>>43481962
It should take around three to four days to pass back through the forest, though it gets a lot less ominous the further west one travels, enough that hopefully in a couple of days I should be able to get out and hunt without too much risk of falling victim to some twisted forest dweller.

I do seem to still be on course thankfully, passing through the same abandoned and overgrown rocky structures I travelled past on my way east. I pause as I step around the ancient shell of some squat, stone hut, catching sight of a slight flicker in the gloom. A campfire, or the last embers of one at least, having been hurriedly covered in dirt by whoever or whatever made it in some attempt to disguise their presence.

>Look around a bit more in Raziel
>Get out and take a closer look
>Ignore it, push on

>>43481962
>Archive:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=golem+knight

>Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BrightTegu

>Ask:
http://ask.fm/BrightTegu

>Character List
http://pastebin.com/GmA7UNt4

>>43481969
>Look around a bit more in Raziel

>>43481969
>>Look around a bit more in Raziel

>>43481969
>Look around a bit more in Raziel

>>43481969
>>Look around a bit more in Raziel

>>43481969
Shit, I literally JUST got the twitter notification for this.
>Try to look into the hut in Raziel, see if we can't see anyone.
>Call out from inside Raziel telling anyone there to show themselves and assure them we mean them no harm.
Seeing Loren again, city management, yay~

>>43481969
How long have we been gone?

>>43482121
Just over two weeks so far.

>>43481969
>Look around a bit more in Raziel

>>43482135
So things hopefully haven't completely fallen apart.

I pause, while it's likely that this is the campsite of some boggart or similar low race creature, I can't discount the possibility of it being a lost Imperial or Iquani traveller. While Raziel's size makes it impossible to look inside the small structures, I wander the ancient settlement, passing between the buildings, Raziel's head sweeping this way and that as I look for any sign of life.

“If there's anyone out there, I mean no harm.”

The voice through Raziel's speakers echoes in the ancient forest, but no-one answers as I start to stray out further around the huts, into the trees. I'm just starting to contemplate giving up, on my last, widest circuit of the area, that I come across something unusual. A golem, slumped down against one of the ancient trees, half-buried under vines and dead leaves. It's an old design, Second Iquani War era, must've been here at least fifteen years. The reason for its abandonment is obvious at first glance, the golem having been struck a series of blows with force enough to buckle the metal along the shoulder, splintering the stone, tearing the right arm from its socket and caving in half of the head.

A giant maybe? The cockpit sits open, the edges of the panel scored and bent as if pried loose by some massive hand, the seat stained in dried blood, further reason to believe a titan responsible. Curious though this all is though, it doesn't tell me who lit that fire. While Raziel may have many uses, tracking down a single humanoid in a tangled forest is not one of them.

>Get out and investigate the ruined golem
>Get out and investigate the ancient settlement
>Forget it, move on

>>43482299
>>Get out and investigate the ruined golem

We need that phat loot.

Alright, here's a list of things to note off the top of my head:
>We sent a letter to our relatives asking about the mysteries object in our memories and subtly implying we're in need of an artificer
>We have a piece of the magical tree the Spriggan was using that can be used to make something really cool with sufficient skill
>Conspiracy/plot with the cult Mama Stump told us about
>Mail Quala and organize a joing mission to clear out the battlefield and salvage what we can
>Increase the number of our guards
>Open up mines and get more woodcutters to revitalize our economy
>Maybe establish a trade route with the Iquani by cutting a path through the forest

>>43482299
>>Get out and investigate the ruined golem

>>43482299
>Investigate the ruined golem
Since we're right next to it, though I don't expect it to hold much of value, once we start dealing with the battlefield with Quala this may be something to investigate further.
But be wary of spookiness or traps, and bring weapons, leave Razial close enough that we can leap to his cockpit from the ruined golem's cockpit. Some random shmuck wouldn't be able to drive Raziel, right?

>>43482299
>Get out and investigate the ruined golem
>Get out and investigate the ancient settlement
Do so very carefully, ready to sprit back to Raziel at the slightest movement.

>>43482363
>Some random shmuck wouldn't be able to drive Raziel, right?
It won't work for anyone who isn't of the Atanor bloodline as far as you know.

>>43482397
That seems like it's kind of special. Or is that normal, for noble houses to have blood reserved golems?
>tfw we get keked by one of dad's bastard sons
>tfw we kek the partner of one of dad's bastard daughters

>>43482299
>>Get out and investigate the ruined golem

>>43482434
I hope this filter stays forever desu senpai

>>43482434
It was special back when Raziel was made. Blood encoded golems are starting to become a thing in more affluent noble families these days, though they're still not common. Sief's mom was just many years ahead of the pack.

Investigating the golem wins.

Writing.

>>43482454
Hah, shit, completely forgot about that word being filtered as well.
I thought it was just baka desu senpai

>>43482479
Truly her loss was a tragedy for all of humanity, and more specifically the circles dealing with the science behind/of golemcraft.

>>43482549
>implying she's actually dead
>implying there isn't a hidden magitech AI copy of her just waiting to be found

>>43482571
>>magitech AI copy
>implying she didn't upload her soul to the mysterious cube when she was on the verge of death
>implying the cube won't fit into Raziel
>implying this isn't not!NGE
This has already been discussed and established before, anon, keep up.

I bring Raziel down to one knee next to the old golem, the cockpit opening, bringing with it the verdant smells of the forest. From the edge of the cockpit panel it's a short hop across to the golem's chest, the spiderweb of cracks through the stonework making it an easy climb across to the rent open cockpit.

