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>>3845331
“So what do you think?” Valentina mutters as you take a few steps away from the crowd. “I mean there’s no way, right?”

“Yeah, they probably murdered those innocent people,” you agree. “Thinking they were making themselves safer.”

“I wonder if there have been any problems in Tarsus?” Valentina wonders aloud, glancing away from the Dari pass and towards the border.

>One of us might go over there and check. I volunteer.
>We should start there and sweep into the mountains following the pass.
>Clearing the town of Norwick takes priority.
>Other?

>>3845335
>>One of us might go over there and check. I volunteer.

they need to know if they fucked up, otherwise they might do it again, or try it against an actual yoma, both with terrible consequences

>>3845335
>One of us might go over there and check. I volunteer.

>>3845335
>>One of us might go over there and check. I volunteer.

>>3845335
>We should start there and sweep into the mountains following the pass.

>>3845335
>>We should start there and sweep into the mountains following the pass.

>>3845335
>3d10, best of four
>DC: 18
>Crit: 21

Rolled 9, 1, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>3845774
For the Queen!!

Rolled 2, 1, 7 = 10 (3d10)

>>3845787
Perhaps the dice are republican?

Rolled 9, 10, 2 = 21 (3d10)

>>3845774

Rolled 1, 5, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>3845774

>>3845774
Still one short here, as mine doesn't count for several reasons.

Rolled 8, 3, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>3845774

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>3845791
>>3845862

Do republican dice not count?

>>3845871
Evidently the dice don't care much for royalists either.

Rolled 1, 7, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>3845774
The dice are clearly theocratic

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>>3845774
“Okay, that’s all I need to see of that,” you grumble, drawing your sword from its sheath. “Everyone step aside!”

Valentina and Alexa sent to work parting the crowd for you, keeping them a safe distance away as you turn your blade in your hand and raise it. Then you bring it down with the beveled flat of the blade facing the building, releasing Laura’s specialized technique as more of a gust of concentrated wind. The remaining fire around the doorway gutters out, and you force your way in.

A few moments later you step back out through the door, setting a scorched skull down on the doorstep before sheathing your sword.

“What… what is that?” a stocky man demands as you look over the now-uneasy crowd.

“A skull,” you declare. “More specifically, a human skull. Adult, can’t tell if it’s a man or a woman. But it’s not a yōma’s.”

“How do you know that?” the stocky man continues to loudly interrogate you.

“Because a dead yōma reverts to its true form,” you explain carefully. “I’ve seen it more times than I care to keep track of.”

“So what do you want to do?” Valentina. “Go poke around the border?”

“I think so,” you agree. “Head into town with Alexa and start the investigation there, clear the area out and we’ll progress up the pass. I’ll check the short route into Tarsus.”

“Agreed,” Valentina nods curtly. “Leave it to us!”

“See you soon,” you tell her. “Maybe by evening, more likely tomorrow morning.”

>3d10, best of three
>DC 17, crit 20

Rolled 3, 8, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>3845872
>>3846170
Dice are in need of being made of th bones of dead Awakened ones.>>3846200

>>3846204
Good thing I saw the post update and linked before doing that roll, otherwise it would have been wasted.

Rolled 10, 10, 5 = 25 (3d10)

>>3846200
Crit already so here goes noting

>>3846212
No one celebrate till the next roll!
noice!

Rolled 10, 10, 4 = 24 (3d10)

>>3846200
If no one else comes along...

>>3846200
You stop around the time you might have had ‘brunch’ were you still living in the palace, carefully observing the political boundary between Hazaran and Tarsus. It doesn’t seem like it’s being patrolled too heavily at the moment, the two nations being at a nominal state of peace. So it’s an easy enough task to slip right across that border and into Tarsus.

Then, what may have become the hard part turns out to be easy. Just on the other side of the border, you find what you were looking for: a yōma, so bold and so brazen as to not even bother hiding its foul presence in the small town it’s chosen to be its turf.

>Capture it, interrogate it, and then eliminate it.
>Just eliminate it. The townsfolk can fill in the blanks.
>Monitor it for the short term. Eliminate when the time seems right.
>Other?

>>3846383
>Monitor it for the short term. Eliminate when the time seems right.
>Capture it, interrogate it, and then eliminate it.
Both, but I bet monitor is more useful since it probably won't talk since it knows its dead either way.

>>3846383
>Monitor it for the short term. Eliminate when the time seems right.

>>3846383
>>Capture it, interrogate it, and then eliminate it.

>>3846383
>>Capture it, interrogate it, and then eliminate it.

>packing to fly
>will update when I can

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>>3848111
YOU CAN FLY!!?

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>>3848383
... no comment.

>>3848111
I'll probably get where I'm going in about five hours, but I'll be useless to anyone until tomorrow morning at the earliest. So that's when I'll update.

>>3848503

Hoo boy, I wonder what Sabela would have thought about Teresa's tragic ending.

If she still is capable of feeling, she'd have enough in common to empathize, I would think.

