Carve up a Masochistic Mock Sinner - an entity which takes specific curses and symbolically absorbs them as blessings due to their unique mindset.

... I feel sorry for it.
That sounds strange, since it's an inanimate object. There's definitely some totemism in that thought. Some form of magical thinking. But hey, we've already met a god, so.
Whatever curses were going to be sent towards Red Fang weren't going to blocked by this. Red Fang's sins were entirely his own. We ourselves saw to it that he was punished.

I say we put it outside somewhere, so that it can be free.
Or, if we want to do something less sentimental, just burn the damn thing. Cremation would be a form of freeing it, also. Either way, we're starting afresh and I kindof don't want this reminder of Red Fang's deeds hanging around the base, y'know?

>>1091772
Any way to tell if its done its job?

You could be holding on to the equivalent of divine toxic waste if it did.
...which could also be quite a nasty weapon too.

...attune the monster portal to it.

>>1091790
Yeet it into the portal!

>>1091704
>>1091814
Second the motion, and on top of that I may add to try each idol in portal too and see if they react.

Muschio 2024/05/26(Sun)12:14 No. 1091828 ID: 46e818
File 171675087985.png - (11.03KB , 800x600 , 2207.png )

"Well... you're my two most knowledgeable officers on the topics here. What are your thoughts?"
>"The Seer suggested they were angry with him, and despite his worship, 'would set in motion the wheels of his death', and that Red Fang felt this.
>It's impossible for me to guess how long this turning of the wheel took. The mock sinner could have been carved days or even years before his defeat at your hands.
>The smashing of the idol could mean many things. Did he suppose this god is the one who turned against him, specifically? Was it a threat to the other gods that he'd withdraw his potent worship? Just an impulsive gesture of desperate anger? I couldn't imagine."

>"As for this place... it's creepy, but I don't think there's anything cursed or magical about it. I think there's a sad energy to it all, but that's just because an evil man came here day after day begging to avoid his fate.
>Which is bleak in a lot of ways, but like... not magic. Not a curse.
>And the circle of sacrifice is meant to empower sacrifices, it's not like it's gonna sacrifice you itself if you step into it."

>"I agree with Ms. Openda's assessment. This place is strange and melancholic, but I don't deem it a danger to the Vault or anyone in it."

Muschio 2024/05/26(Sun)12:14 No. 1091829 ID: 46e818
File 171675089964.png - (9.96KB , 800x600 , 2208.png )

"Okay, and what if I put this in the monster portal?"

No objections? Great!

Muschio 2024/05/26(Sun)12:19 No. 1091832 ID: 46e818
File 171675117042.png - (10.80KB , 800x600 , 2210.png )

>"I..."

>"Uh, that's... why."

>"I don't think that's-- that is to say--"

>"Uh, mannikins are made in a variety of ways, so I guess the desperate and devoted energy that would've been channeled into or at least around this thing could have given it a... sort of falloff of psychic energy."

>"I don't... have any reason to think that would enable its functionality as a mannikin, but... the focal energies of a monster portal can be very unpredictable, and I suppose there's always a possibility that--"
>"But more than that, like... boss. Come on. Even if that did make something, do you really wanna see what comes out of it? This place isn't magic but there's so much negative emotion that's been poured out in here for months, even years, plus whatever sacrifice..."
>"Do you really think it's wise to risk making this place's latent energies actually tangible?"

Voting to summon Toothpick with the effigy.

>>1091832
We already killed a demon, so if something hostile comes from it I'm sure we can handle it??????????????
Maybe mess with the seer's idol, see if we can contact him and ask if this is a good idea. And more relevantly, ask if he'd like a temple/ritual room dedicated to him here. We could fine-tune that sacrifice circle and have Tislomer sacrifice some candy to him.

Speaking of, do either of our experts see a problem with getting rid of all the other idols? Because we definitely do not want anything to do with most of those other guys.

So, it might work, but will probably summon something nasty. How about we don't cause our own disasters and leave it alone?

The more you look at it the more it's kinda cute. Poor little guy, made to take another's sins. I wanna give it some new clothes and a warm drink.