I wince at the sight as I come closer, whoever was piloting this thing did not die well, or quickly, long dried gore encrusts every corner of the interior. As I look beyond the cockpits grim color however, I spot something else curious about the abandoned golem. The cockpit, past the superficial damage, looks to have been carefully stripped of multiple parts after the pilot's death, entire sections of runic coding have even been chipped off the walls.

>Roll 1d20

>>43482600
Well we're a great deal less annoying than Shinji.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>43482613
Roll for loot or to avoid danger?
Regardless, hope for more.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>43482613

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>43482613

>>43482621
>>43482636
>>43482640
>16
Not bad

File: Eva01 all 4.gif (871 KB, 500x281)

871 KB GIF

>>43482600
Though, having Raziel going full berserker would be a thing of beauty.
>yfw it happens because Kaji got crit wounded.

Curious though I am about the golem, I keep my ears open as I investigate, not eager to be jumped by some opportunistic redcap. A good thing, as it turns out, as amidst the noise of birds, insects and rustling leaves, I make out the sound of a scuffled footstep against the golem's stony plating.

I turn, drawing the sword from my hip, bringing it up just in time to defend myself. A heavy branch crashes down on the steel blade, the sword's edge biting deep into the wood. My assailant lets out an animalistic cry as he lets go of the makeshift club, grabbing clumsily for a dagger at his belt.

I shake off the branch, lashing out at my adversary, making them scrabble backwards, clutching to the cracks of the golem's plating to keep from tumbling down to the forest floor below. With this momentary reprieve, I finally take in the form of my attacker. Wretched and filthy though he is, he's no low race creature. A young man, no more than twenty years of age, long, ragged hair hanging down over his face, his eyes wide and crazed, the tattered remnants of an Imperial officer's uniform hanging from his emaciated frame.

>Try to calm him down
>Incapacitate him
>Try to get by him and back into Raziel

>>43482750
>>Try to calm him down
If it doesn't work
>>Incapacitate him
Seems like some forest munchkin found some old uniform, or is an old soldier.

>>43482750
>>Try to calm him down

>>43482750
>Incapacitate him

Doesn't this quest do an average of 3d100?

>>43482750
What are the odds of the guy being a derserter?
>Try to calm him down

>>43482803
You are completely right. My bad.

>>43482803
>>43482811
Well, I mean, it uses best of 3d100.

>>43482750
>>43482768
Seconding

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>43482893

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>43482893

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>43482893

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59 KB JPG

>>43482917

>>43482917
Sief is super calming.

>>43482946
We're basically an ubermensch at this point.

>>43482954
We accidentally helped him achieve Zen.

File: 1441855938726.jpg (612 KB, 848x1200)

612 KB JPG

>>43482917
You're pretty good.

The man lashes out again, the knife old and worn but still looking dangerously sharp. I catch the smaller blade on my sword once more, knocking it aside, the man's wide eyes taking on a panicked look as he near loses his balance, arms flailing over the edge of the long fall to the ground below.

It's perhaps not the wisest decision, but I can't just let the man break his neck, on instinct, I reach out, grabbing hold of his arm and holding him steady. Despite losing his knife, the man looks ready to start attacking again any moment, with tooth and nail if need be.

“Stand down, you're an Imperial officer, not some forest monster, so act like it, damn it,” I shout, pulling the man up face to face with me.

He pauses, blinking in wide-eyed confusion, a light of reason dawning in his expression.

“Imperial... You, you're... human?” his voice is coarse and strained for someone so young, his bony fingers grasping hold of my forearm as he stares at me in shock.

“I'm Sief Atanor, of House Atanor. Golem Knight of the Empire.”

“Lucus... Lucus Eranhel, of House Eranhel. Also... also a Golem Knight of the Empire. It's, are you, are you reinforcements?”

I frown, I've never heard of a House Eranhel, though I can't claim to know every Imperial noble house by any stretch of the imagination, beyond the eastern territories anyway.

“Reinforcements?”

“To fight the Iquani. I... we were supposed to join up with some other units to reinforce the forward bases, but some monster trapped us, I've been here for months now. I thought help would never come.”

I blink, staring hard at the man. Months? Imperial reinforcements? Even if I were to assume that he was a lost soldier living in the woods for all those years, he's far too young.

>Write-in Questions

>>43483240
"Lets get to the forrest floor, you can sit the hell down and we can go over a few things, because right now im about 60% sure your a ghost of a deadman"

>>43483240
"To fight the Iquani, I just left from a good will talk with them? What year and month were these orders originally given?"

>>43483240
Ask him what year he thnks it is, what the last thing he remembers before encountering us is and about his house.

Clearly we've got some sort of ghost dude here.

>>43483283
This

>>43483240
>Stab him to death.
He is obviously a forest daemon

>>43483318
This is a good question

>>43483240
>When was this, soldier? Do you know the year, the month?
>Tell me, what do you know of the military and structure of the empire? Who was your commander?
>Did you light a campfire not long ago?
>Did you encounter any lesser creatures here? Is this your golem? What did this to it?
Seems like some time distortion thing, I don't like it.
If it seems like he can be trusted well enough, tell him we'll bring him back to our place, we'll just check out these ruins first. He should be in a more comfortable position to learn of how much time has passed.

>>43483338
Seconded

Right, stepping out for a bit, should hopefully be back within an hour.

>>43483240
Is there some kind of golem knight code of honor? If yes, ask him something related to that.
>What is it that a golem knight mist always strive for?
Or something about the technical part of piloting a golem, or something specific about his golem. Also, sprinkle some salt on him for good measure.

