Kaktus 2016/10/01(Sat)18:03 No. 750645 ID: 65a774
File 147537018794.png - (44.59KB , 686x526 , 2.png )

Wow, they didn’t spare any expenses on these balcony booths, did they?

>You have a magical curse that makes you, and apparently anyone near you, supernaturally bad at cooking. Agree that this needs research.
…while you can’t deny your cooking is lethal, Bri was just messing with you. The sandwich didn’t actually catch on fire.

We’re so ‘igh up it’s ‘ard to even see the action down there… so it must be equally ‘ard to see us, no?

> .... You wouldn't have some powerful latent magic inside of you that is only triggered by experiencing the elaboration of food either by you or by someone close to you, right?
If you had magical compatibilities, the University would have found them by now. You had regular checks for magical talent when you were young, after all.

Oh, I bet yah can do all kind of naughty things up ‘ere without anyone else noticing…

>NOW the archbishop's plans appear more ambiguous, opening the possibility that Belseth's not-so-hypotheticals pertained to things that already happened.
What is she up to...? Is she manipulating things or not?

Like playing cards if the trial goes stale… or reading a book. Maybe I should send someone to fetch me book, eh?

>Anyway... Is that... Krotos...? I guess that's something that is happening right now... So that means... Your late brother is actually "alive" and may be powerful, and probably dangerous and possibly mad?
That… thing… Krotos… it can’t be. It was so… twisted… so… so… wrong. Its rabid screeching sounded like the screams of a thousand tormented souls… yet… your brothers was in there somewhere… you heard him… … …big bro?

Heh, if we ‘ad body doubles we might even get away with not even attending the- …Wait, are yah even listening to me?

>Wait, are you still in the vision?
No, it’s over… you’re back in the grand hall, waiting for the trial to start. It just happened in a flash… and left with only a headache as evidence. Ow...

Kronos? Are yah alright? Yah seem a bit… shaken? It’s the trial, isn’t? Seeing ye own blood like this… eh?

>>750645
"trial. psh no, no."
"that dress just makes me want to rip it off you and i can't stop imagining the sound of it and you as I ravish you on a balcony where it's so hard for others to see us unless they really pay attention... and with the noise I was imagining you making I'm sure they would try"

>so it must be equally ‘ard to see us, no?
Right, watch your back for assassins.
>What is she up to...? Is she manipulating things or not?
We'll ask Belseth either after the trial or tonight.
>Seeing ye own blood like this… eh?
...You have no idea.

So what does it look like? I'm assuming your seating means you won't be participating as a witness? Recognize anyone else in the room?

>>750644
lol

>>750645
Wow, Briannah sure loves to flaunt her flat chest like it actually matters. Remind her that she's still the fiancée of a backup prince and that if Kira dies you're going to ditch the castle and take up your lifelong ambition as a hedge trimmer. In which you will forge artistic marvels through the beauty of shooting trees with fire ammo until they reach the shape you so udderly desire. Which is Briannah's ass.

Okay but back to more important matters-
>>750571
*beat* WAS THAT THE BEAST?! ARE YOU @#$%ING SERIOUS?! THAT'S our target?! Whelp, Kronos is screwed. Should we try to get him to a dimensional portal that might open for no apparent reason or help him write his last will and testament for EVERYONE on this rock? (See Nan Quest for more details)

Why do I have this terrible feeling that waiting for the date with Bel to talk to him is too late? Maybe we should push the talk to immediately after the trial? Hopefully we can catch him to have a talk with him.

Actually can you see who's here from where you're sitting? Specifically where your sister, Thalia, Bel, and any other important people are sitting.

Make a comment on how even though you think you could get away with something, it's best that you don't and that you both need to pay attention. Make sure you compliment your wife on her dress and how you like the way it makes her ass look. :3

And while you're waiting for them to bring your brother in, tell Bri that you really hope they took away his mustache because he was really attached to that thing and it kinda annoyed you on how he just would not shut the fuck up about the damn thing and seeing him without it would be doing everyone a favor to not have to stare at the ugly thing!

Did you tell Bri about what you saw in your vision when she was joking about the butter spontaneously catching fire? If you did, then tell her that's what's troubling you. If you didn't tell her, then give a short summarization and then tell her that's what's troubling you.

>>750645
>twisted
Oh, did your brother's soul merge with a bunch of other damned souls and create some hellish amalgamation composed of the rotting corpses and bones of criminals thrown into the pit of hell?

I think you should immediately send someone to check on the church. Maybe find the queen and talk to her about her dreams. If they are related to this we might be able to get her to take immediate action to secure the tombs.

Kaktus 2016/10/02(Sun)13:26 No. 750810 ID: 65a774
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>Right, watch your back for assassins.
The entrance to the booth is heavily guarded, the only other way in is to climb through the grand hall and Sisah is here to keep an eye on you. You should be pretty safe…
>Wow, Briannah sure loves to flaunt her flat chest like it actually matters.
Flaunt her chest? You’re pretty sure she isn’t flaunting her chest… she’s clearly flaunting the other end of her, though.
>So what does it look like? I'm assuming your seating means you won't be participating as a witness?
You’re not going to be a witness, no. You’re mostly here because you’re the prince and this is a trial concerning the crown.
>I think you should immediately send someone to check on the church.
And they will listen to your warnings because…?
>Recognize anyone else in the room?
Kira is sitting on her throne right at the end of it… with this council of 21 surrounding her. You can recognize some familiar faces among them, including Belseth. The archbishop herself, or at least a body double of her, are performing some sort of blessing in the middle of the hall and… you think you can see Thalia directing soldiers and guards around on the far side of the hall? Oh, and apparently they are leading your brother into the chamber right now… and… he’s… heavily bound and confined to a chair? You didn’t think they would need to… but… he’s trashing around like a mad man… is he even sane anymore?
>Maybe find the queen and talk to her about her dreams.
She will probably be way to busy all day to even consider talking about something as “minor” as a bad dream…
>We'll ask Belseth either after the trial or tonight.
Seeing as his in the trial council, it will be hard to get a hold of him right after all this is done. They will still have duties to complete even after the initial trial is over. If you’re unlucky, he’ll be busy right until your “date” with him…
>Did you tell Bri about what you saw in your vision when she was joking about the butter spontaneously catching fire?
You didn’t get this vision before lunch; you got it just a moment ago. So no, you clearly haven’t had the time to say anything to her yet.


>If you didn't tell her, then give a short summarization and then tell her that's what's troubling you.
Eh? A vision? This time of ye… brother? Hmm… can’t say I recognize the description yah gave me. Hmm… I do ‘ope it was just something yah ate and that there isn’t some monstrous creature gunning for ye sisters ‘ead, eh? Still… maybe we could warn the guards to be prepared? Just in case?
>Make a comment on how even though you think you could get away with something, its best that you don't and that you both need to pay attention.
To what? It’s almost a given that ‘e’ll be found guilty, especially considering that ‘e seems to ‘ave already snapped! Just look at those blood shot eyes and that froth filled beak. Oh, and the evidence against ‘im dwarfs the palace in size, eh? No, I’m pretty sure this will just become a boring tirade of rules and laws before ‘e is judged guilty.
>Make sure you compliment your wife on her dress and how you like the way it makes her ass look.
Aw, ‘ow sweet… yah can’t get enough of my quite shapely rump, can yah? Yah ‘now, when I was saying we could do something naughty, I didn’t mean it in such a… explicit way, eh?

Bri leans down on the balcony railings while “accidently” brining up her rear end quite close to your face… she’s even lifting up her tail to make the most of the view.

I was thinking more in line of a card game… but if yah really want to… well…
Um…
Tell me again, what do yah think of the dress, eh?
…I… it… that dress… I just want rip it off and ravish you right here on the balcony so hard that everyone in the whole hall will… will… g-gods, where did that come from!?
Kronos! For shame~

Dammit, why are you suddenly so… so… it’s like someone have lit a fire on your crotch and you need to… to… it’s like when you drank that fertility potion earlier today… but ten times worse! What is going on with you!?

Immediately tell her you think you might not be in your right mind, possibly some sort of magic effect, and you need medical/magical attention.

>>750810
Xuv is fucking with you.

You have two choices: 1, try to ignore it and watch the trial, or 2, get out and take out your frustrations on someone available (maybe the painter? or Briannah could leave with you)

Well okay there's the third choice of doing sexual acts in public, in a courtroom no less, but seriously you are the prince you should behave better than that.

>Just look at those blood shot eyes and that froth filled beak.
hmm, perhaps the nightmares have been doing work on him too?... do birds even produce saliva?
>I was thinking more in line of a card game…
If that's the truth I'll eat my toes.
>it’s like when you drank that fertility potion earlier today… but ten times worse!
The food. She put something in the food.

>>750810
the aftereffects of that truth rune is still in effect so i will be more candid for a while

>>750818
Whoa let's not jump to any conclusions about the food. I mean you can ask if she put something in there, but only to completely eliminate the possibility.

>>750876
Yes, this. It's most likely Xuv and not Bri.

>>750885
sure its not just the truth rune?

>>750888
Duh. It a truth rune, not a make you horny rune! Even Sisah cleared it with her magic eye!

>>750895
what i meant was are you sure it's not the after effects of the truth rune making us speak more honestly... and to be honest kronos is horny all the time anyway. he is just a bit more reserved.

>>750897
If that's true, then this would've happened during lunch with Bri earlier. The trial was set for somewhere around 2 o'clock (I think), and when we finished with the whole truth rune thing, it was only 10 o’clock. So at least 4 hours should've been more than enough time for any "left over magic" from the truth rune to already run its course and be gone.

Besides, if you were paying attention, you'd know that's not how the truth rune works. It only makes you speak more honest because whoever activated the rune would be able to call you out on any lies you told, which is why that guy in the mask needed to be present. Without him, both Thalia and Kronos would've been able to lie to each other and neither of them would've known the difference.

So again, no, it's not the truth rune.

>>750902
yeah but that "torturer" mentioned side effects
which from the way he talked sounded like it left him in a state of constant honesty

Kaktus 2016/10/03(Mon)13:35 No. 750932 ID: 65a774
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>The food. She put something in the food.
That would be a horrible breach in trust between you and you trust her more than that… still… can’t hurt to ask?
>hmm, perhaps the nightmares have been doing work on him too?
Who… or whatever is down there isn’t your brother any longer. It’s possible whatever is behind these nightmares are behind his... sudden lack of sanity…
>...do birds even produce saliva?
Err… do they? Maybe? Varkians produce saliva, but we also have teeth and tongues… wait, some birds have tongues as well, don’t they? …and there are some birds with teeth like… things inside their beaks? What was the question again?

>Immediately tell her you think you might not be in your right mind, possibly some sort of magic effect, and you need medical/magical attention.
Hrrn? Magic effect? ‘ow do yah feel, exactly?
It’s like… l-like… the fertility potion but ten times worse!
Really? Are yah sure yah took the right amount of it?
Y-yes? I mean… I think so?
Because that sound like an overdose of it… don’t worry, it isn’t dangerous.
H-how long will it last?
Oh, a few ‘ours… or until ye ‘ave a nice and big orgasm, eh?
>I mean you can ask if she put something in there, but only to completely eliminate the possibility.
…do y-you… do you think there might have been something in the food that did this?
In the food? No, then I would be affected too, wouldn’t I? After all, I drank that fertility potion as well. It ‘as to be something else…
>Xuv is fucking with you.
Ah… yes, ‘er again… hmm… actually, maybe it’s a side effect? She did give yah some kind of blessing so we would be able to ‘ave children, no? What if the fertility potion is being affected by that?
>The aftereffects of that truth rune are still in effect so I will be more candid for a while…
…I’m pretty sure those runes doesn’t make yah say lewd comments out loud, love.
>but that "torturer" mentioned side effects…
Hmm… isn’t that side effect just for the torturer, though? I do believe they start ‘aving problems keeping their snouts shut after a while…
>You were thinking more in line of a card game? If that's the truth I'll eat my toes...
Well, dig in then! As much as I love sex, it’s not the only thing on my mind, dove. It was just a few ‘ours ago we went at it, after all.

>You have two choices: 1, try to ignore it and watch the trial…
Yah really think yah can do it?
Ugh… I… what are they even saying? It’s hard to hear…
I’m pretty sure they are rambling up the crimes ‘e will be judged for. Hmm, maybe yah want something else to keep yah mind of ye… thing, eh? A game of cards, maybe? A book?
>2, get out and take out your frustrations on someone available…
Well, as much as I want to ‘elp, one of us need to stay ‘ere to keep up appearances. Can’t let them think we skipped ye brother’s trail just for a quickie, eh? As long as I’m present I’m sure they won’t even notice yah are gone. As for someone else available… Sisah is right ‘ere, no?
I’m here to protect and serve, sir…
Oh, and yah still ‘ave the painters ‘at! She isn’t ‘ere and I bet she would be delighted if the prince took the time to give ‘er a private visit, eh? “Just” to return ‘er ‘eadwear, of course... other than that… I guess yah can always just try taking a cold shower and go solo…? Not sure if yah will get enough of an release but…
>Well okay there's the third choice of doing sexual acts in public, in a courtroom no less, but seriously you are the prince you should behave better than that.
Indeed, we should keep our pants on while where ‘ere, at least. I mean, if yah’re really desperate I can give yah… eh… I mean, as much as I like public sex, let’s keep it to smaller audiences, eh? Doing it in front of the queen will irate more people than it’s worth…

>>750932
It's looking like you'll want to go find the painter, then. Sisah would be more convenient and she IS pretty sexy and all but I think it's more important to keep her fully functional as a bodyguard right now since we're fairly sure something is about to go down. Can't tire her out, or keep her indisposed for long.

Tell Briannah it's looking like you'll both have two people on the side today after all, if Belseth's date isn't interrupted by an undead invasion.

>…I’m pretty sure those runes doesn’t make yah say lewd comments out loud, love.
>Hmm… isn’t that side effect just for the torturer, though? I do believe they start ‘aving problems keeping their snouts shut after a while…
Yeah, I fucking called it! I knew it wasn't the truth rune!

>Really? Are yah sure yah took the right amount of it?
>Because that sound like an overdose of it…
Let's find out, shall we? Ask Bri to tell you how much is the right amount and then tell her how much you took. If you took the right amount, then it's probably Xuv.

Unless.....the "right amount" she's talking about is for Sakkilians and that same amount is considered an overdose for Varkians.

>you trust her more than that
Your own brother is being put on trial for murder as you speak and you're going to talk about trust?
>Are yah sure yah took the right amount of it?
When, this morning? Why would it suddenly kick in again out of nowhere half a day later when it already did this morning? at increased potency at that?
>She did give yah some kind of blessing so we would be able to ‘ave children, no?
Which might mean Xuv's trying to make a move. Don't let her use you again.

try that antidote, you should still have one dose remaining. Find somewhere more private to pour ice on your junk and throw up, but no matter what be quick, there's no way this trial will be uneventful.

she's quite a bit bigger than you, maybe you got a incorrect dosage because it wasn't calculated for your weight?

How many kings have had affairs with painters? I don't know, but you already @#$%ed your bodyguard so why not branch out? Briannah is turned on by polygamy anyway.

Okay, as much as you'd like to tap dat abdomen, there are multiple serious issues with going to Zela to resolve your predicament. First and foremost, it feels really wrong that you'd make your first time with Zela basically using her out of sexual desperation to relieve yourself. She's so cute and innocent and starstruck with you, so you abusing that to satisfy yourself is wrong. She deserves better than that, and you should act better than that. You're not going to let yourself turn into yet another in a long line of lecherous princes throughout history who think of their own sexual desires first. She deserves a proper time with you where you give her a wonderful time, and not you hammering into her like a woodpecker for five minutes just to get your rocks off. And multiply this sentiment by a hundred if she's actually a virgin. You don't know if it's different with Hiver gals, but a Vark gal's first time is often more painful than pleasurable. So you going to town on her like a rutting hog for her first time is going to painful, leave a nasty memory, and really hurt her opinion of you.

Now, after that top issue, there's the one of Xuv maybe making able to breed across species. You don't know how you'd be able to convince Zela to wear a contraceptive charm, or if it'd even work if you did convince her. She's likely too inexperienced to know how to give proper oral or a handjob, and even as starstruck as she is she's not going to do anal the first time with you, leaving you without other options. The prospect of siring Vark-Hiver hybrids, and bastard ones at that, should be a terrifying enough idea to stop you.

Next issue up, is the matter of crossing the palace to get to Zela. With what's going on with your loins it's going to look to anyone who sees you, and there will be people who see you, like you're trying to smuggle a large sausage in your trousers and utterly failing at it. And then you don't know just where Zela is. She's most likely with the royal painter, but if she isn't there then you're stuck trying to track her down across the palace. And if she is there, then you have to face the royal painter to get her away from her duties, all while sporting a raging redwood in your pants. But even if you did get Zela away, it's inevitable you're going to get spotted with her by someone, likely multiple someones, including credible witnesses, and the gossip that you ducked out of Karas' trial to screw the painter's apprentice is going to shoot across the palace in a flash. When Kira finds out, she's going to be disappointed that you couldn't make it even fifteen minutes into such an important function as this. But worse, when Belseth hears it he's going to think less of you. That you're succumbing to Bri's influence and turning into another of her. And for General Thalia it'll just confirm in her mind that you're just yet another lustful prince that can't keep his dick in his pants, lowering her opinion of you even lower.

So, in summary: Don't fuck the cute Hiver gal now because you will end up regretting it.

Right now it looks like your best option for adequate release that doesn't risk more than minor regrets, drawing attention or getting a irate, or royal, audience, is with Sisah. Bri'll have to stay behind to keep up appearances and possibly cover for you. Now, you just have to get away from here without looking like you're going to do what you're going to do with Sisah. You already look a bit ill from how much you're sweating, so it should be a simple matter to hunch over a bit like you're having bowel trouble and then bee-line for the nearest lavatory. Sisah'll clear anyone else in there out, station a couple guards up and down the hall to shoo anyone else who comes along away, lock the door, and then you two can get down to business. Just make it quick, bite down on a rolled up jacket sleeve or towel to muffle your cries, remember to thoroughly clean up your mess and yourselves afterwards, and flush to keep up appearances.

Also, you should try to remember to find out soon the whole story of how Karas lost his eye to Sakkilians, since it seems to have been the pivotal event that broke his mind and set him on the course to where he is today. Maybe Sisah or Bri knows the full story.

>>751131
Many of the problems with Zela could be solved by having a messenger fetch her. Also, the moral issues could be solved by simply explaining the problem to her instead of directly attempting seduction (which would probably be unneeded anyway)

Or, maybe, we could just keep it in our pants for once? I mean, considering all the lamenting we do about "Oh gosh my unending sexual appetites have made me do something terrible AGAIN" maybe we could try some self-control for once?

Now is not the time to be skirt chasing. No matter how valid your need may be, nobody's going to approve of you running off to get some action. And don't think for a minute that nobody will know either, you know how well secrets are kept around here.

I think we've established that Kronos cannot just sit there.

Then get a book or something. Now's the perfect time to practice some restraint. Seriously.

>>751534
I don't think magically induced superboners are good practice for the real thing.

Kaktus 2016/10/06(Thu)11:13 No. 751631 ID: 65a774
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>Your own brother is being put on trial for murder as you speak and you're going to talk about trust?
Just the more reason to find others that you can put your trust in. Being paranoid about the wrong people will only make things worse!
>Try that antidote; you should still have one dose remaining.
It’s too late for that. The potion is already in your system and puking will only make things… worse.
>Briannah is turned on by polygamy anyway.
You’re pretty sure Bri’s loose morals are the least of your problems right now.

>Let's find out, shall we? Ask Bri to tell you how much are the right amount and then tell her how much you took.
Hrrn? For yah weight? No idea. Yah did follow the instructions, right?
I think so… but maybe there’s a difference because I’m a Varkian?
It shouldn’t matter what species yah are… except if yah were and Serpent. They need to take a bit less than normal… or an Uredo, who generally need their own sets of potions… and fertility potions don’t really ‘ave anything to work with when it comes to plants… at least, that’s what the instructions says.
>Why would it suddenly kick in again out of nowhere half a day later when it already did this morning? At increased potency at that?
Not only does it make ye little soldiers more potent, it also make the “training” of them quicker. Thus, taking too much will make yah pent up extremely fast… and maybe even painfully so.
Painfully? Wait, there isn’t any harmful by effect, are there!?
The worst that can happen is some minor lingering pains, but nothing permanent. Trust me on this; I do have firsthand experience with overdosing on fertility potions.


