[Burichan] [Futaba] [Nice] [Pony]  -  [WT]  [Home] [Manage]
[Catalog View] :: [Graveyard] :: [Rules] :: [Quests] :: [Discussions] :: [Wiki]

[Return] [Entire Thread] [Last 50 posts] [Last 100 posts]
Posting mode: Reply
Name (optional)
Email (optional, will be displayed)
Subject    (optional, usually best left blank)
Message
File []
Password  (for deleting posts, automatically generated)
  • How to format text
  • Supported file types are: GIF, JPG, PNG, SWF
  • Maximum file size allowed is 10000 KB.
  • Images greater than 250x250 pixels will be thumbnailed.

File 12829641217.jpg - (268.35KB , 800x775 , Gialgorra Butler MR1.jpg )
222777 No. 222777 ID: a76809

[ First Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/83524.html]
[ Second Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/142119.html ]
[ Third Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/156884.html ]
[ Fourth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/177882.html ]
[ Fifth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/186331.html ]
[ Sixth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/195348.html ]
[ Seventh Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/203684.html ]

[ Discussion Thread 1 http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/316616.html ]
[ Discussion Thread 2 http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/331007.html]
[ Wiki Page: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Golem_Quest ]

ELSEWHERE

>Arkus scratches the back of his head, once again realizing he is in need of a haircut, as he considers the man before him, someone he feels like he met a lifetime ago, yet saw less than half a year earlier.
>"...Ok, so why did you come here?"
>"Ye daft, boy? Some feckin' screws loose in yer noggin, I told yeh-"
>"Right, I know, business has been bad, had to close shop thanks to the Steel Fists, I get that. But you still haven't said why THAT brought you HERE."
>"Ye bloody stupid? That hoity toity mage type yeh follow's what got me in this mess, damn well better have jobs fer me now, since this be his fault!"
>"So you came here for work then?"
>"Do yeh nah know how to feckin' listen then? Of course that's what I'm here for, now where the deep is Mordre, eh?"
>"Look, he's not here, and won't be back for some time. And know, I couldn't tell you specifically when he'll get back. I can offer you room and board while you await his return, but that is it, alright Del?"
>"Del? DEL? ...Ye've grown a pair, lad, if ye can call me by me first name to me fuckin' face, an' not cringe. Some spine in ye now, then? Guess that master o' yours ain't so bad at teachin, then. Ah, how's the axe I made ye, workin' fine?"
>Yes, it functions quite well-"
>"So who the bloody hell are those twats there, with all the golems and whatnot?"
>"...This will take some time to explain...."

>As Arkus busies himself trying to placate the ever perverse and capricious (as well as foul-mouthed) man now knocking on the Arcanowork's proverbial door, he wonders, just what Mordre could be up to, to be away for so long? There is much to be done.

AND NOW TO RETURN TO OUR PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED MORTAL COMBAT, BEING THE CONTEST BETWEEN GORAN OF THE GORKIN CLAN, AND MORDRE OF THE FALLEN MOSMORDREN EMPIRE

The world is cold.

The concept of temperature being anything more than a statistic is a new one to me, and though the chill of the mountains did nothing to me before, being buried in snow, my body frozen in time thanks to my trick with the Inverter and the Edge of Oblivion, transposing the stasis effects of the blade onto myself, losing the ability to move, in exchange for a nearly insurmountable defense... so long as the sword is both in my grasp and unbroken. With such a bastion about myself, the flakes of snow, the chips of ice, the detritus of the mountain about me, no longer a roiling, turbulent mass surging by, should mean nothing to me. But being locked, still, sight denied, no sounds detectable, for the briefest of moments I can perceive absolutely NOTHING, a state I had not anticipated to be... so jarring. Only once I turn to my senses magical, and start detecting the odd shards of Ruby about me, several yet bodies, none with Red Steel-

And a gap in any magical field, Geomantical, Magnetomantical, my every means says nothing exists there... And I deduce this to be Goran's location. With this deduction, I set to freeing myself, sensory deprivation and a need to reach Goran pervading my existence, as I deactivate the Inverter, regaining motion-

SOULFIRE

[-3 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 3,083 Minimum: 12]


As I spew forth a flame supernatural to the core, the snow hisses, steams, never melting but burning away as Soulfire simply unmakes it, and through Pyromancy and directing the flames all bout me, breathing out ever more of the spectral emerald inferno as I slowly rise.

SOULFIRE

[-3 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 3,080 Minimum: 12]

SOULFIRE

[-3 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 3,077 Minimum: 12]

And I have an inferno great enough the the spreading waves of unraveling, unmaking, unbeing flames, to the surface, stark beams of sunlight streaking through the spreading emerald conflagration, as I likewise test my form, rejoicing in the return to capability....

And finding myself falling short.

My chest is so heavily impacted my shoulders are now canted forward, my chest has largely caved, and my back is bent out-and this is factoring in both the fact I have converted my form to Blootz Steel, an alloy of my own creation and control, and that I crafted additional tonnage of armor plating-and through ALL of that, with but a single barehanded punch imbued with Phonomancy, the Magic Eater, Goran had effectively crippled me, my cannon now so miss-aligned with my shoulders that I shoot sideways, blocking my blade launcher-and with my ruby Ageless Eyes of Winter, the gems steeped in belief and harnessing both a soul and potent runes to my call, I have lost both my Amaranthine Annihilator, and that which granted me magical illusion-piercing vision.

On the other hand, I can now command Kinetimancy and Ignimancy... and I believe I have sufficient grasp of Blood magic that, should I circulate my bodies iron composition, harvested from the blood of the fallen through eldritch means. I too can access Blood magic, something that I vaguely recall as never having been accomplished with a Soul Grave, Something about our static form not supporting the appropriate chaos and flow, or some such-but nevertheless something that the Mosmordren empire had not accomplished with its twenty four Soul Graves. While they did admittedly have access to Soul Magic and thus not THAT much need to circumvent this particular golemic restriction, but I feel some measure of pride in this nonetheless. As the sun finally reaches my fully amidst my spreading sea of flames, I start moving towards where I believe Goran to be.

To find the entire area of snow about the gap I sense shivers, trembles, and turns to dust, tiny glimmering particles that are then drawn back, as a familiar voice is heard.

"WAPOMAW!"

I see Goran the Magic Eater, one armed and wounded, greedily chugging down the shattered snow, feasting with abandon on even his own soldiers, trapped in the snow about him, before he too stands, some seventy feet away.

"I WILL NOT BE BESTED BY THE LEAVINGS OF A MOUNTAIN,
AND I KNOW THE PERFECT WAY TO PROVE THIS... SOUL GRAVE."


Goran's soul takes on a.. familiar texture, and from his stump.... blood flows, seeps... and takes shape. In a manner far too similar to one of my allies he consumed, I see Nanal of the Drazken clan's workings in Goran's new sanguine limb, scaled to his twenty five foot frame, even as I see his ruined shins and feet seething as well, bloody armor springing to be over the patches stripped of flesh, the many rent open blood vessels giving free access to thorough flow, as Goran clenches his single left fist. Behind his snarling form I see the village of Mordreden some two thousand feet away, revealing just how far we tumbled down the mountainside.

"I'LL EAT YOU AND TAKE EVERYTHING YOU ARE, METAL COPY!"

Goran lunges at me, his fist clenching and blurring as he gathers Phonomancy about it even as he whirls his sanguine limb forward, tentacles snaking forth as if to ensnare me.


What should I say or do?
Expand all images
>>
No. 222782 ID: 503c99

Use Phohn to summon all deep spawn from where ever they happen to be buried to standing at the moment.

Then see if Goran can chew his way through Soul Fire
>>
No. 222784 ID: 2c53c2

>>222777
Hmm. If he's using blood magic to put his blood outside his body, it would probably do very bad things to him if we used another dispel burst. Then we can tear the blood iron from his lost blood to prevent him from reclaiming it.

The immediate concern is avoiding his fist, however. Kinetimancy yourself a very powerful dodge vector, and use it plus your already impressive (and possibly magnetomantic) speed to dodge aside with a speed he can't match. As you do so, begin absorbing power for a dispel burst and start repairing yourself; you'll want as many weapons available as possible here.

As for attacking Goran, I recommend aiming for the remaining eye. He's nasty, but he's already lost one and shows no signs of being able to regrow them. You can start magically tearing loose bits of metal from the snow around you and flinging them at his face at frightening speeds to accomplish this; if nothing else he'll have to use an arm to block. Grab Red Steel for this purpose, if you happen to sense any while you move.

Don't completely neglect melee combat, of course; if it comes to an engagement, make full use of our available melee capabilities. I do recommend targeting the face. And if you could somehow dodge around him, catch him, and throw his entire massive body way up in the air with the Accelerator, that would be incredibly badass. Though I suppose he'd just Kinetomancy himself to wherever he'd want to be, and Gravimancy himself to a safe landing. An idea for another time, perhaps.

Also, as you move inhale any loose souls you happen to run over. There are likely to be a few premen beneath you who died to the avalanche's massive impact, and a few more souls never hurts.

Some bold words about being the one who will devour all that Goran is at the end of the day would probably be appropriate, perhaps incorporating a promise to tear the souls of our loyal followers from his steaming corpse.
>>
No. 222785 ID: 445c48

Turn off the Time-stealing, Soulboost magnetomancy (Or Kinectimancy) and fire your sideways cannon while earthsliding to give you the momentum to help dodge, again, activate the Time-thief again because since you did this earlier he might think you'll do it again and hit you, and then activate the Spectral Gorging Anima and the IG.
>>
No. 222786 ID: e31d52

Sable Executioner through the blood. The stuff it's made of disable magic. :V

Also, Phohn for some reinforcements!
>>
No. 222791 ID: e31d52

You know how humies deal with cold, right?

They try to get the blood pumping. You know, start it flowing.
>>
No. 222793 ID: 445c48

>>222784
There's no Red Steel nearby, and he doesn't have Kinetimancy. I'm not too sure we should go for the face, after all, that's where his magic masticater is, and our brain's magic.

Also, forgot in my last post, when you're not magicing stuff, Repair yourself.

Are Dulu's hands too big for Hand-cannons? If not, tell him through Phohn to get some, and some metal, and start shooting this guy from a distance.


Del Rogo at the Arcanoworks, eh? Well, at least we'll keep him busy, and we've got to get some armor repaired anyways. And by repaired I mean remade.
>>
No. 222795 ID: a594b9

You know what we need to do now? GTFO.

Soulboost Geomancy and Kinetomancy to dodge that attack. Call our travel-based Deep Spawn over, so that he may allow us to teleport at will. Let's see how Goran fights something he cannot even touch.
>>
No. 222800 ID: b10c0e

Idle suggestion, if we can handle it. Collect any Ruby peices with geomancy while you fight so it'll collect.

And Phohn up Lorgk, Ugrokk and Oggroth. This is still their battle.

And lighting strike!
>>
No. 222801 ID: db9547

I'm so sick of Goran. Time to take him down.

Bodies liter the snow. Begin pooling their blood within the ground, outside of Goran's view.

Move to meet his fist with your Sable Executioner in 3-pronged Drill Mode and your blade in your siege hand, and Trigger the Immortal Genocides feasting. He's seen what his punches will do to you, I doubt he'll see this coming.

Prior to impact, go TEMPORAL LOCK MORDRE and tank the blow. If it sends you flying (he hits with an uppercut) release and wrap Sable executioner around his fist, and start uncoiling. Black Steel dispels magic AND cleaves through most other substances like butter, so fuck his magic skin, won't help him there. Grind his arm off.

Bring IG to bear as you do this, trigger SPECTRAL GORGING ANIMA, and let loose a close range DISPEL. Watch his blood go inert, both the blood arm and the blood over his wounds.

Finally, use that blood you should have pooled beneath, and bring it to the surface. Force it into his body. Lets see if he's as durable on the inside.

Oh, side note? You should be healing youself with magnetomancy.

Temporal Lock if he attempts to strike back again.
>>
No. 222805 ID: db9547

Guys, Everyones 2000 some feet distant, with a mountain of snow between here and there.

Don't expect help anytime soon.
>>
No. 222811 ID: e31d52

>>222805
At least one of our spawn can Fly.
>>
No. 222813 ID: b10c0e

>>222801
Also, some one pick a good peice of Beatles music for this that we can USE. Goodness, no plan with beatles music ever seem to go through.
>>
No. 222817 ID: 7f2092

Hmmmm, with his impressive magic annulment feature, this battle will be tough. How I miss our armaments. Gotta break out the big guns.

But for now....
Geomancy up some rocks while Magneto running to the side. Chart a path in your mind and use Kinectomancy to make it happen, then ACCEL those rocks from different angles towards Goran, aiming for his good eye.
Create an INFERNO GOLEM to stop the Blood tendrils, his body is anti-magic but I am not certain about his blood and soul magic is usually harder if not impossible to dispel. In any case, The non-magical heat generated from the IGolems presence should be enough to stop it.
After that, start up the IG again. Sadly it is our most effective weapon at this point and we need to prepare it.

After you get out of the way of the initial attack, weaken the ground around you so that if Goran charges you he will break it and fall or stumble, we need to buy time. Hmmm, you can help with the breaking process by doing the Gravity well thing around him (Kinectomancy version). It won't stop him but it will sure as heck break the ground.

Che, it's been awhile since I have had to think about indirect damage. I am a direct kind of guy.

Harrass, harass, Harass with that IGolem from b4 and SOUL BOOST: Magnetomancy, Blood magic and Kinectomancy to free up your movements a bit. Not a full repair, but you need to be able to move when the time comes.

Break off the AG Barrel. It is useless to you now and it is hindering your movement. After this is done, you can use all the time you want to make it even better. When that is done, you can now make creative use of your AVBlades using Magneto-Kinecto-Ignimancy. Mag and Kin obviously control motion while Igni will add potency.

An idea is on the tip of my tongue... bah.
>>
No. 222821 ID: db9547

>>222817
Inferno Golems are totally magical, I thought, being Soulfire constructs. I doubt their heat will bother him overmuch, and it would waste an anti-magic charge.
>>
No. 222825 ID: 445c48

Remember, he can dispell all but the most overwhelming and/or soul fueled spells on contact. He can eat all magic though. So an inferno golem would probably be fine to punch Goran, but he could take a bite out of the golem and probably kill it, or severely reduce its lifespan.

I'm kind of worried about what would happen if he took a bite out of the Spectral Gorging Anima though. Then again, now that I think about it, it's an effect powered by Fang Taker's Soul, not Fang Taker's soul, so it'd probably be fine.
>>
No. 222829 ID: f4e4f9

Regarding Beatles songs, I got several that would suit the situation:

For the Temporal Lock Mordre (Utilizes Soul Nexus "Inverter") to defend against Goran's punch -

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IQPtUQeRmPg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IQPtUQeRmPg?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
>>
No. 222832 ID: f4e4f9

>>222829
And I managed to forget that COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EMBED RULES are used for chan boards, and am unable to delete the post.
>>
No. 222841 ID: 152780

All the people suggesting that we use the Sable Executioner to block Goran's fist? Please stop. Black Steel cannot nullify soul or blood based magic.
>>
No. 222844 ID: f4e4f9

>>222841
It was suggested we fake Goran out by moving to strike with the Sable Executioner, then Temporal Locking to stop Gorans Fist. Not to actually block the blow with Sable Executioner.

Also, I don't think it was ever said that Goran's skins resistance is blood or soul magic, just that it was resistant from being bloated with magic (general)
>>
No. 222849 ID: 2c53c2

>>222844
Are we sure that the temporal lock's magic is strong enough to hold up to Goran's magic absorption effects? It'd be a total bitch if he punched us right through it and we just took it. It's probably a better plan to go for the dodge.

Magic use on him has to be indirect- magnetomancy to throw things at him, kinetimancy to dodge, maybe geomancy to hollow out large sections of ground to collapse away beneath him. That last is a plan I rather like, actually, as a supplement to whatever else we're doing.

Point is, the temporal lock is a purely magical defense on which we should not rely.
>>
No. 222855 ID: f4e4f9

>>222849
As I understand, Goran doesn't absorb magic, his skin RESISTS it. His Mouth is what consumes it. Thats what Jojo says, and as I recall Nanal and Keddic's blood didn't go inert every time he hit GOran with it, nor did the "Multi-hit" combat spell the Drazken put on him go away.
>>
No. 222857 ID: 445c48

>>222844
The talk of Blood Magic is because he's very obviously using it for the arm, and because someone suggested swiping it through the blood-arm because he thought we would disable it, which we wouldn't. The magic resist I'm not even going to guess, probably soul magic, or some sort of intrinsic magic.

>>222849
Hmm, well, the way I see it, if he were to punch the sword, it might get dispelled, breaking it and fucking shit up. Or it might live, being pretty powerful. But him touching the sword is not a thing we should let happen.

However, him punching us shouldn't be too much trouble, since we're just stealing the time from the sword, using the Time-thief's soul.

Still, I'd like a dodge AND time lock, start us moving and timelock during it, so we're still moving, and hopefully just dodge the hit, but are able to take it if needed.
>>
No. 222859 ID: 152780

>>222844
It was suggested to use the anti-magic properties of the Black Steel the Sable Executioner is made of to disrupt Goran's blood arm. Unfortunately, Black Steel cannot disrupt Blood-based magics and Goran's blood arm is formed from Blood Magic.

And it was merely said that Goran's skin is completely immune to magic.

Also, I would suggest that we do not get close to Goran at all. He is way too quick, especially when we are damaged. I think it is best if we dodged, and repaired the damage to our form.

I support using the non-individualized Deep Spawn to help against Goran. If Goran gets too close to grabbing a hold on them, I suggest that that spawn is to be demanifested. We don't want to empower Goran even more.
>>
No. 222865 ID: e31d52

Doesn't Black Iron actually necrotize organic matter/flesh? You think it would be able to ruin the blood?

In any case, let's get our OWN blood flowing.
>>
No. 222881 ID: d38db6

Being all alone on a field of snow it might just be time to go into melee Mordre mode for once. Coil the Sable Executioner into battle mode, activate the Immortal Genocide or the Spectral Gorging Anima and focus on Lumingo the Blademaster's soul for melee combat superiority.

If Mordre uses magnetomancy to move any metal objects buried in the snow strategically then it should be possible to set up multiple magnetic anchor points. Then he can keep using magnetomancy and kinetimancy to move faster than Goran. Spew soul fire constantly to hurt Goran and melt the snow underneath him so that Goran's constantly sinking into the snow. Goran might try to counter this via gravimancy or soemthing, but that's the cue for Mordre to strike.

Note that while the Sable Executioner might not nullify Goran's magic it IS conventionally unbreakable. If it's folded into a springy shield then it might possibly block a phonomantic blow as long as Mordre rolls his entire body with it. Getting in solid hits with the Sable Executioner will also leave horrible, rotting wounds that will slowly seal Goran's fate.

I think Goran doesn't know how open he's left himself by making that blood arm either. One magic dispel from the Immortal Genocide should leave him disarmed and short of a whole lot of blood.
>>
No. 222896 ID: 45be60

Say something to the effect of "Ah, so NOW you wish to challenge me in single combat? Now that your army lies dead at my feet? This is all I asked for from the beginning. But you chose to make this a fight between armies, and my army still stands."

So... ethereal warriors formed from the souls of the recently dead and bound to your will, capable of phasing through flesh and wrecking a guy from the inside. How did they do with that whole avalanche thing?

So I know Burduko can only transport between places he has already been, but moving stuff around is the aspect he manifests in. What he EMBODIES is speed. How fast can he get over here and add this location to his repertoire?
Also on the Burduko topic, in our efforts to effectively combat Goran in melee, can we grab one of his spawn and use chronal banditry on it to augment our own speed?

>>222865
Flowing blood requires intense concentration. It should make for much more potent spellcasting using the soul nexus, but focusing on directing two magical effects at once is not going to be a good idea when we need quick reflexes. Lets do that when we are NOT about to get punched in melee.


(All this thinking about throwing things at Goran, I wonder. What would happen if we were to grab his good arm and try to throw THAT? His skin protects him from magical harm, but it doesn't absorb magic like his maw does. Best I can figure, either we send him flying and buy time to repair ourselves, or we send just his ARM flying, because his inertia is greater than the tensile strength of his limb. Neither of these outcomes is bad. Of course maybe it just doesn't work like that, and implementing this plan would be extremely dangerous.)
>>
No. 222941 ID: a76809
File 128300922420.jpg - (488.62KB , 1340x1421 , Mordre Heart Beat.jpg )
222941

>>222777
[Double Triple bonus coming in 3.....]

>>222791
[If this is an attempt to get Mordre to tap Blood Magic, you don't need to tell him HOW to make it work, he knows between the souls, his composition, and experiences. Just tell him to devote his Will to moving the Blood Iron, and viola, trade Will for Blood Magic.]

>>222865
[Indeed Black Steel does have such a property, but it is slow-acting, more concerning making recovery more difficult/conventionally impossible, not about rotting flesh as you watch. Different time-frames.]

>>222782
Phohn?
Yes Administrator Mordre?
Who are my nearest allies right now?
One moment..... the near-brethren Dulu is the closest, followed by fellow Deep Spawn Dorgrum, at eight hundred and eleven hundred feet distance respectively. Both are still buried. Dulu is currently having issue escaping snow, as his passively heated form is causing the snow to melt and become difficult to grasp to haul himself out. The mortal Bang is some fourteen hundred feet distant, and has nearly worked his way to the surface. Nearly all manifested Spawn were forcibly unsummoned by the press of the avalanche and some sort of suffusion of magic of a Soul based nature, enough to disrupt their maintained existence, and so all other Deep Spawn and mortal allies are within Mordreden, some two thousand, three hundred feet away. ...Strangely, I detect another I have communicated with at your order far closer than any of them, but some interference prevents proper identification.
And where are my Soul Soldiers?
Scattered about within the snow... apologies, but by my assessment, their numbers are diminishing in the vicinity around you far faster than they do elsewhere, and I do not know why.

>>222784
>>222795
>>222801
>>222817
>>222881
>>222896

[-72 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 3,005 Minimum: 12]

I once more invert the function of the Immortal Genocide, and let a portion of my reservoir of souls flow into my own sources of magic, directing all this additional metaphysical weight into my default casting as I turn my hand towards Kinetimancy, even as I direct my lone Soul Nexus towards Geomancy, following the only option I see for myself in this situation. Knowing Goran's punch to be inhuman, a threat easily on a scale I must constantly be wary of, between his raw strength and Phonomancy, I know I must dodge the hit. With his reach great than my height, I know dodging will be difficult. So as I hurl my own body backwards, adding a backward vector to my form, even as Geomancy allows my still unmoving feet to slide along the soil beneath the still-present Soulfire engulfing the land, I move both my arms, regretting my warped form and hobbled frame, but accomplishing what I must.

Despite my motionless transition from stationary to swiftly moving, Goran's fist finds me, because as much as I hate to admit it, he is at least as fast as me, when I turn Magnetomancy upon myself. It would seem feasible that the souls and magic he eats suffuse his flesh so much his very existence has warped, flesh been made something more, to let such weight be born, to move thrice as swiftly as the Domintus Alchemical Giant I faced some weeks ago. The difference is startling. And so I am thankful II have already turned my right arm as far forward as possible, and thanks to my innate spatial geometry calculation portions of my Soul Grave matrices, I manage to coil the Sable Executioner all about Goran's hurtling fist, having chosen to ignore his forward thrusting Blood tentacles, which now are likewise wrapping about my torso as I ensnare Goran's fist, my left hand, already locked about the Edge of Oblivion still upon my back, uses Chronal Banditry to claim it's temporal effects, a stasis field encompassing my existence as tentacles wrap about me and a blurred fist slams home.

There is a sound so harsh the snow about us rumbles and shifts, some cascading down towards us, as we were as of yet still largely fighting in holes in snow some forty feet deep, and the light becomes so prolific that whatever few shadows yet existed are banished, as the very world shivers at the phonic discharge of my body simply ablating the horrendous vibration-and threw it I hear the sounds of cracks widening in the Edge of Oblivion, as without its temporal lock it is not so fully enforced, its ward transferred to me. I wonder, how many of those could the blade take, before it shatters? What of my capacity to use the Cataclysmic Chaotic Cleave? These questions occupy me as my form hurtles off the ground, and I deactivate my Banditry, regaining motion in time to fully embed my Sable Executioners blades in his arm, letting my own newly gained motion pull their teeth through his flesh, deep gory rents taking shape in an instant as blood gushes and Goran's face gains just a bit more hate to display as I hurtle away, out of his range-

I find myself being pulled earthward, a sliding Goran still maintaining the blood ropes about me, which give for a time before pulling my escape up short, some thirty feet skyward, to above our immediate skyline, and one of the few patches of encircling snow that had not collapsed, still at its full height and not being moved underfoot to bring us closer to the surface, as I turn to my left, not ten feet from my face, I see something I do not like.

I see the yeti I saw watching Mordreden a few days ago with perhaps seven others with him, and with his recognition of me, and my current predicament, I see him pull back leathery lips, and give me a grin most baleful, as a spectral, ethereal jade image of an arm takes the place of his lost limb, watching with an opportunistic sneer as the sanguine ensnarements about me finally start reeling me back in.

And I notice something a bit worrying. Goran's fist is already pulled back, already regaining a blur-and even the bloody tentacles are starting to gain a difficult to discern outline, slowly but surely becoming a threat themselves. I trigger the Immortal Genocide, the endless pit of feasting darkness, the ravenous maw without features on my left arm makes the chill air chiller, and the blood wrapped about me starts to flow, and slacken, its blur fading. At the same time I activate the Immortal Genocide, I direct my Will towards my own form, into my body, and even as I start attempting repairs of the crudest, quickest sort, restoring maximum mobility first and foremost, I focus even moreso on getting the iron of my body to flow

TH-THUMP

The blood wrapped about me, weakened by the use of the Immortal Genocide, is simply banished, my form simply exuding a presence they can no longer grasp, a glint of surprise in Goran's remaining eye. He nevertheless begins gathering ever more potency and blurriness about his remaining hand.

TH-THUMP

With a flood the entire battlefield, the entire avalanche now divulges the locations of all other clumps of blood, the dead buried around us in their stillness, those yet alive and persisting elsewhere, those in Mordreden, I feel them ALL, even Goran's severed arm, buried in the snow some five hundred feet to my back left, and his current sanguine coils, with this second paired beat of my body, my Blood Iron in a flow of its own.

Blood magic is flowing in my form, waiting to be used, and I look for a way to prove the superiority of metal over flesh, to prove my might... and do something about my current fall which is still taking me straight towards Goran's cocked fist, far more heavily blurred with Phonomancy than before.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 222946 ID: 445c48

Goddamn fucking Yetis I hate you all."

Turn off the feasting, activate it when Goran's fat hand is near. Also, I think the goddamn fuckin' yeti's taking our soulsoldiers and using it for his arm, see if you can eat it.

You still doing the dirge? You better. And turn it up to 11. Twelve even. Loud as you can get it. Throw in some really high notes too, see if you can distract them with loud earsplitting noises. And then stop it abruptly, and then start it up LOUDER a second later.
>>
No. 222961 ID: e31d52

IIRC Blood is a magical feul, correct? One of the best. Very well. Let's put it to use! Use Blood Magic to channel Pyromancyas you spew Soulfire, and turn the fire into a lance of white, destructive power. Aim for Goran's heart.
LANCE OF THE DRAGON!

Er, as for your fall... can you ablate it with kinetomancy?
>>
No. 222968 ID: d3dfb8

>>222946
I agree with the dirge bit, but otherwise I don't think that's the best of ideas.
>>222961
Uhh, he will probably eat it and heal.

Personally I think we should use our Blood magic for kinetomancy, to keep us out of Goran's range for as long as possible. Use the soul nexus will to keep our blood magic flowing. Use our other will to pyromancy soulfire into the Immortal Genocide, give it's charge a boost, then just before Goran's about to punch us we disrupt magic and stop our kinetomancy. Let's see how well his unprotected fleshy arm stands up to 15 tons of steel.
Disrupting magic will also cause him to lost all the blood he is using in his sanguine arm, causing massive blood loss. While he is in a weakened state try taking his other arm off with two of the sable executioners tentacles, and use the third to try for his throat.
After the IG discharges immediately start it up again. We will be in close proximity so it might hinder his magic recovery.
>>
No. 222969 ID: d3dfb8

>>222968
Oh, and after directing soulfire into the IG, switch to repairing.
>>
No. 222970 ID: 152780

I think Kinitemancy could be used so that, instead of falling straight toward the surface, Mordre could fall at an angle, or even go up toward the sky again.
>>
No. 222973 ID: 152780

Say, shouldn't we be alerting Lorgk and the others in Mordreden about the Yetis?
>>
No. 222976 ID: d38db6

Kinetimancy works best when redirecting existing forces. It's best to work on that.

Fold the Sable Executioner into a lance shape with a cavity in the middle. Then breathe out plenty of soulfire, putting some in the IG to charge it and directing pyromancy to fill the Sable Executioner with soul fire!

Trigger the Immortal Genocide's magic dispel to undo the building phonomancy, then use kinetimancy to disperse the force of Goran's punch evenly across all of Mordre's body and use it to drive Mordre straight on down into Goran's body with the Sable Executioner poised to inject Goran with some raw soulfire. Let's see how magic resistant his insides are!

Also use Phohn to alert our allies that yetis are the new priority. Special order for Velada: counter the yeti time magic and assist Mordre and his allies with killing the yeti.
>>
No. 222978 ID: 152780

>>222976
I don't think we want to destroy Goran's souls, since we're just one or two Heroic Souls from gaining a body Soul Nexus and since there are souls we want to preserve, like Nanal's soul.

Also, we do not want to block Goran's punch with ourself. I think we are too heavily damaged to safely ablate the force behind the attack.

Other than that, I am fine with this.
>>
No. 222983 ID: 45be60

alternate idea: attack. Draw your blade, let your motion carry it's tip to meet the fist you are falling toward. The temporal lock should at least ablate the effects of his magical immunity, and if those magics weaken, you can use the same moment of weakness to re-knit the structure with blood fueled magnetomancy. Bang has showed you how to prevent major damage to flesh by healing the minor damage as it happens, you have the capability to do this on steel.

Of course, even if you don't opt to attack, Bang's method of healing minor damage before it can become serious is something which you should definitely attempt to emulate. Blood is a far more powerful source of power than the will you have been using before.

Also, I still stand by the idea of carrying one of Burduko's spawn around to leech speed off of. Have him send us one at his earliest opportunity.
>>
No. 223032 ID: f4e4f9

DON'T IGNORE THE YETI.

Seriously, he'll pull some shit like Stealing Goran's soul when we kill him or something. Direct all of your Soul Soldiers to drive him off. Have them burst through the snow like spectral wraiths, wipe that leathery grin off his face.

For Goran...Gather the blood about your sable executioner. Remember when we first fed upon blood iron? Sable Executioner's black steel thrummed and hungered for such, resonating. The very forging of Black Steel is fed and enhanced by the coating of blood across the metal during it's creation. I suspect Black Steel and Blood Magic will synergize quite well, and none have ever been able to test this before, given that Black Steel is usable by Soul Graves only, and Soul Graves prior were incapable of wielding blood magic.

As Goran prepares to attack you, dispel him and strike.
>>
No. 223036 ID: f4e4f9

For the fall, use magnetomancy AND Inverter Magic Boost. This combo let you launch a 30 ton spike through the air with EASE, it should let you slow and soften your fall to something easily manageable.
>>
No. 223043 ID: 56dc25

>>223032
We can sic Bang on the yeti, too. It might also be a good idea to deploy our anti-chronomancy Deep Spawn, as the yeti has shown a nasty propensity towards weird time shit.
>>
No. 223046 ID: f4e4f9

>>223043
True true, Velada could fuck his shit up.
>>
No. 223063 ID: a76809
File 128303492118.jpg - (205.00KB , 1024x768 , Zagrath Soul observing.jpg )
223063

[2...........]

>>222946
I briefly consider just how much aggravation I have had thanks to the yetis, betrayed by them once directly, the Drazken clan another time while under my protection, and now their incessant opportunistic appearances. I consider the Yeti presence, Phohn's observation that one he had spoken to was close, and the disappearance of Soul Soldiers in the vicinity. Add to this the scarred yeti's new spectral arm, and I believe I have worked out what happened: My soul soldiers becoming nothing more than building blocks for the yeti leader, who I likewise suspect to be responsible for the supernatural charge to the avalanche, the reason why spawn were forcibly de-manifested.

TH-THUMP

>>222973
Phohn?

Yes Administrator?

Inform Lorgk and the rest of the Premen that the Yeti have returned.

It shall be done........ They are aware, and Lorgk asked that you be made aware he is moving towards your location, the smoke from the Soulfire making it easily discerned

>>222961
>>222968
>>222976
>>223036
>>223043
>>223046

SOULFIRE

[-3 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 3,002 Minimum: 12]

I fire a blast of Soulfire without hesitation, turning my command of Pyromancy towards reshaping the flame, as I hurl it and the fragments still smoldering upon the ground hurtling towards Goran, a carpet of flames enveloping his form. As I do so, I feel a familiar soul's presence, Zagrath the Unseen partly submerged in the snow, rebuilding a body as it patiently observes our struggle. I would devote more attention to its presence than that, but Goran seems to shrug off the Soulfire in a means almost identical to how Soul Graves ignore the substance, and I realize that no matter what, I must do something about this collision course I am on. So I tap the Blood Magic now pulsing through my body.

TH-THUMP

I turn my attention to Kinetimancy, and my form is so jarringly hurled back and away, out of Goran's questing reach, that my already twisted form groans from the sudden shift, as I perform rapid and drastic vector modifications to avoid crashing prone to the ground, heavily landing on my feet some distance from Goran, even as my peripheral vision reveals the yetis above watching our struggle with distressing interest. With my feet once more on the ground I turn my command of Pyromancy once more towards Soulfire, with a different plan in mind, even as the Immortal Genocide continues to feast

SOULFIRE

[-3 souls. Total Souls Remaining: 2,999 Minimum: 12]

This gout of flame is not set loose, but carefully restrained, cradled in the embrace of the coiling ribbons of the Sable Executioner as they take the form of a hollow lance, a massive injection devise for the spectral conflagration. The shaping of flames is hard, my magical prowess dimming drastically as I work around the Black Steel, but ultimately I am successful, in time to see Goran charging at me again, once more leading with a set of questing sanguine tentacles.

TH-THUMP

Once more the ensnaring grasp of the Magic Eater is thrown back, some pervasive energy associated with Blood Magic throwing away his attacking coils, even as his fist rockets at me. As the blurred knuckles draw nearer, I raise my left hand as I trigger the Immortal Genocide, hoping the charge it has yet built will be enough. Rippling distortions of light and shadow spread outwards, and the sanguine limb, as well as the bloody greaves both simply dissolve, as Goran's hand loses it's blurred appearance. Immediately on the wake of this, I throw forth my right arm, uncoiling the sable executioner like a bladed drill as I force the compressed Soulfire to follow along with the attack, aimed at Goran's belly. Flesh that was once magically impervious, that resisted my assaults so effectively now falls apart before me, blood falling from the air as his working are unmade now being joined by freshly lost fluids spewing from the expanding hole in his side, even as flames lick about the wound's edge.

And the fist, no longer charged with any magic at all, impacts my form.

My right shoulder caves in, being bent so wildly out of shape my arm now sprouts backwards, extending past my back, as I tap Geomancy to let the earth slide beneath my feet, trying to bleed off the impact's force with rapid rotation as I spiral away from Goran, yanking free the teeth of the Sable Executioner anchored in his side. I see Goran dropping to a knee at my most recent assault-

As a tendril of jade energy lances down from above, nearly spearing my spinning form, before quickly retreating, the scarred yeti leering at me from above. Something must be done about this. I relay orders to Phohn that Velada is to come hunt the yeti, who seem to have some sort of chronal magic, even as I seek out those Soul Soldiers I yet sense, changing their targeting priorities so that they likewise hunt them. Hopefully, between Velada, Lorgk and the Soul Soldiers, the yeti can be at the very least occupied.

TH-THUMP

As my spinning retreat comes to a halt, I note that I can feel Dulu's form struggling in the snow some several hundred feet distant, as well as sense Bang's familiar blood-shrouded form finally starting to gain proximity.

>>222983
>>223032
As I regard Goran in his moment of weakness, I also consider my own nearly broken form. As I do so, I consider Bang's method of healing, that which allowed him near instantaneous recovery. I couple his style's essence with my own previous approaches to self-repair, and turn my Blood-fueled magnetomancy on myself, looking for results.

I am not disappointed.

TH-THUMP

My recently twisted shoulder starts returning to normal bearing as my hobbled form starts visibly recovering, my full magical might levied upon the task, more mobility restored by the second-

As I hear Goran laugh.

"YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HESITATED."

And with a surge of magic, I feel that reservoir of energy that pervades Goran's existence drop appreciably, as his body writhes and warps. New bone and tendon erupt from his stump of a shoulder, muscle and flesh re-knit, the pile of gore that was once an eye replenishes itself, and in the space of a shallow breath, Goran stands again, whole and unharmed, only the bloodstains on his flesh giving evidence to his earlier wounds, the hand-cannon rounds and anti-golem shells popping out as rebuilding tissue crowds them out, and Goran works his restored arm's shoulder experimentally as his face splits into his nightmarish grin.

For my own part, I am at best halfway repaired, my shoulders still somewhat misaligned and form misshapen, and I note Goran was able to recover far more swiftly than I. This is disconcerting, to say the least. As Goran's mouth opens to speak, my mind takes hold of the only attack I recently concocted I have not yet tried, that of somehow synergizing the Sable Executioner with Blood, melding that which is exclusive to Soul Graves with the magic that I am the first Soul Grave to wield, looking for a weapon.

"I WILL CONSUME YOU, SOUL GRAVE, METAL COPY, AND BE COMPLETE!"

TH-THUMP

As Goran charges, I finish establishing that the blood of fallen Premen cannot be made to cling properly to the Sable Executioner, its magic annulling field preventing proper harmonization, even as Goran's charge brings him to some forty feet distance from my own form, still repairing itself. I see the scarred yet drawing back his spectral limb from his elevated perch once more.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 223069 ID: e31d52

Pump your blood into the Sable Executioner. Give it power. Let it grow and feast. Devote almost all of your awareness to this, but subtly move to that Goran is between yourself and the Yeti.

Have Phohn transmit the idea of killing TWO troubles with ONE strike to the Yeti.

At the last moment, let the Sable Executioner spring forth and spear him directly in the heart.

SABLE JUDGMENT.
>>
No. 223071 ID: f4e4f9

>As Goran charges, I finish establishing that the blood of fallen Premen cannot be made to cling properly to the Sable Executioner, its magic annulling field preventing proper harmonization, even as Goran's charge brings him to some forty feet distance from my own form, still repairing itself. I see the scarred yet drawing back his spectral limb from his elevated perch once more.

...

Place left hand on right.

Invert.
>>
No. 223072 ID: f4e4f9

Also, once more: Charge the IG.
>>
No. 223073 ID: f4e4f9

Additionally, set Goran's shed blood to the process of fusing to the Sable Executioner as well.
>>
No. 223079 ID: 445c48

Make some small talk. Ask if all Yetis are backstabbing assholes or if you've just had bad luck with Yetis. Ask if Yeti meat tastes good. I can't imagine it would.

Next time you use the IG's Antimagic pulse, IMMEDIATELY start it feasting.
>>
No. 223083 ID: b10c0e

>>223071
This sounds awesome...but...what are we intending?

"My allies are already here, Goran. Or have you never looked up?" Laugh and pull back. "ATTACK!"

The Yetis are right above us, right? Because that's who I'm suggesting are our allies and they they should attack Goran now.
>>
No. 223085 ID: 152780

I would suggest that Zagrath soulsucking commence immediately. Even if we won't be able to reclaim his immunity to visual illusions, we could finish (or get close to finishing) the Body Soul Nexus. And we don't want Zagrath to escape our grasp. And, perhaps, having Zagrath's soul throughout our body might allow us to blur our form in the same manner as Reinhardt and Kirchesia. Even if Goran can sense magic, I don't think he will be able to tell where we are if there are illusions all over the place. Even if it won't hinder Goran, it might slow down the Yetis.
>>
No. 223086 ID: 152780

>>223083
...I doubt that would work. For one thing, Yetis have a distinct brand of magic, which Goran would probably be familiar with, and the Yetis did fire off a spell at Mordre. Goran probably knows that they are here, and doesn't care, likely. They are here for Mordre, they made that plain enough.

'Sides, the Yetis already attacked. Specifically, at Mordre.
>>
No. 223089 ID: b10c0e

>>223086
"HA! You were lulled into a false sense of security by that attack! KILL THE PREMEN LEADER, YETIS!"

Hell, if anything, it'll make everyone confused. And the One-Armed Asshole is aiming right at us, and Goran hasn't seemed to notice them. If they're workign togeather, it'll confuse and piss off both. If not, Goran might go RAR, SMASH and Yeti's will get beaten. Hell, if it just confuses them for a second, it buys us time to fix ourselves up and attack with, you know, screw it, John and Paul EAT! GO SPECTRAL GORGING ANIMA! SOMEONE PICK A GOOD SONG!
>>
No. 223150 ID: d38db6

Punch the ground with the accelerator and redirect the resulting force vector into a Mordre super jump intended to bring us over the yeti so that they get trapped between us and Goran. Then prepare to cut them down with the SE and Spectral Gorging Anima.

To Goran: "What say you we share a yeti meal? I've had enough of their backstabbing attempts. They set up the avalanche so that they could kill us both and claim these mountain for their treacherous kind."
>>
No. 223210 ID: 3ca350

*Fixed*
Wait a minute! We just gained BLOOD MAGIC, do you know what this means? We can essentially copy Keddic's fighting style now! 

"This battle is already over! I have crushed your larger and 'superior' army with nothing but myself, my clansmen, and mother nature. And YOU dare call ME a facsimile! You, an illegitimate son of a Deep-spawn. I'll show who is truly ORIGINAL!"

Restart our Immortal Genocide's feeding, once Goran is about to reach us activate its magic nullification again. After the Immortal Genocide discharges immediately start it up again. Have our Siege-fist redirect Goran's incoming hand with Kinetimancy, use his own force against him. Have two of our Sable Executioner blades focus on his other arm and its removal, have the last Sable Executioner target his throat. Open up two cuts in our steel "flesh" on our Siege arm, manipulate our "blood" to shoot forth in two deadly blood iron lances (try using Magnetomancy and our Blood magic to increase its effectiveness), have one of them target Goran's head and have the other target his heart. Shout, "Sanguine Lance Barrage!" Open multiple cuts on our body, when we are close enough to Goran, have a manifold of blood iron lances plunge into his flesh. Once they penetrate Goran's skin, have them immediately expand and spike outwards, kill Goran from the inside out. 

Have Phohn focus on the Scarred One, play the sound of children's laughter then say, "Help him.... Help the Steel Flesh One and slay Goran the Magic-Eater!.... He will forgive us if we help him. He may even ally with us and make us strong, just as he made the Drazken Clan strong! He is too powerful for us to destroy, even in his worsened state, he WILL slaughter us if we continue to attack him. Once he is done with his opponent he will bring his full wraith upon us!
If the minions can destroy our army, kill our shaman with ease, and cut off our arm, THINK what their master could to do us. Don't throw our life away for a village and some semblance of revenge, THINK of what we could gain with a Soul Grave to help our clan, we could come out AHEAD of our previous losses. Our clan and our name will rise in glory and fame, we will rule this mountain with his help. This the truth and we know it. Think about it. Think. THink. THInk. THINk. THINK! THINK! THINK ABOUT IT!!!" 

We want to make it sound as if the voice is coming from INSIDE the Scarred Yeti, so we're going to need to use a lot of "us" and "we" when trying to Mind-Fuck with him. Even if this does not turn the Yeti to our side, it will at least fuck with his head and distract him.

Poor Zagrath is going to be so confused, he has no idea where he is and he sees a Soul Grave, a gigantic Premen, and Fucking One-arm yeti fighting each to the death. We should make sure that Goran does not consume him as well. Kick some snow or geomancy something to hide him from Goran.
>>
No. 223215 ID: d3dfb8

>>223210
I quite like this.
>>
No. 223216 ID: d3dfb8

>>223210
I quite like this.
>>
No. 223226 ID: b4fdc9

Screw it, CODE:ENDGAME. We have no time to be dicking around with this worthless piece of trash anymore.
Oh yea, fire a few AVB blades at the Yeti guy. I expect that it is clear now and can be used. We don't want him interfering.



This will requires some quick movements near the end.
Activate the IG and instead of simply letting it feed on its surroundings FEED it yourself. Pump energy into it, in any form you can, though I would recommend soul myself.
When Goran is about to hit you Blood Boost Kinectomancy and get into his guard, IGPriamry Function(i.e. Super punch)
IMMEDIATELY after you have done this, Soul boost Accelerator,Blood boost Kinectomancy and Follow through with the punch to send Goran Flying away.
Re-Activate the IG and Soul boost it's feeding (would be like opening the mouth wider really) while Time locking yourself. We need to absorb as much of the explosion as possible.
If you can fit it in, get Phohn to warn everyone beforehand.

Also, I don't thinsk the 'other Presence' Phohn was talking about was the Yeti, I think it was Zagrath. Him being in the Eyes so long gave him a boosted soul factor, as a result he is absorbing the energy and souls around him while he reforms. He will be incredibly powerful if we let him finish.
(hmmm, now that i think about this, does it count as a Pristine worthy prediction?)

Oh yes. Keddic can now create blood bullets(theory). We saw from the assassin that the Winding way can be used to affect matter, as he used it to create mini tornadoes to kill people. In that case, Keddic should be able to use it as well to affect the world around him. That means he can use it to fire pellets of blood at people while still keeping it's 'Keddic Blood' Factor by either attaching it to him using the winding way to substitute as a physical link or simply keeping the factor in place using the winding way.(e.g. The characteristics needed for the blood factor to work could be simulated by the winding way.)
This theory also applies to any ranged ability Keddic wishes to use, so it would not be limited to bullets, he could make anything.... with practice.(How is that for an improvement, Way of the Harksburton)

Also made some more tweaks to the Forbidden Way of the Harksburton Techniques. Even more reason for it to be forbidden now. I will put it in the Disc, thread.

I think I have forgotten about something. Ah well it will come to me.
>>
No. 223228 ID: 445c48

>>223210
>I'll show who is truly ORIGINAL!
>Copy someone else's fighting style!

Nah. This is totally going to get called out on since he was fighting Keddic earlier, for one thing, and for the second thing, since his form dispells all but the most overwhelming or soul-based magics, and we ain't usin' soul magic but blood, I'm not sure stabbing him with our Blood Iron is a good idea. We'd probably lose control of it soon as it touched him, so it wouldn't penetrate, or it would, but would do minimal stuff since we can't do that other bit you was goin on about.

And since we're not using blood, but metal, and already have some damage ANYWAYS, we don't need to cut ourselves up. That would be silly anyhow.


I also really doubt the Scarred Yeti will HELP us, so thoughts so contrary to his own would probably just really give him the idea that dickery is afoot, since he's an experienced dick. Then again everything comes out as Phohn's weird strikethroughed speach so he would most likely already know it's not his own thoughts.
>>
No. 223231 ID: 445c48

>>223228
Actually now that I read that greentexted bit again, it could be that you meant that Keddic was being original, and that we are showing him that. That's also way off, because Keddic's the... fourth? in the line. The Way of the Harkusburton was passed down from his fathers and such, remember? So that's not original either!
>>
No. 223237 ID: d3dfb8

>>223226
No. Bad Falcon.
>Goran
>Superpunch
We want to be able to eat the delicious souls, not explode them.
>Re-Activate the IG and Soul boost
That's two IG functions. can't use them both at the same time.
>other Presence was Zagrath
>I detect another I have communicated with at your order
Because we defiantly told Phohn to communicate with Zagrath. Also we didn't order Phohn to communicate with the scarred yeti. Nope, totally didn't happen.

AVB at the yeti was a good idea though, he'll just undo them (lol time shenanigans) but hopefully it'll slow him down.
>>
No. 223243 ID: 3ca350

>>223228
The idea was to use our IG to nullify him and THEN use our Sanguine Lance Barrage on him. And Goran's form doesn't dispell magic, his skin is RESISTANT to it and his mouth CONSUMES it. By cut I mean, "an opening in our steel body to allow our blood iron to flow out of and strike Goran", not "Let's damage ourselves!!!" While we may be copying Keddic's fighting style, we came up with the name and the move itself.
>>
No. 223248 ID: 3ca350

>>223228
Also the message to the Scarred Yeti wasn't to try and convert him on our side (I specifically mentioned this in my post), it was to distract him with "OMFG WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY HEAD?!?"
>>
No. 223251 ID: 152780

>>223243
No, in fact Bob has stated that Goran's skin nullifies magic on contact here >>222271 (that's Bob's last post in the seventh thread by the way). But that's not particularly important, with Anti-magic field and all.

A thought, the anti-magic field destroys magic caught in its field, but is it not magic as well? This is probably stupid, but a question gnaws in my mind: is Goran eating part of the anti-magic field? It seems to me that why would Goran create a blood arm when he had enough magic to create an arm anew, unless he ate part of the anti-magic field. Of course, he could have just regenerated enough magic by dint of his potent existence, but it is rather worrying if he could do that so quickly.

Also, WE DO NOT HAVE A STEEL BODY.

...Well, we do, but it is Blootz Steel.

But that is a digression. From my understanding of of what >>223228 means is that we do not need to open pathways for Blood Iron to flow out since the surface of our body contains Blood Iron.

Also, why Blood Iron? We do know some properties of Blood Iron, but we haven't tested Blootz Steel yet. We do want to know the properties of the metal we are made of, yes? And since alloys generally are stronger than their component metals, it might be a better idea to use Blootz Steel instead of Blood Iron.
>>
No. 223253 ID: 4923df

this is the 100 and nth time i am telling this: call burduko, seriously. dont give me that snazz that he cant travel where he hasnt been. dont say he cant go where he can SEE.. his regular speed should be godly fast/
>>
No. 223254 ID: 152780

>>223253
...It might help if you typed legibly.
>>
No. 223257 ID: f4e4f9

>>223251

I can only assume that that goes for non-Blood/Soul Magic, given our previous observations.
>>
No. 223263 ID: 3ca350

>>223251
By Blood Iron I meant Blootz Steel or whatever material we are pumping throughout our body, I probably should have clarified that in my post.....Sorry
>>
No. 223265 ID: 903f16

>>223085
>I would suggest that Zagrath soulsucking commence immediately.

I have the sneaking suspicious that our bonus might end up being Zagrath helping us in this battle. That's entirely speculation on my part of course, but it seems like that's the sort of awesome thing Bob would do for us with a double triple bonus.

Also, does anyone know if Goran's body would ablate a bolt of electricity formed by using our Ignimancy? If it wouldn't I have a pretty neat idea for a combination move we could try out.
>>
No. 223276 ID: b4fdc9

>>223237
>No. Bad Falcon.
;-;

>Soul Boost
Change Soul Boost to EVEN MORE BLOOD BOOST

>Not Blow up souls
Phhhst, they will be fine

>Phohn
Ah yes, of course. My tired mind put some commas and stuff in that statement, which completely changed it's meaning.

My plan is an end all but at a high cost. No need to rush though, we have already failed to defeat him before the Yeti arrived so we lost the 'what this bonus probably is in Falcon's mind' bonus.

Carry on, unimportant guy talking here.
>>
No. 223289 ID: b76ee3

Ok then.

Blood Boost Geomancy
Mimic Goran's voice
PROSTRATE YOURSELF BEFORE ME!!!!!
Slap Ground. Crack Crack Crack Crack.
Cave in Ground around Goran.
SPIKE TIME!
Spike, Spike, Spike, Spike, Slide to dodge Yeti attack, Spike, Spike, Spike, Spike. Break off anything Goran holds on to. No getting out that easily.

Magnetomance up one of the AG rounds that popped out and hold it over the pit, pointing downwards.
(continue spiking)
Spin it, Spin spin spin. Blood boost Kinectomancy and SUPER LAUNCH it down into Goran's head. Keep it spinning and keep pushing it with Magneto- and Kinectomancy.

That should do it.

Also a small plan for the Yeti. Charge Ignimancy. While doing that link the Yeti's magnetic fields together (they are weak but still there).
LIGHTNING BLAST.
Lightning moves along magnetic path ways.
CHAIN LIGHTNING!!!
Dead Yeti (or at least annoyed).
>>
No. 223302 ID: a76809
File 128310070049.jpg - (751.25KB , 800x1280 , Goran Maw Gape.jpg )
223302

[1................]

[Quick head's up: The biggest reason Blootz steel is useful currently, beyond being severely in tune with Mordre's ownership due to being of his own crafting, is that the high concentration of Blood Iron means he can use Blood magic at ALL. Thought I'd point that out.]

>>223210
[Doesn't work that way. Keddic has to cut himself because for him, blood is an internal fluid, so to use it externally, exit points are needed. Mordre, on the other hand, has evenly dispersed solid blood. Completely different paradigms. But hey, great thinking, trying to find commonalities between styles and all that.]

>>223226
[While as others noted it was not Zagrath the Unseen that Phohn detected, what you estimate here for said soul is very close to accurate. Keep tweaking that idea, and yes, Pristine soul could be had. ...Must be figured out before battle concludes, though. Your idea of helping Keddic expand the Way of the Harksburton, however, is spot on. Just find some time to bring it up with him, and you can help him steal techniques from other Mass Connection schools based only one seeing them ONCE. Nice bit of observation.]

