First for Shara best boy

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Ahh, the Wildspire Waste.

From the sandy crooks of it's rock surfaces to the dusty trails leading in and out through the middles of the winding tunnels. From the lush green forestation meeting the arid environment in battle at the east to the flowing and rejuvenating waters of mirth that filled the ponds in the south. From the sandy vortexes of Diablos lairs to the chill interiors of caves down under brimming with life all around...

This place was just... peaceful.

That it was named a 'waste' was a shame when it was so full of life, so nice when the big Monsters weren't prowling about. This place was so much better than that. It quite reminded you of the city in the Great Desert back in the Old World, Loc lac. You have some memories there.

But right about now, it wasn't peaceful. It was the opposite of peaceful now with what was happening. It was pure discord.

You stood in the middle of a sandy plain with Vivianne at your side. To your other stood Balthazar, who was highly confused. You knew what you were getting into when you asked him to come along with you, when you told the Commander you'd take care of it, but you didn't think it would be... this severe.

"Boss." Balthazar says. "I'm lost."

"What are they even fightin' over?" He asked.

"Meowbe if we listen in, mwe'll get an idea." Vivi suggests, perched on your shoulder.

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"GAAAAJAAAA!"

"ROWWW!!"

"GAJAJAKALAGA!"

"GAJA GAJA GAGA KALAKA!"

"HISSSSSS!"

"MREEEOWWWW!"

"GAJAKA GAJAJAJAGA!"

"GALAJAGA!"

"SSSSSSSSSS!"

There were many Gajalaka and many Grimalkynes about, though the Gajalaka outnumbered the Grimalkynes. Both sides were violent, teetering on full blown war. Before you and Balthazar arrived, making them calm down a little, there was plenty of evidence that the two tribes had already clashed and injured members of each other.

Some fires burned in the distance too, they must have been using bombs, and if the tracks you and Balthazar picked up were of any indication, the Grimalkynes must have deployed their small Monster mounts to charge their crimson enemies.

Right now, everything was at a standstill. The full tribes were both assembled here and their leaders were now battling verbally as you, Vivianne and Balthazar all stood to the side watching. Despite listening, neither of you three had picked up on why they were behaving so bloodily to each other.

You needed to help diffuse this situation. You start by stepping close in between the chiefs of the Gajalaka and Grimalkynes.

Gajjagaj, the one who led the Gajalaka already understood your language to a degree. Vivianne was there to translate for the Grimalkyne chief, who was named Wisebone.

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Look, if this situation is to ever get better, you both need to start talking. Why don't you guys start by telling me why you're both fighting?" You get out. Vivianne hastily translates to Wisebone for you.

"Dirty Grimalkynes poison our Water God! Now Water God is DEAD!" Gajjagaj howls with pure rage in his tone. "If Water God dead, Gajalaka Water Tribe home become prey to invader Gods! Grimalkyne scum do this to wipe Gajalaka out! Gajjagaj want make Grimalkynes PAY!"

You nod silently and turn to the Grimalkyne Chief Wisebone to hear his side of the story. Vivi translates for him.

"He says that the Gajalaka planted bombs in their home and collapsed meowst of it, mew a lot of them are homeless and prey to the Meownsters outside with little protection or shelter to save them. He says that he wants to eradicate the Gajalaka and take their home as payback!" Vivianne says, giving you Wisebone's words.

"Both events happen same time!" Gajjagaj says.

You look to Wisebone. He nods, never taking his hateful glare off of Gajjagaj.

Damn, both of these guys gave a low blow at the same time to each other... this complicates things.

You have to diffuse this situation and get both sides calmed down again, somehow.

What will you do now?

>>4291066

If both events happened at the same time, then it's unlikely that there was any premeditation on the part of the Grimalkynes. And even hunters try to avoid pissing off Galakaja if at all possible. A war between the tribes seems counterproductive to all involved parties. But we'll just keep that at the back of our head for now.

Can we ask to investigate the Water God's resting place? That might help us determine what kind of poison, if any was used. Or if poison was even the cause of death.

>>4291066
Both those things happening at around the same time is pretty suspicious, what more the "water god" was on a pretty secluded place we only got there because we have been guided by the gajakala, I suspecting some foul play of sorts at work, we should investigate starting with the water god.

>>4291066
I just had a brilliant idea. Lets move the Gajalaka here into El Dorado and have them take Kulve on as their new god. We could also use that as an excuse to save Kulve as she'd have significance among the local tribesmen

"Gajjagaj, may I look over your deceased 'Water God'?" You ask.

"What for, Human helper? Grimalkyne crime already plain! We need only now whip them for their sins!"

"For all you know, they could have used something else entirely, or the Water God might have died of some other cause. Let me take a look and get back to you on it. I have to know the full story here." You say.

"Hrmmm.... Fine! But make quick!" Gajjagaj says.

You nod and look to Balthazar. "You know what to do now, right?"

"Ay, I'll keep them in line, boss." He says, stepping over to take your place as you walk off.

Vivianne gets up onto his shoulder and speaks aloud for all the Tribesmen to hear. She declares a recess while you are gone, meaning both tribes will back off until further notice. It takes them a moment, but eventually both chiefs agree and lead their men meters away, from where they only shot each other hateful glares and muttered among themselves.

You walked along through the Waste until you were back out at the area where forestation was in it's beginnings. You let yourself down into the Gajalaka Water Tribe's home to see little of the crimson Lynians were actually staying behind. They pay close attention to you as you descend the ramp and approach the body of their deceased 'God'.

The wizened Lagiacrus they worshiped was as dead as the cave stone it laid upon. It's body was greyer than what was normal for Lagiacrus', it wasn't as bright as the waters it once ruled here in the New World.

You gave it a thorough look over...

You find some interesting things about it. It's belly scales are decayed away, rotten in one big spot that was directly over it's stomach. It looked to be that something.... burned it's way out of the Lagiacrus. You find many traces of the... 'poison' still bubbling around it's insides and on the rims of the decayed spot. On the ground near it's belly are many scales that looked to have just fallen off of it, also coated with the 'poison'. You use your knife to collect some into a vial and then get on your way back out to the meeting grounds...

With the recess over, you now take your place again between the two tribes and show your findings. You determine that the substance was no poison, but something else entirely. You do not speak your mind about it, but you are drawing a parallel here... it reminded you of that 'Demorium' stuff the Grim Biologist used to get through your armor and nearly kill you with.

But he explicitly stated it could not burn through 'living tissue' as in flesh you might guess, and it didn't do anything to bone as he used a bone weapon to coat. So that rules out the Grimalkynes using something they might have recovered from his old hideout completely, even if they did it before the Commission seized it. So what was this stuff then...?

Gajjagaj and his tribe are mortified hearing your explanation of the stuff, even if it was basic. Their hatred for the Grimalkynes has been fueled even more.

You take this chance to ask Wisebone some questions then, having Vivianne translate for you.

"Wisebone, why would you want to kill the Gajalaka's Water God?"

"Mrew! Hrewmmm! Murrrrr!" He comes, raspy in his tone.

"He says that his Grimalkyne tribe meowver did any such thing. He denies having ordered anyone to pawson the Water God, and that if anyone from his tribe did want to, he would have known." Vivi translates.

She listens in some more.

"He says the Gajalaka are responsible for instigating this whole conflict." She states.

"Untrue!" Gajjagaj yells. "They lie! I have proof it was Grimalkyne that poisoned Water God!"

Gajjagaj snaps his fingers. Two of his Gajalaka come forth and drop a patch of leather on the ground, one covered with fur.

"My guardsmen patrol at night! See Grimalkyne running through wood away from tribe home! They try stop him, but only rip leather from sack instead! Fur unmistakable! Grimalkynes did poison Water God!"

Wisebone gets irritated and slings a retort at Gajjagaj.

"Yes! We did bomb filthy Grimalkynes!" Gajjagaj admits. "We acted to defend tribe before they could make attack, yet they only acted to weaken us by poisoning Water God in secret! Grimalkyne Cowards! Gajalaka Tribe justified in actions! Not sinful!"

"Hreww! Ru ru ruuuu! Hreeeyowww!" Wisebone hissed in anger.

"You shut mouth, rodent eater of dirt! Old whoreson! You started this! We finish it!" Gajjagaj stomps his foot down and taps his staff.

Both sides erupt into yelling and incoherent verbal fighting again, striking the ground with their weapons in warning and making displays and shows of dominance with their stances and gestures.

What will you do now?

We should ask what happened before all of this to get a better understanding of who really started it

>>4291217
>They try stop him, but only rip leather from sack instead! Fur unmistakable!
So we have some stuff we can use to start an investigation, we could try to get some scoutflies on the leather and the fur meanwhile try to diffuse things a little between the tribes, say than we could try to track down the culprit and if he really did it we could ask why he do it and and make it face the music.

>>4291253
Also this is a bit weird, how could a grimalkyne have something so potent, try to get Vivi to identify the fur and leather to see if anything belongs or smell like a Feline or a Palico.

>>4291009
I wonder if we could get a Gajakala partner.

>>4291253
>>4291255
Supporting those.

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You walk over and pick up the patch of leather, examining it all over before holding it down to Vivianne.

"What can you get from this?"

She leans in and sniffs it.

"Mmm... This is definitely not a scent that mwould belong to any Felyne I know. It's Grimalkyne for sure Meowster." She says.

"Hmm..."

You take your Scoutfly cage and raise it up to the leather. The Scoutflies swarm over the leather and the traces of fur over it until they catch whiff of something on it. The Scoutflies then buzz off, flying over the Grimalkynes and coming over two individuals in specific. Chief Wisebone himself, and another Grimalkyne behind him, a female who wore an expression of worry and terror. She looked like she wanted to talk, but she simply refused to.

"Daha! That prove it! Grimalkynes at fault!" Gajjagaj announces.

"Hrrrrggg...." Wisebone growls.

"You dare think to incriminate me and my own daughter, my beloved Yellowfeather?!" Wisebone suddenly says, speaking a language you understand. You did note the Grimalkynes in this area interacted often with Hunters, picking up the standard language as a second, with Gajjagaj himself even saying once he learned your language from them.

Whatever happened to set them so apart? Gajjagaj said they used to trade with one another...

"Maybe you daughter did it, or maybe you did it." Gajjagaj says.

"I can't run! I'm old and bone!" Wisebone shouts.

The Gajalaka make wisecracks among themselves.

"Maybe you hide better running speed and lie. Maybe we put you under cliff and drop rock, then we see if you tell truth or not! Hah hah hah!"

"You're nothing but a barbarian! A walking, talking red stump of meat! The toads have twice the brains you do!"

"HEY!" Gajjagaj slams his foot. "I MAKE YOU REGRET SAY THAT!"

The two looked like they were just about to lunge at each others throats, but the Scoutflies stop them as they do something unexpected then. The Scoutflies come over Gajjagaj next, and when they flutter around him, some more of the fur traces fall from his neck.

"You! You must be trying to frame us! Surely you must be!" Wisebone accused Gajjagaj, pointing his claw.

"What? No! I not know where furs come from!" He says, brushing himself off.

"Maybe you killed your Monster god, and you're blaming us so you can start this war! I can see it now, you just want to push us out and take the whole territory for yourself! You see how we benefit from trading with the Humans and you're wracked with jealousy!" Wisebone accuses Gajjagaj again.

"No! Gajalaka Water Tribe content as is! No need for Commission help!" Gajjagaj says.

