[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/qst/ - Quests


File: MONSTER HUNTER.png (1.4 MB, 1069x1172)
1.4 MB
1.4 MB PNG
Your name is Gunlance Vance, but others call you 'Freelancer'.

You stand currently in the bowels of the El Dorado caverns, watching from a distance the standoff between the Supremacy Wyvern Akantor, and the Glorious Dragon Kulve Taroth...

----------------------------------------------------------------

Character Sheet: https://pastebin.com/tEiVJgb1
Mechanics: https://pastebin.com/x9qu33KM
Quests: https://pastebin.com/hSf9iAep
Urgent Quests: https://pastebin.com/8H13PEXs

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=monster%2C+hunter%2C+drawquest

Previous Thread: >>4208933
>>
File: Standoff.png (156 KB, 512x351)
156 KB
156 KB PNG
The adversity between the shining Dragon and the Black God was tangible... or was that just the intense, sweltering heat you felt in the air circulating from around, coming out of the deeper magma chambers? Whatever it was, it was getting harder to breath.

The two just stared at each other....
>>
File: Kulve Eye.png (260 KB, 512x351)
260 KB
260 KB PNG
.....
>>
File: Akantor Eye.png (208 KB, 512x351)
208 KB
208 KB PNG
....
>>
File: Akantor Charge.png (199 KB, 512x351)
199 KB
199 KB PNG
And then without warning, the vicious Black God Akantor charged at Kulve Taroth with his fangs ready to disembowel her! Elder Dragon or not, the deific twins Akantor and Ukanlos will never back down from a battle. Those fangs can deal horrible damage out to anything...

What action does Kulve Taroth take?

>Kulve goes for the neck, parrying Akantor to the side and exposing the soft under-shell!
>Kulve meets Akantor's fangs with her impressive rack of horns, forcing him back down to Earth!
>Kulve swings her tail, batting Akantor away with her golden cape of armor!
>Kulve rolls to the left, giving her the chance to sideswipe Akantor and attack!
>>
Nice image.

>>4239001
Oh fuck, we're actually controlling her.

>Kulve goes for the neck, parrying Akantor to the side and exposing the soft under-shell!
It would be nice to have second opinions, especially since her life is in our hands.
>>
>>4239001
>Kulve swings her tail, batting Akantor away with her golden cape of armor!
>>
>>4238977
Slash and shell until it is done.

>>4239001
>Kulve meets Akantor's fangs with her impressive rack of horns, forcing him back down to Earth!
Hehe Kulve's impressive rack.
>>
>>4239034
I don't think we can get low enough to grab Akan's neck, he's visibly smaller than Kulve, plus we shouldn't get near those fangs with exposed ends. Kulve's horns are giant and armored, she can fight him away with those like a buck.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>4239034
>>4239068
>>4239076
>>
Alright, roll me some 2d5000s.
>>
Rolled 718, 460 = 1178 (2d5000)

>>4239084
>>
Rolled 2836, 2874 = 5710 (2d5000)

>>4239084
>>
>>4239068
pls roll
>>
Rolled 2463, 3447 = 5910 (2d5000)

>>4239084
>>
File: Clang.png (187 KB, 512x351)
187 KB
187 KB PNG
In response, Kulve Taroth bellowed a cry and charged Akantor down as well with her massive horns.

The fangs of fire and horns of gold collided harshly, sending sparks fluttering as they grind against each other. The Mother Goddess' set of horns was scratched in it's golden coating and grated down by the rough form of Akantor's mighty tusks, but she herself was not moved back by Akantor. Both of them held a stalemate for the moment, pushing in more directions than one to try and get the drop on the other.

But with neither having more success than the other, they both pulled away, raising their heads and charging again point blank. Akantor and Kulve Taroth rammed their skulls against other other, the tusks and horns colliding again in a powerful crash that sends them both back down.

Both back up, having dealt an equal blow to one another...

+=========+

Akantor Health: 13043

Kulve Taroth Health: 14043

Both opponents receive 1957 damage.

+=========+

Who will take the next action?

>Kulve Taroth
>Vance and the Gajalaka.
>>
>>4239118
>Vance and the Gajalaka.
Can't leave mommy to do all the work by herself.
>>
>>4239118
>>Vance and the Gajalaka.
Let's see if we can connect with her and plot a team attack against Akantor.
>>
>>4239118
>Vance and the Gajalaka.
If we can fuck those tusks up... I don't think I can stay up.
>>
Peering over at the towering Glorious Dragon, you shout out in your mind, attempting to see if you can use the Connection on her as well. Your shouts reverberate throughout the chamber as you sound off as loud as you could think them to be, but they garner no response ultimately. Kulve Taroth was too focused on Akantor to even notice you.

But faintly, you did hear something from both of them.

"ᵀᴱᴿᴿᴵᵀᴼᴿʸ... ᴹᴵᴺᴱᵎ"

"ᴮᵉᵍᵒnᵉ ᵖʰᶦˡᶦˢᵗᶦnᵉᵎ"

"Damn, it's no good...." You say to yourself.

You looked down at the Gajalaka who were cheering for Kulve's victory and snap your fingers, gaining their attention as they look up at you with curious yellow dots in the dark of their masks.

"Hey, you guys up for a little intervention?"

They look at each other, unable to understand your meaning initially.

"What I'm saying is, we should help out! We should get up in there and do what we can to assist the lady. What do you say?"

The Gajalaka pull out the bazooka devices from their backs.

"...I like the way you guys think." You say.

>Soft-fire yourself up to attack Akantor's eyes and tusks.
>Get the Gajalaka to make you a bomb to throw into Akantor's face.
>Run up and set your Shock Trap up to disable one of Akantor's limbs.
>Write in.
>>
>>4239178
>Get the Gajalaka to make you a bomb to throw into Akantor's face.
This looks like the one with less chance to use our last cart.
>>
Hastily, the Gajalaka scrambled together something at your direction. Using parts hanging from their backs by strings, they loaded a mix of red and black powders into a canister before shaking it, encasing it inside the red painted wooden carving of a Gajalakan bomb shell.

They light the fuse with a simple match before handing the thing over to you before running off towards their Mother Goddess.

You ran too, carrying the bomb above your head. You were going to throw it into Akantor's mouth as the thing prepared it's sonic ray!

>2d2000 for accurate throw.
>>
Rolled 1299, 1641 = 2940 (2d2000)

>>4239210
>>
Rolled 1257, 1811 = 3068 (2d2000)

>>4239210
>>
Rolled 524, 1365 = 1889 (2d2000)

>>4239210
>>
You waited until you had ran just close enough before you pulled both arms back and then let the bomb fly out of your hands, spiraling through the air! Akantor opened his jaw to let the sonic beam out, only for the Gajalaka bomb the two assembled for you to fall right onto his tongue, getting caught in the middle the sonic blast as Akantor unleashed it.

The bomb exploded with twice the fury of any cannonball barrage you've seen in Akantor's throat, dispersing his air and stopping him from launching the ray. What kind of folk science allowed the Gajalaka to produce such a bang? It is perplexing.

Now with Akantor stunned, the Gajalaka crawled atop the head of their Mother Goddess, firing a volley of tinier explosives out of their bazookas at Akantor's eyes, blinding the Black God.

Kulve recognized her devout followers and let them down gently before she moved at Akantor, driving her shoulder into his neck and sending him back. The Black God squirmed as her tail came around, sweeping him up and carrying him along until he was thrown into the side of the wall with a strong flick!

You felt it from here, Kulve Taroth hit Akantor with much more force than he could muster!

+=========+

Akantor Health: 11568

Kulve Taroth Health: 14043

1475 damage dealt to Akantor.

+=========+

Upon recovering, the first thing Akantor did was use his tusks to burrow, fleeing underground and into the next chamber. Kulve Taroth followed suit, chasing him that way.

You ran behind, trying to keep up with the vigorous pair alongside the Gajalaka!
>>
File: Clash of the titans.png (252 KB, 512x351)
252 KB
252 KB PNG
Akantor's tunneling could clearly be heard. All the crunching and mulching of rock was quite loud, just until it ceased halfway into the fiery magma chamber. Yet despite following Akantor by the noise, Kulve Taroth continued on within past where it ended. You already foresaw what was next!

Akantor burst out of the rock behind her, magma spewing up with him as he attacked her golden armor with his fangs! Kulve Taroth moaned in pain as the tusks dug into her tail, ripping through it and the golden armor, tearing bits off and spilling it into the magma, where it melted down into a liquid form!

Akantor was not done there! The ferocious Supremacy Wyvern dug his claws into Kulve's armor, using it to climb onto her back, causing her to fall to her belly as she could not sustain his immense weight alongside her already heavy armor!

Akantor freely swiped away at Kulve Taroth as he pleased with his claws, sending bits of gold flying with each strike! His claws made short work of the particularly soft material. Gold was not so durable after all...

+=========+

Akantor Health: 11568

Kulve Taroth Health: 12803

1240 damage dealt to Kulve Taroth.

Kulve Taroth's armor is half-destroyed. If her armor is all gone and Akantor's tusks have not been destroyed, she will receive increased damage.

+=========+

>Get up there and do all you can to break Akantor off attacking it's legs or arms!
>Gather all of the Gajalaka's knives and climb to implant them into Akantor's skull!
>>
>>4239304
>Get up there and do all you can to break Akantor off attacking it's legs or arms!
>>
>>4239304
>Gather all of the Gajalaka's knives and climb to implant them into Akantor's skull!
Seems like the more practical option to remove ugly bastard from mommy
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4239306
>>4239314
>>
Kulve Taroth's coat would be dust before long. You needed to lend another hand!

You pulled out just your Gunlance and got a running start, sprinting as fast as your legs could take you and waiting for the right moment.

Akantor's claw came down and smashed off more golden bits, but it wasn't right yet. The Black God raised it's claw again, and you knew it was time as you jabbed your bayonet into the solid ground and went to vault. Messing with the mechanism allowed you to soft-fire your Gunlance, which you used to propel yourself high up into the air as Akantor hit Kulve's armor with his claw again.

You flew over, landing on the hand of Akantor. The Supremacy Wyvern was taken by surprise as you jabbed the bayonet down, piercing his finger. Akantor hissed in pain as you drove the Gunlance down into the finger deeper, stomping it in with your foot, digging it between the flesh and the sharp claw itself. Planting your feet down around Akantor's wrist, you held on as you wiggled the Gunlance, pushing it while Akantor swung his claw to send you off!

>Roll 1d100.
>Reversed roll.
>Failure will result in Kulve taking more damage.
>>
Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>4239327
>>
File: Clash of the titans.png (278 KB, 512x351)
278 KB
278 KB PNG
Try as he might've, Akantor could not loosen you from his hand, and you were able to do what you were aiming to by pushing your Gunlance so hard.

Akantor's middle claw gradually slid further and further out of the socket of flesh that held it. The bone of his finger was separated as the last strings of sinew holding it snapped, equivalent to someone's nail being whisked off painfully.

You took that as your sign to get away now, so you jumped off as Kulve Taroth rose, gaining back control of the fight.

Akantor slid over her shoulder as he payed too much heed to his blood spraying finger wound, which allowed Kulve Taroth to get a reach around her clavicle. With one brisk motion, she pulls the Black God down and drives him into the rock hard!

The Supremacy Wyvern is overturned, his soft belly exposed to the Glorious Dragon as his spines kept him firmly trapped on his back Kulve Taroth could now land a serious blow!

What park does Kulve Taroth break?

>The right fang.
>The left fang.
>The tail.
>The back spines.
>Akantor's chest.
>>
>>4239390
>The right fang.
You can do it, golden lady
>>
>>4239390
>The right fang.
>>
>>4239390
Break his teef!
>>
I've got a bad feeling, not over Kulve and Akant but our companions. There is STILL a Savage Deviljho out there after all.
>>
>>4239412
Didn't he get nearly ripped to ribbons by the toothy moron?
>>
>>4239415
Nope, he came right back to the scene and survived everything.
>>4237338
>>
>>4239390
>The right fang.
>>
File: Clash of the titans.png (189 KB, 512x351)
189 KB
189 KB PNG
Kulve Taroth did not hesitate.

One arm slammed into Akantor's shoulder, flipping the Black God over to it's side again. Akantor tried to lunge from that position, but Kulve rammed her horns into his snout, backing him down as she brought both of her hands forward, planting one onto Akantor's head to hold the Flying Wyvern down.

Akantor struggled uselessly as Kulve put her other claw over his right fang and pressed down with all her force. The fang was subject to immense torsion, cracking and splintering as she applied her superior strength.

Akantor's right tusk snapped off, breaking from the Mother Goddess' pressure!

+=========+

Akantor Health: 9228

Kulve Taroth Health: 12803

2340 damage dealt by breaking part Right Fang.

+=========+
>>
Akantor was in great pain after losing the tusk. He swung his head upwards, freeing himself from Kulve Taroth's grip with renewed spirit to fight for the territory. The Supremacy Wyvern twisted around, catching her with his tail and staggering the Mother Goddess.

Next thing you knew, Akantor was pushing her back, having rammed his head into her chest. The remaining tusk appeared to have pierced her hide, and she was roaring in pain as Akantor took her with him, right into the wall!

The Black God dug up the ground with his claws, spilling magma out to help melt her armor with! If he could get one good bite on her neck...

"GAJAAAA! GAJA KAKA LAGAKA LAGAJA!" ("Hurrrry! We need to assist Mother again!")

Right, no time to stand around gawking.

From behind, you heard the roar that would always remain ingrained in your mind, Savage Deviljho's roar.... It might have been attacking your friends again. Maybe you could somehow attract it down here to pull Akantor's tail again...

What will you do?
>>
>>4240271
Let's follow Akantor, our team can handle the jho, we can't waste the best chance we got of getting rid of Akantor.
>>
>>4240271
They're keeping Savage Jho occupied for us.
>>
>>4240271
Let's find a way to break Akantor off.
>>
You were intent on ensuring Akantor's demise. No matter what, the Black God could not be allowed to get away, not when it was this close to meeting it's end!

The wall Akantor shoved Kulve through began to melt as well from the heat of the magma all around. Kulve Taroth was forced through, falling down and sliding along with an enormous puddle of molten gold that Akantor had melted, taken away into another chamber along with the Black God.

By now, most of her golden armor had been melted as well, leaving her completely bare and naked, more vulnerable to Akantor's tusks. She tried to move, but the molten gold made her slip on her back, which allowed Akantor to drive his tusk in deeper to the spot he had pierced. Kulve was gored on the side of her abdomen, and then thrown back into a spiral pillar in the middle of the new chamber they entered.

You slid down the puddle as well, into this place which was teeming with gold over the walls and ceiling, it was insane how much was here!

But that isn't what you payed attention to. You fixed your eyes upon the Black God as you slid and threw the two Gajalaka with you away from the puddle.

"Shoot my foot!" You shouted, getting some ridiculous idea.

With the momentum you had sliding, you rolled forward, using your shield to jump off of a loose rock in the stream of molten gold. As you did with one outstretched leg, the Gajalaka pulled their bazooka, firing a stray shot that connected with your sole.

It stung badly, but it helped to propel you even higher, allowing you to land on Akantor's head!
>>
...But things go amiss immediately!

You couldn't even get a good grip before Akantor's rage had been incited. The spikes on his shell stood up as his hide burned red with fury. The Black God lost it! It was out of it's mind!

The Supremacy Wyvern swung it's head side to side, and you held on only by the remaining tusk with your two hands! You couldn't keep on it! You are thrown off to hit the wall! The gold on it shatters as you made an impact, some pointed bits poking you through your armor!

+=========+

Akantor Health: 9228

Kulve Taroth Health: 8267

4536 damage dealt to Kulve Taroth.

You are Fatally Wounded and stunned.

+=========+

You stood up, grasping your ringing head as Akantor stalked closer. Things were not looking good here!

Thankfully, Kulve Taroth had regained her stature. She was going to make a counterattack on Akantor. Only one thing she could do would save you now...

What action does Kulve Taroth take?

>Bellyflop onto Akantor and wallop him!
>Melt the ceiling to fall on Akantor and bury him!
>Slam him from the side with impressive rack, then strike at shallow armpit flesh!
>Pin Akantor against the wall and go for the last fang!
>>
>>4240474
>Bellyflop
Onto those spikes? No thanks. He could just burrow anyway.
>Melt
Burrow and collateral damage
That leaves Slam and Pin.
>>
>>4240474
>Slam him from the side with impressive rack, then strike at shallow armpit flesh!
Impressive rack never fails.
>>
>>4240474
>Slam him from the side with impressive rack, then strike at shallow armpit flesh!
We're literally against the wall, so pinning might be a bad idea.
>>
>>4240474
>Slam him from the side with impressive rack, then strike at shallow armpit flesh!
Armor: Destroyed.
Injuries: Sustained.
Fury: INCITED.
>>
>>4240474
>>Slam him from the side with impressive rack, then strike at shallow armpit flesh!
>>
So Kulve Taroth took a stance to prepare, tightening her muscles up to help mend her bleeding before she charged Akantor from the side with her massive horns inclined onto the beast!

The Black God roared, and was nearly about to lunge at you with his terrible fang, but he was brought to a stop as Kulve Taroth tackled him! She bashed him upwards once with her horns, leaving him on two legs to stand on before she piledrived into his chest, sending him into the golden wall. Akantor's own spikes were once again his undoing as they embedded into the wall, keeping the Flying Wyvern stuck with most of his belly exposed.

Kulve was relentless in her attack! She was going to show this interloper who ruled El Dorado!

Her teeth were like many small razors as she knocked his arm up and bit down on the soft flesh of Akantor's armpit, ripping a chunky portion away! The Black God howled in anger and pain, Kulve was digging into the most vital part of his anatomy! His flesh was shredded into blankets by her teeth as she minced veins up and nearly reached to his heart!

It was then that Akantor went totally limp. You had recovered, and you thought he might be dead at last. Kulve Taroth did as well, stopping her assault to raise her head and look over the empty eyes of the being. There was not even a twitch from the Supremacy Wyvern....

+=========+

Akantor Health: 0

Kulve Taroth Health: 8267

3486 damage dealt to Akantor.

+=========+

Could he finally be dead...?

Kulve Taroth seemed to think so. She forgot about Akantor completely as her view came to you. The Glorious Dragon peered at you with curiosity, trying to discern whether or not you were friend, or foe... she has faced hunters before, so it is only normal she might be wary of you....
>>
File: Clash of the titans.png (233 KB, 512x351)
233 KB
233 KB PNG
You thought you might try to communicate passively again now that she wasn't so riddled with a sense to fight.

So you stepped forward and raised your hands to signal friendliness. You went to speak using your Connection again, but you picked up something... a beating noise starting back up... from Akantor!

"Heh heh... heh heh..."

""WWWWWRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH"

Akantor jolted up then suddenly! Blasting the entire chamber with it's most powerful sonic roar yet! The ceiling began to shatter, caving in and falling in spots while the floor heated up, magma beginning to stream out in small pockets across the chamber! Kulve was disoriented briefly by it as debris fell onto her snout!

You hopped place to place, trying to avoid the burning sensation on your feet where smoke was rising from! And you could not hear anything else! That bastard Monster Akantor somehow... stopped his heart momentarily! He faked out! He got her attention shifted by playing dead!

+=========+

Akantor Health: 5742

Kulve Taroth Health: 8267

You are receiving fire damage.

+=========+

Akantor stood back up, pulling himself out of the wall. He was preparing to blast Kulve Taroth with a sonic ray! The Gajalaka were rolling on the ground, shaken by having endured his roar. You were moving much more slowly now...

Kulve Taroth was not deafened or paralyzed like you, only a bit blinded by the falling golden debris. She could still act.

Who will take the next action?

>Vance.
>Kulve Taroth.
>>
>>4240613
KULVE KULVE KULVE!
MOMMYS GOT THIS IN THE BAG!
>>
>>4240613
>>Kulve Taroth
>>
What action does Kulve Taroth take?

Only one option will help her here....

