>>2199775
>>Go and see Marla. Let me see what she has to say.
do send Astia up to gather the materials though. we'll clone some corpses.

>>2199775
>Go and see Marla. Let me see what she has to say.
>order that the witch be kept alive, the Cloning Vats refilled, and dead clones of the Heroes be prepared to take their place in the tomb
We have minions now! Delegate and multi-task!

>>2199775
>>Go and see Marla. Let me see what she has to say.

We should make a key ring with enchanted key pairs that will glow and vibrate when the holder of one concentrates on it. Then we give the other half of the pair to people who need to speak with us. Even include a Sending or Message (depending on the spell used in this setting) enchantment.
That way we won’t have the mind mage intruding on our other subordinates’ minds when they need to be carrying out our orders.

>>2199871
or messenger homonculai to convey messages among everyone. That way we don't always have to go and talk with people.

>>2199790
>>2199842
>>2199856
As you enter your quarters, you are greeted by the blank stares of your secret guards in full plate. Marla and Lia both wear similar leather armor as Dominic cocks his head and leans in closer to another clone.

"Might need to get your refitted... Rather not take chances on your crushing your wind pipe in the middle of battle, even if it is quite subtle." Dominic mumbles to himself as he looks back to you. He hold a rod and points it at his head.

"Tried to get in my head, had this little do dad that I was making to make her stop. I'll keep my mouth shut about this whole thing." Dominic stands up straight and stretches his back. "These girls seems to be good fighters, strong ones too. I'll see if I can got enough iron laying around to make them some good weapons." Dominic says to you as he walks out. Marla and Lia look at each other with worrying expressions.

"You don't think he'll hurt us, do you Marla?" Lia asks as she slowly shuffles behind Marla. Marla shakes her head and looks up at you.

"No, our Lord will take care of us. But, that can wait." Marla snaps her fingers and the secret guard disperses to the sides of the room, allowing you to float towards Marla.

"What is it?" You ask in a gruff tone.

"We have three new minds in our lair. I know about the two, but someone is hiding out in your lair and they're very good at masking their exact whereabouts. I sent a suggestion to 'Mother' as she was walking past to patrol the lair, but I haven't heard anything. Whatever it is, it's simply watching us. But, it isn't saying anything or sending any messages. In order for me to find it, I'll have to leave this room and people might know that I exist. I wanted your permission to venture out of your chambers and check up on your lair." Marla explains as she tugs down on her leather armor. Lia tries to take her's off and whispers to Marla.

"It feels rough. I want a dress, Marla. I want a pretty one like the one the broken mage keeps talking about in the halls..." Lia whimpers a bit as Marla puts her hand on Lia's head.

"Not right now... Business first." Marla whispers back.

>Choose one.

>No, I will look for them. Revealing you too soon may prove problematic for me.
>As long as you attempt to stay quiet. Mask your presence, if you can.
>If it is not a threat to us, it will reveal itself to us in time. Leave it alone.

>>2199884
>No, I will look for them. Revealing you too soon may prove problematic for me.
Give us a gist of where they are located so we can investigate ourselves?

>>2199884
>No, I will look for them. Revealing you too soon may prove problematic for me

>>2199879
Enchanting a key pair with Sending would let us talk with the holder of the other half of the pair. It would essentially give us magical walkie-talkies.

>>2199884
>>No, I will look for them. Revealing you too soon may prove problematic for me.

>>2199900
>>2199946
>>2200055
Marla dips her head down and smiles.

"As you wish. Although, I would have liked getting out of this room..." Marla says as she jumps up on your bed and sits cross legged. Lia climbs on top of the bed as well and lays in Marla's lap. Lia smiles as she goes into the fetal position and falls fast asleep. Marla smiles a soft smile at Lia and pats her head softly.

"Whatever is in your lair seems to be keeping a close eye on the barracks where Miza's clones are. Be careful, I'd rather not get caught up in a magical brawl." Marla says as she snaps her fingers. The guards snap to attention and they begin to bring Marla food and wine as you begin to walk out.
=======
Your guards quickly stand up from their beds and rush over to you smiling. They begin to ask what the big yellow ball in the sky was, why people wore shiny clothing, and if they could go back up again. They quickly go silent as they notice you looking around. Aegis frowns as she looks around as well, trying to find something out of place just, just in case. She then begins to sniff the air and wrinkles her nose.

"We clean before. Mommy says that clean room is happy room." She says as she quickly picks up an undergarment and throws it under the bed.

Suddenly, you see it. It was fleeting, but you could barely catch a glimpse of something hiding within the walls. You use your magical sight to see a dark spot moving within the walls. No, not in the walls, in the shadows on the walls. It is the same size as an average man, but it is hard to see what the darkness masks.

"Come out from the shadows, spy." You command as you blast the walls with a bolt of dark energy. Your guards quickly form up around you and put up their wards. One whispers about the room being sad now and one replies that it's going to cry because of the hole you left.

"Fool-fool! I do no harm, yet you strike attack at myself and me!" The dust clears as you see a very hairy man in dark leather straps and a metal staff. His face is elongated and his eyes dart from side to side, trying to find another exit while attempting to intimidate you. "Death-kill comes to you-those that hurt-maim! Bones Man regret that! Bones Man scream-cry when done-finished with you!" As he begins to form a ball of electricity within his hand. You begin to float towards him.

"Death! Come no closer! Bone Man Die-Death if... If..." His staff clatters on the floor as it drops from his hand. He begins to see the error in attempting to strike back at you as you float closer. You allow your dark energy to grow behind you as you tower over him. His eyes dart from side to side before he begins to whimper.

>Kneel before me willingly or I will make you kneel. (1D20, 5-20 will intimidate him.)
>Ratfolk... You will tell me everything I need to know about your purpose here or I will make your existence pain. (1D20, 10-20 will make him talk.)
>Die. <This kills the ratman.>

>>2200133
>>Ratfolk... You will tell me everything I need to know about your purpose here or I will make your existence pain. (1D20, 10-20 will make him talk.)

>>2200133
>Kneel before me willingly or I will make you kneel. (1D20, 5-20 will intimidate him.)

>>2200133
>Ratfolk... You will tell me everything I need to know about your purpose here or I will make your existence pain. (1D20, 10-20 will make him talk.)
We can kill him after if he displeases us

>>2200135
>>2200143
Go ahead and roll.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2200349
I'll roll since it seems they won't.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>2200349
rolling

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>2200349

File: Filburt-fortune.jpg (122 KB, 634x362)

122 KB JPG

>these rolls

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>2200349

Should have just intimidated him instead of talking.

>>2200377
>>2200413
>>2200462
Did we just get dunked on by a fuckin rat?

>>2200578
Yes. Maybe if you had rolled, we'd have a different outcome.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2200349

File: 1480089860248.png (477 KB, 834x685)

477 KB PNG

>>2200601
Don't blame us for your shitty rolls m8!

>>2200578
We either killed him by accident somehow or he seduced us while we were talking.

>>2201265
The rat grew a spine and successfully flips us off as he runs away, breaking the Cloning Vats as he goes.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

wow anons your luck are worst
>yet i proceed to roll a 1

>>2200377
>>2200413
>>2200462
As you float closer to the ratman, you begin to recall a saying. Like a cornered rat.

"I... I... GYAAAAAAAH!" The ratman screeches and rushes towards you, brandishing a glowing dagger. He swings it at you and every part of your being screams for you to evade it. It misses your chest by a few inches as the ratman goes to take another swing. Luckily, Iko freezes the ratman in place.

"No hurt Master!" She yells as she shivers. The ratman chatters his teeth as he desperately begins to claw at the frozen parts of his legs. He drops the dagger from his claws and begins to gnaw at the ice. A few guards go to check on you and a few more keep their focus on the ratman. Aegis looks down at the dagger and signals for the black eyed clone to pick up the dagger.

"What furry man, Master?" Aegis asks before a scream is heard from the clone. You look to see the clone convulsing on the floor as her soul is quickly sucked into the dagger and something else fills up her body. She stops for a few moments before her head begins to look around in all directions. She giggles with excitement as she stands up, hunched over and twitching.

"Ragtast did good. Ragtast be rewarded for success with many morsels now that Glizzgnaw is powerful Lich. Ragtast-" The clone looks down at her body and begins to screech.

"GLIZZGNAW AM STILL FLESHTHING! RAGTAST RECEIVES MANY WHIPPINGS THIS NIGHT! RAGTAST DOOM CLAN TO-" The clone looks up to you and backs away, tripping as she does so. She looks around and chitters. She quickly tries to calm her self as she bows as low as she can, practically pushing herself into the floor.

