>>45707966

“I guess cash money is as good a way to start a conversation as any,” you reply.

Isaac tosses the keys to the delivered truck over to Borislav, who snatches them out of the air and pops inside. He places his staff in the passenger’s seat, and drives down the rest of the way to the shore where the well awaits. The truck bumps and bounces over the uneven, rocky terrain of the sparse forest.

A warm wind sweeps in from your back out over the lake. The horizon is lost in sullen clouds, and the cool air tastes like moss and clean water.

Your thoughtfulness is interrupted when Reeber trots up to your feet and deposits a maimed, twitching rabbit.

You give his head a little bit of a scracthety scratcher. “Thanks for the thought, but we just ate like what, two hours ago?”

Unperturbed by your refusal, the hellhound snaps up the rest of his prey and chomps it down. He licks his bloodied jaws with his dark, leathery tongue.

Isaac walks back to his bike and opens up the pack of weapons he has stashed on the back. “You sure brought a lot of guns,” he observes, picking up your trusty MP5 and checking its action.

You snicker, and then reassert seriousness. “Don’t question my methods,” you say, walking over to pick from your stuff. “Maybe I need a lot of guns, you ever think of that?”

“Yes I did,” he says, flashing you a smile. “That’s why I’m here.”

Ranthix appears out of the brush at the top of a nearby hill. “THE SUN APPROACHES ITS PINNACLE. MAKE GOOD YOUR PREPRATIONS, SPAWNLING,” he shouts, disappearing again after delivering the message.

“A good point,” says Isaac, turning back to you. “Spirits are typically at their weakest under a full sun, Sierra. We’ll want to initiate contact then.”

>>45707988

“Sounds good,” you reply. “Give me a minute. I need to do Imperiate stuff.”

Isaac nods and heads off, leaving you with a selection of gear.

Time to get dangerous. You’ve got everything you packed, of course, but there’s also a bunch of crap Isaac brought with him. And then there’s Ranthix’s gear over by his bike. You guess if you wanted to cover yourself in claymores and grenades, you could go wild.

But that’s not necessarily the best plan. Maybe you should go light, and just stick with a Kevlar vest. Then again, you don’t think the Great Lynx is going to be shooting at you. Probably’d be better to stick with your shield charm and your magic chainmail, because, you know, magic.

HP: 35/35
PP: 47/47
LW: 15/15

Stress: 16/103
Sanity: 95/100
Bloodlust: Subdued

--Spirit Confrontation Loadout--
>Select gear (?)
>Select blood magics (?)
>Psychological preparation (?)
>Landmaster Summons (?)
>Other (?)

>>45708036
>>Psychological preparation
Man, water sure is great. Right guys? Way better then that terrible air. All chaotic and whatnot. The subtle beauty of water is so much better then a nasty storm. You just can't reason with something so free. Not to mention the Duke of Air is our enemy.

>Landmaster Summons
Monster and crabby are must haves for this. The rest I don't know.

>Select gear
>Select Blood Magics
I'll leave those two for anons more familiar with our stuff. I've been away from tg for a long time.

>>45708405

You can always check out the character sheet if you want to brush up.

Reading through the blood magic, it all seems to require opponents with blood. I'm not so sure on our spirit lore but it might not be very useful this time around.

>>45708036
>gear
G98, five clips.
>blood magic
Blood reading. Not sure if the creature has blood.
>Psych prep
Sit by the edge of the lake and stare into it. Evoke the feeling of dread, immerse yourself in it, and let it fade. Meditate afterwards.
>Summons
None unless hostilities are joined. Shalbaan, Monster.

>>45708643
Red rush might be useful, but I think we should worry more about being in the right state of mind and not bleeding.

Hang on, maybe we can pull some 'waters of life' bull seeing as we have blood powers. I'm just not sure how to word it.

Should hide the wings on her back. The fewer Air implications there are, the better.

Should we listen to the shadows around the lake? They might offer a few insights. Our sanity's solid enough.

>>45708886
Sure. What could go wrong?
>captcha asks for bodies of water
God wills it!

>>45708990
>Bodies of water

Does she not know how to swim or something?

File: 1441301345349.jpg (26 KB, 500x350)

26 KB JPG

activate Unnatural Charm.

>>45709044

you... have been reading the quest, right?

Put on the chainmail and wield Zelathis. maybe take an SMG to use with that corruption thing, since otherwise it might not work on a spirit. at range, our other hand will probably be occupied with the whip.

>>45709044
>Does she not know how to swim or something?
Get thee to suptg!

>>45709090
That husky is adorable.

Yeah I've read some of it. We're Sierra Beckhoff, mary sue of the however many hells.

File: 1440818661283.jpg (276 KB, 954x897)

276 KB JPG

>>45709149

>>45709044
There was a boating accident (read: assassination) that killed her mom and sister and psychologically scarred her. Water's not really a good thing for our stress meter.

>>45708036
Why didn't she bring a life vest? seriously she can't swim

>>45709208
Gotcha.

>>45709146
I'm not sure I want to read it man. First thread is a white girl in the bloods?

File: 1450799026949.jpg (56 KB, 600x455)

56 KB JPG

>>45709243

>>45709243
She stopped calling herself Blood after, like, thread 2. Make an effort.

>>45709243

Start on thread 2 then.

>>45709243
Stop being a pussy.

>>45709370
No.

>>45709302
Maybe later. Gonna see how this thread goes.

>>45708886
>>45708990
So getting a hit to sanity before a mind meeting with a spirit?
I guess water is associated with flexibility...

>>45709243
It's terrible board etiquette to jump into a quest without reading the archives.

File: Raiden.jpg (53 KB, 960x960)

53 KB JPG

Does Isaac have any of these masks or just the mouthpiece?

Being able to breathe under water even brief time might be helpful.

>>45709433
Don't vote.

>>45709445
Well I mean some people consider quests terrible board etiquette so we're at an impasse.

File: RogerRoger.jpg (70 KB, 704x679)

70 KB JPG

>>45709472
But how will you know which vote is mine?

>>45709487
not really. you're an insufferable asshat and amazingly enough, the numerous people all arguing the same thing aren't all wrong and you're the special snowflake who's got them beat. there is no impasse. you're just plain retarded.

>>45709487
Well they've actually been proven wrong by 4chan rules.

Terrible comparison. The largest hate following on /tg/ was at a namefag who did exactly what you're doing now in AI quest.

Though hellborn quest is chill so people will probably just ignore you. Just know that it's terribly rude to vote on matters that you don't have background knowledge on.

>>45709536
Not him. This is funny because I'm pretty sure you're the autistic guy calling someone retarded.

>>45709458
that's not how contemporary diving gear works, you moron. there needs to be an air tank.

>>45709510
>>45709487
If you wanna stick around and check it out that's fine. Just please don't vote on shit.

>>45708036
>>Select gear (?) Zelanthis, Chainmail, FG-42
>>Select blood magics (?) Ephemeral Eye, Shadow Self, Shock Tendrils, Convulsion Shock
>>Psychological preparation (?) Meditate, try to be fluid like water, avoid need to pee
>>Landmaster Summons (?) Shalbaan
>>Other (?) Put those wings in your shadow, girl, just in case

File: 1425275013989.png (92 KB, 333x334)

92 KB PNG

>>45709568
>autistic
There's the magic word I've been waiting for. Now, the questing can truly begin.

You wrap your shield charm chain thing around one wrist, and hide your wings away so you can slip into your chainmail. You think the less connections you have with air the better, and wings pretty much equal an air thing. You don’t want to look like some kind of thunderbird here to harsh the Great Lynx’s mellow.