>Collide against Akantor's sonic ray with fire breath in a struggle!
>Melt the floor under Akantor's feet with fire breath to sink the Black God!
>Roll to the side out of the way to avoid the ray and then attack!
>>
He could probably just turn his head, though.
>>
Disregard >>4240639 for now.
>>
>>4240632
Wait. How big is that open wound, Level?
>>
>>4240651
Which wound? The one Kulve got or Akantor's armpit wound?
>>
>>4240656
Akantor.
>>
>>4240632
>Melt the floor under Akantor's feet with fire breath to sink the Black God!
Might make him slip and miss
>>
>>4240660
Big enough that Kulve can fit her snout inside up to the eyes, but Akantor is covering it with his arm right now.
>>
>>4240662
Alright.

>>4240632
>Melt the floor under Akantor's feet with fire breath to sink the Black God!
Like a scuba suit with a hole in it.
>>
>>4240632
>>Melt the floor under Akantor's feet with fire breath to sink the Black God!
>>
If Kulve Taroth rolled or tried to dodge, she most likely still would have been shot by Akantor. The Black God seemed to be able to hold the sonic ray in his throat until he needed to fire it.

Kulve wasn't about to fall for that trick!

She knelt and let out a torrent of flame at Akantor's feet instead! The already boiling floor only increased in severe temperature and melted down, both the gold and the rock, mixing into the magma and becoming a sizable puddle under Akantor's feet.

The Supremacy Wyvern began to sink down, falling some feet deeper into the melting terrain as it turned over to a pool of the heated substances. Akantor misfired his sonic ray, hitting the ceiling instead as he splashed about in a panic, throwing specks and blobs of the molten mixture about.

Kulve Taroth was going to attack again, but the sonic ray stopped her after all. Where it hit on the ceiling struck a large vein of gold, blowing the gigantic chunk out and causing it to fall down, plummeting onto Kulve Taroth's head and smashing over her.

The Glorious Dragon was repulsed by it, but not kept down.

Luckily for you, the room also began to cool down as the heat centralized at Akantor's position.

+=========+

Akantor Health: 5742

Kulve Taroth Health: 6254

2013 damage dealt to Kulve Taroth by falling hazard.

You will faint to any stray hit you receive.

+=========+
>>
File: Clash of the titans.png (158 KB, 512x351)
158 KB
158 KB PNG
"Freelancer!"

You had to hold yourself up against what remained of the chamber's spiral pillar in the middle. You looked up and saw Pierre and Sun Lin near the entrance helping the Gajalaka out.

"Come with us! It's too dangerous for you to stay in there! You'll suffer a heat stroke if you remain any longer!"

It was very hard to breath now, you really should take their advice, but Akantor was so close to kicking the bucket now! You didn't want to leave until you saw that thing was completely, entirely dead! Dead as stone! Dead as dust!

Kulve Taroth was getting ready to do something again...

The molten mixture Akantor swam in was beginning to cool down, it looked like it would turn solid soon, leaving the Black God open to any form of attack... That meant everyone could wail on him at once in a team attack! Or, you could try to break the last tusk yourself.

"Freelancer! Come now! There is no time! I'm ordering you as the lead of this quest! Come with us!"

What will you do?
>>
>>4240728
Better safe than sorry, return back to our companions, heal and get the rest of the team to finish of Akantor with Kulve Taroth.
>>
>>4240728
>Kulve Taroth was getting ready to do something again...
If only we knew what.
>>
>>4240728
Go with them.
>>
Test
>>
Sorry, I'm lagging right now. Captcha is fucking my shit again.
>>
You could not remain much longer in these conditions, and especially not caught in the middle of the fight between the two anymore. You took a daring opening you had and sprinted across the chamber, avoiding falling gold as you ran to your companions, away from the two giants.

You collapsed from exhaustion just as you got up the ramp, but your companions were there to help you. Pierre and Sun Lin hoisted you up by the arms, getting ready to take you out.

As they did, the two Gajalaka said something in their Lynian tongue to Pierre that he did not understand, but he comes to realize their meaning as they point down to the chamber and so he nods calmly at them.

The pair go off, returning to the final chamber of El Dorado to ensure their Mother Goddess puts Akantor down.

That was the last you saw as Pierre and Sun Lin carried you out...
>>
File: Angry golden stare.png (315 KB, 512x351)
315 KB
315 KB PNG
Finally...

....

What action does Kulve Taroth take?

>Try to hold Akantor under and drown him in the solidifying pool. (Has a slim chance to instakill Akantor)
>Tear Akantor's last fang off and bite his neck.
>Rip away the spikes and destroy Akantor's shell.
>>
>>4240879
>Tear Akantor's last fang off and bite his neck.
Surprised nobody voted.
>>
>>4240879
>Tear Akantor's last fang off and bite his neck.
>>
>>4240879
>Tear Akantor's last fang off and bite his neck.
>>
Kulve Taroth did not mind the humans as they retrieved one of their own, she only cared about her two gilded children staying behind to watch over her as she faced down the blackened intruder.

It was time to finish the Black God off now, so she acted fast.

Kulve Taroth took advantage of Akantor's position stuck in the pool. She held the beast's head down into the melted mixture while using her free claw to press down onto the last tusk of the Supremacy Wyvern. He of course thrashed and gyrated, but it couldn't him him as the Mother Goddess broke away that last fang, crushing the bits to various pieces she splashed about.

Now Akantor was totally defanged, disarmed of his biggest advantages against other large Monsters, and all the weaker for it.

Loosing the fang sent a jolt through Akantor's body, activating it's emergency senses, it's survival instincts. A rush of adrenaline preceded Akantor lifting himself up against Kulve Taroth's grip, slowly beginning to gain more ground against her heavier weight.

Kulve Taroth shot down, latching her jaw around Akantor's neck, trying to stop the Black God from evening the odds out again!

>1d1000 to keep Akantor down!
>>
Rolled 161 (1d1000)

>>4241859
gentle_persuasion.png
Stay down.
>>
Please, please, PLEASE, somebody else roll!
>>
Heh heh heh...
>>
Oh, for fuck's sake.
>>
File: 1557461737926.jpg (44 KB, 367x375)
44 KB
44 KB JPG
I should've waited for somebody else to roll.
>>
Rolled 113 (1d1000)

>>4241859
>>
Rolled 402 (1d1000)

>>4241859
>>
...But despite her best efforts, Kulve Taroth could not keep the reinvigorated Akantor down. He was not healing, and was indeed still suffering from his wounds, but his stamina surge was overwhelming even to the Glorious Dragon.

He flipped his head up, freeing himself of Kulve Taroth's grip and making the Glorious Dragon stumble backwards.

In that frame of time, the Black God pulled himself free of the pool, breaking out before assuming a hunched stance. Kulve Taroth tried to repeat the same trick again, blasting Akantor with her fiery breath, but it did not work with his shell blocking the way.

Akantor dove forward, powering right through her breath! He gets a lock on her neck!
>>
File: Supremacy.png (218 KB, 512x351)
218 KB
218 KB PNG
>>
File: Overhead slam.png (179 KB, 512x351)
179 KB
179 KB PNG
>>
File: Overhead slam.png (223 KB, 512x351)
223 KB
223 KB PNG
+=========+

Akantor Health: 4386

Kulve Taroth Health: 3086

1356 damage dealt to Akantor by breaking part Left Fang.

3168 damage dealt to Kulve Taroth by Akantor's Neckbreaker.

+=========+
>>
Kulve Taroth's landing was grating, she hit the ground hard. Gold bounced off of her neck and she felt a cutting pain on her throat. Akantor's jagged tusks had sliced away some scales and breached the skin, bleeding her, but only lightly. Had Akantor still possessed his full set of tusks, she would have been skewered as he handled her like he did.

She expected him to attack again, charging her weak and battered form down, but to Kulve Taroth's surprise, Akantor is actually moving farther away when she rolls back to her stomach and looks up.

The Supremacy Wyvern was now using what semblance of tusks he had left to try and dig the wall out, in the weak spot that Kulve did when she needed to escape even further underground. The coward had enough, he was trying to get away.

He was making admirable progress, slinging chunks of rock and gold aside as he scraped with his teeth and fangs, but it wasn't enough to allow him to escape as fast as he might have liked.

Kulve...

>Presses the attack!
>Allows him to escape and flee elsewhere.
>>
>>4242141
>Presses the attack!
If he can't dig himself into the wall, then he can't dig himself out of gold.
>>
>>4242141
>>Presses the attack!
>>
>>4242197
On second thought, changing to
>Allows him to escape and flee elsewhere.
Let's not risk Kulve's safety, now Akantor is weak enough we might be able to finish him off ourselves, and now than she is back we might be able to slay akantor on a safer territory.
>>
Well, is he going underground?
>>
File: Screenshot (997).png (42 KB, 746x371)
42 KB
42 KB PNG
I just want to post, for the love of god I just want to post but captcha tells me NO
>>
Should I just cave in and buy one gookmoot's passes? I'm really heavily considering it.
>>
I'm on mobile now using my wifi, my mobile isp is range blocked all the time. I seem to be able to magically post here but the computer is a no go, I literally cannot pass captcha on it. Sometimes I get fucked on mobile as well.
>>
>>4242263
"No."
>>
>>4242271
Well next update in ten years when I can post off the pc again I guess.
>>
>>4242263
Don't do it Level, we can always wait till you can post again, don't fall to that slant eyed bastard tricks.
>>
>>4242275
I'm failing to see how it is such a big deal though. Its a 20, that's pocket change to waste to me. I hate that fucking kike as much as the next person but really I want to be able to update again for you guys and this is all so frustrating.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4242147
>>4242254
>>
Testing to see how well posting using another browser works.
>>
Huh, I think I can solve this problem easily by just posting from Chromium instead of Palemoon, devourer of ram.
>>
Kulve Taroth was still fuming with anger, she really desired the demise of that ruffian. How dare he come here to her home, try to evict her, bodyslam her and treat her so improperly? She was a lady! Not a mere Dragoness. She deserved high respect!

Ahh, but she was tired now. She could not afford to fight, just as the Black God. She settled herself down, moving away and leaving the confines of this golden chamber. Her Gajalaka followers came with, eager to follow her to the very ends of anything. Akantor was too preoccupied digging through the bedrock and gold to really care.

Outside, Kulve Taroth pounded at the formation of the subterranean innards, collapsing the mouth to her golden chamber with piles of rocks, sealing it and Akantor away, leaving the Supremacy Wyvern to tunnel as it pleased to escape. Who knows where it would pop up at next?

For now, Kulve Taroth sunk down to the volcanic floor of El Dorado's magma chamber, resting as the Gajalaka danced around her head and gave their loud vocal praises...
>>
Though the Caverns of El Dorado were simmering before from Akantor's presence, things began to cool down now, coming closer to a stop as the Black God fled to save his hide from the wrath of Kulve Taroth. Though he had landed a mighty blow against her at the close of the fight, it was only a stroke of luck. She would have killed him had he remained, there is no doubt.

You were the first to notice and point out the change in the air as you strode through the now deserted caverns with your teammates. Savage Deviljho had attacked, but Ferdnt managed to fight the thing off, compelling it to seek food elsewhere. Everyone was mostly unharmed.

Except for the poor Tigrex Hunter. He had been gored badly by Akantor's tusk. His abdomen was painted with his own blood and he had lost his prized weapon as well. Pierre was panicking over his condition, raving at how he may not make it, fearful of his career and anything that might happen should the Tigrex Hunter perish. It never ended well for a team leader if a Hunter they led on a quest died in their fold.

You were worried too, everybody was, but what stayed on your mind the most was what was happening now with Kulve Taroth and Akantor, you wanted to know who was on top. Thankfully, confirmation comes to you and the others. One of the Gajalaka runs up and gains everyone's attention.

"Oh! Oh! Oh oh! Gaja! Gajalak gajaja! Galakaga gajakag! Kagalaja jalagaka kakagalaj!" ("Humans! Human friends! Mother has defeated the evil! She has banished the darkness!")

Nobody as usual understood the words of the little crimson Lynian, but Pierre was good at discerning the implication.

"I think he is trying to tell us that Akantor has been defeated, or killed."

"Yeah," Ferdnt backs him up. "I don't hear anything now."

"The fighting stopped." Sun Lin remarked.

You weren't sure yourself, but they were right. There was no more struggle heard from where everyone came from, no more roars of fury and vibrations in the ground from the wrestling of the two giants.

"We need to leave soon, he won't make it." Pierre tells everyone.

"If anyone has anything left they want to do, do it now and do it fast. We need to get back to Astera on the double." He says.

What about you? Did you have anything you wanted to do before leaving El Dorado?
>>
>>4242590
The wounded takes priority.
>>
>>4242590
If we return to El Dorado later, will we be able to find Kulve again?
>>
>>4242695
Yes. Akantor will eventually appear elsewhere in the New World.

Also I'm gonna go sleep for now. Will get back as soon as can. Silly me, I almost sold out and bought a pass.
>>
>>4242696
Thanks Level. Been here since the beginning, enjoyed every moment of this quest.

>Get the wounded back to Astera ASAP, we can come back to try and talk with Kulve later.
>>
>>4242696
Glad you sorted it out man, I was worried for you there.

>>4242721
Support. We need to get back for our date too.
>>
"No time to dally. Lets get him to the infirmary, he needs it." You say to the others.

Pierre nods. "Right. Well let us be off then."

Your group got back on the move, leaving the Gajalaka to remain with their idol and getting back out to the camp in El Dorado, where each of you were able to signal for the wingdrakes to carry the now unconscious Tigrex Hunter with. He was loaded up and hitched to the Mernos, tied by restrains wrapped over his wrists like cuffs.

The multitude of small Monsters banding together made for a quick means of transportation like always, allowing your whole group to leave all at once, flying off fast to the home destination, Astera.

Today was a thrilling and dangerous hunt, Akantor had taken each of you off guard in ways that Ukanlos hadn't. Strange, considering how the brass viewed Ukanlos as the greater threat. Maybe the White God's close vicinity to Seliana was the reason, he could have wrecked the place easily had he been given enough time to discover it. Akantor was more manageable and farther away, and Astera was so much more vast than Seliana.

You were still slightly disappointed, you did not know the exact fate of Akantor, though you held onto the hope that the black beast was now lying dead at the hands, or rather the claws of Kulve Taroth.

Today was not a long day yet, you had only been down in El Dorado for up until at least two hours till evening now. It should be around four. You had much sunlight left...
>>
When you and the others landed in Astera, it was near the Canteen, that was where Pierre directed everyone to land and unhitch the Mernos at.

The Tigrex Hunter was barely holding on, clinging to his life unconsciously. It was a good thing you all arrived instead of staying behind, otherwise he might not have much more time left.

"I'll take him." The Diablos Nero Hunter, Ferdnt, says.

"I'll help." Sun Lin persisted.

Together, the two hoisted the Tigrex Hunter up after unwrapping him of winding cords and rope, taking care to lift him by his shoulders and legs to avoid putting pressure onto his grievous abdominal wound. They carried him off, going down the Waterfall suites to reach the office of the Doctor. You and Pierre were left standing there.

To your right, you see the Commander appear on the lift near the workshop. You and Pierre walk down the Waterfall Bridge to meet him.

"Hunters." He addressed both of you. "I got wind of what Quest you both undertook, I came back from the Research Base as soon as I could."

"Tell me, is Kulve Taroth still alive?" He asks.

"Yes sir. Taroth lives." Pierre answered him.

A look of relief washed over the Commander, but he kept it subtle.

"Good. I assume you both dealt with Akantor as well?"

"Well actually... we don't know what happened to Akantor, last we saw, he was fighting Kulve Taroth. We had to evacuate immediately to get our injured teammate medical help." You say.

"So you saw her, but then she disappeared again...? Mnmm...." He grunts, hushed.

"Sir, I can go back and see about that if you'd like." You offered.

"No, no need. You've both already experienced enough. I'll have a scout I can rely on do it instead in reconnaissance." The Commander declines.

"Sir, if I may ask... why is it a good thing for you? To hear I mean?" Pierre asks.

"....No reason. It.... is simply that Kulve Taroth is valuable to the Research Commission. That is all." The Commander tells him with a stern face.

"Hmm... Very well."

"Yes, well... You should both relieve yourselves of hunting duties for now. I've got more work to do as well. Dismis-"

"Excuse me." A new voice interjects from behind.
>>
Everyone turned their attention away to the voice.

It was the Warden, coming down from the lift line reaching up to the Gathering Hub. He plants his feet on the bridge and adjusts his handkerchief, stepping up to face everyone, but most of all the Commander.

"I could not help but overhear as I descended news that the golden gilded Dragoness of El Dorado still lives. Commander, have you anything to say to me?"

The Commander sweated a bead and searched for words. You and Pierre were dumbstruck to see his reaction, and you were uneasy, wary of the Warden's words.

"S-Sir." He starts. "I... we must have made a mistake down the line or..."

The Warden shakes his head.

"Forgive my interruption," Comes Pierre. "But what exactly am I missing here hearing all of this?"

"You wish to know? Then I'll tell you." The Warden says.

"When I received the first reports of Kulve Taroth's existence across the sea, the first action I decided should be taken here was her slaying. Colleagues of mine agreed with me that it was the right course, and so ultimately they resigned the problem to fall entirely onto me to deal with. I recognized a special danger unlike anything the Guild has ever been faced with before in Kulve Taroth."

"I have sent multiple requests over the year to the Commander and Admiral both to assemble their best Hunters to do the job, yet I have received nothing back. Hearing that my orders have been blatantly ignored for.... some reason, does leave me quite... dissatisfied."

Silence...

Pierre breaks it. "What danger does Kulve Taroth propose to the Hunter's Guild, Warden sir?"
>>
File: Commander and Warden.png (121 KB, 512x351)
121 KB
121 KB PNG
"Economic damage, inflation and possibly collapse." The Warden answers.

"You see gentlemen, the Caverns of El Dorado are much wider than meets the eye. The Research Commission has done a splendid job getting the dimensions right for me to see in oversea reports. El Dorado is two hundred and ninety four square kilometers of pure gold. That is enough wealth to be worth... twenty six Guilds. The Guild's economy is vast. The existence of El Dorado is a threat and Kulve Taroth is as well."

"It is no secret that the Hunter's Guild one day plans on trying to formally colonize and settle the New World, our first project starts with the elusive Guiding Lands, that much you know. If the day ever comes that cities stand in places like these and civilization stretches here, we will have a serious problem to deal with in El Dorado. The Caverns are too big to regulate, even with security. People will go corrupt with heinous greed learning of it."

"There was already Poachers that made their way here from across the sea, people will that would be able to plunder El Dorado as they please, and worse... fight over it. The gold will be bloodstained as rabble scramble to get it, turning the place over into a bloodbath where everyone is a separate belligerent. Zenny is gold, it would be devalued completely if the Guild claimed El Dorado in any way."

"I'm sorry for the rant, gentlemen, but the danger must be known." The Warden says.

Neither you nor Pierre say anything else. You both remain quiet as the Warden sets his sights back onto the Commander, who closed his eyes and listened with scrunched brows.

"Commander, I'm afraid I won't ask again. I am in no place to spare a concern for your... attachment to the Elder Dragon. See to it that Kulve Taroth is slain and El Dorado is secure for being hidden as part of my plan... or I will be forced to take some action against your position." The Warden threatened.
>>
The Commander opens his eyes and gives the Warden a blank stare.

"Take your time to give me an answer." The Warden says, waiting patiently.

You and Pierre were both on the sideline, and really, neither of you should still be here, it wasn't the place of Hunters to hear of these intricate Guild politics and problems.

"We should... go about our day." Pierre whispered to you.

He raised his hand in front of you and tried backing off with you carefully.

What will you do now?
>>
>>4243721
I feel sorry for the commander, but, maybe later we can talk with Kulve and see if we can reach an agreement. For now let's prepare for our date, first ask Vivi, to watch Chamo for the night, then request some nice takeout with from the chef something nice for a picknick, then take a bath and try to get some clothes, something casual, but sturdy enough for the travel.
>>
Supporting >>4243734

Also, I agree with that idea, we can try and at least inform Kulve of this at some point for sure
>>
>>4243721
How hypocritical of the Warden, to speak of exploiting El Dorado and complain about greed within the same breath.
>>
File: 1553853822751.jpg (97 KB, 673x721)
97 KB
97 KB JPG
>>4243721
>he wants to kill mommy
We know who to kill next at least.

