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[8:02 PM Wednesday, June 24th 2015]

Everyone’s face is a varying degree of pale, with the “oh dear” mild of MacKay making a stark contrast to the unabridged terror that Madison’s face turned into. The instant you cut off the transmission with Brady, your fingers are already moving to establish another line of communication towards your commander. It doesn’t take too long. One split-second of dial tone before Alger’s voice can be heard through the connection. “Report.”

As you quickly give directions to Murdock’s boating house and the request to extract Victoria and Brady, the area around you becomes awash with activity. Fitz’s Sig Sauer is already in her hands, her eyes darting across the neighborhood, and MacKay’s demons are out on the field. The familiar sight of Knocker is welcome enough, that’s not what gives you pause.

If it weren’t for the wings growing out of her back, she would’ve passed off as a young woman in a loose-fitting dress. The sun had already set a half hour ago, and the only source of light was the streetlamps lining the road. But it was as if her skin was suffused with light. Hell, if you stared too long, it started to hurt!

At the unasked question you and Fitz leave in the air, MacKay grunts. “I’ll give you the full story later, but to make it short: she’s the guardian angel of the boy that was killed. I found her in the Church where they had the funeral, and after telling her why I was asking questions, she wanted to join us. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“And you would not either,” Her voice rings out in a melodious soprano, “If the one you were charged to protect at the beginning of time was taken violently from you. I only ask of you to punish the one responsible for the death of my ward, and that I offer whatever aid I can in this endeavor. After that, I will depart from this realm to join my little one who sits at the side of the Lord.”

(cont.)

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>MacKay has ‘entreated’ the help of Angel, a Lv. 15 Divine!

>Light Magic/Weak to Dark
>Moderate Physical Abilities.
>Skills
>>Dia
>>Hama
>>Patra
>>Rakukuja
>>Stun Needle

Fitz seems to be at a loss for words at the sight of the angel. And to a lesser degree, you are as well. An angel as you live and breathe! You’d made a joke to what’s-his-face back at the second hospital about angels being real. And you knew from the packet that they were, but you didn’t expect

Wasn’t the big deal about Christianity about ‘believing and not seeing’?

Eh, you shrug. You’ll take whatever aid’s offered.

“Erm…yeah. Gotcha. Just…” You wave a hand in MacKay’s direction as you finish transmitting Brady and Victoria’s location to Alger. “Be sure to give us the full version later, okay? You can’t just pull out new friends and surprise allies without any forewarning, dude.”

The clergyman rubs his head sheepishly, a startling juxtaposition to the borderline volcano he was earlier. “There wasn’t any time to tell. I mean, we were so busy connecting the dots, and I had no desire to disturb you while you were out to sea…”

“Just try not to make this a habit.”

“Understood.”

“I say we stay here.”

Fitz’s words cause all of you, Madison included, to turn towards her so fast you’d worry about whiplash. She nonchalantly pulls the pistol slide, chambering a round with an audible CLICK and gestures towards the night sky. “We run away, we risk involving a larger number of people. ‘sides, look at the neighborhood. Just a bunch of empty rental houses. And if anyone else comes, we can just use Mnemosyne. No point in delayin’ the inevitable.”

She has a point…

(cont.)

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MacKay seems reluctant to agree, but he eventually relents. "Agreed so as long as we keep the damage to a minimum. It's time to end this once and for all."

Madison looks at you with wide, pleading eyes. Her mouth tries to form sounds, noises, words, but all that can come out is a feeble croak. When that fails her, she shakes her head as rigorous as she can, pointing a shaky finger towards the Black Cadillac.

Run away.

>“We stay here and make a stand.”
>“We take Madison and get away.”
>Custom response.

Gonna go get a quick bite to eat. BRB

>>45907823
>>“We stay here and make a stand.”
It's After you Madison, no matter how far you run, how well you hide, or how strong your walls are, it will keep coming.

>>45907823
>“We stay here and make a stand.”

>>45907823
>“We stay here and make a stand.”

Summon Gryphon and High Pixie

As soon as we get visual of the flying NotKelpie have:

>Adrian
High Pixie - Rakunda
Gryphon - Sukukaja

>Fitz
Apsaras - Sukunda
Lham - Rakunda

>Mackay
Angel - Rakukaja
Knocker - Rakukaja

>>45907823
>“We stay here and make a stand.”

>>45907866
Let's not try to terrify her.

>>45907823
>“We stay here and make a stand.”

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>>45907866
>>45907883
>>45907893
>>45907964
>>45908012

You sigh and activate the demon summoning program. Gryphon and High Pixie phase into reality with a mighty cry and a tittering giggle, respectively, and take positions at your side. “We stay here and fight. We don’t have any other option at the moment, but let’s not let this turn into our version of the O.K. Corral or Waterloo.”

“Fair enough,” MacKay smiles. “As tempting as it is to go ‘Deus Vult’, I’ve taken too much of a shine to living to depart. I still haven’t finished half the things on my bucket list. You still owe me a game of Dungeons and Dragons.”

You return his grin with one of your own. “That I do. Likewise, I have no intention for either of us to die. We’re only gonna split if things get too hairy for us to handle.”

“And if push comes to shove,” Fitz smirks, “We can just feed Maddison over here to the Each-Uisage and make a run for it. Should buy us enough time to make a clean get-away.”

And…that was her threshold for the evening. Madison promptly faints without as little much as a whimper. You wince as her head hits the wooden porch with a nasty-sounding THUD. Ouch. That had to have hurt.

Both you and MacKay give looks of “you did not just” to the mortified Fitz. “Aw hell, Sawbones. I didn’t think…”

“There’s a time for levity and there’s a time for its absence,” MacKay softly intones as he inspects the comatose girl. “Now is most certainly not the time for it.”

As you hoist the unconscious Madison in your arms, you wisely decide not to mention that you couldn’t tell whether or not Fitz was joking.

>Set up positions inside the house.
>Set up positions behind the car.
>Custom

>>45908267
>Set up positions behind the car.

Damnit Fitz

>>45908267
>Set up positions behind the car.

>>45908267
>>Set up positions behind the car.

>>45908267
>Set up positions behind the car.
Well at least we don't have to worry about her running off.

Our big demons will need to be outside and outside will give us more room to maneuver. We have the numbers in this fight.

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>>45908267
>Set up positions behind the car.

High Pixie a best.

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>>45908358

>>45908550
"Yo, Pixie!"
"Yes, Master?"
"I made you something."
"Oh its a doll... of me? T-thank you, master. Is this felt? Yarn?"
"Nope. Its the hair I collected from you while you were sleeping! Isn't it great?"
"..."

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>>45907739
>Not Half Naked Bondage Angel or Mostly Naked Turquoise Angel.
Aww.

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>>45908310
>>45908323
>>45908335
>>45908344
>>45908358

It turned out that this unit had a basement inside of the house. There was a pool table, and what looked like a dry bar, but you didn’t care for any of that as you gently lay Madison down on one of the couches. For whatever reason, there’s no windows or rear doors in the room at all. Only way through the basement was through the main hallway, which was being guarded by three Devil Summoners and their respective demons.

Your team takes positions outside of the house, right behind the Cadillac with demons at the ready and guns drawn. If it were any other car, you’d be worried about it being unable to handle resisting magic, serrated claws or whatever the Not!Kelpie has to throw at you. Armor Plating and bulletproof glass were standard feature on top of a state-of-the-art stabilization system.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about paying insurance no matter how badly the thing gets fucked up. The extent of your worries is having Alger shout at you due to putting further constraints on the budget. Maybe Victoria depending on how bad it got messed up. Being who she is, she does love her automobiles.

You’ve got point, with Fitz and MacKay covering your six. No assault rifles for fear of attracting local police. It's close enough to the fourth of July for the gunshots to pass off as kids screwing around with firecrackers. You hope.


There’s a terse silence between the three of you as you keep your eyes peeled for the demon. Brady said that it transformed and flew off in the form of an Albatross. Fitting for what’s going on, you grimly think to yourself.

They’re big birds, but not so big enough to be noticeable in an almost-midnight blue evening sky. Your eyes dart from cloud formation to cloud formation, past the distant blinking dots of airplanes and their jetstreams, continuing your search for the demon…

>Roll 3d100 Perception rolls.
>Order is You, Fitz, MacKay.
>Best out of three.

Rolled 40, 23, 38 = 101 (3d100)

>>45908756

Rolled 83, 2, 99 = 184 (3d100)

>>45908756

Rolled 68, 39, 72 = 179 (3d100)

>>45908756

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>>45908693
>hfw MacKay wants to go find another Angel and finds one dressed like that.

Rolled 65, 41, 21 = 127 (3d100)

>>45908756

>>45908772
>>45908773
>>45908774
83, 39, 99

We keep an eye out, Fitz is sleepy and doesn't, and Mackay's priestly demon senses are tingling.

