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When you clear your throat, the sound echoes too loud off aluminum walls, rattling the rickety windowpanes. You feel guilty when Julia jumps ever so slightly at the sudden noise, her wide, dark eyes somehow luminous against the backdrop of porcelain, too-perfect skin. Her gaze tilts towards the floor, one eye now hidden by a lock of bright blonde hair that falls just in front of her face.

"S-so, you're, um...you're g-going to be leaving soon, Shu?" Julia says, her voice faltering. Slender fingers wring in front of her, nervous tension tearing at the widening seams of her joints, worried fingers exposing bright, raw crimson.

You merely nod, staring at the slender, trembling form of the artist before you. You wish...you're not sure what you wish, exactly. You wish you hadn't assumed her to be someone she wasn't, when you first met. You wish you had just a little more time to talk, to ask, to learn. You wish you had met her before...

...No.

The you who exists in the here and now, the you who was born anew into this nightmare of twisted flesh and jagged bone, a world where you have made true, lasting friends...that's the girl she needed to meet.

Suddenly Julia steps forward, crossing the gap between you with two quick strides. You find her wide, jet black eyes staring up into yours, and your breath hitches in your throat as you find yourself unable to speak in the face of her shining onyx gaze.

"Shu." Julia says pleadingly, her words devoid of stutter. In its place is place is an uncharacteristic force, "Come back soon. I'll have so much more to show you, and you have to come back when that little girl wakes up, to show her how to be...like you. Can you...will you promise me that? Will you promise me that I'll see you again?"

You fight for the words to reply to hers, Julia's emotions buffeting you with relentless, alternating waves of concern and desperation, almost unbearable in its sheer intensity over your empathic channel.

She needs an answer...you owe her that much.

>>"...Of course. I can't wait to see what else you've made when we come back, and see what stories we have to share...and please know that as much as you say I've inspired you, words can't express how much you've inspired me, in turn. Thank you, Julia...for everything."

>>"That's a promise I can't make...but I'll make you a better one, Julia; I'll keep your kindness going. You've inspired me far more than you can ever know, and I swear to you that no matter what happens or where our paths lead us, I will make this world a better place. For me, for you...and for those yet to wake up."

>>Where words fail, you know how to show her how you feel (Write-In).

>>Total Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

>>3215075
>>3215075
Aw OP. First time poster here, but I've been lurking since the First Vein. Loving the quest so far.
>"...Of course. I can't wait to see what else you've made when we come back, and see what stories we have to share...and please know that as much as you say I've inspired you, words can't express how much you've inspired me, in turn. Thank you, Julia...for everything."

(Gentlemen, voting shall close in one and a half hours.)

>>3215091
(Welcome, I'm glad you're enjoying it and than you for participating!)

>>3215075
>hug her
> it’s a promise

Just binged this from the start and have a question that occurred when I saw the the Reassemble ability, which the got stuff added to it when the Boneling Skiff popped up.
So, given our ability to Reassemble swarmlings, and the Boneling Skiff, would it be possible to reassemble ever larger swamlings together by eating the landscape for biomass to create one big enough for all of us to ride, before having B'ni integrate her Bone Greaves so when necessary Gina can hook B'ni into it so it can act as a boneling skiff?
That way we get a giant swarmling for combat that we can ride at high speeds out of combat.

>>3215129
We had an opportunity to create a giant swarmling from consuming the Ashen Vagrant, but it was passed up in favor of better armorlings. So I'm not entirely sure whether or not Shu is able to create a bus-sized swarmling at her current level.

>>3215133
No, I mean the ability we got at the first thread where we can smash swarmlings together to make bigger, better swarmlings.

>>Reassemble (1 ACT): Allows you to combine members of your swarm into larger, more aggressive forms, capable of taking a dealing more damage.

>>3215146
Hmmm.... you may be onto something. I wonder how big of a swarmling we can make if we spawned 15 lings and and reassembled all 15 into 1 giant bug...

>the whole -ling terminology now reminds me of Starcraft

>>3215154
And in the fight against Holly where we used reassemble, it gave us back Swarmling capacity, a swarming made of two regular Swarmlings counting as one for capacity instead of two.

So we can mash all fifteen together and it it will count as one, restock on biomass form the landscape, and keep doing that. The obvious downside of course, being that it's a big target and any one-hit kill will take it out and wast massive amounts of biomass as opposed to our normal tactic of lots of cheap, small, suicide bombers.

>>3215075
>"That's a promise I can't make...but I'll make you a better one, Julia; I'll keep your kindness going. You've inspired me far more than you can ever know, and I swear to you that no matter what happens or where our paths lead us, I will make this world a better place. For me, for you...and for those yet to wake up."

>>3215073
Sauce on this OP pic OP?

(Writing now, Gentlemen. As far as questions go, I shall answer after I post the next update.)

>>3215075
>>3215091
>>3215110

"...Of course.” You reply, giving the artist below you a half-smile. “I can't wait to see what else you've made when we come back, and see what stories we have to share...and please know that as much as you say I've inspired you, words can't express how much you've inspired me, in turn. Thank you, Julia...for everything."

You can tell she doesn’t know how to react when you loop your arms around her slim shoulders and pull her close. Despite her surprise, Julia relaxes into you almost immediately, burying her head against your chest and squeezing you tight.

“It’s a promise, Julia.” You say as warmly as you can manage. “We’ll see each other again.”

A small cough sounds from behind you, making you turn. B’ni stands in the open doorway, rubbing the side of her arm with her hand, emerald eyes askance.

“Hey…sorry to interrupt, but I figured you’d want me to scout a bit.” She says, eyes hovering on you for a moment before being cast aside once more. “I’d be happy to report what I found whenever you’re, ah…whenever you two are done.”

With that, she disappears behind the door frame and back out into the street outside, the sound of another door opening drawing your attention in the opposite direction. Gina and Rath emerge from the side room, each of them boasting a backpack stuffed to the breaking point. After a few moments, Julia disentangles her arms from your frame, brushing wrinkles out of her dress and putting on her hostess’ smile to greet your allies.

“Shit's all packed and we're ready to fuck up a Cord, Shu.” Rath beams, clearly proud of her work. Gina chuckles at her enthusiasm, adjusting the straps on her backpack to be a little more flattering with how they tighten around her hoodie.

“Good to go when you are.” She echoes, amber eyes glancing around the room. “Gang’s all here, with one exception. Did B’ni show back up?”

“Yeah, she scouted a bit.” You reply, turning for the front door. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

With help from a handful of scoutlings, you locate B’ni a few alleys over and make your way to her, the streets of the rusted town bathed in an eerie, crimson glow from the new world’s eternal dusk. You turn the corner and jump when her leg snaps taught in a perfect kick, her bladed greave singing through the air and coming to a rest a hair’s breadth from an exposed pipe along the alleyway.

(Continued)

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>>3215204

You clear your throat to interrupt her training and it’s her turn to jump, her double-jointed leg sharply retracting and nearly throwing her off balance and into a pile of scrap metal. You dash forwards to catch her as she falls, meeting her just as she’s about to right herself and sending you both tumbling forwards. You brace yourself for a full facial impact against the unforgiving concrete that lines the alley only to find yourself suddenly standing upright, B’ni’s eyes wide as her hands grasp your upper arms, your mind reeling from the sudden burst of speed that righted you.

“Are you okay?!” B’ni asks in a panic, her surprisingly strong grip threatening to cut off circulation to your forearms. You chuckle, slowly easing her death grip with one hand and putting the other on her shoulder reassuringly.

“Yeah, I’m fine, no worries. Thank you for the save…you’ve been doing that a lot, recently.”

A blush creeps up her neck and into her cheeks as she withdraws from you, folding her hands behind her back in a professional manner, attempting to suppress the embarrassed crimson that threatens to take over her face.

“S-so, there’s a bit more of the skinfield to go before the land gives way to a swampy, marsh-like area.” She declares succinctly and efficiently. “Non-toxic, non-acidic, but a pain to move through and visibility is poor, though Gina may be able to see through it. We may be able to trek around it, but it’s a journey that may take some time and the terrain to move past it is incredibly steep and hilly, but nothing like the bone cliffs. How would you like us to proceed?”

You consider your marching orders carefully, weighing the options before you as B’ni stands stock still, awaiting instruction.

>>”We need to get to the Cord as fast as possible. We’ll cross the swamp directly, and rely on Gina to guide us. We’re capable enough to where we can handle what may lie in there. Ready to head back?”

>>”I’m not fond of diminished line of sight. We’ll scale the hills, even if it takes us a bit more time…it still leaves us all viable in combat. Let’s regroup and make our way out.”

>>”…B’ni, are you okay? You seem a little…I don’t know…stiff?”

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for two hours.)

>>3215170
(You are welcome to try.)

>>3215178
(It's Disorder Rose by Beetlebaine, courtesy of Deviantart.)

>>3215209
>>3215207
Then I vote we do it, especially given the swamp.
Mash swarmlings together until we get one big enough for the entire team to ride, making sure to restock biomass from the environment.
Then see if we can get it to function as a boneling skiff, and when we get to the swamp it can carry the four of us over the water.

>>3215207
>”I’m not fond of diminished line of sight. We’ll scale the hills, even if it takes us a bit more time…it still leaves us all viable in combat. Let’s regroup and..."

>"Say, you okay? You're acting kinda...stiff."

I'm actually not too alarmed with this, she might just be trying to mentally cope with what we're about to do by being clinical as possible and focusing on the task at hand, as opposed to anything particularly emotionally weird.

I mean, that's probably not the case, but I can hope.

>>3215207
>”We need to get to the Cord. We’ll cross the swamp. But I would like to move along the steep hill terrain while crossing the swamp. With the swamp to our left and the hillside to our right, our path will serve as both a guide way and as a wall so we don't have to worry about getting separated or lost."

I might have a few ideas that might help us cross it more easily.

>Write-in: Assemble the boneling skiff formation and skate the skinfields to the edge of the swamp.

When we get to the Swamp, take the time to have everyone prep for traversing marshlands. I would like the following actions done at the swamp entrance:
>Ask Rath and Gina if they found anything that'llh
>Spawn 6 swarmlings and have all 6 of them reassemble into 2 Strider-lings (large swarmlings made from 3 normal ones with elongated legs that can traverse the swamp waters and hilly terrain with ease while serving as pack mules).
>Spawn 3 swarmlings and repurpose them into water-lings (water beetle swarmlings, they'll serve as underwater scouts and sonar that protect the group from underwater ambushes.
>Spawn 2 swarmlings and create a double-tech with B'ni (Plateling gauntlets that sport a calcite scythe, wearable on the arm. Basically a machete scythe gauntlet) [not sure if this is possible, but I would like to try.

>"Thanks B'ni. One more thing, you don't have to be all that stiff."

>>3215228
I would rather have the group move between the two biomes. instead of getting lost in the swamp when combat gets heated or worry about fall damage and cliffsides on hilly terrain, why not walk on the border between the two biomes? The hill terrain will serve as a border and guideway in crossing the marsh, but we don't have to suffer the loss in travel speed. We'll still cross the marsh, but we're using the hills as visual landmarkers.

>>3215207
this >>3215251

wait a sec
>Ask Rath and Gina if they found anything that'llh
typo?

>>3215209
Also Regarding the world setting and where we are:
Something tells me that the group is on the west side of the Appalachian mountains leaving a major population center like Pittsburgh and approaching the Ohio marshlands and the Michigan hillside.
Reasoning: We're in North America, we're heading west, and the spine mountains being relatively easy to cross after reaching the peak means its a small mountain range, Shu and co. didn't suffer altitude sickness from the extreme altitude difference which rules out the Rocky Mountain range.
Hilly Terrain is common in Michigan, and from the historical texts and geography that I've read about Ohio and Michigan, the land gets particularly swampy when you go near the great lakes and a majority of southern Michigan gets particularly up&down hills.
Another thing is that the area immediately west of the Appalachians particularly in Pennsylvania is considered part of America's breadbasket (nice flat terrain suitable to grow crops like wheat). It used to be forested, but America had particular swaths of it cleared for farmland.

I'm also Assuming that the entire earth is covered in eldritch flesh, but the major landmasses haven't been tampered with, because it would be an extreme waste of energy to move landmasses when the Crucible is just concerned with Earth's bio-sphere.

>>3215271
It was an incomplete thought. What I meant was asking Gina and Rath to see if they packed anything that will make crossing marshlands and hilly terrain easier.

>>3215251
this

>>3215251
Yeah, changing my vote to this
>>3215228
from this.

>>3215209
>>3215251
hey BHOP what is the limits to how we can shape our swarmlings anyways? i feel like the sonar at least feels like something that might require 'double-tech' aid from Gina.

regardless its a very important question to know.

>>3215312
We tried letting Gina hijack Shu's swarmlings once, it resulted in a very disorienting feedback loop which made Shu nearly lose her lunch while Gina was unaffected.

>>3215312
(Their physical forms are totally up to you, so the stilt-lings are doable, though sonar is out of Shu's creative range and would require tethering with Gina to pull off. As a side note, swarmlings that result from tethering to another individual, such as the skiff, crumble to inert biomass if the connection is broken.)

(Additionally, I apologize in advance if my updates are sporadic this week. I will attempt to adhere as close as I can to the update schedule with a burst of activity tomorrow evening as per usual, though this week is gearing up to be a busy one. Thank you for participating, and I look forward to seeing where you take this vein.)

>>3215321
we dont need her to hijack it. its her halo that gives Gina her own sonar like abilities. have her spin a few strands into a swarmling to give it basic sonar and be fast about it, or take the time to have her spin each one an intricate one but waste time making sure we have the best sonar available.