"Oh mighty Lich, we come to serve Lich. Glizzgnaw is Glizzgnaw, High Chief of Clan Glizz. Glizzgnaw's family-" Aegis quickly pulls Glizzgnaw by his long hair up to his feet. She is in tears as she grits her teeth. You can see her focusing power into her left hand.

"Where Aggy!? Bring Aggy back!" She cries. The other clones are now realizing what is happening as well and their fury matches Aegis's now.

>Choose one.

>Do not kill him... I need answers and you will be killing her body if she has a chance of coming back.
>Make him divulge everything he knows. Cause him great pain.
>We will make another body for her, assuming she can come back. Kill this one.

>>2202222
Oh, nice. At least your quads look cool.

>>2202359
>Let them have their way with the inconsequential ratman

>>2202359
>Do not kill him... I need answers and you will be killing her body if she has a chance of coming back.
Something about that dagger doesn't seem right. They must have swapped souls, based on what the thing currently inhabiting the body of one of our better underlings blabbered out.
>Make him divulge everything he knows. Cause him great pain.
Secure the dagger first, without anyone else touching it physically with their bodies. Assume Aegis is inside the dagger and anyone who touches it will be switched with them.

Once we get everyone in their proper bodies, give the ratman to the clones to do what they will, then we can have the thing that was in the dagger go inside a soulless clone vessel which we can kill off, leaving the dagger itself free to be investigated.

>>2202369
Do this

>>2202359
>Do not kill him... I need answers and you will be killing her body if she has a chance of coming back.

>>2202384
>>2202378
>>2202369
Aegis looks at you and nods. She waves for the rest of her sisters to stand down for now. Glizzgnaw whimpers as he feels a hand grabbing his shoulder.

"Put in room for bad men." Aegis orders as Adara laughs, shoving Glizz around. She whispers something to herself, but you are not paying attention. You are more interested in the dagger the ratman called Ragtast attempted to stab you with. You think you've seen this sort of dagger used by infiltrators from magical guilds, but you've never really understood why they used it. Using your powers, you levitate it in front of you and you can swear that there is whimpering coming from the dagger.

"Mommy... Help..." It's Aggy, she is trapped within the dagger.

"A soul swapping enchantment." You think aloud. But, as you look at the dagger, you notice that there are a few different enchantments added onto the dagger. Enchantments that no common mage can use.
=======
"That ratman is Glizzgnaw? As in Glizzgnaw, the Master of Souls?" Maila asks as she views the dagger in a safe container. Marla puts her finger to her lips and flips another page of the book in front of her.

"I vaguely remember a ratman that used assassins and infiltrators to take over leaders of powerful organizations to funnel resources to his clan. A high priestess from one of the drow temples was caught trying to give a small party of ratmen a large cart full of magical items and gold. When one of the guards asked what she was doing, she simply hissed and started talking in broken common." Marla closes the book and shakes her head. "Maybe..." She takes another book from the bookcase, Enchantments of The Forbidden Arts. The laboratory is abuzz with automatons, all attempting to figure out what exactly this dagger is.

"It seems that the first enchantment is a fail safe enchantment. I think this send A soul back to its original form, while leaving the stolen soul in the dagger. That way, the ratman that was placed in the dagger can simply kill himself to go back to his own body." Maila smirks and writes down the runes on the dagger. "This might be interesting to use on our infiltrators... If you wish, my Lord, I can stay all night examine each enchantment while you question this Glizzgnaw. I will give you my full report when I am finished. Do you wish this dagger destroyed after I run my tests?"

>If this dagger can allow Glizzgnaw to return to his body, I want it destroyed sooner than later. Write down what you can and see if you can retrieve Aggy's soul. If not, destroy it anyways.
>No, see if you can trace back where Glizzgnaw may return. If he attempts to commit suicide, I want you to track his soul to where it may return.
>Focus on retrieving Aggy first. She must be terrified of being in a state of limbo.

>>2202426
>No, see if you can trace back where Glizzgnaw may return. If he attempts to commit suicide, I want you to track his soul to where it may return.
Imagine the resources that his clan must have accumulated. Properly controlled, they may be useful.

Aggy will need to endure for a little longer.

In the meantime we really need to figure out what to do with the fact that the disappearance of the heroes will be blamed on the identity we’ve been trying to build up as a savior of the kingdom.

>>2202426
Do this >>2202437
Backtrace the fucker, have the clones support Aegis' soul in the meantime while her body is kept safe, and have the ratman tortured then killed by the clones. The ratman minion of Glizz is expendable. Also deal with the heroes and their crypt, maybe clone the bodies and kill the clones and have the corpses replace them in the crypt?

>>2202500
The Cloning Vats are low on raw materials (not samples, actual feedstock raw materials), so we can’t clone anything without risking the clones dissolving into biological goop.

We ordered our apprentice to send her daughters to go acquire more materials.

>>2202510
We can probably prep things for when they return with the stuff though.

>>2202426
No, see if you can trace back where Glizzgnaw may return. If he attempts to commit suicide, I want you to track his soul to where it may return

>>2202437
>>2202500
>>2202541
"I'll watch for his return home." Maila says. She quickly goes back to recording notes and mumbling to herself. Astia walks beside Maila and hands her a few supplies. You leave the lab as Maila laughs and quickly scribbles down something within her journal.

"Never would have thought to use deer blood for... Oh, it's not deer blood..."
=======
Glizzgnaw whimpers as he nurses his broken shoulder and burns on his face. His ankle is tied to a metal pole in the corner of your makeshift dungeon. Apparently, your guards still do not like being near Landra and your witch prisoner. Iko and Adara are seen glaring at each other as Ella uses her magic to heal Glizzgnaw's burns. Ragtast lies on the floor next to Glizzgnaw, his legs frozen solid by Iko's magic. Glizzgnaw looks up at you and scampers away to the farthest corner of the room. You can hear him whimper as he remembers his broken shoulder. He gets down on his knees and puts his hands out in front of him, attempting to show even more submissive than before.

"P-Please, O Mighty Lich. Glizzgnaw only wants prosperity for Clan Glizz. Glizzgnaw does not mean harm to Lich's pets." He points to his burn scars and then points to Adara.

"Glizzgnaw only be hurt by nasty red girl! Glizzgnaw wishes no harm on pretty girl Glizzgnaw is." He flinches at Adara giggling and Iko growling.

"You hurt Aggy! Aggy sister!" Aegis yells. Glizzgnaw desperately smiles as he crawls over to you.

"Glizzgnaw will do whatever Lich wants. Glizzgnaw can bring back red skin girl! See, Glizzgnaw do now!" Before he says anything else, he cries in pain as he forgets about his injury again.

>Questions first, then we will see.
>After you are healed, then you will answer my questions. If you satisfy me with your answers, we will see what happens next.
>Do it, then. Let me see you magic.
>Other

>>2202571
>>After you are healed, then you will answer my questions. If you satisfy me with your answers, we will see what happens next.
I dont trust him to not pull something

>>2202571
>After you are healed, then you will answer my questions. If you satisfy me with your answers, we will see what happens next.
We’re going to publicly execute him in excruciatingly horrid fashion in front of his warren, right?
Ragtast, on the other hand, was Just Following Orders. Maybe just take his legs, implant the knowledge of reading and writing, and consign him to a desk job as an accountant for our research labs?

>>2202571
>After you are healed, then you will answer my questions. If you satisfy me with your answers, we will see what happens next.
Also Glizz is in Aegis' body, right? Glizz has his own body somewhere we're gonna backtrace to.

I like the idea >>2202605 has. Obtain all of Glizz's resources and valuables, then murder him horrifically right in front of all his people. Maybe give Ratgast to Aegis when we get her back, as revenge for what happened. Clones get stress relief, we get loot and resources, and Glizz's people are suppressed and know not to fuck with us. Win-win.

>>2202608
I’m concerned about how to best control the ratfolk; having a breeding population of minions is good, but I don’t want minions that could sabotage us because of their own ambitions.

>>2202605
>>2202608
That's a really stupid idea and you guys are idiots. That soul magic he has is incredible, and he could be far more valuable than any other minion we currently have. Dominate his mind and exterminate his warren.

>>2202688
His soul magic is already being reverse-engineered and hacked by our Deathknight sorceress.
The only thing he’s good for is that magic, which will no longer be exclusively his in about a night.

>>2202698
So our minion is gonna gain all his years of knowledge and expertise in one night? She's gonna do anything aside from tracking down his original body? How do you know he doesn't know anything else of value? Stop trying to justify your stupid decision. You're killing an expert to enslave dregs. What's better, a clan of chump ratfolk who survived because this guy lead them, or a clan made of this guys clones? Might as well ask the blacksmith to reverse engineer the mindmage, and then kill her off.

>>2202732
Then what do you propose? State it clear enough as a write-in, so I can second it.