>>45908811
Fitz needs night-vision goggles.

>>45908772
>>45908773
>>45908774
>83,39,99
MacKay confirmed for BLESSED
the great power of LAW allows him to FEEL

>>45908837
So what does that make Fitz?

>>45908964
Sleepy. Its been a LONG day.

>>45908835
she's probably used to using them in her job.


>>45908775
Mackay learns there a LOT of fashions in Heaven. The only angels who wear anything close to worksafe attire are the guardian angels of kids. Worse there are sex taboos in heaven.

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>>45908772
>>45908773
>>45908774
>>45908811

“There!” MacKay suddenly shouts, throwing his arm out to gesture towards something deep in the night sky. “One-o’clock and coming in fast!”

It doesn’t take you too long to see where he’s pointing at. Even with the backdrop of the night sky making it damn near impossible to see anything with too much detail, you can still pick it out of the midnight blue. With wings pulled in and mouth opened in a wordless scream, it rockets out of the sky towards the house with reckless abandon.

Even from this distance, you can tell that it isn’t one-hundred percent bird. Instead of a beak and regular bird’s head, it looks like someone cut off Brenda’s head and stuck it on that of an Albatross. Add in nearly a dozen jagged, serrated teeth, a head full of greasy hair and a wild maniac look, and you’ve essentially got what the demon’s bird form is and a lifetime of NOPE and brain bleach therapy.

Fitz doesn’t seem to share your night sight. She curses, rubs her eyes and squints. No matter how many times she goes through her process, she’s still unable to see the demon coming out of the sky. “Sonofa…I can’t see jack shit, MacKay! Where the hell are you pointing at-?!”

You quickly tune her out and raise your free hand for your demons to get ready. There’s at least ten seconds before the demon comes into contact with your position, and you intend to make every one count before things get nasty.

>Demons should…
>Plan Buff/Debuff [ >>45907893 ]
>Physical Attack
>Custom option.

>>45909096
>>Plan Buff/Debuff
I mean its SMT after all.

>>45909096
>Plan Buff/Debuff

>>45909096
>>Plan Buff/Debuff
always works in smt.

>>45909096
>Plan Buff/Debuff [ >>45907893 # ]

>>45909096
>Plan Buff/Debuff [ >>45907893 ]
You know what they say...USE BUFFS RETARD

>>45909096
>>Plan Buff/Debuff [ >>45907893 ]

So next round we have a choice.

Fitz's Apsaras can't really use her main magic (bufu) so we got a couple options.

Mute Gaze to Silence the enemy, stopping that Mazanma + Concentrate. 40% Chance which turns into a 60 DC, which isn't terrible.

Or we can just Sukunda again, making it harder for it to hit us in general.

Whatchu guys think?

>>45909374
shut down would be best.

>>45909374
i would say sukunda it some more if it uses concentrate we can use mute gaze in response then.

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>>45909374
Pretty Solid Bro

>>45909449
>>45909446
So keep laying on the Sukunda until Concentrate then reaction Mute Gaze.

Sounds good. Even if the Mute Gaze fails the stacking AGI debuffs can give everyone a chance to dodge the Mazanma.

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>>45909121
>>45909122
>>45909157
>>45909174
>>45909271
>>45909276

“Buffs and debuffs, now!” You shout, and your companions respond in kind. The familiar hues and colors of –kaja spells and –kunda spells circulate in their hands, beaks and claws, and fire off. The rush of magic courses through you, and you feel your reflexes heighten, skin becoming a little more resistant to touch.

Alger’s Combat 101, Rule No. 1: Buff and debuff like a motherfucker.

>The Party has: +2 Defense, +1 Agility
>Each-Uisage has: -2 Defense, -1 Agility

The demon shrieks and hisses as the debilitating magic envelops its body. No matter how it maneuvers and twists, it cannot dodge the debuff magic. With an angry shriek, it changes its path away from the house and dives straight towards you.

>Demon has deployed spell registered in database as [Tarukaja]!
>Demon has deployed spell registered in database as [Tarukaja]!

It lands on top of the roof of the car, and rears its head back to unleash an ear-piercing scream. You wince sharply as the sound reverberates through your skull. Ow to the motherfucking ow. You’ve never come down with tetanus in your life, but this is as close as you’re probably going to get having been that close to the scream.

>Shoot the demon.
>Fall back to the porch.

>>45909540
>>Shoot the demon.

>>45909540
>Shoot the demon.

>>45909540
>Shoot the demon.

>>45909540
>Tactical Fall back, shoot and move

>>45909540
>Fall back to the porch.
we don't want to stay in melee range of this thing.

>>45909540
>>Shoot the demon.
Well our defense boosts might as well be nullified but its better than being naked against a +2 Attack.

>>45909728
You mean a +30?

Rolled 41 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>45909728
Shouldn't that be +30?

Rolled 17 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>45909728
Shouldn't it be +30?

Rolled 91 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>45909728

>>45909728
Also since this is a 'To Hit' Roll shouldn't our Agi bonus kick in?

>>45909767
And the demon's debuffed AGI too for that matter.

>>45909755
>91 + 30
This is going to hurt a lot-
>>45909767
>>45909793
*Maniacal Laughter*

Shit cock. Lemme try that one again.

>>45909572
>>45909578
>>45909588
>>45909602

You whip your arm around for a shot, ignoring the feeling of gravel digging into your back as you aim at the demon. It’s time to dig your heels in the sand and hold the line until everything goes to hell. Since you’re not up the creek YET, you make the executive decision to stand your ground and open fire.

“Smile, you son of a bitch!” You shout, squeezing the trigger of your pistol. "Why don't you chew on this for awhile?!"
Not your best line, but hey. You do what you gotta do.

>Roll 1d100 + 50 (+10 Combat, +20 Close Quarters, +20 Sukukaja)
>Best out of three.

>>45909793
With Debuffs, I lower the DC. I only factor in Buffs for the roll.

>>45909746
>>45909747
>>45909755
I'll still take these rolls. Consider it my form of apology for fucking up the math.

>>45909846
Continue the rampage!

>>45909846
>With Debuffs, I lower the DC. I only factor in Buffs for the roll.
Gotcha

>141
Well we hit him.

>>45909870
Ah, crap, not only did I NOT roll, I wasn't even supposed to in the first place. So is that a double fuck up, or just one?

>>45909846
One last clarification.

Is one stack of Sukukaja a +20 to hit?

>>45909846
is 141 a crit?

>>45909982
+10/-10 for every level stacked. Buffs/Debuffs go up to +4 in my system.

>>45910013
Any flat roll that's upwards of 90 indicates a crit.

Back to typing...

>>45910046
So it should be
>Roll 1d100 + 40 (+10 Combat, +20 Close Quarters, +10 Sukukaja)

Since we only have one stack of Sukukaja.

>>45910046
>Flat role upwards of 90 is a crit
>91 base, + 50
Poor girl. I kind of feel bad now.
>>45910077
Didn't we buff ourselves too, though?

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>>45910077
I went into photography for a reason, anon...I confused the Raku with the Suku. Also, pic related since I'm already typing.

>>45910114
Bah, I mean debuff her too. Sukukaja is a buff. I'm being an idiot, ignore me.

>>45910114
Shoot to kill Adrian, shoot to motherfucking kill.

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>>45910114

>>45910114
>Didn't we buff ourselves too, though?
Well yeah, thats where the one stack comes from. Gryphon's Sukukaja.

I think Kaz just got the Defense and Agility buff counter mixed up.

>>45910127
No problem, just double checking.

>>45910133
Debuffs get applied to the hidden DC.

>>45910127
HOLY SHIT WHAT WRONG WITH HER FACE

>>45910168
Someone hasn't played Nier...

>>45910146
I guess so.
>>45910151
I was unaware demons had jimmies.
>>45910161
Yeah, that makes sense. Sorry, I got my buffs and debuffs mixed up like a goon.

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The grinning face of the demonic Brenda Murdock reels back in pain, screaming as your bullet punches right through its throat. There’s a fine misty explosion of copper-smelling fluid that goes all over the damn place as the bullet enters into yielding flesh and goes right out the other end.

It falls off of the roof and collapses to the side, and you can still hear it thrashing wildly. Your bullet wasn’t the only thing that had caused it to hurt. It was faint, but you could still see it: the faint injury of where you believe your harpoon went right into its neck when it was in its horse form. Not to mention the various other scars and scratches that it had recently come by.

You smile. Brady and Victoria didn’t go down without a fight. Good for them.

>Roll 1d10 + 5 Gun Damage.
>Best of three, Crit multiplies result by 3.

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Rolled 2 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>45910257

Rolled 4 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>45910257

Rolled 8 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>45910257
we also get a 10% damage buff from our feats.

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>45910257

Rolled 3 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>45910257
Got it this time!

