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195348 No. 195348 ID: 6164e0

[ First Thread http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/83524.html ]
[ Second Thread http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/142119.html ]
[ Third Thread http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/156884.html ]
[ Fourth Thread http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/177882.html ]
[ Fifth Thread http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/186331.html ]
[ If fifth thread not yet archived: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/quest/res/186331.html ]

[ Discussion Thread http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/316616.html ]

WITH THE SUCCESSFUL ARRIVAL OF NEW ALLIES GATHERED FROM THE WESTERN ISLANDS, AND NEGOTIATIONS OPENED WITH CARKIANO THE BLUE KNIGHT TO THE SOUTH, MORDRE HAS EXPANDED HIS HOLDINGS IN THE STATE CONSIDERABLY SINCE ARRIVAL. BUT AS THINGS PROCEED APACE FOR THE SAPIENT SOUL GRAVE MASQUERADING AS A MAGE, TROUBLE BREWS, AND NEARS HIS DOMINION. LET’S TAKE A LOOK, SHALL WE?

………………………………………………PERSPECTIVE SHIFT………………………………………………

Within a towering spire whose very walls radiate a fell force, an eldritch energy that permeates everything within, two figures converse, as hundreds of shadow-cloaked individuals, all wearing identical vestments, stand silently at attention.

>”So none of your own old friends in the Mortal Coil know either?”
“Well, my network of contacts within the organization is not as capable as your own, we’ve already established that… but no, they know nothing of this. …How does Mordre know one of the Grand Elder Mages, to such an extent they would pay a personal visit?”
>”The situation is far more dire than it simply being one of the ruling council of the Mortal Coil that paid him a visit: Lenryt herself came to him…. And then he disappeared, completely out of the scope of where I can peer, before returning mere minutes later, bearing the signs of having been in a tremendous battle.”
“..Well, I know he wasn’t in the Warring states, I have a few spies in the Disciples of Domintus, and they have their hands in most wars about here, one way or another, an no one saw a Soul Grave like his.”
>”Likewise, he was not in the swamplands of the Froggrocks, nor did he go near the Morgren settlements.”
“So, not only do we not know where he went, there is also the matter of what Lenryt did when he returned.”
>”Indeed. She… gifted power to him.”
“So, is he one of her servants then?”
>”Unclear, but I find it unlikely: He would have had more frequent dealings than just this one event if such were the case… though that only leaves the option of being a mercenary in service to her, which is only marginally better.”
“Now Weinsho, it is not as bad as you make it out to be: If he’s an independent contractor, then his death between jobs would not anger her, so ultimately it means we must avoid attacking when he is currently pursuing some matter for her, and she wil not intervene.”
>”Perhaps you are right. …So, I recall you mentioning you would seek out Mordre to aggress him yourself: What happened to this plan?”
“It took more time than I anticipated to… excise proof of my presence from Duras. Honestly, it’s quite aggravating to work with bandits, they never keep their mouths shut. I had to kill damn near every last one in the whole of the Duran Forests, they had gossiped so… well, at least I got several hundred pounds of Blood Iron out of it… and I wonder what use I could put all that to… Oh, speaking of cleaning house, how DID Dulu reclaim his staff?”
>”It took some… persuasion, but he finally admitted that he brokered a deal with that caravan he attacked, abstaining from the fight in exchange for the return of his old weapon.”
“Ho? Even dead and housed in metal, that one’s got balls on him, to defy your orders.”
>”I intend to reward his betrayal appropriately-“
“Now hold on, think of it like this: With evidenced fair dealings, it makes it easier to set up one of those traps you are so fond of in the future… and since the caravan arrived, there is an extra wealth of metal WITHIN Mordre’s holdings. Should make my own venture rather more enjoyable. …That, and this ‘Bang Magnum’ individual is still an unknown: One of your Gaunt Nightmares apparently struck him squarely, and the blades passed through his flesh, yes? And this Bang managed to KICK said Gaunt to death… WITH ONE KICK. There is no guarantee Dulu actually could have won.”
>”I crafted Dulu’s new form to be an excellent weapon in all situations, I doubt he would have lost even had he been alone… but your other points are conceded. I shall merely chastise him, rather than punish him in a terminal manner.”
“My, how thoughtful of you. So… My turn, then.”
>”Indeed. Are you sure-“
“You know I am terrible at working with others in battle: My style is not exactly conducive to avoiding massive amounts of collateral damage, and beyond that: I fight alone, I always have, and you won’t change that. …Well, time to head out, then.”
>”….Then I wish you luck, Eisenhardt.”
“Don’t need it, never did. I’ll win this by my own strength, with my own hands, or not at all.”


………………………………………………PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE………………………………………………

[DAYS 104-107]

The journey back to the Arcanoworks was, for once, uneventful. We briefly stopped in Trekel again, and the pepper pickler Blair was happy to offer us a dozen jars of his hellishly spiced food to bring with us on the way back: Bang and Oggroth alike stared each-other down when we acquired them, before opening on of the containers, and each hesitantly pulling forth a single pepper: After hardening their resolve as they glare at one another, they both consumed what they held, and made it nearly ten seconds of constantly reddening faces, staring each-other down, until they were forced to seek out beverages with great expediency, much to the bemusement of the residents of Trekel. We skirt by the north field of Trekel, to note the pall of monochromatic coloration is still inexorably spreading from the mound, and that a second tent has been erected, a total of some sixteen State mages and guards alike now monitoring the situation. They do not look to yet have an answer to this particular problem. As we made our way further north, I note that the roads between Trekel, Trepany, Glenston and Hashbranch have been completed, and that Hashbranch itself is finally close enough to completion that new residents are moving in, and returning the fields to crop-bearing status. It is also at this point that the persistent rains and fogs finally pass… for now.

We pass by Shellik, who notes that they are starting to grow somewhat concerned, as the trees about the ghost town of Berluut have continued to grow with wild abandon, and now stand more than a dozen feet higher than the foliage about them, and their branches have started to twist and turn in eye-straining shapes. We pass by it ourselves, and note the trees to have completely consumed the residences that once dwelled within them, the red moss now sporting cruelly hooked spikes wherever it grows… and the blackened pit absent of life over the buried dead of Berluut has transformed, now a semi-liquid, Bang remarking it quite similar to quicksand. Dame Valiria pales as we relate the story of Balboa’s transgressions here, and commends me for bringing justice to such a criminal as he. A positive note: Shellik’s roads through the woods south to Trepany, Glenston and Hashbranch are nearly complete, and even moving considerably slower (Dame Valiria is not the most swift of marchers), we make good time thanks to the new roads.

Finally, early in the day we emerge from the woods to see the Arcanoworks before us, and a nearby patrol, lead by Ellorika, makes it’s way over to us, escorting us to the now-open main gates. As our return is greeted with some fanfare, Arkus, Keddic, Derkin and Jojo coming to meet us, I am made aware of changes and events in the Arcanoworks:

--The wealth of canvas harvested from the shantytown that once existed about the outer walls of Kyogrock Arcanoworks has been stitched together into a massive, angled cover fitted about the central tower and running out to the walls about the Arcanoworks, redirecting water to pour out and away from the inside. I note a rather complicated pully system set up, allowing the cover to be retracted to the tower, where the canvas cover currently resides, bunched up about the central tower to let the sun shine down within the walls.
--The five fields within the Arcanoworks are growing at almost unbelievable speeds, massive amounts of produced tightly packed together: It would seem Gialgorra’s Proliferator has been most useful. …I cannot help but notice the start of trees growing in each corner of the five fields, though they are still far too small for me to identify what they are.
--The stables outside the gates to the Arcanoworks have been reworked, and no longer have the look of a temporary structure: Some hundred horse could easily be stored there, and I note an oversized space designed for Oggroth’s mount, Hairy Steak, likewise built in.
--Within the walls, an eleventh building has been erected, though currently it has no current use to be put to, still empty.
--Derkin reports that Ellorika, Ulzrick, Vespinto and the scouts sent with them returned after finding an outpost they believe to belong to Weinsho, after Ulzrick cautioned that he felt a fell gaze directing their way: Considering they had to flee from no less than two attacks by shadowmages on the way back, his estimation seemed quite accurate. In any event, the scouts returned, and one of Weinsho’s holdings has been identified, some four to five day’s hard travel to the north-east.
--Keddic and Jojo report on the progress of our troops: The lessons proceed apace, and after an initial glut of injuries that left Jojo and his apprentice Ulzrick quite taxed, things have stabilized, end Keddic feels confident he can render them at least capable of Word and World based combat magic soon, thanks partly to several tomes he found when paying a visit to Jezebel in her workshop within the central tower, in hat used to be a library of sorts.
--Jojo remarks that Ulzrick has been proving an excellent student, and he has become semi-capable of jumping into the dreams of others, though he still is inconsistent in this: But more importantly, he shows a great affinity for converting wounds into dreamstuff, and has proved vital in healing injuries accrued in training by the rest of the Arcanoworks personnel.
--Apparantly, Lord Donwick Dregas has been encouraging trade, and managed to render it more efficient, so that goods are more likely to go where they are needed most: All the villages that I have dealings with, as well as the Arcanoworks, have been prospering, to the extent my monetary reserves have grown in my absence considerably: I now have nearly 1,500 Marks to my name, even with the funds expended in the western islands.
--Derkin remarks that Ulzrick has managed to shed a large amount of his stamina-based frailties, that Ellorika is learning to lead with a calmer mindset, and that Vespinto is learning what it means to lead: Slowly but surely, the three are becoming more rounded individuals, and each has now gained experience in this field, both through the scouting run, and through leading patrols upon their return.
--Another hundred or so individuals have come seeking work under ‘Mage Mordre’, my good reputation drawing them, the new total of personnel some four hundred forty individuals, not counting the Premen.
--Lastly, the eight Premen I sent to Kyorto and then on to Mordreden have returned, bearing a bag laden with pounds of rubies, as well as news: Lorgk led the Drazken clan in annexing a local tribe, and their numbers have swelled as a result of the absorption, and that the mines continue to yield great returns. They also note that Lorgk and the rest of the now larger Drazken clan wish to see ‘Chieftain Mordre’ again, should the chance arise. From Kyorto, they carry word that the two mages were excellent gifts, and that having a whole, un-rotted body to work with, complete with souls, means she only needs one more mage skin (or encased mage) with World magic capabilities to finally gain freedom from her tower.

As I start to process this glut of information, Arkus and Keddic begin to speak on individual matters as I direct the others to return to their labors, and note Krump the shaman and Bokk the maker sidle on up.

--Arkus reports he has been using… documents as reference, and has come up with some less-intensive means to make ‘cheap’ hand-cannons, once we have enough metal: Likewise, he has identified the runes on the runed swords claimed from the battle against Balboa, Daobo and Dulu’s forces (though the one bearing lightning marks still eludes identification), and he notes them to be designed to draw blood onto the blade when the slice flesh: They seem designed to work in tandem with the blood togas and the blood cloak, to make refueling easier. He also notes he is getting close to the point that he could replicate the blood togas, provided he either learns some Blood magic or has a Blood mage assist him.
--Keddic takes a moment to thank me for the information about Aurockoth, conveyed through Jojo during our journey back, but notes that realistically, he is fully aware he could not face him now: He does mention he has been making great strides at building a new, more offensively-oriented style, that he terms ‘Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism,’ and he hopes to have the kinks ironed out shortly, so that he may demonstrate it to me.
--Bokk remarks that she has learned much of stonework and building more permanent fortifications, and with my blessing will return to Mordreden to spearhead the construction of more capable fortifications and buildings alike.
--Krump notes he has been laboring to learn the common tongue as swiftly as possible, as the wealth of knowledge contained in the tower and it’s tomes fascinates him, and he requests that he be allowed to stay: He hopes to bring knowledge of these differing methods of magic back when he finally returns.

Well, there is much to think on and respond to. As I watch the Arcanoworks bustling with activity, I wonder…


What should I say or do?
What kind of orders or changes to orders should I give to any of my followers?
[I shall also need ONLY 3 d20 rolls, one per poster max.]
Expand all images
>>
No. 195352 ID: 7df1ec

How big is the final building? Is it big enough for a tournament? If so using the runes Falcon talked about to keep the fighters safe despite going all out on each other would be quite awesome to do. Maybe set up tournaments nightly and charge people to enter as well as to view.
>>
No. 195354 ID: 7df1ec

forgot my d20= Ugh...3
>>
No. 195357 ID: e31d52

rolled 19 = 19

Aaaallrighty then.
>>
No. 195359 ID: e31d52

Oh! I almost forgot. Let's ask Arkus how he would like working over a small team of mages. We need an R&D group.
>>
No. 195361 ID: aeade0

rolled 15 = 15

roll
>>
No. 195362 ID: 6164e0

>>195352
[The building in question has three floors (as opposed to the two floors the other buildings have), but unless a tournament had contestants in the dozens who could avoid collateral damage, it is inadvisable to host a tournament within. However, the immediate surroundings of the Arcanoworks is largely an open field, it would be simple to set up a dirt arena of any size you wanted outside the walls.]
>>
No. 195364 ID: a594b9

rolled 1 = 1

It's time for some serious research into our own construction. All those tomes we have on golems and soul graves? Read em.
>>
No. 195365 ID: a594b9

>>195364
FFFFFFFFFFFFFF
>>
No. 195366 ID: 5c49ed

We stay in the Arcanoworks for a while and give out new orders, wait for Ulzrick to learn how to Dream-speak with JoJo and the like, then we return to Mordreden to show our face and see what is happening there , show off our military and such, leaving Arkus and Derkin in charge as Generals and Ulzrick, Ellorika and Vespinto as CO's.
In the event that Derkin has to leave, Ulzrick would take charge of tactics/strategy, Ellorika would be the 'on the field commander', and Vespinto would handle subterfuge/espionage in the field. I'll let Derkin handle the specifics, this ain't advance wars.

Arkus' order list would look something like:

- !!PRIORITY!! - Work on long range, hand held communication devices. At the very least he must have working devices that allow communication up to a mile away. If we get attacks when Derkin is not around to be main leader, our CO's need to be in constant communication.

-Find out how to produce more Morphic fluid.

-Inscribe the lightning runes from the sword unto one of Mordre's normal AG rounds and have him fire it.

-Work on replicating the Blood Toga's and cloak(Priority in this case is the cloak).

-Have a few Skyfall Cannons created and set them up on the walls such that there are at least 2 at each entrance to the Arcanoworks, also have enough spare cannons that if half of the functioning ones were destroyed, they could be immediately replaced.

-Balance the time you spend reading the book of runes, we do not want you to burn out.

-See to it that the CO's are taught how to read.

-Stay alive.

-Get to know Jezebel, seriously do it.

For Derkin: Stay cool man. "Keep the military sharp. I expect to see a marked improvement in them when I return"

Before you leave, send a runner to Del Roga to tell him that Uggroth's armour was damaged and that you will be by soon to see him. He is a busy man, but you got Marks and rubies. It's likely only gonna be 1 hours work judging by his speed last time.

Mordre, borrow the book of runes from Arkus and flip through it. Memorize each page for later revision. Tell Arkus that in the even of an attack that looks bad, the book should be DESTROYED!

Re-posting with a few changes.
>>
No. 195367 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195348
How much Morphic Metal do we currently have on hand? Last time we checked the count was fifteen hundred gallons of the stuff. I suggest we start working on skinsuits composed of morphic metal to better defend our troops. As we've seen and heard, morphic metal is strong as hell. The idea is; using a minimal amount of the morphic metal, create a skin covering that can go under the normal armor of our workers and militia, and have the morphic metal more concentrated in vital areas. Later, we should focus on creating extra suits for any able bodied villagers that are not part of our militia. Remember, Weinsho is really friggin good at blood and soul magic: it is in our best interest to provide defense to as many people in the Azelhaedran state as we can, because if the innocent and peaceful are unable to defend themselves, THEY BECOME FUEL FOR WEINSHO'S ARMY.
>>
No. 195368 ID: 5c49ed

Crap, well 35 out of 60 is still a pass... *facepalm*
>>
No. 195370 ID: f4e4f9

rolled 14 = 14

Keddic knows a bit of blood magic. Ask if he could render Arkus a small amount of assistance when he has an opportunity, explaining it could help greatly with the replication of those togas.

Flip through the runebooks, and make a mind-copy of their entirety. We should not forsake the traditional methods of learning, after all.

Ask Arkus about how engraving the rune of disjoining on the Premen's armor and weapons would work. We know ourselves how damned effective magnetomancy can be against such targets, and having troops that can withstand it's influence to an extent would be a great boon.
>>
No. 195371 ID: a594b9

>>195370
NO YOU FOOL THAT'S FOUR
>>
No. 195372 ID: e31d52

>>195370
YOU FOOLISH FOOL!
>>
No. 195373 ID: 5c49ed

>>195367
And then there is that other mage who rapes with magnetomancy...


ANYWAY! Tell Arkus to have a few suits prepared that have runes for 'movement','strength' and 'protection' sown into them. It would be good to have some non-metal armour and it would b pretty cool to have a bunch of guys in suits as a military unit. We can call them 'Suits'.
>>
No. 195376 ID: f4e4f9

>>195371
I don't want no lip from you, Mr. high roller ;)
>>
No. 195380 ID: 5c49ed
File 127689029485.jpg - (155.54KB , 1680x1050 , suits.jpg )
195380

Basically, make armour like this with the runes sewn on the inner lining. (MY MIND IS RACING!)
>>
No. 195387 ID: f4e4f9

Consider venturing to the north in the near future. I do not think the Premen would request our presence unless it were a relatively important matter.

Also, bring 3 or so Blood Togas. I think Lorgk/Minsk/Delro whoever could make great use of them, and they certainly know a thing or two of blood magic. We could likely get the information Arkus needs from them, and I think Lorgk would definately benefit from another artifact gift.
>>
No. 195389 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195380
Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of X-COM rookies. But that can work too.
>>
No. 195391 ID: 0a8e03
File 127689076717.jpg - (17.20KB , 239x160 , forrestfire.jpg )
195391

>the ghost town of Berluut have continued to grow with wild abandon, and now stand more than a dozen feet higher than the foliage about them, and their branches have started to twist and turn in eye-straining shapes


it was big enough for dulu deem a threat and warn us about it. we have to stop screwing around and deal with it while we still have time. so BURN IT.
>>
No. 195394 ID: f4e4f9

Oh, snap: I just had a thought.

If we need to eventually evacuate the area thanks to the core being, the problem becomes: How do we keep our holdings from suffering destruction?

The Runes on the Edge of Oblivion, of course! We could preserve the Arkanoworks in a temporal suspension, possibly protecting them from being ravaged to an extent! That way our own followers homes and our holdings would still be there when the Core Being crisis is over!
>>
No. 195396 ID: f4e4f9

>>195394
Clarification: We shouldn't activate the runes until we need to evacuate, of course. When we come back, we could use the Sable Executioner/Immortal Genocide/Whatever inbuilt function the runes have to deactivate them when we come to reclaim it.
>>
No. 195401 ID: b4c60d

>>195366
You couldn't have included my suggestions and edits in that? Anyway, I still say 'strike getting to know Jezebel, get to know Keddic instead'. And I also want to curse you for foreseeing that we needed to go back to the capital so soon.

Anyway, new suggestions for Arkus and Taskforce Arkus:

-!Priority! Find out what is in the box. This should not just be an Arkus project, but everyone should try - as long as the answer isn't 'break the box'.

-Get Keddic, the Shaman, Jojo, and anyone else that has a inkling to start working not just on a unified magical language, but working past Combat/Arcane magic, and Soul/Blood/Will/World/Word divide into a Unified Theory of Magic. Just start pooling knowledge to start expanding in strange new directions.

-Train under any magically inclined person to get better at whatever you don't know. Jojo knows Will and souldreaming, Keddic knows combat magic, just learn everything you can to become a better mage.

But, as for our duties: Thank everyone! Holy shit, this was a lot of really nice stuff to come home to, despite the depression we're dealing with, what with the Core Being, and the Wild Trees and all.
-Congratulate- Lord Donwick Dregas, because damn it was only our wife who was so good at the purse strings. And, because we actually have money, pay people! Anyone who needs money is getting it - I'm assuming this will mostly be Jezebel, and Maybe Lord DD, but I'm sure I'm forgetting some.
Ask Bokk if he needs anything and impress upon him to remember everything and make one last study of any books on building that may be interesting. Give him our blessing, and maybe a gun or ten for the road, and bid him on his way.
Oh my god Krump should stay. He should be hitting the books just as intesnively as Arkus - if anything, he should be taught, or learning from the...documents...just as much and engage in universal magic language class, universal theory of magic, and training as much as he can. Take as much training back as humanly possible. Hell, if we would do it faster, start copying books for him to take back.
A bit more physical, but go check those trees. Dulu told us to be wary, and so I will be.
Thinking on Dulu, angrily feel for him about the torture that was mostly inflicted.
Ask people when we get back from looking at trees who Eisenhardt is. Start with Arkus and try and be subtle about it and play up the 'oops, forgot a founder of Will Magic, my brain doesn't work until the fifth cup of tea, ahhaha!'
Also, ask anyone about Alexander Armstrong and Sam Vimes. We should be looking for those poeple.

And buggery, lets make ready to go to the capital. As in 'find out how to talk great distances so the place doesn't get killed while we take all the premen, Arkus and us back to our old home.
>>
No. 195403 ID: 5c49ed

>>195391
Damn Straight.

>>195380
Also give them hand cannons that are painted black.
>>
No. 195405 ID: b4c60d

Oh yeah, and: WHAT THE HELL IS A CASTILIATHEN RAY GOLEM!?! Because that is frighteningly pretty! I never wanna fight one and I want one of my own.
>>
No. 195407 ID: 5c49ed

>>195401
My bad.
>>
No. 195415 ID: 5c49ed

>>195380
Perfect for parties, the office and bodyguards incognito.
>>
No. 195417 ID: b4c60d

>>195407
Eh, it's ok. I'm still annoyed you got it right that were gonna go up to the Capital.
>>
No. 195421 ID: d3dfb8

>>195348
>They also note that Lorgk and the rest of the now larger Drazken clan wish to see ‘Chieftain Mordre’ again, should the chance arise.

This is great, we should head up there again sometime. Premen mages know blood magic, and yeti mages know a little soul magic. We could use this to increase the performance of our blood magic as well as gain the foundations of soul magic
>>
No. 195425 ID: b4c60d

>>195421
As well as eat delicious backstabbing yeti souls, you mean?
>>
No. 195429 ID: 5c49ed

>>195425
I'm pretty sure that the Yeti are all dead.
>>
No. 195432 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195429
Only the yeti that were controlling the mine. The Frostback mountains are FUCKING HUEG, and we've yet to explore the rest of it. We might meet some yeti that AREN'T backstabbing idiots, or we might just genocide the bastards if they get any funny ideas about betraying us.
>>
No. 195433 ID: 6164e0

>>195405
[One would assume it is some sort of ray/laser spam golem construct that isn’t all that big on defense.]

>>195370
[One-time pass on extra roll ramifications since as a new thread posts came in FAST.]

>>195429
[One tribe of yeti are dead. one tribe =/= all yeti in mountains.]

>>195359
”Arkus, how would you feel to have mage underlings- That is, to head up a magical research and development group?”

“Uh.. yeah, I wouldn’t mind, but where exactly would you get mages? At best, it would take months and months to get an untrained person read to contribute meaningfully, and I don’t know any mages we could call on or anything, so… yeah, if you can make it happen, I’ll roll with it.”

>>195364
>>195370
I excuse myself for a moment to the central tower, and after making sure none re about to observe me, I flip through all of Wendelin’s donated tomes and notes on runework, adding it to my stored memory of the runes on Wendelin’s stone golem, the runes on my chest copied from Dulu’s staff, and the runes adoring Geodiaz…. The process takes me a few minutes, but I am hesitant to even consider how long it would take me to process this information. I replace what I studied as I make my way back outside, noting Dame Valiria to be viewing the bustle of activity with approval.

>>195366
>>195401
[FYI the three Spec ops dudes can read, it was deemed more important for them to get their special training than continuing to help Arkus sift through books. Also Jojo ONLY has Souldreaming, it is ULZRICK that has an affinity for Will magic (that has not been explored since you gave him one minor lesson a while ago in Magnetomancy)]
I speak to the gathered mass of individuals before me, trying to instill order through my forthcoming commands.

”From now on, Arkus and Derkin are to lead when I am absent, With Ulzrick, Ellorika and Vespinto serving as commanding officers. Naturally, Keddic, Dregas and Bang all shall hold sway in their words. Arkus: New priorities must be assigned: First and foremost, those books, Destroy them if the situation ever becomes grim, is this understood? Beyond that, I wish you to seek out means of long-distance communication, To seek out any clues as to how to make more of the morphic fluid, And to speak with Keddic concerning Blood magic, for crafting togas and cloaks. Lastly, I want you to work to make more Skyfall cannons, until we have a surplus, Enough that each of the five corners of the Arcanoworks walls holds three cannons. Derkin, continue to work with Keddic and Bang to train the troops, I wish to see them become capable warriors as swiftly as possible. Keddic, Bang, I want the two of you to continue training the soldiers here, And see what you can do about instructing them in Combat Magic. ..Ah, I’ll need a runner sent to Del Roga in Hletwa about Ugrokk’s armor: The repairs are only temporary, and I imagine he could rectify that swiftly: Make mention I do not lack for funds. As general orders, I want you all to attempt opening Balboa’s box, Any attempt is viable so long as it does not threaten to destroy said container. For all magic users, Arcane and Combat alike, I desire time be allocated every day, To conversing on the interconnection between all forms of magic collectively known: Perhaps some interesting things can be yielded from this exchange. Oh yes: Dregas, I commend you on your fiscal competencies, And look forward to further returns: That is all.”

As people nod and start moving, seeking their own assigned tasks to labor over, I consider what to do next.

>>195370
”Ah, Arkus, a moment.”

“Hm?”

After assuring to myself the only ones in earshot are Bokk and Krump, I pose my query.

”The runes I bear on my chest, from Dulu’s staff: I seek them replicated onto the armor of those he-“

“Ah, gonna have to stop you there, boss: They only work for you because, as a Soul Grave, you have that handy dandy inbuilt function to act as a testbed for unknown runes. I still know next to nothing about their function, but I do know that trying to replicate them onto armor, rather than onto a Soul Grave… well, it is very likely it would not end well, until I can pick apart what the individual runes mean and can do… which will take some time, with the workload you gave me. Sorry about that.”

>>195394
>>195396
”…I see. I had another matter for you to attend to: Set a long-term goal of spatial/temporal runes inscribing, To encompass the whole of the Arcanoworks, Such that the runes could be activated to preserve the base. Beyond that, I wish them added to other villages, to-“

“-Woah again there chief. The Arcanoworks, that I can see to, it will take time and a few tests, but it’s doable. To do the same to the other villages…. That takes resources we just don’t have right now, and would take years if we tried it now anyway. …Well, I can probably get the Arcanoworks to bear trigger-based spatial runes in a few weeks, maybe a month, but it’ll probably take longer, again because I have my other homework. …Ah, if you DO get mages that could work under me, I could make stuff happen faster, but until then, there’s only so much I can do.”

Hm. I motion for Arkus to continue onward, as I turn to face Bokk and Krump. After making sure that Bokk needs nothing more than the wealth of diagrams and schematics she has carefully stowed in a leather satchel, I send her on her way, back to Mordreden. To Krump, I extend an invitation to stay as long as he feels necessary, as his insight could prove most helpful at forming a unified magic theory.

>>195391
>>195403
With orders dispatched to everyone I thought of and the Arcanoworks bustling with activity, I move to set out towards Berluut, intent on nipping this problem in the bud-and nearly trip over Moss, who had been patiently sitting right behind my feet. As I cartwheel an arm, to stabilize myself, Moss simply stared innocently up at me, licking at the air. I step beyond the creature, and start directing my Magnetomancy inwards as I build speed to travel to Berluut-

And I marvel at how radically more responsive my body is. I find myself moving at some 40 miles per hour, speeding across the landscape, Moss’ chest positively glowing as the stone it consumed blazes with light, the horse-sized creature barely able to keep up with me. …It would seem the wealth of Blood Iron I absorbed has made manipulating my own form much easier…. And rendered me capable of significantly greater speeds. Short of using magic, I doubt anyone could outrun me now-and I can maintain this pace indefinitely. Excellent.

It hardly takes any time at all to reach what was once Berluut, Moss once more falling back as we near the location, unwilling to get too close.. and I decisively begin setting the place afire, knowing that if anything I possess can cleanse the land of whatever taint is spreading, Soulfire can do it.

SOULFIRE

[-3 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,495 Minimum: 12]

SOULFIRE

[-3 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,491 Minimum: 12]

I set the whole ghost town afire, the flames rapidly spreading…. Too rapidly. I realize that with the cessation of rain some time ago, there is less moisture to retard it’s progress, and I am now faced with the very real possibility of a forest fire. What can I- Ah…

INFERNO GOLEM
[-40 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,451 Minimum: 12]

I craft a being of living fire, and even as it bursts into existence, blazing like miniature sun, I command it, setting it into action. The Inferno Golem begins circling the ghost town of Berluut as swiftly as possible, building speed, it’s own fires sustained by the ambient Soulfire I sowed about the village, and turning the spreading inferno into a towering cyclone of scarlet and emerald fire, pulling back the expanding flames and rising into the sky, a pillar of heat and light. I continue to maintain the Inferno Golem’s flight until it finally dwindles, and as it does so too does the Soulfire I spread. In the wake of this fire, I find Berluut to be no more, an ash-covered wound on the ground the only evidence of its existence. …Whatever force made the landscape feel irregular to me before seems to have been burned away, and I note Moss happily yipping at me from its vantage point: It would seem my work here is done.

I return to the Arcanoworks shortly after noon, finding Keddic, Bang, Derkin (and surprisingly Dame Valiria) leading sparring as Oggroth and Ugrokk catch up with the returned Premen, and I wonder:


What should I say or do now?
[The three d20 rolls of 19, 15 and 1 will be put into play in the next post]
>>
No. 195438 ID: e31d52

Let's spar with Bang. Give him some fun.
>>
No. 195439 ID: e31d52

>I cannot help but notice the start of trees growing in each corner of the five fields, though they are still far too small for me to identify what they are.
>Dulu's warning
>uh....
>>
No. 195440 ID: 5c49ed

Sit, watch and go over the rune stuff in your head. Fighting Band will probably be VERY bad for you. You are not exactly tailored to non-lethal sparring and with Bang, you can't really afford to hold back. If you do decide to fight him, make expeditious use of the fact that the EDGE OF OBLIVION is nigh unbreakable. If Band breaks that well then, better it than u.
>>
No. 195441 ID: f4e4f9

Observe the sparring. How are the participants performing?

Also, inform Oggroth and Uggrok that they should prepare to head back to Mordreden, as we will be venturing to discover what issues they are having. The Premen are the only viable ones we can take.

ALso, 40 mph?! We've doubled in speed. I can't wait to see what a completed Blood steel composition will yield.

WHen the opportunity presents itself, be sure to ask Dame Valiria if she finds her lodgings acceptable. SHe should feel welcome here whenever.

Finally, inform Keddic as to the purpose of the swords, and offer him one or two. We already gave him one of the blood togas, and the blades synergize really well with them.
>>
No. 195443 ID: d3dfb8

>>195438
This
also give Ulzrick a lesson in will magic.
>>
No. 195444 ID: f4e4f9

Speaking of which, why haven't we been tutoring Arkus at all? If we're giving lessons to Ulzrick, we should be doing so with Arkus as well. Magnetomancy could be used by both of them.
>>
No. 195445 ID: d3dfb8

Oh, and we should have Arkus study the magic regen runes on Bang, and possibly carve them into Keddic's teeth/other bones
>>
No. 195446 ID: d3dfb8

>>195444
Arkus is busy.
He's learning World and Rune magic I don't think he needs Will. Not yet anyway.
He has also got a small amount of Word.
>>
No. 195449 ID: f4e4f9

>>195446
So the dude we swore to teach magic is taking a backseat to lessons so he can make stuff for us?

That seems fair.

Again, I suggest we teach them both.
>>
No. 195450 ID: d3dfb8

Oh, and for when Arkus figures out the time runes, he should put them in his study so that the rate of time inside is increased, but also ages slower.
>>
No. 195452 ID: e31d52

>>195449
He's learning from all this.
>>
No. 195457 ID: f4e4f9

>>195452
At a slower pace.

There is literally no reason he can't sit in on an hour or whatever long lesson.

And if his schedule is so booked that he actually CAN'T, then we are overworking him to the point where exhaustion and death are legitimate concerns.
>>
No. 195466 ID: d3dfb8

>>195457
It's not that he CANT, it's that he has got about a months worth of work backed up. We generate ideas faster than he can put them into motion or learn that shit.

Also we should thank Arkus for his hard work. Especially for the AA; it has been one of our best weapons and great for getting out of sticky situations.
Someone come up with some SOAP for that.
>>
No. 195469 ID: c00244

Have we assigned the Twins of Gavrock to someone yet? If not, we need to do so. I suggest either Keddic or Uggroth.


Spend some time experimenting with and flexing your magical muscles. Since we basically tripled the number of souls we have we haven't done anything to really push our stamina, but if I recall correctly our rate of power regeneration was supposed to increase with souls contained, was it not? A bit of testing should give us a better idea of what our capabilities are for next time we find ourselves in a dire situation.



>forming a unified magic theory
I really like this idea. The fact is, we know that the current theories of magic are, if not flawed, at least limited in their outlook; our admittedly limited knowledge of Mass Connection is strong evidence for this, since it's more than mere soul magic, bound up with something else as well. In my mind, Souldreaming is another thing that doesn't quite fit with current magical theories, even if it's classed as soul magic. While we might not have the depth of traditional mages' knowledge base to work with amongst our servants here, what we do have is a variety of outlooks, with at least some highly unconventional ways of working their magic. They should be able to come up with some useful theories, if nothing else.

Unfortunately, it might take a while... but I like the idea of establishing a new school of magical thought quite a bit. And not just because we might eventually be able to incorporate some form of soul magic into our minions' abilities and claim it isn't when others start yelling about the ban.
>>
No. 195472 ID: 7370a0

We really need to get another mage skin. We're thiiis close to having Kyorto, a competent mage who also is in on THE SECRET, available to us.
>>
No. 195474 ID: 538a24

>>195472
Don't forget that a powerful small tomb comes with the package.
>>
No. 195475 ID: f4e4f9

>>195466
This cycles right back to my point that if we're unloading on him so much that he doesn't have time for anything else but work, we. are. overworking. our. only. ABSOLUTELY. LOYAL. minion.
>>
No. 195477 ID: f4e4f9

>>195469
I agree with testing the extent of our capabilities.
>>
No. 195479 ID: d3dfb8

>>195469
Keddic is a swordsman but I would support giving them to Uggroth.
>>195472
We will probably need Kyorto to take on Weinsho. Or atleast whatever upgrades she can help make.
>>195477
Also this.
>>
No. 195480 ID: e31d52

Once Kyorto is freed, we can split the work between them and have her teach him. Bloody simple. Until then, Arkus is fine.
>>
No. 195481 ID: d3dfb8

>>195475
Except that this is what he wants. Through doing this work he is learning magic which is exactly why he is loyal.
He grew up on the streets, a poor orphan. He is no stranger to hard work.
However you do make a good point, we should inform him that he should take a break if he is feeling overworked. He is no good to us dead/unconscious.
>>
No. 195482 ID: d3dfb8

>>195480
One problem. Kyorto only speaks Mosmordren.
(Is that how it's spelled? I don't really want to sift through 5 other threads to find the correct spelling.)
>>
No. 195483 ID: f4e4f9

>>195480
And why does this preclude teaching in the now?

All I'm saying is this: We have no pressing matters that we've assigned to him that absolutely need to be finished right this instant. So why should we ignore teaching our current primary magical researcher more advanced types of magic?

We already know that Arkus learns by notetaking and reviewing, so we wouldn't even have to devote a whole lot of our own time to it.
>>
No. 195485 ID: b4c60d

>>195439
Yeah, as I suggested just going out and looking over those trees I'm gonna second this. And, can we retroactively have told Shellik that we burnt down Berluut and that we beg forgiveness?

I still wanna pay the people we owe money to, too.

>>195443
>>195444
>And the rest
I really don't know if we can teach anyone magic. We don't really know it. We just innately cast, I would think it's like an AI teaching someone to hack. If we can teach, I think we should teach both, yes. Bonding time with Arkus, at least, and maybe give some pointers to Ulzrick. More importantly, I think we should sit in on the Unified Theory Of Magic, and Magic Language classes to build up some knowledge on other styles. I mean, we have two powerful combat mages here that we should be learning from from the beginning. I mean if we can clean anything from Keddic due to blood...

Anyway, Join the sparring. Nothing over exerting - just test yourself against everyone and see how everyone does against you. Don't be afraid to give - Bang is frightfully powerful, Keddic is no slouch, Derkin is a cunning foe and we have no idea how strong Dame Valiria. Of course, we shouldn't give to the troops - but if we have to, find out there name and thank them.

>>195441
Don't tell them yet. We're suppose to be getting some Hounds and a caravan from the Blue Knight, and I wanna stay for that. Also, we shouldn't go until we can somehow instantly communication between our forces. I don't what to have the Arcanoworks under attack while we blither about on the mountains for three days or so.

Anyway, repeating asking if Anyone knows Eisenhardt, Alexander Armstrong or Sam Vimes. And I do think we should go looking for Armstrong shortly.

Oh, and we have to go claim that Alligator Mine as quickly as possible. Not sure how...get a gang together, rush down, have them start digging in while we spend a day or two building a road to it?
>>
No. 195489 ID: d3dfb8

>>195485
I agree, we shouldn't head up into the mountains until we can communicate back with main base.
Glad to see support for the suggestion though.
>>
No. 195490 ID: 5c49ed

>>195483
1. We never said that we would teach him. we simply said that we would make it happen. Through our actions we have provided him with more resources than even a noble well educated mage would acquire in a lifetime.

2. All the assignments we have given to him, require him to learn MORE about magic than he currently does. So it is not like we are having him stagnate at one level and slaving him. We are providing a route for him to learn for himself.

3. I am all for having Arkus sit in on some classes with us, he would definitely benefit from a few will magic sessions. However his current affinity is in Rune magic, so technically we would be hampering his overall growth for a period, though we would be making him better in the long run if he ever attempts to pursue will magic as a spell casting form.

Personal remarks: You guys should stop this argument. Your both right and wrong.
>>
No. 195492 ID: f4e4f9

Hmm, if we do spar, we should specify Bang. He's the only one I can think of who might be able to physically take our blows.

"Ah, another sparring session? Excellent.

"Bang, I have a request. My golems capabilities have recently been upgraded, and I've been meaning to test a few things. Would you be partial to a match? I would like to give some of them a combat run, and as I've heard that you are very...resistant, shall we say, I thought it would a grand idea."

Given that most of our abilities are kinda...instantly lethal, we'll have to restrict ourselves to mostly testing out the new Accelerator, Yogoko, and Magnetomancy enhancements, regeneration etc. No IG or AG cannon or whatnot.
>>
No. 195494 ID: b4c60d

>>195479
Yeah, but Ugrokk is an ax-man. We don't really have a ranged attacker - maybe we should look at how our Leaders fight? I'm actually thinking Ellorika might be the best, actually.

>>195482
Language of Magic, if she needs to talk to another mage. And we speak Mornostric if needs be.

>>195469
Thanks. I mean, we already had a think-tank on a unified language of magic, so why not a unified theory of magic? Kinda sprouted from wanted Arkus to learn combat magic and then went 'wait, good idea' in my head.

Oh, and another suggestion. Is it possible for us to learn combat styles? I'm pretty sure the sparing isn't combat magic and we don't really know some of the finer points of using a sword, our fists or our razorwire properly - we had to get a soul to do that. Could we learn, say, the Way of Harksburton - Magicless Style, or some general ways to punch, kick, sword, and attack?
>>
No. 195496 ID: f4e4f9

>>195490
You have a point, at that. If nothing else, however, we should consider compiling notes on what we know of employing Will magic. We have nothing but free time at nights, it seems...now if only we had some way to write...
>>
No. 195528 ID: 732129

>>195494

The Twins are designed for a big person though, Keddic and the Premen satisfy the size requirement. Are Ellorika, Ulzrick, or Vespinto big enough?
>>
No. 195531 ID: 6164e0
File 127690314841.jpg - (395.59KB , 1200x1800 , Dont question it just roll with it.jpg )
195531

>>195445
[Works for Bang because of insane healing, how do you propose inscribing them on Keddic without, you know, killing him getting access to all his bones? He doesn’t have super healing, please recall.]

>>195450
[These are ‘locking’ temporal runes. Not really conducive to slowing or manipulating time precisely, though there is a chance such runes exist in Wendelin’s documents.]

>>195469
[I cannot tell if you meant Oggroth the Mountain or Ugrokk.]

>>195482
[Mornostic, the Mosmordren tongue of magic.]

>>195485
[If you wanted to tell them, you should have commented on it earlier, retcon works if I omit something someone asked for, not if you realize you missed something. As it, you’d have to go there/send someone there to let tem know, as of right now all they have is HOLYFUCKGIANTFIRETORNADOWHAT? To go off of. Your analysis of how magic works for Soul Graves is pretty spot on though, that’s why you need souls to cast magic, as you are forcibly integrating knowledge into your own makeup and adding complexity to your own spell matrices, as opposed to more fleshy mages who learn things and utilize said knowledge in their brainmeats. However, you can teach, just not as well as a normal living being could, due to your structure. Can’t do everything, all that.]

>>195440
>>195441
>>195443
I make my way into the central tower, and pick up two of the blood-stealing swords while calling for Arkus. I likewise grab the Chained Twins of Gavrock, and another blood toga, before making my way back outside, Arkus in tow. I motion for Ulzrick, as I take up a position to observe sparring while I attempt another lesson on Will-Based Magnetomancy, thankful I have experience splitting my attention. The lesson seems largely as fruitless as the first, Arkus making copious notes but evidencing no signs he can implement them yet, though he seems hopeful he is getting closer to grasping at least some principles of Will magic and Magnetomancy alike. Ulzrick manages to use my own form as an anchor so long as I allow him to, and manages to float several iron objects in the air, even if they are less than a pound apiece and wobble: It would seem he has tried to practice some on his own since the last lesson. I find myself unable to answer several of Arkus’ questions during the process, about how to tap Will magic, though with Ulzrick’s help as a fledgling user of Will magic we manage to find answers: I cover this apparent lack of knowledge by remarking that it has been so long since I learned that I hardly think about how I tap Will energy, I simply do it. Eventually Arkus excuses himself with another pile of notes, observing he has many tasks and studies to attend to, and he’ll need time to properly analyze what he observed. Ulzrick, on the other hand, eventually starts sweating profusely, and I belatedly realize I have always had hundreds of souls worth of energy to draw on, and his own magical stamina seems to be draining quickly, so I eventually draw the lesson to a close and order him to rest some before resuming his duties.

As for the sparring, I note that the Arcanoworks Personnel… have a rather grueling training regiment. Push-ups, squats, running and all manner of other fitness oriented pursuits serve as a warmup, and after some half hour of this the now sweaty and panting trainees are finally set to spar. I note that they demonstrate greater competency than before, and every now and then Bang or Keddic stops a spar to speak with specific individuals, apparently perceiving fitful examples of crude Combat magic accidentally taking shape now and again, and doing what they can to help those who stumble upon it to clamp down on the sensation. Finally, the matches move to the personnel having a match against the Premen, Bang, Derkin and Keddic, who unsurprisingly trounce them, even while the three trainers take the time to comment on how any given approach could be improved. All said and done, the spar lasts for two hours, and ends with Jojo tending to several dozen minor injuries, as the trainees practically collapse to the ground in exhaustion, water being circulate about their number by those not training today. With the matches concluded, I feel pleased with the progress I note amongst those who follow me, and make my way over to the Premen and the training leaders, presenting the gifts I have in hand.

--Keddic graciously accepts the pair of blood-stealing swords, and stows them away on his belt, noting they complement the toga he belts back on-which I note to be stained scarlet with blood. Where did he harvest that from?
--Bang seems to find the blood toga quite intriguing, and thanks me for the gift, saying it will likely help him fight for longer before expending his magical stamina: A most useful gift, it seems.
--Ugrokk and Keddic alike each get one of the Chained Twins of Gavrock, and as I explain their function they both seem eager to move away from the Arcanoworks to properly test them.

With the gifts given, I contemplate asking to spar with Bang, as well as asking about Armstrong and Vimes-

[Earlier rolls: 19+1+15=35, >10, >20, >30]

When a shout comes down from the walls about the Arcanoworks, that a lone rider has been spotted… and I note rather nonplussed looks festooning the faces of the sentries. Odd. I make my way to the gates of the Arcanoworks, peering in the direction they indicated, to see-

…What is that?

A metallic stallion sporting a horn upon it’s head, wreathed in a prismatic coat of light, shifting all the time, carries a warrior armored head to toe, charging towards the gates. …I’m not sure what to make of this.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 195535 ID: 995dc7

>>195531

If there's time, ask the sentries what it is they see...They may be deceived by an illusion that our eyes can pierce...
>>
No. 195536 ID: f4e4f9

>>195531
If he's brandishing a weapon at us, bring him to a halt, first by waving at him and calling out. If he continues charging, magnetomancy him. If he's still charging...prepare to tap him as he nears you and TIME STEAL his ass.
>>
No. 195537 ID: f4e4f9

>>195535
Haha.

"...are you seing what I'm seeing?"
>>
No. 195539 ID: a594b9

>>195531
We shall go out to meet this rider. Fortifications won't help if it's hostile, as any foe strong enough to challenge us in single combat would make short work of the gates.

Ask who it is and what their business is here. Could be someone from the Blue Knight...
>>
No. 195541 ID: d3dfb8

>>195531
>Keddic
Just the bones we can access, like teeth.
>temporal runes
I meant after he had a chance to study Wendelin’s documents, just suggesting it in-case it happens that it is possible.
>Mornostic
Thank you.

>>195539
This.

Haha, Window Media Player just started playing Always
>>
No. 195542 ID: e01928

Go out and greet the newcomer cautiously?

"Greetings traveller! What brings you to call upon the Kyogrorocks Arcanoworks?"
>>
No. 195543 ID: f4e4f9

>>195541
I think he's implying that that won't have any noticeable effect.
>>
No. 195544 ID: 2579e0

>>195531
Hehe, I can't help but say ALWAYS I WANNA BE WITH YOU!

> swamplands of the Froggrocks, nor did he go near the Morgren settlements.

When all this Weinsho business is done, how about going on a road trip to find our long lost Morgren!
>>
No. 195545 ID: 5c49ed
 

This is the only way to approach this situation. Play this song from your mouth, amplifying it as if you were a speaker.
>>
No. 195546 ID: 5c49ed

HOLY CRAP! ITS DULU! THIS IS HIS PUNISHMENT!!!
>>
No. 195549 ID: b4c60d

>>195494
OH HARMONY OH LOVE, I hope that's our pony! Walk forward and greet him, raise hands!

"Open your eyes, I see you. No need to charge, haha! Stop, Sir...Knight? Wear no disguise for me, lift up your helmet, tell me who you are. I am the Mage Mordre! Only mage to control a golem from across continents and over oceans and the power to hold back the tide, I see you! Come into the open! Please, meet my Arcanoworks Personnel. And I would advise you not to fight for a fiery death awaits you and you will fail. I wonder, although I doubt it, is this my pony from Lenryt." [And if anybody wants to try to put Erasure 'Always' lyrics and references to Robot Unicorn Attack into a intro better, please do.]

[Also: I thought I remember you saying that about souls. I do wonder if, by learning fleshy ways, would we use magic better and can we 'learn', rather then eating? And I know you might have missed it, but is it possible for us to learn combat styles that aren't magic based. So we can fight better.]

As for suggestions: After we deal with Harmony, can we go tell people that it's our fault there was a flaming tornado one town over and, hopefully, we killed the evil? And then can we go look at the quick-growing trees that scare me?
>>
No. 195555 ID: 0a8e03

move between the chargeing rider and the gates, ready our huge sword to deflect any attack and if we have time ask who it is and why did they come here?
>>
No. 195566 ID: d3dfb8

Fucking Eisenhardt, I hope we are ready for this.
This man is obviously seriously badass, riding out and challenging us all alone. We must not underestimate him.
>>
No. 195568 ID: b4c60d

>>195566
Seriously FABULOUS badass, you mean?
>>
No. 195579 ID: b4c60d

[Oh yeah, BRB, changing style to Pony.]
>>
No. 195589 ID: 2579e0

Hey Bob is that 5 Pristine soul offer still standing?
>>
No. 195602 ID: b4c60d

>>195589
Yep, although most of the guess on on the Discussion page
>>
No. 195610 ID: 445c48

"Oh my god that is amazing where did you get that unicorn"
>>
No. 195613 ID: d3dfb8

>>195579
You WEREN'T in pony?
>>
No. 195623 ID: b4c60d

>>195613
It's only reserved for special occasions. This is one of them.
>>
No. 195626 ID: d3dfb8

>>195623
A wise choice.

I don't know about you guys but I don't see any way Bob could make a better boss fight. This is turning out pretty awesome so far.
>>
No. 195631 ID: 538a24

Pony style is GO
>>
No. 195633 ID: ff7333

Shout out, don't let him get too close to the Arcanoworks.

"Stop right there, rider. I will meet you outside the gates!"

If he still approaches, fire a vanguard blade to strike the earth in front of him as a warning and a test.
>>
No. 195635 ID: f4e4f9

i'm not so sure this is a boss fight, yet.
>>
No. 195641 ID: c00244

>>195635
Surely no one less powerful than a boss would dare utilize a unicorns and rainbows theme?
>>
No. 195695 ID: e31d52

>>195641
this may be one of the hounds!
>>
No. 195703 ID: 445c48

>>195695
Doubtful, as they were blue life golems with that monster thing attached, and not nearly so... harmonious.
>>
No. 195803 ID: d3dfb8

We must have that pony.
Activate IG and run out to meet him.
Secondary function his ass then punch him in the face and time steal.
Use the SE to grab our new pony.
Sing:
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Isn't the world a brutal place
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Everywhere you go, a dying face
Running and killing; merrily ripping
Watching the mourning unfold
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
What does the future hold?
>>
No. 195817 ID: 6164e0

>>195549
[Currently not really feasible: You would have been restricted to shitty swordplay had you not gained a soul pertaining to swordplay from your jaunt to the Land of Dragons. This can be changed with Soul magic by altering the fundamental nature of the spell matrices inside you, but otherwise, the only real way Mordre can acquire new skills is by killing something that knows it and consuming it’s soul. This does not preclude storing information in the Soul Grave’s eidetic memory, it just means that trying to, for example, employ runecraft yourself will be realistically impossible until you consume some souls of individuals with capability at runecraft: Then you would be able to inscribe any rune you have knowledge of at the skill level of the sum of runecrafting souls in you. Not sure if that fully explains it, but there it is.]

>>195535
>>195537
”…Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

“Ah… not sure. Do you see a solid rainbow hurtling towards us ridden by a shadow?”

So, this thing is at least partly cloaked from normal perception: I find myself thankful for the addition of Zagrath the Unseen’s soul to my gaze, for letting me pierce the illusion.

>>195536
>>195539
>>195541
>>195542
I first attempt hailing the approaching rider cloaked in both a wealth and dearth of color alike (I feel inclined to think them themed after opposites… or paradoxes), as they are still distant enough that I can still fall back on more.. physical reactions.

“Greetings traveler! What brings you here, To Kyogrock Arcanoworks?”

I am met with silence as the scintillating prismatic unicorn continues to charge forth, the rider’s form disrupted by flickering abscesses where no light or color seems able to reach, it’s sword still held at the ready. I note Oggroth and Ugrokk both making their way to my side, and staring in confusion at the approaching figure: Likely they only see a mass of shadow riding a rainbow, the same as the others. ..The rider clearly seems readyfor combat, but without knowing it’s identity or purpose, I feel it would be a waste to simply engage it without first putting in a solid attempt to understand it.

”Sheathe thine sword, Rider of the metal horse! This need not come to violence!”

I see a flicker of movement in the rider’s form and it’s mount alike, clearly not expecting me to perceive it’s armed nature. ..Ah, as with its guise present, it is only perceived as a mass of shadow: Likely it’s sword is only visible when piercing that illusion. I see the mount’s head tilt up to appraise it’s rider, who simply nods as the two continue to near…. The sword still proffered. ..Well then.

I start moving beyond the gates even as I hear more of my followers moving to get a look at this new development. I reach out with my Magnetomancy, intent on testing the full extent of my power, now that I have nearly thrice as many souls to regenerate magical stamina: This should allow me substantially more potent sustained effects, or so I surmise. My senses reach the form charging me… and I find them informing me of something strange. The rider seems comprised wholly of metal, but.. it seems to have some crystal-like properties to it, infused with an empty sense of order: I cannot tell precisely what this rider is made of. The horned mount, on the other hand, is easily perceived, but its composition seems to constantly shift, whorls of metal surging across its form as it’s material composition maintains a chaotic state of flux. Strange, but ultimately irrelevant, as I can still perceive both, and neither feel protected from my magic. So I direct every bit of Magnetomantic focus I can into both their forms, in an attempt to grind their progress to a halt.

The ground craters beneath them as they both are repelled from my own form-

And I find my own form slowly being pushed back, furrows dug up by my feet as they tear through the soil, the rider still advancing: Their forward momentum seems great enough my own form cannot act as an anchor to stop them, despite their vulnerability to Magnetomancy. Just how strong are they… and more importantly, what is allowing them to move what must easily be dozens of times more weighty than they with such apparent ease? ..Ultimately, I have no answer at the moment, but I consider that there are other ways to slow them. I now direct my magnetomancy towards separating rider and mount, using both as anchors for their opposed movement: The riders surges skyward for a moment, but his legs clamp down about his mount, and he manages to maintain his seat through sheer grip strength.

I hear Bang exclaim something behind me even as I resume my forward motion, directing my Magnetomancy inwards as I rush to intercept the rider, offering a final word of caution.

”If you will not put up your weapon, Identify yourself or halt your charge, Then I must consider you an aggressor!”

At my words I see the mount snort, a plume of intensely chromatic light emanating from it’s metallic nostrils, and the rider nod his head as if in approval. As I reach out, I deactivate the Soul Nexus in my proffered left hand, and instead activate Yogoko the Time Thief’s soul, my Blood Iron enriched form still responsive enough that I avoid the sword that comes racing for my hand, instead brushing against mount and rider both.

CHRONAL BANDITRY

I feel time dilate, the world about me slowing-though not nearly as much as my potential foe, who now moves at a slow crawl rather than thundering across the planes. In this accelerated state, I find time to process what Bang said earlier… something about a Paradox Knight, and ‘Harmonious Discord’, the rest of his exclamation too garbled to decipher. I see the rider’s head turning to face me, along with it’s mount, both affixing me with their gaze, the ride’s glare like that of the void itself, the mount as if staring into a maelstrom of creation, chaos dancing in it’s eyes. The two discordant elements seem to blend together, and-

Time is forced back to normal for both of us, the temporal theft I performed undone. Before I have time to consider just what it is they did, the rider snaps his head back to gaze at the Arcanoworks, where Keddic, Bang, Oggroth and Ugrokk are charging forth, a mass of soldiers, human and Premen alike, are charging forth to support me. The rider flicks his sword at the ground as he wheels his mount about, the tip barely touching the ground-

And a curtain of white devoid of features juts forth from the earth, thousands of feet long and more than a hundred tall, the tumultuous din of activity from the Arcanoworks abruptly silenced as it snaps into being, neatly blocking off the Arcanoworks. With our two respective forms now secluded, the rider finally speaks as it continues to circle me, just out of melee range.

”Why dost thou not draw thine sword? Thou be a weapon of death, of war, of slaughter: Why bandy words when a challenge is offered?”

I see the rider’s grip tightening on it’s sword, and it seems prepared to charge again… and yet it does not do so immediately…. Is it giving me time to respond?


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 195827 ID: b14128

...Um... Am I the only one that thinks what this guy just said carries the implication he knows who we really are?
>>
No. 195829 ID: d3dfb8

>>195817
Well if there's one thing I CAN'T stand, it's racism. >:|
Draw Oblivions Edge. Slowly.
Activate IG and cut off their magic.
Then punch them in the face. Or cut them in the face, whatever.
>>
No. 195830 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195817
"Who are you to say what I am? What gives you the right to judge me, ye who holds no knowledge of my true nature? I have seen war, I have participated in it, and I have slain many a foe. But, you do not comprehend WHY I fight. Tell me, have you witnessed the atrocities of man and machine, of artifical and organic? Accost me as you wish, stranger, but know that I am no simple murderer. I have given you a chance to speak your mind, to choose a path of nonviolence, and yet you label ME as nothing but a tool of death and war and slaughter- when you arrive brandishing your metal stick like a scornful child. Hah! Do yourself a favor and ride back to your home, or this gift-horse golem shall be gifted a horse."
>>
No. 195831 ID: d3dfb8

>>195830
Excellent. This.
>>
No. 195832 ID: a594b9

>>195817
"Oh, I'm just putting on a play for the meatbags."

Don't play nice. Begin with a barrage of AGC and blade launcher, then draw your sword and HAVE AT HIM.
>>
No. 195833 ID: 445c48

>>195829
I think we should try to talk our way out of this, instead of you know, playing right into those stereotypes!

Unfortunately I am not a talkan man and don't know what to say!
>>
No. 195835 ID: a594b9

rolled 20 = 20

Oh yeah, activate IG. No reason to leave it off while we're fighting this dude; our allies are cut off and a good distance away.
>>
No. 195837 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195835
TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY.
>>
No. 195845 ID: 445c48

>>195830
Say this, and at the end turn on IG, using this amazing roll
>>195835
because it's just too good not to use, but refrain from taking any more aggressive action unless he does as well.
>>
No. 195857 ID: 6bf637

>>195845
This.
>>
No. 195863 ID: 6164e0

>>195827
…From the wording used, could it be? Could this one before me know of my true nature? …I am separated from my companions, and thw wall of stark white seems to wall off sound… perhaps it is time to drop my act, if only in the sake of forthright communication.

>>195830
>>195831
>>195833
>>195835
>>195845
>>195857
[20+6= 26 MAXIMUM ROLL]
”Who are you to say what I am? What give you the right to judge me, Ye who holds no knowledge of my true nature? I have seen war, I have participated in it, And I have slain many a foe, this is true. But, do you comprehend WHY I fight? Tell me, have you witnessed the atrocities, Born of man and machine, artificial and organic? Accost me as you wish stranger, that is your right, But know that I am no simple murderer. I have given you ample chance to speak your mind, To choose a path of nonviolence in this meeting, And yet you label ME as a tool of death, Nothing more than a device of slaughter- When you arrived brandishing your sword, Like a scornful child! Do yourself a favor, If you will not speak, then ride back home, Or this gift-horse golem shall be gifted a horse!”

As I say this, I hold forth my left hand, triggering the Immortal Genocide to feed, which responds to my will without issue, frost starting to creep forth from the shadowed recess in my hand as the plants nearest it start to wither and die, keeping the hand between our two forms. At my words, a mix of taunt and plea for communication, The knight bows his head low as he swings his sword wide, ready to charge-but his mount refused to move forth, instead opening it’s mouth and-

”I did tell you there must be a reason to masquerade as a hero, Beyond simply avoiding discovery as a Sapient Golem.”

…What? The mount speaks? I barely have time to register this as the rider shoots back a terse reply to the metallic, chromatic unicorn he rides.

”Thou can feel the screaming souls within it as well as I-“

”I can, just as well as you can feel the contentment, That radiates from several souls festooning it’s body. Do you think such could be achieved without some measure of empathy?

”Bah, ‘tis happenstance, nothing more, That this abomination can-“

”Abomination? And what of us, then? Or have you forgotten-“

The speaking mount bucks, surprising the rider-

And knocking open it’s helm, to reveal… nothing, no one within it’s confines, an empty shell riding atop a mount of metal.

”-That we are not so different?”

As the rider pushes down his visor, he grumbles out his own response, sounding almost petulant.

”’Tis more than a minor difference, Betwixt a soul once living guiding a new shell, And such as this before us.”

”Is it so different? Or have we convinced ourselves it MUST be different? At least give this one the chance to speak, Reinhardt

”…As thee wishes.”

The empty armor, still fitfully sparking with bits of shadow, turns back to face me, it’s sword still held at the ready, paying no heed to the spreading frost and death expanding about my hand.

”So then, Well of Souls, Sapient Soul Grave: Explain thyself, why interfere in the affairs of mortals, Why dost thou build an empire here, amidst the bones of the State?”


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 195865 ID: 445c48

Well, first off, bring down your hand and turn off IG, someone else can roll, I don't trust my luck.
>>
No. 195870 ID: b4c60d

>>195830
God, this sounds so badass but...we don't know this guy. Remember, while we are a soul-grave but we can easily bullshit as to being a mage. We are 'Mage Mordre', and out outright saying that yep, we're a thinking Soul Grave is a bad idea because if this thing relays messages, our White Whale of Weinsho has some serious fuel to just politically murder us.

And this seems to be a thinking golem - as he's made totally of crystal-metal and I dont' want to kill a thinking golem. Yeah, this would be an awesome boss fight...but I doubt we'd get anything out of it. He's a golem, so I don't know if we'd get souls, and we can't eat his metal, not when we're so close to becoming Blootz Steel.
>>
No. 195872 ID: d3dfb8

>>195870
... I think you missed the update.
>>
No. 195873 ID: d3dfb8

>>195870
... I think you missed the update.
>>
No. 195877 ID: 6164e0

>>195872
>>195873
[FUCKING TIME TRAVEL SHENANIGANS]
>>
No. 195878 ID: b4c60d

...FUCKYEAR!

Ok, walk closer, and sheath our sword and deactivate the IG.

"I build because others destroy. I build to help - to protect those innocent of battle and those who would fight for a noble cause. I build because this state is dying around me - Core Beings slither in it's heart, a corrupted hero stakes his thirst on her bones and it is only the people that suffer. I build because I can I will and I must.. But, forgive me. You have me at a disadvantage. Who...or -what-...are you? Sentient...not soul graves. But what golems are you? Ray Golems, I wonder? Some kind of Harmony?"

(Note: I will edit this after I reread our statement to Kyorto)
>>
No. 195883 ID: 2aaaf1

>>195863
"Because the entire world thinks itself a hero for destroying my home. Mosmordre might not have been the shining example of peace and love, but that does not give the governing powers of Zakrath free reign to label my homeland as traitors and villanous fiends, all while the moral void of the world's leaders grows ever more. How soon does Zakrath forget that Castiliathen was our partner in crime, and willingly partook of our QUESTIONABLE GOODS that they claim to shun and ban, now that there are no more citizens of Mosmordre to speak against their greed and hypocracy? And just who was it that gave birth to the monster AUROCKOTH, who slays the nobility of his progenitors, while the world turns a blind eye? And WHY oh WHY, is there such a demand foe my lost brothers, the missing soul graves, when we are but MACHINES OF BLOOD AND DEATH? Tell me, what JUSTICE is there in this world, that allows such ignorance and arrogance to spread? When MY empire is built, I will show the mortal world that I am more than what I kill. When MY empire is built, Zakrath will know what a REAL LEADER is, not some collective of small-minded fools, hellbent upon securing their own power and glory, with no heed of the toll it takes from the innocent."
>>
No. 195884 ID: 6bf637
 

Aw, and I had battle music picked out too.
>>
No. 195885 ID: 6bf637

Again, I must comment on the fact that you guys have no concept of 'saying just enough'...
Though I suppose it can works here. This entire situation is a toss up.
>>
No. 195891 ID: d3dfb8

>>195883
This.
>>
No. 195895 ID: b4c60d

>>195878

To add to my post, after checking:
"I build to correct an imbalance in nature. I build so the strong may defend the weak rather then slaughter them to a man. I build for vengeance. I build for my own sake and for the bones of the lands I tread. The world was set ablaze by the Curse upon my old lands, by cowards hiding away. I seek to rectify that, but first I must make friends, first I must make the land strong, first I must build."
>>
No. 195896 ID: f4e4f9

>>195863
"Interfere? You speak as though we do not all reside upon this world, birthed from it as they, though through a different means.

Regardless, if such information is the price of peace, so be it.

I seek to build an empire whose citizens do not fear eradication, as happened with Mosmordre. I seek to build an empire that does not enforce slavery and ignorance amongst the wider populace, as Castiliathen. I seek to build an empire that needs not suffer under the predations of banditry and neglect, which is what I found here in the State.

But on another note, why does my sentience make me so worthy of destruction? You certainly aren't targetting me because I must consume souls, considering there are many more active Soul Graves on Zakrath older than myself. The only difference is that they can not think as I.

So, if what makes me worthy of destruction is that...how am I any different from yourself?"
>>
No. 195899 ID: b14128

Aye, this all works nicely. ...But, I have to wonder... Is this a lie to appease these two, or does it honestly factor into what we do? Of course we don't need just one reason for something, but still, does morality factor into what Mordre does, what his goals are?
>>
No. 195902 ID: 6bf637

Sooooo, are we going with 'Mordre is a mage from Mosmordre'?
>>
No. 195903 ID: b14128

>>195902
This guy knows we're a sentient golem, remember?
>>
No. 195904 ID: f4e4f9

>>195899
Somewhat, I would think. We professed to Kyorto that we would conquer as a hero, to prevent having our empire destroyed in the same manner as Mosmordre, and thus far such methods have yielded good results. A worldspanning empire is easier to achieve and maintain when people are predisposed to joining it in the first place. If you're good to your people, they're less inclined to turn on you.

Better to be loved than hated, after all.
>>
No. 195907 ID: 538a24

Interesting, how did they discover that we are sentient? And what are they themselves?
>>
No. 195908 ID: b4c60d

>>195907
Sentient golems. I assume. And mostly because they knew we were a golem and knew we were sentient.
>>
No. 195909 ID: f4e4f9

If nothing else, Reinhardt seems to be like Dulu, a soul guiding the body of a construct.

Not sure about the horse, but it's statements imply it is much the same.
>>
No. 195911 ID: b4c60d

And...seeing as they called us 'Well of Souls'...what is what we called ourselves, Kyorto called us, and Lenryt called us...kinda concerns me.
>>
No. 195912 ID: b4c60d

>>195909
Which is odd, because most Small Tombs - which I doubt he is - don't have souls. I.E., the two or so we've dealt with already. Which makes DULU! and Harmony and Love freaks of nature now. Yes, until we know their names one is Harmony - the shadow - and one is Love - the rainbow.
>>
No. 195913 ID: f4e4f9

>>195912
Yeah they do. All small tombs have 1 heroic soul. Most don't seem to tap into the sentience of said soul like these seem to, but they do have souls.
>>
No. 195914 ID: 538a24

>>195899
I don't think its a lie.
>>
No. 195918 ID: 732129

>>195896

>I seek to build an empire that does not enforce slavery and ignorance amongst the wider populace, as Castiliathen

That will totally piss Keddic off.
>>
No. 195925 ID: 538a24

>>195918
He will not hear that.

Though it /does/ seem to me that we are throwing around baseless accusations.
>>
No. 195926 ID: 445c48

"Oh man, I don't know, just something to do I guess"
>>
No. 195928 ID: f4e4f9

>>195918
Too bad its true, at least to my knowledge. Privileged nobility notwithstanding.
>>
No. 195931 ID: 538a24

Bob, how long would it take at our maximum speed, non-stop travel to reach the Premen tribe (keep forgetting its name)?
>>
No. 195945 ID: 445c48

rolled 8 + 6 = 14

Deactivate IG
>>
No. 195969 ID: a594b9

Vengeance. Justice. Peace.
>>
No. 195995 ID: 45be60

[Golems: true neutral, even when sentient.]

I set out at first full of rage, seeking revenge. And indeed, who could blame me, for I awoke to find my home and my makers destroyed in the greatest atrocity ever levied upon a nation. The land of my birth is STILL poisonous to this day. And indeed, I still intend to see those responsible punished. But I have also found good in my travels, honorable souls whom I could befriend and trust. They have tempered my disposition greatly. Why am I here building an empire among the bones of the state? To help those whom I have befriended prosper, with knowledge, resources and trade. And as I travel these lands, I perpetually find more good, honorable people to befriend. Though I feel I must hide my true nature from them, I still count them as allies. Simply put, it pleases me to see them prosper.

The souls that you hear screaming within me are those of bandits, marauders, and betrayers who have had the misfortune to come against me. The souls you hear singing within me are those of honorable opponents, and of allies who have fallen beside me, their power freely given.
>>
No. 196002 ID: 445c48

>>195995
This ++
>>
No. 196004 ID: db9547

>>195995
I support this.
>>
No. 196005 ID: a594b9

>>195995
Not entirely true. We kinda stole 1000 souls from a battlefield.
>>
No. 196011 ID: db9547

>>196005
A technicality. Those were gifted to us.
>>
No. 196015 ID: 538a24

>>196005
They should have known better to opposing us.
>>
No. 196025 ID: 445c48

>>196015
Well, not all of them did, you know.

I like to think of those 1000 souls merely as payment for services rendered.
>>
No. 196122 ID: b4c60d

>>195913
Late to answer, but I stupided up on that statement: The few Small Tombs we've dealt with had no emotion, sapience, or, well, 'soul'. You're right, and that's what I was trying to say. Stupid-stupid.

Gennyway:
>>195878
>>195883
>>195895
>>195896
>>195995
These all seem like champs but I do like >>195883 the most, with maybe a little reference to the Curse and how it fucked with all world magic.
>>
No. 196123 ID: b4c60d

Oh, and I do wanna guess at these guys being Ray Golems, and we should ask just who these guys are. And if they like the name Harmony and Love, or Paradox and Harmony better.
>>
No. 196143 ID: f4e4f9

>>195995
I agree with this, actually.
>>
No. 196215 ID: e31d52

>>195883
Continually grow more and more intense as you deliver this, perhaps shifting into your Golem Voice, since Mage Mordre voice is probably well ingrained.
>>
No. 196334 ID: 6164e0

[Sentient Sentient Sentient THE WORD YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS SAPIENT NOT SENTIENT, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.]

>>195931
[From the Arcanoworks, at current max speed of 40 (with internally directed Magnetomancy) would be 3-5 days, depending on the terrain involved, to go directly to Mordreden, though as you have not yet traversed this strait path, you aren’t sure exactly how long it would take, hence the day range]

>>195878
>>195895
”I build because others destroy. I build to correct an imbalance in nature. I build because this land is dying around me- Core Beings slither in it’s heart, A corrupted hero spins a web of death and deceit, And through it all the people suffer, starve, and perish.”

”..You seek balance, To offset what is done.”

”And the power thou acquires through these endeavors, Dost thou think to tell us that does not sway thine mind?”

>>195883
>>195891
”The entire world seems to think itself the hero for destroying my home, The place where I was forged, where one could claim I was birthed. ‘Tis true, dark things were done by the Mosmordren Empire: But the Soul Graves, weapons of death as you term us, are coveted even now, And monstrosities such as Aurockoth roam the land, unquestioned and unchecked. The world termed Mosmordre anathema and Cursed it, and my own Sapience… I need not tell you what fate would befall me for that to be revealed: I need power to both right past transgressions, and to preserve my own existence. When my ‘empire’ is built, I shall show what a TRUE leader can accomplish.”/[code] [code]”Dress it as thou will, I still hear the taint of greed in thine voice, Whence ye speak of gaining power. Why bother interfering with Mortals, If not to gain power, to wallow in strength and death, as is your nature?”

The chromatic mount has nothing to say at this remark, instead regarding me with an unreadable expression. ..Perhaps I should change my tactics.

>>195896
”Interfere? You speak as though we do not all reside upon this world, Birthed from it the same as they, albeit through a different means. I wish to see an empire built wherein it’s citizens need not fear eradication, As was the fate the Curse brought upon the Mosmordren Empire. But on another note, why do you seek to remove me from the affairs of mortals? It cannot be due to my need of souls as fuel, as there are other, older Soul Graves, Scattered about this land, still active and in need of such precious fuel. The only difference betwixt myself and they is my sapience, that I am self aware: And as you said, we are not so different on that respect, we-“

The rider slashes his sword through the air, as if to cut away my ability to speak as he retorts with fire in his voice.

”But thou most assuredly is different!”

[u]”…On this, I must agree with Reinhardt. While we were ultimately once living souls, Whose minds still survive to guide our new forms, You are not, CANNOT be such: You have no central soul, no original life that persists, As Soul Graves are not built to allow such function, So there is nothing to grant you a pre-existing sapience. You are a true artificial entity, your will BORN, Rather than simply housed in a new container, And that is what worries our order: Our memory stretches back far into the annals of time, And not once has such a crafted will, When allowed to slake it’s thirst for power, Done anything but lay waste to the land.”

What’s more, thou awakening, amidst the ruins of Mosmordre, Was fraught with death, those few that escaped telling of comrades slain: How does such as this fit your professed goals to bring order and balance?”

>>195945
[8+6=14, >10]
…Blast, I KNEW letting those few thugs that accompanied Arkus to my awakening escape was a bad idea, and here is evidence to prove my fears well-founded. ..I note frost creeping up my arm from the Immortal Genocide, and deduce that the death field spreading about it likely will not help my claims that I am interested in more than simple destruction, and I force the ever-hungering magicks dwelling in my hand to cease their feast, a considerable amount of power already consumed. ..Hm, what to say in this situation…

>>195995
>>196002
>>196004
>>196143
”..’Tis true, I set out at first full of rage, seeking revenge. Indeed, who could blame me, waking to find my home and makers… Unmade by the greatest atrocity ever directed at a nation… to wake alone. The land of my birth is STILL a poisonous miasma, to this day. Even now, I still aim to see those responsible punished for this act-“

”More proof that you only seek violen-“

”-But I have also found good in my travels, honorable souls… Whom I could befriend, could trust, could call my comrades. Their existence, their presence has tempered my disposition greatly. Why am I building an empire here in the bones of the decaying State? To help those I befriended prosper, with knowledge, resources, and trade. And as I travel these lands, I perpetually find more good, honorable people. While I feel I must hide my true nature from them, I still count them as allies. Simply put, I seek power not just for my revenge, but for prosperity, For order for those I call comrades: It pleases me to see them prosper. The souls you hear screaming in me are bandits, marauders and betrayers, Those who had the misfortune to come against me, I do not deny this. But the souls you hear sing in contentment within my form are their counterbalance, Those of honorable opponents, as well as allies that fell beside me, Their power freely given.”

The shadowed, stark and uncolored form of Reinhardt only can splutter at these words, as his mount nods its head in understanding. …But more than that, I feel the words to ring ture whether I wished to deceive them or not: The only things that remain of the Mosmordren empire are mindless weapons, that barring being awakened to sapience I could never truly call my fellows… and so those I have been gathering about me have BECOME my home, without me truly having been cognizant of it. Without them, I would once more stand alone, stand apart, bereft of confidants or allies, and likely revert to my more amoral ways… and a part of me wonders if such a reversion would be such a bad thing, to revel in my own existence as a weapon and not bother with the contrivances of socialization… but that part is smaller now than it was when I first awoke. My introspection is broken as Reinhardt’s mount speaks to me.

[+12 SOAP POINTS. TOTAL: 030 BONUS EARNED NEXT: 050]
>MORDRE SAPIENCE ORIGIN HINT: It is directly related to both the creature that has been encountered several times and the Duke that ruled the city you were found in: More information could be gleaned if the Ducal palace within said ruins were to be explored.
>HINT PT 2: Mordre’s use of Pristine Souls is directly tied to this interconnection between Soul Grave, Creature, and Duke (Duke’s name is Mordecai).
>WORLD KNOWLEDGE: The Disciples of Domintus are getting ready to attack the eastern border of the Azelhaedran State.

”You see, Reinhardt? I told you there was cause, To excise the memories of this Soul Grave’s sapience from those that saw, To confine the secret to our order. The Paradox Knights could hardly see-“

Enough, Kirchesia. …’Tis acknowledged, that unjust assumptions… MAY have been made: But words are ephemeral, and transient: ‘Tis ACTION that will prove the validity of the claims made.”

”And is that not why we were sent to begin with? As I recall, ‘twas you who chose to aggress this one upon sight, Or do you claim to forget your earlier rash actions?”

Reinhardt hangs his helmet in shame as Kirchesia continues.

”I suppose it is time for formal introductions, Which SHOULD have occurred when we arrived: The one atop me is Reinhardt, and I am Kirchesia, Both of us members of the Order of Harmonious Discord, Otherwise known as the Paradox Knights. We have been sent to assess you, as another… Similar to us in it’s existence. …Reinhardt, the light curtain?”

Almost petulantly, Reinhardt sweeps his sword at the austere wall of pure white blocking us off from the Arcanoworks, and the erected barrio evaporates, a great mass of soldiers led by many of my lieutenants gaping for a moment at the barrier’s dissipation, and hesitantly looking ready to charge forth, even as Reinhardt sheaths his sword with more force than strictly necessary.

”So, Mage Mordre, I apologize for the… Confusion, I was unaware you controlled your golem remotely, And perceived it’s lone approach as a threat. Perchance, can we move past that? I’d like to stable my mount, As it was a long ride to get here.. That is, if you will extend an invitation to your abode to me?”

…Hm, an interesting change in behavior, now that the wall that blocked off my followers is dispelled.


