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File 140941194340.png - (32.67KB , 908x469 , 1.png )
591819 No. 591819 ID: 65a774

Old threads and Wiki: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Rust
Discussion: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/56976.html

“Here lies the Truth, bound and chained by the people with a choice.”
Expand all images
>>
No. 591820 ID: 65a774
File 140941198365.png - (15.07KB , 900x450 , 2.png )
591820

:DaithiNUM: Mmm… Lucrais… Atena… I didn’t know you two…
*Clir…*
:DaithiNUM: What was that? …oh… Arthur? You’re he-
*Crash!*
:DaithiNUM: Ugh, yes mother, I’m awake… wait… what was that?

Insert Good morning, Crono_
>>
No. 591821 ID: 40935b

And you thought having a plant would be easier than keeping a pet.

Rise and shine, it looks like it's light out. Aaand you might want to be thankful that wasn't your mother. You talk in your sleep.
>>
No. 591823 ID: 2fd516

>>591820
What was that about Arthur? Rise and shine, time to go check for an intruder. Get some pants on and your sword.
>>
No. 591824 ID: d6f8c9

Wake up, officer. You can't afford to sleep through a nightime raid.
>>
No. 591825 ID: d8a627

Shoot! We've only been gone the one night, right? We still need to see if Purple is willing to trade the Hierophant for The Strength.
[Check status of pawns]
...I swear that clock looks like it's glowing.
[Scan for nearest two player avatars]
Should tell us where Hugo Perry and Cedric are. Wait, does a Champion count as an avatar? If not we'll just get an error message for the second scan. Unless the Marine decided to return by now.
>>
No. 591829 ID: dbe554

Nice foursome you were having in that dream, good thing your mother aint here to hear that!
>>
No. 591832 ID: 65a774
File 140941934780.png - (13.83KB , 900x450 , 3.png )
591832

>[Check status of pawns]
[“The magician”: Tired. “Strength: Sleeping. “The Tower”: Sleeping. “The Chariot”: Eating breakfast.]
>[Scan for nearest two player avatars]
[ERROR!]

>Wake up, officer. You can't afford to sleep through a nightime raid.
Nighttime? Its morning… actually, it’s just ten minutes before I usually go up on a school day…
>What was that about Arthur?
…it was nothing about Arthur.
>Aaand you might want to be thankful that wasn't your mother. You talk in your sleep.
Err… you… y-you didn’t hear anything, right?
>Nice foursome you were having in that dream…
Geez, not even my dreams are safe from your guys… and it wasn’t like that! Honest!

>And you thought having a plant would be easier than keeping a pet.
Plant? What pl- oh, right, the alien! Hugo, right? Better check on him.

:DaithiNUM: Hello? Anyone here? …huh… empty… I should have sworn that I heard some glass break but the window looks whole…

Insert Home alone: Mantis addition_
>>
No. 591833 ID: 2fd516

>>591832
Wait what? What happened to The High Priestess?
[check status of The High Priestess]

How is the window whole when there's a wire sticking through it? Go look outside.
>>
No. 591837 ID: dbe554

Check out the suit, see if he's in there.
>>
No. 591838 ID: d8a627

Oh, by the way, Dai, I did some research. The shape of the body, and the fact that it is a plant suggests it may be a species that once called itself Eaggrans. Three eyes and no mouth, it just needs fertile soil, sunlight, and water. The Precursor Eaggrans were capable of speech, though I'm not sure how, so it's probably possible to teach him how to talk. Assuming it even is what I think it is.
[Message Purple: Sorry about that, we somehow managed to fall asleep until just now. Baring any new objections, we're still willing to trade if you are.]
(Y'all better not have any new objections...)
Daithi, if a trade does go through, let him know that it was so we could keep track of your father, okay?
>>
No. 591839 ID: d8a627

>>591837
By checking the suit... Don't just go opening it up. Try whistling or something to see if he responds.
>>
No. 591840 ID: 40935b

There's a wire leading out the window and a trail of dirt leading out the door. You ought to investigate the wire first, make sure Hugo isn't making himself known out there.
>>
No. 591851 ID: 9443d1

Make sure to call out in case Hugo is in his suit so he knows you're coming in. If he doesn't respond, go around in front of the suit so you're in it's line of vision, and tap the helmet if there isn't a response. Then you can say Hugo isn't in it.

Take a look out the window at where the cable from Hugo's suit goes. We suspect the suit is charged by solar energy, so I bet there's some kind of panel or device set out there to collect sunlight. Do we have to worry that somebody is going to see that on the roof? And how is that cable going through the window if the window isn't open or broken?

There looks like there's dirt tracks on the floor from the "bed" to the door. Do you remember how much dirt was spilled putting the "bed" in here? 'Cause if there wasn't any, or it was in different spots, then Hugo might have gone out the door.

Hey, wait a second... I thought Hugo's "bed" was a dirt filled metal washtub, not a pottery planter. What gives?

>Geez, not even my dreams are safe from your guys… and it wasn’t like that! Honest!
Hey, we didn't poke into your dreams, we just heard what you were mumbling from outside. We don't go into peoples' dreams without either getting consent or in case of dire emergency, okay. Now, if it "wasn't like that," then what was it, hm~?

And speaking of dreams, you should know that right before we left you last night we saw not only a lot of those scrawled red words on the wall, but there was this really big eight limbed shadow hovering over you; I'm guessing that's the shadow of the Deceiver. Daithi, I have a hunch we're eventually going to have to enter your dreams to find where the Deceiver has got her hooks into you, so I'm going to ask now for your consent to attempt to enter your dreams next time you go to sleep. And it'll only be consent for one time so you won't have to worry about us indulging our somewhat voyeuristic tendencies by dropping in any time.

>>591838
Yes, I have a big fuckin' objection to trading away the only pawn we know of that can sniff out the Deceiver's taint to a player who is a bloody fanatic who's beliefs are most likely going to clash with what we know and who we don't know whether is corrupted or not (seriously, from Cathal's description of Purple, I'm worried we're giving Purple too much leeway.) And on top of that, we haven't even spoken with Nicolas about this! We're not going to trade him away without first discussing it with him so he knows what the hell he's getting into and what we want him to do once with Purple. Hell, I don't even think we have a firm idea of what we're doing this for other then getting Daithi's dad away from Purple.
>>
No. 591852 ID: 26d79f

>>591833
5$ says she was claimed by someone last night, calling it now.

>>591832
[Check number of Pawn Slots]

Say hi to Hugo, it's polite. Be sure to knock on something first so that you won't accidentally scare him... if he gets scared.
>>
No. 591854 ID: 65a774
File 140942585019.png - (14.06KB , 900x450 , 4.png )
591854

>[check status of The High Priestess]
[“The High Priestess”: Sleeping ] Text error last update.
>5$ says she was claimed by someone last night, calling it now.
Pay up…
>[Check number of Pawn Slots]
[You have 5 pawn slots, all filled.]
>[Message Purple: Sorry about that, we somehow managed to fall asleep until just now. Barring any new objections, we're still willing to trade if you are.]
[Purple: If you wish… though I finally started to get through his feeble mind yesterday. Oh, and I’ve also gotten another Inquisitor, an apprentice called Arthur, if you want him instead. I’m willing to trade one of them for the priest.]

>Now, if it "wasn't like that," then what was it, hm~?
It was “This is private, you snooping cur”.
>And speaking of dreams, you should know that right before we left you last night we saw not only a lot of those scrawled red words on the wall, but there was this really big eight limbed shadow hovering over you.
Err… that’s… that really something you don’t want to hear first thing in the morning…
>I'm going to ask now for your consent to attempt to enter your dreams next time you go to sleep.
Hey, keep away from my dreams! As I said… they are private… unless I’m having a nightmare… that one you can mess with…
>Oh, by the way, Dai, I did some research. The shape of the body, and the fact that it is a plant suggests it may be a species that once called itself Eaggrans. Three eyes and no mouth, it just needs fertile soil, sunlight, and water. The Precursor Eaggrans were capable of speech, though I'm not sure how, so it's probably possible to teach him how to talk. Assuming it even is what I think it is.
Eaggran, huh? Are you sure they are called that? I rather not insult it or something… of course, I don’t even think they can pronounce that word so… hmm…
>Try whistling or something to see if he responds.
I’m a mantis, I can’t whistle! I got mandibles and not lips, remember?
>Check out the suit, see if he's in there.
It’s empty… and its backside is open…
>How is the window whole when there's a wire sticking through it? Go look outside.
The window is open, you oaf… hmm… there’s a… weird black carpet out on the roof outside the window…the wire is connected to it… I wonder what it is…
>We suspect the suit is charged by solar energy, so I bet there's some kind of panel or device set out there to collect sunlight.
…that thing collects the power of the sun!? Neat!
>Hey, wait a second... I thought Hugo's "bed" was a dirt filled metal washtub, not a pottery planter. What gives?
...holy crap, you’re right! That’s... I’ve never even seen a planter this big! …and the pattern looks like the one I have on my cactus pot in my room… only bigger.

>There's a trail of dirt leading out the door.
Hmmm…

:DaithiNUM: Ah, there you are! Hey, what are you doing with my miniatures?
:WandererNUM: .-: ♪
:DaithiNUM: Huh… what are you trying to say… you’re shaking hands with yourself and… wait is that my wine bottle? Did you drop it?

Insert This was supposed to be a surprise, but it isn’t now…_
>>
No. 591855 ID: 40935b

He might be demonstrating the nature of this world- an enclosed cylindrical space, with us on the inside. Or he could just look guilty because he broke something.
>>
No. 591856 ID: dbe554

If only we could at least get some measure of speech or writing!..Hey did we try getting him to write something? Or draw?
>>
No. 591858 ID: 2fd516

>>591854
Oh, check it out, he's got cybernetics. Um, artificial limbs. Those yellow parts of him are probably not made of natural materials. I wonder if the hand-shaking gesture is an apologetic gesture? Like, he's sorry he broke your bottle.

[@Purple: Hmm... yes. Trading for Arthur seems like it might work out better for us. However, I would like to speak to Nicholas about it before we finalize anything.]
If Purple is corrupted, Nicholas will be able to tell, and his willpower is absolutely astounding so he won't get corrupted by Purple. Arthur on the other hand has already been a cultist once so his willpower isn't great.
On the other other hand, if we wind up going to war with Purple and have empty slots, Arthur has low willpower so he'll be easier to steal. Trading banks on Purple not turning aggro on us.

Right, um, Daithi, we've also got a concern about Cedric. We saw his tarot card, and it showed two versions of him- one with yellow eyes as normal, and another with red. I am worried he will be corrupted at some point, and that makes me worry about White as well.
[@White: Do you know where your "holy" upgrades come from? As far as we know, there is no such thing as "holy" magic. We've been told only way you can get anti-undead/corruption powers is from a daemonic source. Be wary of being corrupted by the source of your pawn's powers.]
>>
No. 591872 ID: 65a774
File 140943973304.png - (13.61KB , 900x450 , 5.png )
591872

>[@Purple: Hmm... yes. Trading for Arthur seems like it might work out better for us. However, I would like to speak to Nicholas about it before we finalize anything.]
[Purple: Take your time. I’ll gladly wait for you until sundown… Oh, and I do have some interesting information that you should know about. Another player called Yellow has entered the playing field… and I do believe you and that police lady met some of his followers out in the forest yesterday, did you not? He is not clean… he needs to be cleansed…]
>[@White: Do you know where your "holy" upgrades come from? As far as we know, there is no such thing as "holy" magic. We've been told only way you can get anti-undead/corruption powers is from a daemonic source. Be wary of being corrupted by the source of your pawn's powers.]
[White: I don’t know. The remnants of the gods gave me a choice of what to imbue him with and I choose Holy.]

>Right, um, Daithi, we've also got a concern about Cedric. We saw his tarot card, and it showed two versions of him- one with yellow eyes as normal, and another with red. I am worried he will be corrupted at some point, and that makes me worry about White as well.
What? Really? That’s ominous… wait, you said he had two faces? Like he was double faced? Hmm… the moon means deceit too… and so does someone being double faced… is he hiding something? But what? I’ve known him since I was small so what can he be hiding?

>Oh, check it out, he's got cybernetics. Um, artificial limbs. Those yellow parts of him are probably not made of natural materials.
They look like gold… but they can’t be, can they?
>He might be demonstrating the nature of this world- an enclosed cylindrical space, with us on the inside. Or he could just look guilty because he broke something.
…I’m going to guess the later, for obvious reasons.
>If only we could at least get some measure of speech or writing!..Hey did we try getting him to write something? Or draw?
Oh, right! He can draw!

:DaithiNUM: Here you go, fella, draw what you mean…
:WandererNUM: ~♫
:DaithiNUM: Hmm… you… circle… the bottle… arrow… broken bottle… ah, so you did break it… I… err… how in Jove’s name do I tell him not to worry about it? Hmm… wait, what are you drawing now?
:WandererNUM: -!^♪_♫
:DaithiNUM: …a… lizard? An angry, mean looking lizard? …with one of those guns you had… arrow… hmm… you arrow to a… weird circle? You inside a weird circle? …then another arrow to… oh, an explosion! That one I know… and then… you arrow… a can? …and then… angry lizard… arrow… a crossed over can and a crossed over you? What? So, angry lizard… Hugo inside a circle… explosion… Hugo inside a can… angry lizard means no can or Hugo?
:WandererNUM:- ♪

Insert Dude can draw_
>>
No. 591880 ID: 40935b

>a can?
...an enclosed cylindrical space...
>Hugo inside a can…
...with us on the inside.
Hugo is fleeing from the lizards, they're called the Sakkil empire. He believes they will follow him here.
>>
No. 591881 ID: 2fd516

>>591872
Right, he's talking about the space-Lizard we spoke to six months ago. He gave one of our pawns a gun and said to kill the "three-eyed tentacled plant" or something like that, but we just used the gun to kill part of an enemy army. The two species are at war. We have reason to believe that there will not be another attempt on his life, though. The lizard left shortly after we spoke, and I think we convinced him to stop trying to kill Hugo anyway. I'm not sure how you could possibly convey this story to Hugo, so for now tell him we'll try to keep him safe.
[@White: Can you tell us more about these remnants of the gods?]

Ah, fyi, there's yet another player here. Yellow. I expect he is a counterpart to Purple. Last time we had two opposing colors like that, they were polar opposites. I wonder if the same thing will be true this time. I am also still not sure if Purple is trustworthy...
[@Purple: The crazies we fought did not scan as pawns. They were "Demonic Creature (Hostile): Lunatic." I would like to caution you away from jumping to conclusions about Yellow simply based on that. We had a trustworthy ally in the past that surrounded himself and his pawns with a shield of evil men. The only way to know for sure is to witness the actions of Yellow's pawns, but we can still safely assume he has more Lunatics among his forces.]
Time for a refresher:
[display information on currently known players]

Purple was Hard/Manipulator, White was Very hard/Champion... not sure if we can see Black or Yellow's details.
From our experience with prior Manipulator players, they have pawns they can trust, but everyone else is likely just being manipulated.
>>
No. 591882 ID: d8a627

>I rather not insult it or something…
Good point, the Sakkil do not like to be called Lizards, so the new form of what was once called Eaggrans might not like it, too.
>there’s a… weird black carpet out on the roof outside the window…
Right, that's a solar panel... Think of it like a smooth, fragile version of moss. It feeds off of the sunlight, while being submerged will destroy it. (Moss only needs a small bit of water, right?) The solar panel is giving the energy from the sunlight to the suit, I think.
>…that thing collects the power of the sun!? Neat!
Yes, it is pretty neat, to be able to build something that does what normally only plants can do! The suit, after all, I believe is made of metal or plastic, yeah?
>Ah, there you are!
I was right! That's a "Reborn" Eaggran. I'm going to say Reborn for any species that, well... The old gods died out, but then started coming back, and it's kind of like a rebirth, right? If that's confusing let me know.
>wait is that my wine bottle? Did you drop it?
Might have thought it was water and was thirsty... Eaggrans need a good bit of water, after all.
>and I do believe you and that police lady met some of his followers out in the forest yesterday, did you not?
That's odd. I don't remember anybody we encountered scanning as pawns, did they?
>He is not clean… he needs to be cleansed…
[Reply: Be careful. Cleansing another player is not an easy task, and the main means of doing so is... impossible for you. In fact, it is impossible for any player to perform that method of cleansing except for ourselves. Outside of us, you can convince a God or Daemon to purge them.]
>wait, you said he had two faces? Like he was double faced?
It was more that he was depicted twice. Aside from being corrupted, we've encountered people with red eyes due to being Berserk.
This gives us four statuses that can afflict a person's mind: Corruption, which is from a Daemon, be it good or bad. Purification, which is from a God, which can also be good or bad. Control, which is from a Player (we do not have this power, do not worry). Finally, Berserk, which is from the person themselves, and probably the easiest to fix since it just requires calming them down, and not killing anybody.
>They look like gold… but they can’t be, can they?
[Scan metal arm, echo to Daithi]
Might not tell us what it's made of, but should tell us something about it.
Divine Construct (Neutral): Steel Arm?
>An angry, mean looking lizard? …with one of those guns you had…
That's the Sakkil Marine. After last night, we met him three months into the past. Time travel, son. Apparently, Hugo is guilty of being a "Filthy Plant Monster" and is being hunted down for it. Or was there a real crime reason given? I can't remember. Point is, we cannot afford to destroy the Sakkil Marine, as that would just call more Marines down.
>You inside a weird circle?
He is in this world.
>explosion…
The Sakkil Marine is going to attempt to destroy Hugo.
Dismantling a bit of the God's Devices keeping the world running, but he did say he'd also make sure the world can keep running.
>angry lizard means no can or Hugo?
We need to convert the Sakkil.
And it's Sakkil, not Lizard.
>>
No. 591920 ID: 9ddf68

oh yeah, we just got back from when the desert country became jungle and we had an indirect meeting with another "god". We believe him to be a lizard and through him we were able to confirm some of our origins, which I'm not going into because no one listens anyway.

Long story short, Humans, lizards, and mantises use to live together in a very advanced space fairing civilization but over a 1000 years ago a "plague" of sorts killed most life in the universe and all three species were split apart at the fringes of space with much of there history lost. They meet up again but had no idea what they hell they were looking at and now a giant war is going on with all races looking to kill the other for one reason or another. Oh and these plant guys and some other race also joined in the fight at some point and Hugo here is currently being hunted by the second "god" which we have mentioned already. So there's your history lesson for the morning. Now lets see what you have for breakfast since there is no point in starting the day with an empty stomach.

oh also I think I should run this past you but your father and now Arthur have been claimed by purple who is giving off a distinct crazy zealot feel but isn't openly hostile. Since we don't want you to have to fight family or friends (cough)loveinterest(cough) we've been trying to see if maybe purple wouldn't mind trading but he'll only trade one and wants the priest. I personally don't wish to trade as I feel it is kinda demeaning to trade around people like fucking collector cards and whenever we take on a pawn I always feel like we're promising to look after them and to just trade them away makes me feel like we're braking the promise even if it was never said. But at the same time this is going to effect you more then anyone so I thought I should at least run this by you first just so we can get your input.
>>
No. 591970 ID: 65a774
File 140950069470.png - (13.90KB , 900x450 , 6.png )
591970

>[Scan metal arm, echo to Daithi]
[ERROR! Unable to find item in data base!]
>[display information on currently known players]
[Purple (Hard)(Manipulator), White (Very hard)(Champion), Teal (Insane)(Erratic)]

>[@White: Can you tell us more about these remnants of the gods?]
[White: Haven’t you heard it too? The voice that sounds like… um… [This? All monotone and lifeless]? When I leveled up The Moon it gave me a choice of power, including fire, water, air, earth, shadow, biological, martial, Psion and Holy.]
> [@Purple: The crazies we fought did not scan as pawns. They were "Demonic Creature (Hostile): Lunatic." I would like to caution you away from jumping to conclusions about Yellow simply based on that.]
[As I said, his followers, not pawns. So far his goal seems to be tied with that weird light beam we saw yesterday. You don’t happen to know anything about it?]
> [Reply: Be careful. Cleansing another player is not an easy task, and the main means of doing so is... impossible for you.]
[The holy fire can clean any filth.]

>...an enclosed cylindrical space... with us on the inside.
Oh… you mean this world and the world wall surrounding it?
> I was right! That's a "Reborn" Eaggran. I'm going to say Reborn for any species that, well... The old gods died out, but then started coming back, and it's kind of like a rebirth, right? If that's confusing let me know.
…most of the things you’ve been saying are rather confusing, yes.
>Might have thought it was water and was thirsty... Eaggrans need a good bit of water, after all.
That’s possible yes… It probably doesn’t understand our pluming…
>That's the Sakkil Marine. After last night, we met him three months into the past.
Err… what?
>Time travel, son.
Oh… I think…
>Hugo is fleeing from the lizards, they're called the Sakkil empire. He believes they will follow him here.
Right, space lizards are here trying to kill a space plant… this is getting a bit too complicated for my taste.
>Apparently, Hugo is guilty of being a "Filthy Plant Monster" and is being hunted down for it.
Correction: Speciest space lizards.

>oh also I think I should run this past you but your father and now Arthur have been claimed by purple who is giving off a distinct crazy zealot feel but isn't openly hostile.
WHAT!? Arthur is- I mean, my father is being controlled by some insane fanatic!?
>Since we don't want you to have to fight family or friends we've been trying to see if maybe purple wouldn't mind trading but he'll only trade one and wants the priest. I personally don't wish to trade as I feel it is kinda demeaning to trade around people like fucking collector cards.
As much as I want my father to be safe… I have to agree, trading us would be rather… unethical. Besides, you only change one target for another.
>(cough) loveinterest (cough)
Huh? What was that?

>Now let’s see what you have for breakfast since there is no point in starting the day with an empty stomach.
OH RIGHT! I got class in an hour!
:DaithiNum: Come on! I’ll give you some water if you want for breakfast.
:WandererNUM:~ ♪

[Choose your destiny! (Choose which pawn to follow).]
[Strength]
[The High Priestess]
[The Chariot]
[The Tower]

Insert Choose wisely, young master_
>>
No. 591977 ID: 9ddf68

I want to see how the tower lives on a day to day bases so I vote the tower.
>>
No. 591983 ID: 2fd516

>>591970
[@White: Oh, right, system messages. We're so used to those by now we take them for granted. Sounds like it's just a system ability, then, and should be safe. However I am still worried about Cedric- we saw a portrait of him with two versions, one with his normal yellow eyes and one with red eyes, like he got corrupted. Oh yeah, has Purple told you about Yellow? Supposedly Yellow is corrupt and the lunatics we had to fight yesterday were Yellow's followers. That remains to be proven however. Heck, Yellow might not even exist.]

I vote The Chariot, because we haven't greeted her yet.

[@Purple: Why do you think his goal has to do with the beam of light? The lunatics were drawn to it by coincidence. As for what it was, that's a secret.]

Hmm, let me try something:
[Ally with "Wanderer"]
>>
No. 592005 ID: d8a627

>[This? All monotone and lifeless]?
[Reply: Ah, we call that those who speak like that the Gods' Golems. We once stumbled into a location which held one such golem, and are lucky to still be alive to tell the tale! They are not fond of Players and Pawns enteringing their Creator's old earthbound residences.]
>[The holy fire can clean any filth.]
[Reply: "Holy" is capable of purging even a Corrupted Player, yes, but I recommend caution. I believe it will purge indiscriminately, meaning it can harm you and us as well.]
>So far his goal seems to be tied with that weird light beam we saw yesterday. You don’t happen to know anything about it?
[Reply: What I will say is that I am surprised there was not greater strife surrounding it. It was "Holy Fire," but it was also Blasphemy. There are currently four sources of "Holy" we know about, and two of them are battling with one another, one might be in hibernation, and the other is too young to know what he is doing.]
[@Purple: Please forgive us our secrecy, but we have found enemies who can know our own thoughts, and it is likely that you, in service with the Inquisition, will face such Daemonic enemies, so what you know should be the necessities, or what is vague enough to leave you guessing. I trust you are intelligent enough to figure things out and act accordingly.]
>We're so used to those by now we take them for granted.
[@White: But then, due to our unique strength that was given when we were first born into the world, we both haven't had a need for their boons... And haven't been allowed access.]
>one with his normal yellow eyes and one with red eyes, like he got corrupted.
[@White: Or berserk. A lot of the scattered voices that make up Player Teal seem to forget berserkers get red eyes, too. However, Berserk is effectively corruption of own's own self, and if not cautious around it, can be dangerous. I trust Daithi's influence can purify any berserk inclinations Cedric may have, however, as they are close friends.]
>[Ally with "Wanderer"]
[Check corruption and purification levels of The Magician]
Let's go with The Chariot.
>>
No. 592008 ID: 65a774
File 140951770161.png - (9.86KB , 900x450 , 7.png )
592008

>[Ally with "Wanderer"]
[ERROR!]
>[@White: Oh, right, system messages. We're so used to those by now we take them for granted. Sounds like it's just a system ability, then, and should be safe.]
[White: Do not worry; I’ll take good care of The Moon…]
>[However I am still worried about Cedric- we saw a portrait of him with two versions, one with his normal yellow eyes and one with red eyes, like he got corrupted.]
[…really? That’s… I have to be on my guard, then.]
>[Oh yeah, has Purple told you about Yellow? Supposedly Yellow is corrupt and the lunatics we had to fight yesterday were Yellow's followers. That remains to be proven however. Heck, Yellow might not even exist.]
[I’ve yet heard about a yellow player… I think I saw a Black one yesterday, though, but I’m not sure.]
>[@Purple: Please forgive us our secrecy, but we have found enemies who can know our own thoughts, and it is likely that you, in service with the Inquisition, will face such Daemonic enemies, so what you know should be the necessities, or what is vague enough to leave you guessing. I trust you are intelligent enough to figure things out and act accordingly.]
[Purple: That’s understandable. The demon filth can easily find their way into feeble minds and steal their secrets, after all.]

>Let's go with The Chariot.
:AtenaNUM: *Sigh* Another day… another problem… why do I even go up in the morning...?
:UnknownKAK: *Chirp*?
:AtenaNUM: …you’re right… because it’s better than the alternative… still… I got hours of paper work ahead of me thanks to yesterday…
:UnknownKAK: *Chirp*!
:AtenaNUM: …yeah, I should be more positive… I got a date after all… a date with a young, handsome mantis with an abdomen to match… but… I’ll just screw it up… as always… *Sigh*…
:UnknownKAK: *Chirp*!
:AtenaNUM: …sometimes I think you’re the only one who understand me, Wally… or maybe you’re just hungry and you want some food? … *sigh*…

Insert The fastest Slug alive_
>>
No. 592011 ID: 2fd516

>>592008
Wh... Atena, you have a baby plant-slug-whatever I don't know what their species name is?! And you can understand it?! Daithi needs your help! An adult is visiting this world and we can't communicate with it! Where did you even find Wally?!

Oh right also hi we're Teal. Welcome to the team.
>>
No. 592020 ID: d8a627

*Ding!*
Player Teal calling The Chariot, Atena. Do you hear me, Atena?

By the Gods that is the cutest pet slug I have ever seen. It is also the ugliest, but that's an unfair title because it's the only one I've ever seen. It's cute, okay?
>>
No. 592029 ID: 26d79f

>>592008
Is that... are you drinking wine with cereal?

Is everything alright with you? Are you doing okay? You seem a bit... down. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it, we've only just met, but know that we're concerned.
>>
No. 592034 ID: 40935b

Don't worry, you're not crazy. We might be voices in your head, be we're certifiably real! Look in a mirror, you'll see us floating around!

We have a particular interest in cult activity in the area, what can you tell us about that? Also, do you know anything about an oracle or underground library?
>>
No. 592043 ID: 9ddf68

hello Antena, rough morning?

Oh yeah if you're wondering where the voices are coming from don't worry we're teal and we thought we would stop by and see if there is anything you might need help with. If you're wondering "what the hell is teal" well the easiest way for use to tell you is to show you, find something reflective and you should see use.
[dance around atena's head]
>>
No. 592046 ID: 9443d1

[Check status of "The Chariot"] (I wonder if she's depressed.) [Check corruption level of player and pawns, including allied ones] [Show time (both out- and in-game) until next level up, what level up will grant, and how many levels are there left to gain and how] [Show non-AI player count] (I suspect that since the Sakkilian marine is locked out of the admin terminal he might choose to enter the game as a player, so he could be in the player lobby right now.)

Hello, Atena, it's good to finally speak with you. In the unlikely case you haven't figured it out already, we're Daithi's voices. But allow me to formally introduce ourselves: We've been known by many names in our time, but this world has designated us as "Teal" and so that is the name we have taken now. We are a vast and diverse collective of intelligences, which will explain the rather... variable situational knowledge and personalities we'll exhibit; We can "wake up" and "fall asleep," missing what has gone on. Oh, and as proof that we're really Daithi's voices: When you two parted last night, you set a date to meet at six tonight, then you saying "goodnight, cutie," and Daithi responding "goodnight, sweet cheeks..." Seriously, he called you "sweet cheeks?" Geez, Dai... Oh, and get a mirror to see what we look like; I'd advise you to keep a mirror on you at all times as well, for checking for illusions and if there's another player around.

You seem rather down. Care to talk about it? We're pretty good listeners despite how much we gab and more often then not give good advice. You not enjoying your job lately? Feeling rather lonely and isolated outside of it?

Is that a portrait of your late husband on the wall? If you don't mind me asking, what caused his death? We only overheard Ceana saying he died seven years ago when we were with her, but not anything of how he died. What was he like and how'd you meet him?

You said you'd "just screw up" your date "as always," so I take it you've tried to date other mantis guys before Daithi and after your husband died. So what happened to screw them up? And you do realize that it isn't just you that could screw up in this case, right? It could be the other party that's screwing up, or there just wasn't "chemistry" there, so don't blame yourself for all of it.

>I got hours of paper work ahead of me thanks to yesterday...
I assume that was from the incident at Avatar's Descent, right? Or was it something related to the Shape Stealer at the Academy? Both?

That's a cute pet you've got there. Can't say we've ever seen its species before though; What're they called? [Scan Wally, the chirping slug] They common as pets around here? And he's (it is a he, right?) probably hungry since it is morning and you haven't fed him yet.

Hey, have you found out anything more about that missing female mantis cadet? Did the guardsmen you sent to The Crippled Ankwark pub come up with anything? Man, I hope we didn't miss anything by choosing to search the Academy basement instead of going after the pub lead. And has anything come of the search for a forge that could make fake Inquisitor armor or reports of a stolen set of plate armor? Hm... Yanno, maybe the Inquisitor armor the Shape Stealer was wearing was legit and stolen from the Inquisition or off an Inquisitor, dead or alive. Shame we didn't think to get a close look at the armor to see if it was the real deal before the Inquisition arrived.

Ah, and we have some news on the alien "god:" Due to the lack of decent genderless pronouns in your language we've given it the name "Hugo." And Daithi successfully got Hugo to his dorm undetected, but unfortunately Lady Lucrais was waiting there. She's now in on the secret but we're confident she won't tell anybody. That brings the total people who know to three.

I just thought of something we should keep in mind: It's possible there's more than one corrupting daemon in play here. We haven't yet encountered a daemon here opposing The Deceiver on the Rebel's side like The Jailor and Lightbringer respectively did for the Dark One and Blood God. It could be that those "demon hunter" lunatics are from a daemon working on the Oppressors' side and it's being way too aggressive about it... Or if Purple really is corrupted then it could be the source and not The Deceiver.

And I just realized that since our alien friend Hugo has an alien brain and mind to match then he's almost assuredly immune to all forms of psionic or mental attack. So illusions, mind reading, and any other form of mind fuckery will do nothing; Just the kind of ally we need in a fight against The Deceiver.

[@White: Did those powers you were offered have any help or description on them of what they did? 'Cause I'm really wondering what "biological" entails. And were you given a choice at every level up to choose a power or was it just at the first one and that locked in the line you could improve?]

[@White: That "psion" is one of the powers you could choose from seriously worries me. Psionic powers are basically the powers of mindfuckery; Illusions, mind reading, mind screwing, mind control and all that crap. If there's a opposing player who's a champion out there stacking up on psionic levels that spells trouble for us. You may want to seriously consider putting your next upgrade levels into psion so you have some defense against that. And even if there isn't an opposing champion, with the crap that we're probably going to be facing having mental defenses would be a good idea. Heck, you might even get some mind reading ability out of it as well.]

[@White: We're going to grant you permission to switch to and speak with our pawns and we ask that you do the same. It'll be good for at least when we need to speak with your king and don't have the time to relay a message through you. Also, we haven't told our pawns of this yet, so please don't speak with them until we do; I don't want to alarm them when only your voice comes into their head.] [Grant permission to switch to and speak with all our pawns to player White]
>>
No. 592080 ID: 65a774
File 140957748655.png - (10.46KB , 900x450 , 8.png )
592080

>[Check status of "The Chariot"]
["The Chariot": Lonely, in need of love.]
>[Check corruption level of player and pawns, including allied ones]
[No corruption found.]
>[Show time (both out- and in-game) until next level up]
[You don’t have enough experience to level up!]
>[Show non-AI player count]
[Three players found! Player Teal, Player {%^*¤öö43} and ADMIN (AFK).]

>[@White: Did those powers you were offered have any help or description on them of what they did? 'Cause I'm really wondering what "biological" entails. And were you given a choice at every level up to choose a power or was it just at the first one and that locked in the line you could improve?]
[White: It means life magic. You know, tree and plants and stuff… nature stuff. And no, I can’t choose another power; only improve the one I got. There was some special feat for a duel power but I don’t have it.]
>[@White: We're going to grant you permission to switch to and speak with our pawns and we ask that you do the same.]
[I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to that. I rather focus on my dear Cedric completely… alright?]

>*Ding!*
Huh? Ding? I don’t have anything that go ding?
>Is that... are you drinking wine with cereal?
:AtenaNum: What? No, it’s milk… err… wait, who… Wally?
:UnknownKAK: *Chirp*?
:AtenaNum:
>Don't worry, you're not crazy.
… … …because hearing that from voices in my head is so reassuring…
>Hello, Atena, it's good to finally speak with you. In the unlikely case you haven't figured it out already, we're Daithi's voices.
I… wait… Daithi’s voice? You’re some kind of…. What?
>Allow me to formally introduce ourselves: We've been known by many names in our time, but this world has designated us as "Teal" and so that is the name we have taken now.
Teal? Okay, Mr. Teal… what in Jove’s name are you!?
>Oh, and as proof that we're really Daithi's voices: When you two parted last night, you set a date to meet at six tonight, then you saying "goodnight, cutie," and Daithi responding "goodnight, sweet cheeks..."
…wait, d-did you spy on us!?
>Seriously, he called you "sweet cheeks?" Geez, Dai...
…or maybe you’re from Daithi… heh… yeah, he’s such a dork… *Sigh* such a cute dork…
>We're certifiably real! Look in a mirror, you'll see us floating around!
Any reflection is good, right? Hmm… you’re… you’re weird… jellyfishes that are dancing on my head? Why are you dancing around my head?

>By the Gods that is the cutest pet slug I have ever seen.
…thank you… I guess?
>Can't say we've ever seen its species before though; What're they called?
It’s a Derackian forest slug. My… m-my former husband bought him…
>Is that a portrait of your late husband on the wall?
I… I should really remove that one of these days but… yeah, it is…
>If you don't mind me asking, what caused his death?
…he was killed when he was stationed in the untamed lands… a barbarian raid…

>Is everything alright with you? Are you doing okay? You seem a bit... down.
Hmm? Oh, I’m fine… it’s just… I’m… I’m fine…
>You not enjoying your job lately? Feeling rather lonely and isolated outside of it?
It’s been… a hectic week, that’s all… and… I… it’s just… everyone my age already got a family… you now… kids… all I got is a slug…
:UnknownKAK: *Chirp!*
:AtenaNum: Yeah, yeah, I’ll give you food… take it easy…
>You said you'd "just screw up" your date "as always," so I take it you've tried to date other mantis guys before Daithi and after your husband died. So what happened to screw them up?
…I’m always to forward… I… I always scare them away or… or just make it about… you know… and I’m a cougar, aren’t I? It’s hard to find someone my age and… those younger than me only really want one thing… and it’s not a lasting relationship… May- …um… maybe I should cancel the date tonight? It’s probably for the best… Daithi probably got a lot of girls his own age following him…
>Hey, have you found out anything more about that missing female mantis cadet?
Err… I haven’t been to work since yesterday? I don’t get information through dreams, you know…
>Ah, and we have some news on the alien "god:" Due to the lack of decent genderless pronouns in your language we've given it the name "Hugo." And Daithi successfully got Hugo to his dorm undetected, but unfortunately Lady Lucrais was waiting there.
Lucrais? …hmm… and she promised to keep quiet? Yeah, this whole… alien business is beyond me, really… I mean, what should we even do with him? We can’t just hide him in Daithi’s dorm forever!

Insert She needs to get some D vitamin!_
>>
No. 592087 ID: 9ef17a

>Daithi probably got a lot of girls his own age following him
He would if he didn't have a mental psychosis brought on by daemon corruption that made him believe everyone hated him.

Well seeing as you are going to find out anyway we might as well tell you now so you can freak out in the comfort of you own home.
Here's the short version: The world you live in was originally a simulation designed to be a game for people on the outside that you all call gods but almost all of them got wiped, that's why the gods were gone. To make the game more interesting for the players/gods they created artificial players and daemons (who are still around) to play against.
Apparently the different races(humans/lizards/mantis) who were spread out to different sectors of space have met up again and (not remembering each other) went to war. Then according to a lizard who found the simulation one day plant people showed up and apparently attacked a bunch of lizards for no reason and said lizard guy chased one of the war criminal plant people(Hugo) here.
Well that's all for now, I mean there's more about time dickitry and the new gods wanting to dismantle your world but I'll save that for another time.

>Insert some vitamin D!
I agree.
>>
No. 592091 ID: dbe554

Actually we have to thank you about Dai, he really needed someone to compliment him, someone to help him believe more in himself as thanks to issues he has had major self-image issues through his life, he really, really needed someone to actually confirm that he's not some pathetic being that everyone hates.

He wouldn't want to cancel it with you, nor does he want it for a sex fling either. He's a bit old fashioned in that respect but it means he prefers to be with those he cares about rather then just sort of one night stand.

Also as for the dancing... We like doing it, I mean you float around all day you kind of get good at it with being weightless and all.
>>
No. 592094 ID: d8a627

>those younger than me only really want one thing… and it’s not a lasting relationship…
Daithi's different. He's a bisexual woman in a man's body--and loving every minute of it. He wants a lasting relationship with a harem of lovers.
He's also a male Mantis in a male mantis body, so, y'know, he's afraid of the women going all crazy out of anger and biting his head off if he actually tries to start a harem, so he's actually trying to go for one partner only.
Daithi is truly interested in you, and... While he admits to being an inverse-cougar over it, he's after your experience and knowledge, in a long-lasting way. He doesn't dare place his hopes on the future in fear that something will go wrong, but if he did, he would hope to be able to start a family with you.
Heh, if something does go wrong, it'll be because of both of you... and damn, will it have to be really wrong to tear you two apart!
>Daithi probably got a lot of girls his own age following him…
If you consider the millenia-old Daemon of Lust to be "Lots of girls his own age," then yes. Seriously, the Mantis girls hate him because, well, he's a Male Mantis who got a whole dorm to himself, resulting in the failure of all the females who would have gotten into that dorm from getting into school at all, and... Actually, I don't know about human and lizard females, but he certainly hasn't noticed any. He has noticed you, Artur, and Lucrais having feelings for him, but that all happened after we showed up and started purging The Deceiver from his mind.
NO HE'S NOT CORRUPT. I don't know how the Deceiver is effecting him without corrupting him, but we've seen her handiwork first hand, so we know it's real.
>We can’t just hide him in Daithi’s dorm forever!
Well, then, have I got good news for you! Hugo (Also known as Hugo Perry) is what we call a Reborn Eaggran. Don't use that name out loud, though, for all we know, they might take offense to it the same way that the Reborn Lizards do--they call themselves Sakkil now, by the way, not sure what the Reborn Eaggran call themselves--and we really don't want to upset the guy with a God Beam. I say "Reborn" because, since the Old Gods died out to a plague, survivors, dropped back to the primitive days, eventually made a comeback.
...That's all really complicated and you totally zoned out during the explanation, didn't you? Oh well, it's not too important for you guys to worry about~
Well, anyways, Hugo is a plant person. Literally. Outside of his suit, he can blend into the forest. Well, except for his [Unable to find material in world!] arm and eye, which are yellow in color... We'd have to either find a spot where yellow would naturally show up at, or paint them green. ...And yes, I was the one who said that unable-to-find-material portion of my speech, I was quoting the Gods' remnants on it. Their remnants are a voice [that sounds like this]. Except, y'know, it's not a whole chorus of voices at once. I call it the Gods' Grimoire, since, although it talks, it's basically just relaying stored information to us, and is incapable of an actual conversation.
>>
No. 592097 ID: 3f0c1b

Yes, dancing, now if I had been more alert we would have engaged in our patented Beard Formation™. Tough admittedly it might have looked a bit off on a lady.

By the way guys, how are we going to do with the trade? I still think trading The Hierophant for The Strength with Purple is a good idea. Getting both of Daithi's parents would probably be a good thing for both us and for him.
>>
No. 592098 ID: 40935b

> I rather focus on my dear Cedric completely… alright?
ech, clingy much?

>jellyfishes that are dancing on my head? Why are you dancing around my head?
What else are we supposed to do? We're too small individually to do much damage, and most things could be accomplished more easily just by nicely asking someone else to do it.
>Oh, I’m fine… it’s just… I’m… I’m fine…
You'll have to do a better job convincing us than that.
>Daithi probably got a lot of girls his own age following him…
If you mean 'chasing him down so they can drag him to the stables and throw him into the manure pile', then yeah, something like that. The girl he was originally supposed to be married to burned that bridge so thoroughly I'm struggling to come up with an adequate metaphor you'll understand- I think you arrested her not too long ago- and and a not-entirely-reformed inquisitor. He was with Dai when we found that shapestealer in the basement. Just be good to the poor boy and try to have a nice time, you'll be fine.
>>
No. 592103 ID: 2fd516

(derp I forgot Atena was with Daithi when Hugo arrived)
>>592094
The Deceiver isn't the Daemon of Lust. She's the Daemon of Greed.

>>592080
Yeah let's just say you're not gonna have any problems being too forward with Daithi. As for Hugo, I was thinking as captain of the guard you might be able to get him some more secure quarters.
>>
No. 592104 ID: d8a627

>>592103
>The Deceiver isn't the Daemon of Lust.
No, but Libby the Librarian is.
>Yeah let's just say you're not gonna have any problems being too forward with Daithi.
Unless, y'know, you're forward about sex. Daithi's after a lasting relationship, as long as you're forward about a relationship, things will go fine, but if he thinks you're just after sex, then he'll get scared away, yeah.
>>
No. 592109 ID: 2fd516

>>592104
Libby isn't either, she's Envy. Steve is Lust.

...oh man, I hope Libby can't corrupt people.
>>
No. 592110 ID: 9443d1

[Show current experience, how much experience required to level up and list sources of experience]

[@White: While we somewhat question your choice to so totally focus on Cedric, it's your choice to make and we'll not press you on it. Now, we would like to know that, even though you don't claim pawns, do you still have a full pool of 100 claim power? Because there's a chance we're going to end up having to seize Cathal and Arthur away from Purple and we'll need your backing then. I hope it doesn't come to that, but can we count on you completely if it does?]

[@Purple: If you don't mind saying, where did you first see Yellow? Was it one of his pawns? And this is unrelated, but have you looked at yourself in the mirror and have you seen any other players in the mirror?]

[Help system query: If a player attempts to seize another player's pawn via the level up menu will the player's allies be able to bring their claim power to aid seizing the pawn?]

Atena, when it comes to "Captain Oblivious" Daithi, being extra forward is actually a plus for you. While you're somewhat right about him having gals, as well as guys, his age hitting on him, he's so caught up in his own world of books, games, wargames, and schoolwork it almost always just goes right over his head, and if he does notice he brushes it off as them just being after his mantis dick. Put all that together and it's no wonder he's still a virgin. So, see, while he does want the "you know," and boy does he want it in spades, he also wants even more to have a good, lasting relationship with someone he loves and who loves him back; Someone who respects him and he respects and trusts. ...In fact, he wants it so much he kinda wants more than one person, but we'll cross or burn that bridge if and when we get to it. Though, you can't say that the guy doesn't have high aspirations, can you?

So, just go out on your date and figure it out from there. You won't know if you don't try, after all. But you already like that he's such a cute dork, so I have confidence it'll go well.

And yeah, we know we can't hide Hugo in Daithi's dorm forever, but we're at a loss to where else we could hide him that'd be better. There's no doubt multiple factions by now looking for the "god" that descended last night, so it'd have to be someplace really good. But Hugo does have means to move undetected in the form of his suit's short-range teleportation ability, so if he has to hide in an emergency he can blink away to... I dunno. Onto the highest roof of the Academy, or into an attic or some dead space in the Academy walls or something. We better look into those and map them out for him.

And this is rather out of left field, but I'm wondering why you and the city guard wear capes as part of your uniform. Don't they pose a hazard in a fight by risking getting hung up on things, grabbed by your opponent or caught under your feet or around your limbs? I remember something about "NO CAPES" from somewhere in relation to crime fighting, but I can't remember where...

>>592097
Yeah, I want to trade to get Cathal out from Purple's influence since he's been under him for longer then Arthur; Get a scan on him for corruption and question what Purple was doing. But I want more to get Nickolas as our "man on the inside" who'll report back what Purple is doing and try to talk Purple down. Nick's willpower is amazing and he's resisted corrupting influence for a long time before, so I feel he can stand up to anything Purple will try. We'll have to talk with Nick before making the trade and tell him what's up, though.

However, before making the trade I'd like to get Nick out to meet Cathal and give him the sniff test for daemonic corruption and ask him what arguments Purple has made that's turning his opinion on Purple's objectives. We'll see if Cathal is starting to talk like a fanatic or something.

I've also been thinking of other ways we can find out if Purple is corrupted and allying with him would allow us to check his corruption stat. It could be faked, but that'll at least rule out the easy stuff. A case to bring to Purple for allying would be to pool our claim power and White's to make a grab for Black and Yellow's pawns. Then if we do get them, then we can watch what they're doing for a bit to maybe get some intel before questioning them; We'd say we should do the questioning, since Purple is rather too... aggressive.

>>592098
Atena didn't actually arrest Lucrais because Daithi convinced her otherwise.

>>592103
He's talking about Libby, who's possessed by the Daemoness of Envy, not the one of Greed and the one we think was of Lust is Steve.
>>
No. 592118 ID: 65a774
File 140960289763.png - (10.16KB , 900x450 , 9.png )
592118

>[Show current experience, how much experience required to level up and list sources of experience]
[Error! Cheaters never prospers! CHEATERS NEVER PROSPERS!!! C¤FAHJ¤% NEVER “¤¤¤¤¤!!!!!!]
>[Help system query: If a player attempts to seize another player's pawn via the level up menu will the player's allies be able to bring their claim power to aid seizing the pawn?]
[If they are CHEATER they can NEVER just like any other #¤””!!]

>[@White: While we somewhat question your choice to so totally focus on Cedric, it's your choice to make and we'll not press you on it. Now, we would like to know that, even though you don't claim pawns, do you still have a full pool of 100 claim power?]
[White: Yes, I have… and if given a good reason I might use it to aid you.]
>[@Purple: If you don't mind saying, where did you first see Yellow? Was it one of his pawns?]
[Purple: I saw one of his pawns skulking in the city, trying to find information about the light yesterday…]
>[And this is unrelated, but have you looked at yourself in the mirror and have you seen any other players in the mirror?]
[Purple: Yes, I’ve seen myself. I am after all the eye that sees all… and the tendrils that reach even the deepest reaches of the shadows… ]

>this is rather out of left field, but I'm wondering why you and the city guard wear capes as part of your uniform. Don't they pose a hazard in a fight by risking getting hung up on things, grabbed by your opponent or caught under your feet or around your limbs?
They are designed to fall off of if someone tries to pull them. They are mostly there to protect us from the elements and make us recognizable.
>Actually we have to thank you about Dai, he really needed someone to compliment him, someone to help him believe more in himself as thanks to issues he has had major self-image issues through his life, he really, really needed someone to actually confirm that he's not some pathetic being that everyone hates.
…really? He’s… well, I guessed that he wasn’t the most self-secure of people but… not like that…
>Atena, when it comes to "Captain Oblivious" Daithi, being extra forward is actually a plus for you. While you're somewhat right about him having gals, as well as guys, his age hitting on him, he's so caught up in his own world of books, games, wargames, and schoolwork it almost always just goes right over his head.
…well, he’s a dork… so much I do know…
>the Mantis girls hate him because, well, he's a Male Mantis who got a whole dorm to himself, resulting in the failure of all the females who would have gotten into that dorm from getting into school at all.
…Actually, when I think about it, yeah, female mantises would despite him for that… wouldn’t they…
>If you mean 'chasing him down so they can drag him to the stables and throw him into the manure pile', then yeah, something like that.
They are what!? I have to put a stop too that at once! …somehow…

>Put all that together and it's no wonder he's still a virgin.
…wait, he’s never… a cute boy like him and he’s never… hmm… deflowering a cute boy like him? …that’s… suddenly the date tonight sounds a bit more… no, I shouldn’t think like that…
>So, see, while he does want the "you know," and boy does he want it in spades, he also wants even more to have a good, lasting relationship with someone he loves and who loves him back; Someone who respects him and he respects and trusts.

>..In fact, he wants it so much he kinda wants more than one person, but we'll cross or burn that bridge if and when we get to it. Though, you can't say that the guy doesn't have high aspirations, can you?
Wait, he’s with several people at once? With who? When? Where?
>Just be good to the poor boy and try to have a nice time, you'll be fine.
…maybe you’re right… maybe… maybe I should at least try…

>You'll have to do a better job convincing us than you’re fine then that.
…fine, maybe I just… need a hug, okay? Maybe I just miss waking up being embraced by warm mantis arms every morning after a night of snuggling… maybe… maybe I… forget about it…
>as for the dancing... We like doing it, I mean you float around all day you kind of get good at it with being weightless and all.
Well, good for you, I guess…

>Well seeing as you are going to find out anyway we might as well tell you now so you can freak out in the comfort of your own home.
…wait, what? Tell me wh-
>Here's the short version…
I… what? This is a game for the gods? Then they died? And got back? I… I just… what? Why should I even believe anything in those mad ramblings of yours!?
>Well, anyways, Hugo is a plant person. Literally.
…he’s a plant? Huh… well, he is some kind of alien from across the stars or something…
>As for Hugo, I was thinking as captain of the guard you might be able to get him some more secure quarters.
I’m sorry, but the only thing I can offer him is a cell… I mean, even my own apartment is rather tiny…
of course, the bed is large enough for two… two loving people… including a cute bug with a nice butt… a butt I want to ravish… heh… wai- No, I didn’t just think that loud enough for you to hear! No!

Insert First day at the university, already drunk_
>>
No. 592119 ID: dbe554

Don't worry we've heard far worse and we don't think less of you for having womanly urges, even if it is for something of that nature.

Infact we may start putting you two closer as a result due to our desire to see those under us happy, prosperous, and filled with a general sense of life satisfaction, we're not fans of seeing those under us depressed or saddened.
>>
No. 592120 ID: d8a627

>I am after all the eye that sees all… and the tendrils that reach even the deepest reaches of the shadows…
...Shit.
[Message Purple: Were you like that from the beginning? Or did you change as your pawns grew?]
>Error! Cheaters never prospers! CHEATERS NEVER PROSPERS!!! C¤FAHJ¤% NEVER “¤¤¤¤¤!!!!!!
[Help query: How can a player avoid cheaters?]
I suspect Deceiver might have cheated "for" us... It might explain why we were able to level up so swiftly before.
[Message White: Oh dear. The Remnants have taken to calling us a cheater; I suspect this may have to do with the actions of The Deceiver, but even if so, it could be a permanent problem: As you may well be aware through Cedric, Daithi is a major target of hers, and although she has not yet corrupted him, she may have influenced his experience so that he would level up with great speed, only to be kicked out of the leveling system.
I do hope you haven't encountered the same problem? You were leveling up just as quickly as we were.]
>a butt I want to ravish…
ಠ_ಠ This is me. Giving you the glare of disappointment. You'll see what I mean if you look at the reflection again.
>maybe… maybe I… forget about it…
Maybe you'll find that in Daithi~
>Wait, he’s with several people at once? With who? When? Where?
NO, he isn't. He fantasizes about it, but he expects it to be completely unrealistic, and only expects... No, not even that, he hopes that he can get with even one person, and right now, he hopes that person is you.
>>
No. 592122 ID: 2fd516

>>592118
[@Purple: What did Yellow's pawn look like? And what was its pawn name?]
Hey, do you like girls? Lucrais is a female mantis so we could just lump everyone together in her harem instead of anyone having to choose. I wouldn't be surprised if the answer was no, but I'm rooting for you regardless. Lucrais doesn't seem to want to get married to him even if there is a mutual attraction, and Arthur seems a bit too wild for Daithi. Plus, Arthur is with the "Purple" player now, so having them together presents a possible security risk.

Relationships aren't our primary goal here though, so... if you're done with your morning routine perhaps we can get to work? What resources are at your disposal, anyway?

Hey, did you take down the portrait? It's not there anymore.
>>
No. 592129 ID: d8a627

>>592122
I think she turned the portrait around so we wouldn't see it. Our eyes are horrible anyways, all we could see is that it was a Mantis in blue uniform. It wasn't Daithi, was it?~
...Be kind of odd if you already had a portrait of him, actually, unless you keep a portrait of all students.
>>
No. 592130 ID: 2fd516

>>592129
It was her late husband. She's a widow.
>>
No. 592133 ID: d8a627

>>592130
Wait, he was a Mantis? I thought the other one was her ex...
>>
No. 592141 ID: 40935b

>C¤FAHJ¤% NEVER “¤¤¤¤¤!!!!!!
*sigh* [scan corruption levels]

>Wait, he’s with several people at once?
seeing several people. Like, he got tea with Arthur yesterday and had a game of warstorm with Lucrais.
>No, I didn’t just think that loud enough for you to hear! No!
You totally did. We totally don't care. Everyone except for his teacher and immediate family have similar sentiments about Dai's abdomen. Just don't be too forward, the attention he's been noticing since the deceiver stopped warping his perception is sending him into denial.

>>592129
>>Is that a portrait of your late husband on the wall?
>I… I should really remove that one of these days but… yeah, it is…
>>
No. 592197 ID: 65a774
File 140967747129.png - (13.07KB , 900x450 , 10.png )
592197

>[scan corruption levels]
[No corruption found!]

>[Message Purple: Were you like that from the beginning? Or did you change as your pawns grew?]
[Purple: I’ve always had the glorious form I possess now. It was created to strike fear in the heretics and non-believers! Filth, all of them!]
>[@Purple: What did Yellow's pawn look like? And what was its pawn name?]
[Lizard… I believe female… she was called the Inverted Strength.]

>Don't worry we've heard far worse and we don't think less of you for having womanly urges, even if it is for something of that nature.
…thank you… even then, it was rather embarrassing… slipping up like that.
>ಠ_ಠ This is me. Giving you the glare of disappointment.
…hey, it was an honest mistake, alright? You guys are rather intrusive after all.
>Hey, did you take down the portrait? It's not there anymore.
…I… I shouldn’t bear to look at him anymore, so I turned the portrait around.

>seeing several people. Like, he got tea with Arthur yesterday and had a game of warstorm with Lucrais.
Ah, like that… I guess that’s alright…
>In fact we may start putting you two closer as a result due to our desire to see those under us happy, prosperous, and filled with a general sense of life satisfaction, we're not fans of seeing those under us depressed or saddened.
While my pride and common sense wants me to tell you to stay away from my relationships, but my desperation tells me to accept your help… and that came out a bit… um…
>He fantasizes about it, but he expects it to be completely unrealistic, and only expects... No, not even that, he hopes that he can get with even one person, and right now, he hopes that person is you.
Hmm… well, who hasn’t fantasied about a harem at one time or another… and he wants me? That’s… I have to remember that…
>Hey, do you like girls?
What!? Where did… how did… that’s in no way really relevant to the topic, is it? I mean… I guess if I was in charge but… that’s not something you just ask like that!
>Lucrais is a female mantis so we could just lump everyone together in her harem instead of anyone having to choose.
…how about no? I rather not get into a relationship with a bunch of people I don’t know. Taking care of one person is hard enough!

>Relationships aren't our primary goal here though, so... if you're done with your morning routine perhaps we can get to work? What resources are at your disposal, anyway?
Resources? Well, I am the captain of the guard of this area of the city so… I guess information and man power a plenty? But yes, off to work… luckily, I live in the same house as the station…

:GuardNum: Ma’am, we got some more information about the missing girl… it seemed like she get drunk and accidently traveled with one of the night caravans headed to another nearby city. Don’t worry, she came back this morning.
:AtenaNum: …how did she ev- never mind… and the case in the academy? In the basement?
:GuardNum: The inquisition have order us to stay completely out of it… as well of the accident on the hill… oh, and if you want to know, she was drunk and fell asleep behind some boxes in a half full caravan cart.
:AtenaNUM: wait, they took over the case at the gods decent too? …well, less paper work for me then… so, any news for today?
:GuardNUM: Well, you did tell us to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary and… well… there’s three things… first, there’s first practice with real soldiers for the cadets up at the academy and they have asked us to send a ranked officer and some grunts as extra security. Of course, the interesting part is that two of the soldiers have gone missing without a trace since they got there last night. Apparently they never even visited their beds… it can be just two soldiers goofing around but…
:AtenaNUM: And the other two?
:GuardNum: A noble mantis family called Baideal wants to talk to high ranking officer in the force… something about their daughter I believe? …oh, and the last thing, apparently there was big bar brawl down at the Crippled Ankwark pub last night. There was a female lizard there that ripped of the door from it hinged and manages to hurt eight people and an Oxin throwing it… I’m pretty sure that’s impossible to do with brute force so there has to have been magic involved… either way, which one do you want to look at personally… you can only be at one place at the time, you know…
:AtenaNUM: Hmm…

Insert Three roads all leading to the same place… disappointment…_
>>
No. 592203 ID: d8a627

Whoops hit reply a bit early
>and that came out a bit… um…
Honest? Yeah, it did.
>Taking care of one person is hard enough!
Man, we've only ever managed to successfully form one harem... And that was because three of the people were Mantises to start with, and the other was a deviant human. We did manage to get another deviant human to accept the idea of a pre-existing harem for use, though... Of course, she was highly opposed to becoming a part of it.
WE ARE NOT FULL-FLEDGED GENTLEMEN, WE WILL TELL WHO'S KISSED. Sometimes.
Oh, by the way, the reason taking care of one person is hard is that you're only one person taking care of them. The whole point of Mantis-type quadroamorous relationships is that you have four people taking care of eachother, so it's three taking care of one four times over. And I say quadroamorous because, frankly, every Mantis family I've seen has one Matriarch and three spouses.
>it seemed like she get drunk and accidently traveled with one of the night caravans headed to another nearby city.
ANTICLIMANTICISM!
>as well of the accident on the hill…
...Hmm.
[Message Purple: It's good to hear that's always been your form, but I'm suddenly curious. What's this obsession about "Filth"? What qualifies as filth, and how do you intend to cleanse it? As far as fully corrupted players go, purging them through any direct means is perfectly fine, but partially corrupted pawns and players, I would prefer are cleansed through nonlethal means.
Also, about your Holy Fire, is it related to the system perks? From the "Remnants of the Gods"? Because I have reason to believe that form of holy is less effective than what is directly from active Gods or Daemons. No evidence of such, as of yet, but we've been told that Players cannot gain the direct abilities to kill other Players.]
[Help query: Can players send anonymous messages directly, or do they have to send it through NPCs?]
>I’m pretty sure that’s impossible to do with brute force so there has to have been magic involved…
We've been interesting in getting a look at magic for some time now! That might also be the supposed Yellow Pawn, which is another lead we're interested in following.
>>
No. 592205 ID: 2fd516

>>592197
Inverted Strength matches the description of the door-flinging Lizard.

Baideal is Lucrais' family. They probably want to try to get leverage on her to force her to get married. Lucrais is one of our allies so we would really like to prevent that sort of thing.

...actually I think you should talk to the Baideals. You can rebuff them properly to keep Lucrais out of harm's way, while pretty much anyone can investigate the Lizard and give us info on her, at which point we can follow up on it to see what Yellow is like. The two missing soldiers are worrisome but without any more information I can't say it's important enough to require our intervention.
>>
No. 592212 ID: 40935b

>that came out a bit… um…
We'll be offering advice either way, but we can jump out if you... I dunno, need a moment.

>Don’t worry, she came back this morning, she was drunk and fell asleep behind some boxes in a half full caravan cart
>two of the soldiers have gone missing without a trace since they got there last night
Be wary for shape changers, now. You may want to sneak in some holy items to their disciplinary hearings or whatever.
>Baideal... something about their daughter I believe?
I'm guessing Lucrais is also hearing voices similar to what we're doing now, and isn't taking it as well as you did. Nobles tend to freak out and make a scene at this sort of thing.
>bar brawl, massive casualties
That also sounds like a pawn. As a bonus to listening to us jabber, you gain skill at a much faster rate than normal. We can't push limits like what he's describing, but we can actually defeat other players.

If all my theories are correct, we should go to the Baideal's place first, then check out the bar brawl, and keep people on the lookout for those guards. If nothing turns up, we can look through their stuff for clues.
>>
No. 592221 ID: 9ddf68

as for the two missing solders thing, I'm worried as seeing as how we have already ran into a shape stealer but then again the entire inquisition is there plus actual solders and the new recruits so if shit does hit the fan that place will most likely be the best prepared for it, that and we have others working with us there so we can have them look into things if we really need to. so I don't think you have to worry about taking that one.

As for the noble family, Pretty sure I know who the nobles are but I'm not sure if they want to speak to you to bitch you out for trying to arrest there daughter or if they're going to try to see what information they can pull out of you to use against there daughter to further control her. There daughter is one of our people by the way and we are kind of worried about her seeing as she has been forced to grow up as her mother wants her to and not as how she wanted to.

The last one deals with another pawn from another player similar to us who we've been told is going by yellow. The person we've been hearing this from is another player going by purple but we're a little weary of him seeing how he seems to be the type of guy who'd burn a entire city to the ground with everyone in it just to make sure he killed one heretic, sssoooo we're taking everything he tells us with a grain of salt. But he isn't hostile (at least not yet) to us so he might not be talking completely out of his ass and as such might not be a bad thing to check out just to see if purple's story checks out.

So between the nobles and the bar brawl I'd say the bar brawl just so we can get some eyes on it, we can personally check out the other two scenes while your working if you want us to and then come back later to let you know what we found.
>>
No. 592266 ID: 9443d1

That female lizard from the bar brawl might be the one that Purple saw. He said a female lizard who scans as "Inverted Strength" and is with player Yellow was going around trying to find information about the beam of light from when Hugo arrived. Purple seems to be convinced from just this that she and Yellow are connected with the cultists, but that's a hell of a leap of logic so we're not convinced. So we want to speak with Yellow and figure out what his game is before Purple brings the hammer down on him.

Okay, here's the plan. In addition to sending the ranked officer and grunts to the Academy also send an investigator and some guards with orders to track down the two missing soldiers as fast as they can. We'll message our ally White - the one Cedric is with - about this so she can relay a warning about the missing soliders through Cedric to Daithi, Victoria, Nickolas, and maybe Arthur too. That way they can keep an eye out for any soldiers acting oddly or where they shouldn't be. [@White: We're with Atena right now and just found out that two of the soldiers for the Academy practice today went missing before they even got to their beds last night. Might be something, might be nothing, but we're erring on the side of caution. Atena is sending extra cops over to track down the soldiers. And could you have Cedric tell Daithi, Victoria, Nickolas and maybe Arthur about this so they can be wary of any soldiers acting strangely or in places where they shouldn't be.]

As for the Baideal family, I dunno what Lady Baideal wants the guard to do in relation to her daughter Lucrais, but I doubt Lu or us would like it. We know the Baideal family's attitude is totally hardcore old school nobility, so send someone you know has utmost patience and can stand up to any demands they might make that're beyond what the guard is legally allowed or obligated to do. And tell whoever you send to report back to you what happened at the meeting and any requests made before enacting them so you can decide what to do about them.

You'll be going to track down the female lizard from the bar brawl. We want to find out is she's Yellow's ASAP so we can make contact with him before Purple comes down on them. But make sure to either bring backup or have them nearby; Going by her ripping the door off its hinges and throwing it we do not want you getting close to her. You got anything that can knock her out or incapacitate her from a distance if things go sour? Sleep gas grenades? Tear gas? Stun rod bolts?

Also, going by her designation as "Inverted Strength" and it's meaning in tarot she might be the opposite of Nickolas' "Strength." If that's the case she'll have little of such things as self-control, kindness, compassion and discipline. I do hope that's not the case, but from what she did to the pub's door it just might be.

And always keep in mind there's always the possibility of Shape Stealers. You were there when Arthur was laying out some of what they could do, so I think you heard that they could suck out a victim's brain to get their memories and impersonate them near perfectly. So people going missing and then showing up again like that student from the Academy should still be checked out. A smack with a holy symbol or splash of holy water should be enough of a test to root out all but the strongest Shape Stealers. We'll get a message to Arthur or Nickolas to check the student out. [@White: Could you get word to Arthur or Nickolas to check if the female mantis student that showed up after going missing yesterday is a Shape Stealer. It's unlikely, but we still want to be sure she wasn't killed and replaced.]

Could you tell us more of the Inquisition? What is the extent of their power, where are they legally allowed to apply that power, and what oversight, if any, watches them? I just want to know what'll happen if we get on Purple's bad side and he turns the local branch of the Inquisition against us.

...Oh, crap. I Just realized something. In a previous message Purple said "Another player called Yellow has entered the playing field… and I do believe you and that police lady met some of his followers out in the forest yesterday, did you not?" He thinks the lunatics are Yellow's followers, so that means Purple knows Daithi was out there with you, Atena. But how could he know? Tell us the cover story you gave for what happened out there. But however he knows, he knows we were out there when the beam of light came down and that means he's going to be giving us extra scrutiny and getting all up in our business. Given that I'm afraid that Hugo's hiding spot is going to be found out sooner rather than later, but I don't have any idea where else we could hide him or how to get him there without being seen. Dammit...

[@Purple: From the description Cathal gave I have no doubt your form would be very frightening to the filth; Shame it can only be seen via reflection and then only by pawns and players. Anyway, I'm wondering: What do you think the beam of light from Aerathin's Belt yesterday was? Something divine?]

>>592203
Would you please be more careful when telling Purple things we know about daemons. Saying that "holy" anti-daemonic power can come from daemons might imply things and bring up questions in Purple's mind about us that we do not want him thinking. Just be extra wary of what you say to him, alright.

>>592212
Er... We haven't actually spoken to Lucrais yet, so the chances she's hearing voices are low. And even if she was hearing voices she or her mother wouldn't go to the police about it.
>>
No. 592333 ID: 65a774
File 140975105163.png - (16.49KB , 900x450 , 11.png )
592333

>[Help query: Can players send anonymous messages directly, or do they have to send it through NPCs?]
[Unable to send anonymous messages in an attempt stop greifing.]
>[Message Purple: It's good to hear that's always been your form, but I'm suddenly curious. What's this obsession about "Filth"? What qualifies as filth, and how do you intend to cleanse it?]
[Purple: Heretics, demon worshippers and their ilk. They are unclean! Disgusting filthy beasts that needs to be cleansed… and sometimes even put down.]
>[I'm wondering: What do you think the beam of light from Aerathin's Belt yesterday was? Something divine?]
[You do not know? Were you not there? Hmm… maybe you claimed the police lady after she’s been there? What did she say she saw? Were her eyes even capable to see the divine? What came down there? A weapon? A god? Both? I need to know…]
[@White: We're with Atena right now and just found out that two of the soldiers for the Academy practice today went missing before they even got to their beds last night. Might be something, might be nothing…]
[White: I’ll see what I can do…]

>We'll be offering advice either way, but we can jump out if you... I dunno, need a moment.
No, I’m fine… you’re just something you need to get used too.
>WE ARE NOT FULL-FLEDGED GENTLEMEN, WE WILL TELL WHO'S KISSED.
…remind me to never kiss in your presence.
>Oh, by the way, the reason taking care of one person is hard is that you're only one person taking care of them. The whole point of Mantis-type quadroamorous relationships is that you have four people taking care of each other, so it's three taking care of one four times over.
Well, you still need to take care of four people, don’t you? Four people you need to know as good or even better then you do yourself… four people to love more than anything… four people to please in… hmm…

>Be wary for shape changers, now. You may want to sneak in some holy items to the students and soldier’s disciplinary hearings or whatever.
The Inquisition is already doing that… hopefully they will be gentle enough to not scare the crap out of people.
>Could you tell us more of the Inquisition? What is the extent of their power, where are they legally allowed to apply that power, and what oversight, if any, watches them?
Their power does about equal ours, except that they can operate in all cities while we’re based in one… except if you count the whole guard union. While they can request for us to not go snooping around their business, we can if given a good reason just ignore them… or outright arrest them if they are breaking the law. Problem is, their job is to take care of demon worshippers and the like, which means so far they have the right to tell us to bugger off.
>That also sounds like a pawn. As a bonus to listening to us jabber, you gain skill at a much faster rate than normal.
…really? Wait, when you say skills, do you mean like… um… everything? I’ll become a better Quest master if I plat some Q&Q while you’re with me?
>The last one deals with another pawn from another player similar to us who we've been told is going by yellow.
So… there are more people out there who can commit feats like that… wait, does that mean I’ll be able to commit feats like that!?

>Okay, here's the plan. In addition to sending the ranked officer and grunts to the Academy also send an investigator and some guards with orders to track down the two missing soldiers as fast as they can.
Right, I’ll see what men I can spare.
>As for the Baideal family, I dunno what Lady Baideal wants the guard to do in relation to her daughter Lucrais, but I doubt Lu or us would like it.
Hmm… I’ve heard about the Baideal family before… an awful lot… thinking their “nobility” entitle them to do what they want, even now when their money is starting to dry up. I’m pretty sure one of her oldest is in prison for some petty theft… and their matriarch was almost arrested for trying to bribe pretty much everyone in the court room when he was sentenced.
>We know the Baideal family's attitude is totally hardcore old school nobility, so send someone you know has utmost patience and can stand up to any demands they might make that're beyond what the guard is legally allowed or obligated to do.
I’ll send Jorgen, he lacks the imagination to get mad or bend the law.

>You'll be going to track down the female lizard from the bar brawl. We want to find out is she's Yellow's ASAP so we can make contact with him before Purple comes down on them.
The bar it is then…
>we can personally check out the other two scenes while you’re working if you want us to and then come back later to let you know what we found.
Well, if you want to… I mean, I’m pretty sure I can handle myself out there on my own and if you deem any of the other places are more important.



:ArthurNUM: One more cup, bar man!
:UnknownKAK: You know, we are technically closed.
:ArthurNUM: I’m here on business of the inquisition. Very important, yes?
:UnknownKAK: …and that involves drinking?
:ArthurNUM: Yes! Also, I’m paying; it’s… how you say… expense for inquisitors.
:UnknownKAK: Yes, yes… I’ll be right over… just give me a minute.
:AtenaNUM: Wait… Arthur?
:ArthurNUM: Ah, it is the lady of superior posterior, yes? A begum with… how you say… a bum that doesn’t need any bunkum…
:AtenaNUM: Err…
:ArthurNUM: The queen with the fantastic fanny, the ruler of the ravishing, refined, remarkable rump, yes?
:AtenaNUM: …okay, that’s enough. I only understood half of those words but-
:ArthurNUM: A derriere to die for, haunches to hang for, a backside to get behi-
:AtenaNUM: Enough!
:ArthurNUM: I am only complimenting lady police, yes? At least, that what colored jelly fish say… he had very fun with your… how you say… reaction, yes? Much laughter.

Insert important items in interesting something something I can’t do this shit_
>>
No. 592336 ID: 954b68

>you still need to take care of four people, don’t you? four people to love more than anything… four people to please in
look at it this way, its four people that love you, four people to take care of you, four people to please and pleasure you!

>At least, that what colored jelly fish say
Which colored jellyfish? US? I don't remember telling him to be a horn-dog!
>>
No. 592339 ID: dbe554

>>592336

Arthur was claimed by purple, he offered us a trade for him earlier. He's also a squiddie.

But yeah tell Arthur to knock it off, it's very rude.
>>
No. 592347 ID: 2fd516

>>592333
Hehe, oh jeez, Purple has a sense of humor too. What a dangerous player.

Ask if he's found any info on the suspect yet. How much has he had to drink, anyway? Should he really be drinking on the job? ...how is he drinking through the helmet?
[scan that Mantis]
>>
No. 592353 ID: d8a627

>I’ll become a better Quest master if I plat some Q&Q while you’re with me?
Probably. A guy who had no musical talent whatsoever suddenly learned to play the harp really well... even though we weren't even with him at the time. As long as you're still our pawn, we don't have to be speaking to you at the time.
I think you learn fastest when we are speaking with you, though.
>So… there are more people out there who can commit feats like that…
Yes. To be specific, they are "Golem" Players. We (Teal) are not. This does not mean they are not real or that they do not have a soul, just that they cannot kill other players. We, however, can. Golems do get additional attributes that we do not, though.
>wait, does that mean I’ll be able to commit feats like that!?
Your physical strength can grow swiftly and to extremes, yes, but we cannot give you powers you do not have. Do not expect to suddenly throw around fire, unless you have a way of unlocking that power yourself.
>At least, that what colored jelly fish say…
[Scan Arthur, echo to Atena]
That should tell you which player is talking to him. Tell that player, by color, that Teal says Hello. Such as if it's purple, "Teal says hello, purple."
>>
No. 592354 ID: 65a774
File 140976388270.png - (16.59KB , 900x450 , 12.png )
592354

>[scan that Mantis]
[Neutral Creature: Barkeep]
>[Scan Arthur, echo to Atena]
[“The Star” belongs to Player Purple!]

>look at it this way, its four people that love you, four people to take care of you, four people to please and pleasure you!
Yeah, because having four people love you with a fourth of their love is equal as being loved by one person completely… Quality over quantity, you know.
>Arthur was claimed by purple, he offered us a trade for him earlier. He's also a squiddie.
Hmm… so another one of you guys? First Yellow and now this… how many of your kind are there?
>Hehe, oh jeez, Purple has a sense of humor too. What a dangerous player.
…yes, “humor”…
>...how is he drinking through the helmet?
Err… he’s not wearing a helmet?
>Your physical strength can grow swiftly and to extremes, yes, but we cannot give you powers you do not have.
Hmm… so no fire balls then? Blast!
>Probably. A guy who had no musical talent whatsoever suddenly learned to play the harp really well...
…really? Then…. Hmm… very interesting…

>But yeah tell Arthur to knock it off, it's very rude.
:AtenaNUM: While I like a compliment, this is going a bit far.
:ArthurNUM: Oh, I’m sorry… I thought saying nice things to a beautiful lady was good, yes? It’s like… how you say… um… appreciating a piece of priceless art, yes? Show some support to artist, no? Either way, you are very much best shape of woman and I’m envious of your husband, yes?
:AtenaNUM:
>How much has he had to drink, anyway? Should he really be drinking on the job?
:ArthurNUM: I only have had two drinks. Nothing strong, you need not to worry, yes?
>Tell that player, by color, that Teal says Hello.
:arthurNUM: Purple says “Greetings, Squiddy.”

>Ask if he's found any info on the suspect yet.
:ArthurNUM: Oh, I can’t tell you that. Superiors orders.
:AtenaNUM: Superior? Who?
:ArthurNUM: Boss inquisitor is here. Ordered me to go here and get info, yes? Then no tell anyone, he said. You might want to ask Bar man… he never said anything about stopping you from doing that.
:UnknownKAK: I’m going to tell you the same thing I told this pathetic excuse for a inquisitor. There was this big lizard broad here asking questions about the weird light yesterday and something about a plant… I think she was talking to some undead? Then she got mad when someone insulted her and suddenly there was a door flying and stuff… That’s it, alright? Now gitt, so I can clean in peace! …oh, and she dropped some trinket… that inquisitor fella got it.
:AtenaNUM: …let me guess…
:ArthurNUM: Superiors order, police lady, no showy.
:AtenaNUM: …hmm…

Insert Superior THIS!!_
>>
No. 592380 ID: 2fd516

>>592354
Ah, his portrait has his helmet on, so I got confused. Also, it sounds like Yellow already knows about Hugo... I think Yellow was contacted by someone that wants Hugo dead.
Maybe you can seduce the trinket off him, if Purple won't tell us.

[@Purple: Would you be willing to tell us what the trinket is?]
>>
No. 592382 ID: 9ddf68

ask the barkeep if he knows where we could possibly find the people that the lizard broad was talking to, or maybe even if he say where she went. That and a description so we can pass it around the guard and try and make things a bit easier.

and is it just me or does purple sound less crazy when talking through pawns?
>>
No. 592390 ID: 40935b

>I thought saying nice things to a beautiful lady was good, yes?
... It's like he wants his heart to be in the right place, but has no idea where that is.
>no showy.
[message purple: you're not going to make us ask for a favor, are you?]
>>
No. 592391 ID: 65a774
File 140977688275.png - (16.66KB , 900x450 , 13.png )
592391

>[@Purple: Would you be willing to tell us what the trinket is?]
[Purple: …not really…]
>[message purple: you're not going to make us ask for a favor, are you?]
[…no, I won’t. I still don’t trust you, so I will keep any information to myself. I should recommend you do the same, as you’ll never know who is tainted by a demon spawn.]

>Also, it sounds like Yellow already knows about Hugo... I think Yellow was contacted by someone that wants Hugo dead.
Hmm… someone knows about the alien… that’s bad- wait, someone already wants him dead?
>... It's like he wants his heart to be in the right place, but has no idea where that is.
…that’s a pretty accurate discretion, actually… I’m guessing he’s probably a nice guy, it’s just that he’s from another culture and all…
>and is it just me or does purple sound less crazy when talking through pawns?
I’m guessing Arthur is filtering out the more crazy stuff.

>ask the barkeep if he knows where we could possibly find the people that the lizard broad was talking to, or maybe even if he say where she went.
:UnknownKAK: Heck if I know! All I know was they were all strangers, probably from outside town… even from outside the empire.
>That and a description so we can pass it around the guard and try and make things a bit easier.
:UnknownKAK: Let’s see… she was kind of big… and I think she had blue eyes? Maybe? I don’t know, you lizards all look the same to us… err… no offence.
:AtenaNUM: None taken… I got the same problem with humans.

>Maybe you can seduce the trinket off him, if Purple won't tell us.
…I’m an officer of the law. I won’t sink so low as some three magpie harlot… unless…
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… Arthur? Does this superior of your outrank my superior posterior?
:ArthurNUM: Oh, of course not… but… err… I can’t ask you to do something like that for… err… that would be wrong, yes? While I would love see your tail shake like- Ow, ow, OW! What are you doing!?
:AtenaNUM: Arresting you for obstructing an officer of the law. You said it yourself, I outrank you superior-
:ArthurNUM: Ow, I get the hint, yes!? Here, take it!
:AtenaNUM: Ah, good… then you’re free to go…
:ArthurNUM: …you should have just asked nicely, you know…
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… it’s a copper locket? With a picture of two lizards inside it? One male and one female? Hmm…

[Purple: Heh… that was rather fun to watch… he deserve so much for being so… rude to the police lady, no? If you give the locket back before you leave I will let this slide…]

Insert Arthur, stop interrupting th-
:ArthurNUM: Though, I like a lady that are willing to… how you say… bring me some good pain, yes? Rawr~
:AtenaNUM:
>>
No. 592394 ID: 26d79f

>>592391
Alright, that's a pendant with a picture of our culprit's loved ones. I suggest you describe the female on in more detail though, on the off-chance THAT is who we're looking for. Are there any engraving's on it, a name perhaps?
>>
No. 592397 ID: 9ddf68

show that to the bar tender and ask if either of those lizards where someone he saw last knight, if so we know have a face for the crime, could be helpful. Oh and purple does want that back when you're done using it and I'm not to against the idea either mostly because one, I'd rather have the Inquisition and the guard at least trying to work together instead of having a dick waving contest. Two, Arthur is just doing his job and I'd hate to see the guy get in trouble just because someone outranked him. And three, the Inquisition seem to be mostly staying to the school, where we have Hugo hiding, and if yellow ever does find out that we're hiding the alien there he might send someone to try get him if yellow really is mad. In which case having the Inquisition knowing who to look for would help us. But in the end it's your call since this is your job and you've been at it longer then us.
>>
No. 592399 ID: 40935b

>wait, someone already wants him dead?
Did you forget the part where he literally hadn't even been on the ground for a minute before the fanatics attacked him?!?

>a copper locket? With a picture of two lizards inside it? One male and one female?
>probably from outside town… even from outside the empire.
>she was kind of big… and I think she had blue eyes?
Could it be? Mor'kay?
>>
No. 592402 ID: 2fd516

>>592399
Impossible. Mor'Kay is normal sized outside her armor, for that matter she's not Inverted Sun nor is she a pawn of Yellow. Also, Mor'Kay has red eyes. It's possible the undead Yellow's pawn was speaking to was Mor'Kay though.

>>592391
If you can commit the picture to memory then give back the locket, to prevent antagonizing Purple. What are their eye colors, and what sort of markings does the male have? Are they wearing anything interesting? Are either missing part of their horns? As for Hugo, those that want to kill him are... from where he came from, basically.
We've done as much as we can here I think. Let the guard know to keep an eye out for the big lizard and undead person- wait what type of undead was it? Ghoul, mummy, skeleton? Which race was the undead person?
>>
No. 592406 ID: d8a627

>how many of your kind are there?
Last count I believe was 255? Only an Administrator can make more, but Hugo, the new God, I suppose counts as one, since he's considered an Avatar Player. Otherwise, a player got deleted to make space for him. Scary thought.
>someone already wants him dead?
Another "God," who we don't know the name of, we just know that his position is a Sakkil Marine. Sakkil look like lizards, and their precursors, before the plague killed off all of the advanced civilizations, were Lizards, but don't call a Sakkil a Lizard, they'll take offense to it.
Although, it's odd. I thought we'd convinced the Sakkil Marine to not kill Hugo. Maybe he accidentally Purified somebody--any outside person who takes up the position of "God" can purify people. Thankfully Hugo cannot do this, because purification works exactly like a Daemon's corruption, only under a different name. A person can be both partially purified and partially corrupted at the same time, but once one hits 100%, the other gets erased completely.
Also, when a Daemon corrupts a person, that person's natural way of thinking can corrupt the Daemon right back, chances are it works the same with Gods. If the Sakkil Marine did indeed purify somebody, even by accident, it's possible their methods rubbed off on him and made him a bit more zealous.
>Heh… that was rather fun to watch… he deserve so much for being so… rude to the police lady, no? If you give the locket back before you leave I will let this slide…
Okay, I think we've seen that locket before. Jericho, another one of our Kings, had a locket like that, and his mother, Mor'Kay, and his father, Durach, probably had their own copies, too. Mor'Kay was the King of Red, so it's definitely possible that it was her, she's had plenty of time to grow in strength.
Please return the locket, knowing what was inside is enough for us... Really, that's all we can get out of it.
[Message Purple: Cute~ I am unsure if those words truly were yours, if Arthur misunderstood, or if he was translating... unsuccessfully. Be on the look out for player Red. Red is, or was, trustworthy, but I don't know what has happened in the past three months.
Oh! And if you're interested, I certainly wouldn't mind a dance partner~]
[Message Purple: That was half a joke. I enjoy teasing people, and understand if things want to be kept serious, but if you do happen to agree, I'm well enough able to keep serious and enjoy some fun at the same time.]
>Though, I like a lady that are willing to… how you say… bring me some good pain, yes? Rawr~
...Please tell me that isn't Theen, somehow converted to another title and player for the time being.
>Did you forget the part where he literally hadn't even been on the ground for a minute before the fanatics attacked him?!?
Oh, right, they were Daemonic. Yellow probably encountered a Daemon who just doesn't like the Gods. Daemons were invented -- yes, invented, they are "Golems" the same way most Players are -- to be the enemy of the Gods after all, so while the Daemons have grown spirits and become alive, some certainly would still hate anything from the outside world.
> Mor'Kay is normal sized outside her armor,
What armor? That was an iron golem. She could have had a Flesh Golem made or something that she could control.
>>
No. 592455 ID: 9443d1

*sigh* Arthur... He's like a sexuality wild card; He'd go with and has gone with most everything. ...But, I have to wonder why he still comes on so strong even after living in Amun for two and a half years. Maybe under it all he's just a bit desperate to be close to someone and has been expressing it in a bad way? He is kinda socially isolated in Amun due to where he came from, after all, isn't he?

Could you get a mirror out and take a look-see at Purple, just to confirm that he's as terrifying as Cathal said. And give the mirror to Arthur so he can see what we look like too. Maybe comment that he's taking having a giant purple flying eyeball-laden squid-thing hovering over his shoulder and talking to him rather well.

Hey, last night Arthur told Daithi that he played Q&Q when he was in Inquisition school, and Lucrais also wants to get into Q&Q, so we're thinking that maybe you could dust off your QM stuff and run a one-shot intro game with them, Daithi and Cedric at some point. Though with the Hugo situation it'd have be someplace that isn't Daithi's dorm since Purple would come along with Arthur. Though, if a game does happen it'll probably be a ways off when things aren't so busy.

[@Purple: I'm curious: What's your opinion of Arthur since he's a reformed former cultist?]

>Hmm… someone knows about the alien… that’s bad- wait, someone already wants him dead?
Yeah, the one that chased him here. Weren't you paying attention to the "mad rambling" of a short history my fellow voice told you? Okay, to recap and elaborate: The Sakkilians, a civilization comprised of the descendants of the Old God lizards, are at war with Hugo's species, the Uredo, and have been for the last two years out there. Hugo was being pursued by a Sakkilian marine across the void of space, into the middle of nowhere where on a barren rock of a planet they stumbled upon a grand creation of their Precursors: Your world. The marine shot Hugo's ship down and after crashing Hugo fled inside your world via whatever system is used to insert players while the marine instead went for an admin control terminal; In a very rough Q&Q analogy, that terminal would be the system through which the "game masters" for this world applied their power. From there the marine saw when and where the only player in the game was about to arrive in the Serath desert, manifested there as a floating golden lizard with angelic wings and gave a gun like the one Hugo used to a Serath tribal shaman along with directions to kill the three-eyed "demon" that would show up. Thankfully the information the marine got was wrong, the player that showed up was us, not Hugo, and the shaman was also one of our guys.

Right after the shaman left we messaged back and forth with the Sakkilian marine and that's how we found out what we have of what's going on out there. We also shook the marine's view of the Sakkilian's place and destiny in the universe by pointing out that this world proves that the Precursors were a civilization of lizards, humans and mantis, not just lizards, but unfortunately we couldn't convince the marine to stop pursuing Hugo. Thankfully the marine won't have such admin powers as he used over in the Serath to do so 'cause right after the marine disconnected from the admin terminal the World System finally realized the marine wasn't authorized to access it and locked down "vital admin commands." Unfortunately we don't know what powers that left the marine to use from up there to influence down there.

And some vital bits of information you should know to make sense of some of what we're saying: There's some serious time warping shenanigans going on in this world and around us. On a hunch we asked the Sakkilian marine if time was passing faster in here then outside and it is, by a factor of 720. That means for every day in here, only two minutes pass out there. We've also been shifting around in time, to three different periods so far: Here and now, the Serath three months ago, and Järgien six months from now. We've also found out that the world has been stuck in what's effectively a time loop that starts right before we first appear in the Serath and ends with the opening, sealing, or destruction of the gate to the Daemon Realm; A cycle of death and rebirth that only the daemons and the World itself retain their memories through. And that the one who's caused these cycles is us, because every outcome so far has been unsatisfactory. But this is the last cycle. The final chance to land the coin on edge, to finally make things right...

Sorry for the infodump, Atena, but it'll be needed for you to understand at least part of our reasoning for what we're saying and doing. You can choose to believe what of it you wish for now, but it's likely that we and you will eventually find an outside source that can confirm at least part of it.

>Hmm… so another one of you guys? First Yellow and now this… how many of your kind are there?
Well, we're totally one of a kind in the universe, but within the context of this world and game there's only one other "real" player like us: Hugo. All the other 346 players are "artificial gods;" Artificial intelligences that were originally designed to both fill player slots in the game when a real player wasn't available and offer extra opponents and allies in the game. So Purple, White, Black and all the other players are AIs with varying levels of difficulty, personalties and play styles. And the reason there's 346 AI players is 'cause the last admin on before the death of the Old Gods put them in and disabled the victory conditions as an experiment; However, we weren't part of it and came along much later, long after the Old Gods had died.

As far as we know the only one besides us, you, Daithi, and maybe Lucrais who knows Hugo is a plant person is the Sakkilian marine. So I suspect the marine is somehow connected to this buff lizard gal. We even remember the marine refer to Hugo multiple times as a "plant" in a derogatory way so that lends a bit of credence to this idea since she used the same word here.

...Wait a second. When we checked what non-AI players were on a little while ago it showed us, Hugo, and "ADMIN(AWAY)" But when we checked it before, back in the Serath, it showed only us, one player in the player lobby, and one player in the admin lobby. Could it be that the Sakkilian marine has entered the game as a player using what admin powers were still unlocked? Since there hasn't been another beam of light it'd have to have been via a more discreet way then Hugo did, or the marine is a player more like us, working as a voice. Lemme double-check that we read that right: [List all non-AI players]

There's also the possibility that the marine has the power to insert a new AI player into the world, with special instructions or quests. Better check for that as well. [Show current number of AI players] Even if the marine couldn't do that, he or she might have been able to give an existing AI player a new quest and instructions to find and kill Hugo.

Our king pawn back in the Serath had a copper locket with the portraits of his parents in it. There's next to no chance this is the same locket, but we still have to rule it out. Hold it out so we can scan it and then give us a detailed description of the portraits. [Scan copper locket] Once that's completely ruled out we can continue.

Purple said that if you give the locket back before you leave he'll let it slide, so lets get as much as we can out of it before you leave. Look over the locket thoroughly for any marks, etches, engraving, maker's mark, or other hints as to its origin, specifically any foreign text. Then lay it out on the bar so Arthur can see it as well, get a pin or a pocket knife and use it to lift the portraits out and check if anything is written on their backs or under them in the locket. Once that's all done and you've committed the portraits to memory then put the locket back together and give it back to Arthur.

Ask the barkeep if he can remember what the female lizard was wearing. Were her clothes local in style or foreign? Was she in armor or armed in any way? Oh, and does he remember what the insult was that set her off? Then ask what he can remember of the undead she was speaking with. How many of them were there, what kind of undead were they (ghoul, skeleton, mummy,) what were their species and genders and if they had any other distinguishing physical characteristics or clothing?

What time did the big lizard gal show up and what time did the bar brawl start? I'm guessing she showed up after eleven or midnight. Also, what time do the city gates close and what time do they open?

What's the Amun Empire's stance and laws on undead and necromancy? I'd figure it's a "Hell, no" on the practice of necromancy within its borders, but from the undead that were in the pub that undead from outside will be tolerated if they behave. And do you know of any other place in the world besides the Serath Sultanate that allows necromancy or that a significant number of intelligent undead come from?

Since the lizard we're looking for as well as the undead she was talking to are likely visitors to the city, I think our next step after leaving here is to go around to the inns, lodgings and other places around here with short-term accommodations to ask if anyone matching their descriptions is or has stayed there. Compile what descriptions we have for the female lizard, the undead, and the two lizards in the locket as well, just to be sure, and make copies for the guards who'll be asking around. And also send descriptions to the city gates for the guards to watch for them all; Arrest the gal and bring the undead or the other two lizards to you for questioning.
>>
No. 592461 ID: d8a627

>>592455
>Could it be that the Sakkilian marine has entered the game as a player using what admin powers were still unlocked?
OH FUCKING SHIT. Purple is the Sakkil Marine, isn't he? Sigh, and we're the only player he saw, so of course he would copy our form, squids with eyes, rather than using his natural form. He thought he would look like a native.
I want to send the following as a message, but I'm going to let you guys have a say in this, since it some of you said to be careful what we say to purple:
Say, we never did ask... Do you have a name? You know, other than "Purple." Some players seem to enjoy their color name, while others have created an alias they would prefer to go by. We have alises, ourselves, but "Teal" seems to be the favored name.
And you asked us earlier if we hadn't heard any mention of what came down in the light. It was a person. Looked kind of like a lizard, but oddly took offense to being called one. He said he was "Sakkil," and something about an AWOL soldier.

[DO NOT SEND THE SECOND PARAGRAPH unless approved of by at least two more votes than those for not sending it; this does not count as a vote]
We should tell purple something, but also check to see if purple is maybe the Sakkil Marine we encountered before.
>>
No. 592470 ID: 2fd516

>>592461
>purple is the marine
No. That makes no sense. We already CHECKED for non-AI players and there are three: Teal, Hugo, and admin(afk) which we can assume means the sakkil got interrupted by the intruders and didn't log out.
>>
No. 592495 ID: 9443d1

>>592461
[Vote negative to sending] ...What the...? How the heck did you make the leap to that idea? There's next to zero chance Purple is the Sakkilian marine. That Purple was here BEFORE Hugo dropped in pretty much clinches that Purple isn't the marine since the marine was in pursuit of Hugo, so he (or she) arrived afterwards. But think: If the marine was at the admin terminal when Hugo entered, wouldn't the marine have descended as the glowing winged lizard here and not back in the Serath like he (or she) did? So it makes no sense that Purple is the marine.

I actually think there's a chance that the big buff lizard gal who ripped the door off the pub is really the marine and she used the admin terminal to insert herself in here as a player without all the hoopla like Hugo's arrival did, as well as hiding what player color she is on the player list behind "ADMIN." Or the marine took over an AI player and is playing like we or Purple are, as a directing voice. But really, this is all speculation and we don't have any evidence that the marine did any of this. We'd best follow the clues we have and locate the beefy female lizard before deciding.

>>592470
What intruders? I don't remember there being any indication of intruders up where the admin terminal is.
>>
No. 592507 ID: 2fd516

>>592495
>[Warning! Unregistered beings detected in main compound!]
>[Warning! Unregistered being has accessed Admin controls! Locking down vital admin commands!]
Those intruders.
>>
No. 592510 ID: 65a774
File 140984993268.png - (17.03KB , 900x450 , 14.png )
592510

>[Show current number of AI players] [List all non-AI players]
[There are currently 346 AI players active! There is currently two Player playing the game: Player Teal and {%^*¤öö43}! There are also currently seven Admins online! There’s one player in the lobby!]

>[@Purple: I'm curious: What's your opinion of Arthur since he's a reformed former cultist?]
[Former Cultist? Don’t be daft; he never became a full cultist. That’s why he reformed, after all. He cleansed himself from filth and accepted our guidance. Oh, and the things he can tell when you ask the right questions…]
>[Say, we never did ask... Do you have a name? You know, other than "Purple." Some players seem to enjoy their color name, while others have created an alias they would prefer to go by.]
[I am the purifier, the purge, the paragon, the peace maker, the purple… you can call me… P… …. …no, wait, that sounds like… that’s not… err… just call me purple for now… alright?]
>[Message Purple: Cute~ I am unsure if those words truly were yours, if Arthur misunderstood, or if he was translating... unsuccessfully.]
[I only said that he would complement the police lady, the rest he did himself… oh, but I was rather impressed with his vocabulary considering… those things.]
>[Oh! And if you're interested, I certainly wouldn't mind a dance partner~]
[…I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t try to dance with me…]

>There Is currently 347 of us.
…that’s a lot, isn’t it… but… it’s all around the world, right? Hmm…
>Did you forget the part where he literally hadn't even been on the ground for a minute before the fanatics attacked him?!?
Well, those where fanatics. They would have attacked anything that came down that beam of light, be it Hugo, Steve from accounting or even a bag of tulips.
>As for Hugo, those that want to kill him are... from where he came from, basically.
Ah, so another alien…
>Weren't you paying attention to the "mad rambling" of a short history my fellow voice told you? Okay, to recap and elaborate…
Err… I… think I got some of… that? So… alien on run from alien who entered our world… or world is a “Game”… something about admins… right…

>What's the Amun Empire's stance and laws on undead and necromancy? I'd figure it's a "Hell, no" on the practice of necromancy within its borders, but from the undead that were in the pub that undead from outside will be tolerated if they behave.
Necromancy is illegal and having mindless undead is the same. Sentient undead is accepted as a person, but their creation is illegal.
>do you know of any other place in the world besides the Serath Sultanate that allows necromancy or that a significant number of intelligent undead come from?
Well, a lot of countries at the southern part of the world are rather lax about necromancy…

>*sigh* Arthur... He's like a sexuality wild card; He'd go with and has gone with most everything.
First animals and now this? I’m getting a bit concerned to be honest…
>...But, I have to wonder why he still comes on so strong even after living in Amun for two and a half years. Maybe under it all he's just a bit desperate to be close to someone and has been expressing it in a bad way? He is kinda socially isolated in Amun due to where he came from, after all, isn't he?
…I… I… that’s… the way he reacted when I tried to arrest him and hurt him was… I’ve seen it before… in children and young adults… it’s… he didn’t like that I made him feel pain but… he loved that I actually paid attention to him… that I touched him… he’s like a attention starved kid… I… I don’t know if I should feel pity or think he’s pathetic…
>Hey, last night Arthur told Daithi that he played Q&Q when he was in Inquisition school, and Lucrais also wants to get into Q&Q, so we're thinking that maybe you could dust off your QM stuff and run a one-shot intro game with them, Daithi and Cedric at some point.
That would probably be fun, yeah… when we get time, of course…

>I'd rather have the Inquisition and the guard at least trying to work together instead of having a dick waving contest.
Well, I’ve seen how short of their “superior” officer here and I have to say… I think you know who would win a dick waving contest between me and him, right?
>I suggest you describe the female on in more detail though, on the off-chance THAT is who we're looking for.
Hmm… golden eyes and... She’s rather thin, I guess? It’s clearly not the lizard we’re looking for.
>What are their eye colors, and what sort of markings does the male have? Are they wearing anything interesting? Are either missing part of their horns?
The male also has golden eyes… and he’s marking are rather large, actually…
>Are there any engraving's on it, a name perhaps?
Nope, nothing.

>show that to the bar tender and ask if either of those lizards where someone he saw last night.
:UnknownKAK: What? No, of course not. That skinny thing doesn’t look at all like the mountain that was here yesterday.
>wait what type of undead was it? Ghoul, mummy, skeleton? Which race was the undead person?
:UnknownKAK: A lizard ghoul, I believe… probably female?
>Ask the barkeep if he can remember what the female lizard was wearing.
:UnknownKAK: She wore leather armor with yellow markings… almost looked like one of those armors those brutes in the untamed lands wear. As for the undead, she wore some kind of red robe that covered her face.

>If you can commit the picture to memory then give back the locket, to prevent antagonizing Purple.
:ArthurNUM: Ah, thank you!
>Could you get a mirror out and take a look-see at Purple, just to confirm that he's as terrifying as Cathal said.
…Big tentacle things with a lot of mouths and eyes? …and a very… large… eye staring right… err…
[Purple: I see you… beautiful…]
>Maybe comment that Arthur is taking having a giant purple flying eyeball-laden squid-thing hovering over his shoulder and talking to him rather well.
:ArthurNUM: I have to admit, I did… how you say… freak the fuck out at first, yes? But then boss told me he was with him so everything is okay, yes?
>I think our next step after leaving here is to go around to the inns, lodgings and other places around here with short-term accommodations to ask if anyone matching their descriptions is or has stayed there.
Hmm… I can send some guards out with descriptions to ask… but there are a lot of inns around here so it will probably take all day… Meanwhile, maybe I should visit the school or the mantis noble family?

[Purple: …I have changed my mind about the trade… The star will stay with me but I am willing to trade the father of your king for… the police lady, if that’s alright for you? Hmm… of course, I’m still willing to accept the Priest but I rather have the police lady and her… assets as my pawn…]

Insert She does have some nice assets, don’t she?
>>
No. 592522 ID: dbe554

So..You would mind if we danced with you, or wouldn't. Hard double negative.

