>>4234547
“I hear you also recruited some rookies,” Aurora presses. “All ranked below twenty-five.”

“That’s true,” you admit, watching men below you putting the finishing touches on one of the upper sloped courses of curtain wall. “I met them on the same mission where I first encountered Yulia in the field. Because of that I felt they were in danger, and like you, they seemed to quickly find themselves agreeing.”

“Between those three and Lucia I’d have expected your faction to struggle,” she tells you, watching the same work crew as you. “But I see that I would have been mistaken. Why?”

“We’ve trained with them,” you shrug. “They can handle themselves. I’d put them against any double-digits in the Organization, right up to the number eleven. Which would be...”

“Claudia would have been,” Aurora mutters grimly. “Now it’d be Alicia.”

>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.
>Do you feel it necessary to send a team out looking for Juliana? You can come with us.
>I’m sorry, but we don’t have enough information about Juliana’s situation to send a team out.
>Other?

>>4234553
>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.

>>4234553

>Do you feel it necessary to send a team out looking for Juliana? You can come with us.

>>4234553
>>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.

>>4234641
>>4234553
This

>>4234553
>>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.

>>4234553
>>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.

>>4234553
>>Do you know where Juliana was assigned? I could have a civilian contact check for her.

>>4234553
“Do you know where Juliana was assigned?” you ask bluntly. “From what little you can tell us, it seems best to send a civilian intermediary to look for her.”

“A civilian?” Aurora demands. “Do you really believe that’s sufficient? With all this...”

“Aurora,” you interrupt her. “We have no information to act on. We don’t even know if Juliana is alive or dead right now.”

Aurora stands silently for a few moments, before quietly nodding. “I understand your position. I don’t agree, but I understand.”

“I don’t agree either,” you admit. “But as much as I want to charge out there and find Juliana myself I just can’t. I’m sorry.”

…

“There’s a warrior based near Lake Hyviott, in northeast Sakia,” you tell the blacksmith in Scaithness who serves as one of your local contacts. “Her name is Juliana, ranked twenty-two. I need to know whether she is still alive, whether she has been killed, and whether she is still in the region she was assigned to.”

“How long will it take?”

“Several days,” the blacksmith admits. “This goes well beyond the normal reach of our people.”

“That’s fine,” you agree. “Please also be aware that she may currently be anywhere between here and there.”

“Understood.”
>3d10, best of three

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

>>4236161

Rolled 1, 8, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>4236161

>>4236161

Rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>4236161

>>4236161
The information takes a full week to turn around, and when it arrives you almost wish it hadn’t. You walk into the room where Aurora has been spending much of her time.

“Aurora?”

She turns to face you, and immediately senses that something unpleasant is about to happen. “What have you learned?”

“Juliana is dead,” you tell her quietly. “The reports suggest she never made it back to her own territory.”

“I’m sorry.”

…

Aurora is left in a slump for several days after that, clearly feeling responsible for the deaths of the three warriors under her command. It’s so bad that Nessa eventually comes to speak with you privately.

“A lot of us are… concerned,” she explains her presence in your room after you’ve taken an evening bath.

“About Aurora,” you guess.

She nods slowly. “It’s like she’s just not there.”

>We’ll need to train together with her. That should take her mind off it.
>Are there any missions for us to go on? Give her something to focus on?
>She needs time to deal with it her own way.
>Other?

>>4236222
>We’ll need to train together with her. That should take her mind off it.

>>4236222
>>We’ll need to train together with her. That should take her mind off it.

>>4236222
>Are there any missions for us to go on? Give her something to focus on?

>>4236222
>>We’ll need to train together with her. That should take her mind off it.

>>4236222
>We’ll need to train together with her. That should take her mind off it.
You may have lost your friends, but you've gained new sisters.

>>4236222
“You may have lost your friends,” you tell her quietly, “but we’re ready to accept you as our new sister-in-arms, if you want us to.”

After a moment of silence, she nods quietly. “I want that.”

…

You gather downstairs, and make your suggestions: that the warriors of your cohort should help to work Aurora and her unique ability into your tactics, another strong warrior to stand at your side. There’s some slight hesitation, predictable since your cohort has trained together fairly extensively for years without having to welcome a new member, however the general feeling is optimistic. It certainly doesn’t hurt that she has a blue hilt to her name.

>Have her train together with those warriors she knows the least well.
>Give the others a show by holding a two-on-two sparring match.
>Catch her up on your more ‘unusual’ training first. This isn’t the Organization after all.
>Other?

>>4237902
>Catch her up on your more ‘unusual’ training first. This isn’t the Organization after all.

>>4237902
>>Catch her up on your more ‘unusual’ training first. This isn’t the Organization after all.

>>4237902
>catch her up on the more unusual training
>then have her train with those she knows least well, but stay close and participate

>>4237902
>Catch her up on your more ‘unusual’ training first. This isn’t the Organization after all.

>>4237902
>Catch her up on your more ‘unusual’ training first. This isn’t the Organization after all.

>>4237902
>>Have her train together with those warriors she knows the least well.

So I went and binged through all of the threads yesterday, could anyone tell me why abyssal ones need to eat humans? Same question for yoma in general desu.

>>4239057
I don't think anyone actually knows.

>>4239092
So just assume the weird tokyo ghoul protein thing?

>>4237902
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 6, 10, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>4239855

Rolled 10, 1, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>4239855

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

>>4239855

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

>>4239855

>>4236222
“The first thing you need to know is that we have some… unusual training,” you tell Aurora. “Follow me.”

You lead Aurora to the armory, taking out a musket and a pack of paper-wrapped rounds. “You know what this is?”

Aurora nods curtly. “I do.”

“Ever used one?” you ask.

She shakes her head.

“Then we’ll start with this: bite, pour, spit, tap, shoulder, fire.”

…

You spend three days running Aurora through the paces of how to deal with not only firearms, but cannon. How to use them, what to do to disable them, what their ranges and limitations are, and how to predict the trajectory of their projectiles and take advantage of their firing intervals. As you probably could have guessed she picks up on it all very quickly, and it does give her something novel to focus on to take her mind off news of Juliana’s death.