>It's looking like you'll want to go find the painter, then.
…the painter... Zela… that adorable demure… those cute glasses of hers… those long legs… and huge abdomen. Gods, it almost hurts how much you want her right now…
>Okay, as much as you'd like to tap dat abdomen, there are multiple serious issues with going to Zela to resolve your predicament.
Ngg… but… she’s…
>There's the one of Xuv maybe making able to breed across species. You don't know how you'd be able to convince Zela to wear a contraceptive charm, or if it'd even work if you did convince her.
You don’t want children… not bastard ones…
>Also, the moral issues could be solved by simply explaining the problem to her instead of directly attempting seduction.
…yet… you can convince her to protect herself? She would believe you… and… you can just… end it somewhere else? You’ve been fantasizing about those glasses of hers… how they would look covered in your… your…
>Next issue up, is the matter of crossing the palace to get to Zela. Don't think for a minute that nobody will see you and you know how well secrets are kept around here.
Ngg… you don’t… want them to believe you’re just… just some lecherous prince…
>Many of the problems with Zela could be solved by having a messenger fetch her.
But… you can send her a message? Bri’s studio… it’s close by… there couldn’t be a lot of people around either… and no one would think twice of her entering it, as long as both of you don’t get there at the same time…
>It feels really wrong that you'd make your first time with Zela basically using her out of sexual desperation to relieve yourself. She's so cute and innocent and starstruck with you.
…you… you… you can’t… she deserves better… she deserves more. You can’t just use her, no… you can’t… not like this…
>Don't fuck the cute Hiver gal now because you will end up regretting it.
Dammit brain, don’t use the words “Fuck the cute Hiver gal”, it’s just making things worse!

>Right now it looks like your best option for adequate release that doesn't risk more than minor regrets, drawing attention or getting an irate, or royal, audience, is with Sisah.
Sisah… she’s… that snake like body of hers is attractive and… you never had the chance to actually… be the one who… who…
>Sisah would be more convenient and she IS pretty sexy and all but I think it's more important to keep her fully functional as a bodyguard right now since we're fairly sure something is about to go down.
D-dammit! She needs to protect you! Something might happen soon and she… she needs to be ready.

>Or, maybe, we could just keep it in our pants for once?
I… I can’t… I need to get this under c-control… to constrain myself.
Yah sure yah can ‘andle it?
I… I must try… d-dammit… ice? Do we have any ice?
There’s an ice bucket on the snack and drink cart, why do you ask?
>Pour ice on your junk.
G-gah!
Feeling better?
N-no… now I’m just cold too… and this bucket is kind of hard against my… my… ngg…
>Find out the whole story of how Karas lost his eye to Sakkilians, since it seems to have been the pivotal event that broke his mind and set him on the course to where he is today. Maybe Sisah or Bri knows the full story.
Wait, yah actually want to ‘ear about that right now? With ye predicament?
I need something to k-keep my mind of… things…
If yah say so… let’s see… it was after the war… and… um…
Your brother had a hand in taking care of orphans from the war, Sakkilian once to be precise. He had the grand temple take some in, to feed, teach and care for them. But… some of them misbehaved and they locked them in a makeshift cell in the basement.
Oh, I ‘eard that ye brother was furious about that and that ‘e personally went there to set them free again…
As for what happens then… well, I’ve heard that at first the children didn’t even react to his presence… then they simply went rabid and attacked everyone there like crazed beasts. They had no choice but to cut them down, but in the struggle your brother lost his eye.
They say they can still hear him wake up screaming every night since then. Not impossible, considering ‘ow traumatizing something like that must be.
I’m going to guess ever since then he hasn’t been able to look at Sakkilians the same way again.

:BrinnahSB: So… did it ‘elp? Are yah feeling… “better”?
No… not really… but at least it can’t get any… I didn’t just say that!
So much desire…
Oh, the gods have damned me…

Kaktus 2016/10/06(Thu)11:13 No. 751632 ID: 65a774
File 147577760933.png - (31.44KB , 686x526 , 6.png )

Ah…Kronos… are you feeling alright? You seems a bit tense.
Wha- you’re the one who did this to me?
I did? *sniff* No… I don’t… is that some kind of fertility magic? Why would you need that? I’ve already made you as fertile as you can be.
So… you didn’t do this?
Why would I? I have better things to do with my limited powers. *Sniff* Mmm, but does smell good… all those desires…
W-what do you want!?
Oh… I was just coming by to tell you that I kept my word. Your father lives, no? If it wasn’t for me… well…
B-but didn’t you say he would die of liver failure and not a h-heart attack!?
No, I said… I… wait, did I? Dammit, Xuv, stop jumping to conclusions. All I saw in the fate threads were that he would die thanks to his drinking this morning. So… his drinking led to weak heart?
…or people that should have saved him was scared away by his drinking…
So I saved his life…as part of our deal… now, feed me more… *sniff* Mff… so many desires… you are consumed by them! I need to feed on them! Let me feed on them! Just close your eyes and let me feed… Everything you ever wanted… I need to feed those desires… I need to… let me… please…

>Which might mean Xuv's trying to make a move. Don't let her use you again.
She is definitely trying to do something…

>>751632
Time for another deal. Tell her you will let her feed on you ONLY if she helps you fight Krotos. If she can't do anything about him, then ask her to end her own life.

If she won't do that either, then no deal.

For the love of all that is holy, DON'T. Remember when you did it the first time, and you basically completely regretted it and lamented about how you were a terrible person?

Or, yknow, you could just prove what some of us are saying about you and fuck the deity again, therefore proving you have no pattern recognition and don't actually care about being a good person as long as it means you get to orgasm.

>>751657
Well gee, wasn't the problem last time that we didn't ask Bri first? We can do that now.

>>751662
I think the incest also proved a problem. And the fact that we're empowering an evil rape goddess. Yknow, generally speaking I think there were a few issues we had to deal with.

>>751632
On one hand, we really wanted to not do this.
On the other, she seemed to have saved your father and she was polite.

>>751663
>evil rape goddess
Now that's just not true.

Also the incest was fake.

>Being paranoid about the wrong people will only make things worse!
When has that ever happened? Where is all this faith in your fellows coming from, anyway?
> you don’t… want them to believe you’re just… just some lecherous prince…
Believe, or know?
>simply went rabid
That's not simple at all! Rabies doesn't come from nowhere!

>>751663
Also he woke up with blue balls, which means feeding Xuv isn't a solution to the problem at all and may even make it worse. Also he isn't her damn sex toy. Also Kronos is going to develop stong character if it short-dicks every debauchee on the planet.

>>751671
>Also he woke up with blue balls
Shit, you're right. Xuv would have to offer us something very very nice to take the deal this time.

>>751662
No we can't ask Bri. Every time Xuv shows up, the world around Kronos is frozen because this is all happening in his mind. That means he can't interact with anyone or anything. Kronos is on his own until Xuv decides to go away.

>>751632
try and trick her, she is clearly a confused failed god.
"but we just did, the 2nd time was almost as glorious as the first. it was so satisfying for you, i wont be able to function if we do it again and you were so satisfied."

Kaktus 2016/10/07(Fri)15:54 No. 751778 ID: 65a774
File 147588085168.png - (34.85KB , 686x526 , 7.png )

>She seemed to have saved your father.
Are you even sure about that? For all you know she might have caused the heart attack in the first place! Even if she didn’t, it was payment for the first time she… you let your desires get the better of you.
>She was polite.
Because saying please makes everything better…
>Where is all this faith in your fellows coming from, anyway?
… … …you’re not sure, actually… you guess you must have faith in something, as you have none in yourself?
>That's not simple at all! Rabies doesn't come from nowhere!
You’re pretty sure she meant that they became mad and aggressive… of course, you don’t just go mad and become aggressive either…


>But we just did, the 2nd time was-
DO YOU THINK OF ME AS A FOOL, LITTLE PRINCE!? I would advise you from mocking me, as I finally have enough power TO FEAST UPON THE PITIFUL THING YOU CALL SOUL! Do not dare go behind my back, or I’ll throw you away like the PUPPET YOU ARE, PRINCE! You might still be my best option, but others have appeared…
>For the love of all that is holy, DON'T. Remember when you did it the first time, and you basically completely regretted it and lamented about how you were a terrible person?
…
>And the fact that we're empowering an evil rape goddess.
…
>Also he woke up with blue balls, which means feeding Xuv isn't a solution to the problem at all and may even make it worse.
…
So… feed me your-
NO!
…what?
I will not feed your sick desires any longer! I am not your toy!
HA! What a lark! Do you really think you can deny me?
Yes! I can! Right now!
I can fulfill every little desire you have ev-
My wife can fulfill any desire I will ever have! Every desire I want to fulfill!
Oh? And the Painter? Zena? …and Belseth? …and… Thalia?
They are not a wicked creature like you! No, I’m putting my foot down; I will not feed you anything!
…But I c-
No, no more debate. Bring it up again and I’ll fling you across the room!
Hmfp… then… how about a deal? I’m sure you have something you need that I can provide?
A deal?

>Tell her you will let her feed on you ONLY if she helps you fight and defeat Krotos.
Krotos? He is dead, gone, nothing but bones by now! How do you fight something that is already dead!? No, I can’t help you fight your pretend enemies.
>If she can't do anything about him, then ask her to end her own life.
AH!~ E-end myself!? I c-c-can’t just… ah… I can’t… I s-s-still have s-so… so much t-to… ah… do… to do… I AM ENDLESS, I CAN’T… nngggg…. I can’t… I CAN’T END! AHHhhh… I can’t… even if… not b-by… myself… but y-you… ah… you could… y-you… c-c-consume… m-me? Ah~ s-so… so w-wrong… y-yet… NO! I AM XUV! GOD OF DEATH! GOD OF LOVE! GOD OF… d-desire? Argh! Stop it! Stop being silly! I am endless! I can’t end!
…so… you can’t-

WAIT! …wait… what… what is that feeling? I… I’m down there as well?
Down…? What do you mean down there?
Bound and gagged, so much hatred but… but… I’m not… I’m behind the ornate door… watching it from six eyes… waiting… so much… hatred?
Ornate door? You mean the ki- the queen’s entrance? Also, Bound and… wait, are you saying you’re sitting right in front of my sister, the Queen?
I see… the throne… and… so much hatred… so much hatred for the one sitting on it…
Wait… you’re seeing things through my brother’s eye?
Thousands of eyes watching… thousands of mouths screaming… A lucid dream… it’s… I’m… I’m dreaming again… I… I…
…dreaming?
Huh? What were we talking about again?
…you don’t remember what you just said?
Hmm? I said that you should stop being silly! I can’t end! I’m endless! I AM A GOD! THE GOD OF GODS! I AM THE BEGINNING AND THE END! No, no more debating that… I am endless…

>>751778
We have to go. Immediately. Grab your gun, set it to fire, leave via the nearest exit then find the queen's door Xuv mentioned and bring guards and Sisah and Briannah. What you want to do is ambush it while it's at the door, before it goes in. ...wait, is time actually frozen or is the freeze just in your head? Can you move around and reach that location? If so then you will have to kill it alone, with the fire shot.

...ahhh, of course, I figured out another thing. Part of Xuv's corpse is in the amalgamation of souls and bones. That's how it's able to walk about and escape the prison- it has part of a god's power.

>of course, you don’t just go mad and become aggressive either…
That has me thinking, what if both of your brothers weren't acting of their own cognizance? What if there's some outside force that either took over or affected your eldest brother, and after he died, now it's latched on to Karas? I mean, Krotos was a brilliant general, right? at least good enough that attempting such a messy Coup d'état as he did would be drastically out of character, both morally and in methodology. Then, however many years later, Karas has the exact same MO; goes from principled and intelligent to a complete ham-fisted megalomaniac with no concept of collateral damage, and the same very specific hangup over harming you. I think, in both cases, it was somebody else behind the wheel.

>you guess you must have faith in something, as you have none in yourself?
Not that you're a saint, but compared to the murderers and sadists that seem to be ubiquitous around here?... I thought I'd be the last person on the planet to say this, but assuming you follow through with standing up to Xuv, you deserve much more credit than you're giving yourself. Especially compared to a lot of others.


>>751781
Kronos is in no condition for any kind of combat. Thalia has the floor, alert her. I'm concerned about 'watching it from six eyes'- which side of the door are these eyes on? Look around, especially among the 21- is anybody giving the queen or the door the death glare?

>>751817
>That has me thinking, what if both of your brothers weren't acting of their own cognizance? What if there's some outside force that either took over or affected your eldest brother, and after he died, now it's latched on to Karas?
Perhaps it's all the souls trapped in the Catacombs of the Godless/Soul Kiln. The souls of traitors, dangerous violent criminals and falsely accused that were thrown down there by the Kingdom, the Temple and the Old Empire balled up into a amalgam of vengeance, hatred, rage and envy. That'd explain why the monstrosity sounded like a thousand howling voices to Kronos, and why Xuv is seeing through a thousand eyes from Karas. Though, I doubt they had the power to possess before, but extended periods in proximity to the Catacombs may have allowed them to influence a person. That might be what happened to Krotos. And those Sakkilian orphans, they were imprisoned below the Temple, likely close to the Catacombs. And Karas was kept in a safe room underground, so if that room was close to the Catacombs too, that may explain the state he's in now. And his contact with the tainted orphans may have also infected his dreams, giving him the night terrors that kept waking him up. But the effect on all of them was much more serious than with Krotos, so something would have to have increased the effect of the Catacombs... Perhaps what the Archbishop is doing inadvertently empowered the souls trapped in the Catacombs. Maybe the bursts of raw magic were getting absorbed by the souls trapped in the Catacomb/Soul Kiln. Or maybe the process that turned the dead patch in the garden live again is the same or similar to the one the earth elemental did that also warped it somewhat, and the warping effect is being dumped into the Catacombs. Or it could be something else entirely, or a combination of things. But it seems like it wasn't until after the Archbishop's plans were being put into motion that this shit started happening.

Oh, and Krotos possibly being the core of the "soul amalgam" could be explained by the way certain undead who died with very strong feelings or drives retaining at least part of their minds when they rise back up. If Krotos rose as that kind of undead, he would have had the most coherent and strongest personality of all the souls down there, giving direction to them all. Though, it's also possible that the visions Kronos had that we think were of Krotos was actually of Karas being possessed by the Catacomb souls. But if that was the case it wouldn't have reacted the way it did when it felt Kronos watching, since Karas now hates Kronos' guts.

>>751781
>...ahhh, of course, I figured out another thing. Part of Xuv's corpse is in the amalgamation of souls and bones.
That Xuv is somehow linked to the imprisoned Catacomb/Soul Kiln souls makes so much sense. And if Xuv is linked to the "soul amalgam" then that would mean it would get some of any power she gets. And it seems like it wasn't until after Xuv got her first real bit of power in ages from Tim, when he summoned her, that things started to get weird with her. And then she got more power from visiting Tim in his dreams, and from her invasion of Kronos' dreams last night, and if she's linked with the "soul amalgam" then she got some power when Tim tried to summon her last night. That Tim ended up in a nightmare with the monstrosity just backs up this theory more. And that Xuv is seeing through Karas and some other being gives even more credence to the theory. And also it wasn't until Xuv got more power that suddenly people started getting portentous nightmares like Thalia's. But if this is true, it also means that Kronos definitely should not give into Xuv because any power drawn from his desires by her would also end up powering the monstrosity as well. And it may also mean that anyone who potentially consumes Xuv would also end up connected to the Catacomb souls unless the link to them was severed somehow. Oh, and on top of that it'd mean any link Xuv has to a child of Kronos and Briannah would also be tainted by the Catacomb souls, so that'll have to be dealt with in some way as well.

>>751817
>Kronos is in no condition for any kind of combat.
He's got a boner and can't keep his mind off sex, that's all. He is not physically handicapped, and I imagine the adrenaline rush from coming face to face with a monster intent on murdering his sister would help his ability to fight.
>Thalia has the floor, alert her
Just how are we supposed to do that? Start raving like a madman about how your brother came back to life and is trying to kill her? Nobody's gonna believe anything we say until the monster shows up and by then it might be too late!
>six eyes
The abomination has six eyes, or is made up of three people, or she's including the "bound and gagged" person (Karas) along with herself and the abomination/herself fused with the abomination. It's looking FROM BEHIND THE DOOR, and waiting. That's explicitly stated. The monster is behind the door.


On a different topic... Karas' story makes me wonder if the children were poisoned or otherwise not of sound mind when they attacked him. If we could somehow give him proof of that, it might make him repent, since his hatred would be founded on a falsehood. Not that he should be set free, since he still made those decisions himself, but it might spare him the death penalty if that happened.

>>751840
Karas only has one eye. Also, Xuv says whatever it is is waiting, so I'd say we have time.

>>751840
>The abomination has six eyes, or is made up of three people, or she's including the "bound and gagged" person (Karas) along with herself and the abomination/herself fused with the abomination.
Or it's a Serpens with two missing eyes that's been possessed by the abomination. Serpens have eight eyes, after all. Or it's three people with binocular vision, or six each with a missing eye, or two Uredo, since Uredo have three eyes. And there may be more ways it could technically be six eyes as well, but until Kronos gets his eye on who or whatever it is he won't know for sure.

And thinking of interpreting visions, Kronos should ask Xuv exactly what she saw in the threads of fate as the causes of death for Kira and Karas. She jumped to conclusions with Kronos' father, so it's quite possible she got the other two wrong as well. It might even be the death from stress is Karas' fate rather than Kira's, since Karas looks like he may just have a stroke down there. Which if that was the case, the abuse of food one would be Kira's. Possibly it'd be from stress eating, but with how open to interpretation these are it could be anything. "Abusing" food could even include choking to death on a grape if you stretch the definition enough.

>>751843
Yeah, that's true Karas has only one eye, but we can't be so sure about how much time we have. We also don't want to cause any kind of commotion that'd cause Kira's bodyguards to execute a evacuation plan for her 'cause it's most likely they'd guide her to safety right back through the ornate monarch's door, straight into the arms of whatever is back there. So something like faking that Kronos has been poisoned, calling out that there's an assassin in the rafters, or getting Sisah to yell out whatever codeword the bodyguards have for evacuating the court will not work. Kira has to exit the hall via another door than the ornate one.

Also, there's a possible risk from Karas to Kira. If he has been possessed by something or it's using him as a channel, then he might get the strength from it to break his bonds, project magic, or some other danger to Kira. Thus, he might end up being the source of danger Thalia's saw in her dream.

...I wonder if Xuv would back off if she knew she was giving the abomination power?

Her mind is fragmented. You are not her only pawn

We should try the whole 0retending to be frozen in time with everyone else next to she appears just to see what happens

>>751849
I was thinking send a guard with a note or something once the time stop ends.