>>43483421
>Inb4 Lordy gets raided by Orcs
>GKQ gets delayed again

>>43483535
>being whisked away from the company of thirsty neets and nerds by fit, curvy, sexy female orcs
Oh, the poor fool, let us mourn his suffering

Back.

>>43483535
>>43483619
Not today, sadly. I shall continue to live in hope.

>>43483761
>hope
You mean fear, right?
You wouldn't trade us for a life of unimaginable pleasure and excitement, r-right?

File: 1442446615805.png (13 KB, 223x200)

13 KB PNG

>>43483775
No comment.

>>43483283
pretty much this

“What say we continue this at ground level,” I suggest, my arm already getting tired from keeping the emaciated man upright.

The climb down is easier than expected, despite his appearance, Lucus is remarkably spry, I suppose that explains why someone who looks like they've barely eaten in days was able to climb up there and attack me in the first place.

Lucus takes a seat on a small rock, while I sit down opposite him, keeping a wary eye out for trouble.

“When did you first set off into the forest? Do you remember the month and year?”

“Of course, it was just coming into autumn of the 807th year of the Imperial Calender. Is it... already 808th? I thought it was getting a bit colder, but it never snowed or anything.”

I rub my chin, that's two years before the Second Iquani War ended, which means he'd have been here for fourteen years.

“Who was your commander?”

“I was leading the unit as the only knight of noble heritage... Though, uh, Denholm was really the one calling the shots.” Lucus explains, smiling sheepishly as he rubs his hand over his knuckles.

“This was my first campaign, and I'm not so foolish that I'd ignore advice from a veteran, even if he was lowborn. He... he was a good man,” he frowns, eyes flickering over to the overgrown golem next to you.

(cont)

>>43484207
“What happened to you? Was it a giant attack?”

“No, not giants. Giants... we would have been ready for. We were... passing through the forest, but, but it took too long. One week, two weeks, we started to run out of supplies, the forest, it closed up again behind us. It's shameful, but... we panicked, got sloppy. Then we got attacked by something. I don't know what it was, it just came right out of the trees, it was big as a giant but even more brutish and savage looking. It smashed three of the golems, and it... Mayson, Kemp, it... it tore them right out of the cockpits, ate them. We tried to run, but we just kept coming back over and over.”

“It got all the others?”

“It got five of us, Mayson, Kemp, Cree, Denholm and Evan. After that we gave up fighting it, it was just too fast, too strong, we'd get separated, cut off. We hid, Gabriel, Vic and I. Vic, he died a few days later, we were too nervous to hunt for real game, he ate the berries growing in the hut we were hiding out in. It... wasn't pretty. Then Gabriel, he got wounded, we were attacked by Fear Gorta, we fought them off, but his wound went bad. I tried, I tried.”

I take a hand from my pocket, salt in my palm, picking myself up and placing a hand on his shoulder, the man visibly trembling at the memory. The salt does nothing, Lucus remains solid. He's not a ghost then. He takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

“Sorry. That was, I don't know how long ago now. My golem's mostly repaired now, I salvaged parts from the rest, the ones that weren't too damaged anyway. Don't even know why, I can't kill it, we tried, we all tried.”

Lucus looks up at me, a sad smile on his face.

“Tell me Sief, you're a knight too, right? My father always told me that a true knight of the empire dies fighting, that anything less is cowardice unworthy of my family name. Is it still honorable, throwing your life away on a fight you can't win?”

>Yes
>No

Warlord, Halloween is over. No spoopy ghosts pls. :x

>>43484222
>Yes
Honourable but stupid. There's more to battles to be fought in which you can make a difference.

>>43484222
>>Yes.
Dammit, I want to say no, but this guy has been out here for fourteen years... I don't want to go and shit on his pride or sense of honor.

>>43484222
>Yes

>>43484222
>>No

Wasting a life is never honourable.

>>43484222
>>No
Not when you're needed elsewhere and can get where you're needed.
It is not honorable to throw your life away in loss when you could live to one day win instead.
Come back with me, and we'll hunt down that beast one day.

>>43484222
It is not honorable to run from battle and war when you could still help.
But it is foolish to stay behind for nothing but revenge, when you could be of use elsewhere.
>>43484272
Drop the "we'll hunt down that beast one day" part.

>>43484222
>>Yes
It is honorable, admirable even, to fight a battle you don't think you can win. Sometimes, luck is on your side and you manage to pull out a victory.

But personally, it's better to even the odds and make certain of your victory so it isn't costly to you or your men, and that means withdrawing from battles where the numbers aren't in your favor.

>>43484222
>>Yes
Yes, with the caveat that while it may be honorable at times. there's more honor in a victory that costs less to win.

>>43484297
>It is honorable, admirable even, to fight a battle you don't think you can win.
It isn't, though.
Sief doesn't believe that it is either, he's not stupid.
>>43484335
He specifically asked if it's honorable to throw your life away in a fight you know you can't win.
>>43484252
He thinks he's been here for a couple months.

>>43484222
>>Yes

>>43484222
>No
On the basis that a lot of the "yes"'s seem to be no.

>>43484353
I disagree, sometimes holding the line and fighting a battle you think you can't win is honorable. Sometimes, what you think isn't possible IS possible and you can pull out a victory.

>>43484222
>No
I feel like Sief is a live to fight another day sorry of guy.