Speaking of thunderbirds, you guess Zelathis lightning sword is not the choicest weapon to bring along. In its place, you think about taking up the Izhowak spine. You’re not sure if it will actually do anything against a spirit, but it’s from a badass hell beast, so maybe you’ve got even odds? But in the end, you decide against it. You can’t carry everything, and guns are more your style. You can handle stuff up close just fine.

In the case bullets (or corrupted bullets) can do anything, you hedge your bets and add a couple guns to the mix. You holster David’s Walter P38 in the tactical vest over your maille, and sling the century-old G98 rifle over the other. You also demount the spectral scope from your dad’s assault rifle and put it in an easily accessed pocket on your person.

Taking stock of your other miscellaneous magic items, you’ve got your brain drug elixir you bought from that goblin lady a million years ago, your spider-sense danger ring.

You’re probably more than enough equipped. You forgo explosives – if firewhipping it doesn’t help, you’re sure your backup will step in.

Now is the time to win the battle of the mind, though. You’re not sure what you’ll be up against, but it’s best if you’re the one in control when you face it. You head down to the water’s edge and sit on the gravelly rocks of the shore, and take a minute to become comfortable in all your battle stuff. You let the cold water lap at your clawed feet.

Despite everything, you sort of like giant bodies of water. They seem peaceful. But anything hinting that you’ll be going out into the middle of a giant body of water, you’re not really comfortable with that.

>>45709626
No there is literally an autistic guy who posts and you can usually spot him because he always fails to capitalize the first word of every sentence.

File: 1454898096179.jpg (14 KB, 316x341)

14 KB JPG

>>45709676
I only do that sometimes, though.

>>45708036
>Select gear (?)
Zelathis, Chainmail, Shield Charm, Dad's P38, some sort of SMG, a variety of grenades.

>Select blood magics (?)
Blood Curse, Puppet Veins, Cardio-Paralysis.

>Landmaster Summons (?)
Have the Slogbug and Shalbaan ready to go.

>>45709708
>>45709676
I do it too sometimes.

>>45709663

You’re in control this time, though. You acknowledge the unease within yourself, and let it fade. You’ll be fine.

You stare out over the lake and zone out, your imagination drifting off faraway. Time passes. (-6 Stress: 10)

Sitting around is just delaying the inevitable, though, and you think your toes are getting puny. Sun’s not getting any lower.

>Bring forth the tribute! (Go meet Borislav and the others by the landwell.)
>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.
>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of Verwelken abilities to deliver electric shocks.
>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.
>Other (?)

>>45709732
>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.

>>45709732
>>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.
Anti magic is useful

>>45709732
>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of the shallow pools. You could use more intel.

>>45709732
>>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.
>>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.

inb4 critfail and the shadows let us hear its previous victims drown

>>45709732
>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.
>Inscribe a Blood Curse, Cardio-Paralysis too if we have time.
>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.

>>45709732
>>Bring forth the tribute! (Go meet Borislav and the others by the landwell.)
>>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.
>>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of Verwelken abilities to deliver electric shocks.
>>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.
in reverse order

>>45709732
>Listen to the shadows at the bottom of one of the shallow pools around you. You could use more intel.
>Inscribe red rush boosts for a selection of your anti-magic Belphegoran abilities.

>>45709838
What the fuck do you think those are gonna do against a spirit? It doesn't have blood. There's a reason he only offered belphegoran and verwelken.

Roll dice for shadows.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>45710052

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>45710052

>Hey newfag water is dangerous bruv stay away from it.

>Anyway we're all going to vote to talk to water now.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>45710052

Is this roll high or low?

>>45710121

Low.

29 is good but not great.

>>45710052
'dice+1d100'

>>45710121
Aim low.

>>45710082
Did alright.

>>45710121
Low is good, and it's best of three. Unless someone rolls a 100. Then we're fucked.

>>45710151

Goes in the options field, mate.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>45710154
well the chances of a 100 are pretty low

>>45709676
>every person I don't like on the internet is the same person

>>45710577
Nah for a good long while we had one guy who was the only one who posted in all lower case. He'd always freak out when people knew it was him.

I didn't dislike him either, although I didn't agree with him if I remember correctly. He had some weird ideas about what should happen with Sierra.

>>45709676
I have to agree with you that he's probably autistic from his posts.

But I also have to assume you're autistic as well.

>>45710635
>posts on /tg/
>not autistic
pick one.

are we done with this discussion now?

>>45710910
That was what I was implying, congratulations on pointing it out.

As you’re getting up to walk along the shore to the cove where the landwell is, you decide to seek out a little more intel. The shadows around here probably know something that could be useful.

You traipse along the rocks for a few paces, and happen upon a deep and dark pool of clear water. You sit at the edge and try to focus in on the sound only darkness can make. The sound is soft, almost impossibly quiet given the brightness of the sun, and you have to redouble your concentration.

On the verge of awareness, out of the dimness of the rocky pool, you hear a feeble murmuring. You concentrate on it, narrowing your field of will into the subject of the Great Lynx and its anchor well. The murmurs become sharper, hissing and scratching in your mind.

A voice presents itself on the edge of hearing, at first subtle but then blatant. You recognize it – it belongs to Myth, the previous landmaster to attempt to claim the well for her own. “W̴h̨at͡ do̧ y͢ou̕ r̀eq͢uire͡ fr͏om ͜m̨e̶?” she shouts, frustration evident in her words. “T͜ry ̧mè ͢wi͟th ąn̡y͡ task͘ ̨a̸n͠d̨ Ì wi͢ll se͜e͟ i͟t ̷d̕ǫn͢e͜!͠”͜

Another voice, a wispy, piercing rasp, answers back. “Y̢o̢ư do n̕ot h͏old dom̛i͜níon̛,̸ nor ha͜ve̕ ͞you͝ ev͠er,̢ ̵n͡o͠r͞ ͏ęver͢ ̶sh̴all i͝t ͢b͝e ove͢r͞ m̨y͠ ̵f̡l͡e̡s̴h,̧” ͡says the dark voice. The singing, cowering voices swarm in echoing tribute to its words. (-2 Sanity: 93) (+3 Stress: 13) “̷A̛ ćŗav̡en t̢hie͜f͝ yoư a̶re b͏eco͏me̴,̶ ̛s̀q̴uande͏r̡ing th͠e͠ ̶b̡elo͘ved̀ gift for ͏va̢in̷ ͢ob̕s̡c͝u͜ŗìtie̵s̛. ͢Aşk ͏f͢o͜r̡ na̶u͝g̛ht, t͝h͜i̧ng͟ ̕of̕ ̷b̸on̵es, an̸d ̵to ǹau͜g͞ht ̸yóur ̕b͢on̴es͝ ̵w̢il̀l go͡,͠ ̷ ro͟͡t̶̀͡t̢͜i͢ng͠ ̀̕͝i̸͞n̢̛͏ ̀͡t̷̷h̀e de̢͞͝ṕth̛̕s ̧w̶͝i̷̶̕t̨͘h͠͝ ͏thi͠é̛̀v͢͝͝ȩ͜͟ş͜ ̢͝of͜͠ ̵̶́y͟ǫ͟ư̵r̷̢ ̸́k̶i̛n͏͟͜d̨͜͝.͘͞”̴̀̕

You come to yourself, realizing you're bowed dangerously far out over the pool of darkened water. The shadows beneath the surface twitch in agitation at being called to speak despite the brightness of light.

>>45711394

You pull back quickly, gritting your teeth at the wave of dizziness that suddenly overcomes you. Shaking your head, you recover and stand, trying to piece together meaning from the fragment.