While we're at it, we should ask him what his 'plan' is.
>>
>>4243745
I'm not seeing where he said they would exploit it. I think his plan is just to secure the caverns so they can be hidden from public knowledge. You could assume he means to exploit it, but he clearly has all the resources he need from the guild, so it wouldn't make much sense from a logical standpoint.
Still not killing Kulve though.
>>
"What is your plan?" You say aloud then, not stopping to be formal about it.

"I beg your pardon?" The Warden says.

The Commander and Pierre both look at you with surprised glares.

"I asked what your plan is." You reiterate.

"...."

"Did I not already say? Ah, it won't hurt to expand somewhat." The Warden says.

"My plan is to ensure El Dorado is sealed off to the public, and to the Guild even. Once Kulve Taroth is dealt with, extensive constructions projects will be held by Wyverian workers alone to erase nearly every possible entrance and exit to the Caverns. We will collapse tunnels and set up steel walls to keep every manner of intruder and Monster out. What ways in that will be left behind after that will be checkpoints that I plan to have manned by the Guild Knights and Royal Guild Guard, the highest intel and security service and the personal enforcers of His Immenseness himself."

"Under the supervision of my cabinet, the caverns will remain completely untouched, nothing will ever go in or out. I will have the last entrance locked tight and accessible only through a specific key that will be guarded with me at all times."

"The world economy at large is threatened by massive shifts that El Dorado could cause, let alone the Guild's enormous economy already. So long as El Dorado remains a closely guarded secret of the Guild, it can never be exposed to harm the world."

"Does my answer suffice to you now, Hunter?"

You crane your head up a little.

"Of course. But one more thing I want to know - Why does Kulve need to die?"

"She is sedentary and nomadic at the same time. Though she spends most of her time in El Dorado, it has been documented that the Glorious Dragon leaves on occasion to wander for incredibly extended periods across the surface, leaving behind numerous traces of gold and her existence. She is currently only known to exist here in the New World, by few individuals whose names I will not disclose back home and by the Commission here. Her wandering could be... problematic. There is no reasoning with an Elder Dragon, she must be slain. If we let her run free, who knows what might happen, she may even procreate in time."

"Now, gentlemen, please return to your activities. Commander, to my office with me, pronto."

With that, the Commander slowly left, going up the lift to the Gathering Hub. The Warden stayed behind, watching him go up before looking at you and Pierre. He fixates his red shades and nods before going up himself...
>>
You didn't agree with the notion that Kulve Taroth had to die. You may not have personally known her, but she surely couldn't be so bad. You know for a fact she is not feral, because you heard something coherent from her with your Connection.

Well, that is something to think on at another time. For now, you silently part ways with Pierre and decide to walk over to the Chef's station at the Canteen.

Meowscular Chef has been on a roll ever since that one time you encouraged him. You see him putting his mind to the job with much focus, and his skills to the test. He gets platters out so much faster now than before.

"Seems you're doing good." You say to him as he finishes preparing one more platter from across the table.

"Mew've said it! I've been rocking this joint day and night with my guns! Nobody won't get their gains on meow watch!" He boisterously says.

"More power to you." You say.

You step up and walk around the stove, he leans on his cleaver and looks to you curiously.

"Say, Chef? I need to ask a little favor..." You begin.

"Well shoot! Hit me with it! I might even pawt it on the house!"

"Well I wondering, could you do me something to take out?"

He scratches his chin.

"Takemeowt? Prrrmmmm... Well, I don't really know if we have any foils... but I 'spose I could make due with something else. What did ya' have in mind?"

"See I was planning on going on a picnic a-"

"OH! A picnic? Why didn't mew just say so! I've got a basket from Grammeow, I'll let you borrow it!"

"Really? Thanks, that works just fine."

"Don't meowntion it."

Meowscular Chef flicks his blade across the stove top and swings a match, fanning the fire.

"So, what were mew thinking?"

>What do you want to order as takeout?
>>
>>4243901
Sandwichs, wine if he have otherwise some booze but also pack some juice as an alternative, some sweets cookies maybe, a salad and a fish dish? Is that good enough anyone has any ideas?
>>
Need to take a quick break. Should be back in like twenty minutes.
>>
File: 1580325077607.png (241 KB, 315x429)
241 KB
241 KB PNG
>>4243904
>meowscular chef
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>salad
Pic related. Get something sweet instead, geez.

We should probably get a double order in case Tabitabi plays third wheel.
>>
>>4243877
I don't see much logic in this reasoning for killing Kulve, but then again they did kill Namielle for just making lights.

>>4243904
Should be good enough.
>>
>>4243904
>salad
Except for that. Remember what the loading screen last thread said, never ask him for vegan stuff.
>>
>>4243904
OK, then Sandwichs, for drinks, wine or booze and some juice as well, sweets, cookies and a fish dish, anyone else wanna add something?
>>
Had to walk my dog too sorry.
>>
"Eh, just some basic things for a simple picnic. Some sandwiches? Maybe a few extras like fruit or a fish dish. Oh, and throw some cookies in too."

"That'll be all?"

"Yeah."

"Good, good. Now you'll choke to death without a beverage. What'll it be?"

You pursed your lip and thought for a moment. What did Atricia like? You didn't really know, but you did see her drink rum and booze like all the others. Maybe she might like something more... refined for this picnic trip perhaps?

"Uhh.... Hm, I guess some wine and rum will do?"

"Prrrm, gotcha." He snaps his thump, pointing at you.

"Well that settles it. I'll have that basket batch ready in a half-meowr at the least!"

"Great. I'll be back to pick it up." You say, nearly going to walk off.

"Say," He stops you. "What's the picnic for? Mew going with someone?"

"Oh yeah, I was going to take the Scoutress out to the Ancient Forest." You tell him.

You're pretty sure you hear a distant glass break.

"On a date?"

"...Yeah, on a date." You say, doing your best not to sound awkward.

"Ohhh, mew don't know, do ya'?"

"Huh? Know what?"

"Eh, I think it's better you see yourself, skinny. Go check out the lady there by the booth and ask about dating, she'll let mew in on what you should know."

You were perplexed by that, but you thought nothing of it.

"Okay? Thanks, I will." You say.

"Sure! Now if you'll excuse meow..."
>>
You left Meowscular Chef to get to work on your order.

You take a short walk off from the Canteen and come to the booth at the entryway to the Waterfall housing. The attendant Felyne inside stops sharpening her claws to look up at you and smile.

"Hello again! How may I pawfer my assistance?"

Your eyes dart back to the chef momentarily, then you look down at the Felyne secretary and assume a relaxed stance.

"Uh, hi. I was told to ask about dating here?"

"Oh, that..." She says, trying not to sound exhausted just from the subject alone.

"What should I know?"

"Mwell... there are some ridic-.. Er, there are some rules..."

She fishes out a pamphlet and hands it to you.

"Here's all mew need to know."
>>
File: Vow.png (136 KB, 512x351)
136 KB
136 KB PNG
"Huh? A dating guideline book?"

You nod to the attendant and let her be, walking over to the Canteen and taking a seat at an empty table, where you begin to read this pamphlet...

'DATING IN ASTERA'

'Got scoutflies in your stomach? Feeling fuzzy? Warm? Have that special someone in your life you want to take out? No problem. However, there are a certain set of rules you should remember and abide by here in the New World while exploring such benefits of relationship with a partner.'

Okay, okay. Seems simple enou- Wait, don't say that. Just read Vance, just read.

'RULE 1#. First of all is our first and most important rule, you should be aware of this one at all times. The vow of abstinence.'

'The New World is treacherous and far isolated away from the society you knew and enjoyed in the Old World. This makes one thing unacceptable and too much of a hassle; Pregnancy and births. The Research Commission does not sport the space nor resources to be able to efficiently or ably handle pregnancies and birth in it's female members, and it does not have the time to deal with rowdy Hunters getting far too ahead of themselves. For this reason, it is requirement that you take a vow of abstinence to help prevent the problems pregnancies and birth incur here in the New World. You can do this by signing your name onto the line below and cashing this paper in with the Doctor. Mandatory checkups are held monthly to ensure everyone is on board with the vow. Those found disobeying this rule are subject to the judgment of the chief staff.'

'Upon cashing these papers in, Hunters and Huntresses are to receive a supplement of correctional medicinal pills that help to suppress urges for sexual activities. These pills work as a safe method of celibacy that do not give permanent lasting effect and wear off in time. Commission staff and members who violate this vow by refusing dosage of the medicine are sent back to the Old World and prohibited from returning to the New World from that point onward.'

'Addendum: You may not use the case of the Field Team Leader to argue against this guideline.'

'RULE 2#. Hunters and Huntresses or any Commission staff thereof engaging in relationships should not be found out after dark. Activity is logged by the House Keepers and Attendants. Those found disobeying this rule will be reported to the chief staff.'
>>
'RULE 3#. Commission members, Hunters and Huntresses may not engage in activities related to their relationship while on a quest, while carrying out orders and duty or on the job in general.'

'RULE 4#. Any two partners of a relationship must be ready to accept that marriage is not an option and prohibited in the New World.'

'RULE 5#. Flirting is not advised in public. Flirtatious speech should be relegated in more private areas between two individuals. Anyone caught flirting may receive a penalty fine of up to 50 Z.'

'RULE 6#. Dinner dates at the canteen are not allowe-'

You stop reading right there and set this... preposterous paper down.

This was... this was...

What the FRACK were you reading? This cannot be for real! Rules? For dating?! Really...? Surely nobody took this seriously or truly abode by it, did they...?

....Wait, you remember something... back on the Argosy, one of the crewmen mentioned everyone going to the New World having to take a 'special medicine' before they could go. That might be the supplement the pamphlet mentions... You didn't have to do anything like that though...? Hmmm.... mayhap it was the fact you payed your way here on the Argosy directly. Does nobody realize it yet? That you aren't... drugged like everyone else is?

You thought Hunters here would be just as fast to relish in fooling around like they do in the Old World, but come to think of it, you never noticed any such thing going on between Hunters and Huntresses. They must all be truly suppressed of those things by the drug.

This was worrying... what if they caught you? They could... send you back if you weren't following this crazy pamphlet's rules! Weren't taking a chaste drug like everyone else!

Calm down Vance... calm down Vance... don't make it look like you're stressed, those House Keepers and attendants could be watching at any time, from Gog knows where...

You've been aloof of this... mess your whole stay here. Maybe it is just best you remain calm and forget about this all...

Well, what will you do now?
>>
>>4244062
Calm down Vance, let's keep going with the date, if they haven't caught before they won't caught up now as long as we keep the spaghetti in our pants, for now keep with the rest of the preparations, go talk with Vivi to babysit Chamo, take a bath and grab some clothes.
>>
>>4244062
I mean... I understand its to prevent overpopulation and what not, but couldn't we just you know... pull out method that shit?

Fucking (((((Wyverians))))) forcing people to take castration pills. We got to take those fuckers down top priority
>>
>>4244060
this thing is fake as shit.

well deal if it ever matters.
>>
Yeah, just remain calm. This pamphlet isn't going to ruin your day...

You just crunch it up and stuff it into your pocket, making sure you do so discreetly so nobody notices. You're sure Meowscular Chef wouldn't divulge anything over your asking earlier. You weren't sure about that Attendant though...

You just had to leave it up to luck that nothing would happen. Nothing has happened yet, so why would anything happen in the future?

You get up, deciding to freshen up before your date with Atricia.

The first thing you did was head back home and see Vivianne. You told her about your plans and asked her about watching Chamo for you just until you were done. She expresses her desire to go on a Hunt with you again soon, but obliges your request, saying that she'd do it.

You thank her, you could always rely on her.

Gathering up your casual clothes and removing your armor, you decided to head down to the bath house for a wash, you needed it right about now, your skin was damp with the smell of sweat from El Dorado's heat after all...
>>
The wash was quick and relaxing as always. That Mizutsune soap came in handy to rid all the germs and grime and dirt, as well as leave behind an alluring smell over your body once you were done washing. Usually, this was where you stopped at, but now was a more special occasion, you wanted to take the extra step in freshening up.

You had paid beforehand for the privilege to access a more uncommon assortment of things to use during your wash. Once you were dry you applied an abundance of things to your body that helped revitalize your skin and prep yourself better, such as cologne and deodorant. You were right fancy, since Hunters didn't use things like this frequently.

Your clothes came through a tray on the wall after the workers finished washing them for you. You quickly donned the casual wear and exited.

Now what were you missing? You felt like there was something you've glanced over...?

Ah! Of course, you see now as you happen to glimpse a mirror. Your hair!

>We should get a haircut. (Decides Vance's style)
>On second thought, we're cut out. (Defers to default MHW hairstyle)
>>
>>4244187
Well, I am without any ideas for a cool hairstyle, so I will go to:
>>On second thought, we're cut out. (Defers to default MHW hairstyle)
>>
>>4244187
>We should get a haircut. (Decides Vance's style)
Give him the pompadour
>>
>>4244187
>On second thought, we're cut out. (Defers to default MHW hairstyle)
>>
Aw come on guys, the default hair looks like the JUST hair, you really want that?
>>
>>4244261
Better than a pompadour but fine.

>>4244187
>We should get a haircut. (Decides Vance's style)
Anything but a pompadour.
>>
>>4244274
Oy oy, what do you have against pompadours?
>>
>>4244275
I just don't want one, too much work.
>>
>>4244282
Okay, how about something simple like a slicked back style then?
>>
>>4244288
Came argue with dubs.
>>
>>4244306
Speaking of dubs, I just noticed that the last three threads all had dubs in the post number. It must be a sign from the heavens that I'm doing something right here fellas.
>>
File: Vance's hair.png (33 KB, 512x351)
33 KB
33 KB PNG
Fortunately, the wash house also provided a hair care service for the Hunters and Huntresses. Two well trained barbers manned their station at any given time. You saw one and decided to cut your hair, which was at a length that branched on being long, reaching down your neck, though you did well to conceal it in whatever you wore.

You viewed a book full of different styles of hairs and after a time you found one you liked, one that was of no difficulty to manage either. You decided to get shorter hair that you could slick back easily with some pomade.

You pay a small fee for both the cut and the pomade and sit in a chair for a while as the barber goes to work.

Eventually, he pulls you around to a mirror and shows off his handiwork. You thought you looked excellent. Atricia will definitely like this.

Are you truly satisfied with this slicked back style?
>>
>>4244368
Where our face at?
>>
>>4244368
Sure.
>>
>>4244378
Up to the player's interpretation remember?
>>
>>4244383
I don't like it. Draw him a face.
>>
File: Spoiler Image (33 KB, 512x351)
33 KB
33 KB PNG
>>4244384
Okay fine here. What think?
>>
File: Spoiler Image (34 KB, 512x351)
34 KB
34 KB PNG
Okay I joke. This real one. What think?
>>
>>4244397
TWINKIE HOUSE
>>
File: 1565257639253.jpg (44 KB, 1024x681)
44 KB
44 KB JPG
>>4244397
Pic

>>4244402
I like it, Vance pulls off a mean smug look.
>>
>>4244406
Cool
>>
Good enough, you look handsome. A man should always value his masculine beauty just as women do their feminine beauty, at least that's what Ma and Pa always told you.

You throw a little tip more the way of the barber, leaving the wash house area and ascending the stairs back up to the tradeyard, and then to your home.

Vivianne had packed a few things with herself in a little satchel, and she kept her casual vest on as well, she was ready to go see Chamo now and would go anytime you willed for her to. You would send her on her way after you picked out another important thing. The clothing you would wear.

Admittedly, you didn't hoard many articles of clothing, you always wore the same thing at least twice before washing it on any given day, there was no smell that would accumulate in that time so it seemed alright to you.

Everything you had was as fresh as you so you only needed to choose what to wear. You did not know what Atricia was going to wear though, so you don't want to look too out of place, but then again you can do whatever you please.

>Keep on casual wear type one. (Red one sleeved vest and shorts.)
>Wear casual wear type two. (Green small vest and shorts.)
>Put on the Samue you bought in Jumbo Village from your travels.
>Purchase a Gala suit from the Gathering Hub to be extra spiffy.
>Wear something else. (Write in)
>>
>>4244436
>Put on the Samue you bought in Jumbo Village from your travels.
They look neat so lets go with that.
>>
The indigo Samue you had, it was comfortable, easy to wear, and looked good enough to don for many occasions. You decided to wear this for your date with Atricia, trading in the casual wear you were issued by the Guild.

Now all ready and set for your date, you have a small chat with Vivianne, giving her instructions to finding Chamo and some tips about what she should and should not do while watching after him. She keenly notes everything you have and salutes for the charm of it.

"I'll keep him in line, Meowster!" She swears.

You nod, trusting that she will.

And so with that, both of you left the house. Vivianne trailed away and followed the path you gave her, disappearing down the walk and heading off towards the secluded area where Chamo was.

You on the other hand only walk a few feet down, coming to the door of Atricia's room, which you knock upon, waiting for an answer.
>>
You hear some things get moved around from within before the sound of stepping, followed by the door's locks being flipped.

Atricia opened the door, wearing the same dress you saw her in earlier today. Her eyes scan you down from head to toe and she smiles.

"You've been busy."

"I thought I'd try to look my best." You say.

"Yeah, you even did your hair. You didn't gloss over the small things, huh?"

"Not this time, you know how us Hunters are though." You say with a small, nearly flat smile.

"No judging here, I'm the same way." She reassured you.

But then Atricia's smile fades and she seems to become sheepish instead, reaching one hand around her back to rub her other bicep.

"Hm? What's wrong Atricia?"

"It's just... I haven't even done half of what you have. I thought you might be more relaxed... like, you know, going out in our armors. I didn't expect you'd groom so much for this, you said it yourself, we are Hunters and Huntresses...." She states.

He beats you to the punch, speaking again. "Not that I'm saying this is bad! I'll just have to get to work so I can get ready too now. Did... you want to go out this instant?"

"Yeah, that was my plan. I'm having the chef make us something, I'll pick it up in a few minutes." You tell her.

"Ah, good, so I have some time then..."

She nervously rubbed her temple. "Ohh... I don't even know what I should wear though..."

>Offer to help her choose something to wear on the date.
>Give her some space, go to the Canteen and get your stuff while she readies herself.
>Write in.
>>
Hello?
>>
>>4245894
Hi there.

>>4245743
Our Atricia is being bashful, adorable, let's try and flirt with her a bit while we're at it.
>"I am sure you would look great in what you chose, but, if you're in doubt I would love to help you make your pick.
>>
>>4245894
I was asleep. Supporting >>4245926 to prevent a tie, though we may fuck the delivery up.
>>
>>4245926
Support.
>>
"I'm sure you would look wonderful in whatever you choose, but... if you're in doubt, I would love to help you make a pick." You offer.

Atricia's demeanor changes right then. Her cheeks become slightly rosy and she smiles.

"Well, I don't see why not. Maybe you can choose something to look the part with you." She says, pushing her door open and inviting you into her room.

You step inside, being greeted with a brighter interior than your own room. Atricia's layout was much different than what you knew, but she many of the same things as you, such as a ceiling fan with few candles more than your own, some storage pieces and furniture. But besides that, her room had three carpets more than you, painted walls and an actual stove to accommodate the furnace. Makes sense, she did have Handler training for cooking, she said as much.

You walk over with her to a tall dresser next to her bed and she opens it, giving you a view of her wardrobe. It was about as limited as most Hunters and Huntresses had it, but she had some more articles than you at least.

"I actually used to collect a lot of clothing, I have an obsession with fashion in general! Course, most of my stuff is back home with my old folks. Maybe if we ever both get to go back to the Old World, I can take you to Dundorma and show you, your jaw would drop seeing how many dresses I hoarded!" She talked on.

"I didn't know you had such a penchant for fine clothing." You say, examining the things she has already, which is all on a bar above what anyone else here in Astera must have.

