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You should probably be surprised, but at this point a hollowed out corpse is pretty run of the mill by your standards. “Which organs were missing?”

The elven slave, Gerasimos you think his name was, clears his throat. “Missing might not be the right word. Granted we've yet to find either her heart or kidneys, but her lungs were nailed to the wall and her intestines strung through the bars as though some sort of grizzly ornamentation. Her stomach was ruptured completely and its contents scattered across the walls. I'd go on but I rather think you get the picture.”

You seem to recall there were certain rituals practiced during the time of the Hiacian Empire regarding the consumption of the hearts of one's vanquished enemies, something about gaining their power. The tradition is poorly understood since it was at its heart a Suryan practice, and with the collapse of the Suryan priesthood their rituals and ceremonies were lost to time. The Jailer you met here the other day springs to mind as a likely suspect. He claims to dedicate himself to Surya and could move freely through the dungeon without suspicion.

Yet that seems like too obvious a suspect. You imagine if your brother's jailer was going to murder someone, he would at least try to cover his tracks. He did not seem lacking in his mental faculties when you met him. Plus, so far as you're aware, under the Suryan practice efforts were made to extract the heart with as little blood spilled as possible. The goal was to ensure that the victim remained alive long enough to see their heart eaten. “Were there any witnesses? The cells did not seem to lack for occupants when I was there last.”
(1/2)

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Zaahir shrugs his shoulders, his expression passive. “Many of the prisoners heard grinding stone, bones snapping, screams, and whispering voices. Most simply assumed that it was the Herbad at work. However, Zakariyya claims he was undergoing his devotions at the time and thus nowhere near the dungeons. None can corroborate his story, but that's to be expected. From what I understand devotions are an intensely private affair.”

Gerasimos cuts in once your brother seems finished speaking. “One prisoner in particular, a local drunk arrested for pissing in a fountain, claims to have seen a large, hunched figure with the horns of an ox enter the dungeon. We dismissed his testimony out of hand, his cell was nearly at the end of the hall. Past the cell of the victim and nowhere near the entrance.”

>Well, regardless this isn't any of your business. Mortia obviously isn't involved.
>Suggest they investigate Zakariyya's involvement, you don't trust that priest.
>You seem to recall there being a number of sealed tunnels branching off the dungeons, perhaps they should open one up and investigate?
>Write-in

I'm only behind by 146 threads. I promise to catch up!

>>44648106
>chrys has been acting weird lately
>whenever we use the brooch shes been doing shit and her emotions were weird
>giant ox creature
Call up chrys, ask if shes ripping out peoples insides

>>44648221
Never ever break a yandere berserkers heart

>>44648106
Ey Soma, how long has it been since the start of the quest til now, in quest time.

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>>44648208
I believe in you, Anon-kun!

>>44648268
Almost three months.

>>44648106
>>You seem to recall there being a number of sealed tunnels branching off the dungeons, perhaps they should open one up and investigate?

>>44648067
>>44648081
>>44648106
>tumblr nose
>>44648303
GIT ON IRC YOU FAG
>>44648106
>Ask Fulvia if she knows what Chryssa was doing at the time

Wait, a BQ thread?

Is there an apocalypse going on somewhere?

>>44648221
>Earth is all about insanity, corrosion, and pain
>Chryssa is pretty crazy
>She Earth GM'd
>>44648303
Ayy what's her insanity level right now?

>>44648303
>grandmastery reached within three months
>enchanting reached within three months
>accepted into the collective within three months
>all that dosh that was gained and lost within three months
>we wooed a stoic barbarian girl and broke her heart within three months

>>44648106
>>You seem to recall there being a number of sealed tunnels branching off the dungeons, perhaps they should open one up and investigate?
duh, he saw it enter from a hidden tunnel

>>44648106
>>You seem to recall there being a number of sealed tunnels branching off the dungeons, perhaps they should open one up and investigate?

>>44648359
3/10, so pretty normal. Most people would be at about 1 or 2/10 insanity.

>>44648462
Doesn't need to be thoroughly insane if barbarian culture teaches its normal

>>44648462
What is the definition of insanity?

>>44648562
Fractures in the shard of divinity which serves as the seed of all mortal souls, thus warping the field of distortion which is the mortal mind and ultimately leading to erratic and unpredictable behavior.

>>44648443
>>44648418
>>44648305
>TUNNELS

>>44648221
>>44648337
>Goddamn, where is that horny bitch?

Writin' for TUNNELS

>>44648599
So do people with mental disorders have naturally cracked shards or does their shard naturally produce a mind thats distorted compared to normal?

TIME FOR SOME MORE MAGIC MIK

>>44648662
If they're born with it, the shard is somehow warped and thus the mind is distorted. Fractures are only the result of trauma sustained over the course of one's life.

>>44648221
Chrys is hella short though

>>44648755
>womanlets
>when will they learn

>>44648755
>going against the anti-Chrys narrative

Weren't suryas kids rumored to have gone underground?

>>44648755
She could've used very short stilts or boots with extremely thick soles to appear taller in the dark. And maybe put on some extra clothes to avoid looking like a beanpole.
There, mystery solved.

>>44649032
And she would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling darkies!

>>44649032
this anon is the Sherlock Holmes of our time

I think it's time we give the sanity ring to another party member. Chrys's sanity is fine at a 3, Mik can recover his temp [6] due to soul surgery, but our bro Prof and Darzi don't have much in the sanity defense department.

>>44649122
It doesn't provide any defense. It just makes crazy people less crazy really slowly.

>>44649074
heh
casual racism

>>44649074
Speaking of which are there any non-white humans?

>>44648337
Irc is for fags. Except Rob.

Adalwulf is a cunt. And I mean that in the American usage of the word, not the British

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>>44649220
There are, the Elaudians (those of them that were human, the ruling class) tended towards darker skin though there was a great range of variability in their skin tones. Anecdotal reports indicate their skin colors could range from as pale as snow to bright red and blue, though some attribute these rather fantastical shades to paint or dyes applied to the skin.

>>44649272
Fuck off Rob

You turn your attention to your brother. “Didn't you tell me that there were a number of sealed tunnels branching off the dungeons? Perhaps one of them was opened by whatever creature did this, and then closed again once it had finished its work. It would certainly fit, considering some of the prisoners heard stone grinding against stone. It would also explain why this horned figure was seen by someone at the end of the hall, rather than one closer to the door.”