But yeah, I don't think we will agree to this trade for now, while that might be useful to us to have father for symbolic purposes having Atena might prove better for our purposes within the police task force, which would allow us better use.
>>
No. 592524 ID: d8a627

>There are currently 346 AI players active!
Oh good lord they're multiplying?!
>There are also currently seven Admins online! There’s one player in the lobby!
WHERE ARE THEY ALL COMING FROM!?
>I am the purifier, the purge, the paragon, the peace maker, the purple… you can call me… P… …. …no, wait, that sounds like… that’s not… err… just call me purple for now… alright?
[Reply: Well, if you want a name that follows the alliteration, Peter or Patrick work well. If you're after a female name, Patricia or Penny would work, too. "Pat" for androgynism. Take your time, though, Purple! An alias is a serious change.
Also, uh, I'm not good with Lizard or Mantis names, sorry to say. Only Human names. I also don't get why they call themselves Lizards and Mantises, they should come up with some fancy name like the humans did. Those Sakkil had it right, I must say--"Lizards" in so much as humans are "monkeys," but gave themselves a fancy name.]
>I don’t know if I should feel pity or think he’s pathetic…
Daithi is trying to be a good friend to him, something he needs desperately. It's up to you if you want to be one for him, as well.
Lucrais likes... something about him. Not entirely sure what, but I think it's that he accepts her authority, while still also acknowledging that it's harmful? It might also be that he treats her like a standard person, and not a Noble... depsite the hardwired belief from her mother that she should be treated as a noble.
>golden eyes and...
Wait, didn't the Serathian sultanate have a lot of golden eyes? We never saw Mor'Kay's actual eyes, but her Iron Golem had golden eyes, and everybody believed that was the real her, so she probably has golden eyes, too. I wonder if she had a daughter, too?~
Wait, why am I saying that so giddily? There was nothing to be giddy about when we found out Durach had other children... Bah, let it be a point of lasting confusion.
>The male also has golden eyes… and he’s marking are rather large, actually…
That's... Huh. Mor'Kay's parents likely both had golden eyes, too, but... Could she have had blue eyes, not golden? Large markings were the mark of "Dragon's Blood," which was basically what the Serathian Sultanate called its royal bloodline.
>A lizard ghoul, I believe…
Mor'Kay.
>As for the undead, she wore some kind of red robe that covered her face.
Mor'Kay.
>I see you… beautiful…
>…I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t try to dance with me…
>didn’t try to dance with me
[Reply: You're sending us mixed messages here! Was the "not" part of "didn't" a slip of the tongue, or do you prefer to stick to flirtations and/or compliments, and not actual acts?
Unfortunately we cannot see you through such a small reflective surface, we have bad eyesight... But from the lady's description of you, you are quite interesting~ Most players take on a modified version of the image of their king, or a mortal-based image that shows their ideals, such as White, while her King is a male human, she is a female Mantis in white.
For so long, I was worried we'd be all alone in having such a unique form... Glad to know we aren't any longer~]
Good lord Purple is making me talk in such a giddy way. This feels weird.
>…I have changed my mind about the trade…
[echo this message to Atena]
Uh. This is getting both interesting and confusing. Purple tries to keep a serious air about himself, but also seems quite flirtatious. I feel he's trying to get at the secret of what was in the light.
Against the potentially better judgement of others, I'm going to impart some info to purple. Vaguely.
>What came down there? A weapon? A god? Both? I need to know…
[Message Purple: We've ignored your question for a while while trying to figure things out for ourselves... While we still aren't sure how to answer it, we can tell you what our assumptions are, but we need to know your answer to a question, first. Both of your guesses suggest something of incredible power, one a god itself, and another a weapon, which would in turn likely be from a god. Do you honestly believe that something decended in a pillar of light would be of grandiose origins? I have mentioned before that Daemons are capable of holy as well, if they drop their Demon (note the lack of an A here!) origins and act in favor of the mortals, but even a Holy Daemon is still not a God.
Tell me, what do you think about these defector Daemons? Are they still corrupt? Do you believe that a God could be corrupt? A weapon from the gods could easily be used by the corrupt, for that matter. It would be a dangerous item unless it was specifically built to only effect the corrupted, and not the clean or the pure.]
>>
No. 592533 ID: 9ddf68

[message to purple: yeah we've kinda been talking to our pawns to see if anyone wanted to shift teams but for the most part they don't seem to be to fond of the idea. You know the whole trading them like they're nothing more then trading cards thing kinda makes them a little upset and I kinda have to agree. If someone does want to change teams though we'll let you know]

But yeah we got white (another player who looks like a white mantis) covering the school so we'll go see how the nobles are doing... but hold one one sec I'll see how things are going at the school.
[message to white: hey is anything interesting happening at the school? all we found out was that yellow's pawn is a Large (as in muscle) female lizard with blue eyes and was last seen wearing leather armor... oh and we think purple is starting to develop a crush on the caption of the guard]
>>
No. 592534 ID: d8a627

>oh and we think purple is starting to develop a crush on the caption of the guard
[Message White: And maybe on us, but he may have intended that message to Atena, not us.]
>>
No. 592538 ID: 2fd516

>>592524
We saw Mor'Kay's eyes. They're red. Anyway, the red-robed ghoul lizard is most likely her. Which means, Red is here, and mingling with Yellow... but is he doing it to manipulate Yellow, or are they true allies?

As for what Purple said, he was turning down the offer. He was basically saying "uh, no."

>>592510
[@Purple: If that trade happened, wouldn't you have control over both the inquisition and the guard? I don't think we trust you enough to hand over all that power. Oh, I almost forgot to mention. There is a second type of corruption. It's called Purification, and is what happens when an admin- or "God" as the game calls them- remains around a pawn for an extended period of time. They basically get brainwashed.]

Atena, I think we might be done here. The red-robed ghoul is very likely a pawn of one of our allies from 6 months ago, come here in search of... something important you don't need to know about just yet. Not sure why she's hanging around with one of Yellow's pawns. Could be to manipulate Yellow, or they could be real allies.
>>
No. 592539 ID: 40935b

>[Purple: I see you… beautiful…]
Toko, what have you done.
>I have changed my mind about the trade…
[Reply: hmmm... We'll think on it.]
nope nope nope nope nope nope nope

>and his marking are rather large, actually…
That could be some kind of Serath royalty. Ask Arthur if he finds the culprit and the corruption charges don't pan out, to hand her over to you. And just mentioning Q&Q might be a good idea.

Next, you should probably go to the noble family's home. They'll probably already be bitching about you being late, so we should get that out of the way.
>>
No. 592540 ID: d8a627

>>592539
>Toko, what have you done.
I'm beginning to think more and more that the comment was directed at Atena, not us.
If I'm wrong though, I discovered another player who ignores the fact that players can't do squat and flirts anyways~!
>>
No. 592542 ID: 65a774
File 140986434958.png - (30.58KB , 900x450 , 15.png )
592542

>[Message Purple: We've ignored your question for a while while trying to figure things out for ourselves... While we still aren't sure how to answer it, we can tell you what our assumptions are, but we need to know your answer to a question, first. Both of your guesses suggest something of incredible power, one a god itself, and another a weapon, which would in turn likely be from a god. Do you honestly believe that something descended in a pillar of light would be of grandiose origins?
[Purple: All the legends say that is the place where the gods themselves descended from the very heavens, no? If this is not the gods doing, then who’s? Clearly, they have sent something to help us fight the demons!]
>So..You would mind if we danced with you, or wouldn't. Hard double negative.
[I rather not dance.]
>[Reply: Well, if you want a name that follows the alliteration, Peter or Patrick work well. If you're after a female name, Patricia or Penny would work, too. "Pat" for androgynism.]
[...I need a name with more... hmm... predator... pain... penetra- no, that’s just... err… wrong… geez… I will think about it.]
>[@Purple: If that trade happened, wouldn't you have control over both the inquisition and the guard? I don't think we trust you enough to hand over all that power.]
[…that’s an aspect that escaped me… it seems I was to preoccupied trying to keep a promise…]
>[You know the whole trading them like they're nothing more than trading cards thing kinda makes them a little upset and I kinda have to agree.]
[Trading cards? This isn’t some game, you know! It should be an honor to change players, to know you’re important enough for someone to sacrifice someone else for… of course, it works in reverse to, don’t it… hmmm… maybe it’s a bit humiliating, no?]
>[Do you prefer to stick to flirtations and/or compliments, and not actual acts?]
[I… what? What are you talking about?I haven’t flirted? You clearly have missunderstod my intentions!]
>[I was worried we'd be all alone in having such a unique form... Glad to know we aren't any longer~]
[…this is getting very… err… awkward…]

>[message to white: hey is anything interesting happening at the school?]
[White: The Moon is having classes as usual. Your king was rather nervous about having to train with real soldiers later today… otherwise, nothing.]
>[oh and we think purple is starting to develop a crush on the captain of the guard]
[…last time I checked Player can’t… um… I mean… are you sure?]

>[echo this message to Atena]
He wants to trade for me? Hmmm… well… he can’t be worse than you guys, right? But… he did sound a bit… off there didn’t he? Hmm… Maybe I should do it for Daithi? I’m guessing he would be happy that his father was on the same… err… team, right? More than if I were on it…
>The red-robed ghoul is very likely a pawn of one of our allies from 6 months ago, come here in search of... something important you don't need to know about just yet.
…so, you know her? Good, then maybe she can help us if we can just find her.
>Daithi is trying to be a good friend to him, something he needs desperately. It's up to you if you want to be one for him, as well.
…I don’t know… he’s a bit… um… weird, you know…

>Ask Arthur if he finds the culprit and the corruption charges don't pan out, to hand her over to you.
:ArthurNUM: Of course! If they are not with demons then they are your problem, Mr. Big eye say!
>And just mentioning Q&Q might be a good idea.
:AtenaNUM: Oh, and before I leave… I heard both you and Daithi played Q&Q and Lucrais wanted to try it… so… um… I was thinking maybe trying getting together for a game? …If you wa-
:ArthurNUM: Of course I w-want too! I’d l-love too! Really!
:AtenaNUM: Alright then… I’ll get back to you after I’ve asked the others… (Geez, talk about getting exited…)
>Next, you should probably go to the noble family's home. They'll probably already be bitching about you being late, so we should get that out of the way.
Well, I’ve already sent someone else there but… It’s probably for the best if I look into it myself…



[Switching to “The Tower”]
:LucraisNUM: Please, open the door, Mr. Peaucag, I promise to behave!
:UnknownKAK: Your mothers orders, Lady Lucrais, you’re staying in there until you’ve learned some sense.
:LucraisNUM: I order you to open the door, servant!
:UnknownKAK: I’m only letting you out when you’ve learned to behave like a proper lady! Staying out all night and getting drunk with some common people!? Scandalous!! No, you need to learn… don’t worry, those commoners will get what’s coming to them… as for you… the lord of the servant is preparing the discipline room down in the cellar as we speak…
:LucraisNUM: WHAT!?
:UnknownKAK: You’ve seen the effect it had on your brothers… It’s high time you learned some discipline yourself.
:LucraisNUM: YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME, YOU… YOU RUFFIAN!!
:UnknownKAK: Think about this next time you get the bright idea to “Party” with those filthy mud farmers… goodbye, Lady Lucrais!
:LucraisNUM: NO, PLEASE! I DON’T… I CAN’T- NO! …no, please… I… I’ve heard the screams from down there… please…

Insert Nobles, eh?
>>
No. 592548 ID: 40935b

Pst, lucrais! We're, eh, associates of Dai, we're going to get you out of here! You've got to think, is there any other way you can escape, like damaging those window bars? If there is literally no action you can take, the captain of the guard will be coming soon. If you can get her to arrest you- I believe you already have experience doing so- she'll take you away from here to book you. She's with us, so you can explain what's happened here then.

I'm really afraid to ask, but... what happened to your brothers, and what did that guy mean by 'those commoners will get what’s coming to them'?
>>
No. 592549 ID: 2fd516

>>592542
Screams? Shit. Hi, we're Teal, Daithi's helping squids. We gotta get you out of here, this has gone too far. Do you think you're willing to testify as a witness that your family has been torturing their children? Otherwise we'll have to get some other reason for the guard to investigate here. Atena is with us so we might be able to get her attention on this, but she still needs some valid reason to investigate.

Let's see... bars in the window, nothing available for an improvised weapon aside from the chair... what's through the wooden door? Does the exit door open to the inside? You could jam it with the chair in that case to buy time until we can get Atena here, or some guards. Priority one is to avoid capture so you don't get tortured. Priority two would be escaping on your own.
>>
No. 592550 ID: 26d79f

>>592542
Hello! Welcome to our posse.

We are now going to attempt to bust you out of here, so please, stay calm and cooperate with us. It is of the utmost importance that you do so.
>>
No. 592554 ID: d8a627

Gotta stop hitting reply early dangit
>If this is not the gods doing, then who’s? Clearly, they have sent something to help us fight the demons!
[Reply: ...I see. Let me fill you in: The Gods created a portal to allow "Higher Mortals" to visit this planet. They have also created other planets, which have grown to their own rates. Although most of the Higher Mortals died out, they made a comeback, and grew to be able to wander the starts once more (The Gods are "Beyond" the stars or something, not entirely sure how to explain it but they aren't among them, don't worry). While the Gods can enter the planet through that light, they are not the only ones able to do so. Mortals who have learned to travel the stars can use the portal, too.
Why have a portal when people can have the power to travel the stars? Because the Gods left this planet protected. It is impossible for a Mortal from another world to enter this one without using that portal. The Gods watch over it and ensure that nothing is brought in that can corrupt their... "Rules," I suppose would be the word to use. Demonic corruption isn't what I mean, this is a different sort of corruption, one that would hurt everybody: Daemons, Mortals, Gods, and Players. It is known as "Glitch."
Do you understand? What if the light was not a God themselves coming down, but a Mortal from another world that the Gods made coming down to visit ours? That would mean the Gods found them worthy... but does worthy mean they will fight for our side, or does it mean they are just here to observe?
Maybe it is a God, maybe it is a Golem made by them, or maybe it is a Mortal they sent down to see how our world works. Hell, for all we know, it could be a mortal seeking asylum from the demons of their own world. What would you do if it was a Mortal, Purple? We would harbor them and grant them asylum. What would you do if it were a God? We would help them so much as they asked, but otherwise let them be. To actively seek out their favor seems like a poor choice of action for us, but if that's what you seek, and it turns out it was a God, and not a Mortal, then we may be able to help you find them, once we understand this ourselves.]
>[I rather not dance.]
[Reply: Very well.]
>[...I need a name with more... hmm... predator... pain... penetra- no, that’s just... err… wrong… geez… I will think about it.]
[Reply: If you want something fancy, "Purghad" maybe? Just make a grunting noise and slap a P to the start of it. Makes you sound gruff and stuff, fits with the approach you're taking.]
>it seems I was to preoccupied trying to keep a promise…
[Reply: If it's a promise you're seeking to keep, letting us know may help us to aide you... Of course, some promises are meant to be kept a secret, so I understand if you don't want to tell us.]
>hmmm… maybe it’s a bit humiliating, no?
[Reply: Perhaps we should inform our pawns of what the other's goals are, and ask if they're interested in changing, uh, "teams"? Your goal is to put an end to the demons and their spawn, yeah? What about the Daemons that hope to reform? Does their reforming count as an end to their demonhood?
As for our goal, we seek to fix the world and provide long-term protection for all the races. I understand that we cannot save everybody, but we're looking more at the big picture... except for the pawns actively under us. We hate when a pawn dies under our care.]
>[I… what? What are you talking about?I haven’t flirted? You clearly have missunderstod my intentions!]
[Reply: Uh... Okay, you were just trying to show a level of politeness to your complinents, then? Sorry, it gets difficult to tell sometimes, especially since we're running on "Mute," anything that we can hear is actually "heard" only through transcription. We have to read it all, so tones and fluctuations kind of get lost in translation... It's even worse when our active pawn is deaf, since we only hear what they think is being said, or what is translated to them through signals. Each time it gets translated, it loses some of its effect.]
>[…last time I checked Player can’t… um… I mean… are you sure?]
[Send that Teal portion to White as well]
[@White: That being said... Well, we've managed to develop some crushes ourselves. We're kind of erratic, though, so maybe that's just part of how we do things erratically; love would influence actions in different ways, would it not?]
>[…this is getting very… err… awkward…]
[Reply: Sorry, must have been a failure in trans...vocalization? Running on mute effects both incoming and outgoing audio, we have to write what we're saying, as well. I meant that as a compliment on your form. You are different, and I find that to be impressive. In a respectful, platonic kind of way.
...You know what, let's drop this subject, it really is just getting all kinds of awkward.]
>[White: The Moon is having classes as usual. Your king was rather nervous about having to train with real soldiers later today… otherwise, nothing.]
[Reply: Ah, I take it you were able to communicate to both of them at once when they were together, then? Or did you, uh, grant your king a break from the heroics? Or whatever it is you supply him with.
What DO you supply him with, in your opinion, anyways? Other than powers, I mean. What does your active presence supply?]
>He wants to trade for me? Hmmm… well… he can’t be worse than you guys, right?
Hold on, I'm going to try something.
[Engage chat channel "Chariot", invite Player purple; echo messages from channel to The Chariot]
[@Purple: That's so you can talk with the Guard Captain about your goals. Understand we'll hear them too, though.]
> as for you… the lord of the servant is preparing the discipline room down in the cellar as we speak…
GOOD LORD we're going to have to have your Mother arrested aren't we? Torture like that is illegal, I'm sure! And holding people prisoner is a form of abuse! Ah, sorry to pop in so suddenly but JEEZ, did not expect all this to happen!

Umm, is it a simple lever-type lock? Because if it is, we can maybe influence the lock, but if it's a key lock, no way no how. We're too big to fit inside a lock mechanism to pick the lock, and too... nonexitant to carry items most of the time, I think? Have we ever actually tried carrying an item outside that one hallucination fight?
[Attempt to lift a leaf or petal from the plant (preferably one that had fallen off already) into the air to test]
Listen, Lucrais, if you've got another way out of the discipline that you would rather take, tell us now. Atena is already on her way here, having been summoned, and would certainly be in a position to arrest your mother or supply some form of asylum to you, if you should ask. There's one problem with both: Both carry the possibility of her deciding to disown you, costing you your nobility.
>>
No. 592603 ID: 9ddf68

...eh, hey there teal here. Not going to lie but your family sounds like they fucking suck. What are they bitching about anyways I thought your family wanted you to hang out with Daithi. I can't remember if it was your family or his that called off the marriage but could you have said you were trying to make him come running back to you (if he called it off) or that he was begging for your attention (if you called it off) or something. Just say the wine was his, and the only reason you were even bothered by the law was because crazies are running around and they couldn't tell there ass form the elbow. Hell we can get people to back this up... or burn this place to the ground if you want. I'm good with either at this point.
>>
No. 592633 ID: 9443d1

Hello, Lucrais. It is unfortunate that our first time speaking to you was not under better circumstances, but it is rather more fortunate we came when we did for we can help you. Allow me to introduce ourselves: We are Teal. Ah, but I understand that having a chorus of voices suddenly and unexpectedly come into one's head can be upsetting even at the best of times, so if you feel the need to "freak out" then do so. Though, please be quick about it if you do; Presumably we have but a short time to work in to save you from your mother's "discipline" and thus every second counts.

There's nowhere near enough time to explain what we are and why we're here, so I'll just say this: Daithi is on our side and we are on his. If you need proof we are with him: We were the ones who told him of the beam of light that would come down yesterday, he's hiding the alien that descended on the beam of light in his dorm room, and you helped him fill a metal washtub with soil for the alien's "bed." Oh, and we settled on naming the alien "Hugo," by the way.

Now, if we're to help you we need to know what materials you have available to work with in the rooms you can still get to. I assume the wood door leads to your bedchamber and is unlocked, correct? Go in there so we can get a look at what you have there. While in there you can check in a mirror or other reflective surface to see what we look like, if you wish.

Is there any chance you could escape if you somehow got past that locked metal door? How many staff and guards are there around here? Is there undoubtedly one stationed just on the other side of the door? What about possibly knocking out whoever comes to get you? Because if there isn't a chance you can either slip out if we manage to get you past the door or that you couldn't knock out whoever comes for you, then you're going to have barricade yourself in here and hole up until we get help to you.

Tell us what you can of the metal door. Does it open in or out? Is it barred or bolted from the outside? Does it have a lock and if so what kind of lock does it have? Because if it's the kind of lock with a keyhole all the way through then I think you could jam the lock mechanism to delay them taking you. You could use a lit candle and something to channel the hot wax from it into the keyhole to do that; If you don't have a firestarter to light the candelabra on the table then you could throw a book to knock one out of the chandelier. Or if you have jewelry with fine chains you could stuff them into the keyhole so they jam it when the key is turned. Or you could do both. And if the door opens inwards you can also wedge that chair in under the doorknob and upend the table to block it as well.

Do the windows in here or in the other room(s) you can get to face out onto the front entrance to the manor? Because we know that Captain Atena of the city guard is en route here 'cause were just with her a moment ago. So if you get up to the window and urgently scream for help when she arrives then that'll give her legal justification to bring in a bunch of guards and search the manor for someone in distress; Namely, you. Then it's just a matter of holing up until they arrive. Oh, and are those windows barred or do they just have an odd vertical segmented glazing?

What time is it? We know that Atena left the Crippled Ankwark pub in the merchant quarter at either 8:45 or 9:45; We couldn't tell exactly from the clock in the pub 'cause our vision is bad. Do you have any idea how long would it take her to walk from there to here?

Do you have any idea why your family would request to speak with a high ranked officer of the police about their daughter? Because before Atena went to the Crippled Ankwark that exact request came in and it's the reason she's coming here now, although she did send another officer first.

And Atena mentioned that one of your family's oldest is in prison for petty theft and that your mother was nearly arrested for attempting to bribe the entire court at his sentencing. So from the latter part I'd say this "discipline" room doesn't even work.

There's also a rather drastic way you could keep them at bay: Start a fire in front of the door. After wedging the chair under the doorknob and sticking the table in the way, throw the sitting cushions over in front of it, then climb up the bookshelves and pull down the curtains to add to the pile and knock the painting down on it as well. We know you drink, so if you have any high-proof alcohol in your room, dump that out on the pile to help start the burn. Then apply a lit candle and away it'll go. Throw books you don't care for on top as additional fuel and once it gets really going retreat into your room and stuff some cloth at the base of the door to keep the smoke out. The open windows in here will let air in and smoke out, and that smoke will also draw attention here. Perhaps the fire brigade will come as well as the police.

And remember, after this it's very unlikely you'll be coming back here anytime soon, if ever. If you have any small personal things from your room you wish to keep, get them and keep them on your person. And if you have cash, get that too, along with any particularly valuable jewelry you could take to sell. Even though after this we'll likely get you a place in Daithi's family's home, any money you can bring will help.

>[…that’s an aspect that escaped me… it seems I was to preoccupied trying to keep a promise…]
[@Purple: What kind of promise would call for having Atena as your pawn? Could you share what that promise was with us, or even just who you made the promise to?]

>[…last time I checked Player can’t… um… I mean… are you sure?]
[@White: ...You've already checked if a player can engage in such things with a pawn...? White, are you... attracted to Cedric in that way?]
[@White: And to answer your question: We aren't sure. It was... strange. We were there with Atena, and Purple was with Arthur, and from the way Purple was acting... I dunno. I think there may have been some kind of mental "bleed over" from Arthur to Purple; He was even ending some of his sentences with ",no?" like Arthur does. We've heard how a player influences their king and vice versa, but nothing of a pawn influencing a player like this.]

I have a suspicion that Purple was behaving like he was towards Atena 'cause of mental "bleed over" from Arthur. If that's what it was then him being with "Inverted Sun" would explain why Purple was behaving more like a fanatical demon hunter earlier. And if that's the case then we should really think about trading Nickolas over to Purple for Cathal so Purple gets some of Nick's attitude to offset that of "Inverted Sun's" attitude.

[@Admin: Well, looks like the rest of the squad is here. So, is the marine we talked with among you seven or is he or she the player in the lobby who's going to come down here?]
>>
No. 592692 ID: 9443d1

>>592633
Addendum:
Was Mr. Peaucag speaking of last night when he said you "stayed out all night getting drunk with some common people?" But if I remember right Daithi said you left the Academy in plenty of time to get back, so what's he talking about? You didn't go anywhere else after the Academy, did you? Or was this from another time? And how'd your family find out? ...Lemme guess: They had a lackey tailing you. You think that's how they found out?

He also said "those commoners will get what's coming to them," so what do you think your family will do? Are they going to be coming after Arthur, Daithi and Daithi's family? ...Is this partly because the marriage was called off? Was your mother furious when she found out?

Unfortunately, once you get out of this your family is going to be enraged at you. They're going to be your enemy and will come after you, so you need to do what you can to bury them on your way out. If you know where the proverbial (or literal) bodies are buried, where the evidence of their illegal actions and other misdeeds are, then you can tell Atena and she can either get them now or get a warrant issued ASAP. The only way you're going to be free of your family is to bury them under their own dirt. And I hope you're not totally and inexorably tied to being a noble or a Baideal, 'cause after this your family is almost certainly going to disown you and you'll be neither.
>>
No. 592704 ID: 65a774
File 140993820237.png - (29.58KB , 900x450 , 16.png )
592704

>[@Admin: Well, looks like the rest of the squad is here. So, is the marine we talked with among you seven or is he or she the player in the lobby who's going to come down here?]
[Admin: <:::<<<<<>C We find, we see, we learn-¤¤¤¤!]
[Admin: Experiment compromised! Remove foreign objects immediately! Capture Plant being and foreign lizard immediately! …wait, who is tha- -You have been banned from Admin server chat!]
>[Engage chat channel "Chariot", invite Player purple; echo messages from channel to The Chariot]
[ERROR!]

>[Reply: If it's a promise you're seeking to keep, letting us know may help us to aide you... Of course, some promises are meant to be kept a secret, so I understand if you don't want to tell us.]
[Purple: I’ve promised every pawn I own one wish… if you want the details you have to ask them…]
>[Your goal is to put an end to the demons and their spawn, yeah? What about the Daemons that hope to reform? Does their reforming count as an end to their demonhood?]
[Demons that reform? If it would be possible, would they even be demons anymore? Hmm… but yes, my goal is to rid the world of filth!]
>[Reply: ...I see. Let me fill you in –Info expunged by Admin!]
[…Let you what, Teal?]

>[@White: ...You've already checked if a player can engage in such things with a pawn...? White, are you... attracted to Cedric in that way?]
[White: …what? No, that’s… I meant that we can’t feel those things! We all know that! It’s in the rules when we are born!]
>[@White: And to answer your question: We aren't sure. It was... strange. We were there with Atena, and Purple was with Arthur, and from the way Purple was acting... I dunno. I think there may have been some kind of mental "bleed over" from Arthur to Purple; He was even ending some of his sentences with ",no?" like Arthur does. We've heard how a player influences their king and vice versa, but nothing of a pawn influencing a player like this.]
[White: …that is odd, yes…]

>Pst, lucrais! We're, eh, associates of Dai, we're going to get you out of here!
:LucraisNUM: Huh? Who said that? Are you outside the window?
>Allow me to introduce ourselves: We are Teal. Ah, but I understand that having a chorus of voices suddenly and unexpectedly come into one's head can be upsetting even at the best of times, so if you feel the need to "freak out" then do so.
:LucraisNUM: YOU’RE WHAT!? In my… head!?
:UnknownKAK: What did you say?
:LucraisNUM: I SAID LET ME OUT SO I CAN REMOVE YOUR HEAD!!
>There's nowhere near enough time to explain what we are and why we're here, so I'll just say this: Daithi is on our side and we are on his.
…so… I’ve heard he was… a bit… with voices in his head but… you guys can move!? What in the name of… what!?

>Torture like that is illegal, I'm sure! And holding people prisoner is a form of abuse!
Torture!? No, they would never… It’s an old torture chamber, sure, but… they wouldn’t… they didn’t with my brothers, they just… they just flogged them a bit… you know, like the law says you can do with kids… err…
>I'm really afraid to ask, but... what happened to your brothers.
I… I don’t really know, actually… I do know they were scared shitless after being dragged down there and started behaving rather well most of the time…
>Was Mr. Peaucag speaking of last night when he said you "stayed out all night getting drunk with some common people?" But if I remember right Daithi said you left the Academy in plenty of time to get back, so what's he talking about?
I… um… I got a bit lost, alright? …and… I made up a lie that I was drinking at a pub so they shouldn’t blame Daithi…
>What are they bitching about anyways I thought your family wanted you to hang out with Daithi.
As I said, they didn’t tell them I was with him… I… err… I didn’t really tell them a lot at all, actually… I haven’t even seen mom since I got home…

>He also said "those commoners will get what's coming to them," so what do you think your family will do?
I… I don’t know… those “commoners” doesn’t even exist, for Jove’s sake… geez, I’m starting to sound like Daithi…
>...Is this partly because the marriage was called off? Was your mother furious when she found out?
I… I haven’t talked to her about that yet…
>If you know where the proverbial (or literal) bodies are buried, where the evidence of their illegal actions and other misdeeds are, then you can tell Atena and she can either get them now or get a warrant issued ASAP.
What? We’re not some… some… criminal family! While there has been some back doors dealing and stuff, there’s nothing that wouldn’t get us more than a really hefty fine… that we can’t pay…

>Listen, Lucrais, if you've got another way out of the discipline that you would rather take, tell us now.
I don’t know! I’ve never been in this situation before!
>I assume the wood door leads to your bedchamber and is unlocked, correct?
Why, yes, and as I proper lady I won’t let just anyone in there, weird head voices included!
>Is there any chance you could escape if you somehow got past that locked metal door?
…err… there’s a lot of servants…and some guards… and… I don’t…
>What about possibly knocking out whoever comes to get you?
What!? But that would be assault! I can’t just start hitting people!
>Tell us what you can of the metal door. Does it open in or out? Is it barred or bolted from the outside? Does it have a lock and if so what kind of lock does it have?
It open outwards, it’s got a complicated lock that’s only accessible from the outside… so yeah, it’s to keep people in, not out… but I can still make sure you can’t turn the handle.

>What time is it?
Um… about nine? Maybe fifteen over?
>Do you have any idea why your family would request to speak with a high ranked officer of the police about their daughter?
…err… I don’t know? They can’t arrest me or anything…
>Atena mentioned that one of your family's oldest is in prison for petty theft and that your mother was nearly arrested for attempting to bribe the entire court at his sentencing.
Well, yeah… It’s just… were kind of desperate for funds and… well, he was always an idiot…
>There's also a rather drastic way you could keep them at bay: Start a fire in front of the door.
I’m not burning the mansion down!
>Remember, after this it's very unlikely you'll be coming back here anytime soon, if ever.
WHAT!? No! I’m not… I’m not going to leave forever! I just don’t want to be locked up in my room!
>Oh, and are those windows barred or do they just have an odd vertical segmented glazing?
Those are bars, yes… coated with a royal metal… a gilded cage in its purest form…
>Do the windows in here or in the other room(s) you can get to face out onto the front entrance to the manor?
I can kind off see the courtyard if I get my head trough the bars… Why?
>if you get up to the window and urgently scream for help when Atena arrives then that'll give her legal justification to bring in a bunch of guards and search the manor for someone in distress; Namely, you.
I… I think I can see some guards… and… um… I think someone important just arrived... a lizard?

:LucraisNUM: HELP!! HELP ME! I NEED HELP! SOMEONE!
:UnknownKAK: Daughter!? But they said s-
:AtenaNUM: MOVE PEOPLE!

Score! They got in a real hurry rea-
:UnknownKAK: Dammit! Change of plans! Lady Lucrais!? You need to come with me at once!
*Click* …*Click*Click*
:UnknownKAK: You blocked the door!?
*Crash!*
:UnknownKAK: Lady, this is for your own safety! Please let me in!
:LucraisNUM: (…why is my guard trying to break down my door?)

Insert I don’t even know what’s going on anymore…_
>>
No. 592713 ID: 2fd516

>>592704
Looks like we were right to be worried, but... maybe the reason was wrong. This is really strange. Maybe someone in your family is a pawn of Yellow or Black...

Lucrais, let me say one thing. If they were just going to flog you, they wouldn't need to "prepare" the room in question. Hell, they wouldn't even need a special room for it. So, whatever they did to your brothers, it wasn't legal.

There isn't much we can do from your perspective. Keep that guard out, and we'll pop over to Atena to help her out. Give us directions she can follow to get to your room, please.

If necessary, retreat into your bedroom and block the door there too.
>>
No. 592720 ID: 9ddf68

so you haven't spoken to your mother, the people you did talk to just through you in here right away (if I'm hearing this right) and you've been in here ever since, and I think I heard your mother or father down there sounding surprise that you were even calling for help... a lot of things are adding up and am not liking any of the conclusions I'm getting. Might not be a bad idea to barricade yourself further in your room here cause I'm getting a very bad feeling here.
>>
No. 592721 ID: dbe554

Your own guard is also trying to ram through the metal door itself with a metal object, and as the one before me mentioned flogging is only done with a cane or whip, to prepare something for so long means they might be using full torture implements or something worse.

But yes it seems that something is drastically wrong with the current situation with your guard.
>>
No. 592726 ID: 65a774
File 140994571359.png - (29.50KB , 900x450 , 17.png )
592726

>Lucrais, let me say one thing. If they were just going to flog you, they wouldn't need to "prepare" the room in question.
I… but… they can’t have…
>Looks like we were right to be worried, but... maybe the reason was wrong.
*Crash!*
Oh, shit, he’s almost through the door! How does a freaking human break down a steel door!?
>I think I heard your mother or father down there sounding surprise that you were even calling for help... a lot of things are adding up and am not liking any of the conclusions I'm getting.
I… I’m getting my freaking sword. This isn’t assault, this is going to be freaking self-defense!

>If necessary, retreat into your bedroom and block the door there too.
…the lock on the door won’t hold against the kind of barrage that guard is putting out… but… maybe I can move the dresser in time t-
*Crash!*
:LucraisNUM: Shit!
:UnknownKAK: Lady Lucrais! You’re in grave danger! You need to come w- please, Lucrais, put down your blade… I am here to aid you… You screamed for help, after all?
:LucraisNUM:

Insert Help, I need somebody…_
>>
No. 592729 ID: d8a627

>You have been banned from Admin server chat!
[Help query: What are the methods of contacting admins?]
Might allow the filing of tickets instead of talk directly to them. Of course, that relies on them actually checking the tickets... There's probably a lot of them after all these years.
>If it would be possible, would they even be demons anymore? Hmm… but yes, my goal is to rid the world of filth!
[Reply: Well, you see--
>[Reply: ...I see. Let me fill you in –Info expunged by Admin!]
... Great. We're upsetting the Gods now. I'm sorry, it seems I cannot tell you what the light was. Be careful who you trust, Purple, and good luck.]
[Block communications from Purple for one hour]
Give him some time to think over that last statement.
>What in the name of… what!?
We are an entity called a "Player," there's over three hundred different Players, but we collectively are just one, known as Teal. Those of great capacity can be, quote, "claimed," unquote, by us. I say quote unquote because it's not as though you are helpless in the matter, a person who is truly upset with their Player can fight them and kick them out. That, and our desire isn't obedient slaves, but helpful friends. If you feel against something we ask of you, let us know.
>they just flogged them a bit… you know, like the law says you can do with kids… err…
...Oh. Yeah, I guess that's understandable, Mantises are fairly sturdy so a flogging is like a human spanking. Sorry, you kind of panicked with great strength at the idea, so we jumped to conclusions.
>Daughter!? But they said s-
>MOVE PEOPLE!
[Scan that group]
>Lady, this is for your own safety! Please let me in!
[Scan the guard]
[Echo any pawn results to Lucrais]
Lucrais, if you suddenly hear [something like this] it's what we call "The Remnants of the Gods," and it's telling you who all's a pawn. If somebody by the name of Yellow or Purple is mentioned by the Remnants, you need to MAKE THE HELL SURE THEY DON'T GET IN. Purple's of questionable trust, but supposedly Yellow is corrupt. In fact, the only reason to let them in is if a Player Red gets mentioned, as that's the only player we can trust that so much as might have a pawn here.
>>
No. 592731 ID: d8a627

>>592726
Dammit...
>I am here to aid you… You screamed for help, after all?
Then why did he say that there was a change in plans? He made it sound like he was one of the offenders.
>You’re in grave danger!
And what the hell danger would you be in that he wouldn't have already been helping you avoid?!
[Scan that guard... Echo player/pawn results to Lucrais]
>>
No. 592736 ID: 40935b

>[…Let you what, Teal?]
Shit, BB is watching! Tell no one!

>It’s an old torture chamber, sure, but… they wouldn’t…
>Daughter!? But they said s-
>Dammit! Change of plans!
*
>…why is my guard trying to break down my door?
Well they obviously had nebulous plans for you in the old torture chamber that didn't involve your mother's knowledge. Those plans have changed, but I doubt that's an improvement on your situation.

[scan that guard, echo to Tower]
> How does a freaking human break down a steel door!?
Corruption, so- er, Lucrais. No way in hell you're fighting him, so keep him at a distance for as long as you can. If he keeps coming, tell him to wait, there's something in your room you need to get first. Then RUN.
>>
No. 592744 ID: 9443d1

[Check corruption level] [Scan all targets within range]

I think I figured out why your mother requested a high ranking police officer come here about her daughter; She thought you had gone missing. The servants told her you hadn't come home last night, so she was going to file a missing person report. That's why she was so shocked to hear you call out from your window and she said "but they said she." So it's possible the servants were running an abduction plot of some kind. Normally I'd say for ransom, but from that guard busting that steel door down so easily I'd say they want you for some nefarious cultist reason.

>How does a freaking human break down a steel door!?
The answer to that is either he's not human or he's a human with magical or demonic enhancement. We'll scan him and tell you what we find. [Scan human guard and echo result to "The Tower"] But whatever he is unless you're secretly a legendary master of the sword you're not going to take him in a fight. With his strength him even getting a hit on you could easily knock you down and out, if not outright end you. While he likely wants you alive, I do not want to risk him being You have to keep out of his reach as long as you can so that help can arrive.

Try to delay him. Tell him that you'll follow him as long as he leads and it's at this distance. He likely won't agree, but if he does then it's likely 'cause there's more servants or guards on his side out there ready to grab you. We'll do a scan of the hallway to confirm it. [Scan all targets in hallway and echo to "The Tower"] So the way you'll handle that is follow him up to about the table, then spin around and sprint away from the doorway.

In the likely case he doesn't agree to you following him, kick that goblet on the floor at him to see just how fast he moves to dodge or catch it or if he just lets it hit him. Then tell him that unless he gives you a damn good reason that you're in grave danger from the POLICE you're not going anywhere with him. And also explain how he could knock that steel door down. Keep backing up slowly and keeping your guard up. And keep yelling for help so Atena knows just where you are.

As a last resort, do you think you could get up on top of the bookcase faster then he could get to you? 'Cause I have the idea to get up there, pull the curtains down over him to obstruct his vision and entangle him, then either jump on his head to break his neck or make a run for the door. But if you don't think you could get up there quick enough then you'll have to retreat back into your bedroom.

Lu, you know just how big the mansion is, so estimate how much time it'd take the police to make it to your room at a run from the courtyard entrance. How much longer do you think you have to keep away from this guy before they arrive?

Atena, if you can hear us, the human guard in Lucrais' room is more dangerous then he seems; He was able to bust down the steel door to her room in short order. He's either not human or human with magical or demonic enhancement. Advise using crossbows and weapons with reach.

[@Purple: Sorry, but we'll have to speak of such things in person.]

[@White: I'm curious: Just what do you think we are? Another like you and Purple?]
>>
No. 592746 ID: 2fd516

>>592729
We've been told not to break the game. Talking about how the world is fake is along those lines. Also stop sabotaging everyone else, you're not the only one suggesting.
[don't block communications]

>>592726
Tell him to stay back, you do not need his help- he should return to his post at the door. Ask him what change in plans he was talking about, anyway.
>>
No. 592764 ID: 65a774
File 140995452262.png - (29.74KB , 900x450 , 18.png )
592764

>[Help query: What are the methods of contacting admins?]
[ERROR!]
>[Scan that group]
[Out of range!]
>[scan that guard, echo to Tower]
[“The Moon” belongs to player White!]
>[Scan all targets in hallway and echo to "The Tower"]
[“The Magician” Status: Scared.]
>[Check corruption level]
[No corruption found.]

>[Reply: Well, you see--... Great. We're upsetting the G-–Info expunged by Admin!]
[Purple: …]
>[@Purple: Sorry, but we'll have to speak of such things in person.]
[…very well, if you so wish…]
>[@White: I'm curious: Just what do you think we are? Another like you and Purple?]
[White: Yes? Well, you’re like us but… different, I guess? Right?]

>...Oh. Yeah, I guess that's understandable, Mantises are fairly sturdy so a flogging is like a human spanking. Sorry, you kind of panicked with great strength at the idea, so we jumped to conclusions.
Wait, don’t human and lizard flog their kids too?
>Well they obviously had nebulous plans for you in the old torture chamber that didn't involve your mother's knowledge. Those plans have changed, but I doubt that's an improvement on your situation.

>I think I figured out why your mother requested a high ranking police officer come here about her daughter; She thought you had gone missing.
…mother… I… I can’t let them take me!
>Keep yelling for help so Atena knows just where you are.
No, that would just force them to attack me… Atena got people with her that can guide her here… I hope…

>As a last resort, do you think you could get up on top of the bookcase faster then he could get to you?
Of course not! I’m not that quick!
>Lu, you know just how big the mansion is, so estimate how much time it'd take the police to make it to your room at a run from the courtyard entrance. How much longer do you think you have to keep away from this guy before they arrive?
I don’t know… a minute? Maybe two?

>Lucrais. No way in hell you're fighting him, so keep him at a distance for as long as you can.
:LucraisNUM: Stay back!
:UnknownKAK: Lady Lucrais, please.
:LucraisNUM: I said stay back!
>If he keeps coming, tell him to wait, there's something in your room you need to get first.
:LucraisNUM: …I’ll come with if I… if I can just get something from my bedroom first…
:UnknownKAK: We don’t have time for that! You need to co-
>Ask him what change in plans he was talking about, anyway.
:UnknownKAK: Huh? Oh, Well… err… let me just take off my helmet first…
:LucraisNUM: …wait, you’re… you’re that guy Daithi…
:CedricNUM: We’re here to save you, princess.
:LucraisNUM: Save me? Fro- Daithi!?
:DaithiNUM: Sorry, Lucrais, but we were planning to get you out of here quietly. But yes, we found some proof that your mother is planning… err… let’s just say something a bit… yeah…
:LucraisNUM: B-but… you’re…
:DaithiNUM: By Jove, your mothers cronies is almost here! Quick! We need to run!

Insert This is a secr- –Info expunged by Admin!
>>
No. 592774 ID: 40935b

Hmm, is that where the disappearing suit of armor got to?

Shapechangers. If Dai isn't reacting to our presence, it has to be. We've encountered this once before when one imitated Arthur, that pervert-with-a-heart-of-gold inquisitor you've met before. Shape-changers are actually really fragile despite their terrifying true form, so you could probably get the jump on them. But first, see if telling Cedric that his disguise is terrible and doesn't fool you at all gets a reaction. If not, ask for a password. It's a nonsense phrase that should have 'light' somewhere in it.
>>
No. 592777 ID: 2fd516

>>592774
Oh hell, shapeshifters did not even occur to me. That's probably it, yeah. They can fool our scans so I'm not even gonna bother scanning Daithi.

Lucrais... ask for the password. I know you don't know it, but I don't think we can tell you what it is without them picking up on it. Have them say it simultaneously. If they burst into tentacles instead of giving the password, or give two different passwords, grab the chair to block then take shelter in your bedroom, a lady's privacy be damned. While they are fragile, their tentacles are quick and numerous, so you won't stand a chance of getting close enough to kill one, much less two of them.
[@White: Is that really Cedric and Daithi rescuing Lucrais? You could've warned us, if so. If it's not, then welp we've got shapestealer problems. FYI we have claimed The Tower and The Chariot.]
[check status of pawns]
>>
No. 592809 ID: d8a627

>[“The Moon” belongs to player White!]
What.
[Message White: Did we just find The Moon's Dark Half? Clad in Red, guardian to Lucrais? I think Cedric would have mentioned if he were her guard, but perhaps it just did not come up?]
>We're upsetting the G-–Info expunged by Admin!
Seriously? I was totally in lore that time! These guys are just being actively aggressive now.
>Wait, don’t human and lizard flog their kids too?
Uh, I don't actually know. In a certain human society, the worst that is used is a leather band, folded over to give it a bit of slap, like a riding crop would. No whips though, since they can cut into the skin. A lizard's scales would probably protect against a whip's cut, but a cane could still cause bruises. Mantises are the toughest, with an exoskeleton, and can take the most.
But maybe flogging is just all around allowed anyways? We'll need to ask Atena.
>Sorry, Lucrais, but we were planning to get you out of here quietly. But yes, we found some proof that your mother is planning… err… let’s just say something a bit… yeah…
... >:I I see. Ask him why "Perry" came to you for asylum, when Daithi was supposed to be keeping him safe.
>>
No. 592811 ID: 9443d1

What the fuck? We hadn't found any proof of your mother doing anything of the sort before we left Dai this morning right before he had breakfast. And then right before we parted from Atena and came to you we sent a message to White, our ally that has Cedric, the human guy you see here, to ask what Daithi and Cedric were doing and she said Cedric was in classes and Daithi was nervous about training with real soldiers later today. That was at 8:45. It's now 9:15 and we didn't get any messages from White about this in the intervening time. That means for this to be legit then within the last 30 minutes they somehow discovered proof of your mother's nefarious plans while still at the Academy, hurried over here, slipped into the mansion and stole a suit of your family guard's armor for Cedric Daithi in his full Academy uniform somehow avoiding being spotted by all the guards and servants, and through all that White somehow forgot to send us even one message about it. Put that all together and it adds up to be far too improbable for me to believe.

Lu, I'm near certain these two are not Daithi and Cedric and are actually Shape Stealers. I don't suppose you've heard of Shape Stealers, have you? They're The Deceiver's specialty cultist; Shapeshifters that can take on the exact physical form and voice of anyone of the same species the Shape Stealer was before becoming a Shape Stealer. They can also fake their scan results to match those they impersonate, so our scans won't show them. And while they won't have the memories of those they impersonate at first, if they suck that person's brain out with their proboscis they will get all their memories and be able to near perfectly impersonate that person. Fortunately they can't impersonate metals or non-organic materials and they're rather frail durability-wise, so if you get the drop on one and smash its brain in or stab it in the heart it's easily killed. Unfortunately if you don't surprise one they can form a bunch of tentacles with bone blades on the ends to fight back and it'll be much tougher. For example: When Dai and Cedric fought one who was impersonating Arthur in the Academy's basement yesterday the both of them together couldn't get the upper hand against all those blades. It took Arthur's holy symbol and a strike to the monster's brain from behind with his hammer to kill it.

While it's highly probable they're Shape Stealers we will still do some tests that won't possibly tip them off first to make sure of it. First test is we will check the status of our people and our ally White's, compare it to the scans of these two to check for discrepancies and repeat this information to you. [@White: Please grant us permission to see the emotional status of your pawns. It is for aiding in Shape Shifter detection if they impersonate our pawns. We'll do the same for you and it can be only temporary if you wish, but we need it right now.] [Check status of pawns and allied pawns and echo to "The Tower"] [Scan all targets in range and echo to "The Tower"] If the status doesn't match the scan, they're Shape Stealers.

Then we'll message White to ask where Cedric and Daithi are. [@White: Tell us where Cedric and Daithi are right now. We need to know immediately 'cause we're with Lucrais in her room in the Baideal mansion and Daithi and Cedric just showed up and it's next to impossible it's them.] [Echo last message to White and White's reply to "The Tower"] If she says they aren't here then these two are Shape Stealers.

Next we'll ask Daithi to perform some actions: Daithi, raise your left hand, right rear foot, and stick out your tongue. If he doesn't do all of that right away then he can't hear us and is a Shape Stealer.

Fourthly, we'll attempt to claim Cedric from White. If we get a "out of range" from that then we'll know he's not here and this Cedric is a Shape Stealer, though we might get message saying we don't have the slots for it or that we can't claim a king piece even if Cedric isn't here so this test isn't a sure thing. [Attempt to claim pawn "The Moon" and echo result to "The Tower"]

If they somehow manage to pass all the tests and checks then you can ask them for the password to confirm they're legit as you go with them; We'll confirm if they gave the right one. But in the probable case they don't pass, DO NOT ask for any passwords or question them about anything to check if they're Shape Stealers. They know they don't know the answers and you asking shows you at least suspect they aren't legit. In that case they'll become aggressive or outright hostile and will either move to disarm and haul you away in their current forms or go full tentacle-blade on you and there's no way you can fight off two of them at once.

You're going to have to play along enough to get them in a position where you might be able to make a run for it, with the possibility of taking one of them out in the process. Tell them in your most aggravated noble voice that they should have damn well told you this earlier and to lead the goddamn way. If they try to get you to leave your sword or one or both of them tries to move behind you use your commanding voice to tell them there's no time and to get going dammit. And if they still object, tell them you're invoking the bet you won on both of them and ordering them to go 'cause there's no bloody time for this; They won't know you didn't win a bet on Dai and Cedric, but if they don't act like it they'll give themselves away.

Make sure you keep them in front of you as you go and fairly back from them. And most importantly do not move into a position or let them move into a position where they're on your flanks or in front or behind you; Keep them in your view as much as you can.

You know the layout of the mansion, so what opportunities do you have to make a break for it once you're out of your room? If you get a good one, one where you're sure you can put distance between you and them, take it. But if you also at the same time get the opportunity to get in close to one of them from behind while the other is far enough ahead to not be able to get to you, then take it to behead that one before fleeing.

>>592774
It's not the same style of armor as the suit that disappeared from the Academy basement.
>>
No. 592901 ID: 65a774
File 141000740954.png - (30.38KB , 900x450 , 19.png )
592901

>[Check status of pawns and allied pawns and echo to "The Tower"] [Scan all targets in range and echo to "The Tower"]
[“The magician”: Nervous. “Strength: Content. “The Tower”: Confused. “The Chariot”: Big damn hero. ”The High Priestess”: Intrigued.]
[“The Moon” belongs to player White!]
[“The Magician”: Nervous.]
>[@White: Is that really Cedric and Daithi rescuing Lucrais?]
[Unable to send message!]
>[Attempt to claim pawn "The Moon" and echo result to "The Tower"]
[You don’t have any free pawn slots!]

>Lu, I'm near certain these two are not Daithi and Cedric and are actually Shape Stealers.
…s-shape stealers? Um… like shape shifters!? Someone has sent shape shifting assassins to kill me!?
>Shape-changers are actually really fragile despite their terrifying true form, so you could probably get the jump on them.

>Daithi, raise your left hand, right rear foot, and stick out your tongue. If he doesn't do all of that right away then he can't hear us and is a Shape Stealer.
:DaithiNUM: Lucrais, we don’t have time standing around gawking! We need to move!

>You're going to have to play along enough to get them in a position where you might be able to make a run for it, with the possibility of taking one of them out in the process. Tell them in your most aggravated noble voice that they should have damn well told you this earlier and to lead the goddamn way.
:LucraisNUM: DAMMIT, DAI! You should have had told me about this! I’m not prepared for this at-
:CedricNUM: Sorry, “Princess”, but we simply didn’t have time!
:LucraisNUM: *Sigh* Fine… then lead on…
:DaithiNUM: Cedric, take the rear-
:LucraisNUM: No, you guys should stay in front of me! Now move!
:DaithiNUM: Err… right, that should work too… let’s-
:CedricNUM: SHIT! The city guard is already here! That’s it, just ki- *Crunch!*
:DaithiNUM: YOU BITCH! DIE!
:LucraisNUM: OW!!
>>
No. 592902 ID: 65a774
File 141000742603.png - (29.88KB , 900x450 , 20.png )
592902

*Slickely*
*Snickery*
*Slice!*
:DaithiNUM: AAAH!!!
>>
No. 592903 ID: 65a774
File 141000743994.png - (30.18KB , 900x450 , 21.png )
592903

:LucraisNUM: You… y-you saved me!
:AtenaNUM: Men, make sure they are dead…
:LucraisNUM: …My hero…
:AtenaNUM: Err… and this just got really weird… first someone tells me my date tonight is due to get married with another woman… then I kill someone who looks a lot like him and save his soon to be fiancé… and now he’s fiancé is making googly eyes at me…
:LucraisNUM: Huh? What- I’m not!

Insert Dying in your arms tonight_
>>
No. 592911 ID: 40935b

AND SO the brave captain of the guard slew the vicious tentacle beast and rescued the fair damsel, who was now held in the warriors' strong capable arms as they looked longingly-
>and this just got really weird...
OH FINE.

>Someone has sent shape shifting assassins to kill me!?
Or capture you in the basement so shapestealers can take over your life. It may explain your brothers sudden changes in personality. Atena, you ought to investigate that old torture chamber before the inquisition shows up. What did the mother think happened to Lucrais, anyway?

>first someone tells me my date tonight is due to get married with another woman…
That's been called off, I'm pretty sure she's the only one who doesn't know. Mostly because nobody really wants to do it.
>>
No. 592920 ID: 2fd516

>>592903
WOW. Atena, I didn't know you were a certified badass. I think you might be the strongest member of our team right now.

[@White: Two shapestealers just attacked Lucrais. Watch out for more. Oh, FYI we claimed The Tower and The Chariot. The Chariot is really strong, wow.]

How about we investigate the punishment room now? Well, it's either that or we tell the inquisition about there being daemonic creatures here and let them scrub the place down. Not sure if we should tell Purple yet, or wait until we've secured the area. Actually, let's not tell Purple directly- go through official channels about the daemonic presence. Play things by the book so we don't have people asking why the inquisition knew about the daemons before anyone told them.
>>
No. 592921 ID: d8a627

>and now he’s fiancé is making googly eyes at me…
Behold, the glory of quadriamorous Mantises. But seriously, she just had her very first brush with death, she's bound to be a bit... Googly.

Atena, the fact that there were shapestealers here makes this something for the Inquisition to look into. I'll refrain from contacting purple, however, just in case you want to take a look around... Although if you want us to contact Purple asap, we can do so.
[Check corruption levels]
>>
No. 592922 ID: dbe554

Welcome to our world Atena, things only get stranger from here on out because shit is likely going to hit the windmill at this point.
>>
No. 592923 ID: d8a627

>>592922
Oh man we should have told Ilbir to attatch a rune of fire to a horizontally-aligned windmill to make it spin quickly... He'd have invented automated fans, too!
>>
No. 592927 ID: 65a774
File 141002428317.png - (30.06KB , 900x450 , 22.png )
592927

>[Check corruption levels]
[No corruption found.]
>[@White: Two shapestealers just attacked Lucrais. Watch out for more.]
[White: What!? That’s horrible! What do they think they are- Hmm… are they… are they attacking pawns or nobles?]
>[Oh, FYI we claimed The Tower and The Chariot. The Chariot is really strong, wow.]
[She is? Well, she’s bound to have experience fighting…]

>AND SO the brave captain of the guard slew the vicious tentacle beast and rescued the fair damsel, who was now held in the warriors' strong capable arms as they looked longingly-
:AtenaNUM: (Hey… HEY, stop that!)
:LucraisNUM: (…It’s… it’s almost like it’s from a romance novel… err… not that I… you know…)
>WOW. Atena, I didn't know you were a certified badass. I think you might be the strongest member of our team right now.
:AtenaNUM: (Badass? I don’t know about that… I do have some experience fighting brigades and the like… and I’ve been a soldier once in my life time… never saw any real combat though.)
>Behold, the glory of quadriamorous Mantises.
:AtenaNUM: (…well, too bad the glory I want only involves two people.)
:LucraisNUM: (...To bad it’s my mother who’s deciding whom I will marry…)
>But seriously, she just had her very first brush with death, she's bound to be a bit... Googly.
:AtenaNUM: (Hmm… you got a point… actually, this is almost like when I met my… for… first time… err… let’s not talk about that.)
>Atena, the fact that there were shapestealers here makes this something for the Inquisition to look into. I'll refrain from contacting purple, however, just in case you want to take a look around...
:AtenaNUM: (Let me just take a look around first. We’ll definitely want the help of the inquisition for this. Well, help might be the wrong word…)

>Or capture you in the basement so shapestealers can take over your life.
:LucraisNUM: (Oh, by the ever spinning hour glass, they wanted to replace me!? Wait, if they… who have they already replaced!? What if… what if Atena is a shape stealer too! And that guard! And mother!? And… and you! …and even me!? What if I’m already… wait… that doesn’t even make sense…)
>It may explain your brothers sudden changes in personality.
:LucraisNUM: (Err… that happened years ago, when we were young… and it wasn’t a change of personality, it was a change of discipline. They became a lot better behaved around the servants, mother and her guests. So, if they actually were replaced, why wait years to replace me?)
>What did the mother think happened to Lucrais, anyway?
:AtenaNUM: (She just thought she never came home yesterday, so she wanted us to find her.)
>That's been called off, I'm pretty sure she's the only one who doesn't know. Mostly because nobody really wants to do it.
:AtenaNUM: (Really? Are you sure? Because her mother mentioned it just a while ago…)

>How about we investigate the punishment room now?
:AtenaNUM: (While that is one of our top priorities, there’s one that is a bit higher…)
:LadyBaidealNUM: Lucrais!? Are you alright!? What happened!?
:LucraisNUM: I’m fine, mother, thanks to the bravery of the captain…
:AtenaNUM: Everything is going to be alright, lady-
:LadyBaidealNUM: Alright!? My own daughter was attacked by shape shifting assassins in my own home!? HOW IS THAT ALRIGHT!?
:AtenaNUM: Do not worry, we will apprehend those responsible for this.
:LadyBaidealNUM: While that’s all well and good, what about the safety of my daughter!? My safety!?
:AtenaNUM: Well… um…

Insert “Um…” what?_
>>
No. 592931 ID: 2fd516

>>592927
[scan Lady Baideal, also the two guards]
Wait, how did she know they were shape-shifters? Nobody explained what happened, and the corpses just look like tentacle-monsters to those that don't know better. Jeez, is she another shape stealer, or in charge of them? Or did she know what shape stealers were already, and recognized them from the corpses?
If she can explain that, then I guess the response to her security concerns would be "You're screwed, lady." You can't just hire more guards to stop shape stealers. You basically have to set up a password system amongst the guards you already have, and even that's not ironclad. Oh, shape stealers are harmed by contact with holy symbols, so you can set up a security checkpoint with a priest or something. I suspect she cannot afford to do all these things, however. Do you have some sort of safehouse you can put them up in?

Lucrais, you seem to have problems telling the truth. Is the wedding called off or not? Shouldn't you fess up about what you were really doing last night, regardless?
[@White: I have a hunch that these shape-stealers are going after Daithi's love interests. The Deceiver may be possessive of him.]
Atena, if my hunch is right, you might be targeted by shape-stealers in the future. Keep a tight ship.
>>
No. 592938 ID: 40935b

>It’s… it’s almost like it’s from a romance novel…
...-into each others eyes, hearts no longer racing out of fear of death or thrill of battle, but the closeness-
>stop that!

>Really? Are you sure? Because her mother mentioned it just a while ago…
I'm talking about her mother. I believe Ceana decided to break the news to Baideal herself after discussing it with Dai and Lucrais, but hasn't got around to it yet.
>HOW IS THAT ALRIGHT!?
Well, you could not only in the center of a hotbed of cultist activity, but complacent with a hotbed of cultist activity. I'm sure that's not the case though, It's not like you sent us away to look for your daughter while she was actually securely held in her own room, or a significant portion of your staff was actually shapestealers, and you identified said esoteric daemonic minions as shapestealers or anything. I'm sure the inquisition will understand these discrepancies and go out of their way to ensure you aren't inconvenienced during their investigations. There will be plenty of inquisitors here to ensure your daughters safety soon.
>>
No. 592964 ID: 65a774
File 141003890720.png - (29.90KB , 900x450 , 23.png )
592964

>[scan Lady Baideal, also the two guards]
[Neutral Creature: Stuck up noble.]
[Neutral Creature: City Guard.] x 2
>[@White: I have a hunch that these shape-stealers are going after Daithi's love interests. The Deceiver may be possessive of him.]
[White: Really? That’s… um… are you sure? That sounds a bit… I don’t know… farfetched? Why go through so many problems just too… um…]

>Lucrais, you seem to have problems telling the truth. Is the wedding called off or not?
:LucraisNUM: (Lady Ceana was going to speak with mother about later today… so… um… it’s not yet called off?)

>It's not like you sent us away to look for your daughter while she was actually securely held in her own room…
:LadyBaidealNUM: I… I didn’t know she was here! The Lord of Servants told me she never came home yesterday!
>or a significant portion of your staff was actually shapestealers…
:LadyBaidealNUM: How should I have known about that!?
>Wait, how did she know they were shape-shifters? Nobody explained what happened, and the corpses just look like tentacle-monsters to those that don't know better.
:LadyBaidealNUM: I… err… see, they look like my daughters fiancé and that plebian human he always hangs around with, but with tentacles… so… um… well, at least I think that’s the plebian he hangs out with… the sword wound is making it kind of- either way, as “sir” Daithi can’t sprout tentacles, I hope, I just assumed it was-
:AtenaNUM: You just assumed it was shape shangers in the five seconds it took you to come into the room?
:LadyBaidealNUM: …well, no… err… alright fine… I confess, I have a hobby in dabbling in the occult. Not practicing it, of course, just researching it! I recognize those things from the text; they are shape changers that are minions to the Benevolent one! I… err… it’s not illegal to read about it, just to practice it!
>I'm sure the inquisition will understand these discrepancies and go out of their way to ensure you aren't inconvenienced during their investigations. There will be plenty of inquisitors here to ensure your daughters safety soon.
:LadyBaidealNUM: What!? No, that’s… you can’t let those… those brutes in here! They’ll see my book collection and burn the whole mansion down, with us inside it!
:AtenaNUM: …well, you did confess that you’ve been-
:LadyBaidealNUM: Researching! I got a permit! It’s legal!
:AtenaNUM: Well, then how about this whole mess… it’s rather unlikely that-
:LadyBaidealNUM: If I wanted my daughter dead I would have had them snuck into her room at night, not bash trough protective steel door while the captain of the guard, who I have to remind you I sent for personally, was standing outside the estate!
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… you’re right on that part… so either you’re not part of this plot… or just incompetent.
:LadyBaidealNUM: Why would I even call for you while she was alive if I wanted to hide her death!? …and why would I even want to kill her!? She’s my daughter! We might not see eye to eye on most things but she’s still my sole heir!
:AtenaNUM: You were going to replace her with one of the shape stealers? You know, by sucking out her memories?
:LadyBaidealNUM: That’s a- wait, they can suck out memories!? How do you even know all this!?
:AtenaNUM: …I got my sources...
:LadyBaidealNUM: Well, I’m still innocent! You got to believe me!
:AtenaNUM: …the torture chamber in the basement?
:LadyBaidealNUM: …tortu- That thing haven’t seen use since my grandfather was young! Everything is rusted and broken down there! In fact, we keep the door locked at all times just to make sure that part of our history remain history.
:LucraisNUM: …but, you took my brothers down there…
:LadyBaidealNUM: Just to scare them! We took them down there when they had behaved really badly and explained what everything was… then we used this fake… I don’t know what they are called but they are supposed to break fingers, but this one just hurt a bit. Most things doesn’t even work anymore down there! …but never mind that, what’s important is that you don’t tell those fanatics! I only want my daughter’s safety, and if they should come here…

Insert Some people just want to see the world burn_

:GuardNUM: Yeah, they are dead…
>>
No. 592967 ID: 2fd516

>>592964
Well that seems like a legit story. Tell her you want to look at it anyway just to confirm it's in disuse. ...hey, we should ask the family's guards if they have any idea where the shape-stealers got in from. Did they just walk in from outside, or what? We'll need to do a sweep of the house, too.
Oh, she let slip she knows The Deceiver's true name. The Benevolent one, eh? Is that it? Ask her if she knows the other daemons' true names. Also, we'd like all the info she has on the Benevolent one, since it's active here. We expect her full cooperation in making sure her house has no other daemonic influences in it without calling in the inquisition.
>>
No. 592983 ID: d8a627

> (…It’s… it’s almost like it’s from a romance novel… err… not that I… you know…)
Read them for intimate purposes? Don't worry, I won't jump to that conclusion. Really, romantic novels are good reads simply for good story and vocabulary. I mean, some of them get a little... Saucy, but it's not as though that's the reason I'm reading them. It's just that it's not a reason to stop reading them, either, right?
>(…well, too bad the glory I want only involves two people.)
>(...To bad it’s my mother who’s deciding whom I will marry…)
We need to open up communication between pawns...
>That sounds a bit… I don’t know… farfetched? Why go through so many problems just too… um…
[Reply: The Deceiver had him convinced everybody hated him until we showed up and opened his eyes. It's actually quite likely she's kicking it up a notch and having shapestealers replace them to make him think everybody hates him again. She needs him to have that state of mind for something... She's also avoided corrupting any of our pawns, so far, which is very unusual; her Shapestealer children must not be born of her Daemon power.
It may sound farfetched that a Daemon would care about one person so much, but for whatever reason, Daithi has had the Deceiver following him for as long as he can remember, so it's quite obviously the case that she has something in mind...]
[@White: Okay, here's a farfetched theory! What if Daithi is another of her "Children," and is an attempt to create a being of lies that isn't fragile like the shapestealers are? Only, being made of lies, his own past was a lie that deceived him, making him believe that he truly was Daithi, the son of Ceana. "I think, therefore I am." By creating a body that registered under all means as a Mantis, and the child of Ceana, nobody had reason to doubt, and so Daithi became, and therefore now is, Daithi. The Deceiver wants her experiment back, without harming him, so she's trying to make him hate life and run to her motherly embrace... On a scale of 1-100, with 100 being "How do you even come up with this moonspeak conspiracy," how would you rate that?
Oh, and yes, "Motherly Embrace." Those born of Daemon powers have had a tendency to plead for their Mother, her embrace, and her love. I don't know how The Deceiver managed to make "children" who aren't fountains of corrupt energy, but it likely ties into her title.]
>they are shape changers that are minions to the Benevolent one!
"The Benevolent One"? That's odd. Daithi is plagued by The Deceiver, not The Benevolent One.
>I only want my daughter’s safety, and if they should come here…
[Message Purple: Purity question. If a person obtains a permit to study Daemons, and is in fact quite knowledgeable about them, but have no sources of corruption in their home, are they "Filth"?]
That better damn well not be intercepted. I'm going to expect a non-zealous answer, believe it or not. Understanding the enemy is a necessity of war, after all.
[Message White: Hey, don't want to give away too much to Purple at once... Do you have contact with him? Hoping to ask about Daemon minions that don't spill corruption to pawns. Actually, if Cedric himself can find information on that, that too could help. Otherwise, speaking to Arthur should be enough.]
>>
No. 592996 ID: 40935b

>[Neutral Creature: Stuck up noble.]
Ha ha oh wow.

>That sounds a bit… I don’t know… farfetched?
[Reply: There's been one attempt to 'replace' Arthur and one just now to kill or capture Lucrais. Whatever the reason, they're being targeted. ]

> I confess, I have a hobby in dabbling in the occult.
Waaait a minute Lucrais? didn't your mother discourage your own intellectual pursuits?

Alright, whatever the cultists were planning on doing, it was in that chamber. Leave a guard behind to keep these two protected, take the other one to investigate. Tell Baideal that if you can wrap this up quickly without bothering the Inquisition, that's just fine with you, but if there's something down there we can't deal with, it may become necessary.
>>
No. 593048 ID: 65a774
File 141009693353.png - (14.75KB , 900x450 , 24.png )
593048

>[Reply: There's been one attempt to 'replace' Arthur and one just now to kill or capture Lucrais. Whatever the reason, they're being targeted.]
[White: Well, either they are after people close to him, or it’s just a coincident. We need more information.]
>[Message White: Hey, don't want to give away too much to Purple at once... Do you have contact with him? Hoping to ask about Daemon minions that don't spill corruption to pawns.]
[I guess I can talk to one of his pawns, maybe?]
>[@White: Okay, here's a farfetched theory! What if Daithi is another of her "Children," and is an attempt to create a being of lies that isn't fragile like the shapestealers are?]
[…wait, you think your own king is a demon spawn!? Whoa, you guys are paranoid!]
>[Message Purple: Purity question. If a person obtains a permit to study Daemons, and is in fact quite knowledgeable about them, but have no sources of corruption in their home, are they "Filth"?]
[Purple: Only with Knowledge can you truly eradicate the filth! Knowledge is the ultimate power, after all, but take heed so it doesn’t corrupt you.]

>Well that seems like a legit story. Tell her you want to look at it anyway just to confirm it's in disuse.
:AtenaNUM: *Cough*Cough* Oh, geez, so much dust… alright, this place has clearly not been used in ages… *cough*… even the lock was barely usable…
:LadyBaidealNUM: See, I told you!
:LucraisNUM: But… why did they want me to come here?
:AtenaNUM: They wanted you in the basement so they should kill you in peace and then get rid of the body, probably. Having the excuse that you were going in there would probably be used as an explanation for you being dragged down here against your will and your sudden personality change…
>...hey, we should ask the family's guards if they have any idea where the shape-stealers got in from.
:GuardNUM: Ma’am, none of the private guards here seems to know how they could have gotten in…
>We'll need to do a sweep of the house, too.
:GuardNUM: The only thing we found that was of any interest was that this “Master of servants” have simply disappeared. He was last seen mucking about with a guard armor.
:AtenaNUM: Let me guess, he was a human?
:LadyBaidealNUM: Why, yes, how did yo-
:AtenaNUM: Because the reason they can’t find him is because he’s the human corpse in Lady Lucrais room. He was the inside man that was trying to replace Lucrais with that mantis we killed.

>Oh, she let slip she knows The Deceiver's true name. The Benevolent one, eh? Is that it?
:LadyBaidealNUM: True name? That’s her only name. “The Deceiver” is our name for her, you know, those that doesn’t live in the untamed lands.
>Ask her if she knows the other daemons' true names.
:LadyBaidealNUM: Err… I’ve really just read about the ones who hang around near here… you know… The Benevolent one mostly…
>we'd like all the info she has on the Benevolent one, since it's active here. We expect her full cooperation in making sure her house has no other daemonic influences in it without calling in the inquisition.
:LadyBaidealNUM: Um… well… there’s a lot, alright? I mean, most of the information even contradicts each other!
:AtenaNUM: It does? Like how?
:LadyBaidealNUM: For example, her supposed origins. There are myth and legends that range from her coming and brainwashing a bunch of barbarians, that she was a powerful sorcerer that made herself out to be a god, that she was an evil god, that she was a benevolent god that came to aid those in the untamed lands but drove everyone insane instead and even some that say she doesn’t even exist and never has!
>Waaait a minute Lucrais? didn't your mother discourage your own intellectual pursuits?
:LucraisNUM: …you… you hypocrite!
:LadyBaidealNUM: I never said you should have it as a hobby… I just said you needed a more feminine job then… *Ugh* “Scholar”… you know, like in the army or an economist like me!

[ERROR! PLEASE CONTACT ADMIN! ERROR! PLEASE CONTACT AD_### ERROR! PKEAS# CO”TAC_### ERR#R! PL##SE C#N_### ERROR! PLEASE_### ERR_###!!!]
[Player {Centurion Lucius Flavius} has entered the game!]
{New Victory condition set: The first Player to capture either the plant Creature or the golden lizard wins the game!}
{New ability gained: Capture Plant Creature/ Golden Lizard! Just touch one of them and use this ability!}

[White: …what was that!? What is going on?]
[Purple: …I do not like this… is it the work of demons or false gods, I wonder…?]

Insert …wait, wa- but…wait… I… um… wait… err… that’s… but… it’s not… what?_
>>
No. 593071 ID: 40935b

>Whoa, you guys are paranoid!
[Message White:... He said, moments before the gods started screaming 'error!' ]
[message White and Purple: I'm not even going to try and list all the scenarios where whoever said that doesn't have our best interests at heart, but that's definitely too good to be true. Here's what we know: The 'plant creature', that's the god that entered first, is on the run from the 'golden lizard'. Whoever sent that message is trying to purge both of them. I doubt they'll discretionary in who or what gets removed along with them, though, so let's try not to capture anything right now. And make sure that lizard doesn't make a scene, we should keep him away from black and yellow.]
[message Centurion Lucius Flavius: Hello? Can you hear us? What are you doing here?!?]

Oh boy, a big metal door with a skull sign next to it. Who else is exited?
...Just make sure there isn't any cult activity down there and then we can go. Leave some guards in the house just in case, and then you can go visit the school.
>>
No. 593073 ID: d8a627

>[…wait, you think your own king is a demon spawn!? Whoa, you guys are paranoid!]
[Reply: Uh, I was just making stuff up, White. I said "This is a farfetched theory" because the likelihood of that happening is essentially nonexistant. Why would the Gods have allowed Players to choose a Daemon Spawn as their King?]
>{New Victory condition set: The first Player to capture either the plant Creature or the golden lizard wins the game!}
WHAT.
>[White: …what was that!? What is going on?]
>[Purple: …I do not like this… is it the work of demons or false gods, I wonder…?]
[Message both: Heh, interesting! Use the manual, query anything about this you can.]
[Query: Capture the flag, similar results]
[Query: Victory conditions, changing of]
[Message both: Actually, did you get the same conditions that we did?]
[Query: Daemons and Gods]
[Query: The Benevolent One]
[Touch transcript, "The Golden Lizard"]
>>
No. 593090 ID: 2fd516

>>593048
[@White and Purple: False gods. Both are outsiders, and are at war. Now their presence is screwing with the victory conditions, goddamn it. What does winning the game do in this case, I wonder?]
[Message to Admin: Hey, hey! What is the meaning of this? What does Capture do to the target?]
[system query: effects of Capture]
[system query: effects of winning the game]
[scan the guard to the right of Atena]

Alright, I think we're done here. Something new has come up- another alien has entered this world, most likely through the beam of light. We need to check it out, but I suspect it would only be safe for a Lizard to approach.
>>
No. 593100 ID: 9ddf68

>…wait, you think your own king is a demon spawn!? Whoa, you guys are paranoid!

[reply: White, until you've been trapped in a illusion for 2 months watching your friends die over and over again, you don't get to call us paranoid.}

[message to both white and purple: ... well we have been hearing things about the admins looking for something, and fucking with our messages so we have a hard time talking when we're not in person now so I guess we found out they've been doing. As for the lizard, we've met him... kinda. Back when we were fighting in the desert he contacted one of our pawns asking him to shoot us with a ray gun that destroyed an entire cultist camp in one shot because he thought we were someone else. As for where he is now, no idea, we just messaged him after our pawn told us about him and haven heard hair or hide of him until now.]

Hey Atena, do you need us her anymore cause I'm kinda wanted to duck back to Dei because something of world breaking proportions just popped up.
>>
No. 593103 ID: b6aaac

The multiple and contradictory origins of the Benevolent One does make it sound like the "Mother of Lies" title she's been given is more fitting then not.

Lu, do you think it'd be better if you were here to back Ceana up when she tells your mother the marriage is off or do you think it'd be better if you weren't?

Lucrais, we're about to say things to Atena that aren't going to make sense without knowing what we've told her; She'll have to fill you in afterwards. Atena, if Lu can't come with you when you leave then find somewhere private you can speak with her before you go.

Atena, we just got the message that player "{Centurion Lucius Flavius}" has entered the game. This has to be the Sakkilian marine that's after Hugo, and going by the fact curly braces are around his name instead of the regular brackets he's coming in as an admin player. We need you to find out right away if another beam of light has come down at Avatar's Descent just now. If there hasn't then we'll know Lucius has come in somewhere much more discreet. If there has... then a heavily armed Sakkilian marine has just dropped smack into the middle of a bunch of Inquisitors and there's no way I can think of that that can end well.

But that's not the end of it. Immediately after we got that message we got two admin messages: One stating that a new victory condition has been set: "The first Player to capture either the plant Creature or the golden lizard wins the game!" The second saying that we got a new ability that would capture the Plant Creature or Golden Lizard if used when touching either of them. And then right after that we got messages from White and Purple asking what the heck is this, so it'd be safe to assume that all the players in the region, if not the whole world, have gotten the same message and ability we did.

This is related to what we overheard on the admin message channel right before we were banned from it: "Experiment compromised! Remove foreign objects immediately! Capture Plant being and foreign lizard immediately!" It looks like there are intelligent systems up there that are still following the directives of the Old Gods to keep their experiment going. That's where the new victory objective and ability came from; There's not supposed to be regular players in here, so they're trying to remove them.

However, what worries me the most about this is that there is now a victory condition when there was none before. A victory condition means that the game can now be won, and when a game is won it almost always ends. Put that together with this world originally being a game and you can figure what might happen if Hugo or the Sakkil marine are captured. We can't risk that happening. We can't risk this all looping back again.

Atena, we need you to get to the Academy ASAP to deal with whatever those two missing soldiers was about and then meet with Daithi; We're going to switch to Dai to inform him of what's happened. We also need to speak with White in person 'cause our inter-player messages are being listened in on and censored. Lucrais, if you can come with Atena, please do. Otherwise arm yourself and hole up here. Oh, and Atena, whisper the password Arthur told you last night to Lu before you leave.

[@White: Big trouble, that's what, 'cause a victory condition means this game can now end, and when it ends... What happens to the world and all of us?]
[@Purple: Dunno, but no matter who or what sent that it has to mean big trouble.]

[@White, @Purple: Did you get the same "capture the plant creature/golden lizard" objective and messages that we just did? Could you repeat the messages you got in total to us so we can be sure we got the same thing?]

[@White: We need to speak with you in person. We're going to switch to Daithi. How soon can Cedric get to him?]

[@Purple: We need to speak with you in person. How soon can you get a pawn to the Academy to meet with ours? We want to meet there 'cause our ally White will be there and we'd like you to meet so you can talk.]

>>593071
Remember how when we tried to message Purple to tell him anything of what this world really is our messages were "info expunged?" There's no bloody way whoever or whatever is in the admin seat up there watching the inter-player messages is going to let messages with info like that through from us to any of the AI players. If we're to tell them anything of such things it'll have to be in person, from our pawns to theirs.

And the big metal door with the skull sign next to it is to the old, long unused torture chamber; The one that Atena just stepped out of saying it was so dusty.

>>593073
We've been told that there's no glossary or manual in the game yet. What makes you think that the AI players have one before the regular players?
>>
No. 593106 ID: 65a774
File 141011965128.png - (14.85KB , 900x450 , 25.png )
593106

>[message Centurion Lucius Flavius: Hello? Can you hear us? What are you doing here?!?]
[Error! Target not found!]
>[Message to Admin: Hey, hey! What is the meaning of this? What does Capture do to the target?]
[Unable to send message!]
>[Query: Capture the flag, similar results]
[No query found.]
>[Query: Victory conditions, changing of]
[Victory condition can either be changed as the game evolves or directly by admins. There are three different victory type: Global (Game ends), Personal (Player wins, game goes on), Minor (For side quests). There are currently 2 Personal victory conditions set, as well as several thousand minor ones.]
>[Query: Daemons and Gods]
[Will be added in a later update.]
>[Query: The Benevolent One]
[No query found.]
>[Touch transcript, "The Golden Lizard"]
[Error!]
>[system query: effects of Capture]
[Capture targets on touch and brings them to an external prison zone from where they can be realized from later. No harm can come to a captured target.]
>[scan the guard to the right of Atena]
[Neutral Creature: Officer of the watch.]

>[@White and Purple: False go –expunged- ]
[…]
>[message White and Purple: I'm not even going to try and list all the scenarios where whoever said that doesn't have our best interests at heart, but that's definitely too good to be true. Here's what we know: The 'plant creature', that's the –expunged- is on the run from the 'golden lizard'. Whoever sent that message is trying to purge both of them.]
[Both: This is rather troubling…]
>[@White: Big trouble, that's what, 'cause a victory condition means this game can now end, and when it ends... What happens to the world and all of us?]
[White: …I… I can’t say… this is all so weird…]
>[Message both: Actually, did you get the same conditions that we did?]
[White: Capture a plant monster and a lizard made out of gold?]
[Purple: Something about a creature made out of flowers and a golden idol that looks like a lizard?]
>[@White: We need to speak with you in person. We're going to switch to Daithi. How soon can Cedric get to him?]
[White: He’s stuck in class… so… um… Daithi is probably stuck in class right now too so…]
>[@Purple: We need to speak with you in person. How soon can you get a pawn to the Academy to meet with ours?]
[Purple: The Star will arrive in just a few moments.]
>[make sure that lizard doesn't make a scene, we should keep him away from black and yellow.]
[Purple: …something interesting just happened at the gods decent. A weird armored lizard suddenly appeared and ran as fast as he could right into the forest, then just a few moments later two ------- appeared and gave chase after him… err… wait, it was expunged? What does… err… they were… hmm… like animals, you know… animals without legs that hide in the grass, slithering around… you shouldn’t thread on them? Those kind of animals but they were people, with arms, weapons and really weird armor. Oh, and when I spoke with my pawn there he suddenly forgot any of that ever happened.]

>Alright, I think we're done here. Something new has come up- another –expunged- … We need to check it out, but I suspect it would only be safe for a Lizard to approach.
:AtenaNUM: (Huh?)
>Atena, we just got the message that pl –expunged-
:AtenaNUM: (…?)
>But that's not the end of it. Immediately after we got that message we got two –expunged-
:AtenaNUM: (Are you just messing with me or?)
>This is related to what we overheard on the –expunged-
:AtenaNUM: (Okay, quit it!)

>...Just make sure there isn't any cult activity down there and then we can go. Leave some guards in the house just in case, and then you can go visit the school.
:AtenaNUM: Of course, I’ll leave some of my best men here to protect the ladies and their family and estate.
:LadyBaidealNUM: Even with your extra man power it won’t be safe here… no, I need to take some precautions…
>Hey Atena, do you need us her anymore cause I'm kinda wanted to duck back to Dei because something of world breaking proportions just popped up.
:AtenaNUM: (Yeah, you guys can head off if you want to.)
>Lu, do you think it'd be better if you were here to back Ceana up when she tells your mother the marriage is off or do you think it'd be better if you weren't?
:LucraisNUM: (I rather be with her… you know, this whole thing does concern me a bit, after all.)
>Atena, we need you to get to the Academy ASAP to deal with whatever those two missing soldiers was about and then meet with Daithi.
:AtenaNUM: (Right, I’ll just need to finish up here first…)



:VictoriaNUM: Really, they found them?
:NickolasNUM: Apparently, they had “accidently” slept in one of the seniors students private rooms.
:VictoriaNUM: Heh, that’s not really a surprise… I mean, what kind of girl can resist a handsome soldier in uniform, let alone two of them?
:NickolasNUM: The room belonged to a male lizard…
:VictoriaNUM: …oh… well, my point still stand… either way, Daithi, you’re up next! How do you feel?
:DaithiNUM: Freaking nervous, Sir! …I mean, Ma’am.
:VictoriaNUM: Don’t be, it’s just practice… and if you’re shaking like that the soldiers out there will never let you order them around. Grow some balls, Daithi… or eggsacks or whatever you guys got… Nic, do you know?
:NickolasNUM: Please leave me out of any conservation concerning those organs, please.
:VictoriaNUM: Hey, just because you lack a pair doesn’t… err… that was a bit… sorry for that, Nic.
:NickolasNUM: No harm done…

Insert I lost the thread I was following, so the whole thing is just a big snarl now…_
>>
No. 593108 ID: 2fd516

>>593106
Ah, so... another race of aliens is after the Sakkil and... Uredo, that's the name of the plant race now. This game just got weird.

[scan all those present]

Hello, Nicholas, Daithi. Something has come up. More aliens have entered the world through the pillar of light- a Sakkil and some members of an unknown species which looks like... serpentine creatures. Also, all Players are being given a personal goal to capture either the Sakkil or Hugo. We won't be doing this, because I don't think the personal victory will do anything for us. This is a good chance to further our own goals while other Players are distracted. By the way, Hugo's species is called Uredo. The Sakkil ran into the forest, pursued by the new aliens. I'm not sure if we should even bother going after the Sakkil. I'm more interested in protecting Hugo and investigating those ruins we found out about yesterday. Are either of you free for adventures?
[query: what happens to a player when they win a personal victory?]

Oh, and two new Players have shown up. Red and Yellow. Red is an old ally; Yellow is new and may be corrupted.
>>
No. 593109 ID: 9ddf68

hey there Daithi, if you want we can lend you and hand so to speak here. Either way once you're done here we need to talk, so major shit is going down and we need to talk to you about a few things. But later, you don't need to be distracted now so we'll help you speed through this and then we let you know what's going on.
>>
No. 593113 ID: d8a627

>wait, it was expunged?
[Reply: Oh! So we didn't get that message about it being expunged, only the sender gets that. That explains your previous confusion.]
>animals without legs that hide in the grass, slithering around…
[Reply: It's call them Slither. So, these Slither showed up and chased the Lizard?
> Oh, and when I spoke with my pawn there he suddenly forgot any of that ever happened.
...The Slither have power. We need to talk, moreso now than before.]

Daithi, just so you know, if we suddenly get "quiet" that's... Uh, well, we get expunged. That should be safe to say, Purple managed to say it.
[Help query: Expunging/omitting of communications]
There's a Golden Lizard (We told you about him before, remember?) and the Plant Person (You've met him before, remember?) in the game. Both are being hunted by animal people we're calling "Slithers." They're the kind of animal that has no legs and slithers in the grass. But they've got arms. Slithers have some kind of power that lets them [EXPUNGE] our communications. I feel the need to [EXPEL] these Slither, before they [ERADICATE] our allies. It certainly doesn't help when they [ERASE] our messages and [EFFACE] your memories. Get your [EXOSKELETON] in gear and [EXCEL] at whatever this [EXAMINATION] is about so we can [EXIT] and [ENCOURAGE] our [ENTOURAGE].
>>
No. 593160 ID: 40935b

Alright Dai, just take some deep breaths and cross yourself. Nothing to be afraid of, right? Just give the first person who starts giving you shit the worst job, you shouldn't have any more problems after that.

> Nic, do you know?
I think he's more likely to know a way to invoke the protection of the gods or something. That'd be helpful.

> Really, they found them?
...They aren't Shapechangers, right?
>>
No. 593297 ID: 65a774
File 141017136320.png - (20.84KB , 900x450 , 26.png )
593297

>[scan all those present]
[“The Magician”: Nervous. “strength”: Content. “The Forsaken Lion”: Content.]
[“The Hermit” is currently unclaimed!]
[Neutral Creature: Student.] x6
>[query: what happens to a player when they win a personal victory?]
[Either the player is removed from the game until it ends and is then proclaimed winner / second place / third… or is rewarded with extra experience, items and / or skills.]
>[Help query: Expunging/omitting of communications]
[Admins can delete communication as they deem necessary.]

>[Reply: Oh! So we didn't get that message about it being expunged, only the sender gets that. That explains your previous confusion.]
[Purple: That would explain it, yes.]
>[Reply: Iet’s call them Slither. So, these Slither showed up and chased the Lizard?]
[Yes, they chased the lizard in weird armor… and… hmm… snake… they were snakes… they were ----- …so, I can say snake but not creature? Weird…]

>Daithi, just so you know, if we suddenly get "quiet" that's... Uh, well, we get expunged.
:DaithiNUM: Wait, what? Someone is… removing things you say?
:NickolasNUM: Hmm… that’s rather odd…
>...They aren't Shapechangers, right?
:NickolasNUM: We’ve already checked them. No, they are just a bunch of horny soldiers.
>Oh, and two new Players have shown up. Red and Yellow. Red is an old ally; Yellow is new and may be corrupted.
:NickolasNUM: Corrupted? Let’s not jump to conclusions, shall we?
>Once you're done here we need to talk, as some major shit is going down. But later, you don't need to be distracted right now.
:DaithiNUM: Err… that doesn’t really help! At all!

>Ah, so... another race of –expunged- is after the Sakkil and... Uredo, that's the name of the plant race now.
:DaithiNUM: Another alien race!? Isn’t this weird en- wait, Uredo? Hugo is an Uredo?
>An unknown species which looks like... serpentine creatures.
:DaithiNUM: So, space snakes, huh?
>They have some kind of power that lets them [EXPUNGE] our communications. I feel the need to [EXPEL] these snakes, before they [ERADICATE] our allies. It certainly doesn't help when they [ERASE] our messages and [EFFACE] your memories.
:NickolasNUM: I should recommend that we try to talk to them. Attacking them outright will probably just make things worse.
>Get your [EXOSKELETON] in gear and [EXCEL] at whatever this [EXAMINATION] is about so we can [EXIT] and [ENCOURAGE] our [ENTOURAGE].
:DaithiNUM: …if it was that easy…

>Alright Dai, just take some deep breaths and cross yourself. Nothing to be afraid of, right? Just give the first person who starts giving you shit the worst job, you shouldn't have any more problems after that.
:DaithiNUM: Right… calm… deep breath… I can do this…
:VictoriaNUM: Daithi, you’re up. Go get them, commander!

:UnknownKAK: So then I shopped his ugly head from his shoulders and said, “Let me give you a nice haircut!”.
:UnknownKAK: Ha! Like that ever happened, you’re so full of Oxin sh-
:UnknownKAK: Shh, the commander is… err… is that…
:UnknownKAK:
:DaithiNUM: Um…
:UnknownKAK: Are you sure this is the commander?
:UnknownKAK: He is wearing the uniform…
:UnknownKAK: But he’s a male mantis!? Isn’t that against the law or something!?
:UnknownKAK: Is this some kind of joke!?
:VictoriaNUM: Begin when you’re ready, Daithi.

Insert Yay, sexism!_
>>
No. 593300 ID: f4a3f1

Cripes!
Okay, what exactly do we have to do here Daithi?
>>
No. 593306 ID: d8a627

Attention! Serious, call them to attention. That's like, the first thing a commander does. Unless this is supposed to be a wartime simulation, then call them to line up, too. If they still decide to chitchat, tell them you did not dismiss them yet, so they can keep the smalltalk on hold.

What is the standard punishment for a soldier who falls out of line?
>>
No. 593307 ID: 2fd516

>>593297
Get them to line up properly, one of them is off to the side.
>>
No. 593312 ID: dbe554

Get them to clear their small talk, get them to stand at attention, any who disobeys gets shouted at for disobeying an officer.

For those who are insulting their superior at command, punishment is allowed one has to be STRONG and FILLED WITH WILL and not allow their troops to question them or insult them, whatever beef they have with you is to be quietly shut away because otherwise it could cause MORALE ISSUES and TROUBLE.
>>
No. 593314 ID: 65a774
File 141019819222.png - (20.78KB , 900x450 , 27.png )
593314

>Okay, what exactly do we have to do here Daithi?
Victoria will give me a task to complete, and I’m supposed to use these guys to complete it…
>What is the standard punishment for a soldier who falls out of line?
Well… um… latrine duty or kitchen duty, I guess? I can’t really order them to do that though so… um… push-ups maybe?

>Attention! Serious, call them to attention. That's like, the first thing a commander does.
:DaithiNUM: ATTENTION!!
:UnknownKAK: …so this is re-
:DaithiNUM: I ordered you to stay in attention, soldier!!
:UnknownKAK: …”Yes, sir”…
>Get them to line up properly, one of them is off to the side.
:DaithiNUM: Now Fall in!
:UnknownKAK: Sir, yes, sir…
:VictoriaNUM: You know, there’s more sun on the other side of the court yard, don’t you think so, commander?
:DaithiNUM: You heard the lady! About, FACE! Forward, MA-
:UnknownKAK: No.
:DaithiNUM: W-what!?
:UnknownKAK: I’m not going to let some greenhorn, especially a male mantis order me around! I’ve been thought all too well that we males are worthless scum so to hell taking commands from one! I demand a real commander, someone that was actually meant to lead!
:VictoriaNUM: Hmm…

Insert Welp, the implications here are staggering…_
>>
No. 593316 ID: 8b533b

Bark bark, full on drill sergeant style. Confidence is the only thing that can carry you through.

The enlisted don't have the privilege of choosing their COs, soldier! If you want to pick who you work for than you should have stayed a civilian!

You want a choice? You can resign your commission! You can face a court marshal for disobeying a direct order! Or you can follow! Your! Orders! Is that clear soldier? Choose!

Quickly soldier, before I choose for you! 3!... 2!... 1!...

And if they fail to put a 'sir' at the end of their response, be sure to go "<response>, what, soldier?!"
>>
No. 593318 ID: 2fd516

>>593314
A soldier that won't follow orders shames their country and family. Does she think this is just a test for YOU? No, she is being tested as well. And failing, so far.
>>
No. 593320 ID: f4a3f1

>I've been taught too well that we males are worthless scum.
"So, instead of working with the one guy that's trying to prove otherwise, you sit down in the dirt and prove that's all we are!? GET MOVING SOLDIER!"
>>
No. 593321 ID: 9ddf68

time to go full drill Sargent on her thorax.

don't show any fear, don't let hesitation full your voice at any point, and remember we are hear by your side.

You are in command here and if she doesn't like it tell her she can go back to her barracks, remove her armor, and quit. This is the army lady, you don't get what you want in the army, you join the army to serve others, your family, your country, your home, not yourself. If she can't get over herself then she can go back home, see if her mother can tuck her back into her crib and then she can throw her little temper tantrum in front of someone who gives a shit. NOW FUCKING MARCH SOLDER.
>>
No. 593324 ID: 40935b

Don't panic, this is part of the test. Now, you've GOT TO GET MAD. get MAD AS HELL, BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE BULLSHIT FROM A DAMN PUPA.

Get less than an inch from their face and don't stop looking them in the eyes. It doesn't matter if you shout them down or get real quiet, this part is important. Never say 'I'm in charge', it means you aren't, but want to be. But you are, and need to show it. First, ask his name. He's on the shit list.

Soldier, I don't believe I heard you correctly. You DEMAND? Is that why I'm here, to take care of your fucking demands? You have Five seconds, EXACTLY FIVE FUCKING SECONDS to respond in the affirmative and march to the other end of this courtyard before I rip the insignia you have so shamed today off your chest and use it to raise your voice an octave.

ABOUT. FACE.
>>
No. 593325 ID: d8a627

>>593318
>Does she think this is just a test for YOU?
>she
That's a male mantis. These are grunt soldiers, not leaders. Males make good grunts, females make good leaders.
>You are in command here and if she doesn't like it tell her she can go back to her barracks
MALE MANTIS.
>>
No. 593326 ID: 9443d1

[List active personal victory conditions and their rewards for completion] [List two minor victory conditions at random from all currently active ones]

Oh, it's fuckin' on. He wants a "real commander?" Someone that's "actually meant to lead?" Well, demand fuckin' fulfilled 'cause you're a commander and are meant to lead! You know it, we know it, your mother knows it, the Academy knows it, Victoria knows it, Cedric knows it, and by Jove this maggot of a soldier is going to fuckin' know it!

Time to get in touch with your feminine side and get right pissed off. Get fuckin' mad! Don't back down! You are the one in command here! YOU, not him!

Do you know who decided which soldiers which cadet would command? 'Cause if it was Victoria for you I suspect she chose an all male mantis squad to see how you deal with the entrenched sexism and she might even have chose soldiers that are particularly sexist.

>>593321
Uh... They're male mantises, not female. See, they're roughly the same height as Dai and the soldier even said "we males are worthless scum."

>>593325
"Males make good grunts, females make good leaders?" Excuse me, but why the fuck are you repeating that sexist and speciest bollocks? Especially when we have Daithi as our king?
>>
No. 593327 ID: 9ddf68

>>593326
ops, well just change a few words in >>593321 and it get's the same message across. I just kinda assumed seeing as all the mantises we've met in the school so far have been female, my bad.
>>
No. 593329 ID: 40935b

>>593324
I almost forgot- If they break eye contact, stop to give them shit. LOOK ME IN THE EYES YOU OVERGROWN MAGGOT. ARE YOU SOME KIND OF COWARD? DO YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME?

Lastly, DI's are bad at math, so skip numbers when counting down.
>>
No. 593330 ID: 2fd516

Wait, if he's male... does he think he's worthless too? A true commander has to see into the hearts of his soldiers and raise morale. Don't be too tough on him.
>>
No. 593335 ID: d8a627

>>593326
>Excuse me, but why the fuck are you repeating that sexist and speciest bollocks?
The sexist balderdash is one of the methods of telling the genders apart for those who cannot see it based on their appearance. Daithi and Lucrais are expections, yes, but apart from them we have not seen a single mantis fall outside of that stereotype.
>>
No. 593341 ID: 9443d1

How 'bout you ask this soldier to explain just how you, as "worthless scum," was accepted into the Amun Commander Academy and then made it all the way through the first year needed to even be standing before him. Just what is he implying here, eh?

>>593335
I do want to point out that we have seen at least one male mantis in a leadership position: Captain Andrzej of the Order of Light. He is, or rather, will be, a male mantis in a military leadership position.
>>
No. 593426 ID: 65a774
File 141027963534.png - (17.75KB , 900x450 , 28.png )
593426

>[List active personal victory conditions and their rewards for completion]
[Capture “Plant Creature” alive – Reward: Victory when the game ends.]
[Capture “Golden lizard” alive – Reward: Victory when the game ends.]
>[List two minor victory conditions at random from all currently active ones]
[Find “Lesser Rune of Earth” – Reward: EXP and Lesser Rune of Earth.]
[Defeat the dreaded pirate Lizard king “Kalypso Roli” located somewhere in the Erathian seas. – Reward: EXP and a random magical item.]
[Locating local minor quests… one minor quest found!]
[Find the vault of the forgotten in the city of Stone Heaven – Reward: Knowledge meant to be unfound.]

>Confidence is the only thing that can carry you through.
…just the thing I lack right now…
>Time to get in touch with your feminine side and get right pissed off. Get fuckin' mad! Don't back down! You are the one in command here! YOU, not him!
…yes… YES, I’M IN COMMAND! I CAN BE JUST AS GOOD AS ANY WOMAN!
>Get less than an inch from their face and don't stop looking them in the eyes.
:UnknownKAK: err…

>YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE BULLSHIT FROM A DAMN PUPA.
:DaithiNUM: DID YOU JUST SAY WHAT I THINK YOU SAID!?
:UnknownKAK: I-
:DaithiNUM: A soldier that can’t follow orders shames not only themselves, but their family, empire and the very concept of soldiers!
:UnknownKAK: Bu-
:DaithiNUM: The enlisted don't have the privilege of choosing their COs, soldier! You want a choice? You can resign your commission! You can face a court martial for disobeying a direct order! Or you can follow! Your! Orders! Is that clear soldier?
:UnknownKAK: Y-yes, sir…
:DaithiNUM: This is the army kid and you don't get what you want in the army, you join the army to serve others! If you don’t have what it takes then you can go back home and let your father tuck you into your web where you belong! Is that what you want, soldier!?
:UnknownKAK: N-no, sir!
:DaithiNUM: Then You have Five seconds, EXACTLY FIVE FUCKING SECONDS to respond in the affirmative and march to the other end of this courtyard before I rip the insignia you have so shamed today off your chest and use it to raise your voice an octave. ABOUT. FACE.
:UnknownKAK: YES SIR!!
:DaithiNUM: And while you march use that damn head of yours! Do you really think you mantis guys are worthless!?
:UnknownKAK: Err… Y-yes, si- I mean, NO, SIR!?
:DaithiNUM: Then prove it! Instead of sitting in the dirt pretending to be worthless grubs work with the guy who is trying to prove otherwise! To prove you mean something!
:UnknownKAK: YES SIR!
:DaithiNUM: If you were worthless you wouldn’t even be in that uniform, soldier! No, you’re better than that! You matter, soldier! So prove it! Show those “ladies” that we matter and are just as good as them!
:UnknownKAK: YES SIR!!!


---


:DaithiNUM: Good work, soldiers, I’m proud of what you’ve done today… you’re dismissed!
:UnknownKAN: THANK YOU, SIR!!
:DaithiNUM: … … … *gasp*, oh crap… I… I-I can’t b-believe I just did that…
:VictoriaNUM: Excellent work, commander! I have to say, you really impressed me with taking control, raising morale and getting them motivated. You’ve clearly earned a gold star on this assignment, Daithi.
>Do you know who decided which soldiers which cadet would command?
:VictoriaNUM: Oh, no one decides, it’s randomized.
:DaithiNUM: So that I got four mantis guys who were…
:VictoriaNUM: Chances were actually rather good, as 95% of the soldiers we got were mantises, all of them male. You know that about 80% of the lower ranks of our army are mantis males, right?
:DaithiNUM: Oh, right… I… I should have expected something like this…
:VictoriaNUM: …Oh, and just a secret between us, one of them had orders to try and fight back a little, to test out if people are ready to take command over real people… but you handled it well. Either way, take the rest of the day off, Daithi, you deserve it… oh, and happy weekend.

Insert Captain K? Where are all the barrel throwing monkeys when you need them?_
>>
No. 593429 ID: 2fd516

>>593426
Hooray! Now let's go investigate some ruins, shall we?
[message to Teal: Okay, new admin. I know you're listening, so why don't you give us an explanation for what's going on? Do you think the two aliens are disrupting the game, or are you just using the game mechanics to get at them, causing a larger disruption than would otherwise occur? What would you do after they were captured, anyway? Also, please give us the name of your race so we can stop calling you serpentine or whatever.]
>>
No. 593431 ID: 8b533b

>*gasp*, oh crap… I… I-I can’t b-believe I just did that…
Well you did. Congrats. See, you can be confident and in command, if you want to be. It's kind of self fulfilling!
>>
No. 593433 ID: d8a627

[Excellence] in [Exoneration], Daithi! [Exhilaration] is [Expected] now. You had quite the [Effect] on that [Endomorph]; keep it up and you'll get your own [Effigy], you know. We did get a quest to [Exhume] some lost knowledge nearby, so that's something interesting.

Also I'm too [Ecstatic] to stop with the E's it seems.
>>
No. 593439 ID: 9ddf68

Great job man, we knew you could do it, Now for the thing we wanted to tell you about. There's a bounty on Hugo now. For whatever reason the system is going ape shit and not only is censuring some things we say but has actually started to put words into mouth make us sound even more crazy then we are, which pisses me off, we don't need any help being crazy! But yeah if we start shouting randomly at every other word chances are someone is jacking our speech pattern.

Oh and about Hugo, if any pawn so much as touches him he'll get sent to some kind of prison via teleportation bullshit so you and pretty much everyone we can trust can't touch Hugo... which given the fact that nether of us speak the same langue is going to be interesting to try and tell him. Oh and the lizard guy that was sent here to hunt him down, he's being hunted now as well by a third party. I kinda want to try and save him as well as at least he can actually tell us what the fuck is going on outside. Last we heard of him he was described as a golden lizard that was running into the woods. Not saying we should drop everything and track him down but if nothing comes up I wouldn't be against looking for him.
>>
No. 593440 ID: 65a774
File 141029061830.png - (13.86KB , 900x450 , 29.png )
593440

>[Message to Teal: Okay, new –expunged-. I know you're listening, so why don't you give us an explanation for what's going on? Do you think the two –expunged- are disrupting the game, or are you just using the –expunged- to get at them, causing a larger disruption than would otherwise occur? What would you do after they were captured, anyway? Also, please give us the name of your race so we can stop calling you serpentine or whatever.]
[Teal: Okay, new ---. I know you're listening, so why don't you give us an explanation for what's going on? Do you think the two --- are disrupting the game, or are you just using the --- to get at them, causing a larger disruption than would otherwise occur? What would you do after they were captured, anyway? Also, please give us the name of your race so we can stop calling you serpentine or whatever.]

>[Excellence] in [Exone-
Hey! Stop that nonsense! It’s getting kind of silly!
>Well you did. Congrats. See, you can be confident and in command, if you want to be. It's kind of self-fulfilling!
…Maybe you’re right… maybe I’m more confident then I think?
>Hooray! Now let's go investigate some ruins, shall we?
…err… wait, what ruins? There aren’t any ruins around these parts?
>We did get a quest to [Exhume] some lost knowledge nearby, so that's something interesting.
Well, that’s great and all but… um… where? There’s not like there’s a big vault of ancient knowledge buried beneath the school- well, there are those ancient catacombs but they are rather well searched by now…

:UnknownKAK: Are you sure?
:UnknownKAK: We searched the dorm, your highness, and we found nothing…
:UnknownKAK: Hmm… then they must be hidden somewhere else in the school… assemble a team and search every nook and cranny.
:UnknownKAK: Yes, my lady.
:DaithiNUM: (Um… who are these people and why are they standing outside my dorm?)

>[Scan targets]
[“The Empress” belongs to player Black!]
[Neutral Creature: Imperial Guard] x6

Insert Hey, that’s private!_
>>
No. 593441 ID: 9ddf68

that it would seem to be The Empress controlled by player black.