"When I'm not Hunting at least I always wear nice things, maybe too nice to call laid back. I don't know what makes me so addictive to it." Atricia says, confounded of her hobby.

"Well..." She shakes her head. "What do you think? I'll probably stick with your choice."

She had a fine silk kimono with pink floral patterns, a plain sky blue yukata with shorter sleeves, a decent padded jacket to wear over a thin sweater with breeches, a Milardese style casual wear set, a sleeveless summer dress, and two varieties of Guild casual wear sets which were the same as the ones you had.

She also had a strange.... Astral dress, as she puts it, that she won from an event. And as well she owns a peculiar long crimson jacket and a blossom dress.

What do you think best suites Atricia?

>Fine silk floral patterned Kimono dress.
>Plain sky blue Yukata dress.
>Decent padded Jacket with sweater and breeches.
>Milardese style casual wear.
>Summer dress.
>Red Guild casual wear.
>Green Guild casual wear.
>Astral dress.
>Crimson jacket.
>Blossom dress.
>Something else entirely. (You get to draw it.)
>>
File: 1446962703962.png (1.43 MB, 966x3459)
1.43 MB
1.43 MB PNG
>>4246224
>Summer dress.
>>
File: 1557511601640.jpg (28 KB, 437x431)
28 KB
28 KB JPG
>>4246245
GOD

>>4246224
>Summer dress.
>>
>>4246224
>>Summer dress.
Hell with it.
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>4246224
If I roll higher than 90 you must go with my choice
I choose padded jacket and breeches
>>
Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4246276
If higher than 90 you die instantly.
>>
File: unnamed-1.jpg (53 KB, 512x288)
53 KB
53 KB JPG
>>4246296
Based Level
>>
>>4246296
Fuck
>>
"Hmm...."

Slowly, you reached out and grabbed a hanger from the wardrobe, the one holding Atricia's Summer Dress. You were going out with her to the Ancient Forest, and it was bright and sunny there most of the time, almost like summer back home, so you thought this dress was most fitting for her to wear, given that you were wearing summer attire as well.

"How about this?" You say, handing her the dress.

"Oh? My summer dress?" She takes it, looking it over. "Hmm... Sure! This seems like a good choice. Oh! And I can wear my suffer scarf with it as well, she says, retrieving an olive wraparound from the wardrobe.

You give her some time, stepping away near the door as she went to change behind her divider.

"I wonder, will nobody question our choice of clothing when we go out?" You say to yourself.

"Nobody should, really." Atricia says across the room, having heard you.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. You wouldn't believe the things people wear around here sometimes, especially since that fancy 'Layered Armor' stuff was invented. I've seen Hunters and Huntresses wearing all pink sets made from the Behemoth Monster the Star slew, purple and green mixes of armor pieces, people wearing Wiggler costume hats and I even once saw a Hunter go out and hunt in his underpants alone! Course, it didn't end well but still...."

"...Sounds like nobody have any gripes. Great." You say.
>>
"Yeah.... Hey, wait, why would you worry about that though?"

"Well uh... I was just concerned because.... uh..."

"Is it those ludicrous guidelines?" Atricia says, making you perk up.

"Yeah, I learned today. I can't believe that actually exists."

"You're not the only one. Most fleet members threw a fit when they had to undergo all of that before setting sail. Those pill things they give you last a while, they're in big supply, but..."

"...But what?"

"Heh, well, quite a lot of us here in Astera don't take them, we chuck it and cover it all up. I know a few around who do, but I wouldn't tell because tattling is just low, am I right or am I wrong?"

"I agree, but wait, are you saying you don't take them?"

"Look over at my nightstand. See the black bottle with the garnet label?" She tells you.

You look over and see a sizable glass bottle half full of the supplement you read about in the pamphlet back at the Canteen.

"I don't take any. I've made it a little activity of mine to throw two pills away every two days, that way the Housekeepers or some stuck up prude staff member doesn't suspect me. Pretty much anyone in their right mind does. As for how I dispose of it..."

Atricia snakes her hand up over the top of the divider and points to near her dining table. You follow and look down that way, seeing a tiny hole in the floorboard near one of table's legs.

"In each place I've stayed at in Astera now, I've carved out a hole like that with my knife, and I cover it up with something when I'm not using it. I drop the pills through and let them fall down to the ocean or whatever. And eh... I'm positive the Housekeepers won't think much of it anyway if they did find it."

"Bravo. Thank Gog I didn't end up having to be apart of that. If I do though in the future... well, at least I have a smart idea to shamelessly steal." You comment, smirking.

"Hey, I don't blame you."
>>
File: Summer dress.png (146 KB, 512x351)
146 KB
146 KB PNG
A few more minutes go by of silence, but eventually Atricia speaks up again.

"Sorry, I had to replace some wrappings, for my wounds, you know."

She steps out from behind the divider. The summer dress and scarf she wore was wavy, soft and light around her body, reaching down to her ankles.

She picks up the dress and twirls a little with it, showing it off.

"So, what do you think?"

>Gorgeous.
>Stunning.
>Alright.
>Not actually as good as I thought it would.
>You need something to wear on your head too.
>It doesn't look good.
>Wait, I change my mind, I want you to wear something different.
>>
>>4246512
>>Stunning.
I wanted to say Gorgeous, but I think she may think we might be forcing but Damn, I never noticed but Atricia sure has a big nice pair
>>
>>4246503
Thought so. No way they can keep everyone in line with that bullshit

>>4246512
>Stunning
Lets stay on a level here, we'll give her better compliments the more we've dated her. Shes got big jugs holy crap
>>
"Stunning. Simply stunning." You say.

"Oh," Atricia averted her view at you and closed her eyes. "Thanks, Vance."

You just smile at her.

"Well, I have my clothes set out, I just need to do a few more things, like fix this." She says, ruffling her hair.

"Sure. I'm gonna go pick my things up. I'll meet you by the gate?"

"No, just go ahead to the southern camp, I'll meet you there if I don't beat you there." Atricia says, going back off to her wardrobe.

"You're on." You say, hurrying out of her room and back out into Astera.
>>
You were quick to make your way through the tradeyard and up the lift, bringing yourself back out to the Canteen.

You saw Meowscular Chef had gotten himself caught up handling more orders from other people, and so he had only completed at least half of your picnic basket order at this point, that much was evident from one assistant chef stuffing the last of a few wrapped items inside the basket, which had much more space left.

You wanted to try and beat Atricia to the Ancient Forest, but at this rate you might just be beaten yourself. Either way, it was no contest, so you sit at the same vacant table as before and decide to wait until your order is done.

You lean against your table, peering around to see what you could see in any place that was visible to you from here. Your eyes fall over the guests of the Canteen, many Hunters, some drunken. You spot the Warden near the airship station across the bridge... he is watching you, but looks away as you see him, he must have been pretending he wasn't staring.... creepy...

Ah, but speaking of creepy, what really irked you was a person you saw at the back table near the Canteen gate staring your way. He looked to be a Hunter, but not one you've ever seen before. He was wearing a Jagras set? But it was... very darker than it looked like it should be. He was smiling at you, and for a moment you just stare back at his grinning expression with stern eyes. You hated it when people stared like that...

Now, he was raising his head and hand up. He gestures you over to his table with a finger. You aren't just about to wander off to see what some random person so gloomy looking like him want-...

Huh? Now he was jangling a purse he pulled from his pocket. It was a purple purse, not exactly big, but it appeared to have something very heavy inside. He gestures you over again...

>Walk over and see what the strange person wants.
>Ignore him, find something to pass the time with.
>Talk to somebody else you saw at the Canteen. (Brigg, Balthazar, Strong-As Earth)
>Write in.
>>
>>4246765
>Walk over and see what the strange person wants.
Damn it, I just can't ignore a mystery box.
>>
>>4246765
>Walk over and see what the strange person wants.
>>
File: The Tenebrous Man.png (92 KB, 512x351)
92 KB
92 KB PNG
You take a quick peek over your shoulder, seeing the Warden was now gone from sight. You scan around quickly to make sure nobody else is paying you attention before you stand up and begin walking over that way to the man you saw.

You stood next to his table, he motioned you to sit. You take a seat across from him and look deeply into his face. His skin was pale, and he was tainted with a shadowy look even in the broad sunlight.

"I don't suppose you wouldn't fancy obtaining another medium, would you, Vance?"

"...I don't know. What is this medium you're talking about? And more importantly, who are you?"

"I'm not that important to you now. I am just a man who wants to help out."

He drops the purple purse onto the table. Whatever was inside clanked with a metallic tinging, and it was quite weighted.

"The contents are something you should not view until you are in total darkness. Wait until nightfall, and be among the First Wyverians. Ask them to concentrate for you. Do not let anyone else know you have this." The tenebrous hunter waves his finger.

"You know about the First Wyverians? What is..."

"Shhh.... shh shh shh shhh." He hushes you. "Don't ask questions, just do. Trust me."

The tenebrous man stands up from the table and nods to you. He went to walk away...

You felt an... unnatural aura about that person. Like... you felt somehow... compelled to listen, but as he left off, that feeling faded. You glanced down at the purse, and when you looked back up for him, he was gone already.

'Probably more Ancient shite finding it's way to me...' You bemoaned mentally.
>>
File: purse.png (58 KB, 512x351)
58 KB
58 KB PNG
Though, you were curious about what exactly was inside the purse. But, your Hex...

If it was what you thought was accurate to anticipate, you probably shouldn't... but then again, it isn't like seeing it will be a trouble. Nobody here will know but you, so nobody will be subject to the danger that Zuhramon warned he would give...

But, you probably shouldn't let this ruin your day, you only had a few minutes or so left and these kind of things weren't what you wanted on your mind right about now...

>Curiosity killed the Felyne, let's not bother and pocket it for now.
>Damn it, maybe a peek wouldn't hurt, what is this mystery item?
>>
>>4246844
>Curiosity killed the Felyne, let's not bother and pocket it for now.
>>
>>4246844
>Damn it, maybe a peek wouldn't hurt, what is this mystery item?
Vance thinks its fine so why not, lets see what the glowie gave us
>>
>>4246844
>Curiosity killed the Felyne, let's not bother and pocket it for now.
>>
>>4246844
>Curiosity killed the Felyne, let's not bother and pocket it for now.
>>
>>4246844
>Curiosity killed the Felyne, let's not bother and pocket it for now.
>>
Deadly is the path the man who plunders a Rath nest walks. You weren't about to go looking inside, you were uninterested, it shouldn't matter to you at this moment in time, not with the happenings going on today.

You take the purple purse and keep it on hand, shoving it down inside the inner pocket of your shirt. It would be ignored there for the remainder of today.

You got up and returned to your own table and waited there for the Chef and his cooks to finish your basket. It takes them some more time of shoving things inside, but eventually Meowscular Chef completes your order and finishes the picnic basket. He walks down to personally deliver it to you.

"So, what do I owe you?" You say, diving your hand into your pants pocket for money.

Meowscular Chef just raises his paw. "Nothing. I'll put it on the meowse for now, think of it as my generosity. Here."

You take the picnic basket and nod. "Thanks, Chef."

"Don't mention it."

The picnic basket was not light, it weighed more than a standard platter of the Chef's making for sure, it was full to the brim with food and confections. Perfect.

Lifting it up over your shoulder and walking to the Canteen gate nearby, you whistled for a Wingdrake and saddled up, flying off to the Ancient Forest.

Your date would begin now.
>>
You flew down over the safe areas of the Ancient Forest, landing in the southernmost camp like you were told to. When you arrived, Atricia was already there waiting, sitting near the tent. She gets up and marvels at the basket you have before giving you an earnest smile.

"I got here at least twenty minutes ago, so you're not totally late." She teased you.

"You girls know your way around hair, huh..."

"Of course."

You took a look around and listened to the ambience of the forest. It sounded pleasant out.

"So, where to go now I wonder." You say.

Atricia hands you a folded up mat she had and steps off to the entrance of the camp, looking out over the Aptonoth grazing grounds. You follow.

"There are plenty of nice spots to go out there, I know almost all of them, and even better, I know pathways that Monsters stay away from, ones just big enough for us to take so our travel will be safe." She says.

"Great."

"Yeah, you learn a few things when you've been here a long time. Anyway, I'll tell you about where we can go."

Atricia begins explaining nice places in detail.

Where will you and her go?

>The grazing grounds will suffice, its close to camp and has a good view of the sun. (Closest)
>She knows a place on the Great Tree with a view of the whole forest. We'll go there. (Highest)
>She tells you of a flower garden to the west at the top of a high shoreline ledge. That's the ticket. (Most remote)
>A rock bed pass with some creeks flowing with mountain spring water exists deeper in the woods. She says it has pools, and is entirely barren of Monsters. (Safest, yet hardest to get back from)
>>
>>4247996
>A rock bed pass with some creeks flowing with mountain spring water exists deeper in the woods. She says it has pools, and is entirely barren of Monsters.
Last thing I want is a random monster ruining our date.
>>
>>4247996
>She knows a place on the Great Tree with a view of the whole forest. We'll go there. (Highest)
We could see everything.
>>
>>4247996
>She tells you of a flower garden to the west at the top of a high shoreline ledge. That's the ticket. (Most remote)
Sounds nice.

>>4248005
I dunno man, you'd have thought the south pole being cold as fuck that Velkhana shuddered at it even wouldn't have any monsters yet there were plenty. Why should this place be any different? Besides, we need to stay farther away from the woods because Leshen is out there somewhere.
>>
>>4248126
Because Level said it's the safest place of all the choices? Your pick says it's remote but what if the reason it's remote it's because a nasty creature is making that place his den? better not risk.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4248005
>>4248072
>>4248126
>>
File: Creek.png (131 KB, 512x351)
131 KB
131 KB PNG
There wasn't any debate had about it, you and her both unconditionally agreed that the creek was in fact the best locale to venture out to, and so both of you departed the camp along it's shortcut.

She took the lead, foraging ahead with her greatsword hanging by her back. When you ask, she tells you that you 'can never be too sure'. You like that, she was always ready to fight. You only had your bland carving knife on hand, so at least you could provide backup if both of you ran into some trouble along the way. Though, you didn't worry, she was taking you through safe passages, allegedly.

She leads you through one of the many undercrofts of the Great Tree, taking you out to a jumble of vine smothered trees until both of you reach a stream of water flowing through the forest. That was the way you and her took from there on, following the stream through the forest until eventually the creek is reached.

The creek was more like a large pond in the middle of the forest, but it was truthfully a connecting point where dozens and dozens of other streams flowed to and met, coming from rivers and other creeks all over the Ancient Forest and beyond. It had shallow and deep ends like small baths and pools, and there were rocks standing up all over, close and numerous enough that the pond could be stepped over on them.

The area was moist, much like the rain forest at The Fort, and there was growth everywhere, handing from the walls and from above by the many trees surrounding the otherwise open creek, but there were still some spots dry enough to sit everything down at, on some raised ground overlooking the creek with flowers and plants abundant around.

It was like a paradise in the woods and in your opinion, much more beautiful than the spring Inagami lorded over.
>>
You found an ideal spot on the raised ground to set everything up at. You come over to a large patch of dry grass and unfold the mat Atricia gave you, spreading it out before setting the basket down and motioning her to sit first.

"What a gentleman." She says playfully, stepping past you and relaxing.

You join her, sitting down with the basket in between both of you and kick your feet out, enjoying the view of the creek.

"So what do you call this place anyway?"

"Some of us have taken to calling it the 'watery bastion', wasn't my idea. Oh, but I think you'll be surprised to know that I was actually the one who discovered it first." She says with some pride.

"Really? How'd you do that?"

"I was just wandering, trying to find a good spot to fish, so I followed one of the streams and next thing I knew, I ended up here. It can be a popular spot on the weekday."

"Man, the New World is amazing, ain't it?"

"You can say that again, I hope I'll be able to see it all before I leave." She agreed.

"So," She says to change the subject. "- what did you get in this anyway?"

You open the picnic basket, showing her the array of fresh foods inside. "Some basic things, nothing extravagant."

"Hey, I don't mind. Not everything needs to be high cuisine like we're dining in the halls of Castle Schrade way back when." She says.

You and Atricia dug into the picnic basket, rearranging things and busting out the wine inside. She claimed the steamed fish platter and you took one of the chef's stovetop sandwiches. It was a very crunchy item, the Chef even fried the bread on his stove it seemed.

"Cheers." She says, raising her glass. You raise your own and tap hers as well.

This would a time, best to start it up. Maybe you could spark a talk over another subject.

>What will you do now?
>>
>>4248428
Let's talk about her a bit, this is a fine spot she found here in the Ancient Forest, what other nice spots she found in the other areas? Has she used other weapons beside great sword? we would love to show her some moves she decides to go gunlance someday. She said she like to try all sorts of clothes anything special she would like to try? Any recomendations she thinks would suit us?
Anyone else has any other ideas for topics?
>>
>>4248435
What about what she does on her downtime?
>>
"So Atricia, I already know you explore a lot. Anymore places like this you've found?"

"Hah! Definitely. I've been around. Most of the places I find are either in the forest or the desert out here in the New World."

"Tell me about it."

"Well, besides here... I've found a cave with glowing crystals, a big natural slide down into the Great Tree's river, a magma vent, a Paratoad nest and I found an old small graveyard full of Elder Dragon bones and a bunch of shedded Kushala skins."

"Neat." You say, taking another bite of your sandwich, washing it down with wine.

"So, you ever try any weapons besides the Greatsword? You always looked more like you'd do well with the Dual Blades or something to me."

"Well, I have, but I just can't get the hang of it."

"What weapons have you tried?"

"Bowguns, the Insect Glaive, and I tried the Magnet Spike once too back home, but I didn't have any luck with them. Bowguns are just... boring to me. Insect Glaive? I kept launching myself into things. And the Magnet Spike? Might as well just use a Hammer or Horn at that point." Atricia explains.

"But the Greatsword is what I decided to never lose. I did great with it. The Greatsword is just so streamlined, powerful and thrilling. Getting up close with a big Monster toting around that giant is the apex. I think Hunters and Huntresses can have a right good fight with just about any weapon, but the Greatsword? That makes a fight that'll be sung by musicians and bards in taverns and inns." Atricia says with excitement.

"I think I know what you mean. I felt the same when I used my Greatsword."

"Yeah, and you even fought that Amygdala Monster with it too! I wish I could have seen. That Monster must have been a Monster of the ages, the Commission listed it's species as 'Eldritch' on the info books. Nobody really knows what it is. Gah! And I read that it has a bunch of arms and eyes! That sounds scary!"

"Hah hah... yeah... it was..." You say, zoning out briefly in silence, reflecting over that heart pounding experience.

You shake your head and take another swig of your wine to get your mind back on track.

"I like the Greatsword, but I love the Gunlance. I feel the same as you do about Gunlances, they're quite thrilling too. Fun even." You say.

"Certainly looks fun, you did really well against that Odogaron that one time using your Gunlance."

"Hey, if you ever want to try another weapon again, you should try a Gunlance. I could even teach you a few tricks." You brag.

"No doubt about that. Maybe I'll take you up on that offer one day."
>>
You thought over what to talk about next... You look down at yourself, at your clothes for inspiration.

"You sure like clothes huh?" You say in the middle of finishing a sandwich. "Anything you might think would fit me?"

"Oh! I did do some exploring in male fashion as well in my time back home. I think I might know a few things...." She says, setting her empty platter aside and studying you.

"Hmmm.... You look like you'd wear... more 'haute' things publicly."

"Haute clothes? I've never had such tastes actually." You replied.

"Maybe you might not have practiced it Vance, but you got the looks to compliment it. I'd say, for example... you would look good in a nice tunic, maybe some boots, straight trousers. You should pick up a necklace, maybe a ring or bracer. Oh, you might also look good in some Val Habaran articles I've seen."

"I'll keep that in mind." You say.

Admittedly, you did like the idea she gave of wearing a necklace, it would take you back to the good old days in Moga, where necklaces were commonplace. It fell out of style with you somewhere along the way after you left, but it wouldn't hurt to get back into it. Though, you weren't so keen you would really look good in Val Habaran wear, most of it was Wroggi-Boy stuff anyway.