>>45910257
>>45910297
8+5= 13 x3= 39x1.1= 42.9= 43

>>45910330
Damn, isn't that close to what took her down last time? Did we just one she her again?

>>45910330
43 out of a maximum of 50

>>45910423
Brenda just has poor luck when it comes to fighting Adrian.
>>45910428
OH BOY.

>>45910423
harpoon gun was 10+5 x 3 = 45 x1.1=49.5=50

So yeah we hurt her pretty bad. Although she in full rage mode now so she might have more reserves to tap now.

>>45910444
This should really qualify us for a "Lady-Killer" type trait.

>>45910481
>Lady Killer
Pfft, that was actually pretty funny, Anon.

Whoops. Forgot about this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6cSbof7Pik

>>45910297
>>45910330

Yep. That had to have hurt.

“I’m heading into position!” MacKay shouts, leaping out of cover to sprint towards the car. “Angel, Knocker, right behind me!”

His demons in tow, the clergyman runs as fast as he can towards the other side of the vehicle. Not to be outdone, Fitz follows in his steps. The sound of gravel shifting and crunching underfoot creates a dissonant rhythm only heard by those with ears sensitive enough to pick it apart from the unholy racket the demon’s making.

“Taking the shot!/Eat lead, motherfucker!” You hear them cry as they start shooting at the demon.

>Warning: demon has used move registered in the database as [Doping]
>Warning: demon has used move registered in the database as [Diarahan]

“Sawbones, you better get your ass over here!” Fitz shouts. “It’s changing its shape again!”

You don’t even hesitate, virtually leaping up from your cover to sprint around the car to join them. Fitz is right: it’s doing the same, bizarre glitch-in-reality sequence that indicates a transformation.

>Warning: the demon is gathering its strength. Large amount of magical energy detected and growing exponentially.

>Attack it while it’s vulnerable.
>Run like hell, don't look back.

>>45910544
>>Attack it while it’s vulnerable.

>>45910544
>Run like hell, don't look back.

There are alot of different self destruct moves

>>45910481
>>45910519
Given how well Adrian has done with the Ladies lately, it could be that being a turned into a demon summoner has turned him into a ladies man inadvertently.


>>45910544
>Run like hell, don't look back.

>>45910544
>Run like hell, don't look back.
We need to move now.

We also need to use Mute Gaze when we can cause this fucker has Diarahan.

>>45910544
>Attack it while it's vulnerable
CHAAARGE!

>>45910544
>Run like hell, don't look back.

>>45910544
>Run like hell, don't look back.
Let it burn its energy on this attack while we are out of the zone.

Then come back and start doing damage.

>>45910577
>Implying he's not just that good
But that is a possibility. Also, since no one else is going to say it, ahem:
"This isn't even my final form!"

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>>45910572
>>45910577
>>45910583
>>45910595
>>45910604

“Fall back!” You shout, violently grabbing both of them at their arms.“Fall back behind the car! You heard what the COMP said, right?! It’s gonna blow!”

“How do you know that?!” Fitz shouts, sprinting right beside you. “It’s doing the transformation sequence again. All the damn thing said was-”

“I don’t care whether or not it’s assuming its final form! Even if it did, we shouldn’t be anywhere near when it happens-“

>Warning: energy has reached critical mass.
>Warning: brace for impact!

You made the right decision. The three of you just managed to get behind the car before a terrific light explodes behind you. Even though you’re facing the opposite direction, your eyes swell shut and instinctively tear up at how blinding it is.

Then comes the explosion.

MacKay cries out, Fitz’s curse is cut short and your demons make various noises of dismay and pain as the shockwave knocks all of you off your feet. It isn’t powerful enough to send the Cadillac flying, thank God, but it’s strong enough to hurt. A blistering heat washes against your skin, and you can smell the scent of burning hair. Goddamn. And you were just behind as much cover as you could.

>-8 Heath.

Eventually, the light dies down to acceptable levels. You scrub the tears out of your eyes and let your vision focus on the monster standing before you.

Having returned to its horse-like shape, the demon that Brenda had become resembles the monster that you brought in. But it’s shape was where all the similarities stopped. Sharper teeth, skin the color of pitch midnight, and glowing red eyes? This thing isn’t a water demon as much as it’s a nightmare from straight out of hell itself.

(cont.)

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>>45910544
>Run

>>45911031
>-8 Heath.
Out of what?

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>>45911031
What the hell did it hit us with? Some Almighty-type spell right? And it is back at full HP from the Diarahan?

>>45911093
Doping gave it +30% Max HP. Then it used Diarahan to bring it all the way back up.

>>45911031
How in the HELL does it already know an almighty move?!
>>45911118
Oh JOY.

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>>45911118
Time for a real fucking Fight

>>45911059
The homebrew system I'm using is the bastardized lovechild of XCOM and Dark Heresy. This includes natural armor/or body armor. Since I'm properly developing it for the tabletop with my friends, what we're using now is a SMTabletop Lite version of it. Without going into too many specifics since character stats is something I want to avoid focusing on...

>Average human being: 12 health.
>Average Devil Summoner (Lv 15 - 30) : 25 heath.
>Dante/Vergi: XXX Health.

Subject to increase every level. I still haven't worked out the formula/average per level for the 4Chan version of my system.

So yeah. You took a nasty hit, but you're still up and all for the fight. Might want to heal, though.

>>45911135
>>45911093
As far as I can remember, Demons in SMT are notorious for pulling out non-regulation moves out of their asses.

Back to typing...

>>45911230
Oh, right, SMT. Wait, what level are we again? How much health do we have left?

>>45911278
Lvl 16. So we are at 17/25 HP right now.

>>45911310
Good to hear. We can still take two more of those, which we may need too.

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>>45911031

>Unknown spell encountered.
>Registering new spell in database...
>Designation: [Highland Rage]
>Type: Almighty
>Effect: Sacrifice 30% of health, damage is proportional to sacrifice.

Thank God for cover. From what you can see of the area that wasn’t behind the Cadillac, it looks like someone set a goddamn bomb off. And took the worse of it as well. A fitting metaphor considering what just happened.

>Warning: Each-Uisage is now identified to be Alpha Each-Uisage, the strongest variant of its kind.
>Exercise extreme caution when facing this demon.

With a dismissive gesture, the demon flings the Cadillac to the side, sending nearly two and a half tons of machinery sliding, rolling, flying off towards the distance. It eventually comes to a stop, its gyroscope kicking in to settle it on its right and proper side.

Good news? Doesn’t look too damaged. No bitch fit from Alger or Victoria later. Bad news? It’s too far away to serve as immediate cover. You'd need to flat-out run, and that isn't an option right now.

Fitz and MacKay stumble to their feet, nodding at you that they’re still combat ready.She spits out a globule of blood and flashes you a thumbs-up, and he grins past the bloody nose and wipes his bloody face with his sleeve.

>Buffs/Debuffs are gone for demon.
>Party still has buffs.

With grim determination, you order your demons to…
>Attack
>Debuff
>Heal

>>45911384
>Debuff

>>45911384
>Debuff
>Attack
We still have health, and we should weaken it, then attack. Or if we can't do one after another, debuff. Kaz, did the Rage leave any noticeable burn spots or weakpoints?

>>45911230
How much health does Demi-Fiend have?

>>45911449
Just a few cuts and bruises that had otherwise been healed by Diarahan are now open and visible again. Nothing major to be exploited.

>>45911384
>Adrian
High Pixie - Rakunda
Gryphon - Sukukaja

>Fitz
Apsaras - Sukunda
Lham - Rakunda

>Mackay
Angel - Dia
Knocker - Rakukaja

Second thought one more round of debuffing should be good. Angel can heal whoever is worse. Adrian can also use a first aid kit if needed.

>>45911454
XXXXX
maybe XXXXXXX but that's a stretch

>>45911454
...As a boss, he has 18,000, 27,000 with a heal.
>>45911494
Damn. Let's try to aim for the open wounds, at least. Might do something.

>>45911454
1227

>>45911514
I'd like to have Pixie hit it with a Zio to get some damage on it this round and possibly stun assuming it has the same weaknesses as a normal Each-Uisage but otherwise I will support.

>>45911640
>>45911384
Alright change Pixie's Rakunda to Zio in >>45911514

>>45911640
It does

I'm not that sadistic of a QM to throw an mindnumbingly neigh-impossible boss at you. I leave it to Atlus to come up with shit like that.

So we good with plan >>45911514 and changing High Pixie's Rakunda to Zio?

>>45911692
Yeah sounds good.

Assuming nothing goes too crazy we'll have an all out attack next round.

>>45911692
Sure.

>>45911692
sounds fine.

>>45911692
Yes. By the way, is there any way to snap Brenda back to sanity, or is she gone?

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>>45911692
>neigh-impossible

>>45911755
I'm basically betting on that if we beat the Each-Uisage to near death, hopefully it'll calm it down for maybe Madison to do some heartfelt apology/breakdown at Brenda and that might solve this? Or something.

