As for the Bunyip himself, he might not know how to sneak but he knows how to hunt and to stalk and so he slips forward silently. Just you and the tip of his head are all that show above the water.

You come in from the side, swimming in behind a ridge of rocks cropping up from the water and using them for cover. By some miracle, the Bunyip deposits on a slope of scree near the cove without anyone noticing. From here you should be able to climb around, if you desire.

> Tell the Bunyip to stay here. He'll be a bit hard to hide on land.

> Climb down into the cove itself.

> Seek out their underground tunnels first.

> Climb up the Tooth itself to get a bird's eye view.

> Use Potion (Specify. Since you have had weeks to restock, ignore the inventory for now. You count as having access to any potion.)

> Other

>>42897353
>> Tell the Bunyip to stay here. He'll be a bit hard to hide on land.
Assure him he's awesome before we go
> Climb down into the cove itself.

>>42897353
> Climb up the Tooth itself to get a bird's eye view.
Drink potence and regen for the climb, use farsight to see what's going on in greater detail

>>42897353
>>42897398
This

>>42897353
>>42897398
Supporting the Alchemists Creed plan.

>>42897398
Does this plan involve taking the Bunyip with you or not?

>>42897438
>Alchemists Creed
I lol'd

>>42897463
If it can climb and remain unseen then why not? Also if it can climb while we ride it there's not much reason for the Potence or regen brews.

This update may have a small delay as I am eating.

>>42897499
I don't think he can climb all that well, let alone remain unseen, better leave him waiting, that way we can jump into the water and have him ready to pick us up if we need to abscond

>>42897463
Nah, this is a sneaking mission.

>>42897562
Good point.

This IS shady, right? We're not just suspecting them because they're melach?

>>42897559
What happened with the expermints at the end if last thread?

>>42897701
That's what we're trying to find out

>>42897790
We made the brews, they're in the party pastebin

>>42897790
You made the brews, they're in the pastebin.

>Climb the Tooth itself to get a bird's eye view.

-What are they doing?-

"I have no fucking clue but I don't think I like it. Need to get a better view."
You look up the slope, gazing up at the unfriendly vistas of the Tooth. That could do it.
"Hey Rock, what do you know about climbing mountains?"

-I am a mountain.-

"Oh. Oh right. Cool."
You scratch the Bunyip underneath the chin.
"Stay here buddy. I'll come back this time."

You drink a Potence and a Regen before beginning your ascent. It's not easy but you have Rock to help you, the spirit smoothing the rock around you and molding it to best suit your needs. You leave the Bunyip behind as you scale the small mountain, the beast sinking back down beneath the water until he is almost imperceptible.

The sun has almost completely gone down by the time you reach the top, Farsight Brew in hand. You drink it down and direct your gaze upon the cove.

It looks like they're up to some shit down there. Now that you have this perspective, you can see just how many there truly are. And how well-armed they all are too.
And what's worse, you can see the main ship now sailing into the cove, Hiss standing by the prow with her arms crossed.

The armed Melach would be almost impossible to see from her vantage point, even though you can see them from above as clear as day. There are some to the left and some hidden in the tunnels to the right and...you spot something glinting beneath the water. And there's a lot of them underwater too, waiting. Shit.
This really looks like nothing but an ambush.

> Pray to Hiss now!

> Run down the mountain hollering.

> Try to sneak your way back, even if it is slower.

> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42897962
> Pray to Hiss now!
> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.

>>42897962
>> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.
I believe it was Michaelangelo who once said, "Cowabunga, dude."

>>42897962
> Pray to Hiss now!

>>42897962
> Pray to Hiss now!
> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.
Shit, looks like they're trying to give her no choice but to kill them. Makes sense really.

>>42897962
> Pray to Hiss now!

>>42897962
> Pray to Hiss now!
Dammit skellies...
> "Rock, did Hiss order them to do anything else besides coming to rescue us?"

>>42897962
> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

Warming up the dice

> Pray to Hiss now!
> Try sliding down the mountain right towards the cove with Rock's help.