>>2202698
From what we've seen different mages have different aptitudes. He might be one of the best out there.

>>2202738
Dominate his mind so that he's perfectly loyal to us.

Wipe out his warren, take all the riches they accumulated. Have him help make sure none escape.

In the future, indoctrinate him so he's loyal even without magic. Use him as a base for clones.

>>2202571
Okay, changing my vote in >>2202608 to this >>2202752

>>2202752
Many minions would be more useful than one mind sorcerer. Especially since we dont need their money.

>>2202750
Or he could just have been using an already enchanted dagger and the thing wasn’t even his work, just something he found/stole.

>>2202762
Good thing we have these cloning vats. What's more useful, army of mooks or army of soul sorcerers?

>>2202571
>After you are healed, then you will answer my questions. If you satisfy me with your answers, we will see what happens next.

>>2202770
Jesus anon, reach harder. If you just reread >>2202426 it says he has a reputation for this. He even has the title Master of Souls! Idiot. How about we polymorph him into a cute elf girl first? I bet that'll make you want to keep him.

>>2202787
I'd rather them stay ratfolk for the sake of "diversity" since we are an equal opportunity employer.

>>2202792
You're better than the voters obsessed with waifus even though we literally have no dick.

>>2202798
I would gladly sac every single clone we've created if I thought it was conductive to gaining more power. Right however it is not worth it.
Also I consider them more like pets than people.

>>2202787
If you want to surround us with minions based on reputation and titles alone, that’s your right, but I’d rather have confirmation that he’s actually as good as the stories say. And if he’s as good as the title implies, he could just be killed and raised as a Deathknight.

>>2202809
Don't be obtuse. If you want to test him that's fine. I started this argument because people were voting to kill him and enslave his clan, which was idiotic.

In Dnd and other settings, you can't revive an undead. I'd rather keep him alive for now so we can death knight him if he dies in the line of duty, than death knight him now and lose him forever if he gets destroyed. Of course, if we can revive death knights without limit it doesn't matter.

>>2202807
What will it take to get you to understand that having a soul sorcerer as a minion does make us more powerful?

>>2202824
The idea to kill him was planned for well after we drain him of information, where we would learn if he had any useful skills and could change the plan if necessary, you idiot. Or did you think that we could kill him in front of his clan when we don’t know where they are without extracting the information from him?

>>2202824
Look through my comment history dumbass. I said nothing of the sort. Hell I don't even think death knight is an option because of his skill with soul magic.

>>2202853
Your post history? Look at my post again you retard. I said people, I didn't specify you. Learn to read.

>>2202841
And how long were you planning on keeping him? Certainly not the months/years it would take to learn everything he knows if he deserves that title. Not to mention you still were planning on sacrificing the best magic user we've had a chance to enslave yet for a bunch of mundanes. Maybe you should leave the thinking to those more qualified.

>>2202585
>>2202605
>>2202608
Sorry about that, was taking care of something over here.
=======
"Th-Thank you, Mighty Lich. Glizzgnaw welcomes you most merciful order." He, or rather, she, bows her head deeply and lays down on the ground. Ella hesitates as you give the order to heal Glizzgnaw, but she begins to heal him anyways.

"No want bad man heal. But, bad man in Aggy..." Ella mumbles to herself.

"N-Now, Might Lich, what do you ask of Glizzgnaw, you most loyal servant? Glizzgnaw lives only to serve Mighty Lich." Glizzgnaw says in a subservient tone. Ella zaps Glizz with a small spark of magic, causing Glizz to jump with fright.

"No like bad man... Bad man in Aggy. Can Aggy come back?" Aegis asks.

"Ah, yes, small girl can have sibling back. Glizzgnaw can bring back soon. But, Mighty Lich have many questions to ask. Let Glizzgnaw answer without any interruptions." Glizzgnaw says, sneering at Aegis. Aegis raises her hand to strike Glizzgnaw, but lowers it again as she remembers her place.

>Ask away.

>>2202884
Are you mixing up names QM? You seem to be doing that a lot.
Also why are we even asking him with his free will intact? Dominate his mind already and get the answers ourselves!

>>2202883
You specified me not "people" in your comment linked to me. You are being a retard and I will stop caring for your opinion on this topic pass this point.

>>2202884
>Dominate him. Ask where his real body is, where his warren is, how much treasure he has, and if he's truly a master of soul magic.

>>2202903
Mixed you up with someone else, my bad. But also screw you. You're not even arguing with me.

>>2202884
>What did you desire to gain from using that dagger on me?
>What sort of asset have your clan gathered so far?
>Where is your clan?
>Could your magic undo undeath?
>What are the limits of your magic?
>What do you value most? And I will not take serving me as an answer. (If he considers his life most important he will betray us at a moment's notice if he think it will insure his survival)

>>2202884
How many enchanted daggers does he have?
How many assassins and infiltrators does he have active and where?
Quiz him on soul enchantments to test the limits of his knowledge.

>>2202929
Glizzgnaw attempts to stand up to seem impressive, but, again, forgets about his injury as he slumps back down. Ella shakes her head and pulls him back down to the floor so she may better heal him.

"Clan Glizz is large clan. Larger than most but..." He looks over to Ragtast and growls. "New brood is incompetent. No thinking like Glizzgnaw does. Only eat and plunder. New brood does not remember old ways... The Ancient ways of Soul Weaving, make NEW life from energy. Dead things make no new life, only make vessels for new souls." He looks down at his hands. "Glizzgnaw only want old ways to be remembered. Glizzgnaw think Mighty Lich make happen... Glizzgnaw thought making you see ancient magics make you see that Clan Glizz useful... Take Clan Glizz in. The Old Weavers exist in Clan Glizz only now. New clans think we abominations because Clan Glizz no want loot, only power. Clan Glizz driven from home."

"But Clan Glizz in sewers of city. Clan Glizz look upon city and see mages in tower. Mages have books and ancient maps that go to old temples. Old Weavers think that Lich can help Clan Glizz find books and maps to find Nz'Nagoth, Temple of The First." He looks up to you and then at Ragtast. "But young ones no think clearly. Make plan that put Glizzgnaw in dagger for infiltrators to take Lich. Glizzgnaw thought, at first, that plan was good. Then, when Glizzgnaw in dagger, Glizzgnaw think harder. Dagger make Lich angry, more importantly, Lich is only made of Dark Energy. No soul to swap, ends in oblivion for Glizzgnaw." Glizzgnaw explains.

As he talks, you begin to remember the temple known as Nz'Nagoth. It is believed that in this temple, the first of the magical creatures were created. However, you remember that the temple was destroyed in a massive global war, though much of its power may still remain. If this clan is searching for the temple with something like a soul weaver at their disposal, they could create an army of zealous warriors at their command and become near god-like...

>Ella, continue to heal him, his companion, and call upon me when he is fully healed. I must speak to my apprentice on this matter. They will be treated as guest in my lair from then on.
>Kill the spare and continue to heal Glizzgnaw. I must speak to my apprentice on this matter.
>I am satisfied with your answers. Now die. (Kill them both.)

>>2203148
>>Kill the spare and continue to heal Glizzgnaw. I must speak to my apprentice on this matter.
He seems useful enough.

>>2203148
>Kill spare, heal Glizzgnaw, talk to apprentice.

>>2203148
>Other: Ella, continue to heal him, his companion, and call upon me when he is fully healed. I must speak to my apprentice on this matter. They may be useful so do not damage them, and keep them here.
Is Glizzgnaw the best soul weaver, or just the most ambitious one?

I mean, he did get suckered in to what he later realized was a stupid plan when the other soul weavers passed on it.

People it might have been the rat folk that told the paladin about our location. We should check up on our captured paladin.

>>2203148
>Kill the spare and continue to heal Glizzgnaw. I must speak to my apprentice on this matter.
Ambition, a need to preserve old techniques, not a complete idiot. Definitely a good asset.

>>2203239
I agree with this too

>>2203155
>>2203186
>>2203244
"No-Bad! Ra-" Without another word, cause the ratfolk's body to freeze from the inside out. Then you simply allow Iko to smash the frozen rat man. Glizzgnaw simply scoffs at his now dead companion.

"Stupid Ragtast does not use head to think. Only wants kill." Glizzgnaw turns to face you and nods his head. "Failure must be met with death. Glizzgnaw agree with Mighty Lich's actions."
=======
"The Temple of Nz'Nagoth was wholly destroyed. Whatever is left of that temple is useless or drained of whatever power it once had." Maila says as she looks to her notes. "If Glizzgnaw thinks he's going to make an army using the remains of a long gone ruin, I say let him do it on his own, Master."