Kaktus 2016/10/11(Tue)13:12 No. 752513 ID: 65a774
File 147621675398.png - (41.74KB , 686x526 , 8.png )

>We should try the whole pretending to be frozen in time with everyone else next to she appears just to see what happens.
Considering that she tends to appear out of nowhere and scare the shit out of you… well…
>Not that you're a saint, but compared to the murderers and sadists that seem to be ubiquitous around here?
Yes, because it’s hard to get over a bar embedded in the ground… who are you kidding, you’ll probably still trip over it.
>That has me thinking, what if both of your brothers weren't acting of their own cognizance? What if there's some outside force that either took over or affected your eldest brother, and after he died, now it's latched on to Karas?
That’s… seeing Karas sudden mood swings… oh gods…
>Perhaps it's all the souls trapped in the Catacombs of the Godless/Soul Kiln. The souls of traitors, dangerous violent criminals and falsely accused.
…if they can possess people then… then… how are we even supposed to protect ourselves from something like that!?
>I figured out another thing. Part of Xuv's corpse is in the amalgamation of souls and bones. That's how it's able to walk about and escape the prison- it has part of a god's power.
This is just getting worse and worse!
>Oh, and Krotos possibly being the core of the "soul amalgam" could be explained by the way certain undead who died with very strong feelings or drives retaining at least part of their minds when they rise back up.
Oh gods! That’s… wait… but… strong willed people that dies becomes… what if… Xuv isn’t actually… she’s undead? What if this isn’t Xuv, but just her undead corpse walking around?
>Her mind is fragmented. You are not her only pawn.
For all we know there might be another Xuv down there! If this is just her corpse… is it possible her soul is somewhere else?
>Look around, especially among the 21- is anybody giving the queen or the door the death glare?
Not the queen, no… a lot of them are giving your brother the death glare though. So much for an unbiased judgement…


>Kronos should ask Xuv exactly what she saw in the threads of fate as the causes of death for Kira and Karas.
Hrrn? What I saw? Well… let’s see… for your brother I saw one of those… candy thingies? At least that paper thing around it?
So he’ll die of diabetes?
Dia what now?
…or wait, didn’t they say they found candy wrappers on several murder scenes? Oh gods, it saw the trial! He’ll be sentence to death because of the candies! And my sister? What about Kira?
Saw her collapsing over several piles of papers, old and worn out.
…so… she’ll work herself to death…
>...I wonder if Xuv would back off if she knew she was giving the abomination power?
What are you blabbering on about?
There is something else in play here, something that might be syphoning powers from you.
BAH! Stop talking nonsense! Stealing from the very gods!? Preposterous! I’m not going to stand here listening to your inane accusations. No, if you won’t feed me… I was only coming by to tell you I kept my part of the deal… and I expect you to keep yours tonight.
Wait, what do yo- GAHH! AAH…
*Crash*
Watch the ice bucket!
H-HOLY….
Are yah alright!?
I… I…ah… gods… I wasn’t…
Is it that bad? Should I call for medical aid?
No, it’s just… it caught me b-by surprise, that’s a-all…
…surprise?
Oh, I… Xuv came and talking t-to me again… I guess her time s-stop thing she does m-made me feel less… well… Oh! Right! S-she gave me a warning! Something is about to h-happen!

>We have to go. Immediately. Grab your gun, set it to fire, leave via the nearest exit.
Whoa, calm down. You’re not going anywhere.
But-
She’s right, yah’re not in any shape to go into danger.
>Thalia has the floor, alert her.
Seeing as she’s staring right at us, that wouldn’t be a problem. That is, unless yah ‘ave a lot of details to share?
>I was thinking send a guard with a note or something once the time stop ends.
Ah, I can send Doxan! ‘e’ll get down there quickly… and can ‘elp with whatever is down there. So, what’s the message?
I… l-let me write a quick note.
>Also, there's a possible risk from Karas to Kira.
Karas? Not only is ‘e bound and gagged, ‘e got a lot of magical restrains on ‘im as well… and the throne is well protected as well.

Wait, Thalia is staring at us? D-did we make a scene?
A small one, yes… luckily, people are more interested in the trial.
Oh… good…
It will be written that the youngest prince had a bit of an emotional breakdown watching his own brother be sentenced to death.
Wha-

Kaktus 2016/10/11(Tue)13:12 No. 752514 ID: 65a774
File 147621676581.png - (31.88KB , 686x526 , 9.png )

Oh… the chronicler…
Of course. This is an event that will be remembered for thousands of years and need to be written. History books do keep the memories alive, don’t they? Oh, and I wanted to tell you I’ve decided on a name on your book… “Strange bedfellows”, as you suggested. It really does work on more than one level, no? So thank you for that suggestion. Now… what’s next? Is your epic getting interesting?
…interesting?
I can feel it… my siblings have dreamed up something interesting. I do hope you choose a path that will end with a proper ending, don’t want to the book to suddenly end, no?
So yah’re not ‘ere to share a bunch of really vague advice?
Well, if you have any questions… Oh! And I forgot to ask, how do you want the cover to look like? Something epic? Something symbolic? Hmm?
…is this really the time for this?

What was Xuv talking about when she said 'my end of the deal'? Is, or was, something affecting my brothers? Will it affect me? What is the archbishop planing and what will come of it? What would be the collateral damage if the old man destroys the soul kiln? Did this morning's efforts 'take'? Is there an ending to this story that doesn't involve mad gods eventually destroying the world?
>It will be written that the youngest prince had a bit of an emotional breakdown watching his own brother be sentenced to death.
...Is there any way to affect the sentencing?

I almost forgot- who poisoned the guard outside the crypts? Why did my sister have Qelba framed when she already had evidence against my brother, and why wasn't he protected by any guards? What was he going to tell me?

>who are you kidding, you’ll probably still trip over it.
Maybe, but not this time.

>>752514
this guy never answers with anything about the present or the future so lets focus all our questions on the past tense

what was the thing i see in my visions and was it in the throne room a few seconds ago?

also we should ask him what he would do for varkdike bar.
maybe we can bribe him.

>>752558
you can't bargain with the future, all you can do it prepare... the past on the other hand as long as your willing to drown it in coin and some strategically placed fire you can changes it's mind to suit your needs, within the limits of common knowledge.

>>752558
Gah, you're right. We can only ask about the past.

>>752514
Well we know if Xuv's prediction holds true then the abomination won't be able to kill your sister. However, other lives are at stake. Basically everyone else in here could be killed by that thing.

Ask if Xuv actually saved your father's life. Also ask if giving her power aided the abomination. If not, ask if giving her power was a bad idea or not.

Impose Briannah's giant ass over a silhouette of Kronos staring in horror.

Kaktus 2016/10/12(Wed)10:33 No. 752683 ID: 65a774
File 147629363389.png - (83.61KB , 686x526 , 10.png )

>Impose Briannah's giant ass over a silhouette of Kronos staring in horror.
This isn’t the time for face sitting! Also, that kind of activities should only be performed in the privacy of your own apartment… … …and “horror” might be wrong emotion…

>Ask if Xuv actually saved your father's life.
There are many paths we can take. Xuv made you father walk down one that is longer than the one he was on.
>Also ask if giving her power aided the abomination. If not, ask if giving her power was a bad idea or not.
There are always consequences. Some good, some bad. Who am I to judge which path is the proper one?
>What was Xuv talking about when she said 'my end of the deal'?
How should I know? You’re the one who struck a deal with her?

>...Is there any way to affect the sentencing?
There are always other paths… though, you might not like the price they require… or where they end.
>Is, or was, something affecting my brothers?
A better question would be… is it affecting them… or are they affecting it?
>Will it affect me?
It hasn’t already?
>what was the thing I see in my visions?
A nightmare can take many forms. Some are more personal than others…
>and was it in the throne room a few seconds ago?
It’s everywhere were fear is bred. In the dark corners of the palace, in the ill lit cellars below it, in the lonely nights and even in the edge of your vision. Fear sustains it and fear drives it. Do not let your fears consume you like it did with your brothers!

>What is the archbishop planning and what will come of it?
“Those that think themselves queen but are mere pawns,
are doomed to walk the path their king has drawn.
Her master demands a feast for a god,
who can tell if it will work or if it’s flawed?”
>What would be the collateral damage if the old man destroys the soul kiln?
*Shrug* I am the past, not future.
>Is there an ending to this story that doesn't involve mad gods eventually destroying the world?
“Let me tell you a tale of three brothers, born in a poor, starving hamlet, who once met a genie of great powers. It promised all three that it would empower them with endless potential, but warned them that there is always a price. If they ever welcomed death everything they’ve done before wouldn’t happen, except for the final embrace of their own end. The first brother, selfish and egoistical, used the powers to only please himself. The finest wine, the finest food, the finest women, all soon was in his grasp. But for every glass he drank the wine became more sour, for every plate he ate the food become staler, for everyone he bed his desires were harder to please. In the end, it seems that the man who had everything had nothing, and out of boredom he welcomed death’s embrace. The second brother, altruistic and kind, tried to use his powers to help those in need and make the world paradise for all. At first, it worked, and he was beloved by all. But as time passed, the consequences of his action became harsher and harsher, but still he was beloved by all. The harder he tired, the worse it got and soon the very world burned, cleansed of life thanks to his actions… and he was still beloved by all. In the end, out of despair, the second brother chooses to embrace death as well. “In the end, both your brothers only got death” the genie said “do you still want to take my promise”? The last brother, wise and patient, accepted the promise, but moments later gave back all the powers the genie has bestowed upon him. “Do you not wish to be a god?” the genie asked. “No, I’ve already gotten everything I wanted” the last brother answered, as he took his two brothers in hand and walked back to the rich and well-fed hamlet they were born in.”

>who poisoned the guard outside the crypts?
There are others who has a stake in this. Only time will tell if you will meet them or not.
>Why did my sister have Qelba framed when she already had evidence against my brother?
It’s impossible to complete a puzzle without all the pieces. In this case, she knew were the pieces where, she just didn’t have a way to reach them.
>and why wasn't he protected by any guards?
Sometimes, a pawn is placed where a rook was needed.
>What was he going to tell me?
That, young prince, is lost to history. Only Qelba knew… so that secret died with him.

>Maybe we can bribe him.
I simply am what has happen. There is no way to change me.
>Did this morning's efforts 'take'?
Hmm… no, they did not.
So… is it even possible for us too…?
The path you walk will have children laughs in it, have no doubt.
Well… that means we need to take it up a notch, eh Kronos?

Oh fuck, he's speaking in poetry again.

> You’re the one who struck a deal with her?
Yeah, past tense.
> though, you might not like the price they require… or where they end.
Well than give me a damn roadmap and I'll make my own decision. I know there are more paths than 'world destroyed by lunatic' and 'world destroyed by people who thought they were helping'.
>Let me tell you a tale of three brothers...
First sounds like Xuv, second sounds like Belseth. Question is, who's the third? Since we know we should relinquish power, could it be you? Sounds like a good enough way to deal with that energy buildup everybody's worried about, we can give it to the old man willingly without a catastrophic explosion.

> Well… that means we need to take it up a notch, eh Kronos?
As soon as he gets back, Belseth is going to disguise himself as you and we're going to make ourselves scarce for an hour.

>>752700
>As soon as he gets back, Belseth is going to disguise himself as you and we're going to make ourselves scarce for an hour.
Uh... What? This suggestion doesn't make sense. Belseth was and is currently down below taking part in the court proceedings as a member of the council of 21 deciding Karas' fate. He won't be coming up here. Did you happen to get his name mixed up with Doxan?

However, even substituting Doxan into your suggestion won't work because Doxan's a Sakkilian, and as skilled as he is at disguise, he can't fake being a Vark. Besides, it's Bri's presence that folks down there will take to indicate Kronos is still up here, since she's so large they can see her clearly.

And it also won't work if your suggestion was actually for Doxan to disguise himself as Briannah. She's a great deal taller and wider than him, so it'd be noticed even down there. He also, as far as we know, only has the magical means to disguise his face and head, not his clothes, so he wouldn't have Bri's dress either.

>“Those that think themselves queen but are mere pawns, are doomed to walk the path their king has drawn. Her master demands a feast for a god, who can tell if it will work or if it’s flawed?”
The archbishop isn't calling the shots?!

Wait.....I think I've figured it out! The archbishop's master doesn't have a physical form and must've made promises of "making the world a better place" to her. And the ritual is a way to turn Bel into a vessel! That way, whoever it is will possess Bel and will then turn him into an evil god!

>The path you walk will have children laughs in it, have no doubt.
>Well… that means we need to take it up a notch, eh Kronos?
But, he didn't say that it would be our biological children, he just said children. I'm willing to try again, but.....if it still doesn't take by the time we fix whatever the fuck is going on, we might need to consider adoption. Also, I say "when we fix things" and not "if we fix things", because I'm confident we will fix things.

Here's a question for you, Chronicler: "Where is the immortality symbol that the Old Man wanted me to destroy?" And if that doesn't work, then I'll try asking this way: "Where was the immortality symbol placed and who put it there?"

>>752700
>As soon as he gets back, Belseth is going to disguise himself as you and we're going to make ourselves scarce for an hour.
That doesn't make any sense! No!

>>752764
You're right, I meant Doxan. Again.

Kaktus 2016/10/14(Fri)11:01 No. 753038 ID: 65a774
File 147646808169.png - (17.45KB , 686x526 , 11.png )

>Oh fuck, he's speaking in poetry again.
At least it’s easier to decipher than some of its other bullshit…
>First sounds like Xuv, second sounds like Belseth. Question is, who's the third? Since we know we should relinquish power, could it be you?
Going by the general message of the story, it would seem that it wants you to be the third one.
>The archbishop's master doesn't have a physical form and must've made promises of "making the world a better place" to her. And the ritual is a way to turn Bel into a vessel! That way, whoever it is will possess Bel and will then turn him into an evil god!
Well, crap… it’s starting to sound more and more that Belseth is being set up… or even if he isn’t, whatever it is that is manipulating everything will probably just seize the gods’ powers for itself.


>Well than give me a damn roadmap and I'll make my own decision.
You know I cannot do that. All I can tell you is that trying to change his fate will only make things worse. Your brother is already lost, Kronos… both of them are, remember that.
>But, he didn't say that it would be our biological children, he just said children.
The path you walk right now will lead to biological ones. All you have to do is… persist to the end.
So… Xuv’s “blessing” will work?
…indeed it will.
>Where is the immortality symbol that the Old Man wanted me to destroy?
In the deepest of reaches, in a chamber of fallen gods, you will find it where you stand as you witness the ascension of a mad god.
…so, it’s in the chamber with the gods?
It is where this story will end. Hidden in the catacombs along with the corpses of the very gods.
>The archbishop isn't calling the shots?!
The Archbishop is a leader of power. She have the loyalty and servitude of many, thus she have many paths to decide. But, there is a simple question with a complex answer; “How did she find something that has been hidden from creation itself for thousands of years”?

>As soon as he gets back, Doxan is going to disguise himself as you and we're going to make ourselves scarce for an hour.
Hrrn? Is this really the best time for that? I mean, sure, the trial is mostly just droning on by now… the defense is trying their best to prove anyone could ‘ave eaten that kind of candy and… that’s… rrrreally interesting? Wait, what was the point I was trying to make again? Oh, right, the threat! We still don’t ‘now if that’s solved or not.
But if it is… no one would miss us sneaking away to our room for a while so you can sit on my fac- ergh, I mean… where did that come from?
Heh… really? Well, if that’s what yah want… still, there are some problems with ye plan.
Err… should I leave? This sounds like a private conversation…
>However, even substituting Doxan into your suggestion won't work because Doxan's a Sakkilian, and as skilled as he is at disguise, he can't fake being a Vark.
‘e could disguise himself like me instead then? Though, I’m sure we can get a guard or servant that will look enough like yah on a distance.
But… what if they talk about it?
There is no way we can leave without someone seeing us do it. That’s just the way it is, eh?
>She's a great deal taller and wider than him, so it'd be noticed even down there. He also, as far as we know, only has the magical means to disguise his face and head, not his clothes, so he wouldn't have Bri's dress either.
Well, then we simply give ‘im the dress? We aren’t planning to use it after all, heh… as for girt and size… Doxan is a master at disguises, ‘e can deal with that ‘imself. Especially when there’s such a distance to take into consideration.

Mistress?
Speak of the wyvern. Got anything to report, Doxan?
Thalia personally checked on the royal entrance as soon as she got ye message. We didn’t find anything but a few working servants and the like; but, to be on the safe side, she chased them all away before cycling all the guards as well as adding a few extra ones. Whatever it was we were looking for is gone now, master.
So… crises averted or…?
Well, if it is… do yah still want to stick with the plan or are we staying ‘ere, listening to this sleep aid?
…um… so we’re done here? There wasn’t anything else?

Cover art.

>…indeed it will.
Alright, what's the catch?
>Well, then we simply give ‘im the dress?
Shan't subject him to that. Something tells me we should stay and see how this plays out. At least try to pay attention.
> …um… so we’re done here? There wasn’t anything else?
What, you don't want to watch the trial of the century? Good seats right here. As for cover art, go for a Regicide metaphor. Capital R regicide, like the board game.

I feel as though we should at least make sure Karas is given a proper burial(burned to ash), and not thrown in the soul prison to become part of whatever monster is lurking in there.

Even if we have to intercept his body and burn it personally.
What's the timetable for that, by the way?

...you know, he's been more forthcoming than usual on matters of the future. What's up with that?

Kaktus 2016/10/16(Sun)11:34 No. 753213 ID: 65a774
File 147664284298.png - (61.31KB , 686x526 , 12.png )

>I feel as though we should at least make sure Karas is given a proper burial(burned to ash), and not thrown in the soul prison to become part of whatever monster is lurking in there.
That’s definitely something you need to vouch for. Sadly, it’s the council of 21 that will decide his final fate, and you can’t really discuss it with them under the trial, can you? Maybe you can talk to your sister right after this?
>What's the timetable for that, by the way?
It all depends on what the council decides. Maybe they will spare him a quick death and burn his body? Maybe they will torture him first? Maybe they will throw him down into the catacombs still alive? …or maybe he’ll just be imprisoned for life, but you doubt that…

>What, you don't want to watch the trial of the century? Good seats right here.
Ah, good seats or not, I can’t actually watch anything. I simply know everything that has happen, that’s all. So, even if you can’t see me here, I will know what has happened.
>Alright, what's the catch?
The catch? Well, the catch you have to worry about is that if you don’t deal with Xuv soon, the only thing you will give birth to is a mad god who will consume the flesh of your wife.
Err… that’s… we really need to kick Xuv’s arse then!
>As for cover art, go for a Regicide metaphor. Capital R regicide, like the board game.
Hmm… that might work, yeah… which would make Kronos the King? …and Bri the Queen? Hmm…
Of course I’m the queen! I’m the one who kicks the most arse around ‘ere!
> ...you know, he's been more forthcoming than usual on matters of the future. What's up with that?
Oh, I have? Well, most of your questions could be answered with knowledge of the past and… err… you’re right, I’ve said too much. I really should keep my mouth in check from now on.
…actually, why are yah even answering our questions? Yah said it yeself, yah shouldn’t try to change the future, eh?
Err… well… I admit, I’ve been giving you answers that… um… might make this a better story? I mean… um… it wouldn’t be fun story if Kronos here went and died in the middle of it, would it? The whole thing would kind of just grind to a halt and then… just end badly. Not really a great story, is it? Either way, if you need me, I’ll be… well, anywhere something is happening. See you soon.

>Shan't subject Doxan to that.
If the mistress and master wishes for me to wear a dress, then I will do so. It’s not the first time I’ve worn something like that, master. I’m ‘ere to serve ye every whim, after all.
>Something tells me we should stay and see how this plays out.
…alright, fine… you’re doing this… you’re doing your duty as a prince. No distractions!

>At least try to pay attention.
The trial goes on and your brothers defense does put up a fight, but in the end it doesn’t seem they had a chance… mostly because Karas is acting more like a wild beast than an innocent man...

Kaktus 2016/10/16(Sun)11:34 No. 753214 ID: 65a774
File 147664285159.png - (17.45KB , 686x526 , 13.png )

…and the verdict is in… he will be executed. Though, they have yet to decide the exact means he will face his fate or what will happen to his remains. Karas doesn’t seem to even notice what is happening around him, instead in the last moments of the trial he managed to find you and has since then stared like a madman right at you. Even when they led him away, he was staring at you with pure hatred and rage…

So… it’s four o’clock, eh? When was the dinner with Belseth?
Um… did we even decide on a time?
Either way, it’s time to get ready for it? Unless yah ‘ave something else that needs to be done?

Do I? I still have the painter’s hat in my pocket… and I probably need to talk to either Thalia or my sister… or both… but do you need to do that right now? You rather rest your mind for a bit… the only thing you know for sure is that you’ll probably be late if you try to do everything.

>>753214
...that's the same eye that the abomination had. He's fully possessed, probably.

First thing's first. Talk to your sister and tell her it's important that Karas gets a proper burial. Heck, it might even be a good idea to do that for all those sentenced to death from here on. No more trapped souls, please.

After that I suppose you should get ready for the date. If you have time you could return the painter's hat, but it's also possible to send a messenger to do that.