>>3215326
(Additionally, there is a margin of error that closes the more a certain combination of skills is attempted, though this margin in lessened considerably by familiarity between users and compatible power sets.)

>>3215326
ah, no worries.
and yeah, thats what i expected. physical changes but we cant simply give them new powers or abilities Shu herself doesn't have.

regardless;
>>3215251
ill support as close as we can to this, with reasonable and necessary changes IC such as attempting to give the water bugs Sonar with Ginas Halo Strands or something, and other tid bits that may not work. good idea, but a highly experimental one, not that anythings wrong with that.

>>3215336
actually, i hate to say it, but if the Sonar cant be done, i kinda want to avoid the swamp entirely, so im adding that to my vote.

i just KNOW somethings gonna be in that water, and i dont want to be near it blind because of that.

(Writing now, Gentlemen. Thank you for your patience.)

>>3215207

”We need to get to the Cord. We’ll cross the swamp.” You say, finalizing the plan. “However, I would like to move along the steep hill terrain while crossing the swamp. With the swamp to our left and the hillside to our right, our path will serve as both a guide way and as a wall so we don't have to worry about getting separated or lost."

B’ni nods rigidly, unsure of what to do with her arms as you find yourself uncomfortable, by proxy.

"Thanks for the update, B’ni. One more thing, by the way.” You say, smiling at her. “You don't have to be all that stiff. It’s just me.”

“I…okay.” She replies falteringly, something unspoken between the two of you. You open your mouth to ask when the sound of footsteps makes you turn around to see Gina and Rath, itching to leave with Julia just behind them, ready to give you all one last goodbye, for now.

“Let’s get going!” Rath exclaims, grinning from cheek to freckled cheek. “The Cord ain’t gonna blow itself!”

“You should know how that sounds, dear.” Gina teases, giggling at the suddenly bashful expression the younger ginger now wears. “We’re all set, then? B’ni, are you ready?”

B’ni breezes by your right shoulder and snatches Rath’s backpack from one gangly arm, prompting a brief, yet playful scuffle. You give Julia one last hug before the three of you continue west, your favorite artist fading behind you as you march towards the unknown.

(Continue)

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>>3215484

“Ah. Gross.” Gina declares, her brows furrowed at the reeking swamp that stretches before you. A glance to your left reveals the oddly-shaped hills and pseudo-mountains to the left of the marshlands, their dark, softly rolling peaks of flesh a far cry from the stony, rigid marble of the calcite cliffs you scaled to get here.

“Yeah, fuckin' seconded.” Rath says as you glance her way, and you cover an amused smile at her small, scrunched-up nose. “How ‘bout we avoid that shit hole?”

“Hey, you don’t get a say after I had to carry you.” B’ni groans, massaging her neck and glaring at the red-head. “After you got all skittish about getting plugged by Gina, you should be happy we didn’t leave you to hoof it on your own.”

“My god, you all really don’t think about what comes out of your mouths, do you?” Gina says with a wide grin, her teasing and B’ni’s chastising resulting in a far redder red-head than you arrived with.

“Avoiding it is the plan, Rath.” You say loudly over their squabbling, feeling your back ache, your hive writhing with activity. You spawn a number of newborn swarmlings that promptly hover to the ground, watching their features twist into a variety of specialized shapes and forms. Three teams of swarmlings recombine into a pair of unnervingly tall creatures, their spindly legs bringing multifaceted eyes level with yours. “B’ni, Gina? When you’re ready.”

They nod, hefting their backpacks into the striders’ backs as a pair of cords dart from Gina’s sleeves, plugging directly into the base of your spine, your vision swimming with amethyst as you reign in your focus, four more swarmlings tearing free of the holes in your back. Two of them hover over to cling to Gina’s greaves, while the other pair alight on Gina’s shoulders, another set of cords plugging directly into them. You stare in awe as they shift and warp into something entirely new, something that wouldn’t be possible on your own.

DUAL TECH UNLOCKED X 2

(Continued)

>>3215493

>>SHU x B’NI – SUMMON GAUNTLING (BIO Cost: 10% per unit): a well-honed and exceedingly lethal marriage of B’ni’s bladed greaves in the form of an arm-mounted scythe, gauntlings may be worn by any team member to grant them an alternative method of damage dealing. However, only B’ni or another Calcite Armory user may utilize them to their fullest potential, as only their specific perks will carry over to affect the wickedly sharp gauntlets.

(Please choose who shall wield them.)

>>SHU x GG – SUMMON SOUNDLING (BIO Cost: 10% per unit): with hollowed out eye sockets replaced by something akin to chitinous satellite dishes and delicate feelers in the place of tearing claws, Soundlings greatly boost Shu and Gina’s reconnaissance capabilities with a heavy emphasis on sound. Though delicate and unfit for combat, Soundlings passively increase range at which sounds may be perceived, with considerable efficiency at locating movement through liquid, stone, and other substances.

>>(SHU BIO: 115%)

>>(2 Striderlings, 2 Soundlings, 2 Gauntlings, 6/15 Active.)

(Continued)

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>>3215495

A handful of quiet hours pass as you and your team carefully tread the line between the looming cliffs of lukewarm, tanned flesh to your left, with the misty, sour marsh to your right. You had hoped the gentle thrum of the wall of skin and the ghostly echoes from the impenetrable gloom would be your only companions throughout an otherwise quiet and uneventful journey.

Your hopes are dashed when a scream echoes through the mist, its origin deep within the swampland. You glance to Gina, her halo thrumming as she calculates the distance, Rath just behind her, face pale as she stares into the fog.

“One hundred and twenty-two yards north of us, single target.” GG rattles off, her eyes closed as she parses data. “Looks to be pursued by…water, or some kind of liquid, I’m not sure. It’s warm, whatever it is, and it’s gaining on its target.”

“Time ‘till it catches up to the girl it’s chasing?” You ask, B’ni’s eyes studying your features impassively.

“Twenty seconds, well before it reaches us.” Gina replies, her amber gaze meeting yours.

For once, a fight that isn’t yours to finish.

(Eighteen seconds.)

You count off the seconds as you glance between your allies, a mixture of trepidation and eagerness on their faces. Gina’s reluctance stands in stark contrast to Rath’s over-eager expression, and B’ni’s…

(Fifteen seconds.)

…you can’t quite read her.

(Thirteen seconds.)

It’s your call.

(Ten seconds.)

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting to close in four hours, Gentlemen. I shall close out the work day and resume this evening. Thank you again for your patience and participation.)

>>3215498
>give both Shu and Gina a Gauntling
> have Gina raise you up a bit of clean ground out of the swamp water.
>You and Rath get on it and into the swamp, and watch for the girl who is being chased.
>when she gets close enough to see, use Tongue to swipe her up, and have Rath bombard whatever the hell is chasing her.
>everyone back the fuck up the nearest hill once we got the girl. whether we have to fight this thing or not, doing it outside the swamp will be the best place to be against anything potentially liquid.

>>3215498
We rescued Rath, We rescued Gina, We rescued Kosi. We helped Julia. We'd be a hypocrite if we were to pass up a distress.
We may be rescuing her out of kindness, but we aren't keeping her around the party forever. She can find her own way west once everyone's cleared the marshlands.
We're also intervening in the sense that we'll be able to get a good gist of the dangers that lurk in the swamp.

>Shu: "I'd be a hypocrite if I let someone in need of rescuing die."

>Rath: Create 10 napalm bombs, 5 of them will be taken by Shu's swarmlings for a homing bomb effect, but the rest? save it for the amalgam. Something tells me it's an alligator or a nasty catfish of sorts. If you're really itchin for a scrappin, keep on luring it to the edge of the marsh and then trap it with a wall of fire.
>Shu: spawn basic 5 basic swarmlings. Have each of them grab one of Rath's bombs and fly them to where the girl is. Have them serve as an escort for the girl and show her that we mean help by having one of them divebomb the thing behind it and manually detonate Rath's bombs. Run out to meet her, and impulsive swallow her for safe keeping. Use Gina's pier as an avenue of easy access.
>Gina: medium scale terraforming please. make a safety pier that extends 40~ yards into the swamp with the requisite amount needed for safety and BIO-efficiency. use 35-40% BIO on making the pier. You'll be given a Gauntling for personal defense.
>B'ni: You'll be given a gauntling. Skate on Gina's pier and wait for a critical counterattack on the amalgam that's pursuing the girl. Guard Gina and our caravan pack, when we signal (Signal: obvious Rath being obvious)

>>3215513
I'm very tempted for one of the girls in the party to crack a Shrek meme in the aftermath of the battle.

>>3215595
a note if i may:
if this amalgam/daughter we are about to face is in any way liquid, B'ni will potentially be next to useless and in extreme danger if she attacks it directly, as she may simply pass into it doing no damage while now being grappled/ in something eating whatever limb is now in it. hence why i only wanted Rath to act at the moment. this thing may be immune to our acid, but even something liquid can be blown apart/evaporated. though we dont know if it can pull itself back together/ at what size or distance the chunks need to be for it to be able to.

also B'ni really feels like she doesn't really need a gauntling, they feel like something that can give the others a good melee buff, while B'ni really doesn't need them as she is already so focused on her own melee weapon/abilities.

>>3215498
aight, lets consider the possibilities before we decide on our course of action, shall we?


option 1: homogenous liquid hivemind.

This seems to be the most likely option based on the readings Gina recieved. If whatever it is lacks a central nervous system, b’ni and shu will be nearly powerless to combat it, unless we can figure out a way to generate some kind of immobile landmine drone with enough acid to destabilize a tidalwaves worth of whatever liquid the thing runs its neural network through. While Gina probably could stop the brunt of the wave, containing liquid with her crude control over the fleshscape would be impossible. Raths explosives, however, will prove disgustingly effective unless its made out of fucking ballistic gel, as a being with a decentralised nervous system would be reduced to snail level intelligence once its mass is separated. If this proves to be the case i recommend just having freckles blow it up.

option 2: Its a liquid being with a central nervous system/a being surrounding itself with liquid.

A bit more tricky than option 1 as the surrounding liquid likely would block incoming small scale physical attacks. Easiest way to yeet it would be to have Gina skewer it on a bonespike from below, or just have rath bomb it.

option 3: its remotely controlled: would make this much harder if gina wasnt a living radar array. Have Gina scan the surroundings for any other lifeforms, then send b’ni and a few drones on it

option 4: the girl being chased is the controller and is luring us into an ambush.

honestly the hardest situation, as we cant really target her unless we discover her ruse. Damn Shu and her flawless morals! i suppose having Gina monitor the girl for foul play after vaporizing the wave is the best we can do


option 5: we are the controller.

We question our life choices, and wonder what the hell QM is trying to pull

>>3215642
good analysis, though i dont think it changes what i thinks our best opening move really. if its not 1 at least B'ni and Shu wont become nearly useless though, but still will be pretty difficult to utilize them against a liquid being. to be fair, being able to turn yourself into a liquid or similar abilities is pretty powerful. if it has a nervous system or something solid inside it though, it'll make this so, so much easier.

so my guess is it will not.

>>3215609
Good point. The problem is that while Rath has the proper weapons to deal with a liquid-only enemy (white-phosphorous burns underwater), she's too far away for delivering her payload with proper precision. That's why I'm advocating for Shu to spawn 5 basic swarmlings to carry and deliver the white-phosphorus payload as a defensive measure. All the precision and power without having to leave it to the throw DC for Rath's bombs.
I'll agree to keeping B'ni in the backline.
But I do want Gina to Terraform up a Pier for Shu and Rath to use as safety-platforms.
>>3215595
Amending the following actions:
>B'ni: stay on the backline. be ready to pick up Gina and scramble up the hills if things get hot.
>Gina: Terraform a pier that extends 40-50 yards out north. have one of the soundlings dip into the swampwater and act as the sonar buoy. You'll get a better reading and shape of the liquid amalgam/daughter.
>Rath head out on the pier and do what you do best, but retreat once you got the thing's attention. Spawn 10 bombs, keep 7. 3 of your bombs will be taken by Shu.
>Shu: spawn 5 swarmlings, 3 basic, 2 with a flashing firefly belly. the firefly-lings will fly to the girl and act as a guide towards safety. the three basic swarmlings will take 1 of rath's bombs and serve as defensive escort for the girl, divebombing the waters behind it and detonating the bomb it carries.

>>3215642
All the characteristics you've listed seem to point either towards a slime mold, a fantasy slime blob (which is fucking scary in this setting), or a Daughter who specializes in Hydromancy (one of the OP bio-abilities on paper next to Hemomancy). As far as the question is concerned "is fighting the amalgam/daughter worth it?", I don't see a good reward other than some basic level up points. Hydromancy doesn't really synergize with our party's ability set unless we're keen on making Rath's napalms even more dangerous or giving our resident firecracker a flame-thrower ability upon consuming the water/based amalgam.

>>3215664
i already had the pier in my plan but i worded it like a tard. i get the idea behind the swarmlings but its risking alot of biomass on it being able to potentially eat/disable them.

hrm, your firefly idea is neat, but the issue is i think that would count as an 'ability' Shu doesn't have so cant give them.

but that DOES give me an idea. maybe we could make Bomblings if we Ability-Combine with Rath? id imagine it would save a bit of biomass compared to them just carrying them, if nothing else. just a thought, its not much better than them just carrying them honestly besides potential resource saving. it would also potentially make fire-flylings possible.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3215498

"I'm no hypocrite." You growl through gritted teeth. "Gina, pier for fifty yards! B'ni, watch Gina! And Rath!"

A pier of raw biomass erupts before you, tearing through the swamp as a freckled face whips around to meet your order. You level a hard stare at Rath...and smile.

"Fuck them up, and give me three to play with."

