>>43022509
The gulls are crying while your ship slowly limps into the harbour, a ramshackle mess that would make anyone question just how it managed to be seafaring at all, let alone participate in a sea voyage as long as yours.
Taldenral awaits, the bustling city strangely familiar after spending so much time away. Gone are the days of the constant Alteration and Wordtheft brews, you’re finally home.

But how have you been spending the last leg of your voyage anyway?

> Brewing like mad. (Benefit: Additional experimental brews)

> Extra intensive practice with Oster. (Benefit: Stat increase)

> Trying to give Aashenpreet a proper guide on how to fit in. (Benefit: Aash won’t cause problems)

> Helping Hiss prepare for the King (Benefit: Hiss gains an additional Snake Art)

> Getting Rock’s help with your brand (Benefit: Finding a non-alchemical way to slow mutation and identifying current abilities)

> Having fun with Bunyip (Benefit: Bunyip can let you visit Taldenral before the main ship arrives)

> Other

>>43022516
> Getting Rock’s help with your brand (Benefit: Finding a non-alchemical way to slow mutation and identifying current abilities)
What happened to that crazy brew we were making at the end of the last thread?

>>43022509
>> Having fun with Bunyip (Benefit: Bunyip can let you visit Taldenral before the main ship arrives)
Tossup between
> Helping Hiss prepare for the King (Benefit: Hiss gains an additional Snake Art)

>>43022624
vote properly anon. how is he supposed to count that?

>>43022516
>> Brewing like mad. (Benefit: Additional experimental brews)
Brew don't fail. Brews don't disappoint.

>>43022516
> Getting Rock’s help with your brand (Benefit: Finding a non-alchemical way to slow mutation and identifying current abilities)

>>43022638
Sorry, I can't decide between the two.

>>43022516
>> Getting Rock’s help with your brand (Benefit: Finding a non-alchemical way to slow mutation and identifying current abilities)
and
> Helping Hiss prepare for the King (Benefit: Hiss gains an additional Snake Art

Rock during the day, Hiss at night.

Couldnt oster tell Aash about how to fit in?

>>43022516
> brewing like mad

> Getting Rock’s help with your brand (Benefit: Finding a non-alchemical way to slow mutation and identifying current abilities).

As tempting as it is to do more brewing, you're not sure if you can top your latest creation. Hell, you're not sure if you want to. A special Snakebreaker created with Hiss' aid and mixed with her empowered Empress-form venom and snake blood, it's hardly something you can easily replicate. And maybe that's a good thing.

You're not entirely sure what this abomination does when broken since all your Identification Potions tell you is not to use it. In fact, this might be some sort of war crime!
You've settled for calling it the Danger Flask and have been keeping it separate, out of your pack and away from the rest of your potions. Maybe you should just throw it in the ocean and leave it at that.

Your lingering unease over the idea that you may have created something that should never have been has lead to you spending your last few days in non-alchemical pursuits with Rock. The diminutive spirit has spent quite some time puzzling over your brand and while you have yet to give her the audience with the Inner Hiss that she wants, she's come up with a stop-gap solution regardless. And this doesn't involve you having to self-medicate every day.

-I think I have some crude understanding of it now. Not only do you possess the Art to avoid magical perception, you also have the ability to take the soul.-

"Wait, you mean like Hiss?"

-Yes but not as refined. You can only do it if you have killed the body that it was residing in. It is an...unsettling magic and I'd rather have no part in it.-

"You don't say. What am I supposed to do with that?"
You're not really the killing type or at least, that's what you tell yourself every day.

-Barbaric magic aside, this should work. It can be contained in the same way that the Gate that you first visited me through was. Do you remember that?-

"Vaguely. There was a spirit in it or something?"

1/2

>>43023066
-More or less. Or at least, that way of putting it is completely inaccurate but I can accept it as a sort of explanation that can at least help you picture it better in your mind.-

"Yes, whatever. So what will it do?"

-It should seal your brand completely, rendering its link essentially nonfunctional. You will still be able to use the Venom aspect but the other Arts and the mutation itself will be null.-

You nod, thinking it over. That sounds like a pure upgrade over your current program and it won't involve having to mix a Defang Elixir every day.
"So what's the catch? Is there one?"

-Yes. Nothing comes for free, particularly not in this world. I will have to craft a large portion of myself into the seal, much in the same way that the Gateseal was itself a sleeping spirit.-

"Uh, that sounds dangerous."

-Not particularly. It will however, require me to become quiescent for large periods of time. The majority of myself will be involved in sealing your brand so my representation in this world will become weak while the seal is maintained. But on the upside, I will save energy significantly while involved in this.-

> Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.

> Disagree. That's too much to ask for.

>>43023201
>> Disagree. That's too much to ask for.

Poor Rock. I don't want her getting close to Nega hiss either.

>>43023201
>> Disagree. That's too much to ask for.

>>43023066
>all your Identification Potions tell you is not to use it
I am become death, destroyer of worlds

>>43023201
>> Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.
assuming that this is in fact a safe course of action to do.

>>43023201
> Disagree. That's too much to ask for.
You'd be at risk from Hiss Ascendant.

>>43023201
> Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.
Neat.

>>43023201
>Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.

>>43023201
> Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.

> Agree. You can always break it if you need Rock.

"Ugh. I don't really like the price. Do you have to use yourself?"

-I never have anything else to use here. And for all I think I've come to love this world, it is harsh for me. It demands a price for everything.-

"What about uh, the inner Hiss?"
You're still not sure what to call that thing.
"You'll be forming a barrier across the link between myself and her, won't she be able to get her hands on you?"

-I do not believe so. If she was capable of spreading consciously across this link then you'd already be speaking with her every time you sleep.-

Now that's a nasty idea. You shiver.
"And I can break it any time and you'll be fine? How do I do that?"

-Just pray. Now, are you ready?-

"Just promise me that this really isn't going to be dangerous."
You have a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach. It doesn't feel right to ask somebody else to do this for you.

