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Your name is Shu.

Mere weeks ago, you woke to find the world you knew transformed into a hell made of flesh and bone, your own body transformed into a hive for a swarm that obeys your every command.

You’ve slain gods ascendant.

You’re planning to fight an engine of death, created by a doctor gone mad.

Now…you prepare for the unenviable task of confronting a woman you once called a friend, though the arrival of some unexpected allies softens that particular blow, just a little.

The Midnight Crew scans your improvised base, the spacious dwelling nestled in the heart of a forbidding swamp in the hopes that the aforementioned engine doesn’t annihilate your actual home. The quartet of newcomers make themselves at home, the imposing, rust-colored suit of armor that is Ace leaning up against one wall as she surveys the area, a pair of identical obsidian axes crossed at her back. Keane’s off dancing with your young ward Amara, the former’s organic witch-hat flouncing up and down as the two twirl while Quinn watches, folding her surprisingly muscular arms, the simple shirt she wears revealing it’s not just her arms that have become impressively toned since you last saw her and the rest of the Crew. Shifting your focus back to their leader, you give the dark-haired Jackie a weary grin.

“God, it’s good to see you, Jackie.” You say, moving forward to hug the slender girl that stands before the hilt of a sword bumps into your chest, the foreign object protruding from Jackie’s own sternum. You lean to one side, noting the absence of the blade you expect to be poking out from the back of the girl’s long coat. You just cock an eyebrow at her as she gives you a shrug.

“New weapon, long story, not the tale I’m here to listen to.” Jackie says, brushing off your unspoken question with a self-satisfied smirk. “So…like I asked earlier, what’re you n’ yours-”

“W-wait, you’re THE Jackie? As in…you’re all the Midnight Crew?!” Rosa suddenly cuts in, her wide red eyes darting between the new arrivals as she begins to breathe heavily through her mask’s grille.

“Uh, yeah. Who’s asking?” The dark-haired model demands, eyeing the Barbers suspiciously as they all converge on the Crew’s leader.

Seems like some introductions are in order…and given how much both the Midnight Crew and the Barbers have helped you, you’ll make them gladly.

~~~

Previous Vein: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4105787/

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Body%20Horror%20Quest

Character Abilities, Ver 3.9:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12N7NB6N8_CmjJJPUDMjijBBqSBNdvoYBc1um01TbXs0/edit?usp=sharing

Trypophilic Hive, Ver. 3: https://pastebin.com/bUWG6TNF

Relics, Ver. 6: https://pastebin.com/6b2b720G

Dual Techs: https://pastebin.com/2jZ5Zhyx

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bodyhorrorquest?lang=en
>>
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>>4142662

The following minutes are spent making introductions and the dispensing of autographs per Rosa’s fervent pleadings, and with insistent haranguing she makes off with a veritable royal flush of signatures etched in a place of honor just above her left hip. Once the Barbers’ leader has been appeased, you brief the Crew on what you’re up against, though it turns out that Dorian did a serviceable job on the way over.

“So you got Alpha tryin’ to hunt you all down, and you’re planning to split up into two groups; one to try and spawn an Amalgam with anti-Relic properties, and the other to go have a little chat with Magpie. That about right?” Jackie recaps, and you nod from your seat at the round table Gina’s constructed on the spot. “Cool, cool…what’s the plan for fighting Alpha, then?”

“Kinda don’t have one.” Rath mutters with a shrug of her slight, yet powerful shoulders. “Relics are what she relies on, and if we kick that crutch out from under her, then hopefully she’s easier to take down.”

“We’ve been changing up our fighting styles after the Spiraling Fear.” Ace rumbles, her heavy footsteps shuddering through the dark flesh at your feet.

“We sure have!” Keane chimes in, catching her breath after finishing her dance with Amara, the younger of the two barely even winded. “Quinn’s our opener, and she can amp up super-fast now! But before that, Ace jumps in and weakens ‘em, while Jackie gets the killing blow to level her-“

“Point is…” Jackie grins, shooting her younger ally a pointed glance. “…I’m thinkin’ that we use the same principle we’ve been going by, just with more people. Have several small parties that tag in and out as needed. Nobody’s in danger all at once, and we keep Alpha on her toes with having to shift Relics more often than she’d like. Now, as for where to fight her, that’s a whole discussion in and of itself…”

“We’re kind of playing things by ear right now, but I’d appreciate any help you’re willing to give.” You say with a genuine smile. “And like I told the Barbers – I owe you a lot, so after all this I’ll-“

“A duel.”

You blink.

“I’m sorry?” You ask, and Jackie’s thin lips form the slash of an anticipatory smile.

“A duel.” She repeats, resting her hand on the hilt of the blade embedded in her chest. “You and me, one on one…after all this silly bullshit with Alpha and Magpie is over and done with, of course.”

An odd asking price, to be sure…but while you’re not exactly thrilled at the prospect, you’d be willing to do much more than that to secure the allies necessary for what’s to come.

You can only hope it’ll be enough.

>>Construct your party or parties, and assignments plus Relic Loadout for both [Midnight Crew and Barbers are available].

>>You’d rather hammer out the details of how and where to fight Alpha sooner, rather than later.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>4142662
>“God, it’s good to see you, Jackie.” You say, moving forward to hug the slender girl that stands before the hilt of a sword bumps into your chest, the foreign object protruding from Jackie’s own sternum. You lean to one side, noting the absence of the blade you expect to be poking out from the back of the girl’s long coat. You just cock an eyebrow at her as she gives you a shrug.

>“New weapon, long story, not the tale I’m here to listen to.” Jackie says, brushing off your unspoken question with a self-satisfied smirk.

Oh my god. She's got a Legendary Piece of Shit. She has become the Seppucrow. Leaning real hard on your party's theme, huh Jackie?
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next four hours.)

(A few notes; there's a small addendum at the end of the Relic Pastebin regarding Forge Tiers. While I'd planned to include what I'd written regarding Sparagmos Engines, I realized in writing it out exactly why I hadn't shared it earlier, as their abilities and the differences between individual Engines is spoiler territory and something that's best answered in the fiction. Also, for the writer of Journeys Through Europe, I'll be answering your questions later this week, as I should also have an abundance of free time later on for when the Quarantine inevitably envelops my area and workplace. As it stands, I am still at work.)

(That being said, I do hope that everyone present is doing well, and I look forward to diving back into the Quest with you all.)
>>
>>4142665
>“A duel.”

I just hope its not to the death Jackie..... Seriously we dont nee do t kill each other. and we do kinda have other things to do..... And Shu is so not a powerhouse in a duel..... As long as we can keep her at bay it may be fine btu god if she gets into melee she will wreck us.

>while Jackie gets the killing blow to level her-“
What kinda power did you get Jackie? A weapon that eats daughtes and gets their movesets? is that why you want to fight Shu to get her powers? Just kidding but seriously Jackie we will need some knowledge about what you guys are rocking now


>>4142671
Ah yes the Quarantine. I am confined to home as well already as a precautionary measure by my company. Our execs are going fuckign crazy We do Home office now and god how much do i hate that one coworker.... he sent my bloodpressure sky high. If this goes on i will need some medicine to lower my blood pressure before i can get back to work in April.
>>
A refresher on Magpie's abilities, for planning this out:

>Magpie – The Raven-Haired Sniper

>CORE: Hive Mistress (Ravens)
>HEALTH: 420% (90% REGEN)
>BIO: 690% (130% REGEN)
>ACT: 3/3
>Abilities: The relaxed and composed ex-partner of the melee-focused Marrow Dragoon is a long-ranged threat in her own right. Her rifle is the result of a Calcite Armorer/Flesh Artisan/Generator Triple-Hybrid tree, while her Core skill tree is maximized to focus on wide area-of-effect damage, creating no-mans-lands of swirling, indiscriminate corvids that Mara could stride into with ease to dispatch their targets. Magpie is also capable of mid-range ‘teleportation’, which is a Generator/Vitrivian Hybrid that allows speedy movement with a chance of HEALTH/BIO loss. The rounds she fires can be specialized, and since you last interacted with her, she has a number of Anti- Flesh Artisan rounds at hand to lend her lethal expertise to your cause.

>>Magpie: if the single rifle and odd assortment of Relics at her disposal were Magpie at her least serious, the raven-haired woman’s current Loadout is her playing hardball. Her long, reinforced jacket grants her moderate protection against all elemental damage types, while the living necklace she has tucked into her shirt grants her a heightened chance to avoid critical hits and allow her a counter-attack on dodge. Meanwhile, the Heaven’s Guns are a sextet of devastating firearms that offer a ballistic solution for nearly every problem, though with an unfortunate drawback. Where’s Magpie’s concerned, violence isn’t a solution - It’s the question…and the answer is ‘yes’.

>cont.
>>
>>4142676

-Magpie’s Arsenal-

>>Scylla & Charybdis (Twin M1911 Semi-auto pistols): ELEC-infused pistols that have the ability to generate a powerful magnetic pull between targets shot with their rounds, pulling them together and allowing Magpie to follow up with…

>>Lupara (Sawed-off Double Barrel Shotgun): The devastating buckshot delivered from each barrel deals catastrophically potent piercing and slashing damage, with the blade-like flechettes igniting furiously if left within a living target at the end of the round.

>> Strelitzia (FN P90): A curious weapon for a curious woman, the Strelitzia fires a cascade of alternating elemental rounds, ensuring that any elemental weakness her foes possesses is capitalized upon. Additionally, any elemental weakness hit while firing the Strelitzia automatically notifies the wielder of their foe’s vulnerabilities, making follow-up hits from other elemental damage sources (belonging to Magpie or her allies) much more powerful.

>>Red Dahlia (Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Revolver): The second-most powerful weapon in Magpie’s arsenal, a single shot from the Dahlia is fully capable of knocking even large Amalgams and targets flat regardless of their ability to resist being stunned or knocked prone. Additionally, the creeping ACIDIC properties of the round spread through the target’s body, dealing unparalleled damage over time. However, this obscenely powerful weapon can only be fired once per round, rendering it a situational, if lethal tool.

>>Alex’s Mercy (Mosin-Nagant):, The crown jewel of Magpie’s arsenal is a thing of unrivaled damage potential, easily capable of piercing through the toughest of armors…even that of the living fortress, Marrow Dragoon. It is a simple thing, optimized for sheer, simple piercing damage, with untold amounts of biomass and sacrifice invested in its creation to ensure that even a single shot fired from this most terrible of weapons is enough to end any threat Magpie encounters across the Fleshscape. A single shot, a swift death…it’s a gift of mercy, in a world gone mad.
>>
>>4142665
weird price there Jackie, weird but fitting. we'll have to have medics on close standby for that for sure, but an issue for another time...

>>4142671
While I'd planned to include what I'd written regarding Sparagmos Engines, I realized in writing it out exactly why I hadn't shared it earlier, as their abilities and the differences between individual Engines is spoiler territory and something that's best answered in the fiction.
even just the two we have/what we have discovered about them? dont think anyone expected spoilers, but still having what they can do, at least in as what we have discovered, i think is what people were asking when they talked about that.

>(That being said, I do hope that everyone present is doing well, and I look forward to diving back into the Quest with you all.)
doing well enough. this whole virus going on is... a thing, thats for sure.
>>
>>4142671
Also didnt you want to put the Write Ups and Storys written into the front page post?
You were asking for permissions at the beginning of the last thread i seem to recall
>>
>>4142676
>>4142678
Magpie has likely much higher stats than listed here at the present time, though given how difficult it is to raise ACT number she hopefully hasn't increased that. BHOP has also mentioned that her deconstruct-reconstruct teleportation is a low-level application of the skill, and that she has higher-level versions that are genuine teleportation.

So, here's my thinking as to who would be useful for dealing with her.

>Gina
Burrowing should make Gina safe even from Magpie's heaviest weapons. Even Alex's Mercy would likely struggle to penetrate dozens of meters of fleshscape without slowing or tumbling in its path. Meanwhile Gina is free to retaliate with terraforming to remove Magpie's hide sites, Amethyst Jack level nine to wipe out crow swarms, and Neon Ascendant level four to penalize teleporting given that it's a Generator hybrid.

>Dorian
Dorian is fast enough that he would be hard to keep away from even with teleportation. He gets bonus ACTs for killing constructs now, with how many Magpie spawns and Dorian's ability to sweep through an entire swarm he might end up with even more ACTs than Julia did fighting Yurei. And if he can get into close range he could lock Magpie's teleportation down with Masque of War.

>Amara
For an attempt at convincing Magpie to stand down, Amara's calm aura will help considerably. In the likely incidence that we can not, she can render us all invisible to make things much harder on a sniper. Additionally, turning terrain hostile to Magpie will further impede her hide sites, and a mass field of Joyous Many running Queen Crimson should have excellent anti-projectile properties.

>November
Less certain on this one, we might want to send her with the Amalgam Spawner team. But they have some history together, November might help in talking her down. And if she can't...well, nothing flushes out a sniper like artillery fire.
>>
>>4142686
you're forgetting we need to go to the Amalgam spawning area too,and Gina, Francine, and Amara are the best suited for that. the Barbers and Midnight Crew really dont fit the profile for what we need there, save Sia, and she alone wont make the progress we would need.

with that in mind, my own votes going to be;

>Magpie Team;
>>Shu, Dorian, Rath, November, and the Midnight Crew

>Amalgam Team;
>>Gina, Francine, Amara, and the Barbers

any tactical issues with Magpie we can shift or cover alot easier than a lack of actual brain power and/or proper abilities at the Amalgam spawning area, and assuming Magpie will listen, its gonna be Shu or nothing anyways, as unlikely as it seems it will happen.
>>
>>4142689
I can kind of see the logic for sending Gina to the Amalgam Spawner, not sure she's the best fit but I get it. What's the logic for Amara, though?
>>
>>4142689
I can see the Midnight Crew though i think we should have Gina with us and instead send Rath tot he Amalgam Spawner. She will probably be helpful as our forgemistress for them helping them to fine tune tha amalgams ability. I think she might have an instinctual understanding on what could help against relics. And Nikus Expertisse on the matter is not small thing either.
>>
>>4142685
(Gah, you're quite correct. I'll rectify that with the start of the next Vein, and I'll try and remember to post the Pastebin with all the links when I get home.)
>>
>>4142692
i can make a note myself that i give you heads up again before the beginning of the next vein. Just to make sure you remember.
>>
>>4142690
Amaras Skintalking has more than once just given her oddly unexpected but deep insight into little bits and pieces of the crucible, aswell as gives her the best and easiest connection to a plethora of information to cross reference and build upon, aswell as ask for aid from should it come to seeing what a chat room can spit out.

Skintalking just seems to be an ability that significantly can help with these processes, but im not sure i trust Sugar to be able to cover it properly, aswell as we simply dont know how her personal Skintalking bends and weaves, as it was.

>>4142691
Rath would not at all be whats needed at the Amalgam Spawner(minus potential need for defending themselves, but i think they can cover that well enough without her.). we dont even know how the spawner might work, which would heavily involve needing the abilities and expertise Francine and Gina have constantly shown to have that works well in these situations. maybe after they actually understand the Spawner, but cutting out Gina could stop or slow that down significantly, and thus would defeat the point of Rath being there at all.

we could split up the Barbers and Midnight Crew to even things out maybe to send Rath in exchange for some of them, but i feel like they wouldn't like that and it would ruin the other teams effectiveness, whereas our family is alot more used to breaking up and working with other teams.
>>
>>4142679
(I'll give it a second look, and I'll update the Pastebin with your Engine's capabilities shortly.)
>>
>>4142697
>Amaras Skintalking has more than once just given her oddly unexpected but deep insight into little bits and pieces of the crucible, aswell as gives her the best and easiest connection to a plethora of information to cross reference and build upon, aswell as ask for aid from should it come to seeing what a chat room can spit out.
I guess I see it. I'm not sure the chance she'll come up with something is enough to have her definitely on that team, but she would have some value. I'd agree to send her to the Spawner if we bring a few Many along to see Magpie. Both for handy communications and for getting some buffs and terrain effects off, I think we'll need them.

I'd rather the Midnight Crew went to the Spawner, though. Given that Francine will be there, they're the more likely group to be hit by Alpha. The Midnight Crew are unexpected, Alpha doesn't have adaptations for them pre-installed. And they have their own adaptive abilities that might help in fighting off Alpha long enough to exfiltrate the team with the Gear.
>>
>>4142707
im not sure Alpha has pre-installed upgrades to face the Barbers, i think its just our team. that, and i cant see Sia being much help against Magpie, but i can see her potentially helping with the Spawner. mind you, im sure shes no slouch in an actual fight, but she still seems to have given up at least a little of that kick for other things, which makes her more suited to the spawner by a long shot.

the Midnight crew would just be muscle, but i disagree Alpha is a goo enough reason to send them there, as we would just need to hold off long enough to evac, which i think the others and Barbers could do just as well, but with the added benefit over the Midnight Crew of having one person almost certainly who can help with figuring out the spawner and... well Sugar theoretically could help too, but probably wont be of any help. but theoretical help is still higher than the Midnight Crew will probably be.
>>
>>4142709
I think Sia would be useful against Magpie, just not in a direct fight. We want to lure Magpie away from the Altar Splinter Faction, whether we fight her or not. Shrouding our group in one of Sia's prosopagnosia fields and running could get Magpie going after us, make her think we're her prey. That would be a pretty effective way to keep the fight away from the Altar Splinter while they flee.

As for the Barbers at the Spawner...I guess they might be useful. Not really sure how much, even Sia's field is less to do with biology and more neurology. I think both teams would be equally dumb muscle there. And I wasn't thinking that Alpha had upgrades for the Barbers pre-installed when she started out, but she knows about Sia and Sugar and so might have built herself some countermeasures by now. Depends on how much weight she can loft in her jet mode, I suppose, that determines what extra modules she has already on her,
>>
>>4142712
i guess i can see that for Sia, but that would entirely depends on just how far she can extend her field, which im pretty certain we have not seen her go that far. she would have to be able to reliably hold up a field she thinks can fool Magpie, otherwise however little it is, she and Sugar still can offer something to the Spawner besides muscle, over the Midnight Crews nothing, which could still make a difference and is enough of a reason to put them there.
>>
>>4142716
Maybe. I don't know, I'm just worried that without Gina to nerf most of Magpie's arsenal we're going to be on the defensive during the fight and need to do more setup to counterbalance. Maybe we can just terraform the entire area flat, leave Magpie no perches to snipe from.
>>
>>4142722
maybe, but with the ranges Magpie has, Gina probably wouldn't be of use really anyways, and especially not in the terrain department, no more than Shu at least. unless we happened to take Magpie in a close fight, but if we did that, arguably, we very much have a plethora of other ways and abilities to help counter and beat her down.

>>4142716
>>4142701
BHOP, what is the limits of Sias illusion abilities, as far as we would put them to use here, at least.
>>
(Gentlemen, I will say this regarding the team split and Magpie's state of mind; she both likes and respects Shu and her family, but that respect does not extend to the Crew or Barbers. The choice here is a balancing act; more numbers equals a better chance to succeed, but a higher chance that Magpie won't pull her punches when dealing with your reinforcements.)
>>
>>4142724
(Sia's field is such that she can reliably cover a medium-diameter area. I'll be happy to answer any other specifics.)
>>
>>4142725
Honestly, I wasn't expecting her to pull her punches anyway. But I guess it's good to know that she'd be holding back at least a bit. We won't be. Heck, my plan was to have Gina scramble her molecules by causing massive feedback on a teleport.
>>
>>4142725
i mean, kinda expected something along those lines, but i doubt if she forces us to put her down, she wont fight as if she hasn't just forced us to put her down. that, and honestly im worried the 'bad end' to our fight with her isnt death, but her temporarily crippling us, then Shu just hearing "Ill wake you up once its your time." or something, before Magpie dumps her and our family into basically cryo pods for who knows how long. and im not sure we would like what we wake up to.
>>
>>4142665
>Look at the blade embedded in Jackie's chest.
>"Is that a T-5 Relic in your chest? No wonder you're itching for a duel."
>"Sure. I can duel you. I hope I can satisfy your expectations."

>>4142675
Jackie's got a T-5 Legendary relic. Calling it now. Just like how our Contender gun can level up the more we fire it, I think Jackie's Soul-edge blade levels up the more souls she feeds it. I can't think of any relic that can ramp up in strength over multiple veins over each killing blow that isn't a T-4 or lower.

But the drawback feels just as lethal. The blade's embedded in Jackie's chest which means it's figuratively and literally a soul-blade as Jackie will have to put her life on the line every time she draws the sword. If the blade shatters....
But that's just my speculation.
>>
>>4142712
Actually I think Sia will be useful against Magpie. Remember her Illusionist abilities? She can disguise the reinforcements as Shu's family members so that Magpie will try to pull her punches as long as the disguise holds. As long as they don't talk that is... the illusion can cover visual tricks but not audible tricks. if we had Ace talk while wearing the disguise of Dorian then the discrepancy will tip Magpie off.
>>
>>4142733
>>4142667
>>4142671
im guessing then the thing in her chest is a blatant and obvious reference then?
>>
>>4142733
i can imgaine it is...... god i hope that thing was in here before i started writing my own story.....it would really suck if someone came here reading this read my story and thought i just copied this thing.

It might not even be that the blade shatters but that she does not manage to feed it enough souls to keep it satisfied. I would think something like that probably has its own very leathal mind and will kill and take over its wielder if it does not feel appreciated. Or maybe i just gave out to to many weapons and items possessed of dangerous and sometimes malevolent spirits
>>
>>4142736
that.... literally will not work at all. literally the second a fight breaks out, the illusion would easily be seen through, as they would fight nothing like our family. doubt someone like Magpie doesnt notice little mannerisms and ticks either, so before the fight, she might easily notice they dont act like our family, and might not appreciate us trying to trick her like that. i mean, shes in no position to point fingers, but it still might make her less likely to listen, what little she might.
>>
>>4142665
Vote;
>Construct your party or parties, and assignments plus Relic Loadout for both;

>Magpie Team;
>>Shu(and Holly), Dorian, Rath, November, and the Midnight Crew
>>>Take 20 Joyous aswell

>Amalgam Team;
>>Gina, Francine, Amara, and the Barbers

Relics:
>Shu; Contender(3 Honey, 3 Parabellum Each), Matrons, and Pacekeepers.
>>Holly; Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental Mags, 3x Standard), and Gamma Pharynx.

>Dorian; Manus Caelorum, Ventrem Lanceam, and Sui Interitus.

>Rath; Gutgrab Daggers and Ignition Gauntlets.

>November; T5 Forge Core, Sacrificium(Chest), Ego(Leg), Nail(Leg), Dainsleif(Arm), Margraves(Arm)(Shu), Crimsons Jester(Head), and Whistle(GRA HIR)(T5 Slot).

>Gina; The Spine, Tollo Cadere, and Membrum Automata.

>Francine; Surgeon Generals, Inspectors Spectacles, Hydras Heart, and GoreGrowth Box(Gatling Fang).

>Amara; Vocem Virtutis(Free: OMA)(Enhanced: GRA and RHO), Vocalis Nocere, Red Devils, Hearth Rod, and Shawl(Upgraded).
>>
>>4142733
I think it's already broken, just a hilt with a bit of

>>4142738
Not a super blatant one, but given that the Midnight Crew are one big Homestuck reference it's hard not to see it as a reference to Dave Strider's swords. All of them are broken in half, and one of the two creatures that went into making his sprite (spirit guardian things made of fusion of two things, at least one of which must have been dead or doomed to die) was a crow with a sword stabbed through it, making everything prototyped with said sprite have a sword through its chest.
>>
>>4142742
I think we should also give everyone a plate-thoughtling as well. It would cut into our swarmling cap a bit, yeah, but everyone in the group benefiting from Psychica Spiralis is a huge survivability increase. Unlimited auto-counters stated to be "slightly weaker" than the Neurotic Halos' perfect counter should offer a lot of protection.
>>
>>4142744
oh.
thats actually what i thought it was a reference to, but the sword itself isnt really anything special in any of its versions, so the way you guys were talking as if the reference made you know exactly how it would work made me think it was something else.
>>
>>4142742
If anything else. Spawn 4 Rooks and have the Midnight Crew Wield them as a shield so that if Magpie has to look through her scopes, then she can teleport swap with the rooks to ensure that Magpie will be forced to hesitate when looking through the scope. Sure, Shu might take hits, but it's a good way to prevent Magpie from going all out on the Midnight Crew.
>>
>>4142748
>>4142751
i guess, but i was under the impression/saving more in depth planning for the next Vein Update.

also we still have the VISCERA VINCULA if anyone has ideas for it, but i cant see Tethering to Magpie at all working due to her Teleportation, and out of all her unknown abilities, escaping from grapples like that of any kind seems like exactly what she would have up her sleeve, given her build. but i otherwise dont know who on the Amalgam team would make much use of it.
>>
>>4142753
I think Viscera VIncula would be put on Shu. She's got Hundred Handed as one of her skills and can rapidly telescope her reach to put a hook on Magpie. If anything, the Hooks can be used to throw Magpie's aim off until she teleports away.

Given that our primary objective in facing Magpie is distracting her aim so that her window of opportunity of sniping settlement leaders is gone, or talking her down. We primarily aren't aiming to kill her and bhop has told us that Magpie will pull her punches when fighting Shu, so I'm thinking we get need Shu to be in Magpie's face as often as possible and as long as possible. Viscera Vincula would aid our grapple checks if marginally.
>>
>>4142759
i can see it, though that will only matter assuming we take Magpie at anything close to a 'close' fight, otherwise the hooks wouldn't reach. though again to be fair, alot would depend on taking Magpie in a close fight, over what she would prefer.
>>
>>4142761
I think our best chance is to designate Dorian as our spawning point for Trypophilic level fourteen, have him bum-rush Magpie, and then spawn a Rook from him so we can teleport in just before Dorian goes Masque of War.
>>
>>4142742
is Contender in Gatling Maxim or is it in default revolver?
>>
>>4142742
Oh, and we need to give the Gear to the Amalgam team. They're the ones more likely to need to warp out. Also, damn do we need to get another Gear. Got to find the blueprints somewhere.
>>
>>4142763
i could see it, sure. we'll see how that unfolds once we're at that point, assuming the most likely that we cant avoid it.

>>4142665
>>4142742 (You)
Amending Vote;
>Construct your party or parties, and assignments plus Relic Loadout for both;

>Magpie Team;
>>Shu(and Holly), Dorian, Rath, November, and the Midnight Crew
>>>Take 20 Joyous aswell
>>>Give each person on both Teams a Plate-Thoughtling.

>Amalgam Team;
>>Gina, Francine, Amara, and the Barbers
>>>Let them have the Gear, so as to be safer from surprises.

Relics:
>Shu; Contender(3 Honey, 3 Parabellum Each), Matrons, Viscera Vincula, and Pacekeepers.
>>Holly; Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental Mags, 3x Standard), and Gamma Pharynx.

>Dorian; Manus Caelorum, Ventrem Lanceam, and Sui Interitus.

>Rath; Gutgrab Daggers and Ignition Gauntlets.

>November; T5 Forge Core, Sacrificium(Chest), Ego(Leg), Nail(Leg), Dainsleif(Arm), Margraves(Arm)(Shu), Crimsons Jester(Head), and Whistle(GRA HIR)(T5 Slot).

>Gina; The Spine, Tollo Cadere, and Membrum Automata.

>Francine; Surgeon Generals, Inspectors Spectacles, Hydras Heart, and GoreGrowth Box(Gatling Fang).

>Amara; Vocem Virtutis(Free: OMA)(Enhanced: GRA and RHO), Vocalis Nocere, Red Devils, Hearth Rod, and Shawl(Upgraded).

>>4142764
we currently have no reason to ever not have it in Maxim form, so until we do, consider it our new base form.

>>4142765
always, always right when i post....
anyways, i only went to bed at 4am with not the easiest time falling asleep and already this is gonna be waking me up at 12pm to check on it, so im heading back to bed for a bit.
>>
>>4142767
Have a nice nap anon

In the meantime>>4142665
Supporting>>4142767
>>
>>4142767
It didn't really specify which form the contender's in. All I see is (3 Honey, 3 parabellum each) which might not be enough of a hint for Bhop given the fast amounts of information the he will have to process when voting is over.

Also, I think it's safe to have a pair of Hundred Handed Arms out by default as a pair of spare arms while our original pair hold the Dual Contender Revolvers.


>always, always right when i post....
>anyways, i only went to bed at 4am with not the easiest time falling asleep and already this is gonna be waking me up at 12pm to check on it, so im heading back to bed for a bit.
I'll go amend your post and make revisions in your stead anon.
>>
>>4142767
>anyways, i only went to bed at 4am with not the easiest time falling asleep and already this is gonna be waking me up at 12pm to check on it, so im heading back to bed for a bit.
Good night, anon.
>>
>Construct your party or parties, and assignments plus Relic Loadout for both;

>>4142665

>Magpie Team;
>Shu(and Holly), Dorian, Rath, November, and the Midnight Crew
>Take 20 Joyous aswell
>Give each person on both Teams a Plate-Thoughtling.

>Amalgam Team;
>Gina, Francine, Amara, and the Barbers
>Let them have the Gear, so as to be safer from surprises.

Relics:
>Shu; Contender(Gatling Maxim with Gemini Glades active: 3 Honey, 3 Parabellum Each), Matrons, Viscera Vincula, and Pacekeepers.
>Holly; Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental Mags, 3x Standard), and Gamma Pharynx.

>Dorian; Manus Caelorum, Ventrem Lanceam, and Sui Interitus.

>Rath; Gutgrab Daggers and Ignition Gauntlets.

>November; T5 Forge Core, Sacrificium(Chest), Ego(Leg), Nail(Leg), Dainsleif(Arm), Margraves(Arm)(Shu), Crimsons Jester(Head), and Whistle(GRA HIR)(T5 Slot).

>Gina; The Spine, Tollo Cadere, and Membrum Automata, Escher's Gear.

>Francine; Surgeon Generals, Inspectors Spectacles, Hydras Heart, and GoreGrowth Box(Gatling Fang).

>Amara; Vocem Virtutis(Free: OMA)(Enhanced: GRA and RHO), Vocalis Nocere, Red Devils, Hearth Rod, and Shawl(Upgraded).

Active Constructs:
Shu:
>2 Hundred Handed Arms as spare arms while Shu's original arms hold a Contender in each arm.
>16 Psychic-Platelings (platelings with Psychic Spiralis modifiers), one for everyone
>9 Bishops
>5 Rooks
>3 Stealthed Scoutlings
>8 Jacklings
>2 Grapplings
>3 Recursive Knightlings (4 Knights inside each)
>2 Recursive Banelings (10 banelings inside each)
>1 Basic Swarmling (50 swarmlings inside)
>Magpie's Fuzzbuzz
>Holly (Not sure if she counts as an active construct that eats up one of Shu's swarmling slot)
>>4142773
>>4142770
I've added Active constructs that we'll be crafting beforehand well before confronting Magpie. And gave Gina Escher's Gear.
Any thoughts on this amended loadout?
>>
>>4142797
Holly is a Spiritus Construct she does not count towards the swarmling limit.

The Arms are fine its just that we probably dont want to go in there with the guns already out.
It might be useful however since we wont have to spawn them then in the first turn.

And not sure on the active swarmlings. Rocking up with our army out will make Magpie be super on edge. She knows what our constructs can do so she would assume we are there to kill her instead of trying to talk to her.
>>
>>4142804
You make a good point there...Although I do want to lessen the damage dealt to the crew and family if push comes to shove. I'll need to think on it.
>>
>>4142797
>>4142665
Amending my vote
>Magpie Team;
>Shu(and Holly), Dorian, Rath, November, and the Midnight Crew
>Take 20 Joyous aswell
>Give each person on both Teams a Psychic-Plateling.

>Amalgam Team;
>Gina, Francine, Amara, and the Barbers
>Let them have the Gear, so as to be safer from surprises.

Relics:
>Shu; Contender(Gatling Maxim with Gemini Glades active: 3 Honey, 3 Parabellum Each), Matrons, Viscera Vincula, and Pacekeepers.
>Holly; Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental Mags, 3x Standard), and Gamma Pharynx.
>Dorian; Manus Caelorum, Ventrem Lanceam, and Sui Interitus.
>Rath; Gutgrab Daggers and Ignition Gauntlets.
>November; T5 Forge Core, Sacrificium(Chest), Ego(Leg), Nail(Leg), Dainsleif(Arm), Margraves(Arm)(Shu), Crimsons Jester(Head), and Whistle(GRA HIR)(T5 Slot).
>Gina; The Spine, Tollo Cadere, and Membrum Automata, Escher's Gear.
>Francine; Surgeon Generals, Inspectors Spectacles, Hydras Heart, and GoreGrowth Box(Gatling Fang).
>Amara; Vocem Virtutis(Free: OMA)(Enhanced: GRA and RHO), Vocalis Nocere, Red Devils, Hearth Rod, and Shawl(Upgraded).

>Active Constructs
Shu:
>2 Hundred Handed Arms as spare arms while Shu's original arms hold a Contender in each arm.
>16 Psychic-Platelings (platelings with Psychic Spiralis modifiers), one for everyone
>16 Bishops one for everyone (the ones in the amalgam team are set to activate at the start of combat and deactivate once the buff expires)
>5 Rooks (1 for each of the Midnight Crew and Dorian)
>3 Stealthed Scoutlings
>4 Basic Recursive Swarmlings (20 swarmlings inside each)
>2 Recursive Banelings (10 banelings inside each)
>3 Recursive Knightlings (4 knights inside each)
>Magpie's Fuzzbuzz

The appearance of Shu's swarmling army will be mostly defensive, with half of Shu's Army being defensive boosters and support units that help our allies, while the offensive Units (the recursive swarmlings, banelings, and knights) will have a minimal presence at first and act as a Red Herring that soaks up Magpie's Aoe sniper crow bullets.
>>
>>4142773
>>4142804
I know this is something that we could discuss in the interim, but when, where, and how will we deal with Alpha?
>>
>>4142823
we need to find a suitable place. preferably somewhere where we can outmaneouver her where she cant easily turn whiel we dart around and hit her multiple angles. Sadly i dont think there is a place that she cant just level.

Her suppressors might also be coming off so she might start to turn into a wild animal so she might devlop a low cunnign or somethign similar.

SO we might need to go ahead and prepare an arena for her. and then call her there Somethign filled with traps and dangerous terrain that she cant simply circumvent. at least not without spending titanic resources.

Possibly something similar to the swamp. And Skintalker Spells.... Lots and lots of spells. We probably want a couple hundred JoyousMany to cast debuffs on her and buffs on us.
>>
>>4142823
I'm not sure. Someplace where her rocket thrust won't give her a significant movement advantage. Somewhere crowded, I guess, keep her from moving in a straight line any significant distance. I don't know where we'd have that fight that wouldn't be just as bad for us, though.

As for how we fight her, I have no idea. I had ideas, but then West apparently gave Alpha special anti-Defiant weaponry, and now I don't now. Because she's definitely got some heavy resistance if not immunity to Skintalking now, right? So GRAV REV VITA to knock off 87% of her max Health on turn one probably won't work.
>>
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>>4142665

“Gina? I’d like you, Francine, and Amara to investigate the spawning zone.” You declare, turning to meet the girl’s hazel eyes before looking to Rosa’s scarlet ones across the room. “Rosa, would you and yours be willing to accompany them?”

“Be happy to!” Comes her cheerful answer as Sia tilts her head towards her friend, and even with the Neuromancer’s facial distortions you can sense the glare she’s shooting Rosa’s way.

“Much appreciated. As for me, I’ll be taking Holly, Dorian, Rath, and November to meet with Magpie…” You continue, trailing off as you survey the Midnight Crew. “…and given the fact that we may come to blows there, I’d like to have you with us.”

“Now we’re talkin’!” Jackie says with a grin, throwing her arms wide, glancing over her shoulders at her fellows. “You hear that girls? We’ve got ourselves a hell of a challenge on our hands…”

“…and a hell of a payout, when it’s all done.” She concludes, flashing you a mischievous grin.

After an exchange of heartfelt goodbyes and well-wishes shared among all present, along with a round of hugs from Amara to literally everyone, you and yours finish gearing up with your growing collection of bizarre Relics. You take your leave of the swamp-obscured base, trudging towards the closest waystation with a team two-dozen strong, your numbers bolstered by the twenty Joyous that dutifully march in lock-step with your team. Keane pouts when she realizes they’re not nearly as playful as the genuine article, and after she abandons her attempts the only sounds from your party are their own stomping feet intermingled with the furtive whispers of the Neesons as they bring up the rear of your little platoon.

Your feet collectively carry you northwest at a respectable pace, the rolling plains of raw, reddened flesh slowly giving way to jagged fangs of calcite that rip and tear through the landscape seemingly at random, like bloody teeth bared at a false sky. Your eyes unceasingly rove the terrain, those set in your head as well as those embedded in the shells of the swarmlings that circle high above, an ever-present vigil against the Crucible’s innumerable dangers.

“Hey…you okay?” Holly asks tentatively, yet just as kind and hopeful as always. You smile, finding the expression a little forced given everything you’re up against.

“I’ll be fine.” You insist, though the suspicious look in the girl’s emerald eyes tells you she isn’t convinced, though she knows better than to press the issue. Silence settles among you all once more, and amid the steady static of your family’s squelching footfalls you have a moment to consider how best to pass the time until…

…well, until the inevitable.

>>Actually...you will ask Holly something.

>>See what Rath and November are talking about.

>>Speak to Dorian, he’s been quiet.

>>Catch up with the Midnight Crew.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Voting shall remain open for the next four hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4142878
(As an aside, this day is proving to be filled with meetings regarding recent news, so my apologies for the longer voting times. I hope to cut them a bit shorter soon, if I can.)
>>
>>4142872
>>Actually...you will ask Holly something.
>"What do you think Holly? Any ideas on what could get through to Magpie? I... I am afraid.. that i will mess this up... and will have to face her in combat"
>Try afterwards to clear up the mood a bit and gesture for the relics
>"On the other hand. Are you okay with that monster of a relic stuck in your mouth? Anything you could think up for the future so we can keep you competitive?"


>>4142882
Four hours are fine OP God on the day we were told that we would have to work from home we were in meetings constantly as well. I could see the color draining from my bosses face every every time i saw her. At the end of the day she was pretty done.
>>
>>4142882
>>4142878
Hey, it's the virus. it's inevitable that things will get tied up.
My state closed down all restaurants, so it's horrible for those waiters and bartenders. I think they do deliveries only now. Although I'm not affected by that so much as the paperwork regarding my leave of absence.

>>4142872
>Speak to Dorian, he’s been quiet.
>"Care for some company?"
>Let Dorian speak his mind and listen.

>>4142892
>that coworker
Big OOF right there.
How big of a pain is she in the workplace?
>>
>>4142882
hey, take your time man. alot of people no longer even have work or school at all anymore, so take your situation as you will.

>>4142872
>Catch up with the Midnight Crew.
>>Ask them how they've been, what interesting things they've been up to, and how things seem to be out there from how they can tell.
>>Jokingly ask Jackie whos all shes pissed off this time around too, and what sorta trouble she and hers has caused.
>>
>>4142892
>>4142896
(A big 'oof' to that coworker, indeed.)
>>
>>4142896
>>4142904
My Boss? She is a real stickler for the rules. But she is getting more relaxed now that routine has returned to the workplace after some big and sorely needed hires.

My Coworker on the other hand...... I will not badmouth him but god he makes my blood boil. Just thinking about him is making my blood pressure rise to unhealthy levels again. And having to walk him through the process of how to install a piece of software that we have a step by step manual for.............
>>
>>4142892
>I... I am afraid.. that i will mess this up... and will have to face her in combat"
im not really a fan of this line. feels way too fickle for Shu, and also way too late by this point to be having reservations about the most likely outcome of this situation.
>>
>>4142918
So more something like this? More forceful and direct. Seeing the Battle more like an unnecessary waste of resources than somwthing to truly dread to have to face someone Shu likes in combat
>"I hope that i can reach her and prevent this battle. Maybe you can help me find an angle that i haven't thought of yet?"
>>
>>4142919
that works yeah.
a main part of it id say is the fact us having to meet her in person is already based on the fact things failed, just, not Shu who failed id argue. also felt a bit too much like it ignored that however much it sucks, we are going there to kill her. we might hope that wont actually be necessary, but both we and Magpie had our conversation and said quite clearly we were gonna stop her, and she very much made it clear it probably wont be through words.

damnit Magpie, you didn't even deserve it, but all you had to do was accept a slap on the wrist. now, even if we talk you down, theres no way we wont still need to be harsher with you.
>>
>>4142872
Ammending my vote from >>4142892
to
>>Actually...you will ask Holly something.
>"What do you think Holly? Any ideas on what could get through to Magpie? I hope that i can reach her and prevent this battle. Maybe you can help me find an angle that i haven't thought of yet?"
>Try afterwards to clear up the mood a bit and gesture for the relics
>"On the other hand. Are you okay with that monster of a relic stuck in your mouth? Anything you could think up for the future so we can keep you competitive?"
>>
>>4142925
actually, i just thought of a good idea for part of Magpies punishment if she does get talked down.

she has to listen to a long winded lecture from Amara while we encourage her to use lots of words too big or complex for her age.
>>
>>4142950
that's cruel you know. good for comedy, but this is a sort of drama moment.
>>
>>4142952
well yeah, which is why i'd only happen afterwards assuming things calmed down.
>>
>>4142950
And Amara getting words wrong is definitely at least halfway intentional, so telling Amara to use complicated words would get her doing it for every other noun.
>>
>>4142872
>>Catch up with the Midnight Crew.
>>
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>>4142904
hey BHOP, heres something cool i just found, thought ya would like it.

https://imgur.com/gallery/j5jjErv

also, an awesome doggo picture.
>>
>>4142983
(Well this is just the coolest thing I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing!)
>>
(Headed home for the day Gentlemen, and I'll be posting once I arrive.)
>>
God damn it i thouzght i had fixed my sleeping schedule and with working from home letting me stay up longer but i still need more time to adjust.

Ah well i will head to bed now. Good night anons

Good Night OP
>>
>>4143257
Good night, anon. We'll try not to get anyone killed while you're gone. Sleep well.
>>
>>4143257
(Sleep well, Anon. You probably won't be missing much, as I'll likely make this next post the day's last so I can try and get some pre-work done and then get some rest for tomorrow.)
>>
>>4143264
(This is me, posting from the first time since I got home.)
>>
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>>4142872

You fall back a bit, weaving through the field of Joyous as you sidle up to Jackie and the rest of her Crew, intent on a much needed catch-up.

“Everything’s been going so fast, I wanted to pump the brakes a bit and ask what you all have been up to.” You announce, glancing among the four Paladins even as you survey from high above as your brood soars on translucent wings. “Who’s Jackie pissed off this time around? Anyone interesting?”

“Been busy.” Ace says, surprising you by the simple fact that she’s the first to speak up. “Boss here’s keeping us on the move.”

“To get stronger, that’s what we gotta do!” Jackie fires back, giving a pointed wink to her armored companion despite only having one eye with which to emote. “Took up hunting down a few Amalgams for some quick levels, to try and get some momentum going after you let us shuffle around our powers a bit. We’re all pretty happy about that opportunity, I’d say.”

“I know I sure am.” Quinn chimes in, giving you a playful wink as she flexes one powerful arm. “Now that I’m not taking freaking forever to amp up, I can play vanguard alongside Ace Attorney, here.”

“Oh, oh! Ace and I figured out a new move!” Keane interjects excitedly, struggling to shove her way past the Joyous that’ve boxed her in. “She drains whoever she’s in close combat with, but a lot faster now, so I suck off the surplus and use it to heal the rest of us!”

“Okay, first? Phrasing.” Jackie grimaces, prompting Keane’s cheeks to go red. “And second, Ace’s DPS is nuts now that we were able to clone that axe of hers, and Quinn’s a goddamn force of nature.”

“So…what about yourself? Gotta say, I’m getting curiouser about that sword by the minute, and you being all cagey about it doesn’t help my wonderings.” Comes your inevitable query, complete with your own wry grin.

“Ha, alright, if you insist…” The slender girl relents with a shrug of her sharp, angular shoulder blades. “Figured picking up an odd job here or there would help us cover the Relic side of things, so we took a job to plunge into some old Hexane ruins…and this time ‘round, we didn’t have a full-blown skirmish on our hands.”

She sticks her tongue out at you, continuing before you counter that Ozmas’ home was her idea.

“Anyway, we find what the commissioner was looking for, which was this weird-lookin’ tea set…at least, I think that’s what it was. Dunno how the Hexane drink, but anyway.” The girl just shakes her head, getting back on track. “In the same room there was the little shrine, everything cleared away from this sword. Biomass seemed to avoid everything but the sword, actually…the veins and gristle and shit just seemed drawn to it, like it was trying to eat it. I took it by way of payment since Paloma said we could keep anything else we saw there, and when we returned with the cups and junk, she was pleased as punch.”

(Continued)
>>
>>4143316

“So much so that Paloma gave us a second job! The one that took us to Carroll’s Forest!” Keane adds, a note of pride in her high voice. “Suffice to say that we nailed it, after only a pinch of having to deal with horrific nightmare trees!”

“Paloma…that name’s been thrown around a lot lately.” You muse.

“She pays well, and she’s about as safe a haven as you can get with everything that’s been going on, what with Hunger riots and the three big-ass Amalgams that’ve been on the move.” Jackie comments with a shrug, a diminutive bat fluttering away from one of the voids in her skull as it flits over to your shoulder. “She also said if we knew anyone who’s not trying to make the world worse off, then to send them her way.”

A brief series of chirps and squeaks issue from the bat’s tiny mouth, the sounds forming into a place, a destination…a purpose, as Jackie grins.

“So I told her I knew just the gal.”

>>IKEA Coordinates: Acquired

"And as far as my sword, well..." Jackie trails off with a sly smile.

"...I've got a keep a few tricks up my sleeve if I'm gonna beat you."

You exchange a bit more idle chatter with the Crew, touching on such topics as Quinn’s fixation on a rumored biological male that’s supposedly jumping from Waystation to Waystation around the Crucible, and all the way to Keane’s long-winded monologue about how she’d fix some of her more beloved webcomics, that vast majority of which you’ve never even heard of. You’re so immersed in conversation that you almost don’t notice the subtle shift in terrain, the teeth growing closer and closer together until you’re reduced to clambering over the interlocked fangs, measuring speed against caution as you all make your way over the treacherous calcite canopy.

The sight of smoke on the horizon makes your heart skip a beat. For a single, panic-stricken moment you think you’re too late, ice running through your veins as you surge ahead, propelled by the unrivaled force of your Ravenous Maw’s prehensile tongue. Your urgency carries you with utmost haste to the top of a pointed ridge, and at the summit you see an encampment nestled in the slope of the valley, trails of smoke billowing from the tops of the assorted tents. There’s no gunfire, no violence, no chaos, but instead merely an oddly familiar scent wafting up from the cavernous valley.

"Chris, is that a weed I'm calling the police?!" Quinn rattles off behind you, and you're turning around when Ace immediately counters.

"Nine-one-one, what's your emergency?" She urgently intones from within the confines in her armor, you you crack a smile as the Midnight Crew cackles among themselves. You have to admit a certain sort of relief now that you've located the Altered Altar's offshoot, perched at the edge of a...

...huh.

(Continued)
>>
>>4143320

You quint, realizing that their camp rests on the precipice of a yawning void, the teeth that you've clambered over leading into the rasping throat of a colossal, lamprey-esque maw. It begins to breathe in slowly, and you watch as the smoke is drawn downwards, slowly spiraling into the land's greedy mouth as it breathes deep, steady breaths. In any case, you've beaten Magpie to her next target and all that's left is to wait for her arrival...

...and for better or worse, you don't have to wait long.

She comes stalking up the ridge far below you, trudging up the path of interlocked fangs on long, slender legs. You have the high ground, waiting atop the lip of the massive mouth as you watch her slowly make her way to where you and your assembled allies stand. Magpie takes her time, walking as though she has all the time in the world as her hovering eyes orbit her head of raven hair. From your swarmlings' point of view, you see the twin pistols strapped to her waist, while her revolver's tucked into an underarm holster that's revealed when a fetid breeze wafts across the tooth-infested hills that surround you. Her compact machine gun's dangling lazily from one hand, while her rifle and shotgun are nowhere to be seen. Magpie's finally arrived, equipped for a fight...no.

Not a fight.

A massacre.

The older woman finally stops a few dozen yards below you, leaning her head to one side as her neck pops with an audible crack.

"I'll admit, I'm impressed you beat me here." She drawls, slowly reaching into her pocket as you and your allies collectively tense, until she reveals a cigarette and lighter clutched in the spindly fingers of her left hand. "Impressed...and a little disappointed, if I'm bein' honest."

"I want to talk." You declare, staring down at her as she cracks a smile.

"I'm sure you do." She grins.

"I want to *understand*, Magpie. I want to know why you're doing this." You continue, your defensive swarm hovering around your allies as you take a step forward. "I want to give you a chance. A choice...and I hope you'll make the right one."

"Kiddo, I hope you know that I'd tell you if I-" She says, and she almost drops her lighter as her hand spasms, a wince of pain crossing her features as her grin transforms briefly into a grimace before reverting back as she lights her cigarette.

"You want a 'why', Shu?" She finally says, every word deliberate as she tilts her eyeless sockets towards you. "I cannot say."

"We don't want to hurt you, Magpie." Rath growls, her balled fists radiating enough heat to prompt both the Crew and the Joyous to take a collective step away from her. "But we'll stop you from hurting anyone down there if that's what we-"

"You mean you'll kill me, is what you're trying to say. Hey, you'd hate to kill me. Heh, I get it." Magpie interrupts with a grin, followed by a shrug. "You seem a decent sort - I hate to die."

(Continued)
>>
>>4143323

"No-one has to die today, Magpie."

You take another step forwards, spreading your arms as you open your empathic channel once more to the woman before you. As her thoughts wash over you, you find they're like steel - cold, unwavering, and hardened in the rusted trap that is her mind. Guilt weaves through them, though not at what she intends to do...no, that is merely what must follow as a result of that which she should've done. Could've done. Would've done, if only she'd been stronger. If only she stopped her when she had the-

"Sure they do." Magpie replies, breathing out a lungful of smoke as her mind retreats from your own prying consciousness. "Look...I really don't want to hurt y'all, either. Nobody here wants to hurt each other...'cept your spitfire there. She's itching to acquaint her knuckles with my jaw, but that's just how she is."

It's Rath's turn to shrug.

"But what we have here is an impasse, a failure to communicate...though that's not the fault of anyone here....ow. Heh, shit...too close, huh?" Magpie softly chuckles, taking another drag on her cigarette after wincing once again. "Ah...but I'll make a deal with you, kiddo."

She extends her arm, her dwindling cigarette held taught between two long fingers.

"You want to talk...so I'll listen, for as long as it takes for me to finish this." Magpie says, a curious lilt to her voice. "Seems me talking is getting a little hard, so you've got this old woman's ear for a minute while I enjoy my last little vice."

She brings it to her lips, the ashes glowing bright as she inhales, and you watch as the light slowly fades as she exhales another deep breath of thick, whirling smoke.

Her eyes are on you.

You swallow, hard.

"Ball's in your court, Shu."

>>You have her here, face to face...and you can make Magpie understand [Write-In].

>>You can tell Magpie's not going to back down...so you know what you have to do [Initiate Combat].

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening. Voting shall remain open for the next fifteen hours, with posting to resume in around seventeen, give or take. As always, I'll be around for the rest of the evening to address any questions you all may have, in addition to any criticisms, comments, and the like.)

(I do hope everyone's day has gone well, and I look forward to seeing where you all take this encounter. I wish you the best, and take care.)
>>
>>4143326
>"Kiddo, I hope you know that I'd tell you if I-" She says, and she almost drops her lighter as her hand spasms, a wince of pain crossing her features as her grin transforms briefly into a grimace before reverting back as she lights her cigarette.

>"You want to talk...so I'll listen, for as long as it takes for me to finish this." Magpie says, a curious lilt to her voice. "Seems me talking is getting a little hard, so you've got this old woman's ear for a minute while I enjoy my last little vice."

Something's definitely off about Magpie.

>that filename: "Magpie, Bound and Gagged"

Okay. There's a big hint about Magpie. Bound and gagged? Magpie's bound by something, and that contract binds her from doing anything else except follow the terms lest she risks the consequences. Is there a Geas on Magpie? or does Magpie have something that's she's forced to be mum about? She seems like she wants to talk and willing to listen, but the same message we might be preaching might not work again.
>>
>>4143320
>Quinn’s fixation on a rumored biological male that’s supposedly jumping from Waystation to Waystation around the Crucible
oh, Guess Carter has a fan. good luck with that Carter, dont think the Midnight crew are the best to upset.

>>4143331
hope your afternoons quite good BHOP, and hope none of this panic or the actual virus is too close to home.

also, can Shu tell if this is the real Magpie? id assume so, as we got a read off her, but id like to double check.

>>4143335
i mean, her emotions seemed pretty clear. not saying you're wrong, only whatever she might be bound by, she almost certainly accepted willingly. that is, assuming its not saying she feels bound by past mistakes and such. she also seems to be suffering some disease cutting her time short. maybe that Spiral hit never healed properly? as far as we were aware, such effects shouldn't be permanent, at least so long as the inflictor is killed, which they were. but maybe the Spiral had enough materials to break the standard, which we know isnt impossible.
>>
>>4143335
>>4143326

It seems that every time she talks, she is inflicted with pain that she tries to suppress but she winces with said pain from some unknown geas.

>"But what we have here is an impasse, a failure to communicate...though that's not the fault of anyone here....ow. Heh, shit...too close, huh?" Magpie softly chuckles, taking another drag on her cigarette after wincing once again. "Ah...but I'll make a deal with you, kiddo."

>"though that's not the fault of anyone here...ow."
Magpie seems to go on longer but something seems to make her verbally wince in pain
>"Heh, shit...too close huh?"
Magpie chuckles at the bind she's in because what she's trying to do cuts too close to violating the terms she's apparently bound to. The longer she stays her hand from pulling the trigger, the more pain she's in.

>>4143340
That's not it. remember the relic weapons she's crafted?

>Magpie: if the single rifle and odd assortment of Relics at her disposal were Magpie at her least serious, the raven-haired woman’s current Loadout is her playing hardball. Her long, reinforced jacket grants her moderate protection against all elemental damage types, while the living necklace she has tucked into her shirt grants her a heightened chance to avoid critical hits and allow her a counter-attack on dodge. Meanwhile, the Heaven’s Guns are a sextet of devastating firearms that offer a ballistic solution for nearly every problem, though with an unfortunate drawback. Where’s Magpie’s concerned, violence isn’t a solution - It’s the question…and the answer is ‘yes’.

The relic weapons have a drawback. It's not stated, but it's heavily implied that Magpie must inflict violence and fill a quota in order to not receive a backlash. That's why the quote of " violence isn’t a solution - It’s the question…" is relevant. It's asking the wielder: "Will there be violence?"
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>>4143348
yeah.
but she still chose to pick the weapons up, and still has no qualms about what they are making her do, if they are even really forcing her hand, over just speeding up the process.
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>>4143348
Can we redirect the need for violence? Like, say, towards a killer cyborg? If she has to kill for whatever reason, and she says she's doing this to help us, maybe telling her that she'd do a much better job of helping us by fighting Alpha alongside us would manage to redirect the geas she's under.
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>>4143340
(As far as you can tell, this is the real Magpie. At the very least you can tell that this is not a construct or a mere illusion.)
>>
>>4143326
>As her thoughts wash over you, you find they're like steel - cold, unwavering, and hardened in the rusted trap that is her mind. Guilt weaves through them, though not at what she intends to do...no, that is merely what must follow as a result of that which she should've done. Could've done. Would've done, if only she'd been stronger. If only she stopped her when she had the-

>>4143350
look closely at the dialogue here:

>"Kiddo, I hope you know that I'd tell you if I-" She says, and she almost drops her lighter as her hand spasms, a wince of pain crossing her features as her grin transforms briefly into a grimace before reverting back as she lights her cigarette.

>"You want a 'why', Shu?" She finally says, every word deliberate as she tilts her eyeless sockets towards you. "I cannot say."

She was going to say something, but she was interrupted by pain. Then she switched her answer to saying: "I cannot say".
This means that she would like to say the answer, but she's been bound by a geas or an oath to not divulge on pain of death.

We're trying to save the settlement here and trying to talk Magpie down.
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>>4143363
Well, at least that means that if this does come to blows, Dorian should be able to use his initiative boost to Masque of War her and keep her from playing teleport sniper-tag with us.
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>>4143368
and you're outright ignoring what im actually saying, and the point im making, aswell as other info given to us about her mental state.
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>>4143368
Maybe if we can knock her out we can put the Neurotic Crown on her, remove that geas effect. To bad we don't have enough Neurotic Halos spare on hand to assemble the Crown right here and now. Oh, Ascendants' Crown, you're so powerful but so very impractical to make use of.
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>>4143326
>Have a swarmling do a quick whizz by, blowing out her cig with a gust.
>"Hrm, well theres at least a few seconds longer. you seem to not be doing too well, a last vice might not be a good idea, regardless of how this turns out."

>"We're not here to negotiate Magpie. You know what we stand for and why we're here. You're not hurting anyone else, causing anymore chaos or problems. just a matter of how much of yours and ours bloods on the ground before we stop you."
>"Just... please. drop the weapons. toss them aside, and we can take you in, and settle this like actual adults, instead of whatever you're pretending to be."
>"what is this really about? why are you so damn intent on doing this? sure, you've said your spiel about the Spiral and all that nonsense, but you'r either way too thick of skull or way less bright than you seem, if you think im blind to the clear picture theres more to this than just that."
>"This have to do with Mara? and what you helped her do? what? Mara didn't have the best intentions when she made all these groups, is that it? so because you and her were asses, it doesn't mean they cant be used for good, cant change their direction? it means they all gotta be killed and buried?"
>"Or maybe its something else. maybe those guns give you an itchier trigger finger than normal?"
>"....But none of that changes the fact you still chose this, you chose to pick up your weapons, and you chose to go slaughter people like cattle, and its you standing here not having any qualms about what you're doing... only what you didn't do."
>sigh, and let your tone go soft.
>"Hasn't the Crucible seen enough needless bloodshed? hasn't it seen enough people, who refuse to try something else but to cut a path forward? Whatever you did, or didn't do, stop letting it eat you up. ive seen enough of where that leads... and put enough people down over it. but i have put them down, as necessary, and ill do it again."
>"You need something to shoot, we need a hand against actual threat, actual problems. not ones you wish to make out of only possibilities, but real, current ones. We got some good, wonderful healers with us. toss down your weapons, come with us. we'll get that wince looked at, we'll figure out what needs to be done about what you've done, but at least you'll actually have a chance to do some good, instead of littering the fleshscape with corpses on a hunch."

>Take a moment to hint at your team to be prepared for the worst, and put your hand on your Contender.
>"Or. we do what you, not us, chose. we put you down, and save lives. its what we're good at, afterall, just like you said."
>>
>>4143377
(It's 'Awesome, but Impractical' to its core. Potentially game-breaking with some tinkering and forethought, to be sure.)
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>>4143326
>"Magpie, Look I don't know exactly your more personal history regarding the time you've been awake, nor your beef with Mara, but I think I get the basic gist of your situation. You're bound under a geas right? You're compelled to seek and create violence. I don't know what forged the geas, so I can only guess that it's the weapons that you've made."
>"I've made my heartfelt speech to you over the phone, but saying the same thing here won't work."
>"So...I'm going to have to try and convince you in a different way."
>Gather up your resolve and take a deep breath.
>"I want to hire you for a job."
>"I've got a problem that needs to be dealt with. And I need your help and your guns. Violence will be required."
>stress the word "will"
>"I have a veritable Terminator named West Alpha who is specialized in hunting my family down. Strong, durable, fast, melee based, Veritable cold berserker. Makes Relics and weapons on the fly and in great quantities due to having a working Forge built into her gut. A walking loot pinata. Fought Mara to a stalemate after 6 hours of constant fighting. My family is not equipped to deal with her. Not sure if we can even win."
>"Help me take her down, please. As payment, Any relics Alpha makes from her forge in combat will be yours for the taking."

You can yell at me for being a dumb shit, but hiring her is just a temporary stopgap measure. It saves the altered Altar from the immediate threat if Magpie is convinced, and we get additional help in fighting against Alpha. This will hopefully sate Magpie's Geas quota, but it also gives us time to help figure out Magpie's deal with her guns and her long drawn out hidden vendetta.
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>>4143413
>>4143326
yeah no im highly against this. it ignores the very real and very heavy fact that whatever else might be motivating her, she still very much had a say, choice, and has emotionally shown herself to be more than ok with the path she is going down.

plus, i refuse to give her payment, both after what she has done, and because again, she very much had a choice in getting down this route and very much still wanted it to some degree. the last thing we need is to make her more powerful, especially with Alpha tier relics, and im not gonna trick her either and say we will then refuse to give them to her or something.

even if she is under a geas, its a terrible plan, in my opinion.
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>>4143425
give me some time to think on this, you've helpfully pointed out Magpie's mental state and convictions. so I'll try to come up with some supplementary lines to go with your write-in.

>>4143413
>>4143326
Revoking my own vote.
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>>4143413
>>4143447
also, on the Geas part. your plan wouldn't work anyways. if it is a Geas, it seems to be per gun. shes taken down two factions, she is now missing two guns. she has at least two more, assuming the pistols count as a pair. Alpha would only count as one, assuming whatever 'contract' she has, doesn't have further rules, such as 'taking out groups.' which would mean, she either would have to take down the entire Proxy catalog, or at least enough to say she did, and no matter what she would still have at least one to go, and for sure needing a 'valid target' for it, not just any ol amalgam, which we actually after Alpha currently dont have.

this is, of course, an educated guess, but it may fall a bit flat due ot her having NINE other settlements she planned to hit. which implies one of two things; Quality/Quantity matters, the Contract is preset and cannot be changed, or she knows exactly how this works, and just planned to pick them up again. which, even if im right about the rest, both the amount she planned to hit, and he demeanor at all this, makes it clear the last one is probably true regardless of the rest.
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>>4143458
If I'm reading this right, then "for each settlement" Mara has founded, Magpie has made a gun solely for destroying said "settlement".
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>>4143494
not exactly what i was thinking, but... honestly? id not be surprised. at all. would mean less she plans to pick these back up, and that she has another stash somewhere instead though.
but, i think that would be semantics at that point, or at least currently.

damn, that really does sound like her though... yet is a very annoying idea if true.
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>>4143377
>>4143363
>>4143494
i think the phrase "id be highly impressed if you weren't such an asshole." is the perfect phrase for how im feeling about Magpie at the moment.
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>>4143458
>if it is a Geas, it seems to be per gun. shes taken down two factions, she is now missing two guns.
I'm not sure about that. She took out the Apex before losing the long guns, remember? So it can't be by group taken out, because she would have only lost one since last we saw her if that's how it works. It's either by value of target or number of targets. Assuming that she is able to discard guns as she completes hits, and that it's not something else. It probably is that, but the fact that Six Black Heaven's Guns is a reference makes me think that they're meant to be a set of six and that she didn't have a seventh gun before she took down the Apex.

Though I guess both discrepancies could be solved by "is able" not being the same thing as "has to". So she held onto one of the guns after taking out the Apex despite having the opportunity to lose it, and only decided to ditch it after seeing Shu at Laoc because...she's feeling guilty about us, maybe?
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>>4143523
She does see a lot of Alex (her son) in Shu, there may be some guilt associated with that. From the thoughts that we could glean when our field brushed up against her mind, her guilt has the "should've would've could've" thought of being able to prevent SOMETHING that happened in the past, and she's beating herself up about it.
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>>4143523
maybe she thought it was still useful. it being made to take down the Apex and being 'contracted' to them, doesn't mean it might not be useful against the Altar.

but then she took them down and ran out of an excuse to use it. could also be an ammo/ custom ammo thing. she had rounds leftover, then used them up. its also assuming she hasn't altered her loadout beyond the guns since she made them, even assuming they were made for specific settlements/contracts, and had custom ammo that now didnt fit the gun originally intended for said target.

just dont think her having hit two targets and missing two guns is random is all.
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>>4143532
wait, hang on a tic, where does it mention Magpie missing two guns from her repetoire?
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>>4143537
>>4143532
Never mind, found it.
>>
Okay, I'm reading over her words again, and I'm not sure that Magpie took the guns up by choice.

>"But what we have here is an impasse, a failure to communicate...though that's not the fault of anyone here....ow. Heh, shit...too close, huh?" Magpie softly chuckles, taking another drag on her cigarette after wincing once again.

Saying that the reason she can't communicate isn't the fault of anyone in the current conversation triggered the geas. And the "too close, huh" suggests she was trying to get around the geas. Someone else is responsible for her being set on this warpath, and she's just resigned to having to follow it. The "if only she stopped her when she had the-" isn't referring to Magpie's guilt over not stopping Uzu before she could become the Spiraling Fear, an event that convinced her she has to do these executions. It's referring to her guilt at not stopping whoever is making her do this.
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>>4143582
im not sure about that. still sounds like she just means she just feels we're not on the same page, but doesn't blame anyone for this.

it feels just about the opposite of Magpie and how she is to ever be ok being a puppet. her personality is more of one where she would just take the pain and possible death if it was that, and certainly wouldn't be so emotionally ok with the situation.

unless she was still ok with what goal she was given, i guess,but that wraps back around to her simply being ok with it and that itself being a major issue, regardless of anything else.
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>>4143589
Maybe. But the fact that saying "no one here is responsible for this" triggered the geas still has me worried. It suggests that either the person responsible is somewhere else, or that just the act of trying to communicate lack of blame makes the guns angry. Either one is really bad, but I'm hoping it's the first because at least then communication is possible. Very difficult, but possible.
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>>4143607
i mean, its a pretty vague statement, that could mean too many things to pin down, even considering the Geas. but she still is way too ok with all this for this to be entirely outside what she wants.
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>>4143612
She's resigned to it, not okay with it. She's feeling guilty for not stopping the chain of events that lead to this, but she doesn't feel she has a choice. I don't know, it's got me worried. I'll work on my write-in once I've eaten, I started making dinner way too late. See if I can say something that conveys "okay, I'm not sure how much culpability you have here but I've got to stop you regardless, so if there's any chance you're being forced to do this, I'm sorry for what has to be done and hope that there's a way to communicate with you freely afterwards".
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>>4143612
It could be a condition of "learned helplessness", Magpie's okay with this because she resigned to the fact that she'll have to slaughter more settlements, but that doesn't mean she's truly helpless. Otherwise she and bhop wouldn't have given out hints that she's under a geas.
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>>4143619
>>4143620
i disagree. heavily. shes not the type who would just be ok with being a puppet or resign herself to this, doesn't fit her personality at all, nor at all do i agree all the bits and pieces at all add up to that.
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>>4143620
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. She might be able to fight it, but whoever is responsible is strong enough that she thinks that even if she can it's not worth the struggle anymore.

>>4143624
Her personality has shown itself to be pretty depressive. I can easily believe that she'd eventually give up on fighting a geas. And the bits and pieces definitely add up to there being someone else involved. How else are you going to interpret the geas punishing her there?
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>>4143630
not so damn depressive she would be ok with this if it wasn't what she wanted, and nothing about the potential Geas means she didnt choose to pick them up and someone else is pulling the strings, nor that one line.

plus her personality is still way too stubborn for just accepting this, and earlier she was being pretty honest to use about still wanting to do this.
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>>4143639
>not so damn depressive she would be ok with this if it wasn't what she wanted, and nothing about the potential Geas means she didnt choose to pick them up and someone else is pulling the strings, nor that one line.
But she's not okay with it. You keep saying that, it's not true. She's resigned to it, that's not the same thing. She thinks she has no other choice but to do this, but she's not alright with that fact. We're explicitly told that she feels guilt she couldn't stop this from happening. And while that line doesn't necessarily mean she's unwilling, it does cast doubt on her culpability if there's another party involved that she's not allowed to speak of. I'm not saying that Magpie is some completely innocent didn't do anything victim in this process. But without knowing more I'm hesitant to have Shu castigate her. Honestly, I'm not sure what Shu's response should be, I doubt the geas will let her surrender. I'm leaning more and more towards just fighting.
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>>4143326
>>4143326
>>You have her here, face to face...and you can make Magpie understand [Write-In].
>"God damn it, you're clearly geased. Is there even a point to having this conversation, Magpie? Could you even surrender if you wanted to? Will the geas let you tell me that? I mean, I don't know if you want to, it's unclear how much of this is you and how much is you being controlled, but it would be nice to know if it's at least possible."
>"If you can back out from this, if that's an option, please just set your guns down. I've got so many bigger problems to deal with, and if you were honest about your desire to clear the way for me you could do that so much better by helping me with them. Kill some people and things that deserve it, instead of a bunch of hippies. Please, I'm begging you. I don't want to have to fight another person I care about because they're being too stubborn. Uzu and Isabel were enough."
>"And if you can't back out from this, if the geas is controlling you too much...then I'm sorry, but you know I have to stop you. I'm sorry for what would have to happen, then. Though afterwards, you're going to give me some answers on how you got this geas. I really hope you didn't put it on yourself, I don't want there to be some mastermind but I'd like to think of you fondly."
>"Either way, Magpie, the choice is yours. If you still have a choice. Please make the right one."
>>
>>4143326
>You take another step forwards, spreading your arms as you open your empathic channel once more to the woman before you. As her thoughts wash over you, you find they're like steel - cold, unwavering, and hardened in the rusted trap that is her mind. Guilt weaves through them, though not at what she intends to do...no, that is merely what must follow as a result of that which she should've done. Could've done. Would've done, if only she'd been stronger.

>>4143648
no, you're just reading it how you wish it was. nothing about that makes her seem non complaint, but actually outright ok and resolved to see this through. it doesn't sound defeatist, doesn't sound resolved, but sounds exactly like shes stubbornly determined to do this.
>>
Here's a thing that I noted:

Our conversation with Magpie over the phone:
>"You talked, now you get to listen." The older woman cuts you off with a hardness to her voice that wasn't there before. "The Monastery wasn't your fault; it was mine. Please don't feel guilty about it, Shu. There wasn’t anything you could’ve done, not with…"

>A bitter sigh, exhaled with intent.

"I was too much of a goddamn coward to stop it when I saw what was going on, and now that I have nothing in my way I'm damn well going to correct that mistake." She declares, her tone leaving zero room for argument."

Note that Magpie changes the subject mid sentence. and follows up with a declaration.

Here's our conversation with Magpie face to face:

>"I want to *understand*, Magpie. I want to know why you're doing this." You continue, your defensive swarm hovering around your allies as you take a step forward. "I want to give you a chance. A choice...and I hope you'll make the right one."

>"Kiddo, I hope you know that I'd tell you if I-" She says, and she almost drops her lighter as her hand spasms, a wince of pain crossing her features as her grin transforms briefly into a grimace before reverting back as she lights her cigarette.

>"You want a 'why', Shu?" She finally says, every word deliberate as she tilts her eyeless sockets towards you. "I cannot say."

Magpie also changes the subject here, but makes it plain that the reasons are enforced by pain if she intends to state the motive behind the killings.

>"But what we have here is an impasse, a failure to communicate...though that's not the fault of anyone here....ow. Heh, shit...too close, huh?" Magpie softly chuckles, taking another drag on her cigarette after wincing once again. "Ah...but I'll make a deal with you, kiddo."

Again, I'm seeing a common line here.
If Magpie tries to state a motive, she cannot answer properly. If she states that no one is at fault for something, she's interrupted by the geas.

Motives of why, the "who's to blame", if magpie cannot find a reason nor a target to blame, then the geas punishes Magpie.

Come to think of it, the Six heavenly Guns is a reference to Guilty Gear's song Six Black Heavenly Guns.
So...are Magpie's guns a set of Guilty Guns that demand a target to blame?
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>>4143582
Agreed.

>though that's not the fault of anyone here....ow. Heh, shit...too close, huh?

She's trying to imply that it IS the fault of someone who ISN'T here. And apparently, that was too close to the truth, and the geas triggered.

A thought, as to who's controlling Magpie: This occurred when we liberated all of West's proxies, like immediately afterwards. And when we did so, West Prime told us that we had made a big mistake. Could this be something that was triggered as a result?
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>>4143732
>>4143582

HOLD THE PHONE.
Didn't Magpie get one of those Crimson Cord Cutters implanted in her head by a West Proxy?
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>>4143676
This is why I think that she's being influenced by someone else. Because she did state a motive, earlier. When we spoke to her via Hivephone she did state a motive, that it was to prevent more Monasteries. If she's unable to state her motive now, that suggests that what she told us earlier wasn't true. It was a lie, and therefore not caught by the geas.

>>4143732
Probably not, Magpie was already planning on going after the Altar before we freed the Proxies. If our guess about the sparsity of Mara's notes being because Magpie took them is true, then she was planning this as far back as the Spiraling Fear aftermath, but at minimum she was preparing for it at Laoc. I don't think this is one of West's dead man's switches. I don't know who the person influencing her geas is, but it's probably not anyone we've met yet.

>>4143736
Yes, Francine. Are we going back to being paranoid about Francine?
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>>4143732
not really possible, and i still dont think its that. you're forgetting she was doing this and had the guns long before then. well, long game-time was, at least.

>>4143676
still doesn't change the fact she was very much ok with taking down both the first faction, and also the Altar aswell. also that first line isnt acting like the others, and just sounds more like a 'you wouldn't understand' type of thing, with how she did the sigh.

>>4143736
she got it from Francine, just like us.
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>>4143741
>>4143739
>Francine being the one that implanted the CC cutter.
Oh. right.

>Magpie.
Damn.
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>>4143739
the evidence points way too far back for this to not be on her. things that staple you with a Geas typically dont like you beg away from them, and the timeline doesn't line up with her being under their influence as far back as when she started planning this.

maybe, MAYBE, someone convinced her to use them, but the evidence simply does not point towards this not being on some level her choice and what she wanted. at best, our last conversation convinced her, but as she said at the end of our last one' its too late to change now'. if she is under the weapons or someone elses influence, it was by choice with the Altar and other one.

>Francine
no, and i think Francine by now would either have told us if she had made one compromised, or if there was a gap in her brain about it. but i dont think thats the case, from what we know, she was 'free' in terms of being away and doing her own thing and whatnot from the Proxy network basically since the moment she got to her position, and by the time Magpie visited id think she was probably already having doubts about the whole plan.
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>>4143331
Hey Bhop. Do we have any active swarmling constructs with us?
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>>4143753
I agree that she probably submitted to the geas, but I think it's likely it was a heavier control than she was expecting. There's just too much weirdness with how she's acting for me to think it's entirely her free will. I don't think she's blameless, I'm not saying that, but it's weird and I want to find out more before I make a definite judgement.

>no, and i think Francine by now would either have told us if she had made one compromised, or if there was a gap in her brain about it.
Oh, yeah, that was just me being sarcastic. I don't think Francine did any funny business. If she did, man would we have made some big mistakes. Whatever is going on with Magpie's weird behavior, I don't think it has anything to do with West, it's just an unfortunate coincidence.
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>>4143758
yes, the post says we have a good swarm about us and our allies. probably based off what was voted on while i slept.
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>>4143760
i guess fair enough, i guess its in my opinion a slight moot point, as it very much seems she even now is at least ok or very much was ok with the goal of it, and certainly had a part in the situation. ok, so maybe you're not as happy with the strength of the Geas or inability to stop once you got the ball rolling. you still decided to go along with it and were ok with it, to some degree, for more than an ok period of time and actions.

if anything, it sounds more like depressing ironic karma, or something.
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>>4143760
>>4143753

I've got no counterargument about the fact that the geas placed on Magpie was entered entirely of her own volition.

But I'm hoping there's a workaround on the Geas.

For now, lets try and figure out the terms and conditions of the Geas, and the apparent limits.
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>>4143758
(Yes, you have the fleet that was discussed earlier. However, I left their numbers/types vague so as to allow for last-minute adjustments if need be.)
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>>4143775
we probably dont have time. i doubt the cig timer was just a suggestion, Geas or no Geas.
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>>4143775
Well, clearly she's forbidden from talking about the actual motivations for why she's doing this. She's more or less outright stated that. I also believe that talking about the geas itself is forbidden, given that she got a shock for telling us that she'd like to tell us what's up but can't.

