Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Body%20Horror%20Quest* * * * *A week ago, you woke to find the earth you knew had been stolen from you, replaced by an alien orb that grows, breathes, and bleeds. In this new world of flesh and sinew you’ve found you’re not alone, a revelation that brought horror and relief in equal measure. Hideous amalgams of man and beast stalk the fleshscape while Daughters, people like you with strange and impossible powers, struggle in a unified goal of locating something only known as the Cord.Despite overwhelming odds, you’ve managed to make a handful of friends in this pulsing hell, your two closest ones having decided to join you in your journey across plains of skin and storms of acid. The first is a black-haired, emerald-eyed girl by the name of Isabelle, though she prefers to go by her old screen name B’ni. Her boundless enthusiasm and keen sense of combat have served you well, keeping both your sanity and your life intact several times over.The second is a technical savant with more waves of brown hair than she knows what to do with. Going by Gina, her eyeless sockets serve as a permanent reminder of an old friend’s betrayal, and she wields an external nervous system to mentally link with friend and foe alike. While normally closed off she has slowly begun to open up to you, and you’re currently journeying to grant her closure regarding her friend-turned foe.However, right now your focus is solely on yourself…or rather, who you used to be.(Continued)
>>3180375You sit in silence, knees drawn to your chest and fighting to catch your breath in the abyssal depths of a subterranean citadel crafted of ancient bone and cyclopean onyx. Gina kneels anxiously beside you while rubbing circles against your back, the massage as much an attempt ease your troubled mind as it is to soothe herself.Meanwhile, B’ni paces pack and forth, her ivory greaves clicking along the bare, jet-black stonework after having worn through the carpet of bone meal long ago. She casts fearful, nervous glances at you every time she turns, her eyes misty with concern. Your reticent silence was the only response to her and Gina’s panicked demands for an explanation, and after they realized you were in no position to answer they’ve granted you some time to process, waiting on you to open up should you choose to do so.They have no context for the monster whose memories you bore witness to, the girl wearing your face who was more predator than even you are now, with your swarmlings buzzing along your spine in agitation and a prehensile tongue coiled tight in the second mouth where your intestines should be. The girl who stared back at you from that blood-splattered bathroom took advantage of someone love, time, and being, drawing them in to a false sense of care and affection before ending them in a far more brutal fashion than anything you’ve doled out in the time you’ve been awake. Even these few mere fragments of memory hint at a past you’d rather not recall…and one you’d rather not share with your allies.However, you feel like it would be a disservice to them to keep them in the dark about what you dreamt, or rather what you remembered…though the full extent of what you should share is something you wrestle with up until the moment you open your mouth and break the tense, unwelcome quiet.>> Dismiss it as a terrible nightmare, a refrain of the third choice, maybe something else…anything else, other than what it truly was. You’re recovering from a battle you barely won with your friends by your side…none of you can survive this place if your fragile team is torn apart.>> You did something unspeakable to a girl that trusted you with everything, and you have the terrible feeling that even though you don’t remember her, B’ni was next on your list. You want to keep Gina out of this, but B’ni needs to know.>> If your gut feeling is right then your next victim was B’ni, and that’s not something you need to burden her with right now. No, if there’s one among you who would be able to keep a level head about this, it’s Gina. You need to tell her.>> No lies. No secrets. Tell them everything, and trust their judgment.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3180378>>> No lies. No secrets. Tell them everything, and trust their judgment.We may have (some of) her memories and her looks, but we aren't going to be getting her personality if we can help it.And the first step of that is to put all our cards on the table right from the start.
(Gentlemen, it's good to be back. Voting will close in two hours.)
>>3180378> No lies. No secrets. Tell them everything, and trust their judgment.aw shit we back boys
>>3180410>Remember the offer MOTHER gave us between quantity and quality side of the swarmling? Quantity had the ravenous murdering tendencies, Quality had the whole Controlling QUEEN aspect.And the third option we took is representative of her "friend"-manipulating side
>>3180378OH BOY. BODYHORROR. TIME FOR FUN AND SUFFERING>"I'm sorry.">"I remembered my past. Who I was. WHAT I was. The me back then... She scares me, B'ni. She scares me, Gina."Put a distinction between who you are NOW and who you are BACK THEN.>"I was a serial killer. I controlled my friends, I manipulated my friends, I killed my friends for the thrill of it.">"I remember killing my best friend." >"I'm sorry." >explain that you realize the significance of the choice now and you realize what the third choice meant by the fool's choice. >"And now I'm scared of losing it. Losing everything. Scared of losing control of myself. Scared of losing control and turning back to HER. Scared of losing control and killing both of you for HER sake.">"I'm sorry." >proceed into a teary nervous breakdown.Just lay the past down plain and simple. No need to talk about B'ni as your next victim.>Then offer them THE CHOICE. To leave, to stay, or to just kill Shu and leave her to rot in this deep dark hole to be forgotten. This is for the sake of their safety. Whatever choice they make, THEY are the ones IN CONTROL of SHU'S FATE.Shu is very shaken by the ghost of her past. From what she can infer and gather from her memories and her dream with MOTHER, Her serial killer personality is baked into the Swarmling ability. Remember the offer MOTHER gave us between quantity and quality side of the swarmling? Quantity had the ravenous murdering tendencies, Quality had the whole Controlling QUEEN aspect.I might as well say that Shu's having one of her lowest and darkest moment(s) in her life post-apocalypse. Because of the sheer contrast between who she is right now and who she was back then, Shu might even take up a Martyr complex for the sake of atoning her own past. If she lives that is.>>3180413>more internal screaming.I'm going to add that in.
>>3180378THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS>>3180423but mention B'ni as previous next victim. She needs to know this too.
>>3180378>No lies. No secrets. Tell them everything, and trust their judgment.Reading through last thread, it strikes me as odd to assume that we were necessarily a 'serial' killer, specifically. The memory stated that our victim was our 'oldest' friend - and from our perspective, not hers. That we had known her for years would imply that she wasn't just some random girl we befriended, like we seem to be assuming was the case with B'ni; she was a person of some emotional significance to us that we chose to murder. But if that's the case, then the murder we saw isn't fully consistent with the modus operandi we've assumed for serial killer Shu.I'm also wondering how Shu would have gotten away with repeated murders when she was sloppy enough to get seen in public with the victim the night before they went missing. Bringing tarps to keep your bags clean doesn't really help with disposing of the body. But I guess law enforcement in her area might just be particularly shit?To shadowrun a little, how possible is it that something's fucking with our memories? That someone, perhaps the eldritch Mother that we pissed off, is taking advantage of the gaps in our memory to fill them with manufactured falsehoods to drive us apart from our friends - and deprive us of the source of power that we close back when we rejected her? Because, minus those last few moments, that dream would also have been entirely consistent within itself.
>>3180471>that spoilerHonestly, my first thought when I read that part was that that whole thing was actually a memory of the ghoul girl we just beat, but shit got jumbled up and we took the girl's place for some reason.
>>3180472The whole last part where it seemed like we were a murderer, I mean. Not the part before where we were hanging out with Not!Holly(/B'ni (most likely))
>>3180471>that spoilerDDS had the idea that all things are data at the very foundations. Maybe biological info transfer? It would also explain Daughters consumed showing up in dreams
>>3180471if anything is to go by, there could be several possibilities that past!Shu could've kept her Murder thrills down and out of sight. One would be that she started small with animals, things that wouldn't be missed. Her Oldest friend might her first foray into killing actual people. Or it could be that She did kill people, but she killed people who wouldn't be missed. And a third possibility was that Shu was just that thorough in cleaning up and covering her ass when the police come a knocking.But this is Shu in the now we're talking about. Seeing a fragment of who she was before and having it shake her to the core, it could be reasonable that Shu now assumes the worst in her past as much as she expects the kinder side out of her current friends.
>>3180423This, 100%. The longer we go without telling them, the worse it'll be when they find out. Not IF, WHEN. We need to address this problem right now, for their sakes.
>>3180378You reach out and take B’ni’s hand as she passes by you, tugging gently to urge her to sit. Shining, fearful green eyes stare down at you before she relents, placing her hand on your knee. With her to your right and Gina to your left, you tell them.You tell them everything.They sit in stunned silence as you tell them about the girl you saw that wore Holly’s face, an old friend who clearly thought the world of you. Gina’s lips form a terse line when you recount your manipulation of the younger girl in her apartment, and B’ni looks down when you talk about taking her to the club. The blood drains from their faces as you describe the final scene of a brutalized form, crumpled in a heap in a bathtub streaked with crimson. You tell them it was you that said it was ‘perfect,’ smiling back at yourself in a dingy mirror. It’s at this last part, the unnerving conclusion that B’ni rises and steps back, breathing heavily. Gina sits in complete, stony silence as the other girl fills the catacomb with the sound of resumed pacing and short, hiccoughing breaths. Your heart hammers in your chest as your gaze flickers from B’ni’s fearful pacing to Gina’s nonverbal contemplation, and back again.“I get it, now. The third choice…the fool’s choice” You say, your voice trembling despite your best efforts. “I’m scared of losing it. Losing everything. I’m scared of losing control of myself and…and turning back into HER. I’m terrified of k…”Your voice cracks, utterly. You drag in a rough, shaking breath after your throat failed you, fighting to continue.“…I’m terrified of killing both of you for her sake.”Your statement hangs in the stale, dead air, echoing in the infinite corridors that spiral out from the citadel of black stone. “I leave it to you….to both of you.” You say as Gina and B’ni stare at you, the former raising an eyebrow as the latter girl simply looks on in confusion. “Leave me, stay here, or…just kill me. This is for your safety and whatever choice you make, I’ll make peace with. I’ll be damned if I’m going to be a danger to either of you. Whatever you decide, you are in control.”B’ni moves, faster than you’ve witnessed her move before as a white blur fills your vision.(Continued)
>>3180565She’s on you in an instant, faster than you can react as she flings her arms around your neck and you find yourself practically crushed in her embrace.“No no no, don’t you dare.” She says frantically, adjusting and readjusting her grip on you, as though terrified by the prospect of you disappearing should her grasp slip in the slightest. “You’re Shu and nothing is going to change that, okay? I don’t care what you saw, I don’t care who you were, you’re someone different now, okay?”You struggle in vain against her ridiculously strong hold, fighting for breath to voice your own fears.“B’ni, you…I killed that girl, and I think you…”“Counterpoint, who gives a shit?”You and B’ni both turn to Gina, her abrupt dismissal of your concerns still echoing in the air.“Seriously, who gives a shit?” she says again, shrugging exaggeratedly. “Just….Jesus Shu, you look like a wreck, c’mere.”She reaches out and forcefully pulls both you and B’ni to lay in her lap, placing a finger to your lips when you try to voice a protest. “Yo, hold it for a second, hush your face. You seriously think that we’d just…what, leave you here to die just because you ‘think’ you may have done something bad in a memory that was all glitchy and whatnot?” Somehow Gina manages to give you a withering stare despite her handicap. “Listen Shu, I’m not trying to downplay how fucking traumatizing that must have been for you, but did you expect us to abandon you ‘cause of a memory that may not be accurate? Hell, one that may not even be yours at all? Who do you take us for, girl? Have some faith.”“You’ve been nothing but kind, Shu.” B’ni says, propping herself up on her elbow as she lies next to you. “Maybe we’d be more inclined to believe that was a part of you if you had shown an ounce of…I don’t know, blood thirst or whatever? But with the way you’ve acted, coupled with what you’ve done for me, Gina, and everyone else you’ve come across?”B’ni flashes you a kind, toothy grin. “You’re our friend, Shu. You’re a good person, and you’re not getting rid of us that easily.” “What she said.” Gina says, a half-smile on her lips as she looks down, petting your hair lightly. “Sorry to break it to you, but you’re stuck with us.”“No matter what happens...” B’ni says, hugging your side as your eyes swim with tears.“…We’re here ‘til the end, Shu.”It’s at that simple reassurance, that small affirmation of friendship that you finally break down.(Continued)
>>3180568You’re not sure how long you sit like that deep below ground, comforted through your tears by the two girls whose companionship you would not have made it this far without. When your eyes finally dry, your body exhausted from the one-two punch of brutal combat and sheer emotion, you find yourself stretching your legs on the pale, dusty floor. Echoes from unseen, untouched depths echo along cyclopean stonework, bidding you deeper as you weigh your options.“Penny for your thoughts?” B’ni asks from your side, her hand on your shoulder. You shrug lightly, glancing back at Gina as she plucks and picks at her halo, scanning as far down as she can as she crafts a map from vibrations and ambient sound that reverb through the cavern walls.“I’m thinking that we can either go deeper or go back up to the surface, maybe climb up to visit Julia.” You say with a sigh, turning to your companion. “Also…I’m kind of overwhelmed in a good way, for a change. I really appreciate what you and Gina did.”She bumps her shoulder against yours with a smile and a wink. “What’re friends for?”“Gina, how’s it look?” you shoot back, seeing GG’s halo pulsing softly. She shakes her head, brow furrowed.“Beats the hell out of me, it really does.” She sighs, placing the halo back atop her head where it hovers just above her mane of brown hair. “The tunnel continues on a good ways, and then I reach static…like, legit static, and I can’t see further. I’m getting weird vibes, though it’s nothing negative, it’s just weird…I don’t know how to describe it.”“Julia may be done by now.” B’ni says, glancing at the exit. “Maybe we should head back up?”You glace between your allies, considering your next steps and trying to fight past the fear that presses against your mind, the guilt that makes it hard to speak.>> Continue on exploring the depths of this place. It is so utterly different from the fleshscape you have gotten used to that you have to wonder if it came about through entirely different means than the world above.>> You could use a breath of fresh air, though you’d merely be trading cold, stale breaths for hot, moist ones on the journey back to Julia and her completed project.>> Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3180570> You could use a breath of fresh air, though you’d merely be trading cold, stale breaths for hot, moist ones on the journey back to Julia and her completed project.But if GG can set waypoints or make a list of important locations for us, then this place should be one of them. This is a mystery we're gonna get to the bottom of after we get Julia's art piece, though whether that'll be before or after Kosi is something I'm not sure of.The Cord goes up into the alien planet above, so where do these vertical passages go?
keep exploring >> Continue on exploring the depths of this place. It is so utterly different from the fleshscape you have gotten used to that you have to wonder if it came about through entirely different means than the world above.
>>3180570> You could use a breath of fresh air, though you’d merely be trading cold, stale breaths for hot, moist ones on the journey back to Julia and her completed project.We have a deadline gentlemen. We best not keep a nervous Artist waiting.
(Voting will close in one and a half hours, Gentlemen. Additionally, tomotrow afternoon and evening will have updates frequently with shorter voting windows, as there is a lot to cover in this Vein.)
>>3180570> You could use a breath of fresh air, though you’d merely be trading cold, stale breaths for hot, moist ones on the journey back to Julia and her completed project.
>>3180570>well we can mark this place as a place of interest Gina. For now let’s head back up to Julia and her completed project. We have appointments to go to and promises to keep.
>>3180570>Continue exploring. I wanna know what else that lunatic had down here.
>>3180570>>> You could use a breath of fresh air, though you’d merely be trading cold, stale breaths for hot, moist ones on the journey back to Julia and her completed project.We can come back here on the way back.
So, what are we going to do when we encounter Julia again? For one thing, I kinda want to give her a Bio-mask (using one subversive swarm that moulds itself into human skin so that the wearer can have an actual face again to look at) for the sake of letting her experiment with a having a human face again and to make it easier on the eyes if any visitors (other than us) come along. I also kinda want to let her know that the mining town has been cleared up. As for the Journey to the City of Envy, I'm listing down a few things we could do.We can take our time exploring on our way back and take refuge in the Sorority's Factory hideout as a waypoint resting location. There take the time to do even more rocky training montages to keep our skills sharp while at the Sorority hideout as well as explore the other parts of the factory during our stay (we really need to train in dodging liquid eye-lasers). Just make sure we don't mess up their room. We can even take the time to explore that town we passed on the way when we were running from the Acid storm when we move on from the Sorority factory, which is another place of interest. Finally I would like to discuss our plans for getting to Kosi and how to traverse the City. >>3180600Hey BHOP. I would like to request that you post the Pastebin that shows our stats and abilities as well as that of our friends. Information like that is going to be very important
>>3180682(By all means, here you are. The stats are somewhat limited on your allies to avoid analysis paralysis and I'm still freshening it up a bit, so my apologies for any spelling errors therein.)https://pastebin.com/A5MA9zeY
>>3180682Don't forget the lower levels of the bunker we never checked out. Could be worth exploring there too, especially with Gina's halo light source and super scan vision.
>>3180682I've got something of a basic plan down for Traversing the City, and iirc, Shu theoretically has enough BIO to make 2 full suits of camo-lings with 3 swarmlings left over for auxiliary deployment (if it takes 6 swarmlings to completely cover a person, Biomass discounts not withstanding). We can use that to cover B'ni and Shu while Gina is theoretically safe from Kosi's jealous gaze. As for Kosi herself, from what we've been given by Gina's testimony, she's a very envious and jealous girl given her past as a disabled girl who lost motor function even before the apocalypse (possibly paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair, but not rendered completely immobile since she was somehow able to physically claw and pluck Gina's eyes out)I reckon that her Bio ability is a Neuromancy strain that corrupts through Biomass flesh instead of neuro-cords. She covets sensory abilities with a passion so much so that she stole Gina's eyes for the sake of being able to perceive more of her environment which I think she'll heavily rely on Gina's stolen eyes, Neuromancy for Terraforming, and her Liquid Laser defence network.Solutions for Kosi: Depending on her disposition and physical condition, we 'could' have Gina try Neuromancy to fix whatever physical problem Kosi has that's keeping her bound to the city. the girl is disabled after all and her need for sensory organs (i.e. Gina's eyes) just serves to make up for her inadequacy of mobility. And I think that's what Gina was trying to imply when she meant by "saving" Kosi. Using Neuromancy to help 'cure' the disability ailment that plagues Kosi.Another pseudo-alternative might be having Gina craft a second Neurotic Halo for Kosi, then proceed with the Neuromancy surgery to help Kosi heal her disability. I would say it would give Kosi and Gina better chances of healing Kosi's disability and help Kosi with regaining the use of her legs if the surgery works, but crafting a second halo takes Biomass, time, and prepwork. We don't even know the side-effects of having a Neuromancer craft a second halo when she already has one in the first place. A third alternative (imo very risky if Kosi's mental health proves to be very unstable) is to propose a trade. Gina's stolen eyes for a Neurotic halo. But I would say that's just a band-aid fix. Goddamn why am I such an autistic faggot?
>>3180721>We can use that to cover B'ni and Shu while Gina is theoretically safe from Kosi's jealous gaze.I dunno, from what I can remember Kosi was pretty haphazard about shooting all of us. I feel like giving the second camosuit to Gina would be a better idea, as B'ni was fast enough to dodge the beams pretty well last time, and she's even faster now, so it should (hopefully) be a cinch for her.I think having GG go in "alone" until Kosi starts firing might be a good idea, though. She'd likely start attacking fairly soon (if she DOES attack), so we should be able to just run away and swap the camosuits fairly easily.
>>3180570“I’m not keen on staying down here any longer than necessary.” You say, suffering a glance down the abyssal hallway that leads into the bowels of the jet-black sepulcher. “Gina, could you please make a marker for this place?”“Well, since you asked nicely…” she replies with a chuckle, pulling out her phone and dancing her fingers across the glowing screen. “…done! It’s saved along with the new map of this place. You ready to leave?”Your gaze hovers for a moment on the space where the three of you had lain only minutes before, the darkness pressing in on the corners of your vision as you feel your throat tighten.“Absolutely.”* * * * *It’s half-way up the steep, alabaster cliff face that Gina finally speaks up from your back and startles you out of your reverie, your climbing efforts having settled into mechanical, monotonous distraction.“How’re you holding up, Shu?”Your second tongue lashes out and clings to a precipice as you swing over, considering your response as the wind flutters through your hair.“I’ll be okay. Still shaken, but I figure that’s a given.” You say with a sigh, scanning the jagged outcroppings of marbled bone for your next point of ascension. “Hard to trust myself after what I remembered.”“What you ‘think’ you remembered.” Gina corrects, holding tight as you leap to another ledge. “Think about it; we found a girl asleep down there. If I had some time who knows what I would’ve been able to do to her memories. You see what I’m getting at?”You pull yourself up to stand on the precipice, glancing down at the town below. She brings up a good point, though it’s one with equally dark implications.“Yeah, I do. Still, I feel tied to that dream…I’m almost certain that I was seeing through my eyes. I know I did those things, Gina. I was that person and I have to carry that weight.”“Christ, here I am thinking I was the queen of self-loathing.” Gina says, breathing a long-suffering sigh against your neck. “Listen, just promise me something?”“Between you, Gina, and a couple other people we’ve met…” you begin, cracking a wry smile, “…I feel like I’m starting to rack up a debt I can’t keep. What’s one more, though?”“Don’t let this go to your head.” Gina replies, ignoring your comment. “Even if you used to be that person, you’re not anymore. I would’ve picked up the fact that you were a serial killer psycho-bitch when I had my cords in you, so as far as I’m concerned you’re a wholly different person…you’re one who insists on biting off more than she can chew and ignoring compliments, so stop freaking out, okay?”“…You’re just saying the cord thing to make me feel better aren’t you?”She peeks around your shoulder with a smile, brunette locks brushing your cheek. “Did it?”You spy your next tether point and smile, despite yourself.“A little, yeah.”(Continued)
>>3180758“Welcome back, Shu!”You do a double take at the elegant blonde that stands expectantly before a table set for three, a matching set of steaming teacups set upon it. You hold open the leathery flap of the artist’s tent with one hand, your allies behind you as you stare into the home, stunned. The girl pats the wrinkles out of her black dress quickly, flashing you the anxious smile of an amateur hostess.“It’s me, Julia!” she says with a nervous laugh. “This is, uh, what I l-looked like…at least, I think it is. I wanted t-to change into something more, um...what’s the phrase?”“…You wanted to choose a form we’re more comfortable with?” Gina says dryly from behind you, eyebrow arched.“Yes, t-that! Exactly that!” Julia says excitedly, eyes glittering in the filtered light.“You look great, Julia.” You say, smiling as she rubs her arm bashfully. You can’t help but notice that the skin slips away from her elbow a bit like a detached sleeve as the raw muscle around her elbow is revealed. The three of you enter in to Julia’s abode and take the seats she gestures towards, allowing her to pull out and push in your chairs one by one, despite the time it takes.“So, um…how’ve you been?” B’ni says, eyeing your host with an equal mix of suspicion and unease that Julia remains utterly oblivious to, her focus squarely on you.“Great!” she exclaims, rattling the teapot on the tray as she carries it to a nearby bench. “I’ve been working non-stop, it’s j-just been amazing, I’d b-been working with just my own thoughts and inspiration to k-keep me motivated, b-but the project Shu g-gave me is like nothing I’ve ever done before! B-but enough about that for now!”She drags a stool over and sits next to you with mere inches to spare, and you almost spill your tea as she stares up at you. You notice B’ni shift uncomfortably in her seat as you find yourself guilty of doing the same, neither of you terribly happy about the sudden invasion of your personal space.“So!” Julia chirps, her dark brown eyes glittering with anticipation as she tucks an errant strand of blonde hair behind one ear. “What have you b-been up to, Shu?”You study the seams in her form as you consider how much to tell her of the past three days, an effort made harder by the perfectly crafted face and glittering eyes that keep fluttering at you as you consider your reply.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3180760>"Oh, you know, checking out the town, relaxing..."
>>3180760What >>3180773 said
(Gentlemen, voting will close in one hour.)
>>3180760Basically >>3180773.>"That town you mentioned was sounding a bit too interesting to resist, so we decided to take a risk and checked it out. We saw the amalgams." >"The town is clear now, FYI."> Sit and wait for the dots to connect.
>>3180760>"We explored that Mining Town you told me. You were right, it was swarming with amalgams. It took the three of us two whole days to clear it. The day after the two day fight was spent relaxing and getting new clothing. It's a bit humid down there, but there's plenty of things to do and explore! It's also pretty safe down there now! You should be able to move into town with no problem."We're kinda fibbing our alibi somewhat. but we're subtly suggesting that she moves shop so she can have a better environment to work with to keep her sanity instead of camping up in the mountains like a mad hermit.>"So how did that art project turn out?" Offer to have all of us close our eyes (In Gina's case, turn off her halo momentarily) and give Julia the genuine satisfaction of getting our surprised reactions.As for our exit strategy, tell her that we have plans and promises that we made to Gina and are currently backtracking. We'll stop by the Mining town when we're done with unfulfilled business.
>>3180760see >>3180805
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>mfw voting ends right when all of my breaks at work start.>Mfw the update is posted right after all of my breaks end.Grah. Thank hell i can trust this games group of anons 9/10 to vote well though. Good read so far, glad to see this is back up and running.
>>3180760>>3180805Julia’s eyes widen as you tell her the tale, and her jaw drops when you tell her that you rid the town of amalgams. The otherwise endearing expression is subverted somewhat by the tightness of her facial mask results in raw, scarlet skin being exposed under her eyes. You suppress a cringe and quickly switch topics.“So Julia, how did that art project turn out?” you ask, raising the cup to your lips and sipping a brew of some herbal strawberry, wondering briefly how she managed to get a hold of these relics of a world that once was. She’s practically bouncing in the seat next to you as she answers.“D-do you wanna see it? Like, r-right now?”“Sure, why not?” B’ni says pointedly as she rises, leaving her tea untouched with green eyes locked on the tent’s exit. Julia laces her fingers through yours, and you’re vaguely aware of a sharp, hiss-like intake of breath from your left that goes unheeded by your host.“It’s this way, I can’t wait to show you!”You find yourself dragged bodily to and through the exit flap, your allies in hot pursuit as you stride out into the still mountain air.“Keep your eyes closed! No peeking, okay?” Julia says airily, leading you by the hand as B’ni and Gina trail along behind you.“Got it.” Gina says with a smirk, striding along beside B’ni who keeps stealing glances through her fingers to ensure her footing on the uneven ground. You feel yourself rounding the corner into her gallery and after a few steps she stops short of the center.“Okay, you can open them now!”Your eyes adjust, your breath hitching when you find yourself practically looking in the mirror for the second time today.(Continued)
>>3180990The life-size form is nearly identical to you physically, a nigh-perfect replica standing tall on a shifting swarm of wasps frozen in time under her right foot, with a single, large insect trod under her left. She reaches skyward, face determined and focused as her fingers graze a familiar set of spheres, each one nested in the other, a complex onion of a dozen detailed layers. Your eyes trail back down the sculpture in awe until you locate the placard, set on the base and just above the ground, a mere afterthought to the striking likeness that looms over it.“Savior’s Ascension.” B’ni reads aloud, walking around Julia’s striking creation to examine it from every angle. You tear your eyes away from the statue’s visage and look to Julia, swallowing hard.“It…it’s amazing, Julia. It’s fantastic, thank you.” You say, forcing as genuine a smile as you can muster at the girl before you, despite your reflection haunting your mind’s eye. Julia practically vibrates in place, a silent screech of happiness evident in her too-wide smile.“It’s pretty great, Ms. Pickman.” Gina chimes in, gesturing to the piece’s torso with a smirk. “I can see you took some creative liberties with some curves, but I don’t think anyone here would complain.”B’ni’s gaze snaps to the ground, a blush creeping across her face as Gina chuckles to herself, trotting off to examine the other items in the gallery.“C-can you stay for dinner?” Julia asks, hands clasped tightly in front of her, the seams around her joints threatening to tear completely. “We, uh…we can’t, as much as I would like to.” You say, guiltily watching the girl deflate before you. “There’s something I promised Gina I would help her with, but we’ll be coming back this way afterwards. Would you mind if we visit then?”Julia immediately brightens up, emphatically nodding up at you.(Continued)
>>3180995“Of course!” she says, taking her hands in yours once more. “I’ll be moving down to the town and setting up a little studio, thanks to you.”“Thank *you,* Julia. You’re amazing, and thank you for always being so accommodating.” You reply, a glance informing you that your allies have already started edging towards the path back down the mountain.“Shu, you…you’re t-the incredible one, you’ve been such an inspiration t-to me.”You look back down at her, Julia’s strawberry blonde hair and green eyes looking up at you as she…No.No no no.“Shu, are you okay?” she asks, concerned dark eyes intent on your face, blonde strands falling about her shoulders as she tentatively reaches out. You grab her hand tight, the pressure you apply threatening to tear her overlay of porcelain skin.“I…yeah, yeah I’m fine.” You say, heart in your throat as you blink away the last vestiges of an unwelcome memory. “Just…take care of yourself, Julia. Please be safe, alright?”She nods at you, her meek smile masking questions she is too respectful, too unfamiliar to voice. You turn and rejoin your allies without a word, deciding against sparing a last look at the artist or her work.You’ve seen yourself enough for one day.(Continued)
>>3180997The blizzard of dead skin that had assaulted you on your first journey up the mountain has long passed, resulting in a far more pleasant trip down the jagged calcite cliffs. Partway down the other side, you gaze out on the fields of skin to find that the rolling fields of hair once more cover the landscape in an undulating plain of wheat-yellow strands.“So we’re going to rest before we get to the city, yeah?” Gina says pointedly, her focus on the horizon, pointed towards the Sororitas’ factory. “I’m not really tired, so I’m up for anything.” B’ni replies in a chipper tone, then glaring at GG. “What do you need rest for, anyway? Shu’s been hauling you the practically the whole way.”“Indeed, though I pride myself as a fair and just rider, and thus keep my trusty steed’s best interests at heart.” Gina says with a lofty air, patting your shoulders as she hops down from you back.“Uh-huh.” B’ni chuckles, sticking her tongue out at the brunette. “So Shu, where to from here? There’s the factory, the town we passed up earlier, or we could cut straight to the city if you’re feeling…Shu?”“Shu?”You whirl around, having lost yourself in…“Yeah, yeah, I’m good.” You say hastily, scanning the plains ahead of you, focusing as hard as you can on the here and now.>> “…Factory. We know it, it’s defensible, and as long as we don’t mess with that one room, we’re good. Does that sound good to everyone?”>> ”I’d say let’s hit up that town now that acid rain isn’t a factor. If everyone’s game, it’s more on the way to the city so we’ll make a bee-line to it.”>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Gentlemen, I will be pausing here for the evening and resuming tomorrow morning, with consistent posting all through the day with the evening free for plenty of progress. I will still be available for questions, criticism, and the like in the interim, so thank you so much for your continued participation and take care.)