She's off the moment the order leaves your lips, flinging a trio of glowing explosives your way as five swarmlings tear free of your hive and grab them before they land. Two of the brood race forwards, closing the gap between you and the runner as fast as their dark green wings can carry them, followed by the rest, laden with volatile cargo.

Switching your vision to the pair of vanguard swarmlings, you see the runner as she staggers through the mist, thin limbs working frantically to escape her pursuer. Even with sunken cheeks and emaciated arms, you can tell she's beautiful, shimmering blonde hair trailing behind her as she runs, bright blue eyes wide in terror. Your creations flank her, pulsing their shells in a calm, light blue pattern, leading her through the mist as Rath reaches the edge of the pier. With a grin, the ginger flings her payload over the girl's head just as she reaches dry land, the orange cysts arcing into the impenetrable gloom.

Five pinpoints of blinding light erupt, and even this far from their detonation, you have to squint at their radiance, shining furiously like a golden dawn. You shift focus to your swarmlings, and watch as Rath hauls the exhausted Daughter onto dry land, your ally's small hands wrapping completely around her wrists with room to spare. The stranger struggles to drag in harried breaths, and you follow Rath's line of sight to witness a horde of figures lurching through the mist.

Chunks of flesh shift and roil in bodies of puss-yellow liquid, viscous bodies sliding through the marshlands, wielding crude weapons of bone, marbled with traces of muscle and tendons. You count two dozen, three dozen, losing track as more and more of their xanthous number emerge from the bowels of the swamp. The five that boil alive from Rath's attack are ignored by their kin, their only goal currently held tight in Rath's arms.

"Fuck, shit...Shu, those aren't amalgams!" Gina screams from behind you, rising panic in her voice. "They're constructs! They're h..."

You watch through your swarmling's eyes as the runner vomits, the contents of her stomach an endless tide of yellow ichor that floods the pier as Rath stumbles back.

(Continued)

>>3216062

>You watch through your swarmling's eyes as the runner vomits, the contents of her stomach an endless tide of yellow ichor that floods the pier as Rath stumbles back.
>"Fuck, shit...Shu, those aren't amalgams!" Gina screams from behind you, rising panic in her voice. "They're constructs! They're h..."
her constructs?
FUCK. IT'S A TRAP.

File: The Foetid Walkers.jpg (367 KB, 1280x1067)

367 KB JPG

>>3216062

From the thick, viscous contents of the girl's abyssal stomach, forms begin to emerge, bits of raw meat and half-dissolved flecks of bone contorting into vaguely humanoid shapes, reaching towards their creator with grasping, ravenous fingers that dissolve, then reform in a cycle of constant, churning movement. The daughter screams as she clambers to her feet, Rath stepping back slowly with horror writ large on her face, watching the countless legion work ceaselessly to close the gap.

"I...I can't...Pl...I can't..." the stranger coughs out, her voice hoarse as she chokes out a raw, painful sob. Rath takes another step back as the girl's throat erupts in a bloody scream, the horde having managed to take hold of a singular arm and leg, dragging her back...but still the horde advances, the majority of their number now lurching towards you. Their acrid, soured smell hits you, your eyes watering from the stink of fermented flesh and curdled milk, mingling together into something beyond description. They move with singular intent, encircling Rath and bearing down on you, B'ni and Gina with deliberate speed, intent on their next prey.

Even now, the horrified girl screams from somewhere within the gurgling crowd.

Shu the Defiant

VS.

La Bella Nervosa


HP: 100%
BIO: 110% (2 Striderlings, 2 Soundlings, 2 Gauntlings, 5 Basic, 11/15 Active.)
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Distant, approaching rapidly.
B’ni: 120%
GG: 100%
Rath: 120%

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, I will have to turn in for the evening, but I will be updating continuously tomorrow morning, afternoon, and updating rapidly in the evening. I shall resume in approximately fourteen hours, and thank you so much for participating.)

(Good luck.)

>>3216075
hrm, so she seems to be losing control of her power or something?
not sure what to do about that, but first goal is obvious; whether we have to kill her or can help her another way, we cant do anything with acid blobs in the way.

>SHU; have a Striderling quickly step over to Rath and give her a ride outta there. Have another Striderling accompanied two Basics go after the girl, hoping to sacrifice the two swarmlings to chew her limbs free and drag her deeper onto dry land. whether she is an enemy or not, getting her away from the blobs and towards us may be the quickest way to end this, no matter how we must do it...

>RATH; bombard the area you just were as you escape, and give covering fire to the other Striderling if possible as you retreat. if necessary the 3 other Swarmlings can help with more accurate placement of bombs.

>GINA; try and manipulate the terrain to force the blobs backwards, or at least slow them down.

>B'NI; fuck i dont know, i guess if any get too close use the medium range detatch kick to try and keep them at bay.

>EVERYONE; back up onto a hilltop, forcing them out of the swamp if they wish to pursue may be our best bet.

>SHU, GINA, and B'NI; if possible this turn, see if we cant jack into this girl, see if we cnt find out whats wrong with her, or at the very lest Gina can paralyze her and stop more blobs from being spawned. if we really cant help her, then B'ni can end it quickly instead.

>>3216075
>>3216115

Analysis:
Enemy: Daughter.
Title: La Bella Nervosa
>La Bella (means 'The Beautiful' in Italian), this girl may be of Italian descent. Blonde hair blue eyes. epitome of beauty.
>Nervosa: part of a medical condition called Anorexia Nervosa
>Anorexia nervosa: a serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss
behavior: She cannot control her disorder and seeks reprieve from her own condition.
>Powers: The Crucible has taken advantage of her medical condition and "weaponized it." Drawbacks severe. Mental Trauma severe on "enemy" daughter.

>>3216075
Reccomended course of action.
>Rath: Via empathy channel - "Take the girl and run. You have 6 seconds before she heaves up her stomach again! Gina will deal with the girl's uncontrollable vomiting! We'll cover you! I'm giving you a plateling helmet and buckler shield so you won't be hampered with your bomb throwing, helmet and buckler's good for 2 hits! use it wisely! In the meantime, throw your bombs behind and to the side while you run! Wall of Fire!"

>Shu: Have the 3 swarmlings (that are carrying Rath's bombs) drop their explosive payload on the 2 constructs that are currently grappling the suffering daughter and the surrounding area. Then have all of the basic swarmlings provide a defensive screen the constructs that are blocking Rath's path by taking the hits and grapple attempts meant for Rath or the girl. Spawn 4 Platelings and equip them on B'ni and Rath for them to use as a Helmet and buckler combo.

>B'ni: Provide escort for Rath and the girl. You'll be given a Plateling helm and a buckler to go with your Gauntling sword/scythe. cleave any stray construct that tries to get onto the pier.

>Gina: "It looks like she has an anorexic eating disorder before the apocalypse, and now the Crucible weaponized it. She's suffering from her own powers. You'll need to meet up with Rath and the girl. The moment you're in range, plug a cord to where her stomach is located and freeze her vomiting reflex and her stomach acid production."

Bloody Hell BHOP. Did you have fun coming up with characters like Bella Nervosa?

>>3216115
I can speculate that her original power revolved around weaponizing her own vomit. But the issue is that she has Anorexia Nervosa, which makes things complicated. The fact that she's running away from her own constructs means that she's been traumatized by the process somehow (most likely the vomit constructs shoving themselves back into her own body via her throat) and likely woke up confused, scared and practically traumatized by her own power.

Gina does have the ability to do a status purge thanks to Kosi's Immutable form, so we're able to stop her compulsive vomiting and her production of vomit constructs.
But therein lies the problem. The reprieve from the never-ending cycle of vomiting and Anorexia Nervosa is only temporary, it lasts until Gina removes her Neruo-plug from Bella's body. Once we're done cleaning up Bella's vomit mess, we'll have a hard SMT decision to make.

>>3216081
BHOP A question:
What's Bella's status right now? is she grappled by two vomit constructs?
And how many vomit constructs are there?

>>3216352
grappled by 2, one on her arm, one of her leg.
3 dozen or so globs.

>>3216352
(She is grappled and being pulled towards the swamp. There are approximately four dozen golems, and counting.)

>>3216363
>48+ vomit golems.
Dear lord.
Rath's made 8 bombs so far, so that's 32% of her current 120% Bio. Rath has 96% Bio left in her system. With her current BIO efficiency, she's got about 22 bombs left in her system.

>>3216363
What's Gina's BIO meter at? How much BIO did she use in creating the 50-yard pier?

>>3216396
(Gina used roughly 20% BIO, as this terrain is considerably more pliable than the Rusted Town.)

>>3216396
dont focus on the golems. yes they are a threat we need to keep track of, but we wont win this by trying to kill them all.

>>3216117
Good eye, anon.
>>3216331
Seconded. There's one of two ways we can get Bella to stop making these golems - either she runs out of Biomass, or Gina plugs into her and shuts down the power manually.

>>3216426
We still need to thin the horde, slow the horde, getaway from the horde, impede the horde, and ultimately stop the horde. The fact that she spent Mom knows how long in that swamp, vomiting up 50+ golems all by herself alone in that swamp is a testament to her suffering.

>>3216517
(I'm going to replace all God references with Mom from now on.)

>>3216517
well i didn't say ignore them did i?
it really would help to know how quickly she spawns them, but i think time will give us that answer, even under best case scenario Gina will probably be able to tell us as shes stopping the next one.

the interesting thing is how they are trying to grab her. maybe the hunger works differently for Construct wielders like her and Shu, and instead of outright going insane and attacking others your 'hive' simply turns on you, capturing you to use as a spawning pool and otherwise hunting on their own.

>>3216533
It really brings to light and makes us think on looking out for potential signs in a Daughter's behavior when she's about to "go hungry".
Holly's case was pretty straight forward where she goes on a ravenous eating spree and just tries to eat and swallow whole amalgams and daughters alike.
Kosi's form of hunger was... I dunno, jealous? under a fugue as if she was under anesthesia? But we did witness that a daughter regains clarity and sanity when they are starving to death. Kosi's ability worked like biomass cancer encroachment, but because of the nature of her powers, she really can't move about and head west to sate her hunger, nor can she be physically present to consume the fallen. But she does present us a case of what happens when a daughter "starves to death"

But back to the point. It really brings to question on the "hunger" system. What are the signs when a daughter is afflicted with "hunger"? What can sate the hunger? simply moving closer towards the cord? or consuming biomass? How long does a daughter mass have before she has to re-connect with biomass?

>>3216588
actually we do know from Charon that consuming things staves off the madness hunger.

as he put it "eventually even if everyone tried to avoid fighting and going for the cord, they would run out of amalgams and bad daughters to consume, and the hunger would take over and force a winner." (not an exact quote, mind you).

Kosi's hunger wasn't really an exception, Gina told us she was eating those that entered, it was just she specifically couldn't move and her illness couldn't be healed, so she couldn't go for the cord.

otherwise only Holly we know had fallen and simply become a wild animal almost, the others we can only guess but may of just been willing to fight and consume anyways.

as for signs one is falling to the hunger? unsure, probably erratic behavior, losing control of themselves, etc. but considering consuming things apparently staves it off it might be an actual somewhat rare occurrence. that being said Charon didnt say that not consuming was the only way to fall, and i think mental instability may of also been hinted at causing one to fall into 'the hunger', but i think so far its been implied the end result is the same regardless of how you get there.

>>3216610
Now that just raises more questions. How will we reach the cord, climb it, and then reach the summit without everyone succumbing to the hunger? We're a party of 4 daughters. a typical amalgam/daughter provides 3 level ups of consumption while the rare big ones like Ash Vagrant gives 7 level-ups worth of consumption.
As we get closer, we might have periods of prolonged time where we trek across miles and miles of landscape but don't encounter a single amalgam or daughter to fight and consume.

>>3216629
I think there Is a difference between consumption and CONSUME. We always eat the dead enemy, but CONSUME Is something deeper than that. We eat their essence too.

>>3216842
It's like DDS. Every battle everyone gains a little bit of Atma from eating the dead demon enemies, but Hunt skills give all that enemy's Atma to that party member, furthering them on the mantra grinding. I guess BHOP's system here is basically that but enhance to give you skillsets and abilities from CONSUME while you still sate the hunger through eating normally otherwise.

>>3216842
(Correct.)

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3216075

Your orders to Rath lance across the empathic channel, and she only gives a moment’s hesitation before she’s off and running for the terrified Daughter, tearing pustules free of her arms and flinging them to her sides, creating a blinding wall of white fire and orange sparks. Four misshapen platelings squirm free of your hive’s gaping holes, soaring on translucent wings to form a buckler and helm for Rath, while the other pair contort into a similar setup for B’ni as she races by you. The platelings settle into place as B’ni cleaves through the ichorous golems that attempt to overtake the pier, her arm scythes moving at blistering speed, each of her targets cleaved apart before they can so much as make a single step onto GG’s creation. As B’ni clears a path your resident neuromancer races along in her wake, following the carnage as your team cuts a path straight to the source of the aqueous scourge.

Three swarmlings hover above the girl as her frantic struggles slacken, the strength to fight against the inevitable slowly seeping from her frail body. Your trio of broodlings allow their claws to go slack in turn, their respective payloads plummeting to the marsh below and erupting into three bright stars. Your vision adjusts through your creations as you see the girl fall to the swamp’s surface, moving weakly now that her captors have been evaporated by the explosion. Through an alley of flame and fury Rath finally reaches her, struggling to haul the slender young woman away from the redoubled efforts of her pursuers.

B’ni is the first by Rath’s side, struggling to lift the girl from Rath’s arms and onto her own shoulders while struggling against the pull of the mire to reach the pier. Gina flings a pair of cords out towards the emaciated Daughter, her aim true until they are seized mid-flight by a meaty fist, half-digested chunks of flesh coalescing into a far more imposing beast that rises from the muck, members of the horde assimilating into its growing form as it towers above the pier, four meters in height.