Other details are less clear. I believe the shock for "that's not the fault of anyone here" indicates an outside party that Magpie's not allowed to speak of, but I'll concede that that's still an unknown and I shouldn't assume yet. Likewise the guns seem to have something to do with it, based on their item description and the fact that Magpie is now missing two of them, but we don't know the particulars. Though removing the guns would be a good move if this comes to a fight anyway, so maybe we'll find out as we disarm her. Everything else is either unhinted at, or hinted at so subtly that we're not picking up on anything.
>>
>The sight of smoke on the horizon makes your heart skip a beat. For a single, panic-stricken moment you think you’re too late, ice running through your veins as you surge ahead, propelled by the unrivaled force of your Ravenous Maw’s prehensile tongue. Your urgency carries you with utmost haste to the top of a pointed ridge, and at the summit you see an encampment nestled in the slope of the valley, trails of smoke billowing from the tops of the assorted tents. There’s no gunfire, no violence, no chaos, but instead merely an oddly familiar scent wafting up from the cavernous valley.

>"Chris, is that a weed I'm calling the police?!" Quinn rattles off behind you, and you're turning around when Ace immediately counters.

>"Nine-one-one, what's your emergency?" She urgently intones from within the confines in her armor, you you crack a smile as the Midnight Crew cackles among themselves. You have to admit a certain sort of relief now that you've located the Altered Altar's offshoot, perched at the edge of a...

>You quint, realizing that their camp rests on the precipice of a yawning void, the teeth that you've clambered over leading into the rasping throat of a colossal, lamprey-esque maw. It begins to breathe in slowly, and you watch as the smoke is drawn downwards, slowly spiraling into the land's greedy mouth as it breathes deep, steady breaths.

Is it me or is the fact that the Altered Altar are camping out here means that the colossal Lamprey Land is kept pacified because the weed that the Altered Altar frequently smoke is keeping the damn Landscape High and pacified as a kite?

Oh shit. if Magpie massacres the settlement, the blood spilled will caused the Lamprey Land will become bloodthirsty instead of pacified and stoned out of its mind.
>>
>>4143888
That is actually a good point. They're keeping the sarlacc pit smoked out. They die and it awakens and hungers. We've already got three giant super-monsters running around, let's not add a fourth one. Unless this is the land-bound Apocalypse Amalgam, maybe, and they caught it early? Whatever the case, let's not let the Altar Spinoff falter in their duties until we're capable of killing something like this.
>>
>>4143902
would it be another good point in convincing Magpie to stand down? Speaking of which, how did we ever figure out that this place is Magpie's next hit?
>>
>>4143910
It might be worth mentioning, yeah. As for how we figured it out, off-screen research of what limited files on the settlements were left in Mara's office combined with the conclusion that she was probably not actually going to leave off on hunting the Altar.
>>
>>4143326

>Gesture at the Sarlacc pit.
>"We're standing at the lip of the mouth of a Continent sized worm. The Altered Altar are keeping the Apocalypse-class worm pacified indirectly through the weed that they smoke."
>"You start shooting up the settlement, you awaken a bigger monster than you intend to keep suppressed."
>"We've already got a Apocalypse-class flying Amalgam on the loose. What's there is to say that there's a sea-based Amalgam that's apocalypse class out in the fleshscape? or a Land-based Amalgam of the same category? Do you really want to stir up bigger shit just to fulfill your quota of 'violence'? Do you really have to make my job harder?"
>"Is it really worth obeying that Geas?"
>"If it's possible, if there's an alternative to help sate that quota that you've been compelled to do, then I'm offering you a job."
>"My family is being hunted by West Alpha. I'm sure you've heard of her. I need your help in stopping Alpha."
>"If you're able to, if you're being presented with the option to, if it satisfies the conditions that you're forced to do...then help me hunt West Alpha..."
>"If you can't...well...consider this an intervention."
>"Please don't make me stop you. You and I both know it doesn't have to end like this."
>>
>>4143961
>"We've already got a Apocalypse-class flying Amalgam on the loose. What's there is to say that there's a sea-based Amalgam that's apocalypse class out in the fleshscape? or a Land-based Amalgam of the same category?
We actually know for a fact that there are. Charon told us that, there's one for land, sea and sky.
>>
>>4143971
We do know that, but what about Magpie? does she know?
>>
>>4143980
Probably. I think there would have been conversation about the trio of giant monsters showing up. Even if she doesn't, it would probably be better to phrase it as a certainty instead of a hypothetical. There are giant monsters, this one is being kept asleep, let's let it stay asleep so we can focus on the ones we already have awake.
>>
>>4143961
>>4143326
Amending my vote:

>Gesture at the Sarlacc pit.
>"We're standing at the lip of the mouth of a Continent sized worm. The Altered Altar are keeping the Apocalypse-class worm pacified indirectly through the weed that they smoke."
>"You start shooting up the settlement, you awaken a bigger monster than you intend to keep suppressed."
>"We've already got a Apocalypse-class Amalgam on the loose. And Charon has told me that there are two more roaming the planet. Are you really willing to wake up one more apocalypse class amalgam? Do you really want to stir up bigger shit just to fulfill your quota of 'violence'? Do you really want to make my job harder?"
>"Is it really worth obeying that Geas?"
>"If it's possible, if there's an alternative to help sate that quota that you've been compelled to do, then I'm offering you a job."
>"My family is being hunted by West Alpha. I'm sure you've heard of her. I need your help in stopping Alpha."
>"If you're able to, if you're being presented with the option to, if it satisfies the conditions that you're forced to do...then help me hunt West Alpha..."
>"If you can't...well...consider this an intervention."
>"Please don't make me stop you. You and I both know it doesn't have to end like this."
>>
>>4143264
>>4143316
>>4143320
>>4143323
>>4143326
Wont be missing much my ass...... Its probably a good thing i didnt read this before bed. otherwise i probably woldnt have slept for the rest of the night

>>4143326
Supporting>>4144000
>>
>>4144000
>>4143326
yeah im voting against this. we have no idea what the pit actually is and this is really jumping the gun on that and relying on a total unknown too much. for all we know, its just a pit. we've been here all of 2 minutes afterall.

>>4143668
im still not a fan of this one by itself really, but at least being Geased seems much more likely and it doesn't totally ignore it was still probably her choice regardless.

for both, i still really feel like relying on trying to trick the Geas sounds like a horrible way to have it backfire even worse on us, and especially im not sure i want her anywhere near Alpha or what she could give her, especially if her minds not actually fully changed or worse, shes not in control even for that.
>>
>>4143668
i will throw my support behind this combined with mine >>4143378
as a comprise though, but i really dislike and think its a mistake to be trying to rely on the Geas here, especially basically only it like you folks are.we can only educatedly guess, not confirm, that its even there, much less what its actual rules are or why she has it in the first place, and what we can ascertain as the most likely possibilities really dont shed any better a light on Magpie, nor sound like they are something that will actually bend in a way that wont backfire. though, doesn't necessarily shine her in a worse light than before, but certainly not a better one. i think it also says something not to be ignored that she and Magpie would be willing to make something with such a drawback, she would go along with it, and she would keep them around too.

cant think of how to properly combine them myself though, but i trust BHOP to figure something out.
>>
>>4144182
>>4143326
whoops, forgot to link it properly.
>>
>>4143326

With a quick, furtive movement, a small swarmling darts by Magpie’s face. The sniper doesn’t even flinch as her cigarette flickers out, and she merely plucks it from her lips, cocking her head to one side as she regards you with sightless sockets.

"Well, there’s at least a few seconds longer. You seem to not be doing too well, a last vice might not be a good idea, regardless of how this turns out." You say, gesturing towards the edge of the ridge. "Look, we're standing at what looks to be the mouth of a Continent-sized worm. For all we know, the Altered Altar are keeping the Apocalypse-class worm pacified indirectly through the weed that they smoke. You start shooting up the settlement, you awaken a bigger monster than you intend to keep suppressed. We've already got an Apocalypse-class Amalgam on the loose, and Charon has told me that there are two more roaming the planet. Are you really willing to wake up one more?"

At that, Magpie’s lips twitch with the hint of an amused smirk as she lazily re-lights her cigarette.

“That’s…not exactly what’s going on here, but trying to play off that wasn’t a bad idea.” She muses, exhaling a trail of smoke. “Not sure if you were just reaching, or if that was a bluff…but I think Mara’d be proud, regardless.”

“Christ, Magpie…do you really want to stir up bigger shit just to fulfill your quota of 'violence'? Do you really want to make my job harder?" You growl, deciding to work off a hunch based on her recent behavior. It’s the last play you have left, really.

"Is it really worth obeying that Geas, Magpie?"

Her grin falters. Her hand spasms. In her silence, there’s no protest, no confirmation…

…but it’s confirmation, all the same.

"If it's possible, if there's an alternative to help sate that quota that you've been compelled to do, then I'm offering you a job." You continue. "My family is being hunted by West Alpha. I'm sure you've heard of her, and I’d like to ask you help in..."

“I see what you’re trying to do, kiddo…” The older woman interrupts, cigarette dangling from her loosened fingertips at her side. “…and I’m gonna make it real simple for you. Me coming here? With these?”

Magpie languidly gestures to the pistols strapped to her side, her machinegun still clutched in her off-hand.

“This is my choice, Shu. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but this is my solution.”

She sounds so…resigned. So very, terribly tired. Almost diminished, in a way…as though she’s less than a full-fledged being, in a way you can’t quite put your finger on.

"…Then consider this an intervention." Comes your stony response. "You and I both know it doesn't have to end like this. You know what we stand for and why we're here. You're not hurting anyone else, causing anymore chaos or problems. And now? It’s just a matter of how much blood is on the ground before we stop you."

She nods, slowly.

(Continued)
>>
>>4144340

"Just... please. Drop the weapons. Toss them aside, and we can take you in, and settle this like actual adults, instead of whatever you're pretending to be." You plead, taking another step as she regards her dwindling cigarette with a weary sigh.

“I’ve come too far to stop now, kiddo.” She replies, her forlorn reply nearly sending you over the edge.

"God damn it, you're clearly geased!” You growl, frustration mounting. “Is there even a point to having this conversation, Magpie!? Could you even surrender if you wanted to? Will the geas let you tell me that? I mean, I don't know if you want to, it's unclear how much of this is you and how much is you being controlled, but it would be nice to know if it's at least possible. If you can back out from this, if that's an option, please just set your guns down.”

Her grip is unwavering as you heart continues to sink.

"Listen, just…hasn't the Crucible seen enough needless bloodshed?” You ask. “Hasn't it seen enough people, who refuse to try something else but to cut a path forward? Whatever you did, or didn't do, stop letting it eat you up. I’ve seen enough of where that leads...and put enough people down over it. But I have put them down, as necessary, and I’ll do it again."

“So do I, Shu.”

“Then kill some people and things that DESERVE it, instead of a bunch of hippies! Please, I'm begging you! I don't want to have to fight another person I care about because they're being too stubborn. Uzu and Isabel were enough! Does…does this have to do with Mara? What? Mara didn't have the best intentions when she made all these groups, is that it? So because of that, you think they can’t be used for good, can’t change their direction? It means they all gotta be killed and buried!?"

In the face of your fury?

Silence.

"Christ, Magpie…you know what? If the geas is controlling you too much...then I'm sorry, but you know I have to stop you.” You say, your own resignation creeping into your exhausted tone of voice. “I’m sorry for what would have to happen, then. Though afterwards, you're going to give me some answers on how you got this geas. But either way, Magpie…the choice is yours, if you still have a choice. Please, I’m begging you…make the right one."

Bringing the cigarette to her lips, she takes one long, last drag, its dim light flickering out as your time…and hers…runs out.

“You’ve gotta do what you gotta do, Shu…” Magpie replies.

“…and so do I.”

The cavernous maw in the valley behind you draws in a steady breath, and in the interval between inhale and exhale, a cold silence settles around the Fleshscape. You stare, unblinking at the sniper’s halo of disembodied eyes, and with a twitch of her hand, the butt of the spent cigarette tumbles to the ground.

It lands at Magpie’s feet at the same instant a rifle crack rolls through the calcite hills with deafening finality.

(Continued)
>>
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>>4144342

>>ARBITER’S JUDGEMENT Activated: Unassailable surprise round in effect.

In a spray of scarlet and crimson, Dorian falls, his chest blossoming with a gout of his liquiform essence. The Joyous move as one to shield you and your allies as Magpie swings the Stelitzia up with the staccato of machinegun fire. A handful of Joyous are cut down on the spot as your Swarm mobilizes, forming an armored wall just as you hear something explode overhead. November’s twin blades swing out, covering you, Dorian, and her niece as a shimmering powder falls across you and the Midnight Crew. It doesn’t hurt, even as it shimmers around you and the vast space it’s been spread over…it’s not doing damage.

It’s doing something much worse.

>>AREA LOCKDOWN ACTIVE: Inbound/Outbound teleportation PROHIBITED.

“Dorian! Dorian are you okay?!” You scramble, darting to the young man’s side as the unceasing report of gunfire roars around you.

“I…dammit, I’ll be alright, I just…” He groans, struggling to rise to his feet as he finds his wounds refuse to heal, his movements sluggish and faltering. “…that shot came from the hill, northeast of here. I’m not sure how, but there’s two of her, and I don’t think it’s a construct.”

>>DORIAN: 1 ACT/Round. Regeneration/healing cancelled.

Diminished, tired…the Magpie that’s opening fire, the one that you’ve been talking to…it’s both real, and not. You knew she could teleport, but this?

Magpie may have surprised you once, but now it’s your turn.

>>COMBAT INITIATED

Shu, the Defiant

VS.

Magpie, the Blackwing Executioner
HP: 1680% (+345% [Dominus: Untethered], Matrons, Viscera Vincula, Pacekeepers, Matron’s)
BIO: 2570% (+320%. 16x Psy-Platelings, 9x Bishops, 5x Rooks, 3x Stealthed Scoutlings, 8x Jacklings, 2x Grapplings, 3x Recursive Knightlings, 2x Recursive Banelings, 1x Basic Swarmling, 1x Magpie's Fuzzbuzz. 50/50 Swarmlings active.)

CONTENDER: Gemini Forme - Honey x3, Parabellum x3 (Both guns)
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 2 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

HOLLY: 2,480% ([RESIST: Heat, Cold. IMMUNE: Acid] Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental Mags, 3x Standard), Gamma Pharynx)
DORIAN: 578% (+0%, Sui Interitus, Ventrem Lanceam, Manus Caelorum)
RATH: 2950% (+550%, Gutgrab Daggers, Ignition Gauntlets.)
NOVEMBER: 4370% (Sacrificium(Chest), Ego(Leg), Nail(Leg), Dainsleif(Arm), Margraves(Arm)(Shu), Crimsons Jester(Head), and Whistle(GRA HIR) (T5 Slot).

JOYOUS: 14/20 Remaining.

MIDNIGHT CREW: Full capacity, itching for a fight.

THREAT: Twofold – One half of Magpie’s Biomass at Medium distance, continually firing at you with the machine gun Strelitzia (heavy elemental damage, cycling), second half at Long distance proving ranged support, invisible to the eye.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Voting shall remain open for the next four hours, Gentlemen. I wish you the best of luck.)
>>
>>4144348
(Also, for your information; the Relic that granted Magpie a surprise round can only active once per combat, so normal initiative order will be in effect. It's part of the specially-crafted Arbiter line of Tier 5 Relics, much like Arbiter's Appetite.)
>>
>>4144347
Damit Magpie.........

Alright Dorian is nearly down shit. I dont want to have to explain to Julia he got killed by Magpie..... So we probably need to keep him out of Magpies sight for at least a round. Which is gonna be hard.

And i have an idea of what she is doing she is trying to take out Dorian since he is the only one capable of closing in on her snipers Postion now with teleportation on Lockdown. And over 2100% Damage damn it i hope that was a critical hit due to the surprise round but i fear its not. if he gets hit again he is toast
>>
>>4144350
I kinda guessed it was with its name and all that......

Out of curiosity. How many relics does that line have? and how long ago were they created?
>>
>>4144347
Okay, so Magpie isn't missing her guns because of anything to do with her geas. She's missing them because she gave two to her other body to run overwatch with. Lovely. So that body has Alex's Mercy and Lupara, deadly sniper attack and a nasty short-range punch.
>>
>>4144352
(The damage from Alex's Mercy was on the low end of what it's capable of, and was not a critical hit.)

>>4144353
(They're a set of seven Relics, crafted well over a year ago by Mara when she found her first Tier 5 Forge Core.)

(Also, I forgot to mention that everyone's Halos are primed. I'll update the status tracker with that info next round.)
>>
>>4144340
>>4144342
whelp. like i said, this was clearly what she wanted to have happening. alright Magpie, then lets damn well do this.

>>4144347
smart move taking out Dorian first. probably our best bet is to use her own dust and situation against her. i doubt we can fully stop that damn rifle, over having to spend counters like crazy, but our options to get to said sniper are limited, and the sniper is most likely outside the anti-teleportation bubble too.

but the other one? bit closer to home.

>>4144359
which Magpie is the FuzzBuzz on?
>>
>>4144359
>(The damage from Alex's Mercy was on the low end of what it's capable of, and was not a critical hit.)
Ah....... fuck..... but kinda what i expected

>(They're a set of seven Relics, crafted well over a year ago by Mara when she found her first Tier 5 Forge Core.)
Good To know that Mara was terribly overpowered a year ago already.... considering the pure level of fuck you you need so much BIO to craft these things Could make for an interesting interaction though if she were to meet Mina and her Group
>>
>>4144359
>(Also, I forgot to mention that everyone's Halos are primed. I'll update the status tracker with that info next round.)
They've got Thoughtlings, too. So I guess that Magpie has a way to ignore auto-counters, then. Is it a property of Magpie's skills or of Alex's Mercy? There's no mention of Psychica Spiralis blocking the shots from Strelitza, but that could just be due to a need for brevity.
>>
>>4144360
(The FuzzBuzz is on the Magpie in front of you.)
>>
>>4144363
got it, thanks.
>>
>>4144363
Can we spawn the giant ball of arms from Hundred-Handed level six as an offensive move? I'm thinking that if she has a FuzzBuzz on her we can just have it bloom into a huge tangling mess that immobilizes this body and keeps it from shooting, leaving us free to deal with the sniper. Normally I'd hate to do that to a FuzzBuzz, it's a symbol of friendship, but if Magpie is going to be like this...
>>
>>4144362
(Magpie's skills - it's a weird interaction between her Hive Mistress skill tree and her bullets, where her Lvl 18 skill allows any piercing damage she deals to ignore any form of damage mitigation (much like Cheruem's late-game ability to do the same for slashing damage)...considering an element of her bullets is the beaks of her swarm, she's enabled the same effect on the rounds she fires.)
>>
>>4144365
(Absolutely.)
>>
>>4144365
please do not.
lets not use Fuzzbuzz as a weapon. it will defeat the point of them and taint their image. if we do that, all a Fuzzbuzz becomes is a tool for us to track others and keep them in line, over a gift we give to friends we trust. i just plan to bring it back, to show her she no longer deserves it.
>>
>>4144365
I think a fuzzbuzz arm ball might help us since she will most likely be unable to teleport though i wouldnt count on that she could not just move usign her semi teleportation as is may not count as proper teleportation. but worth a shot quite possibly.

On the same page. If we can find her other version we move there very quickly using the hundred handed ability since it is near instant to generate and collapse it might be our only way to surprise her there on her perch.
>>
>>4144366
Okay, that's a clever exploit. An annoying one, but clever. So Psychica Spiralis will be useless here except as a way to prevent some teleportation tricks. Not even all of them, necessarily, just some. Blerg.

>>4144371
Yeah, alright, that's fair. How about we shoot her with a bullet from the Contender and spawn arms from that? We can do that, the bullets count as our constructs.
>>
>>4144374
assuming we can hit her, sure.
>>
>>4144374
>>4144375
I think we may be forgetting that the arms expand near instantly(Generator constructs and all that) if we can get a construct just near her we can spawn the arms and grapple her in like a split second.

There shouldn't be much she can do about that so maybe even going for quantity over accuracy would be alright as well
>>
>>4144377
true, but near instantly is still not instantly, and if it comes from Shu she will be all the more prepared for it. i think ive got an idea for that, but gotta finish writing up my vote first.
>>
>>4144347
Vote;
SHU;
>Activate Dominus of MG Magpie and Dorian. If it cant get Dorians Regen moving, then attach it to Holly.
>Use the Rooks to Shield everyone from the sniper fire. Cycle out the Scoutlings, Basic Swarmling, and a Gappling, so they can double up their protection.
>Using your Jacklings, Dome in yourself, the Midnight Crew, and MG Magpie. She wants to keep you all here? Then you all will damn well stay here, for now.
>Use the Jacklings to try and keep track of the Sniper Magpie, incase she moves around, so the Rooks can keep blocking her.
>Unload with the Contenders, but purposefully miss with most, to use as a screen for one slightly ajar from aiming at her. Once that one is as close as its gonna get, have it explode into a ball of both grappling and angry fists, to at least disrupt MG Magpie, if not grapple her and beat her down.
>Keep the Knights back to act as extra Defense, but send the Banelings forward and out of the dome, to Harass Sniper Magpie.
>Call back the FuzzBuzz from Magpie. No tricks, no signs its going to do anything. It wont. FuzzBuzzes aren't for combat, and they will never be used as a weapon against those they were given to. That would ruin the image and point of them. But that doesnt means you cant recall a gift, from someone no longer worthy of having it, and you can make damn well sure your eyes tell Magpie exactly that as you bring it home.

DORIAN;
>Slip out some Inklings before the Dome forms, and have some go to harass Sniper Magpie, the others take up positions on any other hill or likely place she may try to teleport to. Have them try and keep a flat profile, to avoid detection as much as possible.
>Go Masque of War Form, but keep it inside the Dome and with the Rooks on its outside. Make sure she isn't immune to her own anti-teleportation, and if she is, is at least Punished for using it.

RATH;
>Toss out a 10 Boil strong barrage on MG Magpie, to give folks a moment.
>then, toss out a second 10 Boil Strong Barrage on her along with Shus Contender shots, but teleport in with one if it survives, as Shu unleashes her HH Swarm, to give you cover.
>Dig the Daggers into Magpie deep with one set of Hands, then start wailing on MG MAgpie with eight other Hydra Arms. try and work with Shu to twist her around, so she is exposed to the rest of the team, over Rath blocking sight to her.

NOVEMBER;
>Use the Sacrificium and Jesters combo to keep yourself at the height of the Initiative Order, and to lower Magpies Critical Chance and Damage, or at least try to.
>unload on Both Magpies with both Porcupine and Spooky, to give Shu and others time to react.
>Once the Dome is up, switch to only Suppressing MG Magpie, until you need to stop due to Rath and Shus plans.
>Once Rath and Shu give you your shot, if they can, hit MG Magpie through the skull with a REX round.

(1/2)
>>
>>4144390
>>4144347
HOLLY;
>Use your Maw to try and quickly get to the side of MG Magpie. We need to put some spacing between us all, just enough she can't suppress the whole group.
>spray MG Magpie down, to help give others an opening and give her a taste of her own medicine.

JOYOUS;
>Always have at least one Joyous back and hiding, to spawn new Joyous,though if extra can be spared from other orders, then have them split too.
>Keep a wall of Queen Crimson between us and Sniper Magpie, as best they can.
>Have the Joyous unleash a GRA RHO CUNT(or just GRA RHO, if Crimson activation takes an Act) with their remaining Act.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>We Trust you to know what to do.
>>Dorian needs aid, if Keane thinks she can fix his regen issue, and unless they think they can safely reach Sniper Magpie, quickly taking down MG Magpie, and making sure she goes down, over throwing any tricks at us, would do us good, and she needs to go down fast.

(2/2)
>>
>>4144390
Considering what you want to have holly do i would say that we just leash her directly. And Dorians Regen is suppressed completely there is nothing ther for the Leash to strengthen. if you add half of 0 to 0 its still zero

Other than that......

Seems good to me. I would also kinda guess that the MG Magpie will be also used as a spotter if we hide behind the wall so i would expect the others Magpies Aim not to degrade to greatly though the wall will help with deflecting the projectile. Could we weave random poles of calcite and cihtin into the wall to make sure that if a bullet penetrates it it will start being deflected and pushed off course by an inconsistent interior of the wall

The less Queen Crimson has to do the better i would say
>>
>>4144347
>tfw Magpie has a clone ability
of fucking course. Magpie can't really commit to the crow theme if she didn't have a whole murder of clones to back her up.
>>
>>4144390
Here's a thought, Have we tried aiming directly for destroying Magpie's guns?
>>
>>4144390
Oh, wait, I just thought of something we should do:

>ERUPTING GRASP (Lvl 5)[MAX]: At a cost of 300% BIO, Rath may prime a debilitating blow that is an escalation of this ability’s Lvl 3 power. On hit, this expensive attack automatically causes all equipped Relics on the target to violently recoil, turning boons into devastating status ailments or causing weapons to misfire in the user’s face. (HEALTH +60%, BIO +30%, HEALTH REGEN +10%)

Have Rath hit Magpie with this, disable her defensive Relics and make all the guns blow up.
>>
>>4144398
im not sure. i dont think we can really create new terrain types with terraforming, only use whats around.

lets ask.

>>4144367
BHOP, whats the... type? Quality? whatever of the terrain we have to terraform like? would trying to go full Abram modern armor at least in theory make the wall better? would it cost more?

>>4144402
Relics are notoriously difficult if not impossible to destroy, especially higher Tier relics. only Rath(as far as we know, as we dont know what the Midnight Crew has) has even slight chance of being able to dish out or have abilities that could do that, and that wont matter if she cant first get close and see if she cant even land a hit on Magpie.

>>4144403
that could work, sure, if Rath can get close and hit of course.
>>
>>4144402
I think unless you have an ability that can specifically damage relics they are near impossible to destroy with conventional means. If you have such an ability..... lets just say that they can crumble pretty quickly.... especially if the ability is pretty strong
>>
>>4144407
>that could work, sure, if Rath can get close and hit of course.
Yeah, but it's a primed ability, it will discharge when Rath hits rather than being an attack on its own. There's no downside to the action economy to add it into the orders.
>>
>>4144413
>>4144407

Well one thing's obvious right now, the old Crow's main way of attacking is with Relic Guns. Her innate abilities are currently secondary. We can disarm them, but one thing that's bothering me is that aside from her personal guns, she never shows any innate offensive abilities like spawning a storm of crows. I'm worried that we might never know what other hidden aces she has up her sleeve.

>>4144403
The other issue is that it only affects one "Magpie", and doesn't really state the duration.
>>
>>4144416
depends on how the clones work. if its like Isabelles Clone ability, it actually might effect both. depends entirely on how the clones work though, which we dont know.
>>
>>4144407
(The terrain is quite pliable, and would serve to slightly throw off the bullet trajectory of all her guns save for her revolver and sniper rifle.)
>>
>>4144416
She will definitely have her crows as an ability, i would guess if we force her to switch we will get a fight of the super carriers between Shu and her.

And that is no a battle i am to confident about in our ability to win without Dorian to clear out her constructs.

>>4144418
>>4144415
>>4144416
We should get on replicating that one Relic Dr. Fran has. her spectacles. Those things are super useful and we should have one for every party of people. i just noticed how we have so little real time information about her.
>>
>>4144420
oh, well, the one gun we need it to.
not surprised, just disappointed. well hopefully it will at least throw off her aim. even a 1% extra miss chance would be helpful against her and that thing.
>>
>>4144416
>We can disarm them, but one thing that's bothering me is that aside from her personal guns, she never shows any innate offensive abilities like spawning a storm of crows.
She doesn't have control over her flock, remember? She's got an Augment that makes them stronger and more numerous but at the price of not being able to direct them, they just attack everything, including her. That's why Magpie isn't using them, with one of her bodies in the melee with us it would be counterproductive. Now, once we take out CQC Magpie, Sniper Magpie will probably start dropping crow swarms.

>The other issue is that it only affects one "Magpie", and doesn't really state the duration.
Yeah, but just affecting the one Magpie will be effective. All her guns backfiring will deal some hefty damage, plus inverting her defensive Relics will help us deal more damage of our own. That way the CQC Magpie dies faster so we can put more focus on Sniper Magpie.
>>
>>4144347
>>4144390
Amending Vote;
SHU;
>Activate Dominus on MG Magpie and Dorian. If it cant get Dorians Regen moving, then attach it to Holly.
>Use the Rooks to Shield everyone from the sniper fire. Cycle out the Scoutlings, Basic Swarmling, and a Gappling, so they can double up their protection. It’ll be expensive, but keep those Shields up, unless they prove wholly ineffective.
>Using your Jacklings, Dome in yourself, the Midnight Crew, and MG Magpie. She wants to keep you all here? Then you all will damn well stay here, for now. Try and make the Dome thick and ‘Abrams Armor Style’ with internally shifting angles any shot has to work through.
>Use the Jacklings to try and keep track of Sniper Magpie, incase she moves around, so the Rooks can keep blocking her.
>Unload with the Contenders, but use them as a screen for one slightly ajar from aiming at her. Once that one is as close as its gonna get, have it explode into a ball of both grappling and angry fists, to at least disrupt MG Magpie, if not grapple her and beat her down.
>Keep the Knights back to act as extra Defense, but send the Banelings forward and out of the dome, to Harass Sniper Magpie.
>Call back the FuzzBuzz from Magpie. No tricks, no signs its going to do anything. It wont. FuzzBuzzes aren't for combat, and they will never be used as a weapon against those they were given to. That would ruin the image and point of them. But that doesnt means you cant recall a gift, from someone no longer worthy of having it, and you can make damn well sure your eyes tell Magpie exactly that as you bring it home.

DORIAN;
>Slip out some Inklings before the Dome forms, and have some go to harass Sniper Magpie, the others take up positions on any other hill or likely place she may try to teleport to. Have them try and keep a flat profile, to avoid detection as much as possible.
>Go Masque of War Form, but keep it inside the Dome and with the Rooks on its outside. Make sure she isn't immune to her own anti-teleportation, and if she is, is at least Punished for using it.

RATH;
>Toss out a 10 Boil strong barrage on MG Magpie, to give folks a moment.
>then, toss out a second 10 Boil Strong Barrage on her along with Shus Contender shots, but teleport in with one if it survives, as Shu unleashes her HH Swarm, to give you cover.
>Dig the Daggers into Magpie deep with one set of Hands, then hit Magpie with a barrage of Hydra Hands, aiming to activate the relic Disabling effects of Grasp on her.

NOVEMBER;
>Use the Sacrificium and Jesters combo to keep yourself at the height of the Initiative Order, and to lower Magpies Critical chance and Damage, or at least try to.
>unload on Both Magpies with both Porcupine and Spooky, to give Shu and others time to react.
>Once the Dome is up, switch to only Suppressing MG Magpie, until you need to stop due to Rath and Shus plans.
>Once Rath and Shu give you your shot, if they can, hit MG Magpie through the skull with a REX round.

(1/2)
>>
>>4144395
>>4144429
>>4144347
HOLLY;
>Use your Maw to try and quickly get to the side of MG Magpie. We need to put some spacing between us all, just enough she can't suppress the whole group.
> spray MG Magpie down, to help give others an opening and give her a taste of her own medicine.

JOYOUS;
>Always have at least one Joyous back and hiding, to spawn new Joyous,though if extra can be spared from other orders, then have them split too.
>Keep a wall of Queen Crimson between us and Sniper Magpie, as best they can.
>Have the Joyous unleash a GRA RHO CUNT(or just GRA RHO, if Crimson activation takes an Act) with their remaining Act.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>We Trust you to know what to do, so just some requests/suggestions.
>>Dorian needs aid, if Keane thinks she can fix his regen issue, and unless they think they can safely reach Sniper Magpie, quickly taking down MG Magpie, and making sure she goes down, over throwing any tricks at us, would do us good, and she needs to go down fast. If Jackie can spare it, we could use something to try and get rid of Magpies eye constructs, to blind her.

(2/2)
>>
>>4144347
Supporting>>4144429
>>4144430
>>
>>4144430
>>4144429
Have we considered jamming Magpie's Guns by stuffing our bees between the hammer and firing pins? swarmlings laden with honey could also work.
>>
>>4144429
>>4144431
Looks good. Block Magpie's sight lines, force her to relocate the sniper body, dazzle and preoccupy the CQC body so that she can't spot for it.

>>4144347
Supporting.
>>
>>4144434
that sounds way too micro and precise to be worth trying, especially on someone whos entire shtick is guns, meaning she both knows to protect them, and is probably already gonna be swift and hard to lock down, let alone aim specfically not just for the guns, but the back end hammers of the guns.

plus, it would depend on the model of gun if thats even really viable.
>>
>>4144434
Probably not worth the effort, we've got several other methods of disabling CQC Magpie's fire that we're using. Adding another would require too much micromanagement.
>>
>>4144439
True... Although another thing has come up my mind. Magpie has a secondary swarm. Her swarm of eyeballs right? We should have our scoutlings search for the eyeballs and have our swarmlings split into recursives in order to widen the search pattern. destroy her eyeballs and we limit her sight, and give her more distractions to deal with.
>>
>>4144442
>>4144439
We have 3 Honey B.33 rounds loaded in each contender. We could shoot Magpie's guns with the Honey Rounds and wait for the honey to explode and jam up her firing mechanisms.
>>
>>4144444
we dont the swarmling slots, so if you would actually read my vote, im asking Jackie if she cant spare some bats for that.

>>4144447
those are way too Macro in how big they stretch for that. the good news is, if they hit her, they'll probably do that anyways. the bad news is, they really dont work for that precise of an action.

that, and its the same issue with just trying to jam the guns in the first place. those are small targets to aim for, relatively speaking, and ones she would know to protect from such things. aiming directly for them without an opening is just asking to waste rounds.
>>
>>4144444
Right now just taking out CQC Magpie is the priority, since she could just make more eyes in this close area. But yeah, once we've got her dead we should do a sweep for any stray eyeballs.

>>4144447
If we bind Magpie up in honey that would keep her from firing anyway, no need to aim specifically at the guns. They make a pretty big splash.
>>
>>4144367

>AREA LOCKDOWN ACTIVE: Inbound/Outbound teleportation PROHIBITED.

Does this mean teleporting into the combat zone or out of the combat zone is prohibited? or is any form of teleporting within the combat zone prohibited?
>>
>>4144458
(Any form of teleportation is prohibited, unless it has has explicit exemption granted by a level in a given skill tree or via Relic.)
>>
>>4144459
So Dorian's Canvass Form movement, Shu's "Castle" Swap with her rooks, and Rath's Bomb swap are prohibited?
>>
>>4144459
Is Magpie exempt from teleporting? or does the anti-teleport field also affect her?
>>
>>4144462
>>4144459
ah damn, forgot Raths Boils are technically that. gimme a moment gents, gonna have to switch that out for just her strands and hope its good enough.
>>
>>4144462
(Yes, those are all blocked.)

>>4144463
(As I alluded to above, it would be a safe bet that she has some way around it at her current skill level and given her expertise.)
>>
>>4144464
Do you think we should send a Joyous to go warn the Altered Altar and have them pack up and settle elsewhere? Magpie's got higher forms of teleportation, and we may not be able to kill Magpie this encounter. If we could warn the settlement and have them flee the scene while keeping Magpie tied down long enough, then we could consider that a win.
>>
>>4144429
>>4144430
>>4144347
Amending Raths Orders;

RATH;
>Toss out a 10 Boil strong barrage on MG Magpie, to give folks a moment.
>Then, toss out a second 10 Boil Strong Barrage on her along with Shus Contender shots, using the momentum of throwing them to toss out a limb with your strands and combined with a boost from the Tormentis to slingshot yourself towards Magpie, while the Boils and Shus Arm explosion give you cover.
>Dig the Daggers into Magpie deep with one set of Hands, then hit Magpie with a barrage of Hydra Hands, aiming to activate the relic Disabling effects of Grasp on her.
>>
>>4144465
>(Yes, those are all blocked.)
Shouldn't Dorian still be able to mist-teleport? He has immunity to anything that would prevent his movement. It doesn't matter much, since he's in no shape to go mist-dashing anywhere, but once he heals it could be relevant.
>>
>>4144466
not sure we have the time or levity to spare on that. plus if one of her wants to go after them, its already too late just on account there were two of her and one can still teleport.
>>
>>4144469
(Ah, my apologies. I overlooked that he has that caveat. So yes, he could potentially do that.)
>>
>>4144470
We have the numbers. Sniper Magpie is currently trying to keep us pinned. Sending the Crew to try and occupy Sniper Magpie will tie her up, and while Shu ties up CQC Magpie and MG Magpie with her dome, that leaves the Joyous and several others free to assist and prevent potential collateral should we fail in the fight against Magpie.

Our overall objective here is not only by trying to stop magpie, it's to also ensure the safety of Magpie's potential victims. That includes warning them of the impending doom.
Should we fail to stop Magpie completely or if she somehow flees, the least we can do is to have the Altered Altar flee and prevent them from being massacred.
>>
>>4144470
The moment we let slip a Magpie clone from our attention, they will turn their attention towards the Altered Altar. That's why we have to warn the settlement and evacuate them.
>>
>>4144475
The Altar will be warned by a literal fight breaking out on their doorstep. I also kinda doubt they will care about a kid or anyone really trying to get them to move. I just cant see it if they are really as stoned out of their mind as i think they.
>>
>>4144475
theres only two magpies, and again ,the one outside can teleport. all sending the Midnight Crew out would do would send them on a wild goose chase, while the team fighting MG Magpie is half down a Dorian.

Magpie also just showed the ability to take our members down in one shot. however, we know this is a split process, where both Magpies are real. that means both have vastly more limited resources, and are a massive investment. Sniper Magpie abandoning MG Magpie to die could potentially cripple her ability to properly deal with the Altar Sect, or future plans, especially if she uses up resources trying to get past us to them, knowing the second she tries that we wont stop perusing.

that, and we cant do anything like that while both MG Magpie is pinning us down with machinegun fire and a sniper is aiming at us. Midnight Crew, Joyous, anything that tries to go warn them will be a priority target for both. we cant help anyone if we're dead. lockdown MG, Do our best to block off Sniper, and quickly deal with MG so Sniper doesnt HAVE any leeway in the first place.

>>4144480
this too. no way this is quiet. we cant babysit everyone to the degree you want. they either hear a damn fight and know to react, or they wouldn't react anyways.
>>
>>4144480
Yeah, it's going to get pretty loud, especially once November starts firing her railgun. I'm just glad we've all got regeneration, otherwise we'd probably face permanent hearing damage being so close to that thing.
>>
>>4144477
>>4144482
>>4144483
IF the Altar isn't completely out of their minds they will run as soon as they hear the fight. If not.. well some of them might run or maybe one or two of them might even check out what the hell is going on and could possibly be reinforcements mid battle.

Even if they would probably be nothing more than meatshields..... (I would guess magpie killed their heaviest hitters first in her first hit on them.)
>>
>>4144475
also, no, its really not a win. if we dont stop Magpie here, its a complete and utter failure. she'll keep hunting the Altar, who would constantly be on the run, and once they're gone, she'll just move onto the next target. we cant afford to keep chasing her or hopping in her way, especially if all we accomplish is people having to go on the run. it both defeats the purpose of trying to stop her, and doesn't even actually protect them for very long.
>>
>>4144486
>>4144485
>>4144483
>>4144482
Fair points.
>>
>>4144471
BHOP, how far does Shus empathic communication reach? could it be boosted with the halo or anything we have, like maybe jacking in a satellite dish Jackling? or sending an Empathic Comm to Gina or Amara, to use their powers or Orwells to relay the message to the altar Fragment?
>>
>>4144489
(It may be slight spoilers, but Orwell's already warning the Altar, now that she literally just set up and got eyes on you this round.)
>>
>>4144493
oh, fair enough.
though, would it still be possible to get our own message to them, regardless?
>>
>>4144493
Thanks, Orwell. We'll try to get you a good story to show on your channel as pay back.
>>
>>4144494
(Yes, your empathic field would be able to reach them given their, ah...'expanded' mindstate.)
>>
>>4144497
pff, haha.
not the reasoning i expected, nor am i exactly sure im ok with it... but it is what it is.
>>
>>4144497
What are they taking?
Ground up Forgecores?

Interesting that must be some heavy stuff if it can sedate what is probably a titanic amalgam and expand their mind like that
>>
>>4144497
>>4144503
>>4144500

in terms of modern comparisons what's the closest analog comparison between the drugs that humanity made and the drugs made in the Crucible? How big/bad is the trip?

Probably a combined cocktail of the Psycho Serum Relic and Sedatives. But given that they're smoking Weed as well....do you think there's a plant-based daughter that provides the weed?
>>
>>4144505
Maybe..... Or they get it like Julia gets her tea leaves.......

I have no idea on the drugs i dont even smoke or drink so..... I am not sure i can draw any comparison.
>>
>>4144505
Well, there are a lot of weird fungi that we've seen. There's probably something out there producing psylocibin.
>>
>>4144497
So what happened to the gifts that we gave to the crew? did they put it to good use?
>>
>>4144347
>>4144429
slight add-on to my vote, aswell as consolidating for BHOP;

SHU;
>Activate Dominus on MG Magpie and Dorian. If it cant get Dorians Regen moving, then attach it to Holly.
>Use the Rooks to Shield everyone from the sniper fire. Cycle out the Scoutlings, Basic Swarmling, and a Gappling, so they can double up their protection. It’ll be expensive, but keep those Shields up, unless they prove wholly ineffective.
>Using your Jacklings, Dome in yourself, the Midnight Crew, and MG Magpie. She wants to keep you all here? Then you all will damn well stay here, for now. Try and make the Dome thick and ‘Abrams Armor Style’ with internally shifting angles any shot has to work through.
>Use the Jacklings to try and keep track of Sniper Magpie, incase she moves around, so the Rooks can keep blocking her.
>Unload with the Contenders, but use them as a screen for one slightly ajar from aiming at her. Once that one is as close as its gonna get, have it explode into a ball of both grappling and angry fists, to at least disrupt MG Magpie, if not grapple her and beat her down.
>Keep the Knights back to act as extra Defense, but send the Banelings forward and out of the dome, to Harass Sniper Magpie.
>Call back the FuzzBuzz from Magpie. No tricks, no signs its going to do anything. It wont. FuzzBuzzes aren't for combat, and they will never be used as a weapon against those they were given to. That would ruin the image and point of them. But that doesnt means you cant recall a gift, from someone no longer worthy of having it, and you can make damn well sure your eyes tell Magpie exactly that as you bring it home.
>With FuzzBuzz encouraging you and yours from your shoulder, Send a message to the Altar Fragment; “Magpie is here for you. Me and my family and allies are doing our best to stop her, but shes no slouch, and not one who wouldn't be willing to slip away to come after you. You have a choice here. You could bunker down, but if we fail, she will not show you mercy. You could run, but if we fail, she will not stop hunting you. Or you can fight. I know you’re scared, I know shes strong, and I know its alot to ask of you. But this is your home she threatens, your lives, your friends, your way of life. And not just yours she threatens. There are nine other Settlements she has in her sights, nine other communities she plans to bring to ruin. With or without you, we will do everything we can to stop her. Here, now, before she can carve a path of death forward. But you have a chance. To help others, to help us prevent her from harming others. Anything you can do, if you’re willing, do it. But if not, be prepared for the worst, as Magpie wont hold back.”

(1/2)
>>
>>4144347
>>4144430
>>4144467
>>4144527
DORIAN;
>Slip out some Inklings before the Dome forms, and have some go to harass Sniper Magpie, the others take up positions on any other hill or likely place she may try to teleport to. Have them try and keep a flat profile, to avoid detection as much as possible.
>Go Masque of War Form, but keep it inside the Dome and with the Rooks on its outside. Make sure she isn't immune to her own anti-teleportation, and if she is, is at least Punished for using it.

RATH;
>Toss out a 10 Boil strong barrage on MG Magpie, to give folks a moment.
>Then, toss out a second 10 Boil Strong Barrage on her along with Shus Contender shots, using the momentum of throwing them to toss out a limb with your strands and combined with a boost from the Tormentis to slingshot yourself towards Magpie, while the Boils and Shus Arm explosion give you cover.
>Dig the Daggers into Magpie deep with one set of Hands, then hit Magpie with a barrage of Hydra Hands, aiming to activate the relic Disabling effects of Grasp on her.

NOVEMBER;
>Use the Sacrificium and Jesters combo to keep yourself at the height of the Initiative Order, and to lower Magpies Critical chance and Damage, or at least try to.
>unload on Both Magpies with both Porcupine and Spooky, to give Shu and others time to react.
>Once the Dome is up, switch to only Suppressing MG Magpie, until you need to stop due to Rath and Shus plans.
>Once Rath and Shu give you your shot, if they can, hit MG Magpie through the skull with a REX round.

HOLLY;
>Use your Maw to try and quickly get to the side of MG Magpie. We need to put some spacing between us all, just enough she can't suppress the whole group.
> spray MG Magpie down, to help give others an opening and give her a taste of her own medicine.

JOYOUS;
>Always have at least one Joyous back and hiding, to spawn new Joyous,though if extra can be spared from other orders, then have them split too.
>Keep a wall of Queen Crimson between us and Sniper Magpie, as best they can.
>Have the Joyous unleash a GRA RHO CUNT(or just GRA RHO, if Crimson activation takes an Act) with their remaining Act.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>We Trust you to know what to do, so just some requests/suggestions.
>>Dorian needs aid, if Keane thinks she can fix his regen issue, and unless they think they can safely reach Sniper Magpie, quickly taking down MG Magpie, and making sure she goes down, over throwing any tricks at us, would do us good, and she needs to go down fast. If Jackie can spare it, we could use something to try and get rid of Magpies eye constructs, to blind her.

(2/2)
>>
>>4144347
While i think it is slightly superfluous i will ammend my vote from >>4144431
to >>4144527
>>4144529
>>
>>4144532
eh, BHOP is colorblind and trying to piece together changes and add-ons is already pretty annoying as it is. figured if i was gonna add more, may aswell put it all in one place for him.
>>
>>4144534
oh no i was thinking it could be necessary so that OP wont have trouble finding what option i truly want to support. I am aware that he has his problems due to being colourblind.

I didnt mean to sound like i was criticizing you just making sure that OP will find it easier to count the votes
>>
>>4144534
>>4144537
(I appreciate the consideration, you two. Truly, it means a lot.)

>>4144521
(You'll see.)
>>
>>4144537
oh, my bad, sorry.

>>4144541
no problem.
>>
(Gentlemen, I'm nearing completion with the update, though posting may be delayed as I am in the office with my chattiest coworker, bless her heart. Thus, if I am unable to get the post out within the next half-hour, I'll update as soon as I arrive home. Thank you for your patience, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4144347
Wait, I just realized something, looking through the character sheet: Platelings and Bishops don't count to our swarmling limit so long as they're attached to someone, we get that from Trypophilic Hive level twelve. Too late to account for that now, voting period has ended, but we should fill up our twenty-five spare slots on the next turn. Spawn a huge mass of banelings to dive-bomb CQC Magpie or to hunt down Sniper Magpie.
>>
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>>4144561
hey, i understand. take your time, and i hope she at least can keep a situation interesting for ya. plus, assuming she isnt a drag, dont cut socialization out of your life over us.
>>
>>4144561
No worries, BHOP. Take your time, we're plenty willing to be patient in getting our fix of this quest. Go, talk with your coworker, it's all good.
>>
>>4144561
Its fine. Such things sometimes just take time If you dotn post in the next half hour i will go to sleep then as i do still somewhat need it.... Even though my day hasn't been as much of a shitshow as yesterday. My coworkers mostly left me alone so it was actually a nice day
>>
>>4144563
well shit. You're right.
>>
>>4144564
>>4144570
(Ha, thank you. She's great, and I can't exactly say 'not now, I'm writing about apocalypse cannibal lesbians and need to focus' without sounding completely insane.)
>>
>>4144563
(I would like to say that while the Platelings won't count since they're equipped, the Bishops are free floating and not attached yet. However, at the beginning of your next vote you may attach them and then spawn more to fill those slots, if you like.)
>>
>>4144581
oh, i thought they were already attached, just not yet injecting. would've said to go ahead and do that otherwise.
>>
>>4144581
Wait, really, we haven't attached the Bishops yet? Shit, I wish I had known that, we should have attached Bishops. Ah, well, chalk it up to Shu being a bit rattled by the multi-body shenanigans. I just realized those are kind of our nemesis in this quest, aren't they? Any time someone shows up with more than one body, it's going to be a real bad time for the party.
>>
>>4144587
I have to say..... those multiple bodies for Shu now sound really tempting.... Well we melted the ability down for stats nothing we can do about that now. Could be really useful to just have an army of Shus running around capable of going to several places at once and all that....
>>
>>4144589
not sure it would be worth it, given the usual drawbacks of those abilities, and our family makes that much less necessary, especially with the Spiritus.
>>
>>4144589
I don't think it's really needed. The reason that multi-body opponents are so tough is because they reverse our typical set-up of ganging up on an enemy to take advantage of the action economy. Fighting more than one foe at once makes things harder for us. Fighting more than one foe, who are as coordinated as our team is, makes things very hard. Shu would only benefit from being a multi-body if she was completely separated from the party and her entire swarm.
>>
>>4144589
As tempting as is, I don't think it's worth the investment. A cloning ability sounds more like a playstyle suited for solo play. And with our current build, we're more of a support fighter that shits out specialized bees that defends and amplifies our allies while providing all the coordination and information control to maximize battlefield effectiveness. Besides, we already have a daughter who can clone herself. No need to wrestle our way into her gimmick. And moreover it just makes bookkeeping a bigger hassle.
>>
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>>4144347

November’s frame screams with speed, her Porcupine and ‘Spooky’ minigun roaring to life as she lays down a hail of suppressing fire on the Magpie in front of you. Magpie retaliates with a single pistol shot from Scylla, drawn with startling swiftness from her right-hand holster with its round clipping November in the shoulder. The quickshot throws off November’s downrange aim, even as a barrage of hot lead tears through Magpie’s coat and draws a spray of black blood.

In the moment that Rath’s first volley of boils gives you space to breathe despite the gunner's deft dodge, your Dominus stretches out in two opposite directions - tethering you to the Magpie before you and the wounded artist behind you. The former’s regeneration is rapidly siphoned to you, while the former fails to find purchase thanks to the ill effects of Magpie’s cheap shot. A legion of reinforced Rooks surround your party to deflect the incessant gunfire, while your Jacklings descend as one to terraform a dome around everyone as you shift the leash to Holly, who’s already lunging forward at your silent command with Dorian’s paintlings hot on her heels.

Holly’s own rapid-fire staccato joins Magpie’s in a deafening concert of lead, the former’s Uzi and the latter’s Strelitzia roaring at each other defiantly as the paintlings are promptly shredded int he crossfire. Magpie’s rounds crack and pierce through Holly’s carapace, their weakened elemental damage secondary to their devastating piercing capabilities. Holly tumbles, and with the same unerring speed with which Magpie drew Scylla, she holsters it and withdraws a familiar flask of yellow liquid in one fluid movement, hurling the container towards the assembled Joyous just as the terra-dome closes safely around your allies. Flask bursts against the ground as you and November evade the explosive radius of citrine crystals that spring to life, encasing both the remaining Joyous and your dome in a dense prison of unidentifiable material.

“Keane, if you can hear this, heal Dorian!” Jackie orders, stepping forward as she gestures to Quinn. “Break the kids out of that fuckin' piss-crystal while Ace and I keep pressure!”

“Aye, cap’n!” The blonde affirms, starting to wail on the wall bare-handed as the other two members of the Midnight Crew join you in rushing down the Magpies, the closest one’s coat stained with black ichor. You bring one of your twin Contenders to bear, a volley of shots spearing past the machine-gunner as Jackie darts past her, bee-lining towards the sniper’s nest with uncanny speed. Your intentionally sloppy aim peppers the area around the closest iteration of Magpie, but her attentions are drawn towards more urgent matters.

Namely the wall of angry swarmlings and incendiary boils that’re raining down on her head alongside Ace's deadly ace-swings…

…just as her bloodied wounds begin to writhe with black feathers.

(Continued)
>>
>>4144679

In an explosion of stygian wings, the black ichor on Magpie’s coat and on the ground springs to life, a flock of mad ravens billowing forth to become a blanket of burning flesh as they shield their creator from Rath’s Swarm. Your target may be obscured, but as you skirt around the chaos you catch sight of her through the flurry of wing and talon, aiming at you through her swarm just in time for you both to fire at once.

Or twice, in her case.

>>NEUROTIC HALO: Activated.

Your head involuntarily jerks to one side, Magpie’s first bullet whizzing by your ear at the same moment the round buried in the ground at her feet explodes with a tangled mass of limbs courtesy of Hundred-Handed, a pair of hands spearing through her chest as a result of your savage counter. A searing pain erupts at your side as you realize her second round hit home, and the effects are immediate as you feel your regeneration grind to a halt…

…and your feet lift off the ground as you’re hurtled towards November at breakneck speed.

>> Regeneration/healing cancelled.

>>Scylla + Charybdis Magnetism: TRIGGERED

Your violent collision with November throws off her aim with her potent Gauss Rifle, and with a resounding crack your lower torso goes cold with shock as both you and November are thrown to the ground with the force of the rifle bullet that’s pierced both of you simultaneously. You’re struggling to stand in the midst of a roiling storm of feathers and talons despite the hole that’s been run through you, and it’s int time to catch sight of Rath whirling around, trying to figure out where Magpie disappeared as your hands and her swarm go wild in the sudden absence of the infuriating sniper. Overhead, past the storm of maddened crows there swarms a fleet of bats that pluck Magpie’s hovering eyeballs from the air to deprive her of perception, but you wonder if it’s all too late…Magpie’s rejoined herself, with Jackie and Ace charging towards Mara’s old teammate, now made whole once more.

In the midst of utter chaos, you’re rendered practically deaf as November opens fire at the black swarm with the Porcupine, shredding through the innumerable swarm even as they peck and claw at all present, even Rath’s efforts to thin the flock only managing to scorch a scant few from mid-air.

And even through all that, the FuzzBuzz you gave to Magpie not so long ago darts back to your side.

A gift, revoked.

[Magpie is here for you] You declare to the Altered Altar, empathic field expanded to envelop them and everyone else present. [Me, my family, and other allies are doing our best to stop her, but she's no slouch...]

You drag in a pained breath, blood staining the front of your dress as it blooms into a scarlet flower against a starry cloth sky, oozing over the gaps in your chitinous armor.

(Continued)
>>
>>4144681

[...and she's not one who wouldn't be willing to slip away to come after you. You could hunker down, but if we fail, she'll show you mercy. You could run, but if we fail, she'll hunt you down]

You take a breath, fighting past the pain as you help November to her feet, focusing past the agony and gunfire intermingled with Rath's roar of pure, unadulterated rage.

[Or you can fight] You say, gritting your teeth as your empathic plea rings out in the minds of all within your reach. [I know you’re scared, I know shes strong, and I know it's a lot to ask. But this is your home she threatens, your lives, your friends, your way of life. And not just yours - there are nine other Settlements she plans to bring to ruin. With or without you, we will do everything we can to stop her. But you have a chance...anything you can do, if you’re willing, do it. But if not, be prepared for the worst, as Magpie wont hold back]

Within the scope of your field, you feel a collection of addled minds begin to stir, roused to alarm by your emphatic plea. Behind the dome where Keane frantically tries to heal Dorian, you sense the lone Joyous that slipped away from her siblings before their entrapment begin to divide, spawning another two of her kin as you cast your gaze down into the valley, squinting past the roiling swarm of bird and bug, in a vicious deadlock that sends scraps of chitin and bloodied feathers dancing around you like a macabre snowfall.

You focus, seeing a figure move atop a distant hill. Its body is pitch-black, a myriad of eyes dotting its form as it levels a double-barreled shotgun and heavy revolver at Ace and Jackie, respectively.

Of course Magpie's real body wouldn't look as normal as it did. Not with how strong she had to have been to fight alongside Mara.

You've never seen the real Magpie before, you realize...

...and maybe you never knew the real her, at all.

HP: 384% (+0% [Dominus: Interrupted], Matrons, Vincula, Pace. Halo: SPENT)
BIO: 2570% (+0%. 16x Psy-Platelings, 9x Bishops, 10x Rooks, 6x Jacklings, 1x Grapplings, 3x Rec-Knightlings, 2x Rec-Banelings, 1x Fuzzbuzz. 33/50 Swarmlings active)

CONTENDER: Gemini - Honey x1, Parabellum x1 (Both guns)
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 2 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

HOLLY: 1547 % ([RESIST: Heat, Cold. IMMUNE: Acid] Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental, 3x Standard), Pharynx – 2 CHARGES)
DORIAN: 578% (+0%, Interitus, Lanceam, Caelorum. Halo: PRIMED. MASQUE - Active)
RATH: 2950% (+550%, Daggers, Gauntlets. Halo: PRIMED)
NOVEMBER: 2168% (Sacrificium, Ego, Nail, Dainsleif, Margraves(Shu), Jester, & Whistle(GRA HIR)

JOYOUS: 16 - 13 Crystallized, 3 Active.

MIDNIGHT CREW: Keane’s attempt to heal Dorian is slowed, while Quinn will shatter the crystal 2 rounds from now. Ace is jetting after Jackie while she closes the gap into melee, with Magpie’s current capabilities unknown.

THREAT: Singular. Long range.

>>Please reload Contenders with 2 ROUNDS, each.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with the update to follow capping off the evening's posts. I hope everyone's days went well, one and all.)
>>
>>4144684
well, i guess Dorians masque had no effect, or did he roll too low for it to matter, so he just didnt do it and sat around doing nothing?
>>
>>4144681
>In an explosion of stygian wings, the black ichor on Magpie’s coat and on the ground springs to life, a flock of mad ravens billowing forth to become a blanket of burning flesh as they shield their creator from Rath’s Swarm.
Huh. Did Magpie hybridize with a Humoral power? Interesting.

>>4144682
>Of course Magpie's real body wouldn't look as normal as it did. Not with how strong she had to have been to fight alongside Mara.
Oh, that's why her Health was so low when we first met her. I always thought that was odd. My best guess was that she had spent max Health on Relics and activating abilities, and it had brought her temporarily low. But no, of course it was an avatar body, a high level Daughter would never sacrifice enough Health to bring her down to where she was then. I'm not even sure there are enough things to spend it on to do that.

Though now I have some very harsh words to give her, if she didn't bring her true body to go after the Spiraling Fear. You're going to give us shit about how tough things like that are when you were slacking off the whole time, concealing your full power out of....what, vanity? Mara brought her real body, you know, even if she didn't tell us until after the fight. You could have claimed you had a super-swarmling, played it off that way. Wow, there goes so much of my remaining good will towards you.
>>
>>4144684
also, how many/big a knight would we need to replace Quinn with to not lose how many turns we can get through the crystals?
>>
>>4144684
How long will the Regen block last for both Dorian and Shu?

And did Magpie reclaim her guns?

Motherfucker. Shu got hit thrown into November's Railgun blast and it chunked a major portion of her health.

Right now Ace and Jack are now in grave danger. We don't know if the two of them can hold their own against a Magpie who has now shifted into her true form.
>>
>>4144694
>Magpie being a shifty woman.
Of course it's obvious now. She's a bloody Magpie! Aren't crows and Ravens more known for their Vulture like behavior and associated with the dead? her epithet is called "The Blackwing Executioner".

Goddammit. She's a cool old lady but man is she a jackass when released from her fetters.
>>
>>4144689
(He's currently in Masque of War Form, and while he did considerable damage to her when she teleported away, it happened when the long-range Magpie shot Shu and November. But no worries, he dealt a hefty amount of damage, but it was a price she was willing to pay.)

>>4144695
I would say around seven, given that Quinn's amping abilities will allow her to bust through the crystal as her body adapts to annihilate it.)

>>4144697
(Answers, in order;)

>>How long will the Regen block last for both Dorian and Shu?

(For the remainder of combat, unless Keane can heal it. The rounds she's using were crafted specifically to deal with you and your allies, and utterly cripple you.)

>>And did Magpie reclaim her guns?

(Yes, all six guns are now in Magpie's singular possession.)
>>
>>4144695
(Oh, and an addendum; Quinn working alone will break the crystal at the start of the second turn, while the odds of it breaking that soon go down if it's anyone other than her. It's perfectly possible to help her, though.)
>>
>>4144703
alright, fair enough and thanks on both.
>>
>>4144705
(Any time, and it's tough to try and make you aware of things that otherwise would've escaped your obvious notice, and I was risking a fourth post, as-is.)
>>
>>4144704
oh, hrm, grah.
well no, sucks but i think Quinn being in the fight will be more useful than the Joyous getting out sooner.

>>4144708
id personally be fine with more posts if thats what you need.
>>
>>4144708
If it helps comfort you, I think much of us anons are very well in Shu's mindset and are very much roleplaying as Shu. So there will be inevitably be some details that we anons may have looked over. It also helps that you've made such wonderful characters for us to interact with.
>>
>>4144704
If we designated Jackie as the target of Trypophilic Hive level fourteen, would that count as us being sufficiently in contact with her to activate King's Envoy? Figure we might as well take advantage of us having a Dual Tech with Jackie. Then we could amp up Keane so that she could clear the healing-negation debuff that Magpie put on us.
>>
>>4144721
(It absolutely would, and Jackie's own ability-amplification powers have grown considerably stronger.)
>>
>>4144682
Vote;
SHU;
>Free Rounds; 2 Fullbores.
>load up the Contenders with 2 Honey each.
>Have a Bishop start boosting everyone present.
>send a quick pulse of Empathic warning to Ace and Jackie.
>Your Jacklings are still jacked into the ground. Use them to quickly throw off MAgpies aim however you can on Ace and Jackie, and have the others prepared for her to teleport reactively to dodge and get a better angle on them.
>Spawn Hands from Jackie and Ace both to both shield them from Magpie, and take some punches at the woman.
>Call back any and all swarmlings with health-pollen, sending out a wave of Banelings to replace them and keep pressure on the Crow Swarm.
>Tell Quinn to focus on Magpie, while you spawn a Knight of a potency worthy of replacing her to get through the crystals at the same rate, and have the other knights join it if need be.
>Send out a Stealthed-Jackling, not flying, but scooting its way through cover, towards Magpie. Have it get as close as it can, then try and spring a stun on her as Rath comes down for her Meteor Smash.
>Wait for the right moment, and Give Rath her shot at Magpie with a barrage of honeys and the Fullbores, but keep the Parabellums as backup as a last ditch effort to hit Magpie if she escapes even all that and your flaming friend.
>Keep the Rooks on everyone, with all the Extra on Rath as she goes for her swing.


DORIAN;
>Simply keep you and Keane safe, but try and keep punishing Magpie for any and all teleportations as you can.
>if you can, keep sending out Paintlings, to preemptively try and cut off and hinder Magpie as she tries to find new locations to attack from.

RATH and NOVEMBER;
>Have Rath get Unrelenting Cold up and running.
>Have Rath Latch onto November, giving her a Tormentis kickoff to help propel her towards Magpie with a Nova Lunge.
>as November gets close, have Rath use her as a pushboard to go high, as November does a double whammy, using her Dainself to try and fake Magpie out.
>After the Dainself throw, use it to pull herself to its location, then assuming she isn't a giant magnet again, fire off another Railgun round at Magpie.
>In reality, November is trying to give Rath both time, and get Magpie to wear out her potential teleportations and counters.
>While in the air, Rath should be building up as potent a Hydra Punch as she can, with both Tormentis, Ignition, Vulcans, and Grasp up to boost it even more, before coming down like a meteorite on Magpie, using her old style Boils and the rooks to correct her aim until its time to fall.

(1/2)
>>
>>4144738
>>4144682
HOLLY;
>Helicopter with your tongue to try and catch as many Crows as you can, to help Shu and Jackies swarm clear the way for everyone.
>Focus the Uzi on that too, unless it seems thin enough, then focus on helping keep Magpie distracted.

JOYOUS;
>have the still active ones keep hiding and multiplying, for now.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>we need a mix. While most need to be prepared to help keep Magpie off her footing, at least one needs to be prepared for if everything else, even Rath, fails, to at least block whatever Magpie throws out after being able to swerve past all that, assuming it happens.

(1/2)
>>
>>4144724
Nice. Let's do that, then, connect to her to both spawn a brace of banelings and get King's Envoy started to boost Keane.

Oh, hey, speaking of swarmling stuff, how much of our swarmling losses came from Magpie and how much from her murder of crows? Did Brood's Vengeance deal any damage? Because enough swarmlings have died to produce a minimum of two hundred and eighty-nine retaliatory attacks, by my count, possibly more depending on how quickly they were killed. That should be a pretty hefty chunk of damage, even at one fourth strength.
>>
>>4144742
(Only a single Swarmling's died as of yet - the 'losses' were me correcting the fact that equipped Platelings no longer take up swarmling slots.)
>>
>>4144744
Oh, dang? Curse my lack of reading comprehension, I checked both counts and thought some had died. Okay, so thirty-five blasts, still good. Though I take it they were aimed at a crow and not her?
>>
>>4144742
>>4144747
(At that point, they were directed at thinning out the swarm, since their DoT is incredibly high and Magpie has just retreated to recombine.)
>>
>>4144682
Shu:
>Your eyes might be blurry from the tears as you stood up and looked at Magpie's now Raven feathered form. A spare arm now clutching the gaping hole in your stomach in vain attempt to cover it.
>"All this time...all this time...I thought you were cool...An old hand of the Crucible, hardened but still a softie at heart...A cool sharpshooting lady who fought to stay alive in memory of her son Alex. A woman who had the hope of finding comfort and family again despite the guilt weighing her down."
>"I tried to overlook your nature...no...I didn't want to acknowledge it. I didn't want to acknowledge my fears that what you did was done entirely by your choice."
>You're saying this to Magpie as well as yourself, maybe your empathy field opened up a channel to Magpie as you said it.
>Give Magpie a pained look, as the realization of her true form and behavior sets in, your impressions that you once had of her now shattered.
>"Looks like I've been wrong about you."
>The sting of betrayal, a feeling you felt once before over two weeks ago, throbs again. Tears still flow down your cheeks, but the look on your face is hardened into one of acceptance and resolve in doing what needs to be done.
>"You and I... will need to have a talk after all of this is through."
>>
>>4144759
>>4144682
eh, not a fan of this. voting against.
especially feels like we kinda saw her true nature about twenty dead Altared ago at least.
>>
>>4144769
I know that, it's more of my way of verbally accepting Magpie's true nature. Shu couldn't quite believe it at first, but even then we kept holding out hope for Magpie and attempted to give her an out. But Magpie refused, and when it came to blows, Shu's still sort of processing the fact. What I wrote in was basically Shu's "heart" finally accepting the reality of the situation.
>>
>>4144786
I'd rather avoid saying anything to her until after we've got this debuff cleared. Keep her attention off of Shu, let someone else take her attacks for a bit. Also, when we do say something, I want it to be yelling. I'm gonna call her a dirty hypocrite.
>>
>>4144786
still disagree with the sentiment, and feels poorly timed.
>>
>>4144803
>>4144807
Very well.

Also, Hold the fuck up. I just remembered that our swarmlings have Flamethrowers courtesy of the Ant Queen. Why are we suiciding our swarm members when we can just have them be flying flamethrowers?

>>4144682
Revoking this vote: >>4144759
>>
>>4144803
yeah, Magpie doesn't deserve our tact.
also just thought of something. one of Magpies biggest excuses was she was trying to 'clear the way' for us... but... didn't that purpose fall flat on its face the minute we told her to stop? and especially now? whats her plan here really? she clearly doesn't trust herself to be the one to try and end the crucible, but so long as shes doing this, she certainly cant rely on us, meaning clearing the way is moot. she herself knew and admitted long-term this could backfire and make things worse, even cause more super-Hungers, but by doing this the short term window she thought she was creating is already gone tits up, and if she outright kills us, was certainly for nothing.

sure, she also says she wants to prevent more Hunger-Monsters, but again ,she herself admitted long-term she could make things worse and more of those, so thats pretty flimsy. and i get she still has a geas on her, but it doesn't seem so strong as to be fully unmalleable, or so much she couldn't at least hint at admitting she fucked up, over doubling down.

unless she thinks she has some way to force our hand upon a victory here, its gonna basically be a Pyrrhic victory for her if she wins.
>>
>>4144809
>>4144684
i just assumed they were using their flamethrowers as appropriate, such as burning out the crow swarm. unless against Magpie herself or it made a big difference, i assumed it was a detail BHOP scuttled for more important ones.
>>
>>4144758
Bhop, Is our swarm putting the flamethrowers to use or did they not use it in the opening round?
>>
>>4144823
(They are, and I was actually writing your swarm using them to considerable effect in the next update when you all brought it up, since I'd just rolled for them and they were a little more noteworthy than last time.)
>>
I just had an idea. Rath hasn't activated Ignition yet this fight, so she's going to create the start-up fire burst that detonates any nearby terraformed terrain. The resulting blast is proportional to the size of the altered terrain. And since Rath doesn't deal friendly fire with her Generator attacks, we can scale the blast up as much as we want and have it be safe. We shouldn't just terraform around Magpie to throw off her aim, we should prep the ground for Rath to Ignite.

Also, if there are any crows in the area around Magpie they'll get taken out by the blast, which will trigger Ignition level four. For each one killed Rath will produce another flame blast out to Medium range, and then turn the killed crow into a living bomb that she can toss at Magpie for free. I'm now imagining Rath's punch as this awesome combo move, landing with a huge fiery punch that cracks the earth and transitions into a firecracker chain of blasts, finishing with grabbing each crow with a separate Tensile Strand and slinging them all into Magpie's face.
>>
>>4144844
so... essentially... dont have Rath actually activate Ignition til she hit the ground? not Sure Shu can squeeze out enough to also terraform the ground around Magpie for that too, as we have no idea where Magpie will actually technically be, and i dont want to rely on only the Arms method to help Ace and Jackie. Magpie feels like the type we need to stack up methods on.

suppose Shu could forgo firing her Contender this round to terraform around Magpie as her distraction once Rath is hurtling down.
>>
>>4144857
Not necessarily when she hits the ground, because she's going to want the momentum of the fall to boost the punch and have Ignition ready when she punches. But when she's close to the ground, yeah, close enough that the fire pulse will set the blast off.

Fair point about us not being able to rely on Magpie being in any one spot when the punch lands, though. Ah, well, it's a nice idea, anyway. If we happen to catch some terraformed ground in the fire burst so that the bomb goes off, it would be a good bonus.

Unless we lightly terraform the entire area? We probably have enough Bio for that, and Rath wouldn't cause any collateral damage. Just catch the entire battlefield in a nuke that only hurts Magpie. But that might just waste time to do. Forget it, dumb idea. Let's just go with timing the Ignition to hit Magpie with the initial flame burst (which would be nice anyway), and if it catches any obstacles we terraformed around Magpie we'll call it gratis.
>>
>>4144682
Swarm Actions: 1 ACT from Shu.
>Bishops equip themselves onto everyone, freeing Shu of 9 slots.
>Recursive Swarmlings, Recursive banelings, Recursive Knightlings and 5 Rooks will accompany Ace, Jack, Rath, November, and Quinn.
>The 2 Recursive Banelings will suicide deep into the flock and detonate themselves, releasing their miniature brood and having the same miniatures detonate to create a chain explosive detonation. One Recursive knightling will serve as an escort unit in delivering the acidic MIRV Payload. Freeing Shu of 3 slots

>Have Magpie's Former Fuzzbuzz go into your pocket and go dormant to free up a slot.
>Rooks will Bodyblock any close range shotgun shots that directly hit the fighters going into close range of Magpie.
>Grapplings will play as a safety harness that yank Jack or Ace out of harm's way if there are no Rooks to block the shot or if they can't dodge.
>2 Recursive Knightling(s) will act as support units as well.
>Jacklings will cast Terraforming harpoon spikes (small scale spikes 6 inches long) to impale Magpie's foot and pin her down on her current location.

>Slots freed up: 10
>New swarmling slots: 23/50

Spawn:
>Swarmlings: 10 (recursive: 10 swarmlings inside each), cost: 100% bio, they will act as distracting targets.
>Knightlings 5, cost: 150% bio, they will shore up our swarm strength.
>Knight-Grapplings: 4, Cost: 200% bio, They will disperse throughtout the battlefield and act as Grappling hook points to assist our allies in traversing the combat zone back and forth, using Shu's bio pool spawn retractable slingshot arms to grab allies and launch them towards the direction they desire.
>Basic-Gurrenlings: 4, Cost: 124% bio, They will endeavor to drill through the Piss Crystal. their speed and attack will be amplified by the 12 knight-class swarmlings we have on the field.
Total bio cost: 574% bio.
total Swarmling slots: 45/50
Shu's remaining Bio: 1996%

>>4144844
>>4144857
Any thoughts on the micromanagement of our swarm? This is what I've come up with. I'm sending our recursives and our existing units to help assist our fighters, while creating grapplings to help with traversing the battlefield should Magpie teleport again. Knight classes will augment our existing swarm and we have 10 recursive swarmlings to fill as fodder. This will cost us 1/5th of our total Bio pool, which is pricey, but our low health and the fact that we can't regenerate means we're forced to make use of our bio pool in order to assist while keeping a healthy reserve for the long term. We can't afford to send wave after wave of suicide banelings in this fight. We're going to have to fight hard, but efficient.
>>
>>4144826
Umm bhop.

How can our Regen be cancelled if we have Isabelle's augmentation:

INVIOLABLE CONSTITUTION (Augmentation): A chance given, a promise made. A vestige of B’ni’s Core made manifest, your regeneration may no longer by reduced below its baseline, turned against you, or interfered with by any ability aside from sources you control. (HEALTH REGEN +100%, BIO REGEN +100%)
>>
>>4144876
That is a very good catch. Yeah, we forgot about Inviolable Constitution.
>>
>>4144876
(Oh, you'll see. Don't worry, it's a good thing.)
>>
>>4144870
>u
...actually... no. no.
thats exactly what we need to do.
think about it, whats the biggest issue we have with Magpie?
her teleportation.
while im sure she cant spam it freely, especially with Masque up, its still her biggest trump card.
but while it would be fucking expensive as hell probably, we do know it does have some form of limited range, and she can also only go so far if she wishes to still fight us, even with hoe long ranged she is.

if we terraform the entire ground, even just a bit, so Rath chain reacts it all, sure, she might sadly still escape the epicenter, but SOMETHING should still catch her, and if nothing else, the cost to spam teleport or lengthen it to get out of the way should both allow Dorian to punish her even harder, and cost her alot of resources.

gimme a sec, ill change things up for this. nothing says we cant also try to aim heavier terraforming right at her too while we do the rest.
>>
>>4144880
(If it helps, I will say that you won't have to worry about healing.)
>>
>>4144873
>>4144879
last BHOP said, Recursives did not have and could not have any special traits, and were always basically just standard swarmlings, at least at this time.
>>
>>4144879
Okay, I'll trust you on this, but I'm having trouble imagining any plausible way for it to be a good thing. Which leaves only the implausible ways, so now that I'm thinking about it I'm getting kind of hyped.

>>4144880
Oh, I imagined you'd be against the idea, consider it a waste of time and Bio. But alright, I'm definitely onboard. If we do that we should have Rath Ignite before we do anything else, then. Blow things up, catch all the crows around us right now so Rath can toss them at Magpie to further rattle her, then we go for the feint into meteor punch move.
>>
>>4144888
>>4144880
You know, instead of finishing off with the Relic Rejection Punch, why not open up with that move? If we save it for last, Magpie might get a few shots off on Rath. If Rath opens up with the anti-Relic punch, then all of her guns will inevitably jam, leaving her with no close-ranged response except for melee.
>>
>>4144891
because the fresher Magpie is the round, the more likely anything we throw at her will be dodged or blocked. Raths best chance is us running Magpie as dry as possible before she strikes, otherwise its all the morel likely to be wasted.
>>
>>4144891
If we're terraforming a big bomb then Rath won't need to get close first, just detonate the entire area. So it's only one close-in exchange, and that will be the one where Erupting Grasp makes Magpie's Relics backfire.
>>
>>4144682
>>4144738
Amending Vote;
SHU;
>Free Rounds; 2 Fullbores.
>load up the Contenders with 2 Honey each.
>Have a Bishop start boosting everyone present.
>send a quick pulse of Empathic warning to Ace and Jackie.
>Your Jacklings are still jacked into the ground. Use them to quickly throw off Magpies aim however you can on Ace and Jackie, and have the others prepared for her to teleport reactively to dodge and get a better angle on them.
>Spawn Hands from Jackie and Ace both to both shield them from Magpie, and take some punches at the woman.
>Call back any and all swarmlings with health-pollen, sending out a wave of Banelings to replace them and keep pressure on the Crow Swarm.