>>3846383
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 2, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>3853331

Rolled 1, 10, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>3853331
YEEEEAAAAAH

Rolled 2, 2, 1 = 5 (3d10)

>>3853331

>>3848111
>>3848503
Hope your arms didn't get tired.

Rolled 6, 4, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>3853331

>>3853331
At first you intend to stay just outside of town, observe the yōma for a little while, then swoop in when the time is right to capture it. From there you’d subject it to a brief interrogation, maybe make it think you’ll spare it if it cooperates, then kill it. Perhaps not the most honorable approach, but then again yōma aren’t exactly honorable opponents.

All that changes when you hear a bloodcurdling scream.

You dash through the streets leaving a veritable gale of a wake, arriving just in time to sever the yōma’s arm just before its claws split a woman’s skull. The woman, face framed by a dishevelled mess of brown hair, stares at the yōma’s stump in shock: a reaction that the yōma joins her in.

“You… it can’t be!” the monster snarls as it realizes that you’re holding its severed arm by the wrist. “There shouldn’t be a Claymore of your rank here!”

“Who are you to say where I should and shouldn’t be?” you quiz him, glaring over your shoulder with luminous golden eyes which quickly fade back to silver. You no longer need to exert yourself now that you’re here.

“Now, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement!” the yōma begs frantically. “Come on, don’t be unreasonable here!”

“Here’s the arrangement,” you counter sternly. “I ask you a question. Refuse to answer a question or lie, and I cut off another limb. Answer three truthfully and I’ll grant you mercy. Run out of limbs, and I take your head.”

“That is the only ‘arrangement’ you’re going to get today, so I suggest you get used to it.”

>First question?

>>3853443
What does it mean by “There shouldn’t be....."

>>3853453
this

>>3853443
>"Consider the following equation: 'x^2 - 541*y^2 =1', where x and y are whole numbers greater than zero. What is the lowest possible value of x that satisfies these conditions? You should be able to solve this, so I'll be counting incorrect answers as lies and removing limbs accordingly. "

>>3853443
>"Were you assigned to this town?"

>>3853443
Who assigned/sent you here.

>>3853504
Asking who assigned or sent you here is more indictive and answers the other question.

A yes or no question gives little answers.

We can assume the organization, but it could have been a more powerful awakened or voracious eater.

>>3853443
first this >>3853453

followed by this >>3853502
>>3853508
good point, made a new post

>>3853443
"First question: who sent you here?"

The monster stares at you wide-eyed for a moment as the woman you just saved starts to slowly scootch herself away.

"Nobody 'sent me' here!" the youma insists loudly. "Nobody orders guys like me around! Come on, I thought you Claymores were supposed to be smarter than that!"
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 10, 9, 2 = 21 (3d10)

>>3854863

Rolled 8, 6, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>3854863
Speak, fool.

Rolled 6, 6, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3854863
Start cutting off something.

Rolled 4, 8, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>3854863

Will update again later this evening.

>>3855164
It’s not hard to tell that the yōma is holding something back: not a lie per se, but the omission of something that he’s not comfortable revealing so easily. As such, you can easily classify this as a half-truth, which also means its half-lie.

So you split the difference and hack off his arm at the elbow.

His howl of pain earns little more than an eye roll from you.

“I told you what you wanted to know!”

“Not everything,” you insist sternly, “you lied by omission. So I’ll ask you again, who sent you here?”

“I heard it was safe from this guy!” the yōma insists. “Across the border in Hazaran, he said there wasn’t a warrior anywhere near here!”

This time, he’s telling the truth.

>Next question?
>Kill him.

>>3855601
>>Next question?
Who was "This guy" Human, another youma, an awakened being?

>>3855617
+1

>>3855601
this: >>3855617

>>3855601
>>3855617
This.

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>>3855601
“Who was ‘this guy’ you’re talking about?” you press. “Yōma? Human?”

“Yōma! He was a yōma!”

A yōma, and a male one at that?

“Not a ‘voracious eater’ or one of their agents?”

“I never ask!” he pleads his case desperately. “I swear, I never ask anyone about that kinda stuff! I don’t wanna get dragged into it!”

That’s fair, you figure. If you had a choice in the matter you’d take precautions to the same end. But you don’t really have that luxury, do you?

Still, that the local yōma would be monitoring Organization activity in the borders region is a disturbing discovery. It suggests an inclination towards greater organizational detail and cooperation, which is something that outside your group is rare among the half-blood warriors intended to counter the yōma. It could end up giving them the advantage again, especially against the under-trained rookies that the Organization is using the bolster their numbers.

>Final question?
>Kill him.

>>3856398
>>Kill him.

>>3856398
>How did you find that guy?

>>3856398
>How did you find that guy?

>>3856398
>Where did you meet him?

>>3855601
“How did you find this yōma?”

This is your final question, aimed at getting the last scrap of information you need to move forward with your investigation. Hopefully he has something useful to say.

“He found me!” the yōma insists loudly. “I swear, I didn’t go looking for another yōma or anything, I actually… kinda prefer to be alone, you know? Specially since most of us are assholes.”