Gerasimos nods solemnly. “We thought of that, and thought to investigate. We could find no evidence of anyone or anything's passage through the sealed tunnel. There were no scratches in the stone floor to indicate the source of the grinding. We had an Earth Vatis open the tunnel and sent a scouting party down, but they've yet to return. They should be due back in-” He glances out one of the large windows which line the walls of your brother's solar. “Two hours, I believe. They've been gone two hours already and records indicate it takes four to patrol the furthest outpost and return.”

Just how expansive are the caverns under this estate? There must be miles of them underneath the surface if there are outpost established which take hours to reach and patrol. You suppose it's good that your brother, or his steward, thought to send scouts into the tunnels but a thought occurs. “Where exactly is the cell of this drunkard?”
(1/2)

>>44649314
Rob isn't the only one who thinks you're a jackass, analwolf

Gerasimos is again the one to answer. “I believe his cell is four rooms from the end of the hall, on the right side of the doorway, in the last block of cells on your left as you enter the dungeon. There is one prisoner housed in the very last cell, but he is less than cognizant at the best of times.”

>You'd like to go down and take a look at the opened tunnel and the cells in general, maybe you can find something they've missed.
>Honestly this doesn't sound like something you want to be involved with, just tell them to make sure Mortia's remaining attendant is reassigned.
>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.
>Write-in

>>44649420
>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.

Suspicious.

>>44649420
>>Honestly this doesn't sound like something you want to be involved with, just tell them to make sure Mortia's remaining attendant is reassigned.
>>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.
Sup Soma, what have you been drinking lately?

>>44649420

>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.
>Call up Chrys to get her alibi. make sure she really isn't involved.

>>44649420
>>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.

>>44649420
Immediately accuse and tackle Gerasimos! It's always the secondly introduced semi-familiar character accessory to a sibling or friend from the protagonist, it was him!

>>44649438
>>44649483
>>44649498
>>44649601
>The fuck was she even doing there?

>>44649498
>Where were you on the night of the 26th?

>>44649483
>Man I don't even care you're on your own.

>>44649633
>The butler did it!

Writin'

>>44649420
>You'd like to go down and take a look at the opened tunnel and the cells in general, maybe you can find something they've missed.
Talk to the drunkard as well. Might help even if he's as out of it as they say.
>Actually, what was one of Mortia's slaves doing in the dungeons to begin with? Recommend they interrogate some of the other servants, that might shed some light on the issue.
>Talk to Chryssa

Not exactly on topic, but I have a fun idea for the shadow-minion trinket.

Let's send them to go murder Chrys' husband. Not really for any romantic reason, just because that's a sort of friendly thing to do.

I see absolutely no way that it could go wrong.

>>44649733
YES

>>44649733
NOOO

>>44649733
>the meseeks end the war

>>44649733
We all know this will just end with mass human sacrifices

>>44649851
>human
Acceptable

>>44649733
hmm... "Kill 'Mazhar'" seems simple, yet it's complicated when you think of it. Unless you provide a photo picture, the full name, and other important information, Mr. Meseeks would likely fuck it up due to the complexity of the command itself.

>>44649851
GOOD

>>44649878
I'm positive BQs shitposters will vote for it and for once that makes me happy

>>44649733
One thing I would like to know:

What happens once the task is completed? Are the Meseeks banished again or do they just run around and do whatever they want?

Given that they can summon more of their kind I’m not sure how I would feel about them just running around.

>>44649910
I will vote for it just specifically so it can make you happy, anon.

>>44649733
nah but seriously i really dont see how they could fuck it up. Even if it just end up being them throwing thousands of their shadowy bodies at him.

>>44650010
What if he's the general

>>44649878
Use the Prism to show them him and give them his general area

>>44650028
Then I guess he's General fuck'd.

>>44650010
Well they could be unable to find him and than think " Well I think mass death to nameless Gods could solve this problem"

>>44650010
They kill every Mazhar in the world and anyone that tries to protect those Mazhars.

>>44649733
I kind of want to let him live just because of all the shit he's gone through fighting in the... north was it?

>>44649969
️

>>44650111
see>>44650045
>>44650103
see>>44650103
and i'd think they're a bit more competent than that, they're going to search for him and they'll know his general area. They go there and work from there. If they're competent enough to track Sadiks artifact to that vault then they're competent enough to find one scrubby human.

>>44650010

Now I'm imagining just how fucking confusing it would be for that guy. Just going along, doing his war thing, then all of the sudden there's a seemingly endless number of questionably competent shadow assassins trying to kill him for no apparent reason.

He'd probably go utterly paranoid, completely misunderstanding why they're there and who's behind them. Then maybe after months of constant paranoia and fighting, he cuts some sort of deal with a spirit or something, and finds out that it was just his ex's friend doing her a favor.

>>44650127
The guy's still a racist asshole who tried to murder us for literally no reason. Plus rich daddy syndrome. Plus his forced 'marriage' to chrys.

>>44650326
He's not the only racist asshole who fails to murder others for literally no reason.

This is all very interesting but it doesn't exactly answer the question of what the slave was doing in the dungeon to begin with. She certainly couldn't have been dragged down there by whatever it was that killed her, or else someone almost certainly would've reported seeing her. Unless some sort of magic was employed in transporting her there, but that likely would've required enchanting and that certainly would've left evidence. Carved runic arrays, if nothing else.

No, you think the more likely answer is that she was down there already and whatever or whoever it was that killed her was either lying in wait or caught her by surprise. If that was the case, finding out why she was down there could shed some light on who killed her, if it was indeed a person rather than some great horned monster. “Have you questioned any of the other servants regarding what this slave was doing in the dungeons that night?”

Your brother looks to Gerasimos, who shakes his head. “No, we have not. It hadn't occurred to me if I'm being honest. I'll have some of my subordinates look into it, but from what I understand she was not well known save by a handful of the other women.”

Good, that all seems resolved then. “Well, I'll leave you to it then. However, I would still like my companion's other attendant reassigned and a replacement slotted in. I've been told she's causing quite a scene proclaiming Mortia a murderer in the hallway.”

Your brother rest a reassuring hand on your shoulder. “I'll make sure everything is taken care of. Don't worry, dear brother. I apologize if this has interrupted your morning.”
(1/2)

>>44649733
doing nice things for Chrys isn't allowed by darzifags

You realize you left Zahak unattended in the courtyard, and briefly worry that he might have gotten himself into some sort of trouble. Focusing on the link between his mind and yours, you can discern nothing save a general sense of contentment. Hopefully that means he hasn't burned down anything important.