(Continued)

>>3217220

It yanks the tether and sends Gina sprawling to the pier’s slick surface just as the Daughter belches forth another impossible tide of bile, grasping hands immediately lunging forth from the fresh vomit and seizing Rath by her lower legs. She screams as the skin there is boiled off in their acidic grip, the hands slashed aside with a lightning-fast kick delivered by B’ni, her teeth gritted as her back suffers the same acidic punishment as the other girl’s calves. You feel the swarmlings that you had running interference for Rath crumbling from their efforts to inflict some sort of lasting damage to the legion of acidic horrors, their chitin stripped away as they are subsumed and summarily dissolved in the lethal bodies of the encroaching golems.

An icy vein of fear tears across the empathic channel, a cold, sneering tone piercing into your mind, into the thoughts and hearts of you and your allies. A cold blue light flickers across Gina’s cord, dueling with its native amethyst glow as she fights for control against a frigid, unseen force.

{you cannot save this wretch}

You can feel a mocking smile carve a smug line across your mind, irrational terror shuddering through your body as the stranger’s weaponized fear lances through your nerves. You’re keenly aware of the gap between you and your allies, the horde increasing in number as yet more crawl from beyond the mist, intent of stripping skin from flesh, flesh from bone.

{you cannot even save yourselves}

HP: 100%
BIO: 95% (2 Soundlings, 2 Gauntlings, 4 Platelings, 8/15 Active.)
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Close, encroaching. Gina isolated and tethered, Shu isolated, Rath and B’ni Isolated.
B’ni: 108%
GG: 100%
Rath: 97%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next two hours and fifteen minutes.)

>>3217223
Rath and B’ni should be able the mostly blast and kick their way out as long as they aren’t stuck on a rescue duty. We should summon as many swarmlings as we can and have them lift Gina and pukey out of there.

>>3217223
Status report, How many flanking B'ni, How many flanking Rath, How many flanking Shu, how many flanking Gina?

>>3217256
(Two dozen and counting surround B'ni and Rath, another dozen are blocking Gina in addition to the large one looming over her with her cords, and another ten are approaching Shu.)

>>3217264
Are they on the pier? How far away is Rath, B'ni and the rest from the Hillside?

>>3217272
(Shu is on solid ground and has the hill at her back, Gina is on the pier and roughly thirty yards from Shu on the shore, leaving B'ni and Rath just beyond the pier's edge.)

>>3217276
are Gina, Rath, Shu, and the girl on the pier?

>>3217286
Reread that post. Shu is on the pier next to the hill. Gina is on the pier. B’ni and Rath are just past the pier

>>3217290
shit. we’re in deep shit are we. we have the girl, the problem is trying to retreat to the hill. I have a plan that involves elevating the pier and converting it into a slide to connect to the hillside, but it requires all the daughters to be on the solid ground of the pier.

>>3217276
Is Gina forcefully tethered to the giant swamp monster?

>>3217331
(It has a hold of her cords, yes. She can shed them, but they do cost bio and an action to resummon.)

>>3217335
How many cords does Gina have active currently?

>>3217338
(Two.)

Shit. I'm frankly stumped.

>>3217223
>Gina: Terraform. Elevate the last 10 yards of the pier to ensure that B'ni and Rath are on solid ground. then Construct 2 meter high walls on both sides of the pier. This should take 25% Bio.
>Shu: Equip a gauntling and jump into the fray. Reach Gina and Free her tethers from the swamp thing's grasp! spawn 3 gauntlings, and swarmlings til cap!.
>B'ni: Carve a path and keep moving! Hand the girl over to Rath!
>Rath: Carry the girl Fireman carry (over the shoulder), Toss bombs behind your back. RUN to Gina! And if possible throw a bomb at the swamp thing's arms or face.

I've got a crazy plan but I don't think it will work. The issue is that all of us are separated and surrounded. This will either go horribly right or horribly wrong.

(Extending voting for one hour to account for work. Thank you for participating, Gentlemen.)

>>3217223
fuck it, backing this >>3217367
we might have to mercy kill the girl though, because SMT

>>3217223
Shit. Being in the swamp was what i wanted to avoid. Honestly it might be time to do the unthinkable: run away.
But maybe...

>SHU;Rush towards Gina, using your Tongue, covered in a few platings, to swat yourself a path clear, then use a swarmling to chew Ginas free of her cords.

>RATH and B'NI; have Rath lay down a defensive wall of flame via bombs then cut a path backwards back to dry land, as fast as possible.

GINA; risky move, but spawn a new cord and aim for the fleshy parts of the big boy and give it cancer.

SHU and GINA; have Shu spawn what swarmlings she can to hold back the horde and make an exit route.

EVERYONE; up the hill and away we go once everyone is out of the swamp. It sucks, but we may simply not be up to this task at hand, or at the very least wont win by fighting it like this.

>>3217437
This is only part one of the plan. The second part of the plan involves Gina expending 60% bio in terraforming to explosively catapult the party members to the hills which is super risky.

>>3217447
I'll support parts of this plan.

(Gentlemen, I am sorry to say work has been less than forgiving today, and I am struggling to finish the update with the work load I have currently. To that end, I do plan to have rapid updates tonight after I post the next update, so I intend to shoot for having the post updated in the next hour or two, and then resuming posting in the next four hours. Thank you for your patience and participation, and take care.)

>>3217616
work comes first BHOP. we don't want you to lose your job over some inane priority on a hobby you do in your spare time.

>>3217467
What parts do you support and not? Not only am i up for discussing and improving it but it may help BHOP if he knows which parts to consider.

>>3217629
I'll support the part where Shu uses her tongue and clears a path.
The current issue is that Rath and B'ni are currently stuck in the mud at the edge of the Pier.
I'm hesitant about having Gina placing a cancer bomb in the 4 meter tall acid swamp thing.

>>3217647
hey man, phosphorus is a hell if a thing, itll still burn a good while on/ in mud. and if they are nearer land it only means less distance to travel to get out.

i understand the hesitation on the Cancer, my thought is it should, hopefully, slow it down at least, it may even be able to destroy it via making it overgrow its fleshy parts and use up all its own acid trying to re-consume the out of control growth. at least i think its fair to say it would make it harder for it to chase us.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3217223
>>3217367

Gina offers no hesitation as she follows your unspoken plan, a second pair of cords stabbing forth from her sleeves and into the pier, extending the pier and scooping up the trio just out of reach. A third set of cords link to the ground and heave the sides of her construct skywards, two-meter-tall barriers erupting from the sides of the pier to shield everyone involved.

Four gauntlings and three of basic swarmlings rip and tear themselves free of your hive, three of them following you as one crawls from your back and latches onto your arm as you run to meet your allies. The others take flight above the gutter as you swing your arm blade in inelegant arcs through the opposition, your wide slashes splashing caustic fluid on you along with the walled-off pier as you scramble to reach Gina’s side. She ducks, you leap, and your blade carves through the cords that links her to the steadily growing swamp golem.

Meanwhile B’ni cuts a path to you, Rath at her back with the Daughter in an awkward fireman carry over her too-small shoulder. As Rath wrestles the dead weight with one arm, she struggles to toss her explosive cysts behind her with the other, the space where the three of them were just standing blossoming with pale flame and amber sparks. B'ni is a whirlwind of ivory blades, lashing out at the golems that are trapped in the hallway with you as you stand between GG and the shifting, amorphous beast that towers over you.

"She ate...she ate a neuromancer alive." Gina says to you all over the empathic channel, her tone wrought with fear. "She's still active, she's using the girl's own power against her, trying to take over."

{clever girl}

A voice like screeches through your mind, like knives on a chalkboard.

{won't save you, though}

You watch in horrified slow-motion as the titan flings itself bodily into the gutter Gina crafted, countless gallons of acidic bile ready to pour into the channel, with nowhere to go but directly towards you and your allies as speeds you are powerless to react to. Just before the tidal wave of yellowed vomit crashes into the channel, your eyes meet B'ni's from a mere ten meters away, emerald eyes wide and then...

(Continued)

>>3218149

A crack like a gunshot, followed by a peal of rolling thunder.

You feel your sternum buckle under a sudden, immense pressure, your vision swimming from pain and the whirlwind of motion your eyes simply cannot process. You think for a moment that you've been carried away by the rogue wave, bracing for the pain from the pitiless tide of roiling acid. Your back slams into a soft wall, a strong hand bracing your neck and skull from whiplash as you suddenly realize you're seeing the pier from the shore, several dozen meters away from where you just were, a distance you crossed as the waves were lapping at your nose.

You drag in a rattling breath, pain lancing through your right lung as you witness Gina move with incredible speed, literally turning the tide away from herself with a masterful act of terraforming. The barrier she formed is bathed in amethyst light, her halo flaring with power as you realize her barricade doubled as a battering ram, curving up and through the pier's walls and smashing bodily into the giant. You watch it split apart, meaty chunks falling to the marshland below as a scream of pain rips across the channel from the furthest point of the pier.

Rath's cry of agony runs raw through every nerve of your being, the echoes of her pain as acid burns through her clothes and works its way through her skin, her head barely above the devouring mire as its origin is held aloft by patchwork hands of mottled flesh, seemingly immune to the corrosion that is eating away at the flesh of your ally.

You tear your eyes away from the horrors of combat and look down to see B'ni, her hand still cradling the back of your head as she glances back towards where you just where.

"I can get Gina from this distance, but just her. We need to get you out of here, Shu." She says, turning back to you, her gaze pleading. Another scream explodes across your mind as you feel Rath's arms slowly eaten away, her regeneration merely slowing the inevitable.

"You have to live." B'ni says softly, leaning closer to you. You glance over her shoulder to see the giant reforming, Gina struggling to keep the massive amount of constructs at bay.

HP: 92%
BIO: 70% (2 Soundlings, 4 Swarmlings, 6/15 Active.)
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Medium, encroaching.
B’ni: 108%
GG: 85% (CRITICAL COUNTER ACTIVATED)
Rath: 43% (Alone on the end of the pier, surrounded, stunned.)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting to close in one and a half hours, Gentlemen. Voting periods will then run in one hour intervals until the close of the evening.)

>>3218182
>Shu: Get the 2 soundlings and the 4 swarmlings that we have active and REASSEMBLE THEM into the largest Wingling we have, Have it carry us as an impromptu set of backpack wings. Then fly up-towards Rath and use Impulsive swallow on her. Hopefully a swarmling made with 60% Bio will have enough wing power to carry 2 daughters.
>B'ni: You get Gina. Please. I'll rescue Rath, please.
>Gina: Go with B'ni.
>Rath: Hang in there. I swear to mom I'll get you out.
FUCK. NOT LIKE THIS.

>>3218187
BHOP, what's Rath's status?

>>3218230
(Half submerged in acid, her stunned status has reduced her to one action.)

>>3218247
Would a Wingling assembled from 2 soundlings and 4 swarmlings have the power to lift a daughter off the ground?

>>3218250
Don't GG's terraforming things immediately revert to normal as soon as she unplugs from the ground? Or did one of her upgrades change that? I honestly can't remember, desu.

>>3218256
(Yes, and Rath is small enough to carry, though staying aloft for any length of time may be an issue.)

>>3218187
Seconding. Use everything we have to get Rath out of there.

>>3218230

>>3218261
It auto-reverts to its normal terrain, thanks for reminding me.

>>3218264
What is it's flyspeed, how fast can it fly, how high can it fly while carrying Rath and how long can it keep Rath in the air?

>>3218261
>>3218272

(She can keep the ground stable as long as she is tethered to the surface of it like she has been, it was merely the cords she sent out to jack into Bella Nervosa that were caught and then summarily severed.)

>>3218277
you didn't answer the question on the carrying load of the wingling.

>>3218272
(Fly speed is equal to Shu's running speed, which is slightly higher than average due to her background. Maximum height is four meters, and with Rath she can stay aloft for the duration of a turn before starting to lose altitude rapidly. It would take at least two turns to reach the shoreline safely with Rath in tow.)

>>3218284
Is Rath Prone or still standing?

>>3218293
(Standing.)

>>3218284
If we spend one act to reassemble, can we also spend additional BIO within the same act to make the wingling bigger?
How much additional Bio would it take to keep Rath aloft for an additional turn?

>>3218302
(You may, and such a move would cost 40% BIO to generate a swarmling with sufficient strength.)

>>3218310
How many constructs are surrounding Rath? Is her path on the pier clear?

>>3218324
(Seven at her back, eight re-forming from the bile on the pier.)

>>3218334
Is Shu safe from where she is?

>>3218344
(B'ni made certain of that, yes.)

>>3218334
are the 8 constructs unable to grapple if Rath were to spend 1 act to sprint down the pier?

>>3218353
(They are perfectly capable of grappling in their current state.)

>>3218310

>>3218360
Okay then.
>Gina: Do what you can, give Rath a clear pathway via terraforming with what you have.
>B'ni: Pick up Gina.
>Shu: Reassemble the 6 active swarmlings and spend 40% Bio to make the largest and strongest Wingling. Then Have that Wingling Do a flyby and pick up Rath.
>Rath: Evac is on the way. I have large wingling to come pick you up. Gina will clear your way. RUN down the pier so the Wingling can pick you up quicker!

Goddamn, where did we go wrong?

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3218182
>>3218372

Your command explodes across the empathic channel, making B'ni wince at the defiance in your orders as your six remaining swarmlings rejoin you, settling near your hive and beginning to twist together in impossible patterns. They become one on your back as you collapse to your hands and knees, filling the warped monstrosity with more and more of yourself as your sight blurs from the strain, the weight on your spine and shoulders becoming almost more than you can bear.