>Tell Quinn to focus on Magpie, while you spawn a Knighted-Drilling of a potency worthy of replacing her to get through the crystals at the same rate, and have the other knights join it if need be.
>Send out a Stealthed-Jackling, not flying, but scooting its way through cover, towards Magpie. Have it get as close as it can, then try and spring a stun on her as Rath comes down for her Meteor Smash.
>Wait for the right moment, and then Terraform as wide and far as you can, so that Raths Ignition Detonation will give Magpie nowhere to go to fully escape the damage. Aim to try and hit Magpie herself with heavier Terraforming too, if you can.
>Keep the Rooks on everyone, with all the Extra on Rath as she goes for her swing.

RATH and NOVEMBER;
>Have Rath get Unrelenting Cold up and running.
>Have Rath Latch onto November, giving her a Tormentis kickoff to help propel her towards Magpie with a Nova Lunge.
>as November gets close, have Rath use her as a pushboard to go high, as November does a double whammy, using her Dainself to try and fake Magpie out.
>After the Dainself throw, use it to pull herself to its location, then assuming she isn't a giant magnet again, fire off another Railgun round at Magpie.
>In reality, November is trying to give Rath both time, and get MAgpie to wear out her potential teleportations and counters.
>While in the air, Rath should be building up as potent a Hydra Punch as she can, with both Tormentis, Vulcans, and Grasp up to boost it even more, before coming down like a meteorite on Magpie, using her old style Boils and the rooks to correct her aim until its time to fall. Have her ignite Ignition as close to the ground as possible, timing it so it still boosts her punch, but is close enough to set off Shus terraforming trap across the battlefield.

(1/2)
>>
>>4144901
>>4144740
>>4144682
DORIAN;
>Simply keep you and Keane safe, but try and keep punishing Magpie for any and all teleportations as you can.
>if you can, keep sending out Paintlings, to preemptively try and cut off and hinder Magpie as she tries to find new locations to attack from.

HOLLY;
>Helicopter with your tongue to try and catch as many Crows as you can, to help Shu and Jackies swarm clear the way for everyone.
>Focus the Uzi on that too, unless it seems thin enough, then focus on helping keep Magpie distracted.

JOYOUS;
>have the still active ones keep hiding and multiplying, for now.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>we need a mix. While most need to be prepared to help keep Magpie off her footing, at least one needs to be prepared for if everything else, even Rath, fails, to at least block whatever Magpie throws out after being able to swerve past all that, assuming it happens.

(2/2)
>>
>>4144901
>>4144904
Alright, looks good. Let's remind Magpie of why the classic counter to snipers is artillery.

>>4144682
Supporting.
>>
>>4144901
How many banelings?

Also, I didn't get your input on the micromanagement of our swarmlings.

If anything I would like to add in spawning a group of Grapplings that act as grappling hook points for our allies to use in traversing the battlefield when Magpie inevitably Teleports.

Also, I'm getting a hunch that Magpie's next teleport location will draw us closer to the Altered Altar settlement.
>>
>>4144921
reminds me of a joke ive heard;
>"sir, why are we firing, we dont know where the enemy is!"
>"Sonny, we're artillery, we NEVER know where the enemy is!"
>>
>>4144926
i was just filling up our extra slots with banelings, after everything else was enacted.

and i never responded in part because BHOP never answered my question.
>>
>>4144932
And said question was...?
>>
>>4144926
>If anything I would like to add in spawning a group of Grapplings that act as grappling hook points for our allies to use in traversing the battlefield when Magpie inevitably Teleports.
We don't need to do that, we can spawn Hundred-Hands off of allies. Instead of spawning a chain from the Grappling to an ally and them only being able to grapple to select points, we can spawn it off of them and fling them anywhere in the battlefield.

>Also, I'm getting a hunch that Magpie's next teleport location will draw us closer to the Altered Altar settlement.
Hey, if she wants to split her attention between fighting us and shooting at noncombatants, she can go right ahead. We can use that.
>>
>>4144885
(This is true.)

>>4144932
(Apologies, I didn't see that you'd linked this to me.)
>>
>>4144942
>>4144944
well there you go.
i also agree with >>4144943
in that with all the terrain and our new ability, we dont really need to waste slots on grapplings. plus, theres like, teeth and stuff around, actually i think technically this would all be tough terrain, as BHOP said we were having to clamber over teeeth to move around, but of course he can confirm or deny that, and other terrain features.
>>4144944
>>
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>>4144944
also, its fine. while not the reason i thought you hadnt answered, id assume you arent doing nothing but staring blankly at your screen between posts, so if you're busy, you're busy.
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>>4144959
(I have literally thousands of pictures in my Body Horror folder, and yet you never fail to find new things to surprise me with. Thanks for sharing, as always.)
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>>4144971
We live to deliver.

Have a lovely horror short of a scary scarecrow from a popular video game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNn2F39G-6s
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>>4144971
hah, thanks, and its no problem. like sharing the neat things i find, especially if any of it helps inspire you or others, and/or ends up filling a picture gap you needed, rare as both may be. now if only i could remember to do it more often....my folder of things to post seems to laugh at my attempts to lower its count.
>>
>>4144979
(The next intermission Vein I run, I'll just have to turn it into a cozy image-sharing one, since I know I have hundred of images I'll probably never get to use.)

>>4144975
(Simply delightful! I love it.)

(Also, for an animation that I think you all might enjoy, here's something I found a little while ago by accident.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_75ffM3VBs&t=2s
>>
>>4144984
oh.
okay then.
nice find BHOP, not what i was expecting, even knowing the type of stuff to expect from here. thanks.
>>
>>4144984
That was probably the best thing to come out of A Dog's Purpose. Good to see such a banal movie inspire some nice horror.
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
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>>4144682

The twin cylinders of your Hexane weapons cycle with fresh rounds as the earth at Magpie's feet violently tilts, your Bishops cleaving through the air as your entire fleet latches on to every ally at your disposal, save for the Joyous that are steadily multiplying behind the dome.

[Ace, Jackie - be careful] You intone as you watch the pair close the distance towards their target. [...and don't mind the hands]

Magpie's struggling to get a bead on her attackers when your Hundred-Handed erupt from the pair in a spontaneous explosion of limbs, instantly overwhelming her as her shotgun howls across the battlefield, drowning out the roaring flames that lance overhead. All around you, charred feathers and smoking corpses fall from the sky as your swarm begins to turn the tables, and a path is opened before you as Holly flails her tongue around the space, her tongue lapping up ravens as she gyrates in place.

A stream of freshly-inked set of Paintlings fly by you at Dorian's strained command as a pair of shotgun blasts roar out, joined by the sharp retort of a throaty revolver that echoes across the hills. A short distance behind you, November's finally on her feet as Rath climbs onto her back, the red-head's body coupling unfathomable heat with unrelenting cold while her aunt's boosters flare to life...and once Rath slams one foot into the ground, calcite buckles underneath them as the Neesons rocket off towards your common foe. A staccato of gunfire erupts from far below, and you watch as your wall of limbs is shredded by Magpie's relentless volley.

You...you need to help them. You need to MOVE.

You take another step forwards, faltering as you try to draw in an agonized breath, the attempt only amplifying the pain emanating from the wound that refuses to...

Suddenly your entire body jolts, a spasm of regeneration overwhelming your senses as a blistering heat blossoms in your torso. Looking down, you're in time to watch your wound stitch itself shut in the span of a single pounding heartbeat. You look up, your body thrumming with the effects of the violent overheal that's causing every cell in your body to sing. Magpie crafted a round to end you, in her single-minded quest for vengeance. She'd resolved to stop you in your tracks, but as you blink away the emerald lights that flicker in the fringes of your field of vision, you realize...

...Magpie's choices have brought her to the edge of madness, but it's *yours* that allow you to stand tall.

>>INVIOLABLE CONSTITUTION - OVERRIDE

>>REGENERATION RESTORED + OVERHEAL

>>HP: 2976%

"Kick her ass, Shu."

At the sound of a familiar voice, you can't help but smile.

And you think you'll oblige.

Yelling for Quinn to go after Magpie, a freshly-spawned Knightling struggles to free itself from your hive as your spine aches with the effort of birthing such a massive creature, its vicious drills whining like the cry of a newborn.

With that, you take a step forwards.

(Continued)
>>
>>4145128

Between Holly's frantic tongue-lashing alongside controlled bursts from her Uzi, she and your relentless Banelings have thinned enough of Magpie's swarm to allow you vantage to the impending chaos that threatens to shake the valley below you. Jackie, Quinn, Ace, Rath, November - they're all converging with killing intent on the vaguely humanoid form of Magpie, her tall, ungainly form blinking backwards, trying to put some space between her and the onrushing horde.

But she's only delaying the inevitable.

One half of the Midnight Crew reach her first, with Ace bringing a pair of identical axe-blades down in an executioner's arc, almost cleaving Magpie's arms off before she turns at the last moment. The blades swing down harmlessly as Magpie brings the Red Dahlia's barrel to bear against Ace's helm. She fires - and misses, arm spinning in mid-air with the revolver still clutched in its grasp after Jackie shears it off at the elbow with utmost ease.

You look at the blade, and it HURTS

Averting your eyes from the wound in space that is Jackie's unnatural Relic, you hear her scream out a warning that's drowned out by a pair of booming explosions, and you look back in time to see Magpie blinking backwards as Ace collapses, her torso shredded from the force of a point-blank shotgun blast.

>>LUPARA - CRITICAL HIT

>>ACE - DEATH SAVING THROW: 1 Success

Jackie's by her friend's side instantly as November and Rath hurtle past, and as Magpie's stump of an arm begins to roil with half-formed ravens, it just...STOPS

Magpie barely has enough time to process, confusion visible in her eyes just before Rath leaps skyward, propelled by November's incredible speed. The sudden movement causes Magpie's innumerable eyes to glance skyward, but she's still aware enough to barely dodge the Dainsleif as it's hurtled past her by November's skillful aim, followed closely by November herself. The cyborg soldier lands, immediately unfurling the Rex railgun from the depths of her armor as Magpie's eyes snap between Rath above, and November behind. A shot, a punch, an oppotunity.

Your stealthed Jacking plunges its stinger into the ground mere meters away from Magpie, and the older woman's given no-where to go as the terrain ripples with spikes in every direction, forcing her into the heart of a bulls-eye that's about to be pierced by the flaming dart that is Rath, a living meteorite that's too bright to observe as she sets herself alight, ready to detonate the entire plain in a wave of hellfire on impact.

It's a thing of beauty, as with the crack of a rifle and a gout of flame, November's railgun sends a lethal projectile spearing toward's Magpie's chest, with Rath's fist shining like a profane star, inching towards the other woman's skull.

Magpie's good hand twitches, feathery fingers curling into a fist as something so terribly *wrong* happens, faster than thought.

>>[@LDR!T{H {@N{ELL@T!0N: ACTIVATED]

(Continued)
>>
>>4145139

You blink.

Rath's paused in mid-air, November's round frozen in space against the back of Magpie's neck. Quinn's effort to flank your common enemy has been locked mid-step, the liquid lance that her arm's formed into stopping just short of piercing Magpie's ribs from dozens of yards away. The ground, too, is beyond your control, all movement and terraforming ceased for a single, impossible moment. And then...

...a rifle crack, in its cold finality.

>>ALEX'S MERCY - CRITICAL HIT

>>NOVEMBER - DEATH SAVING THROW: 1 Failure

November's helm explodes in a shower of steel and circuitry, and Rath's horrified scream is barely out of her throat before Magpie drops her rifle, her hand moving with cruel swiftness to curl around Rath's throat. There's a twisting, a warping of space itself as Rath is forcibly teleported backwards, slamming her half-in, half-out of the calcite terrain that now spears into her chest, even as the thorns begin to bubble and melt from the girl's radiant hatred. The discarded rifle stops just before it hits the ground, and as Quinn tries to retreat, the Red Dahlia flies to Magpie's good hand, and the blonde's chest bursts when a single, expertly placed round pierces her heart.

>>RED DAHLIA - CRITICAL HIT

>>QUINN - DEATH SAVING THROW: 1 Failure

Jackie stands, eyes wide and heart cold as she once more curls her fingers around the hilt in her chest, and she's visibly pained as she draws forth the unnameable weapon, its very essence bolstered by the icy fury that now pumps through her veins. Rath screams again, her throat threatening to tear from the sheer force of her anguish. You start to run, heedless of your own safety and you race towards your fallen friends, hoping, praying that you'll have a chance to-

>>ACE - STABILIZED, UNCONSCIOUS

>>NOVEMBER - STABILIZED, UNCONSCIOUS

>>QUINN - STABILIZED, UNCONSCIOUS

...what's going o-

"If I wanted ya'll dead...you 'n yours would be dead, kiddo."

(Continued)
>>
>>4145142

Magpie's unnatural voice echoes between your ears and above your throat, sending a chill up your spine as her cold, calm tone sounds like she's right there, whispering against your earlobe, her raspy voice ticking your grey matter.

"I came here to do a job. There's people that need killing, and people that need stopping, and I prepared for both." She explains, and as she lets go of the Red Dahlia it just float there, suspended mid-air as the other five weapons begin to ascend. "You were partly right, see? Nobody dies today that doesn't need to."

Every mismatched eye in Magpie's mind-bending form shutters closed before flying open once more, and in every eye there's a golden iris, shining, pulsing in time with the shimmering filigree of the Six Black Heavens Guns as their mistress begins to hover alongside her armament. Jackie glances towards Quinn, and you follow her empathic urging as you see Quinn's unconscious form twitch, her blood retreating back into her body unbeknownst to the angelic executioner who's stalking closer to you and your other allies.

"I'm not stopping Shu. I'm not stopping, because you CANNOT stop me."

The sextet of lethal weaponry orbit the hovering woman in an arcane ring, the bladed eyes revolving around her in another. She gestures, beckoning you, Jackie, and Rath forwards with her one good hand.

"Come, and I'll show you how I walked side-by-side with the devil herself."

Your hand curls into a fist, and you can feel it. The rage, the indignation, the bloodthrist that beats in the heart of you, Rath, and Jackie. You're unified in a singular, overwhelming *need* to bring the fires of your collective fury to the eerie, black-winged angel that hovers menacingly before you.

Angel? Devil?

It doesn't matter to someone's that hunted gods.

Heaven or hell...let's rock.

HP: 2976% (+345% [Dominus: Interrupted], Matrons, Vincula, Pace. Halo: SPENT)
BIO: 2570% (+320%. 16x Psy-Platelings, 9x Bishops, 10x Rooks, 6x Jacklings, 1x Grapplings, 3x Rec-Knightlings, 2x Rec-Banelings, 1x Fuzzbuzz, 1x Giga-Drill-Knightling, 1x Stealth-Jackling, 10x Banelings, 36/50 Swarmlings active)

CONTENDER: Gemini - Honey x3, Parabellum x1 , 2x Fullbores (Both guns)
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 2 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

HOLLY: 1294 % ([RESIST: Heat, Cold. IMMUNE: Acid] Shawl and Uzi(3x Elemental, 3x Standard), Pharynx – 3 CHARGES)
DORIAN: 578% (+0%, Interitus, Lanceam, Caelorum. Halo: PRIMED. MASQUE - Active)
RATH: 1799% (+550%, Daggers, Gauntlets. Halo: PRIMED)
NOVEMBER: STABILIZED.

JOYOUS: 22 - 13 Crystallized, 9 Active.

MIDNIGHT CREW: Keane's Heal: 53% complete. Jackie - Threat: Unconsionable. Ace - Stabilized. Quinn - Surprise Regeneration in middle of upcoming round.

THREAT: Currently wielding all Six Black Heavens Guns at once. Long range. @LDR!T{H {@N{ELL@T!0N - SPENT. Is now taking you seriously.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
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>>4142662
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening. Voting shall remain open for the next twelve hours, with posting to resume in fourteen, give or take as work demands. Thank you all for your patience, participation, and enthusiasm, and I'll be around for a little while longer to address any questions you may have. Additionally, I'll be waking up a bit earlier tomorrow morning to address any queries I do not get to tonight. Thank you all again, and I wish you all a good night.)
>>
>>4145151
>>4145148
(Also, an addendum - Magpie is looking considerably more ragged than when she started. Teleporting away from Dorian's sphere of influence took more out of her than she'd like to admit.)
>>
>>4145153
(Last addendum - I'm a little frazzled since my computer ate the last two posts, so I had to reconstruct them, hence the longer writing period. Apologies for the delay, and if you catch anything I missed, please speak up.)
>>
>>4145151
do we have any indication on how long her space-time warping telekinesis might last?

regardless, damnit, Rath deserved that damn moment, but while its utterly terrible of a situation to be in now, its at least a good sign we were doing well and on the right track for her to spend something like that. only question is how the hell can we overcome getting stun locked and dragged through the damn air when anything near her just stops?
>>
>>4145162
(The cancel-counter has been spent, so you don't need to worry about it any more...you just have to worry about whatever other tricks she has up her sleeve and the fact that she can now pump out more damage at will than anything else you've ever faced.)

(When she grabbed Rath, that was an offensive use of her teleportation.)
>>
>>4145162
hrm... its a long shot, but only thing i can think of that could possibly work, is the fact we haven't seen her stop anything non soild.

>>4145161
nother question, sorry. does Dorian have any Charges built up? while Masque can cover a large area, Magpies been jumping around alot, so it wouldn't be too silly to think hes moved at least a bit?
>>
>>4145166
(He's being carried by Keane, but he has built up a few charges due to the forced movement. It'll be on his next status update, thanks for the reminder...it was one of the things that got eaten.)
>>
>>4145139
>that file name in leet speak
>"These toys are not yours to play with"
Jackie, just what in the fuck did you pick up? That hexane sword makes our eyes BLEED when we look at it!

>>4145151
Well shit. This is truly turning into some Shin Megami Tensei levels of Body horror and fighting. Magpie going SMT eldritch angel on us with her body full of eyeballs and a floating halo of T-5 guns while Shu and friends are playing Biopunk body horror.

For that, I found a really good soundtrack to rock to with a nearly fitting title to boot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRIzXAk3HM

>MIDNIGHT CREW: Keane's Heal: 53% complete. Jackie - Threat: Unconsionable. Ace - Stabilized. Quinn - Surprise Regeneration in middle of upcoming round.

Mind explaining Jackie's status? why is there a threat gauge next to her? Also, Do the Psychic Spiralis Platelings do anything good for our allies in terms of utility? I thought they help counter by providing a passive anti-counter measure in the form of terraforming.
>>
>>4145139
So what, does every high-level Daughter get Eldritch Cancellation, or is it just something that she and Mara shared? Because if every endgame fight is going to have the possibility of someone pulling a space-time warp to save their ass, we've got to change our fighting style.

And damn it, that set-up for the mega-blast is wasted, only works the first time Ignition is activated per turn. Blarg.
>>
>>4145172
Silver lining: we've forced her to spend her catch-all reverse uno card this early, albeit at the cost of downing two of our allies.
>>
>>4145172
>>4145167
actually, the terrain didnt go off it seems, even just slow mo at Magpies feet, so she may of stopped Rath before she turned on Ignition. keep in mind, Rath is now always super lava bodied, so her burning things on contact has nothing to do with Ignition.

which also begs the question of just how much Ignition increases that.
>>
>>4145172
(The ability Magpie used was gifted to her by Mara. It's quite unique - there's nothing else like it in this Crucible.)

(At least, not exactly like it.)

>>4145171
(Jackie's new toy does some interesting things to how the interface and how certain abilities sort friend from foe. For the sake of abilities, she currently counts as both.)

>>4145181
(The ground did not detonate, so it's still primed.)
>>
>>4145165
oh, sorry, i think the wording is messing with me. i thought Shu, Rath, and Jackie were suspended in the air, and her gesture was pulling us toward the weapons, but she was just doing the 'come and git sum' gesture, i think?
>>
>>4145171
>Mind explaining Jackie's status? why is there a threat gauge next to her? Also, Do the Psychic Spiralis Platelings do anything good for our allies in terms of utility? I thought they help counter by providing a passive anti-counter measure in the form of terraforming.
I think that Jackie's sword is such a horrific thing that it's reading as a threat to us. An unconscionable threat, so that's really fucking ominous, Jackie. We've definitely got to ask Karma about this thing, see if she has any idea what it is. I don't think she will, though, I'm getting the sense that it being Hexane is just an assumption that Jackie has.

As for the psi-platelings, normally they'd do something, but Magpie has the power to bypass the auto-counters. BHOP mentioned it back when I asked why Dorian's Halo counter didn't trigger when he was shot. She's worked out some exploit where her bullets count as swarmlings, meaning that a high-level effect of her skills that lets her swarmlings ignore auto-counters applies to them, too.

>>4145185
>(The ground did not detonate, so it's still primed.)
Oh. >>4145181 is right and that was Rath glowing from Vulcan's Hand and her corruption, not Ignition. Okay, then. Rath is still conscious, just embedded in the terrain. Okay, let's have her free herself by Igniting and nuking the place.
>>
>>4145192
(You, Rath, and Jackie are completely free. She was merely gesturing for you to come at her.)
>>
>>4145195
hows Magpies eye constructs like? she still have them about, or has she given them up now that she has the body eyes?
>>
>>4145209
(A ring of them are floating around her, engorged eyeballs with the odd wing or two sprouting from them...you'll see more of them in the next update, to be sure.)
>>
>>4145214
oh fuck that shit.
>>
>>4145217
(Indeed.)
>>
>>4145151
Is Dominus Bloodline now back online?
>>
>>4145214
>>4145221
Yeah, fuck that shit. I say we open with the Ignition nuke. Burn away all of Magpie's eye-constructs, make her have to spawn new ones if she wants to play that game.
>>
>>4145229
(Absolutely. I had that in the last update that was lost, my apologies.)
>>
>>4145166
>>4145172

First things first, fighters that are down but stabilized (November and Ace) need to be taken off the battlefield, but their weapons and relics that they have can be put to better use in the hands of those that can still fight.

Ace has two Golgotha Axes that can be wielded as well as the Kuolema Rifle, November has the Nail, the Dainsleif, Margraves sword (its protective function now useless because November's robot head now has a hole in it), the Remembrance Whistle (words are Gra Hir), and Deliverance of Ego?

Rath can spawn Phantom Limbs and Replicant limbs and has the strength required to wield the heavy weapons. Give Rath the twin Golgotha axes, the Nail, the dainsleif and Deliverance of Ego.

Jackie can use Margraves Sword. she has Fibromancy augments so she has the strength required.

We should also hand one of the whistles to a Joyus so they can complete the spell Gra Hir Cunt with the whistle, but we'll need to tell Jackie to sheathe her sword beforehand lest she gets hit by the inaccuracy spell too since that dammable Hexane sword of hers makes her count as both friend AND foe.

Second, Magpie will definitely defend herself with her floating guns, If we're to ensure that Rath gets in close for that ignition nuke, we'll need a screen that shields Rath and lets her get in close.

>>4145232
Also, will November's Robot head need repairs if/when this is all over?
>>
>>4145232
What's the regen boost we're getting from Magpie? Please tell me it's not the 2247% needed for our current Health to be entirely the result of straight regeneration and not some weirdness caused by over-heal. I guess it's plausible for Magpie to have a regeneration of nearly 4500% Health per turn, but damn do I not want to face that.
>>
>>4145148
>>4145249
HOLLY;
>Keep yourself and your Maw Moving, thinning Magpies Crows and eyeballs alike, though be careful of any tricks the eyeballs might have over you trying to actually eat them.
>Then, once Dorian is ready, fire off your Pharynx.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>Have Keane focus on those actually down, but if she doesn't think she can do more for them, we could use any tricks she has to bear against Magpie herself.
>Jackie shouldn't hold back, but should hear Shus plan, despite its foolishness, and wit til Shu gives her an opening to finally make something here count for anything big she has.

NOVEMBER;
>Sit back and stabilize with the rest. You sadly cannot heal properly even with your tank, due to your body.

(2/2)
>>
>>4145249
If you're going to taunt Floating Gun Crow woman, at least do something to protect the downed fighters, otherwise Magpie will do the pragmatic thing and just shoot them as her first action!
>>
>>4145243
(November will need some repairs, yes.)

>>4145245
(The over-heal was the damage you took in the previous round added to your total HEALTH. You haven't yet tethered yourself to Magpie, but when you automatically do so at the start of the next round, you'll find her regen to be 2100%.)
>>
>>4145249
>At the opportune moment, force yourself close to Magpie, Use Maw, Relic, Honey, Hands, and Blade alike to pin her into close contact with you, and force her to set off your Halo. take the hit, and force her to give your allies their opening, stun her if you can too.

Anon. We already spent our Neurotic Halo counter.
>>
>>4145232
Is the piece of biomass that Rath is currently lodged in terraformed terrain or nearby terraformed terrain? Because I really like the idea of blasting herself out of her being trapped by Igniting the bomb. Frees herself, surprises a Magpie who did not see that move coming, destroys all the eyes before they can do anything, and then we follow up with melee.
>>
>>4145257
(She's embedded just outside of the terraformed zone, but if she burst out of it, then ignition would commence.)
>>
>>4145243
>>4145254
Magpies not aiming for the wounded, and swapping relics is implied to either be Act heavy or impossible in battle, and is far from worth it in the middle of a fight.

those fighters we still have up, we need to stay fighting. Magpie might not be after kills,but shes certainly not against taking a cheap shot at someone trying to evacuate wounded. the best thing we can do for them, is not give her a chance to go after them, assuming she even would.

also, im not lveaving them with nothing, but you never do actually read things so im not surprised you missed im both blocking Magpie off to give us time, and having Keane go try and help the wounded.

>>4145256
grah, fuck, too much damn info, i read the wrong persons. regardless, we have both our Base Spiralis, and our Plateling Spiralis, so ill just change it to slamming one of those down.
>>
>>4145148
Vote;

JOYOUS;
>split your crescendo. You should all have 3 Acts, considering Amara still has her relic on her.
>GRA SULK RHO CUNT for 4 of them.
>GRA CUNT REV SUTH for 4 of them.
>One still stays back, to keep the collection growing.

SHU;
>Scoff at Magpie, and dig daggers into her eyes.
>”No Magpie. This ends with one of us dead. You’re either putting me down for good, or I'm putting you down. You try to let me live? Try to walk away? I’ll hunt YOU down, just as ceaselessly and mercilessly as you are those innocent lives out there. You want them? You. Put. Me Down. for good. Simple as that.”
>”But whoever one of us dies here today, remember one damn thing. It was on you, your choice, and no one else's.”
>Send two Knightlings to help Rath get free, as your Rooks slam down between you all and Magpie, to obscure her sight, aim, and damage, even if just by a pennace.
>Rush Forward, bringing the contenders swinging, Maw slashing, and shots ringing.
>Keep her on her toes. Try and get her to spend off her Teleportation, run her resources there dry, and let Dorian work his magic.
>At the opportune moment, force yourself close to Magpie and spawn a Spiralis under both your feet. Use Maw, Relic, Honey, Hands, and Blade alike to pin her into close contact with you, and force her to set off your Counters. take the hit, and force her to give your allies their opening, stun her if you can too.

RATH;
>Get yourself unstuck with the help of the Knights, then start whooping on Magpie from afar. Use Boils of all kinds, and use your strands to slam flails against Magpie, forcing her back and to react, while casually leaving some about every now and again.
>Once its time, pull those strands and arms you have left about tightly, to try and trip up and tie up Mapie, even if shes jumped around, before slinging yourself forward and finishing your meteor punch you started last turn. The terrains ready, and this time, shes spent her own stun.

DORIAN;
>Spin on your axis, allowing you to get your free slices out at Magpies eye swarm, and technically be moving to build up stacks., despite just being a whirling cloud of blood.
>Once you see your prime opening, time it with Holly, and Strike Magpie down with your Charges.
>Oh, and if he can do it safely, slice and dash Magpie and her swarm, mainly the eyes, to bits with his Strands.

(1/2)
>>
>>4145148
>>4145268
HOLLY;
>Keep yourself and your Maw Moving, thinning Magpies Crows and eyeballs alike, though be careful of any tricks the eyeballs might have over you trying to actually eat them.
>Then, once Dorian is ready, fire off your Pharynx.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>Have Keane focus on those actually down, but if she doesn't think she can do more for them, we could use any tricks she has to bear against Magpie herself.
>Jackie shouldn't hold back, but should hear Shus plan, despite its foolishness, and wit til Shu gives her an opening to finally make something here count for anything big she has.

NOVEMBER;
>Sit back and stabilize with the rest. You sadly cannot heal properly even with your tank, due to your body.

(2/2)
>>
>>4145260
Found some good tracks for Magpie. They've got a Dark Country theme to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so2s-NZVXZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIrzOQyyy5A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io3af9r0dj4
>>
>>4145275
(Hrng, dark country music is my absolute jam. I love all of these.)
>>
>>4145268
Personally, I'd rather not say anything to Magpie. Don't dignify her with a response. She wants to be the big bad monster? We'll treat her like one, then, a thing and not a person. Just another beast to be put down.
>>
>>4145300
eh, i disagree, and its more of she thinks she can get away with this without having to put anyone down. she doesn't deserve to get to feel the luxury of that, nor feel like she can just win this and walk it off like there wont be any consequences if she stops us here in terms of how we react.

plus, we've given words to just as bad of people before.
>>
>>4145304
Hey anon, if Jackie's Sword Relic makes her tagged as both FRIEND and FOE, wouldn't the skintalker spells both buff AND debuff her?
>>
>>4145232
Hey bhop, for that Relic Sword that makes Jackie tag both as FRIEND and FOE, is it possible to deactivate that IFF scrambler and reactivate it within the same round? or does it stay active throughout combat once drawn? And how would it affect Jackie if a Joyous were to cast a skintalking spell?
>>
>>4145304
I don't disagree with you. But having dialogue feels to me like it's engaging in this delusion she has that this can be all resolved by her just showing us that she's right. Better to just kill her and be over with it.
>>
>>4145310
wouldn't that mean they just cancel out on here more or less though? i mean, yeah, an issue for Jackie and us, but we kinda need whatever we can scrounge up to at least slow down/hinder Magpie we can. plus, Jackie is probably prepared for such things. her team beforehand was very reliant on helping eachother, and while they seem to be able to stand on their own more, i doubt they just dumped those parts all away. so she would already have to be prepared for the wonkiness of things like Aces auras chipping away at her too.
>>
>>4145315
(Regarding Skintalker spells, the buff and debuff would cancel out. Also, because I'm tired and about to head to bed; what does IFF stand for?)
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>>4145322
IFF: tl;dr A friend or foe system.
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>>4145320
i mean, i guess i just dont agree? not personally feeling or seeing how telling her she cant have the 'easy' way out as it was, is playing into the delusion. if anything, its showing her we're just as stubborn and unwilling to change as her, which if nothing else, certainly doesn't seem to be what she wants, if only because its working against her.
>>
>>4145322
Identify:friend or foe.
>>
>>4145322
(I'll also say that Jackie having Debuffs would actually also buff her, on account of her unusual skill set.)
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>>4145322
hope you have a good rest BHOP.
lord only knows how long this is gonna keep me up...
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>>4145329
Huh. So she'd get double buffs from a Skintalker spell, or is it not inverting effects but something else entirely?
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>>4145337
(It basically works like this; if Jackie gets, say, a speed debuff, then all her other stats are buffed by the decrease to the one stat. If she's hit by something that hinders her HEALTH regen, then her BIO regen's boosted, and vice versa.)
>>
>>4145326
I'm just not feeling it. The time for talk ended, I don't want to engage with Magpie's ranting. Just leave her to it while we kill her. I might go for something angrier, if we really have to say something, the calm certainty feels off to me. Calling her out on her bullshit, that I might go for.

>>4145344
Oh, neat, so the debuff would be canceled out by the buff, but everything else would still be buffed. That's pretty useful, especially if you can get a broad spectrum of effects on you. Ace can probably do that.
>>
>>4145349
well, we'll see how that goes then, but im more than happy with spitting in her face metaphorically, and going full rant about her hypocrisy to me feels like something id be against.
>>
>>4145148

My vote:
>Take a deep breath, and release. Focus on the pair eyes where Magpie would have if she was originally human.
>The look you give her is solemn but grim cold fury.
>"Walked side by side with the Devil? Either you've submitted to her, or you've made a deal with the Devil."
>You take slow deliberate steps, using the Psy-plateling on your chest to passively pave the ground you walk.
>"You don't make deals with devils, Magpie. And now you've condemned yourself to be lost in your guilt."
>"This will not end until one of us dies Magpie. You do what you gotta do, so do I. You won't stop, and I won't relent, until one of us dies in the end."

Shu:
Total Swarm: 1 full ACT.
>Knightlings and rec Knightlings will fly around and be a nuisance, roasting eyeballs with their flamethrowers, taking them down with their stingers.
>Jacklings: Terraform Ablative shelters to protect the downed daughters as well as barricades to hide behind when sheltering against Magpie's gunfire.
>Bishops: Bishops on Ace, Quinn, and November will divert and re-equip themselves onto Jackie, Rath, and Shu.
>Fuzzbuzz: Go dormant, you're taking up a swarmling slot space.
>Rec-Banelings, Suicide yourselves upon Magpie's gunfire and release the mini-banelings. Mini-banelings will inject their acid into Magpie's actual body and start drilling.
>Standard Banelings will attack Magpie's floating eyeballs
>Giga-Drill-Knightling continue to try and free the 13 crystalized Joyous.
>The Grappling will act as a life-line support that yanks our fighters out of harms way or nudges the guns off-center to make a hit into a miss.
>Rooks turn into flying shields that body block Magpie, have all of them each guard one of our allies.
Spawn:
>Enough platelings that can cover Rath, Jackie, Quinn, Holly, and yourself into full sets of Chitinous Stalwart.
>2 spritelings to amplify Holly.
>1 Stealth-Succling to attach to Magpie.
>10 or 20 Nomlings to devour the eyeballs and carry the devoured pollen back to Shu.

Other Actions: 2 ACTs
>Throw out Dominus Bloodline out towards Rath, Holly, Jack, and Magpie if possible.
>Spawn another pair of arms tipped with Heavens Drill, have the drills increase in rev speed, and take pot shots at Magpie by harpooning shooting them at Magpie.
>Fan the hammers of both Contender Revolvers.
>Then Rush in spawn all the arms, grapple Magpie and her guns, Activate Ability Lockdown through Dominus Bloodline.
>Pin Magpie in the Grapple, any hands that you've physically grappled with magpie should turn into heavens drills that also drill into Magpie so that you're physically stuck on Magpie and ensure that if Magpie goes to teleport, she takes you with her Unless you've somehow locked down Magpie's teleport.
>at the opportune moment, give the signal so that your other allies can go ham with their alphastrike. Give the signal AFTER Magpie teleports, if she does that is.

1/2
>>
>>4145413
>>4145148

Joyous:
>4 spells sung in 4 pairs of duets:
>Spells cast:
>Gra Vie Rho (Makes Magpie's Constructs sluggish, Buffs Jackie's Bats)
>Gra Rho Tha (Defense up spell, makes allies tougher)
>Gra Cunt Rev Suth (Buffs Jackie's state of mind, Makes Magpie irrational)
>Gra Cunt Rho HIR (Debuffs Magpie's accuracy)
>one Joyous hangs back to produce more clones

Rath:
>Pull yourself out, ready your fist, you need to land a crucial punch that will knock Magpie's Relics out of commission. When Shu grapples Magpie, launch yourself at the Grappled Magpie but don't throw the punch, it will be a fake out that will force Magpie to teleport.
>After Magpie Teleports, Find Magpie again and then Launch yourself at her. This time activate ignition and throw the punch and make sure you hit Magpie!

Dorian:
>Find more creative means to build up Accumulative charges while staying in one spot. as Keane Carries you so that Magpie stays within range of your Masque of War.
>throw a fibromancy tether on Magpie to ensure that your Lightning strike does not miss. Do it after Magpie defensively teleports.

Holly:
>Do anti-construct clean up duty and devour those constructs. Keep yourself on the move.
>when Shu gives the signal, fire the Gamma laser.

Midnight Crew:
>Keane, focuses on those that are actually down, Ace and Quinn, November can't be healed properly as of right now, but also move Dorian close enough to magpie so that if Magpie must teleport again, she'll pay a big Bio price in order to do so.
>Jackie, Quinn, when you're Ready, you will alpha strike Magpie when Shu gives the signal.

2/2
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>>4145283
One more song for the night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce5zaDhvhm4
>>
>>4145413
>Jacklings: Terraform Ablative shelters to protect the downed daughters as well as barricades to hide behind when sheltering against Magpie's gunfire.
she not after the wounded and is implied to have even stabilized them. its extra resources we dont need to spend.

>Rec-Banelings, Suicide yourselves upon Magpie's gunfire and release the mini-banelings. Mini-banelings will inject their acid into Magpie's actual body and start drilling.
still not something we can do.

>The Grappling will act as a life-line support that yanks our fighters out of harms way or nudges the guns off-center to make a hit into a miss.
still a waste of swarmling slots when we can spawn arms on our allies to slingshot away. does the exact same thing without wasting slots.

>Throw out Dominus Bloodline out towards Rath, Holly, Jack, and Magpie if possible.
what are you even trying to do here? thats not how it works its basically a line of mist that we can connect to up to two targets at once max at the moment.

>Then Rush in spawn all the arms, grapple Magpie and her guns, Activate Ability Lockdown through Dominus Bloodline.
i still highly disagree this ability is worth it. its random what we stop, costs a constant Act to keep up, and cant be changed. its wasting Shus Acts on way too big a dice roll that could fuck us over from not doing other, more guaranteed things.

>Pin Magpie in the Grapple, any hands that you've physically grappled with magpie should turn into heavens drills that also drill into Magpie so that you're physically stuck on Magpie and ensure that if Magpie goes to teleport, she takes you with her Unless you've somehow locked down Magpie's teleport.
we cant guarantee her teleportation works in a way we would be dragged. relying on thats a bad idea.

>Joyous
id prefer to focus on boosting less spells, and BHOP already confirmed Jackie simply cancels out skintalker spells currently, so that spell is wasted on her.
>>
>>4145429
>what are you even trying to do here? thats not how it works its basically a line of mist that we can connect to up to two targets at once max at the moment.
Fair. I forgot about the limitations. then tether the bloodlines to Magpie and Holly.

>still a waste of swarmling slots when we can spawn arms on our allies to slingshot away. does the exact same thing without wasting slots.
Also fair.

>she not after the wounded and is implied to have even stabilized them. its extra resources we dont need to spend.
out of sight out of mind. She may take Shu seriously, but I am NOT taking any chances on the off-hand whim that Magpie will go full pragmatic "then let me be evil" and finish off downed allies, even if she did spend 87.5% of her current bio pool on stabilizing our allies out of respect.

>i still highly disagree this ability is worth it. its random what we stop, costs a constant Act to keep up, and cant be changed. its wasting Shus Acts on way too big a dice roll that could fuck us over from not doing other, more guaranteed things.
Fair.

>We cant guarantee her teleportation works in a way we would be dragged. relying on thats a bad idea.
Hence why I'm doing the Grapple so We can learn the limitations! Then again, you do make a good point. Considering that Magpie's now taking Shu seriously, I don't want a telefrag to happen.


>id prefer to focus on boosting less spells, and BHOP already confirmed Jackie simply cancels out skintalker spells currently, so that spell is wasted on her.
It will help buff our other allies! Magpie will get a decrease in her accuracy which is crucial when dealing with a gun toting angel crow woman!

well shit. I forgot to add cunt to Gra Vie Rho. Even if it doesn't help Jackie, it will still make an impact on Shu, Rath and the others! Also, why Gra Sulk Rho Cunt? why are you applying that on Magpie when she's got Cold Resistance from her Relics? wouldn't it be better to affect her constructs or her accuracy instead? I can understand Gra Cunt Rev Suth, but not the other spell.
>>
>>4145453
i dont remember her having Cold Resistance, but BHOP has let SULK slow down enemy movements before, which even if not as much as i thought, would still be pretty helpful, and wouldn't depend on terrain to do, which she can teleport away from and Rath is about to destroy too.
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>>4145460

>Magpie: if the single rifle and odd assortment of Relics at her disposal were Magpie at her least serious, the raven-haired woman’s current Loadout is her playing hardball. Her long, reinforced jacket grants her moderate protection against all elemental damage types, while the living necklace she has tucked into her shirt grants her a heightened chance to avoid critical hits and allow her a counter-attack on dodge. Meanwhile, the Heaven’s Guns are a sextet of devastating firearms that offer a ballistic solution for nearly every problem, though with an unfortunate drawback. Where’s Magpie’s concerned, violence isn’t a solution - It’s the question…and the answer is ‘yes’.

>Her long, reinforced jacket grants her moderate protection against all elemental damage types.

I don't want to chance the Sulk component of the somatic spell to be rebuffed by Magpie's jacket.

Your idea is good when it comes to slowing down Magpie's reaction time, but that could also be amplified by making her inaccurate as well. Her main damage dealing method comes from having accurate attacks. if we can throw her aim off just a little with Gra Cunt Rho HIR, we can stand a greater chance against her gunfire.
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>>4145465
alright, fair on that. i was mostly hoping it would give us better openings to hit her, which pure grappling and less accuracy wont do. but sure, even if its not full immunity, it might not be at a level enough to be worth it over lowering the accuracy. will make other things more of a dice roll though, but we'll just have to deal with that.
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>>4145469
Are you still fine with having Shu Grapple the guns out of Magpie's hands? if we're going in swinging, we should at least wrestle the guns in a direction so that on top of her inaccuracy and slow reactions due to Gra Rho Cunt, she has to make strength checks against Shu to even point the gun in the right direction.
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>>4145471
thats not what i exactly interpreted as you trying to do there, and not sure it would work, considering her guns are currently magically floating around her. i guess we can try and knock their aim aside though sure, but ive got a very strong suspicion they arent going anywhere. best case is that means Shu can actually possibly rush past them when she tries to get into actual melee, but we'll see.
>>
>>4145471
I don't think we'll be able to pull the guns out of her telekinetic grip, but shifting them aside while we get in past them, sure.

Also, it occurs to me that it's her eyes generating the telekinesis. They started glowing at the same time that the engravings on the guns did. I wonder if we can break her hold by forcing her to shut her eyes. Maybe when the Ignition bomb goes off she'll reflexively shut them to deal with the light and we'll be able to deal with them then. Terraform them deep beneath the earth, or something. She can probably just teleport them back to her, though.
>>
>>4145171
>That hexane sword makes our eyes BLEED when we look at it!
Feels like a Damon weapon looks like a demon weapon, does shit like a demon weapon...... Verdict Probably a demon weapon. likely with a greater demon inside wanting to be fed.

hence the threat gauge. She can probably go berserk if the weapon goes to long without being bathed in blood.

>>4145322
So i take it that Magpies ability makes it so that she counters everything that would damage her that turn? Which is a one time thing...... God i hope we can munch that ability off of her.... getting it on at least party member would be awesome...
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>>4145487
you're mis-reading, its the eyes actually on her that are glowing. so unless Rath boils blinding effect works, not much we can really do.
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>>4145494
>Every mismatched eye in Magpie's mind-bending form shutters closed before flying open once more, and in every eye there's a golden iris, shining, pulsing in time with the shimmering filigree of the Six Black Heavens Guns as their mistress begins to hover alongside her armament.

Umm.. I think anon actually has a point.

The guns are glowing with the same rhythm as Magpie's golden eyes.
>>
>>4145490
The name of the image accompanying it was leet-speak (which is used in this quest to indicate eldritch things and/or madness) saying "These toys are not yours to play with". The thing we met when we tried to commune with a Forge Core referred to the Silver Key as "one of our toys". I think the sword isn't Hexane tech, it's Crucible Builder tech.

>>4145494
No, I got that. I'm not talking about the bomb destroying the flying eyes, I'm talking about Magpie reflexively shutting her eyes to shield them from the light of a giant explosion engulfing her. That could break her hold on the guns.
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>>4145496
thats.... ok apparently i did not go into enough detail over this.
he said her floating eyes were glowing, so we may be able to get rid of them to stop her telekinesis. i was pointing out its the eyes on her body glowing, so we cant really do as much about them or that.
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>>4145501
we could obviously shoot those golden glowing eyes.
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>>4145501
I said nothing about the floating eye constructs. I'm talking about the ones on Magpie's body. That's why I was talking about making her shut them instead of destroying them. Though if we could destroy all the eyes on Magpie's body with the bomb blast, that would be nice too. I wouldn't object to that.
>>
>>4145502
not really viable when her entire body is covered in them. its like how you cant really shut up Amara, because she'll just cover herself in mouths. at best Raths explosion might hit all of her.

>>4145503
you said it very clearly here
>>4145487
>Terraform them deep beneath the earth, or something. She can probably just teleport them back to her, though.
what bloodly else would i think when your talking about eyes, but theres only one set of eyes that can be moved away from her?
>>
>>4145505
>what bloodly else would i think when your talking about eyes, but theres only one set of eyes that can be moved away from her?
I was talking about terraforming the dropped guns deep beneath the earth, not her eyes.
>>
>>4145506
well make it actually properly clear then.
>>
>>4145148
>>4145268
slight Vote amendments;

JOYOUS;
>split your crescendo. You should all have 3 Acts, considering Amara still has her relic on her.
>GRA CUNT REV HIR for 4 of them.
>GRA CUNT REV SUTH for 4 of them.
>One still stays back, to keep the collection growing.

SHU;
>Scoff at Magpie, and dig daggers into her eyes.
>”No Magpie. This ends with one of us dead. You’re either putting me down for good, or I'm putting you down. You try to let me live? Try to walk away? I’ll hunt YOU down, just as ceaselessly and mercilessly as you are those innocent lives out there. You want them? You. Put. Me Down. for good. Simple as that.”
>”But whoever one of us dies here today, remember one damn thing. It was on you, your choice, and no one else's.”
>FuzzBuzz go dormant.
>Send two Knightlings to help Rath get free, as your Rooks slam down between you all and Magpie, to obscure her sight, aim, and damage, even if just by a pennace.
>Armor up the Combatants still up with platelings, and top off their Bishops.
>Use your Jacklings to keep Magpie off her toes and her sight limited, as you otherwise make easier terrain to help Keane get to them and them out of harm's way.
>Rush Forward, bringing the Contenders swinging, Maw slashing, Drills reving, and shots ringing.
>Keep her on her toes. Try and get her to spend off her Teleportation, run her resources there dry, and let Dorian work his magic.
>At the opportune moment, force yourself close to Magpie and spawn a Spiralis under both your feet. Use Maw, Relic, Honey, Hands, and Blade alike to pin her into close contact with you, and force her to set off your Counters. take the hit, and force her to give your allies their opening, stun her if you can too.

RATH;
>Get yourself unstuck with the help of the Knights, then start whooping on Magpie from afar. Use Boils of all kinds, and use your strands to slam flails against Magpie, forcing her back and to react, while casually leaving some about every now and again.
>Once its time, pull those strands and arms you have left about tightly, to try and trip up and tie up Mapie, even if shes jumped around, before slinging yourself forward and finishing your meteor punch you started last turn. The terrains ready, and this time, shes spent her own stun.

DORIAN;
>Spin on your axis, allowing you to get your free slices out at Magpies eye swarm, and technically be moving to build up stacks., despite just being a whirling cloud of blood.
>Once you see your prime opening, time it with Holly, and Strike Magpie down with your Charges.
>Oh, and if he can do it safely, slice and dash Magpie and her swarm, mainly the eyes, to bits with his Strands.

(1/2)
>>
>>4145148
>>4145511
>>4145271
HOLLY;
>Keep yourself and your Maw Moving, thinning Magpies Crows and eyeballs alike, though be careful of any tricks the eyeballs might have over you trying to actually eat them.
>Then, once Dorian is ready, fire off your Pharynx.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>Have Keane focus on those actually down, but if she doesn't think she can do more for them, we could use any tricks she has to bear against Magpie herself.
>Jackie shouldn't hold back, but should hear Shus plan, despite its foolishness, and wait til Shu gives her an opening to finally make something here count for anything big she has.

NOVEMBER;
>Sit back and stabilize with the rest. You sadly cannot heal properly even with your tank, due to your body.

(2/2)
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>>4145513
>>4145511
I would like to point out that Magpie is currently not within Dorian't Masque of War range. If we want to make Magpie pay for every teleportation act, we should move Dorian so that Magpie will still be in Dorian's Masque of War range.
>>
>>4145518
We have Psychica Spiralis on, that should impede Magpie's teleportation some. I'm more worried about Magpie flying. She's levitating off the ground now, and she is kind of made of wings. I really hope she has a low flight ceiling and can't just bombard us from out of reach.
>>
>>4145518
dont exactly see that, but its implied he needs to move to have her in it if she is not. if i have to write out every single bloody tiny detail in order for this to work, the orders are going to be twenty godamned fucking posts long.
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>>4145521
fair enough.
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>>4145148
For now supporting>>4145511 and>>4145513

Fucking hell my computer crashed while i was in the process of finishing off my own post..... So i will support this until i can maybe find the time to redo it(after the f****** file got corrupted beyond recovery) Maybe
i will find some time while i work
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>>4145531
oh fuck, sorry to hear that. hope losing that was the worst of it though, and your computer didnt screw you over on anything else.

whelp, just realized its almost 2am here. rip. i need some sleep.
>>
>>4145532
go ahead and get some sleep we need you tomorrow as well. No its all that was lost but i will be glad once i get my hands on a new computer. This one is getting screwy and its only six years old.
>>
Hmmm... I think she wants us to win but can't say so due to the geas. Actually, she's probably right that if she wanted us dead, she would have killed us before we even started fighting, since her walking up the hill was just giving her actual body time to position herself and plan her shot. Maybe we can get her to give us an opening by asking for it?
>>
>>4145413
>>4145148

Amending My vote:
>Take a deep breath, and release. Focus on the pair eyes where Magpie would have if she was originally human.
>The look you give her is solemn but grim cold fury.
>"Walked side by side with the Devil? Either you've submitted to her, or you've made a deal with the Devil."
>You take slow deliberate steps, using the Psy-plateling on your chest to passively pave the ground you walk.
>"You don't make deals with devils, Magpie. And now you've dammed yourself with that Geas."
>"This will not end until one of us dies Magpie. You won't stop, and I won't relent."
>"But fighting us? that's on you. You've made that choice."

Shu:
>Total Swarm: 1 full ACT.
>Knightlings and rec Knightlings will fly around and be a nuisance, roasting eyeballs with their flamethrowers, taking them down with their stingers.
>Jacklings: Terraform Ablative shelters to protect the downed daughters as well as barricades to hide behind when sheltering against Magpie's gunfire.
>Bishops: Bishops on Ace, Quinn, and November will divert and re-equip themselves onto Jackie, Rath, and Shu.
>Fuzzbuzz: Go dormant, you're taking up a swarmling slot space.
>Rec-Banelings, Suicide yourselves upon Magpie's gunfire and release the mini-banelings. Mini-banelings will inject their acid into Magpie's actual body and start drilling in order to free up slots
>Standard Banelings will attack Magpie's floating eyeballs
>Giga-Drill-Knightling continue to try and free the 13 crystalized Joyous.
>The Grappling will act as a life-line support that yanks our fighters out of harms way or nudges the guns off-center to make a hit into a miss.
>Rooks turn into flying shields that body block Magpie, have all of them each guard one of our allies.
Spawn:
>Enough platelings that can cover Rath, Jackie, Quinn, Holly, and yourself into full sets of Chitinous Stalwart.
>2 spritelings to amplify Holly.
>1 Stealth-Succling to attach to Magpie.
>10 or 20 Nomlings to devour the eyeballs and carry the devoured pollen back to Shu.
Other Actions: 2 ACTs
>Throw out Dominus Bloodline out towards Magpie and Rath
>Spawn another pair of arms tipped with Heavens Drill, have the drills increase in rev speed, and take pot shots at Magpie by
>Fan the hammers of both Contender Revolvers, unload every thing and reload them with the following (Honey B.33, Swarm B.33, parabellum, Hollowpoint, 2 Fullbores)
>keep Magpie on her toes and grounded, if she starts to fly out of reach, use Heavens Drill tipped Arms to harpoon her and drag her back down to ground level.
>Then Rush in spawn all the arms, grapple Magpie and her guns, Activate Neuromantic Paralysis and Psychica Spiralis when you're close enough.
>stay with Magpie, signal for your allies to do a flanking counterattack to try and spook Magpie into teleporting and wasting her resources. She's bound to have a set limit of teleportation that she can perform each round given that she has 6 ACTs capable if she's as strong as Mara.

>1/2
>>
>>4145658
>>4145148

Joyous:
>have two choruses of 4 clones casting these two spells
>GRA CUNT REV HIR (Destabilize Magpie's aim)
>GRA CUNT RHO FOL (Disrupt or increase the difficulty of concentration actions)
>one Joyous hangs back to produce more clones

Rath:
>Pull yourself out, ready your relic punch, and spawn extra arms, you need to land a crucial punch that will knock Magpie's Relics out of commission. When Shu grapples Magpie, launch yourself at the Grappled Magpie but don't throw the punch, it will be a fake out that will force Magpie to teleport. She's bound to have a set limitation on how many times she can teleport with her 6 ACTs action economy.
>After Magpie Teleports, Find Magpie again and then Launch yourself at her. This time activate ignition and throw the punch and make sure you hit Magpie!
Dorian:
>Find more creative means to build up Accumulative charges while staying in one spot. as Keane Carries you so that Magpie stays within range of your Masque of War. lash out your fibromancy and have them lash/slice the eyes on Magpie's actual body.
>throw a fibromancy tether on Magpie to ensure that your Lightning strike does not miss. Do it after Magpie defensively teleports and when Shu gives the command to fire.

Holly:
>Do anti-construct clean up duty and devour those constructs. Keep yourself on the move.
>when Shu gives the signal, fire the Gamma laser.

Midnight Crew:
>Keane, focuses on those that are actually down, Ace and Quinn, November can't be healed properly as of right now, but also move Dorian close enough to magpie so that if Magpie must teleport again, she'll pay a big Bio price in order to do so. But also Help Dorian keep Magpie within range of his Masque of war.
>Jackie, keep on the pressure. Shu will give a signal for a flanking attack. Magpie may teleport/retaliate when you do.

2/2
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>>4145665
Aren't those spells too long for the Joyous to cast? I think they can only do three-word spells. We'd have to cut out the GRA and rely on volume of spells to overwhelm instead.
>>
>>4145725
Gra is a free spell due to Amara's Augmentations
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>>4145725
wait. let me rephrase. Amara has chosen GRA as her favored word (which makes it a free spell to cast as a free action)
>>
>>4145731
>>4145733
Oh, that's right, I always forget that effect removes the ACT cost as well as the Bio cost. Disregard that, I'm an idiot.
>>
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>>4145148

Scoffing at Magpie, your eyes glare daggers into hers as you begin to descent into the valley of bloodied fangs, as though the entire world snarls alongside you at the madwoman you’re staring down.

”No Magpie. This ends with one of us dead.” You declare, eight Joyous joining your side as you stride forward, your strength renewed. “You’re either putting me down for good, or I'm putting you down. You try to let me live? Try to walk away? I’ll hunt YOU down, just as ceaselessly and mercilessly as you are those innocent lives out there.”

Gesturing to the ridge behind you, Magpie’s golden eyes narrow in the face of your unbreakable resolve.

“You want them? You. Put. Me Down. For. Good. Simple as that.” You finish, the FuzzBuzz on your back going dormant as it nestles into your hive, while your Platelings and Bishops recalibrate to all allies still active. ”But whichever one of us dies here today, remember one damn thing - it was on you, Magpie. It’s your choice, and no one else's.”

“I’ve made my peace with that, Defiant.” She answers, resigned as she hovers a full meter above the toothy ground. “Come on then…show me why you’re her chosen one.”

The Joyous erupt into a chorus, their harmonized Lexicon tearing across the battlefield to ravage your foe’s mind and aim, both. The engorged, feathered eyes that orbit Magpie hurtle forwards of their own accord, surging towards you only to be shredded instantaneously as the tornado that is Dorian Gardner begins to move once more, Keane’s own blood augmenting the howling winds as she charges forwards to your defense, the way forward carved with Holly’s ravenous efforts.

“Keane!” Jackie bellows, her augmented voice rippling through the stagnant air. “Get Shu’s tin-man to safety, I’ve got Ace!”

Magpie’s machinegun aims, a sharp staccato of gunfire showering the space where Jackie just was with piercing lead, but her target’s too fast, and her aim’s suffered thanks to the efforts of your faithful Joyous. The leader of the midnight Crew is moving…no, carving her way through space, Ace’s hefty form slung over one shoulder with every swing of Jackie’s sword propelling her forward as though she’s cutting her way to safety.

At your behest, twin Knightlings are at Rath’s side, lifting her out of the pit of molten enamel just as Magpie levels Alex’s Mercy, the bolt racking with terrible finality in mid-air just before a spear of pure white liquid throws off the sniper’s lethal aim. Quinn’s up, her fearsome resilience allowing her to rise once more as she lunges into melee, the Red Dahlia swinging up in response to bring Quinn’s face into its annihilating sights. The trigger’s pulled, the round is fired, and Quinn’s head snaps back from the slug’s devastating impact.

But it’s not enough to stop her.

(Continued)
>>
>>4145822

Quinn’s uninjured face is twisted into a vicious snarl as she closes the gap between her and the shocked gunner, backhanding the revolver out of the guns’ orbit before her brutal haymaker savages Magpie’s chin. The angelic pretender goes flying, hurtling into the side of a hill as Quinn stumbles, reaching up to place a single finger against one nostril. She exhales sharply, sneezing out the bullet that pierced her cheek and lodged in the back of her throat. She’s gotten stronger, more resilient to that which should have killed her…and you can see it, the strange tether that conjoins Quinn’s adaptability and Jackie’s augmentation. It’s clear that Jackie’s reinforced Quinn’s powers with her own, but when you turn to look at the other girl, you find that she’s done so much more than that.

Jackie, Ace…the two of them are as one, the latter’s armor now integrated with the former’s lanky form, the hafts of Ace’s twin axes baring their obsidian edges at your insane foe, while Jackie’s own hands are clasped around her sword’s hilt, buried once more in her chest as it expands her own powers past what should be possible.

You’re focusing on your Jacklings’ terraforming, the ground shifting into merciless spikes to keep Magpie on the move when November’s unconscious form shudders, rising up and stumbling away from the conflict as threads of Keane’s Humoral power puppeteer the cyborg to safety.

[I’m moving in] You announce to Jackie, a Knightling lifting you from the ground as you tear through the air towards your foe.

“We gotcha, ain’t that right, Keane?! Do the thing, for me an’ Shu!” Jackie cackles with an unhinged laugh as she charges towards Magpie, moving to cut off her escape from Quinn. The three of you are converging, making way for the fourth…the one who you hope can end this.

A volley of Rath’s boils arc through the air, the fetid breeze sizzling with unparalleled heat as your Contenders ring out, the blistering assault forcing Magpie to dodge the hell of bullets and bombs that assail her from all sides. Alex’s Mercy begins to glow with an unsettling golden light, vibrating at Magpie’s side with such violence that it almost appears to overlap with itself in space, but before you can focus in on it, you’re forced to dodge as the Strelitzia hoses you down with a shower of shredding ammo. Rooks descend to shield you, the unbidden swarmlings deflecting the bullet spray as you hurtle forwards on chitinous wings, weaving around your own constructs and as you enter melee range. Pistols shift to blades in your hands as the Hexane contender’s blades edges through thin air, narrowly missing your infuriatingly evasive foe, only a hair’s breadth out of reach.

She dodges left, moving out of the way of the reloaded Lupara, and you realize you’re staring down the twin barrels just in time for them to explode in your face.

(Continued)
>>
>>4145824

Thrown backwards, you catch a glimpse of your swarmlings tearing into Magpie’s chest in retaliation as you suddenly stop, slamming into an unrelenting suit of rusted red armor. You…you should be dead, from a point-blank shot. Your throat is torn, your chest burning from the incendiary buckshot. It’s agonizing, but half as damaging as it should be. The wounds, the pain, the damage…

…exactly half, in every way.

Looking up, you see Jackie sporting identical wounds to yours as her jaw ‘s been reduced to little more than a bloody mess, the lethal damage split between the two of you as you find yourselves barely surviving due to Keane’s quick thinking. The Lupara reloads almost instantaneously, the gun lunging forward to finish the job as it snaps closed just before Quinn’s fist cracks across it, sending it flying out of the way as you and Jackie take the opening she gave you. You and Jack both duck mid-lunge as Rath’s flails arc over your head, her radiant boils slashing across the space as Magpie’s forced to dodge out of the orbit of the miniature suns that would set her ablaze. As one, you charge - you and the leader of the Midnight Crew side-by-side. Battered, bloody, defiant.

Every axe-swing, every cleave of your Contender is narrowly avoided, Magpie blinking away at shorter and shorter distances, and naturally evading more often than not as you keep her on edge. Dorian continually moves forward, his and Keane’s diligence keeping Magpie in range of Dorian’s merciless storm cloud, every dodge, every blink through space fraying her body bit by brutal bit. Her body suddenly unfurls, a quintet of massive black wings taking shape from her torso as the sniper tries to take flight, desperately trying to put distance between you and Jackie’s relentless blows.

There it is.

You slam your foot down, and the ground at your feet suddenly wrenches into a colossal spiral, churning endlessly underfoot as Magpie’s suddenly plummeting back to earth with the Jackie-augmented Fear to Tread. The second she lands, the fiery strands that scorch the air around you find their target as Rath tethers herself to the object of her rage, and your Knightlings swoop in to fly you and Jackie to relative safety as your brawler reels herself in, one blindingly bright arm cocked back and topped with an annihilating fist.

The closes the gap like a meteorite breaking orbit, and she’s two meters away from Magpie when Alex’s Mercy leaps to her aid, and promptly fires.

>>NEUROTIC HALO - ACTIVATED

A dodge, a counter, a punch – one with the wrath of a thousand suns.

>>RATH - CRITICAL HIT

Your red-haired fiend and your raven-feathered foe are consumed at the heart of the pillar of white-hot flame that bellows skyward, the sound and fury of Rath’s attack resembling a wolf’s howl as the air sings its scorched song for all to hear.

(Continued)
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>>4145825

The pillar fades as you and Jackie land a safe distance away, watching the pillar roar, sputter, then fade as Rath struggles to stand at the heart of the devastation. She’s barely on her feet, her left side shredded from an apparent counter-attack at point-blank range, but Magpie’s no-where to be s-

A pair of rifle shots ring out high overhead, and in the blink of an eye Keane and Holly go down.

>>HOLLY – DEATH SAVING THROW: 1 Failure

>>KEANE - DEATH SAVING THROW: 1 Failure

“How?!” Rath roars skyward, as you all fix your eyes on the burning figure that hovers several hundred meters overhead. Magpie is burning, her body holding together through sheer force of will as white flames continue to burn all over her scorched frame. Clenching one fist, her body ripples as five of her guns reload, with Alex’s Mercy rendered dull from her forcing it beyond its limits. Beside the faded length of her trademark rifle hovers the Lupara, its own sleek barrels marred with a thin hairline crack that oozes with the smallest trickle of ivory liquid.

“W-well don-“ Magpie starts, only to have her words drowned out by a resounding peal of lightning. She’s blown back, barely able to stay aloft as you follow the bolt to its source – Dorian, his physical form coalesced and fully healed, finger extended accusingly towards the sniper as electricity crackles around the tip if his index. With utmost care he lowers Keane to the ground from where he caught her, ensuring her sacrifice won’t be in vain.

Magpie’s feathers ruffle, and to your frustration it’s in time with the renewed fluttering of her fallen swarm, revitalized by her Hive Mistress powers to distract you further. Her swarm rises with yours, your focus transfixed on the woman that burns in the sky like an ugly, false sun. She’s backed into a corner, and you can feel her mind slipping further with every pull of the trigger.

She’s getting desperate, and now, she’s more dangerous than ever.

That makes two of you.

HP: 1798% (+1395% [Dominus: Magpie], Matrons, Vincula, Pace. Halo: SPENT)
BIO: 2570% (+320%. 16x Psy-Platelings, 9x Bishops, 10x Rooks, 6x Jacklings, 1x Grapplings, 3x Rec-Knightlings, 2x Rec-Banelings, 1x Fuzzbuzz, 1x Giga-Drill-Knightling, 1x Stealth-Jackling, 10x Banelings, 36/50 Swarmlings active)

CONTENDER: Gemini - Honey x1, Parabellum x0 , 1x Fullbores (Both guns)
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 2 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

HOLLY: 1 Failure, spawning Dorian’s Matron Familiar
DORIAN: 1253% (+675%, Interitus, Lanceam, Caelorum. Halo: PRIMED.)
RATH: 628% (+550%, Daggers, Gauntlets. Halo: SPENT)
NOVEMBER: STABILIZED.

JOYOUS: 25 - 13 Crystallized, 12 Active.

MIDNIGHT CREW: Keane's Heal: COMPLETE. Jackie/Ace - Threat: Incalculable. Quinn – Amping up.

THREAT: Alex’s Mercy on cool-down. Lupara is damaged by Quinn’s attack. Long range. At least below half health.

>>Please reload Contenders with 2x rounds each.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next four hours.)

(I must ask your patience if there's a delay in answering your questions - I fought with my workplaces Internet for a good half hour to finally post this, as we're having issues here. Hopefully it's abated, but just in case, I thought I'd let you all know.)
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>>4145822
Alright yeah . that is fucking demon weapon. it is literally tearing apart space and time. holy shit.... I truly hope there is no greater demon or its equivalent in this thing...

>>4145825
Fuck yeah Keane

>>4145826
Oh come on Magpie just lay down and die.......

>At least below half health.
I hope considerably below half health

>>4145829
Its fine OP

Also did the Erupting Grasp ability come into play or did her relics resist it? Or didnt the attack connect?
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>>4145829
two things;
One, can Joyous stabilize allies?
Two, why has neither of Dorians special Constructs appeared? at this point, shouldn't both be out?
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>>4145839
Actually, Holly's statline says that the Matron is spawning right now. I'm not sure why the Sibling hasn't shown up, though. Maybe the debuff on Dorian was interfering with them, and it's only now that he's been cleared of it that he can manifest them?
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>>4145839
It takes time for that to happen. in the last round. Ace, November, and Quinn were downed but they were immediately stabilized by Magpie's merciful grace within the same round.

I'm not sure about this round so the Sister and Matron constructs will probably appear this time now that Magpie isn't playing around.
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>>4145829
>>4145839
also just an odd thing i want to double check. is you writing us shifting the Contender to blades just a 'for show' thing? because with the bayonet upgrade, we shouldn't need to shift it out of Maxim form to keep the Lionhearts advantages or use them.
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>>4145834
(Without spoiling too much, Rath's actual blow had secondary effects Neutralized in exchange for a hefty HEALTH & BIO fee due to Magpie's powers.)

>>4145839
(The Joyous Certainly can, and Dorian's constructs were paused as a result of Magpie's earlier cheap shot - it was part of the long list of negative effects that would've been infeasible to stuff into the update. Both will actually be spawning shortly now that he's healed.)

>>4145846
(Yes, it was just for show, since it looked cool in my head.)
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>>4145848
Ah okay so she had countermeasures for that.... actually a clever move on her part since she relies so heavily on these relic weapons.

>Both will actually be spawning shortly now that he's healed.
So we get practically two more Dorians? At least once they have stabilized our fallen allies
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>>4145848
How long until the Giga-drill knightling breaks through to the crystalized Joyous clones?
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>>4145848
alright, thanks.
and no problems on the blade, was more of just double checking. sorry, i dont disagree its cool, its just i think as a player sometimes i see stuff like that and as someone having to form and worry about the strategy, i see it in the context of that first over any thematic purposes.
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>>4145852
(Correct.)
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>>4145856
also, do the Psychica Spiralis and Fear to Tread naturally overlap or something, despite the ability not saying that?
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>>4145852
I actually think we should have the Matron skip stabilizing Holly. We can retract Holly from her Shell as a free action so long as we're touching her or tethered via Dominus Bloodline. One way or another she's out of this fight, and we can always build another Shell later. Scrapping the Shell instead of stabilizing it lets the Matron contribute to the fight sooner.
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>>4145856
also, sorry, for the message spam, but i just realized your Swarmling count is horribly off i think, actually its the same as last time, despite i think the numbers having had to shift at least for the armor?

>>4145865
this is a good point. plus, nothing says we cant recover the shell either. in matter of fact, we better, as it gets bonuses for lasting like all our swarmlings now.... albeit im not sure we have actually kept any around, though at least part of that is its hard to keep them alive.
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>>4145865
Actually a good idea. Having another Dorian in this Battle will help with the revitalized constructs.... They do have his entire moveset.

Lets just hope we can get the shell back then. We can make some upgrades to it. maybe model it some battlescars as marks of honor for our friend Otherwise we will jsut make antother. They are not that expensive to make
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>>4145854
(The end of next turn. They've been having a rough time.)

>>4145861
(They do, yes.)

>>4145866
(No worries, you're quite correct - not sure what happened there, but yes, it needs to be recalculated.)
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>>4145866
>>4145865
Both good points. But we still need to have the Matron spawn from Holly and Keane.

>>4145868
We keep the shell intact and repair it when combat is over. It gets stronger as it ages due to certain augments and level traits in our core ability tree.
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>>4145869
oh, ok neat. not to toss more work on you, it can be done later, but mind giving me just a slight re-word it its level one for the sheet to make that more easy to remember? thats pretty big thing to keep in mind about the Spiralis i think.
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>>4145872
Sure we repair it if we can recover it. Otherwise it hasn't been online for so long that losing it would be devastating

I am quite aware of that fact i was there when we go the augment and it has really burned itself into my mind. Because that is a really really nice augment for the long term
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>>4145865
Also, once we extract Holly we should transfer the Bloodline to Rath, she's in bad shape and needs the regen boost.
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>>4145869
>>4145874
(No worries, but I think I may have misspoke; for my clarification, when you were referring to their interaction, were you referring to how your Fear to Tread pulled Magpie down?)
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>>4145826
Vote;

SHU;
>Contender, 3x Honey, 3x Fullbore each, with 2 Fullbores each as the free.
>Get A spiral Rev up, but hold off on it for now.
>Once Holly is safe again, shift the Dominus from her to Rath.
>Fill out your swarm with Rec-Banelings, and clear you and everyone else a clear shot at Magpie past her Swarm.
>Keep the Rooks blocking Magpies Shots.
>Recycle the Grappling into a Spiraling, to sit and wait for us to set off our Spiral.
>Have the Stealth-Jackling hide in its Jackling Brothers, with only one staying back to keep our terraforming options open. Spawn 4 new Jacklings, and While the Banelings cut through the swarm, have the knights escort them around and up, to dash at Magpie to try and stun her once the moment is right.
>any Remaining Banelings should aim for Magpies Wings.
>unload the Contenders at Magpie, aiming to clip her ability to fly by either snapping them off with Fullbores at the joint, or sticking them closed with honey.
>Then while shes dodging everything else, activate your Spiralis, to start drawing her downward. She might be able to resist, but it still should limit her options.
>Once shes closer, use what methods you can to help pull her to the ground, into the spiral, and your awaiting drills.

RATH;
>While Magpie is in the air, making landing hell for her. Turn the battlefield into a minefield of Boils, so if she does land, she has to act like shes tip-toeing on egg shells, if she can land safely at all.
>once Shu and the Others get her closer to the ground, sling shot your GutGrab Daggers into Magpie, and start helping drag her down to the ground. If you can, wait til she teleports, to snatch her after shes burned more of those out.
>Once shes in range, Start shattering Fists on her with no mercy, making and spending them as you please.

DORIAN;
>Move to keep Magpie under your cloud of pain.
>spin if you need to, to keep getting your free hits on her Constructs, which should include her wings.
>as Shu unloads on her and starts dragging her down, unleash what Charge you may have into her back as you slash out at her wings with your Strands. If she wont fall to the Spiralis or you cutting up her constructs, maybe she’ll fall to gravity itself.

JOYOUS;
>Giga Drill-Kinghts working on getting you free!
>One two should stay back and keep splitting.
>5 Should Provide Queen Crimson Cover for the remaining combatants.
>5 Should cast GRA CUNT REV HIR again, to further lessen Magpies Aim.
>5 Should Cast GRA OMA THA BAUM to help give those still up a bit of an uplift and rejuvenation.

(1/2)
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>>4145826
>>4145903
MIDNIGHT CREW;
>Assuming the other Matrons not spawning on Keane, we’ll have a Knight carry her to safety, so worry about the giant crow demon in the sky.

NOVEMBER;
>Im sure if you weren't missing half your brain, you’d probably have an aunt level joke for this situation.

HOLLY;
>Re-enter Shu through the Dominus once the Matron is here. You’ve done fucking splendid, but you’re sadly out of the fight, and we need the Matron in the fight, not dragging you to safety.

(2/2)
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>>4145883
yeah. the order was for a patch of Spiralis, so we could get an extra Counter against Magpies attack, but then it suddenly had Fear to Treads effects aswell, so i was confused by that, as the Spiralis ability doesn't say they overlap.
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>>4145826
Draft 1 of vote:

Shu:
>Swarm actions: pending after Bhop gives us an update on our swarmling numbers
>Attach a Dominus line to Holly and eject her from the Spirit Shell. Once retrieval of our Dream Daughter is complete, detach the Spirit Shell and redirect it towards Rath and give her the HP and bio regen she needs.
>Have your Ravenous Maw retrieve the Uzi Bolter and reload it.
>Get the Jacklings to terraform cover for Keane, We don't want stray gunfire to happen.
>Keep running interference on Magpie.
Dorian:
>Do what you do best, Cull the flock of birds and eyeballs, tighten up the range in your Masque of war Form and make the mist ever denser and begin obscuring Magpie's vision. She's spent lots of bio teleporting to the point that it's more viable for her to simply dodge instead of teleport.

Dorian's Matrons Familiar and Sisters Familiar:
>Have one of you stabilize Keane, Then cooperate with Dorian. Sister's Familiar will go for hit-run attacks targeting Magpie's eyes on her body, Matrons Familiar will target the guns. Utilize Dorian's Masque of War form for camoflauge by changing your appearance to that of a misty blood tone.

Rath:
>You brought the heat, now unleash the cold. Switch to Unrelenting Cold. Change your Fiery Napalm to Sub-Zero coolant attacks.

Midnight Crew:
>Quinn, Jack, we're down a medic. She's safe, but she'll be out of commission. We're going to have to rely on our own regen and what I could spare from siphoning from Magpie.
>Quinn, focus on attacking her guns or knocking them out of commission. That haymaker on the shotgun did good work on it, and it's a start.
>Jack, got any creative tricks with that vorporal portal sword? I'm thinking about redirecting Magpie's gunfire.

Any thoughts?
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>>4145907
(Ah! That effect was due to Jackie boosting your ability, not due to the interaction, my apologies.)
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>>4145908
we've been told before we cant control the Matrons, think to the point even Dorian cant actually command them.

and weren't you the one who said using Cold effects on Magpie wasn't worth it? now you want Rath to do it?

>>4145911
oh, so they dont normally overlap, or at least not yet?
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>>4145918
fair points...
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>>4145911
With all of the constructs that Dorian has been slicing up even in his wounded state, did he manage to trigger Red Death level eight to hit Magpie with Fear? Though I suppose it's possible she's immune to status effects like that. I'm just hoping he could do that trick that lets him flash-step to frightened enemies in order to get some extra Accumulated Charges to zap her with.
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>>4145826
Looks good so far i cant think of anything that would make it better.

I think that will be the best course of action we can take.
I believe OP will use the flamers as he sees fit on the swarm so yeah supporting>>4145903
>>4145905


>>4145903
>>4145908
So if this fight is over. Should we ask Holly if she wants to get a 'tattoo' to commemorate the battle(like an etching for one of her chitin plates or something). She did what she could and i think battles won should have something to be remembered by. Since she cant get any Level to change and grow stronger any further we could do something for her to change her aesthetics(or try to get her a relic she always wanted for another powerup)... or go on a small date with her once things calmed down again
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>>4145934
>if
think you mean 'when'. Magpies showing some clear signs of being closer to done than not, but im sure she sadly still has some kick to her. i think i know how this might end, but im not gonna say, more not to jink it out of anything...
that, or im wrong and she pulls something similar to Yurei on us. which id not be happy about. dont think it would be to the same level, and cant see it not being a 'technically still dead' scenario, but i could still see her having some sorta dead-mans switch fuckery on her. that actually sounds so much like Magpie im exasperatedly expecting her to just dissolve into a dust that starts eating away at the level of all that breaths it or something upon defeat.