You walk towards him, then past him.

“So, you said you were going to...”

His words are cut short as you turn and sweep your blade through his skull, easily, as if it met no resistance whatsoever. It splits his skull open and slices through his brain, killing him before he even realizes that you’ve moved your arm.

After removing his blood with a flick of your heavy blade, you return it to its holster on your back.

The woman you rescued continues to stare in shock, this time at you.

“Sorry that you had to see that,” you apologize quietly.

“You broke your word?”

You shake your head. “The only ‘mercy’ I can extend to a monster like that is an instantaneous, painless death. Which I just granted him.”

“So I kept my word, just not in the way he expected.”

“But you tricked him.”

“Are you seriously complaining right now?” you ask, befuddled by what you’re hearing. “Besides, he was looking for a way to kill me this whole time too. See?”

You kick at his body, which until now has been propped upright by its own limbs, to reveal that the yōma had been extending a pair of spiked tendrils from his heels so that they could move underground out of view. When the corpse falls the tendrils pull and crack the brickwork around its feet.

“There’s no such thing as a ‘dishonorable’ way to kill a yōma. The only dishonor would be to allow a yōma to live and continue killing at will.”
>1/2

>>3856796
After a few moments, the woman finds her feet again. “Thank you for saving my life… and I apologize for criticizing the way you did it.”

“The way we live doesn’t often gain us any admirers,” you shrug, “but I’ll definitely accept your apology.”

The woman nods curtly. “So why are you here? We didn’t send for a Claymore.”

“I suppose you could say I’m here for him,” you reply with a chuckle, indicating the dead yōma. “Though neither of us knew it at the time.”

Now that you get a better look at her…
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 4, 6, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>3856860

Rolled 8, 4, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3856860

Rolled 7, 4, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>3856860

Rolled 5, 2, 8 = 15 (3d10)

>>3856860

Rolled 7, 2, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>3856860

Rolled 8, 9, 6 = 23 (3d10)

just to see if we can break into the 20s

>>3856878
you did it, too late though

>>3856860
… she seems to be quite well-off, judging by her clothes and her manner of speaking. If you had to guess you’d say she was either someone important’s wife or daughter.

>Ask about her family. She may need an escort home, and you’re not ENTIRELY without honor.
>Ask for directions. Does this community have some sort of leader you can speak with?
>Escort her somewhere more public, then take your leave to search the area in more detail.
>Other?

>>3856902
>>Ask about her family. She may need an escort home, and you’re not ENTIRELY without honor.
after we can ask for directions

>>3856860
>We didn’t send for a Claymore
Cover story time, we were tacking this one down from another region. He ran far to evade us.

>Ask about her family. She may need an escort home, and you’re not ENTIRELY without honor.

We can check out the area in detail later.

>>3856902
>Ask about her family. She may need an escort home, and you’re not ENTIRELY without honor.

>>3856902
>>Ask about her family. She may need an escort home, and you’re not ENTIRELY without honor.

>>3856902
"Do you have family around here?" you ask her. "If you want me to I can escort you home... after all, it's not like I can't be chivalrous when the situation calls for it."
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 5, 10, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>3857305
i am taking a hit for the worst roll, make me proud anons

Rolled 1, 6, 5 = 12 (3d10)

>>3857305
can i break into 20's again today

>>3857320
nope.
someone pls

Rolled 3, 10, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>3857305

>>3857327
you are our hero

Rolled 9, 7, 5 = 21 (3d10)

>>3857305

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>>3857305
“I do have family here,” the woman admits, pushing her hair out of her face and taking a deep breath. “My father. He’ll want to at least do something to repay you for what you’ve done today.”

“Your father?” you repeat.

She nods. “The head of the Merchants’ Guild in Tarsus.”

The… head of the Merchants’ Guild? Seriously? She was the daughter of someone that important, and he lives all the way out here?

“Your father, the head of the Merchants’ Guild, lives all the way out here on the Hazari border?”

She nods again, offering her hand. “My name is Naomi Favre, my father is Lord Oliver Lawrence Favre.”

Well now. You’ve gotten lucky in the past, but this is an exceptional stroke of good fortune.

>I’d love to meet with your father.
>Actually, your father sounds exactly like the sort of person I’d hoped to find out here.
>If your father wants to meet me that’s fine. But this isn’t about that, it’s about following through with what I started here.
>Other?

>>3857366
>>If your father wants to meet me that’s fine. But this isn’t about that, it’s about following through with what I started here.

>>3857366
>>If your father wants to meet me that’s fine. But this isn’t about that, it’s about following through with what I started here.

>>3857366

>I’d love to meet with your father.
>Actually, your father sounds exactly like the sort of person I’d hoped to find out here.

>>3857366
>I’d love to meet with your father.
We need good contacts with money

>>3857366
>I’d love to meet with your father.

>>3857366
Verbally
>I’d love to meet with your father.
Inner monologue
>If your father wants to meet me that’s fine. But this isn’t about that, it’s about following through with what I started here.