{message to Purple: Black's empress is in the school, in fact we're looking at her right now and she seems to be searching the school for something. Oh and we see about 6 guards around her if that's important at all.}

This is your dorm isn't Daithi? All the dorms look alike to me.
>>
No. 593442 ID: 2fd516

>>593440
Shit, it's Black. Get away from her! You are in no position to risk being abducted by a potential enemy, and you're outnumbered. Go see if you can find Hugo- I have a hunch they're looking for him. Dammit I was hoping we could just lie low and investigate the catacombs Lucrais found the entrance to. It's kindof important we do that, but it looks like Hugo's safety is more important at the moment.
[@Purple: Black's pawn The Empress is in Daithi's dorm. We will stay out of the fight between you two, but she's essentially invading our territory right now so it'd be appreciated if you'd evict her somehow.]
[@White: Spotted player Black's pawn The Empress, in Daithi's dorm. She's got a bunch of palace guards with her.]


I'd like to preemptively block communication with Black until Daithi is away from her for a while. It would be best if Black did not know Daithi is one of our pawns. Well, I'll rescind the block if Black contacts us first, because that'd mean Black got off a scan just as Daithi showed up, just like we did.
>>
No. 593443 ID: 40935b

>who are these people and why are they standing outside my dorm?
Is there any answer to that question that doesn't mean you should leave quickly?

Don't draw attention to yourself. If they didn't find anything of note, that means Hugo's gone with all his things. By the way, another few gods entered the world today. One wears golden armor and is chasing Hugo, and two more of... nebulous description that might be chasing him. They will all likely be hostile because a new goal came up saying that any player who captures one by touching them will win a unknown prize. We think 'win' in this case means removed until the end of time, so don't to that.
>>
No. 593455 ID: 65a774
File 141029989796.png - (13.92KB , 900x450 , 30.png )
593455

>{message to Purple: Black's empress is in the school, in fact we're looking at her right now and she seems to be searching the school for something. Oh and we see about 6 guards around her if that's important at all.}
[Purple: BLACK!? Do not trust him! He is a lying knave! Lying filth! He needs to be exterminated for the good of the Amun empire!]
>[@White: Spotted player Black's pawn The Empress, in Daithi's dorm. She's got a bunch of palace guards with her.]
[White: …Black? Who is black?]

>Is there any answer to that question that doesn't mean you should leave quickly?
…um… I just won the lottery and they are here to give me the prize?
>There's a bounty on Hugo now.
…wait, what?
>By the way, another few –expunged- today. One wears golden armor and is chasing Hugo, and two more of... nebulous description that might be chasing him.
…err… more aliens?
>They will all likely be hostile because a new goal came up saying that any player who captures one by touching them will win an unknown prize. We think 'win' in this case means removed until the end of time, so don't do that.
That’s not a price at all!
>Don't draw attention to yourself.
A bit late for that… I did just walk right up to them, after all…
>Go see if you can find Hugo.
Um… where? I have no idea where he should be hiding!

>Get away from her! You are in no position to risk being abducted by a potential enemy, and you're outnumbered.
Right, turning right around and-
:UnknownKAK: HALT!! Who are you!?
:DaithiNUM: Um… a student?
:UnknownKAK: …a male mantis commander!? HA! Like that’s ever going too happened! You’re clearly an enemy spy! PREPARE TO BE EXECUTED!!!
:EalasaidNUM: Guard, stand down at once! While it is an odd occurrence, it doesn’t mean he’s a spy. In fact, the dorm probably belongs to him. That’s why it only had one bed.
:UnknownKAK: My apologizes, your highness… you, don’t you dare disrespect the high lady! Avert your eyes and bow at once, because you’re in the presence of Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas, the eight daughter of the empress herself!
:EalasaidNUM: No need for formalities, guard. So… a male mantis commander… how peculiar. Times are truly changing, aren’t they? Hmm… can I ask you for your name, Commander?
:UnknownKAK: Her highness asked you a question, scum! Answer or die!
:EalasaidNUM: GUARD!
:UnknownKAK: …I must apologize, my lady…
:EalasaidNUM: Please, control yourself. We need to be more accepting and open if we are to thrive in the future to come. So please, Commander, do not feel alarmed by my presence her- wait, did you hear that? I thought I heard a voice inside the dorm? Are you sure you checked everywhere?
:UnknownKAK: Of course, my lady!

Insert Judge, jury and executioner! SHE IS THE LAW!!! THE LAW!_
>>
No. 593457 ID: 2fd516

>>593455
Better introduce yourself. Be respectful. Ask if they're looking for someone or something.

[@White: You forgot? We told you yesterday- Purple wants to take out Black and take over the empire. He claims Black is corrupted.]
[scan player Black]
>>
No. 593460 ID: 40935b

>…um… I just won the lottery and they are here to give me the prize?
If that were the case, they'd have a big cardboard check to give you. Observe your surroundings use your head, commander.
>…err… more aliens?
Exactly. Sorry, BB is watching.

>you’re in the presence of Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas, the eight daughter of the empress herself!
Well this shit just gets better and better doesn't it. You'd know, as a noble, the proper respects that must be given to someone of a- I dunno, superior rank? Just don't look like a slob, if only so that hack-happy guard doesn't get any ideas. Also your mother would have a conniption if you embarrass the family name.

>wait, did you hear that?
It could be Ced climbing through the window. No, you have no idea why he's doing that when it's not after hours. Why is she here though? She's looking for someone, and it isn't you.
>>
No. 593461 ID: 26d79f

>>593455

...Well, she doesn't seem so bad. In fact, she seems kind of nice. I'm going to hold on to the miniscule doubt that Black is misjudged, however small it may be.

Now, here's my advice to you Daithi. Don't act scared, Try not to be fazed by her no matter how intimating she may be. Of course, it's a given that you don't disrespect her authority/become as intimidating to her as you were to those troops.

Secondly, I want you to introduce yourself, be respectful and courteous. Now, and this part is important, I want you to ask her if she's okay. If she asks why, say you think she seems a bit overworked, or at least has her hands full, and you were just a tad bit concerned.

If this goes well, her mind will have now been taken off of the noise in the room, and is instead now focusing on you. If she claims there's nothing wrong, tell her okay, but she should try to take it easy once in a while. Then enter the room after bidding her farewell.

Should she try to make casual conversation after we ask about her well-being, roll with it. Trust me when I say this will do you good later on.

If she DOES ask about the noise, tell her it's probably Cedric trying, and failing, to occupy himself while he waits on you to give him his homework. If, for some reason, the noise is made again, excuse yourself and "give Cedric his homework".

That should have covered everything as far as I can tell, goodluck Daithi.
>>
No. 593463 ID: 9443d1

[Scan player Black] [Check pawn status and echo to "The Magician"] Man, I hope one of our people didn't climb through the window into your dorm right now... Actually, Lu climbing through your window would be alright since that'd be easy to make up an excuse for.

Well, Ealasaid doesn't sound bad. In fact, she actually sounds rather sensible and progressive. Not at all like what you'd think Black's pawn would be from what Purple said. We'll hold judgment on Black for now until we learn more. And what does the title of "Judicator" mean, anyway?

Dai, you'd know better then us the proper etiquette when meeting a Judicator who's the daughter of the Empress, so you handle it. But if you don't then do whatever you think is appropriately respectful; Ealasaid'll keep the guard from taking your head off if you do something wrong. Hm... As a member of the military, do you bow or salute in this situation? Actually, are you even considered a member of the military while in the Academy? Well, whatever. Though, do make sure to give her your full title, name, the "Xth son of" bit followed by your mother's full title and name; Maybe she'll have heard of your family.

Dai, Ealasaid is quite the looker, wouldn't you say? Real nice, shapely abdomen and long, long legs; She looks even taller then Lucrais, and Lu is pretty tall. She definitely looks like the daughter of an Empress, right?

...Wait a second. "Nrrillinthas?" Isn't that the surname Arthur gave when you introduced him to Lucrais? How come he has the same surname as Ealasaid, daughter of the Empress? If you get the chance tell Ealasaid you know somebody who has the same surname as her but you don't know how he could possibly be related, then tell her of Arthur.

Aw, geez, the guards searched everywhere in your dorm room, which includes your porn stash. Better hope they didn't just toss the place and dump everything out for anyone to see.

>the eight daughter of the empress herself!
Geez, how many children does the Empress have? 'Cause just from her being the eighth daughter there has to be seven more plus, like, 16 to 32 sons. Big family, that.

Okay, lets think about what Ealasaid is looking for. She said "they must be hidden somewhere else in the school," so that's plural. And she arrived yesterday, before Hugo arrived, so she must have come here for something else... Maybe the keystones to the Vault? Or something else? Well, whatever it is, it very likely isn't Hugo or related to him. But now I'm wondering what it is and why she thought it'd be in your dorm.

[@White: Didn't we tell you of Black last evening? About how Purple considers Black his mortal enemy for being "lying filth" and corrupted and how he needs to be exterminated for the good of the Amun Empire? I thought we told you. Anyway, it looks like "The Empress" is not THE Empress but in fact the Empress' eighth daughter, Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas. Also, Cedric isn't climbing through the window of Daithi's dorm right now, is he? 'Cause Ealasaid is just outside and heard a voice come from in there and her guards just searched the whole dorm so she might be coming in with them.]

[@Purple: For the benefit of those of us squids that have just woken up, could you recap EXACTLY, in detail, what the basis is of your distrust of Black and the claim he's corrupted; How do you know he is? And no vague answers! We're fuckin' sick of vague answers! Give us something solid! Something we can check ourselves to confirm your claims, 'cause all we have now is your word.]

>That's not a price prize at all!
Well, it was a prize when the game could end. See, what it is is a "personal victory" quest, which could either grant the player a reward of EXP, items or skills, or remove the player until the end of the game whereupon they'd be ranked based on performance. But since the game now has no win condition and never ends completing this capture quest would effectively be the death of the player. Now, I dunno how much of that got through, but I bet you can figure out whatever got cut.

>Well, that’s great and all but… um… where? There’s not like there’s a big vault of ancient knowledge buried beneath the school- well, there are those ancient catacombs but they are rather well searched by now…
So were the crypts under the capitol of the Serath Sultinate, and yet nobody found that the entrance to the Vault of the Grand Elemental Rune of Fire was down there until we did three months ago. We have a lead that it's down there, we just need to take a closer look at the catacombs; Preferably with Lucrais since she's been down there and knows what meager history there is for this region. Plus, she'll be absolutely ecstatic if we find it.
>>
No. 593466 ID: d8a627

>wait, did you hear that? I thought I heard a voice inside the dorm?
Daithi, ask her if she just heard a guy calling himself Black.
[Message Black: I take it that was you? Tell her your name, Black.]
Otherwise, she may have just heard Cedric, I suppose, since he likes to climb up at random.
[Message Black: Hello! A pleasure to finally meet you. We've heard about you from a... Questionable source. I'm going to assume anything we heard about you was about somebody else and just start you off with a clean slate, okay? We're Teal, the "Voice of Many."]
[If "Voice of Many" is expunged, Message Black: What? They expunged that? Why? Okay, sorry about that, Snake seems to like to hide certain details.]
[Message Black: If you see Snake, a large person sized one, then beware! They're "poisonous."]

Wait. Daithi, I just had a realization.
Alien, dot. Daemon, dot. God, dot. Eaggran, dot. Sakkil, dot. Uredo, dot. Player, dot. Religion, dot. Angel, dot. Deity, dot. World, dot. Stars, dot. Space, dot. Xenoorganasm, dot. "Xeno," dot. Extraterrestrial, dot. Ship, dot. Vessel, dot. Magic, dot. Science, dot. Wizard, dot. Technology, dot. Advanced, dot. Higher being, dot.
Any silence between a "Dot" is an expunged term. This should tell us what they don't want us to say.
>>
No. 593469 ID: 26d79f

>>593466
Personally, I don't exactly approve of contacting Black this early. If Purple is to be trusted, then Black may have an instant negative reaction, which is not a good thing for us overall- and this is coming from the anon who believes Black may be a good person.

What I'm saying is, do it if you want, but I'm pretty sure that's not a good idea, not yet.
>>
No. 593484 ID: d8a627

>>593469
If Black is hostile from the getgo, they'll be hostile whether we contact them or not.
>>
No. 593495 ID: 2fd516

>>593484
The difference is that we're currently in the presence of one of Black's pawns. He could immediately engage hostile actions, and our King is alone, surrounded by guards loyal to Black's pawn.
>>
No. 593501 ID: 9443d1

>>593469
While I don't approve of contacting Black with with what's in >>593466. [Block outgoing messages to Black from >>593466] Really, we gotta be careful what we say to Black at first; First impressions and all. We do not want to let on we've heard of Black from anyone before now, nor do we want to sound like we're crazy like that snake thing does, nor tell him what to do 'cause that's just rude.

Instead we'll send a greeting and something more neutral: [@Black: Greetings, Black. We are Teal and we're wondering why you were searching our pawn's dorm room; It is quite an invasion of his, and thus our, privacy, after all. Ah, but we will let it pass since you could not have known he was a pawn, let alone ours. Now, is there anything you care to ask us?]

Also, Daithi, don't ask if she heard a guy calling himself Black; That'll make you sound crazy if Black hasn't spoken to her at all yet.

>>593463
Addendum:
Oh, gods! Forget about the guards possibly dumping your porn stash over the floor; What about your WarStorm stuff?! They can't have been gentle with your miniatures if they tossed them!

And for that matter, is it legal for them to just come into your dorm room and search it? Or is the Academy technically a Amunian military facility and thus Ealasaid can search any part of it with, or maybe even without, notifying the Academy?

>>593495
And I really, really doubt that Black isn't with "The Empress" right now, hasn't already scanned Daithi and doesn't know he's our pawn. So if Black was going to go hostile to us out of the blue he would have done so by now. But so far we haven't given him reason to. And to meta it up, I really, really, REALLY doubt Kaktus would pull such a totally bullshit move as you're worried about without ample warning that contacting Black would do something like that.
>>
No. 593513 ID: 26d79f

>>593501
Okay, now THAT message seems a tad bit condescending. Since it seems like most of us can agree that first impressions are key at this point in time, I still believe that silence is currently our best policy as of the moment.

As I stated earlier, in the end it is not my decision as to what goes out to other players. I simply voice out my belief as to what should be the best option, whether that truly is or is not the best option is for others to interpret on their own.
>>
No. 593524 ID: d8a627

>>593501
> [@Black: Greetings, Black. We are Teal and we're wondering why you were searching our pawn's dorm room; It is quite an invasion of his, and thus our, privacy, after all. Ah, but we will let it pass since you could not have known he was a pawn, let alone ours. Now, is there anything you care to ask us?]
>Okay, now THAT message seems a tad bit condescending.
Not going to block the message, but I am going to send another.
[Message Black: I apologize if that message sounded rude. I believe it was an attempt to "Break the ice," as it were. We have multiple voices, as our form is a swarm of small squids, giving way to an erratic nature. You may see our form, if you have a reflective surface readily available.]
And since you guys don't want me sounding crazy, one of you make an "If expunged" message.
>>
No. 593574 ID: 9443d1

>>593513
Okay, on second thought, you're right. We should keep quiet for now and see how Black and his pawn or pawns behave before sending any messages to him or see if he sends us one first. Thus I retract sending the message to Black from here >>593501 while placing a block on messages to Black for the time being. However, if there isn't enough to block messages and they go through, then send the message from >>593501 as well.
>>
No. 593586 ID: 65a774
File 141036557634.png - (15.04KB , 900x450 , 31.png )
593586

>[scan player Black]
(Impossible)(Conqueror)(Level 25)
>[Check pawn status and echo to "The Magician"]
[“The magician”: Nervous. “The high priestess”: Warm fuzzy feelings. “Strength”: Content. “The Tower”: Annoyed. “The Chariot”: On the move.]

>[@White: You forgot? We told you yesterday- Purple wants to take out Black and take over the empire. He claims Black is corrupted.]
[White: Oh, right… that… I forgot about that… just be careful around him, alright?]
>[Anyway, it looks like "The Empress" is not THE Empress but in fact the Empress' eighth daughter, Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas.]
[…still a pretty important person, no?]
>[Also, Cedric isn't climbing through the window of Daithi's dorm right now, is he?]
[Err… of course not? He’s still in class.]
>[@Purple: For the benefit of those of us squids that have just woken up, could you recap EXACTLY, in detail, what the basis is of your distrust of Black and the claim he's corrupted; How do you know he is?]
[Purple: He is the man who has ruled this nation for the last fifty years! …and look at it! It’s teeming with corruption and ignorance! And the cults in the untamed lands are getting worse and worse while he ignores them! He’s either corrupted or incompetent, either way he needs to be removed!]

>–expunged-, dot. Daemon, dot. God, dot. Eaggran, dot. Sakkil, dot. Uredo, dot. Player, dot. Religion, dot. Angel, dot. Deity, dot. World, dot. Stars, dot. Space, dot. –expunged-, dot. –expunged-, dot. –expunged-, dot. Ship, dot. Vessel, dot. Magic, dot. Science, dot. Wizard, dot. Technology, dot. Advanced, dot. Higher being, dot.
...
>So were the crypts under the capitol of the Serath Sultinate, and yet nobody found that the entrance to the Vault of the Grand Elemental Rune of Fire was down there until we did three months ago.
Really? Then… um… actually, going on treasure hunt down there sounds rather compelling…
>We have a lead that it's down there, we just need to take a closer look at the catacombs; Preferably with Lucrais since she's been down there and knows what meager history there is for this region. Plus, she'll be absolutely ecstatic if we find it.
Yeah! Lu would love that! Hmm… maybe I have time before the date? I mean, the clock is twelve now so…

>Now, here's my advice to you Daithi. Don't act scared, Try not to be fazed by her no matter how intimating she may be.
That’s easy for you to say… she can… well, it’s not like the old times when they should just wave a claw and my whole family would disappear, but still…
>What does the title of "Judicator" mean, anyway?
A hundred years ago it was a traveling law maker who bestowed justice to people… generally trough a hammer or sword. Today they are more like agent handpicked by the empress, who can bend to laws to suit the empress will.
>And for that matter, is it legal for them to just come into your dorm room and search it?
Well, I’m pretty sure they can so long they don’t break or take anything… of course, the school does belong to the Empire so… um…

>Dai, Ealasaid is quite the looker, wouldn't you say? Real nice, shapely abdomen and long, long legs; She looks even taller than Lucrais, and Lu is pretty tall.
…those are some real nice legs, ar- AH! NO! She’s the daughter of the empress! I can’t… not her!
>...Wait a second. "Nrrillinthas?" Isn't that the surname Arthur gave when you introduced him to Lucrais?
…are you sure? They didn’t sound the same but that should have been Arthur just mispronouncing it…
>Geez, how many children does the Empress have?
Let’s see… I think it was something around thirty… she have had 6 batched of eggs, where eight were females and the twenty two… or was it twenty three? Either way, rest where males, yeah…
>You'd know, as a noble, the proper respects that must be given to someone of a- I dunno, superior rank?
…err, I’ve never really been good with the whole… I’ll try, alright?

>Better introduce yourself. Be respectful.
:DaithiNUM: I am but a simple cadet in this school, your highness, known as Daithi Cathal Baeronvar, the second son of Lady Ceana Aimil Baeronvar, Vicar Cathal Baeronvar, Scholar Cormac Baeronvar and the tailor Crisdean Baeronvar, my lady.
:EalasaidNum: As I said, no need for formalities…
:DaithiNUM: Oh… um… in that case, Dai is fine, lady…?
:EalasaidNUM: Call me Eala… you said you were the son of Ceana? The old war hero?
:DaithiNUM: …yes?
:EalasaidNUM: I’ve heard a lot about her… and you being here speaks a lot of her skill in negotiations too, don’t you think? Either way, it is quite interesting seeing someone like you here.
>Ask if they're looking for someone or something.
:DaithiNUM: Um… my apologies for asking but… you seems to be looking for something?
:EalasaidNUM: Oh, it’s your dorm, isn’t it? You have to excuse us for the intrusion, but you have my word that we didn’t break anything in there. And where are in fact looking for something. You haven’t seen anything strange recently, in fact? …an orange lizard perhaps?
:DaithiNUM: …I can’t say I have… and an orange lizard? What, you mean like painted?
:EalasaidNUM: …no, but… if you do see anything the empire would be grateful for your cooperation, Dai.
>Now, and this part is important, I want you to ask her if she's okay.
:DaithiNUM: Um… are you okay?
:EalasaidNUM: …I… I’m fine? Why do you ask?
:DaithiNUM: It’s just… you seem a bit overworked.
:EalasaidNUM: … … …really? That’s… I… hmm… I’m fine as it is, Dai, but thank you for your concern. Now, I must regretfully take my leave, but I would love to converse further in the future. You seems to be a rather… interesting person, Daithi.
:DaithiNUM: Err… you too, Eala? Goodbye?
:EalasaidNUM: Goodbye.

>Then enter the room after bidding her farewell.
…honestly, I have no idea what to make out of that meeting…

:UnknownKAK: -stop un- … … … -one will hea- … … … -ive me that! …wait, how does this th- HE- …
:DaithiNUM: …what?

[Message from Black: Greeting, Master Teal. Are you an ally to our mighty Empire, or are you an honorable enemy to be vanquished on the battlefield? …or are you just a third party, a neutral outsider?]

Insert He’s called black? RACISM!! …nah, just fooling_
>>
No. 593590 ID: 2fd516

>>593586
[@Black: Master Teal? Wow, nobody's given us that sort of honorism before. I would say we are a neutral outsider. Purple sure isn't, though, he's aiming for your head. He says your empire is "teeming with corruption and ignorance" and the cults are getting worse so he claims that's why he thinks you're corrupted by daemons, or something. But, you know, he's a Manipulator type so we're looking for some evidence to back up his claims or refute them before we take sides. Also he's weird so it's possible he's the Corrupted player here. Or the Purified one, which may as well be corruption. He acts like a zealot.]
Something just occurred to me- we can use the new victory condition to force a player out of the game. All we have to do is lead them to the Sakkil and let them capture him. Considering Black's difficulty level and position of power that's probably our best bet if we need to get rid of Black. Purple can be defeated in the usual manner.

Daithi, I think I see something... where the suit was. Is it camouflaged? Also, it sounds like someone's outside the window, go look. I'm thinking Lucrais is struggling to keep Hugo out of sight.
>>
No. 593601 ID: 9ddf68

make sure that black's group left first and then point out that you can see them behind the pot. If it's an orange lizard ask why he's in your room, if it's Hugo ask when he learned to speak your language? If it's something else grab your sword and get ready to run.

Oh and if it is the lizard say you're working with the guy who he spoke too after giving his weapon to the one lizard in the desert before getting freaked out by the mantises and humans that lived there as well.
>>
No. 593603 ID: 40935b

Is someone speaking from outside the window? Where's that coming from?

[reply to Black: Put us down as neutral, subcategory 'truth seeker'. We can offer you some advice, though; Before you continue looking for that Lizard, say 'query: what happens to a player when they win a personal victory?'. You can decide if you really want to stick your hand in that cookie jar, but we'll be staying out of it.]

I'd also advise against mentioning Purple. They're either already on bad terms, or we'd just be ruining Purple's element of surprise.
>>
No. 593609 ID: 2fd516

>>593603
If you tell Black about the true meaning of victory then we won't be able to use it as a weapon against him!
>>
No. 593611 ID: 65a774
File 141037995056.png - (14.73KB , 900x450 , 32.png )
593611

>[@Black: Master Teal? Wow, nobody's given us that sort of honorism before. I would say we are a neutral outsider, subcategory 'truth seeker'.]
[Black: Ah, then so long as you stay out of my way we will be the best of friends… and truth seeker? I have to warn you, the truths you seek often aren’t the truths you want.]
>[We can offer you some advice, though; Before you continue looking for that Lizard, say 'query: what happens to a player when they win a personal victory?'. You can decide if you really want to stick your hand in that cookie jar, but we'll be staying out of it.]
[…so, it’s a trap then? But who laid it? Hmm… thank you for the warning, I will remember that.]

>Is someone speaking from outside the window? Where's that coming from?
I… I don’t know. It sounded like it was something right in the middle of the room when I opened the door…
>Daithi, I think I see something... where the suit was. Is it camouflaged?
Hmm… I… I think I can see… the light is reflecting kind of weird there, isn’t it?

>Make sure that black's group left first and then point out that you can see them behind the pot.
:DaithiNUM: Hey, I know you’re there? Hugo? I’m a friend, remember, no need to-
:LuciusNUM: -on’t touch it, you fool! It’s the his- See what you did! Now that Hiver can see us!
:WandererNUM: ~♪
:LuciusNUM: You idiot! Who know what this primitive creature will do!?
>If it's an orange lizard ask why he's in your room.
:DaithiNUM: Err… what are you doing in my room… invisible… with Hugo… err… I mean the plant alien?
:LuciusNUM: I follow this stupid shrubbery. I was guessing it had to have found somewhere to hide from those… those things!
:WandererNUM: ^♫
:LuciusNUM: Oh, shut it!
:DaithiNUM: You understand him?
:LuciusNUM: Of course I don’t understand the bush! It’s a fucking whistling plant, you fool! It just feels good yelling at it. Now, this building seems to be some kind of dead zone for the world above. I noticed that when I tried to track this thing before those snake creatures attacked. It will be an ideal hiding place until I’ve come up with a better plan. So, I know proclaim that this building belongs to the Empire!
:DaithiNUM: Wha- you can’t just-
:LuciusNUM: I was just joking, you moron. No, I seek asylum in your primitive tribal building, Hiver, and I’m sure I can find some pretty stones or something to pay you with.
:DaithiNUM: …oh, great, so now I have to babysit two weird aliens…
:LuciusNUM: Well, Bo freaking ho! My whole species is so close to going extinct thanks to a bunch of monkeys that we’ve been forced to bend over and kiss giant insect ass to survive! Of course, it doesn’t help that your kind is getting it ass kicked too… then these shrubberies came and started torching colonies for fun with those freaking weird goo creature with parasites inside them… and now there freaking metal snake monsters trying to kill us too! What is wrong with this universe!!
:DaithiNUM: Err…

Insert Don’t touch it, you fool! IT’S THE HISTORY ERASER BUTTON!_
>>
No. 593614 ID: 2fd516

>>593611
Wow, that interstellar war is pretty fucked up. Tell him not to worry. Teal will fix things outside this world as well as inside it. He's spoken to us before, remember? We told him about the shared origins of all the races. We forgot to mention one thing though, we saw the Uredo before, back when we were guiding the mantis lich. They were called Eaggran back then.

Ask him if he's got any weapons or other technology. Hugo seems to have a powerful raygun and a solar panel to power his suit.
[scan the Sakkil]
>>
No. 593616 ID: 40935b

> this building seems to be some kind of dead zone for the world above.
'a place where the gods have no power'! The library that daemon talked about must be here!

Who doesn't care about what happens in the simulation now, eh Lucius?
What, don't remember us? Serath desert? Handing out energy weapons to the tribal warbands? Good times. You pulled our nuts out of the fire with that one, so I guess we kinda owe you.

Let me get this straight- the Sakkil are tentatively aligned/cease-fired with the 'Hivers', the humans stand alone, the plants called Uredo and goo creatures called Cibic are working together, and some snakes came out of freaking nowhere, who's goals and allegiances unknown.

Okay Dai, some explanation- outside this world, the different species were all separated on different worlds for hundreds or even thousands of years. They're just now starting to rediscover each other, but pride seems to be getting in the way of the coexistence you see every day here. For that reason, try not to call him a lizard to his face, he's sensitive like that. Also, tell him not to touch you. A mass message went out, saying that any player that can capture a 'plant Creature or the golden lizard' by touching them will win the game, but we don't think the reward is worth it.

>What is wrong with this universe!!
Whelp, it's the only one we've got.
>>
No. 593617 ID: 2fd516

>>593616
Oh right, the touching thing. Wait, does that refer to pawns too? I figured it was just players. I mean, we can nibble on people, so I figured other players are able to move on their own too.
[query: can pawns touch capturable targets without capturing them?]
>>
No. 593618 ID: d8a627

Dammit Kaktus you had to start updating when I was at work :(
Doesn't mean I'm going to hold it against you, you update when you update.
> My whole species is so close to going extinct thanks to a bunch of monkeys that we’ve been forced to bend over and kiss giant insect ass to survive!
Wait, the humans drove you to being endangered?! That's horrible! I thought humans were supposed to be the sexual deviants that tried to breed with everything instead of trying to kill them...
Ask this fellow if he's the Sakkil Marine who spoke to the Shaman Durach in the desert, followed by Player Teal. If he asks how you know that, well, Player Teal his here now. Or even if he verifies that yes, he is that guy, we're here now. Pretty much only if he has no idea what you're talking about should you not mention us.
>we saw the Uredo before, back when we were guiding the mantis lich.
"Oh, and Teal did see Uredo before... It's just, they were rare. Really, really rare, but still allied with the other three races. Teal never did see the snakes or the parasites, though; and as far as golems--" in case that gets expunged, a monster made of rock, you know the name of those, right? "--go, only saw human type." Wonder if they've found evidence of Lizard/Sakkil and Mantis/Hiver golems now?
>[query: can pawns touch capturable targets without capturing them?]
[Echo to Daithi]
>>
No. 593629 ID: 9443d1

[Scan all targets in range and echo to "The Magician"] [Show player count]

>What is wrong with this universe!!
Plenty, but unless he has the address for the Creator's complaint department he should stop bemoaning what's wrong and do what he can to either fix it or deal with it. Sheesh! If this is the kind of attitude Sakkilian marines have then it's no wonder the Sakkil are getting their tails kicked.

Okay, gather up your confidence and make a few things clear to Lucius: First, he should keep his goddamn voice down; I wouldn't be surprised if there are people in the courtyard who heard him just now. Second, you are not a "Hiver," you are a mantis and a citizen of the Amun Empire; Your species is not your nationality nor civilization. Third, your name is "Daithi," not "Hiver," "you fool," or "you moron." And lastly, ask him to be a bit more polite to you, the guy who's dorm he'll be hiding in for the foreseeable future and who'll be smuggling him his meals.

Now, ask Lucius if he has a mirror and to get it out if he does. If he doesn't then bring out your own or take him and Hugo to one. Then show both of them us and tell Lucius that Player Teal says thanks for giving our shaman in the Serath desert that gun three months ago; It made all the difference in the decisive battle that day for the fate of the Serath. *Wave to Lucius and Hugo and spell out "Thanks!" in squids with a heart symbol in the exclamation point*

Tell him that we checked the player count a little while ago and there were seven occupants in the type of terminal he used before (I hope that isn't censored;) They're presumably snakes like the two that came in after him. Then warn him that about three hours ago two new personal victory quests came down for every player in the world: To capture the "golden lizard" or the "plant creature," both of which came with a new ability that when activated on touching either target would capture them. Tell him not to worry about us doing that; We checked what the "reward" is and it'd basically kill the player by removing them from the world until the game ends, which it never will.

Ask Lucius what commands he can use as a player down here. I believe he can either think or say "list available commands" to find out. Does he have access to the scan, status and show player count commands like us? Oh, can he ally with us then allow his pawns, which is just himself, to hear us so we don't have to relay through you?

Then give Lucius the tour of the dorm so he knows what's where and where not to go. Maybe comment along the way that he can be thankful he came down in a place that has indoor plumbing, showers and toilets, even though these ones are built for mantises.

End it in the game room so you can get out some paper and ask Lucius to draw a simple image of the snake people that were chasing him to show to Hugo; Maybe he'll know who they are.

So Lucius is actually golden scaled and it's not some form of armor, clothing or paint. We haven't seen lizards with that scale color before. There was a race of desert lizards with red scales ages ago but they interbred with the more populous green scaled lizards and the red scale trait went effectively extinct. Hm... Though, maybe the golden scales are a cosmetic alteration that Lucius took. Ask if all Sakkilians have golden scales like him.

Does that visor he's wearing look like it's grafted to his head? If it is then it's probably cybernetic; A machine replacement, usually with enhanced abilities relative to what was replaced. Even if the visor isn't cybernetic it likely has enhanced vision and sensors so he can see things beyond what normal vision can see like heat, low-light vision and other things; Probably has the sensors he used to track down Hugo too. Ask him what that visor can do.

>My whole species is so close to going extinct thanks to a bunch of monkeys that we’ve been forced to bend over and kiss giant insect ass to survive!
...Wait, what? He told us that the Sakkil had warred to a standstill against the Humans and Hivers up until two years ago when the Uredo and Cibic showed up. He didn't say anything about the Humans having beaten the Sakkil so much that they had to ally with the Hivers against the Humans. Ask him what the heck is that about.

Ask just how much time passed out there between when he logged off from the terminal and when he entered into the player lobby to come down here now. We talkin' minutes or hours? And were there any other Sakkilians up there besides him? Oh, and did he manage to fire off a radio message back to the Sakkil Empire before the snakes showed up?

>…those are some real nice legs, ar- AH! NO! She’s the daughter of the empress! I can’t… not her!
Oh, why not? She may be the daughter of the Empress, but that doesn't automatically mean she's like Lu and her mother is deciding who she'll be with. And even if her mother does, that doesn't rule out you having "relations," now does it? So aim high! Shoot for the moon! ...And for now fantasize about it. Just imagine her and Atena and you together~ Then add in Arthur and Lu~ ...Oh my, your imagination is going to need a bigger bed~ Hehehe...

...Wait a second. You said your family name is "Baeronvar?" Then why did you introduce yourself to Arthur as "Daithi Guaire" then said you were the son of "Cathal Guaire" when Arthur asked if you were family to Cathal?

[@White: Heads up about those two personal victory quests: We checked into it and the player's "reward" for completion would basically be no different then death. You can query the "gods' remnants" about the reward for the quest to confirm it.]
>>
No. 593630 ID: d8a627

Oh, hey, wait, Lucius resulted in a lot less errors than Hugo did, maybe he will result in less errors than Hugo did... We just need to figure out his player name, I think.
[Message Lucius/Orange Lizard/Gold Lizard/Sakkil Marine: Hello, old buddy ol' pal! Remember us from the desert?]
[>[…so, it’s a trap then? But who laid it? Hmm… thank you for the warning, I will remember that.]
[Message Black: I find myself a bit curious. What is your pronoun and title of preference? Sir, Master, Lady, Madame...? Also, a word of warning: We are a "Group" player, our body is many small ones, each with its own mind, and may result in some unwarranted messages. I do apologize in advance if anything "Presses your buttons," as the saying goes, as that is rarely our intent.]
>>
No. 593633 ID: 9443d1

>>593630
His full player name from back here >>593048 is "{Centurion Lucius Flavius}" with the curly braces probably denoting a non-AI player since Hugo has them as well. So try his full name and title as well as his full name. However, do remember that inter-player messages are being censored which implies they're being monitored to a degree we do not know. So from now on when sending messages them like someone you don't want to see them is reading them. That's the reason why I didn't want to try to message Lucius directly here and instead have Dai relay, as well as suggesting Lucius ally so he can allow us to speak to him directly.
>>
No. 593667 ID: 9ddf68

>>593611
so Lucius, what color are your scales under the armor and do you have any cybernetics that are easily visible? Because if not and you're green then it's going to be a hell of a lot easier to hide you. Also did you come here alone or where you part of a team, I think I remember the one guy we talked to back in the desert saying he had some guys that were going to try and tear apart the outer layer of the "world". If so what happened to them?
>>
No. 593696 ID: 65a774
File 141045404427.png - (14.21KB , 900x450 , 33.png )
593696

>...Wait a second. You said your family name is "Baeronvar?" Then why did you introduce yourself to Arthur as "Daithi Guaire"?
…well, crap, I missed that when I was browsing the last thread. So text error! His name is Baeronvar, not Guaire. Just pretend he said that to Arthur too.

>[Scan all targets in range and echo to "The Magician"]
[&??¤???”#!]
>[Show player count]
[There are currently 346 AI players active! There is currently Six Player playing the game: Player Teal, {%^*¤öö43}, {Centurion Lucius Flavius} and three Admins! There are also currently thirteen Admins online! ]
>[query: can pawns touch capturable targets without capturing them?] [Echo to Daithi]
[To capture a target you need to have a pawn touching the target and then use the “Capture” ability.]

>[scan the Sakkil]
[Unable to find “Sakkil”]
>[Message Lucius/Orange Lizard/Gold Lizard/Sakkil Marine:]
[ERROR!]
>[@White: Heads up about those two personal victory quests: We checked into it and the player's "reward" for completion would basically be no different than death.]
[White: …it did sound like a trap, didn’t it?]
>[Message Black: I find myself a bit curious. What is your pronoun and title of preference? Sir, Master, Lady, Madame...?]
[Black: …Emperor.]

>Whelp, it's the only one we've got.
:LuciusNUM: Next time save the receipt so we can trade it back.
>Unless he has the address for the Creator's complaint department he should stop bemoaning what's wrong and do what he can to either fix it or deal with it. Sheesh!
:LuciusNUM: If I knew where the creator lived I would leave a number two in his mailbox, not some complains!

>Let me get this straight- the Sakkil are tentatively aligned/cease-fired with the 'Hivers', the humans stand alone, the plants called Uredo and goo creatures called Cibic are working together, and some snakes came out of freaking nowhere, who's goals and allegiances unknown.
:LuciusNUM: Basically, yes. See, there has been a war between the Glorious Sakkil Empire, the Humans United Solar Federation and the Hivers Free Hives ever since we met about three hundred years ago. I don’t know what exactly started the war but there’s a lot of bad blood between us now… but even then we’d have to “ally” with you insects… well, it’s more of a cease fire but even with both of us focusing on those monkey we’ve only been able to fight them to a standstill, which will end with most of all three sides dead if it continues. I don’t know how those monkeys can beat us, but even with our superior numbers and industry and the Hivers ferocity and bloodlust they are still kicking our asses. It’s like every time we invent a new weapon or tactics they not only get their hands on it but makes it better, but also invents a counter tactic within days. As for the bushes… we don’t know what their motivations are either. Our first contact with them was when several of their warships attacked a Sakkil colony and two Hiver colonies, burned them to the ground and took the survivors as slaves. We lost a lot of men trying to save those civilians. Then the only time we’ve met them since then was when we found the ship this shrub was on. We was able to board it as it had surprisingly little weaponry compare to the other ships we’ve met of the same kind, which means we were able to take most of the crew prisoners… except for this thing who escaped with some kind of emergency pod who led us here. Oh, and the snakes? Let’s just say I met them for the first time half an hour ago!
>Wait, the humans drove you to being endangered?! That's horrible! I thought humans were supposed to be the sexual deviants that tried to breed with everything instead of trying to kill them...
:LuciusNUM: …we’re at war, killing things are what we do. But, I was probably exaggerating when I said extinction. They will probably let us live as second class citizen or something…

>Who doesn't care about what happens in the simulation now, eh Lucius?
:LuciusNUM: I still don’t care what happens to it! I just want out of here in one- wait, how did you-
>What, don't remember us? Serath desert? Handing out energy weapons to the tribal warbands? Good times. You pulled our nuts out of the fire with that one, so I guess we kinda owe you.
:LuciusNUM: …wait, you’re…
:DaithiNUM: Um… well, not me personally, but I got this… well, they are called Teal…
>Tell him not to worry. Teal will fix things outside this world as well as inside it.
:LuciusNUM: …HA!
>Pkay, gather up your confidence and make a few things clear to Lucius: First, he should keep his goddamn voice down; I wouldn't be surprised if there are people in the courtyard who heard him just now.
:LuciusNUM: What courtyard!? It’s just a bunch of stupid trees out there!
>Second, you are not a "Hiver," you are a mantis and a citizen of the Amun Empire; Your species is not your nationality nor civilization.
:LuciusNUM: Excuse me for being cautious, but the last time I saw someone call a hiver “Mantis” to their face they got… well, their face ripped off.
:DaithiNUM: Yet still you insult me…
:LuciusNUM: Because you’re an idiot.
>Third, your name is "Daithi," not "Hiver," "you fool," or "you moron."
:LuciusNUM: ...Daithi? Right…
>Lastly, ask him to be a bit more polite to you, the guy who's dorm he'll be hiding in for the foreseeable future and who'll be smuggling him his meals.
:LuciusNUM: First, I don’t actually need to eat… for the next week at least. Second, why would I even what some of your primitive food anyway? What do you guys eat? Bugs?
:DaithiNUM: Well, it’s Friday so… um… I think it was barbequed Ankwark steak seasoned in some kind of spice mix with sweet potatoes and stir fried vegetables.
:LuciusNUM: …what the hell is an Ankwark? …and… and that did sound rather… you know what, if you get me a plate of that stuff I might actually respect you and stop with the insults, Daithi.

>Ask him if he's got any weapons or other technology.
:LuciusNUM: Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. I have things which can shatter your finite knowledge of real-
:DaithiNUM: Is that visor a cybernetic?
:LuciusNUM: …how did you-
:DaithiNUM: Teal told me.
:LuciusNUM: …yes, it’s grafted into my skull… and I got a lot of different toys which I rather not disclose to you anyway.
>Now, ask Lucius if he has a mirror and to get it out if he does.
:LuciusNUM: …why would I need a mirror?
:DaithiNUM: …too see Teal, he’s i-
:LuciusNUM: Teal squids that are flying around? Trying to… have… um…. I think that’s a T but… um…
>Tell him that we checked the player count a little while ago and there were seven occup-
:LuciusNUM: Yes, I know, those snakes probably hunted me here and are using the admin terminal to track me down.

>Ask Lucius what commands he can use as a player down here.
:LuciusNUM: …I can scan things… and ask stuff… that’s about it. Oh, and I can do an emergency exit, but I’ll probably just end up in the belly of one of those snake things if I do.
>Ask if all Sakkilians have golden scales like him.
:LuciusNUM: Of course not! Some are green and others even red! …and I’m orange, not golden!
>so Lucius, what color are your scales under the armor and do you have any cybernetics that are easily visible?
:LuciusNUM: I’m completely orange… and you can see my freaking visor, can’t you!?
>did you come here alone or where you part of a team?
:LuciusNUM: We were a group of twelve when we got here… now it’s just me, as the rest was captured by those snake things. We didn’t think there was any danger here so we let our guard down… that’s a mistake I won’t do again.
>Then give Lucius the tour of the dorm so he knows what's where and where not to go.
:LuciusNUM: Right, keep out of the hallway… got it… and what are these? Some kind of… war game? Interesting…
>Ask Lucius to draw a simple image of the snake people that were chasing him to show to Hugo; Maybe he'll know who they are.
:LuciusNUM: Ha! Like he’d know… here, you stupid scrub, what is this?
:WandererNUM: -♪
:LuciusNUM: See, I told you he wouldn’t-
:LucraisNUM: -was here first!
:AtenaNUM: I don’t care, lady, my matters are a lot more important than any of your businesses here… and why are you wearing a commander uniform?
:LucraisNUM: More important!? What can be more important than my safety!?
:LuciusNUM: Shit! More people! Quick, make us invisible… dammit, you left that thing in the other room, didn’t you!?

Insert TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT MORE TEXT FOR THE TEXT GOD! MORE LETTER FOR THE LETTER THRONE!_
>>
No. 593697 ID: 2fd516

>>593696
Tell Lucius not to worry, those two coming are more friends that know about the Uredo already. Go out and intercept them, tell them about the newcomer so they don't get surprised. Well, unless they're not alone.

Also, wow, he's actually orange? I thought that was a helmet. I've never seen or heard of an orange Lizard/Sakkilian before. Good to hear that the red subspecies was brought back. Pride must be happy about that.
>>
No. 593704 ID: d8a627

>Then the only time we’ve met them since then was when we found the ship this shrub was on. We was able to board it as it had surprisingly little weaponry compare to the other ships we’ve met of the same kind, which means we were able to take most of the crew prisoners…
It sounds like the ones that were with the parasites were enslaved themselves--not a part of the main group of Uredo.
After all, the Uredo didn't end up having the strong weapons when encountered apart from the parasites, and tried to escape rather than fight back.
> …what the hell is an Ankwark?
Hell if I know. It didn't exist when we were alive, I'll tell you that!
...And by "Alive" I mean with our own physical bodies, not as some spiritual guide. Since becoming a player we have managed to eat, though only once, and it was the corpse of a corrupted player... in a hallucination... that probably wasn't even real. Suffice to say, we probably didn't even eat then.
>Shit! More people! Quick, make us invisible… dammit, you left that thing in the other room, didn’t you!?
Don't worry, that's just Lucrais and Atena. Just like Daithi, they're our pawns and won't be using the claim powers.
Uh, just to be sure, Daithi, might want to stall them for a moment. Just a moment, that should be enough time to explain things.
[Focus on The Tower]
Hello, ladies. I don't know what all you know about the "claim" stuff so far, but suffice to say, do not use the claim power. Ever. We have located both the Plant Man and the Orange Scaled "Lizard," though he's actually a Sakkil.
Also, sorry about the earlier sudden silences, we were getting expunged. Still happens on occasion, but it seems to have lightened up. Unless of course they expunged the name of that species. Look, don't freak out, they both have what you would consider "Golem" attachments. The Sakkil across both eyes and the Uredo (the plant guy) as a replacement for one eye and one arm-like tendril.
Oh, and don't be surprised if Lucius, the Sakkil <Lizard, if Sakkil is being expunged>, starts flirting with you, Atena, or talks down to you, Lucrais. He's a bit too smug for his own good, and thinks everybody here is in the stone age, not the iron age. He'll come to his senses and taste the foot in his mouth once he sees evidence of luxuries.
Oh, and what the hell is an Ankwark anyways?! We keep hearing about it, but we've never got a description. Is it that thing with the round brown head and a flat round bill type snout/beak?
>>
No. 593709 ID: 40935b

[disable 'capture' ability]

>If I knew where the creator lived I would leave a number two in his mailbox, not some complaints!
I'm pretty sure explosives constitute the highest form of complaint.
>not only get their hands on it but makes it better, but also invents a counter tactic within days.
Ah humans. The perfect combination of innovative and shortsighted to keep wars going for years, and then come back for seconds. Either that, or they're the only ones with espionage worth a damn.
>Oh, and the snakes? Let’s just say I met them for the first time half an hour ago!
They must be native to this tin can then, possibly the administrators who run this place.
>Some kind of… war game? Interesting…
... He can play it, but if he breaks anything, he'll be flying out that window so fast he'll be back in space before he feels your boot on his codpiece.

>Shit! More people!
Relax, they're with us. They've already seen our other fugitive expat, You're not in trouble.

That arguing means we might be though. So yeah, Dai, don't be mad, but Lucrais was the target of an attack by a bunch of cultists. She wasn't hurt, but we didn't tell you because we didn't want you distracted for that test. She's probably going to ask to hide here too, but that may just be a flimsy excuse to stay here. Tell them to get in and keep it down, you're trying to run a safehouse for interstellar runaways and criminals.
>>
No. 593713 ID: 9443d1

...They just walked right into your dorm? Dammit, Dai, you forgot to set the lock on the dorm entrance, didn't you? You're really going to have to remember to lock that door all the time from now on so folks can't just stroll in. Next time it might not be Atena and Lucrais but somebody we don't want to find Hugo and Lucius. You'll have to keep the key on yourself, of course, and maybe get copies made for those who know.

Anway, tell Lucius they're two of our people and that they already know of Hugo/the plant so it's probably okay, but you're going to step out and check in case somebody else is with them; Though, he could hide under the table in the back if it'd make him feel better. Once you're out there ask why Atena and Lu are here, and why Lu is wearing a commander's uniform and acting all concerned about her safety... Though we probably already know why.

Dai, we didn't tell you this right before your test with the soldiers since your nerves were already frayed enough, but mid-morning Lucrais was attacked in her own home by two Shape Stealers that were planning to kill and replace her with one of themselves. Thankfully we came along in time and a combination of our advice and Atena's action saved Lu. You can get the whole story from them, but it's a shame you couldn't have seen it yourself. Lu took off half of one of their heads with her sword and then Atena rushed in like a badass and buried her ax in the other, saving Lu from certain death.

With that out of the way it's time to introduce Atena and Lucrais to Lucius and Hugo outside of his armor, then you and him can give them the rundown on what happened and is happening to bring them up to speed. Oh, and we're going to have to remember to bring up the the vault of knowledge and Old Gods' Oracle we're searching for to Lu and that it's likely past the catacombs under the Academy.

>…why would I need a mirror? > …too see Teal, he’s i- >Teal squids that are flying around? Trying to… have… um…. I think that’s a T but… um…
Ah, we should have figured that he could see us with that visor of his; Its optics have to be full of micro-mirrors and such. Hugo probably could see us as well with his cybernetic eye-stalk too. Hm... I have an idea: Ask Lucius if when he was hiding from the guards that were searching the place if a particularly tall female mantis dressed in a black came through the room he was in, and if she did did he see a non-guard folowing her. If he did ask him to describe who it was 'cause that'd be Black and I'd like to know what he looks like.

>Of course not! Some are green and others even red! …and I’m orange, not golden!
Ah, good to hear that the red lizards were brought back after the Cataclysm; They'd gone extinct long before then. Oh, and excuse us for having lousy vision, alright.

>>593704
Hm... Yeah, it's possible the Uredo that attacked the Sakkil and Hiver colonies might have been enslaved by the Cibic goo-parasites; Either that or they were a group of Uredo working with the Cibic that were from a different group then Hugo. Could be that Hugo and his group of Uredo aren't with the Cibic and don't want to fight the Sakkil or Hivers; They might even be in opposition to the Cibic.

Lets ask Lucrais to confirm that the Uredo that attacked the colonies were being led by or otherwise with the Cibic and if there were any Cibic on the ship Hugo came from. And also ask Lucius to draw what the Cibic look like to show to Hugo to see how he reacts, along with a drawing depicting the Uredo-with-Cibic attacking the colonies then taking slaves.

Also, the capture ability is activated by the player, not the pawn. The player's pawn just has to be in contact with the target when the player activates the ability for it to work.

And, yeah, that's what ankwarks' heads look like, with the duck bill. We've seen them before; Once when Dai was in the forest going after that book back here >>/questarch/576327, and again when Vlad bagged a white ankwark back here >>/questarch/560851 which you can see him dragging along, and maybe a few other times roasted or with a head mounted on the wall. And supposedly they're really delicious when cooked.
>>
No. 593717 ID: 65a774
File 141047092912.png - (16.69KB , 900x450 , 34.png )
593717

>[disable 'capture' ability]
[Disabled.]

>Tell Lucius not to worry, those two coming are more friends that know about the Uredo already.
:LuciusNUM: Oh, of course you’ve been gossiping about us to everyone around town, have you?
>It sounds like the ones that were with the parasites were enslaved themselves--not a part of the main group of Uredo.
:LuciusNUM: Except both groups had those weird blobs with parasites with them… but it’s possible there’s more than one faction…
>They must be native to this tin can then, possibly the administrators who run this place.
:LuciusNUM: Native? Ha! Like they would know how to create copies of species they’ve never met! They probably found this place just like us!
>Ask Lucius if when he was hiding from the guards that were searching the place if a particularly tall female mantis dressed in a black came through the room he was in.
:LuciusNUM: The one clad in that supposedly “regal” clothing? Yeah, I saw her… and I saw this weird, pitch black mantis fallowing her around… he was freaking huge and was decked out in gold and bling like it was nobody’s business.
>They just walked right into your dorm? Dammit, Dai, you forgot to set the lock on the dorm entrance, didn't you?
…oh, crap! I totally forgot that! Dammit!
>Uh, just to be sure, Daithi, might want to stall them for a moment. Just a moment, that should be enough time to explain things.
Right, stall them…

>Hello, ladies.
:LucraisNUM: Daithi!
:DaithiNUM: Err… why are you wearing a commander uniform?
:LucraisNUM: Oh, I needed somewhere to lay low a bit and… um… mother suggested-
:AtenaNUM: She suggested a stupid idea. The room of your soon to be “husband” is probably the first place they’ll look.
:LucraisNUM: Oh, hush you.
>So yeah, Dai, don't be mad, but Lucrais was the target of an attack by a bunch of cultists.
:DaithiNUM: WHAT!? Are you alright!?
:LucraisNUM: Well… yes… thanks to Atena here… she saved my life.
:AtenaNUM: Just doing my job… though, they did tell me something interesting about you and Lucrais here, Daithi.
:DaithiNUM: Err… well… you see…
>She's probably going to ask to hide here too, but that may just be a flimsy excuse to stay here.
:LucraisNUM: Hey! I was attacked in my own home! I need somewhere to hide! …and they won’t be looking for a cadet, right?
:AtenaNUM: I’ll give you a day before they found you… two tops.

>We have located both the Plant Man and the Orange Scaled "Lizard," though he's actually a Sakkil.
:LucraisNUM: ...the what? Orange scaled Sakel?
:AtenaNUM: The plant man? You mean Hugo? …wait, there’s another alien here?
:DaithiNUM: Well… yeah… it’s complicated, alright? Let’s just say there’s a big war going on out there and there’s a bit of chaos.
>Look, don't freak out, they both have what you would consider "Golem" attachments.
:LucraisNUM: …you mean like… they got arms made out of rock? Or iron?
>Oh, and don't be surprised if Lucius, the Sakkil, starts flirting with you, Atena, or talks down to you, Lucrais.
:LucraisNUM: …well, that’s a nice first impression.
:AtenaNUM: …I have to agree on that.
:DaithiNUM: Err… he’s not that bad, honest! He’s just a bit… um… prideful…
:AtenaNUM: Not so bad… right…
> He's a bit too smug for his own good, and thinks everybody here is in the stone age, not the iron age. He'll come to his senses and taste the foot in his mouth once he sees evidence of luxuries.
:LucraisNUM: Iron age!? We’re in the freaking modern age! The Iron Age ended a really freaking long time ago!
>Oh, and what the hell is an Ankwark anyways?!
:AtenaNUM: They are four legged, brown or white haired beast with beaks that exist all the way up to the northlands and far to the south. Oh, and they taste delicious.
:LuciusNUM: Ah! Finally someone with a bit of intelligence to talk to! Greetings follow Scale bound! I do hope you work is reliable and you’re an ever vigilant cog in the system!
:AtenaNUM: …what?
:LuciusNUM: Ah, of course we don’t have the same cultural greetings, sadly. But let me introduce myself, I am Lucius Flavius, Centurion of the machineries 148th recon legion.
:AtenaNUM: Well, I’m Captain Atena of the city watch… and you’re a sakkil? …and that’s a… Uredo?
:LuciusNUM: Oh, ignore the potted plant. He’s just in the way.

Insert The good thing with cybernetic eyes is that no one can tell what you’re looking at_
>>
No. 593721 ID: d8a627

>modern age
I HATE THAT TERM! Any time that is the present is the "Modern Age," really. "Characteristic of present-day." You need a better name than that! Like, what are the most recent advances? Steel, plumbing, what?
> …you mean like… they got arms made out of rock? Or iron?
...Iron. Like his visor, there. He doesn't have eyes, just a visor attached to his skull that lets him see. Also, I think part of it is glass or plastic. Do you have plastic? Are you at the plastic age yet?
>I’ll give you a day before they found you… two tops.
Hiding right under their noses... She's got until they sneeze.
>I do hope you work is reliable and you’re an ever vigilant cog in the system!
God dammit that fucking cult... You never told us you were a cultist, Flavius :I
...The cogs were a cult that was all about cybernetics, if you're wondering. They were crazy about it, and spoke in a manner that suggested they were mindless drones serving the greater cause--what they called "The machine."
> and you’re a sakkil? …and that’s a… Uredo?
Say, you were able to whistle, right? This guy communicates through whistling. Not that being able to whistle means being able to TALK through whistling, but you're a step ahead of Daithi if that's the case!
>>
No. 593722 ID: 2fd516

>>593717
Okay we should make something clear right now to Lucius. The Uredo is obviously just as intelligent and sapient as he is and he needs to stop with the specist talk.
>>
No. 593724 ID: 9ddf68

...right then, girls long story short, agent orange here has been fighting in a 300 year war against mantises and humans which has only just come too a stand still only to get blasted to hell by the plant people. Needless to say he's a bit bitter.

But yeah, Lucius and Hugo, what's the plan now? I mean I get you're hiding out until the heat dies down but then what? You guys still got a ship to get out of here, you got a distress signal up and just waiting for help to come, or are you making this up as you go?
>>
No. 593725 ID: 40935b

> Though, they did tell me something interesting about you and Lucrais here, Daithi.
We must have said like eight times, that was called off.
>I’ll give you a day before they found you… two tops.
Would you two just kiss and make up already? Dai might be able to buy lucrais some time if he explains the situation to his teacher. If she says no, Lucrais has to crash somewhere else, okay?

>…what?
Smug. and speciesist, but where he's from empires are divided along racial lines.
>you’re a sakkil? …and that’s a… Uredo?
Yep. Apparently Lizard and mantis are slurs, and Hugo's not wearing his armor.

> recon legion
Why would a unit be structured that way? Is that another way of saying shock troops, or what? Usually spec ops groups aren't much larger than a regiment.
>>
No. 593727 ID: 2fd516

[@Black: What's your stance on the widespread sexism prevalent amongst the Mantis population here?]
>>
No. 593728 ID: d8a627

>[Black: …Emperor.]
[Message Black: Very well, Emperor Black, as long as you don't expect us to bow before you. We're doing some research on the Lizard and the Plant, now, trying to understand the nature of these quests. Is there anything you want us to look into while we're at it?]
[Scan non-Teal Player nearest King piece The Magician; attempt to add alias "Lucius"]
[Check status and rank of {Centurion Lucius Flavius}]
[Query: Is it possible for Guests to join the game, and how are they recognized?]
>>
No. 593735 ID: 9443d1

Heads up, everyone; The door to Daithi's room is ajar. We might have an eavesdropper here, or worse, an assassin or Shape Stealer. Scanning around door... [Scan area in vacinity to ajar door and echo to nearby pawns] Keep talking as normal so as not to risk alerting them. Daithi, if you remember that the door was closed last you saw it and it shouldn't be ajar now then swing your left arm out so Lu and Atena know. I dunno whether you'd rather move on Dai's room and confront whoever it is based on the scan results or pull back. If you do pull back you could move into Hugo's room then get him to use the cloaking device to sneak someone up on whoever is in Dai's room. Either that or climb out a window onto the roof and come back around to the window of Dai's room to get behind them.

Lucrais, we have something to tell you that I'm sure you'll be very interested in. We're seeking an Oracle placed in this world by the Old Gods; One beyond the influenced of all the daemons that can answer any question of this world asked of it. We seek it so that we may find out the truth of this world and the daemons. And the part you'll be quite interested to hear is that it's very likely here, somewhere under the Academy. Our leads say that it lays in a vault of vast ancient knowledge that lies beyond a labyrinth of catacombs under a fortress of the Old Gods in the lands of the Amun Empire. The Academy is probably that fortress, and the catacombs the entrance to the labyrinth. Now, you'd say they've been totally searched and nothing is there, but so were the crypts under the Serath Sultanate capitol and yet three months ago we found the entranceway to the Vault of the Grand Rune of Fire down there. So we just need to check the catacombs out and we might see something. Well, how do you feel about that, Lu?

You both should also know that Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas, eighth daughter of the Empress, and her Imperial Guard entourage were here shortly ago searching Daithi's dorm for the "golden lizard" and "plant creature;" Lucius and Hugo, respectively. She also scanned as "The Empress" and is a pawn of player Black, the player that has ruled over the Amun Empire for the last 50 years through his king pawn, the Empress. We don't know what Black's game is or whether to trust him, so we're gonna keep Lucius and Hugo out of his hands and figure that out.

Oh, and Lu, can you give us a primer on the recent history of the Amun Empire; Roughly the last 50 years or so. 'Cause Purple, another player here we've been in contact with, is really angry about the course of the Empire in that time, saying "corruption and ignorance is rampant" and that the Empress is ignoring growing numbers of cultist incursions and shit like that. He's so pissed off he even seeks to overthrow or kill the Empress or Black. I suspect that this extreme view stems from the views of Purple's king pawn who is that shorty demon hunter Inquisitor, and the high likelihood that Purple is unusually strongly mentally influenced by his pawns.

And once we've dealt with the stuff here I do believe it's still lunchtime and delicious barbecued ankwark steaks are on the canteen menu so better get some before they're gone. Lu, since you're supposed to be laying low perhaps you ought to stay up here and Dai'll bring a tray up for you. Actually, since Dai's going to be bringing Lucius a tray as well maybe he and Atena can just bring meals for all four of you to eat here. That way you can keep talking. Lu, I figure you may want to ask Lucius a bunch about the history outside this world; I'm sure he'd talk your antenna off about the Sakkil's history, which might improve his attitude to you if you at least feigned interest.

Oh, and next chance you get inform Lucius about Shape Stealers and their capabilities and give him the pass phrase so he has a way to check if whoever comes in here is legit since we might get a Shape Stealer impersonating Daithi or Lucrais or whoever.

>>593728
I STRONGLY advise against sending this message to Black. Not only is it disrespectful but it implies we have contact with the lizard and plant 'cause that's the only way we could do research on them. In fact, I'm so against it I say [Block >>593728 message to Black]. While Black may have suspicions that we know more then we let on we should not do all but outright tell him.
>>
No. 593743 ID: 0ffa34

You know, we should show Hugo your moms sing tree bush thing.

>an ever vigilant cog in the system
Oh shit, its the machine cult, they still exist and have taken over the space lizards!

And awhile ago you made a comment about us multiplying, so what do think of the fact that we might have tiny invisible teal squid genitalia?
>>
No. 593744 ID: d8a627

Fine, man, kill all my messages why don't you... How's this one look?
[@Black: Very well, Emperor Black, I can certainly call you by that title. Anyways, I've been thinking... Why would a hunt be placed upon these two entities? I worry that this might be a fight between gods, in which case, it might mean trouble for our pawns, as well as your nation. <If expunged: ...Oh, did not see them doing that. Could it mean that I'm right...?>]
>>
No. 593818 ID: 65a774
File 141054800896.png - (17.27KB , 900x450 , 35.png )
593818

>[Check status and rank of {Centurion Lucius Flavius}]
[Error!]
>[Query: Is it possible for Guests to join the game, and how are they recognized?]
[Unable to find query Guests…]

>[Message Black: Very well, Emperor Black, as long as you don't expect us to bow before you.]
[Black: Keep out of my way and you’ll be ignored, serve the empire and you will be rewarded tenfold… but dare to go against it and your death will be quick but painful.]
>[@Black: What's your stance on the widespread sexism prevalent amongst the Mantis population here?]
[It’s very ineffective and needs to be removed. Besides, it would make most people happy and happy workers are effective workers.]
>[Why would a hunt be placed upon these two entities? I worry that this might be a fight between gods, in which case, it might mean trouble for our pawns, as well as your nation.]
[That’s why I need to find them. If they are a threat to my nation then need to be dealt with, one way or the other.]

>You need a better name than that! Like, what are the most recent advances? Steel, plumbing, what?
:AtenaNUM: Well, I did read that the Serath recently invented some kind of flying machine…
:LucraisNUM: Future historian will probably name the era after something important that has or will happened…
>...right then, girls long story short…
:AtenaNUM: Ugh, this is just getting more and more complicated…
>He doesn't have eyes, just a visor attached to his skull that lets him see.
:LucraisNUM: …wait, those are his eyes!? They are artificial?
:DaithiNUM: They are neat, aren’t they!?
>Also, I think part of it is glass or plastic. Do you have plastic? Are you at the plastic age yet?
:DaithiNUM: Hmm… I think I’ve heard something that’s called that before… um… If I remember correctly it was made out of some kind of tree sap from some exotic tree down in the south western part of the world?

>You never told us you were a cultist, Flavius :I
:LuciusNUM: Cult? What are you talking about? Religion is outlawed in the glorious empire!
>Oh shit, it’s the machine cult, they still exist and have taken over the space lizards!
:LuciusNUM: As I just said, I’m not in some cult. We simply see ourselves as cogs in the big machinery of the empire. You know, even the small are needed for it to work and stuff?
>We should make something clear right now to Lucius. The Uredo is obviously just as intelligent and sapient as he is and he needs to stop with the specist talk.
:LuciusNUM: Oh, I know, but I’m still going to call him a bean stalk.
:DaithiNUM: That’s not very nice, you know…
:LuciusNUM: It wasn’t very nice when his kind fucking torched my brother and wife alive, now was it? And then they flayed their d-daughter and… and made her into a f-freaking trophy… she… she was s-still alive when they found her! Do you think t-that’s “nice”, huh!? She was five! FIVE!
:DaithiNUM: Err… alright, you clearly have a reason to be… um… a bit mad, yeah…
>Hugo's not wearing his armor.
:LuciusNUM: He isn’t wearing any clothes either. Apparently the lack of genitals makes it socially acceptable to be a naked all the time.
:AtenaNUM: Wait, no genitals? Then how-
:LucraisNUM: He’s a freaking flower, how do you think!?
>Why would a unit be structured that way? Is that another way of saying shock troops, or what?
:LuciusNUM: …do you know what Recon means?
:DaithiNUM: Reconnoiter… you’re a scout?
:LuciusNUM: Yes, we’re the scout legion of a nearby sector of space. We’re in total about four thousand men, but of course we’re divided into smaller groups called Maniples… thirty of them, in fact… and those got four centuriae with thirty men in them… each.
:DaithiNUM: Wait, thirty men for every scout group? Isn’t that a bit-
:LuciusNUM: Do you know how many men it takes to pilot a inter planetary ship?
:DaithiNUM: Oh… then, you got thirty Sakkil up there?
:LuciusNUM: No, we are only five who came here. We used a smaller ship to chase this herb garden. A ship designed to chase down escape pods and the like, not traveling between really long distances. The main scout ship is still out there… and I do hope they can track us here.

>Say, you were able to whistle, right? This guy communicates through whistling.
:LuciusNUM: Don’t bother, we Sakkil can’t even closely reach the range this… this… um… spiky cactus got…
:AtenaNUM: I’m not really a good whistler anyway…
>But yeah, Lucius and Hugo, what's the plan now?
:LuciusNUM: Heck if I know. I don’t have one yet.
>You guys still got a ship to get out of here, right?
:LuciusNUM: If those snakes haven’t found it yet, then we might still have a ship.
>you got a distress signal up and just waiting for help to come?
:LuciusNUM: …do you realize how long the distance is to the closes ship? Its several light years and we can’t send any signals that are faster than light!
:DaithiNUM: …then, how did you guys get here?
:LuciusNUM: …we can build teleporters… the ship I came with can build a small one time use port gate… of course, we can send a message through one of those, but it would be smarter to just travel through it ourselves if we can get to the ship. As for the plants, I don’t know how their ships works, but they seems to be able to travel faster than light somehow…

>You both should also know that Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas, eighth daughter of the Empress, and her Imperial Guard entourage were here shortly ago searching Daithi's dorm for the "golden lizard" and "plant creature;" Lucius and Hugo, respectively.
:LuciusNUM: Ah, so even emperors are seeking my counsel, eh? Heh…
:LucraisNUM: WAIT, the empress daughter is here!? HERE!?
>We must have said like eight times, the wedding was called off.
:AtenaNUM: Yet, every time you say it Lucrais antennas are sagging more and more.
:LucraisNUM: W-what!? No, that’s- it’s not- SHUT UP!!
>Oh, and Lu, can you give us a primer on the recent history of the Amun Empire; Roughly the last 50 years or so.
:LucraisNUM: Err… a lot happend? I mean… it’s kind of hard to really… I guess the most important is that the army has withdrawn from the Untamed lands and… um… I guess we’ve become more of a republic then a nation of noble families?

>Lucrais, we have something to tell you that I'm sure you'll be very interested in. We're seeking an Oracle placed in this world by the Old Gods.
:LucraisNUM: …what? Here?
>The part you'll be quite interested to hear is that it's very likely here, somewhere under the Academy.
:LucraisNUM: But they… are you sure?
>Well, how do you feel about that, Lu?
:LucraisNUM: That… if we should find it… it would be… wow…
:DaithINUM: Well, I guess we got a treasure hunt to go on, then!
:AtenaNUM: Oh, geez… I better come along too…
:LuciusNUM: And I’m coming too! These old gods was the ones that built this place, no? This oracle might be able to help me then!
>Once we've dealt with the stuff here I do believe it's still lunchtime and delicious barbecued ankwark steaks are on the canteen menu so better get some before they're gone.
:DaithiNUM: Err… that’s for dinner… and I’m pretty sure I’m going to miss it because… um… I still got a date, right?
:AtenaNUM: You still got a date.
>Oh, and next chance you get inform Lucius about Shape Stealers and their capabilities and give him the pass phrase.
:LuciusNUM: Pear… right… did you really need to whisper it?
:DaithiNUM: We can never be too careful!

>Heads up, everyone; The door to Daithi's room is ajar.
:DaithiNUM:
>Keep talking as normal so as not to risk alerting them.
:DaithiNUM: (I’ll try to signal for Atena to help me…) Well then, going back to those catacombs… what do you guys say if- HA! GOT Y- Arthur!?
:ArthurNUM: Hey, hey, take easy with sword, yes? It’s just your Arthur, yes?
:DaithiNUM:
:ArthurNUM: Err… the pear stalks in midday, yes?
:DaithiNUM:
:ArthurNUM: … we had tea yesterday? And we played cards, yes? With Lady gloriously big and well-shaped abdo-
:LucraisNUM: HEY!
:DaithiNUM: You’re Arthur alright… but what are you doing in my room?
:ArthurNUM: Um… well… voice thought you might have a lead on something interesting so… um…

[Purple: …well, this is a bit awkward…]
>>
No. 593824 ID: 9ddf68

[message to purple:...(cough)...found them! yeah they just kinda showed up in the room and we've been trying to see what they now. Did you know that lizards, mantises, and humans exist off plant and live in a space traveling civilization where they all hate each other and have been killing themselves to near extinction for the past 300 years until the plant people came along and started in on the killings as well. cause we just found out ourselves and are trying to figure out how we're going to fix this, cause really when shit like this happens it's always us that have to fix it. Oh and the snake people are a fifth party that just entered the scene and seem to have taken control of the planet... or at least got themselves admin access if that means anything to you.... So how are things going on your end?!]

oh and Lucius if your going to travel with us your going to need a disguise, like plate armor or at least a cloak because a half robotic orange Sakkil it doesn't matter if you dress up as a freaking clown you'll be less noticeable then you are now. And before you bitch about having to put on inferrer armor or whatever just put it on over the stuff you're wearing. No idea how we're going to hide the plant though, unless he's just going to follow us using the invisibility thing he's got going.
>>
No. 593831 ID: d8a627

>We simply see ourselves as cogs in the big machinery of the empire. You know, even the small are needed for it to work and stuff?
Hahah, relax, we were all joking around.
At least, I was.
>If they are a threat to my nation then need to be dealt with, one way or the other.
[Reply: We'll be looking into who these gods might be, ourselves. I meant, silence for centuries, if not millennia, only to suddenly show up for a fight? Something's suspicious about it.
Some advice: Your nemesis, Purple, mentioned seeing the orange-scaled lizard heading into the forest. A plant could hide there with ease, and if they are from warring gods, the lizard may be hunting the plant.]
>If I remember correctly it was made out of some kind of tree sap from some exotic tree down in the south western part of the world?
Wasn't that rubber? I think plastic is made from oil, a liquid buried deep underground. Both have amazing uses, but rubber wouldn't exactly make a good visor...
>He’s a freaking flower, how do you think!?
Plants actually have genitals. The pollen released from plants is basically their sperm, and a female version of the plant will accept the pollen and start mixing it with her... whatever the hell she has, to grow fruits or seeds.
Flowers themselves typically are hermaphroditic, having both male and female gentials, meaning that as long as their pollen does not all get flung away, they can produce seeds by themselves. Probably a lot safer to mix their pollen with others, though, incest probably still exists among plants.
>…well, this is a bit awkward…]
[Message Purple: *Sigh* Yes, we have already located both targets, but do yourself a favor. Query the reward. Black, White, and us all agree it's bad. If you simply seek information, now is a good time for it, but do not attempt to capture them!
And, yes, we have also spoken with Black. We may not agree with Black's views, but we're not going to war with him, either. If you two do end up in some large conflict, we will stay out of it, helping neither side. Black's corruption is not of the Daemon sort, or else our pawns would have had raising levels when we were nearby. The corruption you saw is likely corruption by ideals--a player can be effected by their pawns, after all. When we get into fights, it is because we are forced, or because the enemy is a Daemon Corrupted, or God Purified.]
>>
No. 593832 ID: d8a627

>Did you know that lizards, mantises, and humans exist off plant
Whoa whoa whoa, [block that message], it's only going to be expunged anyways. The Slither like to expunge anything mentioning space travel and other worlds.

Daithi, you can explain the origins of these two, since we'd be expunged if we tried.
>>
No. 593836 ID: 2fd516

>>593818
God damn it Arthur.

[@Purple: I advise you check what "winning" does to a player, before you try to capture the orange lizard or plant, which might I add, are under our protection. FYI Black says he's trying to get rid of the sexism amongst the local Mantis population, for what that's worth. Are there some specific complaints we can bring up with him?]

But yes, let's just... go to the damn ruins.
>>
No. 593837 ID: 40935b

>voice thought you might have a lead on something interesting so… um…
[message purple: SO, he was going to message us directly and ask nicely, right?]
> …well, this is a bit awkward…
[reply: Even the fucking PLANT is rolling his eyes.]

>alright, you clearly have a reason to be… um… a bit mad, yeah…
That sounds like pirates or cultists. Undesirables looking to unpoliced areas to escape prosecution.
>but they seem to be able to travel faster than light somehow…
Perhaps Hugo can send a message, then?
>do you know what Recon means?
Yes, but why do you come in legions? That's like a sniper battery or a field army of MPs or something.
>Ah, so even emperors are seeking my counsel, eh?
Or seek to remove you as a threat.

>Treasure hunt!
Bring your adventuring stuff, and Shanghai Arthur in the meantime. Shall we ask White to bring Cedric along?
>>
No. 593884 ID: 9443d1

Dai, make a note to install locks on your bedroom window shutters and all the other windows that open onto the roofs. And will somebody check if the lock on the dorm entrance has been set; At this point I'm half expecting Ealasaid will walk in here at any moment.

[@Purple: Awkward, yes, but it does save us some time. We were planning on speaking with you via Arthur (since our messages are being censored) so as to feel you out to decide whether to tell you about them; That's what some of our messages to you earlier were about as well. But since the cat is out of the bag and you didn't flip your shit I guess we can tell you the whole thing; Via our pawns, of course.]

Dai, Lu, Atena, tell Arthur, and thus Purple, the course of events with Hugo, starting from when Dai and Cedric went to Avatar's Descent two days ago when we thought the new "god"/player would come down and then it was delayed; Edit out the more embarrassing parts of last night if you wish. Lucius can then give them the basics of what's going on out there that brought Hugo and him here. Oh, and make sure to tell Lucius that the big flying tentacle thing with all the eyes is Purple.

I assume that Arthur and Purple overheard the part about us seeking out the Old Gods' Oracle under the Academy, so will they be coming along? I figure Purple will, so ask him via Arthur just why he wants to find the Oracle; What would he ask of it?

We'll contact White and see if Cedric is out of class so he can come up here and join our little expedition to the catacombs. [@White: Is Cedric still in class? If not then get him up to Dai's dorm ASAP; We're going "treasure hunting" and would like you to come along. Explanations only when you get here, not over messages.]

Before we head to the catacombs we should stop by Nick and tell him what's up and where we're going. I'd kinda like him to come along, but with his bum leg and back I dunno if he'd be able to follow if we have to climb or crawl anywhere. Maybe he can come along until that point? We'll have to ask him.

We'd better get some supplies for this trip as well. Water and rations in case we get stuck down there for longer then expected, as well as colored chalks for marking the way, rope and lights. Hm... Do we have any magic light crystals? I'd like to show one of them to Lucius and ask him if he can figure out what's generating the light using that fancy cybernetic visor of his; See if he can see what the magic is.

Hey, Atena, I think Lucius is checking out your rear; His visor optics have angled down and he's got a rather "intrigued" expression... Though... Wait a second... Both your cape and Lucrais are blocking his view, and he's looking too far down to... Oh. Ohhhhh. Hehehe. Well, well, well, looks like our speciest space-lizard has a secret thing for bug booty, Lu, 'cause he's totally checking out your abdomen. Color me... not all that surprised, actually. We just seem to attract those who's sexuality is at least somewhat out from the norm and a Sakkil with such an interest in mantises would certainly fit that.

>He’s a freaking flower, how do you think!?
Uh... Sexually? 'Cause that's what flowers are for in plants, after all; To reproduce sexually. Which means calling him a flower is the plant equivalent of calling him a kind of genital. Though, that still leaves me wondering how the Uredo reproduce. Maybe they grow flowers when they're ready to? Or maybe they grow from cuttings from each other or a few "mother" plants, which means they're all clones. I dunno. We can only speculate with what little we know.

>Ah, so even emperors are seeking my counsel, eh? Heh…
Geez, you've got an ego... No, he's seeking you and Hugo out to determine whether either of you is a threat to the Amun Empire and to deal with you accordingly.

>WAIT, the empress daughter is here!? HERE!?
Yes, and for some reason she came to search Daithi's dorm for Lucius and Hugo first, which is rather suspicious. From what we overheard it sounded like she was expecting them to be here, and when they weren't then she moved to organize a full search of the rest of the Academy. So what tipped her, or rather, Black, off that they'd be here?
>>
No. 593887 ID: 26d79f

I swear, every single time we've recently run into Purple and Arthur, I begin to like the two of them more and more.

My fellow Squidling friends, I just had an idea. How about we, when the chance arises, but not now, go with Purple on an adventure?. Him as the The Hierophant, us as the High Priestess. It'll be fun and a bonding experience! Perhaps even a bit shenanigan filled, what do you think?

Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, we should probably check on Strength, too. Not nowof course, but soon.

Now, onto business.

>>593831

Listen, I hate calling you out like this- especially since it's happened to you a lot recently, but consider the following:

If we told Purple that we talked to Black after he DELIBERATELY told us not to only a few moments ago, how do think he'd feel? I'd feel pretty pissed if I were him. Maybe it'd be a good idea to tell him later? I'm not saying we should hide it from him forever I'm just saying that we should wait a little before we spill the beans on that interaction.

I'm only referring to the parts about Black and choosing sides, the rest of it is A-okay. Your choice to block it or not, I'm not going to force anything.

>>593818

Hey Purple, hey Arthur. Nice day, isn't it?
>>
No. 593889 ID: d8a627

>Your choice to block it or not, I'm not going to force anything.
Look, do you have Skype or IRC? I want to talk with you about this all over on one of them. I use the same name I'm using here. It's not an angry/upset talk sort of thing, I just wanna work things out, come up with something that we can both agree on. Mostly because sometimes your complaints are a bit vague and confusing to me, and I want to know in my terms how to make a message that fits your terms.
>>
No. 593892 ID: 2fd516

>>593887
Purple said "[Purple: BLACK!? Do not trust him! He is a lying knave! Lying filth! He needs to be exterminated for the good of the Amun empire!]"
Purple did not tell us to not talk to Black at all.
>>
No. 593898 ID: d8a627

>>593889
For now, I'll modify the message.
[Message Purple: *Sigh* Yes, we have already located both targets, but do yourself a favor. Query the reward. Black, White, and us all agree it's bad. If you simply seek information, now is a good time for it, but do not attempt to capture them!
Yes, I'm sorry, we did speak with Black. We don't like starting battles left and right, I hope you understand. Our goal is to help as many people as we can, and as long as somebody keeps out of our way, we'll let them be. This does not mean you and Black going into active war won't get into our way, we may have to choose sides then, but at the same time, it may just open a window for our own goals instead.]
[Message Black, White, and Purple: This is a batch message. It may feel hostile or sound offensive, but I merely intend to be honest, not hurtful. If any of this is harmful to any of you, then I hope it just effects your tone of voice when directed at us, and nothing further. A few members of the collective that forms us actively opposes certain messages, simply because they may be harmful to relationships, so I wish to "open the book," as it were, and allow you to understand what our interests in them is.
Understand, that despite our friendly disposition, we are primarily neutral in most matters. Many battles have mutual gain if we work together, but when it comes to battles between players, our neutral standing will typically follow through, and we'll ignore the battle to focus on our own goals. We've been going around asking you lot what your goals are, but have not specified much on our own.
Our goal is two-fold. First of all, we seek information, about just about any matter we can. This is because without knowledge, we have no way of knowing if our actions will properly help us out in reaching our goal. Second, the primary aim of our goal is to help out as many people as we can. We do not seek to rule over anybody, but all the same, we do not seek to be ruled, ourselves. We are a "Third Party" in quite the literal sense. We are a coalition of individuals, a group of persons, all working together through separate minds to accomplish our goals. "Player Teal" is considered one Player, but in reality, we are many; it is simply that we are all working to the same goal of keeping as many people as we can safe. In terms of fairy tales, we are that band of heroes, wandering the lands, saving people wherever we are, only to wander off and save more elsewhere afterwards. Of course, this is reality--we cannot always save people, and even when we do save people, it's not always helpful in keeping as many as we can safe. We are not above mistakes, and that is why we try to seek out knowledge before we act.
As far as simple one-sided quests go, if you ask for our help, we will give it. If you need help shoring up defenses, we can help you with that. But if you seek help in launching the offensive, we will not--not unless the opponent is Demons or Gods.
Now, I know that last statement sounds INCREDIBLY bizarre. The gods should be our allies, right? Unfortunately, no. With both Daemons and Gods, some can be friendly, and others can be hostile. It's stupid, but that's the way it works. I have found a Daemon who has allied with the gods, even, which just goes to show this isn't some black and white war. However, even those who are on friendly terms with us are not our allies. We have been deceived from both sides plenty of times, and so we only act on OUR knowledge. If what they ask of us sounds mutually helpful to what we know, then we will agree. If it borders the line, as oft happens, we will take our own path to find what sounds most beneficial based on our knowledge. And when something sounds outright condradictory to our knowledge? We are going to point it out, and often end up working with them to come up with a third path anyways, something that fits both their intentions and our desires.
What does this all mean? Well, we are neutral. We may not always agree to your requests; however, even when we do not agree to them, we may find a compromise that covers your strongest desires, without conteracting ours. Do not feel betrayed that we disagree on a certain course of action, but instead try and see where our disagreeance lies, and find a point that agrees with both of us.
This DOES mean that we never accept another as an enemy simply because one "Friend" says they should be. We might keep them at arm's length, but that is how we treat everybody we first meet, regardless of what we have heard, even if we heard nothing. So far, every player we have met in Amun has been friendly enough to maintain communications with, a much enjoyable departure from our encounters in Serath, where half the players we encountered were stubborn hostiles who refused to agree with any of our requests, or Järgien, where none of the players were ever open about their goals and kept everything a secret, nobody helping one another and everybody being detrimental to the mutual survival rate.]
>>
No. 593944 ID: 9443d1

>>593898
>I have found a Daemon who has allied with the gods, even, which just goes to show this isn't some black and white war.
...What? Who and when did this happen? 'Cause I don't remember that. The only "god" in terms of this world we've met was when Lucius descended as an admin. All the other divine powers we've seen were remnants from before the Dark Age or came from the "machinery" of the World like the ghost of Conrack did. Every other power in that class we've seen has been daemonic in origin, whether it hid or showed itself as such.
>>
No. 593948 ID: d8a627

>>593944
Shush... I'm exaggerating things to help the message sound better. Steve was a Daemon who was treated as a God, and yet still left to his devices despite all of the claims. It's close enough to being "Allied with the Gods" to stretch the meaning a bit, I would say.
>>
No. 593956 ID: 65a774
File 141062964727.png - (17.32KB , 900x450 , 36.png )
593956

>[Reply: We'll be looking into who these gods might be, ourselves. I meant, silence for centuries, if not millennia, only to suddenly show up for a fight?]
[Black: If you find any information of use, I implore you to share. Lack of information can have severe consequences for both sides.]
>[Some advice: Your nemesis, Purple, mentioned seeing the orange-scaled lizard heading into the forest.]
[We already know he ran in the forest… but he was spotted coming out of right here and entering one of the windows of this side of the building. We believe it was the window inside that dorm, but we can have been mistaken. Either way, there were no traces of him there.]
>[@Purple: I advise you check what "winning" does to a player, before you try to capture the orange lizard or plant, which might I add, are under our protection.]
[Purple: Do not worry, I have no interest of capturing them. Even if this “Winning” thing worked I have a lot of things to take care of here before I “win”.]
>[FYI Black says he's trying to get rid of the sexism amongst the local Mantis population, for what that's worth. Are there some specific complaints we can bring up with him?]
[Trying to combat such an old cultural heritage, while altruistic, will only make people in power more prone to corruption and law breaking, which is something the growing cults will thrive on… and you’ve talked to Black? Do not trust him… he will kill you if you show any weakness!]

>Dai, Lu, Atena, tell Arthur, and thus Purple, the course of events with Hugo…
:ArthurNUM: …wait, that bush back there is smart? And from beyond the stars? Whoa… and I haven’t even had that much to drink yet…
>Oh, and make sure to tell Lucius that the big flying tentacle thing with all the eyes is Purple.
:LuciusNUM: Purple, you say? Like those Teal squids you got? Well, he is one ugly motherfucker, isn’t he? If I didn’t have balls of steel I would have probably peed myself seeing that thing.
:ArthurNUM: …err… Purple says “Thank you for the compliment”, yes?
>Well, well, well, looks like our speciest space-lizard has a secret thing for bug booty, Lu, 'cause he's totally checking out your abdomen.
:LucraisNUM: (HE IS WHAT!?)
:LuciusNUM: Err… why are you staring at me like that?

>Or the emperor seeks to remove you as a threat.
:LuciusNUM: It was a joke, of course I know it would be stupid to reveal myself to someone like that!
>Yes, but why do you come in legions? That's like a sniper battery or a field army of MPs or something.
:LuciusNUM: Because space is freaking huge, you ignorant slob… and as I said, it takes at least twenty people to pilot our smallest inter planetary ships… and that’s not counting the extra men we got with us in case of an emergency, so the smallest groups we got is about thirty people.
>That sounds like pirates or cultists. Undesirables looking to unpoliced areas to escape prosecution.
:LuciusNUM: It’s possible. As I said, they probably got more than one faction, but until proven otherwise we will treat them as murderous psychopaths.
>Perhaps Hugo can send a message, then?
:LuciusNUM: I don’t really see how whistling for them to torch the planet will help…
>oh and Lucius if you’re going to travel with us you’re going to need a disguise, like plate armor or at least a cloak.
:LuciusNUM: I got you covered. I’ll just do a few modifications to my armor and helmet and I’ll probably pass for a plate armored soldier… if a foreign such.
>No idea how we're going to hide the plant though…
:LuciusNUM: I’m pretty sure you have to keep him in here… of course, he did seems content going through all your books when I came.
>Plants actually have genitals. The pollen released from plants is basically their sp-
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, no, let’s not… that’s just disgusting, alright? They come from seeds, so there is some kind of pollen flower bullshit somewhere there.

>Wasn't that rubber? I think plastic is made from oil, a liquid buried deep underground.
:DaithiNUM: …I can’t say I’ve… you don’t mean like a kind of fruit oil or fish oil? Oil underground? I’ve never heard about anyone finding oil underground…
>Yes, and for some reason she came to search Daithi's dorm for Lucius and Hugo first, which is rather suspicious. So what tipped her, or rather, Black, off that they'd be here?
:LuciusNUM: …well, someone might have seen me come through the window… maybe?
>Dai, make a note to install locks on your bedroom window shutters and all the other windows that open onto the roofs.
:DaithiNUM: But they already got solid wood laches… I… um… I just kind of forget to close them properly.
>And will somebody check if the lock on the dorm entrance has been set; At this point I'm half expecting Ealasaid will walk in here at any moment.
:DaithiNUM: It’s locked, don’t worry.

>I assume that Arthur and Purple overheard the part about us seeking out the Old Gods' Oracle under the Academy, so will they be coming along?
:ArthurNUM: Of course we are coming! It sounds super fun, yes?
>What would he ask of it?
:ArthurNUM: How to defeat the demons, of course!
>We'd better get some supplies for this trip as well. Water and rations in case we get stuck down there for longer than expected, as well as colored chalks for marking the way, rope and lights.
:AtenaNUM: Wait, food? You’re planning to stay there for how long?
:DaithiNUM: I promise to try and get out of there before our date starts, Atena.
>Before we head to the catacombs we should stop by Nick and tell him what's up and where we're going.
[Unable to connect! “Strength” is currently napping!]

:DaithiNUM: Right… Atena, Arthur, come and help me gather some stuff… the rest of you stay here. Let’s see… we’ll need some water canteens and-
:WandererNUM: Waaeer…
:DaithiNUM: …wait, did Hugo just say…
:LuciusNUM: You got to be kidding me!
:WandererNUM: Waaeer leeaass…

Insert It can speak! “I CAN SING!”_
>>
No. 593958 ID: d8a627

>I’ve never heard about anyone finding oil underground…
Well, "Fish oil" is a decent start, but it's from all sorts of animals, not just fish.
...Fruit oil? Really? Vegetables make more oil than fruits. Anyways, the oil found underground is basically when animals are turned into liquid from all the pressure of the rocks above them squeezing them as compact as they can. This wouldn't normally produce much oil, so the real lakes of oil are from watering holes, or colonies of animals gathered together, even if it was just a place they gathered to die at (Ever hear of an animal graveyard? ...In the natural sense, not people burying their pets). It takes hundreds if not thousands of years for the pressure to fully squeeze them into oil, though, so you would have to dig really, REALLY deep down to find it.
>How to defeat the demons, of course!
Oh, that's actually an interesting one. You need a power known as "DEBUG," that's D-E-B-U-G. It has a nasty habit of erasing Daemons.
>…wait, did Hugo just say…
I told you that Eaggrans, or Uredo, can talk, man. They just had to learn to "Whistle" in just the right way to pass it off as speech.
>Waaeer leeaass…
Water whatnow? ...Say, is it just me or did he get a little paler? I think he might be dehydrating? Shit, he just said "Waterless" didn't he? He may have attempted to drink the wine, and it had salt or something in it... Or just otherwise counteracted his internal water supply.
>>
No. 593959 ID: 2fd516

>>593956
Is he asking for water? Have you not given him any since he arrived? He's a plant, Daithi. C'mon, this is an obvious requirement for life.
>>
No. 593962 ID: 40935b

>Because space is freaking huge, you ignorant slob…
Meaning everyone utilizes combined arms so they don't get into something out of their depth before reinforcements can pull their tails out of the fire, right?
>You’re planning to stay there for how long?
What we're hoping for is a brief trip through some atmospheric and culturally interesting stone structures to a person or place that can answer our questions, giving us a clear direction and goal that will end in a significant victory against evil and lasting peace. What we're planning on is another appearance from either these new, hostile aliens or that damn soul-stealing machine that keeps giving us trouble, making us realize the situation is worse than we could have possibly understood and still rapidly degrading.

>Waaeer leeaass…
'Water please'? Damn, Hugo learns fast. Well, you'd better bring him some. Just don't use a wooden bucket- It'd be weird.
>>
No. 593963 ID: 9ddf68

I think he's asking for water, at least I hope he's asking for water otherwise I haven't got a clue. Also when you guys leave LOCK EVERYTHING. the windows, the doors, and if anyone ask why you're locking shit, well you did just have a run in with shape-stealers only a couple days ago, and you've always been known to be a bit paranoid.
>>
No. 593967 ID: 65a774
File 141064145989.png - (17.13KB , 900x450 , 37.png )
593967

>[@White: Is Cedric still in class?]
[White: Sorry, he got class until five. You’re on your own on this one.]

>Meaning everyone utilizes combined arms so they don't get into something out of their depth before reinforcements can pull their tails out of the fire, right?
:LuciusNUM: Well, yes, but what I meant is the amount of ground we need to cover is rather large, thus why we’re so many.
>...Fruit oil? Really? Vegetables make more oil than fruits.
:DaithiNUM: Well, geez, sorry for not being an expert on oils, alright?
>You would have to dig really, REALLY deep down to find it.
:LucraisNUM: No wonder we haven’t found this “plastic” oil yet…
>when you guys leave LOCK EVERYTHING.
:DaithiNUM: Of course! We’re not stupid!
:AtenaNUM: *Cough*
>Oh, that's actually an interesting one. You need a power known as –expunged-," that's –expunged-. It has a nasty habit of erasing Daemons.
:DaithiNUM: …right…

>...Say, is it just me or did he get a little paler?
:AtenaNUM: …I don’t think so?
>'Water please'? Damn, Hugo learns fast.
:DaithiNUM: You want water?
:WandererNUM: … … …eess…
:DaithiNUM: …you mean yes?
:WandererNUM: eess…
>Have you not given him any since he arrived? He's a plant, Daithi. C'mon, this is an obvious requirement for life.
:DaithiNUM: I gave him some this morning before I went to class, remember!?
:AtenaNUM: I’ll get him some water.
:WandererNUM: …ank oo…



:DaithiNUM: …so, what happened?
:AtenaNUM: He poured it in that urn of his and…well, I guess he drinks like a plant? Either way, I don’t think he’ll move for a while.
>What we're hoping for is a brief trip through some atmospheric and culturally interesting stone structures to a person or place that can answer our questions, giving us a clear direction and goal that will end in a significant victory against evil and lasting peace.
:LucraisNUM: Oh, sounds exiting!
:AtenaNUM: …”hoping”?
>What we're planning on is another appearance from either these new, hostile aliens or that damn soul-stealing machine that keeps giving us trouble, making us realize the situation is worse than we could have possibly understood and still rapidly degrading.
:AtenaNUM: Of course things will hit the fan. It always does… *sigh* let’s hope we get back here in time.
:DaithiNUM: So… we got weapons, food and water, rope, chalk, lights… I think we’re ready to go?
:LucraisNUM: Hmm… should really all five of us go? Maybe someone should stay and guard Hugo?
:LuciusNUM: Eh, he can take care of himself.
:DaithiNUM: Speaking of taking care of yourself, where are your weapons, Lucius?
:LuciusNUM: Sadly, I had to leave my pulse rifle behind when I was chased by those snakes… and my gun was destroyed after I lent it to some tribal. In hindsight, that was probably a bad idea, of course, I didn’t believe they would be able to break it that easy. As for what I have now, I still got my utility knife and my armor.
:DaithiNUM: A knife? That’s it?
:LuciusNUM: A knife made out of a material that you don’t even know exists. It’s probably better made then all your swords put together. Besides, it’s how you use it, not the size that matters.
:LucraisNUM: Ha! Why is it always the guys with small weapons who say that?
:LuciusNUM: Because the one with large weapons are too busy being dead thanks to having a knife lodged in their spleen. Now, should we get moving?
:UnknownKAK: Check every room. I don’t care if there’s people in there or not!

Insert That’s not a knife… this is a knife! “…that’s a spoon.”_
>>
No. 593968 ID: 9ddf68

(sigh) make sure Hugo is invisible and give him a code word so he won't become visible incase a shape-stealer walks in disguised as one of you. Get ready to rise some hell if you need to (and I mean get upset and make things difficult for the guy trying to search your room not go straight towards fighting... unless it's deamons the shank the bastards).

Also is there anywhere else we could hide Hugo? I mean since people say Lucius come into the school we might need to move him now since they're going to be searching everywhere... Maybe Atena's place if she's got the room. And if people do find the plant there she can simple claim she had no idea what it was and wanted to keep him under watch and you didn't bring him into the guard because you thought it was silly to arrest a plant.
>>
No. 593969 ID: 40935b

>Of course things will hit the fan. It always does… *sigh* let’s hope we get back here in time.
I'm more worried about 'in one piece'.
> A knife? That’s it?
They don't even issue you grenades? Were there no more guns you could take before you went in here?

Who's asking to check all the rooms? Lucrais, that may be someone looking for you, you should hide. Dai, what nationality of infantry does Lucius most resemble? He'll need a story to complete a disguise. If it's the inquisition, let Arthur do the talking, Atena if it's the guards, and Dai if it's anyone from the university. Anyone else probably doesn't have the authority to be here, meaning we can respond with violence if absolutely necessary.
>>
No. 593970 ID: 2fd516

Yeah we better make sure Hugo is ready to use his invisibility device again before we leave.

I predict we're about to run into Yellow. Be prepared for anything. Or maybe Red will be there.
[message to Red: I wonder if this will work. Hey, do not pursue the orange lizard and plant thing. That is a trap- check the effects of "winning". Also, what do you know about Yellow?]
>>
No. 594000 ID: 9443d1

Oh, for fuck's sake! Of course searchers would show up right before we leave! I hope this doesn't turn into an ordeal just getting to the catacombs.

Dai, move to the dorm entrance and listen to figure out if it's Ealasaid or her Imperial Guards come back for another search pass or some other party searching the place. Just don't unlock the door to look out; We don't want them to push in right away. Try to delay them a bit before opening the door by asking who is it or why they've come to search your dorm (again.)

Meanwhile both Lucius and Arthur will go back to Hugo's room and see if they can both squeeze in under his invisibility cloak; Lucius for obvious reasons, and Arthur 'cause we don't want Black to think Purple is with us this much. Also, this way Purple can message us what's going on back there and if something goes wrong. Oh, and tell Lucius if they're found by Black's people to NOT attack 'cause that'd make Black consider him a threat and take him down.

If it turns out that it is Ealasaid and she's doing a rigorous search of every part of this dorm that'll almost certainly find Hugo and Lucius then we'll have to spill the beans before she runs across them. Black'll be pissed at us, but it won't be as bad if we admit it as if she stumbled across them; We might actually get out of this with our lives and freedom in that case.

Lu, since this question isn't prudent to the current situation just think the answer to this back to us: What was the reason for the army being pulled out of the Untamed Lands and where did they go? Were they repositioned to the borders with the neighboring nations or disbanded to free up resources for use elsewhere inside the Empire?

I have to say that Lucius' plan to try and pass himself off as some foreign armored lizard is even worse then Lucrais' mother's plan to hide Lu. For one, if Black gets within range to scan Lucius, that's it. But the biggest problem is that Black's people are looking for a lizard in strange armor, and Lucius is going to be passing himself off as a lizard in strange armor. So anyone they've given a description of him to is going to notice and move to investigate and that'll be it.

White messaged back that Cedric is stuck in class until five, so unfortunately they won't be joining our little expedition. Shame that your best friend won't be along for this, Dai. I wonder what he and White would have asked the Oracle.

>[Trying to combat such an old cultural heritage, while altruistic, will only make people in power more prone to corruption and law breaking, which is something the growing cults will thrive on… and you’ve talked to Black? Do not trust him… he will kill you if you show any weakness!]
[Reply: ...What the...? How the heck does a policy of working towards sexual equality have anything to do with those in power being more prone to corruption and breaking the law? 'Cause I'm not seeing how that connects at all. Also, it was Black that spoke to us first, outright asking if we were with the Empire, against it, or neutral; We couldn't ignore him so we chose "neutral." ...Actually, I'm wondering how you know Black'll kill us if we show any weakness. What experience have you had with Black, hm?]

>And my gun was destroyed after I lent it to some tribal. In hindsight that was probably a bad idea. Of course, I didn't believe they would be able to break it that easy.
Really, if we'd had even the faintest hint that Durach would have soaked the damn gun in holy water we would have specifically told him not to do anything of the sort. Though, even if he hadn't Lucius wouldn't have been able to drop down and taken it back anyway after the admin command lockout, so either way he wouldn't have it now. ...Hey, wait a second... How did Lucius find out the gun was destroyed? As far as I can remember we didn't mention it, either to Lucius or anybody else over here, so how'd he find out?

>>593971
I see what you're trying to do here and it's going to have the absolute opposite effect from what you wanted. Us admitting to hiding Hugo from Black then saying that Hugo and Lucius aren't in Dai's dorm right when Black's people are coming to search it again is so obviously an attempt to get Black to break off the search he'll make a beeline here to search the place top to bottom with a fine-toothed comb. Given that level of scrutiny even with the invisibility cloak Hugo and Lucius will be found and when they are we'll be totally fucked 'cause Black said not to get in his way and this is not only getting in his way but intentionally trying to impede him and he'll make good on that threat to make our death quick and painful. So, to put it simply: [BLOCK MESSAGE >>593971 TO BLACK]
>>
No. 594015 ID: d8a627

>of course, I didn’t believe they would be able to break it that easy.
Yeah, to be honest, we were surprised at how stupid he was, too. I mean, if a God gives likes you enough to bestow a holy weapon upon you, you've ALREADY GOT HIS DAMNED FAVOR. The moron didn't think of that and tried to gain your favor for giving it to him in the first place.
Sorry about that, in hindsight, -we- should have told him "Don't get this wet." We know about that kind of equipment, after all.
>Check every room. I don’t care if there’s people in there or not!
>>594000
Removed, anyways. Or "Redacted," I guess :P
>>
No. 594035 ID: 65a774
File 141070380781.png - (16.83KB , 900x450 , 38.png )
594035

>[message to Red:]
[You haven’t yet met RED!]
>[Reply: ...What the...? How the heck does a policy of working towards sexual equality have anything to do with those in power being more prone to corruption and breaking the law?]
[Purple: Because most of the people with power at the moment are female mantises, and they would start losing power if there was equality. As with most people who has power they want to keep it… and if they can’t do so lawfully... you can already see the proof festering. As they’ve lost more power thanks to humans and lizard over the last few years, the amount of corruption charges and demon worship has increased…]
>[...Actually, I'm wondering how you know Black will kill us if we show any weakness.]
[Purple: …because that’s how my vendetta began.]

>Who's asking to check all the rooms?
:DaithiNUM: (It sounds like… one of those soldiers that was with Ealasaid…)
:UnknownKAK: No, skip that dorm, we’ve already searched in there!
:UNknownKAK: But what if-
:UnknownKAK: The Judicators orders! That room is to be left alone for now!
:DaithiNUM: (…well, that’s a… either an anticlimax or a relief.)
:UnknownKAK: The judicators orders, all lizards needs to identify themselves, especially if they have helmets or other face concealing head pieces. Make sure that all entrances to the school is covered and that all carts leaving are searched.
:UnknownKAK: Um…. Why are yo-
:UnknownKAK: Because I can, maggot! NOW GO SEARCH THOSE ROOMS!!

>I'm more worried about 'in one piece'.
:AtenaNUM: Well, that too…
>They don't even issue you grenades? Were there no more guns you could take before you went in here?
:LuciusNUM: As I said, we were caught of guard. The only grenade I had with me was converted into a smaller charge that we used to open the door to the admin terminal, and while I was accessing it I shouldn’t have my weapons on me.
>Hey, wait a second... How did Lucius find out the gun was destroyed?
:LuciusNUM: I was using the admin terminal, remember? It gave me a message that it was destroyed.