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>>4145941
>>4145934
mind you, im sure if BHOP did something like that there would be a way to reverse and stop it, but even if its a bit much im more of just saying it sounds exactly like her to pull a move akin to that.
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>>4145903
I think Magpie would prefer to stay in the air and wait for Alex's Mercy to fully come off cooldown. Currently she's several hundred meters in the air.

>“How?!” Rath roars skyward, as you all fix your eyes on the burning figure that hovers several hundred meters overhead.

So either we take the fight to Magpie, or we somehow drag Magpie down to the ground.
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>>4145941
Yeah she will ahve a deadman switch for sure. Maybe her weapons will explode so that no one can take her shit and will also vaporize her body and possibly take out whoever killed her

>>4145945
That is what the spiral is for to drag her down since Jackie boost our abilites to a tremendous degree How do you think Quin was ramping up so fast she took Alexes mercy without even flinching and then literally snorted the bullet out.
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>>4145945
>my entire plan revolves around trying to bring Magpie to the ground.
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>>4145950
My reading comprehension again fails me.
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>>4145945
We've got a lot of things dragging her down. We've got the Fear To Tread spiral going, we've got several attempts to clip her wings, we've got Dorian's Threads which actually automatically grapple if they hit (though she probably has some counter for "automatically succeeds" powers like that), and we've got the Ravenous Maw's tongue once she gets a bit closer. We're working to bring her down.

>>4145948
>Yeah she will ahve a deadman switch for sure. Maybe her weapons will explode so that no one can take her shit and will also vaporize her body and possibly take out whoever killed her
I'm fine with losing her guns, I don't want them. If we did successfully take them, I'd vote for recycling them for biomass. But losing her body would be really annoying. Fuck that, if Magpie is going to give us this much of a hassle she's going to give us some levels in return. She better be worth a lot, too.

Also, I want to interrogate her dreamstate. Figure out just what she was geased not to say. Clearly she does genuinely believe that the settlements need to go, but she's not saying the real reason. I think that the geas is preventing her from explaining her motivations. Based on what made her freeze up I think there's someone who stands to gain from the settlements being around and that put the geas on her to prevent her from just explaining what the problem is. Doesn't justify her actions, because the fact that she defaulted to "murder everyone" when she couldn't explain the problem is pretty monstrous, but I still want to get any intel that she might have on someone playing a long game. God, I hope it's not Mara. Magpie has been dropping so much shade on her that I wouldn't be surprised, but I really don't want Shu to lose faith in another authority figure.
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>>4145965
to be honest, i dont trust Magpies opinion on Mara. Mara never tried to be this godly figure who can do no wrong for us. hell, her first interaction with us was a negative, and one she never tried to bend or shift away from a negative, nor her reasoning for it. even with say, Isabelle, she knew we didn't like her potential reasons for going after her, but simply was like 'yeah, i dont care.'

Magpie acts like, and even says, Mara is the literal devil, and i dont doubt for a second Mara has done many a questionable thing. but she acts like WE need to see her as a devil, and like we see her as the opposite. but thats just not really true. hell, we took forever to even slightly trust her, and never did actually like how secretive she was about things or alot of how she went about things. but that didnt means she wasn't, and we couldn't see, that on some level Mara genuinely was trying to do good, even if maybe like... alot of people now, she was willing to step over lines she shouldn't for said good.

but apparently because we refuse to see her in black and white its a problem. it also confuses me a bit. Magpie acts like us being 'Maras Chosen' is this big deal, almost resenting us for being it and/or Mara for choosing us(Both for putting it on our shoulders and/or choosing us over someone else). yet she genuinely also seems to think we were the right choice and want us to succeed... albeit now it seems she wanted us to succeed Magpies way, not ours, sorta, but still. yet those two seem to conflict horribly. not just in a 'humans are contradictory' kinda way, but in a 'with how you wanted both, it was obvious you never could have both' kinda way.

and to top it all off... what does being Maras chosen even mean, and why should it upset her in any way? Mara.... literally gave us no instructions. sure, she helped by giving us some stuff, and by saying she'll give us time, but in the end, she really explained little to nothing to us, and never tried to give us any goal. we already had a goal, before Mara left, and somewhat before we even got close to her at all i think. at best(worst?) Mara just gave the thumbs up to giving our plan a try, nothing more. but i guess from what im seeing, anything Mara approves of, Magpie has at least some level of a bone to pick with.
>>
>>4145965
>>4145903
If Magpie's several hundred feet in the air, wouldn't that give her free reign to do strafing runs with her mid-range/close range guns? Her sniper rifle is on cooldown which means she can't do long range sniping, not that it'll help her since that makes her stationary in the air.

We could potentially exploit that if we match her crow swarm in number with our bees, bats, and living blood.

That aside, we still need to make anti-air cover to protect our downed teammates when Magpie does inevitably does strafing runs.

So instead of converting that grappling, why not use that grappling to be our net launching system? if she does a strafing run, our hundred-handed, hand net could potentially catch her.

Other ideas that I'm floating around is having our long-armed allies (Rath, Shu, or Dorian) attempt to Harpoon Magpie with actual Harpoons as a way to force Magpie to retaliate or perform low altitude strafing runs. Shu could fire Hundred Hands with the hands transformed into drills, Rath could Harpoon Magpie with a Rocket punch with a GutGrab Dagger attached to the end of it. Dorian could simply slice the wings off.
>>
>>4145986
>Strafing runs
sure, but we're already dealing with her, so by trying to limit her ability to fly in the first place, we limit that.

>Grappling.
i dont think that would work.

>Harpoons
too inaccurate on their own, but ive already got characters doing just that if we an slow her down or get her closer to the ground in the first place.

>Dorian
already aswell have him aiming for her wings.
>>
>>4145982
I don't disagree, really. I'm just paranoid, I guess. Whoever geased Magpie would have had to have gotten close enough to her to apply it but not just killed Magpie. Of the candidates for that we know of, the only one who would have done that would have been Mara. Easy to get close if Magpie still trusted her at the time, but having enough sentimentality for Magpie to not want to kill her. Mara is the only suspect with motive and opportunity, so I really want there to be another suspect.

And agreed on Magpie's weird position on Mara. I think the reason Magpie is so upset with Mara has to do with the fact that they journeyed together for so long. Maybe Magpie saw a transition as Mara became more ruthless, more willing to accept casualties in the name of the greater good, and that's why she thinks so poorly of her. Because she wasn't always like this, so Magpie feels betrayed.

That's probably why Magpie gets so upset about how we feel about Mara. There's concern in there, ultimately. She doesn't want us to feel that same betrayal, missing the irony that we feel betrayed by her right now. What she doesn't get is that we've made no promises to Mara besides "survive and reach the Chord", we're not caught up in any schemes accept in the most incidental ways, so there's nothing for us to be betrayed by.

And maybe if she just told us why she's so upset with Mara we could understand, come to resolve these issues, but she just acts like it's a given that we should distrust her. Even if the geas is Mara's work and prevents her from stating some awful crime of Mara's, Magpie doesn't seem forbidden from more general statements. Tell us how she made you feel, Magpie, explain the sense of betrayal you have. Don't just go "Mara's bad and I'm bad by association with her". We know Mara's way too utilitarian, we need something more to go on.
>>
>>4146004
yeah, Magpie really does just seem to lack communication here... dammit not a-fucking-gain.
if we had a core boost for ever damn time thats been an issue...
>>
>>4146033
It's getting to the point where I'm hoping that our capstone bonus for Trypophilic Hive effects the empathic field and not the swarmlings. Make it so that it doesn't matter if people say what they mean or not, we'll still know.
>>
>>4146033
oh the Irony.
Magpie, Johanna, Isabelle, Uzu, Holly. About half of them have issues expressing themselves. Uzu couldn't express herself due to peer pressure, Isabelle had hang ups, and now Magpie because she's got a geas on her and a hidden beef which she just refuses to divulge.

Not to mention she's got some maternal issues since Magpie did admit that she a bit of Alex in Shu.
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>>4146042
(That isn't your capstone, I'm afraid.)

(It's one of your Level 15 Core powers.)
>>
>>4146042
yeah, i think i might just agree haha.

>>4146047
i forget, we know what Magpie did before the Crucible?

>>4146050
oh, interesting enough.
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>>4146050
Ah, just too late to use it here. Well, at least it will help when talking to Magpie's dreamstate.
>>
>>4146042
>>4146050

Goddammit, I will have to say that we should be careful what we desire from our powers. Because the more of a mind-reader we become, the more we turn people away because we're basically gonna rip the words out of people's mouths. I've had that issue with my mother where everytime we've had a talk, it's more of her taking the words out of my mouth and leaving me no room for any sort of counter argument. Being on the receiving end of that can frustrate people.

And hindsight strikes again. Goddammit. That lvl 15 power would've given us an edge in convincing Magpie to stand down.


>>4146053
Magpie never divulged much of her past, she only divulged as much as her family and where her son is concerned.

Source: Vein #22

"Mara used to let me smoke in here, I don't have to if..." She begins, and you just give her a smile. She lights one end, taking a long drag as you feel her wrestle with what she's about to say, and how she'll say it.

"Shu, don't take this the wrong way, but..."

She breathes out a trail of curling smoke as she sighs.

"...you remind me a lot of my son."

"He was my hero." She says, lost in thought. "Alex was always there for his friends. Always there for me when his father left us. Took time out of classes when my eyes started to go. Don't know where he got that goodness from. Sure as hell didn't learn it from Gary, and he certainly didn't learn it from me."

She reaches up, touching her cheek just below the socket.

"No mother should be cursed to outlive their son. The Crucible didn't care about how good he was, it didn't care about who deserved to live or die. It just made a call, and...now I'm here."

"You're kind to your friends...to strangers, even. Always ready with a kind word where it matters and a fist where it's needed." She continues, tilting her head towards you. "Don't...don't lose that, okay? Don't get old, don't get bitter and angry and...and spiteful. You can make the world a better place, alright? Just...leave the ugly parts to people like Mara and me, okay?"

"I think your son learned a lot from you, Magpie." You say softly, putting a hand on hers. "We all deserve a better world. You, me, and everyone here. I think...I know that Alex would agree that you deserve kindness, too."

"...People like Mara and I don't deserve people like you, Shu. All we deserve is..."
>>
>>4146050
Wow.... I am very curious then what the capstone will be.
While i am thinking about it . Another Question OP. I think you answered it already. but i cant find it if you did.

Can you get the capstone if you hybridize the power once it reaches Max Level(LV 20 in case of a core) with another power or will you miss out on that Capstone?
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>>4146066
hybridizing means you cannot get the capstone. its the major drawback of hybridizing.
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>>4146068
ah okay. thank you i just couldn't find it anywhere and it was driving me crazy
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>>4146068
I thought it was stated before that the core hybrid could get it's own capstone if reached level 20?
>>
>>4146068
(You are correct.)
>>
>>4146066
>>4146070
or wait, i may of mis-interpreted that, you mean getting a level to max, THEN hybridizing it? you still get the capstone then, yes. as you got it before you hybridized.

but hybridizing before max level means no capstone, and hybrids never have capstones(minus rules breaking fuckery, of course).
>>
>>4146073
Is that really true? Interesting....

I thought you hybridize before you get the capstone but good to know..... Then Selene may get her Red Blade capstone after all.....
>>
>>4146071
dont think so? even Core hybrids drop to max level 15 and no capstone, its just you can take any base ability that reaches max level, including cores, and hybridize them after they reach max level. its so on a technicality growth is infinite, even without needing to get new abilities.

>>4146074
nah, the capstone is just a bonus for a non-hybrid ability reaching max level, id assume to help keep them competitive with how strong hybrids can be, buts background info i can only guess at.
>>
>>4146079
I am pretty sure you can push Hybrid Skill Trees containing a core up to level 20. Isnt that what makes them so special?

>>4146072
OP?
Can you push a Hybrid Skill containing a core to level 20 or is it capped at 15?
>>
>>4146079
>even Core hybrids drop to max level 15 and no capstone
They do? I thought Core hybrids still had twenty levels, they just lost the capstone. BHOP>>4146072, am I remembering wrong?
>>
>>4146083
>>4146085
i guess i could be wrong, but if so disappointing.
>>
>>4146083
>>4146085
>>4146094
(Just to make sure I get the details right, I'll wait to answer until I get home, as I don't quite trust myself with this persistent headache that come over me the last few hours. On that note, I'm aiming to follow the next update with another before I pause for the evening, but that'll depend on whether or not I can shake this blasted thing.)
>>
>>4146133
Alright. Then i should probably head to bed now.

I hope you will recover quickly OP.

And good Night to everyone present
>>
>>4146135
(Thank you, and rest well, Anon.)
>>
>>4146133
>Headache.
Bhop. please. if it's the virus, call in sick, see a doctor, let your wife know you're coming down with a bug, and quarantine yourself.
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>>4146133
Sure thing, BHOP. Sorry to hear that you've got a headache, I hope you recover soon.
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>>4146133
hey man, if the headaches too much, feel free to call the days end now even if need be. it sucks, i understand, but look after yourself, and we both know trying to force it when you know you cant put out what you would like will just nag at you... and probably make the headache worse, id imagine.

regardless, hope it goes away, and your day goes better.

>>4146135
night anon.
>>
(Back home and writing now, Gentlemen.)

(Also, Core Hybrids DO cap out at Lvl 15, with only Pure Cores going to Lvl 20. If you hybridize at Lvl 20, then you miss the capstone, which is almost always insanely powerful/versatile.)
>>
>>4146202
wait, but you said any max level ability can be hybridized later with any other lower level ability, but does that mean if you do that, you lose the capstone you acquired?
>>
>>4146202
Ah, I was mistaken. That's a bit bad in that the upper cap of some of our skills is lower, but good in that it means we can get them to max much sooner. Dorian's only got four levels to go on Red Death! Gonna be nice to not have to worry about leveling that anymore.
>>
>>4146202
Dammit. That means I have to edit one of my character docs.
>>
>>4146226
oh thats... thats not at all how you said that was limited to... like... outright have said/implied things to be quite different, and have said it worked differently specifically for 'infinite growth'.... in which, because you have multiple times confirmed it, i have made decisions based off said way you have in the past said things work.
>>
>>4146229
Yeah, we've been building for the last...however long it's been since we made Red Death, I think that was our first hybrid...on the belief that the individual levels of the hybridized skills didn't determine the strength of the hybrid, and that they only had influence in as much as some hybrids incorporate aspects of their components like how Dominus Bloodline still has Exsanguinating Leash's health-drain. Was that wrong? Would our skills be stronger if we took them apart, leveled them up, and then put them back together?
>>
>>4146229
(Jesus, I'm losing my mind. At least now I know why I keep getting confused - I've got two rival explanations of the system, one that's on my computer and one that hard-copy, and it's my computer one that's wrong (and was summarily the one I posted.))

(Lord, I was reading that and typing stuff up, and the longer I looked at it, the more confused I got.)
>>
>>4146235
(Well, that copy's deleted now so it doesn't screw me up again.)
>>
>>4146226
Oh okay, I don't need to edit much.

On a side note, I'll have a new character doc ready soon-ish.
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>>4146233
well some of that too yes, but that is not what im talking about.

>>4146235
>>4146237
er, and now im not sure whats going on, ill admit.
should i give you a moment BHOP to correct things, or should i explain what im actually talking about, just for reference anyways, or something?
>>
>>4146235
>>4146241
and by a moment i mean if you need some damn rest, lord know i understand and it sounds like you could use it.
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>>4146229
>>4146233
(Yeah, you're both right. My sincerest apologies for the confusion, and hopefully me transferring the hard-copy to the new master document will make things clearer.)

(Most of the system came together over a vacation where I didn't have my computer, but a lot of the initial bits and ideas are in this big, ugly Google Doc that I can barely open on this computer.)

>>4146241
(I would appreciate an explanation of how you think it works, since I'm working on trying to rifle through my notes and finish the next update before trying to go to bed early to beat this headache.)

>>4146141
>>4146144
>>4146145
(Speaking of which, I appreciate your concerns, truly.)
>>
>>4146247
so, how i thought it worked from past explanations is this;
If you got a Core/Base Ability to level 20/15 it would unlock a unique capstone.
If you hybridized either type before then though, you would not get one.
HOWEVER, once an ability was maxed out, it could still at any time LATER be hybridized even if it wasn't upon reaching max level, once another ability reached 5/10/15, despite the level difference.
what you said was this was to allow for infinite growth and to get continued use even out of a Maxed ability from what i can remember, and i assumed the drawback was having to wait so long to do that, considering Hybrids can be super potent in both ability and stats which especially inn early play incentives early hybrids to climb in power quicker, aswell as probably some hidden mechanics behind it we didnt know about due to having never done it before.

As for Hybrids not gaining more strength if hybridized later, i recall talks on that, and it doesn't sound familiar, but i i am less sure what was actually said on that in the past, but it would make sense you had it setup for Hybrids to not need to be higher level for higher benefits, as to make lower level hybrids more enticing and not feel like gimping yourself.
this is also why as ive said before, having a 'rules' document of what we have IC learned would be exceedingly useful.
>>
>>4146256
(Without going too much into it - yes, this is how it's meant to work. The main drawback is, as you said, the time factor and having to wait, which is what I tried and failed to allude to earlier.)
>>
>>4146268
ah, ok, so i was remembering right it seems, you just have a headache and bamboozled yourself by reading version 1.0 instead of 2.0.
id still love to see you talk about it in more detail, but, ah, it both sounds like you probably arent up for it right now and would need time to re-hammer it out how you like, but still, thanks for bearing with our own confusion as we asked you about this too.
>>
>>4146275
(It's no trouble, and the confusion's entirely my own doing, so thank you for having patience with my befuddlement.)

(Also, about your current combat plan - do you have anyone specifically stabilizing Keane? I ask because Jackie's set to do it after sending her bats to help thing Magpie's regenerated flock, unless you had other plans.)
>>
>>4146278
i was under the impression a Matrons would spawn on her to stabilize her, but if not, then once Hollys spawns it can go help Keane.
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>>4146278
Shoot. I was also under the impression that one of the Matrons Familiar would go and stabilize Keane after spawning. Have both the Sister and the Mother spawn from Holly and Keane respectively, then have the Mother stabilize Keane while the Sister goes to assist Dorian.

Holly will be ejected from the Spirit shell and taken back into Shu's dreamscape via Dominus Bloodline so no need to stabilize her.
>>
>>4146293
>>4146281
(Okay, I was just making sure I wasn't missing something. Jackie's AI rolled to stabilize Keane, but it looks like given the Matron has Dorian's speed, then she'll beat Jackie to it anyway, so it's all good.)
>>
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>>4146293

You feel something rev inside you, Uzu’s power spiraling within your very being as your Contenders rapidly reload. The Dominus reaches far behind you, tethering you to Holly as you draw her essence back into yourself for safety, your Rooks shielding you from Magpie’s inevitable assault as a fresh batch of Banelings and Jacklings squirm forth from your aching hive.

The inevitable doesn’t come, even as Magpie’s revived swarm clashes violently with your own in a flurry of feather and chitin, causing a rain of gore that splatters the battlefield. The cascade of viscera is intermingled with flaming carcasses that start falling from the sky, as your swarm takes every measure to carve a path for you with which to lay eyes on your foe. You see her, five active guns spinning around Magpie's bizarre form as they begin to glow with an ominous golden light while Rath peppers the charred and broken battlefield with a field of white phosphorus for when you force your foe to land…

…and you WILL make her land, as you open fire with both Contenders, sending a volley of gunfire to aid in your Swarm's efforts.

Meanwhile, Rath’s expert throws leave enough room for Dorian to weave through the fire and flames with peerless haste, keeping his target within the effects of the Masque when his physical body disperses once more, his destructive form tearing apart the ravens foolish enough to venture into his kill zone. With Holly retrieved, you switch the Dominus to Rath in time for Jackie's bats to join the fracas, clearing the way for you to strike, even as Magpie prepares something you can't quite understand as the five remaining guns glow ever brighter. The Ace-armored Jackie's darting after your Knightling, the one that's carrying Keane to safety even as the Matron familiar darts after her to stabilize the Crew's healer.

As your eyes sweep the battlefield they meet Magpie's...she's high above it all, the golden depths of what few uncharred eyes she has left now dilated with madness. She's not firing. She doesn't fire a single shot, even as your spiral revs at your silent command, tearing her from the sky as Dorian's whirling mist reduces her wings to shredded stumps. She's falling, tumbling down as she fights to right herself...and in a terrible moment of realization, it dawns on you.

She's taking aim.

Dorian realizes it a half-second sooner than you do, crossing the space to you in the instant before Magpie's form in lost in the annihilating beam that erupts from the space between the otherworldly weapons. Quinn lashes out valiantly before being consumed by the beam, while Rath's own radiance is drowned out as the laser arcs across the terrain, carving a swathe of devastation that incinerates Dorian's Matron construct just before it sears the crystallized Joyous from the face of the Crucible.

>>QUINN DEATH SAVING THROW - 1 Failure

>>KEANE - STABILIZED

(Continued)
>>
>>4146324

The heat of the beam is such that it almost sears your armor off your body, and even Dorian's own Baneling and Platelings melt from the intensity of Magpie's desperate attack as he races you to safety at the edge of the ridge. When he finally stops he collapses, back boiling with the stench of blackened chitin and charred paint, and from here you can see what Magpie's desperation has wrought.

She rises, the ground you'd prepared for her fall now rendered a charred ruin. The destruction stretches from where Magpie now stands to the lip of the ridge, a hole blown clean through its edge. Little remains of either swarm, and while Rath's resistance allows her to rise from the ashes, the charred form of Quinn wasn't nearly as lucky, and the same can be said of Holly's obliterated body, the Sister construct's bubbling remains boiling next to the destroyed Shell.

Rath breaks her feet from the crystallized ground, and the second the takes a step forwards, Alex's Mercy shatters her chest just as easily as it does the sound barrier.

>>MAGPIE - CRITICAL HIT

Rath stumbles back, the gaping hole in her torso weeping pure magma as she falls, and Magpie begins to stalk forwards as you feel an explosion of pure, unbridled HATRED from where Jackie stalks towards the black-winged angel at the other side of the battlefield, away from the unconscious forms of November and Keane. You turn to Magpie, finding that the Lupara's barrels are melted into a useless hunk of glowing slag, Quinn's previous strike rendering the weapon unable to withstand the power of Magpie's ultimate attack. At least for now, the other four guns aside from the rifle are as dull and faded as Alex's Mercy was mere moments earlier.

Magpie takes another step forward, and she's completely caught off-guard when Rath erupts from where she lay, clinging to life with her fist clenched around vengeance itself. She's fast, too fast for the exhausted Magpie to counter as your brawler lands a punch to Magpie's torso that sends her flying, a series of tumbling impacts obliterating the ground in a line at least fifty meters long from where you stand.

>>RATH - CRITICAL HIT

One good crit deserves another...and from somewhere behind you, you sense a stirring of emotion in the camp far below.

HP: 1438% (+1395% [Dominus: Magpie, Rath], Matrons, Vincula, Pace.)
BIO: 2570% (+320%. 8x Psy-Platelings, 9x Bishops, 2x Rooks, 3x Rec-Swarms, 17x Banelings, 36/50 Swarmlings active)
CONTENDER: Gemini - Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 2 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

HOLLY: SAFE
DORIAN: 825% (+675%, Interitus, Lanceam, Caelorum. Halo: PRIMED. Sister - Spawning from Quinn)
RATH: 1% (+0%, Daggers, Gauntlets)
NOVEMBER: STABILIZED.

JOYOUS: 2 Active.

MIDNIGHT CREW: Keane/Quinn/Ace - STABILIZED.

THREAT: Alex’s Mercy reactivated, other four on cooldown. Lupara -shut down. Long range. At least below one quarter health.

>>Reload Contenders with 2 Rounds each.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening. Voting shall remain open for the next thirteen hours, with posting to resume in sixteen, give or take as work demands. Thank you all for your patience, participation, and enthusiasm, and I'll be around for a little while longer to address any questions you may have.)

(I'll be heading to bed soon to hopefully fight off this headache, but I'll still be around for another hour or so to address any questions you may have before proceeding. I have to admit that you're doing better than I expected, given how things could've gone...time will tell, however. I wish you all a restful evening, and take care.)

(Also, Magpie has 3 FROST stacks active on her from Rath's Unrelenting Cold, which is still active.)
>>
>>4146331
>Alex's Mercy shatters her chest just as easily as it does the sound barrier.
Okay, if the cooldown is less than one turn, why even bother stating it? Magpie can use the guns again the next turn, it doesn't help our planning any to tell us the guns need to recover. We have to assume that all guns are in play at all times unless they're broken like the Lupara.
>>
>>4146336
hrm.
just realized something that i need to ask about.
does Rath have Bloodied Stand active? i had it in my original post for the opening, but only just now realized i never put it back in damnit, so id assume we dont have it sadly.
>>
>>4146338
(The cooldown for what Magpie just did has a full-round cooldown, as opposed to the double-shot, which has a cooldown that ranges from one round to a half round. I hope this helps.)
>>
>>4146331
Okay, good, Shotgun's down permanently.

And I think I get the gist of Magpie's weapons systems. Each of her guns (when glowing) allow her to make a critical hit when empowered in their next shot. After that's spent, that means it goes on cooldown.

What Magpie did there recently was spend all five of her empowered guns to fire an orbital laser and it's put her weapons into cooldown while Alex's mercy just got off of cooldown.

The Joyous are still there, we gotta set them back into multiplying again.

>>4146343
If Rath's Bloodied stand is active, if we funnel health and Bio into Rath, would that put her back into the green?
>>
>>4146341
(She does, since otherwise she'd literally be dead from that last critical hit - though I admit I made an error, as Rath's HEALTH should read as 898%.)

>>4146347
(Yes, it would.)
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>>4146357
ah, ok, fair enough.
>>
>>4146358
(I figured that considering the stakes of the fight, if no-one caught it, then it would be best to err on the side of caution. Rath would know well enough to activate it, anyway.)
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>>4146362
yeah, ok thanks for that.
>>
>>4146343
A little, but I still think that telling us that Alex's Mercy was on cooldown last turn wasn't helpful to us. We've got to plan in full-turn increments, and there's considerable variance in our perception of how long a turn is due to dramatic factors, so knowing that something would come back online in the second half of a turn doesn't give us much we can use.

Ah, well, no point complaining about it, I'm sorry for bitching. Let's just move on and kill her before the other guns come online. Or maybe disarm her? She doesn't have many eyes left, that could weaken her telekinetic grip.
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>>4146370
(No need to apologize, and I appreciate your feedback.)
>>
>>4146331
Vote;

SHU;
>Contender; 6 Fullbores each.
>Refresh your and others Plateling Armor.
>Recycle your Banelings and any unnecessary Bishops, using them to spit out as many of the biggest, meanest Drill-Knightlings as you can, and send them after Magpie from all Angles.
>Lash out with your Hooks, snag her and keep her from running, or at least using up any teleports as you keep swinging them back at her as you advance on her.
>Slam down as big a Spiral as you can, to keep her from having anywhere to escape it from, before lunging for her.
>Snap yourself to Magpie with an HH bungee cord like before, take a note from the Hecatanes book and become a ball of arms, all lashing out to pull you in and then start beating on her.
>Keep her on you, keep her close. Contender slashing, Point blank bullets Ringing, and Arms, so many Arms trying to tear her limb from limb, and batting and gripping for her weapons to keep them busy.
>Then, once Dorians caught her attention. Slam out with your Maw, and pull yourself into her. If she fires on you, she fires on you, but you’re taking something off of her in return.

RATH;
>Keep Magpie on her toes, Boils out and Arms being thrown in her direction.
>Once Dorian charges, Build up a massive slot of Fists to slam her with, and pull some arms tight that are around her, to make it look like you plan to come in for a swing… only to instead use the punch to absorb any attack she throws at you, stopping yourself short of her, so as to pull her attention off of Shu.

DORIAN;
>Keep Masque Form up to quickly get rid of any Construct Magpie tries to pull out, but edge as inconspicuously away from her as possible.
>Then, at the last moment, Solidify as far away from her as you can, then Give yourself a massive speed boost from the Internus, aswell as priming a Counter on it so as to double up on your protection.
>Then, with as much of a movement damage boost as you can give the Lanceam, slam into Magpie.

JOYOUS;
>have one jump back to keep up spawning more.
>the Other should buy their time, but just as things really kick off, cast GRA CUNT REV SUTH on Magpie, to throw off her concentration right when she needs it most.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>The Matron will take care of Quinn Jackie, but if we dont take care of Magpie, that wont matter.

NOVEMBER;
>make unconscious robot noises i guess.
>>
>>4146377
(Your instructions for November are hilarious, by the way. I forgot to say something last time, but they had me laughing at work.)
>>
>>4146347
>If Rath's Bloodied stand is active, if we funnel health and Bio into Rath, would that put her back into the green?
Do we have any ability to do that? Dominus Bloodline can only increase regeneration, and that's negated on Rath thanks to Bloodied Stand. Keane can outright heal, but she's unconscious. I don't think there's anything else we can do.
>>
>>4146347
>>4146357
>>4146382
(To clarify, her BIO regen would be boosted, but aside from that, her HEALTH wouldn't regen as normal.)
>>
>>4146381
glad you like em. just dont want her feeling left out, heh.

actually why wasn't her tank here?
>>
>>4146331

>Shu:
>Grab a Rook, it will be your shield. Send your other rook to protect Rath.
>Detach Dominus Bloodline from Rath, and Reattach it to November. November has a t-5 Forge Core which means she has FIVE ACTS waiting to be exploited from Dominus Bloodline Level 3. We have 3 Acts by ourselves. Attaching Dominus Bloodline onto November would mean that Shu will now gain 8 ACTS
>Engage in close combat!
>Lunge towards her with Hundred Handed, and launch yourself at her with a Rook Equipped shield bash! That will prevent her from aiming the gun at you!
>Then Spawn more arms and Grab all of the other floating guns! To NOT let it point at you or float towards Magpie's hands!
>Go into a Grapple with Magpie! She's too exhausted to teleport! Use your Ravenous Maw and Heavens Drill to deal Close Range Damage!
>Activate Psychica Spiralis and Fear to Tread! She's grounded now! Keep her Grounded!
>Activate Neuromantic Paralysis and Ability Lockdown!
>Rec-Swarms and Banelings will put themselves in the guns path and block their shots!
>DON'T LET UP. Keep up the assault! YOU HAVE 8 ACTS at your disposal, USE IT!


Rath:
>Pelt Boils at magpie, alternate between Unrelenting Cold Boils and Napalm Boils. You've done a good job at dealing the hits and taking them, now it's Shu's turn to dish and take.
>Stay close in order to ensure that at Magpie's Frost stacks goes up to 5 Frost stacks.

Jackie
>Shu's going in close, but right now I need your sword to cut some guns. Magpie's guns.

>>4146384
Hey Bhop, Where is November's body? Is it possible to siphon November's Spare ACTs for Shu to use via Dominus Bloodline lvl 3? Because if so, I want to exploit it for all its worth.
>>
>>4146377
We should use the Ravenous Maw to sling ourselves to Magpie, not a Hundred-Hands chain. We get a free movement action with it once per turn, frees up some action economy.
>>
>>4146386
(Ha, it's because Tinker Tailor bribed November into allowing her to fiddle with it to grant a power boost that you'll get to vote on later. It ended up being merciful - Magpie knew you had the tank from when you all met up at Laoc, and she'd prepped a countermeasure that would've allowed her to remotely control it, as vehicle-based constructs aren't as rare in the Fleshscape as you might think. All in all, it worked out.)

>>4146398
(I'm afraid that it only works on active party members, at least at current.)
>>
>>4146398
(November's body is close to Keane's on the opposite side of your current combat zone.)
>>
>>4146405
>that spoiler.
I don't think Tinker ever knew about warforged daughters, so seeing November as a living Relic would make her super excited. Imagine Tinker upon seeing the Disassociated Base. She would vibrate so fast on the spot that she'll be blurry. and will actually need depressants to actually be coherent.
>>
>>4146398
this... seems like an iffy plan, not gonna lie. just beating on her with no real goal just doesnt sound like as good a plan... plus, with what
>>4146405
just said, it wouldn't really work.

you also forgot about Dorian.

>>4146404
yes, but its not as quick, and draws attention to our maw, aswell as puts it in potential harms way, making later use possibly impossible, depending on what happens. keeping it wrapped up seems to prevent it from being damaged really, and at the very least will make it less likely.

>>4146405
oh, er, ok then. what the bloody hell did Tinker bribe her with though? even cool sounding upgrades doesn't sound like something that alone would convince November to let someone mess around with both her babies(the tank and Marco being inside it).
>>
>>4146410
>I don't think Tinker ever knew about warforged daughters, so seeing November as a living Relic would make her super excited.
We were actually there when she found out about them, it was adorable. All excitedly asking questions to Rath about November and begging to be introduced.
>>
>>4146377
What if we formed the katamari ball of arms with Magpie inside it?
>>
>>4146417
(Ha, you'll see.)
>>
>>4146425
>>4146377
wait. my poor reading comprehension strikes again. I get it.
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>>4146331
>One good crit deserves another...and from somewhere behind you, you sense a stirring of emotion in the camp far below.
How long would Shu guess it would take for this stirring of emotion to result in action? Is it a really strong emotion, suggesting they're coming in very fast? Because I can't see this fight lasting more than another two turns, at the rate we're taking and dealing damage one of us is going to be dead by then. If whatever this response is shows up just after we're done here, I'm going to have so much sarcasm for the Altar.
>>
>>4146433
(It's building quickly, specifically from this Altar's leader as she rouses from her slumber.)
>>
>>4146434
Alright, then. Here's hoping they make it in time to do something useful. Like bring some dank nugs that are also healing herbs, that would be nice.
>>
>>4146398
>>4146331
Amending my vote:

Shu:
>This has gone far enough.
>Repair Plateling Armor, Refresh Bishop Fuel.
>Recycle Banelings, and unnecessary bishops, Create Knightlings. Knightlings and Swarmlings fly in Alpha formation. Target wings and any emerging ravens. Cook the birds, medium heat and flame.
>Now for the offense. Gather 1 Rook, wield as body shield.
>Hundred Handed and Viscera Vincula, harpoon and hold with Heavens Drill tipped fingers and iron hooks.
>Hundred Hands create Shell of hands, Encase Magpie inside.
>Fuse Contender back into single 12-chambered Maxim Gatling Revolver. Reload with Honey B.33s, Fullbores, and Parabellums. 4 of each round. Immediately empty them into magpie at point blank range.
>Grapple and pin. Magpie aims to move a limb? Devour with Ravenous Maw.

Rath:
>Throw boils, add fuel to the fire, Alternate between hot and cold boils. Maintain Unrelenting cold and ensure that Magpie gains Frost stacks
>Break the guns, Wrestle them and punch the guns to damage, Jam Frost boils into firing chamber, jam the weapon.

Dorian:
>Spawn and fling paintlings at Magpie's guns to jam her weapons.
>Maintain Masque Form until Shu's grappled Magpie, expend Regen and bio into Sui Interitus to prime a counter with a Multi-hit attack on top of your Neurotic Halo Counter. Your Neurotic Halo counter will be discharging the Elec stacks gained from your brief run-around. Then Dive into the Fray and attack Magpie.

Midnight Crew:
>Sister's Familiar from Dorian will Stablize Keane and escort her to safety. Jack, Shu will pin her down, Dorian will dive in first and proc any reserve counters that Magpie's hidden up in her sleeve. You'll go in for the coup de grace.

Joyous:
>One of them will stay back and replenish the ninja clone army.
>The other one will fire a spell: "Cunt Gra Rev San (Enemy, Greater, Reverse Haste), this will slow Magpie's reaction time further.

November:
>Live update from the empathetic channel. Magpie's exhausted after firing a man-made satellite beam bombardment, about 25% of her health left, Rath's at 1 hp on her second wind and gave Magpie a very powerful haymaker. Keane, Quinn, and Ace are down but Stable. Jack has taken Ace's Armor. Dorian's back on her feet. Holly's ejected from the Spirit Shell and is now back in safe hands.
>>
It was a very good thing we pulled Holly out. She would have died if we didn't.

Too close...
>>
Just had a thought: If we do actually kill Magpie, can Karma absorb her guns into herself for upgrades, or advanced forms? Cause that would be really cool...
>>
>>4146885
Not sure if we rally want those guns..... they may be responsibel for the Geas on Magpie or just make their wielder more violent.

WE could possibly feed them to Julia for a powerboost or melt them down to use in our own Relic creation.

>>4146331
Supporting >>4146377
I will start work early today so i can actually enjoy my weekend instead of being stuck working till 4 pm so no grandiose planning from my side
>>
>>4146331
Supporting >>4146377

>>4146885
Probably not, but I wouldn't be surprised if this fight was enough to trigger the Contenders to evolve again. Fighting against a set of enemy guns wielded by someone her own wielder has a connection feels like the sort of thing that would make Karma evolve.
>>
>>4146885
probably not, but would be an interesting idea. would be the one time it happens though id imagine, if it can.

>>4146895
that would depend on if Karma kept those specific negatives, assuming she even could, and it wasn't just extra level fodder for doing so. something we should look to take, and we kinda have been lacking taking advantage of, is Karma can take any and all custom made rounds we find/make, at least ones from a forge that is. even if Magpie doesn't have much left on her right now, im positive she has an actual 'main safehouse' or two she must be storing things in.

>>4146903
think Karma just gets normal EXP, but its a big fight, so i agree she probably will get an upgrade yeah.
>>
New character done. Most of the backstory is inspired by a webcomic character.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wHRD4JG_6WnwADUYWEDNb9ltWoZtZFHyfQMqfuIwNO0/edit?usp=sharing

I think this is the last one I'll do in this manner. I'll just have one doc with brief descriptors and their cores that I'll update from then on. Though I might do some updates for the others (Sinister/One, Restorer Krasue) later on as though they've been doing stuff and growing in power in the meanwhile.
>>
>>4147083
Interesting. I didnt read the abilities yet. though i will probably do so in the future.

An interesting concept for sure
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>>4147097
Coming up with the abilities is always one of the highlights of doing theses for me. Names don't always come that easily though. I'm not really satisfied with Zen Cortex, for example.
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>>4147100
oh i completely get you. It took me hours of agonizing over Minas Hybrid abilitys name or Raras Glutton power.......

Also filling them with thematic powers can be quite the challenge. And making a story for them... well that takes a lot out of you
>>
>>4146377
I know that it's too late to comment on the plan since the vote has been locked in, but I would like to say that I think we should have Rath stay back since she's already in bloodied stand mode. Magpie's sniper rifle is no joke and I don't want a Crit to rip through her.
>>
>>4147187
There is nowhere we can have her run that will be in any sense safe for her. Seriously Magpie is a sniper and quite accurate even with all the debuffs. And the mercy will go through anything in its way to hit her unless she manages to dodge.
>>
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>>4146331

[Jackie…Jackie, listen to me] You call out, demanding the enraged girl’s attention as your Contenders load up with Fullbores at full capacity. [We’ve got this. Dorian’s familiar will take care of Quinn, so just-]

“I know what I’m doing!” She bellows across the battlefield, axes clenched tight in her and Ace’s fists as she turns, racing towards Keane’s unconscious form, her real right hand outstretched. Hoping that the volatile young woman is right, empathic orders ring out across the battlefield as a fresh batch of Platelings tear forth from your hive, springing to your allies’ defense as they enact your brutal plan.

Rath is a flurry of bomb and fist, her relentless barrage deflected by Magpie’s desperate parries with overheated guns, her body vibrating for a brief instant as she falters with a few of Rath’s eternal flames somehow flickering out of existence. You subsume your Bishops and Banelings, recycling them within your hive as you start pumping out monstrous knightlings, their talons tipped with vicious drills that scream towards the heavens as Dorian rushes past you, skirting the edge of the battlefield as he waits for the perfect opportunity. And with that…you kick off, plucked from the ground by a Knightling as you bee-line towards your foe, your swarm’s wings tearing through the air on your way to victory.

“GRA CUNT REV SUTH!” The Joyous yell out, and when Magpie flinches the hooks of the Vincula find their mark. Their merciless edges pierce through her feathery flesh, white flames licking at the chains as you land, a massive spiral tearing through the charred terrain at your command. She’s stuck, she’s tethered…

…she’s all yours.

In a move that would make Hera proud, a string of limbs bridges the gap in the blink of an eye, and its instantaneous retraction sends you hurtling towards an utterly helpeless Magpie. She brings three of her guns to bear, but you erupt into a ball of cocked arms and clenched fists. It’s as savage as it is satisfying, the trio of weapons batted away as you make room for your own, emptying both Contender’s into her chest at point-blank range. Half of the Six Black Heaven’s Guns struggle to return, but they’re held back by a wall of identical limbs as you pummel Magpie with a hundred furious fists.

She feels lessened, diminished under your merciless beating, and when you pull back, it’s only to allow room for another’s vengeance. In one moment, Dorian’s coalescing atop a distant hill. The next, he’s a blur before your eyes, the Lanceam spearing through Magpie’s heart. Her body convulses, her good hand snapping out to seize Dorian’s face as space warps around her fingers, threatening to tear his head from his body.

>>NEUROTIC HALO – ACTIVATED

A peal of lightning, a crack of thunder as a bolt of golden lighting tears through Magpie’s body from the end of the Lanceam as her body finally succumbs to white-hot flames.

(Continued)
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>>4147277

“Miss Shu…” Dorian begins slowly, his azure eye glancing around the area as he looks to each gun in turn. “…we’re missing two.”

Magpie collapses, Rath’s incinerating flames continuing to ravage her body as you and Dorian step back cautiously. You turn, reaching out let Rath know to hold back…and when you finally catch sight of her, your blood runs cold when you see her fall with a hole in her stomach, the rifle shot’s retort hidden behind the sound of Dorian’s lightning.

Dorian lunges towards you, sweeping you off your feet just as a second shot whistles by your neck. He runs, dashing past his Sibling construct as she rushes over to stabilize Rath while you and he take shelter behind a low hill, glancing around frantically to figure out where she shots are coming from.

>>RATH - STABILIZED

“Goddammit, she teleported first thing.” You growl, switching the Dominus to the young man at your side. “Which guns does she have, Dorian?”

“By my count, the rifle and revolver.” Comes his immediate reply, angling to keep his body between you and any incoming attacks as he remains vigilant. He suddenly tenses as a shadow passes over you, relaxing only a hair as what Jackie’s become descends from the sky. She’s as she was at the Spiraling Fear, her peerless armor marbled with scarlet, black, and white, the assimilated forms of her allies’ bodies bringing them together into a being of incredible might.

“Sepulchritude time, bit**es.” She says, her voice echoing with undertones of the Midnight Crew’s united voices. “Can’t stay like this forever when they’re out cold but it’ll last long enough for us to end this fu**er.”

Another two shots ring out, and you see a pair of Joyous drop, your stomach dropping as you see their heads disappear in a spray of crimson mist as the other two run for cover. It’s as you look to the ridge that you catching sight of movement as a billowing, multi-colored fog begins to pour over its lip, swiftly enveloping you, Dorian, and Jackie as it pours across the battlefield. You tense for a moment before you realize you can see within it, your senses expanded as Magpie’s position is revealed to you – crouched behind a distant hill, buying time until her regeneration can bring her back to fighting shape.

You can see, but Magpie’s in the dark.

Seems as though the Altar’s heard your plea…better late than never, you suppose.

HP: 2976% (+1395% [Dominus: Dorian], Matrons, Vincula, Pace.)
BIO: 2570% (+320%. 8x Psy-Platelings, 3x Bishops, 2x Rooks, 3x Rec-Swarms, 14x Drill-Knightlings, 16/50 Swarmlings active)
CONTENDER: Gemini - Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed.
HUNDRED-HANDED: 4 Arms.
ACT: 3/3

DORIAN: 1838% (+1013%, Halo: SPENT. Sister – Active.)
JOYOUS: 2

MIDNIGHT CREW: SEPULCHRITUDE!

THREAT: Only Alex’s Mercy + Red Dahlia are usable. 1/5 HEALTH remaining, but regenerating.

>>Reload Contenders with 2 round each.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>4147281
Any status ailments afflicting Magpie? I do hope she's got at least 5 frost stacks built up on her.
>>
>>4147281
oh my fucking god just fucking die already gezzus.
>>
(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, Gentlemen.)

>>4147286
(She has four, my apologies.)
>>
>>4147281
So she is behind a hill and has lost a lot of her power together with her guns...... Sadly that god damn sniper rifle is still in her hands

>>4147286
>>4147289
So since she is trying to recover we should definitely tag her with the Dominus again so that takes longer. Sadly Rath is down bu Jackie is in Sepulchritude so she is a monster..... We might have to rely on her to finish Magpie off.

So should we light her up with a barrage of flamethrowers to make sure that Magpie uses her teleport so that jackie can come in to finish her or do we try to send in Jackie first and finish her off ourselves?

>>4147289
I agree wholeheartedly

I fear that lettign Jackie get the last hit in might take Magpies Mindstate away from us since we dont know if the weapon takes more than just strength form the kill.
>>
>>4147281
>“Which guns does she have, Dorian?”
>“By my count, the rifle and revolver.”
Oh, so the two heaviest-hitting ones, lovely. But at least Magpie can't see. We should bait her shots with swarmlings.

>>4147289
Does Magpie get more durable the closer to death she is? Because it feels like the amount we hit her with to take her from one fourth health to one fifth health was more than what took her from one half health to one fourth.
>>
>>4147296
>>4147295
>>4147289
I can't help but notice that of all combatants currently remaining, Shu is consistently the one that's topped off in health and Bio.

So I'm thinking this: We bait out Red Dahlia with Shu and let Shu take the hit. Her Hive mistress relic renders her immune to Acid damage so the DoT Acid properties of Red Dahlia will be nullified after the initial burst damage from the .500 revolver shot. additionally she has can afford one shot. She has 2 guns that have long reload times.

As for Dorian, he has Scarlet Terror, so he can tank a lethal hit from the sniper with it active, which leaves Jackie clear to alpha strike.

We should also re-activate Masque of War on Dorian so that the red Mist can blend in with the Altered Fog.
>>
>>4147303
ive been trying to abuse Shus position to have her take the hit for several rounds now, and while yeah im still for it, apparently Shu is just not worth the bullets or something.
>>
>>4147281
Wait, I just thought of something. Not something important to this fight, but something that now that I've thought about it I need to ask: Is the Altar's leader the giant mouth-monster? Is that why it took her so long to wake up and aid us, and why she's projecting smoke from a distance instead of coming here?
>>
>>4147306
I think on some level she still doesn't want to kill Shu. That would mean admitting that she's not just doing what needs to be done so that we won't have to deal with these problems ourselves. Can't use that justification if we're dead.
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>>4147296
>Does Magpie get more durable the closer to death she is? Because it feels like the amount we hit her with to take her from one fourth health to one fifth health was more than what took her from one half health to one fourth.
Remind yourself that the fight proc'd several Neurotic Critical Counters over the course of the battle.
One from Shu,
One from Rath
One from Dorian

And a Natural Crit from Rath.

>>4147306
Is it me or is Magpie doing the same thing that Isabelle did to us when we first fought her? Magpie seems to be deliberately targeting our allies first instead of directly gunning us down. She's only forced to attack us when we went for a close ranged attack that proc'd her personal counter. I know that she's holding back but a seasoned daughter worth her levels knows that you have to take out the Hive Mistress first. And in Shu's case. You NEED to target Shu because if you've done your homework properly when hunting Shu, you need to know that Shu's presence amplifies the Team coordination of those she aids.

Do you think it's time to talk to Magpie? Shake her resolve? Because it's telling Magpie's avoided deliberately attacking Shu since the start of the fight aside from her cheapshot.
>>
>>4147281
Vote;

SHU;
>Contender, 6 Fullbores each.
>Tag Magpie with the Dominous, as it seems to have broken from her.
>Have a new standard Knight carry Rath off to rest next to November.
>One new Rook, so each person has one defending them.
>Fill out your Swarmling Slots with as many sets of Bishop Boosted Drill-Knightlings Escorting a Jackling as you can. Have them all come at Magpie at different angles, trying to force her attention on them, while also providing you with cover.
>Quickly terraform a mazework of smooth terrain for you and your allies to come at Magpie through, without giving away exactly which path you plan to take.
>Take the lead, or well, as much as you can given you’re the slowest, along with your Swarmlings, give the others Covering Fire as you all move forward, no one taking the obvious or most direct route.
>Have Your Hundred Hands primed to pull you or anyone else out of the way as necessary, aswell as have it spawning from your Swarmlings to beat on Magpie and grapple for her guns, trying to keep her from being able to aim properly.
>Once Close, snap the Viscula and your Tongue onto Magpie, aswell as your own arms, and with Contenders and Maw ready to decapitate her, draw yourself in, ready to take whatever the hell she gives to give the others their chance, including twisting yourself sideways to body block a shot meant for one of the others.

DORIAN;
>Race up your own path towards Magpie, building up charges and preparing the Lanceam to cover the last of the distance.
>once you see your opening, give yourself a 500% Strength boost from Interitus and pull yourself into Magpie with your Strands, as deeply and tightly around her as you can get them to really slice and dice her to shreds even before you kebab her as best you can.
>Try and get her to waste as shot on the final charge too. You’re liquid. Become mush to flop under her shot, then regain your composure, letting your incredible speed and momentum keep you from losing your advance on her.

MIDNIGHT CREW;
>Jackie. You're primed and ready to blow. Aim it at Magpie.

JOYOUS;
>one cast GRA CUNT REV SUTH on Magpie.
>one cast GRA CUNT REV HIR on Magpie.
>Both wait til the most critical moment to cast unless it seems necessary to cast earlier.

RATH;
>Holy Hell girl, rest up.

NOVEMBER;
>dream deeply of Aunt lectures to give us after this. That, or Marco in a sombrero hat.
>>
>>4147308
>Wait, I just thought of something. Not something important to this fight, but something that now that I've thought about it I need to ask: Is the Altar's leader the giant mouth-monster? Is that why it took her so long to wake up and aid us, and why she's projecting smoke from a distance instead of coming here?

>inb4 Giant Monster mouth spawns a Anglerfish light that acts as her mouthpiece post-battle.
>>
>>4147311
maybe. or maybe we're just never as big an instant source of damage, but id have to say we still arent a slouch when it comes to damage, no way Shu herself hasn't done enough to warrant attention, especially with hoe hurt Magpie, is, so, dunno.

>>4147316
im unsure on that, but no. im not for talking to Magpie. she wanted to talk, wanted us to possibly ever come around to talking again or easing up on her? the LAST thing she should've done then, is target our allies and friends over us. we're allowed to also let things get personal, and all our friends and family having chunks missing from them because of her is damn well a good reason for it.
>>
>>4147320
I'd like to make a suggestion: Hand one of the Contenders off to a Knight with a Hundred-Hand spawned off of it. Having bullets coming from another direction will help draw Magpie's fire away from our allies. It will give us only the one blade to stab her with once we get into close range, but we've got drills and the Maw so it's not a huge loss.
>>
>>4147316
>Do you think it's time to talk to Magpie? Shake her resolve? Because it's telling Magpie's avoided deliberately attacking Shu since the start of the fight aside from her cheapshot.
Not worth the distraction to us, at this point in the fight. Let's stay focused, keep Magpie rattled with violence instead of words. We can shake her resolve after we've eaten her brains.
>>
>>4147326
dont really feel thats necessary. wont really draw fire away from them anymore than it all being on Shu, and in some ways having more attention on Shu is what we want.
>>
>>4147316
I dont think we can shake her resolve. Even if it could Its way to late for words. This battle will end with either us dying or her there is no other way. Especially considering that Magpie lied to us already and attacked the Altar anyway. So no way is anything she can say right now reliable.
>>
>>4147296
(She has a Flesh Artisan ability that allows her to shunt damage done to her to any Relics she has equipped, which is why most of her arsenal is now unusable. They'd be retreating to her side if they hadn't absorbed the brunt of the damage you and Dorian just dealt.)

>>4147306
(I'm highly amused that you've essentially been acting like FaceMcShooty from Borderlands 2 for the duration of this fight.)

>>4147308
>>4147321
(Heh.)
>>
>>4147339
>(She has a Flesh Artisan ability that allows her to shunt damage done to her to any Relics she has equipped, which is why most of her arsenal is now unusable. They'd be retreating to her side if they hadn't absorbed the brunt of the damage you and Dorian just dealt.)
fuck you Magpie and if we get you're Dream Self, we ARE putting her in a room with Tinker Tailor for an hour as punishment for all this.

>(I'm highly amused that you've essentially been acting like FaceMcShooty from Borderlands 2 for the duration of this fight.)
Shus inner thoughts right now have got to be
>"FUCKING SHOOT ME IN THE FACE YOU CUNT I BET YOU WONT BITCH IF YOU HAD YOU'D BE DEAD BY NOW YOU COWARD REEEEEEEEEEEEE-"
>>
>>4147332
Why wouldn't it draw away more fire? It gives Magpie two targets she needs to prioritize shooting down to make sure the bullets stop. Or, if she's still trying to avoid killing us, two possible targets that might be Shu and which she'd feel conflicted about firing on. And whether she's focused on Shu or split between Shu and a Knight, either way it still keeps her attention off Dorian and Jackie moving in.
>>
>>4147320
>>4147326
hmmm....

From Magpie's PoV on her sniper's nest, she would see a A sea of Fog...and a red crimson line of Dominus Bloodline connecting her and Shu that extends into the fog into parts unknown. She can't tell, but she could tell the general direction of where Shu is.

Jackie and Dorian would be completely camoflauged, but Dorian's red mist might give a tell..

What if we briefly reveal ourselves in the fog but dive back in like dolphins, but then do a body horror version of Sharks swimming in the fog by having Hundred Hands stick up out of the fog and swim around? Sure, Magpie can pick and choose a target she could track, but in doing so, we're giving her information overload and information blindness to certain things that we WANT to keep hidden.

Lets replicate this experiment right here, but weaponize it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo
Where the players in white is Shu and her Hundred Handed swarm, but the figurative Gorilla will be Jackie..
the
But here's the thing. I want to twist the plan around. I want Magpie to track Dorian and Jackie, but leave her blind to the obvious Shu bum rushing Magpie.

If Magpie's unwilling to give Shu the time and day for attention, lets make her pay for neglecting the healthiest combatant still fighting in the combat zone.
>>
>>4147351
I think that the fog is so thick that she can't see anything, it's completely blocking off light. Even if she can see bits of color through it, the fog is multi-colored. We've got good camouflage, actually.
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>>4147348
i disagree with that. overall our shots haven't been that effective or even much of a priority to her, so its not really any more a threat than a super Knightling already is, but just cuts down our own firepower and threat level for when we're close and really need her attention on us.

>>4147351
i disagree with this plan. no reason to give ourselves away more than necessary, nor negate a new advantage like that, and just feels way too over complicated and silly to me. that, and she still has very much tried to wound Shu heavily if she needs to. the difference is Shu can deal damage, but not anything as high as Super Jackie or Dorian really can with a finality. and if she is just yeeting damage off to her relics, then with how much Relics can take, the only reason we have done anything to her at all is making sure those hard attacks get through like they have, aswell as having taken down so many of her guns, which sacrificing Dorian and Jackie over Shu is just a very bad idea given that.
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>>4147360
Fair points. I did notice that we haven't been making good use of our Heavens Drills in this fight. Said ability would really pile on the damage if we're going to go into CQC with Magpie.

And another possible idea: What if we pull Magpie into the Fog? If Magpie can't see shit in through the fog except for what's right in front of her nose, why don't we pull Magpie into the Fog and force Magpie to focus on Shu?
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>>4147360
>i disagree with that. overall our shots haven't been that effective or even much of a priority to her, so its not really any more a threat than a super Knightling already is, but just cuts down our own firepower and threat level for when we're close and really need her attention on us.
The point is to make her unsure which direction Shu is coming from. It's not so much about the threat of the guns themselves (though yeah, we need stronger guns, let's upgrade the Fullbores or Parabellums next evolution), but the risk that the Knight might be Shu, advancing on her to do exactly what we're planning to do. If she's aiming in the wrong direction and firing on the wrong target, giving us the chance to catch her a bit more by surprise, I think it's worth the loss of one sword when the other hand can be a drill anyway.
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>>4147364
I think she's already in the fog. Am I misunderstanding? I was going with the assumption that she was outright blinded and couldn't see in any direction, not that we'd be exposed as soon as we got close. Oh, well if that's the case that does change things considerably.
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>>4147364
we have used the drill a bit.
its just its never actually landed, i guess, or done more damage than something else if it has to focus on.

as for pulling Magpie around, we can barely even get to her and keep on her, i am very sure we probably couldn't keep her in the fog.

>>4147365
well, i disagree. and we have the fog and swarm already making that more difficult for her as it is. plus, we want her to some degree to know where Shu is. its cutting Shus chances of succeeding when it matters the most down and where she'll need the Blades reflection and just general ability to keep Magpie busy the most down, in exchange for adding to a situation we already have plenty covering for.
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>>4147371

>I think she's already in the fog. Am I misunderstanding? I was going with the assumption that she was outright blinded and couldn't see in any direction, not that we'd be exposed as soon as we got close. Oh, well if that's the case that does change things considerably.

>>4147339
Forwarding the question to bhop:
Is Magpie in the fog or is she out of the fog?
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>>4147364
>You can see, but Magpie’s in the dark.

She is already blinded no need to pull her into the fog Sh eis in the thick of it already
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>>4147375
>>4147376
(Magpie's in the fog.)
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>>4147375
>plus, we want her to some degree to know where Shu is.
Why? I mean, I get that you want to keep her attention away from Dorian and Jackie. But what about that requires her to actually be shooting at Shu? Isn't shooting at someone she thinks is Shu also good?

>ts cutting Shus chances of succeeding when it matters the most down and where she'll need the Blades reflection and just general ability to keep Magpie busy the most down
The deflection doesn't work, Alex's Mercy ignores counters like that, remember? As for when we get into melee range with her, we can compensate for being down a sword by being up a drill.
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>>4147390
Actually, I'm wrong there, it's all Magpie's guns and not just the Mercy. Auto-counters can work to deal automatic damage in response to Magpie's bullets but they can't avoid the damage from them. It's only her melee attacks that counters can deflect.
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>>4147390
she already wont really be doing anything but guessing, and splitting targets is already giving away we're trying to surprise her, so why would she waste time and shots on that. but knowing for sure will keep her attention more.

>The deflection doesn't work, Alex's Mercy ignores counters like that, remember? As for when we get into melee range with her, we can compensate for being down a sword by being up a drill.
i was more of saying she can knock things aside naturally with the blade, regardless of actual abilities, and guess what? she can have a drill up without sacrificing a Contender. its needlessly and stupidly weakening her when she actually needs to be as potent a threat as possible.
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>>4147390
>>4147375
I've got several ideas to support the current plan. If Magpie's blind visually by the fog, why not have our knightlings whirl their drills into a constant whining drone to create white noise and muffle the sound of us moving through the fog?

I know it's counterintuitive that we're giving away the locations of the 14 Drill-knightlings, but we can have Shu also whirl her Drill Hands too to disguise her approach by blending in among the drill knightlings.
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>>4147400
>she already wont really be doing anything but guessing, and splitting targets is already giving away we're trying to surprise her, so why would she waste time and shots on that. but knowing for sure will keep her attention more.
We're attacking Magpie in a smokescreen, of course we're going to be trying to surprise her. Her getting jumpy and shooting at things that aren't the right target is the entire point. If you're really so worried, we can have Shu herself hold off on firing her gun until after the Knight has been taken down, make it more of a twist.

>i was more of saying she can knock things aside naturally with the blade, regardless of actual abilities, and guess what? she can have a drill up without sacrificing a Contender. its needlessly and stupidly weakening her when she actually needs to be as potent a threat as possible.
How is Shu going to parry bullets? Since when has that been a thing she can do without the enhancement from the Contenders? And the point is not to have a drill for having a drill's sake, it's that we're already plenty dangerous in melee and an extra blade isn't really that essential.
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>>4147402
That's not a terrible idea, though I'm not sure it's something that needs to be explicitly stated. They're going to be attacking her with drills anyway, I think that will happen whether we order them to or not.
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>>4147405
yes, because two different people shooting at her wouldn't be giving anything away!

and i never said bullets. she can whack the guns away, and both blades is still more damage and things for Magpie to worry about. people are already worried Magpie wont try to focus on Shu or hurt her, why the HELL would it be a good idea to at all then lower her overall threat level at the most critical time for her to have it as high as possible? its not, its a shit, terrible idea when we need Magpie to either be as focused and distracted by Shu as Possible, or Shu as prepared as possible to bring everything to bear to punish her if she doesn't.

>>4147402
because the Drill-Knights actually being a direct threat and potentially getting actual damage to her, and possibly a Jackling into her, would do us much better.
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>>4147413
>yes, because two different people shooting at her wouldn't be giving anything away!
Giving things away is the point! It leaves her having to split her attention, unsure of which way to respond. The chance that she'll be focusing on the wrong target when we pounce on her is better than the certainty that she'll be focusing on Shu.

>and i never said bullets. she can whack the guns away
What about that needs a sword, then? I thought you meant deflecting the bullets, since that's a thing we do with a sword, but if we want to grapple with the guns the dozens of extra arms we have will be more useful.

>people are already worried Magpie wont try to focus on Shu or hurt her, why the HELL would it be a good idea to at all then lower her overall threat level at the most critical time for her to have it as high as possible?
Because we don't want Magpie to focus on Shu. We want her to focus away from Dorian and Jackie. Magpie not focusing on Shu is actually ideal, if we're going to tackle her in melee, it means she'll be less prepared to receive a charge like that. I consider the slight decrease in offensive output to be worth the increased distraction to Magpie.

>and possibly a Jackling into her
The Jackling is pointless, we can only do the stun once per combat and we don't have the ACTs to devote to any other Neuromancy. It does nothing.
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>>4147423
>The Jackling is pointless, we can only do the stun once per combat and we don't have the ACTs to devote to any other Neuromancy. It does nothing.
no, we can do the stun once a turn. we have, and regularly do, use it multiple times throughout battle. and Magpie also showed herself to not be immune to it, only aware to try and prevent it. overwhelming her to get a stun off could literally end this battle, and giving her something that major to worry about will without a doubt help us. actually, it doesn't even say the Stun is only once a Turn either, just the likelihood i guess of it mattering more than once means we have never seen it.

>Because we don't want Magpie to focus on Shu. We want her to focus away from Dorian and Jackie. Magpie not focusing on Shu is actually ideal, if we're going to tackle her in melee, it means she'll be less prepared to receive a charge like that. I consider the slight decrease in offensive output to be worth the increased distraction to Magpie.
once Shu is in melee we need Shu to be a big a threat as possible, and when Shu is in melee is when the others will have their opening, and we need Shu to be as big as threat as possible to keep as much attention on herself as possible. the second Contender and any shots it might have left in it, aswell as just being another source of damage, is still an increase, and something Shu will need every bit of to make this work.
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>>4147281
Alternate plan:

SHU

>have 14 Drill-Knightling Rev their drills and circle Magpie with Shu following suit and make her audibly blend in with the Drill-knightlings to create a zone of white-noise that disguises the approach of Jackie and Dorian.
>Make one standard knightling that carries Rath to November.
>Have the Drill-knightlings and Shu weave in and out of the circle and have them occasionally make flying passes at Magpie. This will condition Magpie into ignoring the sources of whirling drills and have her train her ears to try and discern Dorian's and Jackie's sounds. Then Have Shu actually make her approach (she's got whirling hand drills to disguise her approach) and when she's close enough, spring the Hundred Hands and Vincula Hooks onto Magpie and bringing her into melee, spooking Magpie and forcing her to fire one of her guns (probably Red Dahlia).
>Take the bullet, Lay onto Magpie with Drill Hands, Maw, and Contender shot (Reload with 6 Honey b.33 bullets and 6 Fullbores, then immediately unload them into Magpie.), Activate Neuromantic Paralysis through Dominus Bloodline.

DORIAN:
>Invest hp and bio into Interitus to boost your Strength AND speed then Build up charge by running around.
>When Shu grapples Magpie, I want you to Charge in, discharge your lightning, then free-transform back into Inspiring Critic and go ham on slicing Magpie up.
>The Sister will approach from a different angle and the same opening except she goes into Masque of War form to prevent a last-minute teleport.

SEPULCHRITUDE JACK:
>You go in last, after Dorian sets up his dome to make your shot count. You've got the highest burst potential so you're our finishing blow to bring Magpie past zero hp.
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>>4147430
>no, we can do the stun once a turn. we have, and regularly do, use it multiple times throughout battle
I'm pretty sure that only Gina can use it multiple times per fight, but maybe I'm wrong. It's unnecessary if we're attaching the Dominus Bloodline, though, we can do Neuromancy through that. So I still say skip the Jackling.

>once Shu is in melee we need Shu to be a big a threat as possible
And I just don't think that one more sword is really going to make or break this. But fine, if you're dead-set on this, let me suggest another idea, then: Don't have Dorian charge Magpie. Not directly. Instead, have him tether to Shu with Resplendent Thread level four, then run off to the side. Shu gets into melee with Magpie, Dorian retracts the tether, charges through more zones along the way and does more damage with the Lancea, then discharges Accumulated Charge. It maximizes his damage and, since he's not headed towards Magpie, helps keep attention off of him so when she's busy engaging Shu he's less likely to get hit.
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>>4147447
>>4147281

JOYOUS:
>one cast GRA CUNT REV SUTH on Magpie.
>one cast GRA CUNT REV HIR on Magpie.
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>>4147448
so far we havent gotten it off on her any way but a jackling. she might have something making less direct methods like the Dominous not work or less effective, considering the Stuns way too potent for us to just ignore activating with the Domious in the past if other means fail, yet we saw a Jackling get it off on her, but havent gotten it off on her otherwise. its pretty obvious by now the Jacklings are the way to go to get it off on her.

>Dorian;
he'd still be more exposed for a longer period of time, and would be wasting what damage he could get off with his strands, aswell as if Magpie manages to somehow get out from Shu, she would be out from both of them. but with him waiting to hit her directly, she'll have two targets to unravel from, an extra thing to unravel from, and potentially will have wasted her teleport on Shu, only to get caught by Dorians. or possibly vise versa, as sometimes the dice mess up our order of actions, but still.

>>4147447
this still feels like an utter waste of the Knightlings and their actual potential. a giant bee being in your face is also a much bigger distraction than some every now and again swooping at you, and Magpies shown to be pretty quick to aim too, even with the slows. it'll just allow her to pick the Knightlings off one by one, instead of them being able to overwhelm her two slowest guns firerate. on top of that, thier buzzing isn't suddenly any less loud or distracting by them being closer to her and more actively attacking her.

also, as stated, stunning via Dominus has never even been a backup option, which BHOP has done before to still do something we want even if not exactly as we wanted. the Honey rounds have also never once been said to actually do something to her, meaning they're also probably a waste.

the Lanceam is also being wasted, as even just one movement zone is still it giving Dorian extra damage to deal, and BHOP has said using it for him specifically doesn't actually prevent anything else.
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>>4147471

Consider this:

>THREAT: Only Alex’s Mercy + Red Dahlia are usable. 1/5 HEALTH remaining, but regenerating.

>Red Dahlia (Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Revolver): The second-most powerful weapon in Magpie’s arsenal, a single shot from the Dahlia is fully capable of knocking even large Amalgams and targets flat regardless of their ability to resist being stunned or knocked prone. Additionally, the creeping ACIDIC properties of the round spread through the target’s body, dealing unparalleled damage over time. However, this obscenely powerful weapon can only be fired once per round, rendering it a situational, if lethal tool.

>Alex’s Mercy (Mosin-Nagant):, The crown jewel of Magpie’s arsenal is a thing of unrivaled damage potential, easily capable of piercing through the toughest of armors…even that of the living fortress, Marrow Dragoon. It is a simple thing, optimized for sheer, simple piercing damage, with untold amounts of biomass and sacrifice invested in its creation to ensure that even a single shot fired from this most terrible of weapons is enough to end any threat Magpie encounters across the Fleshscape. A single shot, a swift death…it’s a gift of mercy, in a world gone mad.

Magpie can't be liberal with her guns. Red Dahlia can only fire ONCE this round. Alex's Mercy also can only fire ONCE per round apparently. She has to conserve her bullets and make her shots count. She's not a gunman with plenty of ammo. She's a sniper first and foremost as is her profession and greatest skill.

I want to take advantage of her profession and conditioning to hold her fire when Shu ACTUALLY tackles her and tosses Magpie's guns out of reach by having the Knightlings condition her into holding her fire when she hears revving drills approach. Shu will have her own set of Revving Drills so that the audial cue would condition Magpie into holding her fire when Shu actually approaches.
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>>4147475
what? thats retarded.
if the Knightlings swarm her and are a more active threat, its more likely she'll waste her shots on them over waiting til an actual target shows up. them holding back is just increasing the likelihood of her shooting someone else unnecessarily. sure, we want her shooting Shu over Dorian or Jackie, but her shooting the Knights to blast them off of her with the shockwave or something would still be preferable to even that, which them sitting back is less likely to cause.
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>>4147471
>so far we havent gotten it off on her any way but a jackling
I don't think we've tried it any way but a Jackling. Hold up, let me check real quick, gonna CTRL+F for "stun".

Yeah, no, we haven't tried it with the Dominus Bloodline. We must have forgotten to. And actually, I'm not sure we've gotten it off with a Jackling, either, it's a bit ambiguous. Hell, maybe Magpie's just immune to stuns. Shit, that's actually pretty plausible given that she's a solo-play build.

>aswell as if Magpie manages to somehow get out from Shu, she would be out from both of them
Well, the tether-retraction is a free action, Dorian could still make a normal charge if it fails. But I can understand if you're worried about it leaving him exposed. We could tether to Magpie, instead. The Threads do have a good range. Dorian wraps Magpie up in monowire, instantly charges into her, then Shu starts eviscerating to take out what's left?

>>4147475
I'm not sure how many times Alex's Mercy can fire per round, it's a bit unclear there. Still, baiting out the Red Dahlia shot is probably a good idea. Getting knocked down would interrupt our plans in a way just getting shot for heavy damage wouldn't.
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>>4147475
>>4147487
not to mention, them being a more active threat means taking down Shu becomes a bigger priority, which if she does save her shots, still increases the chance she'll use them on Shu over others.

>>4147489
no, as i said to the other Anon, usually if one method fails but we have other ways, we'll still try to use it even if we dont specify. yet the Dominous has never left Magpie, yet when the Jackling method fails we still never try to stun her. only once has it possibly worked, and its through a jackling.

id still prefer Dorian to wait to tether to Magpie, incase she has a teleport left up her sleeve, so its less likely she can dodge it all at once. she still might, of course, but it still lowers the chances.
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>>4147487
>>4147489
Come to think of it. If Red Dahlia knocks the targets flat onto their backs regardless of knockback/knockdown resistance, wouldn't it make sense for the sister familiar to eat up the shot first? If we charge at Magpie swinging, it'll be obvious that she'll either use Alex's Mercy or Red Dahlia to stop us from grappling her again. Magpie needs the personal space in order to deal with Jack or Dorian.

>>4147494
>id still prefer Dorian to wait to tether to Magpie, incase she has a teleport left up her sleeve, so its less likely she can dodge it all at once. she still might, of course, but it still lowers the chances.
If the Sister is still active, can't we have her go form another Masque of War dome to discourage that method of escape?
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>>4147489
>>4147494
Tagging Magpie with the Dominus would give away Shu's location since Magpie can simply use the red line as a general indicator of Shu's direction through the fog.
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>>4147503
BHOP has said before we dont have control over the Matrons so im listening to what rules he does put in place.

also, letting Magpie run wild has still worked less than someone keeping her on her toes up close to give others an opening. i mean, that still has worked iffly, but still better than sitting back and trying to do this has.
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>>4147381
BHOP, how obvious is the Dominous, would it give us away through the fog?
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>>4147513
Also, does the fog have any other properties than just selectively blocking vision? It's magic hippy tie-dye mist, I'd hope it at least induces hallucinations or something. Get Magpie tripping balls, have a real hard time dodging.
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>>4147513
>>4147516
(The Dominus is visible only to you through the fog. Also, the fog does induce regret-based hallucinations, in addition to severely increasing the critical fail chance of any and all abilities used by foes while they're inside it while also compromising their judgement.)
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>>4147527
well, good on the Dominous, and lets just hope angry hippie momma has come down enough to not just see any combatant as a threat.
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>>4147534
>>4147527
>well, good on the Dominous, and lets just hope angry hippie momma has come down enough to not just see any combatant as a threat.

Normally I'd associate an Altered Altar daughter as pic related. But bhop's throwing us for a loop apparently.
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>>4147527
Ooh, regret-based hallucinations. Magpie's not having a good time, is she?

> in addition to severely increasing the critical fail chance of any and all abilities used by foes while they're inside it
Oh, you know what we should do to prevent a teleport, then? Switch one of the Joyous to casting a SKRA spell

>SKRA (BIO-30%, *2): A word denoting a serial escalation of a chaotic event, this word drastically increases the chance of Generator and Neuromancer backlash, and greatly boosts the direct and splash damage of the reverb when it occurs, as well.

If her teleportation already has severely increased critical fail chance, adding SKRA on top would make it very likely to backfire and have feedback, and with Magpie's judgment compromised she'd likely try to force it anyway.
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>>4147538
do we know if her teleportation is either of those classes though? dont remember if we have been told, but we do know teleportation is possible outside of those two classes.

actually, even if Magpies is one of those, we have seen teleportation outside of those more often than inside for sure.
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>>4147544
Yes, we do know.

>>4142676
>Magpie is also capable of mid-range ‘teleportation’, which is a Generator/Vitrivian Hybrid that allows speedy movement with a chance of HEALTH/BIO loss.

So double up on the chances of backfiring, won't exactly stop her from teleporting away but technically neither does Masque of War. It just punishes her for it, like this would.
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>>4147538
Ooh! that's neat!

>>4147534
Lets replace Gra Cunt Rev Hir with Gra Cunt Fol Skra! This will be a greater concentrated backlash spell on Magpie when she does try to teleport!
It's almost guaranteed with your current plan that Magpie will use Red Dahlia on Shu (thus wasting her Red Dahlia bullet), which is a good thing, but have her teleporting action bite her in the ass because I'm fairly certain teleporting's a Generator/Neuromancer skill. At least one of the two classes.
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>>4147547
>>4147548
hrm.. that only matters if she can be punished by it at all. Vitruvian is usually pretty stable, and may be there to fix that from the original power. keep in mind, the original teleportation power is what killed the girl she got it from, but Magpie has literally short ranged spammed it and used it stupidly often in this fight, and theres been no backlash.

i think its a very high chance shes gotten rid of its ability to fail, and that means the spell could easily be a waste, as theres no backlash to increase, so im gonna say no to it. id prefer a guarantee over risking that. we're already prepared for her to teleport too, and its been made clear shes running out of steam to do it.
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>>4147551
It outright says that there's a chance of backlash, anon. And Magpie hasn't exactly spammed teleporting, she's used it to avoid devastating hits where the chance that it would misfire is less of a danger than taking the blow. Increasing the backlash chances should work.
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>>4147559
no, it outright was said at one point she was spam teleporting to avoid close range hits. and its still only increasing her chances, over a guaranteed loss of stats.
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>>4147562
Yes, exactly, she uses teleportation to avoid getting hit when the hit would be worse for her than the chance that she'd backfire. And even then it does cost her, the one time I'm seeing where she rapidly teleports in succession it's described as fraying away at her. Amplifying the feedback should make her hurt.
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>>4147281
SHU
>Full reload Contenders with Fullbores
>Spawn fourteen Drill-Knightlings, a Rook, and refresh all Bishops before attaching them to still-conscious party members
>Reattach Dominus Bloodline to Magpie
>Send Drill-Knightlings to circle around Magpie and dart in at her from all sides
>Assign Rookos to guard party members
>Advance on Magpie, firing as we go. When we get close enough, sling towards her on bungee-tongue and start tearing her apart with Maw, Contender, and Drills as Hundred-Hands maintain a tight grip
>Be prepared to sling allies out of the way with sudden Hundred-Hand chains, if possible

DORIAN
>Spend 500% Health on Sui Interitus
>Charge Magpie once Shu has grappled her. If Magpie teleports away, correct aim and charge new location
>Once hit, discharge electricity and wrap her tight with Threads

SIBLING
>Do whatever your incomprehensible construct will dictates, hopefully contribute via melee attacks or Masque of War

JOYOUS MANY
>Cast GRA SKRA CUNT and GRA REV HIR CUNT to ruin Magpie's aim and increase backlash chances of teleporting

JACKIE
>Do your thing, but try not to destroy Magpie's mindstate with your weird demon-blade if that's a thing it does. Don't make it a priority, though, if it's needed to bring her down then do it.