What should I say or do?
And what should I say to the rather obviously curious Arcanoworks forces that are rushing to my aid?
>>
No. 196408 ID: b4c60d

>>196334

"...Ah! Yes! You are most right, Sir Knight! I, Mage Mordre, Apologize! The logistics of setting a large banner upon my back proclaiming myself to be the only mage to control a golem across nations is, well, tooting one's on horn a bit excessively, don't you think?" Walk beside KickassiaKirchesia and pat our, ahem, knight friend on the shoulder. "Halt, halt my friends. This is Sir Reinhardt, the Night, haha! See, for his armor is so dark he would stand as one, with the night, haha...oh, I kill myself. We are to treat them as honored guests! And none more honored then his wise and honest steed! Please, greet him with kindness, hopefully we may become long friends, eh?" Turn to Reinhardt and whisper. "Thank you. I do not know if it is prudent or wise to call you friend yet, but your choice of words...I hope you stick with them." And lead our...new golem friend in to the Arcnoworks. Guided tour!
>>
No. 196411 ID: 2aaaf1

>>196334
"You are welcome here, Knight of Paradox. Feel free to make yourself at home. We have much to speak upon, but that can wait until you've settled in."

"Easy men, just a misunderstanding. This isn't the first time that the very sight of my golem has caused someone to attack."

After things settle down, check the top of the Arcanoworks. It's been 19 days since we last talked to Ellayia, she might have returned with some dirt on Weinsho.
>>
No. 196420 ID: 45be60

Sentience: the ability of an entity to have subjective perceptual experiences. Emotions and sense of self.
Sapience: the ability of an entity to act with appropriate judgment to complex stimuli. Wisdom and logic.

The words both apply, as they are not traits normally associated with golems. Just because one is less common in nature does not make the other any less impressive or applicable for a construct. Stop all the nerd-raging. :p


"An understandable mistake my dear fellow, and one I am unfortunately not unaccustomed to. I sometimes wonder if I should affix some sort of nameplate to this shell. Hah! Yes of course you are welcome to come inside and look around. I assure you, my companions are used to such tours by now. Perhaps I should appoint some official guide! You there, see that we clear a large place in the stable for this fine... horse?"
>>
No. 196448 ID: 903f16

>MORDRE SAPIENCE ORIGIN HINT: It is directly related to both the creature that has been encountered several times and the Duke that ruled the city you were found in: More information could be gleaned if the Ducal palace within said ruins were to be explored.

>HINT PT 2: Mordre’s use of Pristine Souls is directly tied to this interconnection between Soul Grave, Creature, and Duke (Duke’s name is Mordecai).

Well, task of restoring Kyorto seems to be becoming more and more lucrative than ever before. After she is returned to flesh and blood we'll be able to move the Small Tomb from the entryway to the Duke's palace and learn more about our history and perhaps gain that Pristine Soul bonus. That's not to mention the other goodies we'll get, like the books she posses. Finding that last mage skin shouldn't be too difficult considering that we now know the location of one of Weinsho's bases.

Another thing, looking back on the first thread, I just saw something that made me facepalm.

"A petite figure within the woods, no larger than a child, watches Mordre and the rest as they leave, thoughts whirling through her head.

So... it appears those gutter rats were telling the truth, there was a Soul Grave still here, waiting to be found! A shame it could not be claimed as another of ours, more materials to work with are always useful, but.... they were telling the truth about their other claim as well, it seems: The golem acts on it's own. Fascinating! Oh, this promises to be most entertaining!"

The damn bandits have been leaking information since the beginning. The little girl is obvious Lenryt, and she gained the information and scoped us out about a month after we achieved sapience. Now the interesting part of this is that the information got to her and The Paradox Knights, but not to Weinsho or his accomplices. He's been targeting us specifically and of yet still has no clue of our origins, so something happened somewhere along the line that's prevented him from learning this fact. I'm guessing the bandits were killed by one of the two groups that have learned of us. We should ask Lenyrt what became of the "gutter rats" that she learned of us from the next time we meet.
>>
No. 196453 ID: f4e4f9

>>196448
Kirchesia and Reinhardt stated they excised the memories of us from the Mercenary's minds.
>>
No. 196455 ID: bf6c75

>>196420

I second the above discussion on sentience vs. sapience. Both words indeed apply...my argument for that is...

A Sentient, but not Sapient being can arguably be an animal, such as a cow. It has subjective experiences such as pain/pleasure, yet does not have sapience b/c it can not be said to have judgement/wisdom.

An AI on the other hand is the opposite. It has judgement/wisdom (Sapience), but in traditional science fiction, lacks the ability to feel subjective experiences (love/pain/pleasure).

In this quest, the golem exhibits both sapience and sentience. It has felt pleasure as various events occur. It feels solidarity with its comrades. It feels hate at some of its enemies. This is Sentience.

Modre is also Sapient. It acts with judgement in complex situations.

Considering that many people use the words interchangeably to describe Self-Awareness, unless you are willing to railroad us into using one word for the rest of the quest...It is almost inevitable that both will be used.
>>
No. 196460 ID: d3dfb8

>>196448
I think Lenryt is letting us run around upgrading ourselves and then wipe our memories maybe even sapience/sentience or bind us into servitude and use us to effectively replace Olmezca.
>>
No. 196469 ID: 445c48

>>196448
I don't know, there seem to be far too many exclamation points in that bit for me to comfortably say it's her.

Anyways, tell your men to stand down, simple misunderstanding, happens all the time, no harm done, stables are just this way, of course we'll invite you in, give him the tour, etc etc
>>
No. 196500 ID: 903f16

>>196453
I didn't catch that bit, but that certainly makes a great deal of sense. Though this means that Lenryt must have found them beforehand and likewise taken the information, but did not pluck it from their minds. So we're still missing a bit of the timeline as two what happened in between the two events. Either Lenryt freed them into the custody of The Paradox Knights or they were left to wander the countryside until the countryside until they were found by the knights. We can probably ask for clarification as to that bit once we're alone with them again. Along with that we should ask them how exactly they removed the memmories from their minds, acquiring that ability could help us tremendously.

>>196460
>>196469
I'm pretty sure that it is Lenryt, the text even goes on to say she did that teleportation trick she uses. Whether or not it's her saying the words or The Watcher within her is another story. Personally I think Bob just decided to write the character differently after he wrote that bit at the end of the first thread. That said, I doubt she has such an evil agenda. It would be a pretty spectacularly evil plan, having us go through all the work of strengthening ourselves and gathering an empire only to at the last minute take our mind and use us a puppet to rule the empire her/itself. For some reason I doubt that though, from our dealings with her so far she seems to posses her own strange set of goals that don't involve conquering.
>>
No. 196511 ID: 445c48

Ok, I'll admit, I can hardly remember anything, so I only half remembered that scene, or any scene with Lenryt, so my opinion on that matter can probably be safely ignored.

However, I will say that the guards and merc that saw us wake up might have split up, so there's not necessarily a link between the Paradox Knights and Lenryt.
>>
No. 196630 ID: 6164e0

>>196420
>>196455
[The words WOULD be interchangeable, if it weren’t for the fact that a golem that can experience emotions is not anathema, but a golem that can problem solve/utilize established knowledge and logic to interact with the world under it’s own will IS. That, and Mordre started without a grasp of emotions [thus only having the self awareness part of sentience, but the full scope of sapience), and gained emotional depth/awareness (Sentience) through it’s use of Pristine Souls/ masquerading as a mage. So this is less a case of nerd rage over word distinction, and more the fact the two words and their difference are relevant to the actual storyline, as only sapience, not sentience, falls into the category of ‘if a golem has this, KILL THE FUCK OUT OF IT’. So…. yeah. ANYWAY-]

>>196480
[No that was totally Lenryt in the woods, as the prior poster surmised. And yes, it is interesting she acted so exuberantly at verifying Mordre’s sapience and free will as opposed to all further dealings with her.]


>>196408
>>196411
>>196420
..If they are willing to behave in a manner conducive to maintaining my cover despite knowing otherwise, then I must go along with it. I place my left hand slowly on Reinhardt’s shoulder (Slowly because I am not entirely sure he would not attack me if I moved to swiftly in such proximity to him, in light of his professed views), while I address the approach mass of soldiers, most of whom are already slowing as they see my action, so unlike that which would normally be directed at a foe.

”Hold fast and stay your blades: ‘Twas nothing more than a misunderstanding. This is Reinhardt, a traveling Paradox Knight, Of the order of Harmonious Discord, Who has requested entry to the Arcanoworks. I hope you all can show him courtesy. …Now, if you wish, you can stable your mount here, In the stables we have outside the walls. I’m afraid it is the only place we have that can accept mounts, At this current juncture in time: Is this acceptable?”

As I watch the rest of my troops grind to a halt, I note Bang shooting a piercing gaze at Reinhardt… and his mount, Kirchesia. ..He was the one to cry out the name of their order upon spotting them, perhaps he knows of their nature, though I cannot be certain without speaking to him. For his part, Reinhardt simply nods graciously, and rides Kirchesia over to the stables as I direct the Arcanoworks personnel to return to their duties. In the brief span of time when Reinhardt, Kirchesia and I are alone within the sturdy walls of the stables, I voice a softly spoken comment to the pair, even while Kirchesia continues to act like any normal horse, albeit one forged of metal and adorned with a gleaming horn.

”I do not know if it is prudent to call you friend yet, But I thank you for your choice of words, and hope you adhere to them.”

”We are here to observe, ‘twould be more than passing hard, If your whole base were watching us like hawks. So long as thou displays courtesy, the same as for any guest, We shall not divulge thine secret through our actions.”

”I thank you nevertheless. ..Would you care for a tour?

”Nay, more would be learned by observing others at work, To see this… Arcanoworks in it’s natural state, then seeing what thou wishes.”

”Then feel free to inspect as you wish: Though I must warn you: On the fifth floor, Of the central tower, a Lady Jezebel works, And… she is somewhat confrontational. I would recommend tact and discretion, Should you wind up interacting with her.”

”..Your words are taken under advisement.”

As I lead the now dismounted Reinhardt back out of the stables and into the Arcanoworks proper, he politely excuses himself, and begins to wander the grounds, rebuffing the attempts by many inhabitants to converse with him, claiming the ride to have been long, and that he merely wishes to stretch his legs for the moment. ..,Well, I have a Paradox Knight within my walls (and possibly another without, quartered in the stables, but otherwise… not much has changed since before. ..Hm, what was I doing before this happened? Or does it matter? I imagine my priorities may have changed. ..I somewhat belatedly realize it is significantly past the afternoon, and the sun shall set in a few hours… and I see storm clouds on the horizon: But so do the sentries on the walls, now heaving at pulleys to extend the patchwork cover to redirect water away from the interior of the Arcanoworks.


What should I do now?
Should I once more try asking about Vimes and Armstrong, and if so, who should I speak to about this?
Should I try to speak to Bang or either of the Paradox Knights to learn more about their order?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 196635 ID: b4c60d

>Should I once more try asking about Vimes and Armstrong, and if so, who should I speak to about this?

Yes, and generally anyone we can find.

>Should I try to speak to Bang?
Yes, ask him what he said - we heard him say something before that white-wall went up. Be careful though, this could tip our hand and we don't want that.

Ask Arkus who he got that control rod from and where we was coming from. Be deeply apologetic about not asking sooner - something soapy and forgiving. I can't remember if we asked Arkus about family, but we should do that too.

CHECK THE TREES! For the love of goodness, it won't take long, go check those freaking trees in our plots of farm land.

Go warn Lord Brigadier General Quinton about The Disciples of Domintus are getting ready to attack the eastern border of the Azelhaedran State.

Question Arkus, Jojo, Krump and Jezebel if, working flat out and without distraction, how long would it take them to make a crude long-distant communicator. Also, ask Jojo if he and Ulzrick can try to work on way to instantly communicate via daydreams - or a way for Ulzrick, or Jojo, to enter a trance-like state to send a message in a dire situation.
Generally, some way we can talk long distances so when we go up to the mountains, we don't get attacked and our towns, friends and holdings get pillaged without us.

And one idle suggestion: Can Jojo and Ulzrick possibly search for Lu Bu to see if he's alive so we can 'talk' to him in his dreams?
>>
No. 196645 ID: fcd1ff

>>196630

Sentience vs Sapience argument is off track...so I'm taking it to Discussions.
>>
No. 196677 ID: ddcbe8

>>196635
>Ask Arkus who he got that control rod from and where we was coming from.

Not just that, ask him about ALL the events that led him to us. Spare no details. I suspect it might have takes a long time to find our location.
>>
No. 196680 ID: f4e4f9

We should also make sure Jezebel has all the materials she'll need when the supply caravan arrives. Inform her we secured a supply of material, one of which is a decent, one-time dropoff of niobium/tin, which should hopefully suit the needs of any superconductive parts she requires for the moment. If there's anything else important, now would be the time to tell us so we can see to it's acquisition in the near future.

Seconding asking Bang why he's so wary of Reinhardt and Kirchesia.
>>
No. 196684 ID: f4e4f9

OH, and be sure to mention:

"It just occured to me I did not forewarn any of the surrounding villages that I was going to sanitize the remains of Berluut.

Derkin, would you be so kind as to dispatch a few runners to make a round of the neighboring settlements? I wouldn't want them panicking."

Also, somethings been bugging me. Carkiano was remarkably brief with us when we warned him of the Core Being threat. Ask Dame Valiria if she has any inkling of what course of action he might take.
>>
No. 196692 ID: f4e4f9

>>196684
Actually, tell Derkin that he should probably dispatch the runners AFTER the storm subsides. That would be a dick move, otherwise.
>>
No. 196700 ID: 13257a

First of, find Arkus, tell him to keep the book safe, disguise it somehow, both magically and non-magically and then have a nice long conversation with MAXIMUM BANG!
(How long can we store the Energy in our fist? Would hate to waste that puuuurfect roll)
>>
No. 196739 ID: b4c60d

>>196684
>>196692
We, as we can run at least forty mph...How about we just run over there go 'yeah, sorry, firebombed the death trees' with a bit more SOAP, and then run back?
>>
No. 196767 ID: b4c60d

>>196739
God, I should not post when I'm tired. 'Well', not 'we'. Oy.
>>
No. 196783 ID: 6164e0

>>196635
[The knowledge of the Disciples of Domintus getting ready to attack is meta-knowledge, so Mordre doesn’t know it, persay, but will feel more inclined to follow paths that allow it to discover the knowledge, and thus move it out of the realm of meta-knowledge. It works that way because there is no story reason why Mordre would magically know this, beyond having a vague inkling that a bunch of souls are going to be released from their bodies in that general cardinal direction (east)]

>>196700
[Energy stored in the Immortal Genocide is notorious for swiftly bleeding out if not employed swiftly, and as such, it’s storage time, even for the perfect roll, is measured in minutes before the whole charge is gone.]

>Vimes/Armstrong inquiry
I decide to honor my recently established chain of command, and pose the question about these two groups I have heard of within the state to Arkus, Derkin, Keddic and Bang, and ask if theycan spread the question through the ranks and bring me a response, something they readily agree to. Eventually they get back to me with some interesting observations.

--Alexander Armstrong and Samuel Vimes both are well respected by the people, but only Armstrong is a genuine State military captain, Vimes and his crew are a mercenary force with a extended contract. Both are highly thought of by the people of the State.
--Armstrong should still be to the southeast, near the Blue Knight’s land, as far as anyone at the Arcanoworks is aware, and Vimes is said to be traveling to the outpost Lord Brigadier General Quinton Delevas is stationed at (which has apparently been re-titled Quinton’s Keep. How long it will take him to arrive, or if he and his group are already there, is unclear.
--Armstrong usually travels with some fifty Alchemically augmented soldiers (Who serve his family line specifically). Armstrong himself is considerably more augmented than those serving warriors, who themselves are said to likely be the match of the Premen in terms of strength, if not durability and stature. Beyond that, he usually has some two hundred state soldiers (non-augmented) in tow as well. None use mounts, as Armstrong believes ‘A healthy body leads to a healthy mind’ and prefers to march…. Everywhere, really.
--Vimes’ total force size is unknown, but several facets are known: A Heroic soul of considerable power guides his second in command, a man named after a vegetable (the specific vegetable in question is apparently hotly debated), a clay golem said to have a tiny life golem operating it as a golem armor, and several transformation-based life golems in his service.
--The rest of the commentary on the two seems mostly idle speculation, and I disregard it in favor of the information I hear oft repeated with conviction. …Hm, interesting.

>>196677
>Ask Arkus about golem leash/what led him to find Mordre.
After carefully picking my way up to the second floor of the Arcanoworks central tower, to Arkus’ study, and ensuring no one else is within the area (thankful for the sound canceling effects that separate each floor), I question him on my discovery, the queries that have slowly cropped up over my few months of existence needing answering. Arkus puts down the books and quills he was employing and takes a few seconds to organize his thoughts before he begins to speak, as I keep an eye out (and cast out my magnetomantic senses) to insure no one is listening in.

“…Huh, I guess I dropped the Golem Leash in the ruins, I’d assume it’s still right where I found you, unless someone moved it, but considering where that is, I find that unlikely. As to what led me to find you… well, I was… in the southern part, I think, of the Golden League-I’d just happened upon some money, and decided that instead of squandering it, I’d try to invest it in something that would give me better returns. Anyway, I’m moving about this bazaar, nothing special, like pretty much all the shifting markets in the Golden League, and I see this old bearded guy staring at me. Well, he doesn’t say anything, so beyond being wierded out, I paid him no mind as I checked other vendors, but I didn’t find anything I thought I could use for the whole ‘invest money now, put in effort, more money later’ plan. Around the time I’m getting ready to try another market, the old guy, still staring at me, finally says something. ….I can’t claim this to be verbatim, but something along the lines of ‘If you seek wealth and position, I have what you seek’ or something equally cryptic. At the time, I chalked it up to it just being an old guy trying to make his wares sound more impressive… but he just handed me the Golem Leash, said it works on Soul Graves, and that a
diligent seeker might find one in the bones of Mosmordre’ or some such, again I’m paraphrasing but he had a consistent flair for melodramatic speech, and… huh. That was the last I saw him, but I don’t recall him leaving, walking away, or anything…. Well that’s weird. Anyway, since he didn’t take any money from me, I decided to hire some bodyguards and set out to the Cursed lands, figuring that if I could find a Soul Grave and bind it to me, I would pretty much be set…”

At this Arkus trails off and frowns before he continues, his brow furrowing as he does so.

“..You know, that’s a bit out of character for me, now that I have to explain it to someone else, to just trust some weird vanishing old guy, and immediately hare off like that. I didn’t get the leash checked, I didn’t plan the venture, or try to plot any form of optimal travel path-I even hired the first people I found, no regard for finding trustworthy guards…. All rather out of character behavior… and the fact I didn’t question it until now… Ah, anyway, that’s all I recollect of the whole ordeal, but…. I’m going to check a few things that occurred to me, depending on what I find I may have more to tell you about this… ‘cause some things are definitely NOT adding up…”

As Arkus mutters while pulling new books down from nearby shelves, I digest what he told me as I make my way back down the stairs ad out into the courtyard. …This has been illuminating, as well as throwing forth even more questions.

>Check trees at corners of fields
I recall Dulu’s cryptic warning delivered to Keddic when returning to him his staff, and walk about the fields, directing every method of sensory perception I have towards the sprouting saplings within my walls. …Well, I sense no presence or will guiding them, no ominous Blood Iron pooling or veins feeding them… but I do note a faint trace of World magic emitting from each growing tree, with something like a spiderweb spread underground, a net of World Magic that seems to flow into the foods grown on the fields. The energy is faint, and if it weren’t for my proximity and dedicated focus I doubt I would even be able to sense it, but it would stand to reason this magical net is somehow linked to how swiftly crops are growing…. But it feels so different from what I found at Berluut or Trekel that I wonder if it is even related beyond using a similar magic source. The individual tiny growing trees themselves look no different from any normal freshly sprouted tree, only the faint essence of magic marking them as different.

>Arkus/Jezebel/Jojo/Krump communication means
I round up Jojo and Krump, and ask them to come to the second floor of the Arcanoworks, as I travel to the fifth floor and likewise ask Jezebel to report to Arkus’ study, for a potential group project after informing her that there will shortly be shipments of steel, tin, nickel, copper and magnesium coming to the Arcanoworks, as well as a single delivery of tantalum and niobium (at this, she perks up rather considerably, and comes down to the meeting without argument). Once everyone is present, I lay out my request to make some sort of long distance communication devices that would allow any user to converse or otherwise exchange information at significant distances. Jezebel does not even stick around, shooting off an acerbic remark as she makes her way up the stairs again.

“I deal in weapons of war, not communication, and everyone else you called is involved in magic, which I’ve not had the time to investigate conjoining with my inventions. What exactly made you think I could work outside my specialty with a system I don’t even understand to make something when two thirds of the people you want me to work with don’t even speak the same language? Honestly…”

As Jezebel marches up the steps, Krump and Jojo talk while Arkus grabs a few books and flips through them while rattling off his own response.

“Ah… barring how much interference the existing language barrier could cause in group works, I think I saw… no, maybe the other book…. Ah. Okay, there ARE runes pertaining to long distance communication I think could be repurposed to make some sort of communication devic-ah. The runes, ah, require World magic, which isn’t an issue… and Will magic… which I am still trying to figure out. So…. Yeah, this might have to be put on the backburner for now… there was something else though, hold on…”

As Arkus digs through the veritable mountain of documents about his study, Jojo and Krump address me with their own reply.

“Pupil Ulzrick capable enough that Jojo and Ulzrick could serve as… communicators, yes? Ah, Only able to communicate when both are asleep though, but so long as condition met, any distance and any message between two could be conveyed.”
“…Krump has nothing to offer on this, communication is more the realm of Souldreaming or more experienced shamans…. Maybe Mingsk or Fekk in Mordreden could say more? Not sure.”

“AH-HA!”

I turn to Arkus, already jogging back over with yet another tome open in his hands, a mildly triumphant look on his face.

“Okay, well, there IS something I could make now: A bit limited in what it can do, but the distance won’t matter. Ah, I could put together a…. I guess danger-device? Top a piece of metal with a ruby, put on these runes here, and… okay, this is how it works: These staffs would work in pairs, such that if only one staff is stuck into the ground, nothing happens, but if a staff is stuck in the ground while it’s pair is also in contact with the ground, the rubies on both staffs light up instantly, doesn’t matter what distance we’re talking about, either. So… you could take one with you, and periodically anchor it in some dirt, or put it against stone, and leave orders to only put its pair, left here at the Arcanoworks into the ground if something happens that needs your swift return. Kind of a warning beacon, if something happens at the Arcanoworks while you are away. Uh… would that work? If so, I need…. Eh, two days, I think, to make a pair and test them.”

Well, it is a start. I thank Arkus for finding this, and ask him to attend to constructing these ‘Warning Beacons’ first, before returning to the other tasks and studies I assigned him, as I infer that something is better than nothing, as dismiss those still gathered and make my way outside-hearing thunder booming in the distance as dark clouds grow ever closer.

>Ask Bang about Paradox knights (Away from said Paradox Knights)
I note Bang to be looking unusually muted, brooding in silence as he watches Keddic and Derkin leading a training session. I make my way to his side, about to ask what he knows of the Paradox Knights, or the Order of Harmonious Discord they come from, when he preempts me to speak first.

“..I’m not sure I like having a Paradox Knight here, truth be told. They always try to bring some stupid notion of ‘balance’ to a place, which really means they make any fighting they see as unnecessary stop-as if there is unnecessary fighting! …Well, this one came here swinging, so he can’t be ALL bad, but still…. They got a stick up their ass, every last one, about what they call ‘collateral damage’, ‘gratuitous violence’, ‘excessive fighting’…. You know, the fun stuff. Still, the Order of Harmonious Discord has more than a bit of clout, as say what you will, but those buggers are STRONG, one and all. I’d advocate killing the shit out of this one, if it weren’t for the fact that instead of getting their whole order to descend on us and instigate a massive orgy of death and combat, they’d do some boring thing involving politics to bleed us dry by inches… and how do you punch political maneuvering, I ask? …Well, all I can hope is that they bugger off soon, and leave us to our own devices.”

…Interesting, both for what Bang said about the Order, and for this revelation about his views on them.

>>196692
>>196739
”Bang, I would be most pleased to continue this conversation, But I realized I missed doing something a while ago: I shall be back shortly once I rectify the situation.”

“Does it-“
”No, I am not going to a fight, this is a diplomatic endeavor, And I doubt it will take long.”

“..Ah. Well, have fun with that.”

I set off from the Arcanoworks at maximum speed, racing down the packed dirt roads to Shellik, and tell them the origins of the recent blaze, a preventative measure to some dire magic springing up in the ghost town of Berluut. They seem relieved to receive an explanation, and refuse my attempts to apologize for being tardy in explaining what transpired, noting that I must be busy as the only ‘proper mage’ (their words, not mine) in the area. I make my farewells swiftly, and return to the Arcanoworks two hours after night has fallen, and the biting winds and heavy rains have reached my base of operations in the State. I am thankful for the shelter of the canvas canopy above, shunting the water away while preventing all but the barest trace of the tempestuous winds from getting within my walls. As the majority of the Arcanoworks staff bunkers down for the night, I return to Bang, who has been patiently awaiting my return, to immediately be faced with a question.

“So, what’s the plan about the Paradox Knight, anyway? Why are they here, what do they want with you, why’d they attack… or alternatively, how do you plan to get rid of them?”

I do not see Reinhardt anywhere nearby, but that does not mean he is not present: I would not be surprised if he has some means of masking himself from detection… then again, I have no explicit reason to think he does have such an ability.


What should I say to Bang?
Do I have any more questions about the Paradox Knights or their order?
And is there anything else I wish to attend to tonight, or work on overnight while the organics sleep?
>>
No. 196813 ID: b5d55f

Tell Bang that the Paradox guys came here for a....personal reason, and they will leave in due time, once they inspect the base. if you wanna play up the mage mordre bit, make it seem like an old man mistake that made them come over?
>>
No. 196818 ID: 445c48

Well, about the trees, might want to talk to the people that planted the fields, they might know a bit more about them, being farming folk and all.

I suggest, eventually, going through all the books in the tower, using your perfect memory to store them, so we can make copies if it's ever needed, and so you can I don't know, Learn I guess. If you can do that which I'm pretty sure you can't. Still, good to have it in your head in case of fire or enemy attack or something.
>>
No. 196822 ID: b14128

>>196813
Hrmm... Maybe we can make a reference to the job Lenryt gave us. He wouldn't know what the heck we did there, and the knight -did- show up not all that long afterwards.
>>
No. 196824 ID: ddcbe8

Maybe those trees are some kind of listening/observing devices? From the 1st post you can see that Eisenhardt was able to observe us during our travels. How does he do that? That is really bad, we should do something about it.

Have our magically inclined people research those trees.
>>
No. 196856 ID: e31d52

>>196824
>Maybe those trees are some kind of listening/observing devices?

>Dulu hates dishonesty and trickery
>He pointed them out specifically

FUCK. This sounds correct. There's two options:
>Simply uproot them
>Subvert the system:
>>Either reverse it so we can use it on him,
>>Or make it return false data.
>>
No. 196860 ID: 0a8e03

>>196856

they could be a result of that invention that tells which crops work best for the area
>>
No. 196861 ID: 732129

Don't ruin the trees, leave the crops alone until you figure out what is doing what.
>>
No. 196864 ID: 716eb0

Can we just like.. ASK if somebody working on the crops planted those trees? I always assumed they were part of the Lousy Farmland Improver 9000 setup. The only thing they have in common with Dulu's warning is the part where they are trees.
>>
No. 196869 ID: f4e4f9

>>196783
We MAY be looking at a developing Leyline Font. Something to consider.

Regarding Bang's query:

"Ah, sir Reinhardt made his way here thanks largely to some rather nasty rumors that were being spread about me. Suffice to say, such rumors were of sufficient...concern that the Order of Harmonious Discord felt it necessary to verify. He arrived here, saw my Soul Grave approach, and readied himself for battle. Once I explained everything, however, there was no real dispute.

Regarding what I do about them, they have asked for lodgings, and I intend to give it. Thus far they wish only to observe the goings on of the Arcanoworks.

Do not worry, I doubt they will try to get in the way of your own puruits."
>>
No. 196874 ID: f4e4f9

Once Arkus completes the staffs, we should be consider heading up to Mordreden.
>>
No. 196901 ID: a594b9

Hey, we still need to read those books relating to golems and souls and stuff...
>>
No. 196902 ID: a594b9

>staffs that light up instantly over large distances

Hey, we could use those for morse code.
>>
No. 196905 ID: 445c48

>>196902
Indeed we could. That's the long distance communication thing right there.
>>
No. 196907 ID: e31d52

it might look a little silly on our end, though.
>>
No. 196912 ID: ddcbe8

>>196860

On the other hand they could have been be placed by our enemies to fuck up our food.

Better safe than sorry.
>>
No. 196913 ID: 445c48

>>196912
Again, we should ask the farmers and such, maybe it came with the Proliforator? Maybe motion for Moss to take a look at them, then we can swear at them and then pull them up.
>>
No. 196926 ID: b4c60d

>>196874
We need to head quickly to the east first and deal with this soul-inkling of the Disciples of Domintus. Bring Bang, he -needs- to kill the shit out of something. Have Jojo souldream to Lorgk or Delro and tell them we'll be up shortly. We first have to stop an invasion and we'll be right up. If it's important, please tell us and we are -so- sorry that this is taking so long, annoyingly human politics are more difficult to navigate then glaciers and rocky crags.

>>196783
I know I am shooting my ass in the foot here, but our knowledge of Vimes and Armstrong both came from HAM points - does that mean we wouldn't know about them either? Yeah, this is stupid to ask, but I'm the honest one in the group, what can I say?

If the above admission doesn't remove the knowledge of where Vimes is going, we should try to intercept the Guardman.

As for Bang: "Pa...pahahahah!" Firm pat to Bang's shoulders! "Oh, Bang my boy, you are right. If I could bring this golem to bear against bureaucracy..." But sigh. "You have such wild and untamed blood, Bang. How, I wonder, would you handle a world at peace, eh? But do not be anger at our guest, he is but one among many. And he was quite ready for a, ahah, unnecessary fight - maybe not all these knights think the same? But I wonder, where did you meet with this 'Order of Harmonious Discord' prior?" [yeah, this is not one of my best dialogs. I know it sounds bad, but what can I do?]

As for the creepy plants we should talk to farmers, but first subvert. Plant hahah! Oh, god that's funny evidence by having some farmers leak false information around the plants. Then destroy the plants. I have the lurking feeling that they won't pick up communication, but ground movement.
>>
No. 196927 ID: b4c60d

>>196913
Gialgorra hate magic. No magic should be in Gialgorra technology. Proliforator Gialgorra technology. No magic should be in Proliforator.
>>
No. 196930 ID: 445c48

>>196926
If we do go, be sure to send a runner to Quintos saying we'll be away for a bit, don't want to get in trouble.
>>196927
Fair enough.
>>
No. 196932 ID: b4c60d

>>196930
Well, we hope to go towards the Keep so we can get Vimes before continuing on and stopping the invasion.
>>
No. 196936 ID: 0a8e03

>>196927

the plant feng shui is probally the cause of the magic. not the machine or its creator.
>>
No. 196975 ID: 716eb0

>>196927
No, Gialgorra was the dude famous for combining magic and technology into awesomesauce. There SHOULD be magic in his inventions.
>>
No. 196976 ID: b4c60d

>>196975
...No, Gavrock was the dude famous for putting magic into machine. Gialgorra said:
"To clarify, I have no issue with magic in and of itself,
I simply find the over-reliance on it's functionality,
To be impeding technological progress,
By providing an 'easy' way out....
Oh, and to make matters worse, that Mortal Coil,
They've kept most of the established mechanics of magic locked up,
And parcel it out to the rich. PFAW!!"

"Does knowledge belong to everyone?
NO, say the mages of the Mortal Coil,
It belongs to the wealthy, and our order.
NO, says the nation of Castiliathen,
For much of this knowledge is forbidden.
NO, says the people,
For they have been fed on the lies of others!
I reject ALL THESE NOTIONS!!
I... I choose something different, I choose Rapture!"
>>
No. 196978 ID: 2aaaf1

>>196975
That was GAVROCK. Gavrock is the famous inventor that created a set of magitech items. We own two parts of the set; the Twins of Gavrock, and the Chains of Gavrock. Gialgorra is the steam golem operator that lives in the western islands.
>>
No. 196979 ID: a594b9

I think this is simply how the crop speed enhancer works.
>>
No. 196990 ID: 445c48

Cover the trees up with a tarp, if they do observe that'll definitely work, hahah no.
>>
No. 197007 ID: d3dfb8

>>196869
>>196874
This.
Before we head out give the premen time to pack supplies while we give Ulzrick and Arkus another hour long Will/Magnetomancy lesson.
>>
No. 197019 ID: b4c60d

>>197007
He has two days to work on the Warning Sticks. Two days we can use for something else, hopefully going to war and letting Bang vent his fists onto religious extremists. I mean, seriously, two days. We run at 40 mph, Bang and Keddic are damn fast, and I don't doubt we could move our army pretty fast if we wanted. We go, have a friendly boarder skirmish, and come back, get supplies togeather, and then march up the hills. Heck, if we don't wanna go all the way to the east - I don't know why, it would mean more souls, maybe a few heroes, enough blood to finish us off, and Bang happy because he exploded people with his fists and Keddic gets to practice his badass kung fu and we could suggest things to him - we can always intercept Vimes and actually get the Watchman, the CarrotRutabaga, and the elemental golem DetritusDebris and the life golem inside another, larger, golem DorflChatzkel. I could go on, but it would be less funny for when we meet the actual group.

Oh god, let Mr. Shine - Him Diamond! and Chrysoprase show up, oh please or please oh please
>>
No. 197023 ID: b5d55f

>>197019
this sounds like a good plan, go 'investigate' the borders, then on the way back pay a visit to Vimes, if he is on the way.
Meybe even go during the storm? it builds character!
>>
No. 197112 ID: f4e4f9

Weinsho has been scrying us for WAY longer than those trees have even been there, so I doubt very much that they are dangerous.

They could be beneficial. We don't know. But if I was going to put spy mechanisms somewhere, it sure as hell wouldn't be in the path of Farmland in the middle of a fortress in plain sight, especially when they grow in such an odd manner.
>>
No. 197117 ID: e31d52

>>197112
Still, it's worth looking into...
>>
No. 197122 ID: f4e4f9

>>197117
Of course it is. I just don't think we should destroy them.
>>
No. 197134 ID: 2f6a04

Gialgorra was not a magician, nor a farmer, he was a scientist. He does not have a way of figuring out that a system has magic in it. It is possible that he may have simply stumbled upon some magical formula for planlife arrangement and thought it only science. This is a magical world, this is possible here. HOWEVER, we did receive a warning from Dulu about 'quickly growing trees'. We believe that this warning related to the trees in Belarut(?) but it is possible that it relates to this. What we should do is question those in charge of farming/ those in charge of the polifirator on how they set up the plots. I find it odd that they would plant only 4 trees and only at the corners. If no crucial evedence is revealed from teh farmers, then the most effective method of discovery would be to utilize the polifirator in another town and see if they get similar results. If not then we can easily clam our situation as abnormal and having something to do with MOSS rooting around in the beginning or our foes hatching a plan.

Of course there is always the height of paranoia, meaning that or foes somehow sabotaged the profs. invention to make out plants rape us, meaning that the same effect would be achieved everywhere we go, causing the world to blame it on us... but I think that's too excessive.

There SHOULD be a way to punch politics in the face... we have MAGIC and AWESOME, we will find a way.
>>
No. 197136 ID: 2f6a04

You guys want a good way to spend time without drifting into meta territory? Go find our ever elusive counterpart, i.e. the thing that likes to follow us. Examining it's existence will do wonders in explaining our own.
>>
No. 197138 ID: a594b9

>>197134
Wait, you're right. The superfarm was made by Gialgorra, who used no magic in his creations... then this is some outside force! We need to investigate this closely, if not destructively.
>>
No. 197145 ID: f4e4f9

>>197136
AGREED.
>>
No. 197148 ID: 0a8e03

how about we quit bitching about it and ask the farmers? odds are its just a side affect of min maxing the plants, its world magic after all and plants are part of the world. what you do to one will probally effect the other.
>>
No. 197151 ID: b4c60d

>>197148
You know, this is a good idea. We should talk to our mage collective - Arkus, Jojo, Krump and Ulzrick along with our combat mages. Ask them about the possibility behind world-leaking trees.
>>
No. 197153 ID: b4c60d

>>197136
I'm sorry, what should we intend on doing to it? How should we 'examine it's existence'? Sorry, this just really confuses me as I really don't know what you purpose to do.

Anyway, I still think we should go see if we can pick up Vimes and if we need meta-justification, we could...you know...march for a day to just look further then our little patch. We are hopefully gonna pull a Caesar here so we should at least get to know the surrounding land.
>>
No. 197156 ID: a594b9

>>197151
Perhaps we should just limit it to those that know of World Magic.
>>
No. 197160 ID: b4c60d

>>197156
Why? Just because we might only have mage that knows about World Magic - Arkus knows at least one spell, after all - why should we not ask anyone else? They know magic, and might have run into this before. Premen might have heard of this in a different context, Keddic is a Castiliathian and our foe is a hero from that old foe, so he might know about it. Just asking one is kinda foolish when we have a small and growing think-tank of arcane and combat mages, as well as shamen and those of natural predisposition.

Of course, talk to the farmers first, and make sure these aren't on purpose, but having our magic think-tank think on this would be very helpful.

Oh, though: Krump said that Mingsk might know more about distance communication. Ask Jojo if it is not unbecoming to ask this question to him in a dream. Either way, we should also ask Mingsk to start the shaman think-tank on a unified theory of magic as well.
>>
No. 197180 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197160
But they DO have a think-tank. Check the first post of the second thread.

[DAYS 39-45 ELAPSED]

Mordreden
Defense: Stone/Wood/Ice Wall, Guards
Resources: Ruby/Bronze Mine , Magic Language Thinktank (Small)
Notables:
--Lorgk, War Chieftain
--Delro, Peace Chieftain
--Mingsk, Head Shaman
--Sugro, Elder Shaman
--Fekk, Mingsk's Assistant
--Oggroth, Elite Warrior
--Ugrokk, Elite Warrior
--Jojo, Magic User
Population:
--39 Premen Shamans
--16 Premen Veteran Warriors
--74 Premen Warriors
--92 Premen Makers

Population total: 228
>>
No. 197183 ID: b4c60d

>>197180
...what? Yes, that's what I said. Start the shaman think tank - the one working on a unified language of magic - on our new idea, a unified theory of magic.
>>
No. 197190 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197183
Oh whoops, I read theory as language.
>>
No. 197253 ID: 6164e0
File 127723759355.jpg - (10.51KB , 400x372 , Domintus Strikeforce.jpg )
197253

>a way to punch politics in the face
[I fully endorse this idea, and feel obligated to comment Soul magic (and particularly high-tier use of Blood or Will magic, or World magic with direct access to a Leyline geyser) can allow one to interface/manipulate concepts. So…. It could in fact be possible to punch the concept of politics… IN THE FACE]

>knowledge of Vimes/Armstrong: Meta?
[Nope, you’ve had them mentioned to you before, both by Quinton, and by the Blue Knight (who only spoke of Armstrong). Then this extra data came from speaking to people based on that. Knowledge of them is safely out of meta range]

>>196813
>>196822
>>196869
I ponder how to reply to Bang… and decide that I can be largely truthful, even while maintaining my cover. Wordplay seems to be of paramount importance in affairs of state, and I must endeavor to practice where I can. I clap my hand down onto Bang’s shoulder (noting the wood he sits on to creak and groan, and his body flexing more than a human’s ought to-I must work on restraint it seems, as any but Bang likely would have a dislocated shoulder from my attempted gesture at camaraderie). Thankfully, Bang pays it no mind as I speak.

”Sir Rienhardt made his way here thanks to some nasty rumors about me. Suffice to say, such rumors were of sufficient concern that the Order he serves, Felt it necessary to verify the validity of these rumors, well, there is also… That jaunt I took at the behest of Lenryt, which I do not doubt interests him as well. Then, when a Soul Grave charged forth to meet him, well.. he jumped to conclusions. …Look on the bright side: He seems innately disposed to violence, Perhaps not all Paradox Knights are so enthused with balance, as much as… The inevitable conflict that they view as necessary to bring that balance. In that respect, they would not be all that different in their views from you.”

“Hmmph.”

”Regarding what I shall do about him, he asked for and received lodgings, And as his professed goal is simple observation, I see no reason to deny his request. Do not worry, I doubt they will try to get in the way of your own pursuits.”

“And if they do?”

”…Well, we shall deal with that if it comes to it, won’t we.”

The answer seems to placate the troubled warrior, and Magnum Bang slips out from under my had ad makes his way to one of the barracks, seeking to bunker down for the night, looking far less conflicted than he did before.

>THE TREES, THE TREES
I take some time to inspect the tiny saplings growing in the corners of each field within my walls, contemplating what their presence could mean as the night wears on. They could be related to the warning Dulu gave Keddic, in which case they would be some machination of Weinsho, possibly to spy on me, or to poison my food supplies, and through them my men. ..Then again, the network of World magic doesn’t seem to connect to anything beyond the web-like net running from tree to tree, all contained within the Arcanoworks: To my (admittedly limited) understanding of World magic, that would not allow anyone to get sensory data from this network at range. There is also the fact that I recall Moss rooting around in the same corners of these fields that the trees now grow at… perhaps Moss is in some way responsible for their presence? …And now that I reflect on it, I did salvage some number of seeds from the dying tree that I first found Moss and the root spiral at… is it possible Moss planted them? I turn about in the gloom, listening to the wind howling with the storm still raging as rain batters down on the cover overhead, and spot Moss inquisitively sniffing at the shattered box Bang had sat on when I spoke to him. Recalling that Moss seemed quite capable of comprehending speech, I decide to question it.

”Moss.”

At my words, the creature immediately perks up, orienting on me as I continue to speak.

”Did you plant these trees?”

Moss nods it’s head as it’s tongue lolls free of it’s beak, looking decidedly smug as it snuffles at the air, thin tendrils of light flicking out to catch an errant raindrop that managed to bypass the overhead covers. Hmm… well, that seems to answer the question of origins, then, if not their function or purpose.

>>196930
>>197019
>>197023
>>197136
>>197145
As I consider what to do with my time, while waiting for Arkus to finish these communication rods, I consider two things:

--I might be able to find more answers about my own existence if I track down that creature that has followed me, that recently molted into a new form, and seems to respond well to the Dirge I can create.
--..I feel a growing sense of… not ambient souls, or death, but potential death, to the east, a decidedly odd feeling, but one that has been slowly growing.

Hmm… while I could not pull the whole mass of the Premen along with me without slowing myself considerably, I COULD bring Ugrokk and Oggroth and lose only marginal velocity while traveling, and Moss, Bang and Keddic all have demonstrated themselves highly mobile: Besides which, Moss, now the size of a horse, could likely serve rather ably in combat. I could make a quick jaunt to the south-east, leave word with the staff of Quinton’s Keep that I am again away from the Arcanoworks, and possibly run into this Vimes individual, before traveling in search of the creature that seems linked to me or the source of this impending sense of death (and with it, displaced souls) that assails me. By paring down my force to only include the most mobile of our number (and using Magnetomancy to insure my two Premen captains keep up), I could travel a considerable distance in a short amount of time-it helps that those involved seem to either be resilient or immune to fatigue, allowing us to travel constantly. …And I have been feeling somewhat bad at how few chances Bang has had to engage in an honest battle.

While I contemplate this, I spot Jojo floating along en route to use one of the latrines, and stop him, asking if he could inform Mingsk and the other shaman back at Mrodreden of my desire to pursue a unified magic theory, which he says he shall attend to once he returns to slumber. I also ask if he could speak with the Fierce Dragon Lubu, but after giving a brief description of the warrior, he says he finds such a pursuit unlikely to succeed, as he has never met the individual, and thus could not jump into their dreams. I let him continue back on to his accommodations as I finish pondering what I should do.

My mind made up, I make rounds about the Arcanoworks, rousing Ugrokk and Oggroth first so they can explain their coming absence to their troops, before getting Bang and Keddic. When I explain we are marching (hopefully) to find a battle through a tempestuous storm, both gain a cavalier gleam of anticipation in their eyes, and make ready shortly. As we gather at the gates, I note Keddic to be sprouting his new pair of blood-stealing swords, and adorned with a blood toga, the same as Bang, his scarf seeming livelier, flapping even more harshly as it’s shape constantly fluxes, as he manically grins at the prospect of a good fight. I take command of the metal in Oggroth and Ugrokk’s armor, and leash it to my own form as I set out, only marginally slowed (I would estimate our pace some 38 miles per hour) as we set out in the dead of night, racing through the tumultuous storm at breakneck speed, the anticipation in those following me almost palpable.

[DAY 108]

The storm continues without abating, and shortly before dawn we reach Quinton’s Keep, and are forced to wait as some guards atop the walls come to use one of the smaller gates to inquire as to the purpose of our visit. As we wait, a quick meal is had (Oggroth thought ahead, and packed rations for all of us onto the wealth of packs strapped to Hairy Steak, including some bronze for me), before a lone guard makes his way out. I inform him that I am the Mage Mordre, and shall be heading off to the east for a brief period, before returning to the Arcanoworks. I also enquire after Vimes, and learn that Quinton has ordered his group stationed here at the keep for the immediate future: Thinking of time constraints, I make my farewells, planning to seek a meeting with this Vimes individual at a later date. We continue on, returning to our breakneck pace shortly, and as the day brightens, the storm still fully gripping the land, we ford several minor streams, before some time around noon, a considerably sized river blocks our way. For a moment I am unsure how to proceed, it’s depth greater than my own height, but Keddic notes that there is a bridge around the northern bend of the river we could take, sturdily constructed of stone, and we set off to make use of it.

After crossing an old, worn yet completely stable bridge, the one Keddic had mentioned, we continue onwards, spotting several differences on this side of the river: It seems we are in State controlled land, judging by the banners flying from the few outposts we see in the distance, through the pall of the continuing storm, though with the weather as it is, we see no one out and about. The whole time we have traveled, I have periodically employed the Dirge in the hopes of attracting the creature that stalks me, but to no avail, and now so distant from my lands, I cease such attempts, reasoning that I am likely not so well known in this part of the State, and that discretion would serve our travel better. As we travel, the sense of impending death, of free souls to be continues to swell, and I have a easier time orienting on it: By the afternoon, I estimate us to be very close…. And as we pass by another few villages and outposts alike, I finally see something in the distance, directly in the direction I feel the growing sense of impending death: A sullen, muted glow, red and filled with a sense of malignant desire for destruction…. And what’s more, it seems situated on a lone village, well away from any other settlement I have seen today…. And I can sense souls within, a mass large enough that even more than a mile distant, I can perceive them: There must be thousands present, though I cannot say for sure, as the storm has led to thick, obscuring fog to start snaking across the land, reducing the already poor invisibility. I turn to my companions, Moss, Keddic, Bang, Oggroth and Ugrokk, and wonder how best the six of us could approach a potential fight against thousands in horrific visibility who are a mile or so distant on soggy, oftentimes muddy flatlands….


What should I say or do?
And if I choose to fight, how should I approach this situation?
[ALSO: For this coming fight, you can choose to switch from controlling Mordre to any other combatant under Mordre’s command (barring Moss): In your post, please add a comment of which warrior you would like to control.]
>>
No. 197270 ID: 0a8e03

>>197253

head to the nearest state fort/outpost and warn them of the danger, then aproach silently to get an adea of just whats going on.
>>
No. 197276 ID: 6164e0

>>197270
[Nearest outpost was about twelve miles back, round trip that'd be about forty minutes, not counting how long it takes to convince whoever is there that SOUL GRAVE OUT OF NOWHERE is not something they should respond to violently. This would also mean it will be night by the time you get back, further reducing visibility. Still proceed with going back to dispense warning?]
>>
No. 197280 ID: b4c60d

Ugrokk: Sneak into the town, reconnaissance. Be as sneaky as possible, and activate stealth-mode if spotted and high-tail out out of there. If enemies are present find any stable, or semi-stable structures, formations, or unit groups that can be fired on. Mike sure they are high priority targets. Leaders, HQs, munitions/weapons. Anything that immediate destruction will cripple their fighting ability. Call to fire will be Fire the Twin into the mass. Once the first shot has been fired, Stealth-mode. Hide, move around the outer perimeter and fire at any areas of high enemy density that is not in the immediate area of your allies.

Mordre: Get the Skyfall rounds loaded. Get ready to shoot.

Keddic: Begin moving forward. Ready the Twin to fire. Once the first short is fired, charge. Continue firing until within close-combat range. While firing, use a circulation of blood to offset the recoil of each shot. When in close combat: ENGAGE IN NOBLE BATTLE!

Oggroth: Ready to fire the hammer and to mount quickly. Ride into combat and dismount via a leap. Allow Stake to contuinue to demolish any units around you as you destroy any large formations of troops.

Bang: Once the first round has been fired, CHARGE AND KILL EVERYTHING! VENT YOUR FURY AND BURNING BLOOD!

However! If this village is occupied with the previous inhabitants kept as prisoners, efforts must be taken to protect these people. Ugrokk should continue reconnaissance, however he should alert the civilians to the impending attack and eliminate any enemies keeping the civilians hostage.

>>197270
This might be an idea, however we don't know if any member of the army is stationed there or how close - I don't want to split our force, or leave this village to the invaders. If we can move fast enough, this might be a good idea, however...I am divided on it.

Also: We should give a rousing speech before we descend like devils in the night.
>>
No. 197282 ID: b4c60d

>>197276
NO~! My Sweet Lord, no. We can take on this town if needs be.

Added suggestion:

If BANG can sneak a distance away from Ugrokk and Ugrokk can identify the leader of this group, a MAGNUM PUNCH and a shell from a Twin would be very good at disrupting any coherence this army has. However, it might also cause the death of any civilian hostages. We must be careful.
>>
No. 197284 ID: b4c60d

>>197276
Oh, question: Can we see/taste any tasty hero souls and/or more powerful souls in this throng?
>>
No. 197295 ID: 68ecef

To be honest this weather is excellent for your small force of extremely capable meelee warriors. Approach using the poor visibility as cover and ask Ugrokk to sneak in and kidnap someone suitably hostile looking. Interrogate him (or devour his soul) to find out exactly what and who we're up against as well as how we can identify our foes in this fog.

Once the goal is set consider doing hit and run attacks using the groups ~38 miles per hour movement ability and the magnetomancy bloodsense to find and avoid enemies as needed.

Give Keddic and Magnum Bang a piece of metal with a handle that's easy to identify in the fog using magnetomancy and tell them that if they shout "retrieve" you will use your magnetomancy to pull them up and towards yourself. This way if they get hurt, trapped in the mud or lost in the fog then you can pull them towards you. Ugrokk and Oggroth can do the same, but their armour should be very easy to identify for the same purpose. Similarly you should have a signal that alerts everyone else to hold on to their signature pieces of metal as you're going to pull them back towards yourself. This way everyone stays coordinated for fighting in this fog and you can pull everyone back and run if you sense that the enemies are about to overwhelm you.
>>
No. 197298 ID: b4c60d

>>197295
And, what, four members of the group have artillery weapons? I mean, we can go hit-and-run with Bang just exploding folk and Ugrokk sneaking from alley to alley and firing a Boulder-sized shot at folk while We just drop shells down like it's rain and buzz-saw through tight units. And we can magntomancy any weapons away.

But we need to make sure there are no hostages.
>>
No. 197302 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197253
I'm going to guess right off the bat that this "storm" is magical in nature. Possibly caused by a strong user of blood and world magic. The last time we saw a natural disaster in the Azelhaedran state, it was a result of an outpost being sieged. It wouldn't surprise me if the situation was the same.
>>
No. 197303 ID: 2f6a04

Quick question before planning Bob, how much ammunition do we currently have stored up?

In any case, I'm going to suggest that we have it scouted first, so ya Uggroth can handle that.
If this storm is magical in nature, it would be folly to assume that they cannot detect Uggroth just due to his invisibility, so we should take that into consideration and inform him if we still make him go.
>>
No. 197307 ID: b4c60d

>>197303
He's also just a generally stealthy badass - we really need to get him and Ulzrick and Vespinto. Actually, when we get back, the premen should be training together with the Militia and with all our badass trainers and hero units.

>>197302
However, that outpost was already overrun by bandits who had weapons that would make it thunder-and-lightening. Yet you could be right, even if I do kinda doubt the blood and world magic connection.

Either way, we must make sure there are only Disciples in there. If there are any civilians, we need to get them out alive. If there aren't, we can just raze the town if needs be.
>>
No. 197309 ID: b4c60d

>>197303
At my last guess we have a full compliment of Anti-Vanguard rounds and a full compliment of Anti-golem rounds, with two Skyfall rounds.
>>
No. 197319 ID: 6164e0
File 127724519939.jpg - (73.43KB , 640x640 , Domintus Alchemical Giant.jpg )
197319

>>19703
[Still full load of refills (one full reload for AGR cannon, two shells of which are skyfall, and two full reloads for blade launchers)]

>>197280
>>197295
As I crack open the Anti-Golem Revolver cannon and switch out two conventional rounds for my remaining two Skyfall rounds (I really must ask Arkus to make more at some point, as currently that is the only means by which I can secure more… though I must remember to actually give him existing cannon rounds to convert, when I do get around to asking him), I bark out some orders on how to best utilize our taskforce, even as I twist some chunks of bronze into crude but serviceable handles, and dispense them to Keddic and Bang.

[Slightly modified due to weapon constraints]
”We’re approaching under this poor visibility, It should prove useful to our force makeup. Ugrokk, keep the Gavrockian pistol at the ready, And try to move in quietly: If spotted, Use your runed armor to slip away. Don’t shoot until you identify a high priority target. Oggroth: Dismount once we get closer, And get ready to use your hammer and wrecking ball, Once you hear Ugrokk fire his first shot: Until then, keep an eye out for any bunched forces, Try to maximize damage, then mount up again, And trample/smash anyone that doesn’t look… To be a maker, I suppose: There could be hostages.”

As I shoot off these orders in the Premen tongue, the two nod and set off, quickly fading into the obscuring mists, their forms still easily discerned by the masses of metal they are adorned with, as I switch to the common tongue to speak to Bang and Keddic.

”For now, close distance, wait until Ugrokk and Oggroth strike: Then cut loose. Oh, and keep a firm grip on those hunks of bronze: If a situation ever looks too unfavorable, shout ‘Retrieve’, And I shall employ magnetomancy to pull you to my side. Keddic, Bang: keep an eye out for civilians, there could be hostages, But otherwise once the battle is joined waste no time picking targets before striking: Lay waste to every Disciple of Domintus you can find. ..Well, let’s move out!”

As the two nod and begin sprinting off, I rumble after them, Moss at my side, as we fan out to approach from multiple angles. The howling wind and periodic boom of thunder easily mask the sounds of our approach, and shortly we are within several hundred feet of a fairly sizable settlement, hundreds of buildings, mostly wood but several hewn from stone jutting from the ground, ranging from one to three floors, as well as a few grain silos. The sullen red glow resolves itself into several sputtering fires, many of the combustible buildings enflamed despite the downpour, dark figures standing about each burning structure with their arms raised, their attention locked on the fires they look to almost be worshipping from their stance. The town itself is a seething, hectic mass of movement, troops in darkened armor running to and fro, orders being bellowed all about… and several groups herd what can only be captives, some six groups, each at least a hundred strong, being led through the rain by threat and sword, being herded to the south-

Where at least a thousand troops are visible, hundreds of tents ranging in size from personal to large enough to hold me a dozen times over already erected, and a group of some ten figures swaying in place as the ground before them churns.

This is the extent of my appraisal before I hear the report of one of the Chained Twins of Gavrock being fired, and my head whips about to see several troops screaming as they are flung through the air, broken or outright deprived of body parts that barred the path of the torso-sized shell that hurtles through their ranks, killing most of the leaders of one of the six groups of captives. Even as shouts begin to go up, a call to arms to face aggressors from the Disciples of Domintus, a second shot echoes forth even as the chain latched onto the first shot starts reeling back what I presume to be Ugrokk’s first attack, Keddic’s own shot strafing by to slay several soldiers guarding the flank of the same batch of prisoners Ugrokk moved to aid, even as-

Two things happen that drown out all other sound for a moment.

”BIG BANG KIIIIIICK!!!!”

One of the collecting masses of soldiers is abruptly scattered as a scarlet blur hurtles through them even as one of the buildings nearby collapses, Bang’s kick dispersing whatever attempt at order they had been aiming for, as he immediately sets to tearing off limbs and wrenching open armor to disembowels soldiers with his bare hands as he laughs like a maniac, joy painting his face. The other thing that happens-

While there is a deep, echoing crack, like a tree hundreds of feet wide simply being snapped in twain, it is accompanied ad nearly drowned out by a keening ring, the very air shivering as a mass of metal as tall as a man explodes through one of the stone structures (Oggroth barely visible within it’s shelter-Hairy Steaks beside him, no less. How?-) and smashes into the flank guards of the already partly-freed group of captives, the troops it hits not flying about so much as simply exploding into showers of blood and organs as they are crushed flat by the massive wrecking ball that scythes through their numbers, the chain following behind it heavy enough I hear the crack of bone as it whips about before drawing taut, smashing more soldiers to the ground.

I decide that with one sixth of the captives already nearly completely free of any nearby enemy forces, My own efforts will be to finalize their freedom, and I send all six blades from my launcher whirling forth, and cut down the soldiers on remaining near them with Magnetomantically guided blades of Blootz Steel cleaving through their armor without issue.

Some hundred or so soldiers have been slain in the space of four seconds, and the confusion our vicious ambush has brought is telling, chaos clear in the ranks of the Disciples of Domintus, exacerbated by the screaming of the remaining hostages as the now free bunch follows those of their number with quicker judgment, who shout at the rest to flee as they follow their own advice, sprinting to get out of the village and away from the soldiers.

My gaze darts about, to note several things about the battlefield.

--The now free group of hostages look to have a clear shot to escape, and the few too hysterical to think straight are either bodily hauled along or in the case of those trying to resist for whatever reason are quickly clubbed into unconsciousness and slung over shoulders, their companions unwilling to let anything jeopardize their flight.
--Bang is rapidly drawing attention to himself as he continues to dart about tearing foes limb from limb as he laughs, paying no mind to the few blades that find him, as his toga seems to do it’s job and leave those who manage to strike him falling to the ground with wounds sprouting on their flesh.
--Ugrokk smashes his axe into a soldier near him before he can raise a cry of alarm and fades into a shimmering state, likely employing the stealth attributes of his armor as he ducks behind a building, looking for a new angle to approach the hectic melee from as he reels back the shot (once more normally sized) into the Gavrockian pistol he holds.
--Oggroth leaps onto Hairy Steaks back and explodes out of the stone structure he was in, his iron grip clamped onto his massive saddle and letting his form be pulled along by his own wrecking ball, jerking Hairy Steak into a dashing charge that lets him draw hundreds of eyes as he trample across the battlefield, his wrecking ball starting to rebound towards him as he charges, the few soldiers level-headed enough to strike at him and his mount unable to piece his armor or the heavy pelt and hide of his mount, who lets out a rumbling bass roar.
--Moss leaps from a rooftop to land on a soldier trying to form a platoon about himself, tearing at his throat, it’s hind legs kicking out at a few soldiers in reach, who are hurled backwards to crash against the very building Moss leapt from.
--Keddic holds his familial sword in one hand, cutting through soldiers like they are made of paper as his free hand is wreathed in blood, every strike causing it to explode with needles that tear apart anyone foolish enough to come into melee range.

As I withdraw the blades I launched, re-slotting them into my shoulder, I consider it interesting that so far, I am the only one still not in the village proper, as I turn my gaze to the enemy camp erected outside the town where the bulk of their forces are, and note several things of the enemy disposition:

--The robed figures attending to the fires that persist despite the rain and wind are turning to face our forces.
--Orders aplenty are being shouted at and by those leading the remaining five groups of captives, but in the chaotic preamble of this battle, no immediate actions have been taken.
--The cowled forms about the churning mass of earth continue to ignore the fight, and the ground begins to spin like a whirlpool beneath their ministrations.
--Three groups have organized on the town’s perimeter, each some hundred strong, with ornately armored warriors leading them, festooned in skulls-runed skulls.
--A heavy, rhythmic beat starts to make the ground tremble, and I see a massive armored form, at least thirty feet tall, rising from the largest tent in the Domintus camp, and my senses tell me it is no golem of metal, a being of flesh and blood within it’s heavy runed plate armor, whose heart beats in time with the small tremors coursing through the ground-no, the SOURCE of the tremors…. And it’s gaze turns towards me, the only figure still outside the village amongst our attacking force, and hefts a sword wreathed in chains as it points towards me, already beginning to stomp across the land as it builds speed to charge me.



Orders?
[EACH of Mordre, Oggroth, Ugrokk, Keddic and Bang need orders (Moss is doing it’s own thing), and with your post, please note which of the mentioned warriors you would like to participate in this battle controlling (If you want to continue controlling Mordre, say so, as if no one posts their preference, I’ll decide for you. Controlling any non-golem fighter will allow you to experiment with their fighting style, and there will be at least one other chance in this fight to switch who you are controlling.]
>>
No. 197328 ID: a594b9

rolled 1 + 6 = 7

>>197319
Oh please. If we can sense its heart, we can PULL OUT ITS BLOOD. If that doesn't work, I suppose we still have the Spectral Gorging Animus.

Let's activate the Immortal Genocide to prepare for... well, whatever.
Also, summon up an Inferno Golem to eliminate the mages focusing on the churning ground. Direct some blades to the mages focusing on the fires... Fire some AGC rounds at the leaders shouting out orders.
>>
No. 197329 ID: a594b9

>>197328
Argh. That was terrible.

We should also begin advancing towards the camp. We can't summon any Spectral Soldiers if we're not near any ambient souls.
>>
No. 197337 ID: a594b9

>>197328
Oh wait, let's not slice up all the mages working on the fires yet. They don't seem to be doing anything, and if we can get some Soul Soldiers to vacate their bodies of life without cutting them, then we can deliver their skins to our buddy back home.
>>
No. 197340 ID: 6164e0

>>197328
>>197329
>>197337
>Three posts from same dude
>Completely ignores entire paragraph at end of update saying to make note of who you want to control. (Leaving orders for just one individual does not count as making note of who you want to control)
>Does not give orders to others, also requests in aforementioned end of update paragraph.
>Whole Golem Quest cast UNICODE STARE
>>
No. 197343 ID: 2f6a04

switch to Bang, I want to see Bob-controlled Mordre in action and I (FINALLY) want the ability to control a speedy fighter.

ORDERS TO ALL ELSE!
Aim for leaders and mages in the group
>>
No. 197345 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197319
Unsheath the Edge of Oblivion, it's time to test out our swordplay skills. Direct our magnetomancy inwards and charge at the giant. Block and parry whatever blows it sends your way, aim for it's knees and ankles, or any joint that is exposed.

Ugrokk should focus on taking out any mage he can find, using his armor's ability to blind opponents. The mages attending to the fires can be killed off as he pleases, the ones that reside in the enemy camp should be knocked out, but that can be done later after we secure the living hostages.

Oggroth should focus on disrupting enemy ranks as much as possible, don't let them fall into any sort of tactical formation.

Keddic should be doing the same as Oggroth, they both accel at busting up enemy lines.

Bang is the fastest, and as such, he should be attacking anyone shouting orders. These disciples will slowly fall into chaos if they have noone to guide them.
>>
No. 197349 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197345
>>197340
>>197319
And if it was not clear, retaining control of Mordre is desired.
>>
No. 197351 ID: 2f6a04

Damn you people, this is likely the only time we get to use Bang!!! Screw Mordre, we know all his tricks.

If we use Bang, Turn to Oggroth
"Oy, Big fella, Gimme a boost!" Then rain down in the middle of an enemy cluster with a GLORIOUS

BIG BANG KIIIIIICK
>>
No. 197352 ID: a594b9

>>197340
...I seem to be making a habit out of missing the very last bit of posts. And multiposting, but I suppose that has more to do with not being able to edit. I thought that after the initial set of orders, Mordre was basically the only one we were controlling! Ok, let me organize that all into the proper format, and actually spread out the battle orders.

Mordre: Utilize magnetomancy to pull out the giant's blood. If that doesn't work, use the Spectral Gorging Anima. Advance towards the combat zone, and summon an Inferno Golem to attack the mages focusing on the churning ground. Send a few blades out to harass the runed-skull groups; mainly to see how dangerous they are.

Ugrokk: Sneak up on the mages dealing with the fires, and attempt to kill two without breaking the skin. A wrestling master such as you should be able to break their necks without much trouble. Just chop up the rest. Utilize your stealth repeatedly for this... is there any reason not to just leave stealth on while killing them?

Keddic, Oggroth, Bang: Try to eliminate the leaders barking out orders.

I'm not sure who we should switch to...
>>
No. 197355 ID: b4c60d

[Falcon, I'd suggest you tell Keddic how to punch out souls and whatever lovely Blood-Fu skills you wanna share.]

Mordre, Fire one Skyfall round at this 30ft giant and fire another at the whirlpool of earth. Those figures need to be taken out. Razorblades at the whirlpool of earth, too. Then we need to focus on dealing with big-and-ugly. Let him get closer to us, out side of the city. While waiting, start hitting him with regular rounds while we magnetomancy those razor blades around to chew up anyone near the whirlpool.

Ugrokk! Do you know the art of CQC? Employ stealth to eliminate high importance targets while your allies destroy their mobile forces. Attack from the shadows, behind and above targets to maintain your stealth advantage. Use your hand cannon to strike at stationary targets. Wow! isn't this crappingly vague? Some one else teach Ugrokk how to be Agent 47, Sam Fisher, and Solid Snake with hand-axes. And try to get him to open up about his past and fighting style

BANG! HAH! THERE WE ARE, A HONEST FIGHT! WASN'T THIS MORDRE THE RIGHT MAGE TO FOLLOW? LOOK! A 30FT TALL MONSTER, WE ARE GOING AFTER THAT NEXT, THUNDER AND DAMNATION! RIGHT, MANGUM CLAP, LETS TURN THESE WEAKLINGS EARS TO PUDDING!
>>
No. 197357 ID: b4c60d

And...lets switch to either Bang, Keddic, or Ugrokk. Keddic because we -know- Keddic, and we can speed up some awesome combat skills of his SKP, BANG because...holy fucking shit, fuckyeah, BANG ONESHOTPUNCH!, and Ugrokk because...well, I like Tactical Espionage.
>>
No. 197362 ID: b4c60d

>>197355
[I hope this is what we're suppose to do. I was kinda confused actually. Please don't stare at me...]
>>
No. 197363 ID: f4e4f9

rolled 17 + 6 = 23

I love that Bang's fighting style is so conducive to keeping his toga fueled.

Mordre: Charge forth. When in range, I want you to try something - the AA doesn't have as high a charge as it could, but Bagata's soul could fix that. Breathe Soulfire onto the Giant as you near it, turning the ground into an swelling inferno.

THen fire AA at it, using the INVERTED beam to suck all that heat and fire into it's form.

Name it the Emerald Eradicator.

Also, activate IG. Rollan. We's gonna make some Inferno Golems. Send one to keep them one of the groups of Skullmasked berserkers company. Will give us a chance to see what they can do without endangering our real troops.

Also, soulsuck.

Keddic: Continue attacking any troops that attempt to make for the escaping hostages. Utilize SANGUINE MAELSTROM on any clusters of troops.

Bang: DIVE into the mages casting. See if you can disrupt whatever magical artillery they're about to summon.

Oggroth: CANNONBALL one of the Skullmask formations. Try to aim for the berserkers.

Uggrok: Continue doing your stealth shit, bro. Target anyone who's attempting to rally. Your job is to hunt out commanding officers rallying troops, and SILENCE them.

GO GO TEAM MORDRE!
>>
No. 197365 ID: f4e4f9

IMPORTANT: Mordre, try to keep an eye on Moss. If he looks like he's in a spot of trouble, MAGNETOBLADE ASSIST.
>>
No. 197369 ID: b4ae88

>>197355
I need to work out a safer version first. Right now he might just die for nothing with that tech.

As for Ugrokk, he can employ is armour very well by aiming for non-mage leaders. Rend necks (cause, you know, Axes) and make Prodigious use of the 'Blinding Light' feature of the armour.
>>
No. 197370 ID: b4ae88

Keddic!!! NEW TECH!!
Utilize SKP over your WHOLE BODY! It will give you INSANE increases in speed, durability and power. It will be a test on your limits of focus and likely leave you feeling a bit anemic.

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: BLOODY OVERDRIVE
...or somn like that
>>
No. 197372 ID: b4ae88

Recommended use limit: 30 seconds at a time.

Benefits are mostly in speed and destructive power. I would suppose the feeling you get from use would be similar to putting too much of your blood outside + Headache from focus.
>>
No. 197373 ID: b4ae88

Im not exactly a bio person (in fact not at all), but now that I rethink it, you might not have the 'over extension' feel, but most certainly a headache.
>>
No. 197381 ID: ddcbe8

I must have missed something.
Who are Disciple of Domintus? Are they some kind of evil-worshiping maniacs?
>>
No. 197383 ID: b4ae88

>>197381
I have no idea why we are attacking these guys. It will most likely lead to a lot of bad blood between us and ... everyone, and won't help our case with the Paradox Knights, seeing as we didn't even attempt to parley. But what is done is done, and parley would have lead to loss of the element of surprise. what is done is done, just work with it and win.
>>
No. 197391 ID: b5d55f

>>197381
well whoever they are, they had a bunch of hostages, and that usually isn't a good thing. Plus that weird magic going on? Probably not good.

I say take control of Uggrock, we can stealth and watch for leaders/get infoirmation, and have fun going all spy on their asses.
>>
No. 197396 ID: 1d9734

>>197391
creep up on a mage, break neck, come back for body later . . .
>>
No. 197419 ID: b4c60d

See, I would say 'just kill the mages'. I don't want another core being in my back yard. Anyway, we only need one with an unbroken skin - we shouldn't aim for it to happen, just let it occur. Dealing with these people is much more important.
>>
No. 197506 ID: 296035

>>197319
Mordre should try to get mage skins by magnetomancy-ing the blood around their insides, destroying the organs.
>>
No. 197516 ID: f4e4f9

>>197383
The Disciples of Domintus are religious Berserker Fanatics who have been ravaging the southern Kingdoms beyond Castiliathen.

They've invaded and subjugated a town in the State.

There is no parley to be had here. You do not broker piece talks with aggressively hegomonizing fanatical religious sects that want to conquer you and force you to their beliefs and rule.

Tidbit from first thread, courtesy of Arkus:

>The rabidly religious Disciples Of Domintus are a radical bunch, going about destroying existing systems in favor of a church-ruled state. Their fanatical Berserker-Zealots, willing to do anything for the gods they worship, have won them many battles lately.
>>
No. 197522 ID: f4e4f9

>>197369
Exactly. He should in theory be able to stealth up to priorty targets, decloak/strike, and recloak while the troops suffer from the flash.
>>
No. 197524 ID: f4e4f9

Also, I'll second going for Ugrokk.
>>
No. 197680 ID: a3ca35

Ugrokk?
>>
No. 197685 ID: b4ae88

Scratch the last tech. It needs tweaking before I tell him.
>>
No. 197705 ID: e31d52

DIRGE AND SOUL SUCK.

Leap where the greatest amount of enemies lies and go to town with the sable. Punch things with the Accelerator as you destroy, then turn to the men at the fire.

"FOR YOUR CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE, I SENTANCE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, THOSE WHO WOULD HOLD CAPTIVES AND BRING ABOUT CHAOS FOR YOUR CHURCH, TO DEATH AND TO FUEL MY SOUL GRAVE! SURRENDER, AND YOUR DEATH SHALL BE QUICK AND PAINLESS!"
>>
No. 197721 ID: b4c60d

>>197705
Ok, I like this, but we have a 30ft tall life golem monster to break the legs off first.
>>
No. 197726 ID: e31d52

>>197721
well then we can do that while judge dredding them
>>
No. 197763 ID: a76809
File 127733082658.jpg - (382.09KB , 1600x1200 , Disciples of Domintus Hero Arrives.jpg )
197763

[AAAAH FINALLY HAVE INTERNET AT NEW HOUSE]

>>197370
[Actually, Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism is not restricted to the arms, but offensives uses are. I.E., it is used to achieve faster weight shift/footwork for the whole body, while in the arms, with the aid of, for lack of a better term 'blood spike boxing gloves', it leads to the actual pugilism of the style. The only problem is that slamming blood around like this makes it much harder to reinforce blood like iron armor under the skin, so defense is actually lessened, not increased. Good thing he's god the bloody toga.]

>>197345
>>197351
>>197352
>>197355
>>197363
>Orders queued.
[You know what:]

..............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: BANG AND UGROKK...................................................
>BANG

"OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

I tear into the troops around me, delighting in their screams as I prove my will to live, my will to thrive and flourish in this bloody contest superior to theirs, bathed in blood and gore as I literally rip apart all that I can reach. I see the Mage Mordre guiding his Soul Grave to fire two rounds back to back, one hitting the giant charging towards him, the other directed into the churning, swirling mass of earth amidst the enemy camp, both locations flaring with light as lightning cracks down from the sky, molten metal flying about. Several of the cowled figures are struck with flying molten metal and go down, gaps appearing in the circle of chanting figures about the earth vortex, but those remaining pay it no mind. The giant itself shrugs off the blow like a mosquito bite and continues to charge, a bare flicker of light in the runes about it's body all the reaction it evidences to being targeted with artillery fire. I see a ring of soldiers forming up around me, just out of immediate reach as I continue to rend apart those foolish enough to get close enough... and note several to have runed weapons. Well, this may call for some 'tactics,' then. I swing my arms wide, my hands splayed open, and slam my palms together, my bones, muscle and flesh alike screaming in protest, pain signing through my nerves, as I repair hundreds of tiny fractures and ruptures upon impact, maintaining the cohesiveness of my form as I shout out a name, maintaining my personal prerogative to name my every attack.

"MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP!!!!"

I can almost see the shock-wave that echoes forth, but even in the booming report of my colliding hands, I hear the agonized wails of those nearby as blood spurts from their ears and their eyes go bloodshot, dozens dropping to the ground deafened, prone, vulnerable. As I watch Mordre guiding his Soul Grave to breathe turbulent green fire onto the approaching giant and the ground about it, I spot Oggroth thundering by, and shout out to him even as he scatters another attempt by our foes to build order during our attack.

"OY, I could use a LIFT!!""

Oggroth's head snaps about to face me, and I see recognition flit across his eyes, peering out from his kettle helm, at my simplistic word choice: I knew there was a reason I worked on language lessons with the Premen when first I saw them. I leap into his abruptly free and cupped hand, and as he heaves me skyward, I add to the force with my own leap, and rocket into the air, gaining hundreds of feet of altitude in the space of a second. I flare my scarf out even as I see twin beams of light, emerald rather than scarlet, lance from the Soul Grave's ruby eyes, and upon impacting the giant Mordre faces, they suck all the ambient Soulfire about it towards the massive figure, and with a hollow boom I see it's armor cherry even as the ground about it, so recently wreathed in flame, is frozen solid... and the thing keeps coming. Interesting.

I decide that simply falling to the earth will not do, and let my scarf flair out, dozens of feet of supernatural cloth spreading like wings from about my neck, and snap shut, sending me hurtling earthward to the knot of clustered enemies from whence I leapt skyward, as I joyously exalt in this battle, screaming forth my challenge.

"BIG BANG KIIIIIICK!!!!"
KRA-KOOOM

As the very earth shakes and craters beneath my impact and bodies are flung about, I laugh as I tear into those foolish enough to stand about me, delighting in the slaughter. THIS is what I was MEANT FOR!!!

>UGROKK

As the human called 'Bang' strike the earth like a vengeful god of the sky, I see Chieftain Mordre drawing his blade even as he launches some six blades from his shoulder, that fly past his massive foe to streak towards the mages gathered about the patch of earth behaving like water, all while charging to meet his larger foe, finally clear of the camp erected by our foes. Several of the blades find their mark, but their paths grow strange, erratic and wobbling as they near the chanting figures, as if something retards their progress. I continue to stalk in shadow, flitting from building to building, my axe only employed intermittently when I see small groups, targets of opportunity trying to weave through the maze of buildings to join the bulk of their force. Bursts of ringing clamor assail me, and I note Mordre now engaged in true combat, exchanging blows with sword and blackened arm of blades with his larger foe, who seems to have sufficient skill to give pause to my leader. I stay cloaked, a minor shiver running through my body as moisture adheres to my cooling armor while I prowl, spotting two figures in armor more ornate than the masses arguing at the head of a group of soldiers. I draw forth the device my chieftain gifted to me, and take careful aim, releasing my guise of shadow in a flash of light as I fire, the expanding shot coring the two figures I presume to have rank in the enemy forces even as I re-veil myself before their surviving underlings can make sense of what happened, using the retracting chain to trip several of the survivors as I lay into them with my axe before darting about another corner as I see more forces coming to this location.

About the next corner I run into the golden-maned one, his beard and thick mane gleaming even as they are died red with the blood of his foes, as he shouts something, and dozens of thin tendrils of blood explode from his form and whip about, snaking between the gaps in armor to reach at the softer flesh within, foes by the dozens falling about him. I see one garbed in armor worked in skulls approaching behind him, apparently undetected by my comrade, and once more release my veil, the flash of light stunning the would-be opportunist even as I leap forth and bury my axe in his neck, before sinking back into shadow. I whip my head about to appraise the golden-maned one, just in time to see his form abruptly become that of one of our foes, as he appears elsewhere in their midst, disemboweling three warriors in a single strike with his engraved sword-only to have it knocked from his hands by a mounted figure, wailing faces writhing on his armor (and that of his mount) as he starts to circle about my comrade while another wave of enemies nears him. As his sword tumbles through the air, I see the golden-maned one draw all his blood back into his body as he pulls free the twin blades upon his back, gifts from the chieftain, and roars forth his own challenge, as he charges forth. I make ready to aid him-

Until I hear a din of terrified screams to my left. My head whips about, and I see two of the remaining five groups of captured human makers being herded towards the churning patch of water-like earth within the enemy camp, threatened with all manner of weapons whenever they balk. ...I recall my chieftain's words, that we must do what we can to save them-I dart my gaze over to him, just in time to see a deft riposte slam aside his giant's foe's sword, and rush forth, his shoulder slamming into the larger figure's midsection, even as a spectral skull leaps from his hand, bearing vicious fangs at the giant foe-and skitter off the armor, rebounding with a puff of grey fire. Even as the two forms overbalance from the charge, I see chieftain Mordre breathing Soulfire onto his hand, and a being wrought of fire streaks forth, an... Inferno Golem, as I recall their moniker, hurtling out towards those of our foes still corralling the three groups of captive makers within the town-and know what I must do. I leave the golden-maned one to his challenge, as I dart forth, looking to line up a strong first shot for when I reveal myself, hoping to prevent the makers' lives from being lost.