>>43484378
This isn't "holding a line", this is throwing yourself into your death.
If you want to say that running away from your duty is dishonorable that's fine, but that's not a "Yes", it's a "no" like what was specified in >>43484292
What you said basically means Sief would willingly have attacked Mama Stump with just his personal weapons, man to giant, without a golem or a cannon. Which he wouldn't have done.

It seems like most people are saying "yes, but no."

>>43484424
Indeed.

Completely unrelated I know yes but what's the difference between a monster and a alien

>>43484222
Tell him what our father told us about this topic, before our mom died.

>>43484353
I know he thinks it's a couple months, but Sief knows he's been holding out here for fourteen years. With that knowledge, I feel like Sief might be cautious not to demoralize the dude while he's still out here

>>43484403
I'm assuming there was a time people fought giants without golems or cannons.

>>43484424
Looks like it.
Should we just vote for a "It depends" option?

>>43484435
An alien is extraterrestrial in origin, but still presumably from this dimension or whatever, as demons are not considered aliens.
>>43484447
There was such a time, and even then people didn't try to 1v1 giants.

>>43484424
He's asking if it's honorable, and anons are saying it is but there's also honor in fighting another day.

>>43484476
Talk for yourself.

Writing.

>>43484447
>I'm assuming there was a time people fought giants without golems or cannons.
In general, human cultures use great beasts and their few jealously guarded Elementals to defend themselves. Golems are a new thing that the Empire developed, and are generally not seen beyond its borders.

Most of the world is still controlled by Titans. The fact that the Empire has not only survived, but grown and prospered for all these years is an anomaly in the history of the world.

>>43484545
Is the empire older/more successful than the Iquani lands, then?

>>43484573
Not older, but certainly more successful. The Iquani lands are a lot more fluid, at present they're doing well under a strong leader, but there have been periods of hundreds of years where they've been reduced to little more than squabbling independent clans which were easy pickings for the giants of the expanse and the jotun raiding from the mountains to the north.

>>43484545
>>43484626
Is the empire in the midst of an industrial/magical revolution?

>>43484657
Technology is steadily advancing.

“I think... that there is honor in fighting a battle you can't win, to hold the line, to buy time for your comrades, to protect your family and your people. There'll be other battles, Lucus, and maybe someday you'll choose to fight a battle you can't win, but not today, not out of desperation.”

His shoulders sink, his mouth turning down into a frown. Lucus nods slowly.

“You may be right, but... if I can't escape from here, what else is there for me to do?”

>Carry him with you
>Tell him to get his golem and follow you
>Track down the creature and fight it together

>>43484749
>>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484749
>>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484749
>>Track down the creature and fight it together

I'm betting that once it's dead he'll disappear or something.

>>43484749
>>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484749
>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484749
>>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

Now we need to think about this.
It would be fine to leave together if the creature leaves us alone and Lucus doesn't betray us, but if we focus on leaving then we might get ambushed more easily, while tracking down the creature might give us the advantage in a confrontation.
We need to know the state of Lucus' golem and if there's any weapons or anything that we can salvage from the rest.
>>43484749
Changing >>43484772 to asking after the state of his golem.
>>43484764
That'd be fine as well, we helped put the soul of an imperial to peace.

>>43484749
>Track down the creature and fight it together
Hell Yeah Motherfucker?

>>43484812
This thing took out 5 golem knights, who had actual war experience.

>>43484749
>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484749
>Tell him to get his golem and follow you

>>43484673
Golem waifus when

>>43484903
If only our mom was still alive...

>>43484830
Isn't our golem more advanced tho?

>>43484956
And? Armor is still roughly the same and we lack the experience and force multiplier of numbers

>>43484956
It's not superpowered though.
It's not like Raziel is a gundam.

>>43484997
no but Warlord totally should consider giving us a Gundam golem. That'd be rad as fuck

>>43485033
>wanting to pilot a gundam other than Raziel
REEEEEEEEEE

Writing.

>>43484997
>> has an unusually high mana expenditure (only slighty) with no known cause
>>made by out dead mother who was killed for getting into things a dragon cult considered for Biden
I'm not convinced that it isn't at least a bit of a Gundam

>>43485082
Yeah but it'd suck from a story telling perspective. We need to do the whole building up our own shit sthick.

File: dem cockpits.jpg (307 KB, 1024x841)

307 KB JPG

Why not go balls to the wall?
>Raziel is now an Orbital Frame, is this awesome?
>Y/Y.

>>43485175
but orbital frames don't have legs

>>43485202
FUCK ORBITAL FRAMES

GIVE IT A BIG ROBOT DICK FOR BEHEMOTH LOVINGS

>>43485148
>implying
It can be both.
>>43485231
Now that's a man I can agree with!

“Get your golem and I'll show you the way out.”

“I tried to leave though... so many times, I just always got lost.”

“Perhaps, but I passed through here last week and never got lost. It's got to be worth a try, right?”

Lucus rubs a hand nervously along his knuckles, eyeing the trees.

“Alright, I suppose there's no harm in trying.”

I climb back up into Raziel, following Lucus as he picks his way through the trees to a small, hidden clearing, a large stone wall all that remains of some once massive structure. Just from looking at the golem I can tell it was once an impressive work of its craft, worthy of a noble house. The years have not been kind to it however, its stonework chipped, cracked and caked in moss, its steel scored and dented. A massive two-handed sword sits by its side, obviously custom built to fit the golem's hands perfectly, a design of some great predatory cat embossed on the hilt.