If not I'm not sure what else to do but put this thing down.

>>45911755
She's dead Jim. Best we can do is send her off before she hurts anymore people.

>>45911822
I hope so. She deserves help, and having Papa and Daughter Murdock show up later would be neat.
>>45911861
This would make me the saddest of pandas.

>>45911755
>>45911822
>>45911861

Forget about Brenda. What about Papa Murdock? How well is he gonna take to finding out what really happened to his daughter? That Madison lead her to drowning?

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>>45911822
Im going to go with; we kill the fuck out of it with all the death we can kill it with

I wonder if Concentration/Mind Charge buffs the damage from [Highland Rage]. That would be like a thermobaric bomb going off if so.

>>45911894
>She deserves help
No anon, you don't seem to understand. She is Dead. The best you can hope for is that her spirit gets rest.

>>45911910
That'll be fun.

>>45911919
Then sparing it back then and all that vengeful spirit stuff we've been making Adrian say would be horseshit. It would be very odd to not at least try narrative wise.

We try having Madison talk to it once and if that doesn't work we take it out.

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>>45911716
>>45911729
>>45911736
>>45911755

“Debuff it again!” You shout to Fitz and MacKay before relaying your commands to your own demons. “Zio! Sukukaja!”

High Pixie and Gryphon obey instantly, casting their magic the split second your orders finish leaving your lips. Ozone fills the air and the green aura of an agility boost runs through your body. Gryphon’s spell just finishes enveloping all of you before High Pixie’s lighting fires out of her dainty little fingertip.

>Party is now at +2 Defense, +2 Agility

I swear to God, if I fucked this up again…

It strikes the demon, causing it to roar in agony. For a moment, tremors run through its body as its powerful muscles spasm and clench uncontrollably. The occasional spark of electricity jumps from moist skin as it struggles for control over its body…

>Roll 1d100 for Shock.
>Best of three rolls.

>>45911910
Oh that's going to be fun.
>>45911938
There are other ways to put a spirit to rest, Anon. Besides, didn't Adrian himself say that killing it probably wouldn't put it down for good anyway?

>>45911938
She is dead, but that doesn't mean we can't help her. Honestly, with the way her should is screaming, it seems like she's trapped inside the horse demon.

One of the questions we should have asked is: "Has Brenda appeared before you and what did she say?"

We can only hope that putting down the demon gives us an opening to save a soul.

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>45912009
Stun please.

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>45912009

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>>45912009
Rolling

>>45912021
I know, thats why I am saying we at least attempt the Madison plan.

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>45912009
We know it's you, don't worry.

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>45912009
Shocking!

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>45912044
Annnd forgot to roll.

Lets see anyways.

>>45912044
Wait, what? Oh, well in that case, would she actually go away? I really don't remember a spirit actually passing on anyway-
OH YHVH, THE ANGEL. IT'S STILL PISSED AT HER.

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>>45912048
>>45912060

>>45912105
Best of three rolls, Anon. I think my 89 saved us.

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>>45912041

>>45912101
>I really don't remember a spirit actually passing on anyway-

Because its stuck in the demon man.

Look lets just focus on the fight, I think you are misinterpreting things.

>>45912137
I know but they are unlucky! Laugh at them and judge them for incurring the disfavor of the dicegods!

>>45912149
Maybe? Anyway, yeah, let's try to finish her off, first.
>>45912146
T-that's quite the reaction, Anon.
>>45912165
The great and terrible Random Number Gods, let their dread shadow pass from us.

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>>45912041
>>45912043
>>45912048

Who would’ve thought that a water-based demon was weak to lightning attacks? You did. That’s why you had High Pixie blast the demon with electricity. And judging by the SMIRK on High Pixie’s face, it seems that she knew as well.

The demon’s been stunned. It can’t move.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Fitz shouts, grabbing your attention with a wild gesture of her arm. “We can get it while it’s down, Sawbones! Just give the word and we’ll smash the demon’s face in!”

MacKay cracks his neck, gun at the ready. "Indeed. The command is yours, Adrian! Shall we all strike together?"

Your friends and their demons look to you with an eager anticipation in their eyes...

>Not now. Shoot it with your pistol. (Individual party attacks receives x3 Stun bonus)
>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack. (x3 Bonus is gone after AOA)

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>>45912305
>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack. (x3 Bonus is gone after AOA)

Haha. Fuck yes.

>>45912305
>>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack

>>45912305
>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack.

>>45912305
>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack. (x3 Bonus is gone after AOA)

>>45912305
>>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack. (x3 Bonus is gone after AOA)
Ah to hell with it. LEROY!

>>45912305
>Yes. Call for an All-Out Attack. (x3 Bonus is gone after AOA)
Considering that MacKay resembles Jonathan: OVERDRIVE!

>>45912305
>>Not now. Shoot it with your pistol. (Individual party attacks receives x3 Stun bonus)

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>>45912305
All out attack

>>45912325
>>45912358
>>45912363
>>45912366
>>45912377
>>45912378
>>45912430

You’re unable to hold back the savage glee in your voice. It comes borne out of having ingested half the fucking ocean this morning, playing Moby Dick with it twenty miles out to sea, and the fact that it killed seven people and mutilated one just because they happened to come into close contact with Madison.

>You call for an All-Out-Attack.

And just like that, all tangible hell breaks loose.

“That’s what I wanna hear, Sawbones!” Fitz crows as she charges in with her demons at her heels. “C’mon you big sunovabitch! Who’s an Alpha predator now?!”

MacKay intones prayers even as he starts firing his gun. “In the name of God, deliver this soul from evil…”

Your demons vary in their battle cries. Some charge in with whoops and ecstatic laughter. Others with unrestrained joy and savage happiness. And then there are those who just…silently move in and start whacking with their fists.

It takes you a moment to realize that Angel is crying, with every blow sending a fresh wave of them across her cheeks.

…damn. You feel really bad now.

But nothing that a good pounding won’t fix.

>Roll 1d20 + 40 Phys Damage.
>Multiply result by 3.

>>45912680

Goddammit. Forgot my trip again.

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Rolled 11 + 40 (1d20 + 40)

>>45912680
Praying to the Trio

Rolled 4 + 40 (1d20 + 40)

>>45912680

Rolled 4 + 40 (1d20 + 40)

>>45912680
Poor Angel

>>45912711
>>45912713
>>45912718
The Dice Gods giveth, and the Dice Gods taketh away.

>>45912711
153 outta 180 possible isn't bad.

>>45912680
>But nothing that a good pounding won’t fix.
Lewd

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>>45912830
Oh goddammit. You know that isn't what I meant.

Okay, I'll admit that I laughed.

>>45912009
>I swear to God, if I fucked this up again…

Its actually +3 Defense, +2 Agility

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Sorry for the delay. Had to use the restroom.

>>45912711
>>45912713
>>45912718

Eventually, you call for everyone to back off to avoid letting the melee devolve further into a moshpit of friendly fire. You pull away after a few seconds of dogpilling the demon with gunshots, fist strikes and curbstomps. That last one happened to be Fitz, who had to be dragged off by MacKay due to being overzealous in her duty.

The demon’s skin is tougher than it looks, but it isn’t enough to prevent the combined might of three humans plus six demons sustaining a continuous assault for a good five seconds. Bruises, broken bones, and various scratches, cuts and welts galore across its body. Demonic ichor bleeds into the soil, and its breath comes out in rasping gasps.

>The demon is heavily wounded.

But it stands up with a speed that doesn’t compliment its appearance, and breaths hard and long, casting hateful eyes in all of your direction. With a neigh strangled by the blood dripping from its mouth, it moves to cast more magic.

>Warning: demon has used move registered in the database as [Dekunda]
>Warning: demon has used move registered in the database as [Concentrate]

“Oh, no you don’t!” MacKay shouts, opening fire with his gun. With a command, his demons launch themselves forward and start attacking. Angel casts a healing spell on Fitz and Knocker winds up to hit it with another punch.

Fitz likewise moves in, gun firing and demons swinging as hard as they can. Apsaras’ magic and Lham Dearg’s sword swings prove to be a deadly combination. “We can’t let it attack again, Sawbones! One more hit of whatever it did earlier, and we're shit out of luck and dead in the water!”

>Keep on attacking.
>Ask for Brenda
>Custom.

>>45913358
>>Ask for Brenda

>>45913358
>Ask for Brenda
YES! YES!

>>45913358
>Ask for Brenda
Just be ready to end the thing if this doesn't get a reaction. Gun trained, Zio charged, and Gryphon Gryphon'd.

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>>45913358
>Keep on attacking.