>BANG

As I leap free of the growing pile of bodies that threatened to suffocate me by sheer dint of mass, I spot Mordre's Soul Grave bringing it's significantly larger foe to the ground, even as the massive wrought skull that makes up the bulk of it's torso gapes wide, it's gangs, lined with runes, reaching for the smaller Soul Grave. With a speed that belies it's bulk, the Soul Grave kicks free, the weight of it's maneuver shoving the massive figure into the earth as the metal maw clamps hut on naught but air, even as both the golem and it's prone foe swing their swords back into play-while Mordre decides to up the ante, and has his golem fire a round, point-blank, into his foe's face. It's legs jerk and it's sword's course falters as it's head is slammed into the ground even as the earth craters about it under an invisible hammer-blow, and the golem's blade slams home, carving a long gash down the length of it's prone foe-

And an arrow slams into my neck, just below the jawline and above my scarf. I pluck it free, guiding the skin to heal even as I look for the shooter-ah. I shatter the stone upon which I crouch as I kick off, shouting forth my cry as I dive back into the battle.

"MAGNUM PUNCH!!!!!"
I pulp the archer's head as I hurtle to the earth... and I note someone shouting orders. I scan the battlefield, noting Oggroth to be fighting and merrily mowing down foes near the captives along with the Inferno Golem the mage sent out a moment ago, and see a mounted figure, his mount and armor alike covered in writhing, screaming faces as a soft fire exudes all about them both-

And I see Keddic devoting nearly all his attention to the foe, his eyes hard and wary.

Oh? A [i]CHALLENGE!?!?![i]

Well-well-wellwell-weeeelllll...


Orders for Bang and Ugrokk?
[Ugrokk needs some guidelines on how to best attack the enemies holding the captives being lead to the pit of earth (Those bearing skull-adorned armor are only present at the front of each of the two groups, and the flanks have the weakest defenses), and in general as the least durable member of this group how not to die horribly when trying to fight alone against significant numbers (at least one hundred fifty) while largely deprived of cover barring the tents within the actual enemy camp, which have completely unknown contents, and range in size from personal to enormous. As control is directed to the two of them, this is also your chance to ask them back-story questions, or propose new applications to their combat styles, if you choose]
>>
No. 197798 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197763
Alright Bang, this is the fight you've been waiting for. Launch yourself at the mounted figure's flank and try to disable the horse with your bone shattering blows. Regardless of whether or not it works, immediately place yourself beside Keddic and ask him to toss you one of those blood collecting swords. Use your superspeed to rob the mounted figure of his blood magic whilst replenishing your own store of both blood for the toga, and magical energy for your scarf. The moment his bloody torrent falters, use the head of his mount as stepping stone and crush its skull, propel your knee upwards into the now (un)mounted figure.

MAGNUM RECOIL

Don't let up, brace your hands on his face and do a handstand, spin around and pummel his face altering between fists. Taking a note from the big guy in metal, I dub thee-

MAGNUM REVOLVER FURY

But wait! We're not quite done yet! Jump up and land feet first balancing on his face, put a thumb up and grin at Keddic. "ALL YOURS BUDDY!" Let your balance slip a little so that your feet come to rest on the horseman's collarbone and your ankles are constricting his throat. Do a frontflip and launch the dazed enemy at Keddic.

MAGNUM DISCHARGE

Toss the sword you borrowed from Keddic back, salute and hop back into the fray. Go for the archers, we don't like them.
>>
No. 197801 ID: 0a8e03

looks like the fanatics are trying to sacrafice 400-600 civilians to power some sort of blood/soul magic super spell.
>>
No. 197802 ID: 445c48

Go punch some mages.
>>
No. 197817 ID: e2c971

>>197763

Alright, Ugrokk, going to have to adapt a little bit. You don't havet he durability of some of these other contestants, but that's fine. You're going to be a Guerilla fighter, inflicting as much damage in a single strike as you can while exposing yourself to a minimal amount of backlash.

Take a shot at the most promising angle available, and dart behind a building. THEN cloak, and sprint to a different location.

The effect this SHOULD have is misdirection and delaying. They can't really afford to just ignore you when you're blasting them with portable artillery, but they can't effectively attack you, because while they see you dart behind one building, you're actually cloaking, and immediately darting behind another to line up a new shot. Continuing this tactic as long as viable. Prioritize large groups of targets threatening the makers.

The inferno golem should serve as an excellent distracting force for most of the enemies harrassing the makers, which gives you free reign to shower hell upon those who remain threating the makers.

Should any of them manage to get close, you have 8 additional axes on your person. Use them as throwing axes to take down foes, ideally before they notice you. Then set up again.
>>
No. 197821 ID: e2c971

As for Bang, you need to aid Keddic. If all of his attention is focused on the Runed Warrior, he's open to attack from other combatants. Also, he's lost is sword. Give it back. Leap into the air and palm-slap the flat of the blade so that it goes hurtling back to the ground next to Keddic. "Figured you'd want this back, haha!"

Then do this:
>>197798
>>
No. 197822 ID: d3dfb8

>>197817
This.
When choosing targets go for their weak flanks. I'm hoping to create holes in their defense, allowing makers to slip out.
So Uggrock, what clan did you come from before becoming a suitor, and why did you leave?
>>
No. 197825 ID: e2c971

>>197817
OH, before I forget: Uggrok, you're optimal firing points are going to be from the roofs of buildings. The reason for this is twofold: Better Sight advantage, and your Gavrock shots will also impact the Ground in addition to any humans you hit, which will result in earthen shrapnel.

Remember, Shrapnel is what kills with artillery, in addition to the explosive force. Just try to avoid collateral damage to the makers.

Thankfully, with your dexterity and absurd height, you should have no problems reaching these locations.
>>
No. 197826 ID: 2aaaf1

>>197763
Ugrokk, it's time to show these fools the power of the shadow. Now if I'm not mistaken, the armor you recieved from Del Roga came with a set of smaller axes to compliment your large one, do you have those equipped? If so, sneak into one of the groups of herded humans, seek out the strongest looking ones and discreetly supply them with your extra axes. Also, you must convince them to close their eyes and bow their heads until you are ready to strike. The flank is the least defended, this is good. It will allow the humans to escape while we make a distraction. See if you can't line up a shot that will pass through the entire front line of skull soldiers. Make sure you take out as many as possible. Lead the two human groups into each other and arm them with the weapons of dead soldiers, do this as fast as you possibly can while waiting for the round for the pistol of Gavrock you possess to reload. Capitalize on the confusion by planting yourself in enemy ranks and blinding them with your armor. Focus on sending the humans towards our forces in the village.
>>
No. 197837 ID: 8f4b25

>>197817
I'm mostly on board with this, but would add that the most valuable targets are the apparent leaders, with their fancy armor. If you take them out, the rest of the troops will be far easier to demoralize, and getting them to focus on you rather than the makers should be easier; as long as they are alive they will likely continue to press on to the objective- or set their men to herding the makers to their deaths and come to face you directly in person.

Either way, your task becomes far easier if you can take one or both of them out with overwhelming force before they realize you're there.
>>
No. 197845 ID: b4ae88

Ugrokk's Traits And Talents:
--Blood Of The Long-Bones:
Ugrokk's blood is thick with the blood of the Cromagg, an ancient rival of the Premen. This makes Ugrokk far taller than his contemporaries, and gives him a reach advantage when using any of his limbs.
--Adaptive Joints:
Born more flexible than most, Ugrokk's joints allow a wider range of motion, allowing for more unconventional movements. Further, this flexibility means Ugrokk is exceedingly difficult to grapple, and is adept at escaping holds.
--Mobile:
Ugrokk is faster and lighter on his feet than most of his size range could claim.
--The Axeman:
Ugrokk is most familiar and competent with axes, which he combines with his reach and irregular movements for deceptive, whipping hacks and chops, preferring to distract and hinder foes with rapid attacks before finding a chance to land a deeply biting strike.
--The Open Hand:
Ugrokk's unarmed combat style is oriented around redirection of force, rather than blunt trauma, to rely on the leverage his height provides. Ugrokk can flip, throw, or cause to stumble almost any foe he can get his hands on. As far as direct strikes go, he prefers to chop and stab with a stiffened hand, rather than with a closed fist.


MAGNUM BANG TRAITS AND ABILITIES

--KNOW NO FEAR: No matter what situation or circumstances Bang is placed in, he will never be made to hesitate due to facing a more potent foe, or be subject to fear-based illusory or otherwise magical attacks. This also has the byproduct of making him reckless to the point of insanity when faced with excessively more potent foes, as nothing will make him feel cautious.
--BLOOD THAT BURNS FURIOUSLY: Bang will, in general, flourish when pushed, as his personality is conducive to maintaining focus (and thus control of magic) even as situations grow more hectic/he becomes more enthused with a fight. This has the side effect of making it increasingly difficult to convince him to withdraw from a fight as it progresses.
--Rapidfire Combat Magic: Bang, rather than working to put more any more power into any given ability, has specialized into placing energy as quickly and precisely as possible. This is what allows him to rapidly heal from wounds, by constantly repairing them even as they happen to minimize how much energy it takes to sustain himself, or otherwise undo damages to his body, as well as to constantly employ muscle recruitment (boosted moderately beyond human limits) without his body breaking: He repairs it as it breaks faster than it can degrade.
--Body Runes: Magnum bang’s body is covered in tattoos and ritualistic scarring, as well as carved into his bones (all of them, from teeth to femurs to his skull) with one single function: Enhancing the rate at which he regenerates magical stamina. Without this, he could measure the time he could fight at his normal pace in the seconds, rather than in minutes.
--MAGNUM SCARF: Bang bears only one magic item: A scarf that he can store potential magic in, under certain restrictions: He cannot store general magical energy, only magic already designated towards a specific focus (I.E. magic devoted to repairing broken bones, or re-knitting split flesh, etc.) The scarf, coupled with his body running, pushes his operating time at full throttle (assuming the scarf is fully charged) into the range of twenty minutes. To fully charge the scarf take approximately one day.


Posting those for easy reference.

BANG:
Boost kick towards the foes flank. when you are about to arrive, just out of sword reach, jump. curl into a ball and spin to build torque then whip out your foot for a powerful axle drop-kick.

UGROKK:
Throw one of your non-magic axes through a tent, so that it goes towards the captain or another high priority target. This is the diversion. Change direction and loop around to get the target from the opposite side with your axe to his neck, make it noticeable. When the troops look around at their Captain, flash em and proceed to eviscerate them.
This tactic is taking into consideration that they know you are here by now and the target is likely skilled enough to sense you coming, so we try to get them to focus in another direction.
>>
No. 197848 ID: b4ae88

Ugrokk is surprisingly sophisticated in his thought pattern. Not saying hes stupid or anything, I just didn't expect that level of... culture(?)

I now imagine Ugrokk sitting in one of those classical old English chairs by the fireplace. He has one of those plush red robes on and a pipe. Monocle and book optional.

So BANG, where are you from? How did you get into this? WHO THE HELL ENGRAVED SHIT ON YOUR BONES!!!!?
>>
No. 197888 ID: e0fbe1

>>197848
Who does your hair?
>>
No. 197903 ID: 2d4178

Ugrokk or bang, depending who is closer, or both, kill the guards herding the captives, then yell at the captives to pick up arms and anything else from the dead soldiers and to do what they must. they will either stay and fight or cut their way to a free running path.once you don't have to worry about them you can just focus on the carnage.

For ugrokk, when you get close enough to some of the tents during this fight, set them aflame, with a torch or some random burning debree. burning their supplies can cause some major confusion.
>>
No. 197923 ID: ddcbe8

Did Modre kill the giant?

If so, soul suck.
>>
No. 197967 ID: 445c48

In fact, Modre should be Soulsucking and iron harvesting when he can.
>>
No. 197986 ID: a76809

>>197923
>>197967
[You're controlling Ugrokk and Bang right now, Mordre can take care of itself for the moment, and I'm keeping tabs on who's doing what.]

>>197817
>>197825
>>197826
>>197837
>UGROKK

I make my way to the closest building to the enemy camp, my height, flexibility, and stealth, natural and magical, making the journey simple and allowing me to stay hidden. From my new vantage point, I take the smaller axes strapped to my form, and notch all but one into the wood beneath my feet, readying them as I plot my next move. I spy a tent with somewhat finer threading, and judging by the stream of soldiers coming in and out of it in light armor, I deduce it to hold an enemy chieftain. I take note of what little I can see through the rain, fog and gloom each time the tent flaps swing open, and heft an axe even as I ready the device chieftain Mordre gifted me, taking aim at one in ornate armor leading one of the groups of captive makers. I whip my hand forth and send the axe hurtling through the air and towards the presumed chieftain's tent, even as I fire the device, my now free hand that once clutched the now tumbling axe already speeding to grab the others arrayed before me to lob them in quick succession into the few open gaps I see in the makers' formation. If they are to be treated as warriors, to be captured or slain, then I should see to it they are armed as warriors.

As I watch the first axe I threw clip into the tent amidst abrupt sounds of dismay, the string of orders interrupted, I see my shot strike the leader of the foremost group of captives squarely, tearing a gory hole through his body and armor alike (my side twinging in sympathy) and slamming into the ground to throw up a tiny avalanche of mud and dirt, as the whole collective grinds to a halt in confusion. Barely a second later, even as the chain starts yanking the shot back, the first of my lobbed axes start falling amidst the captive makers, and while some cower and duck their heads, I see others realize what is happening, and heft the offered weapons gladly and lay into those warriors nearest them, their outrage at being included in martial craft despite their designation as builders and farmers apparent, others quickly moving to grab weapons dropped by those warriors struck down in the initial confusion. Between my abrupt attack and the maker's revolt thanks to my proffered weapons, their forward progress grinds to a halt, and I note no one noted my current location, or at least, I see none pointing at my presence: Still, I choose to relocate, leaping from the building as I reclaim my own personal, larger axe, the last one left to me now, as I start to dash forward, into the enemy camp proper. A quick glance back shows me Oggroth preventing any of the three remaining captive groups from exiting the city under enemy control, his mount, his hammer and his wrecking ball alike laying waste to those that dare try to pass him.

As I witness Chieftain Mordre bat aside a rising limb of the massive foe he knocked down, it's movements abruptly slowing, I see the metal form of my leader abruptly blur with new-found speed, whipping his sword about in a vicious arc, building momentum before neatly slicing down, taking off the left hand of the foe beneath it even as the gargantuan armored figure rises, a torrent of blood gushing forth, but not cry of pain to mark the damage accompanying the strike as it stabs forth with it's sword, forcing Mordre back-but not before one of the bladed tentacles manages to snake into the gushing wound, which starts to visibly rot from the touch. As the two appraise each-other, both hefting their respective swords in but a single hand, I am reminded of living in one of the many tribes under Goran's iron grip, and what a wondrous place the south-lands are, to have so many warriors of a comparable stature of the infamous Magic Eater, even as I note frost starting to creep up the chieftain's arm, the ravenous, ominous well of shadow upon his hand feasting on everything it can, even as the resounding sound of ringing sword-strokes echo through the storm as the two giants exchange blows.

As my view of the chieftain becomes obscured, I look about myself, noting nothing I could use in this torrential downpour to set fire to the tents... and also noting the initial momentum of the fighting makers slowing as more warriors move to suppress them. I could go to their aid... but I cannot help but note the tent which I hurled an axe into, from which I still hear orders being bellowed, is no longer guarded... I could strike at one of the foe's presumed chieftains... but it would mean leaving the captives to their own fate for precious long moments... hm, what to do....

>>197798
>>197802
>>197821
>>197848
>>197888
>BANG
I DO MY OWN HAIR, BECAUSE A HANDY PART OF MANIPULATING YOUR OWN BODY IS BEING ABLE TO CONTROL HOW LONG, WAVY/NON-WAVY YOUR HAIR IS, SO I ALWAYS HAVE AN APPROPRIATELY DYNAMIC HAIRCUT, OH YEAH!!

A mage named... Figs and... gnats, mats, mints? Something like that, was the one who engraved my bones. Weird guy, but then, whenever I approached anyone else who advertised runework about setting runes into every bone in my body, the pansies shied away from it, whining about blood, and risk, and BLAH BLAH BLAH. When I finally found someone, I didn't ask questions, I just said DO IT. I came from one of the desert settlements to the south of the warring nations, between the Land of Dragons and... well, everything else. Boring place, not much happening, hence why I left: Only so many people I could beat to death in honest fights before there was no one left who wanted to fight me, and I'm not about to just go crushing everyone's skull: They have to be willing to fight back, all that.

I snap out of my considerations of my past and origins as ANOTHER arrow manages to hit a part of me not covered by my toga, but as it cores a path in one cheek and out the other, I simply leer, bite the shaft in twain, and rip the pieces out as I re-knit my flesh. I see the mage (Who I have to say, now that I've seen him in action, actually knows a fair bit about fighting, wouldn't of thought it of one of those research types, but there it is) once more bull straight into point-blank range, slamming his shoulder into the big armored (and now one-handed) giant's midsection, this time wrapping the black tendrils that sprout from the golem's right arm about it's legs, and heave, once more upsetting the massive figure, even as he tosses that fancy sword of his (Gotta be Mosmordren make, if memory serves) into the air, and slamming the golem's now free fist down like a piledriver into the airborne and dis-balanced from of his foe, to result in the giant's armor shattering and now-exposed stomach bursting in a shower of gore, exploding from the inside out with writhing tendrils of energy snaking every which way-as the mage grabs the sword out of the air, and stabs it down, straight into the exposed gory torso of his foe, pinning it to the ground. Despite the injuries, the big one still seems to feel no pain, and tries to wrench free-

That is, until a foot is slammed into it's throat, pinning it down, as the cannon is brought to bear, and shot after successive shot is fired into it's already warped helm. On the second shot, it's armor cracks. On the third, it shatters as blood sprays froth from the shrapnel even as the ground continues to crater under the giant figure's head. By the third shot, it's head is naught but pulp, it's limbs weakly twitching.

The forth shot removes the last vestiges of a head from the massive figure, and it's limbs finally quiet. The mage decides even this is not enough, and jabs both arms into the gory mess of the fallen foes body, and wrenches what remains of it's ribcage open, crushing and ripping free organs and muscle alike, as he bellows his own cry of victory.

"DISCIPLES OF DOMINTUS, KNOW THAT YOUR FATE SHALL BE THE SAME, YOUR LIVES FORFEIT FOR YOUR CHOICE, TO AGGRESS THE POPULACE OF THE STATE!!"

...I got to remember to give my regards to the mage, that was a right proper way to kill something! Speaking of which....

I leap forward as another arrow sails at me (Where is that deep-spawn archer at?) and passes through where I was rather than where I am, my hands stretching forth, not towards the presumably worthy foe Keddic faces-but to his mount, the moment my hands close about it's head, I twist and squeeze, rewarded with it's death scream as its head caves in and it's neck snaps under my assault, as I shoot a vicious leer at it's one-time rider as I fling myself skyward, out of the way of the sword streaking toward my form, out of the reach of it's rather vicious looking runed edge. As I pirouette through the air, I snatch Keddic's sword, and shout out to Keddic, who is already charging forth to attack the rider as his already dead mount collapses beneath him.

"CATCH!"

As Keddic moves in to engage the knight of screaming faces, he tosses one of his twin pair of blood stealing swords up to me, his now free hand closing about his personal sword's hilt as blood flows over both blades, and he whirls about, roaring out a challenge.

"WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: DOUBLE SANGUINE MAELSTROM!!!"

As the pair of blades explode into shifting beds of bloody spikes, writhing across the knight's armor in search of openings to invade and rend at his flesh, I snap my scarf wide to adjust my mid-air position, and snap out a kick, sending the blade Keddic hurled to me whizzing back down to the earth on a collision course with the knight (I don't use weapons, it's a personal thing) as I send myself plummeting after it.

"BIG BANG KIIIICK!!!!"

My foot collides with the knight even as he has to deal with another paired strike from Keddic and the sword I kicked his way, and the faces writhing on his armor scream. Even as I put a sizable dent in the knight's armor, the faces stretch, writhing out and snaking about, their mouths slavering as they quest for something to bite and tear at. They move with speed even I find surprising, and one manages to rip into my calf before I can rebound from my kick, tearing away a sizable hunk of flesh and muscle. As pain sings through my system, setting my nerves afire, I bludgeon aside my initial impulse to simply recoil from the pain: Those who say pain is weakness leaving the body are fools, pain is your body trying to be weak, and you must respond with overwhelming force and make it shut up, and this internal thought process guides my will as I move to mend the wound, noting the mouths reaching for the slower Keddic repulse by spears of blood that erupt from his form even as he continues his assault.

Hmm... I am currently airborne, moving away from the knight thanks to my somewhat awkward rebound, straight towards a particularly dense clump of soldiers-one of which bears the skulled and runed armor I presume indicates rank amongst our foes-and all of them have their eyes on me, and weapons at the ready, even as I still labor to repair my leg.



Orders for Bang and Ugrokk?
>>
No. 197993 ID: e31d52

>A mage named... Figs and... gnats, mats, mints?
>FIGMENT

>WAT
>>
No. 198000 ID: d3dfb8

>>197986
Bang. Magnum Thunderclap. Go nuts.
>>
No. 198004 ID: ddcbe8

Are there any mages left?
We must see to knock out a couple of them. Yes Kyorto needs only one, but maybe if we send her few unrotted bodies with souls, she'll become much more powerful?

Also, battle status check. How many enemies are there left, or how many have we killed already? Does the fight look like it's nearing the end?
>>
No. 198009 ID: bbf0f6

>>197993
OH SHIT!

Heh, you will be using a lot of the energy in your scarf now.
"LETS HAVE A GO AT IT THEN!"
Kick so hard that the air COMPRESSES and becomes a wall for you to boost down off of (HECK YEA, IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS I HAVE LOST A CERTAIN LEVEL OF RESPECT FOR YOUR AWESOME); Fly down with a double fisted strike to the skull armoured one; so hard in fact that the impact sends the others flying and makes a rather sizable crater.

I am tempted to roll for this, but it could also end badly so nah.
>>
No. 198022 ID: 45be60

Ugrokk: assist the makers. It would simply not do to set them fighting for their freedom then let them die for daring to hope.

Bang: next time someone shoots an arrow at you, dodge INTO it, so it hits your toga.
>>
No. 198025 ID: bbf0f6
 

Here is some battle music for you.
>>
No. 198028 ID: f4e4f9

>>198022
I agree with BOTH of these points.

To add:

Uggrok, perhaps there is a way you can accomplish both: Fire the shot from the Pistol to aid the Makers while bracing yourself against the most secure location you can find. However, mid-flight, begin sweeping your grip towards the Tent.

Remember, the Shot is composed of morphic fluid that increases it's size when fired, attached to a virtually indestructible CHAIN.

Just think of it as a downscaled version of Oggroth's weapon, and sweep the wrecking ball into the leaders tent using it's own momentum.



Bang, I somewhat agree with >>198009

However, if you can't kick that hard, consider using your scarf and the wind to readjust your course: Back into the fight with the rune warrior OR to a safer location to begin engaging that cadre of soldiers, depending on where the wind is blowing.
>>
No. 198033 ID: e31d52

>Just think of it as a downscaled version of Oggroth's weapon, and sweep the wrecking ball into the leaders tent using it's own momentum.

It doesn't work that way, since the chain stretches INFINITELY. Thus, all he'd end up doing it pointing the gun in a different direction while the ball of steel keeps going :V
>>
No. 198035 ID: f4e4f9

>>198033
It doesn't stretch when it's being retracted, my good man. Which means the only limiter is that it stops when it impacts something. After all, if it's being reeled back, that means it's pulling taut.
>>
No. 198036 ID: e31d52

>>198035

Oh well in that case oakely doakely
>>
No. 198037 ID: f4e4f9

>>198035
Interestingly enough, it also means that it has some way to compensate for momentum, otherwise everytime the chain stopped or the shot missed, Ugrokk would get yanked with the shot.
>>
No. 198059 ID: 445c48

>(Gotta be Mosmordren make, if memory serves)
Well, he did steal it from a Small Tomb he killed, so it's entirely possible.

>Goran's iron grip
>Magic Eater

What?
>>
No. 198061 ID: f4e4f9

>>198059
Goran the magic eater, the guy who basically owns Uggrok's and Oggroth's old clans.

They hate him.
>>
No. 198071 ID: ddcbe8

>>198061

Maybe we should go and pay him a visit with the current team we have?
Uggroks comment leads me to believe that everyone in this party is at the same or higher level than him.
>>
No. 198074 ID: f4e4f9

>>198071
That was the plan, eventually. I suspect that might be part of why Lorgk wants us up there.
>>
No. 198079 ID: d3dfb8

>>198071
I think the rest of the premen would like to come. Besides a good show of force for Lorgk will be good. They respect strength and whatnot.
And we still need to wait until Arkus is done the warning system thing.
>>
No. 198115 ID: 445c48

I don't recall any specifics, though I could probably find them if I looked maybe unless we didn't get any.

If we didn't, this would sure be a good time to get some.
>>
No. 198141 ID: 445c48

Question for Bang, How far does your regeneration go? If,say, your arm were severed at the shoulder, with enough time and energy would it grow back? Or would you have to grab your arm off the ground, beat a few men to death with it, and then shove it back in its proper place?
>>
No. 198167 ID: e0fbe1

>>198028
This seems like a good idea, however if you can't MANGUM AIR-KICK, then use you Scarf and the wind to move, yes, but also twist around and still use both your fists - MAGNUM METEOR! - to go flying to the runed warrior, or the throng of soldiers.
If you do fly to the guy with the sword stuck in him, MAGNUM METEOR STRIGHT ONTO THE HILT! DRIVE THE BLADE DEEP INTO HIS FLESH!

AND WHO IS THE STRONGEST MAN YOU'VE FOUGHT, OOOOOOOOOOO-YEAH!?

Keddic: I Do Not Know If You Can Hear Me, Young Keddic. But I Have Not Heard You Roar Your Attacks In Defiance Of Your Enemies. Rival BANG! Roar As The Bloody Lion Itself, Louder Then Bang And So Much More Furious! That Is All!
>>
No. 198363 ID: a76809
File 127741293357.jpg - (224.46KB , 1874x863 , Domintus Assault Leader And Clay Siege Golems.jpg )
198363

>BANG
>>197993
Right, Figment, that was it... I'd say something about having a funny name, but... well..
Either way, he did a solid job, I'm still not sure HOW he did it, exactly, but he got the runes to become... natural, I guess? Like an intrinsic part of my body. Even when I repair myself, if a bone is shattered, it restores with the runes in place, like they were always part of me. I would have asked how he did that, but he didn't ask for money (nice thing, since as I understand it skills like that cost a pretty penny), but just wanted a 'marker' to call in later, a future favor serving as payment. I figure it'd be rude to up and die before I could pay him back, so I've been working to constantly improve myself, as otherwise my propensity towards violence could cut my career short.

>>198141
It's faster to re-graft a severed limb, but I can fully sprout a new one, but that's more than a bit labor intensive, and drains my reserve like nobodies' business. Only thing I can't handle is if I lose my head, or enough of my brainmeats I can't even think anymore, as I have to guide my magic consciously... requiring the ability to cogitate what's what, hence the need for thinking-meats.

>>198167
Strongest warrior I ever fought actually had a pair of teats, not a dick. Eh... what was her name, it was an alliterative moniker, her title was Colossus... Collete, that was it, Collete the Collosus. Shattered my bones, ruptured organs and split flesh even with love taps, and so damn good at taking a hit I had to settle for a draw because I flat out ran out of juice mid-fight, and the whole while I was hitting her a good twenty, thirty times for every one hit she threw my way, and she just kept shrugging them off. ...Hm, could do with a rematch, now that I got this blood toga, could lead to interesting results if I could give her a taste of her own medicine.

>>198000
>>198009
An idea occurs to me as I tumble through the air, and I shoot a feral grin to no one in particular as I swing my hands wide, and get ready to tense both of my legs, curling them tight to my body even as my hands swing shut.

"MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP!!!"

Even as I see this drop many of the warriors I am about to collide with to the ground, the one armored in runed and skull-adorned armor stands his ground, gritting his teeth, ready to stick a sword through my head-which could be a problem, as if I lose to much of my brainmeats, that's it, not enough left for me to even fathom how to repair myself, all that. Which is why I now heave my legs out, kicking so fast, so fiercely, that even I can't exceed the rate of damage to my body, shredding my legs as sinew snaps and muscle tears, twin sonic booms marking the ludicrous speed my kick achieves-and letting me treat the air itself as a surface to gain purchase on, if only for an instant, as I abruptly accelerate and redirect myself, both fists jutting forth like twin battering rams as I collide with the armored foe like a supersonic battering ram.

>[FUCK PHYSICS THIS IS MAGNUM BANG BITCHES]

"MAGNUM DOUBLE-BARREL!!!!"

I see runes flare up on my foes armor as I impact, surging with light and power, just as surely as I see them overload, and my fists tear through his armor like wet paper, the whole of my hands from knuckles to wrist so violently compressed that as blood flies from rupturing skin, my extremities look like nothing more than puddles of flesh and bone and blood. I dimly note through ringing ears that those nearest us were hurled away with bone-breaking force, and that I and my now largely obliterated foe reside in a sizable crater, the dry earth uncovered by the horrendous assault already churning into mud as rain continues to pour from the sky. With the attack complete, I return my full attention to repairing myself, both my hands and the whole of my legs, as I scan the battlefield, noting Mordre's golem wrenching the spine out of his fallen foe and laying into some strange, howling shapes of clay assaulting him, far too large to be conventional clay golems, though where these creatures came from I could not say, even as I see the Inferno Golem produced earlier winking out of existence, it's fires spent as Oggroth now fights alone to prevent the remaining three groups of captives from being taken to the enemy camp, and Keddic continues to engage the knight of wailing faces, neither one seeming able to breach the other's defenses for the moment, but both managing to shrug off what attacks come their way (Keddic periodically snapping out a tendril of blood to skewer any would-be opportunist looking to strike at him during his exchange.

>>198004
>>198022
Right, mages, I sho-uld go do dat den. My hed fels funy, wat hapen? Oh, aro in fas, get dat owt-dammit, as I pull the arrow from my skull and cast my gaze about, I admit to myself that that damnable archer's got some uncanny aim, put it right through my temples, and a knack for hiding, where could... wait. All three arrows came from different directions, probably a mobile bugger... so, if I can't pin him down, maybe I can force him to go where I want, to shoot... I fall back to the ground, sliding under the partial cover of the torn body of the foe that tasted my Double-barrel, leaving only my chest exposed-fully robed in the bloody toga, replete with charge from my gory fighting. Three long seconds pass as I continue to repair my legs and finalize my hands and head alike, before finally I feel a tug at the cloth directly over my heart-

And hear someone grunt from an elevated position.

I surge into motion, leaping forth on my largely restored body (growing more whole by the second) to find... ah, he's already dying. His own uncanny aim is proving his bane, as heartsblood gushes from his chest, life already fading from the archer. ...Well, I guess that's that, as I see the light go out of his eyes. I finally get a chance from this new vantage point to see just where those clay figures Mordre is engaging with improvised spine flail and arm-tentacles are coming from: That pit of swirling earth.

But more than that, I note two things:
-Keddic seems to be losing ground against that pesky knight of wailing faces even as his blood-spattered face sports a feral grin, and
-I see the mages that had been attending to the fires that persisted despite the torrential rain starting to form up, and head to face down Oggroth, still busy preventing any of the remaining captives in the city from being brought into the enemy camp, no less than eleven skull and rune-bearing warriors working together to face him from all angles.

Hmm.... what should I do, I wonder....

>UGROKK
>>198022
>>198028
I decide that quick wits (and a quicker hand) could lead to me not having to choose. I fire the device I clutch even as I brace myself as ably as I can on the rooftop, the expanding cannon-ball once more carving a sizable hole into the enemy forces about the makers attempting to cut their way to freedom, and I restore their momentum with my attack, even as I begin straining and heaving, swinging the shot as it begins to rebound and retract to scythe across the battlefield, the chain slamming into the tent in which I assume a chieftain to be located, even as the stone and wood alike under my feet starts to shatter as my body protests. The shot snaps back into the device thanks to the chain that anchors to it even as I reveal the occupant, unmarred from my attack. He stands some eight feet tall, sizable for a human, and is decorated in the flayed faces of scores of foes, and garbed in a cloak made of nothing more than writhing, grasping hands of shadow and bearing a sword of crystal that hisses and steams as rain falls upon it. As I see a fifth being of clay, some seventeen feet tall, the same as the others that have rushed forth and engaged chieftain Mordre in battle in the wake of his conquest over the giant, I note several eyes looking to the rooftop I stand upon-including the enemy commander.

He starts to march towards me with a steady, measured pace, and a foolishly brave maker that tries to strike at him even as the others flee is ripped apart by the swarm of shadowy hands jutting from the enemy chieftain's back. ...This might not be good. On the other hand, only one group of makers is still captive near the enemy camp, and they are prevented from advancing by the makers I freed and aided, who have now claimed enough arms that all bear weapons, and work to free their comrades, fighting with the ferocity of the desperate. ...I note the enemy chieftain to not even be looking at the building I stand upon, but directly at me, through the veil that obscures my form. Ah....

>[ENEMY FORCES: 80% ORIGINAL FORCE STRENGTH LEFT]



Orders?
[AND CHOICE: Maintain control of BANG/UGROKK, or switch to KEDDIC/OGGROTH? And if a switch is desired, they would need orders as well.]
>>
No. 198396 ID: 2d4178
File 127741525073.png - (477.36KB , 554x829 , sophistication.png )
198396

Bang/Ugrokk, we gotta deal with that new guy.

Ugrokk, this guy means trouble, you will probably want to stay away from him, but as he is focused on you now an altercation is most likely going to occur. Use your flexibility to make sure he does not land a blow on you, those weapons he has seem nefarious for more than just their sharpness.

Bang, go party with Oggroth. Also, ever been in love? (im a sap)

>>197848
:D
:D
>>
No. 198399 ID: 2aaaf1

>>198363
Hey Bang, I know how to deal with that dude Keddic is fighting. Run over and grab the dead horse, toss it in front of the creepy guy's armor. While his little blood-ghost... faces.. or whatever are busy eating it, you and Keddic can DOUBLE UPPERCUT that sucker. Then the both of you can bat the bastard all the way over to Mordre. With the all the tricks this guy has up his sleeve, I imagine Mordre's golem would REALLY be able to tear things up after feeding on him. After that, tell Keddic to go help Ugrokk. Meanwhile, we'll help Oggroth deal with the horsemen, as we seem particularly proficient in dealing with them and their armor.

Ugrokk, keep firing into the mass of disciples trying to herd the humans. Once you can unite the two human groups, fire a test shot at the enemy chieftain. Even if it does not harm him, you'll be able to distract him from killing the humans. Once the united human group moves to separate themselves from the disciples, place yourself in between them and the pursuing enemies. See if you can't guide them towards Oggroth.
>>
No. 198405 ID: a594b9

>>198399
I support plan "Beat him with a dead horse".

Mordre: For the love of christ get your butt over to the main battle so you can make some Soul Soldiers!

Ugrokk: I don't like your chances here. Try to turn it into a ranged battle.

Oggroth: Watch out for those mages, man. Take them out, quick.

Let's switch to Keddic/Oggroth.
>>
No. 198414 ID: ddcbe8

That guy seems to be the Final Boss (of this venture at least) and he seems to see through illusion (just like Modre), so I propose Ugrokk quickly retreats to safety.
>>
No. 198430 ID: f4e4f9

I have some parting Orders for Uggrok and Bang, then I'd personally like to switch to Keddic/Mordre, as I feel Mordre could potentially offer more aid overall to the rest of the forces.

Also, is Moss okay?

Anyways, Uggrok: You've done what you can at the moment, but the Commander of their forces is able to passively negate one of your most useful abilities, and his cloak gives him a rather nasty defensive/offensive advantage, save for your pistol. This is not a fight in any way in your favor.

I would suggest that you do the most prudent thing: Fire a last shot at in aid to the makers, stealth, and HAUL ASS to the pit of swirling earth. Find the mages maintaining it, or controlling the Clay Golems, and kill them in the same stealth manner you've been doing, but KEEP MOVING. Do NOT let the leader get close to you, as much as I don't like to say it, I don't think you have a chance in melee without an enchanted weapon at the least.

Instead, you're objective is to give Mordre an opening to join the battle Proper.

Bang: Oggroth needs your assistance. Take out the mages that are moving to intercept him, then move to aid him against the skull warriors. He's got defenses out the ass vs. melee opponents, but Magic is too unpredictable an opponent. Hence the priority.

SWITCH MORDRE/KEDDIC
>>
No. 198431 ID: a594b9

...I'll just add one more thing.

Mordre: Make another Inferno Golem, and send it to eliminate the mages summoning the clay golems.
>>
No. 198442 ID: 447bb2

I think Magnum/Ugrokk has the most potential here.

If that cloak ACTUALLY uses shadows then Ugrokk might be able to temporarily nullify it... Move up closer, decloak and fire the Gavrock handcannon as the decloaking light flash is emitted, then get away and do hit and run attacks with your axe using the village buildings to your advantage. That crystal sword is going to be a right bitch to fight against so focus on avoiding it. Basically try to delay the enemy chieftain for as long as possible and learn as much as you can about the way he fights. Every moment that he isn't commanding his troops is a moment where your small group can take apart the uncoordinated enemy forces. If things look really bad then shout for your chieftain Mordre to retrieve you. Once you've been pulled out of danger's way tell Mordre what you've learned about this enemy chieftain's strengths and abilities.

Magnum: Go destroy that group of mages first. They're just about to ruin Oggroth's good fight with some silly magical tricks! Just run right at the mages using your full overdrive speed with your hands extended like lances in front of you and impale them!

MAGNUM KEBAB!

You can probably line up at least four dead mages on each of you arms before the rest even realize what's going on! Hahahaaa! After that just start bouncing between the remaining mages, kicking and punching them to bits, but try to remember to take down a few of them by just snapping their necks or spines. Didn't Mordre want some intact skins or something?

After that give Keddic your tip on how to fight the face-armour knight using the previously suggested flying dead horse maneuver.
>>
No. 198450 ID: f4e4f9

>>198442
Mordre can't assist anyone because the mages are spawning Clay Golems that are keeping him busy.
>>
No. 198541 ID: 716eb0

>>198431
I question the wisdom of sending a being made of magical fire against the pyromancers.
>>
No. 198542 ID: a594b9

>>198541
They're not pyromancers.
>>
No. 198580 ID: bbbe8b

Ugrokk:
Well crap ol' boy. Looks like its time for a strategic re-selection of targets. Jump off of the building in the opposite direction and release your cloaking, become as a star in the night sky, then flee. I know that your pride may make you do otherwise, but this is not a target you can hope to take on right now. Focus on clearing a path for the escaping people, start from the gates/ outskirts closest to them and work your way in to the battle zone. You can keep the cloak off until you begin fighting again, don't want to screw with temperature too much.

BANG:
FUCK YEA
Be yourself.

Voting to switch to Keddic/Oggroth combo. Keddic looks lika he needs help, we might have to break out the soul punch early.

Oggroth:
Be a badass until I see the situation you are in.

Keddic:
Time to test the limits of your new skills. Get a few blood tendrils out and harden them, focus on using those to parry attacks. Start up SKP; you can also use the same tech for the blood around your body to help with ducking and weaving. Be a boxer Keddic, it is your true calling. [You need to learn more Blood magic so you can control other peoples, then you could stop their heart with a punch, magically and no-magically]
It would be awesome if you could wield your blades using the blood, but I think that that might be a bit too taxing on the mind. Keep it in mind though.
[I seem to remember someone giving a suggestion about speeding up the flow of blood in your body to improve strength or something, I can't find it though, anyone remember that? From Keddic Quest?]

>>198396

:D
:D
:D
>>
No. 198584 ID: bbbe8b

Almost forgot about this.

Mordre:
Stop messing around. I say blow 100 souls on Inferno Golems. This is a full fledged WAR, not some skirmish against bandits or a tribe of mountain folk; We are severely outnumbered and have people to protect as well as destroy. We have a wealth of souls from our visit to the southern lands so don't be stingy.
Also create as many soul soldiers as you can, Bang has been busy while you were fighting those big guys and there is a lot of material around for you to use. Direct them to assist Ugrokk and the captives.
>>
No. 198586 ID: d3dfb8

>>198584
Uhhhh... No.
Just normal Soul Soldiers.
>>
No. 198594 ID: a76809
File 127743522096.jpg - (142.42KB , 1152x864 , Abaeloth The All Consuming.jpg )
198594

>>198584
[Mordre cannot hear you over GIANT SIEGE GOLEM PACK TRYING TO CAVE ITS FACE IN]

>BANG
>>198396
IN LOVE WITH BATTLE!

>[FANART]
..Well, okay, I admit I got a liking for Collete, she's got an ass that... well, she keeps herself fit to a point of absurdity, but that seems to work out just fine for her rear, all that. Beyond that, I got a healthy respect for her strength, and how stupidly durable she is. Even got somewhat similar likings for combat, and I doubt there's a cowardly bone in her body.... though I'd like to give her a bone of my own next time I see her...

>>198399
>>198405
I grin like a madman, showing off the runic patterns scrawled on my teeth like scrimshaw as I leap back towards the fight betwixt Keddic and the knight of wailing faces, grabbing his dead horse and swinging it like a giant meaty club at the knight's back.

"MAGNUM BEATING-A-DEAD-HORSE!!!!"

My words and unconventional attack distract the knight even as the writhing faces on his armor devote themselves to mindlessly chewing through his mount's flesh as I slam it into his body, knocking his footing off balance-which Keddic is happy to take advantage of, thrusting his familial sword into the gap between helmet and breastplate, cleaving the knight's head from his shoulders with a nod to me as I drop the dead horse, or what's left of it, the Knight's armor still working to devour its flesh.

>>198442
As I see the mage shatter one of the five clay golems aggressing his Soul Grave with the spine of the fallen giant, I see the blades of it's right arm closing about its massive sword, swinging it up and lopping off the arm of another before stepping back, swaying out of the reach of the claws streaking towards it, sheathed in fire and rippling with heat, even as elsewhere Keddic moves to dash towards the enemy camp while I move to aid Oggroth. I build speed, dashing towards the mages I see moving to attack Oggroth, holding forth my arms, fingers extended and stiffened like spears, as I move to take advantage of deliciously unarmored foes.

"MAGNUM KEBAB!!!"

I spear six of the eleven mages cleanly, some starting to struggle to utter words or writhe their hands: I'm having none of it as I whirl around, Oggroth (who has spotted me by now) serving rather well as a wall to my back as I slap my hands together-oh, look at that, I'm rending apart those mages I skewered on my arms, oh woe is me.

"MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP!!!"

As bits of mage go flying all over the place and a few of the surviving mages fit enough to be at the head of their pack charging to flank Mordre clutch their ears, I crane my head about, looking to see how the battle is going. ...Huh, actually, the town itself is starting to get noticeably cleared of combatants, and one of the three groups of captives is managing to make their escape-granted, several of their number got gutted as they were trying to flee, but a dozen at most out of more than a hundred is pretty good numbers, considering there's all of five of us hear-

Scratch that, six. That crazy wood creature just leapt out of an alleyway and flat out bit the head off of some upstart trying to shout orders and form up a line to attack us.... yeesh, I'm starting to feel a bit bad for the normal soldiers here, no orders, fighting in shit visibility against nothing but Alchemics, Combat Magic Practitioners and a Soul Grave? Sucks to be them.

>UGROKK
>>198414
>>198430
>>198431
I see the golden maned one charging towards the enemy camp, and note his gaze affixing itself on the enemy chieftain: This is good, that cloak of shadowed hands and his gaze piercing my veil have made my leery of engaging him alone in the heart of his camp. I begin withdrawing, firing off another shot to aid the makers working to escape their unjust capture, even as a another blazing beacon of light swoops by, dashing towards the mages about the churning pit of water-like earth, from whence the golems climbed-and another hand is starting to emerge. The Blazing entity of fire cuts a wide birth around the enemy commander, seeking to target exclusively the mages remaining about the pit. I watch as one after another they are burned to cinders, none seeming willing to break their chant even as the threat approaches, until all have been incinerated, the being of fire immediately turning about to soar towards the enemy chieftain. The intense light of it's presence seems to thwart the questing hands of shadow that make up the foe chieftain's cloak, and for a moment I wonder if I should begin moving forward again-

Until I see the chieftain sweep his hissing sword of crystal in a backhand sweep, not even looking at the approaching threat, it's tip cleaving into the entity forged of conflagration-

And unmaking it, it's form unraveling and snuffing out without any further notice as the chieftain keeps marching forward at it's measured pace. Ah.

I see the golden maned one charging forth even as the makers finally start reaching the border of the enemies camp and freedom beyond with minimal casualties, and stay, not because I think I could best this foe, but because the golden maned one is my comrade, my battle-brother, and I cannot, will not abandon him. I drop down to the ground and start sprinting, shivering as my maintained veil continues to sap heat from my body, looking to flank and attack at range this deadly foe to support the golden maned one as best I can. I only hope my efforts will be sufficient.


....................................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: KEDDIC/OGGROTH...................................................................
>OGGROTH
My wrecking ball continues to do just that, wrecking every foe I throw it at. My hammer smashes armor and shields alike, my strength greater than those I face. I see the one with the red cloth about his neck, Bang, fighting humans in robes, my ears still ringing from his clap, as I goad Hairy Steaks forward, trampling over another few foes, their bodies going splat beneath it's hooves. I see my chieftain battling others like and not like him, clay figures challenging him, but see his strength is greater as he strikes down another of their number, reducing them to three.

But what concerns me most of all is that I see Ugrokk pulling back from the enemy chieftain: I could not help but see the flare of light that is our own chieftain's beings of fire, and what happened to it: The enemy chieftain is strong, and only Keh-duck moves to face him squarely. I look to Bang and chieftain Mordre's pet, and see them holding their own in fighting to free the last captive makers....

And make my decision: I must aid Keh-duck, and show Ugrokk the courage our chieftain expects of us. I turn Hairy Steaks about, and begin smashing my way over, thinking of just how to fight best... should I try to trample the foe? Or dismount and use my hammer and wrecking ball together? Hmm....

>KEDDIC
...Well.

I saw that crystal sword's effects, and know it to be genuine: That's a magic unraveling blade, no doubts about it. May not necessarily work on the same principles as Dulu does, but either way, I can't block it with my blood, not without having the magic held within dispelled, undone. And that cloak of shadows, those clawed hands that endlessly grasp about his form...

...Oh?

I think I recognize him, then.

...Yeah, part of the Disciples of Domintus, black horns on his helmet, cloak of shadows, crystal sword, collection of trophy faces claimed from foes....

That's Abaeloth the All Consuming, or my name's mud.

...I'd question why one of the eight knight-captain's of the Disciples of Domintus is heading up this force, but I'd rather enjoy the fact I get to fight someone famous for being a brutal killer, a vicious field general, and a competent practitioner of Combat Magic. ...Let's see, if I recall, he uses.... Blood magic, as far as I've heard, and does some sort of body-doping process, to make himself more than human... not sure exactly how he uses it, but that's a consistent bit of intel I've heard about him.

...Well, how should I approach this, then?


Orders for Oggroth and Keddic?
[Shit yeah boss-fight son, wrap this up before Mordre finishes the Clay Golems for BONUS... and good luck (for reference, Keddic has reverted to default Way of Harksburton, rather than Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, and has the Proud lion in his right hand, a blood stealing blade in his left, it's twin once more stowed on his back, and the Chained Twin of Gavrock stowed at his side.]
>>
No. 198605 ID: f4e4f9

Oggroth: Don't worry, have faith in your fellow Premen Captain. He lacks your raw strength and durability, so against such a clearly potent foe as the enemy chieftain, he must fight with wits and caution (not to be confused with Cowardice). Also, the enemy seems to see through his veil, a vexing issue.

Against the enemy Chieftain, I would say dismount. Set Hairy Steak to stampede into a nearby enemy formation. Lead with your Wrecking Ball, tossed UPWARDS so it arcs to land near and behind the enemy, not necessarily on him. BLock of his avenue of movement and try to disorient him with the collateral earth spray.

KEDDIC: Utilize the Scion's Reach to combat him with your blade, NOT your blood. Keep the blood grasping your blade out of his reach, and use the Proud-Lion tip of your whip to keep him under pressure. Uggrok may be coming to your assistance, and Oggroth Definately is. Triple-Teaming this guy should help you guys succeed.

Also, have an idea when you get there. Do you think you could Mass Connection teleport him even DESPITE the Magic Dispelling Sword he carries? If so, consider Leaping into the path of Oggroth's wrecking ball and doing so.

IF your not confident it would work, don't even try it.
>>
No. 198610 ID: 2d4178
File 127743846512.jpg - (243.52KB , 1200x800 , LOL.jpg )
198610

>though I'd like to give her a bone of my own next time I see her...
i can't reply to this coherently...

if this guy negates magic, then its time for Oggroth to use that natural strength of his and crushsmashpulpetc. Keddic should try to find a way to minimize/neutralize the protections/enchantments on this guy, so he can be smashed
>>
No. 198612 ID: e0fbe1

>>198442
Oh, lordy no. This is bad idea for Ugrokk, and Bang can do the most damage with Keddic before joining up with Oggroth and defending the Humans/beating the shit out of the mages.

However, remember the Kebab. It sounds badass.

>>198399
This is suitably awesome, however don't tell Keddic to help Ugrokk. Make a united front getting those people out of here.

>>198430
I support this for Ugrokk.

>>198580
I like, but a 'deal with the mages with Solid Snake Neck Breaks.' should be important, along with fleeing and killing people at exits.

>>198584
No, this isn't a full fledge war, this is a Raiding party setting up a forward base activating heavy magical firepower. Two and...a half Inferno Golems would be over kill - just one, to replace the one we lost, and lets say...ten or fifteen soul soldiers - if we can make them - to go and spectrally kill the mages.
>>
No. 198614 ID: bbbe8b

LOOK IN DISCUSSION BOB. NEED ANSWER!!!!!
>>
No. 198619 ID: e0fbe1

>>198612
Well, crap, too late.
>>
No. 198623 ID: e0fbe1

I just had a thought. Everyone here has either a cannon, or a giant ball of death in some way. How about we pull a Quintion Tarentino and just break out the weapons and shot him point blank?

And then we can go Ninja, Tank, Harkaburton
>>
No. 198625 ID: f4e4f9
File 127744037188.jpg - (41.93KB , 640x340 , 0002.jpg )
198625

I was thinking Keddic and Uggrok pull off a

JACKPOT
>>
No. 198626 ID: e0fbe1

>>198625
YES! EQUEL HAM! LESS WHITE HAIRED PRETTY BOY!
>>
No. 198629 ID: e0fbe1

>>198626
Actually, after unloading bullets/bolders at the gun, Oggroth charges him with hammer and bash. Keddic aprotch from side, making sure to defend agasint that blade. Push it away, hack at the arm, make the sword useless. Ugrokk should circle and either shoot from the back or ax from the back. And call for BANG, would some one? He's missing an awesome fight where we can all stomp the Dark Eldar.
>>
No. 198630 ID: 2aaaf1

>>198594
Keddic my man, we've got work to do! First, sheathe that blood stealing blade in your left hand. Leap into the air and use your bloody grapple to pull yourself towards Abeloth, when your feet hit the ground, pool your blood into your legs and use the momentum to spring yourself upwards faster. Repeat the use of bloody grapple and blood jumping to maintain a steady circle around Abeloth. Instead of using Scion's Reach to slash at Abeloth, use the Proud Lion as a blood tethered spear. Remember, keep Abeloth's attention on you. Oggroth's coming into the fray, and I've got the perfect opening for him so pay attention: as you speed around Abeloth, force him to expose his back to Oggroth. As soon as this is accomplished, toss your sword into the air above Abeloth. Now that both your hands are free, use a double bloody grapple to pull yourself to earth once more, put all your momentum, all your blood magic into this superjump, retrieve the Proud Lion on the way up. Flip the Proud Lion so the blade faces the sky and the hilt faces Abeloth's... face. Activate the sanguine maelstrom to propel yourself down to crush the warrior and let your free hand reach for the chained Twin of Gravrock. Keep the gun hidden behind your back until the last possible second, even if he blocks the Proud Lion's hilt, a point blank shot to the face from the heavy artillery you possess will no doubt cause significant injuries if not outright death.

Oggroth, it's time to shine. Trample and smash all who impede your way to the chieftain of hands and faces. When his flank is exposed, dismount and get into position. Your aim must be flawless for this to work. Get as close to the enemy as you can without provoking the ire of the many hands adorning his back. Brace your feet apart and toss your wrecking ball up, using a two handed swing from your hammer, you're gonna hit the wrecking ball so hard it blasts straight through the man's torso. If the ball meets any resistance from the armor and it doesn't look like it'll penetrate, I want you to run up and keep hitting the wrecking ball with your hammer, do it until your foe is torn asunder, and do not stop until he is no more. If you pull this off correctly, the people of Zakrath will have to rename Gavrock's Twins to Triplets.
>>
No. 198639 ID: 45be60

His cloak does not seem to respond well to intense light. We should strive to engage him near the burning remains of one of the buildings, and also hope that Ugrokk will decide utilize his uncloaking flash at an opportune moment.

Of course the best way to ensure that he is well lit for the rest of his life is to actually light him on fire...
>>
No. 198663 ID: ddcbe8

Modre should have a good charge of AA, not maximum but high. We did run for a while before getting here, that builds up charge like no ones business.

Btw, can we shift back perspective to Modre in this fight? (Not a suggestion but a question.)

Oh and Modre should be constantly draining blood and souls. There should be couple heroic souls flying about (Giant, Shadow Archer, that Knight with Faces on his armor) and bunch of mage souls too (too bad we killed them all, we can't have any skins)
>>
No. 198666 ID: f4e4f9

>>198663
Some may be intact.

Mordre already used the AA.
>>
No. 198669 ID: 445c48

jeeze we only need one skin we can stop worrying over killing every single mage without breaking the skin

and I'm not sure we should shoot the guy, unwraveling blade sounds like it could damage our equipment
>>
No. 198675 ID: ddcbe8

>>198669
Its just that is the minimum amount of required, if we manage to get couple more, especially live ones, I think Kyorto will be much more powerful
>>
No. 198721 ID: d3dfb8

Keddic, put a hand to the ground and extent your blood whip through the ground and hamstring him.
>>
No. 198761 ID: 60bd5e

I'm seriously not sure how it approach this. Oggroth doesn't really match me, I'm more of a match with Bang.

Keddic: Be cautious dammit. avoid getting too close to his armour with your body. Make use of your swords range.
>>
No. 198774 ID: a76809
File 127748765795.jpg - (68.34KB , 505x505 , TRIPLE JACKPOT.jpg )
198774

>>198663
[AA got used against giant, and no, you can't switch back to Mordre (the name does have two r's, one before and one after the d, FYI) since he's busy fighting the clay siege golems, which if unopposed would have fun going after all the captives, escaped or otherwise. Not glamorous, but necessary.]

>>198605
>>198623
>>198625
>>198629
>>198721
>OGGROTH
I get off Hairy Steak, to use my hammer and wrecking ball. I try to set Hairy Steak to charging through enemy lines-but upon losing it's rider, Hairy Steaks seems inclined to just stand there and munch on wet grass... lazy beast. EIther way, it got me close enough that Keh-duck sees me, and Ugrokk sees me too-and I see Ugrokk tapping his mini-wrecking-ball with his axe, having dropped it so it's visible beyond the veil covering him. ...I think I understand. As Ugrokk reclaims his mini-wrecking-ball device, I see grass shifting beneath unseen footfalls, and rain defelcting off his body-I have a rough sense of where he is, and he ehads to flank enemy chieftain. Keh-duck seems to grasp it too, and starts to circle around to the other side: Guess that leaves me to take point, then. Makes sense, I'm the biggest, got the heaviest armor, and largest weapon. I plant myself before the enemy chieftain, some thirty feet away, and lob my wrecking ball into the air, beginning to swing my hammer-even as I see a fire starting in a tent near the enemy chieftain-and the flickering shadow of Ugrokk is briefly glimpsed, as the light seems to dull our foes' strange cloak of shadows.

Let us begin.

>KEDDIC
I see Abaeloth's gaze tracking Oggroth (who could ignore a warrior that size?) even as his hammer swings into place, and fire springs up behind our collective quarry. I decide to add my own flavor of mayhem, even as I draw my own Chained Twin of Gavrock, letting a tendril of blood extend form a gash in my leg and start flitting down underneath the ground. I raise my pistol as Oggroth's hammer rings against his wrecking ball, sending it hurtling towards our quarry, and fire my own firearm, even as I note a twin booming report from the far side of Abaeloth, and throw my sword tumbling forward towards our collective foe, even as words come unbidden to my lips.

"TRIPLE JACKPOT!!!"

As the three shots all approach out target, originating more or less from the respective points of an equiangular triangle centered about Abaeloth, I see his cloak exploding into motion to stop the weapons coming his way-but it's movements go from sluggish to nearly nonexistent as Ugrokk flares back into visibility in a flash of light. Abaeloth's sword whips up as he swings his arm back at an absurd angle, the Morphic Steel shots Ugrokk and I fired grazed by it's edge, and reverting to their smaller form just in time to plung into his back and shoulder respectively amidst splatters of blood, while he raises a hand and-

And GRABS Oggroth's massive wrecking ball, his fingers digging into the steel like it was clay as his feet skid back from the recoil, and our collective foe leans his head and shoulders forward and twists to avoid my spinning blade.

Which is when I become immensely gratified to see a flicker of surprise flit across his face as my subterrainean tendril of blood lances up, puncturing his achilles tendon at the back of his foot and moving up to slash at his hamstrings-

"WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON""

And wraps about the hilt of the Proud Lion as it tumbles past his form, and abruptly reverses it's momentum to bring it to slam right into the back of his neck.

"HEMATIC REVERSAL!!""

THe blade bites deep, blood starting to trickle from his form, but I am forced to withdraw my cord of blood lest his crystal blade make contact and render the whole of my displaced plasma mundane, leaving my sword stuck in his neck, even as I see veins bulging about the wound: I tried to yank the sword free, but his very flesh seems to have clamped down about the weapon. I see Oggroth trying to pull his wrecking ball back, finally bracing firmly enough to wrench it out of Abaeloth's grasp-and leaving behind a chunk of iron still gripped in our foes implacable grasp. ...I also note the Morphic steel shots seem to be likewise stuck in him, as our foe raises his sword to strike at the chains connecting our shots and our pistols.... hm.

Should I risk erupting the whip of blood back out of the ground to grasp my blade and try to use the winding way to transpose our forms? ....If successful, it would allow us to retain our equipment, and as Abaeloth is larger than me, I wouldn't be force to have shots and swords placed in my body from the transposition... but if he strikes my blood, I would lose a sizeable portion of blood. ...Hm.

>OGGROTH
Foe is strong, I no longer think Ugrokk to have shown fear in pulling back: This one deserves title of war chieftain. As I start spinning my wrecking ball about my head, I see Bang leaping high into the air, a body clutched in each hand as he bellows out a laugh, before spying our struggle with the enemy chieftain. I think he is interested, as he sets his feet against the corpses he holds, and kicks off, coming hurtling our way... as I wonder why the enemy forces still in the camp do not move to aid their cheiftain. They just... watch, now that the captive makers they brought near to their pit of water-earth have fled.



Orders?
[Bang now joins Ugrokk, Oggroth and Keddic in fighting Abaeloth the All Consuming, while Mordre attends to the enemy golems, and Moss assists the freed captives in the city, fighting with weapons claimed from the dead against the remnants of the Domintus forces within the town itself.]
>>
No. 198777 ID: a594b9

>>198774
Keddic: Try the Winding Way. If you lose some of your blood you should be able to simply fight more cautiously, or withdraw. Those Chains of Gavrock are irreplaceable...
>>
No. 198778 ID: e31d52

Well shit in a cockbasket.

This guy has a lot of his bases covered: Most ranged attacks will be magic, and he can reverse that, and it looks like he literally ABSORBS melee attacks! Fuck!

BANG: You got any ways to strike without, er, touching? seems this fellow is really sticky, so to speak. I would bet he literally swallows attacks, including limbs, so try to avoid bare assaults.

PUNCH THE AIR SO HARD THE SHOCKWAVE DAMAGES HIM.
AIR RENDER, MOTHERFUCKER.

Oggroth: Hammer time. Use the hammer and ball in tandem, but not directly. Swing at his sides and back with the hammer and try to arc the ball to strike from above.

Keddic: Keep striking at him! Bang and Oggroth are gonna be throwing pretty heavy shit, so try to position yourself in a place that won't be in their way, as if I need to tell you that.
>>
No. 198779 ID: e31d52

>Abaeloth the All Consuming

All units:
If you can think of anything that's utterly indirect and nonmagical, be my guest.
>>
No. 198796 ID: d3dfb8

Keddic: retract blood and switch positions with him. It may loosen his grasp of the morphic steel shots.
Switch to the Blood Blades (possible name for them?) to see if they will disrupt his blood magic.
Oggroth Bang: this >>198778 but aim at Keddic.
Ugrock: keep doing what you're doing. Try retracting your shot while keddic switches with the enemy chieftain.
>>
No. 198802 ID: a594b9

>>198774
I have an idea.

Grab one of your blood-stealing swords, position it right where his head would be if he were standing where you are, then let go of it right before you use Winding Way.

TELEKILL.
>>
No. 198809 ID: d3dfb8

>>198802
...
Awesome.
>>
No. 198813 ID: 2aaaf1

>>198774
Keddic, we can get the weapons back after he's dead. Now focus on creating as many bloodwhips underneath Abeloth as you can. Wrap a pair around his knees and bring him to the ground. Try to spear through his sword hand, if that's too close for comfort, try to stab through his armpit and sever the arm completely. If none of this works, go for the winding path.

Bang, right on time as always! Just WHAT is up with these Domintus dudes and their moving armor? Anyways, see that bigass sword with all the runes and junk? Yeah, that's got to go. Snap his wrist or something, just don't get hit by the blade, them runes inscribed on your bones make you... like, uh 90 percent magic. It'd suck pretty hard if your skeleton just up and vanished. Beyond that, keep an eye out for those hands on the big dude's cloak. Keep stiking as fast and hard as you possibly can, knocking this guy off balance will help everyone.

Oggroth, time for a minor deviation in plan. See Keh-duck's sword? It's still lodged in the enemy chieftain's neck, yeah? Hammer the wrecking ball into the sword, see if you can't force it to chop his head off. Or better yet, see if his balls are as strong as the rest of him. Get a flat stone or something and place your wrecking ball on it, and tee off straight into his manhood. Remember, it's all in the HIPS! Nice and easy, Oggroth... That's NOT nice and easy.

Ugrokk, congratulations. With the exception of your armor, you are completely NON-MAGICAL! His sword can't do jack squat to you, it's the same as any other. So here's what you're gonna do: run up to him and get him to swing that sword at you, NOT the chains connected to your gun or Keddic's. Dodge constantly, make him plant his sword in the ground, then chop off his fingers with your absurdly long reach. I might also suggest running up the sword and hacking at his hand, but you may employ that tactic only if you feel confident enough.
>>
No. 198818 ID: aa5c4d

Oggroth: Your wrecking ball doesn't seem to do much against this chieftain, but he also can't dispel it since it's just a big ball. You can use it as cover for a bigger attack! Get Ked-duck to come with you and when Magnum is about to strike from one side, charge in and send your wrecking ball at the enemy chieftain again, but follow in behind it ready to strike with your hammer. If you and Ked-duck strike THROUGH the wrecking ball at full force with Magnum attacking like a freight train from the other side then you'll crush him flat. Ugrokk is smart, he'll help out with his armour flash or with his axe somehow, maybe he'll even strike at that sword sticking out of the chieftain's neck.

Keddic: Save the blood for now. It seemed like it wasn't absorbed by Abaeleth's body, which is very good, but if that sword gets close to you then that's some major blood loss. Oggroth will provide a wrecking ball shield. Follow in behind it, charge up all your power, use your blood tendrils as anchors to launch yourself forwards and punch with the power of the winding way to unmake all life right through the wrecking ball and into your enemy!! If you can, also coat your hand with a little of your blood so your hand doesn't get absorbed. Even if we lose the amount of blood on the hand it'll only be a shot glass' worth anyhow.
>>
No. 198821 ID: 1dedf5

>>198802
This is definitely worth a shot. And hey, since the big guy's sword counters magic effects, it could possibly be left behind instead of transitioning along with him. Remote disarm!
>>
No. 198841 ID: f4e4f9

GUYS.

He CAN'T WINDING WAY TELEPORT. He needs the Proud Lion to do it. And Abaeloth is going to slash his blood, which will result in RETARDED AMOUNTS OF BLOOD LOSS.

He needs a distraction first.

Oggroth, use your wrecking ball once more, hurl it at him. Whatever he does, it will give Keddic a small window with which to0 retrieve the Proud Lion and perform teleport hijinks.

Clue bang into what your about to do. He's seen the proud lion teleport before after all.
>>
No. 198864 ID: 60bd5e
File 127750129044.jpg - (812.38KB , 1600x800 , Requiem_by_Phoenix_06.jpg )
198864

HECK YEA, BANG IN THE HOUSE.

OK BANG! TIME TO DO YOUR MOST BADASS MOVE EVER!!!
You are gonna need to get some air so land short of the fight and say
"I'll be right back"
SUPER JUMP! PUT YOUR ALL INTO IT!
When you reach the peak of your ascent, blast yourself downwards with incredible FORCE.
THIS IS IT, THE ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE

BIG BANG RECREATION
>>
No. 198866 ID: 60bd5e

If its not clear, this ends with a MAGNUM DOUBLE BARREL to the face... the enemies of course.
>>
No. 198910 ID: 2aaaf1

>>198864
>>198866
Don't you mean:
BIG BANG GENESIS
>>
No. 198973 ID: 60bd5e

>>198910
:O
Genius!
>>
No. 199106 ID: a76809
File 127752945035.png - (236.21KB , 366x501 , BIG BANG GENESIS.png )
199106

>>198777
>>198778
>>198796
>>198802
>>198813
>>198818
>>198864
>>198910
>Keddic
I see Bang crashing to the ground amidst an explosion of earth, mud and water, before he shoots a genuinely evil grin at our foe. Oggroth seems inclined to charge forward even as he heaves his wrecking ball back into play, charging behind it, and I follow in their wake, thankful our brazen frontal attack seems to have stayed Abaeloth's hand, his sword halting before it can connect with the chains of the Gavrockian pistols (I discarded mine to hold a blood stealing sword in each hand), as Bang shoots a comment towards us, even as I see the wrecking ball before us once more brought to a halt by Abaeloth with but a single arm.

"I'll be right back. TOH!!"

There is a thunderous boom behind us and a wall of wind slaps our backs as Bang leaps into the sky, quickly vanishing into the storm-clouds above, as Oggroth and I circle around opposed sides of the wrecking ball occupying one of Abaeloth's arms. I find myself on the side that holds his sword, and his blade lops one of my blood stealing swords in twain on the first exchange, and starts to whip back to disembowel me even as hundreds of questing hands explode from his cloak-

And Ugrokk flashes into visibility, the light dispelling the hands questing for my flesh as his axe slams down onto Abaeloth's crystal sword, forcing it into the ground, the completely mundane weapon unmarred by the powers imbued in the crystal blade. Even as Oggroth vanishes back into shadow, I see him nod my way-

Only to be struck even as he fades from view, Abaeloth backhanding him-with Oggroth's wrecking ball, which he flings aside with such force it not only sends Ugrokk's unseen form flying with a whuff of expelled air, but jerks Oggroth off-balance as the chain attached to it pulls even his bulk astray, his own tight grip on his hammer his undoing. The crystal sword is wrenched from the ground, and cleaves up in a vicious ark, slicing through Oggroth's armor with a spray of blood as the massive warrior falls, his hammer dropping from his hands as I hear a cry of pain escape his form.

But their distraction was enough, costly as it was. With Abaeloth focused on them, I manage to get my free hand that clutched the ruined blood stealing sword but a moment ago back onto the Proud Lion-even as I place the other blood sword above my own head as I channel the energies of the winding way into my familial blade.

Ignore this, asshole.

"WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: TELEKILL!!!"

The world blurs as we switch positions, and as my senses return to me, I see the towering figure of the All Consuming stagger as he finds his head and neck locked in place, several feet of sword now occupying the same place as part of his skull and perhaps a foot of spine beyond-

And I see him turn to me with rage in his eyes, his lips pulling back in a snarl as his neck turns despite the metal within, the sound of warping metal shortly followed by a hollow shattering noise: He broke the sword in his neck, in his very spine by sheer dint of turning to face me, as he slashes at me-

To find his sword not in his hands. He hisses in surprise, as his eyes and my own dart down to see the Crystal sword upon the ground-and Ugrokk abruptly becomes visible as his hand closes about the weapon, and without pause he leaps back, aiming to separate the weapon from the warrior by as much space as possible. As Abaeloth turns to stalk after the stealthy warrior, I channel as much potency into my blade as possible, as I swing at his exposed flank-

And the blade sinks into his flesh-by perhaps an inch, before grinding to a halt, as I release the shock-wave I prepared, gritting my teeth as I roar out my challenge.

"WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: PROUD ROAR!!!"

-And Abaeloth's flesh ripples about the blade.

That is all the response I am met with. With a look that speaks of irritation he glances at me even as he maintains his strides towards Ugrokk, who is trying and failing to return to invisibility, sparks coming from his warped armor, damaged by the impact of Oggroth's wrecking ball, as the multitude of hands on his back strive to tear me asunder. I harden my blood, armoring my body like unto iron throughout my form, but still flesh flies and muscle is torn, the hands tearing with a ferocity I do not believe I can withstand for long, and-

"-ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"

I look up more out of reflex than by my own will, to see the clouds above swirling-

And a mass of red cloth revolving like a gargantuan spinning top, plunging to the ground like the lance of an angry god, as-

"[u]BIG BANG GENISIS!!!!!!!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

>OGGROTH
I... hurt..... rather badly...

Blast of light..... heat..... I'm pushed back, hit by a wall... of scorched air...

...Crater in the ground.... big..... larger than chieftain.... I see Ugrokk.... pulling himself free.... of earth... he looks unhurt... that is good... golden-maned one.... heh, no more golden mane.... burned away.... body raw, cracked... bleeding, but standing.... he raises a hand... clenched fist.... Bang stepping out... of crater..... bones sticking free from skin... hobbling.... must hurt bad... doesn't seem to care... raises fist....

The two bump fists... in salute... of conquest.... and battle well fought....

...Getting tired.... think I'll sleep.......


>BANG
"Thanks for putting that sword in his head, gave me something to kick"
>"Any time."
"...Whew.... think I'm gonna sit down... out of juice.... Can you give me some time.... to catch a breather... start fixing myself?"
>"Of course"

>UGROKK
The once-golden maned one, now cracked and bleeding, stands over Bang, both at the edge of a crater thrice as wide as I am tall, steam rolling away from it's center. As I clutch an axe in one hand, the crystal blade in the other, I look at the mass of warriors still gathered in the camp as my side twinges-

And where my gaze falls, weapons drop, and warriors flee. The camp begins to dissolve into a scrambling mass of retreating once-warriors, and I turn to see the trundling steps of chieftain Mordre, a mass of broken clay figures already starting to soften in the rain behind him, as he moves to my side. I see him survey the seen, taking in Oggroth's fallen form, the fleeing soldiers, and he prepares to speak-

But stops as a scorched and largely ruined necklace of skinned faces is tossed before us. We turn to see the enemy chieftain, half his head simply gone, along with the arm and shoulder of that side, ribs twitching in the air, but somehow still standing. He says not a word.... he simply bows to us, a genuflection to our collective strength.... and falls to the ground, his final duty, his show of respect for those that slew him, complete.

[SECRET BONUSES 012, 013 DISCOVERED: THE CONSUMING THE CONSUMER, AND FREE STATE]
>--requisites(12): Abaeloth the All Consuming must be bested BEFORE Mordre can come to the aid of its followers
>--BONUS KNOWLEDGE: Abaeloth is/was a staunch supporter of survival of the fittest: He vowed that should he ever be bested, that such that bested him be left alone by the rest of the Disciples of Domintus. Whether his wish is shared by those who survive him remains to be seen.
>--BONUS KNOWLEDGE: Abaeloth's soul was degraded from years of using a hybrid Blood and Soul Combat magic style that ate away at his very existence to give his form the ability to 'consume' attacks as they made contact with him, but some still remains.
>--requisites: All six groups of captives must be freed during the incursion of the Disciples of Domintus into State land.
>--requisites: No more than 10% of their number (the captive civilians) may die before the battle is concluded.
>--BONUS KNOWLEDGE: The escaping civilians run to the nearest outpost, seeking refuge from the fight, and will bring word of the aborted assault to the State army.
>--BONUS KNOWLEDGE: The civilians bring word of 'a golem, a beast of wood and four warriors saving their lives and repelling an army' to the state, and their descriptions will eventually be linked with those given of the golem controlled by the Mage Mordre, as well as several of his followers.

............................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE......................................................

>[-83 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,368 Minimum: 12]
>Gained SPINE OF THE GIANT

...Well, it is done, then, now all that's left is the cleanup....



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 199112 ID: 445c48

Run over to Abaeloth and eat what remains of his soul, and go around eating souls and blood iron.
>>
No. 199114 ID: 3f7cec

This was a triumph!
I'm making a note here:
"HUGE SUCCESS!!"

It's hard to overstate
my satisfaction.

congtatulate troops,
then go suck up some delicious mage souls!
>>
No. 199117 ID: f4e4f9

>>199106
CHECK OGGROTH. MAGNETOMANCY. STOP HIS BLEEDING.

MEEDDDDIIIIIIIIC!
>>
No. 199120 ID: f4e4f9

We need to get Oggroth some help immediately. ONce you've staunched the bleeding, Mordre, we need to carefully secure him to Hair Steak and make haste to the nearest outpost to get him medical attention. Suck souls/Collect blood/Collect items, but only once we've absolutely secured our allies wellbeing.
>>
No. 199121 ID: 45be60

This battle was costly for our allies. First things absolutely first, you have a downed warrior to look after. Bang and Keddic seem like they will survive the immediate future, but Oggroth appears to be in trouble. He needs to be stabilized enough to not die before Jojo can have a look at him. Jojo will not know to come, unless he makes a habit of checking up on everyone he knows every time he sleeps.

We may be able to repair the broken blades later with our own magic, but the premen armor is pretty much toast, we will need to take it back for repairs.
>>
No. 199123 ID: e31d52

ROAR IN VICTORY, then cough at the tail end with "Er, well, er, yes then, is everyone quite alright?"
>>
No. 199124 ID: 60bd5e

HO-LY-SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magnum Bang. You are, and forever will be, THE MAN!

--------------------------------
Mordre
--------------------------------
It is indeed done.
Now we must speak to those before us.
In common "My comrades, my friends. Tonight we saw the face of evil and stood our ground. Countless lives have been saved by your efforts and I am proud to say that I fought alongside you, even if I was not physically present. Rest up now, we will make our way home as soon as possible. There we all, can have some much deserved rest."

In Premen:
"Ugrokk, Oggroth. Today you have proven yourselves beyond the shadow of a doubt, to be warriors worth your mettle. Even though I was locked in battle myself, I noticed your valiant efforts to protect the hostages and defeat their captors. I only ask that you rest up now, as we will move to home as soon as possible. There, you will have the rewards you deserve"

Move around the battlefield and claim the souls of the fallen, see if you can find a tent that holds medical equipment and bring it back.

Try to tend to everyone's wounds using magnetomancy as best you can. After 15-20 minutes we can head back. If people cant walk, they can ride on Hairy Steak or Moss.

!SPOILS!
Layer a bunch of tents to use as a makeshift bag to carry your spoils back. Focus on the things that are most valuable. If you find any carts or horses, use them up. Take money, special weapons, maps and magical items as priority.
>>
No. 199127 ID: 60bd5e

I wish that we could stop at Del Roga's on the way back. Would be incredibly useful.
>>
No. 199128 ID: f4e4f9

>>199124
YES, Medicines! Perhaps there is something! Ask Keddic to see if he can salvage anything of the sort from the Disciple's abandoned supplies while you try to stabilize Oggroth.
>>
No. 199137 ID: 903f16

>>199106
Well, now would be a good time to congratulate our comrades on a well fought battle and gather the spoils of war: blood iron (probably enough to complete your transformation), mages souls (and hopefully their collective knowledge of why this attack was staged), and anything else you may find. Though first you need to deal with Oggroth's injuries.
>>199128
We should have brought the healing potions from Balboa's backpack. For now I guess we'll have to make do with any scavenged supplies. We should probably clean out the wound, stitch it shut the best we can, and cauterize the area.
>>
No. 199149 ID: f4e4f9

If Oggroth's wounds are too great, I suggest the following:

We burn one of our two Pristine Souls and FORCE Bagata the Inverter's Soul from our Amaranthine Eyes into the Immortal Genocide. Since Bagata's soul has the explicit purpose of Inverting effects, it is entirely possible, even likely, it could be used to invert the Immortal Genocides life-CONSUMING effects, and instead force life INTO surrounding objects.