>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?
>Head down to the dungeons to do a little independent investigating.
>Reassure your companions that you've handled the slave issue and make sure neither Chrys nor Mortia is out murdering folks all willy nilly.
>Wrtite-in

>>44650324

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCp4x09hoP4

>>44650490
>>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?
Check on Sadik and the companions shopping with him while we're there

>>44650490
>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?
jungle never

>>44650490
Find a quiet place to summon a shadow demon and send it to kill Chrys' husbamd

>>44650474
I want it just to test the competence of the meseeks

>>44650490
>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?

>>44650490
>>>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?
This place is starting to feel like Namek

>>44650490
>>Excuse yourself and return to Zahak. Maybe you should go on a flight through the countryside to clear your head?
More bonding time.

>>44650490
>prism + meeseeks with chryssa

>>44650573
Second.

>>44650555
>>44650490
maybe not now but you should hold a vote to do this sometime

>>44650490
>Reassure your companions that you've handled the slave issue and make sure neither Chrys nor Mortia is out murdering folks all willy nilly.

>>44650490
>>Head down to the dungeons to do a little independent investigating.

>>44650588
>>44650573
>>44650542
>Send shadowy, potentially incompetent assassins to kill someone on the other side of the continent.

>>44650688
>Check out the dungeons.

>>44650666
>You guys totally didn't murder that lady, right?

>>44650565
>>44650561
>>44650559
>>44650537
>>44650530
>Go for a dragon ride.

Writin'

>>44650573
Maybe not now... but definitely after we're sure nothing silly is going on with our companions.

>>44650760
>Send shadowy, potentially incompetent assassins to kill someone on the other side of the continent.

just like subcontractors in real life desu

>>44650899
>just like subcontractors in real life desu
Black subcontractors resorting to mass murder to solve simple problems seems quite realistic.

Make Banished Quest Great Again

>>44651503
go away /pol/fag. Stop the trump shilling.

>>44651503
Trump for QM

>>44651503
>implying it was ever great

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You've left your son alone for too long without any explanation, so excusing yourself you politely take your leave and begin the long journey back to the courtyard. Truly, this palace is extravagantly large. You've been here for more than a week and you still haven't explored it in its entirety.

You emerge from the foyer into the courtyard to find your companions gathered around Sadik's cart. Profectus is rubbing his chest uncomfortably, blood staining the light tunic he's favored since arriving. You'd guess he decided to buy that scarab after all. Fulvia seems very interested in the empty construct shell Sadik had buried in his cart. She's currently holding it up to compare to her current chassis, her false projection of humanity eschewed.

Chrys is awake, and holding an artifact you hadn't been shown. It appears to be a skull, ancient by the looks of it, carved with all manner of intricate designs. It almost looks like it's been fashioned from bronze, and though you could just be imagining things you could swear that deep within the skull's empty eye sockets are two points of dim, yellow light.

You're distracted from what is most likely some sort of evil necromantic artifact by Darzi bathing your adoptive son in flames, her fingertips shooting fire across his underbelly while he stretches out luxuriously across the stone of the courtyard. He seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit, judging by the positive emotions spilling through the connection the two of you share.

(1/2)

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You don't see Mortia anywhere. Perhaps she decided to stay in her room? The connection afforded to you by the brooch informs you that she's awake, but you can glean little else from the tenuous thread of consciousness.

You approach Profectus, Darzi, and Zahak where they're gathered to one side of Sadik's cart, clapping your ancient elven friend on the back, if only to make him wince. “How are you feeling? You look like you're in pain.”

His frown deepens. “What would you expect? I've got a needle jammed into my heart, it takes some getting used to. Feels like I can't move without displacing something important.”

Offering a sympathetic smile, you try to reassure Profectus. “I'm sure you'll get used to it. Believe me, I've been there. Does it at least seem to be working?”

Your friend nods, still rubbing his chest. “Well I stabbed myself in the heart and haven't died, so I'm going to go with yes. Otherwise I think I'd probably be dead right now.”

Hard to argue with that logic.

>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.
>She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Mortia is a naive foreigner, make sure she isn't getting into trouble.
>Screw 'em all, you've got a draconic son to spend time with. Have some slaves fetch Zahak's saddle while you wait for Darzi to tire herself out.
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.
>Write-in

>>44651645
How long until Zahak starts calling Darzi "Mama."

>>44651665
>She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Mortia is a naive foreigner, make sure she isn't getting into trouble.

>>44651665
>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651665
>Tell fulvia she should definetly get it, its qt

>>44651665
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651665
>>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651665
>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.

>>44651665
>>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.
>>She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Mortia is a naive foreigner, make sure she isn't getting into trouble.
>>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651665
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.
also a chance to socialize with Chrys.

>>44651694
He was calling Chrissa mama before we explained that everyone is not a samjan

>>44651665
>>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651665
>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.
Will we finally enter fulvia this thread?

>>44651665
>>Screw 'em all, you've got a draconic son to spend time with. Have some slaves fetch Zahak's saddle while you wait for Darzi to tire herself out.

>>44651665
>What is that skull that Chrys is inspecting? Looks ominous.

>>44651875
>>44651832
>>44651824
>>44651787
>>44651780
>>44651731
>>44651730
>>44651723
>Skull looks suspicious.

>>44651720
>>44651780
>You should probably make sure Mortia doesn't get into any trouble.

>>44651832
>>44651780
>>44651752
>>44651727
>>44651723
>Check out what Fulvia is doing with the construct body.

>>44651838
>So long, losers!

Writin' for Chrys. Maybe Fulvia. Probably not, but you'll have the option to speak with her after.

>>44652065
hopefully we can enter her world soon.

>>44652261
>implying she'll let us in after last time

>>44652301
might as well try.
Honestly it would be pretty cool to have some one else as a GM or close to a gm in water/earth(if we bring in chrysa), and have high proficiency in other elements.

I've updated the companions and Inventory pastebins. Some of your companions have spent some cash, others have advanced in their understanding of the magical arts, most have finished reading the books in their possession. I've also added list of what metas, effects, and techniques they know.

>>44651645
How can people not think that Darzi is best girl with shit like this?

>>44652447
Chrys still needs a GM trait

>>44651665
> Usually placed in the abdomen

Prof, why in the fuck would you choose to put it somewhere that will result in it killing you right away if it's removed? Why would you think that's better than somewhere, I don't know, not immediately fatal?

>>44652507
Chrys does the same thing senpai

>>44652507
Chrys actually helped raise him and nobody gave a shit about that

>>44652527
shh let him be a lazy ass hole who changes his mind about important shit.