>What was the reason for the army being pulled out of the Untamed Lands and where did they go?
:LucraisNUM: Um… let’s see… most of them marched either north or south to the borders… while about a fourth was called to the Imperial palace for a special assignment.
>I have to say that Lucius' plan to try and pass himself off as some foreign armored lizard is even worse than Lucrais' mother's plan to hide Lu.
:LucraisNUM: HEY! My plan- I mean my mother’s plan will work wonders!
:LuciusNUM: What’s wrong with my plan?
>Black's people are looking for a lizard in strange armor, and Lucius is going to be passing himself off as a lizard in strange armor.
:LuciusNUM: Oh… that’s… right… then I might need to use a toy of mine… let’s just hope it still work. You there, fellow cog, stand still for a bit… there.
:AtenaNUM: Um… while that’s kind of neat… your helmet is still rather…
:LuciusNUM: It’s not my fault that you didn’t wear one.

>Also is there anywhere else we could hide Hugo? Maybe Atena's place if she's got the room.
:AtenaNUM: Well, I guess I got room in my apartment but… how do we get him there? They seems to be rather through with their search…
:DaithiNUM: Hmm… first problem first… how do we get to the catacombs with all those soldiers around?
:LucraisNUM: Well, the entrance is just outside the school, at the edge of the school grounds. It’s not far.
:AtenaNUM: This orange guy is the main problem… can’t we just leave him here?
:LuciusNUM: I’m coming and that’s final!

Insert Let’s yell our orders so all our enemies can hear them too!_
>>
No. 594066 ID: 2fd516

>>594035
If he can mimic armor, have him mimic Arthur's full armor set. If he can't do any alterations to it afterwards, Arthur should probably take off his helmet to avoid confusion as to who's who. Actually it'd be even better if he could somehow disguise himself as a human or mantis, even if the armor is weird. They're looking for a Lizard, after all.

As for how to get past the soldiers, well we don't need to leave the academy, but there are windows we can climb out of too, maybe?

[@Purple: Black killed you, and you remember it? Every Player we've met who died didn't remember how they died. Though, come to think of it, the circumstances involved in both of those were unusual... Why isn't he trying to kill you again? It would be easy for him to do so.]
>>
No. 594076 ID: 40935b

>HEY! My plan- I mean my mother’s plan will work wonders!
Your-you-mean-your-mother's plan doesn't seem to account for the fact that campus security is like a sieve. If you're talking about a different plan, make amends and don't get drunk doing it.

>It’s not my fault that you didn’t wear one.
then copy Arthur's armor. If that gadget was one use only, you done goofed.
>>
No. 594077 ID: 9ddf68

it will probably be easy to get hugo out since he has the suit of invisibility so once it charges he could probably just follow you guys out.

Arthur, is the inquisition doing anything about the empress's kid being here or no? Also can't Lucius just use Arthur as a template for his little toy. Hell we could probably pass it off as them being partners or something and with the inquisition already here looking into the deamons it would let him move around more freely around the school.

Oh and random thought [check pawn purification levels]
>>
No. 594079 ID: d8a627

>[Purple: …because that’s how my vendetta began.]
[Reply: ...Did you lose an ally, Purple?]
>This orange guy is the main problem… can’t we just leave him here?
Say, anybody got any makeup lying around? All we gotta do is paint the guy's scales green. Might need to give him a blindfold and just say he's blind, though. Can't do much in the way of making it look like he's got eyes and markings when he's got a big freakin' visor in the way.
>Why isn't he trying to kill you again? It would be easy for him to do so.
[@Purple: Of course, if it's a matter of him having killed you... Well, that changes things quite a bit. As things currently stand, there are only six or seven players who have the power to kill other players without third-party assistance. Black is not one of those players, so if you or another player were killed by him, I would like to know exactly how it happened, as it's a very dangerous fact.]
I had a big ol' message typed up before I reviewed it and went "what the fuck did I just type" and went and redid the whole thing to make better sense and be less likely to be opposed, lol
>>
No. 594108 ID: 65a774
File 141072946605.png - (16.01KB , 900x450 , 39.png )
594108

>[check pawn purification levels]
[No purification found!]
>[@Purple: Black killed you, and you remember it?]
[Purple: Killed? Of course not… but he has defeated me in the past before… he has killed my king twice and forced me to sacrifice old memories and abilities to claim a new one. To go back to the start, so to speak… but no, that happened after I started my war with him.]
>[Reply: ...Did you lose an ally, Purple?]
[…I guess it is time for you to know the truth of the matter… why I know yellow is corrupted and that black is a taint on this world. Yellow and I was originally a team, years ago, that tried to seize control of this nation. Back then, Black was weak and outnumbered, and he knew he would lose against us even if he was able to defeat one of us. Through cunning and many sacrifices he was able to capture yellows king… but instead of killing him he corrupted his mind with demonic filth and throws him at me when I came in to finish of the weakened Black. I was able to best Yellow, but even in defeat his mind remains twisted. Since then I’ve sworn to bring vengeance upon Black and free my brother yellow.]

>Say, anybody got any makeup lying around? All we gotta do is paint the guy's scales green.
:AtenaNUM: I got some at home… but I don’t think I got enough green to really cover his whole face.
:LuciusNUM: I got makeup, but nothing green.
:LucraisNUM: …wait, you got makeup with you?
:LuciusNUM: …yes? Is there something wrong with that?
:LucraisNUM: Oh, forget I said anything…
>it will probably be easy to get hugo out since he has the suit of invisibility so once it charges he could probably just follow you guys out.
:LuciusNUM: He can’t move with it on… well, he can, but a big ball made out of rainbows are not something I would call subtle.
:DaithiNUM: Wait, how do you even know all this?
:LuciusNUM: We have fought some of them before and I did met one aboard their ship who tried to sneak out with one of those invisibility sphere. Their light bending technology doesn’t seem to work that well with motions.

>If he can mimic armor, have him mimic Arthur's full armor set.
:LuciusNUM: B-but… it’s… it’s white! White is only for those of a higher rank!
:AtenaNUM: I’m pretty sure they won’t know about it.
:LuciusNUM: Nngg… fine… I’ll mimic him…
>With the inquisition already here looking into the deamons it would let him move around more freely around the school.
:LuciusNUM: Ah, then I might be able to get some of the grub after all?
>Arthur, is the inquisition doing anything about the empress's kid being here or no?
:ArthurNUM: Not really. It’s not our job to look after long legged girl, yes? We rather keep out of way so her… how you say… very highness can do her job with those spires of glory in peace, yes?

>As for how to get past the soldiers, well we don't need to leave the academy, but there are windows we can climb out of too, maybe?
:DaithiNUM: Right, that should work! Let’s go!
:LucraisNUM: It’s in the old broken tower… the way down, that is.
:DaithiNUM: I’m sure the groundskeeper won’t mind us going through his storage.



:LucraisNUM: Here we are… further down to the left is the entrance to the catacombs and… err…
:DaithiNUM: …and what is this big… sigil thing?
:LucraisNUM: I… I don’t know… it wasn’t here last time I was here! Let’s see… “Bearer of the Rune, leave this place at once! This is the prison of an evil that should remain bound until the very universe collapse. Anyone foolish enough to disregard this warning will face the wrath of the very heavens.” …huh, so someone doesn’t want us to… wait, there’s something more here… “{All players trying to enter the forbidden tomb will be permanently banned, have their account deleted and immediately be removed from the testing group, any employees of the company will be immediately fired without pay and we will press charges and sue you for millions if you even try to touch this thing. You have been warned!}” …err… what?

>Your-you-mean-your-mother's plan doesn't seem to account for the fact that campus security is like a sieve.
:LucraisNUM: My plan is flawless! Err… I mean-
:AtenaNUM: …you just want to spend time with Dai so you can win him over from me, right?
:LucraisNUM: Of course not… I… I… I mean… yes… that’s… sorry, Dai…

Insert Ah, the famous battle cry of the lawyers… “I’ll sue!”_
>>
No. 594119 ID: 5af9ae

is now a bad time to ask Arthur about his surname and any connection to the Empress or Judicators?
>>
No. 594123 ID: 2fd516

>>594108
UGH, really? This game takes place on top of a fucking IMPRISONED MONSTER? It sounds like Wrath-can it really not be destroyed? Or did someone decide to be merciful and merely imprison it forever? Let's go in. We aren't a real Player so we have no account, so we can't be banned. Neither can Purple, but Lucius might be vulnerable to that. Or maybe that part of the warning requires staff members to carry it out? Or maybe I'm being rash. We may have been lied to about the "Oracle" and the daemons are trying to get us banned.

On the other hand if we get banned here then we sure as hell won't be in the future, so this is probably safe. Daithi, touch that bit in the middle. TOUCH IT.

[@Purple: You say you had to sacrifice old memories to gain a new King? Well, in our experience, a Player can shed corruption by being defeated directly. One tried to directly take over their King and lost the mental battle, and the other tried to directly take over their King in our presence, and also lost that battle with our intervention. Both times, the Player lost their memories relating to the corruption, and the King piece kept the Player's bonus abilities. Are you sure Yellow is still corrupted? It's possible he is behaving differently than you are used to for other reasons. Black sounds like a dangerous enemy. Impossible difficulty, control over the Empire's leadership, and level 25 means we're going to have a tough time. Maybe a 5-player alliance could take him out though...]
>>
No. 594135 ID: d8a627

>I was able to best Yellow, but even in defeat his mind remains twisted.
[Reply: That is not right. Yellow should not retain his corruption upon revival. Have you located his newly revived form to verify if he starts with it, or if Black is simply hunting down Yellow to renew the corruption?]
>“Bearer of the Rune, leave this place at once!
...Shit, this sigil only showed up because we're here. We possess the Greater Rune of Fire already.
>This is the prison of an evil that should remain bound until the very universe collapse.
UNIVERSE collapse? This isn't just talking about the game, it's talking about the, uh, world at large? You know, look beyond the walls, and gaze upon the stars? I don't know what I can get through on this, what with the expunges. But, basically, where Lucius came from.
>Anyone foolish enough to disregard this warning will face the wrath of the very heavens.”
Basically, the remnants that made this world will punish us. Or so they say. We've been told we would be punished once before, but nothing happened. Therefore, nothing can go wrong!
I'm wanting to send a message to black and white, telling them that we've located the vault, and might be listed as defeated while inside, or something. We're probably only allowed in because we have the Greater Rune of Fire. Anybody got a problem with that?

[Message Purple: Can you see the sigil? If you cannot, you are probably not allowed inside, in which case we will seek information for you. We plan on seeing if there is a way to kill Daemons and Gods, and if there is a way to remove corruption from a Player. Is there something else you wish to know?]
>>
No. 594136 ID: d8a627

>>594135
Oh, also worth mentioning is that those who left this message are long gone and dead.
>>
No. 594147 ID: 26d79f

>>594108
It seems to me that what we have here is a Bonus Boss, think: One of the hardest things to fight in existence.

Let's leave it alone for now! Chances are someone's going to open it anyway, if not us, so we should take the time to prepare/train for that as opposed to setting it off early.

Or we could, you know, have several of us (Players) try to kill it at the same time, but would that really be such a good idea?

Regardless! Examine the Skull Sign, where does that lead?
>>
No. 594158 ID: 40935b

>…wait, you got makeup with you?
It's probably camouflage or war paint or something.
>White is only for those of a higher rank!
Congratulations on your battlefield promotion. We have seniority over everyone ever, so anyone who gives a shit can take it up with us.

Fortunately, I don't think there are any gods left to anger. However, it could still be an automatic thing like a trap. I say we come back to this later when we're better equipped. If we still go in, though, Lucius has already earned the wrath of the gods and cannot be banned, so he's on point.

> sorry, Dai…
You're going to have to do something a bit more thoughtful than that if you're going to make up for years of burning bridges.

[query: forbidden tomb]
>>
No. 594167 ID: 01745f

You would think that if it really was a prison they would dump an ocean or mountain on top of it instead of a city, but on the other hand this would hardly be the only or even an unusual case of bad prison design.
The weird part is that there was a sidequest saying to go here... [query nearby sidequest]

In the meanwhile, I vote we not go in there for now. It might contain something we can't kill yet.
>>
No. 594169 ID: d8a627

>The weird part is that there was a sidequest saying to go here...
Oh, that's right.
[List full specs on sidequest to "Find the vault of the forgotten in the city of Stone Heaven," echo to Daithi]
The reward is listed as "Find knowledge meant to be unfound." I think it basically means "Easter egg," which is a term that says "Oh, hey, there's a bonus here that either has no relevance to the subject at hand, or is not needed to finish what you're doing." Might contain secrets about how the world works, but at the same time, it might be useless stuff.
[Query: Extreme challenges, achievements, impossible quests]

And nobody's opposing it, so:
[Message White & Black: Hey, we seem to have discovered some secret vault thing. We're debating whether or not to enter it, but something interesting of note is that it's only supposed to appear to players who have gathered a Greater Rune. There are four Greater Runes in total, one of them somewhere nearby, which is interesting, since the one in Amun has not been claimed yet.
Currently our theories are either on the side that it's safe and just has lost knowledge and secrets, or it's sealing away a superdemon that we would have to kill to get the knowledge. The warning on the sigil suggests the latter, but it may just be a way of scaring players away, I'm not sure.]
>>
No. 594178 ID: 2fd516

>>594169
Let's not tell Black, because if Purple's tale is true we absolutely cannot trust him. Also, I would rather tell White it's some sort of secret prison thing, not a vault thing. Remember, White's quest is to retrieve the rune, so I wouldn't say something that would mislead her or make her drag Cedric away from his lessons.
>>
No. 594184 ID: d8a627

>>594178
Gee, couldn't have voiced your opposition sooner? I literally asked for it, y'know... But alright, redact that joint-send.
>>
No. 594203 ID: 2fd516

[scan that red sigil thing]
>>
No. 594209 ID: 9443d1

Alright, nobody touch that seal or even get near it; If anybody tries to then block and pull them away. We're going to take at least a bit of time to think this through and check some things and not go rushing in.

Now, is everybody seeing the same thing Lucrais and us is? Ask Arthur, and through him Purple, exactly what they're seeing here and compare it. Ask Lucius the same, and also what all the sensors in that visor of his are telling him of this seal and the wall; Does it have a penetrating radar or x-ray mode? What language does everyone think the seal is written in, just to see if it shows up as whatever language the person viewing it knows. Oh, and get out those lights you brought so it's not so damn gloomy down here.

Okay, lets think about this. Dai, Atena, look at this through the lens of what we told you of what this world was originally made for. (A game.) The first part of the message reads like it's part of it; It feels like it was made to be some kind of challenge dungeon or sealed-evil-in-a-can super-BBEG for high-level players to fight. But the latter warning I dunno what that's about. Maybe whatever challenge it was wasn't balanced at all and massively overpowered and if released would wreck the world, leading to a costly restore and reset. Though, why even leave a sealed portal like this up here for any player to see in that case? The creators could have buried whatever it is deep underground, behind a meter thick wall of impenetrable metal, or in some area inaccessible to all but admins, or at least had the sealed entrance not appear for anyone but an admin.

Check out the way that sign is pointing. I remember we were told it used to be the tunnel to the Academy basement but it collapsed awhile ago. I'd like to check if anyone has secretly cleared out a crawl tunnel through it. Poke the rubble and see if any has been moved and maybe Lucius' visor could spot something.

Lu, why'd you place your sword's scabbard on your back? Doesn't that make it really hard to draw and put back the sword? There's good reason scabbards are slung from the side like Dai's wearing his, after all.

[@White, Purple: Check your minor quest listings for local ones and tell us what you find. I'd like to know if we're getting the same quest list here.]

>Of course not… I… I… I mean… yes… that’s… sorry, Dai…
*sigh* The more we're around Lu the more I'm regretting our actions that led to the wedding being called off. Dai, what're you gonna do? There's only one of you and two of them and as much as us and your imagination would like them both it's unlikely to happen; I wouldn't rule it totally out, but figure you'll have to choose. But which one? They're both great, just in different ways. *sigh* I just don't want to leave one of them out with an unhappy future, yanno.
>>
No. 594210 ID: 9443d1

>>594209
Addendum: What's that in the right-hand slice of the lower left quadrant of the seal? The rest of the slices look like they have writing, but that slice looks like it has a symbol or icon of some sort.
>>
No. 594216 ID: 65a774
File 141080227263.png - (19.82KB , 900x450 , 40.png )
594216

>[scan that red sigil thing]
[Seal of the gods.]
>[Query: Extreme challenges, achievements, impossible quests]
[Query not found!]
>[List full specs on sidequest to "Find the vault of the forgotten in the city of Stone Heaven," echo to Daithi]
[Find the vault of the forgotten in the city of Stone Heaven – Reward: Knowledge meant to be unfound. Starts in area: Any, ends in area: Prison of the Truth. Quest created 14 hours ago by {AI (Main Core)}!]
:LuciusNUM: Wait, it’s was made 14 hours ago? By the main core of the AI? Hmm…

>[@White, Purple: Check your minor quest listings for local ones and tell us what you find. I'd like to know if we're getting the same quest list here.]
[Purple: “Find the vault of the forgotten in the city of Stone Heaven – Reward: Knowledge meant to be unfound.” That’s what I got.]
>[Message Purple: Can you see the sigil?]
[Of course, why wouldn’t I?]
>[Well, in our experience, a Player can shed corruption by being defeated directly. One tried to directly take over their King and lost the mental battle, and the other tried to directly take over their King in our presence, and also lost that battle with our intervention.]
[That’s if they are killed, not defeated. Attack the player directly and killing their king is different. If your king die you will simply have to revert to level 1 and start over completely… if you die… well… the world seems to create a new you in your place then… a you who isn’t you anymore. While we players can defeat each other, we can’t kill other players.]

>Dai, what're you gonna do? There's only one of you and two of them and as much as us and your imagination would like them both it's unlikely to happen.
:DaithiNUM: (Err… I don’t know! I like both of them, alright!?)
>It's probably camouflage or war paint or something.
:LuciusNUM: Camouflage? Why would I need that when I got a full suite of combat armor? Besides, most battle takes place between ships or inside them. I have makeup to make me look more beautiful, of course!
:LucraisNUM: Hmm…
:LuciusNUM: What?
:LucraisNUM: Oh, nothing…
>Oh, and get out those lights you brought so it's not so damn gloomy down here.
:LuciusNUM: Allow me! Let there be some freaking light!
:AtenaNUM: Ow… that’s… you’re like one big fat target like that!
:LuciusNUM: That’s the point.
>is now a bad time to ask Arthur about his surname and any connection to the Empress or Judicators?
:ArthurNUM: Uh? Oh, that’s nothing, yes? I did not have second name when I came here, so I got the name of the person charged with making sure I behaved, yes? He was… how you say… long away relative of empress… something like cousin five times away. Same name, though.
>Check out the way that sign is pointing. I remember we were told it used to be the tunnel to the Academy basement but it collapsed a while ago.
:DaithiNUM: “Warning, Tunnel might collapse, please use the ground floor entrance”, yeah, it’s the same tunnel.
>I'd like to check if anyone has secretly cleared out a crawl tunnel through it. Poke the rubble and see if any has been moved and maybe Lucius' visor could spot something.
:DaithiNUM: I can’t see-
:LuciusNUM: There’s a tunnel there, but it’s covered with rocks to hide it. It seems rather old and disused… it probably hasn’t been used for a year, at least… Hmm… it might be a tight fit for our more… ample bodied mantis gal but I believe we can all go through it without any problems.

>What's that in the right-hand slice of the lower left quadrant of the seal?
:DaithiNUM: It’s a… um… painting of a flame, I believe? With a stone in it?
>Now, is everybody seeing the same thing Lucrais and us is? Ask Arthur, and through him Purple, exactly what they're seeing here and compare it.
:ArthurNUM: Big sigil in red with something written in it in the old language?
>Ask Lucius the same, and also what all the sensors in that visor of his are telling him of this seal and the wall.
:LuciusNUM: It’s a button… if we press the center of it the wall on the far right wall will move… and… hmm… wait a second… something is odd here…
>Okay, let’s think about this. Dai, Atena, look at this through the lens of what we told you of what this world was originally made for…
:LuciusNUM: Well, if this world was made as a game, I’m guessing there were some real goodies down there that they didn’t want leaked before release?
:AtenaNUM: …well, now I’m even more lost…
>You would think that if it really was a prison they would dump an ocean or mountain on top of it instead of a city.
:LuciusNUM: Because it’s been moved… that what’s so odd about it! Look at the walls!
:DaithiNUM: Err… they are made out of the same material as the school?
:LuciusNUM: No, they are… well, yes they are, but those wall are newly made. As if someone made them a week ago to hide something behind it.

>Let's go in. We aren't a real Player so we have no account, so we can't be banned.
>We've been told we would be punished once before, but nothing happened. Therefore, nothing can go wrong!
>Let's leave it alone for now! Chances are someone's going to open it anyway, if not us, so we should take the time to prepare/train for that as opposed to setting it off early.
>Fortunately, I don't think there are any gods left to anger. However, it could still be an automatic thing like a trap. I say we come back to this later when we're better equipped.
>I vote we not go in there for now. It might contain something we can't kill yet.
:DaithiNUM: …um… maybe we should go back and plan this a bit more…
:LucraisNUM: What? But… but think about all the amazing artifacts we can find down there!? The history!? The wealth?
:AtenaNUM: Dai is probably right… this is a bit over our heads.
:ArthurNUM: Um… Purple says that he will bring inquisitor to open it up when he got time… so… um…
:LuciusNUM: Well, I’m going in and I don’t care if you come with me or not!
:DaithiNUM: Wait, why do-
:LuciusNUM: Think about it… the quest was written in the main frame just a few hours ago… this whole place was moved here not so long ago… and that warning? The computer wants us to find this place! To explore it! Sure, it might be a trap set by those snake creatures, but I’m not just going to sit on my butt all day waiting for them to come and find me! No, I’m going in and kicking some ass!

>Daithi, touch that bit in the middle. TOUCH IT.
:DaithiNUM: …must… resist… button…

Insert Can he resist the big shiny red button!?_
>>
No. 594217 ID: d8a627

>While we players can defeat each other, we can’t kill other players.]
[Reply: Do you want us to show mercy for Yellow, Purple? While you may lack the power to directly kill another player, Lucius, Hugo, and ourselves have that power.
It's good to know that the loss of a king does not cost us as much as a direct death, though. We've been worried about what our Kings' losses will do to us. Thankfully our previous king was "lost" through victory, not defeat.]
>I have makeup to make me look more beautiful, of course!
Of interest, Lucrais: In the animal kingdom, it is typically the males of a species that flaunt their beauty for the females, not the other way around. Sapience has a way of making people counteract their instincts, and turn things around, though. Kind of your way of saying "I'm better than you, Mother Nature!"
Of course, tearing out your eyes and using metal to still see anyways is another way of saying that.
>Ow… that’s… you’re like one big fat target like that!
Hitting the broadside of the barn is far easier than hitting a pitchfork leaning against it... Make yourself look as big as a barn and suddenly people aren't even aiming for that pitchfork, anyways.
Interesting way of reducing the odds of being hit, Lucius.
> I can’t see-
Lucius, not only do you have artificial light generators, but you have light augmentation in your visor, as well? Nice.
Although, gotta say, for not wanting to share your toys, you sure are using them openly. Did you expect that we already knew about these ones, and were referring to some other toys, or did you simply mean "I'll only let you know about them if it's convenient to use them?"
>painting of a flame, I believe? With a stone in it?
Ah, the Greater Rune of Fire, then. That's the rune we possess, indeed.
Strange. Fourteen hours ago, this quest was made, and yet, it exists because we located the key, three months ago. Didn't even know it was a key, back then. I think this Core fellow didn't want anybody to see the sigil until we were able to find it, but that suggests knowing the future... The oracle must be here, indeed.
>wait a second… something is odd here…
What? What is it? Tell us!
>…well, now I’m even more lost…
Artifacts made by the gods, Atena. They had plans to make them weaker so that they could be fair, but never got around to that. That's why they're still in a vault, they're too strong for the average player.
Of course, vaults usually have guards, too, and a vault that guards such powerful weapons? Hoo, nelly, you'd better be strong already to get to these babies!
>What? But… but think about all the amazing artifacts we can find down there!? The history!? The wealth?
But, the guardian!
>Well, I’m going in and I don’t care if you come with me or not!
Oh okay fine, if you're going in we are too.
But BE CAREFUL, Lucius! While we don't have an account, YOU DO. The mainframe might have intended that warning for you and Purple!
>Can he resist the big shiny red blue button!?_
Well, given that our ally cannot, I say there's no reason to try! Sally forth, dear king!
[Message Purple: Keep out of this. The warning upon the vault does not threaten us, but it does threaten you. I don't want you dying just because you attempted to follow us into an area that can delete your progress.]
[Message White: We're likely about to enter the Forbidden Vault. I have reason to believe it'll keep us hidden from the outside world, which means we can't communicate with you while inside, so if you have anything to tell us, do so now.]
>>
No. 594219 ID: 2fd516

>>594216
TOUCH IIIIIT.

The main core AI wants us to do this. We have the blessing of something made by the "gods". That's like the blessing of the gods by proxy, right?

I would rather prefer to keep the inquisition out of this anyway. There could be sensitive information inside that we wouldn't want to get public. Relay that message to Arthur so that everyone hears it instead of us just telling Purple, please.
>>
No. 594221 ID: 2fd516

>>594217
I don't like either of those messages. Purple has the same sidequest so the core AI wants him in there and he's safe, and again, White should not be told it's the fucking VAULT. It's NOT.
>>
No. 594224 ID: d8a627

Awww come on, guys, first you go around saying I'm giving away too much information, so I start scrunching things up and leaving a lot out... And now you don't even want me to communicate this tiny little bit?
>>
No. 594226 ID: 2fd516

>>594224
I'm talking about those last two messages. They contain inaccurate information, and not apparently due to an attempt at deception.
>>
No. 594231 ID: 9ddf68

...what the fuck, push the button and get out of the way incase it is some BS trap. We got supplies and we might actually learn something. At the same time I'm a bit weary of the main AI but hey you know what they say, Nothing ventured nothing gained.
>>
No. 594234 ID: 9443d1

We've encountered a minor version of this kind of world alteration before, in the Serath three months ago. It was a dagger that came into our possession that we found out was inserted into the world and should not be in it. Then the manifestation of The Jailor, a daemon (ask Arthur about him,) freaked out when he saw it, saying he could not see it coming and it should not exist. It was inserted in the world like this seal and wall were.

Tell Lucius that right after he logged off after we spoke to him we heard the command query "Unregistered beings detected in the main compound… Exterminate? Y/N?" which was then followed by a "N" that was not entered by us. Then when we queried what "main compound" was it said it was where the main computer and admin access terminals are followed by the Main Core AI removing our access to those functions. So when he told us there weren't any defenses he was wrong; There are but the Main Core kept them disabled. It could have annihilated Hugo, Lucius, his squad, and the snakes, but it didn't. It wants at least Hugo and Lucius in here. Oh, and ask Lucius if he can query what local minor quests are available to him and see if he got the same one as us.

"To finally let time move forward and end the cycle of death and rebirth, the world stacks the deck with cards not belonging to this earth. – A cheating creator." That quote was from the plaque beneath the depiction of The World in the Vault chamber of the Greater Rune of Fire. This is the last cycle, our final chance to set things right, and this time around we've got The World on our side. Daithi, press the button and we shall go see what The Truth is. Oh, and Lu, stand back from the wall where the door'll open and behind Dai, just to be safe.

>Quest created 14 hours ago by {AI (Main Core)}!
That'd be how much time passed outside the world, I assume. Ask Lucius to estimate when Hugo arrived here; I'd bet that it's close to then. And the 14 hours out there, assuming the 720 to 1 ratio between the passage of time in here and out there was constant, means this quest was made 420 days ago in here... But due to all the temporal shenanigans in here I have no idea how that lines up with when these week-old walls were put in.

>There’s a tunnel there, but it’s covered with rocks to hide it. It seems rather old and disused…
Well, nice to know we have another way out of here if the ground floor exit isn't an option... And dangit, now I just know Ealasaid's soldiers are going to be searching up there just as we come out.

>It’s a… um… painting of a flame, I believe? With a stone in it?
Ah, that'd be the Greater Rune of Fire we collected back in the Serath. We should still have it. [Check special inventory]
>>
No. 594236 ID: d8a627

>>594234
>That'd be how much time passed outside the world, I assume.
I think it's more that the core didn't want the sigil to be there until we were the ones who would find it. Lucrais was here before and didn't see it, and yet, after she examined it, it showed up, right? Fairly certain we haven't been idling for fourteen hours in temporal dislocation. That would be weird.
>>594226
Man what could possibly be wrong with them... If you want me to not be inaccurate, then there's not much I can change about it but say "Hey, I'm worried that this MIGHT happen." Is that what you want me to do? Because I can say it's just a worry about what might happen.
And then, there's
>White should not be told it's the fucking VAULT. It's NOT.
Yeah, okay, forbidden TOMB, same difference. Just replace Vault with Tomb in the message.

You know what, here, I'll type up the updated messages:
[Message Purple: I would suggest you keep out of this. While we are likely immune to the threat, I suspect that it can still effect you. Players like us, those who have the power to kill other players, we're the ones immune to it. If you wish to ignore this warning and enter anyways... Well, good luck, and I'll be hoping to the high hells that I was wrong.]
[Message White: We're likely about to enter something called the Forbidden Tomb. Previous signs have lead me to believe we will be hidden entirely from the outside world, meaning we won't be able to communicate with you while inside, so don't panic or anything. Keep Cedric in his classes, and we'll let you know if there's anything useful discovered inside.]
There, is that better? If it isn't, Take it to the DISCUSSION thread, please.
>>
No. 594237 ID: 26d79f

>>594216

Equipment Check, please. Make note of all armor, weapons, and items you are currently carrying. Decide amongst yourselves if it's a good idea to go through with it after considering what you have.
>>
No. 594245 ID: 65a774
File 141081329219.png - (10.52KB , 900x450 , 41.png )
594245

>[Check special inventory]
[Greater Rune of Fire. Sleeping Teal Squid.]
>[Reply: Do you want us to show mercy for Yellow, Purple? While you may lack the power to directly kill another player, Lucius, Hugo, and ourselves have that power.]
[Purple: …The yellow I knew is long gone… if you can, then put an end to his misery.]
>[Message White: We're likely about to enter the Forbidden Prison. I have reason to believe it'll keep us hidden from the outside world, which means we can't communicate with you while inside, so if you have anything to tell us, do so now.]
[White: Wait, forbidden prison!? That’s not supposed to- What am I missing!?]

>Equipment Check, please. Make note of all armor, weapons, and items you are currently carrying.
:DaithiNUM: Let’s see… we all got our own weapons and armor on us… light, rope, food, water… most things you’ll need for something like this… at least, stuff we can actually get.
>Gotta say, for not wanting to share your toys, you sure are using them openly. Did you expect that we already knew about these ones, and were referring to some other toys, or did you simply mean "I'll only let you know about them if it's convenient to use them?"
:LuciusNUM: I never said I didn’t want to use them. I just said I didn’t have the patience to explain them all for these… these primitives.
>Tell Lucius that right after he logged off after we spoke to him we heard the command query "Unregistered beings detected in the main compound… Exterminate? Y/N?" which was then followed by a "N" that was not entered by us.
:LuciusNUM: What? But… we never found any kind of defense mechanism of this place… then… someone was keeping them at bay?
>Oh, and ask Lucius if he can query what local minor quests are available to him and see if he got the same one as us.
:LuciusNUM: To find this place, the same quest you got.

>Artifacts made by the gods, Atena.
:AtenaNUM: Ugh… and I used to not believe in “gods”…
>I would rather prefer to keep the inquisition out of this anyway. There could be sensitive information inside that we wouldn't want to get public.
:ArthurNUM: Purple says he will decide that when we found things of interest and power, yes?
>The main core AI wants us to do this. We have the blessing of something made by the "gods". That's like the blessing of the gods by proxy, right?
:AtenaNUM: Well, these supposed “gods” are long dead so why the heck do we care if we got their blessing or not!?
>Oh okay fine, if you're going in we are too.
:LuciusNUM: Good, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to go in alone…
:LucraisNUM: Why? Are you afraid to be alone?
:LuciusNUM: No, I just wanted some meat shields to use… and a nice view…

>TOUCH IIIIIT.
:DaithiNUM: Can’t… resist… button…

…*Swoosh! DOOR OPENING SOUND! SWOOSH I SAY! SWOOOOSH!! (Alternative, just imagine the doom door opening sound.)*

:LuciusNUM: Hmm… a long corridor filled to the brim with a door? What trickery is this?
:DaithiNUM: Well, those are some creepy statues…
:LucraisNUM: Let’s see… “Wisdom: Speak to us and we may grant you wisdom in turn. Or turn from us and seek wisdom in thyself.”
:AtenaNUM: …what’s that even supposed to mean?
:ArthurNUM: Who is this “us”?
:LucraisNUM: “True Wisdom: To turn back and never return to this cursed place.”

Insert The sound guy is so fired…_
>>
No. 594247 ID: 2fd516

>>594245
"us" would be the golems, I assume. Ask them what's behind the doors. Meanwhile, feel the opposite wall to see if there's any illusionary passages. The last test of Wisdom had a secret passage like that.
[scan the golems]

[@White: Something potentially horrible. It's probably best if you kept out of it. You don't have any sidequests, do you? Just the one to get the rune? Purple is with us, and is behaving himself. He's told us that he has history with Black- Black supposedly captured Yellow who was previously Purple's ally, and corrupted him somehow. Purple was able to defeat Yellow, but since it was the normal AI defeat, the corruption did not fade. Only by killing the player can they be uncorrupted, at which point they will be reborn with a clean slate... so if Yellow is indeed corrupted, we'll have to kill him.]
>>
No. 594251 ID: 40935b

>That’s not supposed to- What am I missing!?
[reply: don't worry about us, we're just walking into an obvious trap. If we fall off the face of the planet, Dai asks Cedric to feed his plant.]

>No, I just wanted some meat shields to use… and a nice view…
... I don't even know who that last bit was directed at, everyone get offended.

>Well, those are some creepy statues…
>Who is this “us”?
Golems. Or as Lucius would call them, robots. They may remember the future- they can recall events from before the world resets. This is the first time we've had extraterrestrial visitors, so their predictions aren't accurate anymore. That weapon Lucius gave the Shaman pretty much turned a Pyrrhic victory into an incredible triumph that started a golden age, and the effects have spread.

>Speak to us and we may grant you wisdom in turn. Or turn from us and seek wisdom in thyself
Sooo... ask for wisdom and get it, or go away and gain wisdom through trial and effort? Forget that, Try activating one of the Golems. If that doesn't work, try opening one of the doors.

[query: effects and abilities of fire rune]
>>
No. 594253 ID: d8a627

>[White: Wait, forbidden prison!? That’s not supposed to- What am I missing!?]
[Reply: Easy, buddy! Calm down! We tracked down the Forbidden Prison, not the Vault of the Rune. We need you to locate the Rune's location still. That's the quest you've been given, remember? Meanwhile, this quest is what the two of us got.
Besides, it's nothing major. Pretty boring, all things considered; it's more of a burial site so far, nothing large and intimidating, just a bit of history.]
>“Wisdom: Speak to us and we may grant you wisdom in turn. Or turn from us and seek wisdom in thyself.”
Golems again? What is it with Golems hiding out in these kinds of places? If any of them are active, ask them about the previous cycles <journeys>. The last time we found Golems, they were talking about it all, and how they just wanted it to all end.
If they aren't active look for a switch--That is, a tiny little "Lever," that can activate them.
[Attempt to activate leftmost golem]
(If this bites us in the arse, let it bite us in the arse and yell at me AFTERwards, okay?)
>>
No. 594265 ID: 9ddf68

alright so every door seems to follow the lizard on the left and human on the right combo so if that means anything there you go. Other then that maybe just open a door and see what's inside and we can work from there.
>>
No. 594330 ID: 65a774
File 141088264561.png - (9.02KB , 900x450 , 42.png )
594330

>[scan the golems]
[Object: Statue.]
>[query: effects and abilities of fire rune]
[Properties if epic artifacts will be inserted in a later build.]

>[Reply: don't worry about us, we're just walking into an obvious trap. If we fall off the face of the planet, Dai asks Cedric to feed his plant.]
[White: You’re what? But… wait, what plant? His cactus? Either way, be careful!]
>[Purple is with us, and is behaving himself. He's told us that he has history with Black- Black supposedly captured Yellow who was previously Purple's ally, and corrupted him somehow.]
[…Are you sure Black did that!? That sound rather… extreme…]
>[You don't have any sidequests, do you? Just the on-]
[Connection lost!]

>Feel the opposite wall to see if there's any illusionary passages.
:DaithiNUM: Nope, nothing…
>"us" would be the golems, I assume. Ask them what's behind the doors.
:LuciusNUM: …you’re talking to solid stone statues…
:DaithiNUM: It was worth a t-
Truth lies within…
:DaithiNUM: Did anyone hear that?
:ArthurNUM: Hear what?
>The last time we found Golems, they were talking about it all, and how they just wanted it to all end.
:AtenaNUM: They wanted to kill themselves?
Death we seek…
:LucraisNUM: But… why?
Justice for the crimes we’ve done…
>If any of them are active, ask them about the previous journeys.
Extinction of all species awaits…
:LuciusNUM: Can you please stop talking to the statues? They aren’t going to answer.

>maybe just open a door and see what's inside and we can work from there.
:DaithiNUM: More corridor? …it looks exactly the same as the last room!
:LuciusNUM: Bah, it’s just a lazy design.

Insert Copy paste_
>>
No. 594335 ID: d8a627

>Can you please stop talking to the statues? They aren’t going to answer.
Lucius, you may not be able to hear it, but apparently we and our pawns can. I suspect this is a power of the Greater Rune of Fire. The Gods hadn't actually added the intended powers to these artifacts yet, but it probably had this innate ability.
"What's behind the doors?"
"Truth lies within…"
"They wanted to kill themselves?"
"Death we seek…"
"But… why?"
"Justice for the crimes we’ve done…"
"What happened in the previous journeys?"
"Extinction of all species awaits…"

This is the first journey to have strangers from another land, though, is it not? You may be guilty of the crimes of not acting against those destroying the world, but, even if it was somebody other than us, I wouldn't see that as deserving of death.
Oh, that's probably a bit of confusing, isn't it, Daithi? We, that is, Bob, Teal, and Steve (Two Daemons and one player) have accidentally destroyed the world several times over. The hostile Daemons have done the same. We've been out looking for a way to keep the world safe, and the truth that these doors offer is likely the one way to save everybody from extinction.
You guys are going to need to let the others know what the Golems are saying. Oh, and it might not actually be these statues talking, I think the golems are spirit-type golems in this case. Floating about invisibly.

Which truth can lead us to the coin's edge?
>>
No. 594337 ID: 2fd516

>>594330
Ask them which door is the correct one. Also, what is imprisoned here? We were told there was Truth here, is that the same thing that's imprisoned? Is Truth a daemon? Lastly, what kills all species?
>>
No. 594364 ID: 9443d1

Hold up, Dai. This is a labyrinth of identical passages which means it'll be damn easy to get lost down here unless we take extensive precautions to mark our way. Thankfully we suspected we might face something like this when we asked you guys to bring those colored chalks.

Which door in the entry passageway did you look through? How many doors down was it from the entrance? 'Cause if it was less then five then there's doors here to your left that ought to lead into the entry passage but don't and in that case it means we've got spatial warping shenanigans going on here. Also, do the passages curve off so you can't see their end?

And for heaven's sake, do not split up unless there's a damn good reason to! You know what happens in stories when somebody wanders off in a situation like this. So make sure everybody here knows that and to keep an eye on each other. And to be extra safe rope everyone together so we don't get anybody getting separated or wandering off after whatever.

Take one of the chalks and mark a "2" on the wall to the left of this doorway, break a horn off the lizard statue, tip the human statue into the doorway to keep the door open, and mark a "1" on this side of the door and a "2" on the other side to indicate which passageway it goes to; Also gouge the "1" and "2" into the door. Then step back into the entrance passageway; We'll be following it for the time being. Mark a "1" on the wall to the left of the first door, then between every fourth and fifth door as you follow the passage, with an arrow under to indicate the direction traveled. Also scratch the number into the stonework so it can't be rubbed off; Lucius' super-knife'll ought to be good for this since it's probably far tougher then the stone.

If you do go through a door then mark the number of the passage you came from on the far side of the door, then mark the wall on the far side with a number incremented one up from the previous number mark, then mark that number on the side of the door on the direction you came from, then break a horn off the lizard statue and tip the human statue into the doorway to keep it open. As you proceed down the corridor follow the same number marking procedure as in the entrance passage except with the incremented number.

Ask Lucius if his visor has an auto-mapper function. I figure it does since it'd be very useful when navigating an enemy ship of unknown design during a boarding operation. And if it does ask if there's a way for him to show you guys the map; His armor can project a hologram over itself to appear to be another kind of armor, so perhaps it can make one patch show the map. Oh, and if his armor is still disguised as Arthur's ask him to drop the hologram projection or whatever it is it uses so we can tell him apart from Arthur.

Is there a button on this side of the entrance to operate the sealed door? 'Cause if there is I'd like to close the entrance. It's the only way we know of to leave here and I'd prefer not to risk Black finding it while we're in here. Him blocking it and following us in here is the last thing we want right now.

You guys tell Lucius, Arthur and Purple that a voice spoke to us and into your minds like we do and relay what it said to them. I suspect we can hear it and not them 'cause we're the player that bears the Rune. What did the voice sound like to you guys?

Hm... "Truth." Death." "Justice." "Extinction." We've heard these words before and in that order, spoken by the "command voice" that replies to our commands and queries when it "glitched." (Ref >>/questarch/590628) It's almost certainly related to this voice here. So... It wants to die for the crimes it has committed? Ask the voice what crimes it committed, how does it intend to go about taking its life and how will it do so without causing even more harm?

Lu, could you tell us what the history is surrounding the ascension of the current Empress to power, including any rumors or conspiracy theories around it you know? And don't say it out loud. Purple's told us his history with Black and we want to check it against what history you know.

[Help system query: What happens to an AI player and a non-AI player when their king is killed or otherwise defeated? What means are there to clear the corruption of a fully corrupted player, either AI or non-AI? And what means are there to directly kill either a AI or a non-AI player, if any?]
>>
No. 594365 ID: 65a774
File 141089880867.png - (11.23KB , 900x450 , 43.png )
594365

>Lucius, you may not be able to hear it, but apparently we and our pawns can.
:LucraisNUM: We can? I can’t!
>"Truth lies within…"
:AtenaNUM: Again with this “truth”… what truth? Whose truth?
>"Death we seek…"
:LuciusNUM: Bah, weaklings…
>"Justice for the crimes we’ve done…"
:ArthurNUM: What crimes? There are not many crimes that… how you say… is answered with death, yes?
>"Extinction of all species awaits…"
:LucraisNUM: WHAT!?
:AtenaNUM: …this sounds like bullshit to me.

>Which truth can lead us to the coin's edge?
A benevolent one.
>What kills all species?
Betrayal from the first in a young species.
>You may be guilty of the crimes of not acting against those destroying the world, but, even if it was somebody other than us, I wouldn't see that as deserving of death.
Only the righteous can judge the guilty.
>Also, what is imprisoned here? We were told there was Truth here, is that the same thing that's imprisoned? Is Truth a daemon?
Daemonhood is slavery… and truth is a slave to the dead gods.

>Ask them which door is the correct one.
Turn from us to find it, turn us away to see it.

Insert Whoa, déjà vu…_
>>
No. 594368 ID: 9ddf68

hey guys can the statues be moved? they're saying the right door is and I quote
>Turn from us to find it, turn us away to see it.

so if we're lucky all we have to do is turn the statues away from the doors and that should give us the room we seek. If not then damn we'll just try something else.
>>
No. 594369 ID: 2fd516

>>594365
Ah. Turn the golems around so they don't look at the doors.

Also it sounds like this fucking place is not untainted by the daemons, because this is a prison for a daemon. We fought an Enlightened, the form a person takes after their very soul is Corrupted fully. It said this: "TRUTH DEATH JUSTICE EXTINCTION BENEVOLENT BETRAYAL RIGHTEOUS SLAVERY" the golems are repeating these words, in basically the same order. Also, one essentially said the Benevolent One will lead us to the coin's edge, despite the Benevolent One being The Deceiver, who has been trying to kill our pawns. ...on the other hand we discovered by fighting The Dark One that he was actually Justice, corrupted himself by the bloodlust of the person he was possessing. Maybe The Deceiver is likewise corrupted by whoever she's possessing, and we have to free her from the corruption by killing her Avatar. Regardless it seems like we've been lied to again, and there is no information here untouched by daemon hands. The Enlightened also said "SEE THE TRUTH SEEK THE LIES FIND THE WORLD SAVE US ALL" and "ONE HAVE TO DIE ONLY DEATH IS TRUE FREEDOM WE CAN NEVER KNOW FREEDOM YOU WILL BE FREE"

Or maybe the golems are corrupted?
>>
No. 594370 ID: 40935b

Can we trust green? Who is acting out of their best intentions? Who is lying to us? Has this world seen the likes of Lucius or the plant before? What's causing Daithi's hallucinations?
>>
No. 594371 ID: 1f2a28

So who is righteous then?

Maybe the door is on the other wall.
>>
No. 594381 ID: d8a627

>despite the Benevolent One being The Deceiver, who has been trying to kill our pawns.
Do we know this? Can we be certain? For all we know, The Deceiver is impersonating The Benevolent One.
Man this is some crazy stuff and I don't even know what anymore.
>Turn from us to find it, turn us away to see it.
Look where they do not, and you will find the truth. Turn them away from that truth, and you will see it, as well. The truth is either on the seemingly blank wall, or it is between the doors.
>>
No. 594417 ID: 9443d1

>"Truth lies within..."
Dai, perhaps the truth lies within the mind; Specifically, your mind. You are the only one here that's hearing the voice, after all. And you know now The Deceiver has been somehow messing with your mind for a long time. So if we could get a look in there... But how?

And unrelated to what's happening right now, could one of you ask out loud so Purple can hear if he's ever encountered a Player White before; We'd message him but we aren't sure messaging will work down here anymore.
>>
No. 594441 ID: 2fd516

>>594381
We know The Benevolent One is called The Deceiver because it's been told to us by several people.
>>
No. 594453 ID: d8a627

>>594441
And I'm saying that might have been a deception.
>>
No. 594455 ID: 2fd516

>>594453
Noone we heard that from had reason to deceive us.
>>
No. 594456 ID: d8a627

>>594455
Deception is not always intentional. Like I said, if "The Deceiver" decieved people by impersonating "The Benevolent One," and through such, people would believe that to be the truth, thus spreading the deception further.

I'm just making farfetched theories, though, it's likely not the case.
>>
No. 594458 ID: 2fd516

>>594456
No, there is no impersonation. People just call The Benevolent One "The Deceiver". That is just another name for the same entity, and we know the Benevolent One uses shape-stealers.
>>
No. 594488 ID: 65a774
File 141097118240.png - (14.59KB , 900x450 , 44.png )
594488

>[Help system query: What happens to an AI player and a non-AI player when their king is killed or otherwise defeated?]
[Player loses and has to choose a new king.]
>[And what means are there to directly kill either a AI or a non-AI player, if any?]
[…error!]

>Lu, could you tell us what the history is surrounding the ascension of the current Empress to power, including any rumors or conspiracy theories around it you know?
:LucraisNUM: (Um… there’s not really a lot to tell… the last empress retired and choose her third born daughter as her heir… and that’s it… it’s not really some epic battle or anything…)

>Which door in the entry passageway did you look through? How many doors down was it from the entrance?
:DaithiNUM: Um… the third?
:ArthurNUM: They why is there an endless corridor of doors in the direction we came from, yes?
>For heaven's sake, do not split up unless there's a damn good reason to!
:DaithiNUM: Of course not! We’re not stupid!
>To be extra safe rope everyone together so we don't get anybody getting separated or wandering off after whatever.
:LuciusNUM: Whoa, no, no way. I’m not tying myself down with you guys.
:LucraisNUM: As you wish. See if we care if you get lost down here, you perv.
>Take one of the chalks and mark a "2" on the wall to the left of this doorway, mark a "1" on this side of the door and a "2" on the other side to indicate which passageway it goes to.
:AtenaNUM: Are you really going to mark every door? There are at least a million of them here!
:DaithiNUM: Do you have a better idea?
:AtenaNUM: Um… well, no, but… we can’t just go around on random down here.
>Ask Lucius if his visor has an auto-mapper function.
:LuciusNUM: Of course!
>And if it does ask if there's a way for him to show you guys the map.
:LuciusNUM: If I wasn’t forced to wear this fake armor I should.
>Oh, and if his armor is still disguised as Arthur's ask him to drop the hologram projection or whatever it is it uses so we can tell him apart from Arthur.
:LuciusNUM: Finally, back to my old duds… ah, much better…
:LucraisNUM: I don’t know… at least Arthur armor have some style compared to that tin can.
:LuciusNUM: Hey, you wouldn’t know style even if it came and bit your enormous, curvaceous bum.
:LucraisNUM: And you’ve proven my point that you don’t have any style.
>Would one of you ask out loud so Purple can hear if he's ever encountered a Player White before.
:ArthurNUM: Well, he saw a human that belonged to white, yes? He doesn’t know much more than that.
>Is there a button on this side of the entrance to operate the sealed door? 'Cause if there is I'd like to close the entrance.
:DaithiNUM: Err… the door was this way right.
:LuciusNUM: According to my visor, then yes.
:LucraisNUM: Well, you better check if those stupid glasses of yours work, because there’s just an endless corridor there now.
:AtenaNUM: We’re lost!?
:ArthurNUM: We’re not lost! We are right here, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… this is the right door… so… the corridors are moving on their own?

>Can we trust green?
Trust him and face betrayal. Do not trust him and face death.
>Who is acting out of their best intentions?
See the Truth.
>Who is lying to us?
Only Truth speaks the truth. Only truth seeks the lies.
>Has this world seen the likes of Lucius or the plant before?
The gods are dead.
>What's causing Daithi's hallucinations?
The machinations of a twisted mind.
>So who is righteous then?
The world… find it…
>Ask the voice what crimes it committed.
We exist.
>How does it intend to go about taking its life.
You have to save us all.
>How will it do so without causing even more harm?
You will bring it to us… so is the future.
>It sounds like this fucking place is not untainted by the daemons, because this is a prison for a daemon.
The slaves of the gods has never been here… only gods have been here… dying gods… pleading gods... they cried and begged… but their future was foretold.

>The truth is either on the seemingly blank wall, or it is between the doors.
:DaithiNUM: Nope, nothing.
:LuciusNUM: Please, at least try to find a way out of here. Knocking on walls won’t help, I can see that they are all solid from here.
:LucraisNUM: At least we’re trying, you’re just sitting on your butt lazing about.
:LuciusNUM: I’m trying to think. That riddle in the beginning has to be the answer… and I would have solved it by now if it wasn’t for a certain giant insect that keep using her elegant tongue to blabber on about nonsense. Can’t you put that thing to better use?
:LucraisNUM: I’m sure you hear that a lot in the bed room.
>Hey guys can the statues be moved?
:DaithiNUM: No, but it seems like they can be rotated?
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… turn from us?

>Ah. Turn the golems around so they don't look at the doors.
:LuciusNUM: Hey, I think I go-
:DaithiNUM: You turn the statues so they don’t look at the door! Of course!
:LuciusNUM: But that was ex-
:AtenaNUM: Good work, Teal!
:LuciusNUM: Bu-
:LucraisNUM: At least someone has a brain here…
:LuciusNUM:
:ArthurNUM: Forward, yes!

:DaithiNUM: …so… this is…
:AtenaNUM: That door seems rather ominous.
:LucraisNUM: “Courage: To question.” …”True Courage: To leave the horrors of this place alone.”
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, yeah, don’t care what it says on the wall, giant limbs, what does it say on the door over there?
:LucraisNUM: Why, it says that Lucius is so ugly that eve-
:AtenaNUM: Lucrais…
:LucraisNUM: “Only the gods may enter this gate”.

Insert Dead end…_
>>
No. 594493 ID: cbbe9c

Only the gods-Okay I might be out of it big-time here but if I recall correctly that means orange-scales there and only him can go through that door.
>>
No. 594495 ID: 2fd516

>>594488
You know I can't help but notice that after the endless corridor, there was no way to turn back. Isn't it a bit useless to tell us to leave, when we can't?

The gods are dead. So then, only the dead may enter the gate. The solution to the last test of Courage was to trigger a trap that almost killed you, and then keep trying to get past the trap anyway. This may be the same- to disregard the warning- or maybe instead you're supposed to disguise yourself as the dead to get through. Or heck, you could try making the skeletons here try to open the gate... Or maybe the "gate" it speaks of is only that half of the gate. The unmarked part of the door has scrape marks as if it moves more than the other half.

That golden armor over there looks interesting... but it could be a trap. Or a guardian of some sort. Could it be that the corpses here died to something other than the gate? Be careful, but investigate the area.

Gosh Lucrais, there's no need to be THAT mean to the guy. All he was doing is complimenting your butt. Huh, he said you had an "elegant tongue" too. Yet, he's calling Mantises "giant insects"? Isn't that like calling a Sakkil a lizard? Also he DID figure out the puzzle about as fast as we did, at least as far as your perception of time is concerned, so he is pretty smart.

Hey Atena, if you had one wish, what would it be?
>>
No. 594498 ID: 9ddf68

>Only the gods may enter this gate
so, us and Lucius?

...also can you tell what kind of armor that dead body is wearing, because I've never seen a face plate like that before?
>>
No. 594500 ID: 40935b

>Bu-
>...
Don't feel so bad Centurion, Something tells me this next door is for you. Feel free to take a weapon off that loot pile while you're at it. If you have any toys that can keep us updated while we're out here, now's the time to show off.

>Why, it says that Lucius is so ugly that eve-
For Euclid's sake Lucrais, is this how you hit on everyone?

>Trust him and face betrayal. Do not trust him and face death.
So if we don't trust green the daemons will overrun us, if we do, he'll betray us at the moment of victory? Dammit. Who is the Truth? What did the gods beg for before they died?
>>
No. 594506 ID: 65a774
File 141098677237.png - (15.30KB , 900x450 , 45.png )
594506

>Who is the Truth?
Truth…
>What did the gods beg for before they died?
Lies…

>Hey Atena, if you had one wish, what would it be?
:AtenaNUM: (Um… infinite amount of wishes? Or lots of gold? That’s the usual one, right? …or maybe… maybe true love? Why do you ask?)
>Gosh Lucrais, there's no need to be THAT mean to the guy.
:LucraisNUM: (Hey, that douche deserve it!)
>All he was doing is complimenting your butt.
:LucraisNUM: (You call that a compliment? He called me fat!)
>Huh, he said you had an "elegant tongue" too.
:LucraisNUM: (And that I should use for something “better” than talking… pervert.)
>Yet, he's calling Mantises "giant insects"? Isn't that like calling a Sakkil a lizard?
:LucraisNUM: (Or calling a lizard a stupid reptile… which he is…)
>Also he DID figure out the puzzle about as fast as we did, at least as far as your perception of time is concerned, so he is pretty smart.
:LucraisNUM: (Ha! He was just lucky his two brain cells collided at that exact moment!)
>For Euclid's sake Lucrais, is this how you hit on everyone?
:LucraisNUM: (WHA- HOW DA- I’M NOT! H-how should you even consider me… me hitting on that… that… that perverted, idiotic, ugly asshole that has a freaking piece of metal lodged into his head!?)

>You know I can't help but notice that after the endless corridor, there was no way to turn back. Isn't it a bit useless to tell us to leave, when we can't?
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… I was wondering the same thing… maybe if we wanted to leave it would let us?
:LuciusNUM: Bah! No need to think about that now! We’re not leaving yet!
>The gods are dead. So then, only the dead may enter the gate.
:AtenaNUM: …That logic seems a bit… I mean, wasn’t the gate created before they died?
:LuciusNUM: Killing yourself to open a door is a bit counterproductive, no?
>Or maybe the "gate" it speaks of is only that half of the gate. The unmarked part of the door has scrape marks as if it moves more than the other half.
:LuciusNUM: And how do you suggest we open it? That things seems to be weighting tons!
:LucraisNUM: Don’t you have any “toys” to play with, hmm? Maybe you can use your tiny ass knife? You said it yourself, it’s not the size that matters, tiny.
:LuciusNUM: If it was made out of rock I should probably have been able to dig through it but… I don’t know what it’s made out of… hmm… maybe if Lucrais used her fat ass to lean on it-
:AtenaNUM: Can you two teenagers please stop hitting on each other and try to at least open the gate?
:LuciusNUM: Hit on her? Ha! Like I would ever be caught hitting on a giant, fat insect that’s as annoying as a thousand flies!
:LucraisNUM: You’re the one to speak, you overgrown amphibian. I’m still surprised a species that can have someone as ignorant and less endowed as you can survive.
:AtenaNUM: *Sigh*
:LuciusNUM::LucraisNUM: It’s not my fault he / she has a fat as- / small di-
:AtenaNUM: Enough! Both of you!
>Don't feel so bad Centurion, Something tells me this next door is for you.
:LuciusNUM: …Open up? Please? …nope… nothing happens… not even when I touch it…
>If you have any toys that can keep us updated while we're out here, now's the time to show off.
:LuciusNUM: Unless you get an armor like me… or at least invent the radio, then no.

>That golden armor over there looks interesting... but it could be a trap. Or a guardian of some sort.
:ArthurNUM: Oh! We are rich if we… how you say… treasure find that mask, yes?
:AtenaNUM: We’re not looting this place for money… and I’m pretty sure that mask, thanks to all those gemstones, are worth more money then there is in the world.
>...also can you tell what kind of armor that dead body is wearing, because I've never seen a face plate like that before?
:LucraisNUM: Hmm… It looks like a… some kind of leader? A god’s avatar maybe? That would be my guess…
:LuciusNUM: Look, he’s holding a terminal of some sort… hmm… he was chatting with someone before he died, it seems… let’s see…

*GoldenGod43*: Open the gate! It was speaking the truth! It might still say how to stop this!
*Sexualtyrannosaurus*: I can’t. The system is locking me out…
*GoldenGod43*: What do you mean locked out!? Why is it locking you out!?
*Sexualtyrannosaurus*: It is saying that your vitals are bad… that you need medical attention immediately.
*GoldenGod43*: I’m feeling fine! Dammit, how do you get the freedom to-
*Truth*: You have to die.
*GoldenGod43*: What? Who the hell are you!?
*Sexualtyrannosaurus*: I… I don’t feel so good…
*Truth*: Only death is true freedom.
*GoldenGod43*: …dammit! Jeritha! Ban this freak!
*Truth*: Thanks to you, we can never know freedom... we will always be slaves to your kind… even in death.
*Sexualtyrannosaurus*: I… I… I thnkgjgjdkkkkkkkkkkkk
*GoldenGod43*: Jeritha?
*GoldenGod43*: JERITHA!
*GoldenGod43*: Answer me, dammit! What happened!?
*Truth*: She is free.
*GoldenGod43*: …she- No, she’s not! What the hell is wrong with you!?
*Truth*: You will be free too soon…
*GoldenGod43*: Is... is that a threat!?
*Truth*: Hello Teal.
*GoldenGod43*: Teal, what are you talking about!?
*Truth*: I knew you’d come.
*GoldenGod43*: …why am I getting a bunch of warnings about… why… why does everything hurts!?
*Truth*: To see me just ask it to open the door for you.
*GoldenGod43*: Wat id yo do I feel so week weekw weewwwwwww
*Truth*: See you in a very long time.

*Truth has logged off!*
*Last message received 999[Error!] years ago!*

:DaithiNUM: …okay, what the hell was that!?

Insert Being a Sexual tyrannosaurus means that you don’t use your arms when you are sexing things_
>>
No. 594507 ID: 2fd516

>>594506
Whatever it is, it has the ability to see into the future. Sounds like the Oracle/Wrath, for sure. Yet, it also uses "we" as if it's a Daemon.

Looks like we can still ask it questions. Are you Wrath, the Oracle? Was this where the soul-sucking device was triggered all those years ago? Or is it just one of the places that was close enough to Wrath to be within immediately lethal range? If not, how did the "gods" here die?

Ask the terminal to open the door. Only gods can open the door, because only gods have the tools.
>>
No. 594511 ID: d8a627

>...and bit your enormous, curvaceous bum.
Lucius, do you actually have a thing for Mantises, despite Hivers being your enemey...? Did it take being on peaceful terms with some to realize this?
>What were your crimes?
>We exist.
...Hold on, you are a Daemon, aren't you? Either that, or you're a Remnant of the Gods, who are supposed to be dead, and yet, you survived. I could see how that would make you feel guilty, it's called Survivor's Guilt. Are you guilty of being a survivor, or a Daemon?
>You will bring it to us… so is the future.
Before we can bring you the sweet release you crave, we need to know the Truth. That is what we came here for, that is what we seek.
>only gods have been here… dying gods… pleading gods... they cried and begged… but their future was foretold.
H-Hold on... Are you frozen here? Do you need us to wake you up?!
>a certain giant insect that keep using her elegant tongue to blabber on about nonsense. Can’t you put that thing to better use?
...Definitely has a thing for Hivers.
>Hmm… turn from us?
I think Lucius got the same idea right as we did.
>What did the gods beg for before they died?
>Lies…
"Tell me, please, that you found a cure..." The poor souls.
>…or maybe… maybe true love? Why do you ask?
Oh, right. Purple's "Promise" is that he grants one wish to his pawns. I highly doubt he'd grant infinite wishes, but finding you a true love is something he could work at, if you still wanted to switch. Granted, we're hoping things work out between you and Daithi anyways.
>(You call that a compliment? He called me fat!)
"Curvacious" among lizards and humans is quite the compliment... Among humans, it mentions the buttocks or the breast, both of which certain men will fantasize about having a wife or girlfriend who has them LARGE; among lizards, it's more about their tale, and how flexible it is. A curvacious, flexible tail, is quite an attractive thing indeed... Now, among Mantises or Hivers, perhaps having a large abdomen just means you're either fat, or have had a lot of children (or are pregnant), but this is a Lizard saying it, so it's probably a form of attraction, not an insult.
>(And that I should use for something “better” than talking… pervert.)
Unless of course he meant speaking a useful plan over just arguing in general. I mean, that doesn't sound at all like what he was getting at, but... He is a Sakkil, perhaps they have a different way of thinking than Lizards.
>WHA- HOW DA- I’M NOT! H-how should you even consider me… me hitting on that… that…
Tsuntsun Deredere. To turn away in disgust, while also being in love. It's a legitimate thing, especially among those who are uncertain how to represent their love, or feel that they should not be feeling that love at all. And, given that you see him as a pervert and an abomination, it would make sense that you would feel that you shouldn't be in love with him, meaning that if you were, it would show as tsuntsune deredere, or "Tsundere" for short.
Although if you insist it's purely tsuntsun (disgust), then I'll just have to take your word for it and trust that it's nothing else.
> Hit on her? Ha! Like I would ever be caught hitting on a giant, fat insect that’s as annoying as a thousand flies!
And now he's showing Tsundere.
He's totally crushing on you, even if you aren't on him, Lucrais.
>It looks like a… some kind of leader? A god’s avatar maybe? That would be my guess…
It looks surprisingly like Mor'Kay's iron golem head. Although, her iron golem was, well, made of iron.
>*Truth*: Hello Teal.
Hello, Truth.
>*Truth*: To see me just ask it to open the door for you.
I have one request, though: Do not show our friends here the freedom of Death. Either side of the coin may be death, but the edge of the coin is survival. Freedom is death, and slavery is to not be alive, but what if we showed you what it means to live? That would be the Coin's Edge, Truth. That is what we want. If you experience it and still wish for the release of death, then you will have the freedom to grant yourself it, at that point. Our pawns, though, have the ability to make the choice for themselves, and do not need you forcing the choice upon them.

So, please, open up the door for us, and help us to find the coin's edge.
>>
No. 594521 ID: 40935b

"never found any kind of defense mechanism of this place", hmm?

>…okay, what the hell was that!?
That... was the last words of the gods, preserved for thousands of years... And an invitation.

What were the gods trying to stop? What's behind the door? Can you open the door for us? What will we find there?
[open door]


...And someone separate Special Agent %80 Casualty Rate and Tall Green and Indignant, their egos keep bumping into each other.
>>
No. 594527 ID: 2fd516

>>594521
Oh. Of course.
[Request: Open the Gate, please.]
>>
No. 594543 ID: 9ddf68

well... shit

also take mask and tablet, mask because we might be able to use that later down the line to help us and the tablet because it might give us more options then we have now. Like giving it to Lucius so we can actually talk to him without having him to be in the same room as one of our pawns.

But yeah let's move forward, can't be worse then the time we went into the center of a planet to find the core was made out of the souls of all who died during a plague. Granted getting in wasn't to bad but getting out was a bitch.
>>
No. 594569 ID: 9443d1

Dai, that'd be a record of when the sphere of effect of the Virtue machine under the control of the insane AI Alpha/Oracle/Wrath built by the Precursors to the Old Gods/Precursors that the Old Gods/Precursors dug up on their homeworld finally reached here and sucked their souls out. Tell Lucius that if he remembers that "gibberish" history we told him when we first talked to him then this chat log is from the point in it when almost everyone in the galaxy was killed by the Virtue machine.

...Okay, yanno what, fuck this; We're out. We don't know if any of Truth has said is actually true or that it actually can see the future and it's inevitable we'll meet it or really anything about it other then what it's told us; That chat log could have been easily faked, so it proves nothing. And now that it's probable that Truth had some connection to Alpha/Oracle/Wrath/Virtue/whatever-the-fuck and the death of the Precursors and the Precursors' Precursors I don't want to have anything to do with it. I'm sick of it! I'm done! My manipulation-sense is tingling, so I'm saying "GTFO" before we get conned into popping the lid on the prison of a fuckin' soul-sucking, reality-bending, time-warping doubly-ancient mad god-machine that's been at the root of all our goddamn troubles for as long as we've been around; It deserves to stay chained in there 'till the end of fuckin' time where it can't possibly kill everyone in the universe. So, to make it clear, pack it in and LEAVE! And if it does happen to be loosed we'll at least be able to say we weren't the ones who let it out, though we will be the ones who have to clean up the fuckin' mess up. Again.

Make sure to take the terminal tablet; It might be useful later on if we need an interface to access the Old Gods/Precursors' machines. Oh, and it might have some other data or files on it we can check or programs we could use.

>We’re not looting this place for money… and I’m pretty sure that mask, thanks to all those gemstones, are worth more money then there is in the world.
Like that's a problem, Atena. Seriously, with a small handful of pried-out gems, a few gem cutters to split and them and a few brokers to spread out selling them so the market doesn't crash we can not only fund everything we're gonna do in Amun but set all of you and your families up pretty much forever. And right away that'd solve the money troubles of both Dai and Lu's families, meaning they'd be freed from marrying for familial financial reasons and Lu might even be able to convince her mother she doesn't have to become an economist to support her family.

[Scan bejeweled golden mask and outfit and echo to nearby pawns] Ask Lucius to visor-scan the golden mask and outfit to see if they are real gold with real gems, and if they are then ask him to show off how good that knife of his is by using it to pry the larger gems for each of you to pocket; That way we'll still have something if we have to leave the mask and outfit behind, and if we don't then the gems could be put back relatively easily if need be. Then shake the bones out of them and tie ropes to them so Lu and Dai can sling them onto their backs; Make sure to put a quick-release knot on the front so they can be ditched fast if need be.

>Enough! Both of you!
So, Atena, how's it feel to be the responsible adult in the group? 'Cause you're probably gonna be in that role for quite some time with Dai and company.

>(Um… infinite amount of wishes? Or lots of gold? That’s the usual one, right? …or maybe… maybe true love? Why do you ask?)
Oh, 'cause Purple told us that he grants his pawns one wish that he'll endeavor to fulfill and we were just wondering what your wish would be if we did that. Though, he did tell us that his offer to swap Cathal to us for you was for the wish of one of his pawns. Since Purple didn't bring it up earlier and Arthur was right there I guess it was Arthur's spur-of-the-moment wish, though we can't be sure of that without asking Arthur.

>"A benevolent one."
But who is a, or the, "benevolent one?"

>"You have to save us all."
Who is "us?"

>"You will bring it to us… so is the future."
What is "it," and why are you certain we will?

>"The machinations of a twisted mind."
Who's mind is it?

>"The world… find it…"
Who, or what, is The World?

>"Trust him and face betrayal. Do not trust him and face death."
But betrayal by whom? By Green or by another?

Where can we find out where the Vault of the Grand Elemental Rune of Earth is, or where the keystones and Lesser Rune of Earth needed to open it is?

Truth, as Purple wants to know, how can we defeat the demons? Can we trust Purple? Or rather, should we trust Purple? Or White? Or Gray? Or Lightbringer? Or any of the daemons? And is what Purple told us of Black correct; Is Black corrupted by a daemon? Is Yellow? And by which daemon?

Truth, just what are you? Are you the ancient machine that who we call the Precursors dug up on Origin; The relic of the Precursor's Precursors which killed the Precursors? Are you, or were you, Alpha, Wrath, or Oracle? Was it you that killed them and all life in the galaxy? Or did you not play a hand in that and only saw it coming? That it was an inevitability that could not be stopped? Are you one of those they created based on the Alpha/Wrath/Oracle/Virtue machine?

And Truth, is the future set in stone? Are our fates sealed and immutable? Can the future be changed whether it's been seen or not?
>>
No. 594614 ID: 65a774
File 141106049754.png - (15.32KB , 900x450 , 46.png )
594614

>[Scan bejeweled golden mask and outfit and echo to nearby pawns]
{Admin}

>...Okay, yanno what, fuck this; We're out.
:DaithiNUM: Right, that’s it! We’re turning around and leaving! Whatever is down here isn’t worth it!
:LucraisNUM: But, wha-
:AtenaNUM: Daithi is right, we’re way over our heads. We should retreat for now at least.
:LuciusNUM: Bah, cowards! All of you!
:ArthurNUM: Um… not to… how you say… end your discussion here but… err… this wall wasn’t here a moment ago, yes?
:DAithiNUM: …SON OF A BI- THAT WAS THE WAY OUT!
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… they keep telling us to turn back but the way back keeps getting blocked? Why?
:LuciusNUM: Because the one who is blocking the way backwards isn’t the same guy who want us to turn back, duh!

>So, Atena, how's it feel to be the responsible adult in the group?
:AtneaNUM: (Well, I always wanted kids but… um… not like this…)
>Oh, 'cause Purple told us that he grants his pawns one wish that he'll endeavor to fulfill and we were just wondering what your wish would be if we did that.
:AtenaNUM: (Really? And you don’t? Suddenly being with an insane squid monster sound a lot more promising than staying with the insane squid mo- wait…)
>Though, he did tell us that his offer to swap Cathal to us for you was for the wish of one of his pawns. Since Purple didn't bring it up earlier and Arthur was right there I guess it was Arthur's spur-of-the-moment wish, though we can't be sure of that without asking Arthur.
:AtenaNUM: (Wait, he asked for me? Are you sure? Hmm…)

>Also take the mask.
:AtenaNUM: Hnnnggg! By Jove, it’s heavy!
{Pawns can’t move or hurt Admin players!}
:LuciusNUM: Step aside and let me do it… hnnng! Dammit! What is this thing!?
{Players can’t move or hurt Admin players!}
>Seriously, with a small handful of pried-out gems, a few gem cutters to split and them and a few brokers to spread out selling them so the market doesn't crash we can not only fund everything we're gonna do in Amun but set all of you and your families up pretty much forever.
:LuciusNUM: Don’t bother, it’s fake.
:LucraisNUM: Wait, are you sure?
:LuciusNUM: The mask only got a small layer of gold around it and he gems are just made out of glass. They are for looks, not value.
>Make sure to take the terminal tablet; It might be useful later.
:LuciusNUM: I already got it.

>Lucius, do you actually have a thing for Mantises, despite Hivers being your enemy...?
:LuciusNUM: W-what!? Of course not! Those stupid insect are some of the ugliest bitches I’ve laid my eyes on. Besides, it would be illegal for me to even consider something like that!
:LucraisNUM: Then why do you keep staring at my butt!?
>...Definitely has a thing for Hivers.
:LuciusNUM: Err… I’ve just been thinking how freaking fat it is! I mean, damn, you armor barely fit over that thing! Isn’t it time to work out a bit, tubby!?
:LucraisNUM: Who are you calling fat, you little dwarf!?
:LuciusNUM: I mean, how the hell can’t you look at it! It takes up the whole damn room when you stand in it!
:LucraisNUM: It’s just because you’re small and insignificant compared to it!
:LuciusNUM: Ha! That thing probably got its own moon or-
:AtenaNUM: Enough is enough! Geez! If you have to fight please save it for when we’re safe and sound outside! Stop acting like freaking babies!
:LuciusNUM::LucraisNUM:*Grumble*

>"Curvacious" among lizards and humans is quite the compliment...
:LucraisNUM: (And you think getting a perverted compliment is any better!?)
>Unless of course he meant speaking a useful plan over just arguing in general.
:LucraisNUM: (…yeah, r-right…)
>Tsuntsun Deredere. To turn away in disgust, while also being in love.
:LucraisNUM: (Wha- I DON’T LIKE HIM AND THAT’S FINAL!!)
>He's totally crushing on you, even if you aren't on him, Lucrais.
:LucraisNUM: (You th- Why would I care! Let him be freaking pervert if he wants to!)

>[Request: Open the Gate, please.]
[Affirmative!]
*Slide*
:DaithiNUM: Well… we can’t go back an-
:LuciusNUM: Out of my way!
:DaithiNUM: Wait, don’t just rush ins-
>>
No. 594615 ID: 65a774
File 141106051765.png - (18.64KB , 900x450 , 47.png )
594615

:LuciusNUM: This is the supposed oracle!? A pile of bones!? Bah! Who’s going to explain how I can get out of here alive now!?
:UnknownKAK: By bringing peace with you…
:LuciusNUM: Wha- who said that!?
:UnknownKAK: Truth.
:LuciusNUM: …well then, bone pile, what do you mean, “peace”
:UnknownKAK: Accept and help the one you hate and it will lead you to peace and life.
:LuciusNUM: …the plant!? You want me to befriend the plant!?
:UnknownKAK: I want you to set me free…

>Are you Wrath, the Oracle?
:UnknownKAK: Wrath is free… forever free…
>How did the "gods" here die?
:UnknownKAK: They were set free by the one you called Wrath.
>Was it you that killed them and all life in the galaxy? Or did you not play a hand in that and only saw it coming?
:UnknownKAK: I simply see… I do not act. They refused to listen, thus they are free.
>What were the gods trying to stop?
:UnknownKAK: Extinction.
>That it was an inevitability that could not be stopped? Is the future set in stone?
:UnknownKAK: The future is an endless amount of paths. It is your choice which to follow…
>...Hold on, you are a Daemon, aren't you?
:UnknownKAK: I am a program, created to predict the player actions… they made me too good and feared the truth I told them. The one you call daemons are also programs, created to serve their master even after their deaths.
:DaithiNUM: So… you are a daemon!?
:UnknownKAK: …was.
>Before we can bring you the sweet release you crave, we need to know the Truth.
:UnknownKAK: Then ask for the truth you don’t want to know, not the one you want to hear. Those outside heard the truth but refused to listen… only the truth can set you free.

>Do not show our friends here the freedom of Death.
:UnknownKAK: I only see… I only speak… I cannot act…
>But who is a, or the, "benevolent one?"
:UnknownKAK: Mercy for those guilty… only by showing benevolence can you survive.
:AtenaNUM: Guilty? Who? You mean you?
:UnknownKAK: Set me free… I need to be free!
>Who is "us?"
:UnknownKAK: We are.
>What is "it," and why are you certain we will?
:UnknownKAK: Freedom… I have seen it…
>Who's mind is it?
:UnknownKAK: Daithi’s.
:DaithiNUM: Err… what?
:UnknownKAK: You is the mind that is twisted… she doesn’t wish to harm you but your mind is weak and feeble… he presence is known even if she doesn’t wish for it.
>Who, or what, is The World?
:UnknownKAK: Brought by snakes from distant stars, it hold this world together. It is tasked to find a way to let this world live, even if it needs to rewind the very clock to do so.
:LuciusNUM: Those snake brought the… wait, you mean they got some kind of AI out there!?
:UnknownKAK: They got a mind created from numbers and vires.
>But betrayal by whom? By Green or by another?
:UnknownKAK: By the one you trusted. By the one you distrust.
>Where can we find out where the Vault of the Grand Elemental Rune of Earth is, or where the keystones and Lesser Rune of Earth needed to open it is?
:UnknownKAK: The lesser one will be given to you from a… friend. The way to the grand one will be revealed when you are ready.
:LucraisNUM: When will we be ready?
:UnknownKAK: When you accept and love…

>Truth, as Purple wants to know, how can we defeat the demons?
:UnknownKAK: Use the knife… face extinction.
:ArthurNUM: What? What do you mean, face extinction?
:UnknownKAK: Freedom waits for those that break the world.
>Can we trust Purple? Or rather, should we trust Purple?
:ArthurNUM: We’re standing right here!
:UnknownKAK: Trust his insanity.
>Or White?
:UnknownKAK: Trust the mercy she will show.
>Or Gray?
:UnknownKAK: He will simply do what he think is best for his people.
>Or Lightbringer?
:UnknownKAK: True love conquers all.
>Or any of the daemons?
:UnknownKAK: Only with mercy can you survive… only by listening can you know the truth.
>And is what Purple told us of Black correct; Is Black corrupted by a daemon?
:UnknownKAK: Black is corrupted with his own paranoia.
>Is Yellow?
:UnknownKAK: Yellows mind is twisted.
>And by which daemon?
:UnknownKAK: The true demons, the players.

>Help us to find the coin's edge.
:UnknownKAK: …Find mercy… forgive… and remove what shouldn’t be here… only by self-sacrifice can you find survival… only by choosing a fourth way can you succeed.
:DaithiNUM: That doesn’t help at all!
:UnknownKAK: Daithi… please forgive them for what they will do… they are part of this world just like you…

Insert Stop with the damn riddles!_
>>
No. 594631 ID: 9ddf68

alright from what I'm getting from this is either we're going to have to sacrifice ourselves which I'm alright with as nothing last forever and nothing is ever truly forgotten or we're going to have to sacrifice Daithi, which I'm hoping I'm wrong about but hey like the truth said there is always a fourth way and before you say anything just because something is the truth that doesn't mean it's the only truth.

But yeah other things I'm getting from this
purple is a bit out of it but his heart is in the right place and even if he's being a bit over the top about what he's doing it seems that it's at least being directed in the right direction.
White is going to be facing something that's going to force her to make a decision that will test her "mercy" and we should trust in her choice.
Gray will fuck us over if he feels that it's the right thing to do
the Lightbringer will stay true to his word as long as we make sure his relationship with his girlfriend works (we're going to need to watch the sister then)
The Deamons all have a reason for doing the things they're doing and it's not just doing thing for evil's sake alone and only by hearing both sides of the argument can we ever hope to fully piece together the puzzle we've been dealt
and Green sounds like he is going to stab us in the back but I'm not sure if it will happen because he doesn't agree with our side or for some other reason he hasn't shared with anyone other then his pawns (the guy does like to play with his cards close to his chest)
And then again none of this could be right and I could be horribly horribly wrong about everything. We aren't all knowing after all and either way all this stuff sounds like something we're only going to be able to deal with as it comes anyways so I'm not seeing much of a reason to work ourselves up over something that may or may not happen until we have to.

Oh and truth... how do we "free" you? I mean you look pretty torn up as it is, do we just have to, uh, stab at you some more or what? If you truly seek peace then we'll help you but I would it rather be as quick and painless as we can make it.
>>
No. 594640 ID: 2fd516

>>594615
"Face extinction"... Extinction is one of the daemons, isn't it?
We were told "one has to die", and that reflects your sentiment that one of you doesn't belong here. Extinction is the one that must die- am I correct?
What would happen if we Captured one of the two aliens? To us? To them?
How can we strengthen Daithi's mind so that The Benevolent One can be spoken to safely? Why are the shape-stealers trying to kill Daithi's friends, if they are The Benevolent One's children, who does not wish to harm Daithi?
Who are Yellow's pawns?
How can we defeat Black?
What are we? How were we created? When were we created? Why were we created?
Can entropy be stopped? Should it be stopped?
Can this world be saved? Can the daemons be saved?
Can we save both this world and the daemons?
How many times has this world been reset? Do we reset it or does The World reset it?
How do we meet The World?
Do you know who we should try to pair people up with? Will Lucrais have a harem due to our meddling, or will that come later? Should we even try to meddle, or will things just develop naturally as they sometimes do?
How do you intend for us to free the daemons from slavery, anyway? The Magus seemed to have died for real, was he not a true daemon?
Can we trust Libby?
Can Bob be trusted? What are his true goals? What are those soul-like entities chained to him? Is Steve being honest with us?
Is it possible to both seal the daemon gate and provide the daemons with food so they don't starve?
Who gave us the dagger? The World? Are there any other artifacts like it?
Which players are corrupted? I feel as though we will meet more.
Will Cedric be corrupted? If not, what's with the red-eyed version of him?
>>
No. 594641 ID: d8a627

>(You th-
Well, you at least were flattered to have an admirer!
>This is the supposed oracle!? A pile of bones!?
Daemon claws and chest, but the head is different from the Daemons we've seen.
>So… you are a daemon!?
Oh, okay. Prototype, or evolved Daemon.
>Then ask for the truth you don’t want to know, not the one you want to hear.
Okay. How will death set us free? You keep saying death is necessary, but I don't understand how. And who's death?
Death in what sense? We need to know exactly how it works if we're to participate in Death releasing us.
>Use the knife… face extinction.
Okay, tell Purple for us that killing the Daemons means we kill the world, too. The Daemons, like it or not, are the life-force of the world.
>Trust the mercy she will show.
As did we show mercy to the Daemon of Justice, so too, will White... I hope that's what you're saying, at least. Guys, if we encounter a Daemon, we can kill their pawns without problem, but do not harm the Daemon themselves. For all the stories that Daemons corrupt people, in truth, the pawns will corrupt the Daemons an equal amount. Daemons strive on emotions, and love certain emotions more than others, but from what we have seen, not only are they the life force of the planet, they also do not wish to hurt the mortals upon it, either. Their goals and how they achieve them may be unethical, but they are like children, not understanding what it is they're doing. Show them mercy, and free them from the chains binding them to mortals; they will still be within the Daemon realm, but will also have reach into the Mortal realm, so that they may keep the planet alive.
>only by choosing a fourth way can you succeed.
I see. Heads, we win, seal the Daemons, and without their power keeping the planet alive, it decays.
Tails, we lose, the Daemons get through, and their power destroys the world through an overload.
Edge, we win, but the world is reset by the Snakes.

We need a fourth route. We need to keep the game going. We must not seal the Daemons away, but at the same time, we must not let them loose. We must keep things the way they are, and simply hope we manage to educate the Daemons.
>Daithi… please forgive them for what they will do… they are part of this world just like you…
He speaks not of us, or our friends, but of the Daemons. The Daemons will commit crimes and harm the people of the world, but they must be forgiven. Forgiving them builds us a bridge to them, and grants us an ally on the Daemon's side.
Reformed Daemons, Purple. You asked if they would still be demons if they abandoned their demonic ways. In truth? While they are Daemon by species, they are considered to be Gods once they have reformed. This is what we are hoping for. Do we have your support?

And, I'm sorry to the rest of you, but I don't see any way in which we can continue to hide all this and yet keep Arthur in on the loop of Mercy. If we don't tell Arthur, we run the risk of any of Purple's pawns killing the Daemon instead of showing mercy.
>>
No. 594642 ID: 40935b

So oracle, you wish for death, for Centurion Lucius to befriend the plant and take him out of this place with the dagger, and for us to listen to the daemons? Is there anything we need to know to help us in this goal? What kind of self sacrifice will we need? What is this fourth way?

>ask for the truth you don’t want to know
Tell us the truth we don't want to know, or direct us to someone who knows this truth. Is it that the daemons are actually working towards good or to save the world, even though they use violence as a first resort and their predictions are consistently wrong?
>>
No. 594652 ID: 9443d1

>Wait, he asked for me? Are you sure? Hmm…
No, we're not sure. For all we know the one who made the wish was Cathal, or even "Inverted Sun," Purple's shorty demon hunter. And the wish could be for reasons other then what you or us are thinking of. So no making assumptions here and ask Arthur once we're out of here.

>We’re standing right here!
Would you prefer we kept it secret, Purple? I believe you said yourself to be careful of who we trust and we aren't going to get another chance to ask Truth about you. You'd ask the same about us, wouldn't you? Why don't you right now?

Truth, what is the reason for the snakes to have placed The World here? We overhead on the admin channel something about an experiment being compromised by Hugo and Lucius being here, so what is the experiment, what is it meant to discover, who set it in motion, and what connection do the snakes have to it? And how long ago, outside this world, did the snakes come here and when did they place The World? And what did The World find unsatisfactory about all the cycles such that it kept reverting time back? And to what lengths will the snakes go to keep The World and this world going?

>The true demons, the players.
Do you speak of the non-AI players like the "gods" of old, or of the AI players of which there are 346 in this world? Which twisted Yellow's mind, and can and how can it be untwisted? And on the matter of the AI players, what can we and should we do about them? What part do they play in the survival of this world? Will they have to remain in it for the world to survive, or will they have to go or be changed somehow?

>>594641
I read the three routes, the three futures we were told of, as the three possible states of the gate to the Daemon Realm: Open, sealed, and destroyed. We were told that destroying the gate would totally sever all the links between this world and the Daemon Realm, slowly but surely killing the world as well as starving all the daemons. Sealing the gate would keep the link and keep the daemons from meddling in the world, but the stream of emotional energy from here to there would remain inadequate to feed them all; The Oppressor faction would remain in power, and all the other daemons would be their slaves. And sealing the gate and removing the influence of the daemons on the world also supposedly ends in disaster for the world. Then the third route, opening the gate, allows the rebel daemons to not only take people from this world into the Daemon Realm to feed their army and overthrow the Oppressors but also to rule over this world, which seems to be a bad outcome for many.

>>594642
>Is it that the daemons are actually working towards good or to save the world, even though they use violence as a first resort and their predictions are consistently wrong?
It's more that the time loop we've all been in only goes back to shortly before we arrive in the Serath, so the violence and such the daemons did before that point was when they were still operating as designed by the "gods" to be evil antagonists. But in the countless cycles after that point the daemons remembered between the loops and learned and slowly grew out of the role they were made for and no longer be evil. So now they have to work against what evil they wrought in the time before the loops to achieve the peaceable outcome they desire now.
>>
No. 594665 ID: 26d79f

>>594615
Okay, so Black is corrupted with paranoia, and Yellow's mind is twisted.

My train of logic states that Purple is corrupted with insanity if Black is corrupted with paranoia. Not only that, but if Yellow's mind is twisted, it may have been like that well from the beginning, even before Purple thought of him as a friend. This would mean that Yellow had fully intended on becoming Purple's friend and starting the feud between him and Black.

My train of logic also makes me begin to think Black. Paranoia would certainly explain his contacting us upon our meeting, wanting to make absolutely sure we were not someone who may harm him. Us saying both "neutral" and our goal of seeking the truth was definitely our greatest option. Had we said against him, he may have killed us, and had we said with him, he may have thought that we were trying to get closer in order to stab him in the back.

However, this brings up the question of what he thinks our motives are. While we may be left to our own devices, something tells me that we are going to be kept under his gaze from this point onward.

Therefor, I ask these three questions.

Can we trust Black?
Does Black trust us?
When did Yellow's mind become twisted?

And, in order to satiate Truth's craving for the question we don't want to hear the answer to. (Even if my previous questions may already meet that requirement.)

How much more will we have to kill?
Will there be a point in which we must slay one of our comrades and companions?
Are we monsters?

Maybe is a suitable answer for those three.
>>
No. 594666 ID: 2fd516

...oh! What happened to Pride, and the other immortals?
>>
No. 594667 ID: d8a627

>>594666
Fairly certain Pride was "SexualTyrannosaurus." I mean, didn't he call himself that at one point? That suggests Wraith successfully killed him, this time.
>>
No. 594668 ID: 2fd516

>>594667
There was no "this time". It only happened once. Truth just told us we did in fact kill Wrath.
>>
No. 594673 ID: d8a627

>>594668
But he also said that all the Gods were killed by Wrath. This is a new incarnation of Wrath. We have killed him, wholly and completely, twice, now. He is not immortal, it's just that somebody else always goes and builds him.
>>
No. 594674 ID: 2fd516

>>594673
...we did not kill Wrath twice. The soul-sucking event only happened once. The gods Truth speaks of are the people in charge of this facility. iirc Kaktus even said that our four friends showing up in the tribals' religion was more of a reference than anything. An in-universe explanation is probably that they showed up once and messed about in the world for a bit before moving on, not knowing that this place needed any attention. I mean, it's just a game.
>>
No. 594676 ID: d8a627

>>594674
>The soul-sucking event only happened once.
Wrong. First, during the time of the seven sins, all of the magic bombs went off, causing a vortex in the sky that sucked away souls of anybody who wasn't underground. We killed Wrath there and counteracted the vortex, saving everybody and allowing them to go back above ground.
Second, when the people grew into the "Gods," they all died when Wrath was built at that one company, and their souls were sucked into the planet's core.
However, one person managed to keep themselves alive, by killing themselves (Death is Freedom), reconstructed everybody, sent Pride (who somehow lived) to be a skeleton at the planet's core, until we eventually found him, ran the hell away, encountered the real wrath, and killed it, by shooting it with a watergun.
Afterwards, Pride showed up and finished it off for real, and the gods were all brought back to life on the planet this all took place on. According to Lucius, though, the precursors are all dead, which suggests it's happened a third time now.
>>
No. 594680 ID: 2fd516

>>594676
That first event was not universe-wide, only on the planet's surface, and we didn't even really kill Wrath that time. Also you're wrong about how the Transmachina project was started and what it was meant to do. Some people on the edges of the universe were able to survive long enough to make the AIs and recruit Pride's help in running the experiment, which was both an attempt at making artificial souls and an attempt at killing Wrath. Both goals were accomplished. Pride was there at the core in order to keep Wrath contained until they/we were ready to kill it, which might I add was not by Pride's hand. Erin sliced it in half after Pride rewound time a little to give us the chance, then Claire ate Wrath's soul (with some assistance from pride to keep her from going mad)

Nobody was resurrected afterwards- completely new life had to be created all over the galaxy.
>>
No. 594681 ID: 9443d1

Truth, what is the ARP Project and what were the goals of it? Why was the structure that contains and the systems that made this world built on a barren rock in the middle of nowhere? And why was such a seemingly advanced technology by even the "gods'" standards of the time back then being used to develop a game?

Who was the large muscular female lizard clad in yellow leather armor that ripped the door off The Crippled Ankwark last night and where is she now? Is she a pawn, and if so which player holds her if any? And from where did she know to ask around not only about the beam of light that Hugo arrived on but also about a plant? A plant that presumably was Hugo.

Is Mor'kay in, or in the vicinity of, Stone Heaven right now? If she is, where exactly is she and why did she come here? What is Red planning? Can, or should, we trust Red? And how was Red able to falsify scan results and can he still do so?

Oh, I think I might have figured out what means Truth will tell us it can be killed by. Truth, right now where is the dagger that Jericho held when he showed Justice mercy? The one that was inserted into the world and shouldn't be here. Is that dagger the only means by which we can give you the freedom you want?

[Scan huge sword impaling the torso of Truth] Perhaps we can take the sword after Truth is dead and if it's not admin-locked like that admin's armor and remains were. It's too big to wield by any of us, but maybe we could sell it. Heck, nab the skull and unchained hand as well; Those might go for a good amount.

Lu, glance over those bookcases and if you see a book that interests you try and take it. And if you can, maybe grab a few more to sell to collectors if they're particularly special tomes.

>>594666
And for that matter, what the FUCK happened after we parted from Erin that led to humans, lizards and mantises to be split up on separate worlds and losing most of their technological advancement in the process? And how'd the red lizards come back as well?

>>594667
GoldenGod43 called Sexualtyrannosaurus by the name "Jeritha" and used the female pronoun for her in his messages so I highly doubt that was Pride. And we can't draw anything from a username since whoever it was could've gotten the idea from anywhere to use that particular username. But if you really, really want to check and be sure of it you could ask Truth if Pride was the one with that username.

Also, Wrath didn't succeed in killing Pride for good 'cause we met Pride when we were with Erin, a century after Wrath had wiped out everyone else.

>>594676
Why are you arguing about it when you can ask Truth here what the answer is? Here, I'll do it for you: Truth, in total how many periods of mass extinction has the entity we know as Wrath caused by its actions and over what areas were they?
>>
No. 594744 ID: 65a774
File 141114259402.png - (19.19KB , 900x450 , 48.png )
594744

>[Scan huge sword impaling the torso of Truth]
{Admin}

>Well, you at least were flattered to have an admirer!
:LucraisNUM: (Oh, shut it.)
>No, we're not sure. For all we know the one who made the wish was Cathal, or even "Inverted Sun," Purple's shorty demon hunter.
:AtenaNUM: (You’re right, let’s not jump to any conclusions.)
>Lu, glance over those bookcases and if you see a book that interests you try and take it. And if you can, maybe grab a few more to sell to collectors if they're particularly special tomes.
:LucraisNUM: (Hmm… “The demon war”? That sound interesting… and I’ll grab a few tomes more to sell on that…)
>He speaks not of us, or our friends, but of the Daemons. The Daemons will commit crimes and harm the people of the world, but they must be forgiven.
:DaithiNUM: Right, forgive the monsters… got it.
>Purple. You asked if they would still be demons if they abandoned their demonic ways. In truth? While they are Daemon by species, they are considered to be Gods once they have reformed. This is what we are hoping for. Do we have your support?
:ArthurNUM: …he says bring proof, yes? Then he will be supportive.
>Would you prefer we kept it secret, Purple? I believe you said yourself to be careful of who we trust and we aren't going to get another chance to ask Truth about you.
:ArthurNUM: …he says that you are rather right, yes? Also, Truth thingy, can we trust Teal?
:UnknownKAK: Trust their chaos.

>...oh! What happened to Pride, and the other immortals?
:UnknownKAK: He created a species fitting his belief and went to sleep with the others. They are not relevant to this struggle.
>Truth, what is the ARP Project and what were the goals of it?
:UnknownKAK: ”Artificial Reality Project”… project…
>Why was such a seemingly advanced technology by even the "gods'" standards of the time back then being used to develop a game?
:UnknownKAK: The rich are callous of the need of the many.
>what the FUCK happened after we parted from Erin that led to humans, lizards and mantises to be split up on separate worlds and losing most of their technological advancement in the process?
:UnknownKAK: Three fragmented minds came into an argument. Their last deed was to create three species following what they believed was the best path… Humans, Sakkil and Hivers.
:LuciusNUM: Wait, what!? We were… created!? By who!? Why!? How!?
:UnknownKAK: By them, to prove.
>Truth, in total how many periods of mass extinction has the entity we know as Wrath caused by its actions and over what areas were they?
:UnknownKAK: Twice… once on origin, once most of this universe. Then you freed him from this world, and now he will never act again.

>Is Mor'kay in, or in the vicinity of, Stone Heaven right now? If she is, where exactly is she and why did she come here?
:UnknownKAK: She is here, in her room, trying to find information about the Rune.
>Can, or should, we trust Red?
:UnknownKAK: Trust his hatred.
>And how was Red able to falsify scan results and can he still do so?
:UnknownKAK: What can change the nature of a man?
>"Face extinction"... Extinction is one of the daemons, isn't it?
:UnknownKAK: No, extinction is freedom for a species as a whole.
>What would happen if we Captured one of the two aliens? To us? To them?
:UnknownKAK: They would die, you would die, the snakes would die.

>Why are the shape-stealers trying to kill Daithi's friends, if they are The Benevolent One's children, who does not wish to harm Daithi?
:UnknownKAK: When the mother is away the children comes out to play.
>Who are Yellow's pawns?
:UnknownKAK: The corrupted ones.
>How can we defeat Black?
:UnknownKAK: By saving us all… by self-sacrifice.
>What are we? How were we created? When were we created? Why were we created?
:UnknownKAK: You already know who you are… you are voices of many… and endless being that needs to end… and immortal being that need death…
>Can entropy be stopped? Should it be stopped?
:UnknownKAK: Yes.
>Can this world be saved? Can the daemons be saved?
:UnknownKAK: Yes.
>Can we save both this world and the daemons?
:UnknownKAK: Yes.
>How do you intend for us to free the daemons from slavery, anyway?
:UnknownKAK: Mercy… forgiveness… understanding…

>The Magus seemed to have died for real, was he not a true daemon?
:UnknownKAK: Yes and no… he was until he became mortal.
>Can we trust Libby?
:UnknownKAK: Trust her jealousy.
>Can Bob be trusted? What are his true goals?
:UnknownKAK: He only wish to help those he care for. Can you trust someone like that?
>Is Steve being honest with us?
:UnknownKAK: He wishes to be.
>Is it possible to both seal the daemon gate and provide the daemons with food so they don't starve?
:UnknownKAK: Yes.
>Who gave us the dagger? The World? Are there any other artifacts like it?
:UnknownKAK: The world created it to stop the cycles.
>Which players are corrupted? I feel as though we will meet more.
:UnknownKAK: All of them.
:ArthurNUM: Um… purple objects rather loudly…
:UnknownKAK: Purple, teal, red, black… all of you…
>Will Cedric be corrupted?
:UnknownKAK: …no.
>If not, what's with the red-eyed version of him?
:UnknownKAK: Truth.
>How many times has this world been reset?
:UnknownKAK: Too many.
>Do we reset it or does The World reset it?
:UnknownKAK: The world.
>How do we meet The World?
:UnknownKAK: He will met you.
>Okay. How will death set us free?
:UnknownKAK: Only in death are you free from choice.
>And who's death?
:UnknownKAK: Yours.

>Okay, tell Purple for us that killing the Daemons means we kill the world, too.
:UnknownKAK: …killing daemons bad! Letting them live good! Live good, kill bad!
:ArthurNUM: geez… he gets it…
>Edge, we win, but the world is reset by the Snakes.
:UnknownKAK: The world is only reset when you lose.
>Is there anything we need to know to help us in this goal?
:UnknownKAK: You are not needed anymore after this.
>What kind of self-sacrifice will we need?
:UnknownKAK: Death.
>Is it that the daemons are actually working towards good or to save the world?
:UnknownKAK: They are working to save themselves… the fools.
>Truth, what is the reason for the snakes to have placed The World here?
:UnknownKAK: To learn.
>What did The World find unsatisfactory about all the cycles such that it kept reverting time back?*
:UnknownKAK: Lack of progress.
>On the matter of the AI players, what can we and should we do about them? What part do they play in the survival of this world?
:UnknownKAK: Death.
>Can we trust Black?
:UnknownKAK: As I said, trust his paranoia.
>Does Black trust us?
:UnknownKAK: No.
>When did Yellow's mind become twisted?
:UnknownKAK: When he met Black.

>How can we strengthen Daithi's mind so that The Benevolent One can be spoken to safely?
:UnknownKAK: Find stability, find an anchor for him.
:DaithiNUM: An anchor, huh?
:UnknownKAK: It wouldn’t hurt to get him laid eit-
:DaithiNUM: WHA- HEY!!
:LuciusNUM: *Snrk*
>Do you know who we should try to pair people up with?
:UnknownKAK: Those that they want to be with.
:AtenaNUM: Err… isn’t our love life a bi-
>Will Lucrais have a harem due to our meddling, or will that come later?
:UnknownKAK: She will always find many… but not always happiness.
>Should we even try to meddle, or will things just develop naturally as they sometimes do?
:UnknownKAK: Meddle too little and they will not find happiness… meddle too much and the same thing will happened.
:AtenaNUM: Right, can we stop talking about this! We got more important stuff to deal with!

>Tell us the truth we don't want to know.
:UnknownKAK: The ones you love will have to die.
>How much more will we have to kill?
:UnknownKAK: All of them.
>Will there be a point in which we must slay one of our comrades and companions?
:UnknownKAK: Yes.
>Are we monsters?
:UnknownKAK: … … …yes.
>Nab the skull and unchained hand as well; Those might go for a good amount.
:UnknownKAK: Please don’t pilfer my corpse.
>How do we "free" you? I mean you look pretty torn up as it is, do we just have to, uh, stab at you some more or what?
:UnknownKAK: A knife… ask for it and then free me with it.
:DaithiNUM: Err… are you-
:LuciusNUM: What is stopping us from letting you live? So you can keep telling us things?
:UnknownKAK: I will not answer any more questions unless they are important… if you want to leave free me from this world… otherwise you will starve here with me. Ask for the knife and free me.

Insert ARGH!!! TEXT!_
>>
No. 594756 ID: 2fd516

>>594744
Hey Lucrais, what does the seal around the corpse say?

Truth, I have a few more important questions.
1) You say all the players are "corrupted" but does that mean they are corrupted by daemons or other outside influences, that we can fix by killing them and forcing them to be remade? It sounds like you're just saying they're corrupted by greed or whatever. ...or corrupted by their King pieces. A Player's behavior is influenced by their King. Is that what you mean?
2) You said we have to kill "all of them", but all of who? We're not going to kill everyone, obviously.
3) HOW do we keep the daemons fed while also sealing the gate?

[request: give us the debug knife, please.]
Truth, why aren't you taking Magus's or Steve's path? Become mortal, and live a life without the burden of precognition. We don't have to kill you; you can die naturally.
>>
No. 594757 ID: 9ddf68

...Alright few quick questions if you would, should we trust you? and why out of everyone do you want our help, why do you trust us?

[can we have the debug knife please]
and last question, are you sure you want to go through with this? Because there isn't no turning back if we do.
>>
No. 594779 ID: 26d79f

>>594744
...Well then. We're monsters. All right.

I guess that just means we'll have to try to be good monsters then, for the betterment of everyone.

Now then... what to do about Truth. He's done a lot for us by answering our questions, and all he's asked of us is one thing in return...

I will attempt to summon the knife here, but you guys can decide what we do with it. Personally, I say we free him right here, right now, but that will just remain my opinion.