>>3181000>> “…Factory. We know it, it’s defensible, and as long as we don’t mess with that one room, we’re good. Does that sound good to everyone?”
>>3181000>You look back down at her, Julia’s strawberry blonde hair and green eyes looking up at you as she…>No.>No no no.IT BEGINS. BHOP. You bloody devil.> “…Factory. We know it, it’s defensible, and as long as we don’t mess with that one room, we’re good. Does that sound good to everyone?”>other: "Hey B'ni, how many of those skates can you make? I'm thinking of traveling in style." Have B'ni make 2 sets of bone skates for the trio to skate on when the coast is clear. >other: Keep a trio of Swarmlings about while you skate the hairy flesh fields. Have 3 of them fly in a triangle formation high up. Hairy fields are good environments for speedsters and ambushers, but their game is given away by a Bird's eye view from a flying bug.>Plan to get back into the mental groove by having another training session when you reach the factory.
>>3181000> “…Factory. We know it, it’s defensible, and as long as we don’t mess with that one room, we’re good. Does that sound good to everyone?”
>a familiar set of spheres, each one nested in the other, a complex onion of a dozen detailed layersOH SHITTHAT'S THE ALIEN PLANETWE'RE IN THE BOTTOM LAYER LIKE THE 9TH CIRCLE OF HELLFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKwait no>A curious creation catches your eye, small and simple in the midst of its grandiose fellows. You approach a delicate half-sphere no more than half a meter in diameter, impossibly thin layers of flesh depicting a cross-section of something unknowable. The thinnest layer of epidermis comprises the largest part of the shell, with a thicker layer held below by a deliberate tube of flesh. Numerous intricate layers form an onion of multi-toned skin until, finally, the core holds a sphere composed of several sets of lips, curved in a series of smiles. “Favored’s Reward” reads the title.Is that the grand prize for this fucked battle royale then?>“It’s pretty great, Ms. Pickman.” Gina chimes in, gesturing to the piece’s torso with a smirk. “I can see you took some creative liberties with some curves, but I don’t think anyone here would complain.”>B’ni’s gaze snaps to the ground, a blush creeping across her face as Gina chuckles to herselfI genuinely wonder when we're going to go full /d/ + /u/ with this quest, if ever.>You look back down at her, Julia’s strawberry blonde hair and green eyes looking up at you as she…>No.>No no no.Fuck outta here Data Shu.>>3181000Backing >>3181030 about Swarmling scout formation and training session planning, but not the bone skates part.
>>3181079>going /d/egenerate y/u/riWatch it. this is a CHRISTIAN server. >a familiar set of spheres, each one nested in the other, a complex onion of a dozen detailed layersAnon. I think that's a diorama of the solar system's planets re-arranged as a spherical Matryoshka (nested) doll. >Is that the grand prize for this fucked battle royale then?Either that or that's "Mother", the eldritch entity keeping the entire Bio system alive. Bloody lord, Julia's really insightful in the meta of the setting. I think she made a detailed diorama of the entire world(s?) in her dreams and Artistic musing. But which layer are we on? And Do we go up into the upper biosphere or down deeper into the planet? Also, where's the sun?Just thinking about it is starting to make my head hurt.
>>3181079>>3181196Actually it may of been hinted at earlier that those spheres inside spheres is what earth now is, implying there may be more thsn one flesh layer over earth.
If Julia set's up shop in the town she may end up finding and eating whoever is in the pod.We probably should have let her know about what we had done.
>>3181316Yeah i agree, was surprised no one mentioned it. I guess we're gonna have to hope she has more humanity to show than just to us, and/or the note we left on the wall hints her off to us not wanting her harmed( as she seems to want to stay friendly with shu at least so she wouldn't want to upset shu by doing that.)
>>3181326>>3181316Dammit. that may have slipped my mind. I wasn't sure on how much to divulge on the newborn pod because I couldn't figure out her her MO when it comes to confronting daughters other than Shu and whatnot. The thought is going to gnaw at the back of my head until we get back to the mining town.
>>3181345You know? I think, were thinking of this wrong. the worst case scenario wont be she ate her, i actually don't think she will even at the worst outcome. Instead, worse case scenario is we come back to her being super excited, and she shows off the mutilated pod as materials for a new art peice. She will either protect and/or befriend the daughter inside(due to us most likely), or were in for one hell of a disturbing scenario when we return. "L-look shu, look w-what i m-made, j-just for you!"
>>3181357>mfw your latter prediction comes true.
>>3181316It may be worthwhile to go back to the pod and drop off another note, for Julia to let her know what we decided to do with it.
>>3181384Waaay too much back tracking, and honestly if the note we carved into the wall isnt enough to hint to Julia not to cut it up, i don't think our note would do much.>>3181371>Mfw the ride never ends.>Mfw we learn the dark side of friendship, and that friendship is not enough to escape or even prevent this worlds darkness.
>>3181392I feel like Julia will notice the note. Maybe she can set up shop in the same building as the pod girl and use proximity to her as inspiration, be her guardian and all that
>>3181414That sounds incredibly sweet and wholesome. i change my mind, worse case scenario is that happened, but someone came along and killed and ate both of them, then specifically waited around just to mock us/ambush us for more power.
>>3181430
>>3181468>mfw BHOP puts up a reaction pic. But I don't know what he's reacting to. the part where it's wholesome or the spoilers.>inb4 BHOP puts up a smug face pic in reaction to my reaction just to rustle my jimmies.
>>3181495
>>3181468>>3181510>Mfw you feel like you gave a GM whos already good at making unexpected evil things happen inspiration for something even worse.
>>3181515>>3181510
>>3181510>No brakes on OP's ride, just a long fall off the cliff.
(Gentlemen, voting shall conclude nine hours from now, and I shall post shortly thereafter with a series of rapid updates throughout the afternoon and evening. Thank you for participating and I hope you have a great evening.)
>>3181815Answer the fucking question>When will we go full /d/ + /u/ with our allies in this quest?
>>3181000>> ”I’d say let’s hit up that town now that acid rain isn’t a factor. If everyone’s game, it’s more on the way to the city so we’ll make a bee-line to it.”I know I won't win, but If we get the opportunity to run into more people then great.If we have to kill off lunatics and gain a level up or two, great.If we meet and help some more rational people either getting them to join us or getting yet another wayward ally, then great.
>>3181917Why do you have to be so aggressive with your fucking question.Answer the fucking question
>>3180570Reehate being late, the wraith girl was clearly protecting something(other than her lair)
>>3181000>>> ”I’d say let’s hit up that town now that acid rain isn’t a factor. If everyone’s game, it’s more on the way to the city so we’ll make a bee-line to it.”>>3182149We can probably come back for it, chill.
>>3180990fuck should have warned her about the cave something mean will come from the darkness and maul her
Not hoping for /d/, but hoping for >We are undisputed queen of this realm of madness; where we rule, there is law in the realm of the wicked, but nature can and will take its course, and we do not oppose that. Shu and Gina being our most loyal, devoted, and powerful lieutenants, not out of fear or force, but out of sheer encompassing loyalty and love for the one who led them.
>>3182159>Shu and Gina
>>3182159Damnit, I ALWAYS get their names mixed up for whatever reason. B'ni, you know what I meant.Damnit, Bobby.
>>3182206>>3182209You cut that out.
>>3182159>We are undisputed queen of this realm of madness; where we rule, there is law in the realm of the wicked, but nature can and will take its course, and we do not oppose that. Shu and Gina being our most loyal, devoted, and powerful lieutenants, not out of fear or force, but out of sheer encompassing loyalty and love for the one who led them. SHU and GinaY̡͗ͪ͆͌̌̔̌̏̂̀̈ͩ̌͗̚͟͟e̸̡͒̇ͧ̆̎̊͟͞͠s̷̈̌͐̔͋̌̂̔ͭ̓̑̉̏̄̃ͤͩ̽.̡̡̋̂ͬ́͊ͭ͟͟͟
>>3180375OP we're going to need an ability sheet at some point.
>>3182235https://pastebin.com/A5MA9zeY
>>3181815>>3182241Just a suggestion, for future threads it may be a good idea to put that link im the opening post.though im sure there will still be people who miss it and ask for it.
(Greetings Gentlemen, I am writing now, so thank you for your patience. I look forward to posting numerous updates for the next thirteen hours, and thank you for participating.)
>>3181917>>3182159(Also, that is completely up to you, Gentlemen.)
>>3181000>> ”I’d say let’s hit up that town now that acid rain isn’t a factor. If everyone’s game, it’s more on the way to the city so we’ll make a bee-line to it.”Stagnation is death. We should experiment with Gina to see how her activating her Neurotic Halo interacts with our swarm queen effects. Also, lets see if we can't try to combine or powers.>Ask Gina and B'ni if they want to try mixing powers.>Ask Gina to establish a mental connection using Swamling lvl 6 and Neurotic Halo>Ask B'ni if she wants to try a variant of Chitinous Stalwart to attach 2 Swarmling to her shoulders and see if they can carry her/help her move even faster or have quick bursts of speed.
>>3181917Please no fucking /d/. I don't mind a bit of /u/ but lets keep the focus on the action and world building yeah? Every single quest falls apart when waifus are a thing, just like what happened to Aspiring Emperor or Joker Quest.
>>3182345Seconded. The only right way to implement a love interest in a quest is to introduce them right at the beginning and make it clear that they're the best option.
>>3182345>joker questIronically, the waifu warring and the events that killed off the waifus get in the quest was what made the quest great. It really built character when shit hit the fan.>>3182213>>3182159Bloody typos. I don't mind it if it comes to it, but please we gotta keep the character continuity consistent with what we've built. Going full Serial killer doesn't make sense where we are at right now.>>3182344I also kind of like the experimentation idea, but as far as we know when it comes to stats recorded by the pastebin, Shu is over leveled and Gina and B'ni are under leveled to a degree. Much of our fighting power comes from Shu's insane Swarmling ability.Also, I find it odd that if Gina's original ability aside from Neuromancy jacks was her Laser eyes, then how did Kosi steal them without killing Gina?Because that incident implies that Biomass abilities are modular and swappable between two living daughters.
>>3182358At the start, yeah. The middle of the quest/focus on Mio/Chalice Queen stuff was easily the worst part of it, especially with us flipflopping around with Asuna instead of making the Joker Death Squad way earlier on and forming bonds that existed in both the Red and Real. Nothing's given me more feels than helping Haze grow, being saved by Daegal and Rook or the back and forth with Armaos.Yeah, it'd be nice if we could lend some advantages to the other two girls. I don't think Gina's ability was laser eyes, I think Kosi stole those eyes because she's possessive and crazy and desired her. Gina was called a 'neuromancer archetype'.
>>3181000“…Factory. We know it, it’s defensible, and as long as we don’t mess with that one room, we’re good. Does that sound good to everyone?”“Aye, Cap’n.” Gina says with a quick salute, trotting down a less angular part of the cliff side. Your back squirms as three swarmlings free themselves from the numerous openings along your spine, testing brand-new, translucent wings against the mountain air before taking flight. The unexpected sensation of B’ni’s hand on the small of your back makes you turn to her, and you’re faced once again with kind emerald eyes and a warm (if toothy) smile. You hesitantly return her smile, focusing instead on the……like the new you please don’t go trust me you can trust me don’t know how to talk to you just want you to trust me please open up I feel so powerless feel like I can’t help y…A foreign train of thought runs through your mind unbidden, spoken in a furtive, fearful voice. It’s the sort of nervous, jittery speech that B’ni hasn’t used since you met her, a fragment of her private thoughts that you have no business intruding on. Your smile falters slightly, but you maintain the façade for your companion’s sake…and your own crumbling peace of mind.(Continued)
>>3182373>>3182379pssstctrl+s
>>3182379An uneventful trek across the follicle fields leads you back to where you met the Sororitas, a sprawling metal beast looming above as you and B’ni force open its stubborn metal doors. Your eyes adjust with painful slowness from the dim yellow light outside to the murky gloom of the factory…...and you find it very different than how you left it.Two rows of simple benches are lined up along the warehouse floor, rough-hewn things crafted from flesh and gristle, their hasty construction evident in their irregular forms. Sheets of skin stretched taught across clip boards of flattened bone are paired with every asymmetrical bench, and at the head of it all stands a similarly constructed podium, behind which a tapestry of ivory skin is stretched wide, marked up with some sort of blueprint, replete with a mess of squiggles and arrows, the meaning of which eludes you at this distance.“Gina, any readings?” you whisper, your line of sight switching rapidly between your three active swarmlings as they clamber along the ceiling, eyes sharp for any sign of movement. Gina shakes her head and walks forwards, running a finger along the bench as her halo thrums, processing some unknown bits of data.“No-one’s home.” She says, a single jack stabbing into the top of a bench, causing it to twitch slightly. “These things were made thirty-six, maybe forty-eight hours ago, give or take. Is this like a classroom, or…?”“It’s a war room.” B’ni says from well ahead of you, having moved to the head of the benches to study the board of skin. “These are battle plans for a force of daughters about a dozen strong…Shu, you’re gonna want to look at this.”You stride forward, the war plan coming into greater and greater relief as you approach, your heart sinking as you realize what it depicts. Your eyes dart to B’ni’s face, and it doesn’t take your ability to realize she’s come to the same conclusion.“Yo, interpreting stuff on flat surfaces isn’t really my strong suit, so would you mind cluing me in on what’s up?” Gina says, walking over to join the two of you as your pulse quickens.You’re not sure how to tell her that the elaborate plan of attack, the surgical battle plan you stand in awe of is a ruthless directive of how to take over Kosi’s city with a force of powerful Daughters.>>Write-In
(Gentlemen, voting will close in one and a half hours. Despite work, I will endeavor to keep a brisk pace today.)
>>3182382>"It's a map. Gina. A group of daughters came here to plan an expedition into Kosi's city. It's got battle plans, routes, the whole nine yards. Here, let me help you read it.">other: Spawn some Camo-swarmlings and have them meld into the skin-map and bring out some elevated texture in the Ink so that Gina can read them with her halo. >"B'ni, Gina, your thoughts? If you have anything to say about these battle plans, please say so now. I would like to hear everyone's opinions."
>>3182382Such an unusualy big concentration of non-mad Daughters is bound to have something to do with the group the Dr. mentioned>Study their plans to discern their powers, locations and if the either the Dr. or Explodey gal are with themalso this>>3182402
>>3182382>>3182404Also >See if their plans mention a blob of little girls, if not send a bug scout to see if their room as been raidedIf these new friends ate the Sororitas then I will support going full murder-hobo on their ass
>>3182382These: >>3182402 >>3182404 >>3182406
>>3182382THIS>>3182402>>3182404>>3182406Guys we might have to either go straight for Kosi's city now, or check the depths of the bunker past that dark elevator. Bungee tongue can help us get back up from there, and Gina's halo has light and radar.
>>3182418The group might be too far away for all three of us to get to Kosi before they do.However, B'ni might be able to make it on her own. I think we should give her a swarmling camosuit, though.Just an idea.
>>3182421Speaking of B'ni, if she levels up the skates enough and has a swarmling armor suit on too, then does that make her Raiden or Sam?
>>3182418You want to walk straight into 12 potentialy hostile girls?We first must establish contact through the Dr. Explodey or the SororitasIf none of them are present then>Atempt to identify their leaders location through their plansHopefully she will call off the assault when we contact her, not only could we be usefull to her plans but also the thought of having 3 fresh unknown daughters raiding them when their occupied with Eyes should make us priority #1 Though I will support >sending a bug to see if theres any surprises/signs of life down the shaft
>>3182424I mean, IIRC one of Raiden's combos involves him attaching his sword to his feet and kicking shit with it, so B'ni is already kinda like him.
>>3182418But you gave me a decent ideaIf these new frens finds us too appetizing we can turn the fight into a siege>have Gina fortify the shaft with terraform so that b'nni can melee them 1v1x12 while our bugs and armor support her
>>3182429>>3182433Found it. Raiden does that shit multiple times in this video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTIehCGZDmsand in this one toohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbMzPgEHTJ4Take notes BHOP
>>3182448Shit, I thought it was only one of his combos where he did that, I guess it's actually all (or most) of his strong attacks.
>>3182451MGR has a fuckton of depth to combat that most people never look into in a regular playthrough
>>3182382“It’s a map, Gina.” You say, throat dry. “A group of daughters came here to plan an expedition into Kosi’s city. It has battle plans, routes, the whole nine yards. Here, maybe this will help.”Gina’s playful demeanor drops completely, her mouth in a hard line as she comes to a stop before the board. You send your swarmlings down from the rafters and spawn another three, altering their collective physiology to the form that Doctor West gifted you. The alight on the map, their shells shifting to a creamy white, with dark text raising up along their shells as the slowly crawl across the board, allowing Gina time to process as her halo pulses every few seconds with gentle amethyst light. The longer she studies the map in silence, the more palpable her fear and panic become to your empathic sense, though she remains stoic in the face of the plans that spell a swift end to the hope she had been holding on to since you both met.“B’ni, Gina, talk to me.” You say solemnly, shifting your gaze between your friends. “If you have anything to say about these battle plans, please say so now. I would like to hear ev…”Gina turns on her heel without a word and breaks into a run, bolting towards the door as far as she can. B’ni immediately intercepts her, skates carving twin lines into the ground to bring her between GG and the door in the time it takes you to open your mouth in protest.“B’ni. I love you girl, but I’m gonna need you to get the fuck out of my way.” The brunette says, her tone harsh and uncompromising as two jacks snake out from her sleeves.“You’re not going out there alone, Gina…” You say as you approach, your swarmlings moving to support B’ni by the door. “…but that also means we’re not going out there without a plan.”Gina’s jacks twitch anxiously as she cocks her ear towards you.“I waited too long and now she’s in danger, Shu. I’m going there with or without…”“Gina, stop.” You enter into range of her jacks, arms held to your sides with your palms facing her. “You’re not alone in this. I just want to form a plan so that we’re on the same page and not rushing in to make a bad situation worse, understood?”Her cords writhe once, twice, then disappear back from whence they came, their owner letting out a bitter, shuddering breath.“Fine. Five minutes, then I’m out the door.”(Continued)
>>3182482“I’ll make this quick, GG.” You say, releasing a tense breath you didn’t realize you were holding. “Who’s leading them, what are their numbers, and what’s their plan? Is there anyone we know in their team? West, Rath, anyone?”“There was a list on the board of the girls involved, didn’t have anyone we know and it’s not like it had their stats handy.” Gina sighs, tapping her foot as she rattles off details. “Their leader is giving the team aerial support somehow and carpet bombing the city with some sort of chemical that her right-hand woman made. The chem-girl and her lieutenant are the heavy hitters and are using the tunnels to cut right to the center and disrupt things, the other ten are referred to by numbers and are thrown at the city as a distraction.”You consider her words as she continues, her impatience evident as her tapping foot picks up the pace.“They left two hours ago, so they’re almost through the first phase. The two main Daughters will be crippling the city’s defenses from the inside and clearing a landing area for their leader to cut straight to the core…straight to Kosi.”B’ni shoots you a look from the open door, greaves slicing into the ground at her feet. “If we don’t make a move now, then we’ve lost our chance Shu.” Gina says, turning fully towards you. You stare at your companion and bite your lip, running scenarios through your head until a counter-plan slowly begins to form.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Gentlemen, you have two hours to formulate a plan. If you require supplementary information regarding the group's plan to assist in your efforts, I will supply it within reason.)
>>3182483"Before anything else, Gina, I want you to know that whatever we do from here is your call. Kosi is your friend. If you think there's still a chance that the old Kosi you know and love is still in there somewhere, then we'll work together and try to bring her back from... whatever she's turned into now. If you think there isn't a chance of that... then we'll figure things out from there.""As for these other girls. They might have a plan to take down Kosi, but we have two huge advantages. The first is that we know all of their plans and strategies. The second is that they never took us into consideration as a factor. Wrench, meet gears.""The priority is to take down the two main Daughters who are sneaking in to undermine Kosi's defenses. If they're stopped, then the whole plan goes to shit. Gina, you can manipulate the terrain in the tunnels to cut off passages and open up new ones for us. B'ni, you're the fastest goddamn person I've ever met. I've got my bugs. Together, we'll be able to stop them."
>>3182486OP, what information is available regarding the girls who are attacking the city? Any names besides the numbers, abilities, chain of command?
>>3182486Don't know how helpful it could be, but is there anything about what the chemical actually does?
>>3182486do they have some means of distant communication?Is there one particular daughter hanging back? (presumed party chat hub/mission control)To clarify the "landing area for their leader" - will she be joining the two heavy hitters underground after harassing Kosi from the skies?
>>3182494 Leader: MaraCode: "Marrow Dragoon"2nd in Command: Diana Code: "Lysergic Domina"Lieutenant: HarrietCode: "The Hollow Host">>3182495 None on the list or board, but it should be self-explanatory from her Code.
>>3182483Okay, so out of all of us we are the only one that can do any kind of anti air support, so we're going to need to be the ones to try and take down the leader. We're going to have to try and disrupt her flight path, and come at her from an intercept course if we can. If we can disrupt her bombing run, that's half the work done. We don't know what these girls can do, but we do know that they all be distracted fighting Kosi......which gives Gina and B'ni a chance to get in and go straight for the girl herself. If we can convince her to bounce before she gets taken down, we might be able to make it look like everything went according to their plan while absolutely nothing went according to their plan. That's going to involve them moving fast fast fast. BUT. We are going to need to distract the flyer before they can approach, or at the same time so she can't get a warning out.
>>3182507Domina is the squad leader, and all coms run through her with long-distance capabilities. Yes, once Marrow lands she will rejoin Host and Domina to form the main offensive force to attack Kosi's core.
>>3182507(There is no one hanging back, no.)
(Gentlemen, just to touch base with you before things get fun , does this evening work well for you all to proceed into the city? Voting periods will be cut to hour or half-hour segments to allow for a reasonable flow of the plan you decide to go with, as a forewarning. Does this suit you?)
>>3182527yeah, sure.
>>3182527Very well.
>>3182486>ACTIVATE UNITY OF THE SWARM>"We're going into combat mode.">"Gina, if possible, use your wifi to relay information to me and B'ni and my empathy will help you relay instinctual orders back to you and B'ni.">>3182509>Marrow dragoonBone marrow, The Leader is a Calcium manipulator. Dragoon implies she's leveled her calcite abilities to an extreme. Dragoon is also a name for dragon riders. So Mara is using Diana's acid to carpet bomb the city with a bone dragon Either that or Harriet is the one doing the Carpet bombing. >Lysergic DominaLysergic is an alkaline acid typically found in fungi. She's using an acid that >Hollow Host: HarrietShe's a swarmling type like Shu so she's probably also doing aerial support since the 'Host' implies she's harboring a hive of sorts.>>3182495Battleplan: WE'RE GOING TO PULL A HEIST. THE TREASURE IS KOSI. We are going to extract her from the city and save her ass. GET IN, GET OUT, HOT AND FAST. if They're going through the front door brute force, WE are going black ops stealth extraction. Gina will also probably have the lay of the land. First part of the plan is that we need to establish contact with Kosi. We need two way communication between Shu and co. with Kosi. Second part. Mobility:Shu has her Frog tongue and B'ni has her skates. is there any possibility that B'ni can make extra sets bone greaves for Shu and Gina to wear? If so, This will GREATLY help us in the mobility department. >>3182527One hour voting segments please.
>>3182527This suits. OP, can we use our mental ability to contact people through our swarmlings? If so, we should have a swarmling per a squad.Good luck on your hive raid OP.
wait>Leader: Mara>2nd in Command:DominaSo is the com hub the flying girl or the acid girl?If its the Lysergic Domina as I said in>>3182426Attempt to contact her via bug like we did with the DoctorHopefully she will call off the assault when we contact her if not, fighting a whole town while being raided by an unknown force is not the best of ideas, so some light harassement should force her to. If all else fails then captured the two tunnel girls after blocking reinforcements with terraform.
>>3182539Think a combination of your ideas and mine might work? We have ultimately the same goal.
>>3182483Support this, but we can go over the plan when Gina activates her Wifi. >"Gina activate your wifi. we'll walk and talk our battle plan to rescue your friend."THEN CONVERSE IN WIFI >>3182492
>>3182544(Domina is on coms.)
Guys I think we need to clean up our plan here into a legible manner. We got like six different posts with different shit here.>>3182492>>3182513>>3182539>>3182541>>3182544>>3182546Compile that shit niggas
>>3182509How many daughters total aside from the 3 bigshots?
>>3182554(Ten form the distraction force.)
>>3182539They have aerial recom and higher numbersI doubt we would be able to get awayUsing diplo and intimidation would probably be our safest bet
>>3182556>>3182552So... we have a total of 13 daughters total. Powerful 2 lieutenants 1 raid captain. 10 of them are meatshields to serve as distractions.Our objective: Save Kosi before the Raid Party kills Kosi. I find it funny that in normal raid parties, they come in to kill the raid boss but here we're trying to rescue the raid boss by extracting her from the city. Our advantages: small team of 3, easy to infil in the chaos. Kosi's attention is focused on defending herself which means easier infiltrate and progress. Gina is a close friend of Kosi, so a non-violent solution may be reached once communication has been established.Disadvantages: we're a small team. If we run into the raid party at any point, there WILL be problems. Current actions: "Tell Gina to activate her wifi and get everyone in on the loop for faster communication while we move ahead. we'll plan and run at the same time. B'ni needs to craft 2 pairs of bone greaves for Shu and Gina. The faster the whole team gets to the city and Kosi, the more time and flexibility we can have. for infil, rescue and extraction.">>3182560Gina is feeling pressed for time. The Raid party's objective is to destroy Kosi, to kill her for the Biomass and powers and to take control of a large city full of untapped resources that Kosi is sitting on. Our objective is to Extract Kosi from the city. I don't think there's any chance of negotiations between us and the raid party.
I have Dynasty Warriors music blaring, I don't know if it's appropriate or not.>>3182552So, we'll go over the plan via WiFi on the run as detailed in >>3182546, use them for coms as in >>3182541.The basic idea, I think as we mostly agree is to essentially be a rapid-response defense force. Primary goal is get in and out, as detailed in >>3182513 and >>3182539 - in short, we need to get in contact with Kosi ASAP, convince her that we want her alive while the others want her dead and are trying to save her, Gina remaps the land so that we have the shortest possible route to her, we haul ass, extract, and maybe leave something as a parting gift for the enemy forces.>>3182560We have speed and higher maneuverability, minus the flyer. If they take forever to march while we can get there fast, it won't matter what they may be able to see. Furthermore, as a group of three, we've got less 'moving parts' to deal with, so to speak. Optimally, that means better cohesion. This is a time sensitive issue considering the acid bombing, so I wouldn't want to waste too much time on diplo. I'd rather try to get in ASAP, THEN once we have Kosi in a defensible position, try diplomatic actions. I STRONGLY doubt intimidation would work for exactly the reasons you gave that we 'wouldn't be able to get away'. Higher numbers and variety of powers. What's more? This girl managed to get a dozen daughters to work as a unit. Even if that unit is temporary and tenuous, that is one HELL of a feat with what we know.
>>3182562Keep in mind that aside from Kosi's INSANE Bioabilities, she's sitting on a city's worth of untapped resources. Kosi by herself conquered a city with her powers alone. If the raid leaders can gain anything from the raid, it's the bio-abilities they get from CONSUMING Kosi. Even if they have to Sac the 10 other daughters because of the whole hunger and journey to the cord main objective that all daughters have ingrained deep in their souls, the net gains from Kosi's corpse would be worth more than that in the raid-leaders' eyes.
>>3182562By itimidate I mean harass the ten girls above ground. If they're raided while attacking a whole town then they'll be forced to retreatWithout the gals above distracting Kosi the two girls bellow have no choice but to pull back
>>3182556Are there any names on the distraction force that we recognize? Their involvement might be important to know because they could put a monkeywrench into OUR plans too.