-What is the phrase you use? 'No worries'.-

Rock sits atop your marked shoulder and then falls apart, the sand and grit making up her sandstorm-body dispersing their grains through your brand. The markings across your arm and chest begin to fade, becoming a faded gray rather than a deep black.
A warmth spreads through you and then fades as quickly as it came.

A tiny creature deposits itself on the tip of your finger. It's barely recognizable as Rock, a tiny spider-like thing smaller than your fingernail. A single red star perched above it forms the entirety of its halo.
"A-are you okay?"

-###################-

You can no longer comprehend Rock's remnant.

*******

A day or so later, you stand at the railing of the ship as you watch Taldenral get ever closer. The little mute thing that used to be Rock is sitting on your shoulder, radiating but a spark of warmth.

It looks like everyone's come aboard now, the other Melach ships having already been abandoned and scuttled yesterday. It's not like they have a purpose anymore.
1/2

>>43023713
Damn, we can't talk to her at all anymore? That sucks.

>>43023713
Hiss is standing at the prow, surrounding by the remaining Melach. She is pontificating something, no doubt practicing her attempts at imperial leadership. The Melach themselves are awaiting the dissolution that she promised.

Oster is, oddly enough, not standing by her side. He's sitting on the railing by the side, watching the ocean behind you. You haven't spoken to him for almost a week now, he's been very reserved. You still don't know what he chose.
Aashenpreet is standing next to him but they're not talking. She looks unhappy.

And of course, the Bunyip is splashing about in the waters below you. He won't be able to follow you for much longer, you'll be heading inland. You're not sure what you're going to do with him. Can you change him into something else, perhaps? You'd certainly considered the idea before back at the first time you'd had to leave him behind.
You're not sure if the Bunyip would enjoy being anything but itself however.

> You need to go attend on Hiss. She doesn't have any servants with her right now.

> Try to strike up a conversation with Oster and Aashenpreet.

> Call Aashenpreet over.

> Ask Aashenpreet if you and Oster could speak in private.

> Ride the Bunyip.

> Other

>>43023845
>> You need to go attend on Hiss. She doesn't have any servants with her right now.

Pussy wipped Cennen is the only Cennen.

>>43023845
> Try to strike up a conversation with Oster and Aashenpreet.
>Start thinking on how to make a Shapeshifting brew.

>>43023845
> Ask Aashenpreet if you and Oster could speak in private.

>>43023842
Though Cennen has no way of confirming this, the remnant left behind is too stupid to speak.

>>43023845
Use soulsight to check osters soul then
> You need to go attend on Hiss. She doesn't have any servants with her right now.

>>43023845
>You need to go attend on Hiss. She doesn't have any servants with her right now.

>>43023845
> Try to strike up a conversation with Oster and Aashenpreet.
Drink soulsight first.

>>43023845
>>43023881
>>43023952
these

Rolled 4 (1d6)

Looks like a tie between helping Hiss and talking to Oster and Aash. Evens for the former, odds the latter.

>You need to go attend on Hiss. She doesn't have any servants with her right now.

Watching Hiss up at the front addressing her 'subjects' makes you uneasy. The scene feels incomplete. Oster, who is usually by her at all times, is off brooding by himself. She's alone. And you can't have that, can you?

But still, you'd like to know how Oster made his decision. Even if that means you'll have to invade his privacy. You discreetly pull out your Soulsight from your pack and take a swig, shading your eyes from the resulting glare.
You try your best to focus on Oster as looking t the Melach is...unpleasant.

His soul is still ragged and unkempt but you can see new growth, pallid extensions slowly crossing the holes Hiss left him with.
You shut off the Soulsight, smiling. Looks like he's on the right path after all. You can give him some more Mindbalm later.

With your conscience sated, you leave your post to go stand by Hiss. You can hear her still talking as you approach.
"...and the time has come. I can't afford to let you get seen and raise alarm in the city. So congratulations! You have officially outlived your usefulness! Line up, I'm going to kill all of you."

The crowd erupts in a frenzy of cheers and hooting, the boat quaking beneath the feet of boisterous skeletons.
Somehow you manage to pick your way through the crowd and take Hiss' hand. She doesn't say anything but she smiles all the same.

The Melach, as it turns out, are not so great at lining up. But they get some semblance of order anyway and Hiss begins her work. They approach her, she holds out her hand and then they die. That's all it takes which is great because there are a lot of them.

The hours pass and the ship becomes littered with bones that Oster starts sweeping over the ship's side. You can hear the Bunyip gnawing on some below.
1/2

>>43024225
Bunyip best Bunyip

>>43024225
Hiss kills almost ceaselessly, only stopping when she gets too sick to continue and even then she only stops long enough to vomit hundreds of rotten souls into the void.
Her other hand never leaves yours the entire time.

By the time the last of the Melach has stepped up, night has begun to fall. The last one is Trygg, the giant skeleton that you remember vaguely from the Trials. He speaks Avling well.
"My saltlord," he starts, as he bows.

"Yes yes, let's get this over with."
Hiss sweeps her hand towards him.

"Wait! I have a request. I have thought long saltlord and I am not ready to die. I can serve you and hel-"

"Nope."
Hiss pokes him with her index finger and the giant skeleton collapses into unthinking bone.

"Hiss!"

"What? What was I going to do with him exactly Cennen? He would have just caused a commotion and if I was going to do that, I might as well have kept all the Melach. Skeletons, I have decided, are only useful when there are many of them. Just having one skeleton is dead weight."

"Well, he asked not to die."

"Depends on your definition of death."
Hiss stands up, patting herself down.
"As long as I don't regurgitate him, he's a part of me. One rotten soul is fine."

"It feels a little unsavory, is all."

She flicks you on the nose.
"Well look at you, getting ideas beyond your station. And how have you been? I barely get to see you these days. Or so it feels. What have you brewing lately?"

> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship.

> "Haven't been brewing at all, actually." Tell her how dangerous the thing you made was.