From what you can tell, the conversation was from the time around when Myth got booted off the property of the well. She was talking to the Great Lynx, or something that represented it, and it was way pissed at her for whatever it was she was doing wrong. It’s hard to tell what that was, exactly, but you get the weird feeling it’s important you figure it out. If you can avoid what turned the elemental on Myth, you’ll probably avoid a lot of the same problems.

The sound of its voice grates in your memories, and your confidence in solving the issue with words diminishes. You might need some magic tricks up your sleeve in case things don’t turn out so hot. You roll up a sleeve and set a claw to your exposed shoulder, inscribing in flesh words that will reinforce your anti-magic abilities with the power of blood. You take some satisfaction in the process, the pain giving you something else to think of in place of fear. (-2 Stress: 11)

[+Red Rush Inscriptions: Spell Eater, Corrupting Hex]

You inspect the angular script of your Heltic, making sure you didn’t accidentally misspell any of the words. Although you wonder if it’d matter if you spelled them wrong – does placebo effect work for magic? Like, what you think is more important than what you do? You have no clue, so you err on the side of safety.

Anyway, you’re just stalling. It’s time to fess up and get it done with.

>Get it done with.
>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?)
>Other (?)

>>45711427
>>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping
have a quick chat with the group, if nothing comes up then do it

>>45711427
>>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?) What could Myth have done to piss off the spirit? Mention this stuff to the group, they might suggest something.

>>45711427
>>Get it done with.

>>45711427
>>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?)

See what the group thinks about it. We have other people to bounce info off of, and the ritualistic way of speaking might be a clue.

Ask for naught and receiving naught, squandering a beloved gift?

IDK, Borislav might have some insight, but it feels like dealing with the fucking fey.

Maybe we should be presenting the copper as a gift instead of a business transaction.

>>45711427
>> >Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping

>Y̢o̢ư do n̕ot h͏old dom̛i͜níon̛,̸ nor ha͜ve̕ ͞you͝ ev͠er
The spirit dislikes those it perceives to be weak.

>A̛ ćŗav̡en t̢hie͜f͝ yoư a̶re b͏eco͏me̴,̶ ̛s̀q̴uande͏r̡ing th͠e͠ ̶b̡elo͘ved̀ gift for ͏va̢in̷ ͢ob̕s̡c͝u͜ŗìtie̵s̛
It will not work with anyone, they need to be powerful and focused

>>45711625
>focus
Welp pack it in gents.

>>45711427
>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?)

I think an important part to consider is how it talked about holding dominion and considered her a thief. It might be that she was arrogant, considered her claimed wells to belong to her, rather than a responsibility to uphold.

>>45711427
>Get it done with.

>>45711427
>>Get it done with.

>>45711427
>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?)

Didn't we just have two threads about not actively seeking out counsel? Lead with our own ideas then ask for comments.

>>45711427
>>>Get it done with.

>>45711427
>>Consider ramifications the information gleaned from eavesdropping (?)
Are you dead?

You head up the rocky beach to join your crew by the silvery star of the landwell, suspended precisely in the middle of the circular cove. Shallow water and randomly interspersed rocks come together to make a place that would be fun to hang out at for a long period of time, with plenty of little nooks and crannies where you could lie down for a while in comfort.

Isaac sits a ways off with his crossbow over his lap, Reeber sitting vigilantly beside him. Meanwhile, Ranthix, working in tandem with a huge bear, manage to carry the pallet of stacked copper up to a point nearby the well, where they drop it down on a flat rock.

Your dad nods at your approach, and the bear looks over its furry shoulder, then resolves into the form of a Borya instead. The druid hops down from the rock and heads over to Isaac with you, while Ranthix glares angrily at the invisible landwell that only you (and maybe Borislav) can see. He leaves the task to itself when you draw nearer, and joins the team at rock HQ.

You speak, and relay to them what the shadows told you earlier. Then you share your developing ideas on the subject. “So I’m thinking the lynx is big on tradition or whatever cause of how it was talking,” you say. “Definitely doesn’t like it when people look weak, and definitely doesn’t like being getting all up in its business like they own the place. So I’m thinking we should just present all the copper as a present, sort of, not really so much as a business transaction. You know, butter it up, show it I’ve got resources.”

Borya, Rax, and Isaac all consider your plan.

“The Great Lynx is only interested in keeping its territories and powers intact,” says Isaac. “Ask for naught is what it said, right? I bet she claimed the well without asking permission or offering compensation first, and tried to apply for forgiveness after. The original peoples respected the land and its inhabitants. That’s your job here,” he says.

>>45713134

“Show respect. Don’t act like anything it lends you belongs to you, and show that you’re willing to pay for everything you ask up front.”

Bosislav disagrees. “No no no,” he says, shaking his hands at you. “Give copper freely. Cat will associate first impression of you with thing it likes. This is good. But it is important to understand what he wanted which he did not see, and why this is what he was wanting.”

“Well, what did it want from Myth? I’m all ears,” you say.

He gives it a moment’s thought. “The big cat said his power is gift. He did not like how landmaster used this gift. It is necessary to say to him how you will use gift, to say to him that you will use gift in way he will like,” says the druid.

“THE SOLUTION TO THIS RIDDLE IS THAT IT IS NO RIDDLE AT ALL,” Ranthix tells everyone, fuming anger smoking off of him at your difficulties. “THE LANDMASTER BALKED AT REVEALING THE BOON. DISGUSTED WITH HER SPINELESSNESS, THE SPIRIT DENIED THE POWER, AND WHEN SHE ISSUED DEMANDS FROM A POSITION OF WEAKNESS, IT DIRECTED WRATH UPON HER.”

Reeber doesn’t offer advice. In fact, he’s not even paying attention. He’s sniffing around at the water’s edge.

Despite the goodly amount of well-intentioned advice you’ve just received, you don’t feel any more confident than you were a minute ago.


>Knock on the landwell and summon the Great Lynx.
>You should stick with your gut on this. Tell the spirit what’s going down, and take its well.
>Isaac’s right. You should try to show some respect, as one magical being to another. Don’t push it around.
>Borislav’s right. You need to ask the spirit how it wants you to use its power, and prove how you’ll do it.
>Ranthix's always right. You can't be spineless and coy in front of a cat, especially not a spirit one.
>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.
>You know what? Screw it. You’re done with this BS. Claim the well.
>Other (?)

>>45713256
>>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

>>45713256
>>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

>>45713256
>Knock on the landwell and summon the Great Lynx.
>>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

>>45713256
wing dat shit

The sierra way.

>>45713256
>Borislav’s right. You need to ask the spirit how it wants you to use its power, and prove how you’ll do it.

I feel like this is a gray wolf scenario, where we need to ask permission first or else the tsar's going to send us on a journey to steal the firebird. Or drown us.

>>45713256
>You should stick with your gut on this. Tell the spirit what’s going down.

Give it some respect and just tell the Lynx how some really nasty stuff is going on back home and its power could sway the tide in the upcoming fights

>>45713256
>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.
They all have a point, and their advice will be taken into consideration, but we're as prepared as we're going to be.

>>45713256
>>Other (?)
C-C-C-C-Combo!!!!! We should come to greet it as one Power to Another. We're Royalty after all, and we're going to be making waves protecting the area from others who would intrude such as the Dragon we met earlier and DickBag McHornSmuggler whats-his-name who we're going to go on about his similarities to ThunderBirds and how they piss us off and he's a dick, without outright comparing him to a thunderbird.

We'll offer the Cat some copper as a gift, really just a small gesture, as the least one can do when visiting another power. Then we downplay not the quality but how much effort it was for us to get the gift and lament that we weren't able to get them something more personalized but we wanted to be sure that it would be something they enjoy.