"But, what if the temple still holds power? Would you risk our Lord's opportunity to gain an entire army of loyal subjects? What if Clan Glizz gains this power and forms an endless horde of ratmen?" Marla asks. She takes a seat next to Axton, who is reading up on the lore of the temple.

"It says here that temple was protected by four necromancers." Axton says as he reads the text. "The-"

"Defenders of The Afterlife, Bringers of the First Dead, Those of Dark But Walk In Light. Yes, yes, we all know what they are. But, they're long dead and I'm sure they made sure that none of their powers could fall into the hands of those they deemed unworthy. Especially by some ratmen, ASSUMING there is any power to obtain there." Axton sighs as he rolls his eyes. He tosses the book to Marla, who gives him a soft smile.

"It is worth looking into." You say. Maila is silent for a while before finally conceding to you.

"Perhaps... There may be ancient texts on how to create new souls there. Assuming it even remains in wherever it is now."

>UPDATING LORE.

1/2

"I guess the question now remains," Dominic begins as he walks into the laboratory. "Are we changing our objectives? If we go chasing after this temple, that means changing our focus from conquest to exploration. Might I remind everyone here that the situation up above is extremely volatile." He tosses a poster onto the table you are all gathered around.

It says...

>DOWN WITH THE MONARCHY! DOWN WITH THE QUEEN OF MIRRORS! LONG LIVE AXTIA, THE NOBLEBORN AND NOBLESOUL!"

"Found this a few hours ago when I was getting some materials. Guards killed the man trying to put these up. There's gonna be a civil war soon, by the looks of it."

A perfect time to try and seize power. With your powerbase, you could easily gain a sizable power base. With Axtia at your side and Kalmdeus working for you once again, you could just as easily claim power for your own. However, you do not know the true strength of the royalty's army or whether or not Kalmedus has the loyalty of his own mages.

>With the city in turmoil above, I say we come from below when the fighting starts. We stay until we can cement our power here.
>The fighting will be thrown downwards at some point. We need to go soon anyways, let me go to Kalmedus and find these tomes.

>>2203331
>With the city in turmoil above, I say we come from below when the fighting starts. We stay until we can cement our power here.

>>2203331
>We need to go soon anyways, let me go to Kalmedus and find these tomes.

>>2203331
Tough choice
>With the city in turmoil above, I say we come from below when the fighting starts. We stay until we can cement our power here.
The tomes can wait. Once things clear up and we win, Kalamedus can get us those tomes anytime.

>>2203331
>>With the city in turmoil above, I say we come from below when the fighting starts. We stay until we can cement our power here.
This is a prime oportunnity to do some good work.
If we bomb the hero tomb we can probably kick something off, as the Queen clamps down hard in response to the terror attack, and the people start suspecting it was a false flag used to abuse them.

we need to have a brand if we are going to grab power. The: old master wizard wants to bring back the great age of the past, and is working with Axtia. Might be a good one.

But now we need to tilt the civil war in our favor. Time to get Axtia to give us cloning recources and start using mind magic and loyal clone replacements to make the civil war go our way.

We also need to learn our clones to talk properly, they can't blend in talking badly like that. And we need to get better living conditions for our clones to reduce chance of loss of moral and loyalty from them. Get the females some civillian dresses for off duty time first.

The temple we should grab after we have the city. Maybe have som loyal underlings spend some time recearching the temple while we take power in the city.

>>2203472
>>2203399
>>2203358
I just now noticed that I used Marla instead of Meridian in this scene. >>2203325
I got the names mixed up and that is made worse at the fact that I have the google doc right next to this quest.
=======
"Then, if you'll excuse me, my Lord, I'll need to prepare weapons and armor for whatever fighting force we have." Dominic says as he bows to you and walks out of the lab.

"I will need to talk to my party as well to reaffirm our positions within the party. With these new powers, I think our roles will be changing. We will still fight for you, my Lord. Your Death Knights will await your orders." Axton says as he and Meridian bow and walk out.

Maila says nothing. He face is nostalgic as she touches her lips.

"Kali... I can't wait to see you again." Maila says as she goes back to taking her notes.
=======
"War, ey?" Marla says as she ties a clone's hair into a pony tail. She walks in front of the clone and puts her fingers to her chin. "No, too weird looking." Lia laughs as she dances around with a clone.

"Does war mean fighting, Marla? Does it mean going outside?" Lia asks as twirls around. She stops and smiles, letting a little bit of her void energy pool into her hands.

"Yes, but not right now." Marla says as she undoes the ponytail. Lia groans and lies down on the floor.

"But Marlaaaaa, it's boooooring. These clones don't even know how to dance, they just shamble about." Lia whines as she bats at the foot of a clone. Marla smiles and puts her head on the shoulder of the clone on the bed.

"I don't care either way. A fight means we get to have a little fun and I can get some play things. But, give us a few toys and clothing to dress these girls into and also our own room, and we'll stay out of the fighting if you want. Not that our desires really matter to you, just saying that it gets boring staying in here all day."

>I will need you soon. As a support role or as an attacker, I don't know yet.
>I need you to serve as our home guard. The fighting is sure to spread to the levels below and you will have your fun when it does.
>I need you secret. Revealing you now may cause me to lose my advantage against other foes in the future.

>>2203696
Yet another tough choice.
>I need you secret. Revealing you now may cause me to lose my advantage against other foes in the future.
After the fighting is over, we can see about giving them fun. Secrecy right now is priority.

>>2203696
>I need you secret. Revealing you now may cause me to lose my advantage against other foes in the future.
We should offer to bring back some nice stuff so they don't get rowdy. Hell I'll even vote for that.
>Offer to bring some nice stuff for them soon

>>2203696
Also backing the write-in part of >>2203907
Just because we're a Lich and had to do horrifically evil shit to get to where we are now, and we are NOT good by any means - doesn't mean we can't help out our prized minions a little.

>>2203696
>>I need you secret. Revealing you now may cause me to lose my advantage against other foes in the future.

>>2203791
>>2203907
>>2203953
>>2203978
Lia's eyes light up as you say that you'll bring back things from the surface world.

"Really? Like really, really?" She asks as she jumps up on the bed and balances herself on Marla. Marla smiles and grabs Lia's hands.

"You have yourself a deal then. We'll continue to stay here until you get back from your war. Oh, and make sure to bring back a lot of pretty clothing! Oh, and some toys for Lia! Oh, Oh, and uniforms for our girls here!" Marla excitedly bounces up and down on the bed with Lia as you leave.

As the door closes behind you, you begin to think of what needs to be done to prepare for incoming civil war. Information for one, of both forces man power and armaments, where loyalties lie, and finally... Landra and that witch. It may be time to question the both of them, but there are other things that need to be done as well.

>Let us see how our old foe Landra is doing.
>That witch has stewed in her small cell for long enough. She may be ready to spill whatever secrets she has without much force.
>I need to gather information first. The rest comes later.

>>2204065
>>Let us see how our old foe Landra is doing.

>>2204065
>Let us see how our old foe Landra is doing.
Time to bantz like a real villain

>>2204065
>Let us see how our old foe Landra is doing.
Let us deal with the immediate threat first.

>>2204084
>>2204099
>>2204195
Last post for the night. Please look at my twitter to see any updates.
=======
You decide that seeing Landra chained up in your cells would be amusing and informative. She has been locked in that cell with no real interaction outside Maila messing with her. You swear that if you had lips, you'd be grinning ear from ear at this point.
=======
Your laughter echoes through the halls as you see what has become of your old foe. You apprentice is a cruel one, that much is for sure, but she has a good sense of humor. Landra's body is sitting on the floor on her knees as she sways back and forth. Her mouth hangs open as she blankly stares ahead. On the walls behind her are the words 'Landra is a loyal servant to the Lich' written hundreds of times. You then notice that these carvings have been carved with Landra's own holy symbol, now dirty and bent from carving for so long. Then, you notice a spectral chain leading from Landra's body to her soul in the corner. Landra's soul is huddled in the corner, staring at her own body. Her soul seems frail and broken. Suddenly, a ring is heard as Landra's body suddenly bolts up and walks to the walls behind her. Landra's soul notices this and begins to run towards her body.

"No, let me back in! Please, give me back control!" She screams.

"Landra is loyal to the Lich." Her body replies as she begins to rhythmically stab at the wall. As the body does this, you begin to notice Landra's soul whimpering in pain. You see that with each stab, the same stab is replicated onto her soul's form. You see the name Landra appear on her back.

After the body is finished with her work, she quickly turns around and sits back in the same place she was sitting from before. Landra's soul wearily stumbles to another corner of the room, feeling her back as the wounds begin to dissipate. She looks to you, weary from the pain.

"Is this what you want?... To see my soul tainted with these... words... To force my body to harm my soul?" Landra asks as she groans. She tries to stand, but quickly falls back down, the weight of the chains being too much for her.