We'd be losing a functionally superfluous ability, and instead gain the ability to heal comrades!
>>
No. 199153 ID: f4e4f9

And yes, I was inpsired by the idea posted here:


http://www3.tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/142119.html#i147640
>>
No. 199154 ID: e31d52

>>199149
I'm going to second this right the fuck now.
>>
No. 199157 ID: 9bddc8

>>199149
Well, if that's the only chance we have of saving the big guy, I say go for it.
>>
No. 199159 ID: e31d52

rolled 11 + 6 = 17

Oh shit, soap time.

"You have stood beside me in a dozen battles. You have saved me and protected me in just as many. You trained my men, you gave strength to everyone around you. You are one of my most prized soldiers, and I would be damned if I let you die here."

Place the hand on the armor, burn the pristine, and activate inverted IG. This next bit is in Premen.

"Return to us, Oggroth the Mountain. You are not finished yet."

((Rollan just in casean.))
>>
No. 199160 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199153
Oh shit, I completely forgot about that. But uh, HELL YES. Not to mention the silly effects it'd have on the other souls:
Accelerator makes stuff decievingly slow upon launch- Throw rock, it moves at a snails pace through the air, it impacts with the same force that the accelerator would've normally given it, trollface.mordre

Time-steal can speed up the aging process of both organic and inorganic things, HOLY SHIT THAT GUY JUST TURNED INTO DUST, or even better-
Regular Accelerator + time speed up + MAGNUM MOTHERFUCKING BANG = 88 MILES AN HOUR MARTY! JESUSFUCK.

Spectral Gorging anima can uh... Recreate the stuff it's eaten so far in a spectral form? I got nothing.

Can we use a pristine soul to increase the amount of abilities Bagata's soul effects instead of just moving it? Because that'd be FANTASTIC.
>>
No. 199162 ID: 60bd5e

>>199160
Spectral Regurgitating anemia?
>>
No. 199164 ID: a76809

>>199160
[Pristine Soul can force Bagata's soul to migrate, but would become part of soul nexus in left hand if chosen, which would mean it operates under normal rules (ie, accelerator/spectral gorging anima/inverter would all be individual abilities the soul nexus is capable of, but unable to be simultaneously active. Would boost the magical capacity of the Soul Nexus though.]
>>
No. 199166 ID: f4e4f9

>>199162
Spectral Generating Anima, maybe. Causes the Gorging Anima to be able to spout whatever it consumes, I.E have it consume flames, and then be able to fire out the flames it consumed.

Mind you, I don't think Bagata's will affect the Soul nexus, similar to how it didn't affect the Zagrath's ability, but rather the object it was anchored to.
>>
No. 199168 ID: a76809

>>199164
[and to clarify, it would anchor to the corporeal part of where the soul nexus is, so it would allow inversion of the IG, which is part of the corporeal shell that houses the soul nexus in question, or any other future enchantments potentially added to the hand.]
>>
No. 199169 ID: 60bd5e

>>199166
Excellent deduction Watson.
>>
No. 199175 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199164
Aw, well that's slightly less awesome for the moment. Well lets see what we can do for oggroth as we are now, if his condition worsens we'll use the pristine soul. Oggroth is a pretty tough guy, he should pull through alright. But just in case, set pristine soul to auto transfer if Oggroth looks like he's anywhere near biting the big one.
>>
No. 199177 ID: a76809

>>199175
[Oggroth's actually disemboweled inside his armor thanks to Abaeloth's strike, his guts puddling inside his metal shell as he bleeds out, hence why he's 'taking a nap' from his own perspective. So yeah.]
>>
No. 199180 ID: d3dfb8

>>199159
>>199168
>>199164
I am so many kinds of good with this.
>>
No. 199182 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199177
Damn, well in that case- USE BOTH PRISTINE SOULS, ONE TO BRING IG UP TO ROLL-LESS STATUS, AND THE OTHER TO HAUL BAGATA OVER ASAP.
>>
No. 199186 ID: 60bd5e

>>199182
YES!
>>
No. 199189 ID: f4e4f9

Given that we'll probably need to roll to heal, and if were healing someone we DON'T WANT IT TO COCK UP thanks to shitty shitty rolls...

...I'll support a double Pristine Soul use.
>>
No. 199190 ID: d3dfb8

>>199182
Sure, I'd be up for this if the rest of you are.
Also Mordre once Oggroth is healed(hopefully) Start harvesting the battlefield for souls. Once most people have cleared away start taking the blood iron as well. Try having it exit their mouths rather than just explode out of their bodies.
>>
No. 199194 ID: 445c48

>>199182
Support.
>>
No. 199197 ID: 9bddc8

>>199182
I kind of hate to blow all our Pristine reserves, but it's a bit less micromanagement to deal with and it'll go toward keeping the Mountain around, so... I'm okay with this.

You guys need to make more predictions so we can get more Pristines, though.
>>
No. 199198 ID: d3dfb8

>>199197
>You guys
Ain't even going to try and help?
We need all the help we can get >.>
>>
No. 199200 ID: f4e4f9

As a side note: We will have to prepare more room at the Arcanoworks. Once word gets around, people WILL end up seeking shelter away from the border, and our facility/growing town will be a prime target.
>>
No. 199202 ID: d3dfb8

>>199200
Well people could set up farms outside of the city, along the roads
We could organize patrols with the state and possibly tax collectors(state or our own)?
>>
No. 199203 ID: d3dfb8

>>199202
Building on this, if you can plow the land you can have the land. The excess foods from the farms could be bought by cities/towns if there is a deficiency and that could pay for their possible problems with tax collectors/farming tools/clothes/etc.
Otherwise we might end up needing to instate a tax and pay wages rather then our commy/socialist current situation where everyone is working because YAY MAGES and food/shelter
>>
No. 199214 ID: 9bddc8

>>199198
[bad choice of words, of course I'm going to help; I want to see the AA turn into Omega Effect beams as much as the next guy.]
>>
No. 199220 ID: 445c48

>>199203
Maybe feudalism.

Or hell let's just be commies
>>
No. 199226 ID: d3dfb8

>>199220
Communism is working good right now because everyone is happy to be working for a 'Proper Mage' as they put it. They can see the results of our efforts and see that we want to help them and help solve their problems.
However once we get to places that aren't like the Azelhaedran state (practically mage worshipers) we may have problems like moral or motivation that we haven't had to worry about.
However this is a problem for then, not now.
>>
No. 199227 ID: 445c48

>>199226
The secret to having communism be successful is vodka.

We just need more vodka.
>>
No. 199228 ID: d3dfb8

>>199227
I like your thinking.

Watch as New Mosmordre becomes MOTHER RUSSIA
>>
No. 199233 ID: 2aaaf1

Now that we've got Medic Mordre on the concensus, there are a few things we need to do after getting Oggroth back up and about. After salvaging equipment/harvesting souls and iron/etc... We definitely need to make a burial mound or something for the civilian casualties, we also need to take Abeloth's corpse plus his sword and necklace and give it a proper burial at the Arcanoworks. We should try to tidy up the town, clear debris, put out fires, maybe build a wood wall like we did for Trekel. Are there enough mage souls from the guys that were commanding that clay golem pit for us to understand the geomancy that was involved in it's creation? I'm thinking we make another one using a less sinister fuel source so the people of this village can have an automatic clay golem defense system if they ever get attacked again.
>>
No. 199234 ID: f4e4f9

It helps that we kinda hired Dregas to take care exactly this sort of thing.
>>
No. 199235 ID: d3dfb8

>>199234
Indeed, but he is better at dealing with merchants than running a city.
>>199233
>geomancy
Fuck. Yes.
Also the burials are a great idea.

Mordre: search for an unbroken mage skin among the bodies.
>>
No. 199270 ID: f4e4f9

>>199235
Why don't we just bury him here, at the site of his last great battle?
>>
No. 199274 ID: f4e4f9

Also, if the pulse is anything like the standard version, it'll probably be an AoE type deal, so make sure Keddic, Bang, and Uggrok are nearby when you do it, so that they can benefit from it as well.
>>
No. 199328 ID: e0fbe1

You know, you know, if he's asleep...We could try and call for Jojo, or something, to dreamheal him...I'mjust worried because I don't know if the IG invrse would actual help...
>>
No. 199343 ID: 60bd5e

Remember that we are playing an old man. So if we do this we have to do it this way.
-Heal up everybody.
-"Now.. forgive.. an old man...I.. am.... tired... Keddic.. you..know"
-'Shut off' and follow Keddic
>>
No. 199349 ID: 60bd5e

87 year old man - run all day, fight all night, using magic like flowing water? I don't think so.
>>
No. 199350 ID: 60bd5e

My guess as to the inverse-IG is that it would shoot out souls into the environment to use as a power source and fix em. If you do it, make sure you are as close to em as possible, touching would be good; else we will just be wasting our stash.
>>
No. 199363 ID: e0fbe1

>>199233
I'm also thinking there are quite a few hero souls laying around that we need to eat. I -want- to help out Oggroth as fast as possible, but there are also the fragments of Abaeloth and we need those.

If there are any Disiples left, let us temper our pure-and-brutal-murder of everything with mercy and not 'clean up' those soldiers. Arrest, maybe, but not slaughter.

>>199350
I mention the soul fragements because of this: I'd rather eat quick for any souls we might consume that are heroes or mages if it's like this.

But the reason I suggest Jojo as apposed to us switching soul location is I -want- Oggroth to live. We have no idea what a inverse IG [Must Renaime that better] would do. It could heal him, it could vaperoize him, it could turn him into a cancer monster, ir could turn him into a Rubic Marine, or a intellegent weapon, and I don't want any of that to happen. Oggroth is a awesome guy that should continue to live as he is.
>>
No. 199370 ID: 3394fc

I have a question for Mordre:
why the hell were you using Giants spine as a weapon instead of you sword.

Speaking of swords. How big is the Emerald sword? Is it big enough for us to yield?
>>
No. 199373 ID: 3394fc

>>199363
Did we take Jojo with us?
If not, it could take too much time for him to come.

Also, having healing powers is pretty cool. We have lots of "fleshy" followers with us all the time so the ability to "fix" them up will work greatly for us.
>>
No. 199381 ID: a76809

>>199180
>>199182
>>199186
>>199189
>>199190
>>199194
>>199197
[1 Pristine Soul: use on BAGATA THE INVERTER relocation]
[1 Pristine Soul: Use on Immortal Genocide (rolls no longer needed)]
[0 PRISTINE SOULS REMAINING]

....I feel far too much blood pooled about Oggroth's form and not within his flesh... and his heart is slowing as his form rests upon the ground... my warrior is dying.

And as this thought crosses my mind, I feel two souls stirring within me, promising a way to save his life to my mind-

And I follow their whispered promise without question. Oggroth has been a loyal follower, one of the few to know my secret and not care, not fear me for it, to continue serving despite this. I feel one of the soul;s wrap itself around Bagata the Inverter's soul, pulling it out of my eyes and sending it coursing down my arm, even as the other infuses itself into the Immortal Genocide, strengthening the bond betwixt the pilfered and warped enchantment and my own spell matrices, as I feel the Soul Nexus within the same limb swelling in strength with the addition of a new soul. I make my way to Oggroth's fallen form even as ethereal energies swell about my visage and arm alike, placing the Immortal Genocide on his fallen form, and letting these souls that promised me the life of my follower continue their course... and activate the Immortal Genocide with the soul of Bagata the Inverter active. A feeling similar to the crafting of an inferno golem, and the sensation of souls being pulled from my form courses through me, as the Immortal Genocide... dispenses life.

[-63 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,305 Minimum: 12]

I feel blood pulling itself back into his body, a soul once starting to detach from his form being re-anchored, and Oggroth's body trembles as souls by the dozen are poured into him as a raw healing force. His convulsions increase in intensity, body spasming wildly, as his flesh roughly knits itself back together after his intestines pull themselves back into his form-

And as the flow of energy cuts, Oggroth abruptly sits up, looking at me in confusion and awe.

"..W...what?"

"You have been an able warrior, Oggroth, And your bravery was to be rewarded: Thusly, I gave you the gift of renewed life, In honer of your loyalty and service. ...I could not leave a warrior such as you behind."

....After this event, I turn to scour the battlefield, wishing to salvage as many souls as possible before they have a chance to fade away, disperse, or otherwise escape my grasp, as I note Bang laying on the ground, his body slowly repairing itself, as Keddic covers his burned and torn skin in a sheathe of blood, likewise resting. Ugrokk reclaims the pair of Gavrockian pistols and starts rooting through the tents as I harvest Blood Iron and souls alike in the gloom and storm.

[+823 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 2,128 Minimum: 12]
[+1,118 plus pounds (Thank you giant alchemic warrior dude) of Blood Iron: Total Blood Iron Saturation: 30,000/30,000 FULL SATURATION ACHIEVED, BLOOTZ STEEL FORM COMPLETE]
[+15 mage souls (human, geomancer, Will/World)]
[+11 mage souls (human, pyromancer, Will]
[+1 Hero soul (human): ABAELOTH THE ALL CONSUMING]
>Soul suffuses whole body, body becomes passively semi-permeable to corporeal attacks, allowing Mordre to potentially claim the weapons used to attack him. If an attack is sufficiently potent, can still outright destroy him. This also allows Mordre to absorb metal through any part of his form, provided it is of a lesser quality to BLOOTZ steel.
>Abaeloth's Crystal Edge gained
>Spine of the Giant gained
>Sword of the Giant gained
>Burial mound for dead civilians made and used
>only rations found in tents
>Knight of Wailing Faces Armor and soul nowhere to be found.

As the night advances, I check with my troops, and find Moss stretching contentedly as it worries at a Domintus soldier's face, Keddic stretching but otherwise evidencing no fatigue as his blood continues to pool over his wounded parts, and Bang has managed to repair his legs fully, even if his arms are still a broken mess, his scarf hanging limply down his back. Ugrokk converses with Oggroth, but both seem hale and hearty: I believe it may be time to go. I did plan to make this jaunt away from the Arcanoworks brief, and so after telling Keddic I need my 'rest' and claiming I slave the golem to follow him, as well as taking hold of Oggroth and Ugrokk's forms, we start making out way back to the West.


.....................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT..................................................


CHOOSE
Lord Donwick Dregas
Arkus
Derkin
Jezebel
Ulzrick
[1 vote per person please]
>>
No. 199383 ID: e0fbe1

ARKUS! Oh god, ARKUS ARKUS ARKUS!

Or Lord Double D, if we wanna do Business. ut mostly ARKUS.
>>
No. 199384 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199381
Arkus time, lets see if we can't help him with all the complicated stuff on his "homework" list.
>>
No. 199387 ID: 3394fc

Too bad we didn't get a single mage skin from this venture.

I also was thinking Arkus.

or Jezebel for lulz. But mostly Arkus.
>>
No. 199389 ID: 903f16

>>199381
Voting for Arkus, because he's a key character and we've yet to step into his perspective. We might even be able to boost up his progress on his research while he's out.
>>
No. 199393 ID: e31d52

ARKUS MY MAN
>>
No. 199409 ID: a76809

>>199383
>>199384
>>199387
>>199389
>>199393
>ARKUS

"-ake up, Sir, we have a problem!"

I lift my head from my work bench, again having fallen asleep perusing notes (Wendelin's books stowed away), and blearily look at the soldier standing before me.

"Huh, whuzzat? ...What time is it?"
>"Ah, it's nearly midnight, but-"
"And what problem is it this late at night?"
>"Ah... there's a person on the gates-"
"Okay, so someone's here, why does that matter?"
>"...No, he's ON the gates."
"...WAT."
>"ah, the bolts and hinges undid themselves, the gates floated out, and he's just... standing on them, floating in the air."
"...Okay. Ah, anything else about this?"
>"Well, a couple guards got itchy trigger fingers when the gates came off and that person appeared, and shot at him, and somehow managed to shoot.... well, themselves."
"Come again?"
>"Ah, they aimed at the intruder, fired, and... somehow got hit by their own shots. It's dark, we're not sure HOW, but that's the end result."
"...Okay. What else has this person done."
>"Ah.... he says he's here to kill the Mage Mordre."
"...Right, of course he is. ...Well, did he give a name?"
>"Yes, sir. He said his name is Eisenhardt."
"Okaaay.... Do Derkin and Dregas know about thi-"
>"Ah... they were easier to rouse, and are currently speaking on the bottom floor about what to do about this, awaiting your arrival."
"Right then."

I get up, stretching as I march down to the first floor, already hearing Dregas and Derkin talking about this rather ill-timed event, right when the more combat capable members of Mordre's Arcanoworks are away...

"I still don't see why we don't just fill him full of holes-"
"He's a mage of unknown quantities, and the two who tried before died by their own hand."
"That could just be it was a question of insufficient quantity-"
"And the fact he hasn't attacked anyone except in reaction points that there may be a different way to-"
"You really think this could be resolved peaceably? He ripped open our gates and killed two of our men!"
"And-ah, Arkus, there you are. I trust you've been informed of the situation? We could use a third opinion."
"Yeah, any thoughts on how to approach this?"


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 199410 ID: 321060

i have no doubt that this canno be solved peaceful but also the mage seems to have high power reflection magic. if morde's golem was here he would use the IG to turn his magic off then punch him in the face. since we do not have that we need another method. perhaps try a non-lethal, have a soldier throw a rock at him, if it comes back at the exact same speed then it is simple reflection.
>>
No. 199411 ID: e67080

"Well, it seems so far that the guard killed themselves with their own rash actions, lets at least talk to this Eisenhorn and see what hes here for. I heard that knight before was a mistake, maybe this is more of the same? Let us go and meet this person"
>>
No. 199412 ID: 732129

>>199409

"He has an attack redirection spell, or an item enchanted to do the same. Blood magic. Or he's a magnetomancer capable of returning shots. Either way, that sort of power can be overwhelmed, but it'll be very costly in lives.

"We can try parlaying, I suppose. Has anyone ever heard of this guy?"
>>
No. 199414 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199409
Hey Arkus, is that Paradox Knight guy sleeping? We could sure use that shield of his.
>>
No. 199415 ID: a594b9

This is the magnetomancer who was in the woods.

We can't win here by fighting. If he is here to kill Mage Mordre then we simply tell him that he is not here. In fact, Mordre never said where his mage persona was supposed to live, right? Let's just... make up a location to get him to go away.
>>
No. 199416 ID: 3394fc

Eisenhardt commented that his style of battle destroys everything in several miles radius, enemies and allies alike. Fighting him is defiantly out of the question... if it comes to that, our only hope would be to ask help from Paradox Knights.
>>
No. 199417 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199409
>>199414
And if asking Reinhardt for help isn't an option right now, I think I know what to say to this guy for maximum ham.
>>
No. 199426 ID: 0a8e03

mordre is out right now, he will probally be back in a few days. why do you want to kill him anyway?
>>
No. 199441 ID: f4e4f9

"Well, he's taken to talking and hasn't gone on a bloody rampage destroying everything in sight, right? That would imply that he isn't just out here to 'kill, crush, destroy' everyone, he's just after Lord Mordre...OR that he doesn't want to risk fighting everyone at the Arcanoworks in addition to Lord Mordre's siege golem...So who knows how he'll react to learning that he's not here...Hmm. It seems alot depends solely on this mage's personality.

Well, either way, the guard said he undid the bolts and hinges on the door? And reflected arrows...Maybe magnetomancy? Probably pretty powerful, too, if he came here alone.

*Sigh* Sorry, rambling. The best course of action I can think of is explaining that Mordre himself is not here at the moment, while demonstrating a show of force that suggests we could be too costly to just attack while he's away. Perhaps we could ask that Paradox Knight guy for help with this ruse, his order has a pretty powerful reputation."
>>
No. 199445 ID: f4e4f9

Also, does the Name Eisenhardt ring any bells, Arkus? You're a pretty well traveled guy, and anything we could know about his reputation would be useful.
>>
No. 199448 ID: e0185f

Say, could we now use Bagaba's power to invert the soulfire on our own? If so, then we could actually go Mage-hunting alone and find the last mage skin we need.
>>
No. 199450 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199409
Hobble tiredly out to the gates on your staff and address the man as follows:

"You want to kill Lord Mordre? Good luck with that. He's not in at the moment and well... I think it'd be terribly rude of you if you didn't wait for the others. Take a number pal, you actually think you're the only one who wants his head? Tell you what: go murder the core being in Trekel, Archmage Albert Weinsho and his little pet Dulu, every Yeti in the Frostback mountains, the Iron Fists, every bandit within 500 miles, and Aurockoth the Reaper made flesh. Then you can take a crack at Lord Mordre's Soul Grave. We have vacancies in the Arcanoworks, you can join all the other kooks that want to murder/worship/regulate my lord. Hell, if it suits your fancy you can go chase after Mordre yourself, off to the east somewhere. ...What? You're nothing new or special for us, matter of fact, you'd be at a disadvantage facing off against Mordre alone. From the looks of it, you are a Magnetomancer. The last one to challange Mordre was some dude called Verther the Bandit-King, he ended up quite dead, he was an ugly one too, and he smelled horrible, lugging his dead body around was not the most enjoyable part of our journey. But hey, don't let me stop you, be my guest if you're so eager to fight Mordre. It's just that every single battle is pretty much the same ya know. Oh sure, in the beginning it's all death threats and flashy shows of power, but then Lord Mordre enters and makes things explode, and then there's a whole bunch of screaming and death- and CRYING, can't forget the crying, and then all is silent save for my master's Soul Grave feeding on the souls of the poor bastards that decided to try their luck. Oh by the way, my name is Arkus, nice to meet you."
>>
No. 199453 ID: f4e4f9

>>199450
...

ಠ_ಠ

...He's gonna kill us.
>>
No. 199454 ID: f4e4f9

ALthough, the "offering lodgings" while he waits is kinda funny.
>>
No. 199458 ID: 3394fc

>>199453
What he said.

Seriously don't antagonize that guy. He perfectly knows what Mordre did and what he is capable of... that's the reason why he wants to kill us.

If tries to get the knowledge about his position. We should make up a story that even Arkus doesn't know his exact location, that Mordre is sufficiently powerful enough that he can change his location every month or so. Oh, and telling that we could drop hints on where he might be located (dunno how to go about that though)
>>
No. 199459 ID: a594b9

...we could just say he'll be back soon and he can wait for him.
>>
No. 199465 ID: 3394fc

>>199459
Offer him tea and biscuits while he waits, while we are at it.
>>
No. 199466 ID: e0185f

>>199450
YES.
>>
No. 199467 ID: 2d4178

>>199450
maybe being so... forward(?) isn't a good idea.

Just inform him politely that 'Master Mordre' is not in at the moment, and if he wishes to wait for his return, a discussion can be had. Also make sure no one else attacks this guy.
>>
No. 199482 ID: ddff16

>>199465
I rather like this one.
>>
No. 199492 ID: 60bd5e

"I'll see what I can do"
*Walk out*
"Greetings and well met, High Mage Eisenhardt. I am Arkus, apprentice to my lord Mordre. I would apologize for the men who shot at you, but you did break our nice door and kill them for their trouble. I thank you that you do not see it fit to visit the same fate on the rest of us. I'm afraid my Lord Mordre is out at the moment taking care of some ruffians; If you wouldn't mind I'm sure we can offer you lodgings until his proxy returns. Some tea and crumpets perhaps?"
>>
No. 199506 ID: 45be60

>>199492
no no no. "Well met" is reserved for those meetings which have NOT resulted in insult or injury.

We can talk to this guy, but that doesn't mean we should be nice about it. People are dead. People right over there.
>>
No. 199520 ID: f4e4f9

>>199506
Agreed.

Have a few of your men armed with Jezebel's lightning gun, without armor, so as to lessen their mangetic signature.

Ask the Paradox Knight if he would be kind enough to accompany you, lest things turn pear shaped and the mage violent. Warn him of our suspicion of the mage's powers.

Hell, if you want surprise, cast your unnoticability spell on the guards shock pistols.

And go out and explain the situation, with a Paradox knight and maybe even the Blue Knight. If a servent of the order of Harmonious Discord and the Blue Knight aren't sufficient to at least make him rethink attacking, have your troopers with standing orders to fire the electro guns at him. Lets see him reflect those in time.
>>
No. 199522 ID: f4e4f9

*servant of the Blue Knight.
>>
No. 199525 ID: 732129

>>199522

Valeria is a woman.
>>
No. 199532 ID: 445c48

Send someone to tell him that Mordre's not here right now, man, and that you'd take a message for him, dude.
>>
No. 199538 ID: a76809
File 12775977451.jpg - (131.76KB , 550x543 , Eisenhardt.jpg )
199538

[If you guys want to ask Arkus questions or make suggestions for research/etc, now would be the time, FYI]

>>199445
Eisenhardt, Eisenhardt.... I think I may have heard it before, but honestly, that could just be me fooling myself into believing so... still working the last vestiges of sleep out of my head. ...Mm, my gut says I have heard of him, and I think of him falling into the Bad News Bears category, but that could be because I was having a nightmare about people discovering Mordre is actually a Sapient golem and blaming me for his awakening and hunting me down to burn me in retributionANYWAY, not really sure.

>>199520
...Oh right, Jezebel's lightning gun-things. She sent a couple down to the ground floor earlier this evening before I went to sleep, where are-ah. Wondering if I'm making the right decision, I mutter some Words and imbue the pistols with the Unnoticeability spell that I feel like it's been ages since I last used, and give them (four total) to some Arcanoworks guards on the ground floor with us, and order them to strip metal armor from their bodies and stow the pistols, before taking up position on the walls and awaiting my signal to fire (For some reason I decide that I should make rubbing my chin then scratching my head the signal, I've never done political intrigue or plotted potential assassination, I don't really know what I'm doing), and hope this doesn't backfire HORRIBLY as I watch them file out into the rain.

>>199411
>>199414
>>199416
"Well, is seems so far that, macabre as the thought is, those guards may have killed themselves through their rash actions. Not saying that makes it right, but there it is. I say we at least try to talk to this guy, this Eisenhardt... I mean, Reinhardt-that's kinda interesting their names are similar, probably coincidence-came here on a warpath, and that got resolved, maybe this can be settled.... well, if not peaceably, at least without undue loss of life. ...Speaking of Reinhardt, where is the Paradox Knight?"

As Dregas looks pleased as pudding to have me siding with him in looking for a diplomatic solution, Derkin grumbles as he stalks off looking for the knight from the order of Harmonious Discord, I continue speaking, ruminating aloud as Lord Dregas and I start walking outside, Donwick calls over his golem Geodiaz as we make our way out of the tower.

>>199441
"Well, he's taken to talking and hasn't gone on a bloody rampage destroying everything in sight, right? That would imply that he isn't just out here to 'kill, crush, destroy' everyone, he's just after Lord Mordre...OR that he doesn't want to risk fighting everyone at the Arcanoworks in addition to Lord Mordre's siege golem...So who knows how he'll react to learning that he's not here...Hmm. It seems a lot depends solely on this mage's personality."
>"Aye, we have precious little to go on, but I agree with your initial assessments. This seems a time to seek more information from the mage, if possible."
"Well, either way, the guard said he undid the bolts and hinges on the door? And reflected shots from the hand-cannons, which are metal the same as the hinges...Maybe magnetomancy? Probably pretty powerful, too, if he came here alone."
>"My thoughts were the same, though I wonder about the door's movement itself, since it's almost exclusively wood, with precious little metal outside the hinges and bolts."
"Well, if he was stupidly competent at Magnetomancy, that would still be possible, but yes, that could point to other skills... geomancy? Or maybe some form of plant manipulation...*Sigh* Sorry, rambling. The best course of action I can think of is explaining that Mordre himself is not here at the moment, while demonstrating a show of force that suggests we could be too costly to just attack while he's away. Hopefully that Paradox Knight guy can help with this ruse, his order has a pretty powerful reputation."

"Thou speaks of me absent my presence? What troubles assail this place, that my presence is demanded?"

I turn to see Reinhardt, clad fully in armor the same as always despite the late hour, with Derkin in his wake, marching to intercept us as we walk towards where the gates once where... and beyond, the outline of the very same gates can be seen floating with someone standing atop them. Dregas speaks without breaking stride, as the Paradox knight falls in with us.

"Well, sir knight, someone showed up, demanding Mordre's life-I could spend time extolling how similar to your own arrival that is, but we're both aware of this, so I'll move past that: Two soldiers attacked without orders to do so, this new individual slew them, and now waits outside the gates. Care to join us for the parley? ...Ah, we think he's a Magnetomancer, if that matters to you."

"Truly? An interesting turn of events, this late in the day. Very well, sounds most interesting, though I must make this clear: I am not part of this Arcanoworks, so do not expect my aid: I am here as an observer, not your ally."

"You have made that abundantly clear... and here we are."

As we move through the empty portcullis that once housed the gates Mordre rebuilt upon the taking of this outpost, I finally get a good look at the individual: He is aged, his hair stark, white, and thinning, and lines dot his face, but his shoulders are still broad, and his hands scarred, adorned with a multitude of simple iron rings, his neck likewise encircled with chains of the same material, over burgundy robes. He watches our approach idly, but makes no aggressive move as we draw nearer, simply staring. Dregas looks to me (Thanks Mordre, for leaving Derkin and I in charge when we have a damn noble here already proven capable of leadership who COULD do that, and instead spends his time respecting that command, leaving me, a deep-damned researcher, to handle this), and I clear my throat to address the one before me.

>>199458
>>199459
>>199465
>>199482
>>199492
>>199506
"Greetings, Mage Eisenhardt-I assume you use the mage appellation, what with your use of Arcane arts-"
>"That is correct...."
"Ah, sorry, my name is Arkus."
>"Well, greetings Arkus, good to see at least some here will attempt discourse."
"Yes, well... I would apologize for the men who shot at you, but... you did break our door and kill them for their... rash, I suppose, actions, so... yeah, not entirely sure an apology is necessary-ah, no offense intended."
>"I see no flaw with your reasoning, and take no offense, Arkus."
"Well, I will thank you for not visiting the same on the rest of us-"
>"I prefer to avoid completely unnecessary death, think nothing of it."
"..Right. Anyway, I'm an apprentice of the Mage Mordre, and... well, sorry, but he's not actually... here... right now, that is."
>"Oh?"

Eisenhardt turns to regard the castle, and nods decisively.

"...Yes, I see that is true, no sufficient mass of metal to be his golem is present, and all others I detect do not match the presented age range"

OHTHANKGOD Mordre went with pretending to be an old mage.

"Yeah, actually... I don't know if you know, but he controls the golem remotely-"
>"Hm? Truly? And how, pray-tell, does he accomplish such a feat?"
"Ah, well, I'm just his apprentice, and THAT particular bit of information he has not seen fit to share with anyone... or, actually, where he is. He picked me up while controlling the Soul Grave, never met him in person, actually..."

OHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEBUYITBUYITDAMNYOU

"...I was afraid that would be the case. Seemed too simple, to simple find him here. Well, I could settle for destroying his Soul Grave for now and take his life when I find him, I suppose...."

>>199450
My mouth starts running before bothering to check with my brain. FUCK YOU MOUTH.

"Okay, so you want to Kill Master Mordre, and destroy his Soul Grave? Honestly, good luck with that-but first, you might want to get in line, I mean, unless you want to kill everyone else who already has grievances, like a talking Core Being, some Yetis, members of the Steel Fists, Mage Weinsho, Aurockoth, and pretty much every single bandit in a five hundred mile radius-well, anyway, it's not like your the first to want a shot at him, so why should you get to skip all those other people waiting for their shot? Oh, and would you like some tea, or something? it's a bit chilly with the rain, all that."

[DAY 109]

As Dregas cannot disguise his horrified shock, I try to murder whatever part of my mind decided to commandeer my mouth and say that, as I try not to cringe from the death likely coming my way as Eisenhardt-

LAUGHS

"PFAW! Hah, you got spunk, I like that. Well, I'll take the tea if you're offering, it IS a cold night. But I would say the fact I'm HERE would warrant letting me skip the rest of those waiting in line, or would you disagree?"

I seek about for something else to say, as I wonder, given that only Dregas and Reinhardt are within earshot... ah, which one would be the most appropriate to ask to get tea? Or maybe I should go get it? Oh, and maybe Dame Valiria should be involved in this, crap I think I'm mental babbling. But that would probably mean bringing Eisenhardt into the Arcanoworks... yeah, freaking out just a bit hear, but mostly happy that little brain-fart didn't get me killed.... and Eisenhardt is looking at me expectantly, crap, gotta say something, do something, ah-



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 199556 ID: 732129

>>199538

You offered the man tea, make good on it. Invite him in, have someone make tea. Hell, ask if anyone else wants tea too. Tea for everyone!

Ask him what his specific quarrel with Mordre is. If it's something from before you met Mordre, or a more recent cause for offense. Try to find out if there's a non-violent way to address his grievance.
>>
No. 199560 ID: 3394fc

>his hands scarred, adorned with a multitude of simple iron rings

Hah, defiantly the guy from the woods.
>>
No. 199561 ID: 0a8e03

>>199538
invite him into the gate house and send one of the men in the gate house to get some tea. (and tell our attack group to relax a bit)

also have some scouts sent out to hopefully meet and mordre before he gets close enough for the mage to sence.


ask why he feels like killing mage mordre
>>
No. 199563 ID: 732129

Oh, by the way, ask Jezebel if she can rig up a spring-load system for the communication rod such that it could be quickly tapped down and brought back up. Something like the tip of a ball-point pen.

If you could make a second set of staffs, again keyed to each other, you could use one staff in a pair as the part that is stuck into the ground. Then you could have the other staff be spring-mounted to the ground staff, so that it could be the "tapper" staff for the messaging party to send codes out with.

This would let the communication staffs be capable of transmitting Morse code, simultaneously if need be.

(Ground Staff) || || (Tapper Staff) ||[s]|| ||[s]|| || || || || || \/ -------

>>
No. 199573 ID: 2d4178

>>199538

Do you know how to make tea and snack-things? if you do, just invite him on down to the kitchen or something and make some. or just go there and see if a cook is around to do it.

>>199556
ask him questions about his quarrel with Mordre in a way that makes it seem like he really is a mage, the start of the quarrel idea sounds like a good place to start. make it seem like you don't know if he was enemied before or after you 'became his apprentice'.

also, why so indescisive/scatterbrained?
how was your education growing up?
any really serious situations happen in the past?
>>
No. 199574 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199538
"Yeah sure, come on in. Mind waiting for Mordre a day or two? I must admit I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner, usually Mordre stumbles upon his foes first. You wouldn't believe how many we find just walking around. But tell me, why do you want to kill him anyway? He's a pretty nice guy when he isn't rending the flesh from his enemies. And uh, I wouldn't call it spunk, more like apathy. I grew up around death, I'm constantly surrounded by it, and I know it's coming for me one day. I can't say that I don't fear it, but it's an inevitability. So lets see what we can do about that tea, eh?"
>>
No. 199582 ID: 3394fc

Oh questions for Arkus.

How does he feel like. What is his stance on Mordre. Does he like how stuff is going for him now?
>>
No. 199614 ID: e67080

How did you learn magic in the first place? what made you motivated?

And of course you must invite him in now! also, ask him a few things, such as why hes after Morde, who is he? your certain you have heard of him, but you can't place it.
>>
No. 199650 ID: a76809
File 12776133887.jpg - (17.82KB , 500x375 , Tea with Eisenhardt.jpg )
199650

>>199560
...Huh, the rings on his fingers makes me think of what Mordre described Ugrokk finding in the Duran forests.... is this guy that bandit king's teacher, then? A bit of a deductive leap... but it certainly sounds like it fits. Well, that would largely explain why he has a grievance against Mordre.... and now I have to act like I have no idea who he is, if I want this to go smoothly. Great.

>>199573
Tea, that I can make, yeah, but snacks... depends on the thing, and given our supplies and whatnot, I don't think I could whip up some scones or something tea-related like might be expected... I guess I could do something like a meat wrap around fruit and WHYAMIASSUMINGI'DMAKEITMYSELFIGOTTHEAWESOMENESSOFMINIONS... yeah, delegating time for that.

Ah, guess I'm scatterbrained because I woke up all of two minutes ago to some guy threatening the place I live at and immediately being forced to exercise my apparent authority given by Mordre, that might have something to do with me being scatterbrained. That, or it could have something to do with the fact I make intuitive leaps all the time, that's my thing, I guess, kinda leads to rambling conversation and thought patterns, but hey, seems to work. My education.... yeah, I'm self taught, what with the whole... being a gutter orphan, so while I can read, write, and all that, I probably have etiquette gaps, since all I got was picked up when I worked as a cooking assistant in the Golden League in a reasonably well to do place, and interacted with the wealthy fairly frequently... blew about a year's wages getting my first book on magic, but hey, that led me to hooking up with Mordre and getting access to all these books, so there's that... granted, having people show up to kill him isn't exactly ideal, but there it is. As to serious situations... ah, kinda got a warrant for my death in a nation that doesn't exist anymore, thanks to this big misunderstanding (local baron claimed I raped his daughter when she ordered me to drink when I was serving her in that restaurant in the Golden League and I woke up in a different land, in her bed, yadah yadah). Oh, and there was the time I kicked a... captain of the guard... in the family jewels, and he ordered the town guard to kill me on sight.... and there was the time I stole a book from a Mortal Coil subsidiary.... yeah, a few things.

>>199582
[If those are questions for Arkus, phrasing them as referencing 'he' rather than direct references to 'you, Arkus' makes it a bit confusing, for future reference.]
The mage is making me a bit terrified, not gonna lie, and that isn't helped by being tired as hell since I just woke up. As to Mordre.... well, yeah, it's anathema, sapient Soul Grave, but I wish a regular flesh and blood type had given me the opportunities he did. Sure, he started out terrifying as hell, what with the killing the people I hired for the jaunt into the Cursed lands, and threatening my life.... but what with all the books on magic and chances to learn, and the not having died yet... honestly, not bad to serve it at all. I barely even understood World Magic before, and knew just a bare bit about runework, and now I'm reverse engineering enchantments made by state sanctioned mages, and I'd claim to be fairly capable with World magic, and this happened in the space of MONTHS, not years. Yeah, this is working out okay for me, and I have no inclination to see this end.

>>199614
I learned magic to begin with (if those rudimentary spells of Word magic I learned could genuinely be called 'magic' in comparison to what I know now, or what I could learn from here on) from a book called, sadly enough 'My first spell-book.' It... was clearly written for noble's children, to give them an introduction to magic, with crude wording, simplistic sentence structure, and a tendency to extol the virtues of the 'haves' staying above the 'have nots'... yeah, did not like that book much, but seeing what people who learned magic could do, the jobs they could get, the wages, the prestige, the power.... hard not to want that, when you're barely scraping by.


>>199556
>>199574
"Ah, yeah, hold on."

I turn to face the Arcanoworks, and point out a soldier I see peering about the portcullis.

"Go wake one of the cooks, we could use some tea, okay?"

I turn back to Eisenhardt, and motion towards the Arcanoworks, and to the newly constructed building who's third floor has been converted into a dedicated kitchen, where I already see people moving to begin brewing midnight tea.

"Well, as I somewhat doubt you'd take kindly to being refused entry, come on in. ...Ah, mind putting the doors back on, though? It is getting muddy without them there to block the rain and wind..."
>"Hmm? Ah, yes, of course."

Eisenhardt leaps lightly from the gates as a small cloud wafts out of a pocket on his robes, coalescing into a flat metal disc, upon which he lands as it floats him along, the gates he vacated returning to their earlier position and bolts resetting themselves, as if it had never been removed, with us on the inside. ...I felt that. It was intermittent, and I only barely detected it, but there was World magic in what he did... granted, I felt it wrapped up in other things as well, but there was definitely World magic in his casting.

I note the guards I granted the obfuscated lightning guns making their way out of the guard towers, doing a passable job of looking both hungry and genuinely interested in the goings-on of this exchange, none moving hands anywhere near their weapons... but all the same arraying themselves all about us as we walk. ...Well, if it comes to it, I suppose ordering an attempt at assassination is still an option. Once we are inside the building, Eisenhardt pulls out a chair in the mess area and I start babbling to fill time while the tea is brewed.

"So...I must admit, I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner, usually Mordre stumbles upon his foes first. You wouldn't believe how many we find just walking around. That's actually part of why I'm 'holding down the fort' and all that, because personally.... yeah, I don't feel as comparatively safe in battles as someone using a pseudo-body that happens to be a mobile siege weapon."
>"Well, I can respect that position, not all mages are destined or inclined towards combat."
"Yeah, personally, I like working on magical theory, or doing archival research."
>"Never could stand prolonged time spent perusing old musty tomes myself, but to each their own."
"Yeah, exactly.... So, mind telling me, why do you want to kill him anyway, Master Mordre, I mean? He's a pretty nice guy when he isn't rending the flesh from his enemies."
>"Let's say he hindered some ventures of mine rather greatly, to the point that years of time invested were rendered worthless. Beyond that, he killed an apprentice that, while I will not say was the most obedient, still held something of a soft spot in my heart. Plus, I'm not really the type to just let a direct challenge pass."
"Ah. ....Oh, and to your prior comment...uh, I wouldn't call it spunk, more like apathy-that is, about my attitude?"
>"Yes?"
"Well, I grew up around death, I'm constantly surrounded by it, and I know it's coming for me one day. I can't say that I don't fear it, but it's an inevitability."
>"Some would call your viewpoint morbid, but I call it realistic, and as you don't seem to mope, as some who claim themselves cognizant of the very real possibility of death or so dreary, but that doesn't seem to be an issue for you."
"Ah, ...Thank you, I think. So... ah, here's that tea..."

As one of the cooks puts down a tray with four cups of steaming tea, Eisenhardt takes a cup and begins drinking immediately, a contended look coming over his face, as Dregas and I take our own cups (Reinhardt does not seem inclined to partake), and the four individuals with concealed lightning pistols insinuate themselves into the few groups of night patrolmen here for a meal, not looking at me but nevertheless seating themselves to keep me in their periphery. Eisenhardt seems content to sip his tea, and I finally break the silence.

"So... would you mind waiting a few days? ...Ah, actually, not sure if a few days is accurate, since I don't really know when exactly Master Mordre will be back, but-"
>"Oh? No idea when he'll be back, huh? Well, where did he go?"
"Ah.."

At this point Dregas interjects with his own commentary, as I note Reinhardt cocking his helmeted head at Eisenhardt, even though he remains silent. Despite the few looks the presumed Magnetomancer has cast his way.

"I do not believe that information on where the Mage Mordre's Soul Grave currently is would fall under the jurisdiction of courtesy offered by a host to a visiting foe, even one as... cordial... as yourself."
>"Oh?"
"Indeed. Let us presume a hypothetical scenario wherein you are given this information at this juncture."
>"Oh please, do continue, I'm curious where you're going with this."
"Well, in that instance, where the information has been rendered-"
>"Mm-hm?"
"What would prevent you from simply killing us all to spite Mordre, against whom you have already admitted a grudge? I daresay that information may be something of insurance to us, so why would we relinquish it?"
>"Ah, I can see where you're going with that-but let me present to you another hypothetical scenario: What if, in the instance the information is refused, I decide that to gain it, I start killing people until such time the information IS given? Wouldn't your insurance backfire in that instance?"

To this, Dregas has no immediate response. Might be my turn to step back up to the verbal plate.


Okay.... so now what?
What should I say or do?
>>
No. 199662 ID: e67080

"Well, in that case, I certainly hope you find yourself liking the tea here. As you are now my personally invited guest to stay as long as you wish. I cannot point you directly to where Master Morde is... but I suspect he would come back sometime is a reasonable thing to say. Maybe we can make a spectacle out of this particular engagement? Get an arena going, sell tickets, the whole nine yards! if thats agreeable to you. It would be a pleasant change of pace to random ambush skirmashes."
>>
No. 199667 ID: d3dfb8

>>199662
Uhhh no.
I don't want half the Arcanoworks destroyed thank you very much.
>>
No. 199668 ID: e0fbe1

Here's an idle of idle suggestions that we honestly shouldn't do - just kick around - but...If we just posion him, problem gone.

But, yeah, we really shouldn't.
>>
No. 199671 ID: 445c48

>>199668
Well we should have, and we might still be able to poison the scones, but I'm sure Mordre would like to eat him. Besides, what kind of host poisons the tea? Rather poor form, I'd have to say.

Mention that, hypothetically, you'd think him rather a poor sort, much unlike him, for killing people, making a ruckus, when simply waiting around, having nice brunches and perhaps discussing magic theory or whatever there is to do for leisure here, could get him the target.
>>
No. 199674 ID: d3dfb8

>>199650
"Well Dregas, it seems he is correct. If you happen to have any information on Master Mordre's whereabouts that I do not I suggest you share.
Unfortunately Master Mordre left the Arcanoworks in the dead of night yestderday taking 4 of our most competent warriors without so much as telling anyone where he was going. So, Eisenhardt, you are welcome to stay here if you wish and await Master Mordre's return. I regretfully can't tell you where he is or when he will be back."
>>
No. 199675 ID: 1dedf5

Fellow seems to be civil enough, no harm in asking if he could mention any details about the setbacks he's had. Maybe there's a way to make reparations without involving an epic duel that would probably involve a lot of the surrounding area being demolished or majorly hindering Mordre's own goals.
>>
No. 199678 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199650
"How about we assume a hypothetical situation where we wouldn't need to kill each other by trying to call bluffs. Lord Mordre has only been gone a night, and he wouldn't make such a sudden trip without the destination of his travels requiring the utmost urgency. Now, Mage Eisenhardt, you said Mordre hindered a business venture of yours, yes? Why not join him? Yeah sure you two can kill each other all you want when he gets back, but think about this realistically: My master is merciful to those that are merciful as well. Mostly all the people that Lord Mordre's Soul Grave has slain have been murderers and thieves, killers of the innocent and torturers of pacifists. For instance, the nearby town of Berluut was assaulted in plain daylight and a message of vengeance was written the blood of it's people swearing revenge on my master. He just doesn't take kindly to it, because it breaks his system of efficiency. You see, when the innocent prosper, there is a surplus of food, wealth, manpower, and knowledge. Strong men and women become builders and footsoldiers and aspiring mages or combat magic users. Production and trade swell, and we all benefit from it. But with the introduction of bandits, thieves, and the element of greed, the system erodes. Since you've tracked us here by word of mouth or what have you, then you must know that my master's Soul Grave only benefits from times of war, and he uses that to patch the holes in his system. When the dregs of society are removed, his golem is empowered and he can maintain efficiency. With all this in mind, I think you can see where you fit into the equation. It's quite obvious that if my master thwarted a plan of yours, unsavory methods were being used to bring your plan to bear. I'm not going to throw myself before you to divert you from attacking my master, for you will simply do as you please. I'm just asking, that in the event that my master defeats you and spares your life, would you consider turning over a new leaf, repenting if you will? I know I must sound rediculous right now, but an honest life isn't as backbreaking and boring as you might think. I was an orphan before this, penniless, stupid, desperate. I could've turned into a some shameful mugger surviving by the skin of my hindquarters, and I could also be one of the unfortunate fools that Mordre has crushed under his Soul Grave's massive metal foot. Point is, most people take potential of all types for granted, most of all their own. Perhaps that venture of yours could change into something better with Mordre's help, you were resolute enough to come hunt him down, who is to say that you lack the resolve to revive your cause with a better purpose? But enough of my preaching, it's time for us all to wait and think. You're not leaving here after travelling all this way, and so the choice is yours: To what scene does Mage Mordre and his Soul Grave return to?"
>>
No. 199681 ID: 60bd5e

"Well then, how about this. You seem like a rather honorable man, striking out at a man who has taken things from you is understandable, though the circumstances that lead to the taking are questionable."
*Wave hand*"
I won't go into that now, that is a matter between you and master Mordre for the moment. I am afraid to tell you that my lord left in the dead of night with little explanation to his destination or when he will be returning. maybe he is preforming some maintenance on his golem? Either way, I would suggest that you look for him elsewhere."

Don't really want to show to much aggression, this man could likely take out everyone in this room instantaneously, and I know that he can sense the guns, even if he might not be able to doge the shot; Those guns light up like Christmas trees to Mordre.
>>
No. 199685 ID: 60bd5e

>>199678
Wow WALL OF TEXT

I agree with some and not with some. You are very passive aggressive with more emphasis on the aggressive.
>>
No. 199686 ID: a594b9

>>199650
If Mordre told you where he was going, Arkus... and Eisenhardt insists on finding out that information... then tell him.
>>
No. 199689 ID: d3dfb8

>>199686
He didn't. We kinda just... left.
>>
No. 199696 ID: f4e4f9

"Well, that would be something of a tragedy, as even considering my professed apathy I can't say that I really want to die or see anyone else hurt.

So consider this: While I can't exactly when he'll be back, I will posit the hypothesis that it is likely he'll be back relatively soon, as given our arrangements with the Azelhaedran State, Lord Mordre is duty bound to not venture too long without first notifying the nearby fortress. Which, as I noted no messengers sent from the keep, is possibly not the case.

(NOTE: THis is technically untrue, Mordre DID inform quinton personally. But Arkus doesn't know that, and his ignorance is our advantage :))

So, given that, I would think the most beneficial thing for all involved is to wait. Lord Mordre has something of a track record of acceding to requested duels, so once he gets back, I'm sure you both can settle your differences like Gentlemen...or Warriors, if you prefer.

Who knows, maybe we can even convince you to settle this whole thing nonviolently in the meantime?"
>>
No. 199699 ID: f4e4f9

"Besides, not everyone here directly serves Lord Mordre, and rampantly murdering everyone is liable to just make more of a hassle for everyone involved when the State and the Blue Knight come knocking."
>>
No. 199703 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199685
[Well in this situation I'd rather have Arkus come off as sarcastic and snarky defining his worst traits, we can't really afford to appear weak or scared in front of a man like this. Composure is everything when the odds are stacked against you.]
>>
No. 199712 ID: f4e4f9

>>199703
I actually think your speech is quite good. I'd second, but as suggestions typically get worked together into a cohesive whole, I'm just posting additional stuff.
>>
No. 199728 ID: d3dfb8

>>199712
This.
>>
No. 199783 ID: 3394fc

>>199650
>First part of the post

Heh, you're quite a rascal, aren't you Arkus? Didn't know you had that side to you.

Mordre gave you lots of tasks, didn't he? Do you feel overworked? Is there anything you would like to work on first? Any definite goals you have in mind?

Also, do you have any "unfinished" businesses from your former life?
>>
No. 199812 ID: a76809

>>199783
Sure, Mordre gave me a bunch of tasks, but I'm not complaining: It gives me time and resources aplenty, so I can learn at my own pace, and if I am overworked, it's my own fault because I STILL can't get over how many things I have access to here, and sometimes I try to just cram as much in my head as I can, and then I realize it's dawn, so... yeah. I would like some time to work on Will magic, but there are precious few instructional materials here on that subject, and... Mordre is not the best direct teacher. It seems to use magic differently than us, like it's accessing the souls it stored, rather than genuine knowledge... though as Ulzrick learns Magnetomancy, I could cross-reference with his take on it against what I got from Mordre and the books... well, it's something to consider. As a definitive goal, I want to get ASKED by the Mortal Coil to join. Yeah, arrogant, all that, but there it is. As to unfinished business... no, not really... well, I never got my last bit of wages from my last job, but that was as a busboy, so... not really important.

>>199662
>>199674
"So, how do you like the tea?"
>"It's passable, but more importantly, it's warm, so in that respect there is nothing I could complain about."
"So, I'd like to propose a hypothetical of my own: What happens if we don't actually know where Master Mordre is, you end up following your own hypothetical of killing us for the information only to not receive it because we don't have it, and since we don't know how long Mordre will be away, let's presume further, and say that, after laying waste to everyone here and not knowing where Mordre or his Soul Grave are, or when they will be back, you decide to wait... and weeks pass by."
>"And so? You seem to have ample food stores here."
"Yes, but the vast majority of it comes from others, who I don't think would be inclined to provide food once all of us are dead. At some point, what is here will start to rot. Can you fight malnourishment, or potential starvation?"
>"Very well, I'll concede the point, that in this hypothetical scenario, maybe wholesale murder is not, in fact, the solution. Now, are we going to take this out of the realm of hypotheticals?"
"Yes, I can honestly say I don't know where Master Mordre went or how long he'll be away."

Eisenhardt stares at me without comment for moment, then nods as he sips more tea.

"I see."

>>199675
"So, ah... I'd say we've been rather forthcoming with you-"
>"I won't object to that claim."
"Right... so, would you mind sharing anything more specific about the setbacks you suffered thanks to Master Mordre?"
>"And why would I do that?"
"Well, maybe there's some way to avoid some mutually destructive fight, or make reparations, or-"
>"Look, Arkus, I'm a warrior, have been my whole life, and I don't brook direct challenges, intentional or otherwise, it's just not in me."
"But if the thing that was perceived as a challenge is handled, so that there no longer is a challenge to deal with...?"
>"...Tell you what, you get your quiet knight friend there to indulge my curiosity, I'll tell you some of what Mordre undid."
"Ah..."

"I am Reinhardt, a Paradox Knight, Of the Order of Harmonious Discord. The this the information thou sought?"

At this, Eisenhardt's cavalier smile slips, just slightly.

>"And if I asked you to prove this-"
"Thou would be informed those of the Order are not required to do so, And that thou must be aware of the penalties for masquerading as such. While I may not have identical views to my brethren within the order, I still espouse the virtues of balance as a whole- And scion of the Hardt ancestry, thou must know, if this place was struck down, 'Two by a most unbalanced act: I would be obligated to correct it."

>"Oh? And what would make it unbalanced?"
"Those here now are by and large of peaceful intent, And their wholesale slaughter would be an act of destruction, Without any form of counterbalance: A response would be necessary."

>"Hm... well, I'm still not convinced you are what you say, but you certainly ACT like a Paradox Knight...."

>>199699
"Well, even if you choose to disbelieve the knight, we have ties with both the State proper and the Blue Knight, and both would have issue with our collective death."
>"All right, all right, you've convinced me that simply killing you all as a message would not be an ideal solution: So offer me an alternative."

>>199678
"Now, Mage Eisenhardt, you said Mordre hindered a business venture of yours, yes?"
>"Indeed."
"Why not join him?"
>"Are you mentally unbalanced?"
"Just hear me out. Yeah sure, you two can kill each other all you want when he gets back, but think about this realistically: My master is merciful to those that are merciful as well. Mostly all the people that Lord Mordre's Soul Grave has slain have been murderers and thieves, killers of the innocent and torturers of pacifists."
>"And as evidence for this claim..."
"For instance, the nearby town of Berluut was assaulted in plain daylight and a message of vengeance was written the blood of it's people swearing revenge on my master. He just doesn't take kindly to it, because it breaks his system of efficiency. So he acted to exact judgment for this."
>"...I heard about what happened in Berluut, and I agree it was in poor taste, but that is just one example."
"With the introduction of bandits, thieves, and the element of greed to this area, the system erodes, and that is what my master has been acting against. Since you've tracked us here by word of mouth or what have you, then you must know that my master's Soul Grave only benefits from times of war, and he uses that to patch the holes in the system."
>"So, Mordre acts to restore order is your claim then... would certainly back the claim by this knight that he represents the order of Harmonious Discord.."
"With all this in mind, I think you can see where you fit into the equation. It's quite obvious that if my master thwarted a plan of yours, unsavory methods were being used to bring your plan to bear."
>"Quite possible, but if you are suggesting I repent, or that you'll oppose-"
"I'm not going to throw myself before you to divert you from attacking my master, for you will simply do as you please. I'm just asking, that in the event that my master defeats you and spares your life, would you consider turning over a new leaf, following a different course of action?"
>"....."
"I know I must sound ridiculous right now, but-"
>"you do sound ridiculous... but I admit to liking spunk, so you're wager sounds intriguing.... but it would need a counterbalance, to be acceptable."

Uh-oh.

"And uh... what do you suggest?"
>"Well, since, if Mordre wins, you have suggested I serve him, in the event I survive the fight... I posit this: If I win..."
Ohhereitcomesthiscantbegood-
>"You become my apprentice."
"...I'm sorry?"
>"I lost an apprentice some time ago, you seem to not be the type to lose his head in stressful situations, you think quickly, you have spunk, you even plan for eventualities-nice touch with the guards and the glamored weapons, but you might want to have that be one of several different plans, as obfuscation on it's own is relatively easily pierced, works best when someone thinks they already found all your traps-and I have the feeling that you could make a properly vicious mage, with the right instruction."
"Uh.."
>"I'll even do you one better: You clearly hold a position of authority here, and I imagine that, as a past State research outpost this place is replete with research material: Retain your position of authority, use it as your own base, in the instance I win. Or raze it to the ground I care not."

Uh.....



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 199814 ID: 5ed4f7

"IF you win. then it would be an acceptable deal."
>>
No. 199816 ID: a594b9

>>199812
"That seems like an acceptable tradeoff. If Mordre loses... well, it will take quite a while for him to find another golem to control and meanwhile I'll have no way to contact him... It would be almost like he died."
>>
No. 199820 ID: 45be60

Don't tell him about your other contingencies! Don't let it slip that there are other things in the area waiting for a signal. Don't gloat that he only noticed one of them.

Imply it.
>>
No. 199822 ID: 7e186c

If Mordre loses would this become Arkusquest or how about a Bangquest?
>>
No. 199823 ID: 2d4178

>>199812
uhohuhohhhh

well, hopefully Mordre can handle this guy, but that may be a long shot. There doesn't seem to be anything you can do but accept this counterbalance idea if we hope to keep the option of him joining us in there.

ah this is a very very strange situation.

Would you be opposed to being his apprentice, Arkus??
>>
No. 199828 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199812
Sure, that seems reasonable. It's not like I'd be betraying Mordre, you won't discover any more information on the man himself by having me as your apprentice. I mean, besides what his Soul Grave can do, and the name of his cat. And like I mentioned before, you'd gain quite a few of his enemies as well, but I doubt that'll be a problem if you can destroy Mordre's Soul Grave.
>>
No. 199830 ID: a76809
File 127766443868.jpg - (92.65KB , 600x600 , Eisenhardt Attack.jpg )
199830

>>199820
[What other contingencies? He spotted the guards with glamored lightning guns, that was the only thing that was prepared.]

>>199822
[Something like that]

>>199823
I... I'm not sure how I feel about this, but as this agreement seems to be the closest thing to an okay outcome to this I've hit on, I think I HAVE to go with it. Spunk is one thing, rejecting an offer of apprenticeship... yeah, I don't think that would end well here... which means-

>>199814
>>199816
"..IF you win-"
>"Yes, if?"
"Then that seems like an acceptable trade-off. If Master Mordre loses.... well, it will take quite a while for him to find another golem to control, and I don't know if his method requires a Soul Grave specifically, or... either way, I'd have no way to contact him, so he'd practically speaking be dead, from my perspective."
>"So you accept the wager then? Should I lose and still be alive, I'll align myself with the mage Mordre, but should I render his golem inoperable, you shall become my apprentice."
"...Yes."
>"Excellent! Always so hard to find a decent apprentice, and I have the feeling you'll serve most admirably. Hm... well, I doubt the rest here will feel comfortable if I take up temporary residence while waiting for your master, so... I think I'll excuse myself, and make some shelter outside.:
"Ah... alright then"

As Eisenhardt steps out of the building, his platform whizzing up to the walls and through the gap between the walls and the canvas cover, Dregas rounds on me with anger in his eyes.

>"What are you doing?! Have you gone mad!?"
"He was going to kill us if I didn't come up with a solution, what alternative to this do you see?"
>"We could have hosted him, maybe swayed him over time-"
"That is most unlikely. I have heard the name Eisenhardt before, Not just as a talented mage in the field of war, but as a stubborn individual: I truly doubt you could sway him from desiring vengeance against Mordre."


Derkin makes his way into the room as the earth rumbles for a moment before settling, Dame Valiria in tow, and what starts as a simple conversation quickly devolves into worried bickering as my mind spins. ...What should I do?

.................................

Time passes, and the day eventually dawns. I certainly could not get sleep again after this turn of events, and though Derkin organized a full-strength presence on the walls, all armed with hand-cannons, lightning guns and assorted other implements from Jezebel's shop, Eisenhardt has not left the stone structure that has sprung up outside the Arcanoworks, a massive domed thing with windows of crystal and functioning gates. We wait on Mordre's return, Ulzrick saying Jojo speaks for the other Premen in expressing concern at an enemy being at our gates. I do what I can to placate them, and apparently my actions in ending the Yeti tribe that once occupied what is now Mordreden gives my words weight, and they settle down... for now. Some time after dawn the rains finally stop, and the sky begins to clear.

As noon rolls around, a string of caravans arrive, guided by warriors with blue skin, claiming they have a delivery for the Mage Mordre, and are here to take part in a bout of joint training. I seize on this distraction, and get Derkin with me to galvanize the whole base towards this pursuit, cursing the fact that with it having been bumped so far down my priority chain, I have no samples of crude hand-cannons, and gift a few choice rubies and one of the 168 pre-existing hand-cannons to the warriors for when they return, even as they (they say their title is Hound, oddly enough) make themselves ready. At Derkin's urging, a vicious, exhausting set of sparring begins, practically a mock battle of attrition, and while not even the three being trained for leadership can match these Hounds in single combat, in group endeavors our soldiers seem to fair acceptably. Even Eisenhardt decides to observe, floating on his metal platform above the walls and noting the sparring as it happens.

........................................

And finally, as the day is beginning to wane, the Hounds departing with our samples of wares (I decided to include one of Jezebel's WASP spears, as well as instructions for it, the canisters it uses, and the hand-cannon) and their now empty caravans depart, Dame Valiria commenting the life golems looked pleased, with the contest, the goods, and this initial meeting: Well, that went well, at least.

.........................................

And late into the night, I am roused from a fitful sleep, jolted awake by two simple words:

"Mordre's returned!"


............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE..........................................


I could feel the magics in the stone mound outside my Arcanoworks even as we approached, as well as the distorted mass of magnetic fields fluctuating within-and I activated the rune upon my chest to disjoin my own magnetic fields even as I sent those with me, replete with the prizes of this last battle, on to the Arcanoworks. A figure floats out of the mound, appraising me with a blank expression, before a slow grin creeps across his face.

"Well good, you didn't make me wait long. ...Well, it's late, so I'll get to it: I'm the mage Eisenhardt, and I'm here to destroy your golem, and hopefully find where you live so I can truly kill you. ...Good job making your magnetic field obscured-and interesting material composition, at that-so.... let's start with this."

At a gesture of his hand, the mound within which he resided splits open, it's stone slabs peeling back to reveal a metal sphere (iron, tin, nickel... it seems to be a smorgasbord of assorted metals pulled from deep in the earth) some hundred feet wide floats up into the air, gaining some few hundred feet of altitude-

And begins plunging towards my form.

Ah



Orders?
[Note: Mordre has gained Geomantic capabilities from the recently consumed souls, which allow the manipulation of stone and earth alike. Among the uses for this: Sliding across stone/earth in a manner similar to Silicanthos, or reshaping any collection of stone or earth when in direct contact with it. This can be boosted with access to World magic as well, and feel free to suggest creative uses (you'll need them). Pyromantic capabilities were also gained, allowing for the manipulation of existing flames (but not their creation). GOOD HUNTING]
>>
No. 199836 ID: 1dedf5

Errrm...bloody hell. Right, obviously trying to dodge or block this thing is going to do jack-all, so I'd recommend a combination of trying to slow the megaball with your own magnetomancy and shaping a sturdy spire of earth beneath it to hopefully further deflect its course. While you're doing that, see about maneuvering a bit more beneath your opponent and spitting out a burst of soulfire, using your pyromantic manipulation to make the flames chase him through the air while they last.
>>
No. 199837 ID: 2aaaf1

>>199830
Charge up IG and hit it with the primary function, followed up by absorbing the metal straight into our form. Abeloth's soul will allow us to do so in a timely fashion especially with help from our boosted magnetomancy powers, and since all those metals are of lesser quality than Blootz steel, our composition will remain the same. After that, turn the tables on the man. Make a giant earth ball with a hole in the bottom and a hollow space in the middle, send an inferno golem in to "pilot" the ball. Then spit soulfire on the entire mass of earth and send it at the mage. If he touches the thing, he'll be immolated and crushed, and if he blocks it, we'll just make it explode in his face.
>>
No. 199838 ID: 1dedf5

>>199836
The object of getting under him, by the by, being to make it harder for him to hit YOU with his projectile without smashing himself in the process.
>>
No. 199839 ID: 1dedf5

>>199837
...Oh yeah, forgot about those tricks. Good catch and good form.
>>
No. 199840 ID: b14128

Use a combination of magnetomancy and geomancy: Set it so you and the ball repel one another, then activate the slide fuction of geomancy: You should breeze out of the way no problem. Then create an inferno golem and send it at him, using your pyromancy to boost its already awesome speed (And heat, if he tries to block it with metal) to an even greater extent.

...Then again, perhaps we should save our geomancy and pyromancy for something bigger, since I'm certain he doesn't know we have those skills, what with how recently we got them. Hrm. Any other ideas?
>>
No. 199841 ID: b14128

...Ok, got an insane, crazy idea here. How far away is the core being again? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to veer towards it, since... Well, geomancy can be boosted by world magic, and the core being is leeching off some really deep leylines, though, so... Maybe we could leech off its leeching? ...If that makes sense? ...And is possible?
>>
No. 199842 ID: 60bd5e

Create 3 Inferno Golems, and send them at him in a triangular formation. Slide to the side using your earth stuff and activate the IG primary function.
>>
No. 199844 ID: a594b9

>>199830
Make sure everyone else stays out of this fight. They'll just get their blood sucked out if they try to help.

Shape the earth so that you burrow into it. The earth above you should shield you from the giant orb, and you can bust through it to attack Eisenhardt.
>>
No. 199845 ID: 903f16

Whatever we do, try and tap into the world magic flowing through our fields when you do it.
>>
No. 199847 ID: 60bd5e

Howl out the Dirge.

Hmmm, when you are passing the ball, lash at it with your claws to disrupt his magical control of it, then split some disks off of it using magnetomancy and use them as a platform to fly. you can anchor the platform to the ball and yourself.

Need to get in melee range to sword rape.
>>
No. 199849 ID: d3dfb8

We can't magnetomancy ourselves while the rune is active.

Fire the AG cannon down the middle of the ball, use magenetomancy to burrow deep, whip out Oblivion's Edge, create furrows in the earth for your feet, reinforce the earth below and behind you, take a defencive posture, prepare to absorb any metal that touches you.
We are going to take it like a man.
>>
No. 199850 ID: 60bd5e
 

You need some tunes man.
>>
No. 199861 ID: ff183c

Start charging the IG - It'll be our final blow if we get in range.

In addition to other suggestions use earth control to blow the earth around you upwards so it becomes a smoke screen. Also body-absorb all ammunition and items that aren't being magnetically masked by the anti-magnetic runes. Mordre should be able to tell which ones he needs to absorb.(Oblivion's Edge has no magnetic field?) We don't want to give this guy anything to lock on to. If we can drag this out enough using smoke screens then IG can charge to preposterous levels, enabling us to do a MASSIVE magic breaker.

I also don't think the vanguard blades or AG cannon rounds will be effective beyond 0.1 seconds from being fired as Eisenhardt will react and send them back.
>>
No. 199874 ID: 799545

what if we charge the IG up, activate the inverter and then use the secondary function? magic amplifier?
>>
No. 199893 ID: 45be60

>>199830
>[What other contingencies? He spotted the guards with glamored lightning guns, that was the only thing that was prepared.]

Sure, but HE doesn't know that.
>>
No. 199894 ID: ddff16

>>199830
We should politely introduce ourself while initiating combat mode. Make sure that our words and tone remain entirely consistent with someone far removed from the battle, with no sense of personal danger.

"Eisenhardt, you say? That does sound familiar... where have I heard the name... I don't suppose that you would care to provide more details? I am the mage Mordre, as you are clearly aware- though I suppose there is a vanishingly small chance that you have my soul grave confused with someone else's, and are waiting outside my outpost through a series of comical coincidences. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. And thank you for your observations about the golem, its composition is a rather useful alloy of my own devising. This should provide an excellent opportunity to test its limitations."
>>
No. 199895 ID: d3dfb8
 

>>199893
Bit late.
>>199850
THIS is my battle music
>>
No. 199896 ID: 3394fc

I wonder, now that we have geomancy, if we can make Earth Golems. They probably wont be as powerful as Inferno Golems but I think they would last longer (you know, not burning themselves out)

Also, if we are really going to try to sway Eisenhardt on our side, how are we going to beat him without killing him? Our style of battle makes it pretty hard to not kill people. And in this battle, it looks like one hit on Eisenhardt might be lethal (the problem is to make a connecting hit)
>>
No. 199901 ID: a73063

>>199896
i think it would be if we get all three of our tentacles around him so that we can destroy him with a twitch would be a non lethal victory.
>>
No. 199903 ID: d3dfb8

Or if we do happen to kill him we might be able to use his skin to finish Kyorto, depending on whether or not we raped him.
Too bad we used the AA on the giant guy.
It might hurt him without breaking the skin though, break his concentration and whatnot.
>>
No. 199911 ID: 3394fc

>>199901
>>199903

I was thinking on a method to kill mages without destroying their skin:
Now that we are full Blootz and have consumed +20 mage souls we should be able to direct our Magnetomancy with nano precision. Make a nail sized needles and shoot them through the ears or nose of the enemy directly to the brain .... but this will obviously not work on Eisenhardt.
We might need to use souls soldiers.

Also, it might be dangerous to hold back on this guy as Bob sounded quite ominous in that last paragraph.
>>
No. 199917 ID: 0a8e03

>>199561
no scouts then?

well at least we dont have to worry about killing the mage or dammageing the skin, we can just use our souls=healing ability of our seige fist
>>
No. 199956 ID: 445c48

>>199837
Make sure to thank him for the snack for your golem, you rather forgot to pack enough metal to eat ha ha ha, how has your stay at the Arcanoworks been, I trust my subordinates have kept you well fed and entertained don't usually have guests ha ha ha
>>
No. 199970 ID: a594b9

If we summon any Inferno Golems, better limit it to one at a time. More than that, and we lose focus.
>>
No. 199974 ID: 4a0298

one more thing

"Eisenhardt eh... you seem too powerful to be one of Wensio's. May I ask what your grievance with me is?"

>>199895
ಠ_ಠ
>>
No. 199976 ID: 4a0298

>>199970
Not if there is only one target. Even so, we can give two vauge orders like "Defend me"or"Kill him" and control one more precisely.

Go out into the gunfight with your tank ready to roll.
>>
No. 199981 ID: f4e4f9

We have all the runes Dulu had on his morphic staff grafted to our body in some matter, did we not? If so, Dodge and tap it. Activate Yogoko as you do so. Compressed as a whole mass, the ball of metals is techically one object, so we can steal it's speed AND ruin it's entire magnetic field (if you'll recall, any metal object Dulu touched or deflected with his staff instantly became impossible to manipulate for us).

And, it goes without saying, begin charging the IG. I think our primary goal is going to be getting him into range at SOME point, and nullifying his magic.

Then we can figure out what the fuck is going on.

(And I do not think magnetomancy against someone as capable in the field as Eisenhardt is our best method of defense. Think: How would you fight magneto, given the options?)
>>
No. 199984 ID: f4e4f9

Additionally, begin concentrating on random portions of Earth, just below the surface proper. If at any point Eisenhardt nears one of these focus points, ERUPT THEM.

Thnk of them like Geomantic Landmines.
>>
No. 199986 ID: f4e4f9

Final suggestion for the moment: Additionally, fire a Skyfall Shot directly ABOVE Eisenhardt. He can't manipulate them, and the shot may force him to move closer to the Earth, to the aforementioned landmines.

If the attempt to steal speed from the ball of doom works, you should ALSO consider using your increased speed to whip out your ribbon tentacles when he does so, also with the goal of luring him toward the earth if you can't get a grasp on him.

However powerful a mage he is, we have one advantage for sure: Simultaneous planning vs. the limited scope of an unaugmented human. The guy is powerful, but he doesn't specialize in the same area as Figment.
>>
No. 199987 ID: ab04d4
File 127768203744.png - (310.51KB , 650x520 , Mordre.png )
199987

The fight hasn't started yet, but I felt that posting this might give us a better chance.

(If I forgot anything semi-important to Mordre's arsenalized body, please remind me.)
>>
No. 199989 ID: 4a0298

>>199986
We don't have Skyfall, Mordre used em on the Giant.
>>
No. 199990 ID: f4e4f9

>>199989
Mordre only fired 4 shots into the Giant, None of which created the lightning effect.

The AG cannon revolver chamber holds 6. Two of which are Skyfall, as I recall.
>>
No. 199991 ID: a594b9

We don't want to fire any METAL OBJECTS at the MAGNETOMANCER, guys
>>
No. 199992 ID: 1dedf5

>>199990
The two Skyfall rounds were used. Check >>197763
>>
No. 199994 ID: 4a0298

>>199990
>Mordre guiding his Soul Grave to fire two rounds back to back, one hitting the giant charging towards him, the other directed into the churning, swirling mass of earth amidst the enemy camp, both locations flaring with light as lightning cracks down from the sky, molten metal flying about
>>
No. 199995 ID: 3394fc

>>199987
Thats pretty awesome.
There should be 6 saw-blades. And the cannon is situated on the shoulder not on the upper part of the arm.
>>
No. 199996 ID: 4a0298

>>199987
Nice. I only really noticed the lack of revolver mods. Nice imagining though, and art skills.
>>
No. 200004 ID: e31d52

TURN ON THE MAGNETIC INVISIBILITY RUNE, FIRST THING. FFFFFFFFFFFFUCK.

Second, INFERNO GOLEM, RIGHT THE FUCK NOW.

Third, once he's so close you couldn't possibly miss, AMARANTHINE ANNIHALATOR.

And fourth, if he's STILL not dead, soulfire his ass.
>>
No. 200006 ID: e31d52

>>200004
Also, use pyromancy to direct the soulfire to him.
>>
No. 200008 ID: e31d52

Crap, one other thing I forgot to mention: Mordre isn't as skilled as Eisenhardt, but in a straight up match of endurance, he will win EVERY time, due to the fact that our magic is fueled by hundreds of souls. I'm not saying that we can beat him with his own medicine, I'm just saying we can outlast him, if need be.
>>
No. 200010 ID: 7c3a2e

...We have two swords. Use both swords! One can't be effected by magic, the other dispels magic! Hold the Crystal Edge further to the base, so we can wield the Sable Executioner as well.


>>199986
We can't, we used both last fight.

I also don't think we can use magic with our rune activated or that Blootz Steel means we have nano-control over Magnetomancy, but as I am brain dead, I won't argue that yet.
>>
No. 200029 ID: db9547

>>199992
My mistake.

Use Soulfire in their place, then. Employ your pyromantic abilities to extend your soulfire's range
>>
No. 200093 ID: 4a0298

>>200010
We can still use magic, we just cant affect ourselves with magnetomancy. I'm not sure what else the 'Disjointed' rune we engaged does, but that much is proven.

Blootz Steel makes it easier for us to manipulate ourselves due to our skill in both required fields. I think it also boosts our magic capabilities thanks to the blood iron content. It like using blood magic in tandem with whatever we do.
>>
No. 200096 ID: 4a0298

!! MORDRE

Try to tap into the World magic well created by the farming area to power your stuff. You know about it, he doesn't. He already uses world magic anyway.

Hmmm..... lets see if we can cut him off from his source. Need to charge up the IG with that in mind.
>>
No. 200102 ID: 903f16

>>200096
Suggested already, but I agree. We can use it to power our magnetomancy and geomancy attacks for some extra punch. We may want to search out for any other sources of world magic besides our fields and find out what source he himself is tapping into as well.
>>
No. 200132 ID: a76809

[Couple things to clarify, as I'd rather you not die from a misunderstanding of mechanics or established knowledge:]
>Both Skyfall runed shots got used in the Domintus struggle, but otherwise, all normal ammo has been regenerated. This also means that a full six AG rounds are on Mordre's back, and 12 extra AV blades are likewise stored.
>The metal sphere is far in excess of the mass that could be absorbed via Abaeloth's soul. At best, it could absorb something half Mordre's size, and the sphere is several dozen times the size and mass of Mordre.
>The IG primary function requires the target to have magic of it's own to use as a catalyst for the explosion with the stored energy in the IG. This does not include magic from an external source to guide a mundane object (such as the sphere)
>Mordre already gave all the spoils of war to his followers upon spotting the earth mound outside the Arcanoworks, and is working only with his own equipment.
>The magic dispelling effects of Black Steel (such as that comprising the Sable Executioner) only nullifies magic of Word, World, and Will, not Blood or Soul. Eisenhardt has been demonstrated to use Blood magic as a fuel source, which would mean the magic dispelling effects of the SE will not work on his magic.
>No object can have more than one mage actively acting on it. This means that while Eisenhardt is actively employing magnetomancy on something, you cannot use your own magnetomancy on the same object, unless you can either break his control or overpower it (in the case of objects he made or 'owns', like the sphere, rather unlikely)
>Dulu's runes are fully replicated on Mordre's chest, but only the one rune, the disjoining rune, actually activates, as they were designed for a weapon, not a golem, so it's field only extends to things that are part of said golem (this includes ammunition while they are in contact with Mordre's form). This rune is currently active, hence why Eisenhardt did not rip Mordre apart directly. It is inadvisable to deactivate it.

>>199861
[It isn't so much that the Edge of Oblivion does not have a magnetic field as it is that, since the blade exists outside time, the field cannot ever generate, so while the object is technically in possession of a magnetic field, this field can never become active.]

>>199874
[Actually... that would work, but only on a per-spell basis, and it would take a serious chunk out of your soul reserves (Minimum of a hundred, fluctuate based on complexity of spell)... but yes, you could juice up a spell this way. Good bit of creative thinking.]