"Shit. Shiiiiiit. Rock, did Hiss order them to do anything besides coming to rescue us?"

-No.-

Damn it. They must really be trying to ambush her. But why? What could they possibly want that she wasn't already going to give?
"I've got to get down there!"

You direct a quick prayer and are rewarded with the sight of Hiss' head snapping up in shock. But by then you are already moving.
You can't afford to waste time sneaking down or even running down, you need to get there as quickly as possible!
"Help me, Rock!"

The ground beneath you flattens out, forming a steep ramp as you run down it, one leading straight to the cove. You run down it at full pelt, almost unable to see thanks to the setting sun. But you don't need to see, you have faith in Rock to move any obstacles out of your way.

You're running fast, way too fast, faster than you've ever moved in your life. Your legs slam up and down as you head downwards and you realize that you've built up a truly dangerous amount of momentum.
Keeping your footing is hard enough but how are you going to stop?

Roll a 1d100. Will only accept the best of the first three rolls.

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>42898278
Shit, that's not sliding!

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>42898278
failure and maiming!

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>42898278

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>42898278
capcha: mountains

>>42898315
Damn, nice save

>>42898315
Hopefully that's good enough.

>>42898315
That is probably not enough to be Jackie Chan.
It might be enough to not break our everything.

>>42898364
We stumble and make the last bit of the descent sliding on our ass.

In front of Hiss

>>42898315
Somehow you manage to not only keep yourself upright but you also begin to slide, bleeding off your momentum and slowing yourself down.

Unfortunately it is NOT enough to stop you from tripping right near the end, sending you toppling from the lip of the Tooth down into the cove.
Fortunately it is only a short fall and you land on relatively thick sand but fuck it still hurts. You make sure to land on your front so that your pack is unharmed.

Not to mention that you've just landed prone among an entire crowd of Melach. Fuck.

"Cennen!"
You hear Hiss call out from across the beach.
"What's going on?"

The hidden Melach around you raise their axes as you try to scramble away. But they're all around you now and there's no way out.

Rock circles you anxiously, a miniature sandstorm giving the Melach pause for now.

"What the fuck is going on here!"
Hiss does not sound happy.

> Call for Bunyip.

> Motion at the nearest skeleton. "Looks like you have some explaining to do."

> Try your best to flee.

> "Hiss! Stop! Don't come any closer!"

> Attack.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42898466
> Call for Bunyip.
> "Hiss! Stop! Don't come any closer!"

>>42898466
> Call for Bunyip.
Give it the soulgrasp potion so it can hurt these guys

>>42898466
> "Hiss! Stop! Don't come any closer!"
She's still on the ship, right.

File: Ackbar.jpg (41 KB, 360x480)

41 KB JPG

>>42898466
>> "Hiss! Stop! Don't come any closer!"

>>42898512
Would that actually work?

>>42898466
> Motion at the nearest skeleton. "Looks like you have some explaining to do."

>>42898466
Shit, I really don't know if this is actually an ambush

>>42898559
Yeah... I don't know. Seems possible at least.

> "Hiss! Stop! Don't come any closer!"

You don't have much time but you lurch to your feet, waving your hand out to Hiss, still standing at the prow of her ship.
"It's a trap! Don't come any closer!"

Now you just need to call for Bu-

One of the Melach grab you from behind, bony hands sealing your mouth while another grabs your pack.
"Mrmrmrpft!"

You are thrown to the ground.

...

>>42898484
>>42898517
>>42898519
We're kinda fucked in this situation if hiss doesn't help us out guys

>>42898670
Oi what happened to our super strength

>>42898466
>> Try your best to flee.

>>42898670
Your eyes widen as Cennen shouts out to you and they open further still as you see the Melach emerge from their hiding places. They're everywhere.
And they're attacking Cennen.

Your true name cannot be written in any human alphabet, nor can it be spoken in any human tongue. But everyone calls you Hiss and as demeaning as it sounds, you've come to like it.