"You! Hunter man!" He turns your way. "You know that true! You see it! You come into home! We have... we had Water God! No need for Commission help!"

"...."

"What happened before all of this? What happened before the poisoning and the bombing that made you all this way?"

"The wedding!" Both Gajjagaj and Wisebone say simultaneously before glaring at each other again.

"The... wedding?"

"Yes. That was time Grimalkyne tribe not connive on Gajalaka! Time when still friendly!" Gajjagaj starts.

"Ignoring the ignoramus' claim of trickery, the wedding was an event we both proposed some time ago. We took notice that our successors were infatuated with each other. My beloved Yellowfeather and Gajjagaj's rockhead son, Jakallaga." Wisebone continued.

"We thought wedding be helpful make relationship last forever. I allow strong Jakallaga marry wench Yellowfeather for benefit of tribes. I and Bonehead both had hope that eventually lead tribes unite into kingdom, something so many tribes before fail do." Gajjagaj says, placing his hand upon the shoulder of another Gajalaka that stood behind him.

You look over the two heirs to the tribes. They stared at each other with sorrowful looks, saddened over everything happening this way, with no power to stop it themselves.

"What happened at this wedding that made everything go awry?" You ask.

"Fight!" Gajjagaj says.

"A fight this brute began!" Wisebone says.

"We all sit at high point while tribes interact below!" Gajjagaj says, pointing out a rock rise with spaces like platforms.

"The steward came by and handed out drinks to everyone. Me and Gajjagaj were getting along watching our tribes below dance and play games. Our two successors were nearby while we discussed the terms of the wedding." Wisebone tells you.

"Suddenly, we hear pain moan and I look back, see son kneeling over floor! His drink poisoned! I confront Wisebone and he lie to me! Tell me drinks not trifled with! But I see through his lies!" Gajjagaj says.

"We did nothing to those drinks! My steward is trusted and I let him help handle everything! I told you the truth and you would not listen!" Wisebone shoots at him.

"Evil Grimalkyne! You strike me first! With cane!" Gajjagaj says.

"You were imposing over me! I had no room to breath! You would have attacked me anyway!" Wisebone defends himself.

"You not even able look me into eye and tell me you not do anything to drinks! You clear liar! Rank! Filth! Dirty Grimalkynes! You want assassinate me and son so can have kingdom all to self!" Gajjagaj cursed him.

"That isn't true! We would never try to subvert our own neighbors like that! If you actually believe we had any malicious intent, then you are far too gone for your own good Gajjagaj!" Wisebone says.

Both of the tribes start back into their arguing...

What will you do now?

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>>4291451
Wisebone's daughter looked liked she wanted to say something, let's hear her testimomy, let's start asking about the leather, then the wedding since that seems to be the root of all issues, ask Jakallaga as well since he was a victim in all this. Be sure to make her understand the importance of her being truthful.

>>4291470
Oh yeah since we're using the scoutflies, I think we should try to use it on the poison as well, if the criminal is still here then maybe they can get a scent, also ask Gajjagaj how he came to have some of her fur on him.

>>4291451
>steward
Seems suspicious desu
Ask wisebone if we can talk to him

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"Your daughter looks like she wants to say something." You say to Wisebone, putting Yellowfeather on the spot. "Can I ask her a few questions?"

"Hmm... You may." Wisebone approves.

Many eyes fall onto her as she tries to back away, only to be stopped by the other Grimalkynes behind her, shoved back to the side of her father.

"What can you tell me about this?" You ask, showing the leather.

"I-I don't know anything about that." She nervously replied.

"What about the wedding then? What were you doing at the time?"

"I was with Jakallaga and our fathers like they already said. W-We were all having such a nice time, it just happened all of a sudden! Jakallaga had a panic attack come on!"

"A panic attack?" You eye her.

"Yes! He began shaking, h-his knees went weak and he doubled over! He was the only one who had something like that happen to them! He said he was seeing things and that they scared him! T-Then... the f-fight happened..."

You raise an eyebrow under your helmet and turn to the heir of the Gajalaka Tribe standing next to Gajjagaj.

"Is this true, Jakallaga?"

"...Hurm!" He nods and grunts, though for how gruff his voice was, you could tell it was full of disappointment.

"...."

"I'm sure both of you understand how important it is that you be truthful here, right?" You ask.

"W-What...?" Yellowfeather comes.

"Meowster is saying that neowt lying here is crucial to helping pawstpone your tribes annihilating each other." Vivi backs you up.

"If we can get to the bottom of things here, why everything went wrong starting with the wedding, we may be able to heal the wounds your tribes have inflicted upon each other. It's important we do so common grounds can be reached here." You state.

"Yeah, what boss said. Sounds to me like this whole war was set off just by the tribe chiefs fightin', over a silly drink of all things. Can't either of you galoots see how petty that is? I mean look, Jakallaga is right there and he's still kicking. Looks fine to me. Maybe something was in his drink, but it couldn'a been lethal. Maybe it was a circumstance of something else, maybe his stomach just didn't agree with the drink." Balthazar interjects.

"You all seriously need to dial it down! Chill out man!" Balthazar says to all of the Gajalaka and Grimalkynes before pulling something out from his pack and lighting it to smoke.

There is small talk and chatter among both tribes, quiet and more relaxed. You look around with your arms crossed at the Lynians. Thanks to Balthazar's words in specific, things seem to be progressing towards resolving this issue entirely. A few things more just need to be discerned.

"Hunter have good intention..." Gajjagaj says. "...But Gajjagaj afraid Hunter not be able totally fix problem unless Hunter find out what happen with drink."

"And you need to help us find out who killed their Lagiacrus, because I swear on my pelt, it was nobody that I ordered to do it." Wisebone says.

Yellowfeather is looking around with her eyes constantly, peeking all across the surroundings. Something was upsetting her...

Jakallaga seemed to take notice and became confused at it, and worried.

What will you do now?

>>4292447
>Yellowfeather is looking around with her eyes constantly, peeking all across the surroundings. Something was upsetting her...

She is either involved in something or knows something we don't. Can we try to use the connection on her? Otherwise I dunno try to use the scoutflies on the poison smaple we got, maybe the guy who did it is still here, fail of those keep trying to interrogate her ask why she seems so nervous and looking elsewhere.

>>4292447

Yellowfeather seems to be afraid of something. Maybe there's someone or something watching her to ensure her silence?

But at any rate, we may need to gather more evidence. Getting more stuff may compel her to crack voluntarily instead of pressuring her, which could be seen as the Guild exerting pressure for a speedy and possibly inaccurate resolution.

That stuff that killed the Lagracius seemed to remind Vance of that substance that the Grim Biologist coated on his weapon to dissolve armor. Given the lack of industry in the New World, he must have gotten it and modified it from a natural source. Perhaps it's some sort of substance that a particular strain of internal parasite excretes to escape from its host after its done hatching? Get the scoutflies on it and try to see if that leads anywhere.

Also investigate the drinks that were served at the wedding if at all possible, or the water source that they were drawn from. Perhaps the poisoning of the Lagracius and the spiked drink are related.

>>4292489
When I meant use the conncetion on her I meant like try and communicate with her through her mind, and ask her what is getting her so riled up.

Also were is everyone?

She would have to drink Shara's gatorade to able to use the connection, it won't do anything here.

"Wisebone, what was served that day that Jakallaga had his attack?"

"My steward served a special concoction built from natural things, mostly of fruit. It is a juice that we Grimalkynes enjoy often." He answers.

"Could I perhaps see some?"

Wisebone taps his cane and looks back to a Grimalkyne wearing a scarf who steps forward, pulling a bottle with a yellow liquid out from his sash. The Grimalkyne approaches you and hands over the bottle.

"I'm the steward. I always keep some of our juice on hand. I tell you, I did nothing to it and my every apology goes out to the Gajalaka heir for the mishap. I hope you make something of it." He says before stepping back into his crowd.

You look the small bottle over, swishing it around before Balthazar steps up and takes it from you.

"Oi, boss, I know my way around substances. Let me handle this." He says.

"Right..." You say before recalling your Scoutflies and holding up the vial of the corrosive stuff you found on the Lagiacrus.

"Take another recess. I'm going to find out what I can get from this." You tell the two chiefs. They nod and back away with their tribes again.

You follow your Scoutflies as they lead you off into the Waste...

The Scoutflies take you some ways down into the Wildspire Waste until you reach the water beds, but they take you beyond and down into the mud hole where Jyuratodes were known to patrol at, and Gajau lived.

You were led down to a mound in the mud where you saw a colony of strange insects living at. These insects were quite big, almost as large as your hand. They had long needle-like stalks on their faces from which they drank with. They seemed to have a few dead bees inside their nest that they had preyed on, but strangely, you saw they had a shelled creature there too, a crablike thing.

The shell of the crablike creature was... burned through, much like the Lagiacrus, just on a drastically smaller scale. These insects got through with a green substance they let out their 'mouths', something acidic. It seemed to do the trick getting through the shell, but the flesh within was unscathed. The insects poked through the flesh inside to suck from it. This was what your Scoutflies connected the substance you had with.

This must explain how the Grim Biologist was able to make Demorium. The stuff these insects made must have been his base, but his product was so much different, and this stuff from the Lagiacrus was even more changed from the source.... hmmm...

You'll keep this in mind. Maybe you'll mention the Grim Biologist and see what you can gather from that. For now, you head back.

>>4292632

Perhaps there's something that preys on those insects that concentrates their acid? Or maybe some of the tribes regularly hunt such insects for some reason? Or perhaps someone fed the Lagracius a ton of those insects and it died from holding too much concentrated acid in its belly?

Coming back to the grounds of the face off, you approach Balthazar who was taste testing the juice.

"Balthazar, what did you find?"

"Boss, this juice is full of shite." He says, spitting out some of it.

"You could tell just from tasting it?"

"I'm an expert in these things, and a big customer as you know, hehe. A lotta things won't take real effect till' you actually swallow it, it's why you can safely suck venom out of a wound only if you spit it out after. I've tasted a variety of bad gunk before and memorized it, just to be safe." Balthazar tells you.

"What is in that drink?"

"Cheelob, and some plant." He says.

"Chee... lob?"

"Aye, Cheelob. It's a chemical found in Diablos squirt. Deadly stuff for Wyverians and Humans. It can make for a good spike as it also affects a lotta Monsters. Consume too great an amount and you'll suffer failure, respiratory failure. Your lungs will clog shut. This drink 'ere was definitely spiked, but whoever did must've had their calculations off. Thankfully, there ain't enough to kill even a Gajalaka in here. Jakallaga is lucky." Balthazar explains.

The Gajalaka all muse over it, some relieved to hear that and some shocked.

"And plant, you said? You mean like.... drugs?"

"That's right. Cheelob naturally loses it's potency inside other liquids and away from air, it requires something.... thick, to preserve the most of it, otherwise the chemical will dissolve. Hallucinogens can do the trick, they'll coat the Cheelob and hold traces of air in along the borders of the chemical. And trust me, I'd know about that, ho ho ho!" Balthazar says.

"That bottle was the same one I used to pour drinks on the wedding day..." The Steward admits. "I usually keep the juice in my quarters. Whoever could have spiked it?"

The crowd begins whispering among each other again, curious about these findings you made.

Perhaps now would be a good time to make mention of the Grim Biologist to Wisebone and Gajjagaj, see what you can dig up from that next.

What will you do now?

>>4292663
Do just that. Tell both parties about the result of our investigation so far.