>>199896
[If you could somehow infuse souls into earth, and then absorb that earth (possible now with Abaeloth's soul), then yes, you could make such)]

>>199836
>>199837
>>199844
>>199845
>>199849
>>199981
I tap my new-found Geomantic abilities and thrust a spire of stone from the ground before me even as I mold the earth about my feet to be more receptive to sliding: The massive sphere is coming down to swiftly for me to dodge it, and I deduce in a split instant of trial that there is no way I could bury myself beneath the ground fast or deep enough to avoid this shot. I fire a shot from the Anti-Golem Revolver cannon at the approaching mass-and watch it merge with the approaching sphere, my control of the metal completely rejected the moment it is free of my form by Eisenhardt's own... wonderful. As the earth spire before me continues to grow, I breath Soulfire even as I raise both my hands, shaping a hollow stone sphere as my thoughts whirl.

SOULFIRE

INFERNO GOLEM
SOULFIRE
SOULFIRE

[-49 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 2,079 Minimum: 12]

I spit a gout of Soulfire towards Eisenhardt even as I fill the interior of the hollow stone sphere with Soulfire and give it's exterior the same, activating the Immortal Genocide to make an Inferno Golem even as I do so and ordering the freshly crafted being into the sphere. I am tapping the spiderwebs of World magic within the Arcanoworks without even thinking about it, thankful for the boost in power even as I seal the stone sphere shut about the Inferno Golem and send it hurtling towards the mage. I am manipulating flame and stone alike, the guided blast of Soulfire and the inflamed stone with the special surprise both approaching his floating form from separate angles, even as I get ready to do what I can to ablate the coming impact, hoping my form will hold. All of this happens in the space of perhaps a second, mere moments after Eisenhardt spoke-and my thoughts of time make me activate the Soul Nexus in my arm, looking to steal time from the incoming projectile, which smashes through my erected stone spire with contemptuous ease.

CHRONAL BANDITRY

My upraised arms (The Sable Executioner lancing out to make contact first and flex as hard as possible to ablate whatever portion of force it can) jolt as the sphere makes contact. It's momentum slows as I start pushing it out of the normal flow of time, and my own form accelerates-and this may be the only reason I was not simply squashed flat. The ground beneath my feet craters even as I begin sliding back on the earth I prepared for just this purpose bare instants ago, my joints squealing in protest. Even with the heavy reinforcement I added, I feel metal warping, and get to watch my arms and legs alike beginning to crumple beneath the incoming force as I continue to slide back, but I dare not take down the Disjoining rune to attempt repairs, for fear of what Eisenhardt might do whilst I am exposed. With the enormous sphere filling the whole of my view, I cannot see the mage I target, but I can feel his blood, and the wildly fluctuating magnetic fields that surround his form, and continue to home my attacks towards him-and feel the ball of Soulfire simply snuff out, never reaching it's target. Likewise, as my form continues to protest and warp, bleeding momentum out of the sphere (only now does part of it contact the ground before me where once I stood as it's angle continues to shift to oppress me) I feel the stone about my Inferno Golem shatter, disintegrating and drifting away as dust-but the Inferno Golem persists. I feel Eisenhardt finally move again, retreating from it's form-

Until metal rockets from the ground, pulled from depths I cannot yet perceive, and encase my crafted minion, holding about it's form as an airtight cage even as it becomes molten, preventing it's further approach of my quarry.

But with Eisenhardt distracted, the sphere finally stops renewing it's force, and with it partly submerged in the ground from it's own immense weight already, I finally manage to outpace it, and get clear of it's form, sliding across the earth as I assess my form: My right arm's joints are badly mangled, warped from ludicrous pressure, as are both of my knees: My hip joints still seem largely intact, and my ankles seem functional, but I doubt I could do more than totter about now: I will be restricted to earth-sliding for the immediate future... and this is just from ablating the force of that strike, which was swift enough I could not even dodge it. ...What manner of monster do I face?

>>199894
I try to buy myself some time as I round the massive sphere (already beginning to rise from the ground again) by calling out to Eisenhardt, still thinking to preserve my cover by presenting a clinically detached tone, like one controlling a golem and thus free of immediate harm would be.

"Eisenhardt, you say? That does sound familiar... where have I heard the name... I don't suppose that you would care to provide more details? Ah, where are my manners, I am the mage Mordre, as you are clearly aware, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And thank you for your observations about the golem, its composition is a rather useful alloy of my own devising. This should provide an excellent opportunity to test its limitations."

As I once more gain direct line of sight on the mage (and the molten cage about my Inferno Golem, who seems well preserved, wreathed in Soulfire and shrouded in heated metal), I see him crack a smile as he shoots out his own response.

"I give credit where it is due-and well done, avoiding the immediate destruction of your golem, though I'll admit I would be disappointed if it ended so swiftly. I must say, you and your apprentice both are quite cordial individuals, a rather refreshing change of pace. And you may have heard my name-or more accurately, my title: The Metal Titan Eisenhardt, does this ring a bell? Oh, and speaking of which:"

The floating metal sphere ripples and writhes-and I do not waste the time Eisenhardt needs for whatever his next strike is on gawking.

>>199842
>>199974
>>199984
I emit a stead stream of Soulfire onto my hand as I start summoning more Inferno Golems, partly for more of the one weapon Eisenhardt has not outright ignored, but caged, and partly to provide cover for my other pursuit: Starting to prepare patches of earth with energy, ready to erupt at a moment's notice-

As I start speaking again, hoping to distract, however slightly, my foe.
INFERNO GOLEM X3
[-120 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,959 Minimum: 12]

"Well, you seem too powerful to be one of Weinsho's. May I ask what your grievance with me is?"

This time, I get to see it: Without warning, clouds of metal shards erupt from the ground and rise to chase the Inferno Golems (who handle much more sluggishly, now that I command four), even as Eisenhardt's form dances through the air atop his metal platform-but he is no faster than the Inferno Golems, I distinctly note. Ultimately, he catches another in a prison that slowly cherries (presumably becoming molten will be a non-issue for Eisenhardt, as the glowing sphere containing my first Inferno Golem still stands static in the air), and manages to catch the remaining two in a single sphere which heats even faster as he replies to me.

"I'm not 'one of Weinsho's': We simply share a common goal, nothing more. And my grievance is simple: You killed my apprentice-note that despite me being here in wait, I did not return the favor-and you destroyed years of effort in machinations. I would call that sufficient cause to have grievances. Oh, and you seemed to do passably, so: Deal with this."

-My gaze registers to me that the massive metal sphere is singular no longer: It has split into two score smaller orbs, each still at least thrice my own volume-

Which begin rocketing towards me.

>>199841
As my mind starts racing on what to do next, I think of how easy it is to tap the World magic in the Arcanoworks field, something I have been doing since this fight began-and wonder if I could do the same with the Core Being near Trekel, provided I could get the fight to move there... It could be possible, but is the risk worth it?


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 200142 ID: e31d52

Converge the Inferno golems on him. He cannot defend against them except with his HUGE STEEL BALLS, so one might get through... and you may be able to dest-

wait, that's it.

We need to sacrifice the golems to destroy the orbs as well as we can. our next order is to use the ammo he just gave us with the accelerator, jump into the air, blast the orb DOWN, steal the momentum from it, activate IG (if we haven't) and CHARRRGE with the sable.
>>
No. 200146 ID: e31d52

FUCK WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS SOONER.

Punch the orbs with the IG storing energy! It converts MAGIC INTO BOOM! WHAT ARE THE SPHERES FULL OF?
>>
No. 200149 ID: 2aaaf1

>>200132
"No, you."

Anchor yourself to his magnetic field and reel him in, or if his field is too strong, reel us in. Whatever happens, close the distance between the two of you. Charge up IG and get ready to use the magic negation field, if we get him with the burst we can engage him with our superior melee weaponry. If we don't, he loses control of those metal spheres, we commandeer them and send them right back at him while we send out more inferno golems.
>>
No. 200150 ID: e31d52

okay then fine IRC hint use time.

Invert the Cleaver, huck it at him. let's see what happens.
>>
No. 200151 ID: e31d52

>>200149
wee have the disjointer rune on, no can do.
>>
No. 200152 ID: ee5d53

>>200149
We can't use magnetomancy in this fight - he would kill us much too easily if we didn't have the rune activated.
>>
No. 200155 ID: 2aaaf1

>>200151
>>200152
Whoops. Well still charge up IG, if we can't use magnetomancy, the playing field should be even.
>>
No. 200159 ID: a594b9

Ok, activate the IG and tell it to feed, dump some Soulfire into it to give it a quick charge, then Invert the secondary ability to boost your Pyromancy ability. Supercharge the Inferno Golems so that they escape their metal prisons and attack Eisenhardt!

If that doesn't work, then build up another charge into it via the same way, and boost your geomancy so that you can outrun the orbs and catch Eisenhardt.

If THAT somehow fails to work, boost Accelerator to throw the sword at him. He'll be unable to deflect it and if it's moving fast enough he can't dodge.
>>
No. 200166 ID: d3dfb8

>>200159
Invert boosting pyromancy to supercharge Inferno Golems? I like it, this may work.
>>
No. 200167 ID: 445c48

Apologize and say you haven't heard of him, not really a worldly sort, locked away in your tower for years now doing this and that, only going outside to play with your pets, only link to civilization your many maids, that sort of thing.
>>
No. 200168 ID: 445c48

>>200152
We CAN use Magnetomancy, just not anchored or effecting ourselves.
>>
No. 200171 ID: b7a744

>>200132
Does the Amaranthine Annihilator have a high enough charge to be used? Or is it still recharging?

Fire two Anti-Vanguard Blades and a Anti-Golem round at him, but try to attain control of the Anti-Vanguard blades' magnetic fields the moment they leave your launcher. Use your new found Geomantic abilities to create a lot of small rock and earth projectiles and UNLEASH HELL! At best we might hit him, at worst it is atleast a distraction for him to divide his attention from controllig the metal spheres. 
Keep sliding and try to close the distance gap. 

>>200142 
>>200150
>>200146
>>200159
Second
>>
No. 200174 ID: e31d52

>>200171
>firing metal rounds at MAGNETO with our friends around

NO NO NO NO NO
>>
No. 200178 ID: f4e4f9

Heres a rather nasty Idea. Use Geomancy to pick up an Earthen projectile.

Now then, consider this: Chronal Banditry is NOT a part of the Accel/Anima/Inverter nexus. It's just a part of the hand. So they can be used at the same time.

So: Chronal Banditry + Accelerator + Projectile = TEMPORAL ACCELERATOR. Steal time from the projectile while using accelerator so that it looks like a normal throw. Use the speed boost to help in dodging and deflecting the projectiles. Then, cut it off. Accelerator will kick it up, and BAM. >:)

In addition to this, summon one more inferno golem as you do this, and release control of two of them. They're caged, so any orders you give them other than "Stay there and be hot" are useless. We're going to try a similar trick as what we used against Figment. Have it burrow under the ground and come up underneath Eisenhardt. His reactions are human, and his speed is equivalent, so it should be able to get at least relatively close to him from such an unexpected angle. Probably not enough to take him out, but thats ok, because here's part two:

When and if he manages to encase this Golem...

Shoot the encasing sphere with the Amaranthine Annihilator. It's charge is based off of our exertion and movements, not "HOW LONG". Sometimes I think we forget that. ANd we've been exerting ourselves quite heavily. THe shot at the very least probably won't be weak.

And its the SECONDARY effect that's going to be the workhorse here. AFter all, who cares whether the shot shatters the orb? The point of it is to release all that heat from the Inferno Golem that's pouring into the orb.

IF necessary, utilize the inverted IG secondary to boost.
>>
No. 200179 ID: 445c48

Accelerate sword at him, so long as the Arcanoworks isn't behind him.

Accelerate some rocks into his face after that, an oldie but a goodie.
>>
No. 200180 ID: 45be60

Hey guys, is there any chance we could not use every ability at our disposal as soon as we get them, in case we need to surprise someone? *cough*Dulu*cough* I mean sure, if we get a chance to spring some really great trap, go for it. But making wild attacks to probe his defenses at the start of a battle is a waste of the element of surprise, both now, and against any future opponents with a good intelligence network.
>>
No. 200183 ID: a594b9

Oh hey, if we manage to distract him somehow via boosting Inferno Golems at him or making him dodge some other thing, then Invert the sword's time and spacial enchantments. It should become highly unstable and powerful, and we can use it for one huge attack.
>>
No. 200186 ID: f4e4f9

>>200180
Are we pretending that Eisenhardt isn't a much more potent foe than Dulu or something?

Hmm, it seems the first idea in my post won't work, so lets use Bagata to Invert the power of the Runes in the Edge of Oblivion: It's temporally locked at 0, right? So what about when thats inverted?
>>
No. 200187 ID: b7a744

>>200174
> Magneto
Where's fucking Professor Xavier when you need him?!?
>>
No. 200188 ID: e31d52

>>200187
Jojo is currently in the arcanoworks.
>>
No. 200189 ID: d3dfb8

>>200186
>>200183
For one, we cant invert the runes on the sword with an ability that inverts the effects of our hand. For two, as you said it's temporally locked at 0. Therefore inverting it would set it to infinite causing it to degrade completely away with age near instantaneously. Bye bye sword.
>>200178
TEMPORAL ACCELERATOR = genius.
Firing a freeze ray at molten metal with the hopes of freeing something that is contained within = not so genius.

I say we save the AA for Eisenhardt himself. That way it would actually be useful.

>>200187
He died at the end of the third movie. Sort of.
>>200188
Soul Dreaming != Psychic/telekinesis.
>>
No. 200190 ID: e31d52

>>200186
>So what about when thats inverted?

Crazy liquid blade shenanigans, according to bob.

>>[22:35]<TheBeardiestBob>By that, I mean the sword going crazy liquid metal shenanigans, as it's static form becomes as fluid as possible when inverted

or something
>>
No. 200191 ID: f4e4f9

>>200189
Nonono, the freeze ray is not to free the golem.

The idea is this: The AA forces the heat of that which it strikes into the environment surrounding the target.

So, it doesn't matter if that heat is trapped WITHIN the orb of steel, as the AA will force it...OUT. Near Eisenhardt.
>>
No. 200193 ID: 4be3dc

>>200186
the opposite of stasis is constant motion. it wont become an infinity blade if that is what you are thinking.
>>
No. 200194 ID: f4e4f9

>>200193
No, but apparently it's speed would temporally increase. Instead of being locked and locally stable, it would become more fluid and chaotic.
>>
No. 200195 ID: a594b9

>>200193
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5lt17_super-robot-taisen-og-s-thrudgelmir_videogames
That, basically.
>>
No. 200197 ID: 45be60

>>200186
>Are we pretending that Eisenhardt isn't a much more potent foe than Dulu or something?

I think we might want to consider the possibility, since Dulu is a functionally invulnerable dodgy bastard with the skill, experience, and weaponry to really fuck us up, where this guy is a squishy mage specializing in powers we can screw with. I'm not saying we pull our punches here, but we shouldn't be rushing to try complicated tricks with untested powers just to see what happens.

I am in favor of approaching this fight with magic-null weapons and thrown projectiles as much as possible.
>>
No. 200198 ID: f4e4f9

>>200197
...
He just divided a 14000 ton orb into forty 350 ton orbs and is busily floating them around us...
>>
No. 200199 ID: e31d52

>>200198
Look at it this way, we'll be set for meals for a loooooooong time.
>>
No. 200200 ID: f4e4f9

Mind you, these are hasty calculations assuming primarily steel/iron composition...

but they won't be that far off, unless I fucked up my math conversions.
>>
No. 200205 ID: 903f16

>>200198
Where did he even get that much metal? Did he pull it up out of the ground bit by bit and form it while he waited or does he just carry around a fuckhuge orb of it wherever he goes? Both options are simply horrifying, because they mean he has the strength of spirit to either uproot ridiculous amounts of metal from the ground in a single night or levitate tons and tons of metal along with him for hours while he travels.
>>
No. 200206 ID: e31d52

>>200205
The man can make a portable floating house for fucks sake.
>>
No. 200208 ID: f4e4f9

>>200205
Dunno. We could always consider the possibility that Eisenhardt is bluffing us up and the orbs are largely hollow (still massive, but not as much as the original's 100 foot diameter would imply. I'm leaning towards that idea, as I still can't believe we CAUGHT a 14000 ton projectile moving at not inconsiderable velocity even after all our magical countermeasures.

Still pretty goddamn impressive of him.
>>
No. 200209 ID: f4e4f9

Either way, for the moment we should play it safe and assume they are as massive and dangerous as they appear.
>>
No. 200210 ID: d3dfb8

BACK.
THE.
FUCK.
UP.
CHRONAL BANDITRY THE PLANET.
>>
No. 200211 ID: 445c48

>>200210
OH MY GOD
>>
No. 200217 ID: 3394fc

>You killed my apprentice-note that despite me being here in wait, I did not return the favor
"And I thank you for that! Losing Arkus would have been most unfortunate. I suppose your apprentice was was called Verther, right? Also, a proficient user. But I must say that he looked nothing more a thug to me, commanding a small army of bandits and making life for honest people miserable. I decided to put a stop for that, life is hard enough without the likes of him."

>>200210
GENIUS!
FYI, Earth moves at the speed of 390km/second (I very much doubt Bob will let us use this though)

Also, for people who feel that we are using too much tricks on this guy. This is a person who gave us massive damage in the span of mere seconds while we used every means of defense available for us. There's absolutely no holding back on him. Sure, we gonna lose lots of souls without being able to replenish them but sacrifices must be made.

And speaking of not holding back, who says this must be one-on-one fight? I would like this to be a gentlemanly duel as much as the next guy, but no agreements were made prior. From our point of view Eisenradt just suddenly attacked. I don't see why our allies shouldn't help us. Of course he'll make short work of most of them but I feel Bang would be able to hold on hid own or maybe Jojo can help somehow too, like lessening his magic somehow?. (I'm not suggesting dragging them in yet, just wanna know what you guys think).
Or have lighting guns being used (do they have metal parts anyway?), can Arkus or Jojo put a spell on them that they cannot be affected by magic... even for a short while?
We must keep in mind that this fight might not work for us, we should employ every asset we have. But people who cannot do anything to Eisenhardt should evacuate the area (maybe have Arkus give the order for that?)
>>
No. 200218 ID: 445c48

>>200217
Well, I'm not sure we should get our allies in. If he wanted to, he could very easily kill them nigh instantly. Bang? Iron in brainblood-> Exploded brain-> No healan. Keddic? Probably has better blood control, but that's what a giant metal sphere is for.
>>
No. 200219 ID: e31d52

Jezebel may have a chance to shine here, since her lightning might be able to slightly disrupt his magnetomancy. This will give us the opening we need to pyromance our golems free, and stop him.
>>
No. 200226 ID: 3394fc

>>200217
>>200218
>>200219

Though, I must add that if our allies start to help, he might decide everyone is for grabs and start killing everyone.

Remember, in the first post, he said his style of fighting is really messy, that it has huge collateral damage?
All the time that we have been using megnetomancy, the last thing we could define it is as being "messy", it is the most precise type of power we have.
So what does he do to make it so bad? Could it be that he just uses a massive area attacks that warps all metal and iron in blood around. Since the attack is so powerful, he has no way of controlling it and kills everyone: enemies and allies alike?
>>
No. 200227 ID: e31d52

That's certainly one possibility.
>>
No. 200242 ID: 49182e
 

>>200208
He uses a combination of will, world and blood magic for his spells. That and hes pretty old.

>>200178
I am very, very pleased


Invert the IG and boost pyromancy. Focus on the ball with two of them in it. Have them move together and focus on one point. Spiral Spiral Spiral, Drill out. Then keep it up and head to Eisenhart.

GIGA INFERNO BREAKAHHHHHHHH
<===
<===


START UP THE IG DAMMIT. WHATS TAKING YOU SO LONG!!!!
>>
No. 200266 ID: f4e4f9

Well, I've been trying to think of what we can do about the whole...field of Spheres, apart from hoping that the inverted Edge of Oblivion will take them out along with Eisenhardt. Because, y'know, I hate relying on chance.

Option 1: Ferromagnetic substances (That is, IRON, and various other metals) have what's called a Curie temperature. That is the temperature at which they switch from being magnetic to having no magnetic field. Curie temperatures are usually very high (in the case of Iron, about 1000 degrees Kelvin). The melting point of Iron is about 1800 degrees, and since our soulfire Inferno golems are flash-heating these sphers to the point where they're cherrying on the outside and melting on the inside...WELL past the Curie temperature in the interior. As such, the creation of more inferno golems and utilizing our soulfire breath weapons (along with pyromancy) should ROYALLY fuck with Eisenhardt's control, as they can reduce most nonmagical metals to ash and vapor with sufficient exposure. THe sphere prisons of the golemss are probably already hell to maintain.

I'll post option 2 when I've...thought of it.
>>
No. 200268 ID: f4e4f9

Also, regarding the Edge of Oblivion inversion: Don't throw it. Swing it.
>>
No. 200270 ID: e31d52

Yes, this. It will be like throwing, only... without the letting go.

Also, the fact that it's unhinged and unformed and all that means it either has no magnetic feild or has one that's insane.
>>
No. 200271 ID: 49182e

Dammit firefox. Stop messing with my stuff.

>>200195
Pleased with this.


Temporal Accel wont work. The accelerator activates after the object has left contact with us, chrono steal needs to touch. unless you can launch and catch the object instantly, then no.
>>
No. 200272 ID: f4e4f9

Alright, option 2: The problem we've noticed in our adventures with magnetomancy regarding it's precision are thus: In order to direct it, you need sources of magnetic fields. Something to either attract it to, or repel it against. So if they're hurtling at us, they must be anchored to something behind us, or something behind them, with further stabilization coming from attractions to each other. They're limited in the same way we were when we tried to get more precision before hacking of the arm of Diozagrath's operator: They need anchor points. They aren't free-floating.

As such, diverting them away from directions they have no counter magnetic attractions (or weak magnetic attractions) becomes slightly easier.

So, remember those geomantic landmines we seeded the field with? Erupting them under/near the orbs as they pass could throw them off course, enough that they either miss us, or require less movement to dodge. Anything would be a bonus, really.

Wracking my brain here.
>>
No. 200273 ID: f4e4f9

>>200270
It will generate a magnetic field if we invert the runes, almost certainly.

Won't matter, since as long as we hold it, it's affected by the masking effect of Dulu's rune.
>>
No. 200274 ID: 49182e

The earth is likely too massive for us to tap it. We would need an amplifier so that our magic can encompass the whole earth.
Like a giant rune spanning a continent and the blood and souls of all the people on that continent.

In any case, It would be very bad for us. I think that moving at those speeds would simply destroy us as we are nowhere near as durable as the earth itself.
>>
No. 200275 ID: e31d52

So...

Emba, wouldn't the metal orbs be each other's anchor points? Let's pay attention and see if any of them recoil on one being launched.
>>
No. 200277 ID: ddff16

Inverting our sword seems like a terrible idea. If it currently has no magnetic field, inverting it will give it an easy-to-use magnetic field and we'd be gifting him a weapon.
>>
No. 200278 ID: f4e4f9

>>200277
He can't touch it thanks to Dulu's rune, even if we invert it. Same reason he isn't exploding the shells chambered in our cannon or whatever other horror he'd be able to otherwise inflict.
>>
No. 200288 ID: 83eb54

We must thank Dulu for his awesome rune
>>
No. 200308 ID: a594b9

>>200278
That's not entirely true, but it will be unexpected. We can take him by surprise by inverting the sword. However, we should make sure he is distracted somehow to get the best chance of this gambit working.
>>
No. 200337 ID: a76809
File 127774662174.jpg - (95.96KB , 964x1000 , Eisenhardt Armored in Blood Iron.jpg )
200337

>>200242
[Might be that the IG cannot do normal energy drain while employing any of it's other functions (like the creations of Inferno Golems). Same thing as the Soul Nexus, wherein only one ability can be active at a time, or when no ability is active it can be tapped for extra spellcasting. And since you were the largest proponent of getting Inferno Golems, which means IG CANNOT be activated while they are being made... yeah. So, from a certain point of view, YOU were actually what was taking it so long, technically.]

>>200159
>>200166
>>200167
I breathe Soulfire onto my hand once more as I activate the Immortal Genocide in a conventional sense, letting it feast with abandon on ambient energy-and immediately tap the Soul Nexus within the very same hand to uses Bagata the Inverter's soul, and apply it to the rapidly growing well of energy within my hand, even as the swarm of massive metal sphere continue to zoom ever closer.

SOULFIRE

NEW COMBINATION: IMMORTAL GENOCIDE ABSORPTION + BAGATA THE INVERTER = MAGIC AMPLIFIER

[-256 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,703 Minimum: 12]

I feel the power drawn into the Immortal Genocide multiply, drawing souls from my internal reservoir and merging with them even as this burgeoning force links itself to the Soul Nexus in my hand, the power within exploding-

>>200266
And without time to pick and choose, I turn this energy towards an attempt at Pyromancy, my goal simple, if not exactly easy: To empower my four existing Inferno Golems. I reach out to the four figures trapped within molten metal cages, to the Soulfire trapped with one of them, and start pumping every iota of energy now attached to my Soul Nexus into them. I know through my innate sense of metal capabilities that after a certain point, magnetic fields simply fall apart as temperature rises. While it takes considerable energy to reach such a point, the fact that the cages are already beginning to melt and flow suggests I am not that far away from achieving such a goal.

-And my plan works. Three Inferno Golems burst free of containment almost immediately (the one trapped in a cage alone, without a fellow inferno golem or Soulfire to accompany it, seems to be taking longer), spewing molten metal as they burst free, and begin darting towards Eisenhardt-

-And I see the scores of metal spheres rocketing towards my form waver as Eisenhardt begins darting through the air, before three of their number rocket forth at speeds that make them blur even to my eyes, the spheres about them recoiling (and knocked off course from their collision course with me) as the separated projectiles hurtle towards where Eisenhardt and my golems flit through the air, slamming into the golems and warping-only to contain them in larger metal prisons. I can feel the metal starting to melt from within, eroding the magnetic fields of these new prisons by the second-and so can Eisenhardt, who sends two more metal spheres apiece to collide with the forming prisons, each of my supercharged golems now housed in a metal prison of a thousand tons, each of which drop to the ground with massive shocks, my plan thwarted-

Until the fourth Inferno Golem gets free, thus far ignored, and likewise streaks towards my foe. Once again, three spheres rocket from the mass that was once approaching me, and slam into it's form to likewise drop it to the ground inside a massive prison, as Eisenhardt lets out a breath, and turns his gaze back to me and the remaining 28 spheres that missed me by a prodigious amount thanks to his need to counter my actions.

>>200217
As he starts reforming his concentration, (my own degrading from splitting my focus between commanding my own form and that of the four Inferno Golems I have supercharged), I do what I can to verbally distract him, even as I reactivate the Immortal Genocide, gathering power into my hand as frost creeps up my arm.

"Well, I must thank you for sparing my own apprentice, Losing Arkus would have been most unfortunate. I suppose your apprentice was Verther, yes? A proficient user of Magnetomancy, 'tis true, But I must say he struck me as something of a thug, Commanding bandits and making life miserable for the locals, Out in the lands and forests of Duras. I decided to put a stop to that, Life is hard enough for the populace without the likes of him. In fact, I have to wonder, did you support his actions?"

"His methods were brutal, perhaps overly so, I shall not lie. But there are such things as... acceptable losses, when a goal is worthwhile enough. And it was my hope his baser instincts could be curtailed, with further mentoring... a moot point, now. Nicely done, with the use of Pyromancy on your constructs of flame, but they will need time to eat through all that metal: Time I do not intend to give you. ...Hm, well-"

Fourteen of the remaining metal spheres, fully half their number withdraw to float about Eisenhardt as he zips across the battlefield, to put the Arcanoworks at my back as I turn to face him-

"Then let us try this:"

The earth around me heaves, and massive slabs of stone, glittering with veins of crystal, erupt from the ground, closing about me as a gargantuan roofless prison-

And the metal spheres not clustered about Eisenhardt's form start to loom overhead, above my freshly crafted cage. He intends to crush me while I have nowhere to run, and I can feel his power flitting through both the metal spheres and the earthen prison about me: This is not good.

>>200242
>>200268
>>200270
>>200272
I cobble together a desperate plan, and throw it into motion. I invert the Immortal Genocide once more, and replicate my earlier feat, this time looking to amplify but a single golem-but to do so strongly enough it can bore a hole out of it's prison with a controlled cyclone of flame and heat, even as I move to draw the Edge of Oblivion.

MAGIC AMPLIFIER
[-178 Souls. Total Souls Remaining: 1,525 Minimum: 12]

As I channel this wealth of power into the golem I picked (the one still wreathed in Soulfire, my presumption being that it may be marginally better preserved than the others) and feel it vaporizing a narrow channel through it's metal tomb, I reach out to the prepared earthen landmines, every one of them, and trigger them all as I start whipping back my sword, hoping for chaos and confusion.

I am not disappointed.

The earth shakes and cracks spread through the walls containing me as explosions boom across the landscape, and I see Eisenhardt's control of the metal Orbs (now low enough the form a pseudo roof over my prison) start to waver-he's distracted. This is my chance, I will not waste it.

I reach out to Bagata's soul even as I direct my own internal magic back to Magnetomancy, directing my full will against but one of the metal spheres above me-and am rewarded with it's control passing to me, even as I let the Inverter's soul play with the Edge of Oblivion as I swing the blade with all my might, hoping my assumptions are correct.

EDGE OF OBLIVION INVERSION = TEMPORAL/SPATIAL CHAOS INCURRED: CATACLYSMIC CHAOS CLEAVE!!

The blade flows, it's form writhing and it's magnetic field going into a wild state of flux as it whips forth, cleaving through the wall before me like parchment, shattering the prison which contains me, it's blade continuing to stretch forth-revealing Eisenhardt through another trio of metal spheres at the escaped Inferno Golem as he dodges eruptions of earth-his attention only now returning to me. He throws up a hand with a grunt of exertion, and nine metal spheres jump to intercept my snaking blade, and are atomized, their forms unraveling as they contact the blade of unrestrained, wild chaos: He desperately tries to gain altitude, but only succeeds in avoiding an instantly fatal attack: I take both of his legs off above the knees and watch his form falling to the ground-

As the metal sphere I commandeered only manages to knock away some of the others falling towards me. I try to escape through the newly created opening in my prison, and almost make it out-

But a single sphere smashes into my right side, even as the writhing blade of the Edge of Oblivion snaps back into it's normal form: My right arm is struck so hard it is knocked off my form, as my chest warps from the descending weight, the runes imprinted on my chest marred as my right leg is crushed, little more than a twisted mockery of what it once was. As I crash to the ground, I see the Edge Of Oblivion, once more statically locked in time and space, is dented, and cracked: The power of that strike was great-so great, in fact, that with the locks that preserved the blade opened, it was damaged in the strike: By my estimations, I could possibly try that maneuver another two, possibly three times, before this sword shatters.

Free of Eisenhardt's trap, mangled and battered, I struggle to rise, using the sword as a brace to regain an upright position (and immensely grateful for those Geomancer souls I consumed, as without them I would now be immobile), as I see a cloud of gray dust-

Blood Iron pours from the stone house Eisenhardt resided in outside my fortress, flowing to his fallen form, surrounding him as it sinks into his flesh, and forms shapes-

To leave a panting Eisenhardt standing, his body clad in dark gray armor as he spits blood out of his mouth and smiles, the last of the dust forming into a sword in his open hand.

"Heh... heh-heh... good.... GOOD. You surprised me there, and-"

The metal orbs in the prison behind me fly back up into the air and fly towards the Inferno Golem still striving towards Eisenhardt's form, and are joined by the prison it escaped, which compress about it's form with brutal force, snuffing out the flames through sheer pressure- before dropping to the ground with a tremendous thud, shocks traveling through the ground as Eisenhardt continues.

"-And I got a healthy respect for you now, Mordre. By the deeps, you took my legs, nice touch. No wonder my apprentice croaked facing you, and that is some responsive control you have there, got to complement your work. SO, if mass tactics don't work that well against you, with how much I gotta split my attention, let's try something a bit more... focused. And if that doesn't work..."

I can tell Eisenhardt is fatigued, his face pale, and a thin dribble of blood flowing from his nose-but I would hardly classify myself as in better condition: I am one-armed, my blade is damaged, one leg is little more than twisted metal, the other barely able to move at all, and my chest is warped more badly than the blow I took in the Land of Dragons made it: I am not at my best right now.

Eisenhardt takes in a deep breath, raising his sword and shield alike-

And I note that despite the fatigue that is so evident in his form, the fluctuating magnetic fields about his form are not diminishing: They have been INCREASING since the moment I first sensed him.


What should I do?
>>
No. 200347 ID: a594b9

Ok, there's still a couple more tricks up our sleeves.

We can use Chronal Banditry on the Edge of Oblivion, and steal its time stasis durability for ourselves! Temporary invincibility! A side effect of this would be that we would also naturally have no magnetic field. During this period, we should seek to use the Animus against our foe. His armor has no runes to block it. Also, keep a firm grip on the exposed sword via Magnetomancy so that Eisenhardt can't steal it.

ALSO, use a Magic Boost to Geomance our slides so that we can move faster.

Let's not forget about our right arm. Grab it with Magnetomancy so that he can't steal it either.
>>
No. 200352 ID: a594b9

>>200347
Wait... what would happen if we Magic-boosted the Animus? HEEHEE
>>
No. 200355 ID: 3f7cec

how much charge does the AA have? and would it work with the amplifier?
>>
No. 200357 ID: 2aaaf1

>>200347
Better idea: Use Chronal Banditry on the Edge of Oblivion and create a time paradox, reach into the time period of the blade and grab the finished product giving us a brand spanking new sword.
>>
No. 200358 ID: e0185f

>>200352
>>200347
Well, since we LOST our right arm, nothing.

If the rune on our chest has been marred to the point of uselessness, then we should have regained our magnetic field, right? Then we should use our magnetomancy to increase our fighting speed incredibly, and start taking his limbs with our time-locked blade! He already lost his legs, so we just need his arms! And if he doesn't give up after that point, his head!
>>
No. 200359 ID: e0185f

>>200355
Also, this. We have yet to use the AA, so we might as well hit him with it now.
>>
No. 200361 ID: a76809

>>200358
[Right arm is Sable Executioner. Left arm is Soul Nexus/Immortal Genocide]
>>
No. 200362 ID: dfc25b

I think Eisenhardt might have plugged that blood iron into his legs somehow. Not too sure. Was he using that store of blood iron as a power source somehow?


If Eisenhardt says direct approach then he's probably going to hyperaccelerate himself and his blood iron cyber armour or something similar. He WILL be attacking with incredible speed and power soon and there's little we can do about it.

Are Mordre's chest rune damage affecting his magnetic invisibility? If not then we have a chance! Stab the Edge of Oblivion into the ground and use geomancy to explode the surrounding earth into a smokescreen. Then mudslide back and a little to the left to hide in the earth while quickly raising an earth and stone Mordre statue in your place with its hands on the Edge of Oblivion. Then breathe soul fire on the Mordre copy to light it up and make it obvious. Eisenhardt should assume that the statue is Mordre trying some kind of last-ditch fire-based defence.

When Eisenhardt strikes the Mordre copy, hit him with the inverted Amaranthine Annihilator, sucking the soul fire right into him for an instant kill!
>>
No. 200372 ID: a594b9

>>200362
We can't use the Emerald Eradicator. The soul in charge of that is in the Soul Nexus in our hand, now. It's what lets us use all these Inverting tricks, like healing via IG's lifestealing aura, magic boosting via the secondary ability, making a goddamn Dimensional Blade...

Yeah I think that's better than the EE.
>>
No. 200376 ID: 1dedf5

>>200347
>>200357
Could be worth a shot either way. Also take a page from Eisenhardt's book just now and give it a geomantic twist. Use some flowing rock to temporarily shore up the limb damage and maybe restore some mobility, if it's possible.
>>
No. 200381 ID: 7c3a2e
 

Note: CRAP! The Oblivion! Lets not screw around with that just yet, I don't want our Mosmordre Weapon to go to pieces on us, I like it. That's why I'm a bit nervous about using Chrono Banditry on it. I don't want to thing to explode.

Suggestion: He's covered in Blood Iron. If we can use magntomancy, we could just push him back and start to crush him. Move forward, while focusing on the armor, and use our Anima with our John and Paul Jade Soul Monks.

"If that doesn't work, Metal Titan Eisenhardt, I don't want you but I need you. You are a great fighter, and you do not seem to be the underhanded and backstabbing cutpurse that you work with, if not for. You seem to know that brutality to innocents erodes the use of innocents. You say that there are acceptable losses for a greater goal. What goal is that? I would like to know. All I have to do is just hold you tighter - If we stop and talk maybe we can come to an accord. I really have a hold on you, so listen before I start getting angry."
>>
No. 200389 ID: 49182e

"Hmm, you are not too shabby yourself Eisenhardt. I admit that keeping up with you is a challenge in itself."

Maybe you can vocalize some heavy breathing in there. Gotta keep our image up. That and mind games.

I don't really want to kill him... but here it goes.
"Victory is mine"
Geomance some spikes to fly up into his guard. the aim is to get his shield out of the way of his face so throw a few distractioon spikes in there and aim some top notch ones at his elbows.
AA to his face, you got this.

JUST in case that doesn't cut it. Prepare the area around you with landmines and send up a smoke screen. While the dust is in the air, crate 1 more IG and have it burrow immediately. Then slide back out of the dust so you don't get ambushed.

He is using blood as a magic fuel... so why don't we. Use your very SELF as a fuel source for the spells you cast for now. The blood iron content will likely drop, but you will get stronger for a time.

||TRUMP CARD||
If he get by everything you throw t him and gets into your guard, Amplified-Chrono Bandit him and AG to the face. I'm sure Ozmand has his number.

||Kyouske's Trump Card||
Grab him, raise him over your head. [S]AG, [O]AG, [U]AG, [L]AG, [F]AG, [I]AG, [R]AA, [E]throw him on the ground, PAWNCH!!!

[If you didn't get it, soulfire throughout the combo + paunch]
>>
No. 200390 ID: 49182e

>>200381
Are you really suggesting that we challenge the man to a magneto fight?!?!?!
>>
No. 200392 ID: f4e4f9

Of course his control is increasing. We've been systematically condensing his efforts of Magnetomancy. He's no longer floating god knows how many tons of metal in the air, or splitting his attention 40 ways. Any efforts he makes now are going to be boosted by his magnetomantic controlled armor. Our big advantage now is this: He's suffereng mild shock. All that blood that was in his legs? Gone now, even if he's plugged up the hole with Magnetomancy. We, on the other hand, suffer no degradation of cognitive process or focus as a result of wounds.

Whatever the case, we do not, not, NOT want to take another hit in our current situation.

However, if I'm reading the situation right, we still have control of one of his godforsaken doom orbs. As long as he's building power, lets use his own magnetic signature against him. Consider rocketing the orb we control into his form when his attention is elsewhere

First: You know what else slows the mind?

COLD. Invert the Immortal Genocide when creating an inferno golem.

Great a Void Golem, to sap his strength and slow his mind with chill.

In addition, try that duststorm obscuring trick previously mentioned.

Also, your IG should be feeding at all times possible.

Amaranthine annihilator at the most opportune moment, if he manages to get through to you.

Finally, if worse comes to worse and he gets close to you...PULSE THE IMMORTAL GENOCIDE SECONDARY. Kill his magic.
>>
No. 200393 ID: f4e4f9

And for godsake, until you're absolutely SURE HES DEAD OR MAGIC NULLED, don't let your guard down.
>>
No. 200399 ID: f4e4f9

>>200392
>Great a Void Golem
>Great

God I suck.
>>
No. 200411 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200399

No, no, clearly you meant a great void golem, see.
>>
No. 200419 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200390
Yes. If we distract him by attacking his Blood Iron armor he won't be able to attack. If we walk forward and unleash our Spectral Gorging Anima and just hold him in our magnetic grip with the teeth of Fang Taker empowered by John and Paul just slobbering away around him.

And as we've noted, we have more stamina them him. He would need to burn his blood to oppose us, and that would leave him weak.
>>
No. 200424 ID: 445c48

Try not to explode the sword, it's a nice sword.

Just feast with IG and wait until your antimagic field can hit him. BAM, he can't walk, can't move, might die, he's not in good shape and he's pretty old, but we could heal him. We're trying to hire this guy remember.

And yeah if the rune on our chest is useless, magnetnomance healing.
>>
No. 200428 ID: f4e4f9
 

As a side note, given the state of your rune, be wary. If you even THINK it's about to give out, devote your magnetomancy to maintaining your golem from his ministrations, even consider pulsing the ig to dispel active magics. I don't know how bad the damage is, but we shouldn't risk it. Hopefully our blootz sleel composition will give us a chance if that turns out to be the case since it gives us a boost to manipulating it and him a penalty. I really hope it doesn't come to that, though.

>>200381

BEATLES BONUS, OH YEAH

Whatever you do, consider using Yogoko the Time THief whenever you're not already employing the soul nexus to steal time from surrounding objects or Eisenhardt if he gets close, to give you more maneuverabilty/time to act. Every bonus we can get will help.
>>
No. 200429 ID: 732129

>>200424
It may very well be a choice between Mordre or the sword. We can't fuck around much more, Mordre's in a bad way.
>>
No. 200430 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200424
If it is ruined, fix the rune first. I don't want to be rent piece from piece because we're made of metal.
>>
No. 200432 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200429
Why? There's no evidence that we need to abuse our sword any more, and no reason that it would be 'sword or us'.
>>
No. 200433 ID: f4e4f9

>>200429
I have no compunctions about using the sword if it's necessary, because I really don't want Mordre to die.

Everything we have is useless if we die.
>>
No. 200434 ID: 445c48

>>200429
Well, I think Bob confirmed in IRC that timestealing it wouldn't make it explode like inverting it does, just make it vulnerable to normal damage, if we tried to block with it, for example. But inverting? We can only do that two or three times before it asplodes. So I don't think we should do it again.

Hmm, I wonder if we can chrono bandit the sword and fix it while it isn't timestopped later, so we could invert it more.
>>
No. 200435 ID: f4e4f9

You know, now that I think about it: He might not believe we can do that again. An attack of that scale and magnitude...it's a rare thing, you know?

We could use that to our advantage.
>>
No. 200437 ID: 49182e

If it comes down to weather or not we die? If ut really comes down to that.. then activate code alpha. Eat him, armour and all.
Out of range?
Create 10 IG and have them flood him.
Use Sword of the Cosmos again.
Destroy his eardrums with sound.(and his everything else for that matter)

I keep hating the fact that Morde does not have a 'Fuck it all, I'm winning this' type attack, like Bang. Hmmm, maybe our equivalent is burning all the blood iron in us as a spell component and causing an eruption.


!!! IIG-Amplify the Spectral Gorging Anima so that it has more chain/ leash and have it chase him. It like a soul seeking missile that phases through solid objects!!! WIN!
>>
No. 200450 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200437
No, we don't use the sword again. Not until we can fix our blade, and not until we -need- to. We don't need to for this. He is clearly tired, and his the fluctuating magnetic fields are clearly out of his control. In fact, I think we should say this. Tell him something along the lines of "we can see your fields, you seem to be run rather ragged, not being able to control them. I hope that's not dangerous for you."
>>
No. 200452 ID: a76809

>>200355
[Does the AA have a means of linking to the Soul Nexus in Mordre's arm as a power source? No? Then the answer is no, it would not be able to benefit from boosting. Pretty much only the abilities of the Soul Nexus, or magic cast from it, can benefit. And the amount of charge is one day's worth of running.]

>>200357
[Or if you want to work with paradox level time shenanigans, the sword winks out of existence. Dicey stuff, them temporal paradoxes.]

>>200358
[Rune on chest still functions, but is damaged to the point it is performing sub-par, and further damages would render it inoperable until repairs could be effected. If the rune had flat deactivated, Eisenhardt would have just torn Mordre apart.]

>>200347
With the Immortal Genocide already feasting on energy from the surrounding environment, I try for a new trick:

CHRONAL BANDITRY + EDGE OF OBLIVION: TEMPORAL LOCK MORDRE

I barely have time to register magic is suffusing my form in a manner I do not yet understand before Eisenhardt vanishes with a clap of thunder-

And as the ground in a straight line betwixt my form and where he stood is ripped asunder and the sound of ringing metal reverberates, resounding across the battlefield as Eisenhardt re-appears, his sword rebounding from my form, a look of confusion painting his face.

....So, I absorbed the temporal lock from my sword: Had I not, I would have been cleaved in twain, as I could not even register Eisenhardt's movement: It is well this was the first plan to come to mind, then. I strive to move, other machinations and battle stratagems whirling through my mind-

And find myself immobile: The temporal lock, in addition to granting me clearly formidable defenses, has also blessed me with true immobility.

As Eisenhardt's eyes narrow, and his form blurs, a multitude of impacts assailing my form to no affect... I find the exchange worthwhile.

Eisenhardt reappears before my face, his sword darting out to strike at my rube eyes-

And is likewise repelled, all the while the Immortal Genocide continues it's prior command, feasting on energy from about the landscape. Finally Eisenhardt disappears in another clap of thunder, to re-materialize some fifty feet distant, sliding to a halt at the end of another length of ground rent asunder, cocking his head at me. ...I note than in his flurry of blows he easily carved a notch into the Edge of Oblivion, but he does not seem to have picked up on what I did-and he addresses me again, his voice still sounding surprisingly amiable for someone from whom I just cleaved limbs off of.

"Ok honestly, how many different tricks do you HAVE in that thing? This is starting to get frustrating."

But then he shoots me an evil grin.

"Although I'll note you haven't moved... is your defense complete with it's own drawbacks? 'Twould seem that way."

...I am more than slightly distressed at how attentive my foe is, despite the blood-loss and fatigue he is clearly experiencing. ....But I likewise note that his breath is starting to frost in the air-and with that realization, I note that the field of withered and frost bitten plants has expanded: The Immortal Genocide is building a healthy charge.

>>200376
I try to influence the outside world with magic, as that seems to be immune to the locking of my new defenses, as evidenced by the Immortal Genocide's continued function, and start pulling stone from the ground, to shore up my mangled leg. I cannot repair it truly in this manner, but even some moderately increased support would be helpful, as the limb is practically collapsing on itself. At the movement of earth Eisenhardt again disappears with a boom, and again rebounds from my form as he grunts, before retreating again, this time to sixty feet, to continue appraising me-and I note his eyes tracking across my form a little slower than before. ...The blood loss IS getting to him.

I try to manipulate the Immortal Genocide, but find it locked away from my manipulation in this state of temporal stasis: Perhaps that is because it is based on corporeal runes, likewise locked in stasis by my defense? I attempt to use the Amaranthine Annihilator, while gazing at Eisenhardt's exposed face-and the response is the same. My theory seems accurate. Hmm... I am reluctant to ditch my defense, but with the deprivation of so many of my abilities it brings.... I wonder...

With my leg as braced with stone as I can manage, I turn my Geomancy to a new focus: kicking up a cloud of dust. A veritable dust-storm surrounds me, and I lose sight of my foe-but I can still track his magnetic signature without issue. I hear him chuckle as the cloud spreads.

"What, you really think that will help?"

In the cloud of dust, I reach out to take control of my severed limb, dragging it along the ground towards me-

"Oh, right, that."

And find it's control wrenched from my grasp almost immediately, as it sinks into the earth, crystal veins forming around it and obscuring it from my senses.

"Can't have that. ...Hm, actually..."

Shards of crystal start to bud in the ground beneath me, jutting from the earth to quest towards my form: If my estimations are correct, they will nullify my magic upon contact, or some equally dastardly effect. I glance to the Immortal Genocide, noting it replete with power, and take a gamble: I deactivate my theft of the sword's temporal stasis while staying perfectly still, and trigger the Immortal Genocide, a burst of rippling, distorting space pulsing from my hand. The blast stretches out, shattering the crystals striving for my form, and encroaches on Eisenhardt's position in the blink of an eye-

And falls short as he once more darts back with a thunderclap, staying out of it's range.

"Oh-ho, careful!"

..And even with the magic defending me from his vicious melee attacks gone, he does not press the attack: With Dulu's rune active on my chest, it is possible he cannot tell the difference between my temporally based immobility, and my chosen immobility now: But how long can the bluff last? He will surely attack me the moment I move, and this thought is what plagues me even as I reactivate the Immortal genocide, looking to rebuild charge-

And note the magic dispelling blast shattered the crystal about my severed arm, as well. I once more take command of it, and manage to get it into contact with my form (and thus under the disjoining rune's jurisdiction) before Eisenhardt can respond.

We are at something of a stalemate: If I move, Eisenhardt will know my defenses to be lowered, and strike with a speed already evidenced as high enough I have difficulty perceiving it, let along tracking it. If I restore my temporally based defenses, I become nearly unassailable, but there is the risk Eisenhardt will discover it's weakness, and attack the sword itself. While temporally locked, I can only employ my own external use of magnetomancy, geomancy, or pyromancy, and a quick probe of Eisenhardt's armor shows it as unassailable as my own form becomes with the aid of this new-found defense. I cast out towards the metal orb I commandeered earlier, looking to move it-but the moment I make it twitch, control is wrested away from me, and the sphere is plunged deep into the earth, as I note the others not containing Inferno Golems to have likewise been dealt with: Other than the three prisons, the broken stone box that housed me, Eisenhardt and myself, naught still remains about us. ...And through it all, I feel the energy, the shifting magnetic fields about Eisenhardt, continue to build-even as I note his breathing to be slightly more ragged.


What should I do?
[To clarify, the IG is not in direct alignment with Mordre's mouth, so to get in position to make Inferno Golems, you would have to move, which could lead to Eisenhardt immediately attacking again. Also, this would be a good time to attempt more diplomantic pursuits of any sort, if so desired.]
>>
No. 200453 ID: f4e4f9

Huh? He seems to be controlling them just fine, what with the blood iron armor and sword and growing field.

ANd we are in no better condition: OUr mobility is crippled, we've lost an arm, and our chest has been practically caved in. Our metal armament's are useless, and our concentration is being taxed by forcing the inferno Golems to try to burrow out of their prison, without which Eisenhardt wouldn't need to constantly monitor and maintain that sphere. Someone suggested using Yogoko to steal time from the sword to reinforce our own body with their spacial and temporal resistance. I'm for this idea, but I also have no problems with using the sword.
>>
No. 200457 ID: 445c48

"Well, we seem to be at a bit of a stalemate here, If you don't mind, I'll be back in just a few minutes, have to walk the dog, maybe brew up some tea."
>>
No. 200459 ID: e31d52

What we need to do is simplify this into a contest of wills and magnetomancy. We can't possibly lose that. because his magic isn't furled by hundreds of souls.
>>
No. 200460 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200452
Blast. I would like to try to just Magntomancy his armor - as it's blood iron, we might have better control of it - and start trying to push and pull him, constrict, just warp his armor while we get ready to unleash the Spectral Gorging Anima empowered by John and Paul of the RubberJade Soul Band.

But, it might be a good idea to suggest he surrender. Something hammy about not having our breakfast yet, and would he kindly please stop that, it's getting annoying.

>>200453

It's the fact that the field is so big is what makes me go 'huh'. I mean, he looks warn out and we can see that. But his field is growing, which doesn't match the information we have. So what if he's loosing control on a part of his power. He could start innately drawing metal to himself, or some such. Or cause an EMP and brain-wipe someone - I'm just saying a growing field doesn't sound like someone who's in power, and said they were 'focusing'.
>>
No. 200462 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200459

Which is why I'm suggesting the Armor crush. It's not something he can just get rid of, and it would mean he would have to focus mostly on that, and not us.

>>200457

YES! THIS IS THE HAM I SPEAK OF! SOME ONE SLICE UP MORE OF IT!
>>
No. 200465 ID: e31d52

>>200460
To your last point, he could be so innately talented that he simply can't control his amazing magnetic feild unless he focuses?

As a kid he probably had issues with silverware.
>>
No. 200466 ID: 732129

>>200460
He's a powerful mage who just took a serious beating. Instead of Ham, try Soap.
>>
No. 200467 ID: 1dedf5

>>200457
Why did this make me laugh so bloody much?
>>
No. 200468 ID: f4e4f9

>>200452
Interesting.

"Mage Eisenhardt.

Truly, this has been an invigorating engagement. You have given me an incredible battle, and I think it would be fair to say that I've accounted for myself well, would it not?

So here's the problem. We seem to be at something of a stalemate. Either one of us could break it in a desperate gambit for victory, could we not?

But I don't think I want to kill you. You're bleeding out, even if you win, you'll likely end up going into shock and I don't think there is anyone in the Works capable of saving you except myself. And if I lose, an entirely possible outcome, I REALLY don't want to lose my golem, given the research and...sentimental worth it has. Many sacrifices to obtain it, some I'm not sure were worth it (harking back to that backstory that was posted a while back).

And...if it's any consolation, was not aware Verther was anything other than a terrorist when I battled him. But I did what I had to to protect the citizens of Hletwa and my allies. The lad fought with vigor. Did nearly much the same thing to the same arm as you did.

So...would you be amenable to calling it a stalemate? Or must we finish this in violent manner?"

If he declines, release your time lock but don't move. "Very well."

Fire the amaranthine annihilator and pulse the IG at the same time. IF we can't percieve his movements, we must PREDICT them. Logically, if he's not teleporting, but moving incredibly fast using magnetic pull. So he'd still need to enter the expanding ring of Anti-Magic, and his perceptions are limited moving that fast. So if we predict his actions and pre-empt his response...
>>
No. 200470 ID: 0a8e03

>>200452
try to destablize his magnetic field, keep up the bluff as long as we can. we need to make this a fight of stamina.
>>
No. 200474 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200465
That's what I was thinking. Although I don't really want to think of the classic 'stepped on a hoe' gag with veins of minerals.
>>
No. 200475 ID: f4e4f9

I agree, HAM is for when we peacably interact, I think. SOAP seems more suited to convincing a potent foe.

And for gods sake, it's magneto. WE WON'T BEAT HIM IN A DULE OF MAGNETOMANCY. It took everything we had when he was distracted, just to pry away control of one ball of metal from him. We're not going ot wrest control now that he's focused on his armor and it's blood iron under his control.
>>
No. 200476 ID: 445c48

>>200470
He can use World and Blood, so it's not straight stamina, Will vs Will. I'm not sure how stamina plays into world magic, actually.
>>
No. 200477 ID: a594b9

Hey. What's with those magnetic fields that keep building around him? Where are they coming from? What are they attached to? Try manipulating them. Try STRENGTHENING them. If the result of him getting tired is that those magnetic fields go wild, then encourage that. Try to overload him.
>>
No. 200478 ID: 732129

after the fight we're going to want to get all that metal back anyway. It's probably most of the shipment from the south, and whatever else was laying around in the Archanoworks.
>>
No. 200479 ID: e31d52

>WE WON'T BEAT HIM IN A DULE OF MAGNETOMANCY.

Maybe not in skill, but in endurance, yes.
>>
No. 200483 ID: f4e4f9

>>200468
To add:

"And before you might question my integrity, please note: IF you know anything about me, you know I'm not prone to backing down on agreements made. The fact that you didn't assault my fellows out of spite leads me to believe that you are a reasonable individual, at least, and I think the modest revenge to be had from destroying my golem not worth the possibility of losing your life.
>>
No. 200485 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200457
Walk the dog? We have many cats and clearly we are a cat person. We are gonna play with one of our cats for a while.

"Who's a good puss, Come here. Away from the machine, yes, yes I know you like to play with it but stop this time." Purring sounds. "Yes, I'm sorry Ambrosia. I know I haven't had time for you or Mr. Mauser. I think I'll have a few minutes while the nice Metal Titan Eisenhardt considers surrendering so we can take care of his blood loss. Hehe. Ah, it's good to talk to you again, I'm sorry I've been working so long. No wonder Mauser...yes, best not to think about that."
>>
No. 200487 ID: f4e4f9

>>200479
Doesn't matter how long we can run for after the race when he's finished the race in 5 seconds compared to our 30.
>>
No. 200488 ID: f4e4f9

Finally, if he somehow dodges the anti-magic pulse, revert back to time-stop form. We'll at least have used up some of his endurance.
>>
No. 200491 ID: 716eb0

What was the reason we weren't stealing time from HIM again? Was it a range issue or something? Because the solution to him moving faster than we can percieve would seem to be to slow him down and speed us up.

Anyway, if he has decided to start focusing on controling a single thing very well to the exclusion of all others, then we must force him to split his attention once more. He is not the only one with metallic projectiles avaliable to him. The blade launchers should pose a credible threat as long as there is something else to magnetically anchor them to. And since they are undeniably ours, as I understand it he should have to work that much harder to fight for control.
>>
No. 200492 ID: a594b9

I seek an explanation for his fuel source for all this magic. By now he's lost a bunch of his personal blood, and his Will can't possibly keep up for this long. He doesn't know Soul, so that just leaves Word which he obviously isn't using, and World.

He's got a bunch of Blood Iron though, maybe he's able to turn that into a fuel source? ...naw, if that were the case he'd have used the battlesuit from the start.

I wonder if all this usage of World magic is drawing a leyline to the surface, causing him to begin to get more energy than he knows how to use.

Mordre, direct your attention to the earth. Can you sense a leyline? Can you manipulate it in any way? Perhaps, draw it even closer so he burns out? Or even simply push it away to deny him all magical fuel sources.
>>
No. 200493 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200487
If we focus on his armor, it's not a race. It's a Mosquito that is drinking the last of the tigers blood and can not be killed. We just constrict his armor. He -has- to focus on it to keep it from crushing him. Either he looses the armor - and thus the speed and the sword - or he gets crushed almost to death, or he drains himself and passes out.
>>
No. 200495 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200491
Yes, we can only time-steal from those we can touch.
>>
No. 200497 ID: dfc25b

Let's play some mindgames. Make him think he can actually overpower temporal invincibility. Put some desperate hysteria into Mordre's voice!

"How confident are you now that this has turned into a contest of wills? You'll never crack my body reinforcement like that! You don't seem to be looking so good either although I must say you're remarkably light on your feet for someone who doesn't have any! Just give up now, fighting in the flesh seems to *cough* take its toll on you!"

Activate the Spectral Gorging Anima and reengage the temporal lock while throwing up some mud and dust to slow Eisenhardt by a fraction. If he tries a sustained close range attack the anima will seek out his flesh in the dustcloud and eat him up.
>>
No. 200499 ID: f4e4f9

>>200493
Or he just rebuffs our attempt. He's already affecting it with his spells, which makes it retardedly hard to wrest control away.

He's already demonstrated taht even in his wounded state, he retains enough magnetomantic power to simply wrest control of a 350 ton orb away from us and disperse it into the ground, a feat apparently far harder than just defending against magnetic influence against something you're already controlling.
>>
No. 200500 ID: 445c48

>>200485
I like to think we have dogs in addition to our many cats.

I like to think our tower is a veritable zoo of pets, actually.

And Dog-walking is more immediate, like "Excuse me, I have to take care of this" and less "Excuse me I have to play".
>>
No. 200504 ID: ddff16

If we can make soul soldiers without moving, that might work, to create things to distract him if nothing else. A few dozen probably wouldn't hurt.

Likewise, while we may not be able to keep hold of anything, we should strive to contest his control of whatever metal objects are possible, since we've almost certainly got more magical endurance than he does. Take the heat from any molten metal still lying around, if any, and throw it at him with pyromancy. If he tries anything that would likely require a great deal of concentration, use more geomantic bursts beneath him. Don't let up until he's collapsed from exhaustion.

"I have quite a few tricks in this golem, Eisenhardt. Enough that I began this engagement certain I could handle you... an assumption which you have proven ill founded. My complements; your powers are truly exceptional. A year ago, you would almost certainly have effortlessly disposed of this golem, and even my current immersive control systems are sorely taxed here."

Do not use or attempt HAM in any way here, or do anything which would imply that we're not taking him completely seriously. You do NOT respond to someone who has declared their respect for you by blowing them off.
>>
No. 200506 ID: 3f7cec

>>200468
not only can we save him we can grow his legs back . . .
>>
No. 200507 ID: e31d52

>Do not use or attempt HAM in any way here, or do anything which would imply that we're not taking him completely seriously. You do NOT respond to someone who has declared their respect for you by blowing them off.

this a billion times.
>>
No. 200508 ID: 445c48

>>200504
>Soul Soldiers
Need soul free and layin' around for that.

I don't think we should magnetomance contest against him. He's much much more powerful, what use is endurance if we can't keep a hold on anything? Also, he uses Blood and World magic, which are less stamina-intensive than Will, in addition to Will, so I don't know if we COULD wear him out like that.

And yeah the HAM was just a joke. Ignore it
>>
No. 200509 ID: 49182e

Dammit forget the armour. He is ten times more powerful than us and he is using that armour to SURVIVE right now. I think he is pretty much focused on it.

>>200468
I concur.


Re- activate the IG. Have it feed and FEED and FEED. The edge was unaffected by it when it was locked, so we should be able to control this for a very long time.

Hmmm, Activate the spectral gorging anema and make a sound like metal creaking.
>>
No. 200510 ID: b14128

Nah, don't piss him off, guys, that'd just... Y'know. Piss him off. Here's a possible tack to get him to surrender and join us: Ask him how long it took for him to get this powerful. And then ask him how long he thinks it took -us- to get as powerful as -we- are, which seems to be enough to stalemate him. I'm absolutely certain our power growth is expodentially larger than his was, as we have been active for less than half a year. Ask him to imagine where we will be in a year. Two years. Ten. The point of this entire thing should be obvious; By joining us, he'd be under somebody who would likely soon be turning into a very personally powerful person on the planet, somebody who would likely be stronger than even him.
>>
No. 200511 ID: 732129

>>200504
>>200475
>>200468

I like these.
>>
No. 200512 ID: 445c48

Hey maybe those crazy magnetic fields are from the iron in HIS blood.
>>
No. 200513 ID: 49182e

>>200504
I concur.
>>
No. 200514 ID: b14128

Hrm... I wonder... Maybe we can use our Geomancy to move ourselves? We could go underground to protect ourselves... Though I'm unsure how much that would help. Hrm, this is a toughy...
>>
No. 200518 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200500
Well, if we have an entire Zoo, we should go walking the Elephant. Much more badass.

"Pardon me, Eliza needs walkies. My Elephant."
>>
No. 200521 ID: 2d4178
File 127776853588.png - (387.75KB , 504x491 , InfernoCreation.png )
200521

i am honestly at a loss here, i'm no good at battles. hopefully this will help.
>>
No. 200523 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200521
The artwork should help us...if anything to look at something amazingly drawn while we fret over how not to die.
>>
No. 200526 ID: a594b9

Hey remember that soulfire sphere we made as one of our first attacks? Let's do that again and see how he nullifies it.
>>
No. 200532 ID: 49182e

>>200526
In all honesty he will probably just slice right through it.
>>
No. 200536 ID: 2aaaf1

Crazy idea time: What would happen if we amplified Eisenhardt's magnetic field by using our magic amplifier and directing our own will to help him? Could we overload him by giving him so much power his mind can't control it?
>>
No. 200539 ID: 445c48

>>200536
This sounds like an insanely poor idea.
>>
No. 200569 ID: 4af8c8

I can only imagine how magnificent this battle looks to a bystander.

>>200507
TRILLION TIMES THIS!

If this is going to be our last fight, I don't want our last words to be "durr, I gotta walk a dog/feed a cat"

He's not an idiot, we can't bluff him with stupid shit like that. He knows this is taking on us as much toll as on him.
>>
No. 200576 ID: 49182e

>>200569
Or it should be. W have inexhaustible magic stamina and super multi tasking abilities. Any normal mage would have lost by now.Even if our persona was real, he couldn't do the things we are so effectively.
We have to keep up the ruse of becoming weary without weakening ourselves overmuch.


I'm pretty sure that the first half of the battle would look awesome, but then after that he wouldn't be able to see one guy and the other aint moving... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
>>
No. 200590 ID: 4af8c8

>>200576
I am not saying not to HAM or SOAP just that using "walking pets" line is damn retarded.

If we are going to try our ruse we might as well go with heavy breathing, machinery cranking sounds like steam valve busting and going *pshhh*.
Also we could make a sound of door creaking few steps and distant female voice going "your morning tea sir / lunch / dinner" and we are all like "Not now [insert maids name]!". Since it's midnight where we are fighting right now, our ever so attentive foe will deduce that we are situated several timezones away on other side of the continent or the world altogether. So we give HAM and misinformation.

Some of the dialog suggestions were also good but none of that "home zoo" crap.
>>
No. 200600 ID: c707bd

>>200590
suggest later time otherwise we would of been sleeping before, afternoon would be good.
>>
No. 200604 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200576
Yes, but we're not. We're controlling a Soul Grave. Our self is a very good gamer that knows how to control a very powerful robot.

So I don't agree with the 'stressed' idea. We shouldn't be stressed. Damn annoyed, and worried that our life's work will be destroyed, but not stressed.

"Sir, your breakfast...sir! What are you doing still in your night gown?!"
"Not now, Illia! I am trying to deal with a problem and-" Stomach-gurgle. "Oh, blast it all. Eisenhardt, I am famished. I can activate my stasis mode again while I eat - and I know nothing can hit me then and you can tire yourself out while I probe your defenses with this Golem's Sensors or we can discuss this like men while I have a lovely meal and...well, I'm sure the men of my Outpost would be happy to have breakfast with you...Is it breakfast time there? I get so lost on time when using this thing...

Anyway, forgive me. I am hungry, and I wish a peaceable resolution to this - You don't seem to be a brute like your appearance or like the man you work for. You believe that order and the natural way of things is a fine order, but still believe that the sacking of a city for a single magical item and a black smith justifies the destruction of more farm-hands then I can hope to guess - at least, if that was your plan. If not, please, tell me. I hate to see pointless fighting with me, when I could redirect that fighting spirit to something beneficial."
>>
No. 200605 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200604
Oh, yes, and suggest he tries the pickles.
>>
No. 200610 ID: 4af8c8

You know, our "stasis" mode has very bad weak spot. Namely, the sword, if Eisenhardt figures this out then we are dead meat ... metal. So we shouldn't go overboard with HAMing, like taking a break to have a meal... though if it works that can give us time to prepare or think out a better plan. We will not be actually eating so we won't be caught unawares.

But still, don't rely too much on our "stasis", Eisenhardt already showed that he can use crystal tentacle thingies to disrupt it somehow.

Did we put IG to feed? I think our best bet right now would be using our magic nullifying ability on Eisenhardt. The only problem is to lure him in.
We could make a minor movement (like moving head and hand as if we are trying to summon more Infernos) and immediately use the nullifier. If this works as intended, Eisenhardt would be inches away from us at that moment and would be caught in the area. He's armor should become to heavy for him to use after that.
Oh, and immediately go back to stasis mode. All of these should happen in slit-second (even this could be too slow again Eisenhardt however)
>>
No. 200611 ID: 913dba

For gods sake, don't just be dismissive.
>>
No. 200620 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200610
Yes, but he doesn't know that. All he knows is that we can't be touched by any attack - and that we can use magic while in 'Stasis' mode. We're telling him 'for the love of god, stop attacking me so I can have some eggs and bacon and sausages!' and 'Seriously, you seem like a stand up bloke. Why the Deep-heavens were you killing innocent folk, and can we please talk about this like normal folk.' if nothing else, this lets us get our arm back, fix ourselves up, and try to develop a plan while we engage him in some friendly banter and some questions as to why he's doing what he's doing and why wouldn't he work for us.

And, as a note: He likes spunks and being dismissive of such a powerful force is rather spunky, and if we act like we care too much it might suggest we're not actually a mage at all. We're not going 'neener neener neener, you can't hurt us' so much as 'please stop attacking my car with a sledge hammer, it's going to be a bitch to replace.'
>>
No. 200621 ID: 4af8c8

>>200610
Anyway, if this plan works, it will go something like this:
1.We make a very short movement to lure Eisenradht
2.Immediately after our jerk movement we'll use our magic nullifier.
3.Our ever so attentive foe will instantly make note of our move and charge at ungodly speed
4.Now, Eisenhardt will either be caught by the nullifier or he'll see through our plan and retreat. If latter, we are back on status quo.
5.If we manage to get him, he will lose control over his body and hit us with his body at light speed. This might just as well kill him and give us pretty damn serious damage.

No matter if he survives or not, we'll have nullified him for several minutes (or was that more than ten?). We could turn off our chest rune and immediately reclaim our lost limbs and start on minor repairs for better mobility. At the same time we rip apart Eisenhardts armor and completely envelope him with our tentacles, leaving only his face free so that we might talk to (also avoid contacting exposed flesh so that he doesn't start to rot), that way we can hamper his magics even further (but not his blood magic).

Anyway, this is assuming this works.

What do you guys think? Seconds? Overrides? Better suggestions?
>>
No. 200623 ID: 913dba

>>200621
Our tentacles are on the ground, severed from our body.
>>
No. 200626 ID: 445c48

>>200623
If they are, we should geomance a pillar so they're in generally the right spot, and wait for natural repairs.

They're touching us, at least.
>>
No. 200627 ID: 913dba

>>200620
Theres a difference between spirit and casual dismissal. Namely, one is an example of motivation, the other an INSULT.
>>
No. 200629 ID: 2d4178
File 127778707881.png - (1.15MB , 749x784 , fight.png )
200629

>>200621

if this works it would be awesome. i say yes
>>
No. 200630 ID: 913dba

It doesn't matter how callous or unendangered our supposed persona is, no one but an incompetent would actually decide that walking their dog was a more vital act than ensuring the safety of an incredibly rare and powerful weapon like a Soul Grave in a hazardous position.

Even if we DID do this, he would probably lose all respect for us, and possibly decide to answer such grievances by destroying something we Value, like our base or personel.
>>
No. 200631 ID: 445c48

>>200630
jeeze it was just a joke guys
>>
No. 200632 ID: 913dba

>>200631
I'm sorry, I wasn't talking about you. I should have quoted.
>>
No. 200633 ID: 49182e

>>200629
:D
>>
No. 200634 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200629
Is it bad the thing I notice the most is how Mordre's Skull-face eyes look like the 'Oh shit' look?
>>
No. 200635 ID: 49182e

>>200629
You make rather prodigious use of smudging. I like it.
>>
No. 200636 ID: 4af8c8

>>200629
Wow, this is pretty damn awesome.
Good work!
>>
No. 200637 ID: 4af8c8
 

>>200629
Wait, I just realized.
Eisenhardt has ball of steel.
>>
No. 200638 ID: 7c3a2e

You know, one thing we could do is start to build up our body so we're covered in stone and moss. It would act as an extra layer of armor and maybe fix some of our buckling joints.

Also: We were gonna go try and talk Vimes into coming with us when we came back - did we? We kinda flashed to Arkus and I'm not sure if we suggested that before we left or not.

...I just had a -very- nice thought we could use. If we can kick up enough dust and keep it contained with geomancy, could we set off a dust explosion with our soulfire and direct it/enhance it with pyromancy?
>>
No. 200671 ID: b7a744

If he spots the cracks in the Edge of Oblivion we're done for, keep maintaining the cloud of dust covering our form and the adjacent area.
>>200638
Second
>>
No. 200688 ID: a76809

[Reminders: You tried taking control of his 'owned' materials before and he rebuffed your attempts handily, and you cannot start effecting any metallic object until such control is held: Thus, all plans to try to constrict his armor are not very likely to have any form of success, unless you could further lower his stamina/distract his focus sufficiently. And Pyromancy manipulates FLAMES, not just heat in general, so the molten metal is useless.]

[Also, WAY too many posts for me to link all the ones used in the update.]

>>200638
[Mordre did attempt to speak with Vimes, but was unable to get a direct meeting. However, insistence led to a promise that Vimes would lead his crew to the Arcanoworks for a meeting there, so... survive, and there's that to look forward to.]

>>200457
Some mad impetus seizes me, and I decide to engage in an unconventional gambit.

"Well, we seem to be at something of a stalemate here, for the moment. Now, forgive me if this comes off as somewhat dismissive, it's not my intent, but.. ...I don't suppose you'd be amenable to me stepping away from the controls? I have a few matters to check on...."

"Why certainly, feel free, though don't be surprised if your Soul Grave is destroyed when you get back."

"Eh, it was worth asking."

"...So, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"What is it you wish to step away for?"

"...It will sound a mite banal.."

"You did bring it up."

"Well, it's that I have a few pets, And I should be attending to them- Several need walks, you know, and-well, You know how animals can get."

"...You are a very strange man. And I stand by my earlier comment: Feel free, if you find the idea of losing your Soul Grave amenable."

"See, this is why I didn't want to explain, It sounds so pedantic, so mundane."

"And it isn't?"

"Have you ever had pets?"

"...No. I had issues with animals when I was younger, and never developed the habit, myself."

"Ah"


[+7 HAM points. Total HAM points: 049 Amount required for next reward: 050]

I wish I could say that during our exchange Eisenhardt's wary attentiveness to my form fluctuated... but it didn't. The only thing I can note positively is that the Immortal Genocide continues to feast without pause. Hmm, he seems amenable to verbal exchanges.... Perhaps a more sincere note will work.

>>200468
"Mage Eisenhardt."

"What now?"

"Truly, this has been an invigorating engagement. You have given me an incredible battle, and I think it would be fair to say that I've accounted for myself well, would it not?

"The fact I have no legs anymore would attest to that claim, yes."

"So here's the problem. We seem to be at something of a stalemate. Either one of us could break it in a desperate gambit for victory, could we not?

"I imagined you also had another ace or two up your sleeve, the type you don't like using but could suit this situation, yes."

"But I don't think I want to kill you."

"Excuse me?"

"You're bleeding out, and even if you win, You'll likely end up going into shock at this rate, And I don't think there is anyone in the 'Works, Capable of saving you... except myself. And if I lose, an entirely possible outcome, That chance for healing vanishes."

"Well I'm not bleeding out, I do know Blood magic after all... but healing? You'd offer me healing?"

"Yes. I REALLY don't want to lose my golem, Given the research and...sentimental worth it has. Many sacrifices to obtain it, some I'm not sure were worth it. And...if it's any consolation, was not aware Verther... Was anything other than a terrorist when I battled him. I know that may not excuse his death in your eyes, But I did what I had to to protect the citizens of Hletwa and my allies. The lad fought with vigor. Did nearly much the same thing to the same arm as you did. So...would you be amenable to calling it a draw, a stalemate? Or must we finish this in violent manner?"

"....Huh. Well you giving me back my legs would certainly be an interesting turn, and do much to smooth waters.... And my best trump would end up killing your apprentice and everyone else in the Arcanoworks, who seem like alright sorts... and there's representatives for the Blue Knights and the order of Harmonious Discord there...hmm..."

I start to hope.

"Well, I got two questions for you, actually."

"And they are?"

"First: Can you really restore my legs, even through that golem?"

"I am confident I can, and there are two capable healers in my employ, Currently residing in the Arcanoworks as we speak: Between us three, I find it nearly impossible that we not be so able."

"Huh. Okay, second question: So, can you feel that giant shard of crystal I'm forming beneath you?"

Wha-

>>200492
My senses, now focused, direct me to perceive it: A mass of crystal, larger than my own form, beneath my feet, and rising-swiftly. ...And beneath it, I feel a Leyline, so deep I could not perceive it before my geomantic and World magic gains... slowly rising. ...Eisenhardt is forcibly pulling a leyline closer to the surface to better tap its power, but the energy involved to redirect such a thing... it again reminds me of the potency I face, even as I scramble to respond to the more pressing threat.

>>200514
Knowing that any movement on my part will result in his response, I reactivate the Chronal Bandit, channeling the powers of the Edge of Oblivion into my form-as I use Geomancy to shift the soil beneath my feet, looking to simply relocate, and avoid the encroaching crystal. The moment I shift, the air before me blurs, and the thundering report of a cascade of impacts assails me, but Eisenhardt does not move-and the hail of whatever it is striking me concludes shortly thereafter with an exasperated sigh, even as the crystal erupts from the ground where I was-and tendrils of Blood Iron resolve themselves in the air as they start withdrawing back into his armor.

"I thought that might be the case. YOU didn't move, but the earth beneath your feet did... so effectively your still mobile to a degree. Wonderful. So I either kill everyone, or..."

>>200521
>>200629
[FANART PERSUASION BONUS]

"Or what? You already said you don't want to commit wholesale slaughter here, And I doubt your other alternative would be all that preferable, if you've held it back, The same as you have your other trump: My offer to heal you still stands, And we need not see this to the end: I'd rather not lose my Soul Grave, And you'd rather not lose your life."

"....And you would extend your vow to be a gracious host?"

"You seem to have at least met with some residents of the Arcanoworks: Can you deny that you were at the least treated fairly?"

Eisenhardt continues to stare for a moment longer, his fluctuating magnetic field still building, even as my Immortal Genocide continues to feast, now holding a truly prodigious amount of energy, and-

And the strange magnetic fields about his form slacken, power bleeding out even as the Leyline I feel beneath the ground ceases to rise, and Eisenhardt rolls his shoulders with a sigh.

"By the deep, fine then. I accept this as a draw, on the condition that you heal me. ...But I admit to being more than a bit paranoid in my age, and so I request you to be the first to drop your defenses, and hail your troops with word they need not target me: I'm more than slightly irritated now, and I would not react well at all to another incident of trigger-happy guards."

...I do not know of what incident he speaks, but that hardly matters in face of a far bigger question:



Do I trust him?
If I do, what should I say or do?
And if not, should I try to change how this draw will function, or should I attempt to continue the fight?
>>
No. 200690 ID: e31d52

Trust him! He's honored his word until now.
>>
No. 200691 ID: a594b9

He is trustworthy. We shall agree to these terms... and ask if we can somehow get in touch with Weinsho. Find out what he wants. Maybe our goals aren't so different after all.
>>
No. 200693 ID: 445c48

He hardly seems the type to straight up break his word. Do it. Including the antimagnet rune.
>>
No. 200694 ID: b7a744

Trust him, but hail your guards to stand down first before you turn off the runes.
>>
No. 200696 ID: 4af8c8

Trust him, but be ready for shenanigans.
We have built up sufficient IG charge, so maybe we'll be able to magically nullify him IF he decides to go against his word.
I'm pretty sure, he'll keep his word but still helps to be cautious.