> "That's a secret."

> Tell her about Rock.

> Other

>>43024419
> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship
> Tell her about Rock.
Test out the venom

>>43024419
> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship.
> Tell her about Rock.

>>43024419
>>43024455
these

>>43024419
> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship.
Oster is still better by a lot but I'm not useless at swordplay anymore.
> Tell her about Rock.

>>43024419
> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship.
> Tell her about Rock.

>>43024419
> tell her about rock

> "I've been practicing." Tell her about your new swordsmanship.
> Tell her about Rock.

"I haven't been brewing much lately actually."

"Oh? You, not brewing? That doesn't seem possible. Why not?"

You briefly consider telling her about the Danger Flask and then decide that there are some things that Hiss doesn't really need to know about right now.
"I've been doing stuff with Rock."

Hiss pouts.
"So you'll spend time with her over brewing but you'll brew over spending time with me? Should I be feeling jealous?"

"Jealous of Rock? Uh, probably not."
You show Hiss the tiny remnant and give her a brief explanation of what Rock had done.

Hiss snorts, a truncated fit of giggles all in itself.
"What an idiot."

"Come on Hiss, that's not very nice."

"Maybe so but it's true."
She prods the tiny spider in such a way that she'd crush it if it wasn't intangible.
"Giving up so much of herself just so you don't have to be inconvenienced by drinking a potion every day? That's moronic."

"I thought you liked Rock."

"I tolerate her. Or should I say, tolerated? She's not much of anything anymore."
She flicks the spider and sends it flying.

"I'd like to think that I'd do the same for you."

Hiss grimaces.
"You're my servant, that's different. It's expected of you. But she never swore any oath to you. She's not obliged."

"Maybe it's because she's, I don't know, a GOOD PERSON?"

Hiss catches the tiny spider as it returns, pinning it in her palm.
"Good, maybe. But does this look like a 'person' to you? She's just a dumb little speck now. The Rock that you like so much is no longer here."

You snatch the spider off of her, putting it back on your shoulder. Maybe it's best to drop the subject for now. She isn't letting it show much but Hiss seems clearly unnerved by what Rock has done.
"I've also been practicing my swordplay a lot. I've really improved. Still not as good as Oster but I'm not useless anymore."

Hiss looks underwhelmed.
1/2

>>43024761
"I don't keep you around for your sword, Cennen. But you know..."
A playful look crosses her face.
"Maybe I should be the judge of how you've improved."

"How so?"

She gently pushes you away from her, back into the middle of the deck.
"Draw your sword and show me. Fight me."

> Refuse. You're not here to fight her. Also you're pretty sure the outcome of this is certain and she's just doing it to mess with you.

> Agree.

> Agree but with a catch. It's not fair if Hiss gets to use her Art, she should just have a sword as well.

> Agree but with a catch. You should get to use your potions as well.

> Flee.

> Surrender immediately.

> Other

>>43024820
>You should have a sword too, and I should have a potence and regen.

You want a challenge after all don't you Hiss?

>>43024820
> Refuse. You're not here to fight her. Also you're pretty sure the outcome of this is certain and she's just doing it to mess with you.
Shes just more likely to hurt us if she uses a sword

>>43024820
Hiss have a bug up her butt for some reason?

>>43024898
She's mostly just bored. Unless you mean the Rock thing in which case yes, Rock's act genuinely unsettles her and she's thorny about it.

>>43024898
She's bored and wants to reassert her dominance after we were on top and she liked it.

>>43024961
But... she always said rock was cute... and liked playing with her.

>>43024820
> Agree

>>43024973
Yes and she doesn't like what Rock did. It or at least the idea behind it creeps her out. Her immediate reaction to anything that unnerves her is to be aggressive

>>43024820

> Agree but with a catch. You should get to use your potions as well.
I could have sworn we already had permanence regen+potencey going from skeleton island

>>43024820
> Refuse. You're not here to fight her. Also you're pretty sure the outcome of this is certain and she's just doing it to mess with you.
Gotta make shapeshift brew for bunyip

>>43024820
>>43024867
This

>>43024820
>> Refuse. You're not here to fight her. Also you're pretty sure the outcome of this is certain and she's just doing it to mess with you.

>>43024892
regen potions, also she's eaten swordsmen and gets their skill via soul kingdom.

>>43025068
No time

Rolled 5 (1d6)

Looks like a tie between refusing and using potions. Odds the former, evens the latter.

>>43025170
yeah we have time. im not gonna leave bunyip again. we can use permanence with shapeshift potence and regen to make it a bunyip-ish dog.

> Refuse. You're not here to fight her. Also you're pretty sure the outcome of this is certain and she's just doing it to mess with you.

You draw your sword and hold it out as Hiss approaches, watching her grin widen. You know why she's doing this. She's bored and feels like she needs to reassert dominance. Either that or she just wants to mess with you. You're not a fan of either, particularly when you're wasting time as you're drifting towards the dock.
You watch her face fall as you set the sword back down on the deck.
"Sorry. I guess you win."

Hiss harrumphs but doesn't contest the decision. She can't exactly turn down a free victory.

You wander back to the railing and take in the view once more. You're in Taldenral's bay, the ship still moving towards the docks as the sun sets.
"Ah...are we just on a collision course now? Who's steering this thing?"

Oster's head snaps up, broken from his funk.
"Aw shit! Hold on."

> Help him try to guide the ship.

> Oster's got this, use this time to brew.

> Spend the time making Hiss feel better.

> See if you can get the Bunyip to ride everyone in.

> Other

>>43025294
> Oster's got this, use this time to brew.

>>43025294
>> Help him try to guide the ship.

>>43025294
>Spend the time making Hiss feel better

>>43025294
> Oster's got this, use this time to brew.

>>43025294
>> See if you can get the Bunyip to ride everyone in.

> Oster's got this, use this time to brew.