>mostly because Karas is acting more like a wild beast than an innocent man...
Is he saying anything articulate?
>…and the verdict is in… he will be executed.
Any idea who voted how? That could make dinner awkward.
> Unless yah ‘ave something else that needs to be done?
Yeah, your wife. You can return the hat later, and there's no rest for the wicked.

First, mingle with everyone else. Something tells me "It will be written that the youngest prince had a bit of an emotional breakdown" means that you can successfully pass off your actual 'condition' as shock. Tuck your 'gun' into your waistband or something and see if you cant gather up Thalia to talk to your sister about your concerns about the church. If people aren't lingering in and around the courtroom, prioritize finding your sister. How's it look like she's taking the news?

Okay.

Your brother is infected, AND he's on death row for conspiracy and murder. He's too great a threat to try and save.

I'm more worried about what happens when he dies. If we're dealing with a Beast-type virus, that infestation might spread to the executioner. Then we'd have to shoot the executioner in the face. That would not go well.

You could hire your own assassin squad to target the executioner and make it look like you were trying to save your brother, but they might take initiative and kill the executioner ahead of schedule, and either way you'd lose reputation for murdering a soldier. Convincing your sister to change the sentence to life might work, but the infestation might grow and he could break loose.

I suggest you find a nice, quiet wasteland far away from the castle and throw exorcism rituals at his ass until he dies from purification stress overload. You could hire the priests from the church, have them witness the horror, make a few of them realize what rotten fruits their grand master plan will unleash and convince them to join your side. The rest you can write off as a loss. Of their heads.

>>753235
What is a Beast-type virus?

>>753234
>...means that you can successfully pass off your actual 'condition' as shock. Tuck your 'gun' into your waistband or something...
It's pretty certain Kronos won't have to contend with hiding the 'condition' of his 'gun.' Back shortly after noon, right after the trial started, Briannah said that the fertility potion effects would wear off in a few hours. (See >>750932) It's four 'o clock now so it should have worn off completely, or at least close enough to completely that Kronos can keep from erecting another trouser tent as long as he doesn't focus on lewd thoughts.

>>753260
I dunno. My guess is it's either a reference to a Windows Trojan horse virus from circa 2004, which I doubt, or one for the Beast bio-mech virus from the game Homeworld: Cataclysm. Thing is, the latter was very aggressive about spreading and didn't wait to jump to a nearby new host until its current host died. That doesn't fit how Kome described its behavior here so I don't know what was meant by a "Beast-type" virus.

Yes, you would rather rest your mind for a bit, but you know that time is not on your side here and you don't have the luxury to put things off until you're feeling better because then important things won't get done or vital info shared. You just can't afford to be that carefree, irresponsible, and, frankly, aimless prince you were for so long any more.

Right now is not the time to return Zela's beret. There's more important things that should be dealt with right now. And frankly, after this trial, you're also not in the mood to face such a cute starstruck gal. You'll have a servant take her beret back, along with a note from you. Write down that you're sorry you didn't return her beret sooner and you wish it could have been in person, but you got caught up in events and time got away from you before you could and then you had to be at the trial. Add that you look forward to the next time you see her, and that it'll probably be tomorrow morning in the studio.

Go round up Thalia and then Kira. You, Bri, and them need to talk. But before you do get down to the heavy issues, take Kira somewhere private and secure. Somewhere where you and her can be alone, without Sisah or bodyguards. Some place where she'll can safely drop her queenly front and be just your sister for a little bit. Then give her a close hug and soothing words, because after all that's happened so far today, she has to desperately need some comforting. ...And frankly, you need some comforting too.

Unfortunately, you two won't have much time for hugs and comforting before you'll have to bring Thalia and Bri in to talk about serious matters. Like informing Kira about what you told Thalia already, along with Thalia's dream, Tim's nightmare from the ritual, what you heard when you touched the earth elemental, and so on, also asking Kira what her bad dreams these last few days have been.

Kaktus 2016/10/19(Wed)09:35 No. 753858 ID: 65a774
File 147689490675.png - (60.02KB , 686x526 , 14.png )

>...that's the same eye that the abomination had. He's fully possessed, probably.
Gods… he really is gone…
>He's too great a threat to try and save.
Is there even anything left to save?
>Is he saying anything articulate?
The one time they removed the muzzle from him he simply snarled and tried to bite his own defense attorney.
>Any idea who voted how? That could make dinner awkward.
It was anonymous so you have no idea who voted for what… or what they even could vote for.
>I'm more worried about what happens when he dies. If we're dealing with a Beast-type virus, that infestation might spread to the executioner.
You’re not sure what is actually wrong with him, but it doesn’t seem to transfer at death. Otherwise, all the guards he had with him when he met with those children would be infected as well. So far, the only thing you have to go on are the catacombs… everyone who’s been acting strange has been close to them, haven’t they?
>If you have time you could return the painter's hat, but it's also possible to send a messenger to do that.
You’d rather see her in person, but you guess you don’t have the time for that, do you?
>Tuck your 'gun' into your waistband or something.
Your “gun” isn’t loaded anymore. While you still feel a bit… “excited”, watching the trial did keep your mind of it long enough for you to calm down.


>Go round up Thalia and then Kira. You, Bri, and them need to talk.
Sir? I’m sorry to say, but both parties had to decline. General Thalia is busy with security and her men, but she did say that she should have time to talk to you if you came by her office personally. Your sister, on the other hand, has locked herself in her room, requesting that she will not be disturbed unless its something critical…
…then I guess I’ll-
But she did make an exception for you, sir. In fact, when she heard you were looking for her, she requested that you, and only you, would pay her a visit.
Oh…
>Prioritize finding your sister.
Then I guess I’ll go see my sister then…
I’ll see if I can talk to Thalia.

…

When you arrive in your sister chamber, you find her looking into a newly lit fire with dead, tired eyes. Nearby on a table you spot a bottle of wine, opened just a few minutes ago yet it’s already half empty… and seeing that there aren’t any glasses around at all either…

…brother…
Sis… are you alright?
… … …You wanted to see me?
…err… oh, well…
>Tell her it's important that Karas ge-
Don’t mention that name! No, I’m not going to talk about him anymore. Whatever fate awaits him is not in my hands anymore.
But-
As your queen, I order you to not mention that name again in my presence, do you understand?
But-
DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?
…I understand…
Good… now, was there anything else?
…err… th-
Then let me ask you… ask you a favor, Kronos. An important favor… which might decide the future of this kingdom. Do you understand how important what I’m about to ask you is?
…yes?
It’s… about our blood line. It needs to be passed on… an heir of pure blood to take the crown. I hate to ask you to go behind your soon to be wife’s back and… commit adultery… but I’m sure she will understand if you explained it to her.
…wait, are you implying…
Our kingdom needs an heir to the crown, brother, one of our blood.

>Give her a close hug and soothing words, because after all that's happened so far today, she has to desperately need some comforting. ...And frankly, you need some comforting too.
…she seems so… angry and serious right now. Is this really the best time for hugs?

>Don’t mention that name! No, I’m not going to talk about him anymore. Whatever fate awaits him is not in my hands anymore.
>As your queen, I order you to not mention that name again in my presence, do you understand?
>DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?
I don't care if she's the queen and your sister, that's an order you can't obey because this is important! You need to do something that'll make her shut up and listen! And I know what you need to do.

You need to do something that she knows you'll never do in front of her. You need to yell at her, throw a chair, break the wine bottle, or something you never normally do because if you, the quiet brother, do something like that, that'll let her know that it's important! And if she tries to interrupt you, then raise your voice loud enough to be heard!

Don't forget to mention her dreams and then talk about your brother, not the currently crazy one, the dead brother. And explain the ritual with Bel and the church and everything else that's important.

The plight of the king: when their own reasoning betrays them, and the path to success is clear for everyone but them.

She has turned her back on living ashes, laid her skin bare to the portals of hell. Do not push her further or she will press their blades to her neck just to convince herself they do not exist. Instead, try to convince her that there's someone hiding in the ashes; tighten security in a way that covers the bases.

As for heirs, tell her you were considering a polygamous relationship anyway - hell, Briannah was planning to screw her painting instructors! But if your sister doesn't bake her own bun buns, you're going to cook your kids at your own pace. Unless she's sterile, in which case you'd like help courting Elete.

>Whatever fate awaits him is not in my hands anymore.
Looks like we'll have to deal with it ourselves. Might make for good casus belli to have a public beef with the church, should it come to that.

Maybe we've been hanging around Bri too much, but I don't like what she's implying. In addition to what your mother would think, you won't do some emotionless, hollow act, especially not while she's drunk. Also not when Bri and Thalia might be on the way. Might want to keep her separated from that bottle while you're at it.

>Is this really the best time for hugs?
It might be the only time for a while.

Forget any business for the time being, she looks like she'd have a breakdown if you bring her any more shit to do. Remind her what you said about taking it easy. Has she even been sleeping?

>>753858
Tell her you'll take care of it. You will father an heir, one way or another. Also, uh, she doesn't need to worry about you going behind Bri's back. She's okay with sharing other people.

What's stopping Kira from getting pregnant herself, though? Is she sterile?

>>753858
didn't bri say she would allow it only if she got to watch/participate

Oh shit, she's asking you to fuck her.

>>753996
Possibly- but let's not assume and end up looking like a pervert.

> I hate to ask you to go behind your soon to be wife’s back and… commit adultery… but I’m sure she will understand if you explained it to her.
>Our kingdom needs an heir to the crown, brother, one of our blood.
She must have been quite stressed to forget:
>Kira: I would suggest that you talked to your wife about it, she has just as much say on this as you, don’t she?
>Briannah: …I always wanted to ‘ave a child of my own…
Of course, she would still prefer one born of both of you, but "until a means is found, she'll probably be happy to have any."

Make sure she's not implying what us voices are. Something along the lines of:

"Surely you don't mean the two of us, right?"

Okay, so far she's just asking us to commit adultery and impregnate a woman of our species.

"Bri has said she's fine with threesomes, so if you have the mother in mind, I can go set something up with her."

>>753858
If she is asking you to impregnat her then said yes this is a dark fantasy of yours.

>>754041
NO, WE'RE NOT DOING THAT!!!!! D-:<

Tell your sister that she will have to listen to you before anything can be decided.

First of all, I don't think this is the best time for her to be considering that, with all the stress, work and intriges, she seems to be about to snap, and you can't have that. Why is she so interested on having an heir like that right now? Does she fear for her life?

Also, Briannah probably won't be bothered by this idea, she may be interested in joining to be exact, (and you can't be cruel enough to leave her out of this, can you?). Even so, I think we should tell her about this before anything, the same way she did.

And lastly, You can't have your sister simply doing this as it were just a duty, she is way too hard on herself, perhaps this is your chance to make her relax, maybe even enjoy it, even if it is just a tiny bit, and you are probably going to need Briannah's help for that.

My oppinion is that you don't accept her offer, not right now at least.

Oh and since she's not letting you discuss it, you're probably going to have to handle it yourself. Cain may be able to send a message to the executioner telling them that the body will not be dumped in the crypt like other traitors, but will instead be cremated.

>>754054
Unfortunately, with the Bri-height list of charges Karas has been convicted of, getting him a proper cremation is going to be impossible even with Kronos throwing all his personal resources into it. Karas' trial is so high profile and diplomatically important that everybody involved in handling Karas, his execution, and dealing with his body afterwards, is almost certainly going to be both chosen from the most trustworthy to the crown and also under extra scrutiny so no screw-ups happen. There's no way Kronos can make sure Karas' body is cremated... Well, short of drawing his Singing Dragon pistol and using it to immolate the corpse immediately after the execution, but obviously the fallout from that would be catastrophic for him.

However, there is another option that might work. All is needed is for Karas' body to not get dumped into the Catacombs of the Godless/Soul Kiln, right? Well, there's plenty of other places in the world to ignominiously dispose of a traitor's body. Having the body dismembered and the parts secretly buried in multiple graves far, far apart from each other would be one. Another would be taking the corpse out into the Serene Sea, sealed it into a hole-drilled barrel along with lead weights and throw it overboard. Simply put, there are other ways than the traditional one to deal with a high traitor's body and still have it be acceptably punishing.

>>753858
would you please elaborate because there are two possibilities I can see you implying.
and in both cases i think it might be premature to make a decision this big, this soon after such a... loss.

Kaktus 2016/10/22(Sat)15:31 No. 754709 ID: 65a774
File 147717550895.png - (38.35KB , 686x526 , 15.png )

>You need to yell at her, throw a chair, break the wine bottle, or something!
Because having a childish tantrum will convince her… sure…
>Oh shit, she's asking you to fuck her.
She isn’t… she can’t be… oh gods…
>If she is asking you to impregnate her then say yes this is a dark fantasy of yours.
What!? No! You’re not going to… to… you’re not… but… argh… freaking fertility potion! Why does the universe hate me so!?
>Perhaps this is your chance to make her relax, maybe even enjoy it, even if it is just a tiny bit, and you are probably going to need Briannah's help for that.
…yeah, this might be for the best… after all, a part of- NO! You’re not… no, just… no… She doesn’t mean it like that!
>Maybe we've been hanging around Bri too much…
Not only Bri, but Xuv! She’s the one who… who… you don’t even want to think about this anymore! Purge the mind of unclean thoughts! PURGE IT!
>Didn't bri say she would allow it only if she got to watch/participate?
She said she wanted to know who I slept with, that’s all. She did say it was okay for you to be with the painter, even if she didn’t want to take part of it, remember?
>Bri and Thalia might be on the way.
The queen has told the guard to not accept any visitors… so even if they were-

KRONOS HELIOS MEDIEAN THE SECOND!
Huh? What?
Are you even listening to me!? What did I just say!?
Err… Kingdom needs an heir?
*Sigh* Forget it…

>It might be the only time for hugs for a while.
Wha- what are you…?
Sis… please… calm down for a moment. Come here.
Kronos, this is not the time for… for… K-Kronos…
Kira, just relax for a moment…
:KriaSB: Brother… I can’t… b-brother…

You can feel her suddenly relaxing in your arms, returning your embrace as she almost collapses on you as her legs gives away for a second. ...wait, is she crying!?

S-sorry… I… I lost my composure for a moment t-there…


>Remind her what you said about taking it easy.
I… I can’t… there is so much that needs to be done… so much weight to carry on my shoulders… they need me…
>Has she even been sleeping? You heard she has had nightmares.
…I… I’ve had some bad dreams, yes, and I admit I might not have the best of nights but don’t worry… I get enough sleep.
…and what have you dreamt about?
I rather not… talk about it…

>Would you please elaborate on the heir thing…?
Elaborate? I want you to find a proper surrogate mother to sire an heir.
Oh, thank gods…
…wait, what did y-
Forget about it!
>What's stopping Kira from getting pregnant herself, though?
Oh, father never… of course he didn’t, I told him not to. I… was born sterile, brother… and that’s probably why I’m asexual as well. So, with our… our… with you being my only sibling, it falls to you to keep our bloodline flowing.
>Briannah probably won't be bothered by this idea, she may be interested in joining to be exact…
Yes… I thoughts so… I’ve heard… things about that lady…
>Tell her you'll take care of it. You will father an heir, one way or another.
Do you need to find aid finding a suitable surrogate?
If I do, can we at least wait to after the marriage?
Ah, yes, of course… just… if you find someone, please choose someone of proper… breeding. A noble lady or someone of a proper position, like a general or a councilman… woman… If our bloodline is to continue, are rather not see it done by a common courtesan or servant.
Don’t worry about it Kira, I got it under wraps.
I hope you got your “gun” under wraps, yes…

>Might want to keep her separated from that bottle while you're at it.
Oh that… don’t worry yourself about it. I just needed something to… dull my senses for a moment after what happen today.
Just don’t make a habit of it.
I’m not planning on making a habit of sentencing my own brothers to their death, no… twice is already two time to many…
>I don't care if she's the queen and your sister, that's an order you can't obey because this is important!
…I already told you, it’s out of my hands now. I’m not the one who will decide his fate…
>All is needed is for Karas' body to not get dumped into the Catacombs of the Godless/Soul Kiln, right? Well, there's plenty of other places in the world to ignominiously dispose of a traitor's body.
…Catacombs of the godless? I guess I can forbid them from throwing him down there… after all, we don’t want to give the temples expedition more undead to deal with, do we? I’ll see what I can do, brother, I promise you that much.

>>754709
>temples expedition
What's this? That's the first time we've heard of that. I wonder if that simply refers to them finding the burial chamber of the gods, and keeping it secure. Tell her you would very much like to help with the expedition.

Also, it's possible that you could help your sister live longer (and happier) by keeping her company more often, and helping her with paperwork or whatever things you're not likely to screw up or get too involved with.

>Because having a childish tantrum will convince her… sure…
How selfish of you, caring only about yourself instead of caring about spreading IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE. It's only childish if you do it for childish reasons and last time I checked, spreading IMPORTANT INFORMATION is NOT a childish reason. If you do it to force someone to give you their undivided attention so that you can TELL THEM SOME VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION then it's not childish. So next time, when you're unable to just hug it out, think about doing that. Unless you want something important to fall on deaf ears and someone gets killed because you were worried about looking like a child instead of worrying about keeping someone alive. Just a thought.

>I rather not… talk about it…
Try describing the monster she sees in her dreams and when she asks, "How did you know?!" just explain that she's not the only one having the exact same dreams, who you think the monster is, and then tell her the importance of talking about her dream. And then explain that this is the reason your other bother's body shouldn't be thrown in the catacombs, he could come back like that monster in her dreams.

>I hope you got your “gun” under wraps, yes…
Speaking of your "gun", I really hope you're not awkwardly poking your sister with it right now. If you are and she asks why, tell her that it was an overdose of one of Bri's "special potions" for "bedroom activities".

>temple's expedition
This is important, ask her to please elaborate!

> there is so much that needs to be done… so much weight to carry on my shoulders… they need me…
I've said it once before, she's got to learn to delegate. People might need her, but she needs people too. Does she have enough good advisors? Too many? Any people who can go out and get stuff done, make decisions of their own cognizance? I dunno, someone to take dictation for her?
> I rather not… talk about it…
I know it's disturbing, but they've been going around. Some creature on or about a throne, correct?
> I hope you got your “gun” under wraps, yes…
You know I'm a straight shooter.

>>754734
Holy shit calm down.

Throwing shit and breaking shit *is* pretty much the definition of a childish tantrum.

> Kira is sterile
There is SO much I'd like you to do about this, but we can't risk any experiments with The Beast. After this is over, maybe Xuv could stab Kira in the pussy a few times and fix whatever's broken? Knowing Xuvie though, she would probably set Kira's minimum lust to like 80% complete @#$%tard or something...

> Choose someone proper
Elete, I suppose. Or you could go to town and just @#$% EVERY GIRL IN A FIVE MILE RADIUS. Then you'd give your bastard children magical sigils and some Phones(TM) to track them, and force them into a war to the death okay brain stop thinking stupid

But seriously, how about you let Briannah date and @#$% the everloving ^&*( out of every suitoress that dares stare at you and only breed the ones who can stand up to the spouse? Screw nobility ratings, you want a girl whose spine can hold up to their rack! Erm, I mean you want a girl who has the skills to back up her looks. Yes.

I mean, they'll basically raise the kid their way and leave you out, you at least want an heir who isn't a total retard. Or polite / kind / badass enough to play with Ms. Tyrannosaurus Rex Man.

If we actually need a surrogate mother, General Thalia seems like the only choice. We don't even know who Elete is.

Think, very carefully, about who has the social/political/economic standing to be appropriate, and also is visibly healthy (see: not one of the inbred nobles and is beautiful in the sense of 'beauty is an indicator of health') and whose family seems to produce people without many health or mental or physical issues. Who do you know that would be suitable based on entirely rational and pragmatic criteria?