"So, what do you do when you aren't Hunting? How do you pass the time?"

"I do some things at home, or I'll swing by the Canteen and Hub to see some friends. I like to read, that much you already know." She says, accepting a refill from you.

"What about when you don't feel like reading?"

"I'm trying to get into painting." She says, taking a sip of wine. "I've been taking some lessons from one of the Veterans. You might know him already, his name is Pierre s'Cie Alanparte, he's the Velkhana Hunter, and also a very skilled artist. I hear he was born into a popular family of famous painters back home. He'll review whatever I draw and point out my flaws, then he'll give me tips and show me a few things he does with the paint."
>>
"Oh yeah, I met Pierre. Actually, just before we both came here, I got back from a quest he offered to partner with me in."

"Really? What did you two go do?"

"We went to try and slay Akantor. Things went a little... wrong, but at least everyone survived. We even saw Kulve Taroth."

"Wow... she's still alive after all. I'm kind of glad to hear that actually. You know, I think if we should ever leave a Monster alive and protected forever, it should be her. She doesn't do any harm." Atricia states, shaking her glass around.

"I agree. But, sadly I don't think some of the higher ups do."

"You mean the Guild Representative? We all found out a few months ago the Commander was intentionally ignoring overseas orders to slay Kulve Taroth. It isn't exactly a secret, he really likes that Elder Dragon, so it shouldn't come as a surprise."

"Why does the Commander like Kulve Taroth so much? I've been meaning to find out myself." You ask.

"I don't know how many know it, but I heard it from gossiping back then. The Sapphire Star accidentally spread around a rumor that the Commander had been making personal trips alone to El Dorado after Quests to harvest Kulve Taroth's horns. The rumor goes that the Star returned because of something, something he might have forgot, and he saw the Commander interacting with the big girl like they knew each other. She was really passive around him even after getting pounded hard by the Star and other Hunters." Atricia tells you.

You raise an eyebrow and smirk slightly. "Now this is definitely not what I thought I'd hear. I heard from the Commander himself that she's just 'important to the Commission'."

"Sometimes when the chiefs talk about the Commission, they're also talking about themselves, heh." Atricia says, leaning back slightly. "The Commander says a lot that Kulve Taroth reminds him 'of that time'. I can't help but wonder what 'that time' is myself.... Maybe we'll never know."

You knew what you were going to ask Kulve Taroth about when you got around to being able to attempt communication with her.

>Bring up another subject to talk on.
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia.
>Break out the booze.
>Ask if she'd like to swim in the pond.
>Tell her your best joke.
>Go searching for materials, make matching necklaces for you both.
>See if you can attract Tabitabi to the scene.
>Talk about your life with her.
>Play a game with her.
>Wrap the date up.
>Write in.
>>
>>4248619
>Ask if she'd like to swim in the pond.
>>
>>4248619
>Break out the booze.
>Talk about your life with her.

>>4248633
Slow down tiger.
>>
>>4248619
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia.
>>
Actually, supporting >>4248661. We already got ourselves way off the beaten path because of a tie.
>>
>>4248704
Fine supportin this then.
>>
>>4248619
Switching back to
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia.
>>
File: 1589230786098.png (15 KB, 1266x688)
15 KB
15 KB PNG
Hey Level, you should make one of these for this quest.
>>
>>4249362
With whom?
>>
>>4249502
Duremediura choking Velkhana.
>>
>>4249502
Us choking the Creepy Biologist.
>>
>>4249502
Ukanlos choking Velkhana or Shara choking Zuhramon
>>
>>4249540
I'll add proper colors later.
>>
>>4250036
Nice. The angle's off but I understand why you did it.
>>
File: 1554314701986.jpg (53 KB, 750x559)
53 KB
53 KB JPG
>>4250036
Excellent
>>
>>4250036
Excellent.
>>
"What'cha staring at?" She asked off hand.

"Huh? Oh, I was just wandering." You say, looking back at her.

Atricia doesn't seem to mind. She looks up at the sky as well. There was a good view of the sky from here, no trees in the creek were blocking the way. She leans back and lays with her hands behind her head, staring at the clouds going by.

"You know, people think too little of doing this kind of thing." She says.

You decided to lay back as well, watching the clouds with her.

"Yeah, it's not as boring as most think." You say.

"Say," She comes. "What do you see up there?"

>1d20.

>1-4; Something vulgar
>5-8; Something familiar.
>9-12; Something funny.
>13-16; Something fierce.
>17-19; Something inspiring.
>20; Something truly spectacular.
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4250119
>>
File: Cloud.png (161 KB, 512x351)
161 KB
161 KB PNG
"I don't know... it kind of looks like a man... holding a banner or something." You say, pointing out a cloud in a shape akin to what you describe.

"Nice." Atricia comments.

"That one sort of looks like a Flying Wyvern." She says, pointing you to one such cloud she spotted.

+======+
Date Points: (23/100)
At least a score of 85 must be reached for the date to be considered a success.
+======+

>Bring up another subject to talk on.
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia. (Can be used only once more)
>Break out the booze.
>Ask if she'd like to swim in the pond.
>Tell her your best joke.
>Go searching for materials, make matching necklaces for you both.
>See if you can attract Tabitabi to the scene.
>Talk about your life with her.
>Play a game with her.
>Wrap the date up.
>Write in.
>>
>>4250185
>Break out the booze.
>>
>>4250187
On second though. I changin to
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia.
Let's do it now since we're still watching the clouds.
>>
>>4250187
>Pick out shapes in the clouds with Atricia. (Can be used only once more)
What >>4250194 said.
>>
>>4250194
Support
>>
Roll another round of 1d20s.

>1-4; Something vulgar
>5-8; Something familiar.
>9-12; Something funny.
>13-16; Something fierce.
>17-19; Something inspiring.
>20; Something truly spectacular.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4250206
>>
Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4250206
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4250206
RNGesus, take the wheel!
>>
File: Cloud.png (155 KB, 512x351)
155 KB
155 KB PNG
Your eyes wander across the sky until you catch the sight of a cloud that stands out to you especially, one that reminded you of home.

"Hey! Look at that one!" You exclaim.

"Oh? Whats that one supposed to be?"

"It looks like a Shakalaka." You say, experiencing nostalgia again.

"Oh yeah! It does now that I think about it." Atricia says.

"Hey, isn't your home village known for Shakalaka?"

"Yeah," You answer. "-there was a hero who had Shakalaka companions."

"Ah, now I remember. That tale went pretty far out there. I always liked it, that Hunter hero was so deviant from the norms."

"Yeah. I always enjoyed it, made me have wishes about getting a Shakalaka friend when I was younger."

"You don't have to give that one up just yet you know. Remember, we found a Shakalaka village near Tilokpia." Atricia suggests.

"I know. You went there with someone else. I'd go, I'm just not decided yet. I've already been with Vivianne forever now, you know?"

"Vivi's wonderful. Maybe one day I should befriend a Palico companion myself, seeing you two really makes me want one." Atricia ruminated.

"I could help you with that when the time comes." You offer.

"I don't know who else I'd ask." She says.

+======+
Date Points: (29/100)
6 points for sparking rumination.
+======+

>Bring up another subject to talk on.
>Break out the booze.
>Ask if she'd like to swim in the pond.
>Tell her your best joke.
>Go searching for materials, make matching necklaces for you both.
>See if you can attract Tabitabi to the scene.
>Talk about your life with her.
>Play a game with her.
>Wrap the date up.
>Write in.
>>
>>4250264
>Bring up another subject to talk on.
Since we're talking about tales from our homes ask something about her's.
>>
>>4250264
>Break out the booze.
>>
>>4250264
Supporting >>4250271.
>>
"There aren't many tales and legends about my home, but Atricia, I'm curious, any of yours?"

"Dundorma? What kind of question is that? Of course there are! Too many, way too many! After all, that city was founded by His Immenseness himself. He started everything there, the Guild and all two thousand years ago."

"Any you know right off hand?"

"Oh boy... I'd have to fetch a book for that.... Well, actually, I know of one." She says, mixing herself up.

You lean up. "I'm listening."

"There was a heroic Huntress back then who was known around Dundorma and beyond. She was relatively recent in history. She was famous for slaying the terrible Elder Dragon Shageru Magala at least sixty years ago and helping to stop a plague that was circulating back then of the Frenzy Virus, something that makes Monsters become even more monstrous. They call her 'Hiruino naiyashin', which roughly means 'Unrivaled Ambition' in Wyverian."

"Would I be right to assume you've taken some inspiration from her tale?" You asked.

Atricia giggles. "Maybe. I would always bug mother to tell me it over and over again as a bedtime story when I was a kid. I loved that tale, my favorite part was where the Huntress faced the mythical Dalamadur."

"Both of us have a role model, huh?"

"We do, don't we?" Atricia smiles.

"So how did her story end?"

"Tragically, but it was the end she would have wanted." Atricia says with no change in demeanor.

"What happened?"

"In the end it was said she died in an impossible battle over twenty years ago before I was born. She saved a town and hundreds of lives sacrificing herself to defeat another mythical Elder Dragon; Garuba Daora. I think it's poetic, she gained her notoriety defeating the golden Shagaru, and her story ended defeating the golden Garuba. She went out on her own terms, taking down that Elder."

"Always great when they go out with a blast, I suppose."

"I hope I'll go out like that too honestly. I live for this stuff, and I want to end with it." Atricia says with a smile of adoration over her face.

"..." You said nothing, thinking it morbid for the moment.

She looked at you with that same innocent smile and tilted her head.

"...Heh, me too." You say, returning with your own after a moment.

+======+
Date Points: (42/100)
13 points for relating with common traits.
+======+
>>
"Anything else? Like maybe... something recent that happened in Dundorma?"

"Something besides 'Hiruino naiyashin'"?

"Sure." You say.

"Nmm... That's a hard one, the latest I know of still probably involves her."

"What was the latest occurrence in Dundorma?" You asked, listening well.

"Oh, that would be when G..." She stopped, suddenly choking in the middle of speaking her sentence.

"Hm? Atricia? Something wrong?" You tilted your head.

Atricia looked away, down at the mat, distressed by something. She curls her legs up and just clears her throat, pulling her scarf a little to ease her breathing.

"I don't want to say I'm bothered, but I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't..."

"If you're not at liberty to say what you were going to, it's fine." You raise your hands to reassure her.

"No, no, I can tell you, I'm just... I get frightened when I think about it. It sticks with me." She says.

"What happened?"

"It happened forty two years ago. Dundorma experienced a reckoning it hasn't recovered from completely. The damages were so costly and grim that rebuilding still happens all the time even today, and it will continue like that years from now. Dundorma is a giant place, and it takes a great effort to rebuild it all when it was almost wiped off the map."

"Something almost destroyed Dundorma? By itself?"

"Yes. Back then Dundorma came under attack by one of the most powerful Monsters known, an Elder Dragon, Gogmazios." She says.

"Wait... Gogmazios is real? True? I thought... Gogmazios was just religious stuff." Says you, bewildered.

Atricia has a sour look. "I hate that, you really have no idea. Dundorma was nearly extinguished in one day and years ahead all that people elsewhere remember of it is some stupid religion that was made of Gogmazios that came out of nowhere. People actually believe it..."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I had thought..."

"That it was the other story some Guild Districts made? That Gogmazios didn't exist and it was actually an 'army' of nomadic Elder Dragons? That one isn't true, and even if it was and that was the case, Dundorma wouldn't have suffered as much as it really did."
>>
File: The fear revived.png (136 KB, 512x351)
136 KB
136 KB PNG
"Gogmazios swept through the city and torched all it saw. Thousands died. A lot of my families' ancestors were there, and most of them were claimed by the carnage as well, great grand figures, cousins down the line..." Atricia says, slightly saddened.

"How was Gogmazios stopped?"

"By the Huntress I mentioned, she was sent by His Immenseness along with others to slay Gogmazios at the Battlequarters. They succeeded, but nearly died doing so."

"That sounds... terrible. I'm sorry for asking, Atricia."

She shakes her head. "No, it isn't your fault. I shouldn't be so morose talking about it, it all happened so long ago. I don't even get mad when I hear people use expressions like 'for the love of Gog' and such."

"Hmm.... But wait, His Immenseness was there at the time surely, how come the Guild doesn't believe it's own founder then that other districts would spin another story?" You question, leaning in.

"Skepticism. Nobody ever believed that a place as powerful and fortified as Dundorma could be taken out so easily by one Elder Dragon, not even one as big and far mightier than Lao. Some people even believed it was a meteorite that struck, or an accident with the Guardians and other armed forces." Atricia explains.

"Trust me, I can sort of understand that position. If I were from say, Minegarde at that time, and I heard that the Guild's capital had just been totally wrecked solo by one Elder, I would be doubtful too."

"But it sounds like there was so much evidence..." You say, scratching your chin.

"Nobody can ever truly understand the skepticism. With how much evidence there was... including Gogmazios' actual corpse before it was harvested, you'd have thought everyone would believe the truth in time. I guess it just didn't happen that way after all...."

"I get even more scared when I think about it... because I heard there was an oil field near The Fort." She says.

"Why would that scare you?" You ask.

"Gogmazios was said to have blotted most of the town out with oil that dripped from it's body. It was said that Gogmazios never stopped leaking oil, oil that can light up into a raging fire..."

"Oh..."

Atricia stares off into the distance. You saw worry in her eyes.

+======+
Date Points: (24/100)
18 points deducted for reviving a deathly fear.
+======+

What will you do now?
>>
Fuck we brought her PTSD back
QUICK, ADMINISTER COOKIE FROM PICANIC BASKET
>>
>>4250355
Damn it Level, you bait us by thinking we did a good choice only to fuck us in the ass.

Anyway the poor girl is all worked up now, give her a hug and let's try to cheer her up, use us and that hunter she told as an example, our home was gonna get wrecked by that blasted sea serpent but amidst all fear we never lost hope, then the hunter came to our village and smacked the blasted to thing to hell and back, and that hunter she told as well she was a damn hero from what she told, fighting bravely against some nasty beats to help that folk, sometimes we end up facing a dangerous enemy, it's natural to fell wary even fearful, we ourselves have looked death in the eye too much, but that's excactly why we must stand up and fight, no matter how dim things look as long as we never lose hope things will always turn around.

After that try to take her mind away from and ask if she would like to swim in the pond.
>>
File: Ukanlos choking Velkhana.png (1.21 MB, 1266x688)
1.21 MB
1.21 MB PNG
Proper colors.
>>
You didn't like that look she had, so you thought to move yourself closer to her. She looks up at you curiously as you sit next to her now and you blinked twice before raising your arms and offering a hug.

Surprised by this action, she shakes off the look she had and takes you up on it briefly.

"Thanks, I needed that." She tells you, gaining a slightly happier expression.

"No problem. And hey, Atricia? I was glad to hear your stories, they were great. Your story about that Huntress really reminded me about Moga's hero, risking his life to save our village from being obliterated by a Ceadeus and more. The village Elders used to talk about how hard it was for that guy, but he pulled through." You say, reminiscing about the old tale.

"They were both heroes, real heroes. Sometimes, even people like them can get weary though, just like you thinking about that oil field and Gogmazios. I'll tell you, I'm not exactly thrilled thinking about what they said at Council lately...."

"That they suspect a Ceadeus might be here in the New World?" Atricia brought your exact thoughts to light.

"Yeah... and what more, the Director wants me to handle it, says I'm best suited because of these old Mogan lungs. I'm not looking forward to it...." You say, staring off, glum over it.

But you shake your head and reaffirm your true feelings, expressing them to her.

"But you know what? I can't stay afraid, I won't stay afraid. Even if the odds are stacked against me, I'm still going to charge... or swim on and do my best. If I have to face a Ceadeus, then I hope I have the blessing of my role model, because I won't stop until I can't fight anymore!" You declare.

Atricia was beginning to turn over a look of awe at you confronting your unease.

"The Star once told me you need courage above all else." You say.

You reach forward and grab Atricia's hand, holding it up tightly.

"Atricia, if there really is a Gogmazios in the Guiding Lands, then don't be afraid. If you had to face it... then I'm sure you'll come out on top, you just need to be courageous. I'd be right behind you, I know you'd be right behind me on anything."

"Ah... I...."

Atricia glances over your hand and then swallowed her unnerve, looking back up to you with a stalwart expression.

"You're right! I shouldn't be afraid, I've got my friends... and you behind me! If there is a Gogmazios here, then none of us should turn our back to it."

She clenches your hand in return and you share a moment of tender passion over fighting spirit with her there until both of you let go and nodded.

+======+
Date Points: (39/100)
15 points for encouragement in the face of doom.
+======+
>>
Some time passes of you and her enjoying the peaceful moment there in the creek. Cookies and other sweeter items of the picnic basket were shared and the talks soon drifted upon the subject of carpentry unexpectedly, mostly due to you bringing up the Private Suite available, which you told that you considered buying even. She perked up at the descriptions of it's high features, and especially so at the mention of a lofty guest room.

She was reluctant to try and present an idea of moving in with you again however. Maybe she was too caught up enjoying her space and own place. You were fine with that, as you weren't sure if the suite was fitting of your tastes anyway.

You challenged her to a contest of skipping rocks near the lip of the pond soon after, competing to see who could skip a stone farther. She gives up easily enough as she runs out of rocks and you outwit her with much better throwing skill.

"Man, I really underestimated you!" She says.

"Hmm... The water is nice. You said this flows from a spring?"

"Yeah, it trails from the mountains and Great Ravine. It isn't the warmest, but hey, it has that." She says, pointing you up to a vine which could be used to swing into the pond's deeper ends.

"Would you like to go for a swim then?" You asked, fixated on the flowing streams.

"Eh? You want to swim now?"

You nod.

"In what? Our undergarments? You really want to get those wet?"

"In Moga, we didn't really mind what we wore when we swam. Heh, I remember an old geezer who swam in his wedding dress once." You recall.

"Pfffftt...." She blows.

She stares down at the waters, considering it. Her eyes glance to you as she taps her chin.

"Well, honestly... I'm not too sure about getting wet right now, but if you really want to... I suppose it isn't any trouble..." She says.

"Did you?"

>What will you do?
>>
>>4250462
>>Play a game with her.
How about we decide this with a game then, if we win, then we go swim, if she wins she can choose what we do next.
>>
>>4250462
If shes so worried about clothes then why don't we just go skinny dipping instead?[/spoiler
>>
File: -.png (17 KB, 512x351)
17 KB
17 KB PNG
>>4250475
>>
"Well.... How about this, Atricia. We'll play a game, you and me. If I win, we go for a swim, but if I loose, I'll let you decide what we should do next. How about it?"

"Hah, so it's like that then? Okay, we can play a game. What did you have in mind?" She comes back.

>Arm wrestling.
>Dalyence using forest objects.
>Drinking contest.
>Hide and seek.
>Tag.
>Teeth, Fang, Claws.
>Atricia's Draughts Hunter Game.
>A test of strength with her Greatsword.
>Write in.
>>
>>4250503
>Drinking contest.
>>
File: 1544357536991.png (278 KB, 794x872)
278 KB
278 KB PNG
>>4250558
>swimming under the influence

>>4250503
>Hide and seek.
>>
>>4250565
Hide ans Seek.
>>
"Hide and seek?" She asks, taken aback by that.

"Yeah. What? You aren't afraid you might lose, are you?" You say, cockily.

"Hah!" She laughed. "Hah hah hah hah! You think you can best the Scoutress at Hide and seek? I'll have you know that I'm perhaps the best at it! You're on!"

"I'll give you ten seconds." You say, turning around and covering your eyes.

"Ten... nine... eight... seven..."

You hear footsteps from her and peek around. She was already gone from sight completely.

"....Six... five.... four three two one." You finish.

Oh boy... maybe you should have hid first. This is going to be tricky...