>>3182566>“There was a list on the board of the girls involved, didn’t have anyone we know and it’s not like it had their stats handy.”
>>3182566Last couple posts said no, no one we know.
>>3182562>>3182566nope other than the 3 mains they're identified as numbers
>>3182569>>3182567And because of this fact, I feel I should mention...It's risky business for certain, but we MIGHT be able to get one or two of the girls to defect if this is pointed out to them and we generally make a good enough case.Again, I'm listening to Dynasty Warriors, though, so maybe that's affecting my judgement.
>>3182565>“They left two hours ago, so they’re almost through the first phase. The two main Daughters will be crippling the city’s defenses from the inside and clearing a landing area for their leader to cut straight to the core…straight to Kosi.”Anon. The distraction force has already done their part. Gina is implying that they're already onto phase 2, meaning the Raid leaders are about to confront Kosi (in the flesh) now that the distraction force has kept her distracted long enough for the raid leaders to destroy Kosi's defenses.
>>3182570>>3182562The main problem with your plan is Kosi herselfYou want to blitz to the underground girls and "rescue" Kosi.What if she doenst want to be rescued, weakened by your previous fight I doubt you could force her.
>>3182571Then we need to BOOK it. What's the highest G-force you think B'ni can hit- and what we can withstand?>>3182573It's still probably not a great idea to let this leader-girl run around with all those resources and all that power. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but the main priority right now is still getting to the hot zone at all.There's only a couple of options if she's adamant on dying here, and only one of those options is anywhere near positive.
>>3182571Welp if you're right then I shut up, we've got not choice but to blitz them
>>3182573It's still a plan. Kosi is by herself. alone. she's facing a raid party of 13 daughters. 3 of which are burning through her defenses like putty because she was distracted. Gina shows up, establishes contact with her, tells her she wants to save her. It's character in the dark that counts anon.At best we can convince Kosi to unplug herself from the city and come with us. At worst we have to fight a grueling battle and mercy kill her. But the net gain is that we don't let Kosi get consumed by Domina, Mara, and Harriet.
>>3182582This would be an ideal scenario. Kosi is too powerful for anyone to consume except ourselves and since that will be difficult, if we can somehow get the others to damage her significantly and then betray them and kill her simultaneously, that would be for the best.
So what's the FULL FUCKING PLAN here? To me it seems, minus the finer points>Wifi on>Skates on>Rush the fuck to Kosi's core>Take her by surprise, try to make it seem we're on her side>Hopefully get her to unplug out or we mercy kill her>Rush the fuck out of the cityI'm getting a real Payday 2 vibe here, I like it.
>>3182590>then betray them and kill her simultaneously, that would be for the bestI somehow doubt Gina would agree
>>3182578>>3182577Then we are all in agreement?If so, then lets finalize our plans. >>3182486>Activate UNITY OF THE SWARM. Have Gina turn on Wifi. and have B'ni start crafting 2 extra sets of Bone Greaves for everyone to wear. >we walk and talk (rather speed skate) on wifi and go through our battle plan.Battleplan: Get in, Get out. Beat the enemy to the prize and steal it right out under their noses. >Establish Contact with Kosi. Communicate with her. Tell her that we're here to rescue her from 3 insanely powerful daughters. >Avoid encountering the raid leaders. They're insanely powerful, Gina is underleveled and Shu can't handle all 3 of them if Harriet is a Swarmhost type like Shu.>Make away with the loot: Grab Kosi and go. It's better if Gina can somehow get through to Kosi and have her give consent for the party to Take her away from the city.>Secure the package (Plan B): If communication fails, we'll Kidnap Kosi by having Gina use Neuromancy to paralyze Kosi and try to take the fight to the mental battle to buy as much time. If/when once Kosi is paralyzed by neuromancy, Shu and Gina will carry Kosi and Gina by piggyback and get away from the Raid party, hopefully in a direction away from the incoming raid party.>The Greatest Mercy is a swift death (Plan C): Gina will have to get up and personal for the Euthanization of Kosi using Shu's Baneling to inject a lethal dose of acid into her head and consume her. Gina will be the one to do this. Only Gina. It's something she's got to do herself.Exfil:>Make out like a bandit: Gina has the lay of the land. She can provide the fastest and most efficient route out of the city. Gina will piggyback on B'ni's back while Shu goes tongue swinging al la Spiderman. If we still have the extra set of bone greaves. We'll use them to get the mobility benefit in our escape.>>3182595That's a pretty good tl;dr version of THE PLAN.
>>3182603Sounds about right. Only thing I would suggest is mentioning that there's 13, not 3.
>>3182603>>31826083 insanely powerful daughters and 10 meatshields
>>3182613Fair.
>>3182603Now all we need is some good heist music to go with a master plan. Anybody have any suggestions?
>>3182603Just oen things has OP established that B'ni can give other people greaves or that we could use them?
>>3182603Ye this is good. This all the way.>>3182619Payday OST, 1 or 2? Or Hotline Miami OST, 1 or 2?
>>3182629Lupin the 3rd. Unfortunately the urgency of the situation doesn't allow us the luxury to make out like a bandit with class and style.It's still a good heist song to jam to.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PQRrIhY-zU
>>3182624(B'ni would typically only be able to craft a single pair of skates, but I'll address that in the next update.)
>>3182634What about this?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXtujxT9rzA
>>3182637Gina's mental isolation shut down the com abilities of people she's jacked into?In case we do run into throuble that would be more than usefull
>>3182662It would be useful... if it weren't for the fact that Com leader Diana: Marrow Dragoon is flying high up in the air on a ANIMATED BONE DRAGON.
>>3182603My worry is that Kosi wont be as distracted as we think, and most likely wont accept our help. She might very well not give us a good chance to paralyze her.But i also cant see a much better plan unless we were to only focus on killing her, so i can get behind this.
>>3182674Nah its the acid grill>>3182550
>>3182687whoops. also I would like to point out that BLOODY HELL shit escalates quickly. I was expecting a Metal Gear mission where we sneak in to talk to Kosi and get her to stand down, but NOPE. We going PayDay HOT SHOOTING AND LOOTING.
>>3182701On that front, I think it's good for all of us to remember- while plans are excellent, no plan survives contact with the enemy. Be prepared to think on the fly and have unexpectedly bad scenarios crop up.
>>3182701>>3182702About the exit plan its better we dont go full murder hobo we the tunnel girls if we run into themlong distance coms are invaluable so Domina would be perfect for a hostage situation
(Gentlemen, now that the voting period is up and the plan is established, it will take me a short time to assemble the next post between putting out fires at work. Quick-posting will begin approximately three hours from now. I commend you on assembling an excellent plan, and I look forward to seeing how you proceed.)
>>3182597GG has to know that we can't allow fucking death beam eye lasers to be used by anyone else, fucking Kosi is already a death machine and the only reason we have a chance against her right now is that she seems to be immobile.
>>3182737oh shit>tfw Gina has a choice of getting her eyes back or not>tfw she refuses but keeps the eyebeams and integrates it into her neuromancy terraforming just like Kosi
Wasn't there that whole issue with Kosi having a degenerative disease and that's why we didn't eat any of her the first time? Pass that info to Dragoon and she might back off.
>>3182742Her eyes aren't the source of her powers, she's a neuromancer and her powers were never eye related. The fact Kosi is using her eyes for it is just indicative of how obsessed with GG she is.
>>3182743>>3182742>>3182746I think the degenerative disease affects nerve tissue like ALS, which is why Kosi was confined and disabled. She might've been paralyzed from the waist down. Also, since when did illnesses (Terminal, disabilatative or otherwise) stop a girl from getting turned into a daughter? Wraith girl had Terminal Bone Cancer and that didn't stop her from getting bone powers. Also, I think Kosi is simply waiting for Gina to arrive and consume her. You know, be obsessively jealous to the point where you want to meld into your best friend become your best friend and whatnot? Because that's a scary side of friendship.
>>3182743Kosi's so powerful that most daughters would be willing to risk that and even then, eating her doesn't mean you'd get her disease. If I was Dragoon, I'd risk it.>>3182756This is my thinking as well.
>>3182756>since when did diseases stop a girl turning into a daughterThey never did? Kosi is clearly a daughter, she took and integrated Ginas eyes and a bunch of other abilities. The weird thing is that she still had the disease despite being wholly reconstructed inside an apocalyptic cocoon.
>>3182762You aren't Dragoon. It might be worth a shot, if the initial attempt goes poorly.
>>3182651This is really good, this has style and urgency at the same time. This is the music leading up to our rescue (?) of Kosi. When we pull it off and make our escape, that's when we segue into Lupin the 3rd.>>3182634
>>3182766Might of been a genetic disease, and/or her misfortune that the disease not geing removed was her 'malfunction' like with Shu having less memories than normal.
>>3182768Yes, the worst possible option for Dragoon is she gets all the power of Kosi and never has to move again. The average option, and far more likely, is that she gets all the power of Kosi AND can still move.
>>3182918My understanding of Kosi power is that it's just biomass control, like a more refined version of GG's terraformIt's uniquely op for camping, but it would work just fine on the move, theres no reason why it would make her unable to move
>>3182951We don't really know about the main reason why Kosi can't move about, but I think she has a entrenchment mentality ("once you settle down, you don't want to move again" thinking). That combined with her health condition pre-apocalypse, she might've lived her life not bothering how to walk or something like that. Another possibility is that Kosi might've taken a biomass ability that's similar to Enigmatic Fault that firmly entrenches her to a singular location. Finally, Kosi's location (i.e. a large metropolis city) is a location that is ripe with resources that daughters would love to tap into for pre-apocalypse relics and supplies. Unfortunately, Kosi is in the way, and Kosi might have something that is legitimately worth investing in that she fiercely protects (possibly another unborn daughter pod, or rather a whole room full of daughter pods.)
>>3182986Gina already told us that Kosi cant move due to her illness. She said it made it hard for her to get around before all of this, and was only getting worse, and becoming a daughter didn't stop that, nor did her frantic and deperate consuming of as many daughters as she could.I think the fact any biomass she controls is toxic if absorbed is also a result of the sickenss but im not sure on that one.Regardless, it is actually an interesting thought that she did end up with powers that worked well with her sickness, seems like more than just a coincidence, but who really knows?
>>3182986While that would be interesting I doubt itRemenber when we met GGShe basicaly GG's B'ni only Kosi Yandereness is much more overt... While b'ni wants to monopolise the mc Kosi literally took GG's eyes
>>3182483“We need open communication and speed.” You say, eyeing B’ni’s alabaster greaves. “I…I can activate an empathic field to allow us to communicate via intuition, but I leave that up to the two of you. If you’re not comfortable with it then…”“Do it.” Gina says abruptly. “Shu, we’ve been over this. I trust you, B’ni trusts you. Make it happen…please.”You glance to B’ni, who gives you a simple nod. Closing your eyes, you focus, feeling something tenuously expand from you and reach out to the minds of your two allies. Gina shudders as a chill runs up her spine when you connect with her, and when the field reaches B’ni you’re overwhelmed, a wave of relaxation, of sheer belonging washing over you. Your eyes meet hers, shining emeralds matching your gaze with a reassuring smile.It is pure, sheer trust.You sense a focused intent from Gina, an image of her jacks and B’ni’s boots blending together into something wholly new, but the boots are shining, marbled with what looks like…ah. You’re almost mad you didn’t think of it yourself.>>TRIPLE TECH UNLOCKED: BONELING SKIFF>> An elegant combination of B’ni’s greaves and specially-crafted swarmlings allow all three of you to now traverse the fleshscape with incredible speed. Tethered to B’ni by a of GG’s cords, the greaves the three of you can wear allow B’ni to pilot the trio at once. While the tenuous connection and finicky steering make this tech ill-suited for combat, it is a godsend when it comes to exploration and outrunning pursuers.Warm, moist air whips through your hair as you and your allies race along the fleshscape, as you reach out empathically one final time to confirm the plan.“So we’re all clear?” you project, and you receive mental confirmation from the girls flanking you as you crest over a pale mound and bring the city into full view, smoke billowing from wreckage unseen, echoes of chaos reverberating through choked, narrow streets. It’s Gina that immediately picks up on the most unusual facet of the panorama that stretches before you, momentarily forgetting the empathic connection as she speaks aloud in awe.“They have a goddamn meat dragon.”(Continued)
>>3183017A colossal, malformed beast soars above Kosi’s city on vast wings of skin stretched taught on rail-thin bones, its vaguely reptilian form reminiscent of a gargantuan vulture as it makes lazy circles above creaking spires.“Yeah, nope.” B’ni chimes in, steering the three of you down the hill and towards the pipe you escaped from a few days prior, though it feels like months have passed since you met the girl whose long brown hair flutters behind her. B’ni’s couldn’t look more at home with her goggles and leather jacket, her crimson scarf whipping along with the wind as she slices a path down and into the city’s depths. You find the previously vibrant and pulsing biomass that once lined the tunnels is withered and grey, half-lidded eyes rolled up into their sockets on the walls. Gina reaches out through your bond, letting you know to be on the lookout for an active patch of biomass through which she can attempt the next phase of the plan, at the same time guiding B’ni as the three of you tear through the labyrinthine corridors, the innards of the city above.There.There, close to the escape route Gina had prepared for herself from her warehouse of sound, you see a patch of bright crimson biomass, a single eye, lid drooping. It lazily swivels to focus its red, puffy orb on you, but by the time its gaze locks on where you were the three of you have skidded to a stop in a side tunnel, B’ni’s mind racing with a hundred different things to say. The disjointed sentences narrow down to a dozen, then three, then one singular idea. She nods and you move as one, the familiar sensation of your swarmling zooming forwards, GG’s cord in hand as it spears just below the eye. It’s your tether to Gina that allows you and B’ni to hear and feel the surge of emotion that comes through with a simple phrase, projected into your minds from somewhere deep in the bowels of the city.yOU cAME bACK tO mE(Continued)
>>3183021“I’m here, Kosi. I’m here because you’re in danger. We don’t have much time…we don’t have any time at all.” Gina’s message rings with a frantic urgency, tempered by an undercurrent of guilt and fear. “You’re under attack, and we need to get you out of here.”Kosi’s reply reverberates through you mind, your vision swimming from the mere afterthought of her complex and corrupted system.oH sHITiS tHAT wHAT tHAT iSi tTHOUGHT iT wAS gIRLSCOUT sEASONwAS gONNA gET mYSELF sOME oF tHOSE sWEET-aSS tHIN mINTSGina rolls her eyes, the ghost of a smile playing across her lips. “I’m serious. You can’t stay here. They’re here to kill you, we’re here to save you. We need to get you out of here before they can reach you.”yOU bROUGHT fRIENDSgOTTA gET mE sOME oF tHOSEGina winces, and you put your hand on her back and trace circles between her shoulder blades.iM dYING mANnO sENSE iN hAULING a cORPSE oUT tHROUGH tHE sEWERSnOT kEEN oN bEING aNY pART oF a sHITTY eSCORT mISSIONnO oNE lIKES tHOSE“Kosi, please.” Your friend pleads, her voice shaking. “I…I can get you out of here if you just let me. I’m begging you, just…please let me do this one thing, okay? I was a terrible friend, I…please just let me make this right.”Something that might be a laugh roars like the crash of cymbals through your minds.hAtHIS iS aBOUT yOUGina’s shoulders fall as you see her practically shrink into herself from Kosi’s words.jUST lIKE eVERYTHING eLSEyOU eVEN dRAGGED sOME pOOR aSSHOLES aLONG wITH yOUaLL tO mAKE yOURSELF fEEL bETTERgLAD tO sEE sOME tHINGS nEVER cHANGE Tears stream down Gina’s face from underneath her blindfold, her arms tight across her chest as she shakes. Her face tilts up to yours, a sense of defeat evident in the lines of her face, palpable in how she struggles to speak, fights to formulate a coherent argument to counter her friend’s utter condemnation.yOU sEEM sMARTKosi’s voice is louder, now, no longer filtered through Gina’s train of thought but directed solely, exclusively to you.wHY aRE yOU hEREwHAT cOULD sHE pOSSIBLY hAVE dONEtO mAKE yOU tHINKtHIS wAS a gOOD iDEA>>Write-In
(Gentlemen, voting will close in one and a half hours, then we shall begin the one hour segments afterwards.)
>>3183021>DragonIt's a satisfying feeling when players can go 'Yup, we anticipated this and planned accordingly.'>>3183022> "Pretty much nothing. Figured it'd be worth it to get you out myself because...well, fuck. Considering how fucked up the world's gotten, friends, let me tell you, are fucking great. Helped me out of more than a couple of shit situations. A couple of which were my own doing! So yeah. I mean, we could get super cold and logical, but it's really kind of a backseat to 'because we wanted to.' "She's a lot more mentally coherent than last we talked. Wonder why that is.
>>3183022>"Oh no, ive known from the start, from the first moment we met you Kosi, that doing anything in this city was a bad idea. That this was always going to be a bad idea.">"But it was Ginas bad idea, and shes done alot for us. Shes out friend, and friends try to stop friends from doing bad ideas...but when a friend refuses to not do a bad idea, you back them up, because friends come through for eachother when it really matters, not just when its easy.">"Look, maybe Gina did make some mistakes, maybe she wasn't always the best friend she could be. But shes here now, and shes risking her life to try and save yours.">"But more importantly, you shouldn't want to die, you shouldn't just accept your death. Maybe you only have a few weeks left, maybe a few dats, or even hours. But you should spend those peacefully and with someone who cares about you, not getting your ass bombed in by power hungry strangers.">We wknt force you to accept our help, but know you don't have to be alone, and you dont have to die alone. At least, if nothing else, thino of it as giving those girls up there one last middle finger as their prize is taken from them."
>>3183022this >>3183045but should we also make a funny comment like "lol where was you being this chill the first time? sure your eyebeams are cool shit but that's no way to welcome people to your house" or something?
>>3183052Might work in the first segment, such as...>"Oh no, ive known from the start, from the first moment we met you Kosi and you thought a good welcoming present was a high pressure spray down, that doing anything in this city was a bad idea. That this was always going to be a bad idea."
>>3183022"Kosi, you're being a lousy friend right now. Gina's been worrying herself sick over you. This isn't about her at all, you're just telling yourself that because you're looking for an excuse to lash out. I get it, you're sick, you're scared, you're alone. But it's not fair to Gina, because she's gonna do everything she can to save you. Same as us.""Now listen up. This isn't up for debate. We're getting you out of here and we're gonna try to save your life. Those girls are dangerous, and our best chance of survival is if we work together on this. Ten minor enemies, three bosses, and a goddamn meat dragon. High difficulty setting, and you have three other players who want you to join their party to make this a Co Op mission.""You say you want friends? Now's your chance."
>>3183022> Just making good on a promise, repaying some favors, you know how it is.
>>3183022>"She saved my ass from a vengeful daughter who had Terminal stage bone cancer. And now she wants to save your ass from a posse of 13 bitches, whether if you want to or not.">"Turns out when you get consumed by a daughter, you join their head space Kosi. You get to watch through their eyes and pop up in their dreams from time to time to have a fireside chat.">"Would you rather get nommed and share headspace of some thot who viewed you as a power-up or would you rather get nommed by Gina?">"Have I told you the time I got offered a choice by Mother? Guess what I did? I picked the fool's choice. I flipped mom off. So compared to that, this is much more sound.">"And for the record, this wasn't about me, it's about you and Gina. You're slowly dying on a city-sized throne alone with a posse of bitches knocking down the gates to nom your paraplegic ass, Gina's slowly breaking apart and getting mad because she's feeling guilty, and both of you need some damn closure. Also she wants her eyes back.">"Also, who wants the satisfaction of watching a raid leader's reaction when their prized "raidboss" goes missing after all that hardwork?">"Snark all you want, we're still gonna haul your ass past a dragon and 13 deadly thots.">>3183041It's because she's getting her snark on. She snarks at people to cope with the stress. "Humor keeps humanity afloat and all of that jazz."
>>3183078I'd avoid most things that make it sound about Gina, since that seems to be what annoys her.
(Gentlemen, as there appears to be a general consensus on what to say, I may end voting in the next twenty minutes if that works for the sake of brevity.)
>>3183062Calling her the lousy friend could easily backfire.>>3183062>>3183078Also turning her being rescued into more of a threat seems like a bad idea. If she doesn't want to be rescued, telling her were giving her no choice could easily make her focus on stopping us over stopping the others. Shes the type that rips out her best friends eyes mates, when she is angry and no longer thinks of said friend as a friend, she might just be spiteful enough to make sure we fail and Gina cant even get closure in the end. She literally thinks shes going to die anyways, and could very well be right. This may to her be more about what she wants her last moments and death to be about, rather than saving her life. Lets not convince her dying being spiteful is the best option.
>>3183105Agreed.
>>3183022>Gina rolls her eyes, the ghost of a smile playing across her lips>Gina rolls her eyesI SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE BHOP
>>3183109(Heh.)
>>3183078>>3183105>>3183082well, then how should I amend my dialogue?
>>3183120I think being less agressive and more of, ah, trying to argue the point to her might work. Less like shes in the wrong and more like she needs to understand the situation.I like you pointing out to her that she might not actually get to rest in peace if consumed, but she actually may already know that considering everything.The other issue is assuming she wants to be absorbed at all. Even if she makes amends, she might not want to stick around in Ginas or anyones head, so the whole 'who do you want to get eaten by' part might be a bit much.I do agree with trying to convince her to come just to fuck over those attacking her though, I think that will fit with how she acts.
>>3183135Well 20 minutes have passed, I do hop BHOP can select choice responses of the dialogue we've given him and formulate it so that it works best.
>>3183146To be fair we could've all worked together on a perfect response and i feel like Kosi is the type who would listen to the first paragraph and interrupt us by saying 'fake and gay' and finding out how to send an image of her flipping us off right into our brains.But probably not.
>>3183120we already tried to bring in the snark, the first time we met her, that didn't go down so well
>>3183022There's a moment of silence, a quiet consideration that passes between you and Kosi as you watch Gina hold a breath, one balanced on the knife's edge between hope and despair."You know, if you had been this lucid when we first dropped by, that would've been cool." you say, leaning against the tunnel wall. "Your beams are cool and all, but you were less than talkative before, Kosi. I like this version of you better."A low laugh rolls through you like like a rumble of a timpany drum.sORRY aBOUT tHATdYING bRINGS a cERTAIN cLARITY fROM tHE hUNGERi tHINK iTS a lITTLE jOKE fROM gODjUST tO lET uS kNOWhOW fUCKED wE aREbEFORE wE bREATHE oUR lASTYou wait a moment before you start to communicate, but she asked. So you answer."I've known from the start this was a bad idea, from the first moment we met you I knew that doing anything in this city was a bad idea. It was always going to be a bad idea."You study the fear-knit brow of the girl that stands beside you."But it was Gina's bad idea. She's our friend, and friends try to stop friends from doing bad ideas...but when a friend refuses to not do a bad idea, you back them up, because friends come through for each other when it really matters, not just when its easy."You run a hand through your hair, drawing in a breath you don't really need as you continue in the face of Kosi's silence."Look, maybe Gina did make some mistakes, maybe she wasn't always the best friend she could be. But she's here now, and she's risking her life to try and save yours. But more importantly, you shouldn't want to die, you shouldn't just accept your death. Maybe you only have a few weeks left, a few days...maybe a couple of hours. But you should spend those with someone who cares about you, not getting your ass bombed in by power hungry strangers." Your eyes hover on B'ni for a moment before returning to Gina's face."Listen. We won't force you to accept our help, but know you don't have to be alone, and you sure as hell don't have to die alone. At least, if nothing else, think of it as giving those girls up there one last middle finger as their prize is taken from them."Another beat, another bated breath.(Continued)
>>3183181gINAThe brunette's head snaps up in attention, a thin trickle of blood running down her lower lip from where she's bitten down too hard.yOU kNOW wHERE tO fIND mEiLL cOVER yOU aS bEST i cANdONT dIEA wave of gratitude practically explodes across your connection to GG as she makes a sound somewhere between a choking sob and a hysteric laugh. "I...thank you, Kosi. I'll be there soon, just please hold out as long as you can. I'm coming." Gina says, palm on the eyelid as her jack lips free, slithering back into the sleeve of her hoodie. You breathe in only to find the wind knocked out of you as Gina slams into you, her arms thrown under yours as she hugs you tight."Shu, I...tha..."You put a finger to her lips with one hand, the fingers of the other wiping her cheeks free of tears."Don't thank me yet." you interrupt, glancing up the tunnel leading to the war-torn city just above. "This heist is just starting, so lead the way. We've got your back.""Okay." she says, her voice firm, and despite the fear and uncertainty that plagues her aura, it is lined with the inimitable thread of hope. "Alright. Let's go save her."(Continued)
>>3183186Screams of pain, shouts of frantic orders bounce off the broken glass and forgotten alleyways of Kosi's city, the biomass that once covered every inch of the cityscape now a mottled collection of grey, rotting flesh and crimson stains, the eyes you find along the way either melted or sliced apart, their aqueous contents pooling on the city streets below as you run past pools of bright scarlet and milky white.A girl stumbles out of a nearby corridor as you race forwards, and as she turns towards you she reveals her right arm to be a bloody stump. She opens her mouth to shout something but then her head is lost, sheared off by a spear of fluid that lances forth from whence she came. You don't stop as you race ahead, led by Gina who follows a path she committed to memory long ago. She hangs a sudden right as a terrible, screeching roar sounds from somewhere far too close for your liking, and Gina curses under her breath as something large crushes debris underfoot only a block or two away."Goddamnit, she landed." Gina shoots your way through your bond, not daring to speak and give the enemy any clue as to your whereabouts. "We're close, Kosi's this way."She darts left, then right again, leading you down a series of biomass-encrusted streets until you're faced with the front of a moderately-sized building, the original purpose of which is lost to the heavy layer of biomass that makes it resemble a box of solid flesh than any man-made structure.. The wall of red flesh opens in a thin vertical slit, allowing the three of you to run in before it closes behind you, plunging you into darkness. A violet pulse bursts forth from Gina's halo, the entire room suddenly filled with light as it reflects off an innumerable host of eyes that contract as one in the sudden luminescence.(Continued)
>>3183191A question BHOP: How much Bio did it take for B'ni, Shu, and Gina to pull the Speed Skating Squad? How many swarmlings does it take for Shu to craft 2 extra sets of Greaves through Triple tech?And is Shu still able to spawn swarmlings? If so, how many?>>3183204There's a checkmark box in the top left corner of the post (if you're on pc). Click it and go to the bottom of the page where there is a button marked [delete]. You're able to delete your post after 1 minute of posting it. But there is a limit to how long you can delete your post before the server locks it in (you can't delete a post too old, otherwise threads will be deleted left and right if OP decides to be a fag and delete the starting thread.)
>>3183191In the center of the room, you see her, Kosi's frail form slumped in a wheelchair held aloft by thick, red strands of biomass trailing from Kosi's lower torso, her legs and the seat of the chair inextricably entwined to where you're uncertain where one ends and the other begins. A bare, feeble head raises to meet your gaze with a smirk, and you find yourself staring into a pair of glinting hazel eyes.Gina's eyes.Your ally steps forward, reaching out tentatively to her old friend."Kosi. I'm here." she says, her voice almost cracking as she speaks, her halo gently pulsing. Kosi's smile drops without warning, a twitch of crimson flesh catching your attention out of the corner of her eye. The doorway behind you explodes inwards, a scarlet tendril slamming Gina aside before a spear of bone rips through it and into Kosi's torso. She screams as she is torn free of her throne of muscle and steel, hauled through the air on a cord of white muscle fibers and into the grasp of a gleaming white gauntlet. The being that is lit from behind by the harsh light of day stands a full head and a half taller than you, intricately layered bone armor cutting an imposing silhouette. One gauntlet holds Kosi fast by the throat, the other grips a long calcite lance, tethered to the knight's forearm by an undulating cord of fibrous strands. Marrow Dragoon's helm tilts towards you, then to your allies, sprawled on the floor and struggling to regain their bearings in the aftermath of the explosive entrance. She turns, striding away without a word as Kosi struggles weakly in her grasp."Hey! HEY!"Gina's shouts prompt the Dragoon to pause, deigning to half-turn back to the source of the noise. Gina stumbles forwards as you count six, seven, eight cords thrashing angrily out from underneath her hoodie."Give me back my friend, bitch."Kosi's citrine eyes lock on Gina just before the crippled girl is thrown unceremoniously behind the alabaster lancer, collapsing in a heap on the concrete beyond. A flick of a gauntleted finger sends a two bone spurs forth, darting across the gap and stabbing through Kosi's hands and into the street below. As Kosi screams in pain, the knight merely spares a second-long glance to B'ni, then you, then finally Gina, before settling into a warrior's stance, spear at the ready."You desire my prize?" Intones a low voice that thrums from within the dense plating. "Then come claim it."Shu the DefiantVs.Marrow DragoonHP: 100%BIO: 150% (6 Simple Swarmlings, 6/10 Active. Ravenous maw at the ready.)ACT: 2/2Threat: Close, prepared.B’ni HP: 120%GG HP: 100%YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3183239(Voting to close one hour from now, Gentlemen. Good luck.)