>>44652527
Nah Mik is a special snowflake, nobody else gets traits from grandmastery

>>44651665
>>The ride can wait, you should investigate whether or not Fulvia truly intends to buy that new body.
>>She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Mortia is a naive foreigner, make sure she isn't getting into trouble.
>>Screw 'em all, you've got a draconic son to spend time with. Have some slaves fetch Zahak's saddle while you wait for Darzi to tire herself out.
in that order

Wait couldn't the meseeks be used for training?

>>44652447
Yay, they finally learned effects and metamagic.

Soma, how did Fulvia as a robot learn Blast/Paralyze/Leech?
>>44652527
how about Sculptor?

>>44653356
Fulvia didn't learn them, I just ruled they were useful enough that they probably would've been programmed. For Blast and Paralyze that is. Leech is just literally whet her generator does constantly as a matter of course.

>>44653356
I'm referring to a trait like Frosty, which we got during our GM meditation. Soma said grandmastery can alter your personality slightly until he suddenly decided otherwise

>>44653447
Sculptor is the equivalent of the Frosty trait, bruh.

>>44653463
She should've gotten more for her great success though right?

>>44653511
Yee, I believe that's the quibble. I said when Mik GM'd that on a (natural) Great Success he would've gotten a bonus trait. Tbh, I'll think about a good bonus trait for Chrys. Probably something to do with souls. Maybe an innate sense for the insanity of herself and others or something.

>>44653511
Yes, but since he forgot to do it the first time, he decided to retcon that rule because he was too lazy to make up another trait.

>>44653557
>I'll think about
That's code for "I'll pretend to do it and then "forget" to do it and hope everyone else forgets too".

>>44653557
what about a trait that lets her make life size Mik's with independent thought but are all tsun for her

>>44653617
What did you expect from a jew?

>>44653644
No.

You decide to speak with Chryssa, this is the first time you've actually seen her in something resembling a normal context since the events of the feast a few nights ago. You're not sure if she's been avoiding you or if you just haven't seen much of each other. The fact she's apparently purchased a carved and most likely enchanted skull is further reason to speak with her, if only to ensure she's not going to release some ancient evil upon the world.

She glances up from the skull as you approach, nodding her head in subdued greeting. “Hello Mikhael, you will be pleased to know that I have recovered from our efforts to purge you of the taint that was the entity. I trust we succeeded.”

She doesn't sound very enthused, but it is Chrys. You're not sure you've ever seen her genuinely excited. “Indeed we did, I don't feel much different but something has changed, I just can't quite put my finger on what it is yet. How have you been? Achieving grandmastery of an element is no easy feat, and it often leaves its mark on the personality of the Vatis.”

Chryssa cocks her head to the side contemplatively, her fingers drumming against the skull rhythmically. “I feel good. I feel more in control. It's as if I know that I could reduce anything that I can perceive into a pile of dust, and in this knowledge I find solace. It is a powerful feeling, but at the same time a responsibility.” She nods her head, as though deciding something. “I suppose I might best summarize by saying that I am very aware of my ability to shape the world now, more so than I was before.”
(1/2)

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That's interesting, you were expecting her to become more reckless, or perhaps more erratic, or more prone to destruction. Not necessarily more confident and controlled. Both seem quite contrary to how you generally conceptualize Earth magic. Regardless, there was a reason you came over here beyond simply checking on her. “I see you've got a new artifact.”

She seems to take that as her cue to show off, holding it up to catch the early morning light. It seems to drink in the sun's rays, the space around it growing darker. “Yes, the Merchant claimed that it was a vessel which trapped the souls of the slain and allowed the owner to communicate with them at their leisure. The souls degrade over time until eventually they slip free of the vessel or are destroyed entirely, but I imagine being able to speak with those we kill for the few hours before that happens could prove useful.”

She slips the skull into a bag strapped across her torso. “I will also be able to torment whatever particularly onerous enemies we may face for a while longer before their souls are allowed to pass on to the afterlife. A concept which pleases me. Sadik asked for four hundred gold, but I payed him only two hundred and eighty. I think it is well worth it, and I do not require the vast number of coins I currently possess anyway.”

You must admit, the ability to speak with the recently departed, however briefly, does sound like a useful tool. Of course, the skull probably doesn't guarantee that the souls of the dead will be feeling particularly talkative. You'll probably still have to convince them to talk, and since you can't threaten physical harm that might be more difficult. On the other hand you can probably promise to release their souls if they tell you what you want to know, so maybe it will make the whole process easier.

(2/3)

>>44653557
speaking of traits, shouldn't we have got one from joining the collective, surely that's worthy of giving a small bonus to something

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Still, it sounds a little too good to be true. “So what's the drawback? I mean, I've seldom found a powerful artifact without any sort of negative effect in addition to its positive ones.”

She glances to her bag, and then to Sadik, before finally answering. “According to the merchant, it requires a portion of my own soul to trap the souls of others. Thus, each soul I use it to capture I will reduce my own by some small amount. It retains this piece until the trapped soul is released, and overuse would obviously lead to my death.”

>You're not sure you like the idea of her torturing the souls of her enemies, but other than that it sounds like a great artifact.
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.
>Write-in

>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.
>Have a slave fetch Zahak's saddle, you're ready to go riding.
>Write-in

>>44653827
nah, because we aren't the part that joined, CollectiveMik probably got mad buff from traits though

>>44653805
>since you can't threaten physical harm
LEARN THE FUCKING PAIN EFFECT THEN

>>44653827
We get a bonus to our next metal gm meditation.

>>44653840
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.

>>44653840
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.
Go to the fuckin jungle

>>44653840
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.

>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653840
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.
>Have a slave fetch Zahak's saddle, you're ready to go riding.

>>44653827
Nah, your bonus for joining the collective was getting the Entity's connection removed. Which has (potentially) avoided some bullshit you were going to face in the future.

>>44653840
And to clarify, pick one from each category.

>>44653840
>If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased,
>diseased
heh, been a while

>>44653840
>>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653875
We can't we still have days of religious stuff left

>>44653840
>>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.
>>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653840
Let her know what we know about how the soul grows back and how using it reduces the vyspool
Then on to fulvia

>>44653840
>I don't like the idea of you torturing the souls of your enemies, or you spending your own soul and risking yourself to be able to do so

>>44653840
>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.
>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653840
>You're not sure you like the idea of her torturing the souls of her enemies, but other than that it sounds like a great artifact.
>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653840
>>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.

Just teach her how to check on her soul so she doesn't hollow out from over use.

>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653921
This.

>>44653840
>Write-in Show me when you use it
>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653840
>>Eh, it's her artifact that she bought with her money. If she wants to use it to torture the recently diseased, that's her prerogative.

>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.
>Have a slave fetch Zahak's saddle, you're ready to go riding.