>>3857366
>>I’d love to meet with your father.

>>3857366
>If your father wants to meet me that’s fine. But this isn’t about that, it’s about following through with what I started here.

>>3857366
“I think your father and I should definitely meet,” you admit. “And even should your instinct prove inaccurate I’d prefer to follow through anyway, finish what I started by rescuing you in the first place.”

Naomi Favre nods her head curtly, then gestures for you to follow her. “Come with me, our house is in the middle of town.”

You follow quietly, eventually reaching a large and rather fancy house. You’d call it a mansion were it much bigger, or a palace were it much fancier… definitely out of place for this size of town. So you suppose it must be true, that this is in fact the residence of someone important in the region’s economy. And with the Dari pass connecting Tarsus not only to Hazaran but distant parts of eastern Sakia that would take weeks to reach going around the border with Hazaran, you suppose it actually makes some sense for him to live here.

Any closer to western Sakia and he’d be further not only from eastern Sakia but Hazaran as well. Here, he has a finger on the pulse of shipping through all three nations.

“Ah, I see my fiance is here today as well!” Naomi smiles. “I wonder when he got here… no matter. Though I suppose he will want to thank you as well.”

Inside, after a servant-boy calls out for the master of the house, you find yourself face to face with…

“Lawrence!” you grin. “We meet again!”

“Noel?” he wonders aloud. “And Naomi? One of you I could have expected, but both of you must come with a story… especially since one of you was rumored to be dead.”

“Rumors of my death have been… exaggerated,” you shrug. “Mind if we sit?”

“Of course not!” Lawrence replies. “That is, assuming my soon-to-be father in law has no objections?”

Lord Favre, a broad-chested older gentleman with an elegantly carved walking stick and a finely tailored suitcoat in the current eastern style, gestures towards the next room. “But of course, my good people, but of course! Please make yourselves comfortable, I’d be very keen to hear this story behind why my daughter and son-in-law have been so quick to invite a Claymore into my parlor-room.”

“And we shall do so in the comfort… well, of the parlor-room, of course.”

Taking a seat, you quickly explain that you happened across an attack in progress and saved Naomi Favre’s life without knowing who she was, and she adds that you insisted on escorting her home.

“You have my thanks then young lady!” Lord Favre booms. “Very well-done indeed, young lady. Very well-done indeed!”

“Thank you,” Lawrence joins in. “I feel like every time I start thinking I can’t owe you any more, you find a way to prove me wrong. It’s starting to feel like breaking that wagon wheel was a blessing in disguise!”
>1/2

>>3859013
“Certainly seems to be true for the both of us,” you admit, before explaining your current situation to the three of them. You don’t share any names, or reveal the numbers within your ranks, but Lawrence in particular seems displeased by the mere assertion that you and your comrades could be sold out by the Organization.

He shakes his head in disgust. “Filthy.”

“Certainly does not seem like ‘good business’ to me,” Lord Favre harumphs indignantly.

“A favorite phrase of my father’s,” Naomi whispers over her shoulder to explain to you.

Lord Favre continues. “To sacrifice a loyal soldier into whom so much time and effort was invested? To say nothing of the plain betrayal of trust! Truly heinous! Most definitely not good business I must say!”

>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.
>We need to find a base of support. I was hoping you might know of some people of similar influence that might see the opportunity in this situation.
>I’ll be frank: we’re in a tenuous situation with no fixed ability to raise funds to ensure our own defense.
>Other?

>>3859057
That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.
But ask for a favor instead, it makes for a much more civil discussion and they owe us something anyway

>>3859057
>>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.

>>3859057
>>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.

>>3859057
>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.

>>3859057

>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.
>We need to find a base of support. I was hoping you might know of some people of similar influence that might see the opportunity in this situation.

Mention that the Yoma we slew, was informed of this location and encouraged to come here.

>>3859057
>>That’s why I felt it was fortunate to be here. I need you to do us a favor… nothing outlandish, or difficult, or dangerous of course. But very much helpful.

>>3859057
>We need to find a base of support. I was hoping you might know of some people of similar influence that might see the opportunity in this situation.
Do not ask for charity. Offer services instead.

>>3859057
>>We need to find a base of support. I was hoping you might know of some people of similar influence that might see the opportunity in this situation.

>>3859057
“That’s why my being here is fortunate,” you admit. “I need you to do me a favor… nothing difficult or dangerous of course, but our little group needs funds. And to get funds, we need to sell our services killing yōma. And to learn the locations of yōma to kill, we need information.”

“I see, I see,” Lord Favre strokes his moustache thoughtfully. “I believe I understand. Not only do you need information, but in the long term what you really need is a reputation. Am I correct?”

You nod quietly. “You’re very perceptive, Lord Favre. Yes, that’s our long term goal, but in the short term we need to establish that reputation by conducting enough missions that people start to become aware of us.”