Also, I was meaning to ask. Our body can absorb metals now, yes? Wouldn't that give us at least some degree of protection against his sword attack? We couldn't do that before because his steel balls were enormous but his sword is not.
>>
No. 200697 ID: c707bd

drop banditry on the sword and move your head to show your are moving the instant after you are sure he saw you move pulse the IG's stored energy, if he was going to back out of his word then would be the time he would strike. if he does not strike then he will keep his bargain.
>>
No. 200698 ID: e31d52

Make some sort of joke regarding the massive iron balls and wondering if you should pay him for all the 'meals' he's given the golem.
>>
No. 200700 ID: 445c48

>>200696
I think he's using Blood Iron Tendrils or something, which , I imagine, he's putting enough force behind to simply go straight through us.
>>
No. 200702 ID: 4af8c8

Can we use our reverse healing powers to heal his legs? It would be better if we heal him personally imo.
>>
No. 200703 ID: b14128

He is not without morals, as his hesitation to create a slaughter suggests. There is little to do other than trust him at this point.
>>
No. 200704 ID: 732129

"Mage Eisenhardt and I have negotiated a ceasefire. All fighters stand down. I have work for Jojo and Ulzrick. Eisenhardt's wounds need tending."
>>
No. 200705 ID: f4e4f9

>>200690
I don't wish to die for being a gullible idiot...so layer backup plan within backup plan.

Remember, all things considered, this guy is actually quite cold-blooded, whatever he claims.

He out and out murdered one of his more loyal soldiers after we defeated Verther's army. Just flat out killed him in a rather horrifying manner, and crushed the body to dispose of evidence.

(Out of Mordre's own perspective: Consider Eisenhardt's and Weinsho's dialogue:

"Yes, but a mage that found a Soul Grave, devised a means to control it without his presence being required.... oh, and did I mention, Dulu reported that the Soul Grave is now capable of crafting short lived constructs forged of Soulfire."

[b]He KNEW about our soul grave being remote controlled, well before Arkus ever mentioned it. Why play ignorant? To keep people unsuspecting as to his nature.

"..Of course you verified it. Well, we already knew that this was a threat we had to deal with, so how does this change anything?"

The above implies that, whatever setbacks he's had, he still has other machinations that he seeks to protect. Do you think he's really going to just ignore us when we've already espoused our desire to protect our allies and civilians, even at the cost of opposing him as circumstances have shown?

He also slaughtered nearly every bandit in the Duran forests, and why? To maintain secrecy. WE, and by extension, likely everyone in the Arcanoworks, KNOWS of his involvement in the matter. If he took the time to hunt down every individual in the Duran forests, does anyone actually think he's going to just ignore our existence, or our allies, who he has no guarantee don't know of his involvement? A dangerous foe who knows to an extent what he's been up to?

"Don’t need it, never did. I’ll win this by my own strength, with my own hands, or not at all."

He's been regarded as very stubborn, and stated in no uncertain terms that he'll either win this, or he won't. That leaves little ground for accepting a draw.

Finally, he's a practitioner of BLOOD MAGIC, a potent one too, as he can pull the blood, not just blood iron, but actual blood, from a living human body. I doubt he actually needs our help in reclaiming his legs.

I strongly, STRONGLY suspect he's leading us in. Part of being a potent warrior is knowing how to manipulate an opponent, and HE was the one who suggested our tendency to honor our word made us susceptible to traps, not Weinsho, even if he mentioned Weinsho was more fond of them.

Self-imposed morals tend to break down the closer to fatigue and desperation you get, and I suspect this holds true just as much for Eisenhardt, and individual with DEMONSTRABLY SHAKY MORALS ALREADY.)

Say thus: "*brief pause*

...Very well."

Release the chronal bandit, and make a noticable movement, like a shrug of your shoulders or something. A split second later, release the Secondary Mode of the Immortal Genocide. If he's gonna betray us, he's liable to do it as swiftly as possible. As such, if he does, he'll run right into that wave.

If he does NOT betray us, and panics at the secondary release, say thus: "No need to worry. My golem's absorbed energy needs to be released, as I can't really passively disarm it."

I really really hope my character analysis of Eisenhardt is accurate, but I stand by my assessment.
>>
No. 200707 ID: f4e4f9

I've said my piece. Here's hoping.
>>
No. 200708 ID: 445c48

>>200705
I'm not sure he'd betray us immediately. I mean, if he does, he bleeds to death probably. Sure, he'd probably get a kickass golem, but who WANTS to die? He'll probably betray us after we get his legs.

And thus I propose we kill him in his sleep, as I'm pretty sure that's needed for Souldreaming whatever healing. And then we eat his soul quickly.

Or we can stick with a draw.
>>
No. 200709 ID: 4af8c8

>>200708
Nah, he wont die due to his injuries. He knows blood magic and all.
>>
No. 200710 ID: 445c48

>>200708
Please note I don't mean we get Jojo to kill him, I mean we tell him he needs to be asleep for Souldreaming to work and then stab him once Jojo confirms he's asleep, or hell, we heal his legs THEN stab him as he's still asleep, then immediately eat his soul.

Or something. This is just an option, of course.
>>
No. 200711 ID: 445c48

>>200709
Blood magic is just the fuel source. Ok, he could possibly magnetomance the blood in him so he doesn't bleed out or go into shock or something, but that doesn't get him his legs back. One tends to get attached to one's legs, he could probably magneto his way around the rest of his life but who wants to do that?
>>
No. 200712 ID: 4af8c8

>>200708
>>200710

I am personally against cowardly moves like that. It hurts our image and I am pretty sure it will not work.

>>200711
Yeah. But I was linking to a post that suggested he is going to die due to bleeding which wasn't happening.
>>
No. 200715 ID: f4e4f9

He's stated that he's not bleeding out due to the fact that he's blood magicking himself.
>>
No. 200752 ID: 4af8c8

Oh, and for not to be caught unawares again, use your sensors to the ground and around you to see if there are any other attacks directed again you.
>>
No. 200765 ID: 7c3a2e

Cool, we'll get Vimes - hopefully - after this!

Anyway, trust him. if he does attempt to attack us, we'll most likely have our fighters back and he'll be inside the walls ready for a curb-stomp battle - i.e. we go Ides of March on his ass.

Anyway! Mordre, heal up. Deactivate everything but your rune, if possible. Not our own paranoia about him rending our metal Golem limb from limb. We can deactivate it when, A) he's asleep and healing, and B) our squad-of-badasses gets back to help defend.
>>
No. 200766 ID: 7c3a2e

Oh, yeah. Try to map out that leyline if possible. It'll be nice to know where it goes and if there are any Geysers on it.

Oh, and Mordre did you get any idea what the Disciples plan was after eating so many of them? And who told them to do it?
>>
No. 200783 ID: 0a7fe7

>>200705
I agree with this wholeheartedly. Just remember to announce the ceasefire before you do your crap and do the IG thing BEFORE you move.

I have a feeling that he could repair himself quite easily, and at the very least he could get Wenshio to help him out, but he released his hold and I don't think he can build up that kind of power again so quickly .
>>
No. 200866 ID: a76809

>>200696
[Mordre's form can now absorb metals on all it's surface area, yes, but at a rate of one pound of metal per every five seconds per square foot. This limits what it can and cannot absorb, and a relativistic blade is likely outside of said parameters.]

I call out to the people crowded on the walls of the Arcanoworks, as I note Bang getting 'fidgety': It would not do to have any attempts at politicking undone by his antics, not now.

"Stand down, weapons at rest, everyone. Open the gates, our guest will-"

"Yeah, no. One, a draw does not mean I'll avail myself of your hospitality... and possibly be murdered in my sleep at some point, and two, you still haven't dropped out of an active combat mode. Either do so, or be ready to see this through to it's conclusion, here and now."

>>200697
>>200705
I deactivate temporal locking, inclining my head to give evidence my form is moving-even as I pulse the Immortal Genocide: If Eisenhardt attacks, it matters not if I am unable to perceive the speed at which he travels-

And as the spreading ripple of distorted space, of light and shadow, cascades outwards, clouds of Blood Iron materialize and rapidly begin to accelerate-and tendrils of Blood Iron disintegrate, even as Eisenhardt himself leaps back, keeping out of the range of my blast-I am thankful I did not drop the Anti-Magnetomancy rune as well. I get ready to fight, but Eisenhardt scoff, and speaks first.

"Right, just had to be sure you weren't the stupid enough to completely open yourself to attacks before someone who was just trying to deconstruct your golem. Would have been hard for me to feel comfortable if you were THAT accomodating-and where did you get an anti-magic pulse field like that-ah, that must be one of Lenryt's toys, she's always done good work."

He seems to act as if his most recent attempt to tear me apart is water under the bridge-and as I detect no restoration of his previously ludicrously strong and building magnetic fields about his form, I find his magical condition matching his words. He stalks towards the remains of the stone abode he previously occupied, before these events transpired, and with a wave of his hand restores the broken structure to it's earlier form-and I note his legs wobble, ever so slightly, in the process, before he turns back to make a final remark.

"Neither of us would be comfortable with me in your fort, we both know that. I'll be keeping an eye to my surroundings, if you meant your offer of healing, return, or send whoever you think is best suited, I shall sense their approach. I recommend not sending anyone more than those who would be directly involved in the healing process... and your apprentice, if he wants: I can keep myself from immediate harm for some time thanks to my wounds, but it will be boring, so I could use someone to talk to. Your call, or his, if you let your apprentices have that much freedom. Or if you feel impugned upon for my last attempt there, feel free to come back swinging, I'll be happy to dance and see one of us in the ground. ..Don't keep me waiting."

The stone structure seals up behind him as he enters it, and I feel his magnetic field grow more muted, and the Blood Iron about his form shifting into some sort of supporting frame, largely localized about his legs, before several crystal spires rise about him, and make sensing him difficult.

...Hm. I was prepared for betrayal... but his attack almost seemed a bench-marker to measure me against.


What should I make of Eisenhardt's actions?
Should I send Jojo or Ulzrick over to heal him, or should I go myself after I repair myself?
And should I send over Arkus to speak with him as he requested?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 200868 ID: 0a7fe7

Retrieve arm and start fixing yourself up as you head to the Arcanoworks, I want us to look pristine for our next appearance.

Call Arkus. Lets see his impression of this guy. Let him accompany you.

I would rather not risk Jojo or any of the others so we do this ourselves. It will add the element of personality and we get to see his reaction firsthand.

Make sure Bang calms down.
>>
No. 200875 ID: 4af8c8

I think it would be cooler to try to heal him ourself, we could test out our healing abilities ourself. Ask for permission though. If not, send Jojo and Ulzrick but accompany them. We should do this as soon as possible, before it becomes impossible to fix him.

I don't see why we shouldn't send Arkus to talk, but lets accompany him so that we can talk too (of course keep the tune on at that time and senses on maximum).

First we need to repair of course. Go to Arkane works and asses the situation, talk with your people a bit.
Go talk with Arkus and Jojo, ask them about the fight, ask for advice on what we did wrong and what we should do next time to have better chance if we fight again. Ask Arkus to find out a way to make us better against Eisenhardt using all the availible assets (runes, money, rubies, connections) - MAXIMUM priority, do the same for Jojo. Ask Jezebel to come up with a schematic for golem lightening cannon which can be mounted on arms, legs or shoulders (but without removing other improvements). Ask her to come up with a way to generally improve us, maybe thinking up something that can disrupt magic (Magic EMP).
We needs to improve ourself ASAP


Oh, did the leyline sink back? Or is it now close to the surface, if so, this fight hasn't been a complete waste of time, we might have gotten an important resource! We could even restore the stone golem with that.
>>
No. 200877 ID: 4af8c8

>>200875

Ah, also, don't say anything that can be used against us (like admitting the fact that were bluffing heavily and were on verge of destruction or telling the secret of "stasis" mode) unless we are inside of our fortress which has muting abilities.

I might be a bit paranoid, but I am thinking that Eisenhardt is so powerful in his magnetomancy that he can somehow use the magnetic fields to listen in (I have no idea how this would work but still better safe than sorry)
Actually, do everything I said in previous post inside the tower: talking with allies and fixing ourself. Don't turn of the rune till we are inside. Turn it on when we get out.
>>
No. 200882 ID: 3f7cec
File 127784420670.jpg - (35.19KB , 500x375 , the-weapons-of-painkiller-hell-wars-20051117051751.jpg )
200882

>>200875
what jezebel should try is to make an upgraded blade launcher/lightning gun . . .
>>
No. 200884 ID: 0a7fe7

Hmm, if nothing else, we have gotten a serious revelation from this fight.

Leylines are not, as I previously thought, incredible rivers of pure magic energy flowing under the earth. They are...strata of magic absorbing stone. It likely that they were around long before man discovered magic. All that time they were just there gathering energy, storing it up. Now they are a great well of energy for anyone who can understand enough about them.

This also explains why certain places have it and others don't. Its entirely possible that the leyline strata ends at the edges of the continent, this is why the islands don't have it. I would expect that the stone can also 'grow' in areas of sufficient magical saturation. we might just be able to grow Leylines.

To think that Eisenhardt could do this much with it... he is a frightening man.
(Moment of inspiration?)
>>
No. 200891 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200866
Well, repair, first of all. Pull our hand out of the ground, survey the damage - eat any pieces of metal lying around so we can fix any damage to our body. How does our sword look, anyway? Not too damaged, I hope.

How far behind was everyone else? We should wait for them; maybe go to met them in a little bit.

However, we first need to go in. See what happened while we were out, talk to everyone. Ask Arkus just what the hell is on about that crazed loon that was outside our base! Talk to Jojo - ask him if he can heal from a distance and if he can heal removed legs, mostly because I have no idea if our Eternal Healer mode of the Immortal Genocide would, you know, give him new legs or not. Have Jojo operate as a 'backup' plan. And as the healing occurs during sleep, Jojo might be able to read Eisenhardt dreams, if he has any. Find out what anyone in the Outpost knows about Eisenhardt other then he just attacked us, the jerk.

Have Arkus look at our rune, I want to make sure it's whole again.

Check up on what has passed while we've been out, are there is any improvements to the Preman Communication Lessons, the Unified Language of magic, or the Unified Theory of Magic.

Oh! New idea: We could start on our own version of Esperanto - a universal language combining everything we know of the languages we know.

Survey the damage to the land surrounding the Arcanoworks and start fixing it as best we can. A fine lawn is the start of any fine gentleman.

Warn the Outpost that Vimes and company might be coming around, so be on our best behavior - they're Ex-Watch, so they won't take kindly to thieves, conmen, and other such ne’er-do-wells. Cough, look at Dekin.

Quickly go get our warriors, if nothing else has popped up. Rush back with the Fatal Four. Find out what they know about Eisenhardt. Find out if Jojo can heal from a distance. If he can, have him get ready. If he can’t, have him follow us at a distance as we head out with Moss.

Someone add some ham to this, as we’re just one point away.

>>200875

This is why I suggested asking Jojo. We tell Eisenhardt to sleep while we heal him as our power can’t work unless he’s asleep. We try our Eternal Healer and if that doesn’t’ work, Jojo takes over.

And no, we should not send Arkus out. We will ask Arkus if he wants to, and then we head out with him.

The idea of asking who was watching what we did wrong might yield some positive results. Also potentially ham and soap. I will attempt to write this later. However, talking to Jojo and Arkus about how to make us ‘better’ seems counterproductive. I mean, that’s our job. Their jobs are, respectfully, healing and using dream magic and becoming the greatest mage and researcher. And the problem with asking Jezebel to add anything to us is that it would have to be anchored somehow and it wouldn’t be part of us, and to be efficient, it would have to have some kind of external power pack that would be a liability. If anything, she should be ordered to look into schematics that can be made from mostly metal. I don’t know what we can’t do – i.e., can we make ourselves electrical cable, and Blootz Steel be turned into a superconductive material – so for now, let’s focus on items that require few materials other then metal.

>>200877

This is…-very- paranoid. I don’t know if it’s not true, but that would mean we could never talk about our abilities outside, and we would always have to use the rune – which diminishes the power of our Blootz steel severely as half the bonus is being able to move fast.

>>200884

This might mean that molten rock has very strong magical qualities…subducted laylines could mix with the other lava…mmhm…
>>
No. 200901 ID: f4e4f9

Grrr...

Retrieve your limbs. Return to the keep. Begin the regenerative process when inside, and keep your eye out for any building magnetic fields. ANY AT ALL.

Ask Jojo if he thinks he could restore a recently lost limb. If he can't do it by himself, we'll have to help him. Also, ask Arkus if he feels comfortable keeping our guest company.

He does? Thats fantastic. Too bad I don't. Grab Abaeloth's sword. Explain the situation.

We've demonstrated that we still keep defensive aces up our sleeves. I suspect he will refrain from attacking us ONLY AS LONG as he suspects we have more. At least until he gets his legs back. Which begs the question: What can we use as insurance? Most of my prior point's still stand.

So...here's an idea: Implied threat's can be almost as efficient as stated ones. He knows of Lenryt, so, he knows to be cautious about her. Mention thus, just slip it into idle conversation when we go to heal him with Jojo. We can have Arkus in tow. The healing probably won't be fast:

"You mentioned Lenryt earlier? Acquainted? Quite a polite young lady, even when she's asking the use of my golem on a regular basis."

If he asks about the nature of the tasks:

"I'm somewhat unaware. She requests the use of my golem, and so I accede. Part of the reason I don't want it destroyed, you understand."

And since I know that Lenryt knows we're doing this, when she inevitably gets annoyed that we're using her name to shield ourselves (hopefully she's circumspect enough to wait until after the crisis):

"I apologize, but I needed assurance that he would not attack again, at least immediately. He'll do research, find out the untruth of my claim, and come back for me...eventually. But until then, this gives me time to think of a countermeasure.

That, or he'll keep trying to find the 'Mage Mordre' instead of the 'golem'.

If you wish it, then in an effort of reconciliation, I will perform a task for you as best I can."
>>
No. 200903 ID: f4e4f9

Also, how the hell was he manipulating those magic dispelling crystals underground? They're apparently not as potent as Abaeloth's sword, but still, he must have found some way around it.
>>
No. 200904 ID: 0a7fe7

>>200901
I don't think we should attempt to bluff this guy when he knows Lenryt better than we do. For all we know she could be his sister... or daughter.


At first I was under the impression that his legs were annihilated, but after looking at the fan art, it occurred to me that they would still be around. If so, all we have to do is reconnect them and Inverse -IG. Oggroth's intestines were outside and we fixed that stuff and healed the scar with pure magical power. I don't think that this is much different.

I just had the Idea of getting stasis storage for our medical room. We will have the best hospital ever.


>>200903
Badassery
>>
No. 200908 ID: f4e4f9

>>200904
She's an alien overmind controlling a nobody little girl. Besides, Eisenhardt's conversations with Weinsho demonstrate he knows little to nothing of the details of our arrangement.

And I doubt you can just circumvent that sort of thing by applying moar power. There's gotta be an explanation.
>>
No. 200916 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200904
Damn straight we are. Anyway, it's less bluffing and more covering our bases. If we can't do it, we loose face. So the best thing to do is get Jojo/someone to get us some herbs to put him to sleep, attempt our magic - if that doesn't work, then Jojo goes to work while reading his dreams.
>>
No. 200917 ID: 0a7fe7

>>200908
Oh yes of course.
I am just saying that we should not presume that he knows so little about her that he would not see through whatever bluff we put up. Truth is, we know very, very little about Lenryt and seeing as they are both Mortal coil mages, it is not a stretch to think he knows her better, especially since he noticed that the IG was her doing.

As I said before... he is a frightening man. I have no flipping clue how he does what he does. Well no, I have some Ideas but I'm still sifting through that. Might as well just wait and see. It is not hard to see why he is in the Mortal coil, Arkus has quite a way to go.
>>
No. 200919 ID: 0a8e03

check our time isolated sword, is it dammaged?
>>
No. 200920 ID: f4e4f9

>>200917
It helps that the bluff is only partially a bluff. It's actually just the truth...enhanced, a little.

If anyone has a better method of insuring he doesn't just go back on his word and we have to restart this battle, by all means.
>>
No. 200921 ID: 4af8c8

>>200891
>Survey the damage to the land surrounding the Arcanoworks and start fixing it as best we can. A fine lawn is the start of any fine gentleman.


Holy shit, you people! We have much more pressing matter than wasting time moving the damn lawns, watering flowers, walking dogs or lying in the sun and playing harmonica. Like, trying to figure out what to do with one of our mortal enemies who is LITERALLY capable of shredding us into thousands of little pieces with his MIND. Sheesh, check you priorities.

>using Jojo
Does Jojos healing work only when the patient is asleep? Hmm, I doubt very much that Eisenhardt would agree on that. Also, I think a mage of these proportions would have warded his mind against these kinds of attacks.

>However, talking to Jojo and Arkus about how to make us ‘better’ seems counterproductive. I mean, that’s our job. Their jobs are, respectfully

lol, no. You must be joking.
Correct me if I am wrong, but one of our most powerful weapons, the AA, exists only because we ASKED Arkus if he knows ways to use rubies for our advantage. Actually, even anti-golem cannon and blade launchers were made with Arkuses help, iirc. The revolver upgrade became only possible because we asked Keddic if he knows anything that can help us. So no, their jobs are to serve our will. Arkus is our servant, our slave, his life belong to us. To jojo we are a Chieftain, he must listen to us. Their jobs are what WE tell them they are. Just because we treat them right doesn't mean they can go around pushing their rights.
Actually, don't ask Arkus and Jojo only. Ask everyone.

>This is…-very- paranoid. I don’t know if it’s not true, but that would mean we could never talk about our abilities outside

Well... no, not really. Only for now because Eisenhardt is there. He might have retreated but I am sure he's dedicating his focus into observing the situation and surroundings. I mean, he's paranoid as we are so he needs to be ready for any possible attacks.

>>200901
I like this

>>200904
>he knows Lenryt better than we do. For all we know she could be his sister... or daughter.

I very much doubt it. She already told us that she's not a being from this world. And Grand Elder Mages are leagues above any other mortals. Also add to that fact that Lenryt got to position with by directly challenging one of the Grand Elder Mages, a feat that hasn't been done in 70 years (iirc). Other come to position by all kinds of political maneuvering, she just went in and kicked asses. I doubt ANYONE knows anything about her.
>>
No. 200935 ID: 0a7fe7

You all seem to missing the point of my Lenryt argument, but whatever, come what may.
>>
No. 200978 ID: a76809

>>200884
[Oh-ho. Not a Moment of Inspiration, but hugely vital observations are made: The revelation that Leylines are more directly controllable, beyond simply being tapped as a fuel source, and are not simple magic channels underground without a corporeal component, and the postulation about this being related to how the Islands have greatly lessened World magic. If this could be tweaked for accuracy, then yes, Moment of Inspiration. Keep at it, but remember that MoI's need a prediction about the future to go with them.]

>>200868
>>200875
>>200901
>>200919
As I make the earth beneath me flow, noting the rather disturbing creaking noises coming from my form, my severed arm in tow, I appraise the shifted Leyline that Eisenhardt had been tapping: It has not shifted-but that means it occupies this new position, markedly closer to the surface. I am unsure what such will bring. As I enter the Arcanoworks, still sliding along the ground, I look at the Edge of Oblivion, and note it's form to be fairly ragged, but still largely serviceable: And as its runes look unmarred I believe I am fine to use it for it's normal functions-but it's inverted power, as well as ability to empower me defensively, have certainly caught my eye.

Within the Arcanoworks, I first placate Bang, who seems itching to fight Eisenhardt himself, claiming that the fight is not truly over, and that a duel was offered and accepted: He acknowledges that I have 'dibs' and leaves it be, though he throws a complement my way for an impressive exchange. I sense tons of metal, the types the Blue Knight promised to send, occupying the outpost, and make my way over to one of the selections of steel, and begin feasting as I attend to repairing myself, even as I call for Jojo, Ulzrick, and Arkus, knowing that my repairs will take hours at the least, and that Eisenhardt may not be so 'cooperative' if I leave him waiting overlong: I suppose I must delegate his recovery. Through mouthfuls of metal, I speak to the three as they gather, repeating what I say to Jojo to avoid confusion (the language lessons are making progress, but a ways still must be traveled).

"Jojo, I want you and your apprentice Ulzrick to go outside, and heal the mage I fought: I doubt he will accept being put to sleep, so be aware that is something you must account for. Arkus, he has requested your presence, so if you accept, speak with Keddic first, And bring with you the crystal sword we claimed during our recent venture, As a safety precaution. I have matters of my own to attend to, so unless you have questions, That is all."

As I repeat this for Jojo, all three nod, and depart, as I call for Jezebel, seeking information on other modifications to apply to my form. I shall be immobile for quite some time as I repair myself, and I am keeping Dulu's copied rune active, which means a slower repair-but also means I won't find myself torn asunder by dint of being made of metal.

.............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: ARKUS.............................................

[DAY 110]

I stifle a yawn at the late hour, my body already getting a second wind, as I travel out of the Arcanoworks gates, an over-sized sword of crystal strapped to my back (Keddic told me of how it was claimed, and the warrior that possessed it... yeah, happy I missed that), Jojo floating to my left and Ulzrick marching to my right. As we approach the stone abode that Eisenhardt resides within, the wall flows and opens before us, allowing us entry. Within, the walls literally glow, emitting a soft light that provides substantial visibility, and I feel complex weavings of World magic intertwined in the whole of this place.

But all of that seems somewhat inconsequential, as I see Eisenhardt, his legs ending in stumps, seated in a chair of dark iron, with his... severed legs... proffered forth on a platter betwixt us. At our arrival, I see him smile, and greet us.

"Well, hello again Arkus. I assume the two with you are healers, then?"

Before I can say anything, Ulzrick whispers into my ear.

"Ah, Jojo wants to say that if the patient isn't asleep, even with the missing limbs, this... will hurt. A lot."

Ah.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 200986 ID: a594b9

"You are correct in that these are the healers Mordre spoke of. Jojo, and his apprentice Ulzrick. They use some kind of weird dream-based magic to literally reverse the damage a body has gone through. That means normally the patient should be asleep during the procedure, but it is possible to do it while you're awake. It's going to hurt a lot, though."
>>
No. 200995 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200921

>Holy shit, you people! We have much more pressing matter than wasting time moving the damn lawns, watering flowers, walking dogs or lying in the sun and playing harmonica. Like, trying to figure out what to do with one of our mortal enemies who is LITERALLY capable of shredding us into thousands of little pieces with his MIND. Sheesh, check you priorities.

The ‘lawn’ comment was more of a half-serious joke. We should get rid of any metal, or stone fragments or any leftover items lying around because they could be used against us by him. We should clean up, because we have Vimes coming over and if our base looks like a war zone it doesn’t inspire confidence. We should also make sure none of the crops were damaged during the fight – food is important. Difficult terrain is also bad as it makes maneuvering difficult. These are all vital reasons to keep a good quote-unquote lawn. And we’re a geomancer and magnetomancer – it’s not going to be that hard to fix some of it. And if you’re really annoyed, we can use this time to set up some small ‘landmines’ for defences.

>Does Jojos healing work only when the patient is asleep? Hmm, I doubt very much that Eisenhardt would agree on that. Also, I think a mage of these proportions would have warded his mind against these kinds of attacks.

Tough shit if Eisenhardt wouldn’t agree to it. It’s the only way we know for sure can heal him. While, yes, we could do it ourselves, we don’t know if that’ll work or not. And even if it does, we can still try to mind-read him. After all, we should use our Xavier against Magnto.


>lol, no. You must be joking.
>Correct me if I am wrong, but one of our most powerful weapons, the AA, exists only because we ASKED Arkus if he knows ways to use rubies for our advantage. Actually, even anti-golem cannon and blade launchers were made with Arkuses help, iirc. The revolver upgrade became only possible because we asked Keddic if he knows anything that can help us. So no, their jobs are to serve our will. Arkus is our servant, our slave, his life belong to us. To jojo we are a Chieftain, he must listen to us. Their jobs are what WE tell them they are. Just because we treat them right doesn't mean they can go around pushing their rights.
>Actually, don't ask Arkus and Jojo only. Ask everyone.

The major problem I have with going ‘Arkus, Jojo, find out how we can be bad ass’ is because it’s entirely passive. It’s not even tech-building, it’s just letting the GM give us stuff if he feels generous. That the reason I’m really rebelling against this suggestion, that and it lacks focus.
However if we ask everyone at the Outpost a hammed and soaped up version of “Ok, did anyone see where I went wrong? I mean, holy shit, he almost tore me a new one, any suggestions anyone?” that is better – actually, that’s what I suggested. I mean, we already have a few goals – getting to the Library Soul Grave, getting the Shell of Gavrock, getting Armstrong and Vimes to join us – that will give us more power for now. And the biggest problem we had with the fight is simply ‘he is 100x stronger than us, and we’re fighting him with his own weapons and we’re all metal. This is like a …A Bolo verse a Bike. To do what we did is simply amazing because we went into this battle with some of the biggest marks against us.

>Well... no, not really. Only for now because Eisenhardt is there. He might have retreated but I am sure he's dedicating his focus into observing the situation and surroundings. I mean, he's paranoid as we are so he needs to be ready for any possible attacks.

Yes, and we have no way of knowing just how far his range is. Or if anyone stronger than him is listening in as we speak. I mean, he didn’t feel like a Legendary Soul so there are people stronger than him. Anybody could be listening in at any moment via magntomancy, or aeromancy, or any thousand of other ideas. Heck, we could have a Diviner watching us as we speak.

And that leads me to a question: Mordre, was Eisenhardt a legendary soul or not?
>>
No. 200999 ID: 7c3a2e

>>200986
No, he has to go to sleep. So we can read his mind.
>>
No. 201004 ID: 0a7fe7

Oho!!! I'll work on that.

That sword is made out of Leyline isn't it....*facepalm*

We be meeting too many powerful people.

"So Eisenhardt, what did you think of my Lord? It seems like you two had a real scuffle out there. Nice place by the way."
*Listen*
"Ok then, well, these are the healers yes but they are a special type. This may sound strange but it's true, their magic only works when the patient is unconscious or asleep. Weeeell, it CAN work when you are awake... but it will hurt, horribly I am told."

If awake: Talk with him to get his mind off of the pain. Talk to him about the deal you made earlier.
Comment on his skill and say that He and Mordre seem to share a lot in technique, though Mordre is a wild card of techniques, you haven't even seen em all. Chat about magic theory, but stay in the safe range, if he asks what Mordre teaches you just say that he is the kind of teacher that has you learn through work.

If asleep: Walk around, look at stuff, whistle some tunes, practice magnetomancy.
>>
No. 201011 ID: db9547

>>200978
"They are. Master Jojo and his apprentice, Ulzrick. They'll be performing the procedure...

Uhm...they said you should know that due to the nature of the magic they use for this, y'know, converting wounds into the stuff of dreams...if you aren't asleep for this, it's going to be kinda...horrifically painful."


"That was one hell of a battle...so, I take it that there's going to be a round 2 in the future?"
>>
No. 201028 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201004
When you're strong, you attract strong foes. Anyway, I still say we shouldn't tell him that he can stay awake. If he catches us in the bluff, just say we thought he had done enough. Because if he's asleep, we can read is mind via dreams. Can we can say, if he notices, that it's part of the treatment.
>>
No. 201042 ID: db9547

A prediction, you say? Well, how about this:

With the incursion of a near surface Leyline, the State is probably going to send representatives to lay claim to it for being in their soil, despite the fact that we'll technically be the one to claim it.
>>
No. 201055 ID: 445c48

>>201028
Personally, I feel a ridiculously powerful mage like this might have his mind warded against such things.

Or he could be MAGNETS and nothing else.
>>
No. 201068 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201055
He has his mind warded against a style of magic unknown to most of the world and generally only used by those of broken bodies or minds? Really?

Any way, there is no harm in trying - and if he is warded against it, this sort of healing won't work anyway.
>>
No. 201072 ID: d3dfb8

>>201055
FUCKIN MAGNETS
HOW DO THEY WORK?
>>
No. 201091 ID: db9547

Geomancy, too. Probably not as strong as his magnetomancy.
>>
No. 201094 ID: 4a9385

We made an agreemant wit the man before about serving Mordre, though conditions for a draw were not made. There is still a chance that we can get him to work with us though. I believe that if we wish to pursue this, the worst way to start would be with lies. So tell him about the staying awake option, I think he will appreciate our honesty. You can try to read his mind, but if it doesn't go well, just say that it is a side effect, they can limit it but it might take longer to heal him, etc.
>>
No. 201098 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201094
I still think not telling him and making ti seem like we care would be a good idea. "Of course I didn't tell you! You would have been in screaming agony, and let me tell you that's kind of horrific. I won't go into details, anyway. But the point is we healed you, isn't that for the best?"

Also: I think we found a new torture technique! Remove hand, dream-heal it back on.
>>
No. 201101 ID: 716eb0

I don't know about you guys, but I am quite happy with the "cause him excruciating pain" option. Past experience would seem to indicate that Jojo will be unable to fully heal him in one go, and he won't want to stick around while our casters rest. So by my calculations, the end result of this is we have done him a great favor, caused him extreme pain, and left him with a permanent limp for our trouble. I find this satisfactory.
>>
No. 201105 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201101
And possibly less likely to see us as allies. As much as I want to hurt him, it's better to have allies then enemies and Mordre it's preferable to having them alive then dead.
>>
No. 201139 ID: 445c48

>>201068
I mean general magic warding, or something. Or just IRON MIND FUCK YEAH. I believe the statblock on Jojo included something about it in the offensive application of souldreaming, the name of which escapes me at the moment.

Then again I'm only half remembering anything so you can ignore me. He probably only FUCKIN' MAGNETS anyways. We should ask, in a polite and civil manner, you know, small talk.

Also
>>200986
>>
No. 201166 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201139
Nightmare of the Soul. And anyway, he's clearly not wearing his anti-Xavier helmet, so Jojo should have clear sailing.

Note, if Eisenhardt is Magneto and Jojo is Xavier, what does that make Ulzrick?
>>
No. 201168 ID: db9547

Y'know, he seems to like talking to Arkus. Try this bit of dialogue:

"Y'know, truth be told, I was kinda hoping Mordre would win nonlethally there. Not because I prefer his instruction mind you, but because that probably would have worked out the best for us all. He's always lamenting the lack of other skilled mages, as well as the fact that he admits to being a very suboptimal teacher. I'm pretty sure he was planning to pass my apprenticeship to a more suitable instructor once he got one in his employ."

"Yeah, I supose if you just won, I'd get that. But at the same time, its hard to want ill for the only guy to give you a chance, y'know? Spent most of my life squeaking by, trying to learn what I could. Then Mordre comes along, gives me the chance no one else ever did, and in the space of months I go from having that glamour as the most advanced bit of magic I could pull, to reverse engineering State-Developed tech and actually KNOWING World magic.

So, um...yeah. What about you? Pardon the expression, but how'd you get so...well, monstrously capable?
>>
No. 201172 ID: db9547

>>201166
Jean Grey

:o
>>
No. 201175 ID: d3dfb8

>>201166
Jean Grey-Summers
>>
No. 201177 ID: db9547

But yeah, I suspect he may have had a...similar upbringing. Might explain why he resonates so well with him.
>>
No. 201182 ID: d3dfb8

>>201168
I'm good with this.
>>
No. 201195 ID: 4af8c8

Prediction about the future concerning the leylines?

The reason why the State is so uncooperative with us about the Core-being problem might go along with it. We know that it is/was tapping leyline for fuel. So the state doesn't want anyones help with removing the Being lest they try to make (partial) claim of the line. They are going to try to do everything themselves and most probably will fail.... leaving us to clear up the mess (like always)
Also >>201042.

Besides that, we now know that the leylines can even be mined for materials (the crystal sword). We need info on this, to know how dangerous that could be. But we will have a major revenue stream if that is true. We should see if we have any books that give the info how the leylines can be worked and what we can make out of them.

Also, not a prediction per se, but more like contemplating on the past events. We now know at least of one way the how leylines might have been served when the curse hit. We know that they can be manipulated by powerful magnetomancers and I'm thinking that geomancers (even more easily) could do the same. Maybe Eisenhardt was one of the people included in the plot. IIrc, Weishiro was one of them, he and Eis are close, so this is very possible.


Oh, now that we have Arkus, we can ask questions again!!!
Arkus, how do you think the fight went? Aren't you happy that you resolved the conflict peacefully when Eisenhardt first arrived, huh?
Also what do you think of Mordre? I mean, the way he can easily mimic human emotions, work out ridiculous personas and events to fool people. As far as making up a fictions dead wife for more dramatic effects is quite frightening, don't you think? Let alone convincing, man I sometimes find myself forgetting that Mordre is machine of death and not an eccentric Wizard.

Ask to Esisenhardt what did he think of Mordre...

Hmm, you know, it might just be that Eis, worked out through our ruse during the fight and the reason for asking Arkus is to question him on that. We must be ready for this.
>>
No. 201196 ID: db9547

Additionally, tell some stories. Especially the one about how you kicked a captain of the guard in the nads. That took some guts.
>>
No. 201205 ID: 4af8c8

>>201196
Or slept with Barons daughter, that was cool too.

Also ask him how he controlled the leyline. Its strange because they aren't made out of metal and we could feel ridiculously strong magnetic pull when he was doing that. Or doesn't it matter what kind of magic is used as long as the mage in question is very powerful?
>>
No. 201208 ID: 4af8c8

Oh man, we should have had Arkus or someone else bring him some tea and snacks going all "Mordre says that this fight must have taken lots out of you, he sends these so that your recover would be swifter"
>>
No. 201221 ID: 4a9385

Hmm, Eisenhardt as one of the people involved in the curse eh?
His job would be getting it to the surface for easy access.

I would suggest that Arkus ask him about it, but he might just go 'screw it', rape for blood iron and leave.
>>
No. 201224 ID: 4a9385

Hmmm, splendid. It's settle, we gather all the people who were involved in the curse and make them our allies, then we announce our secret.
"Now that you have met your most successful creation, how do you feel" Then kill em while they are stunned or something.
I think its hilarious.
>>
No. 201298 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201224
...As funny as 'Mordre, EPIC LEVEL TROLL' sounds...yeah, lets do it.
>>
No. 201309 ID: 2d4178

Hey Arkus, how do you like all these new people you've met since you found Mordre?

like Ozrick and Vespinto, Ellorika, Keddic, Jojo, Bang, Derkin, and so on.
>>
No. 201338 ID: 445c48

Most importantly, how AWESOME do you think Bang is?

If it's something other than "SO AWESOME" I think I have to hate you
>>
No. 201339 ID: ee5d53

>>201309
You mean Ulzrick. I doubt Arkus had much contact with Ozrick, considering we only knew his name for a couple of days before parting ways.
>>
No. 201356 ID: 4af8c8

Can't we try our own soul healing thing we used 2 pristine souls for?
>>
No. 201359 ID: 45be60

>>201356
no expending useful resources for the benefit of the enemy who may still try to kill us for our trouble. We are busy fixing ourselves.

(and processing the stuff we read out of those rune books in the down time, if we know what's good for us.)
>>
No. 201392 ID: 4a9385

>>201338
What if it's 'so INCREDIBLY awesome'?
>>
No. 201394 ID: 4af8c8

>>201338
>>201392

Unfortunately, Arkus hasn't seen Bang fighting at his full potential so his judgment could be ... flawed.

We must educate him.
>>
No. 201411 ID: 7c3a2e

>>201359
Idle wonder: Why are we reading the book? I'm just wondering. I know the reason we keep watching runed fighters fight - so we can relay those runes to Arkus. I'm asking because we can't really do runework ourselves yet. For that we need to eat somebody.

Idle suggestion: We need to find a way to figure out people we can kill-and-eat. I'm gonna suggest when we get Vimes we take a quick round of our holdings, ask about bandits, and then set up a 'adventurer bulletin board'. We will use this to get ideas on where to go next, and maybe get some adventurers to join us.

Arkus-suggestion: "So, Eisenhardt...How was the fight? Mordre said you didn't want to come inside for tea. Erm...Why? I thought our deal was if my master spared your life, you'd work with him instead of, you know, trying to rip him in two."
>>
No. 201412 ID: 148105

>>201411
it's because it was a draw, mordre didn't win.
>>
No. 201414 ID: 37b673

>>201412
We can try and convince him otherwise. So we have him as an ally.

And I still wanna know what was so important to him to kill innocents.
>>
No. 201415 ID: f4e4f9

It was a draw. Neither Mordre nor Eisenhardt has won yet. And Eisenhardt considers it more of a pause in the engagement, rather than it being over. To be resumed at a future time.
>>
No. 201416 ID: f4e4f9

>>201414
In all fairness, the bandits he sought weren't exactly innocents. Still pretty cold.
>>
No. 201422 ID: 37b673

>>201416
Not the bandits. The town he was going to attack. And everyone those bandits was attacking. Those innoncents he seemed saddened by the brutailty of his apperntice.

Anyway, I thought we could bluff that because it was a draw, Mordre won.
>>
No. 201437 ID: 716eb0

>>201411
We are reading books on runes because we are supposed to know this shit already. We are, after all, a skilled mage capable of constructing complicated runework enchantments. Even if we have to have an apprentice on hand to do the actual scribbling in person, we are supposed to know a bunch.
>>
No. 201442 ID: 37b673

>>201437
Yeah, but the thing is we don't. We just know the runes like people know the alphabit. We just have no idea to to spell anything. We don't know magic, remember?
>>
No. 201450 ID: 4a9385

As far as I see it, us knowledge the runes is the equivalent of someone being able to speak a language they don't understand. It is a strange concept because In real life you would not encounter such a situation, but this is how I rationalized it.

A guy hears and reads words in a foriegn language until he can mentally match up language patterns and have a coherent conversation. He has not related the words to anything else, only other words. (for example, he noticd how frequently certain words follow others to string em together, blah blah). So even though he doesn't know what he is saying he can put up a convincing facade for anyone he wishes to speak to.

So yea, he can walk the walk and talk the talk, but he doesn't know what the hell he is doing.

(This made more sense in my head)
>>
No. 201476 ID: a76809

[I see some good ideas, theories, reasoning chains and predictions alike: Keep mulling them over, and when control gets back to Mordre, post your final version, and we'll see about Pristine Soul accrual then (Can only earn them as Mordre, and all). I link this to no specific post because several people have hit facets of the truth in their predictions, but not enough individually to get a PS. And remember, that the theorizing/logical deductive leaps will need to be included with the predictions to fulfill both requirements for unlocking Pristine Souls. Good to see people paying attention, though.]

>>201195
Uh, duh I'm happy I resolved it peacefully when Eisenhardt first appeared, as otherwise, I could be dead. I'd prefer to not be dead, makes many things harder. As to the fight: Honestly, sure Mordre did well, once more a step more capable than he was the last time I saw him in a scuffle, but what struck me most was that ONE person was able to go toe to toe with a sapient soul grave, and damn near ripped Mordre apart. On the subject of Mordre.... yeah, it is more than a bit how uncanny some of his acts and performances to maintain his cover can be, though I've seen precious few in person. Exactly where did it learn how to mimic a person's behavioral patterns so well? I mean, I get the combat capabilities, the stratagems, all that, since that's what Soul Graves are built for, but the social subterfuge? Still throwing me for a loop, even now. ...Especially because when interacting one on one, some of those affectations, those personality quirks made to act human... seem to be bleeding through to his normal behavior... though that could simply be because Mordre spends so much of its time maintaining it's guise.... all of this is speculation, but that's my take.

>>201196
Ah, kicking a guard captain in the balls was less guts and more... he kinda caught me stealing bread, so I noted that he wore an armor skirt, kilt, whatever you call it, and figured that, what with it being hot as all get out, he would want some ventilation, so.... I made a gamble, it paid off, and I ran like hell. ...It was funny though.

>>201205
Ah... that whole evening was hazy. She said something about finding me refreshingly different, not a 'stuck up twat' (her words, not mine) compared to her suitors, and wanting to stick it to her father.... yeah, pretty sure it was one of those 'right place, right time' scenarios.... but what with the rape charge and the warrant for my execution, that's open to debate.

>>201309
Ulzrick: Eh, he's an alright sort, haven't spoken with him that much, seems to get lost in his own thoughts pretty often, and as I can be subject to that myself, I respectfully leave him to his ruminations, whatever they may be on. I hope he can learn some more on Will magic, as even with notes from Mordre's 'lessons' I still haven't worked it out myself, so another opinion would be great.
Vespinto: Bit of a self-righteous dick, actually. Thinks he's the hottest shit around, and since Keddic and Bang haven't kicked the crap out of him in practice, no one's disabused him of this thought. ...It is satisfying to watch him incessantly hit on women here, and get shot down... though that could change with his continued training: Apparently, the three Derkin are training are starting to gain notoriety as being important, or soon to be important. ...And since I'm researching all the time, I don't really have time to chase down anything myself. ...Granted, given the choice I'd probably prioritize my research anyway, as a chance to learn as fast as I can manage.... that's a bit rare, in my experience.
Ellorika: ...Ok, I won't lie, she's a bit intimidating. Puts people in headlocks all the time, always starting sentences with 'Let me tell you', ignores the opinions of others.... if she weren't so belligerently headstrong, I'd be very interested in her huge.... tracts of land back in Trepany, yes, that's it. Always wanted to take up farming, and she has ample space for it, that's plain to see.
Keddic: Alright, I can't help but like this guy. Sure, he's got more than a few personality quirks, but who doesn't? And hey, bonus, he has a healthy respect for mages of ALL sorts, including the bookish types. A bit too cavalier for me, but then, if I could make my body as hard as steel, I probably would be too. ...And I may hold some slight resentment over the ridiculous amount of play he gets. And somehow, this does not backfire HORRIBLY when training the very same people, potentially multiple of whom he's known at the same time. Honestly, I asked him how he manages it, and he gave me some crazy speech about it being 'Relationship maintenance techniques passed down the Harksburton line for generations' which explained NOTHING.... and somehow I didn't care. He's just... it's Keddic, I guess.
Jojo: ...Eh, he's stodgy, no question there, and about as unforgiving as they come, but Ulzrick seems to be doing alright learning from him. That, and Jojo is immensely helpful, whenever I've had time to take part in the joint efforts to build a unified magic theory or work on our magic language ideas.... yeah, pretty much all business, that one. Not much more to say.
Bang: ....I'm not sure what to make of this guy. According to the Premen and several others, the guy is a fight-addict, and good at it too, but I've never seen him cutting loose myself. What I HAVE seen is him being a ridiculously hash taskmaster in sparring and training.... and somehow no one else cares. Must have something to do with his... eccentric personality. Personally, I haven't spoken to him much yet, so I don't really have a strong opinion. ...Though according to Keddic, the guy has not only kicked so hard he kicked OFF air (which doesn't even make sense), and has kicked so hard he put a crater in the ground some fifty feet wide, complete with an explosion. If it weren't for the fact I know Keddic doesn't lie, I'd call bullshit. As is... I'd need to see him in action to form my own opinions.
Derkin: At first, I admit I was more than a bit leery of the guy, but he has been a great warrior, a great teacher, and done nothing I could object to. A few times, when a bit deep in the cups at night, he's confided that he still can't believe he can have such an easy and prestigious life without having to do anything illegal.

>>200999
"Well, you need to be asleep for this to work-"
>"What, why?"
"They practice a dream-based method of healing-"
>"You do realize I just heard that guy whisper to you right?"
"That's how it's supposed to be done-"
>"And all the same, there was mention of a waking alternative."
"Yeah, there was... sorry, sleep deprivation is my excuse."
>"..It is late.... I'll let it slide. So, who are they?"

>>200986
>>201011
"They are: Master Jojo and his apprentice, Ulzrick. They'll be performing the procedure... "
>"The floating one, he's Jojo?"
"Yes."
>"His bone structure is off, and his blood-flow doesn't match that of a human... is he an alchemic, a life golem, or some other species?"
"Ah, he's a Premen, actually."
>"Never heard of them... looks to be related to humans... common ancestry, maybe?"
"I think. Um, just so you know, their magic is SUPPOSED to be done on those sleeping, and if you're awake... it's going to be painful."
>"I can manage pain."
"I mean, horrifically painful. Crazy, terrible pain, full blown agony."
>"As I said, I shall manage."

Wit the matter rather clearly not likely to shift, I nod to Ulzrick and Jojo, who take up positions on either side of Eisenhardt, and each take one of the severed limbs, moving them towards the stumps on Eisenhardt's form. As they near, the gray metal flows up the mage's legs, exposing the wounds, which drip nominally, as the two bow their heads, holding the limbs in place. I see sweat beading on Eisenhardt's face, and his irises contract as his eyelids twitch, as his skin spasms about the wounds, reaching out to reclaim the lost limbs at a snails crawl. Not knowing what to do, I simply start speaking to him, as he seems to be distancing himself from the pain, and he did request my presence anyway.

"That was one hell of a battle...so, I take it that there's going to be a round 2 in the future?"
>"Heh, sure as metal, there will be. I have to give your master credit, he is one capable golem operator... in fact, so adept I think I might have figured out a bit of how he controls it."
"Oh?"
>"Yeah. I figure, the only way he could command such responsiveness from the golem, he has to be using some form of possession-based magic."
"Ah... huh. Yeah, that would make sense, as otherwise, what with it being a Soul Grave-"
>"Exactly. Since Soul Graves are so mutable, when supplied with sufficient amounts of death, he'd have to be reworking any corporeal interlock all the time to add new controls for each and every major soul he gets, whereas if the method is built around possession, that whole bit could be circumvented."
"Yeah.... though I have heard him talking to his maids, or otherwise interacting with the environment around him-that is, wherever he is, while controlling it-"
>"A partial possession could do that, splitting the mind between true form and possessed form in parts."
"And that could be made less energy-intensive to maintain with sufficient gems augmenting a base with 'Division', 'Control', and... 'Fusion' runes, I suspect."
>"Yeah, most likely. ...Sharp mind, there."
"If I could claim to have a strength in magic, it would be in runes, and all the books left in this outpost have been enforcing that."
>"Well, good on you."

The conversation trails off for a moment, and Eisenhardt occupies himself with slow, rhythmic, steady breaths, sweat continuing to form and course down his pale face, as he runs a scarred, ring-covered hand through his thinning hair.

>>201168
>>201182
"Y'know, truth be told, I was kinda hoping Mordre would win non-lethally there. Not because I prefer his instruction mind you-"
>"Oh? Have some issues with his teaching?"
"Ah... well, he's not the best direct teacher, no, but he gives me the means to do self-study, and focuses for said self-study, which seem to let me learn despite his particular handicap at direct instruction. ...Still not sure if he just believes in gaining knowledge by your own efforts, or if it's something involved with the fact he can only tutor me through a medium-"
>"That happens to be a Soul Grave. Yeah, still plenty of questions there. But go on."
"Anyway, I was hoping for a nonlethal win because that probably would have worked out the best for us all. He's always lamenting the lack of other skilled mages, as well as the fact that he admits to being a very suboptimal teacher. I'm pretty sure he was planning to pass my apprenticeship to a more suitable instructor once he got one in his employ."
>"What, he doesn't want to teach you? What, is he too busy to attend to his own apprentice?"
"Well, you've seen how many problems there are in the state, right?"
>"Of course, the area is rife with strife. ...Heh, little rhyme there."
"Ah, well, he seems to always take it on himself to see what he can do about it. He respects my preference to, you know, NOT be in the thick of fighting, which is nice since that seems to be what he finds pretty much everywhere, but yeah... sometimes self-study can only take you so far, especially when I could hardly claim the library here fully comprehensive. I mean, it goes into great depth in the matters it covers, but, well, it's no Mortal Coil library, you know?"
>"Well, if I win in our next exchange, I am fairly certain I could give you access to such books."
"Yeah, I suppose if you just won, I'd get that. But at the same time, its hard to want ill for the only guy to give you a chance, y'know?"
>"I can hardly fault loyalty."
"Yeah, spent most of my life squeaking by, trying to learn what I could. Then Mordre comes along, gives me the chance no one else ever did, and in the space of months I go from having that glamor as the most advanced bit of magic I could pull, to reverse engineering State-Developed tech and actually KNOWING World magic."
>"Don't knock that glamor. In my experience, most of the more learned mages start to ignore Word magic, viewing it as pedantic, beneath them... but the category has significant room for complex spells, if you can optimize it right: You know, impose restrictions so it ONLY works in a very specific set of circumstances, so you can boost performance. And that glamor of yours, sure it isn't that strong, but it shouldn't be, for what it does: If I wasn't looking for metal with rather direct focus, I might have missed those guns, it's a well thought out spell, minimal power requisites, which matches up to it's inconspicuous nature."
"...uh, thanks."
>"Don't mention it, I give credit where it's due, and as I've already said, I think you got a good head on your shoulders. You could make a great mage some day."
"So, um...yeah. What about you? Pardon the expression, but how'd you get so...well, monstrously capable?"
>"Well, obviously I'm not going to just say EVERYTHING, as that could be akin to painting big targets on any potential weaknesses to my method-"
"Of course"
>"But I'll say this: I gained the majority of my ability through two methods. The first of them was straightforward: Do a spell, then do it again, and again, and again... keep doing that, even when you're ready to pass out, sure you hit your limit, for months, years, decades, survive close calls time and again on battlefields... and you'll grow more capable, sure as the sunrise. ...Well, okay, not guaranteed, as you could always screw up and die, but barring that."
"And the second?"
>"Simple: You know that the strength of one's soul is determined not just by the wealth and richness of the life experiences it has been through, but also it's determination, it's drive, it's ambition, whatever you want to call it, right?"
"Sure, though only academically."
>"Well: That's why you set for yourself goals, dozens of them, hundreds, and you strive, you struggle, you do everything you can to reach them, and extol yourself for every step of progress you take, and move past your setbacks. Keep doing that and you start building a.... mindset, I guess, that lets you constantly sharpen and refine your own soul. Makes manipulating Leylines easier, makes Will and Blood-and I'd assume Soul magic as well-all more potent, and in general increases the quality of your essence, your spirit, your soul. ...Granted, these two methods yield results over the course of years, but hey, you're still pretty young. ...How old are you, anyway?"
"I think I'm somewhere around 24-28 years old"
>"You think?"
"Ah... kind of an orphan, and a gutter rat at that, so I don't know when my birthday is, or exactly how old I am."
>"No kidding? Makes your current state even more impressive, wouldn't you say?"
"I guess so."

>>201422
As Eisenhardt grits his teeth as I watch the exposed ends of his leg-bones writhing, sweat beading on Ulzrick and Jojo's faces now as well, I recall some things I observed in the Duran forest, and what Mordre has told me. Putting two and two together, I ask a few questions.

"So... I have to admit curiosity."
>"...About what?"
"Well, I know that that bandit king guy.... Verder?"
>"Verther."
"Yeah, he was your apprentice, right?"
>"Indeed"
"Well... I'm just trying to understand why you were okay with attacking a civilian population, as to my understanding, he was gearing to attack Hletwa, yes?"
>"This... is true. ..Suffice to say, it was my estimation that the lives that could be saved, should the attack be carried through, and plans carried to their fruition, that the losses incurred there, while sad, were necessary: Crass as it may sound, I'll sacrifice ten to save a hundred every single time."
"Uh... how do you figure the attack would save lives?"
>"Now that would be telling."
"...Okay, fine, no more on that topic right now. But, I had another question, actually."
>"Yes?"
"Well, about leylines, actually: I felt you using World magic, and a deep.... DEEP leyline rising under your ministrations: How did you do that?"
>"Tell you what, Arkus: Tell me what your master, Mordre was tapping for World magic within your Arcanoworks, and I'll tell you that."

Huh. Mordre hasn't told me, but I was curious myself: He was pulling World magic from SOMEWHERE, and it definitely wasn't a leyline, as I would have felt it... it felt pretty close to the surface, but by the time the fight slowed down enough I could really focus on tracking that energy source down, Mordre was no longer tapping it.... maybe it has something to do with our fields? I swear I've felt some faint World magic infusing the ground, but I haven't really investigated it. As I consider this, I watch Eisenhardt slowly close his eyes while taking steady breaths, before his eyelids flutter open again, his gaze locked on me.


What should I say or do?
Do I have any more questions for Eisenhardt?
>>
No. 201479 ID: 37b673

>>201450
I don't think it's that adveanced. I wish I had an example. It's like...A computer trying to breath, maybe?

We can't talk to talk, we can't walk the walk, we don't know what we're doing, we just know the way to walk and what each word is.
>>
No. 201482 ID: a594b9

>>201476
Within the Arcanoworks? Why, that's either Moss or the ultrafarm.
>>
No. 201497 ID: 4a9385

Ive noticed that Arkus does not seem to mind being crazy and conversing with voices.

>>201482
Tapping Moss
ಠ_ಠ

>>201476
Hmm, Eisenhardt is an interesting guy.

For the world magic stuff, tell him you don't know, but tell him your suspicions. (I don't want to tell him, because he might know something we don't, but I want him to talk about the Leylines.)

Ask him what he wanted you here for. He called, so he must have a reason.
>>
No. 201503 ID: 37b673

>>201476
Ok, I seriously want to ask him about who he could have saved. I want to help help him, and if we help I bet we could help without killing ten.
>>
No. 201506 ID: f4e4f9

>>201482

Telling him about the tree's gives Eisenhardt a target to cut off Mordre's world magic access in a future encounter (assuming it occurs at the works).

Just something to consider. Never stop planning if you don't have to.
>>
No. 201510 ID: f4e4f9

Also, we need to get Arkus to inscribe those temporal/spatial runes on Mordre. The ability to turn them on/off (like Dulu's rune) without exposing our blade to harm would be wonderful.
>>
No. 201518 ID: f4e4f9

"Huh...y'know, it might help to get another powerful mage's perspective on this: What would you make of a Core Being that was able to talk, and was tapping leylines to cheat its way to the surface? Moreover, you have any idea's on how to stop it? WHat would you try? It's been one of the key things we've been working on around here. Having a fresh perspective would be useful."

"If your aims are altruistic, I kinda have to ask: What's with Weinsho? From everything I know about the guy, he's pretty heinous. Kidnapping entire villages, inciting rebellion, exploiting the local population...and then there was that...really nasty business with Berluut...I mean, yeah, I guess it was more the guy working under him, but still, accountability and all that...I gotta say, does not sound like the most well intentioned sort. Is there something we're missing?"
>>
No. 201524 ID: 4af8c8

Arkus, now that you have analyzed the battle. Do you think you know of ANY way that Mordre can fast and easy upgrade himself in immediate future? Especially those that will be helpful for a possible future fight against Eisenhardt. or maybe better tactics?


Ask him about his relationship with Weishiro. Does he serve him? Is he very loyal to him? Are they close friends?

Also, about the bandits thing. Explain him WHY we sought to attack bandits. Tell him that we thought they were just that ... bandits, under no circumstances we thought that they would be missed. We didn't think that some kind of unseen massive power as Weishiro and him were behind them just a bunch of thieves and murderers banding together to take advantage of the situation in the state, otherwise we would have prepared better.

Ask him what he is planning to do immediately after this, when he is healed and rested.


* Oh and on the subject on theorizing and deducing. Do you think someone will seek to replicate the curse on Mosmodren? Since Weishiro was one of the mages who did the original curse it is quite likely. He might try to unleash the curse on the State and in one swoop destroy the best mages in the world and leave their studies and artifacts unguarded, then he can just come in take what he wants to and at the same time become on of the most powerful persons left in the world. Maybe he's trying to carve out his own empire like we are trying.
>>
No. 201531 ID: f4e4f9

>>201524
We already explained that we thought they were bandits when we convinced him to accept a draw. We shouldn't apologize for what we did, either. The fact of the matter is, without more information, we acted as we should have.
>>
No. 201532 ID: 445c48

We could tell him about the trees. We possibly could even lie and say that stone we found and fed to Moss is what's being tapped.

It seems like a decent bargain, to tell him about the trees in order to learn how to pull up Leylines, but about dose fukken trees man. I don't know about them, I don't know if we should tell about them.

Anyways, if we do tell him about the fact it's the fields Mordre's tapping, we should conveniently omit the bits about the trees. Say something that you're using an invention of Gialgorra's to supercharge your fields and there seems to be some world gubbins goin' on.
>>
No. 201535 ID: 4af8c8

>>201531
Ah, alright
>>
No. 201538 ID: 716eb0

Well I mean, the magic is gonna be from those trees. Which were planted from seeds taken from a world magic spewing tree. But Arkus knows very little of those details.

>>201442
>>201450
Man, best I can figure you guys have not been following that plot thread. Mordre has been editic memory-ing runes all along with a meaningless alphabet-like quality, it's true. But the books he thumbed through are tomes intended to teach the basics of runework to beginers. They are elementary school primers for magic, and the hope is that from them we could learn to tell what a given rune might do. The plan was to photocopy them into our head, then use our downtime to "read" them at a pace more suitable to actual learning. We can do this without actually being able to perform the rune-crafting.

Mordre's inability to put the runes into practice himself is a result of his lack of understanding AND a lack of souls related to their practice. If we get rune-crafting souls, we can learn some of the understanding directly from them, but we can also gain understanding through more conventional methods.
>>
No. 201539 ID: 0a8e03

>>201476
say your not sure but suspect is has something to do with a strange tree like creature mordre found named moss.
>>
No. 201549 ID: e31d52

Wait a sec.

If Leylines are actually magic rocks then is Moss carrying around a tiny leyline IN HIS HEART?!
>>
No. 201553 ID: 4af8c8

>>201549

Yep, soon he'll be Core-Being horror-tier... I don't know how we are going to deal with that. I suppose he'll stay friendly
>>
No. 201561 ID: e31d52

>>201553
Further, I believe it was mentioned Silianthos could be repaired using that very stone. However, if we can pull another, just as strong, from the earth itself, then...
>>
No. 201563 ID: 4af8c8

>>201561
Oh, wait

Could it be that that stone is just a part of a leyline and can be mined if we know how to? While we never found out its secret I think they hold vast potential, they could be used as energy source/generators.

Do you think the SteamGolem from that crazy inventor used something akin to that. They said it has inexhaustible supply of energy, I very much doubt that his golem is technological ONLY. I bet he took shortcuts.
>>
No. 201570 ID: a594b9

>>201563
We got that leyline stone from in Mosmordre. I think the Curse was done by raising all the leylines around it until they broke the surface and exploded. Stones containing that energy would likely have fallen all over the land...
>>
No. 201572 ID: 2d4178

>if she weren't so belligerently headstrong, I'd be very interested in her huge.... tracts of land back in Trepany, yes, that's it. Always wanted to take up farming, and she has ample space for it, that's plain to see.

why you do this to me Bob afhagjagahryasf

>>201549
well that would explain why he has been growing so much if it happens to be true...
>>
No. 201578 ID: 903f16

>>201561
Really? I recall it being implied to restore Silicanthos we'd have to do something involving the use of a leyline geyser, not a chunk of leyline.
>>
No. 201580 ID: d76879

>>201578
the line itself has to be better then just the energy coming off it.
>>
No. 201584 ID: 445c48

Oh bugger, what is it that was said about the stone... Hey, Arkus, didn't you say something about the stone being like a leyline, but all jumbled up or something?

Maybe it's an esoteric mobius double reacharound leyline.
>>
No. 201586 ID: 903f16

>>201580
Well the geysers are supposed to huge springs of layline energy that are capable of powering some insane spells. If we find one it'll probably be several magnitudes more powerful than the stone we've given Moss.
>>
No. 201587 ID: 445c48

Also, do you happen to know if Mordre is water-proof?
>>
No. 201589 ID: d76879

>>201586
true, but that rock is tiny. a bigger one though.
>>
No. 201590 ID: 903f16

>>201589
Well if we find a leyline boulder I wouldn't be opposed to using that I suppose. I don't think we want to be messing around the leylines and trying to mine one out though, it seems like a dangerous prospect. Anyway here's where it mentioned the possibility of restoring Silacanthos via geyser.

>>189784
>>
No. 201595 ID: 4a9385

>>201538
Man I already knew this stuff. Heck, I am the person who originally suggested that we read and asked Bob all the questions relating to it in the first place.
And no, the book is not just for beginners Mage
>As it happens, I actually give lectures on rune-work for students of the Mortal Coil.
>copies of most of the material I use to teach the students....

Yea, Mortal Coil students have to already have a good understanding or lots of potential. Those books cover from beginning to end. Its like a full high school course and bachelors degree in rune magic in one big book.

Just point out problems, don't challenge my knowledge. Don't make your objections personal.
>:(
>>
No. 201596 ID: 4a9385

>>201538
One more thing. We have all the data in our head and as soon as we sift through it, we will have the knowledge. The only way new souls help are giving us casting ability, unless they knew something we didn't (unlikely right now)
>>
No. 201598 ID: 445c48

So, Arkus, what do YOU know about Leylines?
>>
No. 201603 ID: 37b673

>>201538

>[...]the only real way Mordre can acquire new skills is by killing something that knows it and consuming it’s soul. This does not preclude storing information in the Soul Grave’s eidetic memory, it just means that trying to, for example, employ runecraft yourself will be realistically impossible until you consume some souls of individuals with capability at runecraft.

As Bob said, we can't learn. Like, at all, without killing and eating. We couldn't even learn advanace sword fighting without having eaten someone.
>>
No. 201610 ID: 833299

>>201603
yes, but we can store everything in the books and know the WHAT but not the HOW. we would know hundreads, if not thousands of runes. which would combine with the knowledge we get from a soul.
>>
No. 201643 ID: 2e24b5

>>201596

I don't think this is correct. I recall Bob clarifying it in the past that the only way modre can learn skills is through absorbing souls
>>
No. 201645 ID: 45be60

>>201610
yeah, knowledge != skills. Knowing how to tell a good book from a bad one does not mean you can write a book yourself. I know how shooting my bow at the target is supposed to go, I just can't make it happen.

Course this all woulda been a moot point if we had chosen a different boon, but I'm not bitter, oh no.

What were we talking about again? What Arkus should do? um... Grumble about how nobody is ever willing to share that kind of information with you, Mordre included, so you always end up having to guess. You suspect that it has something to do with his strange pet World creature. Further speculate that moving the leyline like that was a demonstration of geomantic power, reshaping the depths of the earth.
>>
No. 201659 ID: 445c48

>>201645
He's not implying we'll get the skills. He's saying that when we eat some runecrafters, we'll know about a bunch of advanced runes we wouldn't know.
>>
No. 201662 ID: 37b673

>>201476
Ah, Arkus, aren't your thought really, really confusing. I hope Ulzrick isn't catching any of this.

Anyway, suggest Mordre can help with whatever problem Eisenhardt has: "He has this habit of wanting to fix the world's problems. He's a hopeless optimist, I guess, you know? Of course, if he didn't I guess he wouldn't have helped me, huh? I mean, he's a nice guy."

Arkus, I thought Mordre called the Premen Alchemical Warriors. It would be a bad idea to break character. Pass it off as sleep? "Or...is it Primordial Men, not Before-Men...I can never remember. Anyway, they're Alchemical. Called Primemen. I think. God, how can you survive that pain anyway? It's two in the bloody morning!"

He's asking about the world magic? Be honest. We have no idea! "Yeah, like I said. Mordre kinda lets me work under my own pace by giving me more when then I can think about - trust me, that whole 'Goal Oriented' learning? I got that covered and a half. So I don't really have time to map the laylines of the Archnoworks." Sigh. "Erg. I guess that's going on the list too."

He heard us whisper? Yeah, pass that off as concern. “Sorry, kinda didn’t want you…Ok, really, how do you not scream in pain? You’re having your feet regrowned from dreams, doesn’t that sting just a little? I mean, I was expecting great goats of pure agony and boy does that sound tasty. I’m hungry…are you sure you don’t want to come into the Archnoworks? They do a pretty good goat-flank and goat-milk breakfast. It’s pretty good. Ah, sorry, rambling, starved and sleep deprived.”
>>
No. 201676 ID: a76809

[Interesting things to point out: Crystal is drawn from AROUND leylines, not the actual material OF the leylines. The magic-nulling crystal is what keeps the World magic within the leylines from just spilling all over the place. Also, Silicanthos would need a leyline geyser, or something similar, to be restored: Just trying to tap a leyline is insufficient, without extreme skill to rework it. And to clarify, a leyline geyser usually can only happen where leylines meet, and a shunt of power (conjoined power with different flows) needs an outlet, and flows towards the surface: Leyline geysers can, in certain situations, be terrible calamities to a land, spewing World magic and magic dispelling crystal everywhere. The stone is very like a tiny mobius leyline though, in that it circulates its own energy pretty much... forever, with this action producing excess energy. Of note: Mordre can start reviewing the material in his head, and while he may gain a conceptual understanding of runes through it's analysis.... oh, good example: Think of Mordre like Bob from the Dresden Chronicles: Knows all the shit the wizard (Arkus or whoever) needs on the given subject (once enough time is taken to go over all the book has), but lacks the 'soul' needed to do the work itself, without consuming a dedicated runeworker. Does that explain it? And lastly, Gialgorra's inventions are powered by him having effectively figured out some low-tech perpetual motion/perpetual energy configurations, the likes of which would only theoretically be possible after some form of technology singularity event: He's just that damn smart.]

>>201497
...It's kinda funny, but as I've been spending more time with Ulzrick, I've been separating my individual strings of though more completely when internally monologing, to the point I effectively hold full mental conversations with myself sometimes. ...In fact, when I mentioned this to him, he gave me a really strange look. Huh. ...Man, way too much shit goes on around Mordre, it's like the thing's a magnet for stuff happening. ...That, or shit is always getting complicated when you aren't dirt poor and solely responsible for yourself.

>>201524
Part of me starts pondering fast and easy solutions to up Mordre's combat abilities-and I try to slap that part of my brain for being stupid. There is no such thing as a fast and easy upgrade, not from a mortal end at least, that wouldn't have enough flaws in it that it wouldn't be much more effective to do something more difficult, and time consuming, for the long run. And as to tactics... I don't even know Magnetomancy myself, so my observation of the fight was just that: What my eyes could see. I'm no tactician, and lacking knowledge of the magics involved, I don't know what could be offered to Mordre: It seems much more tactically inclined than me anyway. Hmm.....

...Actually, maybe there could be something, though I would hardly call it 'easy', just... straight-forward. I know that spells and runes, all magic really, gets more potent the less flexible it is allowed to be. So... maybe some sort of highly situationally restricted trick, that would ONLY work when the Soul Grave is sufficiently damaged, and has expended all other forms of attack or something, to make a boosted, restricted as possible ability? I could... I could try to use the ruby topping my staff (well not really MY staff, it's a yeti staff, the third of the three aged rubies claimed from the yetis, along with the two that make up Mordre's eyes), with my expanded rune knowledge, to set up some sort of final holdout spell, something like the Amaranthine Annihilator (I still really would like a chance to inspect it again once I've put some more rune knowledge under my belt, the thing is performing way beyond the specs I had estimated when I built it, and the runes look heavily modified).... Probably chest mounted, so I could more directly tap the Soul Furnace.... would probably mean erasing all but the disjoining rune on Mordre's chest to make room for the new runes.... but this is still a vague sketch of an idea, I'd need some specifics before I feel comfortable bringing it to Mordre. SO..... ideas for a last resort chest-attack, chest-cannon, chest-beam, whatever... huh.
[Yes posters, this bit of rumination is directed at you.]

>>201587
....Um, Mordre SHOULD be waterproof... so long as it's mouth stays shut, or it's head doesn't go underwater. Its design seems to imply its jaws seal airtight, so... yeah, should be good.... should be.

>>201482
>>201532
"Well... okay, information trade seems fine, but I warn you I only have speculation, even if it is pretty solid, in my opinion."
>"I would be happy to hear your analysis."
"Okay, well, there's two things, I think, that could be what Mordre tapped: There's this wood creature, Moss-"
>"Is this the being I saw bounding alongside the Soul Grave earlier?"
"Ah, yeah, that thing. Anyway, I found a... stone, I guess, that seems to just emit World Magic: Not a whole lot, but it never seems to stop. Anyway, that COULD be what Mordre was tapping."
>"Hm... the creature almost struck me as a pet."
"That's.... probably a pretty good analysis, Mordre is fond of it, and to be honest, we still aren't sure WHAT it is... one of the weird World magic related things we have found, you know?"
>"Aye, there are still many questions concerning World magic, no surprise to find another. And your other idea?"
"Well, it could be energy from this... ambient World magic, I guess, that suffuses the Arcanoworks grounds: It doesn't seem to connect to a leyline, at least as far as I can tell, so maybe that's why you didn't sense it."
>"Hah. Two forms of World magic that I can't really manipulate that well, since they don't fall under Geomancy or Magnetomancy: Well, not the best news for me, but there it is."
"Ah... so-"
>>201645
"-If you don't mind, I have a bit of a guess on how you moved the leyline, actually."
>"Oh?"
"I think it was Geomantic, reshaping the depths of the earth, something along those lines."
>"Very good, fairly accurate, if too vague to really be of use."
"Ah, okay. So...."
>"Of course, my own end: Leylines, as I am sure you know, are surrounded by naturally occurring crystal, like that you see about me here, or that I employed in my fight... or like the sword on your back there. This crystal, while not able to be directly influenced by magic, is corporeal: As such, I shift earth around it, leaving a buffer of mundane rock and dirt between that which I manipulate and the leyline itself, and simply... move it. The task is relatively simple, if laboriously exhausting and demanding in terms of power requisites, but the principles involved are really quite straightforward."
"Huh. Just... pushing a leyline around, then?"
>"Essentially, yes."
"Ah... exactly where do you get such energy to do that?"
>"Ah, that is an entirely different question, and one I do not feel like answering now."
"I see..."

Again Eisenhardt flinches, as I hear his leg-bones creaking, Ulzrick and Jojo still bowed in concentration... I really wish I could learn this Souldreaming stuff, looks REALLY useful, and more than a bit at odds with most magic theory I know... and in the absence of speech, I note Eisenhardt frowning at his benefactors speculatively. Ah, crap, I don't want to get into explaining that, diversion, diversion....

>>201503
"So-"
>"Hm?"
"That little blurb earlier, about sacrificing ten to save a hundred.."
>"What of it?"
"Well, exactly what would be saved, that would be in excess of the loss of life that would come from bandits attacking a major city like that?"
>"Quite the inquisitive one, aren't you."
"Well, you DID ask for my presence, and I doubt it was so I could just stand here."
>"True enough. Well, it is my understanding you know of the smith Del Rogo, yes?"
"Indeed."
>"Well, his axe has been used to assess clients for decades, and many have paid a visit to the master armorer over the years. Among them lords, mages, people with resources and power all about the lands."
"So.. you want to blackmail them?"
>"Personally, no. I'm interested in but one client, as with their detailed information, a veritable mountain of lives could be spared, and suffering eased, that I would pay the price of burning Hletwa to the ground if I truly had no alternative."
"Who-"
>"That is something I will not, I CANNOT tell you, no matter what offers may be made, or what events transpire: Not until the axe is in my hands, and the actions resulting from gaining such knowledge already carried out. I will not threaten my plan so crassly to satisfy your curiosity."
"..Ah, then I suppose I shall make do with what you have told me, then."
>"A wise decision."

>>201518
"Ok, so... change of topic, then."
>"I am listening."
"Huh...y'know, it might help to get another powerful mage's perspective on this: What would you make of a Core Being that was able to talk, and was tapping leylines to cheat its way to the surface?"
>"Talking? It uses speech?"
"Yeah, tried to convince us to let it out, pretended to be a child. Moreover, you have any idea's on how to stop it?"
>"I have never heard of such a thing."
"Well, what would you try? It's been one of the key things we've been working on around here. Having a fresh perspective would be useful."
>"Hmm... well, I would seek to push the leyline it is tapping out of it's grasp, first and foremost, it seems the most obvious thing that could retard it's progress.... beyond that, I can't comment without seeing such a thing for myself. Where is this speaking Core Being?"
"Oh, its north of Trekel-ah, though the State has some of their official mages and guards about it, so getting close to see it yourself could be-"
>"I shall worry about the specifics myself... interesting, indeed."
"Ah, another thing, and sorry to jump topics."
>"Yes?"
"If your aims are altruistic, I kinda have to ask: What's with Weinsho? From everything I know about the guy, he's pretty heinous. Kidnapping entire villages, inciting rebellion, exploiting the local population...and then there was that...really nasty business with Berluut...I mean, yeah, I guess it was more the guy working under him, but still, accountability and all that...I gotta say, does not sound like the most well intentioned sort. Is there something we're missing?"
>"....Haah..... There is something you must understand about Weinsho. He-he is greedy, I won't lie, and has ambition enough for several mages, neither of which speak to quality of character in and of themselves, but.... I know some may say that the ends do not justify the means, but in certain cases, I must disagree, and even though I do not agree with several things he does, he shares my concerns on several rather dire issues, and ultimately he could do enough good that I think it would eclipse all the... harm, I'll admit it, that his more 'trivial' pursuits incur."
"Ah, do you feel like explaining that better?"
>"No, I don't. His plans are his own, and the dissemination of knowledge of them would not aid in their eventual fruition. Suffice to say that yes, you are missing something, but I can hardly blame you for missing it, as he is not a generally nice person: Then, few heroes of war are, when it comes down to it."

I look to one of the crystal windows, dimly noting the barest hints of light outside-yeesh, getting close to dawn already? Ugh, this is going to play havoc with my sleep cycles.... but there is just so much to be gleaned from this conversation... and I'm unsure Mordre would want me to leave Ulzrick and Jojo alone with Eisenhardt.