Kaktus 2016/10/23(Sun)14:15 No. 754919 ID: 65a774
File 147725733752.png - (37.43KB , 686x526 , 16.png )

>Speaking of your "gun", I really hope you're not awkwardly poking your sister with it right now.
Your gun is currently unloaded, thankfully. Even if that damn potion is making things hard...
>After this is over, maybe Xuv could stab Kira in the pussy a few times and fix whatever's broken?
Yeah, no… you’re going to keep her as far away from your sister as possible. Xuv’s a complete psycho, remember!?
>Screw nobility ratings, you want a girl whose spine can hold up to their rack! Erm, I mean you want a girl who has the skills to back up her looks. Yes.
Yes, you definitely want a lady with a nice rack- you mean, track record when it comes to… pretty much everything?
>Elete, I suppose.
You barely know her… the real her, you mean. Who is she even? A high ranking temple agent? A low ranking one? The Archbishop herself?
>If we actually need a surrogate mother, General Thalia seems like the only choice.
The only time you’ve talked to her she left while being rather annoyed with you… but she did look rather cute when she was frustrated…
>You could go to town and just @#$% EVERY GIRL IN A FIVE MILE RADIUS.
…you’re not sure if it’s just that fertility potion talking but… holding a giant breeding orgy suddenly sounds really amazing…
>But seriously, how about you let Briannah date and @#$% the ever-loving ^&*( out of every suitoress that dares stare at you and only breed the ones who can stand up to the spouse?
Hmm… but would that actually leave those suitable or just those that are mad enough to stand her? Wait, why are you even-
>Think, very carefully, about who has the social/political/economic standing to be appropriate, and also is visibly healthy.
Bri! You’re trying to sire an heir with Bri! No one else! Not yet, at least! If Xuv’s blessing doesn’t work then… after the wedding, you’ll start thinking about finding a surrogate, okay?


>You know I'm a straight shooter.
That’s what I’m afraid of…
>It's possible that you could help your sister live longer (and happier) by keeping her company more often.
Sadly, as much as I like to spend more time with family, my schedule is rather packed.
Then make more time!
It’s not that simple…
>And helping her with paperwork or whatever things you're not likely to screw up or get too involved with.
You really think I’m not already getting help with the more trivial things?

>Try describing the monster she sees in her dreams.
Monster? What are you talking about? There’s no monster in my dreams. No, my nightmares are a bit more… tied to reality than that.
>Just explain that she's not the only one having the exact same dreams.
Really? Are you suggesting that someone is manipulating dreams? If that’s the truth, then we need to take action as soon as possible. Do you have any idea whom might be behind it?
I… have a farfetched theory, yes. But until I can find something a bit more solid, let just say that it’s one of the reasons I don’t want my brother thrown down into the catacombs.

>This is important; ask her to please elaborate on these expeditions!
After the war, they started sending armed expeditions down into those catacombs you were talking about to search for lost knowledge and old relics. So far they’ve actually found a lot of old trinkets and artifacts down there, though most of them are only worth anything in a historical sense or scientific. There was this magic battery they found that might be used to… ah, no matter. But yes, they regularly send people down there nowadays.
>Tell her you would very much like to help with the expedition.
What!? No! It’s too dangerous! Those catacombs are still filled with all kind of traps, undead and other magical creatures! Not everyone who venture down there returns, you know!
>I've said it once before, she's got to learn to delegate. People might need her, but she needs people too.
I try to… but it’s just… there too few people I can trust. Either they lack the competence… or have their own agenda that would be harmful to the nation. No, I… I need to do this alone.
But you clearly can’t-
Can or cannot, it doesn’t matter in the end anyway…
…Kira? What are you-
I always did envy you, brother, growing up so protected from the outside world.
…protected? Is there something I’m missing?
Have you been out in the city recently? Have you been outside the richer districts, among the common man? Surrounded by the mass famine and disease?
…people are starving?
We’re just a husk now… we’ve fallen so far from our former glory. We don’t have the manpower… we don’t have the food… we don’t have the resources. We barely have the men to guard the borders, all the while bandits, beast and undead are ravaging our lands. We’ve even lost what made us such a great nation once, as the way west have been blocked by the dynasty. No, there’s no one left that can save us now, is there?
Sis… please…
Our only hope is miracle… I hate to admit it, but I’ve even tried visiting the five alters of the gods… and I knelt before them begging for aid…

…you can feel her tightening her grip around you, hugging you even closer than before.

…but in the end, it seems even the gods have abandoned us.

>>754919
Tell her the truth about the gods, and how the church is planning to make a new one.

If what she says is true, maybe... maybe you do need a new god. It needs to be done with care, however.

>There was this magic battery they found that might be used to… ah, no matter.
are you sure it's no matter?

Did we already tell her that the gods are dead? Is the church keeping it a secret from her, or is she trying to keep a secret from us?

> Surrounded by the mass famine and disease
That explains all the fanatics.

> No hope
"Bull^&*(. Look at all the guns, the scholars, the technology. You subconsciously reject the solutions because they involve compromising your personal values. As long as you have major assets, there's a way to use them. Doesn't mean we have to, doesn't mean you can deny they exist.

Worst case scenario, you can sacrifice some of your people to the Sakkilians for food and medicine. That's far down the list, but don't you DARE say it's worse than unleashing an eldritch monstrosity that could devour our world and then CONTINUE to the heavens for the main course. Just brainstorm some ideas and we'll see if we need to get there, but don't say it's hopeless and throw our armory to @#$%ing cultists."

>>754919
surprised she hasn't noticed your erection, maybe you need to hug her harder.

we could offer to do some of the face front stuff after all the people love us for capturing a murdering noble and being generous with money/food we could easily take up some domestic affairs so she could focus on the more important ones.

>>754919
Platonic cheek kiss

Possibly leak the surface knowledge that the church may be fixing that

Also reminder that the past has heavily hinted the resultant good fob the creation will be a mad god.

Let alone the fact we'd be pissing off life.

>There was this magic battery they found that might be used to…ah, no matter.
That's not good. Maybe you should explain things to her? At least, try to word it so that it sounds like you read it in multiple books instead of only having visions and dreams being your only source of information.

You might have to say that you think the church is about to repeat the same mistakes that the old destroyed empire made in the past. Only this time, the world won't be able to recover and it really will be the end of everything.

> …but in the end, it seems even the gods have abandoned us.
it's pretty hard to abandon something when they're too dead to do any abandoning.

All of this is going to be extremely hard to explain and convince her that you're not also going crazy.

>…but in the end, it seems even the gods have abandoned us.
"Wonder if that has to do with what my dreams told me... I dreamt that the five gods were killed, and a sixth, forgotten one, was trapped in the catacombs."

> You really think I’m not already getting help with the more trivial things?
Man I don't know. I just want to help- if all you want me to do is keep my head out of trouble, that's fine, but if you need help, just say it.
>I always did envy you, brother, growing up so protected from the outside world.
It's not as great as you'd think, especially when everything is going wrong and everybody is scrambling to do something and all I can do is sit on my thumbs.
>…people are starving?
yeah, weren't there enough animals being eaten whole that Belseth had to put out a decree literally just yesterday? and wasn't that one of the reasons we had an alliance, the Sakkilians had the military and we had the resources? Is this entire divisive mess just posturing?

Kaktus 2016/10/26(Wed)11:45 No. 755515 ID: 65a774
File 147750752359.png - (26.12KB , 686x526 , 17.png )

>If what she says is true, maybe... maybe you do need a new god.
While we might need a miracle, we don’t need some life consuming mad god. If we want a miracle we need to be careful, don’t we?


>Platonic cheek kiss
*Kiss*
Heh, now take it easy, brother, or people might start talking. Our family line does have a known history of… less than stellar sibling relationships, doesn’t it?
>We could offer to do some of the face front stuff after all the people love us.
The common people love you because they don’t know you personally… besides, those that have any actually say in matters dislike you, don’t they?
>if all you want me to do is keep my head out of trouble, that's fine, but if you need help, just say it.
…I’ll keep in touch, brother, and I’ll tell you if I ever need anything. But do try to keep your head out of trouble, alright? …and after what I’ve heard about Briannah, another parts as well.
>It's not as great as you'd think, especially when everything is going wrong and everybody is scrambling to do something and all I can do is sit on my thumbs.
…it’s not great being the one who fumbles after straws in desperation either, brother…
>Weren't there enough animals being eaten whole that Belseth had to put out a decree literally just yesterday?
Indeed, we have had lots of problems with the Sakkilian soldiers stealing food from the outlining farms but we believe we finally started getting enough discipline and food out there on our own to-
Actually, I meant right here in the palace.
Oh, that… well, it’s a given the palace would have a surplus of food. The problem isn’t that there isn’t enough food, but that it’s owned by the already powerful. The war left those less fortunate already without coin or work to pay for it, ensuring most of the food never feed those that desire it the most.

>Tell her the truth about the gods. They are already dead.
…wait, how do you- did Belseth tell you this? Yes, we have found the corpses of some powerful beings that had similar forms to the five we worship, but does it actually mean there aren’t any gods? These beings have been dead since the fall of the old empire, yet the five has led us through both dark and great times after its fall, no? Without the gods’ wisdom, how would we have ever created this great kingdom from the beginning?
>how the church is planning to make a new one.
They are planning of channeling the magic from the corpses to try create a bit of a “miracle” for the kingdom, yes, but create a god? You can’t just throw a bunch of magic into someone and hope it will make them powerful! But… if that’s what you believe, maybe I should have another talk with the Archbishop…
>You might have to say that you think the church is about to repeat the same mistakes that the old destroyed empire made in the past.
While I admit we have less knowledge about what happen back then than I’m comfortable with, we’re running out of time. Sometimes risks are necessary.

It’s starting to get late… if you’re going to get ready for the dinner with Belseth you’ll need to get back to your apartment soon…

And you still haven’t told me how you know all this!
Err… well…
And don’t tell it’s some “prophetic” dreams or such nonsense. Who told you this? Have you been spying to the temple?

>>755515
The Archbishop outright told you that they were going to create a new god, and tried to convince you it was a good idea.
As for the gods being dead, first off tell her that you are not crazy, you have confirmed it's not just hallucinations. Briannah can see the same things you can. Some of the things you've been seeing that other people can't is a personification of the past, and the personification of the cycle of life. Both have said that the gods are dead, except for one, who is trapped and mad and has no influence.

This great kingdom was created by mortals alone. Mortals can solve its problems. If starvation is being caused by the rich hoarding the food, then we force the rich to stop doing that. Aren't the farmers partially to blame there? They're letting the rich buy up all of the food supply. If the farmers would ensure there is enough food set aside to sell to the poor, then the poor would not starve. If the poor cannot AFFORD the food they need then we can set up soup kitchens in the worst off areas to give out free food to those who need it.

>…and after what I’ve heard about Briannah, another parts as well.
So... keep my head out of trouble, then? and what have you heard that has you so worried?
>but does it actually mean there aren’t any gods?
That's exactly what Belseth, who I feel obliged to mention is the Archbishop's trusted confidant, was bemoaning in a inebriated stupor, yes. And in case you're skeptical, he confirmed it while sober.
>Without the gods’ wisdom, how would we have ever created this great kingdom from the beginning?
Wisdom outlasts death. Are you sure the church wasn't just preserving their relevance? Who were you praying to if you knew this already?
>You can’t just throw a bunch of magic into someone and hope it will make them powerful!
Why not, exactly? is it irresponsible? Because I think the situation is desperate enough that some people wouldn't care. 'some risks are necessary', so they say.
>Sometimes risks are necessary.
This isn't a risk, it's what will happen if they succeed. The mana river, the river of souls, will dry up. That's ignoring what an all-powerful and unchecked being will get up to before then. Any good intentions are worthless under a bad plan.

> And you still haven’t told me how you know all this!
Don't get snippy at me, you're the one who told me they only found 'trinkets' down there. I don't appreciate the secrecy, not from you or the archbishop, so don't make me out to be the bad guy because I'm not satisfied by comfortable lies. And no, I learned none of this by sending spies (that's technically true, we only learned about the extent of the excavation and the three entrances from Doxan). Belseth is gabby enough on his own, and I got some privileged conversations from an elemental. And yes, some prophetic dreams were involved. Don't scoff, Belseth predicted I'd loose my eye in one.
>maybe I should have another talk with the Archbishop…
Ask her where she found those "historical artifacts", or who taught her how to make "a bit of a miracle". And if she knows why this stuff was locked away in such an inhospitable catacomb in the first place. And, if you want to put up the illusion of omniscience and catch her off guard, I can tell you that the phrase “Those that seek what they wish for will find only punishment, while those that seek salvation will find what they deserve.” is written near either the bodies of the gods or the soul cradle. That's the name for that battery, by the way.

I need to talk to Belseth, to try and convince him to back out.

>>755527
>The mana river, the river of souls, will dry up.
I'd like to point out that this will not happen merely because a god exists. After all, Xuv still exists and the river of souls has recovered. The problem was the afterlife that was created-- it hoarded souls, keeping them from returning to the river and being reincarnated. The river of souls is powered by the reincarnation process. The catacombs are doing the same thing, just much slower since less people are being thrown in.

A new god in itself is not a problem. The problem is that the god might go nuts due to the unconventional creation process, or they might decide to create an afterlife again which would cause the world to crack.

>>755530
Not existing, but doing any kind of god-like magic will need souls. We suspect that instead of using power directly from the soul river, which will make people explode now, the new god will feed on the souls of the dying. As souls are used up regenerating people's eyes and such, less souls go to the river to reincarnate, and the global population drops until there's nobody left to feed on. Xuv hasn't had this effect because she's been wasting away in confinement for not even she knows how long. Of course, an afterlife wouldn't help.

>>755532
Xuv gained energy by feeding on Kronos' desire. Whatever new god is created would have a similar way of feeding off of worshippers' emotions or whatever. Gods have domains for a reason, you know.

>>755515
>Yes, we have found the corpses of some powerful beings that had similar forms to the five we worship
YOU KNEW?!?! Damnit, Kira! You just told me that they only found "old trinkets and artifacts down there" and you told me there wouldn't be anymore secrets between us!

>You can’t just throw a bunch of magic into someone and hope it will make them powerful!
Oh, they're not planning to throw magic onto someone, they want someone to consume the gods' bodies in the hopes that that someone will be able to better absorb the gods' powers. And they're going to have Belseth do it. The only reason they need him is because they heard of a Sakilian's ability to be able to consume large amounts. I'm going to try and convince Belseth to not go through with this because I believe that this is a ritual that'll turn him into a vessel, which will allow him to be possessed by.....something that'll turn him into an evil god!

>It’s starting to get late… if you’re going to get ready for the dinner with Belseth you’ll need to get back to your apartment soon…
Speaking of Belseth, I have made plans to have dinner with him, so I must be leaving. Come find me when you're ready to stop lying to me and actually tell me the truth. Goodbye, sister.

Hey, Kronos, when you get ready for your date, I suggest you bring your gun, the one Bri gave you, and make sure it's loaded. I have a feeling that something might happen and you need to be prepared, just in case.

>>755515
just sigh warily and tell her you met death and he sent you on a mission to stop it or he will take our life.
true enough

>>755541
Not really. The agreement was that if Kronos stopped it, Life would remove the "blessing of immortality" Xuv gave him. The problem with the blessing is that this civilization isn't advanced enough to keep Kronos' body from decaying, so it would be a terrible fate in the long run.

> Surplus of food in the upper class
Doesn't take a genius to figure out that someone orchestrated this, if only in response to the war. My question is, why hasn't the upper class enslaved the lower class with promises of food yet? Maybe they just want to see the poor starve to death, but there's too large an opportunity here; to build a fascist army out of a few table scraps.

Or maybe the church is organizing a monopoly of forging loyal fanatics / mana sacrifices from desperate homeless.

> Corpses of powerful beings that fit the description of the gods, but they can't be
Do you realize you're throwing swine before pearls? Corpses like this are priceless archaeological artifacts, not just for their research material but for helping mortals keep control of their own history! If you let the church hold onto them they'll write their own mythos around it and convolute the truth so that the masses believe whatever makes them stronger! Stop letting them chew on the corpses of gods!

> But if the gods were dead then how could we build this once-great kingdom
From the strength, intelligence, and perseverance of genius pariahs whose motives and techniques have LONG been forgotten. Kira, a kingdom is made from a vast swarm of mortals, built from various agendas each conflicting or collaborating, sometimes simultaneously, over a long series of ages including essential technological breakthroughs and multiple inexcusable crimes, but most importantly the perseverance to continue as a civilization! This country has earned its glory in courage and innovation and mass-murder and you have no right to throw all these untold acts aside as if they meant nothing and say "a god did it"!

> You can’t just throw a bunch of magic into someone and hope it will make them powerful!
I'd be surprised if nobody was stupid enough to try.

> And how do you know all this
The usual, really. Mad science, drunken escapades, eavesdropping on secret communications between various powerful entities throughout the palace (some of whom are now dead), a funny priestess (who I'd like to bang), new connections in the Sakkilian military and church (Bri and Bel), my butler's a Black-Ops captain (you knew that, right?), and some advice from insane-sounding mysterious passerbys that appear and vanish throughout the palace. Nothing a better prince couldn't find.

>>755515
So, the food crisis isn't from a famine per se, but from the nobles hoarding it, and the commoners not being able to afford it due to a lack of employment?

The job shortage should be fixable with some creativity. We're recovering from a devastating war; there should be lots of opportunities for rebuilding homes and infrastructure, or even expanding into new and underdeveloped areas. We could establish more farms and work on the issue from two sides at once. We could also start up some public works projects, like, say, scientific research into prosthetics; sure, the actual researchers would need a proper education, but they'll still need people for things like cleaning and lab assistance. We might even be able to afford a system of public charity, just to keep people from starving while the the nation gets back on its feet.

Then there's the other side of the problem: the wealth isn't in our hands, it's in the hands of the upper class. They're not likely to be feeling too charitable, and imposing heavier taxes on the wealthy or some other "take from the rich and give to the poor" scheme would mean more resentment in an already unstable nation. So we'll have to convince them to part with their riches willingly, and if they were inclined to do that then there wouldn't be a crisis. Perhaps we could make it a matter of public image. If the peasants start to feel like the nobles are responsible for their strife, then the nobles will have good reasons to want to save face, and we can give them a chance to do that by supporting public service projects. It would also be a good way for them to show their loyalty to the crown; after the recent round of conspiracies, betrayals, and assassination attempts, anyone with power will want to make it clear that they won't be the next traitor. All we have to do is discreetly introduce the idea to a few of the more loyal and understanding nobles, and pretty soon everyone will want to prove that they're just as committed to helping the nation rebuild. And if we could get some of the Sakkilians in on it, even better! It'll help smooth over tensions between us, and no one will want to look less loyal than the foreigners! We'll just need to be discreet about it; if we appear too overtly threatening or demanding, it will increase the strife between us and the nobles.

...Well, it's a work in progress. Does it sound doable?

>>755526
Briannah's visions are a very personal and private matter for her. However we decide to respond to our sister's suspicions, we shouldn't reveal our wife's secret. If we say anything about that subject, we can say that we've spoken to others who have seen the exact same things at the same time, so we know it isn't all in our head.

>>755585
We might be able to use the magical prosthetic research as a way to get money. Say, encourage nobles to donate by saying those who donate large sums will have free/early access to said advanced/safer prosthetics, and we could even tout it as a way to attain immortality. Like, just keep replacing failing parts with artificial ones.

>>755515
Partly balseth, partly dreams that align too much with reality and turn out to be right.

But really you know I'm not the spying type. Who would spy for me? My head servant Cain?

>Without the gods’ wisdom, how would we have ever created this great kingdom from the beginning?
Wise men and women, of course. Perhaps some other gods did step in to give their own advice, but you'd be surprised the intelligence that can come from those of us with two feet on the ground.
>Who told you this? Have you been spying to the temple?
Tell her about the book Garden gave you, how it mentions a sixth god... and how you've spoken with her.

Under no circumstances should you reveal your wife's secret!

>>755635
What secret do you mean? That she can see magic shit?

>>755639
Yes, that secret. She got really pissed off when we told Belseth, so I'm pretty sure she wouldn't like it if we told someone else.

>>755644
Oh alright Kronos will have to be vague about it then, and say that he verified it but not say how.

>>755542
It's also the only encounter Kronos had with a personifications of a aspect of the world that had actual, otherwise inexplicable, physical effect observed by another, and which can back at least a part of his story. That's because when Old Man Life was ripping Kronos' soul out and Kronos collapsed, Sisah ran up and caught Kronos. When she did she said Kronos felt "so cold" (>>/questarch/697451,) and after he woke up she said he was "deadly cold" (>>/questarch/698510.) This means Kronos' body temperature fell far faster and farther than it should have been possible on a warm summer afternoon, especially within the one or two minutes he was out. This Sisah could attest to, and she's not known for making shit up, imagining things, or being a fool or a loon.