The rest of your cohort, in the mean time, slowly begins to warm up to the newcomer. It starts with the ducklings, the latecomers to your cohort, who are more willing to spend a little time with her now and then. Helen already knew her from the start, so they also tend to speak a little more openly with each other.

…

One afternoon, you plop the book of hand signs down in front of her.

“For Serana,” you explain unprompted.

“I see,” Aurora quickly realizes. “So this is how you communicate with her?”

You nod. “I got the idea from some contacts of mine in Daria. The head abbot of one of the monasteries is an old friend.”

“You have connections in Daria?” Aurora muses, surprised to hear of it. “I thought most religious types hated our kind as a matter of course.”

“Old Vigilus is a better man than most,” you smile happily, “a man of great faith and not-quite-infinite patience when it’s called for. It helps that he owes me his life.”

“I have to ask...” Aurora wonders aloud. “Are you what they’d call a ‘believer’, Noel? Normally I wouldn’t ask, since it’s your own business. But the presence of the Inquisition complicates matters. So I'd like to know where you stand."

>No, I honestly can’t say that I am. I believe in neither the Hazari spirits, nor the Twin Goddesses.
>I can respect others who are, but I don’t have an enthusiasm for it myself.
>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.
>Other?

>>4239992
>>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.

>>4239992
>>I can respect others who are, but I don’t have an enthusiasm for it myself.

>>4239992
>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.

>>4239992
>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.

>>4239992
>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.
The Queen is, after all, defender of the Faith.

>>4239992
>Maybe a little. But nobody’s religious beliefs excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does.

>>4239992
“Maybe a little,” you admit, “despite ‘Defender of the Faith’ not being anywhere in my job description. Like anyone else I have my own thoughts and feelings… but those could never excuse the sorts of things the Inquisition does. No one’s religious beliefs, no matter how strongly they’re held, are a justification for terror and murder.”

It takes a few moments, but eventually Aurora nods in agreement. “Good words, and good principles behind them.”

“Have I allayed your concerns?” you ask.

“I think so,” she agrees.

“Good to hear it,” you nod curtly. “And… you?”

“What about me?” she asks.

“Do you have any strong beliefs?” you clarify.

After considering your question for a few moments, she shakes your head. “I was raised to. But I don’t, not anymore.”

“That’s fine too,” you shrug.

“I knew you’d say that,” Aurora admits.

“I’m glad to hear you say that,” you nod with a smile. “Means we’re on the same page. Now then, we’ll continue exercises… this time, to get you more acquainted with the rest of our fighting styles.”

“I’d like to know more about your half-awakening,” Aurora tells you. “Yours, and the abilities of your fellow half-awakened.”

>That’s getting a little far ahead of things, don’t you think?
>I can show you my abilities again, but it calls for great care.
>I’ve been meaning to train on this with them anyway. You can observe.
>Other?

>>4241090
>>I’ve been meaning to train on this with them anyway. You can observe.

>>4241090
>I’ve been meaning to train on this with them anyway. You can observe.

>>4241090
>>I’ve been meaning to train on this with them anyway. You can observe.

>>4241090
>I’ve been meaning to train on this with them anyway. You can observe.

>>4241090
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 10, 7, 7 = 24 (3d10)

>>4241431

Rolled 3, 7, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>4241431

Rolled 3, 5, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>4241431

So shes been sent to spy on us and gather information of our abilities to report back to the Org.

>>4241525
Org has its magical handlers, they don't need to send a Claymore.

>>4241431
“I’ve been meaning to figure out a way for us to train for that,” you admit, “though I haven’t come up with anything that I’d consider promising. You could watch us flail about for a while.”

“That could be entertaining,” Aurora admits.

“Then I’ll see what we can do.”

…

“So have you kept up on your training?” you ask Valentina once all the half-awakened members of your cohort have assembled on the mainland, just across the drawbridge. “I’d be interested to know more about what you’ve been up to.”

“I have,” she admits. “I’ve been taking time every now and then, between other things.”

“And?”

“And I may have some suggestions,” she smiles. “But there’s no substitute for patience.”

“I like to think most of us have that,” you muse playfully. “Some in greater abundance than others.”

“Well,” Valentina addresses the group of you, “the first thing to do is practice pushing well within your boundaries, with someone else watching. Justina was my spotter when I had one, that person’s supposed to tell you when the usual changes happen.”

“Eye color,” you reiterate, “facial distortion, body distortion.”

“I can tell you, it doesn’t feel like your limits are where they should be,” Valentina tells you. “From what I can tell we have more yōki than we did before, and the physical changes don’t all happen at quite the same points.”

“So we’re going to have to re-learn,” Helen summarizes.

Valentina nods curtly. “We’ve all gotten partway there by now, it’s just a matter of figuring it out more… precisely. Reliably.”

“Noel? You want to start off?”

You nod in agreement. “Only if you’ll be my ‘spotter’, as you call it.”

“Sure,” she agrees. “Whenever you’re ready.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 1, 5, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>4241637

Rolled 1, 10, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>4241637

Rolled 8, 4, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>4241637

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

>>4241637

>>4241637
It's midnight here, I'll pick up tomorrow in the morning.

>>4241831
You follow Valentina’s suggestions, first slowly bringing your yōki aura up until you hear Valentina announce that your eyes have changed color from silver to gold.

“That’s one-tenth!” she declares. “How do you feel?”

“This is about half again as much as it used to be?” you muse. “Does that align with your experience?”

“It’s more of an increase than me,” Valentina admits. “Maybe it’s because you’ve pushed yourself further than I have?”

“That’s definitely true,” you agree, “though it may also just differ?”

“Try pushing it further,” Valentina suggests. “I’ll tell you when to stop.”

You push yourself to what might previously be just shy of half your peak yōki, at least based on what you used to believe to be true, before Valentina stops you again. “There, your face is starting to change.

“Still, about half again in absolute terms,” you explain. “Could it have to do with my mother’s bloodline?”