"Don't worry Oster, I have faith in you."
You sit down and pull out your cauldron, your back to the ensuing chaos.

It doesn't take you long to get set up but you'll only be able to brew ONE thing in what time you have left. It either has to be a potion you already know how to brew or one you have the instructions to.

"No no, to the right!," you hear Hiss call out.
"That's too right! Left!"

> Brew (Specify potion)

>>43025585
Shapeshifting

>>43025585
Shapeshifter

>>43025585
Shapeshifting for the bunyip. Hope hes okay with being a dog.

>>43025585
>shapeshift

>Shapeshifting

You've already made several potions that are really just variations on this theme so it doesn't take you very long at all, particularly since you still have all the instructions. You use up the last of your spare snakeskin but that's not exactly a regular commodity for you.

You're practically finished with a single dose when the boat suddenly lurches, colliding with what looks to be the dock itself. You nearly drop the bottle, catching it just in time.

"Oster, you idiot!"

"Couldn't you have used your souls to help me?"

"Oh. Ah....Oster, you idiot! Why didn't you remind me?"

"Sorry, your highness."

The ship tilts even further, already fragile and overworked wood splintering and tearing itself apart. Aashenpreet rushes past you, trying to get off the ship to the dock before it sinks.
"Cennen! Take my hand!"

Behind you, Hiss is still occupied in dressing Oster down rather than attempting any escape. You suppose it's not all that urgent.

> Let Aashenpreet pull you to safety.

> Jump overboard to administer potions to Bunyip.

> Go back and get Hiss and Oster first.

> Use Potion

> Other

>>43025764
Hiss, Oster, Get off the fucking boat!

> Let Aashenpreet pull you to safety.

>>43025764
> Jump overboard to administer potions to Bunyip.
Better shapeshift him before everyone comes to investigate

>>43025764
> Go back and get Hiss and Oster first.

>>43025764
> Jump overboard to administer potions to Bunyip.

>>43025764
> Jump overboard to administer potions to Bunyip.
Yell at Hiss and Oster first

>>43025764
>> Go back and get Hiss and Oster first.

> Jump overboard to administer potions to Bunyip.

This might be your best chance to actually give the Bunyip the potion. If you do it later then all the people no doubt currently rushing to the scene might see it.
"Thanks but no thanks Aash, I'm fine. Take care of yourself!"

The Quedeshi nods and jumps to safety or at least you assume she does, landing beyond your field of vision. You turn back to Hiss and Oster as you make your way to the railing of the tilting ship.
"Hiss, Oster, get off the fucking boat!"

Hiss scoffs.
"This wouldn't even be a problem if he could just steer properly. And besides, it's not like we're in any dang-"

You jump off the side, plunging into the salty waters while doing your best to keep your potions safe. The Bunyip appears a moment later, rising up from beneath you and pushing you onto his back.
"Thanks buddy."
You pat him on the snout, prompting a bass rumble.
"I can't take you any further, you know. At least, not like you are now. I'm uh, sure you'll be fine with it."

You give him the Shapeshifting dose, the Bunyip drinking it immediately while you do your best to describe and imagine a dog. And then quickly behind that brew, a Persistence and then a Potence and a Regen too.

The Bunyip shrinks while you're still on his back, causing you to tip back into the water and flounder. You manage to latch onto one of the dock supports and pull the shrinking Bunyip with you, dragging the two of you into the darkness beneath the wharf.

The Bunyip groans, still transforming in the water while you hold his head above the surface. Above you, you can hear a whole crowd of people shouting at the ship that's grating itself down the side of the wharf.

A few splashes to the side and you see Hiss and Oster land in the ocean, both apparently unseen by the jeering crowd.

> Motion for them to come over here.

> Swim out over to them.

> Just stay here where nobody can see you until the Bunyip has finished transforming.

> Climb onto the wharf

>>43026019
Ah sorry, I was already writing and missed this one. I need to get into the habit of announcing when I've started that.

>>43026143
Aash is on the dock right? Lets not leave her alone up there
> Climb onto the wharf

>>43026143
> Climb onto the wharf

>>43026143
>> Climb onto the wharf

>>43026143
Is there some way we can go on land without ditching the bunyip?

>>43026143
>> Motion for them to come over here.

>>43026143
> Just stay here where nobody can see you until the Bunyip has finished transforming.

> Climb onto the wharf

Well Hiss and Oster both seem fine. You can't help but feel like you're forgetting someone though.
Oh shit, Aashenpreet is already up on the wharf. Right in front of all those people, probably.

"Just stay here, alright?"
The Bunyip groans, its features a slurry of shapeshifting transformation.
You grab hold of the wooden pillar next to you and start to climb. Fortunately it's only a few feet up so you can drag yourself up onto the wharf just as everyone starts screaming.
Wait, what?

"What the hell is that?"
"It's a monster!"

A rattling sound echoes across the dock, silencing any further outcries as the crowd descends into blind panic. You yourself have to work not to let go and throw yourself back into the ocean. There's a predator nearby, your body screams, you need to LEAVE.

But you drag yourself back up and watch as the dock descends into chaos, sailors and docksmen running left and right babbling about a monster, all in the grip of rattle-fear.
Through the crowd, on the other side of the dock by the storehouses, you catch a glimpse of something long and yellow slithering away into the darkness.

> Pursue immediately.

> Call out to Aashenpreet.

> Find Oster and Hiss first.

> Pray.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43026443
> Pursue immediately.
> Call out to Aashenpreet.

>>43026477
You'd have to take the time to brew a new one since you used your Soulsight back on the ship earlier this thread.

>>43026443
> Pursue immediately.

>>43026504
Thought we had 2 per brew we knew,

>>43026443
> Pursue immediately.

>>43026443
> Pursue immediately.
How fast can large snakes move anyway?

>>43026443
>> Pursue immediately.
>> Call out to Aashenpreet.

> Pursue immediately.