>>44653840
>>Go speak with Fulvia regarding the chassis.

>>44653895
When we take Zahak to go out can we teach him some enchanting?

>>44653921
Yeah this too.

>>44653941
>>44653920
>>44653893
>>44653878
>>44653875
>>44653869
>>44653958
>Yeah, fuck sick people!

>>44653958
>>44653949
>>44653941
>>44653920
>>44653912
>>44653878
>>44653921
>Speak with Fulvia

>>44653949
>>44653922
>Hey, maybe don't torture dead people.

>>44653983
>>44653893
>Fetch the saddle, tonight we ride!

Writin'. You'll also fill her in on what ripping off pieces of the soul does to vys pool.

>>44653805
How about we test the skull with the recently departed dead slave?

>>44653840
>it's her artifact
>speak with Fulvia

>>44653895
Will we ever get the chance to talk to collectiveMik or is it only possible to talk to the chimera thing?

>skull's eyes glowing
>skull can retain the souls of those the owner kills for a little while
>slave was reportedly killed by a horned thing
>Chrys just got grandmastery which is known to change your mentality

I swear if Sadik's arrival time didn't make it impossible this would be an open and shut case.

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>>44654099
>>44654063
Is this possible?

>>44654063
damn dat split down the middle.

>>44654117
Realistically, you'll probably only ever speak with the Chimera. You could theoretically speak with Collective Mik in person though.

>>44654181
It's unlikely that you'll be able to summon a qt spirit grill, and even if you did convincing it to be your older sister would be no small task.

>>44654181
Sauce?

>>44654228
R A I L R O A D
A
I
L
R
O
A
D

>>44654181
So . . . you have this translation somewhere? I can only find ching-chong versions online.

Gonna eat dinner, back in a bit.

>>44654249
>>44654369
It's called Ane Narumono.

>>44654228
So summoning a qt spirit girl and convincing it to be our onee-chan is entirely possible. Cool.
Got a new project.

I have returned, post soon!

>>44654944
>post soon!
Now I KNOW you're an impostor.

>>44654821
It would be easier to create our own then find one.

>>44654967
So?

>>44655057
It's possible in the same way winning the lottery is possible.

>>44655325
That sounds like pussy talk to me.

>>44654626
Thanks!

>>44654944
>soon

>>44655735
soma's black blood makes him late for everything

>>44655784
He's Irish, Jewish, and Black. What has science done?

Rolled 898148 (1d1000000)

U P D A T E N E V E R
P
D
A
T
E

N
E
V
E
R

bq without shitposting is awful

>>44656416
We can always brainstorm cool enchanting ideas while we wait, enchanting is so interesting and fun!

Rolled 875554 (1d1000000)

>>44656354

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>44655784
Rollin for somas nigga percentage

>>44656457
>enchanting is so interesting and fun
It's meh-tier at best

>>44656457
We could also brainstorm crazy weapon systems and armor to mount on Zahak.

>>44656557
Thhiiiiis I could get behind

>>44656457
>nobody but me detected the sarcasm
sasuga BQ playerbase

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>>44656557
how about get in the damn robot MIK.

>Sleep for an hour
>Still no update
baka senpai desu

>>44656654
I detected and thought about commenting to correct him but I didn't care, wasn't worth the captcha. This for some reason is though

>>44655325
Good thing I just bought powerball tickets then.

Did Soma died?

>>44656557
Haha no.

>>44656874
this is his way of shitposting, anon

>>44656557
>kill a dragon with Zahak's help
>skin it with Earth
>make armour out of its scales and bones for Zahak to wear

You're not sure you're entirely comfortable with her using the skull to torture people, but on the other hand it's not really any of your business what she uses it for. She bought it with her own money. “Well, so long as you keep in mind that reducing your soul proportionally reduces your vys reserves you ought to be fine. It sounds like an incredibly useful artifact.”

Chryssa smiles, if only slightly. “I felt that would be your response. I will exercise caution regarding the overuse of the artifact, I do not anticipate needing to use it on more than one or two individuals simultaneously.”

You're distracted from the conversation by the sound of metal smashing against stone, and turn to find Fulvia's body slumped over lifeless in the middle of the courtyard. Sadik is busy slotting he core into the small chamber at the top of the other chassis' head. As he slots the core into the receptacle it closes of its own volition, and the single glass lens at the center of the construct's head glows a bright, brilliant blue.

Fulvia, in this new form, stretches jerkily upright. Her movements are alien, sudden and without grace. Vys is pouring off of her, not quite enough to become visible to the naked eye but very nearly. Just looking at her feels as though holding your face up to a fire.

It only last for a few moments before cutting out. Fulvia's posture adjust, the thin strands of metal connecting the globe of the body's head to its torso twisting and turning like exposed tendons. You approach uneasily as she stretches out her hand in front of her, flexing each finger in turn. The gesture is smooth and natural, quite unlike her initial attempts at movement.

(1/2)

As you draw near your companion turns towards you, the light in her monocular eye flaring briefly. {Dux, this body is quite remarkable. I am afraid it is not quite as suitable as my current body for passing through society inconspicuously, it does not seem to have any ability to conceal its true nature, but it feels more powerful. I am aware of things which I was not before. The creatures flitting about your head, and dwelling within Profectus' arm.}

It sounds as though it has a version of the Sight, similar to your Warlock Armor. {Can you speak normally? Can you hear?} You'd rather not have Fulvia simply forcing her voice into everyone's heads when she needs to speak.

The body shakes its head, the thin tendrils of metal moving with unnatural flexibility. {No, I cannot speak. I can hear but not well. However, I do not believe you would require the brooches to hear my voice at the moment. I am not using the network, though I am still a part of it. I am merely focusing my will.}

>While this body might be more powerful, it is not quite suited for passing through civilized society. Probably best to stick with her old body.
>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.
>You're about to go into one of the most dangerous places on the planet, and this body seems far more skilled in Nature magic than her old.
>Write-in

Sorry about that, I got pulled away by my family.

SOMA LIVES

>>44656903
truly the most advanced version of shitposting. I still have much to learn from Soma-dono.

>>44656961
>>Write-in
Why not just buy it and store it in the cloak until she needs it?

>>44656961
>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.

>>44656961
>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.

>>44656961
>Write-in
Tell her the ups and downsides, from jungle savages reacting strangely, to city folk getting spooked out, however there are better magics.

>>44656961
>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.
enter the damn robot

>>44656961
>What creatures above my head?
I didn't know we had spirits floating around our head

>>44656961
Well I can always shove the body you doesn't use into the cloak but in a fight it might be troublesome

>>44656961
>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.