“As an alternative to the Organization?” Lawrence muses. “Yeah, I can see how that’d work. And with a sufficient number of you in Hazaran it might actually lead to better outcomes for settlements that come under attack by yōma.”

“So even if the Organization feels undercut that won’t become a problem,” Naomi nods in agreement. “It’s quite the clever little game you and your comrades are playing.”

“Then you’ll help us?” you ask hopefully.

“I certainly plan to do my part,” Lawrence bows his head politely.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 3, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>3860269

Rolled 5, 3, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>3860269

Rolled 5, 2, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>3860269

Rolled 2, 7, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>3860269
Lawrence is best merchant

>>3860269
“And I shall do the same,” Lord Favre agrees with a chortle. “It sounds like absolutely good business, the best kind of business, in fact! The sort of thing I’d like to invest in!”

“I… need another translation,” you whisper to his daughter, who shakes her head in confusion.

“I’ll be sending you munitions plate,” he declares, “a few breastplates and matching gauntlets. Maybe some lined cloaks for dramatic effect. Yes, that should look magnificent indeed!”

“To make us look less like warriors of the Organization,” you realize. “Camouflage, of sorts.”

“Precisely!” Lord Favre snaps. “Just like camouflage, employed by a skilful hunter!”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Lawrence agrees. “And you Claymores are strong enough and fast enough that it shouldn’t slow you down at all, right?”

You nod in agreement. “It shouldn’t make a big difference against yōma either, but the flashy appearance should make word of what we’re doing spread. So I’d say it balances out to be useful.”

>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.
>I think it might be best to go for a lower profile form of camouflage.
>Go ahead and send them when you have them available. Couldn’t hurt, and if we decide not to use them we can send them back.
>Other?

>>3860912
>>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.

>>3860912
>>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.

>>3860912
>>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.

>>3860912
>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.

>>3860912
Sounds expensive, what with getting the armour torn up frequently

>>3861552
True.
However, it only needs to *look* good, not do any actual protecting. It can be made as quickly, cheaply and shittily as possible, which will cut down on the costs a bit.

>>3860912
>I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number what they think. We do not do things independently.

>>3861552
Solution: make it as skimpy as possible. Chainmail bikinis. Less material means less likely to get damaged, plus cheaper

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>>3860912
“I’ll have to ask the other top-ranked warriors among our number,” you sigh. “I doubt that it will be too contentious, but still. We don’t do things by simply making decisions on our own.”

“Admirable,” Lord Favre muses. “Most admirable indeed.”

“So have there been any other attacks here recently?” you ask, changing the subject. “I’ve heard of a series of issues along the Dari pass, all on the Hazari side so far. I wanted to see how far it spread west.”

“This would be the first I’ve heard of it,” Naomi admits calmly. “Hard to believe I would have been the first victim had you not arrived when you did.”

Something about that statement doesn’t quite sit right.

>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?
>I find it difficult to believe, so keep an eye out on my behalf?
>Then this was likely as far west as they have made it.
>Other?

>>3861949
>>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?

>>3861949
>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?

>>3861949
>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?

>>3861949
>>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?
>>I find it difficult to believe, so keep an eye out on my behalf?

>>3861949
>>What about nearby communities? Any word regarding that?
>>I find it difficult to believe, so keep an eye out on my behalf?

>>3861949
>>I find it difficult to believe, so keep an eye out on my behalf?

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>>3861949
“What about nearby communities on this side of the border?” you ask pointedly. “Anything you can think of that’s relevant will help me in my hunt.”

Both men obviously ponder the question, while you and Naomi watch patiently. Eventually, the latter raises an eyebrow at you. “So, is that a no?”

“Basically,” Lawrence admits, scratching his head. “Sorry, but I haven’t heard of anything amiss on this side of the border before today.”

“Then could you keep in touch?” you ask. “I figure protecting this end of the Dari pass is just as key as protecting the settlements along the pass itself.”

“That will most certainly help us as well, in a variety of ways,” Lord Favre muses. “You have our word, if anything should arise we will keep you apprised.”

“Thank you,” you bow your head politely. “Now, unless you have any business for me my compatriots are handling yōma to the east. I should probably rejoin them.”

“I can’t think of anything,” Naomi shrugs. “You’ve done plenty already.”

“Then I shall take my leave,” you declare, rising to your feet before bowing again.

Once you’ve been escorted from the manor, you’re left in the middle of the border town with little direction: just a general idea that you should go back the way you came.

>Return to exactly the point where you parted ways with the others, as quickly as possible.
>Head straight into the town you saw when you parted, where they would have gone.
>They’re grown-ups too. You can be thorough in examining the area on your way back.
>Other?

>>3863295
>>They’re grown-ups too. You can be thorough in examining the area on your way back.

>>3863295
>>Head straight into the town you saw when you parted, where they would have gone.

>>3863295
>They’re grown-ups too. You can be thorough in examining the area on your way back.

>>3863295
>They’re grown-ups too. You can be thorough in examining the area on your way back.

>>3863295
>They’re grown-ups too. You can be thorough in examining the area on your way back.