“It’s also possible,” Valentina admits. “We won’t know until everyone tries… how precise is your control over your aura?”

You quickly change how much yōki is flowing through your body, down to full suppression, quickly spiking to one-tenth, then to one-third, then back down in those same increments. Next you flare your yōki briefly, and in fact quite easily, from suppressed to one-third and then back again.

“Within one-third it’s pretty much effortless,” you declare once you’ve repeated the exercises enough to satisfy your curiosity. “I’m just guessing, but I’d say I could probably go from one-fifth or so to half maximum and back for just the duration of a single attack.”

“That also matches with what I’ve discovered,” Valentina admits quietly. “I just… guess I never felt the need, or worked up the nerve to try it in a pinch.”

>I’m going to see how far I can ‘spike’ my yōki from nothing, then try repeating it from about one-fifth.
>I’m going to go a little higher, see what it takes to fully awaken one of my limbs.
>Let’s see how high I can push my aura before it starts to feel difficult for me. Establish a new safe limit.
>Other?

>>4242623
I am going to a little higher ...

>>4242623
>I’m going to go a little higher, see what it takes to fully awaken one of my limbs.

>>4242623
>Let’s see how high I can push my aura before it starts to feel difficult for me. Establish a new safe limit.

>>4242623
>>I’m going to go a little higher, see what it takes to fully awaken one of my limbs.

>>4242623
>>I’m going to go a little higher, see what it takes to fully awaken one of my limbs.

>>4242623
>3d10, best of four

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

>>4243080

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

>>4243080

Rolled 2, 6, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>4243080

Rolled 10, 4, 3 = 17 (3d10)

>>4243080

>>4243080
“I’m going to go a little higher,” you decide. “See what it takes to reliably awaken a limb.”

“Are you sure?” Valentina asks you cautiously.

You nod slowly. “If I’m going to keep using that ability, I need to understand it better.”

“Alright,” Valentina agrees.

The general mood seems to be one of unease, as your various companions seem to prepare in their own ways. Serana sets her sword aside and stretches her fingers against her thigh… probably making ready to perform some sort of yōki synchronization. Helen’s right hand scratches lightly at her shoulder for just a bit longer than you deem necessary… she’s ready to draw her sword if need be, but hasn’t committed to doing so just yet.

Valentina seems to be waiting lightly on her toes, ready to spring back at the first sign of trouble, while Justina makes no secret of her preparation, hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

As she catches your eye, she nods curtly. “Sorry.”

“Yeah, I understand,” you assure her.

It’s because you share some of her concerns that you draw your own sword, holding it patiently well below your left arm as you raise your yōki aura to what you felt was about a third, when your face started to contort, before lowering it slightly below that threshold and concentrating yōki flow in that extremity.

As your limb starts to deform, you probe against the very limits of what you’d normally consider to be possible… but you need to push back up to a third before the concentration of yōki in your left arm reaches full awakening.

You see that there’s some obvious alarm at your left arm’s new shape.

“It’s okay,” you assure your cohort. “I’m in control.”

“You haven’t changed size much,” Valentina muses.

“Her awakened form is unusually small,” Helen explains. “At least, as much as I’ve seen of it.”

“It feels a bit heavier than I recall,” you admit. “The transformation was much more complete against Yulia, so the rest of my body was more a match for this arm.”

>I can try this with more limbs, say, both legs, without lowering yōki utilization in my core.
>I can try to ease my yōki utilization upwards, maybe to half, to ease stress on the limb.
>I wonder how quickly I can make the transformation?
>That’s enough for now. We’ve learned plenty.

>>4243175
>>I can try to ease my yōki utilization upwards, maybe to half, to ease stress on the limb.

>>4243175
>I can try this with more limbs, say, both legs, without lowering yōki utilization in my core.

>>4243175
>I can try to ease my yōki utilization upwards, maybe to half, to ease stress on the limb.

>>4243175
>>I can try to ease my yōki utilization upwards, maybe to half, to ease stress on the limb.

>>4243175
>>I wonder how quickly I can make the transformation?

>>4243175
>I can try this with more limbs, say, both legs, without lowering yōki utilization in my core.

>>4243175
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 5, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>4244559

Rolled 5, 9, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>4244559

Rolled 3, 1, 6 = 10 (3d10)

>>4244559

Rolled 1, 8, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>4244559

>>4244559
“I’m going to try raising my yōki to about one-half,” you declare, “see if it makes it takes some of the strain off my arm.”

“Go ahead.”

You do exactly what you announced, slowly so as to better assess the effects of increasing yōki release in a precise way. What you find is that you don’t get anything out of it until you’re around two-fifths your maximum yōki release, and by one-half the limb starts to feel much easier to use, though it’s almost certainly harder than it would be were all your limbs awakened.

You take a deep breath and suppress your yōki, starting with your awakened arm and then lowering your overall aura strength.

“I’m taking a break,” you sigh. "It took one-half my maximum to really ease the strain at all... I think a lot of it is just down to being unbalanced."

"Maybe someone should try awakening their legs next time," Valentina muses.

"It seems logical," Justina agrees.

Serana shakes her head. [Someone else is going to have to try their arms. I might benefit from a brief release of yoki on that level.]

>Ask to see one of your cohort work on raising and lowering their yōki rapidly
>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.
>Just stand by for now in case someone else starts having trouble with their control.
>Other?

>>4244705
>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.

>>4244705
>>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.

>>4244705
>serve as a spotter

>>4244705
>>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.

>>4244705
>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.

>>4244705
>>Serve as a ‘spotter’ for someone, help them determine their new limits.

>>4244705
>>Ask to see one of your cohort work on raising and lowering their yōki rapidly

>>4244705
You decide to serve as a ‘spotter’ this time, watching over Serana as she begins a similar exercise to the one you did with Valentina.

Her yōki seems to still be greater than your own, but not by the same degree as it once was… an observation she herself confirms to you in signed words. She also expresses a slightly harder time controlling herself past two-fifths of her maximum yōki aura… and can’t duplicate your feat of fully awakening her single arm. What she does soon learn how to do is create short bursts of yōki release, going from one-tenth to one-half or so without physically transforming.