Also, ask them if any of them have interacted with any strange hunters or other non-Grimalkyne/Galakaja in the past few days or weeks. I doubt that this has anything to do with the Ancients, but there’s clearly someone here supplying the perpetrators with concentrated monster secretions. Someone who may have some scientific background.

>>4292676
Support also try to talk with Yellowfeather alone, she knows somethimg considering the way she is acting.

"Hunter, what did you uncover with your flies?" Wisebone asked you.

"I found a mound of insects that burn through things with acid."

"Acliflies. I know the insect well, our tribe uses them for some utilities." Wisebone says.

"I believe the flies share a connection a rogue researcher from our Commission. We called him the Grim Biologist." You state.

"Mmm... Yes, the Commission informative told me of the incident concerning this 'Grim Biologist' and his hidden lab. We knew the man well before that day came, but never did we catch onto his true malice." Wisebone brings to light.

"You guys knew him?"

"Yeah! Gajalaka knew pointy face mask man too!" Gajjagaj says.

"Before the... things happened that the informative told me about, the Grim Biologist was in charge of trade with our tribe, mostly handling deals we agreed on with your Research Commission." Wisebone tells you. "But on the side of that, he made plenty of personal deals with us too. In specific, he offered trinkets and his 'Zenny' in return for things such as Acliflies, as well as spices and plants. We used to use his 'Zenny' to purchase things from your people's ship."

"Gajalaka Water Tribe no take kindly to dark man. Dark man always stalk Gajalaka in shadows, we used throw spears to ward him off!" Gajjagaj says.

"Is that all?" You ask.

"Steward." Wisebone calls his right hand man.

"Sir Hunter, the Grim Biologist made friends with a Grimalkyne from our tribe in his time here many years ago. The Grimalkyne was named Ixis." The Steward informs you.

"What can you tell me about this 'Ixis'?"

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"Ixis had a fascination with the Grim Biologist's work. Over the years, he worked to turn his personal alcove in our home into a lab all to himself. He was a very private Grimalkyne and would always scare or shoo others out when they tried to intrude into his home. He even boarded up the entrance to his alcove for maximum security."

"He was grisly... always walked around wearing nasty fur and he didn't clean much. We thought he had accepted becoming to the Grim Biologist like many Felyne do to your type." The Steward says.

"When I had caught wind of what the Grim Biologist was up to, I thought to confront Ixis and see what involvement he had with him. However, I procrastinated. Now, Ixis is deceased and I will never get anything out of him." Wisebone says.

"He's deceased? How did he die?" You ask, perplexed.

"Sir Hunter, he likely perished when the Gajalaka bombed our home. Much of it was collapsed in the farther ends, including Ixis' old lab. We have not seen him resurface since and he kept to himself, refusing to leave home much." The Steward says.

"Could I search your home? Maybe I might be able to mine my way in." You suggest.

"While I do not like my people's privacy being encroached upon by non-members of the Tribe, I think this once I may allo-" Wisebone began.

"No!" The Steward says. "I mean, no. It is all utterly collapsed. There is certainly no way into the lab or homes past that now."

Wisebone scratches his chin and sighs, having no more to say then.

You glance at Balthazar, he shrugs.

The Steward steps back into his crowd, after scratching his foot against the dirt with great effort.

Yellowfeather, Gajjagaj and Jakallaga all gave him a strange look, one primarily of confusion. But they all forget it and turn back to you.

What will you do now?

>>4292800
So the culprit is the Steward? Just to be sure confirm with the gajakalas if the lab was one of the places they planted bombs and ask Vivi to investigate the place under the watch of wisebone of course meanwhile we can try to think of other ways to diffuse the situation, we been doing okay for now try to ask what happened on the day they discovered their God was dead, if anything weird happened before or after that.

>>4292818
Yeah, we need proof but we also need to placate them until then.

"Well, I think what Wisebone was going to say still stands." You say, looking at the Steward, whose smile fell.

"Vivianne, would you mind checking it out for me?" You ask your Palico.

"Of course Meowster! I'll pawt that place down and come back with what I find." She salutes you.

"Wisebone, would you spare a guard to accompany her in that case?" You ask.

"Eh... Sure." Wisebone nods, looking back at one of his men and motioning them to Vivianne.

Vivianne departs then, being followed closely by the guard Wisebone chose.

"Good." You say, turning then to face the Gajalaka. "Chief Gajjagaj, were there any specific places you had in mind to bomb or did it not matter so long as it was done?"

"Oh, no. Place not matter where bombs be set at, only if bombs go off. We destroy lab? Not intention, only bomb Grimalkyne home. Lab just victim of chance." He says.

You run your thumb across the chin of your helmet.

"Alright, another question. What happened the day the bombing went through and you discovered your God was dead, other than the obvious? Did your kind witness anything weird?"

"Everything seem fine. We celebrate victory in future and gain blessing from Water God. We send out righteous warriors with bombs to destroy Grimalkyne home and then prepare offering to Water God. We have Apceros to roast. But nobody want to cook it!" He says with frustration.

"And then what?"

"We all trying to decide who force to cook Apceros when new Gajalaka appears from entrance. He smell bad, must be rolling in mud. He offer to cook Apceros himself. We too lazy, so we let him." Gajjagaj continued.

"New Gajalaka cook Apceros of course, even do it right. New Gajalaka use all right ingredients and spice, but he start adding new thing to Apceros. He put in green and blue glowy stuff and we start get suspicious. He assure it nothing bad and say Apceros done!"

"We haul Apceros off and give to Water God, Water God eat it. We see stuff New Gajalaka add falling out Apceros, burn it away! We get angry and ask, he just say it natural! When we demand see what he have, but he run off!" Gajjagaj exclaims.

"What about your Water God? Why didn't he react?"

"Water God put to sleep. Stock was checked, come to find Sleeptoads we gather missing. New Gajalaka must put some in while we not looking at him work... Water God's stomach soon boil with stuff he fed, die in his sleep..."

"My guardsmen patrolling at night, see discarded Gajalaka mask and dress, then see Grimalkyne running off as I told you already. New Gajalaka was fake, was actually Grimalkyne in disguise!" Gajjagaj says.

"Father!" A new voice suddenly pipes up. It was Jakallaga, Gajjagaj's son.

"What if... bad Grimalkyne poison Water God Ixis person other Grimalkyne talk of?"

"Hmm... That good question..."

"Yes, perhaps all along these events were orchestrated by one of our own against us all..." Wisebone says.

"But how?" The Steward speaks up. "Ixis is most certainly dead now. Nobody ever saw him leave his home and we know for a fact he was there, otherwise his candles would have been out. It isn't possible he could have been the one to kill the Lagiacrus as the bombing happened around the same time. It has to be someone different."

"What about Wisebone daughter Yellowfeather, where she at at time of bombing?" Gajjagaj asks.

"I-I was out collecting berries, I hadn't b-been gone long from Father! I had to help pull him away as the bombs went off!" Yellowfeather said in her defense.

"What about Steward?" Jakallaga asks.

"I was with the Chief just until the bombing happened precisely. I went off to find the heir in the woods when the explosions rang." The Steward answered, which Wisebone reinforced with an affirmative nod.

"Well, Hunter, what you think?" Gajjagaj asks.

>Let's wait until Vivi returns.
>I think I know who is responsible, and I'm going to put them on the spot now. (Select a suspect: Yellowfeather, the Steward, Balthazar, Wisebone, Yourself)
>Write in.

>>4292899
>Let's wait until Vivi returns.
Do we get a perspective shift to Vivi to help her investigation?

>>4292899
>I think I know who is responsible, and I'm going to put them on the spot now.
You're going down, Balthazar

>>4292899
>Let's wait until Vivi returns.
I'm not having us be retarded because of a coin flip.

>>4292920
Anon, stop joking around.

>>4292961
Nevermind, just finished rereading.

I cannot stress enough that we should keep an eye on the Steward. We have evidence it might be him through the testimony of how both he and the "new" Gajalaka looked and smelled, as well as how they both handled the food and drink; we need something to pin him.

Ask the Steward how he became so well-spoken for a Grinalkyne.

>>4292976
I think both him and Yellowfeather might be accomplices, but until we get more proofs and clues we can only guess.

How long did Wisebone know the Steward? That's the question we should ask, not how the steward became so eloquent because the Grimalkyne learned through human contact.

>>4292984
Ask Yellowfeather along with Wisebone. I have an idea as to the motive.

"Wisebone, how long has the Steward been apart of your clan?"

"I witnessed his birth, I've seen the births of many of my tribe's modern members as it's oldest and last elder." He replied.

"Y-Yeah. In fact, he's my b-brother. He's been with us as long as I." Yellowfeather then says.

"Hm."

"Well, I suppose we should just sit here and wait until Vivianne returns. Lets take another recess." You say.

The tribes agree and back off again. At this point, they don't seem so hostile to each other now, if at all.

+=========+
Meanwhile, at the Grimalkyne Tribe home...
+=========+

"Paw-wee! Does it always smell like this in here?" Vivi asked, walking along a stretch fresh through a mound opening with the guard Wisebone sent.

"Just in this part, our home itself smells better." The guard replied.

Vivi walked along and sniffed the air as she made it into the actual home of the Grimalkynes, a large plot of land mostly hidden under the dirt of the Wildspire's desert, with some spots reaching out into the open frontier above.

"Hmm... Hey, mew were right."

Following the guard now, Vivi is taken down into the home of the Grimalkynes. The majority of their resting spots were all concentrated within the hull of a massive tunnel with many alcoves about in it. A few Grimalkynes were here and there, but not many at all to call this place populated.

The guard leads her to the end, where a opening in the wall to the side is with sunlight shining in. But ahead of that is rubble, lots of it.

Vivi wasn't going to be deterred so easily however. She began to climb around the rubble until she discovered something the Grimalkynes did not notice at first. A small crawling space big enough for her to fit inside of. It only looked collapsed as part of an optical illusion that could only be seen so far to the side!

File: Lab.png (100 KB, 512x351)

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"Are you... okay in there?"

"Myeah! I'm fine, just stay put." Vivi calls back to the nervous guard as she climbs farther into the spaces inside the collapsed rubble. The tight crawl space was hugging her all around with rocks, and it didn't help she was wearing the beefy Rathian set she owned.

Nonetheless, she makes it to the end and discovers something. The door to Ixis' laboratory, the one he was said to have made within the Grimalkyne's home. The wooden door was splintered in two by the rubble, but from the looks of things, the interior to the lab was not totally destroyed.

In fact, Vivianne saw the faint light of a torch inside at the back wall, the lab had survived the bombing... But there was no way for Vivi to get in. Trying to mine this rock out from the inside here might make it totally collapse onto her, shutting the crawl space in and trapping her. The breathable air was also getting scarce, as the smoke the torch produced clouded the lab.

But! She does not totally give up hope yet. She looks as best as she can into the lab through the door and spots a bookshelf slightly off center, revealing a door behind that one. A secret entrance maybe?

Vivi just needs to find a way to reach it. Where could the entrance be at?

>Maybe if Vivi prods around this space some more, she might turn up something.
>Vivi should check the Steward's chamber and see if it connects to the lab.
>Vivi should check Wisebone's hut.
>Vivi should look around outside.
>Vivi should remove her armor to get thinner and try squeezing in through the wooden door.
>Write in.

>>4293045
>Vivi should check the Steward's chamber and see if it connects to the lab.

>>4293045
>Vivi should look around outside.
Lets be practical, if we had a secret evil lab we'd want the secret exit to lead out where nobody would know.