"Why don't you simply kill me... Finish me off, you coward..." She says as she attempts to seem imposing.

>Because I still have use for you.
>Because I simply wish to see you in pain for the rest of eternity.
>I will end your pain, only if you swear loyalty to me.
>If you insist. (Tear her soul asunder.)

>>2204340
>Because I still have use for you. I know you too well to want to finish you off.

>>2204340
>>Because I still have use for you.
I like to bully this paladin let her suffer some more.

>>2204340
>Because I still have use for you.
>And I don’t wish to hurt you for my own amusement; I’m practical, not a sadist
It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, so long as she THINKS it’s true.

>>2204602
this is good.

>>2204340
this>>2204602

>>2204602
support

>>2204602
This

>>2204602
Her eyes are filled with rage as she tries to rush the bars, only to fall short. She cries in pain, gripping her arms and curling up into a ball. Her eyes show her fatigue and her souls form seems to be at its limit.

Then, she whispers something. You can see tears falling from her physical body's eyes as Landra's soul grips her head close to her chest.

"Come again?" You ask, pretending to still have ears as you cup a hand around where one would be. You see her shudder and grit her teeth.

"What... Do you want..." She whispers.

You feel amusement rising within you.

>Information, that is all.
>Just three simple words. (You win, Lich.)
>A broken paladin. One that will serve me as long as needed.

>>2206003
>>Just three simple words. (You win, Lich.)

>>2206003
>Just 3 simple words
And then proceed to gain information about the strength and control of Landra's paladins above. Considering how dangerous that Order is to our plans, its best we know their weaknesses.

>>2206003
>A broken paladin. One that will serve me as long as needed.

>>2206003
>Just three simple words. (You win, Lich.)

>>2206003
>Tell me these three words, and we can see about restoring some control

and once we yet again establish that subservience means reward, we can begin to mold yet another puppet.

maybe the next person we capture we can have a slave feed them and show kindness to them and so on, then force them to kill them in much the same manner that our paladin here can not control herself

and if we dont want the paladin as a warrior, im sure using her to clean the floors is an equity valid use of her

>>2206003
>Information, that is all.
For now, and it's not like we'll free her after putting her back in her body.

>>2206012
>>2206024
>>2206029
Right after saying we're practical, you go for a sadistic choice?

>>2206051
She has been our rival for ages and ages. We need that sweet closure.

>>2206051
Before we can make build her up we have to tear her down. She needs to acknowlege she lost- that she has nothing left of her old life, so she can better throw herself into her new life.
Getting her to to admit total defeat is just the psychological coup de gras

Did not the paladin have a friend in the city she mentioned by name. While that one exists it might be hard to turn her.

>>2206012
>>2206024
>>2206029
"You... You win, Lich..." Landra whispers as she shudders at the words she has just spoken. "I... I am defeated..." She curls up into a ball and silently cries. Joy begins to creep into your being as you see your most persistent adversary finally brought low. Before, she was an innocent and naive paladin that simply wanted to bring you to justice. Her path downwards brought her lower and lower to your level until she realized it too late. The only thing she had left was her pride and purpose. Now, in a single week, you have stripped her of her pride and now you've stripped her of her purpose. She now lays there, a broken woman with nothing to strive for and nothing to be proud of. She had abandoned her order to hunt you down, she had abandoned her morals to track you across the land, and now she has abandoned her pride to cease the increasing pain and humiliation of being defeated.

"Good." You say. She no longer responds to your words as she lays there. She is silent for a few minutes before kneeling within her cell.

"What... What do you require of me..." The next word that comes out of her mouth is pure ecstasy to you. "Master."

>First thing is first, Landra. I want you to swear your body and soul to me. Then, and only then, will you return to your body.
>Information. I need to know how you found me so quickly.
>I simply wanted to strip everything away from you before allowing you to perish. But, we will see what perishes first. The body or the soul. (Leave the cell and Landra for good or until you need her.)

>>2206210
>First thing is first, Landra. I want you to swear your body and soul to me. Then, and only then, will you return to your body.
>Information. I need to know how you found me so quickly.
Just do both.

>>2206210
>First thing is first, Landra. I want you to swear your body and soul to me. Then, and only then, will you return to your body.
>Information. I need to know how you found me so quickly.
Fucking both. Loyalty first, info next.

>>2206210
>Information. I need to know how you found me so quickly.

>>2206216
this

>>2206214
>>2206216
>>2206241
Her soul bends the knee. She places her hand on her heart and raises the other towards you.

"I, Landra, swear fealty to you. My body and soul are now yours. I am a slave to your will..." She loudly swears. You can see the last of her resistance leave her soul.

"Good. Now, how did you find me?" You ask.

"Through the cult of Queen Azletia... She leads the cultists to uprooting those that would bring her regime down, like a secret police. They believe that she is a being of perfection and strive to become her. Through small trades and bribes, I was able to retrieve your location. It seems they know of your existence beneath the city." Landra says. You freeze for a moment. The Queen knows that you exist beneath her city? You put your finger to your chin and think. If she knows you are beneath the city, why hasn't she taken steps to ensure your total destruction?

"Why has she not attacked when I was at my most vulnerable?" You ask. Landra shakes her head.

"I do not know, Master. All I know is that they have taken great interest in something known as the cloning vats." She answers. And they know of the cloning vats. You situation has become more dangerous. If they know of your experiments, they may know of your secret guard as well. But, you do not know if they have complete sight over you. Perhaps you are being too hasty.

But, perhaps not. The witch may know of the queen's plans.

>Choose one

>You have done well. Place her soul within her body. Now follow me.
>You will stay like this until I decide otherwise.

>Choose one

>A preemptive strike is needed now. Who knows if the Queen is already at your doorstep.
>No, a calm mind will win this day. More information is required before you make your next decision.
>We cannot stay here. It is time to abandon this lair and move on.

>>2206281
>You have done well. Place her soul within her body. Now follow me.
>All of those options are foolish. We must hope for the best and prepare for the worst have everyone on high alert and ready to fight or relocate and try to quickly gather information on how did they spy on us and how imminent an attack is.

>>2206281
Backing >>2206295

>>2206281
>You have done well. Place her soul within her body. Now follow me.
>No, a calm mind will win this day. More information is required before you make your next decision.

>>2206295
Isn't that just literally the second choice but with more words and you calling the post Dumb?

>>2206281
>Through the cult of Queen Azletia... She leads the cultists to uprooting those that would bring her regime down
Wait the Witch was trying to get the noble that was intending to overthrow the queen killed. She might know.

>>2206281
>You have done well. Place her soul within her body. Now follow me.

>No, a calm mind will win this day. More information is required before you make your next decision.

>>2206317
More like rally the troops and send out the scouts than any option on there. To be honest it's more of a half way point then anything else.

>>2206317
This

>>2206281
>You have done well. Place her soul within her body. Now follow me.
>No, a calm mind will win this day. More information is required before you make your next decision.

>>2206376
>>2206322
>>2206317
I gotta go a little earlier than usual.
=======
You calm yourself. You have nothing to fear as long as you keep a level head. If she wanted to attack you, then she would have. Right now, information is key. You allow Landra to re enter her body and she now follows you without another word.
=======
"I-I know n-nothing." The witch stutters as she holds her necklace closer to her chest. Landra simply walks towards the witch and holds her up by her neck. The witch struggles to breath and Landra pushes her against the wall.

"Tell him what you told me." Landra says coldly. The witch is both confused and fearful of Landra now. She looks at you and then at Landra before bursting into tears.

"No! She would never allow me to join with her handmaidens! I would rather die than tell you of her plans!" The witch says. Suddenly, you see her head twitching heavily as her face becomes red. Landra's eyes widen and she sucker punches the witch in the stomach. The witch loses focus for a few moments before appearing dazed and confused.

"But... You hate him... You sold you-" The witch takes another hit to the gut as Landra lets go of the witch.

"Answers. Now." Landra says. The witch begins to cough and shake. She wearily looks up at you and frowns.

"My goddess, Queen Azletia, wishes to enslave the Lich. I do not know how, but I know she possess the means to do so. I know not when she would, but she feared heretical distrust in her rule... She means to use the Lich to uphold truth and justice in her lands." The witch forces a smile as she looks up at you from the ground. "A noble cause, one that all true believers wish to come true. You will be our holy justicar!"

You allow your anger to rise to the surface as the witch begins to cough up ice. She cries as she claws at her throat.

"Where?" You ask in a rumbling voice. Landra steps back from the witch as you cause the witch to rise into the air.

"K-Kalmedus t-tried to destroy her h-holy creation. Sh-She had it hidden from his senses in the-the dungeons under her palace! The-The Home of P-Perfection! That's all I-I know!" The witch tries to fight against an invisible grip on her throat.