The result is something of a compromise, granting Serana a stronger earthbreaker technique but falling short of the sustained increases to her abilities that your transformed state can offer.

“That’s actually quite a good compromise,” you admit. “What do you think?”

[It feels manageable, though it will take some getting used-to.]

To illustrate her feelings a little more clearly so that even Aurora can understand, she offers a warm smile and a thumbs-up gesture.

>This is a good thing. I think all of us should try to duplicate that to improve our ‘signature’ techniques.
>We’ve been leaving Aurora out. Maybe some organized sparring sessions might also help.
>I’ve been considering this carefully over the last two years… but does anyone have any ideas for half-awakening others in a safe manner?
>Other?

>>4247357
>>We’ve been leaving Aurora out. Maybe some organized sparring sessions might also help.

>>4247357
>We’ve been leaving Aurora out. Maybe some organized sparring sessions might also help.

>>4247357
>>I’ve been considering this carefully over the last two years… but does anyone have any ideas for half-awakening others in a safe manner?

>>4247357
>>We’ve been leaving Aurora out. Maybe some organized sparring sessions might also help.

>>4247357
>we've been leaving aurora out

>>4239151
Without getting too intricate into it, (but I think it's been discussed a bit in prior threads) there is no evidence to suggest that they physically need to eat humans specifically. Only that they have a strong instinct to do so. That's my tl;dr.

To get more intricate: They break all kinds of rules with their physiology in a setting that is otherwise pretty mundane. They are alien and mysterious by design. Be prepared for surprises and nonsense where Yoma are concerned.

We don't even know for sure that awakened even need to eat. They pull matter out of thin air to transform, they might do the same for sustenance and making them crave to eat humans is just someone's idea of a sick joke. Or maybe it has some other purpose besides nourishment like Titans in AoT.

None of that is confirmed, mind you, Just possible.

>>4247357
>We’ve been leaving Aurora out. Maybe some organized sparring sessions might also help.

>>4247357
>3d10, best of three

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

>>4248788

Rolled 5, 5, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>4248788

Rolled 9, 3, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>4248788

Rolled 7, 6, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>4248788

>>4248788
After taking three days to ensure that all of your half-awakened compatriots are aware of their new limits and how to push themselves within those limits, you go to Aurora and ask her opinion.

“I think even those of you who were double-digits are strong enough to be single-digits,” she informs you of what she’s come to think. “Somewhere around the levels of a Seven or a Six. As for you, Helen, and Serana… honestly, you’re stronger than I am.”

“And how do you think we stack up against our one-time Number One?” you muse. “I’m sure Helen has been considering asking you the same.”

“I’ll tell you what I’d tell her,” Aurora replies. “I have no idea how strong that woman is.”

“I see,” you muse calmly. “That’s fine. But I think we should continue as we have.”

“Okay,” Aurora nods. “What comes next?”

“Next, we spar,” you suggest. “It’s the next step in figuring out one another’s strengths and skills.”

“Then I will start,” she replies calmly. “I hope you don’t mind if I start with someone else?”

“Of course not,” you agree. “Since we’ve fought together before.”

…

Your faction works closely together with Aurora for the next several days, focusing on two things. The first of these objectives is gaining some practice in taking advantage of Aurora’s blinding flashes. They’re actually a lot tougher to coordinate with than you remember, their duration feeling somewhat shorter than when you were mostly awakened and fighting close to your peak. But after a while of working on it your each of your half-awakened and most of your non-awakened companions have familiarized themselves well with the interval they’ll need to act within.

The second thing which has to be accomplished is that your newest companion has to get used to fighting with your older ones, and that means first and foremost getting to know what they’re capable of. That means overviewing the earthbreaker, Helen’s tracking sword style, Valentina’s assault nails, and so forth.

>Continue training and practicing until such time as something arises.
>Start fielding Aurora on basic missions, focusing on hunting yōma.
>Dive back into the chaos, figure out what the main players are up to.
>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.
>Other?

>>4249118
>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.

>>4249118
>>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.

>>4249118
>>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.

>>4249118
>>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.

>>4249118
>Check in with Camila, in case Zoe has come to a conclusion.

>>4249118
“We need to know what Zoe is thinking,” you decide one evening, over a simple meal prepared by Dominica with fresh herbs grown on the headland just across from the keep. “And to know that, we’d have to speak with Camila.”

Helen sighs, and Aurora scratches her head, but it’s Serana who puts her thoughts into ‘words’ first.

[But how?]

“We’d have to correctly guess where she’s currently deployed,” you shrug. “Either that, or start a systematic search.”

“If we could get accurate information we could cut down on the time it took,” Helen suggests.

“Don’t look at me,” Aurora shrugs. “Any information I could offer would be weeks old.”

“There’s also the chance we could get something worthwhile from the handlers, if we could get our hands on one,” Laura offers. “I could give you a shortlist of targets.”

“And we’d draw the Organization’s attention,” Sabrina counters tersely.

“That’d be interesting at least,” Jenna insists.

“You can’t mean that,” Laura replies.

Jenna nods curtly. “It’s going to happen anyway.”

“Point,” Justina agrees.

“The alternative is to ask someone who might be keeping track of our warriors in the field,” Helen muses.

“You’re thinking the Inquisition?” Laura realizes. “Bad idea, I think.”

>We should find her ourselves. Simple, reliable.
>We may be able to figure out from one of the Organization’s handlers.
>I’ve been thinking we’ve left the Inquisition along too long as it is. We’ll take that route.
>Other?

>>4251144
>>We should find her ourselves. Simple, reliable.

>>4251144
>>I’ve been thinking we’ve left the Inquisition along too long as it is. We’ll take that route.

>>4251144
>>We may be able to figure out from one of the Organization’s handlers.

>>4251144
>I’ve been thinking we’ve left the Inquisition along too long as it is. We’ll take that route.

>>4251144
>We should find her ourselves. Simple, reliable.

>>4251144
>I’ve been thinking we’ve left the Inquisition along too long as it is. We’ll take that route.