>>4293045
Which direction is the bookshelf facing?

File: (you).png (1 KB, 312x130)

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>>4293091
Why it's facing

>>4293091
Let's try to move the bookshelf then, very carefully of course.

>>4293099
You cannot reach it, the bookshelf is facing you at an angle from the back of the room

>>4293097
Give me a cardinal direction, ya fuck.

File: layout.png (14 KB, 512x351)

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>>4293102
Ask and you shall receive

>>4293105
Let's get out and ask the guard in the direction of the bookshelf.

>>4293105
>Ask and you shall receive
Can we have a Shara route then?

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>>4293118
No but you can have this.

File: arvis.png (11 KB, 250x391)

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>>4293124

>>4293124
Goddamnit Level

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4293048
>>4293057
>>4293108

Pulling back, Vivianne exited the shaft of the rock's crawl space and hopped down, probing the guard for more info on the layout of the Grimalkyne home, specifically the location of the Steward's alcove.

Upon getting it, she immediately heads that way and enters the room of the Steward, casting aside a curtain and letting herself in.

"W-Wait! That's the room of one of the cheif's heirs!" The guard said.

"Myeah, and he is one super suspicious heir too!" Vivianne retorted.

The guard stood silent as she looked around the alcove.

Within the Steward's room was a basic set for the Grimalkynes. A cloth cot with furs and plant fibers to sleep on, a stone stove carved out of a rock with a small fire burning inside for warmth, ceramic decorated bowls and a collection of Monster bones and other materials.

The Steward seemed to be plain in the ways of living, but aside from that there were a few extra things in the room that others didn't have. There was a shelf with trinkets atop it mounted on the wall, a framed painting made from a variety of oils that depicted some tribal stuff, a few hangers driven into the wall holding some pelts and there was a rack made from tall wooden boards held together by fibers standing up against the wall with some makeshift weapons of bone on it.

What will Vivi do?

>>4293158
Knock along the walls, see if anything rings hollow.

>>4293189
Support.

Roll 2d40 for discovery.

Rolled 10, 4 = 14 (2d40)

>>4293201
Oh no, not dice!

Rolled 9, 4 = 13 (2d40)

>>4293201
Seems simple enough

Erm, could we wait for a third?

Rolled 19, 25 = 44 (2d40)

>>4293201

Rolled 15, 16 = 31 (2d40)

>>4293201

Getting to work, Vivianne prodded around the abode for any sign of something unusual she might find. Walls were tapped in search of any reverberation on the other side for hollow interiors, but nothing is found on any wall in the room. Vivianne moved the weapon rack and found nothing behind it as well.

She looks behind the framed painting, the hanging pelts and moves aside things on the shelf, even going as far as to look under a bed. All of this however turns up nothing again.

Almost ready to give up, Vivi tries to think some more and her eyes end up on something she didn't notice at first. There was a small pot inside the stone stove with a small fire burning in the room.

Grabbing a spoon, Vivianne scoops it out and sets it onto the ground. The pot was metal, something the Grimalkynes must have traded with the Commission for, it definitely wasn't of their handiwork. It must have been cooking a kind of soup they made which required a long while of sitting under heat to properly prepare. Felynes had similar things, such as porridge and soups that needed to cook for hours.

None of that was really important, what was important was what was inside. So Vivianne takes the spoon and slides the lid off...

....

Inside is a typical soup.... but upon using the spoon to swish it around and scoop some up, Vivi finds it chock full of a purple substance. It was poison. This soup was spiked too. If left alone for long enough, the poison would eventually blend in with the rest of the color of the soup.

But why? Was the Steward in fact innocent? Was he also a victim?

Vivi might not have found anything worthwhile to her search, but at least she found this before anything bad could come of it. She asks the guard to chuck it out after showing him and proceeds back to her search.

Where will Vivi search next?

>>4293237
>Vivi should check Wisebone's hut.

>>4293237
Check outside

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4293240
>>4293241

Outside in the wilderness would make the most sense for a secret exit, at least that's what Vivianne thought, that's what she would do if she had a secret exit.

She leaves the guard behind and ventures out into the arid landscape again outside of the Grimalkyne tribe's home, leaving through the opening near the collapse of the home at the far back, going around as she can through the wrapping sides of the home's outer structure.

But she must be careful, because a Meownster could be out here, or the exit could be hidden. She needs to tread carefully and look carefully...

>1d300 for discovery. Low rolls result in something bad.

Rolled 81 (1d300)

>>4294138
Come on, Dice God...

Rolled 136 (1d300)

>>4294138

Okay, we need a third roller.

Rolled 106 (1d300)

>>4294138

Lurkers we need your help, get rolling.

Rolled 197 (1d300)

>>4294138

Rolled 74 (1d300)

>>4294138
Glad your still alive goobers.

Rolled 78 (1d300)

>>4294138

Rolled 198 (1d300)

>>4294138
Disco Meowlesium time!

Vivianne treads lightly through the sand and past the tall rocks above as she travels around the length of the Grimalkyne home.

Eventually, she finds a way that leads to something surprising. More forestation in the desert. A rare and strange sight for somewhere isolated away from the Ancient Forest, which was growing onto the Wildspire Waste. Perhaps an underground source of water nurtured the greenery here, or seeds might have been carried somehow. There are fruit plants and mostly dense bushes and trees like in the Ancient Forest, as well as Paratoads.

Now, thinking back on it, Vivianne would have to be near the back of the Grimalkyne home or at least somewhere close to it. The secret entrance to the lab would have to be around somew-MEHRE!

Ough!

Vivianne trips on something...

File: peel.png (156 KB, 512x351)

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"Mwhat the...?"

It was... a banana peel. It was fresh, and seems to have just been discarded. But by what?

"Hurgk...."

"Huh? Who the frack.... Meow!"

>>4294508
No monkey testicles. 0/10

File: Furious George.png (199 KB, 512x351)

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"......?"

Vivianne trembled there on the ground under the gaze of the Monster that littered the ground with the peels.

It wasn't angry yet, but it was disturbed.

What does Vivianne do?

>>4294521
SEARCH SURROUNDINGS FOR WAYS TO GO QUICK

Terrified, Vivianne quickly glanced around to see what options for getaway there were from the Furious Rajang.

To the right, there was a dirt path leading back to the Grimalkyne home, and there was a collection of vines that she could reach and potentially swing on. There was also a pair of Paratoads, but they were trying to bore down into the dirt and get away.

To the left there was a mud path to slide down on, and a great big tree she might be able to hide inside of.

Going back would just take her the way she came. There didn't look to be anywhere forward to go. past the Rajang. Speaking of the Rajang, he was now becoming unstably enraged just at the sight of Vivianne, crushing the banana he held mindlessly. He was getting ready to smash, so she needed to move quick.

What will she do?

>>4294557
Mud Path.

Thinking quickly, Vivianne sprung up and drew her Sleeper Gadget, shooting a spray of the mist inside into the face of the Furious Rajang. The big ape inhaled the mist and stood up, swinging his head around wildly as the agent had some minor affect over him.

The Rajang tried to grab Vivianne, but it instead lost it's bearings for the moment and walked right past her.

Vivi turned to the side and ran quick on all fours, jumping down into the mudslide she saw to the left and letting herself go down the way. The Rajang wasn't slow behind as it shook off the effects of the agent. It let itself slide down too, arms outstretched as it dove down into the mud headfirst, roaring while gaining on Vivianne.

But Vivianne had reached the bottom first before the Rajang could. There was now three ways for her to go!

>There, to the right, a nook for her to slide into. It looked like it led into some rock passage.
>To the left, a bush she could conceal herself in and hide from the Rajang with.
>Up ahead, a climb that would take her back to the Grimalkyne home, to safety.

>>4294941
>There, to the right, a nook for her to slide into. It looked like it led into some rock passage.
Monkeys can climb.

>>4294941
>To the left, a bush she could conceal herself in and hide from the Rajang with.
We barely investigated this place, if we can avoid the ape we can explore in peace.

>>4294953
Changing to the rock passage.

To her right was a nook for her to fit into. It was covered by some big leaves, but she clearly saw how it led right into the rock.

Vivi ducked inside fast, crawling down into the passage as the Rajang finally caught up and started looking around for her. It found no sign, but it wouldn't give up it's search for a while. Vivianne was trapped in there until it decided to calm down and leave, which was hard for Rajangs to do.

Seeing no option to get out from where she came, Vivianne began walking down opposite of where she crawled in at, going deeper into the rock passage, where it became progressively darker as she left the sunlight's reach.

However, up ahead, she sees faint red glows in the dark and when approaching them, she runs into something. The stop she felt was wooden! This had to be it! The secret entrance the lab!

Vivianne pulls the door, but it doesn't move. She goes to push it, but as she does, she feels it hit... something. She applies a little more force and that 'something' moves slightly off center. Maybe it was a doorstop.

>Vivi pushes the door open normally and continues on.
>Vivi takes it lightly...
>Vivi kicks the door in and gets back.

>>4294968
>She applies a little more force and that 'something' moves slightly off center.
IT'S A TRAP.
Now the question would going slow set it off or would going FBI do it.

>>4294968
>Vivi takes it lightly...

>>4294968
>Vivi kicks the door in and gets back.
BREACH

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>4294971
>>4294985
>>4294996

...Or a trap!

Vivi tests her theory, slightly moving the door more forward. She hears a ticking behind it the more she moves it back, and when she pulls it back, the ticking is replaced by a winding.

Ahh! A trap that only activated if the door opened all the way. What could it be? A pair of blades that spring up from the ground? Spikes? The release of a toxic agent? Poison?

Well, time to find out. She'll kick the door in and get back quick!

"Meee-OW-"

https://vocaroo.com/4VWBS46GHRi

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"...."

...Or a bomb that goes off instantly...

Vivi coughed, pulling herself off as the explosion blew her back with much force. The wooden door she was in front of was obliterated, and the doorknob flew off, hitting her in the eye.

Not only that, but lots of splinters flew into her as well, and her Rathian armor was broken even though it saved her absorbing most of the blast. Her crown is ruined and some of her fur is burnt. Great...

Well, at least she was relatively alright, save for the pain she felt in her arms, and her partial blindness...

This is why you never leave votes up to coin flips. Speaking of which, I wanted to vote before sleeping but I was torn.

Nevertheless, Vivianne continued onward into the passage she found. She eventually reached a ladder which led upwards, taking her to another walk ahead until she reached another wooden door which opened with no trouble. It was the one she saw behind the bookshelf. She was now in the supposedly defunct lab of Ixis.

The lab was dark, illuminated only by a single torch which she took, using it to light the surroundings in the disturbing place. Strangely, the walls and ceiling were wet, dripping drops of water which only put her further on edge as she heard them hit the floor.

There were some tables, ones with tools set atop them. Carving tools and bladed trinkets with dark stains on them. There were longer tools for grabbing things and there were sets of glass instruments in varying shapes.

The shelves nailed into the walls were stuffed with vials and flasks containing ghastly liquids she didn't recognize. Green things, purple things, orange things... one was even bubbling inside it's flask still.

The Steward's words were in fact false, Ixis' lab was not so devastated by the Gajalaka bombing, nor was there any body for the figure 'Ixis' as well. If that Grimalkyne really did exist and wasn't just the Steward spinning a lie, then he was almost certainly alive, and probably still out there...

It was certainly true looking at all of this, that Ixis was the Grim Biologist's 'palico' in a way. He surely learned all of this from that creep, but Vivi did not find anything like the acidic compound used to kill the Lagiacrus...