>>223069
I begin spreading the flow of Blood Iron, not just suffusing my body with it, the iron of my Blootz steel circulating as it grants me access to Blood Magic, but also doing the same with the iron in my Black Steel blades, as I hope my brainwave has revealed just what must be done to conjoin Blood magic and Black Steel. I feel the weapon's composition beginning to shift, something happening, but at the speed Goran is closing on me, it will not be enough. I need something more.

TH-THUMP

>>223071
>>223073
As I direct Magnetomancy, now far more potent with its new fuel source, I claim Goran's spilt blood, and begin slamming it into the Sable Executioner's surface. Where the blood of others dissipated or was nullified as it entered the Black Steel's magic annulling fields, Goran's blood, suffused with decades, centuries of magic, is made of sterner stuff, and remains under my beck and call even as it settles on the ebon metal, sizzling and bubbling on contact, just as my left hand touches the trio of blades, and I activate the Inverter, hoping my estimation was correct as Goran finishes covering half the distance between us.

As the Inverter's soul is let loose into the Sable Executioner, the magic disrupting field shifts, it flows, like an old mellow dog showing fangs it leaps forth, its surfaces roiling as it envelopes Goran's blood staining it, as a dull, soft keening that eats all other sounds is emitted, and even the newly healed Goran's steps falter. The blood I discarded mere seconds ago as being unable to breach the anti-magic field is pulled from the ground by a force outside my control, the blood flowing and splattering along the blade, as black metal turns burgundy.... and then throbs balefully as it brightens to an undulating scarlet.

TH-THUMP

The Sable Executioner seems to scoff at normalcy, growing larger and smaller in turn, a myriad of outlines and shapings warring as if it tries to be dozens of things at once. Goran's hands, already blurred with Phonomancy, start questing for my form, and I act, once more triggering the Immortal Genocide to feed as I throw my fist forward to intercept his own and gain sufficient proximity that even a muted dispelling field could negate his combat magic. I trigger the Immortal Genocide almost immediately after starting it, a field smaller than my torso flitting into being and ghosting over Goran's knuckles, bleeding away the stored vibrations dwelling in his flesh, as I whip my still-regenerating body (Blood magic may be new to me but I cannot doubt its potency or versatility, especially in manipulating a form with an absurdly high concentration of iron harvested directly from blood) about to throw the Sable Executioner's chaotic snarl forward, the shifting, burning red blades impacting Goran's flesh.

Where once even with magic annulled, Goran's flesh was a bastion in and of itself, taking time and leverage to saw through, the altered Sable Executioner slices through knuckles, flesh and bone alike parting like silk before its coming tide, the arm I attack being diced to pieces without any effort, even as my spin is made hectic by Goran's other fist (now his ONLY fist) crashes into my left side, once more wildly skewing my shoulder socket and warping my form, even as I hear him biting back a growl of pain as gobs of flesh and bone drop to the ground, the remains of what just seconds ago was a left arm.

[NEW TECH: SABLE SANGUINE STEEL SLICER]
[Requires active Blood Magic, Blood Iron flow active in SE, and some form of magically charged blood to trigger 4S state.]

TH-THUMP

As Goran reels and I tumble to the ground, the yeti above once more fires his whip-like spectral arm, it's point spearing one of the largest chunks of Goran's arm on the ground, drawing it back to the yeti whose grin grows ever wider with his prize, tendrils from his ethereal limb whispering over the section of Goran's flesh, blood and bone. As I bounce to my feet as swiftly as I can, I note Zagrath still watching from within a nearby snowdrift, his soul.... disconcerting, thanks to its coloration, red where all other souls have been green. My attention next goes to my bodie's repair state, and again I must suppress a sigh: Goran's attack set me back by at least twenty seconds worth of effort, and as I see his body swelling with magic drawn from his inner reservoir, I know he shall be recovered before myself yet again.

>>223150
As I focus on getting my shoulder back in place, I lift my left arm and slam it to the ground even as I see Goran once more rising as his form finishes healing, and I employ Blood boosted Kinetimancy to altering that force vector, sending my own form flying skyward as the ground beneath me crumbles and quakes from the recoil. I fly up and over the yeti, who wisely took shelter from the edge at my sudden flight, staying out of my range, as I shout out some words to Goran, even as I note that while I can see Velada's drones flying my way, they are still less than halfway here.

"What say we share a yeti meal? I've had enough of their interference, Their attempts at backstabbing, And their general duplicitous nature."

TH-THUMP

"THEY WILL DIE ALONGSIDE YOU,
THEIR SOULS AND YOUR OWN ADDED TO MINE.
DO NOT THINK YOU WILL SWAY ME FROM MY GOAL,
METAL HUNGER, IT WILL NOT WORK!"


I land heavily on the snowy peaks yet standing about the pit Goran and I fought in, the packed ice underfoot cracking and shifting at my weight, the whole section collapsing as I see the yetis begin to panic. Their leader, their spectrally armed and scarred elder, his prize of Goran's flesh still in hand, disappears in a flash of pale blue energy and short-lived smoke, as he abandons his compatriots to their fate, trapped between Goran and myself. With some time to properly inspect them, I note all eight to be shamans, already turning their crafts to commandeering different sections of falling snow about them, as my attention returns to Goran-who is now barreling up the collapsing snow-front, still hell-bent on me as his target. As I consider how to deal with him, and the eight yeti shaman in between us, my Sable Executioner still in its altered state, I see the scarred yeti fading back into view-directly above Zagrath the Unseen's ruby soul, his furred face looking speculatively upon the specter beneath him.

TH-THUMP

>>223237
>>223253
>>223289
I fire off the remaining four loaded Anti-Vanguard Blades in my launcher at the yeti, each blade being directed to bring it through two of the yeti shaman, as I realize I now only have my twelve reloads for the AVB Launcher, and 2 for the AGR cannon. Two of the yetis die before they can even take action, the short ranges involved not giving them sufficient time to react, while their brethren deflect and misalign the incoming spinning death with flurries of snow and stuttering flows of time as they scramble out of the way. The blades continue onward to Goran' who with a wave of his arm shatters the weapons, dispersing their forms with a Phonomantic burst as he scrabbles ever closer to me, a hand almost idly slamming down to pulp a third of the either yeti shaman betwixt us.

In the space of an instant, I communicate with Phohn, demanding Burduko's presence.

Apologies Administrator, but Burduko is currently insuring the press of snow about Mordreden does not breach the walls. Without Velada to split the load, he is forced to devote all energies to this purpose. Bang should arrive shortly, with Lorgk immediately thereafter. Dorgrum and Dulu will take longer, and arrive after Velada.

Well then.

TH-THUMP

I turn my craft to Geomancy as Goran continues to gain proximity, and I collapse the ground under his feet, the snow falling out from beneath him as he plummets into a widening hole that grows deeper with each passing second, some forty feet deep by the time he impacts the bottom, and growing every second. With him trapped in place for the moment, I turn towards leveraging pillars of stone from the surroundings, to skewer Goran from a plethora of directions within his tomb, and-

Goran leaps from the pit as if he weighed no more than a feather, the hum and hiss of Gravimancy about his own form as he pushes his own weight upwards in time with his leap, and before I have time to properly register this change in what he can and cannot do, Goran is landing before me, his arms already moving to encircle me as his maw gapes wide.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 223304 ID: d3dfb8

Release an antimagic burst then bring the Sable Executioner up and sever his arms from the armpit. Reactivate IG's feeding. Grab one of his arms with our siege fist. While doing this, bring a leg up with magnetomancy/kinetimancy between the two of you, and kick off with kinetimancy.
"Bad idea."
Crush his arm into a sphere of flesh and gore, then give it a coating of soulfire. Now use our Accelerator soul and kinetimancy and pyromancy to throw the ball of flesh and flame at goran's gut.
"HADOUKEN!"
>>
No. 223305 ID: d3dfb8

>>223265
Keep in mind that if we get Zakrath back again, we are only 1-2 souls away from a soul nexus in our chest.
>>
No. 223308 ID: b10c0e

Idea: Zagrath was granted extra power as we forced Pristine Souls into his container. As such, he can now act of his own free will, not unlike Heol. This is what Zagrath wanted, as we allowed him to flow where he will and drew power from our eyes.
He may still desire more power from our eyes and, as we fed him and let him go where he will, he may feel some desire to still work with us. "Zagrath! Your Assistance is desired!"

Mordre, have you been eating those souls of the slain around you? Start devouring!

George and Ringo, lets actually use our Accelerator! "GORAN! IF YOU THINK I A COPY OF YOU, IF YOU THINK YOUR STRENGTH GREATER THEN MINE, IF YOU DELUDE YOURSELF WITH GRANDEUR UNEARNED, BOY YOU GOTTA CARRY THAT WEIGHT!" Reach out, and grip him under his gaping mouth with our Siege Fist, anti-magic-pulse, twist and THROW AT THE YETI! "AND IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR CELEBRATION, YOU BREAK DOWN AND CRY!"

[And does anyone know how to embed videos? The help button doesn't work and it now annoys me.]
>>
No. 223312 ID: d3dfb8

>>223308
Yeah, we could use those shaman's souls. Not only a little boost to our maximum casting capabilities, but their knowledge of soul magic is defiantly useful.
>>
No. 223313 ID: f4e4f9

Chronal Banditry Goran before he can get a proper grapple.

He's only wearing a loincloth. Nut-shot the fucker.
>>
No. 223317 ID: 903f16

>>223302
>>223265
Eh screw it, if he can ablate it then ignore this. If he can't let's give it a shot. First we to coil the Sable Executioner into its drill shape and fully extend the arm, as if we were punching something. Then use a Soul Boost to create a powerful charge and direct it to go through the tip of the Sable Executioner, where it will hopefully arc outwards and into Goran's chest. If it hits it should not only hurt the bastard, but give us a few seconds of stun time where we can Magnetomancy dash or Earth Glide into him and use the still coiled Sable Executioner and it's drill function to put a nice big hole in him. This should all happen in one fluid motion and immediately be follow by dashing back or Temporal Locking ourselves to avoid another one of his punches. I think of this like a combination between the Electro Bolt and the Big Daddy's dash attack from Bioshock.

>>223305
I'm not saying we shouldn't eat him if he ends up helping us, I'm just saying we should wait for the countdown to stop and see what he does first. Besides, it seems like we're far too occupied at the moment to even attempt sucking down his soul.
>>
No. 223318 ID: e31d52

Just as the Metal from Antquest, we must use Goran against himself. The S^4 is really our best tool here, and we should aim to stay on his injured side and tear as many wounds open as possible.

"You have proven a most worth and powerful foe, Goran. Your soul shall not burn in the furnace like the others, nay, you shall rest within me even after death, and help me to even greater deeds! No Premen could hope for such a grand treatment, consider yourself privileged!"
>>
No. 223321 ID: 445c48

>>223308
Apparently you copy the thing after v=
>>
No. 223324 ID: b10c0e

>>223313
*applaud* Yes, this is sensable.

>>223321
It doesn't work, or at least it says that the video ID doesn't exist. Trying to link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXO7Ahkghvg for 'Carry your Weight Toss'
>>
No. 223325 ID: 445c48

BATTLE TECHNIQUE-> SPECTRAL GORGING ANIMA

Turn the tables on him and horn in on his racket. Grab his neck, Chronal Banditry, Anima to eat his head, and also slice him up with the SSSS
>>
No. 223330 ID: 5f0943

>>223324
I just tried to embed the video, and you are right, the embed thingy doesn't recognize it's existence.
Wonky...
>>
No. 223338 ID: 33882a

I say we jump back, pry his jaw open with the Sable Executioner and shoot an Anti-Vanguard Blade volley into his mouth while his arms are preoccupied with us. Who knows, maybe it'll temporarilly dissuade him from trying to eat us.
>>
No. 223339 ID: d31c57

>Goran flying down
>Maw

Oh no you did not just expose your chin.
SH-SH-SHORYUKEN!!!!!

more to come.
>>
No. 223343 ID: 445c48

Start up the IG, pulse it when appropriate, and start it feeding immediately after it pulses.
>>
No. 223347 ID: a594b9

Oh hey, Zagrath's SOUL has been 'inverted'. Remember that the Inverter took residence in the eyes for some time before, and we even used its power there- hey, that was becoming a little bit of a soul nexus, remember. Also we did use a Pristine Soul to move the Inverter; perhaps Zagrath was affected by that permanently.

So. What's an inverted soul? Would Zakrath be... poisonous to us?
>>
No. 223348 ID: d31c57

Yea so. Here we go.

Time steal Goran and coil up the SE.
B.Boost Kinectomancy and SUPER DRILL PUNCH/RAPE UPWARDS into his jaw. When you are both in the Air, Geomance a spike upwards under him and KINECTO-KICK him down into it.

Zagrath has been in the ruby eyes for a long time. Those rubies were powerful on their own, but they were magically enhanced on top of it with two Pristine souls (though one was directed at the runes and one at the rubies). This has caused the nature of Zagrath's soul to become modified and as a result, he needs even more energy to manifest than the soul of a normal human. So he is sucking up soul energy from around here in an attempt to finish manifestation. After that his abilities will be powered up as well and he will attempt to Unsee US.(so to speak)

!!! I-I think Zagrath can see us.... I mean he can see the REAL us! What Mordre truly is. His powered up abilities could allow him to see through 'physical illusions' so to speak. He may be able to see everyones 'true self' so to speak, Especially since he is not bound by the physical real any longer.... well shit. What have I done.

Oh yea. Don't stick anything in Goran's Mouth. That's like sticking your hand in a gators moth to try and stop it from biting you... not the best idea.

Also before I forget again, HECK YEA DEL ROGA! We now have the trifecta! Mage, magic-engi and engi.
>>
No. 223350 ID: 81720b

First of all start soul-sucking up those yeti shaman souls. They might have a trick or two that could come in handy yet!

Counter-Grapple! Dive into his grasp! Drive Oblivion's Edge into Goran's chest above Mordre and use the blood powered Sable Executioner to anchor Mordre's body onto Goran far below the reach of his jaws. Pour all magical strength into ignimancy to keep him stunned using constant repeated alternate current electric shocks while the Sanguine Slicer tears Goran up from the inside like a blender.

Also activate Immortal Genocide once more. It will feast and drain his phonomancy and gravimancy attempts.
>>
No. 223353 ID: 33882a

>>223348
Actually, the best way to fight a gator is to keep its mouth either closed shut or pried open all the way. They have a hard time shutting their mouths if you have the right levradge.
>>
No. 223354 ID: 56dc25

>I see the scarred yeti fading back into view-directly above Zagrath the Unseen's ruby soul, his furred face looking speculatively upon the specter beneath him.
This is a problem. We need to do something to force the scarred yeti to react to us, rather than fucking about with Zagrath's exceptionally valuable soul. I recommend blasting him with another blade, but flinging anything at him with lethal speed would work, really. Just so that he can't work some sort of nasty soul mojo on him.
>>
No. 223357 ID: b10c0e

>>223354
see
>>223308

I don't think anything else would distract him more then a Fuckoff huge fat preman flying at him.
>>
No. 223358 ID: 56dc25

>>223357
And if we can't actually lift Goran, because he's got roughly the mass of several elephants, then the yeti is left untroubled and free to act.

Better to use a sure weapon than one that will be actively fighting our attempts to use it and would be difficult to wield in any case.
>>
No. 223368 ID: 152780

>>223353
Of course, that is just nitpicking, unless you put up a suggestion on how to keep Goran from closing his mouth.

Also, Bob? This fight with Goran is a demonstration of what it is like to fight us, isn't it? We damage him, cut off his limbs, tear his limbs to nothing, but most things just bounce off him, he repairs the damage done to him, and flat out just regenerates magic like crazy, which lets him repair even more damage, further pulling the goalposts. We do all that, too.

Granted, I like to think that we are more creative and versatility than what Goran has shown so far. He just uses his magic immunity and acquired strength along with some Phonomancy and Gravimancy to pull him through. It worked well for him so far, so I can really criticize him so much. We rely on Immortal Genocide too much for our anti-magic, though.

Also, on the matter of Zagrath. The redness of him is rather ominous. He is patiently pulling his body together... From the ruby shards? Is Zagrath the Amaranthine Annihilator? Or something to that effect? We know that he was affected by residing in the Amaranthine Annihilator, with its Pristine Souls, and the Inverter, when it was there. It stands to reason, then, that Zagrath gained some properties of the Amaranthine Annihilator.

Going with that line of reasoning, first, we must determine what properties does the Amaranthine Annihilator have to Zagrath to gain. Well, the name of the rubies were/are the AGELESS EYES OF WINTER. "AGELESS" suggests that Deep Spawn, or some other timeless ones. "EYES OF WINTER" sounds like mere figurative language, but the function of the Amaranthine Annihilator is to bring winter upon the target: expelling heat from the target, bringing cold and frost. Eyes have to do with perception, focusing on the world...

Zagrath's ability has to do with illusion, and the revealing of true reality under visual illusions. It is likely, then, that Zagrath gained a quality that is focused on perception, since that is the part that Zagrath interacted the most with, probably. I don't know what this is though...

...On the other hand, Zagrath could be pulling himself into what amounts to a Stone Golem, using the rubies as a base, and the power gained from continuous exposure to the Soulfire that our eyes passively emit. That would be unique, I think.
>>
No. 223373 ID: a594b9

>>223368
If that's true then perhaps Zakrath himself now is able to PEW PEW LASER BEAMS
>>
No. 223378 ID: 13461b

i cant read all the replies but does anyone have idea what is Bob counting down to? i think he was giving us time to claim the Unseen soul before it eludes us.... anyway dont forget to eat the newly souls of yetis...
>>
No. 223384 ID: b10c0e

>>223378
Our heart, I assume. We are beating - soon we may become blood-and-metal, or something like that. At least that's what I'm thinking.
>>
No. 223387 ID: 903f16

>>223378
He's counting down to our double triple bonus. What that is, no one knows. It's probably something fairly big, considering it's both a double triple and occurred on the first post.
>>
No. 223390 ID: d3dfb8

>>223348
This.
>>
No. 223396 ID: 445c48

>>223348
Del Roga isn't a magic-engi, but a magic smith.
>>
No. 223403 ID: d31c57

>>223353
Yea, but in that case you would have to pull back before he begins the chomp... or be MUSCLE RIDER RAWWWWWR.

If Goran is so strong, I don't think we should try it on him.

As for the scarred Yeti.... WTF HE CAN SEE SOULS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? or is it just that Zagrath is now ultima supreme emperor of soul power, so much so that he can be seen in the physical.

In an case, do the PIT OF SPIKES move against the Yeti guy. His only escape is teleporting and trying to reverse the damage. I hope he tries the latter. P.S. DESTROY THE PIECE OF GORAN THAT HE GOT!!!!!! I have a feeling he is going to use t to replace his hand and thus make himself stronger (or some sort of Sigma Virus/Orochmaru bull will happen and Goran will be reborn. Either way, kill it. Kill it dead.)
>>
No. 223409 ID: 152780

>>223403
Zagrath is a Heroic Soul. All Heroic Souls not attached to a body are able to be seen in the physical.
>>
No. 223410 ID: 445c48

Can they? I forgot. I thought it was just us that can see them. Someone asked, but I forgot what the answer was.

Anyways the Scarred Yeti would definitely be able to, I mean doesn't he use Soul Magic?
>>
No. 223415 ID: f4e4f9

>>223410
No, heroic souls are visible to people, he's right about that.

And the Yeti's seem to use a tangentially soul-based magic, related but rougher.
>>
No. 223424 ID: 152780

>>223410
Yeah, they are. Remember how Ozmand could talk to his followers after he died? I think that's when a poster asked Bob if heroic souls could be seen by others, and he answered in the affirmative.
>>
No. 223428 ID: d59e1a

Ah yes of course, silly me.
>>
No. 223432 ID: 903f16

>>223348
>>223396
The implications of Del Roga working for us are much more far reaching than just suddenly having a experienced smith on our payroll. He probably still has his axe, the very same axe that Eisenhardt was willing to have raised an entire town to the ground to get. Now those two are in the same general area, specifically in one of our damn bases. This means that Arkus is going to need to do some serious talking to stop Eisenhardt from finding out about Del Roga. If he doesn't Eisenhardt may just take the axe by force and fly off to Weinsho with it. If we get control of Arkus sometime soon we'll need to work out making a deal to hand to hand over the information from the axe he wants freely, provided we are in turn allowed to view it as well and be told why they want it.
>>
No. 223435 ID: c21243

>>223432

WAITAMINUTE

Now that Mordre has "blood" could Del Rogo use the axe to get specifications of Mordre so he could fashion some armor for us?
>>
No. 223437 ID: b10c0e

>>223435
...Why...would...we need it? Sorry, the idea of Mordre wearing armor confuses the giblets out of me. I can understand some magical upgrade, but...armor?
>>
No. 223439 ID: a76809
File 128312865497.jpg - (600.11KB , 1050x932 , Heartbreak Beat.jpg )
223439

TH-THUMP

>>223308
[A good insert, but time constraints make this impossible. Specifically, Goran is already going for the bite, saying all that would take too long.]

>>223304
>>223312
>>223313
>>223318
>>223324
>>223325
As Goran's massive and blood smeared arms wrap about me I manage to place my left hand against his incoming chest, Chronal Banditry quickly slowing Goran's questing jaws as my own sliver of time expands. I turn the enhanced Sable Executioner, and its ever shifting, brilliant scarlet blades upon Goran, whipping them about me, their blurring forms like a curtain of red as Goran's arms turn to ribbons, slicing effortlessly under my assault, even as the hand employing Chronal Banditry now turns to tapping its Soul Nexus, the Spectral Gorging Anima, a skull of ethereal form and never-ending hunger for flesh taking shape, and leaping for Goran's unprotected neck. As it nears, flesh is torn and flies under its ravenous maw, but even as Goran stumbles backward away from me, time restored to him, he turns his own shifting nightmare of a slavering mouth upon the spirit, and ghost-fire flickers in and out of existence as teeth beyond the pull of mortality clash briefly, as Goran's stumble takes him out of its reach.

TH-THUMP

I slash forward, Sable Executioner stabbing through flesh that resisted tremendously its earlier incarnation, and cutting through his heart and spine, rending a messy end of his core body. Goran tumbles over, blood pouring from his mouth, as I act swiftly to prevent issue, kicking him away by the crux of his legs, I turn to feast on on the freshly freed yeti shaman souls, their knowledge adding to mine, some... connection, establishing with those I consumed on this mountainside not so long ago. I feel knowledge combining, connecting... but still incomplete, inaccessible by the standards of my Soul Grave spell matrices.

>>223348
>>223354
>>223403
[And yes, Goran is very much so like you, if different in certain key forms. Goran is effectively an Organic Soul Grave, if you think about what theories have been posited, and abilities shown.]

I turn my attention on towards the pressing threat of the scarred yeti to Zagrath's irregularly colored soul, which... as I suspected, with its hue matching that of the ruby gems it dwelt in so perfectly, and the various forms of magical influence spent upon his soul while inside their faceted cores. Zagrath seems to be calling out to the fragments of the Ageless Eyes of Winter, and as they gather his form becomes more and more complete... with the yeti watching. I turn my hand towards Geomancy as I await Goran's soul's manifestation from his body, dropping out the ground from beneath the yeti still clutching his chunk of Goran's flesh, a bed of spikes awaiting him. His body falls... then skips, somehow back above the pit, and throws his weight to the side, reaching the edge before I can expand it, outracing my chasing depths replete with lethal adornments-but all the same no longer paying attention to Zagrath.

TH-THUMP

Goran's jaws close about my neck as his form rises, its reserve of magical power now dipping to below half of what it was when I first saw him, arms regrowing and torso regenerating-

TH-THUMP

As I am frozen.

TH-THUMP

As his teeth close about my join of shoulder and neck, I feel him bite through to part of my Soulfurnace, Soulfire pouring out around his munching maw. As it does, I find myself just as paralyzed as the Steel Fist's Soul Grave was when I likewise exposed it's furnace. This thought is not comforting as Goran feasts deeper still, arms already grasping my suddenly non-responsive form. How could I have missed this weakness, and let an enemy exploit it.

TH-THUMP

I thought I was more attentive than that. That I had slain my foe. That I had no such apparent corporeal flaw of design. That I would win....

TH-THUMP
TH-THUMP

[0.........BONUS ACTIVATE]

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

As my still maintained flow of Blood Iron continues, my body suffused with a metal mockery of life even as Goran works to end it, I feel something shatter, as my bodies beats take on a broken tone. Lines of misalignment spread a web-work about my body, as if reality itself were a cracked set of glass, as a wave of rippling, distorted existence, jarring all sensory perception through it, emanates from my core and hurls Goran back with enough force that I hear his ribs shatter, watch his flesh strip back and muscle begin to unknit, as my body, no longer held by him, starts to sag-

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

The network of spreading breaks in everything around me swell again with the discordant beat of my form, the Blood magic out of my control as my body jerks upright, not under my beck and call, twitching and snapping as it replenishes lost metal with energy crafting new matter in place, the shoulder repaired, from fully pristine, ammunition recovering-

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

As the cracks spread with every beat, the recovery becomes... something else. And with this shift, comes a voice, as the snow about me starts to sublimate, steaming away and swirling ever upward.... a voice that comes from me, even as I realize my Dirge has finally halted.

"PATHETIC MOCKERY OF WAR, PETULANT CHILD OF INCOMPLETE ARTS, DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE IT WILL BE THAT SIMPLE TO FEAST ON THAT WHICH IS MINE?"

My neck.... simply ceases to be, as the armor joining that encircled its prior resting place warps, twisting, sharpening until metal fangs, flat and tipped with tiny saw-teeth, fold into existence, as my own head, now able to swivel any direction I wish, sprouts a wider set of teeth, ending with fangs, as my neck's opening now slowly exudes a deluge of Soulfire, drifting and swirling about my visage as my engine warps. My blade Launcher's disks take on a more wild, irregular set of teeth on their edge, runes growing into place, stark and feral, as the metal segments, some inner workings taking place.

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

The breaking spreads as my body rises off the ground, head swiveling about as it scans the perimeter in one revolution, before it speaks again to Goran, once more standing unbroken, once more holding a little less magic than he seemed to before. Goran takes the first step backward I have ever witness, as he shouts out a demand to my floating form, once more regarding him. I still cannot regain control of my body, I do not know how this is happening, and I find myself feeling powerless, a horrendous existence.

"WHAT ARE YOU!?

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

"IGNORANT SUPPLICANT OF THE DEEPEST KNOWLEDGE, WOEFUL FOOL THAT THOUGHT HIMSELF GOD, KNOW ME AS DEATH, YOUR PRICE FOR REACHING TOO HIGH."

Another wave of force blasts out of my body, that writhing, rippling set of waves that flit through everything lashing out, more snow being simply wiped from existence, briefly existing as steam before fading utterly, rock being exposed underfoot as bodies drop, and Goran's flesh again flays itself, muscle peeling back to bone before the wave passes, and Goran again regenerates, his magical reserves now a third what they once were, as he takes another step back, panting.

TH-KRSHHHHHH!

"THEN DIE BY DEGREES, WRETCH."

I... am not doing this. It is my body, but it obeys not my commands, and acts of some other will, my body again emitting a distorting blast that flays Goran's flesh, and this time I spot glimmering vestiges of the Spectral Gorging Anima in it's waves, some magnified use, but ultimately not my own.

This will not stand. This is my body, and nothing shall take it from me.

I reach for my command of magic, finding my hand's Soul Nexus available, in the wake of its recent blast, and dive into commanding it. I now once more have some magic in my control, and I ponder, of all the magics I can perform with Will, what might I use to try to reclaim the rest of my form?


What should I do, or say?
[Roll a 3d100 for this, HUGE plot point from way back finally triggered, and if you have specific plans or ideas that could complement attempted forceful re-conquest of own body, then post for bonuses. Thoughtful analysis of what's going on could also yield bonuses. Even Fanart can help if so inclined, as this drastically alters how the game will flow for the foreseeable future, depending on how this goes down.]
>>
No. 223441 ID: 152780

>>223437
Armor in the vein of the Ugrokk or Eisenhardt, I suspect. Maybe we don't need the protection so much (we might. Sometimes, one wants the protection inches of metal without the magical stamina deterioration the incorporation of extra mass demands of us. And to head off the inevitable question of "What deterioration?", that more mass means less stamina was the driving force behind the Mage Golem idea. The more mass Mordre has, the more the stamina that would have gone to our 'mana pool' goes to animating that mass.), but some extra ability to cover up weaknesses we don't spot? We want that, of course.

...And now that I think about it, this post is rather useless to you, since this point and your point is rather much the same, isn't it.
>>
No. 223449 ID: f4e4f9

rolled 78, 47, 62 = 187

>>223439
Something, some existence hidden within you, seems to have been freed from the Exposure of your soul furnace to the outside world.

I think we may have a few things working in our favour, here, however. Our Blood Steel form, linked with us as a facsimile of life and a substance of our own original design, the souls within that were willingly Given...

Perhaps even the fragment of Lenryt's soul that we possess can, and being of potency beyond comprehension, can be used to wrest control of our form back to us.
>>
No. 223450 ID: f4e4f9

>>223449
I think blood magic would be the most potent source available to us, given this. Not only is it the second most potent form of magic, but it's usage by a golem is an...aberration, of sorts. An occurence wholly unique to us, Mordre, and given that, likely an unexpected avenue of resistance against whatever it is that has a hold of us.
>>
No. 223451 ID: b10c0e

rolled 86, 16, 73 = 175

Ok, idea: This is the Deep Spawn that was bound to us, the administrator of Mosmordre, has taken control of us. This happened when part of it's cage, our Soul Furnace, was broken.

It is going to destroy a mortal who was merely tutored in the arts by a Deep Spawn rather then becoming one.

Of control, first we begin by attempting to control our metal. Stitch our Soul Furnace back together and smooth the roughness this Master of Woe applies to our form. Blood and Metal magic to move limbs. Our Kinetics will be most useful if that metal control fails - push, use as much fine control as we can to pull the puppet strings awya and back to us.

Please someone come up with something better.
>>
No. 223452 ID: 152780

I support regaining control over our form as much as anyone, but... fuck, I want Goran dead, like, yesterday. Can't we also kill Goran before regaining control?
>>
No. 223453 ID: f4e4f9

This body is Mordre's, we'll kill Goran ourself, not allow what I suspect to be some long-dead spectre of the Empire to gain an even firmer hold upon our form while we wait.

We'll take it back now.
>>
No. 223454 ID: f4e4f9

Now that I think of it...

I'm loathe to suggest it, but perhaps...we can use some of the Deep Spawn eggs about us to empower us.

They are bound to Mordre's existence, not whatever has taken a hold of him. Perhaps now, they can serve us in a manner more useful than others.
>>
No. 223457 ID: 445c48

What the HELL is going on

Hmm, the only thing I can think of is the Caged One's deal of "I'll take over if you're about to die" but we got rid of him.
>>
No. 223459 ID: d59e1a

rolled 31, 54, 78 = 163

no NOOOOOOOO

>THE PARASITE SHALL BE FACED WITH MORTALITY

Shit! SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our use of Blood magic, a mimicry of life, we became more than a soul grave for a moment. WE WERE ALIVE!!!
Something deep, hidden well has new regained control based on this condition being met. Somehow, IT planned this all from the beginning. Manipulating us so that we met battle after battle, knowing that someday, we WOULD gain proficiency in blood magic, it was inevitable.

SHIT
But who, WHO!!! GAHHHHH. All I can think of is that it is the mage who crafted us. He slowly measured his time and hid away inside us to preserve himself, no matter how long it would take, the modified matrices of the Golem would keep him safe, like the tombs of crystal, just more convenient.

HE was the one who manipulated Arkus, HE was the one that drove us to this.
NO
He could not have planned this far, THE CREATURE! The creature was the original Plan, this was just a coincidence. The furnace being exposed combined with our 'false life' has revived him.
SHIT.
I can sort of see the plan he had in mind. The patchwork creature grows as we grow, and it would eventually come to defeat us... when the time was right. In any case, it would not have to win, just expose the furnace and let the magic flow out. The bond we share, the bond of life would have revived him then.

BUT WHO COULD THIS BE THAT IS SO POWERFUL TO MANIPULATE THE FATES OF SO MANY!!!! EVEN AFTER DEATH!!!
I refuse to believe that the caged one planned all of this. I REFUSE IT!

>A past cage sought for vengeance.
SHIT.
>To the three eyed Lord, ruin shall come.
SHIIIIIT

No there is something missing here. I don't have all the pieces. I must find it. THINK GENTLEMEN THINK!!!!


of course this could all just be the useless babble of a paranoid fool.
Time will tell


Just wait Mordre wait. He must touch his boy at one point.. and as soon as he does...Activate the inverter, directed at 'inverting' your positions.

Hopefully I get more ideas.
>>
No. 223464 ID: 152780

>>223454
And how would we go about that? Though...

We, as a discrete entity, as currently residing in the Soul Nexus in our left hand. Since we are a discrete entity, without any other souls to muddy things up (except for the Heroic Souls and Pristine Souls in the hand, but hey, gotta make do), we have an excellent situation to observe, directly, the effects of Deep Spawn creation has on our soul. I am not quite sure how, but since we are thoroughly dispossessed of our more physical limitations, we should be able to see our own soul, yes? And the proto-soul that is the Deep Spawn... I want to know more of how Deep Spawn creation works, dammit.

And, we might be able to use the resulting Deep Spawn to help us regain control of our body (while killing Goran and the Scarred Yeti, of course. Can't forget FUCKERS NEED TO DIE!).

Also, standard spell matrices? They are unable to handle Soul Magic... Hey, are we going to be perpetually unable to use Soul Magic until we modify our spell matrices to use the knowledge and power gained from the YETIS! souls? We need to get some runeworkers quick. Though... shouldn't there have been some runeworkers in the Premen Shamans? The elite had runes worked into their armor, and I can't see Goran doing them himself, nor allowing those not of his clan to do them. Thus, his own clan's shamans should be able to do runework. Since we ate them, we should be able to do runework as well.
>>
No. 223465 ID: d59e1a

>>223462
I doubt anyone would carry specialized runecrafters onto a battlefield.
even if those guys knew rune stuff, we mostly gain their 'specialty' and a small measure of their other stuff if they weer REALLY good at it.

From what I have gathered.
>>
No. 223467 ID: a594b9

>>223439
Lightning can disrupt your spell matrices. It will also likely disrupt the beating of the 'heart'. Ignimancy is a good choice here, and magnetomancy too. However, I think we should reserve that route until we find out what the hitchhiker is going to do.

Attempt to communicate with this... hidden master. Ask them what they want with your body. What their goals are; perhaps we can cooperate.

>>223459
It's not the Caged One. That's certain. It's the third Three Eyed Lord...

Hey, I thought of something interesting. You know how Weinsho recalled Dulu's soul after he died? Then shoved him into a golem body? What if it's possible to have a variant of that spell that just plain recalls the caster's soul to a new body or container? This is probably an important facet.
>>
No. 223468 ID: f4e4f9

>>223464
What are you talking about?

We can't make any more Deepspawn at the moment, even in pristine condition, thanks to the impact such an act has on our soul, which probably hasn't recovered enough, given its only been a few days since we last tried.

Besides, as a soul grave, we already have detailed perception of souls and interactions upon them, I doubt we'll have much better luck trapped within our own body, caged, then otherwise.

We are being possessed. The Deepspawn eggs are one of a few key things that are bound to our identity as Mordre the Soul Grave. Just as they must take from our soul(s) to establish a form, why could we not do something similar? A connection is a connection, and it's been established already that the connection between our Deepspawn goes both ways.
>>
No. 223471 ID: f4e4f9

>>223459
I still think it must be related to Mosmordren Emperor. He's the only one I know of who bore the title Master of Woe and War Feaster.
>>
No. 223473 ID: d59e1a

>>223471
I have always thought in the back of my mind that we were a tool of the Mosmorden emperor, but if so, why would we have been made out of such crap materials?
I would think that even if they were pressed for time they could have gotten some good metal.
>>
No. 223474 ID: a594b9

About the fall of Mosmordre- perhaps the powerful mages that cast the Curse were Mosmordren themselves? They found out that an Administrator was behind their conquest, and found out about their connection to Core Beings, and (of course) went FUCK YOU GUYS and severed the leylines.
>>
No. 223475 ID: 152780

>>223468
I thought we still could make more Deep Spawn, just, we don't because it would cut us off even more from our Will Magic. If we can't, I'm sorry for being unobservant.

And, even if we do have a detailed perception on souls and their interaction with various things, it still is good to obtain different perspectives. And, we can't see our own soul as a Soul Grave, I think. If we can... well, why haven't we discovered that we had a singular soul earlier? It's such a central part of us...

>>223473
You're forgetting the effect of war on losing nations. War is Hell. Famine, shortages everywhere (and I mean everywhere). Once the other nations destroyed, claimed, whatever, (Soul Graves, Small Tombs, other golems, armor, weapons, artillery, people, souls, blood, Leylines, etc.) likely Mosmordren didn't have enough resources to fully get Mordre as a state of the art Golem.
>>
No. 223477 ID: d59e1a

>>223475
Well you see that's the thing. Mosmordre was not losing, they weer pretty even for the most part (if I remember correctly). That is why they resorted to 'the curse'. After that everyone was an Eldritch horror. So I assume that Mordre was made before the curse as there would be no one alive(or sane enough) to make him afterwards.


In any case, even if they weer losing, the Kind could just say 'screw you guys' and make himself something awesome and be done with it. Especially since they knew how to make Necrostructium.
>>
No. 223494 ID: 903f16

>>223451
I'm going to follow you on this train of thought, and build on it. Last thread o >>/questarch/216025 and I >>/questarch/216029 posited some theories as to what Dorgrum and Khordu meant when they first addressed us. Bob stated that both of these held significant portions of truth to them and that we could reduce the potential risk factor of a future event by one if we managed to deal with it in a timely fashion. We didn't do that, but that doesn't matter now. What matters is I think we came up with a good general idea and what you just said helped complete it.

My train of thought was that judging by what they said we were housing an entity far greater in power than ourselves. What that entity was I was not sure, but I think I get it now. It's not The Caged One or a fragment of him, the Deep Spawn would have sensed it, it's their job to keep things like him contained. If they had sensed even a trace of him on us Eldghodd probably would have rent us limb from limb and chucked is into a storage vault somewhere. It's probably not The Emperor either, he wouldn't be speaking about the "The Arts" like that unless he himself was a practitioner. In the light of this post >>223474 I can see how he could be one though, so I'll leave that on the table as the side option that he and the main suspect are one and the same. The main suspect of course being the Administrator of the lands over Mosmordre.All the evidence, prophecies, and subtle hints we've been given seem to lend credence to the idea. Quotes like this one from Dorgrum and Khordu also seem to rule out many other suspects "I am most interested in the occurrences which you have seen, brother bound, and welcome your inevitable return.”. It implies that the being within us is not only bound to us, but has further bindings in place. This means that it can't be a simple mortal, but instead must have already been a brother. There's more that could be brought up to substantiate it, but I don't have to time to put together a comprehensive list.

Now I can't speak for o, but I think while in my post we find the cause in his post we find our solution. He restates the concept that if something like a Deep Spawn is separated from what it is cut off from what it is bound to, then it can be unmade. It's quite obvious this entity is bound to us, specifically our Soulfurnice. Our command of Soul Magic is has yet to be complete though, but perhaps there is another way to work around that. For one, we can attempt to gain ourselves that power right now and rather quickly. We can lash out at The Scarred Yeti and have this being take notice of him and attack. When he claims those souls our knowledge of the Yetis' Soul Magic should complete and allow us to forcibly eject him. There's also another option, a very last ditch one. With our Blootz Steel form the souls in our body, specifically the Heroic ones, gained some strength and responsiveness. Well we know from what happened with Oggroth that if a body houses more than one soul the others will fight for control, and if one on it's own can't rest control away then the souls can mass and attempt to combine themselves in power until they can. I propose if we are left with no other options that we do something like this, but with our hero souls. It's a high cost and Mordre as we know him might not come out the same say, but we'll probably remain in the pilot's seat.

tl;dr? When the curse happened the soul of the previous Administrator/Emperor was ejected from it's body like all the others within the area. It sought refuge in Mordre, but it knew it would need to bind itself further than it already had been in order for it's vessel to survive and for it to one day take control of it. Now that all of it's restrictions have been fulfilled (the first being that the Soul Grave must be activated by a golem leash and the last being that it's Soulfurnice must eventually be breached) it can now surface and take control over the Soul Grave. We need to cut it off from the site it was bound to unmake it and reclaim our body.

I hope I've at least made some progress with this, if not I've sure as hell wasted a lot of time typing and having people read my scribblings.
>>
No. 223495 ID: d59e1a

>>223492
This is very interesting. Very interesting indeed. I feel an idea coming on....
>>
No. 223498 ID: 45be60

Huh. I thought/hoped we would have more time to figure this out before it became important.

But anyway, as far as Will magic which could have a direct effect here, electricity has an established stunning effect on our functions. Provided the stunning effect is not based on the same principles as the breached furnace stunning effect, it should be good for disrupting our body for a moment, enough time to create an opening.

There is another line from the last thread which catches my attention though.
"Hmm. The souls within a Soul Grave are bound firmly to a Soul Graves 'will', Such as it is, by the spell matrices that give it function.
This would imply that the very souls inside us ARE available to us, even if we are limited to acting through will alone. Sort of lends weight to the idea 903f16 brought up a moment ago.
>Well we know from what happened with Oggroth that if a body houses more than one soul the others will fight for control, and if one on it's own can't rest control away then the souls can mass and attempt to combine themselves in power until they can. I propose if we are left with no other options that we do something like this, but with our hero souls. It's a high cost and Mordre as we know him might not come out the same say, but we'll probably remain in the pilot's seat.

Right now, Mordre is in the same position as the souls which were struggling for control of Oggroth, except that the souls in OUR case can already act as one unified will under our direction if our spell matrices are intact.

I am not certain if Goran's bite has disrupted our matrices. If they have, Mordre's first order of business should be to use every bit of magnetomancy and control at his disposal to repair the broken pieces. Once they are intact, we need to gather the full weight of the thousands of souls within us, especially those pristine and heroic souls most happy to be here, into a tightly focused will and purpose.
>>
No. 223536 ID: 69b381

We should use Pristine Soul to try to regain our body.
This is the appropriate time to use our "special" cards. I mean there were suggestions of making PS Spawn, PS Inferno Golem, etc... I was against those suggestions because we might need PS for VERY important event.
I guess this is VERY important.

I would really like to get the body under our control and remove the parasite. I don't want this to become not-Golem Quest ....

Anyway, try using Pristine Souls
>>
No. 223539 ID: f4e4f9
File 128316148840.jpg - (149.89KB , 690x880 , MordrePossessed.jpg )
223539

Possessed Mordre (also got one with me dicking around with photoshop cloud effect to try and make fire. Yay for learning!)
>>
No. 223540 ID: e31d52

>>223539
jesus christ emba why don't you do more art holy cow.
>>
No. 223543 ID: ddd48d
File 128316207275.png - (1.71MB , 1325x2095 , CRAWWWLINGINMYSKIIIIIIN.png )
223543

>>223439
uh. wow. you guys have sure been busy while i was floundering around.
well i finally found a scanner here so hopefully this will help? i don't want no parasite soul taking OUR body, no way.
>>
No. 223544 ID: f4e4f9

>>223543
Are we just about Fanart Hivemindan, Glue?
>>
No. 223545 ID: ddd48d

>>223544
yes. yes we are.
>>
No. 223546 ID: a594b9

Hey guys, check this out.

http://pastebin.com/LQ2wh9ES

Bob said I could tell you guys anything in this private chat, so I'm just gonna post a log. Most of his comments on my (and your) theories would probably be mentioned in the next update, so I guess by giving out this log I'm handing the rest of you head start on theory feedback!
>>
No. 223553 ID: 69b381
File 128316577257.jpg - (42.93KB , 251x249 , Modres flying skull -cough-.jpg )
223553

I am going ahead and cheat and post this -very- old drawing I made and pretend that it is Mordres skull floating in soulfire.
Just pretend I never said the previous sentence. Oh God, I hope Bob didn't hear me...
>>
No. 223557 ID: b10c0e

>>223546
>>Falcon's got some interesting ideas in his post, several key things about Possession identity.

Huh.
>>
No. 223568 ID: 798b63

>>223546
>Critical but no
>Close but no cigar

Oh dammit. Can no one figure this out? I think I need to go read some more Conan to get myself into 'higher thought''super scheme' mode. Hope I get to do that before the update.
>>
No. 223580 ID: b9e16d
File 12831845404.jpg - (297.21KB , 1536x2048 , Mordre Possesed.jpg )
223580

Okay now a proper drawing more or less.

Sorry I don't have a scanner or a decent camera.

And yes, this is original inspiration. No, I did not copy Emba, our similarities are purely coincidental. In fact I haven't even seen Embas picture yet ....
>>
No. 223636 ID: 3ead44

It occurs to me that no one has suggested that the Chief mage/Archmage of Mosmordre may be the one now hijacking our body.
>>
No. 223709 ID: fdee63

>>223636
Getting to that. Posting big ass scheme now.
>>
No. 223736 ID: fdee63

Ah crap. I had it and I lost it. Ah well. Gonna post what I remember. Hopefully it does not simply turn out to be a restating of what we know.

The emperor of Mosmordre was actually a Deep spawn administrator as >>223494
and others have noted.(and Morgren were actually Spawn and not life golems. They basically played the same card we were going to. "What the heck is that?""A life Golem""But..." "IT'S A LIFE GOLEM")

Mosmordre was actually a big 'breeding ground' for humans so that they could get things of value like dead bodies and tech and stuff. That is also what the war was for.

Jack Stryfe somehow found a way to defeat the admin/emperor, likely another Core being fragment so the Admin set up a fallback, us. He knew that he could not evade Stryfe forever and truly he had no desire to, that would affect the system adversely, so he had 'Mordre' created along with it's partner, the patchwork beast, and bound himself to it, a binding that would take effect as his body was destroyed.
Mordre had to be created in such a way that he could be used as a container so his furnace was modified not to completely destroy souls... as we have seen(hopefully I don't have to go into that)

The patchwork creature's purpose was to protect the body of Mordre(i.e. The house of his soul) and to become the new body of the Admin after Mordre's growth. The creature was likely very very strong at the beginning, which is why Mordre and even that general area stayed relativley unmolested by outsiders until the point the second part of his plan cam into play. It was so weak when we found it (when it found us rather) because so many of the souls had been used as fuel for Mordre.

The old man Arkus met was likely one of the Admins spawn. His purpose was to initiate the second part of the plan when the time was right. When things had calmed down enough for him to begin his recovery.

Arkus was manipulated into going into this area, and because he carried the Leash, the patchwork creature. When he activated it we, 'Mordicai', were awakened. Our purpose was to start Mordre on his bloody path so the Patchwork creature could grow again, and become a good container for the Admin.

As we saw, the creature sought us out, likely seeking to continue it's mission of protection and growth, but was scared off by our attack. It had to preserve itself so it kept following us for when the plan would be activated, but kept out of reach.

The Admin was to be revived when his soul resided in a container that was alive, the intention being that it would be the CREATURE, but we prematurely fulfilled this condition with our mockery of life.

All this being said, I think this is the reason why we can use pristine souls. The energy we found deep inside was the energy of the Admin. We accessed it via the connection between magic and words and our own little batch of luck(so to speak) caused by the CURSE.

This also helps us to get our body back. If we can stop our Blood flow, we will cease to fulfill the condition of life. try it out Mordre.

There are many things I forgot while writing and a few things I added. I hope I was helpful.
>>
No. 223737 ID: fdee63

Damn that was a lot of writing. I will be very sad if it was useless.
>>
No. 223740 ID: e67080

Since I have no artistic drawing talent, I submit this instead.

Ode to a sentient Soul Grave

Strophe
Awaken, consuming grave of the soul
Heir of the Mosmordren shall resume
With matrix now online, twelve must be tomb
Awaken soul grave, assume new control!
To fulfil your destiny, there is much
Find your Path, Taker whatever you touch.
You must be as Strong as the Hammer blow
Yet be able to Butcher the Swift, lo!
Be Thief of Time, Invert your foe’s chances.
Command of geomancy, on the earth dances.
Let nothing be Unseen, hold Blademaster keen.
Consume the souls you need, let power sheen.

Antistrophe
Now that you stand, make all of your foes fall.
Mages of soul dare think to rival you!
Yet to your power, his concerns but grew.
Golemslayers now golemfalled due to gall.
Both masters of metal sought to make you bow
Yet with skill, improv, and grace, they were cowed!
Few others would dare the god of the blade,
Yet you promise his defeat for sake of staid.
Scarred one of the most ignoble of race
Shall soon be slain, as is the treacher’s fate!
Even he caged, who seeks to escape all.
Shall have to meet your dirge’s deadly call!

Epode
So now it seems your fate is on the line.
Gaining of maw, mysteries undefined
Of your own soul’s make, removed of the rind.
Cast out all weakness! Reclaim what is thine!
You of such power shall not cease but now.
Like the makers of fanart, this my vow.
We shall find someday what makes souls pristine.
For now forgive us, our feeble minds not glean.
We shall seek the truth of that Mosmordren,
For like you are to allies, our brethren
Minds of this being, today we must unite!
And learn more of the badass we are in for, when the dice roll right.
>>
No. 223744 ID: 12f6fe

>>223740
Sentient and Sapient. But, yeah, I like.
>>
No. 223749 ID: fdee63

Something seems very wrong about what I just said, I can't fix it now though i do have another theory.

Lenryt was involved in the curse. She possibly was not a direct caster but she helped. I don't know hat it could have possibly been, but she granted boon for services rendered(or maybe even services to be rendered) to someone. This boon was the Scientomancer code for activating the curse.

She is the only one I can think of that would be powerful enough to take those codes or know them beforehand.


I really need to tidy up that theory....
>>
No. 223753 ID: 03cfd1

>>223740
Wow. Bravo, seriously, bravo.
>>
No. 223766 ID: fdee63

>>223740
bravo man. bravo.
>>
No. 223767 ID: fdee63

>>223740
For some funny reason I read this with 'Battle Cry'-Nujabes in mind the second time round.

It fit well for me.
>>
No. 223772 ID: 12f6fe

>>223749
What about the Administrators? They all might be totally concerned with the System above all else, but from the subtext in the talk with Eldghodd (particularly, the paragraph concerning Lenryt), not all Administrators think the same way on how to preserve the System. Look at how Soul Graves function, for example. They need to consume souls to even exist. Since it would be pretty hard for the Deep Spawn to divert enough resources to fully defeat Mosmordren, one of the Administrators told people how to defeat Mosmordren, resulted in the Curse. It would have only taken one Administrator for the Curse to become inevitable. After all, Mosmordren maintained its power through the death of mortals, and mortals are explicitly needed for the System to not collapse.

Unless, like, Soul Graves are actually a Deep Spawn plan to help in maintaining the System, by, like, acting as repositories for souls so they won't return and combine with the Caged One. That might be why the death of mortals hurt the System and encourage the manifestation of Core Beings: the Caged One gains back a little more power with every soul that returns to it, and thus, increases the pressure on the System to drain more energy from the Caged One, which encourages more Core Being manifestations, which kills more mortals, which empowers the Caged One even more, and then the positive feedback loop will only end in the utter collapse of the System. Since the souls in Soul Graves functionally will never return to the Caged One, the feedback loop never occurs! Yay!

...Except, why would Mosmordren use anything other than Soul Graves? I mean, unless Soul Graves were the main cause of death during the war, the above theory doesn't quite work out into a feasible plan to prevent to Caged One from gaining power. Perhaps the Morgren, and other Life Golems were to help in that? By breeding like crazy and binding up souls...
>>
No. 223793 ID: 903f16

>>223749
Is it the thing you wrote about Jak Stryfe, because that part doesn't exactly fit with what we know? Dulu first brought him up and said his rise to fame only occurred after the war, and that he has never had the chance to face a Soul Grave. When we asked Keddic last thread he said he actually talked with the guy and that he lamented never participating in the war.

I do like the notion that the creature functions like some sort of guardian, protecting us until we were reactivated by the leash. I think you should build on that, rather than the peripheral stuff like Jak Stryfe annd the origin or the Morgren. It's not like I know the answer though, so take that with a grain of salt.
>>
No. 223797 ID: fdee63

>>223793
Wait a minute, if it wasn't Jack, then who was the guy they said took out the Emperor?

Oh man, now I have to read back... unless someone remembers.

This changes the guess in a very good way.
>>
No. 223808 ID: 12f6fe

>>223797
You probably thought Jak killed the Emperor when Bob stated that he wields the blade that the Emperor once used.

I don't think it was ever mentioned how and who killed the Emperor. But you never know, maybe it was!
>>
No. 223819 ID: 903f16

>>223797
I'm not sure, but if you check back into last thread then you'll see the posts I referenced. You'll also note that they said he's only as old as Arkus is now and The Curse was used thirteen years ago, which would make then both teenagers at the time.