>>755527
>And yes, some prophetic dreams were involved. Don't scoff, Belseth predicted I'd loose my eye in one.
But Belseth's dream vision didn't foretell Kronos would lose an eye. Bel's vision was of Kronos being attacked by a robed figure, then falling off a balcony with a dagger through his heart. (>>/questarch/701215) It was because of that warning Kronos wore his underarmor to the meeting with Karas, which protected him from a knife to the lung and another to the heart from the assassin. (>>/questarch/704244) So Belseth's vision saved Kronos' life.

>>755532
Yes, souls would be needed, but they aren't used up in the process because they're only carriers of magical energy. When something dies its soul passes beyond the Veil where it is re-energized before flowing back into the world and reborn. So they'd only want to keep the soul around for as long as they could wring magic out of it, then let it loose when it finally dies. That's how it worked with Soul Cradles.

This is what makes the artificial afterlives constructed by the gods - or, to be more accurate, the god-like beings that are worshiped as gods but actually aren't - a double whammy when it came to the flow of souls. Not only did they take souls out of the cycle, they also had to require an absolutely massive quantity of magic to keep running. Magic that was drawn out of fresh souls placed in Soul Cradles, or those thrown into the Soul Kiln. And the more souls that went into the afterlives, the more magic was needed to keep them going. So when the flow of refreshed souls started to slow, fewer, and then no more, souls could be admitted to the afterlives. But after that, when the River of Souls ebbed even more, it's likely that the souls in the afterlives were taken out and used as fuel to keep their world running a bit longer, or to power bunkers for the "gods" to ride it out. But in the end, it wasn't enough to weather the River of Souls drying up.

...come to think of it, if the church now has a powerful magic battery, maybe it could be used to boost food production? I mean, we know that earth elementals eat necrotic energy to grow plants. Could we copy that magical process to make farms far more efficient?

Heck, why hasn't someone put crops where the wild growth is in the "garden"? Seems like a no-brainer.

>>755668
Nobody has thought to plant crops there 'cause up 'till this year it was a inexplicable dead spot in the garden. It's also a palace garden, not a vegetable garden. It's meant to be pretty, not productive. Of course, that attitude could change for just one plot, but then that runs into the problem of the plants potentially harboring residual raw magic within them. It'd be a travesty if folks who ate food grown there got cancer or nasty mutations from it.

However, there could be merit to using the earth elementals' ability to boost crop yields. Unfortunately, it'd most likely take a unacceptably long time to study the ability to reproduce it independent of the elemental, if it's even possible to. But in the mean time, perhaps the new earth elementals could be put to work in the fields. Dig some of 'em up from the garden and let them loose on a farm to see what they do. There's still the matter of there only being a dozen or so of new ones of them about, but all they need is strong raw magic to reproduce, same as what the garden earth elemental was exposed to for months.

Kronos should tell Kira how the old garden earth elemental reproduced, most likely because what the Archbishop is doing raised the level of ambient magic high enough for that. Then tell her what the new earth elemental that was taken to Tim did to a dead, dried out mushroom, and what effect it had on itself. And then he'll tell her what he heard when he touched this new earth elemental, and that those were most likely memories carried over from the old earth elemental.

Kaktus 2016/11/02(Wed)12:38 No. 756657 ID: 65a774
File 147811553608.png - (32.70KB , 686x526 , 18.png )

>Why hasn't someone put crops where the wild growth is in the "garden"?
Because we found out about it just a day or two ago, we have no idea what’s actually causing it or how long it will last… and that’s not considering how dangerous it might be, either for the crops or the farmers… Besides, the royal garden is for being serene and beautiful, not growing potatoes.
>I'd like to point out that this will not happen merely because a god exists. After all, Xuv still exists and the river of souls has recovered.
She is still not at her full power, is she though?
>Xuv gained energy by feeding on Kronos' desire. Whatever new god is created would have a similar way of feeding off of worshippers' emotions or whatever…
…she did, didn’t she? Is it possible to use emotion to power that kind of magic? Hmm… if it is… this whole creating a god plan might actually be doable?


>So... keep my head out of trouble, then? and what have you heard that has you so worried?
She’s known to be… rather wild and willing when it comes to the bedroom. I’ve heard everything from her tying people up to her eating them alive and whole… though that is clearly make believe, no? Either way, I rather not have you hospitalized for a broken pelvis or some such.
>Don't get snippy at me, you're the one who told me they only found 'trinkets' down there.
My apologies, brother, but do understand. This is strictly under need to know basis, which you aren’t part of, sadly. The less that know about this, the better… and as you’re not supposed to have anything to do with this…
>You know I'm not the spying type. Who would spy for me? My head servant Cain?
…I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or just ignorant. Just so you know, Cain works for me just as much as he does for you, brother. I still don’t understand why both our father and Cain himself insist on still being your manservant. His abilities would be better used elsewhere…
>I'd be surprised if nobody was stupid enough to try and throw a bunch of magic into someone.
Which is why I don’t believe it will work. If it did, someone would have done it already, at least on a smaller scale. After all, more magic will only make things even more unstable and chaotic.

>The Archbishop outright told you that they were going to create a new god, and tried to convince you it was a good idea.
Did she really? In those exact words?
…err… well… she said she was going to do miracles… and heal both my and Bri’s wounds… so…
She didn’t actually say anything about a new god?
Not exactly…
>Belseth is gabby enough on his own…
Really? Then I’ll have to start consider him a security risk, then…
>and I got some privileged conversations from an elemental.
…it spoke to you? The one Tim is taking care off?
The old one in the garden spoke to me… the new born one showed me a vision of the old ones memories.
>And yes, some prophetic dreams were involved. Don't scoff, Belseth predicted I'd lose my eye in one.
Did he really?
Well… he predicted that I would be thrown off a balcony with a dagger in the heart… so when I wore my mythril armor protecting my heart the dagger ended up in my eye instead. But heart or eye, his prediction did save my life.
Hmmm… I’ve heard that his supposed visions should show the future, yes… so maybe… still, all these visions of yours are hard to believe… But I guess I’ll take them into consideration for your sake, brother. After all, you’re the one who will rip out my heart and feast upon it for power when you ascend, aren’t you?
…what did you just say?
I said I’ll assume that these visions of yours bear some truth in them, brother, that’s the least I can do for you.

Kaktus 2016/11/02(Wed)12:39 No. 756658 ID: 65a774
File 147811554955.png - (67.51KB , 686x526 , 19.png )

>When she talks to the Archbishop, tell her to ask her where she found those "historical artifacts", or who taught her how to make "a bit of a miracle".
I’m pretty sure they were found in the catacombs. There is still a lot of the old world buried down there, as they didn’t seem to have the time to tidy up after themselves.
>And if she knows why this stuff was locked away in such an inhospitable catacomb in the first place.
Locked up… or simply forgotten? But I will ask a few questions to her, yes…

>Doesn't take a genius to figure out that someone orchestrated this, if only in response to the war.
Orchestrated might be the wrong word, but they clearly did jump on the opportunity for more power and wealth, have no doubt about that.
>My question is, why hasn't the upper class enslaved the lower class with promises of food yet?
You don’t think they’ve tried? Even now, some of them are bold enough to suggest that legalize slavery of our own people is the “solution” to all this… but as long as I’m here, I’ll see to it that our people are free. Yet… if nothing changes soon…
>If starvation is being caused by the rich hoarding the food, then we force the rich to stop doing that.
How, exactly? If we force them, they will revolt… if we ask them, they will find excuses… and with the path west blocked we won’t have the gold to buy it either.
>Aren't the farmers partially to blame there? They're letting the rich buy up all of the food supply.
You believe they own their own land? A deal with the devil your grandfather made might still affect you, no?

>Kronos should tell Kira how the old garden earth elemental reproduced, then tell her what the new earth elemental that was taken to Tim did to a dead, dried out mushroom, and what effect it had on itself.
Really? Hmmm… this is interesting. I need to converse with Tim about this… to see if there are any reliable uses for this.
>...come to think of it, if the church now has a powerful magic battery, maybe it could be used to boost food production?
We’re still trying to find the proper use for it. Be it for something more mundane as food production or… a weapon, if needed, we still need some more time to research it properly.
>The job shortage should be fixable with some creativity. We're recovering from a devastating war; there should be lots of opportunities for rebuilding homes and infrastructure.
It would be as simple as that, yes, but our coffers are dwindling. The trade fleet our… former brother constructed won’t be bringing the gold we need for a nationwide project like that. No, as long as the way west is held by the dynasty, we simply can’t trade and earn gold the way we used too.
>Then there's the other side of the problem: the wealth isn't in our hands, it's in the hands of the upper class. Perhaps we could make it a matter of public image. It would also be a good way for them to show their loyalty to the crown; after the recent round of conspiracies, betrayals, and assassination attempts, anyone with power will want to make it clear that they won't be the next traitor. All we have to do is discreetly introduce the idea to a few of the more loyal and understanding nobles.
That… that… actually… that does sound feasible. If we can “convince” them it was their idea in the first place… yes… this might work. Thank you, Kronos, I really did need some fresh ideas like that.

>That's exactly what Belseth, who I feel obliged to mention is the Archbishop's trusted confidant, was bemoaning, yes.
Say what he will, we still don’t know what, exactly, all this actually mean, do we?
>Who were you praying to if you knew this already?
The only thing more terrifying than a tyrant is loneliness. I can’t believe that we would be completely alone here… that there isn’t some grander plan for all of us… that our existence actually has a meaning and is not just a random chance. Even if the gods we might believe in were false… I still believe there is someone out there listening to our prayers…
>Wise men and women, of course. You'd be surprised the intelligence that can come from those of us with two feet on the ground.
Hmm… maybe I should give more faith to us mortals instead of the gods? Ah… no, I don’t have time think about faith right now, do I?

>I have made plans to have dinner with Belseth, so I must be leaving.
Ah, yes, of course… we all have things to do, don’t we? Do take care, brother… and have a pleasant evening.
Goodbye sis…

…

…well, here you are… looking at that smug grin in the mirror again… you never did like mirrors, did you? Cain finally found some new clothes for you, it seems. It’s… different, but is it appropriate? Maybe you should just wear your old duds… but then… you do want this date to be special, no? Speaking of that… should you bring something? Candy? …or flowers? …or something else? …and how should you start it? By warning him as soon as possible about what the Archbishop is doing? That might ruin the whole evening… but then again, he deserves to know, doesn’t it? …but he also deserve a perfect night… Argh, dammit Kronos, stop staring with that smug grin already.

>Hey, Kronos, when you get ready for your date, I suggest you bring your gun, the one Bri gave you, and make sure it's loaded.
You’ve had it on you all day… loaded and ready.

>>756657
... Well, who wasn't creeped out by that hallucination?

"TRIPLE THE GUARD, KIRA. LET THEM WATCH WHILE YOU SHOWER."

> I still believe there is someone out there listening to our prayers…
"Would you believe he's on meth and loves to personally strangle people's souls for fun? Because that's the highest vision I got in my occult experiments."

Catch up with Kira again, this time in public and with your wife.

>>756658
Wear the fancy clothes. Bring flowers. Get the serious discussion out of the way before the date, because you can't be sure it won't be interrupted by some outside drama, robbing you of the chance.

>>756658
>Reflection has a smug grin, but Kronos is frowning.
When your reflection isn't copying you, there's only one thing to do: GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM THE MIRROR!!!!! MOVE BEFORE YOUR REFLECTION TRIES TO GRAB YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!!!!

>>756662
Also, do this.

Don't overreact to the mirror. It's just a hallucination. The thing in the crypt is trying to make you afraid, to make you do something rash out of fear. Control yourself, keep in mind the Historian's warning.

> and as you’re not supposed to have anything to do with this…
nnnnoo, the archbishop came to me and said I had to popularize this 'plan' with the masses and I'd get my eye back. Archbishop's definitely keeping secrets from you.
> After all, more magic will only make things even more unstable and chaotic.
...And you still think the Archbishop has a good plan?
>we still don’t know what, exactly, all this actually mean, do we?
In what possible way can 'the gods are all dead' be misinterpreted? And if that's what you believe, why aren't you asking questions?

>It’s… different, but is it appropriate?
It makes your arms look a bit short, and in my opinion the red clashes with your feathers. Otherwise, very dapper.

Candy may be in poor taste, what with the trial. People will talk if you bring flowers. Has he seen the elemental yet? If not, say you have a secret you want to show him. It'll make a nice route into talking about the danger in the archbishop's plans after dinner. During dinner, he's probably going to let something slip about the trial or the archbishop's plans, so stay on that.

Are... you quite sure you're grinning? ...your eyes aren't grey.

Kronos, I think you should know that you are definitely not smirking. I'd call what you're doing more of a glower, your reflection on the other hand. I'd take a seat with some haste in case you have another incident like the one with the cologne.

As far as warning Belseth, Unless a good segue presents itself to bring it up, I'd save it for when the evening is winding down.

Kaktus 2016/11/03(Thu)14:23 No. 756859 ID: 65a774
File 147820820083.png - (65.81KB , 686x526 , 20.png )

>Catch up with Kira again sometime, this time in public and with your wife.
She would need some time to take it easy with family, yeah… it would do her good…
>In my opinion the red clashes with your feathers. Otherwise, very dapper.
Hmm… the red and blue doesn’t mix, no… but Cain did choose these for a reason…

>Kronos, I think you should know that you are definitely not smirking. I'd call what you're doing more of a glower, your reflection on the other hand…
…
Sisah… did the mirror just move in weird ways?
The only thing that difference that mirror from the rest is the stylish looking prince in it, sir. Nothing to worry about, as it’s mimicking you perfectly.
…I hope you’re right about that…
>Don't overreact to the mirror. It's just a hallucination.
…yeah, it got to be… it’s just in your head… like last time…
>The thing in the crypt is trying to make you afraid, to make you do something rash out of fear.
Is it even that thing or just the stress? You’re not even sure anymore… but what you’re sure of is that you won’t let fear dictate who you are.

>Bring flowers.
Flowers… yeah, he definitely deserves flowers… a bouquet of roses perhaps?
>People will talk if you bring flowers.
Then let them talk! You like him, dammit, and you’re not going to hide that fact!
>Has he seen the elemental yet? If not, say you have a secret you want to show him.
You’re pretty sure the elemental isn’t common knowledge yet… and you don’t think Tim will appreciate you dragging people to see it at these hours either.
>As far as warning Belseth, Unless a good segue presents itself to bring it up, I'd save it for when the evening is winding down.
…right, let’s have a pleasant evening first and foremost… those heavier things can wait… there’s no rush, is there?

…

Knock knock? Anyone here?
Oh, Kronos! I… my apologies, but I’m still getting ready in the bathroom. The council meeting was running a bit late.
Don’t fret. I’m in no hurry.
I’m almost done in here… so… I wanted to ask you... just for tonight, can we just leave everything else behind here and… let it just be about us two? To just let everything else not matter but us?
…well…
…still… as much as I want to… there is still the ankwark in the room. I… I need to ask you a question before we leave all our worries here… about your brothers trial.
...I guess now is as good as time as any…
It’s about his punishment… the reason why it took so long is because we… couldn’t find one we all agreed on and… as I didn’t vote at all… well… see, I will probably be the tiebreaker tomorrow for all this...
…so you want me to help you which punishment to choose…
You are his brother… you do deserve as much…
…what is it a tie between?
It’s between the traditional Risavian punishment for traitors of the crown and… err… the traditional imperial way…

The traditional Risavian way… that probably means he will be tortured, then flayed alive and his body desecrated before being thrown into the Catacombs of the godless…

What is the traditional Imperial way?
To be killed and eaten by the imperial seat... or in this case, the crown family… that is to say… um… Briannah as she’s the only one in your family that’s… you know…
What is it with you guys and eating people!?
Sorry…

Why do you always get a Morton’s fork in these situations? Neither of those options is rather trilling to choose from… 

>>756859
I don't like either of those options... ask if the second method of execution would be public. If not, you can conspire with Briannah and burn him to ash instead of him being consumed (we don't want to risk the madness spreading to her, and she wouldn't want to eat him anyway).

If it's a public killing and eating thing, then defy the court and execute him yourself during "one last visit before he's executed". Ice shot to the head, then burned to ash with your flame shot.

I don't know, this is a terrible conflict of interests. We shouldn't be involved in the decision of the punishment of our own brother. We've already convinced Kira to forbid them from throwing him into the catacombs. It just wouldn't be right for us to interfere further.

>>756859
Whatever's possessing your brother, you do not want that to be inside of your wife!

.....no! Not that kind of "inside your wife"! Go away dirty thoughts! Ah, damnit, now you've got an awkward boner that you need to hide.

>>756860
That sounds like a good idea, but if it is a private eating thing, everyone's going to question if Bri actually did it when her belly doesn't look Varkian sized. Maybe we can get away with it if the body "mysteriously burst into flames and was burnt to ash" when we were cooking it for Bri to eat? Ugh, don't throw up, don't throw up...!

We already talked to queen sister about not throwing the body down there, so maybe she'll let Kronos burn the body after doing the Risavian method?

>What do?
Well, since Bel said let's leave everything here, I guess that's the segue we're looking for to start talking about this stuff. Let's just keep it to a minimum and only explain why our brother is acting the way he is and, because of that, why both methods of execution are bad ideas.

>>756866
>her belly
Well she could eat something else of a similar size. Or a lot of regular food.

...wait, hang on, since we got the Queen to promise she wouldn't throw his corpse into the crypt, maybe we should just go with the Risavian execution, and trust her to leave out the final step. Wouldn't have to do anything sneaky or outright defy the court, in that case.

>Neither of those options is rather trilling to choose from… 
If there's no other option, You may have to give him a suicide pill yourself. Can't just shoot him, you need to have plausible deniability.
>What is it with you guys and eating people!?
Nnnot sure you have room to judge, there, chief. I'd ask 'what is it with you guys and skinning people?'

Can't you just shoot him? He's a mad dog, not an enemy of the state. Neither of those options are acceptable. If there's no other choice, go Risavian. Your sister promised she wouldn't let him be dumped in the catacombs, so there's a chance she might interfere further. and your brother would go even madder at the thought of being eaten by a Sakkilian. Can't force Bri to break her promise either.

>>756859
i thought being eaten was a great honor in their traditions because it ensures they live on inside the people that eat them.... why would they honor their traitors as such since this is an imperial custom.

Just kill him and get it over with, a swift gunshot to the head will do, then just either use your gun on the Fire/Flamethrower Setting or burn the body as we don't want it to come back to haunt us, Literally and Mentally.

Whoa, I thought it was bad enough we might be considering interfering with the jury, but are we actually considering going so far as to murder a death row inmate? Didn't Kira tell us to keep ourselves out of trouble? Killing death row inmates and starting huge scandals is literally the opposite of staying out of trouble.

Both ideas are terrible! We don't need two brothers as shambling eldritch abominations and neither do we need what ever the fuck is going on with your brother to have anything to do with your wife OR husbando
also >>756888

so cant he just be burned alive and have his ashes thrown into a latrine or something?

I vote on the following execution:

Beast Trap. Sadistic, effective, and if we are dealing with a Beast-type, this method should quarantine the infection before it can spread to the executioner.

Find Karas' most trusted confidant, someone who was so intertwined with him that they HAVE to be in on his schemes and thus also a traitor by default. They get a katana, Karas gets a deadman's switch that is connected to a strapped-on knife belt that will ritually stab him in the form of a ritual circle, which you can figure out. Classic seppuku. Then you stand up and shoot the confidant in the face.

Seeing as how you're executing a mindless infected, I don't think you need to care about the ethics. Just put on a horror show and make the public realize just how hard you'll crush the ants below you when pushed off a ledge.

>>756918
Whatever joke you're trying to make, no one's getting it because we have no idea what you mean by "Beast-type".

>>756915
>so cant he just be burned alive and have his ashes thrown into a latrine or something?