EVERYONE ELSE
>Sleep it off, girls
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>>4147452
>>4147281
amending this part of my vote:
Joyous:
>Gra Cunt Fol Skra
>Gra Cunt Rev Suth
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>>4147578
>>4147581
it frayed her because of Dorain, not backlash damage. BHOP has already said Dorians been punishing her hard for teleportation. its trading guaranteed increases to everything's success, for a dice roll we cant afford.

seriously dont waste our damn fucking spell.
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>>4147581
>>4147583
whelp, votings over and you wasted it. fuck me why do i even bother?
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>>4147584
No, it's trading one dice roll for another. I'm getting rid of the Suth spell attempting to break her concentration, not the Rev Hir ruining her aim. We'll still have the guaranteed increase to everything's success, don't worry.
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>>4147606
Actually, thinking about it, the Suth would be counterproductive given the hallucinogen cloud, we don't want Magpie to suddenly feel calm just as we're attacking. That would snap her out of the impaired mental state it's causing.
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>>4147606
thats not how that spell works.
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>>4147281

You reload your Contenders, for what you hope is the last time in this fight.

[Dorian, wait for an opening and cut through the last of the distance with the Lanceam] You order, spawning a trio of new Rooks for every active ally, whilst a Knightling ferries Rath’s exhausted and valiant self to safety as you turn to Jackie. [I need you to distract her, but if you can land a killing blow, I’d prefer it wasn’t with that sword of yours]

“Fair…I was gonna leave the last hit to you, anyway.” She replies with a smirk, just before disappearing into the thick, shimmering fog. With a last second’s worth of hesitation before he leaves your side, you give Dorian a sharp nod that finally prompts him to bolt away, the scarlet speedster suddenly lost to you in the whirling mists. And with that, you’re alone, save for the Knightlings that you begin to spawn in preparation for your final charge.

You breathe in. You breathe out.

Here we go.

Under the cover of fog you move as fast as your Knightling can carry you, the ground below you shifting at your command to facilitate the omni-directional assault. A fleet of Knightlings take the lead, surging ahead of you with a Jackling escorted between them before they all split off to strike at Magpie from every conceivable angle as you take aim. You can sense her, slowly recovering her strength behind a nearby hill, trying to peek above it to survey the area before being forced to duck down as you open fire with both pistols, your covering fire allowing Jackie and Dorian to move into position even as Magpie summons a flock of her own to deal with the sudden Swarmling ambush.

She rises, aims, and fires her rifle, and a bizarre burst of emotion…no…a pure, primal *feeling* emanates across the empathic channel. Magpie’s shot misses you by mere centimeters, and it’s only now, with the fog heightening every sense to its limits, that you feel what’s happening. She takes aim again, awkwardly wielding Alex’s Mercy one-handed, and with a squeeze of the trigger she sends a bullet harmlessly through Dorian’s liquiform head as he skirts beside you, the older woman’s mind threatening to buckle from the terrible price to be paid for such devastating power.

A pang of Hunger, for every pull of the trigger.

She tries to aim again, racking the bolt with one hand before your tongue lashes around her wrist. Her head snaps up, every eye going wide as you burst from the fog, the iron tendrils of the Vincula leashing you to your target as you lunge past where your swarm's tearing hers to pieces, your second mouth lethally wide. The vague echo of the Joyous’ Lexicon pierces the fog as Magpie’s eyes glow gold, and her revolver tilts in mid-air, its aim rounding on you with speed you just can’t match.

Your gaze meets a dark, merciless void as you stare down the barrel of the Red Dahlia.

(Continued)
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>>4147592

Is it wrong for me to vote for a plan that I think would help in the fight? Is it wrong for me to have my own ideas?

Is it wrong for me to constantly question and seek alternatives to the combat encounter instead of having you dictate all the plans and yell at other anons for proposing ideas that you personally think is stupid?

I have given out suggestions or reached out to think of other creative ideas and offer the possibility of alternative tactics.

Never once have I lashed out and lambasted at your plan and called it stupid. I've placed my trust in the plans that you made while I was away at work. But now when I finally get the chance to sit down at my computer, and submit my own plans as part of the voting process, you just simply shoot it down and call it "retarded".
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>>4147614

It doesn’t get to fire, the payload obliterated when Jackie’s blindingly-fast swing brings her blades down in an executioner’s arc alongside Ace’s twin axes, the trio of weapons enveloped in Keane and Quinn’s debilitating powers.

“NO!” Magpie howls, her exclamation cut short as Dorian’s wires wrap around her throat, arms, legs…everywhere. A crack of thunder, and her limbs are severed, shredded in an instant as your teeth carve away half of her abdomen. Her eyes are still wide, even as she rest suspended in mid-air, her limbless torso chained and bound. She glances to Alex’s Mercy as it clatters beside the remains of her limbs, and with zero hesitation Jackie brings all three of her blades down on it, pinning it to the ground.

You’re breathing hard as the fog clears, pulling away as you keep Magpie suspended before you with tongue, strand and chain. Dorian skill crackles with accumulated charge, Ace’s axes held at the ready even as Jackie sheathes her nightmarish blade back in her chest, true to her word.

The look in Magpie’s eyes cycles through defiance, disillusion, and then, finally…acceptance.

“…g-guess I should’ve hit you f-first, huh kiddo?” Magpie coughs out, struggling to grin even as flames lick at her lips.

“Yeah.” You say. “Yeah, you should’ve.”

>>COMBAT - CEASED

Kicking the remains of the Dahlia with one Plateling-clad foot, you stare hard into the only eye Magpie has left in her head that hasn’t been scorched shut.

“These things…” You begin, struggling to wrap your head around just what the hell Magpie was thinking. “…just…what could’ve made you think using these things was worth it?”

“Had…had a job to do.” She answers grimly, tilting her head towards you. “I think you’d have d-done the same, Shu. Can’t stop, won’t stop, isn't that...no. No, you never said...”

You just shake your head, stunned at just how Hunger-addled her mind is right now.

“…would’ve told you if I could, would’ve…” She mutters, wincing as a spasm of pain wracks her broken form. “…you’d have tried to help. You’d have tried to stop it, and if I was’t there to help, you…you’re so much like him, so good…too good. It's gonna kill…”

The woman in front of you is teetering on the edge of madness…and even still, even now, she refuses to bend, to break under the weight of the Crucible’s insanity.

But maybe that just makes her own madness all the more painful, the one that wasn’t thrust upon her by the Fleshscape…the one she’s carried with her from the old world.

Perhaps the Crucible cannot break the heart that’s already been broken.

>>”If there’s anything you can say, Magpie…I’m listening.” [Question her]

>>She’s clinging to life by a thread…but you’re not through with her just yet. [Stabilize her]

>>”…It’s over, Magpie. It’s done, so…just rest.” [End her]

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening as I finish out the surprisingly busy work day and attend to some duties that have materialized this evening. Thus, voting shall remain open for the next twelve hours, with posting to resume promptly at 9:00AM, Eastern time on March 23rd, as we still have quite a bit of ground to cover in this Vein. Thank you all for your continued patience, participation, and enthusiasm, and be safe, one and all.)
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>>4147618
>>4147592
Bah. Combat's over.
time to pick up the pieces. and decide how to deal with Magpie.
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>>4147620
>no words, not hesitation
>End her, quickly, painlessly, a stab through the heart and head both.
>"...Goodbye Magpie."

i get it, she probably doesn't have any last tricks or anything. but im still not risking it, and i just dont feel theres anything left to say to her, nor does she deserve it. at least, not here, when we have wounded to get to a pieces to pick up, and other issues to get to. not now for sure.

she also without a doubt doesn't deserve to be stabilized. even now shes not even slightly hesitant on what she did or thinks she needs to do. trying to hope she just wont try it again just is not worth the risk. assuming Stabilizing her wouldn't just have her go hunger mad anyways.
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>>4147620
>"Magpie...... Rest for now."
>End her life for now. Make it swift Afterwards murmur this

>"We can talk later and you can explain to me what you wanted to do. maybe there was a halfway decent plan buried in there. And if i have to make you wear that damn crown to get that Geas off of you i will do it. And then i will force you to become a grandmother and take care of your grandchild" Add the last sentence with a bit of mirth


>>4147625
Alright OP i hope it will work out for you. Dont overdo it.
Also something i noticed. I think i would prefer to not constantly be called Journey through Europe Anon(It jsut to long). So... if you want to, you and anyone else her can call me 'C' instead. Its much shorter

I hope i dont come off as snooty for asking this
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>>4147641
(That's not 'snooty' at all, I'll be happy to refer to you however you wish, C.)
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>>4147641
>>4147620
im against that last line, feels too... sarcastic and out of place for the mood, aswell as odd. not to mention, we're all about choices, so jokingly or not, forcing her to do anything just doesn't fit Shu at all to say.

id much prefer silence. also, she would be dead at that moment, so she really wouldn't hear it. makes it feel kinda moot a point.
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>>4147620
>>Write-In
>"You can explain yourself next time I dream, Magpie. I've got too much else to deal with right now. Just rest until then, okay?"
>Make it painless.
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>>4147625
hope your day and weekend goes well BHOP, and looking forward to monday. though even before things got heated, lord knows this was an exhausting fight. ive never so strongly in this quests fights just wanted someone to die, even if it was us, not gonna lie.
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>>4147657
Eh i can go without that line i wanted to write it down as it would be more for Shu than for Magpie. Puttign Magpie down is not something Shu wants to do or ever hoped she would have to do.
So trying to add some levity can help in accepting the entire ordeal.
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>>4147664
eh, i guess i just think levity doesn't fit the situation, and isnt how we have really dealt with these situations, nor how i feel is appropriate. usually we go for a more somber, respectful and serious end, if not like i want, not hesitating, both out of the legitimate possible threat they were, and also respecting how big a threat they are.

maybe, maybe, if almost everyone wasn't downed while we have other major issues to deal with, along with having just woken up an entire colony of hippies(not that i think they will be mad at us, but just walking off without making sure everything tidy seems silly, especially after the panic attack they probably have had.), but even then it just would feel a bit odd unless it wasn't someone we knew perhaps.
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>>4147620
>She’s clinging to life by a thread…but you’re not through with her just yet. [Stabilize her]
I just really don't want to kill her if it isn't an absolute necessity. I kind of want to do something better for her if possible.
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>>4147696
dude shes done us worse personally and is a bigger actual threat then others we've put down when we could've spared them, and unlike other times we do not have wiggle room right now to babysit her or risk her continuing to be a threat, which she doesn't seem intent on changing from being.

shes not earned that risk or mercy, both personally and in action and threat level to the world around us.
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>>4147620

>Raise one hand, and pat what remains of her head and gently shush her into silence.
>Open an empathy channel and soothe her regretful yet guilt-ridden mind.
>Have a Joyous whisper "Suth" to add to the effect.
>”…It’s over, Magpie. It’s done, so…just rest.”
>"Just close your eyes and relax."
>Hum a quiet tune for Magpie to listen while you silently prepare the Contender to fire one last bullet through the crown/brain stem.
>The Tune that Shu's humming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUlDZK-yZmU
Start at 3:34 for the appropriate pace of Shu's quiet tune.
>Fire the gun when appropriate.

>Take a few moments post kill to gather yourself.
>Silently command the Knightlings to gather our unconscious yet stabilized allies, and gingerly pick up the relics that Magpie once wielded.
>Stare at Magpie's head, headless of the tears now flowing down your cheek.
>"All this time...all this time...I thought you were cool...An old hand of the Crucible, hardened into a legend but still a softie at heart...A cool sharpshooting lady who fought to stay alive in memory of her son Alex. A woman who despite her checkered past and the guilt weighing down on her shoulders was still capable of moving past it with the capacity of doing good."
>"You and I... will need to have a talk after all of this is through."
>Take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. Wipe away the tears.
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>>4147726
(Great choice of music. The Kirby games have been knocking it out of the park in that regard for a while.)
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>>4147707
On mercy, I disagree. She didn't even try to kill us until we told her that she'd have to, making a show of stabilizing our downed allies. You're making her out to be worse than she was so it's easier to justify this choice.
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>>4147726
and this just feels like outright babying her.

>>4147620
>>4147726
geezus im very much against that first part, thats just not treating her with respect at all.

against all of it actually.
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>>4147736
He really isnt. She is stubborn till the end. She said that she would still continue with what she was doing(either willingly or not matters little. A Geas does not care about your own opinion it will make you do it). And we dont have the resources to babysit someone like her. She is also feeling this hunger each time she pulls the trigger on one of her guns. I woudl say she is probably unstable right now and should be put down before madness claims her. We dont want/can afford a Yurei 2.0 right now

If she really has a watertight reason for all of this we can possibly debate about reviving her. Which i would be against
But right now.... there are too many unknowns still in play to take any risks
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>>4147736
no, im really not.
she still put our family in danger, and she lied to us when it was clear in some form at least she didnt have to. she then killed innocent lives and told us to ignore and let her kill more, and forced our hand in stopping her. she planned to slaughter nine settlements very much on her own, making her an immediate and direct threat, all while knowing we also had other things to take care of.

Even Yurei, was at least not an immediate threat to us, and not a direct or immediate threat to others lives. even Isabelle by the end didnt care about us directly, and was never more a threat to anyone else than anyone else trying to win, and even then had shown herself to be more than ok letting people walk away if they didnt get in her way, on top of by the end not even being a threat to the crucibles end or wanting to harm others, it was just she was still a threat to take care of while we had some form of advantage.

Lepisma too, and others, there was a chance not to end them, and we still did, with them being way less of a threat if we dont than Magpie is here. you're using her soft spot for our family as an excuse to ignore she still shot us up, gave us difficult choices to make and issues when she didn't have to, and was an immediate and active threat to dozens if not hundreds of lives, aswell as the potential stability of numerous settlements and others she wasn't targeting. just because she didnt directly try to kill our family doesnt mean she wasnt a bigger threat than others, nor suddenly more deserving of mercy than others. if anything, that makes her less, as we have always tried to say not to put ourselves before others or on a pedestal, and she in a way was doing exactly that, while also using it as part of her excuse to end lives aswell.
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>>4147746
i still feel even if she had damn good reasons, they probably wouldn't justify this, and even moreso, i highly think she could of at least hinted at them more, over going behind our back, even if they do. like, before she started kicking things off again, she really didnt even try to hint at what she was doing or why, and while the Geas clearly made it hard to do, she still got more details out and made it more clear she had some reason for this, which doing beforehand could've helped her case alot.

seriously, wheres our ability to gain a level boost every-time there communication issues, especially avoidable ones? we'd be caught up to Mara in no time with that...
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>>4147759
>i still feel even if she had damn good reasons
I was talking more about absolutely watertight Reasons like everyone she hit directly plotting to kill all live on the planet within the next couple of days. I couldn't accept anything less as a reason but yeah she absolutely screwed up that damn communication on her end.

I think if we had that power we would have probably surpassed Mara by now..... and possibly the creators of the crucible by the time we are finally at the bottom of the cord.


So do you think we will have to take the Neurotic Crown with us into the dreamscape to put it on her head or will the Geas be dealt with once we consume her......?
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>>4147765
probably not, but we'll see. i cant see the Geas lasting after death, just not how the Crucible seems to do things. that, and if we're right about it being tied up to the guns, not only are most of them melted hunks of junk now, but id think their connection to her would also be severed upon death.

even if it is someone else who put it on her, id be surprised if even a Phantasmal could keep it going after death, unless maybe if they had the Phantasmal Halo, but West has that if im remembering correctly, and its super unlikely shes involved in this.

suppose it could be our first case of a halo being copied, but again, feels unlikely. again though, guess we'll have to see.
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>>4147759
>seriously, wheres our ability to gain a level boost every-time there communication issues, especially avoidable ones? we'd be caught up to Mara in no time with that...
Yeah, forget Knowable Kadath, we need Avoidable Misunderstanding.

>>4147765
>So do you think we will have to take the Neurotic Crown with us into the dreamscape to put it on her head or will the Geas be dealt with once we consume her......?
Couldn't hurt. I think the Silver Key will likely be enough to tear the geas off her once she's in the dreamscape, though.
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>>4147737
Let me have this. Magpie for all her aloof disposition, sees much of Alex in Shu throughout the battle and gave Shu the respect that she could give. Shu despite the sting of Magpie's betrayal still showed respect towards her in those parting words when combat ended in the following lines:

>“…g-guess I should’ve hit you f-first, huh kiddo?” Magpie coughs out, struggling to grin even as flames lick at her lips.

>“Yeah.” You say. “Yeah, you should’ve.”

I mean prior to shit going down, we've tried to convince her to stand down. With both sides admitting that they respected each other so much as to not wanting to have this end with one of them dying from a lethal fight.

Magpie lost Alex in the Crucible and wallowed in guilt and under the weight of a heavy geas for more than 2 years. She sees much of Alex in Shu, and right now is on death's door. The least I could do is to give Magpie a comforting sendoff and eulogy instead of simply shooting her immediately in silence with nary a twitch of emotion.
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>>4147836
nope, still feels wrong to me and not appropriate. a song just feels wholly out of place, dragging it on too long, and not really respectful either. shes also not the only thing we have to worry about, unlike many other times.

she'd also probably be proud of us to taking her as a threat seriously even til the end, not that i personally care though.
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>>4147836
I don't disagree, but I also don't feel that it needs anything super in-depth. It feels overly maudlin, especially when death isn't the end in the Crucible. We're going to kill her, and then an hour or two later after we've eaten her she's going to wake up again inside our brain. This isn't "farewell", it's "sit tight", we'll see her again once West Alpha is dealt with and we have the time to check out our Dreamscape. After we meet our new Dream Daughters, leave the heavy conversation for last. And maybe after we talk with Yurei (since we're going to be in Francine's head to meet the three new Dream Daughters in her) about where she found the Silver Key, I do want to ask her about that. Sorry, getting sidetracked. My point is that we don't have to have some grand goodbye, she's not really going anywhere. We're just making her sit in the time-out corner to think about what she did.
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>>4147858
well, while i still dont agree with the other Anon, i do think you're downplaying Crucible Death too much.

sure, you COULD end up as a dream daughter, but we're lucky to be able to make sure that can happen. and being a dream daughter is still 9/10, if not more often, basically being trapped in a cage of memories with nothing to do and no real will or goals left to exert yourself. it could be argued to be worse than death, depending on the perspective, and certainly who you're in. it also makes you no longer in charge of your own life or existence, relying on your host to survive.

and things like the Engine and Spiritus are rare, and one has limited uses even if you do have it, while the other is often outright enslavement. not exactly good points to stand on for saying death isnt final and/or still a id deal id very much argue.

the act of putting someone down should also never cease to hold weight, even if i agree the weight it should hold should be dragged out, especially in the wrong way.
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>>4147858
>>4147865
apropos Dreamdaughters. Wanna wager a guess on how many Dreamdaughters we just deleted?

I would guess at least a dozen if not two
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>>4147865
Okay, yes, in a vacuum death has meaning still. The odds of any particular Daughter winding up in a good dreamscape are not certain. But I mean in the specific situation of Shu killing and eating someone, it's not that bad. Nothing to be flippant about, no, but that's more because any violence against someone you care about and/or respect (and Shu does respect almost all her opponents, I'd say that Hatter was the only one we've fought so far for which there was no respect) is a bad thing. The death itself is just unfortunate, not a true tragedy. That's why my write-in was "we can talk later, just rest for now".

>>4147875
Zero. Charon told us that's not how it works, remember? They don't actually get deleted, they just get sent to storage in the Cord. It's not particularly pleasant, they're trapped halfway between dreams and consciousness in a fugue state, but they're not really dead. It's more like we put them in a coma.
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>>4147883
you know what i was getting at. But to make you happy. How many Dreamdaughters did we just send to cloud storage in what probably amounts to something close to hell in the Cord?
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>>4147875
probably closer to two or more id wager. she had access to the Arbiter for while afterall, and shes been around for a long time. augments alone probably raise the number a good chunk, even if her actual ability set wasn't too high in variation.

might be for the best, i cant imagine she treated them well. not bad, mind you, just cant see her not blocking them off and ignoring them for the most part.

also, whew, Uzus watch team is gonna have one hell of a someone on their hands now...

>>4147883
>Charon told us that's not how it works, remember?
i dont think he means literal full deletion, but deleting from access. and thats still not exactly something to just wave off, especially when we dont know the specifics of it in actual detail. for all we know its a waking nightmare. not to mention how that overlaps with the backups already in the cord too. its also alot more final than even being a DD in a bad Host is.

>But I mean in the specific situation of Shu killing and eating someone, it's not that bad.
i still just disagree. even in us, i dont think its really a good situation to be in or one most would enjoy. come to terms with? sure, but full on enjoy no.

> "we can talk later, just rest for now".
and i still feel thats putting what is happening way too lightly. we're still putting her down, regardless of what may come next.
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>>4147858
Okay, this reasoning I can get behind for changing my vote to be a bit less maudlin instead of , Hang on a moment.

>>4147836
>she'd also probably be proud of us to taking her as a threat seriously even til the end, not that i personally care though.
That's very telling of you.

>>4147726
>>4147620
Amending vote:

>Raise one hand, and pat her head to comfort her and stop her tittering.
>Look at Magpie in the eye.
>”…It’s over, Magpie. It’s done, so…just rest.”
>[End her]
>"I'll see you in the dreamscape soon."
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>>4147888
I'm going to say more than we'd like, but less than we'd expect. With the sort of self-loathing that Magpie has over what she's done to survive in the Crucible, I can see her actually not eating Daughters too often. So yeah, about a dozen sounds right for how long she's been active in the Crucible, nothing like the swarm of angry ghosts in Isabel's Secluded Mind.
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>>4147895
>>4147620
still voting against this, especially the headpat.

>That's very telling of you.
oh bite me. she just forced us to put her down to stop her from slaughtering people as she tried to use us having another issue to avoid having to confront us about it. why the hell should any of us care about her being proud of us, which mind you, is different than respecting her or vise versa. theres nothing to be proud of in this situation, and no reason to want her to be proud of us. doesn't change the fact you seemed to care and its still true she most likely would.
>>
Alright Anons. I will head to bed now. Stay safe and healthy everyone and i am sure we will hear from each other over the coming days.
Good Night
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>>4147913
Good night, anon. Sleep well.
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>>4147913
night, and possibly catch ya later.
still mean to catch up on folks story and whatnot, but well, the quest itself is distracting to that. maybe ill make some progress over the weekend though, we'll see.
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>>4147759
>>4147827
>seriously, wheres our ability to gain a level boost every-time there communication issues, especially avoidable ones? we'd be caught up to Mara in no time with that...
>Yeah, forget Knowable Kadath, we need Avoidable Misunderstanding.

We must have really shitty communication skills if we're so inept that we needed an UPGRADE on the Hexane empathy field that Ozmas gave us in order to read people.

>>4147897
>I'm going to say more than we'd like, but less than we'd expect. With the sort of self-loathing that Magpie has over what she's done to survive in the Crucible, I can see her actually not eating Daughters too often. So yeah, about a dozen sounds right for how long she's been active in the Crucible, nothing like the swarm of angry ghosts in Isabel's Secluded Mind.

Now Imagine Magpie on her lonesome with all the dreamdaughters she's absorbed, with the dream daughters constantly trying to reach out to her to no success in bringing her out of her self-loathing.

>>4147620
>>4147895
Final amendment.
>”…It’s over, Magpie. It’s done, so…just rest.” [End her]
>"I'll see you in the dreamscape soon."
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>>4147933
>We must have really shitty communication skills if we're so inept that we needed an UPGRADE on the Hexane empathy field that Ozmas gave us in order to read people.
I don't know, we tend to have a good read of the general issues someone has, it's the specific problems that we miss because they just refuse to say anything about them. Communication is two-way, if you're not trying to tell the other person something you can't blame them for not picking up on it.
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>>4147933
>We must have really shitty communication skills if we're so inept that we needed an UPGRADE on the Hexane empathy field that Ozmas gave us in order to read people.

i really dont think thats the case. sure we miss things, but everyone does. but we have been more than willing to lend an ear and be there if folks need to talk. its just, no one does. you can only do so much to try and get folks TO communicate. it goes both ways for sure in these cases, at the very least.

though again, im sure you're right and we do miss some things. just cant catch them all, is what im trying to say, even given the format of the quest, and also when folks dont want to communicate in the first place.

probably doesn't help though the Crucible doesn't choose the healthiest minds to bring into it either though. Shu, technically afterall, isnt Crucible chosen. i mean, she might be some chimera of leftover minds or something, but she herself is just a fresh slate starting out more or less. probably offputs people a bit because of that too, though also feels like something the Crucible probably needed a bit.
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>>4147933
>We must have really shitty communication skills if we're so inept that we needed an UPGRADE on the Hexane empathy field that Ozmas gave us in order to read people.

Just Reading my own statement makes me feel like an ass for just writing that out.

>>4147936
>>4147940

>I don't know, we tend to have a good read of the general issues someone has, it's the specific problems that we miss because they just refuse to say anything about them. Communication is two-way, if you're not trying to tell the other person something you can't blame them for not picking up on it.

>I really dont think thats the case. sure we miss things, but everyone does. but we have been more than willing to lend an ear and be there if folks need to talk. its just, no one does. you can only do so much to try and get folks TO communicate. it goes both ways for sure in these cases, at the very least.

It doesn't make it any less painful when trying to coax people into divulging. Some people have old shames so great that even bringing it up is like reopening an old wound, it's like a combination of pulling teeth and having an agonizing "talk" with your mother where you could do nothing except shut up and listen while your mother lectures your ears off for hours every time she wants to have a "talk".
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>>4147943
no, i get that and agree. just saying we shouldn't be ourselves u over it or take all the blame. both unhealthy and also very arguably not true.

>>4147733
also, i think i found a picture of a dead girl, and what may of been...
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>>4147943
>It doesn't make it any less painful when trying to coax people into divulging. Some people have old shames so great that even bringing it up is like reopening an old wound, it's like a combination of pulling teeth and having an agonizing "talk" with your mother where you could do nothing except shut up and listen while your mother lectures your ears off for hours every time she wants to have a "talk".
You're not wrong. Here's hoping whatever that level fifteen upgrade we get to the empathic field helps us break past that. But yeah, without psychic powers to assist it is sometimes very hard for people to expose themselves to the things they're bottling up long enough to tell another person about them.
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>>4147949
>also, i think i found a picture of a dead girl, and what may of been...
Ah, don't remind me. I'm still angry West Gamma ate Ceres' team. They were cool, I wanted to hang out more. God, West Gamma was the worst. Prime is obviously the real monster, but it was Gamma that we actually personally interacted with. And she was awful. At least we managed to save the Sororitas, rescue them to Amara's dreamscape.
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>>4147949
That's Diana, the leech Hive mistress.

Dammit Gamma....

>>4147956
Thinking back on Gamma's personal notes, I think Prime was set to have Gamma be her successor considering that Prime trusted Gamma enough to tell the latter of her slowly debilitating condition, if we're counting the greek alphabet as the iteration models of successive clones. Alpha was the first, but was more Terminator-like after extensive modding, Francine (beta) questioned too much after probably seeing Prime put Alpha under the knife, and Gamma was the third iteration which is probably the point where Prime perfected the proxy model network.

>>4147949
>>4147950

>You're not wrong. Here's hoping whatever that level fifteen upgrade we get to the empathic field helps us break past that. But yeah, without psychic powers to assist it is sometimes very hard for people to expose themselves to the things they're bottling up long enough to tell another person about them.

Which brings me up to my next point. We shouldn't use that lvl 15 power that liberally. A power like that would make Shu look like a very intrusive and nosey person if used in the wrong context as it's a dangerous power to abuse in the right malicious context. At best we can only use it for people who want to talk and divulge information but couldn't quite get the message across such as people who wanted to express themselves but couldn't properly do so in the right context.

We shouldn't use it on people who have secrets to hide and aren't willing to divulge them on their own terms.
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>>4147956
yeah, damn West to Hell. still looking forward to putting West Prime in the ground. ill not lie, probably will argue to let her DD go untaken too... assuming we could get past her Halo anyways.
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>>4147961
while i agree on not intruding too harshly on others minds(that was part of what gave alot pause in upgrading Hive in the first place for so long), i do feel we need to see the level first before we cast judgement. see exactly what it does and works, over just a spoilery hint.
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>>4147962
>>4147956
Speaking of west, I wonder how the proxies are faring with their new Discord/skype neural Network, now that they're not under Alpha's thumb. And speaking of Alpha... I wonder how B-team is doing.

But I'm willing to guess that we're going to be interrupted by the Altered Altar in the next update considering that we had a massive fight break out near their settlement. The giant Maw that probably is the Altered Altar's new leader being high as fuck and constantly surrounded by a haze of smoke from the dank kush she's been smoking by the bushel. That Trippy smoke of phantasmal regret is no joke though. It's eerily similar to the Depression field that Julia has.
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>>4147981
yeah, though to be fair, id want to make sure they're not freaking out and know the dangers over with anyhow. maybe give a few quick nods of affirmation to help them feel safe. but nothing too long of course, we have other threats to deal with.

oh, and maybe they can get our flesh and blood members up and running again sooner, or at least ease the pain...

Francines gonna throw a fit when she sees November though. i mean, she'll be worried too of course, but she'll be flinging out lectures about repair costs and time and stuff along with the worry aswell no doubt. good luck with that November, we may have to sacrifice your ears to that so we can focus on other things....
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>>4147986
>Francines gonna throw a fit when she sees November though. i mean, she'll be worried too of course, but she'll be flinging out lectures about repair costs and time and stuff along with the worry aswell no doubt. good luck with that November, we may have to sacrifice your ears to that so we can focus on other things....

How about we throw November to Francine, Rath, AND Tinker Tailor. I'm very certain that Tailor would be EXCITED to help Francine in not only repairing a Warforged Daughter, but also modding the hell out of it.
>>
>>4147990
oh, yeah, i already had the idea, and thought we probably couldn't STOP Rath from helping if we wanted to. it was just an amusing image to me to focus on how Francine would react once she sees the damage.
>>
>>4147992
I think Francine's a closet /mecha/ fan. How much of a Mecha fan we don't know. But once we see her reaction and how she plans to repair/upgrade November it'll be clear enough.
>>
>>4147981
Well, it's only been life half a day that the Wests have been un-Proxied, so things still probably haven't settled. The thought occurs that this is actually probably the most interaction they've ever had with each other before, the Proxy Network was pretty compartmentalized. It must be strange to know in the abstract that you're one of a couple dozen clones but only now properly meet the others.

I hope the Amaglam team is alright. I'd like to call them once we're settled here, ask how they're doing. I think we should call Sia's hivephone, if we used the Crimson Cord we might interrupt Gina in the middle of working.

And yeah, the Altar are definitely going to want to talk to us. I hope they'll help us recuperate the non-biomechanical members of the team, heal them up. Or at least give us someplace to rest while we're healing up. We should probably check in on the Gemma alter while we're here, too, I believe BHOP said she managed to escape to the splinter branch. See how she's doing, tell her that we know of at least two other alters in the system who are cool and don't want to eat her if she'd like to meet them.

>inb4 the giant mouth-monster leader /is/ the Gemma alter, having done much more succesfully for herself than her siblings.

>>4147986
>>4147990
We should probably also come back to Tinker Tailor after we stop Alpha, if there's anything left of her to salvage. "NetworkedForgeCoresyespleasethat'ssocoolshowmeshowmeshowme."
>>
>>4148003
>We should probably also come back to Tinker Tailor after we stop Alpha, if there's anything left of her to salvage.

I'm thinking we go see Tinker Tailor BEFORE we go hunt down Alpha. It's been a while since we left Julia to her devices, and it's also a good time to catch up with her while we get Francine, Rath, and Tailor to repair November before we all go hunt down Alpha. We'll probably need the tank.
>>
>>4148003
>Gemma Shard
we know it survived, but i dont know if he said she went here? only she was in a group, i think. would make things less complicated though, yeah.

>We should probably also come back to Tinker Tailor after we stop Alpha, if there's anything left of her to salvage.
probably, but we'll see. wonder if anyone's tried to steal West Alphas Relics during a fight, and id be worried about if its possible, and what it would mean for if we defeat her.
>>
>>4148008
it actually hasnt been that much time. like, we were in Laoc possibly not even an hour ago potentially. well, ok, probably an hour by now, but still. Dorian also stolegot in her catching up time with the family anyways. plus, Alpha is still out there. will depend on how things are going with Team Two and what they found out really. i mean, the base move was to keep ourselves hidden and give ourselves time, but shes still our next objective, just due to sheer destructive power really.
>>
>>4148008
Oh, sure, I meant in addition. Afterwards, when we're no longer being hunted and can relax a bit. We'll head back to Laoc, see Julia, check on our Pods, talk to Tinker Tailor, just have a relaxing day before we then have to duel Jackie and then start worrying about whatever intel we get from Magpie in the dreamscape.

Hey, speaking of dueling Jackie, does anyone else predict some hilarious shenanigans being possible because of her sword making her count as simultaneously ally and enemy? We can spawn things from our allies. She draws the sword and we immediately create fifty Banelings directly on top of her to immediately detonate, then wrap her up in a crown boll of Hundred-Hands.
>>
>>4148008
>>4148014
Alpha also has more say in when we have to go after her than we would probably like to admit too, so we'll have to see what ruckus shes causing.
>>
>>4148014

speaking of Jackie's Vorpal sword... let me copypasta any excerpt that seem noteworthy as to its function and design.

>Filename from it's introduction written in leetspeak: "THESE TOYS ARE NOT YOURS TO PLAY WITH"

>You look at the blade, and it HURTS

>Jackie's by her friend's side instantly as November and Rath hurtle past, and as Magpie's stump of an arm begins to roil with half-formed ravens, it just...STOPS

>Bhop's word of god:(Jackie's new toy does some interesting things to how the interface and how certain abilities sort friend from foe. For the sake of abilities, she currently counts as both.)

>The leader of the midnight Crew is moving…no, carving her way through space, Ace’s hefty form slung over one shoulder with every swing of Jackie’s sword propelling her forward as though she’s cutting her way to safety.


>>4147733
I can't help but Jackie's sword function like vid related including the sound effects particularly when the Hand scraps away the space in front of him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgfYYOyhZY4

>>4148019
Didn't Orwell place a large Skintalking ward on Alpha to give passerbys an early warning system? Also. I can't help but get the feeling that Alpha's spending her time re-purposing our old house into a lab of her own.
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>>4148043
>Didn't Orwell place a large Skintalking ward on Alpha to give passerbys an early warning system? Also. I can't help but get the feeling that Alpha's spending her time re-purposing our old house into a lab of her own.
that ward isnt gonna be very comforting or do much if shes bowling through settlements willy nilly, targeting them or not. some also very well might not be able to, or be able to afford, moving out of her way.
>>
>>4148043
>Didn't Orwell place a large Skintalking ward on Alpha to give passerbys an early warning system? Also. I can't help but get the feeling that Alpha's spending her time re-purposing our old house into a lab of her own.
I'm not sure Alpha has the patience to build a lab in our house. She was described as being very petulant and impulsive, building a lab is boring work. As for the ward, sure, but if Alpha wanders too close to a settlement we might not have a choice.
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>>4147625
also some relics. love to hear what BHOP and others think of them.

>CHIMERA SYRUP(Consumable); a thick, creamy syrup with a mixed flavor between chocolate and butterscotch, this odd treat comes with a unique effect that is, quite literally, a game changer for a Daughter. Upon consuming, a Daughter may trade out the entirety of one of her Abilities for any she has ever seen, including Cores and Hybrids, at a cost of 3 levels for 1 of the new, or 3 Augments for 1 New Augment. However, the after effect of this is the lost Ability or Augments may never be regained, nor any ‘sister’ variants of it, such as abilities that while not the same technically, are in function, usually to the point the two would combine upon getting both. While gaining a new allergic reaction to something once a part of you can be a rough downside, gaining otherwise rare and hard to find Abilities can be worth any price.

>BONDING BOMB(Consumable); a round, squishy hand sized orb looking like a tadpole egg, this relic works best for Hive Mistresses, though any with constructs may use it. Tossing it at a target, upon a proper hit and dousing their target in the liquid inside, said target now counts as one of the throwers Constructs, though which one is random if they have more than one ability with fully different types and sources of constructs. Said target gains all the advantages of the throwers constructs of the chosen ability, with an automatic free choice of type of construct within that ability tree, with a physical touch able to shift what construct type they count as. While for most this is the extent, Hive Mistresses will find they can try and force their will upon their new ‘friend’, a tug-of-war of wills being rolled each turn, with the Hive Mistress gaining an increasing bonus each turn the target is under their effects. The effects last for a single combat, though is not impossible to remove under the right circumstances.

>SWISS ARMY CONFIGUROR; inspired by a doctor and her cyborg, this big piece of red plastic, looking like an oversized Swiss Army Knife with its tools removed, has one simple, but not too shabby use. One may insert Relics into it, up to four, allowing a single limb to wield them all, though only one may be active at a time from within it, swapping over is a free action once a turn. Truly, for those with too many relics and not enough hands, wanting to be ready for any situation.
>>
>>4147625
>>4148070
and last one wouldn't fit with the others;

>ACCELERATION ALTERCATION DRIVE; this odd, rotating devices, akin to a glowing blue sphere, inside a glowing purple Dodecahedron, inside a glowing red Icosahedron, all dormant before activation, but all spinning randomly and independently from eachother once on. The inner Sphere glows brighter and spins faster as the user of the device moves, swings, or fires off weaponry. Anything adding momentum to the world, the sphere steals a third of from the user, to power and build itself up. The user may then expend this built up power for 1 ACT at any time, either gaining a speed boost for the turn worth 3x what the Sphere stole, or increasing the speed and potency of a single melee or ranged attack by 5x what was stolen. The inner Dodecahedron steals Momentum from allies, taking a third from all tagged as allies within long range, glowing brighter and spinning faster as it builds up a charge. It may then expend the built up speed to give all allies a 5x its built up amount speed boost for a single turn, or increase the speed and potency of their next melee or ranged attack by 7x what it had built up. Finally, the outer Icosahedron in turn, steals momentum from all incoming attacks upon you, or from enemies that pass within medium range of the device, sapping your foes and their strikes of a fifth their momentum, again building up speed and brightness as it accumulates momentum. The Icosahedron may then oddly be used quite differently from the inner spheres, instead making an Icosahedron shaped ‘bubble’ out to long range for one turn, slowing everything allies, enemies, attacks, and even time itself, down by 5x what it had stored up within it, for all but the one who wields this device. Momentum is an odd, useful thing, and now it is yours to bend and twist to your benefit.
>>
>>4148070
>CHIMERA SYRUP
Ooph. Completely denying any sort of similar ability to the sacrificed one is a steep price. Definitely not something I'd want to use. But maybe if a Daughter encountered someone really strong, like if they were going to copy Charon's build, then it might be worth it.

>BONDING BOMB
Oh, I like this one. I think it would actually benefit Phantasmal Conduits as much as if not more than Hive Mistresses, given that it would let them put all those single-target enhancements on the affected. Or maybe Flesh Artisans, if Dorian could give people his Sibling and Matron familiars' abilities that would be broken as hell.

>SWISS ARMY CONFIGUROR
That would be extremely handy for November if we had enough Relics for her to kit out completely. We're still having trouble filling all her slots sometimes. Maybe someday, but for now it would mostly be a curiosity.

>>4148071
>ACCELERATION ALTERCATION DRIVE
Potentially very useful, but I think I'd be hesitant to actually use it. Speed is life. Though combining it with a speed-boosting armor could have some interesting synergy, fuel it that way so that you don't lose speed overall and can then get the boost for just paying Bio instead of suffering drawbacks.
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>>4148070
>Chimera Syrup
Wow. that's very potent as a consumable.

>Bonding Bomb
Why do I have this horrible mental image where two Hive Mistresses are pelting this one unfortunate daughter with bonding bombs with each of them trying to assume direct control over the unfortunate daughter like an ugly divorce court case on who gets the child?

>Swiss Army Configurator
Neat idea, needs a better name. How about Swiss Army Module? it's a modular relic that can be held in one hand whose functions can be hotswapped

>Accel Drive
That's a mouthful for a speed based around speed and momentum.
>>
>>4148104
>>4148109
>Chimera
well, it is a steep cost, but its also circumventing needing to kill someone or use an Engine to get an ability, so i think that evens it out, given it could let you trade for some pretty potent options.

>Bonding
hrm, hadn't thought of it as a way to get around construct boosts that only effect one. guess we just dont see too many of those, but yeah, it would work for that.

and the mental image of that poor Daughter getting pelted got me good, thanks for that Anon.

>Swiss Army
hrm, i can see the point on the name, but module feels a bit too plain. then again, it is a plain relic, but still.

>AAD
i think you could make it work, and certainly dont think speed is necessary to succeed. mind you, this is with initiative and speed not being exactly the same in this game in part, aswell as i think you could make a build to cover your lack of speed. but it would pair well with speed enhancements, yeah.

it also is a long name, but in a way i think its fitting, even if just as a joke.

also, i had a horrible image of a poor Daughter who uses the out device after a few rough turns against a speedster, and then beating them down for what they think is five minutes, only for the bubble to pop and its been weeks if not months outside the bubble. weeks is probably more realistic as a limit, but even realizing it had enough juice to lose you days would be kinda horrifyng.
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>>4148124
>also, i had a horrible image of a poor Daughter who uses the out device after a few rough turns against a speedster, and then beating them down for what they think is five minutes, only for the bubble to pop and its been weeks if not months outside the bubble. weeks is probably more realistic as a limit, but even realizing it had enough juice to lose you days would be kinda horrifyng.
On the other hand, we can turn that into a happy thought if we imagine that while the Daughter was in the time bubble Shu and the party stopped the Crucible and they come out of the bubble to a fixed world. All the monsters are gone, the sky is blue again and the ground is no longer covered in flesh, and there are a bunch of people who have been waiting for her bubble to pop so they can come say hi. Hooray, she's out, let's all have cake that isn't made of human flesh.
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>>4148168
that does bring up the implications of what would happen to those who were in it though. like... are they still flesh monsters? actually, scarily enough, id imagine the Crucible if need be could probably influence things while they're in the bubble, so probably not. her bubble would just end abruptly, or more horrifyingly, she would go through any transformations while trapped in it, but possibly still have to wait out the timer. that would mess with someones head damn hard, even if it was a good end result.
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>>4148178
And Now I question the motives of why you would invent such a thing that can fuck with time dilation.
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>>4148178
Yeah, the Crucible definitely has enough weird four-dimensional stuff that it could affect her through the time bubble. So yes, probably going to be very strange and worrying. But hey, she'll have the luxury of worrying about therapy once she gets out into a fixed world, so it's not so bad in the end.
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>>4148182
actually my only motive with that one was trying to create something for November, but of course might not always have to be on her.

>>4148183
fair enough haha.
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>>4148070
>>4148071

>>Chimera Syrup
(This is absolutely wild, and I love it.)

>>Bonding Bomb
(Oh, this is delightful. I can imagine a number of fun applications.)

>>Configurator
(Simple, yet incredibly useful. Nicely done.)

>>Acceleration Altercation Drive
(This...oh, I could have fun with this.)
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>>4148375
>(This...oh, I could have fun with this.)
oh... oh well then. glad it could be of use to you. id say id be interested to see what you mean, but, i feel like only in the most basic way possible haha.
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>>4148043
(Also, I'm glad someone got the Hand reference. Nicely done.)
>>
Damn... That was an intense fight. Also, pretty telling.

Magpie could have killed the whole group right at the start with that super move she did with all her guns. We were grouped up close enough, in the open, no cover, no defences primed, nothing. She was hidden, in a perfect sniping position, had a move powerful enough to kill the lot of us that also had enough range to cover the distance and we were distracted by her copy. She could have vaporised the lot of us while her copy was talking to us, but she didn't.

I think she was trying her best to help us from within her geas. She wanted to die because she knew she cannot be stopped with words, due to the geas, and we could consume her and talk to her again as a dream daughter, so death is not the end.

I think we need to ask if the geas will still work in death (to know if we need to take measures to protect ourselves from it when we take her core), reassure her that she will get justice for whoever put the geas on her, comfort her in her last moments, then tell her to close her eyes and think of Alex before we pull the trigger.

So something like this:

>Gentle ask if the geas will still work in death.
>>
Damn... That was an intense fight. Also, pretty telling.

Magpie could have killed the whole group right at the start with that super move she did with all her guns. We were grouped up close enough, in the open, no cover, no defences primed, nothing. She was hidden, in a perfect sniping position, had a move powerful enough to kill the lot of us that also had enough range to cover the distance and we were distracted by her copy. She could have vaporised the lot of us while her copy was talking to us, but she didn't.

I think she was trying her best to help us from within her geas. She wanted to die because she knew she cannot be stopped with words, due to the geas, and we could consume her and talk to her again as a dream daughter, so death is not the end.

I think we need to ask if the geas will still work in death (to know if we need to take measures to protect ourselves from it when we take her core), reassure her that she will get justice for whoever put the geas on her, comfort her in her last moments, then tell her to close her eyes and think of Alex before we pull the trigger.

So something like this:

>Gentle shush her into silence, with some help from the Joyous.
>Ask if the geas will still work in death.
>"I promise you this: If it is within my power, I promise you will get justice for whoever did this to you."
>"This is not the end for you. We will speak again soon."
>Gently pat her head and smile.
>"Now, just close your eyes... And think of Alex."
>Wait until she does so, and then pull the trigger.
>>
Woops post cut off.

>Gently ask if the geas will still work in death.
>"I promise you this: If it's in my power, you will get justice. Against whoever did this to you."
>"This is not the end. We will speak again soon."
>Sooth her with a smile and some help from the Joyous using it's lexicon.
>"Now, just close your eyes... And think of Alex."
>Wait until she does so, then pull the trigger.
>>
>>4149094
we have the Neurotic Crown that will remove all Geas effects once we put it on her head. She also does not have a halo(to delete Abilites) nor does she have Neuromancy to take over someone elses body with.

so there is little danger there i think. The most dangerous thing i think that can happen right now is us not ending her quick enough and the Geas forcing her to selfdestruct or something so that she will be lost to us.
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>>4149094
Linking your vote to >>4147620
>>
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(Gentlemen, I'll be away from my computer for a little while today, so if you have any questions or things you'd like to bring to my attention, then feel free to link it to this post so I can address it all when I settle in to write this evening.)

(I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy, and I'll be back soon.)
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>>4149261
>>4148412
>>4148183
>>4149094


It's been touch and go, but I finally got around to finishing the next chapter of Carter's adventure.

Chapter 2: Streets of Cradleton
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fb0G5ztIXieLpRDxb1XXfCo5jX-w1Tcud_-A4n0vEzQ/edit#

Give it a read and tell me what you think.
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>>4149261
>I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy

Well enough. I have this small cough and i really hope its nothing Cause my boss is gonna flip her shit if its the virus. Stay healthy yourself OP

>>4149430
I will give this a read and my opinion somewhere around tomorrow. i will be busy now with my roleplaying group.

I have been looking forward to this for a while now
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>>4149430
>Dear Fleshscape Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me...

Ooph, poor Carter. Always being sexually harassed. This is why he avoids settlements and prefers to wander, ladies. Things like this. Good job, was pretty funny. I quite like the bit at the end with Tom the too pure cinnamon roll spider.
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>>4149430
not bad, if also not a bit bite sized. enjoyed the read, and also a bit horrified by the mental image those signs brought up. also horribly made me question the economic and social hierarchy structure of a town like that.
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>>4149430
>>4149913
oh, and added the chapter to his profile page, keeping the archives organized and all that. though, i have a feeling by the end of this Carter would prefer to have all this forgotten.
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>>4149913

>enjoyed the read, and also a bit horrified by the mental image those signs brought up. also horribly made me question the economic and social hierarchy structure of a town like that.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, the chapter was a bit bite sized because I was sitting on this chapter for weeks at a time and figured the encounter with Benio was eventful enough to conclude the chapter. As for your questions: You'll find out eventually.

>>4149915
>spoiler
He won't be leaving unscathed, I will tell you that at least.
>>
>>4149927
my first thought was;
>Carter frees a whore town of its oppressive hierarchy.
and cant help but laugh at how out of all the places, that town is very much NOT a place he would want to be seen as a hero in, nor the rewards and affection that would bring.
>>
>>4149927
also, let us pray Gina and Kosi never hear of that place.
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>>4149261
>>4149430
actually this Anons story brings up an odd question, that ill both spoiler for his stories sake, and might be actual spoilers for the quest too, but we'll see.
what is the limit to using abilities outside of combat without causing the crucible to shift those involved into 'combat mode'? obviously, there is one, but as 'combat mode' is an actual confirmed thing in the crucible, im curious its parameters. would, for example, Carter not at all intending hostile action with his aura prevent it from activating, despite giving him a clear advantage if he did go hostile? what about counters to it? would they still activate even if they are typically combat oriented counters, even though combat isnt activated, just because its still happening? or is it all pretty much very specific to the mix of abilities and emotions going on? also sorry if he isnt the best example to ask this question off of, considering his whole ability is based off making people ignore him.
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>>4150020
>>4149992
>>4149981
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>>4149927
I just thought of an awful pun that should exist somewhere in this town. You know that term "fujoshi", women who really like yaoi anime and manga? It means "rotten girl". There needs to be a literal rotten girl in this town who will be very interested in Carter's sleek and small physique. It gives her ideas.
>>
>>4150032
(...Ha, that's an excellent idea.)
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>>4150020
(Now that I'm home, I'll have to research and see if I've got something written about how that works. I'm fairly certain I do, I just want to make sure I'm remembering correctly.)
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>>4150287
fair. and looking forward to it. take your time and enjoy your weekend though, and i appreciate it.
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>>4150287
got something for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Fj9B4y4w0
>>
>>4150528
(Thanks for sharing! I always appreciate new music to add to the growing playlist. As an aside, I realize that I've never really shared any of the songs from it myself...I think that's on account of me not wanting to influence anyone's pereceptions of the characters that much.)

>>4150287
(Found my notes, but it's late on my end and I have to get up early tomorrow, so I'll post a little later tomorrow. Thanks for your patience, Anon.)
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>>4150020
(I meant to reply to you at the bottom half of this >>4150762 post.)
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>>4150762
>>4150766
no problem, have a wonderful night, and have a picture from that folder full of em i keep forgetting to post from when its appropriate.
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>>4149430
There were some negative things. All of them about sentences i either did not truly understand/ took several reads to understand. But the good outweighs the bad in my opinion.


Somewhat awkward sentences:
>A street sign of bone next to the waystation that read: “Welcome to Cradleton”

Feels a bit awkward to read like a word is missing that is throwing me off.

>the daughter turned so fast at the speed of whiplash, making him turn around to find himself looking at a pair of blood orange eyes.

Not sure if that is just something the language barrier is keeping me from understanding or if this is a saying i dont know. Anyway felt a bit awkward to read

Poor Carter he is gonna find this place to be absolutely nightmarish wont he.....

He found his personal purgatory didnt he

I liked Rupert He is fun and clearly a gentleman showing concern for one so.... well obviously of low morals as Benio one could sayin

I will be interested to see if she will make a return and in what capacity

I will be looking forward to the other spiders. You only showed a few of them but i find myself awsking what the thoughts of all the other ones are.
Definetly looking forward to more of this. And absolutely damn you for only making this so short I completely understand the difficulty of making a story flow and you did so well It is alo a good thing to not strive to absolute perfection and make a billion minute adjustments every step of the way and be able to say good enough. otherwise you will be stuck never accomplishing anything
>>
>>4151155
the first example theres nothing wrong with. at least for typical american English its perfectly fine.

for the second it is a bit awkward though. but only the first part. it should probably be;
>the daughter turned fast, at the speed of whiplash, making him turn around to find himself looking at a pair of blood orange eyes.
or
>the daughter turned at the speed of whiplash, making him turn around to find himself looking at a pair of blood orange eyes.
most likely, though the biggest actual issue is 'Whiplash' is something you get, not usually a descriptor of speed, so it feels awkward to be where it is. if a different example of how fast she was going was there, i dont think there would be an issue, such as;
>the daughter turned so fast at the speed of a cheetah, making him turn around to find himself looking at a pair of blood orange eyes.
actually the lack of a comma may actually be the bigger reason it reads a bit weird, but with a more recognizable example of speed the brain can at least 'fill in' the idea easier, if that makes sense.

mind you, could be a joke being made there by using whiplash instead of something else, so if so, nothing wrong with it, and really falls more into the opinion category.

>>4151155
>>4149430
mind you im not trying to harp on either of you, just i know the one Anons main language isnt English so trying to help with that.
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>>4151172
okay thank you for clarification.

Since i didnt learn american english it felt strange to me
>>
>>4151172
Thanks for the feedback.

I did want to point out something that you did bring up when I released chapter 1 of Carter and the Town of Cradleton: How much time has passed in-quest vs. OOC. I've made certain changes in chapter 1, and revised the timeline so that it would make much more sense considering the timeline "Carter and the Bunny" took place in conjunction with canon quest timeline.

And I've also made a small timeline on how this will break down in order to keep with the continuity.

>Timeline events in concurrence with Canon quest
Slight spoilers ahead, chapters with (WIP) are being planned out.

>Vein #19 = Carter and Luna’s debut in “Carter and the Bunny”
>Vein #19 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 1: Carter on the Crossroads
>Vein #19 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 2: Streets of Cradleton
>Vein #20 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 3: Charlotte's Parlor (WIP)
>Vein #20 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 4: She's a Man Eater (WIP)
>Vein #21 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 5: Philosophical Pillow talk (WIP)
>Vein #22 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 6: Naked and Afraid (WIP)
>Vein #23 = Carter and the town of Cradleton Chapter 7: The Morning After (WIP)
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>>4152488
>those names
oh boy, well looking forward to the rest of it.

still is crazy to think only a few days have passed IC since then 23rd though. or maybe a week, though regardless way less time than it feels has actually passed.
>>
(Apologies for the radio silence Gentlemen, as my weekend was far busier than I anticipated it would be. Thus, I will delay posting for one hour past the time I'd originally planned, to give myself a little leeway as the next update isn't exactly where I'd like it to be. Thank you for your patience, and Ill be addressing any questions I haven't yet answered tomorrow as well.)
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>>4152531
ah, ill be busy then, but thats fine, should still be able to catch it before the next update. hope this Monday wont be like your usual BHOP, and looking forward to it.
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>>4152488
>those names
Oh no, Carter. I fear for your virtue. Stay safe and don't let the mean spider lady bully you into doing anything you don't want to.

>>4152525
I think it's been a bit over a week by now. But yeah, things move fast for Shu and the Defiants. Future historians are going to look back at the Crucible and boggle at how quickly things changed in the final days of the Crucible. It will be like some of the battles in World War 2, where you get a hundred books on a single day of events.

>>4152531
Yeah, I figured your weekend was busy. See you tomorrow, BHOP.
>>
>>4152531
No worries, it's all good. See you tomorrow, BHOP!
>>
>>4152531
All is fine OP. Take the time you need.
>>
>>4147620

You're raising the Contender as Magpie speaks, her tone becoming more urgent when you bring the point of your blade to her chest.

"Consume...no, can't consume me, I'm...you'll be...I can't lose y...." She murmurs, eyes dilating with sudden panic when you level your second weapon at her head as you prepare to grant her a swift end. Fear turns to resolve as your finger tightens on the trigger, and then, with clarity and focus at the end of all things;

"Dominoes, successor, investment, stronger, Mara, Eld-"

>>GEAS - TRIGGERED

>>MAGPIE - DREAM DAUGHTER DELETED

>>CONSUME COUNTERMEASURES DISARMED

Her body goes limp in your shackles and Dorian's threads, Magpie's remaining eyes glossing over as the light leaves them, your blades still at the ready as you just stare, stunned at what she's done. Hesitantly, you lower the blades as Dorian and Jackie shoot you a questioning look, and in the absence of explanation you reach out with your empathic field, placing the fingers of your right hand against the woman's forehead as you test her with your scant Neuromancy.

Her biomass is untouched, left perfectly viable for you and your family's consumption, but Magpie...her mind, her thoughts, her very essence...

...she's just gone, wiped from her own remains by the effects of the geas and the words she used to trigger it.

>>LEVEL-UP POINTS AVAILABLE: 28

>>CORE INTACT

"...hu? Shu, you copy?" Comes the high, urgent voice of Orwell as she cuts through the confusion that's consumed your mind.

"Yeah, we're...Magpie's taken care of." You say with a bewildered sigh as Dorian speeds off to gather your allies and the remains of the Six Black Heavens Guns. "How are you? Do you have eyes on Gina, Amara, and the others?"

"Yeah yeah yeah, they're good, they're fine...they put down an Amalgam that was squatting there, but it was no problem, and now they're tinkering with the..." She trails off, leaving out her own status report with a sharp inhalation. "...holy shit, are you okay? I'm reviewing the fight now that I'm settled in, and that looked intense."

Turning, you look to where Dorian's laid your allies, eyes settling upon where Jackie has deposited Magpie's devastated remains. You just stare, even as the Contender warms in your grasp, growing ever hotter as you stare at the body of the woman that pushed you to kill her, and...for what?

Senseless murder. Needless secrets. And then, at the end of it all...a pointless death.

You wonder what the hell she was fighting for, even as you struggle to focus on the here and now.

>>Go to the Altered Altar, both to thank them for their help and to meet the people whose lives you just saved.

>>Take a moment to speak with Karma, then level up the Contender before you continue.

>>Wait for your unconscious allies to wake up, and talk with Jackie or Dorian in the meantime.

>>Give Orwell a first-hand account of what happened, then get an update on [Write-In].

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next four hours. I do hope you had an enjoyable weekend and that everyone is in good health.)
>>
>>4153174
>>Take a moment to speak with Karma, then level up the Contender before you continue.
>Take a seat next to your unconscious allies while you talk with Karma

God Damn you Magpie God Fucking Damn you... Urgh and just when we were so close to getting some fucking answers.

Well at least you disarmed your consumption Countermeasures. Wonder what those were

But the Geas trigger words..... well we will have to chew on those for a while

>>4153176
I had a good weekend just feeling a bit on the low side due to feeling slightly sick. Otherwise it has been good.

I take it that you answering my questions will be done at the end of the vein due to how much you had on your hands
>>
>>4153174
>Go to the Altered Altar, both to thank them for their help and to meet the people whose lives you just saved, but also to see if they cant get your allies up and better faster, which takes first priority.

we can talk to Karma next, but while our allies are stable i still want to see if we cant ease the time and pain of almost getting killed, which we know even in the crucible still takes a bit to recover from. and of course, the Altar are the closest and most likely to be able to help with that, so may aswell meet and check up on them while we do that.

as for Magpie... i expected complications in consuming her/ getting her dream Daughter, and i think a few others of you did to... but... not that. it sounds like the Geas may of been passed on if we did? maybe? i have a feeling that too could've been avoided, but i also have a feeling we kinda already learned Magpie isnt one to take risks. her risk assessment could be argued to be off, but at least from her perspective she seems to try and minimize them.

still though, fuck you Magpie. even in death you refused to allow a different method to be tried. i respect stubbornness and sticking to your guns usually, but contextually usually when i do they at least feel said traits are coming and being applied to something understandable, which certainly can not be applied to everything to do with you.

honestly though? whatever. its over. its done with. i could say more, wish for more, lots of things. but you were TIRING Magpie, and as much as i think this was done well on BHOPS part, im also more than ok getting on with it after all that.

as for what she said to get the Geas to fit out, only "Eld" at all sounds like something we didnt already know or could figure out. which of course, is the last thing she says and gets it cut off, but ill just assume the Geas knew what we knew so if she had said it first it would've cut her off sooner, just for my own sake.

id like to say 'Elder Uzu', which it could be something to do with her or something, but its vague enough to very easily be something entirely new.

>>4153176
funnily enough, while i was wrong on exactly when id need to leave, my reason for being busy is a doctor visit. nothing for folks to worry about... probably, its more given everything going on im being safe and smart, over my usual lazy and stubborn when it comes to my health, or at least this.
>>
>>4153182
lets get help with our downed allies, over Karma. we'll probably have downtime for that once we check in with our allies and how their mission went, aswell as lining up the level-ups together seems alot more fluid than spacing them out.

plus, any extra levels and info we get from them could effect how we want to level up the contender, so it wont be us grabbing things for instant regret too.
>>
>>4153182
(The countermeasures would have tried to erase the consuming Daughter's mind and their Dream Daughters.)
>>
>>4153182
(I do hope you feel better soon, and yes, I'll likely work on catching up on your writings and the Carter post after the Vein concludes.)
>>
>>4153174

Amending vote>>4153182
to>>Go to the Altered Altar, both to thank them for their help and to meet the people whose lives you just saved.
>Whisper to Karma: "I will talk to you soon alright"

>>4153188
Alright yeah i can see that the Level ups might change what we want to do so yeah

>>4153185
We would have needed to bring the Neurotic crown to erase the Geas from her before she could kill herself with it.

>>4153189
So something similar to the Halos? Interesting

>>4153191
Just a bit of a closed nose. Nothing that even affects me really. I just snore a bit more than usual thats all.
>>
>>4153174
>"Dammit Magpie. Why? I didn't want this to happen. I never wanted this to happen. Why did you have to delete yourself like that?"

>Take a moment to speak with Karma, then level up the Contender before you continue.

I know we voted to kill Magpie, but goddammit we should've anticipated this. Already I'm regretting not taking the time to question Magpie or even stabilizing her to grab the Neurotic Crown so we could freely question her. It's so pointless for her to off herself like that. But, the majority of us anons were so caught up in emotions, bloodthirstiness and pragmatism that they didn't fail to take into account that it's Magpie we're dealing with. Of course she would have countermeasures installed by Mara.

Also, those keywords: Dominoes, successor, investment, stronger, Mara, Eld-

Dominoes: A domino effect, something planned that when activated unleashes a chain of events. But for what?

Successor: Clearly the plan is to have raise someone fit enough to ascend the throne or take the helm of leadership

Investment: That dammable keyword. It's got Mara's fingers over it. I think it's a part of a phrase that initiates a protocol.

The first three words phrased together: (Dominoes, Successor, Investment) That's a call for a program initiative.

Stronger: Must be the catalyst. An assessment of the investment, and a judgement call made, which initiates the protocol

Mara, Eld-(er Uzu): Authorization names to execute the program. Of course it needed authorization. Magpie can't use her name so it has to be from someone else she trusted. Mara and Elder Uzu. They were both in cahoots. No wonder Elder Uzu knew us by name and face the moment we first visited the Monastery. She already prepared a reception for us after Mara had personally interviewed us. How deep does this web go? We knew that Mara and Magpie were household names in the figures of legend in the fleshscape, but how much of their time did they spend devoted to cooking up this giant scheme?
>>
>>4153189
oof.
well like i said, we kinda expected something, but we have alot of stuff to try and help with that. Ah well. Magpie made her choice, both as she said to have the Geas, to fight us, and to delete herself. all could've on some level, been avoided, but she didn't want it. hard to really feel sorry for her at this point.

while i certainly didnt want it, im not even sure i regret what she did either. no way, even without the Geas, she would've made getting info and an answer from her smooth or not an ordeal. and Shus had damn well had to deal with enough of that.

>>4153191
>>4153182
ive actually got a Doc ill post when things are calmer for most of the stuff ive not responded too aswell... except still working on the two chapters of the Journey, sorry. to put it into perspective though, i think one of your chapters is just about equal to everything else ive read to get caught up on that. thats not a bad thing at all though, just means its gonna take more time.

also, BHOP you wanted a Doc of everyones fan-works, right? ill try to get that to ya before the next Vein aswell.

>>4153193
possibly, though the bell, our Halos, and overall levels of Neuromancy could all possibly of prevented its effect on us too id imagine. maybe not individually but all together possibly. plus the Crown too yeah.

anyways, off for a bit, cheers lads, ill respond when i can.
>>
>>4153194
grah, see
>>4153185
>>4153188
>>
Amending my vote:
>>4153174
>>4153194
>Take a small moment say a small eulogy for Magpie before moving on to other pressing matters.
>"All this time...all this time...I thought you were cool...An old hand of the Crucible, hardened into a legend but still a softie at heart...A cool sharpshooting lady who fought to stay alive in memory of her son Alex. A woman who despite her checkered past and the guilt weighing down on her shoulders was still capable of moving past it with the capacity of doing good."
>Tears threaten to spill past your eyes.
>"But goddammit Magpie. Why? I didn't want this to happen. I never wanted this to happen. You just had to go and..."
>*heave a heavy sigh*
>"Goodnight Magpie."

>>4153197
We're definitely taking Magpie's core yes?
>>
>>4153174
>>MAGPIE - DREAM DAUGHTER DELETED
Oh, motherfucker. Whenever we find which Daughter is responsible for this we're killing her just for the aggravation she's causing us, let along for this being a tragedy.
>>
>>4153200
at least for the stats if the ability is not good. maybe it will be good but we will have to see...

It will definitely be worth a lot of raw stats if nothing else.
>>
>>4153209
see
>>4153194 for my analysis on the codewords Magpie used to trigger the Geas self-deletion protocol.
>>
>>4153209
It probably was Mara just saying.

If not... well i shudder to think who could have done this otherwise. it definitely wasnt Ozmas. Could maybe have been the first Daughter ever..... but eh we will seee
>>
>>4153200
For stats? Probably.
But im not sure it will be worth replacing anything with it on anyone.
>>
>>4153209
>>4153212
Magpie was responsible. Sure, she may of had an accomplice, but she made it very clear it was very much within her choice and what she wanted to be in this position. The Geas most likely came with some benefit, at least from her perspective.

Sure, she may of come to regret it after our talks, but honestly it didn't sound like it and that doesn't change her willingness to it in the first place.
>>
>>4153211
Yeah, no, I agree with you. Just getting out the emotional side. I'm a bit late to this, was having some medical issues this morning. I'm diabetic, kind of went dangerously hypoglycemic, was distracted for the past half hour making sure I didn't start seizing.

But yeah, it would have been nice to get the chance to apply the Neurotic Halo. Shit. Hell, maybe we should have started with "I have a device that can break geasa" before it came to a fight, but for all we know the geas would have forced her to fight if she was presented with something that could remove it. Just god damn it, we fucked up here.

>>4153212
Yeah, it sure looks like it was. Damn it, Mara, if my brief paranoid worry way back when that you were responsible for the Monastery falling turns out to be right I'm going to be so angry at you. Is that what "Abbey; nearing redemption period. Find suitable investment for upcoming deposit." meant? I assumed it meant that you believed the Abbey was going to fall, not that you were actively encouraging it. Can we just have one authority figure that we trust? I guess it's just Cassandra over with the Disassociated Ones that we've got left, right? What monstrous thing is she going to do?
>>
>>4153174
>>Go to the Altered Altar, both to thank them for their help and to meet the people whose lives you just saved.
>>Write-In
>Bring our allies with us, the least the Altar can do is give us a place to put them out of the open while they recover.
>>
>>4153191
I think this video encapsulates what a majority of us anons are feeling regarding the Magpie fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDltAArbfFk
>>
You know what makes me frustrated about this? How unnecessary it was for Magpie to delete herself to spare us. I get that she's dying and probably not entirely lucid. But if she was just a bit more coherent she could have just said "wait, don't eat me, it will transfer to you" and left it to us to find a way to resolve the problem. I'm sure there are ways to get around a geas on a corpse. Extract her mind into a neurocrystal at the Forge, slip the Neurotic Halo onto her corpse, make a weird Phantasmal Conduit/Skintalker hybrid that allows to speak with the dead, all sorts of possibilities. She didn't even trust us to handle something in her dying moments, had to assume that us getting involved would just hurt us. Damn it, Magpie.
>>
>>4153176
Well, I think I'll have all the time I need, my state just announced "stay at home" order effective immediately.
>>
>>4153231
Not the sappy music part but accurate enough

>>4153251
Yeah she didnt even try to try and convince us that consuming her is a bad idea. Holy fuck she must have missed a whole lotta stuff about our development.

>>4153252
I wonder when that announcement will be made for my state.... Not that it will change much of anything for me
>>
>>4153251
You and me both. And you know what makes it worse? She was such a wonderful character. I'm certain that Shu admired Magpie on some level, and that there was so much untapped potential to explore her character. Now we're all kicking ourselves for not offering the Neurotic crown as an alternative as that would've offered a non-violent end to the situation. I'm sure that on one hand Bhop was ready to give us a thrilling boss fight.

>>4153189
Could've all of this been avoided if we mentioned the Neurotic crown? Given the strength of the geas, I don't think any amount of words aside from mentioning the fact that we had a geas breaker would convince Magpie to stand down.
>>
>>4153251
Yeah, its all pretty frustrating. But like i said, she made her choices. I guess after, what is this? The third tine at least? I just dont have the teats to shed for someone whos actions and situation was so much more avoidable.

>>4153263
Im not. We already had plans to possibly need to free her. Magpie knows we have stuff like that on us. Us telling her wouldn't change the fact at the end of the day, she simply never really trusted us where and when it mattered, and didn't want to take the risk of anything we had not working.
>>
>>4153263
Yeah, I don't know why we didn't consider the Crown. I mean, we kind of did, I guess, we did mention it. But we dismissed it as impractical. I guess we were just so certain that we wouldn't be able to talk her away from the Altar long enough to come back to our base and get the Crown on. And maybe it was impractical. Maybe that delay would have been unacceptable to her, we'd say "hey, can you just back off for a couple hours while we get that geas broken so you can actually explain what this is all about?" and she would have responded "there's no time to explain, I've got to kill these hippies!"

>>4153273
>Yeah, its all pretty frustrating. But like i said, she made her choices. I guess after, what is this? The third tine at least? I just dont have the teats to shed for someone whos actions and situation was so much more avoidable.
I'm not sad for her, I'm frustrated by her. She was so certain that we had to be protected and not allowed to make the decision for ourselves that she denied us important information. I wanted to interrogate her, now we're not getting that chance. Gah. It makes me want to make that Phantasmal/Skintalker hybrid just to see if it can piece together enough of a Daughter from impressions she left on the fleshscape to reconstruct her mind. Amara's already got a Skintalker power that lets her make the fleshscape play out recordings of the past, so the possibility is there. Bring her back to life that way and give her a good yelling-to for poor information management.
>>
>>4153279
But is the last charge of Mara's jailbroken Engine really worth bringing back Magpie? We have to ask this question first. And for all intents and purposes I don't think it's a good use of Mara's jailbroken engine, and besides, Magpie deleted her dream daughter data so there's nothing to salvage.
>>
>>4153285
He was saying to piece together a version of her from scattered pieces of information. kinda like a torrent download and see if we can find some recordings on what exactly she could have told us.

We can not revive her now ever. And even if we had her mindstate i would be against reviving her no matter what she can offer. She is too dangerous to just let loose.

I would have liked to push her against WAlpha first before we had to kill her but that sadly was not possible.
>>
>>4153285
Oh, I'm not talking about bringing her that far back to life, my apologies for any confusion. No, I just mean reconstructing a mindstate that we can talk to in the dreamscape and ask "hey, what the fuck was that all about?". You know, collect enough data that an accurate composite can be made.
>>
>>4153279
maybe.
actually... hrm.
i mean, what im thinking of very much might work, 100%. but its more of if its worth it.
Amara can make places re-enact battles. its very very possible we could skim useful info about Mara and Magpie and what they were up to through finding key places they fought at and seeing what they may of said during the battle or other details that may give things away. might work better due to it specifically allowing Amara to pull forth old battle info, over just hoping her abilities not directly relating to that could dig as far back and stuff.

oh... wait shit, i was wrong. its not past battles, its past EVENT. in general. meaning if we found key places, we could literally just see what they were up to and talked about. but that still means we would have to FIND said spots and go to them, which could take alot of work.

...why the hell haven't we done that to the penthouse? minus the fact now a deadly cyborg might be there, of course.
>>
>>4153176
>>4153329
Made an insanely powerful relic.

>OATHBREAKER: Betrayal begets Betrayal. Treachery Begets Treachery. The Knife of a Traitor demands blood as payment as just desserts for a contract severed. A Jagged knife of Cold Iron, inlaid with gold in runic text, the handle wrapped by a severed arm of a traitor that holds the weapon in an unbreakable deathgrip. The blade drips with the blood of TREACHERY and menaces with an aura of DEATH. Ye oathbreaker, ye craven coward, thy price for thine sin will be your strength [Permanent strength loss for removing a geas, price depends on geas strength], thy penance for returning to the fold will be your life and a mark of treachery. [Permanent HP Loss for reforging a broken geas, price depends on geas strength, does not restore lost strength, places a Geas on the daughter, marking her with THE SIN OF TREACHERY. The mark is permanent and cannot be removed by any means]. Touch not the thought of betrayal again, thine head has been forfeited to Death [Geas: THE SIN OF TREACHERY, the marked daughter cannot think nor act in means that betrays the oath even on technicality, acting upon it immediately deletes the daughter's mind.].
>>
>>4153329
Yeah, I think that Amara's Skintalking is going to be very important for finding exposition in the near future. We might want to put a few points in it the next chance we get, not this current level-up since we're focused on beating Alpha but the next. Maybe if there's any biomass to scrape off of Alpha's body, we'll put Amara's share of points from that into Skintalking.

>...why the hell haven't we done that to the penthouse? minus the fact now a deadly cyborg might be there, of course.
Naive trust? We assumed there wouldn't be a need to, that we'd just be imposing on privacy and not gathering potentially-important information.

Hey, speaking of potentially-important information, what happened to those files Magpie took? I doubt she kept them on her person, does she have a cache somewhere that she kept them in while she went off to fight us? We need to find that, maybe we can piece together from the files what the thing she's so worried about was.
>>
>>4153340
Or we could level up now and squeeze out those extra lvl up points so that we can have an easier time taking down Alpha. That lady's more Relic than biomass so I don't think we'll get much from consuming her.
>>
>>4153340
>>4153329
Oh dammit. Not only did she take the goddamn files with her to the grave but the location of all her stashes as well. Now we can get that delicious custom ammunition
Shit. Now there are quite possibly hundreds of stashes out there just waiting for someone to stumble into them to either set them off or find possibly tons off ammo and other supplies. Not to mention booze and cigarettes
>>
>>4153349
No, I mean that the points from Magpie and the Amalgams over at the Spawner are going to go to improving our build for fighting Alpha, so we probably can't afford to put any into enhancing Amara's investigative skills. So the current level-up will be for surviving that fight, and the next level-up will go towards leveling Skintalker.

I do hope that Alpha is consumable, though. That "raise strength as Health drops" Augment would go very well with Rath's "raise strength as Health rises" Augment, give her a constant strength boost regardless of Health. And Alpha has a Generating Halo, I'd love to scrape that off her if we can get around the copy protection. Guess we'd have to do that for the Augment, too.
>>
>>4153335
huh. i wonder what inspired that relic?

my horrible taste in humor aside... well, actually its literally just made in retaliation to the current situation, so. mind you, I dont actually exactly understand what it does or is trying to do, due to the way you wrote it out, and the [] areas dont help as much as you might think, because the fancy way of leading up to it horribly messes with my perception of who or why it might be being appiled.

im dyslexic like BHOP though, so, take that into account, over whether or not to others it may be so confusing. id still recommend just putting an actual full description of what it does after the fancy part, over mixing it in like that.

>>4153340
>Naive trust? We assumed there wouldn't be a need to, that we'd just be imposing on privacy and not gathering potentially-important information.
honestly... at this point i just dont know. like, for example... im really not even sure i want to do it, and potentially confirm for sure if Magpie stole documents or anything. its just... like i said, tiring. Magpie went so far as to delete herself. fine. you showed us who you were, im not sure i want to learn more about whats behind the veil, because what was shown was bad and complicated enough.

oh, haha. thats what i get for typing out in parts, over reading all your post at once. no idea what happened to those, assuming she took them. which she probably did. but like i just said, not sure im for trying to coax them out through certain means. really, by now i think its certain Magpie has either a few safehouses, or an actual base somewhere. and those will probably have answers.

>>4153356
im sure theres some form of hint as to her safehouses. just a matter of if its worth the effort, because while im sure we COULD find them, im also certain its gonna take a ton of effort and time.

>>4153349
er, re-read? no one was saying not to level up before we face Alpha.
>>
>>4153335
Yeah, that Sin of Treachery geas is pretty nasty. Probably some rare stuff, Magpie at least was implied to be going against the spirit of her geas if not the letter and I can't imagine that whatever geas was on her was weak.