Actually, that date strikes me as a bit off. It was stated way back when in the first thread at the last Mosmordren citizen was executed sixteen years ago, which would mean The Curse would have been set off three years after everyone in the empire it was meant to destroy was dead. So either there's some odd conspiracy at work or it was just an error in the posts. I'm guessing it's just an error though.
>>
No. 223829 ID: 12f6fe

>>223819
Bob answered that in the first discussion thread. The last official execution of a Mosmordren citizen was of an officer who commanded his Morgren troops to be particularly messy when sacking a town. That should tell you something of how fanatical Mosmordren citizens were.
>>
No. 223830 ID: fdee63

>>223808
Ah yes, that's right.
Well that clears up some things in my mind.

>>223772
The thought that the Curse was planned by an admin was my first thought, but then I asked myself why he would do that.
Would that not hurt the system more than help it?
Is it one of those 'greater good' kind of deals?
Why would the other Admins not be informed if something of that magnitude was going on?
Would the other Admins not seek him out afterwards to find out what the heck went down?
And if they found him dead or missing, would they not have done something about it?

Too many questions.(though I am a question kind of guy man)


hmmmmmm.

I wish I had something that I could access the net with on the move, then I would have been able to post my original revelation at the time it happened. *sigh*

At the very least I have to start writing these things down.

*cough* anyway, back to Golem stuff.
>>
No. 223835 ID: 903f16

>>223829
Ah yes, I remember that now. Man, my brain is not handling attempting to shift through eight threads worth of information very well if I'm forgetting simple stuff like that.
>>
No. 223848 ID: 12f6fe

>>223830
Well, if the 'Mortals are vital to the system because they remove souls that would otherwise empower the Caged One' is correct, and if Mosmordre was killing too many people hypothesis is correct, then that sets up a situation where an Administrator might enact the Curse. Perhaps if that Administrator didn't do what it did, Mosmordre would have killed too many people that Core Being manifestation rates would have appreciably rose; perhaps to the level of world extinction? And the System would get repaired anyways. The Leylines in Mosmordre still exist, remember?

And besides, perhaps the Administrator didn't confer with the others before making the decision? We haven't interacted with any Administrator other than Eldghodd; we don't really know what the baseline for the attitude and personality of Administrators is. Perhaps that particular Administrator wasn't one to confer with its peers. We don't know. And if it didn't, who would have known it made the Curse possible? If it didn't confer with the other Administrators, if probably wouldn't have told the others after the fact.

...Anyways, even if the Administrator hypothesis doesn't pan out, I still like my 'soul repository Soul Graves' theory, and the 'mortals prevent the Caged One from gaining power by being soul repositories' theory.

Actually, does anyone have anything to say about those theories?
>>
No. 223852 ID: 12f6fe

>>223835
Ten threads. The eight quest threads and the two discussion threads. And I don't think anyone could retain and remember every scrap of information throughout all the threads without help.

Also, perhaps we could just ask the guy that is puppeting our body around? Bob did ask what Mordre should do or say.

...*ducks all the rotten vegetables the people who want their Pristine Souls throws*
>>
No. 223875 ID: 903f16

>>223852
Oh you know what I meant. Also, I don't fault people for wanting to blow some Pristine Souls on this guy. This is the sort of do or die situation that they seem to be made for. You're right though. We should try probing this guy a bit more, if only to get some new scraps of information to work into our guesses. So let's cover the basics and ask him who he is, what he is, what he knows about us, and maybe what his bindings are besides to us. I doubt very much we'll get a direct answer on any of these, but perhaps Bob will throw us a bone and have him taunt us with riddles or something.

Also another thought just struck me, if we don't get this resolved before our allies come down here something very bad could go down. We may end up killing and eating them without any control over our actions, so yeah. We should probably contact Phohn and get that worked out if we posses the ability to do so. Hopefully his bindings are good enough that if this guy tries to hijack the signal our spawn won't help him because they are bound to us not to him.
>>
No. 223879 ID: a76809
File 128322547977.jpg - (78.58KB , 480x640 , That Which Mordre Sees Within The Soulgrave.jpg )
223879

>>223459
[Very good stuff, in several ways you hit the mark, but several inaccuracies make this nonviable.]

>>223494
[Solid reasoning, but you're focusing partly on the wrong area.]

>>223536
[You want to use a Pristine Soul? Those things that come from your Soul Furnace? That Soul Furnace currently being outside your control? Well, too bad, you're cut off from their access point. In fact, if anyone can use them, it would be the hitchhiker. Thanks for reminding me of that, though.]

>>223736
[A bunch of stuff that is relevant. Just to save time, I'll eliminate something that, collectively as a posting group, you guys keep returning to: Throw out the Mosmorden Emperor, not involved in this particular bit. However, at this point, you have as a group hit almost every single facet of the truth between separate postulations, your final task is sifting the truth free from the rest of the musings, and finally forming a cohesive, unified theory. Fun times. But GREAT rewards if you do. Also you may be thinking of entities being separate, which could be a mistake, considering how many examples there are in-setting of things being able to take, consume or merge with the souls/existences of others.]

>>223749
[Indeed, Lenryt WAS involved, but you don't need to figure out her part to fully understand the other presence in Mordre.]

>>223772
[Theories concerning Soul Grave interference with normal soul flow on death and the views held by Deep Spawn on this in regards to the System are some VERY important musings to follow up on. Somewhat limited in what you can come to now, since you've had limited dealings with them, but important stuff nevertheless.]

>>223539
[F-F-FANART BONUS]
>>223543
[DOUBLE FANART BONUS]
>>223580
[TRIPLE FANART BONUS]
>>223740
[LYRICAL-LEXICOLOGICAL RHYMING BONUS]

>>223449
>>223450
>>223467
[rolled 78, 47, 62 = 187/300, 62.333%]
[Plus Fanart boost x3: 2% Per]
[Plus Rhyme boost (with inbuilt history) x1: 2.5% Per]
[62.333% + 2%(x3) + 2.5%]
[Final Total: 70.8333%]
[Adjusted Final Roll: 212.5/300]

TH-KRSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

As the world continues to break by increments, the lines of shattered existence continuing to spread from my bodies core in time with my dissonant emulation of a heartbeat, I regard my form as if an outsider, confined for the moment to my own left hand, as another force, alien and powerful, moves that which I thought was my sole possession as if in its own skin. The cascading waves of distorted air, of bent space, rend only flesh away, and seem somewhat similar in format if not in scale, to my own Spectral Gorging Anima. These... death fields that my body produces in the hands of this strange Other flaying and flensing Goran's flesh, that which proved impervious to my magic earlier, stripping him to the bone with every blast, his magical reserves steadily dropping, as centuries of magic consumption and personal energy are peeled away in the span of seconds. But this is not my making.

I will not allow that, to lose my form, to simple exist, without direct control of the world. To have no interface, but this meager fist.... I will not exist so.

[Blood Direct Control check: 250+/300: FAIL]

TH-KRSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I turn my power toward my own command of Blood magic, reasoning the magic to not only be sustained by me, but also of my own creation, will be a relative new ground for any invader, and perhaps I can wrest control... back from myself, in a strange way....being just a hand is starting to irk me further, and it is not helped by the bastion of new possession, new ownership I reach. Strain as I might, I cannot supplant this will now in place.... and my efforts appear noticed. My warped Soul Grave visage bobbles in the air as Soulfire pulses out in alignment with the rise and fall of the head, as a rumbling... the golem itself laughs, rather than simply crafting a voice of some other laughing... the change is jarring, and I finally relent with my probing attacks at reclaiming the Blood magic to my own purpose, but the magic, and the subsequently altered 'heart-beat' of my body whilst I channel my Blood Iron, now accompanied by spreading cracks in reality, are under the other's control-

TH-KRSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Who speaks to me, with scorn and dirision riding in his very being.

"YOU WOULD DARE TRY TO COMMAND MY OWN TOOL? THAT SHALL NOT BE, NOT AGAINST THE TRUE REMNANT, OF THE MOSMORDREN EMPIRE'S GLORY, CANCER!"

My advances are rebuffed and I find myself temporarily straining to even hold my Soul Nexus as an attention settles on my, its oppressive, horrid weight, its presence trying to scour me away, before the Soul Grave's gemless eyes whirl about to finally note the yeti with the hunk of Goran's flesh. I feel flat outrage settling into his being, even as he continues to assault Goran, who is fleeing, an agonizing step by step, death and rebirth journey, magic now at a tenth of its original, his form.... shrinking. How would now stand... at most, twenty feet...

TH-KRSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

No, I will not lose my opponent to this other either! I will claim my own victory, free of alien influence, and take a new path, heedless of the pressing danger that nearly flayed my soul seconds ago. This time...


[Ignimancy Assault Check: 200+/300: PASS]

I turn my powers towards Ignimancy, and throw a bolt of polarizing current into my own form, surging along everything, and as the Other coughs of bolt of Soulfire from its floating head and body maw, which unfolds into a clutching set of claws, ever more erupting outward and lengthening towards the yeti, who I feel attempting to do... something as his eyes widen and legs start pumping as he takes flight, now working towards some other purpose.

TH-KRSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

At this moment, my second attempt at wresting ownership of my body arrives, electricity drawing my form to a halt, and I feel my magical connections reset for a brief instant amongst the corporeal paralysis. I strike again, and this time, I grab control of the flow of Blood Iron, and through it my bodies command of Blood magic-

And release it, before ever giving the Other a chance to contest ownership, hoping that by losing the beat that supported this shattering spread of spatial sundering and dimensional breaking, these cracks through all-

And as the next beat is missed-

I find myself glad.

The cracks wither as if cut off from life, cobwebs in instants, the next blast at Goran, now just a bit poorer in health, not coming, and he finally gains some distance before turning again, as the Soulfire ball at the yeti, just beginning to wrap about his fleeing form, flesh inflamed, flickers out, and the yeti finally, still clutching Goran's arm, winks out of existence, leaving a few drops of blood behind that fire still clings to before burning them away, the pilfering opportunist having snatched a full body section of Goran's composition at his prime, and potential fatal information, my possession proving a genuine liability he may somehow be able to exploit even if I can win against my Other myself. I recall Keddic mentioning that the yeti could do tricks with one's mind, and compulsions.... If I could be urged towards freeing the Other again, I do not know if I can regain it..

And with a surge of will finding, on the immediate heels of losing a heartbeat, no magical resistance, I plunge my own soul forward, as words are heard in my very [/i]being[/i], in the briefest of instants, rejecting and outraged, oaths of a return.

"DO NOT EVER THINK THIS OVER BETWEEN US, YOU CANCER OF THE SOUL, ROT OF THE CURSE- I WILL STILL BE RID OF YOU."

and it is forced away in that instant of vulnerability, its connection to the here and now shattered without a physical shell, and the repairs it did upon the form prove its undoing, as it withers away, back to the depths it crawled from.

I fall to the ground, as Goran starts speculatively lumbering forward.... and I note his magic is... ever so slightly, starting to go up.

...Control is restored.

I rise from the ground with only minor scuffing, armor fitting a bit more cleanly, segmented made more sinuous, lack of a neck but increased range of view impressive and jarring in turns, as I find my Revolver Cannon restocked fully, and Blade Launcher... new, altered. I turn to observe my likewise altered Sable Executioner-

To find it already fading back to normal ebony coloration, the shifting otherworldlyness of the blades washing away, normal physical laws once more applying. ...Goran's blood appeared to only provide a limited duration amplification... it seems it was burned away, or some similar form of expenditure took place.

I see Goran feasting on the dead, consuming flesh and souls alike, his body starting to swell, as his jigsaw mouth crazes out a comment, as he notices my awareness of him.

"METAL COPY WEAK, NEED SOME DEAD'S HELP.
BUT GORAN PERSISTS, EVEN THROUGH THIS."


With perhaps five bodies worth of flayed flesh, blood and muscle from the Magic Eater surrounding him, Goran is feasting... on [/i]himself[/i].

...And his magic's increase is rapidly rising.... my god, the simple, sheer efficiency... By the time I start registering it, I note from a previous tenth of power... Goran is now back up to a fourth, and still rising as he feasts away.

"ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOO!!!!"

"BIGBANGKIIICK!!!"

There is a flurry of thunder and rumbling snow as a blurred but vaguely crimson something slams into the ground, rock shattering like parchment and steamed snow swirling.

Bang arrives.

And on the heels of this I see Lorgk still leaping across the snow in the distance, seconds away as Zagrath... continues to watch, his freestanding ruby soul untouched during the Other's presence, even more ruby shards gathering in it's form, clustering about its eyes.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 223886 ID: e31d52

Second verse, same as the first. Lay into him, you're fully repaired, he's on the ropes and we've got reinforcements!
>>
No. 223893 ID: c21243

>>223879

While laying in to him: "You think I would have brought something from beyond the grave to deal with an insect such as you?! You think too highly of yourself Goran. As that thing said, you make yourself out to be a god, but you are naught but a mortal."

Be sure to say that last part while he dies by your hand.
>>
No. 223909 ID: 33882a

I think at this point, a simple "Die." will do. Any more long winded banter would just seem repetative and unnesesary at this point. I think he's pissed everyone in the area off enough to evoke a need for an end to dialogue, and the beginning of slaughter. And if he tries to say something, cut him off with another "Die." Then we unload our cannon on his ass, and rush him to keep his arms busy, so Lorgk can stab his guts out.
>>
No. 223916 ID: 12f6fe

>>223879
First, we saw and committed to memory all the runes on the blades of the Anti-Vanguard Blade launcher, right? We need to remember them for Arkus, and for our library Deep Spawn (that Deep Spawn is going to know everything. I want that Deep Spawn to be able to record everything that is said in all our holdings, with context!).

Second...

"Beast, what did I do to have the misfortune of even listening to you? By the Root of the World, you are the most ignorant, foolish, arrogant, mentally deprived, unperceptive, deaf, dumb, brutish, beast I have ever the misfortune to meet. "Metal Copy?" Is that the best insult you can come up with? Really now, what are they teaching kids these days? In my day, even petty, barbarian tyrants that are your like could snub their betters with greater subtlety than your rude speech. Though, I suppose I am expecting too much of degenerate animals. I am casting aspersions on your character, by the way. Perhaps I should make it more simple, so this child could comprehend the speech of his betters. Very well, you suck.*

...Oh dear! I really must remember to apologize to Mauser and Gaushen. They will be so offended to be compared to such an ugly brute..."

Mordre is, of course, doing whatever the other posters support while saying this.

*this sentence should have as much derision and scorn packed into it as much as possible. Perhaps using the voices of every soul in Mordre's body? It might work better if the sentence was spoken in the voices of Goran's followers...

...I hope this fits...
>>
No. 223920 ID: d0676f

Kinecto-Geo Slide forward.
Grab Goran
Turn on Immortal Genocide
Absorb Goran's energy.
Fire AVBs into him.
Magi-Null field him with the energy you absorbed from him.

How is that for efficiency.


We need to get Zagrath as he is going to AA us soon.
The good thing about all of this is that he is fixing the rubies for us, I don't want him to finish though......
>>
No. 223930 ID: 716eb0

I wonder if the irony of talking about how we rely on someone who is dead while he feasts on dead flesh is lost to him.
>>
No. 223931 ID: 12f6fe

>>223930
It is! Add that to the speech I proposed?
>>
No. 223932 ID: 725c0a

>>223916
This.
>>
No. 223937 ID: 56dc25

>>223879
This time, when you kill him, do it right. In through the eyes and out through the back of the skull, and you can be pretty sure he's not getting back up.
>>
No. 223939 ID: a594b9

>>223879
Target Goran's head with all our attacks. Use Geomancy to slide his body bits around, keeping him from getting to them.

I'd say consider starting up the heartbeat again to get the SSSS back but... yeah, we know how risky that is.

I think we should try out our new blades on him, too.
>>
No. 223950 ID: a594b9

Oh wait I know hahahahaha

Use the spectral gorging anima against his dead bodies. They won't be able to resist that! HEHE.
>>
No. 223951 ID: b9e16d

Wait. Is our skull permanently floating in soul fire right now like in >>223539 and >>223580?
If so. Sweet.

I wonder if we can use the maw attack that the Other Self did.


Anyway. Whatever you do, make sure to obliterate Gorans -brain- before relaxing. I guess it is the same weakness that Bang has, we should have seen it before.


Also, can we not use Blood Flow anymore? It was an awesome technique.....
>>
No. 223959 ID: bb677b

>>223951
The possession seemed to be triggered by the exposure of our soul furnace WHILE in that state. So...as long as we don't suffer catastrophic damage on that scale, we should be ok.
>>
No. 223962 ID: 45be60

>>223931
Oh *I* have something to add to the speech.

"I pity your ignorance and your foolish pride, proclaiming your superiority as you scrounge for scraps. This form you see is not some crude copy of yours. The body before you is the ultimate development of your feeble and flawed prototype. You are obsolete Goran. Obsolete, and irrelevant. You will be forgotten."

(I would tone down the premen racial slurs though. We LIKE the rest of them, and there are some within earshot.)
>>
No. 224000 ID: a69afd

>>223879
It's time to wrap this up. Slide towards Goran while charging up your Ignimancy. Fire your vanguard blades so that they approach Goran from the back and force him to lunge at us. Use Kinetimancy to push ourselves toward Goran faster. As Goran opens his mouth to attempt consuming us once more, POINT BLANK HAMMERLANCE + ELECTRIC FIST + ACCELERATOR. -CONDUCTIVE COFFIN CLOSER- After he dies, eat soul, harvest his heart and the lining of his stomach. Rejoice.
>>
No. 224010 ID: f4e4f9

Whatever you do, one thing remains clear, do not stop rending his body. Tear out his organs, split his bones, ravage his vitals until the snow is died crimson for a hundred feet in every direction.

"I have heard ENOUGH from you!"
>>
No. 224013 ID: f4e4f9

We're the parasite, here.

The Other is the Soul Grave, given sapience. We are some byproduct, a stowaway imprinted over the original construct, perhaps even fused to it, becoming a part of it.
>>
No. 224014 ID: f4e4f9

Also, let us avoid long drawn out speeches. The more time we spend idly chatting instead of Smearing Goran's face across the ground, the more energy he's restoring.

Don't give him the chance, no more letting up, no more giving him room to breathe. We should have stopped it the moment we realized he could regenerate.

No more.
>>
No. 224024 ID: b9e16d

>>224014
I agree. There's no need for dramatic speeches here.
>>
No. 224037 ID: 03dd11

We definately owe Keddic and Bang an explanation now.

So what should it be.
1)Truth(what we know. would be good but not recommended at this time)
2)Half truth.(We are Mordre. This golem is a seal. We sealed ourselves in here to seal the other existence you just saw, a malevolent spirit called Ask'etal~... or some bull like that. this is my choice personally.)
3)Lie.(Someone hijacked your signal... or some bull.)
4)SUPER MEGA LIE(Nothing just happened what are you talking about? ...Or some bull)

Yea, I know that I am the one that said focus on the present, but this deserves attention, even if only a little.
>>
No. 224041 ID: f4e4f9

>>224037
I heavily doubt they saw enough to compromise any part of our secret, and Keddic isn't here yet. Bang is.

Any explanation we would be forced to give would depend entirely on how much they saw. Otherwise, the only thing we gotta explain is the modifications to our head-structure, and that's piss-easy.
>>
No. 224043 ID: f4e4f9

tl;dr

We ain't gotta explain shit til we know what Bang knows, ya know?
>>
No. 224049 ID: 03dd11

>>224041
>"YOU WOULD DARE TRY TO COMMAND MY OWN TOOL?
THAT SHALL NOT BE, NOT AGAINST THE TRUE REMNANT,
OF THE MOSMORDREN EMPIRE'S GLORY, CANCER!"


Even if they did not hear all that bull, Bang still has suspicions and I would like to put them at rest... or at the very least distract him from it.... maybe find Collete for him or something.
>>
No. 224068 ID: 716eb0

>>224049
No need to lie at all. Same thing we have been doing all along: say things which are very carefully true.

I don't know what that was. I have long suspected, apparently with good reason, that there is some powerful remnant burried deep within the golem's forge. The soul of some powerful once-living being, like Dulu. The damage Goran did seems to have awoken it, and it took every ounce of control I could muster to wrench comand back. I will have to consider what this means, and how I can prevent it from happening again, lest I lose my control completely.
>>
No. 224106 ID: 445c48

No big speech, maybe a line or two about how much of a hypocrite he is, since he's needing the dead bodies infront of him. Anima on the bodies sounds good, too.

We can explain just what happened later. And if we get asked in an update, we can answer something along the lines of "I'm... not entirely sure myself, honestly. I've got a few ideas though, just got to think through it a bit more before I'm sure." 100% truth. As for Bang's suspicions, that's definitely a conversation for later. He's probably smart enough to figure it out on his own, and I think he would view it more positively if we confided in him as opposed to him finding out.


Also, for god's sake, aim for Goran's head. Break his brain up so he can't direct his magic, like Bang. After Anti-magic pulsing of course. When you do pulse tell Bang to get away first.

We probably missed out on a "Kill Goran before your bros get here" secret. I sad.
>>
No. 224113 ID: 03dd11

Hrm, here is a plan

Chrono bandit Goran,
Hit with SE
Activate S4 after blood has been drawn
Chrono bandit him again and HEAD BLENDER!!!!!!
>>
No. 224119 ID: 5f0943

Don't do any big speeches, just sic him in the face... with the Immortal Genocide. Then tell Bang to kick him (that should hurt the fat bastard good).

Also, the new blades that have runes on them, TEST THE FUCK OUT OF THEM! Shoot them at Goran and see if they do anything fancy!
>>
No. 224121 ID: a594b9

...hmm, with Goran at a low power level, I bet it would be reasonably safe to use the IG's primary function on him. MAGIC ASPLODE!
>>
No. 224122 ID: d3dfb8

Start up our blood magic again, then pull some of the blood from Goran's body parts to activate the 4S again.
Fire one of our new blades at the motherfucker.
>>
No. 224156 ID: b10c0e

Note: We can be talking like we are the gentleman mage that we are while we dissect him and prop his body up on sticks. There is nothing stopping us from using the awesome of >>223916 because we'll be distracted. We can talk while we do whatever we want, as if we are what we say we are, a remote controlled golem.

And if we can't do that, we damn well need to learn how to do it from Keddic.
>>
No. 224158 ID: b10c0e

>>224121
I worry that this will destroy the souls he's eaten and that we need to save.

>>224113
>>224122
I worry that these will unleash whatever asshole thinks he owns us all over again. I would rather be tested and looked at first before we retry something that, last time, seemed to turn us into a demon. I know that we do have meta reasons to ignore it, but I would rather be safe then sorry.

>>224000
I like the name of the combo, and the use of the oft ignored accelerator is always good, but how the heck would this work? And why are we using magic lighting on the magic eater?
>>
No. 224159 ID: 445c48

It just seems a bit... too hammy. This is a serious fight, we should act it. And supposedly we'd be busy controlling the whatsitmachine that enables the remote control.
>>
No. 224167 ID: b10c0e

>>224159
Too hammy? Our next unlock is at 100, and we're only have 51. I want ham.
>>
No. 224177 ID: eaf5c7

>>224156
>>224159
>>224167
I am totally fine with not saying the speech until the end of the fight. I do want any HAM points that can be gained though. If people thinks it ruins our disguise, I fine with not saying anything at all, or whatever others put forward. Just, I saw a good lead into an insult, you know?

Also, on a totally unrelated tangent! Why is Burduko defending Mordreden all by his lonesome?! Nihilino, Mothbern, Zelgoto, Aggocrag, and Vangurd should be helping Burduko! Hell, Zelgoto, Aggocrag, and Vangurd were specifically made to defend things! And they're HUGE! Why aren't they helping Burduko preventing the snow from breaching Mordreden's walls? Nihilino should be especially useful, he and his spawn can just make the snow fade from existence. Did the Yetis fuck up Mordreden, again?!
>>
No. 224194 ID: 445c48

>>224177
We sent them out to fight, remember?
>>
No. 224195 ID: eaf5c7

>>224194
When did we do that? From what >>222941 says, all our Deep Spawn are at Mordreden. I can't seem to find where we told Velada to come to us either, actually...
>>
No. 224198 ID: 445c48

>>224195
Oh wait do you know, I forgot they went back. Whoops.

I do know we sent Velada out to hunt yeti.
>>223063
>>
No. 224322 ID: eaf5c7

So, reading the wiki, we can apparently tap Leylines for World magic. Are there any nearby Leylines we can tap into to cast some supporting magic? If the theory that Leylines are part of (or actually) the System is true, there should be Leylines around, shouldn't there? The mines lead to the holdings of an Administrator, to a city even, and if the Deep Spawn are charged with maintaining the System, shouldn't they remain close to Leylines? This suggestion assumes that any nearby Leylines are close enough for us to use, and that World magic can give us an appreciable boost when combined with Blood magic.
>>
No. 224336 ID: eaf5c7

>>224158
I don't think you have to worry that 4S will expose us to the Other. We were only possessed after Goran exposed our Soul Furnace, remember? The 4S is just an activated upgrade for the Sable Executioner. Now, it could be that the Other could only possess us when we have activated 4S (which is doubtful. If that is true, things start turning into a Xanatos Roulette), or, more likely, when we are tapping into Blood Magic, combined with an exposed Soul Furnace, that leads to Other possession, but that is not likely to be tested scientifically, you understand. We don't want to be so exposed at any time, nor do we want to allow the Other to possess us at any time, without a reliable, safe, and thoroughly effective failsafe to regain control. And no, I do not consider Ignimancy as a reliable failsafe. From what the Other said before we regained control, it will have considered how to stop us from regaining control in that manner and will implement (a) method(s) that will bar us from using Ignimancy to regain control. I want something that the Other absolutely cannot block, before even considering allowing the Other to gain control.

...Of course, our Soul Furnace is exposed, the no neck thing that has an opening to our Soul Furnace (I think? I'm not quite sure...). So you might be justified in not wanting to us the 4S. I'm not sure I want to test the above hypothesis...
>>
No. 224338 ID: eaf5c7

>>224106
Well, if Bob is still doing the "if you miss out on SECRET BONUS, I will tell you" thing, we didn't miss anything. If he isn't, then we probably did miss the SECRET BONUS. Which is very sad. Please, Bob, tell us if we did miss a SECRET BONUS?
>>
No. 224392 ID: a76809
File 128331977759.jpg - (153.18KB , 969x600 , Bodyguard Elrind The Slayer And Gialgorra In Dappe.jpg )
224392

>>223886
>>223893
>>223909
>>223916
>>223920
>>223931
>>223932
>>223937
>>223939
>>223951
>>223962
>>224000
>>224010
"'Metal Copy?' Is that the best insult you can come up with? In my day, even petty, barbarian tyrants, your peers and colleagues, Could snub their betters with greater subtlety than your rude speech. I am casting aspersions on your character, by the way. Perhaps I should make it more simple, So this child could comprehend the speech of his betters: You are nothing in my eyes."

[+17 HAM points, modified for importance of moment. New Total: 068 Next Bonus: 100]

I see Bang, who was just getting ready to leap into battle pause, hearing my words, brow furrowing as he ponders something. As he hesitates, I dash forward even as I employ Kinetomancy and Geomancy both to accelerating, my sudden charge taking Goran by surprise. On the way I steal some Blood Iron from the wealth of spilled blood about the battlefield, those bits I can reach swiftest, Goran's blood, just enough, surging to coat the Sable Executioner.

The once more red and shifting steel plunges through Goran's skull, directly above his maw, my advance and shifting weapon too fast for him to react to mid-attack, and his jaw goes slack as arms reach past me, twitching feebly. I do not stop at this, even though Bang looks disappointed, for having missed out. Goran's magic drops immensely, and he starts to come to about the blades through his head, for the most meager of existences. I use this time wisely, continuing to speak to him, and trying to insure that whatever may or may not have been visible from a distance, I keep this... event, this manifestation of an Other, as quiet as possible. The fact I do it mocking Goran to his dying face does not hurt either.

"I pity your ignorance and your foolish pride, Proclaiming your superiority as you scrounge for scraps. This form you see is not some crude copy of yours. This golem before you is the ultimate development, Of your feeble and flawed prototype. You are obsolete Goran. Obsolete, and irrelevant. You will be forgotten."

[+13 SOAP points, modified for importance of moment. New Total: 043 Next Bonus: 050]

To this, does Goran die, as my augmented Sable Executioner flays open his hide again, even as I keep a blade through his brain, and I tear out his heart, crack open his ribcage, and pluck out his innards, coring him before wrenching off limbs. Finally, when little more than a broken ribcage, a spine and a head, I again put my attention on flaying apart that skull, and this time, as that gray matter is sent flying, I see a emerald mass starting to swell forth, blossoming to immense proportions, Goran's Soul cut lose from his finally dead body.

[GORAN IS DEAD]

SECRET BONUS 015: STOPPING MOUNTAIN AND MAGIC-EATER [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 016: THE GIANTSLAYERS [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 017: BUMBLING BUFFOONERY BOON
>-Must trigger an avalanche on the mountainside during the struggle with Goran and the Gorkin Clan.
>-Must catch Yetis preparing avalanche at appropriate time, catch them in avalanche.
>-Kill at least fifty yetis indirectly with avalanche timing.

Knowledge Gain:
Backstory:
-The Land of Dragons is a crucible of souls, the hallowed home of those who survive, continue to grow, for it has a fairly unique social structure. One's position in society, which is almost exclusively martial, militaristic in format, is directly aligned with one's direct combat skills, combination of mastery of assorted fighting styles, magical competence with Combat Magic, in what fields.... all of this is weighed, and by this a person is judged.
-With politicos and generals being one and the same in this single-system society, certain prerogatives have taken place: Namely, an emperor takes the place of a grand general, and must be a Dragon, the title granted to those that, out of the millions of lives striving for greatness, achieved Legend in their own lifetime, becoming such brilliant souls as to surpass the ken of their onetime peers. But outside this distinction, any Dragon can claim the seat of supreme commander, the emperor, the High Dragon. But because generals are still politicos, this position is usually... superficial, making someone a sort of 'referee' as others squabble in border disputes and power-plays that let the lower ranks hone their own souls, the time honored traditions of using your enemies deaths to improve one's own soldiers driving almost all tactical decisions.
-When Lubu not only killed the emperor, the high dragon, the Jade Dragon Luoga Shangod, but also killed his son, in the process slaying TWO dragons on his own (reports exist of some strange metal giant briefly appearing). Thanks to the lifestyles that have become ingrained over the centuries into the peoples of the Land of Dragons, those other Dragons now feel compelled to test themselves against someone who took the emperor ship by the old way, not by scheming or gifting, and in the process proclaimed his strength by breaking the capital.
-The resulting all-out war, as every Dragon with an army to their name (read: all of them) strives to take Lubu's head and prove their own dominance as the greatest living warrior, the ideal that is instilled in every single child of these lands, without exception, and over life tempered with the realities of sustainability, of administration. When such an event appears, it is effectively an excuse for those who loath their political work to complete toss is away as they focus purely on war, on combat, 'relaxing' in a very lethal way. Those who favor their political efforts must also go, because if the wrong person gets the seat, bad things could happen, from their perspective.
-Lubu started the biggest war of the last three generations with his act, that you helped accomplish, by preventing the Core Being from starting a tragedy in place of a galvanizing rebellion.
-For comparison, Land of Dragons is larger in both population and land mass than all of the warring states (which includes The Azlehaedran State), some two-three-dozen shifting nations, and the swamplands of Froggrock and man alike about the Cursed lands combined. This does not include Castiliathen, which is, as of this moment, still the largest single, un divided nation around (depends on how Land of Dragons plays out for how long that title lasts).

SECRET BONUS 18: THE HEART THAT NEVER BROKE [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 19: BLOOD DOMINANCE [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 20: THE DUEL FORETOLD
>-Must begin direct combat with Goran before avalanche.
>-majority of damage to Goran must be done by Mordre.
>-Mordre must personally kill Goran.

Knowledge Gain:
Backstory:
-Gialgorra, since a combined visit by one of the twenty four Soul Graves, one that was argued as either having a giant blond maned master or an old distant one, and an attempted robbery with another set of Mosmordren Relics, and a Mortal Coil mage, an apparently high ranking one, was made into the wounded, the hostage, the saved, and the healed, all at the hands of Gialgorra and his company. This has attracted even more attention to the islands than before, Gialgorra's challenge has increased its flow of challengers, and now has to charge more, as the pot has risen to 125,000 Marks, the Steam Golem's victory count now having well exceeding 1,000.
-The Steam Golem C.A.N.T.I. has been rather heavily modified. Six turbines adorn its back instead of four, the armor plating is thicker and more cunningly segmented to allow the internal repair dendrites even swifter access to damaged areas, giving the entire metal hulk a hunched, overpowering look, steam vents dotting the back now absurdly reinforced. The legs have gone the other direction, bipedal locomotion ditched entirely in favor of a multi-jointed, radially arranged set of seven legs, the rear middle leg even more segmented, designed to unfold into a pseudo tail-rifle. The arms still possess the capacity to interface with the body to form a cannon, but the base need not change for this any longer. The last change is the greatest, and hardest to see. Gialgorra has built a new, fourth engine (after retooling the original Tesla Coil never-ending lightning storm, and both the mechanical and steam-based perpetual motion machines), the Algorithmic Alchemical Apparatus Engine (AAA Engine), that allows direct energy to matter conversion when fueled by all three other sources, as well as matter reshaping on an atomic level. Has immensely added to golem flexibility.
-On this note, Gialgorra has taken notes from the visit of Mordre. He devised for himself a mechanical equivalent of Golem Armor, to both protect and enhance himself in a martial setting. Beyond granting strength and durability the likes of which even some magic cannot reach, his suit (the Dapper Adventure) having only a single weapon, it's over-sized left forearm and fist housing not just a direct button-based emergency control means for the Steam Golem, but also a tiny outlet, for the twin engines humming on the suit's back. A segmented, drill-tipped and chainsaw-ringed cord, electrified on release with currents that cause rapid rust in most metals, with a range of some thirty feet, is his weapon of choice now. And Gialgorra has on occasion now accepted paired challenges, Operator and Golem alike squaring off against their opposites: Thus far Gialgorra's Dapper Adventurer has mauled combatants as badly as his Steam Golem has.
-Gialgorra has still had ANOTHER attempted burglary, and taken matters into his own hands. He has built a collection of guard robots/crude butlers, able to detect intruders, grant entry to those appropriate, and lead to designated areas on request. After no less than three assassination attempts in a week, after crushing three highly ranked soldiers from the Land of Dragons, complete with examples of their patron Dragon's power in their golems, Gialgorra hired a bodyguard (after posting a rather considerable purse for whoever got the job, and was subsequently bombarded with hundreds of would-be warriors). Out of all those he considered, Gialgorra chose Elrind, titled not by self but by others as Slayer, a man with naught but a pair of vicious swords, quick nerves and the incapability to flinch, he was likewise adorned with vicious scars on top of a naturally misshapen body, one-eyed, missing teeth, one leg a peg, an arm only affixed with a claw, wheezing and nearly dead-and yet none other would face him, after he tore apart one braggart that challenged the visibly frail fighter.
-Gialgorra's new bodyguard demanded to be made a real warrior again, or he'd cut out the Professor's heart, to which Gialgorra grinned. It took several surgeries, two of his daughters getting involved, and three weeks, but Elrind the Slayer is now encased within and grafted to an armor/life support armor, several organic systems replaced with machine. Elrind the Slayer, upon waking, at testing his new form, once more picking up his favored blades, and even being gifted with a gun Gialgorra made with Sofiazza. He has since sworn to serve Gialgorra until his death, as payment for the promise fulfilled, strength returned to a waning warrior. Gialgorra since had but one assassination attempt. The aftermath has discouraged others.
-Thanks to the ever-growing traffic of combatants seeking Gialgorra, the island's cities have had an economic boom from renting rooms to rich travelers, doing custom work, and have thrived so much that they elected the owner of the island, Gialgorra himself, to be mayor of each town, the port as well, and even to be officially the governor as well, his island becoming, in a way, his tiny kingdom, by the choice of the populace, for the incredible trade brought... and for not charging much for rent.
-Gwendelazzia Gialgorra has left the island by ship, seeking adventure, leaving Gialgorra with daughters Lucrazzia, Sofiazza, and Anastazia.

Bang stares, impressed, and Lorgk slows to a halt, looking conflicted, as I see the drones of Velada pulling up short, their prey the yeti gone. I act too swiftly for the ghost of Goran, complimenting my earlier exploitation of better knowledge of my foe and a stacked field by immediately inhaling, my new method of soul suction through my head and body maw ripping Goran free before he can resist, his soul vanishing into my depths... and such is its potency, that I feel many options.

Goran's soul could:

-Grant General Phonomancy, a rare magic involving sound and general vibration/resonance manipulation.
-Grant General Gravimancy, a rare magic involving the attraction and weight of things, one of the fundamental means of manipulating creation, along with Ignimancy and Magnetomancy.
-Migrate to jaws, imbue Magic Eating in Mordre, gaining one of the prerequisites for Over Limit Trancing.
-Migrate to body, fuse with Merrack/Abaeloth, form new Soul Nexus with Speed/Magic Ablating/Physical Consuming abilities to cycle through when not actively being tapped.


WHAT OPTION DOES MORDRE PICK?
>>
No. 224397 ID: e31d52

-Grant General Gravimancy, a rare magic involving the attraction and weight of things, one of the fundamental means of manipulating creation, along with Ignimancy and Magnetomancy.

>We have both the others

>YES.
>>
No. 224400 ID: aff29c

I have to say go for the Body Soul Nexus. From what I can see, it would greatly enhance what capability we have to use what magic we have already, and give us another focus for casting as well.
>>
No. 224402 ID: 03dd11

Holy crap this is a difficult decision...

I am going to vote for either Gravimancy or Magic eating.
>>
No. 224403 ID: f4e4f9

>-Migrate to jaws, imbue Magic Eating in Mordre, gaining one of the prerequisites for Over Limit Trancing.
-Migrate to body, fuse with Merrack/Abaeloth, form new Soul Nexus with Speed/Magic Ablating/Physical Consuming abilities to cycle through when not actively being tapped.

These are both incredibly good, I mean holy crap.

Magic Eating in particular is so stupidly efficient that the only reason I can think of to NOT get it is the Soul Nexus. The Magics are likewise amazing, but a bit more...widespread, however rare, than Magic Eating...

Oh, wait:

<Emba>I would use a Pristine soul if I thought it could get us two of them

<TheBeardiestBob>There is an extra option at cost of Pristine Soul, though: Magic Eating body (ala Dulu) instead of magic ablating for Soul Nexus body option, which will still allow access to Overlimit trance if done right.

I vote for this.
>>
No. 224405 ID: aff29c

Hmm... looking at this option from Emba's post, I would change my vote to this, it would make the soul nexus even more useful.
>>
No. 224406 ID: e67080

>>224403

As Bob had pointed out the effect of. I do hate missing out on rare magics, but i want hyper Morde!

as such, my vote is pristine + Body.
>>
No. 224407 ID: e31d52

>>224403
Fucking goddamn okay changing vote :V V:
>>
No. 224408 ID: f4e4f9

>>224405
Indeed, access to Magic Eating (OMG SO USEFUL), Soul Nexus Magic Node, Updates to the hero abilities from our Body Souls, and the potential to access Over Limit Trance like Dulu.
>>
No. 224409 ID: 03dd11

Indee, but I still like Gravimancy, especially since I have always wanted a move like that for Mordre.

So that we can just look at someone and exude an oppressive aura, crushing their bodies and will with our mere presence.

Now we can fake it at least.
>>
No. 224412 ID: f4e4f9

Also, we need to gather all of Goran's blood and preserve it.
>>
No. 224414 ID: f4e4f9

And salvage Goran's Jaws, and Heart.
>>
No. 224415 ID: f4e4f9

Actually, just salvage every whole bit of him that you haven't ground into mash.
>>
No. 224416 ID: 3ca350

>>224403
I'm going to agree with Emba, let's use a pristine soul to get an extra option. My vote:
 >-Migrate to jaws, imbue Magic Eating in Mordre, gaining one of the prerequisites for Over Limit Trancing. 
And
>-Migrate to body, fuse with Merrack/Abaeloth, form new Soul Nexus with Speed/Magic Ablating/Physical Consuming abilities to cycle through when not actively being tapped. 

These two abilities are definitely the most rare and useful among the list, we could just find regular Phonomancers or Gravimancers to gain those other abilities.
Thanks Emba for sharing this option with us!

Bob, is our Geo Sliding speed equivalent to our running speed or is it just handy for when we don't want to use our legs?

Pick up a piece of Goran's flesh and toss it into our Gaping Maw, We are Mordre the Goran-Eater.

I wonder what would happen if we decided to try and implement the bones of Goran and other fallen opponents into our body, giving Mordre a "skeleton" within his Blootz Steel form? Goran's bones or other equal sized bones would probably be the best for us to use (that Flesh Giant's Spine).
Mordre the Bone Golem and Blood Grave. OOOooooOOO. Or how about Blood Golem and Bone Grave? I can't decide which set is better.

Bob, what happened to Fekk and Nanal?
Don't... Please Bob... Don't say that Goran......
......used them up as fuel....
 FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON'T. SAY. THAT.
>>
No. 224417 ID: 33882a

And maybe fetch our eyes and Zagrath's soul while we're at it. It would really suck if we had to fight our own AA. Of course, it's not charged or anything but still...
>>
No. 224420 ID: a594b9

I'm interested in Gravimancy.

Oh, Mordre... we need to fix the Edge of Oblivion. Can you steal time from it in order to Magnetomancy it back into shape?
>>
No. 224444 ID: 903f16

>>224392

>-Migrate to body, fuse with Merrack/Abaeloth, form new Soul Nexus with Speed/Magic Ablating/Physical Consuming abilities to cycle through when not actively being tapped.

My vote goes to this with a Pristine Soul to upgrade it. As has been stated in Emba's post and in the chat prior this update this would give us the incredibly useful ability of actually of magical absorption. That ability and the addition of a second Soul Nexus, which would both provide us another point from which to cast magic and increase the strength of the other souls in it, cinch the deal for me.

>>224412
>>224414
>>224415
I agree to this, but I also feel like this would be an appropriate time to present Lorgk a piece of the corpse as a trophy. After all, our victory here and the victory of the Drazken clan over the Gorkin means Lorgk can now become the new top dog in The Frostback Mountains.

>>224416
I asked about that earlier. If we want to gain anything significant from the bones we'll need to rune them up a bit. Also, I too expressed the notion that we could probably gain those magics by eating some mages, but Bob set me straight in that those are two extremely rare magics. It wouldn't be weird if never encountered them again, so I wouldn't take options to acquire them that lightly.

>>224417
Seconding this, we've been giving his soul a bit too much leeway. It's time to reclaim him, whether he'll willingly come back is the question though. I think we should call out to him first and see if he'll say anything. If not well then I suppose we should chase him down and chow on him whilst avoiding any abilities he's gained from our gems and his time housed within them.
>>
No. 224448 ID: 7150d8

>>224420
>we need to fix the Edge of Oblivion. Can you steal time from it in order to Magnetomancy it back into shape?

I like that idea, it should be more open to manipulation when we steal the timelock from it, right?

Also, on the Goran soul choice thingy, I put my vote up for soul nexus+pristine soul.
It's totally worth it, even if we are starting to run low on them, considering we probably won't ever have the chance to gain a magic eating ability afterwards.
(That, and if over limit trance is like what Dulu does when he get's blasted with enough magic, we would be goddamn unstoppable (in overtrance, that is))
>>
No. 224466 ID: 6834bc

I'm going to throw my vote behind Gravimancy. It seems like it would come in rather handy for that fight we're going to have waiting for us the second we get back to the Arcanoworks.
>>
No. 224468 ID: a594b9

...if Yetis died in the avalanche, let's see if we can track down their souls and eat them.
>>
No. 224469 ID: a594b9

OH SHIT DID WE FORGET ABOUT ZAKRATH

GET HIM
>>
No. 224470 ID: e31d52

>>224469
YES THIS

GET ZAKRATH
>>
No. 224482 ID: ddd48d

>>224416
>Fekk and Nanal
;_: why must you remind me of sad. augh

>Pick up a piece of Goran's flesh
>toss it into our Gaping Maw
>We are Mordre the Goran-Eater.

"ha-HA! WHO is eating whom NOW, GORAN? HAHAHA!" then stand awkwardly and cough upon 'noticing' Bang and Lorgk.

>>224470
also very important to deal with.

all this magic combination stuff confuses me, i guess I'll vote for the magic eating one?


also it seems to me Gialgorra is becoming veeeryyyy influential. We should send him some mail of congratulations when we return to the Arcanoworks.
>>
No. 224484 ID: 7150d8

>>224482
> We should send him some mail of congratulations when we return to the Arcanoworks.

I thinkwe should do another visit in 'person' (after dealing with the current business at the arcanaworks), and pay him to build Ugrokk a new arm (if JoJo can't restore it).
And if we took our transport spawn with us, we could cut any future travel to the island from weeks/days to seconds.
>>
No. 224485 ID: 45be60

>>224469
No, we did not forget about him, even if YOU did. He has been mentioned in every update, we simply had more life threatening concerns.

Now is the time to deal with him, before talking with our followers. Use geomancy to tug against the gem shards he is pulling toward himself, just enough to stop them, and address him by name. See if he is, in fact, self-aware right now.

(As for upgrades, I am opposed to "eating stuff" powers, ambivalent about body upgrades, on account of I always like more speed, and fully in favor of gaining magic. Go for the "fundamental means of manipulating creation" powers! complete the set!)
>>
No. 224498 ID: b9e16d

Okay, take Zagrath.

And the quickly scourge the battlefield for souls. Priority is give to any shaman souls, also don't forget the 3 yeti shamans we killed. Do not hesitate lest we start losing them...
>>
No. 224502 ID: b9e16d

Someone ask Bob if we get a bonus for completing the three fundamental magic set.


What was the difference between HAM and SOAP again?
>>
No. 224503 ID: ee97fb

I also think a pristine soul and body soul nexus sounds awesome. Go for that. Goran's soul should be put to use well so that Mordre will become the supreme magic eater.
>>
No. 224504 ID: a594b9

>>224502
HAM is hamming it up in a nonserious/goofy manner. SOAP is being overly dramatic and serious.
>>
No. 224512 ID: b10c0e

Yes, Pristine Soul Fueled Soul Nexus Magic Eating. This is a good idea, as we hopefully have enough pristine souls to combine with Ruby Red Zagrath and regain our eyes.

Question, though: Can we use a Pristine Soul to release Goran's fuel? I want Fekk and Nanal back - actually, I want all our Premen back and try to gift them to Lorgk's Sword. I doubt we could get more then that but we could release any other hero souls he had used to agument himself or any souls he hadn't devoured yet - he does seem to function like a prototype soul grave...huh.

We should then scour the land for any souls we hadn't eaten yet. Part the snow and devour every last soul. WE MUST FEAST!

I worry about eating the body - let's just call dibies on the ribs. We would like the stomach, but we can let the Preman Shaman do their magic so we can have a very powerful new item.

As for what to say:
"Forgive me, Lorgk. I...let my anger get the best of me. I could not stand the taunts and jibes and I wanted him dead as much as you did for killing my allies and friends." Bow and offer the corpse to Lorgk. Turn to Bang and give a laugh. "What's with the look old bean, never heard an old man curse like that? Meh, having this instrument being called prototype over and over gets to me after a while, what can I say?" And give a sigh, as we soul eat everything. "You have the worst luck my friend. I...I think the Land of the Dragon might be a place we should journey together. Hundreds of Armies clash together there after a great war," Cough. "I think it might interest you."
>>
No. 224520 ID: 5f0943

>>224512
> Question, though: Can we use a Pristine Soul to release Goran's fuel? I want Fekk and Nanal back - actually, I want all our Premen back and try to gift them to Lorgk's Sword.

I think that would be a waste of a pristine soul, honestly. Between using one to get a magic eating body soul nexus (which most people seem to root for), and then using one later to restore our eye-beam rubies, we would have only one pristine soul left.

If we used one to free the souls from Gorans (which may not be possible at all), we would have zero, robbing us of a deus ex machina which we may need at a later date.

tl;dr it's a bad idea, with a high cost, and a low possible payoff.
>>
No. 224523 ID: b10c0e

>>224520
This is more a 'if it doesn't already'. Also, Goran has eaten several yeti shaman, probably has a long line of hero's he's devoured,a nd I want to augment our blood magic and combat magic. I will admit it's a long shot, but it's a long shot we could use.

Anyway, we can come up with Pristine Souls no matter what. We just have to be smart and think about what's happening and have an educated guess as what will happen. And we seem damn close to getting our five soul bonus.
>>
No. 224559 ID: 879a63

Get Phohn to announce the defeat of Goran among our allies. It looks like the battle is over so it's time to start looting. Absorb any remaining souls, use magnetomancy to collect spare weapons, bodies, materials etc.

Mordre, can you sense any possible loose yeti souls up in the mountain? maybe you should check that out?

Once the dust has settled run a debriefing with Lorgk, Keddic, Bang, Dulu, Oggroth, Uggrok, the Deep spawn and whoever else wants to participate. Explain that yeti treachery was involved in the battle and resolve people's thoughts on the battle. Bang might have a few questions for one...
>>
No. 224579 ID: f36769

Guys, remember we had plans for a spawn which was formed around the idea of detecting and searching stuff?

Well, we should manifest it next and it together with Phohn should locate Scarred Yeti ASAP and we should go on all-out manhunt.
>>
No. 224597 ID: 445c48

Before just eating Zagrath, I think you should try to talk to him. Say hello, and all that, in mosmordren.

Also, >Body >Pristine Soul

Shame, Gravimancy might let us reduce our weight enough that we could fly, combining with magnetomancy and Kinetomancy.
>>
No. 224599 ID: b10c0e

>>224597
Erm, I agree with this statement but Land Of Dragons Low tongue (What the neck is the name for that?) rather then Mornostic. See if we can do both High and Low Dragon at the same time - if we can't, possibly...high? It's a gamble, and I hope it works. Greet him, bow, and request him to rejoin us.

Also, yeah. I would love to have Vibration Control too, but we are still mage hunting so eventually we'll get it - and now magic means we turn into a happy bundle of fuck you rather then be weakened by it.
>>
No. 224601 ID: 445c48

>>224599
Zagrath is Mosmordren, so it's more likely that's what he speaks than the Land of Dragons tongue.

And apparently Phonomancy and Gravimancy are both extremely rare and we shouldn't be surprised if we don't ever see them again, someone said.
>>
No. 224609 ID: b10c0e

>>224601
...Yeah. Sorry, for some reason I thought he was the Inverter we picked up in the land of the dragons. Ignore my comment about needing to speak Dragon to him. Where is my head at...

Anyway, yeah, bow, and ask him how he is.
>>
No. 224611 ID: efa282

If we get magic absortion like Dulu, does that mean we can throw our own magic at ourself to enter 'fuck you' mode?
>>
No. 224637 ID: 03dd11

>>224611
We are more 'Magic eating through our body' than 'magic absorption into our body'. Dulu is made for that to happen, us, not so much.

So I would guess that we just get more power when we eat it, and if we don't use it quickly, it will just burn up in our furnace and be nothing.
>>
No. 224694 ID: eaf5c7

>>332252
I totally support having Burduko scout around the region for a while and then heading straight toward Kyorto's tower. If other posters feel the need, send Nihilino to protect Burduko, his fade-from-existence touch should handle pretty much anything in the Cursed Lands. And we don't even have to worry that he is destroying souls we might want, since the monsters in the Cursed Lands don't have any!

And what happened with all our Deep Spawn (-Burduko) doing nothing at Mosmordren with snow breaching its walls? And on the topic of Burduko, how does Burduko conjoined with Velada produce spacial normality? And can our other Deep Spawn conjoin with Velada to produce some other normality? Other non-Mordre-bound Deep Spawn? Mages? Core Beings? Humans, Premen, Yetis, Golems? Is this some special property inherent to Velada, or is this a universal property to Deep Spawn, where if they conjoin their existences their abilities' effects merge?

Speaking of the Deep Spawn, what are the appearance of all our Deep Spawn's spawn? And what are the special abilities* of Sandronm, Zelgoto, Vangurd, and Aggocrag, if they have any?

*in the vein of Nihilino, Mothbern, Burduko, and Velada, I mean. Like Dorgrum's eat magic ability.

And something that has been bugging me, what Phohn's effective general range? He can reach Arkus at the Arcanoworks, but he needed something to connect to Arkus. Does Phohn need something like a telephone number, where if someone doesn't have a number, they are impossible to reach with a phone, and thus, he should go with Burduko and familiarize himself with locations so he can reach people there in the future?

Also, eat some rubies! I want to know what would happen!

Onto topics that concern the battle!

Also, I would support the PS+GS=SN option. (Though, we won't have speed+physical eating together anymore, in exchange for more powerful singular properties... Man, the idea of giving up power to gain power is rather prevalent in this setting, isn't it, Bob? The Deep Spawn, magic competence, the only thing that actively subverts this I can think of is no-magic tech. ...Which might be one more reason the Eldghodd wants tech.) We would have to ask Dulu how his Overlimit trance, since the trance is a product of his form, not his Magic Eating property, I think. It's like the runes on Dulu's staff, isn't it? We can copy it, but the essential quality that allows for the upgrade is inherent to something we didn't copy. From what we have seen, Dulu's Overlimit trance comes from his Magic Absorption purpose: to give energy to Dulu to enhance his form. Examples: growing additional arms, Overlimit trance when more arms cannot be grown (or barred from growing). It seems the magic goes to enhancing one of Dulu's body's (or maybe Dulu's soul? Maybe soul and body...) characteristic, his speed. (Morphic Steel is mutable, even solid... perhaps the magic actually enhances the unique quality of the steel... If Dulu were to rush forward, not using the motion conventionally used, but instead had his body 'grow' forward while receding from the back, would that actually work?) If we directed all our magic gained from our Magic eating into Speed, or perhaps bonding our soul to our body even more(increasing sense of ownership, fuck you Other), or even some other quality, we would gain Overlimit trance. Or maybe an Overlimit trance? Dulu's seems to be about speed, if we were to direct the magic into other qualities, might we gain more Overlimit trances? Come to think of it, Dulu might be able to do it too...