>>201622
"Oh..."
>"Yes?"
"Ah... I might have been in error, earlier."
>"In what way?"
"...was it Premen? Or maybe Before-men.... or... Primordial Men? Ah, not sure I got the name right, since the tribe Jojo came from all got alchemical modifications, and say that makes them a new species, or something... this happened before Mordre picked me up, so I'm not sure on the details-"
>"So they are not a race of their own?"
"I don't.... I don't really know, actually. It could be they are a tribal sect that has undergone enough modification they are practically life golems, or a whole new species that was modded.... again, not sure. Just thought I should clarify that, since I acted like I knew what I was talking about."
>"Well, I appreciate the clarification"
"Thanks. So... you know, Mordre might be able to help you with your thing, about that person, whoever it is-"
>"Sadly, this I doubt, primarily because I fully intend to hunt him down and kill him, barring his finding a way to best me without killing me, as per our wager: I find myself more and more impressed by your mind, and I can be quite obstinate once I've chosen a path: It would take much to make me accept Mordre as ally, without him first besting me and sparing me, to take advantage of my promised wager."
"...Okay, this has been bugging me for a bit: Why are you not screaming in pain, or anything? I mean, that DOES hurt, doesn't it?"
>"The agony is considerable, yes. It helps when you have past experiences to put it in perspective with: Skin flayed off, flesh and muscle burned away, bones shattering, eyeballs popped, blood boiling.... I doubt I would have lived this long if I had not always been courteous in my dealings, as one way or another I usually end up finding healing services when I need them. ...That, and all the damages I have accrued over the years have... deadened my nerves more than a fair bit. ...Though that is not wholly a good thing, as I am well you could imagine."
"Uh... huh."

Hmm...
Looking at Jojo and Ulzrick, both look quite tired, but neither have stirred yet, and Eisenhardt's legs are still not reconnected fully, thought the bones themselves seem to finally have been completely re-knit together.


Okay.... so now what should I say or do?
>>
No. 201684 ID: e31d52

Dollars to donuts he wants to slay Weinsho himself, or someone even worse. As for that 'someone even worse', let's file that away for now and get more on topic, Arkus: What is the general veiw of mages who, by accident, transform themselves into something seeming a monster but retaining their sentience and sapience? I believe I have an idea that would allow us to all but drop Mordre's facade and thus work more freely.

'Mage' Mordre somehow accidentally flubs his possesion spell in some event, causing a great display, as his 'soul' is placed into the golem and takes over, then rendering the soul grave and its controller one. Would such a creature still be anathema?

One last question for Eisenhardt, though it's more of a joke: That metal he pulled up, is he going to take it with him, or want compensation, or is it payment for an awesome fight?
>>
No. 201687 ID: 37b673

"Ok, while you...you know, have the twenty-seventh most painful experience happen to you I have just two things...well, that I can think of right now. First: Seriously, why Weinsho? I know you just answered that, but...really, it sounded like you were justifying being with him not why you were actually dealing with him - and I don't know how you can justify someone who would unleash two core beings onto the States. And second: I made one bet with you, so here's another. You give me the name - just the name - of whoever could kill a mountain of people and make the sacking of Hletwa and all the things Weinsho has done justified and if I come back to you with the information you need, you...well, I'd ask that you help Mordre, but I don't think you'd go for that again...so how about you let us help you and you call a ceasefire until -after- we've finished helping you, how about that?

Anyway, are you sure your not hungry? I'm starved, what with a crazy man working with a even crazier man woke me in the middle of the night and I haven't had a proper breakfast yet. I need some meat and some coffee and I'll get you some too, if you need it.

Actually, is this the twenty-seventh worse thing that's happen to you? I mean that's just five horrible things - six if you count the eyeballs twice."

Yeah, someone try to ham that up a little, we're one point away and I want that point. Either way, I left you a question in the Discussion, Bob, so I don't clutter this thread with 'Knowledge and Skill' talk.
>>
No. 201688 ID: 4a9385
File 127796229962.jpg - (1.91MB , 1600x1600 , The_Planet_Maphos_III.jpg )
201688

For the failsafe, how about a rune that stores energy, much like the runes for the AA. It stores soulfire and when structural integrity goes below 25%, it activates sending soulfire everywhere in a huge explosion.
>>
No. 201690 ID: 2d4178

i wonder is asking Eisenhardt if he has had other apprentices would be out of line?

also, how have your different projects been going? like the blood togas and figuring out the guns, and was figuring out hte cannons hard? etc...
>>
No. 201691 ID: 4af8c8

You didn't ask why he called you in the first place.
>>
No. 201693 ID: 445c48

Oh, ask him how he was flying, what he was anchoring the disk to or whatever it was he did.

Because seeing a twenty ton metal man float gently through the air would be pretty funny.
>>
No. 201694 ID: 37b673

>>201684
As I like our imaginary cats, and Zoo, and maids I'm kinda against this naturally but doesn't this get rid of one of our best defenses? i.e. 'I'm not here, I'm a continent away'

And I really don't know how it would help us work freely. We would be a mage trapped in a golem's body. If we didn't act like we wanted out, like we had no real idea what we were doing, and simply being -terrorized- of every battle people would go 'hey, that's not a human. That's not a human at all!' and break out the pitchforks and the torches and the angry mob and we'd never hear the end of it and oy...
>>
No. 201695 ID: 0b2858

i don't like the idea of the fianl blast weapon. it takes too many resources and if it never get's that bad it will just waste them.
>>
No. 201698 ID: 4a9385

This magic system reminds me of HunterxHunter. If so I'm sure I can come up with a plethora of moves for Arkus to pull in the 'special' category.

So Arkus, why don't you ask him to explain will magic for you. Tell him that it is good for you to get different perspectives on the matter. Magnetomany!! Mordre is a doer, not a teacher.

PS. The rune would work in such a way that the cost is just an increase in need for souls.

PPS. HAAAA, I called it. Sword made from leyline crystal. :D.

PPPS. You Bob, if we weer to say.. rupture the casing around the leylines, could we use it like a power source? Like geothermal energy, just with magic and for powering magic, something like a giant magical cannon or something.
>>
No. 201699 ID: 445c48

You saw the thing where Mordre was immobile, but invulnerable, right? Shit was awesome, right? He was stealing time from the sword, which is stasis locked. This is a handy ability, even if he can't move without Geomancy. Is it possible to get this rune inscribed, I son't know, on his ass or something, so that he could turn it off and/or on at will? I know you did something similar with the runes on Dulu's weapon, but I forgot the mechanics behind that.

Alternatively, do you think you could replicate it, and put it on a small thing on his fist so he wouldn't timesteal from the sword and risk it being broken?

Probably not, I'll admit. Here's an easier one. Would it be possible to get someone to buff the dings and scratches out of Mordre's sword and repair it while he steals its timelock without damaging the runes?
>>
No. 201700 ID: 37b673

>>201688
...Why do we want an atomic bomb strapped to us, exactly? Especially one that removes the use of any other runes? That just strikes me as being very very very bad. Getting rid of the damn Ruby we worked so hard to get? No. I'm sorry, this is a horrible idea. Sangrail Punching, awesome. This...This means that, if we screw up but manage to not die, it would still kill us. I mean, look what good it did the Predator!

Ahem. Sorry, it's late and I don't like this idea because it strikes me as dangerous and wasteful. Forgive me.

>>201690
Oh. Yes. Have you had any ideas what to do with that locked box you found? And, just idly thinking, but do you know any runes like the Skyfall rune you could carve into a cannon? Kinda like a Skyfall Cannon only not. It would be a nice way to change it up.
>>
No. 201702 ID: 4a9385

>>201695
But when it does get that bad, you will wish you had it.
>>
No. 201703 ID: 4a9385

Hmm, I should think this over. TO SLEEP I GO!
>>
No. 201704 ID: 445c48

Also, keep the ruby, Mordre doesn't need to ALLAH ACKBAR
>>
No. 201707 ID: 445c48

>>201694
Personally, I like to think that our entire tower, because what old reclusive wizard doesn't live in a tower, floats around. This is probably completely impossible, but I like it.

Also it lets us be flexible about where we are. "Yes, I'm in [country]" or "Why, I'm about a thousand miles THAT way".

>"But Mordre, you said you were over [Country 2] and five hundred kilometers THIS way"

"Yes, well, that was last week."
>>
No. 201709 ID: 37b673

>>201707
YES! Best Defense ever!
>>
No. 201710 ID: 37b673

>>201709
Actually, this -is- a good defense. We fake being defeated and offer up our golem as a prize. They take the 'prize', and we kill-and-eat every last one of them not letting a single one get away.
>>
No. 201720 ID: ee5d53

>>201699
I'm just gonna say that we probably shouldn't be telling the guy who just almost destroyed Mordre the foolproof way of destroying Mordre. Especially when we, as Arkus, don't know what he was doing.
>>
No. 201730 ID: 4af8c8

>>201720

I think he's giving a direct question to Arkus, you know, since we have control of him we can ask questions. I don't think he wants to say that to Eisenhardts
>>
No. 201731 ID: e31d52

Something big is going down Arkus.

Let's follow this line of reasoning to its conclusion.
Eisenhardt is not a man who lies very often. He is very straightforward. From this, and his statement that the name of the one he seeks is unspeakable, means one of two things:
A) Eisenhardt doesn't know the person's name. He only knows they have been a customer of Del Roga.
Or
B) He knows the name but cannot speak it.

In the case of A, we have a situation where there might have been some vile portent, prediction, or the like, very vague but very very true, and Eisenhardt is the only man who can stop it.

If B is true, then we have a political problem. Someone truly untouchable is doing something terrible. A war for false reasons, a vile magical spell, something of that nature. Eisenhardt cannot speak his name lest you be one of this untouchable's agents, or similar. Can you think of anyone with such influence, Arkus?
>>
No. 201733 ID: 45be60

>>201731
I think you may be jumping a little far in your conclusions there. He just doesn't wanna go around telling everyone his greatest goal, lest the knowledge gets around and makes that goal harder. Political maneuvering is just like that. Rumors travel fast, the only way to stop them is ensure they never start.
>>
No. 201739 ID: a594b9

In attempting to think of a goal that Weinsho has... I have come to the conclusion that he seeks to reverse the Curse. He's going around trying to find all the mages involved in casting it so that they can work together to restore the land... because otherwise, the Curse will spread. Think about it for a second... if the leylines were severed, and all the energy was drained in an instant causing the Curse, what happens when the leylines eventually reconnect? That surge can't be good.
>>
No. 201740 ID: 6834bc

>>201699
>>201720
>>201730
What if Mordre gained Competency: Runecrafting, studied the runes on the sword, and transferred them to other objects?

In fact, maybe we could start churning out high-quality time-locked swords for our swordfighting forces, and create backup cleavers for Mordre to use.

Granted, any backups probably wouldn't be as strong as the Edge of Oblivion, and they might not be nearly as durable when pulling off the fluidic cleave; but they would be useful for Absolute Defense.
>>
No. 201748 ID: 445c48

>>201730
Direct Question to Arkus indeed.
>>
No. 201755 ID: f4e4f9

>>201688
I have an idea that might even help us win a future engagement nonlethally:

Consider our time/spatial lock ability. WHy don't we use that in a similar manner to the above idea. Arkus could try to devise a rune that would require the condition "ACTIVATED" and "TEMPORAL STATUS: LOCKED". WHat it would do is, if the temporal status of the being on which it is inscribed is locked, and the rune is activated, it forces the temporal status from the wielder and the outside to switch. I.E., Mordre goes DEFENSIVE MODE with Chronal Banditry and Oblivion Edge, which sets his status to temporally locked. He then activates the rune, which, if the requirements for it are fulfilled, forces the time-stop effect onto Mordre's surroundings.

The requirements would be strict, as it would need a specific status of time-flow. Mordre's own capabilities supply that, instead of the rune.

Sure, the effect would render our surroundings and enemy durable, but it gives us time to set up and prepare our counter assault. A perfect reversal.
>>
No. 201756 ID: bd369c

>>201755
so you suggest ZA WORLDO!!
>>
No. 201757 ID: e31d52

>>201756
Complete with thrown blades.

>but they would be useful for Absolute Defense.

We could just make beachballs of metal with the runes on them, if we just want something to steal invincibility from.
>>
No. 201758 ID: f4e4f9

>>201756
Something like that, yes. Would probably be more limited in scope (localized timestop field or something), maybe even being able to fuel further growth by feeding souls from Mordre into it's effect. Though that might be getting too complex.
>>
No. 201760 ID: b7f789

>>201730
>>201748
Ah, sorry :P That would be my fault for not reading the whole post.
>>
No. 201762 ID: 445c48

Hey Arkus, you got any ideas for Non-lethal takedowns, not only for this guy, but just in general?
>>
No. 201765 ID: 4af8c8

Hey Arkus if you want to inspect Mordres AA, just ask.. I doubt he will mind that.

Okay okay, there is not fast and easy way to upgrade Mordre. Lets say, on the off-chance that Eisenhardt will not call for another fight just as soon as he's healed and we get a lot of time (just like when we were at yetis), do you know of ways to make Mordre better? You have advanced quite significantly in the last months, I am sure you can come up with something. Also keep in mind we have lots of more resources then we used to (rubies, allies, workshop, connections, money)... use them all to come up with something good for Mordre (for example, buying schematics or books on soul graves from our neighbors, working together with Jezebel to make a magic/tech hybrid upgrade, excessive use of rubies, etc...)

Also, what would you feel if Mordre actually lost and was destroyed? This outcome works for you pretty good, doesn't it Arkus? I mean, you become an apprentice for an immensely powerful mage who has taken liking to you. I bet you secretly wished Mordre would lose, huh... you, you jerk-face.


Ask Eisenhardt. Since he gets horribly maimed on regular basis, why hasn't he invested some time to learning regenerative/healing magic? With his powers and ambition it really looks like it would have been a piece of cake for him to learn enough magic so that he can heal himself.

Right, he doesn't want to tell Weishiros or his own plans, k, I can get behind that. We never told anyone we think of rebuilding Mosmordren Empire. But ask him if we were wrong about Weishiro, if he's actually not a bad guy and he is planning to save much more lives than he is ruining. I mean it's easy to think of him as as evil guy, with employing bandits and the like and maybe he is (since Eisenhardt said he was very greedy).

Ask him why he wanted your presence in the first place. He must have wanted to tell you something.
>>
No. 201771 ID: 4a9385

>>201740
We can make high quality time locked swords for our self and Dregas, but the rune is too big to be put on conventional, human sized. Items, which is why it isn't done.
>>
No. 201782 ID: 732129

>>201771

Golem armor users could use a large time-locked sword too.
>>
No. 201817 ID: a76809

>>201684
...Hmm. Well, such a being is not outright anathema, but.... that will cut off a whole mess of possible interactions, as it is pretty close to being a Sapient Golem, so some people may try to just destroy it anyway... and that is rather dangerously close to the truth... yeah, other than Dulu, I don't even know of any examples of a soul controlling a golem like that, so this is all speculation, but I sincerely doubt such a ruse would not be without it's own risks.

>>201699
I recall the sword Mordre brought back from the Western Islands, a temporally, spatially locked weapon... and that when Mordre returned, it looked like it had been damaged just like any regular sword... huh. And for part of the fight, Mordre just stood there, and rebuffed all incoming attacks... did he migrate the temporal/spatial locking into himself, as a defensive measure? Seems possible... huh, might be the only way to get runes like that applied to a body, since they have to be inscribed on a flat surface, and need plenty of space, and this way he didn't have to worry about having all that space on his own form (what with all the moving metal plates and all)... yeah, that sounds about right.

As to replication... NO, NONONO.... for several reasons. 1, those runes HAVE to be BIG, and can't be lain so that they spread over multiple objects, as if they do, the magic doesn't work right. That, and Temporal and Spatial runes are HARD to work with: Get it a bit wrong, just a bit, and when you try to empower them, you could age a decade, or get locked in time with no way out... yeah, that is NOT something I will mess with until I've made my way through ALL of Wendelin's documents, as I would prefer to not just age myself to death because I flubbed something. ...Hm, if Mordre transposed the magic to himself, that would make the sword normal, while the transposition is in effect... maybe a smith could work on the sword? Oh, they would have to be CAREFUL around the runes themselves, if they mess with their structure in the wrong way, the same terribad problems could assail them.

>>201700
The Lockbox: I THINK (Still need to test more to be sure, and I've been pressed for time with my workload) that it's locked with World magic, somehow. So... this is a bit of a deductive leap, but those seeds Mordre brought back from that tree where Moss was found might be able to... leech the magic out of the box, and make it normal wood. ...And if whatever is IN the box is likewise World magic related, that could be leeched too. ...Man, it's always SOMETHING.

Ah..For Mordre's cannon, I could start looking for cannon runes when perusing Wendelin's documents, but again, nothing right now that comes to mind.

>>201755
...Okay, supposing that Mordre CAN steal temporal locking from the sword, and impose it on himself. Maybe something to push that magic outside his form, to lock everything around him in time? ...Hm, would need more restrictions than just 'needs Temporal lock on Mordre' to be activated, if I want more than just a few feet of effective coverage from the ability, and I would definitely need to use the giant ruby to boost the power, unless he wants a coverage of a few feet.... what else could be restricted, if this were to be planned as a final hold-out ability.... maybe it would need energy charged to activate, something like the Amaranthine Annihilator, and some minimum power amount to activate.... oh, and maybe it would require the AA to not have a decent charge in it (recently expended).... just those two, if tweaked right, would really push the range out, but the more restrictions, the more potent the end result, and if I am to propose a 'final holdout' type ability, I want to make sure it is optimized for such a function, and can pack as much punch as possible. That's the great thing about imposing restrictions: It isn't hard, not in the slightest, so long as they can match up with the intended magic effect.

...Although I really do like the idea of making some godawful super final cannon device that could level mountains if it's restrictions were met...

>>201792
....I draw a blank as I try to consider nonlethal take-downs for Mordre. Its... kinda built for lethality, and all the modifications to it since have been towards that end as well. ....Huh. The wager I made with Eisenhardt may be more difficult to end in Mordre's favor than I thought... well, unless Mordre can just outlast him, and wait for the mage to be exhausted, or something.

>>201765
>Okay okay, there is no fast and easy way to upgrade Mordre
>do you know of ways to make Mordre better?
My brain flirts with some cognitive dissonance, as I try to consider the incredibly vague concept of 'improving' Mordre. I mean, mobility gains could be improvement, but might not be viable in combat, depending on how they are set up. Or something to allow Mordre to purify water/render foods safe to eat would definitely help in many situations, but again, since 'better' is a subjective term, almost anything could qualify, if I come up with a rationalization for it. ...I suppose I could try laying more rubies into his form.... maybe some studs around the Immortal Genocide to amplify it's ability to absorb energy, or create Inferno Golems, so something like that, might be doable, but Chaos magic intertwined with a stolen, multifunction enchantment augmented by... whatever the hell Grand Elder Mage Lenryt is might be a bit out of my league right now... hmm. Maybe rubies in the Anti-Golem Cannon to amplify Skyfall shots? ....Though Mordre hasn't asked me to make more, and they are time consuming to make... ah, too much shit to think about.

>>201690
"Ah... I had a question, if you don't mind, and I understand if you don't want to answer-"
>"Just spit it out."
"Right. Ah... do, or have you, had other apprentices?"
>"I've trained a few people over the years, yes, though most of them are still in the Mortal Coil. Currently though, I have none, as unlike Weinsho and other mages of his viewpoint on this matter, I prefer one-on-one interactions."
"..And you want ME as your apprentice?"
>"Resources, funds, family line, all that is external: I look for people with the drive to learn, and sharp minds, and frankly, you have that."
>>201691
"..Ah, is that why you asked for me now?"
>"Partly, as a follow-up to our earlier talks, to make sure my estimation of you was largely accurate, that and because I have yet to see rapid healing that one inspires in another, so while waiting for things to... be made whole, I prefer to actually have someone to talk to, and I have learned not to disturb healers in their efforts."
>>201693
"Uh-huh.... and, how exactly were you, ah, flying on your metal platform? I was under the impression Magnetomancy needs anchors to work."
>"Indeed it does. My anchors were simple, actually: The metal I was pulling up and have woven, to a degree, through this temporary abode of mine, and the metal spheres were likewise used as anchors, with the world's magnetic field used not as a direct anchor-since it's fairly weak, and requires more than a bit of effort to use as a primary-but as a stabilizer, to even out flight and allow smoother movement. So... anywhere from three to 42 anchors, depending, provided all the lift and maneuverability I could ask for. ...And those pesky fire beings were swift enough I wish I had seeded the ground with even more metal. Shall have to remember that, those things are fast."
"...Okay, another question, then."
>"I am all ears."
"So... why Weinsho? I mean, not why are you working with him, I know you won't say that, but why is he worthy of working with? I mean, all you did before is justify that he wasn't as bad as he sounds... but you didn't offer any examples of how he is GOOD, or anything."
>"No, I did not. I admit he seeks power, but ultimately, I believe that should he gain it, he would do a sight better with it than most rulers: His machinations are all towards the ends of finding a place to call his own, and in the area of ruling, he is quite the visionary. It's just a matter of whether he can actually reach that point."
"Uh-huh. Okay, yet another question, then."
>"I am happy to attend to your inquisitiveness, so long as the questions remain at least moderately insightful."
"So, why haven't you learned any healing magic? I mean, with what you said, it seems like it would be really useful."
>"I am a specialist, naturally a specialist, that is. Magnetomancy and Geomancy alike come to me relatively easily, and have been attuned to my soul, such that the magics are second nature to me now. But my hyper-specialization means it is hard to branch out, since my very existence has been molded over the years to those functions. If I tried to spread my abilities out more, I could lose potency, which could leave me dead in a fight: Would make healing a moot point then."
"Really? I was unaware of that."
>"Yeah, that whole 'soul getting attuned to a craft' thing doesn't really come into play until you start topping out in terms of power, as you effectively start warping your soul to better suit what you do to get more power from it-and that very strength gain makes diversification harder. Why, if I didn't do Geomancy, my Magnetomancy would be even stronger... but without the Geomancy, I would deprive myself of a whole mess of versatility. That, and Geomancy and Magnetomancy are fairly intertwined, so the power loss isn't that great. I've found something that works, and trying to branch into healing is hard. Pretty much all I can do is stop blood loss, so that I can live long enough to find someone who can do legitimate healing."

As Eisenhardt looks ready to keep speaking, I hear a few popping noises from his legs, and he sighs as he clicks his teeth shut, leaning back in his metal chair, even as a ray of sunshine pours through a crystal window and straight into my eyes, causing them to water.
Hm.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 201821 ID: f4e4f9

>>201817

Oh hohoHO! OK, then, possible restrictions for the time stop field's use:

-Expelled Annihilator Charge
-Requires a built up charge in the Immortal Genocide
-Effect scales up with how long Mordre has been spatially/Temporally locked.
>>
No. 201822 ID: f4e4f9

Also, instead of using the Burning Heart of the Mountain, you could consider using a number of the Premen Rubies supplied to Mordre.
>>
No. 201825 ID: 79f1b9

so a soul grave, with it's more then one soul, would actually be the ONLY thing that could become an ultimate grandmaster in everything. interesting...
>>
No. 201834 ID: 4a9385

>>201825
Or a life golem with multiple personalities... (HINT HINT!)
>>
No. 201839 ID: e8e31f

>>201825

Modre: Supreme Grand Elder Mage of the Mortal Coil (aka Modre Coil)
>>
No. 201840 ID: a76809

>>201839
[MoRdre. Not Modre]
>>
No. 201842 ID: 716eb0

>>201822
The point of the burning heart of the mountain is that it is the largest, most perfect ruby the mines have ever produced. It is better suited to such things than the small gems we have in abundance.

Hmmm, I am not sure about making the timestop power rely on building a charge, even if Mordre IS invulnerable-with-a-weakspot while it is charging. It seems like the sort of thing you might want to have avaliable on short notice.

And none of the restrictions I have seen so far would make it something we could not use every single battle. We are looking for last ditch power, right? His charged weapons fired and his launchers unloaded or inopperable, yes, thats easy. Mordre himself must be damaged to the point of reduced mobility and innefectual melee ability, relying on his magic to keep himself together or attempt repairs, and thus unable to use that to attack.

And it should run off the golem's internal furnace if possible. Souls are a powerful (and delicios) fuel.

Can the burning heart of the mountain be mounted INSIDE Mordre for it to work? All things considered, it would be better not to have a glowing red weakpoint on his chest.
>>
No. 201849 ID: 4a9385

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think that the bomb idea I had was not so bad, put some more restrictions on it and its good to go.

The soulfire would shoot out (or materialize) around Mordre in a way that he would not be hut by the blast, but things around him would.

Slap a restriction on it and you are good to go.


Have some restrictions in my head now so imma post em.
-can only be used at night
-can only be used over a leyline
-AA must have been used recently
-Mordre must be frozen in time
-Can only be used once per month
-must have over 1000 souls
-must not have used conventional soulfire for the past week
-must be a solar eclipse
-must be a lunar eclipse
-certain pre-designated people must still be alive

(Arkus should comment on these)

Weeeeeee
>>
No. 201850 ID: 2aaaf1

As much as I'd like Mordre to have a last stand attack, I feel we could create something more effective for Arkus. I want to use the Burning Heart of the Mountain to create a sort of "two-way casting point" if that makes any sense. I want to insert 6 to 8 of those "Moss-seeds" along the length of the staff and enchant it so that it acts like the ruby communicator staves we're working on, except with, uh, magical energy. Essentially I want Arkus to be able to shove the staff into the ground and be able to treat it like a leyline to draw energy from and at the same time be able to send his regular spells in and have them go out amplified. With future tweaking, the discovery of more portable leyline stones, and possibly having Mordre make a BLOOTZ stand and gunbarrel, I'm thinking MAGICAL SENTRY CONSTRUCTION.
>>
No. 201864 ID: 4a9385

For normal mages:
(stealing this from hunterXhunter, modified)

SPECIAL: [Insert name here]
If the target's hand is on the book while they use a skill, the book will copy it and enable its holder to do the same.
To use the skill the book must be open to the page the skill is stored on. If the book is closed, the ability will be lost. Only one stored skill can be used at a time.

For example, if that assassin girl is touching the book, with her hand, while she does that space hook thing, then the holder of the book would be able to do the same when the book is open to the page it is stored on.

If someone is using magnetomancy while they touch it, the holder would be able to operate within the same range they were, but fulfilling all the criteria they were. ie. if the target used will, so must they, along with anything else they want to add.


Its a direct copy book, so if you get a strong magnetomancy ability and a weak one, they would be stored differently. If you meet the criteria for both though, you can do them, because they are the same type of magic/skill.

Lots of criteria that are difficult to meet, but the payoff is useful.
>>
No. 201867 ID: 4a9385

Mage spell:
Captive beast[needs rename ]

This beast can only be summoned in a completely sealed room. If the room opens up, the beast dies. It goes crazy over human flesh and will attack people other than its summoner without restraint. People damaged by it will not die while it is alive, no matter what happens to them. (eg, head ripped off, arms eaten, blah).

Yay for restrictions powering magic. Arkus will become the most powerful mage ever!!!!

Gotta think up some originals for him and this world.
>>
No. 201868 ID: 37b673

>>201817
Ok, We should really tell him about the Core Being and it's connection to Weinsho. Just out and out tell him - he caused a weird Core Being to sprout into existence and was going for two, but that was stopped.

And I know this thought wave might be annoying, but I really think making another bet with him about us finding the information he wants would be good - I'm not sure if we should tell Eisenhardt that we're the heroes of Hletwa and of Del Rogo but we could get him that information with less effort then burning down an entire city.

And Eisenhardt wants someone to rule as a better leader? Ask him how - and ask him if he thinks Mordre is doing a better job or not.

Also, try to stop thinking about 'crazy one hit kills'. Go for practicality! Have you gotten any hadway on those Togas yet and idea on how to make them work without appearing to be togas? Like an entire army of red shirted people who every hit reflects? Or maybe we can think of a way to get those Skyfall cannons either smaller or easier to transport? Because you're the main mage of the biggest army on the planet, or at least you will be. Remember not to just focus on Mordre, but every member of the team and militia. I mean, you have any ideas how you could help Keddic? Think how badass that would be!

But you should have a very big goal too, to strive for. Like Eisenhardt said, big goals have seemed to help you, so with all this heavy thinking you've been doing try out 'BIG GOALS': Two things to think about, then. How could you get a castle or tower to float? Ask the Master of Magnetism here, he might know some ways.
And the second: Fast travel! How quickly can you make someone go from point A to point B without exploding them? Although, keep any ideas that'll explode people, they're pretty darn good ideas and useful.

>>201834
A hint to what? Sorry, I really don't know what you're talking about. Lenryt?

Anyway, I really do think we're focusing on 'super awesome' powers a bit to much - the only reason we failed was because we were fighting someone who, basically, was our anathema. The best way to beat someone like Verther and Eisenhardt is to find some way to increase our soul soldiers, be better in magnetomancy then they are or go in a completely different direction. We know that Eisenhardt is too specialized, so if we find an aeromancer and eat them, or a watermancer, or some kind of magic that Eisenhardt doesn't know, we have a better chance against him.
>>
No. 201883 ID: e8e31f

>>201868

I don't think that the core being is Weinsho's fault directly....IIRC some apprentices of his stole some research notes and bailed. They then later F'ed up when trying to use the notes and created the core being...
>>
No. 201889 ID: 445c48

Well, this conversation can't ALL be about work. Ask if he has any hobbies, or plays any games. Maybe he's a fan of chess? Maybe he prefers checkers. Chinese Checkers, maybe, even though there's no China.
>>
No. 201900 ID: 45be60

>>201889
Land of Dragons-ese Checkers.
>>
No. 201902 ID: 37b673

>>201883
I'll check, but I think it was his fault - also, a great tactician must use doubt as artfully as the painter uses a brush and the warrior uses his blade.

>>201889
OOOH! Yes! Lets play games with him! Chess, Checkers, Oh! How about some Go Fish, or Poker? If you don't know these, don't worry. I...-think- you'll come up with the rules.
>>
No. 201905 ID: 4a9385

>>201883
That was also implied in the threads. Good looking out.
>>
No. 201986 ID: a76809

>>201821
1---Expelled AA charge: Yeah, this one seems obvious, since for a holdout to actually be a last resort, it would probably be AFTER trying the AA, and having it fail, so this seems like a good idea.
2---Requires a built-up IG charge: ...Hm, this seems logical, and would require sacrificing a potential dispel pulse to act as one of the triggers to this magic... yeah, that would work.
3---Effect scales with how long Mordre has been temporally locked prior to activation: This would be how it would function anyway, as it would need to use the displaced temporal lock as a base: The more potent the base, the more potent the end result.

>>201842
[Gem cannot be internal, but would be sheltered under charging period immobility's magic, the same as Mordre's eyes]
4---All conventional ammunition expended/off body: Wouldn't boost power all that much as Mordre could simply discard and reclaim ammunition, but hey, every little bit helps.
5---Mordre damaged to point conventional melee attacks/mobility impaired: This would be a tricky fit, as it would be subjective, but I could probably work in something along the lines of: The more damaged joints, the more potent the ability... would mean Mordre would likely be restricted to earth sliding or whatever he was doing, when this condition is fully met.... but this particular restriction could, if made to fully apply (as in, all joints must be damaged), make the ending result spell MUCH more powerful because of how restrictive it is, both to meet, and to operate under.

>>201849
6---Can only be used at night: Well, it would double base potency, but has it's own issues, obviously....
7---Only over a leyline: Huh, not too sure on how much of a boost this would give, but... probably potent, since it would be rather restrictive.
8---Can only be used once per every 30-day cycle: Well, that would boost performance, but chronological restriction, to the best of my knowledge, are not the best call, and are advised against in most material I have seen.
9---Must have over 1,000 souls: Eh, this seems like it would stray into Soul Magic territory-not that there is anything wrong with that, considering I'm already working for something that is the biggest international crime possible just by existing, but because I know pretty much nothing about the field. So... no idea how this one would work.
10---Must not have used conventional Soulfire attack for the past week: ..Huh. An ability use restriction like this would PROBABLY be pretty good at amplifying the end result, but again, sort of Soul magic, so can't be sure.
11---Must be a Solar Eclipse: Oh man, that would jack that spell up SO MUCH... and also make it useless except in very specific circumstances, obviously.
12---Must be a Lunar Eclipse: Basically, same as above.
13---Designated souls must still be in original bodies: That is so far into Soul Magic territory I can't really comment on it.

I should probably decide on which of these restrictions I should propose to Mordre, when suggesting the ability, and whether I have any other ideas for restrictions to include... and I should also figure out if an omnidirectional Soulfire pulse of some sort or a timestop ability would be more useful... though if I go the pulse route, no getting around the fact a directed fire ability, like a chest cannon, would greatly exceed the power of an omnidirectional ability. Hmm... many things to think on.

>>201850
...Huh. If I used the remaining seeds (I think there are... what, twelve? Fifteen at the most?) and embedded them into the staff bearing the 'Burning Heart Of The Mountain' I could make a sweet staff. If my estimations are correct, upon contact with the ground over a leyline, I could use the staff as a jack to directly tap the power of the leyline.... or it could let a Core Being out through the channel I make..... yeah, might want to research that rather intensively first, or just avoid it altogether, as I haven't seen any mention of World magic seeds like Mordre claimed.

>>201864
>Copy Book, one use per copied ability
...Well, if I studded the deep-spawned book cover with as many rubies as I could fit, enough for each page in the book, and maybe tweaked the restrictions... yeah, I think something like that would be possible, but it would take quite a while to make.

>>201867
>beast in room spell
....I don't know, that seems like it would deal with both Soul magic (keeping people alive) and dimensional magic (defining rooms).... I don't really know how I could approach that.

>>201868
Blood Togas: Well, I can only do so much with the cloaks until I learn more about Blood magic (like how to USE it), so.... pretty much no chance I could make more, even if I learn more of their function, until such time I add blood magic to my repertoire. As to smaller Skyfall cannons, they would lose power.... but... the hand-cannons could support a miniaturized rune, I think... I'd have to do some testing, but I think such a thing could be done... huh. As to Keddic... uh.... what to do that I COULD do, that could help him... hmm... maybe... some sort of... blood... stealing... absorbing.... assimilating... yeah.... that might work. I saw some runes in Wendelin's books built around eating, for use on teeth (bone runing is somewhat popular, and teeth are pretty much the most common kind), to boost his performance, at the cost of making him dependent on external supplies of stuff related to the boosted area... I could do some runework to amplify his Blood magic capabilities, at the cost of making him reliant on consuming blood to supplement his own... and with the blood togas, he'd basically be carrying a snack with him that he refills while fighting.... something to consider. As to big goals... I still want to become the best mage possible, so talented that the Mortal Coil BEGS me to join.... I'd call that a pretty damn big goal, as they've extended an invitation on their own, rather than accepting an application, all of twice, to my knowledge, since their founding. To meet such a goal, I'd pretty much HAVE to be as good as Eisenhardt.... maybe better.

"Ok, so..."
>"You really must stop trailing off like that."
"Yeah, probably should. Anyway, as far as we could tell, the talking Core Being, the one trying to circumvent it's own restrictions?"
>"Yes?"
"Weinsho's work."
>"...On what basis do you make this claim?"
"Well, we found a bunch of documents with Weinsho's name on them, referencing what we presume was Soul Magic, in the possession of those who died summoning it."
>"....I can feel it in your pulse, you are telling the truth. Troubling."
"Ah, actually, as far as we could tell, it WOULD have been TWO Core Beings, but some... THING killed the others before they could do it. Weinsho documents, all that, found there, so..."
>"Yes, I grasp what that implies..."

As Eisenhardt looks troubled, I hit upon another idea for a wager.

"So, about that name you don't want to share-"
>"What of it?"
"Well, what about a bet, if-"
>"Let me make this perfectly clear: I WILL NOT tell you this name: Just uttering it would likely invalidate most of the entire set of plans and machinations that Mordre set back through his own actions: No gamble, no matter how intriguing or profitable, will make me divulge it, nor will you find some form of leverage to make me say it. Even on my deathbed, I will not utter it. The only time I would ever say who this individual is would be AFTER the plans come to fruition, and under NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. Are we clear on this?"
"...Crystal."
>"Good."
"Ah, so... magic theory questions, then?"
>"I may answer your queries, depending on what they are."
"Okay, thoughts on how to make a floating castle? I've heard of them, but I don't get the mechanics behind them."
>"Well, I can only comment on how such could be accomplished via Magnetomancy, which would require a metal base to the floating fortress, and some runes built into it, both to amplify it's magnetic field, and to lock it to a specific purpose: Namely, that of levitation floating, however you define it. Then, either have mages maintaining or runes guiding the drawing of metal into flat paths underground, so while the surface does not change, you build a road of metal wherever the castle goes: Would make trailblazing slow, but any established path could be traversed very swiftly."
"Huh.... I like that. Ah, next question: Fast travel methods? Getting from point A to point B as swiftly as possible?"
>"Well, the longer you move in a straight line, the easier it is to slide over earth, so Geomancy can help with that, but swerving in any manner at all dispels that bonus.... and through Magnetomancy, personally crafting metal blocks as waypoints to attract and repel yourself over the land CAN grant very swift travel... but screw up, and you go splat."
"I...see. Thank you for the commentary."
>"It's not like it was esoteric material, simply the opinion of one working in a specific field, on how to accomplish something that may be more easily accomplished other ways. ...Hah.... say.."
"Yes?"
>"Do you play... the oldest game?"
"How could I not, it's common as all get-out among gutter-rats, when there's at least some food in the belly."
>"Oh? Well, then I'll jump right in: I am Eisenhardt, metal dominating, ground commanding-oh, and feel free to continue speaking on other subjects, I have nothing but time right now."

I contemplate how to respond to his initial move in THE OLDEST GAME, even as I note the sun rising in the sky through one of the crystal windows....


What should I say?
My move for the Oldest Game?
And anything else to say to Eisenhardt?
>>
No. 201988 ID: e31d52

"I am a wood golem, free of metal, untroubled by the earth."
>>
No. 201993 ID: 0a8e03

>>201986
its this one right?
http://elzr.com/posts/the-oldest-game-of-all
>>
No. 201996 ID: b14128

>>201993
Indeed. Hrmm... I am a ship, sea-sailing, away from steel and stone?
>>
No. 202017 ID: 37b673

>>201986
God, we're trying to help you Eisenhardt. Mhm...can we tell if he's lying or not? Because I'd hate to do his dirty work and then him go 'mwahaha. I am evil, I steal the ax and do evil with it.' Because that would be a bag of ass. But leave off that line of questioning for now, as I can't quite think of any way to get him to give us an answer without going 'oh yeah, we can get you the ax'.

Personally, I really don't like the idea of us not being to work on Mordre's and carve more runes onto him because we installed a last-ditch weapon that he might not even use. Could you install those runes on the outpost walls, maybe? And as for runes to carve onto Mordre - maybe the idea of runes for speed wouldn't be that bad. And oh, idea! Is there a way to write runes so his arms could operate independently? Say he looses his arm - again - could you write a rune on it so it would just start crawling and working without Mordre's control to it?

But bad ass idea for the hand cannon skyfalls! Mhm. You know, that eating kinda like Bang...also, really creepy. Run it by Keddic first, I don't know how he'd feel being turned into a vampire. But those are good ideas - I wish I had an idea for just building up the militia, too. Just some speed and strength runes on the armor, maybe?

Anyway, as you've planted the seeds of doubt, ask him what he thinks of Mordre's rule compared to Weinsho. Try to make him think it would be better working for Mordre then for Weinsho if you can.

And you could so troll him: 'I am Mordre, who just fought you to a standstill', then troll-grin, say you were bullshitting and go with >>201996.
>>
No. 202020 ID: 2d4178

>>201986

i am the sea, ground eroding, metal rusting

(i havent played this before hmmm)
>>
No. 202022 ID: 4a9385
File 127804494157.jpg - (676.50KB , 1024x728 , Explosion_impact__by_freedomsslavery.jpg )
202022

I am Mordre, I am untroubled by your skill.... lol, but no.

"I am the earth, no mortal can dominate me."

ECLIPSE CANNON
Ok, combining this with my world magic-Geothermal-Leyline siphon, power source I mentioned earlier. The cannon sits over a leyline in which it constantly draws power from.
The cannon is only operable during an eclipse.


A better Idea, combine the same mechanics:

Bane of the Moon, Wrath of the Sun - The hand of Armageddon

The device is a complex matrix of runes and spell centered around an accurate representation of the planet (i.e. a globe). During an eclipse, the device becomes operational. The device requires mages (or a mage) that are skilled in world magic to operate it. The globe is used as a targeting system. The device will expend all of its energy to attack the area selected on the globe, weather it is 5 feet or 10,00 miles, the energy will be spread evenly over the whole area as a catalyst for destruction.
(Pic is related to this one)

Why create such a thing you ask? It will represent the zenith of your magical achievement. If you can pull this off by yourself, you know you have hit that point of awesome, and you will definitely be accepted into the Mortal Coil. (or killed by them >.>)
This device would have you being famous for generations to come. All would remember you.
It goes without saying that such a device would be located behind an elaborate series of traps the like of which the world has never seen (captive beast too, hint hint). Think about it. *Grin*



Ask E. about his childhood.
>>
No. 202024 ID: 4a9385

>>202017
I present you with these:

>>195373
>>195380
>>
No. 202032 ID: 903f16

>>201986
So Arkus, you heard Eisenhardt when he said that to reach his levels of power he needed to specialize. You also know that for the Mortal Coil to actually extend an invitation to you would be to actually become as good as Eisenhardt or better. Given this information if you were to specialize in a particular school of magic which would you prefer or would you rather try to reach a high level of skill with many schools, but never reach the top levels in power for them?
>>
No. 202036 ID: d3dfb8

>>202022
you might also use a map
>>
No. 202041 ID: d3dfb8

>>202032
Well, I think it's a little early to start worrying about that
>>
No. 202044 ID: 4a9385

>>202036
Maps are so mundane, A giant magical floating globe thing would look so much better when they make a movie based on the legend 500 years later. :D
(Good call.)
>>
No. 202051 ID: 37b673

>>202017
Oh! Blue skying here, but if you could be given anything, what would it be? And if you could give the rag-tag bunch of folks Mordre has found as his extended family anything, what would you get them? Like, say, a shirt for Bang, or a ridiculously large broadsword or zweihander with two holes near the base - oh, mmhm...what about a huge sword that breaks down into six other, smaller, swords? - for Keddic?
>>
No. 202057 ID: 445c48

>>202020

I like this.

Either that or Fire, but Fire has an obvious weakness.

Oh hey how about being Soulfire, or an Inferno Golem.
>>
No. 202067 ID: 903f16

>>202041
It's never too early to worry about your future, he's got to think these sort of things through if he ever wants to reach his goal. Hell, it's even more important given what Eisenhardt said about the nature of goals and how it can strengthen the soul.
>>
No. 202068 ID: 37b673

>>202044
You know, there's a thought we need to look into: What are we gonna do when our friends and allies start, you know, getting old? We really need to figure out how Weinsho does that soul transference so we can do it too.

>>202024
Yeah, it is a good idea. I really want Arkus to think on this though, find some way to make the troops better. Speed and Strength runes seem weaksause, but if they help Arkus practice until his fingers bleed, then they might be good.

>>202022
I wouldn't go for the big guns yet. Get a feel for him first.

And these suggestions seem nice - I like the idea of having our own Ion Cannon, but...I guess the reason I don't like 'one hit kills' and awesome attacks like that is because they don't work very well. You waste too many resources on something that won't actually pan out when instead you could be making something modest but better. And from a GM/Player stand point, the GM doesn't want to give us an 'I win' button - they make games not fun anymore. Either his plans don't work and are destroyed by one-shoting a boss, or by making every quest too easy, so he has to make the bosses harder, which means we're stuck in a pointless arms race, or he just takes away our toy with much gnashing of teeth and angry players.

Sorry, a little of my own GM nature showing there. Mea culpa.

>>202020
I did say 'no big things yet', but the 20/20/20 makes me wanna change my vote to this. So, troll face after going 'We're Mordre, untroubled by your skill and just fought you to a draw' and then either we're a boat on the ocean, or we're the ocean.
>>
No. 202070 ID: 732129

I wonder if Jezebel's superconductor research could be used for magentomancy? Superconductors have some unique magnetic properties, not the least of which is that they create a powerful magnetic field that is proportionately strong in relation to the amount of electric current traveling through the superconductor.

A few superconductor loops with as much charge as possible running through them could make incredibly useful, highly portable, magnetic anchors.
>>
No. 202095 ID: 2d4178

>>202024

aw yeah, the suits! you could maybe see if you could combine that idea with the blood togas, or just get an idea of how to add magics to clothes by studying the togas. or something, damn i cant think. hmm
>>
No. 202096 ID: ece728

>>202068

Let's not worry too much about our allies aging just yet. We've done a ton, yet only 110 days have passed. Mordre will likely die far sooner than any of them from old age...
>>
No. 202102 ID: 1e9d01

Weinsho wants power? He wants to save lives? He wants a land of his own?

He is attempting to track down all the people responsible for the Curse, and have them reverse it... then claim Mosmordre for his own.
>>
No. 202103 ID: 37b673

>>202096
The -hell- we will. We have a world to rule for eons! And then, to space!
>>
No. 202110 ID: 732129

>>202102

You speculate wildly. There may be other super-weapons in the works. And we don't have a good handle on the world wide political situation at present; we've been involved mostly in parochial matters.
>>
No. 202111 ID: 991955

>>202020

Or, I am water, ground eroding, metal corroding.
>>
No. 202144 ID: 445c48

>>202111
oh god if he's such a hax magnetomancer that he can magnetomance water I will be angry.
>>
No. 202153 ID: f4e4f9

>>202111
"I am the ocean water, metal corroding, earth eroding."

I like it.
>>
No. 202170 ID: 4a9385

No no guys, you have to beat E. not his power.

"I am death, all mortals will succumb to me."
>>
No. 202176 ID: 0a8e03

i think were scaleing up a bit too fast here. the ship in the sea works, lets go with that
>>
No. 202184 ID: ee5d53

"I am Mage Mordre, golem-controlling, leg-removing."? Anybody? :P
>>
No. 202185 ID: 732129

>>202184
That'd be a dick move at this juncture. You're playing to distract him from the pain.
>>
No. 202188 ID: 37b673

>>202185
So we trollface and use 'boat' after we use 'mordre'.
>>
No. 202222 ID: a76809

>>202017
It's not that such a rune setup would preclude any further runes, just any further runes on the front of Mordre's chest. I don't think such things could be applied to a structure, the ones I'm thinking of rely on being placed on a magically charged surface.... but an option might exist, I don't know of it though. ...Independent limb moving.... well, I couldn't make them fight on their own, but I might-MIGHT-be able to make lost limbs with an unbroken rune on them strive to return to the main body, like a homing magic.... I'll have to look into it. Body enhancing armor.... eh, that would be a whole lot easier to do if I had some magically charged armor to begin with... like those golem armors the Blue Knight's hounds mentioned... huh, there's a thought. Could make some pretty potent soldiers that way....

...Yeesh, so, putting Skyfall runes on Hand-Cannons, A Mordre Holdout of some sort, Enhanced Golem Armor (once we get some golem armors), Limb recovery runes for Mordre, Keddic boosting runes, magic copy-book, ...actually MAKING hand-cannons, now that we have the metal for it, working on how to make more Morphic fluid (this one's been making my head spin), making new Skyfall cannons, doing some more research into the possible mental manipulation that I may have been subjected to when getting sold that golem leash way back when, making more skyfall runed rounds for Mordre, provided he gives me shells to work with, finishing those communication staffs, runing the whole arcanoworks with temporal locking runes to activate in the event of evacuation to preserve the place.... ok, seriously, I can work on MAYBE three of those concurrently, I need to do some prioritization here, otherwise it will take MONTHS to do something that would normally take days because I am splitting my time too finely.
[Seriously dudes, WAY TOO MANY THINGS FOR ARKUS TO DO. Pick groups of three, and order them by priority, he'll work on them in order. Communication rods are almost done, so will be worked on singly first, since they are the closest to usable results.]

>>202032
Well, it's my understanding that, with sufficient equipment, being 'pretty good' in a given category can be boosted to 'fucking terrifying', so I'd prefer to spread myself out, Runework, Magnetomancy (since I work with metal objects so damn much), Aeromancy (Who doesn't want to fly?), Aquamancy (or breathe underwater?), Geomancy (being able to MOVE leylines, and get access to those magic-dispelling crystals? Yes please)... and a few of the more complex crafts, like Tractomancy (playing with spatial mechanics always sounded like top-notch stuff) and Chronomancy (time mage? Who WOULDN'T want to do that?)..... I figure if I could get some decent universal competency in each craft, and use runework and enough gems to build magic amplifying devices to allow me to use the more potent uses of each field, I could keep a flexible soul while in many cases still having the power a specialized soul could have.... yeah, this would take a whole bunch of time and resources (and documents I do not have) to accomplish, but hey, that's what my ideal would be. ...Would definitely have a copy-book too, since that seems a great idea.

>>202051
Two things: More books and lessons on types of magic that I don't already have documents on, AND TIME TO READ THEM. As to what to give the others... well, I know Bang scoffs at weapons, so... maybe some gauntlets/boots designed to amplify impact, maybe? For Keddic.... maybe some sort of call-stone, or something, to let him pull his personal sword back to him, so he could throw it, and summon it back without having to chase it down?

>>202020
"I am the sea, ground eroding, metal rusting."
>"I am the ground, water absorbing, sea draining."
>>201988
"I am a wood golem, untroubled by the earth."
>"I am a Pomumancer, tree commanding, wood golem domineering."
>>202057
"I am Soulfire, all consuming, life-ending."
>"I am Weinsho, soul-commanding, magic-mastering."
>>202170
"I am death, all mortals succumb to me."
>"Heh. I am Dulu, death partaking, yet life-retaining."
>>202184
"I am Mage Mordre, golem-controlling... leg-removing."
>"HAH! I am the march of time, under which all strength, all life grinds away."

>>202022
"You said I could ask other questions during the game-"
>"I did indeed."
"Okay... how was your childhood?"
>"..Huh. Well, I grew up in a nation that doesn't exist anymore-the Disciples of Domintus steamrolled right on over it when they were starting up-and I was part of... not so much a noble family, as the village elder's family, for a place that had grown larger than a village. Ah, had a whole mess of problems since I was about as strongly naturally attuned to Magnetomancy as possible right from the get-go, which meant that if I got agitated, metal objects would just... find their way to me. That was interesting, to say the least. Anyway, after about a year of that, my families petition to have me accepted into the Mortal Coil was accepted, and... well, that was that for my childhood, as I spent decades under tutelage before I attained sufficient rank to go wherever I wanted... but by then, with the dearth of news, my home was already gone. ...Oh, and it's still your move, unless you have some more questions. ...Actually, I have a question of my own: how long is this bloody healing going to take? They've been at it for hours, and it's slow going."

I look to my two companions, and to Eisenhardt's legs: The limbs seem largely reconnected, though from the spasms that shiver through the aged man's form, the healing is still proceeding apace. I look to Ulzrick, but he simply shrugs his shoulders while continuing to work, as if to say 'hey, I'm just an apprentice, ask Jojo'.... the one who does not speak Common, in the room. Wonderful.


Ah.... what should I say or do?
>>
No. 202234 ID: 8fff22

>>202222
I am a Chrono Mage, time halting, strength perserving.
>>
No. 202235 ID: 37b673

Fail into place

>>202222
Oh, come on Arkus, where's your drive! But...you might be right. Ok, orders!

Finish the communication rods! Get these outta the way.
1) Finish making handcannons. Those are a trade good, a useful weapon for any army - point-and-click weapons are always useful.
2)Skyfall runes on the Handcannons. Trade goods for close friends and for our warriors, also a nice way to study the Skyfall runes and think of other way to use it.
3) Morphic Fluid! This is a useful thing to have ready, and if it's so hard it'll be all that better when we finish and find out how to create the Morphic fluid.

"I am chronomancer, time changing, decay stopping."
Or, how about: "I am Legacy, strength restoring”

Anyway, try that universal language about magic. We could try that to ask.

Aslo, someone get some ham. We're -one- point away.
>>
No. 202240 ID: 37b673

Ask Jojo in Universal Magic Language about how long the leg will take.
>>
No. 202245 ID: 732129

>>202235

I agree with this, with the exception of #0 (finish communication rods). For #0 I'd like you to complete two sets of communication rods, and then have Jezebel do the spring-loading thing I mentioned in >>199563

Also, have her make some superconductor magnets when she's done with that.
>>
No. 202246 ID: 2aaaf1

>>202222
"I am Magnum Bang, time ignoring, limit breaking, absolute nutcase."

"I am Keddic Harksburton, blood surging, battle bringing."

"I am Jezebel, liquid electrifying, easily angering."

"I am Vespinto, ego amassing, pride projecting."
>>
No. 202252 ID: 8fff22

I listed these in groups of three's, by usefulness and how fast it will take to complete the task.

1. Finishing those communication staffs.
2. Making more skyfall runed rounds for Mordre.
3. Actually MAKING hand-cannons, now that we have the metal for it. 
(We need to start producing so we can trade with the Blue Knights and so we can send more back to Mordreden. Be sure to finish that cheap and less powerful design of the hand-cannons for the Blue Knights).

4. Putting Skyfall runes on Hand-Cannons.
5. Limb recovery runes for Mordre.
6. Working on how to make more Morphic fluid. 

7. Keddic boosting runes.
8. Enhanced Golem Armor (once we get some golem armor).
9. Making new Skyfall cannons.
(Just ignore #8 until we get some Golem Armor).

10. Magic copy-book. 
11. A Mordre Holdout of some sort.
12. Doing some more research into the possible mental manipulation that Arkus may have been subjected to when getting sold that golem leash way back when.

13. Running the whole arcanoworks with temporal locking runes to activate in the event of evacuation to preserve the place. - (I think we should put this on the back-burner for now, as cool as having an indestructible outpost would be, it is going to take FOREVER to rune the entire Arcanoworks).
>>
No. 202276 ID: 88d22d

MORDRE:
#1 err #3 priority!

Get Arkus some mages to serve under him. Put up flyers or something, if we invest a little of our time in this, then we will see all that we desire coming through even faster. The best case scenario is to have so many people, that they finish everything we give them in a few days (or hours) and have nothing else to do but study magic and create independently.

Arkus:
Don't ask them how long it will take, don't disturb them. Go call Mordre and have him snap his fingers, bam, its done.


"I am a chronomancer, time is my plaything"
"I am memory, though time marches on, I live forever"
"I am eternity, time is meaningless here"
"I am the Afterlife, time is meaningless here"
>>
No. 202280 ID: 37b673

>>202246
NO! We are not mentioining our crew because it tells someone that is not on our side what to expect. This is a very bad idea.
>>
No. 202282 ID: 7324e7

>>202280
agree, stick with concepts and known things.
>>
No. 202284 ID: 445c48

Also you're going to need to give us a full list of -mancies. Never heard of Tractomancy.
>>
No. 202293 ID: b14128

Hrmm... I have a theory as to why Eisenhart thought that his plot would have saved lives in the long run. Remember how Del Rogo sells his contracts, without really caring who? Even when selling gear to a soul grave in a country that hates them? Well, by taking the axe out of the hands of somebody who simply uses its power to make weapons and armor for the highest bidder, he'd be reducing the amount of war-worthy gear out there, and making sure it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. Note this is just a theory, I'm not certain of it.

...Also, what do you know of the Disciples of Domintus, Arkus?

Last, as a mental note... Maybe you should try asking Keddic about his style of fighting? His 'Mass Connection' business sounds interesting. At the very least, maybe you could get a smidge of instruction on blood magic or something.
>>
No. 202295 ID: b14128

Also, one note: Eisenhard let slip with this that Weinsho knows soul magic. We already kinda guessed this, with how he ressurected Dulu into a small tomb, but this confirms it.

Hrmm... Thinking about this, I bet when/if Weinsho is ever beaten, we might be able to get our hands on some knowledge on soul magic. Mages tend to write things down, afterall. Though, I wonder if he shares said knowledge on soul magic with any of his followers... To be honest, there haven't been any indications that he does. I'd be willing to bet he's pretty secretive about it.
>>
No. 202296 ID: 7324e7

>>202295
if/when Weinsho is beaten mordre will just eat his soul and absorb all his knowledge.
>>
No. 202302 ID: 88d22d

>>202296
Therin lies the problem. Remember how much trouble we were having with some half bit Yeti shamans who would kill us? Now think of facing a full blown soul mage war hero. I think it would be childsplay for him to undo our spell Matrices.
The fight might last all of 10 minutes because he thinks our Augmented matrices are so fascinating and takes the time out to study them before destroying us.
If we wanna face Wenshio, we will need to learn a good bit about Soul Magic first, at the very least how to protect ourselves.
>>
No. 202304 ID: 88d22d
File 127810745957.jpg - (34.43KB , 500x418 , weddingcryptoring.jpg )
202304

Yo Arkus. Sound like your an Item type of guy. If that's so, then I got just the thing for you.

A Rune Ring. The bands are set up in such a way that each rotation causes a diffent rune to be created. Thus you can have a bunch of different amplifiers at you disposal in one item. If you wear multiple, its even better. When you get good, you can use Magnetomancy to turn it whenever you need something fast.
>>
No. 202305 ID: b14128

>>202302
Crap. You're right. Mordre would be dead meat unprotected. I think this likely makes getting Kyorto ressurected all that more important, since she'd have knowledge on soul magic.
>>
No. 202310 ID: 903f16

>>202293
Well from what he's said it appears he wants the axe for it's information on one Del Roga's clients, not to deprive the man of the axe's use. I doubt taking his axe would stop Del Roga too much anyway, yes it's very powerful and allows him craft especially well fit armor, but he would still be able to craft fine armor at the same scale.

>>201676
Anyway look here towards the bottom where he states why he was going to have Verther get the axe.
>>
No. 202319 ID: 4af8c8

Oh, ask him what he knows/thinks about Disciplines of Domintus.
>>
No. 202324 ID: 88d22d

Right, Thanks for reminding me amount that. If he doesn't like them very much you can just let it slip that Mordre just returned from rousting them.
>>
No. 202325 ID: 0a8e03

note to self: mention to mordre that it might be a good idea to have someone steal the magic axe
>>
No. 202330 ID: 37b673

>>202276
This might be a good idea, along with a possible finder’s fee - you know, we pay you in rubies and you come here to work and help.

I did have an idea, but we should put off on - Starting our -own- mage academy! I mean, Arkus, how bad ass would it be to be the Dean, founder, and Great High Mage of the Kyogrock Arcanoworks Academy For Gifted Youngsters! We can have Jojo teach history, too! Think on it, I know Mordre isn't the best teacher so when you think you can teach it might be a good idea.

>>202252
Breaking down the list with my own comments, forgive the quote-bitching.

> 0. Finishing those communication staffs.

These are gonna be done no matter what, either just the basics or the ballpoint version. They're our stepping stone to communication arrays.

> 0.5. Making more skyfall runed rounds for Mordre.

It took Arkus just a day to carve those runes before, so if he focus on just the Skyfall runes, maybe half or a little less of our full loadout, he should be able to get them finished without any major problems and then get his mind focused on badass research problems that the rest of this is.

>1. Actually MAKING hand-cannons, now that we have the metal for it.

I agree, however I'm gonna say that instead of all poor guns, we should give a 30/70 good-poor ratio. Possibly stamp the good handcannons with something we can identify, so we know who to shoot first too? But that's another problem for another day.

>2. Making new Skyfall cannons.

Allows for heavy defenses, artillery, and again trade. This are higher not just because of that but because it also allows for continue practice in the Skyfall rune, and may give insight on how to construct the Skyfall Handcannons.

>3. Working on how to make more Morphic fluid.

This is a resource we can use. Dulu is made of Morphic Steel, the handcannons would be improved with using Morphic Fluid rounds and, if I remember, they use Morphic Fluid to auto reload, we could get some curiously strong testing with this. Not to mention it being a precious trade resource.

>4. Putting Skyfall runes on Hand-Cannons.

Yes. Just ours, however. And if we can do this without damaging the Twins, I would do that. But that's an 'after the fact' suggestion, so just focus on getting the Arcanowork handcannons to be mini-thunder cannons. However, lowered because Arkus working with what he knows – the Defensive Cannons, should let him get a better understanding of how to miniaturize the hand-cannons.

>5. Enhanced Golem Armor (once we get some golem armor).

I’m going to change the suggestion and say try to work on some prototype ideas before the armors arrive. After that, first work on recreating Golem Armor, and then on improving it. If we can reproduce it, we have another trading commodity and even if we can’t, we can trade the Blue Knight in either repairs or upgrades.

>*NEW!*6. The Box!

I wouldn’t use those world draining seeds until you know if the inside doesn’t use World magic – if it’s what I think it is, you’re gonna have to come up with some other way to get into it.

>7. Keddic boosting runes.

I’m leaving this one here under the assumption that Keddic likes the idea of becoming a vampire. Check with him before you continue. It would be a waste to be ready to carve his teeth and him not wanting it.

>8. Limb recovery runes for Mordre.

This isn't as important as some of the other things. It's a useful rune to have, but it's only works with Mordre and unless we face mostly magnetomancers we wouldn't need it. Put it lower on the list.

>9. Magic copy-book.

I don’t quite understand this, so I left it were it was on the list and moved everything around it.

>10. A Mordre Holdout of some sort.

Same as above. I think this this is the ‘last-ditch’ attack and I think I’ve made my point on how I feel about that.

> 11. Running the whole arcanoworks with temporal locking runes to activate in the event of evacuation to preserve the place. - (I think we should put this on the back-burner for now, as cool as having an indestructible outpost would be, it is going to take FOREVER to rune the entire Arcanoworks).

Not moving this one either, mostly because I kind of agree and I don’t expect a attack that we would need to have such a grand-scale defense. And that, if we were gonna do it, we should do it for the whole of the area we’ve protected, and that’s gonna be a high end work requiring many hands, and we have to finish the roads and get our mine.

*. Doing some more research into the possible mental manipulation that Arkus may have been subjected to when getting sold that golem leash way back when.

I know I have this listed last, but it shouldn’t be. This is a parallel request. Not just mind control, but study and restudy everything about what happened before you activated Mordre. Do this whenever you have free time or, if you don’t, make another hour to work on it. This is important and may help you understand what happened, who gave you the control stick, what that control stick was.

>>202284
I agree. A brief list of what you know and what they do?

>>202293
I half doubt this as he said he wanted one man, not the ax itself. He wanted to find and use the powers of the Ax to take out a single man – I doubt that make would be Del Rogo or he would just say that.

Anyway, we are learning from Keddic, remember the universal magic theory we’re working on? He goes to it too and helps out, so we’re learning a little bit of mass connection, along with blood magic, soul dreaming, and combat magic.

What Arkus has said already is this:
>The rabidly religious Disciples Of Domintus are a radical bunch, going about destroying existing systems in favor of a church-ruled state. Their fanatical Berserker-Zealots, willing to do anything for the gods they worship, have won them many battles lately.
He might know more, however, but I’m not sure.

>>202302

I agree! WE WILL HUNT OLMECCAEMLO!
>>
No. 202332 ID: 37b673

>>202325
We saved his bloody town and hide. We don't have to steal it. We just have to ask for it. And make sure that Eisenhardt isn't a bag-of-dick and steals it from us.
>>
No. 202333 ID: 37b673

>>202330
Yeah, sorry about the wall of text everyone
>>
No. 202336 ID: 88d22d

>>202330
Nice wall of text. They are a highlight of this quest.

As for the Power Armour thing, I am going to again suggest that we move the armour bit to Jezebel to do instead of Arkus, he has enough on his plate and we have not really asked her to do anything. When she is done with the design, she and Arkus can collaborate on the metals to use for an optimum magical/mechanical interface.
>>
No. 202338 ID: 4af8c8

I think limb recovering runes should be stricken from that list.

1. we have powerful magnetomancy, we can recover them without the use of runes.
2. they will be in the way for other, better runes
3. IF we can't recover our limbs with magnetomancy that means we are fighting another mage who commands magnetomnacy better than us. Slowly crawling limbs would do jack shit against that kind of power.
>>
No. 202340 ID: 4af8c8

HEY GUYS!
Hey, hey guys,

What about a golem armor .......... for Mordre?

Man, think about the potential Troll-fu. "Okay, after an hour on intense battle you manage to crack me open .... NOW DEAL WITH MY FINAL FORM!"
>>
No. 202342 ID: 37b673

>>202336

I will assume this is scarasm. If it's not, sorry. But yeah, wall of texts are why we love text quests, isn't it, huh?

Manyway, I don't think Jezebel can work on figuring out how they work. They're magical golems, not technological golems. However, until we get them, we're blueskying. That list is is for until we find out different. If Jezebel can help, yeah, make her do some actual work, but until then just leave her be.

>>202338
See, I was hoping for a way that a removed arm could continue working without us having to reattach it. Our Sable drilling it's way through the ground and attacking by itself. However, I do agree...This is true. Lower the level of priority then. Drop it to the bottom of the list, then, after chrono-rune, and investigating our fugue moment.
>>
No. 202344 ID: 37b673

>>202340
YES! WE SHALL HAVE A PONY AND A SUIT OF ARMOR! FOR TROLLING!
>>
No. 202349 ID: 903f16

>>202340
If we find a way to pull something like that off it'd probably be worth a ludicrous amount of HAM points too.
>>
No. 202351 ID: 37b673

>>202340
Or, for not trolling: TENGEN TOPPA MOSS MORDRE!
>>
No. 202400 ID: 445c48

Train some underlings.
>>
No. 202457 ID: a76809

>>202235
It's not a question of drive, there's only so much time in a given day, so the more concurrent projects I tackle, the slower I complete any of them. This is simple logic.

>>202245
...Uh, two things come to mind: 1, this will take longer (AT LEAST two more days, since I have to make an extra pair of rods, then slave them to the first, and 2..... Jezebel scares me, just a bit. Oh wait, there's a third problem: How would we communicate? [Morse code does not exist, and while you could give the coding system to Mordre, he would have to teach others in it's use, a FURTHER slow-down to the system's eventually operation point. And with their puny organic brains, they may have memory issues at using a brand new coding system, or make errors, etc. For the amount of time investment this would take, just waiting until Arkus could set up some means to communicate something to and from Mordre at range would likely work better, and allow translation discrepancies to not be an issue.] ....Yeah, the 'Danger-Rods' are almost done, but for my next attempt, I figure I could slave some bits of metal taken from Mordre's body as links to him, to make the piece, when magically charged, able to pick up what Mordre says, as well as transmitting what is said into the piece of metal back to it....gonna need to check a few things to make sure that will work though, don't want a faulty end result, all that.

>>202284
Tractomancy: Dimensional/Spatial magic, dealing with distance, the relative space between locations, all that. (Fairly rare)
Ignimancy: manipulation of electricity. Not many people do it, since what they work with is fast enough that one screw-up is usually terminal.
Necromancy: The act of expediting the coming of death (really just specialized, applied Chronomancy) More common than general Chronomancers.
Pomumancy: Wood/plant manipulation
Geomancy: Earth manipulation
Chronomancy: Time manipulation (mages in this field are exceedingly rare)
Aquamancy: Water manipulation
Magnetomancy: Metal manipulation
Aeromancy: Air manipulation
Gravimancy/Sepulchrumancy: Weight manipulation [Gravity]
Kinetimancy: Force/vector manipulation
Curatiomancy: healing magics of the conventional, non-SoulDreaming sort
Pyromancy: Fire manipulation (this, Geomancy, and Magnetomancy are the three most commen areas of magical study currently)
...uh... that's all the ones I know of, though there could be more.

>>202304
...Huh. That... that could be very useful.... I'll have to see what rune combos would work, optimize their placement, but... yeah, think I got a side project, for putting in some work on now and then.

>>202400
...Yeah, you know what, I could, I think. I have plenty of books, and those helping me with them, those who can read... I could teach them basic stuff, at least. And work our way up from there... I'd be slower at stuff at first, but the payoff would be great. Yeah... think I'll pursue that.

>Assessing priority lists:

..Yeah, I think I'll work on hand-cannon and Skyfall related stuff first. Making hand-cannons, runing rounds for Mordre, making Skyfall cannons, and putting runes onto hand-cannons to make skyfall cannons.... okay, that should be a good use of time for the next few weeks, as I get the Arcanoworks armed to the teeth, and weapons ready for trade... okay, sounds like a great place to start. Hopefully that will give me some time to learn more so that when I tackle the Morphic fluid production issue, or the blood togas and whatnot, I know more... and maybe have magically capable underlings.
ARKUS FOCUS: HAND-CANNON PRODUCTION/RUNING, SKYFALL CANNON PRODUCTION, AND MORDRE CANNON ROUND RUNING SET AS PRIMARY PRIORITIES ONCE DANGER-RODS COMPLETED


>>202240
I turn to Jojo, and using what has been established of the Universal Magic language, with some bits of Premen I have learned, try to irk out an explanation from him. His response is difficult to make out, but seems to be something involving 'pain', 'senses', and 'body'..... is... is he repairing Eisenhardt's damaged nerves? Ah... huh. Wonder if that is a good idea....

>>202319
"So, what do you think of the Disciples of Domintus?"
>"They are rabid zealots that worship some vague concept of a god or gods that they have no proof exists, and act to serve this fictitious beings will through carnage and bloodshed. I'd compare them to the Mosmordren Empire, but at least they had REASONS for what they did: Not nice reasons, but ones that had some logic behind them. Personally, I can't stand them."
"Oh, then you might be interested in knowing that Mordre just got back from fighting an incursion into the State by them off... this crystal sword here is a spoil from that."
>"Oh? ...Turn about, let me get a good look at it."
>"....That.... that is Abaeloth's sword. ...Mordre killed one of the eight captains of the Disciples of Domintus?"
"Well, he went with four others... and Moss, and returned with this as well as some other spoils, so, I would assume so."
>"......Interesting."
>>202234
>>202235
"Oh, and I am a Chronomancer, time halting, decay stopping."
>"Nope, won't work. They can only hold back the march of time for so long, but will eventually succumb, and even they fall to old age at some point. I gave you a hard one, go ahead and try again."
>>202276
"Ah... I am memory, though time marches on, I live forever-"
>"And when time has claimed the last life, who is left to remember? Try again."
"I am eternity, time is meaningless here."
>"...Okay, that works. I am boredom, the bane of eternity."
"I am excitement, boredom dispersing-"
>"And I am risk, turning excitement into peril."
"Uh, I am boredom-"
>"And then we can keep looping, so: I am conceptual argument, end-lacking, devoid of meaningful results."
"Ah..."
>"Yes, I know, I am skewing the game, but I find it's esoteric rule-set aggravating, with the pain I am feeling... which I note is building. What did the healer say when you spoke to him?"

...I'm not really sure, but I THINK I know.... but how to put it to Eisenhardt?


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 202463 ID: 445c48

"Something involving "Pain", "Senses", and "Body". I think it means he's fixing the nerves or something. Sorry I can't be more specific, the Language is still a work in progress."

and then when he asks about it start talking about the universal magic language being worked on. For Science.
>>
No. 202464 ID: f4e4f9

>>202457
My translations are still kinda rough, but given that he was asked to simply heal you, I think he said he's in the process of healing your damaged nerves.

Do you want him to stop?
>>
No. 202469 ID: 445c48

oh right I forgot his nerves were deadened

uhhhh
>>
No. 202470 ID: 4af8c8

Huh, Eisenhardt told that he lost lots of senses due to the excessive healing he went through, no? Might it be that Jojos healing method heals even that?
>>
No. 202471 ID: 1e9d01

>>202457
"He said something about pain, senses, body... Oh wait, is he repairing your nerves too? Do you want him to do that?"

If no, try to tell Jojo to just reattach the legs and reconnect the nerves but don't repair the sense of pain any further.
>>
No. 202474 ID: 903f16

>>202457
How about Phonomancy/Audiomancy, the manipulation of sound? Would those even be schools of there own or a subset of another? If you don't happen to know ask Eisenhardt.

I can think of several uses Mordre or even yourself could have for something like that. Deaden the sound of an oncoming approach entirely or even make the dirge louder and more potent than it currently is and use it preform Magnum Bang style thunder clap attacks.
>>
No. 202475 ID: 37b673

>>202457
And thus started the Kyogrock Arcanoworks Academy For Gifted Youngsters, as our Dean, Founder, and Great High Mage often recollects. Way to Go Arkus!

Anyway, relay what you know - after asking if this is needed. And maybe that some pressure point nerves get fixed, too. Yeah, maybe not the best idea, but if he's just been playing us I don't want him going back home effected - and maybe being reminded of what pain feels like could help him focus?

Anyway, be proud about that 'interesting' comment. "What can I say, Mordre is a hopeless idealistic hero some days. He heard about a villiage being attacked and just took off! It might have something to do with not being here, you know, in the flesh, so he tries to help out in every other way he can. Or it might be his wife, he sometimes talks about her. Or maybe it's his maids, he told me that they came from orphanages and he tries to raise them as his girls. Ehehe. Sorry, I just, well, I guess doing good feels good? Ahem. Yeah, sorry."

"Erm...I am a duck. Concept lacking, never arguing?"
>>
No. 202476 ID: 7324e7

>>202474
a loud enough sound could kill. just causes the body to vibrate so hard it breaks apart.
>>
No. 202478 ID: 37b673

>>202463
Yes. For science. And the basic language curriculum of Kyogrock Arcanoworks Academy For Gifted Youngsters - or we could rename it to something less a mouthful...KAAGY is a little...worrying of a abbreviation, too.
>>
No. 202483 ID: a76809

>>202474
Crap, I forgot Phonomancy-though really, that is vibration manipulation, rather than just audible sound... have never seen a book directly on it, just it being referenced as existing.

>>202463
>>202464
"Uh, something involving 'pain', 'senses', and 'body'... my translations are still rough, but given that he was simply asked to 'heal you'... he's healing you. Including the nerve damage, or so goes my guess."
>"...Really? And what did you call this kind of magic again?"
"Souldreaming."
>"That.... if he can pull it off, that is a handy trick indeed. My magic's been getting a bit stunted because of the loss of feeling, I'll take some pain to get rid of that restraint, any time. ...Huh, guess I'm here for the long haul then... ah, you said this would hurt less if I was asleep, correct?"
"That is how it has been explained to me, but more that it wouldn't hurt, period, if asleep."
>"...Okay, you know what, I think I'll take that offer..."

Several crystal pillars rise about the room, and Eisenhardt folds his hands together, his rings liquefying and forming a glowing metal orb between his outstretched fingers, as he starts to settle in.

>"Okay, should be good now.... ah, since I'm going to be catching some shuteye... if you have other stuff to do, go for it, I can hardly talk with you when I'm asleep."
"Ah-"
>"And assuming they can deliver on the repaired nerves thing, I'll have to send my complements to Mordre about that... huh."

Eisenhardt already seems to be ignoring me, his eyes drifting shut as his rumination turns to mumbled utterances, and finally cease: I excuse myself, and return to the Arcanoworks.

...............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE...........................................

I have finished repairing myself to pristine form, and am making my way back down from the central towers fifth floor (where Jezebel's workshop is) with a bundle of some 24 WASP spears and 12 more Lightning guns (bringing the total to 17), when Arkus bumps into me.

"Oh, hey, ah, two things-no three things: Jojo and Ulzrick are still healing Eisenhardt-who by the way, wants to extend his compliments for the healing-uh... next, I need as many of your cannon rounds as you want loaded with Skyfall runes... and last thing, for now I think I should re-prioritize to, upon completion of the Danger-Rods-which should happen later today-to working on getting Hand-cannon production up and running, making more Skyfall cannons, and runing hand-cannons with the skyfall runes, only miniaturized. Oh, I also plan to start teaching some basic magic to the Arcanoworks personnel that can read and help me in the tower, so I can eventually have some more magically inclined helpers. ...Ah, comments, modifications to that, anything?"


What should I say to my 'Apprentice?'
And what should I do next, with the sun blazing overhead with far more heat than I would have suspected, had I not seen the shimmers over stone?
>>
No. 202484 ID: 4af8c8

Okay guys, time to theorize and deduce. We needs that pristine soul!
>>
No. 202486 ID: 4af8c8

Tell him that its good idea, give him cannon-shells.
Go to Jez and ask if she worked out a way for implementing lightning cannons with our body.
>>
No. 202488 ID: 1e9d01

>>202483
Ask him if he got any information from speaking to Eisenhardt. If possible he should quote the conversation verbatim.

Also, hand him some rounds so that you have another 6-round supply. Actually, hand over a few extra so that you have some just lying around in the arcanoworks in case you need to reload fast after returning here.
>>
No. 202489 ID: e31d52

Call for that big tent thing to be deployed. I remember you talking about it. Nod to Arkus, There's not much to say... ask him if he has any ideas for Round 2.
>>
No. 202491 ID: 4af8c8

Well I hope there is not going to be round 2 actually. At least not so soon.
>>
No. 202497 ID: 7324e7

actually, the few extra to just mess with and add anything else to them.
>>
No. 202498 ID: 7324e7

oh yes, and ask him to tell us anything interesting he learned from him or while he was there.
>>
No. 202510 ID: 2d4178

Tell him that it sounds fine, but he shouldnt exert himself, he has kind of been up all night.

having a check on the base seems good too, even though nothing much has probably changed, its only been like, 2 days?
also check on moss, how is the little critter doing?
>>
No. 202513 ID: d3dfb8

we could use a skyfall shell or two for next time we face eisenhardt
>>
No. 202514 ID: 1e9d01

Hey, I've been thinking about how Eisenhardt could be getting all that power from.

What if he's been magnetizing the rings he wears in order to produce a kind of rejuvenating effect? Like those immortality magnet rings that don't work in real life? With that he could get into a kind of feedback loop, strengthening his own Will and Blood fuel sources even as he uses them to power the effect. In the end this would result in giving him an amazing pool of magic to draw from, with time. Just like Bang's scarf, except his own body is the vessel.