>>
>>4153362
>>4153176
Sorry, I couldn't help but go full ham on the flavor text. The obvious inspiration had a penchance for ye olde english so I'll give you a more clean version of the relic's function for you and bhop's sake.

tl;dr:

>Use the relic to break a geas, but pay a heavy and permanent price (permanent loss in attack power) for doing so. You can use the relic again to reforge a broken geas, but in addition to the penance price (you permanently lose a certain percentage of your max hp) you'll be marked with a permanent geas that punishes you with instant death if you decide to break the geas (that you reforged) again.
>>
>>4153375
ah, alright and thanks.

as for the relic... dunno honestly. iffy on it. this is the first and only Geas we have run into, so without knowing alot more about them in terms of them in the Crucible, i cant really say anything about it.
>>
>>4153378
Charon had a geas placed on them, but we gave them the Crown (which she duplicated the effects of) to get rid of it.

In Magpie's case, this is the first Geas we've seen actually go into full effect where the parameters are actively shown.
>>
>>4153381
well, fair on Charon, though due to Charons circumstances that could be seen as something else/its own thing.
but i disagree on Magpie. theres still a ton of what ifs about her Geas on all levels. only minor guesses and a few obvious potentials, but nothing still wholly confirmed.

and possibly never now.
>>
>>4153174
Noo, I can't believe we lost Magpie... I was worried that was gonna happen when everyone started voting kill.

>>Take a moment to speak with Karma, then level up the Contender before you continue.
Let's do this while we have Magpie's body and guns, maybe Karma knows something or wants to eat the guns. Also might be better to let the Altar come to us.
>>
>>4153408
Some of us are still reeling from the loss.
>>
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>>4153174

"All this time.” You begin, shaking your head as you pace over to Magpie’s remains. “All this time, I thought you were cool, you know? An old hand of the Crucible, hardened into a legend but still a softie at heart. A cool sharpshooting lady who fought to stay alive in memory of her son Alex. A woman who, despite her checkered past and the guilt weighing down on her shoulders, was still capable of moving past it with the capacity of doing good."

You shut your eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill forth in the face of the woman’s death.

"Just…goddammit, Magpie. Why? I didn't want this to happen. I never wanted this to happen. You just had to go and..."

A heavy, tired sigh escapes you just before Dorian places a gentle hand on your shoulder. Meeting his azure eye, he gives you a solemn nod, a gesture you return as you look to your fallen foe one final time.

"…Goodnight, Magpie." You say finally, turning away as you begin marching towards the lip of the shattered ridge, with Jackie staying close to your allies as the other members of the Midnight Crew practically spill out of her, all unconscious as her empowered form finally runs out. “Jackie, I’ll be right back – I’m going to go say ‘hello’, however briefly.”

Watching your footing on the extreme incline, your carefully make your way down to the encampment as your furtive glances away from your tentative footholds reveal a few hooded figures emerging from the collection of tents far below. You and the quartet of Daughters meet halfway down the slope, and they’re quiet for a long moment, glancing amongst themselves as the one in the back just gives you a sloppy wave, to which Dorian replies with a polite bow. The one closest to you fumbles in her cloak, fishing out a satchel before untying the top, presenting the salted contents of the sack to you with reverence.

“Doritoes?” She offers.

“Doritos?”

“Doritoes.” She corrects, emphasizing the last syllable.

“COME NOW.” Intones the ground beneath your feet, the deep rumbling shuddering through your bones. “INTRODUCTIONS AND THANKS ARE IN ORDER FIRST, MY SISTERS. THERE WILL BE TIME ENOUGH TO QUENCH OUR MUNCH AFTER WE’VE EXPRESSED OUR GRATITUDE.”

The quartet of hooded girls promptly drop to their knees before you, prompting the tremendous voice to make a soft noise of approval, and even then you can feel it rumble up through your legs and into your spine.

“VERY GOOD.” The voice rumbles, up from the cavernous maw that lies at the center of the steep valley upon which you stand. “SHU THE DEFIANT – MY NAME IS KANNA, AND THESE GIRLS THAT ARE UNDER MY PROTECTION OWE YOU THEIR LIVES. *I* OWE YOU.”

“You owe us nothing.” You reply, your clipped words nevertheless laced with an earnestness that echoes through the empathic channel as you expand it as wide as it’ll go. “Are you and yours alright?”

(Continued)
>>
>>4153530

“QUITE...MANY OF MY WARDS STILL SLUMBER, IN FACT, SO SWIFT WAS YOUR DEFENSE OF THEM.” Kanna chuckles, Dorian wincing as the behemoth’s resultant chuckle causes the calcite to tremble underfoot.

“If I may be so bold…” Dorian begins, taking a careful step forward as he addresses the titanic being underfoot. “…would I correct in assuming you to be a Daughter?”

“DESPITE THIS FORM OF MINE, YES. I AM A DAUGHTER LIKE YOURSELVES AND MY SISTERS.” Kanna answers enthusiastically. “CORRUPTION TOOK HOLD OF MY BODY IN A CURIOUS WAY. GLUTTONOUS TEETH AND NEUROMANTIC TERRAFORMING, HYBRIDIZED TOGETHER OVER A YEAR AGO.”

“You’ve been awake for some time, then.”

“LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE BORNE WITNESS TO THE ORIGINAL ALTAR’S CREATION, AND TO HAVE GROWN FED UP WITH THE APPOINTED LEADER’S PLACIDITY…BUT ENOUGH OF US. *YOU* ARE THE HERO, HERE.” She replies, quickly changing the topic. “WHILE I AM AFRAID THAT WE HAVE LITTLE, WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN, SHU THE DEFIANT.”

“Doritoes?” The kneeling Daughter offers once more, shrinking away when Kanna grumbles.

“WE HAVE MORE TO OFFER THAN MERE SNACKS.” Kanna emphasizes. “SHELTER, INFORMATION, AID…THE OTHER ALTAR ADVOCATED PACIFISM, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE MANY THINGS WE DISAGREED WITH. SHOULD YOU REQUIRE IT, MY SISTERS AND I WOULD TAKE UP ARMS, AS YOU TOOK UP ARMS FOR US.”

“I…appreciate that, Kanna.” You reply, hesitant to accept her offer until you feel out this sect of the Altar a little bit more. True, at the moment all you sense through your empathic channel is a sense of relaxed serenity and genuine appreciation, but underneath it all is a violence, a sort of rage and hunger that’s kept far at bay by whatever vices these Daughters are indulging in.

They’re far from hostile, but you can’t deny the bloodthirst that lurks far beneath the drug-addled surface of the individuals you can sense before you in addition to those still asleep in the gently fluttering tents.

>>”Kanna, if you could…what can you tell me of the original Altered Altar, and the purpose of the original Altar and this offshoot?”

>>”You said you were there at the Altar’s beginning…who formed it, and why? I admit I have a few theories, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

>>”Kanna…I appreciate the offer of aid and the like, but your safety’s the only reward we desired. I’m afraid that given my family’s current situation, I will need to take me leave. For now, at least.”

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain in effect for the next three hours. Apologies for the delay...despite current events, it seems that's done little to curb business, for better or worse.)
>>
>>4153532
>"Who founded the Original Altar and what was its purpose? Was there a certain Magpie involved?"
>"Any idea why did Magpie target you?"

>"And while i do have plans in future that may require assistance for the moment it is unneeded unless you want to throw yourselves at a Terminator"
>"But for today your safety and the safety of whose under your protection are the goal we wanted to achieve"

>"Say is there a girl here that looks roughly like this? I might have something to tell her"
>Send a picture of the Gemma Shard we had encountered, but not of Sia

>>4153533
We will see how its goes for now stay safe and healthy OP
>>
>>4153532
>"Defending you and yours took alot out of us. alot of my family and friends ended up gravely wounded. while they're stabilized, anything you guys might be able to do to speed up their recovery would be appreciated."
>"Otherwise, knowing you're all ok is good enough for us. we dont help people to hold favors over their heads, though more friends and allies are always welcome. id love to stay and get to know you more, but we are short on luxuries. Magpie was already trying to use a potential crisis to force us to ignore her, and while we couldn't let that stand, it doesn't mean the potential crisis doesn't still need our attention."
>"If you would be ok with it, we'd like to leave you with a way for communication, incase you need us or we wish to let you know we finally have time for a visit. any close way stations so we can get back here at a later date, and if not, would you be alright with us leaving a teleportation spoke here, so we can visit easily at a later date?"

>>If they have a means to help the party, stay until they have done what they can for your party, and simply keep things casual with whatever the altar decides to talk about while they work.
>>Regardless, once they have done what they can for your team, or if they cant do much, head back to base.

>>4153540
i really feel like we dont have time for all of that right now.
>>
>>4153533
its fine. millions are without a job or have significantly less work/hours, so considering the current trend, you might need that so you can save up...
i myself just found out i may be developing allergies or asthma, but cannot be tested for at least 3 months, so it could be worse! hopefully the meds they gave me to try out work, so regardless of this, it'll just be an easy fix.
>>
>>4153545
>i really feel like we dont have time for all of that right now.
We've got some time, we're waiting on our party waking up and the team at the Amalgam Spawner finishing making their creation. I think there's enough time to ask "so, any idea why Magpie wanted to kill you"?
>>
>>4153540
er, also... just gotta say... sure, Sia has her face warping thing... but the entire point of that is for it to not be a defining feature... any picture of a shard is a picture of Sia too...

>>4153551
i disagree. if we have free time, it needs to go to helping the bravo team with anything they got and getting anything else we can prepared, not asking twenty questions wholly irrelevant to the current issues still at hand.
>>
>>4153545
Our family is gonna be out for quite some time. and while we can move them back to base we can also ask the people here a couple of things. I want to at least know if they have any idea why Magpie targeted them.

I can see why you want to immediately head out again but this is gonna take two to three minutes tops. I can drop the part of asking about the Shard to get going a little quicker sure but i would like to at least ask these questions

And i dont think these questions are completely irrelevant. If we can make a good educated guess why magpie wanted to target the altar and similar groups we may be able to nip further problems coming that direction in the butt before they arise

>>4153532
Amendign my vote from >>4153540
to
>"Any idea why did Magpie target you? Was she involved in the creation of the altar?"

>"Could you make a small compilation of the Altars history and purpose? I would love to stay and chat but my family is pretty messed up so unless you can help them out i would like to move them back to base very soon. If you can help them i would be glad to chat a bit more about my question"

>"For today your safety and the safety of whose under your protection are the goal we wanted to achieve. And while i have a longterm objective i can probably use some help for right now there is little you can do. Unless you want to throw yourselves at the West Terminator."
>"If you would be ok with it, we'd like to leave you with a way for communication, incase you need us or we wish to let you know we finally have time for a visit. any close way stations so we can get back here at a later date, and if not, would you be alright with us leaving a teleportation spoke here, so we can visit easily at a later date?"

>>If they have a means to help the party, stay until they have done what they can for your party, and simply keep things casual with whatever the altar decides to talk about while they work.
>>Regardless, once they have done what they can for your team, or if they cant do much, head back to base.
>>
>>4153545
>>4153551
>>4153563
If anything, I feel like we should keep a tab open for communication in the event that we need certain favors. Knowing the history behind the Altered Altar as well as information on Magpie and Mara would be another thing.

But as of right now, November's Head badly needs repairs, our allies need to recover, Karma requires a session to talk with as well as a level up vote. And we need updates on our other team.
>>
>>4153566
For the head repairs we will need Francine and probably Rath so we will have to wait till either Rath wakes up or We can make our way to Francine. cause pulling Francine form her assignment now is not the best idea.

WE also both wan tot leave them a way of communication. probably a Hivephone or a Fuzzbuzz. depending on what Shu wants to leave them
>>
>>4153563
i heavily disagree. any time we can scrounge we need, and for all we know we need a long history to understand why Magpie was after them. even a small compilation on their history could take alot of time.

and yes, it is irrelevant as of this moment. Magpies dead, the immediate threat as of now is gone, but theres others still out there. Bravo might need our help, not danger level help, but resources or other things. we need to check in on them sooner, not later, to know out timeframe and anything else that needs to be done. we need to ask Orwell on what Alpha is doing, so we know if shes causing immediate problems to deal with. November literally cannot heal naturally and needs to be brought to a forge and someone who can repair her, and the sooner the better, both for her sake and any issues we may need her for.

we do not need to know, right this second, any of that info. its a poor use of time at the moment when we have a potentially worse fight to deal with, even if we do get what we want from the amalgam pit. and this is on top of things like, if we need to spawn an amalgam of high enough level they will need help with in order to stack such abilities on it or something, and other potentialities, while we could very well already be short on time again.
>>
>>4153532
>“LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE BORNE WITNESS TO THE ORIGINAL ALTAR’S CREATION, AND TO HAVE GROWN FED UP WITH THE APPOINTED LEADER’S PLACIDITY…BUT ENOUGH OF US. *YOU* ARE THE HERO, HERE.” She replies, quickly changing the topic.

What's with the dodginess?

>“I…appreciate that, Kanna.” You reply, hesitant to accept her offer until you feel out this sect of the Altar a little bit more. True, at the moment all you sense through your empathic channel is a sense of relaxed serenity and genuine appreciation, but underneath it all is a violence, a sort of rage and hunger that’s kept far at bay by whatever vices these Daughters are indulging in.

Oh dear. that's an Avalanche of HANGRY daughters waiting to be unleashed.

Something tells me that this branch of the Altered Altar had something that was Magpie's actual reason for targeting them.
>>
>>4153532
>>Write-In
>"I appreciate the offer, but we've got a killer cyborg to fight and I'm not going to send you into that meat grinder right after we saved you from Magpie. But if you can do anything to help speed up my team's recovery I'd be thankful. We've got a lot to do today, still."
>"Also, in case you hadn't heard, the original Altar is gone. Magpie took them out, first. She was on some mission to remove groups she thought were a threat to the Crucible. I don't know what her criteria were, but I think it may have had to do with your founder. If you were with the Altar at the start, could you confirm some suspicions I have and tell me how they were formed?"
>Also, leave a FuzzBuzz Hivephone with them.

>>4153554
>i disagree. if we have free time, it needs to go to helping the bravo team with anything they got and getting anything else we can prepared, not asking twenty questions wholly irrelevant to the current issues still at hand.
What can we do to help them? Most of our team is unconscious, any actions on our part have to wait for them to revive. At a minimum we can ask some questions while we're standing around here, I doubt that even if they have a way to accelerate recovery that it won't take faster than asking "hey, what were the Altar formed for, anyway?".
>>
>>4153569
Tinker Tailor might be able too, aswell as Francine may be able to spare some time, given the circumstances. again, we need to actually get a report from them and go from there, over asking 20 currently irrelevant questions.
>>
>>4153572
see
>>4153574
>>4153570
>>4153569
plenty we may be able to do, or could look into thats more useful and helpful right now than asking these questions.
>>
>>4153576
Yeah, and all of that is dependent on our team being conscious and able to move. So we've got five minutes time, minimum. The one thing we might be able to do before they revive is ask Orwell for a status report, except she just contacted us and if Alpha was doing something really urgent she would have said it.
>>
>>4153570
>>4153574
that is why i want them to make a compilation. They can write that down in their free time. They seem to have a lot of that.

And if the other team needed anything they could contact us at any time. Gina can literally sense if we are in any direct danger over any danger. So she can but in any time if she needs anything.

>if we need to spawn an amalgam of high enough level they will need help with in order to stack such abilities on it or something, and other potentialities, while we could very well already be short on time again.

And what can our family do in that moment? We have to wait anyway as we can not speed up their recovery time. We can only make them more comfortable. We are down to less than one third of our starting strength with this group.

And sure we can go to Laoc to deliver/repair November to/by Tinker. But making at least an effort in making sure that we will be provided that information about the Altar at least sometime in the future is by no way wasted time.
>>
>>4153571
i mean, yeah. we suspected Magpie wasn't just going off of nothing. it was the fact she didn't talk to us first and made it clear her first reaction was to kill and scatter them, over looking for other solutions, that was our main issue.

also, any conversation about the group you split from and why cant be a fun conversation you want to have, even if your side was in the right for doing so. i mean, im sure shes probably being coy for wrong reasons, but still.

>>4153578
its absolutely not though. it would help, but Shu herself can still get her family someplace else and focus on that over asking questions. also, Orwell has been distracted before, and we may disagree with her threat assessment. even just Shu and Dorian can do significantly better things with their time focusing elsewhere than wasting time asking them currently irrelevant questions.

its stupidly hypocritical to treat Magpie as such an immediate threat then just ignore the other threat still on the loose just because you're a bit curious about things.

>>4153580
they... wouldn't. they never really do. you act like they cant be distracted or just discussing things, or thinking they dont want to intrude on anything we're doing, when thats totally possible. that does not at all mean more hands or help wouldn't be appreciated or help their situation, which what they're doing is currently significantly more important than anything we can do here.

also you're ignoring 3 people are still up. tired, sure, but still up daughters out of combat recover alot faster than stabilized daughters, and there still could be non combat things Shu, Dorian, and Jackie could help with.

and we can always just say 'well be back', over spending time giving them a list of questions. we can ask them directly later anything we feel we need to know, when we dont have other things to get to.
>>
>>4153591
And when do you think we WILL be back? Emphasis on WILL

Anytime within the next few ingame weeks?

I am also not putting the dead Magpie over WAlpha in threat. There was something that made Magpie do what she did. Sure there was the Geas. But something had to have triggered that.

And there are clear warning signs here. This place is a goddamn powderkeg. IF any of the other places Magpie wanted to hit are like this we need to know if there is something that causes them to be so dangerously unstable. This could turn into a situation just as bad as WAlpha if left completely to its own devices.

But fine we can shoot them a small querry over if they need any help. Hell Dorian can ask them if we give him the Hivephone to contact Sia with while we at least ask them to try and write down a goddamn compilation of the highpoints. I dont need/want a ten-trillion-word document going into the minute details of their day to day lives bu t i want the highpoints and the basis of their philosophy
>>
>>4153591
>its absolutely not though. it would help, but Shu herself can still get her family someplace else and focus on that over asking questions.
So you want to drag our unconscious party members across the fleshscape to the nearest Waystation instead of giving them five minutes to recover and then walking back? I think it would go faster overall if they were conscious, and also put them at less risk.

>also, Orwell has been distracted before, and we may disagree with her threat assessment
Eh, fine, we'll ask her on the walk back. At the least Alpha isn't by the Spawner party, though, and if she were anywhere else in the world we would be in no condition to deal with her. So it could be interesting to know for planning, but nothing currently actionable.

> even just Shu and Dorian can do significantly better things with their time focusing elsewhere than wasting time asking them currently irrelevant questions.
Like what? What can we actually do? Because I'm seriously not seeing it. We can't move on Alpha, we're in no condition to get over to the Spawner team, there aren't any other anti-Alpha projects we have going on...what is there to do except impotently twiddling our thumbs while we wait? Might as well gather useful information while we wait instead.
>>
>>4153532
>”Kanna, if you could…what can you tell me of the original Altered Altar, and the purpose of the original Altar and this offshoot?”
>”You said you were there at the Altar’s beginning…who formed it, and why? I admit I have a few theories, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

my vote.
>>
>>4153612
literally we could come back after dealing with Alpha, or at least seeing the layout of Alpha and the plan and how much wiggle room we really have. but probably after we deal with her. not like the Alar are the only place or other thing Alphas holding us back from, but we're not wasting time on those, despite some still arguably having actual importance.

as for them being a powderkeg. sure, maybe. but its one thats semi-stable and not going off. But Alpha is literally currently a raging fire that could very well just by chance of wandering randomly cause just as bad or worse than Magpie was going to cause. a currently active, moving threat we know is gonna cause trouble takes priority over a simmering, potential threat we still have time to deal with, and is currently still showings signs of us having time with them.

if you're worried, sure, they and the nine settlements can be our next big priority. im not against that. But any and all team members can and should focus on more important we have over anything here. anything we need from them, should and can wait, other than healing.

>>4153617
its not gonna be just five minutes. its very often been much longer than that. we can put them on Knights and/or ask for the literal handful of seconds it would take to use the Gear to get them home, over the very much significant portion of time the Altar could take up over even small questions.

and as ive fucking said several times fucking now, we can ASK the other team what we can help with. yes, Shu, Dorian, and Jackie very much are in a condition to help them, depending on what it is. but as ive said multiple times, that involves using our time to actually check in on things we need to check in on, over asking 20 questions we have wiggle room to ask later compared to these things.
>>
>>4153532
Final amendment from>>4153563
to
>Send Dorian a request over the Emphatic Field to contact Sia with a Hivephone to inquire if they need any help over at the Amalgam spawner and inform them that everyone is alive but pretty messed up. Ask if they have found any way stations we can use to make our trip to them shorter
>"Was Magpie involved in the creation of the altar? Simple yes or no will be enough for now"
>"So i will have to jump soon since i want to try and get my family into beds and have to get one of them to a tech specialist to help them. Could you maybe write down a compilation of the Altars history and purpose. Maybe a reason you guys could think off why Magpie would be after you. I will try to stay in touch but things often dont go as planned"

>"For today your safety and the safety of whose under your protection are the goal we wanted to achieve. And while i have a longterm objective i can probably use some allies/ friends for right now there is little you can do. Unless you want to throw yourselves at the West Terminator which i would not recommend."
>Also, leave a FuzzBuzz Hivephone with them.
>>
>>4153623
>>4153617
>>4153612
You know...I think we're starting to lose track of our original objective. I mean, we had plans.
As far as I can remember since we started out the new day, we had done the following in one day
Starting in the 34th vein we:
>woke up, had breakfast, talked with the Pyre ant queen, gave a cooldown hug to Francine, went on a midday date to Laoc and suppressed a hunger riot.
>Then spent several hours rebuilding Laoc
>Went to hunt down the Giant ant-eater
>Talked to a hexane couple, got INTERUPPTED by a news flash of W.Alpha now actively hunting for Francine
>Met orwell face to face, had dinner
>ambushed sigma and shut down the West Skynet network, installed a discord channel for the proxies, but then had to move house.
>Team A (us) went to stop Magpie, while Team B went to investigate the Amalgam spawner.
And now we just fought Magpie, Magpie was forced to use a suicide geas to save us from the deadman's switch inside her, which left us with a relative dead end, and we've just begun to scratch the surface of Magpie, Mara, and the giant web of intrigue that they set up over the past year.
>>4153533

You know what? Goddamn it, I think we've lost track of time. Shu didn't even got a nap in the midst of all of this! And now our timetable feels wonky.
>>
>>4153623
>its not gonna be just five minutes. its very often been much longer than that
That makes asking them questions even less of an issue. If we've got plenty of time before we can do anything, might as well use a couple minutes to ask what's going on here.

>we can put them on Knights and/or ask for the literal handful of seconds it would take to use the Gear to get them home
Putting them on Knights is too risky, I'm not dragging our unconscious party across the fleshscape. And we can't use the Gear, we're not near any Waypoints and we don't have a spoke on us. We should have brought one, admittedly, maybe BHOP will let us retcon that we're just assumed to have one on us. Then I guess I'd be okay with it.

>and as ive fucking said several times fucking now, we can ASK the other team what we can help with. yes, Shu, Dorian, and Jackie very much are in a condition to help them, depending on what it is
I actually think it's only going to be Shu that's available if we're not going to wait for the rest of the party to wake up. We really should leave at least two people to watch over them, so Dorian and Jackie should stay behind.

>but as ive said multiple times, that involves using our time to actually check in on things we need to check in on, over asking 20 questions we have wiggle room to ask later compared to these things.
Cool, let's have Dorian do that while we talk to Kanna, then. I'm sure Dorian won't be too socially awkward to butt into the conversation and tell us if there's anything urgent.
>>
>>4153637
its not like we expected what? 3? 4 depending on how you split it? major threats to come knocking so soon or rapidly.

if anything, that just sounds like Shu needs to Sleep if we have any free time, not play detective or help out elsewhere.

>>4153641
>Putting them on Knights is too risky, I'm not dragging our unconscious party across the fleshscape. And we can't use the Gear, we're not near any Waypoints and we don't have a spoke on us. We should have brought one, admittedly, maybe BHOP will let us retcon that we're just assumed to have one on us. Then I guess I'd be okay with it.
yes, we have a spoke on us. that was literally part of the plan. to have a spoke so the Bravo team could reach us if necessary, and pick us up afterwards. it was very much mentioned as something we wanted as part of the original splitting up. also, no, they're stabilized. putting them on knights is both not a risk and been done before.

>That makes asking them questions even less of an issue. If we've got plenty of time before we can do anything, might as well use a couple minutes to ask what's going on here.
no, it means we need to be ready to cover for having less hands on deck.

>I actually think it's only going to be Shu that's available if we're not going to wait for the rest of the party to wake up. We really should leave at least two people to watch over them, so Dorian and Jackie should stay behind.
i disagree, and even then, Shu can and still should go put herself to better use, not asking questions here.

>Cool, let's have Dorian do that while we talk to Kanna, then. I'm sure Dorian won't be too socially awkward to butt into the conversation and tell us if there's anything urgent.
no, lets go and focus on things more immediately important, instead of wasting time on questions we can ask later like idiots.
>>
>>4153532
>>Write-In
>Have Dorian get on the Hivephone to Sia, ask how things are going with the Spawner. Conference in Orwell if needed to get updates.
>"Like I said, I appreciate the offer, but we're up against a killer cyborg and I don't want to throw your people into that meat grinder. If you have anything to help speed my team's recover, though, I'd be glad for it. There's a lot to do today, still."
>"Also, while I'd like to speak with you in-depth in the future, can you just tell me real quickly who founded the Altar? I've got some suspicions, but I'd like to hear from someone who was there."
>Thank her for her help, then gather party members. Call for a quick pickup via Escher's Gear, dropping Dorian and Jackie back at the swamp base to watch over our unconscious members while we join the team at the Spawner.

>>4153649
>also, no, they're stabilized. putting them on knights is both not a risk and been done before.
No, it's super risky to take five unconscious people across a wasteland of horrors when we're being pursued by a killer cyborg.

>no, lets go and focus on things more immediately important, instead of wasting time on questions we can ask later like idiots.
Or we can take advantage of the fact that we can do two things at once to do two things at once.
>>
>>4153532
Oh, and add to >>4153652
>Leave a FuzzBuzz with them for future contact.
>>
>>4153532
>>4153545
Amending Vote;
>"Defending you and yours took alot out of us. alot of my family and friends ended up gravely wounded. while they're stabilized, anything you guys might be able to do to speed up their recovery would be appreciated."
>"Otherwise, knowing you're all ok is good enough for us. we dont help people to hold favors over their heads, though more friends and allies are always welcome. id love to stay and get to know you more, but we are short on luxuries. Magpie was already trying to use a potential crisis to force us to ignore her, and while we couldn't let that stand, it doesn't mean the potential crisis doesn't still need our attention."
>"If you would be ok with it, we'd like to leave you with a way for communication, incase you need us or we wish to let you know we finally have time for a visit. any close way stations so we can get back here at a later date, and if not, would you be alright with us leaving a teleportation spoke here, so we can visit easily at a later date?"

>>if they do have a means to heal our party members, leave them with them and Dorian or Jackie.Otherwise get our folks back to base to rest.
> meanwhile have Shu go and check in with Orwell and Bravo team, to see exactly whats going on and how we can put ourselves to good use.
>>If they dont need anything, Shu needs rest and sleep, not to play detective. either head home for a bed, or find a place to rest with the Altar and your wounded.
>>
>>4153652
we are, by not wasting time here and putting what hands we have to more useful measures.

also, again, we have a spoke and it takes significantly less time to call that in and move them than any questions would.
>>
>>4153660
Time will already be spent here waiting for whoever is on the phone with the other team to talk to them. While they are doing so, another person can talk to people who are here. There is time to ask a quick question of "so Mara founded you guys, right?"
>>
>>4153666
what? unless both Orwell and Bravo team simply cannot talk to us, it would not take more than half a minute if that for either to pick up. there very much is not, until we get confirmation otherwise, and Shus in the best position to be checking in on said two sets of conversations.
>>
>>4153670
It would also not take more than half a minute to ask who founded them. It is only your insistence that this is a completely pointless waste of time that makes you think that it's going to lead to some huge sprawling digression that will take hours of our time, even though it's going to be maybe two posts of dialogue at most, translating to about forty-five seconds of speech.
>>
>>4153678
no, its your insistence it wont that could make it take significant time in character that we dont have time to waste. plus, it would still take more time to ask them than not, simple as that, no matter how you damn well try to slice it. and wasting time has more than once bit us hard in the damn ass. we have an immediate issue to deal with, goddamned fucking focus on it so we dont at all anymore have ANY immediately known timelimit or threat over our heads. just fucking please godamnit focus on Alpha so it wont be a problem, then we can actually fully take our time properly investigating this and other things without knowing there is as immediate an issue to deal with, just the usual long-term ones we always have.
>>
>>4153685
I'm not wasting time. I'm recovering it. The time is already wasted by virtue of Magpie forcing us to detour out here, I'm doing anything I can to find a way to make that worthwhile instead of us just standing around awkwardly while we wait for things outside our control to happen. Going "sorry, no time to talk, we've got to immediately rush off to this other problem" just makes us look like a jackass when we don't then immediately rush off to the other problem. We have a moment before our ride gets here, might as well ask a question or two. And then, if Kanna is still talking after Rosa or Betty or whoever shows up with the Gear, we have an easy excuse to get out of that conversation quickly.
>>
>>4153695
no, you are exactly wasting the time Magpie costed us, instead of trying to recover it. recovering it is focusing on Alpha to catch up and try and do anything we can to be prepared for her before she forces our hands again. you are horribly and stupidly wasting time by not doing that. its not a jackass move to focus on another major threat, its doing exactly what we just did, and they commend us for. there is no reason to ask, over moving to find something to use our time better for, even if the others dont need help. we maybe semi- limited, but even just forging Relics would do us better. more options for November would be a godsend, with or without the anti-Relic ability, as just one of many examples of how we can put our time to better use.

and it would be more rude to ask her anything then need to leave.
>>
>>4153695
>>4153706
we want to try and be and keep ahead of Alpha, which every second you waste here makes that that much harder to make sure we are, over again, her forcing our hand. minutes can and have mattered before, and they will here too.
>>
>>4153706
You're misunderstanding. I'm not saying "let's stick around here longer than we need to, wasting further time". I'm saying that our time is already going to be inherently wasted by the fact that there are factors outside our direct control. There is nothing we can do during the time that we have to wait on those factors other than talk to the nice Sarlacc Lady. So we might as well talk to the nice Sarlacc Lady.

>>4153708
The seconds are already being wasted! Whether we spend the time waiting for someone to pick us up talking to Kanna or just standing around looking intense, there's still going to be a brief period of time before we get picked up.
>>
>>4153724
yes, and im saying theres still better things we can do while we wait for evac. focusing on asking about Alpha and the Spawner can both be done while we wait for the Gear evac to arrive, and is much more important than asking the Altar anything. it'll also prepare us to plan further ahead, over twiddling our thumbs over questions we wont and cant use for possibly days, only to THEN have to ask about things and start planning from base.

as you said, Dorian needs to watch our wounded, and Jackies not ever shown to be the type to be good for asking questions, aswell as probably watching her own teammates, so while they're doing that, Shu needs to get caught up on the Alpha and Spawner situation, so we have a plan already forming once home, not starting to gather info once home. Shus also the leader and tactician, and hearing the info first hand over asking Dorian to get it also saves time and finagling issues. also avoids Dorian or someone overlooking details or incorrectly deciding how quickly something may need to be mentioned.
>>
>>4153733
You're greatly underestimating Dorian's ability to ask insightful questions, we wouldn't even know to come here if he hadn't thought to ask about the Altar's splinter group. And I didn't say we needed him to guard the fallen right now, just after we're away from this relative safety of a giant monster's shadow. But whatever, fine, let's have only Shu do something productive. I don't care anymore. I just want this whole damn arc to be over, it's endlessly frustrating. I'm liking the drama, but at the same time the stress is getting me tetchy. Please have something that can kill Alpha, Spawner team, so we can go back on the offensive with our problems instead of playing defense.
>>
>>4153780
>I just want this whole damn arc to be over, it's endlessly frustrating.
Hate to break it to you, but I think this arc is just beginning. Magpie's act of going rogue, the fight to stop her, and her suicide geas is a hint of the giant web of intrigue. West Alpha may be our current priority for now, but Mara's over arching contingency plan is going into action.
>>
>>4153780
thats not whats happening, but whatever. lord knows i at least agree with you ive been past ready for this section to be done too, though honestly thats just even more fuel on my fire to not want to ask questions now that you bring it up. fuck Magpie to piling this on us when we were already stressed the fuck out over things.

can we all at least agree next time a friend, ally, or family members acting sketchy like Magpie was back in Laoc we nip that in the fucking bud right away, damn be if they feel we're being too pushy?
>>
>>4153786
and i hope to god hell we have some wiggle room to do other things before then at the very damn least, otherwise the closest to 'scorched earth' policy our family can do here is what ill be pushing for. nine settlements? alright, lets get the metaphorical staple gun and surgeons out and hit em quick. fuck why she did it, the missing documents, or her safehouses. Im done with Magpie and her arc already and im not afraid to say damn BHOP if theres too much more to this too soon.
>>
>>4153787
So like we grab them put the Neurotic Crown on their head and shake them with our noodly arms until they spill the beans on what the hell is going on?
>>
>>4153786
Actually, I meant the Alpha arc, kill her and we can relax a little and go back to pursuing things on our own terms instead of reacting to being hunted.

>>4153787
Yes. Using invasive psychic power if need be. Don't think I won't do it, Jackie/Sia/Mara/whoever. I will vote to mindrip you if you don't agree to sit down and have an open conversation about your worries.
>>
>>4153793
Sounds good to me. We should get some spare Neurotic Halos made just so we can prep the Neurotic Crown in an emergency.
>>
>>4153793
first off
>my sides
second off, i mean, we take it as they bring it to us, as it was, but that is a method. we gotta get Betty and her Muppet arms to do it though, if we go that method.
and its a fucking horrible joke ill apologize for, bot yes the image of Betty muppet arm shaking them while she autistically screeches at them is a funny mental image, no matter how messed up it is.

>>4153794
well, i did still mean within our families moral. stretching not breaking them, and all that. then again, it does bring up the legitimate question of when you can press lines, like how we just ignore cannibalism and how the Crucible doesn't technically make it ok, just we literally become mindless killing machines if we dont so if someone forces our hands its the better alternative than not growing stronger and whatnot.

at what point do we legit get to say "last time i didn't do this, someone slaughters a settlement and tried to slaughter nine more, forcing us to act while a killer cyborg was on the loose." but that also brings up the question of what we can stretch, without giving ground that may of lead to people like Yurei, Mara, and Magpies mindset in the first place.
>>
>>4153803
Well, I'm mostly not being serious and just expressing my frustration with the circumstances, I'm not sure I'd actually vote to mindrip someone. Maybe if it was really dire, but even then I think I'd rather look for other ways that don't require us to abandon our principles of treating other people decently. I think there's also a continuum of telepathic mental sovereignty invasions, though. Some acts are less monstrous than others, and I could condone them. Influence a person to be more willing to be honest with us? Okay, in the right contexts. Tear secrets out of their mind while they scream in agony at the violation? Probably not going to be okay in any context.
>>
>>4153790
>>4153780
(You're not alone in being done with this arc, and now that Magpie's gone, it's essentially done with at least insofar as secrets and bamboozles go.)

>>4153793
(Pfhaha, nicely done.)
>>
>>4153790
>>4153794

And this is where I can't help but feel like half of the anons who throw their weight around when participating in this quest are starting to lean towards the "FUCK THE WORLD I"M GOING FULL CHAOTIC ROUTE FUCK THIS GAME" in an SMT playthrough.

And that is what I do not want. I've already seen the community threaten to fracture in half twice now over a major update such as this.

Yes, I get it, We're frustrated, we're tired. we're prone to falling to your emotions and have turned impatient due to the weight of the investment you've put into the quest. We can't stand fools nor incompetence both IC and OOC and do not show the slightest patience of hearing them out when they try to offer alternatives or a different method. This is where we fail as a group. The Wedge that divides us so to speak.

>>4153803
>at what point do we legit get to say "last time i didn't do this, someone slaughters a settlement and tried to slaughter nine more, forcing us to act while a killer cyborg was on the loose." but that also brings up the question of what we can stretch, without giving ground that may of lead to people like Yurei, Mara, and Magpies mindset in the first place.

In retrospect, Magpie does have a point. Even though Shu said she's not afraid to dirty her hands, there's only so much that she and her family can do without being stretched to the breaking point. I mean we were originally going to focus our resources on dealing with West Alpha, but then we had to confront Magpie because we felt that she was a bigger threat to the rest of the Fleshscape community, only to find out after defeating her and seeing her commit suicide by geas that there was merit behind her actions. And now we have the knowledge of 9 potential powderkegs that we now have to take care of, and Kanna's statements have hints of duplicity while the sleeping daughters of the altered altar are basically a sleeping avalanche of HANGRY daughters waiting to be unleashed. The burden of knowing such knowledge is made all the heavier on us.
>>
(Also - writing now, Gentlemen.)
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>>4153810
> Tear secrets out of their mind while they scream in agony at the violation

That is probably not something we will be able to do. Gina could do it however i think.
But not a plan i would condone..... Probably wouldn't even do it to West Prime....But that is straddling the line of my willingness to condone

>>4153803
that is an evil image but it made me laugh as well
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>>4153816
See >>4153810. I'm just expressing my frustration, I don't think I actually would do that.

>And now we have the knowledge of 9 potential powderkegs that we now have to take care of, and Kanna's statements have hints of duplicity while the sleeping daughters of the altered altar are basically a sleeping avalanche of HANGRY daughters waiting to be unleashed. The burden of knowing such knowledge is made all the heavier on us.
I'm really hoping that we can hit up the Amalgam Spawner again after this is over and make Amalgam livestock. I don't know, maybe that's an impractical dream. But the idea of combining Thousand's Matron with an Amalgam designed to feed on the fleshscape is one that I really hope is possible. Solve the Hunger, get rid of any fears that the settlements will cascade into a mega-Daughter Conglomerate, or at least greatly mitigate them. Because if we can't do that, then yeah, we're on a time limit again. Got to go get to the Cord before the dominoes fall.
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>>4153810
That is a hard "no" from me.
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>>4153810
yeah, sorry if you got the wrong impression,i knew you weren't really. im not sure id actually agree to even just manipulate their emotions like that though. its a difficult line to find though. But i think even just looking at them and literally saying something along the line of what i said earlier could work. if nothing else, if they still wont, we can very reasonably say. "well, you're not trusting me, you're acting suspicious, so im not gonna trust you and treat you like you're being suspicious." and work off that depending of course on the context. it'll upset them, but, if we even have reason to go that far its not like we haven't been proven like 3+ times now that maybe at that point its ok to just say 'tough shit.' a bit.

>>4153816
>First part
nah, well i mean i get what you're saying, but i dont want to go full chaos. alot of its venting, with the non venting being more of at this point DORIAN and RATH have good points. at this point, people have and are taking advantage of our caring nature, and its causing problems we cant afford. no ones saying to abandon our core beliefs or not give people a chance, but i do think we need to start finding some line thats firmer, and i dont think we'd be assholes or breaking our morals to do so. its just figuring out how to do it without accidentally crossing a line.

but yes, this part and the votes here is certainly the most frustrated ive gotten and im positive im not gonna at all be satisfied with this next update. fuck it, waste our time folks, ill just keep the fact you did in mind.

as for Magpie, i just disagree. it wasn't we weren't willing to deal with it, if it came down to it. its that it felt like and she basically confirmed she hadn't tried or looked into any other way to solve the issues, and the fact she lied to us about it. it was also trading a short term potentiality for long term almost guaranteed issues, to the point Magpie didn't deny such things. the problem was her solution could cause more issues, and was jumping the gun, not that it may never be a legitimate solution, as much as we dislike the sound of it.

plus doing it for us/in our name. fuck that shit, especially given said context.
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>>4153836
>at this point, people have and are taking advantage of our caring nature, and its causing problems we cant afford. no ones saying to abandon our core beliefs or not give people a chance, but i do think we need to start finding some line thats firmer, and i dont think we'd be assholes or breaking our morals to do so. its just figuring out how to do it without accidentally crossing a line.

Yeah. That's going to be a problem. Already we have a cult that's dedicated to us, and I can't help but feel that said cult is growing by the hour.

Although it did brings up a point that I believe one of us pointed out. We like to help people, but only so far as to ensure that they can stand on their own two feet and take care of themselves.
It's going to get harder and harder to find out who to trust later on as this game continues.
>>
>>4153843
yeah.... ive got a feeling we're gonna enter the cord knowing we're leaving our allies with problems not all of them are gonna live through by the time we finish.
>>
>>4153848
Wasn't our original plan was to have everyone enter the Cord together? Overwhelm Zargaras and ascend together? overcome the obstacles together?
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>>4153850
our family sure, but dont think we ever brought our friends and allies into it. mind you, from what we've heard of the cord, i dont think we would avoid losing people doing that at all. might lose more actually. i mean, if you're suggesting it, not shooting it down, but we would need to learn a bit more to see how viable it really is.
>>
>>4153853
True. Yurei did float that proposal by rounding up the Neuromancers and brute-forcing their way through the neuromantic defenses, but I think we've shot that idea down due to the fact that it's putting a lot of people at stake as collateral. Not to mention her overall endgame was basically asking to recreate The Matrix.

We need information and research. There's still alot of things that we haven't explored too.
>>
>>4153855
As much as I'd like to avoid it, given Charon's comments on how the underworld isn't supposed to give you visions I think it's probably inevitable that we'll have to go down there. Zahira and Sugar have both suggested it's somewhere "forbidden" information might be found, and combined with it not having done that in Charon's cycle something weird has changed that we should investigate.
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>>4153861
If we are going to do a deep information dive, we will need a good anchor to keep our sanity.
>>
>>4153861
>>4153866
eh, im not sure, and kinda disagree.
it seems to at best be related to the 'mother of all' stuff, but to me that doesn't sound like at all a route we should take or consider. we otherwise already have enough info to know theres other possibilities that can work for 'defeating' the Cord, its just the exact details of how and its potential limits we dont know.
>>
>>4153869
I don't know, we don't even know enough about what Mother of All means to really say if it's something we want. All we know is that Sugar thinks it's the term for a person who wins the Crucible without falling for the trap of the Throne, and that Ozmas learned about it at the last minute and fell into despair. It's true that if it's an intended end condition for the Crucible it might not be a good thing, the Crucible Builders seem to be kind of bastards that way. But I'd still like to learn more, have some confirmation. If not from delving into the underworld, then from some other source of information. Maybe one of the Wests knows about it, we should have Francine keep an eye on their Discord for any discussion.
>>
>>4153879
well, it did seem pretty heavily implied to be related to the builders and... whatever the 'nothing' was. which really does seem to be a 'oh, this was all ok to do to millions if not billions of civilizations because we were trying to find YOU!' route.

ill admit we need more info, but i just dont think the underground is worth it. no way thats a short trip, and we have enough on our plate and technically already a solution. and one at least much closer to being a human solution and a middle finger to everyone fucking with us.
>>
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>>4153532

With an empathic request to Dorian instructing him to get a Hivephone line to Sia for a status update, he bows out as you prepare to pose a question to the Daughters of the Altar.

"Like I said, I appreciate the offer, but we're up against a killer cyborg and I don't want to throw your people into that meat grinder. If you have anything to help speed my team's recovery though, I'd be glad for it. There's a lot to do today, still." You say, tired but appreciative. "Also, while I'd like to speak with you in-depth in the future, can you just tell me real quickly who founded the Altar? I've got some suspicions, but I'd like to hear from someone who was there."

"I'M AFRAID MY WARDS' ABILITIES LEAN MORE TOWARDS THE COMBATIVE, ON THE WHOLE." Kanna replies apologetically. "AS FAR AS WHO FOUNDED THE ALTAR, IT WAS I, MY SIBLING ABIGAIL, AND THE ONE MANY KNOW AS MARROW DRAGOON. WHY DO YOU ASK?"

"Ah...I thought as much." You murmur, your suspicions confirmed. "Otherwise, knowing you're all okay is good enough for us. We don't help people to hold favors over their heads, though more friends and allies are always welcome. Like I said, I'd love to stay and get to know you more but we're short on luxuries. Now, if you would be alright with it, we'd like to leave you with a way for communication, in case you need us or we wish to let you know we finally have time for a visit. Any close waystations so we can get back here at a later date, and if not, would you be alright with us leaving a teleportation spoke here, so we can visit easily at a later date?"

"WE ARE FAIRLY ISOLATED, BUT BY ALL MEANS, SHU THE DEFIANT. THE ALTAR WELCOMES YOU ALWAYS." Kanna says with a deep, throaty chuckle

Oh, and one last thing..." You add, pausing before you plant a spoke of Escher's Gear. "Could you maybe write down a compilation of the Altar's history and purpose? I have to admit I'm rather curious, and I'd like to learn more about you all, past and present."

"OF COURSE! ONE OF MY OWN HAS ALREADY BEGUN WORK IN CHRONICLING OUR EXPLOITS FOR AFTER THE CRUCIBLE." Kanna booms. "CASSIE, IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE."

"...fuck yeah." The girl in the back of the small group says under her breath as she languidly fist-pumps the air.

"...After the Crucible?" You say, echoing Kanna's words with a questioning lilt. "Most groups I've encountered haven't been too keen on thinking of what comes after all this."

"WE MUST CAST OUR EYES TO THE FUTURE, IF THERE'S TO BE HOPE." Kanna intones solemnly. "TOMORROW, AND THE DAY AFTER THAT, AND THE DAY AFTER THAT...IT IS IN ALL OUR TOMORROWS THAT WE PLACE OUR FAITH, AND IN THE PROMISED ONE WHO WILL COME TO TURN THE DUSK INTO DAWN."

You leave them, at that, making your way back over to the lip of the ridge and back over to your allies, still sleeping as their bodies stitch themselves back together. Dorian strides up to you as Jackie remains ever vigilant over her teammates, a relieved look on his face as he approaches.

(Continued)
>>
>>4153898

"Miss Shu - I do hope you'll be pleased to know that Gina and the others have successfully generated and slain a pair of Amalgams with Relic-based abilities, and they think they can get another Amalgam or two with unique abilities to spawn before joining us back at the base. Gina said that they'll be on their way soon, and then we can combine the Amalgams' biomass with our..." He hesitates, brow furrowing as he casts a glance towards Magpie's remains "...we'll combine it all together at the base, if that's alright with you."

"Tell Sia that's fine." You say, nodding. "Get everybody together with Jackie, and make moves to head back to the swamp. I'm going to reach out to-"

"Little old me?" A familiar voice interrupts with an audible grin. You glance beside you, finding a calcite variant of Orwell's projected body boasting a lopsided smile, bony hands on ivory hips. "Figured you'd want a sitrep on Alpha!"

"You'd be right. Are we still off her radar?" You ask, and to your relief, she nods emphatically.

"Yep! She's still roving around trying to sniff you all out, but she hasn't picked up your trail so far, and she's pretty far off the mark." Orwell explains, running a hand through her construct's non-existent hair. "Couldn't tell you what's going on in the rest of the world 'cause it's all I can do to keep tabs on her and warn away anybody from her projected flight path, but if she catches wind of your family, then you'll be the first to know. I'll make sure of that."

"Much appreciated, Orwell."

"No worries. Keepin' tabs on people is what I do best!" The teen replies, her proclamation not exactly setting your mind at ease. "Oh! Speaking of which, the Proxy chatroom's going great! Minimal death threats, some surprisingly pleasant bonding, and I only had to temp-ban one of them for advocating a West-Centric Legion of Doom! It's awesome! But yeah, since Alpha's winding her way around the Fleshscape, I'd say you 'n everybody has some time to plan. I'm not taking my eyes off Alpha, so you can rest easy, okay?"

"After how today's been, I think I may do just that." You nod with an exhausted sigh. "Be safe, and thank you again...for everything."

The construct's goofy grin expands even wider, just before the thing hardens into a rigid facsimile of the smiling girl, holed up somewhere in the Fleshscape far away from here. It doesn't take long to get your battle-worn allies back to base, and with some Neuromantic efforts that you wish Gina were present to refine, you're able to construct some simple slabs for Rath, and the Midnight Crew to rest on. November's the first to come to, and as Dorian assures her that he's already informed Francine of the situation, she strides over to her niece's sleeping form to await her awakening and the good doctor's arrival.

"Fuck, you look awful."

(Continued)
>>
(Computer ate the last post to the update, please bear with me as I quickly re-write it.)
>>
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>>4153903

You shoot Jackie a withering glare over the table at the center of the room.

"Why are you booing me? I'm right!" Jackie counters with a smirk. "Look - me, Jeeves, and the Tin Girl will look over everyone, and your girlfriend is gonna be here soon. Go get some rest, so you'll be ready."

"For Alpha?"

"For me." She says, her smirk turning into a mischievous grin. "Don't forget that after we kick Alpha's ass, you owe me a duel. I'd hate for you to be falling out and robbing me of a fair fight, so go on. Get some sleep so I can fight you with a clean conscience."

...Fuck it. Jackie's motivation may be suspect, but her suggestion is sound.

You have time alone for the first time in a long while, however brief it may be. To rest, to sleep, to dream, to do whatever you wish before you rejoin the constant, unstoppable challenge of the Crucible. Stumbling into your bedroom, you collapse onto the surprisingly comfortable bed, hand-crafted by Gina in the image of the bed you left at the Dragon's roost. You sprawl out on the covers, marveling at how soft the silky skin-sheets are to the touch as you allow your aching muscles a moment's reprieve. Feeling a squirming movement between you and the bed, you shift, allowing the FuzzBuzz that had sheltered underneath the plates of your hive to wriggle forth and crawl into your arms.

Petting it absentmindedly, you can’t help but reflect on the chaos of the past few hours. Laoc. The Hexane lovers. Magpie. You wonder what Mara would say about it, as you run your fingers through the soft, downy fuzz of the swarmling that rests upon you. You wonder…and you realize after a moment that you don’t need to. You could ask her, right here and now. You could reach out across the connection forged in the aftermath of the Sprialing Fear, through the FuzzBuzz you gifted her after you'd lost so much, and have an answer.

You hope she’d answer your call, your questions…but at the same time, you have to admit a certain sort of trepidation. You wonder what Mara say about all this, and you admit you’re fearful of what answers Marrow Dragoon may have to offer.

You inhale slowly, as a decision takes shape in your mind.

To know, or not to know...that is the question.

>>Reach out to Mara, and ask her…ask her about everything. [Write-In]

>>You just…you want, *need* to rest. Allow yourself to drift off, and maybe talk with a Dream Daughter while you’re under.

>>Reach out to Gina, just to get your mind off everything with the welcome sound of her voice.

>>A silent, dreamless sleep…there’s nothing you want more, right now.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening, with voting to remain open for the next fourteen hours, and posting to resume in approximately sixteen, give or take a work demands. I was considering pushing on for another update, but it was a busy day and few things frustrate me more than when writings are deleted, so taking a step back for my own sanity is likely for the best. Thank you all for your participation, and I do hope everyone has a pleasant evening. I’ll be around for the remainder of the evening to address any questions, concerns, or criticisms you may have, and I welcome it all. Take care, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4153919
>Clean up a bit first. Have the bees clean yourself of any gristle and gore.
>Spawn a couple more Fuzzbuzze to cuddle with while you sleep
>Sleep for now. If a dreamdaughter wants to talk let them come and entertain them

I dont think Mara will be much more open.....
I will think about it a bit more tomorrow

>>4153921
Thats fine for me OP Good Night then.

I am a bit frustrated about needing sleep since i had just gotten into the flow of writing again. Damn you my human physiology demanding sleep.
>>
>>4153919
Vote;
>You just…you want, *need* to rest. Allow yourself to drift off, and maybe talk with a Dream Daughter while you’re under.
>>Check in on your own first. Holly especially, but you'd love to see Uzu and even Johanna... even Isabelle at this point wouldn't be terrible.
>>then, any new Dream Daughters that are feeling up for talking, let them pull you in for a conversation.
>>next, any old ones who feel up for it or have something to say, let them.
>>lastly though, go into a A silent, dreamless sleep, once its all over, or if your consciousness is telling you its now or never to get some true sleep. and as much as you could use the comfort of some casual conversations and want to make sure Hollys ok, some true sleep sounds lovely too.

>>4153898
>>4153921
>..fuck yeah
>Doritoes with an emphasis on us saying it right.
....BHOP, is the Altar Offbranch just a buncha Gen Z Tweens?because that's the impression i'm getting of them.

>>4153911
>>4153921
please BHOP, for your own sake, get a new computer or something.
hey, i understand, and hope your afternoon can calm you down a bit.

>>4153926
yeah, im not up for talking to Mara, not after all this. maybe, maybe later, maybe. but for now just talking to some new and familiar faces and some rest sounds supurb. just casual introductions as if we didn't just have the worst day so far.
>>
>>4153919
>>You just…you want, *need* to rest. Allow yourself to drift off, and maybe talk with a Dream Daughter while you’re under.
I think the only party member with a new Dream Daughter currently in the house is Dorian, so I guess we should meet Onyx Butcher. And then just spend some time with our current Dream Daughter crew.

>>4153921
Perfectly understandable, BHOP. Go get some rest, friend.
>>
>>4153930
>>4153926
What about Karma and her level up vote?
>>
Maybe we should look over Mara's files again, for information on her other projects that Magpie may have been targeting. We kind of brushed it all aside when we found those stuff.
>>
>>4153944
we wanted to do all the level-ups together, especially Karmas afterwards, due to the fact unlike the abilities we cant change Karmas, so less upgrading only for new info or abilities to make us regret our choices, even if its unlikely.

>>4153942
lemme see.... fuck it, ill just post the list;

>SHU: Holly / Uzu / Johanna / Isabelle

>RATH: Hera / Niku / Silvis

>JULIA: Penny / Gemma / Mulvath

>DORIAN: Vultha/ “Stygian”

>AMARA: Sasha / Heather / Heather / Samantha / Tammy / Julie // Sarah / Cherum/ “Legion”

>GINA: Eloise / Kosi / Meg / Bella

>FRANCINE: Zahira / Yurei/ “Violens”/ “Fang”/ “Ward”

so thats;
> Stygian, Legion, Violens, Fang, and Ward.
keep in mind due to the Halos, Empathic connection, Crimson Cord, and Bell, our allies do not need to be asleep or possibly even super close to talk to their dream daughters, aswell as they might arrive but let us rest longer too.
>>
>>4153947
right now, Shu is pretty much Frazzled and needs rest.
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>>4153950
>keep in mind due to the Halos, Empathic connection, Crimson Cord, and Bell, our allies do not need to be asleep or possibly even super close to talk to their dream daughters, aswell as they might arrive but let us rest longer too.

Ironically, the "Bell" does not ring a bell to me. Is that a relic that we have in our inventory?
>>
>>4153947
>>4153959
yeah, lets not forget Shu isnt immune to stress based hunger rolls. wouldn't be the first times BHOPs told us we're getting near those...

>>4153962
the dream bell we got from Yurei? the thing that let us peer into the forge core and into the source of all forge and relics power, where 'Nothing' talked to us, tried to brush Shu aside, but couldn't because of the bell, so pushed EVERYTHING ELSE IN REALITY basically away from Shu.

also lets us to Dream stuff safer and more in depth and with less limits. possible implications we may be able to literally just wander the dreamscape, even into unknown daughters dreamscape. but both not tested and not sure that exactly fits something our family should do.
>>
>>4153962
I believe they mean the Silver Key.
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>>4153962
>>4153968
to be fair, like the Arbiters Appetite and Gear and pokes, im not sure its listed.

also to be fair, BHOP called it a 'key', but its ball shaped and im 100% sure its rang at least once.
>>
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>>4153921
oh, BHOP. i found a song i think you'll like.
its technically not at its core body horror, but its related to something else you love with a tonal change that superbly does fit the tone of body horror.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVw7-JkC4pk

cheers, and hope it makes your afternoon a bit better after losing your post.
>>
>>4153959
Just bringing it up for later. I feel like everyone might forget about it if I don't.
>>
>>4153971
It's a Lovecraft reference. The Silver Key was an artifact of Yog-Sothoth (a being very similar to the "nothing" we met) that allowed the user to wander the dreamlands. Including visiting the ancient city of Kadath. I'm very interested in seeing how the Relic interacts with the ability.
>>
>>4153983
fair, but i mean. bells are often silver, ball shaped, ring/buzz, and can even at times have fancy engravings. the mental image is not at all a key of what its description brings up.
>>
>>4153985
No, not really. I guess it's metaphorical, unlocking the gate of dreams.
>>
>>4153919
>You just…you want, *need* to rest. Allow yourself to drift off, and maybe talk with a Dream Daughter while you’re under.
>Leave the door open in the waking world to give Amara the option to sneak in and cuddle with you while you sleep.
>Leave the door open in the dreamscape for any daughter who decides they want to speak with you.
>Wake up surrounded by a pile of sleeping Amara cats.

>>4153930
>please BHOP, for your own sake, get a new computer or something.
Hey it happens to me sometimes, I verify captcha, and I write my post. and sometimes, the captcha expires just when I hit the "backspace" button, which puts me back to the previous page and subsequently eats my post. So word of advice, don't verify captcha until you're certain you have everything you want to say written down on the post.
>>
>>4154055
take it how you will, but i could've sworn BHOP said he pre-writes all posts in pastebin or something first, so i just assumed it was a different issue.
>>
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>Mara was perfectly willing to do some sketchy ass ends-justify-the-means stuff before
>Anon opts not to subdue Magpie even though he knows there's a geas
>Magpie and everything she knew is gone, true death

God fucking dammit. Welp, at least it's good to know BHOP hasn't got the plague.
>>
>>4154089
really dude?
>>
>>4154091
sorry for the post. I'm just hung up on Magpie's death.
>>
>>4153975
(Sweet Lord, this is a marvelous cover. This has made my day, and thank you for sharing!)
>>
>>4154076
Magpie was an immediate threat. She had repeatedly lied to us and continued to pursue this violent course of action. The issue is not just one of morality, yes Mara did sketchy stuff too but we'd be opposing Mara if she was making herself an immediate threat like Magpie was. And you can't really subdue a Daughter, since they have superpowers, weapons are built in. What were we supposed to do, strip the levels off of her with the Sparagmos Engine?

...actually, could we have stripped the levels off of her with the Sparagmos Engine? It feels like doing that to someone who isn't consenting is more the territory of the Corrupted Engine, and doing it with the regular Engine would have caused problems. BHOP >>4154154, can a Sparagmos Engine be used for "disarming" a Daughter like that, or would the idea backfire?
>>
>>4154397
I think it could compress the daughter into a small piece of condensed Biomass leaving them unable to answer any questions. rendering them unconscious, unable to fight back and giving more Levels upon consumption.
At least that is how I extrapolated the use of Johanna when we saw her use the engine.
>>
>>4154524
Yeah, but that was the Corrupted Engine. Ours hasn't been jailbroken the same way. Also, Magpie being condensed down into a crystal that can't talk would defeat the purpose, anyway. We would need to depower her, reduce her to level one in her Core. If that's possible then we missed a possible solution. Though I suppose it would have just raised more problems, because we don't have the facilities to hold prisoners. We probably would have wound up eating her anyway, just after having put the Neurotic Crown on her first so we could get some answers. Kind of a grim scenario.
>>
>>4154531
Here's a thought: maybe we should've mentioned to her that we had ways to remove/counter a geas back when we asked her if she had one before the fight, and that might have made her cooperate.
>>
>>4154532
That's already been brought up before. post-magpie true-death.
>>
>>4154532
Yes, that has already come up, but honestly I'm not sure it would have worked. Magpie wasn't brooking any delays on her mission, even if we had thought to bring up the Neurotic Crown she probably would have gone "okay, just let me kill these people real quick, then we can go back to your base and I'll explain everything". The geas wasn't compelling her to carry out the killings, it was preventing her from explaining why she felt it was necessary. Maybe if we had caught this earlier and broken the geas then, we could have talked her out of it. But I think at minimum she was going to kill the Altar, and that wasn't something we could condone.
>>
>>4154533
Than back to the de-leveling idea, our base is equipped to be modified, so we could make a dungeon or jail cell if needed, then craft a specialized swarmling to act as a guard. Given Shu's level and the modifiers she has at her disposal, it should be sufficient to handle a level 1 Daughter unless she has anti-construct capabilities that early, which it didn't look like Magpie had.
>>
>>4154541
and if we could not depower her without killing her? We can not keep someone like Magpie locked up and even if we could we would have to strengthen them continuously by feeding them or risk her going insane due to hunger.
>>
>>4154544
First, we could've still tried and if she did die, then it was inevitable. Second, we could feed her, and then immediately take her to the engine after each feeding to depower her again, effectively keeping her sane while also retaining all the skill points.
>>
>>4154548
Or we could have just eaten her. What with it being a secure prison that's actually much nicer than being in a physical cell. The issue is not "we shouldn't have killed Magpie", it's "we got hasty in assuming the geas wouldn't have failsafes, which caused Magpie to be unrecoverable". Should have brought the Crown with us, didn't occur until we were there that she might have a block keeping her from explaining her actions.
>>
>>4154548
Thats horribly impractical and nit something we could afford to properly keep up with.

And again, Magpie herself was very clear this was all of her own want to do. Its an unnecessary risk and extra issue over someone who made their choice, aswell as the fact this is the first time we have seen any measure that self delete s ones own dreamself, something we had absolutely no reason to suspect was something to be on the lookout for.
>>
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>>4153919

A diminutive fleet of swarmlings wiggle from your hive as you sit up in bed, their compact forms working tirelessly to clean you from head to toe as they remove the detritus of battle. Their task completed, with a thought you watch as the cleaners sprout FuzzBuzz’s trademark downy fur, the lot of them snuggling up to you as you lie back down, willing your muscles to relax while you close your eyes to the crude earthen ceiling above you.

You’re warm, surrounded by your delightfully cozy fleet as you begin to drift off. The warmth increases, even as the comforting sensation of your FuzzBuzzes’ vibrations fade away as the dim lights of your burrow grow brighter, their radiance intensifying against your lidded eyes. A seagull squawks high overhead, and you sense a figure standing over you, interposing herself between you and the shining sun overhead. Opening your eyes a fraction of an inch, you find yourself laying on a towel, sprawled on a familiar beachfront that the girl standing over you had brought you to once before.

“Shades?” Holly offers cheerfully, extending a pair of sunglasses that match her own. You accept both the headwear and her hand as she helps you to your feet as you realize you’re wearing a one-piece version of the dress Julia, Dorian, and Niku made for you. Julia’s in a two-piece, the lips of her Ravenous Maw proudly on display, closed in her bare torso that you glimpse as she turns away from you, her fingers still interlaced with yours as she tugs at your arm with a smile.

“C’mon, let’s take a walk!” Says the bubbly blonde, and you’re happy to oblige her, feeling the sand give under your feet as you walk along the warm, gorgeous expanse of sun-dappled beach.

“And before you ask, ‘cause I know you’re gonna – I’m perfectly fine.” Holly says with a sideways wink, just as your mouth opens slightly to ask that very question. “Hey…could you do me a favor?”

“Name it.” You say, finding a relaxed smile on your lips as you speak.
“Just breathe.” Comes Holly’s simple request. “Everything’ll be okay. Just enjoy the sun, the sand, the water. Please?”

Once more, you oblige her.

You lose track of how long you spend just soaking in the scenery, elaborately crafted for you by the girl you walk side-by-side with in comfortable silence. For a time, you allow yourself to let go of everything that’s been weighing on your mind as you bask in the well-remembered sunlight, feeling the warmth on your bare skin as you walk in hand with Holly.

“Oh! Oh, I knew there was something else I really wanted to show you! Come on, I almost forgot!” She suddenly exclaims, her bright green eyes alight with excitement. She breaks out into a run as a sudden breeze whips across the beach, and as you struggle to keep pace with her enthusiastic jog you find warm sand giving way to cool tile just before a pair of comfortable sandals find their way onto your feet.

(Continued)
>>
>>4154627

You blink, eyes adjusting to the dim, cozy lights of the rustic coffee shop you find yourself in now, Holly standing proudly behind the bar having exchanged her bikini for a spiffy barista’s uniform, complete with a clean, neat apron in forest green. Throwing her arms wide with an even wider smile, the blonde gestures to the space, filled to the brim with so many knick-knacks and personalization that you struggle to take it all in.

“Ta-da! The four of us made it together!” Holly declares proudly, spinning on one heel and almost knocking over the coffee pot on the counter behind her. “We’re adding to it more and more as we think of new stuff! Oh, have a seat! What’ll you have?”

“Dealer’s choice.” You answer with a grin, finding your friend’s enthusiasm infectious as you settle on the stool at the glossy, diner-esque bar. Holly ponders a moment before you see a light go off in her head, and with a knowing smirk she busies herself behind the bar as you glance around. The tables arranged near the wide windows are wrought-iron affairs, replete with cushions tied to the seat and back for comfort’s sake, while the tables they surround are a polished, warm oak that shines in the light that streams in from the silent streets just beyond the mottled windows. You note the presence of toys and puzzles on each table, no two the same as you realize there are dozens scattered about the space, paired on each table with a lovingly tended plant at their center...a courtesy of Johanna, no doubt.

“It’s nice.” You say, leaning on the counter as you adjust your one-piece. “Whose memory did it come from?”

“No-one’s! It was a collab!” Holly answers with a grin. “I thought up the general décor, Johanna added in the plants, and Uzu knew how to make drinks and the like.”

“…And B’ni?”

“Ah…well, the whole thing was kind of her idea in the first place, honestly” Holly admits gingerly. “We helped make her room and fill it with stuff, and after all that she said she wanted to make a communal space. Something new, instead of something borrowed.”

“Hm.” You murmur, watching the blonde work, admiring her deft hands as she prepares you something to drink. “Actually, where is everyone?”

“Uzu and Johanna are hanging back. They're psyched to see you, but they wanted to give you some time to chill out.” Holly answers, glancing over her shoulder. “As for B’ni, she…well, she said she didn’t want to overwhelm you if you were trying to relax. Her words, not mine.”

…You have to admit, you appreciate the forethought from all parties involved, and as you breathe in the cafe's pleasant scent, you ponder what to do next.

>>Ask Holly something on your mind, while it’s just the two of you.

>>If Uzu and Johanna are waiting in the wings, then I’d love to see them.

>>Tell Holly that B’ni is welcome, if she’s ready and willing to say hello.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next three hours.)
>>
>>4154632
>>If Uzu and Johanna are waiting in the wings, then I’d love to see them.
>>Tell Holly that Isabelle is welcome, if she’s ready and willing to say hello.
>>
>>4154627
>>4154632
This scene is nice.....
The price for this is gonna be a heavy one isnt it..... Because we cant have nice things the universe decided some time ago... God i diditn realize how much i needed a more relaxed scene

>>4154632
>Let Uzu and Johanna come in.
>If Isabelle feels ready she is welcome as well
>"You have made a nice space for you all. I am glad you are all getting along so well and not. Though we might need more space when the others coul come here as well"
>>
>>4154632
>>Write-In
>"Oh. That's sweet of them, but no, bring 'em out. I don't talk with you girls often enough as it is. Sometimes it seems like my party spends more time with their Dream Daughters than I do with you, and it makes me feel a little guilty. So yeah, let's all just hang out. That includes Isabel, tell her that she's welcome to come."
>>
>>4154632
>Thank B'ni, her augment saved our bacon
>>
>>4154632

"Oh. That's sweet of them, but no, bring 'em out. I don't talk with you girls often enough as it is.” You relent, and you can feel the dream expand as Holly wordlessly reaches out to her friends. “Sometimes it seems like my party spends more time with their Dream Daughters than I do with you, and it makes me feel a little guilty. So yeah, let's all just hang out…all of us.”

Holly just vies you a little wink over her shoulder as the café door swings open, revealing trio of familiar faces with Johanna leading the charge in cutoff jean shorts and a tank top.

“Defiant! Good to see you!” The muscular woman greets you with a mildly painful slap on the bare skin of your back, her booming voice ill-suited to the cramped space. Behind her is Uzu, eyebrow cocked at her boisterous friend, folding her arms indignantly over the ruffles of her simple, yet elegant blue dress. You almost don’t recognize Isabelle a bit behind them, her furtive figure sticking to the edges of the space, the other two girls interposed between you and her before Johanna takes a seat beside you. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Uzu gesture to the seat beside you with a pointed glance at her clearly tense friend, and though you can’t catch Isabelle’s eye, her answer to Uzu’s unspoken offer is made obvious when the Monastery’s former leader takes the other open seat beside you after a moment’s hesitation, with Isabelle sitting beside her, in turn.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Shu.” Uzu says gently as she flashes you a warm smile…something you’re rather unused to seeing on the girl’s severe features. “I’m also glad to see that you approve of our little project here.”

“It’s really nice.” You say, returning Uzu’s bright smile with one of your own, even as you note B’ni’s attempts to use her friend’s profile as a shield.

“We’re certainly proud of it, and we have our latest roommate to thank for bringing our talents together for its creation.” The dark-haired girl says with intent, leaning back to rob the girl beside her of camouflage. “Isn’t that right?”

“Oh, uh…yeah.” B’ni nods, cheeks tinging a shade of scarlet as she meets your eyes for a fraction of a second.

“Nicely done…” You remark with a nod, glancing around the space before you look to the nervous girl two seats away from you. “…for this, and for what you said when we were fighting Magpie. I appreciated it.”

Isabelle gives you a thumbs’ up with both hands, the ghost of a smile on her pursed lips before Johanna’s sudden exclamation nearly makes you jump.

“Uzu! You going to bring it up? I can tell her myself, if you’d-“ The muscular girl begins, pausing when Uzu gives a slight shake of her head.

“No, thank you.” The girl beside you says, drawing in a breath as she primly turns to face you.

“…I’d like to be the one to tell Shu that I’m willing to assist in the waking world.”

(Continued)
>>
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>>4154807

Your eyebrows shoot up involuntarily, and you almost miss when Holly proudly places a cup of warm tea in front of you, the scent of honey swirling up from its steaming surface as you stare at Uzu, speechless.

“I…thought you didn’t want to go out there.” You say, confused. “Uzu, I hope I didn’t give the impression that I wanted to force you to pilot a Spir-“

“No, at no point did I feel forced to do anything by anyone. Compelled, is perhaps the better word.” Uzu explains, raising a hand as your protests trail off. “Seeing Holly risk everything out there brought certain things into perspective, I’ll admit. Also, considering even Julia’s initial reticence to take up arms and her eventual contributions to our family’s cause, I think my abilities could be put to good use in protecting our family members.”

“Heh. ‘Our’ family?” Johanna chuckles deeply as she flashes a toothy grin over your head.

“W-well, yes!” Uzu stammers in protest, her neck blushing a light shade of pink. “That’s exactly what we are, and I’d imagine Shu would agree. Waking or dreaming, we’re all in this together and I’m not going to allow my own reservations to stop me from doing my part to keep everyone safe.”

“…Same. If you’ll have me.”

Uzu turns to the girl seated at her right, Isabelle’s quiet affirmation hanging in the comfortable air of the café as she stares at the coffee pot across from her.

“It’s kinda like this place.” She continues, glancing around at the woodwork and bric-a-brac. “We may be in the Dream, but thanks to the Spiritus, we’ve all got something we can bring to the table…and we’re all willing to, if it means lowering the odds of losing someone we care about.”

Isabelle finally meets Uzu’s gaze, the pair smiling at each other for a moment before the former averts her eyes, and the latter turns to face you once more.

“So, there you have it.” She concludes with a stiff, businesslike nod. “If any of us may be of service, then do not hesitate to tap up if the situation calls for it…myself included.”

You nod, impressed at how far Uzu’s come in such a short time. Jasmine and honey tickle your palate as you take a sip of Holly’s brew, an involuntary and appreciative sound welling up in the back of your throat as you enjoy the warm concoction. Time may flow a little differently in your mind, but the time these four have been able to spend together has clearly been a benefit to them all.

And as you mull over how to respond, you realize that your old enemy…and old friend…has a point.

Waking or dreaming, you’re all in this together.

>>Hang out with these four a little longer, and bring up [Write-In].

>>Choose another Dream Daughter to speak with while you continue to get some well-deserved rest.

>>Wake up, and confer with your allies in the waking world before you make plans to CONSUME and enhance the Contender.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next three hours as I finish out the work day, and I do hope that everyone is doing well.)
>>
>>4154809
>"I will definitely take it into consideration. Probably gonna have to level that ability up a bunch more to make it really safe. we nearly lost Holly today. But thank you all so much for being so willing to help out anyway."
>Relax a bit with the girls and see if you can get the Onyx butcher to join you if Dorian is in reach for the Halo network
>" So can we invite dreamdaughters from the rest of the family here? If so i would like to invite our new girl that i until know have only know as the Onyx Butcher. Since i am here already i think i should introduce myself to her."

>>4154816
Is there a big chance there is gonna be the Consume vote in the next days or is that more likely to happen in the next vein?

My day was alright. It flew by me without me even noticing.
>>
>>4154809
>"Its Appreciated... truly." turn and make sure Isabelle catches the sincerity of the last words.
>Spend a bit more time wit them, but you have nothing specific to talk to them about, unless one of them feels compelled to bring up a topic or talk to you alone.
>once things start to die down a bit, try and get into contact with the new arrivals to your families dreamscape. whichever one feels the most open, and meet them where they feel comfortable, over your first meeting being where you do.

>>4154816
been a lazy day, so sure. certainly could be worse.
>>
>>4154816
Went to see the doctor today. It was for a check up, have to get prescriptions and a visit to the therapist.

Feeling a bit more lethargic and apathetic than usual as of today.

Made some progress on chapter 3 of Carter and the town of Cradleton. Working on the quirks and behaviors of the women that Carter will have to encounter.
>>
>>4154825
(As far as the Consume vote goes, I'm not sure. I was considering opening it tomorrow evening if that works for everyone, and if not then, then shortly after the beginning of the 41st Vein early next week. It really depends on everyone's schedules and how much you want to get done in the dream/waking before you initiate the vote.)
>>
>>4154832
hrm, besides our new DDs, i wanted to talk to our Hexxanes about their 'rescued' friends wandering around, so not sure how even just that effects things.

i mean, tomorrow evening works for me from a purely OOC scheduling perspective, but as for being sure anything i may wish to do IC before then will all line up for that dunno. mind you, im fine if the next Vein opens up with that or something akin to that. after Magpie having this one simmer off with more casual stuff, over ending on a high strung voting block, actually doesn't sound at all bad.
>>
>>4154809
>"I appreciate it. truly."
>"Thank you everyone."
>"And thank you Isabelle."
>Send out an open invite for any dream daughters (any dream daughter from other members of our family) willing to come into the communal dreamspace.
>Hang out with these four a little longer, you'd like to hear their take on the situation.
>>
(Also, regarding the safety of your Dream Daughters, you do have this Relic if you'd ever like to utilize it. I hadn't seen anyone mention it yet, so I thought I'd bring it up.)

>>AFFECTION’S ANCHOR: This Relic, despite bearing the visage of a faded, well-loved teddy bear, is in fact an invaluable tool for a Phantasmal Conduit of any caliber. Instead of attuning to a waking individual, this Relic may be permanently bound to a Dream Daughter instead, granting any constructs that the Dream Daughter is placed in a considerable boost in all stats and ensuring that they remain immune to all status ailments and unable to be turned against the user. What’s more, the Daughter to whom this Relic is bound no longer has any risk of being deleted or lost, and upon the death of the waking Daughter she is bound to the Dream Daughter is instead locked safely within the bear, surviving deletion. (RELIC: Unattuned and Empty. Free Slot: Grants one additional Death Saving Throw. Also, the Dream Daughter bound to this Relic grants November a HEALTH bonus equal to DOUBLE that of her Core power’s HEALTH stat.)

(Also, I'm aware of several questions and issues raised earlier in the Vein, in addition to it being pointed out that several important Relics are missing from the current Pastebin, and I plan to address them all at the end of the Vein, so no worries, and thank you for your patience. You've not been forgotten, I assure you.)
>>
>>4154844
thanks for double checking no one forgot about it, but personally at least, the issue always was it only protects a single DD, and its status of being permanently bound also means we cant switch it around. the issue is we so far dont want to play favorites i think, aswell as we need a way to ensure we can bring out more than one safely, aswell as those who wouldn't be attuned to it.
>>
>>4154844
Affection's Anchor is nice but it's got the "too awesome to use" tag on it due to it being an essential relic to have in the metagame for stand-type Conduit-class daughters. Shu's got multiple daughters and can't really afford to play favorites.