Anyway though yeah probably don't put it in the portal. Assure your followers that you're just asking questions, you trust their judgement. They're the experts here! All you can show is your curiosity in their fields of expertise. So, is there anything useful to be done with this chamber besides leaving the idols of the gods where they are, maybe try show them a little respect with some cleaning and little offerings now and then? Should we get rid of that circle, maybe replace it with something that could do something for us? Not that we want to be the sacrifice types, but why not, right?

Oh yeah there's not chance that like Red Fang's soul got sucked into the sinner thing after he died is there? Just seems like that'd be the kind of prank a god might play on someone they were annoyed with who tried to cheat their curse. Asking in knowledge of ignorance again, ha ha!

Ignore them. Do it.
In fact, beeline for the portal before anyone can stop you.

look I understand that there are plenty of good reasons not to do this but the instant it became even slightly possible is the instant I was going to do it

We are either getting a new best friend or haunted and I am all for it

oh I don't think we ever imagined it wasn't a bad idea. Could end in giving us insight into whatever the fuck happened here though, and that's good enough for me!

This is a terrible idea. You should do it, but feel guilty about it the whole time.

>>1091832
The muschio of the past would love to have a cursed sin golem to guard his lair.
Does the muschio of now want it?
Mmm. I dont know.
I am really curious though

Perhaps it would be wise... were we to teleport whatever it made directly to the czar's palace.

Yeet. It. Into. The. Portal.

Only one way to know what will happen…

I vote for getting it a fluffy blanket and some hot cocoa.

>>1091867
same
make it happy first and then chuck it in the portal

>>1091832
"honestly? I think it'll be fun,yeah"

On the topic of divinity and magic, if Red Fang was right about magic and Divinity being interchangeable or one and the same, that might imply that magic only functions according to structured rules only because enough people agreed that it works like that. It could mean that true magic is totemic and can be wielded by almost anyone with strong enough belief or magical amplification though I’m not sure how we’d test this.

Also through that little guy in the portal and be ready to give him a hug as he comes out. He might need it.

Follow the advice of your experts. Don't do it.

Muschio 2024/05/27(Mon)12:54 No. 1091897 ID: 46e818
File 171683968062.png - (7.62KB , 800x600 , 2211.png )

"Yes, you're right. I should defer to the experience of my experts: It would be dangerous and irresponsible to attempt such a thing, anyway."

Muschio 2024/05/27(Mon)12:56 No. 1091898 ID: 46e818
File 171683976459.png - (19.08KB , 800x600 , 2212.png )

>"Master are you absolutely sure this is a wise decision?"
"No! That's why I asked Dompag to be here. He'll help with handling whatever may come out."
>"Uh."

>>1091898
Fuck it, we ball.

It might be a good idea to do this somewhere safer, like the jail cell.
Just tie it to a stick and prod it against the portal through the bars.
And if everything goes pear-shaped It'll be distracted by Vittima long enough for Dompag to jump into action.

Maybe you should have more than just Dompag, then? Erisol maybe?

>>1091898
Yes, this>>1091904
Having a caster here to zap it or at least teleport it away would be a good idea.

But let's not be hasty and assume if something comes of this that it will be hostile. Give this theoretical monster the benefit of the doubt and be nice to it if it doesn't come out swinging.

It's a MONSTER portal, Tislomer. Not a sweet fluffy bunny portal. Monsters are supposed to come out of it!

>>1091898
Personifying this thing is not the smartest move.
But neither was, well, lots of things so far and they turned out okay.
So, smart be damned, i want our sad lil sin golem.

I just want to point out that this is a horrible idea. Just the absolute worst.
The absolute worst idea.

However, I will support it for the sake of science, and because I really want to see what happens.

Finesse, we've chosen this brash and foolish course of action because it's a high-risk option that has a slim chance of saving our daughter from eternal torment.

We're fucking doing this.
You want to stop Muschio, go right ahead, but you are not convincing us to give up on Toothpick.