I've been reading way too many books about dealing with the fey lately, and how their etiquette is based on Foucauldian discourse analysis.

>>45713256
>Ranthix's always right. You can't be spineless and coy in front of a cat, especially not a spirit one.
Admittedly, I hate trying to play diplomacy with a spirit this foreign. Let's just trip the minefield and get it over with.

>>45713256
>>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.
Would Sierra do it any other way?

We'll improvise on the fly, it's how we roll.

>>45713419
we ain't soem fucking court rat, cut the bullshit

>>45713455
this desu

>>45713419
TL;DR We're here to say hi because we're nobility, chat about how we're going to fuck up some dude because we hate his thunderbirdyness, and offer the gift because that's what Powers do.

That way, if the Spirit doesn't offer us a gift back, it's admitting that it's not a power. And the more we downplay the gift's suitability the more the spirit is driven to give us something personalized or specific to "one-up" us. Wrecking thunderbird face is buttering him up, and providing a barrier between her and the Dragon is proof that we ARE a Power.

>>45713256
>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

>>45713455
Just because that's how I wrote it, doesn't mean that's how we have to go about it.

But there's being a Court Rat, and there's intentionally wearing your shoes inside someones house or shitting in their front yard and insisting "We Wuz Kings" while doing so.

>>45713495
you're assuming way too much about that spirit's personality and mindset when in fact we know next to nothing about it.

>>45713495
See >>45713455
It would see through it, and Ranthix would disown us.

>>45713256
>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

Need to stay true to Sierra

>>45713455
Meh, it's just mixing the advice we got really. We show off our power as per Ranthix by pointing out we've negotiated with a Dragon, we lead it into talking about how we're going to wreck a common enemy, and we show respect to it as per Isaac by offering the gift of the copper instead of making it a transaction.

Is that simple enough for you? Or do you WANT to fight a drowning spirit because you're confusing Boldness with Stupidity?

File: 1409100902846.jpg (10 KB, 251x200)

10 KB JPG

>>45713436
>wing it
>on the fly
Too bad Sierra's wings aren't good for anything besides falling.

>>45713582
We're gonna wing this shit. Just like sierra always does.

Besides, bragging about past accomplishments is the most over compensating thing you can do

>>45713616
>Sierra finally goes insane
>Runs around with her wings out making a wooshing sound

I'm actually kind of confident about this guys.

>A̛ ćŗav̡en t̢hie͜f͝ yoư a̶re b͏eco͏me̴,̶ ̛s̀q̴uande͏r̡ing th͠e͠ ̶b̡elo͘ved̀ gift for ͏va̢in̷ ͢ob̕s̡c͝u͜ŗìtie̵s̛. ͢Aşk ͏f͢o͜r̡ na̶u͝g̛ht, t͝h͜i̧ng͟ ̕of̕ ̷b̸on̵es, an̸d ̵to ǹau͜g͞ht ̸yóur ̕b͢on̴es͝ ̵w̢il̀l go͡,͠

I think if we have good enough reason to be doing what we are doing, it won't mind too much. I think that is what it is saying.

>>45713667
Reclaiming our Imperiacy and uniting Halth is a bretty gud reason. Not to mention to more direct reason of we got people that want to kill us and we need to gib them first.

File: 2315461615.gif (996 KB, 500x281)

996 KB GIF

>>45713656

File: lol blue boards.png (215 KB, 498x711)

215 KB PNG

>>45713656
You act like we're not going to drown today.

>>45713625
> Besides, bragging about past accomplishments is the most over compensating thing you can do

See, that's a modern perspective yes. The whole "Modesty of the every-man". And it's bullshit. You'll never be a Donald if you don't laud your own accomplishments.

The key is to only laud actual accomplishments. Or to own the media and have them do it for you.

Besides, shouldn't we be neighborly and inform the spirit about the pact we made with the Dragon, and how it might impact the Spirit as well?

TL;DR I don't see why you intentionally want to chimp out about shit. Sierra's uneducated, not fucking stupid. That's why we listened to shadows and talked to our advisors.

Before apparently throwing that all out the window because murdering shit is our best bet.

>>45713707
>Sierra flaping around would be cute as shit

>>45713776
She can't drown! Issaic is here.

>>45713704
Is that a good reason for the spirit? Does the spirit really give a fuck about what happens outside of it's domain?

Fucking up a Thunderbird expy might be a lot better reason yo.

>>45713801
Jesus christ you're retarded.

Before I go to bed consider taking Ranthix' advice in a more literal manner. Rely on our own power. In this case, Unnatural Charm. It tells you how to automatically talk with something the "correct" way. No need to assume it likes this or that before we actually even see it.

Good night.

>>45713667
Take back what's ours, crush anyone who thinks they can threaten what we hold dear, find out who was boat and kill them, conquer Health in the name of turning it into less of a shithole maybe, and to screw over Sulksrasph(sp?) who by the way is the prince of air.

>>45713840
bretty gud advice desu fampai

File: Negotiations fail.jpg (42 KB, 640x204)

42 KB JPG

>>45713813
Because the Adults will always protect you, Anon?

Ranthix is Dissapoint.

>>45713840
This is not a bad idea either.

>>45713832
And you're willfully tossing all the advice and planning we did out the window.

>>45713813
Sierra is always cute as shit
I'm still kinda sad she can't quite go flying with her sister.

>>45713904
Her life is suffering anon. IF she could fly she'd be happy. Her wings have to be a pale imitation of the real thing.

The Hollows are the best thing that ever happened to her and I'm just waiting for her to get one killed. The guilt will be soul crushing.


Almost got lucky with Ro early on.

>>45713952
I fully expected for Raging on Ro to get Sierra booted, nice people or no.

>>45713256
>>Reeber’s right. You’re over thinking this. Just wing it.

Out of all the advice, though, the wisdom most useful for you right now is Reeber’s. He’s not overthinking anything. And frankly, neither should you. “You know what guys?” you ask, giving a lopsided look at the century-and-a-half-plus vault of wisdom assembled before you. “I’m just going to wing it. So get into position or whatever, because this is happening.”

Ranthix gives a sharkish smile. “HA HA, YES,” shouts the Thul’tal, grabbing up a futuristic-looking machine gun and stalking off for a better firing position. “COME DOG.” At the command, Reeber scampers after him.

Isaac hefts his crossbow up, and brushes a knuckle against your shoulder with his other hand. “If you feel for a second like you’re in over your head, just say the word,” he tells you.

“I’m not screwing up,” you say, your voice adamant.

“Harasho, dyevushka,” Borislav says, tapping his staff on the rock. “Divai.”

With such support, you proceed up the slight hill where, amid trees and an angry bush of stinging nettle, hangs the silvery gossamer sphere of the landwell.

You give it the ol’ knock-knock. When your will makes contact with the well, it sends out a silvery pulse that shoots invisibly out in a vast shockwave. Despite clear skies, a rumble of thunder cracks through the sky overhead. Isaac and Borislav pause to look up at the sound.

Nice. You made thunder happen. (-5 Stress: 6)

A second passes, and then two. And then you see a sudden mist arising from the lake. The cloud emerges from the water and slowly gains size and spread. In a minute, it’s pushed up over the shoreline. In two, it’s expanded up and over your own position. As you wait, it thickens gradually, eventually leaving you in a cool fog so dense that you can barely make out the lapping waters of Lake Superior.

It becomes eerily quiet.

You make out something rising from the water. Something lithe and covered in spikes, vaguely feline in form, except for its size. It’s easily the size of a moose.

>>45714550

But given you’ve never seen a moose before, it’s probably even bigger than a moose. Like, maybe it’s easily the size of one-and-a-half mooses. Moosen. Meece? Nevermind.