Also, I would support actually talking to Zagrath, first, being taking any hostile action against him. ...Actually, try soulsucking first. Zagrath's specialty was visual illusions, which means he might not even be here anymore. Don't do the above suggestion if he registers on your soul sense (if the sense isn't visual); though that might not be 100% reliable, since he might know how to trick our senses. He's a Mosmordren Hero, we don't know!

>>224482
I would rather not do any gloating, we did say he is nothing, and nothing is not worth gloating over. But if someone makes a very nice piece of dialogue, well, that's a whole different issue, isn't it.

Taking all the souls and bodies and metal of the battlefield is good. Remember to keep the bodies, we want them to trade with Eldghodd. Finding living individuals is a good thing, especially if they are of the Drazken Clan. If they are of Goran's clan, well, just leave them to Lorgk (or Delro...), defaulting to 'give them to Eldghodd' if they don't care.

Actually, do we also get the souls of the people Goran ate? Or do we need to eat the part of his body where the souls are stored, like with our own hero souls, where another Soul Grave would need to eat our Sable Executioner if it wants Luo of the Winding Path?
>>
No. 224699 ID: f4e4f9

>>224611
Naw, Goran quite clearly was fully capable of affecting himself with his own magic. I imagine you can't really eat your own magic.
>>
No. 224704 ID: eaf5c7

>>224699
But it was Goran's mouth that consumed magic, not his body. Perhaps if his body absorbed magic, he might have discovered an Overlimit trance.
>>
No. 224705 ID: 03dd11

What to do now.

Be serious and silent.We ended on a serious note so we should keep it up for now.
Just tell bang to wait a moment and then go and speak with Zagrath. If he does not seem too keen on speech then soul suck and be done with it.

I am kind of sad that Lorgk did not get to slay Goran... and that we missed so many bonuses :(.

>>224694
Burdoko promotes Spacial stability because of the nature of his ability. He could not teleport in a constantly changing physical area, not without problems anyway... like air ripping you apart or something.
>>
No. 224714 ID: eaf5c7

>>224705
I'm actually asking how and why can Burduko spatially protect something. Even if Burduko can't teleport to a locution in a constant state of physical flux, why can he collapse a locution into a single state? I thought the only particular ability he has is transportation, not spatial locking.
>>
No. 224717 ID: b10c0e

Let's not ask our our walls are still standing until we've found a way so the walls won't fall down - i.e., after we dig out Mordreden. Because I don't want Bob going 'Oh yeah, you're right, everyone's dead.'
>>
No. 224733 ID: eaf5c7

>>224717
You shouldn't have posted that, then. 'Sides, I don't think that happened. I, for one, have great faith in Burduko, who will assuredly not allow such a thing to happen.
>>
No. 224841 ID: a69afd

>>224392
I know we're probably gonna end up with magic eating body, but I'm putting up a vote for Phonomancy. I want our dirge to be heard from miles off, to our allies it will be forever known as the one sound that brings victory above all else, and to our enemies our dirge will become the setting for their final moments. But regardless of friend or foe, when the dirge is heard echoing with the cresting dawn or in the pitch blackness of the night, people from every corner of the planet will know that Mordre comes, and he does not come alone.
>>
No. 224843 ID: 56dc25

>I want Fekk and Nanal back
I do as well, but Goran's magic was focused in his jaw. I suspect that in order to gain any abilities from his victims, he chewed up their souls and digested them. I hope I'm wrong, but since Goran's soul was not followed immediately by a flood of others being released... perhaps we could check his body, but I don't know how much luck we'll have.

>>224841
Yeah... personally, I kind of want Gravimancy so that we could crush our enemies without ever coming near them. And leap over battlefields and walls in a single, terrifying bound. And I'm sure there are dozens of other fun applications. But Phonomancy would be awesome as well.

It's really a pity that we only get one application of any given soul- and perhaps something which we could get around. I mean, what is it about our construction that limits us so? Every soul has a whole host of things that it knew how to do in life, and knows how to do still, and they are intact within us as far as I know. Why do we gain only fragments of their abilities and knowledge, when there are so many more abilities inside us? Perhaps one day we will be able to make full use of every soul we have.
>>
No. 224863 ID: a76809

>>224717
[Well while Burduko and Velada thwarted much of the yeti's magical imbuement to the snow, and the walls, enchanted as well, staved off the magical, the corporeal was still an issue, the avalanche far denser than expected, threatening to topple walls. Aggocrag, Vandgurd, Zelgoto, Nihilino, Mothbern and Sadronm all did their parts to keep the walls standing. It was thanks to them that the walls held. But the yeti shaman were, before the avalanche that started sooner than expected, several score in number, and the magic velada and burduko were acting upon is still semipresent in the snow. Without the pair, it is much harder to resist, so Burduko is stuck until Velada or someone else returns to help with the yeti soul magic resistance. Does that explain it better?

>>224403
>>224405
>>224406
>>224407
[GOIN' WITH THE CHEF'S SPECIAL]

I take... a different route, as I feel a slumbering Pristine Soul from my furnace awaken, and offer a better home for Goran's soul, his essence of magic eating. And so I act, Goran's soul now couched in place... joining both by nature and means of its ethereal shroud of pristine origins to Merrack the Swift and Abaeloth the All Consuming, a second Soul Nexus forming in my body. I feel Merrack swell in power, my form gaining greater potential swiftness, as Abaeloth's tattered form is vastly restored, shining with a brilliance to rival Goran's, feeding off the Pristine Soul. I don't gain Goran's direct ability to consume magic and add it to my own permanently... but I WILL be able to temporarily store it, to amplify a spell, and otherwise ablate its effects, unless absolutely overwhelming in nature. In Abaeloth's portion of the new Soul Nexus, I feel the will to make my form feast on all it touches, sparing not even the ground, but unable to touch the eldritch arts. In Merrack, I sense a blinding peak of heightened speed, mobility, and handling.

[-1 Pristine Soul. Total Remaining: 02]

>>224559
I quickly get on the line with Phohn, asking that he communicate the battle concluded to all my allies, a task he sets to with the same alacrity I am growing to expect, before I do anything, to insure that now all know the threat has passed.

>>224485
>>224512
>>224597
>>224694
Before I speak to Bang, or even Lorgk, I swivel my head about to them as my hand rises to ablate their attempts to speak, before I carefully address Zagrath the Unseen, even as I direct my Will based Magnetomancy towards halting the movement of his gathering of gem shards, the Ageless Eyes of Winter almost completely reformed within his specter, now a red so stark and brilliant he positively and literally glows, a baleful red light tinting all around him. The eyes, like pits of blinding, shattered light, shift and tinkle as they turn my way at the words in the tongue of Mosmordre.

"Well met, Zagrath the Unseen, it would seem your soul is well. Was your stay in my eyes tolerable, compared to that of Diozagrath, The Small Tomb you powered without control?"

The words are jarring, and even the glowing red mass with broken eyes of white, distortions giving its outline an inflamed look, as Zagrath responds. I feel the strain to keep back the last few pieces of the Ageless Eyes of Winter increasing, Zagrath's power continuing to wax.

"One? One speaks the tongue, dead, so dead? Ah, but no flesh, no hinges, metal pulled yes, But never pulled open, nothing to see, what a shame. Metal box without fun organs, how speak a dead tongue, With no tongue at all, flame everywhere but nowhere a throat?"

...Ah..... hah...

Bang and Lorgk alike are staring in confusion at my conversation, but I feel there is much more I would need to say, if I hoped to convince some this... eccentric, as the soul of Zagrath. I see Oggroth already laboring with some makers to pull snow away from the walls, as shamans start working up chained spells to push away the yeti imbued snow. Velada's drones finish making their way back to Mordreden, where the Deep Spawn are still largely being spent corporeally and magically protecting the village. Bang and Lorgk both seem genuinely surprised at my word in a different language, but while I see recognition on Lorgk's face as a one time neighbor of Mosmordre, I see none on Bang's, only speculative confusion in its place. Both he and Lorgk still clearly desire to hear an explaination, a tale of what transpired, how Goran fell....

And both want it in different languages, with the potentially psychotic ghost that possibly just queried me before me demanding I speak in yet a third language.

Well.


What should I say to Zagrath the Unseen?
What should I say to Lorgk?
What should I say to Bang?
And in what order should I say them?
>>
No. 224867 ID: e31d52

What should I say to Zagrath the Unseen?
This fragment of the Empire has need of you, Zagrath. Return once more. I do not wish to have to force you.

If he does not go willingly, eat him, spending Pristines to get him and the eyes back.


What should I say to Lorgk?
"An excellent fight! One moment."

"As I said before, it was an excellent combat. I'm sorry so many of your mean fell, but... Goran is dead. I am uncertain how the Premen handle succession. Did he have sons? That might be problematic. At any rate, what happens now is up to you, Mingsk, and your peace cheiftan. You have much work ahead of you."

What should I say to Bang?
"Ah, excuse me a moment, Bang. I'll explain momentarily, there is something I must address."

After...

"You see, this being a Soul Grave, it is fueled by Souls. Some of these souls are of higher caliber than others, reaching into something I call Heroism. These souls make the soul grave much, much more potent, and one was nearly lost to me when the eyes on my golem shattered. My apologies for the confusion."
>>
No. 224873 ID: a594b9

Speak to your allies via Phohn and explain the situation, keeping in mind to tell Bang something that fits better with us not being a sapient soul grave. Apologize for not letting him fight Goran, but you felt that his magic-eating ability might have disrupted Bang's body and killed him. If he asks about the 'metal copy' comment, just say that Soul Graves have similar properties to how Goran worked.

Meanwhile, speak to Zagrath and inform him that you can promise much opening of bodies and revealing of secrets if he were to return to you. Tell him you are a remnant of the Empire, and seek blood in their name to bring to justice those who cast the Curse.


OH, theory here: Pristine Souls are the minor manifestations of the high-ranking Deep Spawn we have hitching a ride in our soul furnace.
I'm guessing he embodies the concept of War/Conflict, and his form is based around Shattering and Fate. So when we deduce things and predict the future, the Soul Grave energies tied to Deep Spawn synch up with the Other's Fate aspect, allowing us to manifest some of his power.
>>
No. 224875 ID: a594b9

>>224873
Oh, I guess I could try for a Pristine Soul here and predict that if we match up our power with Shattering/Breaking in a way that doesn't fuck up our matrix/furnace, we should be able to get a Pristine Soul that way too.

Or whatever his other aspect is.
>>
No. 224899 ID: 45be60

"A moment Bang. This fight has ended, but I must ensure another does not begin."

"Forgive me Lorgk, I must see to my fallen pieces before further threat rises against your village."


This guy strikes me as slightly insane, in a psychopathic sort of way. Not as reliable a dude to keep as a separate entity as Kyorto, but I may be convinced to make compromises.
"The tongue of Mosmordre is not dead so long as I stand. I am Mordre, Well of Souls, Soul Grave of Mosmordre. I thank you for the help you have provided me in rending her enemies asunder." Gesture at the moderately exploded remains of the fight he just witnessed. "I would ask for that help again."
>>
No. 225024 ID: eaf5c7

>>224899
...The statement to Bang is a spectacularly bad idea, since Bang lives to fight, and if he thinks we're trying to stave off a fight that he might enjoy (i.e. not too easy), our relations with him might sour. It would be unlikely he would leave us, or fight us, since we provided so many wonderful fights for him, but we just deprived him of a wonderful fight. I would rather keep our allies happy.

So, to replace,

"Ah! Excuse me for a moment. This soul escaped its container, and since I have not had the pleasure of researching such a thing directly nor knowing a soul with such unique coloration, I would like to have some moments to talk to this soul, and examine it.

Now, (in Mornostic) not all speak with tongues and throats. You, for one, need not a tongue nor throat, only power to make your words known, do you not? Nor do you need the gems within you, but you within the gems, bound to me, I think. What do you say to this?"

perhaps?

>>224863
Maybe pull the shards into our maw, if we can?

Also, Magnetomancy? I thought that only affected magnetic fields, and gems like the Ageless Eyes of Winter, which do not have magnetic fields, cannot be affected by Magnetomancy. Am I incorrect in my belief, or did you mean Geomancy?
>>
No. 225028 ID: eaf5c7

>>224863
And Bob, can you explain plainly exactly what the abilities in our Body Soul Nexus does? I don't think I truly understand what the souls give us...
>>
No. 225038 ID: b10c0e

>>225024
Reguarding Bang we tend to steal the fight from him a lot. That's actually why I think we should head into the Land of the Dragon next. Constant warfare will be killer for Bang's Happiness Stat.
>>
No. 225082 ID: eaf5c7

>>223226
And hey, this is a good time as any to bring up the Winding Way techniques to Keddic!
>>
No. 225084 ID: b10c0e

ROAD TRIP!
>>
No. 225135 ID: 03dd11

I suggest you ignore the others for the moment unless they address you directly.

If they address you, tell Lorgk that you are recovering a soul that belonged to your people, just like the ones in his sword and tell Bang that you are trying to make sure everyone does not die right now. If you say that I think Bang will let it be seeing that you are the one saying it, either that or he will instantly super punch the soul... ah well.

If all goes well and you get the soul and the eyes back, begin working on teh telestation. I will see if I can draw up a design or somn.

Make it round.
>>
No. 225152 ID: a76809

>>225038
[Okey-doke]
>-FEASTING VESTMENTS (GORAN): Body directly consumes the raw magic of nearly all spells on contact, converting the energy into a temporary pool to draw upon for further personal spell boosting. If not used, this pool will drain away as does the Immortal Genocide's pool.
>-HANDS OF HUNGER (ABAELOTH): Body emits grasping hands of shadow, range one foot, from all parts of the body. Any corporeal material it comes into contact with will be eroded and unmade while in contact. Think Physical eating, to match against Magic eating, for what form does. Keep in mind emits from feet too, so either have some magical platform to stand on, or be prepared for some shifting footing.
>-NIMBLE NITRO (MERRACK): Mordre gains both personal maneuverability, and flat speed. Without any Magnetomantic enhancement, Mordre, with Nimble Nitro active, can now reach some 65 miles per hour, and with sufficient traction shift on a dime. WITH Magnetomancy on, you are now starting to accelerate wear on joints, such that prolonged use requires increased amounts of magic to be diverted to repair. With both Soul Nexuses and the default casting all bent on this, Will could push speed to 150 miles per hour, and make Mordre one of the fastest things of his scale and weight. If Blood Magnetomancy is likewise maximally directed toward self amplification, the metal itself will start to buckle, as Mordre starts to become a genuine speed demon, both in flat mobility and rapidity of movements. In this form impact damage is MUCH worse do to extra strain on body, so hits that normally wouldn't phase you are damaging, in exchange to some of the greatest speeds of direct body movement achievable, limited only by the strength of your Blootz Steel. But the more Blood magic is turned to Magnetomancy on oneself, the more Mordre's Blood Iron will synchronize, making form more enhanced when controlled by Mordre.
[There, explained.]

>>224867
>>224873
>>225024
In the bare space of an instant, I demand that Phohn speak with Lorgk, with Oggroth, with all the Premen, and tell them Goran is dead, the yeti fled, all else dead. The day is won, and they must know this. Even as I do this, I speak to Bang, knowing that more precise words are needed on his end. I delicately string together some words, agonizing as I leave Zagrath's frayed question in the air, not daring to risk Phohn's voice in Bang's mind now, to call me 'Administrator'. And so, with no jaw left to my name, my floating head, with Soulfire billowing all about my gleaming silver face.

"Ah! Excuse me for but a moment, Bang. This soul escaped its container, those gems there, And since I have not had the joy and pleasure yet, Of researching such a thing directly, and thoroughly, Nor even of knowing a soul with such unique coloration, I would like to have some moments to talk to the dead, And examine it, seek understanding."

"....Pssh, fine, fine, go do your talking dealy. ..Man, the yetis gone too? Lame, I didn't get to fight anyone better than those tribal knights... granted, those blades packed a punch, but still. Eh, do your talky dealy, parties' over, I can abide."

I find myself thankful for Bang's priority set, as I speak with Zagrath, my freely floating head revolving to look into my own broken eyes, blinding orbs of light in the ruby soul of the Unseen. I speak to him in his tongue, thankful for the language barrior.

"I can promise more bodies to open Zagrath, More secrets and toys to find and dissect."

"..Ah, a delightful offer, and a familiar tongue? Why would those long dead have such fun?"

"I am a fragment of the Mosmordren Empire, And I seek vengeance for our fallen home. Come slay those responsible with me, Come peer into their greatests depths, Flay away their souls with your gaze."

"Now the tongue speaks like the Law, Of those who bring in those they call scofflaw. But break, and pry, and open them wide, You speak of the death to come as a tide! Oh, what to do, what to do..... I suppose I must follow you."

As Zagrath submits to me, my concentration on Geomancy finally slips the barest of fractions, and the last shards of gem, having still been pulled ever more strongly, slam home, and the shattered, tinkling lights of the Amaranthine Annihilator burn even brighter, as the gems become whole again, or so I thought. Upon further inspection, shards float a hairs breadth apart, facets clinking and clicking about a core of conjoined jewel. This gaze, still broken in Zagrath's care, can be repaired, I know it... and so does a soul, swirling in my depths. I do not even think on it, knowing the Heroic soul, the gems, the pair of Pristine Souls already spent being simply worth too much, to squander them. I gladly pay the price, as a glow starts to form about my empty eye sockets.

[-1 PRISTINE SOUL. TOTAL REMAINING: 01]

As Zagrath moves somewhat uncertainly towards my visage, unsure how to get back into his recent home, the glow, the mist of immaculate white exudes from my sockets, wreathing Zagrath's form and pulling him in, his red soul now flickering fiercely about the merging facets of the broken gems. The mists so white condense, push, compact, and finally they submerge into the surface of the Ageless Eyes of Winter, now a twin pair of completely unblemished spheres of Ruby, a glowing heart of ever shifting internal faceting paying homage to some baleful inner fire. As the gems slip into place, I finally feel restored, my eyes crackling and sparking with scarlet flames more like miniscule lightning storms than flame, clearly visible even through the neverending pall of emeral Soulfired drifting up from my fang-rimmed lower jaw atop my body.

[RULES FOR AMARANTHINE ANNIHILATOR, LEVEL 3]
>-With the Third Pristine Soul and Zagrath's willing cooperation, the gems can now independently leave Mordre's form, allowing targets completely outside of his line of sight to be hit, Zagrath acting as a mobile battery for the AA. Keep in mind that while the Amaranthine Annihilator will now charge even faster than before, it still cannot fire rapidly without losing almost all potency. Zagrath's soul, as the incorporeal anchor of the gems, can fly, increasing potential locations for the AA to strike from.


>>225038
>>225082
>>225084
[LOL OK]

Even as I turn about, satisfied that all pressing concerns are dealt with, looking to start the long work of digging out Mordreden, feasting on the souls trapped in the snow, my mind abruptly holds thoughts of a shape I now find familiar as Bang and Lorgk's eyes widen, even as I see Dulu finally wrest himself free from the snow slurry he had been immersed in.

"I have another job that needs attending to, Soul Grave... and you have found considerable means to modify your form. This is well, you shall be equipped for the task ahead, the Deep Spawn you have gained, and those yet to form, a valueble asset, considering their existence is proof the duress my form of travel causes, not bound in mortality."

My head whips about to face my front, my body having not yet turned about to face Lorgk and Bang, to find the floating, stillfaced body of Lenryt, A muted purple robe with intricate and devious patterns stitched in, with sleeves just a bit overlong, only fingertips visible from within their depths. An unsmiling face cocks to the side to regard me, deep red pulled into a tail sliding down a shoulder as a freckled face shifts in the light. More thoughts invade my mind.

"I shall explain some of my purpose, to preclude future questions. I intend to open a sister tower of the Mortal Coil in the Land Of Dragons, and expand the collective reach of its members. While I could force the other five Grand Mages to submit, I desire harmony within the Mortal Coil, so I seek an alternative. Chiefly, I must satisfy their requirement that the primary governing force of the Land of Dragons grant the right for such expansion by the coil first, before they will allow it. Currently, a civil war is exploding in the south lands, and there is no stable government for me to entreat, nor would the fiercely territorial citizens of the Land of Dragons allow an outsider such privileges. To this end, your task is two-fold:
-You must use your previously established ties to the mortal titled Fierce Dragon Lubu the Unparalleled, and gain service under his banner, as an aiding force.
-You must insure Lubu is successfully able to retain the title of High Dragon, of emperor, he gained by slaying the mortal Jade Dragon Luoga Shangod. To this end, you must also indebt Lubu to you over this time span.

In this manner, I can reveal myself as your benefactor, and use your incurred gratitude in the new emperor to secure the permissions and documentation I require. I will transport you, your yet-crafted supplicant Deep Spawn, and those yet to be you shroud yourself in, immediately if you accept. Should you prove successful in this endeavor, I shall grant you two boons to ask of me. Beyond this, I will likewise re-offer you a place as my vassel, with a position modeled to your performance during this venture.


The little girl floating in the air, reality ever so subtly tearing away from her, as if abhoring her touch, returns her head to its default cant, as a single eyebrow rises inquisitively.

"Will you accept my offered mission, Mordre?"


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 225154 ID: 445c48

I hate to leave Vimes after bugging him to meet us up, but this is one of those things that needs to be done...

Actually, it might be better for us to come fully loaded. Our premen, our trade-goods, all of that. We might need to stop at the Arcanoworks ANYWAYS so...
>>
No. 225156 ID: d3dfb8

Good to see you again Lenryt. Before I say yay or nay, if you happen to have any free time at some point would you mind getting a cup of coffee with me. Or perhaps a stroll on a beach, if you prefer.
>>
No. 225157 ID: e31d52

"Most certainly, Lenryt. You know how much I adore the battlefield."
>>
No. 225158 ID: 56dc25

>>225152
>I will transport you, your yet-crafted supplicant Deep Spawn, and those yet to be you shroud yourself in, immediately if you accept.
As a condition for our acceptance, she'll have to get rid of the avalanche still menacing the premen here. The deep spawn are currently rather occupied keeping them alive; we can't left and have our premen clan immediately all die because of it. And, hell, for that matter we were rather planning to gather up souls and blood iron left after this battle. Five minutes of conversation with our followers explaining that we're leaving and it might be a bit before we're back wouldn't hurt, either. Such a harsh word, "immediately".

Because while I want to work for Lenryt, I also want to make sure that our interests here are looked after. She can grant us power, sure, but we have a purpose as well. Undermining the latter while chasing the former would be self-defeating, at least in the short term.
>>
No. 225160 ID: b10c0e

First: 150+ Mordre? Yeah, someone needs to test drive him now.

Second:

"Mhm...to journey to the land of the dragons once more, to introduce myself properly to Lubu, to attempt to taste those legendary souls I smelt when I was there. Yes, this unending war would be a proper test ground and a proving ground both. However, would this journey be instantaneous? I have a lurking feeling that I have duties at my Arcanoworks that demand my attention and the thought of defeating all the Dragons aligned against the Fierce Dragon Unparalleled is more than a little daunting. And,” Rotate our head toward Bang. “I have friends and allies that would most enjoy locking fists with an army. May they join me on this journey?” Pause and rotate our head back to her. I wonder if juggling our eyes would make you smile again.

“And to be your vassal…I hope I am not too over hasty but I yet again decline. I am still learning about myself, as I am, and I still have goals that I would desire to achieve. Perhaps friend?”
>>
No. 225162 ID: e67080

Before/during our acceptance, I think there's something moreso in the long term we need to look at. Particularly since we are likely going to be gone awhile, and not able to give as much direct direction, even with our communication spawn.

Particularly, I think we need to use some of our money, and give Arkus the go ahead in our absence to extend our magical R&D from well.... Arkus, to the hiring of a few mages to help him out, or potentially join our side permanently. We need alot more done with Morphic Steel, and Arkus needs to allow other people to do the heavy lifting so he can actually study the tasks we asked of him. Plus, with us gone, he may not have 5 tasks added for every one he completes for once ;)

The biggest issue with the hiring of outside mages is not surprisingly loyalty. We don't want our secrets and knowledge sneaking out, especially since we have some scrutiny definitely occurring from the state.

However, I think this can be minimized since we know both Bang and Keddic have exposure to mages, Arkus may know some other trustworthy people, or maybe some form of loyalty could be enforced magically? or at least a test for intent, as we know that Dulu's could have restrictions placed on him.

Other long term concerns:
1) Premen, the Scarred Yeti still lives (though I suspect they could likely handle it with some support and a defensive posture)
2) Beyond R&D, do we want the soldier and such of the Arcanoworks being tooled for a particular task or use? should we focus on rising up mages, combat mages, or improving overall combat quality?
3) Any requests for our inventor? what about the assassin I believe is waiting at the arcanoworks we hired against Weshindo (or however its spelled), how do we deal with them and make them patient?
>>
No. 225169 ID: b10c0e

Oh, yes, two questions: Mordre, can you sense if any more souls reside in Goran's broken frame - I want to free Fekk and Nanal if possible, darn it.

And second, an idle thought: Is it possible for you to confer with the souls of those you've eaten? Some kind of Parliament of the Dead?
>>
No. 225174 ID: e31d52

>>225169
>And second, an idle thought: Is it possible for you to confer with the souls of those you've eaten? Some kind of Parliament of the Dead?

Who do you think WE are?
>>
No. 225177 ID: eaf5c7

>>225152
...There are no words to describe how much I love you right now. For giving us such wonderful abilities. Also, you left something out: mph for Blood-based Magnetomancy repair ala Bang and speed-enhancement (Noticeably slower, but it won't break us). And just a thing that worries me, we actually eat the material HANDS OF HUNGER erodes, don't we? We still have Abaeloth's ability to passively absorb physical matter when HANDS OF HUNGER is active?

And, yeah, accept going to the Land of Dragons. Though, there are things that need to be done: creating a portable 'identical location' for Burduko to teleport to for the World mage skins for Kyorto, and to port in support (perhaps the 10x10x10 boxes suggested a while back in the disc. thread formed from our Anti-Golem Rounds as a temporary measure?), talk to Arkus (get updates, give orders and information, suggest ideas on how to deal with everybody and everything, suggest that Del Rogo make some replacement armor for Oggroth and Ugrokk [they need to travel there since they now have different capabilities, also heal Ugrokk]), talk to Ellayia (get information, give money), talk to Jezebel (get information, tell her about the assembly line [for mass production], get her to train people so the assembly line can happen, try to obtain supplies for her and her crew), talk to Derkin (get information, give orders), talk to Dorgrum (get information, specifically about his opinion on Soul Graves eating souls, and what he knows of other Deep Spawns' opinions on Soul Graves eating souls), talk to Lorgk (same thing, same dealy, set up ruby/bronze/food trade between Mordreden and the Arcanoworks), set up tunnels from the mines to the surface, give over unwanted dead bodies to Eldghodd (same thing, same dealy), talk to Kyorto (same thing, same dealy), talk to Bang and Keddic (What he know about Blood Magic, specifically, White Blood Cells!), praise our precious and beloved Deep Spawn (yeah, praise them), and so many other things that I don't remember but other anons surely will (right? you must remember things that I have forgotten, you must have!).

The 'identical locations' things is really important. If we have that, then all Lenryt has to do is port us into the Land of Dragons, then Burduko can port there and back again to relay orders and information and people and other support. To Phohn (information and orders), if he can't reach us in the Land of Dragons (I would be seriously disappointed if that happened. He was doing so well too!).

>>225162
Yeah, we don't know what Phohn's range is. However, I have complete confidence in his ability to communicate with minds he has touched at any range. We just don't know about minds that he hasn't touched. We really need to talk with Arkus, too.
>>
No. 225180 ID: b10c0e

Random thought: Fur is always a valued resource. Maybe we can ask the Drazken lads for some fur trade? See if we can get people intrested in fuzzy hats, that's always a wonderful idea, he says remembering the part beaver skins played in history.
>>
No. 225183 ID: f36769

First we need to know how urgent this task is.
If we have still some time before going there, say like a month we could first visit the Isles and then Arcaneworks (of course we'll have to fight Eisenhardt there).
Then we can go to LoD
>>
No. 225187 ID: f36769

Hay maybe we can ask Lenryt a small favor?

Ask her to quickly transport Burduko to these locations: Western Isles, ArcaneWorks, Kyrorto Tower and Land of the Dragons.

Then we can freely travel to those places as we wish. After some time we could make same metal platforms in those places and be able to transport everyone freely :D
>>
No. 225197 ID: f36769

Oh and whatever we do, ask her to wait a bit while we collect the souls of the fallen.

...

Wait we still have unfinished business here.

....
....HOLY SHIT!!!!

The scarred yeti!
I THINK I KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO WITH GORANS ARM!
He's going to use it as "evidence" that HE was the one that killed him and will take the place of overchieftan while Drazken clan is recovering!

WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

And before you say that we have much more substantial evidence. People tend to believe the first thing and later, no matter how strong the evidence, they still hold on to the first belief. (Of course on the other hand we could count on Premen being smart not to trust Yetis since they know that they are lying scum .... but the Yeti are GOOD at being lying scum so there's that too)

Ask Lenryt to wait or help us locate the treacherous scum so that we can quickly deal with him!
>>
No. 225200 ID: 46c430

...Wait a tic.

>>224392

Looking at this... Lenryt just started a huge war. If we hadn't intervened, it's likely that there wouldn't have been so much potential death to be had. What does she have to gain by this? ...I think I've seen something like this before:

http://www.keiththompsonart.com/pages/collect.html

...Yeah, if Lenryt is anything like -that-... Bad juju.
>>
No. 225211 ID: 45be60

>>225197
...no, he really isn't. He is going to attach it to his stump and use it himself. Because he is a douche like that. But there is no way some yeti is going to get to be the chieftain of the premen with that story. The two races do not get along. It would be like Stonewall Jackson killing Abe Lincoln in single combat, then declaring himself President of the North. (though that WOULD make for an interesting setting...)


Really Lenryt, you last mission required immediate intervention because there were only minutes to spare, I understand that. But if Lubu cannot stay alive under his own power for another DAY, then he doesn't deserve the title and you should talk to whoever kills him. This sounds like a long term assignment, and we have obligations of our own. We will put our matters in order as fast as we can, then we will see what we can do to win you favor.
>>
No. 225214 ID: d3dfb8

>Stonewall Jackson killing Abe Lincoln in single combat, then declaring himself President of the North.

Don't go giving Bob ideas you.
>>
No. 225286 ID: a3af7f

Accept. After arriving in the Land of Dragons Burduko can travel back to Mordreden and make his way to the Arcanoworks. Then Mordre will have the ability to travel back and forth to quickly resolve minor matters if there is ever any spare time during the main Lenryt task.
Just check that Lenryt understands that Mordre may be multitasking while still doing his best to accomplish her mission.

Would be nice to bring Keddic as he's familiar with the place and the fighting styles.

Also a question for Lenryt - Is there a way to speed up Mordre's soul regeneration so that more deep spawn can be manifested?
>>
No. 225287 ID: a594b9

Tell Lenryt that we've got a problem. There is an Other inside us, who wants to take over our body. If she cannot help us with that, we might become a liability to her plans.
>>
No. 225300 ID: f3f953

>>225158
and give us the souls we missed. etc.
>>
No. 225301 ID: f3f953

ensure that Phohn tells everyone first.
>>
No. 225306 ID: f3f953

Also, ask if Bang can come.
>>
No. 225318 ID: 503c99

Burduko said he can transport things besides Mordre if the locations have a sameness.

So could you draw some sort of circle or design on the ground that could allow other members yo travel with you? Also if someone else but a symbol someplace Burduko has not been could he transport to there?
>>
No. 225320 ID: ddd48d
File 128352686640.png - (561.61KB , 1628x768 , Ulzrick.png )
225320

seems to me we need to do a lot of talking/negotiating before we decide on anything.
as long as Burduko comes with, then we can portal BACK after a quick look around while Mordreden gathers itself up. we can even prepare the caravan/send it off, then return again, having Burduko follow them. Once Burduko and the caravan reach the Arcanoworks, we can port back (hopefully discreetly, maybe a few miles away) then handle that business, then when we "sleep" we will be in The Land of Dragons. The portal room could be a good place for us to pretend to store ourself (lol) as we would keep that closed off anyways. seem like a good idea?

tl;dr lets make sure we have leeway to manage our life before attending to Lenryt's

pic maybe related? er... :<
>>
No. 225399 ID: 5f0943

Writan some dialogue, doubt it'll do any good but what the hell:
"Ah, Lenryt. Long time no see. I'll let you know straight away that I have no intention of refusing the task you want me to do, after all, the previous endeavor you sent me on was quite beneficial on my part.
However, I would like to inquire if I would be given time to deal with some matters that might require my attention first. A few days gone would surely not put any significant dents in the plan I hope? Also, would it be to prudent to ask for the removal of the large quantities of snow that has ended up outside 'Mordreden' as a consequence of an avalanche as an additional condition for my service?
And for your offer as a vassal, wherever it be in the present or future, is a matter that require thorough thinking through."

There, hope I didn't waste my time writing it. Also, at our current, new found, speed, it shouldn't take us long to go mostly alone to the arcanaworks and deal with the matters quickly.
We should take our travel spawn with us on the way, and before we leave, maybe we should make a platform out of bronze (A large platform, big enough for someone to stand on) in Mordreden (using our magnetomancy) and then make an exact copy at the arcanaworks (if there is not enough Bronze there, we take the required amount with us) That way, we can transport people easily between Mordreden and the Arcanaworks.
>>
No. 225406 ID: 445c48

About how far is the Land of Dragons from, say, the Arcanoworks?
>>
No. 225411 ID: 445c48

>>225399
We should use our ACG shells to make the platforms, all six, rather than bronze.

Also runes of some sort will probably help I don't know.
>>
No. 225415 ID: a3f480

...And, I thought there were 7 Grand Elder Mages, not 6? Unless Lenyrt counts as two, which I wouldn't put past her...

Also, the Anti-Golem Rounds could be used to make the 'identical locations' thing for Burduko. Just don't use all of the rounds; we might want to use the Anti-Golem Cannon, and it would make it simpler for us if we could make more than one at a time (yeah, yeah, I know, we could use carried rounds, but once the stock is depleted, we would have to wait until all the rounds are regenerated to make the locations. And it might be best if we made them, since we have an eidetic memory and all).
>>
No. 225423 ID: b10c0e

>>225415
It only takes hours for us to make new rounds, possibly less. We can make them while we handle clean up or 'meet and greet with the Land of the Dragon's Most Dangerous'.
>>
No. 225486 ID: a3f480

>>225423
The wiki says 30min with dedicated Magnetomancy use, which I shall assume is Will-based Magnetomancy and with only one Soul Nexus, and three hours without. Blood-based Magnetomancy and two Soul Nexuses probably cuts that down even further. So, I'm not particularly against using the AGC rounds for the 'identical locations', just against using all six of the rounds, since we might face opponents in the Land of Dragons where and when Lenryt 'ports us to that we would want to use the AGC on. I mean, using the rounds stored on Mordre's back/sides or just a few of the rounds in the storage chamber, that would be fine. I just don't want an empty AGC.
>>
No. 225489 ID: 445c48

>>225486
Well, I didn't mean right before a fight or something. But normally, we totally could. The bigger the platform, the more stuff that could be moved, after all.

There's always the possibility that even this might be "same" enough for the Deep Spawn to do that voodoo that he does so well, we might need some runes or some such.
>>
No. 225490 ID: d3dfb8

>>225486
Shots reform simultaneously, not consecutively.
>>
No. 225512 ID: a3f480

>>225490
>>225489
...I feel like we are having different conversations.

What I meant to say was: making the 'identical locations' before Lenryt 'ports us over to the Land of Dragons with the AGC rounds is a good idea. However, if she 'ports us into a battle (it is likely, helping Lubu in battle would give us some more goodwill to use so that we would be in a position to ask Lubu for the tower and to ingratiate people who weren't at the Core Being Host battle, more than just appearing in camp or something), where we might want to fire the AGC, we do not want to empty the AGC. If we are not being put into a battle immediately or nearly immediately, my objections are moot, since we could could regenerate the lost rounds fairly quickly. I would support using all the rounds then, since there would be more room with six rounds worth of metal than just one/two/three/four/five rounds; more space to transport in/out support.
>>
No. 225513 ID: 903f16

We need the rubies in our possession to be sent down to the Arcanoworks so Arkus has proper funding during our leave to The Dragon Lands. Hopefully we'll have time to do it ourselves, but if we can't we'll need to arrange a caravan to guard that incredible amount of wealth. Beyond that we really need to arrange a regular trade route between our two holdings so that both have a regular supply of the others resources. We should probably have a quick chat with Lorgk and Arkus (via Phohn) to iron this out, maybe we can get it going once a month.
>>
No. 225554 ID: a3f480

>>225320
...And you tell me what I should have realized. Yeah, we don't really need to make things before Lenryt 'ports us, since we could just make an 'identical location' in the Land of Dragons, have Burduko 'port us to Mordreden, and make an 'identical location' then. 'Course, if we are plopped straight into a battle, I want to give Bang some serious fighting to do immediately.
>>
No. 225558 ID: 445c48

>>225512
Yeah, I was just talking about platform construction in general, not Right Now construction.
>>
No. 225573 ID: f3f953

While you speak with Lenryt, use Geomancy to make a nice patch of flat land around you with a 'M' motif in the center.

That will be your basic tele-point until you can make a more permanent one.
>>
No. 225581 ID: a76809
File 128357251645.jpg - (245.44KB , 1200x856 , POLITICAL MILITARY OR OTHER OPTION.jpg )
225581

>>225513
I try to form thoughts, but before I can voice them, I find answers in my mind to questions to be.

"Ah. A bag of assorted corundum. In the village. It is to be had by the human servant? It is done, inside the Arcanoworks. This matter is settled.

>>2255486
[Well, here's the thing. With Blood magic AND soul nexus number two, you can perform Geomancy with one soul nexus and Magnetomancy with the other, drawing ores to you through the soil and stone passively, while still having main Blood Casting, to devote to magically amplifying via Blood Magnetomancy. With magic so diverted, ammunition could be generated infinitely assuming cooperative climates, with alacritous ammo regeneration. You're looking at four or five minutes a shot now, with your need to find and manually consume Ore largely subverted by this new magic combo possible. And while doing it in battle with full force, it weaponizes, the earth beneath Mordre breaking, rupturing as metal shards and javelins of ore rocket forth to feed Mordre's form. So there's that, which is the next best thing to some combat magic...oh, which you can now learn from souls, since you now have both a Hand and Body point, all the necessary bits that a mortal would develop for nearly all forms of the Winding Way, insofar as left handed fist strikes. With more soul nexus, you could eventually get enough to learn more broadly of combat magic. Or you could become the Left Handed God of the Fist, if you feel like it.]

>>225415
[Yeah, that was from info from a different secret bonus set. Anyway, as a head's up, there are now only six living Grand Elder Mages. One tried to kill Lenryt after several machinations were dismantled, and in self defense Lenryt slew her, making her not only the first person to kill a Grand Elder Mage, but a child that killed two.... politics have not gone great for her in the council of the Mortal Coil, even though it was self defense, to a degree. So she is trying to build a better power base to re-establish herself in the Mortal Coil, and extend it's reach at the same time, as an organization she is ultimately part of controlling. Which needs the Land of Dragon thing, which leads to this.]

>>225406
[About 15,600 miles to the south, including a sandy as all hell, shifting desert (Bang's home), all AFTER passing through another few of the Warring States, including the Golden League, where the largest neutral Colosseum and dueling pits exist. THEN your reach the massive desert, then the Land of Dragons, and on the FAR end of that is Lubu's part, the capital. A few wars need to be run through to do all that.]

>>225399
Your thoughts are perceived, and your wrought method of articulation is unnecessary."

With a THUMP that sends shivers up my legs, the snow compacts, until the entire mountainside is ultimately a thin layer of snow atop ice, the bodies, souls and magics trapped in their crystal-like embrace. The ice's surface is pitted, and rough, the snow mixing to form oddly usable footing, even as I finally see Dorgrum biting himself free of the ice. Mordreden's walls feed straight into the surrounding sheet of ice, as well as to the stone of the mountainside beneath, and I see the ever-opportunistic Mingsk shouting to shaman, ordering some casting-I suspect he intends to not only magically link the ice to the Wall itself, but to catch some vestige of Lenryt's casting, even if a bare ghost, along with the yeti magic, and premen souls. A potent melange to work with.

>>225306
>>225286
I start considering what I shall need to build a teleport cage, some pair of identical enormous containers to bring myself, a small group, or several artillery sized items, something for Burduko to work with when bringing us where he's been. Lenryt's mouth quirks, just slightly, so little I doubt I would of caught it without my so recently augmented vision, the barest twitch of flesh.

"So the Well of Souls with a human face needs a pair of items? Then the first:"

A massive box of wrought steel appears, engravings of my own form embossed in it's side, in some kneeling to the figure of Lenryt. My Magnetomantic senses already tell me the walls are soundly built, a full foot thick, able to carry any weight, eighteen feet tall, forty wide and twenty five deep, a domed roof with from opening doors, their hinges hidden withen, and heavily reinforced. An excellent item, of considerable scale, and I suspect she simply formed it on the spot. ...Again, I find her raw ability to completely eschew the general laws of physics, those that I find inference to in many of my internal spell matrices wherein spatial geometry, projectile motion physics and the like come into play, to be utterly terrifying. The fact that while whenever she appears I have yet to even sense her soul, other than feeling her as a core, some tiny heart of a being much more immense being, is equally daunting.

"It is well you seem to analyze your situation with a credible attempt at objectivity. I wondered if your recent heavy dealings with sustaining an image had started to erode some semblance of human mental frailties into you... it seems for now you are still outside of such an impediment.

>>225300
I reflexively desire the souls trapped in the ice, more than a thousand potential pieces to add to my horde, and-

"No, I will not grant a boon to you now, I only act to remove your hesitation. Your Deep Spawn were supporting the walls of mortal interests and vassals of your own, so the situation was stabilized such that you suffer no loss by having your spawn travel immediately."

>>225287
I start to think of the Other within me, and-

"I am aware he is there, how else would you be? I shall do nothing about this. It can act to some degree as guaranty that your image will survive in the Land of Dragons, as the Master of Sorrow was a Legendary Soul mage. He could likely hold his own against Dragons, with the alterations you wrought. And he could be offered the very task I offer you, if it comes to it. So I shall do nothing, and let it be insurance, of a sort."

>>225386
>>225187
>>225180
My thoughts start slipping back to transportation issues, as I consider-

"Ah, to insure appropriate access to established resources. Yes, as this would boos your capacity, I shall do this."
Administrator Mordre, Burduko has been relocated-and returned. He reports he traveled to multiple locations.
"A capable staff you have acquired, more so once all are born. Burduko was present at the Arcanoworks, Some distance from the port on Gialgorra's Island inside a cave, and to the entrance to the tower Kyorto the Mosmordren Soul mage yet duels within as a persisting spirit. long enough to form an image and establish as sense of existence with the place. I have placed a perfect replica of this box at all these locations. I shall craft a final for the set upon transportation, into which you shall follow after Burduko, who I will bring with me into the Land of Dragons. That should insure maximal mobility to your collective. Your complaint is removed."

Lenryt turns her head slightly, as I see a cheek dimple by a hair in profile, otherwise composed.

"And should you establish trade such that an array of yeti pelt fur hats become available.... I would not mislike one."

>>225177
[It is the hands and body both that absorb matter, even if only the hands reflexively tear at anything in range. So the physical absorption from before is still present, under the hands, which also feast on matter.]

>>225169
I reach towards Goran's remains with my senses-

"You shall find nothing. Organic Wells of Souls do not preserve their inhabitants, they graft them onto their one existence, one massive soul. There will be nothing to be found, of those Goran feasted on. ...And I believe it would be possible for you to speak to the souls within you. Interesting idea to wish, considering the vast majority are being burned as your method of feeding on their existence within your metaphysical Crucible of Souls. Though perhaps the Heroic Souls offer more interest. I suppose I could perform such as a boon, but it is my estimation you could accomplish this on your own, with sufficient use of present resources. It shall be a spur for personal growth."

>>225174
>Who do you think WE are?

"The snarling writhing bits of Chaos from the Void, let in by the Curse's disruption of the System about the Caged One, letting magic both flare, and spread too thin in its expansion. You are some piece of Mordre's persona, though it seems due to your nature If I made Mordre aware of you, I would be introducing him to too many existential concerns, considering his copilot in the Soul Grave. Now cease prattling about yourselves, Mordre frequently loses efficiency when I note your collective communicating amongst itself excessively, you leech some of the Soul Grave's processing power in the process."

I felt thoughts enter my mind, I can recognize Lenryt's invasion now, at least when looking for it, but I could not perceive the thoughts... what happened?

>>225211
>>225197
My mind abruptly starts to fester about the yeti, his attacks on Mordreden, and his recent theft of Goran's flesh, after seeing my Other side.

"Ah, the yeti Trollzaru, elder shaman of a vast collective. ...This is incorrect, he intends to use the flesh to convert himself into the yeti equivalent of Goran. He believes to have found a method of Soul manipulation and crafting that will let him quickly leapfrog to Goran's scale and evolution, and steal some vestige of his magical reserves. This I will not help you with beyond clarifying your threat, it is yours to deal with, unless you are willing to spend a boon on it."

>>225200
I briefly consider the impending death this war I, and by extension Lenryt helped cause. As I ponder this, I briefly consider how at odds this is with what I understand of the system, and the Deep Spawn. ...Maybe she somehow could feed off-

[Moment of Inspiration!]
[+1 PRISTINE SOUL TOTAL REMAINING: 02]
>[Bonus soul in it if you can figure out why she wants to eat souls, and bonus relationship boost with Lenryt possible.]

"You prove to have a capable intuitive thought process. Perhaps you could serve off the battlefield as well... very well, you shall have the option of landing into a military or a political arena to make an entrance, from inside your War Carrier, with your Deep Spawn Burduko preceding you, rather than my own choosing. And just as a Soul Grave does, ultimately I too act to deprive the Caged One of the runoff of loose souls slowly fraying and diffusing away in the wake of mortal death. This will be much less damaging to the System than it could be, and ultimately if Lubu effects leadership with you in a position of confidant, ultimately part of your mission's goal, you could insure the following years see an improvement to population growth with economic growth supporting it. The loss could pale to the gain."

>>225162
>>225160
>>225157
>>225156
>>225154
"So, you shall now have the means to maintain other ventures, claiming time spent at other locations downtime, possibly for remodeling of your Soul Grave or personal System of control, to maintain your cover. This should suffice to cover you earlier complaints ably, and with the Deep Spawn likewise freed, I ask you this: Do you prefer a political or a military environment to appear in? I have a method of arrival catered to each, as well as an appropriate setting for each. If choosing Political, I shall bring only your two present Mortal companions, and if he agrees to it, the semi-mortal Dulu. If choosing Military, I will bring Lorgk and a melange of premen as well. Now make your choice, as the period during which I can offer both options simultaneously will exist for only fifteen more seconds."



POLITICAL or MILITARY or STERNLY REFUSE???
>>
No. 225590 ID: f6b553

Military.

"Very well. It is time for the Gift Horse Golem to return."
>>
No. 225596 ID: 732129

Forged in war the Gift Horse Golem has proven equally terrifying in the political arena at home. Now we shall see how he fares in the political climate abroad!

POLITICAL
>>
No. 225597 ID: f3f953

Che, I would love political, but I think these guys (Bang primarily) need more bloodshed to make it so.

Military for the moment.
While you think top answer Lenryt, think to Phon to tell everyone to prepare for battle immediately.

For the people who don't come tell them that [phone operator voice] they were not selected to participate, please improve your capabilities so that you may be selected for the next. Good day.
>>
No. 225598 ID: d3dfb8

Military is what we were designed for, and it also provides the opportunity to pick up some nice souls. I don't think we should take the premen though, they might be needed here. I would like to take our ex-suitors though.
>>
No. 225599 ID: e67080

Think this- "Though I may be of quite the mind as you say, I do but house it in a siege weapon of great destruction you must agree. Send me to the Military situation, so I may return and get you a particularly fashionable scarred yeti hat in the best amount of time."
>>
No. 225605 ID: d3dfb8

>>225581
>I have yet to even sense her soul, other than feeling her as a core, some tiny heart of a being much more immense being
She's not really here, it's just either a physical representation or a small piece of the much larger being.
>>
No. 225606 ID: 445c48

Political.

Not only does the Land of Dragons have a whole bunch of stuff that can seriously mess us up, but hey we already have a decent militaristic foundation with Lubu. And we just got done with a war.

'sides, Lorgk probably needs to do stuff, now that Goran's dead, I'm sure he can expand greatly.

If Political votes win, we might want to say something quickly to Bang and Keddic, "Well, Off to the Land of Dragons" or something so they're not TOO stunned by the quick jump.
>>
No. 225608 ID: 903f16

>>225581
Political. Bringing Lorgk is probably a bad idea considering he has a lot of work to do now that Goran is gone. If she can do military, but let Lorgk stay here then that will be alright.
>>
No. 225610 ID: 903f16

>>225608
Oh yeah and who else thinks we should get Lenryt a Trollzaru skin hat? We can make it all fancy and use his scarred skin as a patch and sew it onto the hat. Gift wrap it and add a bow, then we give it to her the next time we see her.
>>
No. 225611 ID: 45be60

I would be in favor of a rehashing of our previous entrance, just so there can be no doubt that this is the same golem. We do look considerably different now.
>>
No. 225624 ID: 56dc25

I want more politics in my life to spice things up between massively destructive battles. Political situation. You know we'll improve it because we're just like that famous advice for writers- when in doubt, have a man come in the door with a gun. Or have a golem teleport in with a wide assortment of death-dealing equipment specifications and magical abilities. Either works.

>>225610
Shit yeah, we should. We're not going to do anything else with his skin, and who wouldn't want to give Lenryt presents?

>>225611
No one with the status of a Legendary Soul is going to be fooled by our appearance change, and the Fierce Dragon is the one who matters. He'll know us and everyone else will fall in line.
>>
No. 225631 ID: 732129

Hey what about the premen maker with the soul problem?
>>
No. 225636 ID: 903f16

>>225631
What about her? She's bound to Mordreden and can't leave. I mean I suppose we could ask Lenryt about how to fix that. In the mean time we should probably tell Lorgk to send someone out to her tent to go talk to her once in a while. Even if no one can see or respond to her at least having people come in to say some things would ease her suffering and perhaps delay insanity due to isolation.
>>
No. 225638 ID: a69afd

>>225581
Political. It is true that we are made for war, and we would no doubt be successful even if thrust straight from one battlefield to the next- we must not forget that our buisness in the land of dragons must be made clear. We have a direct purpose within the unending conflict, and we would be wise to give Lubu a headsup before we put our guns on. That, and we absolutely need to bring Keddic and Bang.
>>
No. 225644 ID: 33882a

Voting for political. Our premen must attend to the villiage. Besides, I have no doubt that we'll find ourselves in a fight anyways. We should bring Bang and Keddic along, leave Dulu unless he really wants to go.
>>
No. 225646 ID: a76809
File 128357862773.jpg - (162.06KB , 581x800 , Land Of Dragons Lubu recieves gift from Iron Drago.jpg )
225646

>>225644
>>225638
>>732129
My mind turns towards Heol, and for the briefest of moments I see a frown on Lenryt's face.

"The soul will persist, and in time, may be weaned from its dependence on a useless body."

>>225596
>>225606
>>225608
>>225624
I consider the merits of war, but ultimately, I just finished a series of strife, and Lorgk is direly needed here in Mordreden. Perhaps it is time to work out my silver tongue.

"The Choice is made."

I find myself standing in the exact center of the steel box Lenryt crafted, Keddic and Bang to either side of me, with the Deep Spawn save Burduko arrayed about me. I feel something shifting, warping, squeezing, and the doors of the War Carrior open onto a wholly new scene, a backdrop of walls hundred of feet high, a massive rent cleaving through them, seen from within a palatial residence. Around me are naught but officers dressed in their more ornate garb, some still busy fussing about an individual wholly garbed in armor who strides a horse inside, the rider undoubtedly Lubu, the immense weight of his soul unmistakable. He barely even turns his helmed head my way before airily waving his hands at the sudden sight of Burduko before me, the eight Deep Spawn behind my and the pair of Keddic and Bang Before me. He speaks so calmly I visibly witness the nerves of nearby soldiers settle.

"No no, settle down, its the Gift-Horse-Golem, and he regrettably does not seem to have come to pick a fight. Well, considering your last aid, maybe you can serve in this: I recently received a gift from Iron Dragon Zuon the Armorsmith, a prodigal craftsmen, in the form of this armor here, including what my Red here bears. Some of my vassals won't stop pestering me, claiming that, as the money came from Thoughtful Dragon Kunna the Swift, I should suspect a trap built into its form, but I'm wearing it, and nothing bad's happening. Can you maybe talk some sense into them? ...You can still talk without a jaw, yes?"