She saw a flat carpet surrounded by pillows near the corner, set with some items for dining. She saw a box covered by a tarp to her right, under a shelf, and there was a shovel to the corner ahead leaning against a stone chair that looked rather heavy...

Vivi had basically all she needed to know now.

>So Vivianne left, proceeding on her way back to Meowster with her findings.
>But before Vivianne left, she checked out some other things in the lab.
>Write in.

>>4295042
>But before Vivianne left, she checked out some other things in the lab.
She hasn't found anything definitive.

>>4295042
>one was even bubbling inside it's flask still
Be aware that Ixis is still probably around.

>>4295042
>But before Vivianne left, she checked out some other things in the lab.
Also before we leave get some of those items like one of the pillows or the dinning items, we can use the scoutflies to track who used them or eho they belonged to.

>>4295048
You gotta specify what you wanna search you dingus

>>4295063
Hey, your not Level.

>>4295042
Search for anything that could have traces of DNA, careful not to muddle it with your own.

>>4295064
Clearly anon you are losing your composure, I am in fact Level.

>>4295057
Also try to find any clothes or anything a Grimalkyne would wear or just use or nose to try and track any familiar smell.

>>4295027
Mistakes were made

>>4295064
>DNA testing
>in monhun
???

>>4295066
But you just used your old trip pole

>>4295077
>what are Scoutflies

>>4295077
No I didn't.

>>4295078
Bugs that track by smell, not dna

>>4295083
Oh. Then get something smelly, he was a smelly guy.

But Vivi wasn't done yet, she still needed to pat this place down completely.

She started next with the dining spot she saw, an assortment of utensils and ceramic dinnerware on the top of the carpet. The pillows around it had many traces of black fur over it. It must belong to 'Ixis'. She collects enough of it to make a ball. This guy shed like crazy.

The dining items were filthy, unwashed and covered with residue from old meals. Vivianne refused to touch any of it.

When she decided she had enough, she went to walk away, but her foot crossed a bowl on the carpet and she felt something. An outline of an object hidden underneath it. She had no mind for the tidiness of this place, it was nonexistent already. She grabs the carpet and slings it aside, revealing a safe in the ground! It was already unlocked.

She had to use her claws to get a grip on it, but when she did, she lifted the panel on the safe open... revealing a collection of belongings inside. Gajalaka belongings! There were old masks, some broken, some mint, alongside feather headdresses and fiber clothing! There were even a few of those obsidian cleavers that Gajalaka toted around commonly inside...

Ohhh.... Vivianne didn't know what to make of this... but if there were a bunch of belongings in here, where were the former owners? Still alive? Or... still hidden somewhere in this lab...?

>Vivianne feels a creeping sensation. She needs to leave now already.
>Vivianne continues snooping around.

>>4295700
>Vivianne feels a creeping sensation. She needs to leave now already.
Take anything with a decent scent and go.

>>4295706
Support.

>>4295700
>Vivianne continues snooping around.
We need more proof damn it, we can't leave without confirming whether or not there are any bodies. We'll have no credit saying we only found gear.

>>4295751
I would agree if you didn't get us blown up prior.

>>4295759
Blame dice god for that, or the guy who didn't vote, I can't predict what level has planned for us

>>4295766
You are voting to continue snooping around, while injured and not knowing the whereabouts of a hostile entity.

>>4295770
I don't think the bad guy is around, judging by how yellowfeather was acting, he might be back with the groups. Our only worry is the funky monkey

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Vivianne did not like the looks of this, the implication it had. She didn't know where the ones who owned this stuff were, but if their gear was here then their... bodies couldn't be much farther. This was decidedly enough to get on 'Ixis'. It was clear that he was responsible for helping cause this whole thing. She just needed to get back to her Meowster and relay the information.

Turning away from the carpet, Vivianne goes to walk off. She crosses the tables in the middle of the room to get back to the secret exit. But as she does, there is a clicking underfoot and a sharp feeling that makes her step back in a shock, her leg now shaking.

She stops in her tracks and looks down, holding her torch down until she can see what was on the floor. It was... drops of fresh blood, next to a pile of broken glass shards from a flask that fell off the table. But wait? Fresh?

Slowly, she lifted her foot up, seeing the result.

Vivianne panicked, fearful as she yanked the glass out of her foot, letting go of her torch as she did without thinking twice about it. Her paw was cut by the flask's shards, and she was scared it might have been filled with some deadly foreign substance that could enter her body. But now that is the least of her worries as she looked up again at a flaming sound.

She had managed to chuck her torch into the shelves containing the strange liquids, which were all now reacting to the flames violently! Some explode, engulfing the wall in fire! Vivi coughed as the smoke began to cloud in the lab! She needed to get out before she burned alive! But through where?

The broken door to the lab was a tight fit, it would take her right back out to the Grimalkyne home and safety, but she might need to lose her armor to get through, and there's the risk of splinters from the wood.

Going back the way she came would lead her to the Furious Rajang, who no doubt was lingering still!

Whatever will she do?!

>>4295917
Go through the door, I say. Armor can be replaced. There is a chance of being accosted by hostile Grimalkynes, but I’ll take that over facing an angry SSJ monkey.

>>4295922
Support, were in no state to face SS3 Rajang.

Vivianne wasn't ready to deal with the Rajang again, getting out fast was her only goal!

Quickly, she undid the straps around her armor, tearing and throwing the plates off until she had nothing left but a leather strap with which she could hold her rapier weapon.

She realized at this last moment that she couldn't precisely leave just yet. She needed evidence, leaving without any would be trouble to her in the future. She makes a daring move, running over to the safe and grabbing a Gajalaka mask out of it, one that was dirty with soot and sticky stains.

Without her armor, she is much more swift on her feet, and is able to get to the door in time as the flames grow. She draws her weapon, using it to bash down the jagged boards and make way for her to crawl through, pushing the mask and her weapon in first before lifting herself up and squeezing in.

She had few seconds left remaining, as the flames were rapidly approaching her position. She gets in with only her legs and tail left out.

But! As she was about to crawl out completely, the top side of the broken door is caught by the flames, burning down and falling, onto the tip of her tail and pinning her! She hissed and shouted in pain as the flames touched her caught by the door!

>Vivi grabs her tail with both hands and tries to rip it free!
>Vivi has no choice, she cuts her tail to get free before the flames can snake down her fur!
>Vivi tries to kick with her feet to knock the burning boards back!

>>4296014
>Vivi tries to kick with her feet to knock the burning boards back!

>>4296014
>Vivi tries to kick with her feet to knock the burning boards back

Raising her feet, Vivianne prepared to kick the boards in an attempt to free herself!

>Roll 2d40!
>Low rolls result in more injury incurred.

Meant 2d400, not 40

Rolled 52, 135 = 187 (2d400)

>>4296083

Rolled 346, 187 = 533 (2d400)

>>4296083
Please no more, Vivi is the least deserving of torture in this quest

Rolled 85, 369 = 454 (2d400)

>>4296083
Oh, for fuck's sake.

Rolled 38, 15 = 53 (2d40)

>>4296083

Rolled 5, 66 = 71 (2d400)

>>4296129
>>4296083

Whoops, didn’t see the correction. Here’s 2d400.

Rolled 352, 60 = 412 (2d400)

>>4296083

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>>4296135
YOU FOOL. IT'S LOW ROLLS, PLURAL.

>>4296143
Oh, thank Gog.

>>4296109
Hey that's a good roll, and you're right, I should be torturing Vance instead. Looks like you'll get your wish.

>>4296150
Don't torture Vance either!

>>4296157
Why not

>>4296184
Because we need him whole until the final boss.

Striking forth with one foot, Vivi kicked the boards, loosening one before both of her feet came full force, knocking the boards back and freeing her tail.

Eyes shut as she did, she opens them and examines her tail quickly to see the damages. Besides some fur being torn off, her tail was relatively alright, though she did cause her cut paw to bleed slightly more out. The flames that were touching her tail also dispersed.

No more time to waste sitting in this tunnel. Vivianne quickly gathers her things and crawls out as fast as she can. She falls out of the collapse passage and onto the dirt of the Grimalkyne home, now free from her troubles. She doesn't really think about it when she grabs some linen from a nearby basket to wrap her foot in. She really needed it more than whoever owned it and when they see the blood drops, they'll probably understand.

She sees the guard she was with earlier standing there, confused, but she pays him no mind as she grabs the Gajalaka mask and sheaths her rapier, speeding past him to go back out to the desert.

"I've got to warn Meowster!" She whispered to herself, running as fast as two legs could take her...

+=========+
Meanwhile, back at the mediation grounds...
+=========+

"Oi boss, give a stare ova' there." Balthazar suddenly told you.

You perked your head up at that and looked out to the desert to see Vivianne running past the Grimalkyne tribe to you holding a Gajalaka mask. She looked like she was real messed up too!

"Meowster!" She said, gasping for air as she stopped in front of you.

"Why are you naked?" Balthazar asks.

"It's... complicated."

"What's this Vivianne? What did you find?" You asked her as the two tribes approached again.

"The lab isn't purried under rubble! I got in through a secret entryway! It was full of scary things, like a meowd scientist lived there!" She explained fast, turning the heads of both the Gajalaka and the Grimalkynes.

She dropped the Gajalaka mask she had down. "I found lots of these! Lots of them hidden under a secret storage!"

"Those masks belong to missing tribe members! No doubt!" Gajjagaj said, expressing a sense of loss seeing it.

"Did you have missing tribe members as of late?" You ask the chief.

"Yes! Right as war begin, some Gajalaka go out, never come back! But for what reason?!" He asks to the sky.

Wisebone scratched his goatee and twirled the hairs with his claw. "Hmmm... So the lab wasn't destroyed after all..."

"Goodness! Could Ixis have done this? If his lab isn't collapsed, then he must still be alive." The Steward says.

"And perhaps he maybe just the one who orchestrated this all as well, since the start of our war by poisoning the Lagiacrus, or perhaps before that by spiking Jakallaga's drink..." Wisebone mused.

"But where is the bugger now?" Balthazar questioned.

"Oh! I know!" Vivi states, gaining everyone's immediate and full attention.

"I got some furrrr of his that I bundled into a pawl from the lab! It's right..."

Vivi's face goes blank as she reaches around her belt, finding none of the fur that she collected from the pillows.

"Oh... Oh no..." She became frantic.

You knelt down beside her. "Vivi? What's wrong?"

"I... I had it with me... I... I must have lost it discarding my armor! It was the only way I could escape! The lab I... accidentally set it on fire!" She tells.

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The Grimalkynes and Gajalaka begin to show their ire again hearing that.

"You set a fire in our home and didn't bother putting it out?!" Wisebone shouted at her, making her recoil nervously.

"I couldn't! There were chemeowcals! The fire went up too..."

"There isn't any excuse for that! You can out even a big fire easily with a well placed blanket to smother it!" The Steward suddenly came in behind Wisebone.

"And worse! Stupid cat not find any real evidence! And if there were real evidence, dumb cat DESTROYED it!" Gajjagaj says.

"Wha-What? But the meowsk is right..."

"For all know, mask could only be stolen and Gajalaka members still missing, maybe robbed but not killed by 'Ixis' man!" Gajjagaj interrupted her angrily. "STUPID CAT ruin everything! Should have sent someone smarter search lab! If missing Gajalaka in lab, their bodies never be recovered and receive proper burial ritual now! You bring great shame to Gajalaka Water Tribe!"