And now the person who gave you that name is being attacked. Behind you, Oster draws his sword and glowers at the gaggle of Melach sailors still on board your ship.

> Call out. "Get away from him!"

> No, you need to stay back. That's what he said.

> Fuck that, you're going to kill every motherfucker on this island if they don't explain themselves soon. Keep going.

> Attack the sailors on your ship.

> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."

> Other (Specify)

>>42898726
Skeletons are pretty stronk. Plus there's a bunch of them.

>>42898726
Don't worry, he's not staying down.

>>42898757
>> Fuck that, you're going to kill every motherfucker on this island if they don't explain themselves soon. Keep going.

>>42898757
> Call out. "Get away from him!"
> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."

>>42898757
>> Fuck that, you're going to kill every motherfucker on this island if they don't explain themselves soon. Keep going.

>>42898773
Sorry, I'm just used to POV switches coinciding with loss of consciousness

>>42898757
>> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."

>>42898757
> Call out. "Get away from him!"
> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."

>>42898812
Fair enough but I figured that having gotten into this situation, Hiss was probably the better POV.

>>42898757
> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."
Do we see Aash?

>>42898757
>> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."
be ready to


> Fuck that, you're going to kill every motherfucker on this island if they don't explain themselves soon. Keep going.

>>42898833
I dislike POV switching as a general rule to be honest

>>42898873
its not so bad given its relatively rare. We've definitely had some interesting times because of it.

>>42898873
I agree wholeheartedly. Cennen can't really do much in this situation though.

> Try to stay calm. "You lot have ten seconds to explain yourselves."

Cennen lurches up, trying to snatch his pack back from a fleeing skeleton. And from there you can see just how many Melach had been hiding behind the rocks in wait. Waiting for you.

You let your fists ball up even as you try to keep your fangs retracted. But then again, who gives a shit? They're attacking him! An attack against Cennen might as well be an attack on you.

And let's face it, after so long spent cooped up with these arseholes and their never-ending bone puns you're more than ready to kill absolutely everybody here. And you could do it too. Are you not the most powerful being here? Even Cennen shouldn't be anything but a mouse compared to you. They are all prey.
But he's your mouse.

You take a deep breath.
"You all have ten seconds to explain yourselves and to tell me what the FUCK is going on. And don't touch him!"

Right now your voice is the only thing you have, a small stretch of water separating you from your prey. If they wanted to kill Cennen right now, could you even stop them? It almost makes you feel impotent, something you do your best to quash right away.
You are never helpless. You are always in charge. And as long as you believe in that, everyone else will too.

And if they need further help to be cowed...well, you still have your secret weapon in your pocket.

The Melach back away from Cennen, spears and axes pointed at the ground. As your ship approaches and you realize just how many of them there is, their spokesman steps forward.
You don't recognize him. All of these fuckers look alike. It doesn't help that you barely look at him either. You keep your gaze fixed on Cennen, the moron holding onto his pack as if it was his life. He doesn't seem too badly hurt, thankfully What was he doing back here? How dare he make you worry like this!

"Saltlord," the spokesman starts. "We have come to renegotiate the terms of our agreement."

1/2

>>42899105
The boat beneath you shudders as it slowly runs aground on the shore. There are Melach all around now but you barely care.
You feel awful, a dull hot ball of anger twisting up your stomach. How dare they touch him? He's yours!

> Stay on the boat.

> Run over to Cennen.

> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.

> Kill

> Other

>>42899147
> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.
> Kill

>>42899147
> Run over to Cennen.

>>42899147
>> Stay on the boat.

>>42899147
> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.

"You. What."

>>42899147
>> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.

>>42899147
> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.
> Shove him when he tries to speak
> Walk over to Cannen and make sure he's alright.

Again, do we see Aash?

>>42899301
Hiss doesn't care about Aash at all so she's unlikely to look around for her.

>>42899313
Aash doesn't have soul gullet, she can't control if she absorbs their souls on touch, if they get a hold of her, they no longer need Hiss
Deep down she does

>>42899345
Don't worry, nobbling her is always an option.