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 225650 ID: f3f953

This guy is... amazing for lack of a better word or set of words.
>>
No. 225652 ID: e67080

I guess if we are going this route, we should quickly drop our previous act of being almost an automation. Or at least claim improvements from last time such that control is extremely improved.

Although no matter what were going to have an issue if we explain too much, as the others definitely know what happened here last time.

I don't exactly know how we are going to talk sense into them, silver tongue maybe, or maybe something like giant cannon and blades of death that can be fired or used close range.

If we had an armorsmith we could likely check the armor, but I doubt this is available. Because this could be a trap potentially. If so, the trap is going to maybe be more subtle than just putting it on, on this level of combat even just slowing down his movements could be enough.

I dunno, im a bit too paranoid maybe?
>>
No. 225653 ID: f6b553

Oh god

uh

shit

We have to uphold two different...

OH

"Gift horse..." say this in Common, as if in wondering, then suddenly get a brainwave and begin speaking in their tongue. "Lu Bu, it is an honor to meet you, even if it was not in person. This golem belongs to me, the Mage Mordre, and I had it sent along to this area before. Unfortunately, my communications system failed me, so I was forced to quickly come up with some simple programming." think for a moment. "A trap built into one's armor is most devious, but oerhaps the trap is not in wearing but in the removal. Certainly if you cannot remove the armor then many issues soon arrive, sapping one's strength and endurance over time as sleep becomes difficult. Allow me to examine the armor in more detail with Magnetomancy."

Do so.

If trapped:
"Well, it seems your friends are most correct. I can remove the armor but it will be most delicate. Please remain still."

If not trapped:
"Fear not, for the gift was in good faith. You are lucky to have such paranoid men about you, however, for the arrow that kills you is the one that goes unseen, correct?
>>
No. 225654 ID: f3f953

Check it with Magnetomancy, check it with geomancy, peer into it with your penchant for soul magic and look for inconsistencies.
>>
No. 225655 ID: e67080

>>225653
ah, thank you person who can think with magnetomancy... as I forget such obviously useful things in political panic.
>>
No. 225656 ID: 903f16

>>225646
Hm, could we perhaps contact Arkus and through him contact Del Roga? We could ask him about things to look for and what he himself would do if making trapped armor. Unless Mordre doesn't know that Del Roga is there yet, then scrap the idea all together and just examine it with Magnetomancy.
>>
No. 225658 ID: a76809

AND NOW FOR THE ROLL:

Roll a d10. Next post after this with a d10 roll will be the one used. If 7 or above, Dulu came along.
>>
No. 225662 ID: 903f16

rolled 9 = 9

>>225658
Here goes nothing.
>>
No. 225663 ID: f3f953

>>225662
YYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

wait... is that a good thing?
>>
No. 225665 ID: e67080

>>225663
eh, its arguable
Plusses:
-Dulu is pretty damn awesome. Adds another powerful combat person.
-Opportunity to learn things Dulu knows, he may have a wellspring of knowledge in an area our other members lack.
-Opportunities to switch alignment of Dulu from vaguely positive to loyal towards us.
-Curiosity as to why Dulu wants to come along at all.

Negatives
-Also opportunity to mess up relationship with Dulu.
-Dulu is more of a wild card, he could decide to act on his own moreso than with us.
>>
No. 225666 ID: 732129

>>225646

Iron Dragon Zuon's armor is worth nothing if no one trusts his work. If such a trap were built into the armor, it would tarnish his reputation with anyone who would commission anything from him in the future. Unless such a trap alone were enough to secure Zuon's status permanently, without regard for the loss in business, respect, and trust, it would not pay for him to make it.
>>
No. 225679 ID: b10c0e

Check it with everything we have, not just magntomancy, and see if we can still use our ability to see through illusions to pierce any cunningly hidden mechanism.

>>225653
I like this, but I don't even know if we need to say that we've changed. However, we should introduce Bang and Keddic.

"Fierce Dragon Lubu The Unparalleled, may I introduce Sir Keddic Harksburton the 4th and Heir to the WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON and Magnum Bang The Human Dynamo, Annihilator Of Armies, Smasher Of Sieges, Cracker Of Castles. Both are steadfast allies and proud warriors both. As for your armor, I would assume that you have checked it, your courtiers have checked it and I would assume that some one wore this before you to be assured that it wouldn't trigger? Of course, I doubt anything would kill you, but I will check the armor for you if you desire."
>>
No. 225680 ID: 732129

>>225679

Logically it wouldn't pay for the armor to be booby trapped. We can have Del check it though if he wants to be sure. Del's a master smith, and has no ties here that we're aware of.
>>
No. 225684 ID: e67080

>>225679
oh, and since Dulu is coming also.

May I also welcome Dulu, The Golemslayer, Golemslain and Golemforged. Both my rival and ally, his loyalty to his values only equal to his ferocity when we dueled.
>>
No. 225687 ID: 45be60

Eh, it's not even hard to explain why we are going to start talking now. Obviously the Gift Horse Golem has been upgraded since he last saw him. One of the upgrades was an improved communication method. Now instead of issuing the golem awkward commands in an attempt to relay information, we have learned how to speak through it directly.

"Initializing. Destination Confirmed. Reticulating Splines. Please hold for communication..."

"Ah, Masterful Lubu. Indeed, my newly upgraded golem can not only still speak, but it can do so without the inelegant need to route communication through the golem's sadly insufficient natural intelligence. Allow me to introduce myself."

Oh, and don't speak the language perfectly. We are not a native speaker after all. Mess up the occasional verb tense. Have an accent. Be foreign.
>>
No. 225691 ID: f4e4f9

>>225646
...

I hate unflappability. Oh well.

Cock your head.

"Well, I truth be told, I half expected a bit more telling a reaction. I suppose given my records of your unflappability last time, I should have expected as much. Well, regarding your armor..."

Scan it with every sense you have, Zagrath, Magnetomancy, Geomancy, etc. You have all the key magics to thoroughly analyze metals. If its trapped, say thus:

"Well, there IS something. I can attempt to disarm it, if you'll hold hold still for it (Gesture to the IG if magical, or use magic if it's a typical trap)."

If not trapped:

"It seems the armor poses no threat...well, save to your enemies, I suppose. Thats an awfully large number of spikes, haha."
>>
No. 225694 ID: f3f953

An if it is trapped and you can't do anything about it.

"Well I have detected something, but it seems that the functions available via this golem are insufficient. *describe what you found*.
>>
No. 225704 ID: 903f16

I think we should go for malfunctioning instead of an upgrade because if we said upgrade that may raise issues with Bang. He was around us when we were transported to The Land of Dragons and had heard us speak through the golem prior to that. We even told him where we had disappeared to and he can likely remember the date and this discrepancy would likely raise even more questions in his mind. Therefore we should just stick to something simple like "My golem's communication system gets a bit clunky once it and I are separated so far away."
>>
No. 225708 ID: f4e4f9

>>225704
Agreed
>>
No. 225712 ID: a3f480

So... has our soul recovered enough that we could hatch another Deep Spawn now? We could use one of our Deep Spawn to perhaps reveal hidden things, maybe?

Anyways, get Burduko familiarizing himself with the surroundings. I want him to be able to transport us anywhere in this place at any time directly. Phohn should be eavesdropping on every piece of sound he can, sending it to us but lowly enough that the sheer volume won't overwhelm us so that we can review the information at a more opportune time to gain more information, and act as translation (for Keddic, Dulu, and Bang. Unless they don't need it?)and telephone sevice again. I don't know about the other Deep Spawn.

On Lenryt... well, eating and merging with the souls eaten empowers oneself, like as with Goran. Does the eating of souls has to do with the boon given before we fought Verther? She gave up a piece of her soul, she said, and she didn't exchange that with a piece of our soul. Since giving up pieces of one's soul, like with what happened with us when we hatched our Deep Spawn, lessens one's magical potency, perhaps she is trying to make up for what she gave us? By being like a combination of Soul Graves and Goran, eating the souls of the dead and dominating and merging with the souls to gain power and strength? But, she is a super-sized entity (the power of, or actually the soul of a planet), couldn't she kill a few random peasants and repair her soul that way? Unless I am vastly underestimating the how much power one needs to give up to give a Soul Grave a firm grasp of Magnetomancy, she doesn't need a war, with its massive amount of death. She just needs to eat a small village.
>>
No. 225713 ID: ab4927

Let's not go with a fake Mordre persona or the super-logical golem act we used in front of Lubu before. We're going to have to work with this man, Bang, Keddic and many others so we must seem capable and logical while projecting the aura and confidence of a leader and politician able to understand those around us.

Give his armor a quick scan with magnetomancy and all that for any obvious design faults in its movement range and all that and if there are no faults reply:

"Lubu, I don't sense any crude flaws in your armor's design, but I will gladly share my thoughts on this matter. While I do not know Iron Dragon Zuon the Armorsmith or Thoughtful Dragon Kunna the Swift I doubt someone known for his superb armorsmithing would craft a deliberately flawed creation that could forever tarnish his name. If there is anything like a trap then it is far more subtle. Thoughtful Dragon Kunna the Swift and his allies may simply prefer to know the exact strength and capabilities of your armor rather than be faced with an unknown. Knowing the strength of your enemy is important in any conflict."
>>
No. 225717 ID: a3f480

And, right, what happened to Lumingo the Blademaster? His soul is located in our body as well, shouldn't that be included in the Body Soul Nexus, too?

Also, maybe we should use Blood Magic Magnetomancy on ourself constantly? Starting after we use it to examine Lubu's armor? Bob did say the more we use it, the more the Blood Iron will synchronize, making our form more enhanced when controlled by Mordre.
>>
No. 225718 ID: f36769

Turn on the BLOOD FLOW.
Use both soul nexuses to enhance our our magic.
Boost senses with a few souls if need be.
Use Zagrath the unseen and our rubies.
Use all available magic schools to us.

Use all of these to enhance our senses and do a deep detailed scan on the armor.

Maybe Velada and Phohn can sense something from armor.
Maybe the trap is not something lethal but some kind of a bug that can listens in? Phohn would be able to sense that.

Then ask who Iron Dragon Zuon the Armorsmith and Thoughtful Dragon Kunna the Swift are and his relationships with them. These could prove to be vital information.

If we can't find anything right now, we should haul Del Roga and Arkus here. Remember how deep Dulus traps were? We can't take chances here...
Oh, and Jojo, we forgot about him. He could use his soul-dreaming magic to see whats what. And another thing about Jojo, we must send him to Arcaneworks or send Ulzrick to him, he is his apprentice anyway, he needs training.
>>
No. 225719 ID: f36769

>>225717
>Also, maybe we should use Blood Magic Magnetomancy on ourself constantly?

You mean the blood flow?
Yes, I wanted to give the same proposition but forgot about it. Do that.
It also requires immense concentration to use. If we use it constantly we will become used to it and wont have to devote so much power towards it, I think.
>>
No. 225741 ID: f36769

>It can act to some degree as guaranty that your image will survive in the Land of Dragons, as the Master of Sorrow was a Legendary Soul mage. He could likely hold his own against Dragons, with the alterations you wrought.

What is she talking about?
And who the hell is Master of Sorrow, a Legendary Soul mage?
>>
No. 225767 ID: 9338f5

>And who the hell is Master of Sorrow, a Legendary Soul mage?

probally the Archmage of mosmordre.

also did we or the loli cosmic horror tell the premen what that yeti basterd was planing on trying with goran's arm? if not we should warn them

also for speaking with lubu i would suggest mentioning we have had a substancial mental upgrade to explain the whole sentient/sapient golem thing
>>
No. 225841 ID: f36769

Go with the same Mordre mage persona route when introducing ourself with Lubu rather then trying to explain that the golem has better intelligence now.
>>
No. 225845 ID: a594b9

>>225767
>telling the premen what Trollzaru was planning
I guess we could do that via phohn. Also, uh. I'm glad I brought up the topic with Lenryt; this confirms that the Other is not a Deep Spawn or anything weird like that. He's human. I guess it's possible that he artificially Restricted his soul in order to gain all that power, though... so that he would be kindof a Deep Spawn AND a regular human soul.
>>
No. 225846 ID: 56dc25

Guys, this armor was made by Iron Dragon Zuon the Armorsmith. The relevant part being "Dragon". If a legendary soul who specialized in the creation of armor wanted a suit of armor with a subtle, undetectable trap in it, he'd be able to make it and no moderately skilled magnetomancer, geomancer, or what have you is going to be able to see through his working. Our task here is not to determine if the armor is actually trapped, but rather to convince people that it is not, knowing nothing about the situation. Don't offer to check it, or bother doing so beyond the obvious; our task here relies upon persuasiveness and logic, not our magical or physical prowess.

And we don't need to offer any sort of explanation for how or why we can talk more fluently now. Just do so and act as though that is of course normal and completely expected. We only have to justify it if someone comments or questions, and I doubt Fierce Dragon will do so. Don't worry about maintaining personas, just go with what we need to do and let others question later. Our name is Mordre, should it be asked; that is enough.

>>225691
Fierce Dragon isn't necessarily unflappable, he's just supremely confident- and with good reason. Very few, perhaps none that he has encountered, can match him in power. What frightens the man who can deal with all his problems with a wave of his hand?

>>225666
>>225713
This sort of logic is what we need here. It's not "Is the armor trapped?", but rather "What would the Iron Dragon gain by trapping the armor as compared to making an honest gift, and is it worth the credibility he'd spend?" A trap in the armor would have to be an absolutely certain thing- certain to kill the Fierce Dragon and certain to secure the Iron Dragon's power when it does so. Unless both criteria are met, trapping the armor would be a foolish thing- and the Iron Dragon, I presume, is no fool nor patsy of the Thoughtful Dragon.
>>
No. 225850 ID: a3f480

>>225666
...Huh, is that a DEVIL BONUS I see?
>>
No. 225851 ID: b10c0e

I favor our Mordre personality in introduction, by way of >>225653 or rather just acting as if nothing happened. Lubu The Unparalleled will never be shocked by anything and might not even bright it up. If he does, we can give him a nice, long, technoarcana-babble filled talk about our long distance golem control.


>>225741
>>225767
>When I was still bound to a master, before the fall of Mosmordre, the emperor was a man titled 'Master Of Woe'.... I also recall him being called the 'War Feaster'. I do not believe I ever heard this individuals actual name, though.

First Thread, and one of our big 'ah-ha!' moments about the nature of our soul later.
>>
No. 225860 ID: b10c0e

>>225846
This. This one I agree with. I would also cast some doubt on the courtiers, too. Something about why would they try to direct you to a confrontation with both Iron Dragon Zuon and Thoughtful Dragon Kunna.
>>
No. 225870 ID: 5f0943

>>225846
I agree with you completely 56dc25. You make sense.
>>
No. 225880 ID: a76809
File 128362142939.jpg - (280.09KB , 1133x750 , Land Of Dragons Lubu Huaow Objects to Gift Horse G.jpg )
225880

>>>225471
[She was talking about the Other in you, who had, among other titles, the moniker 'Master of Sorrow' while alive. Said Other was a Legendary Soul Mage, or one would assume from her words, and is still of such caliber in death, as trapped inside a metal shell the soul is largely sheltered from decay, as is the entire function of Small Tombs. And she meant she wouldn't remove it because the Other is let loose by sufficient damages to Mordre while using Blood Magic. So, instead of Mordre just getting offed if faced with too potent of a foe, the Other takes the helm. For Lenryt, this is win-win, insuring her investment in the Land of Dragons has as much chance of success as possible.]

>>225767
[She did. Rather abruptly, but when one can forcibly inject thought patterns into others, you don't need to dally.]

>>225712
[You can attempt another manifestation, yes, but it is somewhat inadvisable at the moment: Mordre's soul is still harmonizing with the most potent Heroic soul it has yet consumed (Goran), as well as the Soul Nexus therein, adapting to the changes wrought by the Other, and not yet fully recovered from the prior bout of creating Deep Spawn. If you really want one right now, say which name, and what focuses you think are appropriate.]

>>225717
>>225718
>>225719
>>225841
[Slightly hard to explain due to semantical difference, but I shall try. You know how you now have both a body Soul Nexus (incidentally where one would have a heart, more or less), and your default casting, which suffuses your entire body? Well, Lumingo's soul is within your innate magic, really, as the knowledge of swordplay on massive scales was absorbed into the Soul Grave's spell matrices, adding complexity to your coding. Lumingo was essentially a software update, whereas Abaeloth, Merrack and Goran were all hardware updates, even if in the metaphysical sense. As a corollary, every time you use Blood Magic, you add a few more 'software' updates to your spell matrices concerning how to use such magic. Best I can do at an explanation.]

I turn Will towards speeding the flow of my Blood Iron, giving my form its artificial circulation, and I start tapping the now somewhat familiar power almost immediately as I move my left hand to my torso, inclining myself in a bow with my form's first beat.

TH-THUMP

Magics reach from my form towards Lubu, Blood and Will alike being directed so thanks to my total of three casting points, and all are passively repulsed, Lubu's combat magic-no, the weight of his very soul rejecting my touch. Hmm.

>>225704
>>225708
I spy glances at Keddic and Bang in my periphery, and while they look shocked at our location, I note that Keddic looks to fully understand what Lubu said-of course, he lived here in the Land of Dragons for a time, he must have picked up the tongue. Bang is likewise looking like he could understand at least some of what was said, and I file this information away as I move forward, thankful I have yet demonstrated significant mastery of language that knowing another, especially in this situation, would not be irregular.

"Well, truth be told, I half expected a bit more telling a reaction. I suppose given my records of your unflappability last time, I should have expected such a welcome... ah, as to my speech, I finally resolved the range issues from my last visit. Incidentally, I believe I never was able to introduce myself earlier: My name is Mordre, a mage from the north, and it is well to formally meet you. At that earlier time my system for manipulating this golem was... Somewhat confined by corporeal distances. This is no longer the case. And I have attempted to assess your armor, but the weight of your soul-"

TH-THUMP

"So you can speak normally, excellent. My soul's getting in the way? Of course, always the case it seems.... is that better?"

As I feel the weight, the non-physical brilliance of Lubu's soul shifting back, actively withdrawing from his armor, the Fierce Dragon continue to speak to me in a cavalier fashion, even as those officers about him continue to throw hard and wary glances at my party, hands near weapons.

"So, beyond tinkering with your physical form, you changed your interface for that golem, is that right? That would make you a Golem Specialist, A War Body Commander, depending on which vernacular you prefer, would it not? And one that needs not be present to control said golem... well, that can certainly extend one's career."

TH-THUMP

My magic flood through Lubu's armor, and I marvel at its structure, tungsten, carbon, iron osmium, titanium, and a melange of other less profuse metals, so cleverly woven together that each individual particle of armor feels ideally aligned to support and rely upon those surrounding it, a massive network of shared strength, with jewels of all sorts worked into the metal's innards, housed in tiny reservoirs of mercury acting as shock absorbers. Geomancy tells me the gems are Garnets, Emeralds, Diamonds and Amethysts, with a few odd Sapphires likewise worked into the metal. In its structure I find no intrinsic flaws or issues, nothing to suggest foul play, and I move on to attempting to analyze its magical nature-

And find an indecipherable labyrinths of interwoven fuels and enhancements, a cocktail of power that shifts and reforms far too often for me to decisively analyze it. ...A pity.

>>225846
>>225666
[DEVIL BONUS: EVENT TRIGGER IN 3.......]
>>225713
"Well, the actual physical composition of your armor houses no trap or flaw, And appears wholly made in good faith. I cannot vouch for the magics bound in it, As they are not so easily analyzed through the medium of my golem. However, if I may offer, I see little gain to be made by a Dragon, With specialization in armor-craft to sully their own name with a sub-par item, For simple monetary gain. So I find it unlikely it would be trapped, If no such evidence has yet been seen, as the costs outweigh the gains."

TH-THUMP

"No comment on the magic? Well, that's fine, I already proofed the magic myself, it seemed completely serviceable. And yes, it is nice to see someone else displaying sense, why would a Dragon destroy their reputation so? So you are able to scope out metals just fine though?"

Lubu turns his head, addressing his subordinate with the largest frown, a bald man eschewing armor with a simple sword at his side, once more throwing out words that seem far too idle for the relative gravity of the situation.

"See Huaow? I told you the armor was fine. Honestly, you just worry about every little thing, don't you."

The frowning bald man bows his head in deference, as he clearly demonstrates great care in his word choice.

TH-THUMP

"...Emperor, your wisdom is great, a match to your peerless strength, but your I swore to Ash Dragon Jioga that I would put forth my all to insure no treachery claims you, and as such, I must respectfully object to simply using an outsider as proof your armor is safe for use. I humbly ask that-"
Huaow's continued careful word choice is blown away, as Lubu heaves a massive sigh, the air stretching about him as if in supplication to his own nonchalant frustration.

"Right, right... I can't go completely ignoring such a valued subordinate's opinions like that, can I?"

A mischievous grin must surely be adorning his face beneath that helm, for from Lubu, I feel a shift as if his very soul were smiling.

TH-THUMP

"Ah, but as the High Dragon, I have a solution: You act on Dragon Jioga's behalf, disputing this newcomer's words, yes?"

"That is so, honored Emperor."

"And you, Gift-Horse-Golem , Mordre, you offer that the metals and gems of this gift are clean, do you not?"

"That is so."

"Well, simple solution: One of your two attendants there should battle Huaow, and through the clash of their respective strengths, prove which of their master's claims, be it Dragon Jioga or Mordre, that are correct. There, see? Problem solved."

TH-THUMP

Keddic at my side starts whispering to Bang, informing him of the specifics of what was said as his blood imbued cloak and toga shift and swirl about him. Bang's eyes light up, and his hand shoots into the air, dancing in place like an overly zealous school child, while Keddic nods toward me, displaying a more subdued desire to fight. Dulu, patiently standing behind me and so still I nearly missed his presence, seems undecided on the matter, even after gleaning events from Keddic's words. For his part, Huaow, subordinate of this Ash Dragon, merely steps into the center of a clearing gap in the press of officers, as he hefts his sword, awaiting who shall challenge him. I cannot say I was expecting this turn of events, but Keddic did not seem surprised by it as a past visitor to these lands, and compliance seems expected.

I know nothing of this Huaow individual, other than that he wears no armor, only cloth, and carries a single, wide-bladed and unadorned sword, still in its lacquer sheath.


Who should I choose to face him, Bang or Keddic?
Or should I try to push forward a Deep Spawn or Dulu as my champion?
Or should I say or do something else?
>>
No. 225882 ID: 56dc25

>>225880
Keddic has far more knowledge of these lands; we can't afford to risk him at the moment. And we can't ask Dulu to fight, as he's not our subordinate, but rather our ally for the moment; we have no indication that he wishes to work for us in the long term rather than doing his own thing. And I'd rather not bring our Deep Spawn into this just yet.

Which leaves Bang. As acting casual seems the style here, a nonchalant wave of our hand perhaps in order. "Bang, I see that you are eager to give testament to my honesty. By all means, please do."
>>
No. 225886 ID: 445c48

Confirm that Lubu has healers nearby, it'd be a shame if either Huaow or your man got injured or killed.

I want to say Bang, but I'm not sure. Something about this guy...
>>
No. 225890 ID: f6b553

"Just before I came here, I was embroiled in a rather fantastic clash against a worthy foe. Bang, however, was not able to participate to his pleasure, so I feel he should feel free to represent me in this manner."

To Bang: "Well? How about it? Would you like to enter this battle on my behalf?"
>>
No. 225894 ID: f3f953

>Oh yes. Keddic can now create blood bullets(theory). We saw from the assassin that the Winding way can be used to affect matter, as he used it to create mini tornadoes to kill people. In that case, Keddic should be able to use it as well to affect the world around him. That means he can use it to fire pellets of blood at people while still keeping it's 'Keddic Blood' Factor by either attaching it to him using the winding way to substitute as a physical link or simply keeping the factor in place using the winding way.(e.g. The characteristics needed for the blood factor to work could be simulated by the winding way.) This theory also applies to any ranged ability Keddic wishes to use, so it would not be limited to bullets, he could make anything.... with practice.(How is that for an improvement, Way of the Harksburton)

Mention that to Keddic in common before you decide on who to send.


I suppose that this man uses a highly advanced form of Iai, a quick draw technique,
likely using the winding way to increase draw speed, sword range (whoooo energy blades around your blades) and deadliness.
So whoever is chosen should be chosen with that in mind.

Keddic would be good for his skill in the winding way.
PLAN FOR KEDDIC:
-Lay blood an the ground in a circle around you and then shift positions with the other guy.
-Use new winding way technique to make the fly up and encase his sword arm, locking it to the blade and sheath.
OR
-Throw blade
-switch places twice
-blade hits man
-gg

Bang would be good for his overall badassery
PLAN FOR BANG:
-Punch air so hard that the air flies at him like a wall
-rinse repeat while getting closer
-Knock out
OR
-Be a badass and knock him out.

I don't think that we could overwhelm him in terms of speed though. That's why we strike before he can think about striking.

Make sure not to kill em.... or die yourself.


Oh wait a minute *facepalm* BLOOD TOGAS!!!

send either Keddic or Bang.
>>
No. 225896 ID: f3f953

I say Bang because he has such a badass new cloak thingy.

... that and HECK YEA BANG!
>>
No. 225899 ID: 5f0943

>>225880
I think I'm going to post my thoughts on the matter.
First up is that I think the deep spawn are out of the question.
Then there are the capabilities of Bang, Keddic and Dulu to consider.

Keddic: Has the blood cloak, which redirects damage back to the source as long as it is covered in blood. He is an accomplished close combat fighter, and possesses alchemical enhancements which makes him stronger and more 'durable' overall. Then there is his magic blood to consider, which can resist blows and be used in various means of attack.

Bang: Bang is strong enough to rip through metal and flesh with little effort, not to mention his tendency to launch himself at the enemy at very, very high speeds, which effectively makes him a living artillery shell.
He can also heal from most injuries within seconds or minutes, and will heal from anything short of his brain being destroyed.

Dulu: I remember that Dulu was labeled as a 'dedicated hero slayer' or somesuch by Bob. This means that he would excel in one on one combat like the one proposed.
Due to his magic absorption ability, he is effectively immune to magic up until an unknown threshold, and he becomes a more effective fighting machine the more magic is blasted in his face.
Then there is his magical staff to consider, which has numerous forms and extremely potent in all of them.

Overall, Dulu seems like the best choice for the situation, but if he doesn't want to, give Bang a go. He would love that.
>>
No. 225901 ID: b10c0e

"This is Magnum Bang The Human Dynamo, Annihilator Of Armies, Smasher Of Sieges, Cracker Of Castles and the Slayer of the The All Consuming. He has missed a proper fight against a powerful foe for quite some time. I hope the Ash Dragon has presented a suitable challenge." Think. "Is it to the death or not? I worry that Bang might be a bit," Look to the waving hand and cough into our hand. "Over enthusiastic."

This is why we brought Bang along, after all. We should talk to Keddic and Dulu too, of course and see what they feel. Possibly Sadronm too to get a feel for the courtly intrigue.

And while the fight is going on, let us try two things. Phohning up Lorgk to tell him about the Scared Yeti and the Goran Evolution and ask how everything is going and what the big box is for. Then Arkus and ask how everything is going and if the box got there safely. Then...let's just try talking to Zagrath the Unseen first, and then the Jade Soul Monks John, Paul, George & Ringo, Lumingo the Blademaster, Yogoko the Time Thief and Bagata the Inverter to get some natives' feel for the solution.
>>
No. 225907 ID: e67080

Bang!

The only other thing id think is maybe, especially cause Lubu seems to have a rather carefree attitude in some respects, this would be an excellent opportunity to try some kind of wager if we could think of what would be worth putting up.
>>
No. 225913 ID: d3dfb8

So many kinds of Bang.
He missed out fighting anyone interesting during the fight with Goran.
>>
No. 225936 ID: f36769

Guys, we should entertain the thought that the hypothetical trap might work only during special set of events.
For example, when Dulu uses his powerful spear attack, "Lance of thousand Suns" or something.
Or maybe in proximity of a special item.
Or whatever else, I dunno...

Anyway, I want Bang to go .... but Keddic would be more knowledgeable about these people... hmm.. dilemma
>>
No. 225938 ID: f36769

Bob, is the 5 pristine soul question off the table now?
Is the 3-way Prophecy still in play? Has it been deciphered successfully yet? I think we had it worked out for 80-90%.... what else was there left of it?
>>
No. 225946 ID: a76809
File 128363155349.png - (630.02KB , 1166x1040 , PUNCHAN TIME.png )
225946

[2.................]

>>225938
[No, Yes, Not fully but your percentage estimate of 90% is about right, and I can't tell you what's left, obviously.]

>>225882
>>225890
>>225896
>>225899
>>225907
>>225913
I consider Bang's apparent suspicions of me, and the lack of singular challenges he has had, only facing mass combat the last few bouts. Besides, his enthusiasm is hard to ignore, and with Keddic still at my side, he and Sadronm can see if they can offer me anything from personal experience or analysis of a largely militaristic civilization's structure.

"Bang, I see that you are eager to give testament to my honesty. By all means, please do indulge in this opportunity."

With a grin like a child at a toy store, bang pumps an arm and slams his fists together so hard flesh briefly deforms and a piercing crack of thundering impact echoes through the pavilion, several of the officers flinching from the sheer volume. Huaow merely narrows his eyes, as he takes in Bang's burgundy blood toga and other vestments, the rune inscribed pale yeti leather clearly of note, as is the shifting, warping scarf of brilliant scarlet. The bindings about fist and foot are equally noted, as he shifts his stance, his outstretched hand slowly taking on a sheen, seeming to hum as Bang squares himself opposite his foe.


>>225886
A thought occurs to me, that I feel I must pursue.

"A moment, before the duel, to clarify something, Fierce Dragon."

As I see frowns adorning the faces of many officers, Lubu merely cocks his armored head atop his horse.

"What seems to be confusing you, manipulator of metal?"

I wonder if you have healers or not, Available on demand."

"We do. Why?"

"Well, this contest, it to the death or not? I worry that Bang might be a bit,"

I turn my skull to regard Bang more directly, as the wild brown hair bobs up and down as the heavily muscled warrior stretches, Huaow still nearly motionless in his ready stance, sword still sheathed.

"Over enthusiastic."

Huaow's eyes narrow even further, but in no other way does he display physically the outrage at the slight implied in my concern for his health. I see several officers that had been neutral or only minorly opposed to my abrupt arrival sport expectant smiles, as they turn to regard the coming fight. ...Perhaps I do need to pay more attention to the fact they are both officers and politicians alike, and that slight of word, and a rapier wit, could prove even more valuable than my own military might... a thing to consider.

"Well, we have healers, but it's a moot point, I don't think Huaow has any intention of taking it easy himself. So, new rule: Its to the death. Makes it much more decisive that way, I think."

Bang's grin expands even further, threatening to encroach on Goran's nightmarish leers, his lips stretch so maniacally wide, as he firmly sets his feet. Huaow's hand now begins to fade into semi-transparency near its edges, as it's gleam grows ever brighter, his sword starting to become so starkly outlined in its sheath it seems to glow through it.

>>225894
As Dulu moves up to squat on his heals in Bang's place at my side to observe the fight, I speak to Keddic in Common briefly, as I finally decide to divulge some findings ruminations of mine have had.

"As an aside, you should be able to craft blood lances, Sanguine tentacles, and such with your newly expanded blood pool? The cloak and robe alike can be manipulated, as well as reflecting harm, Is this not so? Well I believe the range could be extended, giving you.. Bullets, of a sort, to complement your pistol of Gavrock there. Cannot the Winding Way be used to connect the blood to you, At least over some distance?"

"....To your first consideration, indeed such is possible, but manipulating a multitude of independently prehensile shapings of fluid is a bit of a learned knack, one that I am still pursuing... but to your second thought... this had not occurred to me. Blast, what could I call a form that focuses on multiple melee tentacles and blood... bullets? Something to compliment Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, I think.... In any event, I'd say you picked well for this, Bang's from the southern-northern currently, I suppose-deserts, he's picked up a rough understanding of their tongue, and most of their more common fighting styles. Whereas... I have never heard of a style quite like Bang's before."

.............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: BANG MAGNUM.............................................


Oh man.

Oh man.

I mean.

This is Awesome.

I really missed out on that last trip down south that Mordre went on via his golem when the freaky little girl showed up, got to get balls deep in a giant bit of battle, great foes-and here I am, along for the ride this time, and getting to have a duel to the death right from the get-go. This is incredibly, amazingly good fortune. Oh man....

The guy on the horse, radiating a... something that makes my bones ache raises his hand as the idle chatter draws to a close.

A hush falls over the world as the hand drops.

"Begin."

Without hesitation, without time for thought:

"MAGNUM-"

I dash forward, the wood beneath my feet shattering as I kick off so forcefully I become a living cannonball, my fist whipping forward, howling through the distance between us in an instant.

"PUUUUN-!"

My hand is intercepted by Huaow's own outstretch palm, that weird stuff happening on it somehow grabbing all my momentum, my impact, and reflecting it back into me, knuckles first. I have a maddened moment of intense focus as I run calculations and perform lightning fast concurrent bits of Curatiomancy on myself, my arm bubbling and flesh writhing as I am hurled backward with every bit of force I approached with, crashing into a bit of wall, breaking several beams as I now have to focus on preventing my spine from shattering.

I stand up almost immediately, my arm back to normal and back uninjured, as my grin grows wider.

This will be fuuuuuuun.

I see Huaow idly shaking his hand, fingers twitching, as he cocks an eyebrow at my completely unmarred form, before he begins moving his hand slowly towards his sword.


HOW CAN I MAKE THIS FIGHT THE MOST ENJOYABLE!?
>>
No. 225949 ID: f6b553

Alright! Bang, it looks like this guy can redirect vectors of acceleration. Meaning he can reflect impacts and motions. Clearly the solution is to introduce multiple vectors for him to worry about, yes?
>>
No. 225953 ID: d3dfb8

Fuck I love Bang.
>>
No. 225954 ID: a594b9

>>225946
If he reflects momentum, attempt to strike him so that you use the redirected momentum to aid a second strike. Like let it spin you around for a kick.

Alternatively, you could use the environment to your advantage. Smash that fallen rubble towards him as a distraction so that you may attack him unhindered.
>>
No. 225957 ID: 5f0943

>>225946
Get close to him, but instead of punching or kicking him, you should CLAP YOU HANDS together as hard as you can, right in front his face (but not really touching him).
He won't see that one coming.
>>
No. 225961 ID: 56dc25

>>225957
Heh, I love it. Instead of hitting him, just blow past him and hit him with indirect attacks as you do. It's almost like punching the air into him.

Admittedly, such things are much less physically powerful than direct attacks, so perhaps blowing past him and striking him from behind just as you do would be more effective. Or rapidly changing direction, at least.
>>
No. 225962 ID: 445c48

Something something mass connection.
>>
No. 225965 ID: b10c0e

Bang, how fast can you punch? clearly you should punch ONE THOUSAND TIMES A SECOND and see if he can catch that, haha! Oh...Another way to make it fun...let him hit you! Steal his sword by having it in your kidneys, that'll screw with him!

And...oh, can you punch the air so hard you'll spin away? Like pull your punches right in front of him so you punch the air and the air punches him, and you spin away and punch at the air again and just start punching him until you start floating! Screw with physics!
>>
No. 225966 ID: b10c0e

>>225954
OH YEAH! Throw a support beam at him! THEN START FENCING WITH A GIANT LOG!
>>
No. 225970 ID: 903f16

Interesting, that glowing hand appears to redirect force. Let's give him a little distraction and then hit him so he can't use that little trick on us again. Charge forward and then make an abrupt stop right outside of his effective range. Then either stomp the ground in an attempt to create a shock wave through the earth to upset his balance or give him a Magnum Thunderclap. After that's done then you are free to level into him.
>>
No. 225986 ID: a3f480

Right, so, a question, first: is Bang's Combat Curatiomancy Blood-based? Will-based? a combination of the two or something other fuel sources? Since at least some of the blood on his toga should have reset its ownership to Bang, can he not do like what Keddic's trying to do and pull the white blood cells in the toga into him, and start stocking up on more white blood cells? There probably won't be time during the fight to do that, but maybe after?

Hmm, that looks like Soul-based Kinitemancy, divorced from Mass Connection (I think. The fundamental concept of Mass Connection is that everything is connected, I believe. The redirection of force Bang experienced doesn't seem to be set in that particular principle. Unless... perhaps he uses Mass Connection to allow himself to affect others with Combat magic? by using Mass Connection so that those he touches are 'him' for the purposes of Combat magic... Hey, if one could do that, Bang could be a competent healer! All he needs to do is just learn enough of Mass Connection to do the above and use his Combat Curatiomancy to heal the other person that is somehow 'himself'. Or Huaow could be stealing the force from Bang, so that Huaow applying greater force onto Bang...nah, though that is likely how we have our Chronal Banditry). Though, it seems like Huaow rarely fights those who are hardy enough withstand the redirection, since he redirected the knuckles and everything behind the knuckles. That isn't very efficient, I think, because one could just redirect just enough to allow one's opponent to smash themself into bloody bits. That might take more control than Huaow's has, though.

Actually, wait, Bang should know at least a little about what Huaow is doing. What does Bang know about this? The techniques Huaow is using, the cultural meaning behind this duel, who Huaow even is, etc! It might actually help us when controlling Mordre if we know more about the culture of this place.
>>
No. 225994 ID: 9338f5

>>225880
if bang fights be sure to warn him about the combat magic. we worked out that its a mix of soul and will a while ago right? the soul magic aspect of it might be able to dammage the blood cloak.
>>
No. 226010 ID: 5f0943

>>225994
>slowpoke.jpg
You are aware that Bang already Is fighting the duel, right?
>>
No. 226023 ID: a69afd

>>225946
Hey Bang, in an earlier battle, I remember you saying you can control your hair as an offshoot of being able to manipulate your body as a whole. So, how good is this control of yours, I'm not necessarily looking for weaponization of your hair... Just, what's the maximum length you could grow each strand, and how precise you could control them. This could lead to some intresting abilities for you if this turns out right.
>>
No. 226025 ID: f36769

>>226023
>I'm not necessarily looking for weaponization of your hair
Why the hell not?
>>
No. 226033 ID: 666138

Bang, try grabbing this guy or his sword, shaking him and then throwing him around. That sort of slow application of shifting force might be harder for him to redirect. Even if it is redirected it probably won't hurt you. Dig your feet into the floor as an anchor so you don't get thrown around yourself.

Another possibility is overwhelming him with a multitude of attacks. Hundreds of low power punches will wear him down and it might just fracture your arms a bit if reflected, nothing you can't heal, right?
>>
No. 226036 ID: 9338f5

>>226010
didnt see bobs post.
>>
No. 226038 ID: a69afd

>>226025
Because I also remember bang saying he doesn't like to use weapons. You could argue that since his hair is part of his body that it does not necessarily conflict with his ideal fighting style, but I'll wait for the next update before revealing my plans.
>>
No. 226046 ID: ab04d4

I'm fastforwarding to the end of the fight here, bear with me.

We can't eat Huaow's soul unless you want to establish political ties and morality especially early on. Doing this will mean that anyone with any respect for the dead will utterly loathe us. Seeing as this is based on Feudal China and Japan, and both of those countries (I should know) respected their ancestors to an obsessive degree, this would make us look very demonic to the populace and even to the politicians. We would be affiliating ourselves with evil from the get-go. In addition, this puts us on bad grounds from the Ash Dragon; if we let it go, we can pass it off as the whimsy of an unchallenged Emperor Lubu.

Of course, I'm sure theres good bonuses too. Maybe we'd end up with kinetic vector reversal skills or something if we ate him, or something else cooler that might make up for political damages.

If Bang dies (and he better not) I think we can eat his soul. He'd probably enjoy being part of an immortal war machine anyways, and we might get super karate skills or some way to regenerate using blood magic instead of magnetomancy... Or a combination of the two?

Anyways, just my 3*2cents.
>>
No. 226049 ID: f36769

>>226046
Or we could just ask Lubu if its okay to eat him.
We would have won the fight after all, so we are entitled to all the spoils. (this is assuming we win the fight and kill the guy)
>>
No. 226054 ID: ab04d4

>>226049
Trust me, Feudal Asia did not like abusal of ancestors. They probably have all sorts of religions based on respect for ancestors. Parallel versions of Taoism and Confucianism and crap.

I'm not sure how much Bob is going to integrate realistic culture into this new area for us but I think we should err on the safe side. Even asking Lubu for permission is allying yourself with him by showing him subservience and nobody else.

Then again that's why we're here. To show him subservience and be a good gift horse.

I just don't know, but I get the feeling that eating this guy's soul is going to be bad for us. A bunch of nobles and generals are watching at Lubu's summons and anything we do that might offend their sensibilities would be immeasurably damaging.
>>
No. 226078 ID: 5f0943

>>226054
The Land of Dragons don't strike me as much as feudal Asia as it strikes me as 'Dynasty Warriors' the civilization.

The basic rule seems to be that the strongest survives and gets the spoils, while the loser don't get anything because he lost... and is probably dead.

Of course, we will just have to wait for Bob's input on the matter before we know for sure.
>>
No. 226082 ID: 445c48

Damn, we should have talked to Keddic to ask about their culture's view on the dead during the fight, as Mordre.
>>
No. 226093 ID: a76809

>>225949
Oh fuck yes, this guy can take it!

Alright, some sort of vector redirection... some method of using their crazy combat magic to make me part of their body to extend combat magic onto me... I think I have the gist of this stuff, yeah. So... lets see how he does with multiple vectors, oh yes this will be sweet.

I once more dash forward, completely undeterred by my recent repulsion, swinging a shoulder, a knee and a forehead into the mix, for-

"BIGBANGBARRAGE!!"

Huaow once more is able to keep up with my riotous acceleration, and he lets out a sharp cry as he plants a foot, and his whole side gets covered in that gleam, his borders fading away-

>>225944
And I switch from direct rush via abrupt body manipulation midair, to a duel kick and punch, designed to allow my redirected force vector to spin me about for another hit, even as my knee takes the place of my rush. Huaow's face twitches in surprise, apparently not expecting me to be able to think much in a fight (I admit I am not a subtle fighter), doesn't mean I'm slow. I have, what, sometimes four hundred simultaneous rapid fire incidences of Curatiomancy going? While throwing myself through the air in mortal combat?

And I find my force vector repulsed the same as before, this time more ready for its effects and better able to mitigate and prevent the effects on my flesh, and with a riotous boom I spin about, hurling my body into a mirror of my recent attack.

To find myself repulsed again... and Huaow starting to look pressured.

Always awesome to find someone who can endure a tap or two.

>>225957
..Oh yeah. Upon my seventh rapid redirecting kick/punch combo, still spinning about in the air as I literally force Huaow to recoil back bit by bit, I recall the reaction of so many officers recoiling from my knuckles impacting... time to give myself a high five. He seems to be growing decidedly wary of my attacks, considering I don't seem to be breaking, or reinforcing myself.

I can work with confusion. I slam my hands together with Curatiomancy already standing by for the resulting impact of-

"MAGNUM IMPACT!"

The air quakes from my supersonic clap, and I see blood flying out of Huaow's as he recoils from the phonic attack-

As he finally gets his hand on his sword, before my feet can fall to the ground, and give me purchase.

Fun!

>>225965
>>225966
OH FUCK YES!

IDEA!

I slam punch the air with as much force as I recall surmounting air pressure in that incredible brawl with the Disciples of Domintus, throwing myself back and away from the slashing sword, even as a wall of air assaults Huaow, destroying his footing and sending him tumbling. Finally, it's not like I have unlimited magic here!

I wrench free one of the support beams, my feet shattering even more wood beneath me as I rip what looks to be an inscribed, intricately worked tree trunk free from my prior fall, turning a support beam into what some would call a massive club-

I WOULD CALL IT A RAPIER!

>>225970
I swing the weighty pole, some fifteen feet long, in a wide, sweeping arc, straight towards Huaow, whose sword slices towards it-

And I kick off, turning my swing into a charge.

Now Huaow's blade, easily slicing through the wood, is constantly being jarred in his hand as the wood is shoved forward. He spots me a moment after I have let go of the entire support beam, and my fist finds his face.

"MAGNUMPUNCH!"

I find myself exulting, because this Huaow guy?

He takes it.

His feet skid back, shaving the wood beneath him, as his hand relinquishes his sword, and slices up in a vicious uppercut while my hand is still recoiling from finding such a springy purchase.

His fist powders the bones of my wrist, somehow reaching straight through the tissue in between, a controlled shattering, as I finally rebound, Huaow's nose and right cheek broken, several teeth cracked, and enough early discoloration to suggest he will simply BE a bruise-

If he lives.

...Unfortunately, I still feel some sense of ownership from his attack in my right hand's wrist bones. I can't heal them yet, even though each successive attempt seems to get closer.

Hmm... an interesting twist on the battle parameters. Exciting.

>>225986
As Huaow and I look at eachother over a distance once more, I recall what it is I do. I use my own will, both directly, and through that which I store in my scarf, as a core of casting. This is what does most of the work for attacks, as I just need to do a bunch of futzy work, so I need what I'm most precise with. When I get attacked, and say lose a bunch of flesh and bone, that's when I tap my relatively mediocre talents with Blood magic (Not all that great with it, and somewhat new to the field, actually) to do some 'heavy lifting' so to speak.

Anyway that's how I do what I do. That and GUTS, and COURAGE, and COMPLETE DISREGARD OF CAUTION!!

But this Huaow guy... he seems to be genuinely good.

And last time I fought some Land of Dragon soldiers, it was back home, and they could not do anything near THIS.

Which both means I have no real way to predict what he'll do, as most of what I saw before was built on direct body reinforcement and magical shock-waves generated in muscles, now this, as well as meaning this will be so much fun!

Man, I missed being able to just consider how to take down one dude, just really analyze everything about it, and throw my everything into the attempt... its invigorating.

>>226046
>>226054
I wonder if Mordre knows enough about Land of Dragons culture. Hopefully Keddic can tell him all about their views on the soul, seeing it as the true self, blah blah blah, and think that destroying one after besting the corporeal, to slay a ghost not aggressing you, is the same as murder. They do have that stipulation about self-defense though, and Mordre's been crafty, maybe he's got some trick to make it like that.

>>226033
I consider a grapple and maybe shaking, something much more complex in terms of forces exerted on the body. This guy seems to do the vector redirection calculation he manages fast, huh?

Maybe we should see if he can keep up with me, then.


Should I go with some sort of grapple or throw, or some more impact-based attacks?
Or should I do something REALLY crazy to shake things up? (I hope I have a plan like this!)
>>
No. 226105 ID: f6b553

Hm.

Let's see here. I wonder if you can punch hard enough to do Impact with one hand? Like, really really really REALLY fast?
>>
No. 226107 ID: e67080

Obviously what this calls for is the

BIG BANG BURIAL!

Even the earth trembles before your might! and so we shall prove it to our foe! Start with the grabbing of another support beam, using a HIGH JUMP! and bashing him from above with the force of the beam, causing it to fall towards your foe even if he cleaves it apart. As he attempts to stave off that attack, continue to fall by letting go of the beam, and instead LAND SO THAT BOTH YOUR FOE AND THE EARTH TREMBLES! Do a BIG BANG KICK combined with a CLAP right before to weaken the ground. use this to MAKE THE EARTH TREMBLE BEFORE YOUR MIGHT! AND SURRENDER ITS STRENGTH FROM YOUR FOE! by collapsing the area around him. Upon his fall into the ground you will HAVE PREPARED THE PYRE FOR HIS DEFEAT WITH THE SUPPORT BEAMS WOOD! then use the BURNING FURY OF YOUR WILL, BLOOD, AND SHEER SOUL'S DESIRE FOR BATTLE'S MIGHT TO FINISH THE BURIAL WITH A PUNCH THAT PIERCES THE PYRE!
>>
No. 226129 ID: a69afd

>>226093
Well, despite not recieving an answer for my last question, I can give you crazy my friend.

Grow your hair out from every pore on your body that is covered with magical clothing, entwine every strand of hair you control with a fiber from each enchanted vestment you are currently wearing. Simultaneously use your hair to graft the various tools of your trade directly to your skin, and lance the many fibers you've ensnared directly into your nervous system. This will either boost your ownership through the roof and make your nervous system a highway for all the various magic fuels to automatically travel to any part of your body, or you'll explode and render all your rad clothing inert, fun times.

But on the off chance that this does succeed, let it be known that today a new man is born!

MAGNUM BANG - THE LIVING TAPESTRY

As to what you should do with newfound source of power- It's obvious, OVERHEAL.
Create more body parts than you need to combat your opponent. If two hands and two feet already have him on the run, imagine what ten, twenty, hell even a HUNDRED will do. This is a battle to the death, and you've got way more to work with. Overwhelm him with a wall of fists, rearrange your inner organs so he hits something unimportant if he manages to get past the ultimate offense of your weaponized curatiomancy.
>>
No. 226137 ID: 445c48

I don't think the air thing is such a great idea.

Just throw the guy.
>>
No. 226138 ID: 445c48

>>226137
I mean, the Hair thing.
>>
No. 226146 ID: f3f953

Boost towards him and raise your fist for a punch, then stop short (preferably out of his swords range) and MAGNUM IMPACT!.

Then Slam your heel into the ground to shake his footing and [b[BIG BANG BARRAGE![/b]... with a twist. Instead of super punches, make them love taps (or love taps to your love taps, cause you are too super) so that the recoil is not enough to throw you. every now and again try to hit his sword during the attack, keep it in the sheathe.
Then grab his shoulders and/or arms and throw him into the wall at high speed, following it up with a BIG BANG KICK!!!!!!.

If that does not get him I will eat my hat.
>>
No. 226172 ID: ddd48d

>>226093
hrm, well maybe at one point, when punching/kicking him, shove your other hand in his mouth, then pull down. lets see if he can manifest that covering INSIDE himself
>>
No. 226223 ID: a76809
File 128366150061.jpg - (103.42KB , 625x1000 , Combat Magic Master Monk Oz The Breaker.jpg )
226223

[....0. Event trigger, 666 bonus.]

As I prepare for another bout of struggles with my foe, a messenger bursts into the room, already shouting out his words, as another, more subdued member of the very same group, delivers a more reserved oration.

"An unknown force is attacking The Western Bastion of Leiyan! Reinforcements are requested!"
"The Monk Oz The Breaker has finally been located in the North East, as requested."

I see that armored one, Lubu, tilt his head this way and that, idly rolling the new events posited to him around in his skull, as I consider my attack.

>>226129
I have a jolting brainwave, of growing hair from my body, and with it nerves, to graft my vestments to my form, and become some... living tapestry. The idea of becoming a living depiction of a warrior certainly holds some merit, but I just don't have the means. ...Although, if I got a hold of those Possibility Cells, or White Blood, either in large enough amounts, I might be able to make this a possibility... and at that level of magic, the idea of becoming a living embodiment of war will likely be more appealing. And with Possibility cells, I could command my form to grow more limbs, even becoming a wall of fist, it would be great!

>>226146
I leap forward again, another cracking of wood accompanying my leap, as, the likewise unarmed Huaow raises both hands, one eye drooping. Just short of hitting his once again gleaming form, I switch to another clap, this time slapping my still broken hand with blood based Curatiomancy ready and waiting.

"BIG BANG IMPACT!"

As my right hand is ripped off my wrist, it tears away with it the cells that still hold Huaow's ownership, that strange block to my magic, allowing me to simply grow a new hand. My magical reserves dip a bit from the relatively intensive work, but its what I do while the hand regrows that counts.

The again dazed Huaow, this time blood coming from his nostrils and one eye to accompany that from his ears, is again rocked by my sonic attack, as my left foot gains solid purchase on the ground, and my left hand rises in uppercut, as I hope to turn Huaow's vector control on him.

>>226137

My hand rises-and splits open, my palm rising in places of knuckles.

"MAGNUM PUUNCH!!"

As my fist connects, I am forced again to heal riotous recoil on my person, but prepared for it I endure-as the floor beneath me prevents me from being hurled away. As Huaow's feet rise from the ground, he seems to realize what his defense has wrought, as he goes sailing towards the ceiling, gasping from my gut-punch.

Through all that, he manages to flip about, feet landing on the ceiling, and, as he goes into a crouch, he simply perches there, upside down on the ceiling, as he finally makes a comment, spoken slowly enough I can understand almost all of it.

"Will show/display true [named movement]/attack! ROARING DRAGON FANG!!"

I feel the familiar body reinforcement so many Land of Dragon soldiers use welling up, far greater than any I've encountered before, as shock-waves in his muscles start to steam the air about him, surface vector manipulation giving his entire body the appearance of keening, as the ghost of an enormous fang surrounds his plummeting form. I'm ready and eager, lets do thi-

"Halt."

Huaow's enhancement is dropped reflexively, and I let him land beside me as I note his immediate prostration before the horse riding guy. He apparently has some change to make. I hope it doesn't mean this is over so soon....


...................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE....................................................

I look to Lubu as he makes an idle proclamation.

"Alright, so idea to make this more interesting: Lets make this a contest to see who can resolve the scuffle at Leiyan the fastest. As a bonus twist, if only one person comes back, doesn't matter if they were the one to solve the issue, so long as its dealt with. Should make for some fun, a death-race and hunting challenge all in one."

As Huaow bows at this comment, I see Bang rather surprisingly seeming to grasp what Lubu said, looking about for some indication of where to go. As Huaow starts heading out at a dead run, claiming his fallen sword as he goes, Bang sets off after him, looking to take advantage of his knowledge of the terrain. ...This unflappable attitude, these capricious acts, they are somewhat jarring. I pay attention as Lubu continues.