Hmm, on the topic of armor: what purpose can be inferred from the canon Claymore uniforms? Assuming of course there's some rationale behind them beyond the authors's aesthetic choices.

They wear basically some kind of bodyglove and only a few pieces of what can loosely be called armor on the shoulder, hip, wrist and foot/ankle.

That's limited protection focused on ball and socket joints and another complex joint type whose name eludes me.

My guess is that those joints are harder to regenerate than, say, the knee or elbow.

Anyhow. As I recall their armor seemed to be very hard rather than pliable: it tended to shatter or crumble rather than bend. I suppose that means it's good for shrugging off glancing hits all day without deforming and becoming a hindrance but if anything heavy connects it'll absorb some of the hit and just fall off.

Food for thought.

>writing
>>3864271
IIRC the armor is mostly meant to evoke an art nouveau aesthetic. The waist armor is a set of what's called pteruges, which were commonly used in leather form among Roman soldiers. It's basically the only useful piece of armor they have as common-issue, and even that does nothing against piercing attacks which are fairly common with awakened beings.

So tl;dr it's not very functional in the original. Their soft bodysuits often had modifications though, particularly Helen's which could stretch along with her limbs.

>>3863295
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 2, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>3864392

Rolled 3, 6, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>3864392

Rolled 5, 10, 9 = 24 (3d10)

>>3864392

Rolled 8, 5, 2 = 15 (3d10)

>>3864392

File: Map-Hazaran-Oct-2019.png (388 KB, 584x546)

388 KB PNG

>>3864392
Valentina and Alexa are both adults, and they’re working together. There’s no pressing need to rush back to their aid, and in fact it might be counterproductive to do so if that would mean missing evidence of another yōma along the way. You want this to be a clean sweep, and even if you have to fight again the delay would mean more people will become aware of your activity in the region.

So you end up taking your time, keeping mindful of your surroundings and stopping occasionally to speak with other travelers.

It’s fairly easy to determine that there are no more instances of yōma activity west of Norwick, though you can identify at least two other cases to the northeast towards Daria. Those are in or around the villages of Shieldaig, known for its lake fishing, and the tiny sheep-town of Nairn.

When you return to Norwick, you stop in the market to ask around for your companions. Eventually the owner of a tea stall points you towards the right inn, and you buy some of her spiced green tea out of gratitude. It has a nice enough smell to it, though it’s not as strong as you might be used to.

“So, I take it things went smoothly here?”

“You sure took your sweet time,” Valentina sighs. “What happened out there?”

“I found what I believe to be the westernmost of a bunch of linked yōma,” you explain. “In doing so I saved the life of a rather important woman, the daughter of a merchants’ guild boss and fiancée of a merchant I’ve known for a while.”

“You’ve met him,” you gesture to Alexa. “At the end of our mission together.”

“Ah, that man,” Alexa recalls. “He was rather handsome, if I recall?”

>Certainly. Also rather engaged at the moment.
>I really wasn’t thinking about that sort of thing.
>Be VERY careful in how you deal with thoughts like that.
>Other?

>>3864429
>>Be VERY careful in how you deal with thoughts like that.

>>3864429
>>Be VERY careful in how you deal with thoughts like that, .... Also he is busy being engaged.

>>3864429
>I really wasn’t thinking about that sort of thing.

>>3864429

>Certainly. Also rather engaged at the moment.

>Be mindful in how you deal with thoughts like that.

>>3864429

>>3864438
i like the later part of that, supporting

>>3864429
>Be VERY careful in how you deal with thoughts like that.
>He's already engaged.

>>3864429
>>3864438
Seconded

>>3864429
>>3864438
This.

>>3864429
>>I really wasn’t thinking about that sort of thing.
>>Be VERY careful in how you deal with thoughts like that.

>>3864429
“And also rather engaged at the moment,” you point out with a frown. “Look, I’m not sure if Zoe ever gave you the talk, but you need to be very careful in how you deal with thoughts along those lines.”

“What do you mean?” Alexa asks in confusion.

“You still have your stigma,” you observe, lightly tapping at her chest. “If you were to become pregnant, your own child would split your body wide open. You would certainly not survive.”

“That’s… horrifying,” Alexa admits as she considers that possible set of repercussions.

You nod, feeling no need to further emphasize the point. “Good.”

“But don’t some warriors… you know...” Valentina frowns, and you wince internally. You were hoping that wouldn’t come up.

“Sometimes,” you shrug. “There are certain precautions you can take, but the best is to just… not.”

“Your stigma’s gone though, isn’t it?” Alexa asks. “So… can you… you know. In theory?”

>In theory, yes. In practice, I really don’t want to. At all.
>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.
>We aren’t having this discussion, end of story.
>Other?

>>3865586
>>In theory, yes. In practice, I really don’t want to. At all.
>>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.

>>3865586
>>In theory, yes. In practice, I really don’t want to. At all.
>>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.

>>3865586
>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.
>I could in theory, but being able to have a normal sex life does not mean I want to have children.