>>45913358
>Ask for Brenda

>>45913358
>Ask for Brenda

I don't know what to expect, but the mystery is the fun part

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>>45913399
>>45913421
>>45913432
>>45913556
>>45913581

A though suddenly strikes you like a lightning bolt. The memory of the demon talking to you comes back into your mind as you ready yourself for your attack. When you pulled it violently towards you using the rope and harpoon embedded within its neck, bleeding out into the water with a horrific injury. It had been lucid then, when it was badly hurt.

And it's pretty injured right now...

You’re more than willing to bet no small amount of money that it was Brenda trying to talk to you. Not the ‘demon’ that she had either become or was now a part of. It’s a gamble at this point, and you’re only doing this based on a mere string of a theory and late-night reruns of Supernatural. But it’s worth a shot.

And if push comes ultimately to another Highland Rage, then that’s what healing spells are for.

“Hold fire!” You shout, holding your hands up to stop your demons from advancing. “Just…gimme a second. I’m going to try something.”

Fitz looks at you as if you’ve grown a second head. “Are you…what the fuck…Sawbones, what the fuck are you doing?!”

“Just…gimme a second. But standby for trouble in case things go horribly wrong.”

She snorts derisively at that. “Oh yeah. No problem. I’ll just wait here while our team leader decides to try negotiating with a murderous water horse.”

“Isn’t that what part of being a Devil Summoner is, though?” MacKay smiles in realization. “Negotiation?”

“…” Fitz scowls. “You’ve got one shot at making this work. Remember what happened last time? No second chances after this. If it doesn’t work, it’s the Old Yeller treatment for this one. I’m not gonna risk it hurting anyone else tonight, including your dumb ass.”

(cont.)

You give her a sardonic smile and call out to the demon, “I’m asking for Brenda Murdock.”

It stills, and turns to regard you with a murderous look. You can hear Fitz and MacKay tensing up behind you, but you continue calling anyway. “Brenda, if you’re in there somewhere, I need to talk to you. Are you in there?”

…it occurs to you that you could’ve phrased that better. This is demon negotiation after all.

But this isn’t exactly par for the course within the realms of what ‘negotiation’ normally was. Pretty sure that the manual didn’t cover talking to dead people that had become demons or were trapped inside of them. Either that, or you haven’t read that chapter or appendix entry yet.

>Roll 1d100 + 30 (+10 Social +20 Wounded Bonus)
>Best out of three rolls.

Rolled 89 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>45913942

Rolled 41 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>45913942
We should really let Mackay do these things with all his bonuses.

Oh well, praying.

Rolled 50 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>45913942
Roll to seduce

>>45913951
>129
AHAHAHAHAHA! Pretty sure that's good enough, right Kaz?

>>45913951
Water horse status: wet

>>45914020
>119

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>>45914020

Writing...

>>45914066
Ah, so it is. Whoops.

>>45913951
>>45913953
>>45913965

You don’t know why it worked or what the demon saw in your somewhat…pitiful attempt to converse, but regardless of the cause, it seems to have worked. Its muscles lock and its body starts to shake violently. Limbs try to move, only to stop half-way raised into a step, as if the order to move was being cancelled before it was given.

>Brenda is struggling against the demon.

“Just take your time,” You urge her, hands raised up in a gesture of peace. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk…and see if we can sort ourselves out without any further need of violence.”

When the Each-Uisage opens its eyes again, the tumescent red irises are gone. But even in the dim light that the streetlights cast, you can see that they’ve turned into a light-green shade.

“Sawbones,” Fitz hisses. “Be careful, okay? Don’t fuck this up.”

MacKay sighs. “He knows, so let the man get down to work. The last thing he needs is any interruptions…”

Rolling your eyes at their antics, you motion for them to keep at the ready in case things go south. With that taken care of, you now devote your complete and undivided attention towards the lucid Each-Uisage.

>Brenda will now speak to you.

“…you are…Devil Summonner…?” The horse’s mouth struggles to form the human words as a light voice addresses you with a confused tone. “…where…am…I…called my…name…it’s cold…so cold…”

>Introduce yourself. [“My name is Adrian Brown, and I am a Devil Summoner.]
>Tell her that she’s dead. [“Do you know that you’re dead?”]
>Tell her what she’s done. [“You killed seven people and mutilated another…”]
>Custom option.

>>45914348
>>Introduce yourself. [“My name is Adrian Brown, and I am a Devil Summoner.]
>>Tell her that she’s dead. [“Do you know that you’re dead?”]

>>45914348
>Introduce yourself. [“My name is Adrian Brown, and I am a Devil Summoner.]
>Tell her that she’s dead. [“Do you know that you’re dead?”]

>>45914348
>Introduce yourself. [“My name is Adrian Brown, and I am a Devil Summoner.]
>Tell her that she’s dead. [“Do you know that you’re dead?”]
Be sure to keep addressing her as 'Brenda'

>>45914348
>>Introduce yourself. [“My name is Adrian Brown, and I am a Devil Summoner.]
>>Tell her what she’s done. [“You killed seven people and mutilated another…”]
>>Custom option
"Brenda, this isn't you. You're a good person, you don't want to hurt others. You're better than this."

>>45914506
Slow your roll. We are just getting her lucid, you don't need to throw her into shock from telling her she is a murderer. The fact that she had to struggle against the demon to say something tells me she isn't all there when the demon attacked people.

>>45914569
I figured telling her that she was dead would bring back memories of HOW she died, which would bring up Madison, which would set her off again. Besides, she has to have had SOME awareness, given that she knew who we are.

>>45914622
Mmm maybe. I suppose either way is a risk. If she isn't aware that she is dead, maybe her coming to that realization could help her let go and move on. Maybe Angel and Mackay can help with that angle.

>>45914657
>Angel
Yeah, see, I have my eye on her. She seemed really upset about what happened to her kid, like, REALLY upset. She was in a tranquil fury when we first met her, and she was outright CRYING during the AOA. Maybe I'm wrong, but...

>>45914733
Okay maybe just Mackay then.

>>45914770
Eh, whatever works. Still, reminder to keep an eye on her. I sympathise, but she sounded like an angry mother wanting to avenge her child, but times 10. That is terrifying.

>>45914806
Fun fact: I had a priest tell me that every angel created by God is predetermined to serve a soul, regardless of where it goes, and guide it towards heaven through a virtuous life. In that case, the angel has waited since the beginning of time for her turn to serve a human, only recently guiding him on the path of Light thirteen years ago.

However, an angel is not omniscient. They cannot know what will happen to their charge. Imagine how you would feel if your young charge, just only starting on the path of life, was cruelly taken from you without any warning whatsoever. And that no matter how much you plead God to intervene, you cannot due to divine laws prohibiting such drastic intervention. All you can do is keep a silent vigil as his soul goes to heaven, another victim of a life cut short by causality, and rage at God's cruel indifference.

Would it not have been better to know ahead of time that your little one was going to be taken soon? Better to prepare yourself for that loss, or to have sided with the Morning Star to avoid such a hollow feeling within yourself and an anger towards the Great Will.

That is how she feels, the guardian angel with nothing left to guard...and nothing left to lose.

>>45914878
>Fun fact: I had a priest tell me that every angel created by God is predetermined to serve a soul, regardless of where it goes

I heard that story and it makes me wonder, with all the angels that sided with Lucifer, how many poor fucks don't have angels? Or did god make just so many fucking angels it didn't matter? Or does he keep making more?

These questions got me in trouble at sunday school

>>45914878
I...I have no words. I mean, fuck, I knew she was the Mama Bear up to eleven, but it's to the point where she's considering flipping YHVH himself the bird? Uh, damn. That's, uh, wow.
Oh is she going to be PISSED when she finds out what exactly happens to human souls in the Great Will's place...
>>45914934
Revelations uses stars as a metaphor for angels. So Lucifer grabbed a third of them, but that still leaves trillions.

>>45914366
>>45914382
>>45914476

You swallow the lump in your throat before it can get any bigger. Mother always said that when meeting strangers, that it’s best to be polite, right? And in your experience, it’s always proven beneficial to introduce yourself formally, whether it’s at college events or Cocytus demon recruitment.

“My name is Adrian Brown,” You calmly intone, “And yes, you are correct. I am indeed a Devil Summoner.”

Brenda’s head shakes for a perilous moment before stilling. “Ah…I see…” She moans, still struggling for the words. It’s clearer, but no means a walk in the park to automatically decipher. “…the mystical device on your wrist…yes, yes…Devil Summoner…old magic given new form…you are indeed Marked…the scent of magnetite...and hyacinths...”

>Brenda remains neutral.

Emboldened by your success, you decide to press a little bit further. As delicately as you can, you gently phrase out, “Do you know that you are dead?”

That gets her attention. Her eyes slowly widen, and the hooves underneath her feet pad the gravel driveway nervously, at an errant rhythm. “…dead…death…cold embrace…I am…dead…? How…I am…dead…but…alive?”