You glance up to see Gina forcing the pier to kick and buck the constructs from its length, and B'ni finally tears her eyes off you to enact her part of the new plan, dashing for your mutual comrade as you commune with Rath, fighting through waves of agony to reach her.

"Rath! Listen to me, Gina's clearing you an exit." You say, struggling to connect with the other girl despite the barrier of pain around her mind. "I'm sending you a big motherfucker, so run along the pier back to me! You can do this, Rath...I know you can!"

You can feel something igniting within the small girl, something like a spark, a small flame in her chest as she pushes everything else aside, focusing solely on your voice. It is at that moment that your colossal creation takes flight, the flutter of massive wings forcing you down even as it leaves your back, the horse-sized wasp soaring skyward towards Rath as she opens her mouth yet again to let loose a furious cry.

The scream she issues is not one of pain but of pure, unbridled rage, cysts forming on her right arm as she turns around, facing away from you and instead towards the origin of the acidic tide. She arcs her arm back, her payload dangerously loose as you scream at her from across the channel to turn back. She ignores you, her fevered roar reaching a blistering pitch as she hurls the bombs towards the unconscious girl, a seam appearing in Rath's left arm as the grenades are flung towards their target.

(Continued)

>>3218546

Rath's aim is true, the bombs igniting against the now-boiling forms of the ichorous constructs that were carrying the frail girl. She almost falls into the mire before Rath slings out her left hand, sending it flying in an arc around the other girl's waist and, with another agonized scream, Rath begins to reel in the girl across the swamp, staggering backwards as she trudges back towards the shore with slow, steady deliberation.

Far too slow, as a large form begins to come into being at the side of the pier.

B'ni is at GG side, and Gina is the one whose voice reaches across the channel to speak directly into Rath's mind.

"Shu's got you, jump kiddo!"

Gina yanks her cords free, holding on to B'ni as the athletic girl hoists her onto her back and dashes back to you at a furious pace, a sudden rumbling at your feet serving as a split-second warning before the pier collapses beneath the swamp, scattering the half-formed constructs into the marshy terrain around it. The ground failing beneath her, Rath takes a leap of faith...

...and is rewarded when your colossal swarmling plucks her from the air, hauling her and the frail girl skyward.

(Continued)

>>3218556

{god}

{Fucking}

{DAMN IT}

The cold, seething fury in the ghost's voice chills you to your core as you watch your creation return to you, Rath having reeled the girl into her arms even as she vomits another tide into the swamp below. Gina is at the ready on the shore beside you and B'ni, jack in hand, hurling it like a dart towards your creation. You swerve it to the side, and between her aim and your technique, her second shot connects with the Daughter's arm, nearly missing by a hair.

The constructs, large and small alike, go slack as Gina assumes control, your wingling landing on the shore and depositing both girls to safety. You're at Rath's side in an instant, watching her begin to hyperventilate with shock, her acid-scoured musculature bare against the flesh-tone shore as her adrenaline reaches its limit, pain surging back to her as agonized tears run down her cheeks.

"Shu, I can keep these things at bay or I can try to help Rath..." Gina strains through gritted teeth, "...but the second I split focus this ghost bitch is gonna start making this poor girl vomit up another mess for us to fuck with."

"We need to kill her." B'ni says from behind you, hard gaze locked on the skeletal stranger lying on the ground next to Rath. "I'll make it quick. It wouldn't be on you, Shu."

Your focus shifts from one girl to the other. Rath's bare upper torso is a mess of melted skin and what little remains of her top, her legs raw, bloodstained skin slowly sloughing off with each twitch, each spasm of pain. The emaciated Daughter moans, and you can see azure light flickering back along Gina's cord, the ghost in this shell of a girl fighting for control of her unwilling host.

A decision must be made.

You hate that you are in control.

HP: 92%
BIO: 30% (2 Soundlings, 4 Swarmlings, 6/15 Active.)
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Close, fighting for dominance.
B’ni: 108%
GG: 85%
Rath: 31% (Prone, Stunned)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for one hour, Gentlemen.)

>>3218594
(Correction.)

BIO: 30% (1 Dire Wingling, 1/15 Active)

>>3218622
Is Bella (the host) Conscious or incapacitated?

>>3218634
(She is incapacitated by Gina.)

>>3218645
So then who's the ghost in the host?

>>3218594
I won’t trade Rath for this new girl. We knew we may not be able to save her as soon as we knew what her power was. Go ahead B’ni.

>>3218647
(A neuromancer Bella Nervosa consumed a short while ago, at least according to GG.)

>>3218594
Shit sucks balls, but we tried. We need to make a careful, yet expeditious retreat.

>>3218594
BHOP, we have two options. I just want a clarification: Gina can either help the girl keep the monsters at bay, or she can 'help' Rath. What exactly does the latter option entail?

>>3218691
(The latter option entails Gina stabilizing Rath so she stops losing bodily fluid and can begin to heal herself.)

>>3218594
>>3218702
Gaaaaahhhh. A decision must be made, indeed.

Rath over the new girl. Have Gina go over and stabilize Rath, and as soon as it looks like Bella is losing control, have B'ni end it.

>You hate that you are in control.

Part of being in control is knowing that difficult choices must be made.

Sorry, Bella.

>>3218702
Question: is it possible to do a Empathy/Neuromancy Double Tech Combo? As in Gina invites Shu and B'ni into the Neuromancy network and have Shu and B'ni takeover the Neuromancer duties (Freezing the Constructs and grappling with the Neuromancer) while Gina goes to stabilize Rath?

>>3218723
(Yes, with a certain margin of error.)

>>3218719
>>3218685
>>3218650
There might be another way. I just remembered a technique that Gina did when Shu was infested with a Neuromancer back in the cave. Have Gina invite everyone into the network, the essence of all the daughters that Shu, B'ni, and Gina had consumed on their journey

>>3218727
Would that Margin of error close if we also invited all of the daughters that Shu, Gina, and B'ni had consumed on their journey?

>>3218735
(That is a possibility.)

>>3218727
How big is that Margin? I remember shu and Gina pulling the same shit when they were in the cathedral of bones, so there might be some proficiency and familiarity.
>>3218741
Then do it. Rescue Bella like how Gina, B'ni, Meg, Holly, and Eloise saved Shu.

>>3218723
>>3218727
i was thinking maybe doing that and doing something similar to what we did for Shu when she got BONE possessed. have Gina focus on Rath while simply allowing the rest of us to talk to the two inside her head.

and i actually do want to potentially talk. sure, if necessary we will literally mentally beat them down to stop the constructs, but the thing is Bella might not actually deserve to be saved. eating a daughter alive could imply some messed up shit. sure, everyone is doing the whole fight or die thing, we cant necessarily blame her for that, but how she went about it may mean something.

maybe, maybe in context, she deserves to have the Neuromancer take control of her. or at least both of them be put down.

>>3218749
Everyone needs a heart to heart chat. That is true. The world is fucked up. We're a fool to try and save Rath, Bella, and pacify the Neuromancer by having Bella spit the neuromancer out, but we're THE fool.

>>3218747
>>3218749

(That was when you dealt with a Calcite Armory Daughter with a Neuromancer subclass. The being that is inside Bella Nervosa is a pure Neuromancer, subclasses unknown. Thus, there is a larger possibility to failure than the first case.)

(However, you are welcome to attempt it.)

>>3218768
>>3218749
Then mix up the roles. Have Gina invite Shu and B'ni into the Neuromancer Network, plug Rath into the network, and have Shu stabilize Rath via Neuromancer Network while B'ni keeps Bella's stomach down and Gina goes to town on the Neuromancer.

>>3218766
Indeed. Also we really need to have a talk woth B'ni. All for getting our ass saved but IC at least i feel all that 'we are all that matters' and 'lets abandon Rath' talk ain't fly.

>>3218594
My votes to do another Neuromancer circle with Emparhy mixed in if it will help us. Our goal ut to let Gina focus on Rath while we focus on subduing the Neuromancer and Bella in the dreamscape place and possibly even talk to them both.
and decide which of them deserves to own the body.
Or kill them both.

>>3218749
>>3218768
>>3218786
Let's go for it.

Have Shu work on healing Rath, and Gina and B'ni can work on Bella.

Prioritize Rath, as she's a member of the team. If it looks like she's going down, have Gina focus on her and do what is necessary to keep the team alive.

>>3218803
>>3218788
>>3218768
Also, leave a cancer bomb if things are guaranteed to go south.

>>3218815
Ohh, i like the way you think

>>3218815
(BHOP, are the 'cancer bombs' reversible?)

>>3218824
(No, but the payload may be held at the ready and injected on command. Once it is fired, it's a done deal.)

>>3218847
>>3218842
Gina's plug is currently inserted on Bella's arm. it might be possible to amputate it before it metastasizes and spreads to the other parts of the body. But you can only catch it early and stop it one round after injection.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

(You never cease to amaze me.)

>>3218889
All it takes is one autist m8

>>3218594

It's a binary decision. One life, or the other. You'd be a fool to think there was a third option...

...but isn't there always?

"Gina, I need you to patch me in to Rath, I'll do what I can to stabilize her while you and B'ni link in to that girl and figure out what's what in her head."

"You...you're fucking serious, aren't you?" Gina says, incredulous. "I...fuck it, I'll do what I can."

"Shu, I really don't think we..." B'ni begins, but you hold up a hand to stop her then and there, keeping your gaze level on GG.

"Get ready to send a cancerous payload directly into her skull if she and her passenger can't be dealt with." you finish, and you can feel as B'ni relaxes a hair behind you. Gina merely shakes her head in disbelief, even as three cords snake out from her sleeves to hover at the base of each of your necks.

"Are...jesus fuck, are we ready for this?" Gina swears, concern plain on her face as she looks from you to B'ni, the latter staring down at you, head slightly cocked.

"Are you sure?" B'ni asks you, confusion in her shimmering green eyes. You nod.

"I am. Ready on three, Gina. One, two, thr..."

Your vision pulses with violet light and then you're falling, tumbling down an endless abyss with your heart in your throat. You spin, and glimpse a distant light, shining like a far-off star. You spin, and it's like a porch-light in a far-off house, calling you home. You spin, and it's like an oncoming train, screaming towards you with death on its wheels. You spin, and...

(Continued)

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>>3218968

"...As many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God; to them that believe in His name..."

You squint at the early morning light that streams in through stained-glass windows, illuminating the aged stonework and rich tapestries of the cathedral you find yourself seated in, surrounded by men and women of all ages. You shift uncomfortably in your seat, your lower back protesting the stiff, unyielding oak of the pew and the infuriatingly itchy dress you find yourself in. The priest at the pulpit continues to intone the scriptures in a deep, droning voice, his rote recitation of the words infused more with a sense of duty and routine than either faith or fervor.

"...Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

A small figure seated to your left leans over and whispers low, so only you can hear.

"Hey, you wanna go get ice cream after this?"

You turn to see Rath sitting next to you, dressed in her Sunday best, her eyes fixed on the pulpit three rows ahead of you as the priest carries on.

"...And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

"Thanks be to God." he says, finally.

"Thanks be to God!" replies the congregation, Rath cheerfully echoing their sentiments. As the church hall erupts into a bustle of activity, Rath stands up and brushes the wrinkles out of her bright white sun dress, even now barely taller than you are sitting down.

"So, ice cream? You wanna go?" she asks again, showing off bright white teeth in an excited smile.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, I will be pausing here for the evening and resuming tomorrow morning, or in approximately eleven hours from now. Thank you so much for your participation, and take care.)

>>3218980
>"uh, sure. not the memory i expected to find you in Rath, thats for sure."
>"also you're kinda dying, and im here to help with that but i suddenly realize im not exactly sure what that entails. you dont happen to heal from eating ice cream and this is al gonna be easy to get through, do you?"

>attempt to help Rath quickly, you have a feeling they might need you on the other side of the cords, or well also helping her not die sooner than later is a good idea.

>>3218980
"Uh... sure."
(Does Rath have short hair right now? And how cute does she look in a dress fit for church?)

>>3218995
Thanks for the ride OP. It’s been fun like always

>>3218995
Bloody hell BHOP, you cut open the 8th vein and we have to deal with this? You're insane, evil, and amazing.

>>3219010

(Yes, and very.)

>>3219012

(I'm very glad you are enjoying it, anon!)

>>3218995
gotta say, this has been a good opening. a fight we aren't built for in the worst environment ever with a double moral quandary to have to shift through AFTER everything has shit the bed. and as the joke goes, its not even breakfast time yet.

>>3218980
>Ruffle her head. Give her a smile. "Sure. Not a fan of church are ya?"
>order 1 scoop Superman, 1 scoop Neapolitan, waffle cone. Then gawk at the 5 scoop high monstrosity that Rath ordered.
>"How are you feeling? Right now we're reliving a memory of your past, where things are safe before an eldritch god who calls itself "Mother" swallowed the earth and remade all of humanity for a sick Battle Royale called 'the Crucible'. Your real body is currently dying on the shore of a Marshy swamp having fought a really brutal battle against a bitch of a Neuromancer who hijacked a girl from the inside out. All in the name of this 'Mother'.

>"If you're wondering how the fuck I'm talking to you in your mind, it's Gina's work. She plugged both of us into her Neuro-Network. Welcome to the Matrix Rachel. This is what it feels like to be plugged in."

>"Right now I'm doing the best I can to stabilize your actual body. That bitch of a Neuromancer did a real number on you. So...

>Toss aside your Ice cream. then present two ice creams in your hand one red and one blue, don't think about how you got the red and blue Ice cream, it just works.