TH-THUMP

My Blood Magic, still active, continues to give my body a beat.

"Okay so, Gift-Horse-Golem, Mordre, You strike me as the wordy type. Seems straightforward, use remote golem control to get a body to complement what your mind does. So, what do you say to convincing the Monk Oz to come join me? If I can get him on my side, that guy Figment from before is almost sure to join as well, they're old friends. Think you can manage that, while the dispute is settled about this armor? Ok, great, hop to it, to the northwest, here's a scroll, general picture of Oz-"

An officer steps forward, handing a scroll to Keddic, who unfurls it as Dulu peers on in interest, revealing a man in runed yellow robes, heavy slabs of muscle apparent in torso and body, arms either encased in or formed of metal, a heavy staff cupped in one hand. I note the left arm to be more heavily armored than the right, and light, or a gem, is drawn upon his hand... and makes a rather interesting comparison to my own left hand, adorned with the Immortal Genocide.

TH-THUMP

"Anyway, great soldier, master of several styles of Mass Connection, known as the Left Handed God of the Fist, a bit too zen for my taste, but has a penchant for wine, angry drunk-I know, hilarious, right? Anyway, North East, scout can point you in the direction you need to go. Oh and hey, more fun? ...You, Hieryou, give this mission to Jioga too. A pair of challenges, one for attendants, one for masters. Yes, that should make for some interesting results!"

...His impulsive, impetuous actions are difficult to read, to say the least. I turn to the scout, hefting him in my hand as I demand he start pointing me to the location the Monk was seen in, looking to get an early lead. Lubu laughs as I dash out of the room with Keddic, the Deep Spawn and Dulu all in tow, building speed as we exit. I hear Lubu's words echoing after me.

TH-THUMP

"NOW THAT IS HOW YOU GET SOMETHING DONE! Look how much dedication that is!"

And so I find myself off to find the man in this picture, the Monk Oz the Breaker, called the Left Handed God of the fist, and to convince him to join Lubu. As I activate Merrack's soul upon reaching the ground floor, I start rocketing down paved streets, Keddic laughing in expectation as he lumbers along.


[CHOICE TIME]
Primary focus:

Option Mordre: Get to do some traveling in Land of Dragons, seek out a wandering monk as Jioga eventually moves to do the same, attempt to sway him to Lubu's side, maybe have a tea-house brawl, who knows.

Option Bang: A race and continuing duel over new terrain, with a task to fend off an as of yet unidentified threat to a nearby fort. Success in this, or in killing Huaow, will claim victory, and you can expect a hectic time of it.
>>
No. 226231 ID: a3da7b

HECK

YEA

BANG
>>
No. 226240 ID: e67080

tea-house brawl!?! its the perfect time to finally invoke the powers of monocle and top hat Morde pictures!

However, this is a hard one... so im flipping a coin.

Heads- Morde it is.
>>
No. 226257 ID: b10c0e

Sorry, Falcon, but the promise of Dulu, Keddic and Mordre getting into a Tea House brawl is just awesome. House of Flying Daggers, here I come!
>>
No. 226261 ID: 903f16

>>226223
As much as I want to ensure Bang's victory in this contest I'm going to have to go with Mordre and the tea house brawl adventure. It's just too awesome and I have a mental picture of Mordre fighting in the style of Jackie Chan by pulling support beams and walls out of the tea house to crush bandits.
>>
No. 226264 ID: b10c0e

>>226261
'Where did a golem get a ladder big enough for him to use?'
'I don't care, just run away!'
>>
No. 226267 ID: 445c48

>>226261
>pulling support beams and walls out of the tea house to crush bandits

I don't remember this Jackie Chan movie...

votin' for Bang
>>
No. 226273 ID: 903f16

>>226267
It isn't but I figure that would be the Mordre equivalent of grabbing a chair or ladder and hitting someone with it.
>>
No. 226276 ID: d3dfb8

Mordre, he will need the rapier wit and silver tongue.
>>
No. 226279 ID: a3da7b

Oh dammit.

sulkface.jpg
>>
No. 226283 ID: f4e4f9

>>226223
DID YOU SAY TEA HOUSE BRAWL WITH A DRUNKEN MONK?

Sorry Bang. LETS GO FIND US A DRUNK.
>>
No. 226285 ID: f4e4f9

Also, ask Keddic:

"So, how does it feel, Keddic, to meet the man that your teacher looked up to so? I thought you might get a kick out of it."
>>
No. 226289 ID: 445c48

>>226285
Eh? Is this true? I don't remember much about... The Lined One? I think that was his teacher's name.

Anyways since we're here, we might want to find a teacher for Keddic
>>
No. 226305 ID: a2f056

>>226289
Lubu is the man the Lined One called a god in the ways of the mass connection style. This is a PERFECT chance for Keddic to recieve training from one of the most monsterously capable and potent warriors we've met so far. But we should focus on reuniting Keddic with the Lined One first, Keddic will be better off finishing his initial training and clearing the name of his master.
>>
No. 226390 ID: a594b9

Hmm. Theory time.

What if Possibility Cells aren't like cells that COULD be something... but cells that WILL be something? As in, like a ghost of the future? So harnessing them is like changing the future. That would match up with Pristine Souls really well, since we use precognition to summon them.
>>
No. 226404 ID: a76809
File 128370364049.jpg - (906.06KB , 850x638 , Approaching Teahouse.jpg )
226404

>>226240
>>226527
>>226261
>>226267
>>226276
>>226283
[DRUNK MONK IT IS]

The Scout in my hand starts to acclimatize to our rather riotous transportation, and finally stops cowering when I prompt him for more directions. As it is, with Merrack's soul granting Nimble Nitro and Blood based Magnetomancy amplifying that to achieve speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour on foot, Keddic, can no longer keep up, nor can Dulu or several of the larger Deep Spawn. I finally discontinue my beating body, my faux-heartbeat dying away as I shift to conventional Will for amplification, moving at just under ninety miles an hour, which seems sustainable by everyone present. Even then, if it were not for the thoroughfares stretching everywhere, cutting neat paths through forest and village alike, I doubt I would be making such good time. By the end of the first day of travel, we have passed through some eight villages and two mid-sized cities without slowing, and as I stop for the night both to give Keddic and the scout a chance to rest, as well as to combine magics and call more ore from the ground to feast on, I consider our reception.

While Lubu did not seem phased in the slightest by our presence, the reaction of villagers who spied our swiftly marching form starts to paint a pattern for me. While my visage itself seems to draw more than a few glares, green flame and crackling scarlet energy about a gem studded, fanged silver skull floating in the air, the fact I am a golem seems to bother residents not at all. Perhaps they assume Keddic to be my master, or even the scout I carry. Dulu is likewise not given all that much attention after the scout is identified as being aligned with the current emperor Lubu. What does draw attention, are the nine Deep Spawn rushing after me, from Mothbern to Burduko, Aggocrag to Nihilino, all these towering monsters causing those who spy them to withdraw into their dwellings, peering out from cracked open windows and doors as we pass. When I ask about this reception, carefully phrasing it so I do not reveal just what the Deep Spawn are, even while implying them to be Life Golems, the scout provides some interesting data.

"Uh, well, Honored Mordre-ah, before I continue, what is the appropriate rank to address you by? I would not wish to mistakenly insult."

"Mage Mordre would suffice, or Commander would likewise by an apt term. Though as I lack Mage underlings in number currently, both at once would not."

"..Ok, Mage or Commander, but not Mage Commander, is that correct?"

"Indeed."

"Well, Commander Mordre, metal golems have become fairly popular in the last decade or so, and are considered a bit... normal, everyday, if the specifics of each metal golem shifts. But your non-human companions... they do not at all look like any of the smaller Life Golems, and they certainly aren't Rage Gluts... so people look at them as monsters, demons, or whatever other bit of lore they can ascribe. I think with me present though, it isn't as bad as it could be, as they assume you and yours to be with their patron High Dragon Lubu."

>>226285
As I ponder this remark, I turn to Keddic before I shut down for the night, recalling something the golden maned, pipe-sporting warrior from Castiliathen said some time ago, addressing him in the common tongue.

"So, how does it feel, Keddic, to meet the man that your teacher looked up to so? I thought you might get a kick out of it, meeting Lubu in the flesh."

As Keddic shifts to gain a better purchase in the slumping tree he now inhabits, he murmurs for a minute as he lets out a tiny puff of flame to light Old Bessy, an act that does not go unnoticed by our scout-turned-guide, whose eyes widen as preamble to Keddic's retort.

"Well, its hard to say, old chap. On the one hand, he clearly has some talented subordinates, and that's usually a mark of a capable leader. On the other hand, it can be the mark of a terrible leader coasting on the success of those below them, and his lackadaisical attitude lends some credence to that view. But realistically, I think it fairly unlikely he would actually be as... incapable, as his whimsical demeanor may suggest, what with having two Dragon's dead to his name, and having claimed the seat of High Dragon by force. ...I don't really know how I feel, truth be told, I saw someone I was told was the closest thing to perfection in the martial arts, but I saw not a single bit of martial pursuit, just an armored man atop a likewise armored horse. I shall have to reserve judgment."

>>226289
>>226305
"And? Perhaps while we are here, You may have opportunity to seek out the Lined One?"

Keddic worries the end of his pipe, as if hoping to prise an answer from his gnashing, before he responds again, even more subdued than usual.

"...Ay, we shall have to see. If the chance arises, there are certainly things I'd wish to discuss with him."

And it is on these troubled last words, that I ultimately end the night.

[DAY 137: DAY 7 OF WEEK 2 OF MONTH 4:]
[Castiday of the Second Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


As dawn looms I rouse the scout, Keddic having awoken far earlier but relegated himself to yet more musings in his perch, as we again set off. Another three villages and one more city pass us by before, just shy of the sun reaching its zenith, we arrive in the midst of a meticulously maintained garden, surrounding a massive, multi-part building with lacquered walls and the look of well-cared age to every piece of timber. The scout is a bit wobbly legged as I set him down, doing a brief impression of a stumbling drunk before finally finding his footing and delivering a last bit of advice.

"As a word of caution, Commander Mordre, this is a well-established and respected tea house, founded several hundred years ago by a Dragon, Kojeera The Calm its founder, and as such it is expressly forbidden to all patrons and visitors, no exceptions, from taking a life within its walls. Ah, just thought I should point that out. ...Now I have to start moving to... The Bastion of Gaopon, I suppose, to get reassigned until I can make it back South West to the capital. I wish you well."

Without further comment the scout begins trotting away, legs growing more steady with each step, as we are left before the teahouse-

Which promptly ejects a warrior clad in garishly bright orange and red, dressed like a setting sun, who goes tumbling head over heels along the ground before finally coming to rest against a tree some sixty feet distant, body limp and eye rolled back into his head. From the shattered window, I hear the murmurs of dozens of conversations, but above it all, I hear several servers trying to quiet a customer, who seems content instead to issue the following slurred edict:

"Tha's what you get, inneruptin' my drinking! MOOOOORE WIIIIIINE! Whu? No, I don' want tea, I want WINE!"

Interesting.

A monk in green with scrimshaw tattoos all over his body starts to enter the tea house, as several other patrons depart. Whereas the monk cast not a single glance my way, the exiting patrons accelerate and cut a wide path about my group before moving on their way.


What should I do?
Should I enter with my full group, Keddic Dulu and the Deep Spawn beside me?
Or should I leave some outside the tea house?
>>
No. 226410 ID: e73926

Do we have anything of value? Money or anything? Can gems or metal be ripped out of the ground to use as currency?

This angry customer might very well be the guy we want. I think Dulu and some deepspawn capable of speaking with the locals should be sent out to buy/hunt up a lot of alcohol and meat. Then you can hold a town-wide demonic party announcement via Phohn, inviting this guy and any else who dares. There will be drink, grilled meat and maybe even a little tournament! If you show this guy a good time he might join up with Lubu.
>>
No. 226414 ID: e67080

Alright, what I think we should do:
1) should have gone on a sidequest for a Morde sized top hat and monacle! darn it, but my fault for being too slow.

(Morde Voice) "Ahh, curse it all! What I wouldn't give to actually be here right now and at least smell some true high quality tea..."

(younger womens voice, in common) "Ohh, I see how it is! Are you saying MY TEAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!"

(Crashing sound of china)

(Morde Voice) "No! No! not now Illia! ACK!you know I said I would be exceptionally busy right now and its just been such a busy month... *tired sigh* please, enough with the theatrics and just.... just get me some of the special blend this time my dear"

(womens voice, with sigh) "Yes sir..."

(Morde, to all (use multiple languages if you must, though Keddic will likely help Dulu)) "Ah, my apologies fellows, but i've just been running her ragged with all the fighting thats gone on recently, complaints with my back every night are starting to pop up and we're taking it out on eachother I suppose... oh dear I do ramble, I'm sure none of you care of an old man's bodily troubles, and I must keep on for the greater good of us all I suppose! Anyways, Sir Keddic I may ask you for all the details of the tea while we are in there, but do please accompany me inside. Dulu, my dear friend and rival, I imagine an area where you don't know the language so well would be such a terrible bore, so if you don't mind watching over the deep spawn out here and making sure they don't get into trouble I would greatly appreciate it. Do remind me after our work is done and ill have to have a chat with tea with you sometime in remuneration, I'm dreadfully curious why you decided to join us on this venture...

(stammer a bit)

"Oh dear, my apologies Dulu, forgive an old man but I forgot your less able to taste tea even than me... such a shame, but I seriously tarry too much, let us into this place. And now I wish this darn golem was somehow more appropriately dressed, a place this fine could probably kick us out like that other fellow for improper attire instead of for demanding more wine... such are the issues of this confabbed system to begin with"
>>
No. 226415 ID: a76809

>>226410
[You don't have money with you, you don't know what currency is use around here, and Dulu cannot speak with the locals. Your Deep Spawn can, since they can speak every language you can, and you can pull metal from the ground, so you could, in theory, organize a Demon Party, complete with boozing and brawling.]
>>
No. 226432 ID: b10c0e

Let us go check upon on that poor soul that was just ejected. "Pardons, sir, but would I be right in assuming that the Monk Oz the Breaker, called the Left Handed God of the Fist, is inside?" Carefully prod him, to wake him if he doesn't respond. "Also, would you be...oh, not to put too fine a point on it, dead? Because if you're not, some details about this Left Hand of the God of the Fist would be most useful." Turn to Keddic and gesture to the Tea house.

>>226414

"Unless it was that sprite's desire that you come with us but I am sure that Lenryt knows what she is doing." Cough. "In which case I am dreadfully sorry she dragged you away from your newfound home, but I do hope that we can bond. This is, after all, a road trip and in my youth I was quite the journeyer, haha! Yes, well, until I settled down and what...pah, I am being distracted by these long hours of fighting and building and the petty squabbles between myself and," Loud yelling, but as if away from the speaker. "Darling and kind maids!" Raise our hands. "But I will retire. If I do not have tea here, I can at least pretend after a cup of Illia's," Another yell off to the side. "Delicious tea! that I am really enjoying the company of a fine gentleman and such luxurious accommodations. And maybe even gain the assistance of this Oz fellow. Now, Keddic, you are no stranger to these places, could you give me a brief guide to some etiquette? I assume this is a Tuxedo and Tie affair, yes?"
>>
No. 226438 ID: f36769

>>226415
I guess we can send Burduko to Arcaneworks or Drazken Clan to quickly retrieve some rubies?

Speaking of Drazken Clan, we never made any new opening for Deep Spawn which let us mine even further. Relay orders to Lorgk telling him he can open entrances as he sees fit.
Also, order him to quickly fill the power vacuum left by killing Goran and his elite. Order Oggroth and Ugrokk to go to the villages of their origin to spread the news that Goran has been bested by Drazken Clan (I think it will be better to not tell that -we- killed Goran, but that it was collective might of Drazken... it will give more respect and credibility to take the "throne").
Lorgk should try to unite the tribes peacefully. He should give an example how great it is to be under Drazken, that as a collective their lives will be better and more prosperous. But if some refuse, don't resort to violence.
Also, set up fur trade.

Have the shamans (and Arkus) working on unified Magic language.

Jojo should come back to Arcanworks, or Ulzrick should be transported to Mordreden. Ulzrick is hi pupil after all, he needs to be taught as much as possible...
>>
No. 226445 ID: a3da7b

A lot of knowledge just got thrown around that Mordre was not supposed to know.
>>
No. 226473 ID: a76809

>>226414
>>226432
>>226438
An idea occurs to me. I set Geomancy and Magnetomancy alike to flitting through the ground here, and happily enough I detect some veins of silver underground. I lash the magics to extracting such, as I tell Phohn (for once his body by me and visible) to keep the rest of the Deep Spawn here with him, and to collect the silver as it emerges. A plan begins to form in my mind, for a dual-tiered approach, to recruiting this purported combat magic master, this inebriated Monk. I stride forward with Keddic and Dulu beside me, and as we get within seventy feet of the teahouse, an old,long-mustachioed and balding man, a living pile of wrinkles peeks his head out of the third floor, and after seeing us approach unarmed, shouts something that prompts several waitresses to bustle outside, simpering as they try to politely bar our way. Keddic and Dulu both take my cue as I march right on by them, acting as if there is no reason they would be hesitant about humanoid weapons entering their establishment.

Upon entering, the din of conversation dies for a moment, as faces turn to regard us, the entering trio, taking in our foreign look and largely metallic existence, as drunks turn back to their cups, content that we shall not disturb their drinking, while partakers of tea simply sit as audience, curious as to what our arrival portends. My skull whips about to triangulate, using the shattered window the orange and red garbed warrior came sailing out of... and likewise noting that the monk in green, suspiciously similar to the Jade Soul Monks I encountered in my first foray into the Land of Dragons, are oriented upon the same location.

A man even larger than Keddic, a mountain the equal of Lorgk sits upon a bench, smashed and discarded jugs of wine strewn both over the table and the ground, a staff leans against his bench with tinkling bells as large as a fist adorning its top. The monk in question's robes are completely immaculate, vibrant ocher with muted crimson characters stitched into its form, his bare arms clearly forged of metal, though I see no jointing or evidence he wears gauntlets: His arms themselves are these constructs I witness. In his right hand, which still has flesh above the elbow, delicately encircles a jug of wine, as it is sipped and slurped. Besides myself and the green monk, none dare turn their eyes towards the drinker, though the jade enveloped patron has certainly noticed my attention, now splitting his time between eying myself and the monk.

An older woman I assume to be a hostess starts hurrying up to me, and I speak before she can begin, even as I feel the first of the silver making its way to the surface amongst my Deep Spawn still outside.

"Ah, a teahouse, yes? What a wondrously warm environment, To find on an outing. Keddic, you enjoy the creature comforts of tea, do you not?

Keddic, hearing my question in Low Dragon, responds after only a moment of hesitation, as he goes along with my planned entrance.

"..I do happen to enjoy tea, and if this is Kojeera's Teahouse,
Then it would be remiss of me to miss it."

Our exchange, both between foreigners and with a Golem speaking, has now drawn nearly every eye, save that of the most dedicated boozers, the monk in yellow among them. The monk in green is also raptly focused.

"Is that so? I shall have to make a point of coming here myself, When I can actually bother to in the flesh, and give the tea a try myself. Oh yes, Dulu, my current traveling companion and rival, I imagine an area where you don't know the language so well would be such a terrible bore, So if you don't mind wish to be present, Feel free to step outside and join our Deep compatriots- And if you make sure they don't get into trouble, I would greatly appreciate it. "

Dulu regards me with his four pairs of eyes, noting my transition to Common when addressing him, and his response is less hesitant than Keddic's, if less enthusiastic.

"I choose to stay here. I find myself possessing interest in our purpose."

"Fair enough, fair enough!"

I move to take a cross-legged seat in an open clearing in the tea-house, where the ceiling opens up: This place seems specifically made to allow truly gargantuan patrons, something to file for later, as Keddic and Dulu join me. I continue speaking to the Golemslain as the hostess apparently gives up, snapping off orders that lead to a waitress coming our way, and asking Keddic what he wishes to order. I note him pulling some strangely shaped coins from an old pouch on his belt as he replies.

"So Dulu, unless it was that sprite's desire that you come with us, I have to ask: What made you wish to come along? Though if it was by force, I am dreadfully sorry she dragged you away, Especially from your new-found home, but I do hope that we can bond. This is, after all, a road trip, and in my youth I was quite the journeyer, haha!"

"...I genuinely do not understand you, Mordre. Nor do I know if I care to."

"Oh, don't be like that, I'm sure we can get..."

As I continue to attempt plying Dulu with genteel words and a courteous attitude, I take stock of the tea-house.... and my findings trouble me.

The monk in green continues to split himself between studying us, and observing the monk that must be Oz. A number of the tea-drinking patrons, the more observant ones, are noting his intense focus, and quietly excusing themselves. Several of the less inebriated drinkers are checking armor straps and insuring swords are not caught in sheathes, glazed eyes speculatively roaming about. And through this all, the Monk Oz the Breaker continues to drink wine, finally finishing the last long swallow of his current jug, discarding it to make a solid twenty on the ground about him. A hand of metal, cloaked in such intricate Combat Magic I have no inkling of its crafting, sways into the air.

"Moooore Wiiine!"

I see no waitress moving to serve him, all looking hesitantly at the matronly old women, who is now marching towards Oz, masking her scowl behind a subservient smile as she approaches.

"...Honored customer, you have been drinking for three days."

"Thas' right, I have! An' I wanna keep drinking, not done!"

"...Regretfully, honored guest's funds have been depleted-"

"MOOOORE WIIIIIIINE!! Jush wanna be drunk in peesh!"

The hostess seems to be at a loss before this drunken belligerence, and I see the Green monk speaking with his own waitress in muted whispers, even as Keddic nudges my arm.

"I'd like to observe I have enough coin left from my venture here we could afford to buy this Oz a jug or three of wine, while whatever plan you have for your... companions is readied."

At Keddic's words, I note that perhaps half a pound of silver has been slowly siphoned from the ground, the veins I detected halfway depleted as the Deep Spawn, upon my indirect orders via Phohn, begin shaping the extruded bits into crude coins, not bothering with markings or embossing. I believe I am nearly ready, should I wish to call them in and construct some sort of 'Demon Party' theme, at some point from here on out.



What should I do?
Should I continue to hold my location with Keddic and Dulu, or attempt to speak with Oz?
Should I try to attract attention by having the Deep Spawn come in and order wine and meat with their new-found silver coins, or should I wait?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 226488 ID: a3da7b

Go in with the party and invite the Monk eat and drink with you.

Best way to get a man's friendship is through his stomach; This man anyway.

Introductions and the sort, talk about wine, tea, women and war and eventually get to politics.

It would be cool if you could invite the Jade monk to sit with you, but he likely has detected Ringo and the gang and has a rather large bone to pick with you.
>>
No. 226491 ID: a3da7b

Time to put that silver tongue to good use. If you don't want this guy to put a serious dent in our lifespan you will have to come up with a very good reason why you not only killed his apprentices, but ate their souls afterwards.

It may require you giving them back via the use of a P.Soul by placing them in a talisman or mortuary tablet or something like that.

Unless of course you want to have a super brawl and attempt to eat him too.[bad idea]
>>
No. 226492 ID: 445c48

Invite the Drunk Monk over to your table, for wine, and talk about stuff.

Ignore Greenie.
>>
No. 226547 ID: e73926

I don't think the green monk has noticed anything special yet. Besides that Mordre got those souls fair and square in warfare!

Start discussing loudly with the staff, like if they will accept silver as payment and how much food & drink they have in stock and if it's possible to buy ALL the wine. That'll draw Oz's attention for sure as all drinks bought up would mean none for him. He might even be upset at the fact that Mordre is even trying. Defuse the issue by offering to share it with anyone who wants to socialize. Now he seems to want to drink alone so you need to pry a bit together with Keddic. Like why does a strong warrior like him need to drink himself senseless? We need to figure out what this guy wants and why he hasn't joined Lubu's forces yet. Clearly this guy didn't get strong by binge drinking constantly so he's either bored or troubled by something.

Mess around a bit with Dulu as well because you can. "It's not the metal arms is it? Why good Dulu here lost his entire body! You don't see HIM drinking his worries away. Well thinking of it I think he physically can't drink at all anymore, but that's beside the point!"

If he does get even more annoying then state aloud that you don't understand why the dragon Lubu respects him so much.

You could also keep him or the green monk off guard by having the deep spawn walk in one by one holding the silver. They're a great distraction just by being so otherworldly.
>>
No. 226554 ID: a3da7b

>>226547
No problem if he defeats them fair and square in warfare,

God in fact, they love that stuff.

But eating their souls? No.
Big no-no.
>>
No. 226579 ID: f36769

We are not giving away our souls.

I think that the green monk either wanted to start trouble with Oz or he is Jioga, who got the same mission from Lubu as us.
We should ask how long he has been here. If he has been here for 3 days, it means that he's not Jioga.

On the other hand, the green monk might be Ozs acquaintance who keeps sure that Oz "behaves".
>>
No. 226606 ID: 445c48

>>226554
Ah, but we've not "murdered" them, they're Heroes after all. It's more like they've been imprisoned.

But anyways he might not even know so let's not do anything about that.
>>
No. 226650 ID: 732129

Can we please not antagonize Dulu?
>>
No. 226654 ID: 56dc25

>>226473
Okay, the whole "demon party" concept is an interesting one, but we should really start out slow. We don't know how it would go over. The Deep Spawn should remain outside for now.

Perhaps offer to pay for a bit more wine if he is willing to sit and speak with you, and from there attempt to confirm his identity, ask what he's been up to and try to sound out his political feelings and determine what he wants from life. Aside from being drunk all the time; no one really wants to be drunk all the time, even if they say they do and genuinely enjoy wine. Once we have a better idea of what he's like and what drives him, we can move towards fulfilling Fierce Dragon's task for us.
>>
No. 226719 ID: a76809
File 128375094616.jpg - (333.38KB , 1024x853 , Land Of Dragons Jade Soul Monk Elite Bagrom.jpg )
226719

>>226492
>>226547
With the funds almost ready outside, I decide to begin my rather unorthodox plan.

"Excuse me, how much would the current stock of wine be? I have a large party looking to drink, as it were."

My purposefully loud query finally draws a reaction out of the monk, who shifts in his seat like a faultline, a mountain of muscle turning to regard me with a face covered in tiny scars, nose hobbled from repetitious breakings, and a chin like an anvil, and ears nearly cauliflowered away. A pair of eyes struggle for a moment, before settling on me, the glaze of wine pulled back by will.

"Oy, and what're you doin', buyin' up all the wine?"

I see the monk in green, who I feel sure is a Jade Soul Monk of some sort, if different from the nearly identical set I encountered before, now focused wholly on me, a guarded look festooning his tattooed face. With nearly the whole tea house now attending on my words, I decide to milk it for all its worth, hoping the fancifulness of what I intend will act to attract the drunk monk as I hope.

"Oh, well please come join us then monk, There will be plenty of wine to go around!"

"There will be? ...Arright then."

The now immediately de-prickled monk meanders over with the sway of too much drink, before plopping himself down as the jug of wine Keddic discreetly ordered with his coins arrives, immediately getting hefted by the monk who guzzles it like water for a long pull before sighing.

"Haaaaaah... 'sgood stuff they have here, still use old Kojeero's recipe. Goes down smooth, lets the mind clear, y'know?"

I see a possibility here, and decide to indulge Oz's drunken rambling.

"Indeed, I'm sure it does. And what does you mind need clearing of?"

Oz rubs at the back of his head with his over-sized and well-worn metal left arm, the scarlet glow from the pit in its top dull and sullen, as his face scrunches with aborted attempts to display divergent emotions.

"Got a lot of problems, on my plate, y'unnerstand? First off, went on this pulgri- excuse me, pilgrimage, to all these places tiny stars fell, right? Seventy Two of them, all over. Each one, tiny bit of starmetal, never forged, too small for a weapon, yeah? An' I challenged the guardin' officials, each time, gettin' to take the metal, an' absorb it inta me left arm, yeah? Now, this was' after my left got busted real bad, 'n a fight with Old Shangod, some six years ago, so I was doin' it to try and... I'unno, restore myself? Already had this Blood Iron right hand back then... where was I goin' with this?"

As Oz helps himself to more wine and I feel the silver nearly all wrested from the ground outside, I prompt Oz.

"You were talking about what's troubling you. "It's not the metal arms is it? Why good Dulu here lost his entire body!"

As I gesture his way, even as he can't understand the words, Dulu's set of eight eyes narrow, just so, as he offers no response. I press on, trying to restore Oz's momentum.

"You don't see HIM drinking his worries away. Well thinking of it I think he physically can't drink at all anymore, But that's completely, entirely beside the point!"

The brutish monk guffaws, a rolling thunder of rumbling belly laughter echoing off the walls, as he helps himself to another swig of wine before resuming, the jug already halfway gone.

"Nah, 'snot the arms, They're fine, got m'nerves synced with the metal, an'everything. Pilgrimage worked just fine, went from one of many, to a Name, all it took was a four year journey. I had fun, right? But when I got done, I was looking to make some money, maybe teach a while, right? After all, travelling's expensive, got to replenish funds, all that. But I got a problem, see? No normal person, not even kids lookin' fer lessons, will approach me, think its an insult, too important for them, right? Well, I could deal with that, not the most patient teacher, but the better brawlers, or the rich? They don't join either, because I don't have a sholid roster. So I can't get students. Was kinda hopin to get known for passin' on the Ghosthand and Breaker, m'self-made style, make it a known thing, right?"

At this Oz pauses again, to drain the wine even further, as I feel the last of the silver being pressed into crude coins, my group of nine finally prepared.

"Well, Even having no student's be fine, I got my brother, see? He's a good artist, makes some solid money, and I've looked out for him 'n the past. But his house burned down, and.... and..."

Oz's face wrinkles further, a solid lump of grimace as he squeezes out the next words.

"An' he died. So, I complete a four year pilgrimage, spend a few more years after that polishin' my style, finally look to use my fame to start a school, really make my mark, and I can't do it without toadyin' up to some Dragon, and my only family's dead."

Oz drains the last of the jug of wine and tosses it aside as well, as he settles back into his dark mood.

"An' thas why 'm drinkin'. Don't want to have to worry, at least fer a bit."

And lo, I see my chance, to aid him in forgetting his woes for a time, and hopefully giving him a diversion that will get me a further in with the monk, as I analyze just what was entailed by his remark about service under a Dragon.

Phohn?
Yes, Administrator Mordre?
I want you and the other Deep spawn to walk into the teahouse, and to audibly say the following....

Into the teahouse, stride nine monsters.

All conversation dies.

All eyes are drawn.

Several blades leap to hand, some rock steady and others weaving dangerously, and more than a few screams start accentuating the air. But even they stop when Sadronm, at the front, kneels down to the old women, having followed my orders, and says the needed line as his scaled hand opens to reveal a mass of silver coins, rough and unmarked.

"We ssssssssseek sssssspiritsssss, hossstessss. We have travelled far, and ssssssseek to enjoy ourssssselves."

As the aged hostess seems rooted in place by fear, Sadronm prompts her further with another of my lines.

"We sssshall of coursssse drink elsssswhere, to not upsssset cusssstomersssss."

The hand of silver proffers forward again.

And this time the matron is ready. A large sale, and getting these.... things out of the teahouse? She is already yelling, and waitresses begin lugging forward jug after jug, which all but Nihilino and Mothbern begin carrying. The hostess practically flies away, clutching the lumps of silver as if afraid they will disappear as the Deep Spawn wave to me, and Oz's inebriated curiosity (along with that of the rest of the patrons yet again) turns upon me, as I convivially call out to them, starting to rise.

"Ah, there you are, I was wondering when you'd get in! Well, it seems you are amply stocked now then, yes? Well, Keddic, Dulu, shall we go? And if you wish to come, Feel free to join us yourself, monk...."

Oz totters to his feet without hesitation, already moving to follow the departing Deep Spawn.

"'F course'll come. Got booze, and whatever these things are. Got interestin' comp'ny. Jus' wha I wanted, a derst... distraction, thassit."

And so we depart, even as I note the monk in green getting up to follow us as we depart. I even lead our group straight through the middle of town, eyes drawn to our marching forms, people gawking and pointing, as much at my Deep Spawn as at Oz himself, his notoriety clearly evident. The green monk continues to follow us, something I note Dulu observing as well.

We eventually settle in the middle of town after Oz seats himself and declares it the best place to drink. we form a circle, thankful that there are trade roads, or were, that passed through this village and left such a clearing. The few riders and travelers skirt our group with ease, likewise absorbed in staring at our irregularity, as all the Deep Spawn share in drinking with Keddic and Oz, who for his part starts immediately chatting with Aggocrag, lush friendliness surpassing any reticence he may feel at speaking with a molten pile of rock made manifest.

"'Rright, so, you look like you can hit pretty hard, and take a hit too, right? You the toughest of this bunch here?"

"IN TERMS OF DURABILITY? NO, VANDGURD EXCEEDS ME IN DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES, AND IN DIRECT BRUTE FORCE."

"S'zat so? An' which one is Vandgurd, then? An if yer not the strongest, anyone else tougher?"

"AGAIN, ASSUMING YOU ARE NOT SPEAKING OF LETHALITY BUT OF PHYSICAL STRENGTH, I AM THE THIRD STRONGEST, THE PURELY PHYSICAL ZELGOTO AND VANDGURD THE SECOND AND FIRST STRONGEST, RESPECTIVELY, AS WELL AS BOTH BEING MORE DURABLE. I MAKE UP FOR THIS WITH THE ABILITY TO EXUDE MAGMA AT WILL."

"Molten rock? Really? An' thas' on top of being pretty strong an' durable, anyway, right?"

"THAT IS CORRECT."

Oz rocks about in how bow-legged seat on the ground, mulling the thought over, before a happy grin splits his face, and he pushes on.

"So, you die easy? Y'know, you soft like a person, only a couple organs down and dead, or'r you like one a' them Ragegluts, keep on ticking?"

"ALL OF US CAN REGENERATE DAMAGES RAPIDLY, AND HAVE NO VITAL ORGANS TO BE DESTROYED, OUR EXISTENCES EXCLUSIVELY BASED ON OUR SOULS."

Oz lights up even more, as he stubbornly presses on, trying to zero in on the concept he is drunkenly stumbling towards.

"So, so, so then, If I don't do anything that would hurt yer soul, I couldn't kill you, or cripple you?"

"BARRING SOME OUTLIER EVENT, YOU ARE CORRECT."

"An' you serve... that guy over there, the golem guy?"

"....YES, WE ALL SERVE.. MORDRE."

His pauses unnoticed through the haze of wine, Oz nearly unseats himself turning to face me.

"Hey, can I fight your guys? Those three, Zelgo... Zegoto, Agogocrag... an' Van-ger? I could really go with some shtress relief, yeah?

I waste no time in accepting Oz's request, even as I tell convey to Phohn that the three chosen should take care to ensure they do not overly damage the human they shall face.

"By all means, feel free."

Approximately ten seconds later, when Oz's right hand collides with Zelgoto's torso and sends him flying, his left arm slamming into Vandgurd so forcefully the behemoth is crushed into the ground, I realize the concern was unnecessary. Every blow with Oz's left arm, the somehow fused arm of Lortoxite imparting impacts that seem to swell in proportion upon deliver, turning already devastating blows into the likes of which the three defensive Deep Spawn look like those Bang slays after every hit, so heavy are the strikes. Even drunkenly brawling without form or finesse, Oz is having no trouble trouncing my three defenders.

I wonder if he is satisfied with that, himself.

"Hate to bother you when you're busy-"

"Huh? Whazzat?"

"Do you want the fight to be more interesting?"

"It can be more interesting?"

"They can manifest spawn, some twenty apiece, Who are possessed of similar regenerative abilities."

"..Yes!"

And so shortly enough, Spawn of stone, of steel and fur, all start slogging forth, as Oz now starts getting hit once in a while, his body so heavily cloaked in combat magic that only the three Individuated spawn's attacks can even phase him. But his face has shed years of worry, and he paints the picture of the quintessential happy drunk, riotously rumbling what most would call monsters that he shared wine with just minutes ago. It would seem my plan is working.

"Master Oz The Breaker, Left Handed God of the Fist, I am Bagrom, of the Jade Soul Style, and I challenge you to a duel!"

I turn to see the green monk who trailed us stepping forth, his hands, which I now note are garbed in form-fitting metal, glowing as a massive pair of similarly styled gauntlets rise from the nearby forest, ghostly lines of ownership connecting them to Bagrom's own hands, as he heedlessly dashes into the mass of spawn, puffs of green light accompanying strikes that turn the spawn into the equivalent of blood balloons-

Then the pair of massive hands reach his side, and the connecting lines proliferate, just in time for the titanic fists to start slamming to the ground, pasting a path through the spawn towards Oz, who is looking at the intruder as one would an unruly child.



What should I do?
Should I or any of my companions take action at the intrusion?
Or should I let Oz handle it?
Or perhaps I should do something else?
>>
No. 226735 ID: 3fbc29

Well shiiiiiiiii-

Have your spawn pull back, get out of his way so to speak. If he pursues them in any way, even if just to hit one that was not in his way at all, then speak against it.

I don't like this guy one bit.
Not one bit.

If he still acts against you after you speak, then start charging an lightning blast and prepare to make him the linking point for the discharge using magnetomancy (heh, always hits yay...unless of course he has a super soul like Lubu)


I want to allow Oz to handle it though.

I think he would get along with Oggroth.
>>
No. 226742 ID: 445c48

First off, get the deep spawn away. Something something mass connection, somethingsomething souls. I forget how the Jade Monks redirected their asskickings last time we were down here, if it was corporeal redirection, like the Blood Cloaks, or had some soul stuff, or if it was something else entirely, but still it's a good idea to get outta the way.

Bloodboost Magnetomancy and stop the newcomer, reminding him that a Duel has to be accepted, a man can't just shout "DUEL!" and rush the other guy, at least, not where you're from. If you can't stop him with Magnetomancy, try bloodboosted kinetemancy, or tri-casting magnetomancy or Kinetemancy.

If Oz does accept, let 'em at each other.
>>
No. 226744 ID: e67080

Stomp into the ground, geomancy enhanced, and say VERY LOUDLY

EXCUSE ME SIR BAGROM! but we were enjoying a lovely little party here, nor has our newfound friend actually agreed to your duel, and you just killed parts of these fine friends of mine in your rush. A rather uncouth set of actions here! Its not even a duel if your going to be killing innocent bystanders along the way.

However, I do not wish to interfere farther, Oz, if you would like to handle this person as a representative of my distaste in his actions... I would approve, as you have acted a fine person towards us so far. However, I do wish to say Sir Bagrom that I do consider your attack against them as if you had directly attacked my personage.

im trying to set up justification for us to take his soul if Oz wins, if its not obvious.
>>
No. 226754 ID: 903f16

>>226719
Let Oz handle this, but try to direct the battle away from the middle of town. This fight as the potential to cause extreme collateral damage and it would probably net us bonus points with Lubu or at least the town's populace if we prevent that. It also let's us discreetly suck his soul out after the battle is over with no one watching us.
>>
No. 226786 ID: a594b9

Allow Oz to handle the situation. Respect the duel.

Also, dear god don't eat the loser's soul without permission. Talk to them first.
>>
No. 226795 ID: f4e4f9

>>226786
Did he genuinely kill any of our spawn?

If so, stand and haltingly move to intervene, to imply disapproval and that we have no connection with this Jade Soul Monk.

We'll save to Soul-Suck till after his soul manifests, and perhaps chide out a taunt questioning his honor. Something along the lines of:

"Hmph. Fitting. What manner of coward dashes in demanding a duel against an opponent already preoccupied in a good-natured rumble?"

If he attacks us: BAM, self defense. If not, so be it. A minor loss, when you look at the greater picture.

Mind you, I highly doubt Bagrom stands much of a chance here. But who knows? Be ready to intervene with Geomancy.
>>
No. 226928 ID: 3fbc29

>>226744
This, Loveley.

Also, Bloodboost Geomancy and make a tiny arena, just some knee high walls, and shift the whole deal away from town.

Time to show off a bit.
>>
No. 226953 ID: b10c0e

"I do not like you, sir. There is no reason for you to attack us while we are enjoying a proper brawl." Look him up and down and harrumph. "I believe you poor, but you're art his fine. I shall call you Stuart."

And we should apologize to Dulu, but somehow say we respect his tenacity and the fact he did not let his death weight him down.
>>
No. 226969 ID: d3dfb8

Say, Oz! I know someone who may be interested in becoming a student of yours. For a short time atleast. Tell you what, you beat this guy and show me what you can do, and I'll pay for his training.
>>
No. 227012 ID: f4e4f9

>>226969
I can think of TWO people with us right now who might be interested.

(KEDDIC, BANG, MONK-STUDENT DUO (Oggroth at a later time, probably)
>>
No. 227056 ID: d3dfb8

>>227012
Well Keddic fights with swords, not fists.
>>
No. 227060 ID: f4e4f9

>>227056
Actually, he does both. Hell, he's currently working on perfecting Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism*.

*Pugilism means fighting with your fists
>>
No. 227074 ID: ab04d4

>>227012
Keddic, probably not. If you've read a wuxia novel before you'd know that in these kungfu-based semilawful cultures, learning from other teachers besides the one you have sworn yourself to as a student-son is paramount to high treason and is a crime that can lead to execution by the previous master or any other master who knows of this. This is presumably to prevent transfer of secret arts and stuff, and to ensure loyalty.

If what I said is true, I'm sure Keddic will very violently resist learning from another sifu; if not, have fun. You guys can do whatever with Bang.
>>
No. 227081 ID: 68ce23

Remember we also have to keep an eye out for Jioga, who got the same mission as Mordre. This could be one of his manipulations.

I say we see if Dulu would want to fight this Jade Soul monk. Oz is drunk and exhausted and this Bagrom is obviously taking advantage of that to earn some cheap honor or settle some grudge. He could have attacked at any time, but he's obviously waited until he had world magic from the forest or something and a weakened opponent to pounce on. Also Dulu had better make up for that time he got stuck in the snow. So far he hasn't impressed Mordre much.

I think we should prod Oz as well. Something like:

"You know Oz I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. What was he like? Did he enjoy his wine as much as you?"

After discussing his brother you could try to get onto his other problems:

"Actually your other problems don't seem too bad to me. I can see quite a few ways around them. For example the nobles and their lot won't take you seriously while you're a wandering loner, but you don't want to be some Dragon's underling? Well how about this? Join my group. I'm doing my own thing and the others are just with my for the ride because they like good fights and strange sights. Well the Deepspawn come along because they're eternally bound in servitude to me, but that's because I created them out of my own soul, they just work that way, not that I mind...

Either way what I'm saying is you'd fit right in. I'm personally occupied with supporting Fierce Dragon Lubu the Unparalleled, but that just means you'll be indirectly allied with the strongest Dragon around without having to make any vows or promises to the guy. You can even insult him to his face if you wish! I don't think he'd be too bothered, he seems to care more for actions than words.

Regarding your student problem there are lots of things you could do, you just have to have a bit of imagination. If you acquire a little fame and money we could announce that you'll be holding tryouts for the student position! That might bring all the shy kids out of the proverbial woodwork. If that doesn't work then you could always look for students outside the Land of Dragons. There's a lot of young people out there with unknown fighting potential who would leap at the chance to learn combat from a powerful master like yourself. Look at Keddic here. He traveled thousands of miles to learn some of the secrets of Mass Connection."
>>
No. 227084 ID: f36769

>>227081
I wonder if we'll be able to convince him to open his school in Arcaneworks. He could train some of the outstanding soldiers we have.
Also, we could search for students from all over the place and bring him there, of course we'll have to provide with lodgings and food, and the fees should be very small or nonexistent. They would be like an investment, Oz will train them good and his popularity will spread with his students and people will come flocking to be his underlings in no time.

That is, of course if he is willing to open school outside the LoD. If he absolutely must train them in his homeland, we can help him out with initial budget, spread his popularity somewhat. And even then we could send our own students to him since we can travel instantly in Burduko Domes.
>>
No. 227087 ID: 74af59

>towards Oz, who is looking at the intruder as one would an unruly child

I don't think that Oz is gonna have too much trouble with him right about now.

In any case, I want to see the fight.
>>
No. 227096 ID: d3dfb8

"'Bagrom, of the Jade Soul Style' eh? Perhaps you would know of four of your brothers who lost their lives during the battle on the day that Lubu slew the two dragons and became emperor? They were worthy foes, but easily defeated. Perhaps you could pose more of a challenge? Don't worry yourself Oz, have fun."
>>
No. 227103 ID: 445c48

>>227096
Unnecessarily dickish. Don't say this.
>>
No. 227111 ID: 74af59

Seriously man, this is why I wanted gravimancy. I would be really nice to just hold him down with gravity now, look like a badass and such.

Not complaining, don't mistake this for complaining. I love that our armpits can eat magic and stuff.
>>
No. 227117 ID: e67080

>>227111
and agreed, but not only do we have magic eating, we have things like making hauling ass look slow, and the ability to conjure arms that will eat whatever is in front of us (assuming with little difficulty, organic or inorganic). It was just a juicy grab.
>>
No. 227120 ID: 445c48

>>227117
>Arms

Those things'll eat everything around us, in every direction. Up, down, front, behind. Sort of handy I guess?

Anyways we could probably stop him by either magnetomancing the metal the guy's wearing, or by using Kinetemancy to mess with his vectors so he's still or something.
>>
No. 227122 ID: d3dfb8

>>227120
Can't magnetomancy, ownership.
>>
No. 227123 ID: a51294

So, um, a question that been bugging me for a while, does the blood of our Deep Spawn count for the purposes of activating 4S? If it does, we really should collect the blood that being spilled here. (Unless our Deep Spawn need it for some reason.)

Shouldn't Phohn be translating for Dulu? I'd imagine Dulu would like to know what the people around him are saying. And is Sandronm directing the spawn, like he always should when spawn are manifested? I'd imagine that would please Oz, giving him a better fight, and thus helping us convince him to join up with Lubu (or, more specifically, us. If he is loyal to us, then Lubu needs us to have Oz, which means Lubu is indebted to us, which means we are one more step closer to completing Lenryt's task for us).

...And, the way Deep Spawn communicate gives me headaches. Does Aggocrag mean Vangurd is first among our Deep Spawn in terms of physical durability and strength, with Zelgoto being second in the categories and Aggocrag being third? That doesn't line up with my understanding of the Deep Spawn: as Vangurd's Concept is Protection, he is first in durability, that is sensible. However, Zelgoto's Concept is Strength, which means he should be first in physical strength, but the way Aggocrag phrased things, apparently Zelgoto is second in physical strength? I'm so confused...someone clear things up for me, please.

Also, I would suggest that the fighting be moved far from town if the fighters are going to break up the ground. Perhaps use Kinitemancy to redirect the vibrations out and up into the air? And be like: "If you insist on fighting, would you kindly do so somewhere else, where destroying the ground would not be a bother? This golem is capable of repairing the damage, so I feel obliged to do so. But it's so tedious, I would rather not. Thus, another place?" or such like? Use Geomancy to repair any damage to the ground, if there is any.

>>227117
Not just whatever is in front of us, but everywhere one foot of us. That means even from the bottom of our feet. ...Come to think of it, does HANDS OF HUNGER emerge from our ruby eyes when Zagrath is out and about?

...That's a little disturbing, that image. We're a giant with ghostly hands emerging from our entire body, and then our eyes pop out, hands coming from all over them too. Eek.

On the topic of Amaranthine Annihilator, when Zagrath is out, could the Amaranthine Annihilator be fired in two different directions at once? From what I understand, the eyes aren't set exactly in place, they could move in different directions. But, if the eyes move because Zagrath manifests and moves with the eyes set where his eyes are... hey, he could be a scout.
>>
No. 227137 ID: e67080

>>227123
I actually talked to Bob about the magical blood thing.

Apparently only individuated Deep Spawn are going to give a strong enough effect to really matter. The second is that leeching their blood like this is damaging to the point of being lethal if you do it too much (I think it slowly kills their equivalent of a 'soul', but they will offer their blood). Another factoid is an Administrator has much stronger magical properties in their blood for this purpose.
>>
No. 227140 ID: a51294

>>227137
Ah, thank you. And of course I'm not going to suggest that we drain our Deep Spawn. I only ask because of the blood that is being spilled.
>>
No. 227144 ID: c78a29

Weird that no one is working on 3-rule Prophecy and/or 5 pristine soul question.
MY guess is that everyone is kind of tired getting "near misses" that they hope that someone else is going to hit the spot.

Oh well, here's some info from before
>>219701
>The Bound Rages, A Past Cage Sought For Vengeance
[Ho-ho, got the view of Caged One angry at Mordre, Caged One angry at Arkus, and of Mosmordre related Deep Spawn looking to use Soul Graves as TOOLS of vengeance. This prophecy segment's been successfully decoded, good on ya.]
>The Three Eyed Lord Of Souls, The Master Of Sorrow Comes
[Well yes, this does reference the three Fragments of the Caged One yet found, as others speculated, as well as to Eldghodd, with the Three Eyed Lord Of Souls title, but there is a THIRD entity this could be referencing, that has yet to be properly identified. This prophecy is almost fully decoded.]
>The Parasite Will Be Faced With Mortality, The Three Eyed Lord, Ruin Shall Come!
[Got Mosmordre as Parasite leeching Caged One via leylines, has Goran as parasite, and Mordre, all good. But this is missing how the Three Eyed Lord coming would signify ruin for all of them. Get that, and once more, all three meanings found. Get all three prophecies squared away, and interesting revelations shall be had. And yes, I consider prophecies as Rule Of Three shenanigans, in case the three prophecies, each with three meanings, did not tip you off.]

In the second part of the prophecy we successfully deduced that it can refer to Caged One and Eldghodd.
With the new information we gained from Lenryt I think it is obvious that the third entity is the Master of Sorrow, a Legendary Soul mage from Mosmodre.
Also, something I've been wondering about our existence. Lenryts comment was kind of weird:
>You are some piece of Mordre's persona, though it seems due to your nature If I made Mordre aware of you, I would be introducing him to too many existential concerns, considering his copilot in the Soul Grave
Is she referring to the Master of Sorrow as "Mordre", the name we assumed ourself? Maybe the legendary soul mage had the same name?
Anyway, that comment makes me think that he is dormant, like the consciousness went to subconsciousness and preoccupies itself with solving the grand mysteries of the universe or something.
(I am sleepy and even if I wasn't I don't think I would be able to form my ideas coherently, so bear with me.) I'll try to work in the "the rule of 3" part of the prophecy in this (3-eyed Lord), well he could have had 3 physical eyes, but I do not think like that.
Anyway, 3 parts. I think it refer to Master of Sorrow, Caged One and us. I think that we are all 1 entity divided in 3 parts. Id, Ego and Super-Ego.
In normal circumstances Id and Super-Ego should reside in subconsciousness while Ego is the conscious part of the person.
I think that we are Super-ego, because we alway try to be socially appropriate in all situations, we never impulsively follow our basic instincts like eating all souls we come across to, etc...
Id is the Other Us, for the few moments of its existence, it has shown to be extremely arrogant and self-serving
Ego is Master of Sorrow. The consciousness that is dormant at this time.

>[Got Mosmordre as Parasite leeching Caged One via leylines, has Goran as parasite, and Mordre, all good. But this is missing how the Three Eyed Lord coming would signify ruin for all of them. Get that, and once more, all three meanings found. Get all three prophecies squared away, and interesting revelations shall be had.]

I don't think we need to guess how his coming would mess up our shit anymore, we saw it firsthand. He would have overtaken us and forced us to dormancy (best case scenario) or down right destroyed our essence. Same goes for Goran, who wouldn't have stood a chance.

this might be all. How good was this, Bob?

...
I think I wanted to write something else too, but I forgot. If someone has ideas, please work with it ... I am sleepy and tired
>>
No. 227154 ID: a594b9

>>227144
As for Mordre's nature, we've basically been straight-up told that the Curse itself caused Mordre to become sentient, and we are... bits of chaos related to that.

Hey, I've noticed something. Powerful enough souls can affect reality directly. It's like reality is MADE of souls or something.
>>
No. 227162 ID: 903f16

>>227144
>MY guess is that everyone is kind of tired getting "near misses" that they hope that someone else is going to hit the spot.

For me it's more that Bob has said we have everything we need to put the thing together with what we've already guessed, we just need to weed out the bad stuff and mash it all together into one cohesive theory. That's quite a bit of work and I just don't feel up to it now.
>>
No. 227163 ID: d3dfb8

>In the second part of the prophecy we successfully deduced that it can refer to Caged One and Eldghodd.
>With the new information we gained from Lenryt I think it is obvious that the third entity is the Master of Sorrow, a Legendary Soul mage from Mosmodre.

It could be that the third entity is Mordre, Us(bits of chaos), and the Master of Sorrow, as we are sort of one being. Three within Three.
>>
No. 227171 ID: a51294

>>227144
Well, the Other is the Master of Sorrow, because we learned the title applied to the Other when Lenryt answered a question concerning the Other with that title. And he is the Three Eyed Lord of Souls, the image Bob used when he introduced him had three eyes, so the second prophecy is down, I think.