>>1091923
>saving our daughter from eternal torment
Genuinely, do you just make up your own story in your head as you read or what

Dude Muschio come on you don't want to be that sorta boss do you? You want to be a good leader, right? You gotta take advice or people will stop bothering to give it. There's a time for overriding your people's misgivings but that time's not to mess with portals and sin magnets created by your enemies that you found in a creepy sacrificial prayer room.

Just reiterating this... >>1091861

So we really doing this then? Fuggit. YEET!

Sorry Finesse but we’ve already grown attached to it and are now more committed to this dangerous course of action than anything else we’ve ever done in our lives.
Dompag, be ready to hug or punch whatever comes out, possibly both but I’m betting it all on hugs.

Let's not summon anything with this.

This will absolutely bite us in the ass, and if we do summon this spirit, my only hope is that it will only bite us in the ass right now once and not come back to do that regularly.

Muschio 2024/05/28(Tue)13:39 No. 1091958 ID: 46e818
File 171692876115.png - (19.97KB , 800x600 , 2213.png )

You're right! Let's not be reckless.

I make sure Erisol is in attendance as well.
Here we go!

Muschio 2024/05/28(Tue)13:40 No. 1091963 ID: 46e818
File 171692884779.png - (13.10KB , 800x600 , 2218.png )

A tall, robed creature with skin like jet gemstone pours smoothly out of the portal as if it were made of liquid.

Well looks like we have a new friend, introduce your self boss, and make it a good one!

Also try to get some info, Cause it's nice to know our new pals!

Okay.
Hi there, buddy.

It's mouth appears to be bound.
Would it be wise to ungag it or is it too late to be cautious.

>>1091963
Greet it properly. Be polite, I get the feeling kindness will go a long way with this one.

>>1091963
>Erisol is no longer smiling
>The sprite that was so nonchalant about the czar's assassin lobbing spells at them, teleporting randomly into the unknown and being in the presence of a demon
This can only mean good things!

...it looks vaguely familiar.

It reminds me of the seer's true form. Not as off putting but still evokes a feeling of wrong.

>>1091963
Oh cool it worked. Say hello.

Wait what the fuck is that Red Fang?

>>1091963
Well hello there!
Youre looking... disturbingly lessadorable than id imagined.

Say hi big m.

well the polite thing to do is introduce yourself, muschio

>>1091963

Only mildly concerning.

Santiago, is that you ...?

so does erisol feel anything weird, magic wise or vibe wise

Have no fear, we have everything under control!

This is a very special minion(?), made by a very special mannikin(??). We should treat it with respect. Greet it warmly.

It's probably had enough of being blamed for things it didn't do. Perhaps some kindness would help?

Honestly i didn't think this far ahead. Dance party?

Hmm, since it was made by Red Fang, and infused with his psychic energy, I suppose that in a sense this being is his... son, daughter? A nibling for Geppa. Well, they are an aesthetic creature, aren't they? Welcome them and ask them how they feel.

They look like they could use a hug.

This is one of those situations where faith should be prioritised over reason.
“Nice to meet you. I’m muschio. What is your name, friend?”

they seem neat, I like em.

Muschio 2024/05/29(Wed)11:23 No. 1092025 ID: 46e818
File 171700699005.png - (9.91KB , 800x600 , 2219.png )

"Greetings. I am Muschio Malto. Be welcomed here."

>"I am... Mock Fang."

Princess Erisol N'poa 2024/05/29(Wed)11:25 No. 1092026 ID: 46e818
File 171700712047.png - (11.37KB , 800x600 , 2220.png )

>"Well, Mock Fang, allow my officers and me to show you around your new home. We'll have a bed made -- come with us and we'll discuss other personal effects to get you settled."
>"...very well."

>>1092026
I don't think we've ever seen you look anything but happy, Princess. Is something the matter? We can't see anything wrong with Mock Fang yet, aside from the obviously disconcerting appearance. Do you see something we don't?

As we assumed, it seems the poor guy was made to be a spiritual decoy punching bag for Red Fang specifically. Wonder if they've retained any curses/ill will from their time as a totem. Also wonder if they'll approve or resent Red Fang's demise. Lastly there's the question of their abilities; are they still just a sentient spiritual/magical decoy? Rough existence if that's the case. Heck maybe they enjoy the punishment since that's the purpose they were made for.