>>
>>4154844
Not quite sure on who to put it on honestly OP We may have to replicate it a few times before we actually use it. because i want to make sure that if anyone gets it everyone can get it so we can safe all our dreamdaughters.

>>4154848
>>4154840
I also just noticed. They added a new room to our dreamscape..... Since we have the ability and the silver key.... Could we end up as the Central hub for Kadath?
>>
>>4154848
(I figured as much, and that absolutely makes sense. As I said, I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew it was still on the table.)
>>
>>4154854
make our own Kadath city in the dreamscape? sounds nice.

Although...I feel like making a shrine room for Magpie in the dreamscape. A simple grave, a pack of cigarettes (one cigarette will always be lit), her guns and a bottle of booze sitting next to the headstone would sound nice.
>>
>>4154854
i thought we already were? thought it was already said they Uzu and ours use all our tools to keep up with all the other families DDs and keep tabs on possible issues. not exactly a hub i suppose, but i doubt they did all that without also having genuine want to communicate with other families DDs, and if they can do all that i think letting others come to them shouldn't be impossible, assuming its not already happening.

>>4154856
its appreciated. what tier is it actually?
>>
>>4154860
gonna go ahead and tell you id very much shoot that down voting wise, and hard.
>>
>>4154862
(Tier 5, since it's one of a handful of Relics that outright render Dream Daughters invincible.)

>>4154864
>>('Shooting down' the sniper's memorial.)

(...Heh.)
>>
>>4154862
I was thinking more on a global scale. Sure right now we already are a hub. More to the point that all members of our family with the halo serve as hubs. But with growing power? Could be that eventually all dreamscapes can be connected in a way that makes it possible for Dreamdaughters everywhere to commune with one another unless deliberately isolated.

>>4154860
maybe a more general area for people to remember them there if they are lost to us. Shouldn't make it so specific i think
>>
>>4154867
>Tier 5
Oh god damn it........
We can at the moment at most make one more of those. And its probably not cheap

Maybe we can instead make them small sarcophagi to make sure they survive the destruction even if they dont immediately return to our dreamscape
>>
>>4154867
whelp, there went >>4154854
idea, but still, thanks for clearing that up.

>('Shooting down' the sniper's memorial.)
...godamnit BHOP. dont make me make another joke like my Betty one, ill do it damnit!
but i did chuckle so good show.

>>4154868
...eh. im not so sure id agree to that. opens us up to some.... very iffy situations, and would run our own DD ragged trying to prevent or minimize said issues. just does not at all sound like a good idea. not to mention the cost/setup to make it possible too...
>>
>>4154872
You mean a Blackbox relic? I did try to design one for November so she could survive the Winterfall Nuke, but the balancing process is hard.

>>4154864
>>4154867
>('Shooting down' the sniper's memorial.)

Now that's Cold of you two. Colder than Magpie's current condition.
>>
>>4154881
whew, hah.
but nah, i disagree its cold. maybe if she had not been a willing participant in what went down, but she certainly hasnt at all earned something like that. also, keeping a memorial to someone who stabbed us in the back like that sounds horribly unhealthy, especially this early after it all went down.
>>
>>4154888
I think they're just commenting on the pun being terrible.
>>
>>4154926
no, you're wrong. I did intend to make magpie a memorial after her true passing, but my fellow anon here shot the idea down on the basis they feel Magpie herself did not earn that level of respect.
>>
>>4154931
Oh. I thought we were doing jokey commentary on bad wordplay. My apologies for misunderstanding. I am eating crow now.
>>
>>4154933
OI. QUIT MUNCHING ON HER CORPSE!
>>
Alright i think i will head to bed now. I need to catch up a bit on sleep.

Good Night Anons. Good Night OP

>>4154931
Maybe we can make it a more general memorial for all of those that have been lost to the fleshscape instead of making it specifically for Magpie.

Like a general shrine. A bit like the Church Uzu made her home
>>
>>4154936
But I'm hungry!

>>4154941
Maybe make it a physical memorial in that case. Something that Daughters from all over can add to. There probably is such a thing already, actually, I wouldn't be surprised.
>>
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>>4154933
>>
>>4154832
I'm fine with either option, myself. If people would like to postpone the vote and meet with some more dream daughters before leveling up, that works for me. My schedule's wide open, thanks to social distancing and self-quarantining.
>>
>>4154832
Tomorrow works for me, if we're at a point in the plot appropriate for it by then. I do want to talk to our new Dream Daughters if we get the chance, that might take a while.
>>
>>4154941
>>4154943
Laoc might be a good place, assuming they arent already doing that. certainly support it more over Magpie Dream Shrine. still dont think such a thing would deserve to be tainted by her being memorialized there though.

>>4154933
>>4154936
>>4154943
>mfw when you turn around for two seconds and Anon starts munching on the level up corpse like a cannibal goblin with only slight table manners.
>>
>>4154947
oh, BHOP, might be something better found out in the story, and fine if so, but did Laoc have any luck contacting any of the other settlements, and their responses? feel like learning that and more about thems gonna be important, albeit not immediately. also need to get word out Magpie was stopped, though id be surprised if it wasn't already getting around.
>>
>>4154809
>>Write-In
>"Thank you. All of you. And tell me if there's anything I can do for you, alright? 'All in this together' goes both ways."
>Spend some more time just relaxing with the Dream Daughter crew. Ask how they've been, if they've met with any of the other dreamscapes, etc.
>If time permits before we get woken up by our family to start the planning for Alpha, wind down the conversation and excuse ourselves to go meet some new Dream Daughters.
>>
>>4154958
(They did, and with good results, but I'll leave the specifics for the fiction.)

(Also, everyone who's someone has already heard about how you beat Magpie, so no worries there.)
>>
>>4154997
>They did, and with good results, but I'll leave the specifics for the fiction.
awesome, looking forward to that.

>everyone who's someone has already heard about how you beat Magpie, so no worries there.
well its good word got out, but i might just be paranoid a bit due to the cult, but i cant help but feel that will only exasperate some issues we have. ah well, did what we had too and that was inevitable anyways sadly. we'll deal with that stuff as we can.

though, when we do finally meet up with Charon in person again its gonna be... well, its gonna be something alright.
>>
>>4155000
>>4154997

>The cult has grown in size once again due to Shu's actions

oh dear. I am not going to like this at all. The Cult will see Shu more as a Messiah figure. The more we leave it alone the more presumptions they will make, yet the more we interact with them the more they take our word as gospel and view us more as a god-queen.
>>
>>4154997
Oh, good. Maybe knowing that someone thinks they're at enough risk of going Conglomerate to need killing will get people to step up their Hunger-prevention efforts.

>>4155000
>well its good word got out, but i might just be paranoid a bit due to the cult, but i cant help but feel that will only exasperate some issues we have.
Probably. We did just kill what's basically an apostate. That's not going to slow down Shu's idol status.
>>
>>4155006
>>4155004
oh shid. we just killed the holy figure who once walked next to Mara. now her cultists and groupies are gonna come after us and our cultists and groupies in a religious war!

im joking of course... i hope at least.
>>
>>4155006
>Probably. We did just kill what's basically an apostate. That's not going to slow down Shu's idol status.
How is Magpie an Apostate?

>>4155011
>tfw we accidentally a holy war between fandoms
GOD FUCKING DAMMIT. We just wanted to stop more innocents from being slaughtered.

And I think we really should be careful with our words from here on out. Like, REALLY careful. I could hazard a guess that Orwell is basically making a livestream on Shu and is currently feeding it to Shu's cult and soaking up all the zeal and adoration that said fandom is overflowing with.

Now that you mention it, fandom wars would benefit no one and would make a particular skintalker fat from feeding on thoughts and emotions of the incensed masses.
>>
>>4155011
I mean, kind of, yeah. My hope is that Magpie having turned on the settlements that Mara founded leads to any cultish following she has disbanding. Which would still give us troubles since it would inflate Shu's messianic reputation for killing a betrayer of the religion. We're really going to have to make it clear by the end of this that we're not the god-queen.

>>4155020
>How is Magpie an Apostate?
Metaphorically. Magpie renounced her affiliation with Mara by acting to destroy the settlements, to a cult that idolizes Mara that would make her either an apostate or a heretic, possibly both.
>>
>>4155020
i dont think Orwell would do that. even assuming she isnt genuine in wanting to help and put a stop to exactly that, it would be way too possible for us to figure out she is and well, we have several times now made it clear we keep to our word, including if that involves violence...

otherwise, id think she gives us privacy regardless when we arent doing anything major like Magpies fight. maybe other... certain types of fans dont and certain things we've done outside the sanctuary of the penthouse are now very popular videos..., but regardless, i think we have said our piece pretty well.

actually, so well in fact the fact we have a cult has gotta just be based off of 'personality to the point of ignoring their words' sorta deal, because 'place all your bets on me' and similar things are exactly the opposite of what we constantly say.

>>4155027
indeed. i think visiting Charon and his... little group, should at least be on our list to do, even if not a major or secondary thing to get to perhaps.
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4155143
>Magpie counters
Doin' me a bamboozle, chief.
>>
>>4155143
>"Never pointless. Only pointless fight is the one you refuse to learn from." Magpie counters, her words only deepening the shorter girl's ire.
BHOP
HOW IS MAGPIE A DREAM DAUGHTER HERE?
bamboozle pls.
>>
>>4155149
>>4155150
(Damn it, me!)
>>
>>4155157
>Magpie counters
Uh... BHOP? You doin' alright?
>>
>>4155157
(What the absolute fuck. Hold on a
second.)
>>
>>4155161
It's happened twice now, clearly Magpie refuses to die and is forcing her way back into the narrative.
>>
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>>4154809

The five of you find yourselves easing into a comfortable sort of conversation as Holly prepares drinks for the rest of the girls present, with some choice instruction from Uzu. Within a few minutes you're enjoying easy conversation and a pleasant beverage in the company of Daughters you slew in the course of your Journey through the Fleshscape, now residing in the depths of your mind. To say it's surreal would be an understatement, but you're not going to argue with how good a time everyone seems to be having...Isabelle included.

All's going well, at least until the topic turns to recent events.

"Dragoon. Don't trust her. Never did, even when I first heard of her." Johanna grumbles, brow furrowed as she takes another swig from her cup of black coffee. "Admire her? Absolutely. Trust her? Hell no."

"Excuse me?" Uzu scowls, interrupting Holly just as she's about to open her mouth to speak. "Mara was a cornerstone of the Monastery. That place wouldn't have existed without her and my Grandmother's construct putting their heads together to help girls that didn't want to keep fighting a pointless fight."

"Never pointless. Only pointless fight is the one you refuse to learn from." Johanna counters, her words only deepening the shorter girl's ire.

"Mara was nothing but supportive of us, and even of me!" Uzu insists a little louder than necessary, prompting Isabelle to gingerly place a hand on her shoulder. "I'd have never had the courage to step up to take over the Monastery if Mara hadn't reached out and given me the encouragement I nee-"

"And how did that work out for y-" Johanna begins, and you think that Isabelle's about to lunge from the flare of violence you sense two chairs behind you just before Holly clears her throat, green eyes catching Johanna's own with a stern, yet kind glare.

"Jo...we talked about this." Holly says quietly, placing her gentle fingers on the back of the other woman's clenched fist. "Remember that I said?"

"I...oh. I just....damn." Johanna says, disappointment at herself evident in her saddened gaze as she looks to Uzu, the other girl confused at the exchange, if still incensed.

"Uzu. I...I overstepped. I'm sorry." The muscular girl intones apologetically as she gives Uzu a little bow of her head, an odd look for a girl you've known as distinctly unapologetic in all the times you've interacted with her. "You said a word earlier. Conviction. I feel that about what I say, and I'm starting to realize that while it's not a bad thing, I...it can come across as...mean. When I don't want it to. So. Yeah. I'm sorry."

Holly's giving Johanna a slight nod as she glances between her friend and Uzu, while Uzu's hand finds Isabelle's on her shoulder as she gives it a small squeeze before the Monastery's former leader takes a deep breath before speaking.

"Apology accepted. Agree to disagree?" Uzu offers, and Johanna thrusts a hand for a shake, which the other girl accepts, much to Holly's glee.

(Continued)
>>
>>4155166

"Communication!" The blonde cheers, and at that Uzu just rolls her eyes as Johanna replies with a short bark of laughter as she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly. "I'm so glad you two are starting to communicate better!"

"...communication." Isabelle murmurs, the hackles that had raised in Uzu's defense slowly receding as she readjusts in her seat. Holly swiftly refills the drinks of everyone present, save for you as you rise from your stool.

"I'd like to hang around a little longer, but while I have time before we kick off this whole 'Alpha' thing, I know I need to go and meet some of the new arrivals from Laoc." You guiltily explain in the face of Holly's adorable pout and the beginnings of Johanna's protests.

"We understand. You go do what you do best - make friends with your enemies." Uzu replies with an amused smile, and to your surprise she rises from her chair and steps forward, giving you a quick, polite hug, the sort that so quintessentially 'her'.

"Hope I didn't scare you off, Defiant." Johanna chuckles, only half-joking if you're going by her tone of voice. "In any case. Be bold, my friend. Be brilliant."

"Ha, thanks Johanna. And I appreciate that, Uzu." You grin, and when you turn to the door you almost get the wind knocked out of you when Holly darts from around the counter and throws her arms around you, full-force.

"Love you...be safe, okay?" She pleads, giving you a series of tight squeezes. "If I can help, I'll do it! Just ask!"

"Will do...and right back at you, Holly." You reply, squeezing her back as you look to Isabelle, sliding off the bar-stool with her hands in the pockets of her black jeans. The two of you stand there in awkward silence for a second or two, unsure of what to say to the other until B'ni gestures stiffly to the door, mumbling something about seeing you out. Uzu shoots B'ni a knowing look and a warm smile as your old friend leads the way to the cafe's door, opening it for you as you both step out into a sunlit street, almost Parisian in its architecture and feel underneath a bright blue sky that seems almost unnatural, given how accustomed you've grown to the Crucible's false dusk.

"If I may say so...you seem to be doing well." You begin, turning on your heel to face the girl that had caused you so much pain, only a few short days ago. "Holly, Uzu, even Johanna; I can tell they really like you."

"For some reason, yeah." B'ni shrugs, an awkward laugh escaping her throat mid-swallow. "Look, I...I wanted to thank you."

"Again?" You echo with a smirk.

"Again." She affirms, quite serious as she stares at the cobblestone between your feet and hers. "Those three, they're...they've been so, so nice to me, when I...it's a lot, you know? After everything I did, after everything I made everyone go through, it's...their acceptance is almost kind of overwhelming, if that makes sense?"

(Continued)
>>
>>4155168

"I think it's in their nature to overwhelm...in a good way." You muse, looking back to the coffee shop. "And for what it's worth? You're welcome. I'm just glad you've gotten to know them. I was afraid you'd hole up in here."

You tap your forehead, and Isabelle lets out a small, furtive laugh.

"Yeah, well, it's not like they'd have let me get away with it. I mean, have you met Holly? And Johanna is just *relentless*."

"And Uzu?"

"She's...she's awesome. She's been the absolute best." B'ni answers, wearing a goofy, happy grin...the kind you've never seen on her, until this very moment. Suddenly, she cocks her head, and a moment later you sense an avenue open to you, somewhere in the Dreamscape.

"Seems like Dorian's newest Dream Daughter wants to say 'hello'." You murmur, and B'ni just nods before her eyes finally meet yours.

"Okay...like the others said, just...be safe? If you need anything from me, just ask." She insists, giving you a little wave as you prepare to leave. "I...really like what I have here. I want to protect it, if that makes s-"

"Sense?" You softly interrupt. "It makes all the sense in the world, Isabelle. Take care, and we'll talk again soon."

With that, you take your leave, striding down the street as you follow the draw of Dorian's newest tenant, meandering through an alley or two until you find yourself at the back door of a kitchen, the entrance allowing the scent of baking bread and freshly-sliced meats to waft your way.

“C’mon in, if you can handle the heat!" Shouts a voice from inside, and you accept the invitation as you stride into the warm space. The stout, dark-haired girl you see bustling about is even shorter than Rath despite obviously being in her mid-teens, though she carries with her a certain sort of professionalism as she deftly shears thin slices of meat off a bone with an unbelievably sharp blade, quickly placing it down on the center island before darting over to check on something she has in one of the two massive ovens inserted in the left-hand wall.

“Name's Mathilde. I'm butcher and baker, both.” She says gesturing to her work space. “If I were a candlestick maker to boot, then I’d have a pretty good joke going.”

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Shu." You reply. "So this is your-"

“Deli. Family business. Three generations long, back from when my grandmother crossed over in the forties." Mathilde explains brusquely, placing her hands on her hips. “To be frank, I wanted to thank you for putting me down before I could do any real damage. To be furter, want do you want to eat?"

"Pardon?"

"I got meats of all kinds, and hand-made bread of any kind you can think of." Mathilde replies proudly. "The girls across the way made you a nice drink, but you're in the right place for a meal from the world that was."

"So!" She barks. "What'll it be?"

>>You are in control...of your order. And maybe a question or two from the girl that was the Onyx Butcher.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening, a well-deserved rest after fighting through Magpie's attempt at resurrection and a veritable hell paved with enough captchas to make me doubt my humanity. Voting shall remain open for the next thirteen hours, with posting to resume in approximately fifteen, give or take a work demands. I'll be around for a little while longer to address any questions, concerns, or criticisms you may have, and I welcome it all. Be safe, rest well, and dream wonderfully.)
>>
>>4155183
>“To be frank, I wanted to thank you for putting me down before I could do any real damage. To be furter, want do you want to eat?"
>Frank
>Furter
I see what you did there Bhop. Frankfurter jokes?
>>
>>4155187
(Matilde; She has the meats.)
>>
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>>4155183
>take a seat and order the chefs special.
>"Ill trust you to know what'll really 'wow' me."
>"Oh, and a second order for the chef to enjoy too, she seems like she deserves a break."
>after you're both seated, assuming you can get her to enjoy a meal aswell, ask her a few standard questions, but put the usual on the table of a question for a question.
>"how you holding up? met Vultha or Dorian yet?"
>"How was your time in the fleshscape, if you dont mind talking about it? anything interesting in your time before things went... south?"
>"any message or anything you might want passed along you never got a chance to? no promises, but putting any lingering issues to ease for ya if we run across something wouldn't be off the table. I know what it can be like to feel like things didn't get finished properly over all this."
>Once things settle down, finish your meal and see if any other new Daughters wish to talk first, then any old Daughters.

>>4155185
Long day BHOP? work treating you harshly? sorry, don't take this the wrong way, just checking as that's the second time today you've gotten a name wrong, on top of the debacle to fix it, which for you is a bit much, especially as you seem to not be catching them after-the-fact either.

regardless, thanks for getting through... whatever the hell all that was. you're a damn trooper for sure.
>>
>>4155206
(Haven't been sleeping to well as of late, for reasons that are honestly beyond me. Aside from that, work's had me a bit frazzled, but nothing I can't handle with some rest. Speaking of which...I'll likely try to get some sleep here soon, to make sure I'm good for both work and writing tomorrow.)

(Thank you for bearing with me, despite me being rather frazzled, it seems.)

(As an odd aside, for some reason Magpie and Johanna's names have been getting mixed up in my mind all day. They sound nothing alike, they characters are nothing alike, so I have no idea why that's been such an issue for me today. Considering that, I'd say it's probably for the best if the Consume vote is left for the next Vein, given how intense that ends up being.)
>>
>>4155183
>>Write-In
>"It's just now occurring to me that I've never actually eaten a sandwich in my entire life. Huh. Let's make my first one a classic, then. Corned beef on rye, I'll trust you to know what accoutrements go best with it."
>"So, did you run a butcher's shop in Laoc, too, or were you doing other work? I know that a lot of the Daughters that got hit by the Hunger wave were actually the town guard, is that something you were involved with?"
>"How are you adapting to Dorian's dreamscape? Has he gotten the chance to speak with you yet? Or any of the other Dream Daughters, have they come to meet you?"

>>4155185
You okay, BHOP? Sounds like you had a rough day. Well, get some rest, then. We all want you in good shape.
>>
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>>4155226
oof, sorry to hear about your sleep being off. my own sleep schedules been a bit iffy, so i understand. you can call it a day early BHOP we understand. plus, dont think anything so immediate for us to ask of you, given the situation aswell as where it'll be heading. especially given your spoiler, which both means more DD and other side stuff might be better for you anyways, aswell as im perfectly fine with it.

and its fine, everyone has bad days. you try and make sure tomorrow isnt another, ya hear?
>>
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>>4155183
>Order: 2 chefs special (one for Shu and another for Matilde), 1 baker's dozen of doughnuts with a garden variety for the daughters we might visit, And an appetizer platter of deli for Dorian and Mulvath just in case! And ask Matilde if she does Chinese-style baked goods.

Have you ever been to a chinese bakery and tried their buns bhop? I swear to god their pork buns are so good. just the bread itself is delicious.
>>
>>4155229
>corned beef on rye.
holy hell that is disgusting. where the hell do you live thats a classic, cause its nowhere near one around here.
>>
>>4155235
>>4155185
does she do donuts? if so, damn, shes got variety. around here a bakery and a donut shop are 100% separate things with no overlap. ever. so that would be one hell of a menu for her to have.
>>
>>4155226
OOF, even in the midst of a plague, corporate still wants to work you like a dog. Yipes.

And I'm not sure if you've read this, but I think you should check out Claymore. It's an old manga, but it definitely will check off all the boxes for you.

https://manganelo.com/chapter/read_claymore_manga_online_free/chapter_1

>>4155236
>>4155229
And let the food wars begin.

>>4155239
I figured that since this is the dreamscape. Matilde might pull bread and other meats she's tried from her own life experiences at other stores and bake them into existence.
>>
>>4155226
Sorry to hear you haven't been sleeping well, I can relate. Something about the quarantine, it's screwed up my patterns. Well, get some sleep, then, BHOP. See you tomorrow morning.

And yeah, putting off the Consume until the next Vein sounds reasonable, that always winds up going long.

>>4155235
A good pork bun is delightful, yeah. If Matilde has those that would be nice.

>>4155236
North-east Ohio. Corned beef on rye is hardly unique to here, though, it's a staple of the deli industry across the American east coast and midwest. Anywhere Eastern European immigrants have settled, basically. The reuben, the most famous corned beef-based sandwich, actually comes from Nebraska.
>>
>>4155247
ah, not sure it works like that, or maybe moreso, a baker/butcher wouldn't want to sully a recipe they aren't familiar or experiences in, especially on someones first impression meal.

>>4155255
ah, well now i know which areas have horrible taste.
>>
>>4155260
so what's your signature sandwich?
>>
>>4155183
>>4155206
Amending Vote;
>take a seat and order the chefs special, though not anything Rye or Corned Beef. Shus first sandwich needs to be something actually good, afterall.
>"Ill trust you to know what'll really 'wow' me."
>"Oh, and a second order for the chef to enjoy too, she seems like she deserves a break."
>after you're both seated, assuming you can get her to enjoy a meal aswell, ask her a few standard questions, but put the usual on the table of a question for a question.
>"how you holding up? met Vultha or Dorian yet?"
>"How was your time in the fleshscape, if you dont mind talking about it? anything interesting in your time before things went... south?"
>"any message or anything you might want passed along you never got a chance to? no promises, but putting any lingering issues to ease for ya if we run across something wouldn't be off the table. I know what it can be like to feel like things didn't get finished properly over all this."
>Once things settle down, finish your meal and see if any other new Daughters wish to talk first, then any old Daughters.
>If Mathilde can, grab some donuts to share on your travels, and if not donuts, a sandwich platter.
>>
>>4155239
(She absolutely can. It's her dream room, after all, and she's not one to turn down a challenge.)

>>4155235
(Only recently, after my wife and I moved to a place that actually has them. I agree, they're amazing.)

>>4155247
(You know what? I always meant to read Claymore. Now that I finally caught up on Dorohedoro and re-watched Higurashi, a favorite of mine, I'll have to give Claymore a well-deserved look.)

>>4155255
(I'm sorry that it's messed with your sleep patterns, as well. Also, I'm not sure how I've not had corned beef on rye yet, given where I live. I'll have to try it out some time.)
>>
>>4155265
for Texas? pulled pork BBQ probably, if we're going for something i know Texans do well, and without a doubt shows up in delis even when otherwise BBQ items wouldn't. well, pulled pork or BBQ pork in general i guess. Delis are a bit rarer down here id imagine though, especially non-chain ones. Mexican, Tex-Mex, and BBQ joints rule the non-chain market here for sure. Rye especially i know isnt super popular, at least around my city. used to work at a bakery for a bit even, and certainly the number of loafs of it made was significantly less than other kinds.

i think Turkey is also popular actually, though im pretty sure ours wouldn't probably be anything special deli wise, compared to some BBQ places that may do it well. then again, is turkey ever unpopular? seems like the most basic of sandwich meats as far as im aware.

>>4155273
>turn down a challenge
er, not what i meant haha, but hey, guess we'll see how that goes. may be to learn how well she is at insults too!
>>
>>4155273
You won't regret reading Claymore.
>>
>>4155283
We'll just have to figure out which region Matilde is from. Certain bakeries and butcher shops in certain regions have a bias.
>>
>>4155288
I'd assume she's Jewish. Short, dark-haired, has a German name, and her grandmother came to the country in the forties. That says "descendant of Jewish immigrants" to me. So the chef's special actually probably is corned beef on rye, Jews love that.
>>
>>4155295
(Nice catch.)
>>
>>4155301
>>4155295
Well then, I guess her meats will be kosher only.
>>
>>4155313
well, that depends on how strongly her family stuck to it, aswell as her. not to mention, its that they cannot eat it mostly. there could be leeway in selling it, and might be very bad for trying to keep a shop open to not do so, depending on the neighborhood of course.
>>
>>4155320
The store is apparently alive for 3-generations meaning it's been in business for around 70 years if we're to estimate the Crucible crashing Earth in the 2010s and run by a family member, so the tradition must be strong in a sense.
>>
>>4155313
Not necessarily, a lot of Jews don't keep kosher and the delis reflect that. Plus, a lot of Jewish delis cater to non-Jews these days, too. There's a Jewish deli just down the street from me that serves ham and cheese sandwiches, even. Oh god, it's so treyf. Delicious, though.

Okay, if corned beef on rye is so objectionable how about a different classic Jewish deli sandwich: Brisket on challah. You've got some nice slow-roasted meat on a white bread that's dense yet still fluffy, almost like a brioche. It's tender, a little smoky, utterly delightful.
>>
>>4155325
sure, but ethnic jew =/= instantly mean religious jew. also doesn't change the fact keeping some practices doesn't mean they keep all of them. actually, considering the rationing issues around the time her grandmother came over, its very likely they had no choice but to be more lenient on some practices. and once you start, especially for a business, its pretty hard to back off on doing something.
>>
>>4155330
>>Brisket on challah

(Hrng. Now you're talking.)
>>
>>4155330
>>4155339

is it served hot or cold? Because Brisket I adore having recently learned how to properly roast it myself. Especially if the fat is kept. dear lord the roasted fat. on a well marbled brisket. It just utterly melts in the mouth. Toss in a good spice rub on it, add some sauce and MUAH.
>>
>>4155330
>>4155339
>>4155343
never even seen challah before, but any brisket on white is without a doubt good. and anon talking about a good fatty brisket... damnit, WHY?! curse this damn virus, i dont think i can get brisket at the moment....
>>
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>>4155343
It can be served either way. And yes, the fat is kept. It would be crazy to leave it off, and Jews only go for the really crazy food during Passover when the food is meat to remind you of your ancestors' suffering.

Oh, and if it's Jewish bakery as well as deli they've probably got donuts, actually. They're called sufganiyot, they're basically just donuts but more spherical. Typically they're either prepared with a jelly or custard filling or coated in powder sugar.

>>4155344
Challah's this dense white bread made with eggs. It's very good for sandwiches. It can be prepared in a lot of ways, but the most common is to braid the dough before baking it, giving it a distinctive bumpy surface.
>>
>>4155183
>>4155235
Amending my order/vote:
>"It's just now occurring to me that I've never actually eaten a sandwich in my entire life. Huh. So what's the best thing you've got?"
>Watch as Matilde just stops what she's doing, be frightened when Matilde tightens her apron, rolls up her sleeves and goes all out on making a plate of Brisket on challah (served hot) with scary intensity.
>Take your first bite into said sandwich and have a foodgasm in the process.
>Almost forget to place the rest of your order: One baker's dozen of garden variety doughnuts, an appetizer platter of deli for Dorian and Mulvath, and ask Matilde if she does chinese-style baked goods, if so, order 2 pork buns.
>Marvel at the Brisket on Challah.
>After you're done with the sandwich, proceed to ask questions and talk with Matilde.

>>4155370
lets have the sandwich be served hot, that way Shu can get the most out of the brisket and challah when it comes to the taste.
>>
>>4155183
Changing beginning of >>4155229 to

>"Let's make my first one a classic, then. Brisket on challah, that looks good."
>>
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>>4155183

You blink, a bizarre realization washing over you as a result of the other girl’s innocuous question.

"It's just now occurring to me that I've never actually eaten a sandwich in my entire life. Huh.” You muse, much to the alarm and consternation of the sandwich artist across the kitchen island from you. “So what's the best thing you've got? I’ll trust you to know what'll really 'wow' me. Oh, and a second order for the chef to enjoy too, she seems like she deserves a break."

“Oh, you poor thing! No worries – I know just the thing for a sandwich virgin like you.” Mathilde declares with a wild look in her eye, tightening her apron and rolling up her sleeves as she begins to move about the kitchen with the spirit of a dervish and the practiced hand of a surgeon. At the girl’s hurried insistence you accept a seat at the island on one of two stools, and you’re left to marvel as you watch Mathilde assemble a plate of dark meat and bumpy bread that makes your mouth water and your taste buds sing from the mere scent of what she’s lovingly, expertly crafted.

“Brisket on challah!” She declares with a performer’s relish, she places the plate between you as she takes the seat across the table from you, watching you with a sparkle in her dark eyes as she motions for you to take a bite. Tentatively, you reach out, trying to ignore Mathilde’s penetrating gaze as you bring the sandwich to your lips. You take your first bite, and-

Oh.

Woah.

H-holy shit.

The scent, the smell, the texture - it’s almost overwhelming. Born into a world of flesh, you thought you’d never enjoy the taste of meat, but *this*? This is beyond words. You’ve seen and experienced things you cannot explain, from the powers of the Tindalos to a deific being whose very existence refuses to be bound by your mortal vocabulary…and it all pales in comparison to the wondrous, blessed creation that fills your mouth with joy, distilled into a delectable sandwich.

It truly defies explanation, in the best of ways.

You *think* she asked you if it was good, and to the best of your knowledge your only reply might’ve been something like a guttural growl as you wolfed down the first miracle before moving on to a second. In the middle of your third, it occurs to you that you might need to slow down and…you know…show some decorum in front of the girl you just met. As you regain your proper senses, you realize that Mathilde’s sporting as wide a grin as her face can handle, hands clasped tightly in front of her as she radiates pure joy in the aftermath of your barbarism.

"So, um…ahem. Did you run a butcher's shop in Laoc, too, or were you doing other work?” You ask, feeling your cheeks warm in embarrassment despite the girl’s obvious appreciation. “I know that a lot of the Daughters that got hit by the Hunger wave were actually the town guard, is that something you were involved with?"

(Continued)
>>
>>4156141

“I was part of the town guard, yeah.” Mathilde answers, sampling some of her brisket as she continues. “Took me a little while to make my way to Laoc, but after how weird the Apex got, I wasn’t gonna stick around.”

“Wait…you were with the Apex Sisterhood?” You ask, glancing up from the plate as Mathilde nods with a bitter sigh.

“Before they got all ‘survival of the fittest’, yeah. At the beginning, the whole point of them was to get stronger, and to be bastion against everything the Crucible had to throw at us. Embrace the weird it gave you, and figure out how to make the most of it for the good of others, you know?” She explains, leaning back in her seat as she chews thoughtfully. “Yeah, so time wasn’t exactly kind to that philosophy, since humans tend to be scummy when they get a little power. Some of us started to bug out when talk started of ‘superiority’ and all that hot garbage, and when they started to get really radicalized, I figured I’d get out while the getting was good. Jeraha was chill with where I came from, and I was pretty strong, so she let me join the town guard. I was planning to maybe open a deli in my off-hours, but…that didn’t exactly plan out.”

"How are you adapting to Dorian's dreamscape?” You ask, changing topics as you sensing that despite her openness, the current one remains a sore subject. “Has he gotten the chance to speak with you yet? Or any of the other Dream Daughters, have they come to meet you?"

“Ha, I haven’t talked to Dorian yet, but your friends stopped by to say hello when I was getting settled, and Mulvath’s gunning for top customer…though you may have him beat as far as enthusiasm goes.”

"Yeah…sorry about all that.” You apologize sheepishly, and Mathilde just chuckles, telling you not to worry about it. “Any message or anything you might want passed along you never got a chance to? No promises, but I know what it can be like to feel like things didn't get finished properly."

Mathilde mulls over your question for a moment before shaking her head.

“No, I…I’ve made peace with what I lost to the Crucible.” She says resolutely. “If anything, I’d appreciate if you could tell Jeraha that I appreciated her giving me a fair shake. Regardless of how things turned out for me, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, if she asked me.”

You nod, taking another bite of the marvelous sandwich as you suddenly feel the dream realm expand, the tell-tale sign of your allies having arrived. You could’ve reached out to their Dream Daughters with some effort, but the arrival of Gina, Amara, and the others simply makes it easier to meet up with them, if you’re so inclined.

>>Ask Mathilde something else you’re curious about.

>>Choose a Dream daughter to visit [Write-In].

>>Wake up, and catch up with an ally of your choice in the waking world.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4156143
>>Ask Mathilde something else you’re curious about.
>"So i take it you know that the Apex has been scattered and mostly destroyed by Magpie. Thanks again for the sandwiches. They were delicious. But i still have to make my rounds to get properly introduced to everyone. Wouldn't want to have that pile up forever"
>Visit one of the other Dreamdaughters you haven't met yet. Preferably the Legion girl if she is willing to meet you
>>
>>4156143
>meet with another new Dream Daughter, unless none wish to meet with you, then let any old ones who have something to say drag you in. your family will need a bit to settle in anyways, if theres even a rush to wake you at all, that is.
>>you prefer to meet them individually, but with Francine having three to meet, going there next if any tug at you might 'save time' as it was.
>>
>>4156143
>>4156159
hrm, did just realize that may be confusing, whoops. meant more still want to meet them all individually, but was making a silly comment about how them all being in the same person may involve much less effort to meet them all once in there, even though its not actually a major concern about the effort of switching locations like that.
>>
>>4156163
(Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!)
>>
>>4156170
no problem.
mostly its just an excuse to meet all of hers in a row, and save Amaras for last so if theres a chance Amara goes to sleep, we can end this off spending some time with her and the Soroitas.
>>
>>4156143
>>4156144
Gah, I'm in the midst of writing up a sort story regarding two apex daughters talking about current events (around the timeframe of just before the Monastery turned into spiraling fear)

So I'm hesitant on asking a question regarding the Apex on whether or not there are splinter factions within the main group.
>>
>>4156143
Amendign my vote to
>"So i take it you know that the Apex has been scattered and mostly destroyed by Magpie? Thanks again for the sandwiches. They were delicious. But i still have to make my rounds to get properly introduced to everyone. Wouldn't want to have that pile up forever unlike your sandwiches. I will have to drop by more often"
>meet with another new dreamdaughter. Saving Legion in Amara for last.
>Whichever other dreamdaughter between Violens, Fang and Ward seems most open is gonna be first to be met

Because this>>4156180 is a damn good argument

Maybe we can even call Amara to sleep... Though it may just happen if she walks into Shus room and sees the pile of Fuzzbuzz Shu is sleeping in
>>
>>4156191
I am amending this vote >>4156157 forgot to link it
>>
>>4156186
(Nice, I'm looking forward to reading it.)
>>
>>4156186
Not gonna lie, a fan story is not a good excuse to not ask or do something in the actual quest. On top of that, wouldn't it help your story be more canonally accurate?
>>
>>4156143
>Ask Mathilde something else you’re curious about: "Were there any splinter factions within the Apex before they went all "RULES OF NATURE" and stuff? Last I checked, Magpie sniped the leadership and scattered the group to the winds, so there might be some that survived. And who were the leaders of the Apex? I just want to be sure ever since I found out the Altered Altar also had a surviving splinter faction."
>>
>>4156143
>“Ha, I haven’t talked to Dorian yet, but your friends stopped by to say hello when I was getting settled, and Mulvath’s gunning for top customer…though you may have him beat as far as enthusiasm goes.”
Wait, Mulvath? But he's over in Julia, and she's not in the party currently. Does our empathic field maintain some permanent connection even across long distances? Interesting.
>>
>>4156305
I think Dorian and Julia's love for each other has advanced far enough that they're starting to develop a crimson Cord between the two.
>>
>>4156305
yes, thats been some form of a thing for awhile. though its exact limitations and what all exactly is working together to keep it up, we have never explored.

>>4156309
this too probably, but its been a thing where even besides that theres been a clear ability for our families DDs to cross about semi-freely with eachother.
>>
>>4156305
They(Julia and Dorian) actually met not to long ago. I am pretty sure Mulvath could scarf down hundreds of different sandwiches in minutes. Even if they may have not developed a crimson cord between each other. And even if they have that just gives Mulvath easier access to the sandwiches.
>>
>>4156309
Oh, yeah, it's probably that and not using Shu as a carrier wave.

>>4156315
Also a fair point, there is some time dilation to the Dreamscape.
>>
>>4156316
I dont think Mulvath needs time dilation to do that.

but fair is fair. Time does function weird in there
>>
>>4156361
I was thinking that Mulvath would want time to savor the sandwiches. Or even if he eats the individual sandwiches quickly, there's going to be a minute pause between each one where he waxes rhapsodical about the delectable sensations Mathilde has created.
>>
>>4156143
>>Choose a Dream daughter to visit [Write-In].
>Dart Rafflesia
>Finish the sandwich and compliment the chef before, though, because damn, that's good.
>>
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>>4156143

"So I take it you know how the Apex ended up?” You ask, and Mathilde nods with a sigh. "Okay…actually, were there any splinter factions within the Apex before they went all ‘RULES OF NATURE’? And who exactly were the leaders of the Apex? I just want to be sure ever since I found out the Altered Altar also had a surviving splinter faction."

“An Unnatural Predator who went by Tyrian Rex ran the show, at least when I left.” She explains, rising from her seat as she begins to tidy up her space. “My memory’s a little fuzzy, but she and another Orca-based Predator were the ones to founded the Apex. They got the idea for it when they were spared and mentored by ‘one with true strength’, or so they say. Honestly, the Orca gal always seemed to be the more level-headed and fair of the two, so I could totally see her splitting off when Rex carried things too far…I hope so, anyway. She was always really nice to everyone she met.”

“Alright, thanks again for the info…and especially for the sandwiches, they were delicious.” You say, dusting off your hands as you stand up. “I still have to make my rounds to meet everyone, and I wouldn't want to have that pile up forever, unlike your sandwiches. I’ll have to drop by more often.”

“Then I’ll save you a seat.” Mathilde says with a wink as you head towards the door. “I have a hunch business is gonna be booming, if your review is anything to go by.”

Sharing in a laugh with the kindly baker, you step out into the street beyond the door’s threshold, finding the man-made alley gone, replaced by a grove to trees and dense underbrush, looking practically untouched by human hands. The door swings shut behind you, and when you blink, it’s gone – you’re left alone, surrounded by the distant, furtive sounds of the forest echoing around you. A glint of light catches your eye through the canopy, and through the dense foliage you see a structure you recognize as Lepisma’s tower in the distance, filled with the consciousness’ of Francine and her collective of Dream daughters…save for one, whose presence eludes you.

You breathe in, and it hits you – a tingle in your toes, running up through your legs and dancing along your spine on its way to the pleasure centers of your brain. It’s a primal, involuntary thing that makes you shudder in place, and your attention snaps to your left in response to the amused chuckle that sounds from the impenetrable flora.

“Ha…there we go.” A dulcet voice murmurs softly, the source of which draws itself towards you through the underbrush on tendrils of flesh and entrails that stretch out from its flayed torso. She resembles a profane flower, the bile rising to your throat even as her bizarre scent continues to play strange tricks on your stomach.

“A far more pleasurable fragrance than when you killed me, is it not?” Dart Rafflesia coos, smiling as she suspends herself before you.

(Continued)
>>
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>>4156467

“Hello.” You say, willing yourself to not take a step back from the gently undulating torso that hovers just at the edge of your comfort zone. “I hope you understand that I did what I had t-“

“Oh, no no, I’m not here to guilt trip, sweetie.” She interrupts, circling you on her pulsing strands of skin and viscera. “I saw the look on your face as you thrust those drills of yours home, and I wanted to ensure I made a better impression than when I forced your hand. No judgments at all, I assure you.”

“…I see.” Comes your reply, as you give her a once-over. “Aside from Johanna, I haven’t met many Dream Daughters that continue to use their Fleshscape form in here. Are you just…more comfortable, that way?”

“Oh, very.” She grins, teeth rippling along her throat and within the gaping cavity of her chest as you struggle to not stare. “This flexibility is just divine, wouldn’t you say? Imagine the possibilities.”

“Hm.” You murmur, tearing your eyes away from her as you look to the shining tower in the distance. “What’re they up to? I was hoping to meet the newcomers.”

“A meeting of the minds, as it were.” She giggles against your ear, and you nearly jump when you realize she’s right beside you. “The other two are engineers, so my gracious host is holding council with them in an effort to address your little Alpha problem.”

“Weren’t you invited?” You ask, scooting away from the Predator and her penetrating gaze that lingers on you for a moment before she speaks. “And what would you like for me to call you, if I may?”

“Oh, you *absolutely* may…Viola. Or Vi, to my friends. So call me Vi, Shu” She giggles, turning in place and reminding you of an unnerving ballet dancer. “And I was certainly invited to their little soiree, but I insisted that my particular areas of expertise weren’t exactly ones that would conducive to the war effort. At least, not in the traditional way. People like to talk while I work, so rumors and gossip are more in my wheelhouse as opposed to combat.”

“So you’re…what? An information broker?”

“Heh, you’re adorable.” Viola grins, and despite your best efforts to hold your breath, even the smallest gasp still makes your head feel light and your limbs feel pleasant heavy. “Something like that, sure. I’ve been to every settlement there is, and I’ve learned so very much…oh, I’m sure I could be very useful to you, given the things I’ve heard slip.”

You focus, fighting past the intoxicating scent as you ponder what, if anything, you should ask her.

>>Vi could certainly be a useful source of information...if you can keep your head clear enough to ask a proper question.

>>Go ahead and part ways with Viola for now, and see what Francine and the others are discussing.

>>…You think you’re done here, for now. Venture over into Amara’s dream, to meet her newest Dream Daughter.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Voting shall remain open for the next four hours as I close out the work day, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4156473
>Take a bit of a step back
>"Sorry Vi i just sorta feel light headed around you.... So if we can stand apart a bit more so i can actually remember our conversation later i would love to get to know you at least a bit better."
>"So you have been to many settlements out there. Do you think any of them out there would be willing to help with the West situation? Not just West Alpha but the West Proxy situation in general. Like offering refuge for the proxy's willing to turn over a new page if they ask for help."
>"Any especially memorable Settlements we could maybe check out that offer unique things that may be useful to us?"
>"You also traveled a lot i take it if you have been to settlements all over the world. Anything interesting you cam across while travelling outside of settlements?"
>>
>>4156473
oh, shes a prostitute, possibly one used for other things like getting dirt on people and stuff. and she seems to want to seduce Shu, though whether that has something to do with Shu herself or just is natural to her nature, im not sure. possibly both.

Vote;
>be Gentle but firm and earnest in your request she dial back the scent and its effects. you appreciate the effort, truly, but its a bit much fir a first time proper meeting, if nothing else.
>Ask her about her time in the fleshscape, and what she did around Laoc. any place she might recommend visiting?
>hand her one of Mathildas donuts as you talk, and answer any questions she has back, assuming they are appropriate.
>afterwards, try and politely but as uninterruptingly as you can send a wave to Francine and her Dream Daughters your in the area, but you dont want to budge in on anything, though you would still like to meet the other newcomers.
>If they arent done or anything, let them go about their work, you'll hear Francine out in the waking, unless she really wants your input now. make it absolutely clear however, if you're not bringing them to them, then Vi is bringing each off them a donut to enjoy while they work, thne head off to meet the Legion in Amaras Dreamscape if thats the best course of action.
>>
>>4156473
Okay, so body horror hedonist. She's got pheromones, loves how flexible her new body is, she's got a skillset that's taken her across the Crucible and leads to people talking while she works, and she thinks Shu's assumption she's an information broker is adorably naive. So yeah, she's been fucking her way through the fleshscape. No judgment, what two (or more) consenting tentacle monsters decide to do with their time is their own business, just making sure I'm reading this right.
>>
>>4156509
>>4156520
>>4156473
WELP. I GUESS I NOW KNOW WHO HAS A HISTORY OF WORKING AT CRADLETON.
>>
>>4156473
>>Vi could certainly be a useful source of information...if you can keep your head clear enough to ask a proper question.
>"Could you turn the pheromones down a bit, darling? It's flattering, but I'm a taken woman."
>"Thanks. So, what sort of things do people tell you while you're working? Anyone got any big plans, things we should be on the lookout for?"
>"Any places that are just interesting spots to visit, too? What's the nicest place you've been, across the Crucible? Sounds like you've seen a lot."
>>
>>4156536
you know, a woman of her type is an... interesting mix, to add into a mindscape full of somewhat reclusive scientific types.
>>
>>4156477
also, curious question, well two sorta.
did Francine borrow the Ignition Gauntlets to get that girl in them in on the plan? and besides that, how are those three girls doing? they able to get some social time in at least when folks wear them? id hope so, otherwise the gauntlet girl for sure is horribly isolated more than i think we wanted for sure.
>>
>>4156557
>Francine's dreamscape is a silver tower where the engineers, the doctors, and the scientists all hang out. And a Prostitute that surrounds the tower with a dense jungle.
This is an odd and dangerous mix. I'm afraid for the virginity of any dream daughter who dares interact with Viola. The only ones that I can think of who can give Viola a run for her money is either Gina, Kosi, or Mulvath.
>>
>>4156557
Well, the engineers we picked up from the group that attacked Rath might be down to party. We haven't met them yet, maybe they'll be into the Fuck Plant here.

>>4156563
That's a good point. I assume that they can get in on the empathic field network, but we haven't checked on them. I hope they're alright. But yeah, the one we put in the Gauntlets was an electrical engineer, right? She should have some insights on crafting.
>>
>>4156567
It is cool how they've crafted the most integrated shared dreamscape. The other dreamscapes we've seen have had some common spaces but still isolated them as individual instances, there's no continuity of movement from one to another. This is an actual little connected world they've made, it's pretty neat.
>>
>>4156567
please for the love of all that is holy do NOT get Viola and Kosi in the same room together. i think that would result in Kosi's shipping habits taking a more... active approach. and/or worse, she'll team up with Viola to 'liven up' the shared dreamscape.

>>4156570
>fuck Plant
im actually very curious who the hell is into a flayed plant girl with her guts hanging out. even for the crucible thats a bit much compared to the usual for someone to want to bang. wonder how much both her pheromones and... talents, both old and new, have to do with her convincing people of that.
>>
>>4156576
I am pretty sure Shus dreamscape is slowly turning into a city. We walked form the coffee shop to the Deli i think. I think extreme cases of scenerey change will still go to black but i think eventually those places will turn one seamless piece.

>>4156581
Or her and Gina sheesh that could turn ugly in an instant...... especially considering Ginas tastes....

If all three were in the same place..... I fear for Amara and every other daughter yet to experience puberty/strange fetishes...
>>
>>4156581
>>4156576
>>4156587
>Fuck Plant Prostitute and her Pheromones

Dear God, not the MUSK meme.

I remember a smut quest on akun where there was MC of said quest had the power to emit aphrodisiac pheromones (aka MUSK).
Anons said sight then made it a meme to constantly spam vote
>+MUSK
as a write-in vote in every other quest since they figured that there was no consequences to it. So at some point it just became a giant meme on the website to spam that write-in.
>>
>>4156563
(Yes, Francine did borrow the Gauntlets...and the girls in them are going well, as they're able to interact with each other and with the Dreamscape of any Daughter that has them equipped.)

>>4156557
>>4156567
(Viola's already playfully harassed Francine a bit, and Vi ended up wanting out of the good doctor's silver tower hence the jungle she made for herself.)

>>4156581
(Oh, rest assured that there likely just as many nightmare fetishists in the Crucible as there are in real life, as a friend of mine pointed out. I'm inclined to believe her, given what fandoms she's part of.)
>>
>>4156595
>Relic Daughters
ah, both glad to hear Francine invited her, and they haven't been isolated... oddly enough though, probably only when were fighting. unless Francine/Rath uses the Gauntlets to tinker/forge, and i guess i could imagine people just wearing the Ego as a fashion piece, so maybe its not too bad for them in our downtime.

>Harassing Francine.
oh dear. West already gave off signs she was probably not very into that sorta thing, besides maybe just for the pure pleasure of it every now and again at best. Francines a reclusive clone only now starting to see herself as a person who could have a life for herself, that must be extra awkward for her.

also curious why Francine went with a tower.

>Fetishes
well sure, but but still. not everyone's a Kosi, is what im saying.
>>
>>4156595
What color is the tower? Is it silvery since Zahira has a silverfish theme going on and it was called Lepismas tower?
>>
>>4156599
(The tower was Lepisma/Zahira's main area, and given how well she and Francine get along then the latter made it the collective base for meetings and such.)
>>
>>4156611
(Indeed, it's silver, as per >>4156616)
>>
>>4156616
ah, neat and thanks.
>>
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>>4156611
It was mentioned last time we visited her, it is silvery. Though probably more because Zahira is from the Middle East and Middle Eastern nations love giant shiny towers.
>>
>>4156616
Aww, good to hear that they're getting along. What about Yurei, did Zahira win her over, too?
>>
>>4156620
>>4156627
So she has a 'Silver Tower'.... Nice. I was curious. I must have missed the description of the tower when we met her..... i must have been distracted by the things she said. This gives me a much better picture now and i think that looks damn impressive in the middle of the jungle.
>>
>>4156620
>>4156623
>>4156627
>>4156634

A pair of Apex daughters sit at a campfire. A rabbit approaches them. Insanity and PTSD ensues. Takes place during the events of Body Horror Quest: Vein #19.

Luna Bonney Shorts: Campfires and Current Events.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJwp_qNzp65EaKmAQR0rteou8_RooNA_F1wnj7VjNj0/edit

Have a read.
>>
>>4156717
Absolutely glorious madness. I really feel for the poor girls. but I cant help but laugh at their blight......

Could Carter run into them i wonder

I still haven't figured out how Luna functions eg the method to her madness So i will probably not include her overly much in any of my writings as anything more than a background character that can make shit happen and is known as an absolutely mad character

Speaking off the next chapter is probably gonna drop relatively soon since this one is mostly just two big fight scenes and a bit of Character Development for Rara.
>>
>>4156717
whew. that was something else. not bad, i liked it, but certainly not something id be interested in in more than small bursts like that on occasion. Luna is... yep that is Luna. im not sure even some of our worst enemies would deserve what those two girls just went through.

speaking of, while you have reminded me, heres a small review of some stuff ive missed, just because i know some authors want it, even if its a bit late.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1reG31znOZsmbxT4QnSHJl8WtC40W8PmJtmX8eJVQhgc/edit?usp=sharing

>>4156738
dang, that'll jump me up to there behind. working on it though. sorta. minorly getting the next chapter of the Pepperbox Gangs story hammered out, so we'll see how things go.
>>
>>4156746
oh nice i am really looking forward to that. I like the Pepperbox Gang. Their powersets inspire me for a couple of my own powers.

Well the chapter afterwards is probably gonna take a bit longer(mostly because i suck at actually delivering subtle Character Development) and i am planning to draw some custom artwork for that since i will have a couple days of vacation during April

At least for the main characters. I have a sketch for Selene already which i use to practice
>>
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>>4156756
thanks, and nice on the spoilers. looking forward to story and art alike.
shit, Aprils almost here, and that means my birthday. and its quarantine season too. ah well, is what it is.
>>
>>4156717
Luna's lunacy managing to infect the narration was a really nice touch. The lingering infection of Glow Bug's text being screwed up, even when it was just the narrative saying her name or words related to her name, was likewise really cool. Nice job, that sort of meta-textual element is a great way of depicting the otherworldly or bizarre.
>>
>>4156746
Fair criticisms on the characters I made. I'm very much a complete amateur when it comes to stories, even short ones, and I really do suck at dialogue.

The Abilities sections are long, though I will just say that I took inspiration from Shu and gang's ability doc, which itself takes a while to get through and just keeps getting bigger as the quest goes on. Describing how each one was obtained probably isn't necessary, but I wanted to use those to tell part of the story.

I admit I struggle at making neat relics, as there are few rules or themes to them to help guide me compared to making abilities. Too much freedom, you could say.
>>
>>4157013
There are quite a lot of relics made by the community. You can go there to take inspiration and when you compare them to the relics we have actually made you can get a good idea on how they can work. You can also ask here if you have an idea and want some more input.

I think we all started as complete amateurs. So if you continue writing you will improve naturally. Keep it up
>>
>>4157013
>>4157037
yeah, as this Anon said, keep trying, even if whats said isnt always the most inspiring to hear.

>>4157013
>>4156620
as for the families ability doc, thats just a sad necessity of the game mechanics, which doesn't suddenly make it a good thing. mechanically its a necessity, but actually quickly understanding their abilities or how they relate to the story? horrible honestly. though the second part of that should be done by reading, but still.

personally as time has gone on, ive very much become not a fan of just how expansive our abilities and their levels are. i get what BHOP was trying to do, dont hate alot of it at its core, and damn well admire him for being able to do it and keep at it. but damn, not gonna lie, id do it differently and am not actually a fan of it. maybe in a video game where alot of it could be more easily made automatic or reminders automatically given through certain ways or whatnot, it could work. but having to try and dig through all the ruckus to try and find the one sentence of one level you need? its tiring, and gets tiring really really quickly.
>>
>>4157056
At some point we will have to streamline the character sheets. Either by bullet pointing them and writing down the most up-to-current level of their power like
Shu:
>HP
>Bio
>Swarm size
>Active swarmlings
>Dormant swarmlings
>ACT Pool
>Resistances
>Immunities
>Core abilities
>Dream Daughters
>List of Passives compiled from all of the active abilities.
>List of Active abilities and their most up-to-date function.

instead of making a drop-down menu of each ability tree.

Although having that old spreadsheet does have its charm as shows the sheer depth and breadth of the entire Body Horror class system.
>>
>>4157073
see, part of the problem is that stuff just doesn't work. Resistances and Immunities for instance, can be surprisingly malleable on alot of our characters. aswell as the fact we have so many of so much of that, it really would not at all solve the problem i feel at all, just organize it differently, but honestly not in a way i personally feel would actually help and certainly not fix the problem.
>>
(The day was a rather busy one, so writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
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>>4157082
sorry to hear that. take your time BHOP.
>>
>>4157082
My condolences, BHOP.
>>
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>>4156473

"Could you turn the pheromones down a bit, darling? It's flattering, but I'm a taken woman." You ask firmly, taking a half-step back from the aggressively flirtatious Daughter.

"Ha, 'darling?' Yet another thing you and Francine have in common, and far be it from me to take the taken." Viola chuckles, swinging away from you just a little as you find the air a little less inundated with her potent allure. "Better?"

"Much. Now, do you think any of the settlements you've visited out there would be willing to help with the West situation?" You begin, relieved at finally being able to take a breath without your head reeling from the effort. "Not just West Alpha, but the West Proxy situation as a whole. Like offering refuge for the Proxies willing to turn over a new leaf, and the like."

"Oh, of course!" Vi coos, swinging idly back and forth. "The Ikea far to the West is one that's always willing to lend a helping hand, though if you're looking for places a little less out of the way, there's a little-known settlement that's made a place for themselves deep underground. 'New Pergamum', they call themselves. They're a bookish bunch but they're not without their charms, so I'd imagine a Proxy or two would feel right at home nestled among their shelves."

"Any especially memorable Settlements we could maybe check out that offer unique things that may be useful to us?" You ask, finding your thoughts clearer than when you arrived as the pheromones begin to dilute. "Anything interesting you came across while travelling outside of settlements?"

"Oh, I know of one settlement where the view is simply breathtaking, if you'll pardon the pun - Olympus Mons, home to the highest point in the Fleshscape, short of the Cord itself. You can even see the Cord from its heights on a clear day, and for that very reason, it's one of my personal favorites. For a place that's on the opposite end of the spectrum, then if you're willing to brave what's become of the Atlantic you have the Port of Ariel, which has a waystation nestled near it. I won't spoil it, but if you're looking for a gorgeous place to take your girl, then that's the place to be."

"Good to know...most of them seem fairly out of our way, but still, I appreciate your recommendations."

"You take me for one to make mere recommendations?" Viola gasps with mock affront. "Dear me, not at all! Recommendations are useless without directions..."

She winks, and with a flick of her tendrils you feel coordinates take shape in your mind.

"...so be adventurous, 'Darling'~"

>>WAYSTATIONS UNLOCKED: New Pergamum, Olympus Mons, Port of Ariel

(Continued)
>>
>>4157134

"Now, as for places of note between the gaps of civilization, let me see..." Viola trails off, glancing thoughtfully towards the silver spire. "...given my penchant for avoiding combat, exploring off the beaten path wasn't exactly my style, but when I was able to rope in some protection one of my journeys took me by a little spot of some renown - The Abyss. An intimidating name for what's essentially a hole in the ground no bigger than a swimming pool, it's claim to fame comes more as a result of how biomass avoids it, to say nothing of how the natural laws seem to be mere suggestions when one ventures too close. It's out in the Irritated Plains, a little to the west of Laoc, and rumor has it that even Doctor West wasn't able to make heads or tails of it."

At the mention of West you're reminded to reach out to Francine, testing her openness to interruption via the empathic channel. A whirl of activity and ideas buffets you like a hurricane, the storm of hypotheses being batted back and forth forming a forbidding whorl of chaos, and certainly not one you'll dare to venture into any time soon. You'll just get the high points from Francine after the dust has sett-

"I have to admit, you and your allies' Dream Daughters certainly aren't the stuffy sort...not like Doctor Fran's friends, certainly not." Viola comments, nearly startling you out of your skin when she purrs mere centimeters from your ear. "I'd love to make the acquaintance of that baker that just moved in, and from what I hear, Kosi and I could swap some stor-"

"I'm sure Mathilde would love to meet you." You swiftly interrupt, realizing how disastrous a meeting between Viola and Kosi would end up being for everyone that isn't them...or Gina, now that you think about it. "In fact, I'm sure Francine and her think-tank would appreciate a break...maybe you could say hello to Mathilde and see if she could make some donuts for you to gift the ladies up there. I'm sure they'd be incredibly appreciative."

"Hehe, oh, I know I make you nervous...you act just like that darling Francine when I'm having a little fun at her expense. No need to get rid of me through ruses, sweetie - I can take a hint." Viola giggles, swaying in place. "I'll take my leave for now, but before I go, is there anything else you'd like to know from little old me? I know a little about a lot of things, most of which you won't find on the Skinternet."

>>"I extended this offer to Mathilde, and I'd like to extned it it you - anything you'd like me to tell anyone? Any unfinished business I can help you put to bed? And you know what I mean."

>>"Mara, or Marrow Dragoon, as most know her; do you know anything about her, anything that might not already be plastered all over the Skinternet?"

>>Ask about a member of your team or another Daughter of note [Write-In].

>>You think you're good here, so venture into Amara's dream to meet her newest friend.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening, as I'm rather exhausted form the day's events. Voting shall remain open for the next thirteen hours, with posting to resume in approximately fifteen, give or take a work demands. Also note that I'll likely close the Vein tomorrow depending on what all gets done, with the next Vein set to open early next week, probably on Tuesday, if that suits everyone's schedules. I'll be around for a little while longer to address any questions, concerns, or criticisms you may have, and I welcome it all, as always. Be safe and rest well, one and all.)
>>
>>4157157
Take care Bhop. I've got a nice story for you to read while you rest your mind and fingers from typing out the update here: >>4156717
>>
>>4157157
Get some rest, BHOP. I'm sorry your day has been stressful. Seems like that's going around for everyone right now. So rest up and we'll see you in the morning. Later, friend.
>>
>>4157146
>>"I extended this offer to Mathilde, and I'd like to extned it it you - anything you'd like me to tell anyone? Any unfinished business I can help you resolve out there in the world?"
>"If you visit her by the way she makes the most amazing sandwiches. And thank you for those coordinates. maybe we can visit at least some of them."
>Bid her goodbye and visit Amaras Dreamscape to meet Legion

>>4157157
Take your time to come down from a stressfull day. Take care, stay safe and stay healthy

Good Night OP

Good Night Anons

I will now collapse into my bed after writing a battle against a titanic Amalgam spanning five pages and nearly ten turns for the last 7 hours.
>>
>>4157146
>Clear your throat, letting a slight blush creep in. "Sorry if that was... rude. i dont mean anything personal by it but... different types and different limits."
>"as for that... im almost more curious why the Skinternet wouldn't know about it, over exactly what it is, though i suppose both would go hand in hand no?"
>"also, I extended this offer to Mathilde, and I'd like to extend it it you - anything you'd like me to tell anyone? Any unfinished business I can help you put to be- er, i can help with so you dont have more regrets hanging over your shoulder, though i dont want to get your hopes up we'll be able to get to it anytime soon either."
>You think you're good here, so venture into Amara's dream to meet her newest friend.


>>4157157
hey, i understand. thanks for updating and continuing the Quest when you can, as silly as it sounds it means alot for you to still try through all that.
but also, seriously, get some rest and dont push yourself. make some plans with the wife over the weekend or something to unwind, even if its just asking her to be a pillow all weekend.
>>
>>4157175
night Anon. and impressive sounding fight too.
>>
>>4157146
>"Now, as for places of note between the gaps of civilization, let me see..." Viola trails off, glancing thoughtfully towards the silver spire. "...given my penchant for avoiding combat, exploring off the beaten path wasn't exactly my style, but when I was able to rope in some protection one of my journeys took me by a little spot of some renown - The Abyss. An intimidating name for what's essentially a hole in the ground no bigger than a swimming pool, it's claim to fame comes more as a result of how biomass avoids it, to say nothing of how the natural laws seem to be mere suggestions when one ventures too close. It's out in the Irritated Plains, a little to the west of Laoc, and rumor has it that even Doctor West wasn't able to make heads or tails of it."

I see a Made in Abyss Reference.
>>
>>4157134
So an underground city of scholars, they might know about the cthonic stuff living so close to it. That sounds like a place to check out once we've got the time, which might not be for a while. Still, could be a very good source of information.

New Olympus doesn't sound like it has anything particularly useful for us, but if it's close enough to see the Cord on a clear day then it's probably the furthest west settlement we have coordinates for, we should use it as a hub to advance outward.

And the Port of Ariel probably isn't somewhere we need to go to. Maybe if we heard about a foreign Daughter coming in and wanted to trace their movements from the start? Otherwise I'm not seeing much use for it.

>>4157146
So it's just a hole where physics breaks? Yeah, I'd rather stay away from something like that. I like physics, they're what allows me to make choices with intentionality.

>>4157175
Good night, anon. Sleep well. I look forward to reading your fight scene.
>>
>>4157187
i mean, when it comes to the port, dont underestimate its potential just as a place for us to visit when trying to give the family some off hours. as rare as that is, mind you.

as for the abyss.... yeah, im iffy on it too. not really interested in the Scholars either though. like i said, the underground stuff i disagree is really worth looking into, especially over other things we could spend our time on. unless we actually find some Proxies who are genuine about wanting to turn over a new leaf, i see less use for it than a nice place to unwind personally.
plus, meta reasons i dont feel like saying, and already dont like saying even this much.

new olympus though... dunno. you may be right, but considering the cords size and its height, it very well could be much further away than you think. but honestly? i feel like just getting a look at the cord might be worth it. even if its still damn far away from us being ready to tackle it, i feel like finally seeing our end goal personally might help drive the family forward.
>>
>>4157146
>>"I extended this offer to Mathilde, and I'd like to extned it it you - anything you'd like me to tell anyone? Any unfinished business I can help you put to bed? And you know what I mean."

>>"Mara, or Marrow Dragoon, as most know her; do you know anything about her, anything that might not already be plastered all over the Skinternet?"

>>4157157
Have a great night BHOP, thanks for running!
>>
>>4157197
>new olympus though... dunno. you may be right, but considering the cords size and its height, it very well could be much further away than you think.
Oh, I'm sure it's still pretty far from the Cord. But it's going to be closer than any other Waystation we have coordinates for. Because you're right, you should be able to see the Cord from a long distance. So if Viola is highlighting New Olympus as a place you can see it from on a good day, that means she hasn't been anywhere closer where being able to see the Cord is just a fact of life.

>i feel like just getting a look at the cord might be worth it. even if its still damn far away from us being ready to tackle it, i feel like finally seeing our end goal personally might help drive the family forward.
Fair. It could be a nice inspirational moment. See the giant tower looming in the distance, its top fading away into atmospheric refraction. Knowing that we've got to climb higher up than we can even see, but finally having at least the base of the Cord in sight. Yeah, it would be a cool thing to see.
>>
>>4157146
>>"Mara, or Marrow Dragoon, as most know her; do you know anything about her, anything that might not already be plastered all over the Skinternet?"
>>
>>4157602
>>4157198
>>4157197
>>4157183
>>4157157
Guys one Question Does this sound like an interesting generator Augment?

>DISCRIMINE SPIRITUS (GENERATOR AUGMENT)
>This augment allows the user to pay half their current BIO to switch one damage type(physical or elemental) of one of her Generator Abilities to another damage type of her choosing even the same one if they choose to do so. This effect is permanent until they change it again. In addition the Ability they switched the damage on increases it's critical hit and critical damage by two levels until the end of combat.
>(BIO +60%, BIO Regen +25%)

I didnt include any flavor text since i wanted to hammer out this augment before moving on to that.
>>
>>4157860
Seems fine to me. Wording wise might have a little bit of redundancy in it or something, but i could certainly see some interesting uses for it yeah.
>>
>>4157860
So basically a better Pangaean Arsenal? Yeah, looks fine.
>>
>>4157981
Just with a pretty hefty price to pay in the middle of combat.
and the ability to switch in physical damage types in addition to elemental switches.....

>>4157881
>>4157981
I think I should probably add an ACT cost now that i look at it again
>>
>>4157146

"S-sorry if that was...rude.” You stammer apologetically. ”I dont mean anything personal by it but...different types and different limits."

“No no, dear. No need to apologize.” Viola says with an earnest, kind smile, quite unlike the ones she’s been flashing you throughout most of this exchange. “I’ll admit I got a little carried away in my fun, so how about we say no harm, no foul, hm?”

“Ha, fair enough. Now, about what you said earlier, I’m almost more curious why the Skinternet wouldn't know certain things you’re aware of, over exactly what it is, though I suppose both would go hand in hand, no?"

“Oh, in areas with little biomass, or where there’s been a great deal of activity, Skintalkers’ reports can have little to draw on or too much to filter through, respectively.” She explains while playfully swinging from a nearby branch. “There’s a lot of information on the net…but not everything worth knowing’s on there, either.”

"In that case…” You begin, formulating how best to phrase what you’re about to ask. “…Mara, or Marrow Dragoon, as most know her; do you know anything about her, anything that might not already be plastered all over the Skinternet?"

“Going after the big fish, are we? Hm, let me think.” She ponders, caressing where you assume her chin would be with one fleshy tendril. “Ah, here’s two juicy little rumors for you – the first is that while most everyone assumes her Core to be related to that impressive suit of armor she’s so famous for, it’s actually a Calcite Armorer power she merged with her actual Core power…though as for what it is, no-one’s been able to determine. Sure, she *says* she’s a Calcite Armorer Core, but people that’ve seen her fight have reported things they can’t explain, particularly when she’s fighting seriously. As for the second thing, well…according to some sources, it’s not so much that she’s unwilling to win the Crucible, and more like she *can’t* win the Crucible.”

“I…what?” You ask, confused even as Viola shrugs her narrow shoulders.

“Given some things that’ve been said even by those who’ve been close to her, she’s always her usual cagey self about her motivations…but if her pet projects are any indication, then it’s not a stretch to imagine that she’s looking for someone to win this. Though of course, as for the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’, that’s mere speculation…all the best gossip is, I’m afraid.”

“Interesting…I appreciate the info.” You nod, recalling something else you’d like to say before you take your leave. "Also, I extended this offer to Mathilde, and I'd like to extend it to you - anything you'd like me to tell anyone? Any unfinished business I can help you put to be- er, i can help with so you dont have more regrets hanging over your shoulder, though i dont want to get your hopes up we'll be able to get to it anytime soon either."

(Continued)
>>
>>4158041

“Aw, you’re too sweet.” She purrs, making a show of mulling over your question for a moment before she answers. “Well, if you run into a…well, a centaur Daughter, then tell her we should catch up. A little creepy, not much for words, very fast. You’ll know her when you see her.”

“If we see her, then we’ll let her know.” You say with a genuine smile, waving to her as you open the way to Amara’s dreamscape. “Good to meet you, Vi.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, Shu.” She says with a mid-air bow. “Say hello to Gina for me, and tell Kosi that we’ll have to all have a little dreamscape party sometime…I guarantee a good time will be had by all~”

Vowing to never, ever allow that to happen under any circumstances, you give the Unnatural Predator one final wave before you feel space warp around you, the dream twisting from forest to park as you find yourself bathed in sunlight once more. Glancing around, you realize you’re in the same park where you met the Sororitas proper, with a grin spreading across your face when you see Amara and the other girls at it again, running around the outdoor jungle gym with seemingly limitless energy. Amara spots you, waving frantically as you emerge from the woods…and you realize that you’re not the only person she’s waving at.

At the bench near the edge of the playground sits an older woman in either her rough fifties or mid-sixties, smoking a cigarette as she raises one muscular arm in a wave that she pairs with a good-natured laugh. Amara bolts towards you, the wide, two-tone eyes that’ve locked onto yours drawing the attention of the seated woman who just now realizes you’ve arrived.

“Shu!” Your young ward shouts, half-exultation, half-introduction as the newcomer you assume to be the Daughter you knew as the Bloody Battalion. “This is Vicky Sange!”

“Vic’s fine, darlin’. Only time anyone ever used my full name was when I was in trouble.” The older woman says with a chuckle as she walks over, a prominent limp in her right leg. “How’re you now?”

“Not so bad. And you?” You say, shaking the hand Vic extends as she nods.

“Your kids’ve made me feel right at home, as a grandma should be.” She replies, shooting Amara a wink that’s answered by a raspberry from your little one.

“I said you’re not old!” Amara protests, prompting Vic to cock an eyebrow.

“So how old d’you reckon I am?”

“I dunno…” Amara says, squinting at the other woman’s eyes. “…thirty?”

A sharp, amused bark of laughter erupts from the older woman as she drops her cigarette, gripping her right leg with one hand to help stomp out the ash.

“You’re too kind, my dear.” Vickey sighs good-naturedly as she casts her gaze to the Sororitas. “I’m sure they’re missin’ their fearless leader, so do you mind if your mom and I have a lil’ chat?”

(Continued)
>>
>>4158043

Amara nods, giving you a quick squeeze before running off to play with her friends as she leaves you and the other woman to your own devices.

“Never got ‘round to havin’ any kids myself. Thought I’d mess ‘em up, if I did.” She says, her kind, wistful eyes watching the girls resume their play before turning to you. “But you? You’re a third my age, and you’ve raised a young woman who makes everyone feel welcome. Kudos to you.”

“It’s not me – the more I get to know Amara, the more I’m convinced she was born a sweetheart.” You reply with a smile.

“Care for a walk?” Vickey offers, surveying the perimeter of the playground. “Could stretch my legs a bit, get used to this whole ‘dream’ business first-hand.”

“If you’re up for it, sure.” You relent, and when Vic notices your brief glance at her leg, she chuckles.

“Don’t worry about this, it’s made of sturdier stuff than me.” She grins, rapping the knuckles of her right hand against it, resulting in a sound that’s either light metal or hard plastic, you’re not sure which. “Lost it in the war. Wasn’t my favorite leg, so I don’t pay it no mind.”

“Iraq?” You ask as the two of you begin your walk at a leisurely pace.

“Ha, you could say that. Desert Storm, if we’re bein’ specific.” She replies with a kindly chuckle, albeit one that’s not as mirthful as the ones from earlier. “Wonder what we’ll call all this Crucible business, when it’s all over.”

“Glad to see you’re an optimist.” You counter with a laugh.

“Optimist? Never been accused of bein’ one of those, before. I like to think of myself as a realist – where war’s concerned, there’s always gonna be an after…it’s just a matter of who’s alive to name it.” Vic jokes, shooting you a sideways grin. “But I’m a betting woman, and for what it’s worth my money’s on you ‘n yours.”

“That so?”

Vickey nods sagely as you round a corner of the playground.

“It‘s so. Y’helped Laoc, y’helped those fireants when most’d be happy to stomp ‘em out, and from what I hear, you’re ‘bout to throw down with that Alpha thing so it doesn’t rack up more casualties. I think you’re a safe bet to make things turn out for good, one way or another.”

“…I appreciate that, Vic.” You say earnestly, and she just flashes you another of her pleasant smiles before she changes the subject.

“So! From what Amara tells me, you like to give fresh blood the third degree, kind of a hazing thing, right?” She asks, and you almost stammer an explanation when she bursts out laughing once more. “Ah, I’m just ribbin’ you. Go ahead, ask away. Not like I got anything interesting to say, mind, but I’m an open book to y’all regardless."

>>Ask Vic how she ended up at Laoc, and how long she was there.

>>Inquire a little about Vic’s life before the Crucible hit, if she’s open to it.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next three hours.)
>>
>>4158044
>"So how did you end up in Laoc? Have you met the Dreamdauhgters of the rest of my family yet? Do you you like sandwiches? "

>>4158045
Any thoughts on >>4157860 OP?

I take it your day has been a busy one OP
>>
>>4158044
>Ask Vic how she ended up at Laoc, and how long she was there.
>Inquire a little about Vic’s life before the Crucible hit, if she’s open to it.
>She met Sarah or Cherum yet? they giver her any trouble, or has the fear of Amaras wrath kept them in line so far?
>>
>>4158049
(It's solid, and legitimately a better Pangean Arsenal, as noted earlier. Nicely done!)
>>
>>4158041
>“Going after the big fish, are we? Hm, let me think.” She ponders, caressing where you assume her chin would be with one fleshy tendril. “Ah, here’s two juicy little rumors for you – the first is that while most everyone assumes her Core to be related to that impressive suit of armor she’s so famous for, it’s actually a Calcite Armorer power she merged with her actual Core power…though as for what it is, no-one’s been able to determine. Sure, she *says* she’s a Calcite Armorer Core, but people that’ve seen her fight have reported things they can’t explain, particularly when she’s fighting seriously. As for the second thing, well…according to some sources, it’s not so much that she’s unwilling to win the Crucible, and more like she *can’t* win the Crucible.”

>Some sources say she *can't* win the Crucible
>Unwilling to climb the cord, taking great pains to drag the Crucible out
>Multiple pet projects (Monastery, Altered Altar, possibly apex sisterhood, and other settlements) Mara's visit to Yurei and gifting the Calcite Halo to Yurei.
>Eldritch Cancellation ability (a truly unique ability)
>Was awake long enough to be a global legend
>Calcite Armorer Core is a public facade, other sources say her core exhibits abilities that do not belong to her famed Calcite/Fibromancer Powers.
>Magpie seemingly going around and *Dismantling* Mara's pet projects prior to Shu being forced to put her down.

I'm getting some real Dagda Vibes here. And I have never even played SMT at all. Like Mara's looking more and more like a chessmaster the deeper we go down the rabbit hole.
>>
>>4158054
Hm alright i just didnt want to step on any toes by taking so much from that particular power and basically just powering it up in exchange for a somewhat large price to pay
>>
>>4158059
(That's legitimately how some powers just are, even in my stack. There are lower-Tier powers of practically the same thing, which is part of how certain overlapping abilities can combine, as seen earlier. No worries, its a great power!)