>"You got two choices, you can take the blue ice cream and lie back and let go of your life. You get to relive the cushy moments of your past and let your body die"

>"OR. You can take the red ice cream. Wake the fuck up, cling onto life like you've got a fucking deathgrip on it, help me deal with this bitch of a Neuromancer and daughter that Gina and B'ni are certainly having trouble with in the Matrix, and join me on this Metal as fuck journey to punch out an eldritch god in a post-apocalypse wasteland."

>Show her your best Maniac shit-eating-grin. "So what do you say Rath?"

Writing this just because A) I wanna pull a Morpheus on Rath B) Rath's a sucker for Metal-as-fuck fantasy acting C) I can't possibly think of a better way to motivate Rath.

(Good Morning, Gentlemen. Voting shall close in one hour, and I shall resume posting shortly thereafter.)

>>3218980
This >>3219110
Time to go Morpheus

>>3218980
>to them He gave power to become the sons of God
>...Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God
>...And the word was made flesh
Oh boy
Not like this is gonna be any relevant or anything :^)
Also no wonder Rath is such a chaos-loli, growing up surrounded by lawfags

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>>3218980

“Uh…sure?” you reply, blinking at the red-head before you, her simple sun dress bright in the light from the massive windows.

“Will that be all, Miss?”

You’re handing the cashier a few crisp bills with one hand, holding onto a triple-stack ice cream cone with the other. You glance to your right in the line of patrons to see Rath practically bouncing in place, running her short tongue along the top of an orange creamsicle. The two of you slide into opposite sides of the last unoccupied booth, staring out the window at the passers-by, Rath waving intermittently to various people in the crowd, familiar faces from the church. She turns to you, giggling at your massive ice cream cone.

“That’s just like you, trying to juggle everything at once.” She says, leaning in close to stare at the vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate tower. “You’re going to have to pick a flavor to stick with, eventually.

She winks at you teasingly, sticking her tongue out at you before returning to her own early-afternoon treat.

“Someone’s gonna get left out if you don’t.” She says between bites, waving at another member of church as they walk by.

“I’ll admit.” You begin, taking an experimental lick of the Neapolitan stack, “This isn’t the memory I expected to find, Rath.”

Her large, golden yellow eyes find yours, confusion knitting her freckled brow.

“I…what’re you talking about, Sis?” she asks, puzzled. Your study her face for a moment as she bites into her frozen treat, licking her lips before she continues. “Go ahead and finish your ice cream, we need to be back at church to prep for the afternoon service, and…oh shoot, I forgot, could you help me proof-read the letter I have to finish for dual-enrollment? It’s due next week but I really need to get it in before then. Think we could schedule a time to…”

“Rath, listen to me.” You say sternly, reaching out across the linoleum table and taking her hand. “You’re dreaming here, and you’re dying out there. We need to get you stabilized in here before we…”

She yanks her hand back as if burned, eyes wide with fear.

“You’re not Grace.” She gasps, her breaths coming in shorter, panic beginning to overtake her chest as she whips her head around the shop. “Grace? Grace, where are you?!”

>>Rath: 28%

“Goddamnit Rath, listen to me!” You yell, grabbing the small girl by the shoulders as she winces, the parlor patrons ignoring the scene completely. “It’s me, it’s Shu. I saved you back then, remember? You’ve been travelling with me, B’ni, and Gina, we…”

“You’re not Grace, she would never take the Lord’s name in vain, you’re not Grace, where is my sis…”

>>Rath: 25%

(Continued)

>>3219856

Heat overwhelms you, the relentless rays of an uncaring sun beating down on a black-clad crowd. The priest from earlier drones on, his words lost to the summer haze, lost to Rath’s memory. She stands beside you, her bright sun dress traded for a jet black women’s suit, ill-fitting and unsuited to the impartial heat of the day. Before you lies a coffin next to a yawning pit, pallbearers standing at attention and ready to lower the deceased into the ground.

“You’re not Grace.” Rath mutters, transfixed on the lightless onyx box a few feet ahead of her, baking in the harsh sunlight. “You can’t be Grace, she’s…”

>>Rath: 19%

You turn her to face you, tears streaming down her stunned face as she stares past your eyes, murmurs from the crowd reaching your ears as you struggle for the words to stop her from spiraling.

“…uch a respected family, to think one of theirs would…”

“…ver expected her to go out like a common tramp, a needl…

“…eard she was a whore, paid for drugs by selli…”

“…eft her siblings behind to kneel at satan’s alt…”

“…isappointment, her parents must be ashamed to have broug…”

Rath’s slender shoulders shake with barely-restrained sobs, her hands scratching raw, bloody grooves into her ears to drown out the crowd’s judgment.

“She’s my sister, she…she’s my hero, we…I can’t…”

She looks up at you, tear-streaked eyes red-gold in the mid-summer haze.

“I don’t have anyone else.”

>>Rath: 15%

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting to close in roughly two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3219859
>"Rath, im so sorry. But you are not alone. You dont have to be alone. Rath, we care about you. Me, Gina, even B'ni would'nt want to see you die. Dont let the past drag you away, dont let it control your future. We need you, no, we want you beside us Rath. Please, this doesn't have to be the end, fight it. Thats what your good at Rarh, thats what i admire about you. Your a fighter, a fire that inspires. Dont let that flame go out..."

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>>3219861
(You use "Gentlemen." in your QM posts so much that I imagine you as pic related now. Thanks.)

>>3219859
Fuck. I think we broke character. Either this is a memory of Rath attending her sister's funeral.
>Hug her.
>"Yes you do have 'anyone else'. You have me, you have B'ni, you have Gina. You have friends who look out for you, friends who risked their lives to protect you and bring a smile on your face."
>Get out a bandage or a gauze to help her bleeding ears.
>"If you love Grace so badly, then honor her memory by doing what you do best. Fight. Fight for your life. fight for your freedom. Do not go gently into the night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And know that when you fight, you are NOT ALONE."
>>3219877
Supporting this.

>>3219877
Oh, uhh damn im a jerk, add Julia to the list of names.

>>3219859
THIS >>3219877 >>3219907

>>3219907
>>3219859
Amending part of my speech to add Julia to the list.

>>3219859
>>3219877
>>3219907
>>3219913

You pull your friend close, arms around her head to shield her ears and stop her from tearing them further.

"Rath, I’m so sorry…but you are not alone.” You say gently, your fingers running through her short hair as she cries into your shirt. “You don’t have to be alone. Rath, we care about you. Me, Gina, Julia, even B'ni wouldn’t want to see you die. Don’t let the past drag you away, don’t let it control your future…we’re all fighting our pasts, but we’re fighting them together.”

The light around you begins to shift, harsh yellow giving way to gentle amethyst.

>>Rath: 15%

“We need you, no…we want you beside us, Rath. Please, this doesn't have to be the end, fight it. That’s what you’re good at Rath, that’s what I admire about you. You’re a fighter, a fire that inspires everyone around you. Don’t let that flame go out..."

Her racking sobs slow as exhaustion overwhelms her, arms hanging limply at her side while you hold her close.

“…okay.” She murmurs, peeking over your arm back towards the coffin as it is lowered into the ground, the scene cast in a calm violet light. You look past the grave and you think you catch sight of a head of strawberry blonde hair, disappearing into the crowd of mourners before your eyes can fully adjust.

>>Rath: 18%

“Come on, firecracker.” You say softly as you re-focus on the girl before you. You tilt her face to yours, her thousand-yard stare slowly giving way to a renewed focus. “I…we’ve got you, alright?”

“Okay.” She says, finally. “Alright. Just…please get me the fuck out of here.”

The violet light around you flares, giving way to darkness as the after-ache of combat floods back into the forefront of your mind.

>>Rath: Stabilized

(Continued)

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>>3220017

You open your eyes to see Rath’s body slowly stitching itself back together, skin reforming inch by painful inch as she lies passed out on the shoreline. Finding her breathing stable, you rise, turning your attention to the Daughter lying beside her. She is still and silent, and after a few moments of holding your breath you realize her own breathing has ceased.

B’ni stands next to the skeletal frame of the lifeless girl, hands folded in front of her, eyes studying your face for any trace of reaction. You glance behind her to see Gina walking away from you to the edge of the shore, cords disappearing under her hoodie as she wordlessly brings her headphones over her ears.

“I…we couldn't save her, Shu.” B’ni says with a shrug of her shoulders, one fang chewing her bottom lip as her gaze darts between your eyes.

“It’s fine.” You reply curtly, tearing your eyes away from the corpse and watching Rath’s torso regenerate rapidly, fighting in your mind for the confidence that you made the right call. You realize with a start that Rath’s top is utterly dissolved when B’ni quickly kneels beside her, draping her bomber jacket over the sleeping girl to preserve a bit of her modesty for when she regains consciousness. She gives you a toothy smile, and you smile back weakly.

A sliver of crimson catches your eye as you notice a thin line of blood creeping towards the shore from underneath Bella Nervosa’s lifeless form, almost like a tear. The swamp is silent once more as you and B’ni crouch near Rath, Gina staring off into the misty depths of the swamp a little ways off, music trailing softly from her headphones.

COMBAT CEASED

>>You want to talk to Gina or B’ni (your choice) about what happened. You’d like some clarification as to what went down in the girl’s head, if nothing else. You can figure out what to do with the body afterwards.

>>Inspect and consume the daughter. Your victory was hard-won, and there’s little point in wasting time going over what you just fought through. You just want to get out of this place...and you know you're not the only one.

>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting to close in two hours.)

>>3220023
>Ask B'ni what happened, and place Raths hand on the dead daughter. If nothing else, that may help her heal faster, and she was the one who we let down by letting her get caught out by herself.

Also later we still really need to talk to B'ni about trying to abandon Rath and calling us the most important.

>>3220047
Waiiit, why is the dead daughter bleeding? If she died inside her mind, she would just be dead, if she died vua cancer, she would be disfigured.
Hrm, i might be being paranoid but... did B'ni convince Gina to just stab the poor girl while we were gone? Even hide the wound on the back so we wouldn't see?
Im hoping not but...

>>3220025
BHOP, are both daughters (Bella and the Neuromancer) dead? Because the line of blood is making me paranoid that the Neuromancer might have taken Hemomancy as a subclass and is currently escaping.

>>3220067
(Both Bella and her passenger are deceased.)

>>3220047
>>3220052
Fuck it, my paranoia from this game is too damn high, changing my vote to;
>Ask B'ni what Happened.
>Afterwards, move the dead daughters body over to Rath, insist on doing it yourself if you must, and if we just so happen to find a stab wound in her back that doesn't line up with B'nis story...
>Regardless, still put Raths hand on it, so she can use it to heal faster, and because she did good work out there for us.

>>3220023
>Talk to B'ni face to face
>Then contact Gina privately on the empathy channel, Tell her to turn on her wifi and make it a private wifi channel, get her side of the story.
>>3220076
I'll support this.

But it really brings back to mind about what Mother told us when she offered us the lvl 5 swarmling choice. Mother did provide a
Rath: A living flame, a danger to herself and her loved ones. (Confirmed by her personality and powerset)
Gina: A sightless prophet who would risk insanity in pursuit of the impossible (Plausible due to her Double Neuromancy powerset)
B'ni: A Liar and a thief, who has stolen valuable things from us, and would steal many things from us.

>>3220023
this >>3220076

There's really not much 'paranoia' to be had here.

B'ni has always thought extremely highly of us for whatever reason. It's clear she thought that the risk wasn't worth it and made an executive decision (which might have been warranted, honestly) and eliminated the girl outright as opposed to letting us risk ourselves too hard.

We aren't stupid, we can put together context clues and we remember shit. That said, it would be at least nice to see what she says and if she's going to try to BS something or be honest.

If she is...I dunno, probably should chide her for thinking Shu more important than anyone else, and then thank her for pulling Shu's fat out of the fryer.

We've got a fucked up past, sure, and we're a nice person- but we're no messiah (not yet, anyways) and we won't be able to save everyone. We shouldn't start developing a complex over it, and admit that sometimes we're going to make iffy decisions. B'ni and Gina are still individuals, and they've got every right to make decisions of their own regardless of our input or lack thereof.

(Gentlemen, for the sake of clarity, do you intend for Rath to take all the level up points or distribute them evenly among the party?)

>>3220106
Hm...could probably take the lion's share, but not absolutely everything...

>>3220106
Anybody but Shu needs these levels.

>>3220106
How many level-up points are there in Bella and her passenger? I would like to know before making the decision on distributing those points.

>>3220113
(Three level ups.)

>>3220115
>>3220112
Then I'll have Rath, B'ni, and Gina partake in the consumption process. Shu will sit this one out.

>>3220120
I'll second that, sure.

>>3220115
yeah no, Shu needs to sit out the next 3 or so levelup opportunities we get

>>3220129
As much as I would like Shu to wait patiently until the rest of the crew levels up, Unless we get a rare amalgam that feeds the crew 4 or more level-up points, its likely Shu will be suffering from the hunger.

>>3220106
Also, What happened to the supply packs that Gina and Rath prepared and set on the Strider-lings?

>>3220137
(The packs are on the shore close by.)

>>3220137
>its likely Shu will be suffering from the hunger
BHOP confirmed people who do not levelup still get to eat normally, so the hunger is avoided just like in Digital Devil Saga

>>3220115
My vote is Rath getting at least 2, then Gina the last one

>>3220105
My main issue will be if she tries to lie about it or avoid the question all together. Or also if they didn't even actually try to save her, but potentially middle ground on that if they are at least honest about it.

>>3220023

“B’ni, what happened with her?” You ask, nodding towards the body a short distance from Rath. B’ni stares at it for a moment before turning back to you, weighing her response.