>Roll 3d1000
>>
Rolled 607, 680, 9 = 1296 (3d1000)

>>4251658
>>
Rolled 385, 833, 544 = 1762 (3d1000)

>>4251658
>>
Not sure if it's too late for a third roll but we could sure use one.
>>
You trail out into the woods, looking around in the direction you thought she went in as best as you could. Setting some rules before jumping into this would have helped out too... but you guess it's no problem. Hunters have to deal with harder things anyway.

You aren't having much luck at all here. You give it about ten minutes before you give up. You hear only the ambience of the forest where you stood now, and you saw things all around, places where she could possibly hide...

You saw a bush patch, a big hollow log, many trees she could be on above, a slip in some rocks standing up nearby, a shrubbery of thick vines, and a trench in the dirt.

What will you do?
>>
>>4251886
>a slip in some rocks standing up nearby
Let's check this one out.
>>
>>4251886
>a slip in some rocks standing up nearby
>>
File: Nope.png (112 KB, 512x351)
112 KB
112 KB PNG
Hmm... That slip in the rocks looked big enough for her to fit inside. You walk over and check it out.

....Eh, nope. Nothing here.

"ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃn ᵗʰᵃᵗ, ʰᵉʰ ʰᵉʰ ʰᵉʰᵎ" You hear her distant voice and giggling.

You needed to look harder, and fast!

Three more tries left before you lose.
>What will you search now?
>>
>>4252014
>Many trees she could be on above...
Let's check on these trees.
>>
>>4251886
>many trees she could be on above
If we don't find her then we at least have a decent vantage point.
>>
File: trees.png (143 KB, 512x351)
143 KB
143 KB PNG
Hmm... Of course! The trees! She could climb pretty well, just about anyone worth their salt could.

You pace around, looking up at the towering trees. Where could Atricia be, if she were up here...?
>>
File: fndu.png (94 KB, 317x329)
94 KB
94 KB PNG
>>4252108
Behind the big tree.
>>
File: trees.png (112 KB, 512x351)
112 KB
112 KB PNG
You squinted as you looked up at the trees above.

"...Ahah!" You exclaim, pointing up. "Found you!"

"ᴰᵃʳn ᶦᵗᵎ"

The branches creaked and twisted as Atricia came down from the trees, landing in front of you with the assistance of a vine she swings down on.

"Eh, I let you have that one by talking." She dismisses her loss, brushing herself off.

You grin. "Either way, a win is a win."

"Okay, fair enough." She says, following behind you as you turned back to the creek.

+======+
Date Points: (45/100)
6 points for playing a game.
+======+

"Say, what would you have wanted to do anyway if you won?" You ask her.

"Something simple, like flower picking or finding materials to make stuff with. You know, flowers in the New World live longer on average than those in the Old World?"

"Cause of the dead Elder's bioenergy?"

"Yep! The Botannical Researchers still have flowers from the days of the First Fleet that look good as new. I haven't gotten around yet, but I wanted to make a necklace out of some." She explains.

"That sounds nice too." You say.

"It does, but you wanted to swim and you won, so we'll do that." She tells you.

"Yea- ...Hey, wait." You stop her. "What about your bandages?"

A look of shock and embarrassment comes over her face.

"Oh no, you're right! I didn't think about those..."

You twiddle your thumbs, not knowing what to say.

"...Well, they're tightly wrapped and a bit pudgy..." She says, poking a bandage and wincing as she touched a wound. "-...I don't think they're that big of a deal..."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Atricia." You voice some concern.

"No, no no! It's fine! Really, I can take it." She insists.

"If you want to swim we can. Your choice Vance."

>What will you do?
>>
>>4252286
While I would love to see a little more of Atricia, we should not fluster her, so let's look for some neat stuff to make those necklaces, while she look on the ground we go looking close to the water. Anyone else got other ideas for stuff to do?
>>
>>4252303
Maybe try to get Tabitabi to be our wingwoman? She's a friend, after all.
>>
>>4252286
She says its fine, so swim
I want to push her in and see her reaction
>>
>>4252312
She still wounded anon, she is trying to put a brave face to not spoil our fun, I am tempted to make take a dive but I rather not do something which might worse her state.
>>
>>4252330
She was just swinging on the tree like tarzan, shes fine.
>>
>>4252311
Are you in support of >>4252303 or voting for what you ascribed in your post separately?
>>
>>4252311
How are we going to get her to do that? Tabitabi is still feral if friendly.
>>
>>4252350
Supporting his idea.
>>
>>4252352
If we tried to attract tabitabi, it would be like the first time, start to cook some meat were we think she is and pray she bites the bait, normally that probably won't work but if Level gave it as an option that would mean she is close by I think, maybe after we're had a few rounds of booze with Atricia.
>>
>>4252303
+1
Gathering time.
>>
"I appreciate it Atricia, but you don't need to get those bandages wet. You should wait until you're properly healed before doing something like that. I saw how you felt touching that."

"O-Oh... I don't want you to feel worse over my bandages. I wanted to do my best like you."

"I'm happy the way it is, Atricia, my fun isn't spoiled because I can't swim." You say, touching her shoulder. "And besides, two persons have to hear each other out."

Atricia is stunned for a second, but smiles and nods. "Yeah, I understand. Thanks Vance, for reminding me about that."

"Anytime." You say as you continue on. "Now, how about we find some stuff?"

"Find some stuff? You mean like... things to make necklaces with?" She asks, her eyes lighting up.

"Yeah! I'll go search for some flowers and help you make that necklace you wanted." You tell her.

"Alright! Oh! And I know what I can do! It'll be a surprise!" She says, walking up ahead of you faster.

"Lets meet back at the mat after we're done." You say.

"Sure! I'll be back in a jiffy!" She says, going off.

You went around yourself, searching for flowers close to the streams winding around and connecting to the creek. You picked up some Ivy along the way, to make a smooth string with using some tree sap.
>>
File: Flowers.png (77 KB, 512x351)
77 KB
77 KB PNG
Some time passes and Atricia returns, converging back upon the picnic spot with you as you finished fashioning a necklace out of the flowers you picked for her. She gasps in delight as you stand up and come over, placing it around her neck.

"It's beautiful!" She exclaims, ruffling the flowers and taking in their pleasant aroma.

"Making it sure wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort." You say.

"I don't think you could have done any better." She complimented you, dangling it from her neck.

"How do I look?" She asks, showing it off.

"Dazzling." You say, giving her a thumbs up.

She giggles. "Oh you!"

"Thanks, Vance! I'm going to wear this all summer long."
>>
File: Necklace.png (51 KB, 512x351)
51 KB
51 KB PNG
"What did you gather out there, by the way?" You ask.

She cuffs her hand and brings it around from behind. You see a string made out of Ivy coming out the flanges of her palms.

"I think you'll like it..."

She opens her hands, showing you an impressive display. She had a wooden carving. You went wide in the eyes and leaned forward to get a better look.

"Atricia... you made that?"

"With my carving knife, yeah!" She says, lifting her dress to reveal a holder for her knife on her calf.

She dumps the necklace into your hands. "It's the Sapphire Star! That's what I thought of when I looked around for inspiration and glanced to the sky."

You fasten the necklace around your neck, picking it up and taking a look at the expertly made carving.

"I'm surprised... This is so well done. Thanks, Atricia.... thanks." You say, feeling warm over it.

"I learned how to carve and do things like that in Handler school actually. You'd laugh knowing the things they teach would-be Handlers, cause most of it doesn't even even up useful in the long run." She says.

"But you found a use for it... a really good one."

"Mmm."

You look up to the sky, seeing the sun right directly above. It should be evening now, but given the sun's placement, you'd predict it was nearing seven in the daytime. It would be dark around eight thirty. You've already spent two hours with her out here.

"So, what did you want to do next?" She asks.
>>
Almost forgot

+======+
Date Points: (65/100)
20 points for adorable bonding.
+======+

>What will you do now?
>>
>>4252487
>Break out the booze.
I think it's a good time for it, let's have some fun amidst some drinks and a few jokes while we're at it.
>>
>>4252494
Seconding
Let's not get too wasted though, we'll have to head back at some point and I doubt we're equipped to spend the night here
>>
>>4252487
I think we've progressed far enough that shes used to us. Why not try some cuddling with her?
>>
Man, the activity really died didn't it?
>>
>>4253494
Tis' a lethargic board.
>>
You walk over to the picnic basket and pull out a bottle from it you received from the chef. It was a premium, fortified Sake brand from Yukumo, very alcoholic in it's content.

"Want to have some drinks?" You ask her.

"Hey! That's my favorite drink from the Canteen." She says, sitting down next to you fast.

You take out two smaller cups and hand her one. "Really? I did namedrop your nickname when I talked to the chef, he must have picked up."

"Yeah, he's a great Felyne, I've never seen even seen him get angry before, except for that one time when someone asked for tofu and vegetarian things, heh heh."

You pour the Sake into the cups and bring it up to your nose. You've never actually had Sake before, but if you could handle Whiskeys and Mead and other brands of alcoholic beverages then this shouldn't be any different. Atricia was looking at you expectantly, waiting to see how you liked it.

"Do you drink it often?"

She laughs nervously. "I... I do hoard some bottles in my place. I drink it whenever I like actually, and especially when I'm stressed."

"Oh man, the most I do is keep a few Root Beers on hand. Well, here goes nothing..."

You take a sip of the Sake.

"....Hey, that's not all that bad."

You down the remainder of the cup. Atricia seems pleased by that as she downs hers.

"Hey, you know I've never been..." She hiccups. "-beaten in a drinking contest before."

"You like drinking contests?"

"Who doesn't? Drinking contests are the hallmark of proving and outwitting others among Hunters like us, and I always did good at them, really good."

"Are you challenging me?" You ask, raising a brow and smirking.

"Maybe, that all depends though, did you think you could take me?" She returns.

>"With one arm tied behind my back."
>"Well... urp... maybe not now."
>>
>>4253741
>>"With one arm tied behind my back."
>>
>>4253728
Lethargic indeed...

>>4253741
>"With one arm tied behind my back."
>>
>>4253741
>"With one arm tied behind my back."
Let's just make a rule to try avoiding getting smashed.
>>
>>4253829
I can support that, won't want to ruin our date by one of us getting too drunk.
>>
File: contest.png (16 KB, 512x351)
16 KB
16 KB PNG
"Hah! With one of my arms tied behind my back." You say.

"Well what are you waiting for? Lets do this!" She says, raising her cup.

"But one thing though. We should limit the amount we bet on, we don't want to get too blasted now, do we?"

"Mmmm... Sure! We can do that." She agrees. "You should know though, I'm going to win."

"We'll see about that."

+=========+

DRINKING CONTEST... BEGIN!

>Roll 1d100.
>>
Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>4253942
>>
Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>4253942
>>
>>4253944
uh oh
>>
File: contest.png (17 KB, 512x351)
17 KB
17 KB PNG
Atricia easily downs her first cup before refilling.

You went to drink your first cup, but halfway through you choke up and have to painfully swallow the alcohol, preventing you from finishing it all the way. You instead go ahead and pour the sum of the next drink into your cup, combining what of the first cup you had left with the second cup.

Your toxicity was rising, she seemed fine. You would have to take a double helping now...

>1d200.
>>
Rolled 80 (1d200)

>>4253953
We ain't no lightweight!
>>
Rolled 151 (1d200)

>>4253953
Oh shit
>>
>>4253957
W are unless somebody rolls higher...
>>
Rolled 183 (1d200)

>>4253953
>>
File: contest.png (18 KB, 512x351)
18 KB
18 KB PNG
You steadied yourself, shaking your head for clearance before you gulped down the whole cup after Atricia did hers.

That one really sent you reeling! The toxicity was working it's way. This stuff... good Gog it was strong... almost as strong as that stuff Senzo beat with that time.

Atricia helped herself, filling both cups again.

"You ready to give up?"

>1d300
>Give up.
>>
Rolled 237 (1d300)

>>4253980
We can do this.
>>
Rolled 270 (1d300)

>>4253980
>>
File: contest.png (40 KB, 512x351)
40 KB
40 KB PNG
You quickly down the third cup in response.

"Nod... jet..." You blurt.

The toxicity was getting too bad. At this rate, you'd pass out soon enough. Atricia barely twitched her eyelids...

>Almost.... dhere... (1d400)
>Nop... nomore...
>>
Rolled 303 (1d400)

>>4254006
>>Almost.... dhere... (1d400)
>>
Rolled 124 (1d400)

>>4254006
>inb4 we faint
It was a bad idea to challenge a drinker to a drinking contest.
>>
I hope we don't say anything embarrassing while we're out.
>>
Rolled 62 (1d400)

>>4254006
>>
File: contest.png (41 KB, 512x351)
41 KB
41 KB PNG
You soldier on despite the dizziness in your eyes. Your speech was slurred, your head was rocking and your bones were becoming relaxed, but nevertheless you grab the cup with an unsteady hand and raise it to your mouth, drinking it all down as Atricia did the same.

This time, she was budging. She vibrated let out an incomprehensible blurt.

"You're... better than I thought, but I'm not... finished yet!" She says, taking the bottle and topping off the drink cups again, nearly finishing the bottle off.

She shoves the last cup into your hand.

"Come on! This will be your lass. You go firss." She demands, put on edge that you might tie with her.

>"Uoi nho golna win..." (1d800)
>Iee giv hup.
>>
Rolled 670 (1d800)

>>4254127
>"Uoi nho golna win..." (1d800)
Blergh.
>>
Rolled 601 (1d800)

>>4254127
>"Uoi nho golna win..." (1d800)
Dice gods please, don't fail me now.
>>
we might need a third roll
>>
Rolled 41 (1d800)

>>4254127
I got this.
>>
>>4254144
Well good thing Level uses the biggest roll and Well a draw is better than a loss, after that let's sober up a little by drinking the water of the pond.
>>
File: Drunk.png (111 KB, 512x351)
111 KB
111 KB PNG
"Heh, easy." You say with some lucky coherence.

You down the last cup of your drink, she does as well.

"Nnmmm...."

"Diu ea wihn?" You ask.

"Nah.... tie."

"Frack."

She takes the Sake bottle and finishes it, drinking the rest down.

By now, you and Atricia were both sopping drunkards, heads spinning, skin dancing, faces red as fire. You were threatening to tumble over, and did your best to keep your lazy neck and spine up. Atricia just sat there and stared into the void...

"H-" She hiccups. "Hey, you... you okay thhehre?"

"Y-Yup... I'm fffiii... I... fine..." You say, trying to suppress and keep down hiccups and a belch.

"Oh... okay..." She says, her face as red as an apple.
>>
File: Drunk.png (107 KB, 512x351)
107 KB
107 KB PNG
*POMF!*
>>
Hah.. Hah hah hah! She fell do-Urgh... Oh, Atricia fell asleep on the mat...

....

>Rajang see, Rajang do. Time to pass out.
>Uhh... My head is dizzy. I should take her to camp.
>Maybe some freak... I mean creek water will sober me up.
>Write in.
>>
>>4254221
>Rajang see, Rajang do. Time to pass out.
Seems simple enough.
>>
>>4254221
Level if we pass out here will the date be considered over?
>>
>>4254221
>Rajang see, Rajang do. Time to pass out
Before we do something stupid in drunken stupor.
>>
>>4254231
Technically? I forgot to list it but the score is 80, Vance won 15 points for competing with her drinking.
>>
>>4254246
Well I rather not risk then.
>Maybe some freak... I mean creek water will sober me up.
We're so cloooose, just 5 more points, let's keep ourselves awake, unless Level decides 80 is enough to make it a success.
>>
File: Drunk.png (73 KB, 512x351)
73 KB
73 KB PNG
Well... this place was safe from Monsters, right? If she has no qualms about sleeping, then neither do you! Time for a good sleep.
>>
File: Face first.png (68 KB, 512x351)
68 KB
68 KB PNG
....!
>>
File: Drunk.png (2 KB, 512x351)
2 KB
2 KB PNG
*PUNT!*
>>
File: Starry Night.png (132 KB, 512x351)
132 KB
132 KB PNG
.....

You open your eyes.

"You're finally awake..." You hear Atricia's voice, and then she was giggling a little. Must have been because you were sleeping with your face in the mat.

You lean up and see her rubbing her eyes, sober now after that debacle with the Sake.

"I don't know about you," She yawned. "-but I'm pooped. We should probably head in now."

It was night now... you and her must have slept there for hours! But how many? Hmm... well, the moon wasn't visible yet, so it may have been nine... or ten.

"Yeah... I agree... I'll get the stuff." You say as she goes to grab her Greatsword.

It was time to leave now.

>Did you have anything you wanted to do before departing?
>>
>>4254283
Well shit, I guess we can still try something, after all the date doesn't stop until we get to Astera. Since the path we took is the longest to go back how about we use to share some of our hunter stories, like we could share either the time we went against Shen or against Amydala, we could ask some of her hunts as well, she is our Senior in the new world, surely she has some awesome hunting stories to tell.
>>
We still need to get 5 points somehow.
>>
>>4254307
Stargazing?
>>
>>4254307
Well, we could try my suggestion, but if you any ideas better say it before we depart.
>>
>>4254310
Worth a shot, supporting it.
>>
Why don't we try sealing the deal now instead and go home?
>>
But not just exactly yet. You asked her about doing one last thing, and she obliged.

Together, you both ventured out, finding your ways through the forest. She helped you navigate in the dark, teaching you a trick about seeing that helped you get by just nicely without Scoutflies, though you would have preferred to have those useful old bugs her with you.

Light returned the higher you both went, until eventually both of you found the way to a ledge, a vantage point just high enough that the whole sky was visible over it. And all the stars too.
>>
File: Stargazing.png (230 KB, 512x351)
230 KB
230 KB PNG
"They're so nice to look at." She says.

"Yeah, and there's so many. Uncountable." You returned.

"You see that one there? That's my favorite. The Magenta Star, or as the eggheads call it, Irregulus. Second brightest star in the sky." She tells you, pointing out a specific speck in the sky.

"Mmm. Hey, which one is that?" You say, pointing to the brightest you could see.

"What? You seriously don't know?" She says with a certain smile about her.

"I don't actually stargaze all that much..." You rub the back of your head. "I prefer to sleep at night, I'm an early riser, you know?"

"Hm hm. You're silly Vance, it's not even ten yet."

"It's Sapphyrus. That's the Sapphire Star itself, the real one."

"...Oh. OH!" You gawk.

"Now you know at least!" She teased you.

"That I do."

You continued to stare at the stars with her for a while, admiring the burning cores of light in the endless sky, along with the amazing appearance of the neighboring galaxy.

"Vance." She says.

"Yeah?" You turn to her.

"Was there something you wanted to bring me for here?" She asked.

>Yes. (Critical Life Choice - Effects story randomly.)
>I just thought you would like to see them with me. (Uncritical - Leaves relationship unlocked.)
>Write in.
>>
>>4254362
>>Yes. (Critical Life Choice - Effects story randomly.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rdL2KkvzY
Does that means we reached the 85 points Level?
>>
>>4254362
>I just thought you would like to see them with me. (Uncritical - Leaves relationship unlocked.)
I think we should weigh our options and maybe wait another date or two before deciding. I don't want the options to lock this early when we haven't even seen what the other choices are like, not that I don'r think Atricia is fine.

Also Poleman I just want to say that I think you have always been really goof at drawing space and stuff, kudos.
>>
>>4254370
>weigh our options
Which options? Other than Atricia the only woman we had a proper chat with are dragons or the crazy hunter thirsting for Inagami's cock.
>>
>>4254371
We haven't gotten to properly know any of them yet, compare that to Atricia who we met near the beginning. I suppose I just want to still see what Velkhana might be like above all.
>>
File: gooby.png (42 KB, 386x269)
42 KB
42 KB PNG
>>4254370
>really goof
Gawrsh.
>>
>>4254374
>Wanting to fuck an ice dragon of indeterminate age full of pride issues who is the size of a small house
Seriously? if Shara doesn't go ballistic in our asses I don't think she would accept. Even then the other relevant females are: Vivi (Our Palico), Alatreon(Crazy, Nihilistic, Hates everything), The Swift Huntress(Crazy). C'mon you can possible think they make a good dating material?
>>
>>4254386
>...if Shara doesn't.
Mean Even if Shara
>>
>>4254386
Velk was sweet to us after we helped her find Shara again, and plenty of good characters have shown pride, even we do. We should at least give her a try, and Shara wants humans and dragons together so he would approve as her teacher.