“Hold on, it should... I think I got all the parts working,” Lucus mutters, as much to himself as to me I think, as he clambers up to the cockpit, the panel swinging open with a pained screech. The cockpit is a mess inside, Lucus looks to have done a patchwork job of cannibalizing parts from several other golems and jamming them in to replace broken functions as best he could with what tools he has. Still, to my surprise, as he sits down in the seat and runs his hands across the controls, the old golem starts to stir, the cockpit screeching again as it seals up. Dirt, dust and dried leaves cascade off the golem's shell as it rises to its feet, sparks of energy crackling out of damaged joints and damaged runic arrays.

(cont)

>>43485246
Literally saying. There is no imply, only would.

>>43485293
“Can you hear me, Sief?” a muffled voice crackles through Raziel's communication systems, transferred straight into the cockpit.

“I hear you. Ready to go?”

“Yes... Just, give it a few minutes to get warmed up,” Lucus mumbles, taking hold of the sword, hefting it onto the golem's back, where it clamps into place as some sort of magic flares up to hold it.

The golem takes some slow, shaky steps, still shedding the built up grime of its years of inactivity, but it looks like it can still move at least. The two of us set off through the forest, Lucus mumbling to himself, running through all the steps of piloting his golem out-loud, having presumably forgotten to end our communication. Still, I leave it be for now, if for no other reason than to ensure he isn't about to snap.

Despite my foreboding about the creature he spoke of making an appearance, the rest of the day passes without incident, the forest growing darker as what little sunlight can penetrate the heavy canopy fades away. Despite that, Lucus seems determined to push on, still mumbling to himself even after all these hours, his golem still moving despite the obvious frayed, exhausted tone of his voice.

“Still not out,” echoing over and over again through the communicator.

>Press on for a while longer
>Set up camp

>>43485307
>>Set up camp

>>43485307
>>Press on for a while longer

>>43485231
See the blue one? When it needs to enter "gotta go faster than fast" mode the "cock"pit spring up as if poping a boner. It litteraly put the cock in cockpit.

>>43485307
>Set up camp

Also: check over both golems for marks or things that should not be there.

Might be a reason he got followed but no one else in the last 14 years or so went missing.

>>43485307
>>Set up camp

>>43485307
>Set up camp

>>43485202
they do have legs

>>43485307
Press on or at least stay/sleep in our golem

>>43485307
>Press on until we find a good camping spot, don't leave the golems, keep the communicators on at all times.

>>43485307
>>Set up camp

Writing.

“Lucus, let's camp here for the night.”

His golem halts, turning to face Raziel. “We should push on, in case it comes for us.”

“You sound damn near dead on your feet, and if it does come for us I'd like for both of us to have the energy to fight it off. Just rest a few hours in the cockpit, then we'll set off again.”

“...Alright,” Lucus' voice comes after a long, heavy pause.

Staying in the cockpit should at least mean that we'll be safe from any smaller threats, and ready to react quickly in case of larger ones. Though i'll admit, shameful though it may be to view another golem knight in such a way, that part of me is still numbering Lucus amongst those potential threats.

I have a quick dinner, thankful for the more flavorsome fare the Iquani were kind of enough to provide compared to the tasteless dried meat of my first trip through the forest. Sleep is fitful, flickers of motion and whispered sounds beyond the viewing screen keeping me on edge, one eye always drifting back to Lucus' worn down, scarred golem.

I often wondered, growing up, about what my first time in battle would be like, my first time marching to war for the Empire. To have it all go so wrong, so quickly, all those years of training, only to be caught in some monster's witchery and lost before I could even fight, it's a fearful thing.

(cont)

>>43486103
The sun hasn't yet risen when Lucus' voice awakens me. “Sief, we should keep moving, we're not out yet.”

I wouldn't say I feel well rested, but agitated as Lucus is, I'd rather not push it. A scant few hours will have to suffice for now.

“Right, let's go,” I yawn, gulping down a quick swig of water and starting off through the forest.

It's slow going, even with Raziel's night vision, which thankfully Lucus' golem also shares, but we press on regardless, until weak light starts to filter down through the heavy leaves, heralding the sunrise.

Lucus grows more and more agitated, though in a less despondent way, as the day progresses. Muttering to himself about everything he sees, an excited tone bordering on delirious to his voice.

“This is... I've never been this far before, I always came back. I... I don't know where I am, I've memorized every tree, every root, every stone... and I don't know where I am,” he laughs, his golem giving an unhappy screech as he tries to move the rickety machine too fast in his eagerness.

“We're two days from the forest's edge. Then we reach my family's lands.”

“Oh, you're from the east? I... my family is from the south-west, just north of the peninsula. It's going to be quite a walk back,” he laughs.

>Offer to let him stay a few days
>Say nothing

Any other questions or things to discuss?
>Write-in

>>43486126
>>Say nothing

We should probably tell him it's been fourteen years though.

>>43486126
>Say nothing

Wait until we arrive upon the road, then inform him. Just in case, we dont want him mentally breaking down anywere he cant find his way back to civilization.

>>43486126
>>Say nothing
This is suspicious to me.
>I've never been this far before
>I always came back
Aren't the south-west still the forest and/or Iquani territory?
Are we sure he isn't some sort of skinchanger?

>>43486126
>>Offer to let him stay a few days

>>43486126
>Offer to let him stay a few days

>>43486126
Offer to let him stay for a few days

If he does stay, please please get him examined first, and do the whole "Are you a changeling?" tests carried out etc.