You barely even stop to think before you start to run. There's no time to get anyone else's help, you need to get moving NOW. You don't think Aashenpreet's natural form is very fast but that's not the real problem here. It doesn't matter how fast she is, what matters is if she is seen. If she causes any more panics, if she comes into contact with the wrong sort of people. Her scales aren't particularly tough, she can be attacked. She can be killed.

You push your way through the dispersing crowd as quickly as you can. What happened here? The crowd must have scared her. Did she go back to her true form because it felt safer or was it just instinctual so she could sound her rattle immediately? Either way, she needs to know that this isn't Quedesh. You can't just go around showing snakes to people.

You finish struggling your way over to the other side and locate the alleyway you saw her slither down. You wander down it, keeping your movements slow so you don't startle her.
She doesn't have camouflage anymore and she's huge. She can't possibly hide very well.

And yet you can't see her in the alleyway. It's bare, littered only with a small pile of trash that neither of her forms could possibly hide in. You check it anyway, just to be sure.

"Aash? Aashenpreet?"
You call out as you approach the end of the alleyway but you don't get any response. The alleyway ends in a high fence but you suppose that wouldn't have been any barrier to her.
And past that fence is...oh no.
It's the back of what appears to be a large inn. One with lights in every window, enough to mean that it must be overflowing with people.

At least you haven't heard any screams yet.

> Just climb the fence as quickly as possible.

> Climb the fence but do it safely, even if it takes longer.

> Get around this with a potion (Specify)

> Pray

> Other

>>43026896
>> Pray
Aash get you serpentine behind out here.

>>43026896
>> Pray

>>43026896
>> Just climb the fence as quickly as possible.
hopefully we sacrificed enough decisions...

>>43026896
> Pray
Tell her to calm down and come to us

>>43026896
> Just climb the fence as quickly as possible.
Surely we've gained a bit of athleticism during our travels and intense training

>>43026896
> Just climb the fence as quickly as possible.
> Pray
Just in case she's freaking out too much to heed the prayer

> Pray

Alright, let's not do anything rash just yet. Wherever she is, Aashenpreet does not seem to have been seen. There would probably be quite a lot of shouting if she was. She's fucking huge, after all.
You kneel down, clasping your hands. You need to make absolutely sure she gets this one. You pray to her, asking her to just come back to the alleyway and not to panic any further.

Now what? Do you just wait and see? You guess so. You hope she heeds your words. But what if she's in a situation where she can't move immediately? What do you do then?

You stand back up, peering through the darkness, trying to find her. And that's when you see her.
Not in the inn but on it. On the very roof, a giant twenty-foot long snake is slowly slithering back down. It doesn't look safe, she seems to be relying on various windowsills to support her as she slowly unwinds back onto the ground and towards you.
Normally that might be fine but every one of those windows she's passing on her journey down are lit vibrantly from within, with shadows passing between them and the light.
Sure, the light probably helps blind the inhabitants but all it would take is one person having a real good look outside while she's slithering down for everything to go to hell.

> Just sit here and don't make a sound. Wait.

> You need to go help her!

> Use a Potion (Specify)

> Cause a distraction.

> Other

>>43027254
>> You need to go help her!

>>43027254
> Cause a distraction.
accidentally shrink a mans cart.

>>43027254
>>43027281

Sounds decent.

>>43027281
We're still in the alleyway and behind a fence

>>43027254
How far up is she?

It's a shame we didn't meet Ash first. She's a sweet heart.

>>43027254
> You need to go help her!
Have her shapeshift to her smallest possible human form and catch her

>>43027389
She's stretching all the way almost to the ground by this point, the issue is getting the majority of her body down.

>>43027437
This

>>43027437
Also drink a potence brew first if we have one

>>43027437
Cennen is weak as fuck anon. Hopefully the drop isnt too far

>You need to go help her!

You continue praying, telling her to stop moving and that you're coming to help. She just has to be ready to shapeshift into her smallest possible human form and you should be able to catch her!
Aash freezes, her head almost already touching the ground. Unfortunately she's so long that the rest of her body is still on the roof. You're not sure where her human body would form if she shapeshifted but you're pretty sure it wouldn't be on the ground.
As long as she stays still she shouldn't be seen, right?

"Hold on," you mutter. "I'm coming."

You glare at the fence in your way and then leap at it, doing your best to climb it as quickly as possible while remaining as quiet as possible.

Roll 1d100. Accepting the best of the first three rolls.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>43027622

>>43027613
Shouldn't we have a permanent potency going by now? We were on that ship a long ass time after all.

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>43027622

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>43027622
come on dice gods

>>43027644
I don't consider using a Permanence brew as an automatic action like restocking the inventory is. Since it comes with a potential downside, it has to be decided and voted upon.

>>43027664
>63

You clear the fence in seconds but you slip as you are coming down! You land on your side heavily but you manage to keep your head up and your pack safe, taking no significant injury besides from a painful bruise.
You also knock up against a bucket and kick it across the backyard into the wall however.

It's not that loud but one of the ground-floor windows swings open to reveal the inn's kitchen inside. A large man pokes his head out, a kitchen knife in his hand.
"Oi! If you little cunts are back in the yard again, I'll have yer fucking heads!"

He doesn't seem to see you yet in the dark. More importantly, he doesn't see the length of snake slowly sliding down the wall right next to his window. Not yet anyway.

> Just freeze and hope he doesn't see anything.

> Hide before he sees you.

> Call out to him.

> Make a distraction.

> Flee.

> "Get him, Aash!"

> Nobble him.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43027613
If her head is on the ground while a substantial part of her is still on the roof then its not very high.

>>43027819
>> Nobble him.

>>43027819
> Make a distraction.
act drunk and sad cause we got dumped.

>>43027690

In thread 57 I asked:
>While we have time skip in progress, can we get potency + Permanency going again?

To which you answered:
>Yeah don't worry, you'll also get a free restock after all the experimenting. Just like the last timeskip.

I wish you had made it more clear that a vote was going to be required to get our buffs on but its cool.