What ever makes her some comfortable.

>>44657055
its the cloak anon.

>>44656961
>You're about to go into one of the most dangerous places on the planet, and this body seems far more skilled in Nature magic than her old.

>>44656961
>>Allow her to freely choose whether to buy this body or remain in her old. It's not really any of your business.
>>You're about to go into one of the most dangerous places on the planet, and this body seems far more skilled in Nature magic than her old.
We can store her old body in the cloak. Once she gets a better idea of this bodies capabilities.She can let us into her core and we can change a few of the things she may be capable of doing. Like adding any magic she would have lost previously. With this mage body so it seems.

Also ask what she has gleaned the body can do.

>>44657199
>>44657057
>>44657038
>>44656986
reminder that we could shove our knowledge of illusions down her robot gullet, and thus make it easier to hide this form of her.
>>44656961
what are her new stats?

>>44657072
>>44657054
>>44657036
>>44656989
>>44657057 (I'll interpret this as a vote to let her choose)
>>44657199
>>44657038 (See the last parentheses)
>Yo bruh, you do you.

>>44657119
>>44657199
>>44656986
>Buy the new body.

You'll let her choose. Writin'

>>44657247
I'll update the stats in a moment. After this next post.

>>44657247
>reminder that we could shove our knowledge of illusions down her robot gullet, and thus make it easier to hide this form of her.
We could, yeah. It would mean diving into her, which we said we would while we where still on Namek...about 100 threads or close to that ago?

>>44657319
120 threads ago more like

>>44656961
> It's her choice + offer to store her old body

> Ask if she would like to research how to use her old body to make another person like her - like having a child.

> After all, we got access to all these enchanters and shit, and a copy of us is part of them now.

I wonder if we could copy her soul.

>>44657280
in the ask you said that having let the bitch fester in our heads would have fucked us over soon.
Do you mind explain how? Since i doubt anons would allow her back in.

>>44657622
She was trying to eat our soul.

>>44657622
Wait what. Fulvia was going to eat our soul?

>>44657711
The entity brah

>>44657711
Wait.

Wut?

>>44657745
How did I miss this?

>>44657828
Wait.

Wut?

>>44657842
Weight.

Wot?

>>44657828
Are you retarded?

>>44657888
Wut?

Wait.

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2.93 MB GIF

>>44658152
Maybe.

Looking forward to that update in another hour

You glance over the new body. It's a curious construction. Considering that most of the main body seems constructed of blue glass, or perhaps some sort of gemstone, it ought to be very fragile. Prone to shattering under any sort of pressure. Yet the 'skin' of the construct moves as fluidly as your own, without any sign of fracture or tension. {Well regardless of what you choose, we can always store your old body in my cloak. Undoubtedly this body would function better in the jungles of Elaudia, but your former body is likely more suitable for operation in civilized society.}

Fulvia seems to consider this, her head twisting oddly to the side. Perhaps her body is partially composed of Elaudian Steel? It would certainly explain many of its properties. {I believe that is a good idea. I will keep both bodies. My old body can be used for more formal occasions or for entering large cities, though I must admit that I vastly prefer this form.}

Fulvia turns towards Sadik and some unheard conversation passes between them. It goes on for several minutes, so you take the liberty of placing Fulvia's body into your cloak. Eventually she turns once more towards you and her voice once more invades your thoughts. {I require my coin purse.}

You retrieve the oversized leather pouch from your cloak, even though you weren't aware that you'd taken it in the first place. She takes it and begins quickly counting out coins, placing them in Sadik's hands one by one. It seems the price they agreed upon was one hundred and fifty gold, not a bad price all things considered. Well beyond any sum of wealth that most people could ever dream of possessing, but for an artifact as powerful as her new body it's most likely a fair price.
(1/2_

Sadik bows low, first to you and then to Fulvia. “I thank you both for your time, and business. I have no doubt that soon we'll have more opportunities to trade.”

You'd reply but Fulvia's voice once more invades your thoughts. It's quite irksome, you could likely block her out if you focused but it's far more intrusive than the brooches had been. {Dux, I would request my armor back. The layers of cloth and steel would serve well to hide this body, and the hood may prevent others from noticing my rather unusual appearance. I would simply switch back to my former body, but I wish to explore this one's capabilities first.}

Reaching into the cloak, her armor is pushed through. Ricky certainly works quickly. You should think about getting him some sort of reward, it's been a while since he's had anything to eat. Handing over the rather heavy garment, Fulvia quickly swathes herself in layers of white cotton. Though you notice something odd. When she took her armor you noticed that her 'skin', that blue crystalline substance, was warm and yielding. Almost as if it was real flesh, rather than just an artificial facsimile.

>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.
>She would have contacted you if she needed to, and besides. You can always talk to her mid flight. Time to take Zahak out for some father-son bonding.
>Write-in

>>44658436
>>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44658436
>>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44658436
>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.
enter fulvia mind world and give her the magic D.

>>44658436
>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44658436
>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44658436
So when do we turn Fulvia into a real girl and fug her?

>>44658436
>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44657280
About the new body's stats: You probably have to totally reorganize Fulvia's section of the pastebin, since her magic abilities and special abilities depend on the body.

>>44658526
Never because that's not possible.

>>44658526
We already can. She's squishy now.

>>44658436
Guys I think this body was made using the ritual for Elaudian steel. After all Elaudian steel was only one thing you could make with it.

I wandered away for a few hours, did we decide to send the meeseeks off to murder people or not?

>>44658710
we enlisted them as a police force by telling them to stop all bad things from happening.

>>44658710
we used them to run a train on Darzi since that's the only way she can achieve orgasm now

>>44658436
>Mortia still hasn't shown up. Contact her to make sure she's not in any sort of trouble.

>>44658710
nah

>Da fuq is Mortia?
Writin'
I'll finish updating Fulvia's pastebin entry later. This is going to be a larger effort than I initially thought.

>>44658561
Anything is possible with the right construct to stick her in. Just gotta find the high class Rhynian Whore houses.

>>44658966
>those fucking stats
Jesus christ Fulvia.

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>>44658966

>>44659140
>>44659152
They aren't that good. 2 masters and 2 experts.

Her Metal even went down.

>>44659299
She ain't made of metal anymore.

Why is the Somouto such a Liliana?

>>44659366
different construct frames give her different stats.

>>44659480
What?

You glance around the courtyard at your companions. Chrys, studying the carvings on the disembodied skull she's just bought off the back of a wooden cart. Fulvia flexing the fingers of her new hands as though the sensation itself is somehow mystifying. Profectus taking over for Darzi entertaining Zahak. He seems far more in control of his arm lately. He's able to sustain a jet of fire without boring a hole through anything in its path or exhausting himself after only a few seconds.