> Walk onto the shore and stand eye to eye with the spokesman.

You storm off the boat, holding back your urge to run over to Cennen. He'll be fine on his own for now. You can't afford to look weak right now.

You stand directly in front of the spokesman, looking down at him from several inches of height advantage. You're taller than the vast majority of the Melach and this one is no different.
"You. What."

The skeleton steps back as you raise a hand, reminding you of your power over them. To them you are life and you are death, the thing they crave most. They need you.

"Saltlord, we have come to question your end of our bargain. We are upholding our end but whenever you are confronted about our payment you become vague. Vague and untrustworthy!"

"It is not a matter of trust. I speak and you do. You either find death or you do not. There are no compromises here. What did you think this would accomplish?"

The other Melach cluster around even as they keep their distance.
"You don't need that many of us to take you from here to your homeland. So we've decided that we can't wait anymore. Keep a few but kill the rest of us now!"

"Again, what did you think this would accomplish? What if I just say no?"

The skeleton nods.
"We can force you to kill us."

The skeletons around Cennen raise their axes and spears again, advancing towards the alchemist. He looks for you to help.
"Uh, Hiss? I don't know if I can handle all of these at once."

"Be quiet Cennen, I'm thinking!"

"Just do it!"
The spokesman is up in your face, pressing close enough that you only have to brush against him slightly to devour him.
"Kill us! Set us free!"

> Kill him.

> Harmlessly push him away. You can't back down and compromise now.

> Rush over to Cennen.

> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

> Bluff. "Do you really think that moron means anything to me?"

> Other

>>42899469
> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

>>42899469
> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

>>42899469
> Kill him.
Soul Kingdom is cool but I don't see how it would help here with that somewhat vague option

>>42899469
> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

>>42899469
>> Kill him.

>>42899469
> Harmlessly push him away. You can't back down and compromise now.

>>42899469
> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.
If need be we can expand our kingdom with some of their crappy souls

>>42899469
>> Kill him.

>>42899469
> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

> Demonstrate your new Soul Kingdom trick. You'd rather keep it a secret but it should set these fools in their place.

You sigh.
"Be careful what you wish for."
You plant your palm over his skull, feeling him fall to pieces as you swallow his soul. It's rotten and more than a little mad. Ugh.
Fortunately, you won't be holding onto it for long.

Time to see if this works. This is a little trick that you got the idea for back when you directly transferred one of your captive souls over to Rock directly. And if you could do that...
Soul Kingdom lets you regurgitate souls. It didn't say anything that you had to put them back where you found them.

You hadn't wanted to do this right now. You'd wanted to keep this little idea a secret. Not only do you think Cennen would disapprove but just the existence of this could throw the Melach into disarray. But maybe that's just what you need right now.

You pull out the doll from your pocket, a little wooden knock-kneed thing that Oster had whittled from driftwood. It's small enough that it can fit in the palm of your hand and extremely crudely made, with mismatched limbs and a deformed wooden head. It has no hands or feet, just useless wooden lumps.

You hold it to your mouth and exhale, reversing your Soul Gullet to regurgitate what you had just swallowed.

You close your eyes, count to three and then open your hand for everyone to see.
Inside your hands the doll twitches helplessly, a soul trapped inside a body that cannot work. A body that cannot even scream for help.

You let your smirk grow wider as you address the rest of the Melach.
"If you continue this idiocy, I will kill you. But I will not let you pass on. You thought being trapped in your skeletons was bad? How about being trapped here forever denied the gift of death? Unable to speak, unable to move but always aware until your soul finally turns to slurry? If you're unhappy with how I plan to grant you death, you're free to take this alternative."

1/2

>>42899722
Oh shit she's a necromancer now. That's badass.

>>42899722
You drop the doll onto a rockier part of the beach and, making sure first that everyone is watching, grind it beneath your heel. You feel the wood cracking, limbs breaking and detaching.
And yet, just like the Children of the Master, you know that it is still 'alive', that the soul within is still bound.