“Gina…she tried her best.” B’ni begins, her tone even and deliberate. “But between how panicked this girl was and how aggressive the neuromancer inside her ended up being, we…I…had to finish it.”

B’ni reaches out and gingerly turns the body over, revealing a nigh-invisible line starting at the top of the girl’s skull and running down the length of her spine. A perfect cut, a swift death from an expertly placed strike, cleaving the base of her skull and the length of her spinal cord in two.

“…A-are you mad?” She asks haltingly, fear suddenly filling her emerald eyes in the face of your stoic silence.

“No…no, you made a hard call at a sh**y moment.” You say with a bitter sigh, reaching out and touching B’ni’s shoulder, a sad smile on your lips. “I get it. Could you help me move her over to Rath so she can maybe heal a little faster? Every little bit helps, I hope.”

She nods, and the two of you slide the corpse over to Rath, with you placing her partially-healed hand on the other girl’s frail arm. You send B’ni to retrieve Gina, who sulks back over with music still playing loud on her headphones.

“You did the best you could, GG.” You say as she glowers down at the body, amber eyes hard.

“Doesn’t feel like it.” She breathes, slipping her headset around her neck with a glance at B’ni. “Feels like I failed, if we’re being brutally honest.”

“We’re alive, and we’re stronger for it.” You reply, reaching out to the body with your allies. “That’s a win in my book.”

>>B’NI LEVEL UP
>>GG LEVEL UP
>>RATH LEVEL UP

(Continued)

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>>3220282

(Gentlemen, due to player feedback the HEALTH and BIO options have been stricken from the level up menu in favor of integrating such bonuses into the other selectable options, with CONSUME’s HEALTH and BIO increases dependent on the option selected from the list if CONSUME in chosen.)

B’NI LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>DOGGED SPRINTER (HEALTH REGEN+)
>>CALCITE GREAVES (BIO+)
>>CONSUME (?)

GG LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>NEUROMANCER (BIO+)
>>NEUROTIC HALO (BIO EFFICIENCY+)
>>CONSUME (?)

RATH LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>TENSILE STRAND (HEALTH+)
>>RADIANT BOIL (BIO+)
>>CONSUME (?)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

>>3220282
You can swear OP

(Gentlemen, voting shall close in approximately two hours.)

>>3220294
(Ha, that was to get past work censors. My apologies.)

>>3220293
>B'NI; DOGGED SPRINTER

>GINA; NEUROTIC HALO

>RATH;CONSUME

glad b'ni was honest. As for Rath, im hoping to get her acid bombs or something, diversify her bomb types if possible.

>>3220293
B'NI
>DOGGED SPRINTER (HEALTH REGEN+)
More for the health than anything, but no reason not to up the gofast either.

GG
>CONSUME (?)

Let's try and get her something new. I've a feeling that she can make a massive fuckoff area around her with this kinda power, which might help with her whole 'needs to stand still and focus to get her shit poppin' problem.

RATH
>RADIANT BOIL (BIO+)

Bigger booms, more bio to boom with.

>>3220293
>Greaves
>Consume
>Boil

>>3220293
The previous health and bio upgrades everyone had are not lost, right?

>DOGGED SPRINTER
>CONSUME
>RADIANT BOIL

OH SHIT
We should remind out party that The Mother will contact them when they levelup their stuff to 5 (said in a better in-character way), because I think Rath might be close to 5 in Radiant Boil?

>>3220323
(By no means. Everyone's Health and Bio upgrades remain in effect.)

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>>3220327
Nice, have a not-Shu

(Gentlemen, I am headed home and shall post the next update from there. Thank you for your patience.)

>>3220282

B’NI LEVEL UP

>>DOGGED SPRINTER (Lvl 4): B’ni’s legs have evolved, shifting into a compressed pair of limbs with impossibly dense musculature that now allows for explosive bursts of speed. Now, when B’ni makes the first move at the start of combat, she may expend her stored energy and push her body past its limits to cross the battlefield and deliver a surprising blow. In effect, she may expend 25% HEALTH at the start of combat to cross up to three distance zones in a super-sonic burst, dealing a blow with a vastly increased chance of a critical hit as she catches her foe by surprise (HEALTH REGEN +3%, 5% MAX PER TURN).

GG LEVEL UP

>>CONSUME: LIST TO FOLLOW

RATH LEVEL UP

>>RADIANT BOIL (Lvl 4): An eternal flame, a light that will never fade. Rath’s phosphorescent grenades now burn for an additional turn regardless of whether or not they have hit their intended target, effectively doubling Rath’s damage output against targets that are unfortunate enough to have been stuck by her lethal payloads. Seem's she intent on sticking it out with Shu, after all (MAX BIO + 20%).

(Continued)

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>>3220811
>Dogged Sprinter 4
>dealing a blow with a vastly increased chance of a critical hit
>Calcite Greaves 4
>When B’ni scores a natural critical hit, she now achieves maximum damage
MY FUCKING DICK

>>3220872
My vote goes for Nervosa Altum. Gina's already got plenty of defense options, but she could do with some more offensive abilities.

>>3220897
(My apologies, I left out the fourth option. Re-calibrating now.)

>>3220872
>>NERVOSA ALTUM (Lvl 1)
Gina badly needs an actual full on offensive ability and come on, just imagine the horror of having this girl freeze you in place and then vomit out a literal slime monster that then slowly envelopes you whole.

the liquid control honestly feels way too specific and could go to waste way too often, and the fear one isnt terrible but she has enough support abilities as it is honestly.

>>3220872
> HYDROFORMER (Neuromancer Augment): Gina's ability to manipulate the fleshscape now extends to liquids on any kind, granting her the ability to control liquids in addition to the solid biosphere she can wield now. Her enhanced power allows her to control aqueous matter a short distance from her, on top of granting her the new ability to exercise influence over Daughters and constructs of an amorphous variety. (MAX BIO +10%)
OH SHIT. HYDROMANCY. WE GOTTA GET THIS ONE. Oceans of acid? Marshes? PART THEM LIKE THE RED SEA MOSES!

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>>3220811

GG LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>NERVOSA ALTUM (Lvl 1): Gina now possesses the gift and curse that Bella Nervosa wielded, allowing her to expel vast quantities of liquid biomass and shape them to her whims. While lacking the powerful acidic qualities or the level of control (or lack thereof) that Bella was capable of, this power nevertheless grants GG a versatile offensive tool with an effective range of two distance zones. However, at its current stage, high quantities of BIO are necessary to generate constructs. (MAX BIO +30%

>>VERURTEILUNG (Lvl 1): There is power in words wielded with ill intent, a certain strength in voicing another's fears. Gina now possesses the ability wielded by Bella Nervosa's curious parasite, granting her the (toggle-able) ability to passively exude an aura of pure, crippling fear around herself, reducing the hit rate of Daughters that enter into short range combat with her and increasing their vulnerability to critical hits from other sources. Additionally, while this ability is active, when Gina jacks in to a target she is granted insight into their fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities, allowing her to act on them in any manner she (or her allies) see fit. (HEALTH +20%)

>> HYDROFORMER (Neuromancer Augment): Gina's ability to manipulate the fleshscape now extends to liquids on any kind, granting her the ability to control liquids in addition to the solid biosphere she can wield now. Her enhanced power allows her to control aqueous matter a short distance from her, on top of granting her the new ability to exercise influence over Daughters and constructs of an amorphous variety. (MAX BIO +10%)

>>PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY (Passive): A power you hope she never has to use, Gina's mind is now a terrible and persistent force, allowing her to vacate her body and move into a fully incapacitated host that has been brought to the brink of death. Alternatively, if she finds herself consumed, her death saving throws continue within the biomass of her devourer, allowing her to assume control of their body upon revival with their levels halved but her skillset intact. You hope it never comes to this...but it's a power unlike anything else in this world. (HEALTH REGEN +3%)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the remainder of the evening, as I will be turning in here for the night. I shall be resuming in approximately sixteen hours from now to allow for an accumulation of votes, as this may prove to be something of a turning point for Gina. However, I will be checking in frequently so I shall be open to questions, comments, and criticism for the evening. Thank you so much for your participation, and take care.)

>>3220900
>>3220906
(Your votes for the options of your choice may still stand, if you wish. Apologies for the inconvenience.)

>>3220900
>>3220897
Guys. You do realize if you choose an ability other than Hydroformer or Persistence of Memory, Gina will be forced to drop either Neuromancy or Neurotic Halo. I'm guessing a daughter can only have 2 evolving abilities. Neuromancy and Neurotic halo are too useful to discard.

>>3220920
(Abilities may stack indefinitely, should you wish. For example, Marrow Dragoon has six evolving abilities at her disposal. Just for your future consideration.)

>>3220917
If a daughter has 2 evolving abilities and chooses to consume another evolving ability, is she forced to drop an existing ability? because That's the implication you're getting at when you say
>this may prove to be something of a turning point for Gina.

>>3220913
My vote still goes for nervosa. That last one seems neat, but it seems kinda situational, and as I mentioned she's already got plenty of defensive abilities.

>>3220925
(Oh, I mean something else entirely.)

>>3220900
>>3220913
>>3220917
keeping my vote yeah. though that last one is pretty good in a terrifying way. thing is, the first part basically goes against what we have had our characters stand for, and the second part is a situation in which we have already failed and want to avoid, thus meaning the power is mostly 'worthless'.

now, if this wasn't a game, and it was for myself...

>>3220913
> HYDROFORMER (Neuromancer Augment): Gina's ability to manipulate the fleshscape now extends to liquids on any kind, granting her the ability to control liquids in addition to the solid biosphere she can wield now. Her enhanced power allows her to control aqueous matter a short distance from her, on top of granting her the new ability to exercise influence over Daughters and constructs of an amorphous variety. (MAX BIO +10%)
If we come across a Daughter that uses blood or liquid-state attacks or properties, this WILL hard counter them

>>3220960
and otherwise be a total waste of a level up vast amounts of the time as we find ourselves in an area with no liquid, and mind you not her first extremely situational ability already putting her a step behind her allies while she still does not have an actual dedicated offensive option and those she can use as one impede her movement and other abilities greatly and cost extravagant amounts of bio.

>>3220913
BHOP, you know you're running a fucking awesome quest when ALL of the level up options are too good to pass up on. That said, here's my opinion on how I think GG should develop.

We need a Neuromancy specialist. The bone ghost and this enemy were proof that we'll fight stronger and stronger neuromancers as we go along, and this power is potentially a game breaker. We need both defense and offense against these enemies, and for this, GG can be both.

With this in mind, Nervosa Altum is interesting, but not necessary.

However, Verurteilung is really neat, in that it can open up crit opportunities for our allies (hello, B'ni), and can also augment her Neuromancy abilities. In addition, it can also level up, meaning we might find all kinds of uses in regards to fear manipulation, which could be amazingly cool in regards to enemies. And make no mistake, not all of our enemies are gonna be potential friends - there's gonna be some bad people that we'll have no choice but to go through.

Hydroformer is more of a terrain manipulation ability, and although influencing amorphous Daughters and constructs is neat, it's a bit specific.

Persistence of Memory is a last resort ability. A failsafe for if she faces the worst possible outcome. Rarely useful, but when it is, it's insanely important.

That being said, my vote goes to either Verurteilung or Persistence of Memory, whichever gets more votes.

>>3220983
The way I see it letting Gina get a level into Hydromancy expands her options in her main MO of attacking: plugging into the enemy and ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. Spawning Mass minions is nice, but this isn't a solo playthrough and Shu's got the party covered when it comes to generating fodder. Admittedly this battle against Nervosa went pretty poorly for Shu because of the caustic nature of the vomit golems, but in general you shouldn't vote for an option where a character has an ability that steals the thunder of another whose class is specialized in that role.

You do have a good point when it comes to the situation that the party mainly doesn't fight in the water, but why depend on a lake or a marsh when you can simply hijack a daughter by putting a plug into a puddle of blood that said daughter is standing in?
And as for a versatile offensive option, Hydroforming (aka water bending) is versatile in and of itself. Gina could theoretically alter the composition of the liquid she's taken control of and make it freeze via chemical reaction or use a blend of Solid terraforming and liquid terraforming to create a hydrocannon.
>>3221004
Interesting mindset you have. But I need to confirm one thing first.
>>3220931
BHOP, is the Terror aura that VERURTEILUNG radiates indiscriminate or is Gina able to control that aura to negate Friendly fire?

>>3221037
(Her close allies are unaffected, though same cannot be said for friendly units that she is not overly familiar with, such as Dr. West.)

>>3221037
Thank you.
Also, to add on this question, does the aura cost Biomass to activate? And once activated, would it drain Biomass over time, or would it cost Biomass only to activate it, with maintenance being free of charge?

>>3221089
Passing the question to BHOP >>3221077

>>3221089
>>3221097
(Thanks to an undisclosed passive of the Halo, it costs nothing to activate its base mode. However, stronger powers would require a biomass casting cost or upkeep, depending on the ability)

>>3221037
Id asume she cannot control another daughters blood while it is still in them or connected to them via thier abilites. Same with thier biomass, as technically terraforming works on fleshscape, yet she cant just jack in and cause a daughter to convulse into a flesh puddle.

My vote is still firmly for NERVOSA ALTUM, but id be willing to change it only to avoid Hydromancy as i feel it is the most wasteful option, and if my one vote changed could avoid it being picked then it would be worth the change.

>>3221118
BHOP, does the terror aura also extend to Amalgams and constructs?

>>3221164
(It does, with diminished effect.)

>>3221157
I'd be okay with changing my vote from Hydromancy to Verurteilung. Knowing what people fear is a tool to help them overcome it.