>>43027868
Ah, sorry about that. I'll put it up to a vote later.

>>43027819
Sneak to the window, toss a knockout brew in and shut the window

>>43027929
This. Sneaking might not work though, we could simply pretend to be drunk and approach him while acting friendly

>>43027819
>> Make a distraction.
>>43027997
the pretend part

>>43027997
better yet we could pretend the knockout brew is a bottle we're drinking from and spill a bit in his face when we're close

File: 1391283397616.gif (227 KB, 466x322)

227 KB GIF

>>43028120
Pocket potion bitch!

>>43027819
Making our best thuggish impression
>"Shutu up and get back inside fucker or we'll break your fucking kness!"

Man, feels good to be home.

>Sneak up, use Knockout Brew.

No need to panic just yet, you think to yourself as you silently will Aashenpreet not to move. You slide your hand into your pack, hunting blindly for your Knockout Brew as you do your best to sneak towards the open window.

You don't do quite as well as you hoped because he spots you when you're still a few paces away from him.
"Hey, who ar-"

You lunge forward and slam the Knockout Brew practically right into his face before shutting the window. His hand slams against the window for a moment before it fogs over with white mist and you see his silhouette slowly drop to the floor.

"You can shapeshift down now Aash. Just remember, small please."
You hold out your hands ready to catch her as the serpent begins to shed. There's a long ripping sound before Aashenpreet materializes in her usual Quedeshi form save that she seems to only be four feet tall at best.

She lands in your arms and you strain to hold her as she's much heavier than she ought to be. You set her down as gently as you can.
"Are you okay?"

She looks up at you and blinks, confused. She looks pretty out of it.
"Whoa. You've never been this big before."

"Aash?"

She snaps out of it, shaking her head.
"I'm fine. Sorry Cennen, there was just so many people shouting at me and I panicked! And then I just made it worse!"

"Don't worry about that. It's all good. Now let's get go-"

"Fuck! Something's wrong with Thom!"
"Some cunt's nobbled him!"

Aashenpreet freezes at the sudden shouting from within the building, the top of her head almost (but not quite) level with your elbow.
"Who was that?"

"Oh, about that. I might have just assaulted a guy. We should probably leave."

> Flee

> Flee while carrying her.

> Stall for time until she get into a more useful size.

> Hide.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43028235
> Flee while carrying her.

>>43028235
> Flee while carrying her.
Jealous Hiss, but hiss doesn't want to be small...

>>43028235

> Flee while carrying her.
Let's hope nobody notices us scurrying off with a little girl who is deffinitely not our little sister

>>43028235
> Flee while carrying her.
I feel like anyone who could have seen him so quickly should be knocked out as well

>>43028314
Yeah, the knockout brew takes some time to dissipate right?

>>43028235
> Flee while carrying her.
Drink a potence brew. I'm hoping the one we gave to the bunyip wasn't our only one.

>>43028314
>>43028331
Correct. But the Knockout Brew cloud isn't unlimited in range, all it takes is for someone to open the kitchen door and look in from there.

>>43028360
Oh well. At least if they come near the window to look outside they'll be knocked out

> Flee while carrying her.

You go to start running but stop when Aashenpreet tugs on your hand. It'd be cute if it wasn't for the fact that she did it with enough force to almost dislocate your arm. You groan in pain while Aashenpreet apologizes.
"Sorry! You look so big, I forgot I still have to control myself."

"No," you hiss through gritted teeth, "it's fine. What did you want? 'Cause we really should be running right now."

"Well..."
Her face darkens and she looks away.
"I don't think I'm very fast right now. My legs are too stubby. So do you think there's time for me to change ba-"

"Nope!"
The sound of people still shouting in the inn behind you drives you to action and you crouch down and sweep her off of her feet, standing back up with you carrying her with one hand beneath her legs and the other bracing her back.
"It's fine. You can change after we get to safety."

Aashenpreet doesn't say anything as you carry her back across the yard and ...towards the fence. Welp. This might be a problem. You can hear the front door of the inn slam open into the street. People are probably going to be storming into the backyard any second now!

> Try to climb while holding her.

> Boost Aashenpreet over the fence first before climbing yourself.

> Keep carrying her and run out into the street instead. The fence will take way too long!

> Through the kitchen window! The gas cloud should still be active there, making it the safest possible place.

> Use a potion to deal with the fence.

> Other

>>43028545
>> Keep carrying her and run out into the street instead. The fence will take way too long!

>>43028545
What kind of fence is it?

>>43028545
Aash can't rattle while in human form, right?

>>43028576
It's about seven-feet tall.

>>43028591
Correct. She needs a tail to do so.

>>43028619
I mean what's it made of, I need a more detailed description

>>43028545
> Keep carrying her and run out into the street instead. The fence will take way too long!

Chug a Potency brew and leg it!

>>43028545
> Keep carrying her and run out into the street instead. The fence will take way too long!

>>43028569
>>43028639
>>43028643
isn't this the same direction everyone will be coming from?

>>43028619
Oh. It's an iron fence, bars a few inches apart from each other. They're circular and the whole thing looks pretty new. Probably put up recently to deter certain people who used to keep using the alleyway to sneak in.

>>43028545
> Boost Aashenpreet over the fence first before climbing yourself.
Running towards our pursuers is never a good idea

>>43028545
> Tell Aash to change back and rattle
> Stand off with our sword and a random potion and bluff to give her time

> Keep carrying her and run out into the street instead. The fence will take way too long!

"Oh shit, I guess I didn't think this through. Let's go!"

"Ah! Where are we going?"
Aashenpreet jostles in your grip, still strangely heavy but somehow becoming lighter over time. Are you just getting used to it? Or is it all the excess mass she shucked to make herself like this just taking a while to properly dissipate?

"Around."

You do your best to reverse direction without losing speed, running back towards the inn and then around it, going past the side of the building and out towards the street that the front of the building faces into.