Also, we haven't gotten to know any of the other Huntresses we met, like the legiana girl or the Kulu girl.
>>
>>4254389
Except those are racial traits for them, They have a big amount of natural Vanity and Pride sometimes they can cloud their actions like that time against duremediura also.....she is a fucking dragon the size a small house. About the other hunters, I think it's a bit too late for we start a relationship with them, like you said to reach were we are with Atricia took 10 quests and a lot of events like becoming roommates, rainsing Shara together, and other stuff, there is a lot of stuff which helped us reach were we are which I don't think will work with the others, but that's my opinion, I think we should wait for more people, but my vote is to say yes and seal the deal.
>>
>>4254400
>They have a big amount of natural Vanity and Pride sometimes they can cloud their actions
That would only take some getting used to but I feel she would come around. She already took the first step a long time ago.

>she is a fucking dragon the size a small house
Yes and? That just means she'd be a nice playground for us. Where you see a con I see an added plus.

>I think we should wait for more people, but my vote is to say yes and seal the deal.
Agreed. I'll stick by mine as well.
>>
I somehow feel this waifushit drove away most of my broader audience... If that is the case then I only need some more votes before we can move back onto the good stuff guys. C'mon. Lurkers? Can you come out too for once?
>>
>>4255373
Gotta be patient Level war ain't a fast board, otherwise roll a dice.
>>
>>4255379
>war
Meant qst, also I am that guy>>4254400
>>
>>4254362
>Yes.
If the intent was for us to consider anybody else, they should've been introduced sooner.
>>
File: 1540161516735.gif (1.67 MB, 333x281)
1.67 MB
1.67 MB GIF
It's not what I genuinely want, it just feels like this quest was doomed to end with the first girl(not including Tabitabi).
>>
>>4255400
It's for the better anon, lest we end up degenerating into harem faggotry
>>
File: 1564709073879.png (540 KB, 870x628)
540 KB
540 KB PNG
>>4255400
I thought it would have been best to have left the choice to get to know other people in the players hands, hence why I put options for talking to others back in the 4th thread with Yama Tsukami, and other times too, but we didn't... that was a major fuckup on my part wasn't it?
>>
>>4255417
Then just take some more control out of our hands, simple.
>>
>>4255417
But we did talk to others hunters just not to the girls, after Yama we went to learn how to do a rocket jump then on Ukanlos we talked about the importance of moderation with one of our companions.
>>
>>4255417
What I am saying is you did good Level it's just the anons at the time had other priorities.
>>
>>4255427
I don't want to do that though, I'm not a conductor man. I want the players to have their say and feel like their choice mattered.

>>4255432
True. I guess this was just how it was going to happen after all. I don't want anyone to be unsatisfied though, which is why I'm giving the choice to still go back on this.
>>
>>4255417
Well, downtime didn't really seem that high on the players' list of priorities. Ever since they caught wind of a world-ending prophecy, they tunnel visioned into gittin gud.

>>4255427
Careful what you wish for, he might just kill Atricia off for your trouble.
>>
>>4255447
Yeah, we kinda end up too close to too many almost death situations and we got Zman and the ancestor breathing down on our necks and now we have a secret club wyverian joining on the fun. We gotta get his as fast as possible while tying up as many loose ends as possible.
>>
>>4254362
>Yes. (Critical Life Choice - Effects story randomly.)
I usually only lurk, but I'll vote. Either way Level, love this quest from the art to the characters and story. You do a fantastic job.
>>
>>4255478
C'mon man we finally could proceed.
>>
>>4255496
Alright, nevermind.
>>
Sorry if I sounded whiny, thanks for voting guys.
>>
Hey Level, what did you base the ancients off of anyway? What is their culture like?
>>
>>4255545
>what did you base the ancients off of anyway? What is their culture like?
I was thinking their aesthetics should be Babylonian for the most part, but since in this story the Ancients formed their empire of hundreds of Human tribes, they'd have different flavors of cultures out there, and not all necessarily real ones.
>>
File: Stargazing.png (163 KB, 512x351)
163 KB
163 KB PNG
"Yeah." You answer, turning your head and looking at her.

You and Atricia locked eyes there on the vantage point. Your stared into her turquoise eyes with your own hazel irises.

"I wanted to tell you something." You say.

"Oh?"

+======+
Date Points: (84/100)
You got this.
+======+

>What do you say?
>>
>>4255664
>Atricia I like you, I mean really like you...so I would like to ask, Would you want to be my girlfriend.
How about this? Anyone got a better idea for a confession?
>>
>>4255664
"Y-You too."
>>
I look away for a bit and we're dropping spaghetti. Is it too late to vote or is this is?
>>
>>4255690
Do it, post anon give your opinion.
>>
>>4255690
No, I was just doing that roll to see if I could land the second for a reaction cause I'm a clown. You can vote still.
>>
>>4255664
Supporting >>4255675
>>
>>4255675
Switch to this
>>
File: Stargazing.png (162 KB, 512x351)
162 KB
162 KB PNG
"I like you." You tell her.

She put on a surprised expression to hear that.

"I mean to say, I really like you. This has been a great day I spent with you, so I'd like to ask..."

"Would you like to... to..."

"...You want me to be your girlfriend?" She says, finishing your sentence.

"Y... Yeah."

"...."

She smiles and leans in.

"I like you too Vance... I would."

...

You pulled her closer then, wrapping your hand around her back and letting her lean on you as you both watched the stars together for a time.
>>
File: Interlude.png (2 KB, 512x351)
2 KB
2 KB PNG
>>
File: Loading Screen3.png (56 KB, 512x351)
56 KB
56 KB PNG
>>
File: Loading Screen4.png (40 KB, 512x351)
40 KB
40 KB PNG
>>
>>
>>4255786
>>4255789
Ah Zuhramon why do you never change.
>>
File: Morning Grace.png (151 KB, 512x351)
151 KB
151 KB PNG
After professing, you and Atricia had went home together, turning in and parting ways to settle back into your own abodes, but not before saying a goodbye for now.

You felt... good about yourself.

No loner were you missing out on these qualities of life such as meeting people like you did back in the Old World. Taking the next step and going beyond that, meeting a nice girl and coming to like her, it gave you some sensation that you felt. You passed it off as strange...

Come morning, the sun was bright in the sky, and appearing over the sea, it shone heavenly.

You noticed when you awoke that Vivianne was already back, she had let herself in and was resting now. You can't imagine how long at night she must have been kept up by Chamo. Best to let her sleep.

You get up quietly and put on your armor, stepping outside to be greeted by the warmth of the sun. Atricia was still in her room, and Astera was bustling with activity as usual.

Now it was around seven in the morning. Breakfast time at the Canteen. There were plenty of Urgent assignments to do, but you could do anything you wanted.

You haven't heard from the Star in a while, but his Veteran friends were all gathered near the Council table. The Commander wasn't present, but the Warden was in his place.

You saw a boat on the horizon sailing in to dock. It would be here soon. It wasn't the Argosy. You wondered what it might be?

What will you do now today?
>>
>>4255811
My ideas for what to do, we could go and slay the Lenshen, then give some of the magic sap to heal Atricia. We could also go to El Doraro and confirm or not if Kulve is sentient, also we could check up on Shara, it's been a long time and we could double and ask him if he feels something about the bag we got and if Kulve is or isn't feral, we could do one of the urgents as well? Any other ideas? My vote goes for Lenshen smacking.
>>
>>4255811
Let's try to find someone who's good at making plushies, we need something to confotrt Chamo that doesn't need to sleep.
>>
Also

>>4255786
Frack off, Z-MOM. I only chose her out of plot (in)convenience.
>>
>>4255811
H U N T
C E A D E U S
>>
>>4255811
Check out what that spook is telling the Star's friends before anything else.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>4255818
>>4255845

>>4255832
>>4255848
I'm gonna count your two votes as one.
>>
Curiously, you walked over just enough that you could eavesdrop as best as you could on the Warden and the Veterans without being seen. You huddled up against railing and pretended to only be casually leaning on it, and then you held your breath to hear more.

They were talking about something...a 'disappearance'...

"-'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ ᵘnᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃnᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶦᵗᵘᵃᵗᶦᵒn ᵃᵗ ʰᵃnᵈ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇʸ nᵒʷ. ᴬnᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ ᵘnᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃnᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᶦᵗ ʷᶦˡˡ ᶦnᶜᵘʳ ᶦᶠ ᶦᵗ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵒᵘᵗ. ᴵᵗ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᴬˢᵗᵉʳᵃ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒʳᵉ, ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᶦˢ ʷʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᶦˢ. ᴵ ᵃˢˢᵘᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡˡ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃᵈᵉᵠᵘᵃᵗᵉ ᵗᶦᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᵛᵉˢˀ"

The Veterans all responded with a hushed and simultaneous 'Aye sir.'

"ᴳᵒᵒᵈ, ᵗʰᵉn ʷʰᵉn ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃʸ ᵈᵉᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒn ᵐʸ ᵃᶦʳˢʰᶦᵖ ʷʰᵉn ᶦᵗ ᵃʳʳᶦᵛᵉˢ. ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃᵗ, ᴵ ʷᵃnᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ ᵃ ᶠᵉʷ ᵗʰᶦnᵍˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵃᵇˢᵒˡᵘᵗᵉˡʸ ᵉnˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ."

"ᶠᶦʳˢᵗ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵠᵘᶦᶜᵏ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᶦˢ. ᴱᵛᵉn ᶦn ᵃ ˡᵃnᵈ ᵃˢ ᵈᵃnᵍᵉʳᵒᵘˢ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᴱᵛᵉnᵗᶦᵈᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᶦˢ nᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵃˢᵗᶦnᵍ ᵗᶦᵐᵉ ᵒn ᵘnnᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᶜᵒnᶠˡᶦᶜᵗ ʷᶦᵗʰ ʳᵃnᵈᵒᵐ ᴹᵒnˢᵗᵉʳˢ. ᵁnᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈˀ"
>>
The Veterans all nodded.

"ˢᵉᶜᵒnᵈ, ᵘnᵈᵉʳ nᵒ ᶜᶦʳᶜᵘᵐˢᵗᵃnᶜᵉ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉnᵍᵃᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᴮˡᵃᶻᶦnᵍ ᴮˡᵃᶜᵏ ᴰʳᵃᵍᵒn ᴬᵀ ᴬᴸᴸ. ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᶦˢˢᶦᵒn ᶦˢ ᵒnˡʸ ʳᵉᵗʳᶦᵉᵛᵃˡ, ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ nᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉn ᵃ ᵍʳᵒᵘᵖ ᵒᶠ ᴴᵘnᵗᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵏᶦˡˡ ᶦˢ ˢᵗᶦˡˡ ˢᵘᶦᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢˡᵃʸᶦnᵍ ᴬˡᵃᵗʳᵉᵒn. ᵁnᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈˀ"

"ᴬʸᵉ ˢᶦʳᵎ"

"ᵀʰᶦʳᵈ, ᵃˢ ˢᵒᵒn ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒᵇʲᵉᶜᵗᶦᵛᵉ ʰᵃˢ ᵇᵉᵉn ᵃᶜᵠᵘᶦʳᵉᵈ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵘˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵘˡᵗᶦʰᶦᵗᶜʰᵉˢ ᵃnᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰᶦᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᴿᵉˢᵉᵃʳᶜʰ ᴮᵃˢᵉ ᵃˢ ˢᵒᵒn ᵃˢ ᵖᵒˢˢᶦᵇˡᵉ. ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡʳᵉᵃᵈʸ ˢᵉnᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵃᶜᶜᵒᵐᵖᵃnʸᶦnᵍ ᵐᵉᵈᶦᶜˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃʷᵃᶦᵗᶦnᵍ ʸᵒᵘ. ᵁnᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈˀ"

"ᴬʸᵉ ˢᶦʳᵎ"

"ᴳᵒᵒᵈ. ᴬnᵈ ᶠᵒʳᵗʰ, ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒᶜᵘᵐᵉnᵗ ᵃnᵈ ᵐᵉnᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ nᵒᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰᶦnᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ. ᴬnᵈ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᵗʰᵃᵗ, nᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ nᵉᵉᵈ ᵇᵉ ˢᵃᶦᵈ. ᴴᵘnᵗᵉʳˢ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵈᶦˢᵐᶦˢˢᵉᵈ. ᴮᵉ ᵒn ʸᵒᵘʳ ʷᵃʸˢ ᵃnᵈ ᵍᵒᵈˢᵖᵉᵉᵈ."

With that, the Veterans all disembarked, leaving the Council floor and going off, heading down to the docks as an airship appeared above to land soon.

You glanced back at the Warden...

....He was looking right at you.

You act like you saw nothing and were only fixing something with your Scoutfly cage. As soon as you make it seem like you noticed him, you only look around and behind yourself to appear aloof before waving.

He just fixes his red shades and nods back before walking off...

What was that all about?
>>
You wondered who exactly what the Warden was sending them to do. They mentioned a disappearance, but not about whom. Alatreon was also mentioned, as well as retrieving whoever it was.

Right now, that wasn't so important to you, though you would find out sometime later if you could. At this moment, you thought it would be good to help solve Chamo's problem of loneliness, and given his childlike mind... you had the perfect solution. A plush toy of some kind, or something of the like.

You remember the Excitable A-Lister and his Serious Handler, they helped make the Poogie clothing and they made Shara's sweater, maybe they could help make you something like what you sought, under the guise you were going to gift it to somebody else of course.

You search around for the pair, looking all over Astera. However, you are not able to find them. Not in the Canteen, not in the barracks, not at the Tradeyard, the Smithy nor the housings...
>>
Still determined to find them, you decide to ask around. Nobody seems to recall where they went in the barracks, but they give you a pointer to someone who would know their whereabouts; The Sapphire Star's Handler, who almost always resided at the Canteen when not on a mission with the Star.

You approached the Handler and saw her taking time out of her work of looking through Commission papers to instead read a note she had there. She was normally eating a large platter, but there was no food around now. The air was a bit different.

"Excuse me." You say, approaching.

"Oh! Hello! You're the Freelancer." She says, standing up to shake your hand. "I know we've met before but I'm prone to treating each meeting like the first time again, sorry!"

"No problem. I just had some questions."

"Is it about the Star?" She asks, looking back onto her note. "He went out, but I don't know why or where. He left me this note yesterday and said he was taking a trip for something personal. I haven't heard back from him since. I'm really starting to worry."

"Oh, well, interesting to know, but I was looking for someone else. I heard they're friends with the Star, an A-Lister and his Handler?" You clarify.

"Oh, yeah, of course I know them. They went off to the Research Base today, they were summoned to lend a help with something concerning the Everwyrm." She tells you.

"Thanks." You say, turning off.

The Handler just continued to look morose at that note.

What will you do now?
>>
>>4255942
Punch Handler
>>
>>4255942
Let's slay the Lenshen or Meet with Shara, maybe it's something important.
>>
>>4255952
No, lets slay Ceadeus
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4255952
>>4255955
>>
Some thoughts raced. Why were those two going off to the Research Base to help with something about Shara? And why has the Star gone out alone? Could... be the one who 'disappeared'?

You certainly hope not, but right now you felt you wouldn't be able to do either. A man was approaching you fast you saw; the Analytics Director.

You greeted the senior chief and allowed him to spill his talk about the mission he needed you for. Only you and your refined Moganer lungs would suffice, only you and those special lungs could actually do this task, nobody else was capable holding their breath for hours on end unlike you.

You decided that you'd have to put the other things off for another time, right now, duty called. The duty you discussed your fear of with Atricia. If Ceadeus was the cause, then you would have to fight the Ocean Dragon. You were ready, because there was no turning back now as you walked with the Analytics Director. Though, you still held onto the hope that it just might not be Ceadeus after all...

Oh, who were you kidding?

The Analytics Director tells you that a boat was ready at the Lambent bay already. He tells you that all his preparations were already made and done and that he'd meet you there as he was going off to the Bay himself, and expected you to come not far behind.

He gives you a little grace period to use just before you have to leave exactly. He says he will go ahead and depart, but you should use what time you have left to replenish your supplies or whatever else you need to.

And with that, he leaves you in the Tradeyard, going to find his Wingdrake transportation.

>Change your armor set.
>Change your weapon out.
>Buy some supplies to restock.
>Talk to somebody.
>Write in.
>>
>>4256032
>>Change your armor set.
Let's get back the set which give us 5 carts after that.

>Talk to somebody.
Let's see if anyone else feels like tackling this absolute unit together with us.
>>
>>4256043
>Let's see if anyone else feels like tackling this absolute unit together with us.
Only we have the lungs to do this mission, but maybe we could talk to somebody like Atricia or Brigg before we leave.
>>
>>4255786
Some part of me wonders if Zhuramon is watching Vance because he’s bored and possibly a little lonely, so he treats Vance as something of a reality TV show or streamer personality.
>>
>>4257059
Even an Ancient needs entertainment.
>>
The first thing you decided to do in preparation for the quest was to go to your room and don the Cainhurst Set you received from the other world, Yharnam. It's latent ability to increase cart amount would help make this quest to dive into the sea go swimmingly for you, despite it's lack of water protection.

But your mind went over one other thing as you finished strapping on the armor; Your weapon.

Your Gunlance was nice and all... but if you were to be honest, you never really fought in the water with it. You always used to lure your enemies back onto the land before dealing with them. And if you were to drop a piece, especially in depths that dark... well, you might lose it, even if you were a very good swimmer.

The Holy Moonlight Sword was inert of the power it used to house, but still was a fine Greatsword even without the power of the abyssal cosmos. It would also be less of a hassle to carry underwater...

>Keep Usurper's Roar.
>Use Holy Moonlight Sword instead.
>>
>>4257192
>Use Holy Moonlight Sword instead.
Seems more practical for destroying Ceadeus' beard
>>
>>4257192
>Use Holy Moonlight Sword instead.
>>
It was surely more maneuverable than the Gunlance as well despite having the edge in weight. That was enough to convince you to use the Holy Moonlight Sword instead, so you switched out and put your Usurper's Roar away, swinging the Greatsword over your back.

You were set and ready now. You left Vivi to still rest in peace as you stepped out of your door, ready to get on your way to your mission at hand.

>Time to depart on the quest.
>Talk to Brigg before leaving.
>Talk to Atricia before leaving.
>Restock supplies.
>>
>>4257344
>Restock supplies.
>>
You almost forgot, you were running a bit low on some things. Nothing a quick stop by the Provisions stockpile cannot help.

+========+
(Refer to for what Vance already holds: https://pastebin.com/tEiVJgb1)
(Refer to for available items: https://monsterhunterworld.wiki.fextralife.com/Items)

>What will you buy?
>>
Anything from that tab?
>>
>>4257506
Well, almost anything. I'll tell you what you can't buy when you've decided. Ticket and appraisal stuff and everything below is also a no no.
>>
>>4257516
Max out on Lifepowders and every Potion except Ancient
Max out on Jerky
Max out on Pods
Get both the Powercharm and Armorcharm
>>
>>4257549
What this guy said, then lets go
>>
You fork out a hefty sum of money to cover many things, refilling yourself on Pods and curatives, as well as acquiring the especially useful Power and Armorcharms, which would help you endure more blows, alongside allowing you to hit harder.

The provisions keeper takes your money, leaving you with 184491 Zenny.

Now with everything done, you walk off, heading to the gate out and calling for a Wingdrake
>>
When you arrived at the Lambent Bay, it was sunny and blindingly bright as usual, and a fair wind was blowing in. Your Mernos followed it, taking you down to land instead on the stem side of the deck of a ship that was out at sea there.

The ship was not impressive compared to other bigger ships like the Argosy, but to a Moganer like you, it was better than any tub you saw back home. This vessel wasn't made for fishing however, it rather served the purpose of being a joint boat for sea operations and research, which the equipment for both purposes you saw there was telling of.