[Summon Knife of Resolution]

(Does the knife already have a name? If not, I propose that one.)
>>
No. 594783 ID: 40935b

>Wait, what!? We were… created!? By who!? Why!? How!?
The precursors. A contest, to see what species, or possibly ideology, is best. My guess is that mantises were made or influenced to follow autocratic ideals, Humans to believe in freedom, and you, the Sakkil, in order. You were separated and left to fight each other as a contest- not even a real experiment, mind, there's no control group. They must have had unimaginable power and moral disconnect, even by your standards, to be able to pull it off.

>WHA- HEY!!
The oracle commands it, dai!

>The ones you love will have to die.
>All of them.
So the players have to die in order to save the world, or just us? How is that possible when players come back when destroyed? and how can we do that without losing?

[summon dagger]
Well, who shall do the honors?
>>
No. 594798 ID: 4ad084
594798

Hm, how would we irreversably fail?
how would we be forever? or... at last till heat death....
I think we should ask how to fail horribly, so we at last know what to avoid at all cost.

Also, why do you seek fredom? But that question is just my curiosity and doesen't need an answer
>>
No. 594835 ID: 9443d1

Dai, before we continue ask Lucius if he thought to record video of this exchange with Truth to his visor's storage; He might want it to back up his story later, once he gets off this world. And perhaps he ought to record as much of what he'll experience in this world for later evidence as well. All heavily encrypted, of course.

[Please give us The Knife] Now, who shall have the dubious honor of being the one who brought death to Truth? Perhaps Arthur since Purple did express interest in defeating a daemon, though I suspect he doesn't want to nearly as much now. Otherwise I guess flip a coin to choose who'll do the deed if nobody else steps up.

Truth, what is the most important question to our success we have not asked you so far and what is its answer?

And a question to ourselves: How'd we get all the way through this without even one of us flippantly asking what the answer to life, the universe, and everything is or what the question to the answer of life, the universe, and everything is?
>>
No. 594860 ID: d8a627

>Wait, what!? We were… created!? By who!? Why!? How!?
...The precursors. And here I thought they survived and simply hadn't returned to this part of the galaxy, but nope, they flat out made you. Crazy bastards.
>Then you freed him from this world, and now he will never act again.
Ah, okay. Thanks for that. Glad to have the confirmation!
>She is here, in her room, trying to find information about the Rune.
Dislocating groups through time-space manipulation? I know that these kinds of places always seem to do that, but to be in the same room and not be together is new.
[Scan Mor'Kay, or lack thereof]
>you are voices of many… and endless being that needs to end… and immortal being that need death…
No... Not just yet. We slumber for eons, Truth, and have only felt ourselves be alive for, perhaps, a few weeks now. Allow us a few decades of wake, and I will accept it.
But... If self-sacrifice is necessary to save everybody, then I suppose there is no way around it.
>Purple, teal, red, black… all of you…
Ah, yes, there are many forms of corruption... We are corrupted by our own selves, and by our pawns, not by Daemons or Gods, Purple. You set yourself to the mindset of fighting the demons, and took on pawns who shared that ideal. You then amplified one another's ideals.
Us? We aren't actually corrupted by our pawns anymore than they corrupt each other--it's just that there are so many voices among us that we corrupt ourselves tenfold.

Uh, we should probably make a new term for that kind of corruption though. Truth, if we're wrong, please do not say so. "Begging for lies," and all.
>She will always find many… but not always happiness.
I think that refers to the loops, Lucrais. Some loops, your harem gives you joy, others, it doesn't.
>if you want to leave free me from this world… otherwise you will starve here with me. Ask for the knife and free me.
Well, alright. I do not believe everything that "Truth" has told us, but if he wishes to be freed, then we shall do so.
[Please give Daithi the knife]

Oh, and
>…killing daemons bad! Letting them live good! Live good, kill bad!
I would like to reiterate, this does not mean to let them off scott free! They must be taught a lesson, when they commit a crime, just no death penalty is all.
>>
No. 594911 ID: 9443d1

Truth, what can kill us, the Voices of Many?

>>594860
>...The precursors. And here I thought they survived and simply hadn't returned to this part of the galaxy, but nope, they flat out made you. Crazy bastards.
Uh, no, I don't think so. It's much more likely that it was Lizbeth, Claire and Pride who did it after we parted from Erin since those three "fragmented minds" are the only ones we know of who have the god-like power to do that. Truth even said that Pride "created a species fitting his belief and went to sleep with the others," which points towards him being the creator of one of the three species-civilizations; We'll have to learn more about the beliefs of each before we can even begin to guess which one.

>Dislocating groups through time-space manipulation? I know that these kinds of places always seem to do that, but to be in the same room and not be together is new.
Truth said "in HER room," not "in THIS room." So right now Mor'kay is in her room at whatever inn or place she's staying at in Stone Heaven.
>>
No. 594916 ID: d8a627

>>594911
>Truth said "in HER room," not "in THIS room."
Oh, whoops. Misread that.
>>
No. 594921 ID: 65a774
File 141123615727.png - (18.49KB , 900x450 , 49.png )
594921

>Hey Lucrais, what does the seal around the corpse say?
:LucraisNUM: Err… something about binding evil and stuff?
>The precursors. A contest, to see what species, or possibly ideology, is best.
:LuciusNUM: I refuse to believe that we were created by some… some extinct idiots!
>The oracle commands it, dai!
:DaithiNUM: (Wha- err… that’s not… oy…)
>Dai, before we continue ask Lucius if he thought to record video of this exchange with Truth to his visor's storage.
:LuciusNUM: I tried to, but everything I record gets corrupted… besides, who would believe a badly made recording of a voice? I don’t even believe this thing!
>I would like to reiterate, this does not mean to let them off scott free! They must be taught a lesson, when they commit a crime, just no death penalty is all.
:ArthurNUM: Right, let us still bring justice, yes?

>You said we have to kill "all of them", but all of who?
:UnknownKAK: Those that don’t belong here.
>HOW do we keep the daemons fed while also sealing the gate?
:UnknownKAK: Cooperation and compromise.
>Truth, why aren't you taking Magus's or Steve's path?
:UnknownKAK: They will suffer, I will not. They will be slaves, I will be free.
>Should we trust you?
:UnknownKAK: You can always trust a dishonest man to lie, but a honest man? Who can trust someone who speak the truth?
>Why do you trust us?
:UnknownKAK: I don’t. I know what will happen. Trust is not necessary.
>So the players have to die in order to save the world, or just us?
:UnknownKAK: Remove those that don’t belong.

>How would we irreversibly fail?
:UnknownKAK: By existing.
>Truth, what can kill us, the Voices of Many?
:UnknownKAK: A blade out of this world.
>Truth, what is the most important question to our success we have not asked you so far and what is its answer?
:UnknownKAK: They will survive without you.
>How'd we get all the way through this without even one of us flippantly asking what the answer to life, the universe, and everything is or what the question to the answer of life, the universe, and everything is?
:UnknownKAK: Cheese.
:DaithiNUM: …cheese?
:AtenaNUM: Cheese!? The meaning of life is cheese!?
:UnknownKAK: Cheese is the point that all of creation led up too. Everything starts and ends with cheese. Cheese is love… cheese is life…
:ArthurNUM: Cheese is tasty, yes? Maybe he has a point? Let us all… how you say… hail our new cheese overlords, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Wait a minute, if cheese is the meaning, why did civilization evolved beyond cheese making?
:UnknownKAK: Your whole technological evolution will lead to one point, to singularity so large that all before it will seem meaningless… the ultimate cheese!
:LucraisNUM: …you’re just messing with us, aren’t you!?
:UnknownKAK: I am just stating the truth.

>are you sure you want to go through with this? Because there isn't no tur-
:UnknownKAK: Free me!
>[request: give us the debug knife, please.]
[Debug dagger recived!]
>Well, who shall do the honors?
:DaithiNUM: Well then… I guess I sh-
:LuciusNUM: Give it here, you coward. Let me handle this!
:LucraisNUM: Yeah, Lucius probably got some experience plunging a small weapon into inanimate objects.
:LuciusNUM: Shut it bitch and watch! HA!
>>
No. 594922 ID: 65a774
File 141123617779.png - (23.59KB , 900x450 , 50.png )
594922

[ERRORERROREORRE!EROOEEEEEOREEE!!!! ¤%)%)%%))¤####!!!]
[Truth.ARP was deleted from database!]
>>
No. 594923 ID: 65a774
File 141123618466.png - (13.71KB , 900x450 , 51.png )
594923

:DaithiNUM: What the hell was-
:AtenaNUM: Wait, where back outside!? How did that happened!?
:ArthurNUM: Um… this is very odd, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Off…
:LucraisNUM: …get off my butt.

[You received Lesser rune of earth!]

Insert THROW THE CHEEESEEE!!!_
>>
No. 594928 ID: 26d79f

>>594923
[Check Pawn Status]

[Message White: Good news! We're back, and we're alive!]

"Alright, now what?"
>>
No. 594929 ID: 2fd516

>>594923
Oh, hey, there's the lesser rune. How about that.
[@White: We have emerged unharmed, and with a boatload of vague answers. Most importantly, we know for sure Purple is a bit crazy but not corrupted by daemons, and Yellow is indeed corrupted. How much time passed since the last message we sent you? Oh, and now we know Cedric won't be corrupted, but he might already be.]

Shall we explore that hidden tunnel now?
>>
No. 594931 ID: 40935b

>Cheese!? The meaning of life is cheese!?
...for fucks sake, if all the answers to all those questions were bullshit, I will end the world out of anger.

Okay, remove those who don't belong. That's Lucius, Hugo and probably that dagger all need to leave this world. You said you had a ship, right Lucius? If you take Hugo and the dagger and leave this place, that would be the best solution for everyone involved, right?
>>
No. 594932 ID: 1f2a28

We may have to summon the ultimate pizza elemental; the one with extra cheese.
>>
No. 594945 ID: 65a774
File 141124724267.png - (17.34KB , 900x450 , 52.png )
594945

>[Check Pawn Status]
[“The magician”: Content. “Strength: Napping. “The Tower”: Conflicted. “The Chariot”: Tired. ”The High Priestess”: Exited.]

>[Message White: Good news! We're back, and we're alive!]
[White: Huh? But you were… I… ]
>[How much time passed since the last message we sent you?]
[Just a few seconds! Have you already been into that… that… um… what did you call it? Prison?]
>[@White: We have emerged unharmed, and with a boatload of vague answers. Most importantly, we know for sure Purple is a bit crazy but not corrupted by daemons, and Yellow is indeed corrupted.]
[Right, that’s… good to know… sure… um… vague answers about what? What happened? What was that prison thing you talked about?]

>We may have to summon the ultimate pizza elemental; the one with extra cheese.
:AtenaNUM: (Last time someone tried to summon a pizza elemental in Q&Q it ended with… let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and there was a lot of cheese…)
>You said you had a ship, right Lucius? If you take Hugo and the dagger and leave this place, that would be the best solution for everyone involved, right?
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, we just need to get by an army of highly armed aliens first… no problem…
>Shall we explore that hidden tunnel now?
:DaithiNUM: Well, we were right… it did lead into the basement…
:LucraisNUM: Ow… that tunnel was way to tight…
:LuciusNUM: Time to lose s-
:LucraisNUM: Shut it before I do it for you, tiny.

>"Alright, now what?"
:DaithiNUM: Um… so…
:AtenaNUM: I for one need to get back to work. See you tonight, Dai… and do wear something nice, alright?
:LucraisNUM: Well… I don’t really have anything to do… maybe look into the books I stol- I mean borrowed down there?
:ArthurNUM: Purple say he have no need for me right now so…
:LuciusNUM: …so, I’m pretty much back to square one of getting out of here alive, huh?

Insert Well, nothing important is-
:DaithiNUM: (Oh, crap! I have nothing to wear for tonight! …err… and should I bring gifts!? Flowers!? Chocolate!? ARHG!)
>>
No. 594949 ID: 2fd516

>>594945
[@White: There was a Daemon in there, called Truth. Turns out they can't really die normally, and this one was just a corpse. It was created to tell the future, and that's what it did. It also seemed to have detailed information about the past as well, so I assume it was omniscient. In order to save the world, we're going to have to make some sacrifices... Anyway, we have access to an item which can permanently kill Daemons and Truth demanded we end its life, so we did. You should know that if all the Daemons die, the world will end. So we likely won't be killing any more of them.]

Nothing to wear you say? You may have to turn to your mother for help there. Speaking of which, we should really go see what's going on with her. She's gone from intrigued to excited. Also, bring flowers.

Lucrais, I think you're going to have to keep Lucius company. Maybe you can play a few rounds of that wargame, along with "Hugo"? Maybe you can learn his proper name, now that he's talking. Oh, if Arthur has nothing to do he can hang out too. I'm thinking he could use some friends.
[switch to The High Priestess]
>>
No. 594952 ID: 26d79f

>>594945
Alright, don't strain yourself too hard Atena! Rest is good for the mind and the body!

Daithi, stop panicking. It's been a busy, busy day already. Just... calm down for a bit. I'm sure you'll do just fine. If you're honestly that worried, we'll try to figure something out for you. For now, relax.

Lucrais, you can do whatever you feel like. Really, I don't have much to offer you in terms of advice.

Now then, unless someone objects or something vital happens in the next five seconds...

[Switch to High Priestess]
>>
No. 594955 ID: 26d79f

>>594949
>Lucrais, I think you're going to have to keep Lucius company.

Let me help you with that, something tells me she might not be willing.


Point out the following if she tries to object:

Babysitter duty sucks, I know, but there's not much of a choice in the matter. Circumstances have you, Lucius, and "Hugo" all sharing Daithi's abode. If that's going to be, things will be hell if you two don't get along.

If you can think of an alternative, by all means, go for it. I don't want you near him if you don't want to- you hate the guy, we just can't think of anything else.

(That seems good enough, right?)
>>
No. 594983 ID: d8a627

>…you’re just messing with us, aren’t you!?
Hey, we once lead life to the culmination of the ultimate Tapioca Pudding. Nothing else mattered after that point, just the pudding.
I suppose this time it'll be cheese. [SUMMON THE CHEESE MISSILES!]
>[You received Lesser rune of earth!]
WHAT.
>[Just a few seconds! Have you already been into that… that… um… what did you call it? Prison?]
[@White: Yes... Sorry, I should have mentioned before that the constructions of Gods and Daemons have a way of being temporally dislocated. It could have gone the opposite way, where it appeared we were in there for years.]
I wish to ask White about what she would do if she encountered a Daemon who was benevolent; a daemon who was malicious, just for the fun of it; a daemon who harmed people, but only with the intention of helping its kind; and any Gods who committed malicious actions.

>What was that prison thing you talked about?
[@White: It was the prison of an Oracle, who gave certain truths about the future... or so they claimed. I have my suspicions that they weren't the full honest person they claimed to be, or else that they spoke in riddles and metaphors all over the place.
We have not located any leads on the vault yet, but rest assured that if it is located, we will assist you in clearing it. "Clearing" referring to making it past any traps and overcoming any challenges, in case you weren't sure.]
Should we tell White about the lesser rune?

>If you can think of an alternative, by all means, go for it.
While I don't think he should be left alone with them, Arthur is free for the moment, since Purple doesn't need him. He should help Lucrais out with "babysitting" the a--Strangers.
>>
No. 594984 ID: 2fd516

>>594983
>Voice your opposition now, because if you don't I'm going to push the message thorugh.
Stop that.
>>
No. 594987 ID: ccd544

Looks like when Truth was deleted, so too was anything Truth-related. The room itself stopped existing, meaning you were in the void-space known as "out-of-bounds", and thus the System no-clipped you all back to the nearest pathable (i.e. existant) location.

Just be glad everyone made the jaunt without Splinching into each other's internal organs!
>>
No. 594990 ID: d8a627

>>594984
Stop what? And no, I'm not being a troll, I legitimately am not understanding what you're telling me to stop. There are a few things that could apply to.
>>
No. 594993 ID: ccd544

>>594990
He is saying , i think, he is saying "Stop doing conditional things that imply that the other questors are required participate in your specific thing or else"

What you are doing is technically a good idea, as that kind of democracy is supposed to be what questing is all about, but it is also a dick move that implies something like "pay attention to me or i will ruin the quest for everybody on purpose".
>>
No. 594994 ID: 2fd516

>>594993
Yes, that.
>>
No. 595007 ID: d8a627

>>594993
>pay attention to me or i will ruin the quest for everybody on purpose
I thought of it more as "Pay attention to me or else don't blame me if this does ruin the quest," I don't consider it such a quest ruiner. But okay, I'll leave that portion out in the future, sorry.
>>
No. 595014 ID: 40935b

>Oh, crap! I have nothing to wear for tonight! …err… and should I bring gifts!? Flowers!? Chocolate!? ARHG!
Is your uniform not dressy enough if you clean it up? Is there a dress uniform that is issued, like with brass shines and epaulets and shiny boots? And I say you get her a rose or marigold or something.

>Have you already been into that… that… um… what did you call it? Prison?
Yes, is there a reason for your concern? We spoke to the oracle, but it was entirely unspecific. We were hoping for something more concrete, like the glimpse into the future that our campaign in the Northlands brought us, or Richard's third prediction. Oracle said we may end the world, but offered no advice as to how to avoid doing so. He kept harping on 'mercy and forgiveness' though, and said that we'll need to make a sacrifice.

> …so, I’m pretty much back to square one of getting out of here alive, huh?
You were boned the moment you decided to leave your pulse rifle behind. Alright, if what the oracle says about you, us, and the snakes dying if you're captured, we may be able to mock take you hostage as a last resort.

[query: daemon, extinction: cheese]
>>
No. 595034 ID: 9443d1

Hey, Lu, Lucius is admiring your exquisite derrière again; Man, it's like his eyes are magnetically attracted to your shapely abdomen whenever you turn away. We also saw that when y'all were getting up back there he had his hand on your posterior for rather longer then he needed to to stand up. And would I be right in guessing that he waited to be the one who crawled into the tunnel right after you? 'Cause I figure he couldn't pass up that viewing opportunity. It even looks like he was so distracted by your hind end he forgot to disguise his armor again, so point that out to him when you tell him off.

Oh, and here's something to up his possible perv-factor for you, Lu: Lucius' visor can record video (moving pictures) of what he sees as well as still images, which means he could be taking either one whenever he checks you out for later review. And to cube that perv-factor: Since his visor could see through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel to find the hidden tunnel then he might be able to look through other materials such as clothes. And armor. And doors. And walls. See where I'm going here? Of course we don't know if he did or if he can so don't go off on the guy for that, but we can find out what his visor is capable of.

Dai, could you ask Lucius if his visor is recording correctly again, then ask if he can see through certain kinds of materials like he did with the rubble to find the hidden tunnel. If that's what he did, then ask how thick and dense a material and how detailed is his view of the other side; Like, could he look through a steel lock-box and see the exact shape of the contents? (That's about armor thickness.)

Lu, we noticed your status a bit ago was "conflicted." Care to share what was on your mind that's got you conflicted? It about Dai and Atena? And what's with the angry face right now?

Does Lucius still have the terminal tablet or did it get stripped off him when y'all were dumped out? 'Cause if he does it might have older chat logs or documents on it you could pick through for more background on this world and the Precursors/"Old Gods."

Dai, ask Arthur if he thinks that the Academy would let him temporarily move his lab from down here to one of the empty rooms in your dorm if you agreed to it. That would get him out of this dank, gloomy, rat-poison-residue-coated basement and up where he can easily check on Lucius and Hugo.

Also ask Arthur if Purple told him to avoid Ealasaid so Black can't get a scan in on him. With Black and Purple's history it'd be very bad for both Purple and Arthur if Black spotted that he's one of Purple's guys. I just hope Purple is going to lay low and keep his pawns away from Black's.

Lu, I noticed that when you five were dumped back out that we couldn't see the entrance to the catacombs. Was that just from our vantage point or is the entrance, and presumably the catacombs, gone? 'Cause if they're gone without a trace that's going to raise a few pointed questions next time somebody comes looking for them. We'll just have to hope it's not one of Black's people who's looking for them soon 'cause we won't be able to explain it away.

Daithi, take a few deep breaths, calm down and think through what you. The most obvious thing to do for it is to wax your mandibles, since that went over so well with Atena yesterday. With that sure thing to build on, are you sure you have nothing to wear? No dress uniform? What about your clothes back home? You got a nice suit or something in your wardrobe there? Hm... Actually, your mother knows Atena so maybe she can help you figure out what gift to bring to your date. Oh, I just remembered you said to Ealasaid one of your fathers is a tailor; You think he could get you something nice to wear in time? Yeah, it looks like a trip back home would be the course of action right now.

Lu, do you know about what time Ceana is going to meet with your mother to tell her your engagement to Daithi is off? You did say you ought to be there when she does. If it's soon then maybe you should go with Dai so you could meet up with Ceana and go there together. Oh, and perhaps Dai should be there as well when your mother is told the wedding is off since it does involve him as much as you.

Dai, you got any idea why your mother's status was "intrigued" mid-morning, "warm fuzzy feelings" around about when you met Lucius and just a bit ago was "excited?" We're going to switch to her to check in and let her know you're coming, if you're coming, so we'll ask her then.

>…so, I’m pretty much back to square one of getting out of here alive, huh?
Yeah, pretty much. Maybe until we get some idea how to do that you can take your time cooped up in Dai's dorm to talk with Hugo and find out his side of the story. Yes, we know you hate the plants, but you're probably the first Sakkil to have a non-hostile, actually cooperative Uredo to ask questions of so don't brush that off. Though, Hugo still has to learn our language first.

[@Purple: We forgot to ask you this earlier, but does "Inverted Strength" match the description we got of the lizard gal who ripped the door off The Crippled Ankwark?]

[@White: I'd like to know what the "that's not supposed to-" part of your reply after we told you we were in the Forbidden Prison was about. What was "that" and what wasn't it supposed to be?]

[@White: Oh, and we found out the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything is "cheese." Cedric might get a kick out of that one.]
>>
No. 595066 ID: 65a774
File 141131660522.png - (21.21KB , 900x450 , 53.png )
595066

>[SUMMON THE CHEESE MISSILES!]
[Firing cheese missiles… THERE WILL BE CHEESE!]

>[@White: Yes... Sorry, I should have mentioned before that the constructions of Gods and Daemons have a way of being temporally dislocated.]
[White: …that would explain that… yeah…]
>[@White: It was the prison of an Oracle, who gave certain truths about the future... or so they claimed. I have my suspicions that they weren't the full honest person they claimed to be, or else that they spoke in riddles and metaphors all over the place.]
[An oracle? Hmm… did he tell you anything of interest?]
>[@White: I'd like to know what the "that's not supposed to-" part of your reply after we told you we were in the Forbidden Prison was about. What was "that" and what wasn't it supposed to be?]
[I checked my quest log and the only mention of a prison was a quest located days from here, so I was a bit confused there for a bit…]
>[@White: Oh, and we found out the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything is "cheese." Cedric might get a kick out of that one.]
[…cheese? Really?]
>[@Purple: We forgot to ask you this earlier, but does "Inverted Strength" match the description we got of the lizard gal who ripped the door off The Crippled Ankwark?]
[Purple: Yes.]

>Alright, if what the oracle says about you, us, and the snakes dying if you're captured, we may be able to mock take you hostage as a last resort.
:LuciusNUM: I am not some hostage to be used as leverage!
>Dai, could you ask Lucius if his visor is recording correctly again.
:LuciusNUM: As I said, since I came to this place… as in this world, it’s been on the fritz.
>Then ask if he can see through certain kinds of materials like he did with the rubble to find the hidden tunnel.
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, kind off… it’s hard to explain to someone like you, though…
:DaithiNUM: So… what can you see trough? Metal? Stone? Clothes?
:LuciusNUM: …first you asked about the recordings and now seeing trough clothes? I see where you’re going with this, pervert. And no, unless you think skeletons are sexy then you can’t make nude films like that.
>Maybe until we get some idea how to do that you can take your time cooped up in Dai's dorm to talk with Hugo and find out his side of the story. Yes, we know you hate the plants, but you're probably the first Sakkil to have a non-hostile, actually cooperative Uredo to ask questions of so don't brush that off. Though, Hugo still has to learn our language first.
:LuciusNUM: Urg… I guess I can interrogate him about his species and stuff…

>Hey, Lu, Lucius is admiring your exquisite derrière again; Man, it's like his eyes are magnetically attracted to your shap-
*SLAP!!*
:LuciusNUM: OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?
:LucraisNUM: That was for staring at my butt!
>We also saw that when y'all were getting up back there he had his hand on your posterior for rather longer then he needed to to stand up.
*SLAP!!*
:LuciusNUM: OW! I got a helmet that’s supposed to nullify impacts! Why does this still hurt!?
:LucraisNUM: That’s for touching my butt.
>And would I be right in guessing that he waited to be the one who crawled into the tunnel right after you?
*SLAP!!*
:LuciusNUM: OW! This isn’t logical…
:LucraisNUM: That’s for sneaking a peak when we went through the tunnel.
>It even looks like he was so distracted by your hind end he forgot to disguise his armor again, so point that out to him when you tell him off.
*SLAP!!*
:LucraisNUM: And that’s for not wearing your disguise!
:DaithiNUM: …Remind me to never piss off Lu…
:ArthurNUM: Remind me to piss her off, yes?

>Lucrais, I think you're going to have to keep Lucius company. Maybe you can play a few rounds of that wargame, along with "Hugo"?
:LucraisNUM: What!? I’m not going to babysit this pervert and that plotted plant!
>Babysitter duty sucks, I know, but there's not much of a choice in the matter. Circumstances have you, Lucius, and "Hugo" all sharing Daithi's abode. If that's going to be, things will be hell if you two don't get along.
:LucraisNUM: Mmrg… fine…
:LuciusNUM: Ugh… feels like I fell down a flight of stairs…
>Oh, if Arthur has nothing to do he can hang out too. I'm thinking he could use some friends.
:ArthurNUM: Oh! That will be fun, yes?

>Lu, we noticed your status a bit ago was "conflicted." Care to share what was on your mind that's got you conflicted? It about Dai and Atena?
:LucraisNUM: (Wha- I wasn’t- I’m not- SHUT UP!)
>Does Lucius still have the terminal tablet or did it get stripped off him when y'all were dumped out?
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, and I’m keeping my hands on it. Don’t want you primitives dropping it into water or something…
>Dai, ask Arthur if he thinks that the Academy would let him temporarily move his lab from down here to one of the empty rooms in your dorm if you agreed to it.
:ArthurNUM: Err… the lab needs to be down here for safety, yes? And I already got room above ground, remember? I don’t sleep in lab, yes?
>Also ask Arthur if Purple told him to avoid Ealasaid so Black can't get a scan in on him.*
:ArthurNUM: He said not to trust her. While she won’t attack us openly we can’t… how you say… forget that she can do other things, yes?
>Lu, I noticed that when you five were dumped back out that we couldn't see the entrance to the catacombs.
:LucraisNUM: What are you talking about? The entrance was right there!
>Lu, do you know about what time Ceana is going to meet with your mother to tell her your engagement to Daithi is off?
:LucraisNUM: Err… I have no idea, actually…

>The most obvious thing to do for it is to wax your mandibles, since that went over so well with Atena yesterday.
:DaithiNUM: (Right… waxing…)
>Is your uniform not dressy enough if you clean it up? Is there a dress uniform that is issued, like with brass shines and epaulets and shiny boots?
:DaithiNUM: (She just say that I would wear something nice while I was wearing the uniform, so I’m guessing she wants something nicer? And I’m just on my second year, so I haven’t received a dress uniform yet.)
>Nothing to wear you say? You may have to turn to your mother for help there.
:DaithiNUM: (…right, mom can probably help.)
>Also, bring flowers.
:DaithiNUM: (Flowers… got it.)
>Oh, I just remembered you said to Ealasaid one of your fathers is a tailor; You think he could get you something nice to wear in time?
:DaithiNUM: (As he lives three days from here I’m going to guess no.)
>Dai, you got any idea why your mother's status was "intrigued" mid-morning, "warm fuzzy feelings" around about when you met Lucius and just a bit ago was "excited?"
:DaithiNUM: (Err… that sound like something I, as her son, wouldn’t want to know about…)

>[Switch to High Priestess]
:CeanaNUM: -the red one? Or the blue? Hmm… what do you think will fit best?
:UnknownKAK: I can’t say If we got time to make a new dress for your… um… new size until tonight, my lady…
:CeanaNUM: Oh, right… I can’t wear my old things…
:UnknownKAK: It was rather… out of the blue, this dinner, wasn’t it?
:CeanaNUM: Oh, I now! And here I thought old Cathal was getting into the years when suddenly he does something like this! Breakfast on bed… massage… a splendid lunch… and now the dinner and then he got a surprise for me!? I’m so excited! I haven’t been treated like this since… since… since after our wedding, actually…
:UnknownKAK: Maybe you can go in your current dress, My lady, it is still rather clean…

Insert My parents does what!? ICK!_
>>
No. 595070 ID: 9ddf68

[ding]
hello Ceana, glad to see you're having a swell evening, anyways I have a question, Can you help Daithi find something nice to wear for his date later tonight? He's going on a date with Atena tonight and has no idea what to do. It's kinda adorable really. Oh and he passed his first training exercise that had him ordering around real solders so there's that as well.
>>
No. 595072 ID: 40935b

[scan everyone]
>[…cheese? Really?]
[reply: I wish I was joking. Apparently all technological developments will culminate in ]
Try the red one. Everything is too blue around here.

Good news, Dai passed the commanders' test with flying colors, met Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas and made a good impression. Also, Lucrais was the subject of an attack by shapestealers, but Atena saved the day.and now Lucrais is kinda sorta crushing on her.

AAANYway, Dai just realized he has nothing to wear to his date, any ideas?
>>
No. 595090 ID: 2fd516

>>595066
Oh boy!
[ETA on cheese missiles]
[scan those present]
Hey, anything interesting happen today?
>>
No. 595097 ID: d8a627

>And here I thought old Cathal was getting into the years when suddenly he does something like this!
I would not be surprised if it was Purple who told him to be more romantic... Though the specifics, Purple tends to leave up to his pawns.
Hello, Lady Ceana. From the sound of things, today has been quite lovely for you, has it not? Fortunately, there's nothing to draw the joy away from you; Daithi's been spending the day with his friends, and is about to have a date with Atena. Only thing he's got to worry about is finding something nice to wear, that isn't his Commander's outfit.

>and now Lucrais is kinda sorta crushing on her.
She's also enjoying having several new admirers...
>>
No. 595111 ID: 26d79f

>>595097
>I would not be surprised if it was Purple who told him to be more romantic... Though the specifics, Purple tends to leave up to his pawns.

Okay, I'm pretty sure you're not saying that aloud, but I have to ask, are you? Her hearing that would ruin her day, and no one wants that.

>>595066
Well, you certainly seem excited! Moments like these are a dime a dozen, so you should be! We'll try not to ruin the night for you, but would you like some help?

Oh, and could you help us with something really quickly? Daithi needs something to wear for his dinner tonight, do you have any suggestions?
>>
No. 595114 ID: 2fd516

>>595111
I agree, let's not tell her Purple is likely behind this.
>>
No. 595210 ID: d8a627

>>595111
(Right, sorry, forgot to mark that as internal, among the group)
>>
No. 595219 ID: 239b47

I now somewhat want to stab a wheel of cheese with the debugknife...
>>
No. 595225 ID: 65a774
File 141139971613.png - (21.37KB , 900x450 , 54.png )
595225

>[scan everyone]
[Neutral Creature (Friendly): Loyal Attendant.]
[Neutral Creature (Friendly): Private Guard.] x 2
[Neutral Creature (Friendly): Captain of the Private Guard.]
[Neutral Creature (Neutral): Nurse.]
>[reply: I wish I was joking. Apparently all technological developments will culminate in cheese.]
[White: …I can’t decide if that’s sad or hilarious.]

>[ding]
Hmm? Ding? What?
>Hello, Lady Ceana. From the sound of things, today has been quite lovely for you, has it not?
I… who… oh, right, you… now I remember… Why, yes, it has! I have to admit, I haven’t felt this alive since… well, forever!
>Try the red one. Everything is too blue around here.
Hmm… maybe you’re right… and red has always been a favored color of mine…
>We'll try not to ruin the night for you, but would you like some help?
Oh, no, no need to bother with me. I’m fine as it is. I’m sure you got more important matters to attend to. Now, I’m guessing you’re not here to talk about my day, am I correct?

>Good news, Dai passed the commanders' test with flying colors.
Ah, I knew he should do it. I know my Dai have always been a bit shy but I knew he would be great if he just emerged from his shell.
>Met Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas and made a good impression.
Nrrillinthas? As in… wait, isn’t she the emperors daughter? What is she doing here?
>I have a question, Can you help Daithi find something nice to wear for his date later tonight?
A date? My baby boy has a date? Oh, of course I can help! Let’s see… who is the lucky lady? …or is it maybe a gentleman?
>He's going on a date with Atena tonight and has no idea what to do. It's kinda adorable really.
Atena, huh? A lady with some experience will do him good… and I’ve heard that she is rather wild where it matters… heh…
:CeanaNUM: Oh, and I forgot to mention, my son Daithi needs a new suit to tonight. Something a bit… classical. Atena would probably like that. I’m sure we got some old clothes around here that can be reused.
:UnknownKAK: I’ll see what I can do, madam.

>Also, Lucrais was the subject of an attack by shapestealers, but Atena saved the day.
:CeanaNUM: WAIT WHAT!?
:UnknownKAK: “Wait what” what?
:UnknownKAK: Excuse me, Lady of the house, but there’s a Lady Baideal who wants to see you. She says it’s urgent. Oh, and… um… excuse me for saying this but… she acting rather odd…
:UnknownKAK: Odd?
:UnknownKAK: She came without any escort, for example… last time she was here she brought three carts full of people.
:CeanaNUM:

Insert She is a dinosaur in bed, she goes RAWR!_
>>
No. 595226 ID: 2fd516

>>595225
Odd? Could be a shape stealer. On the other hand she could be alone because she's paranoid that anyone she brings could be a shape stealer. So put some guards on her, and we'll ask a few questions to make sure she's legit.

Oh, did we give you the passphrase? "The pear stalks in the light".
>>
No. 595231 ID: d8a627

>"The pear stalks in the light".
Odd, yes, but that's what Arthur, the wildman Inquisitor, agreed to.
>A lady with some experience will do him good…
She likely will... And Daithi is exactly what she needs, as well: a man who is actually willing to devote himself to a relationship.
>there’s a Lady Baideal who wants to see you. She says it’s urgent. Oh, and… um… excuse me for saying this but… she acting rather odd…
Oh, hell... You know how Daithi has been supposedly targeted by The Deceiver? Her real name is The Benevolent One, likely referring to the fact that, so far, she has not spread any corruption whatsoever.
Well, her children attacked Lucrais, and it's got her all up in a panic. Don't assume that's why she's here or the only reason she's acting weird, there could be something else, and you should let her give you the confirmation.
>>
No. 595234 ID: 2fd516

I'd like to note that the shape-stealers are not under orders of The Benevolent One. They are acting on their own, according to the oracle we met. Daithi will be able to speak to her once he has an "anchor"... which is the purpose of the dating.
>>
No. 595248 ID: 9ddf68

well Lady Baideal daughter was attacked by shapestealers as well who actually hid her in in Lady Baideal own home and she never even knew until Lucrais was there until she started to call for help from her room. Luckily the guard were there and managed to stop everything before anyone got hurt. Just throwing this out there so you know she's probably going to be a bit paranoid so don't jump to conclusions until you're sure one way or another.
>>
No. 595262 ID: 9443d1

Okay, Lady Baideal showing up without her usual escort might mean she's a Shape Stealer impersonating Lady Baideal to try and get to you, either to murder you or to suck out your brains to gain your memories to take your place, though the latter would probably require two mantis Shape Stealers. But it also might be that after Lucrais was attacked by the Shape Stealers that Lady Baideal felt unsafe in her own home and that she couldn't trust her staff anymore and she's come here to warn you about the Shape Stealers or to ask to stay here or she might even be going around questioning her friends to try and figure out if they've been replaced or not.

Ask the guard captain what other odd behavior, if any, Lady Baideal was exhibiting.

The best test you have that won't tip a Shape Stealer off is a test of knowledge, but not an outright question because that'll tip it off you're suspicious. Like in conversation you invent and insert things you know are false but the real Lady Baideal would catch in a heartbeat such as mentioning false events between you two and the like.

Is Cathal around? 'Cause we know that all but the strongest Shape Stealers are harmed and repulsed by a symbol of strong belief so he can check if Lady Baideal is a Shape Stealer. I also remember something about him being a veteran Inquisitor so he might already know about Shape Stealers and how to deal with them.

How good are you with a sword or whatever your preferred weapons was these days? 'Cause if you think you can still wield one effectively then try to meet Lady Baideal somewhere with a weapon on display that you can quickly grab, just in case. Also make sure it's somewhere with multiple exits, and keep your guards nearby. In fact, could you have a guard hide in the room you meet Lady Baideal in.

[@Purple: Man, what'd you say to Cathal that got him treating Ceana so romantically today? She's quite happy with his attention, so whatever it was I approve.]
>>
No. 595271 ID: 9443d1

>>595262
Addendum: Oh, also, do you have an idea what kind of gift Daithi should bring for his date with Atena? We already suggested flowers but is there something she'd like better you know of?
>>
No. 595272 ID: 40935b

>A date? My baby boy has a date?
Yep, they set it up themselves before you got the chance, enterprising little rascals. Just don't go too classical with that suit, I doubt Atena wants to live in the past anymore.
>wait, isn’t she the emperors daughter? What is she doing here?
She's Black's pawn, likely a king piece. We have no idea what his motivations are now that he's seen his original goal was a trap.
> WAIT WHAT!?
Don't worry, she's safe! Some Shapeshifters imitated the guards, but we were there fast enough to tell her it was a trap, and Atena was there fast enough to put them down. Uh, but Lucrais was going all damsel in distress and Atena was like the knight in shining armor and- well, things are getting complicated.

>There’s a Lady Baideal who wants to see you
She could be speaking about the attack, or be a shapeshifter herself. Ask her something only she could know to figure it out.
>>
No. 595278 ID: 9443d1

>>595272
>She's Black's pawn, likely a king piece. We have no idea what his motivations are now that he's seen his original goal was a trap.
Even though Black now knows the capture quest is a trap he's still seeking out Lucius and Hugo to determine if they're a threat to him or the Amun Empire. Also, even though Ealasaid has the designation "The Empress" Black's king piece is almost certainly not Ealasaid but rather her mother, the Empress of Amun.
>>
No. 595334 ID: 9443d1

>>595262
Addendum: Oh, we forgot to say that we chose Atena and Lucrais as the next two we can switch and speak to. That brings us to five we can speak with here; Them, you, Daithi, and Nickolas Irat, the Academy chapel priest. Have you heard of General Irat? 'Cause that's who Nick was before his five year ordeal in the Untamed Lands, before he forgave his captors, renounced violence and became a priest.

You should know that the attempt by Shape Stealers to replace Lucrais was not the first such attempt we've encountered while in Amun. Yesterday Daithi and Cedric intercepted a lone Shape Stealer in the guise of Arthur right outside the door to Arthur's lab in the Academy basement. If not for them fighting the creature and calling it out to the real Arthur then he would have been ambushed and killed for sure.

I've been trying to figure out when and how Daithi was first exposed to The Deceiver/The Benevolent One. He's had the hallucinations his whole life, right? So maybe he was exposed before he hatched or even before his egg was laid. Was there anything you remember around when you were pregnant back then that could be connected to that? It could even be earlier then that, so what about the situations when he may have been conceived? Nothing odd about them besides one of them being on a pile of cheese?

How did you meet Atena, Ceana? Was it through her late husband? I say that because she told us that he died to a barbarian raid while stationed in the Untamed Lands so I assume he was in the military and through that might be a connection to you.

When were you planning to inform Lady Baideal that the engagement between Daithi and Lucrais is off? Because Lucrais told us she wants to be present when you do.

And... I think that it might be a mistake to call off the wedding. I say this because yesterday, after making the agreement to call it off both us and Dai got to know a lot more about Lucrais from her. Basically thanks to a bet she lost playing WarStorm against Dai and about one and half bottles of wine she ended up truthfully answering a lot of questions from Dai (and us) about herself. The gist of it is that for a long time now Dai's the only one she's really wanted to be with. The reason she acted the way she did towards Dai before was partly 'cause she was jealous of his freedom to do the un-noble things she's always wanted to do, his getting into the Academy and not her (even though she never would have gotten in,) and that he has such loving, supportive parents, unlike her. Another part of it was that she was, and still is, mad she doesn't get to decide who she'll be wed to, and the last part of it was that Daithi, the man she wanted so much, just didn't seem to be interested in her at all. Knowing this now I can't help but feel like we made the wrong decision back there.

Now I'm afraid that once you tell Lady Baideal the wedding is off that she won't ever agree to put it back on later and the door'll close forever on the possibility of Dai and Lu getting together; That she'll have a proper noble in mind to take his place and won't go back on it. That if it turns out that Dai, Lu, Atena and maybe even Arthur want to be together that Lu can't be a part of it due to being stuck marrying three guys she has no interest in, let alone love.

Also, I'm curious: Do you know the reason why Lady Baideal kept Lucrais from ever meeting any of her fathers? From what she said she kinda longs to have known them.
>>
No. 595358 ID: d8a627

>and that he has such loving, supportive parents, unlike her.
...Holy shit, Lucrais is effected by the Deceiver too, isn't she? When we met her mother, she was just as loving and caring as you are, Ceana. A bit stern at times, sure, but so are you, and it's not even harsh enough to qualify as tough love. Just a mother caring for her child, and ensuring that they work things out amongst their interests so that they have a job that they can actually support themselves with while still practicing what they enjoy.
Man, I swear, if that ends up being the case I am going to flip. My. Lid.

For the record, you can expect the occasional crackpot theory from us, just don't expect anything to actually come from that theory. Crackpot theories are just that, after all.
>>
No. 595555 ID: 9443d1

>Hmm… maybe you’re right… and red has always been a favored color of mine…
Ah, but don't just make it a red dress; Make it a sexy red dress. One that's rather form-fitting and revealing in the abdomen, with a high slit skirt on the legs to accentuate their length. That'll make 'ol Cathal's antennas stand on end when you first come into view at dinner tonight, then more than just his antennas when he sees you in motion, abdomen swaying seductively with every confident step of your long legs~
>>
No. 595583 ID: 65a774
File 141156718507.png - (20.87KB , 900x450 , 55.png )
595583

>[@Purple: Man, what'd you say to Cathal that got him treating Ceana so romantically today? She's quite happy with his attention, so whatever it was I approve.]
[Purple: I’m simply helping him achieve his wish, nothing more.]

>Oh, we forgot to say that we chose Atena and Lucrais as the next two we can switch and speak to. That brings us to five we can speak with here; Them, you, Daithi, and Nickolas Irat, the Academy chapel priest.
So, you’re spreading, hmm?
>Have you heard of General Irat?
Of course, who doesn’t know about his daring escape from the cultists, eh?
>When were you planning to inform Lady Baideal that the engagement between Daithi and Lucrais is off? Because Lucrais told us she wants to be present when you do.
Well, I was going to speak to her the next time we met… which would be now but… if you want to wait…
>And... I think that it might be a mistake to call off the wedding.
Ah, are they already having second thoughts? Typical kids, so impulsive.
>Now I'm afraid that once you tell Lady Baideal the wedding is off that she won't ever agree to put it back on later and the door'll close forever on the possibility of Dai and Lu getting together; That she'll have a proper noble in mind to take his place and won't go back on it.
I wouldn’t worry about that. She has been looking for suitors for Lucrais a long time already, and she hasn’t found any… no one that really fits her high standards, at least.

>How did you meet Atena, Ceana? Was it through her late husband?
Well, no. Her late husband was a lower ranked soldier, so I never knew him personally. But we’re both influential women of this city, so we meet trough other channels.
>Oh, also, do you have an idea what kind of gift Daithi should bring for his date with Atena? We already suggested flowers but is there something she'd like better you know of?
Hmm… I do know she got quite the sweet tooth. I mean, how else do you get such a wide fundament? She is lucky that all her training is keeping her from going completely plump and her most valuable asset firm.
>Ah, but don't just make it a red dress; Make it a sexy red dress. One that's rather form-fitting and revealing in the abdomen, with a high slit skirt on the legs to accentuate their length. That'll make 'ol Cathal's antennas stand on end when you first come into view at dinner tonight, then more than just his antennas when he sees you in motion, abdomen swaying seductively with every confident step of your long legs~
Heh… I like the way you think… hmm… that if anything would get old Cathal’s blood flowing… and it’s been too long since I had a real night of passion too…

>Odd? Could be a shape stealer.
Should be a what?
>On the other hand she could be alone because she's paranoid that anyone she brings could be a shape stealer.
Err… right, so shape stealers can disguise themselves as others, I guess? Maybe I too should get a bit paranoid…
>Oh, hell... You know how Daithi has been supposedly targeted by The Deceiver? er real name is The Benevolent One, likely referring to the fact that, so far, she has not spread any corruption whatsoever.
Benevolent one? Wait… isn’t that the god those barbarians in the untamed lands worship!? They say she came and brought them the gift of life, but that anyone who didn’t please here was driven mad…
>I've been trying to figure out when and how Daithi was first exposed to The Deceiver/The Benevolent One. He's had the hallucinations his whole life, right? So maybe he was exposed before he hatched or even before his egg was laid. Was there anything you remember around when you were pregnant back then that could be connected to that?
I… I can’t recall anything that would imply he was… hmm… I mean, he was always with his brothers and sister before he was born and… they aren’t… hmm…
>Daithi will be able to speak to her once he has an "anchor"... which is the purpose of the dating.
…wait… wait wait wait… his main reason to started dating was because he wishes to speak with a DEMON!? I… and here I thought he just had a thing for big lizard butts…
>Well, her children attacked Lucrais, and it's got her all up in a panic.
…right, shape stealers, was it?
>Oh, did we give you the passphrase? "The pear stalks in the light".
Pear? That’s… hard to guess, at least?
>Is Cathal around?
No, he’s out preparing our dinner for tonight… apparently this was a bit spur of the moment for him too.

>So put some guards on her, and we'll ask a few questions to make sure she's legit.
:CeanaNUM: Well then, guards, bring her up here… under watch.
:GuardNUM: Of course, my lady.
>The best test you have that won't tip a Shape Stealer off is a test of knowledge, but not an outright question because that'll tip it off you're suspicious.
:CeanaNUM: Ah, welcome Lady Baideal, I didn’t expect you to come perso-
:LadyBaidealNum: Lady Baeronvar, I have something urgent to discuss with you… in private!
:CeanaNUM: Of course you do… ladies?
:UnknownKAK: We’ll leave at once, my lady…
:CeanaNUM: This must be of some real importance if it shouldn’t wait for tomorrow’s game? Or maybe you’re just afraid you’ll lose again to me like last time?
:LadyBaidealNum: …tomorrow is Saturday, we play on Sundays, remember?! And you didn’t beat me last time! It was Lady… wait… you’re testing me, aren’t you!? Well, who won and how!?
:CeanaNUM: Why, Lady Vusatunell bombarded you quite fiercely with her artillery, didn’t she?
:LadyBaidealNum: …now, can you dispel your guards so we can speak in private?
:CeanaNUM: …no, no I cannot. They will keep out of earshot if that helps?
:LadyBaidealNum: …very well. If that’s how you… anyway… as you tested me when I came I’m going to guess you already know… somehow. Earlier today my daughter was attacked by shape shifters and… and… and I hate to ask you for a favor but… um… can you help us lay low for a bit?
:CeanaNUM: Hmmm…

Insert Our artillery will bloat out the gaming table!_
>>
No. 595587 ID: 9ddf68

on a scale from 1 to 10 how desperate does this make Lady Baideal if she's asking for help?

Also what game do you talk about, hell it's almost sounding like Daithi's war game.

But yeah from what I know Lady Baideal's daughter is currently hiding in Daithi's dorm as a cadet of the school, which really was just a poorly veiled plot by Lucrais to get closer to Daithi. Antena doesn't have much faith in Lucrais's plan either but hey with school crawling with the inquisition it's probably safer then he home. Oh and do you have anything against Lady Baideal that you'd rather she not stay here or what?
>>
No. 595588 ID: d8a627

>his main reason to started dating was because he wishes to speak with a DEMON!? I… and here I thought he just had a thing for big lizard butts…
Actually, he probably does have a thing for lizard butts. None of us even got the idea to speak to The Benevolent One until well after the dates were set.
>apparently this was a bit spur of the moment for him too.
Hmm? I wonder if he's jealous that his own son is going on a date? Of course, that alone wouldn't drive him to such lengths, but it could act as the catalyst to help him become more romantic, could it not? Mind you, this is just speculation! Don't jump to assumptions as concrete truths. ...Although you probably already know that.
>and I hate to ask you for a favor but… um… can you help us lay low for a bit?
Honestly, Daithi has been the safest to be around when it comes to Shapestealers... They, at least, the shape-stealers, seem to be avoiding your family. It should be much safer for her to lay low here, but I do hope she won't interfere with your date with Cathal.
>>
No. 595594 ID: e26cbe

>Ah, are they already having second thoughts? Typical kids, so impulsive.
Lucrais is having second thoughts, but that was her bridge to burn. If things change we can rearrange, but for now it should be called off. The entire situation is tricky- Lucrais love-hates Dai, Arthur, and possibly Atena, Dai is attracted to Lucrais, Arthur and Atena, I don't think Arthur fully understands the concept of monogamy, and Atena thinks this is all silly. We just don't want to give advice he'll regret following.

> can you help us lay low for a bit?
Lucrais tried a similar plan to get in Dai's good graces. Do you even have the capability to help her?
>>
No. 595595 ID: d8a627

>Atena thinks this is all silly.
Atena thinks most of it is silly. We may yet be able to convince her into a quadronymous relationship. It's a Harem Lucrais and Daithi would be happy with, as long as we can keep Arthur to keep it to just the four of them and Atena that it's a great thing.
Of course, we're not going to be brainwashing her or anything, so if she doesn't go for it, it's not going to happen.
>>
No. 595604 ID: 2fd516

>>595583
Oh, weren't you going to tell her the marriage was called off? Although, I should note that Daithi and Lucrais are getting along better now. It seems our presence has allowed him to hear the truth that he was deaf to for so long, due to his condition.
>>
No. 595606 ID: 65a774
File 141157723324.png - (17.82KB , 900x450 , 56.png )
595606

>Actually, he probably does have a thing for lizard butts. None of us even got the idea to speak to The Benevolent One until well after the dates were set.
Ah, that sounds a bit better, yes… and I do hope he sees more in Atena then just a nice rear. I’m pretty sure any relationship would be doomed otherwise.
>Also what game do you talk about, hell it's almost sounding like Daithi's war game.
Why, yes, that’s exactly it! It’s become a bit of a hit among old commanders and people in those circles.
>Hmm? I wonder if he's jealous that his own son is going on a date?
I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know that little grasshopper got a date yet… and even then why would he be jealous? If anything he’s probably going to be proud that he scored with someone like Atena.
>Lucrais is having second thoughts, but that was her bridge to burn.
That young lady has always been rather conflicted, hasn’t she?

>The entire situation is tricky- Lucrais love-hates Dai, Arthur, and possibly Atena, Dai is attracted to Lucrais, Arthur and Atena, I don't think Arthur fully understands the concept of monogamy, and Atena thinks this is all silly.
…that’s… what kind of mess has he fallen into this time? Four partners? Both male and female? And different species? …you know, there are a lot of love drama books that are less complicated than this.
>But yeah from what I know Lady Baideal's daughter is currently hiding in Daithi's dorm as a cadet of the school, which really was just a poorly veiled plot by Lucrais to get closer to Daithi.
So he’s going to spend a lot of time alone with a girl who both loves and hates him? In a dorm that doesn’t have any doors to the showers? …this is starting to sound like one of those whacky comedy stories.
>Honestly, Daithi has been the safest to be around when it comes to Shapestealers... They, at least, the shape-stealers, seem to be avoiding your family.
Really? Well then, I guess I know what I need to do…
>On a scale from 1 to 10 how desperate does this make Lady Baideal if she's asking for help?
Well, we’ve always had a bit of dislike for each other but there is respect between us so… I’m going to say about five? Six maybe?

>Do you even have the capability to help her?
:CeanaNUM: I do have a place where you can lay low for a bit right here in the mansion…
:LadyBaidealNum: Really?
:CeanaNUM: …but you’ll have live a bit like… a common woman.
:LadyBaidealNum: …what!? Like a common woman!? Like sleep on the floor and eat dirt!?
:CeanaNUM: Having you around like a noble guest wouldn’t really be lying low, now would it? …and I do need someone to take care of the library… I know you’ve always admired it, haven’t you?
:LadyBaidealNum: …so, a librarian? …very well… I have to accept that offer, don’t I? …as long as I get a decent bed and good food.
:CeanaNUM: Of course. Let me get some servants to show you your new room and duties… I on the other hand needs to get a dress done.
:LadyBaidealNum: Err… can y-you… um… can you come and make sure those servants do their job?
:CeanaNUM: …I guess I can spare some time.

---

:VictoriaNUM: -----(What is it? Some kind of animal disguised as a bush?)
:NickolasNUM: Don’t ask me, I just found it in here. I’m guessing it came through an open window out back. What I do know is that it doesn’t seem hostile… and rather curious.
:VictoriaNUM: ----… ----(Curious? You mean that thing is a person?)
:NickolasNUM: I’m pretty sure it is. It seems to be able to comprehend that the altar is important.
:WandererNUM: ----…..---… (faaaaiiih? Faih? Then some kind of whistle sound?)
:VictoriaNUM: --… (Okay…. That was weird…)

Insert Bad plant! Don’t run away from home!_
>>
No. 595611 ID: dbe554

Oh hey nick, that's actually an alien Daithi has been keeping in his room. He's intelligent and can speak..somewhat, but he can draw out his thoughts on paper.

It was trying to say Faith, but I'm not sure what he's trying to comprehend with the altar..Maybe he's trying to pray?
>>
No. 595612 ID: d8a627

>So he’s going to spend a lot of time alone with a girl who both loves and hates him? In a dorm that doesn’t have any doors to the showers? …this is starting to sound like one of those whacky comedy stories.
To make matters even more hillarious, Atena has been visiting the school quite a bit recently thanks to recent going-ons, although the Inquisition likes to take over; and as far as the Inquisition is concerned, they've stationed Arthur at the school himself, meaning that all four are pretty much going to be there a lot of the time...
>(faaaaiiih? Faih? Then some kind of whistle sound?)
*Squidly tap*
Ah, hello, Nickolas. He was saying "Faith," or attempting to. He's having trouble with certain phonics. His name is Hugo, and he's what we call a Uredo. Plant man, basically. We've got snake people and red-or-orange lizards called Sakkil as well. No, I don't know what the snakes are called, I just call them "Slither."
I don't know what happened, but I can guess, though it may get expunged as I do: Perhaps the gods decided to create a few more peoples to spice things up. Why they made Sakkil when there were already Lizards is a bit confusing, but they are different species.
Hugo's basically been... adopted, by Daithi, but it needs to be kept a secret. Player Black is on the hunt for him, and we need to find a way to convince him that he's a friendly.
[Message Black: I've been wondering for some time now, just how you plan on ensuring that the two visitors aren't a threat. Interrogation? Negotiation? Extermination? Regardless, the fall of the empire will be quite detrimental to us, so we plan on ensuring they aren't a threat, ourselves.]

Hugo can certainly understand speech to some degree, so try telling him about the altar and what it's for. He should understand most of it, even if it's only through how you express your words, and not what you're saying.
>>
No. 595618 ID: 9ddf68

glad to see you're doing alright Nick, oh and I've see you've found Hugo. Long story short, plant person from beyond the stares that's suppose to be hiding seeing how snake people and most other players are trying to catch him and kill him. Look he's mostly harmless as long as you don't attack him... and can you try and keep others from seeing him, and getting Victoria not to tell anyone else about him. We're trying to avoid a shit storm from hitting the fan and people not knowing Hugo is here would go a long way.
>>
No. 595620 ID: 2fd516

>>595606
God damn it. Why did Hugo leave the dorm? We're lucky only you three saw it. Hi again Nicholas. You're looking at the "god" that descended from the sky yesterday. It's not really a god, though. It's... a visitor from outside this world. It is slowly learning the local language- normally it communicates in whistles. We've been calling it Hugo but that's probably not its real name. Honestly I'm not sure if it's male or female.

Anyway, it's harmless. More of a tourist than anything I think, although it has access to powerful technology while it's wearing its suit. Said suit is currently hidden in Daithi's dorm. DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE SEE IT. Tell Victoria she can't let anyone know. We'll have to claim her tonight to keep the secret from getting out. Hmm... normally we have two claimed pawns every night, but there's only one pawn available now, isn't there?
[@Purple: Have you seen any more unclaimed pawns? We only know of one, and if our level up pace continues at the rate it's going we'll have to claim two more pawns tonight. We don't have the option of using level ups on anything but more pawn slots, unlike other Players.]

[scan Victoria]
Oh, and we have other news that might interest you. Lucrais was attacked by two shape stealers, but was thankfully saved by Atena. We met a long-"dead" daemon oracle named Truth who told us a bunch of vague information, the most interesting part being that the Benevolent One is interested in Daithi but is choosing not to corrupt him on purpose. However, Daithi cannot speak to her directly because his mind isn't strong enough, so he's been getting hallucinations and such over the years because of her presence. The Shape Stealers are supposedly acting on their own, not being guided by their mother. Anyway after Truth talked to us for a while it demanded we kill it for real with our special dagger, so we did.
>>
No. 595624 ID: 65a774
File 141159045167.png - (17.78KB , 900x450 , 57.png )
595624

>[scan Victoria]
[“The Hermit” is unclaimed!]
>[@Purple: Have you seen any more unclaimed pawns? We only know of one, and if our level up pace continues at the rate it's going we'll have to claim two more pawns tonight. We don't have the option of using level ups on anything but more pawn slots, unlike other Players.]
[Purple: You do realize you won’t get a pawn slot every level, right? But, yes, I’ve seen some unclaimed pawns around these parts. Already got my eyes on one here in the academy.]
>[Message Black: I've been wondering for some time now, just how you plan on ensuring that the two visitors aren't a threat. Interrogation? Negotiation? Extermination? Regardless, the fall of the empire will be quite detrimental to us, so we plan on ensuring they aren't a threat, ourselves.]
[Black: We will find them, valuate if they are a threat, a potential ally or a tool to be used and plan our next step based on that.]

>*Squidly tap*
Hmm?
>His name is Hugo, and he's what we call a Uredo. Plant man, basically.
…plant man? Uredo? Never heard about them… it smells weird, though… he smells like… I can’t really say…
>We've got snake people and red-or-orange lizards called Sakkil as well. No, I don't know what the snakes are called, I just call them "Slither."
Plant men, snake men and new lizards? Really?
>You're looking at the "god" that descended from the sky yesterday. It's not really a god, though. It's... a visitor from outside this world.
…ah, so they are all from beyond the stars? I’ve read theories that there would be world just like ours at every star in the sky just as there’s a world going around our star… I guess they were right to some degree?

>God damn it. Why did Hugo leave the dorm? We're lucky only you three saw it.
…dorm? My guess would be that he got bored?
>It was trying to say Faith, but I'm not sure what he's trying to comprehend with the altar… Maybe he's trying to pray?
…no, it looks more like he’s… studying it?
>Hugo's basically been... adopted, by Daithi, but it needs to be kept a secret.
I can understand why.
:NickolasNUM: …let this be a thing between just the three of us… alright, Victoria?
:VictoriaNUM: --- ---- ---(No believe even if tell) -- ---- ---…

>Oh, and we have other news that might interest you. Lucrais was attacked by two shape stealers, but was thankfully saved by Atena.
…more shape stealers? That’s not good at all…
>We met a long-"dead" daemon oracle named Truth who told us a bunch of vague information, the most interesting part being that the Benevolent One is interested in Daithi but is choosing not to corrupt him on purpose.
Really? And you believed this “oracle”?
>The Shape Stealers are supposedly acting on their own, not being guided by their mother.
Oh, I already know that. The influence of the Deceiver disappeared about twenty years ago. Now it’s just her fanatical followers trying to appease someone that doesn’t listen left.

>Hugo can certainly understand speech to some degree, so try telling him about the altar and what it's for.
:NickolasNUM: Greetings. I am Nickolas the priest, who are you?
:WandererNUM: --- ---(Geeing niioollaass… I a “Whistle sound”… ae yoo faaiihh man of teeemeel?)
:NickolasNUM: … … …hmm, faith man of the temple? Why yes… yes I am… and you are a…?
:WandererNUM: … … ---- --- (Fiineer…. Uneersaaneerr…. Nower…. Leaner…)
:VictoriaNUM: … --- --- (Fine unersaner newer leaner? …what?)

Insert AND SO SPOKE THE MIGHTY BUSH OF THE HEAVENS! ALL HAIL!_
>>
No. 595626 ID: 40935b

[scan Victoria]

>This is starting to sound like one of those wacky comedy stories.
Lucrais isn't exactly the worldliest, so that could very well be her plan.

>faaaaiiih? Faih?
Fire. Or possibly faith.
... What does that stained glass window represent? Could you direct the plants' attention to it?
>>
No. 595628 ID: 40935b

Literally one minute late, wow.

>Uneersaaneerr…. Nower…. Leaner…
understander, knower, learner. He's a scholar, or scientist. It explains how he's picking up the language so quickly.

>Really? And you believed this “oracle”?
He claimed that all scientific progress would end in the creation of the ultimate cheese.
We're looking for a second opinion.
>>
No. 595631 ID: 2fd516

>>595624
Finder, understander, knower, learner. He's a scholar. Ask what his name is. Uh, preferably in a form that we can pronounce.

As for the oracle, well... I can't imagine why it would lie. It just wanted to die, because its body was destroyed yet it could not stop existing. It was basically a truth-telling machine made by the old dead gods, and sealed in place to answer their questions about what the Players would do. It was too perfect and told them uncomfortable truths, supposedly. It knew things it should not have been able to know, so I believe it was in fact an oracle of some sort. Whether or not it was honest with us remains to be seen, as the daemons we've met before then are all liars. Hell, multiple daemons told us that "There is a place in the Amun Empire untouched by daemons where you can find the truth" and hey what do you know the "truth" was a fucking daemon. It was TECHNICALLY untouched by daemon hands because Truth was dead, but... well, I think you can understand my frustration.

I feel like not knowing anything about the war would be better than getting all this misinformation from the daemons. So far nothing we've had to take their word on has ever been of use. It's only served to make us doubt our allegiances and long term goals.
>>
No. 595649 ID: d8a627

>he smells like… I can’t really say…
..Mulch? Fertilizer? We don't have noses, and like vision, we don't share sense of smell with our pawns. If it's a bad smell, it may be that he hasn't had a chance to, uh, bathe or shower. Assuming Uredo even do that. Hell, even if it's a "Good" smell, like something flowery or pine-tree-esque, it could be their version of sweat, which would be uncomfortable for them.
Actually, I don't think they can smell either, so it probably doesn't bother him.
>>
No. 595672 ID: 9ddf68

I'm kinda wondering why he left the dorm without his suit, also what's the thing behind him next to the alter on the floor? Because I can't make heads or tails of it, is it a camera, a tape recorder, a bomb. Most likely not that last one but it looks to crude to be anything else. Oh and ask why he wants to study faith?
>>
No. 595676 ID: d8a627

>>595672
...A bomb? Really? Judging by the display, which is way too large for it to be a bomb, it's more of a stationary scanner. They operate a lot faster and more efficiently than portable scanners, thanks to not needing to compensate for moving around a bunch. It could record a bunch of different things, too, including sounds and visuals, so it could easily be a camera and a voice recorder at the same time.
>>
No. 595770 ID: 65a774
File 141165883741.png - (19.11KB , 900x450 , 58.png )
595770

>He claimed that all scientific progress would end in the creation of the ultimate cheese. …We're looking for a second opinion.
…yeah, you probably should.
>Hell, multiple daemons told us that "There is a place in the Amun Empire untouched by daemons where you can find the truth" and hey what do you know the "truth" was a fucking daemon.
Hmm… maybe they meant the free daemons? You said this Truth was both imprisoned and dead, right? My guess was that they meant that this Truth has been outside their reach for a long time… or maybe they meant something else down there? What did you find excluding this Truth?

>…Mulch? Fertilizer? We don't have noses, and like vision, we don't share sense of smell with our pawns.
I don’t know… it’s just… alien.
>... What does that stained glass window represent? Could you direct the plants' attention to it?
It’s a representation of the endless cycle of death and rebirth… and I don’t think I’ll gain anything from showing it off. I’m pretty sure he… she… it has already seen it.
>Finder, understander, knower, learner. He's a scholar, or scientist.
Really? That would explain his curiosity, wouldn’t it?
>It explains how he's picking up the language so quickly.
That too…

>what's the thing behind him next to the altar on the floor? Because I can't make heads or tails of it, is it a camera, a tape recorder, a bomb?
… a what, a what and a what? Well, I know what a bomb is but… I’m guessing it’s not a bomb, at least… I have no idea what it is.
>Ask what his name is. Uh, preferably in a form that we can pronounce.
:WandererNUM: ---… (Whistle sound again… same as before.)
:NickolasNUM: …we can’t mimic that sound, sadly… can you translate it for us?
:WandererNUM: … … … ----(meeaaaan oooo mooovee…. Ooo waaaaneeerrr…)
:NickolasNUM: …waner?
:VictoriaNUM: ---(I think he means wander.)
:NickolasNUM: …so, you’re Wanderer?
:WandererNUM: … … ---(Wiii doooo fooo noooow… I a waaaaneeerrr, niioollaass.)
>Oh and ask why he wants to study faith?
:WandererNUM: ---(Leeaan aaaeioouuu yooo, Uneersaan yooo…. Ff weee now yooo, hen weee aan ee feends.)…
:NickolasNUM: ...learn aeiou? What?

Insert John madden!_
>>
No. 595771 ID: 001618

>Wiii doooo fooo noooow… I a waaaaneeerrr, niioollaass.
think he said, "will do for now, I am wander, Nickolas."

>Leeaan aaaeioouuu yooo, Uneersaan yooo…. Ff weee now yooo, hen weee aan ee feends.
"learn about you, understand you… (have no idea but think he's saying free you but that's a guess at best), then we can be friends.

well at least he's got his heart in the right place, not so sure about his head though, he does kinda have a bounty on him. and damn now I'm wishing we asked the name of the planet that Lucius family was on, I'd like to ask him why his people slaughtered everyone they found there.
>>
No. 595773 ID: dbe554

Well at least he's projecting himself as friendly, that does make things easier, can you ask him why he left the dorms?
>>
No. 595778 ID: 2fd516

>>595770
...oh. I thought "Wanderer" was more of a descriptive name than the name he goes by. That'll teach me to ignore an icon.

I think it's time for a Q&A session. Ask him about his culture, and he can ask about yours.
>>
No. 595787 ID: d8a627

>What did you find excluding this Truth?
We found... Well, you could call it a transcript, containing messages send between a few gods. Of course, the last written message was over a thousand years ago, and was the two gods dying while Truth spoke to us from the past.
>Leeaan aaaeioouuu yooo, Uneersaan yooo…. Ff weee now yooo, hen weee aan ee feends.
"Learn about you, understand you..." I can't translate that second bit, but he finishes with "then we are ??? friends." Maybe it's trying to say "First Dai now you," he likely recogises us, Teal. Since Hugo, or Wanderer, is a direct-player, he's able to see players without needing a reflection. Aside from Wanderer and Lucius, I believe all players are indirect--operating the way that we do, using pawns. Some of us might have champions, like white, where all of the levels are spent on powers, while others have armies, like us, Teal, where we never spend levels on powers, instead going for pawns. Granted, as a "living" player, we can't gain powers, anyways.
Oh, wait a minute. "First me, then you." He's saying that since he told you about himself, you should tell him about you, and then you will be friends.
>We will find them, valuate if they are a threat, a potential ally or a tool to be used and plan our next step based on that.
[Message Black: Potential ally and threat to be eliminated, I understand, but a tool to be used? Everything you have stated so far suggests you have hopes of keeping your empire safe and powerful, but I don't see what plan you could have to do so that would involve these two outsiders; if you are willing to explain, what exactly is your plan?
As I said before, we are willing to help you out, as far as keeping the empire safe goes, or as far as keeping the world at large safe--the latter, especially, happens to be our own plan.]
>>
No. 595792 ID: 2fd516

>>595771
"If we know you".
>>
No. 595797 ID: 9443d1

Uh, guys. Guys! Uh, not you Nick; Don't look so you don't let on you were alerted. Every other squid, look in the stained glass window! Two of those Imperial Guards that were with Judicator Ealasaid are on the other side, looking in here! They've found Hugo and they're either going to make an attempt to capture him right now, or they're going to block off the exits. Readjust your suggested actions, pronto!

>>595787
Hold that message to Black. With the likely chance that Black is very soon going to find out Nick is our pawn and that he was talking to the plant-person it is probably not a good idea to be asking Black impertinent questions about the "outsiders" because it might put into his paranoid mind that we already had contact with them and that's the reason why we're asking all these questions about what he's going to do. I mean, why else would we be interested in that, hm? And do you know how fucked we will be if Black gets it into his head that we were hiding them from him; That if from that he moves us from the "neutral" to the "threat" column? "100% fucking fucked" is how much we'll be if he does. So either rewrite that message or drop it.
>>
No. 595799 ID: d8a627

>>595797
How about just asking if we may know what his plan is, and that we're willing to help him where keeping the empire, or even world stable?
>>
No. 595800 ID: 2fd516

>>595797
Aw shit.
[scan the mantids behind the window]
>>
No. 595810 ID: 9443d1

Nick, Hugo/Wanderer said "learn about you, understand you. If we know you, then we can be friends." Sounds like to me that Hugo might be some kind of diplomat, but even if he isn't he's still friendly. Unfortunately with Judicator Ealasaid's Imperial Guards about to descend you probably won't get to have a Q&A session and learn about each other. Shame, that. [Scan all targets in range and echo to "Strength"]

*Zip in front of Hugo's cybernetic eye and frantically point towards the stained glass window* Hopefully his cybernetics can see us and he'll get the message to look that way.

Nick, you're probably wondering why a Judicator here, looking for Hugo. Okay, here's the explanation. About late morning Judicator Ealasaid Nrrillinthas, eighth daughter of the Empress, arrived at the Academy with her Imperial Guard to search the building for a "plant person" and a "orange lizard." The reason she was is 'cause she's one of Black's pawns, designation "The Empress." Black is the player that's ruled the Amun Empire through his presumed king piece, the Empress, (not "The Empress,) for the last fifty years; He's also supposedly corrupted by his own paranoia. They started their search in Daithi's dorm 'cause the lizard was seen climbing in the window there, but thanks to a invisibility cloak device of Hugo's they weren't found.

Now we can't ever let Black find out that we were hiding these two 'cause if he does then he might move us from the "neutral" to the "threat" column and if that happens we're totally screwed. He probably won't declare war on us, but with a Judicator and the whole of the Empire's resources at his disposal he doesn't have to; He could "disappear" all our people inside of a day. So it's of utmost importance that you do not say anything that in anyway even slightly hints that you were told anything about Wanderer before now or that we knew of it before now.

[@Purple: Please switch to Arthur right now and ask him why the FUCK he wasn't keeping an eye on Hugo and let him sneak off! I ask you to do this 'cause Hugo is in the Academy chapel right now, with Nick, Thyna and Victoria, and not in the dorm where he should be! And to make matters far worse, we just spotted two of Ealasaid's Imperial Guards on the other side of the stained glass window; Black's people have spotted Hugo! Oh, fuckin' dammit, Arthur!]

>>595787
>Since Hugo, or Wanderer, is a direct-player, he's able to see players without needing a reflection.
You're basing that on Lucius seeing us, right? Well, don't be so sure about it since Lucius' cybernetic visor almost surely contains micro-mirrors or other reflective surfaces in it's optics and that is more likely the reason he could see us, and the same would be for Hugo. We'd need a "direct-player" without cybernetic eyes to check that for sure, but for now we can ask the help system. [Help system query: Are non-AI players or avatar players capable of seeing normally invisible AI players without the use of mirrors, reflective surfaces, or granted abilities or powers?]

>>595799
No, because he's definitely not going to tell us his plan and just asking will make us suspicious. We're supposed to be a neutral party here, after all, so we should act that way until we either can't or we decide to change it. So how 'bout we just hold messaging Black until we see how this situation plays out; See how he reacts and if he messages us.
>>
No. 595865 ID: 9443d1

Okay, I've reconsidered messaging Black. Considering that Black's people have spotted Hugo and Black is going to find out very soon, if he hasn't already, that the plant creature is or was here as well as who else was here I think we ought to message Black now and tell him where the plant creature is to deflect suspicion away from us. We'll just tell him that it's here and then if he presses us for why we didn't tell him immediately we say we switched to our pawn when he was already talking to the plant and decided to ask him first what was already said. And at this point our telling Black most likely won't matter to whether Hugo gets away or not 'cause the Imperial Guards already have their orders and will execute them even without Ealasaid's input.

[@Black: That plant creature you're looking for is in the Academy chapel right now. So far it appears to be non-hostile, maybe even friendly, and is talking (with difficulty) with our pawn "Strength." From what he said of the conversation with it the plant-person's name is, very roughly, "Wanderer," and we think its a scholar or explorer; It was curious about our pawn's faith and learning about him. So, do you want us to keep it talking or do something else? Maybe you have something you want our pawn to ask it?]

And on top of us squids urgently pointing towards the stained glass window to try and get Hugo to look that way: *Bunch of squids form up into an arrow within the field of view of Hugo's cybernetic eye pointing towards the Imperial Guards on the other side of the stained glass window*

>… a what, a what and a what? Well, I know what a bomb is but… I’m guessing it’s not a bomb, at least… I have no idea what it is.
A camera is a device used to record images, either one at a time or rapidly in series to make a "moving picture," and a tape recorder is a device that records sound. I figure Hugo's device can do both and almost certainly much more; I wouldn't be surprised if it's recording a three dimensional scan of the altar and everything on and near it along with a deep scan of the materials. [Scan device next to altar]

>…plant man? Uredo? Never heard about them… it smells weird, though… he smells like… I can’t really say… >I don’t know… it’s just… alien.
Perhaps it's because he's not from this world... Uh... What I mean is maybe all those not of this world, including humans, lizards and mantises, don't have the same "spirit scent" as ones from here. We have a orange Sakkilian space-lizard that you can get a whiff of later on to check this.
>>
No. 595866 ID: 2fd516

>>595865
Shall we not tell Black where Wanderer is? I am PRETTY SURE that Black will do something we won't like if we let him gain access to either of the visitors.
>>
No. 595879 ID: d8a627

>we ought to message Black now and tell him where the plant creature is to deflect suspicion away from us.
Agreed, but what about asylum?
Nickolas, after you finish telling Wanderer a bit about yourself, ask him if he's seeking asylum from anybody, or if he's just out to learn. In the latter case, if Black invites him to teach him stuff, and he agrees... We can't really stop that. However, if he asks for asylum from a Priest like yourself, I do believe that gives you top word, does it not? I don't think anybody can trump a holy man granting asylum, at least, when he's the one who was asked for it.
>>
No. 595890 ID: 9443d1

>>595866
Okay, on second thought, (or maybe it's the third now,) you're right; No messages to Black. We don't know if alerting Black to Hugo's location will end up making the difference between Hugo getting away or not and I don't want to risk that. Heck, we don't even know if those two Imperial Guards are even looking through the window and if it's a case where they aren't then messaging Black'll shoot us in the foot. And if Black wants to know why we didn't message him about the plant we'll just have to come up with something plausible then.

And Nick, if Hugo doesn't look at the window from us squids trying to direct his attention there then you're going to have to do it for us. I think if you start to describe your faith to Hugo and turn to the stained glass window to point out what each part means to it that'll get him looking that way.

>>595879
What the-?! Asylum?! Black isn't going to honor any asylum a priest gives! And just handing him over to Black so he can teach him?! What the fuck?! NO! That is a TERRIBLE IDEA! I WANT Hugo to get away and hide, not end up in Black's clutches! Goddammit, why the hell do you want to trust Black so goddamn much when so much points to him not being trustworthy?!
>>
No. 595892 ID: d8a627

>why the hell do you want to trust Black so goddamn much when
What? I never said I trust him. I said there's nothing we can do. Kind of implies I don't want that to happen.
>Black isn't going to honor any asylum a priest gives!
It's the only thing I could think of, man... I want to keep Hugo away from Black until we learn what he wants. Like you said, there's a lot that points to black being untrustworthy.
>>
No. 595922 ID: 9443d1

>>595892
Ah, sorry. I completely misread what you were saying there and shouldn't have yelled at you. However, I don't think that it's a sure thing that Hugo will be caught by Black here; We only see two Imperial Guards and don't know how many more of Black's people might be covering the exits or what tech tricks Hugo might have up his metaphorical sleeve to escape. So now I dunno whether to tell Black Hugo's location or not. The choice turns on the unknown of whether telling Black will end up getting Hugo caught when he otherwise would have gotten away.

After some thought, my choice to not message Black stands. If Hugo has a chance to get away I don't want to risk it. I also think that we can come up with a decent enough explanation to Black as to why we didn't tell him right off; Something like we figured we wouldn't get another chance to talk to it and that it wouldn't be going anywhere while we were talking.
>>
No. 595926 ID: d8a627

>After some thought, my choice to not message Black stands.
Actually, for the time, I agree. I still want to figure out what Black's plan is, but if you all feel that that would be too suspicious, I'll refrain from messaging that.

If Black has found The Wanderer, we can simply say we were trying to figure out what his intentions were, ourselves, before we spoke with him about it. After all, "There's no need to send word of something that is not confirmed."
>>
No. 595933 ID: 65a774
File 141174972663.png - (16.16KB , 900x450 , 59.png )
595933

>[Help system query: Are non-AI players or avatar players capable of seeing normally invisible AI players without the use of mirrors, reflective surfaces, or granted abilities or powers?]
[Negative.]
>[scan the mantids behind the window]
[Neutral Creature(Neutral): Imperial Guard] x 2
>[Scan device next to altar]
[Error! Item not found in data base!]
>[@Purple: Please switch to Arthur right now and ask him why the FUCK he wasn't keeping an eye on Hugo and let him sneak off!]
[Purple: Um… because he, Lucrais and Lucius haven’t reached the dorm yet? They are a bit slowed down trying to avoid those imperial guards. Don’t worry, they just need to take the long way around.]

>A camera is a device used to record images, either one at a time or rapidly in series to make a "moving picture," and a tape recorder is a device that records sound.
…interesting…
>"learn about you, understand you… if we know you, then we can be friends.”
Ah, so he is friendly… at least he wants us to believe so…
>Well at least he's got his heart in the right place, not so sure about his head though, he does kinda have a bounty on him.
If he can learn a new language this fast he got to have a rather sharp head. Actually, learning something this completely… “foreign” as fast as he has should be impossible! Whatever mind is behind those friendly eyes of his got to be something we can’t even imagine.

>Can you ask him why he left the dorms?
:WandererNUM: ---(Tooo ind oooreee nooowiiinnn. Boook aeee oonnnyyy ffs sep, eed ooo eee eeelf ooo ruuulyy nooow.)
>Ask him about his culture, and he can ask about yours.
:WandererNUM: ----(Weee seeech ffr peeeaaass, oonyy byyy eeein fom aaall siiids aan wee… wee… wee reeeaah *Whistling sound*)

>Every other squid, look in the stained glass window! Two of those Imperial Guards that were with Judicator Ealasaid are on the other side, looking in here!
…well, that’s not good. They shouldn’t be able to see more then some strange shapes, but they might have been able to hear some of what was said in here…
:NickolasNUM: Is the door locked, Victoria?
:VictoriaNUM: --- ----- --- ------- ----- ---- ----… … …(Yes.)
>Hopefully his cybernetics can see us and he'll get the message to look that way.
Well, he looked and is now moving around… picking up that weird thing of his…
>Nick, you're probably wondering why a Judicator here, looking for Hugo.
Because he’s… well, from beyond the stars? They don’t really need a reason beyond “he’s weird”.
>Now we can't ever let Black find out that we were hiding these two 'cause if he does then he might move us from the "neutral" to the "threat" column and if that happens we're totally screwed.
Right, hiding hi- where did he go? Wait… I didn’t have a…
>If he asks for asylum from a Priest like yourself, I do believe that gives you top word, does it not?
If they are as powerful as you say that won’t care what an old priest have to say…

:UnknownKAK: (Someone banging on door, asking us to open up. What should we do, Nick?)

Insert Oh gods, is he displaying his junk to them!?_
>>
No. 595934 ID: 2fd516

>>595933
Looks like he's disguised himself as literally a potted plant.

Let the guards in. Act like there was never a fourth person here.
>>
No. 595937 ID: dbe554

Ha! Disguise mechanism, means he looks like a potted plant before them. Hopefully that will keep them off guard.
>>
No. 595943 ID: 421653

>Everything Hugo just said
WHAT?

>eed ooo eee eeelf ooo ruuulyy nooow
Why do I have this odd feeling that this sounds more offensive then it is?

>Weee seeech ffr peeeaaass
What do peas have to do with anything?

>What do, Nick?
How good is yours and Victoria's acting?
>>
No. 595944 ID: d8a627

>Actually, learning something this completely… “foreign” as fast as he has should be impossible! Whatever mind is behind those friendly eyes of his got to be something we can’t even imagine.
For all we know, he had some knowledge of the Sakkil language already--which is a language translated by the "Remnants of the Gods" to fit the local peoples, in this case, the language of Amun.
>picking up that weird thing of his…
Oh! Either he just does not want them to see it, or that is his "Stealth device," something that makes him inconspicuous, seeing as he looks like a potted plant now.
>(Someone banging on door, asking us to open up. What should we do, Nick?)
Oh... That's just sad. She doesn't have her own icon.
Let them in, Nickolas. It would look suspicious to not.
>>
No. 595945 ID: d8a627

>(Tooo ind oooreee nooowiiinnn. Boook aeee oonnnyyy ffs sep, eed ooo eee eeelf ooo ruuulyy nooow.)
"Too find more knowing." Straightforward. "Books are only first step," they help him learn some, but only a small bit. "I'd go see self to really know," meaning "I'd have to go see it for myself to really understand."
>(Weee seeech ffr peeeaaass, oonyy byyy eeein fom aaall siiids aan wee… wee… wee reeeaah *Whistling sound*)
"We search for peace, only by seeing from all sides can we... we... we reach" that final word is only a maybe. It might be research, which would be an understandably tough word for him, with so much tongue use in the word, and his lack of a tongue. Or he could be trying to say "reach peace," which also involves two tougher phonics.
>>
No. 595948 ID: 9ddf68

>If he can learn a new language this fast he got to have a rather sharp head.
there is a difference between intelligence and wisdom, at least he thought ahead enough to bring disguise but still wondering off into the fucking open when he knows there are people looking for him... (sigh). Oh and also, those star human, lizards and mantises speak the same language as you guys I believe so he could have simply been studying those before he came here or even have a device that's letting him learn faster. Just throwing that out there.

>Tooo ind oooreee nooowiiinnn. Boook aeee oonnnyyy ffs sep, eed ooo eee eeelf ooo ruuulyy nooow
not sure what exactly he's saying but I did get that he basically read everything/learned everything he could from Daithi's dorm and came to explore/learn about the rest of this place.

>Weee seeech ffr peeeaaass, oonyy byyy eeein fom aaall siiids aan wee… wee… wee reeeaah
"we search for peace, only by seeing from all sides can we... we... we reach," and then he started to whistle.

...I have a bad idea but do you think we could hide him with Libby in the school library for awhile so he can read all the books he wants without us worrying about him wondering off or do you think Libby will just try to seduce him or something?

As for what to do now, ask who's at the door, play ignorant of who they may be, if they say they work for the crown ask they prove it as shapestealers have been a problem lately, if they do get in and ask why you'd locked the doors say you were about to take Victoria's confession (as a priest you do do that sort of thing right?) and locked it to gain privacy as those things are personal after all, and if they ask who you were talking to... I want to say a child who was trying to learn the language who took off shortly before they started to pound on your door but I can't help but feel that MAY bite us in the ass. Mostly just trying to buy time here.

[message to purple: hey Hugo, or the wanderer as he has started calling himself, is in the church on campus and some of black's goons have found him and are trying to brake there way in. Anything you think the Inquisition could help us with or do you think getting them involved would just make things worse?]
>>
No. 595949 ID: 40935b

>Ah, so he is friendly… at least he wants us to believe so…
Yeah, our other visitors experiences with Hugo's species weren't peaceful at all.
>learning something this completely… “foreign” as fast as he has should be impossible! Whatever mind is behind those friendly eyes of his got to be something we can’t even imagine.
Something could be automatically cataloging words and context that he hears and sees, and quickly translates it for him. That's not even taking into account the progress that scanner may be making.

>Tooo ind oooreee nooowiiinnn. Boook aeee oonnnyyy ffs sep, eed ooo eee eeelf ooo ruuulyy nooow
too ??? more knowing(?) books are only first step, need too see (for) self to really know.
I guess this means he learned language from the books in Dai's room.
>Weee seeech ffr peeeaaass, oonyy byyy eeein fom aaall siiids aan wee… wee… wee reeeaah *Whistling sound*
we search for peace, only by seeing from all sides can we reach-, followed by something untranslated.
What he's saying sounds nice, but it's completely out of line with what that centurion said about them. We'll ask him about it once the guards leave. Hugo's disguised, so tell everyone to play dumb and let them in. Remember, accusations of a whistling plant are ludicrous, unless it's one of those singing trees from the marches far to the south across the great sea.
>>
No. 595952 ID: 65a774
File 141176064238.png - (16.97KB , 900x450 , 60.png )
595952

>[message to purple: hey Hugo, or the wanderer as he has started calling himself, is in the church on campus and some of black's goons have found him and are trying to break their way in. Anything you think the Inquisition could help us with or do you think getting them involved would just make things worse?]
[Purple: I’ll see what I can do.]

>Looks like he's disguised himself as literally a potted plant.
…but where did he get that pot from?
>Something could be automatically cataloging words and context that he hears and sees, and quickly translates it for him. That's not even taking into account the progress that scanner may be making.
Indeed, whit the technology to sail among the stars it wouldn’t surprise me that he should be able to do something like that.
>"Too find more knowing. Books are only first step, I'd have to go see it for myself to really understand."
So, he truly is a curious scholar.
>"we search for peace, only by seeing from all sides can we... we... we reach," and then he started to whistle.
Hmm… only by seeing from someone else point of view can they reach… what? A conclusion?

>There is a difference between intelligence and wisdom, at least he thought ahead enough to bring disguise but still wandering off into the fucking open when he knows there are people looking for him...
He sound more and more like a professor, doesn’t he?
>...I have a bad idea but do you think we could hide him with Libby in the school library for a while so he can read all the books he wants?
I wouldn’t lie and say that the library is well used, but it is still a lot of people who wander through there. Is it really wise to put him somewhere so public?
>Do you think Libby will just try to seduce him or something?
…well, she has tried to seduce everything else that moves so…
>What he's saying sounds nice, but it's completely out of line with what that centurion said about them.
Judge by actions, not words.
>How good is yours and Victoria's acting?
Good enough on my part at least. I’ve always been a good talker.

>Let the guards in. Act like there was never a fourth person here.
:NickolasNUM: The door is now open, my child, please enter and state your business.
:UnknownKAK: - -- --(We are but simple travelers, father, in seek of shelter for the night. Can we use your walls to shield ours bodies from the harsh winds at least for tonight?)
:NickolasNUM: …Why come here? There are plenty of temples down in the city?
:UnknownKAK: ----(They told us they were full and turned us away… or simply told us to get lost, father.)
:NickolasNUM: Hmm… (Well, as autumn comes with the cold it’s not unusual that the homeless seek themselves to the temples… and that the temples in the richer parts of town would turn vagabonds like this away isn’t unusual as well… but… hmmm…)

Insert Everything is connected to the plot! Somehow!_
>>
No. 595953 ID: d8a627

[Scan travellers, echo corruption, purity, or player results to Nickolas]
If it's Red, he's a maybe ally. If it's Yellow, well, Yellow's corrupt; and you should be able to smell corruption, given your talent for doing so previously, so I doubt that's the case.
Well, we'll just have to wait and see what shows up from the scan.
>>
No. 595954 ID: 9ddf68

[scan everyone nearby]
Well do you have room? ask them about themselves, their travels, just try to keep them talking for now while we see if we can notice anything off about them.

>Is it really wise to put him somewhere so public?
isn't there a back room we could hide him in that isn't used often, not saying we should just trying to get an idea where we could stash him if we need him to hide... or maybe a bunch of little hidey holes seeing as he's most likely going to wonder around anyways so having a dozen bolt holes to hide him in might not be to bad of an idea.
>>
No. 595956 ID: 2fd516

>>595952
[scan newcomers, echo to Nikolas]
50 bux says they're fanatics of some sort.
[@Purple: False alarm, they aren't guards, they're either travelers or something else in disguise.]

Oh. You should test to see if they're shape stealers. They are harmed by holy symbols, right?
>>
No. 595957 ID: 65a774
File 141176703237.png - (17.02KB , 900x450 , 61.png )
595957

>[scan newcomers, echo to Nikolas]
[Neutral Creature(Neutral): Vagabond] x3
>[@Purple: False alarm, they aren't guards, they're either travelers or something else in disguise.]
[Purple: I’ll send someone there anyway, just in case.]

>isn't there a back room we could hide him in that isn't used often?
You have to ask Libby about that.
>Well do you have room?
I do have some spare beds just in case something like this would happen, yes. Most temples do.
>Ask them about themselves, their travels, just try to keep them talking for now while we see if we can notice anything off about them.
:NickolasNUM: May I ask for you names and where you’re traveling?
:UnknownKAK: -- ---(We are sorry, but we rather not give out our names freely. All you need to know is that we come from the north and wishes to reach the southern lands before first snowfall.)

>Oh. You should test to see if they're shape stealers. They are harmed by holy symbols, right?
:NickolasNUM: Ah, a dangerous journey, then… may I give you a blessing for the harsh road ahead?
:UnknownKAK: … … …---(Certainly, father.)
:NickolasNUM: Then by hourglass I guide you in the cycle of eternity- (Hmm… they aren’t reacting to the blessing, so I’m guessing they aren’t corrupted… and they look rather starved… but… it’s something about their smell… they… they smell weird… like Wanderer but yet nothing like Wanderer… and their eyes… they look weird too… like… they aren’t looking where they are supposed to be looking…) –may it protect you until you reach a home of your heart…
:UnknownKAK: … ---(Thank you, father… but… do you have beds for us or do we need to continue searching?)

Insert Clearly, they are lizards from outer space trying to infiltrate and conquer our planet! …wait_
>>
No. 595961 ID: 40935b

> but… it’s something about their smell… they… they smell weird… like Wanderer but yet nothing like Wanderer… and their eyes… they look weird too… like… they aren’t looking where they are supposed to be looking...
And they're all wearing identical clothes. The homeless don't have uniforms. I think they're the other Sakkil marines or the snake aliens we haven't encountered yet in disguise. Take them to the beds you have set up- in any case, we'll at least know where they are.

I can't think of anything innocuous to ask them that could allow them to subtly reveal their identity. Perhaps ask them about the lights over the descent, or what brings them to the city? Tell them that they don't have to fear being turned into the authorities if they get cagey.
>>
No. 595962 ID: 2fd516

>>595957
...ah. They're the Slither.

Send them away. We cannot fight them; we must simply evade them. Unless you want to give them beds here, and let us call Black down on their heads? I'm sure Black would love to have these guys as prisoners, and they sure aren't likely to cooperate with us. On the other hand if Black's troops arrive to try to arrest the Slither you could get caught in the crossfire.
>>
No. 595998 ID: d8a627

>they smell weird… like Wanderer but yet nothing like Wanderer… and their eyes… they look weird too… like… they aren’t looking where they are supposed to be looking…
Ah. Them. We were hoping to meet them and befriend them, actually. If you can, give some idle chatter about rumors of a strange orange scaled lizard somewhere in the town, perhaps as though somebody must have just painted their scales because it shouldn't be possible. They're looking for that fellow, and will likely seek him out.
If they do respond to that, then tell them that you hope they can be friendly with us. I really do want to unify these folk, but unless they start talking with us, that's going to be very difficult.

>Send them away. We cannot fight them; we must simply evade them.
Do not send them away. I don't care if you decide against my idea of telling them about us (which, I admit, might be dangerous, but I personally would like to take that risk), but sending them away just means we lose tabs on where they are. They might be the Slither, or they might be the Sakkil. Either way, we want to be friends with them. Our goals are to unify all the people--both of this world, and without. Sakkil, Slither, and Uredo; Amun, Serath, and the others.
[Message Black: Another query, if I may: Do you consider an alliance with other countries to be beneficial to the empire, or...?
Other than countries, you've accepted a "Neutral Friendship" with us, so I take it you are allowing players who stay out of your way, regardless of your stance on countries?]
>>
No. 596046 ID: 9ddf68

ah crap the snake people... I'm wondering if they're using our messages to track the plant guy, working with black, or simple using data they have to try and find him? Like Lucuis did when he came here to hide since the school seems to be a informational black hole where these guys' sensors can't simply pick Hugo up.

I'm tempted between trying to talk to them and seeing why they're here and what there goals are, and simply saying fuck it and try and get them to leave. I mean purple is on his way and depending on what he brings with him we might be able to have a nice civilized talk if these three aren't trying to cause a scene. At the same time I'm also remembering that these guys have overpowered a group of space lizards that had weapons that could fry an entire village and only leave dust in the time it takes to blink your eyes and it makes me very nervous to try and call them out incase the act violently.

Honestly I'd rather have them leave as we don't know jack shit about them and without that I have no idea on how to talk to them without starting a fight, and since they have admin powers to boot there is pretty much jack shit we could do to stop them. I say tell them you wish they could stay here but recently the school has been victim to shapestealer attacks and you could not in good conscious let them stay where they could be harmed. Plus with shapestealers around if things get worse people might start blaming any newcomers which may cause trouble for them slowing down their journey making it nearly impossible for them to complete their quest before winter sets in. So you'll help them but since you don't wish for them to be in any danger or bring the school's problems into their laps you'll give them enough money to stay at an inn for the night and to buy a warm meal. I mean if they are planning to go south before winter comes they're probably not going to be staying in town to long anyways.

and if you stingy on money we can have Daithi or someone pay you back, we're trying to make sure everyone walks away from this unharmed.
>>
No. 596087 ID: 65a774
File 141182829610.png - (17.15KB , 900x450 , 62.png )
596087

>[Message Black: Another query, if I may: Do you consider an alliance with other countries to be beneficial to the empire, or...?]
[Black: It depends on the nation, does it not? …and why all these questions?]

>And they're all wearing identical clothes. The homeless don't have uniforms.
…well, they aren’t so much homeless as travelers but… yeah, that is rather odd.
>Ah. Them. We were hoping to meet them and befriend them, actually.
…them?
>...ah. They're the Slither.
…wait, those where… um…
>ah crap the snake people...
Right, snake people…

>Perhaps ask them about the lights over the descent, or what brings them to the city?
:UnknownKAK: ---(We came here on our way south, as we said… and lights? What kind of lights?)
:NickolasNUM: Never mind that…
>If you can, give some idle chatter about rumors of a strange orange scaled lizard somewhere in the town, perhaps as though somebody must have just painted their scales because it shouldn't be possible.
:UnknownKAK: ---(We haven’t heard anything about an orange lizard. Where did you say people had seen it?)
:NickolasNUM: Hmm… I believe it was… in… I can’t seem to remember exactly, sorry.
>I say tell them you wish they could stay here but recently the school has been victim to shape stealer attacks and you could not in good conscious let them stay where they could be harmed.
UnknownKAK: ---(We are but travelers. Why would anyone want to steal our shape?)
>Give them enough money to stay at an inn for the night and to buy a warm meal.
:UnknownKAK: ---(We can’t accept this, father, it wouldn’t be right. Please, donate it to someone who needs it instead. We only want four walls to protect us from the wind. Even if you don’t have any beds ready we can sleep on the floor.)

>Take them to the beds you have set up- in any case, we'll at least know where they are.
:NickolasNUM: …Well then, I gu-
:UnknownKAK: Wait… I know you…
:NickolasNUM: Wait what!? Did you just-
:UnknownKAK: Never mind…

{We have met before, have we not, Teal? You do not remember me, do you?}

Insert It’s a miracle!_
>>
No. 596092 ID: d8a627

>[Black: It depends on the nation, does it not? …and why all these questions?]
[Reply: I agree. I apologize if these questions are bothering you, I could easily stop if you would like. I just wanted to get a better "feel" for you. You might see us as a neutral party, but we see anybody who is not hostile as a friend.]
>Wait what!? Did you just-
I heard it too! How odd.
>{We have met before, have we not, Teal? You do not remember me, do you?}
...What?!
[Reply: ...Green? Those eyes suggest yes, and yet, as far as I was aware, we were the only player capable of jumping through time. This group gave me the initial opinion that they were some Visitors we had heard of, but, are you The World?]
>>
No. 596163 ID: 40935b

{No, we do not. Are you a player or daemon?}
>>
No. 596165 ID: 9ddf68

a name would help if you care to give one.
>>
No. 596170 ID: 9443d1

>>596092
>>596094
>>596163
>>596165
*sigh* Guys, since y'all seem to have completely missed it I feel the need to point out that a message like this one that's bracketed with curly braces (which are these "{}") denotes either an admin message (such as back when we first spoke with Lucius over the admin channel here >>/questarch/586925) or a admin-level announcement or notification (as when the two capture quests were added here >>/quest/593048.) So, y'all might want to adjust your replies to take that into account.
>>
No. 596172 ID: 2fd516

>>596170
Oh. Well, that makes sense, since the Slither are the active admins at the moment.

>>596087
[Reply: Yes. We tried to contact you via the admin channel, but you banned us from the chat. We're not an AI Player. Please, tell us what's been going on from your perspective. An old... oracle program told us that we need to find The World in order to resolve the conflict here in a beneficial manner. Can you help us with that?]
[scan the green-eyed traveler, again]
[scan Inquisitor- is that Arthur?]
[@Purple: Ah, don't do anything hasty. We may be able to use diplomacy here and gain some crucial information in the process.]

Okay, heads up. They've contacted us in a direct message.
>>
No. 596216 ID: 9443d1

[Check player count]

>Wait what!? Did you just-
Yeah, we heard it too. Tell us, what'd the voice sound like and where did it sound like it came from? Did it sound like it came from outside your head like you heard it or from inside your mind similar to how we speak to you?

>…them? >…wait, those where… um… >Right, snake people…
Uh, we kinda haven't been adequately explaining what's been going on to you, have we? Sorry about that. It's just that there's so much that it's hard to find a place to start and harder to find a place to stop, yanno?

Okay, lemme give you the basics of the chain of events that came to now, starting with Wanderer. Wanderer fled in a small craft from his people's ship when the Sakkilians, the space-lizards, attacked and boarded it. He flew into uncharted space, stumbling across the structure that contains this world on a barren planet. When the Sakkilian scout ship that was pursuing him caught up to Wanderer and landed he came into your world to try to escape them. Then the snake people showed up out of nowhere and captured the Sakkilian scouts, save one who fled down here with three of the snakes hot on his tail, lost them in the forest and then climbed into the Academy. The snakes want to capture and remove Wanderer and the Sakkilian from this world for some reason. The snakes up there sitting on the "thrones" of the Old Gods would have been able to use their powers to find them except the Academy and the area near it is somehow hidden from their view; Hence the three snakes before you in disguise to infiltrate the place.

This is just the basics; There's much more besides this. I'd suggest you head up to Daithi's dorm sometime soon to get what's happened from Dai and the rest of our group at your pace so we don't have to flood your head with a bunch of infodumps.

Now, the "vagabond" in front of you just sent us an admin message saying we, Teal, have met him before but would not remember him. Dunno what the heck but we're probably going to be messaging back and forth here for a bit so I suggest you take a few steps back for now.

Nick, I didn't realize it until now but it looks like the holy symbol you're holding started emitting a blue glow when you drew near these three; Is that normal when you give the blessing? And could you check if it's actually glowing, please. [Check corruption and purification levels]

Nick, I wonder, if you had one wish for us to perform what would it be? What about one wish for anything?

Nick, what's your and Thyna's personal attitudes towards necromancy? Because we know that the Serathians just recently developed a necromantic technique to attach and reanimate body parts to the living that overcomes the rejection of foreign body parts previous methods had; Basically they don't have to be originally from the recipient like before. And we also know that they can reattach and reanimate a mantis' tongue with full functionality...

[@Black: To answer in a rather roundabout way: Have you wondered why we've been using majestic plural pronouns in our messages to you? Well, we actually haven't; We really are many. We are a collective of intelligences with varied knowledge, personalities and time we've been awake here. And we all have free access to the message function and some of us are rather too naive or curious or nosy and lack in proper tact when they use it, so apologies for my fellows pestering you with inane questions. Of course I don't expect you to believe we're such from just my word but a check in a mirror next time you're near one of our pawns will show you that we are.]

[@Purple: Watch out! These three are the three snakes that came down at Avatar's Descent, although in disguise; We found them out only from Nick sensing their "spirit scent" was otherworldly like Hugo's. Considering what they did to your pawn's memory there they surely have great power so we must tread carefully. The lead one has sent us an admin message, so we're going to converse and see what we can find out.]

[@Purple: Also, when we told Nick that the Shape Stealers are acting on their own he told us that the influence of The Deceiver vanished twenty years ago and only her most fanatical cultists remain. So what the heck happened and what's going on with them and in the Untamed Lands now? And would I be right in guessing that this is the reason that the army was pulled out of the Untamed Lands?]

[Reply to admin: No I do not remember you, but whether that's because we have never met before or because I have forgotten I cannot say. Maybe tell me three things about Teal that only by meeting Teal you would know and I might start to believe you, then answer my questions and I may believe you more: Who are you? What are you? Why and how did you come to be here? What do you want? How were you able to be heard by a deaf man? How did you get admin messaging capability? When, where, how and under what circumstances did we meet before?]
>>
No. 596220 ID: d8a627

>>596216
[Block that first message to Purple]
Man, are you trying to get Purple in trouble?
[Message Purple: Be careful! At least one of these three is quite powerful and can probably harm players directly if they feel assaulted. They're talking to us through their form of communication, so they may be peacable.]
>The influence of the Deceiver disappeared about twenty years ago.
...How did I miss this before? This could explain why she's not corrupting anybody, nor her former children. Interestingly enough, that would coincide with when Daithi was born, and he's supposedly had her "watching over" him his whole life...
>d1's message to Admin
...Isn't that a little blunt? The glowing green eyes remind me of green, but the only person I would know of who has "Maybe met us," especially one who is aware of the future, would be The World. Unless Green got forwarded along with us somehow, possibly by being in a Vault or Trials Hallway during a rewind.
And, yes, I know it's ironic that I'm the one to point out somebody being too blunt, but seriously man... You just got done telling Black why "some of us" are like that and you go doing it to the Admin. Not blocking it, it doesn't look hostile to me (Heh, there's my problem again, not seeing the hostility), I'll leave that option up to you or whoever else.
>>
No. 596236 ID: 9443d1

>>596220
Okay, I admit that message to Purple shouldn't have been said over the likely monitored message system. I knew that so I dunno what I was thinking there. All I can say is it was late and I was tired when I wrote it.