Your feet hit the cobblestones as you go around, only to find yourself in front of a small crowd of patrons. You jump back into the shadows, hiding by the side of the inn before they can see you.
Shit! Of course they were coming out this way. Still, you just have to wait for them to disperse.

One of the men speaks up.
"Get around the back, I think they were out there! Probably some 'chemist bullshit!"

The group split up, two men peeling off towards the side that you're hiding behind.

> Hide.

> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.

> Run back, even though everyone else will be going there.

> Just try and run past them.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43028815
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.

Aash get normal sized, pretend to make out with her.

>>43028815
> Just try and run past them.
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.
Get Ash to look hurt. Were rescuing her from whats back there.

>>43028815
>>43028870
This can't possibly back fire in any way. Seconded.

>>43028815
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.
holy shit why would you all want to run this way, give her an alteration brew to look teln

>>43028815
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.
After spending weeks in a ghost ship we probably look ragged enough to pass off as beggars.
Ask them for change when they pass by and if they ask, Aash is our daughter.

>>43028870
>>43028882
It takes too long for her to change and your idea is shit regardless

>>43028904
Okay. She can stay large. Let's make out with Ash now.

>>43028913
She looks like a small kid right now. Learn to read.

>>43028815
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.
Alteration brew for Aash is a good idea

>>43028870
> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.
> Have Aash look hurt/tired

Beg the two guys for some food when they pass by

>>43028815
>>43028998
And fuck, misquoted

>>43028815

> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.

> Try to pass yourself off as innocent civilians.

"Quick!"
You set Aashenpreet down, handing her your Alteration Brew as you do so.
"Just look Teln! Like us, alright?"

A few seconds later and the men round the corner, stopping as they see you.
"Hey! Who are you lot?"

You look down, confirming that Aashenpreet does now look Teln. A very pale Teln at that, long black hair over her face. That is probably to help disguise the fact that is actually just a very short woman instead of a small girl.
You decide to work with that.
"Please sirs, me and my sister were attacked! He threw a bottle and there was fog an-"

You're interrupted by a shout coming from out behind the inn.
"Holy shit!"

The two men look at each other.
"They musta found him!"
"Sorry lass, we got to go."

They push past you without another word, leaving you and Aashenpreet scot free. She wastes no time in hugging you around the waist.
"I can't believe that worked! Uuh, how long does this potion last for?"

"Thirty minutes or so. We'll be safe by then. Let's go."

You pick her up again, making her laugh. She steadies herself by holding onto your shoulder and pressing herself against your chest for balance. You become vividly aware of the fact that she is still proportionally adult in what might be the most awkward way but she doesn't seem to notice.

> Find your way back to the dock.

> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

> Go inside the inn. They'll never check there.

> Pet snake.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43029112
> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

>>43029112
> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

>>43029112
> Find your way back to the dock.
> Pet small snake.

>>43029137
You realize "pet the snake" has become a euphemism for sexing Hiss right?

>>43029112
> Pet snake.

> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

>>43029112
> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.
She can use that albino teln form right? She probably can't use her quedeshi form right now

>>43029149
It can also mean, "Pet Snake."

>>43029149
And it has literally been used for petting snakes as well. Is more a of a soft nobble.

>>43029112
>"Holy shit!"
I'm worried

> Pet snake.
>>43029149
No it hasn't

> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.
Then we should go check out what they found

>>43029171
I mean she can but she shouldn't since it was seen at the docks

>>43029112
> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

I forget, is this the city where Eugene's house is?

>>43029171
Maybe she could learn to use a form similar to the one she's in now but larger

>>43029236
Yep. I think the twins are staying there too.

>>43029171
Fashion Catalogue to the rescue

>>43029264
She's limited in the number of forms she can take unfortunately

We really should check up on the comatose twin.

>>43029323
She was awake in an interlude a long time ago. She's fine now I'm sure. I would still like to visit them though.

> Find somewhere where she can change back safely.

You keep running, not bothering to slow until you're at least several blocks away. Luckily the streets are pretty empty in this part of town during the night. Or maybe everyone is just down investigating the docks.
You need to find a place where Aashenpreet can shapeshift into something more convenient. And you can't just do it out in the street because it's actually a pretty long and complicated process.

Aashenpreet grins.
"Isn't this fun?"

You stop.
"Pardon?"

"I'm finally on an adventure in exotic lands."
She seems to have gotten over her initial fright at the unfamiliarity of it all.
"Just like all the stories. Isn't that great?"

"Yeah. I wouldn't call this exotic though. It's just a shitty part of town."

"But it's so foreign and barbaric! What's that? Or that? It's like everyone is albino."

"That's one way to put it, I guess. You better get used to it."

You find another alleyway, just a tiny alcove off of the street but it's deserted and there are no windows looking into it. It'll have to do. You set her down.
"Okay, be quick please."

She dissolves, looping into a giant snake coiled in of itself. It's bizarre that she was even able to force herself into a human shape that small in the first place.

> You want to get this over quickly. Tell her to take her Hiss form.

> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.

> Give her your fashion catalogue.

> See if you can nobble a passerby and let her eat some of his memories to help the process.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>43029456
> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.

>>43029456
> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.

>>43029456
> Give her your fashion catalogue.
Can we try to overhear what they're doing back there?

>>43029456
> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.
Seems like it should be easier but what do I know? Also I just realized that she left her skin hanging off the roof of the inn and that's what freaked people out

>>43029456
> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.
With a normal size of course

>>43029553
Fuck, you're right. There was a ripping sound and everything.

>>43029553
Well shit. And we know wizards can use that stuff to scry from when Bart tried to buy Hiss's off us way back when.

>>43029731
wizards are pretty rare. i bet eugene is the only one around here.

File: thisiswhataashismodelledo(...).jpg (116 KB, 800x600)

116 KB JPG

> See if she can replicate the effects of the Alteration potion just before.