"GAJAJA! KAJGAJA ALAGAKAGA!" ("I say we should string her up and burn her as a lesson!") Screamed some of the Gajalaka behind their chief.

"Now we'll never truly know Ixis' involvement in this, we won't be able to find him! Curses!" Wisebone said, stamping the ground with his cane.

"And we still never know if Grimalkynes really good as they say now! For all know, could still actually be rotten!" Gajjagaj suddenly calls over.

"I've told you a million times now! You despicable overgrown tomato!" Wisebone retorts.

"TOMATO?! WHY YOU....!"

Both of the tribes were now fighting again.

"HUNTER! YOU NEED DO SOMETHING! NOW! YOU NEED FIND MAN RESPONSIBLE OR WE DECIDE OURSELVES!" Gajjagaj warned, zeroing you out.

You really needed to do something quick... but what?

>>4296359
Get the mask from Vivi.

>>4296359
Dammit Level, first you try to kill Vivi then you go back to make then both go full race war on each other again. I can't think of any many ideas other than use some scoutflies on the mask first and if nothing comes out of it use the scoutflies on Vivi, since she was balls deep in the lab and carrying some of his fur she might have some of scent on her.

It's times like these where I wish we were a little less of an idealist.

>>4296371
It's not a bad thing, it just means amidst hardships our boy remains pure.

Alright we got a few options here, either calm everyone down and apply pressure to Yellowfeather so she squeals what shes hiding, check the mask for fur or get Balthazar to unleash his hippie drugs on everyone to stall for time

>>4296375
Mask is best option, trying to pressure the chief's daughter without proof will put us on the tribe's shitlist, maybe even worsen the relationship of the cats with Astera, and trying to drug everyone when the the big bad is a guy who deals with bullshit like that might paint a bad picture about us.

>>4296370
Oh yeah also ask if that's all Vivi found when she went to investigate, remember she also found that poisoned soup cooking up on the Steward house, maybe that might take a little of the pressure right now.

"Hmmm..."

While you were trying to find a way to calm everyone down again, Balthazar drew his greatsword behind you. You heard the rasp of his massive blade and turned to see him hold it up high.

"Hm hm hm hmm hmm hmmm hmm..." He hummed.

"YAH!"

And then slammed the greatsword with much force into the ground, sprouting an explosion of the weapon's Brachydios slime, shaking the ground and causing the quarreling tribes to cease for the moment.

"That's better, peace and quiet. The floor is yours, boss." He said, satisfied as he sheathed the weapon.

You only nodded. You looked the tribes over with squinted, ireful eyes before falling back to Vivi, who was scared near your leg, bordering on shedding a few tears at all the harshness that was directed at her.

"Vivi, was that all you found?"

Her ears lifted back up. "Meowster! I did find something else, it was in the Smew-ard's room!"

Gasps came from the Grimalkynes.

"What?! You invaded my..." The Steward began, but as quickly as he came he stopped as Balthazar cocked his gaze in his direction.

"There mwas soup I found cooking in his domeown. It was pawsoned! I found it full of Rathian pawson!" Vivi informed everyone.

"What? The porridge I left was.... poisoned?"

"It's true sir!" Another voice, that of the Grimalkyne guard sent with Vivianne said as he finally caught up to the scene. "I saw it myself! It was full of purple, the mark of a poison."

Talk came among the Grimalkynes.

"Damn it! He wasn't supposed to poison me to-..." The Steward came, then cutting himself off before he would finish.

And silence fell over the Grimalkynes and Gajalaka as they all looked to him.

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"Son..." Wisebone said to him.

"I... It's not what you..."

Wisebone slammed his cane down. "What did you mean by that?!"

The Grimalkynes now surrounded their own Steward, much to everyone's shock.

"....Huh? Ah! Look, Meowster!" Vivi said suddenly.

You turned your attention back down to the Gajalaka mask she brought. There was something dangling from the eye socket of it; black fur.

Immediately, you kicked it over to the other side, and surely enough, there was much more of the fur.

"Evidence!" Gajjagaj cheered, pumping his fist.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Get your bugs on it!" Wisebone urged you.

You deeply inhaled and exhaled into a sigh as you leaned down and let your Scoutflies sniff the mask over. "Here we go..."

The Scoutflies swarmed the mask, taking in the scent provided by it's black fur remnants, flickering green on it before flying off. Except, they didn't take a route that would lead you elsewhere, they only flew off, directly ahead...

The Scoutflies trailed until they reached their destination a short distance away, flickering blue to indicate their target, which was a shrub of a bush standing on top of a hillock in the Waste's terrain.

Everyone became defensive then, raising their weapons and assuming more secure stances as they stared at the shrub. Come to think of it, it did appear rather suspicious on the top of the hillock like that.

You got in front of Vivianne, and the other chiefs as your Scoutflies continued to buzz around it. Balthazar had his hand firmly grasping his weapon and many of the Tribe members looked ready to rush the bush, or hurl spears at it.

"Father, I can't take it anymore..." Yellowfeather told Wisebone.

"And me as well..." The Steward says. "Perhaps a bit of an explanation is owed before what is about to happen goes down...?"

"What do you... mean?" Is all Wisebone can ask.

You were curious too, but also wary of the bush.

You could ask to hear what they have to say, or go ahead and call out for whomever might be there to expose themself. Or maybe you could just go ahead and rush the bush now.

What will you do?

>>4296448
Have Vivi hear them out, while we and Balthazar handle whatever is on the bush, but let's go on opposite directions just so whatever it is can't escape as easily.

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>>4296448
Call the shrub and tell Ixis to come out
A. FUCKING. BUSH.

Another tie...

>>4296451
Supportin this one then.

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You looked to Balthazar for affirmation and he nodded, already subconsciously knowing what you were trying to get across. Hunters clicked in that way.

You began walking to the left while he took the right, so the bush was cornered there and both of you would be able to grab it faster.

"You can come out now." You say as you stand an adequate distance away from the hillock.

It was only so big, you could get up it easily, as could Balthazar. Whatever was inside would need exquisite climbing skills to escape from here, as behind the hillock was nothing but rock going straight up high. And even then, you might be able to fire Slinger shots at whatever it is if it can climb.

"Yeah! Come out Ixis, your jig is up! We know you're the one who made these tribes go to war!" Balthazar said.

No response comes from the shrub, and so everyone is left standing off as the Soutflies buzz red and return to you.

"I can't take it anymore! I must confess!" Yellowfeather suddenly says.

"Wh-What?!" Wisebone was startled.

"We both knew!" Yellowfeather admitted, pointing to both herself and her brother, the Steward, who was sweating bullets of fear. This caused the tribes to erupt into confused gasps.

"That night the Lagiacrus was killed, that night the bombings happened, I was out for berries. Brother found me, and then we heard the bombs. We saw Ixis, and we saw what he was doing!" Yellowfeather said.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Wisebone thundered over her, infuriated.

"He threatened us! He told us everything, and he said that he would kill us without anyone knowing, before we could do anything if we tried to tell!" Yellowfeather said, on the verge of tears.

"And you believe him?! His bluff?" Gajjagaj said, similarly furious.

"He's been watching us from the shadows constantly, stalking us since then father! We couldn't do anything!" Yellowfeather tried to reason.

"Father, he wasn't bluf-OURGH!" The Steward almost said.

The whole moment was interrupted as a metallic object flew through the air fast, piercing the Steward in his chest. Another came and hit Yellowfeather as well. Both of them screamed in terror as they tried to pull the things out, but their screams were silenced, and both fell unconscious immediately, spooking both tribes.

And then there was a laughing from the bush.

"Hu hu hu ho ho hahah hah hah hah!"

The shrub is torn apart as a Grimalkyne emerges from it. He is a particularly beefy one, with unkempt fur and a ragged, ugly appearance. He was dirty, and you could smell how bad he was from here. He wielded a flute like instrument, or something for blowdarts, which he quickly sheathes on his strap, which carried a bag full of the barbed metal objects he shot Yellowfeather and the Steward with.

"The truth coming out was inevitable. I was going to do that regardless, but I was hoping these stupid tribes would tear each other apart first. I am Ixis, nice to meet you." He says with a coarse voice.

"So what was your big plan here supposed to be? Trying to drag these friendly tribes into conflict, huh?" You say, putting your hand on the Holy Moonquake Sword.

"It was my uneasy method of getting subjects without getting attention. If I abducted anyone normally, eyebrows would have been raised. But with a war going on, I'd get free subjects and nobody would be the wiser, too focused on getting back at the enemy tribe to notice. I did get plenty of subjects, mostly Gajalaka, and I ran tests on them with my work over the week. My ultimate goal was to follow in my old master's footsteps, but I saw how quickly things were falling apart when the bombs went off. If only that hadn't happened..." Ixis recounts.

"The war was calming down, I couldn't get many easy grabs. I thought killing the Lagiacrus would make things flare up again. Little did I know the Gajalaka were just resting for a big blow to deal in secret, which ruined everything, and now the tribes were just about to finish each other, leaving me with no live test Konchus. And judging from what I heard, your Palico didn't find any of the bodies inside my lab but she burned it down, and now it's nothing but ash. A lot of tools will still be intact though, I can recover that before I leave."

"Before you leave?" Balthazar questions, walking up closer.

"Now that there isn't anything left for me here, I was going to leave and move off, find another Grimalkyne tribe to integrate in so I can try and continue my work. I want the same as master, the Grim Biologist did, to make weapons! To explore the unexplored taboos of science!" Ixis says.

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"Well, now you know. I was behind everything, starting by spiking the Steward's juice when he couldn't see. Now, since you imbeciles aren't going to put on a last show for me, I'll just go! You can have your peace now, I'll be gone and you won't have to worry about shadows anymore." Ixis says, bowing mockingly.

"Youuuuu! You won't get away with this! What did you put into my children?!" Wisebone demanded and swore, walking forward while waving his cane.

"Just a hearty amount of Cheelob. My little barbed vials can be shot right out of my blowgun, they contain enough Cheelob to seal your fate too. The barbs will keep them lodged in as well, so no Cheelob leaks out, it only goes inside to shut down everything. Your kids are through, old man." Ixis laughed.

"Nooooo!" He shouted, turning back and rushing over to his unconscious children.

"Hey, at least they'll still be alive for about another hour or two! Enjoy what time remains! I have to scootch now!" Ixis said, pulling out another item from his belt, a rope with a climbing hook on it.

Ixis threw the thing up the cliff he was on, hooking it to the top. He turns back and laughs with his arms raised once more. "So long!"

He grabs the robe and begins climbing, and for a Grimalkyne that looked as big as him, he was doing it fast!

What will you do?!

>>4296534
UNLEASH MOONQUAKE

How close are we to him? If he's within Sooner range then I'm sure a Flashpod would suffice.

>>4296534
I’ll second using a flash pod.

Aw come on guys, can't we finish this quickly with the trump card?

>>4297123
Idunno, can we control its power output?

>>4297134
We don't have to worry about that, we can just shoot a slicer at his rope and then grab him

>>4297123
If it can reach him at that range, sure. If we’re lucky, maybe it’ll dislodge some rocks that Ixis is climbing and injure him.

What's it gonna be? Moonquake sword or flashpod? I can roll too if you'd all like.

>>4297205
>>4297134

>>4297211
It's output is all the same like when it was Moonlight. Moonquake has the same moveset (shockwave, slicers and big wave) as well, but since it's powered by Bioenergy now you might be able to try a few new tricks with it as well so long as you describe it.