>>43486191
>ESCORTING ANCIENT EVIL FROM THE FOREST INTO THE LANDS OF MEN
>LITERALLY GOING TO GET RAPED BY TOM BOMBADIL

>>43486284
We should really kill him now just to be safe senpai.

We let him stay and he eats everyone, we let him go and we start hearing rumours of people being eaten.

>>43486126
>Offer to let him stay a few days
Are there charts of each family's holdings at the estate? Part of me wants to make sure he doesn't make the trip only for nothing to be there.

>>43486126
>>Say nothing

>>43486191
>Aren't the south-west still the forest and/or Iquani territory?
He meant the south-west of the empire, as opposed to Sief's lands being on the eastern border.

>>43486324
>Are there charts of each family's holdings at the estate? Part of me wants to make sure he doesn't make the trip only for nothing to be there.
They aren't entirely up to date, but there are, yes.

>>43486126
>Say nothing.
Still could be one of those spoops

>>43486126
>>Offer to let him stay a few days

Right, so saying nothing wins.

But do people want to tell him it's been fourteen years, as per >>43486168

>Yes
>No

>>43486439
>yes

>>43486126
>Offer to let him stay a few days

>>43486439
>Yes

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43486435
Oh, seems I got ninja'd.

Okay, let's roll for it.

1: Say nothing
2: Offer to let him stay a few days

Still need you all to vote on the fourteen years thing either way though.

>>43486439
No

>>43486460
Fuck.

Ah well, if he does turn out to be an evil forest demon at least it will be funny.

>>43486439
I just voted before you said anything, making it a tie.
>>43486435

In any case, yes

>>43486439
>yes

>>43486126
>>Say nothing

>>43486460
>Yes

>>43486439
>Not just yet

>>43486439
No, wait til he's safe... and away from weapons

>>43486460
>Yes

>>43486460
dis gun be good. Anyway
>Yes

>>43486439
No

>>43486439
>Yes

Yes wins.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>43486653
what could possibly go wrong?

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>43486653

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>43486653

>I leave for a couple minutes and anons are being stupid again
Great

We are telling him when he isn't in his golem knight right? we aren't blowing a man's mind as he is in a giant walking talk right?

>>43486750
Of course we are, he needs to be safe and secure inside his giant walking tank when he learns his betrothed believes him long dead

So is he the monster or is the monster going to follow him?

>>43486948
>Comes home to see the love of his live getting taken from behind by his own brother.

>>43487019
>brother
>not son

>>43487076
>IMPLYING THIS COCKSLOBBER ISN'T A VIRGIN

>>43487009
We should probably test him before leaving the forest.
Wound him, see if he bleeds like normal, see if he can swear like a human, see if he can fight like one, if he knows what an Imperial soldier does.

“You can stay with me for a while, if you want, no need to rush.”

“I would appreciate that, Sief, though I shouldn't tarry too long. I wouldn't want anyone to think I'd deserted.”

I pause, this isn't going to be an easy bit of news to break, but Lucus deserves to know.

“Lucus. Before we go any further, there's something else you should know.”

Lucus' golem pauses, its pilot hearing the tone of my voice as I turn.

“The thing, whatever it was, that was keeping you in there. I don't know how, but, it wasn't just keeping you trapped there, it was tampering with time, for you at least.”

“What does that mean?” Lucus asks, a twinge of panic starting to creep into his voice.

“The war is over, Lucus. The Emperor and the Khan signed a peace treaty fourteen years ago.”

“That... but that's ridiculous. I had heard that magic could do horrific things, but toying with time itself. That sort of thing just doesn't happen. I know, I know there were strange things in there, like, like how could the plants grow over everything so fast, but I thought... but that was just the creature...”

“I'm sorry, Lucus.”

“No, no no no. I can't have been gone that long. My family, my family needs to know I'm safe, I... I have to, no, no I...” Lucus' ramblings descend into a animalistic howl as he grasps the greatsword from his golem's back, swinging it around in a great arching motion, slicing into the thick trunk of one of the ancient trees. I have to step back to avoid getting struck as he takes out his anger on the forest around him, birds scattering from the canopy as he lashes out.

“Lucus, I know this is a lot to take in, but...”

(cont)

>>43487238
He doesn't even seem to hear me, a great creaking crash echoing through the forest as one of the massive trees topples, colliding with another as it falls. The jungle's animals have grown silent as Lucus vents his desperate fury, his howls growing more pitiful with each second.

“Lucus, please, stay calm. I know this can't be easy for you, but I swear I'll help you however I can.”

“Fourteen years. Fourteen years in there, too weak to escape. I failed my family, I failed the Empire, I never even made it to the front line,” he laughs, a hoarse, pained laugh, his golem sinking to its knees.

“Is there even anything to go back to?” he whispers, his grip on his sword slipping, the massive weapon crashing to the ground.

I open my mouth to respond, but something else isn't right here. The forest still stands silent, with Lucus' fury spent, an oppressive atmosphere has descended over the primeval forest, one thin beam of light breaking through where his golem toppled the ancient tree, all the more obvious as the shadows of the canopy grow darker.

“Lucus?”

No response.

“Lucus, we need to get moving.”

A roar shakes the forest, the trees groaning in chorus, echoing the bestial sound. This isn't the first time I've encountered something dark in the forest, but this feels different from the Spriggan. The forest itself feels like some vast predator, watching us, eager to feed.

“He's coming for us,” Lucus gasps, his golem sparking energy off from its joints as it springs up, seizing its sword.

>We need to move, now
>Stand your ground

>>43487254
>>Stand your ground

This thing is on our borders, we should deal with it.