Anyway, shrouded in mist, a wild Great Lynx appears. Or at least its general outline. Kind of hard to make out details with all this damn fog.

A pervasive sense of wariness fills the air, from all directions at once. Is it all from the Lynx? You shouldn't be surprised, but you weren't expecting such a vast... presence.

>Approach Great Lynx for a better look. You like giant animals – also you like seeing who you’re talking to.
>Probably should stay where you are, given the formal setting.
>Kodak moment. Snap a picture with your phone.
>Build rapport with Great Lynx against those damn thunderbirds.
>Tell the Lynx you want to share some of its powers so you can use it to wreck crap.
>Show all due respect to the ancient spirit. No need to piss it off over something dumb.
>Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings, right?
>Lay down how it’s going to be. You need to be confident. Confidence is key. That’s what it is.
>Request Great Lynx’s aid against the element of air, as embodied in Sulkrasph and Ossifera.
>Do not inform the Lynx about your designs yet. Instead focus on what it expects of you to share its power.
>Show this lake cat you’re no pushover. Throw a fire at it to get a taste of where you’re coming from.
>Engage in rampant flattery. All cats love themselves some flattery.
>Advertise copper as gift.
>Advertise copper as payment.
>Other (?)

>>45714599
>>Kodak moment. Snap a picture with your phone.

>>45714599
>>Approach Great Lynx for a better look. You like giant animals – also you like seeing who you’re talking to.

>>45714599
>Kodak moment. Snap a picture with your phone.
>Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings, right?
>Lay down how it’s going to be. You need to be confident. Confidence is key. That’s what it is.

>>45714599
>>Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings, right?

>>45714638
>>45714599
Also,
>Tell the Lynx you want to share some of its powers so you can use it to wreck crap.
>Other (Tell it who we are planning on fighting and killing)

>>45714599
>>Approach Great Lynx for a better look. You like giant animals – also you like seeing who you’re talking to.
Let it speak first

>>45714599
>Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings, right?

Introductions are polite.

>>45714599
See what happens when you give too many options?

>>45714599
>Tell the Lynx you want to share some of its powers so you can use it to wreck crap.
>Request Great Lynx’s aid against the element of air, as embodied in Sulkrasph and Ossifera.
>Advertise copper as gift.

>>45715120

Eh, I just wanted people to know they could take this however they wanted.

Roll dice for talking.

>>45714599
>>Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings, right?

Let's keep our stress levels down.

> all these votes for camera action

What the Fuck. Are you all a bunch of Chinese tourists?

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>45715204
Rollan

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>45715204

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>45715204
please, dice gods...

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>45715204
Rolling to embarrass ourselves.

File: 1444670499574.jpg (44 KB, 635x457)

44 KB JPG

>>45715245
so 16, that's really damn good.

File: 1450488985044.jpg (31 KB, 500x362)

31 KB JPG

>>45715281
It's pretty sweet.

>>45709044
Why do people not read stuff the right way?

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>45715204
Rolling dice is a way of life

>>45715204
Did we activate unnatural charm?

>>45709582
We have invented short term diving gear that is quite small.

>>45715281
It's like rolling a 17 if you like d20s.

File: 1456461534492.jpg (11 KB, 251x201)

11 KB JPG

>>45713656

>>45713801
>You'll never be a Donald
Good I like being the owner of my soul.

>>45716201
Your shit posting is as weak as your reasoning.

>>45716214
Fuck of shoggoth shill.

You skip down the hillside into the rocky tide pools, and approach the Great Lynx. You think it’s important to see who you’re talking to, and probably also to show you’re not afraid of it. You’re not sure whether you’re afraid of it or not, but it’s better that it doesn’t think so, you think.

You advance and pop up onto a rock, and lay eyes on the spirit.

The Great Lynx looks surprisingly like a big cat. Like, there was talk and jokes, but it’s true. It’s a big lake cat. Of course there’s more to it than that. It’s got long, pointy lynx ears and sleek, luxurious fur, like an otter’s. Its paws are each about the size of your head. It’s flexible figure conveys a dangerous amount of power held in careful reserve.

Unlike most cats you know, the lynx is very tall, and has an extremely long, serpentine neck. Scales brush its shoulders, dispersed equal parts with fur along its back – some tufts of fur are missing, evidencing the gnarled flesh of faded scars. Long and thin boney spines jut out of its back, all along down its spine and incredibly lengthy tail. The Great Lynx stares impassively at you with green, strangely reptilian eyes.

You brought it here. This is your game. Your heart hammers audibly in your head.

You can Be cool. Casual, but cool. You’re both unfathomably powerful immortal beings. You’re the freaking Imperaite. You can do cool.

You resist the sudden urge to take a picture with your phone. That would not be cool. That would be uncool. As a cool person who’s into cool things, you can be cool just being cool with the ancient spirit before you. Taking a deep breath, you overcome the momentary panic.

In the middle of wondering whether you should introduce yourself or wait for the spirit to talk, it beats you to the punch.

The Great Lynx speaks in a rasping voice, on the edge of a whisper and a trick of the sound of the waves. Even so, it pierces you to the core. (+1 Stress: 7) “Who?” it asks, remaining perfectly motionless.

>>45716274
> Feel the Bern

> Still not feeling it, enjoy Shillary as the Dems leader in 2016

Glad I'm not American.

>>45716417

Its mouth doesn’t move to match its voice.

You catch yourself wringing your claws, and cut it out. You’re no pushover, you can handle a simple conversation. “Uh. About that. I’m Sierra. Y’know, one true Imperiate of the thousand hells and all that jazz,” you say, waving a hand. “I hear you hate the sky?” Your voice carries easily over the quiet.

The Great Lynx’s fur and spines bristle. “The abhorrence of the animikii is manifest and renewed through every season,” whispers the spirit. its voice rattling your very bones. (+1 Stress: 8)

That’s probably a yes, given the trace anger added to the feeling around you. You forge onward, forcing yourself to remain collected. “Yeah, I mean seriously, am I right? And the worst thing is, I’ve got a freaking wind-gliding, tornado generating dragon and the Prince of the Power of the Air, both breathing down my neck. Like, can you even imagine?”

“It is a question divorced from an understanding of the world,” the spirit replies, barring its teeth and growling.

The wariness from the lynx is tainted more and more by anger. Maybe you’re beating too much around the bush. (+1 Stress: 9) “Look, why don’t I get down to the fundamentals,” you say, leveling with the elemental. “Basically, I want you to share some power with me so I can wreck crap. Specifically Sulkrasph and Ossifera’s crap, my aforementioned... air-relevant abhorrences.”

The spirit stares emotionlessly at you. The wariness in the air thins until you’re in a blank of any feeling whatsoever, except a single hint of sour, earthy curiosity.

>>45716417
The Imperiate! Of Halth and California, as well as various parts of Canada and the US.

>>45716451

You think you’ve got it hooked.

>And... yeah. I’m going to just go over there so I can tag your well. Just giving you a heads up.
>Did I mention the copper? There’s like 2000 pounds of copper right over there, for your trouble of coming up in the first place.
>I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying.
>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.
>You have any zany trials or gauntlets you want me to run through beforehand?
>Let’s say best case scenario, you say yes. How do you want me to wield your powers?
>I don’t imagine this being a long-term thing, if you’re not chill with it. Just until I trash everybody.
>And hey, it’s a win/win. If I get the well, you can be one ton of copper richer. Hear it makes good wires.
>Other (?)

>>45716492
>Did I mention the copper? There’s like 2000 pounds of copper right over there, for your trouble of coming up in the first place.
>Let’s say best case scenario, you say yes. How do you want me to wield your powers?