You kick the remains into the ocean and then, savoring the horrified attention, make a delayed reaction of horror as if you hadn't meant to do that.
"Oh whoops! I guess he's down there forever now. Now get back to fucking work. We leave in the morning."

The Melach, now firmly reassured in your ability to dispense fates worse than death, disperse moodily. None of them dare to lay a finger on you. Not only do they need you alive for any chance of death at all, they desperately need you to be charitable.

You march over to Cennen, completely unable to control your overwhelming sense of self-satisfaction.
"How's that? Pretty cool, huh? You can thank me later."

Cennen is rather pale.
"Hiss..."

"Yes?"

"Nothing. Nevermind."

Oh now that just won't do. You were afraid of this. You've disconcerted him with your little display.

> Comfort him.

> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."

> "No seriously, tell me."

> "What's wrong? If you hadn't put my souls back in Taldenral and gave me the Gullet, none of this would have been possible! You should be happy!"

> "Oh, don't be a pussy."

> Make some more to torment him.

> Just leave him be for now.

> Other

>>42899769
I'm just wondering where she got a doll from. Some kid?

>>42899854
>> "No seriously, tell me."
> "Oh, don't be a pussy
> "What's wrong? If you hadn't put my souls back in Taldenral and gave me the Gullet, none of this would have been possible! You should be happy!"

>>42899854
> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."
> "What's wrong? If you hadn't put my souls back in Taldenral and gave me the Gullet, none of this would have been possible! You should be happy!"
> "Oh, don't be a pussy."

>>42899854
> Comfort him.
I can't decide if this is normal evil hiss or spirit hiss-influenced evil hiss

>>42899854
> "Oh, don't be a pussy."
> "No seriously, tell me."

>>42899854
>> Comfort him.
>> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."

>>42899854
> Comfort him.
> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."

>>42899864
Said Oster whittled it for her. She asked him to make intentionally crude and ugly.

On another note, the captcha has been overwhelmingly shitty for me this entire day. Holy shit.

>>42899914
Lemme guess, street name captchas?

>>42899914
Use the audio cues. They're less shitty than the endless street signs.

>>42899854
> Comfort him.
> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."
It's better for everyone if I put them in their place.

I don't think it's in character for her to just confort Cennen, however, she should understand him well enough by now to know not to say shit like

> "What's wrong? If you hadn't put my souls back in Taldenral and gave me the Gullet, none of this would have been possible! You should be happy!"

>>42899914
Switch to legacy captcha in settings

>>42899928
Yeah they go on forever and it's awful because there are apparently no right answers.

>>42899937
Yup.

> Comfort him.
> "Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."

You sit down beside him and put your arm around him, making sure he can't move anywhere else. What's wrong with him? He seems unwilling to look you in the eye.
"Don't worry Cennen, I'll never be able to do that to you."
He just stares at you. That didn't come out right.

"I mean, really? Even if I could do it to you, I wouldn't. I like you just the way you are."

He's nice and warm and you find yourself nudging yourself into his lap. He might not be feeling very good but that whole display of power has you feeling...good. You don't even care if everyone else is watching. Who cares what they think?

And then Cennen pushes you off of him, leaving you blinking in the sand. What? It had been effortless, as if your strength had meant nothing. What was that? He shouldn't be able to do that. He's supposed to be helpless.

"I need some time to think, alright?"

He picks up his pack and walks off towards the tunnels, leaving you still lying on the beach.

> Give him some space.

> He can't push you! Didn't you just show him how powerful you are?

> Pursue him.

> Other

>>42900164
>> Pursue him.
Your practiced at watching him

>>42900164
> He can't push you! Didn't you just show him how powerful you are?
> Pursue him.

>>42900164
> Pursue him.
POV switches really are the worst

>>42900205
We've got voting like Hiss down alright now

>>42900164
> Give him some space.

>>42900164
>> Pursue him.

>>42900164
> Pursue him.

>>42900164
> Pursue him.
> Why is he being like this? This shouldn't be all that surprising for him and it's not like you could feel sorry for the melach! They're the same as the Master's children AND were trying to blackmail us.