If you can make it to this dungeon, then perhaps you can destroy this device. But, she could be waiting for you to try and do so. If you are to do this, things must be prepared. If this creation can be used to control a lich, then a lich will not go to destroy this device.

>It is time to unveil my secret guard. Let them destroy the device, letting Marla and Lia take command.
>My Death Knights will find this device most disturbing when they find out about this. They will spare no mortal they find along the way. (Discovery EXTREMELY HIGH)
>Maila is my closest subordinate and she knows when to employ subtly. Sending her could destroy the device quickly and quietly.
>My personal guard have proven the most loyal and proficient in these matters. It is time to send them into battle.

>>2206510
>>It is time to unveil my secret guard. Let them destroy the device, letting Marla and Lia take command.
Mind Mage

>>2206510
>It is time to unveil my secret guard. Let them destroy the device, letting Marla and Lia take command.
>Have Marla read the witch's mind for the layout of the palace and the defenses of the Cult.
We really should prepare more carefully, especially if the Queen knows about us. She would have prepared defenses against us and our pawns.

>>2206510
Backing >>2206548

>>2206548
She wouldn't have defenses prepared for the death knights since they are too new to prepare for but I am contemplating if it is worth it.

What are we going to do with the whole Maila x Kalmedus thing?

I wonder if the device is intended to take control of Lia and Marla.

>>2206700
One would think that Marla would know about any intruders, and she has made sure nobody knows she exists. She should do so even when outside the lair so that the secret guard remains a secret.

The damn queen wants our cloning vats to make more of her narsisistic self. The witch is probably trying to fuck with us. If we focus on the queen she might try to grab the vats. The queen can still fuck us by telling some paladin groups. Our leverage against that is the vats. We might propose a fake deal for them with the queen to make her expose herself to murder/assassination by our bony hands.

>>2206510

We should not fight, but spy!
Meanwhile, we should turn human and make clones of us. We might be able to trick the queen and control the wrong mage.

>>2206548
This, if the queen knows this much about us, with the vats and whatnot, are options are to run and abandon this lair, which would be giving up quite a lot of intel to her from what we leave behind, or to destroy her and her cult. Actually, now that I think of it, how does she know of the cloning vats? Is there someone foolish enough to betray us?

>>2209392
>how does she know of the cloning vats
Did we ward the lair properly?
Are the anti-scrying runes still intact?

Or rather, did we remember to update our security wards and runic arrays with the latest patches, or are we running old defenses that still have known vulnerabilities?

>>2209401
Shit, we need to renew our McAfee subscription.

File: 1512506957404.jpg (287 KB, 788x872)

287 KB JPG

>>2209427
Fuck!

>>2209427
Knowing our luck, we switched to Kaspersky because it was cheaper, and now our wards are compromised by the backdoors put in by the Queen's Spymaster.

>>2206548
>>2206526
"Really now. You want us to go sneak into her palace and destroy the device?" Marla asks as she stops one of your guards from putting another grape in her mouth.

You nod and she sits up straight, pushing the clone away from her. She thinks for a minute and slowly nods.

"Well, you have kept us secret from almost everyone in your lair... It COULD work..." Marla mumbles to herself. Lia qucily jumps up on the bed and smiles.

"Hey, hey, let's do it Marla! Consequences be damned!" Lia giggles and lets a little bit of her power out, causing all light in the room to dim. Marla pats the head of Lia and then nods.

"We can do it. All I need to do is get a good, long look at the witch's mind. If she's been down there, I'll know. If not, well... I'll have to get close to the palace to figure out who would know how to get into this Home of Perfection or whatever. That'll mean attempting to pose as civilians. And, I'll need to take Lia too, just in case." Marla explains. Lia smiles as Marla pats her head.

"Lia gets... excitable sometimes and I'd rather not leave her alone." Lia pouts and folds her arms.

"You don't trust me to be good, do you?" Lia mumbles. Marla laughs and smiles.

"It's just in case someone comes into the room and sees you in here. They don't know we exist." Marla turns to you. "So, how about it."

>Then do so. If there is a chance that this witch knows something, find it. Even if it destroys her mind. (Roll a 1D20 after voting is finished. 14-20 means she knows something. 1-13 means she knows nothing. Best of 3 rolls when I call for rolls. Then, roll again. 1 on ANY roll means the witch's mind is destroyed, she is of no more use to you. 2-10 means the witch goes insane, 11-19 means the witch still has her mind. Nat 20 means Marla has bent the witch to her control)
>If there is a chance of failure with the witch, we might as well go to the palace to retrieve our information. Let's go, we need to get you civilian clothing.
>We'll go at a later date. I must prepare my defenses in case they attack sooner than expected.

>>2209761
>Then do so. If there is a chance that this witch knows something, find it. Even if it destroys her mind. (Roll a 1D20 after voting is finished. 14-20 means she knows something. 1-13 means she knows nothing. Best of 3 rolls when I call for rolls. Then, roll again. 1 on ANY roll means the witch's mind is destroyed, she is of no more use to you. 2-10 means the witch goes insane, 11-19 means the witch still has her mind. Nat 20 means Marla has bent the witch to her control)
>We'll go at a later date. I must prepare my defenses in case they attack sooner than expected.

>>2209761
>Then do so. If there is a chance that this witch knows something, find it. Even if it destroys her mind. (Roll a 1D20 after voting is finished. 14-20 means she knows something. 1-13 means she knows nothing. Best of 3 rolls when I call for rolls. Then, roll again. 1 on ANY roll means the witch's mind is destroyed, she is of no more use to you. 2-10 means the witch goes insane, 11-19 means the witch still has her mind. Nat 20 means Marla has bent the witch to her control)
The witch's only use to us at the moment is information. Once we get that, then it doesn't matter much if her mind breaks or not.
>We'll go at a later date. I must prepare my defenses in case they attack sooner than expected.
Even if we get info, we cannot act on it immediately. We need to set up the base for repelling an invasion.

The queen says she got a device to control us, does she mean our lich phylactery, are we sure it is safe?

>>2209879
Make a backup.

>>2209916
I don't think that's how it works, is it?

>>2209789
>>2209796
Alrighty then. Go ahead and roll.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>2210012

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2210012

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2210012

>>2210071
"Your will be done. I finally get to do something!" Marla says as she stretches. Lia jumps up off the bed and follows.
"You do your thing and I'll do mine." She says as she opens the door.
=======
Luckily, with your foresight, you lair is in a very defensible position. In order to reach any part of your lair, an invader must first navigate through a series of tunnels that lead into the main sewer system or into ancient catacombs whose barriers have crumbled over time. After that, a magical barrier that covers a good majority of an area around you lair. The place outside resembles the Underdark and houses another experiment that have worked on before. It works as a guard dog of sort and you rarely need to speak to it. Its loyalty is strange, but it is a reliable first line of defense after the magical barrier. You go outside of your lair to check up on it.

>CHOOSE ONE

>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.
>It used to be a she before she decided it was best to attempt to betray you. Now, it is a feral husk of what she was before. Her original form resembles that of a warg mixed with a serpent with the strength and speed to match both. It remains docile until something that either it does not recognize or is not escorted by yourself or your minions. It goes into a frenzy as soon as intruders approach it environment.
>A drow warrior priestess who wanted to become more dangerous than she already was. With special augmentations, this Drow, Syliciana, gleefully dances into combat. The only reason she stays is because you can upkeep her dangerous augmentations, which, without proper treatment from time to time, will cause her to degrade into something worse than her original form.
>He is an assassin unmatched. This human was able to sneak into your asylum at night without you noticing him to prove that he could. However, to his unfortunate surprise, he didn't stay unnoticed for very long. However, instead of killing him, you decided to reward his bravado and stealth with something all assassins truly wish for: to become one with the shadows. He keeps a small home outside your lair and completes contracts that come to him. His loyalty to you is strong, unless the bounty out weighs his lust for gold

>>2210289
>He is an assassin unmatched. This human was able to sneak into your asylum at night without you noticing him to prove that he could. However, to his unfortunate surprise, he didn't stay unnoticed for very long. However, instead of killing him, you decided to reward his bravado and stealth with something all assassins truly wish for: to become one with the shadows. He keeps a small home outside your lair and completes contracts that come to him. His loyalty to you is strong, unless the bounty out weighs his lust for gold

We could also probably use him for so many other tasks

>>2210289
>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.

>>2210289
>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.

>>2210289
>>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.