>>45716492
>>You have any zany trials or gauntlets you want me to run through beforehand?
Killing hydras, shucking stables, something like that?

>>45716492

>Let’s say best case scenario, you say yes. How do you want me to wield your powers?
>I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying.

Why do I have the sudden apprehension about the copper?

>>45716492
>>Did I mention the copper? There’s like 2000 pounds of copper right over there, for your trouble of coming up in the first place.
>>I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying.
>>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.

>Take a picture

>>45716492
>>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.

>>45716560
those are the worst options

>>45716585
thisdrownstheimperiate.jpg

Dont bring up the copper unless he starts asking for something.

Otherwise it sounds like groveling.

>>45716604
We need to live life on the edge anon. Sometimes you just need to take a dive forward into the murky waters of adventure.

>>45716492
>I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying.
>Let’s say best case scenario, you say yes. How do you want me to wield your powers?

>>45716492
>>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.
>I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying.

>>45716577
I'd avoid the trials, because it might be something like "Swim from one end of the lake to the other" something Sierra actually can't do.

>>45716492
>Did I mention the copper? There’s like 2000 pounds of copper right over there, for your trouble of coming up in the first place.
>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.
> You wanna get in on this? Get some bird feathers to take home, put on the mantle, and look at to remember good times wrecking dudes who fly too much?

>>45716617
You're right.

>So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.

We should let it make the next move, not show it all our cards at once. If it wants payment now, or wants us to jump through some hoops, let it bring those topics up itself.

>>45716617
Giving a gift no strings attached isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of wealth.

Just a thought. Copper conducts electricity right? And this spirit hates electro birds right?

Just thinking out-loud.

>>45716659
I think I'd like to get Sierra to swim, if it came to not fighting the massive spirit cat. Maybe we can resolve a phobia as well as grab some awesome power.

>>45716691
The Cat doesn't want payment, it was pretty clear on that. But what can't be bought may still be given freely between friends.

That's why gift cards are such a shit birthday present, even money is better if a little impersonal.

So we give him the copper as a sign of us respecting him, AND being rich enough to literally give it away. Also, as a way to show that we're friends.

Fuck it, why am I expecting basic social skills out of /tg/.

>>45716738
If we are going to do that it should be in a less important setting.

>>45716738
I would like to ask the Spirit Cat to help us overcome our fear later on when we are friends.

>>45716692
No, when you give a "gift" while asking for something it's pretty clearly groveling.

Negotiating from equal footing is a sign of strength and wealth.

>>45716765
>when we are friends
And I thought I was optimistic

>>45716738
I'd rather it happen in a controlled scenario, rather than with a being who could drown her at-will.
Remember, she spazzed out hard the last time someone even just shoved her in a pool.

>>45716765
admitting she's terrified of the element she's trying to befriend seems unwise. Particularly when it was shouting down Myth for being weak earlier.

>>45716746
I would argue with you but you're too autistic to listen to other peoples points.

>>45716585
>>45716492
Changing my vote to not mention the copper.

>>45716785
At best you could argue it's cultural, but given how gift giving is a thing seen in many societies I would have to say you're wrong.

And if you're giving a "gift" while asking for something, then you're not giving a gift at all. The risk you take that you'll get nothing in return is what builds trust when the person does reciprocate it.

This is something seen in cultures across the world, and is predominant in pre-currency societies and among nobility.

We give the gift not as tribute, but because we have so much that this is nothing to us.

I bet you're the kind of person that asks for the receipt so they can return birthday presents.

Roll some dice real quick.

>>45716815
If that's your vote, then delete it.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>45717013
Rolling for not being rude.

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>45717013

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>45717013

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>45717013
>

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>45717013
Rolling for giving her the copper.

File: 1425752808517.jpg (147 KB, 632x576)

147 KB JPG

>>45717060
another 17
nice

>>45717069
Damn, looks like RNG are not on my side.

>>45717006
Different anon but this entirely depends on how the Spirit views us.

If it thinks of us as a lower than itself, then I'd say it might more likely interpret the gift as groveling of sorts. We wouldn't be equal to it, and the sort of interactions that might happen between nobles on equal footing you described doesn't really apply.

Once we've established that we're a power equal to or greater than this spirit, that's when we should give the copper.

>>45717133
Fuck your context, clearly this can only be one or the other /s

But this is a reasonable compromise. Note that this is why I wanted to bring up our dealings with the Dragon and our position with an established court, maybe lead into taking over our dad's role as Landmaster.

Wonder if the spirit knew our dad.

>>45717190
>my daddy was important!!
>i talked to a dragon and she didn't kill me!!
Literally kill yourself

You glance sideways the pallet of copper just waiting for the snatching, but you leave it out of the conversation. You don’t start talking dollar signs if you don’t have to. Instead, you focus on the big picture – you kicking ass.

“I’m imagining some epic showdown between fire and air, basically, is what I’m saying,” you tell the lynx. “Like, I’m all wielding cosmic forces and totally killing the hell out of these people.”

The spirit tilts its head to the side, and its curiosity grows.

Time to cinch the deal, you think. “So, how about it? Sound good to you? I mean it sounds good to me, but that’s obvious.”

>>45717500

The Great Lynx sits further upright and gives you its undivided attention, an excitement gleaming its predatory eyes. You made the spirit lose its poker face – well done, you. “I am become desirous to witness the talents of fire, before it is you depart to this epic showdown with the kin of animikii,” says the lynx. “Many have the seasons been from the last champion of hell I battled.”

Uh oh. Curve ball. Does the Great Lynx want to fight you? It sounds like it wants to fight you. There’s a disturbing ferociousness in its voice and aura both. Did you oversell? (+3 Stress: 12)

>Sure, come with me back to California. I’ll get in a fight in a day or two, no problemo.
>Talents of fire, huh? I can show you some of those real quick, just a quick appetizer for later. (Display fire tricks)
>How about this – I’m willing to bet one ton of copper that you’d be more satisfied seeing me fight on my own terms. If you’re not satisfied, it’s yours.
>What, like, you want to fight me? I thought we were teaming up against those animikii jerks. Let’s turn all that angst outward.
>No offense, but I don’t want to accidentally kill you. Fire evaporates water and all that.
>Really, you battled a champion of hell? How’d that go? (Go for the distraction)
>You don’t want to ruin the surprise by jumping in yourself, do you? It’s all better when it plays out naturally for you to watch.
>Funny you should mention it, I got a real champion of hell already gearing to go.
>>Even got a druid from across the seas and a real live demonbane to boot.
>Other (?)

>>45717513
>No offense, but I don’t want to accidentally kill you. Fire evaporates water and all that.

>>45717513
agree to his terms and ask him how exactly he wants to display our power

>>45717513
>>Other (?) Fine. You, me, a little spar to show each other what we can do.

>>45717513
Sure, any terms? How do you want to go about this?

>>45717566
>>45717567
>>45717581
These

>>45717513
>>Talents of fire, huh? I can show you some of those real quick, just a quick appetizer for later. (Display fire tricks)

and if he likes it

>>Sure, come with me back to California. I’ll get in a fight in a day or two, no problemo.

If none of those work apply fisticuffs to Cat in copious amounts after establishing nonlethal and no takes backs.

>>45717567
Seconding this

>>45717513
>Really, you battled a champion of hell? How’d that go? (Go for the distraction)

>>45717513
>Talents of fire, huh? I can show you some of those real quick, just a quick appetizer for later. (Display fire tricks)

I knew it would come down to this.
I'm leaving. My advice tg; fight your own battles. The Lynx already seems onboard and just wants to play around.

>>45717566
>>45717677
>>45717513
I'll support these. Spar the spirit only as a last resort. Like, if he really asks for it.