Any kind of cremation is out because the proper Risavian way for a Vark's worldly remains to be dealt with is to burn them on a pyre, along with the possessions that were on them when they died. Even if his ashes are thrown down a cesspit afterwards, the act of cremating him would still be showing too much respect for such a high traitor. That just won't fly for the council of judgment. It'll be hard enough for them to swallow Kira forbidding Karas' body being thrown into the Catacombs of the Godless. Anything more and they'll balk for sure.

However, there's plenty of other ways to deal with Karas' body than either burning it or throwing it into the Catacombs. Burying it, either in the middle of nowhere or at sea, in whole or in parts, comes to mind as the simplest, cleanest option. Or perhaps modify the Imperial way of things and instead throw him to another large hungry carnivorous animal to be devoured. Like a wyvern or somesuch. Could be even while he's still alive. That way would mean Bri could keep her promise to not eat anybody else, as well as keep whatever darkness has possessed Karas from getting into her.

...On another point, there is one possible issue with Kira forbidding Karas' body be thrown into the Catacombs. Once the council hears that decree, there's a chance some of the members voting for the Risavian way will switch because they'll view it with Kira's restriction as too watered down a fate for Karas. Hell, even one member switching their vote to Imperial will swing it, no matter what Belseth votes. That means there's going to have to be a better alternative for them to choose or it'll go for the Imperial way.

Kronos should tell Belseth now about his request of Kira that Karas' body not be thrown into the Catacombs and that she promised to uphold it. She'll probably tell the council in the morning. Kronos should also voice his concern that upon hearing this one or more of the votes for the Risavian way will switch, tipping it to the Imperial way, which he doesn't want either. So, is there a third way?

>>756920
>instead throw him to another large hungry carnivorous animal to be devoured. Like a wyvern or somesuch.
Sure, letting whatever darkness that has possessed Karas posses a wyvern is a much better idea. -_-;;

>>756920
If the body is not burnt or consumed or otherwise broken down in short over, it can rise from the grave and start walking around. Because apparently ambient life magic just does that. We don't have to give him a PROPER funeral. Just destroying the corpse would be enough. Maybe it could be destroyed by shredding it? Chopping it up into little bits? Stripping the flesh off the bone to be buried as compost, then grinding up the bones?

>>756922
A wyvern that suddenly and inexplicably goes 'rabid' can be killed without complications, unlike the daughter of the Empress who's betrothal to Prince Kronos a vital alliance hinges on. Besides, it doesn't have to be a wyvern. Could be any other large carnivore. It'd actually be preferable to not be a wyvern, instead being something that's incapable of flight. That'd make it easier to deal with afterwards in case of trouble.

>>756926
As far as I see, burial is an acceptable means of preventing a corpse from rising as undead. If it wasn't then Kronos' father wouldn't have said that Krotos' fate was to be buried in a unmarked grave in the middle of nowhere, even if it wasn't true in the end. Likewise, Briannah wouldn't have said she would send her father's remains back home to be buried.

>>756929
I thought burial alone wasn't enough, and that was why Varkian tradition involved cremation, and Sakillian tradition involves digesting the corpse. It should be fine as long as the corpse is destroyed and the soul isn't forced to linger in some way such as by throwing it into the catacombs. Not really sure if the soul can possess someone who eats the corpse. We have no way to confirm or deny such a possibility.

You already know the what the traditional Risavian way of punishing a high traitor entails, but you don't know the details and limits on the Imperial way. There might be ways to work the rules of the Imperial way to limit or eliminate possible risks to Briannah. Question Belseth for more details on it.

Ask if there's traditional ways the Imperial seat would have to use to kill the traitor or if there's no restriction and it's the seat's choice. Also ask if it has to be a public execution or if that's at the seat's discretion. If there's no restriction, then it's possible to execute Karas' without him knowing it's at Sakkilian's hands. Have him bound, blindfolded and ears plugged, then Bri takes his head off in one sword swing.

Next ask if the traitor has to be eaten in public, how soon they have to be eaten after their execution, and if the Imperial seat has to eat as much of the traitor as they can in a sitting or if it can be spread out. Also ask if the traitor could be butchered if they have to be eaten raw. Your line of thinking here is that Emperors and Empresses were rarely as big as Bri, so they couldn't eat a traitor in one go and would have to spread it out. And even if they could eat one in one go, they probably wouldn't want to be stuck bedridden for days while they digest. They'd be accustomed to having their meals cooked and may not want to eat the traitor raw. This means that if Karas could be butchered, eating him spread out and also cooked into dishes, that would spread out the effect it might have on Bri to eat him. That may mean the effects wouldn't take hold because they aren't would be concentrated enough, but if you do notice a change in her behavior from it you'd be able to stop her before it gets worse. Also, if it's spread out it's possible the danger of whatever is possessing Karas will have been dealt with before the risk of it getting into Bri by eating him becomes a problem.

There's also another potential risk point with the Risavian way before Karas is even thrown into the Catacombs. The torture and possibly the flaying will occur in the dungeons, which are underground, closer to the Catacombs. Even just being in proximity to the Catacombs while he generates all that pain and anger could flow back into the Catacombs and bring forth something. Or something could follow the emotions up into Karas.

>>756859
i thought the imperial form of execution would be something like feeding the traitor to a pack of wild dogs alive. dishonors his memory by ensuring he lives on in a mangy filthy animal. as well as being torture

When Belseth steps out of the bathroom, mentally brace yourself for any hallucinations, visions or other sensory shenanigans that might be going on around him. With the way things have been going, it's even odds there will be some. Just be ready for them and act like you would if they weren't there.

Kaktus 2016/11/06(Sun)14:36 No. 757208 ID: 65a774
File 147847177345.png - (46.35KB , 686x526 , 21.png )

>As far as I see, burial is an acceptable means of preventing a corpse from rising as undead.
A burial in itself isn’t enough. It needs to be a proper grave blessed by a priest or the like, unless you just opt to be cremated instead. That’s the safest bet, really.
>I'd ask 'what is it with you guys and skinning people?'
Hey! That’s both traditional and… err… not letting anything… go… to… waste? Drat, it really shows what you think about it when you can’t even win an argument with yourself about it…
>Defy the court and execute him yourself during "one last visit before he's executed". Ice shot to the head, then burned to ash with your flame shot.
…that would solve the problem… but…
>I thought it was bad enough we might be considering interfering with the jury, but are we actually considering going so far as to murder a death row inmate? Didn't Kira tell us to keep ourselves out of trouble?
Yeah, that will definitely have negative repercussions. Like being arrested, for example…
>Just put on a horror show and make the public realize just how hard you'll crush the ants below you when pushed off a ledge.
Because showing that you’re just as mad as your brother will go over so well…
>You can conspire with Briannah and burn him to ash instead of him being consumed.
…and having her fake eat him? Hmm… that can work…
>Everyone's going to question if Bri actually did it when her belly doesn't look Varkian sized.
Seeing as Bri is special in her ability to… eat… you have to assume that they aren’t expecting her to eat him whole or even in one sitting.
>Your sister promised she wouldn't let him be dumped in the catacombs, so there's a chance she might interfere further.
She did, didn’t she? You should trust her to go through with it as well.


>I don't know, this is a terrible conflict of interests. We shouldn't be involved in the decision of the punishment of our own brother.
Well… if you think so… I mean, he has already been found guilty… but if you don’t want to-
No, I… I need to take some responsibility for this… even if I don’t want to.
>I thought being eaten was a great honor in their traditions because it ensures they live on inside the people that eat them...
Well… yes… kind of… it’s more complex than that. Eating things like the heart, brain or lungs and the like is a way to pass on the strengths of that person to those still alive, while the rest of the body, bar some muscles, are to be buried so the spirit can use it to gain access to the ancestral lands. Now, there are some variants of this… like being buried untouched, so to take your whole body on the journey beyond, even if it is considered selfish and disgraceful to do so, or being completely eaten, so to live on completely in those you gave your body too and enter the ancestral lands with them when they expire.
And this punishment is…?
It’s the way of disgrace, where your shell is consumed to bar you from moving on while the parts containing your spirit, that is to say your heart or brain and the like, is left to rot and decay, thus ensuring that your spirit will never find the ancestral lands and that your very being is erased from this world. Having the imperial seat do the feasting is more symbolic than anything… or just to soothe their personal vendetta.
>I thought the imperial form of execution would be something like feeding the traitor to a pack of wild dogs alive. Dishonors his memory by ensuring he lives on in a mangy filthy animal. As well as being torture.
Well, there is a punishments like that, yes, but many animals have their own ways of being honorable and majestic, no? I mean, it’s not uncommon for Sakkilian to gift part of their bodies to domesticated animals after death. Like giving your heart to your favorite raptor mount or the like…

>Ask if the second method of execution would be public.
Err… the killing blow, yes, the butchering, cooking and eating of him? No.
>Question Belseth for more details on it. Raw? Everything in one go? Smaller dishes?
Originally, the… “meal” would be tied down and still alive when the family started feasting on them… but nowadays most people rather not eat things raw… so they are often made into several smaller dishes, to be eaten over the course of some time instead.
>Can’t he just be burned alive and have his ashes thrown into a latrine or something?
I’m pretty sure most people want to see him punished more than that. That man has not only killed many, but some of the blame why things are so bad right now can be put on him. You were listening on the trial, correct?
I… tried to, yes…
>Kronos should tell Belseth now about his request of Kira that Karas' body not be thrown into the Catacombs and that she promised to uphold it.
Really? That’s… why would she agree to that? And if that is the case… that might break the tie without me… or maybe not, who knows? Still… what could I vote for?
>Can't force Bri to break her promise either.
…Risavia…
…if that what you want…
>Explain why our brother is acting the way he is and, because of that, why both methods of execution are bad ideas.
Wait, are you telling me there’s some kind of evil magic down in the catacombs? That is also powerful enough to… to… argh, you know what, forget it. This was supposed to be a night about us, not… evil magic conundrums. No, let’s revisit this topic later, alright? But for now, forget about it… and everything else… and just focus on us?
…alright… about us.

>When Belseth steps out of the bathroom, mentally brace yourself for any hallucinations, visions or other sensory shenanigans that might be going on around him.
My apologies for taking so long but… I’m not entirely happy with the clothes I bought… they are a bit on the… oh, you’ll see…

…right, time to mentally prepare for the worst… like seeing him as a rotting corpse or something…

So, ready to… head… y-yah brought flowers? To me? That’s… I’ve never ‘ad anyone bring me flowers before…
…

...you’re not sure if what you’re seeing is real or not anymore…

Give me a minute to stop laughing.

>>757208
All the same, compliment him.
Tell him he's struck a perfect balance between drop-dead sexy and to-die-for cute.

Well then, this is... something.
Hand him the flowers maybe and compliment him?

Compliment him! While a bit off the cuff it's certainly a nice outfit, if a bit off for you. He did dress himself up all nice for you specifically. He also seems a bit touched by the flower gesture as well.

>I’m pretty sure most people want to see him punished more than that.
Is this justice, or revenge?
>…if that what you want…
It's not that, trust me. But you're right, I shouldn't be getting into this.

Give him the flowers. Tell me, do you recognize the tattoo?

>>757208
Well now, he's looking cute. Definitely trying to look feminine for you, I'd say.

>>757208
well at least we know whos is going to be the power bottom in this relationship with clothes like that.

Is it normal for male Sakkilians to dress up like that? If not, it's really not necessary for him to dress more feminine to attract you.

But compliment him regardless, he's clearly put a lot of effort into his outfit.

Well... He looks way different when he is not wearing those robes he always use... Although I expected more tattoos... So... Kronos, are your pants feeling a bit smaller right now?

>y-yah brought flowers? To me? That’s… I’ve never ‘ad anyone bring me flowers before…
I knew that a steak was a better idea!

Anyway, What's his plan for the dinner?

>>757208
Stare at him, blink a few times, rub your eye, and look again.

If it's not an illusion and he's actually wearing that, just compliment him.

Then ask what he had in mind for dinner.

>>757222
>I knew that a steak was a better idea!
Should Kronos say this out loud as a joke? Because this sounds like something that would be funny to say to Bel as a joke. Let's say this out loud to Bel as a joke! XD

The little tail wag looks extremely adorable. Having trouble with one thing. Does the part of the paint on his forehead look a little different than it did the last time we saw it? If it is then it is most unfortunate that we lack the cultural context to interpret the meaning of the change.

>>757222
>>757234
>I knew that a steak was a better idea!
>Should Kronos say this out loud as a joke? Because this sounds like something that would be funny to say to Bel as a joke. Let's say this out loud to Bel as a joke! XD
No, Kronos should not. Do you have any idea how insulting it would be to even try to joke that Bel would prefer the gift of a bloody steak over a bouquet of roses? It would sound like the kind of joke that a old Vark with, shall we say, less than nice opinions of Sakkilians would say. And on top of that, don't you see how touched Belseth is by Kronos giving him this bouquet? He's so emotionally moved his Empire accent has come out! To make a joke like this one now would knock the mood into the floor. So, to repeat, it is not funny and Kronos should not say it.

>Anyway, What's his plan for the dinner?
>Then ask what he had in mind for dinner.
Dinner's already been arranged for by Cain. Kronos asked him to do so early this morning, before leaving to meet with Briannah. (>>/questarch/742443) Kronos could still ask Bel what he imagined this dinner would look like, just to see how close Cain got to Bel's thoughts. Odds are, it'll be spot on, as usual.

>>757238
>Does the part of the paint on his forehead look a little different than it did the last time we saw it? If it is then it is most unfortunate that we lack the cultural context to interpret the meaning of the change.
Yes, it is different from before. Last time it was a generic symbol for luck, as Belseth said when Kronos asked about it back in >>/questarch/733080. And Briannah added, in rather crude language, that the most common symbols mean, to paraphrase, "looking to get laid," "looking for a lasting relationship," and "already in a lasting relationship."

With how Bel acts around Kronos, I'd lean a bit towards it being the middle one, but I wouldn't bet on it. How about Kronos just comments that he noticed the symbol is different this time and asks Belseth what this one means. That'll clear it up, at least until he gets a book on the subject.

Welp looks like we're skipping dinner and heading straight for desert, or at the very least you're going to have a hard time concentrating on dinner.
I wonder if those gloves are latex?

>>757257
>No, Kronos should not. Do you have any idea how insulting it would be to even try to joke that Bel would prefer the gift of a bloody steak over a bouquet of roses?
Well, you don't know if Bel has a good sense of humor and actually wouldn't mind a joke like that. But, I guess you're right, it's better to be safe and not say anything about it.

Oh, it's real, all right. It's just that you never imagined Belseth would be wearing a dress and not a suit on this date, did you? ...And that, on seeing him wearing one, that you would feel quite a bit more than okay with it. He looks gorgeous, doesn't he?

After a moment of vaguely awed silence step closer to Bel with a smile on your face, gently present the bouquet of roses to him and say he looks stunning. Like you couldn't even imagine before how wonderful he'd look right now. Say you have a hard time thinking of what he's not entirely happy about with his outfit. That and what it'd be a bit on the what side of.

>So, ready to… head… y-yah brought flowers? To me? That’s… I’ve never ‘ad anyone bring me flowers before…
He's so moved by you bringing him a bouquet of roses that he stuttered and his accent came out. You didn't expect it'd be quite so emotional for him, but even more that he never had a date bring him flowers. Say that you're perplexed and slightly shocked that no date ever brought him flowers before. It seems nearly unconscionable at least a few wouldn't have. Could he say why they didn't?

>That man has not only killed many, but some of the blame why things are so bad right now can be put on him.
A bit sheepishly say that you know he doesn't want this intruding on your evening together, but you'd like to know who could get you a copy of the crimes Karas committed and the evidence of them. Say your thoughts were... distracted during the trial. You couldn't focus most of it and you missed much. You want- No, you need to know how heinous his acts were. You're also curious just how much Karas' actions have had in how bad things are now, and the whens of what he did. (You're wondering how fast his terrible anti-Sakkilian behavior ramped up after the incident with the Sakkilian orphans. Whether it was a sharp or gradual increase.)

Offer your arm to Belseth and proceed to dinner with him arm-in-arm... Er... You did remember to ask Cain where dinner would be, did you? It's probably not in your apartment since Bri will be there "playing" with Doxan. Hearing that going on nearby would not be what you'd want as the background ambiance for a romantic dinner.

Mention that you noticed, back when you were standing outside his quarters before your first meeting, that he has a rather nice singing voice. You could tell it even through the wood of the door. Say you'd like to hear him sing again sometime.

Kaktus 2016/11/09(Wed)12:54 No. 757621 ID: 65a774
File 147872484310.png - (53.69KB , 686x526 , 22.png )

>After a moment of vaguely awed silence step closer to Bel with a smile on your face, gently present the bouquet of roses to him and say he looks stunning.
…y-yah really think so? I… I was afraid it was a bit… much, actually…
>Tell him he's struck a perfect balance between drop-dead sexy and to-die-for cute.
C-cute!? …well, I can do cute, if that’s what yah want… but I was ‘opi- *cough* hoping for the sexy part myself~
>The little tail wag looks extremely adorable.
You think so? Then I guess you’ll have to try and make it wag all night long, eh? Hehe…
>Say that you're perplexed and slightly shocked that no date ever brought him flowers before.
Oh… that… well… I’ve not really been on many… date dates… and… um… Sakkilian males don’t give other males flowers very often, either. But don’t you worry about that. I do love the flowers, I really do!
>Is it normal for male Sakkilians to dress up like that?
EH? Oh, I guess it’s a bit of a culture clash. I wasn’t expecting to see you like that either but… yes, it is. I’ll have you know, this is the newest summer fashion in the empire for aspiring males like me! Only the best for the best, after all.
>Comment that the symbol his forehead is different this time and asks what this one means.
Oh, you noticed. Well, I believe my sister told you what the other symbols meant, so I’m sure you can guess which this one is?
Hmm… it’s not the good luck one, that’s for sure… and it’s probably not the “already taken” one… which leaves “I’m looking for a relationship” and-
-and “I want you to fuck me so hard my sister will hear it”.
Err… *Gulp*
I’m sure you can guess which one by the end of tonight this is~

>Is this justice, or revenge?
It’s a thin edge to balance on between those too… but it seems there might be more bloodlust involved than we like to admit…
>A bit sheepishly say that you know he doesn't want this intruding on your evening together, but you'd like to know who could get you a copy of the crimes Karas-
Didn’t we say we would leave that behind, eh? Also, I’m pretty sure I’m not the one to ask for any copies of anything, Kronos.
>Ask what he had in mind for dinner.
Oh, I did some planning with that manservant of yours… Cain, was it? I told him to find something under the stars but still private and safe from the elements, so he said that the old observatory tower make the perfect spot.
The observatory tower? Isn’t that thing filled with only cobwebs and dust?
Well, I’m sure he’ll taken care of it.
>Offer your arm to Belseth and proceed to dinner with him arm-in-arm.
While I appreciate the gesture I… um… need to grab my robe first…
Your robe? Why?
Well… the halls get a bit chilly… especially when wearing this and… um…
…
:BelesthSB: …fine, the Archbishop told me to meditate tonight… alone… so I rather not have the whole place talking about us going on a date, alright? So… just while we walk to the dinner I’ll be a normal priest, if you don’t mind?
…I won’t mind, no.


…

-and for dinner, the finest Varkian sausages your royal hands can get their hands on!
With a side of-
It’s the meat that’s important, not the rest!
…sausages?
By the five, I do live Sausages… *Sniff* mmm… just smell them… ah…

…you guess Cain has had this old tower cleaned up… it’s a bit on the empty side, but being surrounded by a glass dome showing the night sky makes up for it.


>I expected more tattoos.
Yeah, for someone that was supposedly running out of scales to tattoo he really isn’t that covered by ink… I bet it was just an excuse to put ink on his junk…
Also, forgot to draw some tattoos… wops…
>I knew that a steak was a better idea!
Let’s not tease the sharp teethed carnivore that is probably lusting for some fresh Varkian sausage tonight, alright?
>You never imagined Belseth would be wearing a dress and not a suit on this date, did you?
You’re pretty sure that’s not actually a dress… it’s more of a… err… tunic? Or something? …he is wearing pants at least?
>I wonder if those gloves are latex?
They are made out of silk. Soft and lean silk…

>So... Kronos, are your pants feeling a bit smaller right now?
With the fertility potion doing its work, your already blue balls and Belseth looking like that… yeah, it takes effort not to show of your sausage to the whole world.
>well at least we know who’s is going to be the power bottom in this relationship with clothes like that.
Especially with thoughts like that! Dammit, keep it in check at least until after dinner!
>Welp looks like we're skipping dinner and heading straight for desert…
Argh, you want to just jump him, tear away those clothes with your bare teeth and start feasting on his succulent flesh!