>>3183239OY OY OY. BHOP WHY DO WE STILL HAVE 10 SWARMLING CAP? WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE 15 DAMMIT
>>3183246(Apologies, copy-paste is my enemy. You have 6/15 Swarmlings Active.)
>>3183239Oh fucking boy. Here we go.>SHU; jump back, and give our good friend B'ni some armor, reactive armor. Shes gonna need it. Then convert our swarmlings into banelings with minilings inside, and have them fan out and aim for any opening they see. That armors gotta go, and acid is the way to do that.>B'ni; accept the armor, and go for those new medium range attacks. The goal right now is harrasment and distraction, keep her at bay from our ranged fighters. If she sees a good opening, lets turn that armor into a weapon, and see if she cant pumel some acid into the armors joints and weak points, but only of she os sure she can get such a hit incwithout becoming a shishkabob.>GINA; fall back a bit, and get your terraforming ass trying to keep this ficker at bay and generally pin her and harrass her. This may be able to give our banelings and B'ni openings, if not at least weaken the armor. Only, only if we know it is a sure fire thing, she may try and use her halo freeze frame on the chick, but that may bring her far too close for comfort, and would require stopping her terraforming. Of a baneling or B'ni temporarily blinds her or gets her movement imapaired we may get our opening though.>KOSI; dont die and maybe try and free yourself to help. You didn't seem to need hands before anyways so maybe sacrifices need to be made here.
>>3183263>Pretty sure Kosi is unavailable. Doesn't have any stats or anything, still an NPC.Aside from that, I like most of that, but we need to keep in mind that she can probably bone shape a lot of things. We might need to get down and dirty ourselves, and not just our swarmlings to give someone that extra moment to react.
>>3183239>>3183263This but>Gina: use terraform screw with her footing (looks like a tank not a dodger) and use the halo to scan for her two underlings>Kosi: if you still can focus on keeping the scrubs at bayI dunno if banes can use recursive swarmlings but if so have them focus on the gaps between the Dragoon's plates, attempt to jam themselves in and lock her joins
>>3183278Oh, i know Kosi probably cant react, but it never hurts to try. And we should wait and see before we go into combat, and if so make sure we give ourselves armor too. >>3183280Good thought there with Gina.I think they can. And that was my idea too, that or to eat her eyes from inside her helmet. Worth a shot if nothing else.
>>3183288(Any type of swarmling may be made recursive, Gentlemen.)
>>3183263you're right that acid is the way, but leave the armorIf she manages to get it in could we get DoT better yet if she could lock her joins that armor becomes a prison
>>3183263(Am I correct in assuming your first act of creation will be a full suit of armor for B'ni?)
>>3183239BATTLE PLAN:Dragoon is built like a tank. a mighty glacier. Her abilities (if we can infer correctly from the fact that she controls A GODDAMN MEAT DRAGON) revolve around bone and muscle manipulation. She ain't built for subversiveness. but she's tough as fuck. We on the other hand are a group consisting of a speed skater, a Terraforming Neuromancer, and a Swarmhost. OPTIONS: We can't fight her head on. Dragoon plays to her strengths, she's at a hallway near the entrance where she can easily defend her prize Kosi.She's daring us to throw ourselves at her and be impaled by lances of bone. Fine. We'll play her game. at first. She's forgotten three factors. She's fighting alone. she parked the biggest amalgam that Gina can play with: A GODDAMN MEAT DRAGON. And Kosi isn't helpless. She still has homefield advantage.Dragoon's weakness: Lactic acid build-up and high body temperature. Sure she can hit like a truck and take a truck to the face, but that massive body of bone and muscle means that she sweats like a mofo. We need to make her sweat.>SHU: Spawn all the swarmlings, but have the Camolings spawn while camouflaged. Armor up B'ni in one full suit of Claymore-armorlings (6/15), and Armor Gina with Armored Camo-lings (13/15). that will leave us with 2 swarmlings left over. Make the last two swarmlings Camo-lings. One of the two will be a Camo-baneling. Hand that Camo-baneling to B'ni where she can plant that sucker onto Marrow and do it's dirty work by pumping lactic acid and stomach onto the muscle fiber joints that hold Marrow Dragoon's Bone armor together. The other Camoling will move towards Kosi and establish UNITY OF THE SWARM CONNECTION. Kosi now pings as a "friend" to us.>vocally: "Gina Terraform the environment and get your jacks into her! (false information), B'ni, go make hit and runs! (False information), I need time to try and do something with my swarm (give Dragoon the impression that you haven't utilized all of your swarm when infact you already have)" >Gina: Shu will armor you up in Armor-camo. Go hijack that giant meat dragon parked outside. B'ni will cover you by playing with Marrow Dragoon. You have stealth armor. >B'NI: Run interferance. Play footsies. Shu will hand you a Camo-baneling, You need to get in and plant that camo-baneling bomb onto Marrow so Shu's Camo-baneling can work it's acid magic. In the meantime, occupy Marrow's attention by pulling feints no-hit&runs. your aim is to raise Dragoon's body temperature and lactic acid levels so that she'll tire out. >Kosi: Play the helpless prize, but work your magic subtly by doing subtle terraforming to set Dragoon off balance. Shu will contact you via Camoling and get you connected via UNITY OF THE SWARM. When Shu says Gina's going to Terraform, Kosi is the one that's going to subtly terraform the environment.
>>3183299Its thick armor from the sound of it. A single acid hit to an area might not even be enough to eat all the way through, and my idea was to aim for weak points. Imagine beong trapped im that as acid leaks into its openings...But still, best to go off the assumption we may meed to break through it im some way, not just hope she lets us go for the obvious vulnerabilities she knows about. Still a good idea to go for them, only we shouldn't expect them to always be the opening were looking for.
>>3183306Yes BHOP. Fuck yo 65% biomass cost gimme dat 40% discount were gonna need it.
>>3183298Is Kosi still in the fight?If not then have Gina instead blocking reinforcements with terraform
>>3183310we're saying the same thing frentotaly agree
>>3183313(She is incapacitated, I'm afraid.)
>>3183316Dang, thought so but never hurts to see if otherwise.Again, i mean, she already thinks shes doomed, does she really need those pesky hands holding her down...?
>>3183308I still like my plan much better but...>>3183263Making our banelings camo is a good idea, add that. Maybe B'nis armor too, but she might actually need to be seen is the thing. Thoughts guys?
>>3183308>She's fighting aloneNo she's not, worst case there are 11 daughters running as fast as they can to reinforce her Leave the dragoon as our escape/clean up vehicle right now we need to focus on the big bad and it would be useless indoors
>>3183329My thought right now is, kill the leader, the rest might back off. Either way, she is our current threat and thus our main focus at the moment, though yes like i agreed make sure Gina is aware of any coming company.
>>3183325What I meant by baneling camo is handing B'ni camo-banelings to plant onto Dragoon herself. The Banelings will inject LACTIC acid (the stuff that makes you feel the muscle burn) into Dragoon's joints and wear her and her armor out eventually locking Dragoon up in her armor.
>>3183329>"You desire my prize?" Intones a low voice that thrums from within the dense plating. "Then come claim it."This implies that Dragoon's alone in the scenario and that the Lieutenants are either too wounded to reinforce or dead.
>>3183339I mean, the banelings are already mobile, i feel like letting B'ni focus on herself and her own attacks is better, when we ourselves can already get our living baneling close by its own wings.
>>3183345>>3183345No it implies that she is a tyrant and that this attack was solely for her benefitwe should play it safe, we're already outclassed, if we get outnumbered then we're fuckeddam my slav posting
(Gentlemen, shifting your six swarmlings into Subversive Banelings will cost 60% BIO, just as a head's up. Going by your current plan, you will be left with 65% BIO and have a fully armored B'ni with reactive armor and six cloaked Banelings at your disposal.)
>>3183374Confirm creation and conversion. Marrow Dragoon can throw bone spears out of her armor as ranged weapons, I would not want our swarmlings to be taken down too easily and pinned to the wall. Also, BHOP, how many swarmlings does it take to fully armor someone up?
>>3183345Their plan did seemingly rely on their distraction force, which we saw at least one member of get killed.>A girl stumbles out of a nearby corridor as you race forwards, and as she turns towards you she reveals her right arm to be a bloody stump. She opens her mouth to shout something but then her head is lost, sheared off by a spear of fluid that lances forth from whence she came.We also know their precise number as 13 in total. Which accounting for the Dragoon and the known dead leaves us with 11 incoming potentially.>“Their leader is giving the team aerial support somehow and carpet bombing the city with some sort of chemical that her right-hand woman made. The chem-girl and her lieutenant are the heavy hitters and are using the tunnels to cut right to the center and disrupt things, the other ten are referred to by numbers and are thrown at the city as a distraction.”We can also assume that if they weren't strong enough to be worth air-dropping in to help kill Kosi that their powers aren't suited for direct combat or they were otherwise not suitable. There is also the possibility that even if they aren't dead, that they are too injured to try and intervene. Not to mention that they aren't meant to try and get involved, just to distract and await the defences falling silent presumably.Of course, you have no reason to regard the words of a lurker too highly but I'd be damned if I didn't say something.
>>3183374I am ok with this. Keep in mind too, all biomass is toxic to absorb here. Our enemy cant repair her armor or make new weapons either.
>>3183377(Five, and they do count against your total.)
>>3183374We need the banes and b'ni to screen for our squishier membersAnd the recursive swarm as a much bigger potential as harassersI say camo only two and have them go for her legs>>3183377>>3183383what do you think?
>>3183390How about a good split even and do three, one camo-baneling as a backup?
>>3183389Huh. I would've sworn it took 6 swarmlings. Well that's good news.>>3183390I was thinking of having the CamoBanelings stealthily attach to Marrow Dragoon. And manually detonate them on key locations in Dragoon's armor to take Marrow dragoon by surprise and distract her when she moves to hit our squishier allies. Sound idea, but make it a 4:2 ratio in Cloaked banelings to Nested swarmlings. >>3183374WAIT. one more thing. Spawn a droneling and have it patrol the envrionment for uncorrupted Biomass. If Marrow Dragoon throws out a Bone lance, send our droneling to break the bone down and deliver the calcium biomass to Shu.
>>3183374So, forcyour sake, i thonk our finalized plan(of those that liked mine) is...>SHU; jump back, and give our good friend B'ni some armor, reactive armor. Shes gonna need it. Then convert our swarmlings into 3 camo-banelings and 3 regular banelings, with minilings inside, and have them fan out. Two camobanes aom for her legs, another the face or stay as reserve, and the rest aim for any opening they see. That armors gotta go, and acid is the way to do that.>B'ni; accept the armor, and go for those new medium range attacks. The goal right now is harrasment and distraction, keep her at bay from our ranged fighters. If she sees a good opening, lets turn that armor into a weapon, and see if she cant pumel some acid into the armors joints and weak points, but only of she os sure she can get such a hit incwithout becoming a shishkabob.>GINA; fall back a bit, and get your terraforming ass trying to keep this fucker at bay and generally pin her and harrass her, go for the feet especially. This may be able to give our banelings and B'ni openings, if not at least weaken the armor. Only, only if we know it is a sure fire thing, she may try and use her halo freeze frame on the chick, but that may bring her far too close for comfort, and would require stopping her terraforming. Or a baneling or B'ni temporarily blinds her or gets her movement imapaired we may get our opening though. Have her also be on the lookout for enemy reinforcements.>Overall goal; incapacite her and get through her armor, keep her out of where her clear advantages lie.
>>3183389>Did the dragoon recover her spear from kosi's guts or did she create another?>To be clear can she only shot spurs or can she create whole spears at a moment's notice
>>3183239B'ni leaps forward at the same moment five platelings tear free of your hive and swarm to latch on to your airborne ally. She lands in front of your foe with a heavy thud, clad from head to greave in black-green chitin, the glossy armor shining in the light that streams in from behind the Dragoon. Neither fighter spares a word before they strike, B'ni's blazing fast left kick slicing right past Dragoon's visor, missing by a hair's breadth as the knight pulls back, tossing their spear to their off hand. With a sound like a blade unsheathing, the scythe on Gina's greave arcs left and backwards, closing the gap and screaming towards the other fighter's temple . The clash of bone-on-bone rings out as Dragoon's spear blocks the surprise attack with a fraction of a second to spare."Impressive." Dragoon's voice intones from within her plating. "You fight with skill beyond your years. How long have you been..."Your hive hums with creation as B'ni kicks off from the ground and spins-mid air, driving a fierce kick into her foe's sternum that gouges a deep gash in Dragoon's peerless armor, launching B'ni back and away from your enemy's immediate reach. Acid trickles down the knight's off-hand, the tip of her spear glistening with crimson. You're not even sure when she had the chance to strike, but she's already drawn first blood from your friend.Shifting focus, your six fresh creations take flight, four of them low to the ground as they blend innocuously into the concrete, slowly making their way towards your target while the other two arc overhead, obvious in their assault and begging to be cut down."Not one to mince words. I like that." Dragoon says with a chuckle as she swats the two large swarmlings from the air dismissively. She doesn't expect it when their shells hold fast despite her otherwise lethal strike, latching on to her helm and giving Gina the opening she was waiting for.(Continued)
So. we have a boss battle here. Our win conditions:>Either incapacitate Marrow dragoon enough that she can't use anymore Biomass or swing a sword >Have Gina hijack Marrow dragoon and ASSUME DIRECT CONTROL>We somehow rescue Kosi by keeping Marrow Dragoon distracted enough for Shu to free Kosi from the bone spikes that impale her hand. Marrow's win condition:>Buy enough time that reinforcements arrive>Incapacitate 2 out of 3 members of Shu's group.I kind of think another weakness to Marrow Dragoon is her armor and abilities. Muscle abilities have an innate weakness in such that any acid build up will eventually cause that muscle segment to lock up and become unresponsive. And muscle ligaments produce lactic acid naturally as they are being continually used. We can help speed up that process. Think of it as a heat gauge, the more Marrow moves about, the faster the heat guage rises up until the point where it overheats.
>>3183447That's a weakness we all have though, and if anyone would be resistant/immune, it's a muscle manipulator
>>3183439Six of Gina's eight furiously writhing cords stab into the remains of Kosi's biomass by her feet, an amethyst pulse the only warning before the entire concrete slab beneath the Dragoon tilts fiercely, throwing her off her feet and into the street beyond. GG lets out a yell of rage, then one of pain as her hand flies to her side, finding a handful of bone spurs shot through her abdomen just shy of piercing her stomach.Marrow Dragoon rises to her feet and, with a wave of her hand, the daggers in Kosi's hands drag her down the street and away from the three of you at their creator's bidding, granting Dragoon ample room to fight without placing her prize in harm's way. She remains blissfully unaware of the swarmlings that cling to her armor, slowly injecting their payload deep within the grooves of her armor.A flick of her right gauntlet precedes an explosion of bone and gristle, a second, shorter blade bursting forth from her calcite armor as she settles once more into her stance, bidding you onwards with a curt nod.As the three of you stand in the entryway of Kosi's inner sanctum and prepare yourselves, you find that you're all too happy to oblige her.HP: 100%BIO: 95% (4 Subversive Banelings, 2 Recursive Banelings, 1 Simple Swarmling, 5 on Full Armor, 12/15 Active. Ravenous maw at the ready.)ACT: 2/2Threat: Close, prepared.B’ni HP: 103%GG HP: 87%YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3183447while it's that especialy true of armored targets Im' not sure if OPs' system accounts for stamina
>>3183469>Have Bunny go in again, and have your non-covert swarmlings harry Dragoon as they fight.
>>3183469Damn, out in the open. Not good.>GINA; get a hold of the environment, find a spot safe from harm and use your halo to see from where she cant see you. Your job is to use spikes and slabs to keep her corralles into one location. No more backing up, no more runnong away, keep her where we want her.B'NI; rush forward and do a feint, looking to aim for a weakpoint. When she goes to block, lock blades and do a disarm of her weapon. This gives us fresh biomass and lowers her own.SHU; keep going for those joints and weakpoints, spawn us a TOUGHEST BOI we can to act as B'ni's personal guard bug. SHU AND B'NI; If possible, and ACTions leftover, let's try another feint, but on where B'ni makes it look like she is trying the same weakpoint-then- disarm feint as before but last second have a baneling slam into a thicker part of the armor and have B'ni go for a HARD kick down on it, seeing if the combined acid and focused effort cant get a clean shot through.
FUCK. We need to get Kosi AWAY from Marrow Dragoon's bony claws. Literally. >Shu: Impulsive swallow the bone daggers that keep Kosi impaled and convert the bone daggers into Biomass. Have the Recursive Banelings and the simple swarmling act as a fighter screen for B'ni. Have them tank the hits while the simple swarmling just hovers infront of Marrow's face, blocking Marrow's POV. If the recursive banelings and simple swarmlings die, then use another 65% Bio to craft a suit of CamoArmor. We need to get Kosi away from Marrow. >B'ni: Play footsies with Marrow. You need to make Marrow move more actively. Feint and run. your object is to not duel Marrow, but to keep her occupied. Use your speed to your advantage.>Gina: Terraform the area around Kosi. Your job is to block any bone darts That come our way. >>3183458>>3183475I think Marrow Dragoon is more of a Bone manipulator than a Muscle Manipulator since her main abilities is basically Calcium Armory. Guys. Our objective is to Retrieve Kosi and make like a bandit. Marrow is just leading us by the nose by manipulating the bone spikes that are in Kosi's hands.
>>3183500Linking my post to >>3183469
>>3183469We may as well make 3 more subversive Banelings, and send them on a kill mission with the others. Have the ones that are on her now latch to her face when they finish delivering their payload, obscuring her vision.
>>3183500Paitence.She knows our target. If we go for her too fast, were playing into her hands all the more. Wait til we incapacite her a bit more,our opening will show itself.
>>3183489I am adding in that Shu or Gina should quickly absorb any weaponry we take off MD, as to prevent her feaky telekentic pull she seems to have. I still think getting rid of her weapons is a good idea, but only if we make sure she doesn't get them back.
>>3183500>Shu: Impulsive swallowThisWe don't want Kosi being used as an emergency biomass reservoir
>>3183515Yes prioritize Gina getting rid the spurs on her hand
Reinforcing the idea that, if we can get our hands on Kosi, we RUN LIKE HELL.
>>3183526While i agree we should run if we can, i really don't think we should be going forcher just yet. This dragoon is faster than we thought and knows what were after.I still think its best to focus on weakening and slowing her down more before we try and go for our target, that way she cant stop our obvious goal and cant follow as quickly.
Test. Connection went funny.
>>3183534Same. I was worried it was one of those disturbingly often several hours long freezes 4channel seems to have often.>Mfw just had to solve 20 captchas jist for thisBloody hell...
our objective here: >>3183507I think you're getting roped in by MD's "come at me" taunts.I would like to remind us of our main objective: Secure Kosi. not fighting MD to incapacitate her, SECURING Kosi. Also. Gina's letting her emotions get to her. The longer this drags on, the more reckless Gina's going to get. We can't let this go on longer. >>3183469BHOP. How close is that giant meat dragon?
>>3183469Backing >>3183500
>>3183563(You'll see.)
>>3183563No, that is my point. We made our goal pretty clear, she will expect us to try and take Kosi if we get the chance. So the point im making is, lets make sure our cjance is a guranteed one, by making sure the threat in our face cant stop us from taking jer or follow us after we have her.Im not saying sit here and kill her, only stick to the plan of incapacitatijg her joints and movement before we risk doing exactly what she expects and going for Kosi.
>>3183579Right now MD is on the defensive, she can play it safe and restrict her movement to simple parries, ripostes and blocks. if we really want to make her tired, we need to make her move. And to make her move we need to make away with her prize: Kosi. As it stands, We're on the back foot here. We might be forced to cover for Gina while she goes to consume Kosi in Kosi's dying breath and deny MD her prize. And I have to remind you that our goal is not killing MD, that bitch is encased in too much bone and muscle armor for us to make a clean devastating hit from the outside. We're pulling a heist here, not dueling a bone knight who has far better biomass abilities and Bio reserves than the three of us combined as a solo player.
>>3183593And ive never said our goal or our actions were to kill her, only i felt we needed to incapacite her more first. Your ignoring the fact she has shown to not be slow, last thing we need is her getting encouragement to show us jist how fast she can push herself to go, best to avoid that fully. I cant imagine her moving around will wear her out enough or more than literally melting her armor and flesh together will.Also im still against just outright absorbing Kosi like that without her permission, regardless of why we do it.
>>3183469A plan forms in your mind, the three of you moving as one the moment it solidifies. Gina ducks around the side of the opening Dragoon tore open, and as you run ahead you catch a glimpse of her halo begin to shine as she jacks in to the ground. B'ni speeds ahead of you, a blurred vanguard that darts straight towards another clash with the living armory. She leaps skyward, recurved legs launching her into the air as her right scythe extends with a vicious snap, bringing an axe kick down upon your foe's helm. Dragoon brings her shorter blade up to catch your friend's attack, the barbed lance tucked at her side to spear forwards when the time is right.B'ni's guillotine blade snaps shut at the last possible second, whiffing against the paladin's guard as your ally lands on the street and launches the first punch you've ever seen her throw. Her fist slams into the groove she made with her earlier kick as the impact sets off her reactive armor, spilling a swarmling's worth of acid into the weakened section. You're unsure if the furious hiss is the corrosive payload, a sound of anger from your foe, or a mix of the two as Dragoon twists downwards, transforming her block into a savage sword swing that carves through B'ni's shoulder, an echo of her intense agony tearing through you from across the empathic channel. Dragoon's cleated boot slams heel-first into B'ni's chest with a jarring crunch, splattering acid on her leg with a kick that launches B'ni off her feet and back-first into the building's stone steps.The knight's helm turns towards you as you continue flanking the Dragoon, when her line of sight to you is suddenly obscured by asphalt slaps marbled with crimson biomass. Gina quickly erects three walls around your armored threat, the fourth wall slamming into place just after your two recursive swarmlings dart into the opening, having been thrown clear in the melee. A fifth slab angles up from behind to complete a rough, stone prison, trapping Marrow Dragoon with your two obvious creations along with your other, hidden death dealers.The moment you're certain you won't be seen, your second mouth opens wide and a long-coiled tongue lashes forth, violently wrenching the bone spurs free of Kosi's hands as you race to her side. Your tongue returns in the same moment you scoop the girl in your arms, feeling the spurs break down into usable biomass within your acid-drenched maw.You turn around to the high-pitched screech of concrete being shorn to pieces.(Continued)
>>3183641Marrow Dragoon steps forth from within Gina's impromptu prison, her bone plating completely reformed into a vicious set of wickedly curved armor. Practically every spare inch of her previously smooth mail has been twisted into a wild bramble of thorns and spines, the remains of your six swarmlings littered among the innumerable blades that now make up your foe's militant form. Your recursive swarms buzz around her visor, trying to locate an opening to no avail as she strides towards you."You three continue to impress me." Dragoon says, her resonant tone light, courteous as she praises your efforts. "If only my subordinates had been so coordinated, I might have let them live after they served their purpose. Please, I bid you continue."Dragoon gets her wish immediately as B'ni erupts from the dust and debris directly behind her, delivering a brutal mid-leap side kick to the back of the knight's spined helm. Dragoon's cleats pierced into the asphalt are the only thing keeping her stable as she lurches forwards, head down as the ground below rumbles with ill intent. Gina throws subtlety out the window as a block of stone and muscle rises up with incredible speed and catches Dragoon by the chin, snapping her head back into a flurry of kicks from B'ni, the block shielding you from view as planned.Five more platelings tear free of your back and latch on you, thinning out as you find yourself encased in a sheet of shifting, motile chitin. You adjust Kosi in your arms, surprised by her negligible weight. She moans softly, a sound barely audible above the furious melee that resounds from just out of view as B'ni tries to keep Dragoon occupied while keeping her limbs intact. Suddenly, Gina's voice rings clear in your mind, her thought made crisp and resonant by the sheer panic that runs through it."Guys, not to freak you out, but we have a meat dragon inbound. It's going to crest over the buildings to your east any second now, we need to fucking move."HP: 100%BIO: 38% (5 B'ni Armor, 5 Shu Armor, 10/15 Active. Ravenous maw at the ready.)ACT: 2/2Threat: Medium, prepared.B’ni HP: 64%GG HP: 87%YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3183659>SHU; fucking use ravenous maw and get the heck outta dodge. We have Kosi lets not stick around any longer.>GINA; fucking topple a much as you can onto MD to slow her down.>B'NI; once Gina has given you an opening to fall back, scoop her ip amd get out of dodge aswell.>ESCAPE ROUTE; any exit a giant dragon cannot follow us into.
>>3183671If op isn't baiting us>I might have let them live after they served their purpose thenthen into the tunnel we go
>>3183659>B'ni HP goes from 103 to 64wew fucking ladbacking >>3183675 and >>3183671
>>3183659>>3183671>>3183675Anons. There's a giant meat dragon. It has flight. It's got a FUCKTON OF HP AND BIOMASS. It's the perfect escape vehicle.>"You three continue to impress me." Dragoon says, her resonant tone light, courteous as she praises your efforts. "If only my subordinates had been so coordinated, I might have let them live after they served their purpose. Please, I bid you continue."Well then. That mean she's completely alone. But she has a Meat dragon on the way at her command. But little does she know we're stealing her mount.>Empathetically to Gina: "And there's our ride out." Terraform the ground to vault yourself up high and use your neuromancy to HIJACK THE DRAGON.>Have the Recursive swarmlings simply block MD's POV. to prevent her knowing of our Hijacking plan.>B'ni: Time to scramble. Up and onto the building we go.>Shu: SPAWN Recursive Swarmlings to screen our flank and prevent MD from flinging bone darts at us. Then Spider swing with our Tongue.
>>3183675Im not sure on that either, but oddly enough MD doesn't seem like a liar. If anything though, the fact she was able to potentially do that is all the more reason to get out of here now.Also you know, meat dragon. which is the only thing that might hint at her not killing all of her allies. If its her controlling it though, well, again, all the more reason...
>>3183679My issue is a few things: Gina has struggled to control less than this. Yes, she can do the 'full focus' but for how long? And how far is the control on the dragon? Timing it so we both are out of the air and put of MDs area of control is more difficult than you might think.And this is if its not big enough to where Gina is at her limit before its safe to get off the thing. Just saying trying to hijack a giant meat dragon is a risky move.
>>3183679Unsafe and breaks the heist plan. Better to fucking RUN
>>3183679>>3183659Amending my vote BHOP: >empathetically: "EVERYONE, GET INTO FORMATION":>Convert the necessary amount of swarmlings into bone greaves and spawn swarmlings til you hit cap. Have your recursive swarm simply block MD's pov. Clog up MD's visor with so many recursive swarmlings that she's got no choice but to clear her face of swarmlings. Ready up the boneling skiff formation.>B'ni: retreat to Shu and ready up the skiff formation. >Gina: Do one last Terraforming act to either knock MD off her feet into a disorientating fall or block MD's POV and hurry to Shu and B'ni. Ready up the skiff formation.Our Boneling skiff is the fastest getaway vehicle we have. with Gina's knowledge of the city layout, we can make like a bandit with B'ni's speed.
>>3183705Couldn't we just fucking get out through the sewer the same way we got in?
>>3183705I mean sure, once were out of sight and have gotten away from the imediate danger, we can do that. The sewer hides our escape direction and location too is the thing, while the dragon may track us even if it can't keep up with us if we stay in the open.Lets NOT go to sleep/take a rest only to find out MD has been non stoo following us since we got away. At least if she doesn't know which direction we fled we make it harder for her to find us again, or at least as soon.
(Gentlemen, should you succeed in your escape, will you continue your high-speed run through the tunnels or rest? Also, which direction would you go; towards the town, the factory, or through the forest where you fought the Chevalier?)
>>3183724Continue running and go through the forest. Forests are easy to hide and get lost in. Technically for us too but we have GINA to help with that.The factory is too risky, she might return there if she doesn't know where we are just to rest herself. The town is completely unfamiliar territory. Sure, we cant be sure the forest is safe, but at least we might have an inkling of where we are in it and where it leads. The town is still a full on mystery.
>>3183724If we escape, let's keep moving through the tunnels, unless it looks like Kosi needs to rest. As for our direction, let's go to the forest. The town is a bad idea, we'd be leading the dragon to Julia, and the factory is a place that the dragoon knows well. The forest is (hopefully) unfamiliar to the enemy, and the dragon will have (with luck) difficulty moving between the trees.
>>3183718>>3183721Good point. >>3183705Final amending of my ideas:>still have Shu get the recursive swarmlings obstruct MD's POV to the point where she has to manually claw off the swarmlings with either her hands or her armor. That will buy us some time. Then follow Gina's directions for escaping.>B'ni: Scoop up Gina. >Gina: provide directions to the nearest manhole cover to the sewers we'll escape from there. Terraform the ground so that we can escape easier when we get back into the sewer.>>3183724The Factory is now MD's HQ, and the town is an unknown. Chevalier's forest is a safe bet. Although it pains me to be paranoid that MD can manipulate all the calcium there to root us out.
>>3183735I think he means the other town we have yet to explore thats near-ish the city. We had the option to go there and explore it on the way here but chose the factory instead.