>>43487254
>>We need to move, now

>>43487238
>>43487254
Good job, anons.

>>43487269
It's obviously pissed specifically at Lucus and his group, otherwise he would've attacked us while we were passing through.
They probably did something to anger it.

>>43487254
>"You're a Golem knight, proud and brave. You fixed your golem with nothing but what you could scavenge. The Empire stands, strong as its ever. There is something to come home to.
Let's Move."

>>43487254
>>We need to move, now

>>43487254
>>43487320
this

>>43487254
>>43487320
Supporting this

>>43487254
Supporting >>43487320

>>43487254
Hey, Warlord I've been reading all your quests. Just finished them everything up to now. I really enjoy your writing, and this is the first thread I've made it to.

>>43487320
Backing.

Writing.

>>43487553
Thanks anon, glad you like 'em.

>>43487320
>>43487584
Thought of another good line
He keeps mentioning how he never made it to the front line, the war with the Iquani is over, but the war against Titans has never ended. He found a new front to fight on.

“You're a Golem Knight, proud and brave. You fixed your golem with nothing but what you could scavenge. The Empire stands, strong as its ever been.”

Lucus' golem turns to face mine, his expression unreadable beneath the shell.

“There is something to come home to, now let's move.”

The sound in the distance is like thunder, punctuated with booming roars which make the ground tremble. Fighting it would be very dangerous, possibly suicide, but fleeing blind and panicked through the trees would be no better.

We move, Lucus holding it together far better than I expected in spite of his frayed nerves, the pressure of our pursuer's shadow weighing down on us, dogging our heels, the trees seeming to twist inwards as if to seize us, ensnare us for their unseen master.

“Sief, Ose won't last much longer.” Lucus' voice comes ragged through the communication rune. I can see that just to glance back and look at the old golem, the flickers and sparks from its joints turning to pastel flames of energy blazing from the golem's struggling core.

>Stand your ground
>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving
>Tell him to leave the golem, you'll carry him

>>43487768
>>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving

>>43487768
>>Stand your ground

>>43487768
>Tell him to leave the golem, you'll carry him

>>43487800
>>43487801
>>43487815

welp, I think this choice is pretty clear.

>>43487768
Use him as bait, once the beast goes in for a strike on him we lunge from the side, blindsiding it and knocking it off balance.

>>43487768
Man, I'm actually pretty torn over this choice. Not sure which way is the best action.
Does Stand your ground mean we both stay and fight or just Lucus?

>>43487768
>>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving

>>43487845
It means you both stand and fight.

>>43487768
>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving

File: Guardian1.jpg (4 KB, 225x169)

4 KB JPG

>>43487768
>>Tell him to leave the golem, you'll carry him

>>43487768
>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving

>>43487768
>Offer his golem Raziel's shoulder and keep moving

Losing even his golem would be next to the worst thing for this guy.

We have to at least try. And if all else fails, we blast the thing chasing us with our hand cannon in the face.

>>43487768
>Offer the shoulder
We have to hold out, our artificer nee-san cousin is waiting!

File: im-just-a-dog.jpg (38 KB, 600x450)

38 KB JPG

>>43487768

>>43487768
>Stand your ground
Well, I think we should use his Golem's remaining energy for an offensive maneuver. Wouldn't want to be caught with only one golem or with only one usable limb to defend ourselves.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>43487991

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>43487991

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>43487991

>>43488005
>>43488013
>>43488018
>98
Good.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>43487991

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>43487991
SPIRITS GUIDE MY DICE

>>43488013
We forest Gump this shit

>>43488013
Nice, my

>>43488013
Well done, that's a nice roll.

>>43488043
Second 90+ this thread*

>>43488042
That made me sad, Forest and Sief both watched their mothers die.

>>43488013
I think we should've stood our ground but if we're going to run at least we're doing it like the boss we are.

>>43488095
Worse, Sief was a lot younger.
Both were very rich at the time though

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>43488039
Gods bless this roll

>>43488127
>>43488039
And yet people STILL deny the gods?

>>43488125
Being rich didn't help Bruce Wayne none, but yeah Sief probably had the worse of it compared against Forest.

>>43488154
Gods hate humanity, spirits don't

File: 1434004238499.jpg (53 KB, 595x398)

53 KB JPG

>>43488127
>>43488154
>Gods
Get a load of these titans

>>43488116
I agree anon, but at least we ran good. Hope it works out okay.

>>43488165
But, it did. His wealth let him fuel his vigilante one man war against crime.
Do you know what happens to poor orphans that get their families murdered? Thats right, they become Robin.

>>43488216
Yeah but Dick Grayson is the coolest guy in DC.

All women want the D.

>>43488216
I don't know about that Bruce Wayne is basically as guilty for allowing crime run rampant in Gotham as the corrupt politicians, incompetent police force, revolving door prison system. He has enough money to fund the JL and build a space station, but won't even attempt to gentrify the slums or lobby for laws that would solve the crazy poverty in Gotham. He seems to just want to hurt mentally deranged people and the poverty ridden lower classes of his city.

>>43488240
>All women want the D.
They're not the only ones

>>43488276
To be fair to the man, his company does invest a ton of money into charity work in an effort for that. It just all inevitably gets burnt to the ground by villians.

>>43488125
Worse, Sief also literally saved his mother's life at the risk of his own when he was like 8

“Here, lean on me,” I call, offering a shoulder to Lucus' golem.