>>4251144
>I’ve been thinking we’ve left the Inquisition along too long as it is. We’ll take that route.

>>4251144
“We’ve left the Inquisition alone for the most part,” you muse, “since the battle here, and Hazaran’s subsequent rearmament. I’ve been thinking that should change.”

“I don’t believe that’s a good idea,” Laura reiterates.

“Why not?” you press.

“Engaging with them is just going to start another human conflict,” she reminds you. “One in which we can’t participate.”

“It is one possible outcome,” Helen admits.

You nod curtly. “There are three possible ways to go about doing it: personally taking an Inquisition target captive and interrogating them, personally gathering information within their sphere of influence, but without a direct confrontation, and sending an intermediary.”

“What would the goal of an intermediary be?” Valentina wonders.

Serana nods thoughtfully. [Either bring them back to interrogate, interrogate them on the spot, or gather the information passively.”

“I feel strongly that our hands must stay clean,” Laura insists.

“It’s a degree of difficulty added,” you admit, “but your instincts are probably correct. So you would disapprove of either taking someone captive ourselves or having someone brought to us?”

“That’s right.”

“Leaving three options,” you continue. “Gathering information ourselves clandestinely, sending an intermediary to do so passively, or sending an intermediary to do so through direct confrontation.”

“There is a fourth option,” Aurora offers.

“I’m listening,” you reply.

“Bring an agent of the Inquisition to us,” she muses. “Instead of the other way around.”

“I like it,” Justina nods curtly.

“I do too,” you admit.

[But how?]

“Serana, let’s place ourselves in their position,” you consider the problem. “What could possibly draw one of their little spies out of hiding...”

[Word that one of us… no, rumor of a handler.]
>1/2

>>4253370
You pound one fist into your palm with a wicked grin. “That’s right! They don’t go after us themselves, they’re too afraid to. They used to go after our handlers!”

“So we make them think one of us is operating in a vulnerable area,” Helen nods along with the idea. “That just might work.”

“One of us should serve as bait,” you suggest. “Aurora, you’re the new one here. I’d do it myself, but I stand out too much, and as a single digit you’ll be able to handle yourself.”

“Of course,” Aurora agrees.

“I’ll accompany you with some Hazari soldiers under disguise,” you offer. “One of them will dress the part of an Organization handler. The only question is how to set our trap...”

>How about right on the southern border? Make it easy on ourselves.
>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.
>We should cross over into southern Shukzan, get away from Hazaran, avoid suspicion.
>Other?

>>4253388
slep her butt and french kiss her

>>4253388
>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.

>>4253388
>>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.

>>4253388
>>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.

>>4253388
>>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.

>>4253388
>We’ll need to do it within the Inquisition’s territory. Make it seem like we’re trying to sneak by them.

>>4253388
Controversial vote I see.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 1, 3, 10 = 14 (3d10)

>>4254412

Rolled 8, 7, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>4254412

Rolled 8, 9, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>4254412

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

>>4254412
Roll!

>>4254412
“We’ll need volunteers,” you decide. “And it will have to be within the Inquisition’s territory.”

“We’ll begin immediately,” Helen agrees.

…

It takes the better part of a day to gather the volunteers and formulate the plan. One of the Hazari soldiers stationed in town will be serving as the ‘handler’ for Aurora, who is supposed to make herself seen in settlements near the Bretonne-Noroit border. Meanwhile the ‘handler’ and a half-dozen soldiers from the same garrison in plain clothes will be sent to ‘meet’ her by ‘sneaking’ south across the border between Cuilan and Noroit. The disguised soldiers will be the ones to spread the rumors, drawing out a response from the Inquisition.

Your role will be to escort the soldiers, disguised as a travelling mercenary company on their way back from escorting a merchant caravan. To that end you ride out on Alysheba with a rifle on your back instead of a sword, but with the dagger Brutus gave you years ago now at your waist.

…

“That’s a mighty fine creature you have there, miss!” a stable hand in the foothills of Noiroit greets you a few days later.

“And I’m lucky to have him!” you reply, sliding off the saddle and adjusting the leather sling on your rifle. “My boys and I will be staying at the inn, just for the night. We’ll arrange payment inside.”

“I hear you,” the man agrees amicably. “And welcome! We just ask you leave your guns at the desk.”

“Any rules on knives?” you ask, patting your dagger.

“For a lady?” the stable hand muses. “No, that oughtta be fine.”

“Well, I guess I have to take the perks where I can get ‘em,” you muse.

…

Inside the tavern you find a rowdy scene, with men clearly drawn from all across the region. Many of them are obviously affiliated with the Inquisition based on their overt shows of faith… pendants of the twin goddesses worn openly instead of privately as is typical elsewhere, the same iron cross badges on many of their collars, that sort of thing. You gather that the latter is relatively new.

“Well, make yourselves comfortable,” you tell your men, “and follow the plan. Don’t be too… military about it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” you hear a series of replies.

“And don’t get too drunk!” you shout at them over the noise. “I wanna be on the way west by breakfast!”

>Try to mingle in with a group of Inquisition-types, play your role.
>Get to the bar, order a drink and make small talk.
>Find a less zealous-looking group and integrate yourself.
>Other?

>>4254671
>>Get to the bar, order a drink and make small talk.

>>4254671
>>Get to the bar, order a drink and make small talk.

>>4254671
>Find a less zealous-looking group and integrate yourself.

>>4254671
>>Get to the bar, order a drink and make small talk.

>>4254671
>>Get to the bar, order a drink and make small talk.

>>4254671
You decide to lean into the role a little more heavily, putting a little swagger in your step and leaning over the bar after forcing your way through a crowd of men all talking over their ales.

“Whisky,” you order.

“Any preferences?” the barkeep asks.

“Something Hazari,” you muse, “I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. Homesick even.”

“So you wanna replace the homesick with the regular kind?” the man muses. “Petty stiff stuff.”

“By southern standards, maybe,” you shrug.

“Least it’s not that fermented mare’s milk stuff,” the barkeep laughs as he pours you a glass. “That’ll kill a man.”