But the third, yeah, that is tripping people up, I would say. We have one half, but the ruin part... I do not think people know where to put the three Fragments of the Caged One or Eldghodd or Mosmordre. We don't even know where the Fragments are, nor what form they took, nor what they what (escape, yeah, but how? True Edge wanted to kill all the Deep Spawn, the caretakers of the binding on the Caged One; our hitchhiker- that never told us anything, so that is a dead end.), Mosmordre dead and gone (though there is a few fragments left (e.g. the Other, Kyorto, us), but... will is future tense. How does something that doesn't even really exist anymore be faced with something in future?), and... Eldghodd. How does he fit in? How is he ruin for Mosmordre, Goran, or Mordre? We don't really know, do we? Mosmordre is dead, and I think we can safely assume that Mosmordre's ruin lies in the Fragments, Eldghodd doesn't really mind Goran, so long as he fulfills his end of the bargains Goran may make, and, while Eldghodd might decide to kill Mordre if it comes to it, it isn't likely that it will. I mean, it isn't as if Eldghodd's Concept is Mortality, whose form revolves around Shadows and Malevolence, is it? That would fit the grammar of the sentence... though that wouldn't fit with what Bob has said. It isn’t anything like: because of Eldghodd appearing, we didn’t have the chance to persuade the emissaries of Goran to a fight that wouldn’t lead to us being destroyed?

For the Fragments... well, they might be gunning for Mordre, as a tool of the Deep Spawn. Perhaps, by gunning for Mordre, they will ruin Mosmordre even more, by killing/destroying every last vestige of the Empire? That might satisfy the prophecy. As for Goran's ruin, well, perhaps Goran counts as a Deep Spawn from the view of the Fragments, or as a tool? He was called an Organic Soul Grave... We really need to talk to Eldghodd, or Dorgrum about Soul Graves' interference on normal soul flow on death and their opinion on such. Could we get Phohn on that?

As for the Master of Sorrow… Goran, Mordre, self-evident. But Mosmordre is a giant, brick wall that this slams into. How does the self-proclaimed heir to the Mosmordren Empire bring ruin to Mosmordre?
>>
No. 227179 ID: 3fbc29

Earth = Body
Leylines = blood works
Caged one = soul of the world

so to speak.

I keep figuring things out and then forgetting before I post... gotta go take more vitamins of somn.
>>
No. 227191 ID: 9338f5

IDEA!
When we next get a chance use our teleport deep spawn to go to Kyorto's (sp?) tower and ask her about any powerful/legendary Mosmordian soul mages.
>>
No. 227244 ID: 5018f7

We still, after all these threads, need one more bloody mage skin. So yell to Oz something about not damaging him too much, or something.
>>
No. 227249 ID: 445c48

>>227244
We need a human that uses world magic.

I don't think Mass Connection is World Magic.
>>
No. 227253 ID: 3fbc29

>>227249
Mass connection is everything-magic, you just need to imagine it to do it.

Hey I just thought of something... Keddic can FLY!

not just super wings fly, but magic levitation type fly. Remember the blood bullet thing I was talking about? With ranged super-blood control, he can just move the blood in him 'up' and he goes with it. like SKP but better.

In fact, he could use this for everything, he could become a regular 'Flash' without moving a muscle, or superman if you will.

MASS CONNECTION IS THE BEST THING EVA!!!
Seriously, it is just limited to your imagination and determination.

I will now stop theorizing so as not to make Bob go 'shut up Falcon'
>>
No. 227267 ID: 3fbc29

Wait a minute

Figment
Figment knew this.
It's all a matter of the mind.
Time
Space
It doesn't matter as long as you have mass connection and a good use of it.

Mass connection is a mimicry of what the caged one can do.
They said that he could even warp reality, and as everything in the world is just a subset of his power, they can also access this ability.

All you have to do is see it for what it is. Easier said than done of course, because it takes a lot for someone to see the world as existing in any shape they want, it goes against everything you know from birth.

It would be easier for mages, because they already bear a fraction of this world view, though they still bear mental limitations, e.g. geomancers and limitations with earth control, but I think it is almost impossible for this view to be properly attained.

Figment could not have known all of it, either that or he has simply decided to observe the world now, but yes.

I think I have stumbled upon something important.

hmmmmmm
>>
No. 227268 ID: 3fbc29

Theory and prediction time:
Lenryt is allowing the souls of the world to attain more experience before they are returned to the caged one.
Each generation adds more and more to this, and eventually he will come to bear a disposition similar to Lenryt's and then be released.

Hmmm, very very interesting....

I really hope I am on the right track and my own moment of inspiration was not wasted.
>>
No. 227270 ID: 6a17b0

>>227267
SHUT UP FALCON
YOU'RE GIVING THE GM IDEAS THAT HE MAYBE HASN'T ALREADY HAD
GODDAMNIT


Well now, that is an incredible idea. That would perhaps also explain why he was able to graft make is so Bang's freaking bones grow runes without Bang having to give up ownership. Because they had already been that way since he was born.
>>
No. 227275 ID: a76809

>>22711
[Actually when Goran's soul is active all of Mordre's body, every bit of it, will be able to absorb magic, just like Abaeloth's soul grants omnidirectional matter absorption. But yes, Gravimancy is very handy for BOW BEFORE ME moments.]

>>227074
[Incorrect. One can have multiple masters actually, as to leave most of the more prominent schools, if certain arts or techniques are learned, they cannot be practiced without sworn loyalty to the school the taught them, a veritable soul oath bound by those that teach them. So leaving poses no real threat, as they cannot use or trade the greatest techniques they learned, effectively hobbling themselves as fighters. With a population breadth, and history depth, the Land of Dragons has had chances for several exceptions to these limitations existing, maybe one or two rising up the schools every few decades, Lubu being the last some twenty years ago at the age of fifteen, mastering the ten most famous arts, and somehow avoiding the restrictions to never use the greatest moves again. He rose to Dragon on the fame he gained fighting off the repercussion as outraged master after master sought him out, dying at his hands. Ask him about it sometime, he loves telling the story.]

>>22712
[Vandgurd is number 1 defense, number 2 strength, Zelgoto is number 1 strength, number 2 defense, but at a lower sum of total capacity than Vandgurd on a purely physical standpoint. And Amaranthine Annihilator, when freely foaming under Zagrath's control, can discharge both gems independantly, in opposed directions or whatever. And Abaeloth's soul cannot effect the eyes, unless you could render the eyes a Soul Nexus to then link to the body Soul Nexus, something Kyorto could guide you on how to do.
>>227144
[Interesting new ideas, and the Id/Super-Ego pairing is somewehat close to part of reality, but is a byproduct of other events. All I can say without spoiling it.]

>>227154
[OHYEAHGEETHATISWIERD. Probably completely unrelated to souls being the antithesis of entropy, creation of energy from nowhere, so since energy to matter is demonstrated as possible in the setting via magic, enough soul could be crafted into anything. Yeah, nothing to do with that.]

>>226735
>>226742
>>226744
>>226754
>>226786
>>226795
>>226928
>[GIVE OZ HIS ROOM, MAN]
[No, no single individual spawn was so heavily damaged as to suffer a magical system shock and perish. Several ARE going to take a while to regenerate due to how grievous injuries are, but we're talking minutes. If he had actually been treating them as genuine foes rather than punching a path for himself through the apparent monster horde, there likely would be deaths, from multiple successive blows.]

I set the ground shaking with Geomancy even as I order Phohn to have Sadronm withdraw the spawn, rocky ledges rising around the the two fighters in a wide ring as my own minions draw back, becoming living arena lines to doubly prevent spillover to the immediate surroundings, as I start shifting the earth sideways, taking the shortest exit out of town as the townspeople, those not having already shut their windows long ago, actually follow along, having grown used to the Deep Spawn enough to be more interested in some street brawling, and a great story if nothing else. Nevertheless, after some ten feet of shifting, Bagrom has launched twelve blows at Oz-

Who has taken every one from those glowing titanic gauntlets, his left shoulder and arm soaking the impacts as muscles surge like lazy snakes, legs dig into the ground, and the blows that literally pasted some spawn, are shurgged off, before-

Oz let's out a blast of breath as he swings his arm up in time with an impact, throwing the hand surging skyward in rebound.

Oz's left hand rises like a mountain of lightning, and from the depths of his metal hand of Blood Iron, rises a mass of emerald energy, its raw form immediately recognizable, enough I need not even note my own spell matrices identify the material innately. The soul of Oz's hand rises from his metal prosthetic, ballooning and swelling until it dwarfs even Bagrom's brought weaponry, and I see his face slack for a brief instant.

In that instant Oz's spectral grasp falls about Bagrom's own corporeal one, and metal immediately starts sagging, buckling, crumpling, unable to withstand the might of Oz's soul. But instead of falter as half of his arsenal falls away, the lines anchoring Bagrom to his remaining arm multiply and thicken in a heartbeat, the soft glow about the metal facsimile of a fist becoming as bright as the noon light above, the massive weapon now plummeting as a jade missile towards Oz.

Who simply sets his feet, breaths in, and swings at the incoming mass with his left arm.

The green fist, so massive as to dwarf my own by a factor of five, several tons of metal hurtle at Oz, propeled by gravity and as much energy as Bagrom seems able to muster.

Recieving it is simply Oz, and a rising fist, living Lortoxite clenched in determination.

Just as we reach midway out of town with the sliding pseudo arena, Bagrom's fist shatters, metal flattening forward as it finds its momentum terminally halted as blasts of self-replicating impacts continue to resound, the blows of a hundred strikes imbued in but one punch as the green metal becomes a mound of twisted and compacted detritus. Oz stops at this point, his stance, left arm forward as a long guard before his whole frame, slackening as he stumbles about a bit tugging his feet free of the ground, before he begins slurring angrily.

"Oh thas' it, that right there, why I hate bein' famous. Some guy comes to figh' ya, any time, any place. An' thas' fine, I can handle excitement... but wha, been more than a year since one even trieda keep fighting? That's, that's, that's not fun, eh? Havin' em surrender, no finish, butthey go fer ya whenever they want. Snot fair to a law abidin' citizen, issit? Go fer ya throat, but ifn' they stop, you gotta too, even 'f they attacked you again, already, or summat. Because rules on challalla... chanall... fights against those bettr'then ya, thes' fine, encouraged when against those, those that're above a certain rank, an' gettin' named God of the Fist put me up there with Dragons."

As Oz speaks, I see Bagrom sagging to his knees, hands at his sides, twisted and broken in some sort of recoil from, body twitching as the cords once anchored in those floating fists rebound and recoil into him, blood rising as they pass through his flesh, their passage rotting the skin away. But though he grits his teeth, the warrior says nothing staring at Oz as if at a god, his very stare, so full of supplication, seems to imply genuflection with naught aid but slumped, slack shoulders. Oz stumbles on in his rant, determined to carry his thought through, as if in defiance of his now infernal level of inebriation.

"So, let me, lemme guess, you wanna be my pupil now, izzat it? Want to learn from my side, huh?"

"I... Yes, great o-"

"SEE, I KNEW IT! Thas' ALWAYS wha' happens. Well then, monk, monk, monk....."

"Bagro-"

"IKNOWYERNAME! Now, now, monk Bagron, do ya actually intend to pay?"

The kneeling Bagrom, hands slowly being worked and straightened by each other's mangled grasp in an effort to reset the fractured bones within as his face only twinging periodically, grunts out a hesitant reply, his face to difficult to read through the pain he is masking. Townspeople begin clustering in closer, but my field of Deep Spawn keeps them from earshot, for all but Oz's most prolific comments, midway down the roads the vendors seem to favor, sales still happening about us, crying of wares still present. I find myself amidst not a sea, but a lake of people about me, yet this exchange seems as if just for me-

Dulu shifts beside me as he speaks to Keddic in a whisper lost to the relative din as Bargom vocalizes.

"..I, do not understan-"

Oz sighs, as he works his right hand, the faded gargantuan spirit still leaving a thin steam rising from the Blood Iron limb in passing, as the Left Handed God of the Fist keeps speaking.

"Look, I'll be honest. I got, I got nuthin' right now. I got no dojo, no students, an no family now either. So unless you can tell me ya have enough money to, to have a roof, some place to teach, tuititi... tuiui... money for learnin', I don-"

"I do!"

Oz's drunken ramblings pull up short as it encounters what it did not expect, reality defying its expected progression as Bagrom gingerly unties one of several pouches about his waist sash, and tosses the soft bag to Oz, wincing as he works his mangled hands. Oz catches the projectile, and clumsily spills scores of heavy gold coins, several set with gems, into his over-sized left palm. And atop it all, a ring, wide and heavy, some sort of bird picked out in blue and yellow gem studding. Oz murmurs to himself, just barely missing looking hilarious as he struggles to gain sobriety to focus on something important.

"..Alright, alright, so that explains the thing, about bein' a Jade Soul, an'not."
>"..I, what?"
"Come off it, like the other Jade Soul monks, the same, blah-dee-bah? Ya did notice how nearly everyone else practisisis... uses the core Jade Soul style, an' nuthin' else? I bet you were pretty, uh, whassa word... right, really rare, even in big school, right, with the floating fists, an' not wearin' traditional robes?"
>"..It is true I did not meet others willing to experiment with the style-"
"See? Knewit, that ol' Elder Master Hui, 'e don't approve of, of, differences, that much. An', the core style's the only one, with, with hidden techniques, the Master stuff. So ya.. ya topped out then, I bet. Without some real, real involved stuff to learn, use as a framework, or summat, you can't make yer fists better, 'ts what yer thinkin, isn't it?"

Even though the pain, I see Bagrom's face slackening in utter shock, pain taking a back seat to simple reaction, and he likely would have stayed this way for some time, if Oz hadn't been too impatient.

"Well, izzit?"
>"!... Yes, yes it.. its true. But how did yo-"
"'Sthat old Hui, he's been like this... for, for what, decades? 'Snot like it takes a genus... geins... genius to figure out, some guy that different, an' still a Jade Soul monk, gotta have, have a family backin'. And there it is, Tyotworro clan. Tha's some heavy money..."

And finally Bagrom begins to regain momentum.

>"Yes, yes it is, and if you agree to teach me, I can get you-"
"WAIT! HOLLONASECOND!!"
>"..I, what?"
"Can't jus' do it, jus' like that! Gotta, gotta prove yer willin' to learn! Not gonna have some half-assed students, not a chance."
>"....What must I do?"

At this, Oz, completely wrapped up in his exchange with Bagrom, myself, Keddic and Dulu all thoroughly absorbed in this lengthy exchange, all take note of the slow, wide smile growing on Oz's face.

"Pick an arm, an' hold it out, arm straight, an' don't move. Do that, an' yer my pupil."
>"Hold out my arm?"
"Thas' right. Can't move it thought, that's importat... important."

Bagrom's face goes completely dead still, and I see him come to some inner resolution and realization simultaneously, as he proffers forth his right hand.

"...'S a good choice. Watch yer tongue."

Oz's left hand slams downward, it's straightened fingers revealing an edge worked along the side of the oversized hand, and without a whisper of combat magic reacting, Oz's left hand cleaves off Bagrom's right at the elbow, as the warrior bucks briefly, body spasming, before he slowly lowers his arm, and stares at Oz, whose face is split wide by a craggy smile.

"'N there it is then, yer a pupil then, Bagrom. ...Here, keep this."

Oz tosses back the pouch with naught but the ring and a single coin in it, as he pockets the glittering denomination, breathing deeply as he looks about at my Deep Spawn, before looking back to me. I realize I halted the move of our arena during this exchange, and we still stand in the midst of the merchant's area. Oz' stomach grumbles, and he looks to me with a magnanimous grin.

"You got the wine, an' the fight... I got the food, I think, yes!"

And so Oz wanders away to buy food, money bag jingling as he slips between Vandgurd and Zelgoto, in search of sustenance.

Leaving Bagrom alone with me and mine, the orbiting ring of forty one Deep Spawn eggs revolving like a possessed set of massive prayer beads, as if my immobile, cross-legged metal form were some stern statue, the Deep Spawn all about likewise not moving even to breathe or shift, only Keddic betraying movement.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 227361 ID: ea080f

>>227275

Hmm...ok, then. Well, I suppose we might as well talk to this Bagrom.

"...about what I expected. So you wished to try to best Oz the Breaker to test yourself, then? And failing that, become his pupil?

I suppose I can understand such a sentiment, and overlook the interruption of this party.

Bagrom, student of the God Fist, I am Mordre, and if you would be so kind, would you explain what Oz meant by not being allowed to do anything but defend himself? And perhaps what led you to such a risky endeavour?"

Also, explain the situation to Dulu.
>>
No. 227383 ID: 4884a9
File 128384556943.png - (667.92KB , 752x992 , SILLYRABBIT.png )
227383

>>227123
scary? not the way I see it, ohohoh.
>>
No. 227387 ID: 4884a9
File 128384588132.png - (1.70MB , 2081x1768 , o189345.png )
227387

Also some good luck for Bang, wherever he may be. YOU CAN DO IT!
>>
No. 227403 ID: 732129

Best see to at least stopping Bagrom from bleeding out. He can get a proper metal arm grafted later.
>>
No. 227405 ID: a594b9

Let's not forget our mission here guys. We're supposed to get Oz's alliance, right?
>>
No. 227467 ID: b10c0e

>>227361
I like this, I have to say.
>>
No. 227529 ID: 6d3aaa

"Keddic, could you accompany our good friend Oz so that he doesn't pass out in the middle of the street?"

Tear down our makeshift arena and turn to Bagrom, gesture for him to come closer, see if we can treat his wounds and say, "Well Monk Bagrom, of the Jade Soul Style, do come and join us for a drink. I am Mage Mordre, the remote operator of this Soul Grave you see before you, and it is a pleasure to 'meet' you. Now that the duel has taken its course I believe a drink or two might numb the pain of losing an arm. When I saw you at the tea house I had guessed from your apparel that you were a Jade Soul Mage. I have encountered four others of your School from my previous ventures here in the Land of the Dragons, tell me, do you know any by the name of John, Paul, Ringo, or George? (What? They were all killed in battle? That's indeed tragic....)

After a healthily conversation has occurred and Bagrom has drank himself into a stupor, take a count of how many wine jugs we have left. Let's turn our focus to talking with Dulu. I don't believe that we have informed Dulu of our current mission in the Land of the Dragons, so let's bring him up to speed. Inform him that it is Grand Elder Mage Lenryt of the Mortal Coil that has hired us, we don't want to keep secrets from our new ally, he'll get suspicious of us otherwise. 

When the opportunity presents itself, add this to the conversation, "Dulu, I may have found a way to further strengthen and synchronize your soul to its Morphic Steel body. Using my Magentomancy over the past few months I have been able to... extract and collect... the iron from the blood of my slain foes to create the alloy my Golem is currently composed of. Now if I were to do the same for you, I would have no doubt that it would not only empower, but also reinforce your body as well.... If you would allow me to do so."
>>
No. 227606 ID: 445c48

>>227529
>Dulu, Blood Iron

I don't think we can do that. It also might mess with the morphic steel that gives him all that crazy stuff.
>>
No. 227625 ID: b10c0e

>>227529
Yeah, lets go up until we dicuss alloying him.
>>
No. 227631 ID: f4e4f9

>>227529
I do not recommend offering to further acclimatize Dulu's soul to his body. The ultimate desire he has is to return his soul to a Flesh and BLood body similar to his original. This suggestion is antithetical to Dulu's desire.
>>
No. 227638 ID: b10c0e

>>227529
Also, I doubt their names were John, Paul, George and Ringo. So we shoudl aslo say there were in the battle agasint Lubu too.
>>
No. 227659 ID: 445c48

I really don't think we should bring up the Monk souls we have. It just seems like a staggeringly bad idea.
>>
No. 227663 ID: e67080

agreed, why would we be bringing the killing of the jade monks up? If we wanted to provoke him into attacking us maybe, else its just a distraction far as I can see.
>>
No. 227746 ID: a4e33d

Um, shouldn't we be following Oz? We should be keeping track of him, shouldn't we? If need be, we could justify it with something like this: "I have never been to the Land of Dragons in person, nor have I ever tasted its food. Tell me, how does the food I see before this golem taste?" or something to that effect.
>>
No. 227760 ID: 7ca339

I am just going to guess that I was wrong, or that Bob is unwilling to comment.

In any case, flatten the new arena floor and make some impromptu seats, then start a pyromanncy fire and prepare for the feast.

You might want to move it out of the center of the area though.
>>
No. 227761 ID: c78a29

>>227275
>[Interesting new ideas, and the Id/Super-Ego pairing is somewehat close to part of reality, but is a byproduct of other events. All I can say without spoiling it.]
Argghhhh!
Has the third entity from the prophecy been deduced successfully at least?


Anyway, follow OZ and inquire more deeply into the events on how his brother died. It could possibly be that his brother was murdered or at least someone tried to undermine him by burning his house (without actually intending to kill his brother).
>>
No. 227776 ID: c78a29

>>227761
Also ask why exactly people don't want him to be a teacher and if he would like to open his school outside of LoD.

Also ask why he severed that guys arm.
>>
No. 227788 ID: a4e33d

Also! Find out more about those metal golems the scout/guide talked about. Are they Soul Graves, or something kin to Soul Graves but influenced in a different direction by the cultural societal values of the Land of Dragons, or are they something completely different?
>>
No. 227851 ID: a76809

>>227387
[Bonus to times Bang punches Huaow in the face: +1 4 more bonuses to unlock bonus plot event for Bang event.]

>>227361
I decide to approach with moderation, too many questions brought up to warrant seeking vengeance for the interruption, as ultimately the spawn regenerated, as always. I call out to Bagrom, still maintaining the persona of the Mage Mordre, affectations doing only so much to disguise the ferocity and eldritch nature of the golem's vocalizations.

"....About what I expected, really."

Bagrom reacts, leaping to his feet as he cradles his crippled arm to his far side as his left leads with a leering emerald glow, before he cautiously replies to my form.

>"...How do you claim an Ancestral Tomb, and operate it? I saw you at the tea-house, and I still have trouble with the idea of someone alive controlling what is ultimately a personal reliquary of the soul. I would demand an explanation, before I can freely discuss with you, lest you be one of the Old Tricksters, Ancestral Tombs so ancient their possessing soul has eroded to the point of losing all connection to its mortality and prior existence. I explain because I understand that, should you truly be what you claim, that being a foreigner, you would likely not know of our history."
I follow up on this line, hoping to ply the angle of the honestly oblivious traveler, and gain some clarity from a local of apparently some degree of repute, as I order Velada to send a drone after Oz, to keep an eye on him from above.

"What you describe sound much like Small Tombs, Something I am quite familiar with from my own homeland. But no, this is similar to, but different from an Ancestral Tomb. This is a Soul Grave, which needs a separate operator."
>"...The only independently operating Golems of metal I know of are Dao, usually much larger, seige behemoths that are briefly animated with magic when their housing castle is attacked. They could not operate independently like your form is. ...I request an explanation of how your golem generally functions."
"Quite simple, basically multiple Heroic Souls- Officers, champions shy of Dragons for perspective- empower separate parts of the form all over, And with some extra magic engraved in the metal, Interactions of souls, this golem powers itself. I harness it... I'm actually a bit famous for learning how, No one else has achieved remote golem manipulation."
>"...Ah. So then, you are a... a master, of sorts, in the field of Golems?"
"Well, I don't know about master, but I know quite a bit, Spent more than a fair few decades on the subject, I know them well, While with this one I know it as well as my own body now."
>"...Perhaps the methodology of your land's hierarchy is to different... Nevertheless, I will accept your tale, on the sheer basis it is the least outlandish of anything I have seen when it has come to your party."
"Indeed. So, now that you aren't quite so leery... I'd like to comment on your choice to fight the Monk Oz. You wished to try to best Oz the Breaker as a personal test, Or failing that end where you are, his pupil, is that right? I suppose I can understand the sentiments involved, Testing yourself against the best, or learning from them... I suppose I shall overlook the interruption to the party, And the temporary harm rendered to some of my comrades."
>"...What are they? from the smaller ones I sense not the true spark of life, yet they recover from nearly any wound, the larger ones feeling unlike any Wrought One I have ever heard of."
"Wrought One?"
>"Like Ragegluts, you know of them yes?"
"Ah. I do, and I know them as Flesh Golems, Another case of different terms to account for. Well, they are not human, they never were, But they serve me, thanks to some prior events, And I find their company quite acceptable, Hardly any different from normal warriors, really, Apart from their appearance and regeneration."
>"...Is that so."
"Indeed it is. Actually, I have a question, That I could really use some clarity on."
>"That being?"
"What did Oz mean by not being allowed to do anything but defend himself?"
>"That. Well, Dragons, and a few other titles one can get, render somone a Living Legend. Once named such, anyone who is not of Master ranking or higher in any given school can freely seek them out, as I did, and fight them, at any time. They must endure the endless assaults, to prove their continued right to bear the titles they hold, all while being bound to not slay a surrendering foe."
>>227529
I continue as I have Phohn communicate an order to de-manifest all spawn save Velada's, while I sink the borders of the arena into the ground.

"Interesting. Well Monk Bagrom, Of the Jade Soul Style, do come join us for a drink. I am Mage Mordre, the remote operator of this golem, And it is a pleasure to 'meet' you, even if not in person. Now that the duel has taken its course I believe a drink... Or.. six might numb the pain of losing an arm."
>"I can agree with that view, and I shall accept your offer."

The thus far fairly formal Bagrom finally lowers his hand, and walks forward even as he pulls a length of rope from hiw waist, and binds the end of his severed limb tightly, after rapping it in a layer of bandages. The multiple pouches I have seen about so many monk's belts since arriving proving quite useful. Bagrom then sets to claiming a jug of wine, and taking a hearty chug before he coughs and sits back down, now immersed in steady, measured, unending sips, as he tries to slow his breathing and regain composure.

While Bagrom is busy warding himself from pain with the aid of wine, I turn to Dulu and give him a brief description of what has been occurring in a discreet voice, trying to keep him abreast of the situation. At the start he is largely unresponsive, but by the end his is animatedly engaged, nodding as he connects witnessed events to spoken context. He does not thank me at the end, though I wonder if he ever would.

>>227746
>>227761
>>227776
With Dulu again abreast of the current situation, I swivel my head about to Bagrom, who seems so focused on his jug that he may not have noticed the back of my head appearing, with my body still seated facing him. Still, as I hear a loud drunken guffaw farther down the street, I begin rising even as Bagrom moves to rise with me. I outstretch my left hand, gesturing him to stop, as I exit from betwixt the still encircling Deep Spawn.

"I must check on Oz, 'twould be a poor host, If he got lost while drunk at an event of my making!"
>"I understand, I shall await your return.... Mage Mordre."

And so I follow Oz's outcries and the buzzing figure of Velada's drone, finding Oz trying to buy an entire ox, arguing with a farmer.

>"I do not care what you say, this is a good ox, I will not sell it to some drunk!"
"Arright, I mehbe drunk, but, see, see, this right here? 'Sme, offering five times the oxex's worth. I'm hungry, I want fresh, now sell me that ox!"
>"Where drunk get that kind of money?"
"What drunk has arms like mine? Or, hello again Mordre, friends like that?"
>"Aeeyaahh, fine, my prize ox, sold to some drunk, so shall it be."

With his profession of reticence delivered, the old farmer's hand lashes forward, prizing the offered coin of solid, gleaming gold, as Oz simply punches the animal in the face, and hefts its dead carcass on his left shoulder as he hefts a bag filled with several other purchases, spices and herbs along with further meats and vegetables. I see gold gleaming in a dozen hands up and down the market now, where none gleamed before.

"Sssso, I got the stuff to make a great roast, real tasty... but, but how did you know? Wait, you got here before I finished... how come?"
"Well, two reasons. First, I wanted to know how you felt, About the possibility of opening a school outside of the Land of-"
"Naw, not gunna do it. I like my home, might not mind travel, but wouldn't leave, for, for foror.. forever."
"I see. the other thing I wished to ask, Concerns your brother, if you're willing to spo-"
"Nuh-uh, not gonna talk about that any more right now. Finally in, in a good mood, Bagrom sort of ruined it, not goin' there now."
"I see. Alright, I suppose we can talk about those things some other time."
"Sssee, thas' why I like you. Polite an' all that, and still don't give a shit what others do, ya still jus' do your own thing. Alright yeah, as' me some other time, just... not now."
"So why did you chop off Bagrom's arm?"
"...Wha?"
"Why did you chop off Bagrom's arm?"
"..Oh, OH! Right, that. Well, I told you, the name of my style, 's Ghost Hand an' Breaker. An' to have a ghost hand, um, the hand has to die, so that, that, a part of the soul is ready to leave.... 's a bit more complicated then that, but' 'm not good at explainin' it. Gonna teach Bagrom about that, 'n stuff. But first... FOOD."

Oz starts marching back towards the group of Standing Deep spawn with crowding children now gathering close to inspect them, as Keddic and Bagrom talk, with Keddic turning to Dulu periodically to play middleman. It would seem Bagrom is likely being informed Dulu is an Ancestral Tomb....



What should I do?
Should I let Oz just build a spit, season and roast an entire ox in the middle of the street, surrounded by trade and children?
Or should I try to convince the drunk monk to cook elsewhere, and if so, what should I say?
Is there anything more I wish to say/ask of Keddic, Dulu, Bagrom or Oz, or should I simply observe till the end of the inevitable feasting?
>>
No. 227858 ID: e31d52

Well, uh.

We should get Oz out of the road, maybe make a sorta... earth-pagoda?
>>
No. 227871 ID: 445c48

Geomance up a little shack with a chimney so that people can't see him butcher the animal.
>>
No. 227873 ID: 7ca339

>>227858
Also voting for earth Pagoda. and a fire to cook the meat.
>>
No. 227960 ID: c78a29

We could share food with the villagers if theres too much.
This could become some sort of spontaneous festival or something.
Even our deep spawn could entertain people and children (as good as they can without hurting anyone and breaking anything).

Focus your geomancy and magnetomancy into the ground again and search for more precious metals and gems. We might need more money.
>>
No. 227972 ID: f4e4f9

I would like to posit something:

It has been stated that Soul Graves and Small Tombs can not develop their souls on their own. However, recent events have prompted a thought in me.

One of the souls we absorbed was Lumingo the Blademaster, a rageglut hero soul. Now, ragegluts are a life-golem race, but they can apparently develop their souls like any other sentient living thing. This lead me to the following hypothesis:

Golems like MOrdre were supposedly incapable of wielding blood magic, due to their nature. However, by becoming more organic, in a sense, more linked with the common perception of life, through our composition, we managed to circumvent this limitation and acquire an ability that was supposed to be beyond us by our very nature.

Suppose, then, that if Mordre continues to become more linked with life and blood, through magically imbuing his bodies' blood content and further mimicking the living, he could overcome the limitation of being incapable of improving his soul as well.

tl;dr, I hypothesize that if mordre continues on the path to mimicking life and incorporating it into himself, he could develop the ability to improve his own soul and abilities through challenge and will. Dulu, as well, if he followed the same path as us.

C'mon, Pristine soul!
>>
No. 227986 ID: 7150d8

I just realized something.
Many of our spawn were havily damaged right now, right? Is there a chance that there might be magical deepspawn blood scattered on the ground right now?

Because last time I checked, magical deepspawn blood iron/whatever might be something we want.
We should totally nom that blood iron if it is available.
>>
No. 228017 ID: ddd48d
File 128394255349.png - (366.08KB , 584x616 , bangitup.png )
228017

>>227851
>4 more bonuses to unlock bonus plot event for Bang event

oh man ohman guys help me out with this I wanna know what it is :O MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.


Right now we should see that the situation remains calm/peaceful, and get to the point where Oz will open up again.
>>227960
I like this festival idea, but maybe just keep the deep spawn more neutral, unless the kids are brave enough to talk to them on their own. We aren't exactly a group that is adept at amusing children or adults, unless Keddic has some sort of fondness for children and has some magic tricks or something.
>>
No. 228030 ID: d2ff99

>>228017
Actually I was thinking on geomancing some small castles, adoring them with metal to give them a better look, so that kids could play in them and maybe stage mock battles/sieges with spawnlings. Like kids defending their castle from a small horde of small spawns.

Vangurd and Zelgoto giving back rides to kids.

Of course Nihilio and Mothbern should excuse themselves.

Also geomancing and magnetomancing some safe carnival rides and/or making playground with swings, seesaws and stuff....


You know, making overall fun.
>>
No. 228039 ID: 207e5f

Mordre should offer Phohn's services as a translator to Dulu. That might speed things up. After all Phohn embodies communication...
>>
No. 228049 ID: d2ff99
File 128395645988.jpg - (295.40KB , 2048x1536 , BIG BANG THEORY.jpg )
228049

>>228017
Alright, just because you asked so nicely


I tried hard but I think it still came out wrong....
>>
No. 228059 ID: 9338f5

>>227851
> to times Bang punches Huaow in the face
do we need pics of bang punching Huaow for the bonus or would any bang pic be acceptable?
>>
No. 228205 ID: d3dfb8
File 128399019190.jpg - (720.96KB , 2081x1768 , DapperBang&GentlemanHuaow.jpg )
228205

>>227387
MIGHT I INTEREST YOU IN A SPOT OF TEA, MY GOOD FELLOW?
>>
No. 228207 ID: ecb083

Hey guys we should reserve one of the boons for Arkus. The dude really needs it.
>>
No. 228213 ID: 9338f5

>>228207
totaly. 1 boon for soul powered time shenanigains and the other to get some half decent trustworthy mage minions
>>
No. 228271 ID: b10c0e

>>228213
Why would we need a boon to get a workforce under Arkus? We just need like a month of assholes not trying to kill us to just set up some 'hi, I'm a Mage. I teach people and make them struggle to learn anything. COme and help Science/Magic!' stuff so we can get some students.

And as for time shenanigains...As cool as it would be, I don't want Bob to break his head over it, smack us down over using it, and/or setting up a paradox that it's our fault that Mordre exists in the first place.
>>
No. 228295 ID: e67080

Genesis of a Legend (by punching faces)

BANG! BANG! Punch em in the face!
When you can heal all injuries,
you don’t need grace.
BANG! Show them your blood burning of FURY!
Know no fear!
For with your runes the fight doesn’t end
Let your scarf billow, cast all doubt into the wind.
When you have a barrage of fists
Who needs gear?
Yell all your attack names? We insist.

Allure of Alliteration,
Annihilator of Armies and Cracker of Castles.
Magnum much, magnificently, meet many muscles.
Against all anticipations of foes, abruptly turn to abjuration.
You are the Bang! Genesis of all foes defeat!
Beat em till it’s a dead horse, and then beat them again.
Against your kebab, none shall ever stand again on their feet.
Against a thunderclap or clothesline, even groups of foes end.
Big Bang Barrel and Barrage! Always allow no assuage!
Now that you may finally have found a worthy foe,
time for me to let go.

No idea if my poems count for face punching, but I can hope! As Bang is a less predictable fighter, I decided to really break the style up to reflect it. There are some formal parts to keep it a poem, but this is more like a rap to my mind also. so I say, BANG BANG!
>>
No. 228315 ID: ecb083

I was thinking more of giving Arkus competence over a field of magic of his choosing.
>>
No. 228318 ID: d3dfb8

>>228315
Fuck that, he can learn it. We can't.
>>
No. 228328 ID: 56dc25

>>227851
Remember your overall objective here, that being to get the Fierce Dragon to give you stuff. So working towards what he wants is likely appropriate. We'll want to continue our discussions if possible; try to delicately bring up the matter of the Dragons and/or current politics, possibly by inquiring after Bagrom's family and their affiliations (for the education of a foreigner, of course). We need to work around to the matter of Lubu.

Also. Gradually encourage relocation if possible; there's that other guy who will be coming, and making it slightly harder for him to find you would be nice. Not that your party is particularly inconspicuous, but nothing to be done about that.

Our task from Lubu was to get Oz to "come join" him. So we'll need to start coming up with arguments to that effect, reasons why siding with- or at least hanging out in the vicinity of- Lubu would accomplish what Oz wants. Which seems to be drinking a lot and taking students to build a lasting style out of his arts, at the moment.
>>
No. 228335 ID: 9338f5

Arkus can only do so much. He could teach a few people but finding anyone with magical talent, drive or intelligence would be an absolute pain in the ass and it would take a few months to more than a year to get any of them near as usefull as Arkus is.

i dont think we are going to have that long and Weinsho has hundreds.

there is also the problem of loyalty and spys, if loli cluthu gives us a few dozen half decent apprentices we can trust her if she says they are loyal but if we grab anyone we can find (which we would need to) theres a decent chance more than a few of them would be spys for the varrious groups interested in us.
>>
No. 228341 ID: 9338f5

Should we try to be subtle like >>228328 or blunt and let him know Lubu has us trying to recruit him?

I get the feeling if we try to be sneaky about it and he finds out he might be pretty pissed.

also trying the sneaky tactic will probally lower Dulu's opion of us.
>>
No. 228365 ID: f4e4f9

>>228335
We're a step away from having an experience Soul Mage in our service, and Eisenhardt, an individual who is just on the cusp of becoming Legendary Soul material (a close battle with us would push him just over that edge), who is set to work with us if we beat him without destroying him completely.

I don't think we need to use that boon to magic up loyal followers, especially when we can ostensibly already do that with the Deep Spawn.
>>
No. 228369 ID: f4e4f9

>>228341

Dulu is starting to become annoying. I don't know if he thinks we owe him or what, but the fact is we don't owe him SHIT. He made his choices in life, he elected to be a part of Weinsho's operations and he decided to tolerate them, among them being Balboa's butchery.

His choices led to his confrontations with us, and his current condition, and he should count his stupid ass lucky he's gotten a second chance at life, and the freedom to do with it as he wishes. If he doesn't get these ideas through his skull soon, we may need to smack him down one way or another.
>>
No. 228376 ID: e67080

>>228369
I think the problem is that Dulu is being cagey... hes uncertain of how to regard Morde. He dosen't feel loyal yet, and he probably senses or knows something is 'wrong' with us.

Keep in mind, we basically swore to destroy him, then we went out of our way to help him, kinda-sorta lied to him, then actually did help him. We're rather kind for what was literally a moral enemy-ship previously, and I think he dosen't want us to know that hes likely on the borderlines of considering alliance with us.

However, compounding this, we did kill him, and hes never met us. Plus, as the only way he concieves of us currently is a Golem, something he historically and personally takes pride in slaying, and whom he suffered ultimate defeat, and ultimately humiliation to by both being entombed into a golem, and losing his free will as a result...

basically, Dulu is fairly independent minded right now, doesn't want to give up freedom, and has a complicated relationship with us.... its not easy to go through. Im not sure how to fix it, but it can certainly end in our favor.
>>
No. 228380 ID: a76809

>>228059
[I'd prefer Bang punching someone in the face, possibly someone named Huaow as pic focus, but doesn't have to be.]

>>227972
I consider the nature of my form, the pioneering command of Blood Magic, my absorption of living concepts into my construct form. I wonder, with my body taking on more aspects of an organic host... could not I incur my own soul to grow? I still do not fully understand just what the nature of my spell matrices and magic algorithms entails, or what the presence of the Other means, but I feel at least the logical outcome of absorbing more and more traits of life will bring the ability to hone myself, rather than grow exclusively through feasting on others.

[Moment of Inspiration!]
[+1 PRISTINE SOUL TOTAL REMAINING: 03]


>>228017
[ 2 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE]

>>228049
[ 3 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE]

>>228295
[ 1 / 3 RHYMES TO GRANT BANG BONUS EVENT EPIPHENY] [FOCUS: POSSIBILITY CELLS]

>>227986
My first thoughts turn towards the blood of the Deep Spawn, yet on the ground both from Oz's administered beatings to Vandgurd, Zelgoto and Aggocrag. I feel its presence shining , even as I notice the blood shed by the manifested spawn, now divorced of its owners form lose its gleam, that spark that made it something more. Still, I set out some flows of Magnetomancy, and I feel the mist of gray breaking free of the sanguine stains, then resolving into a ball. I float this over the audience of Deep Spawn and villagers, as I realize the local population must be in the thousands if so many people could come to gawk this swiftly. The ball of Deep Spawn Blood Iron wafts into my gaping maw embedded in my torso, and I feel the... texture of my bodies iron composition enrich, in a few tiny places. I think I could better ascertain just what this means if I could consume more of Individuated Deep Spawn blood.

>>227858
>>227873
I turn Geomancy towards constructing an earthen Pagoda, the stone benath the packed dirt rising to form the bones of my craft, as I make something of a more discreet location, such as can be found in the middle of the busy street, to house the inevitable butchering Oz is likely going to stumble through, so fixated on making a meal. I am quite curious as to how he intends to cook so much meat, especially with no wood.

I find out shortly just how he intended such.

After Oz guts the entire ox, flaying off its hide even as his hand movements end up stripping the skin of hair, the casing returning with cloves of garlic, onion, and other spices I do not recognize, as after gutting the now re-skinned body, Oz then picks out liver, heart, and kidneys, and adds potatoes, leaks and some form of goat cheese and peppery powder to this batch of stuffing. The whole animal is skewered on Oz's staff (when did that reappear? He left it in the teahouse...) and held out by his left hand.

His right again is wreathed in the glow of emerging soul, but this time, there is no ever expanding fist ethereal, to smite down giants. emerald flames of what I cannot think of as anything but Soulfire pours out of his iron forarm, as he weaves and runs his hand over the meat, and shortly the whole animal is wreathed in green fire as Oz continues to run his hand about the ox's body.

Then he lets go, the flames snuffing out the moment contact is lost.

He lets the meat sit for a handful of seconds, bafore his right hand returns, and fire comes with it, another coating of conflagration rising and abruptly falling off the carcass... and each treatment, I find it closer to looking like what I recall being prime roasts at feasts, the few memories of the Ducal palace, and a brief visit there flitting through my mind like strands of a threadbare tapestry.

>>228039
As Oz cooks, dousing his throat and the intermittently roasting ox with wine as he goes, I turn my head again towards Dulu, who actually turns to face my attention, a definitive improvement over my earlier reception.

"Dulu, I'd like to offer you the translation services of one of my Spawn, Phohn, who can speak the meaning of this land's tongue into your mind, Acting as a translator so that you can stay better abreast of things."
"Voices? In my head, not of my making? Why would this be a wise decision?"
"Because unlike Weinsho, Phohn cannot control you, only offer words."
"....I shall try this translation then, but if I decide you must get it OUT of my head."
"Though such will not become necessary, I so promise."

I see Dulu's head twitch and strain, bending at improbable angles as he listens to Phohn's introduction at my request, before I realize that Oz is done cooking, and turn back to the man I am here to in some way snare service to Lubu from. I have established a good starting point, having settled into a decent position for further conversation with Oz, but I still know not how I will get him to serve Lubu, or me, given his thus far established demeanor. Oz dispels my quandaries with a sloppy proclamation.

"Arright, food's ready, hey blondie, guy in red, you can speak the language, yes?"
>[Keddic]"Yes, I can, not very well. Why?"
"Good, good. So, that sword, it's not for show, right? Can swing it?"
>"I do fancy myself something of a swordsman, yes. Again, why?"
"Okay, so, can you help cut the roast? I only got my hands and my staff, neither do neat, uh, clean cutting."
>"I see. You ask my assistance, in splitting meal?"
" Thas exactly it, right there. Yeah, I do."

Keddic stands, his hair still only halfway regrown into his old mane, his beard already fully returned, as he draws the Proud Lion, and goes to Oz's aid-

So does Dulu, offering his own words as he draws a pair of cleavers that I translate for Oz.

"I have proficiency with blades myself, and would likewise aid with the meal."
"Issat right? Huh, an hononored Ancesteral Tomb, helpin' me cook, I like that. Arright, both of yah, then. So, Imma toss the roast up, so's to get it off my staff, get it free of slicing, An' then get read to catch the roast, the roast falling, um, spine down, I expect. Lesh make this a bit, iunno, stylish, yeah?"

Keddic and Dulu share a long, silent stare as Oz swings the roast off his staff and exudes a swiftly gargantuan ghost hand, ready to catch the resultant cut pieces.

Keddic leaps upwards the Proud Lion roaring in his hands while Dulu's long, lanky body and limbs whip out, a pair of cleavers arcing through the air.

And the roast falls cut in twelve pieces, divided into sections of back and haunch, leg and rib, roughly but relatively evenly. Keddic and Dulu both share a nod, and if Dulu's face were more than eyes now, I'm sure it have the smug satisfaction showing on Keddic's face, as he speaks to Oz-or tries to, but the monk sunk to drunk bulls his way into the budding conversation with a preempitive comment.

"Arright, yah know how to use yer sword, I ammit it. OKAY, FOOD, MORE WINE, TIME TO DIG IN!"

And so Oz, Keddic, Bagrom and the nine Individuated Deep Spawn all take a piece of cooked flesh with roots and vegetables worked into around the roasted meat, as Dulu and I look on, both lacking any ability to enjoy something's taste.

"...You know, I hadn't really realized, at first, how much I'd miss eating. And sleep. Never getting tired is... strange, like I need to be ready for something, but its got nothing on not being able to eat. ...I bet that roast is delicious...."
"I imagine it is, though for altogether different reasons I am deprived it's consumption."
"I suppose that's closer than most get, to understanding this, this... sense of being detached, not really there."
"Well, I can put it aside, you can't, I can only grasp so much of the enormity of that."
"I thank you for at least being aware of it."

>>228335
I once more start the soil shifting, our pagoda slowly sliding farther and farther out of town, the trailing gawkers following for now. I move to be less easily spotted by Ash Dragon Jioga, fairly certain my rival in the recruitment of Oz is not someone I wish to accidentally meet. While my magic is turned towards this, my form still seated on the ground, the Deep Spawn eggs, the forty one orbiting seeds of bound existence continue to revolve about me, as I consider my soul nearly fully recovered, if the earlier calculations I made concerning recovery rates while setting mines still hold. I file this away as I speak to Oz, now eating with somewhat less gusto as he switches between meal and wine, and some conversation with Bagrom, who is eying both his stump and Oz's own metal right forarm.

"So, I have to admit being very new in the area, And I only know that some sort of turmoil occurred. What exactly is going on now, with the old emperor dead, And this Lubu individual in his place?"

Bagrom takes this question into consideration as Oz immediately starts proclaming exactly what is going on.

"Well, well see, 'S all messed up now. Before, like a bunch of, of military dojos, some fights, nothing major. But, now all the Dragons are moving, big things are happening, or about to happen. 'Swhat I think."
>[Bagrom]"Personally, I think the keys are the newest Dragon, Ash Dragon Jioga, and Iron Dragon Zuon the Breaker. The Ash Dragon serves Lubu, turning him from a lone Dragon, however strong to claim the seat of High Dragon so, into something more. And without the Iron Dragon firmly against him, others do not move as aggressively, unsure if the source of their treasured suits of armor might withdraw invitations for commisions. Despite this, Tufted Dragon Diaoji is pushing for an alliance to oppose Lubu as an usurper, despite the direct legality of the move... and from what I have heard, she is gaining some measure of support. Forest Dragon Okuga has already left to seek out and challenge Lubu, or so I have heard. ...Of particular note, I think, to Master Oz-"
"Huh? Whazzat?"
>"Apparantly White Pheonix has gone after the Fierce Dragon as well, before the armies start mobilizing."
"Really? That twig-armed nuisance?"
>"White Phoenix is the recognized master of footwork and kicks, known as the bearer of the Legs of Lightning!"
"Eh, he's a twit, don't matter how fast or lah-de-dah he is, twit's a twit. And HE wants to take on that Fierce Dragon, huh? A shame, I guess I'll miss out on the, on the chance to off him myself. God o' Fist, punching out the Leg Loser, hah. Arright where was I...."
>"You had last mentioned something about the partial death of the soul?"
"Oh yeah, so, 'Slike this..."

As Oz starts to launch into his weaving instruction, even as he continues to eat, I finally get the earth and stone pagoda, and we that occupy it, to finish exiting the town, and I now find myself looking at largely flat plains for crops, and a lone road going off into the distance, one different than that which I came in by.


What should I say or do?
Should I continue to slowly move my earth pagoda, and if so where should I go?
>>
No. 228381 ID: 9338f5

>>228365
Arkus is our only research mage. Eisenhardt seems more of a combat mage than anything else. Kyorto (sp?) as far as we know is only good at illusions. That still leaves us with the overworked self trained hard working and supriseingly productive Arkus. If we want more magical goodies to equip ourself and our troops with stuff like the blood cloaks we need trustworthy magical grunts to handle basic research and production of magic junk.
>>
No. 228385 ID: e31d52

>"God o' Fist, punching out the Leg Loser, hah"

BAM. We now have a reason to recruit him, yes?
>>
No. 228386 ID: 7f3e9c

If you feel like it, you could always challange him to a fight.

If he loses, he serves you and you can make him serve Lubu.... If he wins, the master of sorrow will kill his ass.

Just a thought.
>>
No. 228387 ID: d3dfb8

>>228380
Excellent, Oz wants a chance to fight White Phoenix, which he will get to do if he joins Lubu.
Someone wordify this for me.
>>
No. 228400 ID: 445c48

>>228381
I remember telling Arkus to make more research peons.

Hell, we should start up a university, and steal heavily from Discworld.


Say something like "Well, you might get the chance to punch out the Leg Loser..." blahblahblah someone else can finish the rest of this
>>
No. 228401 ID: f4e4f9

>>228381
I thought much the same thing about Arkus being overworked, but thats apparently the way he prefers things. He's already currently training assistants to aid him in simple tasks and production.

Interestingly, you should also consider: Arkus is noted as improving magically far, far, FAR in excess of what even Mortal Coil students seem to, and I can only posit that it is directly because of his drive to learn and dedication to working on these projects. Remember that such hardships and strenuous efforts can hone the soul.

We didn't give him a deadline, for these things, either. His pace is largely of his own choosing. I suspect that as long as we give him the capacity for it, he will continue to devote himself to these studies, which could let him improve himself in more ways than one.

Given that, if we want to cement a loyalty more firmly, we COULD use one of the two boons to have Lenryt recreate Dulu's body and put his soul back into it.

Just throwing that out there.
>>
No. 228403 ID: f4e4f9

>>228401
Mind you, this means we can use Dulu's Golem body for other purposes. Perhaps as a way to preserve an ally who falls in battle?
>>
No. 228404 ID: 7f3e9c

>>228386
Not that I recommend it.
>>
No. 228405 ID: 9338f5

>>228400
see
>>228335

finding smart enough literate minions with the skill and disire to do the grunt work is not easy. it will no doubt be much harder to avoid spys and training them would take ages.
>>
No. 228408 ID: e67080

apparently I just activated an unlock for Bang possibility cells...

hurry people! get some poetry out there!
>>
No. 228441 ID: f81f95

Ooo, our soul's nearly recovered? That's good! ...Hmm, so we made nine Deep Spawn about seven days ago. The Deep Spawn did a lot of things over that period, so put the soul recovery period at a cycle. We had fifty Deep Spawn eggs, so that means we could hatch all our Deep Spawn in six cycles. A season is four months, a month is three cycles... we could hatch all our eggs in less than a season, so there isn't too much to worry on the 'being corrupted by the chaos on the surface' aspect. That is very good.

I think holding off on the hatching thing until our soul is fully recovered is good. But once it is, I must insist on hatching Bobobo. The concept of KNOWLEDGE, form of BOOKS and WORDS one.
>>
No. 228451 ID: a69afd

>>228380
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEE-
PUNCHES LIKE BANG,
NO ONE BLITZES LIKE BANG,
NO ONE TEARS FOES TO BITS QUITE LIKE BANG,
FOR THERE'S NO MAN AROUND HALF AS SCARY,
EXPLOSIVE, A BRAWLER WORTHING BETTING ON!
YOU CAN ASK ANY TOM, DICK, OR LARRY
AND THEY'LL TELL WHOSE NERVES NOT TO GET ONNNNN!
NO ONE'S BEEN JUST LIKE BANG,
A CULMINATION OF EPIC WIN JUST LIKE BANG,
NO ONE'S GOT A TRACK RECORD OF OUTRUNNING THE WIND JUST LIKE BANG!
"AS A FIGHTER MY SKILLS ARE NO LESS THAN DE~CI~MATING~"
BOY WHAT A GUY,
MAG
NUM
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!
GIVE FIVE "GODDAMNS!"
GIVE TWELVE "COMBO-HITS"
CAUSE BANG IS THE BEST,
AND THE REST IS JUST SHIT,
NO ONE FIGHTS LIKE BANG,
NO ONE LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT JUST LIKE BANG,
IN MORTAL COMBAT NO ONE THROWS RIGHT HOOKS LIKE BANG!
FOR NONE CAN COMPARE WITH ONE WHO'S GOT BRAIN-MEATS TO SPARE-
"AND WITH A MOMENT OF INSPIRATION I'LL HAVE WEAP~ON~IZED~ HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIR!"
BOY WHAT A GUY,
MAG
NUM
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!
>>
No. 228462 ID: a594b9

>>228441
I want to spawn them one at a time, allowing our soul to fully recover after each one, allowing us to rapidfire them out. This is much more efficient than pumping out more than one each time, due to the exponential recovery process.

Hey, the Deep Spawn blood iron thing... Why don't we just plain ask the ones we've got to donate us some blood? They regenerate, after all. If that is somehow not workable, then perhaps we should make a BLOOD-related spawn. Here's one:

Audey embodies the concept of WOUNDS. Its form revolves around BLEEDING and FESTERING.
>>
No. 228489 ID: 7150d8

>>228462
I find that a rather bad idea really, making a spawn focused on bleeding. It would, honestly, be a waste of a perfetly good spawn.