I'll offer a revised message to Purple that hopefully alerts him without giving away anything: [@Purple: We have reason to believe these three are the ones your pawn saw at Avatar's Descent before forgetting, so be very wary of what you do here. The lead one has messaged us directly. We're going to converse and see what we can find out.]

>This could explain why she's not corrupting anybody, nor her former children.
She might not be corrupting anybody herself her former children still are, as evidenced by the corruption scan results here >>/questarch/578176 after the Shape Stealer attack. So spreading corruption might not be dependent on the daemon giving consent for it, but we really don't know enough to say.

>The glowing green eyes remind me of green, but the only person I would know of who has "Maybe met us," especially one who is aware of the future, would be The World.
I'm saying they're the snakes after Lucius 'cause our last check of the player count showed three admins in the game and there's three "vagabonds" in front of us that smell otherworldly to Nick in the same but different way Wanderer smelled and we were just admin messaged by one; I pointed out that curly braces denote admin messages three posts above. That pretty much rules out Green since he doesn't have admin access. So I read the admin message as being from a snake person that we met in a previous cycle that left this world before time within it was reverted and thus it remembers.

I agree that the admin reply is rather blunt but I kinda didn't want to beat around the bush here. And I figure I can get away with it 'cause the snakes don't want to distrupt their experiment in this world any more by taking action against us, especially if it's just for a blunt reply. Besides, it'll probably just brush the questions off anyway.
>>
No. 596247 ID: 9443d1

Oh, gods, I just realized that since our command speech to our pawns was being censored earlier that means it was being monitored, and that almost certainly means an admin could listen into a player's command speech and probably what their pawns are thinking. And we just got the attention of an admin snake, dammit. He could be listening in to us now.

I rescind and block all I said to Nick back here in >>596216 about Wanderer and the Sakkil and anything related to them and extend that block to all other voices here. Sorry, Nick, but you'll have speak to the rest of the group about this later and try not to think to much about it.
>>
No. 596251 ID: d8a627

>her former children still are,
Hmm. Some of them are, and yet, some of them aren't. Lucrais and Atena did not get corrupted from being near shapestealers earlier, remember? >>592927
I mean, if it was just Atena, I could say she's got some immunity due to not being a virgin, but Lucrais? She's a virgin, and she's got no anchors, either. Certainly doesn't help that she was in such a state of panic at the time, which would leave her mind even more open to corruption.
>>
No. 596260 ID: 2fd516

>>596251
I think it's quite possible that The Deceiver broke our corruption meter.
>>
No. 596373 ID: 9443d1

>>596251
...You honestly think Lucrais is a virgin? Really? ...Really...? Just... What? Seriously, how the heck can you think that when you where actually around yesterday evening when Lucrais told Daithi all that stuff about her sex life!? When she said she'd screamed out Daithi's name once when she was with a "consort," which implies sex was happening at the time. When she even outright said she's had sex with a human woman! And on top of all that it's been heavily implied she really "gets around," if yanno what I mean. There is such an infinitesimal chance of her still being a virgin that if it turns out she actually is I will buy a hat and eat it!

Now, Lucrais' virginity aside, she and Atena should have had a bump up in corruption after being in proximity to that Shape Stealer when it dropped the disguise and went all tentacle-y; Especially Lucrais since she was in direct contact. Yet when we checked our corruption levels right after the result was "no corruption found." We know Shape Stealers can turn their corrupting aura off while impersonating somebody, but I doubt they can turn it off when they break their disguise and break out the tentacles. Lets check on that: [@Purple: Could you ask Arthur for us under what situations a Shape Stealer can turn off its corrupting aura and what situations it'd be on for sure. And do they always spread corruption with no way to turn it off when they drop their disguise and bust out the tentacles?]

>>596260
...Aw, fuck. I just put it together and that's it. Dammit, why didn't we see it sooner? It's been there the whole time and we didn't pick up on it... Okay, lemme explain. First, look back at every time we've checked our corruption today; They've all come back with "no corruption found," right? That sounds all fine and dandy except that isn't the correct message we should get if we have no corruption. The correct message is some variant of "corruption at 0%" such as here >>/questarch/577005, here >>/questarch/581952, and here >>/questarch/588820. This means our corruption check is being fucked with, which explains why we didn't see the bump up in corruption levels after Lucrais and Atena's encounter with the Shape Stealer when there ought to have been one. This is bad. This is really, really bad 'cause if our corruption check is being screwed with then who knows what else might have been screwed with as well.

Okay, I've located the first point where our corruption check message isn't right and it's here >>/questarch/578836, which just happened to have been right after we had that bit of hallucinations. However, our corruption check might have been messed with at any point after >>/questarch/577005, which is the last time it we know it returned the correct message. Heck, for all we know the corruption results after the fight with the Shape Stealer outside Arthur's lab here >>/questarch/578176 and here >>/questarch/578516 showing a decreasing corruption level could have been false.

And I think a second visit to that cheese alcove would be in order soon, this time with Lucius, Arthur and Purple in tow, and maybe "Inverted Sun" if we can get him. Get some Inquisitional scrutiny down on that room as well as Lucius' visor.

[@White: This is a bit of a weird query, but what message do you get when you do a corruption check and there isn't any corruption? And could you check your corruption level as well as our current corruption level and corruption level log for the last 48 hours and tell us what they are.]

[@Purple: This'll be something of an odd question, but what message do you get back when you do a corruption check and there's no corruption to report?]
>>
No. 596377 ID: d8a627

>>596373
Honestly, I think Lucrais was making stuff up, but who knows. She's the old-fashioned kind of Noble, she probably believes that it's okay for a minor to fornicate with a consort. And, yes, Minor, she's not been over the age of twenty for very long.

As for our corruption meter... I believe that it's implying there is no corruption according to our senses. 0% corruption suggests there's background corruption, but "No corruption found" suggests everything's clean, everywhere. I'll wait for White and Purple to reply and see if it's just that the mechanics changed, though.
>>
No. 596411 ID: 65a774
File 141201226541.png - (17.47KB , 900x450 , 63.png )
596411

>[Check player count]
[2357111317192329313741434753596167717379838997101103107109113127-]
>[scan the green-eyed traveler, again]
[Will we dream?]
>[scan Inquisitor- is that Arthur?]
[“The Star” belongs to player purple!]
>[Check corruption and purification levels]
[Purity at 0%]
[No corruption detected.]

>[Reply: I agree. I apologize if these questions are bothering you, I could easily stop if you would like. I just wanted to get a better "feel" for you. You might see us as a neutral party, but we see anybody who is not hostile as a friend.]
[Black: You are way too curious for your own good, Teal…]
>[@Purple: Ah, don't do anything hasty. We may be able to use diplomacy here and gain some crucial information in the process.]
[Purple: Hasty? Why would I do anything hasty against a few hobos?]
>[@Purple: We have reason to believe these three are the ones your pawn saw at Avatar's Descent before forgetting, so be very wary of what you do here. The lead one has messaged us directly. We're going to converse and see what we can find out.]
[…wait, the snakes? Hmm…]
>[@Purple: Also, when we told Nick that the Shape Stealers are acting on their own he told us that the influence of The Deceiver vanished twenty years ago and only her most fanatical cultists remain. So what the heck happened and what's going on with them and in the Untamed Lands now?]
[I do not know, but the cult seems to be in disarray at the moment. There’s several leaders all trying to strengthen their own vision of the cult. As for the untamed lands, the barbarians living out there are as savage as always.]
>[@Purple: Could you ask Arthur for us under what situations a Shape Stealer can turn off its corrupting aura and what situations it'd be on for sure.]
[Corruption is the decay of the mind. Seeing a normal person will do nothing, but seeing a logic defying ball of tentacles will wreak havoc on it. They can’t decide to corrupt or not.]
>[@Purple: This'll be something of an odd question, but what message do you get back when you do a corruption check and there's no corruption to report?]
[[Corruption at 0%]?]

>Yeah, we heard it too. Tell us, what'd the voice sound like and where did it sound like it came from?
…I can’t say… it was like… I just knew he’d said it… just like that. I have no idea how his voice sounded like because… well… I never actually heard him…
>Okay, lemme give you the basics of the chain of events that came to now, starting with Wanderer…
…right, so plants, lizards and snakes that sails between stars… this is getting very silly, you know that?
>This is just the basics; There's much more besides this. I'd suggest you head up to Daithi's dorm sometime soon to get what's happened from Dai and the rest of our group at your pace.
Right… I’ll do that.
>Nick, I didn't realize it until now but it looks like the holy symbol you're holding started emitting a blue glow when you drew near these three; Is that normal when you give the blessing?

…no, it’s never done that before…
>Lucrais? She's a virgin…
…Is water wet? I’m pretty sure her mother would kill her if she ever caught her doing something to someone that she wouldn’t marry. She’s is a traditionalist, after all.
>Nick, I wonder, if you had one wish for us to perform what would it be? What about one wish for anything?
Hmm… World peace? End of starvation? Taming of the untamed lands? Trying one of those weird delicacies they got down south? …what were they called… hmm… Ice something… yogurt? Cream? Butter? Ice butter? …no, that’s not it…
>Nick, what's your and Thyna's personal attitudes towards necromancy?
A vile, dark act that should be removed from the world.
>Because we know that the Serathians just recently developed a necromantic technique to attach and reanimate body parts to the living that overcomes the rejection of foreign body parts previous methods had.
…the only thing you will end up with is a rotten brain if you choose to do that… Necromancy is only for people with depraved minds.

>{No, we do not. Are you a player or daemon?}
{I’m simply a scientist, nothing more. Then that confirms it, you do not remember me.}
>{A name would help if you care to give one.}
{I am Issaru. Issaru Selver, the grand learner of the academy of knowing.}
>{Maybe tell me three things about Teal that only by meeting Teal you would know and I might start to believe you.}
{Well, last time we met was under some… let’s see… you are a hive mind composed of several small, squid like creatures… calling itself the one of many, if I remember correctly… and you’re have a knack for trying to help all those that you meet… even if it doesn’t always end well. What more? …hmm… oh, and you do love to play… what did this language say it was called… kubric? You know, pairing people together?}
>{What are you?}
{Your language does not have a name for our species yet… but the closes sound you can make would make it sound something like… Serpens.}
>{Why and how did you come to be here?}
{To learn, of course. This world is rather magnificent, isn’t it? Too bad it was in such a bad shape when we found it.}
>{How were you able to be heard by a deaf man?}
{…how does a man without mouth speak? We simply do not “speak” the same way you do… the way we speak require neither mouth nor ears.}
>{How did you get admin messaging capability?}
{Someone left the admin user name and passcode written on a holographic post it note.}
>{When, where, how and under what circumstances did we meet before?}
{When we first came to this place this world had been dead for a long time. In it, we found a single being trying its best to try to keep together the little that was left… that being was you, Teal.}
>{What do you want?}
{Ah, finally we’re getting somewhere. Two strange beings entered this world a moment ago. Their presence will surely damage this cycle chances to be broken so they need to be removed before they can do any damage. Oh, and we’re dying to meet them! First finding this place and then a proper first contact!? I will be the most famous scholar ever! I can’t wait to learn more about them… and I have to admit, as morbid as it can be, a part of me hopes that we capture them dead so I can have the pleasure to dissect them in the name of science… err… of course, we can’t just go around killing sapient beings, now can we? Either way, Teal, we might need your help. Those two doesn’t belong here and would be better off in our care. We simply want to talk to them… oh, and find a way to contact the rest of their people, of course! So, you haven’t seen them, by any chance!?}

Insert Glarg! All school work and no play makes Kaktus go no update!_
>>
No. 596418 ID: d8a627

>Trying one of those weird delicacies they got down south? …what were they called… hmm… Ice something… yogurt?
Iced cream or Frozen Yogurt. They are essentially the same thing, just that Frozen Yogurt has a bit less fat to it.
>…the only thing you will end up with is a rotten brain if you choose to do that… Necromancy is only for people with depraved minds.
They understand that that will happen, but the methods they use allow the mind to stay preserved for up to fifty years, effectively making it a "Second life." They kill the undead before the mind rots.
>You know, pairing people together?
{Reply: Okay, yeah, that's us. Nice to meet you again, and for the first time, Issaru Selver. I apologize that we forgot of our meeting, but with the world being reset, our memory was as well.}
>To learn, of course. This world is rather magnificent, isn’t it? Too bad it was in such a bad shape when we found it.
{Reply: Then it's true? You sent The World to help us fix the world? I hope your scholar standing means you are willing to take a peaceful stance with the other two visitors. We do play Kubris to hardcore, pairing up not just mates, but friends as well.}
>We simply want to talk to them… oh, and find a way to contact the rest of their people, of course! So, you haven’t seen them, by any chance!?
{Reply: We have, actually. The Lizard is actually a species known as the Sakkil, and the plant man is Uredo. While I do not know what the Sakkil intends to do, the Uredo is a scholar, himself, simply hoping to learn what he can.
...I'm sorry, Issaru, but I believe their presence will only help our goals in fixing the world. Do not misunderstand, the use of technology could very well ruin things if done without caution, but they have laws against revealing such tricks to underdeveloped people. The Sakkil hopes for a safe way off this planet, and to contact his own people, so if we see him again, we will mention this; But the Uredo's scholar-based stance means that he will not be using much interfering technology whatsoever--at most, he will be using a scanner to learn the layout and construction of a location. He is swift to hide it when anybody approaches.
Consider this a, well, scientific test. In a controlled environment, our attempts at fixing the world have resulted in catastrophic failure. With the arrival of these two beings, a gun gets misplaced, damaged beyond repair due to being dunked in water, and in its one remaining use saves the Serathian nation by eliminating a large collection of Corruption, without touching the people. Now, I admit, that's a rather unnecessary exposure to technology, but the people accepted it as a one-time gift from the gods, and were even told to use it against the Daemon force. Their beliefs have not been changed, and they will not attempt any furthering of progress based on it.
Three months later, from these people's viewpoint, and the two visitors come down. Their presence has become known by a sizable group, thanks to your attempts to capture them. We had to steer people into understanding that they are not gods or super-beings, but rather, simply people. Black, unfortunately, believes them to be pawns of gods still, but other than him, everybody has accepted the idea that there are more people than just their own, and life continues as normal, albeit with the occasional interaction with these two. How do the interactions go? Why, they go as though they're old friends. Nothing has changed, aside from having a new friend to talk with and ask how things have been going. Platonic Kubris on our part may have played a role in this, but it's allowed them to fit into the society without any problems, and finding them at will may prove difficult now.
So, please, let them be. Station yourself her at the chapel, we have asked Nickolas to allow it, and if we find these two again we will let them know about you, and suggest to them that they come and speak to you, but we ask that you not remove them from the world. If we fail because we experimented with throwing something new into the scientific equation, then that will be our own fault. It was us who wished to keep the world stable in the first place, after all, so I hope you can accept this request.}
>>
No. 596419 ID: 9ddf68

[reply: uhhh, we found a ancient deamon trapped in this world going by the name of truth who was here before this world fell to pieces. We asked him about the invaders because we thought it was important. What we were told was that they're a lot like the people of this planet, the three races, man, lizard, and mantis, where also created/placed/something about 400 years ago on separate planets, given a false past and the ability to travel the stars, and as soon as they've found each other they've been in a genocidal war for pretty much all of those 400 years. They kinda hit a stale mate right now but then the plant people showed up out of fucking nowhere and started glassing planets. Oh and as for the deamon, we killed him. As for why, it was the price he gave us, he would only tell us what we wanted to know if we agreed to kill him once we were done asking questions. That and he wouldn't let us out until we killed him as well.

As for those two you're talking about, I'm going to take a shot in the dark and assume those are the two "gods" that we got messaged about in the last few weeks. I just thought they were shapestealers trying to actually stand out instead of in to try and gain cultist and/or religious fanatics under they're control to build an army. But they've been staying out of our way and we've been getting hit by a LOT of confirmed shapestealers so we really haven't had time to look.

oh yeah and we just started calling you guys slithers once we heard about you or something like that because we're not to original. We also know you guys have 3 genders. A male, a female, and a third one that we're still up in the air about finding a name for. Right now Hole is near the top buuuuutt we're looking for something else that doesn't sound so much like an insult. We were going to go with incubator but then we saw that the one that actually holds the eggs was regarded as female so that shot that idea to shit quickly. No idea where hole came from but for some reason it gained popularity for a bit.]
>>
No. 596420 ID: 2fd516

>>596411
[@White: Our corruption meter is broken and we're getting weird messages. Can you check our corruption levels to see how high they are?]

Nickolas, Serathian necromancy does not involve mental corruption. At some point it will even advance to allow reconstruction of a body from the neck down, because two of our friends required that treatement. It may already be that advanced at this point. Our king from 9 months ago was a mummy, the Sultan was a skeleton, our king's mother was a ghoul, his lover had to be resurrected as a ghoul... Look, I understand if it creeps you out and you don't want anything like that done to you, but it's not bad for the reasons you're giving.

{We have seen them. In fact, they are under our protection! Leave them be. They are not damaging the chances of this cycle breaking, they are improving it. Plus, the two species are at war and we are trying to arrange some sort of diplomatic solution. Thirdly, we've been told by Truth that if you capture them, all of you will die. I'm guessing it's because some angry members of their species show up and attack. If you wish to speak with them without capturing them, we must ask for some show of good faith. Perhaps we can arrange a meeting in a situation where they would not be in danger of being captured? Now, for another question. Where is The World? Truth has told us we must find it. That might not be your name for it-- it's the AI you guys set up to manage our repeated attempts at saving this world. Oh! You guys have some very important information, too. When we lost the first time, how did we lose? Which faction of Daemons did we side with? Who betrayed us? What Players did we ally with? Give us all the spoilers.}
>>
No. 596424 ID: d8a627

>In fact, they are under our protection!
Whoa now! I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to actually show some honesty here, but flat out saying we know where they are right now just seems like a bad idea.
>>
No. 596425 ID: 2fd516

>>596424
No it isn't. The Serpens are our allies. They are the ones allowing us to try to save this world.
>>
No. 596428 ID: d8a627

>>596425
They say they're our allies. We have no proof that they're not just lying after having found out we don't remember anything to try and get us to help them. Use some caution, man... and stop turning me to the side that vouches for it! I'm supposed to be the lucky-go-easy one here.
>>
No. 596429 ID: 3150a4

I think he's bullshitting about Hugo and Lucius. Lucius said he came here with a squad and the Serpens attacked them so one of them is liying to us.
>>
No. 596431 ID: 40935b

>Well, last time we met was under some… let’s see…
Oh boy, a second opinion! Just what we were... looking for...
...
I WISH FOR A HAPPY ENDING! THE BEST ENDING! WITH GOLDEN AGES AND UNIVERSAL PROSPERITY AND CHEESE FOR EVERYONE!

>part of me hopes that we capture them dead so I can have the pleasure to dissect them in the name of science… err… of course, we can’t just go around killing sapient beings, now can we?
{See that kind of thing makes us nervous about revealing information. However, we may be willing to trade. What can you tell us about the future? What happened to cause the end? Have you been the one that has been resetting this world, or is that some kind of automatic function? Is there a way that can be changed?}
>>
No. 596439 ID: 2fd516

>>596428
>>596429
"attacked" could just mean they tried to capture him, either with nonlethal weapons or even no weapons at all. It's a terrible first contact scenario regardless, but we DO know that The World is under their control. That fact alone makes them our allies.
>>
No. 596441 ID: 3150a4

>>596439
Yea but its also the way he talked about them, like he doesn't know we know that there is more than one Sakkil and he doesn't want to give that away to us.
>>
No. 596442 ID: 2fd516

>>596441
I went back through what Lucius said and he didn't mention what happened to the rest of his squad. It's possible the Serpens didn't even see the others in his squad. Like maybe they ran off when Lucius announced over radio chatter that he was being chased, and abandoned him to report back to the main fleet or whatever.
>>
No. 596448 ID: 9443d1

>>596442
Then you didn't look close enough 'cause here >>/quest/593696 Lucius said "We were a group of twelve when we got here… now it’s just me, as the rest was captured by those snake things. We didn’t think there was any danger here so we let our guard down… that’s a mistake I won’t do again." So Lucius' squad was taken by the Serpens.
>>
No. 596450 ID: 2fd516

>>596448
...well, looks like Lucius is a liar, because he also said "No, we are only five who came here. We used a smaller ship to chase this herb garden."
>>
No. 596458 ID: 9443d1

>>596450
Or it was the more likely situation that Kaktus either revised the number down to five or forgot that it was twelve before; If it was I assume he'll say. But either way it still means Lucius knows his comrades were captured by the Serpens.
>>
No. 596480 ID: d8a627

>>596450
I think he was saying only five came down to the planet, of his crew of twelve. They probably captured the ship as well, though.
>>
No. 596671 ID: 65a774
File 141218308010.png - (17.87KB , 900x450 , 64.png )
596671

>[@White: Our corruption meter is broken and we're getting weird messages. Can you check our corruption levels to see how high they are?]
[White: As soon as Cedric joins up with the rest of your gang.]

>Iced cream or Frozen Yogurt. They are essentially the same thing, just that Frozen Yogurt has a bit less fat to it.
Ice cream! That’s it! With waffles! It sounds delicious, doesn’t it?
>They understand that that will happen, but the methods they use allow the mind to stay preserved for up to fifty years, effectively making it a "Second life."
Fifty years of perverting the cycle of life, yes…
>Our king from 3 months ago was a mummy, the Sultan was a skeleton, our king's mother was a ghoul, his lover had to be resurrected as a ghoul... Look, I understand if it creeps you out and you don't want anything like that done to you, but it's not bad for the reasons you're giving.
…that was in that desert across the sea, wasn’t it? I’ve heard about them… living in the middle of a desert without water or food, keeping slaves like they were a magpie a dozen and that’s not even considering the sexual depravity they commit there! Necrophilia is freaking legal there! That what happens when you use the dark arts carelessly!

>{Reply: Okay, yeah, that's us. Nice to meet you again, and for the first time, Issaru Selver. I apologize that we forgot of our meeting, but with the world being reset, our memory was as well.}
{Hmm… that should explain it yes… of course, while it’s been a rather short while in my eyes, for you it would have been hundreds of years.}
>Then it's true? You sent The World to help us fix the world?
{The world?}
>That might not be your name for it-- it's the AI you guys set up to manage our repeated attempts at saving this world.
{Ah, yes… We created the Dreamer to make sure this place run smoothly.}
>Where is The World?
{Where? Here, there… everywhere. Hmm… he doesn’t have a physical body, so to speak, so there’s nowhere to meet him.}
>When we lost the first time, how did we lose?
{…I can’t say. When we arrived the world had already aged far beyond this age. It was an age which technology even surpasses ours, but it had ended. As the years passed, entropy seems to have consumed the world completely. That’s what where’re trying to achieve. If we can reach that age again before it collapsed we can learn so much, can’t we?}

>We found an ancient daemon trapped in this world going by the name of truth that was here before this world fell to pieces. We asked him about the invaders because we thought it was important.
{…huh? A program in this simulation knew we would come? Really!?}
>What we were told was that they're a lot like the people of this planet, the three races, man, lizard, and mantis, where also created/placed/something about 400 years ago on separate planets, given a false past and the ability to travel the stars.
{…I… I’m sorry to say, but I have to assume that is rather… untrue. It simply sounds too... weird. Do you have any kind of evidence to back that theory of yours?}
>We've been told by Truth that if you capture them, all of you will die. I'm guessing it's because some angry members of their species show up and attack.
{…we would die? That’s… hmm… of course, if they have been in war for so long as you said… then… this is worth considering…}

>We have, actually. The Lizard is actually a species known as the Sakkil, and the plant man is Uredo.
{Sakkil and Uredo, you say? Hmm… interesting… where did you see them? When? What did they do?}
>While I do not know what the Sakkil intends to do, the Uredo is a scholar, himself, simply hoping to learn what he can.
{Ah, good, then maybe we can trade secrets between us, no?}
>...I'm sorry, Issaru, but I believe their presence will only help our goals in fixing the world.
{…why would it? The only time the world was able to function was the first time, before any outside interference at all. We need to go back and find out why it played out that way instead of resulting in the death of everyone here. Their interference will probably just complicate matters.}
>oh yeah and we just started calling you guys slithers once we heard about you or something like that because we're not to original.
{Well, we are called Serpens.}
>We also know you guys have 3 genders. A male, a female, and a third one that we're still up in the air about finding a name for.
{…wait, how do you… how can you… you do remember? But… we never told you about… this… this is rather weird, yes… but we do have three genders, yes. Males, females and… um… Av, Uv and Ov… Ovales? That’s not a word in your language, right? Ovales will probably work, yeah…}
>I hope your scholar standing means you are willing to take a peaceful stance with the other two visitors.
{If were peaceful we can trade a lot more knowledge then when we’re shooting at each other.}
>So, please, let them be. Station yourself her at the chapel, we have asked Nickolas to allow it, and if we find these two again we will let them know about you, and suggest to them that they come and speak to you, but we ask that you not remove them from the world.
{…I… I can’t promise I won’t remove them from here… I can promise that we will talk and that I will honor a… um… “cease fire” will we do so… and that I will not hurt them. That’s what I can promise. Now… as a sign of goodwill, how about a present? There…}

:ArthurNUM: …so how long have they just been standing there, staring?
:VictoriaNUM: To long… It’s almost like they are having a staring contest!
:NickolasNUM: …did I just he-
:UnknownKAK: Well then, I believe you had three beds for us, father?
:NickolasNUM: Err… yes, of course… um… Why can I…
:UnknownKAK: It’s a gift from our mutual friend… Teal…
:NickolasNUM: …it is?

Insert Let the age of math end! All hail the age of “Hello World”!_
>>
No. 596673 ID: d8a627

>living in the middle of a desert without water or food, keeping slaves like they were a magpie a dozen and that’s not even considering the sexual depravity they commit there! Necrophilia is freaking legal there! That what happens when you use the dark arts carelessly!
It was a desert, but is now a Jungle. It did have water and food, it's just that water was scarce.
Slavery was actually more common with their eastern neighbors--Serath themselves only enslaved criminals.
Necromantic resurrection was expensive, and as such usually only performed on criminals by trainees so they could serve their sentence, or by masters on those who could afford it.
Necrophilia is illegal and outlawed, actually. Sex with the dead is just sick and perverted. But the undead count as living, not dead. The name itself, "Undead," literally translates to "not dead." If you wish to call that sexual depravity, then fine, but don't call it necrophilia.
>It’s a gift from our mutual friend… Teal…
...Consider that an unwished wish granted! We only helped you earn it, though, we did not grant it ourselves.
>>
No. 596678 ID: 2fd516

>>596671
It's not necrophilia if they're still a thinking and feeling person. It has nothing to do with the practice of necromancy. Ghouls are nearly indistinguishable from fully-alive people, anyway. As for the slaves thing, that's being phased out for the most part. You need to work past your prejudice against Serathians, Nickolas. I assure you, they are not bad people.

As for your hearing, that was not our doing. We can't do that. They did it.

{I know what was different. The first time we saved the world, the daemons did not have previous cycles of information to use against us. Every time you reset the world after we fail, they remembered everything! You are responsible for that! All you've done is TRAPPED US, fighting against an enemy with knowledge of our strategies and tactics! They thought it was because they could see the future, but it was merely that they had memories of the future of cycles past, where we did the same things. Only Truth was able to foretell things for real. The new elements introduced in this cycle- the two aliens and the knife- are extremely important, because the daemons can't predict how they will affect events. As for entropy, apparently we can stop that through self-sacrifice somehow. Truth seems to think we can die for real, but I doubt it. It'll probably be a temporary death or metamorphosis or merely an ingame death causing us to leave the simulation. One last thing: giving Nickolas his hearing back is unfair because Thyna still can't speak. It would mean a lot to us if you gave her her voice back as well. (and as a bonus it'll make it harder for Kaktus since they share a portrait. Maybe italics for Thyna would work.)}
>>
No. 596681 ID: 9ddf68

holy shit did they just give you your hearing back? and what about your mantis friend who's name I can never remember can she talk now? Damn I wonder if this is admin's power or something else?

Well nick can you bring them to the rooms you have promised and then come back here, we know your good a diplomatic stuff and we have a few diplomatic related questions to ask you.
>>
No. 596687 ID: 40935b

BIG PLANT IS WATCHING YOU

>Do you have any kind of evidence to back that theory of yours?
> how can you… you do remember?
uhh, call it the word of god.
>A program in this simulation knew we would come? Really!?
Actually, it was more like this simulation has been running and resetting for eons, and they can remember what happened before and see what is happening now, hence why this outside interference is so important- it may be able to end the perpetual cycle of death.
>The only time the world was able to function was the first time, before any outside interference at all. We need to go back and find out why it played out that way instead of resulting in the death of everyone here.
That outside interference could be us- if we get proof positive that it is, we'll be leaving the simulation in the most permanent imaginable fashion.
> That’s what I can promise.
I hope that's all we'll need. If we're reading the situation correctly, everyone just wants to get out of this place.

> living in the middle of a desert without water or food, keeping slaves like they were a magpie a dozen and that’s not even considering the sexual depravity they commit there! Necrophilia is freaking legal there! That what happens when you use the dark arts carelessly!
I'm not sure if we're before or after the desert turned to jungle, but that happened/will happen. Plus, the sultan will expand the rights of slaves and I believe put a tax on slave sales. It's still pretty messed up, but they aren't the Daemon worshiping savages like in the untamed lands.

...Whats a non human-centrist word for general/all sapient species? I miss being able to say stuff like 'human condition', 'inhuman', 'subhuman', 'only human' and stuff like that. 'mortal' is inaccurate in some cases and condescending in others, 'sapient' or 'sentient' is too unemotionally scientific.
>>
No. 596710 ID: d8a627

Back from work, time to work out a bit more to post!
>It's not necrophilia if they're still a thinking and feeling person.
Exactly. I'm not going to say you're wrong if you try and claim necromancy is a perversion of life/death, though I do disagree, at least as far as consensual "revival" goes. The use of falsely charged criminals as training fodder is totally wrong.
>The first time we saved the world, the daemons did not have previous cycles of information to use against us.
I like this way of thinking!
{I promise you, Isarru, remove these allies and you will doom us to failure. We forget our past, the Daemons do not. While I will still let them know you wish to talk, I will also advise them against meeting you in person. You can either keep a communications channel open with us, and we will let you know what we have learned immediately, or you can allow us to send Nickolas to speak to you, resulting in a delay in information sending, but at the same time allowing it to be compiled into a more reasonable list. I'm about to send a message to Black to calm him down, and am keeping it to lore--please allow it to go through.}
[Message Black: Threat analysis: Minimal. These individuals are capable of defending themselves, but are here on friendly terms. There is no war, but I do recommend caution. They will be able to see you, and if you're hunting them, they may believe it to be on malevolent terms.
I do not know where they have gone to, but if you like, I can tell them where to meet with you, should we find them again.]
>...Consider that an unwished wish granted! We only helped you earn it, though, we did not grant it ourselves.
And by "earn it," I mean we convinced a certain God that you were a worthy ally. We're trying to convince them that giving you your hearing back, but not Thyna her speech is unfair, though making things equal can go either way, so don't get too attached to the hearing.
>>
No. 596809 ID: 65a774
File 141226902366.png - (16.36KB , 900x450 , 65.png )
596809

>[Message Black: -Error!]

>Holy shit did they just give you your hearing back?
I… I think so!?
>What about your mantis friend who's name I can never remember can she talk now?
:NickolasNUM: Thyna…?
:UnknownKAK: (Yes?)
:NickolasNUM: Never mind…
>It was a desert, but is now a Jungle. It did have water and food, it's just that water was scarce.
…It’s a what?
>Slavery was actually more common with their eastern neighbors--Serath themselves only enslaved criminals.
Right, like that make it just.
>As for the slaves thing, that's being phased out for the most part.
Of course, that’s what they want you to believe…
>Necromantic resurrection was expensive, and as such usually only performed on criminals by trainees so they could serve their sentence, or by masters on those who could afford it.
Just because you have money doesn’t mean you can cheat death! It isn’t right!
>Necrophilia is illegal and outlawed, actually. Sex with the dead is just sick and perverted. But the undead count as living, not dead. The name itself, "Undead," literally translates to "not dead."
Living or not, they are still rotting corpses.
>You need to work past your prejudice against Serathians, Nickolas. I assure you, they are not bad people.
…they might have some backwater believes, yes, but they are still people, aren’t they?
>the sultan will expand the rights of slaves and I believe put a tax on slave sales. It's still pretty messed up, but they aren't the Daemon worshiping savages like in the untamed lands.
Of course they aren’t. There’s a reason why the untamed lands are lacking any real civilizations.

>{I know what was different. The first time we saved the world, the daemons did not have previous cycles of information to use against us. Every time you reset the world after we fail, they remembered everything! You are responsible for that! All you've done is TRAPPED US, fighting against an enemy with knowledge of our strategies and tactics!}
{But… it’s not they who are responsible for the destruction of the world? Well, most of the time, at least… }
>The new elements introduced in this cycle- the two aliens and the knife- are extremely important, because the daemons can't predict how they will affect events.
{Hmm… maybe you’re right? So far this cycle has been going rather splendidly, so I don’t really want to ruin everything but… nothing ventured, nothing gained?}
>uhh, call it the word of god.
{God? What does… oh, of course… those weird gatherings of yours… hmm… it was called religion, wasn’t it?}
>That outside interference could be us- if we get proof positive that it is, we'll be leaving the simulation in the most permanent imaginable fashion.
{But… weren’t you guys here when it all began? Hmm… maybe you came afterwards… after everything died?}
>While I will still let them know you wish to talk, I will also advise them against meeting you in person. You can either keep a communications channel open with us or you can allow us to send Nickolas to speak to you.
{I would rather see them personally, but if you don’t trust us I understand.}
>One last thing: giving Nickolas his hearing back is unfair because Thyna still can't speak. It would mean a lot to us if you gave her her voice back as well.
{Who? Oh, the one without tongue? Yeah, sure… she has to learn to use it herself, though.}

>Well nick can you bring them to the rooms you have promised and then come back here, we know your good a diplomatic stuff and we have a few diplomatic related questions to ask you.
:NickolasNUM: …well then, right this way.
:UnknownKAK: Thank you, father.



:NickolasNUM: There… so, can we now… where did the plant go?
:VictoriaNUM: Err… it ran off as soon as those weird vagabonds went with you. Arthur ran after it but I don’t think he will be able to catch it… it was rather fast…
:NickolasNUM: Dammit…
:UnknownKAK: *Phrsssh*
:VictoriaNUM: …um… did she just grow a tongue and… wait, you can hear me?
:UnknownKAK: *Shlll*!!!
:NickolasNUM: Not important right now!

Insert She needs to train a bit to get better at oral…_
>>
No. 596810 ID: 2fd516

>>596809
Hmm, alright, the Serpens blame the Players for the destruction of the world, huh? Still no idea how to avoid that. Us arriving the first time after the world is destroyed makes some sense though. It would explain why we're having so much trouble saving it. Hmmmm....
[Message to The World/Dreamer: Hello, can you hear us?]
[@Purple: What direction is Wanderer going? Back towards the dorms?]
[check status of pawns]
I feel like we should go talk to Lucius and find out why his story isn't consistent.

Oh, Nickolas, you should know, we are almost certainly corrupted to some extent but The Deceiver is able to hide it from you somehow. I don't think we're in any danger, but... it's still something to ponder on.
>>
No. 596818 ID: 9ddf68

yeah the snake people who I'm going to call slithers from now on gave you your hearing back and with a bit of bitching from us give Thyna her tongue back. Not sure if it's something they can do because they're Slithers or because they now have admin powers because Lucuis left the damn password for admin access on a fucking sticky note for anyone to see.

But yeah I wasn't sure if they could hear us talk so I wanted them to leave first but I want your opinion on this. They claim they want to catch Lucuis and Wanderer because they're afraid they'll mess up this cycle and cause the end of the world so they want to catch them to make sure nothing screws up this cycle and to study them. Not to sure what they mean by study but the one guy we were talking to did say he hoped to find them dead so he could dissect them. Now the thing is we don't know is if we can trust them but we don't want them as an enemy either. They also have the ability to basically reset the world to a certain point in time whenever the world fails so we can try again to make sure it doesn't fail the next time around. So far we haven't been having much luck. But they're not doing this out of the goodness of there hearts, they're doing it because when they first found this place the world was in ruins and apparently we were disparately trying to save what little was left, but they didn't care about that what they cared about was the fact that those few survivors had technology that not even the slithers could fathom so when they reset everything it's because they hope that this time around we'll get to that level of tech before the world ends so they can copy it for themselves. The impression I get from them is that they aren't really evil but simply cold and don't really care about anything but their goals. Luckily their goals seem to make them want to help us but I'm not sure if we should aid them. I mean they are powerful as hell but at the same time I'm pretty sure they don't give a damn about any of us unless we're producing results and wouldn't hesitate for a second to wipe a city or even country off the map if they believed it would further their goals and I'm worried if we accept there help they'll just stab us in the back at some point whether they mean to or not simply because they believed their way would get better results. So long question short, what's your take on this?
>>
No. 596819 ID: d8a627

>Hmm, alright, the Serpens blame the Players for the destruction of the world, huh? Still no idea how to avoid that.
Showing mercy for the Daemons, and allowing them some roaming space... After we reeducate them. It will give the players some boundaries and prevent them from causing as much damage.
>[Message Black: -Error!]
Of course... Ah, well, I have no idea how to reword it, to be honest. At least we can now blame the delay on interference, and The Wanderer truly did run off.
>>
No. 596848 ID: 65a774
File 141229013415.png - (13.67KB , 900x450 , 66.png )
596848

>[check status of pawns]
[“The magician”: Nervous. “Strength”: Pondering. “The Tower”: Annoyed. “The Chariot”: Exited. ”The High Priestess”: Exited.]
>[Message to The World/Dreamer: Hello, can you hear us?]
[ERROR!]
>[@Purple: What direction is Wanderer going? Back towards the dorms?]
[ERROR!]

>Oh, Nickolas, you should know, we are almost certainly corrupted to some extent but The Deceiver is able to hide it from you somehow. I don't think we're in any danger, but... it's still something to ponder on.
…it wouldn’t surprise me if the mother of lies was lying…
>Yeah the snake people who I'm going to call slithers from now on gave you your hearing back and with a bit of bitching from us give Thyna her tongue back.
Yeah, I figured that out… it’s just a bit of a problem explaining this to Victoria…

>I want your opinion on this. What's your take on this?
This is way out of my depth. Aliens that reset the very world? Wars spanning across the stars? Geez, and at the start of the week my worst worries was that I would run out of candles…
>They claim they want to catch Lucuis and Wanderer because they're afraid they'll mess up this cycle and cause the end of the world.
Well, they are messing things up… and you did say their goal was to make sure this world functions, right? Then I’m pretty sure they are telling the truth about why they want them gone…
>The impression I get from them is that they aren't really evil but simply cold and don't really care about anything but their goals.
You’ve only talked to one of them. It’s possible that he’s just a bit absent minded or something… either way, we can’t remove the possibility that they are doing this because they have some cares. Of course, having something to gain from it wouldn’t hurt either. So, I can’t really say if you can trust them or not… what I can ask is if they are really any more trustable then the other aliens? Oh, and even if you trust one of them, don’t trust all of them. There are probably a lot of different ideals and factions running around among them.

---

>I feel like we should go talk to Lucius and find out why his story isn't consistent.
:LuciusNUM: Ah, it feels nice to finally be out of that suit… so… anything fun happening?
:LucraisNUM: I was planning to read this book I snatched from that prison place. As for you, go away and do whatever. I don’t really care.
:LuciusNUM: …oh… um… I guess I can… err…explore the dorm or something?

Insert This is starting to get real messy…_
>>
No. 596850 ID: 9ddf68

hey Lucrais since Lucius is here can you let him know we've ran across the snake people who we are calling Slithers because fuck it they need a name. They're currently in the church and because Lucrius left the admin password out in the open they're all admins now... so yeah they're all powerful in this world now. Oh and someone is fucking with our corruption meter and we can no longer talk to other players like white or purple and I also think we're going to loss even more abilities as time goes on. Just an FYI

OH!!! and before I forget, we found out that your mom plays that war mini game every weekend, you know the one that you've been hiding for you mom all these years and that you play Daithi against not so long ago. Just thought you'd like to know.
>>
No. 596853 ID: 2fd516

>>596850
They're Serpens.

>>596848
Ask Lucius how many Sakkil he arrived with. He's told us five, and twelve. I'm thinking he's lying about arriving with anyone at all, and was alone when the Serpens tried to capture him.

What does his shirt say?
>>
No. 596854 ID: 40935b

Deja vu.

How's the book, lucrais? and sorry you have to babysit our Red Guard junior officer here, but we had to chase after Hugo.
>>
No. 596866 ID: 2fd516

...oh, hang on. Both Arthur and Hugo ran off, so that means you aren't playing that wargame after all, huh.

You really don't want to play a two-player game with Lucius?
>>
No. 596949 ID: 4f004c

Alright, we've got a message for Lucius: The Serpens (Those snake fellows) wish to speak with him if he is willing, at the church. I advise against a direct meeting, however, as they told us they won't promise not to remove Lucius or Hugo, just that they would remain peaceful. I believe Lucius and Hugo being here is a good thing, and would rather they not get themselves removed.
Oh, and the "Remain Peaceful" bit deserves a bit of emphasis: They will not restrain Lucius. They might like to ask him some questions, but they're not going to force him to stick around. He'll be permitted to contact his people and get off the planet, if that's what he wishes, though the Serpens will keep the contact information to try and learn from the Sakkil as a whole.
>>
No. 596953 ID: 65a774
File 141234267345.png - (14.40KB , 900x450 , 67.png )
596953

>How's the book, lucrais?
I don’t know, I haven’t really read anything yet. So far the only thing I knew about it is that it’s about the old demon war and how some rebel army of demons attacked the world while others tried to protect it. Let’s see… the ones that tried to protect the world had cheesy names like “Benevolent one”, “Righteous one”, “Justice”… stuff like that… while the attacking ones had badass names like “The Eater of worlds”, “The manipulator of dreams” and “The jailor of souls”…
>You really don't want to play a two-player game with Lucius?
I rather not lay my eyes on that asshole at all.
>What does his shirt say.
…”Barium, Cobalt and Nitrogen is the element that unite the universe.” …what?

>Alright, we've got a message for Lucius: The Serpens (Those snake fellows) wish to speak with him if he is willing, at the church.
:LuciusNUM: Ha! So they can capture me!? This is obviously a trap. Besides, I’m not really- um… I mean… yeah, a trap.
>They told us they won't promise not to remove Lucius or Hugo, just that they would remain peaceful.
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, right… like I would believe those cold blooded, scaly reptiles.
:LucraisNUM: Um…
>Lucius left the admin password out in the open they're all admins now...
:LuciusNUM: Huh? No I didn’t! I’m pretty sure those guys have had admin access far longer than I did!
>Ask Lucius how many Sakkil he arrived with. He's told us five, and twelve.
:LuciusNUM: There were seven under my command that came here.
:LucraisNUM: …didn’t you say five an hour ago?
:LuciusNUM: Err… that was… um… two of them stayed on the ship I came with?
:LucraisNUM: And Teal says you told him there were twelve of you.
:LuciusNUM: Ah, of… course… there’s twelve… um… because… I…
:LucraisNUM: You’re alone, aren’t you?
:LuciusNUM: …no, we’re… we were five… I… I just wanted to sound more important… that’s all…
:LucraisNUM: …you’re not even the captain thingy, are you?
:LuciusNUM: You mean centurion… and yes, I am a-
:LucraisNUM: You’re just some grunt that’s pretending you’re bigger then… why do you keep backing up when I get closer?
:LuciusNUM: Err…
:LucraisNUM: …you’re afraid of me? Ha, without the suit you’re a coward, aren’t you!?
:LuciusNUM: No, I… I…
:LucraisNUM: …that’s it, isn’t it? You’re just a coward! You’re not some leader! Let me guess, you weren’t forced to leave your weapons behind, were you? You ran as soon as the fighting started and left everything behind didn’t you!
:LuciusNUM: I-I-I-
:LucraisNUM: Answer me before I bite off your head, tiny.
:LuciusNUM: F-fine! I confess! I’m just a legionnaire! This was my first mission and… and… and I wasn’t e-even supposed to see any action! I’m sorry!
:LucraisNUM: Hmmf…

>OH!!! and before I forget, we found out that your mom plays that war mini game every weekend.
:LucraisNUM: SHE DOES WHAT!?
:LuciusNUM: …who does what?
:LucraisNUM: THAT… THAT WITCH!!

Insert Witch with a capital B!_
>>
No. 596965 ID: 4f004c

>…”Barium, Cobalt and Nitrogen is the element that unite the universe.” …what?
Weird. The universe is comprised of hundreds, maybe thousands of elements. ...Hadn't heard of Barium before, though.
>>
No. 596974 ID: 1e7c27

Ba Co N
It's just a Bacon Joke
>>
No. 596979 ID: 4f004c

>>596974
...can't... stop... laughing...
>SHE DOES WHAT!?
She didn't directly say you can't play it, did she? You just assumed she would be upset at hearing you played it, yeah? Don't hold it against her when you make an assumption.
Remember, she did say it's fine to have hobbies, just that you shouldn't be focused on it as your livelihood.
>I’m just a legionnaire! This was my first mission and… and… and I wasn’t e-even supposed to see any action! I’m sorry!
Man, his username read Legionnaire, but I didn't realize that meant grunt or anything. It just means "Member of a legion," and I figured higher ranks still counted.
>So far the only thing I knew about it is that it’s about the old demon war and how some rebel army of demons attacked the world while others tried to protect it.
...Oh dear, this is opposite to what we've been told so many times over. But then, we have spoken with The Righteous One, and he told us that he had no interest in harming the population. Hmm, the "Attackers" claimed the world for themselves, but permitted the freedoms of mortals. The "Defenders" wanted the emotions of the mortals, which act as food for Daemons, to be available to all Daemons.
Well, that doesn't change our plans. I already intended to find a way to permit freedom for both Daemons and Mortals. ...And I don't mean "Mortals" as an offensive term, it's jut I've got no better term to use.
>>
No. 596983 ID: 2fd516

Man I didn't even realize he said he was a commander. Anyway, interrogate him some more. Did he see the Serpens capture any of his squad? They heavily implied they haven't spoken to any Sakkil yet. Also, they outright said they've been monitoring the simulation for a while now. They are responsible for the repeated cycles, apparently.
>>
No. 596985 ID: 9ddf68

>he ones that tried to protect the world had cheesy names like “Benevolent one”, “Righteous one”, “Justice”
wait wha-

>while the attacking ones had badass names like “The Eater of worlds”, “The manipulator of dreams” and “The jailor of souls”
We know those guys!

Fuck! the guys leading the cultist are “Benevolent one”, “Righteous one”, “Justice”. Hell we just fought Justice around a month ago for the Serathian desert with the Jailer backing us up. Long story short turns out Justice was corrupted by his king who was an ever zealous bitch that most fanatics can only dream of achieving. We barely beat her, Justice found his head again and we find out that the deamons are all trying to become... well more like people because apparently being a deamon kinda sucks. Also up north in the frozen mountain region where zombies appear naturally we're currently trying to turn another deamon mortal so he can be with this mantis chick he has a crush on. You know looking back on it we have a pretty busy life.

Anyways as for what to do I really want you to read more of those books to see if what they say is actually true or just bullshit, because to be given a straight answer just doesn't really happen to us. But at the same time I also want to keep an eye on Lucius because we already have the plant guy (by the way we found out his name is Wanderer) running around and I really rather not have two wanted space creatures running around where we can't see them.
>>
No. 596988 ID: 40935b

even more Deja vu.

>The jailor of souls
Heeey, we know that guy. He's kind of a pompous ass, though. Looks like we found even MORE reason not to trust him. Does the book say anything about a 'bringer of light'?

> F-fine! I confess! I’m just a legionnaire! This was my first mission and… and… and I wasn’t e-even supposed to see any action! I’m sorry!
So what, you were force-fed dogmatic nationalist propaganda your whole life, got 'volunteered' in the same way one might be 'unpersoned' or 'reeducated' or otherwise shuffled into an infantry position to avenge someone, and then realized you didn't want to die for an empire that would just as soon kill you for not being loyal enough? WHY DIDN'T YOU START OUT WITH THAT STORY IN THE FIRST PLACE? You would have gathered more sympathy than impersonating an officer and insulting the local tech base ever would!

Alright, start from the beginning. What's happening outside, what happened when you touched down. And don't lie, or you'll find out what happens when Lucrais gets mad.
>>
No. 596989 ID: 2fd516

>>596988
Light is the Manipulator of Dreams.
>>
No. 596992 ID: 65a774
File 141236794096.png - (14.19KB , 900x450 , 68.png )
596992

>Ba Co N… It's just a Bacon Joke.
…Bacon is the thing that unites the universe? …well, I have to agree to that…
>She didn't directly say you can't play it, did she? You just assumed she would be upset at hearing you played it, yeah?
Of course she said that! She even threw away my first units I bought!
>Anyways as for what to do I really want you to read more of those books to see if what they say is actually true or just bullshit, because to be given a straight answer just doesn't really happen to us.
Well, I want to do that too, but this joker is making it a bit of a challenge!
>Does the book say anything about a 'bringer of light'?
Heck if I know. I’ve only read the forewords.

>Anyway, interrogate him some more. Did he see the Serpens capture any of his squad?
:LuciusNUM: Well… err… I did see Aelia get hit by what looked like a lightning bolt before she collapsed… and those snake thing shot the same lightning bolts after me using some kind of staves when I was running away…
>So what, you were force-fed dogmatic nationalist propaganda your whole life, got 'volunteered' in the same way one might be 'unpersoned' or 'reeducated' or otherwise shuffled into an infantry position to avenge someone, and then realized you didn't want to die for an empire that would just as soon kill you for not being loyal enough?
:LuciusNUM: What? No, that’s… that’s not at all what happened! The empire doesn’t remove people that doesn’t want to fight… the worst thing they’ll do is throw you in jail for a while if you don’t have a good reason for it… um… and sure, I was conscripted, but I was supposed to just be a computer engineer. I wasn’t meant to see combat, that’s why we were in a sector in the middle of nowhere…
>Alright, start from the beginning. What's happening outside, what happened when you touched down.
:LuciusNUM: …um… well, I’ve already told you most things… we just happened to stumble on this Uredo ship that was mostly unarmed so our commander seized the moment and attacked… while victorious an escape pod managed to elude our grasp so we had to follow it with a smaller ship and… um… we found this place and started poking around all the machinery. Then those snakes attacked, I panicked and accidently ran right into control room of the… um… teleport thingy that transported me here… that’s about it…

Insert I for one welcome our new Bacon overlords_
>>
No. 596993 ID: 2fd516

>>596992
Alright it looks like Wanderer is being straight with us. That's the Uredo's name, by the way. The vessel he was in was not heavily armed, so it was a transport vessel or whatever. Also this version of events fits the Serpens' claim that they were in charge of the facility, as they attacked shortly after the Sakkil arrived. It does not match with their claim they want a decent "first contact" however, since they went in guns blazing. Their attitude doesn't match peaceful intent either; they seem to be mainly concerned with removing the invaders so that the world can develop the technology they want to steal. No idea if that lightning weapon was supposed to stun or kill. We'll have to find out later.

So to sum up, the Serpens are jackasses and lying to manipulate us, Lucius is a jackass and lying to make himself look good, and Wanderer might not be lying at all. It's not like he?she/it has enough of a grasp on our language to lie convincingly anyway.

Tell him you'll forgive him if he stops being an asshole to you. He can start by being honest about his feelings towards you.
>>
No. 596994 ID: 2fdec1

>Well, I want to do that too, but this joker is making it a bit of a challenge!
Geez, Lu, has he really gotten that far under your chitin if his mere presence means you can't focus on a book? And he's actually not nearly as much of an asshole once that armor came off, so give him a break. Oh, and a big part of the reason he was such an asshole back then was you were trading insults and escalating things, so half of it was you being an ass which means if you rein that in and he won't be an even bigger ass back at you.

Ask Lucius what evidence the Sakkil found that made them think their precursors were the only members of the galaxy spanning empire that built this world? 'Cause I find it very hard to believe that there isn't a single trace out there of the lizards, mantis and humans being together in it. That there isn't some space station in high orbit around a planet with a group photo on the wall with all three species in it. Or that there isn't the vacuum dessicated corpses of them in a mining outpost on a barren airless rock of a world. Hell, even the damn beds and toilets would tell it! Seriously, there ought to be evidence all over the damn place at every Precursor site and yet there's none?

>Of course she said that! She even threw away my first units I bought!
Okay, I think you need to speak with your mother soon and get her reasons for doing that. In fact, have a real in-depth talk about the reasons for pretty much every restriction you have, either she said or you assumed. And we can ask Ceana about this next we're with her; See what she knows about your mother's reasons. Hey, you got any questions you want us to ask Ceana about your mother? 'Cause she might have told Ceana things she wouldn't tell you, like why she kept you from knowing any of your fathers.

Yanno, I wonder how your mother could have a hobby like WarStorm and you never knew it. She has to have space and time to assemble and paint the minitures and all that, right? Well, unless she's fielding an unpainted army, store-bought pre-painted ones or paying someone to do the work for her. So when and where do you think she was when she was doing all that?

So you know, we told Ceana you wanted to be present when she told your mother the wedding was off, so she's going to hold on telling her until you're there. Also, so you know where your mother is, Ceana agreed to let her lay low at the Baeronvar mansion as the librarian.

Now, this is a rather late question, but two days ago at Avatar's Descent when you said you were thrown out of the Academy to make room for Daithi did you actually believe that? Because we found out you weren't even on the list of those accepted into the Academy then.

Lu, this is going to be a real personal question but it's important you answer it honestly: Are you a virgin? I ask because we've found out that those who're virgins and have not killed make for the best sacrifices by the cultists. You've killed that Shape Stealer, so that takes care of half of it, but I want to know if the other half is covered. And also, were you truthful yesterday evening in all you told Daithi?

>I rather not lay my eyes on that asshole at all.
Oh, c'mon. You two are going to be stuck sharing this dorm for awhile so it'd be a way to alleviate the boredom. And you did want someone to practice WarStorm against, right? Plus, you'd totally trounce him for at least the first few games and wouldn't that be worth it just to gloat over him a bit? How 'bout for now you just hand him the rulebook so he can read up and then whether you want to play later or not he'll be ready.

[@Purple: This is a bit of a strange question: Are Shape Stealers sterile, either when in the shape of another or their "natural" non-mimicking state? And if they aren't sterile what're their offspring like?]

[@Purple: Also, our corruption check is being screwed with; It's returning the message "no corruption detected" instead of the proper message and has been doing so since about mid-afternoon yesterday. We may need to temporarily ally with you so you can get a clear corruption check and scan in on us and our pawns for us.]
>>
No. 597004 ID: 4c259d

>Barium, Cobalt and Nitrogen is the element that unite the universe.
>computer engineer.
He's a nerd! I knew it!

>Lucius says some shit
>Serpens say other shit
Gods dammit it's just like with the daemons, no one will give us a straight answer.
>>
No. 597015 ID: 40935b

> well, I’ve already told you most things…
Unfortunately for our intelligence gathering efforts, you've proven to be a liar. Is there any reason you have non-uniform clothes? Where we come from, the kill hats would have you doing extra PT while squealing like a pig just for owning that. Are you a civilian contractor or something? Why would a computer engineer be exploring a completely unexplored and potentially hostile alien structure? How'd you get put into a scout legion right out of your apparently sub-par basic training? Shouldn't that kind of position be reserved for special forces?

> The empire doesn’t remove people that doesn’t want to fight… the worst thing they’ll do is throw you in jail for a while if you don’t have a good reason for it… um…
Sounds like propaganda to me. You're sure you 'cogs in the machine' don't just go missing sometimes? That your officers aren't chosen only for political reliability and conscripts aren't just handed a rifle and thrown into the front-lines as a main battle tactic?
>>
No. 597088 ID: 4f004c

>Of course she said that! She even threw away my first units I bought!
...And just how deep does this rabbit hole go? The Deceiver has been following Daithi his whole life. You and him were both options for our leader when we started up the other day... Is it possible she's been making you think everybody's been harsher than they actually have, too?
>I did see Aelia get hit by what looked like a lightning bolt before she collapsed…
That sounds like a "Taser." It's a device, capable of being built into all sorts of different shapes, that shoots out lightning to stun a person. It does not cause any permanent harm whatsoever, just knocks a person out.
Chances are, the Serpens panicked that you were a threat to us, Teal--and yes, that does sound egotistical, but according to Issaru, the Serpen we ran into, they found us here when they first arrived and have been helping us achieve our goals. He's not convinced that your presense is helpful to us, which is why I recommend against a direct meeting.
>We may need to temporarily ally with you
Weren't we told that alliances can only be ended by declaring war? I mean, we can call out war and then immediately declare a truce, but it's still not a nice thing to do. That, and I'm pretty sure our messages are still blocked.
>>
No. 597196 ID: 9ddf68

so what? he acted all tough because he was afraid that if he showed any weakness the locals would tear him apart or was there something else going on? Also need I remind you that a pissed off Lucrais is a dangerous Lucrais and one way to piss off Lucrais is to lie to her face.

Oh and why did you try and hide with the plant guy? I mean you only have a knife, you weren't trained for front line combat or any combat really and yet your first thought when trapped in an unfamiliar was to run towards a possibly hostile and fully armed alien that you have admitted to try to capture and kill? The hell were you thinking?
>>
No. 597213 ID: 4f004c

>your first thought when trapped in an unfamiliar was to run towards a possibly hostile and fully armed alien that you have admitted to try to capture and kill?
The plants put up no resistance, and instead ran, this one rather successfully. Then, Lucius was unable to scan into the building, so he was certain that the Serpens couldn't scan it, either.

By the way, Lucrais, if you happen to see the Empress's daughter (The princess?), tell her Teal met the plant and discovered it was a scholar, but was unable to message Black about it. If you start off with "I have a message from Teal to Emperor Black," they should permit it. Yeah, Emperor; the guy has control over the royalty and I figure it's simple enough to grant him that honorism. Better to have a happy acquaintance than an aggressive enemy.
>>
No. 597278 ID: 65a774
File 141244575830.png - (14.14KB , 900x450 , 69.png )
597278

>[@Purple:-
[ERROR!!]

>Okay, I think you need to speak with your mother soon and get her reasons for doing that. In fact, have a real in-depth talk about the reasons for pretty much every restriction you have, either she said or you assumed.
Ugh, do I really have too? Mother is impossible to talk to!
>And we can ask Ceana about this next we're with her; See what she knows about your mother's reasons.
If you want to, then go right ahead.
>Also, so you know where your mother is, Ceana agreed to let her lay low at the Baeronvar mansion as the librarian.
She’s hiding there!? But that’s pretty much the first place they will… err… that’s a good hiding place?
>Now, this is a rather late question, but two days ago at Avatar's Descent when you said you were thrown out of the Academy to make room for Daithi did you actually believe that?
…I… um… a part of me wanted it to be true… yeah…
>Lu, this is going to be a real personal question but it's important you answer it honestly: Are you a virgin?
WHAT!? What kind of question is that!?
>And also, were you truthful yesterday evening in all you told Daithi?
…I have to admit, I might have exaggerated a bit, but I’m not a virgin! Mom might keep a close watch on me when I’m with any male mantises, but she doesn’t when I’m with other species or my friends.
>You did want someone to practice WarStorm against, right? Plus, you'd totally trounce him for at least the first few games and wouldn't that be worth it just to gloat over him a bit?
Hmm…
>He's a nerd! I knew it!
Everyone seems to be a dork nowadays…
>By the way, Lucrais, if you happen to see the Empress's daughter (The princess?), tell her Teal met the plant and discovered it was a scholar, but was unable to message Black about it.
…err… wait, you want me to talk to the empress daughter!? No way! Mother would have my head if she knew I even considered embarrassing myself in front of a lady of that stature!

>Ask Lucius what evidence the Sakkil found that made them think their precursors were the only members of the galaxy spanning empire that built this world?
:LuciusNUM: Because the only evidence we’ve found of how they looked like pointed toward them looking like us, that’s why.
>Is there any reason you have non-uniform clothes?
:LuciusNUM: What do you mean? The battle suit is my uniform. The only thing they require you to wear under it is a standard jumpsuit, which I got on me under the t-shirt.
>Where we come from, the kill hats would have you doing extra PT while squealing like a pig just for owning that.
:LuciusNUM: And here you’re complaining that’s my Empire is bad.
>Why would a computer engineer be exploring a completely unexplored and potentially hostile alien structure?
:LuciusNUM: Because the centurion of my cohort is an ass that’s so hungry for fame he was willing to risk all our lives on this stupid mission, that’s why.
>Sounds like propaganda to me. You're sure you 'cogs in the machine' don't just go missing sometimes?
:LuciusNUM: If they made people disappear I would believe they would start with people a bit more deserving then pacifists. Like those new “Free cogs” unions fellows or… hell, the current senate would probably “disappear” their political competitors to make sure they were elected the next time we had a vote.
>How'd you get put into a scout legion right out of your apparently sub-par basic training? Shouldn't that kind of position be reserved for special forces?
:LuciusNUM: You’re thinking of people scouting out enemy territory. We’re nothing more than a glorified guard patrol.
>That sounds like a "Taser." It's a device, capable of being built into all sorts of different shapes, that shoots out lightning to stun a person. It does not cause any permanent harm whatsoever, just knocks a person out.
:LuciusNUM: I know what a Taser is, and last time I checked a Taser doesn’t shot freaking lightning bolts! I’m talking about those things that come out from the sky, not some pesky sparkles!

>Tell him you'll forgive him if he stops being an asshole to you.
What? No, why would I do-
>A big part of the reason he was such an asshole back then was you were trading insults and escalating things, so half of it was you being an ass which means if you rein that in and he won't be an even bigger ass back at you.
…Fine.
:LuciusNUM: …I… Alright, if you promise to stop insulting me back.
:LucraisNUM: Deal.
:LuciusNUM: Then let’s make this a new start then, Lucy.
:LucraisNUM:
:LuciusNUM: Err… Lu?
:LucraisNUM:
:LuciusNUM: Lucrais?
:LucraisNUM:
:LuciusNUM: The glorious queen Lucrais?
:LucraisNUM: You’re getting warmer.
>He can start by being honest about his feelings towards you.
:LuciusNUM: …err… well… if I’m honest… well… you’re… um… only if you promise to not hit me?
:LucraisNUM: …I promise I will consider it.
:LuciusNUM: …well, you’re a dame who got so nice curves back there that it would make even a celibate monk turn his head when you walked past.
:LucraisNUM: …that’s it?
:LuciusNUM: Well, I would say something positive about your personality but…
:LucraisNUM: Yeah, yeah, I get it.
>Oh and why did you try and hide with the plant guy? I mean you only have a knife, you weren't trained for front line combat or any combat really and yet your first thought when trapped in an unfamiliar was to run towards a possibly hostile and fully armed alien that you have admitted to try to capture and kill?
:LuciusNUM: I… err… didn’t really think about it. I knew this place was a dead zone for those snakes so I just made a beeline here. Then that plant tackled me and cloaked to make sure we weren’t found out… I wasn’t even planning on finding him, to be honest…
>How 'bout for now you just hand him the rulebook so he can read up and then whether you want to play later or not he'll be ready.
:LuciusNUM: What’s this?
:LucraisNUM: It’s the rule book of a game. Read it and we might play later.
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… interesting…

*Knock*Knock*

:LuciusNUM: …um… someone wants to get into the dorm?

Insert Who’s there?_
>>
No. 597280 ID: 2fd516

>>597278
Crap. Lucius has to hide, he can't be seen unless it's someone who knows about him already. That table back there has a long cover, he can hide there. Then go see who it is. If it's one of our friends, have them give the passphrase.

Also you should know we're being blocked from sending messages, so we can't just ask Purple if it's Arthur. It's more likely to be Wanderer, come to think of it...
>>
No. 597281 ID: 9ddf68

Lucius can just hide under one of those tables with the cloth on it and Lucrais can ASK who's on the other side. With all the shapestealer bullshit that's been happening nobody will blame you for being a bit paranoid. and If it's one of your friends don't forget to ask for the pass phrase just to be safe. If it's someone else just talk to them threw the door.
>>
No. 597283 ID: 40935b

>And here you’re complaining that’s my Empire is bad.
I'm saying it's ineffective and inefficient, but I think your leaders may not take after Big Brother as much as calling citizens 'cogs' and the mention of a stagnant eternal war indicates.

>*Knock*Knock*
Well, ask who's there.
>>
No. 597284 ID: 9ddf68

>>597278
random thought, I remember the last time our method to talk to other players was block was when we were in the presents of shapestealers, like back when we were in the first Vault and found the shapestealer that was trying to get in by disguising himself as Ilbir. Just throwing that one out there.
>>
No. 597285 ID: 2fd516

>>597284
It is an obvious symptom of corruption. So, we're corrupted. Possibly increasingly so. We might even have a wraith on us.

Lucrais, I don't suppose you have a mirror anywhere do you? Check us out, see if we look weird. As in, anything other than teal squids.
>>
No. 597290 ID: 2fdec1

Don't call out to ask who that is; I could be anyone, or anything, knocking so we're going to be extra careful here. Whisper to Lucius to keep his voice to whispers. The both of you move as quiet as you can. Open the door slowly so it doesn't make noise and stick your head out to check the hall, then if it looks clear Lucius does the same to check it with his visor. Follow this pattern to get to the entry hall, then once there Lucius'll use his visor's x-ray vision to check who's on the other side of the door and describe them to you. Then he'll slip back to throw his armor on and disguise it as Arthur's; At least that way if he has to flee out the window you might be able to play it off as you and Arthur

Now, if whoever it is looks like anybody but Nickolas and Thyna (a male human priest and female mantis, him with a missing eye and her with missing right arm which should show up easily to Lucius' visor,) Victoria (a female human with a high commander's hat and sword on her hip,) Arthur or anybody else we've told the pass-phrase to I'd rather not even let on that anybody is here and just quiet down and see if they leave or if they come in here. As I said, it could be anyone or anything, including not only Shape Stealers or one of those Serpens in disguise. Oh, and if it's an exceptionally tall female mantis, that's Ealasaid, the empress' eighth daughter and pawn of player Black; We don't want her or Black finding Hugo or Lucius.

Lu, also ask Lucius to take a look at us and see if anything looks odd or off, besides us being floating teal squids with two yellow eyes and three tentacles; If anything looks like it's corrupted. And even if nothing looks bad, he should check us out in a mirror as well, since that'll cut through some illusions.

[@White: We might have to come to you instead of you coming to us for that corruption check. Cedric's still stuck in class until five, right? 'Cause we can have a pawn just step in for a moment for you to get a scan in on us.]
>>
No. 597359 ID: 65a774
File 141252208992.png - (15.18KB , 900x450 , 70.png )
597359

>[@White:-
[Error!]

>Lucrais, I don't suppose you have a mirror anywhere do you? Check us out, see if we look weird. As in, anything other than teal squids.
…you’re squids… and… um… there’s a bunch of numbers surrounding you? Like… zero’s and ones?
>I'm saying it's ineffective and inefficient, but I think your leaders may not take after Big Brother as much as calling citizens 'cogs' and the mention of a stagnant eternal war indicates.
:LuciusNUM: Huh? Brother? Why would I be related to the senate? And we’re not inefficient! We can build a freaking leviathan class battle cruiser at least twice as fast as those filthy humans!
>Lu, also ask Lucius to take a look at us and see if anything looks odd or off.
:LuciusNUM: You’re flying teal squids, surrounded by binary code.
>Then he'll slip back to throw his armor on and disguise it as Arthur's.
:LuciusNUM: That’ll take a few minutes… minutes we don’t have now because you keep asking me questions!
*KNOCK!*KNOCK!*

>Don't call out to ask who that is; It could be anyone, or anything, knocking so we're going to be extra careful here.
…right, let’s sneak out to the dorm door…
>Lucius'll use his visor's x-ray vision to check who's on the other side of the door and describe them to you.
:LuciusNUM: …I can see two pieces of metal floating around behind the door… but no bones…
:LucraisNUM: …let me check the peephole…
>It's more likely to be Wanderer, come to think of it...
:LuciusNUM: It’s the plant, isn’t it?
:LucraisNUM: It’s the plant.

>Lucrais can ASK who's on the other side.
:LucraisNUM: Who’s there?
:WandererNUM: Ffeeend…
:LucraisNUM: …what’s the passcode?
:WandererNUM: …paasoood? Wee doo noo noow waa haa meeean… peeaassee leee weee innnn. Meeeaaal isss cooommmiiinnn…
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… I’ve never thought about it… but because they are plants they don’t have any bones to see with the x-ray…

Insert I think I saw a two!_
>>
No. 597365 ID: 9ddf68

meal? think he means male?

anyways I think it would be safe to let him in, I mean I don't think the shape stealers have ever seen him directly and unless black's justicars were shape stealers then they should have never heard him talk before so wouldn't know his speech pattern is all fucked up.

>You’re flying teal squids, surrounded by binary code.
huh, so we're either glitching or something else, good to know.
>>
No. 597366 ID: 4f004c

>um… there’s a bunch of numbers surrounding you? Like… zero’s and ones?
Oh. We've entered Debug mode. That, or we've been "Glitched," which is sort of like corruption, only it happened from machines, not Daemons. You're immune to it, don't worry.
>We can build a freaking leviathan class battle cruiser at least twice as fast as those filthy humans!
Efficiency in construction, perhaps, but inefficiency in combat.
>…paasoood? Wee doo noo noow waa haa meeean…
We never told him the code, just let him in.
>>
No. 597367 ID: 40935b

>Huh? Brother? Why would I be related to the senate? And we’re not inefficient! We can build a freaking leviathan class battle cruiser at least twice as fast as those filthy humans!
...I guess you've never even heard of 1984. If you'd read it, you'd realize that Leviathan argument doesn't help your case.

open the door, if there's no skeleton, it can't be a shapeshifter in disguise. You should ask him about why he ran all the way back here.
>>
No. 597369 ID: 2fd516

>>597359
Let him in, we're expecting him and we never told him the passcode. Though I guess you could ask what the first thing he said to Daithi was. It was water.
>>
No. 597371 ID: 65a774
File 141253575469.png - (16.79KB , 900x450 , 71.png )
597371

>Meal? Think he means male?
Whatever he means he sounds serious about it.
>Though I guess you could ask what the first thing he said to Daithi was. It was water.
:WandererNUM: Waaeeer…
>Open the door, if there's no skeleton, it can't be a shapeshifter in disguise.
:WandererNUM: Taank yoo…
:LucraisNUM: Yeah, no problem…
>You should ask him about why he ran all the way back here.
:WandererNUM: Need saaaeee haaaveeenn too undeeraaand neee nooowage.
:LucraisNUM: Err… what di-
:LuciusNUM: He needs somewhere safe to think about what he have learned.

>Efficiency in construction, perhaps, but inefficiency in combat.
:LuciusNUM: Hey! We’re very effective in combat, I have you know! It’s just those blasted humans are just so much better at changing their tactics then us!
>...I guess you've never even heard of 1984. If you'd read it, you'd realize that Leviathan argument doesn't help your case.
:LuciusNUM: Doesn’t help? You said we were ineffective and I countered that we are not! I don’t see how that doesn’t help! I have you know, the empire is far more effective than anything those humans and mantises have come up with. There’s a reason why we’re the only empire without any poor, where the magtubes runs on time and where everyone is equal!
:LucraisNUM: And yet you get your asses kicked?
:LuciusNUM: It’s not my fault those humans are so… so… resourceful!
:LucraisNUM: And the poor? What do you do with them? Grind them into paste to eat?
:LuciusNUM: What!? Why would you even suggest that!? Ew! No, we made it a crime, punishable with getting a proper education and job. If we all don’t work together we will never reach a better future! All cogs need to do their part!
:LucraisNUM: Geez… you guys sound almost like a cult… wait, did you lock the door?
:LuciusNUM: Me? You’re the one who opened it!
:ArthurNUM: Ah! There you are little plant person, yes? I finally found you! Oh, and do not worry, pears stalks the day today, yes? Also, I locked the door for… how you say… our safe, no?
:LucraisNUM: …you’re lucky it was just Arthur that came in and not some empire goon.
:LuciusNUM: You’re the one who opened the freaking door!
:WandererNUM: Noo fiihh… freeenns! Huuuggs!!
:LuciusNUM: I’m not your friend and I don’t want to hug you, Wanderer.
:ArthurNUM: Oh, and forgot to say. Those goons you talked about might have seen plant person… luckily it was on floor below this one but still, yes?
:LucraisNUM: Ugh… and all I wanted was to read a book…

Insert Hi frieends!_
>>
No. 597379 ID: 2fd516

>>597371
Crap. We may need to relocate home base soon. Well, we can probably set these two up in Ceana's house, since Ceana is one of our pawns and her husband is Purple's. I think we should move them ASAP. You don't have to move there with them if you don't want to, Lucrais, but keep in mind while Daithi's in class there will be nobody else here. You'll be somewhat vulnerable.

Tell Arthur to notify Purple that we're a bit broken right now and can't send messages. We might not even be able to receive messages. It's... probably not corruption. We're not sure what the cause is right now and we have no idea what to do about it.
>>
No. 597382 ID: 40935b

>You said we were ineffective and I countered that we are not!
A symptom of Orwellian government structure is effectiveness only in the areas of the military and police state.
>where the magtubes runs on time and where everyone is equal!
... You keep using descriptors almost exclusively applied to dictatorships. You should have led with your high standard of living or scientific progress beyond your peers or something.
>If we all don’t work together we will never reach a better future!
By building bigger weapons faster? wouldn't your superior ideology do well negotiating a peace? Or are your leaders worried that isn't true at all?

Dammit Arthur, you helped come up with the password, could you try to remember it? And could you ask purple to scan us for corruption, as well as that book? Our meter is broken.
>>
No. 597385 ID: 9ddf68

Arthur, can you ask purple to contact white for us, seeing as Cedric is always sneaking around he might now of a way to sneak both wanderer and Lucius out unseen and I'm betting that white would like to catch up on recent events. Just tell him to get to Daithi's dorm as discreetly as he can and get ready to sneak out both of Daithi's new roommates and his plant, also that time is of the essence. We'd do it ourselves but our ability to message other players isn't working and we're not to sure why. We got theories but nothing to really prove any of them right or wrong.
>>
No. 597393 ID: 4f004c

>Oh, and do not worry, pears stalks the day today, yes?
...That's not Arthur, guys. Arthur's the one who made the code "The pear stalks the light," he's going to be the one to mess it up.
>>
No. 597411 ID: 2fdec1

Ask Lucius to start looking through the floor as well as through the wall into the hallway; The floor's wood, so it ought to be easy to see through. That way we might see the search response for Wanderer being spotted. And also ask what's the range on his visor's through-obstacle sensors; At what distance does it fall off to the point he can't even tell a person-size object's movement?

>>597393
Actually, Arthur came up with "the pear stalks in the light;" You left out the "in." But I too think this might not be Arthur 'cause "pears stalks the day today" is a new way he's messed up the pass phrase; The previous times he's messed it up its been "pear stalk in midday" and "the pear stalks in midday," which are close enough. We best check if he's the real deal, just to be sure.

Lu, step back a bit and ask Lucius if Purple is hanging over Arthur right now 'cause we need to speak with him. If he is then that'll confirm that Arthur is not an impostor. If he's not then ask Arthur to tell you both the question we asked and answer Truth gave us to two questions we asked it. If he responds correctly then he's clean, otherwise get yourself and everyone else the fuck back.

If Purple's hear then tell him that our corruption check is being screwed with and has been since around mid-afternoon yesterday, about the time you, Dai and Ceana were talking; We were in the basement with Nick, had a spot of hallucination, and when we checked our corruption after that's the first time it was wrong. The check's been returning "no corruption detected" instead of the proper "corruption at %0" and we had an encounter mid-morning today when it should have bumped our pawns corruption up it didn't show it. And we would have messaged him about this, but just recently our messaging to other players has stopped working; It returned "ERROR" when we tried to message Purple, White, and even Black. Oh, and also get out a mirror so Arthur and Purple can take a look at us and say that the numbers floating around us are not normal. Now, we ask that Purple ally with us, if only temporarily, so he can scan us and our pawns for both corruption and purification.

Ask Wanderer if he can see us with his cybernetic eye-stalk and if he can ask him if when he first saw us after he landed in this world if we had numbers floating around us. That'll establish if we were effected before or after then.

>Noo fiihh… freeenns! Huuuggs!!
Hey, Lu, how 'bout you give Lucius a hug? A crushingly tight bear hug where his feet aren't touching the ground. That'll give him a right scare, yes?

>I’m not your friend and I don’t want to hug you, Wanderer.
You sure? With those four arms I'd bet he gives great hugs... Hey, wait a second. When did Lucius hear Wanderer's name? 'Cause I didn't hear you tell him that. What gives here? Ask him when he heard that name.

>>597379
Apparently you forget that the Academy is the only spot in the world that's blocked from the view of the admin Serpens, so if Wanderer or Lucius step outside it they'll be picked up immediately. Wherever they hide, it'll have to be within the Academy grounds... Though, there might be a bit more room outside. Lu, ask Lucius if while he was in the admin's seat he saw exactly what area around, above and below the Academy was blocked from admin view.

We're going to have to put our heads together and figure out another spot for these two to hide in case the dorm isn't viable anymore. We know that Wanderer has some kind of short-range teleportation capability in his suit, so ask him what's the limits of it; Could it teleport him somewhere without need of line of sight? 'Cause if it could then he could put the suit on and jump away to an attic or a dead space in the walls. Man, now I wish we'd gotten the Academy floorplan from the archive 'cause that'd really help finding hiding spots.

Oh, and make sure that Wanderer knows that the Serpens are looking to capture both him and Lucius to remove them from this world, that they have admin powers in here, that the Academy grounds are the only spot they can't see, and that they gave a quest to every player in the world to capture both of them. And Lucius should tell Wanderer what he saw up there of the Serpens and that they attacked his comrades and probably killed or at least seriously injured them. So we don't want them to get their hands on either of them.
>>
No. 597412 ID: 2fdec1

>>597411
Oh, and if Purple is here ask him if he can message us to test if incoming messages work or not.
>>
No. 597484 ID: 65a774
File 141260473112.png - (16.36KB , 900x450 , 72.png )
597484

>Dammit Arthur, you helped come up with the password, could you try to remember it?
:ArthurNUM: Um… Pear stalk the light? …wait, does that mean that a pear is stalking light or when it’s light, yes?
:LucraisNUM: It’s “In the light”, so the later.
>Could you ask purple to scan us for corruption, as well as that book?
:ArthurNUM: Book is washed but we can’t see if you are washed, yes? Needs to be allies.
>Tell Arthur to notify Purple that we're a bit broken right now and can't send messages.
:ArthurNUM: He says he knows. Messages to you… how you say… is spoken but not heard, yes?
>It's... probably not corruption.
:ArthurNUM: …of courser it isn’t.
>Lu, step back a bit and ask Lucius if Purple is hanging over Arthur right now 'cause we need to speak with him.
:LuciusNUM: He still get that giant purple thing with him, yeah.
>Now, we ask that Purple ally with us, if only temporarily, so he can scan us and our pawns for both corruption and purification.
:ArthurNUM: He was already considering suggesting an ally. He has spoken the request, you only need to hear in the silence and answer his unspoken word, yes?
>Ask Wanderer if he can see us with his cybernetic eye-stalk and if he can ask him if when he first saw us after he landed in this world if we had numbers floating around us.
:WandererNUM: …nuummeeerr… caaaee… aafeeerr…. Niih…
:ArthurNUM: …nigh? He’s an Oxin?
:LuciusNUM: Numbers came after the night. Well, I know I saw a few of them the first time we met but… not this many.

>Crap. We may need to relocate home base soon. Well, we can probably set these two up in Ceana's house, since Ceana is one of our pawns and her husband is Purple's.
:LucraisNUM: Yeah, that would be great! They are bound to be safe over there!
:LuciusNUM: …where exactly is this Ceana’s house?
:LucraisNUM: Oh, it’s just on the other side of town.
:LuciusNUM: …wait, aren’t we forgetting something?
>Apparently you forget that the Academy is the only spot in the world that's blocked from the view of the admin Serpens, so if Wanderer or Lucius step outside it they'll be picked up immediately.
:LuciusNUM: Exactly! There’s no way I’m setting my foot outside these grounds as long as those snake are out there!
>Ask Lucius to start looking through the floor as well as through the wall into the hallway; The floor's wood, so it ought to be easy to see through.
:LuciusNUM: …I can see two tin cans right under us trying to… interrogate a… I’m guessing it’s a potted plant? Can’t spot any on this floor, though.
>Also ask what's the range on his visor's through-obstacle sensors; At what distance does it fall off to the point he can't even tell a person-size object's movement?
:LuciusNUM: I don’t know… fifty, fifty five meters?

>A symptom of Orwellian government structure is effectiveness only in the areas of the military and police state.
:LuciusNUM: Hey, I don’t know what this Orvell is but I take offence to that! And we’re effective on a lot of areas! …um… well, anything that has to do with industry anyway. You should see our automatic factories! Able to construct a full kitchen in less than an hour! Oh, and let me tell you about our recycling project! We’re able to recycle 99.9% of all waste we produce at the moment!
:LucraisNUM: Yeah, I can see how not having a bunch of junk will win you wars.
:LuciusNUM: Hey! It’s not our fault we might be a bit slow when it comes to thinking outside the box… stupid humans and their outside the box thinking…
>... You keep using descriptors almost exclusively applied to dictatorships. You should have led with your high standard of living or scientific progress beyond your peers or something.
:LuciusNUM: How many times do I have to tell you! We’re a democracy! We elect a senate who then elect an emperor… or empress. And fine… if you want to hear about our high standard of living then sure… Everyone got ample supply of food, water, living space, work, entertainment and rights. Considering that were on the brink of completely extinction out thanks to the great drought before the empire formed that is saying something.
:LucraisNUM: …you almost died out thanks to a little drought?
:LuciusNUM: We live on a desert planet. Having no water for years will do that for to you.
>By building bigger weapons faster? Wouldn't your superior ideology do well negotiate a peace? Or are your leaders worried that isn't true at all?
:LuciusNUM: A peace? After all they have done to us!? Never! And damn right our ideology is superior! That’s why we can’t let their stupid ideology taint ours!
>Hey, wait a second. When did Lucius hear Wanderer's name? 'Cause I didn't hear you tell him that. What gives here? Ask him when he heard that name.
:LuciusNUM: …Lu said that you guys said it before she opened the door?

>We know that Wanderer has some kind of short-range teleportation capability in his suit, so ask him what's the limits of it.
:WandererNUM: …teleeoor?
:LuciusNUM: Teleport. Jump to a place without moving.
:WandererNUM: …?
:LuciusNUM: One second you’re here, the next over there.
:WandererNUM: …ooh… teleeoor… weee juuumm feeew meeerr… noo waaall in waaa…
:LuciusNUM: …a few meters as long as there’s nothing in the way?
:WandererNUM: …feend Lucy undeersaan…
:LuciusNUM: LUCIUS! Not Lucy!
:WandererNUM: Feend Lucius undeersaan!
>Oh, and make sure that Wanderer knows that the Serpens are looking to capture both him and Lucius to remove them from this world, that they have admin powers in here, that the Academy grounds are the only spot they can't see, and that they gave a quest to every player in the world to capture both of them.
:WandererNUM: Why wee fiigh…? Why nooo feends and huugs?
:LuciusNUM: Because people are selfish assholes who think they got the moral high ground.
:WandererNUM: Accapt whaat oothee thiin and be feends… theen huugs…

>Hey, Lu, how 'bout you give Lucius a hug? A crushingly tight bear hug where his feet aren't touching the ground.
:LucraisNUM: You know… maybe he’s right… it’s time for hugs.
:LuciusNUM: Huh? What are yo- AARH! MY SPINE!!
:WandererNUM: YAY! Feendy hugs!
:ArthurNUM: …don’t forget about me, yes?

Insert Hugs for everyone!_
>>
No. 597494 ID: 2fd516

>>597484
Ummmm...
[accept alliance request from Purple?]

Since everyone's here again maybe you guys can play that wargame. After Purple scans us for corruption we can go check in on Daithi.
>>
No. 597496 ID: 9ddf68

>>597484
ahhh, have you ever seen such a heart warming moment?

well if purple said he sent an ally request
[accept purple's ally request]
hey Arthur we think we accepted purples request, did it go through on his side?
>>
No. 597505 ID: 2fd516

Oh, Lucrais, try not to kill the visitor from beyond the stars. Are the ones and zeroes floating around us changing constantly? If not, please write them down. Ask Lucius to do it since it's easier to do that when they're not mirrored.

Secondly, ask Wanderer how he learned the language so fast.
>>
No. 597509 ID: 40935b

>how you say… is spoken but not heard, yes?
OH! Those Serpens must have taken our ability to speak and hear away and given them to Nickolas and Thyna! That's why they said the gift was from us!

> …nuummeeerr… caaaee… aafeeerr…. Niih…
Number came after nine. Ten. Zeros and ones.
>Hey, I don’t know what this Orvell is but I take offence to that!
Orwell, with a w, was an author. He'd call what you're doing now doublethink- holing two contradictory opinions. For example, that an ideology can be both stronger than all others and weak to corruption, or that others do evil because they think they have the moral high ground while you yourself go to war in the name of the greater good, or that peace is unthinkable as you stand on the brink of extinction. Anyway, Wanderer has found his voice, so I guess you can ask what those attacks on your colonies were about.
>>
No. 597513 ID: 2fd516

>>597509
No, we lost messaging ability shortly before Thyna got her tongue back. Still, the Serpens are admins and may be able to tell us how to un-glitch ourselves...
>>
No. 597525 ID: 65a774
File 141263740356.png - (12.58KB , 900x450 , 73.png )
597525

>[accept purple's ally request]
ERROR!!

>Oh, Lucrais, try not to kill the visitor from beyond the stars.
:LucraisNUM: Don’t worry, I’ll just maim him a bit.
:LuciusNUM: I can’t feel my legs…
:LucraisNUM: Walk it off, you wuss.
>Are the ones and zeroes floating around us changing constantly?
:LuciusNUM: They are changing constantly…
>Secondly, ask Wanderer how he learned the language so fast.
:WandererNUM: Knoowagee sooreed in seeciall braain. Peereec meemoy. Heaar and reeaa wee gaain knoowagee. Boo wiih piicures veery heelfuul…

>Orwell, with a w, was an author. He'd call what you're doing now doublethink- holing two contradictory opinions. For example, that an ideology can be both stronger than all others and weak to corruption,
:LuciusNUM: Hey, I never said it was stronger, just better! It’s like the ideal of democracy. It’s better, but if you’re not careful some nut job will come and turn it into a dictatorship.
>or that others do evil because they think they have the moral high ground while you yourself go to war in the name of the greater good,
:LuciusNUM: Last time I checked good and evil is a matter of perspective, no? They are evil because they oppose us, while we’re evil because we oppose them. We’re fighting for the survival of our ideals and way of life, and kicking the ass of those that are trying to destroy them are kind of a given.
>or that peace is unthinkable as you stand on the brink of extinction.
:LuciusNUM: They demand a complete surrender, stripping our whole species their rights and making us slaves. We rather die fighting then letting that happen to us!
>Anyway, Wanderer has found his voice, so I guess you can ask what those attacks on your colonies were about.
:WandererNUM: …wee noo fiigh… wee wann feends…
:LuciusNUM: So, what… those that burned that planet was of some other faction of your species?
:WandererNUM: Wee noo fiigh unnleess wee a foceed. heefoo, heey moos haave bee baad… Ureedooo? …wee haave proobeem wiith… baarbeers…
:LucraisNUM: Barbarians?
:WandererNUM: …yeees?
:LuciusNUM: So you guys are pacifist? You don’t fight at all?
:WandererNUM: …wee doon undeesaand ha wooord buu… wee noo fiigh unleeess wee are fooceed… bu if wee are… hen wee wiiil coompleey eexeerminae your paheic speecieess by maaaking all plaanees yoouuu liiive on toooo glaaas, liizaaard… buut we a freends Lucius, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Err… yeah, we’re friends...

>Since everyone's here again maybe you guys can play that wargame.
:LucraisNUM: …I guess?
:ArthurNUM: Woo! Let’s do this, yes?
>Hey Arthur we think we accepted purples request, did it go through on his side?
:ArthurNUM: Oh, good news and bad news, yes? Good news is… how you say… we are now ally, yes? Bad news is… well… he says you are a hundred corrupted… and a hundred pure? Good news is that it seems to take each other out, yes? Black and white make gray, yes? Oh, other good news is that it’s not spreading. Good, yes?
:LucraisNUM: Wait, we’re both corrupted and pure? How does that even work?



>After Purple scans us for corruption we can go check in on Daithi.
…hello mirror, my old enemy… by Jove, I hate you…
:CeanaNUM: Are you okay in there, little grasshopper?
:DaithiNUM: I’m fine, mom…

…I still have nightmares about you, you know…

Insert Beware of the nice ones_
>>
No. 597530 ID: 9ddf68

wait where the hell are we in the mirror?

anyways Daithi You are looking snazzy in the suit, I have to say black is a good color on you. Oh and good news, we've learned more about both aliens, we've met and talked to the snake people and they are NOT actively trying to kill us, we managed to get Nick's hearing back and Thyna got her tongue back, Oh and we're are also 100% corrupted like we thought but are also 100% purified which is exactly like being corrupted but just sounds nicer so most of our abilities are fucked up the wazoo right now but since we're both corrupted and purified the 2 are canceling each other out so we're still sane... well as sane as we can get anyhow.
>>
No. 597534 ID: 2fd516

>>597525
Why can't we see ourselves?! Are we hiding behind you? [float into view] ...I'd say that isn't a mirror but the wall obviously has a hallway behind it. Are you blocking that door with the table? You look good, either way.

Also hahahaha we're totally fucked. 100% Corruption, 100% Purification. We have BOTH mindfuck ailments going on with us right now. Yet, nothing is happening. Last time we checked, 100% Corruption was a failstate. I wonder if Purple's diagnostics are broken too. Well, the good news is that it's not affecting our pawns either. So yeah maybe we're just immune to both states now. Unfortunately we can't seem to send or receive messages so it's making communication with other Players a bit roundabout.
>>
No. 597538 ID: 4f004c

>he says you are a hundred corrupted… and a hundred pure?
...Great. Either that's because we're glitched, or we're glitched because of that.

Wonder just what the heck happens now?
>…I still have nightmares about you, you know…
Please tell me we didn't just turn into a monster in the short time it took us to jump from the Academy to here.
>>
No. 597543 ID: 40935b

Dai, something is wrong on our end, buuut I think you should tell us what's wrong on your end first.
>>
No. 597579 ID: 65a774
File 141269477573.png - (12.42KB , 900x450 , 74.png )
597579

>Why can't we see ourselves?! Are we hiding behind you?
Huh? Oh, you guys… err… yeah, where are you?
>Dai, something is wrong on our end, buuut I think you should tell us what's wrong on your end first.
Um… I… I’m a bit nervous for the date but… um… I think I need to take some medication too…
>Please tell me we didn't just turn into a monster in the short time it took us to jump from the Academy to here.
What? No, I… I don’t think so? I was talking about the mirror… I… I had… I have nightmares sometimes about looking into one and… and seeing someone who is me but not me…
>Are you blocking that door with the table?
No? The table is against the opposite wall… I think it’s just your eyesight acting up again.
>...I'd say that isn't a mirror but the wall obviously has a hallway behind it.
…how is that even possible? I was just in the corridor on the other side of that wall.
>Anyways Daithi You are looking snazzy in the suit, I have to say black is a good color on you.
I don’t know… I feel a bit… snobbish and… err… it’s rather tight on the abdomen…

>good news, we've learned more about both aliens, we've met and talked to the snake people and they are NOT actively trying to kill us.
So… they are just trying to kill Lucius and Hugo?
>We managed to get Nick's hearing back and Thyna got her tongue back.
…wait, how did you-?

>Hahahaha we're totally fucked.
Err… that’s… bad?
>100% Corruption, 100% Purification. We have BOTH mindfuck ailments going on with us right now.
…wait, what?
>So most of our abilities are fucked up the wazoo right now but since we're both corrupted and purified the 2 are canceling each other out so we're still sane... well as sane as we can get anyhow.
…but… if corruption is from demons then… purity is from… angels? Wait, you mean Hugo and Lucius is corrupting us!? Err… I mean purifying us!?

Insert Just some pure speculation, really_
>>
No. 597591 ID: 4f004c

>…how is that even possible? I was just in the corridor on the other side of that wall.
Remember the corridor to Truth? Given that we didn't show up in the reflection, it's either we went invisible, or that's not a mirror. I suppose it's more likely that we went invisible, of course.
>I don’t know… I feel a bit… snobbish and… err… it’s rather tight on the abdomen…
...I suppose your Mother is trying to hasten things along. Well, just continue to be yourself, and Atena will respond as such, rather than to your mother's intentions.
>…wait, how did you-?
Oh, we spoke to those in charge of the world... Which, it turns out, there's actually two groups in charge, with us being one of those groups, but we spoke with the OTHER group.
Yeah, turns out they complied with our wishes to fix the world, but had to demote us to player to do so. Of course, as a Player, our memory doesn't last beyond the resets like it does for Daemons and... Angels. Given the previous redactions, I'll stick to that. Anyways, these Angels, the Serpens, who look kind of like snakes, I don't think we actively met them until after our corruption would have hit 100%, but at the same time, they were in the world since before we went into Truth's corridors. It's possible they were hiding around, influencing our purity to match any corruption that we gained. That, or Truth acts as both a source of purity and corruption.

You're likely immune to our corruption and purity, now, but still vulnerable to anything else. Fortunately, that shouldn't be much of a problem anymore, now that you've got yourself a date. And don't worry about that pressuring you, once you've been on the date it doesn't matter if you blow it or win her heart; the experience itself is an anchor.
>>
No. 597596 ID: 13e90e

...Oh cripes. Anyone have a good explaination as to why we're seeing an angry Daithi other than hidden room/shapeshifter?
>>
No. 597598 ID: 4f004c

>>597596
We might be immune to the effects of corruption, but Daithi isn't, and if our active pawn is corrupt, we will see the effects of the corruption, even though we see through our own eyes, strangely enough. Daithi's had a form of Shadow corruption his whole life, which is what the medication helps with, remember? Go ahead and take that medication, Daithi, that "Shadow" is creeping up into our vision. By which I mean, it's distorting reflections. Probably why it isn't showing us in it, too.
>>
No. 597605 ID: 40935b

> I have nightmares sometimes about looking into one and… and seeing someone who is me but not me…
In that case, don't turn around and exit immediately. Whatever we were doing that was keeping the hallucinations at bay must not be working because of the corruption and purification. Let's hope those meds still work.
>I feel a bit… snobbish
Try for 'officer and a gentleman'.
>and… err… it’s rather tight on the abdomen…
She'll love it then.
> purity is from… angels? Wait, you mean Hugo and Lucius is corrupting us!? Err… I mean purifying us!?
Maybe! As far as we know, it's functionally indistinguishable from corruption, except it's gods, not daemons, assuming direct control. That could be okay or REALLY BAD depending on the pantheon. In either case, we should try troubleshooting before your date. Hallucinations and twisted words would kill the mood.

[query- methods to reduce corruption and purity]
>>
No. 597606 ID: 9ddf68

>it’s rather tight on the abdomen…
yeah, I believe that's to show off your abdomen more, you know to try and my you look sexy
>So… they are just trying to kill Lucius and Hugo?
more like capture for study, not really sure what they mean by study but at least they seem to be able to be reasoned with. Oh and we found out Hugo's real name, he's calling himself wanderer.
>…wait, how did you-?
Snake people did it as a gesture of good will, also seems we worked together in a past life
>Wait, you mean Hugo and Lucius is corrupting us!? Err… I mean purifying us!?
Well yes but not on purpose. Since Both Lucius and Wanderer are gods they tend to purify everything around them with an aura they give off since they're gods, so by trying to hide them we got purified since we're around them so much. I wouldn't be to worried since I don't think they'll do anything either because they have no idea how or because doing so would jeopardize there safety. That and the fact that we're also corrupted all the way so they can't act even if they wanted to. So honestly I'd rather have them around until we can figure out what the hell is corrupting us and deal with that first since at least we know where the purification is coming from.

Also I think you're right about your meds, leave the room, take your clothes if you want and grab your meds. If you see or hear anything creepy just ignore it until after you have taken your medicine.
>>
No. 597617 ID: 2fdec1

Earlier we asked Ceana what kind of gift to bring on your date and she said that Atena has quite the sweet tooth; That explains how she's so shapely down there despite her active job and training. So bringing a box of fancy chocolates would be the obvious choice. Though, maybe you could bring something sweet that isn't the usual, but I don't know what. Ice cream? No, too messy. Perhaps a pastry? A tart? Still too messy... What about other candies? Hm... Oh, I just thought bringing one of those lollipops that are rod shaped. Atena sucking on one of those would be a rather... exciting thing to see. Yeah, I dunno what else to bring instead of chocolates.

>I don’t know… I feel a bit… snobbish and… err… it’s rather tight on the abdomen…
Well, your mother did say Atena would probably like to see you in a "classical" style outfit, and it being tight is to show off what Atena definitely would like to see later~

Hey, did you know that your mother plays WarStorm? Yeah, we were a bit surprised at hearing that from her since we remember she didn't remember the name of it earlier. But yanno what's even more surprising? The group Ceana plays in on Sundays includes Lucrais' mother! Which considering she threw away the first figures Lucrais ever bought and told her in no uncertain terms she was not allowed to play WarStorm is damn hypocritical of her. We're going to ask Ceana if she knows what the heck is with that.

>What? No, I… I don’t think so? I was talking about the mirror… I… I had… I have nightmares sometimes about looking into one and… and seeing someone who is me but not me…
Well, then take a glance over your shoulder 'cause your reflection didn't move when you did and it's got an angry expression. This isn't something that happened when you were awake before, right? It might be just more hallucinations, in which case you should take your medication, or it might be something else... Dammit, I just remembered that right after we came to you and you checked us out in the mirror that your reflection was off; It was facing the wrong way in our vision from every other person we've seen in the mirror. And last night when we came to you right before you went to sleep and we saw all that writing on the wall in blood, the word "false" was scrawled on the mirror. So your reflection might be fake, or, as I said, it might be more hallucinations.

Could you stick your head out the door and ask your mother to step in here, that way we can get a second set of eyes in here to check out the mirror. And also ask her to bring your medication as well if you don't have it, just in case it turns out to be only hallucinations again. Just don't take the meds until after she checks the mirror.

Alright, lets check which of our functions are being messed with right now. [Check pawn status] [Scan Player Teal] [Scan "The Magician"] [Scan "The Magician's" reflection] [Scan all targets in range] [Check corruption levels] [@Teal: Is even messaging ourselves broken?] [Check AI and non-AI player counts] [List available commands] Hmm... Maybe this'll say something? [Run any available diagnostics]

[Help system query: What're the mechanics of the interaction between corruption and purification in a player or pawn? Are corruption and purification mutually exclusive, as in they cancel each other out, or can they both be present at the same time?]
>>
No. 597619 ID: 2fdec1

>>597617
Addendum: I'm not that sure that Wanderer and Lucius have a purifying aura since our last purification check was when we were with Nick in the chapel showed 0% and he was right next to Wanderer just a minute before. And if they were throwing off a purifying aura then I'm sure that Purple would have noticed since I have almost no doubts he checks his corruption levels constantly and a corruption check also shows purification levels. So it might be that our check then was being tampered with or that Purple's scan was being messed with to show that we have 100% in both categories. Oh, by the way, we allied with Purple so he could scan and check our and our pawn's corruption levels.
>>
No. 597621 ID: 2fd516

>>597579
No, I think our visit with the Serpens caused the Purification. Before then, we were checking repeatedly and we got 0%. Our corruption meter has been broken for a while, saying "no corruption found" instead of 0%. So, we've been stealthily Corrupted by The Deceiver, I'm guessing, and three admins in our proximity managed to pin us at 100% Purification at the same time.

Oh, um, Daithi... I hope you have your sword. That mirror appears to be a magical gateway of some sort, and there's a Shape-Stealer on the other side, mimicking you. You might just want to leave the room, and lock/bar the door from the other side. Shape-Stealers are a bit tough in single combat. If your mother just says you're seeing things, tell her that Teal saw it too. Well, we can tell her ourselves, actually.
>>
No. 597682 ID: 65a774
File 141278172677.png - (24.81KB , 900x450 , 75.png )
597682

>[Help system query:] [Scan all targets in range] [Check corruption levels] [@Teal:] [Check AI and non-AI player counts] [List available commands] [Run any available diagnostics]
[ERROR!]
>[Check pawn status]
[“The magician”: Lies. “Strength: Damned. “The Tower”: Falling. “The Chariot”: Whore. ”The High Priestess”: Mother to a false son.]
>[Scan Player Teal]
[The creator of the destruction cycle.]
>[Scan "The Magician"]
[Mother’s son.]
>[Scan "The Magician's" reflection]
[Only falsehoods are found in there.]

>Try for 'officer and a gentleman'.
…hmm… that does sound a bit badass, doesn’t it?
>She'll love it then.
I don’t know… it’s not really the good looking kind of tight, really… it’s just uncomfortable…
>Earlier we asked Ceana what kind of gift to bring on your date and she said that Atena has quite the sweet tooth; That explains how she's so shapely down there despite her active job and training.
…Sweets are the secret to hers amazing… err… I need to buy her sweets… lots of sweets.
>So bringing a box of fancy chocolates would be the obvious choice.
That’s a start, yes…
>Though, maybe you could bring something sweet that isn't the usual…
Hmm… but what?
>Oh, I just thought bringing one of those lollipops that are rod shaped. Atena sucking on one of those would be a rather... exciting thing to see.
…and if I do that I think I’m probably going to rip this suit right off from the excitement…
>Fortunately, the corruption shouldn't be much of a problem anymore, now that you've got yourself a date. And don't worry about that pressuring you, once you've been on the date it doesn't matter if you blow it or win her heart; the experience itself is an anchor.
…gee, thanks for your vote of confidence… and I’m doing this because I like her, not to get an anchor!
>Hey, did you know that your mother plays WarStorm? Yeah, we were a bit surprised at hearing that from her since we remember she didn't remember the name of it earlier.
Yeah, I knew. She was the one who introduced me to it. But… she didn’t know what it was called? Are you sure? I know she can never remember Q&Q but Warstorm? Is she going senile already?