Darzi seems quite curious about Sadik's cart, apparently freed from the obligation to keep your son comfortably warm she's decided to do some shopping of her own. Yet as you watch her sift through the endless piles of junk, Sadik waiting just out of sight like a some predatory bird waiting to swoop in on his prey, you wonder where Mortia is.

Reaching through the vague connection the brooch creates, your mind touches upon hers. {Is everything alright? I understand there was that incident this morning with the slave, but I've had my brother reassign her. She won't be bothering you any longer, or at least she shouldn't be.}

Her response is halting, and tainted by fear and apprehension. {I may have, well-} She cuts off, returning after a brief delay. {I may have forcefully administered an alchemical substance to one of your brother's other slaves. I have a good reason though!}

It doesn't seem like she's going to freely offer her reasons so you offer some prompting. {Well if your reason has anything to do with proving your innocence I doubt forcefully drugging people is the right way to go about it.}
(1/2)

Anger and indignation filter through the brooch. {I know what I'm doing, Mikhael! I've done this once before already, although that didn't really work out. I mean, I learned from it and I know what I did wrong! It'll be fine, just let me...}

She cuts herself off again. {Look, Mortia, if you killed the slave by accident that's fine. I'm not going to judge you harshly for it, but I need to know if I'm going to do anything about it.} Granted, you can't exactly imagine how she'd go about accidentally hollowing out some poor slave's corpse, but you suppose it's the thought that counts.

There's a long pause before she finally responds, her thoughts frantic. {I didn't kill her! I swear I didn't, I was trying to help her. She'd been infected by something, some kind of fungus, and I thought that opening the wound and applying a salve would cure her of the infestation. I think I might have accidentally made it worse, but I didn't kill her! The fungus did, I think. Maybe.}

What fungus could possibly cause the sort of damage the slave sustained? {Somehow Mortia I doubt you're responsible for the woman's death. That was a few nights ago at this point, and the thing that killed her wasn't just some disease. She was dissected, with her heart ripped out and her kidneys of all things missing.}

Yet again a delay. You wonder what she's doing that's so distracting. When finally she responds she sounds like she's barely paying attention. {Listen, I can explain later. She was meeting with someone and I intend to found out who, because I'd bet that's the person who killed her.}

(2/3)

Meeting with someone in the dungeon? You find Mortia's repeated failure to properly elaborate on what she's actually doing mildly annoying, but before you can pose another question she severs the connection.

>Inform your companions, they can probably deal with it.
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.
>Have one of the slaves inform your brother, he can have his guards deal with it.
>Eh, screw it. She'll probably be fine. She did hold her own in a battle against creatures from the void.
>Write-in

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.
Damnit girl, just ask for help. Thats all you need to do.

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

>>44659152
>Demonic Construct Body
Neat. How long before we find an EVA sized body for her?

>>44659585
>Eh, screw it. She'll probably be fine. She did hold her own in a battle against creatures from the void.

>>44659585
>>Eh, screw it. She'll probably be fine. She did hold her own in a battle against creatures from the void.
Fuck it Zahak is waiting

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself
N E W N A M E K
E
W

N
A
M
E
K

>>44659585
>Eh, screw it. She'll probably be fine. She did hold her own in a battle against creatures from the void.

>>44659625
This.

>>44659585
>>Inform your companions, they can probably deal with it.
>>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

>>44659585
>Inform your companions, they can probably deal with it.
>Go on the walk with Zahak you promised him this morning.

>>44659645
It's only Namek because you're making it into Namek.

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

Has noboby thought of sending Fulvia to find her.

>>44659732
shut up bitch

>>44659777
Nice Trips

>>44659585
Release the meseeks.

>>44659585
>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

>>44659585
Apply meseek the problem until the problem is fucking solved.

>>44659585
>>If you want something done right, do it yourself. Go searching for her yourself.

>>44659585
Where you at soma?

>>44659972
busy sucking a nigga dick probably

>>44659585
>Eh, screw it. She'll probably be fine. She did hold her own in a battle against creatures from the void.
Only reasonable option.

>>44659585
>>Inform your companions, they can probably deal with it.

>>44659997
Nigga here, can confirm.

>>44660072
>>44659683
>>44659673
>Tell your friends.

>>44659594
>>44659598
>>44659642
>>44659645
>>44659673
>>44659713
>>44659855
>>44659922
>Go looking for her.

>>44660004
>>44659660
>>44659625
>>44659622
>Eh, she's fine.

Probably the last post for the night, I can't seem to post reliably.

>>44659877
Statistically speaking we'll probably never really use the meseeks for anything. Like a lot of other situational artifacts.

They'd be good trap triggers and spooks, and probably really superb movers and home renovators, but otherwise eh.

>>44660138
>I can't seem to post reliably.

need more drink obviously

>>44660266
I can help. I know where he lives!

>>44660138
I'm coming Soma-Senpai! It's gonna be scotch this time!

>>44660308
I was actually gonna go with some Tennessee sippin' whiskey but I don't think pain killers and alcohol mix particularly well.

>>44660336
you could not be more wrong

>>44660336
Fine. Tonight I'll be drunk alone. You did this Senpai.

>>44660336
Drink them with some Gin, fixes all your problems

You sigh, reaching out instead to your other companions, and Zahak as well. {Mortia seems to have decided on a whim to clear her name and seems quite desperate to do so. She drugged someone and I think she's run off, probably into the dungeon. She claims that the dead slave was there to meet someone, and she wants to find out who it was.}

You start bolting out orders, eager to get this over with. {Darzi, Fulvia, and Profectus will come with me. As for Chrys and Zahak, I want you patrolling the area around Nazir searching for any signs of Mortia or anything else of particular interest. Zahak, do some hunting as well. You're growing faster than ivy and need to eat.}

You picked Chrys to go with Zahak because that mask of hers should let her see just as well, if not better than, Zahak. So far as you're aware she's the only person who could pull that off. The others are better in close quarters anyway, and if you had to take a wild stab as to where Mortia had run off to it would be the tunnels beneath the palace. That's really the only logical place to look, considering.

Your companions are quick to obey, Chrys snapping off orders to a slave to fetch Zahak's saddle while Profectus abandons his game and runs off, promising to return with his weapons and armor. Darzi reluctantly sets aside the long bronze sword she was inspecting, its blade unerringly straight and quite unlike the curved swords you're more familiar with. You lay down your cloak and produce the Elaudian Steel armor she favors, before handing Fulvia her gladius.