>>42900205
I like them. But very well.

> Pursue him.

Your name is Cennen. You're not sure why you have to say this since you've always been Cennen (save for one memorable exception) but you've thought of weirder shit.

Right now you're dawdling about inside the tunnels, tracing your way back to the Saltlord's chambers that you'd been in last time. You think you can still remember it.

But losing your way isn't the problem right now. The real issue is that you are being hunted. You can't see them directly but every now and then you catch movement in your peripheral vision, something following you. Stalking you.

Looks like she isn't going to leave you alone.

> "Alright Hiss, you can come out now."

> Act like you don't know she's there.

> Sit down and start brewing. If she's not going to make a move you don't have to either.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42900329
>> Sit down and start brewing. If she's not going to make a move you don't have to either.

>>42900329
> Act like you don't know she's there.

>>42900329
Don't let 1-2 anons bitching make you drop it Ouro.


> "Alright Hiss, you can come out now."

>>42900329
> "Alright Hiss, you can come out now."

Personally I don't mind them I like them, in fact but I think it's better to keep them sparse and do it when Cennen's not around

>>42900360
Nah that's not really why. I didn't drop it before after all. I just felt that with the way it had developed, it was better to go back to Cennen.
Additionally, writing bits where Cennen is not the POV character but he's still IN the scene just feels super weird.

>>42900329
> "Alright Hiss, you can come out now."

>>42900329
>> Act like you don't know she's there.

> "Alright Hiss, you can come out now."

You stop, sensing Hiss slithering about behind you more than you see it. But your Farsight Brew is still active so that while she may have normally gone undetected, you're not fooled in the slightest. Best to make her aware of the fact.
"Hey Hiss, you can come out now."

"Hmph. I must be slipping up."
Hiss steps forward, her arms crossed.
"How did you know I was there?"

"Common sense. Oh and uh, also a Farsight Brew."
You motion towards your eyes.

Hiss grimaces.
"You and your tricky little potions. Have you calmed down now?"

She closes in and you can't stop yourself from thinking about that malformed doll broken beneath her boot. Sometimes you forget just what she really is.
You can't help yourself, you flinch away at the last moment. Hiss recoils as if you had tried to strike her, looking hurt and confused.
"Cennen, what's wrong?"

> "It's nothing. I'll get over it."

> "How often do you plan on doing that?"

> "Couldn't you have let him out?"

> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."

> You're not so much morally opposed to it as you are just unsettled.

> Pet the snake.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42900513
> "How often do you plan on doing that?"
> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."

>>42900513
> "Couldn't you have let him out?"
> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."

>>42900513
> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."
I know you did it to save my life and regain control of the melach but it was still completely evil

>>42900513
> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."
> You're not so much morally opposed to it as you are just unsettled.
> "...Thanks"

>>42900513
> You're not so much morally opposed to it as you are just unsettled.
> "How often do you plan on doing that?"

>>42900513
> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."
It was an impressive trick and useful at the time but it was way too cruel. I guess there's not much you can do to scare an enemy who is demanding be killed though. Let's just not do that sort of thing again, okay?

>>42900616
This

> "I'm sorry Hiss but it's just ...grotesque."

You wave your hand uncertainly, unsure on how best to put your feelings into words.
"I'm sorry Hiss, I know you did it to sort everything out but it's just...grotesque."
Yeah, that might be the word. It didn't matter if the victim had deserved it or not, the way she had done it had just been unsettling to watch.

Hiss scoffs.
"Cennen, how can you expect to scare someone who doesn't fear death? You have to show them what real fear is, that there are so many things worse than mere oblivion."

"But did you really have to throw him into the ocean?"

She shrugs.
"If I'd taken him back out then people might think I'm soft."

You sigh.
"Maybe. And I guess it did let you keep control of them. Let's just not do that sort of thing again, okay?"

"Fiiine. I promise."
She leans in, ruffling your hair.
"Don't worry your pretty little head over it."

> "I'm serious, Hiss."