>>
>>4158055
dont know anything about Dagda in whatever game that is, but oddly enough the Irish mythos god its bringing up at least fits what Mara publicly is often seen as, which may not be a coincidence for whatever you're referencing id imagine.
>>
>>4158044
>>Ask Vic how she ended up at Laoc, and how long she was there.

>>4158055
Here's hoping that she's like Dagda in that while she has a selfish goal to cultivating us as the Godslayer, it's one that ultimately is compatible with our goals and doesn't lead to her backstabbing us.
>>
>>4158099
>Here's hoping that she's like Dagda in that while she has a selfish goal to cultivating us as the Godslayer, it's one that ultimately is compatible with our goals and doesn't lead to her backstabbing us.
You say that like it's a good thing but ultimately it's still an instance of Mara controlling us indirectly through the many dominoes.

Also, I want to say that I'm willing to speculate that Mara's origins would make her more in line with either the "True Alpha" or the Omni-core Daughter.
>>
>>4158126
think we have some proof shes neither, or at least for sure i know we know she isnt the 'omni'/'everything' daughter. some things i dont think would make sense is she was the true first though.
>>
>>4158126
Pretty sure when we were with Alicia she was pretty sure that the true Alpah was not Mara

>>4158055
Or it could be that someone put an incredibly powerful geas on her as a last act of fucking her up or something so she cant win. Or she might have placed it on herself after losing whoever it was she lost all that time ago

Or she is an outside player. a mother of all that transcende her own crucible and now travels the universe to help other planets overcome their own challenges. Unlikely but seeing as physical forms dont really matter in the crucible she could just be a completely artifically created entity
>>
>>4158126
Oh, yeah, Dagda was still an asshole. Just not an asshole whose endgame led to a bad situation for humanity. Also one that respected Nanashi's decision if they went for a different endgame, though they do fight in that route. We could do a lot worse than for Mara to turn out to be like Dagda.

And yeah, Mara has some relationship with True Alpha/The First Awake. That was very heavily implied by Alicja's interlude where she had a flashback to Alpha speaking to someone who was experimenting with the Sparagmos Engine, liked to build settlements, and whose solution for the Crucible was considered barbaric by Alpha. Given that when we found Mara's Engine it had used one of its resurrection charges already, and that Alicja said that Alpha had died and then Alpha was still alive, I'd even put good money on Mara having been close enough to Alpha to have resurrected her.
>>
>>4158147
im not sure on the Mother of All thing.
seems way too related to the possible point of the Crucibles in the first place, to where it seems to almost imply someone becoming that would 'win' all the crucibles, and knowing even just enough about crucibles at their base, im very certain that wouldn't involve the crucibles still going on if someone had become that before.

>>4158157
huh, that could be it. i just assumed a charge was missing as part of the costs she paid to make hers 'purified', but it could be that too yeah. assuming thats the right track, id not be surprised if the First wasn't the girl ripped from the picture too.
>>
>>4158164
>huh, that could be it. i just assumed a charge was missing as part of the costs she paid to make hers 'purified', but it could be that too yeah. assuming thats the right track, id not be surprised if the First wasn't the girl ripped from the picture too.
Yeah, Gwen was her name, I think. Interestingly, the picture frame was knocked over and facing downwards. Was that Magpie's doing when she was in the office, because she didn't want to look at Mara? Or was it already like that and Mara didn't want the reminder of her and Gwen?
>>
(Gentlemen, I'm afraid today's been a busy one, and we've just been called into a meeting regarding out operating hours and the like. Odds are it'll go on for and little while, so thank you for your patience, and Ill update when I can, shooting for the his early evening. Thank you for everything, and I'll keep everyone informed.)
>>
>>4158330
Sorry to hear its been busy OP.

I think i will then head to bed in short order. i feel terribly tired.

Writing down so many new abilities is making me quite tired not to mention having slept for like four hours isnt making things better
>>
>>4158330
Oh, well then. Good luck, hope it goes well all things considered. Take your time and let us know how things end up, cheers.
>>
>>4158330
No worries, BHOP. Sorry to hear your day's been hectic. I hope everything goes alright. Take care of yourself.
>>
(Finally home, about to eat and then settle in to write. Thank you all for bearing with me, and I'll be updating soon.)
>>
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>>4158044

“So, how’d you end up at Laoc?” You ask as the two of you round another corner, ambling along at a steady pace. “And what’d you do before the world turned upside down…if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Not in the least. I wound up fightin’ an Amalgam not too far outside of town. Was just gonna’ skirt around the place, but Jeraha came out after I took it out and offered me a job with the town guard. Seemed right up my alley, and I wasn’t gonna say no to room and board.” Vic explains, about to light up another cigarette before thinking better of it, content to flick her zippo lighter open and closed to keep her hands busy. “Well, after my fighting days were up, I worked for this little construction company my brother ran, did stuff all over the tri-state area, some pro-bono work. Good guy. Liked him. Damn shame, all this.”

“Have you had the chance to meet Sarah or Cherum yet?” You ask, and Vic nods with a little laugh. “They give you any trouble, or has the fear of Amara’s wrath kept them in line?”

“Nah, your little one runs a pretty tight ship, just like her momma.” The older woman fires back with a grin. "But yeah, they've kept their distance after Amara introduced us. She talks to 'em pretty often, so if you're worried about anyone bein' left out, then Amara's got you covered."

Suddenly, a familiar pull from the waking world tugs at the corners of your consciousness, making you pause mid-stride.

"Sorry I have to cut this short, but Gina's-" You begin apologetically, pausing when Vic raises a hand to stop you.

"Duty calls. I get it. Don't let me stop you from doin' what needs doing', alright?" She says, and you give the older woman a little nod before the bright, false world warps around you. Light gives way to shadow as your dimly-lit bedroom takes shape around you, and as your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize that Amara's curled up beside you, your downy swarm having neatly arranged themselves around you with Sir FuzzBuzz resting on your young ward's feet. The door opens just enough to allow Gina to slip in, sliding it shut behind her as she makes her way to your side.

{I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake-}

[It's fine, seriously] Comes your earnest reply, shaking your head lightly so as not to wake the girl by your side. [I know we'll have a full briefing soon, but how would you say everything went?]

{Great, overall. We got some good stuff to work with, and...yeah. It was good} She answers, carefully take a seat on the edge of the bed. {You up for talking about everything that happened on your end?}

[...I'm still processing. The fight, the geas...it was a lot, and I'm not really sure what to think except that I really fucking wish she'd listened to me] You reply honestly with a slight shrug of your shoulders. [How are the Barbers doing?]

(Continued)
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>>4158805

{Oh, the Barbers are as weird as ever. Sugar insisted on licking every damn thing we spawned, and Sia almost yelled herself hoarse trying to get her to stop} GG says with a stifled laugh.

[Good. I'm glad they're in high spirits. And Francine?]

{Conferring with her fellow scientists in the Mind Palace of Doom as we speak. Says she has a few ideas regarding Alpha, but that's probably best saved for when we all round-table in a little while}

[Wait...is everyone waiting on me?] You say, a pang of panic racing through your veins. [Sorry I dozed off, I-]

{Nope. No. None of that} GG barks, her tone leaving no room for argument. {Rest, or you'll run yourself ragged, okay? And besides...}

She looks pointedly at your side, and you follow her hazel eyes to where Amara sleeps peacefully, curled up against you without a care in the world.

{We'll wait for you, Shu. No rush, no emergencies. Just rest, for now} She says, leaning over to kiss your forehead. With that and a smile, she rises, tip-toeing to the door before exiting the room. You look down at Amara, her short hair tousled from the day's events, her small, steady exhalations ruffling the down of the Fuzzbuzz that's taken up residence under your arm.

A small reprieve, before the storm that you know is coming. Alpha's on the move, and it's only a matter of time before she forces your hand to end her...if you can. A being that could stand against Marrow Dragoon, one that's been built to tear you and your family apart. A cold, cloying fear wraps around your heart at the very thought, until a slight snore shakes you from your reverie.

Amara's mumbling in her sleep, words you can't make out as she buries her face against the crook of your arm...and it hits you.

Chaos.

Bloodshed.

Death.

All of that and more awaits you, but for now? Right here, snuggled up against you and dreaming of a normal childhood…

…there’s a little sliver of peace, a reminder of what you’re fighting for.

Chaos, bloodshed, death…it’s worth it, just for this. A contented child, a happy dream - things Alpha and West couldn't hope to understand. You'll fight for that, and so much more...

...and you'll *win*.

>>Fortieth Vein: Closed
>>
(Gentlemen, thank you all for your patience, participation, and enthusiasm, as always. The 41st Vein will go live on March 31st at 9:30 AM, Eastern time. I look forward to seeing you there, and in the down-time I'll be addressing all the questions I've delayed s well as catching up on the stories that've been posted, which I'm quite looking forward to.)

(Be safe, rest well, and until next time, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>4158812
Thanks for running, BHOP. See you on the 31st.
>>
>>4158812
>>4158809
a damn fine ending to a Vein BHOP. actually hit the emotions a bit, good on you for that.
not complaining mind you, but it does still feel like we got a at least a small chunk of stuff to comb through even before the level-ups and planning to hit/hitting Alpha, which im more saying as its kinda crazy to think about how that is all.

i look forward to your answers to some of the backed up questions, which by the way, if it would help, i can go back through and at least try and re-link you to mine, assuming you dont have them all saved.

also, in light of it being the 40th Vein, i did have a few questions i wanted to put forth for both you and others, keep tradition alive and all that. but with you already having some questions backed up i dont want to overwhelm you, so i can either hold them off, or wait til you get through the actual important questions, considering mine arent super important, as per the usual for those types.

regardless, i hope your weekend goes well BHOP. you both deserve it and it sounds like you could use it.
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>>4158812
Thanks for the read. I will have to say though. This Vein's given me some very mixed feelings about it. This will be a hard one to come up with an apt description when preserving this vein for the Archives.

And do enjoy the story. Seeing all of your feedback makes me giddy with glee and motivates me to strive to improve my penmanship.

On the subject of stories, I've gotten a foundation for the "main villain" of "Carter and the Town of Cradleton" and dear lord she...she's something.
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>>4158843
i think its because, especially with the break over the weekend, it kinda felt like two Veins, especially with the tonal shift being alot more sudden and full than alot of other times, at least for me personally.

>On the subject of stories, I've gotten a foundation for the "main villain" of "Carter and the Town of Cradleton" and dear lord she...she's something.
actual villain of just one to Carter, heh? regardless, looking forward to it Anon. id say something about hoping Carter at least comes out the other side a better man for it all, but im not sure i can say it seriously over it sounding like some horrible joke at his expense, given the stories context.
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>>4158812
Thanks for running, as always, BHOP! Looking forward to the 31st. Stay healthy, and stay positive!
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>>4158823
>>4158999
>>4158836
>>4158843
(Thank you for your kind words everyone, and sorry for not responding sooner; I collapsed on the couch after posting the last update, and promptly woke up about five hours later only to go to bed. Suffice it to say, I do believe that I'm caught up on sleep for now.)

>>4158836
(I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it, and if you wouldn't mind linking your questions, I believe that may help me to not miss one, which I feel like I'd inevitably do.)

(Regarding additional questions, I'd be perfectly open to them, if you'd like to pose some. It actually helps with writing, as when reflecting on past Veins and certain characters, it serves as something of an inspiration to future writing.)

(Finally, I hope that you have a fantastic weekend yourself, and that it's both a fun and restful one.)

>>4158843
(Mixed feelings how? I agree that given how things went down it did as >>4158849 referenced, but I hope there's no ill will as for how things went down, at least on the writing end. I think I was just so ready to be done with Magpie’s misinformation arc that I sped through things a little too quickly, and I was also imagining that you’d reach out to Mara to confront her about things before heading to the Toasted Altar, so that’s on me for assuming, heh.)

(Also, I'm very much so looking forward to reading Carter's interlude after I finish catching up on Journeys Through Europe. Carter's fantastic, and I can't wait to see his story unfold.)
(Also, for 'C'; per above, I'll be catching up on everything over the weekend and posting answers to the questions you posed at the end of last Vein, so thank you for your patience and I do hope you're doing well.)
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>>4159517
Glad to hear you have gotten your sleep back OP......

BUT HOW did it get to this in the first place.Please take better care of your sleep schedule in the future. I know it is difficult if you have problems sleeping at night and i hope that you will be blessed with more restful nights in the future.

>(Also, for 'C'; per above, I'll be catching up on everything over the weekend and posting answers to the questions you posed at the end of last Vein, so thank you for your patience and I do hope you're doing well.)

I thank you for taking the time out of your day to read it

Have a nice weekend OP
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>>4159517
we'll see. tried my hand at baking this morning. the bread was edible and exactly neutral, which for my first time is all i was shooting for so thats good.

as for Questions....

i think of old stuff this >>4150020
is all you actually missed though, for me at least.

i suppose considering how busy you have been, you may over overlooked >>4157056
though its not a question nor was i looking for a response, but you seem to want to know our thoughts on things, so if nothing else its there i guess.

otherwise, heres a new one for you and few more standard ones for you and everyone, if anyone's up for answering;

>BHOP, while I understand alot may be spoilers, anything interesting mechanically or story-wise you had planned if we had taken a more neutral, or even more interestingly, a more evil route, that given the route we did were scrapped or are unused?

>What's a moment folks are looking forward to? Not looking forward to?

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game, and anything a bit off putting?

>While it's a bit weirder of one, what's been folks favorite OOC conversation/moment, and least favorite too? though i understand if people want to avoid that second one for obvious reasons.

>a bit more Standard of questions. Anyone's favorite and least favorite moments change? Favorite and least favorite characters?

ill answer them myself later today, but ive been up since two... baking and making dinner, of all things. as if i wasn't enough of a night owl before all this going on, heh.
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>>4159522
>What's a moment folks are looking forward to?
Wringing Wests neck until its thinner than spaghetti right before crossing the event horizon of a black hole

>Not looking forward to?
having to deal with our own cult. Because i kinda doubt that Charon will easily convince them we are not a god/divine being

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game, and anything a bit off putting?
grips: The great freedom to pull off ridiculous shit
off putting: I dont understand the underlying math/rules which sometimes makes things quite difficult to gauge

>While it's a bit weirder of one, what's been folks favorite OOC conversation/moment, and least favorite too? though i understand if people want to avoid that second one for obvious reasons.
Most favorite:The Level Up discussions. Fuzzboss still approves

Least favorite: I try not to remember........

Favorite and least favorite characters?
Favorite: Still Rath I still want her in a relationship with Shu and Gina but i have kinda accepted that that will most likely not happen.... Well not something i cant fix with a bit of smutty fanfiction She is just good Waifu Material and i really wann help her work through that vitruvian corruption.
Least Favorite: ....................................... West by a long shot just out of a personal distaste for her/ her goals and her methods I dont even love to hate her i just want her gone. She has messed up so much shit i just want her gone.

Sleep tight and recover. And well tasteless but edible bread..... better than burned bread i would guess.
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>>4159517
>(Mixed feelings how? I agree that given how things went down it did as >>4158849 referenced, but I hope there's no ill will as for how things went down, at least on the writing end. I think I was just so ready to be done with Magpie’s misinformation arc that I sped through things a little too quickly, and I was also imagining that you’d reach out to Mara to confront her about things before heading to the Toasted Altar, so that’s on me for assuming, heh.)

On my end, I was fine with how the fight came about with the setup for Magpie's rogue terrorist arc. I felt like there was a potential rabbit hole of intrigue that we could explore through Magpie's end as well as getting to know Magpie more through character development once we managed to subdue her through fighting, and that the sub-plot could be further expanded upon through dreamscape interrogation.

I was ready to welcome the development of Magpie slowly adopting this role of becoming a maternal figure to Shu...

Instead the timing of it all felt hasty given that Magpie was working on her own timetable and we had to stop that rhythm and we had to resolve that subplot while under West Alpha's shadow. Then Magpie's suicide Geas happened which killed off the character and the chance for further potential investigation is forever lost. Understandable given that Magpie's involvement with Mara and that it was our choice to put Magpie down, but man does it sting.

There's also the fact that Magpie's such a cool character by herself, having her true death come about from suicide geas almost feels like a disservice to her even though it's in-character for Magpie to have a suicide geas at the ready. The fact that Magpie triggered the suicide geas for her desire to see Shu live (as she saw so much of Alex in Shu) drove the point in further.

I have no qualms about the Magpie misinformation arc with it's setup and given the natural flow of events, I'm just lamenting the lost side-story that could have been told upon further exploration as it was nipped in the bud before the next bamboozle could spice up that subplot.
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>>4159522
>What's a moment folks are looking forward to? Not looking forward to?
Right now I'm really looking forward to the duel with Jackie. Her sword making her count as friend and foe at the same time unlocks some truly troll-tastic moves with our skillset, it's going to be hilarious. What I'm not looking forward to is the fight with Alpha. Not that I don't expect it to be cool, but it's going to be one of those really tough fights that leaves us agonizing over every move, I just know it.

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game, and anything a bit off putting?
I really like skill hybridization. It gives a lot of opportunity for interesting customization, it's pretty cool. What I find offputting is that our stats are in percentage. It gets confusing when we also have things like "when target falls below 50% Health". I'm pretty sure that's meant to mean half their Health, but the language could read below 50 points of their Health score.

>While it's a bit weirder of one, what's been folks favorite OOC conversation/moment, and least favorite too? though i understand if people want to avoid that second one for obvious reasons.
I like it whenever we start theorizing about the deeper mechanics and purpose of the Crucible. I like that sort of theorycrafting. My least favorite is actually the level-up votes, because there are always so many neat things we're going to have to convince ourselves not to take.

>a bit more Standard of questions. Anyone's favorite and least favorite moments change? Favorite and least favorite characters?
Still the same, I think.
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>>4159522
>What's a moment folks are looking forward to?
Finally putting West down for sure. Alo looking forward to when Spiritus finally allows us to expand who can aid us. I have a feeling we may get some interesting DDs willing and wanting to help in the real, even if we don't always keep too many out. I'm also really interested in meeting our list of high tier Daughters running about.

>Not looking forward to?
personally, i'm just not sure West Alpha will be a fight I like. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure writing wise and stuff, BHOP and everyone will do a good job. But it just feels so far like it has all the pieces of a fight in a game thats only tolerable as you see the point of it from a story perspective, but was never going to be more than acceptable actual fight wise, at no real fault of anyone, if that makes sense.

Otherwise? Our next meeting with Mara, albeit thats quite far away. Thing is, by this point, even if she does not end up yet another friend turned enemy, even if she is an ally til the end… just with what we have learned and what it seems like we are gonna learn, i just can't see it being a pleasant meeting or not wrapped up in some other problem or another too, if not almost wanted to be avoid due to all the issues or disagreements we have with her by then.

>what's been folks favorite OOC conversation/moment?
Once we got the system we have in place, the level up votes overall are enjoyable. Otherwise a few ‘aha!’ moments we have had together have been neat.

>least favorite too?
Probably that one or two moments when i just could not properly word to someone how they were thinking too realistically, over how the Crucible has been shown to work, and well, was right, but failed to stop people from voting on it.

Otherwise, typical moments when the back and forth results in nothing. I do it, others do it, we all do it, but there's times, both civilly and non-civilly, that folks just basically are repeating things at eachother to no end like both sides are talking to brick walls, and neither side just calls it quits. Really it's that it ends up being like 20+ long posts with nothing new actually being said by either side, and sifting through it later it's just bloat that feels avoidable. Or, well, it never is avoided, so maybe it isn't. But it certainly doesnt end up getting anything done.


(1/3)
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>>4160259
>>4159522
>Anyone's favorite and least favorite moments change?
Not really. Still loved the Statue Fight, loved things like getting people not to eat Amara and our more philosophical moments. Guess I can say I liked us sticking to our guns and not letting the fear of Alpha West stop us from intervening in what Magpie was doing, as letting her just run amok of course was an option, but thats a pretty minor part of everything thats happened all things considered.

As for Least? Nothing new. Still disliked the entire Alamath City arc wholeheartedly. Though cutting out just the city into its own little section is weird, it kinda was, and was what i still don't like. Yurei becoming a giant geist im still not a fan of either, but the fact we were able to wrap it up like we did is a memorable moment, so i can look back at it with some fondness at least now that its had time to settle, unlike Alamath.

>Favorite and least favorite characters?
Still Rath as my favorite. By far. Amara and Julia still come someplace behind her, but the gap has widened alot. November and Francine I think are growing on me a bit and catching up with Amara and Julia a bit. Dorians still at the back of the Family pack for me by a good imagine though. As ive said before, there no character of BHOPS so far i actually dislike, but there are some that just end up being only slight like or neutral about, and Dorian i just… don't care about honestly. Hes just honestly boring to me. Both in personality and ability set. think Amaras falling behind for similar reasons. ive grown unfond of Skintalking and so far she hasnt shined too much past being our 'sassy kid'. which is fine, but while it doesnt grow boring, i guess you grow used to it so it doesnt stand out as much

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game?
At its core, it's a really fun, innovative system in my opinion. The base mechanics leave just enough for something to work with without horribly drowning you in numbers. The abilities overall feel nicely unique and worth leveling, and interesting the kick tried to give to almost each level. Unlike some I think, I absolutely love most rolls and numbers overall are kept in the background, allowing us to focus on trying to just make tactics that work and letting our abilities and tools shine more, whereas otherwise just numbers alone would end up being what's really focused on by alot. Really lets the actual combat and strategizing shine, over number crunching, and by lord the best thing BHOP has done mechanically in my opinion, and i hope he keeps that up, albeit with some changes behind the scenes to still make that easier on himself, and some other changes too. For his next game, of course. As unless he wanted to outright call an end to this quest and do a Body Horror 2 after making some serious changes, it just wouldn't work to overhaul too heavily now.


(2/3)
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>>4159522
>>4160259
>anything a bit off putting?
Alot has to do with bloat. there's just too much. Abilities, both in number we could gain, max level, and how fast we got them, all of that should’ve been cut down heavily. It just quickly got to be way too much to keep track of, and just ends up taking away from the enjoyment of actually trying to use abilities and form strategies. At some point the bloat actually makes it feel less open to creativity, instead of allowing for more. From Relics to Abilities, it just is too much, and I dread it's only going to get significantly worse before we’re even ready for the Cord. we’re what? Around half-leveled for the Cord? it's gonna bog things down so, so much, and just be so painful, to sift through even half more of what we have now, let alone double. Late games going to be sapped in its fights enjoyment over that, especially because we already are missing things at times, now imagine with how close to the line many later battles are probably going to be?

I've also grown to not be a fan of the classes. Don't get me wrong, they’re creative, i like having them, but in the end each has ended up feeling like either they dont feel unique enough in what actually falls into their section so it's just way too hard to guess, when what class it is matters significantly at times, or what the class does and falls into it just feels too unique, in that it's too imbalanced. I'm not at all a fan of how Phantasmal Auras work, or Flesh Stacks, and so so many other things akin to that. Thing is, anything like those two specifically in any other game, would both have their ‘unavoidable’ traits warned at in some way before you ever meet them, AND give you some potion or other way to negate it, so you are prepared for it. Thing is, with how this game works, that can only be done in two ways. An Ability, or a Relic. But theres little control over when and what Abilities we can be sure to get, and Relics that would stop those are rarer at Tier 4, and also cost alot, and on top of that you’re taking temporary stat losses to get them, and for something much harder to predict when you’ll need it. Not gonna lie, i hate how they work, i hate anything that forces you to specifically get a counter specifically for it in order to be viable in the game like that, and i honestly have no idea what you were thinking there BHOP as in my opinion it utterly fucks over the balance and fun of the game and system by a horrible magnitude. It's so bad I prefer those classes getting fully scrapped over having to deal with them or getting handed a stop-gap solution, and really makes me not like the class system in general more than I should.

I also feel like Relics ended up losing some luster, due to just how many we can end up making, and how often. Needs to be rarer, most costly, and with better defined limits to avoid abuse, over us having to self regulate.

(3/3)
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>>4159528
really would not want to see that. on top of the shipping not being my thing, what enjoyment i do squeeze out of it i just know would be ruined by a harem angle. that, and i kinda like just the dynamic of Gina and Shu, and feel like it could actually be a nice moment for Rath growth wise to find someone else.

and yeah, meeting our cult will be... not fun. i think it'll be interesting, and im more middle ground on it, but there no way its not gonna be a pain.

>>4159691
oh, yeah, hybridization. overall i agree its a wonderful idea, i just wish they were more of always the type that feels more like its own independent thing, over the more taped together types. really dislike those ones, not gonna lie. i also do agree with the stats thing, though i think thats just a hiccup on BHOPs part, like there being two things with slightly different rules called Constructs, or him having like 10 Alphas running around.

and fair on the level-ups. not sure how i feel on that compared to the bloat issues i mentioned.
>>
>>4160264
I think some of the problem comes from wanting to preserve the mechanical distinctiveness of classes whose concepts are actually rather expansive. Like, Stacks. The fact that we can't remove them with environmental interactions (like using heat to melt the FROST Stacks from Unrelenting Cold) but have to use something interacting with the mechanics like a Relic or Ability is annoying, but I think it would be much less so if abilities that interacted with Stacks were more common. But they can't be. Stacks are Flesh Artisan's thing, and so to preserve that status you're mostly going to see powers dealing with them inside Flesh Artisan. But you're not going to see them that often inside Flesh Artisan, because Flesh Artisan has a lot of things it can do. It's got Stacks, but it also has terrain manipulation, interactions with Relics, and transformation modes. And of course, abilities that inflict Stacks are going to be competing with abilities that remove Stacks for space. So it's not actually that likely that we'll run into anti-Stack powers, even once you factor in things like the occasional anti-Stack powers in other classes (phlegmatic Humoral Paladins should have some) or that the distribution of abilities within Flesh Artisan might not be of even probability.
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>>4160419
i think i get what you mean. doesn't solve the problem though, but yeah that could be part of why its as big a problem. still doesn't change im not really a fan of it, but i guess like you said, part of why its less tolerable than usual for me is because of how difficult it could be to actually get the necessary counter(without it looking or feeling super blatant its just being given to us to solve the problem especially), aswell as it feel worth it. stacks will typically be good against all targets BUT those specifically having counters made for it. an anti-stack, or any similar power, has such a narrow, specific use, that it just would be so painful to take or level up.

its again, why i just am not a fan of needing things like that specifically to counter them at all, for any class or ability. especially because the openness to allow for creativity overall is such a strength of this system, that making a class that powerful and hard to counter you can only do so with abilities specifically designed for it is just... horrible. utterly horrible and fucks with the system, in my opinion.
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>>4160309
I was joking most about the Rath part. But i still really wanna help her work through those issues she does have. And if that gives you a bit of piece of mind i can tell you while i have tried myself at smutty fanfiction. its not something i would subject any of the characters in the Quest or by another author to.
>>
>>4160890
fair, and i mean, i agree i want to help her with her issues. but at the same time, we really do first need to know more about how corruption works a bit. we have some idea but not enough. for instance, its been mentioned before supposedly hybrids reset and slow that down, on top of we have no idea how it being a hybrid effects corruption and its gain rate at all.

on top of course, it does feel like people are just assuming her anger is that, over just her natural personality, when shes always been pretty hot headed, even long before even with what we do know about corruption would really be affecting her. even moreso, weren't we told what vitruvian corruption she does have/will gain is actually more based around her being more open to changes? yet the entire reason folks are worrying so much is because of her anger, which is almost always centered around her refusal to be malleable to things. if anything, her accepting our discussions and explanations over things she has gotten angry about would actually be a bad sign that its getting to her, and us abusing her corruption, while her being angry and making a big deal about changes would actually be a good sign shes fighting it, given what we have been told about her and her type.
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>>4159517

>"While prepping for an counterattack on West Alpha, Shu tries to talk Magpie out of murdering entire settlements. It doesn't end well."

>40th Vein Archived.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4142662/
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>>4161020
Personally, I've been worried for the opposite reason, that she's too emotionally dependent on Shu and willing to go with what we say. I've noted what you have, that she quite easily accepts our explanations and reasoning and stops arguing her own point as much, and it worries me. I'd like her to put more of a priority on pursuing her own desires and stating her opinion more forcefully, combat the Vitruvian corruption that's leaving her lost and easily influenced by Shu. That's why I've got reservations about a Shu/Gina/Rath polycule, even if it would be adorable. The sort of power that Shu and Gina would exert over Rath in that situation (not even intentionally, just as a passive aspect of the relationship's emotional context) could be really bad for her if she hadn't gotten her own issues resolved by then. There could wind up being some parallels to Sam's relationship with Isabel, if we weren't careful, lots of abuse of trust and dependence. We don't want to do that to Rath.
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>>4159522
>>4159517

Note: Our Lord Hiroshimoot has gotten rid of the >(you) feature. A moment of silence for all the >(you) memes and the image folders.

>What I'm looking forward to?:
Watching the Disassociated Ones Rocket Launch. I was really looking forward to having our family attend the event and watch the Rocket Launch so we can send a final Farewell transmission to Cassandra and the Disassociated Ones and probably get all of them to sing the Intro song of Little Einsteins. I know it's so out of place in a Quest of Visceral body horror styled Shin Megami Tensei adventure, but god dammit I need that wholesome slice of life moment.

And strangely enough I'm looking forward to dueling Jackie. I just wonder what the terms and conditions for the duel will be. And I really hope the duel doesn't eat up that 1-up augment Isabelle gave us.

>What I'm NOT looking forward to:
Shu's cult. Just... cults man. We're just trying to do our best to save people from falling into despair, stopping those who would indulge in their evils, and just help people pick themselves up and ensure that they can stand on their own two feet. It doesn't help matters that the cult mentality has already solidified and Shu's public opinion has skyrocketed into a very big name due to the Ballsy things she did since waking up. Another thing to worry about in the background. And we're already stretched to our limits (and bhop's limits) in book keeping. There's only so much that Shu, we, and Bhop can do given the current quest format.

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game?
The Character sheets, powersets, relics, and just the sheer depth and breadth of their interactions in combat and out of combat. You could make a videogame out of this or make it a custom singleplayer campaign with just the notes we have collected. The fact that the rolls and book-keeping are kept in the background makes it easy for us players to focus on actually roleplaying in the quest. Other quests that I have participated kept the dice rolling open to the public and I often find myself bemoaning RNGesus more than actually enjoying the roleplay.

1/3
>>
>>4161423

>Mechanically, what's off putting? Are there any gripes you have?
The bloat may be a bit too much. I know for a fact that this is a bed that we anons and bhop made, but I often find myself frustrated during voting that we tend to fall back to letting a single anon doing making all the decisions when it comes to voting which leads to a preference for the same tactic, and some attempts at more alternative/creative tactics are shut down in favor of bum rushing the enemy.
In the long view, I can't help but dread the fact that we've been progressing very very fast in terms of how ready Shu and her family is for climbing the cord. It almost feels like there's not enough time to fully explore.
And so far much of the combat so far is Shu & Friends/Family vs. A single strong enemy. I understand that these encounters are the choices that we made, but I can't help but fondly remember some of the more varied combat encounters, which I will segue into next.

>Favorite OOC conversation/moment
Level-ups have been super enjoyable ever since we started having some be the designated Arbitrator. The community posting their own omakes, stories and characters. The 'eureka' moments where we surprised bhop with our collective thinking...gah there's so many memorable moments. Overall I just feel proud and happy that the community is actually this active.

>Favorite fights/encounters:
Spiral Fear set the gold standard for a multi-phase raid-boss fight. It was a fight were every fighter had importance in their role and every ability in their arsenal was used to the fullest, where eureka moments were had and new tricks in the book were pulled.

Fighting against Isabelle (on the beach) also set a gold standard, which was a gold standard for fights that Shu and friends were clearly out of their league. A hopeless boss fight mechanically, but emotionally it was a fight that hit the right notes of "You know you'll die, but play your cards right and you might just survive."

In terms of Teamfights, the fight where Shu and the Midnight Crew face off against the Hexane Phalanx felt like the gold standard for a teamfight combat encounter. The fight against Yurei and our mindjacked dreamdaughters was a close second.

For Amalgam encounters, The Pyre Ant Kingdom. Diplomancing an amalgam was completely unexpected. It also made for really some good storytime for Amara.

2/3
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>>4161429

>Least Favorite fights/encounters:
Chasing Isabelle in Almath and that cutscene moment was especially bitter for a majority of anons. I often had the thought in Almath that Shu and friends were somehow able to catch up to Isabelle, the brief combat section where it was just a mad scrabble of BodyHorror American Football was frustrating because it felt like we played our hand to the best we could in preventing Isabelle from scoring a touchdown only to find out the referee (bhop) said Isabelle did score the touchdown. And there was no action replay cam because the referee couldn't decide how to show that it counted!

The appearance of Yurei's final form and the subsequent Exorcism felt uncalled for but the dreamscape phase of piecing together Yurei's past and confronting her made up for it in sheer novelty.

In terms of bitter fights. Facing Magpie was just an emotional gut punch for me personally.

The Dr. West Prime encounters. God, she reminds me of BB from Fate CCC where she had an unflappable smugness that couldn't be wiped despite her setbacks that was justified by months of background preparation.

>Favorite Characters:
Too many to count, but I'll go for specific categories.

Fuzzbuzz and Amara tie for top-tier. I will never regret creating Fuzzbuzz in the 13th Vein, and Amara is just an adorable daughter.

Mechanically, Rath's combat kit went from one of the strangest sets to one of the most "complete", where her powers are simple enough to understand without having to consult the excell sheet.

Development wise, I like Francine. Seeing her growth as she slowly warms up to learning more of herself and opening up to others makes me smile.

November is just inexplicably awesome on a first impression basis ever since you introduced her. A Warforged Robotic Daughter in a world of eldritch body horror must makes her stand out.

As for characters with plenty of lore behind them in the Crucible world, That we be Cassandra (aka Disassociated One's SHODAN)

>Least Favorite Character:
OOF.
The more I think about Mara, the more suspicious I am about her character. She plays the Mentor role very well in the brief time that we've met and is a lovely character to interact with, the more I can't help but be suspicious about what isn't said about her based on the evidence we gathered so far.

Just on first impressions alone, Dr. West set me on edge.

A close second was Jackie based on first impression as she clearly had that "alpha bitch" attitude about her, but I'm glad she's mellowed out.

And god I love Magpie out of first impression for that aloof friendly sniper attitude and that hidden soft heart of hers, but to go out and massacre entire settlements and being entirely mum about her motivations due to a suicide geas...Such a gut punch.
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>>4161381
Yeah, alot of that is my worries too. Rath for all her anger, i don't think has ever truly put her foot down, or at least stood her ground, when it came to Shu.

>>4161423
>no more (You).
why, just... fucking thats horrible. basically almost defeats the purpose of linking to other posts. jesus christ where's the complaints board, and I'm not kidding either. that's almost enough reason to find another place to go by itself, especially for boards like this one…

>>4161429
Funnily enough, I actually preferred things before the Arbiter. leveling-up lost some of its charm when everything was just laid out with super-bonuses up for grabs. i miss things editing themselves to our characters too, aswell as i think the mix of some choice and some randomness made our decisions feel like they mattered more. same with the engine, aswell as i think its freedoms gonna bite us in the butt one day.
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>>4161429
>The bloat may be a bit too much. I know for a fact that this is a bed that we anons and bhop made, but I often find myself frustrated during voting that we tend to fall back to letting a single anon doing making all the decisions when it comes to voting which leads to a preference for the same tactic, and some attempts at more alternative/creative tactics are shut down in favor of bum rushing the enemy.
well i can tell you i disagree with basically all of this and could say some pretty hot takes on you about this if that's the route you so wish to go, and i guess i will. only thing you are right on is people tend to just back mine up over writing their own, but what you ignore is that is for the same reason we very often back up a single long write up or work together to do a technical single level-up vote; because changes and others input ARE taken into account, and it's easier to just have another Anon TAKE everyone's input and ideas and put them together, over everyone writing out their own and then trusting or relying on the plan to be solid and work properly, especially in a battle where BHOP trying to take into account 5+ votes all with significant detail differences, even if alot is the same, could get a character killed. parts, and even the entire vote, has and does regularly get changed based on people's input. Yes, I do not always agree and make changes, but I've also never forced people to only back up my vote, and they don't.

I honestly feel like this line does a horrible misrepresentation of other Anons and me, and our ability to work together too. they have and do vote against me, both with parts and entire votes, if they disagree. they're not brain-dead followers too lazy or unwilling to make their own decisions, it's just we have been at this long enough we either naturally agree, or what they do disagree with there's no point not just trying to convince me to change one part over writing up an entire new post for us and BHOP to dig through for a handful of changes, unless no compromise or agreement can be made. in which case, they do tend to post their own vote. it also irks me, especially knowing how much i do end up changes things based on others input, that you'd so blatantly call all our strategies nothing but bum rushing when damn it all do us Anons put damn good effort into being creative and trying our best to outwit the enemy, but i guess because it's not how you would do it or your post, and we work together instead of giving BHOP 5+ posts to have to dig through and make coherent it's just bum rushing, no?

and for pete's sake too, one Anon regularly will keep an argument going with me for hours and then post his own vote when we disagree on a single point. I can tell you by my own frustrations it is very much just not one Anon making all the decisions, I'd have so much more free time if that was the case.
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>>4162096
>why, just... fucking thats horrible. basically almost defeats the purpose of linking to other posts. jesus christ where's the complaints board, and I'm not kidding either. that's almost enough reason to find another place to go by itself, especially for boards like this one…

I'm still seeing them. I'm getting a (You) above your response to my talking about Rath. Maybe it's not implemented on this board?
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>>4162111
oh, i just got this one.
hrm
wait.
didnt 4chan just transfer over to a new hosting format or something? maybe that just wiped whos posts were connected to what IP? unsure, will have to test it a bit, but while that may be what happened seems like a very strange thing to have been lost.
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>>4162098
You're right on all of those accounts in that post there. And I apologize for the statements I've made in concession to your counterargument.

In other news. Chapter Three of Carter and the Town of Cradleton is about 2/3s the way done. I've managed to make plenty of progress in future chapters.
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>>4162489
looking forward to it.
still slow progress on stuff on my end though.

>>4162111
>>4162489
on the topic of Rath, it'd probably be a good idea to bring up our worries with November, at least before we do anything major or jump the gun too much.
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>>4162561
>>4162111
If Rath concerns us that much, then until we get a good handle on the nature, the progression of Rath's Vitruvian corruption, and how we can help her adapt to that change we should postpone leveling her core ability. She's got plenty of other abilities both passive and active that needs attention.

I find it ironic however. Her vitruvian core (Tensile Strands) gave her the physical and mental corruption of adapting her body and mind to be able to be stretched to their utmost limits in order to fulfill Rath's desire to fill the shoes of her older sister. Now we're trying to help Rath maintain her identity/sturdiness that she's made herself so memorable for, fighting against the Corruption that granted her desired "flexibility" in the first place.
>>
>>4159522
>>4159517
speaking of bloat making us overlook things, i think there might be an issue with Raths Alabaster Endoskeleton level 5? or, it may just be misworded. it says it 'doubles the power of its offensive retaliations with each subsequent blow suffered', but Alabaster has no offensive retaliations. feels like you either gave us a level out of order, or you misworded it and meant its defensive retaliations, which its basically based around stacking those.
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>>4162561
>on the topic of Rath, it'd probably be a good idea to bring up our worries with November, at least before we do anything major or jump the gun too much.
If we can find a way to phrase it so that it doesn't sound like we're going behind Rath's back or don't trust her, sure.

>>4162808
I'm fine with that. We need to buff up Rath's defenses, anyway. Put some points into Alabaster Endoskeleton, Calcite Halo, maybe a couple into Unrelenting Cold to see if we can get that momentum-eating effect the Kinetic Remnant had.

>>4162885
I've noticed a similar issue with Accumulated Charge on Dorian. Level five says it lets Dorian accumulate charges when hit by any elemental attack as if it was an Electrical damage attack. Except that Dorian doesn't accumulate charges when hit with electricity. Was that left out of an earlier level by mistake?
>>
>>4162808
>>4162982
id be fine holding off on her Core for a level.

>>4162982
well i mean, sure, dont go behind Raths back, but i think bringing our worries about her up to her actual family isnt a bad idea, aswell as im sure November would want to be a part of helping Rath, assuming of course, Rath actually needs help. iffy situation. on one hand, i do legitimately think we my be jumping the gun at least a bit on just how worried some have said they are about Rath, but on the other hand, i also cannot deny waiting on things has blown up in our face several times now too.

>>4162982
>>4159522
>>4159517
also linking/adding your Question there to BHOPS list, especially with the potential he lost all the old (you)s like i did...

and yeah. something is misworded or missing there too. ah dammit, now i feel like i need to go through and see what else we may of missed... but dammit not gonna lie, theres just so damn much im just not sure im up for it, or hell, that it wouldn't start to blur and possibly miss things anyways.
>>
>>4162983
>>4162982
Wait...doesn't Rath have a huge fetish for Sub/Dom relationships as the Submissive one?
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>>4163327
She is a closet sub yes but that is why we shouldn't really try and pursue a romantic relationship with her while she has to battle Vitruvian corruption.
We could have a Isabelle 2.0 on our hands that way if she gets obsessed with either Shu or Gina or anyone for that matter. A healthier relationship based on being family and not lovers is probably more conductive to that end.

Since we are not sure how and when the vitruvian corruption will manifest since that has no physical evidence we can only make guesses
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>>4163327
I wouldn't say a "huge fetish", but yes. Rath clearly likes tall women, authoritative women, and women with guns. It's why she's attracted to Shu. Also, as I say this, it makes me realize that it's a really good thing that November revealed she was Rath's aunt Heather when she did, or else Rath probably would have started flirting. That would have been really uncomfortable.

I get your point, though. It's possible that Rath submitting to Shu's desires is just her being into that. But we want to make sure it doesn't progress beyond her being a sub and that she's fully capable of dissenting and voicing her own opinions when she has to. We need to get a better grasp on the full nature of Rath's Vitruvian corruption, and if it can be managed safely so that she's not emotionally dependent on Shu. Any serious thoughts of polyamory must wait until after that. We can still tease her, I don't think that's going too far, but let's not push her into anything.
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>>4163359
>>4163352
>>4162983
>>4159517
Something that I just remembered.

How is Julia doing? Did she get some level-up points on her own? did she acquire Kadath points for level-ups?

Also, of the daughters in our family, how many kadath points have we accumulated for each family member (minus November)?
>>
>>4163327
>>4163352
>>4163359
i dont think Rath is so oblivious or into that she would let it overpower her common sense or the severity of the situation being discussed. if she does fetishize things to such a level, that is a legitimate issue all on its own to deal with. and one probably then best solved not via Gina or Shu.

but probably isnt an actual problem. i hope not at least. that would be awkward as all hell.
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>>4164040
im assuming Julia is doing fine, but as for how much she has leveled up and the like, we wont know til she returns to us in... probably a few days. id think the DOs launch is when she will, is my guess, but IC i think thats still at least two days away or so.

unless all this chaos has totally fucked with my sense of how much time has passed, in which case she might watch it but still might not rejoin us yet, if its much sooner than im thinking.
>>
>>4164040
Yeah, BHOP said that Julia would get level-ups roughly equal to what she'd get if she was with the party, as part of defending Laoc with the Hyenas. We'll get to assign them when she rejoins. As for Kadath points, I think we've accumulated two that need to be assigned to each party member.
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>>4164050
I hope Julia returns to us by the time the DOs are ready to launch the Rocket. I would be super bummed if she somehow misses it. A Rocket Launch event would be a perfect backdrop for another one of Julia and Dorian's dates.

You know, that does bring up a question. If we do attend the DOs Rocket Launch, do you think we will find other groups of daughters who will attend the event and watch?
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>>4164077
If anyone else outside the Disassociated knows about it, yeah. It's a giant nuclear rocket, who wouldn't want to watch it from a safe distance? And if there are other groups there, that would help us defend it in the chance that the flying Apocalypse Amalgam interferes. God, I'm so worried it's going to try, but we've been so busy with the Alpha and Magpie stuff that we haven't had the opportunity to work towards stopping it yet.
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>>4164073
well, we can only get one per session,which still has only been one of. its also silly to assume every party member has had time to gain one. we can only be sure of Shu, Amara, and Francine, and we've had times before where not everyone activated it.

>>4164077
im sure she'll at least visit for it. stay afterward however? up in the air at the moment.

as for meeting others... unsure. im assuming you mean ones not trying to abuse the situation, and besides us maybe inviting groups, i really couldn't say.

>>4164083
yeah, i still have stopping those three on 'major importance', but just goes to show how much we get bogged down with things that we haven't even looked into it. i mean, for good reason but still. man, at this point we're gonna owe Orwell a paycheck, if for no other reason than to prevent her from burning out and make it feel alright to keep asking things of her.

also, BHOP never did tell us what happened to her bodyguard. i get he may not of meant he would reveal it right away IC, but still. feels important, if for no other reason it means shes alone and has less protection.
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>>4164094
>well, we can only get one per session,which still has only been one of. its also silly to assume every party member has had time to gain one. we can only be sure of Shu, Amara, and Francine, and we've had times before where not everyone activated it.
BHOP said back in Vein 38 that the rest of the party had gotten some off-screen and would trigger at the next level-up. Fair point that we don't know who's gotten Kadath levels in this latest Vein, though, I was just assuming. Okay, so it's at least one point for everyone, with the uncertain possibility of some having more.

>yeah, i still have stopping those three on 'major importance', but just goes to show how much we get bogged down with things that we haven't even looked into it. i mean, for good reason but still. man, at this point we're gonna owe Orwell a paycheck, if for no other reason than to prevent her from burning out and make it feel alright to keep asking things of her.
Well, Orwell does eat the attention she gets from her show, so once this mess is over and she can edit it together into a newscast she should see some decent return on her investment. We should give her a bonus, though, she's done good work and it would be nice to acknowledge all she's done for us. Maybe give her rights to televise the duel we'll have with Jackie, that should draw an audience.

>also, BHOP never did tell us what happened to her bodyguard. i get he may not of meant he would reveal it right away IC, but still. feels important, if for no other reason it means shes alone and has less protection.
Yeah, the cageyness about saying what was happening with the bodyguard makes me think it's going to be something interesting. We know the bodyguard got along well with Paloma, it could be that they're off doing something together and we'll find out when we go to the Ikean Fortress.
>>
>>4164094
I just had a thought when looking at the body horror char sheet looking at November's Column. If you have the Base stats posted at the top and the list of equipped Relics near the bottom, Why don't we have a Cell that lists the Total raw stat bonuses from the equipped Relics and another Cell that lists any bonus effects gained from each Relic?
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>>4164115
>Ikean Fortress

I wonder if Bhop read that one Haunted SCP File...I shouldn't have said this.
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>>4164117
because that would have to be calculated and changed significantly often.

>>4164115
>Orwell streams the Jackie/Shu fight.
i mean, i guess she can. probably cant stop someone from doing it. but i honestly kinda personally dont want it to be. we have enough issues with Shu being overhyped as it is. id personally say her getting to do that is already enough of a bonus, as it is already us being lenient with things that could increase our issues.

as for the bodyguard... maybe its some as sad as she just grew tired of Orwell/the job and left?
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>>4164133
>>4164115

>Shu v. Jack Duel
To be honest, I really don't want Orwell to livestream the duel. This is a personal thing between Jack and Shu, and publicizing it will bring more unintended consequences that we can't control while energizing our already zealous cult-like fanbase to a scary degree (they already have tattoos of our face on their arms, sing ballads of our exploits, and have made Shu Merchandise of us for fucks sake, further idolization would just turn the entire thing into a religion which we've made clear that we DO NOT WANT).

In addition, having Orwell live stream a duel between Jackie and Shu in a controlled 1v1 setting would just give more information to our potential enemies where they could easily dissect our tactics and perform adequate counter measures when they decide they would like to hunt Shu down.
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>>4164192
good points aswell, though again, im unsure we can stop people from learning about it anyways.

does bring up a good question though. wonder if we do have 'hunters' after us and our family? from hired hands to those who just feel they need to prove themselves, to those who genuinely disagree with our goals or see us as a threat to theirs. honestly im actually surprised we haven't seen even just one.
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>>4164133
>>4164192
Yeah, fair points. We'll have to come up with some other way to repay Orwell. Though I do think that the giving information to enemies thing is of minimal additional risk when Skintalking means that people can already observe us from a long distance. West planned for our power set, I'm sure other people who see us as a threat can too. The only way to avoid a trick from being known is to not use it, keep it completely in reserve until we absolutely have to deploy it.

>>4164204
Probably the fact that we're still a relatively fresh face keeps us from anyone having arrived yet. I'm sure we'll get some people coming after us eventually. Maybe some of the foreign Daughters, since they wouldn't have crossed the ocean unless they had their own plans on the Cord. Or if the Apex hadn't been killed off by Magpie, I can see one of them coming after Shu for the challenge.
>>
(Gentlemen, apologies for the radio silence, as I've wished to simply rest this weekend considering that I didn't realize how drained I really was. However, I've read up on your works, and I shall type up my thoughts tomorrow morning in addition to the answers to the fantastic questions posed earlier. I hope everyone's weekend went well, and I shall see you all in the morning.)
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>>4164255
Hey, no need to apologize, BHOP, I think we all assumed that was the case. I'm glad you got the chance to rest some. See you tomorrow, friend.
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>>4164255
yeah, thats what i assumed. its no problem, i understand and honestly am glad you both took the time off for yourself and enjoyed it. looking forward to both that write-up(assuming monday doesn't hit you with a vengeance), and tuesday.
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>>4164255
So long as you got your rest OP its all good.

No need to apologize
>>
(Gentlemen, life's presented something of a minor snag; my car's begun to give me trouble, so I'll be taking it in to the shop tomorrow morning. Given the timing of things, I'll likely postpone opening the 41st Vein until April 1st at 9:00AM since I have no idea how tomorrow's going to go. Apologies for the delay, though I do believe that it's in the best interests of the Quest. I'll be posting my replies to everything later today, and take care, one and all.)
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>>4164949
Sorry to hear about your car, but i understand. Hope everything gets fixed, and isn't too expensive.
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>>4164949
Sorry to hear about your Car. I completely understand.

Take care of yourself and i hope it wont be anything mayor for your car.

>I'll be posting my replies to everything later today
Looking forward to it
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>>4147949
I found a danbooru search that has all the Diana images (Leech based Hive Mistress daughter)

https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts?tags=leech_queen_%28matilda_fiship%29
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>>4164949
yipes.

I hope you can get your car fixed in a jiffy. it's bad news when your car has problems. Even moreso given current events.

Still, I look forward to your feedback.
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C’s General Questions:

>>Are the numbers for the increase in BIO/HEALTH and all 'good' or are they blown out of proportions? (I mean are they okay for all the powers or are they escalating too quickly?)

(I feel that they are fair, overall.)

>>As for Questions regarding the mechanics. Do you use percentile dice? Or how is the chance to hit generated? I think it has something of Nechronica but also kinda feels like the System of Dark Heresy.

(Percentiles, which in retrospect was a terrible decision. It’s a sliding scale of miss/hit/critical hit + the severing chances.)

>>What stats are there? I think I have seen STRENGTH/AGILITY/WILLPOWER(WISDOM)/INTELLIGENCE/CHARISMA. Am I missing any?

(That’s accurate, as the system began as an unholy union of Nechronica’s sensibilities with a D&D 4E overlay, which carried over to the current system for the most part. I’ll likely overhaul that completely after the Quest when I re-do the system, but for now that’s where we’re at.)

>>What Damage types are there if you dont mind me asking. I am sure we have seen them all by now but are there any extremely rare ones.... Or more specifically is Sonic Damage a thing or not?
We have Fire, Poison, Acid, Cold, Explosive, Sonic, Psychic, Piercing, Slashing, Bludgeoning and Crushing
Please correct me if i have written down any that are not correct.

(Sonic damage is real, and unfortunately rather rare, given the current state of the system. Radiant and poison damage are also a thing, as is a certain damage type that will be considered spoilers for now.)

>>1st. What did you think about the Cross of Pierre Fourier and the uses it has. Would it be more a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Relic i wonder.

(A solid Relic that has some considerable versatility, and for that reason I'd rank it at Tier 2.)

>>2nd. How was your impression on the conflict between Lydia and Rara? Did its resolution feel organic or did I force it too much?

(I feel that it came to an organic resolution overall, so much so that it never occurred to me that it would feel forced, so well done there.)

>>3rd. What did you think of Amelie’s Fragment angle of trying to get into Minas head? Did it feel alright or was it too forced? Was the fight enjoyable or way to messy?

(I enjoyed that part, and the fight was enjoyably messy, if that makes sense? As in, the conflict felt chaotic and tense, as a good fight should feel.)

>>4th. What did you think of the second level of the Predator Halo?

(It’s honestly in line with my notes on how the Predator Halo would’ve worked if I’d intended to include it in the current Quest, so what you’ve made works quite well.)

(Continued)
>>
>>4165243

>>LAHMEANS SECRET

(An excellent poison-based power, and I especially like the Lvl 4 & 5 abilities. I’m intrigued to see how it evolves.)

>>GHOULISH FASCINATION

(Honestly? This is a perfect example of how a Flesh Artisan power should look from Lvls 1 to 20 under the current iteration of the system. Everything builds on itself very well in my opinion, and the capstone is both thematic and potent. Very nicely done, and I absolutely adore the flavor of this particular Core.)

TECH QUESTIONS

>>what is the limit to using abilities outside of combat without causing the crucible to shift those involved into 'combat mode'? obviously, there is one, but as 'combat mode' is an actual confirmed thing in the crucible, im curious its parameters. would, for example, Carter not at all intending hostile action with his aura prevent it from activating, despite giving him a clear advantage if he did go hostile? what about counters to it?

(Essentially, abilities like his and Amara’s ‘calming aura’ are tagged in the current iteration of the system as passives, which allows them to offer a considerable benefit to the wielder without triggering a Daughter’s ‘combat mode’. Affected targets can have passive or active countermeasures to mitigate these aura-based effects, though usually the effects of these auras serve to act as a buffer to the initiation of conflict. If a passive aura would serve to grant the user a potent combat advantage, then there would be ability activation costs involved in addition to saving throws, with the possibility of failure or retribution in some way. I hope this answers your question, and if there’s any specifics you’d like to ask about that I glossed over, then please let me know.)

>>personally as time has gone on, ive very much become not a fan of just how expansive our abilities and their levels are. i get what BHOP was trying to do, etc.

(I’ll be the first to admit that I utterly despise what the system’s become, and I’m only sticking with it on account of having dug my grave too deep to crawl out of, now. To be clear, though – I love the core system, and I very much so believe that it can be something great, but it will absolutely require a heavy overhaul if I’m to use something like this again in the future. I’ll go over some of the likes/dislikes regarding the system a little further down below, but I’ll say this; I thoroughly appreciate and admire everyone bearing with the system’s quirks and complexity, and for having patience when things start to grind. Game design is clearly not my strong suit, but I believe that the system’s been improved considerably through use, with the facets of its shortcomings being things that can be hammered out with time and thought.)

(Continued)
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>>4165245

>What's a moment folks are looking forward to? Not looking forward to?

(I’m rather looking forward to see how the Alpha fight concludes, primarily since once that and Magpie’s arcs have concluded, you’ll be able to continue westward and see more of the odd places and people that dwell closer to the Cord. The impending Level-Up vote isn’t something I’m looking forward to, since I write all the flavor text and explanations from scratch out of my arcane notes, so that’s always a beast for everyone involved. It’s worth it to see what you all do with them, though.)

>Mechanically, what really grips everyone about the game, and anything a bit off putting?

(I thoroughly enjoy hybrids and the various classes, though in terms of mechanics I admit that Flesh Artisans [or stacks, specifically] need to be re-worked. The whole thing desperately needs a massive overhaul, but I like to think I’ve made due with my pet monstrosity as well as can be expected.)

>While it's a bit weirder of one, what's been folks favorite OOC conversation/moment?

(When you all end up piecing together some little fact that rings true, or when you discuss the characters. Nothing makes me want to write more than that, honestly.)

>Favorite and least favorite characters?

(Oh, I enjoy them all, though as far as characters that I find the most fun to write, I’d have to go with Rath, Francine, Orwell, Sugar, Jackie, West, and Mara. Something about them just makes writing their dialogue much, much easier than anyone elses’, and I’m not sure why. As for least favorite, I’d have to say West Prime…I still adore her as a character, but she’s by far the most monstrous villain I’ve ever written, so much so that her inhumane and blasé cruelty has become a meme in my friend group.)

>BHOP, while I understand alot may be spoilers, anything interesting mechanically or story-wise you had planned if we had taken a more neutral, or even more interestingly, a more evil route, that given the route we did were scrapped or are unused?

(Ha, this is a fun one. My full thoughts are under the cut.)

(Continued)
>>
>>4165250

(Essentially, if you all had chosen a neutral or evil route, then the characters would've shifted in considerable ways, particularly in regards to B'ni, Gina, and Rath in an evil route. Gina's always had a similar curiosity to West, so she'd have ultimately leaned into her darker urges in utilizing the Engines, the Forges, and her mind-altering powers. Rath on the other hand would lose herself to her rage, essentially becoming a feral Daughter you'd need to keep on a short leash. B'ni, on the other hand, would become infuriated and disillusioned by Shu turning out like Sam did, and she'd likely end up leaving the party and becoming a main antagonist/hero in her fight against you. It was always likely that you'd end up on opposite sides of the battlefield, but the hows and whys were always up to the players and the dice.)

(If an evil route had been played, then the odds are high that you'd have never met/saved Julia, Amara, Dorian, or any other playable characters, and the West/Mara dynamic would've been reversed - West would have swept you up under her wing, while Mara would view you as yet another monster to be put down on the way to her goal. It would've been interesting, to say the least.)

(If there's anything else you all are curious about or if I missed anything then please let me know, though the replies to any questions going forward may have to be in the next Vein.)
>>
>>4165254
Sounds like a good thing we chose to be good, then. Working for West? Dear god, no. Also, no adorable best daughter Daughter in Amara? Yeah, that's clearly the worst timeline, regardless of moral considerations.
>>
(Ah, almost forgot Carter!)

(The latest chapter was hilarious, by the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm very much so looking forward to the next chapter. Carter's just such a fun character, and I can't wait to see what he's going to get into next.)

>>4165259
(Darkest timeline indeed. It would've been a much darker affair, to be sure.)
>>
>>4165243
>We have Fire, Poison, Acid, Cold, Explosive, Sonic, Psychic, Piercing, Slashing, Bludgeoning and Crushing
I believe you also mentioned Dismemberment before, which at the time I thought was another physical damage type rather than the condition of losing limbs. I thought it stood for damage dealt by pulling or twisting. Maybe something like Torsion would be a better name for that sort of thing?
>>
>>4165262
>>Torison

(This is hilarious, and I love it. It's name is now Torison, and it's technically an ability tag. Basically, two abilities can both deal slashing damage, but one can have a dismemberment chance/tag, and the other may not. Think of it like a character like Jackie, who has her blade and her bat swarm. The blade deals slashing and can dismember, while her bats' wings deal slashing but cannot dismember. It basically works like that, with a little wiggle room for the situation, like if a reasonable case for dismemberment if made by the player.)
>>
>>4165261
Bhop, you missed out on the Luna Bonney Short!

Here's the post link:

A pair of Apex daughters sit at a campfire. A rabbit approaches them. Insanity and PTSD ensues. Takes place during the events of Body Horror Quest: Vein #19.

Luna Bonney Shorts: Campfires and Current Events.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJwp_qNzp65EaKmAQR0rteou8_RooNA_F1wnj7VjNj0/edit
>>
>>4165245
Alright thanks.

I will reach out with this question again Would you like to have the core Power of a character the Europe Crew has met expanded upon?
I would write it down out of my own notes over the next couple of days if you did. Otherwise....

Well there is that compilation of Short Stories over the New Colognean/ Franfurtian War that has sprung up and chapter 10 is nearing completion with me having send it to a friend for proof reading of the battles He has no idea of the quest so i asked him to only give me feedback on the writing and if he noticed any mayor inconsitencies. I hope he will get back to me with that one around Wednesday....
I really hope he gets done really soon with helping a shared friend of his and me with finishing the move.

The fight in that chapter might be even messier than the one against Amelie....

>>4165243
>Nechronica’s sensibilities with a D&D 4E overlay,

That sounds.... messy..... I would have kinda guessed Dark Heresy as well since it felt like we achieved degrees of Success at times but that was probably the Nechronica side of the system.

> and poison damage are also a thing

Good to know i am not just pulling that damage type out of my arse for Lahmeans Secret.
By the way have you figured out the inspirational basis for that power? And no it is not the Lamia of Myth

>>4165254
No Amara............... Well i cant say i would be mad at you in that timeline since i wouldn't know Amara existed but it would be a timeline truly worthy of being called Grim Dark. So dark in fact that would have not been surprised if a Chaos Spawn had gotten in our way at least once.
>>
>>4165283
(Oh, my apologies! I actually read it, and I have to say your use of text and its distortions is just absolutely masterful. It's just *so* blasted fun, and really sells Luna as just being this utterly game-breaking individual. Nicely done!)
>>
>>4165261
>Carter
I'm currently writing Chapters 3,4,5,6, and 7 simultaneously, but I would like to remark that the story tone overall in the later chapters has taken a drastic hard swerve in a path that I did not expect for Carter's adventure.
>>
>>4165311
(Ha, I know the feeling. It's fascinating to me how stories and characters sometimes seem to have minds of their own, in some ways.)
>>
>>4165311
That is impressive and i salute you good Sir.
Sometimes that just happens. And it always is interesting to look back and compare it to your notes and then take a look again to find out where things started seperating
>>
>>4165311
Oh no, is Carter going to have a bad time? Stay safe, Carter. But yeah, it's neat how stories can surprise the person writing them, ideas progressing in ways that follow an intuitive logic but didn't seem obvious at first. Also, five chapters in one go, nice.

Speaking of writing, I'm doing a write-up of a Daughter idea and I'm completely blanking on a name for a power, can anyone help? It's a sonic Generator ability that originally belonged to a Daughter with a punk rocker aesthetic, any ideas?
>>
>>4165336
Names are difficult......

Thunderstruck?
I know its a song name.... at least i think its rock...

Otherwise
Petram Clamoris
Its just rock and scream in latin but could be a decent starting point dependent on how the power is applied
>>
>>4165344
I've actually got Thunderstruck penciled in as the name of one of its Augments, that lets it swap damage types to Electric. And I don't think that Latin really works for this character. Thanks, though.
>>
>>4165349
Fair points.

Maybe someone else will have other suggestions as well. So maybe you can wait for a while longer. But i am glad i was able to provide some help in you reaching a decision. Hearing that Sonic damage is actually pretty rare makes me want to make sure we get some sonic representation but oh well. Its not my character so you do you.
>>
And just taking a look at my clock told me i should go to sleep
my boss has rescheduled our daily morning meeting ahead by an hour so.

Well Good night Anons.
Good Night OP
>>
>>4165360
Don't worry, the Augment just divides the damage between Sonic and Electric, I definitely want the skill to still be about sound blasts. The hybridized ability that it goes into makes no sense if the skill isn't dealing with sound still.

>>4165369
Good night, anon.
>>
>>4165245
>>4165250
>>4165254
alright, thanks for the answers.

>>4165259
yeah, im not sure i'd be around working for West. to be fair though, id not of enjoyed playing a truly evil route in the first place, but still.

>>4165262
>>4165275
is Psychic essentially what Neuromancy is using when someone tries to influence another? or is that more for defenses against or Empathic Field, and things like it but more aggressive?

for Sonic, would things like Amaras Oxygenic Artilleries base damage be that, or is that more of dealing with splitting eardrums type of stuff, not wind forces type of stuff?

Would Raths base Boils be a good example of Explosive damage, or something that would've becomes Explosive damage? actually, Explosives feels like something we havent seen too rarely, even if almost always a minor secondary to another damage type. still feels odd not for it to have popped up yet though, considering that.

>>4165311
whew, i could never do that. wish i could, would make writing go faster, but if i tend to form a timeline in my head, i typically at least have to do the stories/chapters in order.

>>4165313
not gonna lie, thats basically all my writing style is.

>>4165336
Devils Rift, Splitting Solo, Rock'in Waves?
without seeing the ability itself thats all ive got.

>>4165369
oof, thats rough. hope that goes well.
>>
>>4165678
>Devils Rift, Splitting Solo, Rock'in Waves?
>without seeing the ability itself thats all ive got.
I've been avoiding writing it up until I've got a name, just because typing "placeholder" feels awkward to me. Been doing the other abilities on the sheet, it and the hybrid formed from it are the only ones left. But from my brainstorming notes, it's developed kind of an echo theme. Bouncing off of objects to maneuver around cover, reverberating inside targets to paralyze them and set up secondary attacks by reinforcing the vibration, even serving as echolocation for the weirdness of a Generator power that enhances senses.
>>
>>4165724
hrm... honestly that sounds more like Bat powers to me personally, over specifically anything Generator and/or Rock'n Roll.
but besides that, i guess Reverberating Rock? really im unsure, feels a bit disjointed for my personal tastes to really pin down a name, at least for me. good luck though, hope you get it hammered out how you like.
>>
>>4165743
Huh, that's an idea, change it to a bat Unnatural Predator skill. I hadn't considered that. It actually might work better that way, the inspiration for the idea does have a sort of bat-like appearance. Not sure how it would affect the hybrid, though. I was planning on combining it with a Phantasmal Conduit skill based on fear to make a skill I was calling Scare Chord, give the user a horror movie soundtrack that functionally gives them precognition by hearing when the music is getting tense, and that could influence enemies by making them hear the music too. But if it was an Unnatural Predator skill going into it, then they'd wind up with something about becoming a scary bat monster, I guess? Could be interesting to see how that affects my mental image of what this character's Corruption has turned them into.
>>
>>4165766
> Phantasmal Conduit skill based on fear
...shit, i think we just made bodyhorror batman.

on a more serious note, im not sure you would have to shift the hybrid at its core too much, only maybe make how it does things more 'bat based' and maybe a bit more 'feral' in how it works, albeit such things are a bit subjective.

actually, thats kinda a neat idea. the more fear is pumped into her enemies, the heavier her bat traits start to manifest, or due to the Phantasmal aspects, she doesn't actually have much of those, nor do they grow, but her opponents THINK they're growing due to visual hallucinations.
>>
>>4165678
>>4165320
It's a very slow process I'll tell you that, but it also helps keeps me organized in knowing what events happen chronologically as well as moderate my pacing while ensuring that any natural developments that happen in the story stays organic.
>>
>>4165775
That actually works pretty well, upon reflecting on it. Phobic Reflex, the Phantasmal skill, is meant to be atypical for its class and hedges in on Neuromancy a bit, kind of an inverse of how Professor Uzu's Neuromantic construct-generation hedged in on Phantasmal Conduit abilities. It's not a skill about inflicting emotion, it has no native ability to do that, but rather about sensing and being powered by emotion. The user's own fear amps up their reflexes and senses (as part of the phobic reflex the skill is named after), and their ability to respond to the fear of others around them gives enhanced critical chances and accuracy for them and decreased critical chances and accuracy for their enemies, since they have instinctive knowledge about what everyone around them considers the biggest threats. So making body horror Batman works quite well, actually. That's Batman's thing, prey on his foes' fear. Yeah, I like this. Gonna need to hash out how exactly it would work and interact with the rest of the build, but it's good. Thanks, anon.
>>
>>4165843
no problem, looking forward to seeing what you hammer out!
>>
>>4165843
I think that skill could have an absolutely hilarious interaction with Minas Phantasmal Twin Ability. That skill is all about letting the enemy see their worst nightmares to a degree they actually take damage from it..

>>4165805
>Organization

For that i have a flowchart
>>
>>4165846
>>4165843
>>4165805
>>4165288
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g0MgpWz6Aek5bAFOUgg80jVSaFqhFVDsTBwTyHOI_rE/edit?usp=sharing

While this thing is a slight spoiler to Chapter 10 and an ability Selene will receive but i would like to get everyones opinion on this ability
>>
>>4166918
Looks pretty good. Keeps to its core concept of defensive bonuses and retaliation pretty well, has some offensive uses but they're clearly a secondary focus. I like it. I don't think fifteen-level abilities get capstones, though.
>>
>>4166939
Aren't Capstones there to make sure these abilities stay competitive even though they are maxed out and not hybridized?

I am pretty every basic ability gets one if it shits max Level.
>>
>>4166943
I might be mistaken, but I thought that it was only unhybridized Cores that get capstones, giving incentive to hybridize non-Cores once they reach level fifteen.
>>
>>4166950
If you doubt my assertion i ask you to refer to this post >>4146256 and the answer of OP below detailed here>>4146268

DOubtign me is fair i do tend to mix things up sometimes but this time i am pretty sure i am right. Unless i misread the post explanation
>>
>>4166958
Hmm, maybe, then. Alright, well if that works, cool, I look forward to our own capstones. And yours looks pretty good, makes getting into a close-in fight with Selene really perilous. We saw with Magpie how dangerous unhealable wounds can be. Actually, there should probably be something like with her special bullets where the unhealable status can be cleared by status removal abilities, just with difficulty.
>>
>>4166970
yeah the status can he healed since it is a debilitating status effect. So effects capable of dealing with that will be effective. But anyone not having that....... yeah they will be in a world of pain.

And regarding the pains of getting into a close quarters fight with Selene. One of her abilities is ripped straight form a Carnifex
>>
>>4166939
>>4166943
>>4166950
>>4166958
>>4166970
any non-hybrid can get a capstone, however once they reach max level they could at a later date then be hybridized. you just couldn't hybridize them right when they hit max level and also get the capstone.

think part of the oddness of it is due to us having the engine, so we can mess around easier with abusing trying out and making hybrids, but without it the extra wait time to be able to further utilize it after getting the capstone aswell as risk probably hits a bit harder, especially when most cant get stats like us either so hybridizing earlier could mean something alot more significant.
>>
>>4166987
Hey, speaking of our rapid stat gain from the Arbiter's Appetite, that reminds me: Did we pick up that "Arbiter's Judgement" Relic that Magpie had? Or did she sacrifice it to tank damage like she did her less-powerful guns?
>>
>>4167001
i think we took anything we could get. We haven't seen the loot we managed to salvage yet. SO no idea.

>>4166987
Any more thoughts on the Ability i posted itself?
>>
>>4167001
(You did, yes. Its capabilities will be seen in the next Vein.)
>>
>>4167046
Oh, good. Because that unassailable surprise round thing would be really handy for dealing with Alpha. Get in an alpha strike (oh god I'm so sorry that pun was accidental) before she can respond, take off a lot of her Health early. Which will lead to her getting her strength boosts, but better she get them early in the fight when we're still fresh than towards the end when we're all close to death.
>>
>>4167061
>>4167046
>>4167010
>>4166987
>tfw I take a step back and re-read that one section I wrote for the epilogue of Carter's adventure in Cradleton
>I realize what I had basically just written
>mfw
>tfw I realize said section alone is 7 pages long.
>tfw I still have other parts of the epilogue chapter that I have to iron out.
>mfw
Keep in mind I have yet to finish chapters 3-7, with the possibility of adding one more chapter section just to keep the chapter lengths and the story pacing consistent. But yeah. The epilogue is a real monster.
>>
>>4167010
sorry, i caught you guys conversation just before i went to sleep, so was just trying to help with the confusion.

>>4166918
first impression fro mthe first level, very Alien esque. feel like it could use a wording change, or at least an increased cost for ranged attacks, and am unsure if a good chance to blind feels appropriate as a level one, though it may just not be helping due to the ambiguity of 'good' here.

though its shift towards just being armor im personally not a fan of. seems to also basically temporarily negate the point of level one too. id have gone with either or myself. either give her acidic blood and focus on how she can use that, or give her acidic armor and how she can use that.

personally by level 5 and going past it, it just felt like it did too many things in too many directions for my tastes. maybe if it was a hybrid but for a base ability just felt like it is too much and too unfocused, which can also make the balancing feel a bit dubious as its having to try and make some things viable throughout in a single level or two, instead of having room to stack or improve upon that aspect later as much.

not really my thing, no. if you split it into... 2? 3? different abilities focusing on certain aspects, I'd think its neat and some clever ideas in it, but all wrapped together feels like too much together.
>>
>>4167010
>>4166918
>>4167656
something else to think about from a design perspective; the first level should give a good indicator of what the ability will be. but in yours, you give them acidic reactive blood, but then basically never touch the reactive blood aspect again and instead form an acidic semi-arsenal, semi-offensive, semi-vampric armor out of it.

but that could be seen as horribly misleading and actually horribly screw someone over. what if they could use reactive blood, but dont need actual armor or an arsenal, because they already have both and simply dont need the negatives of stacking, or even worse, those dont play nice with stacking? the change from level one in implied design and route shifts so dramatically from level one to two im not sure why level one is there at all honestly.

the crucibles not exactly a fair mistress but shes not actually been that big of a trickster like that shift is, least when it comes to her mechanics.
>>
>>4167656
>>4167688
Alright fair points. I will keep those in mind and adjust a couple of things.
I still want to keep the armor as doing a lot of things. mostly because Humoral Paladings are a jack of all trades and master of none. The entire point of them is that they are not that focused and a such drop of later.
>>
>>4167910
maybe to a degree, but i also think you're reading wests notes there a bit too partially. especially when taking into account the four sub-classes, they still have always either still been somewhat streamlined, and/or had some drawback or caveat to what broadness they do have, which yours certainly has neither. the specific Sub-Class also seems to constrict what it can do heavily too.

also still feels possibly a bit dubious in just how strong it is in some of those areas, kinda defeating the purpose of being 'master-of-none' in exchange for that broadness too.
>>
>>4167922
>>Strengths: Superb blend of offence and defense coupled with situational healing and a small pool of debuffs. Versatile an unpredictable, this class is similar to the Fibromancer in that they are an excellent solo Core class.
>>Weaknesses: Fails to excel in any one area, healing can be finicky or unreliable depending on the circumstances. Powerset seems to be somewhat ‘overbearing’, as it effects other skills at level up.
>>Four Humors (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic), vastly altering the nature of their available skills and growth. Sanguine Paladins are talkative and enthusiastic risk-seekers, and their control over blood allows them to continue healing themselves as they engage with a variety of weapons, like a weaker Calcite Armorer.

Selene = Sanguine Paladin
Ravager =
allows unimpeded movement and provides protection against the elements so she can more easily close with her foes
The armor is quite heavily influenced by her other Humoral paladin ability making it much more offensive instead of being an extremely versatile defensive tool that provides superb defenses and healing

>>4167688
>semi-arsenal, semi-offensive
Exactly what a Sanguine Humoral paladin Power does with a Self Healing twist that becomes non viable if she can not close to melee range or if the enemy has abilites to negate BIO Damage or or is greatly hindered by Acid immunities/ high resistances.

I completely see your point. i have toned down the self healing aspect quite a bit and put a bit more of a focus on reactive countering.

It now has exactly one ranged option which is not that great.

I also removed the blinding parts as that is more a part of the melancholic paladins skill set

If you would take a look at it again i marked the changes i made with the Georgia font
>>
>>4167994
I was trying to make the point that i took a look at the one sheet i could draw anything from really to find a way to balance that ability.

It is not easy to balance such an ability as you have noticed yourself. Which is why i asked for feedback before i include its final form in my writings.

If you wont take another look because you think i just mindlessly spouted out what West had written? Okay fine.

Have a good day Anon and thank you for your time

This is not supposed to be sarcastic I am grateful for the response as it has shown me a couple of Areas the ability needed improvements in
>>
>>4168009
whelp guess i was too slow there.
not gonna lie, a slightly different text type is not the best way for people to quickly or easily pick out the changes you made for them to peruse through.
>>
>>4168028
sorry it was difficult for you to read. yeah on second thought Georgia was probably not the best font.....

Let me know if the EB Garamond Bold font is better
>>
>>4168040
much easier to read yes. as for the ability, guess its just not my kinda ability or way of doing things. not a fan ill say, but thats just me.

sorry, I got distracted by todays joke, collecting pictures of folk who do not realize they are infecting thinking they are immune or not. funner than it should be.
>>
>>4168200
Ok can understand where you are coming from. Still i am grateful that you took the time to look over it again.

I still believe you gave some quite valuable insight in how to balance this power better.

Have an Armored Daughter as thanks

Its fine. I am here the entire day. Working from home does have its perks.
>>
>>4168213
no problem, and thanks in return.
>>
(The 41st Vein is now open, Gentlemen.)

>>4168332



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