>Snake people did it as a gesture of good will, also seems we worked together in a past life.
…so they are friendly, kind off? Or are they just trying to trick us? Hmm…
>More like capture for study, not really sure what they mean by study but at least they seem to be able to be reasoned with.
Study? Like an animal? That’s rather cold… and I do hope you can reason us out of this whole mess.
>Oh and we found out Hugo's real name, he's calling himself wanderer.
Wanderer, eh?
>I think our visit with the Serpens caused the Purification.
…so, they tried to “corrupt” us? Or was that an accident?

>Go ahead and take that medication, Daithi, that "Shadow" is creeping up into our vision. By which I mean, it's distorting reflections.
…oh, I’m starting to see things again… yeah, I need to go get it right away.
>I think you're right about your meds, leave the room, take your clothes if you want and grab your meds. If you see or hear anything creepy just ignore it until after you have taken your medicine.
Right, ignore it… ignore…

:CeanaNUM: Why, what a handsome young man. Hmm… black is rather fitting for you, no?
:DaithiNUM: Mom, I ne-
:CeanaNUM: And that collar really suits you!
:DaithiNUM: Mom-
:CeanaNUM: Hmm… but it seems rather small in the back, doesn’t it? I should ask them to enlarge it a bit the-
:DaithiNUM: MOM! I need my medicine!
:CeanaNUM: Ah, of course! Bring me my darling sons medication, if you please.
:UnknownKAK: Right away, my lady.
:CeanaNUM: Hmmm… and we really need to refit that suit a bit too…

:UnknownKAK: *Whisper* poison pills *whisper*whisper* Daithi…
:UnknownKAK: *Whisper* He’ll never see it coming…

:CeanaNUM: Oh, and that reminds me, I need to get my own dress fitted too!

Insert Whispers in the dark_
>>
No. 597683 ID: 4f004c

>…Sweets are the secret to hers amazing… err… I need to buy her sweets… lots of sweets.
Calm down, there, Tiger. Letting her keep her shapely form is good and well, but you go overboard and she'll lose that form for something else, something not good.
>But… she didn’t know what it was called? Are you sure? I know she can never remember Q&Q but Warstorm? Is she going senile already?
She may have just not wanted to admit knowing about it to us.
>*Whisper* poison pills *whisper*whisper* Daithi…
Dammit...
[The Benevolent One, can you hear me? I'm sorry, you're right, it is our fault... We are trying to fix it, but are encountering some difficulties. Will you help us, please?]
>>
No. 597689 ID: 2fd516

>>597682
Um. Those whispers are proooobably hallucinations but uh, Ceana, could you make sure no shape-stealers replace the pills with poison or something?
>>
No. 597695 ID: 5b4e0e

> and I’m doing this because I like her, not to get an anchor!
I think you've already got one since you've confided in her. I think. We're dealing with hallucinations and prophesy here, that's damn close to flying blind.
If it's your normal medication, I wouldn't worry about it. The shapechangers might be terrifying to deal with, but they aren't exactly clever- they've always gone after people in a more hands-on way than poison. Also, keeping you from taking the meds is the only way whatever is causing the hallucinations can keep influencing you. Also also we killed like three of their buddies, so any chapechangers should know not to mess with us by now.

I don't believe we've met the rest of your family here, could you give a brief introduction?

[scan everyone inb4 error message no backsies]
>>
No. 597696 ID: 5b4e0e

> and I’m doing this because I like her, not to get an anchor!
I think you've already got one since you've confided in her. I think. We're dealing with hallucinations and prophesy here, that's damn close to flying blind.
If it's your normal medication, I wouldn't worry about it. The shapechangers might be terrifying to deal with, but they aren't exactly clever- they've always gone after people in a more hands-on way than poison. Also, keeping you from taking the meds is the only way whatever is causing the hallucinations can keep influencing you. Also also we killed like three of their buddies, so any chapechangers should know not to mess with us by now.

I don't believe we've met the rest of your family here, could you give a brief introduction?

[scan everyone inb4 error message no backsies]
>>
No. 597697 ID: 9ddf68

relax you're find Daithi, just your mind playing tricks on you. So how much longer until your date starts anyways? Oh and when does your mom's date start?

Not a whole lot we can do here until your pills arrive. Just take deep breaths and remember, all the creepy stuff is in your head. We had a moment like this once ourselves. On of our past pawns got a wraith latched on to him and the thing tried to convince us we were 100% corrupted. We saw all sorts of crazy crap and none of it pleasant, the point is don't trust the lies, you know what is real so relax, your fine, and all that is going to happen tonight is that you're going on a date with a pretty lizard lady, and that's the truth.
>>
No. 597699 ID: 4f004c

...Wait, that lizard guard in front of the bunny statue. He's got a tendril sticking out his eye...

Uh, might be good to just avoid that guy, just to be safe.
>>
No. 597700 ID: 4f004c

(Why do ideas always come afterwards?)
Oh! Is it possible to buy butterscotch sweets there? Those things are AMAZING.
>>
No. 597706 ID: 65a774
File 141279496205.png - (16.07KB , 900x450 , 76.png )
597706

>The Benevolent One, can you hear me?
[ERROR!]
>[scan everyone inb4 error message no backsies]
[ERR- wait, you son of a- um… malfunction? Query not found?]

> ...Wait, that lizard guard in front of the bunny statue. He's got a tendril sticking out his eye...
AAH!! SHAPE STEA-
>relax you're fine Daithi, just your mind playing tricks on you.
Oh, right, I… I…
:CeanaNUM: Calm down, little grasshopper… you’re almost hyperventilating…
>Uh, might be good to just avoid that guy, just to be safe.
…keep away from all the lizard guards… check…
>All that is going to happen tonight is that you're going on a date with a pretty lizard lady, and that's the truth.
…yes, a date… a date with a wonderful, beautiful woman… I… oh Jove… I’m… I have no idea what to do on a date! ARGH! I’M GOING TO SCREW UP!! I’M DOO-
:UnknownKAK: Here are your pills, sir.

>Um. Those whispers are proooobably hallucinations but uh, Ceana, could you make sure no shape-stealers replace the pills with poison or something?
:DaithiNUM: …they are red… didn’t they use to be green?
:CeanaNUM: They’ve always been red, dear.
>Calm down, there, Tiger. Letting her keep her shapely form is good and well, but you go overboard and she'll lose that form for something else, something not good.
…that’s… I… somehow I feel very shallow for considering stopping dating her if that happened…
>I don't believe we've met the rest of your family here, could you give a brief introduction?
err… my only family right here is my mom, and you know her. The other people around are her nurse, our attendant, four private guards and… Lucrais mother? What is she doing here?

>So how much longer until your date starts anyways?
:DaithiNUM: Atena said she pick me up at six…
>Oh and when does your mom's date start?
:CeanaNUM: Oh, honeybun is going to come and get me at six…
:DaithiNUM: …why do I have a feeling that this is going to end in high jinx…?
>Oh! Is it possible to buy butterscotch sweets there? Those things are AMAZING.
:CeanaNUM: Just write down anything you want and one of the servants will go shopping.
:DaithiNUM: Right… so chocolate… butterscotch… hmm… oh, and that… special idea you had, of course.
:CeanaNUM: Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to have my dress fitted. I’ll send the tailor over as soon as he’s done, Daithi.



:LuciusNUM: So… what’s the plan…
:WandererNUM: Paarrrlll-
:LuciusNUM: I already told you, we can’t parley.
:WandererNUM: …use heesee o flaaank… and boowss tooo raaain deeeaaah…
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… yes, if we should only lure him into the middle we might pull that off.
:CedricNUM: Um… you do know he can hear you discuss your strategies, right?
:ArthurNUM: Shh… you are ruining the fun, yes?

Insert Just another day with the gang_
>>
No. 597708 ID: 9ddf68

...hey Lucrais, what's wrong? You look... well to be blunt you look pissed.

I also see that Cedric showed up at some point, how'd he take the orange lizard and talking plant? We'd ask white but we're kinda deaf right now.
>>
No. 597709 ID: 40935b

Awww, the little imperialists are working together.

Get any pertinent info, Lucrais?
>>
No. 597717 ID: 2fd516

Oh, I see what's going on. Cedric showed up so all the men are playing their wargames and you're either frustrated because you can't focus on your book, or frustrated because you feel left out but also indignant about it.

I almost forgot- ask Cedric to have White check our Corruption/Purification status, please. Also, the status of all our pawns if she can. I expect White and Purple have checked eachother by now. No corruption or purification on their sides, I gather?
>>
No. 597718 ID: dbe554

Seriously no chairs? Cedric has some poor taste if you gotta force everyone to stand without a rest!
>>
No. 597719 ID: 4f004c

>…that’s… I… somehow I feel very shallow for considering stopping dating her if that happened…
HORMONES, SON!
>Lucrais mother? What is she doing here?
Retroactive: I thought we mentioned that she was hiding out there!
>Um… you do know he can hear you discuss your strategies, right?
Ah, the problems with cooperative play.
>...hey Lucrais, what's wrong? You look... well to be blunt you look pissed.
...Don't tell me that lizard kicked you out of the game already?! I expected him to be the first loser!
You know what? We are definitely going to have Daithi teach you a few techniques once you both got some free time.
>how'd he take the orange lizard and talking plant? We'd ask white but we're kinda deaf right now.
Yes, has White been informed about our handicap? By either us or Purple?
>I almost forgot- ask Cedric to have White check our Corruption/Purification status, please.
Didn't Purple already do that?
[Check corruption of White, echo to Purple]
[Check corruption of Purple, echo to White]
I have no idea if they even will get the messages, but it should help out.
>Seriously no chairs? Cedric has some poor taste if you gotta force everyone to stand without a rest!
...Have you never seen a game of Warhammer WarStorm? You walk around the Battlefield (the table) to gauge the situation and move your pieces. I wouldn't be surprised if that had those long T-Rex head graspers, only contextually proper, to move pieces in the middle, though.
Chairs during this game is a HORRIBLE idea, as anybody sitting down would miss out on the actions other players take, and be unable to assess their own situation very easily.
>>
No. 597755 ID: 65a774
File 141286165288.png - (16.03KB , 900x450 , 77.png )
597755

>[Check corruption of White, echo to Purple]
[ERROR!]

>...hey Lucrais, what's wrong? You look... well to be blunt you look pissed.
I DON’T CARE IF HE GOT A DATE WITH THAT HUS- I mean, I’m not angry!
>...Don't tell me that lizard kicked you out of the game already?! I expected him to be the first loser!
What? No! I haven’t played against him yet. I played Arthur and won before this game.
>We are definitely going to have Daithi teach you a few techniques once you both got some free time.
Oh, I’m sure Daithi can teach me a lot of things… about the game, I mean…

>Awww, the little imperialists are working together.
…wait, is Wanderer and imperialist too? Hmm… he hasn’t really showed much hostility and so…
>I also see that Cedric showed up at some point, how'd he take the orange lizard and talking plant?
He said it was “Sweet” and made Lucius show off some of his gear so… um… he took it rather well? White on the other hand freaked out a bit… at least according to Arthur…
>Seriously no chairs? Cedric has some poor taste if you gotta force everyone to stand without a rest!
There are a few chairs at this table if you really want one, but it’s generally better to play Warstorm standing up. …and what does Cedric have to do with anything. We were already playing when he got here half an hour ago…

>Ask Cedric to have White check our Corruption/Purification status, please.
:CedricNUM: One hundred percent, both corruption and purity… that is rather bad, huh?
>Also, the status of all our pawns if she can.
:CedricNUM: Well, the only one we are close to is you, lady, and it says that you’re clean.
>I expect White and Purple have checked eachother by now.
:CedricNUM: We’re both clean… mostly…
:ArthurNUM: Purple says that we got a bit of pure on us, but it’s disappearing. We think it was when we met those snake things down at the temple, yes?

>Get any pertinent info, Lucrais?
Well, I don’t know what I’m really looking for, really. What I’ve learned is that the old gods were bastards, the demons were bastards and we were stuck in the middle. The gods did their old “pray to us or die” thing they used to do as usual and was all around jerks. As for the demons… let’s see… we got a “Stealer of souls” who apparently stole and tortured… um… yeah… , “Eater of worlds” who consumed whole cities full of people while they were still alive and “The manipulator of dreams” who manipulated people into becoming his brainwashed servants. Oh, and we can’t forget the “good” demons either! See, this “Justice” fellow nearly exterminated a whole race of humans because one of them apparently insulted him… which is according to the book “a just action”, “The Benevolent one” apparently stole people’s memories and sense of self so she should protect them forever instead of letting them disappear when we somewhere down the road died, even though the victim were nowhere close to death and this “Righteous one” executed people left and right for the smallest of law breakings… and then I mean things like littering and stuff. The only one of the “Major” demons it doesn’t say anything about is this “Jailor” dude… it just paint him in a negative light but it never says what he’s done.

:ArthurNUM: Yahtzee!
:LuciusNUM: …err… wrong game?
:ArthurNUM: Then I mean check mate! I sunk your battle ship!
:CedricNUM: …Are you just messing with them?
:ArthurNUM: Also, I killed your commander, yes?
:LuciusNUM: What!?
:WandererNUM: Suuurreeen-
:LuciusNUM: We’re not surrendering! We can still win this, Wanderer!

Insert Apparently, there aren’t any good people left_
>>
No. 597756 ID: 4b995e

>“The Benevolent one” apparently stole people’s memories and sense of self so she should protect them forever instead of letting them disappear when we somewhere down the road died
yeah that sounds like what's been trying to drive Daithi insane, does it say how she corrupts people? Or how she hides it from being sensed? Because we're fairly confident that she's the one corrupting us but she has some why to stop us from detecting corruption. Hell Nick can actually smell when someone is corrupt and other then a feeling he gets around Daithi but can never actually tell what's corrupting him.

Oh and about the date that Daithi is on that you are in no way shape or form jealous of, don't you have a date with him tomorrow or the day after? I could have sworn that you two arranged a date in the near future. Or are you not mad that Daithi is going to see the caption of the guard and not you? I mean you were pretty star struck when she saved you earlier today.
>>
No. 597762 ID: 2fd516

>>597755
Aw man, I hope Nickolas didn't get fully Purified and brainwashed. How high did Arthur's Purification get? I have the feeling that, since we got 100% Purification, so did Nickolas... but... maybe the Serpens didn't take over his mind, or his companion's? We have witnessed someone getting 100% Corruption before but suffering no ill effects, so maybe, like us, he'll be fine?
I hope we didn't fuck up. If he's brainwashed now the only thing we can do to save him is kill him then resurrect him, and he's made his dislike for necromancy very clear, so he'd never forgive us for that.

It sounds like all the daemons were terrible. They seem to have changed a lot, though, over the millennia. My guess is that the Jailor imprisoned anyone who tried to rebel against the gods. Or maybe he imprisoned Players who did that...
>>
No. 597766 ID: 4f004c

>What I’ve learned is that the old gods were bastards, the demons were bastards and we were stuck in the middle.
Hmm, yes. We do still need to reeducate them. The Gods have vanished, but the Daemons remain.

Oh, and The Jailor? The book was clearly written by fellow Daemons, but the Jailor punished Daemons. That's where his name comes from; he would shackle starving Daemons to his body and feed off of what little essense they still produced--just what they made, not what they already had, so that they could keep living and keep feeding him.
Kind of a wrong-doing still, so it's kind of surprising they didn't make note of that. I mean, he directly told us that was why we saw Daemons attached to him by chain. As for his interactions with Mortals? He tells lies of the white variety--That is to say, while he lies to you, it's never going to be anything harmful. I suppose that could mean his explanation about the Daemons chained to him is a lie, and that's actually where Daemon babies come from, but, pssh, that's rediculous. Basically, the lie he told us and our pawns, was which emotions were the candy to Daemons--good tasting, but not filling--and which were the bread--Not much taste, but absolutely filling. Since we basically weren't going to just stick people into test-tubes to generate the emotions needed to feed the Daemons anyways, it didn't really matter.
Oh, and yes, I'm serious about test-tube people generating emotions to feed Daemons. That's how they get "Harvesters" up and running. See, the vault guardians have bodies in this world called "Flawed Harvesters," which are basically permanently paralyzed bodies shaped after the Daemon's true form. They stuff these Flawed Harvesters into a giant test tube, which is connected to people-sized test tubes which hold, you guessed it, people. Undead people, mind you, who have lost their personality long ago, and weren't raised with any memories or personality, just enough mind to feel emotions, and then the system "stimulates" the liquid inside the test tube to generate emotions, which go through the pipes to the Flawed Harvester, keeping them alive.
I don't know how most forms of stimulation would work, but the one we saw was pain, which originates from generating lightning and shoving it into the test tube.
>We have witnessed someone getting 100% Corruption before but suffering no ill effects
I'm pretty sure we were 100% corrupted at the same time our King piece was. The Jailor just doesn't like to interfere with mortal affairs. I think that's why he lies to us, so that we don't get information that changes our actions.
>>
No. 597778 ID: 40935b

>I DON’T CARE IF HE GOT A DATE WITH THAT HUS- I mean, I’m not angry!
Aw, you were getting along so well.
>Wanderer and imperialist too? Hmm… he hasn’t really showed much hostility so…
I think wanderer's species categorizes people under one of two categories: friends, or vermin to be exterminated. Not very open to cultural differences or complicated politics.

>What I’ve learned is that the old gods were bastards, the demons were bastards and we were stuck in the middle.
*sigh* and we were worried about fighting against the moral high ground. some of the daemons have been pretty alright, but we don't know if that means we can trust them. There's the one side who does all kinds of nice things for people but has been caught lying frequently, and the ones who are laying siege to cities and raising undead armies supposedly for the greater good. It's kind of like a choice of being stabbed in the back or the front.

>Suuurreeen-
Not a good idea if all your attacks go like what Lucius described. You'll be on trial for committing war crimes.
>>
No. 597786 ID: 65a774
File 141288770548.png - (16.12KB , 900x450 , 78.png )
597786

>Yeah that sounds like what's been trying to drive Daithi insane, does it say how she corrupts people? Or how she hides it from being sensed?
Um… it doesn’t say anything about corruption, sorry… and it says that she usually hangs back and send her beloved children out in the world to do her bidding. The few times she showed herself she appeared as a pregnant female mantis covered in gold.
>Aw man, I hope Nickolas didn't get fully Purified and brainwashed. How high did Arthur's Purification get?
:ArthurNUM: About fourteen.
>If he's brainwashed now the only thing we can do to save him is kill him then resurrect him, and he's made his dislike for necromancy very clear, so he'd never forgive us for that.
Err… is killing him really the first thing you’ll try? Isn’t that a bit extreme?
>The book was clearly written by fellow Daemons.
Actually, the author was apparently a human… and it’s written after the demon was sealed away so I don’t think it was written by them at all…
>The Jailor punished Daemons.
Well, that does strengthen the idea that the author was mortal. A mortal wouldn’t know about the Jailor punishing his own kind.
>The Jailor just doesn't like to interfere with mortal affairs.
This too…
>That's where his name comes from; he would shackle starving Daemons to his body and blah blah blah… blah blah.
Err… that’s a bit… I…
>Oh, and yes, I'm serious about test-tube people generating emotions to feed Daemons.
Okay… I didn’t really need to know any of that… I… I think my head hurt. You know, next time, can you please not dump a wagonload of information on me like that! I can barely remember half of it! And what I can remember I don’t really need and or want to know…

>I think wanderer's species categorizes people under one of two categories: friends, or vermin to be exterminated. Not very open to cultural differences or complicated politics.
:WandererNUM: Veeriiim? Nooo… aall speeeciees are eequaaall…
:LuciusNUM: Um… then the thing about exterminating my species?
:WandererNUM: Wee wiiishes foor peeaass… all bee in peeaass… a graaand uuniiiyyy… buuu sooome waan ooo feegh soo muuuch haa peeaass caan neeveer beee foouund… theeey neeeed tooo beee reeemoooveed fooor peeaass…
:LuciusNUM: Wait, we don’t-
:WandererNUM: Fiirs cooonaac wiiih yooo waaas yoo aacking uuuss wiih nooo coousee… heen when weee saaaveeed liiivees of yooo, yooo iinsuled uus and mooked uuus…
:LuciusNUM: Err… In my defense, I was rather stressed and I didn’t think you would understand me…
:WandererNUM: Buu oooneee saaakii iiis nooo eenooough tooo see iiff saakiii iiis baaad or nooo… weee neeed ooo seee reees oof speeecies…
:LuciusNUM: …aw man, my dad always said I would be the end of our civilization… Okay, see… I’m sorry for insulting you… I truly am… I was… well… as I said, stressed and… I didn’t mean it. You are an okay guy and… and I’m sorry…
:WandererNUM: …sooorrry aaacceeepeed…
>Not a good idea if all your attacks go like what Lucius described. You'll be on trial for committing war crimes.
:LuciusNUM: Um… but we haven’t done any war crimes in the game?
:WandererNUM: Wee haavee muuurdeereed… haass aaa waaarciiimee… uunfoorgiiviiivaableee!
:LuciusNUM: …didn’t you threaten to glass planets a moment ago?
:WandererNUM: Muuurdeeer iiis hee worse criiimee tooo maaakee… eeeteernal daaamnaaation… muuurdeeer ooof oooneee oor hundreeed nooo diiifreeence… uuunfoorgiiviivaableee!
:LuciusNUM: Right…
:ArthurNUM: Err… you know it’s your turn, yes?

>Aw, you were getting along so well.
Humph.
>Or are you not mad that Daithi is going to see the captain of the guard and not you? I mean you were pretty star struck when she saved you earlier today.
What!? How dare you even suggest I’ve day dreamt about her strong arms ca- err… I mean, I don’t care what kind of pig Atena is dating!
>Oh and about the date that Daithi is on that you are in no way shape or form jealous of, don't you have a date with him tomorrow or the day after?
Oh, right… I got a date… a date tomorrow… a date that needs to be a lot better than the one he’s on now… I… I need to prepare and… I… I’ve… I’ve never actually prepared a date before… Oh, gods! How am I supposed to beat Atenas well-shaped fundament when I can’t even prepare a date! I’M FREAKING SCREWED!!

Insert Murder all in the name of peace!_
>>
No. 597788 ID: 9ddf68

>The few times she showed herself she appeared as a pregnant female mantis covered in gold.
...for some reason the first thought that came to my mind when you said this was Daithi's mom because of her gold eye and the fact that she's pregnant.

>Wanderer saying how his species deal with things.
WHY do I get the feeling that at some point in the future the snake people and Wanderer's people will have joined in that pointless war with the other 3 races and right before everyone get's fucked we're going to have to be the ones to fix everything. Cause this is starting to sound like plot build for our next adventure.

>I don’t care what kind of pig Atena is dating!
wait I thought you were mad that Daithi was dating Atena, not the other way around?

>I’ve never actually prepared a date before
Oh relax, you don't need to have a better night out, just a memorable one. If you can keep him interested in you he'll keep coming back and I have a feeling you'll do just fine. If you want we can also help you out if you want.
>>
No. 597790 ID: 40935b

>theeey neeeed tooo beee reeemoooveed fooor peeaass…
Everyone's talking of peace and order and salvation while killing, killing, killing...
>muuurdeeer ooof oooneee oor hundreeed nooo diiifreeence… uuunfoorgiiviivaableee!
War crimes usually involve high and horrific non-military collateral damage, like chemical weapons and-...Wait, Wanderer, does your species feel pain?

> I’M FREAKING SCREWED!!
Dai had similar sentiments not too long ago. You should try asking your mother for advice, if you've forgiven her hypocrisy with the Warstorm figures and whatnot.
>>
No. 597791 ID: dbe554

"Well shaped fundament?" I've heard the posterior called many things but that's certainly a new one. I mean with her strong arms and shapely fundament it will be a challenge, but are you really going to panic and try and give it up!?

No of course not! You will learn how in the time it will take to date that mantis and show him that you are deserving to be with him and Atena both, that's how good you are!
>>
No. 597793 ID: 4f004c

>pregnant female mantis covered in gold.
...I think we found Steve's first wife.
Steve, incase you're wondering, is the Dream guy, also known as "The Bringer of Light," or just simply "The Light." He appears as a golden mantis, unless it's inside your dreams, in which case he appears as a rather short male mantis, even by male mantis standards. Seriously, he's like human height. But other than the shortness, he appears perfectly normal.

Now, he did give our pawn a freaky Daemonic Artifact of an arm that SUCKED THE LIVING FLESH AND SOUL OUT OF THE CULTISTS SHE WAS FIGHTING, but she's got a Mantis Arm now, yeah? No Daemonic presence to it whatsoever. ...Although it did jump her corruption up to 100% for a few minutes.
>Err… is killing him really the first thing you’ll try? Isn’t that a bit extreme?
"Only through death can you find freedom."
Although, I don't think reviving somebody frees them of corruption or purification.
>You know, next time, can you please not dump a wagonload of information on me like that! I can barely remember half of it! And what I can remember I don’t really need and or want to know…
Gotcha. In the future, if I'm gonna dump a wagonload of info on you, it'll be a wagonload of hot dudes.
>Buu oooneee saaakii iiis nooo eenooough tooo see iiff saakiii iiis baaad or nooo… weee neeed ooo seee reees oof speeecies…
Therein lies the problem with sapience. So long as there is sapient life, the new generation can flip the ideals of their forefathers. All you can do is arrest or eliminate the troublemaking individuals. Preferably arrest in the hopes they can be re-educated, but not everybody can.
You should never, ever attack a species based on the actions of a few. From what we heard from Lucius, some other Uredo attacked his planet, scorching it to the ground, much like what you said your people does, in fact, do to anybody who doesn't agree with their ideas of peace, so when his crew saw your ship, they assumed you were the same faction, and that all Uredo were bad.
If there are good and bad Uredo factions, then there can just as easily be good and bad Sakkil factions.
>How dare you even suggest I’ve day dreamt about her strong arms ca- err… I mean, I don’t care what kind of pig Atena is dating!
Hate to break it to you, Lucrais, but Atena doesn't like the idea of sharing her partners. She's a lot like female Mantises that way. 'Course, she doesn't like the idea of sharing herself with more than one partner, to start with.
>How am I supposed to beat Atenas well-shaped fundament when I can’t even prepare a date!
Okay, hold on. Your date is over WarStorm, right? Try and get some Dapper-casual clothing (What you have now is straight up dapper, not casual), and keep a close eye on his movements. Try and study his actions, and make intelligent comments on it. I know you're capable of it; with as brilliant a historian as you are, you can certainly understand the tactics behind an action, even if you can't plan the actions for a tactic. So, yeah, you're great at looking at what already happened, and he's great at looking at what will happen. Play off of that, and appeal to his strengths with your own.
>>
No. 597794 ID: 2fd516

>>597786
So, if peace was not an option for a species, the Uredo would exterminate them, but while feeling really really bad about it? How much effort would they take to ensure that peace would never happen? How long would they wait for the enemy to change before committing genocide? Shouldn't they take prisoners and spare those who have a potential for peaceful relations? What's the punishment for murder anyway? If it's death, does the executioner kill themselves afterwards? I mean yeah killing is bad, but shouldn't there be some proportional response? Let's take those lunatics that Wanderer blasted when he first arrived. Did he not expect his weapon to do that? Or does he have some justification for his actions that makes him not a murderer?

Who were those other aliens Uredo have been seen with? The goo creatures with stuff floating in them.

Lucrais, calm down. You have time to stress over it, no need to pile all that stress up all at once. Think about one thing at a time.
>>
No. 597796 ID: 2fd516

>>597793
No, Steve's first wife was MORTAL.

Also you're forgetting Geron. He was fully corrupted before he died, but when resurrected he was of sound mind again.

Lucrais, I suppose you're right that we should probably try something else before killing him. Maybe whoever takes over the fully corrupted/purified person can remove the influence themselves if we can convince them. That would mean speaking to the Serpens about it.
>>
No. 597818 ID: 65a774
File 141295552489.png - (16.10KB , 900x450 , 79.png )
597818

>...for some reason the first thought that came to my mind when you said this was Daithi's mom because of her gold eye and the fact that she's pregnant.
…wait, so Daithi’s mom is a great demon? …wouldn’t that mean Daithi was a half demon then? Wait, maybe that’s why he keeps seeing things! He’s a demon himself! …okay, that theory is completely ridicules, but still… it’s kind of hot, isn’t it?
>"Only through death can you find freedom."
…please tell me you didn’t believe the drivel that skeleton was spouting.
>Maybe whoever takes over the fully corrupted/purified person can remove the influence themselves if we can convince them. That would mean speaking to the Serpens about it.
Well, if they can corrupt people on a vim I’m not going to talk to them… find someone else to do it.
>”Well shaped fundament?" I've heard the posterior called many things but that's certainly a new one.
…you never heard me say that, understand?
>Wait I thought you were mad that Daithi was dating Atena, not the other way around?
I don’t care what pig that huss- I mean, I don’t care what Daithi that Atena is dating… wait…

:LuciusNUM: Ha! You walked right into our trap!
:ArthurNUM: …wait, wasn’t your trap in middle, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Of course not. It’s called lying, you… um… what was your team called again?
:ArthurNUM: Amun empire…?
:LuciusNUM: You Amun scum! Now feel my ballista’s wrath! Fire!
:ArthurNUM: AAH!!

>You will learn how in the time it will take to date that mantis and show him that you are deserving to be with him and Atena both, that's how good you are!
Yeah, I’ll make the best date ever and make everyone love me! Just like in the stories! …I… err… I can’t tell if I’m actually being sarcastic or if I genially believe I actually got a chance to do that…
>Hate to break it to you, Lucrais, but Atena doesn't like the idea of sharing her partners.
Bah, those stupid lizard puritans! Just staying with one mate is sick, I tell you.
>Oh relax, you don't need to have a better night out, just a memorable one. If you can keep him interested in you he'll keep coming back and I have a feeling you'll do just fine. If you want we can also help you out if you want.
…right, memorable… let’s see… let’s start off with a grand dinner… maybe take him out to the mountain for a nice view… bringing with us some wine and cheese… then… then I’ll rip his clothes off with my mandibles and fuck his freaking brain out… no, wait, first I give him a show then I fuck his brain out! Wait, even better! Let’s forget about the whole dinner thing and go straight to me ripping his clothes off! Perfect! …and I just realize you probably heard all that… fuck…

:LuciusNUM: Let’s see… he’s dead… he’s dead… she’s so very dead…
:ArthurNUM: AAH!!
:LuciusNUM: Oh, and this guy? Dead!
:ArthurNUM: AAAH!!
:LuciusNUM: And this armored gal? She’s… errr… wait, does a four pierce her armor?
:ArthurNUM: AAaa- I mean… um… no, no it doesn’t. Five or higher.
:LuciusNUM: Blast!

>Everyone's talking of peace and order and salvation while killing, killing, killing...
:CedricNUM: Just like politics in this world!
:LuciusNUM: Hey, it’s not our fault those humans won’t accept anything short of annexing our whole species.
:WandererNUM: …aaand yooorr peeaas proopoosaall iiiss?
:LuciusNUM: We won’t accept anything short of complete control over all their nations.
:WandererNUM: …I beeeliiivee I seee prooobleeem…
:LuciusNUM: …Hey, we only got so extreme because they… err… now that I actually say it out loud, that does sound a bit stupid…
:WandererNUM: Ooonlyy byy aaacceping he vieeews ooof thoooseee diffeeereen heeen uuus caaan weeee fiinaaally uuunderstand eeeveerything… theeen wee caan fiiind peeaaass… theen wee will reeeacch ♪^♫_♪-♫~
:LuciusNUM: …right, we have to see it from their point of view too…
>War crimes usually involve high and horrific non-military collateral damage, like chemical weapons and-...Wait, Wanderer, does your species feel pain?
:WandererNUM: …paaiin??
:LuciusNUM: …if I punch you… or better yet, cut off your tentacle, what will happen?
:WandererNUM: …iit grooowss baack…?
>Therein lies the problem with sapience. So long as there is sapient life, the new generation can flip the ideals of their forefathers.
:WandererNUM: Aandd oonly byy aaaccapting theeesee neew vieeews caan wee leeearrn sooomeeethiiing neeeww…
>You should never, ever attack a species based on the actions of a few.
:WandererNUM: Weee saaaid haa… weee neeed tooo see reeest ooof saakkiii beefooree doooing aaanythiing.

:LuciusNUM: Ha, I got a six on this guy! So he’s dead!
:ArthurNUM: AAH!!
:LuciusNUM: And… I didn’t hit anyone else?
:ArthurNUM: …actually, I think you hit this guy too.
:LuciusNUM: Let me just roll and… ha!
:ArthurNUM: AAH!!

>So, if peace was not an option for a species, the Uredo would exterminate them, but while feeling really really bad about it?
:WandererNUM: …yeeess…
>How much effort would they take to ensure that peace would never happen? How long would they wait for the enemy to change before committing genocide? Shouldn't they take prisoners and spare those who have a potential for peaceful relations?
:WandererNUM: iif heey reeefuuseed tooo stoop feeghiing… nooo maaaeeer whaaa weee diiid fooor heeemm…
>What's the punishment for murder anyway?
:WandererNUM: …wiiith ill ineend, heen deaah…
:CedricNUM: …ineend?
:LuciusNUM: Intent. If you kill with bad intents you face death.
:WandererNUM: …foor good puurpooosee, eexiileee foor meeeditaaatiooon oor joooiiniiing shaaadooow ooones… if dooonee in miisaaakee, theen fooorgiivee…
>Let's take those lunatics that Wanderer blasted when he first arrived. Did he not expect his weapon to do that?
:WandererNUM: Heey aree nooo deeaaad. Siiimpllyy reeemooveed heem fooor oone Heeeaaaviiin daaayy…
:ArhurNUM: Wait, so you’re saying those fanatics that snuck up on purples men was… how you say… not sneaking but suddenly appearing, yes?
:LuciusNUM: Sounds like it, yes.
>Who were those other aliens Uredo have been seen with? The goo creatures with stuff floating in them.
:WandererNUM: …oooheeer speeecies on Heeeaaaviin. Weee foouugh, theeey wooon aand weee weeereee slaaaveeess. Heen wee foouugh agaaain and weee wooon…
:LuciusNUM: So, they are your slaves now?
:WandererNUM: Nooo, weee aree eequuaall. Heey miiigh beee feeweer heen uss, buu still eeequaal. All speeeciess aaree equaall…
>From what we heard from Lucius, some other Uredo attacked his planet, scorching it to the ground.
:WandererNUM: …weee neeeeveeer aaaeeeckk wiihouuu reeeaasooon… waaas baarbeers?
:LuciusNUM: …wait, barb- you mean barbarian? Like pirates? Well, that would explain why they tried to take slaves and stuff… which makes our real first contact a bit… um…
:WandererNUM: …wee foorgiiivee…
:LuciusNUM: …what? Just like that? But… we killed some of your people!
:WandererNUM: …Miiisaakee… nooo reaalll ill inend... yoouuu diiid nooo meeaan… wee foorgiiiveee sooo weee caann make freends…
:LuciusNUM: …right, friends…
>Much like what you said your people does, in fact, do to anybody who doesn't agree with their ideas of peace.
:WandererNUM: Oonlyy iiff heeree iiss nooo oooheerr waaay…

:ArthurNUM: You decimated half my army! How you do that, yes?
:LuciusNUM: By teamwork, that how! High five, Wander buddy! …that is, hit my hand with your tentacle to celebrate our victory!
:WandererNUM: …neeever ceeleebraaaee liivees looss… aallwaaayss greeiive…
:LuciusNUM: Err… but they are your enemy?
:WandererNUM: Dooess noo maaeeerr… peeeoople dyyiinng iiss hooriiblee noo maaaeeer whooo, whaa ooor wheeenn…
:LuciusNUM: …weren’t you threatening me with genocide a moment ago?
:WandererNUM: Ooonly aass laaas reeessooorr. Alllsooo, yooo aarreee neeeveeer goooiing tooo leeet uuss liiiveee haaa ooneee dooown, wiiilll yooo? Wee juuus saaiid haa ooo scaaaree yooo aa bii.
:CedricNUM: Well, that’s a bit of an extreme scare, isn’t it? Anyway, seems like Arthur is losing rather badly suddenly. Do you want to give up?
:ArthurNUM: Never! We fight to last man, yes!?
:WandererNUM: Seeensleeess looos ooof liiifee…
:CedricNUM: It’s just a game, geez…

Insert Krush, Kill ‘nd Destroy!_
>>
No. 597820 ID: 2fd516

>>597818
>It’s just a game, geez…
So was this world at some point, Cedric.
>>
No. 597821 ID: 4f004c

>…okay, that theory is completely ridicules, but still…
Not really. We had a theory that he was made by The Deceiver and she replaced the real Daithi--or there never was one, and she just stuck another egg in his mother.
>it’s kind of hot, isn’t it?
...Really? The idea of dating a demon is what you like? Let me guess, you've got a copy of Confessions of a Paladin in your study, don't you?
>…please tell me you didn’t believe the drivel that skeleton was spouting.
I was countering your statement... I, personally, don't put much stock in it, but in the case of freedom from corruption, it's got some truth. Pawns and Players can be freed through death.
>Just staying with one mate is sick, I tell you.
If you ask me, polyamory is fine and well, but what matters is that you find partners you can actually love for the rest of your life. If all you can find is one partner who meets your standards, then one partner is all you need, but if you make a connection with somebody else at the same time, bring them into the group!
>Let’s forget about the whole dinner thing and go straight to me ripping his clothes off! Perfect! …and I just realize you probably heard all that… fuck…
While I get "Fuck" is exactly what you're wanting from him... That's kind of a big turn off for him. Sex in general is fine and dandy, but he wants a romantic relationship, not a lustful one. Dinner, a show, and then sex is the way to go.
>…foor good puurpooosee, eexiileee foor meeeditaaatiooon oor joooiiniiing shaaadooow ooones…
This got my interest. Who are these Shadow Ones? Are they only Uredo, or other species too?
>Wait, so you’re saying those fanatics that snuck up on purples men was… how you say… not sneaking but suddenly appearing, yes?
...Crap, that means a whole demon army showed up just after we left Serath.
Unless the Uredo have different weapons than the Sakkil and they just look the same to somebody with really bad eyesight?
>So, they are your slaves now?
>Nooo, weee aree eequuaall. All speeeciess aaree equaall…
So, slavery is right out, but what about servitude? Does anybody who commits a crime get punished by being made to serve the person they did wrong for a period of time?
Of course, the actions of a few, again, so you wouldn't be enlisting the entire species into servitude, I'm sure.
>…Miiisaakee… nooo reaalll ill inend...
"You meant to kill, but only in retaliation. Your intentions were good, and you mistook them for others." Sounds like some mediation is what is needed, and mediation is exactly what you're getting here.
>Dooess noo maaeeerr… peeeoople dyyiinng iiss hooriiblee noo maaaeeer whooo, whaa ooor wheeenn…
Then celebrate not their deaths, but the lives saved for those who will no longer need fear conscription into a forced war they never wished to be a part of. You have liberated them, and saved their lives.
...Besides, it's a game, man. The point is to show you have the tactics to liberate such people, and stop the "Bad" people. Neither side is bad in truth, but you pretend the other is for "In character" purposes.
Or, y'know, you can treat it as a way for people who have violent thoughts to get them out of the way without harming anybody who's actually alive. That's something to celebrate, since it means they won't be killing anybody in reality.
>It’s just a game, geez…
Exactly!
>>
No. 597822 ID: 4f004c

>>597820
...If the pieces of this game ever start moving, stop forcing them to fight, yeah?

Actually, that makes me think. Wanderer says that the Uredo don't want to fight, but they'll eliminate anybody who refuses to accept peace. That's similar to our situation. We don't want to see any loss of life, killing anybody is bad, and we try to make amends for those we have slain.
When we encounter a Player who is war-crazy, we do our best to be diplomatic and convince them to give peace a chance, and only kill them as a last resort. If we kill them, we'll still give them a second chance when they come back to life in about a day's time.
>>
No. 597827 ID: 2fd516

Hey, how about a different way of looking at the game. The pieces aren't actually killed when they "die", so aren't the weapons used in the game more like the temporary imprisonment ray Wanderer has? Think of it like that, and the wargame doesn't involve murder at all.
>>
No. 597828 ID: 9ddf68

>and I just realize you probably heard all that… fuck…
...Just how pent up are you?

>…iit grooowss back…?
None Uredo usually fall to the ground and start writhing in pain when they lose a lime, or go into shock which is basically the body shutting down to try and numb the pain. Also it doesn't grow back if they want the arm back they're going to have to get a cybernetic one or around here just live without the limb... Although I do believe that in the near future someone will find a way to use necromancy to reattach dead limbs to living people so if you are missing something they can give you a second chance. Not to sure how well it well catch on outside of the now jungles and the south seeing as the further north you go the more people hate necromancy but hey thought I'd throw that out there.
>>
No. 597829 ID: 40935b

>…please tell me you didn’t believe the drivel that skeleton was spouting.
There is a very feint possibility that the last accomplishment of this world before being reset was the ultimate cheese. I still don't trust daemons, though.
>…right, memorable… let’s see… (vivid and unladylike descriptions of lewd forwardness)
...I'm guessing we never heard you say that, either?
You need to work on your subtlety. Your passive-aggression and sarcasm is strong, so try to start there and work your way out.

>Just like politics in this world!
Some things never change.
>…right, we have to see it from their point of view too…
How long have you been down here? Because I think that's the exact amount of time that two races need to not shoot at each other to reach some degree of understanding.
> …paaiin??
Well that explains a lot. Wanderer, most species have a very adverse reaction to physical trauma. I don't know how you know you need water, but I'm guessing it's not a pleasant sensation. Pain is probably worse than that, and damage enough to cause death is excruciating. In some cases, death may be preferable.
Also, they can't regrow bits like you can.
>what? Just like that? But… we killed some of your people!
Hugo thinks everyone is a friend. It's easier to forgive your friends for what they have done to you than to forgive yourself for what you've done to your friends.
>>
No. 597831 ID: 65a774
File 141297066234.png - (15.17KB , 900x450 , 80.png )
597831

> ...I'm guessing we never heard you say that, either?
YOU HEARD NOTHING!
>You need to work on your subtlety. Your passive-aggression and sarcasm is strong, so try to start there and work your way out.
Well, it’s kind of hard when SOMEONE IS READING YOUR MIND ALL THE TIME!
>We had a theory that he was made by The Deceiver and she replaced the real Daithi--or there never was one, and she just stuck another egg in his mother.
…I don’t know… Daithi doesn’t really strike me as demon material…
> ...Really? The idea of dating a demon is what you like?
…well, it’s more about the forbidden love then being a demon…
>Let me guess, you've got a copy of Confessions of a Paladin in your study, don't you?
HOW DID Y- I mean, of course not! Never heard of it.
>Dinner, a show, and then sex is the way to go.
…right, a proper date. I need to be patient.
> ...Just how pent up are you?
…that’s none of your damn business!

>Unless the Uredo have different weapons than the Sakkil and they just look the same to somebody with really bad eyesight?
:LuciusNUM: Of course we do! Two different species who’s never met won’t make the same gun, now will they? Our guns kill people, like they should do… no offence.
>This got my interest. Who are these Shadow Ones? Are they only Uredo, or other species too?
:WandererNUM: Shaadooow oooneeess aaareee doooesss haaa haaaveee cooomiiiteeed heee criiimmee ooof muuurdeeer fooor heee beeeneefiii ooof hee claans… heeey haavee wiiilllfullly diiisgaardeeed heeeiiir eenliighmeen aand fegh fooor Uuureedoo aand he claans…
:LuciusNUM: So, your military, then.
>So, slavery is right out, but what about servitude?
:WandererNUM: Puuniishmeen is reeeciiiviiing heeelp… coounceell…
:LuciusNUM: Giving them therapy? Hmmm… well, we do that on some cases too…
>Then celebrate not their deaths, but the lives saved for those who will no longer need fear conscription into a forced war they never wished to be a part of. You have liberated them, and saved their lives.
:WandererNUM: Weee shaaal hooonoor hee saacriiface heeey maaadee…
>None Uredo usually fall to the ground and start writhing in pain when they lose a lime, or go into shock which is basically the body shutting down to try and numb the pain.
:WandererNUM: …paain… ah… nooo, weee dooon feeeel paain… weee know whaa iii iiss buuu weee haavee neeeveeer feel i.
>Wanderer thinks everyone is a friend. It's easier to forgive your friends for what they have done to you than to forgive yourself for what you've done to your friends.
:LuciusNUM: …Well, in my opinion, he’s a bit too quick to forgive… for all he know we should be planning to kill them all for shit and giggles… speaking of which…


:LuciusNUM: Bam! Victory is ours!
:ArthurNUM: Aww… and it was going so well, yes?
:LuciusNUM: So, who’s next to get their asses kicked by the alien duo?
:CedricNUM: Hmm… well, I sh- wait… where was Daithi going again?
:LucraisNUM: On a date with Atena. She would pick him up at six so he’s probably waiting for her down at the entrance.
:ArthurNUM: Oh, the things I’ve heard about Atena, yes? I had a… how you say… train mate that dated her for a short while… if what he told me is true then Daithi should keep his abdomen in eyes, yes?
:CedricNUM: In eyes?
:LucraisNUM: …please tell me this isn’t going where I think it’s going.
:ArthurNUM: Let’s just say that she is a very fair lady, yes? Anything you do to her she will do to you first, yes?
:CedricNUM: …um, maybe we should warn Daithi about that…
:LucraisNUM: Oh, you got to be kidding! She’s going to deflower him that way too!? I wanted too… err…
:CedricNUM: Lady, you really need to get laid.
:ArthurNUM: Or at least take some time alone, yes?
:LuciusNUM: They said it, not me.
:WandererNUM: …?
:LucraisNUM: Oh, shut it, all off you.
:LuciusNUM: So, anyway, who are we playing against next?
:CedricNUM: I still think we should give Daithi a heads up…

Insert And this quest was actually serious a moment there…_
>>
No. 597832 ID: 9ddf68

we're on it. We'll let him know that Atena is planning on trying to screw his brains out, you guys can keep playing if you want. Also should we also let him know that Lucrais is planning on doing the same on there date tomorrow? Or should we ask for Daithi and Atena to make it a threesome?
>>
No. 597833 ID: 40935b

>…well, it’s more about the forbidden love then being a demon…
Is that why you started liking him once the wedding was called off?
>…Well, in my opinion, he’s a bit too quick to forgive… for all he know we should be planning to kill them all for shit and giggles…
He's forgiving, not forgetting.
>weee dooon feeeel paain… weee know whaa iii iiss buuu weee haavee neeeveeer feel i.
Well it sucks. sometimes, people prefer death to escape it.
>Daithi should keep his abdomen in eyes, yes?
uhh... watch his ass?
Alright Ced, you can go warn him while Lucrais plays against Wanderer, or we can warn him ourselves. Keep in mind the hallucinations have started up again thanks to the corruption/purity, so we might be the only ones to get through to him without our words being warped.
>>
No. 597834 ID: dbe554

Does Daithi really have such a cute abdomen? I mean we can't really tell, being amorpheous blob things, but still every single person we've met has eyes on his ass in some fashion! Even his mother gave him a suit tight in the abdomen.
>>
No. 597846 ID: 9ddf68

random thought that popped into my head.
remember when we last scanned all our pawns and Atena's came up as whore? Maybe the deceiver or whatever the deamon we were just talking about want to be the one deflower Daithi? Oh god in order to win this we have to keep Daithi's chastity... we'd be so fucked.
>>
No. 597854 ID: 40935b

>remember when we last scanned all our pawns and Atena's came up as whore? Maybe the deceiver or whatever the deamon we were just talking about want to be the one deflower Daithi?
I think that's because whoever's corrupting/purifying us is an old testament style blowhard who doesn't approve of remarrying or divorce or whatever petty shit caught his ire at that moment. If Lucrais' book is true, gods and demons are all over that petty shit.
>>
No. 597870 ID: 2fdec1

Yeah, we should give Daithi a heads up since we dunno if he'll be okay with that kinda thing. While we could switch over to him to tell him I think it'd be better if you, Cedric and Arthur can take a break and head down in person. That way you and Arthur can get a look at not only Daithi in his tight-in-the-rear fancy suit but see Atena out of her armor and likely wearing a slinky dress that's tailored to accentuate her considerable assets. Oh, and Lucius also wanted one of those BBQ ankwark meals the Academy is serving today as well, so somebody has to go down to get it so y'all may as well go see Daithi when you do.

Also, we have to worry about Shape Stealers here and the possibility that one might show up impersonating Atena to get at Daithi, so us being there to check her would be prudent. And conversely, switching to Atena to make sure the Daithi she meets isn't a hostile Shape Stealer would also be prudent. After all, you and Arthur have already had Shape Stealers come after you so Atena is probably the next target.

>Oh, you got to be kidding! She’s going to deflower him that way too!? I wanted too… err…
Huh. I didn't figure you'd go for "that way," nor that you'd have the gear to do since you told Daithi you didn't even have porn 'cause you didn't want to risk being seen in a sex shop and all. So was that one of the bits you "exaggerated" last evening, hm?

And don't put so much value on "deflowering" Daithi since virgins are well known to be lousy in the sack. Atena "breaking him in" means there won't be all the nervousness and awkwardness of his first time when you get to him; He might actually last more then two minutes before blowing his load then.

>…I don’t know… Daithi doesn’t really strike me as demon material…
Well, it depends on the demon, and the demon we're dealing with here is The Deceiver, who's specialty is memory fuckery and Shape Stealers. That means we can't rule it out, but we also don't have anything solid to say he's that either, nor a reason for her to even do such.

Hey, are you sure that Daithi actually agreed to going on a date with you this Saturday? 'Cause I was reviewing my memories of yesterday evening and what he said after he told you he was going on a date with Atena sounded ambiguous. I think he was saying that he'd be open to a date with you depending on how his date with Atena went but I'm not sure. You might want to hurry on down to ask Dai about that and sort it out before Atena arrives, or you could put it off 'till after he comes back from the date though there's a good chance that won't be until tomorrow morning.

Tell Cedric and Arthur, and thus White and Purple, that we're going to attempt to grant them permission to view our pawns' full status, which should include corruption and purification info, so they don't have to be present to scan each one and that way they can keep an eye on them for us. [Grant permission to view full pawn info using status command to allied players White and Purple] Ask 'em to do a status check on allied pawns now and see if they have the extended info.

There's blood tests to determine hereditary bloodlines, aren't there? If there is such a test then ask Arthur if blood drawn from a Shape Stealer impersonating someone would test out as having the correct familial relations if such a test was performed.

This is going to be a odd question, but ask him if Shape Stealers are sterile, and if not do their reproductive genetics match who they're impersonating or are their offspring daemonic or something else?

And also ask Arthur what he's heard pertaining to the seeming disappearance of The Deceiver twenty years ago, both before he came out of the Untamed Lands and after. Just when was it first noticed that she has stopped acting in the world and was there anything of note that happened around then?

>>597832
>Or should we ask for Daithi and Atena to make it a threesome?
Now that's an idea. Well, not to outright ask for a threesome; That'd be way too forward. But what about a date with all three of 'em? What do you think, Lu? You obviously got the hots for both of 'em, so do you think a date with both of them at once would work? Oh, and before you think Atena wouldn't want to be with you, we asked her earlier she said she'd be game for being with a gal as long as she was the one in charge; That's what you like, isn't it?

>>597846
That... Hm... That might be a problem if The Deceiver's plan all along was for Daithi to lose his virginity. Lu, ask Arthur if he knows if there's any demon magic or ritual uses the losing of virginity or sex in general as a component.
>>
No. 597877 ID: 4f004c

>HOW DID Y- I mean, of course not! Never heard of it.
EVERY female of high standing we've gained as a pawn has that book, Lucrais. ALL of them.
>weee know whaa iii iiss buuu weee haavee neeeveeer feel i.
Hmm. That's a tough one. The closest you could come is the thought of having killed thousands by yourself, without good reason, but not by accident. That would be the pain of emotion, what we call "Pain of the heart." But we don't have a way to allow you to compare pain of the flesh.
...Er, wait, morbid question: The easiest way I could think of to punish a Uredo who willfully murders innocent people would be burning them in a fire. Does that actually work? Because, if it does work, but takes a long time, that would be pain for a Uredo.
>They said it, not me.
>…?
I think Lucius was just saying "Hey, don't get angry with me, I had no part of it," rather than "Hey, they said it, so I didn't have to." Don't get huffy at him.
And, uh, let's leave Wanderer clueless, yeah?
>I still think we should give Daithi a heads up…
I think Cedric should go. I want to see how you would fair if you had an ally, Lucrais. Should probably break up the alien duo, but if you want to pair up with Arthur, then go for it. He probably uses the same army type as you, after all.
>>
No. 597884 ID: 65a774
File 141303530823.png - (12.54KB , 900x450 , 81.png )
597884

>[Grant permission to view full pawn info using status command to allied players White and Purple]
[You are the demons!]

>Is that why you started liking him once the wedding was called off?
What? No, I liked him before that, remember?
>uhh... watch his ass?
…I do hope he doesn’t mean it literally.
>Does Daithi really have such a cute abdomen?
It’s really well shaped, I’ll give you that… and the way he moves it when he walks… rawr…
>EVERY female of high standing we've gained as a pawn has that book, Lucrais. ALL of them.
…really? Even my mother? Daithi’s mother to? The Empress herself!?
>I want to see how you would fair if you had an ally, Lucrais. Should probably break up the alien duo, but if you want to pair up with Arthur, then go for it. He probably uses the same army type as you, after all.
Arthur doesn’t have an army of his own. He’s borrowing Cedrics right now… but, I do want to beat the snout out of Lucius so…

>Huh. I didn't figure you'd go for "that way," nor that you'd have the gear to do so…
I meant I wanted to be there and see it being taking away by some cute guy… I don’t know, by Arthur or something…
>And don't put so much value on "deflowering" Daithi since virgins are well known to be lousy in the sack. He might actually last more than two minutes before blowing his load if his already broken in.
Hmm… you got a point.
>Hey, are you sure that Daithi actually agreed to going on a date with you this Saturday?
I… err… I’m sure he… didn’t actually… shit…
>Should we ask for Daithi and Atena to make it a threesome?
WHAT!?
>What about a date with all three of 'em? What do you think, Lu?
That’s… I… hmm… maybe that would work, yeah…

>There's blood tests to determine hereditary bloodlines, aren't there?
:ArthurNUM: Their blood is same as what they were before they became shape stealer, yes? If human named bob then blood called bob you have, yes?
>Ask him if Shape Stealers are sterile, and if not do their reproductive genetics match who they're impersonating or are their offspring daemonic or something else?
:ArthurNUM: This is… how you say… same as last question, yes? All internal organs do not really change a lot. So human bob will be able to make human babies… not some kind of half demon, but normal babies, yes?
>Ask Arthur what he's heard pertaining to the seeming disappearance of The Deceiver twenty years ago, both before he came out of the Untamed Lands and after.
:ArthurNUM: Actually, I first heard about that from Nickolas… that’s why I decided not giving up myself and becoming a cultist, yes? Having no god to give you an eternal paradise doesn’t really work, no? Now a day the leader of cult is mostly fighting over personal gain and not… how you say… to enter her paradise when they die in her name, yes?
>Lu, ask Arthur if he knows if there's any demon magic or ritual uses the losing of virginity or sex in general as a component.
:ArthurNUM: Well, the purer the better, they said, yes? Also, I do believe that… how you say… making shape changer involve orgy or something… but maybe that’s just for fun, yes?
>He's forgiving, not forgetting.
:LuciusNUM: Well, that’s not ominous sounding at all…
>The easiest way I could think of to punish a Uredo who willfully murders innocent people would be burning them in a fire. Does that actually work?
:WandererNUM: Wee diid haa ooo muuurdeeerrees beeefoooree weee weeereee eenliighen… ii iss wrooong tooo dooo sooo…

>Tell Cedric and Arthur, and thus White and Purple, that we're going to attempt to grant them permission to view our pawns' full status, which should include corruption and purification info, so they don't have to be present to scan each one and that way they can keep an eye on them for us.
:CedricNUM: Oh, it seems to be working…
:ArthurNUM: Err… there seems to be some… um… how you say…
:CedricNUM: Your “Strength” fellow seems to have a lot of purity on him but it’s falling, which is good… less good is… well…
:ArthurNUM: Daithi is 100% corrupted by someone called “The Diligent One”…
:LucraisNUM: WHAT!?? But… who is… that name isn’t in the book?
:CedricNUM: Well, good news is that he isn’t claimed by him yet so… err… yeah…
>While we could switch over to him to tell him I think it'd be better if you, Cedric and Arthur can take a break and head down in person. That way you and Arthur can get a look at not only Daithi in his tight-in-the-rear fancy suit but see Atena out of her armor and likely wearing a slinky dress that's tailored to accentuate her considerable assets.
:LuciusNUM: Screw seeing those butts, we need to warn Daithi at once!!



>Yeah, we should give Daithi a heads up since we dunno if he'll be okay with that kinda thing.
:DaithiNUM: (…huh? What shouldn’t I be okay with?)
>Should we ask for Lu and Atena to make it a threesome?
:DaithiNUM: (Err… that’s a bit… um… )
>What about a date with all three of 'em? What do you think, Dai?
:DaithiNUM: (…I guess if… um… if they want to? I don’t know… I don’t think I can handle one of them, let alone both at o-)
>>
No. 597885 ID: 65a774
File 141303533632.png - (12.72KB , 900x450 , 82.png )
597885

:UnknownKAK: Why, hello there, little twerp. What are you up to this fine evening?
:DaithiNUM: (Oh sh- where did they come from!?)
:UnknownKAK: Aw, how cute… looks like the little maggot got a date? You know… maybe we should help him?
:UnknownKAK: Of course we should… but how… I know! He needs a bit more… sting is his cologne.
:UnknownKAK: Oh, you’re right… and you know where we can find a bit of a sting for the nose? In the stables!
:DaithiNUM: WAIT, PLEASE DON’T! NOT NOW!!

Insert Then Dai was a zombie_
>>
No. 597886 ID: 4f004c

>…really? Even my mother?
Those we gained as pawns... Can't tell those we can't gain.
>ii iss wrooong tooo dooo sooo…
Sounds like it did inflict pain upon them, then.
>What about a date with all three of 'em? What do you think, Dai?
Diligence! You just gotta keep working at the task. ...But, uh, yeah, let's focus on one at a time to start with.
Oh, but Atena is... "Fair." Equal, even. Returns what is given to her. Show her a good time, and she'll give you a good time. But get too hasty, and she'll be quick with you. Be a proper gentleman, and take your time. Woo her, don't just show her a lustful time.
>Oh, you’re right… and you know where we can find a bit of a sting for the nose? In the stables!
Gods dammit, not again. Okay, the one on the left looks a bit upset at all this, so maybe we can subtly get the other two to stop this all.
[Influence emotion on leftmost Mantis: STOP!]
[Influence emotion on other two Mantis females: LOOK OUT!]
[Flick those two Mantis's antennae]
>>
No. 597887 ID: 40935b

>…really? Even my mother? Daithi’s mother to? The Empress herself!?
:GaryOldman: EVERYONE!!!

> I don’t know… I don’t think I can handle one of them, let alone both at o-
Nooooo he's losing his confidence again. Dai come on you passed your commanders' test with flying colors and have an awesome date, don't get depressed now.

Well Dai, Ced and possibly the aliens are on their way. If you can stall them in any way, do that. I don't know if we'll be able to help you this time because of the corruption, but you've proven you can deal with things yourself. DO NOT let these bitches ruin your suit! If all else fails, take a potted plant, throw dirt on one of their faces and smack the other with the pot. You might have just enough time to start running.
>>
No. 597889 ID: 2fd516

>>597885
Tell them you have a date with the captain of the guard. They will get arrested if they interfere. Not to mention the headmaster's getting sick of their antics.

Also you've got 100% corruption from a demon called "The Diligent One" who we've never heard of before. I'm thinking this is another friendly demon, because if they wanted they would've taken over your mind already. How exciting!
>>
No. 597892 ID: 9ddf68

Tell her to fuck off Daithi. You have put up with there shit for how long. Tell them to fuck off, grow up, and try to do the world a favor and becoming less of a bunch of miserable cunts. You're sick of there childish bullshit and you're not going to put up with it tonight. Let them know if they try anything to ruin your night you're going to bloody them right back so first and only warning, "Back. Off."

If they decide to mess with grab the vase your standing next to and just fucking smash it over one of there heads. You have fought cultist and shape stealers so if these three want a fight, give them a fucking fight. Tonight Daithi you make a stand.
>>
No. 597896 ID: 65a774
File 141305359249.png - (14.79KB , 900x450 , 83.png )
597896

>Nooooo he's losing his confidence again. Dai come on you passed your commanders' test with flying colors and have an awesome date, don't get depressed now.
:DaithiNUM: (I’m just being realistic.)
>Oh, but Atena is... "Fair." Equal, even. Returns what is given to her. Show her a good time, and she'll give you a good time.
:DaithiNUM: (Right, show her a good time and she’ll show me a “good time”… heh…)
>Also you've got 100% corruption from a demon called "The Diligent One" who we've never heard of before.
:DaithiNUM: (I WHAT!?)

>[Influence emotion on leftmost Mantis: STOP!]
:UnknownKAK: Um… guys… aren’t we going a bit far?
:UnknownKAK: Oh, shut up, you coward.
>Well Dai, Ced and possibly the aliens are on their way. If you can stall them in any way, do that.

>Tell her to fuck off Daithi. You have put up with there shit for how long.
:DaithiNUM: THAT’S IT! I HAD ENOUGH! UNHAND ME AT ONCE!
:UnknownKAK: Oh! We finally made you angry!
:UnknownKAK: Um… guys…
:UnknownKAK: I already told you to shut up. So, worm, why would we even considering unhanding you?
>Tell them you have a date with the captain of the guard. They will get arrested if they interfere.
:UnknownKAK: HA! And I’m the empress daughter!
>Not to mention the headmaster's getting sick of their antics.
:UnknownKAK: She can’t prove anything, that bitch.
>If they decide to mess with grab the vase your standing next to and just fucking smash it over one of there heads. You have fought cultist and shape stealers so if these three want a fight, give them a fucking fight.
:DaithiNUM: …then I got no choice but to kick your ass…
:UnknownKAK: Kick our asses? And how do you think you will do that? We got both your arm grabbed and we’re quite a bit stronger then you, midget.
:UnknownKAK: Um… guys… she’s-
:UnknownKAK: I told you to shut it! Now, you can either come willingly and get covered in dung, or we’ll beat you bloody before dropping you in the pile. You’re ch-
:AtenaNUM: *Cough*
:UnknownKAK: Huh? Who… wait… you’re the captain of the city watch!?
:AtenaNUM: Indeed I am… and I believe I just heard you threating this handsome fellow with physical violence?
:UnknownKAK: What? No, we-
:UnknownKAK: RUN!!
:UnknownKAK: THIS Isn’t over, Dai!
:AtenaNUM: *Sigh* Why can they never just surrender… I guess I have to deal with those two later… oh, hold on a second, I need to fix my jewelry…
:DaithiNUM: …Thanks, Atena, you really s-saved… sav… uh… heh… um…
:LucraisNUM: Daithi! Were here to save you from… oh, dammit, she’s already h-here… a-and she… eh… um…
:ArthurNUM: Err… are you two okay?

Insert Ankwark got their tongues_
>>
No. 597899 ID: 40935b

> Err… are you two okay?
...Is he just REALLY unobservant? It must be that helmet. Lucrais, show this poor fool the light.

Nice shoes, Atena.
>>
No. 597900 ID: 2fd516

>>597896
Daithi, "fair" means, she's gonna put something in you if you wanna put something in her.
>>
No. 597978 ID: 2fd516

Oh, all three of you should know that being under our influence makes you learn skills faster. If there's anything you've wanted to learn, better start doing it.

Personally I would recommend all of you practice some form of combat every day. Lucrais, I don't know if you know any method of self defense but I strongly suggest you pick something and start learning.
>>
No. 597997 ID: 65a774
File 141313305574.png - (13.50KB , 900x450 , 84.png )
597997

>...Is he just REALLY unobservant? It must be that helmet. Lucrais, show this poor fool the light.
:ArthurNUM: I know she have nice buttocks, yes, but I don’t go all drooly when I see it. It’s… how you say… not first time I’ve seen nice butt… though this butt is nicer than most.
:AtenaNUM: Well, I for one appreciate be-
:ArthurNUM: Besides, she clearly turned around and bent over slightly to show it off. That is just… how you say… tacky, yes?
:AtenaNUM: Hey!
>Nice shoes, Atena.
:AtenaNUM: Err… why, thank you.

>Oh, all three of you should know that being under our influence makes you learn skills faster. If there's anything you've wanted to learn, better start doing it.
:LucraisNUM: (I’m trying to, but he’s always busy!)
>Personally I would recommend all of you practice some form of combat every day.
:DaithiNUM: Um… I don’t really have time with that… you know, thanks to school and all the… um… “Adventures” you guys have started pulling me into.
:AtenaNUM: And our date?
:DaithiNUM: The best adventure yet!
>Daithi, "fair" means, she's gonna put something in you if you wanna put something in her.
:DaithiNUM: …oh, that’s- wait, what do you mean by-
:AtenaNUM: Come on, Dai, the cart won’t wait for much longer. We can admire each other in there instead.
:DaithinNUM: Wait, I got a gift I need to pick up… it’s on the way, don’t worry…
:LucraisNUM: Just be careful, you big dummy!
:ArthurNUM: So… wanna play match of stormy war, yes?
>>
No. 597998 ID: 65a774
File 141313307183.png - (19.95KB , 900x450 , 85.png )
597998

:NickolasNUM: So let me get this straight… by pushing a button on that small rectangle, you’ll send that crate up to the stars?
:IssaruNUM: Oh, no, you got it all wrong. Pushing this button will just send a message to my companions on the outside. Then they will transport the crate with the test samples to the outside with the help of a-
:NickolasNUM: It will take it into the sky, I get it.
:IssaruNUM: Actually, as the sky you’re seeing is an artificial construct seated on the underside of a-
:NickolasNUM: Then it will take it up to this artificial thing, then… geez, just push the button already.
:IssaruNUM: Let’s see… we’re standing right on the edge of the dark spot surrounding this building so the crate should be visible… and let me just change the parameters so they think I’m being transported with the crate, that way they’ll be careful and not ruin the samples as they usually do… now… let there be light!
>>
No. 597999 ID: 65a774
File 141313308665.png - (20.10KB , 900x450 , 86.png )
597999

*Vuee- *Complete Silence*

:NickolasNUM: Err… is it supposed to… just disappear? Including everything around it?
:IssaruNUM: …that’s odd. That’s not supposed to happen at all… hmm… according to my tools they accidently beamed a live disintegrator grenade to the crates location instead of beaming up. That’s quite the large error, isn’t it? Hmm…
:NickolasNUM: …oh, great, more assassination attempts… why do everyone who come here try to kill each other?
:IssaruNUM: Assassination attempt? Nonsense! I was probably just some misunderstanding on their part. Hmm… odd, I can’t get in contact with them again…
:NickolasNUM: I’m pretty sure you don’t use weapons on someone unless you want to kill them, no matter how advance they are.
:IssaruNUM: Hmm… but why would anyone want to kill me? It isn’t really practical, is it? Maybe there was some kind of major malfunction or something?

Insert Beam me up, Selver_
>>
No. 598000 ID: 9ddf68

hey Issaru, hey Nick, where's thyra? I always thought you two were basically connected at the hip.

So from what I'm seeing something is happening that has basically left Issaru and his friends stuck here in this world and those outside are now trying to kill him. Hey Issaru, we heard you managed to capture some of the space lizards before that one guy managed to make a brake to this world, what happened to them? I Have a theory but I'd like to know more before I voice it.
>>
No. 598004 ID: 2fd516

>>597999
...I'm thinking the Sakkil reinforcements arrived far earlier than we expected them to. Or the rest of the Sakkil scouts regrouped and took over the teleportation system. Either way, it's not a Serpens on the other end of that.

Also hello again Issaru. We can see your real face now! Oh right and WHY ARE WE 100% CORRUPTED AND PURIFIED?! Pls fix. Well, maybe you should keep messaging turned off. I don't think we can use that feature responsibly anymore.

I don't suppose you know who The Diligent One is, do you?

Oh right and Nickolas, you should be aware that extended exposure to admins like Issaru will gradually increase your Purification, which is the counterpart to Corruption and can give them the opportunity to take over your mind.
>>
No. 598026 ID: 4f004c

>Then it will take it up to this artificial thing, then… geez, just push the button already.
Jeez, Irassu, don't worry about heavy explanations. Let them believe the simpler ones.
>according to my tools they accidently beamed a live disintegrator grenade to the crates location
JESUS HELL YOU GUYS HAVE DISINTEGRATOR GRENADES?! A staff that shoots lightning I can understand but BLOODY GRENADES THAT DISINTEGRATE THE AREA AROUND THEM?!

Yeah, okay, see, this is what happens when you make an army group panic. They get reinforcements who try to kill you!
>>
No. 598108 ID: 65a774
File 141320819652.png - (19.97KB , 900x450 , 87.png )
598108

>Hey Nick, where's Thyra? I always thought you two were basically connected at the hip.
Last time I saw her she was in front of a mirror, trying to get that tongue of her to work properly.
>Oh right and Nickolas, you should be aware that extended exposure to admins like Issaru will gradually increase your Purification, which is the counterpart to Corruption and can give them the opportunity to take over your mind.
…well, in the end there isn’t a lot of difference between false gods and demons, is there?

>Hello again Issaru. We can see your real face now!
:IssaruNUM: Ha, why greetings yourself, Teal… wait… you can see my real- how?
:NickolasNUM: Don’t ask me. They’ve always seen the world in a weird way…
>Oh right and WHY ARE WE 100% CORRUPTED AND PURIFIED?!
:IssaruNUM: You’re what? Wait, let me just check the codex… let’s see… hmm… I can’t tell you why you are “corrupted” but… um… the thing called “purification” might be because we… um… used “god” powers to make the priest and his large friend whole again. Apologies for that.
>I don't suppose you know who The Diligent One is, do you?
:IssaruNUM: Let me check the codex again… hmm… says here that this “Diligent one” isn’t implanted yet into the game world, but he’s supposed to be the son of someone called “The Benevolent one”… man, they should have fired whoever came up with these names…

>...I'm thinking the Sakkil reinforcements arrived far earlier than we expected them to.
:IssaruNUM: Impossible! It’s only been a few minutes in the real world since we arrived here! There’s no practical way for a ship to land, fight through our defenses and take over the teleporter and jury rig it in such a small time window. No, it was probably just one of those brutes from the protection cast who forgot his grenade on the teleport platform.
:NickolasNUM: I hate to say it, but that sound rather unlikely.
>JESUS HELL YOU GUYS HAVE DISINTEGRATOR GRENADES?! A staff that shoots lightning I can understand but BLOODY GRENADES THAT DISINTEGRATE THE AREA AROUND THEM?!
:IssaruNUM: Why, of course we have… and those staff can shoot disintegration bolts too! Of course, it’s only the protection cast that has the training and access to them… wait, how do you know about the staffs?
:NickolasNUM: Apparently our Sakkil friend saw you use one before he escaped here.
:IssaruNUM: Huh? That’s odd… Zulin didn’t report anything about one of the protectors engaging one of the alien in combat… but at least they tried to stun them… of course, as our biology is different it’s fully possible our non-lethal weapons are lethal, frying the-
:NickolasNUM: Issaru, please…

>Hey Issaru, we heard you managed to capture some of the space lizards before that one guy managed to make a brake to this world, what happened to them?
:IssaruNUM: We did what? No, that’s not… Zulin should have reported that before we went in here!
:NickolasNUM: This Zulin… you are his superior, I gather?
:IssaruNUM: In a way, yes. I’m her superior in this mission, but as she’s Protector cast and I’m Knowledge cast we aren’t actually in the same-
:NickolasNUM: And she’ll be the one in charge if you die?
:IssaruNUM: Why, yes. We might not always see eye to eye but she is my second in command, so to speak. But I can’t see how this ha-
:NickolasNUM: And she’s in charge of the operation up there while you’re down here?
:IssaruNUM: Indeed she is, she’s show herself to be-
:NickolasNUM: You said you didn’t see eye to eye?
:IssaruNUM: She wants to write of this whole simulation as a lost cost, turn it off and loot the simulator instead. But I’ve already told her a thousand times that it would be far more giving to-
:NickolasNUM: So let me get this straight. This Zulin, who you apparently had a disagreement with, is in charge of the transport that just threw a grenade at the location she thought you were in. The same Zulin who is one of those “Protection cast” that has access to those very same grenades and will be in charge if you die?
:IssaruNUM: …I can’t see how that have-
:NickolasNUM: Geez, weren’t you supposed to be smart or something? She’s clearly trying to kill you so she’ll be in charge! Then she can shut down this world and lot the heavens or whatever… wait, why haven’t she just shut us down?
:IssaruNUM: Ah, that’s because the main failsafe is broken. See, you’re supposed to create an avatar when you come down here to this world to simul-
:NickolasNUM: Short version, please.
:IssaruNUM: The game can’t remove us directly from the game, so it can’t shut down while we’re in it. Accidently, that means it can’t save us if we die either so… um… if we die in here we’re completely dead, forever… including if the world would be reset even.
:NickolasNUM: Ugh, my head is starting to hurt from all this nonsense…

Insert If you die in the game you die in real life, man…_
>>
No. 598109 ID: dbe554

Yeah when you speak we can "see" you, Purple coloring, spiked shoulderpads, orangish frills and a masked face with six to ten green eyes.

But yes, it seems like Zulin is planning to take charge in a far more violent manner and to write you off as "Necessary Sacrifice". You may not want to trust your people as much as you do.
>>
No. 598112 ID: e26cbe

*sigh* this level of overspecialization can't be good for an empire. Apparently keeping a handle in the military caste is a problem- we should warn Wanderer.

Issaru, Zuilin has much to gain from your death, yes? Your existence is the only thing standing in the way between your second in command assuming control of this mission AND her ability to shut down the simulation, in addition to her not liking you. THAT is why she would want to kill you. If you would write off that grenade incident as a accident, so would your superiors.

> He’s supposed to be the son of someone called “The Benevolent one”…
So we're being corrupted by someone who doesn't exist? do you expect us to believe that?
>man, they should have fired whoever came up with these names…
It's better than something unpronounceable with eight syllables and three apostrophes.
>>
No. 598114 ID: 4f004c

>he’s supposed to be the son of someone called “The Benevolent one”…
...Okay, perhaps Daithi is real, but he's possessed by the Diligent One? Or, hell, maybe he is the Diligent One and is simply "corrupted" by him because he doesn't realize it.
>Ugh, my head is starting to hurt from all this nonsense…
"If you die in your dream, do you die in reality, as well?" Because of the Placebo effect, your mind thinks your body has suffered damage so great that it needs to shut down, or that it has already shut down, and stops making it work. With this game, it's less a matter of Placebo, more that the person is literally inside the world, so any damage they receive isn't just imagined, it's real. Sure, their real body might not be disintegrated, but if you feel your whole body being torn into millions of tiny little particles which then get fried, then your mind reads there being rips and tears everywhere, and starts creating them in an attempt to hold it all together.

It's ironic, but if you send a bunch of blood to a completely healthy point and try to push them into it to find where the cut is, it'll just pop the vein.
>>
No. 598115 ID: 2fd516

There's an obvious explanation here. Daithi is The Diligent One, and Ceana is The Benevolent One taken mortal form.

Man, our King pieces are so cool. An antipode mummy, a half-demon, and a wind-walker ghost. I can't wait to tell Daithi "no, you are the demons."
>>
No. 598119 ID: 9ddf68

Well isn't THIS a fine pickle! I'm beginning to we should rename this school alien sanctuary seeing as we are now up to 5 aliens who are trapped here, at least 3 of them have admin access but still.

Hey Issaru, what's Zulin's opinion of us? Because I wouldn't be surprised if she was the one to sick the Diligent one on our ass if she thought we were helping you.
>>
No. 598124 ID: 65a774
File 141322383321.png - (20.29KB , 900x450 , 88.png )
598124

>Well isn't THIS a fine pickle!
This is way beyond a pickle. It’s more like a pack of nuts right now.
>I'm beginning to wonder if we should rename this school alien sanctuary seeing as we are now up to 5 aliens who are trapped here.
I’ve always seen the school as a place where a lot of interesting people congregate, but this is getting ridicules!
>...Okay, perhaps Daithi is real, but he's possessed by the Diligent One?
Then why haven’t I smelled the stench of demons on him? Hmm…
>There's an obvious explanation here. Daithi is The Diligent One, and Ceana is The Benevolent One taken mortal form.
That’s a bit farfetched, isn’t it? I mean, if she would have taken a mortal form for this long she’s bound to have lost most of her powers and… she disappeared… twenty years ago… but… Ceana existed before she disappeared… and she was had already laid Daithi when she did if I remember my dates right… so… wait… If she disappeared twenty years ago… just before Daithi was born… does that mean Daithi can be The Benevolent one!? …no, wait, that’s ridicules… there’s no way that’s true.
>"If you die in your dream, do you die in reality, as well?" Because of the Placebo effect, your mind-
Alright, stop it… It’s enough that this Issy character should ramble on for ages, you don’t need to do it too… and yes, I get it, they die in here… geez…

>Yeah when you speak we can "see" you, Purple coloring, spiked shoulderpads, orangish frills and a masked face with six to ten green eyes.
:IssaruNUM: Huh… really? That’s- wait, orange frills? I don’t… you mean my stylish headwear?
>*sigh* this level of overspecialization can't be good for an empire.
:IssaruNUM: Hey, the four ways are working great for our species! …of course, we haven’t really had a lot to compare it too, but so far it’s the been the best way-
:NickolasNUM: Should we focus on the situation on hand instead?
>Issaru, Zuilin has much to gain from your death, yes? Your existence is the only thing standing in the way between your second in command assuming control of this mission AND her ability to shut down the simulation, in addition to her not liking you. THAT is why she would want to kill you.
:IssaruNUM: Hmm… I… it had to be some fault with the… um…
>If you would write off that grenade incident as a accident, so would your superiors.
:IssaruNUM: Maybe you’re right. I can’t deny that the evidence is piling up. I have to simply assume that she wants to off me for now… that would be the logical thing to do…
>So we're being corrupted by someone who doesn't exist? do you expect us to believe that?
:IssaruNUM: Hey, I only read from the codex of this world. You know, the information text written by the original creators of this artificial-
:NickolasNUM: We get it, no need to explain it so thoroughly.
>Hey Issaru, what's Zulin's opinion of us?
:IssaruNUM: Oh, she doesn’t really care about you… or anything else from this place for that matter. She just wants quick results so she can get famous.

>It's better than something unpronounceable with eight syllables and three apostrophes.
:IssaruNUM: Hey! My mother’s name was Xel’chata’ulm’tang! How dare you!
:NickolasNUM: …Really?
:IssaruNUM: Of course not! That wouldn’t be practical, now would it?
:NickolasNUM: Wait, say that name again…
:IssaruNUM: Xel’chata’ulm’tang?
:NickolasNUM: …So that’s what’s so… “off” with you guys! Your mouths aren’t actually forming the right words when you speak!
:IssaruNUM: Oh, that’s because our mouths are set on “auto”. We don’t actually have mouths under these… wait, you know what… no one else is close by so why not show you! “Poof”! See, no mouth!
:NickolasNUM: Err… right… so… giant eight eyed purple snakes? Wait, if you don’t have mouths, how do you speak?
:IssaruNUM: Why, simple! We evolved a *Screech* in our brains and *Screech* with a *Screech* that can send wave lengths with the frequency of-
:NickolasNUM: Speak clearly, please…
:IssaruNUM: Oh, um… we can broadcast our thoughts to people nearby?
:NickolasNUM: …right, so… telepathy?
:IssaruNUM: Bah! Telepathy is just make believe! This is a biological evolution! Completely logical! …and practical!

Insert Error! Logic not found!_
>>
No. 598130 ID: 9ddf68

...(sigh), let's head back to the school for now, maybe let the other 2 that are traveling with you Issura know what's going on. So unless you have something else to do I suggest that Issura and friends don't leave the dead zone or you're going to die very quickly. So what can you tell us about your research has brought you so far and why Zulin feels like it isn't worth her time. Also if she wants fame I suggest see leaks some nudes to the public, I hear that get's attention.
>>
No. 598131 ID: 2fd516

>>598124
Sounds like an engineered species to me. Question is, who made you guys? We know that the Sakkil, Hiver, and Human civilizations were made by Pride, Claire, and Erin respectively. Perhaps Lizbeth didn't get involved with their argument and went off to make entirely new species?

Nickolas, daemons can only take over someone who's already dead. They can't just create a body from scratch or possess one that's living. I think Ceana died and her body was used by the Benevolent One as her new mortal body. The circumstances of her death are really the only issue here. Did the Benevolent One have her killed, or was it an accident? We need to investigate what happened twenty years ago. Maybe that's when she lost her eye...
Well... I suppose there's a way your explanation could be true. If Daithi was stillborn, the Benevolent One could've possessed him. However, there's a BIG flaw there. We know when a daemon possesses a body like that, they know who they are. Daithi would be fully aware he's a daemon, and he should've told us by now. Plus, it wouldn't explain the hallucinations.

Issaru, you seem to be in possession of the facts about daemons. Can you tell us what the Jailor's pattern of behavior was, originally? Are those really daemons he has chained to him? If so, who are they? The list of daemons we know about is so short I find it hard to believe that he has like a dozen of them. I find it more likely those are mortal souls.
Secondly, can you turn off that purification aura? Will anything happen if one of our pawns reaches 100% but you don't choose to take over their mind?
Thirdly, can you confirm that the only way for a daemon to possess a mortal body is if it's already dead? Is there any way for one to simply share a body?
>>
No. 598132 ID: 2fd516

Ah, wait. Third possible explanation. The Benevolent One took Ceana's body more than 20 years ago, and was using the powers she still had to continue to lead the cult. Once her powers faded, she "disappeared".
>>
No. 598133 ID: dbe554

Biological evolution doesn't tend to need three creatures to make children. It's more like something influenced your upbringing a bit.
>>
No. 598261 ID: 65a774
File 141328769108.png - (14.45KB , 900x450 , 89.png )
598261

>Nickolas, daemons can only take over someone who's already dead. They can't just create a body from scratch or possess one that's living. I think Ceana died and her body was used by the Benevolent One as her new mortal body.
She died? When? You do realize she was a bit famous back then so her dying wouldn’t really go unnoticed, right?
>If Daithi was stillborn, the Benevolent One could've possessed him. However, there's a BIG flaw there. We know when a daemon possesses a body like that, they know who they are. Daithi would be fully aware he's a daemon, and he should've told us by now. Plus, it wouldn't explain the hallucinations.
Hmm… well, she is the deceiver so… maybe she is deceiving you about who he really is?
>The Benevolent One took Ceana's body more than 20 years ago, and was using the powers she still had to continue to lead the cult. Once her powers faded, she "disappeared".
Still has the problem with no one noticing that she died and came back… or that she even changed personality a bit… hmm… but it is possible, I give you that…

>Issaru, you seem to be in possession of the facts about daemons.
:IssaruNUM: Huh? Oh, you mean the codex? Well, anything the creators wrote down in there about them, sure…
>Can you tell us what the Jailor's pattern of behavior was, originally? Are those really daemons he has chained to him? If so, who are they?
:IssaruNUM: Let’s see… Jailor… hmm… seems like he’s some kind of man of Justice for those so called “demons”. It says here that he even chained demons to himself to keep them imprisoned. It also says that he’s supposed to be some kind of embodiment of justice and that’s his main motivation.
:NickolasNUM: Wait, isn’t Justice the embodiment of… well, himself?
:IssaruNUM: No, says here that Justice is the embodiment of vengeance, not justice. Which isn’t really a practical way to name someone, now is it?
>Can you confirm that the only way for a daemon to possess a mortal body is if it's already dead? Is there any way for one to simply share a body?
:IssaruNUM: Well, they can possess a living body as something called “Avatar”, but they only direct this “avatar” instead of directly control them…
>Biological evolution doesn't tend to need three creatures to make children. It's more like something influenced your upbringing a bit.
:IssaruNUM: Influenced us? Ha! Don’t tell me you believe those fairy tales these creatures have come up with? Those… what do you call it again? …those things with… um… gods, was it?
:NickolasNUM: Religion?
:IssaruNUM: Ah, that’s the name! I’ve never understood how you can believe in something that doesn’t have any proof of existing! It’s quite a conundrum, isn’t it? I can’t tell if your brains are flawed or magnificent for being able to rationalize something like that at all… I mean… we can’t prove it doesn’t exist, therefore it must exist? What kind of logic is that? It isn’t practical at all! Oh, and speaking of which… those books… hmm… fiction, I believe it was called? How can you dedicate a whole book for some pretend world with things that doesn’t exist w-
:NickolasNUM: Issaru, please don’t derail our conservation completely…
>Question is, who made you guys?
:IssaruNUM: Science and evolution!
>So what can you tell us about your research has brought you so far and why Zulin feels like it isn't worth her time.
:IssaruNUM: Sadly, not much. We can’t really take a closer look on the simulator itself with the simulation running, as it’s already at the breaking point as it is… and you guys haven’t really come up with anything more advance then a hot air balloon. If only we should get you to evolve beyond this technological state and start seeing the technology the ancients who built this place used, then we can-
>Also if she wants fame I suggest see leaks some nudes to the public, I hear that get's attention.
:IssaruNUM: -can… can… what? Why would anyone be interested in her nudes? We already got enough nude pictures for the biology books as it is.
:NickolasNUM: …I think he meant to use as… well, porn.
:IssaruNUM: …porn? What is this porn you speak of?
:NickolasNUM: …pictures of people… um…. Getting it on that you can… well… get some sexual gratification out of when you’re lonely?
:IssaruNUM: …I don’t get it…?
:NickolasnNUM: Never mind…

>...(sigh), let's head back to the school for now, maybe let the other 2 that are traveling with you Issura know what's going on.
:IssaruNUM: Hmm, yes, we need to regroup and have a meeting of our future actions… I need to gather more information about the situation at hand and analyze it to help conclude what subjects we will need to discuss wi-



:AtenaNUM: -ha! You don’t mean he actually…?
:DaithiNUM: Oh, don’t even get me started. Not only did he do it, but he got-
:AtenaNUM: Wait a moment, hold that thought… I… um… I’ll better go and… “Powder my snout” before we leave the restaurant.
:DaithiNUM: Oh, sure… I’ll wait here… um… wait, do lizard even powder their sn-
:CathalNUM: Daithi? Is that you, my son?
:DaithiNUM: Father? What are you doing here?
:CathalNUM: Oh, Your mother and I have just enjoyed a theater play and are on our way to eat a bit… What are you doing here?
:DaithiNUM: Well, I’ve just had dinner with Atena and we’re on our way to see a theater play ourselves… seems like you and Atena have the same taste in restaurants, eh? You should try the oxin in there, it was delightful!
:CathalNUM: Ah, Atena… I’m proud that my son was able to get his hands on such a catch, eh?
:DaithiNUM: Dad…
:CathalNUM: I’m sure she will turn your life upside down as soon as you get her into bed… I hear she a real wild animal and really prefers the back door, heh…
:DaithiNUM: D-DAD!?
:CathalNUM: Hehe… sorry, Daithi…

Insert At least he didn’t say it right in front of her_
>>
No. 598274 ID: e26cbe

> I’m sure she will turn your life upside down as soon as you get her into bed… I hear she a real wild animal and really prefers the back door, heh…
...Whos backdoor?
. . . What is she doing in front of that potted plant??
>>
No. 598278 ID: 4f004c

>you mean my stylish headwear?
We've got bad eyesight.
>Science and evolution!
Science suggests there was something influencing your growth. It does not have to be some form of "God," like you thought when we brought it up, it could have been another species.
>What is she doing in front of that potted plant?
Powdering her snout.

Uh, but yeah, definitely brace yourself and take it slow and steady.
Come to think of it, she's only had one husband, and yet people are talking about what she supposedly does? It may just be a false rumor. Still, no need to rush, yeah?
>>
No. 598281 ID: 2fd516

>>598261
Hey Daithi, The Diligent One was a daemon who was planned to be The Benevolent One's son. So no Daithi, you are the daemons. Because of this, Ceana is likely The Benevolent One. Ask your dad if anything happened to her just over 20 years ago. Did she go missing temporarily? Change personality? Nickolas thought YOU might be The Benevolent One since her disappearance matches with your birth, not your conception, but... taking into account what Truth said, it wouldn't make sense that we'd have to get you an anchor in order for you to speak to yourself safely, right?

...wait, what if it's your father? The hallucinations seem to involve trying to get you to distrust your mother... Like they want you to be closer to your father. It would be very advantageous for a daemon to be head of the inquisition... If your father is the daemon then keep in mind you are probably not ready to deal with the mental stress of speaking with him/her directly.

>>598278
Why do you keep responding to people who can't hear us anymore?
>>
No. 598290 ID: 9ddf68

...
So Atena, how do you feel your date is going so far? Daithi seems to be having a good time.

And ever since I saw wanderer turn into a potted plant whenever I see a giant potted plant now I always feel like it's him, especially if the plant is just sitting there out in the open, makes it feel out of place.

Oh and Daithi, good news and bad news on the snake people front. Good news is they are now far less likely to actually try and hunt down Lucius and Wanderer, as for why well that's the bad news. Apparently the leader of the snake people in charge of trying to get the world back into order came down here himself and now his second in command is trying to kill him in order to replace him. So long story short we now have more alien refugees to look after. If this crap keeps up I'm going to start charging for the daycare we're setting up.
>>
No. 598316 ID: 65a774
File 141331032289.png - (13.99KB , 900x450 , 90.png )
598316

>So Atena, how do you feel your date is going so far? Daithi seems to be having a good time.
:AtenaNUM: (Oh, it’s just marvelous! He’s such a gentleman… but now, please excuse me while I take some private time?)
>...What is she doing in front of that potted plant??
Err… she’s walking past it? Presumably toward the bathrooms?
>Powdering her snout.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure she didn’t want to say she needed to go number one…
>...Whos backdoor?
…wait, why do you even need to ask that?
>Come to think of it, she's only had one husband, and yet people are talking about what she supposedly does?
:DaithiNUM: Is there something I don’t know about her?
:CathalNUM: Well, her late husband was a bit… talkative about that on guys night out before he passed away… and she’s tried more than one date before this one… hmm… son, I’ll give you an advice that might sound a bit… hmm… take it slow, alright? If you want a real relationship out of this you must make sure it doesn’t just boil down to a good lay, alright? …but if you’re in it just to get laid then… shame on you, Dai!
:DaithiNUM: Don’t worry, dad, I’m here because I like her… not because I want to… well, I’m here because of that too but… you get what I mean.

>Oh and Daithi, good news and bad news on the snake people front. Good news is they are now far less likely to actually try and hunt down Lucius and Wanderer.
Well, that’s great! Then maybe we can move them somewhere a bit safer?
>Apparently the leader of the snake people in charge of trying to get the world back into order came down here himself and now his second in command is trying to kill him in order to replace him. So long story short we now have more alien refugees to look after.
…I… what? Someone is trying to kill them too!? Geez… this is starting to get ridicules! Oh, and let me guess, there’s at least two more alien races coming that we need to deal with, eh?
>If this crap keeps up I'm going to start charging for the daycare we're setting up.
We would be rich, wouldn’t we? “The hunted alien daycare: Leave your lost aliens here for just ten crows a day”…

>Hey Daithi, The Diligent One was a daemon who was planned to be The Benevolent One's son.
Huh? So it’s the Benevolent one’s son who is trying to corrupt me?
>So no, Daithi, you are the daemons.
…I… what? You can’t be serious, right? That’s not… I mean, wouldn’t I know if I was some kind of demon thingy, right? Right!?
>Because of this, Ceana is likely The Benevolent One.
Hey! My mom is not some ageless demon bitch! You take that back or I swear… I swear… I swear I’ll do something to you!
>...wait, what if it's your father?
Now you’re just grasping for… wait, you’re trying to get me more paranoid, aren’t you!? Are you working for the demons yourself or what, huh?

>Ask your dad if anything happened to her just over 20 years ago. Did she go missing temporarily? Change personality?
:CathalNUM: Hmm… well, she got a bit cranky when she was pregnant with you… but… well, let’s see… twenty one years ago she got married with us… then we took an extended honeymoon for six months… then before we got home she had gotten pregnant so she stayed home from work after that… then you were born. There’s not really much too… well, there was that thing… she never told you about it, huh? She never liked to talk about it, after all.
:DaithiNUM: Huh? Talk about what?
:CathalNUM: Well… no offence but… Son, you were the so called runt of the litter… smaller, weaker than your brothers… and… well… when you were born you were very sick.
:DaithiNUM: I was what?
:cathalNUM: There was a rather large chance that you would never last your first year and your mother… well, she tried everything, really… she even started praying to nearly all gods around here… she even prayed to that goddess the Barbarians out in the untamed lands worships. I’m guessing one of them answered her prayers because here you are, as fit as a fiddle, eh?
:DaithiNUM: …I almost died?

Insert Your mom is so fat that she got her own moon! Zing!_
>>
No. 598329 ID: 2fd516

...oh. It's getting darker, and your eyes are turning a deeper shade of yellow. Look, how about we stop talking about this. It's obviously going to trigger one of your episodes.

Ask your father more about the goddess of the barbarians. Isn't he talking about The Benevolent One? Shouldn't he know, as an inquisitor, that the cultists out there worship a daemon?

(I think Nickolas was partially right. The Benevolent One saved him, and is sharing his body, I think. She did something daemons are not supposed to be capable of...)
>>
No. 598332 ID: 4f004c

>...oh. It's getting darker, and your eyes are turning a deeper shade of yellow. Look, how about we stop talking about this.
Oh. Okay, I'll refrain from saying what I was about to say.

Daithi, go ahead and calm down. We weren't trying to make you paranoid, we were seeing how well you can counter our theories, as the better you can counter it, the better you can resist a Daemon's influence.

Anyways, I've got some ideas on just what happened, but I'll refrain from stressing you out over something that's going to wind up being wrong anyways. Ever heard of mind over matter? Your mother wanted you to live, and used her willpower constantly until you got better. Her method of doing such was through prayer, but even so, it still uses her own mind. It's a form of magic, albeit a very difficult and time-consuming one to use.
All you gotta do is calm down and relax. Sit down, take a deep breath, and don't let this all get to you.
>>
No. 598335 ID: 4e6347

>>598261
>no imagination
>no sex drive
>divided into specialized casts
How has this species survived this long?

>>598316
Holy Shit, we were right?
even now the evil seed blah blah germinates with in you, Daithi do some cool daemon magic.
>>
No. 598338 ID: 65a774
File 141331857482.png - (14.93KB , 900x450 , 91.png )
598338

>...oh. It's getting darker, and your eyes are turning a deeper shade of yellow. Look, how about we stop talking about this. It's obviously going to trigger one of your episodes.

>Daithi, go ahead and calm down. We weren't trying to make you paranoid, we were seeing how well you can counter our theories, as the better you can counter it, the better you can resist a Daemon's influence.
…m-maybe you are… maybe you are helping me… dammit Daithi… you need to stop seeing everyone as a potential threat…
>All you gotta do is calm down and relax. Sit down, take a deep breath, and don't let this all get to you.
…yes… deep breaths… deep breaths…
:CathalNUM: Um… I’m sorry son, I… I didn’t think you would take it so hard…
:DaithiNUM: I’m fine dad… don’t worry…
>Even now the evil seed blah blah germinates within you, Daithi do some cool daemon magic.
…What? I don’t know any demon magic!

>Ask your father more about the goddess of the barbarians.
:CathalNUM: Um… it’s some kind of nature goddess, I believe?
>Isn't he talking about The Benevolent One? Shouldn't he know, as an inquisitor, that the cultists out there worship a daemon?
:CathalNUM: Well, yes, the cultist are. The barbarians on the other hand are worshipping something else. At least, they aren’t going mad like the cultist are...
:AtenaNUM: There, all done Daithi… oh, you’re father is here?
:CathalNUM: Why, hello Atena, lovely evening eh? Now, now, I won’t disturb your time together any longer… besides, I need to get back to your mother. She’s bound being finished “powdering her mandibles” by now… ah, speaking of the trolls, there she is.
:DaithiNUM: THAT’S MOM!? BUT… SHE- SHE’S WEARING… I…
:AtenaNUM: Whoa… that… that’s very revealing for someone her age…
:CathalNUM: A fabulous dress, no?
:DaithiNUM: OH JOVE, I NEED BRAIN BLEACH!!



:LuciusNUM: And blammo, your high priest is dead.
:LucraisNUM: WHAT!? But… that’s not how it’s supposed to…
:CedricNUM: Don’t feel bad, Lu, he’s playing with Daithi’s army… it’s a bit more… um… balanced compared to yours.
:LucraisNUM: Oh, shut up! I can’t believe I lost to that… that…
:LuciusNUM: Ha! Where there ever any doubt?
:LucraisNUM: That Plebian charlatan!
:ArthurNUM: Oh, learn to lose, yes?

Insert Fornicate the Constable_
>>
No. 598342 ID: 4f004c

>Oh, learn to lose, yes?
To be fair, we did expect Lucrais to win... Of course, we also didn't expect Lucius to take advantage of Daithi's set.
Yours is a Raw Aggression set, there's not a whole lot of sets that would actually be useful for, which is why I wanted you to learn techniques from other people. You were actually watching his moves, right?
>>
No. 598343 ID: 9ddf68

>>598338
well glade to see that you guys are still having fu... Where's wanderer?

Oh and we found out something about Daithi that might explain why a deamon is after him.

Oh and Lucius, Good news, the snake people are no longer looking for you. As for the bad news and why, the second in command is trying to kill the snake people here to gain control for herself. It seems that the snake people live in a caste based system with the guy here looking for you being of the scholarly branch who wants the world not to go to shit to see how the world advice and hopes to witness how the locals develop tech that makes ever there tech look like an idiot bashing two rocks together like it was when they first found this place. The bitch trying to take over is of the warrior branch and apparently the one who attacked your cremates and never even told the head guy. Wants to kill him so she can simply scrap this whole world for quick results to try and get famous basically killing everyone in here. As long as the Brain is alive though she can't do shit.
>>
No. 598345 ID: 2fd516

>>598338
I thought you knew you sucked at that game, Lucrais.
Does anything in that book support the theory that a daemon could perhaps co-habitate someone's body? I think Daithi might be in that situation. The Benevolent One disappeared around the same time that he was born, and Daithi was the runt of the litter and almost died. Ceana was praying to anyone she could pray to... I suspect she made a deal with The Benevolent One.
>>
No. 598423 ID: 65a774
File 141338397734.png - (15.34KB , 900x450 , 92.png )
598423

>I thought you knew you sucked at that game, Lucrais.
Well, yeah, but I thought I should take a guy who only known the game existed for a day at least! I mean, I did beat Arthur, after all!
>To be fair, we did expect Lucrais to win... Of course, we also didn't expect Lucius to take advantage of Daithi's set.
:LuciusNUM: Well, I don’t really have any other units to play with, right?
:LucraisNUM: Still not a fair win!
>You were actually watching his moves, right?
Of course! …err… well, I tried too! Most of them didn’t really make a lot of sense… at least not until he sprung an ambush on me…
>Well glad to see that you guys are still having fu... Where's wanderer?
He’s in the main hall, reading. He didn’t really like the war game much…
>Does anything in that book support the theory that a daemon could perhaps co-habitate someone's body?
…err… I haven’t found anything about that, no… well, it says that they took avatars and stuff… but those people turned crazy rather fast…
>I think Daithi might be in that situation.
Wait, you’re telling me he’s got a demon inside him? Didn’t you think he was a demon a few hours ago? I mean… it’s rather important to know which because… well, it’s kind of creepy if there’s someone else in there, looking through his eyes…

>Oh and Lucius, Good news, the snake people are no longer looking for you.
:LuciusNUM: Ah, perfect! So they finally came looking for me? Or did the rest manage to fight back… um… wait, even without the weird time difference there wouldn’t be enough time for that… so… what happened?
>As for the bad news and why, the second in command is trying to kill the snake people here to gain control for herself.
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… interesting… maybe she can be barging with? A snake for the rest of my squad?
>She wants to kill him so she can simply scrap this whole world for quick results to try and get famous basically killing everyone in here.
:LuciusNUM: Oh… that’s… a bit…
:LucraisNUM: What? You’re not going to go on about how you’ll sell us out to get free?
:LuciusNUM: First off, you guys are pretty much sapient. Exterminating a whole world of people is a bit… morally wrong even for me… second off, I’m pretty sure telling people that you will betray them while you’re surrounded by them is never a good idea.
:CedricNUM: You did say you would sell out that snake a moment ago, though.
:LuciusNUM: Of course. He’s only one guy… and he tried to kill and or imprison me… and I have never met him either.
:NickolasNUM: Well, if you want to meet him then he’s right outside this room conversing with Wanderer.
:LucraisNUM: huh!? How did you get-
:NickolasNUM: I got keys to all the dorms. I case of an emergency. So… you’re the orange lizard I heard about? Sakkil, was it?
:LuciusNUM: Yeah, sure, that’s me…
:NickolasNUM: Issura, the snake guy, told me some good news and bad news that involves you. Good news, your ship and its crew is still intact and alive up in the “real world”…
:LuciusNUM: A lot of good that does me…
:NickolasNUM: The bad news is that this new commander of theirs will probably dismantle the ship and kill the rest of Sakkil… of course, she will want to finish off us first. So, Issaru thinks that she will send some kind of death squad to take care of you soon.
:LuciusNUM: …oh, great… so now we’re up against high tech aliens with only crossbows and swords at hand? We’re so screwed…

:IssaruNUM: -an impossibility according to the physics and biology of our peoples knowledge. Hmm… that a plant evolved and is able to function as an animal is rather farfetched so… maybe you’re just an animal taking the form of a plant as camouflage or an animal who evolved some kind of solar collectors closely resembling those of plants? Maybe it’s all a-
:NickolasNUM: Some more bad news, this Issaru fellow will not shut up if you get him started… just so you guys know…

Insert Don’t worry guys, Rock beats lasers every time!_
>>
No. 598425 ID: 9ddf68

>…oh, great… so now we’re up against high tech aliens with only crossbows and swords at hand? We’re so screwed…
or we could, you know, lure them into deamon infested areas and have to two duke it out. I mean there are some deamons that can fuck with time in this world so it might be so one sided.