>>3183743well I would love to point out the silver lining that if we hadn't gone to the factory and found about THE RAID, we would've found Kosi missing/dead with Gina unable to find closure and an even stronger Marrow Dragoon down the line.
>>3183742Good point on the calcium, but honestly the main point is to have her lose track of us before we even get there. By that point if she is still on us AND close enough to use that as a threat, we honestly have already fucked up hard. Not to say you arw wrong, mind you.
>>3183743>>3183735(This is the town I meant, yes.)
>>3183745>The meat dragon covered with hundreds of eyes that fire death lasers in every direction>NO THANK YOU
>>3183750yes the escape plan in >>3183742 is the best onealso to bone forest, get biomass, get health, get rest in cover
BYE FELICIA.
>>3183753who?Also. I get the feeling that Kosi is on her death bed and that we'll escape to witness Kosi's final moments.
>>3183760It's a reference to the movie Friday, with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
>>3183760Yeah, she already was literally wilting and said she was dying. Now she just took a javelin to the stomach and bone shards to the hands, and got ripped out of her biomass potential life support system.I say we ask if she wants to be absorbed or melted down in acid. Id say give her a funeral pyre but im not sure there's actually a good method to start a fire on this planet anymore. The trees aren't wood afterall.
>>3183767Kosi still needs to return Gina's eyes. However I will say Kosi has the final say in the matter in how she wants her funeral whether if she wants to die a human or be consumed by Gina.
>>3183765>>3183760>>3183753>It's a reference to the movie Friday, with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.OUR ENEMIESRIGHT NOWhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifzBdL4oOOQ
>>3183791Just replace the word 'bike' with 'Kosi', and it's 100% accurate.
>>3183659Five more basic swarmlings rip free of your hive as you send out a final command. Gina dashes out from behind her hiding place, rushing down the steps as she gives the Dragoon and B'ni's furious clash a wide berth as she runs to your and Kosi's side. What remains of one of her hastily summoned walls explodes into a mixture of dust and gore as B'ni smashes through it and slides to a stop in the street, her chitin armor all but reduced to a few bits of worn shell and streaks of greenish smears across her lacerated limbs.Gina switches course on the fly and runs all-out towards B'ni as Marrow Dragoon advances on the pair and is immediately beset by your the five members of your newborn brood, your cloud of smaller swarmlings further disrupting her line of sight. GG reaches down to help B'ni to her feet before the other girl bolts upright and practically forces Gina onto her back, carving twin trails behind you as they close the gap, with Dragoon struggling to give pursuit.What you thought was merely the measured ease of a self-assured warrior reveals itself to instead be the culmination of your plan, as Dragoon struggles against the invisible foes of creaking armor and stiffened joints, fighting her own plating to gain ground. Cords stab forth from Gina's sleeves and link the three of you together as you cradle Kosi in your arms, your armor flaking off and shifting into the greaves that form on your and GG's feet.With a stolen glance behind you, you catch sight of a mangled form rising on tattered wings above the city skyline a half-second before you pick up speed, slicing along the ground as you all race to safety. A warbling, pained roar rips through the air and vibrates what remains of the storefront windows you skate by, darting in and out of alleys as you surge forward for dear life. By the time you slip back down into the safety of the tunnel and Gina blocks the exit with enough biomass, rock, and steel to make it impossible to breach, you let out a stressed, shuddering breath you didn't realize you were holding.(Continued)
>>3183802Gina rounds on the girl in your arms, summoning a stone plinth from the wall and helping you lay her out on the cold slab."...ly shit, man. Y' did it." Kosi says in a raspy voice, her laugh coming out more as dry cough than anything fit to carry levity."I told you I would, dummy." Gina says with a tearful smile, her hands moving to cup her friend's chin as she leans in close."...ou 'ave good friends. You take care of them, yeah?" Kosi replies, her voice fading in out out of clarity before she sets her gaze on you and B'ni, who stands steadfastly by your side, drawing in ragged breaths."...nd you look after my GG, 'kay? If you let her down, I'll make her punch your fucking lights out. Won't hurt you, but she might sprain her wrist and then you'd just feel awful."Gina's brows shoot up, her mouth trying to find the words to protest her friend's implication."GG...Gina. I was never one for funerals and all that morbid shit. Figured I wouldn't be around to care, but with how things work now..." Kosi's skeletal chest rises and falls, the sheer effort of drawing breath causing lines of pain to crease the girl's brow. "...you know why I did it?"Kosi's gestures towards her eyes with a single, useless hand."I...I could tell from your voice that whenever you looked at me, you pitied me. If you were facing away from me, you sounded different, but when you looked at me with these eyes, you couldn't help but feel sorry for me. I hated that...I hated that so, so goddamn much, Gina."Face obscured by her mane of brown hair, Gina remains silent as her friend slowly dies in the depths of a dead city."...We were friends...and I fucked it up." Kosi says with a humorless smile, bemused by hindsight come too late. "It didn't matter why you were nice to me, not really. You were the only friend I had, and I...heh, I couldn't get over my own pride and just accept the kindness you showed me. I'm sorry, Gina. I'm so sorry."B'ni's hand slips into yours, the two of you watching in silence as Gina leans down and places her forehead against Kosi's with utmost care, as the frail girl smiles up at your friend."...It's take you take back what's yours, old friend."In a few moments, it's over. Gina stands before a vacant stone slab, her wounds from the fight stitching closed in silence. Her hands slowly drift up to her bandanna, slipping it down around her shoulders.She turns to you, golden eyes welling with tears.(Continued)
>>3183828We couldn't just channel biomass/health into Kosi to stabilize her in the middle of her fucking dying speech? Really now?
>>3183833(She was way too far gone for that, I'm afraid. She was making death saving throws before you even showed up, it was only due to one of her abilities that she made it this far.)
>>3183833She was on her literal deathbed anon. if her terminal illness didn't kill her, the Eldritch hunger would. Keep in mind that Kosi lost the fight against the hunger and that any daughter that encountered her city, Kosi couldn't physically get there to consume their corpse for abilities. It's likely that Kosi was holed up in that city for months or maybe a few years before she succumbed to her hunger as word of mouth spread that entering Kosi's city was a death sentence.>>3183838Jesus fuck, Kosi. The girl had HEART. How many death saving throws did she make consecutively?
We salute you, Kosi.
>>3183838>>3183844Welp, at least this further reinforces Gina being our Gale, complete with best friend she had to mercy kill personallyAND AS I TYPE THIS I FUCKING REALIZE BOTH ESCAPING THE CITY THE FIRST TIME AND GOING IN & OUT WITH THIS HEIST, WE USED THE SEWERSLIKETHE FUCKING SAMSARA TUNNELS OF DIGITAL DEVIL SAGA 1 WHERE LUPA IS THE BOSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
>>3183828You and B'ni step forward as one and pull Gina into you, feeling her sobs deep in your bones as she cries against your chest, burying her face against your shirt as you both comfort her. After a few minutes she finally looks up at you, dazzling citrine eyes staring up into yours, smiling despite her loss."Thank you, Shu...thank you, Isabelle...I...I can't thank you enough."Through Gina's pain, her loss, her despair, there's something more profound at the center of the storm of emotions that whirl about her...there it is, the feeling you've been able to grant her, something she never thought she'd have.Closure.>>GG LEVEL UPCHOOSE *THREE* OF THE FOLLOWINGYOU MAY CHOOSE THE SAME OPTION MORE THAN ONCE>>HEALTH>>BIOMASS>>NEUROMANCER>>NEUROTIC HALO>>CONSUMEYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Gentlemen, you are fantastic. I will be pausing here for the evening and tallying the votes tomorrow morning, with posting resuming intermittently throughout the day tomorrow. Thank you so much for participating, and take care of yourselves.)
>>3183859>BIOMASS>NEUROMANCER>CONSUME
>>3183859Okay right now, Gina's stats are:>HEALTH (Lvl 1)>BIOMASS (Lvl 1)>NEUROMANCER (Lvl 2)>NEUROTIC HALO (Lvl 3)Given this, I feel like>CONSUME X 3to get the most out of Kosi's powerset should be optimal. Either that or what >>3183866 said.Discuss? I'm personally in favor of CONSUME X 3 but what other options are good?
>>3183859>>NEUROMANCER>>NEUROTIC HALO>>CONSUMEAnd rest in peace Kosi, you snarky bastard.
Alternatively, we can decide to absolutely have one CONSUME so we can see what Kosi options it gives us, then decide if we wanna go the full TRIPLE CONSUME or use the two other levels for something else entirely?
>>3183864>>3183871Can we even double up on a option? Regardless ill stick to my vote.
>>3183879>YOU MAY CHOOSE THE SAME OPTION MORE THAN ONCEEither way, we all agree on one level for CONSUME. I think BHOP doing that first off, so we can see what we get from it, is the best bet here. Then we can debate the other two levels given what options CONSUME reveals to us
>>3183859>NeuromancerAt least make her Cords longer and her Terraforming more potent. >CONSUME>ConsumeCan we do the first consume by itself and then choose our other 2 level up options?Because that's what I kind of want to do for Gina's special level-up.
>>3183885My bad, to be fair i should of been in bed hours ago.
(Gentlemen, if you will bear with me a short while then I shall post Kosi's Consume options in advance for your consideration.)
>>3183900
>>3183900Did you honestly realize >>3183857 beforehand, in hindsight? Or did reading my post make you realize it just now? Either way here's another Gale.>>3183897Go the fuck to sleep.
>>3183904(No, that was actually a happy accident. I appreciate you pointing it out.)
>>3183911The moment I realized "hey, the characters and stuff in this quest is totally just like Digital Devil Saga" it opened my fucking eyes, man. You should see about torrenting the translated Quantum Devil Saga novels if you can, they paint Digital Devil Saga and everything in it in a whole new light.
>>3183859>>3183900KOSI CONSUME OPTIONS>>CANCEROUS PAYLOAD: Kosi's ability to distort and replicate the cells of others has granted Gina a devastatingly cruel weapon. By expending one third of Gina's current health when she attacks with a cord, she is are able to imbue it with an infinitely replicating payload that viciously assaults your foes' biology with a weaponized form of cancerous cells that, if left unchecked, will consume the foes' own biomass at a rate of 20% per turn. Over the course of five turns, this process will lead to the complete and catastrophic failure of most humanoid biological systems. Additionally, the infection's incredible power can be boosted by expending far more health to increase the amount of enemy biomass consumed and reduce the number of turns until system shutdown. However, do note that if the infection site is dismembered in due course, the weapon's effect will be severely neutered or neutralized outright. >>IMMUTABLE FORM: Kosi's ability to nigh-infinitely replicate her cells has manifested in Gina as the ability to ensure that her biology remains untainted by aggressive system defects. By expending a single action, GG may essentially heal herself from one status ailment she is currently inflicted with. Additionally, she now passively regain 3% HP on each of your turns, as her body now converts ambient biomass into regenerative tissue at a steady rate. Finally, by selecting a single status ailment that Gina is inflicted with and expending 2 Actions, she not only shrugs off that status ailment but also renders her vital systems immune to that ailment for the rest of the current combat.>> LIFE'S DEATHGRIP: Kosi's sheer stubbornness allowed her to cling to life far past her time, and her powers are now devoted to ensure Gina's continued survival. Gina may remain standing after having suffered an otherwise mortal blow once per combat, remaining at 1% HP as opposed to dropping to zero. Additionally, her allowable death saving throws increase to seven, though she still requires only three successes to escape deaths grip.
>>3183936Oh shit, these are all great.We should at least get the latter 2 for her, make her really unstoppable.What do you guys think? X2 Consume or X3?My vote is Consume X3, and just assimilate her entire powerset.
>>3183936>>3183939X2 Consume, go with Immutable Form and Life's Deathgrip. Cancerous Payload sounds kind of... evil. Put the remaining point into Neuromancer.
>>3183936>All those sweet abilities.DAYUM KOSI. Now THIS. >No laser eye ability.WHERE DA FUCK IS THE LIQUID LASER EYES BHOP? I THOUGHT IT WAS PART OF KOSI'S SIGNATURE ABILITIES.
>>3183859>>CONSUME>>CONSUME>>CONSUME
Guys at some point after we get abilities to base level 4, we need to put levels into Health for both Shu and Gina. We're running two squishy mages and a dodge tank, let's consider making them less squishy.>inb4 all the health and biomass upgrades go straight to Gina's tits>inb4 Gina becomes even more stacked
>>3183936>Consume Immutable form>Consume Life's deathgrip.>Consume Cancerous Payload.Final decision lock in.I'm very hesitant on Cancerous Payload. It's a very potent weapon, but I will say that it's a weapon of last resort. something that will be used on the very deserving. Marrow Dragoon really opened up my eyes to this realization: We need a more potent weapon against tanks and High Bio/Hp enemies like Marrow Dragoon. Something in our back pocket.
>>3183936ugh, fineCONSUME X 3get all of those
>>3183859>>3183936>>CONSUME x3GINA HUNGERS FOR ABILITIES
Before I go to bed, I want to get something off my chest. Holy fuck. what a Heist. Goddamn BHOP. My thoughts on Marrow Dragoon: Marrow Dragoon is definitely a seasoned warrior. Definitely an older woman. She might be Late 20s to early fourties, judging from her height, stature, and the sheer amount of experience she has with dueling. But she was a BOSS. She was a legitimate endgame RAIDBOSS. We threw everything we could at her, the tactics, the abilities, Terraforming, Triple bio-technique Boneling skiff. And her reaction to everything we threw at her? Nothing. She wasn't even phased by the combination attacks and tactics we threw at her. She wasn't even mad that we were trying to steal Kosi from her.She was genuinely impressed. She wanted to see more of our abilities and how strong Shu, Gina, and B'ni are at our very peak of power and coordination. She even wondered aloud how experienced B'ni was in fighting and dueling (I would chalk that up to Chevalier's soul giving her guidance) as B'ni could barely hold her own (with her speed, Shu's armor, and swarmling assistance) in a 1v1.And you know what? I love her. She's a prime example of a well made wake-up call boss. One which we could barely handle by the skin of our teeth. And we were just trying to NOT encounter her. We were trying to avoid her at all costs while we were just trying to save Gina's friend. The entire fight was hers if the fight went on long enough.But GODDAMN. You made us work tooth and nail for Kosi. If I ever saw a well made and well executed plan/heist on a quest, this was it. Everything went according to plan. >Contact Kosi? check>Get to Kosi before the raid party? check. >Steal Kosi right from Marrow Dragoon's nose? Check.>Make like a bandit and escape cleanly? you fucking bet your biomass we succeeded.
>>3184004I have a feeling this won't be the last we've seen of this lady, not by a long shot.I'd be willing to wager she ends up being our last obstacle before climbing up the cord, even.Our end-of-disc-1 boss, if you will.
SoWhere should we head next?We may want to return to Julia to let her know about:> The Dragoon and check in on her> Tell her about the pod> Give her a note for Dr. West telling her about The Dragoon and maybe that Kosi is dead/ the area is safe.
>>3184022Also not letting Dr. West anywhere near the pod.
>>3183936Retaining my old vote:>BIOMASS>NEUROMANCER>CONSUMEBut hell, we CANNOT keep putting off Health.
>>3180375OP, how'd you make the system for this game, what's it based on and where can I get more?
>>3183936Neuomancer, Cancerous Payload, Immutable Form.>Neuromancer is the core of GG's fighting style and is now getting useful, to the point she can warp the landscape and jack into enemies. We should continue to develop this as its the core of her abilities and if she can warp the ground to attack enemies, she'll be able to attack from any distance soon.>Cancerous Payload gives GG a kill option herself that can be triggered at will and cause insane damage every turn, meaning we'll have the chance to end fights quickly if necessary or have GG open with Payload and then pull back to fight defensively.>Immutable Form not only gives GG continuous health to better support Payload and lets her use hit and run tactics but she can now shrug off status effects and even permanently over come them. Tons of utility and a huge help to core abilities.Life's Deathgrip meanwhile is of minimal utility as it only triggers if GG is close to death and is only useful for if she gets that weak; ideally, we shouldn't be planning for scenarios for when our allies should be at death's door/almost dead because for fuck sake that's stupid, lets give her abilities so she'll never have to reach that point instead.
>>3183936>>CANCEROUS PAYLOADPlus still keeping>>NEUROMANCER>>NEUROTIC HALO
>>3183945>Cancerous Payload sounds kind of... evil.I‘m against it too but the majority has been voting for it so far...
>>3184022Technically we are still 'on the run' as far as we know. Technically. Id assume BHOP will open up the next session with us slipping out to the forest like previously mentioned from there we can decide our next move.Which probably will be my vote to make our way back to Julia, but a bit more round about to throwoff any trail we may of soemhow left. No sense in not being a bit extra safe.
Y'know, it just occurred to me that, while we were in GG's mind/soul/???, Meg told us to tell GG that she said "Hey", but I don't think we ever told her, unless that was just an implied part of us telling them everything.Of course, we should probably wait for a better time to tell her that if we haven't already.
>>3184268Id hardly consider it 'evil', but i have a very specific outlook when it comes to fighting for your life. Regardless, its literally the closest to an actual attack she has ever been offered, and she needs one of those badly. Terraforming can potentially be used as one but it clearly was not intended for that use and basically imobilizes her, she needs something she can actually use and stand on her own with, which she currently really doesn't have, shes really all support right now. because hell, who knows, maybe one day, even temporarily, our party will end up split up. Wouldn't be the biggest twist thrown at us at this point.
>>3184004(Thank you for your kind words, it was incredibly fun to write. I do enjoy reading your analyses, and I must commend all of you on a superb plan.)>>3184258(I would be lying if I said that it started as anything more than a vain attempt to reverse-engineer Joker Quest's system, but in the past three years I tooled with it and ran some short sessions to firm it up once I gave up on precisely recreating his system, and it became something very different. Considering there are several aspects of the system that would be spoilers, I will be happy to share everything when this quest concludes.)
>>3184303Wait, were you able to get any pieces of his system? Is it all a homebrew? What would be a good system to use to start building my own attempt at a Body Horror/Joker Quest?
>>3184261Life's deathgrip still has utility. If our most recent experimentation with Triple-Biotech is to be believed, Each daughter can share and combine each others abilities. Just imagine. B'ni takes a big hit, she's very weak, but because she was tethered to Gina during the fight by a cord, she can also get the benefits of Gina's Life's deathgrip and Immutable Form. instead of being worried sick having only 3 chances to stabilize before dying, She gets 7 chances. Do you know how big of a safety net that is? Even our well made plans ended up with one of us on death's door. The fight against Chevalier ended with B'ni bleeding out and on death's door. The Wraith daughter ended with Shu also on death's door.
>>3184333That goes for the other abilities too. I'd rather give her a killshot, regen and build her core abilities than use something we should try NOT to rely on and isn't as effective as option two. Plus, neuromancer is so good already and its only level 2. Level 3 will pair well with Cancerous Overlord too.
>>3184333Also we had literally no defensive abilities at that point, now we have armor/regen/warping terrain for cover/bnis greaves
>>3184333Any ability that avoids damage or helps prevent us from getting to such a critical point is always better than an ability that is only used in a moment that far gone. Maybe again if Gina didn't critically need something more offensive oriented, but her kit is too lacking to waste a point on an ability like Lifes Deathgrip.
>>3184333Thisthisthis. We'll be going up against all kinds of terrifying opponents in the future that'll make these last opponents look like cakewalks by comparison. We need all the safety nets we can get.
>>3183936>CONSUME EVERYTHINGHoly fuck, a status cleansing ability, weaponized cancer, and an ability that keeps you from getting insta-killed? we will need ALL OF THAT. especially if double-tech and triple-tech is to be implied by what >>3184333said.
>>3184346At some point everybody needs levels in Health and/or Biomass. Become less glass cannon.
>>3184346>>3184352Are you guys fucking nuts? We have a bunch of defense and Neuromancer is way more applicable and useful than Lifes Deathgrip as it lets us reshape the environment itself.
>>3184376The Consuming level up is a get it now or regret it forever sort of deal. No chances to revisit it once the level up is complete. I would rather have a ability in the back pocket that keeps us from death's door when shit hits the fan than not have it when some enemy daughter instagibs one of us because she had a ability that takes everyone by surprise during combat.
>>3183859>> CANCEROUS PAYLOAD: UNLOCKED>> IMMUTABLE FORM: UNLOCKED>> LIFE'S DEATHGRIP: UNLOCKEDShortly after you witness Kosi’s final moments, your boneling skiff carries the three of you clear of the city and back to the Forest of Bones. You watch from the forest’s edge as Dragoon’s mount circles the city for a time before riding a thermal out to parts unknown, having given up on pursuit. You heave a sigh of relief and rejoin your allies a bit further in to the bramble of ashen trees where B’ni and Gina sit in silence, leeching biomass from a pair of trees that they lean against in well-earned rest.Gina sits cross-legged and stares up at the forest canopy, the light that filters through dappling her face with slivers of light that dance on her eyes, wide with wonder. She wears a wistful smile, absorbed in her own thoughts as you approach. B’ni rises with a stretch, her jacket, goggles and scarf in a pile next to where she sat as she walks over to you. You look her up and down, noting only faint scars along her limbs that will soon fade to nothingness as her body works to repair itself.“We did it.” She smiles, hands behind her back. “Thanks to you.”“Thanks to all of us.” You echo, briefly seeing through your swarmlings’ various sets of eyes as you keep watch and allow Gina time to collect herself. B’ni looks over at your companion, then back to you with a shrug.“Where to now, Shu?” You focus on the pair of emeralds that study your face expectantly. “We should probably keep moving, considering that this might not be the best place to be caught by Dragoon…it’s totally up to you, though.”You cross your arms, brow furrowed as you consider your next course of action. Having been guided these past few days in pursuit of fulfilling your promise to Gina, you realize that the path forwards is completely up to you, now. Regardless of how you proceed, you rest assured that B’ni and Gina will be by your side, for better or worse.>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3184389(Gentlemen, voting will close in two hours.)>>3184309(Honestly, find a modular mech system that looks good to you, then tear it apart and retrofit it with other mechanics you like and think you and your players will have fun with. If you find yourself not having fun with a piece of it, change it. Following that philosophy is how I made the system I'm using now.)
>>3184389We've done everything we can here. No other side quests or pressing issues. Let's keep moving onward - towards the Cord.Stop over in the town where we found the developing Daughter along the way, check in and make sure that Julia's okay (and that she hasn't gotten any weird ideas regarding the chrysalis).
>>3184404The only other thing was that we never ended up going back to see what else was in the Cave system.
>>3184407You mean the creepy cave system where the crazy bone ghost girl was slowly driven insane?Yeeeeeaaaaaaaah, I'm okay with passing on that.
>>3184410Yeah but we killed her.
>>3184389>"Wanna head back to Kosi's city. It's free of dragons, dragoons, and daughters, and chock full of pre-apocalypse relics. lets go explore there for 3 days before heading back to the Mining Town. There even might be useful items there like guns, backpacks, rope, and snacks that we can convert into Biomass."Guys we have a city. a large city that we couldn't explore because of Kosi's presence. And right now it's clear of enemies and full of pre-apocalypse loot. there might be supplies and working guns that we can loot and use.>"Sure, lets keep moving B'ni.">"So girls. How are we all feeling after pulling that heist on Dragoon? To be honest, I never thought there would be someone like HER out there, rounding up daughters, raiding entire cities and settlements for daughters she wants to consume as 'prizes'. I realize that if we are going to survive, against people and amalgams like her and her dragon, we need to stronger as well. Because there might be one day where we encounter an amalgam or a daughter that we can't simply just run and escape."
>>3184419I think this is a sound enough idea, especially the part about getting guns.I kinda just wanna see if we can use our swarmlings as ammo.
>>3184389Backing >>3184419
>>3184389>Life's DeathgripYOU FOOLS YOU ABSOLUTE FOOLS, NEUROMANCER WILL BE SO MUCH MORE USEFUL
Ever since BHOP gave us the triple tech Boneling skiff, This whole combined Bio-tech combination idea got me thinking. What other combinations can we use?And so here's a few that I thought up of that may work in theory.DOUBLE-TECH:>Calcium Mantis Armory: Combine B'ni's Calcite Greaves with Shu's Chitinous Stalwart. Result: A full body armor with retractable bone mantis scythes on hands, feet, shoulder-blades, chest, and helm that also act as skates for REAL speed demons. tl;dr It's just applying B'ni's lvl 3 calcium greaves on the backs of Platelings. With Shu's swarm capacity right now, She can create 3 full sets.>Perfect puppetry: Combine Neurotic Halo, Neuromancy, and B'ni's dogged sprinter. Result: Gina jacks into B'ni and lends her Neurotic Halos' vast processing power which gives B'ni more time to process the surrounding environment and her foe and come up with the perfect parry, dodge, and counterattack with devestating results. In theory this could also work both ways if B'ni lends the ability of Dogged sprinter to Gina's end.>Cancer bug: Gina jacks into Shu. Together, they spawn specialized Banelings that inject liquid cancer. Enough said. Having Shu manually detonate cancer bugs onto groups of enemies would be a warcrime.TRIPLE TECH:>Hive Triage Ambulance: Boneling skiff but equipped with swarmlings capable of using Immutable form and Life's deathgrip. Useful for evacuating an ally to safety while keeping them stabilized. >Combination attack - Claws and Maw of the swarm: Gina links up with Shu and B'ni via Neurocords. All three of them combine mental processing power amplified by Gina's Neurotic Halo and ready actions to do a devastating auto-dodge and counterattack. Gina counterattacks by slipping a Neurocord into the onrushing enemy and freezes it. Shu opens up her Ravenous maw and bites down on the enemy with her Executioner's Jaw to pin it. B'ni goes for the Coup de Grace with a beheading strike. >Calcium flytrap: A combination of Calcium mantis armory (see above) and Gina's Terraforming. Camoflaged claymore mantis bugs creep into a designated area in a fairy circle. as soon as the target enters the trap zone. Gina springs the trap, the earth folds up, Mantis spring their blades and pour acid into the trapzone. >>3184436calm your neurons anon. we'll prioritize Neuromancy on the next level up. Life's deathgrip is a one and done deal.
>>3184401GREATNOW ALL THIS TALK OF DOUBLE TECH AND TRIPLE TECH COMBO SKILLS REMINDS ME OF THE COMBOS FROM DIGITAL DEVIL SAGAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkZ6JDXAI7oAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
>>3184404This. Check back in with julia and the pod. But skip the cave, i got bad vibes from that place.Also we should feel free to take the scenic route back, were honestly not in a hurry.
>>3184454There's only going to be so many level ups in a run man, it seems wasted to me on the assumption that we can combo it.
>>3184498Or that comboing it will do what we want/expect.
(Update to drop shortly, Gentlemen.)
>>3184389“You have a point, and the safest place for us right now is the one place Dragoon just left.” B’ni arches an eyebrow at you in surprise, and Gina comes out of her reverie to fix her newly-restored gaze on you.“I want to head back to Kosi's city.” You say, glancing at the dim silhouette of the skyline, barely visible beyond the trunks and branches of a dull white forest. “It's free of dragons, dragoons, and daughters, and chock full of pre-apocalypse relics. Let’s go explore there for three days before heading back to the mining town. There even might be useful items there like guns, backpacks, rope, and snacks that we can convert into Biomass."“I’m game.” Gina says, rising to her feet and tossing her hair back. She pulls her halo out from the pocket of her hoodie, dusting it off before placing the amethyst circlet back atop her head."How are we all feeling after pulling that heist? To be honest, I never thought there would be someone like her out there, rounding up daughters, raiding entire cities and settlements for people she wants to consume as 'prizes'. It’s made me realize that if we are going to survive against people with her skills and experience then we need to get stronger, as well.”At this, you notice B’ni running her hand along her arm absent-mindedly, her slender fingers grazing past scars that continue to heal.“As lucky as we’ve gotten so far, I’m thinking ahead to when the day comes where we encounter an amalgam or a daughter that we can't simply run from."“Yeah…yeah, you’re right.” B’ni replies, staring over your shoulder at the city. After a moment, her focus shifts to you with a fanged smile. “I’m ready when you are, Shu.”A short while later, you’re venturing through silent streets and lifeless alleys, the clash of battle and the screams of the dying still fresh in your mind as you explore the ruins of Kosi’s once-sprawling kingdom. You while away the hours as the three of you pick through what little remains in the abandoned storefronts and cramped tenements, filling the eerie silence with idle chit-chat to combat the oppressive quiet that has settled on the city like a death shroud. More than once, you catch Gina staring at you as you busy yourself by sorting through expired foodstuffs and crumbling bric-a-brac. You return her glances a handful of times, only to have her head snap back to focus on the task at hand each time without explanation, your meandering conversation picking up where it left off shortly thereafter.(Continued)
>>3184622You scrabble together what bits and bobs you’ve found and eventually settle in to a simple cafe, one of the few buildings that retains its cozy atmosphere in defiance of the rest of its pallid surroundings. You settle around a booth in a corner of the wood-lined interior, the facing the shattered windows at the front to give you a clear view of the street. “Junk, junk, rotten, junk…” Gina mutters beside you, parsing through the assorted items spread out on the table as B’ni stretches out on the bench across the table from you, massaging her aching feet. “…maybe we’ll have more luck tomorrow, but most of this stuff must’ve been picked clean before Kosi and I woke up. This is all hot garbage.”You sigh, leaning back in your seat as Gina kicks up her feet on the table.“I don’t know about the two of you but I’ve had about enough for now.” B’ni says, shifting her efforts as she kneads her tense calves. “Wanna call it a day, you two?”“You don’t have to ask me twice, man.” GG replies with a chuckle. “You wanna just nap here for a while? I can do first watch.”You glance towards B’ni who gives a non-committal shrug, leaving it up to you as to how to stagger the watch. While you would enjoy some time to yourself, you briefly wonder if staying up and having some one-on-one time with either of your allies would be a better use of your time.>> Stay up with B’ni. You can tell Gina is practically dead on her feet, and rest would do her considerable good. Besides, it’s been a while since you’ve been able to talk with B’ni, and you’d like her take on recent events.>> Stay up with Gina. Her aura is a whirl of conflicting emotions right now, and you’d like to touch base with in in the aftermath of everything that she just went through. Besides, B’ni getting rest will help her heal up fully for the next few days.>> Honestly, you could use some time alone. Volunteer for first watch and set up a perimeter of swarmlings. Your allies have been through more than their fair share today, and they deserve some rest.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>> Honestly, you could use some time alone. Volunteer for first watch and set up a perimeter of swarmlings. Your allies have been through more than their fair share today, and they deserve some rest.