Basically, you wont kill Ixis unless you intentionally try to by aiming at him.

>>4297215
Then let's slice that rope with our Quakesword.

He's not too high up that he would die from the fall, right? Felynes always land on their feet, right?

So the plan is flashbang and sending a shockwave to the rope? ok I am in.

>>4297222
I don't think we can do both in a timely manner, just cut the rope from the base of the hook.

We can probably do it in the reverse order, slice the rope then stun him while he tries to ascend faster.

File: Moonquake Sowrd.png (209 KB, 512x351)

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"Not so fast!" You say.

You reached around, drawing your Holy Moonquake Sword and raising it above your head, igniting the blade with the enrapturing red glow of it's Ceadean Bioenergy!

"Huh?! Hah! You can hit me from there, fool!" Ixis mocked, continuing to ascend the rope hastily.

He was already nearly to the top.

You went to swing the sword and launch a slicer at his rope!

>1d100 for accuracy.

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>4297475
Inb4 we accidentally bisect him

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>4297475
Where's everybody else?

>>4297498
NO SERIOUSLY, WHERE IS EVERYBODY ELSE?!

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>>4297498
Nice roll.

File: 1547762959198.gif (470 KB, 200x200)

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FUCKING LURKERS PARTICIPATE FOR FUCK'S SAKE

>>4297509
SHUT UUUUUP

You go forth, swinging your Holy Moonquake Sword!

The red glowing blade hummed and blinked with a delicate aura before unleashing a reddened Bioenergy version of it's slicer attack! The curved blade of energy ran through the air, wide as it approached Ixis near the top!

....And then it missed, extremely narrowly!

It grazed the top of the cliff and hit the hook, slicing off one of the fingers and causing Ixis' rope to juggle. The malicious Grimalkyne struggled for a grip, sliding down a ways before catching himself, the hook not yet loose.

"You'll have to do better than that!" He said, shaking his claw.

You dodged as he drew his blowgun and loaded it with more of his Cheelob darts, holding onto the rope by his tail as he shot them down at you and Balthazar.

The Gajalaka and Grimalkyne tribes were antsy, approaching as the fire ceased brandishing their spears!

Ixis was now ascending the rope again, faster than before!

>Try to launch another slicer.
>Grab Vivianne and throw her at him.
>Let the tribes take care of it.
>Shoot Slinger stones.
>Jump up and grab the rope, try shaking him off.
>Write in.

Rolled 12, 51, 12, 33, 61, 42, 50, 66, 13, 13 = 353 (10d100)

>>4297540
>Try to launch another slicer.
This time for sure.

>>4297540
Vivi ain't in no condition to being throw, ask one of the tribes if anyone wanna be lauched as close as possible to that asshole and then you and Balthazar go launching from there.

>>4297540
>Try to launch another slicer.

Alright, 1d100 again

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>4297683

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4297683
We will not miss this time

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>>4297697
Goddamnit

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>4297683

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>4297683

Man, the dice gods must really hate monster hunter or something. Can’t remember the last time there were so many mediocre rolls concentrated into one series.

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>4297683
Fucking dice, man.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>4297683

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"Hahahahah!" Ixis laughed, reaching the top.

"Now none of you will ever..."

He gasped!

You had launched another slicer at him!

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"Heh...."

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You clenched your fist, feeling a particular anger for your failure there as Ixis left over the top of the cliff and vanished. He managed to get away when you and the others had so good a chance at stopping him...

"Hunter! Forgot about him! He is a problem that plagues us no more..." You hear Wisebone call from behind.

You had no choice but to disperse your Moonquake sword's energy and turn back with Balthazar, approaching the chiefs and their tribes. Wisebone was knelt over, cradling his unconscious daughter as his fellow tribals handled the Steward.

"Ohhhh! What will I ever do?!" He asks, shaking. "My children are full of that miscreant's poison! They'll never recover now! We can't get it out of them without killing them anyway!"


"What will I do...? what will I do....?"

...

Gajjagaj stepped forward and slammed his staff down. The others looked at him all of a sudden.

"Gajjagaj was wrong to blame Grimalkynes... Gajjagaj see now error of his explosive behavior..."

"From now on, Gakalaka and Grimalkyne war no more..." He says, regretful of the events.

"Yes... let us make peace..." Wisebone says, to both his fellow chief and his situation.

"Balthazar, is there any..." You ask your partner.

He clenches the temple of his helmet.

"Maybe... but I'm not totally sure it'd work now. It would have to be very careful, and she and her brother might end up worse anyway." Balthazar says. "It's your call if you want me to try something, boss."

What will you do?

>>4297786
Bring this up to Wisebone, say what Balthazar said word by word and if he would like to try, don't forget to empathise the risks of them getting worse.

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"Wisebone, I believe my partner here might have a solution." You say, kneeling down to the chief's level.

He sniffles, looking up to you with a fairly broken expression. "You do...?"

"Well..." Balthazar interjected, bashfully rubbing the back of his helmet. "Possibly, but I can't guarantee it...."

Wisebone began to look down again.

"...But it's worth a try, if I can start soon!" He says.

"Please... I can't lose my children..." Wisebone begged.

"I know, and I promise I'll try my best to save them, ahem..." Balthazar says, reassuring the chief with a gesture of his hands. "But you should know, there is a risk that..."

"I know! I heard it all already! I don't care if there's a risk, life is always better than death! I want you to try to help us, if you really can!"

Balthazar nods silently and then turns to you.

"Alright, I'm going to stay with them until I finish my work.... I know a few ways that might help deal with the Cheelob clogging their systems." He tells you. "Right now, you should just focus on helping those workers get the Super Ballista back and helping the Gajalaka tribe. They'll need it, their Monster is dead."

"Yeah, I got that." You say.

"Good. Well, for now, this is where we part ways, boss. I'll head back to their home with them. I'll catch up when I can."

"You do what you got to Balthazar, we'll meet again." You say, raising your fist to your chest as a sign of respect.

"Yeah. We will, boss." He says, doing the same.

Balthazar turned to the Grimalkynes and flicked his wrists.

"Well c'mon then! What are you waiting for? The Grand Appreciation Festival? Get them up and get going, I'll need to see them as soon as I can!"

The tribe was kicked into their full gear, hoisting up the unconscious forms of Wisebone's children and carrying them along as Balthazar followed behind to go off to their home.

Wisebone went too, slower than the others due to his frail and elderly nature. He stopped for a moment and looked back at chief Gajjagaj, who was holding his thumb and index up in a peace sign. Wisebone responds with the same motion and both nod each other's way before Wisebone did the same your way and left off.

Now you were left with just Vivianne there in the middle of the Wildspire Waste as Balthazar departed with the Grimalkynes.

Your goal here today was done now, both tribes had made peace and their real problem was gone, the fighting would cease now and the Second Fleet workers could finish their delivery to Astera before becoming free to help build Shara's habitat as you planned and discussed with the Commander.

There was one more matter, finding the Gajalaka Water Tribe a suitable replacement for their deceased Lagiacrus they used to worship and serve. Without the old Lagiacrus, they would just be sitting Jaggi for whatever other large predator was bound to move in to their home soon...

You could tell them what you might have planned and see if they agree, but you really only needed to speak with the Lynian Researcher at Astera who was in charge of all operations concerning the Lynians and other natives and tribals. He could easily organize their relocation to another place as he was a big influence on all contacted tribes and had much cooperation from them.

Other than that, Vivianne isn't looking so good, evident by her wincing at places around her body. You need to get her patched up, pronto.

What will you do now?

>>4297973
>>4291091
Bring plan K into full swing

>>4297973
Go back to Astera and get Vivi some treatment asap, then go to the smithy and order new armor for her, we had some Ukanlos parts don't we, see if we have enough for a new armor, then let's have a talk with Chamo a bit, ask if he is up for a new position with the Gajakala tribe.

>>4297992
I agree with everything except for the part where Chamo goes with the Gajalaka, I don't know if he'd be the best choice exactly for a "replacement god"

Unless we had him hanging with them plus whatever official help we can give them, i.e the super ballista and anything else we are able to provide them

>>4297992
Chamo is too immature to know right from wrong without being told, he isn't mature enough to care for a group of Gajalaka. I agree with everything else.

>>4297992
Then I guess we could try to send them to Kulve, we just need to properly explain to them so they don't get in any tribe war against the other gajakala tribe in there or end up pissing of Kulve herself.

>>4298188
We could try searching for another "Water God" for them.

By the way, there's still that thing the spooky dude gave us to do at night. We should probably try that tonight.

>>4298197
The only other Lagiacrus we know of is being targeted by an urgent quest

>>4298188
The el dorado tribe is down to like 2 Gajalaka, and Kulve is much smarter than their previois god so there shouldn't be any conflict

>>4298274
>>4298197
That might help the Gajakala tribe but it still doesn't help the Grimalkyne who are now homeless thanks to the gajakalas, I think we should wait a bit, at least until they can work something between then, failing that tell then to up a quest to the guild so hunters can help them.

"Chief Gajjagaj," You say, approaching the leader of the crimson Lynians. "-I have a solution to your problem of being godless."

"Hmmm? What Hunter have that help Gajalaka Water Tribe?"

"I think I may have a new goddess for you to worship. A big, strong one who will protect you. She's majestic, and golden too." You say.

"What? You mean we worship Mother Goddess? But Gajalaka Golden Tribe already live there, no room for Water Tribe."

"Well... the thing is, a fiery evil Monst... God came by and wiped them out. I had to help fight it off, so it's safe there again. There's only two of the Golden Tribe's members left. I'm sure they would accept your company." You explain.

"Truly? So Mother Goddess would accept us? We would no longer be Water Tribe, we would become new Golden Tribe... but I could not lead..." Gajjgaj says.

"What? Why not?"

"It is sign of respect to surviving Golden Tribe members. I lead foreign tribe, not ever originally connect to Golden Tribe, I have no inheritance. I would step down as Chief, let surviving Golden Tribe members become new chief... or chiefs of Golden Tribe." Gajjagaj said.

"Really? You'd do that?"

"I have reign long over Water Tribe, and am old now. Time let new blood into rank, relax and step down from big chief office."

Behind Gajjagaj, the rest of the tribe agreed, nodding their heads and waving their fists.

"Alright. I'm glad to hear. I'll have a talk with the guy in Astera in charge of interacting with you Lynians. I'll see what he can do. What will you do in the meantime, Gajjagaj?"

"We will begin move, pack up everything and leave on exodus. I know way to El Dorado, I will lead Tribe there and meet survivors."

"Good luck, Gajjagaj." You say, saluting quickly.

"Yes. Thank you, Hunter, you have helped Tribe solve problems twice now. We will repay this debt soon." Chief Gajjagaj said.

You left off then, venturing out until you found the Second Fleet workers, whom you informed that the Waste was now safe for them to travel through again. The workers saddled up, getting their Super Ballista and hurrying off with their Apceros steeds.

You did the same, following them back to Astera to ensure no more trouble would befall them...

Upon arriving back to Astera, the Commander and the Field Team Leader were there to greet you, both congratulating you on having helped with the Gajalaka - Grimalkyne problem. You did note however how absent the Field Team Leader was today when the Commander said he had sent him off to help. The Field Team Leader looks embarrassed and says that he gave up, but at least before he left he was able to ease the tribes into only hurling insults instead of bombs, telling you that before your arrival, they were both engaging in total war.