>>45717513
>Take a picture

>>45717513
>Talents of fire, huh? I can show you some of those real quick, just a quick appetizer for later. (Display fire tricks)

This will work, I hope. Though, we need to make sure everyone gets the memo and they don't jump in the second sparks start flying if it comes to that.

With it's attitude so far though,this seems like a fight we can lose as long as we make a good show of, although its assistance may just result in a boon of sorts instead of letting us have the well in it's entirety, or even its direct presence in our battles. Whether or not it sees us as an equal searching for more allies in an upcoming war, or a lesser being searching for some divine blessing sort of thing.

>>45717567
>>45717513
ask for exact terms then spar the bitch

>>45717394
Your shitpost-fu is weeeeeaaaaak.

I'd tell you to kill yourself in turn, but I doubt you could even do that right.

> Being acknowledged by other powers isn't relevant

> Not trading on the reputation and accomplishments of your parents

Found the poor fag neet.

Ha ha! Time for drowning!

>>45717819
Nah, we're diving into the deep waters of adventure without a safety float to hold us back (and up).

>>45713776
Post sauce

>>45717513
> I have several champions nearby. Would you like to meet them?
> Or I suppose I could face you myself. What are your terms?

The fact that negotiations have come full circle back to fighting makes you feel less dumb for being kitted out. If it’s a little friendly sparring you have to do, you have no qualms about applying a friendly fist directly to Cat.

You limber up a bit, your pulse quickening automatically. There’s a tension in the air, but it’s kind of a positive kind, somehow. At least you hope so. (-2 Stress: 10) “Talents of fire, huh? I can show you some of those real quick, just a quick appetizer for later,” you say, punching the air and letting your fiery corona flare up a bit. “Unless you’re talking sparring or something like that. What kinds of terms are you thinking about? I mean no offense, I don’t want to accidentally kill you.”

The Great Lynx picks up and begins pacing slowly down the shore, keeping its eyes on you. “A battle to the yield if you are to fight against me,” it says sharply. “Or, if it is preferred to testify to the bar of your own excellence, so long as you choose. I will play judge to the extent of antagonism displayed.”

So, as it sounds to you, you can pretty much either fight the spirit head-to-head, or do some kind of road-show demon dance to impress the lynx. It seems straightforward, but it might be easier to display antagonism if you’re actually fighting. But if the lynx is way more badass than you (or tosses you in the water), you’ll yield after two seconds, and you’ll look like you can’t hold up your end of the kicking ass bargain.

However, if you testify to the bar of your own excellence - who the hell says that? If you make the fight something against yourself, you’ll have a better shot at showing off your diverse skills. You do have a pretty zany array of powers and magics at your disposal.

>Fine, to the yield. That means no killing, got it? So let’s do it. (Fight Cat, literally)
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)
>Can’t you just like, I don’t know, act like adults?
>Other (?)

>>45717991
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)

>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)
Oh and we can do the whole pronounce our demonym thing for dramatic effect!

>>45717991
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)

Sierra brought the point up herself, it'd be all too easy to get lobbed into the water and make a fool of herself. It could probably even bring the water to her, no need to toss her around.

>>45717991
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically
I'm not sure we can risk a two second fight involving us being thrown into the water.

Fighting ourselves though, I'm not sure how this is supposed to go. Maybe we can fight one of our summons? Maybe we can stack all our summons on top of each other and bench press them?

>>45717991
>Fine, to the yield. That means no killing, got it? So let’s do it. (Fight Cat, literally)

>>45717991
>>Other (?)
The power of an Imperiate doesn't lie in her own abilities.

> Call out Ranthix and spar with him

If the Cat has prior dealings with the Champions of Hell, then he should know about the Thultal and their warrior skills and whatnot.

So no accusations of Ranthix going easy on us.

Alternatively, we could call out Isaac and blow the cats fucking mind that a Hollow is our dad.

You know what they say about cats and curiousity.

>The spirit stares emotionlessly at you. The wariness in the air thins until you’re in a blank of any feeling whatsoever, except a single hint of sour, earthy curiosity.

> The spirit tilts its head to the side, and its curiosity grows.

> The Great Lynx sits further upright and gives you its undivided attention, an excitement gleaming its predatory eyes. You made the spirit lose its poker face – well done, you.

Let's just kill it and eat it's heart.

>>45717991
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)

Time to show off just how awesome we are and all the different sides of our heritage. Maybe try doing stuff like using fire to make shadows, then manipulating the shadows and running a zappy tendril through them, find somewhere to put something Belphegoran in, probably Stain of Sin since it's obvious, cool looking, and doesn't require a target like the magic drain or negative emotion projection stuff.

>>45718136
Why would it matter to a great spirit that we have a HAllow as a dad?

Unless you're going for the "we're a hellborn but made allies with a demonbane" line, which I'm not sure he gives two shits about.

>>45717991
>>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)
(FIGHT RANTHIX AND ALSO ISAAC AT THE SAME TIME)

>>45718136
>>45718179
I like the curiosity angle, but I really do t see how to use it to our advantage other than how we already have.

>>45718204
Pls

>>45718179
I'm sorry, us doing and being the unthinkable wouldn't be of interest to the cat? Do you not have any Desire to Know More?

I mean, there have been several not-so-subtle hints that curiosity is the cats weakness. And here we have something strange, unusual, and possibly unique.

>>45718136
Oh i love the curiosity angle. We should play that hard. He can be witness to the rise of a new Imperiate! We will travel the lands and see and experience a vast number of new things, and he can be part of that journey, experience it with us!

>>45718241
I guess if it wants us to prove ourselves we could bring up the whole gang.
"Look at all these people with me! Look how intresting they are!"

>>45718213
That's why I said fight Ranthix, the known factor, vs. Isaac who is probably going to be able to fuck us up while also obviously holding back.

But then again, we have the Cat then wanting to know a) why we have a half-angel with us, and b) why he's holding back, and we can go into the whole "Dad" thing and that this Imperiate is already not going to be like anything ever seen before.

"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back"

But yeah, fighting Ranthix would make more sense. I just kind of tossed it out there because like I said it would probably blow the Cat's mind.

>>45718271
Don't forget "Powerful". They're all heavy hitters.

And we leave Orias in sniping position until we leave to tease the kitty.

>>45717991
>>45718213
>>45718262

Just making sure these relevant conversations are linked to the post.

Because hoo-boy am I a fag.

>>45717991
>Other (?)

Challenge the Great Lynx to a dance battle. It may have spiritual power, but can it bust a move?

>>45718332
> Challenging a Cat to a competition of skill and Grace

> Thinking it will ever accept defeat

Nigga, not even 3 nat 1's could make that happen.

Fear of drowning motivates an informed decision. “I’ll testify to my own excellence any day,” you say, brushing your hair aside and stretching your shadow out beneath you. “Prepare to witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Sakheris, the one true tyrant of the thousand hells!” Darkness and menacing hisses reverberate in the background of your name and title, making you sound extra demony.

Your mind races with thoughts. What will you show first? How best can you display your splendiferous might? Will you call down Ranthix to spar? Maybe Isaac? Or go against everybody at the same time? Possibilities! (-2 Stress: 8)

But then the Great Lynx surprises you by freezing and digging its claws into the beach. “Then it is to be a duel with the self,” it intones, an ominous vibe of severity in its voice. (+1 Stress: 9)

At that, you feel a livewire of power snap through the air.

You’re in the middle of figuring out what happened when the Great Lynx snakes around and heads to higher ground, bounding effortlessly upward to a high rock.