>>3184627>Stay up aloneGina needs rest and Bunny creeps us out.
>>3184627>Honestly, you could use some time alone. Volunteer for first watch and set up a perimeter of swarmlings. Your allies have been through more than their fair share today, and they deserve some rest.
>>3184627>>> Honestly, you could use some time alone. Volunteer for first watch and set up a perimeter of swarmlings. Your allies have been through more than their fair share today, and they deserve some rest.I think we could all use a little time alone, really. Especially Gina, considering she just had to watch one of her best friends die in front of her and all that.
>>3184648Actually now that I say that I feel like Gina would probably appreciate someone to chat with, but eh, I think I'll keep my vote as is.
>>3184634Creeps us out how?
>>3184654She triggers our instinct to put her in bags.
>>3184672>>3184654There's also the disturbing fact that we know she's madly in love with Shu. We can tell that she is super insecure about herself and her confidence unless we hook her up onto the empathy network where her mental fortitude just melts into absolute putty and follows our orders without hesitation. Whenever she's not on the empathy network, her surface thoughts becomes a constant hot mess of insecurity to the dialogue of "[I] like the new you please don’t go trust me you can trust me don’t know how to talk to you just want you to trust me please open up I feel so powerless feel like I can’t help y[ou]" so on and so forth.
>>3184627> Honestly, you could use some time alone. Volunteer for first watch and set up a perimeter of swarmlings. Your allies have been through more than their fair share today, and they deserve some rest.>>3184720>>3184672>>3184654>>3184634We gotta sit her ass down and have a heart-to-heart with her about this insecurity and confidence issues, as well as this "I think you were planned to be my next victim, from what little you told me and what I remembered. There's no fucking way in hell I'm ever gonna be that way again, but (something you gotta stay strong something stop triggering that serial killer instinct bullshit I want to get rid of something git gud)"
>>3184638>>3184627amending my vote to >Stay up with B’ni. You can tell Gina is practically dead on her feet, and rest would do her considerable good. Besides, it’s been a while since you’ve been able to talk with B’ni, and you’d like her take on recent events.
>>3184763>>3184627I think I'll change my vote to that, too, actually.
>>3184763Yeah sure lets talk with b'ni.I do feel like gina could use some company too, but at the same tine after all this she at least will know we got her back even if we missed any cues she wanted to talk, meanwhile b'ni kinda hasn't been shown much attention, and i feel like thats almost deadly to her. Which is bad, she shouldn't be that way, but ignoring her wont fix her issues.
(Gentlemen, work has been interesting so I will keep voting open an additional hour as I wrap up the business day on my end. Thank you for participating.)
>>3184763changing my vote to this
>>3184971(Accepted as the tiebreaker. Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>3184627"Gina, go get some sleep, alright? B'ni and I will take first watch." "You sure?" she asks, looking between the two of you, even as she gathers her phone and headphones together, her query more out of politeness than any real desire to stay awake."Yep, we'll be fine." B'ni replies as she hops up from the creaking booth. You rise in turn and the two of you usher your exhausted companion to your makeshift bed in the back room, crafted from a rickety cot and what worthwhile pillows and blankets you could scrounge up. True to form, within minutes her breathing slows as she drifts off, leaving you and B'ni alone together as you gently close the door to the rest area. You motion for B'ni to follow as you climb a set of stairs in the cafe lobby. You ascend to the second floor, the open floor plan and wide windows making for an ideal lookout on the streets and alleys below, clear lines of sight making a traditional ambush unlikely. "B'ni, there's something I..." you say as you turn, immediately caught off guard by the shining object that dangles from your friend's fingers and directly in front of your face. A necklace slowly turns in front of you, a simple chain of black metal suspending a jade pendant, onyx wire strands clasping the scarab-shaped stone. Bright green eyes meet your gaze expectantly."I know we were looking for, you know, stuff we could use." she says, lowering the piece of jewelry as her cheeks tinge with scarlet. "I just saw it and thought of you, a-and I wanted you t-to have it.""I...wow, thank you. It's really nice." you say, your throat working awkwardly as you take a step back. Her smile falters, the joy at surprising you giving way to apprehension."...I'm sorry, um...it's okay if you don't like it, I didn't know if it was...I didn't know if you'd like it." Your eyes hover on the pendant, an unwelcome memory filtering in from someone you used to be, recalling that jade was your favorite stone...HER favorite stone.The ghost of a wicked smile flits across your mind's eye."B'ni, it's really nice." You take a step forwards as the necklace hangs limply by B'ni's side, her fearful eyes frantically trying to decipher your reaction. "Listen, I...here."You take her hand and lead her over to a pair of chairs near the broken window, amber sunlight filtering down from a perpetual dusk-hued sky. You sit B'ni down and settle into the seat next to her, feeling her pulse hammering until your fingers leave her wrist."B'ni, I want to preface this with the fact that I'm not mad, or upset, or anything like that. We just need to talk, alright?"She nods, her emerald eyes wide with worry.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Gentlemen, voting will close in one and a half hours. Thank you.)
>>3185177>"I'll be honest with you. Ever since I regained my memories, I've been worried. I've seen what I did in that nightmare. I told you who I was before the apocalypse. I was a serial killer. I remember entering college with my oldest friend. I can't remember her face or her name, but I remember that she was my friend. We got drunk, we partied, we had a good time. Drunken good times. And then I remember the morning after, staring in the bathroom mirror with a wicked smile with the tub filled with blood and body parts of my friend, who I took advantage of while she was drunk, and murdered her. She killed for the thrill of seeing their reactions when the friendship built-up after all those years crumble into nothing, before she killed them. That was her thrill.>"I don't remember if I killed other people before my best friend, but I really don't want to remember. But I think after killing her oldest friend. You were the one she got close to for her next thrill. You were her next victim B'ni.">"I know you care about me. You have that look that you would die for me no matter the cost. And I'm happy that you feel happy about the new me.">"But every time I see you, every time I see something that reminds me of who I was back then. SHE comes out from the back of my mind. The me from back then. The serial killer me. I start seeing ghosts of my past victims, I start hallucinating my oldest friend in the bloody bathtub. I start getting dark thoughts. The urge to kill you starts creeping up again. And it scares me. I just don't know what to do.">"I think that's why the entity named 'Mother' told me it was a fool's choice. I wasn't foolish because I thought it was simply another way to end the world. I was foolish because I thought it was a way to keep the past me buried forever. Lost and forgotten like that wraith girl down in the cave.">"B'ni, can you help me? Can you and Gina help me with my past? I haven't told Gina this yet but I wanted to make sure what I'm going through first, simply because of who she targeted before everything went to shit. You put your trust in me. Now, I want to put my trust in you to do what it takes to help me cope, confront, or embrace my past."Gonna drop the bomb here.
>>3185258Seconding
(Gentlemen, I will be pausing here for the evening and extending the voting period for another twelve hours, to give some time for alternate input since things seem to be slow at current. I will resume tomorrow morning and will be posting until the early evening. Thank you so much for your participation, and also know that I welcome your comments, questions, and criticisms. Thank you.)
>>3185390>The run will resume right when I go to work and will likely be done as soon as I'm finished
>>3185258Woah hold on there dude, some of your write-In is good but holy shit there are some seriously fucked up things In there too. I just re-read this thread to see If I'd missed something you saw but I think you're panicking with some of your dialogue.>"I start hallucinating my oldest friend in the bloody bathtub. I start getting dark thoughts. The urge to kill you starts creeping up again. And it scares me. I just don't know what to do."That's just not true at all. Not once have we had the urge to KILL B'ni or GG or anything since the dream. Unless you believe that out of paranoia, I'd almost say you're manipulating her to run away, but I don't think so. >"I think that's why the entity named 'Mother' told me it was a fool's choice. I wasn't foolish because I thought it was simply another way to end the world. I was foolish because I thought it was a way to keep the past me buried forever. Lost and forgotten like that wraith girl down in the cave."I mean, our choice In thread 3 had nothing to do with our past, we didn't even know yet. That was the players pulling the I CONTROL MY FATE move on the eldritch things.>You have that look that you would die for me no matter the cost.Not a good thing to say to somebody.>I don't remember if I killed other people before my best friend, but I really don't want to remember.>But every time I see you, every time I see something that reminds me of who I was back then. SHE comes out from the back of my mind. The me from back then. The serial killer me. I start seeing ghosts of my past victimsYou contradicted yourself there, and we've only ever seen things from the one kill, so now you're lying to B'ni. We don't *know* we've actually killed more, though we suspect.Opening up Is fine, but let's not be overdramatic or manipulate or scare B'ni pointlessly.I don't know If It's something that can be done here but by god If I can VETO. VETO the fuck out of this speech, I'm not going to shatter our relationship with B'ni pointlessly. I'll write something myself that encapsulates the points I agree with momentarily.(Note that I'm not trying to shit all over your write-in, the first and final statements are good, but I think you got carried away with the rest desu.)
>>3185889100% right
>>3185109>>3185390Amending this speech >>3185258, cut out the middle parts. Leave the first and last statements intact.>>3185889On the whole, I would say you are correct in your criticism. I mainly wrote the speech with the mindset of a somewhat still shaken girl. The rambling dramatic mindset kinda got away from me. If you're able to compile our own thoughts with mine, I think we will get a more cohesive "good talk" speech with B'ni.
>>3185889I hope you have a write-in typed up in time, its getting late and i don’t know how to contribute to fixing the hot mess
>>3185922>>3185915It's fine, I've made plenty of mistakes In quests so don't kick yourself over It. I got distracted as I didn't see a need to post immediately, but I'll go ahead and post something soon.
>>3185889How does this look?>"I'll be honest with you. Ever since I regained my memories, I've been worried. I've seen what I did in that nightmare. I told you who I was before the apocalypse. I was a serial killer. I remember entering college with my oldest friend. I can't remember her face or her name, but I remember that she was my friend. We got drunk, we partied, we had a good time. Drunken good times. And then I remember the morning after, staring in the bathroom mirror with a wicked smile with the tub filled with blood and body parts of my friend, who I took advantage of while she was drunk, and murdered her. She killed for the sheer pleasure of it.">"I don't remember if I killed other people before my best friend, but I really don't want to remember. And I don't ever want anyone close to me to ever suffer, or be hurt in any way ever again.">"I know you care about me, B'ni. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. This messed up world has been nothing but madness since day one, and you and Gina have both helped me survive, in more ways than one.">"But every time I see you, I think about the thing that I was back then. And I'm terrified that if I allow anyone to get close, then something terrible will happen. That I'll do something unforgivable. And you and Gina are the absolute last people I ever want to have anything happen to, least of all at my own hands.">"B'ni, I know that you and Gina have stuck with me, even after I told you about what I was before this whole world went to shit. And right now, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with the monster that I was. It's gonna take a lot of work for me to do this, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure that all my shit is sorted out, so that no one I care about is ever hurt because of me ever again. I need to ask for some patience during all this, if possible."
Don't they already know about our serial killer past? I recall telling them.
>>3185968Well, killer, maybe not serial killer, who knows. But you know what I mean. I don't think we even need to repeat it.
>>3185966Yeah I'll second that.>>3185109And since we haven't even addressed the pendant->"...Like with this pendant, (take the pendant) It's a beautiful pendant, but somehow I know, I just know this is what SHE would wear and It scares me that I share that with her. Part of me see's this and wants to throw It away, throw HER away, but...I think Instead I'll keep It. (Put the pendant on) I'd rather keep something from someone precious close to my heart than try and throw away an old ghost."
>>3185109Fuck me and my schedule, doubt anyone will see this nor if its good, but no offense to the other guy we need more options on this one if nothing else.>"Look, B'ni...i appreciate you, more than you could ever know. And i know you appreciate me too. Alot. But....but that almost is the problem.">"Look, when Gina told me she didn't care about my past, it was easy to accept that. She didn't know it. But...you do. You've never outright said it, but ive picked up on it. That you knew me before all this.">"Im not mad, please B'ni dont think im mad, or accusing you of anything. I trust you, i trust that you have my back and that you want the best for me. But i also know two things.">"First, you knew at least a bit about my past and yet you never said anything, never helped me fill in any gaps. Honestly at this point im glad, but why? Please, im not angry, upset, or anything, i just want to know why you didn't tell me more.">"And, the second. The thing i am a bit worried about. Unlike Gina, ypu knew me before, you clearly trusted me alot even back then. But ive told you what i did, and there is no way you haven't thought what i thought...that our friendship back then, on my end, was manipulation. I get, and i really, really appreciate you trusting me now, but you have to understand how your admiration of me worries me when it started with a version of me i cant trust the intent of. B'ni, im not trying to push you away or ridicule you, im just trying to understand you better. What was our relationship like before? Why did you trust me, and why do you not care, even more than Gina, about before, when your the one who should be worried about what i was meant for what was between us?">Take her hand softly or some other act to show you truly mean no ill will here, just want the air cleared and questions answered.
(Writing now, Gentlemen. If things seem to be slow, do you object to me extending voting like I did last evening? I wish to let as many readers as possible have a say, but if you would rather keep things moving along, I can certainly do that, too. Please let me know.)
>>3186206no objections here. There are some anons who live in different timezones and availablities who also read this quest. And this quest is still on Page 1 of the board so you have plenty of time to burn before the thread falls off the board.
>>3186206Extending votes is no problem for me.
>>3186206Sure, we can extend votes. The more people who get a chance to have a say in this, the better.
>>3186127>>3185966Something between these, if that's a no go I'm fine with either
>>3185109"I'll be honest with you, B’ni. Ever since I regained my memories, I've been worried. I've seen what I did in that nightmare. I told you who I was before the apocalypse. I was a serial killer. I remember entering college with my oldest friend. I can't remember her face or her name, but I remember that she was my friend. We got drunk, we partied, we had a good time. Drunken good times. And then I remember the morning after, staring in the bathroom mirror with a wicked smile with the tub filled with blood and body parts of my friend, who I took advantage of while she was drunk, and murdered her. She killed for the sheer pleasure of it."You turn and look out on the city, a collection of dull spires and empty rooms."I don't remember if I killed other people before my best friend, and I really don't want to. I don't ever want anyone close to me to ever suffer, or be hurt in any way ever again."B’ni opens her mouth to reassure you, but stops when you hold up a hand gently. You draw in a shaky breath, choosing your words carefully."I know you care about me, B'ni. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. This messed up world has been nothing but madness since day one, and you and Gina have both helped me survive, in more ways than one."She smiles timidly, green eyes shining at you from underneath dark bangs as you continue."But every time I see you, I think about the thing that I was back then. And I'm terrified that if I allow anyone to get close, then something terrible will happen. That I'll do something unforgivable. And you and Gina are the absolute last people I ever want to have anything happen to, least of all at my own hands."“…but I’ll stay by you, it’s what best friends do and I’m not going to lea…” B’ni begins, and you put your hand on the back of hers as a gentle interruption."B'ni, it’s okay. I know that you and Gina have stuck with me, even after I told you about what I was before this whole world went to shit. And right now, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with the monster that I was. It's gonna take a lot of work for me to do this, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure that all my shit is sorted out, so that no one I care about is ever hurt because of me ever again. I need to ask for some patience during all this, if possible."She turns her hand over, palm to yours as you feel metal and stone against your fingers. You glance down at the jade scarab held between your hands and pluck it from her grasp, staring at it as you speak."...Like with this pendant. It's beautiful, but somehow I know, I just know this is what SHE would wear and it scares me that I share that with her. Part of me sees this and wants to throw it away, throw HER away...”You practically feel B’ni’s heart sink, her shoulders sagging against the back of her chair.“…But I’m going to keep it.”(Continued)
>>3186258Her gaze shoots up to yours, emerald eyes wide as they dart across your features. You muster as warm a smile as you can, taking the metal chain and looping it around your neck, feeling a pulse of warmth and joy radiate from you girl beside you. “I'd rather keep something from someone precious close to my heart than try and throw away an old ghost.”B’ni tentatively reaches out and adjusts the pendant to be in the center of your shirt, smoothing the wrinkles out of the fabric as her fingertips graze your torso. “It looks good on you.” She says, her tone soft. “The new you, I mean.”You smile, turning your attention past the window to keep a dutiful watch on the sprawling maze of concrete and steel. You don’t say anything when B’ni puts her head on your shoulder, and neither does she. The two of you sit in comfortable silence, your track of time lost in quiet relaxation until the sound of Gina shuffling up the stairs makes you turn to the stairwell.“Hey there, sleepyhead.” You call out to the other girl from across the second floor, GG attempting to wrestle the bed-head out of her mane with one hand, the other clutching her phone at her side. “Get some good rest?”“Yeah, actually.” She says, squinting in the daylight as B’ni sits up straight, patting down her hair in turn from where she rested against your shoulder. “Hey, there’s something you need to see.”GG strides up and thrusts her phone into your hand. Your eyes narrow at the screen, realizing the intricate array of lines and angles form a map of the city.“Okay, I’m starting to doubt you got any sleep at all.” You say, looking up with a mock-scowl. “What am I looking at, here?”“Well, that’s the city.” She says, reaching down and swiping the map to the side, revealing a second layer underneath the street-level. “That’s the local subway system, and then below that…is this.”She swipes again, and you’re faced with a layer that contains a few scattered tunnels, mostly obscured by large dark blobs, massive dead areas that obscure the path downwards.“It’s the same kind of garbage my halo couldn’t punch through back in the caves underneath Julia’s mountain. Like, it feels *exactly* the same.” Gina says, a note of irritation in her voice.“It’s static, Shu.”(Continued)
>>3186259You stare at the screen for a moment, then hand the device back to your groggy companion, sparing a glance to B’ni and then looking back up at Gina.“Okay, is there any connection?” you say as you rise from your chair to pace, stretching your taught legs. Gina thrusts her hands back in her pockets with a shrug.“Beats me, I can’t even get a decent read on it. We can keep dicking around the city, but I’m starting to doubt there’s anything of worth here. I mean, if we’re really desperate, we can go to the financial district. There’s a lot of metal and wires there so I can’t get a decent view, but it’s not as impenetrable as whatever the hell that stuff is.”>> “Let’s stick to the original plan. When we’re all rested, we go to the financial district and poke around. After that, we head back to Julia, tell her what happened here, and keep heading westward. Let’s keep heading towards the Cord.”>> “Okay, how about this; we rest up, then check out that static. Unlike the caves, we know that Kosi probably choked out any major threats, so it’d be easier to investigate than the caves were. Hopefully we can check it out and figure out what’s causing it without getting harassed by any irate ghosts.”>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Gentlemen, voting will close in two hours.)
>>3186269>> “Okay, how about this; we rest up, then check out that static. Unlike the caves, we know that Kosi probably choked out any major threats, so it’d be easier to investigate than the caves were. Hopefully we can check it out and figure out what’s causing it without getting harassed by any irate ghosts.”But stick with checking it out, just for the sake of sating our curiosity. I don't like the sounds of these static patches. To use a comparison: We're in a video game, and the Cord is our destination, our way forward. It feels like we're hanging around a starter level and investigating bugs in the system until we find out the horrible truth behind the game's universe, things the developer didn't want us to know for our own good.
>>3186260>“Okay, how about this; we rest up, then check out that static. Unlike the caves, we know that Kosi probably choked out any major threats, so it’d be easier to investigate than the caves were. Hopefully we can check it out and figure out what’s causing it without getting harassed by any irate ghosts.”>>3186273I assume it might be a lower level to the fucked planet. There wasn't a place below the Samsara Tunnels in DDS, so I can't go off my hindu slaughterfest simulator experience for this. We should still check it out for now, though my instincts are telling me SOMETHING is in that fucking bunker we can't visit now because Dragoon and co. might be there.Either way, plan is>check city underground static>fuck off back to mining town, check on Julia and pod girl>check mountain cavern static>continue west to the Cord
>>3186260>“Okay, how about this; we rest up, then check out that static. Unlike the caves, we know that Kosi probably choked out any major threats, so it’d be easier to investigate than the caves were. Hopefully we can check it out and figure out what’s causing it without getting harassed by any irate ghosts.”>other: Find a 10-foot pole or the longest one you can find and comfortably carry. Make a swarmling, but modify it to be as big and resilient as possible with the strongest Hive link you have with it, then have that Swarmling brace on the edge of that 10-foot pole You're going to need it if you're going to investigate the static 'barrier', You really don't want to risk sticking your head or your friends' heads into that static when something bites back.
>>3186300I like this idea
>>3186300Static on Ginas radar probably isn't the same thing as visual static.
>>3186260“Okay, how about this; we rest up, then check out that static. Unlike the caves, we know that Kosi probably choked out any major threats, so it’d be easier to investigate than the caves were. Hopefully we can check it out and figure out what’s causing it without getting harassed by any irate ghosts. B'ni?”You turn to B'ni, who jolts upright at the sound of her name."Find me a metal pole somewhere, if you would. I have an idea."You take your turn on the cot, with Gina on watch and B'ni scrounging for a suitable tool for what you have in mind. You awaken a short while later after a blessedly dreamless sleep, turning over in your cot to find B'ni crouched next to you, smiling. You look over her shoulder and find a length of steel rebar propped up against the wall behind her, roughly nine feet in length.It's perfect.After B'ni takes her turn of rest, Gina leads the way through junk-littered, winding streets to a nearby subway station, descending the worn stone steps into the heavy dark, GG's halo barely pushing back the overwhelming shadows. You walk for what feels like hours through interminably long tunnels, following the railway lines with the sound of your echoing footsteps the only thing that fights off an uneasy silence."Here."The sound of Gina's declaration makes you start, having grown accustomed to trudging along for hours in the abyss. You look up to see her facing a shattered wall in the side of the train tunnel, a gap as wide as you are tall, and twice as high.You step forward into the unknown.Walking just behind Gina, you keep the pole at the ready as the enhanced swarmling you have perched at the tip shifts its weight from one side of talons to the other, then back again anxiously, your vanguard against whatever you may find."Hey, hold up." Gina says, her hand darting out to seize your shoulder, gaze shifting between her phone and the darkness beyond. "I don't get it, we are literally right in front of where the static starts. Hold on, let me try something."She closes her eyes, the Halo pulsing brightly once, twice, then..."Ow, fuck!"Gina stumbles back into your arms, the sudden movement of your pole causing the swarmling to take flight, hovering just out of reach. A hiss of pain whistles between Gina's gritted teeth, your friend steadying herself against you."Are you okay?!" "Yeah, yeah, I just feel like a dumbass. Fun fact, we're right in the middle of it. This shit just moved on its own. Goddamn, that stuff is weird to look at up close."Gina turns to you, offering you an embarrassed grin before her face goes pale, amber eyes going wide."Oh fuck." She breathes softly. You turn around slowly, B'ni's tensed form the only thing between you and the being that looms above you and your allies.(Continued)
>>3186532It hovers mere inches above the ground, a distinctly humanoid form floating soundlessly in the dark and thrumming with a dim scarlet light. A bare, skinless skull is angled down at you, eyeless sockets and sharp features glinting in the halo’s amethyst light, reflected off its at bizarre angles as though its fleshless face was hewn from a massive cat’s-eye gem.Its lean, muscular form seems nothing but relaxed in the face of your team, charred musculature run through with crimson, crystalline veins, gently pulsing with liquid in an irregular, arrhythmic beat, a stark contrast to your chest’s own startled hammering. The executioner’s blades on B’ni’s feet slowly slide forth, her stance lowering as she prepares to pounce in counter-attack……but the attack never comes.The being descends to the floor and immediately bows low to the three of you, your mind suddenly assaulted by an indecipherable series of thoughts and ideas, dark-tinged and angular as they struggle to fit into your perception, your allies clearly fighting to do the make sense of the same non-verbal intrusion.47 72 65 65 74 69 6e 67 73 2c 20 44 61 75 67 68 74 65 72 73 2e 20 48 6f 77 20 6d 61 79 20 49 20 62 65 20 6f 66 20 73 65 72 76 69 63 65 3fYou’re barely able to stand as daggers of pain stab into your temples, your vision swimming and blurring your perceptions of the thing into six identical forms, which promptly merge back into one as a second warped feeling clashes with your very understanding. 46 65 61 72 20 6e 6f 74 2c 20 49 20 61 6d 20 6d 65 72 65 6c 79 20 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 20 73 65 72 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6a 6f 75 72 6e 65 79 2e 20 49 20 73 65 6e 73 65 64 20 79 6f 75 72 20 70 72 65 73 65 6e 63 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 20 74 6f 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 77 61 79 20 73 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 65 61 72 6c 69 65 72 2e 20 49 20 74 61 6b 65 20 69 74 20 79 6f 75 20 77 69 73 68 20 74 6f 20 75 74 69 6c 69 7a 65 20 6d 79 20 73 65 72 76 69 63 65 73 3fGina is on her knees beside you clutching the sides of her head, teeth grinding in an attempt to drown out the pain, with B’ni standing on trembling legs, her whole body shaking to stand firm against the thing as it rises to its full height, hands clasped neatly in front of it as it waits for…for something.It dawns on you as it stands there patiently, staring down at you in silence.It’s waiting for a reply.>> “…Yes?”>> “...No.”> Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)(Good luck.)
>>3186656First spoiler:>"Greetings, Daughters. How may I be of service?"Second spoiler:>"Fear not, I am merely here to serve you in your journey. I sensed your presence close to one of my way stations earlier. I take it you wish to utilize my services?"Guess this is a nice guy. How unexpected.>your vision swimming and blurring your perceptions of the thing into six identical forms, which promptly merge back into oneHe even divides into six (hexa-) versions briefly. Nice touch.Before I write in an answer though, is Shu able to understand this guy, or is all three of them unable to quite comprehend it? Whatever my vote is, it depends on us knowing that info OOC.
>>3186663What do you mean "Good luck."? This skelebro is clearly absolutely based for not attacking us on the spot with that perfect ambush, and further interaction will only cement how much of a bro he is. :^)
>>3186656Huh. Well that's odd. >Hexane Disciple>hex>those numbersHexadecimal text? It's a bit of a stretch but I'mma google it. It is hexadecimal code lettering. Here's the full message: Greetings, Daughters. How may I be of service? Fear not, I am merely here to serve you in your journey. I sensed your presence close to one of my way stations earlier. I take it you wish to utilize my services?>way stations: Mother fucker. we just discovered fast traveling.for the sake of in-character>"...uh one moment please.">"Hey Gina, does your smartphone have an app that translates those numbers we saw in our heads? I'm no computer wizard, but the fact that this 'disciple(?)'... talked to us with numbers and what looks like computer code language." (this is to justify us figuring out hexadecimal text)
Phone posting so I can't, but someone toss that in a hex to text converter? >>3186679Thx bby>>3186656>...yesOR>79 65 73
>>3186686>we just discovered fast travelingREAL SHIT??? WE SMT TERMINAL TELEPORTS NOW???
>>3186679(They can get the gist of it, and respond appropriately)
>>3186686>>3186656Adding to that, once we cracked the hexadecimal code (In Character via Gina):>"Yes. We were heading back to a Mining town in a mountain range south west of this city I think? Gina, can you show him our map and that waypoint marker we had in the cave system?">>3186679We have Gina (a girl with a smartphone, she probably has apps that can translate hex to text and vise versa), I hope the Disciple can translate text to hex code upon interfacing the smartphone. >>3186703>Way-stationWhat's another synonym for way-station?Way station: a regular stopping place, a way station for truck drivers (aka a travel station, aka a Fast travel station)
>>3186656Given>>3186686>>3186679My votes gonna be simple>"Uhh, what are your services? And what are you?"Fast traveling does sound like what this could be, but lets actually make sure first.
>>3186656backing the code cracking and introduction, followed by "yes" and the rest>>3186719>>3186718
Id like to point out simply that no matter how obvious it is OOC we have no reason to ask it something related to FS IC until we know thats what he actually does.I meam, its unlikely, but for all we actually know he is the equivalent of a mini dungeon/optional challenge and juat saying 'yes' us gonna get him to go 'training challenge accepted, starting now' and jump our asses.Again, unlikely bit never say yes or no to services until you are told what they are.