Kaktus 2016/11/09(Wed)12:54 No. 757622 ID: 65a774
File 147872486335.png - (40.59KB , 686x526 , 23.png )

It’s over so quick. In a singular motion you grab your knife, dash towards him and slash his throat. As he start slumping over the table, chocking on his own blood, the only thing in his eyes is confusion. He was never able to even register what you’ve done before his life left him… a shame, really… you would have enjoyed hearing him squeal, wouldn’t you? To hear him beg for his life… his sister’s life… all those he loved… but no… it was over quick. One single motion and his life is at an end… nothing now but food for your hunger.

Kaktus 2016/11/09(Wed)12:55 No. 757624 ID: 65a774
File 147872490232.png - (36.70KB , 686x526 , 24.png )

Then the only thing left is to gut him like the disgusting pig he is and start devouring his entrails. The fool told you how to despoil his corpse. Heart, lungs, liver… everything important will decay and rot will the rest will be consumed. His soul will suffer like the rest, as the endless nightmare will consume the world when the twin moons are full. But you know this already, don’t you Kronos… it’s your fault, isn’t it? …you fed her… you fed us… you found us… it’s all your fault. The war… the famine… the world crumbles around you and it’s all your fault. Do you really believe Belseth will be the only one who will suffer from your disgusting existence? Your father… sister… brothers… even your mother… they all suffer because of you. It’s all your fault. You did this… as the twin moons rises, you will see the consequences what you’ve done...

It’s all your fault…

Kronos?

Kaktus 2016/11/09(Wed)12:55 No. 757625 ID: 65a774
File 147872491238.png - (53.32KB , 686x526 , 25.png )

Huh?
You were a bit lost in thoughts there for a moment?
Err… I was? I mean… um…
A coin for your thoughts? You were rather deep in them a moment ago, after all.

"I have an infection."

>>757625
Those visions from the crypt are getting worse. Well, Belseth is well informed about the Church's plans and their research. I think it's time to spill the beans before things go horribly wrong. Tell him you contacted Xuv and she fed on your desire which in turn fed the trapped souls in the crypt, and they're invading your mind, giving you terrible visions.

Explain what you just saw in your vision and tell him what the voices said to you, especially the "full twin moons" thing, which seems to be very important.

Then start crying and tell him that you're so happy that didn't actually happen, but at the same time, you're so scared about getting a vision like that and you're extremely upset because this is ruining the date!

Say, do you know if an eclipse is coming up soon, or when the next full moons are gonna be? Cuz that may be the day when shit goes down hard if you can't fix this mess on time. Also, you probably didn't notice, but Cain seemed to be enjoying what you were doing in that vision.

But nevermind all that for now, just tell Belseth it was a brainfart or something. This night is just for the two of you and you just can't tak your mind off the fact that he's dressed and prettied up in a way that says 'I won't be able rest tonight until I've had forty or fifty dicks in my mouth need a man tonight.'

On the plus side, there goes your boner. On the negative side, their goes your appetite.

> A coin for your thoughts? You were rather deep in them a moment ago, after all.
Although that happens a lot, I pretty sure this time it was a vision... They're getting worse. Look, I know you want me to leave this behind, but I've noticed a kind of theme with my brothers that has me worried. What with the power hunger and insanity. That plus what the Archbishop is digging up, it doesn't bode well.

You know I'm starting to think if we don't deal with these visions you're going to end up like your brothers which just lead me to wonder if they faced similar nightmarish visions too before they lost it and tried to betray everyone.

>>757625
tell him you are being plagued by some disturbing visions you don't want to talk about and ruin the night with, lets just continue the date...
i wonder if cain wants to make this a threeway with how he wont leave.
is cain bi or gay... should we have seduced him... he is the closest friend we have ever had. maybe he has always wanted more and us just screwing everyone around us is hurting him. clearly our sister offered him a better job than to play manservant to a rich lazy playboy with misplaced hopes of being the batman of this world

Mention the only reason you are giving him such a 'heavy' comment on such a happy night, when he asked you to leave it later, is for safety. Your hallucinations are vivid and intrusive, and you don't want to accidentally harm yourself or others due to an overactive startle reflex if you are prodded or something during one of your space out moments, so he should mind that if he sees you like that.

>A coin for your thoughts?
Just nightmares brought on by stress. While it may help to talk them out... I'd prefer to focus on us right now.

>Argh, you want to just jump him, tear away those clothes with your bare teeth and start feasting on his succulent flesh!
Nothing like a throat full of lizard wang am I right!
>tail wag
and while that's happening up front he can put that tail to good use down below.

>It’s all your fault…
Fuck off Kro Kro we're busy getting more lizard ass then you.

>A coin for your thoughts?
Take me take me now!

Kaktus 2016/11/10(Thu)13:35 No. 757728 ID: 65a774
File 147881373683.png - (26.25KB , 686x526 , 26.png )

>On the plus side, there goes your boner.
While it did deliver a mighty blow to your libido, you can still feel the fertility potion doing its work and ensuring that it might make a comeback if given the chance.
>On the negative side, their goes your appetite.
…actually, that vision made you realize just how starved you are… and that’s terrifying.

>I wonder if Cain wants to make this a three-way with how he won’t leave.
But if he leaves, who will serve us dinner? And seeing as Sisah is looming over you wouldn’t it be a four-way? Geez, speaking of Sisah, she is not happy that you’re sitting in the middle of a glass dome…
>Is Cain bi or gay?
…actually, you have no idea. You’ve never seen him interested in anyone…
>Should we have seduced him?
What? No! Not only is he your friend, but he’s one of the people you grew up with the most. He’s more of a brother to you than your real brothers... oh, and there’s also the whole deal with you being completely unattracted by him.

>Do you know if an eclipse is coming up soon, or when the next full moons are gonna be?
You haven’t heard about any eclipses anytime soon, but the twin moons will be full… sometime next week? It happens twice or thrice a year, and if you remember your magic theory correctly, magic become a bit stronger but more chaotic at the time.
>You probably didn't notice, but Cain seemed to be enjoying what you were doing in that vision.
Wait, Cain was in the vision?
>You know I'm starting to think if we don't deal with these visions you're going to end up like your brothers which just lead me to wonder if they faced similar nightmarish visions too before they lost it and tried to betray everyone.
Gods… we need to do something about them. Why are they suddenly coming back like this? Didn’t you find a way to suppress them?


>Tell him you are being plagued by some disturbing visions you don't want to talk about and ruin the night with, let’s just continue the date...
Visons? This sound serious! What were they about? I mean, if you’re going to worry about them all night anyway…
…well…
>Explain what you just saw in your vision and tell him what the voices said to you, especially the "full twin moons" thing…
Full twin moons, eh? Really? The date of the full moons is coming up and that’s when… but what does that have to do with this? Ah, probably nothing. But speaking of ill dreams, I have been plagued by them myself as of late too… but I can’t for the love of me remember what they were about. Hopefully it’s just all this stress going around and not something worse…
…you seem awfully chipper for just hearing that I had a vision in where I ate you…
Well, it’s normal to fantasize about eating parts of someone you care for or look up too… you want to gain their strengths and keep their memory going, after all. Hell, I’m sure most guys have fantasized about getting into the gut of some pretty lady more than once… err… wait, that’s just Sakkilians that does that, isn’t it?
That, and I’m pretty sure this intrusive vision don’t count as fantasize!
And… that… yes… err… never mind…
>While it may help to talk them out... I'd prefer to focus on us right now.
Right, right… lets drop this about odd visions… and eating… I mean, everything but eating dinner. Speaking of dinner, do you have any more sausages? Mine seems to have disappeared “mysteriously”.
Ah, of course sir. Coming right up.

…

-but when a mind doesn’t know itself, is it not flawed? When the mind is flawed, the man is flawed, thus what the man make must also be flawed?
Even a broken man can make wonders, can’t they? Just look on the painters of old. Those that are remembered today were mostly mad in one way or another.
Hmm… I guess creativity would breed in deranged mind, wouldn’t it? Now… did you have another serving of sausages for me, Cain?
…I’m terribly sorry, sir, but it seems that I’ve run out. The chefs saw it only necessary to cook for… five servings, sir…
Ah, that’s a shame… wait, five? Really? Oh, my apologies, Kronos, but when you get food this good you can’t resist gorging a bit, can you, eh?
err… right…
Now, do excuse me as I see to these dishes.

…you have to say, watching Belseth consume enough sausages to feed a family was… intriguing. You’re pretty sure most people would have exploded by now… or at least have one hell of a tummy ache…


>Nothing like a throat full of lizard wang am I right!?
Argh, with thoughts like that…
>and while that's happening up front he can put that tail to good use down below.
…it’s starting to get harder to control…
>Fuck off Kro Kro we're busy getting more lizard ass then you.
…that damn potion Bri gave you… last time you ever drink one of those damn fertility potions!
>Take me take me now!
Gah, you have to really consecrate to not get a- oh gods, there’s suddenly something stroking your thigh!

Well… I for one really enjoyed dinner… so… want to snuggle up under the night sky? Your little Cain was helpful enough to supply us with a sofa. It’s a bit on the small side but should be big enough for us two.
That d-ng?

You can feel his foot starting to get dangerously close to your more private regions.

Or… we can head back to my room for some tea… and dessert? Hmmm?

Tell him that the only way you'll become his 8!+(# is IF he gets Kira pregnant.

>>757728
>…you have to say, watching Belseth consume enough sausages to feed a family was… intriguing. You’re pretty sure most people would have exploded by now… or at least have one hell of a tummy ache…
Well if the notion that he'll be consuming all five god-corpses is true, he might be training his stomach for it. And/or have an enchantment to enhance digestion.

Yes to the bedroom. Claim that ass for the glory of the Empire!

>>757729
wow

FEED HIM YOUR SAUSAGE.

>You’re pretty sure most people would have exploded by now… or at least have one hell of a tummy ache…
Jeez Belseth, hasn't the archbishop been feeding you? Well I guess it's not her responsibility, but still.

Sounds like we're headed to his place before Sisah gets any saltier.

>The chefs saw it only necessary to cook for… five servings, sir…
>five servings, sir…
> five
Why do I have this terrible feeling that the "chefs" were actually some guys from the church and they just snuck in the corpses of the five gods into Belseth's food?

And the fact that the fertility potion is lasting way too long, makes me think that the whole dragon and phoenix thing that Xuv predicted is just her way of trying get you two to fuck and give her more power.

Maybe having sex with Bel isn't a good thing to do right now? But.....that'll just hurt Bel if we tell him that!

But, if we are going to do it, then can we go to Bel's room? I just don't think we should do it here in the observatory. After that vision with the bloody twin moons, going somewhere we can't see the moons sounds like a good idea.

Kronos might need to help Bel walk after he ate that much. Just, try not to stare at how bloated his belly looks.....or how easily that could be you in there.....*shudder*

Maybe Belseth has a sausage that he can feed you~

Kaktus 2016/11/10(Thu)17:00 No. 757759 ID: 65a774
File 147882600568.png - (22.20KB , 686x526 , 27.png )

>Tell him that the only way you'll become his 8!+(# is IF he gets Kira pregnant.
…that is wrong on so many levels, both morally and biologically…
>Claim that ass for the glory of the Empire!
…you mean the kingdom, right? He’s the one who might claim your ass for the empire if anything.

>Jeez Belseth, hasn't the archbishop been feeding you?
Ah, as I said, my apologies. But when the food is this good I can’t resist to store some extra food, you know.
Is it normal for a Sakkilian to eat that much?
Ah? Oh, right, after the war and the propaganda I shouldn’t be surprised that you don’t know our biology perfectly… to be honest; there are still things that surprise me about you Varkian as well. See, we can eat a bit extra to digest later. It’s not as efficient as just eating normal meals, but it will allow me to skip lunch tomorrow… and… err… dinner probably.
>Yes to the bedroom.
So… this dessert you mentioned sounded intriguing…
Oh, I’m sure yah’re going to love it~

Going by how Belseth tail almost tips over two different vases thanks to wagging so hard, he really seem exited to share this dessert with you… that, and that he’s almost dragging you back to his room.

>Kronos might need to help Bel walk after he ate that much.
It doesn’t seem like he needs help… in fact, he’s probably more energetic than you’ve ever seen before.
>Just, try not to stare at how bloated his belly looks...
Huh… it’s actually noticeable, even if it is just a few centimeters? His usually flat front has suddenly a small, slightly round tummy.
>Or how easily that could be you in there.
There’s no way you’ll fit in there… Belseth is way too small for that. Bri, on the other hand… after what she did with that melon she would- ARGH! Stop thinking about that! Dammit!


>Sounds like we're headed to his place before Sisah gets any saltier.
Luckily, Sisah decides that it’s for the best that she stand guard out in the corridor, outside Belseth’s room… after she’s secured it, of course. As soon as she closes the door behind her, you can feel Belseth’s hands on your hips, his tail hugging your legs and his irregular breath on your neck.

Nng… oh, ‘ow I’ve been longing f-for this moment… y-ye smell… y-ye taste… *ah*… ‘ow d-do yah… do yah w-want to do this? Do yah w-want me too… or do yah rather… *ah*... i-it doesn’t m-matter to me… I… I’m up f-for either… ng… w-wait… wait… a-are we… rushing this? Are we going a bit fast? It feels like we’re… rushing t-things…

You feel his grip tighten before he humps your back a few times, poking you with what you can only guess is his “sausage”

B-but… *ah* …I… I really want… need… t-this…


>FEED HIM YOUR SAUSAGE.
>Maybe Belseth has a sausage that he can feed you~
…it seems that both options are available…

...maybe you are rushing this? I mean, just give it a bit of thought before going straight to pound town, but at least consider it.

Fuck the green out of him!

Play One Fat Finger Fillet.

With guns.

Literally.

As in, shoot your actual flintlock pistol at his dick.

>>757773
Fun for the whole family

I dunno what you'll do to slow down, but when you're done, quietly whisper in his ear that you've been on fertility drugs all day. Then Toss him on the bed and give him a lot more than 5 servings.

>>757773
Eeehhhh, 3/10 trying too hard.

I can't actually remember why we're having sex with this guy at all, but sure, I guess, let's have multiple rounds and do both.

>…that is wrong on so many levels, both morally and biologically…
This coming from the guy that's also trying to do the biologically impossible with Bri. But I guess we can let that slide, seeing as you and Bri has Xuv's magic to thank for any sorta success.

Hey, what's with the dotted line on Bel's tongue? Don't tell me he got a tattoo there! I wonder what that one is supposed to symbolize? Might as well ask him about it before you get too occupied doing something else.

>>757785
>Hey, what's with the dotted line on Bel's tongue?
That's just the crease that runs down the middle of his tongue. All Sakkilians probably have the same kind of crease since there was one shown down the length of Bri's tongue, back when she so explicitly demonstrated what she could do with it using a banana. (See >>/questarch/716711)

Before you two ravish each others bodies pull him in close and give him a deep passionate kiss.
We need him to see that we really care about him, that he's not just a fun gay romp for when ever you feel in the mood.

>>757785
connect the dots.

Wait, I've been thinking- this isn't much like him, and more like... somebody else. What did Xuv mean about a promise tonight?

>>757832
This! So much this!

Kaktus 2016/11/11(Fri)17:23 No. 757931 ID: 65a774
File 147891382187.png - (21.34KB , 686x526 , 28.png )

>This coming from the guy that's also trying to do the biologically impossible with Bri.
To be fair, there’s a mad god involved when it comes to that instance.
>I can't actually remember why we're having sex with this guy at all.
…because he’s cute? …and you like him? …and you’re attracted to him? …and you feel all tingly just by being near him? …and this damn fertility potion has been making you horny as hell all day and you can’t take it anymore!?
>Before you two ravish each other’s bodies pull him in close and give him a deep passionate kiss.
You turn around and almost shove Belseth into the wall before leaning in close and giving him a deep passionate kiss. You can feel him melt in your hands as he returns the favor; all the while both of you are grinding your bodies together. Two body part in particular, in fact, whom are both screaming for attention right now.

>Quietly whisper in his ear that you've been on an overdose of fertility drugs all day.
Huh… why would…
Bri…
Oh, of course… so you’ve been…
It’s been driving me mad all day… and now… now…
And now… I’m here… mmm… I’ll help…
Now I’m going to rip those cute clothes of your back with my bare teeth and then toss you on the bed so I can give you a lot more than just five servings!
Heh…do you really think you can handle that?
Is that a challenge?
Maybe?
>Fuck the green out of him!
Fuck taking it slow! You grab him by the arms and ready yourself to-

>Wait, I've been thinking- this isn't much like him, and more like... somebody else. What did Xuv mean about a promise tonight?
… … …
…oh…
…oh gods…
…what if… she can… xuv can…
…xuv can possess people?
What if Xuv can possess people and feed of their… desires…
…what if… she has already gotten to… to… Bri… the fertility potion… was it all her?
Is she manipulating everything to get you to feed-
No! You can’t be this paranoid! You can’t assume everything is Xuv’s crazy plans! She can’t possess people! She can’t… … …can she?

Ah… w-what’s… what’s wrong? Why d-did you stop?
I… I just…

Kaktus 2016/11/11(Fri)17:23 No. 757932 ID: 65a774
File 147891383480.png - (17.22KB , 686x526 , 29.png )

Your thoughts are interrupted by a heavy pounding on the door.

Lord Belseth? Are you in there?
Shit, Hera? What is she- dammit!
The Archbishop need to see you immediately. It is of the utmost importance.
Dammit, I promised him I was going to meditate alone today…
She said it’s about the dawn.
Dawn!? Oh… I… I really need to talk to her then and… and…
…is there someone else in there? Belseth?
Dammit! Just… hide! I don’t want to- Just g-give me a second to get decent! I’ll be right out! I really don’t want them to see me like this with you. Not now!
…You two*Insert* after he’s *incomprehensible* search it *mumbling* no one is in *here* and empty… and who the hell is that Serpent that’s hanging around back there?

>>757932
I just heard them say they're going to search the room. Hiding won't work.

Use your authority as the Price to make them go away.

>>757933
That doesn't really solve the problem. One, relations between the main church and the monarchy of a kingdom tend to be strained, power plays and so on. Two, we presumably don't want to be caught in this particular situation.

Sneak out of a window.

>Huh… why would…
No idiot, you were supposed to take charge before he could react.
>You can’t assume everything is Xuv’s crazy plans!
I have yet to hear a good reason as to why paranoia is unjustified and optimism is.
>She can’t possess people!
She can possess Belseth. That's the entire point of the ascension or whatever it's called.

You're fleet of foot and... Let's call it 'unencumbered'. You should have no problem hiding someplace higher up that guards in armor won't be able to check. Bring your gun just in case, I don't like it when people speak in hushed tones.

>…because he’s cute? …and you like him? …and you’re attracted to him?
Also, I recall you denying all of this vehemently.

>>757932
I hope this isn't the ritual to turn him into a god! We still haven't had a chance to talk to him out of it!

Tell, Bel to wipe those markings off of his face. If he doesn't want to be caught, then I'm sure he doesn't want to be seen with those on his face!

>>757935
>You're fleet of foot and... Let's call it 'unencumbered'. You should have no problem hiding someplace higher up that guards in armor won't be able to check. Bring your gun just in case, I don't like it when people speak in hushed tones.
All of this!

>>757935
>That's the entire point of the ascension or whatever it's called.
No, it's not. The ritual, or at least what we think it is, involves consuming (part of?) the corpses of the gods to gain their power. It does not involve being possessed by Xuv.

There's no indication Xuv can do that. If she could, don't you think she would be interfering directly with what she perceives to be her rival's plans? She would not need Kronos' help if she could do that! IN ADDITION, she is explicitly trying to avoid Belseth's attention. I can't think of anything more attention-grabbing than possession, short of manifesting directly in front of him.