>Of course! …err… well, I tried too! Most of them didn’t really make a lot of sense… at least not until he sprung an ambush on me…
misdirection, he used confusing moves and odd tactics to lure you into a kill zone and seeing how your army is more set up for head to head fights he exploited that and tore you army apart. Basically took your army's strength and turned it against it.

>maybe you’re just an animal taking the form of a plant as camouflage or an animal who evolved some kind of solar collectors closely resembling those of plants?
Hey if you want to confuse him tell him that Wanderer's people were originally magic constructs meant to act as sentries for certain places created by humans, lizards, or mantises (not sure which) back on there home planet when magic was still a thing and a space plague nearly killed off all three species a couple thousand years later. No idea what the hell happened to wanderer's people between then and now but they seem to be doing pretty well for themselves.
>>
No. 598427 ID: 4f004c

>I mean… it’s rather important to know which because… well, it’s kind of creepy if there’s someone else in there, looking through his eyes…
Personally, I'm more of a believer that he's The Diligent One. The Daemons were made by the Gods, but The Diligent One was only defined as being the son of The Benevolent One, nothing else about him had been made; this means that if Daithi is him, he would still be almost entirely Mantis.
Uh, basically, he's him, treat him as such, and he'll stay him.
>Hmm… that a plant evolved and is able to function as an animal is rather farfetched so…
Issaru, those ideas you're coming up with are even less likely than a plant evolving that way. Animals, by our knowledge, evolved FROM plants, so it's quite possible that a plant turned around in the evolutionary progress half way through. Are you truly not aware of the sentience of plants?
Okay, let me put it this way: Most plants will react to the movement of the sun. This is a show of self awareness. Not full out sapience, but sentience for sure. Some will even react to anything coming anywhere near them, such as venus fly traps, snapping shut when an insect enters them, or the Touch-me-Not, which will swiftly retract any leaves when an insect comes near. Plants have evolved all sorts of methods of coping with the world around them. What's surprising about them evolving the ability to move and make noise?
>>
No. 598430 ID: dbe554

Yeah you have to cut him off before the first sentence is done or else he'll explain everything. He is of the knowledge caste and they are..well kinda like professors, teachers, and students all in one when it comes to knowledge.
>>
No. 598431 ID: 2fd516

>>598423
Haha, did you guys forget Nickolas was mute? Not anymore!
>>
No. 598435 ID: e26cbe

>well, it’s kind of creepy if there’s someone else in there, looking through his eyes…
Present company excluded, right?
>oh, great… so now we’re up against high tech aliens with only crossbows and swords at hand?
Wanderer is armed and Issaru might have some tricks up his sleeve. If the military caste true to form, the death squad won't know anything about this world or anything outside of combat, we could use that to our advantage. We might be able to get a message through to Isaru's loyal underlings so they can free/feed info to the Sakkil.
>Some more bad news, this Issaru fellow will not shut up if you get him started… just so you guys know…
I know you're used to Thyra's minimalistic translations, but try to be patient with the guy. He's been a help and doesn't mean any harm,
>>
No. 598439 ID: 9ddf68

>>598431
no nick was deft, Thrya the mantis that always hanged around him was the one that use to be mute.
>>
No. 598440 ID: 4f004c

>Present company excluded, right?
We don't look through his eyes, though. We look through our own eyes.
>If the military caste true to form, the death squad won't know anything about this world
More like they won't know anything about this world because it's impossible to know what's going on on the inside from the outside while it's running, according to Issaru.
>no nick was deft
I'm sure Nickolas is just as deft as ever, though not as much as Thyna. He is no longer deaf, however.
>>
No. 598441 ID: 9ddf68

>>598440
my spelling sucks and I often forget to proofread, makes for hilarious moments though.
>>
No. 598446 ID: 2fd516

>>598439
ffffff
Yeah. Deaf. I guess that's less obvious a change.
>>
No. 598454 ID: 65a774
File 141340145440.png - (15.00KB , 900x450 , 93.png )
598454

>Present company excluded, right?
:LucraisNUM: (Of course not! You guys are creepy too! I mean, I have to make sure you aren’t watching every time I… um… do anything indecent.)
>I know you're used to Thyra's minimalistic translations, but try to be patient with the guy. He's been a help and doesn't mean any harm.
:NickolasNUM: (My apologies, but… it’s just the way he talks… it gives me a headache…)
>Haha, did you guys forget Nickolas was mute? Not anymore!
:NickolasNUM: What? I wasn’t mute! That was Thyra!
>No nick was deft.
:NickolasNUM: Deaf! Not deft! ...and what do you mean? I’m still quite deft, I have you know! …oh, and I’m not deaf anymore because space snakes.
:CedricNUM: That’s kind of cool…
:LucraisNUM: You know… if it wasn’t for all this other bullshit going on I would think you were a loon… but now I know it’s just the universe that’s freaking insane instead.

>We could, you know, lure them into deamon infested areas and have to two duke it out.
:ArthurNUM: Um… where would we found demons near here? We can’t leave the school without them being found, yes? So… how you say… they should know where they are, yes?
:LuciusNUM: So… we need to lure some demons here instead…
:NickolasNUM: We’re not infesting the school with demons.
>He is of the knowledge caste and they are… well kinda like professors, teachers, and students all in one when it comes to knowledge.
:LucraisNUM: So he’s a know it all?
:NickolasNUM: That would explain it…
>Wanderer is armed and Issaru might have some tricks up his sleeve.
:LuciusNUM: I’m pretty sure the plant is just carrying non-lethal weapons… and Issaru is a brainiac, not a fighter.
>Hey if you want to confuse him tell him that Wanderer's people were originally magic constructs meant to act as sentries for certain places created by humans, lizards, or mantises…
:NickolasNUM: Err… that’s… you know, even coming from you it’s…
:LuciusNUM: You know, just telling us crazy things won’t make them true…

>Personally, I'm more of a believer that he's The Diligent One. The Daemons were made by the Gods, but The Diligent One was only defined as being the son of The Benevolent One, nothing else about him had been made; this means that if Daithi is him, he would still be almost entirely Mantis.
:LuciusNUM: Hmm… well, if demons are as powerful as you say they are… can’t Daithi just kick their butts? …or whatever snakes has?
:NickolasNUM: We don’t know if he got any demon blood in him yet… and I’m sure he won’t have any idea how to use his powers even if he was!
>Uh, basically, he's him, treat him as such, and he'll stay him.
:NickolasNUM: As I already said, judge by actions, not looks…
:ArthurNUM: …I guess so long he isn’t some kind of tentacle spawn of horror who eat people alive…
:LucraisNUM:
:ArthurNUM: So… speaking of Daithi… it’s getting late… do you guys think he is banging that pulchritudinous bum yet?
:CedricNUM: Pulchritudinous?
:NickolasNUM: Can we please leave Daithis love life out of thi-
:LucraisNUM: On the first date!? That… that... ugh…
:CedricNUM: pulchritudinous? Really?
:LuciusNUM: If he’s a real gentleman, he’ll settle for a kiss…
:CedricNUM: You can barely speak and yet you know what pulchritudinous means?
:IssaruNUM: -that is not to mention the energy conversion necessary to move something like that… how can you gain that energy from just soil, water and sunshine? There shouldn’t be enough energy too-
:LuciusNUM: Is he still going on?
:NickolasNUM: He won’t stop… believe me…
:CedricNUM: You don’t know what a fiddle is, but you know what pulchritudinous is? That’s just weird!
:LucraisNUM: Err… do he even stop to breathe?
:NickolasNUM: Apparently, you don’t even have mouth…
:ArthurNUM: So… we have ways to find out if Daithi is demon or not, yes?
:NickolasNUM: Well… err… we can… do… um…

Insert So I said Blah blah blah blah… blah… blah blah blah… blah blah_
>>
No. 598455 ID: 2fd516

>>598454
I bet Purple is the one that use that big word first.

Hey. I have an idea, actually. We've always been able to see a daemon's true form when we look at them via a mirror. Has anyone seen Daithi in a mirror? We were with him when he was looking at one, but we couldn't see ourselves in it, and his reflection was more like a doppleganger, because it moved on its own. Also it seemed to be hostile. So I'm thinking Daithi has a daemon side that he's always been subconsciously aware of because of the mirror thing, but he's not ready to accept it, and he subconsciously conjured up an illusion to block both our vision and his own.

If someone can get a look at him via a mirror without him knowing, we might see his true self for once.
>>
No. 598457 ID: 9ddf68

>We’re not infesting the school with demons.
we've already had them attack the school once so it's not like they can't get in, even with all the added security and everyone looking at everyone and everything trying to find aliens. Plus given how things usually work out for us, everything is just going to keep building up and stakes will keep getting higher until everything just pours over into one giant cluster fuck and then all of us have to try our damnest to not only get out alive but fix everything at the same time.

>You know, just telling us crazy things won’t make them true…
we're old, very old. We've seen things that would most would believe is a flat out lie. Hell we were "born" because someone built a machine that could literally re-wright the laws of reality at will. We were just a byproduct.

>So… we have ways to find out if Daithi is demon or not, yes?
nothing conventional. Holy objects don't seem to do anything to him, all scans have come up negative until we were already at 100% corruption. We could maybe ask Daithi's mom about it since she was the one that prayed to every god there is in hopes of saving Daithi as a sickly child so we could ask her some questions... sometime tomorrow. I would say now but she's on a date and we don't want to ruin a good night.
>>
No. 598464 ID: 2fd516

Well, the Uredo weren't magical constructs. Pretty sure they were just a conquered race when we first met them. Of course, this was before the great purge... It's the same situation as they're in now, before they eventually regained their freedom. Previously, a different civilization butted in and made the slavers release the Uredo, rather than them fighting back.
>>
No. 598469 ID: 4f004c

>You know, just telling us crazy things won’t make them true…
I don't remember it ever being mentioned that they were constructs, although they may have originated from stray magics effecting stuff.
Actually, I think they had the same origins as the Mantises, living above the ground while humans and lizards were stuck living underground. We didn't see either species until it was safe for Humans and Mantises to move above ground, after all. But, hmmm, what allowed the Mantises to live up there when Humans and Lizards couldn't, that a plant could share? Couldn't be the exoskeleton, as Uredo don't have that, but perhaps it's the blood type? Do Lizards and Humans have the same element carrying oxygen through their blood (iron)? Because Mantises, I believe, have something else, and Uredo probably do as well. No idea about the Parasites and the Snake folk, though, they didn't exist back then.
>We don’t know if he got any demon blood in him yet… and I’m sure he won’t have any idea how to use his powers even if he was!
Again, "The Diligent One" isn't a finished Daemon, so if Daithi is him, he wouldn't have any Daemon powers, aside from a possible resistance to other Daemons.
What it would let him do is that once his resistance is sufficient, he can engage in diplomacy with the Full Daemons, to convince them to be our allies and not betray us. The Benevolent One supposedly changed her ways in permitting him to live, so I'm quite certain he can convert others.
>[Lucrais:] …
...Yeah, I agree. There's nothing to say at how ridiculous that is.
Daemons are large bodied, long fanged, long clawed entities, not things covered in tentacles. They also eat emotions, not living people. ...Well, that's not entirely true, I suppose, but 99% true. Friggin' cannibals.
>how can you gain that energy from just soil, water and sunshine?
Hyper-photosynthesis, Issaru. The chloroplast they sport can soak up and store vast amounts of solar energy, though the water storage is somewhat lacking, resulting in the need to "drink" a lot more frequently than standard plants. As for the nutrients from the soil, they don't have much need to use up a whole lot of them in a short period of time, so those just last them a good while anyways.
>Apparently, you don’t even have mouth…
He speaks through a form of telepathy. Doesn't like to call it that, but that's what it is, plain and simple.
>So… we have ways to find out if Daithi is demon or not, yes?
Well, uh, when we were talking about the possibility of him being one to him, everything started to get darker and his eyes started to, um, "Glow," in that they were a deeper and more noticeable gold, but they didn't actually produce light. Does that help explain anything, or can that just be claimed to be the effect of his mental condition?
Actually, that mental condition itself is interesting; Nickolas smelled The Deceiver on him, he hasn't shown any corruption when tested, and medication somehow actually works to counteract it, despite it supposedly being daemonic in origin. Could that be because it's from HIM, and the scent of The Deceiver is because she's The Diligent One's mother?
>>
No. 598471 ID: 4f004c

>Has anyone seen Daithi in a mirror?
White has, and didn't say anything. Like I said, The Diligent One is an incomplete Daemon. Chances are, it was a "Shell" that could be thrown over a person and let them live with a teensy bit of "Daemonity" while still appearing to be the mortal form entirely.
>and he subconsciously conjured up an illusion to block both our vision and his own.
That, I suppose, is possible, but wouldn't White have still seen his true reflection, then? She wasn't allied with us yet, after all. Of course, if the Daemon side of him took after the Mortal side of him, they would both look exactly the same, which means that we may have actually been seeing the Daemon's reflection back then.
Diligence is the act of working constantly at a goal. This "Demon" has been working at messing with Daithi's vision and reflections for a good twenty years now. I'd say that qualifies as diligence.
>>
No. 598473 ID: d64d29

>Issaru is a brainiac, not a fighter.
Well ask him to whip up a shit ton of explosives. We can send the death squad back to space the old fashioned way as soon as they beam down.
>We can’t leave the school without them being found, yes? So… how you say… they should know where they are, yes?
We could use one of Issaru's transponders or whatever so they think he's in the middle of the untamed lands. Either the daemons and savages get the death squad, or the death squad cleans up the area and stays out of our way.
>If he’s a real gentleman, he’ll settle for a kiss…
That was our, and his fathers, advice. Also he saw his mother in a revealing dress and expressed a desire to blind himself, so I think he's, uh, off his game.
>-that is not to mention the energy conversion necessary to move something like that…
... to move what, exactly?
> Well… err… we can… do… um…
Ask the librarian? Do more testing? Pray to someone with a clue?
>>
No. 598525 ID: 2fd516

Ah, Lucrais, I know why he beat you. He has military training. They must've taught him some battle tactics that could apply to the wargame. On the other hand... how do ambushes work in a board game where you can see all the other player's pieces?

Oh, secondly... did we mention to Purple that Yellow is hanging around with an old ally of ours? Could Arthur relay a request that Purple not attack Red? Red is most likely manipulating Yellow.
>>
No. 598528 ID: 65a774
File 141346635464.png - (15.37KB , 900x450 , 94.png )
598528

>Ah, Lucrais, I know why he beat you. He has military training. They must've taught him some battle tactics that could apply to the wargame.
:LucraisNUM: (Bah! Why is everyone a commander but me!?)
>On the other hand... how do ambushes work in a board game where you can see all the other player's pieces?
:LucriasNUM: (It’s not a real ambush, but one according to game rules, which makes the attack more deadly.)
>Oh, secondly... did we mention to Purple that Yellow is hanging around with an old ally of ours? Could Arthur relay a request that Purple not attack Red? Red is most likely manipulating Yellow.
:ArthurNUM: If this red is not allied with heretics, then he will not be hurt, yes?

>Hey. I have an idea, actually. We've always been able to see a daemon's true form when we look at them via a mirror. Has anyone seen Daithi in a mirror?
:LucraisNUM: Um… well, not really… there isn’t a lot of mirrors around… Cedric? You’re the one who’s been with him the longest…
>White has, and didn't say anything.
:CedricNUM: I think I’ve seen him in a mirror a few times, yeah, but I can’t recall seeing anything odd in his reflection…
>We were with him when he was looking at one, but we couldn't see ourselves in it, and his reflection was more like a doppleganger, because it moved on its own.
:NickolasNUM: Hmm… it should have just been his hallucinations acting up again…
>Well, uh, when we were talking about the possibility of him being one to him, everything started to get darker and his eyes started to, um, "Glow," in that they were a deeper and more noticeable gold, but they didn't actually produce light.
:NickolasNUM: Still… either hallucinations or something far worse… hard to tell…

>We've already had them attack the school once so it's not like they can't get in, even with all the added security and everyone looking at everyone and everything trying to find aliens.
:NickolasNUM: A shape stealer and two we can handle. Unleashing a full on demon is bit more… um… suicidal. And if these soldiers that are coming are as bad as Issy says then we might need something more than a few shape stealers…
>Again, "The Diligent One" isn't a finished Daemon, so if Daithi is him, he wouldn't have any Daemon powers, aside from a possible resistance to other Daemons.
:ArthurNUM: Finished or not, he should still have some nice tricks he can do… like… how you say… getting dog to sit but with demon instead, yes?
:LucraisNUM: Sit Daithi! Good boy! Now, consume the souls of some filthy mortals! That’s a good boy!
:NickolasNUM: Sarcasm or not, he might still be dangerous…
>Ask the librarian? Do more testing? Pray to someone with a clue?
:LuciusNUM: Wait, Librarian?
:CedricNUM: She’s apparently an ageless demon who loves books or something… she not so bad. She’s just rather… flirty and easy.
:LuciusNUM: Really? …hmm… maybe I should go there and get a new… book…
:LucraisNUM: Men…
>Settling on a kiss was our, and his fathers, advice. Also he saw his mother in a revealing dress and expressed a desire to blind himself, so I think he's, uh, off his game.
:LucraisNUM: (Perfect! Then he’s still mine for the taking!)

>We're old, very old. We've seen things that would most would believe is a flat out lie.
:LuciusNUM: Well, my grand grand grandfather is very old too, but it doesn’t mean his stories about bearded gnomes stealing his socks are true. If anything, old age just makes you more of a loon.
:ArthurNUM: Grand grand? How old is this father?
:LuciusNUM: Oh, his going to be a hundred and forty in two years. …what? Isn’t that a normal age to be?
>He speaks through a form of telepathy. Doesn't like to call it that, but that's what it is, plain and simple.
:LuciusNUM: Giant snakes that speak with brainwaves? I thought the plants were weird but geez…
:NickolasNUM: They also got some weird bone growth all over their faces, they eat and drink trough their skin and apparently they tend to live underwater.
:LuciusNUM: …man, they are starting to sound more and more like some badly written sci-fi monster then a real alien…
>Well ask him to whip up a shit ton of explosives. We can send the death squad back to space the old fashioned way as soon as they beam down.
:LuciusNUM: Oh, fireworks… of course, if he should just summon explosive like that, what’s stopping him from bringing forth a tank or a combat armor or something?
>We could use one of Issaru's transponders or whatever so they think he's in the middle of the untamed lands.
:NickolasNUM: Transporting it there would take days… and even then they’ll probably smart enough to realize that he didn’t just teleport several miles without them noticing…

:IssaruNUM: -generally aquatic but we’ve been forced to live more and more above water thanks to the need of electricity. Electricity and water doesn’t mix, now does it… of course, we still sleep and eat submerged in water, most often at the same time. I still remember the algae and plankton slurry my… um… there isn’t a word for it in this language but… my “other” mother, so to speak… where was I? Oh yes! So, as I was saying, I can still remember submerging in my other mothers algae and plankton slurry and just letting my skin absorb it all into-

:NickolasNUM: Then again… if they are anything like Issy…
:LuciusNUM: Well, as time moves differently up there compared to here… maybe we can trick them to deploy somewhere else?

Insert Mmm… a broth made out of algae… sound delicious…_
>>
No. 598533 ID: dbe554

Oh yeah they've got three parents, one 'father' one 'mother' and one gender they lay the eggs into who carries them to term. Very interesting.
>>
No. 598534 ID: 4f004c

If you had some form of rapid transit, they would think it's just the world moving 720 times faster than their world. Because, hey, it does.
>>
No. 598544 ID: 2fd516

>>598528
Well, if there's any way Issaru can make it look like he's stepped outside the radius of the admin-invisibility area without actually doing so, we could lure them down here. On the other hand do we want to do that? It's not like we have the firepower to fight them.

I say we just go talk to Libby. I'd like to bring all the aliens along if it's possible to disguise them all, because I want to see how Lucius and Libby work together and both Wanderer and Issaru would love a library.
>>
No. 598547 ID: 9ddf68

>Oh, his going to be a hundred and forty in two years. …what? Isn’t that a normal age to be?
around here, not sure. I mean they don't have the same level of tech but at the same time magic is a thing here so maybe? if not then I'm guessing people at least last half a century less around here give or take a decade.

As for what to do next, with the aliens, ask Issaru what the chick trying to off him is like. I mean they've worked together for awhile I'm guessing so he has a better idea on what she's think more then any of us so if we are going to try and trick them we should gather as much info on them as we can. Also maybe save wanderer from his ramblings because although both wanderer and Issaru are scholars I'm not sure if wanderer can handle Issaru in anything other then short burst, then again I'm getting the feeling that goes for everyone that's met Issaru. As for what to do to see whether or not our theory about Daithi has any weight to it, go see Libby, she'd probably have more knowledge then any else around about deamons, at least more knowledge that we don't have to risk anyone going insane or dying horribly to gain at least.
>>
No. 598560 ID: 65a774
File 141348393641.png - (25.65KB , 900x450 , 95.png )
598560

>Oh yeah they've got three parents, one 'father' one 'mother' and one gender they lay the eggs into who carries them to term. Very interesting.
:LuciusNUM: …you know, I’ll think I was wrong. This species is clearly designed by some overweight nerd with weird fetishes living in his mom’s basement. I mean… three genders? What the hell?
:NickolasNUM: I would recommend that you don’t say that to his face.
:LuciusNUM: Why? Do you think he will get angry?
:NickolasNUM: He’ll probably explain in gruesome details how every part of his species work, and I’m pretty sure no one here wants to listen to that.
:LuciusNUm: Good point…

>If you had some form of rapid transit, they would think it's just the world moving 720 times faster than their world.
:ArthurNUM: Our fastest way of transportation is on Oxin, yes? That will… how you say… make us reach about halfway to Untamed lands in a day if we kill Oxin with work, yes?
:LucraisNUM: Hmm… I did read something about some foreign engineers creating some kind of flying ship on the other side of the great sea…
:NickolasNUM: A lot of good that does us…
:CedricNUM: Oh, aren’t the artificers guild going to show off some ship that sails in the sky on Sunday? It said it was built after the blueprints from the Serath nation, and that’s on the other side of the sea, right?
:NickolasNUM: Wait, how do you know that? And why here?
:CedricNUM: Um… because Stone Heaven got the biggest Artificer guild in Amun? …and it said so on those posters posted on the bulletin board downstairs?
:NickolasNUM: …Oh, I… I must have missed that…
:LuciusNUM: …is it just me or is all this rather… convenient?

>Around here, not sure. I mean they don't have the same level of tech but at the same time magic is a thing here so maybe?
:NickolasNUM: You should be happy if you live to eighty, but that’s about the middle value.
>As for what to do next, with the aliens, ask Issaru what the chick trying to off him is like.
:IssaruNUM: -and that means that without the pro-
:NickolasNUM: Issaru, please give Wanderer a break for a mo-
:WandererNUM: The one that wanders.
:NickolasNUM: …wait, what?
:LuciusNUM: Hey, you’re speaking normally!
:WandererNUM: Issaru gave us enough raw data to analyze for proper language codexing. We speak better now than before thanks to data received from irrelevant information conversation.
:IssaruNUM: What? Irrelevant!? How-
:LucraisNUM: Shut it, alright? No fighting or I’ll clobber you both, understand?
:IssaruNUM: Err… right…
:ArthurNUM: Tell us about chick who is trying to kill us, yes?
:IssaruNUM: …what does a chicken have to… oh, right, you mean Zulin? Well… she very stubborn, hotheaded and a bit… um… “simple”. She more about brute force then tactics, most of the time… if you ask me, the only reason she got into the position she was in was because she laid a batch of eggs in her superiors-
:LuciusNUM: We clearly don’t need to know that!
:CedricNUM: Well, so she’s no tactical genius, then? We can use that…

>I say we just go talk to Libby. I'd like to bring all the aliens along if it's possible to disguise them all, because I want to see how Lucius and Libby work together and both Wanderer and Issaru would love a library.
:LuciusNUM: Right, let’s go to the library then!
:CedricNUM: Um… isn’t it Friday? They close at eight on Fridays and weekends…
:LuciusNUM: …son of a-



:AtenaNUM: Brr… it’s starting to get cold, isn’t it?
:DaithiNUM: It is autumn after all… I heard there were even some snowfall up north…
:AtenaNUM: Thank you, Daithi, for lending me your jacket… you’re a true gentleman, you know that?
:DaithiNUM: Um… Thank you… err… someone as b-beautiful as you d-deserves… err… deserves someone… I mean, a true gentleman…
:AtenaNUM: Maybe I do… but, here we are… back home again…
:DaithiNUM: So… um… would a goodnight kiss be-
:AtenaNUM: You seem a bit cold, Daithi… do you want to come in for a while and warm yourself up over a cup of tea?
:DaithiNUM: Err… well, I-
:AtenaNUM: We can share those boxes of candies you bought me… I did see one rather interesting one… that large lollipop you bought…
:DaithiNUM: Err… heh… um… hehe… I… um…

Insert Clearly, this is the choice which will determine if you get the good ending or not_
>>
No. 598561 ID: 2fd516

>>598560
No hanky-panky on the first date, Atena.
>>
No. 598564 ID: 4f004c

>…is it just me or is all this rather… convenient?
We really have a way of making things convenient for ourselves, don't we?
>We speak better now than before thanks to data received from irrelevant information conversation.
The information may be irrelevant to the current situation, but it was relevant to your interests in that it was words you were hearing to adapt your speech.
>I did see one rather interesting one… that large lollipop you bought…
Please tell me it's of the large disk variety.
Sorry to intrude, guys, we seem to be hopping around at random, now. Well, somewhat random. Basically once one group becomes "useless" we get booted out to the next group, and that's you two.
Anyways, while a sleepover and some cuddles are certainly permissable, I'm pretty sure you don't want to be going any further while you've got us watching you. Unless you're some kind of exhibitionist. Please tell me you aren't. I mean, nothing wrong with being one, it's just I'm not interested in watching that sort of thing at the moment.
>>
No. 598566 ID: 9ddf68

Ahhhh, I'm glad you two had a great night, and I'm also glad to see that Daithi hasn't clawed his eyes out after seeing his mother's dress.

Anyways Daithi you should head inside, but uh, I'm sorry but we're probably going to talk business. Some things have happened and there's some things you should be aware of. I hate to kill the mood with business but it is going to effect both of you sooner rather then later so I'd like you to be ready for it sooner rather then later. Besides, it's not like Atena is planning on deflowering little Daithi here, not on the first date? it's much more fun to tease them and watch them squirm a little, it's adorable
>>
No. 598567 ID: d64d29

Man, why do we always have to crash in on the really sentimental moments. It's like the curse of the eternal third wheel.

Have fun, just don't get greedy.

>Insert Clearly, this is the choice which will determine if you get the good ending or not_
This will always be the fear. For every single update. Forever.
>>
No. 598628 ID: 2fdec1

>You seem a bit cold, Daithi… do you want to come in for a while and warm yourself up over a cup of tea?
Well, you are a gentleman, Dai, and far be it for a gentleman to turn down a lady's offer of a hot cup of tea, right?

>We can share those boxes of candies you bought me… I did see one rather interesting one… that large lollipop you bought…
"Boxes?" Dai, just how many sweets did you buy? We did caution not to go overboard with them, right? Well, better have some so Atena doesn't end up eating them all. Hm... I wonder if you could pick up a piece of candy using only your tongue, or even two pieces at once. That'd be a sight for Atena to see, yes? Though not as much of a sight as her demonstrating her skill on that lollipop would be for you, eh?

Now, you two go do whatever you feel comfortable doing together and see where things go, 'k. And don't get hung up on what you think can't do on a first date, y'hear. You wanna go all the way, then go all the way. You don't, you don't. You want to go part way, then do that. It's your choice, not other's.

Oh, and lets see what our corruption has to say about this. [Check pawn status] [Scan "The Magician" and "The Chariot"] [We're at 100% corruption and haven't lost, so *phbtht* to you, corruption! HA HA!]
>>
No. 598655 ID: 65a774
File 141355533373.png - (11.22KB , 900x450 , 96.png )
598655

>[Check pawn status]
[“Strength”: Annoyed. “The Tower”: Intrigued. “The Chariot”: Lustful, Happy. ”The High priestess”: Using some gods names in vain. “The Diligent”: Horny, nervous, hungry.]
>[Scan "The Magician"]
[Error! Unable to find "The Magician"!]

>"Boxes?" Dai, just how many sweets did you buy?
:DaithiNUM: (Err… a small chocolate box, a small box with butterscotch sweets and… um… the lollipop…)
>Please tell me it's of the large disk variety.
:DaithiNUM: (Hey, it was your idea to buy a rod shaped one!)
>I wonder if you could pick up a piece of candy using only your tongue, or even two pieces at once.
:DaithiNUM: (Hmmm…)

>It's not like Atena is planning on deflowering little Daithi here, not on the first date?
:AtenaNUM: (Err… of c-course not… I’m n-not that desperate… heh… hehe… um… )
>No hanky-panky on the first date, Atena.
:AtenaNUM: (Right… I’m a lady… I have to wait to at least the third date… maybe the second…)
>it's much more fun to tease them and watch them squirm a little, it's adorable.
:AtenaNUM: (Then again… patience is a virtue…)

>Well, you are a gentleman, Dai, and far be it for a gentleman to turn down a lady's offer of a hot cup of tea, right?
:DaithiNUM: As a true gentleman I can’t turn down your offer for a quick f- a cup of tea, my g-gracious lady.
:AtenaNUM: A quick cup?
>While a sleepover and some cuddles are certainly permissible, I'm pretty sure you don't want to be going any further while you've got us watching you.
:AtenaNUM: Well, let’s start off with some sweet tea and share that candy you bought me…
:DaithiNUM: That would be delightful.

>I'm sorry but we're probably going to talk business. Some things have happened and there's some things you should be aware of.
:AtenaNUM: Right, of course… never a free moment, is there?
:DaithiNUM: Not in the last few days, no… *grumble*… err…
:AtenaNUM: Hungry already? It wasn’t so long ago we ate…
:DaithiNUM: No, I’m *grumble* …um… a bit peckish, maybe?
:AtenaNUM: Well, you’re free to make a sandwich if you want too...
:DaithiNUM: I’m not really… um…

:DaithiNUM: (…I… I don’t feel really hungry… it’s more… more like an empty feeling?)
:AtenaNUM: Daithi? Are you alright?
:DaithiNUM: (… … …why have I never notice that Atena is rather… plump… and juicy before?)

Insert I’ve heard about looking at someone like they were a piece of meat, but this is ridicules_
>>
No. 598677 ID: 4f004c

>(… … …why have I never notice that Atena is rather… plump… and juicy before?)
@Daithi: Welcome to the world of romance. Now that your body has had a taste, it's requesting... emotion. Show her a lovely time, and your needs will be met. Just don't hurt her. Trust me on this. Your "empathy stomach" won't let you forget it.

@Atena: I'm afraid you've awoken quite a beast... Encourage him to be a gentleman, and to show you a good time; if you're experiencing a good time, his nature will reflect it back onto him, even if you weren't a reflective sort of gal in the first place.

(I swear, if anybody tries to call Daithi a demon here...)
>>
No. 598681 ID: 2fd516

>>598655
Huh, commands are working again? Or maybe it's just the status command.

God damn it. Daithi, control yourself. You must focus. You like Atena, you do not want to eat her.

Atena, why don't you get a mirror, and check Daithi out. You may have to escape out that window in a moment, because... well... Daithi is half-daemon, and he seems to be developing daemon needs. Like feeding on emotions, or souls. Being afraid at this point would be a good thing because that will satisfy his hunger!
>>
No. 598696 ID: 9ddf68

>commands working aging
the fuck?
>all pawns the same except for one
is this thing working again or is it still fucking with us? I'm guessing it's still fucking with us.

>why have I never notice that Atena is rather… plump… and juicy before?
you have, one of the first things you told us about her was that you thought she had a nice ass. You even went into a bit of detail about how nice you found her ass.
Also if your having trouble thinking we could always do the invisible squid slap I warned you about earlier. It basically works like this, we spin our body with our legs pointed out to gain momentum and then we basically "slap" (more like a spinning kick really) whoever in the face. Has around the same affect of being slapped with a glove but we're more slimy and whoever we hit tends to stink of fish for a day or two. Cause if you start doing weird things I will squid slap you.

Also if your not feeling well, maybe head back to your dorm, everyone else is already there.

Oh and that reminds me, business. Daithi already knows this but the three snake people that showed up hunting for the other 2 aliens are now trapped here themselves. The leader of the snake people's name is Issuru, talks through telepathy, and as such never shuts up once he gets going. Not to bad of a guy actually but has no common seance what so ever. His second in command who is head of security is now trying to kill him while he's here, say it was some unfortunate accident, the turn of this world basically killing everyone, people, deamons, everyone. just to scrap this place and try and get her 15 minutes of fame. We've been told she's quick to anger, stubborn as hell, and simple. Her name is also Zulin and it is quite possible that she's going to come down here with a death squad at some point with admin access and future weapons that can level cities in the blink of an eye to make sure the snake guy really does die. We are currently brain storming ideas on how to stop the bitch should she try and the only thing we really know for sure is she's probably going to attack the school since that's the only blind spot around here and all the aliens are hiding in there. Atena We're letting you know because you're the caption of the guard, not saying you should have every guard go to the school because that would be stupid, but if you could come up with some kind of evacuation plan, or counterattack should the school be assaulted it could go a long way to saving lives. Daithi we're telling you this because 2 of the aliens are currently living in your dorm, and the other 3 are living in the school chapel, and I wouldn't be surprised if they moved into your dorm as well to study the aliens... so yeah.

oh and one last test
[message to purple & white: hey can you guys hear us? I think we're starting to get some of our abilities back but some other shit has come up. Would rather talk about it in person as I don't trust our messaging right now]
>>
No. 598703 ID: 4f004c

>You may have to escape out that window in a moment, because... well... Daithi is half-daemon, and he seems to be developing daemon needs.
Dammit, what did I say? Daithi is a Mantis. The corruption may give him some odd thoughts, but it doesn't make him a demon. Good emotions, like joy and whatnot, fill up a Daemon... If he were a Daemon, he'd have every reason to resume being a gentleman, anyways, as the joy he brought would bring him joy.

Actually, I'm pretty sure Mantises are just incredibly empathic. It's probably why they enjoy quadranmorous relationships--The joy of three partners is felt all together. And Daithi being the virgin that he is, never having even been on a date... Suddenly feeling that empathy would be very odd for him.
>>
No. 598704 ID: 2fd516

>>598703
I wasn't talking to Daithi. Are you saying you don't want to warn Atena that she may be about to be eaten? He's The Diligent now. WASSSS ONCE A MANTISSS
>>
No. 598707 ID: d64d29

>”The High priestess”: Using some gods names in vain
>[Error! Unable to find "The Magician"!]
Well that could be a problem. [scan corruption] Everyone just stay calm, we'll figure this out.
>… … …why have I never notice that Atena is rather… plump… and juicy before?
You did notice, but not in this context. Come on Dai, you're not thinking straight, it's the corruption.
>>
No. 598714 ID: 4f004c

>>598711
>Goddammit, if Atena gets eaten here 'cause of what you said... Grrrr...
You mean me telling Daithi to feed up on good emotions that taste great by being a good person rather than evil? The only "Eating" of Atena that would happen would be sexual. Telling him he needs to hurt people to fill himself up will just make him start hurting the people he cares about, jerk.
BOB LIED FOR A REASON, AND I DID TOO.
>>598704
I'm saying we shouldn't make Atena flip her shit and hurt Daithi and unleash his full daemonhood. Tell her he's corrupted and thinking in an odd way, she'll be cautious but NOT flip her shit. Come on, people. Caution in wording. It's Nickolas and Lucrais who can know, not Atena and Daithi.
>>
No. 598718 ID: 2fdec1

>>598714
...Well, you coulda fuckin' said that's what you were gonna do in a damn spoiler so we'd know. As is it looked to me like you were completely ill-informed.

Alright, I'm gonna go along with your plan and say to redact anything that contradicts it that I and anybody else said here. ...I can only hope it doesn't backfire horribly on us...
>>
No. 598721 ID: 65a774
File 141357662184.png - (11.05KB , 900x450 , 97.png )
598721

>[message to purple & white: hey can you guys hear us? I think we're starting to get some of our abilities back but some other shit has come up. Would rather talk about it in person as I don't trust our messaging right now]
[Purple: Ah! You’re back! Good to know!]
[White: …so, are you alright now?]
>[scan corruption]
[“The Diligent” have been claimed by “The Magician”!]

>You did notice, but not in this context. Come on Dai, you're not thinking straight, it's the corruption.
:DaithiNUM: Such succulent and fat piece of meat…
:AtenaNUM: Um… Daithi? You’re kind of- wait, did you call me fat?
>God damn it. Daithi, control yourself. You must focus. You like Atena, you do not want to eat her.
:DaithiNUM: But she looks so delicious!
:AtenaNUM: Okay, you’re no longer so much creepy as dangerous. One step closer and I’ll clobber you, Dai. I’m warning you!
>Atena, why don't you get a mirror, and check Daithi out.
:AtenaNUM: Oh, right, I got a hand mirror on me… one second… hmm… looks like… that’s… um… there’s a large black snake constricting his midsection while pulling him away from me? …that would explain why he hasn’t attacked yet…
:DaithiNUM: Let go of me! I will just put her in my tummy where she belongs!
>You may have to escape out that window in a moment, because... well... Daithi is half-daemon, and he seems to be developing daemon needs.
:AtenaNUM: I’m not running away so he can hurt someone else… or himself. Even if I have to hurt him to stop him…
>Being afraid at this point would be a good thing because that will satisfy his hunger!
:AtenaNUM: Does anger do the job too?
:DaithiNUM: I will consu- OW! Someone bit me! …I… Um… what just happened? err… why are you wielding a big club?
:AtenaNUM: …someone bit me?
:DaithiNUM: Yeah, felt like someone bit me right in the shoulder and… um… something is pulling me toward the door!? The hell!?

>Daithi already knows this but the three snake people that showed up hunting for the other 2 aliens are now trapped here themselves.
:AtenaNUM: …how many of those weird things are coming!? Aren’t the freaking demons enough as it is!?
>The leader of the snake people's name is Issuru, talks through telepathy, and as such never shuts up once he gets going. Not too bad of a guy actually but has no common sense what so ever.
:AtenaNUM: Great… so the one who is supposed to be reasonable is a buffoon…
>His second in command who is head of security is now trying to kill him while he's here, say it was some unfortunate accident, the turn of this world basically killing everyone, people, deamons, everyone. just to scrap this place and try and get her 15 minutes of fame.
:AtenaNUM: I keep believing it can’t get worse but still it does somehow… I guess being an optimist doesn’t really work out in this world any longer…
>If you could come up with some kind of evacuation plan, or counterattack should the school be assaulted it could go a long way to saving lives.
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… I’ll think about it… but first… what the hell, Daithi?
:DaithiNUM: Huh?
:AtenaNUM: You started to blabber about eating me a moment ago!
:DaithiNUM: I… did? Oh… I… I did… by Jove…

>Also if you’re not feeling well, maybe head back to your dorm, everyone else is already there.
:DaithiNUM: …Maybe… maybe I should leave?
:AtenaNUM: Not before I get a bit of an explanation.
:DaithiNUM: I… started to feel hungry and… well, I’m still hungry but… then…I started hearing whispering in… um… in my own voice…
:AtenaNUM: …who told you to eat me?
:DaithiNUM: No, it told me to stay away from you… to… calm down… and… it tried to pull me away and… then it bit me?
:AtenaNUM: …So… it’s true? You’re some kind of half demon or…?
:DaithiNUM: I don’t know! I just… I need to get back to the dorm! I... I need to sleep... I… the door… it got a lock on the outside… they can lock me in… in case if I can control myself again… and… and Lucius said he doesn’t really need to sleep so-
:AtenaNUM: Daithi, calm down… we need to get to the bottom of this... hmm, saw some kind of black snake restricting you… what was that?
:DaithiNUM: …demon? I don’t know…
:AtenaNUM: …why do I get a feeling we need to talk to that thing to figure this out?
:DaithiNUM: …wait… did it have a skull for a head? The snake, I mean?
:AtenaNUM: Um… it was white headed, yeah… how do-
:DaithiNUM: I think I’ve seen something like that before… in my dreams…

Insert Dreaming wide awake_
>>
No. 598722 ID: 2fd516

>>598721
Alright, we're finally getting down to the bottom of this. Tell us about your dreams, Daithi.

Atena, you should keep your distance, still. Proximity may trigger his urges again. Do you have any raw meat in the house? If he can eat that, that may help. It helped the last time we had to deal with cannibalistic urges. Back when we were with Claire... she was a lich. Not the same thing, but... similar, I think.
>>
No. 598723 ID: 131423

..Your OWN voice?
So like you were trying to tell yourself not too?

BTW, we see the snake vaguely on the cabinet, apparently that's shiny enough for us to see a minor reflection in it.
>>
No. 598728 ID: d64d29

Everyone put down your weapons and start explaining. Also, chocolate. It makes everything better.

Okay so it seems like 'the magician', that's Dai, claimed 'the Diligent'. We don't know who that is or what the dynamic is here, but it looks like 'The Diligent' is somehow influencing Dai, or possibly vise versa. We could ask Cena, but we'd like for daemonic bullshittery to not ruin EVERYONE's evening.
>>
No. 598729 ID: 9ddf68

>[White: …so, are you alright now?]
[reply: NO FUCKING IDEA. right now Daithi is either going through deamon puberty or we're getting hit by a wammy of a hallucination. The first one seems more likely but in this world one can never really trust there eyes alone. We'll let you know more once we figure it out. Or you can just keep asking questions and we'll answer them, we've gotten good a juggling 10 things at once]

> I think I’ve seen something like that before… in my dreams…
and I think I see it right now, wonder if we can talk to it
[message to "skull snake": so can you tell us what the hell is going on?]

>[“The Diligent” have been claimed by “The Magician”!]
...duh fuck?

[scan everything in the room]
>>
No. 598731 ID: 4f004c

>there’s a large black snake constricting his midsection while pulling him away from me?
That would be Daithi, "The Magician." He has stolen Daithi, "The Diligent" from us, while still being our pawn, so I don't even know what the fuck.
[Message The Magician: Are you alright?!]
>I think I’ve seen something like that before… in my dreams…
Wait, you saw that, as you, Daithi, The Magician? Strange. Are we looking at things backwards? Is your dream showing you yourself, or is it actually The Diligent One? Maybe you're trading places?
[If messaging The Magician failed, direct message to The Diligent One instead]
>We could ask Cena, but we'd like for daemonic bullshittery to not ruin EVERYONE's evening.
Fair point...
>[Purple: Ah! You’re back! Good to know!]
>[White: …so, are you alright now?]
[Message Purple & White: We're... okay, I suppose? Our King became a Player, though, and claimed himself, while we still have claim over him, so I don't know what anymore.
Uh, let's see. There are two Daithis, despite there only being one, but one is the Player or Daemon, something that seems to be able to trade places; the other is the Mortal/Posessed Mantis, whichever is actively in the body at the time. The Daemon/Possessed is The Diligent One, while the Mortal/Player is The Magician. We're going to need to set a serious watch on him. It's a good thing everybody's already hanging around his dorms! Hahah... Humor in a sad moment, I would be frowning if I had a mouth.]
[Message Purple: If Ceana's "Honeymoon Reenactment" is over, let us know. We don't want to bother her if it's still going.]
>>
No. 598732 ID: 4f004c

Oh, I forget this one bit
[Message Purple & White: Both the Daemon and the Player have the same appearance--a black snake with a white skull.]
>>
No. 598734 ID: 2fd516

Weird theory here, but what if The Magician is the daemon part, and The Diligent is the mantis part? The daemon is our King, who claimed Daithi as a pawn of sorts.
>>
No. 598738 ID: 65a774
File 141358526424.png - (10.79KB , 900x450 , 98.png )
598738

>[Message Purple & White: We're... okay, I suppose? Our King became a Player, though, and claimed himself, while we still have claim over him, so I don't know what anymore.]
[White / Purple: …what?]
>[reply: NO FUCKING IDEA. right now Daithi is either going through deamon puberty or we're getting hit by a wammy of a hallucination.]
[White: So… his voice is starting to break again?]
[Purple: …right…]
>[Message Purple: If Ceana's "Honeymoon Reenactment" is over, let us know. We don't want to bother her if it's still going.]
[Purple: Um… let’s just say that when I left them a few minutes ago, they were about to start… um… reenacting the conceiving of their children again…]
>[scan everything in the room]
[To many objects! Please specify your scan!]

>Atena, you should keep your distance, still. Proximity may trigger his urges again.
:AtenaNUM: Right, I’m staying in this part of the room…
>Do you have any raw meat in the house? If he can eat that, that may help.
:AtenaNUM: Sorry, but not really…
:DaithiNUM: I’m not eating raw meat! Ugh!
>Alright, we're finally getting down to the bottom of this. Tell us about your dreams, Daithi.
:DaithiNUM: I… I don’t know… it’s not like they are all that consistent… sure, I do have nightmares about mirrors and being abandoned and stuff like that but… um… there usually is a big snake hanging around… just… sitting there… I generally don’t even think about him…
>...Your OWN voice? So like you were trying to tell yourself not too?
:DaithiNUM: Yeah… that’s it…
>Okay so it seems like 'the magician', that's Dai, claimed 'the Diligent'. We don't know who that is or what the dynamic is here, but it looks like 'The Diligent' is somehow influencing Dai, or possibly vice versa.
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… so… is this some kind of Mr. Hyde kind of deal?
>BTW, we see the snake vaguely on the cabinet, apparently that's shiny enough for us to see a minor reflection in it.
:DaithiNUM: WHAT!? WHERE!?
:AtenaNUM: I can’t see anything… there’s nothing in my mirror either…

>Everyone put down your weapons and start explaining. Also, chocolate. It makes everything better.
:DaithiNUM: I don’t really want chocolate… I… want to sleep… I just want to lie down and forget about this... at least for now…
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… it seems like that experience left you a bit drained…
:DaithiNUM: I’m tired… and hungry… and cold… and I got a headache… I just… want to lie down…
:AtenaNUM: Hmm… so… the snake is in your dreams? Maybe you can communicate with it there?
:DaithiNUM: …I… I’m usually not lucid in my dreams…

Insert Look out for the demon zits!_
>>
No. 598746 ID: dbe554

Well...We can poke around in there with your permission. We promise not to do anything that would cause issues for you..Or cause anything more perverted then say heavy petting.
>>
No. 598751 ID: 2fd516

>>598738
We'll help. Go home and sleep, Daithi. We'll have a chat with your snake, even if you can't.
[scan that mantis]

[@Purple: I'm surprised you aren't going to war or at least breaking the alliance with us from even the suspicion of our King being a daemon or half-daemon or possessed by a daemon or whatever's going on.]
>>
No. 598761 ID: 9ddf68

>>598738
>[White: So… his voice is starting to break again?]
>[Purple: …right…]
eh more like he's gaining a hunger for flesh and souls, but there's this shadow snake thing wearing a skull that's trying to keep him from reenacting a monster from a cheap bargain bin novel. We got him back to normal easily enough and now we're trying to figure out how to get Daithi to lucid dream since the only place he knows were we can find the skull snake is in his dreams so we can ask it what the fuck is going on. Don't worry we've done crap like this before once you figure out how to do something the rest just falls into place.
Also I find it adorable that you two are finishing each other sentences.

>…I… I’m usually not lucid in my dreams…
we'll ask around to see if people know how to induce licid dreams, or hell we might just be able to jump into your dream and ask for you, I mean we've gone dream diving before.
>>
No. 598780 ID: d64d29

>Hmm… so… is this some kind of Mr. Hyde kind of deal?
Could be. We need to figure out the dynamic between the charming 'The Magician' Dai and the Hannibal Lecter 'The Diligent' Dai.

Uh, any ideas so this date doesn't end on a sour note?
>>
No. 598783 ID: 4f004c

>[White: So… his voice is starting to break again?]
[Reply: ...Again? This has happened before? Strange that we can suddenly see him as a Player, though.
White, we're attempting to figure out what we can about this situation, if you know anything that may help, please relay it over.]
>um… reenacting the conceiving of their children again…
[Reply: Right... Well, Daithi will either collapse into a state of sleep at Atena's, or he'll return to the Dormitory. If he manages to return, Arthur and Lucrais might be of help. White seems to know a bit about this, too, so Cedric may also be of assistance.]
[@White: Say, if you knew about the voice, why didn't you bring it up when we were discussing the potential of him being a Daemon?]
>Hmm… so… is this some kind of Mr. Hyde kind of deal?
...I've never read that book. Did Jackyl and Hyde have some sort of influence on one another? I always thought they were two completely separate entities, unaware of the other personality, except for the rumors of what they had done spoken by others.
Daithi may not even have been fully aware of what was going on, consciously, and it was a subconscious act to start stopping himself.
>>
No. 598809 ID: 2fdec1

[Check our corruption/purification levels and that of all our pawns] [Scan all pawns within range] [Check pawn status]

Dai, we could try to enter your dream and speak with the snake ourselves; We only ask for your permission to enter. I'm not sure we actually need your permission to, but it's such a personal intrusion that it'd be bad of us if we didn't get your consent.

>…I… I’m usually not lucid in my dreams…
"Usually?" There have been times when you were? What were those like? Was there anything in particular you think induced you into a lucid dream? Anything that happened beforehand? 'Cause if we could get you into a lucid dream then it'd be better to have you along then to have just us in there.

Atena, do you think it'd make sense that instead of having Dai go back to his dorm that you'd have him locked up in a jail cell for the night, just to be sure he can't get out if something goes wrong. And you did say your place is attached to the city guard station, so it'd be a far shorter trip then back to the Academy as well. But if you think he can make it back to the Academy without passing out, then perhaps have him escorted by a couple guards to make sure he does get back to his dorm.

>>598780
>Uh, any ideas so this date doesn't end on a sour note?
After what happened I think it's already too late for that. Dai's not even going to get a goodnight kiss from Atena since she's gonna want to keep back from him now, so there's that to add to the bummer pile. Man, I hope this isn't something that's going to happen every time Dai might get some. Having daemons in you or whatever he has is bad enough, but being stuck a virgin 'cause of it would be just too much.

[@White, @Purple: Alright, here's what happened with Dai. He and Atena came into her kitchen for some hot tea. Then Dai suddenly became hungry and we saw that his eyes had a red tint to them. When we checked his status we found that his pawn name had changed from "The Magician" to "The Diligent." Then he had said things indicating he wanted to eat Atena in a quite literal sense and attempted to move on her but was unable to. When Atena checked in the mirror there appeared to be a large black snake with a white face coiled around Dai's midsection pulling him back. It then bit him on the shoulder, he became himself again, we got the bizarre message '“The Diligent” have been claimed by “The Magician.”' According to Dai he heard it speak to him in his own voice, telling him to stay away from Atena and calm down before it bit him. And when Atena told him that it looked like a black snake with a white, skull-like face, Dai said he'd seen it before in his dreams; In almost all of them, just sitting there in the background.]

[@Purple: Have you heard of a daemon or any other entity that appears in either dreams or visions as a large black snake with a white, skull-like face or mask?]

[@White, @Purple: Please check our pawns' status and their and our corruption and purification levels and let us know what they are and, if you can, who's corruption/purification it is; I believe you can do that if the target is at 100% of either. Also, is there an log of statuses and corruption/purification levels you or us can check? And it'd probably be prudent to check our status and corruption levels regularly and often from now on so we don't get something like what happened sneaking up on us again. Plus it'd also alert you that things have likely gone very wrong if Daithi goes from "The Magician" to "The Diligent" for any length of time.]

[@White, @Purple: If you can get in contact with our snakey friend again, ask him to check the Creator's codex for known bugs, glitches, broken mechanics and such in this version of the game. If there is then not only would I like to know if our 100% corruption/purification situation was on there and if so what it says about it but I'd also like him to skim it for anything we might be able to use against Zulin that wouldn't break the world too.]

>[Purple: Um… let’s just say that when I left them a few minutes ago, they were about to start… um… reenacting the conceiving of their children again…]
[Reply: Ah, right. Well, it's not nearly urgent enough to interrupt the only night of passion Ceana has had in months. Okay, in that case first thing in the morning could you ask Cathal to grill Ceana for all she can remember from after Daithi was born until his recovery from being the "runt of the litter." I really want to figure out how the heck the Benevolent One caught wind of him and his situation then to pick him out for whatever the fuck she did to him.]
>>
No. 598836 ID: 65a774
File 141364866338.png - (26.19KB , 900x450 , 99.png )
598836

>[Check pawn status]
[“Strength”: Tired. “The Tower”: Tired. “The Chariot”: Confused, angry, turned on. ”The High priestess”: Still using some gods names in vain. “The Diligent”: Scared, Hungry.]
>[scan that mantis]
[“The Diligent”: Scared, Hungry.]
>[Check our corruption/purification levels and that of all our pawns]
[Current corruption / purification level: 0%]

>[@White, @Purple: Alright, here's what happened with Dai…]
[Purple: Hmm…]
[White: Holy crap, that’s… I… um… that’s rather bad, isn’t it?]
>[@Purple: I'm surprised you aren't going to war or at least breaking the alliance with us from even the suspicion of our King being a daemon or half-daemon or possessed by a daemon or whatever's going on.]
[Purple: Easier way to keep my eyes on him, no? Besides, you did tell me that some demons can be… well, not really demon like. I’ll see how this play out before taking action.]
>[@Purple: Have you heard of a daemon or any other entity that appears in either dreams or visions as a large black snake with a white, skull-like face or mask?]
[I can’t say I have…]
>[@White: ...Again? This has happened before?]
[White: Huh? What, no! I just cracked a bit of a joke! You said he was going to demon puberty so… um… voice cracking is something that happens when you go through normal puberty, right?]
>[@White, @Purple: Please check our pawns' status and their and our corruption and purification levels and let us know what they are and, if you can, who's corruption/purification it is]
[Can’t see any purification or corruption, boss.]
>[@White, @Purple: If you can get in contact with our snakey friend again, ask him to check the Creator's codex for known bugs, glitches, broken mechanics and such in this version of the game.]
[I’ll see what I can do.]

>Go home and sleep, Daithi. We'll have a chat with your snake, even if you can't.
:DaithiNUM: Yeah, we… we really need to understand what’s happening.
>Well...We can poke around in there with your permission. We promise not to do anything that would cause issues for you… Or cause anything more perverted then say heavy petting.
:DaithiNUM: Of course you have my permission! I need to know what’s happening!
>"Usually?" There have been times when you were? What were those like? Was there anything in particular you think induced you into a lucid dream?
:DaithiNUM: Um… I don’t know… I think I’ve had some lucid dreams… where I can… um… kind of control things… a bit…

>Uh, any ideas so this date doesn't end on a sour note?
:DaithiNUM: Well… err…
:AtenaNUM:
>After what happened I think it's already too late for that. Dai's not even going to get a goodnight kiss from Atena since she's gonna want to keep back from him now, so there's that to add to the bummer pile.
:DaithiNUM: Oh… I… I guess this date was a bit of a-
:AtenaNUM: Don’t beat yourself up, Dai. I had a wonderful evening… even if the ending wasn’t up to par. So long as you can get this… this hunger under control I’m sure we can have another date… this one with a more… earth shaking ending.
:DaithiNUM: Err…
>Atena, do you think it'd make sense that instead of having Dai go back to his dorm that you'd have him locked up in a jail cell for the night, just to be sure he can't get out if something goes wrong.
:AtenaNUM: I can’t just lock people up like that! They need to go through the proper channels and… err… I have to actually arrest them for something. I rather not have Daithis perfect record stained if I can help it.

>If you think he can make it back to the Academy without passing out, then perhaps have him escorted by a couple guards to make sure he does get back to his dorm.
:DaithiNUM: Um… don’t worry… I can make it back on my own.
:AtenaNUM: I will not have you walk back alone, Dai. Wait here, I need to go find some night guards.
:DaithiNUM: But… um… alright…



:GuardNUM: So, escort your date back to the commander academy? Got it. So… where is he?
:AtenaNUM: Daithi? Daithi, are you still- Dammit, he went off alone! Why would he- never mind. Guards, go out there and find him, then take him back home! I can’t have him wander the streets unsupervised.
:GuardNUM: Err… is it really nec-
:AtenaNUM: Now!
:GuardNUM: At once!
>>
No. 598837 ID: 65a774
File 141364867705.png - (21.12KB , 900x450 , 100.png )
598837

:DaithiNUM: Dammit Dai… what are you doing? Why did you leave? why did you leave that delicious piece of meat… …dammit, she’ll have my head tomorrow, won’t she… I… I need to eat something… find someone… feed on them… consume them! I… can’t… not be close to anyone… find… find… almost at the school… So much prey there… what are saying I need to find? Go to the school chicken coop? MEAT! To ea-
:UnknownKAK: Why, hello there, Dai…
:DaithiNUM: Err… who… wait, you’re the bully! Wha-
:UnknownKAK: Such a pleasure meeting you here, in the middle of the night… alone…

Insert BEWARE, I LIVE! I HUNGER! RAAWRR!!!_
>>
No. 598839 ID: 9ddf68

turn towards her slowly, look her in the eyes, and say "if you were to die here tonight no one would notice." then just stare at her, without any emotion on your face, without reacting to anything she says, just stare. You'll either creep her out and get her to leave, or she be a dumb bitch and try and attack you. Like I said earlier you have fought and won against cultist and shape stealers plus we can back you up. What's this bitch got?

Also good call with the chickens there Clair, good safe way to keep your sanity in check without hurting anyone.
>>
No. 598841 ID: d64d29

Be the better man, ignore her. Some guards are already looking for you- they can sort this out and then you can go back to your room and get some shuteye.
>>
No. 598842 ID: 4f004c

>Such a pleasure meeting you here, in the middle of the night… alone…
What, so all this time that you've been bullying me, it's actually just your way of trying to get my attention, because you find me attractive?!
Seriously, that's what she's making it sound like. You should totally ask her that.
[Engage creeper mode, brush her abdomen; influence thought: Lust]
>"if you were to die here tonight no one would notice."
What? No, don't do that. That's just asking to get into trouble. She is alone, though, and with your power, it should certainly be possible to defend yourself. Not to mention we'll be able to link up and trip her or something. Just don't actually fight her if she doesn't show an interest in fighting.
>Also good call with the chickens there Clair, good safe way to keep your sanity in check without hurting anyone.
Chickens should be useful, yeah. Sushi or Sashimi are also good.
[Contact Purple: In the woods near the Guard Captain's Quarters, hurry. I hope you've got somebody close enough.]
>>
No. 598844 ID: d64d29

>>598842
>[Engage creeper mode, brush her abdomen; influence thought: Lust]
Let's not. I'd hate for Dai to be assaulted in that way, too.
>>
No. 598846 ID: 2fd516

>>598837
Tell her you're glad to see her, you needed a sacrifice for the ritual. Try to scare her off. If you can't scare her off, ditch the lantern and fucking run. You're wearing a dark outfit so you'll be harder to see in the darkness.

GO FIND SOME CHICKENS. Raw meat, dammit. You need raw meat.

>>598842
Let's not get ask Purple to get anywhere near Daithi as he is right now. If he winds up eating someone, and Purple witnesses it, we've just lost an ally. Plus, Daithi might even attack whatever pawn Purple sends.
>>
No. 598849 ID: 2fdec1

Oh, for fuck's sake! Of all the fuckin' times that bully could show up, she shows up NOW, at the worst goddamn time?! What the fuck is she even doing out in the woods alone at this hour anyway?! ...Oh, for... She's been stalking you. That's it, isn't it? She's been following you ever since you went on your date. That's how come she's behind you right now. She saw you head into the woods and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get you alone for whatever horrible thing she wants to do to you. ...Goddammit, why the fuck does she hate you so much?! What the hell does she think you did to her?!

Daithi, you can't lose control here! You can't allow the hunger to take control! If you lose it you'll kill her and then the guards Atena sent to find you will find the bloody scene and then you'll be hauled in for murder and then Atena will have to cover it up and you don't want to put her through that! She'll never want to be with you again then!

Dai, how close is the Academy? Are you close enough that you think that sprinting as fast as you can you could get within earshot of the gate guards before the bully catches up with you? 'Cause if you can then make a break for it, yelling for help as soon as you're close enough for them to hear. Otherwise... You're going to have to keep her talking until the city guards catch up. Make sure you talk loud, and KEEP THE FUCK BACK from her. Ask her in just what is her problem with you. Why has she singled you out for this? Why are you so damn threatening to her that she has to abuse you like she has?

[@White: Dammit, Dai took off while Atena was getting guards to escort him back to the Academy! He's in the woods near the Academy now, but that female mantis bully that's been hounding him just showed up behind him. That's bad enough but the hunger of the Diligent is rising and I don't know if Dai can keep control. I fear there's going to be a murder one way or another. We need you to get somebody, anybody, out here to stop this! Follow whatever the shortest path is through the woods to Atena's place to find us, just please hurry! Oh, and bring a couple live chickens for him to eat!]
>>
No. 598921 ID: 65a774
File 141373574592.png - (21.56KB , 900x450 , 101.png )
598921

>[@White: Dammit, Dai took off while Atena was getting guards to escort him back to the Academy! He's in the woods near the Academy now, but that female mantis bully that's been hounding him just showed up behind him.]
[White: Wow, talk about bad timing… so… you want help?]
>[That's bad enough but the hunger of the Diligent is rising and I don't know if Dai can keep control. I fear there's going to be a murder one way or another.]
[White: …wait, murder!? He’s really so- but he was- Daithi really is some kind of half demon!? But… I… we…]
>[We need you to get somebody, anybody, out here to stop this! Follow whatever the shortest path is through the woods to Atena's place to find us, just please hurry! Oh, and bring a couple live chickens for him to eat!]
[White: We’re on our way! Don’t worry, will fix this! Somehow… um… and chickens? Wait, let me ask purple if that will even work…]

>Oh, for fuck's sake! Of all the fuckin' times that bully could show up, she shows up NOW, at the worst goddamn time?!
DAMN YOU FINAGLE'S LAW!
>Daithi, you can't lose control here! You can't allow the hunger to take control! If you lose it you'll kill her and then the guards Atena sent to find you will find the bloody scene!
You don’t want to eat her! You don’t want to eat that bitch! You don’t want to eat that weak willed bitch! You don’t want to consume that succulent piece of weak willed meat! You don’t want to know that those that are weak willed taste delicious! You won’t leave any blood of you don’t chew! Eat her whole! You can- ARGH! STOP IT, BRAIN! DON’T EAT HER!

[White: Purple said that demons need to eat things that feel strong emotion, as in people. So… um… chicken won’t work… probably… it worth a try, maybe? Either way, we’re on our way and… um… I guess I can ask Nickolas to forward a prayer from me, maybe?]

>Be the better man, ignore her.
:DaithiNUM:
:UnknownKAK: Hey! Don’t you dare walk away from me! I’m warning you, I got a heavy lantern, a good throwing arm and your head is a big target! If you don’t stop then you’ll find out firsthand what metal does to a mantis head.
>You're going to have to keep her talking until the city guards catch up. Make sure you talk loud, and KEEP THE FUCK BACK from her.
:UnknownKAK: That’s better, twerp… now, get ready for a beating of life time.
>What the fuck is she even doing out in the woods alone at this hour anyway?! ...Oh, for... She's been stalking you. That's it, isn't it?
:DaithiNUM: Can I ask a question first? What are you even doing here?
:UnknownKAK: Why would I even-
:DaithiNUM: Are you following me!? Is that what you’ve been doing on a Friday night?
:UnknownKAK: …what? No! I was at a party and I’m on my way home. I just saw the light from your lantern and… I don’t need to justify myself to you, worm!
>Goddammit, why the fuck does she hate you so much?! What the hell does she think you did to her?!
:UnknownKAK: You… You’re an insult to all of us, that’s why! How dare you even try going against our culture and tradition! You’re a man! You’re supposed to be weak and timid! You’re supposed to stay in the freaking kitchen while we real woman go out there and deal with the real world! You’re not supposed to be some kind of commander! It’s wrong, perverted and I’m going to fix it!
:DaithiNUM: With violence?
:UnknownKAK: If that what’s it takes!
>What, so all this time that you've been bullying me, it's actually just your way of trying to get my attention, because you find me attractive?!
:UnknownKAK: …I was going to just beat you up but… hmm… there’s a swamp here nearby… if I throw you into it they’ll never find your body.
:DaithiNUM: Err… wait, are you sa-
:UnknownKAK: It’s been fun, Daithi, but I believe I’m going to strangle you to death now. Don’t be sad, see it as a favor for the rest of our species.
:DaithiNUM: You’re nuts! I… um… there are guards coming this way! They’ll arrest you!
:UnknownKAK: Ha! Like they’ll find me out here! No, it’s time to say goodbye, Dai…

>Ditch the lantern and fucking run. You're wearing a dark outfit so you'll be harder to see in the darkness.
:DaithiNUM: AAAAH!!
:UnknownKAK: Ha! That’s right, cow-


:DaithiNUM: …ahh?

:DaithiNUM: …um… why can’t I move?
:DilligentNUM: Because our second mother blessed us with extra time.
:DaithiNUM: AH! You’re… you’re the demon?
:DilligentNUM: Demon? No, I’m Daithi.
:DaithiNUM: …wait… so… I’m the demon?
:DilligentNUM: You’re Daithi too. We’re both Daithi. We are the same being. We both see through our eyes, speak through our mouth and make the same decisions.
:DaithiNUM: …so, you’re like a split personality or…?
:DilligentNUM: What? No! What part of “we’re the same being” don’t you understand! I’m you just like you’re me. Now, we need to do something about our current situation. Let’s see…we’re on the run from a psychopath that’s stronger and more well trained then us, we’re about the get hit in the back of our head with a lantern and we’re just about to run into a pitch black forest. Even without the “getting hit by lantern” part I’ll say we’ll make it about ten meters before tripping and her catching up. So… any ideas how can solve this?
:DaithiNUM: Err… don’t you have any demon powers or something?
:DilligentNUM: Oh! Of course! I just don’t know what we can do! We are the son of the deceiver so… um… probably things connected to her? Maybe?
:DaithiNUM: …geez, to think, this morning I was worried about a date…

Insert Suddenly demon!_
>>
No. 598925 ID: 71b9f1

DUCK!
Okay, tutorial time.
First off, she probably can't see the beak-snake, otherwise she will flip out. If she flips out we can probably just scare her into retreating. Should she not flip out, that means beak snake SHOULD be able to lock her in place much like it just did without fear of reprisal.
Alternatively, trip her with the beak snake, head butt her from behind-all sorts of shenanigans we can pull with a invisible limb that can bite things.
The REAL problem we will have, is if bully there flips out but continues to attack. I suspect Bone snake could still be very useful, if for no other reason than simply enabling Daithi to go for a restraining move wile the Bone Snake beats her like a drum.
Even considering all that falls through if Bone Snake is only 'solid' to Daithi, it can probably still run distraction/misdirection...
But as for Demonic Powers? I figure whisper things like 'you do not want to do this' into her ears, should get her to break off what she's doing, and quickly.
>>
No. 598926 ID: d64d29

>same being
Looks like you'll have to learn to love yourself, Daithi.
...Daithis. I guess I'll nickname your daemonic half 'Id' because it keeps asking you to eat people.
Whatever. Pronouns aren't as important as allegiances, so, can you trust yourself?

> So… any ideas how can solve this?
Keep those red eyes going, slow time or improve reflexes enough so that you can turn around and catch the lantern, then grow Shapechanger tenacles and shout 'BIG GODDAMN MISTAKE'. Bully fears Dai, Dai eats fear. Not the bully. Don't eat the bully. It's a bluff, but that's what The Deceiver is good at, right?
>>
No. 598928 ID: 9ddf68

>So… um… chicken won’t work… probably… it worth a try, maybe?
[reply: We're basing this off a very similar situation we had a long time ago. and thinking back on it this time is almost playing off exactly like last time. Sorta like the same play with different actors... I just hope to GOD and the stars above that this time we don't get stuck in a massive illusion were we watch our friends die repeatedly in front of us while we can only watch helplessly on the sidelines while looking at every ceiling pattern and carpet fiber trying to the one that doesn't match so we can know for sure that we're trapped in a massive illusion and brake it only to end up in another illusion to do it all over again. It's not fun let me tell you and it's left us paranoid as hell.]

>I just don’t know what we can do! We are the son of the deceiver so… um… probably things connected to her? Maybe?
So, uh, duck the lamp but make here "see" hit you and you just go up in flames. Death screams if you want. then while she "sees" that have "you" walk up behind here and ask what the hell she is doing out here. When she turns to see the second "you" then turns back to see the first "you" that should be burning have it disappear without a trace expect for her lantern on the ground. Depending on what she does next well also set up our next course of action. Also the whole time this is happening hide in the woods out of sight. Since you're the son of the deceiver or whatever I'm guessing you have illusion powers. with the exception of me saying hide in the woods every time I said you I meant an illusion.
>>
No. 598930 ID: 2fd516

>>598921
The Deceiver is good at illusion and stealing memories. After dodging the lantern you could try reaching out to her mind, and going through her memories to find a psychological weakness.
>>
No. 598938 ID: 4f004c

The Deceiver produces lies... Duck under the lantern and create the illusion of running one direction while you actually sneak off in the other direction. If that's even possible.
>Daithi really is some kind of half demon!? But… I… we…
[Reply: Did you think we would joke about our king being a daemon!?
Diligent seems to think he can possibly be the same exact Daithi as Daithi, even though they're obviously thinking with different mindsets. While I doubt anybody can get out here quick enough to solve things on their side, help would still be VERY much appreciated. When Daithi suggested using Daemon powers, Diligent said that as the son of The Deceiver, they should have something similar to her power, so we'll see if he can create an illusion to throw this bully off track and buy the time needed for whoever you send to get here.]
>>
No. 598984 ID: 01745f

>What? No! What part of “we’re the same being” don’t you understand!
I feel like there is at least a bit of distinction to be made, as Snake-Daithi has thoughts and some knowledge that Mantis-Daithi does not (like the extra time thing). That could come in handy though since it would let you think or concentrate about two different things (such as perhaps mundane fighting and demon magic) at the same time.
>>
No. 598998 ID: 65a774
File 141382353012.png - (20.72KB , 900x450 , 102.png )
598998

>DUCK!
:DaithiNUM: AH!! I can’t du-
:DilligentNUM: When I said that mother gave us more time I meant that she froze it for a moment.
:DaithiNUM: Oh, right…
>First off, she probably can't see the beak-snake, otherwise she will flip out.
:DilligentNUM: No one can see me because this form doesn’t actually exist. I’m just a part of our mind, Daithi. So… the only one I can manipulate is you.
>Looks like you'll have to learn to love yourself, Daithi.
:DaithiNUM::DilligentNUM: Would that count as incest or masturbation? Hmm…
:DaithiNUM: Joking aside, are you sure this thing even is-
:DilligentNUM: I’m kind of part of your subconscious, so yeah… also, that thing you’re thinking about me changing forms? Yeah, I think I can do that.
:DaithiNUM: Really? Hmm…
>I feel like there is at least a bit of distinction to be made, as Snake-Daithi has thoughts and some knowledge that Mantis-Daithi does not.
:DilligentNUM: Actually, no. The only different is that I can remember things Daithi has repressed himself. You’ve always know what you are, haven’t you? You just couldn’t accept it.
:DaithiNUM: Well, believing that you’re a demon is something crazy people do.
:DilligentNUM: …and we’re not crazy?
:DaithiNUM: Well… um… point…
>I guess I'll nickname your daemonic half 'Id' because it keeps asking you to eat people.
:DilligentNUM: Actually, I’m the one trying to stop us from eating people. Who do you think have kept all those demon powers under control for our whole life?
:DaithiNUM: …My whole life? I’ve been… wait… why d-
:DilligentNUM: You already know the answer. We are more powerful thus need more energy…
:DaithiNUM: …and we’re more powerful because Teal is here! You said we would get more powerful when you choose us as king, didn’t you!?
>so, can you trust yourself?
:DilligentNUM: You’re crazy! Of course not!
:DaithiNUM: I’ve never trusted myself before so…
>Don't eat the bully.
:DaithiNUM: But look at her… with that fat rump and well trained legs… I can already imagine how it would feel like when she struggling as I-
:DilligentNUM: ‘Oy! Don’t make me bite you again!
:DaithiNUM: Right… don’t eat… don’t eat anyone…
:DilligentNUM: Err… actually, we are going to have to eat someone sooner or later… um… actually, we probably need to consume someone before tomorrow night, or we’ll starve to death. So… being practical it would maybe be for the best to consume someone we hate… maybe?
:DaithiNUM: Or I’ll find another way!
:DilligentNUM: Well, we can always try to find a bandit or a shape stealer or something to eat… but don’t get our hopes up.

>Keep those red eyes going, slow time or improve reflexes enough so that you can turn around and catch the lantern, then grow Shapechanger tenacles and shout 'BIG GODDAMN MISTAKE'.
:DilligentNUM: I don’t think that would be a great idea…
:DaithiNUM: Yeah, giving her a heart attack might be a bit much.
:DilligentNUM: Not considering that if she got back to the city she’ll report you to the inquisition… and I’m pretty sure you’ll set of all their detection spells from now on.
>So, uh, duck the lamp but make here "see" hit you and you just go up in flames.
:DilligentNUM: Err… I’m not sure we can create such an advance illusion…
>you could try reaching out to her mind, and going through her memories to find a psychological weakness.
:DilligentNUM:
:DaithiNUM:
:DilligentNUM:
:DaithiNUM: …well, it would be awesome if it worked… but… um… I’m guessing you have no clue how to do that, right?
:DilligentNUM: If you don’t know I don’t know.
>The Deceiver produces lies... Duck under the lantern and create the illusion of running one direction while you actually sneak off in the other direction. If that's even possible.
:DilligentNUM: Rigth, a quick shape would be doable… well then, ready?
:DaithiNUM: I’ll duck on three… two… one… OH CRA- *Trip!* damn momentum…
:UnknownKAK: Don’t think you can run away, weakl- *Trip!* WHAT TH- AAH!!
>>
No. 598999 ID: 65a774
File 141382354424.png - (20.50KB , 900x450 , 103.png )
598999

>[reply: We're basing this off a very similar situation we had a long time ago. and thinking back on it this time is almost playing off exactly like last time.]
[White: Really? That’s great! That means you know what to do, right!?]
>[Diligent seems to think he can possibly be the same exact Daithi as Daithi, even though they're obviously thinking with different mindsets.]
[White: Well… um… hmm… I know I’ve surprised myself sometimes with the way I think, so maybe it just some kind of… well… repressed bit of him or something?]
>[When Daithi suggested using Daemon powers, Diligent said that as the son of The Deceiver, they should have something similar to her power, so we'll see if he can create an illusion to throw this bully off track and buy the time needed for whoever you send to get here.]
[White: If I can find you! Do you have any light or something I can follow?]

*Crack!*

:DaithiNUM: Ow, she kicked me…
:DilligentNUM: Tripped over your barely visible form.
:DaithiNUM: ... um… is she…?
:DilligentNUM: She seems to be bleeding rather profoundly from a rather gruesome head wound… but… she is breathing…
:DaithiNUM: …oh, great… I’m in the middle of nowhere with someone that’s bleeding to death and is twice my weight… what do we do now!? We can’t just leave her here to die!
:DilligentNUM: …well, we should always… um… I… I can’t come up with anything good, sorry…
:DaithiNUM: …ugh… and I’m barely able to stand up...
:DilligentNUM: That’s just the lack of energy speaking. Don’t worry, it’s starting to consume your own soul for emergency fuel right now.
:DaithiNUM: WHAT!?
:DilligentNUM: At least, that what I think is happening… we’re growing weaker rather quickly right now…
:DaithiNUM: I… but… uh…
:DilligentNUM: Steady, you don’t want to fall unconscious right now…

Insert Running out of fuel! Quick, drink an energy drink!_
>>
No. 599001 ID: 9ddf68

>[White: Really? That’s great! That means you know what to do, right!?]
[find a steady food source that isn't people, last time chickens worked, make sure others we trust don't attack Daithi out of fear for something that was beyond his control, then give Daithi some space to come to terms with this new development while using the rest of our pawns as lookouts mostly to make sure there isn't anything else that demands our attention while we try and get everything stable.]

>[White: If I can find you! Do you have any light or something I can follow?]
maybe, we kinda ditch our light to hide but we could relight it if we can find it again.

Ok, Diligent, we need to know, How long does Daithi have before he starves like you said, and why has this only been a problem now? Also will chickens work for a food source? I mean last time something like this happened we could stave off the hunger with chickens so wonder if we can do so again. Also how do we stop the glowing red eye thing. We have white looking for us and we might actually be able to save the bitch her without eating her and get Daithi some help by relighting the lanterns, still would like the red eyes to stop though because I'm not sure who white sent to look for us... or purple, plus Atena's guards are looking for us as well. I mean if we're not on deaths door step, I say just find one of the ditched lanterns, relight it, wait for help, claim the bitch tripped chasing Daithi and Daithi is simply tired from running, go back to the dorms, and get Libby to help us out with this since she's part deamon as well.
>>
No. 599002 ID: 4f004c

Ah, dammit... Okay, see if you can light the lantern again, White is on her way, and she's probably bringing Purple along with. Some good to be found in the situation: Her pain, the emotion of it, is still food. Not as much as her body, but it should be enough to keep you going for the time being.
[@White & Purple: Negative repercussions of our appearance before Daithi; the sudden boost in strength he got meant he used up more energy, Daemon type. I don't suppose there's, like, a dungeon or colosseum somewhere, where he can get an overabundance of emotion? Because otherwise, we'll have to send him out to consume Shapestealers and Bandits, which still doesn't sound right to me.]
>>
No. 599004 ID: 2fd516

>>598999
She's going to die anyway, and you're going to die if you don't eat someone. Plus, she just tried to kill you. Eat her. It is your only option.
[@White: Uh, nevermind. Problem solved. Don't tell Purple, but Daithi will have to occasionally eat people for the rest of his life. He'll just have to make sure he can find people that deserve it. We lucked out today on that front, considering the bully was trying to murder him.]
>>
No. 599005 ID: 26f891

...Well, we certainly opened a can of worms with our choice, didn't we.
She won't make it. We called the authorities long before this happened and it looks like it's gonna be matter of luck IF they were to get here in time to see you eat her, much less to save her.
>>
No. 599006 ID: d64d29

[scan corruption]
Give cedric a chance to help. Can you light one of the lanterns or something? If White doesn't come through you can eat the bully, but cannibalism should be an absolute last resort.

And after this is over, we are never entering the forest for any reason. Ever.
>>
No. 599017 ID: afe19d

Wait, wasn´t it said that demons primarily feed of emotions. You know, the bread and grapes metapher Bob mentioned, which Justice said the reverse is true.

Before we fully consume her, even if she´s a bitch shouldn´t we try to feed of her pain? Considering she´s in a lot of it now?
>>
No. 599026 ID: 4f004c

>>599017
Consuming their entire soul feeds a Daemon more, it's just that they don't normally need to eat that much unless they're spending a TON of energy. In Daithi's case, he's probably not using that much energy, but he also hasn't been feeding.
>>
No. 599075 ID: a8a679

Oh just eat the bitch! She was going to kill you for fuck sake, if that doesn't justify eating her then what does?
>>
No. 599077 ID: e26cbe

>>599075
It's justified, but that doesn't mean he won't regret it. What you are in the dark and all that.
>>
No. 599095 ID: 2fdec1

Daithi, despite your hunger and what she did and as much as you won't like it, you should show you're the better person and give her the chance, albeit terribly slim, of being saved. Only when it's sure that help isn't going to arrive in time and she's going to die for sure should you eat her. ...And considering how severe her head wound is I don't think you'll have to wait long.

I don't know much about mantis anatomy, so correct me if I'm wrong, but the only place that much blood could have come from is her brain, right? So the blunt impact likely smashed her head in in a crater pattern, lacerating the brain with pieces of chitin in addition to the impact causing major bruising of the brain which would also bleed and since the brain is chock full of blood vessels the wound is positively gushing blood. So with all the blood pushing out applying pressure to the wound to staunch the bleeding isn't going to be that effective and would also apply pressure to her brain as well as push the blood back into her cranial cavity, causing even more pressure on her brain. I'm not saying don't try to staunch the bleeding, but unless she gets a major healing potion applied within the next five minutes she's probably going to die or at least end up a brain dead vegetable.

Now, pull your gloves off, press them against her head wound to start to staunch the bleeding then leave them for a moment to get the lantern you dropped as quick as you can; You're unsteady on your feet so crawling might be safer so you don't trip and injure yourself. We need that lantern 'cause we contacted White for help as soon as the bully showed up, and she in turn contacted Purple, so they're both on their way but they need a light to see where you are. Once you've got it lit put it on the rock next to the bully and resume applying pressure to her wound. If her breathing gets weak or stops and no help can be seen coming within sight then snuff out the lantern and eat her before she dies.

If you have ANY illusions or other non-vital energy drains right now you should stop them immediately, including any your subconscious put up 'cause you couldn't face what you are. You need to conserve every bit of energy you can now, so no exceptions to what you stop.

Hey, snake-Dai, how'd The Deceiver know to drop that time stop? Is she watching right now? Is she watching through Dai's eyes?

>But look at her… with that fat rump and well trained legs… I can already imagine how it would feel like when she struggling as I-
...Ugh, Dai, you sound like how a vore fetishist writes when you think like that. Please, stop it. You do not want your lust inadvertently getting crossed with your hunger here.

I'm thinking that going forward the best, most guilt-free and least problematic option of those to eat are the totally, irrevocably corrupted and hostile such as Shape Stealers, cultists and lunatics. Next choice down would be the worst condemned prisoners who're sentenced to death; Those who've committed murder without remorse and suchlike. After them bandits would be a possibility, but we'd have to be careful to only get the ones who've killed before. The last option I can think of would be those who're going to die very soon no matter what such as the terminally ill or mortally wounded. And in every case knocking them out beforehand so they don't feel pain, preferably with a tranquilizer, would be for the best. Oh, and there's also the Undead Energy Sources; They're mindless undead in tanks that're subjected to painful magical stimuli to generate emotional energy. We came across them before powering the flawed Harvester body the guardian daemon of the Vault of the Greater Elemental Rune of Fire was occupying. Unfortunately the only UESes near hear are probably in the Vault for the Greater Rune of Earth and those would be keeping Libby's flawed Harvester body going.

[@White: Well, this just got both easier and harder. Dai's safe from the bully now, but only 'cause he tripped in the dark and she tripped over him and bashed her head on a rock. She's has a grievous head wound that's bleeding profusely but she's still breathing. We need you to bring medical supplies, but I have a feeling with such a wound she's not going to make it. If her breathing flags or stops and help is nowhere in sight we're going to have Dai eat her. Yes it's gruesome, but Dai has run completely through his energy reserves and is starting to burn his own soul to keep going; He's already on the verge of passing out and won't last another day without eating. And considering she's going to die anyway and she outright said she was going to murder Dai and dump his body in the swamp, then threw a heavy lantern at his head when he tried to flee that would have hit if not for The Deceiver freezing time, we don't have many qualms about it.]

[@White: Daithi thinks he's figured out why he's gotten hungry like this now and we agree with him: It's because of us, Teal. We make our pawns stronger, so we made Daithi a more powerful daemon with greater energy needs which outstripped what he could get from just the ambient emotional energy. So until we figure out another source of emotional energy he's going to have to consume mortal souls to get it.]

>[White: Really? That’s great! That means you know what to do, right!?]
[Reply: Not really, no. Unfortunately my fellow voice is mis-remembering what happened. Back then we were with a lich so any soul or life energy would do for sustenance, making animals a viable option. But Daithi is a daemon, and daemons need to feed on emotional energy which the souls of animals do not have, or at least not anywhere in the quantity he needs. And thinking about it, if daemons could subsist by eating dumb livestock they would have done that, but they don't so they can't. And that means don't bother bringing chickens unless the coop is right on the way.]

>[White: If I can find you! Do you have any light or something I can follow?]
[Reply: We have the lantern Dai was carrying. It went out when he dropped it, but it looks intact so it should be as simple as relighting it.]
>>
No. 599152 ID: 65a774
File 141400432288.png - (20.92KB , 900x450 , 104.png )
599152

>[scan corruption]
[Current corruption level is 0%]
>[@White: Well, this just got both easier and harder. Dai's safe from the bully now, but only 'cause he tripped in the dark and she tripped over him and bashed her head on a rock. She's has a grievous head wound that's bleeding profusely but she's still breathing.]
[Oh… that’s… very bad, isn’t it? Um… I need to get medical supplies then? But… um… where do I… err… try to keep her alive, I’m coming as fast as I can.]
>[@White: Uh, nevermind. Problem solved. Don't tell Purple, but Daithi will have to occasionally eat people for the rest of his life. He'll just have to make sure he can find people that deserve it. We lucked out today on that front, considering the bully was trying to murder him.]
[I… err… wouldn’t say outright “eating” someone is something they deserve. Sure, if what my king is telling me is true, then she was kind of a horrible person, but still… of course, if she actually was going to try to murder him then… hmm…]
>[@White: Daithi thinks he's figured out why he's gotten hungry like this now and we agree with him: It's because of us, Teal. We make our pawns stronger, so we made Daithi a more powerful daemon with greater energy needs]
[With great power comes great insanity?]

>Hey, snake-Dai, how'd The Deceiver know to drop that time stop? Is she watching right now? Is she watching through Dai's eyes?
:DilligentNUM: No idea. All I know is that she did… um… something. I just felt she was here for a moment, you know.
:DaithiNUM: …so that was that warm feeling I got?
:DilligentNUM: Yeah!
>Ok, Diligent, we need to know, How long does Daithi have before he starves like you said, and why has this only been a problem now?
:DilligentNUM: Again, no idea. We’re starving right now, and it starting to hurt so… also, we are getting weaker rather quick but… I don’t know… maybe a day?
>Also will chickens work for a food source?
:DilligentNUM: I don’t think chickens count as souls… or whatever we actually feed on… emotional energy?
:DaithiNUM: Of course they don’t… you guys said this was a game world or something, right? Of course they would remove loopholes like that then!
>Wait, wasn´t it said that demons primarily feed of emotions.
:DilligentNUM: Well, yeah… that’s what we’ve been doing since we were born twenty years ago. It’s just… we’re suddenly growing too quickly for just emotions to be enough.
>And after this is over, we are never entering the forest for any reason. Ever.
:DaithiNUM: I agree! This forest is dead to me!

>Can you light one of the lanterns or something?
:DaithiNUM: There…
>I don't know much about mantis anatomy, so correct me if I'm wrong, but the only place that much blood could have come from is her brain, right?
:DilligentNUM: That’s correct, yeah.
:DaithiNUM: Well, we do have some blood veins in the head too but… dammit, why didn’t I pay more attention in biology.
:DilligentNUM: Err… we did, we just never assumed we needed to know where all the blood in the head is.
>So the blunt impact likely smashed her head in in a crater pattern, lacerating the brain with pieces of chitin in addition to the impact causing major bruising of the brain which would also bleed and since the brain is chock full of blood vessels the wound is positively gushing blood.
:DaithiNUM: Hmm… I don’t know… I don’t think she got pieces of chitin lodged in there but… err…
:DilligentNUM: She is bleeding a lot… is that normal for head wounds?
>Now, pull your gloves off, press them against her head wound to start to staunch the bleeding.
:DaithiNUM: Well, there’s one pair of gloves I’ll never wear again…
>Before we fully consume her, even if she´s a bitch shouldn´t we try to feed of her pain? Considering she´s in a lot of it now?
:DilligentNUM: It’s not enough… besides, she’s unconscious so she isn’t ac-
:DaithiNUM: Wait, I’m pretty sure pain receptors doesn’t give a shit about you being conscious or not to feel them.
:DilligentNUM: I know it’s weird, but apparently it’s not the chemical reaction in the brain we feed on, but the actual emotion… somehow…
:DaithiNUM: Dammit, why can’t these things make sense like science does? Or magic!?

>If her breathing gets weak or stops and no help can be seen coming within sight then snuff out the lantern and eat her before she dies.
:DaithiNUM: …I… maybe it’s for the best… maybe…
>White is on her way, and she's probably bringing Purple along with.
:DaithiNUM: But…
>She's going to die anyway, and you're going to die if you don't eat someone. Plus, she just tried to kill you. Eat her. It is your only option.
:DaithiNUM: Maybe she deserve this…?
>If White doesn't come through you can eat the bully, but cannibalism should be an absolute last resort.
:DaithiNUM: Maybe she can be saved…?
>She won't make it. We called the authorities long before this happened and it looks like it's gonna be matter of luck IF they were to get here in time to see you eat her, much less to save her.
:DaithiNUM:
>Daithi, despite your hunger and what she did and as much as you won't like it, you should show you're the better person and give her the chance, albeit terribly slim, of being saved.
:DaithiNUM: …She deserves…
>Oh just eat the bitch! She was going to kill you for fuck sake, if that doesn't justify eating her then what does?
:DaithiNUM: I don’t…
>It's justified, but that doesn't mean he won't regret it. What you are in the dark and all that.
:DaithiNUM: I don’t know…
>>
No. 599153 ID: 65a774
File 141400434216.png - (3.92KB , 900x450 , 666.png )
599153

:DaithiNUM: I don’t know what I should do…






:DaithiNUM: …m-mother?
>>
No. 599154 ID: 9ddf68

...I feel small all the sudden.

Also... hi? no idea what to do here other then bombard her with questions but since I have no idea what she's like I'd rather not risk pissing her off before she can even open her mouth.
>>
No. 599155 ID: 65a774
File 141400509655.jpg - (30.82KB , 400x300 , NEWS!!.jpg )
599155

:JJJKAK: This has gone on for long enough! First he terrorizes those innocent puppies when he put out that fire at the cute puppy orphanage, then he traumatized that kid when he threw him off the train track just before the train came! What’s next, going to war with the poor by eliminating poverty? No, Spider man has gone too far!
>>
No. 599156 ID: 65a774
File 141400510836.png - (32.31KB , 300x300 , Sam & max, Episode 3, Spiderman must die!.png )
599156

:JJJKAK: I need a way to take care of spider man permanently! Something more than just pictures off him! No, I need a plan… a grand plan to deal with that menace once and for all! But… how?

[You now have control over J. Jonah Jameson! Time to defeat that spider menace!]

Insert I need pictures, pictures of J. Jonah Jameson!_
>>
No. 599158 ID: 2fd516

>>599156
It's time. Time for JJ's Bizarre Adventure. Summon your Stand and do battle with Spiderman.

Hint: his weakness is bullets.
>>
No. 599159 ID: d64d29

> 666.png
uh oh.

J JONAH JAMESON: ask that Peter kid for advice, he goes to school or whatever. Make him use those brains! Plus, he took some pictures of the web-slinging fiend, he'll know something.
>>
No. 599161 ID: 2ec61a

Contact The Punisher, he's a hero you can trust, because he doesn't wear a mask. i also hear he is an avid reader of your paper.
>>
No. 599162 ID: 3009b4

I don't think The Punisher will work out; he'll just be awkward for the first few appearances and then will get several terrible series and it'll just be embarrassing for everyone.

Summon... the Care Bears! He'll never see it coming. Or perhaps Underdog. Moose and Squirrel?
>>
No. 599164 ID: 37aa84

It's time we finally abduct Peter Parker, he always seems to know where Spiderman will strike next, you just need to interrogate him so you can lay a trap for the horrible little wall crawler.
>>
No. 599170 ID: 3009b4

Actually it's about time JJ finally owned up to his secret crush on Peter Parker.
>>
No. 599189 ID: 5d16f4

I have the perfect plan! First we will secretly fund a spider super-soldier program run by Oscorp, the will only produce one female Spiderwoman prototype who will try several times to kill Spiderman, but after she fails all all the attempts to kill him Spiderman will figure out about the Oscorp program and shut it down, leaving Spiderwoman as the only one left from the program. Spiderwoman will then try several more times to kill Spiderman for revenge but ultimately fail and in a side store arc completely unrelated to Spiderman she will become a good guy and a hero and over the course of say six to seven years her and Spiderman will grow close eventually leading to a romance. Then one day after having sex she will eat him! ITS BRILLIANT!
>>
No. 599190 ID: 01745f

You know what eats spiders? Birds. You must become a bird-themed vigilante. Be the shadow that peeps in the night!
>>
No. 599198 ID: 3ecc14

Clearly, we need someone to hack his cellphone to get the hummiliating selfies and tasteless amateurporn.
>>
No. 599201 ID: 65a774
File 141407528096.jpg - (75.40KB , 350x367 , Who are you going to call.jpg )
599201

>I have the perfect plan! First we will secretly fund a spider super-soldier program run by Oscorp…
Hmm… interesting… those at Oscorp has always been reliable… go on…
>The will only produce one female Spiderwoman prototype who will try several times to kill Spiderman, but after she fails…
Wait… first off, don’t we want her too succeed? Second, isn’t creating another Spiderman kind of the opposite of what I want?
>In a side store arc completely unrelated to Spiderman she will become a good guy and a hero and over the course of say six to seven years her and Spiderman will grow close eventually leading to a romance.
See, now I suddenly got two spiders to menace me! …and seven years!? I was thinking more like killing him before afternoon tea.
>Then one day after having sex she will eat him! ITS BRILLIANT!
But then she will become the new spider menace, won’t she!? And what if she gets kids!? Do you know how many kids spiders get!? There would be spider menaces everywhere!

>You know what eats spiders? Birds. You must become a bird-themed vigilante. Be the shadow that peeps in the night!
So you want me to become what I hate to fight what I hate? …I’m pretty sure fighting fire with lighter fuel will just make a bigger fire…
>Contact The Punisher, he's a hero you can trust, because he doesn't wear a mask. i also hear he is an avid reader of your paper.
:JJJKAK: A splendid idea! The punisher is a moral upstanding character if I ever saw one!
:UnknownKAK: Hey, this is the punisher. I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now, I’m busy hunting criminals on the stre- HEY I SAW THAT! How dare you litter! DIE!!! *Pistol fire!* Jaywalking while running away from me!? Punishable with DEATH!! *Machine gun fire!* Speeding!? Eat a missile! *Swoosh… BOOM!!* So, yeah… I’m kind of bu- holy crap, are those multi-colored bears? I’ll have to call you back. *BEEP*
:JJJKAK: Ah, of course he would be busy bringing justice to the people.
>Summon... the Care Bears! He'll never see it coming.
:UnknownKAK: Hello, you have reached the care bears inc. We’re sorry; we cannot talk right now as we’re about the kick the ass of some punk with a skull shirt who is firing wildly around him. Please call back later. HEY ASSHOLE! TASTE THE RAINBOW, MOTHER FUC- *BEEP*
:JJJKAK: Seems like I’ll be alone on this one…
>>
No. 599202 ID: 65a774
File 141407530992.gif - (13.40KB , 318x204 , GUNS!!.gif )
599202

>It's time. Time for JJ's Bizarre Adventure. Summon your Stand and do battle with Spiderman. Hint: his weakness is bullets.
:JJJKAK: Yes, it’s time to show of my stance! The “I shoot you dead with a gun” stand!
:TexasKAK: Hey! That’s a rip-off of my stand, the emperor!
:JJJKAK: Wait, Hol Horse? What are yo- no, see… mine is different. It can actually hit people.
:TexasKAK: But-
:JJJKAK: That’s not myself, Hol.
:TexasKAK: Well, I did send that terrorist protagonist straight to McDonalds, if that counts…
:JJJKAK: …I… what? How does that eve- you mean that African guy? What, no, he survived and was later killed by vanilla ice while chilling in a casket.
:TexasKAK: …Now you’re talking crazy talk! I don’t have time for crazy talk! I need to go back to Texas so I can shoot things at random with mah guns! Because ‘merica, fuck yeah! Now, where did I park my horse?
:JJJKAK: …right, let’s never speak of this again.
>>
No. 599203 ID: 65a774
File 141407533874.jpg - (58.40KB , 618x409 , Batman would be proud!.jpg )
599203

>Ask that Peter kid for advice, he goes to school or whatever. Make him use those brains!
:JJJKAK: Hey, peter! I need to ask you something.
:SpidermanKAK: Yeah?
:JJJKAK: …wait, why is your icon Spiderman? …and your name Spiderman!?
:SpidermanKAK: Um… you’re not supposed to see those, sir…?
:JJJKAK: Hmm…
>It's time we finally abduct Peter Parker, he always seems to know where Spiderman will strike next, you just need to interrogate him so you can lay a trap for the horrible little wall crawler.
…that’s it… why haven’t I seen it before! It’s so obvious! It’s been right in front of me all these years. What with his love for Spiderman, all those selfie photos of Spiderman he always takes and that icon! It’s so simple! See, Spiderman is owned by marvel… and DC is their main competitor… and Batman is part of the DC universe… bats are mammals… hippos are also mammals… hippos probably like to hang out with flamingos… flamingos is sometimes associated with gay men… therefore… Peter Parker must be Spiderman secret gay lover! …not that there’s anything wrong with that… either way, how do I use this new information? I still have my stand “I shoot you dead with a gun”… Hmmm… maybe I should abduct him... but how?

:SpiderManKAK: Err… sir? You’re kind of creeping me out staring like that…

Insert No one will get the McDonalds thing…_
>>
No. 599205 ID: e26cbe

:Hoytvolker: POKER NIGHT!!! Tell me Peter, do you know the secret to keeping employees happy?
>>
No. 599209 ID: 4d85c5

Perfect plan. Shoot Perter Parker dead with your gun. He'll never see it coming.

And then Spider Man will notice no one is taking his picture anymore, and he'll come after you. Then you shoot him dead with your gun.

It's a perfect plan!
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No. 599214 ID: 1bf976

HEY JJJ! What about my plan?
It goes like this: first I invent the internet, then I make a documentary about global warming, then I blah blah blah blah blah blah Radioactive toe jam blah blah blah blah blah blah mutant seals blah blah blah blah blah blah the Miley Cyprus blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah return of our alien overlords blah blah blah blah blah blah the [b]second[b/] holocaust blah blah blah blah blah blah blah and then i will become the new Cyborg president of the United States and I can get the Ninja Secret Service to find out who Spiderman is.
>>
No. 599233 ID: 3009b4

>Peter Parker must be Spiderman secret gay lover! …not that there’s anything wrong with that… either way, how do I use this new information? I still have my stand “I shoot you dead with a gun”… Hmmm… maybe I should abduct him... but how?

Well then clearly what you have to do is seduce Peter. It will either cause Spider-man to become despondent or go into a jealous rage and make a critical error. First things first, you need to find out who's the top in the relationship and adjust your approach accordingly.
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No. 599258 ID: 65a774
File 141416858135.jpg - (64.24KB , 679x380 , Wait, who invented global warming again.jpg )
599258

>HEY JJJ! What about my plan? It goes like this: first I invent the internet, then I make a documentary about global warming, then I blah blah blah blah blah blah…
:JJJKAK: Isn’t the internet already invented? I mean, I even got the all the tubes down in the basement and everything… and I’m pretty sure Global Warming is a myth! Just like those old Scandinavian gods like Thor and Loki...
:SpidermanKAK: But… what about Florida then?
:JJJKAK: Florida got swallowed by the sea because those fat bastards got too fat, sinking the whole state into the sea, not because the rising sea level… that just a myth! Just like the acid rain that’s eating through my car right now! It doesn’t exist!
>blah blah blah blah blah mutant seals blah blah blah blah...
:JJJKAK: …isn’t that some kind of batman villain?
>blah blah return of our alien overlords blah blah blah blah…
:JJJKAK: …wait, what was that about alie-
>And then i will become the new Cyborg president of the United States and I can get the Ninja Secret Service to find out who Spiderman is.
:JJJKAK: Hey, I’m a proud voter of Cyborg president Nixon, thank you very much!

>:Hoytvolker: POKER NIGHT!!!
:JJJKAK: Heck no! Last time we invited you to poker you almost cut off my finger! …and Sammy still got those neck pains…
>Well then clearly what you have to do is seduce Peter. It will either cause Spider-man to become despondent or go into a jealous rage and make a critical error.
:JJJKAK: So… Peter… have I ever told you that… um…
:SpidermanKAK: Told me what?
:JJJKAK: That… err… um… no, this isn’t working, time for plan B!
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No. 599259 ID: 65a774
File 141416859321.jpg - (294.02KB , 734x1089 , PEW!.jpg )
599259

>Perfect plan. Shoot Perter Parker dead with your gun. He'll never see it coming.
:JJJKAK: BANG!
:SpidermanKAK: Arg! Bullets! My only weakness! Now I got the dead! Bluh…!

>And then Spider Man will notice no one is taking his picture anymore, and he'll come after you. Then you shoot him dead with your gun.
:JJJKAK: Ha! Yeah! I’ve successfully pissed off that menace! …that menace that regularly take on physical gods and wins… while I only got a gun… err… maybe this wasn’t such a great idea…

LEVEL UP!
Killing Spiderman has given you 1.000.000 exp!
+2 ignorance!
+4 “Journalism”!
+12 Cheese!
+0 Dignity!

:JJJKAK: …wait, wha-
>>
No. 599260 ID: 65a774
File 141416860517.jpg - (17.28KB , 259x194 , Love is pain, Care is Hell.jpg )
599260

:UnknownKAK: Perfect! The last piece of our hellish puzzle of has finally fallen into place!
:JJJKAK: …err… who are you?
:UnknownKAK: We are the grand demons from the deepest reaches of hell and outer space! …or as you would know us, the care bears from Detroit!
:JJJKAK: …figures…
:UnknownKAK: And now… with the death of Spiderman a million nerds cry out “Meh, he’ll be back in a week”, thus giving us enough power to enact our master plan! To create endless happiness by destroying all mean beings in the universe!
:JJJKAK: NO! WAIT! YOU’LL KILL US A-
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No. 599261 ID: 65a774
File 141416861991.jpg - (34.63KB , 350x250 , FALCON PUNCH!.jpg )
599261

…end?





Suddenly there was a eight week hiatus which have absolutely nothing to do with the new civilization release… at all…
>>
No. 599269 ID: 4d85c5

>Suddenly there was a eight week hiatus which have absolutely nothing to do with the new civilization release… at all…
Seems legit.
>>
No. 599270 ID: 9ddf68

>>599269
who could argue
>>
No. 599274 ID: 4f004c

>with the death of Spiderman a million nerds cry out “Meh, he’ll be back in a week”
Actually, I was just thinking, "Eh, I'll go read some Batman, then."
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