“That and it doesn’t store too good,” you smirk. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem, miss.”

…

After downing your first whisky and ordering another, some of the other patrons start to seem a little more willing to talk with you.

“So you some kinda mercenary?” a man with a prominently displayed iron cross and a golden necklace with a little sculpted pair of the twin goddesses back to back around his neck asks you. “You and that crew you came in with?”

“That’s right,” you muse, “who’s asking?”

“An interested party,” the man continues, “can you tell me how a nice young lady such as yourself got into such a profession?”

“Well, you can,” you reply, somewhat standoffishly. “But it’s not a nice story. So again, who’s asking?”

“It’s my business to ask questions,” he insists. “Now, if you don’t mind answering my question?”

“My da was a blacksmith, in a little village outside Anren,” you lie effortlessly. “The village and Anren don’t exist anymore. Anyhow he raised me on his own until a bandit raid on our town, one a lot worse than usual. One of the bandits killed my da over a loaf of bread, and while his back was turned...”

You draw your dagger and stab it into the bar. “I stuck the dagger he made me for my fourteenth birthday between his ribs.”

“With nowhere else to turn, I fell in with a merchant caravan a few weeks later. I learned how to fight, I learned how to do business. I learned how to do those things pretty well.”
>1/2

>>4256458
“And so where’s your business been taking you?” the Inquisitor demands. “And why are you coming through this land?”

“Simple caravan escort,” you lie. “For a man by the name of Thorbold, used to captain a longship called the Snekkja.”

“Used to be?”

“He finally settled down with his ‘sea anchor’ in Fumaiolo,” you explain, and this part is true: last year Thorbold finally settled in permanently with Katarina after having to retire his ship. “Snekkja was just too old to keep repairing her.”

“He’s a good man, but retirement doesn’t suit him.”

“So you’re on your way back from Fumaiolo?” the Inquisitor confirms.

You nod. “It’s high time we headed back to our homeland. Chasing opportunities can take you pretty far.”

“And where’s home for you these days?”

“Baiko,” you declare. It’s the same story so far that you concocted together with the men you brought with you.

“Can anyone confirm this?” the man demands.

“I’m sure that Hazaran wouldn’t appreciate you interrogating their citizens on their territory,” you muse.

“I’m sure they wouldn’t,” he confirms.

>Press him, he seems like he’s fishing for something in particular.
>Offer him your ‘juicy tidbit of information’. He’ll do just fine.
>Excuse yourself, but signal your men that this guy would be a good mark.
>Other?

>>4256516
>He obviously is looking for someone. Offer our services to him for a reasonable price.

>>4256516
>>Press him, he seems like he’s fishing for something in particular.

>>4256516
>>4256599

>>4256516
>>4256599
This and...
>Offer him your ‘juicy tidbit of information’. He’ll do just fine.

>>4256516
>>Offer him your ‘juicy tidbit of information’. He’ll do just fine.

>>4256516
“It sounds like you’re looking for something specific,” you muse, “or rather, someone perhaps?”

The Inquisitor scowls at you. “I doubt that you, a simple sellsword, can help me.”

“Oh ye of little faith,” you taunt the man, before raising your hands defensively. “Easy now, it’s just a little witty repartee. But that being said, what makes you so sure I can’t help?”

“I’m looking for something very specific, that’s true,” the Inquisitor admits, “but it’s not something most people would know anything about.”

“Try me.”

“The Inquisition is as always concerned with the activities of the Silver-eyed Witches,” he explains. “That’s what I’m looking for.”

“Evidence of witches...” you smirk. “There’s one or two things I might be able to tell you… for a price.”

“Of course,” the Inquisitor replies.

“But you’re an Inquisitor,” you continue. “So you wouldn’t be interested in that… or would you like to take a seat?”

After a moment, the Inquisitor nods. “Alright. Let’s hear what you have to say.”

Moving through the room to an out of the way table against one wall, with two chairs and a little privacy, you lay the bait. “Let’s talk payment.”

“Let’s see what your information is worth,” the Inquisitor replies.

After a moment, you relent. “Fine, have it your way. My information is that a man in black is making his way through your nation towards the Bretonne border.”

“How did you come by this information?” the Inquisitor demands curtly.

“I ran into a trader from Shukzan,” you lie effortlessly. “His piece of the information was of the man in black travelling south. I also know that back home in Hazaran, the men in black aren’t exactly on good terms with the ‘new administration’… the Queen and her regent.”

“Fill in the blanks, and it stands to reason he’s cutting across your nation by the shortest route possible to reach the Bretonne border, where he intends to meet with a witch while avoiding Hazari territory.”

“It’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

The Inquisitor considers you for a few moments, before taking a small leather pouch from his belt and shoveling a handful of gold coins into it from a pouch sitting deeper in his outfit.

“Here’s your coin, sellsword.”
>1/2

>>4258392
Upstairs, you meet in your room with one your six soldiers. They’ve been divided between two other rooms elsewhere on this floor.

“So I ran into an Inquisitor,” you explain. “He bought my story… literally, as it happens.”

“That’s good,” the senior of the soldiers present nods curtly. “We couldn’t get close to anyone who we could confirm was with the Inquisition.”

“Well then we’ve set the bait,” you declare. “We’ll be expected to get going tomorrow… I sort of declared as much.”

>We’ll head straight for the town where Aurora should be waiting.
>We’ll take our time, continue playing the part until we cross the border.
>We’ll shadow our ‘man in black’. Just in case.
>Other?

>>4258408
>>We’ll head straight for the town where Aurora should be waiting.
More accurate probably.

>>4258408
>We’ll take our time, continue playing the part until we cross the border.

>>4258408
>>We’ll take our time, continue playing the part until we cross the border.

>>4258408
>We’ll shadow our ‘man in black’. Just in case.

>>4258408
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 3, 1, 6 = 10 (3d10)

>>4259727

Rolled 2, 10, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>4259727

Rolled 1, 7, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>4259727

Rolled 3, 3, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>4259727

>>4259727
You decide that the best idea would be to continue playing the role of a mercenary band, since if you tip off the Inquisition that you might be something other than what you appear it could become self-defeating.