You nod slowly, avoiding any sudden movements as best as you can. The tag of your shirt is itching something fierce, and it takes all of your willpower to avoid scratching it out of fear of startling Brenda. It’s a hair at this point as to what’s going to set her off back towards her demon form.

Brenda continues whispering, “…I remember the cold…the rushing waters…the agony of burning alive without flame…it hurt so much…so very, very much…”

>“I want to help put you to rest.”
>“It’s time for you to pass on.”
>“You don’t belong here in this world anymore.”
>“You’re hurting people by staying here.”
>Call MacKay over.
>Custom option.

>>45915053
>“I want to help put you to rest.”
>“It’s time for you to pass on.”
"You won't have to be cold anymore."
>Call MacKay over.

>>45915053
>>“I want to help put you to rest.”
>>Call MacKay over.
She deserves help.

>>45915053
>>“I want to help put you to rest.”
>>Call MacKay over.
Let's end this

>>45915096
>>45915097
>>45915252

You discreetly motion for MacKay to slide over to you without making any sudden movements. You haven’t been to a Church in the longest of times, and even if you have, you’d be infinitely more comfortable having the guy who’s…you know, a priest. Trained in theology and all that.

“I want to help put you to rest,” You gently tell her as the priest pulls out something from his back pocket. A pocket Bible, if you aren’t mistaken. “ It’s time for you to pass on. It hurts right now, doesn’t it?”

“…some days are fine…” Brenda admits, rocking from side to side, “…the cold is fine…but the fire provides no warmth…no comfort…nothing but pain…”

You smile. “You won’t have to be cold anymore.”

And that’s when you gesture for MacKay to intercede on your behalf. Heh. That was good. Good Lord, even in a dire situation, your Pop’s sense of humor never fails to make itself present. Thankfully it was discreet this time.

“I’m not sure what the protocol is regarding the forgiveness of sins for the corporeal deceased…” He admits as he flips through the book. “…but you are clearly here and present before me. And I suppose that’s good enough for an absolution. I won’t stand here and make you recount every sin…”

As the priest drones on, you notice Angel hovering right beside a nervous-looking Knocker. Her face and cheeks are still streaked with marks left from tears long-wiped away, but her eyes have nothing but anger, resentment and cold steel.

Oddly human emotions for an angel to have.

>Choose one:
>Explain to Angel why this is the best way to resolve things.
>Ring up Alger, give him a sit-rep.

>>45915363
>>Explain to Angel why this is the best way to resolve things.

>>45915363
>>Explain to Angel why this is the best way to resolve things.
Yep, she's pissed. Mama Bears are scary, man, and she's an Angel to boot.

>>45915363
>Explain to Angel why this is the best way to resolve things.
"Listen, I can't imagine what you are going through, but I do know that taking vengeance on her won't bring your charge back or bring happiness. Brenda here is another soul that lost her life before her time because of a terrible accident that spurred this shitty chain of events."

>>45915383
>>45915414
>>45915444

Fitz gives you a tired smile and sits down on the porch with a loud sigh. Leaning against one of the fences, she starts fiddling with her COMP, leaving you free to chat with the grieving Angel uninterrupted and without interference from a peanut gallery.

You sigh. Best to nip it in the bud while you still can. “Angel.”

She turns to regard you with an indifferent glance. “What do you want, Summoner? As you can see, we have fulfilled the terms of our agreement. There should be nothing to discuss further.”

Bedside manners aren’t going to apply to angels…you think. Still, you do the best you can and approach at a comforting angle. “Listen, I can’t imagine to know what you’re going through. But if there’s anything that I’ve learned from human interaction, it’s that taking vengeance on her isn’t going to bring your kid back or leave you happy.”

At her stony silence, you continue onwards, “Look at her. Brenda over there? Just another soul who lost her life before her appointed time, much like your ward. All because of a terrible accident that spurred this shitty chain of events.”

Even as the words leave your mouth, you know you did something wrong. Angel’s eyes light up with heavenly fire and she bears down upon you with her teeth bared open in a snarl. Fitz moves to intercept, but a motion of your hand cuts her off. Stay calm and hear what she has to say. Only if she starts slinging spells are you gonna have to retaliate.

“What would you know about loss, Child of Adam?” Her melodious voice is gone, replaced by tempered steel that’s unflinching in its conviction. “To know that you have failed at the task you were assigned at the moment of Creation? All according to the whims of the Great Will? Pah! You truly are misguided creations to think you can ever comprehend the failure of one's purpose in existence."

(cont.)

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>>45915587
He literally just said he doesn't understand what you are going through.

Angels...

>>45915621
Sounds more like a grieving mother yelling at a doctor who's giving his sympathies after their kid was murdered, and yet trying to ask them to be patient.
Wow I'm getting mileage out of these mother comparisons. I'm starting to wonder if I'm overstating it...

>>45915587

As Knocker nervously moves to the side, you raise your hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean to offend,” You quickly try to assure her, but her words cut you off. She’s ranting at this point, now.

“I was there when the Great Will brought the world into creation, when he made us, the first Creation. I fought my brothers and sisters when the Morning Star led a third of them against the Will of God, spilt their blood on celestial armor and ripped wings from their sockets. Banished them into the pit, weeping and grinding their teeth in the eternal fire.

“And I watched your Progenitors fall for the temptation of the Serpent and consume the Forbidden Fruit, tainting yourself of that which is Good and Evil. I have waited for four thousand years to fulfill my purpose, to guide a soul marked with the sins of your fathers back into the light of heaven. And only just having received it…when it is so cruelly taken away from me.”

She pauses to wipe her eyes before turning towards you again. “So, then, Child of Adam. Do not presume to lecture me on ‘terrible accidents’ that spur ‘shitty chain of events’. I know enough about causality and fate without you harping on and on about something beyond your reasoning.”

An Angel cursing. Now you’ve seen it all. What’s next, money comes raining from the sky?

…

…you had to try.

“I am only of the lowest rank in the Seraphic Choir, but do not think for an instant that it gives you the excuse to patronize me. I am older than your entire human race, and I am just but one of trillions. Unless you know what it is to lose all sense of purpose in your existence, you could never come close to comprehending the emotions that I feel.”

With that she turns brusquely away from you, brushing the feathers of her wings against your face. They sting slightly, and you wince from the pain.

…how surprisingly petty.

Fitz looks at you with a raised eyebrow. “Well that happened.”

(cont)

>>45915710
You still here?

nobody wanted to mention Murdock to her?

>>45915850
No. Her wanting her dad would just make her want to 'stay' more. She needs to let go.

>>45915710
>>45915843

Yes

You try not to sigh too loudly. “As far as grieving relatives go, that one’s got to be the most dramatic out of all of them. But not the most violent. I remember one visitor so grieved that she attacked the doctor I was helping with that evening shift. Had to restrain her and call security before she took someone’s eyes out.”

Fitz regards you with an unreadable expression. “Yeah. You’d be real surprised what people do when they lose their loved ones. Shit happens, Sawbones. They freak the fuck out. Only thing they can do at that moment in time. I’m no stranger to it, either, not in my former line of work…”

Grimacing, you sit down beside her and exhale loudly. “I just want to go to sleep for a long time. Forget everything that’s happened for the last few whatever and nap it all away…”

“You and me both,” She yawns, stretching her arms out and cracking her neck. “Halfway tempted to fall-asleep here…”

But her plan is interrupted by the sound of your COMP ringing. At her dirty look, you roll your eyes and take a look at the ID. It’s Alger, and you hit the Answer button immediately.”

“Brown-”

“Situation’s all good here, sir,” You report with only the slightest of drawls. “We’ve got MacKay sending Brenda onto the next life…hope the girl goes to heaven. Something about absolution or whatever…”

“Shut the fuck up about heaven and listen to me,” Alger interjects. “I went to the coordinates that you sent me, okay?”

Shit. You sit up straighter. “How’s Brady and Victoria? Oh, and Murdock?”

You can hear Alger shake his head. “That’s the damn thing. I got Brady and Victoria Diarahan’d and into my car. But all I found of the other guy was a blood trail leading back to the parking lot. From there, it just vanished onto the road."

(cont.)

>>45915874
Its just fucking one thing after another.

>>45915874
>>45915859
yeah, that's kind of what I meant. She needs to go, but MURDOCK needs some closure.

>>45915874
Kinda want to punch Murdock. 90% sure he just went all demon-y and will be the real boss fight for this case. Minotaur ho,

>>45915989
I'm going to bet against that. More of an injured father that saw a glimpse of daughter and is following the trail.

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>>45916003
>is following the trail.
Gonna be kinda disappointed then. Also Lucy is in play so slight Magatama chance for the grieving papa. Or I am really drunk.

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>>45915874

A cold pit forms in your stomach as Alger keeps on talking. “I’m not calling you a liar. I believe that he was there. But the big question right now is where the hell is Nathan Murdock?”