The majority of the crewmen were sporting fancier dive suits and only a few were more casual with striped clothing or just pants alone.

"Ah! Freelancer! Over here my good man!"

You turned starboard side and walked over, coming to meet the Analytics Director himself peering over the side of the deck.

"I'm glad you could make it in time. You remember our job, yes?"

"Yes sir. We're here to investigate seismic activity." You state.

"Correct. The sooner we land on what is the root cause of the disturbances, the sooner we can come up with a solution and then we can all go home happy. If you remember my talk at Council, then you know the dangers this will present in the long run."

"Damage to the sea walls, earthquakes, collapsing segments of land..." You listed off.

"And most importantly, damage to the local ecosystems. The environment would get picked off apart slowly, here on land and down there in the sea."

The boat was still sailing outwards, farther away from the coast it must have left some short time ago. The coast was still relatively close, you could reach it swimming if you wanted.

"We're going to sail out a bit farther, the Great Luminous Reef is not much longer away." He says.
>>
Your eyes wandering around, you spotted something that caught your eye on the deck. A chain in a pile so long and large it was almost the size of a small Rathian. The boat was at least big enough to fit that hulk of metal on board.

"Director sir, what's with that?"

"Oh, that's for some assistance."

"Assistance?"

"If it should turn out to be a Ceadeus lurking in the depths, we've prepared three special weapons ordered from overseas to send down to help you with dealing with the Ocean Dragon. See, I did some looking into it and it turns out the Guild invented weapons like these specifically for dealing with Ceadeus'."

"The weapons are able to withstand heavy deep sea pressure, and require a long chain to lower them down to reach the depths. The weapons are all very heavy, not nearly enough as a Dragonator or to weigh our ship down, but heavy enough that more than one could snap the chain." The Analytics Director explains.

"At your discretion, we will send down only one to help you."

"Sounds like a plan." You say. "What weapons did you have?"

"First on our list, we have a weapon the Guild lists as a 'Heavy-Duty Deep Sea Mass Driver'. It is a kind of unique ballistae weapon that can fire projectiles using pressure in the depths. You man it sort of like a ballistae. Real mind boggling Wyverian technology, even to me." The Analytics Director says.

"Next, we have a shock weapon the Guild invented for blasting Ceadeus' with Thunder with. It is classified as a 'Hadal Coil Wear'. It has a safety pod you must climb into from which you are able to activate the weapon inside of. Each of the three coils has been properly charged overseas back home, and you can expend the energy of a coil once before you have to wait again for the weapon's mechanisms to switch to the next, and then the last."
>>
File: Director.png (16 KB, 512x351)
16 KB
16 KB PNG
"The final weapon we have is called the... the 'Hobgoblin Mine'. It is a typical mine, but... well... it is extremely dangerous, even for the user."

"How so?" You ask.

"Well, the 'Hobgoblin Mine' is overloaded with scarily explosive elements. I mean to say it uses enough TNT inside to match a good volley of cannon fire that could seriously hurt big Monsters... and that is just meant to be the mechanism which activates the even more explosive elements inside, such as Blast fuel gathered from Raging Brachydios reactors, and corpent." He says.

"Corpent?" You say.

"Penthrite." He says.

"OH." You mouth.

"Yes... so you see? It is activated by pressing a pressurized plate. It will require great effort just to activate alone, a purposeful design so mistakes aren't made with these mines. I'm sorry to say, but while this is the most powerful one you could use against a Ceadeus, it will also undoubtedly put you in harm's way too... unless of course you thought you could outswim the radii of the explosion you might get caught in triggering it. And you only have three minutes as well."

Hmm... You can outswim Gobul on a good day, and you were good enough at swimming that you leave Ludroths behind in the dust... or rather the waves.

What weapon will you choose to go down with you to use?
>>
>>4257680
>Hadal Coil Wear
I like power armor.
>>
Give us the mass driver
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4257700
>>4257707
>>
"I'll take the shocker." You tell the Analytics Director.

He adjusts his rims and smiles. "Great choice, Thunder would really do well against a Ceadeus."

But he frowned.

"Though... if it should turn out our worst suspicion isn't true, I do wonder how we'll deal with the situation. There isn't much that can be done about about a natural disaster of this magnitude." He says.

"Don't worry, whatever it is, I'll find it." You say.

"I trust you will. Now, allow me to handle getting you straight." He says, walking over to get the Hadal Coil Wear ready to be submerged.

You needed no preparation, you could hold your breath for hours as a Moganer. You only stood and waited on the boat as it took you out farther to sea, just until you could see the roof of the coral reefs visible.
>>
When it was time, the crew opened up a compartment on the side of the ship, sending out a metal arm that carried the weapon, which was now fixed to it's support chain. The ship rocked slightly more starboard as it did, leaning because of the immense weight of the weapon.

You looked down at it from above the deck and climbed down a ladder on the side of the ship, allowing you to grab onto the weapon itself for support as the crewmen made ready to drop it. The ship had several floating devices to keep it level while carrying this weight. The ballasts of the ship worked well, in addition to balloons with burners helping airlift the ship up to prevent the weapon from overturning it.

"We're going to drop you down into the depths now, Freelancer!" The Analytics Director said from top deck.

"We can monitor your activity from here with plenty of methods, but for posterity, I suggest you use this." He yelled before throwing something.

You caught that object he chucked in your hand and saw it was a horn of some type.

"That horn is a Wyverian relic of mine, very antique and mint! Please do not lose or ruin it! It can be blown underwater and signal us where you are, so we can sail with the balloons to move the weapon, otherwise it will sit still in one place! Keep that in mind! You're going down about 800 meters or so! We won't be able to reach you otherwise!"

"Aye, noted! I'm ready when you guys are." You yelled back, pocketing the Wyverian call horn.

"Then be on your way, and godspeed my good friend!" The Analytics Director says.

"Let em' off!" One of the crewmen said.

There was a snap of metal as the weapon was unhinged from it's lock, dropping it down into the ocean.

You held on tight as it went down into the water. It descended rapidly from the weight of it all, the chain being consumed by the surface waves as it sank down faster than you could swim down.
>>
File: Great Luminous Reef.png (174 KB, 512x351)
174 KB
174 KB PNG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YWCz6Xv0Zo

It was a very fast sinking. It felt like you were going down at speeds greater than even the fastest of Flying Wyverns could fly. The water was smoother the higher you were, but going down lower like this made everything feel tighter, and tighter... yet tighter...

Your body was hugged by the deep sea pressure in a way that felt much akin to being squeezed down on by a Rajang or some other creature of the sort. But it wasn't enough to stop you completely. You still had much flexibility to exert here, and to test it out, you swam a little away from the weapon and swung your Greatsword, moving your arms and twirling in a variety of moves to confirm your ability to operate here.

With that done, you took a moment to scan around, viewing the surroundings and marveling at the miles of coral fields you could see all around. It was mesmerizing to say the least.

The light reached down here well enough you could make out most of the surroundings, but there were yet levels deeper than this you doubted you could reach reliably, levels below these fields where the sun light faded until it was utter pitch black.

For now, you stuck to the 800 meter levels you were in. There was a bright field here you were in, and it leads out to the sea walls eventually. But behind you there was a set of tall undersea dunes of pure basalt and other coral items you spotted, which a red glow emanated over.

To your left, you saw a towering dome of white. You could not tell what it was right away, but the water was clearest and purest there, allowing more light down inside.

>Swim to the Sea Walls.
>Swim to the red glow.
>Swim to the white dome.
>>
>>4257778
>Swim to the white dome.
>>
>>4257778
>Swim to the Sea Walls.
Seems more important to our investigation.
>>
>>4257778
>Swim to the red glow.
Namielle?
>>
Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>4258251
>>4258393
>>4258897
>>
To get this investigation underway, and to discover the source of the activity, you thought it would serve well to first find what the red light you saw was.

You began to swim off that way, pushing yourself through the dense and tight waters of the Great Luminous Reef. Embarking on this deep sea adventure hit right at home with you, it was quite nostalgic of other dives you've had in your lifetime down into the ocean and seas. But this one was also different.

You've never before been so deep into the ocean that the pressure of the water clung so tight before, it was a new and exciting feeling. And the beauty here... this was the first coral reef you've ever seen with your own two eyes. You knew such spectacles existed, but never had you seen one until now.

You wish Ma and Pa were here now and that you could tell them about this wondrous thing. They would have loved to hear about all the bioluminescent organisms and algae you saw, the flowing kelp and stalks standing tall like fields of underwater crops. The bountiful fish life swimming in schools and the castles of coral scattered for nautical miles. Hell, the whole village would have loved to hear.

Hey, you still haven't seen them a letter yet. Damn, you really neglected that didn't you? Perhaps after this venture is over, you can get around to that at last.

For now, you needed to keep your mind focused on the task at hand as you swim over to the tall dune trenches, formed of bleached white basalt and sand on the seafloor lined with shells...
>>
File: Lake of Fire.png (103 KB, 512x351)
103 KB
103 KB PNG
You had expected a corona of especially bright bioluminescent algae or something of the sort when you crossed the trench, or perhaps another of the dome like structures of ocean floor rock you saw, but your expectations were completely subverted as you saw what lied over the boundary.

A stretch of fire.

The height of the level descended down further this way, and the pressure increased the lower you swam to see more of this shocking sight.

Nautical miles of nothing but pure fire and magma. The basalt turned back volcanic at the lips of the stretch and the water blackened that way, blotting out all the light of the sun and leaving it shrouded. The place was desolate and terrifying, burning so hot that the ocean water was evaporated coming into contact, yet no other material was formed from the union of water and magma, and any that was burned away similarly.

What manner of confusing phenomena is this? How could such a thing be? It made no sense, it conflicted with everything you knew. Logic dictated things that were not in motion here. The Researchers will be especially perplexed.

And there in the farthest reach you could make out with your eyes alone, you saw a tall spire of fire moving down, going with the flow of the seawater, letting out black streaks as afterimages behind it, even for how slow it went...

The heat radiating out of this place was great, much like anywhere you've seen with massive amounts of lava and magma. This one didn't feel... so right or safe.

And then there was a quaking you could hear through the water. The earth was being smashed and cracked. Something powerful was crumbling it, and it must have been happening out closer to the Sea Wall as you turned right to watch the dunes waver under a force.

From that spot, a gargantuan chunk of the rock that supported the coastlines of the New World came flying through the water, propelled like a torpedo so fast that not even the intense pressure halted it in place. It was like seeing a mountain be thrown!

It came down into the lava field and crashed into the moving, glowing spire you saw. There was a sonic pulsing from it, and a blast suddenly happened like a volcano erupting! The chunk was vaporized by a bright orange flare!

Shara mentioned... two things he felt. Could they be... giant Monsters fighting?

Whatever threw that chunk, it was leaving again and the glowing spire stayed on it's course, heading your way, but it wouldn't be here for hours, maybe days, not with that speed it maintained...

And don't tell you... that whatever was throwing things was tearing the Sea Wall apart to use as ammo....

What will you do? What will you look into?
>>
>>4259286
Oh, boy, could it be Caedeus is tussling against a Dire Miralis? Only one way to find out, go after that spire.
>>
>>4259286
>>4259333
No. No. NO. Do NOT go to Dire Miralis. Go to Ceadeus, we need to stop him from earthquaking shit.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4259333
>>4259337
>>
File: King of the Ocean.png (164 KB, 512x351)
164 KB
164 KB PNG
You remembered the talk the Analytics Director gave at Council. The Sea Wall was most important for protecting the ecosystem. The integral support it had being lost would tear the Lambent Bay apart, and give off long lasting effects over other regions. The continental plate itself was in the way of whatever reverberations came through the wall by it sustaining attacks. The flaming lake you saw was eerie, but it was ultimately not the worst problem here.

You swam fast, gaining on the body of the thing that threw the gargantuan chunk.

You didn't need to see now to know that the worst speculation was true. It was a Ceadeus after all, using it's horns to rut and break apart the Sea Wall. The real surprise to you here now was how earthquakes were not already traveling across the land, but you guessed that Ceadeus must not have struck any vital points yet, but give it enough time....

You had to stop it!

But now... you've lost sight. In your moment of thinking, you must have swam past the giant, or maybe it left you in the dust completely?

Hmm....

No.... There was a humming from behind...

Gah! You have to evade! You swim back, narrowly avoiding the form, being swept away by it's passing!

There it is! The Ocean Dragon!
>>
File: Ceadeus.png (168 KB, 512x351)
168 KB
168 KB PNG
You nearly swallowed water through your helmet, taken off guard by the appearance of the sea god. But you kept your held breath in as it careened by.

So this was it. This was Ceadeus... the Elder Dragon that nearly destroyed your home once...

You trembled before the titan, nothing but a speck in it's way. But you found yourself engrossed in the sight of it's impressive beard, so large and imposing. The body of the thing was beyond your initial measure, and it looked to be able to crush you with little effort. Even the fins of Ceadeus packed immeasurable power!

The luminous organs on it's chest lit up with pulses continuously as it swerved through the water.

Being before the master of the ocean made you fall back on a feeling that only a few Monsters have made you feel this far; What it was like to be a mere insect before a boot.

Yet, all the while, for all it's majesty and venerable might, Ceadeus was gentle as it swam. Gentle in that it recognized you as something not from the waters, as something staying it's hand. Ceadeus didn't feel threatened, otherwise it might have attacked.

Fortunate for you that it only floated by gracefully.
>>
File: Ceadeus Calm.png (201 KB, 512x351)
201 KB
201 KB PNG
The gentle nature would not deceive you though. You didn't forget it's intention just because it regarded you peacefully.

You saw the Sea Wall of the continent's coastline up ahead. Ceadeus was heading towards it, to break more away for use against whatever it was fighting against in the lava lake.

The Sea Wall was heavily deteriorated already. Ceadeus has to have been attacking it for a long time for this much of it to be crumbled away and missing. These natural layers of the continent would not regenerate any time soon... and that meant possibly hundreds of thousands of years.

Disaster was impending. You had to act to prevent it now, it is your job as a Hunter.

You still have the call horn to signal the Hadal Coil Wear being moved to your position. Ceadeus was not getting so far away that you could not keep up with the giant.

If you knew one thing from the legend of your village's hero, it was that he bested the creature only by destroying it's symbol of might; It's beard.

What will you do?
>>
>>4259604
Call horn to signal the Hadal Coil Wear being moved to your position and then proceed to give Caedeus's beard a nice trimming.
>>
>>4259612
This, also send out a telepathic communication, see if we get anything intelligent, or if it's just animal instinct.
>>
File: Ceadeus Calm.png (248 KB, 512x351)
248 KB
248 KB PNG
The weapon was sent to you for a reason, and you fully intended to use it. Guild might be disappointed delivering such a valuable and potent weapon, only for it to see no action.

You pulled the horn from your pocket and lifted up the helmet over your head for a moment. You managed to put your lips over the mouthpiece of the horn without losing any breath you had held. You blew it into, letting out a vibration of a sound from the masked bell of the horn which traveled fast through the body of the sea. They must pick it up through some means of sonar detection, as you see the weapon coming to your position from afar.

You were prepared to attack Ceadeus at any moment, but you needed to have it facing you. You tried to reach out to the Ocean Dragon with your Connection...

"Hello? HELLO?" You sent out.

It only occurred to you now that Ceadeus was mere feet away from being able to rip at the Sea Wall's structure again. But somehow, your call must have caught it's attention as it stopped then.

The Ocean Dragon's one good eye moved around, scanning for the source of that call, but not once does it consider you even having known you were there. That call put the Ocean Dragon on edge.

You faintly hear something coming from it...

"ᴰᴱⱽᴵᴸ..."

You couldn't decide whether or not you thought this thing really had any sagacity. It turned back, swirling around to scan it's surroundings, but it does not regard you even in it's view, nor the weapon now next to you.

Ceadeus was incredibly alarmed, and no longer had the docile air about it. If it was spooked, it's defensive instincts might kick in and it could attack.

Only one choice will save you here.

>No diplomacy here. Time to attack.
>Maybe if I try harder to get it's attention...
>>
Fuck me. If we get into the weapon and attack he might charge or shoot water, but if we try harder to communicate he might still attack.
>>
>>4259672
>Maybe if I try harder to get it's attention...
Attacking it will just start the fight, let's try once again.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4259672
>No diplomacy here. Time to attack.
>Maybe if I try harder to get it's attention...
Dice decides.
>>
>>4259704
I think it's worth a shot one more time at diplomacy, if we attack we end up in a fight anyway, we might as well see if we can end things peacefully.
>>
Wonder where everyone else went.
>>
We should make a check list of the things Vance needs to do in the future. Any ideas?
>>
>>4259761
about what should go on it I mean
>>
>>4259761
From the top of my head:
Lenshen Slaying, Verify if Kulve is sentient, Visit Shara, Talk with the elders about this weird ass bag, Introduce Chamo as another sentient Dragon, Seek and destroy the Fatalis, Kill that fucking mantis, and a few other things I sure I missed.
>>
>>4259788
>Seek and destroy the Fatalis
Lets not be hasty here, I want our boy to live
>>
>>4259672
>Maybe if I try harder to get it's attention...
It's a gamble, but we have to at least try, or we'll never know for sure.
>>
Unfortunately, I won't be able to update today or tomorrow, things popped up. I think for now I will have to take a short hiatus. It shouldn't be too many days.

Until then, why don't you all tell me how you've been liking the quest so far, what moment you liked the most, which image was your favorite et cetera?
>>
File: Zuhramon.jpg (95 KB, 480x464)
95 KB
95 KB JPG
>>4260582
Its been great Level, I like how you drew Kulve the most. Also have a filename
>>
Thread archived.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=monster%2C+hunter%2C+drawquest

>>4260656
Nice.
>>
Level, you should make a discord
>>
>>4260979
Ahahah. Ahahahahah... Ahahahahahah! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! No.
>>
>>4260582
It's been a blast till now Ace, but my favorite moment still was the battle against Amygdala, pretty hard to top it, also another cool thing are perspective changes, going into the quest with Shara, Vivi and the other elders was pretty dope, hope we got more chances like this in the future.
>>
>>4260582
Hard to choose a favorite moment when you've done such a good job of making lots of great moments.
>>
Do you guys think we'd be able to convince Shara to spare zman? I want to redeem him in the end.
>>
>>4263512
I'd like to believe it's possible, but I don't think redeeming Zurahmon is in the cards anymore. He's probably just too far gone into the insanity for us to reach him.
>>
>>4263523
Personally, I think his insanity might somehow stem from his cybernetics, because for someone who preaches so much about humanity he sure is inhuman.

Also, I wonder who that dark guy we saw was exactly. Any ideas?
>>
>>4263523
>>4263529

Solitude might have driven him insane. He sounds like he remembers the Ancients like some kind of fever dream utopia lifted from a shameless totalitarian propaganda piece. The kind where even thinking something contrary to it would result in a life sentence for a thought crime.
>>
>>4263529
i dont think he is recoverable, also it seems he is more ancient tech than meat in general, aint no taking him out that
>>
>>4264850
>>4265139
Maybe we could find a way to reprogram him?
>>
>>4265280
I don't think the concept of computer is a thing here, much less programming
>>
New thread tomorrow possibly, unless something else pops up. I've been very busy but hopefully I'm about done now.
>>
>>4265280
The amount of therapy needed to rehabilitate Z-man would exceed the amount of time needed to reach the heat death of the universe. I get the feeling that he wasn’t the most friendly/empathetic guy to begin with, and the trauma inflicted by the whole dragon war and countless atrocities he likely witnessed didn’t help matters any. Even a saint could have been warped beyond recognition.
>>
As far as zoomer man goes.

Hes not stepping off the path of trying to resurrect the society he sacrificed everything for.

Reaching a better understanding of him was for the benefit of Vance and modern human society.

The biggest victory we could get from him is convincing him to not let all of his knowledge of both human history and technology die with him.
>>
>>4259604
>Maybe if I try harder to get it's attention...
>>
Thread soon.
>>
New thread.
>>4268308
>>4268308
>>4268308



Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.