“Let’s go,” you declare. “It’d take most people two days to make this journey, we should stick to that. Make a stop near the Bretonne border for the night.”

“Yes ma’am,” the seniormost soldier agrees curtly.

…

You spend a full day doing nothing but ride for the border, at a carefully calculated pace to seem unhurried but at the same time guarantee your arrive on schedule, and Alysheba seems to relish the opportunity. It’s a little frustrating that you don’t get to ride as often as you’d like, even as queen, but it wouldn’t be any more fair to expect your horse to face down a yōma with you than it would be to task a regular human with doing so.

That’s why it comes as an annoyance when you sense yōki as you approach the border town that evening. It’s unlikely to be a warrior, given where you are, which leaves the strong possibility of it being a yōma.

“There’s a yōma ahead,” you muse.

“A yōma?” the senior soldier repeats. “Are you sure?”

You stare at him blankly. “Are you seriously asking?”

“Fair point,” he admits. “What are we supposed to do?”

>Easy. You cause a distraction, raise some hell in the tavern, and I’ll use that distraction to locate kill the yōma.
>We’ll pick a fight with it, posing as a bunch of ordinary human mercenaries out looking for trouble.
>We can’t afford to chance being discovered. Avoid contact.
>Other?

>>4259825
>We’ll pick a fight with it, posing as a bunch of ordinary human mercenaries out looking for trouble.

>>4259825
>>We’ll pick a fight with it, posing as a bunch of ordinary human mercenaries out looking for trouble.

Uhh, how is Noel concealing her nature from the inquisition? Silver eyes, remember?

The hair would be a dead giveaway too, but that's easily covered. At least she doesn't have the yoma ears like some warriors.

>>4259825
>>We can’t afford to chance being discovered. Avoid contact.
>>4259865
Then vote to avoid it.

>>4259865
Typically, absent the blonde hair and the sword, it can be passed off as a really pale blue, particularly when yoki is under suppression (as shown with the pills for doing so). It's when it's all together that a warrior really can't get away with it.

>>4259825
>We’ll pick a fight with it, posing as a bunch of ordinary human mercenaries out looking for trouble.
Can't we have a nearby "claymore" deal with it?

>>4259825
>>Easy. You cause a distraction, raise some hell in the tavern, and I’ll use that distraction to locate kill the yōma.

>>4259825
>>We’ll pick a fight with it, posing as a bunch of ordinary human mercenaries out looking for trouble.

>>4259825
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 9, 2, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>4262183

Rolled 2, 10, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>4262183

Rolled 2, 10, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>4262183

>>4262183
“We’ll find it, pick a fight with it as mercenaries looking to start some trouble, and that will give me the opportunity to kill it,” you declare. “And if we get it in a position where it’s alone and unobserved, I’ll just kill it myself and have it over with.”

“Follow my lead.”

…

You head into town, and head straight for the first tavern available.

After hitching Alysheba, you head inside and find the man who looks to be in charge. “You have two rooms?”

“I do,” he confirms.

“I’ll take ‘em both for the night,” you declare.

“Just the two?” he asks.

You glare past him at the backs of your soldiers as they head through to get themselves drinks and food.

“Just the two,” you confirm, “one for me and one for the idiots.”

“Is there a problem?”

It’s good that the man asked, and you almost feel bad about what you have to say to him next.

“None of your damn business,” you snap. “Keys?”

After taking a moment to let the surprise pass, he hands you a key. “Will the others be here to collect?”

You take the key you’ve been offered. “If one of ‘em is sober enough. If not, come up and get me. I’ll corral them up for you.”

…

Upstairs, you sit calmly on the floor and extend your senses to more precisely track the yōma… and thankfully, it’s not far. Like you suspected it’s in the middle of town, so you head back downstairs and stomp your way out the door, making it as obvious as possible to the man downstairs that you’ve definitely left the building. So when your men inevitably come back out and ask for your whereabouts the man will send them out looking for you.

You track the yōma down to a different tavern up the street, before doubling back and standing outside the tavern you’re staying in, keeping to the shadows in the alleyway between it and the next building over.

It takes them an hour or two to get to you, but it eventually does happen.
>1/2

>>4262277
“Did you find it?”

You nod curtly. “In the tavern down the street. Head there, act drunk. I’ll come in after you and point out the guy to your commander here.”

“Understood.”

…

You head into the tavern after your soldiers, who have started loudly drinking the wine they ordered, playing their roles admirably. By looking around the room you quickly spot the yōma, disguised as an Inquisitor of all things.

The commander files past you in the entryway. “It’s the Inquisitor in the corner.”

“Right.”

Then the man changes his tune, coming off just as loud and annoying as the other men have been, taking the end of the bar up to himself.

“You have a problem with me, pal?” the commander eventually demands of the Inquisitor.

>Swoop in, ‘discipline’ your men, and start up a quiet chat in the corner with your target. Look for the opportunity to stab him.
>Let things continue to escalate. Try to provoke the yōma into showing its true colors, then kill it publicly.
>Tell your men to knock it off, but don’t leave with them. Stick around until closing time, and use yourself as bait to kill the yōma in the alleyway out back.
>Other?

>>4262318
>>Swoop in, ‘discipline’ your men, and start up a quiet chat in the corner with your target. Look for the opportunity to stab him.

>>4262318
>>Swoop in, ‘discipline’ your men, and start up a quiet chat in the corner with your target. Look for the opportunity to stab him.

>>4262318
>>Tell your men to knock it off, but don’t leave with them. Stick around until closing time, and use yourself as bait to kill the yōma in the alleyway out back.

>>4262318
>Let things continue to escalate. Try to provoke the yōma into showing its true colors, then kill it publicly.
An Inquisitor revealed to be a yoma is good propaganda.

>>4262318
>>Swoop in, ‘discipline’ your men, and start up a quiet chat in the corner with your target. Look for the opportunity to stab him.