>>3865597
>>3865586

>>3865586
>There could be… complications.
>We aren’t having this discussion, end of story.

Why wasn't my write in included?

>>3865586
>>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.

>>3865586
>>In theory, yes. In practice, I really don’t want to. At all.
>>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.

>>3865633
Because it was FUCKING TRASH

>>3865586
>lightly slap Alexa on the forehead with the patented Karate chop, punctuated for emphasis.
>"Think. Carefully."
>I could in theory, but being able to have a normal sex life does not mean I want to have children."
>"And even if I did want to have children, there WILL be complications for both me and the child. Like having your child be pressured into fully awakening into a Yoma and going on a rampage killing their friends and family in the process. Or having your child ostracized during their child hood, which could lead to the previous complication that I mentioned. Or having your child kidnapped by cults and various shady organizations such as...The Organization."

>>3865586
>You’re forgetting I’m also half-Abyssal. There could be… complications.

>>3865586
>In theory, yes. In practice, I really don’t want to. At all.

Huh. I always just presumed regular Claymores were sterile. Even if they are not, it does sound like a bad idea for multiple reasons.

That whole stigma thing is supposed to be like this permanent demilitarized zone in the battle between human and yoma flesh; maintained in a precarious equilibrium of rejection and acceptance with all sorts of potential medical complications that can result, part of why the Claymore rearing process is so deadly and painful until they stabilize.

It's a wound that doesn't close even on defense type Claymores, so any bodily functions near the stigma are liable to be impaired.

So yea: if this batch of Claymores never got "the talk" that does not say much for the org's long term expectations of them.

>>3866640
The Org probably surmised that an ugly open wound is the best contraceptive.

>>3865586
You lightly tap Alexa on the top of the head.

“I just said, ‘think carefully’,” you repeat. “I’m half-Abyssal, remember? Any number of things could go wrong for that hypothetical child, we just have no idea. My birth was untested waters as it was, so even if I did want a child it'd be an unacceptable gamble with unknown stakes."

“I suppose that all makes sense,” Alexa eventually agrees. “Sorry I asked.”

You shrug. “It’s an important thing to be mindful about. After all, we may be half-monster but we’re still ladies, right?”

“You’re a lady,” Valentina points out. “I’m a farmgirl.”

“And don’t let anyone tell you that’s a bad thing,” you reply. “So, I think our next move should be to sweep along the Dari pass to Daria at the northern terminus. We’ll probably have to do this from time to time so long as we’re taking shelter within Hazaran.”

“Laura seemed to suspect as much,” Valentina shrugs. “And I was warned about inner Tarsus being a hotbed of yōma activity when I took up that post.”

“I was told something similar,” you confirm. “The way we do it this time will probably become the precedent for future sweeps, so let’s consider this carefully.”

>Deploy at set intervals on the edge of detection range, and sweep methodically along the length of the pass.
>Move together as a unit, relying on one sensor. Stick to keeping the pass clear.
>Move from settlement to settlement, looking for likely yōma lairs and eliminating any you find.
>Other?

>>3866709
>Deploy at set intervals on the edge of detection range, and sweep methodically along the length of the pass.

>>3866709
>Move from settlement to settlement

Better to meet and talk to the people we're protecting.

>>3866709
>>Move from settlement to settlement, looking for likely yōma lairs and eliminating any you find.

>>3866709
>Move from settlement to settlement, looking for likely yōma lairs and eliminating any you find.

>>3866709
>>Move from settlement to settlement, looking for likely yōma lairs and eliminating any you find.

>>3866709
>>Move from settlement to settlement, looking for likely yōma lairs and eliminating any you find.
>>Other?

>>3866992
Whoops, didn't mean to copy the 'other' part.

>>3866709
>Deploy at set intervals on the edge of detection range, and sweep methodically along the length of the pass.

>>3866671
You're not wrong. The dudes in canon went from rape to nope in a split second after laying eyes on said wound. I think some of them even hurled.

To be fair, it's not totally open. They keep it shut, mostly, with these big ol' brutal-looking staples.

. . . That's not much better, is it?

>>3866709
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 5, 7, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>3869768

Rolled 4, 6, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>3869768

Rolled 1, 1, 9 = 11 (3d10)

>>3869768

>>3869768
You elect to perform your northward sweep by moving between settlements rather than by strictly following the Dari pass. You figure that the other yōma you suspect are involved will be doing the same that the first two did: finding a lair for themselves to hide in, near ample supplies of food. That means towns, places large enough that they can disappear into the background, are the top priority.

Two of these are already suspected to be dealing with a yōma, based on Valentina and Alexa’s investigations: Shieldaig and Nain. But there are also several other villages where a yōma might hide between here and Nain, the last major settlement before reaching the northern border of Hazaran.

Even if it means a few more humans get slaughtered, you have to be sure. Because if you leave without having exterminated all of the yōma along the pass you have no idea when you might be able to return and finish the job.

“I don’t like it,” Valentina admits, “but you have a point. I think so long as we’re out here we need to take the time to do things right.”