>>2210289
If I may point out this choice
>He is an assassin unmatched. This human was able to sneak into your asylum at night without you noticing him to prove that he could. However, to his unfortunate surprise, he didn't stay unnoticed for very long. However, instead of killing him, you decided to reward his bravado and stealth with something all assassins truly wish for: to become one with the shadows. He keeps a small home outside your lair and completes contracts that come to him. His loyalty to you is strong, unless the bounty out weighs his lust for gold
doesn't make much sense since if we had him why would we have needed to gather info our selves.

>>2210289
>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.
Nice, more robot buddies!

>>2210289
>>You mean to say experiments. You have created automatons that can think on their own. They resemble your own automatons but are large and combat effective. Their leader, simply named Leader 001, was created to be a secondary general. You have filled with as much military knowledge as you can before allowing it to organize a small garrison outside your lair. Though it is intelligent, it has picked up... quirks. They began to form within him the last time you conversed, something along the lines of speaking in riddles.

>>2210332
>>2210336
>>2210349
>>2210417
>>2210423
Sorry, I fell asleep. I'll keep the thread up till monday night.
=======
"Like the sun in the sky, our creator returns to lighten our day." Leader 001 bows deeply as you reach the outskirts of his small village. The other automatons kneel and bow their heads as well. "If the general comes to inspect his troops, then he expects war to come soon. And, like a weapon to the soldier, we are kept sharp and ready for battle."

"Indeed. There will be a fight sooner or later." You respond. He stands from his bow and you can see that he's grown much... Larger than before. He almost towers over you now. However, his club and shield are discarded for a fan and long sword. His dull appearance replaced with the appearance of armor and insignias you do not recognize. And, more surprisingly, his soldiers carry banners. You don't remember giving them banners.

"Please, if a lord is to expect his general to win the day, the lord must explain his motives first. This way." Leader 001 says as he beckons you to enter his village.
=======
"Ahhhh, so like termites to the mighty oak, these cultist wish to feed upon your power. And you would have us ensure these insects do not infest your home?" Leader asks as he fans himself from his throne. He slowly nods his head and covers his mouth as he whispers to an automaton next to him. Like their leader, each automaton has a unique appearance. One resembles a hunter wearing hide, but his hide is simply stone has has integrated with. Another resembles a wolf opening his jaw, the automatons face showing through the wolf's jaw. After a small discussion with the smaller automaton, Leader nods his head aggressively and fans himself.

"Like an artist with a canvas, you must allow my lieutenants and I freedom of tactics. We are not the simple automatons you have left here all those years ago. Like a boy becoming a man, we have learned many things and have grown to be the force you see today. If we wish to retreat, then we must retreat within the castle." He points to the entrance of you lair. He then holds up his hand. "As a last resort, of course."

>Of course. I will even allow you to examine the lair itself to allow a more efficient battle plan.
>No, I would expect you all to fight outside the lair. Their objective lays within my lair and I will not give them the chance to succeed.
>Other.

>>2210776
>>Of course. I will even allow you to examine the lair itself to allow a more efficient battle plan.
but supervised.

>>2210776
>Of course. I will even allow you to examine the lair itself to allow a more efficient battle plan.
We are the Supreme Leader, the Enlightened Sovereign, and a wise King does not fetter his General unnecessarily.

>>2210776
>Of course. I will even allow you to examine the lair itself to allow a more efficient battle plan.

File: 1461254899809.webm (2.83 MB, 1280x720)

2.83 MB WEBM

>>2206690
a somewhat profitable anime/hentai that will give us a passive income from the merchandise.

>>2210776
>>Of course. I will even allow you to examine the lair itself to allow a more efficient battle plan.

we should also buff our troops before the battle. it never hurts to have some +2 defences.

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274 KB JPG

We should also see about create a decoy undead.
It needs runes and wards that will make scrying attempts lock on to it rather than us, and it will need lots of finery in order to hide the redirection enchantments.

>>2210776
Fuck it let's speak his language
>War is not as simple as painting on a canvas while I understand your sentiment their is more to it than that. I would liken it in this case more to a "dance" since we must work together and in unison lest we trample and trip on each other's feet and fall. You may have your freedom but dare not trample my feet.

>>2211782
Nice


I love this leader001 guy.

>>2211782
This

>>2210776
Going back on my vote >>2211051
and backing >>2211782 instead

>>2211782
Definitely this

>>2211782
"We are of one mind, then. Like elven dancers, we will be one as we dance." Leader fans himself again and begins to speak another language to one of his automatons. It nods and stands from his sitting position.

"An instrument is nothing without a musician to play it. We will be tuned to your liking as you prepare for your concert." He stands and bows his head towards you. "Will there be anything else you require of us, my Lord?"

As Leader 001 finishes his question, one of your guards walks into the room, escorted by two automatons. It is Aegis and she seems very confused. Leader 001 cocks his head and walks over to Aegis.

"A flower floats by./ Does it know of its beauty?/For others see it." Leader closes his fan and walks around Aegis. She stares wide eyed at the massive automaton and then looks around.

"Flower? Golem man talk funny." She then shakes her head and then walks over to you. "Master, little girl that look like Maila talked to witch. Maila wants you to come back." She says as she looks around. Leader 001 then steps next to her and brushes her hair. Aegis freezes and looks up at Leader.

"Innocence in speech and body. Like youthful innocence, you must be treasured before experience is gained." Leader 001 says as he pins a small stone flower to Aegis's armor. Aegis then looks to you, as if looking for an explanation.

"Later." You say.

>I will return to speak to you on other matters, 001. I must attend to more important matter.
>If Marla is found, then it is no concern right now. I must prepare our defenses before preparing for our little operation.
>Other.

>>2212262
>>I will return to speak to you on other matters, 001. I must attend to more important matter.

>>2212262
>>I will return to speak to you on other matters, 001. I must attend to more important matter.

>>2212262
"I trust you shall set a dance that shall enthrall all whom bare witness and paint the floor with blood as [insert IC master artist here] would paint his canvas with his finest dyes. I shall now depart to organised the music to our symphony of death and mastery

>>2212346
>bare
It should be bear.

>>2212351
thank you very much, correction noted

>>2212262
>I will return to speak to you on other matters, 001. I must attend to more important matter.

>>2212283
>>2212344
>>2212411
"Like a loyal hound, I will await for your return." Leader bows and then goes back to examining Aegis.

"I-I must return with Master." Aegis says as she stays close to you. Leader reaches out his hand but then retracts it.
=======
You return to Maila and Marla sharing very intense glares at each other as the witch sits in a chair between them, twitching and gripping her head.

"It's not my fault you have a weak mind. Mother, indeed..." Marla says as she goes back to searching the witch's mind. "It's not like I'd leave myself open when experimenting with clones. Heck, even I knew that as soon as I exited that pod. I could have made you my slave, if I wanted to." Marla clenches her fist and growls.

"You were simply an anomaly within my near perfect experimentation to create a specialized clone that would oversee the rest. Your mutation simply allowed you a higher brain function at birth. And I won't even talk about your... age!" Maila says as she stumbles with her words.

"Oooh, look at me, I'm being out argued by a smarter, younger version of me and I can't come up with a better counter argument than 'you're just a mistake.'" Marla says in a mocking tone. Lia notices you come in and smiles up at you as she plays with a few void spheres she had created.

"Marla didn't put up a strong enough mind ward to make people avoid this room so Mother just walked in and saw Marla." Lia says as she looks back down at her void spheres. Maila then looks up to notice you. Marla does the same, but smiles when she sees you.

"Perfect timing. I got the location of the dungeon and I know how to get there un detected. It seems that haven't noticed the OTHER sisters. Looks like my mind wipes are effective after all." Marla says with a smirk. Maila simply stares at you with an open mouth.

"You... You knew about these clones? Did you make more when I wasn't looking?" Maila asks.

>No, in your ever vigilant research, you made her yourself. Be proud, she is an effective information gatherer and her sister has much power within her.
>Your oversight in your previous cloning experiment has given me these wonderful creations. Be glad your failure turned into my success and may it serve as a warning to never again go behind my back again.
>Other

>>2212515
>>No, in your ever vigilant research, you made her yourself. Be proud, she is an effective information gatherer and her sister has much power within her.
But you still fucked up when uncorking her. Do better

>>2212515
>No, in your ever vigilant research, you made her yourself. Be proud, she is an effective information gatherer and her sister has much power within her.

>>2212515
>No, in your ever vigilant research, you made her yourself. Be proud, she is an effective information gatherer and her sister has much power within her.
Hell, even WE failed countless times on our path to becoming a Lich, and we never fucking gave up did we?

>>2212551
>>2212573
>>2212577
Maila looks over to Marla and stares. For a few moments, it looks like she's about to say something before she sighs and backs away from Marla.

"I guess... I should be happy that I was able to create a mind mage of some talent..." Maila leans against the wall and sighs. Marla sneers at Maila and walks over to you.