Before you can answer him, a terrified scream comes from deep within the house. MacKay’s concentration snaps in the middle of his oratory chant and for the briefest of moments, Brenda’s eyes flicker red again…but only for a moment before they return to a confused light-green.

Fitz’s expression of ‘oh shit’ mirrors the one on yours, and you get up immediately and sprint deep inside of the house. “Just keep going!” You shout to MacKay. “We’ll deal with it while you help her move on!”

He nods, filled with determination, and resumes his reading, albeit in a faster and more frantic tempo. “Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat…”

As soon as you enter the hallway, you can see the source of the commotion. In the distant rear porch, the back door lays ajar, the lock broken and hanging from a single screw on the deadbolt. The moonlight coming in through the window illuminates a hulking figure of an individual, dragging a kicking and screaming Madison past the basement stairs and through the hallway.

You and Fitz both whip your guns out and point them straight at the man. “Drop the girl, fucker!” She shouts, getting into her ‘officer’ voice. “Drop her, or we will open fire. You've got until the count of-”

The figure pauses before turning towards you. His face is covered in multiple wounds, with varying degrees of dried blood running along his skin. Dressed in clothes that are little better than rags, he holds Madison tight in a chokehold with a massive revolver pressed up against her temple. She whimpers pitifully as the cold metal digs into her skull.

“You wouldn’t dare shoot me, lassie,” Murdock softly mutters. “Not when I’m about to have my justice.”

===

...so who's still here? Can I get a roll call, please?

>>45916051
We are on the first mission. We are in no condition to be fighting Demifiend-esque demons yet.

We'd just die.

>>45916051
>Also Lucy is in play so slight Magatama chance for the grieving papa.
ahahahah, there's no way that could happen, right?

....good thing we didn't murderkill with great prejudice.

>>45916057
WHELP, that's SLIGHTLY BETTER

>>45916057
Here but sagging, ain't got much left in me chief

>>45916057
I'm still here, but its only 1am for me while its 4am for you.

>>45916057
>>45916069
as an addendum, I just got back from class, but do what ya want, Kaz.

>>45916057
Here. I hate typing on my phone though

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>>45916057
Here. I want to see a conclusion if you acn swing it this late.

>>45916069
>>45916077
>>45916079
>>45916087
>>45916099
>>45916109

I can keep going indefinitely. Got myself juiced up on a five hour energy. More than happy to keep going.

>"Put her down, Murdock." [Follow Fitz.]
>"Everyone just take a deep breath..." [Diplomacy]
>"Madison, are you alright?" [Other]
>Custom option.

Regret that some people are gonna miss the climax of the first case.

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>>45916057
>muh justice

>>45916135
>>"Put her down, Murdock." [Follow Fitz.]
I don't think Talking will work this time

>>45916135
>Custom option.
Negotiate
Do you want to see you daughter for the last time or do you wish to miss it all in the name of revenge?

>>45916135
>Custom option.
>Are you sure you don't want to talk to Brenda first, Murdock?
>How about this, if Brenda forgives her, you put that gun down?
Either Madison steps up on the apology, or I don't mind TOO much if she dies.

>>45916135
>Put her down, Murdock." [Follow Fitz.]
Enough people have died

>>45916135
>"Put her down, Murdock." [Follow Fitz.]
"It was an accident Murdock. You think Brenda would want her father to be a killer? Enough people have died cause of this."

>>45916135
>"Madison, are you alright?" [Other]
"Just stay clam, alright. Nobody is going to get hurt. Not anymore. Besides, Mr. Murdock there has something more important I don't think he wants to miss."
+
>>45916164

So Murdock is just assuming this is the right girl. Cause all he knew was that we were chasing a lead.

What a cock.

>>45916135
>>45916164
This

>>45916259
Strands of sunlight, blonde girl who Brenda associated with a lot, and the demon came here for her. Fairly logical.

>>45916280
Fairly, but still assuming.

>>45916259
>>45916290
>secretly has his whole house and boat wired to listen in on conversations
>What the fuck, Murdock
>There's nothing electrical to do around here, so....

>>45916280
Ya know, we have really only scratched the surface. How does a girl, dead before her time or not, get made into a supper Scotish demon horse in the first place? If having a bad end was all it took, it would seem like the commander would have been more helpful when we told him about the chick we saw in the water horse.

>>45916321
I'd like to also mention instead of going for his daughter that he did see was in the water horse, he decided to go murder justice on a girl that has a good chance of being the cause of his daughter's death but not 100%.

Great priorities.

>>45916154
>>45916164
>>45916170
>>45916193
>>45916204
>>45916208

You flash your teeth in a snarl. “You heard my friend. Put her down, Murdock. I’m not gonna ask you again.”

“I’m afraid that’s not going to happen, lad,” He sighs. “Because I’m holding the one responsible for my daughter’s death right-” He briefly tightens his grip on Madison’s throat for emphasis, and her breath cuts off in a pained choke “-here. The fact that she’s just as culpable for the seven other folks only puts her deeper into the grave she’s dug for herself.”

Fitz flicks the safety off of her pistol. “You have five seconds to let her go before you’re chewing gum out of your forehead.”

In response to that, all he does is reposition Madison to cover his vital organs: a veritable human shield. “Are you going to shoot me? There’s no possible way you can hit me without striking her. As a matter of fact, I’d welcome your bullet. I’ve got nothing to live for anymore so it’d be a kindness at this point,” He hisses.

“Don’t fucking say that,” She snarls back, with a surprising amount of vehemence. “There’s always something to live for no matter how painful it is.”

He barks a harsh laugh. “You know nothing of me. My comrades are dead, and my demons scattered to the winds. And now my ex-wife wants nothing to do with me and my daughter is dead. I think my options are fairly limited at this point.

“…you really are rookies. From your idealistic point of view to your undisciplined radio chatter. Didn’t take me too long to overhear your commanding officer filling in Brady of what was happening here while I was pretending to be unconscious. I don’t know which one’s more of a travesty at this point.”

(cont.)

>>45916360

Filing that for the post-operation debrief, you interject, “Murdock, listen to me. Enough people have been hurt and killed. The violence needs to stop. Do you think that Brenda would’ve wanted you to do this? For her father to become a murderer?”

“Don’t speak her name!” He roars at you. “Don’t presume to speak for her when you don’t know anything about us. About what happened to her. I lost my only child to this...monster!”

“I…I didn’t mean…” Madison chokes out, her face slowly turning a gradual purple, “I’m…sorry…so…sorry…”

“If that’s all that it took to undo your crime,” Murdock snarls, “Then this world would be all sunshine and happiness and fucking unicorns. Not the shithole that it’s in. Your apology comes too late. Unless it can undo her death, it means nothing to me.”

Okay, that was the wrong card to play. You quickly switch tactics, “Fine. But your daughter…she’s out there, okay? MacKay’s on the front yard giving her last rites. Do you want to see her one last time before she goes, or are you going to miss it for the sake of revenge?”

He hesitates there, and his grip loosens slightly on Madison. She immediately starts taking in huge gulps, desperately trying to fill her lungs. The crimson hue of her face gradually starts filling out to a more pinkish pallor.

“Oi, Madison, are you alright?” You worriedly ask her.

She shakes her head with as much panic and force that Murdock’s grip can allow her.

“Listen to me. Just…just stay calm, alright. No one’s going to get hurt. Not anymore. Besides,” You direct this part of the sentence towards the introspective Murdock, “I think that Mister Murdock has something infinitely more important that he isn’t going to want to miss.”

>Roll 1d100 + 20 Social (+10 Social Bonus, +10 Circumstantial Bonus) to convince Murdock to let Madison go.
>Best out of three.

Rolled 63 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>45916466
Man he and that angel are a lot alike.

Rolled 86 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>45916466
She need you,Murdock

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Rolled 12 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>45916466

Rolled 70 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>45916466
Here we go, wonder if Nyarly is watching

>>45916489
He's probably taking a cycle off after London.

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>>45916486

>>45916489
damn, almost wanted to roll a 1 there

>>45916493
Yeah, now it's Hastur's turn

>>45916486

When Murdock turns to look at you, it’s with teary eyes that are staring distantly at something unseen. “You’re not trying to fool me, are you? She…she is really out there? You have not killed her, even though she came after you as a demon? Why?”

You shake your head. The reason that you didn't kill her is that...

Choose one:
>“Mindless violence is never the answer.”
>“I could not without uncovering the truth.”
>“It would’ve been like putting down a puppy.”

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>>45916559
>“Mindless violence is never the answer.”
Seems like the way we went about it.

>>45916544
SMT Hastur actually looks really cool

>>45916559
>“I could not without uncovering the truth.”
DA TRUTH

>>45916559
>"If the dead aren't given proper rites, then the cycle repeats."
close enough to what we told him when we roped it down.

>>45916559
Honestly its kind of a mix of option one and two.