>>3186769Hence why we're doing introductions and asking him questions first
>>3186774I know, but some folks were still adding 'yes' to thier vote and giving responses as if we knew.Just saying if were wrong its gonna be hilarious, though we're probably not.
>>3186656You hold up a hand to the being as you strain to focus your scattered and scarred thoughts into a coherent sentence. “Gina…this thing is speaking in a code, but it…it seems familiar, based in sixes. Any ideas?”She pulls out her phone with a trembling hand as she starts typing rapidly, the being standing over you in composed and waiting silence.“Hex…it’s in hex code, it’s saying it’s not a threat, and asking if we want its services?” She says as the cloud of mental chaos lessens, allowing the three of you to finally think straight.“Yeah, I’m sure it wants us to think it’s friendly.” B’ni says under her breath, still poised and ready to defend you. “Gina, ask it what it means by services, could you?” you say, keeping an eye on the towering figure, your swarmling clinging to the ceiling above. “Maybe type it out?” Gina walks in front of you as her fingers fly across the screen, pulling B’ni back away from the being as she finalizes her message, holding her phone aloft. The being peers down at the device, a pair of empty voids lit by the artificial glow. After a moment it rises, then bows again, a lighter, far less harsh set of ideas populating in your mind.4d 79 20 61 70 6f 6c 6f 67 69 65 73 2e 20 49 74 20 69 73 20 6d 79 20 61 70 70 6f 69 6e 74 65 64 20 64 75 74 79 20 74 6f 20 66 65 72 72 79 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 77 61 79 20 73 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 70 72 65 76 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 76 69 73 69 74 65 64 20 6f 72 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 6f 66 20 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 20 43 72 75 63 69 62 6c 65 2eGina types frantically on her phone, then pauses, turning back to you with a look of utter confusion across her face before she lets loose with a sudden laugh.(Continued)
>>3186940“Uh, okay…so, basically this dude is offering to let us fast-travel, I think.” She says, incredulous. B’ni’s head whips around to you, then back to the odd juxtaposition of your petite friend and the imposing ferryman.“Can…it take us to back the mining town? Also, just what is it? This thing doesn’t seem like an amalgam.” B’ni asks, and an immediate response invades your mind. 46 6f 72 67 69 76 65 20 6d 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 75 6e 64 65 72 73 74 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 70 65 72 66 65 63 74 6c 79 2c 20 48 6f 6e 6f 72 65 64 20 44 61 75 67 68 74 65 72 2e 20 49 20 61 70 70 72 65 63 69 61 74 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 64 65 72 61 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 62 75 74 20 79 6f 75 72 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 64 6a 75 73 74 20 73 68 6f 72 74 6c 79 20 73 6f 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 69 73 20 6e 6f 20 6e 65 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 73 75 63 68 20 6d 65 61 73 75 72 65 73 2e 20 52 65 67 61 72 64 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 71 75 65 72 79 2c 20 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 6d 79 20 68 6f 6e 6f 72 20 74 6f 20 66 65 72 72 79 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 79 20 77 61 79 20 73 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 76 69 73 69 74 65 64 20 6f 72 20 62 65 65 6e 20 69 6e 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 20 70 72 6f 78 69 6d 69 74 79 20 74 6f 20 70 72 65 76 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 2e 20 52 65 67 61 72 64 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 73 65 63 6f 6e 64 20 71 75 65 72 79 2c 20 69 6e 20 61 63 63 6f 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 65 6e 65 74 73 20 65 73 74 61 62 6c 69 73 68 65 64 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 72 65 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 43 72 75 63 69 62 6c 65 2c 20 49 20 61 6d 20 66 6f 72 62 69 64 64 65 6e 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 64 69 73 63 75 73 73 69 6e 67 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 4d 79 20 61 70 6f 6c 6f 67 69 65 73 2e“Jesus goddamn, uh…yeah, just hold on a second guys. This is going to take me a sec, just bear with me.” Gina says falteringly, working to translate the message.(Continued)
>>3186948“Okay, here we go…christ, this guy is verbose.” Gina says, flexing her fingers from having typed out the message. “So basically, yes to the mining town, no to anything about itself. It says it’s not allowed to because of, and I quote, ‘tenets established in the creation of this Crucible,’ whatever that means.”“What about the cord?” B’ni says, relaxing a fraction even as her greaves glint in the light of Gina’s halo.[Calibration completed, Honored Daughters]A clear, sharp through echoes through your mind, the edges of the concept it carries devoid of the chaos and shadow that obscured the previous statements from understanding“Oh thank god.” Gina sighs with relief, slipping her phone back into her hoodie pocket as the being continues.[Per the tenets of the Crucible I am unable to ferry you further than you have traveled under your own power]“We can understand you fully, now.” You say as you step forwards, switching places with Gina as she massages her overworked thumbs. “Before we take you up on your services, are you able to answer some questions?”[I will answer within my limitations, Honored Daughter. I apologize in advance for any queries I am unable to answer due to the Crucible tenets I must abide by]You, Gina, and B’ni share assorted glances as you formulate how to best respond, or if it might be ideal to go straight to the mining town caverns and Julia, by extension.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3186955(Voting to close in one and a half hours, Gentlemen.)
>>3186955Both of the previous messages:"My apologies. It is my appointed duty to ferry you to other way stations you have previously visited or heard of on your Crucible.""Forgive me, but I can understand you perfectly, Honored Daughter. I appreciate your consideration, but your system will adjust shortly so there is no need for such measures. Regarding your first query, I would be my honor to ferry you to any way station you have visited or been in close proximity to previously. Regarding your second query, in accord the tenets established in the creation of this Crucible, I am forbidden from discussing myself. My apologies."Interesting.As for our questions:- What do you mean by Crucible? Can you elaborate?- Are there more individuals similar to yourself, or are you the only one?- How many waypoints have we unlocked? Can you tell us where they are, exactly?
>>3186955>What happened to the world, what have we become, and does this fast travel work by killing us and remaking us at the destination in the same way we were reborn?
>>3186955Whew, fuck i hate aloof types, even if its not his fault.>"Right, well anwser what you're allowed to then.">"First, are you at least allowed to confirm we are right about information if we ourselves have come to a correct conclusion, even if you otherwise could not tell us?">"Second, what even is the Crucible? We know we are supposed to reach the cord, but why? And why make us have to fight and absorb eachother on the way? I mean, the hunger pretty much implies thats a set goal too.">"third, Why only daughters? Is it a biology based reason, or part of the overall end goal that such a thing is the case? Or...are YOU a 'son' as it were?">"Fourth, i was told i had the choice on how the world would end. Was that metaphorical, or meant to be more inevitable, regardless of the fact i turned it down?">"Fifth, what are all the rules you are bound by? If you are so allowed to tell us them."Last one is so we can later think up or find out loopholes.
>>3186955THIS >>3186988
>>3186988Also I understand some of these kinda skim the line or somewhat ignore the 'cant talk about himself rule', however he himself may have loopholes he is willing to use, or in some way might still let slip some info in his mannerisms or how he words his response. Worst case we get more apologies out of him.
>>3186955>What are the core central tenets established in the Crucible?Asking about the main rules. >Why are there no 'sons'? If the central tenet in the Crucible is the ascension of a child, shouldn't the counterpart hold true for 'sons' as well as daughters? A question of the ages. >"If one of you disciples fall from a malicious daughter, does another one take your post? or is the way station lost forever?"I'm asking this to make sure that way-stations have insurance. I don't want to find out that way-points can be lost forever.>other: Before we take his serves and travel to Mining Town, Hand him a coin (if we have one in our pocket) "Here, for a disciple like you it may seem meaningless, but to me it for a sentimental reason. Payment for your services. My own way of honoring your services so to speak."Gotta tip the ferryman. Even if he doesn't take cash, it is the thought that counts.
>>3187035Supporting these questions.
>>3186955THIS TOO >>3187035
>>3186955"Right, well answer what you're allowed to then." You finally say, turning fully to the looming creature as it gives a polite nod. "First, are you at least allowed to confirm we are right about information if we ourselves have come to a correct conclusion, even if you otherwise could not tell us?"[Yes, Honored Daughter]"Good to know.” You reply, choosing the wording of your second inquiry. “Next, what is the Crucible? We know we are supposed to reach the cord, but why? And why make us have to fight and absorb each other on the way? I mean, the hunger pretty much implies that’s a set goal, too."The being pauses momentarily, tilting its grim visage towards the tunnel ceiling in thought before facing you once more.[The Crucible is a trial to determine which among you is worthy of emerging victorious as the Favored Daughter. The requisite of growing in power by consuming opposed Daughters and the hunger if one refrains from doing so are to ensure that a single individual ascends the Cord and, upon reaching the Cord’s zenith, claims their reward]"Cool, more on that later. Third, why only daughters? Is it a biology based reason, or part of the overall end goal that such a thing is the case? Or...are you a 'son' as it were?"[It is…something of a hold-over from previous Crucibles, Honored Daughter]“Woah, hold up.” Gina says, eyes glinting by halo-light as she steps forward. “You mean this has happened before?”[Yes, Honored Daughter. There have been countless Crucibles, across countless spheres like yours. Countless Daughters, countless victories. To answer your Honored companion’s second inquiry, I…hm. This one’s existence is not what you say, rather…it is the opposite of what you alluded to. My sincerest apologies for how I must word my reply, Honored Daughter]“Oh my god.” B’ni breathes, staring up at the creature, her eyes widening as the realization hits her. “You’re a Daughter? One from, what, a different Crucible? Another world?”[You are correct, Honored Daughter](Continued)
>>3187252A stunned silence settles alongside the oppressive darkness, the confirmation of B’ni’s statement sinking in. It is a long moment before you speak again."I…okay.” You say, taking in a deep breath of the tunnel’s stale air before continuing. “Fourth, I was told I had the choice on how the world would end. Was that metaphorical, or meant to be more inevitable, regardless of the fact i turned it down?"[The end is inevitable, Honored Daughter. The only question is who among you shall direct the fall]“Cool, that’s depressing.” Gina says, raising her hand as she rolls her eyes. “I have one for you; if a daughter makes you bite the bullet, does another one take your post, or is the way station lost forever?”A murmur, a gentle reverberation that could almost be a chuckle echoes between your ears.[In this one’s humble opinion, only the Favored Daughter would be capable of defeating me, I am sorry to say. By the time one of you has achieved enough power to slay me, I should hope your concerns would certainly eclipse any desire to spar with one such as myself]"That’s fair.” You reply, glancing at B’ni as the blades of her greaves slowly recede. “Fifth, what are all the rules you are bound by? If you are so allowed to tell us."[Please accept my humblest apologies Honored Daughter. I am unable to detail the list of my restrictions]“What’s to stop us from just, not fucking with the cord? Letting someone else dick around and win this stupid fucking game while we kick back and snack on amalgams?” Gina says from underneath her hood, leaning against the tunnel wall with her hands in her pockets.[Two points of fact, Honored Daughter, the first being that amalgams and Daughters are in limited supply. Thus, the hunger would consume you eventually and you would be drawn to the Cord, regardless]“Alright. What’s the second?” B’ni asks, her blades completely retracted. The being turns to face her.[Once the Favored Daughter is decided, then the remaining Daughters will be deemed unworthy by Mother. They shall be scrubbed clean and reduced back to the inert biomass from which they were constructed]Your heart seizes in your throat.[Only one Daughter shall remain][I am so sorry]>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3187288Damn, Marrow Dragoon had the right idea.>Who is Mommy?
>>3187268>"Then our course of action is obvious.">Telpathically only to our friends "then we just have to kill the mother to save our home and eachother, no big deal. Hey, if we fail, we didn't want such a prize anyway.">Back to everyone "well, thats not what we wanted to hear, but thank you regardless, i know its not exactly your fault were not happy with the game being forced upon us.">"I think you have told us enough for now, take us to our destination please. Thank you for telling us what you can, im sure we will have more to ask upon our next meeting, but thats...alot of unpleasant and important things to digest all in one sitting as it is."Whew though, honestly i have a few morw questions potentially, but they are all obvious ones for him to not be able to anwser...or, er, her.Interesting on the male thing, if 'sons' have ecisted in past crucibles, but as implied have never been who is supposed to win, the natural advantages men have for combat may of easily been kept after becoming 'sons' and would cause all sorts of issues i imagine to the end goal of this game.
>>3187294Committing Matricide it is.(Obviously we're not going to TELL HIM that.)Seconding >>3187294
>>3187288>>3187307Whoops, guess i caught a mistake double post or something.
>>3187307I wouldn't even say that right now, since it seems like they can sorta read out mind.
>>3187268>[Only one Daughter shall remain]>[I am so sorry]Oh. Oh no."Can the Favored Daughter prevent this? Can they choose to stop Mother from destroying individuals? Or is there no other way?""These other worlds that Crucibles have occurred over, have they all been human worlds? What happens to a Favored Daughter when they reach the zenith of a Cord?""You say that you are a Daughter from another Crucible on another world. Would I be correct in assuming that you are a winner of a previous Crucible?"
Honestly, upon further consideration, we're probably not the first to think 'hey, let's just kill Mother instead!' There's likely a loophole, no doubt- but I don't think it's so brazen a task.
>>3187322Eh, fair enough. To be fair though, im 1000% certain it wouldn't do anything but laugh at us if we yold it to its face our plan. I doubt in 'countless' crucibles were the first to 'rebel', hell if we make it that far, i doubt we will be the first to try and fight the mother.It would let us go and let us try, because it would think, or know, we will never be a threat to the mother.
>>3187335Nah man fuck that inevitability bullcrap. When someone tells you losing all you care about is going to happen, you dpnt accept it. You fight that shit til the end, even if you know you wont win.We wont have to give our power to anyone because all of us are making it to the end together, or were gonna die together trying.
>>3187336Probably, but I'd still rather not say it to their face or think it very loudly. But we need to start considering loopholes or something of that sort.
>>3187346agree with this fight it to the end. even if its inevitable you must die trying to fight for what you love
>>3187350Oh of course. We will find a way out of this. Not because it is possible, but because the alternative is unacceptable.
>>3187346>>3187352Yup, We‘re called Shu The Defiant for a reason after all
>>3187288>"Thank you for the information, Sister (I'm calling her that because it's clear that she's a daughter who battled in the Crucible of her world and came out on top.)"
>>3187350>>3187359I think I figured out one loophole in the whole battle royale thing. She said [The end is inevitable, Honored Daughter. The only question is who among you shall direct the fall]. This implies that the Favored Daughter as total control in deciding the fate of the world. The Favored Daughter has the ultimate say in what direction the world "falls" towards.
(Gentlemen, voting will close in a little less than one hour from now.)
>>3187385Thats an iffy arguement, i can see it, but one issue: we already know our powers can and will evolvecin malicious ways thst will make us lose control.It is entirely possible the crucible is made in such a way that the favored daughter will be forcibly transformed into an ideal daughter, and will arguebly have 'no choice' but to end the world, if only because they will be so far from their original self they will do it willingly.Jist saying it feels like a loose loophole to hang onto hope with. It also doesn't solve the 'only one daughter may climb the cord' issue.
>>3187288>"Can we... 'spar' with you for just a bit? I just want to see how far apart the difference between the three of us and you yourself. Just an exhibition of how capable you are.">inb4 we get overwhelmed from the sheer eldritch pressure of the 'Older sister'
Honestly guys, we ARE Shu the defiant. Lets do it. Lets tell her to her face we wont accept that outcome. That we will fight against the inevitable of we must, because thats what is right to do. If the mother doesn't like it, she better hope someone is strong enough to stop us and our friends, because we will fight her if we must, and we won't be doing it alone.We are the fool, we are the defiant. And we have never backed down from what is right. More importantly, it sounds like we have everything to lose if we dont fight back.
Reminder in DDS, you climb the Karma Temple all the way up to the top of the world as it is being deleted from the edges in, and kick Jenna's snobby bitch ass to reach Nirvana, which happens to be the real world.If we git gud enough, we can do it here too.
>>3187288This >>3187294 and this >>3187325
>>3187448Do we still have to kill our friends? the whole "kill your friends" is a meme mechanic in SMT, but here we're going Kingdom Hearts "power of friendship". How are we supposed to prevent the SMT meme mechanic? Oh wait. We're the defiant. We don't kill our friends.
>>3187470You only have to kill your friends if they are not the same alignment as you. Then you cannot allow them to live. Here we got Isabelle and Gina completely on board with our suicidal "fuck the cycle" plan, so it's all good.
>>3187503Looks like we have that part down pat then. Now the issue will be the whole "hunger" system. Among the three of us, Gina recently 'fed' on Kosi. while Shu 'absorbed' the wraith girl 2 days ago. In terms of hunger, Isabelle is feeling the hunger the strongest.Also, I'm getting the feeling that the three of us will have the best chance of survival in ascending the cord if we're all equally leveled in power. That way Shu or Gina or B'ni won't be forced to kill one another out of hunger because she didn't consume enough levels if Mother does her biased judgement when we ascend the cord.
>>3187288>>3187325>>3187455It is Gina who speaks first, shattering the damning silence."Fuck. Just....fuck, man." She mutters aloud, pacing aggressively back and forth between the sides of the tunnel behind you. B'ni just stands a few feet away from you, a thousand-yard stare aimed into the black abyss beyond the creature, wordlessly nodding to herself."Can the Favored Daughter prevent this, if she wins?" You ask, your voice hollow, alien to your ears. "Can they choose to stop Mother from destroying individuals...or is there no other way?"[When a Daughter successfully reaches the Cord's zenith, they are allowed to speak with Mother, who passes her duties along with her final gift to the Favored Child. At the moment of meeting, the process of purging the remaining Daughters begins. Neither Mother nor Child have any say in the matter. It is an inextricable law of the Crucible]You turn to B'ni, her arms wrapped around herself as she continues to stare off into the dark."You say that you're a Daughter from another Crucible, from another world." You continue, heart pounding in your throat, pulsing in your temples. "Would...would I be correct in assuming that you are a winner of a previous Crucible? Were you a Favored Child, or Daughter, or whatever?"[You would not be correct, Honored Daughter]"I call bullshit." Gina snaps, rounding on the speaker with an unforeseen ferocity. "You just said part of the deal with someone climbing the cord is that the other Daughters get wiped, so how the hell are you still here, huh? That makes no fucking sense, right Shu?"(Continued)
>>3187631"How did you escape the judgement, then?" You say, turning back to the being, its expressionless skull tilting from Gina to you as you address it. "What exactly happens to a Favored Daughter when they reach the zenith of a Cord?"[Mother will...Mother will die, in granting her gift to the Favored Daughter. The Favored Daughter will then assume the burden of Motherhood, and is tasked with finding a new sphere to begin the Crucible anew. The new Mother may...alter...some of the aspects of her Crucible. For example, the service I provide is the first time in any Crucible such a thing has been offered. Mother made a place for me, so here I am to serve you, Honored Daughters. I was the only one chosen to do so]"So...the Daughter that won, the Daughter that became the new Mother...she allowed you to live? She saved you?" Gina asks, her pacing ceased as she awaits the answer to her question. A curious sensation fills the tunnel, a thickness in the air as it what you breathe transitions gradually from lifeless, stale oxygen to moist, almost oceanic breaths. [Mother, she...I was put here to watch, Honored Daughter]"What?" You breathe, the vague taste of salt in your tongue as the being hesitates, in its answer.[My duty is...Mother's wish. After she and...as a pair, the Cord was ascended. There was a breach...a betrayal, at the zenith. One could not proceed, so the Favored Daughter continued on. She altered the Crucible, and established this position to where I...to where the bearer of this duty must watch and interact with a great many Daughters, so that...one may see them succumb to the Crucible. This duty was specifically crafted by her so...the bearer would watch another world, another people...end]You see that B'ni gaze is now sharply, intently focused on the figure, her emerald eyes wide.[This is the duty I have been granted. I apologize for my hesitation in answering, Honored Daughters. There is little I may convey regarding myself][Please forgive me]>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3187547While we dont have an actual level, closest we got is amount of total levels on abilities gotten;Shu- 15Gina-7B'ni- 8And this isn't counting Shus one time abilities either, like the armor.
(Gentlemen, voting will close one hour from now.)
>>3187643> "You're forgiven."So, someone else had the same idea and got double crossed. The person who got double-crossed made it out, so they punished the betrayer by saying 'hey fuck you, you get to watch everyone else die now'.But.As for our question. That answer's not a noooooooooooooooooooooo.
alright can we just get the fast travel onbut wow alright then this is intresting to say the least
>>3187643Yeah, that is actually some interesting info.But, regardless>Take us to the town cave, we have a Julia and pod to check up on.
>>3187643>When this crucible ends, are you also purged with the world? Or do you move onto the next one to continue your duty?
>>3187701Also After all these Revelations im really hoping i was not right about the worst case scenarios for what we find once we return...we hsve had enough bad news for one day.
>>3187710ask this but then fast travel because i wanna know
>>3187643First this >>3187656Then this >>3187710Finally this >>3187701
>>3187643"You're forgiven. This isn't your fault."Also, before we finish things up, we should ask:"Is there anything that we may call you?"
>Mother will...Mother will die, in granting her gift to the Favored Daughter. The Favored Daughter will then assume the burden of Motherhood, and is tasked with finding a new sphere to begin the Crucible anew.So. Let me get this straight. >A civilized world gets consumed by Mother to start the Crucible. >100 (if we're going by PUBG rules) daughters and 100 Amalgams(not sure if there's an exact count), spawn from the crucible>Match begins. >Everyone dies except 1 daughter, winner winner chicken dinner.>Winner ascends the cord to the zenith, making her the [Favored daughter] to Mother.>Mother dies to make the [Favored daughter] the New mother.>New Mother purges the world the crucible is held on, uses that energy to alter ONE aspect of the Crucible, then searches for another civilized world to start the cycle anew. >New Mother Starts Crucible, then waits for the next favored daughter to arrive then dies.>Over time and over many Crucible cycles, the aspect changes start building up like Patch Notes to a Video Game.Crucible Patch Notes:>First noticeable change was probably the solidification of the Highlander rule.>Second noticeable change is that Boys aren't allowed, they're turned into amalgams for the daughters to hunt for sport and level ups. [goddamn feminist Favored Daughter of a previous crucible, I want my 'Sons'.]>Third noticable change is the Hunger system to prevent campers from infinitely farming off of amalgams. >Fourth noticeable change [probably the most relevant patch note for us] is the creation of the fast-travel system.I explicitly note that what Disciple said here was that this crucible was the first time in a crucible where the fast travel system is implemented. Which means that her crucible happened before ours did.
>>3187643>Can we ask about what happened in the previous crucible? who were the finalists? What kind of world was it?I don't think there is a rule that prevents current contestants to ask about what happened in the previous Battle Royale Matches.
>>3187811There might be, as it may give away too much info. We obviously dont know what rules bind this poor soul.No matter, im fine with another question or two but i do feel we should get a move on this time around.
>>3187804(If I may amend your analysis somewhat; the Crucible is less a last-woman-standing Battle Royale, and more of a race to be the first to reach the top of the Cord.)
>>3187832Just instead of silly challenges and obsticals in our way its people trying to kill and eat us!
>>3187832WELL THEN. THIS CHANGES THE ENTIRE GAME. This isn't a battle royale anymore, this is a game to get to the goal first.
>>3187877Yup.Which means something else:We gotta get moving.
>>3187643"You're forgiven. This isn't your fault."The figure seems taken aback at your words, the air around you thinning as the burgeoning moisture disappears, replaced with a dry, sharp atmosphere."When this crucible ends, are you also purged with the world?" You ask, stepping forward to put a hand on B'ni's shoulder. She starts when you do so, her shoulder tensing under your fingers. "Or do you move onto the next one to continue your duty?"[Mother is what sustains this position. When a Favored Daughter is chosen, I will be no more][Speaking with utmost honesty...I welcome it, Honored Daughters]"Can...can we go, now?" Gina says from behind you, her back to you and B'ni as she stares down the tunnel's depths. "Back to that town from earlier?"[Forgive me Honored Daughter, but we have arrived]"What?" GG whirls around as the being dips low in a humble bow.[Indeed. I manipulated the tunnels as we spoke, so as not to consume your time with waiting. You three clearly intended for the Jagged Spine to be your destination after you explored here...unless am I mistaken?]"No, you're fine" You mutter, slipping an arm around B'ni's shoulders and guiding her down the tunnel before putting a hand gently on the small of Gina's back, urging her forwards. You pause a moment, reaching up to touch the small insect pin you had retrieved from the mining town a few days earlier."Do you have a name, ferryman?" You call back, unhooking the pin from near your collarbone.[...It was one that belonged to the previous Crucible. I am unfit for it now, Honored Daughter]"What name would you give yourself, if you're allowed to?"A pause.[When you called me 'ferryman,' there as another word that followed it in your thoughts, though you did not utter it aloud. If you are so inclined, I shall answer to the name Charon....should it please you.=, of course]You can't help but laugh bitterly as you hold the pin between thumb and forefinger. "Yeah...yeah, that works, Charon. Here, for the toll. It's not a coin, but it's the best I have."You flick the simple pin towards them, watching as their right arm glitches through space, the very frames of its existence out of sequence as it snatches the glittering object from the air. Charon turns it over between charred fingers, and once more the space between your ears reverbs with a curious chuckle. [Thank you, for what you have said and done here.. It has been a true pleasure, and I wish you the best in your journey. Ascend swiftly, Honored Daughter...]Three sets of footfalls echo along jet black walls, your companions leaning into you as you march forwards, a parting sentiment from Charon the last thing you hear before they fade back into the devouring shadows.[...For all our sakes](Continued)
>>3187924The dim, filtered sunlight stabs like knives of pure radiance into your eyes as you, B'ni, and GG emerge from narrow caverns into the rusted, crumbling collection of shacks at the foot of jagged, alabaster spires. The town is as you left it, devoid of amalgams and creaking under its own weight, a strange comfort in strange times. One of your swarmling scouts spies Julia trotting along one of the cracked streets, rolled sheets of skin in her arms as she whistles to herself, still wearing her flesh-suit from your earlier visit. You round a corner and see her, giving a small wave as she looks up from her scrolls of material, her dark eyes going wide.Saying she jumps out of her skin would be in poor taste, the yelp she gives when she see the three of you echoing through the town with sheer volume. Her rolls of parchment drop to the street as she sprints over to you, her wide smile faltering when she notices you and your allies' sullen, weary faces."Tea?" she asks, smiling meekly."Tea." you reply, following her as she leads you to the promise of warm beverages and warmer company.Your blood freezes when you emerge from an alley to see Julia beckoning you in to a familiar house, wherein you left a message for a slumbering Daughter. You jerk forwards, leaving your allies behind as you break into a run, following Julia into the house as fast as your legs will carry you. Your eyes adjust slowly, far too slowly to the dim candle light within, the smell of dried skin and jasmine invading your lungs through frantic, harried breaths.(Continued)
>>3187976"I t-thought your note was really sweet, a-and I knew I needed to...Shu, are you o-okay? What's wrong?"You struggle for breath as your eyes finally adjust to the glow that radiates from the intact pod, the slumbering child's body complete down to her knees. You turn to Julia, dragging in a deep breath as you try to get your wildly erratic heartbeat under control."N-nothing, I'm glad you and she are okay, Julia." You say, giving your best attempt at an innocent smile. Your hostess raises an eyebrow, then shrugs as she slips by you and back into the main living area. You glance back at the pod before you join her, reassuring B'ni and Gina with a thumbs-up when they emerge through the door, fear in their eyes. The four of you settle around a table low to the ground, sitting cross legged around the refurbished wooden surface as Julia pours four cups of piping hot brew into a familiar set of mismatched teacups."Like I said, when I c-came down and was l-looking for a place t-to set up shop, I found that little g-girl and your n-note, so I thought I'd look after her by p-putting my new studio right here." Your hostess says with a wide smile, blowing the steam off her cup as she raises it to her lips. "It was so cute what your friend added, too! She'll b-be so excited you're here, she's been absolutely m-marvelous at keeping amalgams away from the t-town. I b-barely have to lift a finger, she's so eager t-to help!"You pause in your sip, your brow furrowing as you realize what she's saying, B'ni's eyes narrowing at Julia from across the table."Wait, who are you..."A voice sounds from behind you as you whirl around to see a familiar face framed by short, boyish hair."Hey Jules, I'll be back in a sec, we got a big motherfucker coming this..."Rath's yellow eyes go ludicrously wide as she steps across Julia's threshold and comes face to face with your equally startled gaze. A pleased, impish grin spreads across her face as she puts her hands on her hips, leaning over to put her smiling visage mere inches from yours."Holy fucking shit man, long time no see.">>Friendly faces are in short supply, and you're even shorter on words at the moment. You go in for a hug, situation be damned.>> "I'm sorry...who are you again?" You say, just to see the look on her face. You need a little bit of levity, right now.>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>3188029>>Friendly faces are in short supply, and you're even shorter on words at the moment. You go in for a hug, situation be damned."I'll say! Holy hell, Rath, glad to see you're still kicking! How's it going?"
>>3188029>>Friendly faces are in short supply, and you're even shorter on words at the moment. You go in for a hug, situation be damned.>Rath! Oh man, I'm so glad you're okay. And you know Julia!>...What was that about a big what now?