(1/2)

Once Profectus joins you in his Centurion armor with a heavy blade at his hip and an immense shield strapped to his arm the four of you set off for the dungeons, shadowy tentacles slowly but surely piecing together your warlock armor as you walk. The helmet slides over your head just as you reach the massive stone doorway to the dungeons, the sting of the needle entering your spine a familiar, almost comforting sensation.

The door slides open with the lightest touch of vys and you descend, following the directions your brother's steward gave you to the proper corridor. There you find two guards rendered unconscious, locked in one of the cells. In the hallway, roughly two thirds of the way down and sequestered off to one side, is a crevice opened in the floor. It looks as if the stone around it has melted away, leaving a jagged crevice just wide enough for a child, or a human, to fit through.

Fortunately all four of you are Earth Vatis, and widening the hole is a simple task. Inside you see a steep slope, leading down into only the Gods know what. It's horrendously dark, and seems to be coated in some sort of slime. Of course, you could simply carve handholds in the walls to slow your fall or crawl back up, if you felt the need to do so.

Still, this might not be such a great idea in retrospect.

>Once more unto the breach! No sense standing around with a bunch of drunks and unconscious guardsmen.
>You did just buy a box which produces easily disposable servants, create a shadow and tell it to slide down first and return once it reaches the bottom.
>Write-in

>>44660514
>You did just buy a box which produces easily disposable servants, create a shadow and tell it to slide down first and return once it reaches the bottom.
Don't forget to report back. Time to put it to the test.

>>44660514
>You did just buy a box which produces easily disposable servants, create a shadow and tell it to slide down first and return once it reaches the bottom.

>>44660514
>>You did just buy a box which produces easily disposable servants, create a shadow and tell it to slide down first and return once it reaches the bottom.
Take a look and report.

>shadowy tentacles slowly but surely piecing together your warlock armor as you walk
Mik is too lazy to dress himself.

>>44660540
>>44660559
>>44660567
>Send in the meseeks

>>44660567
Why dress yourself if you don't have to?

>>44653805
>Sadik asked for four hundred gold, but I payed him only two hundred and eighty
I am proud.

>>44660607
I'll laugh even more if she just dropped the coins and turned her back, no haggling or anything.

>>44660514
>a familiar, almost comforting sensation
I seem to of forgot, are we becoming addicted to wearing this armor?

>>44660567
i am more concerned with the fact that we no longer see ricky's tentacles the way we used to,
as corpreal entity's

>>44660816
now that you mention that, Now I do worry.

Well you did just buy a box which produces a theoretically infinite number of servants from nothing. Granted these servants seem to have a disturbing proclivity for human sacrifice and similar mischief, but something as simple as sliding down a slimy hole in the ground shouldn't be too difficult. Reaching into your cloak you extract the ball of carved ebony, depressing the glowing blue point at the top of the ball.

Black seeps from the dense wood, slipping to the floor of the hall and forming itself into a vaguely masculine figure. You can't properly tell, but you think its featureless face is staring at you. “Slide down this hole. If you reach the bottom and find that there is nothing dangerous there, return and nod once. If you cannot reach the bottom or discover something dangerous, return and nod twice.”

Your voice is amplified by the enchantments on your helmet and the acoustics of the carved stone passage. Without a sound the shadow dashes off down the tunnel, compressing itself to fit easily in the grime-covered passage. You'd watch it go, but it's soon swallowed by the gloom.

You return the ball to your cloak, only to feel a hand on your arm. “Wait a second, hold on. What in Pani's name was that? Did you just summon a spirit and send it off to scout out ahead of us?”

You wince as Fulvia's voice forces its way into your thoughts. {Not a spirit. The orb generated a runic array in the air around it. I cannot begin to guess its nature, but I would posit that it created some sort of golem. Perhaps the ball acts as a sort of blueprint which executes itself.}

(1/2)

>>44660915
I think Fulvia's new body will be very helpful for enchanting.

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Well, even if you're not particularly fond of the forcefulness with which she now speaks, you can't argue with her answer. You wonder how she was able to see the runic array, when even to your shattered psyche it appears as a rather normal ball of wood, minus the glowing point of light. “As she said, I believe it generates some sort of highly complex golem out of shadow, or perhaps ink. They're quite intelligent, from what I understand. I will admit, a disturbing tendency towards mortal sacrifice.”

Darzi stares at you, or at least you think she does. It's hard to tell in that armor of hers. "Wait, sacrif-"

She's cut off, as from below you hear a screeching howl, echoing through the tunnel, followed shortly by the ground quaking. The shadow comes bolting out of the hole and vanishes into thin air only a moment later. You'd question whether it really accomplished its task, but you can more or less guess that trouble is on its way due to the incessant scraping of claws against stone filtering up to the hall from the crevice carved into the ground.

>EEEEEND THREAD
>Next time, combat instead of shopping.

>>44660503
>Zahak, do some hunting as well. You're growing faster than ivy and need to eat.
daww
fatherly concern

>>44660945
yay combat!

>>44660514
>Once Profectus joins you in his Centurion armor with a heavy blade at his hip and an immense shield strapped to his arm the four of you set off for the dungeons, shadowy tentacles slowly but surely piecing together your warlock armor as you walk.
That's pretty fucking badass.

This quest is in some serious need of fanart.

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>>44660965
>combat
We can just collapse the cave on it.

>>44660945
>Darzi stares at you, or at least you think she does. It's hard to tell in that armor of hers. "Wait, sacrif-"
kek

>>44660986
>Collapse the cave
>Underneath our family palace.
Yeah let's just destroy the city. That way we'll win.

>>44660986
i'm sure that there is more than one of whatever we're fighting, if not right here but later on

>>44660986
Or just have all of our fire vatis companions spew white hot flames down the tunnel until it's molten slag.

Mortia, what the fuck are you doing?

>>44661027
Panicking.

>>44660945
Soma, could you describe what the Centurion armor looks like? Down to the color?

>>44660986
Or we could just flood the portion of the cave and keep the thing waterlocked

>>44661088
I like the molten rock idea.

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>>44661082
I imagine it largely as lorica segmata. Plates of overlapping steel stretching across the torso with Yet more plates on the shoulders and running down the arms. Boots and leggings are attached via a girdle of sorts, which covers the groin. The helmet is attached to the armor such that when you're putting it on, the back splits in two and the plates slide away. You slide in your legs one at a time, and then your head, and your arms last of all. Then the helmet lowers and the back snaps shut and the entire thing tightens around you until it fits perfectly.

>>44661120
that sounds fucking neato