>>4262318
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 10, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>4263687

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

>>4263687

Rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>4263687

>>4263687
You stomp your way over to the commander, and grab him by the shoulder.

“So this is where you skulked off to!?” you shout, shoving him hard into the crowd… but not too hard. “You’re drunk soldier. Confine yourself to your quarters.”

“Or you’ll what?” the commander demands sharply.

“Or I’ll kick your ass myself,” you spit, “and leave you here with nothing.”

“You can’t...”

“You know the rules,” you interrupt him, “regarding termination while on the job? Does this look like home to you, soldier?”

“… no, ma’am,” the commander eventually replies.

“You two,” you bark at two of your other soldiers, “take him. The rest of you will go back to the tavern we’re staying at.”

“Go.”

There’s a moment of hesitation, one which you capitalize on. “Now!”

The two soldiers you called out grab the commander and lead him out of the building, along with the rest of his men. Meanwhile, you approach the Inquisitor. “Sorry, I have no desire to pick a fight with the Inquisition.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t witch,” the yōma replies.

“Interesting to hear we’re on the same page,” you growl.

“How do you mean?”

“You’re hiding from them here,” you smirk. “The uniform was a nice touch.”

“Thanks,” the yōma stares at you. “Interesting to see that you haven’t killed me yet.”

“I understand patience isn’t a strong suite for you monsters,” you reply breezily. “And I understand it’s not your fault. Every situation for you is either one where you’re predator, or one where you’re prey, and it doesn’t help you to hesitate when determining which is which.”

“I tire of your witless banter,” the yōma counters, baring his teeth at you.

What a frustrating impasse... if only he were as blind as most of his human prey are...

>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.
>Wait him out. Eventually he’ll have to leave this tavern one way or another.
>If he’s exposed to other Inquisitors, he may make a mistake that will give him away.
>Other?

>>4263732
>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>>Continue to provoke him until he drops his camouflage. It shouldn’t be hard.

>>4263732
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 2, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>4265545

Rolled 8, 8, 8 = 24 (3d10)

>>4265545

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

>>4265545

Rolled 9, 6, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>4265545

>>4265545
If you continue to provoke the yōma, you imagine it might be possible to get it to drop its camouflage and attack. If that happens, you bet that you can get your knife into some vital spot quickly enough to interrupt its transformation, and pretend that you were just fast enough on the uptake to respond before it became something capable of easily overpowering an ordinary human. After all these transformations take time to complete, and the average yōma isn’t very bright, so it should be possible.

“You must be getting desperate,” you smirk. “You’re well camouflaged as an Inquisitor, but there’s no way you can easily get a quick meal… this human food must be like ash in your mouth.”

“And you must be desperate to try tactics like this,” the yōma tries to counter.

“How long has it been, monster?” you continue to smirk, almost delighted at the effect. “How long since your last proper meal?”

“This isn’t going to work….”

“It’s because you’re that scared, isn’t it?” you press even harder. “As much as you think of yourself as a predator you’re really just prey for women like me. And because you’re so terrified of me and the others like me, you’re trying to wear the skin of someone powerful.”

“And for that powerful someone to be your prey,” you keep right on smirking.

“… you...”

“It must be embarrassing,” you continue to push. Petty little jabs to be sure, but immensely effective at winding him up. “How pathetic.”

“I’m really starting to despise you...” the yōma growls.

“And what are you going to do about it?” you sneer, leaning in a little closer. “You’re just an impotent little coward, even worse than the humans you hunt. I almost feel sorry for you, but it’s just too damn funny for that.”

“You’re not a predator, you’re a joke.”

To drive the point home, you let out a laugh. High, cruel, mocking, and much more than the yōma can handle. It begins to lunge across the table at you, and with blinding speed you draw out your custom-made dagger and drive it through his temple, before pushing away in your chair and falling back onto the floor.

“His eyes!” you shout, faking alarm and distress. “What the hell is he!?”

People scream in alarm as you continue pushing yourself away, eventually using the next table behind you to help you stand.

“His… blood...” you realize, creeping closer to the dead yōma. “It’s… it’s purple?”
>1/2

>>4265643
“You killed an Inquisitor!” someone shouts.

“No, look!” the bartender counters, pointing to the body that’s already begun to revert to its monstrous shape. Just as planned.

“It’s… a yōma?” you gasp, tipping the body onto the floor. “It was a yōma disguised as an Inquisitor!”

“Is it dead?” the bartender asks, practically climbing up onto the countertop behind his bar.

You lean down, feigning caution, and pry the blade from the side of its head. Then you wipe it on his clothes.

“Yeah… yeah, seems so,” you declare, quickly backing away. “His eyes… they didn’t look human...”

“You saved us all!” someone else in the crowd declares.

“No!” you insist, turning to face the crowd. “No I didn’t… I saw something that scared me. I panicked, and got lucky. That’s all… had I been a second slower I’d be dead, but I guess I caught him before he could… transform… into that thing...”

>Insist that you need to leave, get out of town. That this is way more than you bargained for.
>Go out ‘for air’, but stick around. People will have questions, even more so if you ‘disappear’.
>Declare that you’re going back to your room. This has been a stressful day for you, and you want your rest.
>Other?

>>4265648
>>Insist that you need to leave, get out of town. That this is way more than you bargained for.

>>4265648
>Declare that you’re going back to your room. This has been a stressful day for you, and you want your rest.

I'm pretty sure a normal human can't that easily stab a dagger through a skull.

>>4265648
>Go out ‘for air’, but stick around. People will have questions, even more so if you ‘disappear’.

>>4265648
>Go out ‘for air’, but stick around. People will have questions, even more so if you ‘disappear’.

>>4265648
>Go out ‘for air’, but stick around. People will have questions, even more so if you ‘disappear’.

>>4265648
>>Go out ‘for air’, but stick around. People will have questions, even more so if you ‘disappear’.

>>4265648
>Insist that you need to leave, get out of town. That this is way more than you bargained for.
we killed an "inquisitor", time to bolt.

>>4265648
New thread is in the works, should be up this evening (my time).

>>4267344
New thread in progress: >>4267454