>We can split up again. I’ll head straight to Nain and work my way back.
>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time.
>Then let’s handle Nain and Shieldaig first, then split up and canvass the backcountry.
>We should stick together. We have no idea what we’re going to run across.
>Other?

>>3869934
>>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time.

>>3869934
>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time.

>>3869934
>>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time.

>>3869934
>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time

>>3869934
>We may be able to hit Nain and Shieldaig at the same time.

>will update at some point later this evening

>>3869934
“If the two of you head into Shieldaig and I head for Nain,” you realize, working out the distances in your head, “then we may be able to hit both at the same time. The next village between the two is Gairnsay, so you two can proceed there while I move northeast to Tronkirk. You can catch up to me in Tronkirk and we’ll proceed to Daria together.”

“We can start at the major towns and finish in half the time,” Valentina nods along. “I like this plan.”

“I don’t anticipate you running into anything you can’t handle,” you continue, “but if you do withdraw. Catch up with me if you can, get away if you don’t think you can. Understood?”

With their agreement, you split up again and head north along the Dari pass. The town of Nain is actually very close to the roadside tea shop where you first met Valentina, within a few hours’ walk at what to you would be a leisurely pace. Its almost hard to believe that people keep sheep out here, but you guess there are a few valleys and fields that can serve as pastures and there’s not all that much else here to sustain a population. It also gets cold out here at night, meaning wool is a great commodity to have even for one’s own use.

It’s not like everyone’s body is like yours, completely oblivious to the cold.

>Head in at speed, try to take any yōma hiding in Nain by surprise before they can flee.
>Walk in dramatically. That will get the yōma to try blending in to hide from you, a game you’ll win.
>Wait for a trading convoy, sneak in with your yōki suppressed.
>Other?

>>3871849
>Walk in dramatically
The princess appears

>>3871849
>Wait for a trading convoy, sneak in with your yōki suppressed.

>>3871849
>>Head in at speed, try to take any yōma hiding in Nain by surprise before they can flee.

>>3871849
>Wait for a trading convoy, sneak in with your yōki suppressed.

>>3871849
>>Wait for a trading convoy, sneak in with your yōki suppressed.

>>3871849
>Wait for a trading convoy, sneak in with your yōki suppressed.
Don't be like Custer at the Little Bighorn and waltz in without proper reconnaissance.

>>3871849
>Head in at speed, try to take any yōma hiding in Nain by surprise before they can flee.

>will update late this evening

>>3871849
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 9, 10 = 20 (3d10)

>>3873307

Rolled 8, 8, 5 = 21 (3d10)

>>3873307

Rolled 1, 10, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>3873307

>>3873307
You decide to wait for a caravan to pass on the way to pick up a load of wool, lowering yourself under a shrub by the side of the road, just out of sight. Here you hold perfectly still, not moving so much as a muscle, coiled and tense like a snake ready to strike. An ordinary person might cramp up after a few hours, but with your physiology you can actually exercise individual muscle groups a little at a time to keep yourself limber.

Finally, as the sun is going down, you see your opportunity: a trio of horse-drawn wagons making their way along the road, raising a fair bit of dust as they go. These are guarded by outriders: two ahead and to either side of the first wagon, one on the near side of the second wagon, and one on the far side of the third. That gives you your approach strategy: if you dash in at just the right moment you can get under the third and cling to the underside, lowering your yōki to avoid notice.

Just after the horse on the near side passes, you push off and slip in under the wagon, between its axels. Pushing off with one hand and rolling puts you on your back, before you push off the ground with the other hand and grabbing onto the metal fittings that hold the axels in place.

One of the horses spooks at the sudden movement, but otherwise nobody seems to notice that there’s an uninvited passenger tagging along now.

When the caravan reaches Nain they tie up for the night, hitching the wagons and stabling the horses. Some time after nightfall you slip out from under your hiding place and into the shadows.

Nain is a tiny village with close-packed stone and plaster homes, mostly with thatch for rooftops and none higher than one floor. These are all crowded within a defensive wall, offering scant places to hide.

>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.
>Wait until daylight and ask around among the locals.
>Invade a home, ask a local family if they have any information.
>Start knocking on random doors.
>Other?

>>3873632
>Other?
Approach a guard.

>>3873632
>>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.

>>3873632
>>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.

>>3873646
>>3873632
In with this.

>>3873632
>Invade a home, ask a local family if they have any information.

>>3873632
>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.

>>3873632
>>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.

>>3873632
>Risk using a little yōki to sense your surroundings for yōma.

>>3873632
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 4, 4, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3875086

Rolled 4, 1, 1 = 6 (3d10)

>>3875086

Rolled 3, 2, 4 = 9 (3d10)

>>3875086

>>3875086
Alright. I'm going to take this roll and do some replanning. I need to reconsider where all the various factions stand, the trajectories you're on, and what the pacing should look like from here.

I'll start Saturday, around the same time I kick Naruto off, and keep it on a daily update schedule.