You thank him for that at least. The Commander tells you that he'll put in a word with the SFM, whom you can talk to when you want about getting Shara's enclosure set up where you wanted it at. You thank the seniors and get back on your way.

The first thing you did after that was immediately head off to the Smithy and place an order. You told the SFM he could use your Ukanlos parts from your chest directly, and pay him nine thousand Zenny to cover the cost of the new Palico set you just ordered for Vivianne.

She is surprised to hear that, but grateful as she hugs your back, having held onto you the whole way back to Astera. You reached up and scratched her chin as she rested her head on your shoulder.

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You traveled off to the Research station, where you had a talk with the Lynian Researcher then, forwarding to him your idea about moving the Water Tribe to El Dorado to take Kulve Taroth on as a new god. He didn't seem to be aware of what the Warden had planned for her, but he approves the idea and relays that he'll gather the other science officers for a talk about it, and he'll reach out to the 'other higher ups'. You hope that includes the Warden, and you hope it will hinder his plan as well in some regard...

With all that done now and this whole mess cleared up, you took Vivianne home so she could get a fix from your first aid.

She hopped off, limping over until she could get a few things from it and sit down in your chair. She started to wrap her wounds and got some things for her burns.

"I'll be meowllright here, Meowster. I just need'a little while..."

She would be fine here at your place patching herself up. There were other things for you to do until nightfall came.

What will you do now?

>>4298774
Did we ever get working on that plushie for Chamo?

>>4298789
He won't need it now since Shara will be living with him soon him.

>>4298774
Give Vivi a hug, then go tell Chamo Shara will go back to being his roomate and well I gues we babysit him for the night it can't be as hard as Shara and Vivi said right?

>>4298774
Give vivi hug. Work on that plushie once Chamo is tired out.

If he is as full of energy as all that then we just need to tire him out. Any games in mind?

Coming over you leaned down and thanked Vivianne for her help today, pulling her into a hug. She purred happily at that recognition and you told her to take the rest of the day off. You let her know you are heading out to do something else and it might take a while, she waves you off as you exited your house and locked the doors.

You thought now would be a good time to check on Chamo and see what he was doing, it has been some time and you need to know how he's doing.

You go out to the end of your walk and take yourself around the living complex, shimmying down the way you usually went until you had brought yourself out to the beach where you would soon have Shara's enclosure built.

A thought occurred to you, you wouldn't need to worry about making him a toy or plush for faux company anymore, Shara would be living here from now on.

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You saw Shara Ishvalda, he was laying there on the beach bathing in the sun, he opens his eyes at you, but closes them quickly. You leave him alone for now.

You went looking around, but initially you could not hear or see Chamo anywhere. He didn't have any reason to hide from you unless he was playing, but you did well spotting him even invisible, so you walk around, seeing what you can see.

Again, your search turns up nothing, so you begin to become worried. Until you hear the sounds of a struggling in the distance behind some bushes. You rush over quickly and peel them apart, revealing Chamo sitting on top of another Monster on another part of the beach.

He was holding down a Royal Ludroth he had in his grip, and was biting at it's crown, trying to accomplish.... something.

"Chamo, what are you doing to that Leviathan?" You ask, walking up.

Chamo stops and stares at you awkwardly, his teeth still latched over the crown of the terrified creature.

"....I was only having nice walk! Then nasty creature attacked me from waters! I got angry and beat it up! But I also hungry, so I try eating creature. But cannot, creature too big! Not small like Gajalaka and Human and bugs..." He said, resuming his impossible attempts at eating the Royal Ludroth.

You pinched the nose of your helmet.

Well, at least he was still lively, so some time could be spent with him to pass the time until night, which you waited for. Maybe he would like to play a game?

What will you do?

>>4299089
Chamo let the dumb creature go, you could get something nasty from it do that and I play a game with you.

The question is: what game CAN a human play with an Elder Dragon?

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>>4299089
Lets slaughter the Ludroth and cook it properly so he doesn't whine about food.

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>>4299125
>pic
You better cease and desist right now buster.

>>4299125
We could do this too.

>>4299133
What, is it porn?

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>>4299133
What for?

>>4299125
Fine but we're to do it make it a lesson to Chamo like how do you fight against a leviathan by Gunlance Vance.

Well, first you did not want to hear him drone on about hunger, so you would take care of that to begin with.

Drawing near, you take your Greatsword out and drive it into the neck of the Royal Ludroth, spinning it inside to reach vital points that would make it's death almost instant, and painless. You learned a lot in your career about Leviathans, having been an almost strict Hunter of Ludroth for a very long time in your travels, so you knew how to put them down without any ounce of trouble.

Chamo only looked at you with curiosity as you took your carving knife out and began to carve the Royal Ludroth, turning it over onto it's back to reach all the important meat inside it's abdomen. The spongy-mane was almost useless, mostly fat, Chamo wouldn't like that, so you carve out the liver and a few other good chunks of meat to throw onto your BBQ split. He would enjoy it, but not you. Ludroth meat wasn't good, it was quite bad actually, downright disgusting to a Human. Though, you recall some Wyverians liking it. What a load of strange sword-ears they are.

He came over and sat down in front of you like an expectant child, almost looking like he was drooling as you seared the meat, and when you threw a chunk to him, he gobbled it down ravenously, not even waiting for you as he went ahead and snatched the other pieces from your split.

"MMMmmmm! Nm nm nm nm....! Oh thank you! Thank you Human friend, I was starving!" He said, tapping his feet, looking like he was smiling at you.

"Oh... but so much energy! Not much to do. Will friend Vance do something with me today?"

"Well, let's see..."

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You thought over a few things, but you were interrupted then as Shara approached, looking down over the bushes at you and Chamo.

"Oh, Shara, did you have any clues?"

"I have been instructing Chamo somewhat since I arrived and announced my moving in, I will try to steadily improve his speech and make him more learned as I live here. But, I find that he is lacking in the regards of skill, that is to say... his capability fighting is.... poor." Shara said.

Chamo looked a bit down at that.

"So, I did have one suggestion. Why not take him out on one of your Hunts, Human Vance? Let him fight a real Monster alongside you and on the way, give him tips. Conditioning him into tolerance of pain and being able to stand his ground will surely improve his capability fighting. And trust me, he will need it in the future."

"That is all I had." Shara states.

"I will keep that in mind." You say, turning back to Chamo, who looked at you eagerly awaiting your word.

What will you do with Chamo?

>>4299300
Do Title: Two Monsters In One Stone with Chamo. This quest has 2 monsters weak enough to teach the basics to him without endanger him, let's hope none of our nomadic "friends" show up to ruin his lesson.

>>4299319
Oh yeah before we go let's check someting with Shara, show him that bag that weird guy gave us before our date with Atricia, explain our meeting with him and what he said about opening it with the first wyverians at night, ask him if he can feel anything coming outta it.

>>4299319
Come on now, he just manhandled a Royal Ludroth and those things are pretty big. We should let him try something bigger, so I say we do Blizzard Blitzed. Hes an Elder Dragon, he should be strong as hell naturally and he is really fast, he won't have much to worry about.

>>4299319
>>4299331
Could more players speak up about which of these quests they'd rather take Chamo on? Or should I roll to decide?

>>4299819
Better roll Level, either that or you could wait till later.

>>4299823
I am >>4299319 just you know.

>>4299819
Let's do >>4299319, it has best teacher.

>>4299300
Two monsters one stone sounds fine.

Were definetly gonna get involved in some shenanigans though.

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"You know what? Sure. I'll take your suggestion, Shara." You say.

Chamo looks exhilarated to hear that, ready to fight whatever you had for him. Shara smiles with satisfaction at his advice being taken.

Another thing popped in mind then. You remembered that strange purse you were given at the Canteen once, just before your date with Atricia. The purple purse that shadowy Hunter handed over. You were curious about it, and wanted to know more, but you weren't willing to open it. You remembered your instructions for opening it.

You think you might have misplaced it, it was in your casual clothes last you lef....

Wait, there is something on your toolbelt... the purse hanging by a notch. But you don't remember putting it there...?

"Hey, Shara. Can you tell me about this?" You asked, holding the purse up.

"What's this then?"

Shara craned his neck down, observing the purse closely in your hand. But his eyes went wide and he recoiled then in alarm.

"Huh? What is it?"

"That item... you hold... it radiates..."

Shara backed off, and so did Chamo, out of fear. You were left in confusion.

"What's wrong? Is there something... you feel?"

"Yes... that item radiates an immense dark... I can feel it, it is strong... like the Ancient... no... stronger, much stronger... I would say that item even feels somehow.... evil." Shara says, staring the thing down cautiously.

You looked at the purse in your hand and latched it back onto your belt to calm them down.

"I got it from somebody I've never seen before. They told me I'm only to open it at night, in the presence of the First Wyverians." You explained.

"Tread lightly, I've no idea what you're dealing with..."

"...Noted." You say.

"Chamo? Let's go." You tell the young Chameleos, who stands at attention and follows behind you...

You guided Chamo up with you outside Astera and had him stay put somewhere you knew he wouldn't be spotted at. He remains there obediently as you go back into the settlement and catch a fast meal before taking on a quest from the board. You had a perfect one in mind, to start Chamo out with. A quest for a Kulu-Ya-Ku and a Jyuratodes, easy pickings for an Elder Dragon, even one like him sure, but it's the skill and technique he picks up picking them off that counts.

Once done with that, you call for a Wingdrake and whistle to Chamo as you fly over him. He follows you away from Astera for a distance before flying along himself into the air with you, still cloaked and invisible to everyone.

The trip down to the Wildspire Waste wasn't a long one, and soon enough you had arrived at the camp with him in tow, the Mernos being none the wiser as it perches nearby while you dive out into the sandy terrain with Chamo behind.

He uncloaks as soon as he feels safe enough with you, walking past the roaming Kelpi herd.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Ooh! Human friend! Human friend! What we fight first?"

>Let's tackle the Jyuratodes first.
>Kulu-Ya-Ku will be a good start.

>>4299956
>Kulu-Ya-Ku will be a good start.
I chose this off the assumption that it was Yian Kut-Ku, and only realized now it wasn't.

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>>4299946
What could possibly be more evil than zman?

>>4299956
>Let's tackle the Jyuratodes first.

>>4299956
Jura first. Remind him the goal here is to learn stuff. So anything he wants to try out nows a good time.

>>4299969
What could possibly be more evil than zman? I'll tell you what could possibly be more evil than zman, MR Uragaan's flaming roll attack.

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"Come with me, I'll show you." You tell Chamo.

He followed right behind you as you started on a walk off from the dusty grounds then. You led him through the Wildspire Waste until the rush of water was heard, taking him through the ponds and streams to reach the muddy bogs where Jyuratodes were usually sighted.

You got behind a rock and took your binoculars out, peering over it into the distant muddy area with Chamo cloaking behind you.

You looked left to right, spotting multiple Gajau in the waters until you spotted one go under, and a hulking figure emerge from beneath it. There was one of the targets of this quest, a Jyuratodes. This one hadn't armored up in mud yet, not that it should make a difference to a Chameleos like Chamo.

"Alright pal, that's the first one you'll be fighting."

"Okay! Okay! Me understand, but... how I should try fighting fish?"

Well, do you think Chamo should improve his ability to directly skirmish with an opponent? His flight maneuverability? His sneaking capabilities? Or his ability to evade attacks?

>Go for a sneak attack on it, jump at it.
>Fly up and try an aerial attack on it.
>Sneak in and land some bites.
>Get it's attention and try some dodging to improve.