> "It just seems similar to what the fake Hiss was doing to you."

> Pet snake.

> "Maybe just use it more constructively?"

> "I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

> Other

>>42900738
> "It just seems similar to what the fake Hiss was doing to you."

>>42900738
> "It just seems similar to what the fake Hiss was doing to you."
> "Maybe just use it more constructively?"

>>42900738

> Pet snake.
> "I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

>>42900738
> "I'm serious, Hiss."
> "Maybe just use it more constructively?"
> "I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

>>42900738
> Pet snake.
> "Maybe just use it more constructively?"
> "I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

>>42900738
> "I'm serious, Hiss."

> "Maybe just use it more constructively?"
> "I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

"Maybe just use it a little more...constructively in the future, right? There's no need to torment people needlessly."

"Oh Cennen, it wasn't without need. But don't worry, if you don't like it I won't do it."

"Really?"

She leans in close, envenomed lips next to yours.
"Really."

"Thanks. And I'm sorry for pushing you away like that."

"It's fine, what's a shove between friends?"
She gives you a mock-shove of her own and then friends when it doesn't knock you over. You have the Potence to thank for that.
She stumbles into you as a result and stays there, her chest to yours.
"You...seem unusually strong today, Cennen. How we're you able to push me off anyway?"


> "Just a potion. Don't worry about it."

> "Let me show you." Give her another shove.

> "Let me show you." Pet snake.

> "Are you sure you're not just getting weaker?"

> Offer her a Potence.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42900943
>> "Are you sure you're not just getting weaker?"

>> Offer her a Potence.

>>42900943
> "Let me show you." Pet snake

>>42900943
> "Let me show you." Pet snake.

>>42900943
>and then friends
frowns?

>>42900943
> "Let me show you." Actual princess carry

>>42900943
> "Just a potion. Don't worry about it."
> "Let me show you." Pet snake.

>>42900992
>> "Let me show you." Pet snake.
haha, can you tell I'm getting tired?


> "Let me show you." Pet snake.
You find yourself smiling as you think back to the numerous times that Hiss had used her superior strength to get one over you in the bedroom. Maybe it's time to pay her back.

"Here, let me show you."
You spin her around and push her against the wall. She lets out a quiet gasp as you pin her, her face going bright red. That's hardly her normal reaction.

"H-hey, hold on. This is the wrong way round."

You silence her with a kiss, having quickly chugged an anti-venom just prior. After that, Hiss just decides to go with the flow.

.....

You wake up the next morning in the saltlord's chambers, Hiss sitting next to you. She looks oddly cautious of you, grabbing your arm as you wake up as if test your strength.

"Good morning," you groan.

"It's about time you woke up, we're ready to leave."

"Then why didn't you just wake me?"

"Uh..."
Hiss looks away. There's an awkward silence that lasts for a minute or so before she speaks up again.
"Look, about last night...."

"Yes?"
What's wrong? As far as you can remember, it was a lot of fun. She enjoyed herself too.

"Let's never do that again. Any of that."

File: newborncobra.jpg (61 KB, 706x720)

61 KB JPG

>>42901210
Speaking of being tired, look at that fucked up quote right there hurr durr.

Anyway a bit of an abrupt ending there but I'm starting to feel a little out of it. That's all for tonight. Hopefully will run tomorrow or soon, check the twitter for updates on that sort of thing!

I hope you guys had fun.

>>42901234
Thanks for running! I'm glad we finally got a full thread.

>>42901234
I hope you let us ask why not next thread Ouro. Thanks for running.

>>42901254
Oh don't worry, it's not anything rapey or whatever. Hiss was just unnerved about enjoying anything where she doesn't have the power.

>>42901234
Thanks for running man, glad to have a sull length thread.
That picture isn't hinting anything... RIGHT?!

>>42901273
Oh I know, which is why I want to ask. Then have Cennen explain why it's ok.

>>42901287
Hiss can have easy abortion via shape change and would be disinclined in general to have a kid. If she did carry one to term she'd try to eat it or kill it off.