And then it starts to happen. A swirl of mist congeals from above in a cyclone, narrowing down to a point several yards in front of you. The water beneath leaps up to greet it, and the two intertwine in a virulent bubble atop a large, flat stone. The water shimmers and sparks with snaps of arcane energy and pulls into itself until it resolves into a humanoid figure.

The final veneer of mist explodes off with a sudden fiery snap, and then it emerges, as if from a cocoon. It’s a person. A girl wearing jeans, chainmail, and a tactical vest, with rifle slung over her back. You recognize the raven hair, pale skin, and ragged claws. You’ve seen them countless times in the mirror.

It’s you.

>>45717991
Fine, to the yield. That means no killing, got it? So let’s do it. (Fight Cat, literally)

>>45718549

Your clone raises her hands to the heavens, a vindictive smile on her stupidly smug face. “Hell yeah, that’s right, it’s freaking evil Sierra!” she calls out to you, her voice sounding nearly a full octave higher than where it’s supposed to be. “I’m gonna kick your ass and cut your fucking throat open!”

[Evil Sierra: 35/35 HP; 47 PP]

Wait. What? What?! (-2 Sanity: 91) (+15 Stress: 24)

>What!?
>I do not sound like that.
>Guys, shoot at her!
>Hey, cat, I change my mind, why don’t we fight instead?
>Okay, I don’t choose this. I choose not to do this.
>Shoot nega-Sierra.
>Hey, that’s like... copy right infringement or something.
>Call for backup.
>Fuck you!
>Not if I rip your fucking throat out first you won’t!
>Other (?)

File: 124567765.jpg (114 KB, 240x786)

114 KB JPG

>>45718560
>Hey, that’s like... copy right infringement or something.
>Shoot nega-Sierra.

>>45718560
>I do not sound like that.

>Shoot nega-Sierra.
>Hey, that’s like... copy right infringement or something.

>Fuck you!
>Not if I rip your fucking throat out first you won’t!

>>45718560
>Shoot nega-Sierra.

>>45718560
>Fuck you!
>>Shoot nega-Sierra.
>Hey, that’s like... copy right infringement or something.
>Not if I rip your fucking throat out first you won’t!

I have to go to sleep. Thrilling conclusions of nega-Sierra next time. Thank you for your patience.

>>45718560
>>Other (?)
Oh my god, I can't believe you just said that, why do you have to embarrass me in front of the cat-demon like that.

Think internally how it makes it even worse that it's something you might actually say.

Use the distraction to shoot Nega-Sierra while she is responding. You just know she's going to have some sort of smart ass response, and you would prefer your last words to be bullets.

>>45718582
Thanks for the thread.

If we lose does that mean we've actually won

>>45718582
> Other things to say to Nega-Sierra

"Hey, if you're really evil me, shouldn't you throw this fight so I don't look too powerful in front of the cat?"

"So you're the part of me that wanted to date (that nerd whose name I forgot but he sucked)".

"Why does evil me have smaller . . . horns?"

>>45718560
>Embrace your evil self
>then kiss it

>>45718616

Harsh.

>>45718560
>What!?
>I'm not exactly Good Sierra, shouldn't it just be like Sierras A and B?
>Shoot nega-Sierra.

Amusingly enough we're resistant to a lot of our own stuff, we're Fire resistant, Electricity resistant, psychic resistant with the Crown, shadow defenses and night vision against Verwelken stuff.

>>45718582
Nega Sierra is hotter. Rule of being the bad girl. She should trash talk issac and cas, then drown Sierra.

>>45718626
In a psychological battle, we are super vulnerable! And if we get the really bad stuff out of the way first, she can't say it back to us!

"You're the reason everyone died, so if you win then it's your responsibility to not fuck everything up with this Imperiate, okay?"

It helps that we're not really on the regular moral axis like lawful good or anything, and are instead neutral/insecure.

>>45718625

Saucy.

>>45718632

Imagine the nega-anons planning this fight right now.

>>45718660

So if Sierra is insecure, evil Sierra's strength is confidence?

>>45718637
> Implying we aren't already the baddest bitch around.

I mean, we kind of ARE a mass murderer who gets off on blood and violence.

I need an Army of Darkness gif, right here.

"Good, Bad, I'm the (insert uzi firing corrupted rounds into Nega Sierra) one who shot first"

Guys.
shit...
guys

What if evil Sierra stresses out and goes on a rampage?

>>45718677
Unreasonable confidence.

Moko Takabisha vs. Shishi Hōkōdan

We'll remind her of our shared worst moments and grow stronger (and sadder) as she grows weaker (and sadder) and eventually reconcile in a Minmei Attack.

Holy fuck that's some dating myself right there.

>>45718677
>>45718625

Hey, if physical intimacy is a huge weakness of ours, maybe it's evil sierra's too

>>45718692
Then we call in backup because we aren't fucking stupid.

>>45718745
But we haven't rampaged in fucking forever, we have gotten a LOT stronger since our last rampage.

>>45718677
We're weak to lewds.

> Isaac and Ranthix are freaking out over guilt for feelings that happen while watching for . . . Not that different of reasons.

>>45717991
>Witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Imperiate! (Fight self, metaphorically)
>(Fight self, metaphorically)
>metaphorically
you liar

>>45718759
Everyone here is a heavy hitter that would be deadly as Fuck 1 on 1.

That's honestly not much of a concern.

>>45718773
Nobody said we couldn't talk things out first. If anything just to screw with the cat.

Nega Sierra already seems down with that.

Why is she even fighting us? What does she get out of this?

>>45718560
>...N-nev?

>>45718759
Huh
Actually that's a good point about rampages, what if what Ranthix was talking about, about us actually being true immortal so long as we want to be, refers to our rampage/stress meter.
I mean every time that Sierra has been in a situation that was near-lethal or almost killed her, she rampaged first and lived.
And the consequences of that have been huge psychological damage, in fact Languid has said that after the Mekor fight there was a real risk of us committing suicide.

Maybe, and this is mostly spit-balling, that's the cost/mechanic of being invincible, the only thing that can kill us is us, but that's a very real possibility because of what keeps us alive.

File: 1455872078040.jpg (97 KB, 1280x720)

97 KB JPG

>>45718549
>“Prepare to witness the firepower of a fully armed and operating Sakheris,

>>45718560
>her voice sounding nearly a full octave higher than where it’s supposed to be

Interesting little factoid, people tend to hear their voices as deeper than they actually are because of the way the sound of your voice reverberates through your skull.

Meaning the way we hear Nega-Sierra's voice probably sounds rather close to how our voice actually is.

>>45718759
Isaac is enough of a threat to punch in Mekor's shit, I wouldn't worry about it.

>>45718773

We aren't fighting ourself, though. We're fighting a clone of ourself. We are literally different people, in that we have separate minds and bodies, but figuratively/metaphorically we're the same.

If Evil Sierra shares our powers and weaknesses, she'll be wary off the water.

How much would you lose sanity if you held a head of a clone of yourself underwater while she panics and drowns?

Theme of the next thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Su1YXQYek

>>45719238
Lots. But I like the idea.

>>45718956
>Sierra has a real girly voice
I love it.

I hope Ranthix is due to stop menstruating soon, this is getting embarrassing.

>>45718560
>>Fuck you!
>>Not if I rip your fucking throat out first you won’t!

What happens if both Sierras rampage?

>>45723340
They both spend the entire time fighting each other and everone just watches with some popcorn.

>>45719276
That's been the theme to literally every good Hellborn thread, now that I think about it.

>>45719238
40-70, unless the clone is made of water, in which case I'm too busy laughing at the absurdity of the situation to go insane.

>>45719238
wow.

So the plan is we insult her horns, make out with her, and then drown her.