>>3221185
Hey BHOP, For Nervosa Altum, is its primary ability just spewing a sizable quantity liquid biomass that Gina can manipulate at will without having to plug her neurocords in? And what's the bio-cost for creating a construct?

>>3221265
Okay, now that I think about Veruteilung, I can't get the idea of creating a double tech between Gina and Shu by making platelings that have Gina's Terror aura and then equipping them as masks for the party. I can hear B'ni and Rath going WRYYYY with those masks on complete with MENACING.JPG

>>3221265
The fear aura is without a doubt the second best, im just tired of only giving Gina support abilites and dislike a character not having a dedicated attack option.

>>3221274
(Yes, it is. A single construct costs 15% biomass to create, and it's form may be shifted as an action, much like Shu's swarmlings.)

>>3221341
If Gina were to plug her neurocords into the liquid biomass generated by Nervosa Altum, would she be able to control it to a greater effect?

i think another thing to point out is only NERVOSA ALTUM and VERURTEILUNG are evolving abilities, meaning both have superb long term potential compared to the other two, aswell as the fact they could easily overcome any potential shortcomings they have with further upgrades, aswell as of course become much more powerful then they currently are.

we already have a power based around keeping her alive in a worse case scenario and again, i really feel Hydro is wholly too situational, aswell as will have much more limited availability to upgrade its limits. it also will be a costly power much like Terraforming.

>>3221366
(Given her control of the liquid, it would be redundant. Her control of her constructs is currntly capped with the level of the skill that manifests them. If hydromancy could be coupled with it at some point in the future, though...)

>>3221287
>>3221289
Fear aura and knowledge of opponent fears can also help diplomancy.

>>3221394
Okay. You've convinced me to drop hydroformer, Persistence of memory is basically an auto-revive with a heavy cost the borderlines on a thanatos gambit which is something Shu and the group and us anons aren't keen on.
Nervosa altum I'm hesitant on and Verurteilung (it means conviction in German, and for the sake of not fumbling over german, I'll be calling it conviction)...
>>3221421
Okay. Now you're really making me tempted.
>>3221429
Another interesting point, but the fear aura will make daughters more keen on fighting instead of standing down.

So here's the big thing about Gina's Neuromancy kit. She's got 2 main branches in which her Neuromancy can go. Directly manipulating the enemy by taking over their bodily systems, or manipulating the environment via terraforming.
So far we've been heavily using her Terraforming aspects while keeping the ASSUME DIRECT CONTROL in key moments such as stabilizing Rath and rescuing Shu from Bone Ghost girl in combat.
I can see your need of Nervosa Altum, but as bhop hinted, taking hydromancy in the future would make her terraforming aspect even stronger and at no cost, but it requires Hydromancy to get the full effect.
Conviction on the other hand, is more Neuromancy specialized as an Anti-daughter debuff at close range. Creating Double tech from Conviction is possible and could aid the party greatly, but that would require Shu to put more effort into making her Hive more versatile and spend more swarmling slots on making specialized swarmlings to augment the party.

>>3221528
we actually get alot of good done specializing our swarmlings to aid our allies abilities while only keeping a handful for direct attacks. the only big issue i honestly think we have right now is that Armorlings cost so many slots, but are also extremely good to take. if we could actually upgrade Armorlings to be more efficient in the Swarmling slots they take up would fix our biggest issue i feel. the hive has already been pretty versatile and its worked out well, is what im trying to say.

>>3221544
Well if we are to raise the swarmling cap, we'll have to take levels in swarmling, which means furthering the empathy bond with our friends to become a bit more invasive. The thing is that we're frankly a bit scared of our own power (the whole reading the minds of other people bit).
And as for swarmling specialization, We've been coming up with so many different swarmling types (basic swarmling, Baneling, Armorlings, Plateling shields, Claymore-lings, Camo-banelings, Camo-platelings, Winglings, Dire Winglings, etc.) that fit the situation Shu's problem is that she has only so many swarmling slots and so much Bio that she can't do everything that she wants to do for the sake of her friends. I mean, the fight against Bella was super nerve wracking because this is probably the first time that we've been forced to come up with bio-efficient solutions to keep everyone safe and run dangerously empty of Bio.

>>3221578
well, i was more thinking its possible to slightly circumvent the problem by potentially finding a CONSUME that upgrades the armorlings, not Swarmling specifically. but again that is a roll of the dice if even possible, and was just an idea i was putting out.

and yeah, this fight was the most out of our element i have felt so far. even Bone Ghost didn't make our entire party feel as worthless as this situation did. If Bella had actually been in control and fighting us for real...well, lets just say i actually think we would've lost a party member, and/or been forced to retreat.

but, to be fair, i think we probably could've also played our decisions out better, and our incessant, but happily uncompromising, wish to do what is right over what is smart or safe also hurt us badly. which hey, its how we wish to play the game, im on board with it, but it certainly was also a lesson on the dangers that mindset can have.

>>3221604
On the flipside, it's practically nightmare fuel when you think about what if we didn't try to rescue Bella. That Neuromancer had the potential to be a serious threat as in being an unkillable neuromancer who would assume direct control even if you did consume her. I know I'm just trying to grasp at straws in the optimism, but this combat scenario did teach Shu a lesson on the limits of her optimism and wish for saving daughters.

On the other hand, in this combat, Shu's swarmlings were hard countered by acid constructs. the most significant contribution she could make to the situation was the feeble defense squadron of swarmlings, the gauntlings and platelings that could only cut down a few constructs before melting, and the Dire wingling airlift. If anything, with the new skill tree system that BHOP so graciously implemented, our upgrades and consume options would make Shu better in the swarm support department.

So anyways. Nervosa or Conviction (I'm not going to say the german word, it's too hard for typing memorization).

Nervosa has the potential in augmenting Gina's heavy use of Terraforming by being a source of malleable biomass that doesn't require Gina to spend a cord slot and plug in to manipulate, using its full potential in tandem with Neuromancy would mean reserving a level-up slot for Hydromancy.
Conviction is more a mental-warfare thing, the terror debuff is insane on daughters and to a lesser extent amalgams and constructs, but the short range leaves something to be desired.

>>3221653
>>3221604
So my thoughts on this:
If we pick Nervosa, Gina's going to specialize a bit more in mass-combat and area control.
If we pick Conviction, Gina will be more a 1v1 sort of person, the issue is that We mainly use Gina to do Terraforming crowd control to corral the enemy masses so that our other party members can focus on the 1v1 better.

>>3221653
>>3221677
actually Conviction technically is an AOE, but honestly with how we use Gina i actually do feel Nervosa may mesh better, as we only get her close if we feel we have no choice or we see an opening, which would somewhat, though not fully, limit Convictions usefulness to defensive only due to having a max range, while no matter what we do with her construct it is far less bound by range, making it useful in both situations we use her in.

>>3221604
> this fight was the most out of our element i have felt so far. even Bone Ghost didn't make our entire party feel as worthless as this situation did. If Bella had actually been in control and fighting us for real...well, lets just say i actually think we would've lost a party member, and/or been forced to retreat.
The entire crew is built for efficient single-opponent curbstomping and not for multi-target cleanup.

>>3221653
>>3221677
>Shu's swarmlings were hard countered by acid constructs
Yup, that was a bitch
>Conviction is more a mental-warfare thing, the terror debuff is insane on daughters and to a lesser extent amalgams and constructs, but the short range leaves something to be desired.
My intent for bringing that up was also because Conviction can be used to discern fears THEN be used to help others in confronting/overcoming them. Sort of a trial-by-fire therapy tool in the name of diplomancy and peace.

>>3221677
>>3221713
Nervosa costs craptons of BIO for constructs and shit, which Terraforming ALSO uses.
>(Yes, it is. A single construct costs 15% biomass to create, and it's form may be shifted as an action, much like Shu's swarmlings.)
As much as I want the (MAX BIO +30%) off of Nervosa, Gina has standard base 100% health with no upgrades. The (HEALTH +20%) off of Conviction coupled with what she already has, along with the "insight into their fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities", is so much better than "projectile vomit 2 zones away and conjure non-acidic constructs" that is Nervosa.

>>3220913
Fuck my vote in >>3220960
I am all in on Conviction now.

>>3221713
>>3221742
Another thing that bugs me. Spawning the liquid biomass requires Gina to heave her guts out. Heaving your guts out is a very energy intensive process that I frankly think would impact Gina's performance. And given that Bella was uncontrollably spewing biomass because the Neuromancer was inside her and controlling her stomach, having Gina heaving up a spew would frankly leave her very vulnerable to a ambush hit.

>>3221757
So make your vote m8

>>3221742
in theory though the construct wont be destroyed often and for sure wont be as 'weak' as swarmlings, which even the stronger ones really are kinda throw away units(or at least, we sacrifice them pretty often...) the +30 BIO would also offset two of them, though i think it we can only have one active at a time at the moment. basically the ability pays for itself and one replacement of a construct that should be tougher then were used to and potentially useful in less throw-away ways, thus not even affecting our current usage of Bio in other ways, and if were smart still leaving us with more than we had before to work with.

i find it hard to believe we will be able to use our opponents fears or doubts well in battle, but i cant deny knowing their vulnerabilities will be useful, i still feel its currently a much more defensive ability, or if we get close as we currently do wont be useless, but slightly under utilized considering we already only try and go for openings, so using the fear aura to make an opening r expand seems like a moot point.

>>3220913
>>3221653
My vote goes to Verurteilung/Conviction

We already have some sort of distant crowd-controlling abilities with Shu‘s Swarmlings so i really don’t think Nervosa Altum is needed
GG should use her biomass for terraforming not for some extra minions

>>3221757
eh, id think the ability itself would mend her body to be able to handle it, much like Shu doesn't even think about the fact bugs are literally ripping out of her back. theres also plenty of ways to offset any danger it would cause, and im sure it wont affect her performance due to the nature of powers. i mean, ripping of boiling cysts isnt exactly something id think would leave you all energetic after either, but just like Shus swarmlings Raths body allows her to ignore it if even being affected by it at all.

>>3220913
>>VERURTEILUNG (Lvl 1): There is power in words wielded with ill intent, a certain strength in voicing another's fears. Gina now possesses the ability wielded by Bella Nervosa's curious parasite, granting her the (toggle-able) ability to passively exude an aura of pure, crippling fear around herself, reducing the hit rate of Daughters that enter into short range combat with her and increasing their vulnerability to critical hits from other sources. Additionally, while this ability is active, when Gina jacks in to a target she is granted insight into their fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities, allowing her to act on them in any manner she (or her allies) see fit. (HEALTH +20%)

Hahahaha... BHOP said It doesn't affect the party, so you know what that means right? Put Gina In a suit and let her use her auto-crit Halo ability while B'ni goes ham with her own Crit passives.

>>3220913

>>VERURTEILUNG (Lvl 1): There is power in words wielded with ill intent, a certain strength in voicing another's fears. Gina now possesses the ability wielded by Bella Nervosa's curious parasite, granting her the (toggle-able) ability to passively exude an aura of pure, crippling fear around herself, reducing the hit rate of Daughters that enter into short range combat with her and increasing their vulnerability to critical hits from other sources. Additionally, while this ability is active, when Gina jacks in to a target she is granted insight into their fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities, allowing her to act on them in any manner she (or her allies) see fit. (HEALTH +20%)
Remember lads it's evolvable

>>3220913

>>GG - VERURTEILUNG (Lvl 1) ACQUIRED

Rath moans softly, rousing from her slumber to find you and Gina sitting beside her, with B’ni pacing a few yards away. She turns to you, blinking the sleep from her eyes as her gaze settles on your relieved face.

“Gra…Shu.” She murmurs, correcting herself. “Did I…is that girl…?”

You shake your head, and watch Rath’s expression fall. She picks up B’ni’s coat from her body and just stares, letting it drop with a bitter sigh and a hint of blush in her cheeks.

“…What happened to my fucking shirt?”

“Acid.” Gina says as she rummages in one of the two packs you brought with you. “Here’s the one you picked out, I figured you’d want it.”

“Thanks, GG...” She mutters in reply, taking the white shirt with light red stripes and glancing between the two of you. “…mind if I get a little privacy?”

“Oh, uh, yeah.” You stammer, turning around and catching Gina smirking at you as she does the same, striding over to the vertical wall of the flesh mound, hands in her pockets as she begins to pace its length.

“Thanks for coming back for me, Shu…I’m sorry I fucked up.” Rath says from behind you as you listen to her rise, tossing B’ni's coat to the ground.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Rath. You were amazing out there, I’m serious.”

“Listen, I get it if you wanna head out soon.” She says glumly, her voice low. “I can find my own way from here and…”

“Goddammit Rath, did you not hear a word I…” you start, raising your voice as you indignantly turn on your heel to find Rath has not even begun to change into her new shirt. You catch sight of pale skin and freckled collarbones as she whirls around with a high yelp, holding the cloth to her chest as you’re suddenly faced with a narrow, wiry-muscled back.

“Oh shit, I…shit, sorry.” You mumble, whipping your head around to see Gina’s shoulders shaking as she turns away from the two of you. You hear Rath quickly slip the shirt over her head as GG’s halo pulses gently, her head cocked as she inspects the sheer wall of flesh. The sound of steps ahead of you make you look up to see B’ni striding forwards, snatching her coat off the ground and slipping it back on with an inscrutable expression.

“Hey, I got a joke for you guys.” GG calls out over her shoulder, fingers running along the mound’s supple surface. “What does this mountain and Shu’s apology have in common?”

“Uh…I’m not sure.” You reply as Rath walks by you fully clothed, her and B’ni sharing a cold glance. Gina turns back to you with a smirk.

“They’re both hollow.”

(Continued)