"Well, with that out of the way." She looks over to the witch, still shaking but semi aware of her surroundings. "She was apparently a trusted consort of the queen. Was about to be apart of a ceremony that would literally make another Azzy before one of her court wizards alerts her to the presence of something dark. I guess that darkness is you, my Lord." Marla walks over to Lia and sits next to her.

"She has some sort of ring shaped device she was in the process of making. But, Kalmedus was able to put a pretty big dent in it when he went on some sort of rampage in the palace, said it was a being of ultimate power that caused him to do so. The queen got suspicious and took the pieces to her secret sex dungeon or something. If you're close to that device when it powers up, then you're effectively under her control." Before you can respond to her last comment, she holds up a finger. "Buuuut, it has one use only. Due to Kalmedus screwing it up, the device would explode into small bits without any hope of recovery. The device explodes in a sphere of light. Anyone that isn't holding the device is instantly enthralled to the will of the wielder. It seems this device would have been used on the entire city, but Kalmedus basically put an end to that."

So, it isn't just a device used to control liches. It was going to be used to control the whole city, making Azletia one of the most powerful being in the kingdom. Which, of course, isn't saying too much. However, this device seems to have its uses...

>Change of plans. This device must be mine.
>This device is too powerful to exist, even in its weakened state. The plan to destroy it continues.

>>2212676
>Change of plans. This device must be mine.

>>2212676
>Change of plans. I want it.

>>2212676
>>Change of plans. This device must be mine.
dibs

>>2212676
>Change of plans. This device must be mine.
Yoink!

>>2212676
>Change of plans. This device must be mine.
Should we decide not to use it ourselves, the knowledge of how it works will be exceedingly useful in other projects in the future.

>>2212676
>Change of plans. This device must be mine.
It may be weakened, but if we can reverse engineer it to perfection, we can bend entire kingdoms to our will.

>>2212798
We could even attempt to miniaturize it down to the size of a staff.

>>2212676
Wait are machines affected by it? We have a robot army standing by.

>>2212692
>>2212694
>>2212704
>>2212719
"You sure?" Maila asks, putting her head on Lia's. "If something goes wrong, I could be your enemy in the near future. The defenses of that place are secret from the witch, I don't know what else they have in store for us."

"And isn't Marla a better version of that?" Lia asks. Maila sighs and then looks at Marla.

"Your powers of mind manipulation can easily affect one person, but what about multiple THINKING individuals." Maila then points at her head as Marla looks at her in surprise. "And the fact that I am starting to remember you wiping my memory of all my clones after seeing you implies that your mind wipe isn't that impressive." Marla lowers her head and is silent.

"But... But I thought that I could..." Maila's words drift off as she stands up and stares at her hands. "I thought my mind magic was perfect. Wait, but what about-"

"I couldn't see you. Every time you'd cast your magic on my mind, I was never aware that you even existed. You catching me off guard in the lab allowed you to cast your spells on me without me knowing you were there." Maila explains as she walks close to Marla. She puts her hand on Marla and then looks at you.

"That is why Master will need this device." Maila gives Marla a soft smile. "You weren't as good as you thought you were." Maila still looks down at her hands as Lia stares at Marla. Maila walks past her and stands next to you.

"So, when do we do this? If we go soon, we'll be able to catch her off guard."

>We'll go, but I need to choose a different person for the job.
>We will go now. I've made all the preparations I've needed.
>No. I'm not done preparing our defenses.
>Other

>>2212949
>>We will go now. I've made all the preparations I've needed.

>>2212949
>Maila can you mind control automations to any degree?

>>2212949
>We will go now. I've made all the preparations I've needed.
It is worth considering that Marla's mind wipe does last for a very long time. So even if it isn't perfect, by the time our targets know we were behind the artifact's theft, it'd be too late. Another thing worth trying is allowing Marla to improve her mind control by continuously testing it. Maybe more missions as a spy?

>>2212949
>Other: We will go soon, but first I must prepare additional defenses for you and the strike team.
We need to see if Leader 001 has an infiltrator or stealth automaton that can be added to the team.
We also need to craft defensive charms for Marla and Lia before they go.

>>2212968
>>2213318
Last post for the thread. Please remember that there will be no thread on Thursday. There will be one on Friday that will go on until Tuesday of next week.
=======
Marla looks up at you in surprise and humbleness.

"Y-You'll let me anyways? But my-" Marla stutters before you interrupt.

"Mind magics are still useful." You interrupt. "Go and ready your soldiers. I want that device."

Marla straightens up and nods at you. "C'mon, Lia. We got a mission." Lia grins ear from ear as she runs out of the room.

"A mission, a mission! We're going on a mission!" She yells in a sing songy voice. Marla gives you a long stare.

"I won't let you down, Master." She says in a determined tone. Then, she walks out of the room and goes into a run. "Lia, wait for me." Maila walks up to you and then looks back over to the witch. The witch is still shaking, but her mind is still whole. Maila looks up to you again and nods. "I'll need to prepare my daughters for combat. Call upon me when you have need of me, my Lord." She walks out of the room, leaving you alone with the witch. She smiles at you as she tries to stand up.

"You will be... Our most holy justicar... You just need to see... Our vision..." Her eyes rolls back into her head as she begins to slur her speech. "Thisssss is heeere if I fooooorget to sayyyyyy somethiiiiing. She'sssss ussseless to ussss nooooowwwuh. No ussssefulll informaaathun..." The witch snaps to attention as she begins to look around the room and at you. Her eyes widen as she backs into the corner. "P-Please, we only wanted a utopia for all!" She begins to sob as she realizes what has happened. "I don't want to die!"

>Then you should have chosen to side with me the first chance you had. Die.
>Oh, you will not die. But, I do want to vent all of this pent up aggression.
>You will not die. You will simply be a simple puppet to my grand design. Your will is not your own.
>After this is all done, you will be free to go. Until then, you will stay here.

>>2213558
>>After this is all done, you will be free to go. Until then, you will stay here.

>>2213558
>Oh, you will not die. But, I do want to vent all of this pent up aggression.

>>2213558
>You will not die. You will simply be a simple puppet to my grand design. Your will is not your own.
>Rejoice! You will be a cog in my engine of destiny that shall bring about a new reign of Peace and Order.
She will not be allowed to be free, for she is a cultist.
However, neither should she die, as she has a usefulness. She is magically active, and therefore can be used as a Progenitor for the Cloning Vats.

>>2213558
>>After this is all done, you will be free to go. Until then, you will stay here.

>>2213558
>>Oh, you will not die. Even someone like you can fit into my plans.

>>2213630
This

>>2213558
>You will not die. You will simply be a simple puppet to my grand design. Your will is not your own.

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241 KB JPG

>>2213630
"Die by my hand, and rise anew."

>>2213558
>"Oh, you will not die. But, I do want to vent all of this pent up aggression."

>>2213558
>>2214015
supporting
>initiate default necromancer behaviour

>>2214943
We don’t know how the Cloning Vats will react to undead flesh. Why kill the witch and potentially lose a resource when we already have undead we can use?

>>2213558
>>2214951
good idea! Lets start making unstable clones (no need to waste precious ressources on her). Then:
>initiate default necromancer behaviour
and create undead abominations from these clones!

>>2215027
We are more of a scientist than a necromancer to be honest. Our default behavior would actually be SCIENCE!

>>2214951
You haven't voted yet anon.

>>2215034
Yes I did. I’m just posting from work so my IP is different.

>>2215027
We really shouldn’t be putting undead things into the Cloning Vats without actually checking our notes and making a hypothesis on what would happen.

>>2215052
if the subject is dead, but within a reasonable amount of time or preserved in such way that avoids material degeneration, it shouldn´t matter for the vats.

>>2215159
What about mental or spiritual degradation? Our Cloning Vats also does memory writing as well (when it works right).

>>2215166
well, applying RL SCIENCE!!¡¡ it shouldn´t matter because your memories and whater is (you) are stores in the axioms, its connections and the chemical compouds it transmits and recieves. Obviously most of that doesn´t apply here, but we could assume that the vats first create the body of the subject, then in order to copy the subject memories, they try to locate the subject i assume they should be in the vicinty of the machines, or using the machines in order to avoid discrepancies and aberrations[/spoiler] and then copy their brain structure and whatever physical modification the subject had (ie, scars and tatoos)...if we could control this process to our whim, this actually could allow us to modify and create ubermenshs, but that´s a different matter, then the machine purges the clones that deviated too much or had failure conditions, and finally pops out the clone batch.

>>2215166
regarding the sould question..... dunno. It should be yes, because is a new body, but it could also be no, because its an artificial body. We also don´t know what are the ¨rules¨ and requisites you have to have in order to have a sould.