...WE CANNOT LET THEM ALL DIE FOR FUCKS SAKE. Look at this shit. Look at what we're managing.>"I'll say! Holy hell, Rath, glad to see you're still kicking! How's it goin- wait, what was that?"
>>3188036>>Friendly faces are in short supply, and you're even shorter on words at the moment. You go in for a hug, situation be damned.But also>"Wait did you say a big one? Need some help with pest control, again?" Give a cocky smile.Also we need to HUG julia at some point, she has my trust now, and her lack of real skin is no excuse for how nervous we and our friends have been around her!
>>3188036>Friendly faces are in short supply, and you're even shorter on words at the moment. You go in for a hug, situation be damned.>"BLOODY HELL, What a small world we live in. Oh, Rath, this is Gina! Gina, meet Rachel, but she prefers to be called Rath.">"Rath, by any chance... is this big motherfucker coming towards town shaped like a Bone Knight riding a giant meat dragon?" (if yes: "Shit. It's Marrow Dragoon.")Inb4 Marrow Dragoon returns for ROUND 2.I just had a thought, now that BHOP mentioned the rules of the game this time, considering the ACTUAL winning condition of the Crucible.>the Crucible is less a last-woman-standing Battle Royale, and more of a race to be the first to reach the top of the Cord.Charon said that the Favored Daughter can change a single aspect of the Crucible yeah?In past cycles, it's always been one Favored Daughter who made it to the top first. Even if they wanted to stop the Crucible from beginning again, They could only change one aspect of the "game" before turning into the next "Mother". The cards were stacked against them because of how much power is needed to change the crucible system. Even if they could reverse one aspect of the crucible system before becoming the next mother, the next cycle might have a daughter who re-introduces the changes to the Crucible system.So. What if more than one daughter reached the goal at the same time? The more Favored Daughters there are, the more changes that can be made to the Crucible in the process, the more power the Favored Daughters can have in reversing the Crucible. Gather enough daughters, make enough changes, and the Crucible system breaks down entirely.We've set ourselves apart from the previous cycles by not being selfish, by not wanting to end the world. We declared that we want the Crucible to stop. And the system calls us a fool because it's so used to seeing Friendship betrayals amongst daughters in previous cycles that it presumes that Gina and B'ni will inevitably betray Shu and leave her for dead. So, Mother humored us. It gave us the power to Empathize with other daughters on a deep instinctual level. It allowed us to gather the trust between our friends and utilize that trust to the best of our ability. That's where it made its mistake. That's how we cheat the system.HOWEVER. I think there are disadvantages to the power of trust and friendship. If we abuse it too much, if we become too invasive to their thoughts, if we let our friends fight each other, that's when it all falls apart. We can be the focal point and anchor, but we can't prevent daughters from turning against one another because while they trust Shu, they can't trust each other. I think this is the folly of the fool's choice.
>>3188053I think it was implied heavily that only one daughter CAN make it to the top, or at least receive the motherhood and reward. Hence most likely the betrayal last crucible.All getting more to the top would do is give us more people to fight the mother with.
>>3188065Darn. Then the Highlander rule still applies. I forgot about my own analysis writing.
What's really stumping me is the 'the disintegration starts as soon as the Daughter and Mother meet' thing. How can we bypass THAT?
>>3188074Nah your fine. Wordy as hell, but nothing wrong with analysis.My thought is: what actually stops more than one from climbing the cord, as we have been told? Sure, if its a method this time around that would require brute force and make the whole trip up a fight, then so be it, but technically there are other methods.And how does the mother transfer power, and what is the reward? Maybe im mis interpreting, but it sounded like becoming the new mother and making the change were separate from the unknown reward. Regardless, if mother power transfer works like daughter absorbtion, then maybe we can share power like we have defeated daughters. Might not allow us more power for more changes, but still...But hey, we have a long, long time before we will be able to figure this stuff out it seems.
>>3188089Easy, we kill her quickly and then start reversing the process.
(Gentlemen, voting shall close in one hour.)
>>3188094If anything, Charon has been a HUGE help in the lore dump and figuring out the game. >>3188065>>3187656It seems that Charon was part of a duo team that made it to the Cord peak, but then got backstabbed by her partner who became the next Mother (due to highlander rules). Her partner (the Mother of the current crucible) who still valued Charon as a friend that she carried her over to the next Crucible game, but in a rather twisted way by having Charon serve as a Fast Travel station attendant.
>>3188113Ah, uhm, i dont think it was as a valued friend.Charon said that she was kept so that 'she would have to see another world die' im guessing Charon betrayed her friend because she realized said friend didn't want to try and save their world, and well, now she has to watch a second one die, a double failure as it is...
>>3188036>Have Gina activate wifi. The neural network will greatly help Rath and Julia socialize easier with Shu, B’ni, and Gina. >>3188053supporting Shu’s question on asking the description of said big motherfucker.
>>3188120Huh. now that you said it like that, no wonder Mother said the power of friendship was a "fool's choice".
>>3188139Yup. We're in a game where only one person can survive, where betrayal has probably occurred countless times in past iterations. Only a fool would choose the power to be closer to people.
And I just realized. Fuck, there goes my 'ruler of the new world' dream.
>>3188160that's not really a dream that fits with how we have done things so far anyways.
>>3188158So if all of the previous Favored Daughters were selfish girls who only wanted to survive alone (which perpetuates the cycle), what happens when the 'selfless fool' actually becomes the favored daughter in the crucible? Because it seems that this game is rigged towards selfish bitches who care naught but only themselves.
>>3188036"Bloody hell, I'm glad you're okay!" you say, practically leaping from the floor to throw your arms around the slim girl and pull her into a hug. She stiffens immediately, hands stock still by her side as she laughs awkwardly."Y-yeah, you too, man. A bloody hell is kind of what we live in now, so...um, yeah. S'good to see you're good, Shu." You release Rath from your clutches and turn back to the table, B'ni taking a sip from her cup as Gina just stares between you and redhead, one eyebrow arched."Oh, Rath, this is Gina. Gina, meet Rachel, she goes by Rath." you say, GG rising from the table and extending her hand, which Rath shakes before leaning back to you with a wink."Damn girl, gotta catch 'em all, much?" She smirks, prompting you tap her in the shoulder with your knuckle, despite the tinge of red that's crept into your cheeks. Rath and B'ni's eyes meet, the latter giving the ginger a curt nod."Hello Rath.""Pleasure as always, B'ni." Rath replies coolly, glancing back out the door and reminding you about a point she made earlier."You said something about an amalgam?" You ask, a smile creeping across your lips. "Need some help with pest control, again?"Rath turns to you, a look of pleasant surprise crinkling her nose as she returns your smile. "Shit man, sure. If you're up for it, we can knock it out and be back in time for tea, right Jules?""Y-yep!" Julia chirps from her seat, nearly spilling tea in her lap as she cheers."Rath, by any chance..." you ask, voice low. "...Is this big motherfucker coming towards town shaped like a Bone Knight riding a giant meat dragon?"Rath's face morphs into one of utter bewilderment as she leans away from you, horrified."A giant fucking meat *what*? No, it's just a...what the goddamn have you been up against, man?" She asks incredulously. You open your mouth to reply when a bone-chilling screech rattles the windows of Julia's cozy studio, and you turn to your allies with a defiant smile."Shall we?" You ask. Gina smirks as she places her halo atop her flowing hair while B'ni rises to her feet, scythes sliding forth from her greaves as she does. Rath's right arm bubbles and rises, bright orange liquid pulsing as translucent globes of skin coalesce into explosive payloads, their owner grinning at the prospect of a fresh fight with you by her side.You exit the studio together, and it's in that moment you realize something. With people like these by you, you feel like there's not a single fight you could lose, not a single challenge you could tear apart, not a single foe that can stand between you and victory.So you resolve to pick a fight with the thing that wiped your world away. You aim to bring your wrath to the heavens that stole the sky from you. You will ascend the spire, and you will bring it all crashing down.You're going to fight this whole damn thing.Because this is how the world ends......with your friends by your side.>>Sixth Vein: Closed
>>3188171That's right.The rules of a game are only there so that they can be broken.Let's flip the table on these bitches.
(Gentlemen, you have been incredible, and thank you so much for your participation. I will be in transit for much of the weekend, and pausing before launching into a fight I would be hard pressed to update consistently seemed to be a prudent decision for your sake. I will be resuming Monday morning or afternoon with the Seventh Vein, the opening of which I will announce here, on QTG, and on the new Twitter account I will be setting up to keep you abreast of threads in the future, the link to which will posted here when it is ready.)(Additionally, expect to see Rath's skill set and stats in the updated Ability Sheet I will be posting the link to over the weekend, and it will also be included in the opening of the Seventh Vein.)(As always, I will be available over the weekend for comments, questions, memes, and criticism, all of which I welcome. Thank you again for being such amazing readers, and take care.)
>>3188214fucking good damned work BHOP.>Because this is how the world ends...>...with your friends by your side.hot damn thats a beautiful line. cant wait til the next one my man!
>>3188220>What about Julia? Does she join the party?
>>3188244(She has dedicated herself to staying by the pod and ensuring its safety, inspired by Shu and what she's done.)
>>3188220Are you going to start a new thread or keep on chugging along on this one? Because of how much progress we've been blazing through, we're still on page 1 of the board.
>>3188249good on her. though shame, i was interested to see what her combat capabilities were.
>>3188263(Honestly, depending on how well this thread floats along over the weekend, I may resume from here. I'll have to wait and see. I would be completely open to continuing on this thread if it doesn't drop too far down the board.)
>>3188271keeping content flowing might not be too hard, but threads stop being able to be bumped after what? 5? 6 days? though with how slow the board usually is it will probably still be pretty high up there even once such a time passes.
>>3188279Pretty sure the bump limit is based on post and image count sempai, not age. On /tg/ the post limit is 310, here it's something ridiculously high because the board moves so slowly, I can't remember what it is.
>>3188220Overall, This was an excellent Vein. So many highlights. The Heist. Marrow Dragoon. Charon. The Reunion. So many ways to come up with an apt archive description.Question:Where does Julia get the tea? Is it going to be a riddle of the ages sort of thing?
>>3188279>>3188385>>3188271So it's been awhile since anybody asked for the actual rules pinned onto the /qst/ board. Here it is. Current board settings:>Anyone can post images.>Anyone can use painter.>Anyone can use dice & spoilers.>Only OP can use text formatting.>3000 character limit.>750 bump limit.>Decreased post timer to match /tg/ (30 seconds for text, 60 seconds for an image reply).>Automatic permasage after 72 hours.>Thread specific user IDs.>Max threads per IP is 5.>Standard 7 day internal archive.Given that this thread started 3 days ago, It's already permasaged, but hasn't hit the 750 post bump limit to automatically start falling off. You could start another thread, given that this one ended on a solid note.
>>3188214>"A giant fucking meat *what*? No, it's just a...what the goddamn have you been up against, man?">what in the goddamn
>>3188386(Thank you for your kind words, I have to admit this was one of my favorite threads so far, with the Marrow Dragoon fight as a highlight. As far as the tea goes, we shall have to wait and see.)
>>3188430>>3188386honestly? im not sure i want to know. the tea tastes good and is a nice change from the hellscape beyond. lets not ruin a little pinch of a good thing on where it comes from or what it actually is.
Okay people, going by Digital Devil Saga party setup:>Shu = Serph, the distant yet magnetic leader with some degree of personality and an insidious past>B'ni = Argilla, the tall and emotional girl of sexy style who was manipulated by the MC's previous self>GG = Gale, the smart Sentinel of the group with a dead friend and a cold fire in their heart>Rath = Heat, the impulsive hot-blooded character who leaves and comes back multiple times, and has strange synergy with the MC>Doctor West = Roland, the smug mature grownup with lightning powers and a burden or two, relates to the Gale of the groupWe do NOT have a Cielo yet. An eccentric madman of a character with an other-cultural flair, who keeps spirits up and memes a lot.
>>3188448The fuck? I swear I didn't save a fucking thumbnail. Oh well.
>>3188444Ignorance is bliss.
>>3188462maybe her skin powers can change the taste of her skin as well as other properties of it?
>>3188430See >>3188448
>>3188448Could Cielo be Julia, she's just a different kind of mad eccentric character who creates works of culture and stays peppy despite the bodyhorror.The yet-to-be-born daughter could be DDS's Sera, but the yet-to-be-born daughter isn't the God of BodyHorror's setting.>>3188249I'm happy that she found her muse. Julia though...she must've sacrificed a lot of personal Biomass to keep pursuing her artistic passions and to keep her mind sane. A Starving artist to the T. We'll have to take her out on a Amalgam hunt to keep her hunger at bay some time down the line.
>>3188518not savy about the game specifically, but Julia seems like the character you would always find staying back at the base as tech support and the like.>>3188430so, without giving away anything you dont want of course, what was your original plan/ where you thought this was gonna go? obviously you expected us to fit better with out serial killer past, but did you expect us to never be friendly at all?been while, but honestly i cant remember you giving us any reason really to kill B'ni, sorta. she was stalking us, but right out the gate made it pretty clear she didn't want to fight us, and unless you expected us to just be outright inhuman i cant really see why we would've attacked her at that point. just thinking back on it, it feels like that may of what set things on the course as it was. you threw us a non violent potential ally a bit too soon maybe, to get us to take a less trusting and violent approach to the game. love the game obviously, but just thinking about how like you said, things went off the rails from how you planned it pretty quickly.
>>3189268(As I alluded to earlier, the system I developed was tooled as primarily a solo affair, so it's more your reluctance to pursue obvious level up opportunities that threw things off. The team is coming just a little short of where Shu would be in terms of power for a solo playthrough, for reference. However, the group has much greater versatility than Shu would, overall. Going whole ham on the power of friendship has been a welcome alteration to the original trajectory I envisioned as well, and I wouldn't change that for anything, now.)(Additionally, I was expecting that reception to this quest would be lukewarm, at best. To have such an enthusiastic, analytical, and compassionate player base is where the lion's share of my pleasant surprise comes from.)
>>3189303well, we cant be compassionately analytical if you dont give us anything worth being analytical over, so dont give us all the credit here.just because i know creators do like some criticism though, as stated before i do have to say i think you yourself accidentally encouraged cooperation over blood thirst more than you seem to have meant, not that i think anyone is upset by that, im just saying it may be something to take into account on future works after this one.
>>3189536(Duly noted, I appreciate your input. As far as the flow of combat or the general system, would any of you Gentlemen like any clarification or voice any opinions on what you like, dislike, or could be tweaked?)
>>3190411Pardon the pun, but the combat flow feels more organic when it comes to parsing the information compared to Joker Quest's many guns and modular whistles.If your vain goal in ripping off Joker Quest's modular mecha system was to recreate the feel of how Joker Quest does combat, then your 3 year endeavor has paid off. The tweaks you've made such as telling us the enemy status and our current action economy in the format as well as your more straightforward diction in describing the combat mentioned has really helped in providing clarity and comprehension of the scenario. JokerOP can write really purple prose (bordering on Gun porn given the weaponry and nature of the setting [i.e. Red Joker firing a Fusion Annihilator]), but there are times where things get lost in that prose. Yours on the other hand, is concise enough to tell us what's going on while still retaining enough shade of violet to be noticeable but not overbearing with metaphors and flowery descriptions.
>>3189268>>3190411>"Just thinking back on it, it feels like that may of what set things on the course as it was. you threw us a non violent potential ally a bit too soon maybe, to get us to take a less trusting and violent approach to the game." This was my thought as well. B'ni was the first actual person we encountered IIRC, so perhaps If we had fought a daughter or two before her and then encountered her we might have been more likely to kill her or just seen her as deadweight since she had apparently been running away and would have been comparatively weak with no real combat abilities at the start. Also, It would have given us a chance to let the abundance of power get to our head, let us enjoy ourselves. >>3190411Just a curiosity as far as the level up system is concerned, can Shu start to customize her abilities more? I was wondering If perhaps down the line Shu could pick from multiple benefits to choose once she goes far enough down a level up tree, so that we have more influence on her progression. Kind of like how we get multiple options to choose from on a CONSUME level or upgrading our Ravenous Maw. >>3190619In JQOP's defense, his quest Is now at the point where many rounds can get rather complicated due to how both the protagonist and his enemies tend to have various weaponry and special effects pitted against each other, and In his dramatic writing style some details tend to get lost at times.
>>3191582(As far as Shu's level ups are concerned, another path shift will happen soon, but I will work on adding more level up options to each of the trees. As far as JQOP goes, he has a ton to juggle, so I understand that it gets bogged down.)
(Greetings, Gentlemen. I am shooting for the Seventh Vein to go live in roughly forty hours, or Tuesday morning if you are on the east coast. Additionally, you will find the new Twitter and Arsenal links below, with Rath's full abilities now listed in the latter. Thank you for reading, and take care.)Twitter: https://twitter.com/bodyhorrorquestCharacter Sheet: https://pastebin.com/A5MA9zeY
>>3193961New thread or same thread? The sixth vein like it's losing pulse (it's falling off the board and has lost bump power)>dat Bio-Arsenal sheet:whew. Now I'm looking forward to making more combo-tech.
>>3194204(A new thread, since as you said, this one is dying.)
>>3193961>Raths abilitiesnice job on adding in the flavor text, not just describing how it works. getting her to use her abilities properly, especially as part of a team, may be the greater challenge than whatever we are about to fight...
>>3194266Mom did say she was a danger to her friends and loved ones as well as herself since her personality and power is basically that of a bomb/living flame, she's probably a very solo-oriented daughter and had stuck with that mindset for quite some time. The worrying part is that she's prioritizing her radiant boil upgrades and not upgrading her defense/utility skill (Tensile Strands) with a balance on Bio and Health. As for synchronizing with the rest of the gang, you are pretty much spot on. Rath's been going solo ever since we parted ways in Chevalier's forest. She might see Shu eye to eye but she'll probably clash habits and ideologies with B'ni and Gina. I think after fighting the giant cockroach invading town (we can use that as a test to see the group's current synchronization rate), we could host a pow-wow and have Gina activate her wifi to make sure everyone is on level with each other, but I don't think it will help Rath come to see our side of the coin. It will probably take several close calls and many battles before Rath finally understands, empathy fields and social wifi can support the conversation, but Rath herself needs to adjust that self-destructive mindset of hers.
>>3194334we will have to see. what im expecting and worried about is, she may not obey our orders. and i mean that from both OOC and IC. as it hinted in her sticky bomb ability, if were too slow and tactical for her liking, she may just rush in. certain people simply don't change their ways, depending on how willing she is in this fight to cooperate, it may be best for her to stick as a time-to-time ally, rather then a permanent member of our party. id not prefer that, mind you, but we will have to see.the good news is once we explain to her and Julia what we have earned, she especially will probably be all for giving the mother the middle finger. we can convince her of that much at least, im sure of.also on upgrades, again unless she actually ever gets injured enough to where she feels her life is utterly in danger, she will probably stick to her current course of action, nigh what we say. a good way to work with, instead of against, her personality, may be to get her a new offensive ability that she can still dig her teeth into but wont be as risky to the group, and she may accept focusing on it more than the explosives.work with a persons nature and guiding it in a useful direction, rather then outright changing their nature.
>>3194375To Rath, Tensile Strands seems like mostly dead weight as a combat ability where its value for Rath mainly lies in surviving and being able to take unnecessary risks without fear of de-limbing in exchange for going AHALLU ACKBAR (which she apparently loves). But as an ability to supplement other actions as a group? I already thought up of several ways that ability can help in several devastating Bio-tech combos that require prepwork (which Rath has no patience for) as well as a couple of double bio-tech combos that suit's Rath's need for short-term adrenaline rush of bombing the living crap out of amalgams and enemies.I feel like Rath's missing a key component to her kit. >Radiant boil is a skin-type ability since it uses the human skin as a catalyst and container for the ability's primary function (explosion damage), and it's also dependent on Rath physically scraping the boils off to detonate them safely. >Tensile Strands looks like a Tendon/Cardiovascular/Neuromancy ability, since it provides super efficient blood circulation, neuro-pathways, and muscular control between bone segments.We need to find a supplementary ability that synergizes with both Radiant Boil and Tensile strands while making her core kit Radiant boil safer for herself and safer in Teamwork. But what ability suits her best?
>>3194512honestly? nothing ever makes grenades safer but practice in using them properly. otherwise best bet is heavy armor that can heavily negate the damage from them to yourself.the issue is more with her than her kit. if she was smart, she could cobble together large bombs and drop em at her feet while she pulls herself away to where she has already grappled a limb to a safer position, for instance. but she seems to like going head first guns blazing. haha, only thing i can think of off the top of my head, is her unhooking her arm a few inches before she throws, so she can get better range and accuracy out of a bomb via spinning her arm like a slingshot.as for a new ability to supplement them, honestly im not gonna worry on that one too much. were not hunters, were defenders. we fight who tries to kill us, rather than hunting specific other daughters down. we take what comes to us and we beat, so we don't really have much choice in what we get, only who gets it.
>>3194560Your tip for unhooking the limb for better range and accuracy will help, but it only alleviates the symptoms of the core problem: safely delivering the payload. Rath is still prone to fumbling throws (i.e. BHOP rolls a 1 for Rath's throw check and Rath simply just slams the bomb right at her feet.), and there's a certain limit to a girl's arm strength even with Newton's law supporting her. Much of her kit is mostly offense and utility oriented. True Defensive abilities like Calcium and Keratin weaponry interferes with either Rath's kit and/or combat MO, and the only few bio-abilities that are solely projectile based rely on a different organ system like the lungs or liquid hydraulics. So this got me thinking. Rath's initial ability allows her to do tactical dismemberment by biological puppet strings, which she used to maximum effect and got her explosive skin through mundane means. And with her kit as is, She's pretty much a Monsoon from MGR (unfortunately with actual-strings attached instead of magnetic force) who throws grenades. Stretchy, but it lacks the springiness of any bio-ability that uses Muscle fibers. And Rath prefers to be in fight mid-range to melee range. She'll need something to complement her self-destructive style of sacrificing limbs to blow up enemies as well as giving her flexibility, and defense against her own explosives as well as providing adequate defense against other bio-abilities. Here's what I think we need for Rath for her to complete her kit:A Gecko-based ability (think gecko tails or that newly discovered gecko that sheds its scales) that lets her regenerate lost body parts with speed and efficiency. Good for disengaging, and Rath will probably abuse this ability to great effect.And a muscle fiber ability that lets Rath become basically Monkey D. Luffy. A more active form of defense that allows Rath to become more flexible and creative in delivering her explosive payload. Part of this ability might be covered by Tensile Strands (stretch length), but to complete the kit (Elastic Rubber Muscles and bone) we need another ability.Now that I think about it. Rath being a Monkey D. Luffy with explosive skin boils would be very scary.
>>3194760>She's pretty much a Monsoon from MGR (unfortunately with actual-strings attached instead of magnetic force) who throws grenades.Monsoon has red phosphorus grenades that do scratch damage and fog the area for him to attack out of. I know this because it's what fucks you when you try to go for no-damage S-ranks on Revengeance difficulty REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBut yeah, I see Rath as a combination of Heat and Monsoon in a smaller package. If she could develop an immunity to her own explosions, then that's one big step forward right there. Maybe some other Monsoon-style acrobatics could benefit her as well.
>>3194795>If she could develop an immunity to her own explosions, then that's one big step forward right there. Anon. In nature, even in eldritch nature, nothing is immune to explosives. if the blast won't kill you, the shock wave will rupture any organism's vital organ systems and turn it into mush. Sir Issac Newton is still the deadliest bastard there is. The best Rath can do to mitigate the damage is either put points and invest into Tensile strands which lets her body stretch and be as far away from ground zero explosion, or find an ability that lets her body absorb the explosive blastwave more easily without liquifying her internal organs (Monkey D. Luffy Rubber body).
>>3194760yeah, regeneration abilities would do her wonders. but honestly i think if she was smart her limb removal would be enough for 'safer' and more 'acrobatic' methods of delivery. now that were thinking on it, if were really trying to play to her personality, give her bone weaponry and/or vein control. hear me out. combine her ability to control when the liquid detonates with her up close personality and say, explosive weaponry or injections. think the Jackals from Halo, and the needler, and from the books, the fact they had full length swords made from the same explosive crystal. if she could both control the timing of the explosion, plus had a method to more safely inject it directly inside an enemy, it would potentially make the whole ordeal alot safer, and deadlier. a bone sword made to stab in and inject liquid explosives into something, or just explode one its pinned you to the wall would work wonders with her, or even if she just had the ability to get up close and inject it via vein, though that ones much less useful.no one wants to be near the enemy anyways, and her limb ability would make it easy enough for her to get away once the right hits had been made. plus with control over the detonation you just wait for the right moment, instead of having to get out of dodge right away. just my thoughts anyways. she likes purely offensive abilities it looks like, so lets give her another that can still aid in making her less of a wildfire, and instead a controlled bonfire. she still gets to burn bright and hard, but isnt out of control.
>>3194849>bone>calcium armory I don't think a Calcium armory system would be a good secondary ability because of the heavy bio-cost as well as how inherently heavy bone when bone hits critical mass (recall Marrow Dragoon in full bone-plate getting exhausted in 3 rounds of all-out high speed dueling with B'ni)Considering Rath's kit has a flexible body as an innate trait. I think a Keratin-based ability (Keratin: a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, porcupine spines) would be better suited for Rath if you're looking for a melee/ranged needle payload delivery system like the Needler from Halo CE. It's a bit like bone, but it's much more flexible and lighter as it can take form in either ranged weaponry (detachable quills and hollow spines) or melee (horns, claws)So all in all, A combination of a muscle-fiber ability that lets Rath become a Monkey D. Luffy, A Keratin armory, A Gecko Regen ability, and increased investment in Tensile strands would complete Rath's bio ability kit for her combat MO. >>3194795I'mma call it a stretch, but if BHOP ever tosses us a bio-ability that lets Rath become resistant to explosions, we're taking it. but as is right now, it's a vain hope.
>>3194896overall not a bad idea, but id like to point out most in our party dont have too many individual abilities, Gina perhaps now being the exception, but only due to some very specific circumstances we probably wont get too often. nothing wrong with long term planning, but we really need to think more right now, and more along one specific ability she might be able to get a hold of(ignoring again the fact we have little to no control over what abilities come our way.).on that note, i do think my bone/keratin idea would work best,not from a 'most important' line of thinking, but from the idea of which she would be the most interested in taking and learning to implement on her own. i feel like she wouldn't turn down but would neglect the other powers like she had already done with Tensile Strands, so it would be best to get her one that her current mindset will more easily accept.also, thinking on it, cant we absorb Analgam abilities, sorta? B'ni got her teeth from one, but since then said idea has sorta been abandoned, or maybe an opportunity just hasn't really come up since then...but i feel like thats not entirely true.>>3194206
>>3195012(If the CONSUME option is chosen, then you will have the choice to absorb a new ability. Considering that you've mainly fought daughters thus far, you are correct in the fact that it hasn't come up as much.)(Additionally, powers can be divided into two broad classes; static and evolving. Evolving abilities get their own upgrade tree, or have a chance to adapt to situations that come up. Evolving abilities usually come from consuming daughters. Static abilities are relatively unchanging one-off powers, the likes of which you usually acquire from consuming amalgams. However, certain high-level amalgams may possess evolving skills that may be acquired, such as when Rath acquired her explosives.)
>>3195012the consume option on all slain amalgams have been there the whole time anon. It's just that compared to the tailor-made and refined abilities that daughters exhibit, consuming amalgams for a certain ability feels more like a gamble. And of the amalgams we've encountered so far (Tindalo Cockroaches, A goat-thing amalgam, a pack of Canine hounds amalgams, the giant human centipede), none of them seem to show traits that would fit well or any member in the squad to consider consumption for abilities.We did have an instance in the quest where one of our friends consumed an amalgam for a power/mutation (B'ni getting a Mileena mouth from Mortal Kombat), but that ability was quickly ditched for Chevalier's bone skates. If anything, if we were to consume an amalgam, said amalgam would have to have a bio-ability that's either exotic enough that warrants consideration for consumption, or one that where it's utility value outweighs the side-effect risk of mutation upon consumption. As for Rath, hunting for an ability that piques her interest and compliments her prioritization and love of EXPLOSIONS would help us guide her mindset, but I also kind of want to have a sit down and talk shop with Rath bio-abilities and expanding her view and appreciation of other Bio abilities. Bio-tech combos would definitely be down Rath's alley.Gina's recently gained abilities feel like a reward that culminated from closely following her quest line. Those abilities were too good to not consume, and in hindsight, not consuming Kosi's entire powerset felt like a disservice. thematically to Gina's personal quest.>>3194206A reminder to archive and preserve this vein on supqst BHOP.
>>3195114Question: Regarding Gina's Immutable form and Life's Deathgrip. If Gina is physically jacked into another daugther (like Shu, B'ni, or Rath) can she apply Immutable form's status purge and immunity as well as lending them the benefits of Life's Deathgrip?
>>3195166(She can, with a catch; she must remain tethered to them to do so, which may prove to be somewhat difficult to set up mid-combat.)
>>3195153(Thank you for the reminder. I shall do so tomorrow.)