Ose is a little smaller than Raziel, and dragging his feet as it does, it feels even smaller, making it hard going. The shadow looms larger, the creaking of the trees sounds like teeth grinding together, there's no way we can outrun it, not like this.

“You should... leave me. If I... If I die so you can escape, that's a good death, one I can be proud of,” Lucus whispers, voice hollow.

“I'm not just going to leave you as bait for that damn thing,” I growl, Raziel pushing on through the clawing branches, Ose limping at his side.

“We shouldn't both die, Sief, you can still make it.”

“We'll both make it,” I snap, smashing through the forest, hearing the ragged breath of the thing at our back, the rancid heat seeping into the cockpit.

(cont)

>>43488342
I don't know what prompts me to turn when I do, good fortune, the guidance of the spirits. Something though, something makes me seize the hand cannon, to bring Raziel's arm around.

I see a momentary flash of wild, yellow eyes, massive and sickly, each as large as Raziel's head, above a maw of needle-sharp teeth and ragged grey hair. I the thunder of the hand cannon's trigger, a howl of rage, feel the splash of hot blood against Raziel's chestplate as the hand cannon's shell tears through bone and brain.

All at once, the hunger fades, the shadows shrink back, leaving only a howl of impotent fury in its wake.

“You... you drove it away?” Lucus whispers, disbelief in his voice.

“It's still alive?”

“Maybe, I don't... think it's that easy to kill.”

I'm not eager to see if that's true or not, but at least now it's not right on our heels. I turn back, shifting my hold on Ose as I help Lucus and his golem through the forest, still shadowy and oppressive, but calm.

The rest of the journey is a quiet one. The thing, whatever it was, doesn't come back, despite our slow mode of travel adding an extra day to the journey. We step out from the forest's edge onto the south road, some passing woodsmen stopping to stare for a few moments, giving respectful nods before they carry on about their business.

I look north, making out the manor just a few miles away.

I'm home.

>End of Thread

2spooky
we'll have to get rid of whatever that is before a trade route can be established
it's a wonder it didn't attack us on our way to meet with Quala
it was probably something related to Lucus's psyche

>>43488357
Did we just cripple a forrest nasty?

Thanks for playing everyone, hopefully next thread won't have quite so large a gap before it!

I can hang around for Q&A for a while if any of you have things to ask.

>>43488357
Damn.

Thanks for running Lordy.

Still don't trust the guy though.

>>43488385
You put a shell the size of a cannonball through its skull at point-blank range. At the very least you inconvenienced it.

>>43488357
Sup War, good thread. I don't usually catch/play in GKQ but I might now

>>43488412
Hey anon, thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

>>43488386
Thanks for running, I was glad I caught the tail end of the thread at least.

>>43488405
Blew out brain chunks so, was hoping we at least fucked up its motor control to some degree.

>>43488382
I was thinking it was something like Brigadoon (which would make sense given all the Anglo-Celtic vibe of the creatures in the setting)

https://youtu.be/Igs5UGskGTc

>>43488386
SO, how long you think till Sief meets the other love interests that haven't been introduced yet?

>>43488385
Fantasy Skinchangers, not even once.

>>43488427
once again an awesome thread. keep it up war!

>>43488449
When you run it, anon.
Don't be impatient

>>43488493
I'm not impatient I'm just interested if War has it as a long way down the line kind of deal or if the are around the corner. I'm fine either way. I'd probably want to flirt with Loren personally.

>>43488449
That depends on where you go and what you do, so it's hard to say.

>>43488429
>>43488457
Glad you enjoyed it.

>>43488527
Unless he introduces someone completely unforeshadowed, it's be at the very least 2 more weeks, probably more like 6 more weeks at the least.

Cheers for the run Warlord, can't wait to see what's in store for Sief after this little escapade.

Also, dumping quest-related shitscripting, hope you lot approve:
http://pastebin.com/4dL2W9nH

Just want you to know Warlord that I like GNK the most of your quests, although the lewd monk is also a fun read. Keep it up, and thanks for running.

>>43488533
What is Lucas' golem like compared to ours?

>>43488557
what is this

>>43488557
Nice, thanks anon.

>>43488578
It was obviously an impressive, custom-built golem in its day, though it's a little outdated now, because unlike Raziel it wasn't designed with cutting edge parts invented by one of the greatest golem artificers in the history of the Empire.

>>43488640
'tis writefaggotry. The writer confirmed all the details with me beforehand to ensure it wouldn't go against the setting canon.

>>43488669
>because unlike Raziel it wasn't designed with cutting edge parts invented by one of the greatest golem artificers in the history of the Empire.
>tfw I can't help but waifu our mom
Was that writefaggotry in the context of some rp, or like a writing exercise, or what? Is it relevant to us as players of the quest, or is it just some nonimportant fluff that's inconsequential to our decisions as players?

>>43488669
>>43488709
Given she was Smart as hell, Nice, and apparently hotter than the Iquani desert, I can see why Dad still isn't over her.


We really need to go look for her secret lab, every artificer has one after all.

>>43488709
It's just something that the writer wanted to write, a bit of added flavor to the Second Iquani War for you all.

It's never going to be plot-essential or anything.

>>43488709
>Is it relevant to us as players of the quest, or is it just some nonimportant fluff that's inconsequential to our decisions as players?
Oh it's completely unimportant fluff, I just had an idea and took it to Warlord plus any questions I had regarding the setting.

Okay, if there's no more questions, then I'm going to head off.

Thread's archived here:
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Golem%20Knight%20Quest

See you all next time.

>>43489224
See ya, mate