That's why he didn't wear his Blood Iron armor at the start of the fight, even though it was obviously way more powerful. He can't do that normally. He had to grab that leyline and bring it closer first, because wearing Blood Iron all over his body interferes with the magnet ring feedback effect. Only when he could use World magic for all his fuel was he able to fight Mordre like that.

I predict that if we fight Eisenhardt again in a different location, he will not be able to use that blood iron armor right off the bat. This is a good thing, as he knows it is something Mordre has no way of reacting to aside from with the Timestop Defense and Antimagic Burst.
>>
No. 202516 ID: d3dfb8

also we should get some movement in if possible.
the whole AA thing after all.
>>
No. 202525 ID: d3dfb8

We should learn kittenmancy
The rare magics of making kittens appear anywhere.
"Hey Eisenhardt!"
"Yeah?"
"There's a kitten in your pants."
>>
No. 202527 ID: 1e9d01

>>202525
More like the power to create kittens anywhere... INCLUDING INSIDE SOMEONE'S HEAD. Kitten head explosion!
>>
No. 202529 ID: 445c48

Dump all your shells, get them magic'd up, you can just eat some metal and make more, wouldn't hurt to have a stockpile here at the Arcanoworks.
>>
No. 202530 ID: 903f16

>>202514
Fighting him at a new location would have multiple benefits besides that. When we fought him here he had time to prepare and set up the battlefield to his liking. He made anchors in the ground, built his giant murder ball, and found leylines to tap into. Frankly, I'm thinking if we fought him on a neutral territory he hadn't had the chance to screw with beforehand the fight wouldn't be as vicious as it was.
>>
No. 202537 ID: 37b673

>>202525
Or puppies. In his lower intestine. Anyway, go check up on everyone. Have the our righteous badasses gotten back yet? Find out whats happened while we've been away for the day or two, and...welp...go peak in on Eisenhardt. We can't do much while he's here...

OH! We need to go get our iron mine, however. We shouldn't do it what with Magneto in our front lawn. Delegate to someone with mining experience and have him give you a list of what's needed.
Arkus will likely ask for 'trainee mages', so start getting any of the Militia/those that live in the outpost ready. Tell people, start getting notices drawn up. It might be a good idea to let the surrounding villages know.

>>202514
What do you mean? He did tell Arkus he was born with a supreme control of magnets. The fact he's hyper-specialized in magnetomancy and Geomancy might be why.

>>202513
Actually, have a full compliment ready on hand won't do any bad, so why not ask for those to. Just some 'extra' so we, or the cannons, won't have to scramble to make more if a crazy magnet-wielding loon attacks.

Anyway, I would refrain from getting ready too much for round 2. We don't know that there will be one and if we act like their won't, I doubt there will be.

>>202486
To that end, I say 'No' to this. Because I doubt she's used to working with magic, because they're large, fragile targets - at least our eyes are behind a badass helmet thing, if I remember right - and I have no idea how we'd power them.

As an idea note: We need a Aquamancer and a Ignimancy soul so we can start trolling the shit out of her.
>>
No. 202540 ID: 37b673

>>202529
No. We can't magnetically control those shells. While having them all is good for a fight with Eisenhardt, it's not good when we go out and have to deal with Yeti's. Also, go talk to Harmony Oh Love about their names being so darn similar.
>>
No. 202546 ID: 445c48

Obviously, then, the solution is to have a stockpile of both Skyfall and normal rounds stored here, just in case shit goes down on our lawn again. I suppose if we go out with enough men that we have a baggage train, we could bring them along.
>>
No. 202619 ID: 4af8c8

Why not inscribe Cannonshells and Blades with runes that protect them from being manipulated by magnetomancy.
Sure we'll not be able to direct them as we did but Eisenhardt wouldn't be either.
>>
No. 202650 ID: 37b673

Suggestion! Can we please try to find out what our Blootz Steel -does- to our souls?
>>
No. 202651 ID: 37b673

>>202619
Because that's what our skyfall runes do, along with causing lighting, and because that's focusing too much on beating one foe.
>>
No. 202659 ID: e31d52

>>202651
However, creating awesome special ammo wouldn't hurt.

MAGNETICALLY INVISIBLE ROUNDS!
LIGHTNING ROUNDS!
EXPLOSIVE ROUNDS!
SOULFIRE ROUNDS!
FREEZING ROUNDS!
SUPERMAGNETIC ROUNDS!
etc etc etc
>>
No. 202667 ID: 37b673

>>202659
I kinda suggested this before, and it's a good idea, however Arkus has to, well, study more runes first so...work with the Skyfall runes first, and then start on other runes and cannons.
>>
No. 202677 ID: a76809

>>202486
[Mordre was JUST in Jezebel's workshop, on his way down with some inventions, she would have mentioned it. Also, you asked that of her late last night/early this morning, use the day markers to get a general idea of how much time has passed, if just one day, almost NOTHING is accomplished that fast. So yeah.]

I pass all twelve shells to Arkus, who's knees wobble under the weight, as I start to respond to his attempt to take command of where his research goes for the moment-and what appears to be his own attempt to get more mages the conventional way: by training them himself. I already feel my body starting to attempt to regenerate more ammunition, and know that I will need to feast on more metal today to make up for what I displaced, but consider it a small price to have the start of a stockpile of specialty shots ready for use.

>>202488
>>202489
>>202498
>>202510
"You re-allocation of your skills seems acceptable, And I endorse your attempt to proliferate magical knowledge. I'd like to hear what Eisenhardt spoke to you about, But I'd caution you against excess work today: It is my understanding you received little sleep."

"Uh... okay. Uh, do you mind if we walk to the second floor while we talk? These are heavy..."

As Arkus retails me with his best attempt at recollecting his exchanges with Eisenhardt, the revelations of his dislike of the Disciples of Domintus, some of his personal history, the game they played, the healing Jojo is providing, and his divulging information on the Core Being to the individual, finally followed by Eisenhardt's lapse into slumber, I find myself impressed with the initiative my 'apprentice' has displayed. He sets to working on the Danger-Rods, as he calls them, and says once he finishes them later today, he'll turn in early to catch up on sleep, before beginning his new project priorities.

I make my way outside, and appraise the base, finding little changed other than the delivery of metal supplies from the Blue Knight that arrived in my absence, as I order the tent covering unfurled to provide shade, as I make the rounds to important individuals, to see how they are.

--Bang seems to finally be fully healed, but cautions that he'll need another day or so to get his Magnum Scarf charged back up enough it works again, as the maneuver that claimed Abaeloth's life was rather energy intensive. He is, however, still working to run sparring, and notes the Arcanoworks Personnel seem a bit more motivated, apparently from the bout they had against the Blue Knight's Hounds, and the relative trouncing they received.
--Keddic mourns the loss of his beard, even as I note that his body is covered in significantly less patches of un-drying blood plastered over wounds, his own recovery proceeding apace, though seeing him with naught but some fuzz upon his face and scalp is.... jarring, to say the least. After one Arcanoworks worker comments on his lack of facial hair, and is transposed with Keddic again and again in rapid succession until the cadet is on the ground violently vomiting, no one else brings it up, and Keddic, while grumpy, returns to running sparring alongside Bang. I do note him frequently working with his Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, looking to gain more mobility and general speed alike in his more offensively oriented style.
--Oggroth has made note he had some rather odd dreams the other night, but has otherwise evidenced no harm from his brush with death: Indeed, if anything his stamina has improved from the event, and when he has a spar with Ugrokk, he doesn't even seem to register the blows Ugrokk assails him with in their conflict, winning handily, rather than by a slim margin.
--Derkin remarks that he thinks the Arcanoworks personnel are starting to get passable at combat, as they are starting to have some decent reflexes and reactions ingrained into their bodies... and that more than a few have had brief bouts with manifesting some form of Combat magic or other, almost all World magic based, according to Keddic and Bang. He does note that so far, none have been able to replicate it outside the Arcanoworks walls just yet, but progress is being made, nevertheless.
--Dregas and Jezebel alike have nothing of note to report.
--Ellorika and Vespinto speak on the fact they would like some personal lessons from Bang and Keddic (Ulzrick would be asking too, were he not currently occupied), in the search to gain some proficiency with Combat magic.
--Dame Valiria comments she would like to participate in the instruction of my troops, so that she does not feel beholden for the room and board she is receiving.

>>202514
...Hm. From Arkus' descriptions and recollection of his exchange with Eisenhardt, coupled with my own observations... I feel I may have identified some of the source of his power... and a potential flaw in his attack method. While in his Blood Armored state, he was swift and fierce enough I could do naught but defend with my Temporal stasis and magic pulses, the fact he did not start with this, coupled with my own magical boost through saturating myself with Blood Iron makes me believe that he taps Blood Iron as a power source. THe fact he did not start in the Blood Iron armor suggests he cannot tap such a power source while employing it as a personal amplifier in combat, and instead had to wait until he could bring the leyline closer to the surface. As such, it would stand to reason he CAN'T lead with that second fighting style: Which is good, as it means if I can stop him swiftly enough, he will not have such ludicrous mobility.

MOMENT OF INSPIRATION!!!
[Current Pristine Soul Total: 01]

>>202540
I make my way to where I detect the oddly hollow and overly ordered mass of metal that is the hollow Paradox Knight Reinhardt of the Order of Harmonious Discord, and after noting that no one is in earshot, begin speaking with him, even as I note him not turning to face me, instead inspecting one of the fields of crops.

"I could not help but note the similarities between your own name-"

"And that of Eisenhardt. Yes, I am fairly certain he is from mine old clan, The Hardt line, from Lohengram, a now nonexistent nation. Unless I miss mine guess, he is one of my descendants: And of what matter is this to thou? I cannot speak of this to him, as I could not still be alive, And thou knows well the dangers posed to revealing your truth.... Or mine own. So I would ask that thou leave it be."

As the shade from the recently unfurled canvas overhead starts to cool the afternoon heat, I consider Reinhardt's words: Eisenhardt aids Weinsho, who had no issue with restoring Dulu to a form of life much the same as Reinhardt's, perhaps Eisenhardt would value the chance to speak with a family elder.... hm.


Should I broach this subject with Reinhardt, and if so, how should I phrase it?
And what else should I do with the remaining day? Walk about to build charge? Or attend to some other matter?
>>
No. 202679 ID: e7740e

Randomly, I have to wonder... Maybe Weinsho has a presence in the Premen lands, as well? Dulu is Premen blooded, might have told Weinsho of the souldreaming magics (Or he found out other ways)... Heck, Weinsho might even be backing that one premen magic eater guy (Whose name I cannot remember. Gostka?) that rules so many tribes. (Of course, this is assuming souldreaming is at all common up in the north. If it isn't... ...Well, this falls apart, though Weinsho might still be backing the Magic-Eater simply so he has power in the area if he needs it.)

...Speaking of the Premen lands, weren't we going to go visit them again? I know it's been a while since we checked up on them...
>>
No. 202694 ID: 37b673

>>202679
Yes, we were. We were' gonna go break the crap out of the Disciples, come back rest if we had to, get Vimes, and go and and hang out with the Premen. The fact that our crazy friend showed up kinda stopped that idea as I don't want to leave him in our front yard.

Speaking of Premen, speak with Oggroth about his dreams. What where they? And how does he feel?

Other then premen, tell Reinhardt that Eisenhardt has dealt with a soul within a...ehm...soul grave before by the name of Dulu. However, do not press the issue. Thank him!

Now, get a group to go set up a mine, and help Arkus get a group of mages ready.
>>
No. 202696 ID: e7740e

Hokay, lotsa stuff to comment on.

First: For people starting to manifest world-based combat magic, they're probably inadvertantly tapping into the fields and moss's trees like we were. This may be because they have an innate, natural talent for world magic, or its simply accidental and they're unconsciously tapping into the world magic availiable. An interesting development.

Second: Oggroth. ...Hrm. I wonder... Perhaps the souls have suffused him? Maybe those odd dreams are the memories of said souls, and the boost in stamina is the power of the souls flowing through him. Also interesting. We will have to question him on said dreams, and perhaps have to ask Jojo to investigate them further.

Third: Continue with the training, with the modifications of giving Ellorika, Vespinto, and the people who are manifesting supernatural abilities lessons from Keddic and Bang so they can utilize combat magic. Set up Dame Valiria as an instructor as well. She's had formal training in tactics, leadership, and swordsmanship, while our other instructors are more rough and tumble, so this should provide a useful infulx of new knowledge.

Fourth: Reinhardt seems an old hand... It might benefit us to try and plumb the depths of his knowledge. I'm sure he's gained some amount of information from his time walking the world. Wiensho and Lenryt may be possible topics. I also wonder how he would react to the knowledge that Wiensho stuck Dulu in a golem's body, and made another being like him.
>>
No. 202697 ID: 0a8e03

>>202679

he may know a little of the premen but the magic eater sounds like a tough enough dude to make weinsho keep his distance.
>>
No. 202698 ID: d3dfb8

>>202679
Goran the Magic Eater.
Yeah we were going to go back as soon as the danger rods were done.
>>202677
I say we bring up Dulu as an example of a being much like Reinhardt that Eisenhardt knows of and is completely fine with.
>>
No. 202700 ID: 0a8e03

>>202696
>Second: Oggroth. ...Hrm. I wonder... Perhaps the souls have suffused him? Maybe those odd dreams are the memories of said souls, and the boost in stamina is the power of the souls flowing through him

sounds like we may have turned him into a life golem, or something similar.
>>
No. 202703 ID: f8a708

perhaps we have changed him into what our cover says he is? an alchemical warrior.
>>
No. 202707 ID: 37b673

Oh! Mordre, is Eisenhardt a legendary soul?
>>
No. 202711 ID: 2aaaf1

>>202677
"Fair enough, Reinhardt. But... he could use your help you know. What I've heard from Arkus, and what I've seen from Eisenhardt's work troubles me. Do you know who would drive the man to tip-toe the line between gentleman and monster? Eisenhardt is hunting someone whose name can never be spoken, this pursuit has taken hold of his life and he would sacrifice a great deal to see the end of this person's life. My deeds have denied him what he thought would be the best chance of striking at this foe, and he hates me for it. You are his kin, the loss of your body cannot change this, ever. If you cannot reveal yourself, if the Order of the Harmonious Dischord binds you so, then be steadfast in your duty, no one can force you from it. But, family is also a tie that binds, and you can do what nobody else can for this suffering creature. Guide your descendant, Reinhardt. Do it from the shadows, be the hand that reaches out to him in his time of need, set him straight once more. If you know anything at all about this man that haunts Eisenhardt and has deliverd him unto desperation, tell him. I have done all I can to aid him, and can do no more. He will only continue to crash himself against me until one of us breaks. I'm the instrument of his torture, and even I can see that Eisenhardt's prey must die, to preserve his sanity, to save the innocent ones that lie in his bloody path. This is your choice to make, once he is healed and rested he will challenge me once more, so if you have but one thing to say to him, say it now."
>>
No. 202715 ID: f4e4f9

>>202700
If I recall correctly, Bob said something much the same on IRC could be the result ofsuch a form of soul magic healing. Didnt think he'd actually get more powerful from it though. Hmm.

To Reinhardt:

"I would not want to impose upon you, sir Reinhardt. Though I would like to simply mention that Eisenhardt HAS worked with living souls transposed to a golem form before, in Dulu, so I doubt such a thing would be strange to him. And if what you say is true...I would think it would be quite cathartic, to speak to another from a lost home. Whatever you may think of me...even I know what that can be like...

Well, just something to consider. You might not get another chance in the future."
>>
No. 202718 ID: 1e9d01

Hey, we need to figure out where all this World magic is coming from. C'mon Mordre, feel the leylines. Perhaps you can ask Moss about it?
>>
No. 202730 ID: 37b673

>>202715
I really hope he's ok and 'all there'...
>>
No. 202742 ID: 4af8c8

Oh great we had Moment of Inspiration.

Bob, was this the Inspiration we were walking to couple of days ago? Or can we still think through the previous theories and gain another Moment of Inspiration?


Thinking of which. If Eisenhardt can bring up leylines and use their power to boost his potency .... what does stop US from doing that? As I understand we are better at world magic than Eisenhardt and would find it easier to do than he would. Or we can use our geomancy to hold them back, either works I think.
>>
No. 202750 ID: c4af24

Now that Eisenhardt is almost out of the way, we can focus on some other matters.

Like >>202694 said, we should try and do something with the mine we found, even setting up a little outpost to claim it is better than nothing. and with out magnetomancy/geomancy, we can probably help out a little bit before we wander off to other things.
That could probably be done before the rods, if we have time, or after the rods are finished, as we head out towards Mordreden.

>>202696
Letting Dame Valiria train sounds good. She can feel useful and be helping us at the same time. She probably is at a bit of a loss at what to do since she probably hasnt been away from someone giving orders for long, from my guess.
>>
No. 202752 ID: a76809

>>202679
[If you are attempting to earn a Pristine soul through your rumination, please attach a prediction based on your assertions, and present any evidence you are drawing your conclusions from.]

>>202707
[Nope, just a high-quality Heroic Soul.... though that could change, since trials, and overcoming them, are the surest way to ensure improved soul quality... and fighting a sapient Soul Grave could qualify.]

>>202742
[You can have as many Moments of Inspiration as you accurately piece together clues about something to be revealed at a later point in the quest, figure it out first, and then make an accurate prediction involving the future based on those deductions. And your assumption that Mordre is more capable at World magic than Eisenhardt is heavily flawed, even if your magical stamina greatly exceeds his.]

>>202694
>>202696
>>202698
>>202700
>>202711
>>202715
>>202750
"Fair enough, Paradox Knight Reinhardt, I would not want to impose upon you. Though I would like to simply mention, That Eisenhardt HAS worked with living souls, Those transposed to a golem form before, In Dulu, so I doubt such a thing would be strange to hi-"

"Dulu? Of what or whom dost thou speak?"

"A golemslayer that I slew, his soul now housed, Much like yours, in a new, metallic form. And if what you say is true... I would think it would be quite cathartic, To speak to another from a lost home. Whatever you may think of me... even I know what that can be like... Well, just something to consider. You might not get another chance in the future."

"Yes, Eisenhardt's grievances against thou.... I shall take thine words under consideration, then."

Feeling the conversation concluded now (and still lamenting the fact that Reinhardt's dislike of me makes conversation more than passing difficult), I move on to my next objective: Namely, checking on Oggroth. I make my way over to the titanic warrior, who is doing push-ups with the fully armored Premen warriors sitting atop his form, and not even sweating as he continues his exercise. I ask him about his dreams, and he responds, all while methodically continuing his exertions.

"Dreams are... strange, many-formed, but themes similar. Always a small one, one of these 'Hyuu-mahns', though what is done in each dream varies. Farming, cooking, fighting, loving, traveling, all happens, but all sets of dreams terminate the same.... dying at chieftain Mordre's hands. They are... troubling."

I believe I know what transpires here: I may have made him a Life Golem, conjoining others souls to him... and as the only souls at my disposal are ones I slew (and those Lenryt gifted to me), their memories seem to be invading his form. ...I do not know what further ramifications this could have, but I do what I can to assuage the concerns of the obviously anxious warrior.

"You have been given a second life, And 'tis true, it came from the deaths of others: But you are a warrior, Oggroth, A mountain striving along the path of strength: Just as you may kill those standing in your way, So may their deaths serve to better you... And their souls, in this case."

"...Will the dreams stop?"

"...That I do not know, But I shall search for a way to end them, And if such exists, I shall find it: But know that there is a chance, Oggroth, That you may have to become used to them, And learn to live with them: Harden your mind to endure this trial, And take another step on the path of strength."

My words, drawing from his earlier mentions, back when I first met him, of being dedicated to gaining strength, seem to allay much of his fears, and I see a small smile of relief cross his visage, even as I make my way to Bang, Keddic, Derkin, and Dame Valiria. I approve the Dame's request to join in instruction, and command that Ellorika, Ulzrick, Vespinto and any other trainees who evidence some form of relative prowess with Combat magic be given more personal lessons to expedite their growth in the realm of Combat magic, which seems well received by all parties. I spend some time observing the first of these lessons (sans Ulzrick's presence, as he labors with Jojo on Eisenhardt), and watch trainees puke their guts out as they go straight from moderately intense sparring and exercise to more intense lessons-and note that Vespinto seems to be quickly drawing attention, picking up on Will based combat magic at several times, when he has a blade in hand to channel it into. His dedication to edged weapons seems to be serving him well. Ellorika, for her part, does not have any breakthrough like Vespinto's in this first set of lessons, but manages to keep spirits high amongst the other trainees, a valuable contribution in it's own right. As the day wears on, I think of the iron mine I found south of Trekel, abandoned and flooded, and send some fifty Arcanoworks personnel (from those that did not have sparring today) down with supplies to more thoroughly inspect it, after having Bang explain the nature of the scaled creatures found within, lest they be caught unaware. They move to seek a more thorough appraisal of the mine, as well as to seek some means to drain it by a conventional manner, so that mining may begin in earnest.

As the sun begins to set, I exit the Arcanoworks and begin pacing about it's grounds, looking to build a charge for the Amaranthine Annihilator-until after several circuits, I note Jojo and Ulzrick making their way out of Eisenhardt's abode, and move to meet them. Ulzrick seems to tired to speak, but Jojo ignores his fatigue and growls out a simple, terse report.

"Legs healed... nerves healed, to an extent. Patient still slumbers... tried to read dreams during healing, knowing him foe... mind warded, force kept pushing own thoughts away... the closer thoughts became, the stronger the repulsion..."

Hmm...

I thank Jojo and Ulzrick for their efforts, and send them on to get rest, as I ponder....
Well, on one hand, my foe is likely still asleep, his abode some seventy feet away from me. I could, I suppose, attempt an attack of my own, or conversely go to meet him and attempt dialogue...
Or I could make my way back into the Arcanoworks, and do something else...hm...


What should I do?
>>
No. 202753 ID: 4af8c8

No, don't do such underhanded methods as attacking sleeping person.

And it is bound to fail anyway.
>>
No. 202755 ID: 37b673

>>202752
Crud. I hope the Mountain overcomes his dreams. I like our tower of kickassiery.

Well, check up on Eisenhardt but lets not attack him as much as the urge to use ear-poison is. Don't waken him if he's sleeping. If he's not, thank him for his words to Arkus, they seem to have inspired him, and thank him for the rousing combat earlier! Ask if he has spoken to the Paradox Knight yet - if not, leave. If he has, lets stay - if he'll have us, and just talk for a bit.

If he's asleep or if Reinhardt hasn't met with him yet, I think we should tend to our lawn. Bring in any peices of metal or earth that would have some value. Try to fix the earth so it's not so pockmarked and broken up. Search for any and all leylines underground and memorize how they lay so we can use them later. Practice our dirge - and try some horrific singing in there, too.

Also, Mordre, how does the Blootz Steel -feel-? Can you tell any changes to your souls or heroes? Try to connect with The Hammer, or another soul - I'm going for the hammer because he's the only one that joined us willingly - and see if they're strength has increased. Test out John, Paul, George and Ringo and what the Fang-Taker - Soul Monk combo is like.

Someone, add some ham to us. Oh! We could practice -actual- singing. Some folk song.
>>
No. 202756 ID: 4af8c8

I think we should let Paradox Knight speak with Eisenhardt first. That way we have even more weight to resolve this matter decisively by diplomatic means.
>>
No. 202757 ID: 37b673

>>202755
Oh, also, you remember those landmines you made with geomancy? How long can you leave them in one place?
>>
No. 202763 ID: c00244

>>202755
>Practice our dirge - and try some horrific singing in there, too.
>Someone, add some ham to us. Oh! We could practice -actual- singing. Some folk song.
Let's, uh... not. Not until Eisenhardt is gone, at any rate.
>>
No. 202768 ID: 37b673

>>202763
Ok, Dirge maybe. But why couldn't we practice a nice mournful tune?
>>
No. 202797 ID: 4af8c8

>>202768
thats just as bad
>>
No. 202799 ID: 37b673

>>202797
The pun, or the notion of an old man singing a sad ditty as he works his lawn?
>>
No. 202800 ID: 0f5309

>>202799
no it's doing any of that while we have magneto on said lawn.
>>
No. 202804 ID: 37b673

>>202800
Why? I'm just wondering about your reasoning.
>>
No. 202811 ID: 1e9d01

>>202752
I'm serious. Find out where that World Magic is coming from in the Arcanoworks. Was it just the autofarm's trees like we thought? I'd like a confirmation.
>>
No. 202814 ID: 903f16

>>202811
I'm fairly certain that was confirmed as being from the trees/crops Moss screwed around with.
>>
No. 202834 ID: 4af8c8

>>202799
Oh I though you meant using all of our souls to come up with some horrendous song that ends worlds.

But an old man singing a song. Hmm, I am undecided on this matter.
>>
No. 202836 ID: 37b673

Idea: Those seeds came from the tree Moss came from, am I right? What if moss is...reproducing?
>>
No. 202841 ID: 903f16
File 127821048742.jpg - (155.28KB , 800x417 , 215543608_oPsC3-L-2.jpg )
202841

>>202834
Song that ends the world? That reminds me of this, I wonder if we can work it in as a threat somewhere for HAM/SOAP points.
>>
No. 202851 ID: 0f5309

>>202836
in that case.. they need world motes to gain motive ability. if we could bring world motes to one of the trees perhaps it will rise up and eat them like moss does? meaning that simple trees is what their larval form is and giving them enough power will awaken them. moss is only moving like he does because he has that unlimited power stone. if we found another one we may be able to awaken another tree.
>>
No. 202877 ID: f8d9b9

Well, don't mess with Eisenhardt. Jojo could probably help with The Mountain's dreams, later though, since he's exhausted.

Get Jezebel to make a big tazer that you can wear, or something. Strap onto you or grow a little thing it fits it. You would be able to magnetomance the wires into the target, generally, so I'm not sure if it would need to shoot like a normal one. Then again, it would probably be good if it could. This probably wouldn't help at all with Eisenhardt, but if she can make it not shoot lightning bolts, should help us with our nonlethal takedowns.
>>
No. 202887 ID: e31d52

>Farming, cooking, fighting, loving, traveling, all happens, but all sets of dreams terminate the same.... dying at chieftain Mordre's hands...
Wait, something doesn't click here...
>>
No. 202890 ID: aa4289

>>202887
what do you mean?
>>
No. 202896 ID: 0a8e03

>>202890

i see what he means. those memorys are peaceful, the sort of thing you would expect from vllagers and civilians. we have killed and eaten the souls of fighters of one sort or another for the most part.

whare did the peaceful civilain souls come from?
>>
No. 202901 ID: aa4289

>>202896
the battlefield. most likely when we got our boon even the souls of the civilians that died in the crossfire were taken.
>>
No. 202904 ID: 903f16

>>202896
I presume most of the men that were on the battlefield were militia men or freshly drafted soldiers. We were in at the end of a civil war, men were probably being plucked up and put in the army without much notice at all.
>>
No. 202907 ID: 37b673

>>202887
As everyone has noted there are possible ways out for this, but I do think we need to have Oggroth's dreams examined.
>>
No. 202909 ID: e31d52

>>202904
This seems the most likely explanation, but why did someone who loves fightan so much forget to mention it in the dreams? Wouldn't they be fighting just before their death?
>>
No. 202952 ID: a76809
File 127822343827.jpg - (90.58KB , 600x338 , Kirchesia.jpg )
202952

>>202757
[You detonated all of them as part of the distraction that let you strike Eisenhardt with your inverted Edge of Oblivion. Do you want to make more, and test their longevity?]

>>202811
[This was already stated as coming from the web-work of World magic spreading between the trees planted at the corners of each internal field of crops. If you mean where THAT energy comes from, you don't know, as it does not connect to any leyline or other point, though you suspect it to be related to the trees that sprouted from the seeds Moss planted.]

>>202755
I decide to check on Eisenhardt-and as I near the building of earth, stone and crystal, words engrave themselves on it's surface, reading as follows:

I'm tired as hell, either leave me alone and let me sleep, or be ready to have round two right hear, right now. I just got a bunch of magic restored to my body with the nerve repair, I'm game to tussle, but otherwise, I'd much rather sleep. Also my compliments on the quality of your healers.

I instead decide to attend to the land about my Arcanoworks, restoring the plethora of damage lain upon it in my struggle against Eisenhardt, evening out craters, lowering tone pillars, all while giving a wide berth to Eisenardt's home. As I work, gaining some more familiarity with how to employ my recently gained Geomantic abilities, I contemplate the changes my body has been subjected to-namely the effects of being made of my own alloy design, Blootz Steel. I know that something shifted in the Heroic Souls anchored to my body, a liveliness that did not exist prior to saturating my form with Blood Iron (and in a way, becoming more like a normal body). I try to reach out to a specific soul, choosing Ozmand the Hammer's as my first target, hoping the only willing soul in my form will be a suitable test subject, and... investigate. ...Strange, I feel a... a vibrancy of soul that I thought reserved for life within the soul, and it stirs at my assessment, though I cannot decipher it's response.... perhaps if I were to continue to build upon my own creation, this Blootz Steel, and find more ways to suffuse it with magic beyond that of Blood from Blood Iron.... the souls would be more responsive? In any event, for now, my only benefit is that the souls are hardier, and provide more power when employed, than they did before.

[DAY 111]

>>202756
As the day begins in the pre-dawn twilight, I note Reinhardt making his way to the stone abode of Eisenhardt, and he is presented with the exact message, word for word, as I was met with upon approach-and simply walks into the wall, sliding through the stone as if it was a curtain of water, to be parted without issue. For a moment I feel a spike of magnetic fields within the structure as the earth rumbles-but it stops nearly as soon as it begins... so, Reinhardt is speaking with Eisenhardt now. Interesting.

"I am unsure if it is wise, that he speak with a descendant."

I whip about to see Kirchesia, the chaos-imbued metallic horse with the prismatic flares of light about it's form and a scintillating rainbow mane standing beside me, it's head cocked to the side. As it notes my surprise at it's stealthy approach despite being forged of metal (even if a metal that's properties seem to shift second by second), the other Paradox Knight continues.

"We are supposed to keep our true nature hidden from the general populace. True, the common reason given for this rule is that while we are not.... As feared as one such as yourself, having once been living, Many would not care, and our order does not approve such meetings. But beyond that, the pain of seeing what one's descendants do, Knowing you shall one day see them wither and die... I am happy my own line passed long ago, And I am now spared from that pain ever again. So, why did you encourage Reinhardt to meet? And how did you convince him? He is normally quite suspicious, Of those we are sent to observe: Truly, you must have a silver tongue."

I glance about, noting that in the early hours only a few guards and patrols are awake-and none are anywhere close to our current position: We are alone, and our words shall not reach ears they should not.


How should I respond to Kirchesia?
And after that, what should I do once the day begins in earnest?
>>
No. 202956 ID: f8d9b9

"oh my gawd you are such a pretty horse can I pet you" while endeavoring to sound as much like a thirteen year old girl as possible

oh wait don't because it's stupid
>>
No. 202957 ID: 4af8c8

>>202752
>[You can have as many Moments of Inspiration as you accurately piece together clues about something to be revealed at a later point in the quest, figure it out first, and then make an accurate prediction involving the future based on those deductions]

Alright, if we can theorize and deduce all we want lets try this:

Dr. Toledo Gialgorra. The scientist guy who is living on those islands filled with inventors and stuff. He made a steam-golem called CANTI. To prove that science is as good and even better than magic he set up a competition: if someone manages to best CANTI in a fight then they'll get a hefty prize money. Right now it's at ridiculous amount of 40000 MARKS but it started quite low, over the time Gialgorra has beaten hundreds of opponents and doesn't show any sign of losing. But he wouldn't be able to hold up for so long if he didn't analyze each battle and made constant upgrades on his golem. After seeing Mordre in battle he now has seen two significant faults that his golem as (as well as all golems).
One, the operator must verbally say the command thus the opponent knows the plan moments before the orders are carried out and can counter them if he's fast enough.
Two, the operator must be near his golem to observe and regulate the fight, so during the combat he's in significant danger.
Mordre does not have these flaws. After fighting hundreds upon hundreds of opponent, Gialgorra must find it a second nature to receive the orders directed to the opponents golem and quickly counter them. If he had actually fought Mordre that day he would have been at significant disadvantage: Mordre would be able to hear CANTIs orders and work with them while Gialgorra would have no means for that.
So, I deduce that after that fight, possibly with help of his daughters (at least the one that was very interested in our long range control), he started working feverishly on designing his own method of remote control. And possibly a protected command terminal away from prying eyes or an elevated cabin in the area (this one would be mostly for show).

So I predict that the next time we meet Gialgorra (when we eventually go back to the islands for more schematics, the bounty and possibly to claim magic-tech armor that that pirate is wearing) he will be commanding CANTI the same way our mage persona supposedly does it and be much, much more effective and powerful than the last time we saw him.


Does this count?
>>
No. 202976 ID: 2aaaf1

>>202952
"Absolute scrutiny of my operations is necessary, it is your duty, and I have come to accept it. But, this is a matter between family, no matter how distant Reinhardt and Eisenhardt may be. It is not often that chances like this appear for beings like us, and sometimes it is worth risking everything to cast away your disguise and find a person that didn't care if you had one in the first place. That trust is what keeps us going, it encourages our souls to persist. Only my face is silver, Kirchesia, I lack a tongue. Though I keep a deceitful visage, my words are not always false. I merely told Reinhardt the truth, and now he will confitm it. Simple."
>>
No. 202979 ID: 8fff22

>>202957
Nice!

>"Dreams are... strange, many-formed, but themes similar. Always a small one, one of these 'Hyuu-mahns', though what is done in each dream varies. Farming, cooking, fighting, loving, traveling, all happens, but all sets of dreams terminate the same.... dying at chieftain Mordre's hands. They are... troubling." 

I smell a PERSPECTIVE SHIFT to Oggroth's dream and having to fight Mordre, in order, to rid Oggroth of his nightmares permanently!
>>
No. 202980 ID: 4af8c8

>>202974
I find it pretty sweet that we found an ability to make life golems.... though if we had used it on Eisenhardt (like I suggested) we would have made EVEN more powerful.

I wonder what would Arkus feel about having a stamina of 100 souls poured in him? If Jojo can make bad dreams go away then this might be a worthy investment.
>>
No. 202982 ID: aa4289

>>202957
... well damn, that's a good one.
>>
No. 203003 ID: f4e4f9

>>202976
A very nice speech. To add:

"Besides that, I suppose I feel some sense of empathy. I could claim no true kindred that aren't better classified as things than individuals, and even by something as simple as nationality, there are precious few in existence who could possibly share even that tenuous bond. All things considered, I would not wish such a thing on another. To waste such an opportunity because of simple reticence..."
>>
No. 203007 ID: 903f16

>>202952
>perhaps if I were to continue to build upon my own creation, this Blootz Steel, and find more ways to suffuse it with magic beyond that of Blood from Blood Iron.... the souls would be more responsive?

Let me toss an idea for this out here. I propose we take out some books on the process of how they create Blue/Red Steel from either our library or the Caemlo Repository when we get there. Once we learn that we use the information to imbue our Blootz Steel with magic, but not the regenerative or destructive magic used by the previously mentioned steels. Let's come up with something else, like say stabilizing magic or ordering magic. Then to put the cherry on top of the whole process we'd do it at the leyline geyser we'll also use to revive Silicanthos.
>>
No. 203010 ID: 2aaaf1

>>202979
Maybe Oggroth fights dream Mordre, maybe he doesn't. I'd like it if Oggroth learned to commune with these souls, and convinced them to harmonize with him. Nothing fancy like Keddic's soul-punching, but having the strength, experience, reaction/mental processing power, and collective will of 63 people isn't too damn shabby. I can see it now:
[HARMONIZATION COMPLETE]
-OGGROTH HAS GAINED A NEW FIGHTING STYLE:
ECHOES OF THE MOUNTAIN
With Oggroth's triumph over the nightmares surrounding his mind, he has delivered the fallen souls in his body from an unending torment. Now they can call to Oggroth and lend him their power and expertise on a given situation. (Note that some of the skills he gains through this method may not be considered useful depending on the situation: Oggroth is fighting an army by himself, soul of a baker surfaces and imbues him with the knowledge of how to create an assortment of award winning pastries.)
>>
No. 203011 ID: f4e4f9

>>202979
Also, if we really want to clear Oggroth's dreams, we can consider talking to Jojo about it it.

Not now though. While Jojo despises pity taken upon him, the fact is he needs rest.
>>
No. 203031 ID: 37b673

>>202952
I wish to test the longevity of these landmines. If we can leave one someplace out of the way and leave it...so, if we can have these landmines last for weeks or months, years even, we can mine our lawn so we have some passive defenses rather then just the cannons.

>>203007
You know, if we do find Caemlo he might have some information on Necronostrium...which I would love to combine with our Blootz Steel. Also, we should find a way to enchant our Blootz Steel to act as actual blood, so we can use it in Blood Magic.

>>202976
>>203003
Yeah, these are awesome and I can not think of anything else to suggest to add to their awesome. As a note, however, maybe we could ask Kirchesia what he means by his decedents.

>>202956
OH, IF ONLY WE COULD.

>>202952
As for what to do around the Outpost, we should watch towards Quinton’s Keep. We're waiting for Vimes, so it would be poor taste to leave before we speak with him. Offer the farmers, crafts men, and works of the Arcanoworks out services so any work may be completed sooner. Suggest that we have a four/five way brawl of ourselves; the Arcanoworks Personnel plus Derkin, Ellorika, Vespinto and Ulzrick; The Premen; and our Warrior's Four(Ugrokk, Oggroth, Keddic, and Magnum Bang) with the possibility of Dame Valiria, Reinhardt & Kirchesia and Eisenhardt - and anyone else that wants to fight in our group I seem to have forgotten - fighting on whoever side they choose. Start with geomancy to build a wall outside our wooden one.
>>
No. 203056 ID: 2a8081

Respond with this:

"Kirchesia, being a Paradox Knight you must realize why good people help others, right? It is because they gain something from it. I am not being cruel, but there is no such thing as pure generosity. Saints help the poor because their hearts would break if they didn't. Heroes do battle only to protect the things they care about. Knights keep their promises because they feel good and righteous in doing so.

By speaking to his descendant Reinhardt might be trying to hang onto his human roots, he might be trying to help Eisenhardt out of sympathy or perhaps he is just trying to further your cause. Either way he is over there speaking to a wounded man because he must feel that it is the right thing for him to do.

As for me... Well Eisenhardt is my enemy, but he doesn't have to be. Reinhardt will most likely argue against any more unnecessary conflict and it might tip the scales."

After that inquire with Jezebel on whether or not it might be possible to create a giant coat with a woven metal coil and a battery built into it for Mordre. When activated it would turn Mordre into a giant electromagnet, multiplying his rather passive natural magnetic field by orders of magnitude. Also if the current can be reversed with a switch then Mordre can switch his polarity instantly. This could be used to employ incredible magnetomantic power in quick bursts.
>>
No. 203058 ID: e31d52

>>203056
Considering what lightning did to mordre before, this doesn't sound like a great idea, or at the least, it sounds like one that could backfire easily.
>>
No. 203059 ID: f4e4f9

>>203031
Oh, yes, regarding our composition: Well, the first method that comes to mind is obtaining a source of Blue Steel (red/black/rune steel being far too rare to easily secure).
>>
No. 203074 ID: e7740e

I think we should also mention that we told Reinhardt that Eisenhardt already knows a golem that used to be a living person by the name of Dulu.
>>
No. 203164 ID: d3dfb8

>>203056
WEEEE GIANT TRENCH COATS FOR GOLEMS.
THINK OF ALL THE GOLEM OPERATORS WHO WOULD BUY THEM!
>>
No. 203170 ID: a76809

>>202957
While considering how to respond to Kirchesia, I reflect on Pr. Toledo Gialgorra and his creations. Considering that he has thus far won every bout his Steam Golem, C.A.N.T.I. has taken part in, and it has been noted he frequently shores up weaknesses in it's defense.... my meeting with him some time ago likely spurred him to attempt his own attempt at non-verbal, remote manipulation, after seeing the benefits of such a system (despite the fact that I do not have any such control system, but simply use it as a cover). ...When next I meet him, I may not get to benefit from hearing him verbally command his golem... well, at least now I can plan for that.

MOMENT OF INSPIRATION!!!
[Current Pristine Soul Total: 02]

>>202976
"Absolute scrutiny of my operations is necessary, It is your duty, and I have come to accept it. But, this is a matter between family, no matter how distant Reinhardt and Eisenhardt may be. It is not often that chances like this appear for beings like us, And sometimes it is worth risking everything to cast away your disguise, To find a person that didn't care if you had one in the first place. That trust is what keeps us going, or so goes my opinion, And it encourages our souls to persist. Only my face is silver, Kirchesia, I lack a tongue. Though I keep a deceitful visage, my words are not always false. I merely told Reinhardt the truth, and now he will confirm it. Simple."

"And you claim to not have a silver tongue... Still, I can understand your reasons, but what makes you think, That upon learning of our nature, Eisenhardt would not be distrustful?"

>>203003
>>203074
"'Tis quite simple: I know Eisenhardt to already be familiar... With one such as you and Reinhardt, a Small Tomb whose soul still retains control. Besides that, I suppose I feel some sense of empathy. I could claim no true kindred that aren't better classified as things than individuals, And even then by something as simple as nationality, There are precious few in existence who could possibly share even that tenuous bond. All things considered, I would not wish such a thing on another. To waste such an opportunity because of simple reticence..."

"You have made your point on why you told Reinhardt, Or at least, given me a reason I cannot fault in and of itself, truthful or otherwise. But tell me more of this... Dulu, that was the name you said, yes?"

"Indeed. Dulu the Golemslayer, Golemslain, and Golemforged, Working under the employ of Eisenhardt and his allies, Has been met after his death, his soul housed in a newly crafted Small Tomb: I assume that, due to his simularities to your own forms, Eisenhardt will have little to object to meeting another being of such a nature."

"Truly? A new Small Tomb, complete with a soul still guiding it's actions, Rather than needing orders or a master?"

"I did not meet with him myself, after his death that is, But from what I have been told, he had no issue making free choices."

"And where did you encounter this Dulu?"

"Most recently, here in the Azelaedran State, Though I first met him in the woods of Duras."

"...I see. I thank you for this information, Mordre. ...Now, I believe it is time for me to return to the stables, Lest someone worry about a stray horse, metal or otherwise."


>>203007
>>203059
As I consider this exchange with Kirchesia, I continue to work on restoring the grounds to their original state as light slowly fills the area, and I contemplate a simple topic: How to better this new alloy I am largely forged of. This Blootz Steel, while to my knowledge uniquely mine, is still not able to measure up to the more established forms of magical alloys to be found.... perhaps if I can find documents on how Blue Steel is forged I could incorporate some principles from it into it's structure. Or, if I get lucky, Red Steel or Black Steel could yield their secrets to me in time. ...Possibly making UberBlootz Steel.

>>203031
[What wooden wall? The wall about the Arcanoworks is stone, as are the structures within, barring the new warehouse and stable.]
While repairing the grounds and thinking of how to further improve my material makeup, I seed a few Geomantic landmines, sections of earth ready to erupt in a shower of stone shards and clods of dirt into the surroundings, to test their longevity. I do not feel their power diminishing as I conclude my grounds maintenance some time after dawn, and feel content with the restored state of my holdings as I make my way back into the Arcanoworks. As I pass through the open gates, I note Reinhardt finally making his way out of Eisenhardt's stone structure, once more simply stepping through the stone as if it was a liquid to be parted without issue. He nods at me as he strides towards the gates-and behind him, I see a troop of individuals exiting the woods, several clay and stone golems visible in their ranks, none taller than ten feet, and several have the look of life golems-and all have a simply stitched tabard draped over their chests, bearing the sword and staff, along with the city-peaked crown of the State heraldry.

It seems Vimes has come to pay a visit... right as I note Reinhardt looking willing to speak.


What should I do?
Should I speak with Reinhardt, and try to take advantage of his apparent moment of forthrightness?
Or should I attend to getting the Arcanoworks in order to receive State guests?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 203176 ID: 4af8c8

Talk to Reinhardt. I am more interested to how their conversation went through.
>>
No. 203189 ID: 5f0943

Yeah speak to Reinhardt. Then receive the State dudes. But you should make the talk quick, we don't want to keep Vimes waiting should it take to long.
>>
No. 203198 ID: a76809

>>203189
>quick talk with Reinhardt.
>Ancient soul having profound issues to work with after hours long conversation with one of the last surviving scions of his family line who has innate distrust of you stemming from the very reason he and Kirchesia came to the Arcanoworks in the first place.
[Exactly how do you propose making that talk 'quick'? This is kind of an either or, of either talking with Reinhardt now, or getting ready for Vimes and CO, unless you want to manually write up some dialogue for speaking with Reinhardt that you think might elicit the data you desire.]
>>
No. 203208 ID: d3dfb8

This is simple. We delegate.
"Guard, rouse the arcanoworks. We have visitors who i believe to be Vimes."
Then we go talk to Reinhardt.
>>
No. 203218 ID: f4e4f9

>>203208
Basically. However much we've waited to speak with Vimes, Reinhardt and Eisenhardt are pressing matters, and potentially threatening ones at that. They take priority.

Vimes hardly seems like the type to care one way or another, if the man actually gets along with Del Roga.
>>
No. 203219 ID: f4e4f9

Besides, first come first serve. Reinhardt's ahead of them.
>>
No. 203222 ID: 86745d

Yo Mordre, we have done it, we can now make Golems.
Step 1: Activate the IG and the inverter to pour souls into any given object.

Step 2: Activate the IG's 3rd function to slave it to your will as a golem.

Step 3: Profit.

Only problem I foresee is longevity or the lack thereof.
>>
No. 203226 ID: 6c667f

>>203222
get a large anti magic crystal. infuse with souls , activate, viola anti-magic golem.
>>
No. 203246 ID: c4af24

>>203198
>>203170

Hmm time to put Dregas to work. Get him to talk with Vimes and company while you go have your serious discussion with Reinhardt.
(Dregas must feel so ignored aaah) Just tell Dregas to tell the visitors that Mordre can speak to them after attending to an important meeting that sprung up. Or he can come up with something to occupy them until Mordre is done.
>>
No. 203274 ID: 86745d

>>203246
Seconded.
>>
No. 203308 ID: 2aaaf1

>>203170

>UberBlootz Steel

Hmm, no doubt that access to the other colored steels will do wonders for our composition. But... perhaps we can do even more for the base components of the alloy we are forging. It is already a given that sometime in the future our forces will come to bear against Aurockoth, and we know from the Blue Knight and Keddic's experiences with the life golem that Aurockoth's control of blood is more than substantial; almost on the level of what Eisenhardt claims his final trump card to be. And thus I would suspect that Aurockoth's blood iron contains a rediculous amount of ambient magical energy as opposed to any other organic we've encountered so far, I'd even speculate that barring the Grand Elder Mages of the Mortal Coil, Aurockoth would happen to be the best blood magic manipulator on the surface of the planet. I also think I've derived WHY Aurockoth killed three members of Keddic's family. The Harksburton's pride themselves on being really awesome combat magic users, and being pioneers in the area of blood magic practitioners. I speculate that one of Aurockoth's abilities as a life golem, is to be able to integrate the physical and magical potential of a defeated enemy into himself. It makes sense for maximizing his strength to be a motive behind the killing, eating three blood magic experts will do that quite well I imagine. All we need now is a few magically charged sources other base materials such as carbon, and we could make something beyond a simple alloy.
>>
No. 203315 ID: 6c9d14

>>203308
We need to find magic trees, and make them into magic charcoal, and then eat it
>>
No. 203317 ID: 6c667f

>>203315
make the carbon in the steel more powerful as well? hell yeah! but none of the ones we got from Moss' place, probably like family to the thing.
>>
No. 203319 ID: 86745d

>>203315
Well wadaya know, we have a few of those growing right now :D
>>
No. 203330 ID: 9f4050

>>203319
no, me need other magic trees. not ones that may be intelligent and work for us with the right stimulus.
>>
No. 203339 ID: e31d52

This is why we have minions, folks!
Speak with Reinheardt, but quickly command that Derkin prepare for visitors and see to it that he and Arkus recieve him, should you remain busy, and tell Vimes that you shall be with him within the hour.
>>
No. 203344 ID: 903f16

>>203315
Here's a thought to add to that one. So far we've added blood iron to the wootz steel alloy, blood iron being presumably being heavily tied to blood magic. If we add coal from the trees that Moss planted, which give off world magic, we would unknowingly be working towards a rather interesting alloy. It would have elements from each type of magical fuel source in it. Right now we're three sources shy of that though, but what's to stop up from adding word, will, and eventually soul magic into the mixture? I think if we found a way to do that we'd be able to create one of the most powerful metals known. At least, this is what I think Bob was wanting us to get at when he said find more ways to infuse it with magic beyond the blood from blood iron.
>>
No. 203348 ID: 37b673

>>203246
>Vimes meets nobility.
>Hahano.

Sorry, Vimes - or at least Discworld's Vimes - would not react the best. Sadly, I think Arkus is the best man for this job, pulled himself up by his bootstraps, a little snarky and willful - just tell him to not use the 'I kicked a guard in the groin' story. Derkin and Lord Dregas can see to getting the troops lined up and ready. Bark a quick order to our Premen to do the same. Not show uniforms, but get in formations.

And then yeah, lets go see what Reinheardt wants to talk about. Ask him where he wishes to speak, but try and be visible.

Note: Have we told The Brothers Paradox about Arkus knowing who we are or not?

And as for everyone clamoring to eat magic trees and everything, I want to suggest waiting. Not because they're not good ideas - many of them are - but because I would like Arkus, or our Think Tank, to look at us. Get an official opinion on what we changed about ourselves. And then, before ingesting any strange items, we should go back and discuss. We eat a battlefield to get this, I don't wanna mess it up.
>>
No. 203349 ID: 503c99
File 127829375229.jpg - (26.09KB , 223x310 , MtgForest.jpg )
203349

About the world magic coming from the trees, maybe the energy is coming from everything growing in the area, the plants, vegetables, etc, and we are only able to tap them for energy because of the trees Moss planted
>>
No. 203352 ID: d3dfb8

>>203349
So world magic is just the power of all the life on the planet?
>>
No. 203355 ID: 503c99

Perhaps you never know
>>
No. 203360 ID: 86745d

In any case, here is my prediction. Those trees are gonna grow up and make more world sprites, then they are going to band together and screw us over the cost of a building and unit injury before Moss actually gets to eat them. remember, they get more aggressive as their numbers increase.

If there were around 500 of them, then we would be screwed for quite a while.
>>
No. 203363 ID: 9f4050

>>203360
we just need to put moss on watch when they look near done. then he just hoovers them up.
>>
No. 203366 ID: 86745d

>>203363
But how do we know when they are near done? I can only hope that Moss knows and will start watching them like a hawk when the time comes.
>>
No. 203438 ID: 4af8c8

On the subject of modifying our alloy.
The souls we carry around are held in our furnace, right? We keep them there until we need a use of them.
But what if we tried to infuse them with our alloy? Like >>203344 said, maybe it will boost our soul magic when/if we get around acquiring it? Maybe it could make our hero souls even more "lively"?
Soul-Blootz Steel anyone?
>>
No. 203460 ID: 9f4050

>>203438
soul forged blootz with magic carbon? sounds yummy.
>>
No. 203464 ID: 2aaaf1

>>203438
Well Soul Graves are designed to be "auto-optimizing min-maxers" to put it bluntly. I don't think such a thing was ever possible to be employed in the function of a Soul Grave. Souls are a precious resource, and they are better spent fueling the actions of the Soul Grave rather than altering it's composition, because the amount of souls required would be overwhelming. Look at how black steel is made, hundreds of souls must be sacrificed to build up enough power to enchant the metal, I don't think it's as simple as telling the souls in our furnace "EMPOWER ME, SLAVES." unless we were using a pristine soul, and those are even rarer to come across, and such a power does not exist for non-sapient Soul Graves. If we could do it from the get-go, the ability would've manifested itself far earlier than this.
>>
No. 203468 ID: 4af8c8

>>203464
Hey, there haven't ever been Soul Graves completely saturated with blood iron. Maybe soul infusing works in conjunction with blood iron? You never know if you don't try.
Though as you said it will probably require tons of souls.
>>
No. 203469 ID: 2aaaf1

>>203464
And on that note: WHO IN THE HELL CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF SOULFIRE?

This has been bugging me since the beginning of the quest. The attack is useful, make no mistake, but it's just so terribly inefficient. Three souls may not seem like much to anyone, but it all adds up over time. The fire burns everything, including other souls which could serve a much better use in our furnace. In addition, every soul that is entered into our furnace is automatically converted into soulfire, and a month of exposure will snuff out one of our souls, this is TERRIBLE FOR US. Even if all our plans come to pass, we'll still have to deal with the everburning hunger of our furnace, or we cease functioning forever. A way to circumvent or remove such a burden must exist, and we must find it before it unmakes us completely.
>>
No. 203486 ID: 86745d

>>203469
Circumvent it? Becoem a real boy and eat meat instead.


I believe soul graves were made like this to give better harmonization between them and their fuel source. People eat, soul graves eat. Soul graves are largely humanoid and humans are... human. So yea, to facilitate the efficient use of the souls, it would important to present as many areas of harmonization as possible. I think the reason they were made out of metal is that making them out of flesh would just be like making a person out of 3 people, a waste. Metal is also a much better container in terms of durability and the ability to house an ever-burning furnace without heating up your surroundings overmuch.

I could probably explain this better if I was fully awake.
>>
No. 203488 ID: d3dfb8

>>203469
... Seriously?

How about we worry about this when it becomes a problem.

After saaayyy... 1000 years without conflict.
I mean seriously, its 1 soul a month.
>>
No. 203496 ID: 2aaaf1

>>203488
It's ALWAYS going to be a problem from here on out, we just went through hundreds of souls on Eisenhardt alone and we only managed a stalemate of sorts. OUR ENEMIES WILL ONLY BECOME STRONGER FROM THIS POINT, we must either learn to stop relying on Inferno Golems, or find a way to fix our spell matrices. This isn't a problem that stopped once we became strong enough to tango with Domintus strikeforces, nor is it a problem that will dissapear when we become strong enough to hoover up entire capital cities. This is a problem we must deal with sooner rather than later, time is not our friend and it never has been. Recent victories have made us lax in our decisions, and it will be our undoing if we ignore this hunger.
>>
No. 203524 ID: 6c9d14

Nah, a soul a month? Shit, we could hang around a hospital in a major city and have that. If we're doing any spell matrix tinkering, we've got to somehow find a way to fix the "Need to eat mages to get magic" thing, so we can booklearn.

This will probably require pristine souls, all of them.
>>
No. 203527 ID: 86745d

>>203524
If we eat a mage who has an incredible affinity fr knowledge via books then I am sure we can go booklearn.
>>
No. 203528 ID: 4af8c8

>>203496
I agree
We are depleting our reserves way too fast. We need to be more fuel efficient.
>>
No. 203532 ID: d3dfb8

Our fuel efficiency/soulfire has nothing to do with the huge consumption of souls we've been doing.
The IG inverted functions are just extremely costly abilities.
We've been using said abilities rather liberally because we have a large amount of souls to play with and, frankly, we don't want our asses handed to us by someone who is insanely more powerful than us.
>>
No. 203533 ID: a76809

>>203208
>>203218
>>203246
>>203339
>>203348
"Derkin, Donwick... oh, and someone grab Arkus: I want you three to get the Arcanoworks ready, We have guests coming that I want well received, And the three named shall meet them."

As Derkin and Dregas alike, both within earshot, start shouting orders, I see several Arcanoworks personnel ducking into the central tower, shortly re-emerging with Arkus in the lead, once more dispensing commands to those about him, listening carefully to what the sentries atop the walls say of those nearing us. As the Arcanoworks explodes into activity, readying itself to receive these incoming guests, I move to intercept Reinhardt, sidling up alongside him as we his path takes him away from the bustle of activity. He glances my way, and begins speaking of his own accord shortly enough.

"..'Tis a strange thing indeed, to meet one's one descendant: Eisenhardt is my great-great-great-great-grandson, Did thou know this?"

"I cannot say I did. And how did the meeting go?"

"As thou said, he was most amenable to mine secret, Caring not for my lack of flesh or original form: Indeed, he briefly mentioned the one you spoke of, This Dulu, being off to the north on some venture or other. But... it was strange indeed, speaking with him.... And I would not have done it differently if given the chance. With Lohengram destroyed, I feared my line gone... But Eisenhardt is hale and hardy, with two children of his own, The oldest of which has made him a grandfather: My family line still persists, and... it pleases me, to learn this.

For a time, this is all Reinhardt does, regaling me with the tales of Lyrhardt and Borohardt, children of Eisenhardt, and Lyrhardt's own children, Einhardt and Zweihardt. Borohardt took up magery, and is part of the Mortal Coil, a capable Kinetomancer that according to his last missives to his father is trying to branch into Tractomancy, while Lyrhardt largely abandoned her career as a mage after her life was saved by a simple farmer, and raises her two children, teaching them what she knew of Aeromancy and Pomumancy whilst living a simple life. Reinhardt is particularly proud of learning that Zweihardt has taken up service as a page to a knight, learning the ways of swordsmanship, riding, and the behavior expected of such a station. It is more than somewhat discordant, to hear the previously terse and suspicious Reinhardt open up to me so, and I find the information pleasing, beyond it's direct tactical benefits in giving me more insight into a self-described foe. Finally he seems to realize how forthright he is being with me, and abruptly excuses himself, claiming he must check upon his mount, and exits the Arcanoworks-just as Vimes leads his own troop in.

Vimes inclines his head at Reinhardt, immediately displaying his recognition of Reinhardt's position as a Paradox Knight, before continuing in at the head of his group, some eighty strong, to be met by Derkin, Dregas and Arkus. I observe their exchange from a distance, nearly on the opposite side of the Arcanoworks interior, cursing the fact I must take a measured pace so as to avoid looking like a charging weapon of war and inspiring all manner of misunderstanding. Arkus is the first to speak.

[Ar]"Ah, greetings, and welcome to Kyogrock Arcanoworks, I am Arkus-"
[Dr]"I am Lord Donwick Dregas-"
[De]"Derkin."
[Ar]"So, what brings you to the Arcanoworks today?"
[Vi]"Uh-huh. Two things: Your leader, master, whatever, stopped by... Quinton's Keep, looking for a meeting, and I'm here to follow up on that.... as well as some reports that reached the keep just before my departure, about a metal golem and a few individuals being involved in an altercation on the Eastern side of the state, with the Disciples of Domintus..... you said you are a lord?"
[Dr]"Indeed, I happen to-"
[Vi]"Never much cared for lords, heads stuck up their own arses and convinced it's alright to play with the common-folk.... and you."
[De]"Me?"
[Vi]"I got my eye on you, don't think I don't."
[De]"But why would you be suspicious of me?"
[Vi]"As if your overly practiced and too-easy response to my attention weren't reason enough, my gut tells me your a criminal, simple as that."
[Ca]"No, captain, please, we are here for diplomatic reasons, no need to be antagonistic-"
[Vi]"Quiet, Carrot. Unless you can point to a single time my gut's been wrong... oh wait, you can't."
[Ar]"Well, if you aren't paying attention to your orders, are your previously presented reasons for being here still applicable?"
[Vi]"What?"
[No]"I think wot the lad's trying to say is, if we aren't payin' any heed to our orders, see, then was the reason-reasons, that is, we gave, 'pon arrivin' an' all, truthful like?"
[Vi]"Thank you Nobby... and I am somewhat worried you grasped that and I did not. Well, Arkus, yes, they are, else-wise I wouldn't have said them, not a fan of deceit: None of my lads in the Watch are."
[An]"Ahem."
[Vi]"...Right, lads AND LASSES in the Watch, happy Angua?"
[No]"Here now, who's this? That the bloke we're supposed to see?"

At this last remark from the misshapen form I assume must be a Life Golem, the one named Nobby redirects all attention to my approaching form as conversation dies out....



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 203552 ID: 86745d

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

I effing knew it!!! I was going to say something eairler but I din't have conclusive evidence, only hunches.

WENSHIO HAS FOUND OUT ABOUT OUR ESCAPADES IN THE NORTH AND HAS SENT DULU TO GET SOME REVENGE.

WE NEED TO GET BACK NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

We gotta wrap this shit up in a few hours tops and get goin. Oggroth, Keddic and Bang should have little trouble keeping pace but the rest of them are going to have to catch up.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
I will never forgive this man if all we find is a bloody mess on a mountain.
>>
No. 203553 ID: 86745d

In other news, give them the proper greeting.
I am the mage Mordre, blah blah and all that. Invite them in to rest and converse in comfort.

I do not recall what we wanted to talk to this guy about, so i will leave it to the persons so inclined until I remember.
>>
No. 203556 ID: ad584c

>>203552
... how did you piece that together? if you want a pristine you need to explain how you reached that conclusion.
>>
No. 203557 ID: d3dfb8

As you are taking the last few steps stumble a little bit, but recover.
In Illia's voice:
"Oops; sorry I haven't got quite got the hang of this.
Hello I am Illia," Give an awkward curtsy, "Master Mordre is eating at the moment. I will go fetch him for you.
OOOOOOOOOO~ who is this precious little thing!" Move over to Nobby, "You must be one of those life golems! Master Mordre is always talking about golems~ Oh no, I forgot! I'll be right back him! Just a second!"
Freeze for a minute, then back in Mage Mordre's voice.
"Illia what have I told you about using my soul grave? Sigh. Oh well, what's done is done. Ah you must be Vimes. Please allow me introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. I've been around for a long, long year, stole many a man's soul and faith. I am Mage Mordre, pleased to make your acquaintance. Please be welcome and enjoy the comforts of my humble abode. Atleast, one of them anyway."
Hamming it up yo. Who wouldn't want to see a soul grave curtsy?
>>203553
Honestly I have no idea why we want to talk to him. He's some guy from something called Discworld which I have never heard of before.
I'm sure someone else will remember.
>>
No. 203558 ID: e31d52

>>203552
Agreed. We should send our FASTEST runner immediatly, then excuse ourselves. Shit is getting real.

Greet Vimes with a nod as you approach.
"Indeed I am the one you seek: Mage Mordre. I am most happy to make your acquantance, my good man. First of all, I'd like to point out that Dregas, I assure you, is not in the slightest overly egotistical to his birthright. He has been humbled greatly recently, and I took him in out of kindness. As for Derkin, his current actions and those within my prescence lead me to believe he a man of his word. I applaud your forthrightness, however. Not many speak in such a way after hearing about my... Er, after knowing about my golem. At any rate, I'd offer a handshake, but, aha, I fear that shall have to wait.
"My main reason in calling you here is part of my overarching goal here in the State: I wish to unite the various forces fighting against lawlessness so we may more effectively destroy these unsavory folks. A union of like-minded individuals that wish to bring the State back to its former glory. And, hearing your exemplary record and your way of doing things, I'd like you to help me in this endeavor. I won't be in charge of you, of course... that falls on the shoulders of proper authorities. Rather, I feel we should seek out those who wish to fight the lawlessness and grant them assisstance, authority, and an offer for help. You see, my apprentice here has thought of a rather ingenious yet simple communication system. A pair of matching staffs with a ruby apeice, and when both are in the ground, they will both light. The idea is to make multiple sets, one for, say, the Blue Knight's outpost, one for Quinton, one for Trepany, and so on, and then set up a ring of their mates here, such that all they need to do in case of an emergency is plant their staff in the ground. Then woosh" motion with your hand, "Off we go. Ah. I ramble.... Have you any questions, Mister Vimes?"
>>
No. 203561 ID: d3dfb8

>>203556
Dulu has gone north.
Dulu is half Premen.
Therefore Dulu knows that our 'alchemics' are premen warriors.
Therefore Weinsho knows that our 'alchemics' are premen warriors.
Therefore Weinsho knows we have ties to the premen in the mountains to the north.
Therefore Weinsho sent his foremost expert on premen north to find our guys. Namely, Dulu.
If we want to rematch Dulu we need to head back up to the premen lands, which we were going to do anyway. When we do head up we should be prepared to face Dulu and possibly other Weinsho minions.
>>
No. 203562 ID: 530bdf

>>203561
well luckily he still has to find the right village, he may be tireless but finding which one we are tied to will be hard.
>>
No. 203566 ID: 4af8c8

>>203552
Now lets phrase it in such a way we might get Moment of Inspiration.

....

Nevermind, I'll try my hand on this:

Dulu.
Dulu the Golem Slayer. One of the very few people who could hold his ground against us in one-on-one battle. We have run into him several times, managed to kill him but only to find that he his soul has been transported into a highly effective small tomb body. After so many interactions we have developed a sort of mutual respect (as far as two mortal foes can). Besides, Dulus disposition towards us must have surely increased after we held our word and gave back his staff (which I believe holds family/sentimental value as combat value to him) with no tricks or strings attached.
But no matter how much he likes us, he must do as Weishiro tell him as the mage has a literal hold of his soul. Surely Weishiro has noticed that Dulu recovered his staff and must have questioned him about the circumstances surrounding that recovery.

Unlike Dulu, Weishiro is not an honorable person, he often resolves to deceits, traps and backstabbing (as we have learned of him from various sources). So it should not come as surprise if he tries to hurt us indirectly. He has already attacked our caravan once instead of challenging us directly.
We have never hidden the fact that we employ Premen warriors and since Dulu has Premen ancestry it is hard to believe that they don't know where their lands are. Since we have been sending trade caravans between our tribe in the north and Arcaneworks that task is even easier. Dulu just needs to follow them.

When Weishiro discovers Drazken Clan it will give him perfect opportunity for disrupting our operations and revenge (as it is quite similar to how we stood in his way)

These would have been just speculations if not for the fact that Eisenhardt revealed that Dulu is doing something in the North. Since Dulu and us have rather good relations (as enemies go) I believe Weishiro is reluctant to send him against us, lest we try to talk him out again or even convert him to our cause, so he decides to hit us indirectly.

Also, this may be the reason why Logrk has asked us to come back to visit the clan again. He probably phrased it as "the clan wants to see the metal chieftain" because he didn't want to be seen weak and reliant in our eyes.



Also, since we have talked a bit about trying to put Dulu on our side. I believe that would be possible when we set Kyorto free. As far as I remember, she's very competent soul mage and would be able to sever the ties between Dulu and Weishiro. If we do that, Dulu can have his freedom again and choose for himself.

Thought? Additions? Anything I might have gotten wrong?
>>
No. 203567 ID: 4af8c8
File 127832114733.jpg - (15.55KB , 300x360 , Samuel_Vimes.jpg )
203567

>I do not recall what we wanted to talk to this guy about, so i will leave it to the persons so inclined until I remember.

>Honestly I have no idea why we want to talk to him. He's some guy from something called Discworld which I have never heard of before. I'm sure someone else will remember.

They do not know who Samuel Vimes is!!!
If we were in the same room I would have thrown some books at you (from Guards series).
You must educate yourself!

http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Samuel_Vimes
>>
No. 203598 ID: 0a8e03

>>203561
>>203566

small problem with this, dulu is a bit pissed off and anoyed at the archmage so theres a decent chance he would not tell him.
>>
No. 203599 ID: f4e4f9

Once standard introductions are out of the way:

"I imagine you're curious as to why I wanted to speak with you? Not much of a mystery, that, really. I happened to hear that you had been in pursuit of an individual, a certain mage to the North, which happens to be one of my goals as well. Assuming we're after the same person, I would very much like to know what you've discovered about his forces and capabilities and current activities that I am not unaware of.

Beyond that, however, I'm a little surprised you made it here so quickly. I'd heard you were a bit gruff and not one prone to making last-minute housecalls. No offense intended, mind you."
>>
No. 203600 ID: f4e4f9

>>203598
True, but that seems to be a somewhat recent development. I would not personally wish to risk that.
>>
No. 203606 ID: 37b673

>>203558
This! Very good, slight ham, good introduction. It might be a good idea to, well, tell him that we might have pressing business up north with agents of the mage he might have been looking for. Apologize if we're...brief with him, we shouldn't use 'short' around Cheery, and that our mind is more focused on the problem of this Agent then the greeting we should be giving.

Also, this is Vimes we're half-lying to. This makes me panicy.

>>203557
...Illia hitting on Nobby...Yeah, I'm gonna die laughing.
>>
No. 203608 ID: 37b673

OIh yes, Regarding the Dulu Problem: Unless these leaps in logic earn us a Pristine Soul, we have no idea why Dulu is up in the mountains. We could catch him on some soul finding sojourn with him trying to find his place. We don't really know yet, however we shouldn't linger too long. We should leave before the end of the day.
>>
No. 203622 ID: 86745d

Ok, most of what has been said follows my train of thought, the rest of the stuff I can't really refer to because i do not remember in which chapter I read them and they were just a few lines each time.

Dulu is somewhat pissed off at Wenshio yes, but If the man who gave you life asks you a question you have to tell him the truth. Dulu already lied to him once and he said that he would punish him, it is not a stretch that he would implement a spell that would stop him from doing so again.
We know that Wenshio is trying to attack thing that mean anything to us in revenge and we also know that he knows little about us, so he would go after any lead he has with sufficient force.
Beyond that,Dulu doesn't like us very much either so there would be no reason for him to hold back the knowledge beyond a desire to protect his fellow Premen, and that ain't happening.
As for how long it takes to track us, all he would have to do is ask anybody about a metal man then he would instantly be pointed to the Drasken (or the Magic eater guy, we know so little about him). Then boom, run in and rape.
Dulu was likely more than a match for any Preman before his death and now with his recreation, I doubt that anyone could even put a scratch on him. Not underestimating my bro Lorgk here but yea, we were match evenly last time and our upgraded form was having trouble with Dulu. Not looking good.
>>
No. 203625 ID: 86745d

>>203567
TL;DR. summary required.
>>
No. 203630 ID: 4af8c8

>>203557

WAIT! Don't do that!
Why its a nice HAM, it will jeopardize the mechanism we are supposed to be using for controlling the golem. We are already adapting Eisenhardts theory that we use partial souls possession. There's no way that our maids can do that.

One of the rules of lying is that you have to tell the SAME lie to everyone without modifying it each time.
>>
No. 203660 ID: e31d52

>>203625
In the Discworld, he's one of the best police officers in the world. At one point he managed to defeat an elder god with the POWER OF LAW.
>>
No. 203673 ID: 6c9d14

>>203630
While I like eventually having one of the maids use the golem, maybe cover for us while we're in the can or walking an elephant, I don't believe now is the time for such ham.
>>
No. 203674 ID: a76809

>>203552
[And if you had posted your theories complete with a prediction earlier, you could have gained another Pristine Soul. As is, you would have to predict even further, since between the information from an earlier elsewhere (That Weinsho had an idea of how to target Mordre's holdings, and really hurt him) segment and this recent bit of data from Eisenhardt (That Dulu is going north into the mountains where the yeti and Premen live), as well as Dulu's own familial history, you now have enough data that this deduction is no longer great enough to earn one a more ind-depth analysis/prediction combo is now required for this particular possible Pristine Soul.]

>>203561
>>203566
>>203608
[No Pristine Soul]
I nearly stumble as my mind races through several bits of data, realizing that Dulu's presence to the north is likely linked to Lorgk's request for my return. If Dulu is to the north, it seems highly likely Weinsho has some inkling of the origins of the Premen traveling with me (unsurprising, given Dulu himself is/was a half-Premen). While this would mean that when I do travel north, I may have the chance to face Dulu in combat again, I am leery of what I may find. After all, attacking the Premen to the north would largely mirror how I disrupted his and Eisenhardt's plans to the west in Duras, and I know Weinsho has no compunctions against indirect damages such as these. Considering how potent Dulu has become, I am more than passing concerned for those living at Mordreden. I shall have to make my way north soon.... and also consider that Kyorto, as evidenced to have come competence in Soul Magic, might be able to undo whatever bindings may be in place on Dulu, enforcing his service to Weinsho, should such exist. I did not agree to having his staff returned to him simply to honor the deal Keddic struck, but also because there is a chance his power could be turned to serve my own ends, if certain circumstances were met.

>>203553
>>203558
>>203599
I make my way closer, moving to extend a metal hand to shake Vime's own of flesh, but stop as I feel the singular attention of nearly every single member of Vime's 'Watch' focus on me-and the one named Carrot's soul seems to well with force, a hand drifting towards his simple, unadorned sword.... which I cannot decipher through my senses, it's alloy eluding identification, it's magnetic field so thoroughly 'owned' I can only nominally perceive it. I halt some ten feet distant and begin my introductions, trying to ignore the sense of danger I feel to better stay within my present persona.

"Well, greetings... captain Vimes, yes? Indeed, I am the one you seek: Mage Mordre-"

"You from a noble house?"
"Personally? No-"

"Then why do you have a Soul Grave?"
"...My late wife was rather adept at managing finances, Which coupled with more than a fair share of luck, to-"

"So not a noble, then?"
"Why no, not at all. And if I may get through introductions.."

I do not know if it is my attempt at sounding reproachful (or my attempts to shift the metal in my face and posture alike to suit such a mood), or my staunch denial of being a noble, but Vime's antagonistic approach seems to mellow out, and he inclines his head at me to continue. I simulate the noise of someone clearing his throat, and continue in my greeting.

"Well, I am most happy to make your acquaintance, I have heard good things about your group, From the few mentions made by others in the State. First of all, I'd like to point out that Dregas, I assure you, Is not in the slightest overly egotistical to his birthright. He has had more than his fair share of loss recently, And I took him in out of both consideration and respect for his talents, Not out of some wish to see one with a Noble title exalted. As for Derkin, his current actions and those within my presence alike, They lead me to believe he a man of his word, and he has worked diligently, For as long as I have known him. I applaud your forthrightness, however. Not many speak in such a way after hearing about my... Er, after knowing about or seeing my golem here. At any rate, I'd offer a handshake, but, aha, I fear that shall have to wait."

At my words, several of Vime's Watchmen (including several of the golems, interestingly enough) begin muttering amongst themselves, considering my words, until Vimes looks at the tall and rather burly one titled Carrot, who turns back toward the group, and bellows a simple command to keep silent, which is promptly followed in the ringing wake of his resounding cry... the lad must have lungs of steel, to shout so. Noting my gaze locked on several of the stone golems that spoke, Vimes starts speaking, somewhat faster than he had before.

"Sorry, get to chatting a bit on their own-ah, see you're eyeballing the golems, don't pay it any mind, just enchantments so they mimic human behavior, works well as a distraction in combat, but doesn't come with an off switch-I am interested in you words, please continue-and can you verify, was it you who participated in fending off the Domintus forces to the east?"

"I suppose so, if they have not returned, as I left shortly after that exchange: Though to be fair, my own contribution in that battle was to fell a giant Alchemic, And stop a few clay siege golems, but beyond that little but support: 'Twas Oggroth, Ugrokk, Keddic and Bang who shined, slaying Abaeloth. NOW... My main reason in calling you here is part of my overarching goal here in the State: I wish to unite the various forces fighting against lawlessness in the area, So we may more effectively expel or defeat these unsavory folks, Those praying upon the common citizens and taking advantage of the weakened State. A union of like-minded individuals that wish to bring the State back to its former glory. And, hearing your exemplary record and your way of doing things, I'd like you to help me in this endeavor. I won't be in charge of you, of course... That falls on the shoulders of proper authorities. Rather, I feel we should seek out those who wish to fight the lack of order, And grant them assistance, authority, and an offer for help. I happened to hear that you had been in pursuit of an individual, A certain mage to the North, which happens to be one of my goals as well. Assuming we're after the same person, I would very much like to know, That which you've discovered about his forces and capabilities, As well as his current activities that I may not be aware of."

"This mage, that I may or may not be seeking, what do YOU know of him?"

"Well, the one I think of is responsible, either directly or indirectly, For the troubles near Trekel with that Core Being, and the near miss as well-"

"Near miss?"

"Both the North AND the South farming fields were taken over, Being readied for fell rituals: Thankfully, one attempt was stopped before it could... Get out of hand, but the other, as you must be aware, was very much so a success."

"...Mage to the north, responsible for the Core Being... okay, lets say that if we are thinking of the same person-not sayin' we are, but if, IF we are, I'll take your own views under consideration, as it's my understanding that mages very frequently need to be faced with either overwhelming force or other mages to be dropped...continue, please."

"Beyond that, however, I'm a little surprised you made it here so quickly. I'd heard you were a bit gruff and not one prone to making last-minute house-calls. No offense intended, mind you. Have you any questions, Mister Vimes?"

"Plenty of questions: Why you have a knight of the Order of Harmonious Discord here, how you know about this mage, what specifics you may have that you are willing to share, an explanation as to why you keep leaving the Arcanoworks when Lord Brigadier General Quinton ceded it to YOUR command, how you showed up within minutes of a Domintus attack on the opposite side of the state-and why there is a man floating over your walls there."

I look up at his last question, to see Eisenhardt, his magnetic fields fluxing about his form far more fluidly, tiny glowing spheres of Blood Iron orbiting his form, as a manic grin paints his face.

"SO, MORDRE, YOU TOOK MY LEGS, AND GAVE THEM BACK!!
WHAT SAY YOU TO ROUND TWO, RIGHT NOW, I'M SURE AS HELL READY!!!
"

"...I'm also curious what the story is behind that."

As I contemplate how to answer or handle this situation and Vimes oddly calm final question, Bang pops atop a nearby structure, his face lit with glee, and shouts out his own blurb while dynamically lifting a hand to point at Eisenhardt as his scarf flutters viciously about his form.

"I FUCKING LOVE THIS GUY!!"

Hm.

Ah.....


[GOLEM QUEST ARC 6 COMPLETE: IRON-HEARTED EISENHARDT]
[GOLEM QUEST ARC 7 INCOMING: TROUBLES ON THE HOME-FRONTS]
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