>“Mindless violence is never the answer.”

>>45916580
Its not really about rites. She had a burial and everything.

Something else tied her spirit to that demon.

>>45916655
yeah, I'm struggling with what exactly I want to say.

>>45916559
change >>45916580 to
...fuckit
>"I'm a doctor(to-be), I treat the sickness, not the symptoms."

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>>45916675
That sounds better.

>>45916675
Yeah
It's good

>>45916559
seconding >>45916675

>>45916675
I'm glade some people here are wordsmiths, because I'm certainly not one of them.

Seconding.,

>>45916675
>>45916688
>>45916695
>>45916706

You look him straight in the eye, and tell him, “I’m a medical student about to get their license to be a practicing doctor. I treat the sickness, not the symptoms, and that’s the way I handle things with the Task Force as well.

“Now go say goodbye to your daughter. This is the only chance you’ll ever get. Don’t squander it.”

Murdock’s hand trembles as the revolver pressed up against Madison’s temple slowly withdraws itself. His arms become slack and she takes the opportunity to break out of his grip and run towards you. She makes it a point to skitter around Fitz before coming to hide behind you.

You ignore the tight feeling of her arm squeezing around your lower torso as you lower your gun. You motion for Fitz to do the same. For a moment, she gives you the look, but eventually lowers her gun. But she doesn’t holster it. Her eyes are still trained on the huge revolver Murdock’s got clenched in his hand.

“I…I have to go say goodbye,” Murdock absently mutters, seemingly ignorant of your presence as he stumbles through the hallway like a drunkard. “Just one…just once more…for Brenda…”

As soon as he exits the house and heads towards MacKay, Madison slumps to a quivering, incoherent mess of "thank God" and "oh my god I love you" on the floor. Deftly stepping around her, Fitz leans against the kitchen counter and rubs her temple in consternation.

“So what’re we gonna say about Murdock?” She grumbles. “Guy needs to answer for what he did, but since he ain't part of the Task Force, we can’t go internal. Still, I can’t imagine that the folks in Europe aren’t gonna take too kindly at this revelation that their golden boy nearly killed someone in cold blood. Either way, there's nowhere near enough Advil in the world for my headache."

========
CASE ONE: BLOOD IN THE WATER [CLEARED!]
========

In your report, you decide to....

>Protect Murdock
>Implicate Murdock
>Custom

>>45916780
>>Custom
Tell the truth, but strongly suggest that while he did threaten Madison in the end he didn't kill her and that he helped out immensely with case. From providing the boat and helping Victoria and Brady defend themselves.

So go easy.

>>45916559
"We are hurt and hurt others in turn. But the only thing that can stop that cycle is making a choice to try and understand. Only then do we halt the cycle of violence; only empathy can let men truly fight against monsters."

>>45916780
>Wait for his answer
he helped us out, and he has cred with the Task Force, and this is basically the worst day of his life.

He can choose.

>>45916780
>Custom
If Madison or any other people in the case protests against Murdock then report him. Otherwise just give him Task Force ticket/lecture.

He didnt kill no one and he help too

>>45916780
>>Custom
Fuck put everything on he table, how he helped and how he almost murdered someone and let command take care of it from there, buck this shit up the chain

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The_Observer: The last test subject has expired.
The_Observer: The results…very, very promising.
The_Observer: This case has been an astonishing success.
The_Observer: I was not expecting such an effect within so short a time span.
The_Observer: Increased aggression, new forms of magic, heightened physiology…
The_Observer: Perhaps it is too effective?
The_Observer: No, that cannot be such a thing.
The_Observer: But the rate of response was highly unusual.
The_Observer: I have never seen Devil Summoners act in such a manner.
Caesar: They are rookies, untested and untried.
Caesar: You cannot expect every team to be as competent as Sparda’s.
Caesar: Scarily competent bastards, they are.
The_Observer: Still, not what I was expecting from a team underneath Alger.
The_Observer: They operate differently than he does.
The_Observer: Undisciplined, unchecked, ostentatious.
The_Observer: Perhaps they are a different team from another division?
Caesar: The file dump was a month old, but it’s straight from the central computer.
Caesar: I trust my contact to provide the authentic and genuine article.
Caesar: So to answer your question, no, they are definitely a part of Alger’s division.
The_Observer: Color me surprised and somewhat unimpressed.
The_Observer: Not what I was expecting from the man who swore to kill us.
The_Observer: His first two teams are quite the contenders for our supplier.
The_Observer: Antlia and Bootes are very dangerous teams.
The_Observer: Rookie III? Not so much.
Caesar: Alger is no slouch, and neither is Lee.
Caesar: But we ourselves have been to ground for the last ten years.
Caesar: Little wonder he thinks that we are dead.
Caesar: He almost killed himself in that blast.
The_Observer: Detonating a megiddolaon bomb at the closest possible range.
The_Observer: That was strapped onto him.
The_Observer: He must have loved those two humans.
Caesar: They were his best friends and set to be married.

(cont.)

>>45916890
Caesar: He was to be their best man. Little wonder why he was upset.
The_Observer: Still…Mrs. Jaminez doesn’t sound quite right to me.
The_Observer: At least not attached to a woman who’s as pale as snowfall.
Caesar: You know he was too fond of referring to her as ‘Doctor Zelenin’.
Caesar: Always kept butchering the Russian accent.
The_Observer: She gave after how many months of trying to teach him?
The_Observer: Six months?
Caesar: He did get it right though. Shame it was with his last breath.
Caesar: But as far as dying goes, it is rare that one dies in the arms of their lover.
Caesar: They can have that comfort to go to the afterlife together.
The_Observer: You humans are so sentimental.
The_Observer: If he had just left her behind, he would not have perished.
The_Observer: Failure of a human.
The_Observer: We have no need of such concepts of ‘love’.
Caesar: Little wonder why you’re forever alone.
The_Observer: With the experiment over, it is time for me to leave the vicinity.
The_Observer: I have collected all the data I need.
The_Observer: We are now ready to proceed to Phase Two.
Caesar:
Caesar: You did try to make yourself inconspicuous, did you not?
The_Observer: No one is going to give a second glance
The_Observer: At a human college student texting on her phone.
The_Observer: Signing out now. Catch you state side.

>>45916905
...I knew there was something up with that chick.

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We have to hack the mainframe!

>>45916905
>>45916890
That was a thing.

Jimenez and Zel hooked up, but died.

Observer is a demon disguised as a college student.
Caeser is a human.
Brenda was an experimental demon.

>>45916905
that's some next level undercover there. There are ways to fool COMPS/hide magnetite signatures?

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>>45916989
Oh, it's easy to fool the sensors depending on how you go about doing it. Magic, scattering magnetite powder in the air, bathing in at least three quarts of human blood every day, the usual faire.

Still, well done. We've finished the third story arc of Task Force 666 and are about to head into the fourth. As I'm not at college, I cannot create a suitable photoshop image. Rest assured that I'll put it up to share.

Next thread is the fallout/cleanup of the Delaware situation, then a trip back to home base in D.C. Training, approval increasing, and a game of D&D with MacKay and Brady await you.

Oh, and leveling up. That's important.

===================

Gonna archive it in a few minutes.

Follow me on Twitter for session times and other TF666-related stuff: https://twitter.com/TaskForceKaz

Don't forget to vote for the previous threads on suptg: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Devil%20Summoner%20Task%20Force%20666%20Quest

Hope y'all have a good night/morning/day/afternoon wherever you based anons are.

>>45917047
Thanks for running. I will now stop putting off sleep.

Level Social.

It seems really fucking useful if we're going to regularly talk down insane demons and people.

Which is an occupational hazard for our profession.

>>45917047
Thanks for the game Kaz.
Stay snug,smug

>>45917047
>bathing in at least three quarts of human blood every day, the usual faire.
>usual
where do they get enough humans for this?

>>45917095
Oh, you know...Brooklyn

>>45917060
Get some sleep dude. I'd pass the Zzzquil if I could.

>>45917091
You're very welcome.

>>45917095
Red Cross/Hospital Blood bank for 'meh' blood, random hobo's off the street if they like their samples to be fresh (read: kicking and screaming).

Like this guy >>45917107 He gets it.

Division Six up covering the New England territories are almost at their wits' end with demons pulling people off the streets. Surplus of hobos and demand for human blood creates a jurisdiction nightmare.

Why not use human semen? Its useful, apparently.

>>45917152
Only for Japanese demons, my friend. And they aren't going to bathe in it to hide themselves from humans as much as they are going to use it for all kinds of nasty purposes.

You get more bang for your buck when using semen as a spell component, reagent or if you're an incubus getting a random woman pregnant. Camouflage? Not so much.

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>>45917187
>Camouflage? Not so much.
You can be a white ghost!

>>45916905
>>45917187
Did Lucifer just eat Alyssa and take her place?