You kneel down by the large pale yellow python, beady red eyes staring into yours.
"Can you just try for the shape you had before, with the effects of the brew and everything? That should be doable, right?"
You sort of want to give her your fashion catalogue again but you don't want to waste more time than you might have.

Aash coils in herself and spends a minute or so in quiet contemplation before beginning to shed, a human woman slowly ripping herself free from a cocoon of empty snakeskin.
She looks a lot like her Quedeshi form but her skin is a pale white and her features are a little jumbled, her face and nose narrower with her eyes longer to better suit the Teln racial aesthetic.
Gone is her sari and slippers, replaced by a yellow-and-white frock that covers her almost completely down to her mid-shin. Underneath the hem is a set of black buckled shoes.
Nothing particularly fancy, thankfully. You have a hard enough time with that from Hiss.

On her part, Aashenpreet seems preoccupied with inspecting herself, especially her skin.
"This place is so cold! Your clothes have to be so thick! And so many layers too."

"You'll get used to it."

Well, that's taken care of. Now what?

> Just pray to Hiss so she and Oster can locate you.

> Find a way through the streets back towards the docks.

> Go back to the inn. You'll be able to climb the fence from there and end up back where you want to be.

> Other

>>43029762
> Go back to the inn. You'll be able to climb the fence from there and end up back where you want to be.

>>43029762
>pocket the shed skin
and then >Go back to the inn

Gotta get the rest of it on the roof

>>43029762
> Find a way through the streets back towards the docks.
I'd rather not get caught after all this

>>43029807
They're all probably still investigating it right now. There's no way we can get it.

>>43029762
> Find a way through the streets back towards the docks.
> Just pray to Hiss so she and Oster can locate you.
Let them know where we're going
Also, I just realized Hiss can ask Oster to pray to communicate with us

>>43029762
How long has it been since we left the docks? And we should communicate via prayer with our prayers and oster prayers being heard by each snake.

>>43029762
> Just pray to Hiss so she and Oster can locate you.

>>43029838
Nice idea. Ask them to bring the dog with them.

Reading through the pastebins and

>Hiss
>Charisma: Professional Awful Person

hah

Rolled 1 (1d6)

Looks like a tie between going back to the inn and taking the street way. Evens for the former, odds the latter.

>>43029931
If you look closely you'll notice Ouro also included some baneposting in Oster's description

>>43029952
Can we also contact each other through prayer?

>>43029971
Yeah, that makes sense.

>>43029931
I really need to update some of the pastebins. Pretty sure that Aashenpreet is still referred to as 'Albino Constrictor' in one of them.
Oh and also finish the others I guess.

> Find a way through the streets back towards the docks.
> Just pray to Hiss so she and Oster can locate you.

You gather up her loose skin and jam as much of it as you can into your pack. Waste not, want not. And besides, leaving this around is probably a bad idea.

Well, there's no point going back to the inn even if it is a shortcut. You’ve walked through this city plenty of times in the past and in much worse situations. This time the city isn’t even on fire! And the only monsters on the loose are your friends.
You know, when you put it that way you have to question the choices you made in life to have these sort of friends.

And the basic nature of Taldenral doesn’t seem to have changed, namely that the entire city is on an entire slope. If you want to find the docks you only have to follow your feet downwards. Aashenpreet walks beside you, head turning from side to side to take in all of the sights.
“So Cennen, this place is your chief city right?”

“Capital? Yes. It isn’t my home though, I come from a forest in the duchy of Melire. This is Taldenral.”

“Yes and it’s very nice.”
Aashenpreet looks at a bit of a loss for words.
“But isn’t it a bit small? Where is everyone?”

You stop walking for a moment. She’s right. When you think back and compare this city to a place like Pataliputna or even Lombai, the entire place seems vastly underpopulated.
“That’s just us, I guess. There’s not as many of us.”

“And is Teleran considered sparsely populated by all of your neighbours in this region?”

“No, I don’t think so. We’re pretty normal. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.”

She’s lying. You know she is because you’re thinking the same thing as hers. Drawing the unconscious comparison between the ‘barbaric’ countries and the size of the Witchlands of Quedesh.
And finding them lacking.
1/2

>>43030177
“It doesn’t matter,” you say. “We’re too far apart for it to mean anything. It’s hard enough to get just a few boats here. Your home might as well be in another world.”

“What?”
She looks at you quizzically. Alright, maybe she wasn’t thinking the same thing as you.

As you walk, you look down and begin to pray. Hopefully Hiss should be the only person nearby who can hear this. You broadcast your location to her and where you’re moving. Aashenpreet perks up a few moments later.
“Oster’s praying! He says we need to go this way!”

Aashenpreet leads you forward, changing directions at the nearest street corner. And not ten minutes later, you find yourself face to face with Hiss and Oster.

Hiss pokes you playfully in the chest.
“There you are. I was actually starting to get worried about you, you know. That’s virtually a crime. Or at least, it will be.”

“Hi Hiss! Isn’t this place bizarre?”

Hiss narrows her eyes.
“Oh, and you’re here too. Good work, Aashenpreet. I was hoping you’d drowned.”

You put your arm around Hiss’ shoulder.
“Come on Hiss, don’t be like that.”

“Ugh, fine. So what happened to you two? You look pretty worn out.”

You give her a basic recount, retelling your recent adventures with Aashenpreet. If you leave a certain carrying aspect out, who can blame you? Not worth talking about when Hiss is feeling irritable which is basically all of the time.

Hiss blinks, staring at the both of you.
“Sooooo...you two just left her shed skin back at the inn?”

Oh shit.

>>43030188
What happened to the bunyip?

>>43030188
Anyhoo, the thread's been archived and that's that for today. I hope you guys had fun. Check my twitter for the time of the next thread, etc etc.

>>43030209
Huh. I was going to include him here with Hiss and Oster but I must have forget at the last moment. He's there.

>>43030226
Thanks for running!

>>43030226
Thanks for running!

>>43030226
Thanks for running Ouro. Love your quest and you are a great QM. Have a good day!