>>1092026
Hey, switch us over to Erisol for a bit.
She's never been disturbed by anything before despite all the greatly disturbing things she's seen and been through, so this is a bit of a red flag. Let's have a private talk in her head and see what's up.

Also, this dude is absolutely the ghost of Red Fang or at the least some kind of echo of him. Got the same doofy nose and everything.
If it really is, that brings up a question of whether other mannikins are also made from dead people.

We need to be very careful when introducing the newest Fang to Geppa.

Other than that, we should create some automated means of breaking up fights... or assassinations. Not just for the new hire, but because of what happened with Pendle. A few pillow golems with strict hard-coded orders to subdue and never kill.

Huh, none of the others talked. Is that good or bad?

While we should check with the others to see how they feel about this new addition, I can't help but feel pity for Mock Fang. They were born to suffer for someone else's safety. If they had sentience before we gave them a functioning body, they could have a fountain of hate and anguish and curses waiting to flow. Let us treat them carefully and make sure they don't see fit to unleash any of that here

>>1092034
Huh? What about the Odds? Weren't they summoned? Since they did give scouting summaries.

>>1092043
Oh, they talk? My mistake.

>>1092043
>>1092045
The Denlings have talked, the Odds have not.
Embraddeus is also a summon and she's talked.

>>1092026
You okay princess?
You look like youve just seen something that defies the laws of god, man and decency saunter across the room in profane defiance all reason.
You need a sit down?

>>1092026
>name field
>>1092030
Oh whoops, we have switched.
Hey Erisol, don't talk aloud about this guy around him, just think it and we can hear it or at least get out of earshot of him first. After that, tell us what you make of this guy? Like, what is he?
And have you ever heard about someone making a mannikin out of a mock sinner before?

>>1092025

Time to give a shard to our newest recruit.
Since he was meant as the scapegoat for RF sins, which already died. Then this means that MF is free of the load and should be open to a new kind of existence.

Now, on the other hand, it was stated.
"A Mannikin is a magic artifact, and it cannot be created in the mortal realm"
So how did RF pull this one-off?

Also
"How it works is that a normal, mundane object is created which resembles an EXISTING creature from the otherside realm, whether the resemblance is literal or iconic. One cannot simply cobble together a random totem or figurine, it must be representative of an extant type of monster."

This would mean that MF was not created but instead that a Monster with similar signature(?), resonated with the "Mannikin" and came fort through the threshold.

Now what would be the personality of a Monster modeled after one that bears the blame for others?

Only time will tell.

In the meantime, we should call him Billy

>>1092084
Also asking the other monsters in our service about their takes on Billy.

Why would we call him Billy? He's already got a name, Mock Fang.

>>1092086
Geppa should name him.

>>1092088

Where IS our dear little reformed miscreant? How's she faring? It's been a while.

Mock Fang... how exciting!
Now that I think of it, might not have just been a Totem of curses, could have been trying to become a god to avoid death, would have been a misunderstanding of gods, but still possible, and maybe, a failure of a success.
But I have NOT been following this story long enough to know

>>1092087
Billy as in Billy Goat
Like Nanny is for Nanny Goat

>>1092087
It could be Bill
for short
Like Nan

>>1092098
She literally showed up IN THIS CHAPTER!

Princess Erisol N'poa 2024/05/30(Thu)15:32 No. 1092113 ID: 46e818
File 171710835003.png - (10.08KB , 800x600 , 2221.png )

>"Come, I'll introduce you to the others."

Princess Erisol N'poa 2024/05/30(Thu)15:33 No. 1092114 ID: 46e818
File 171710842867.png - (14.35KB , 800x600 , 2222.png )

"Oh, stuff.

He's hot."

Requiescat In Pace
Erisol
"OH NO HE'S HOT"

>>1092114
Oh. Yeah, I get that.

You and Muschio both members of the big and long-faced fanclub, huh?

Do you mean that sexually?

pffffffffff

Dawwww so it was THAT sort of nerves. Kind of cute to see this side of her

>>1092113
Another member for the long snoot club.