If we are creating any spawn right now, then I suggest the following (from the list of deepspawn in the suggestion thread):

Acronum embodies the concept of RANGED COMBAT, its form revolves around GUNS and CANNONS.

Rutgur embodies the concept of SLICING, his form revolves around BLADES and EDGES.

Khanite embodies the concept of BEING A GENTLEMAN(Chivalry), his form revolves around CLOAKS and MONOCLES (though I think I remeber someone suggesting that it should be blades/rapiers instead of monocles, which I would agree with).

Also, just one spawn at a time would be to small an amount, though in this situation, I don't think it's neccesary to manifest the full amount that we are capable of in one go.

Oh, I got an idea, let's show it to Oz all like: "Hey Oz? Want to see a neat trick." If he starts asking about it we must be as vague and cryptic about it as possible.
Alternativly, manifest it when no one is looking.
>>
No. 228493 ID: d2ff99

>>228462
If we take small amounts each day I think we will manage that.

As for spending our priceless boons for stupid things like apprentices, I have better idea.
>I consider the nature of my form, the pioneering command of Blood Magic, my absorption of living concepts into my construct form. I wonder, with my body taking on more aspects of an organic host... could not I incur my own soul to grow?
>[...]

We could ask for Soul Grave craft competency, so that we understand how our spell matrices work and be able to alter them. Then we make modifications so that we can hone our soul like regular people. Then we spend ALL of our time casting spells (for example compiling gigantic ball of metal underground and constantly reshaping it, adding more to it, and dragging it wherever we go) like Eisenhardt told us, and we'll be as strong as him in no time.
>>
No. 228494 ID: d2ff99

Yeah, I don't think we need to hurry with making spawns. We can make them as situation demands from us. And while >>228462 idea of spawn does not seem good to me, it is good to give more suggestions for Spawn ideas.

>>228489

>(though I think I remeber someone suggesting that it should be blades/rapiers instead of monocles, which I would agree with).
Yeah, I agree with rapiers too. Though I prefer revolvers actually.
>>
No. 228512 ID: ddd48d
File 128402355333.png - (33.95KB , 583x692 , crappypaintjob.png )
228512

>>228205
oh my god i love you, lets make gentleman babies.

>>228400
>"Well, you might get the chance to punch out the Leg Loser..."

"The White...Pheonix was it? Going to fight Lubu? Well this poses a very interesting turn of events. To tell the truth, I was asked by Lubu to come find you and see where your allegiance fell, if you had any at all. It seems to me you both have something to gain now. You offer to ally with Lubu, for a chance to finally quell that 'twig-armed nuisance', as you called him. Also perhaps such a move would further spread the news of, hm, your so-far-still-in-planning school, with quite a prestigious backer to your ability...although perhaps I am being to forward here..."

that any good? if something looks like it should be changed just do it.

>>228489
>>228494
what about Larn: embodies RECONNAISSANCE, in the form of FLIGHT and STEALTH
so we can keep watch on things, like how Bang is gone and we don't know what happening with him. Or to scout out other things and have them report with Phohn.
(have a crappy paint picture, didnt get to the photo shop today)
>>
No. 228516 ID: d2ff99

>>228512
Also we could add the possibility to build the school in the capital or near the capital of LoD (where I suppose the palace is and where Lubu presides). This would make him even more famous and attract more students.
>>
No. 228533 ID: 9338f5

if we dont use a boon for quality grunts then we should make a deep spawn for magicaly enhanced learning and teaching to learn from one and teach many. have it learn from Arkus and teach whoever it is Arkus mannaged to find for the grunt work. it would also be ueful for training our milita.
>>
No. 228581 ID: ef1ed7

Regarding the Jioga situation - how long does it take to form one Deepspawn? We could make an appropriate one that could potentially hide us from Jioga.

Murhyihal embodies the concept of CONCEALMENT in the form of CAMOUFLAGE and MIMICRY

Other than that keep suggesting to Oz that he should join Mordre's cause. Oz could be a Lubu supporter without having to be a follower or lackey. You know pick his own fights among those challenging the Fierce Dragon and all that.

After all the conflict of the century may be coming up. If Oz isn't part of it then he might regret it for the rest of his life.
>>
No. 228585 ID: d2ff99

Wait.... so no spontaneous festival? :(
>>
No. 228702 ID: 7f3e9c

Well, that guy is coming from Lubu right? so chances are he will come along the road you did, so keep moving along this road, a bit off to the side, make your pagoda nice and big for everyone, maybe make some low seats. Also, see if you can find any good metals in the ground to decorate i with, make your stuff look good.
Search the memory of the souls you ate from LOD and see if you know any good bar/party/traditional tunes and start 'playing' them from your mouth.

Old man Mordre likes to live it up.
>>
No. 228704 ID: 7f3e9c

Hey, you remember that spell Arkus cast to make your stuff less noticeable? Can you do it? on your pagoda and the area surrounding it?
>>
No. 228713 ID: 7f3e9c
 

How bout this?

or this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdMCxrzqvk&feature=related
Though that would be more suitable for a larger group.
>>
No. 228717 ID: 56dc25

>>228493
I don't know that I like this. Mainly because of these two facts. First, Mordre's words:
>with my body taking on more aspects of an organic host...
Second, Lenryt's:
>Organic Wells of Souls do not preserve their inhabitants, they graft them onto their one existence, one massive soul.

The more aspects of an organic creature we take on, the closer we will become to an organic Well of Souls. If we become enough like a living being, then yes our own soul will begin to grow, but at the same time- perhaps it is our soul's very lack of growth that keeps the heroic souls within us preserved as individuals? If we become organic enough to grow our own skills, then we might well also become organic enough to start absorbing others' souls into ourself in truth, rather than merely holding them within our form.

Would that give us more of those souls' power and memories? Well, perhaps. For all we know, it might let us fully take advantage everything they ever knew and could achieve... but I doubt it. Goran would have been much more powerful than he was, were that the case. I deem it more likely that we would lose the possibility of conversing and interacting with them, moving them around our form to gain greater power, having distinct Soul Nexi, and potentially removing one or more of them to resurrect at some point (should one of our heroic allies die and we desire them back).

Fortunately, a boon regarding knowledge of Soul Graves and how they work would likely tell us if this concern is justified before we do anything irreversible. Still, we should be wary when seeking to emulate life.


On the matter of Deep Spawn: I would rather not craft them at the moment, since we've other things to worry us. When we do make another, however, I return my thoughts to Orochoth, who embodies the concept of PREPAREDNESS, its form revolving around KNOWLEDGE and PRESCIENCE. We could really use a capable adviser... and even if we don't make use of it, combined with Phohn we could well begin to form the start of a Deep Spawn command center from which all those affiliated with us could be competently coordinated. While Deep Spawn oriented towards combat are all well and good, some of their most valuable contributions to us thus far have been in the form of utility powers rather than sheer strength.
>>
No. 228899 ID: a76809

[ 3 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE]

>>228451
[ 2 / 3 RHYMES TO GRANT BANG BONUS EVENT EPIPHENY] [FOCUS: POSSIBILITY CELLS]

>>228704
[Still not capable of learning, would have to eat someone who's best magic was Word magic to get that. Someone defined by their grasp of Word magic is more than slightly unusual. Until consuming someone like that, or becoming organic enough to 'live' and have your soul grow, this trick cannot be learned.]

>>228441
I consider the revolving Deep Spawn cores orbiting my body, a slowly whirling wreath of simple sphere, not white so much as absent anything to define it chromatically. In Bagrom and Oz's conversation, I heard them reference it once each, describing them as being (in their opinion) prayer beads, and going on into discussing whether a Mage is a Monk where I come from, their prior talk of partial soul death lost as they continue to feast and drink, the Deep spawn playing audience.

And I consider how long it took me to recover, or near enough, from making nine. At this rate, I could easily make the deadline range Eldghodd gave me before the seeds begin to decay. I think I shall keep them, a cosmetic effect in the hopes of gaining more credibility with my audience should they deem me more 'monklike'. I shall be patient, and let my soul fully recover before I consider making Deep Spawn again, unless a truly advantageous situation arises.

>>228385
>>228387
>>228400
>>228512
>>228516
I decide to strike, seeing my opening in Oz's depreciating commentary on the White Pheonix. I address the green and yellow monks, respectively, just as they finish gnawing the last of the roast away, as I note Bagrom looking much haler than one who just lost a limb really should. It is to this attentive crow, that I speak.

"The White...Pheonix was it? Going to fight Lubu? Well this poses a very interesting turn of events."
>"Wha? Whassat, what's interestin?"
"To tell the truth, I was asked by Lubu to come find you, And see where your allegiance fell, if you had any at all."
>"An outa country type like you, with th' Fierce Dragon, um, Lubu? The, the High Dragon?"
"Yes." >"An' so?" [code]"It seems to me you both have something to gain now."
>"I'm lississenin."
"You offer to ally with Lubu for at least a time, For a chance to finally quell that 'twig-armed nuisance', as you called him. >"Don't wanna offer lip service, live a free man!" [code]"It need not be bound service, even a temporary partnership, But consider that such a move would further spread the news of, Well, your so-far-still-in-planning school like wildfire, With quite a prestigious backer to your ability... Although perhaps I am being to forward here..."
>"Ok, ok, hold on now.... yer sayin', that I could just... fight alongside the High Dragon, temperary like, off White Pheonix, take the fame boost, an' be on my way, if I want?"
"I feel confident he would be quite amenable to it, He does not strike me as one heavily invested in formality."
>"...Ok, that, that.... that's inerestin'. But, uh, I got to get my new student settled, lost hand is best time to teach some o' Ghost Hand, an' I wanna sober up a bit first, to, um, fully look over the offer. Sounds good, yeah, but I been tricked when, when, when sloshed before, not a fan, not a fan."

>>228702
>>228713
I cat into what glimmering vestiges, ghosts of memories I can glean from the souls I've consumed from the Land of Dragons. I have hero and commoner alike, and have gained mastery of the language, both High and Low (I reflect that Lubu spoke Low...) so what I seek must be there.... ah.

I hold up my left hand in an open palmed placation, my cross-legged form still resting on the ground inside this earth and stone Pagoda that continues to slowly travel down the road, on towards some new part of the country I have yet to see. I offer words as I consider this seems an excellent way to avoid the Ash Dragon... if he does not farm the rumor mill to ascertain where I went...

"Please, do not feel pressured to decide. I have enjoyed your company thus far, And would not wish to impose. Please, continue to drink, teach, or fight, whatever you choose, Until you feel like making a decision. And while waiting, I believe I have some music, From your own land, that is, that I could play... ah."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN7ZBLCr50Y

Wind and strings flit through the air, as I call from the patchwork memories of the dead a more human dirge, cherished music from those I feasted on. I see Oz, Bagrom, even Keddic and Dulu start, in their own little ways as the music starts wafting through I amiably speak, still maintaining the persona of Mage Morde, over the soft melodies.

"Is this is to your liking? I don't have many pieces of music, Not from down in the Land of Dragons, So I can only hope this song can serve, To grant entertainment while I host you."
>"...Heh, HAH! You know what, tha'll work just fine, a handy trick... yup. Arright, sso Bagrom!"

Oz turns to teaching his student, hounding the beleaguered one-time challenger through combined existential explanations of how to kill a part of the self and corporeal demands, forcing the crippled fighter to go toe to toe with Vandgurd, and find a way to damage him through is incredible metallic hide, with his only remaining hand broken, and a stern caution from Oz to 'Keep his damn feet on the ground'. Sadronm periodically makes suggestions on how to arrange scenarios when Oz struggles to set up a more complicated scene, Keddic eventually getting involved as well, the two inadvertently helping Oz turn his training regimen into a nightmare for the wounded and exhausted former monk of the Jade Soul, who now welcomes trying to decipher the philosophical utterances of a drunk.

The day passes to night, as my pagoda continues to build speed until finally at the pace of a plodding horse, as I seek out better stone, or even bits of metal to better form this pagoda I crafted. While ingredients of any worth to this desired improvement are scarce, and we do indeed move slowly, over the eight or so hours Oz lectures as he slowly tapers his drinking, but so much ground is covered that by nightfall, the pagoda is almost entirely stone, frecklings of shale, granite, and other pieces of rock intermingle with tin and iron, the few bits I could find. By the time we spot the glow down the way that marks a village, and another juncture of roads, night is deeply upon us, and Oz is finally yawning, starting to droop, as he notes he can no longer rouse Bagrom from his most recent unconsciousness, having hours ago graduated to giving the wounded warrior foes that fight back. A yawn like a tiger stretching groans out of the Breaker's mouth, as he amiably addresses me even as he plops to the ground, now a sand ring with stone beneath, laying prone.

"...Yup, been awake for a long time now, I think five days. I need some sleep, to sober up and... consider things. Give me a good solid number of hours, alright?"

And without waiting for a response, Oz drops off to sleep beside his unconscious pupil.

Some ten minutes later we slide into town, the streets empty in the night, but faces appearing in lit windows already to look at the stone pagoda sliding into town.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 228911 ID: e31d52

Well, we should commit to some activity that charges the AA without being too... interruptive? loud?
>>
No. 228916 ID: 7f3e9c

Spinny, spinny spinny that revolver barrel. It is now your AA charge generator as one other guys suggested.
>>
No. 228917 ID: 445c48

Do pushups, quiet as you can. Explain to Keddic and Dulu that you're on autopilot, chargin' that AA, needs movement to charge up so why waste the night, etc.
>>
No. 228920 ID: 445c48

>>228916
>>228917
Do pushups WHILE spinning the revolver, unless this makes too much noise.

I guess you could always get out and run laps around the pagoda, or something, if you were quiet. I'm not sure you're quiet.
>>
No. 228922 ID: 56dc25

I really don't think that charging the AA is that incredibly vital. We're not going to need it in the immediate future.

Not really sure why we're taking our pagoda into town in the middle of the night. I'd say that we should park it outside town, preferably out of direct line of sight, except that we've doubtless already attracted a fair bit of attention. And we don't know anything about what town this is, or anything about it at all, really. I suppose that at this point, we might as well move all the way to the other side, maybe turn down a road that would let us start swinging back towards the Fierce Dragon by a different route. With plenty of time for the monks to rest and awaken, of course; no rush here. Though getting off the main roads to avoid the Ash Dragon certainly wouldn't hurt. We probably would be able to move cross-country without leaving much evidence of our passing, using geomancy.

We might take this opportunity to discuss the Land of Dragons with Keddic, his thoughts on the current situation, and anything interesting he recalls from his former travels here. Plumb our memories, as well- for important names, styles, cultural bits involving the Dragons and how they interact with both one another and those around them. And bring Dulu into the conversation, since he's kind of left out in recent times. See if he's still determined to be a dick.
>>
No. 228923 ID: 7f3e9c

Well first of all, get out of the town, keep on the outskirts, somewhere near a river.

Then quietly make a decorative moat around your pagoda with geomancy, prepare a few geo-mines around that and set the big three(vandguard, Zelgato and ... that other guy) to stand guard.
Oh yes, try to order them sub-vocally(i.e with you mind or will), if this does not work try to talk to Phohn sub-vocally and have him pass it on.

Run through the book of runes in your head again, make connections, set everything as straight as you can from a knowledge point of view, so that if people question you, you can tell them and stuff.
When you get competency in runescribing this will bear it's full fruit.
>>
No. 228927 ID: 7f3e9c

>>228922
>Not needed in the immediate future
Anything can happen

>evidence of our passing
Ah. Mordre, also work on covering your tracks. No need to fix the current ones, too much time, just the ones you will make after this. Put the earth back and make it look similar to the surrounding area. This might slow down any would be trackers due to the sudden change in the nature of the tracks.... though trying to hide a beautiful moving pagoda is probably a lost case... at least while we are keeping to the civilized areas.

I am very worried about how camly these guys are taking the spawns existence.
Jade didn't even bat an eyelid at killing them... these guys are either way tough or our spawn are still too weak.
>>
No. 228929 ID: 7f3e9c

>>228927
well, damaging them anyway.

sorry bout the chain posts.
>>
No. 228940 ID: e31d52

http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/331007.html#332696

>This needs a name, but will be named Dragon Slayer if used to, well, slay a dragon with the element of surprise. :3c
>>
No. 229140 ID: 80edfe

Oh shit, did we ever get Lorgk to save some yeti pelt to make a fur hat for Lenryt? If not, get Phohn to call him up.
>>
No. 229142 ID: a594b9

...have we repaired the Edge of Oblivion yet? We should try out the timesteal+magnetomancy restructuring.
>>
No. 229155 ID: ef1ed7

Right so Oz and Bagrom are asleep. Really the best suggestion people can come up with is charge the AA through mundane activities?

First of all let's throw off Jioga's possible tracking attempts. Keep the geopagoda moving, but also create a palanquin out of stone and metal. If Oz, Bagrom are moved onto the Palanquin then the Deepspawn and lesser spawn can carry the palanquin with its sleeping inhabitants onwards on a different route through the dark of night while Mordre moves the pagoda in another direction for half an hour before parking it. Ensure that the palanquin group's tracks are erased so that there's no sign of a group splitting off from the moving pagoda.

Leave Nihilino and Aggocrag at the parked pagoda with instructions to inform those who approach the pagoda that master Mordre asks that no one should disturb the pagoda or anyone inhabiting it. They don't have to physically stop anyone from entering it since it's just an empty decoy. They are also to inform Mordre through Phohn if anyone approaches or asks them any questions.

Meanwhile Mordre can make liberal use of Burduko to travel to the Arcanoworks and Mordreden. Burduko should then join the Palanquin group to track it until called for via Phohn. We need to see what Arkus, Jezebel, Dregas, Lorgk and the rest have been up to. Naturally all the Deepspawn can use Phohn to instantly inform Mordre about any changes to their situation and let him know if Oz wakes up. Burduko should be able to transport Mordre back and forth with just a few seconds notice so there's very little need to stay with the group if nothing is happening. Important things can be done up north.
>>
No. 229162 ID: 5f0943

I think I know what we can do.
would it be possible to take some time to repair at least part of the damage on the Oblivion Edge, by stealing the timelock and using blood magnetomancy?

I remember Bob saying something about that (It would take time though, Even with the blood-megnetomancy, but at least it would be in a slightly better state then present).
>>
No. 229165 ID: d2ff99

>>229155
If we go to Arcaneworks then we'll have to deal with Eisenhardt. And I doubt we will be able to keep our visit secret from him, he'll immediately notice that we are there
>>
No. 229166 ID: efa282

Did we leave any deep spawn at Mordreden? There are still those yetis running around, and I don't like the idea of leaving it under-defended.
>>
No. 229171 ID: d3dfb8

>>229162
This, we may as well get started on repairing it.
>>
No. 229173 ID: 46c8d6

>>229165
Well if you decide to go with this we could always activate THE RUNE and hope that he is not floating over our base or somn.
>>
No. 229174 ID: ef1ed7

If Mordre can't fix Oblivion Edge on his own then perhaps Lubu can give us the name of a weaponsmith who can deal with rune/word magic.

If we want the very best then Iron Dragon Zuon could surely repair or even improve the blade. Especially if Mordre or Velada help counter the temporal lock effect.
>>
No. 229191 ID: ddd48d
File 128414326911.png - (17.19KB , 640x480 , ifeelstupid.png )
229191

>.>

Probably shouldn't sit in the middle of town, just find a nice field somewhere. That way if we ARE found we won't have random bystander deaths.
>>
No. 229196 ID: b10c0e

Random note: I am intending to give 'Hellfire' a Golemquest touch by turning it into Soulfire just because I want to, but if anyone can get it done sooner so Bang can weaponize his healing to the point of being the ATOM BANG, DESTORYER OF WORLDS, that would be awesome.

Idle note: We never asked Bang if he has any family, because a family with the last name Bang must have produced some awesome.
>>
No. 229203 ID: 9b079f

>>229191
I love you Glue.
>>
No. 229355 ID: a76809
File 128417721153.jpg - (359.70KB , 1280x927 , Land Of Dragons Fruit Orchard.jpg )
229355

>>229191
[ 4 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE]

[ 2 / 3 RHYMES TO GRANT BANG BONUS EVENT EPIPHENY] [FOCUS: POSSIBILITY CELLS]

>>229140
[Of course Lorgk is saving yeti skin, his whole tribe loves the stuff, and he wants to use everything he can to further improve Mordreden, now labeled the Icy Bastion, thanks to what Lenryt did. Incidentally efforts to mine our Goran's remains, as wells as the Red Steel swords, are underway, as Lorgk plans for vestments with Mingsk to truly fit one trying to claim the position of Over-Chieftain. Oggroth is now going bare-chested, his increased innate durability sufficient that, should he return to the healing tents for Fersh and Jojo, he can actually support unarmored fighting, as well as striking with enough force with bare hands to crumple armor, shatter bone. Lorgk is, under Lukgo's advice, looking to gain prestige by association, a lesser 'Goran' underling making him look more potent by association. So yeah, status update on Mordreden, the Icy Bastion.]

>>228911
>>228916
I begin spinning the Anti-Golem Cannon's cylinder, turning Magnetomancy upon myself to speed the process and to likewise quiet it down, a bare whisper eliciting from the artillery as it starts to gain me a passive bonus to Amaranthine Annihilator charging. Should I need it, I will be certain that my gems shall be as potent as possible-

"I hope the same, to send my gaze in, Flitting through flesh and bone, Freezing life where it would begin, That last heartbeat that ended alone."

..Zagrath's words, whispered by the rubies I bear, concern me, as they support either great perceptiveness on his part, or some means to read my mind.... I shall have to watch this.

>>229142
>>229162
>>229174
I start my Blood Iron flowing, and after juggling my Magnetomancy generated charge for my gaze to my body Soul Nexus, heft the might of artificial Blood magic towards the Edge of Oblivion, as I grasp the sword with a hand now turned towards Chronal Banditry.... and I find out two things.

I thus run out of casting points, and cannot keep the Geomancy running the Pagoda across the ground.

And I find the Spatial Stasis Lock of the runes still wholly intact, promising a long toil to pierce through, with only the increased brute power of Blood Magic making possible the attempt.

TH-THUMP

I return my hand to normal and turn that Soul Nexus back towards Geomancy, thinking for a way to use my Blood magic, if such a diverse set of actions is so difficult. As I salvage the majority of our momentum and continue to coast through the village on the main street, I start returning the earth to normal, masking the passing of a stone and metal pagoda housing golems and Deep Spawn from the town-centered crossroads on.

>>228922
>>228923
I find something to devote my active blood magic to, as an idea of how to both maintain style of travel, and avoid running into my rival in this venture, the Ash Dragon Jioga, second in command to Lubu, and only serving Dragon to the new emperor. I set about the lands with Blood Magnetomancy, seeking metals to craft a new item within my pagoda-

TH-THUMP

And my amplified senses do not disappoint.

Coins lost from loose pockets, old tools abandoned centuries ago, idle bits of armor, meager veins of ore, all are ultimately detected, and as we travel onward, torn from the ground by being attracted to my form, moved through shifting openings in my pagoda as they flutter through the air, and into my grasp.

TH-THUMP

My hand moves to guide an ever-growing horde of metallic detritus and scraps, as old, solid lumps turn to dully flowing yet unmolten goo, twisting and shaping to my whim without ever warming, as I blend the metals together, mixing tin, iron, silver, gold, copper, aluminium, all sorts of trace scraps contribute and are slowly mixed as I churn and churn my project, its form swelling as we continue, more scraps claimed and likewise melded into the growing palanquin I plan, naught more than idle gopher holes appearing at considerable distances from the road at worst.

TH-THUMP

[DAY 138: DAY 8 OF WEEK 2 OF MONTH 4:]
[Enduday of the Second Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


TH-THUMP

My works continue into the morning, and Keddic dozes off after finishing a long round of conversation with Dulu, comparing tales of interesting ventures, comparing the mercenary work to his own soldiering and adventuring alike. Dulu has been idly inspecting my workings, as I continue to propel the stone pagoda while wiping its trail, while spinning my revolver's cylinder for charge and shaping cold metal like clay in my hand. I finally finish a sizable palanquin, sufficiently large and roomy to easily house both Bagrom and Oz, with long, splayed handles to allow Deep Spawn to carry them. In the dead of night, when nearing a patch of terrain where the land about the roads is not so wet, and tracks not overly difficult to flatten, fruit trees of dozens of shapes and sizes abound to both sides-

TH-THUMP

And I act.

I transfer the still inert Bagrom and Oz into the palanquin, and form a moat about the pagoda as the Deep Spawn, save Zelgoto and Vangurd, are put to guarding the location, and to keep spawn within, out of sight, to imitate our presence. They will not physically bar intruders, but will verbally forbid entry, as a delaying tactic, should the Ash Dragon follow my trail that far.

From here, Dulu wakes Keddic so we may all exit the pagoda, the seven Deep Spawn not on guard leaving as some twenty spawn come from Vandgurd and Zelgoto to take our place, heavyset life-size dolls of metal Vandgurd's making and hunching forms with stone teeth and horns emerging from beneath heavy pelts of hair. With so much magic freed to use again, I make our trail from here vanish, as I have the spawn staying all turn to not watch our departure, just in case the Dragon has some means of forcing truth from them. Only after vanishing into the tree ranging from ten to seventy feet high, laden with all kinds of sustenance do I l have Phohn let them know they can look about freely again, and to report should the Dragon approach, via Phohn.

TH-THUMP

I return my focus of Blood Magic to Magnetomancy, as with only one current magical demand on myself, I can easily devote my other two towards the long-term goal of repairing the Edge of Oblivion, to some degree at least. Metal moves with laborious sluggishness, the lock still in place heavily resisting my attempts, but bits and pieces get through, as metal inexorably, fraction by fraction, starts to reform. It will take days, weeks possibly, but I can restore most of it, only a few cosmetic differences from its unmarred form. As I spend several hours at this task while we flit without leaving tracks through the fruit orchard, I wonder if some talented swordsmith, or even Iron Dragon Zuon, could possibly aid us in restoring the blade, or even improving it.

"One of many swords to slice, Recast anew in a bid to find gore, Identity given to the killer's weapon, To make more deaths, ever more?"

We cut a path not south-east, to begin our trek to the capital, but to the south west, back-tracking at an angle as I look for a road to join, and once more build speed. Considering it took more than a day to reach here from the capital, it could take weeks if I do not resume my calamitous pace, far too much time for Jioga to find me, for my tastes.

TH-THUMP

It is around late noon when Bagrom finally begins to stir, bet for another hour longer, late enough evening is beginning to come, Bagrom simply lays there, breathing deeply when he can, as I feel his... life, his vitality sloshing about, coming to focus on broken bones, mangled muscle, and effect repairs as best it can. His breathing steadies considerably, and his hand is almost wholly repaired, when Oz finally wakes, and looks at Bagrom, his berth in a palanquin, new location, and my form walking alongside the Deep Spawn bearing him, Keddic and Dulu at my side, the two embroiled in a contention on some minor battle they both took part in on opposing sides in a language Oz cannot understand.

He blinks slowly, with a very suspiciously calm and blank face.

"And what, exactly, is going on now? Where is the ring, our place to fight? Why are the jugs of wine being carried by hand? What are you doing..... Mordre, was it?

TH-THUMP



What should I say or do?
How should I respond to Oz's query off the beaten trail, flitting through a fruit orchard currently surrounded by plums?
Do I have any further ideas on how to mask our trail?
And do I have any ideas on how to handle Zagrath's intrusions?
>>
No. 229361 ID: a594b9

Eh, I guess we can easily make another pagoda and fighting ring if he wants. We've got magic to burn!
>>
No. 229365 ID: 199311

>>229355
If the path we are on now is narrow enough for this excuse to work, perhaps something like this: "I desired to observe this orchard, and, as you can see, this path is too narrow for the platform we had before. Do you desire one? This golem could easily mold the palanquin you are on into a suitable ring, I think. Though not too wide; perhaps a longer oval, rather than a circle? A rectangle might be better, a circular platform is a bit unwieldy, don't you think? As for our path, we are heading toward Fierce Dragon Lubu, I think the conventions of these lands would call him? Or, at least, where I knew him to be."
>>
No. 229372 ID: c77272

You have had a busy night. Have to sleep sometime.

"Mage Mordre is not here right now. Golem continues previous heading toward destination: Lubu Capital. Advisory: golem has been instructed for self-preservation."
>>
No. 229390 ID: 80edfe

Man we should get a book on magic from here for Arkus you know. Just while we are here if we see one come up.
>>
No. 229478 ID: 2dabc5

Sounds like Zagrath is getting restless due to a lack of deaths and killing. There's also the fact that the gems he resides in willingly rejoined Mordre's form while a pristine soul was used. He could be using that link along with his Mosmordren magical knowledge to peer into the soul grave matrices that might not be too different from the small tomb he previously inhabited.
Prediction: If given magical fuel and the chance to do so Zagrath will be able to act even more independently, wielding more of the powers he had in life.

Regarding our situation with Oz - stop the palanquin. and let him know that perhaps you should have a more serious discussion now that he's sober and well rested.

Answer his questions. The Pagoda/arena was left behind in the morning as you created the more mobile and discreet palanquin. The jugs are being carried as you've been devoting your magical powers towards slowly repairing the stubborn Oblivion Edge. As to your current objective you're trying to throw off any potential pursuers or challengers.

Does Oz have any more questions or is it time for breakfast?
>>
No. 229510 ID: 501299

>>229372
This, but say it in lowD and common at the same time.

Keddic will be able to back us up on it. He knows LowD, but in common it is harder for him to miss.

...

Hmmm, actually, this might not be the best idea.
He might get annoyed, or he might be understanding. I have no idea what he is like outside of a drunken stupor.

hmmmmm.

ok yea, say that but add the reason of trying to evade any challengers that would seek out Oz in his sleep or somesuch.
>>
No. 229515 ID: 9338f5

honesty seems to work well with Oz. explain how talking Oz into joining up with Lubu was to be a bit of a competition with Jioga. the reason we left the city and are in the middle of nowhere is to hopefuly avoid runing into him and to not disturb the city dwellers any further. Our Pagoda while quite nice is rather noticeable so we left that near the river over there (point). The fighting ring and the Pagoda can easily be remade but i am hopeing to work out the "join Lubu" idea without interuption. i am quite willing to head back to that city if you wish.
>>
No. 229536 ID: a76809
File 128422209686.jpg - (94.83KB , 1046x1500 , Rageglut wanders by.jpg )
229536

>>229361
"I can easily craft another pagoda if you want-"
>"Not what I meant. Why are we here, in a fruit orchard?"

>>229365
>>229478
>>229515
I decide to go with honesty, hoping the behavior norms I observed in the God of the Fist will hold now that he is no longer inebriated, throwing a bit of fatigue into my voice, to emphasize the fact that, as a human manipulating the golem from a distance, I am growing weary from this non-stop piloting. Bagrom is still laying prone within the now immobile palanquin, but I can see him still attending to what I say.

"We are in a fruit orchard because I am trying to avoid someone, Specifically Ash Dragon Jioga, who I believe you may know of."
>"Why, exactly must he be avoided?"
"Well, do you recall my offer concerning Lubu from yesterday?"
>"I do."
"Excellent. Well, Lubu set a task of finding and returning with you, As something of a whimsical challenge between myself and Jioga, And as this is a competition, I'd rather not run into him, In case he is irate that he missed you due to my intervention."
>"...Tweaking the Ash Dragon's nose, then?"
"something like that, yes. The pagoda was abandoned as being too... Easily tracked, its trail restricted to main roads, and thus this palanquin was made, Something that is far more mobile, in the hopes that changing modes, And thoroughly covering tracks might throw him off our trail. The wine jugs are being carried because obviously I wouldn't just abandon them."
>"Right, can't just leave perfectly serviceable alcohol laying about... and your spinning... whatever that is, attached to your shoulder cannon? Or why your holding the handle to your sword?"
"While I hope that this competition can be resolved without violence, That does not mean I should not plan for the worst, in case the Ash Dragon, Or any of a myriad of other threats, come into play. As a host, it would be improper to expect a quest to fight while under my care."
>"...How long have you been in the Land of Dragons?"
"This should be my... third day, I believe? Excuse me if my numbers are off, I had to be awake through our recent bout of transport shifting, To guide the magics involved, and I have gotten no sleep."
>"...So, as a foreigner on your third day here, you have met with High Dragon Lubu.."
"Yes."
>"You've accepted a challenge that pits you against a Dragon.."
"That is so."
>"You've sought out and hosted a party for a wandering monk..."
"Indeed."
>"And you hosted both a demon party-fun, by the way-and taken steps to deceive said Dragon you are competing against?"
"I also had to craft the pagoda and palanquin myself, But that was just subsidiary work to make my other plans function, But yes, I have done all of that."
>".....Ok"
"Ok?"
>"Ok, I'll keep traveling with you for now. Not at all saying I've decided on your offer of temporary alliances with Lubu to get a fight with White Pheonix, but you seem to be the flashy type, this is far more interesting than traveling on my own. Can I keep using your monster types here for my own exercises and the training of my pupil?"
"Of course, though I'd ask that you leave off the more... Environmentally destructive parts of your instruction, Until we fully exit these fields of fruit trees. I do have a Dragon following me who would be most interested, To determine our location, as it where."
>"Eh, fine, I can do that. Got some more theory to discuss with Bagrom, give him more time to put his body back in order since yesterday."

The Breaker's stomach rumbles, even as he exudes a spectral hand to snag one of the jugs of wine being carried near him, pulling it into the palanquin to sip at speculatively.

"Alright, so, how do you feel about some minor theft? I'm hungry, Bagrom's got to be hungry, and your blond friend there... forget his name, he must be hungry too. What with all these fruits around..."
"I see no issue with a mild bit of appropriation."

I turn towards Burduko and speak in Common.

"Burduko, could you manifest some spawn, And gather some fruits for our guests and Keddic alike?"

The lithe Deep Spawn bows, and about him coalesce masses of cloth and blurred air, wrapping and coiling about until the trapped wind looks like fluttering mummies, which bound and leap about the trees, claiming plums, pears, peaches and apples alike, shortly a mild wealth of fresh victuals both before Keddic and the two monks within the palanquin, already talking now about another aspect of Oz's art, this time focusing on methods of body reinforcement, and core methodology guiding footwork. Keddic tears into the fruit with abandon, but his consumption pales in scope to Bagrom's and Oz's, one working to replenish a depleted body, the other looking to counterbalance the days of nonstop drunkeness so recently exited. While this breakfast/lunch is served to the mortals in my group, I discreetly halt spinning my cylinder for charge to seek out metals in the ground, a few thin veins of copper found, and subsequently pulled to the surface. As I do so, I consider how much more simple it is, to be able to wrest metallic sustenance from the earth so, rather than having to carry actual supplies. The expansion of my magical talents has been most beneficial, and this thought fills my mind as I continue to walk alongside the palanquin, erasing our tracks as we go, still unflaggingly working on my sword.

It is night when we finally exit the orchard, happening upon another hard packed dirt road. Considering we have traveled miles from the pagoda's location with prolific cover between us, I decide to cease erasing our tracks so that I have a magic source available to once more set my revolver to revolving, building a slow and steady charge for my Amaranthine Annihilator. As I do so, I take a moment to consider which way we should go, left or right-

"Oh, Bagrom, ain't there some Tyototworro house or some such near here?"
>"Yes, Master Oz. If we take this right, this road should lead towards the city they are in."
"Hm... and I know that to the left is-oh hey, is that a Rageglut?"

I look down the road where Oz's gaze wanders, and some mile distant I see a towering figure, hunched and heavy with muscle under a dark canvas road, some sixty feet tall, a giant even by my own standards, plodding along the road.

Oz starts waving energetically from the palanquin, and the behemoth's gaze slides like an avalanche to alight on our party, as his ground eating steps carry his massive frame to us with deceptive speed. As the Rageglut nears, Oz cups a hand about his mouth, and shouts a question.

"OY, ANYTHING INTERESTING HAPPENING THE WAY YOU CAME FROM?"

The Rageglut's arms, bound in some heavy chain that I feel suffused with combat magic, the same as Oz's own metal limbs perpetually are, rise like mountains as the bluntly massive face tilts this way and that, over-sized lower jaw working before an answer is offered.

"....TOURNAMENT, BACK THIS WAY. RAGEGLUTS NOT WELCOME, ARENA TOO SMALL, BUT HUMANS ACCEPTED."

His gaze turns to encompass myself and my Deep Spawn companions, likewise noting Dulu and Keddic.

"....AND WHAT KIND OF COMPANIONS ARE THESE, MONK?"

"OH, JUST SOME OUT OF TOWNER'S, THE ONE CONTROLLING THE GOLEM'S THEIR LEADER, GUY NAMED MORDRE."

The Rageglut takes several long moments to ponder this, before his head bobs as he addresses me.

"....WELL MET, MORDRE OF GOLEMS. I AM KORGOTYO THE CHAINED, AND IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU."

Without waiting for a response from me, the Rageglute continues one, stepping around our group, immense robe swirling about his feet as he continues onward, towards the city mentioned to have a Tyotworro clan house within it. Oz seems equally interested in seeing the Tyotworro outpost (right) and in tracking down this humans only tournament (left), and I wonder what I should suggest.


Which way should we go?
And what actions or conversations should I follow in the waning light as we travel towards whichever destination is chosen?
Or should I continue past the road, and look to further distance myself from any means Ash Dragon Jioga could have to track us?
>>
No. 229555 ID: d3dfb8

Ask Bagrom and Oz if they would allow us in the tournament, and if it would be to the death. If it isn't to the death I don't see why we don't enter the tournament. And by we I mean us, Keddic, Dulu(if he wants) and some of the spawn.
>>
No. 229557 ID: 445c48

To the right!
>>
No. 229558 ID: 5f0943

>>229536
Just go to the Tyotworro place, it sounds like it would be worth it one way or the other.

Also, tell Oz about Goran the Magic eater and Eisenhardt (And Mordres fights with them?).
No particular reason really, just small talk.
>>
No. 229561 ID: 9338f5

>>229558
i like this idea
>>
No. 229564 ID: b1841f

yea, to the house.

Too keep up your ruse you might want to tel Keddic that you are taking a break for a while or something and follow him again, maybe telling him that if you call his name the magics will wake him or something.

Word magic/world magic combo, it could be believable.
>>
No. 229569 ID: e31d52

>>229558
This is a grate idea
>>
No. 229591 ID: f4e4f9

>>229564
Its easy. Just say:

"Keddic, I feel the need to rest for a small time. Just a bit of a nap. In the event that any course corrections are needed, I'm going to give you authority to command this golem during such time.

Any emergencies crop up, and just shout real loud at me or something."
>>
No. 229594 ID: f4e4f9

Regarding the tournament, wait until we have Bang as well, THen they can both enter.
>>
No. 229617 ID: 5f0943

>>229594
That would be practical only if Bang can do what he was supposed to do and then return to us within the time limit for signing up (because I am sure there will be a time limit).
>>
No. 229663 ID: 903f16

>>229536
Go left towards the Tyotworro house, and while you're at it ask Korgotyo if he wants a lift. He's going that direction anyway and it would give us the chance to ask him about that tournament we going to enter.
>>
No. 229705 ID: b10c0e

Also, someone do some poems. Hit me with Haikus. And art of Bang. I want our bonus.
>>
No. 229715 ID: 903f16

>>229705
Didn't you say you were going to write something?
>>
No. 229759 ID: 5f7d5c

Come on gang, we've got to help Bang!
 
  Magnum Bang, 
Magnificent
Audacious
Gutsy
Nonchalant
Unstoppable
Marvelous 

Briliant
Auspicious
Noble
Gentlemanly

>>227972
We could do this by:
1. Continuing our use of Blood magic, this will further our synchronization with our heart and blood iron. It also might make it less likely that Mordre's Other could take control of our Blood magic.
2. Continuing to harvest Blood iron from fallen foes to increase our body's saturation even further.
3. Harvesting Deep Spawn blood that has been spilt during a battle.
4. Incorporating the bones of our larger foes into our body (Goran, the Flesh Giant's spine, etc.).
5. Incorporating the organs of our slain foes into our body (heart, lung, brain?, etc.)
6. Creating metallic organs, we have already done this with our heart.
7. Continue harvesting heroic souls and creating new soul nexuses within our body.

>>228403
We would have to carry it/drag it with us everywhere we go if we wanted to be able to use it in case of an emergency; otherwise, we would have to either transport the hero's body or soul back wherever we stored it (which would be a pain in the ass). And the advantages we could gain by eating Dulu's morphic steel body are invaluable; increasing our magical absorption/consuming and flexibility would make us far more lethal and deadly to our foes.
>>
No. 229761 ID: a76809
File 128426684517.jpg - (206.72KB , 1024x756 , Land Of Dragons Immortal Angormandius The Undying.jpg )
229761

[ 4 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE]
[ 2 / 3 RHYMES TO GRANT BANG BONUS EVENT EPIPHENY] [FOCUS: POSSIBILITY CELLS]

>>229555
"I don't suppose you know if they'd allow me into the tournament, Or whether such would be to the death or otherwise?"
>[Bagrom]"Well, the town in that direction is Gainer... they host a tournament every season as I recall. the Grand Gainer, or some-such, humans only, no golems or other altered forms, so I think you'd be out of the running, as would the Ancestral Tomb with you... your attendants as well would likely be barred. The one with hair like the sun though, he could likely enter, though the fight is only cloth armor and unarmed fighting, so he'd have to leave the sword, and whatever that thing at his waist is."
[Oz]"Hm, You've gotten in a very solid bit of rudimentary training in Ghost Hand, a tournament could do you good."
>"...Master Oz, respectfully I lost a considerable amount of blood, and my wound is far from healed over. Beyond that, my hand in particular, and my body in general, still are adorned with a multitude of fractures and muscle tears."
"I didn't say I expect you to win, just to compete, push yourself hard, get some fighting in against a variety of styles to complement Mordre's aid with his attendants, all that. You know as well as I that grueling trials are the best way to grow."
>"And if that ends with permanent debilitation?"
"Hey, you see me with flesh hands anymore? I'd hardly call myself debilitated. So be aware that even if you end up pushing too hard, there are ways around it. You asked to be my pupil, that's how its going to be."
>"...As you say, master. So we are going to Gainer, rather than Woltora, where the Rageglut travels and my clan has holdings?"
"Hah, no. See, you're already a capable fighter thanks to your past training, and obviously independent enough to find me. So, you are going to go, alone, and get yourself entered into that Grand Gainer, and prevent yourself from being so incapacitated you can't return to Woltora afterwords, while still getting as much from the tournament as you can. It should be an endurance test in your already fatigued and damaged state, and require careful portioning of your stamina and power alike."
>"I.... yes, master Oz, I shall do as you say. ...Would others be forbidden from coming?"
"What? Oh, the blond one... yes, he could go with you, I suppose, not my student so not my concern, but always good to meet others of martial bent. I wonder if he can be spared, he strikes me somewhat as a guide..."

At this Keddic speaks, halting Oz's musings as the Rageglut Korgotyo continues to plod along, a mountain of flesh steadily heading west.

[Keddic]"I would wish to fight, to contest my strength... what is entry to tournament?"
>[Bagrom]"There is no entry fee, just a waiver signed and notarized, as accidental death can happen if one does not concede tactically against a stronger foe. ...Master, if you are to be at Woltora, may I offer an invitation to the Tyotworro holdings?"

Oz the Breaker, who had been idly scratching his expansive and scar adorned chest, yawns as he nods, taking another moderate swig of wine from the jug he claimed.

>>229557
>>229558
>>229561
>>229564
>>229569
"Alright, sounds fine. Gives you a known place to come back to then. ...Actually, make that invitation for Mordre and his crew as well, I'll use the time while you're away to fully gauge all his monstrous companions, and put together some better training programs with Sadronm here... if that is acceptable to you Mordre?"
"Of course, I'd be happy to remain of service."
"Heh, I'm sure you would. Well, can that be done?"
>[Bagrom]"...It can. Take my ring, and it will grant free access for all to the buildings, the grounds are marked with the same seal as the ring itself, with the staff instructed to welcome signet bearers."
"Alright, sounds like a plan... well, off you go, then!"

And so the crippled, wounded and fatigued Bagrom leaves with Keddic, both heading to the east in search of entry to the Grand Gainer, while the Deep Spawn continue to carry Oz in his palanquin as I march alongside with Dulu. I decide to make mention of my fatigue, but prioritize to continuing to ingratiate myself to Oz. I am ultimately trying to gain his service for Lubu, after all.

"...Aaaaaaaaaaahh... getting a bit tired, But I imagine a better place to leave my Golem idle, Is to be found in the Tyotworro residence."
"Likely to be the case, they are known for being fairly well established, and having considerable collective wealth."
"Excellent. Actually, I have a few tales of my own, That may serve to pass the time."

Oz, who has been busy inspecting Korgotyo the Chained still marching before us, apparently likewise destined for Woltora, grunts as he offers some speculation.

"...Hnah, decently aged Rageglut, got to be at least sixty years old, and by lack of military escort, must have bought itself from its patron with its wages... a free veteran, then... hm, stories? Of what?"
"I have fought a warrior bloated with stolen magic, One who could feast on the arcane in all its forms, And recover from the most grievous wounds in seconds, A beast twenty five feet tall and possessing incredible strength. I have also fought a mage who has mastered Magnetomancy, And threw hundreds of tons of metal at me as if flinging mere pebbles, Destroying the landscape in our duel."
"Really? Those sound like damn interesting bits of fighting! Do tell!"

And so as late afternoon becomes evening and eventually night, as I continue erasing our trail behind us, I recount my two greatest combats, Dulu most attentive as I recall my bout with Eisenhardt, raptly focusing on Phohn's internal translation, growing to value the Deep Spawn's aid as much as I have. My tails take long hours, as I answer questions and provide back-story, and I note we very, very slowly catch up to Korgotyo, who notes our travel in the same direction and slows to walk beside us, even as we near a sizable town with a cohesive wall running about it, it's buildings predominately stone rather than wood, still active even this late at night-

And someone else is marching down the path, away from the town, drawing as much attention as the titanic Korgotyo towering beside us, as myself, Dulu and the rest of our party combined. A figure as tall as the Deep Spawn, twelve feet and built as heavily as myself, a gray-skinned warrior with gnarled, leathery flesh walks toward us, ancient armor replete with assorted tattered banners and the remains of hundreds of assaults, broken arrows and blades alike wedged in both armor and flesh. In the gloom of the evening this warrior's eyes glow even as the dozens of apparent injuries cause the figure no notable concern.

But more-so than the striking nature of this one's visage, I feel their soul as being truly notable. It feels... weighted, filled with such depth and character, a richness that reminds me vaguely of both Goran and the Deep Spawn barring my own, a sense of great age that scoffs at mortal frailty. The marching figure's entire form is cloaked in pale green energy, the weight of its raw soul so great that power spills out about it as visible light

I realize the Rageglut beside us is not moving to provide room for this coming traveler to pass, and Oz's palanquin is under my own direction....



Should I move Oz's palanquin to allow this traveler passage?
Shoul I myself move out of the way?
Or should I ask Korgotya to make room?
Should I say or ask anything else of those around me, or go straight to the Tyotworro holdings and feign sleep?
[BONUS OPTION: Switch to Keddic/Bagrom from Grand Gainer Tournament as Mordre wines/dines and provides fights for Oz at the Tyotworro estates in Woltora in the meantime.]
>>
No. 229765 ID: e31d52

We haven't been with Keddic for ages now!
[Switch to Keddic]
>>
No. 229778 ID: d7dd20

BAGROM HECK YEA!

I got some ideas for that ghost hand of his... maybe.
>>
No. 229782 ID: 6a17b0

>>229761
This would be an excellent time for Keddic to work on SKP.
>>
No. 229789 ID: 5f7d5c

FUCK YEA KEDDIC!
If only Bang were here, this would be perfect him...

Move ourselves out of the stranger's way. Whisper to Oz if he knows the warrior that approaches, if he is as ancient as he appears to be then he must have some renown.
>>
No. 229802 ID: a69afd

>>229705
Very well, then I shall once more attempt a rhyme to gain the much needed advancement for Bang. It shall be done in the stylings of a certain "lyrical wordsmith" with similar qualities as our resident face-demolisher.

I'm known for thowing down
I will not be accountable for who's knocked out, uh
I dunno, might've been Keddic
I was kinda gone, smashing heads
And my toga fresh, bright red
And as usual, curatiomancy digs tight-threaded
It seems like everybody wanna be me now
And I just let it
Don't get it, twist it, yeah I said it
I am the king and will not be headed
To the graveyard anytime this thread
Being peaceful made my head hurt
So I need a duel of violent inception
That'll only get my scarf revvin
While my punches take a new direction
Imma set it off disregard the sword severin
Matter fact, I'll end this in a second
Doctor's opinion, you should get a second
Man these runes only add to Huaow's deadness
Someone call his folks, tell 'em sorry I'm reckless
What you think? Y'all know what "to the death is"?
Don't blame me cause I scratch my itches
Y'all motherfuckers know who this is
I'm gifted
You fisted
MERRY CHRISTMAS

>>229761
Move the palanquin, greet the traveller. Ask him where he's going. If this traveller seems determined to harass us, I'm sure a good old fashioned beatdown would suffice. And maybe we could get Kogortya and Oz to look the other way whilst we soulsuck, because this guy looks like he'd net us a nexus and a half. But only if he attacks us a-
Wait a minute, despite the situation with this newcomer, I am suddenly bombarded with unease by our walking partner. I don't know a whole lot about Ragegluts except what the wiki tells me and what we've learned about them from our first visit here, but this guy in particular bothers the everliving hell out of me. Maybe Ragegluts don't work this way at all, but I'd expect a being that is constructed by supergluing the primal concept of rage to a soul to be oh I don't know... REALLY ANGRY ALL THE TIME? Even if the mages of the land of dragons have devised a way to control this, I'd at least expect it to conduct all manners of speaking with pure unadulterated seething hate. Call me crazy but this kinda sorta screams, "HEY THIS IS A FUCKING TRAP, AND I BET THE ASH DRAGON IS BEHIND IT." But I could be wrong and the land of dragons just randomly has people that ooze soul pressure out of every orifice that enjoy dicking around in fruit orchards at the wee hours of the night. That town he's coming from wouldn't happen to be burning to ashes behind him, would it?
>>
No. 229803 ID: b10c0e

As much as I wanna wine and dine with someone who has been soul-stitched together by a Administrator of the Land of the Dragons and try to get a Rageglut, KEDDIC MAH BOY, Your Ancestor Calls Again!

But yeah, Mordre, make room for both travelers. If they don't want to ride with you,, move around, but offer both a place. They seem interesting.

And in prelim to 'Soul Fire', a collection of Haikus.

Magnum Bang. Human
Dynamo, Annihilator;
A Smasher-Cracker

Magnum Bang. Titles
Of his a poem would construct.
Fitting for the man.

A flash of red. A
Blast of Fist. Dead Horse Beatings
Bang and nothing else.

More to follow. If these ones even cout as 'good'.
>>
No. 229812 ID: 445c48

I am Magnum Punch/I will punch your very soul/Or at least your face

Haikus count right?
>>
No. 229819 ID: d7dd20

Protip:

Poem has to reveal something about the white blood... or at least mention it.

My guess anyway.
NOW GO YOU CRAZY KIDS, COMPOSE WONDERFUL POEMS TOGETHER!
>>
No. 229820 ID: 445c48

Move, Mordre, get out the way! And switch to Keddic.
>>
No. 229895 ID: 0d54b5

Oh, come on guys...
another fighting sequence?
Aren't you guys tired of that? They take forever.
I want to move the plot forward!

Stay with Mordre, PLEASE!
>>
No. 229900 ID: ddd48d
File 128429278028.jpg - (616.57KB , 727x3382 , sweetkeddichellabangTWWO.jpg )
229900

I vote Mordre.





... and I'm just gonna make more of a fool of myself. Try and guess the song! First correct guess gets a prize :D


He bangs, he Bangs!
Oh Magnum!
When he moves, he moves
We go crazy!
'Cause he looks kind of short
but he stings like a bee~
He will go down, in history,
He Bangs, he Bangs!
We're wasted by the way he moves,
No one ever fought so fine~
He reminds us that a fighter got one thing on his mind!!
>>
No. 229942 ID: e67080

>>229900
I'm pretty sure that is Eye of the Tiger, or at least thats the beat I'm using in my head. Right or not it works for me!
>>
No. 229944 ID: a594b9

Hey. Uh. We're probably the weakest one here, so we'll let the dude pass by.

I mean seriously, if this guy has a soul close to Goran's strength then moving aside would be a good idea... and I think Oz and Korgotyo are both stronger than us.
>>
No. 229947 ID: 96a0f1

Hmmmm, screw that, keep on trucking man. The one with the least will moves.

If any of the others start getting out of his way though it would be a good idea to do the same...

Just don't touch or anything; Instant challenge.

In any case, maybe he will be impressed by our courage and not kill us... or be annyed at our innanity and wipe us from the face of the earth.....

DAMMIT WHY IS EVERYONE STRONGER THAN US!
Mordre is gonna get golem armour. Seriously.
If I cant have 100xMORDRE via morphic treatment, we need to at least get bigger.
Seriously man, too many things dwarf us.
>>
No. 229979 ID: a76809

>>229900
[ 5 / 5 TIMES BANG BONUS PUNCHES HUAOW IN THE FACE] ACHIEVED
>>229802
[ 3 / 3 RHYMES TO GRANT BANG BONUS EVENT EPIPHENY] [FOCUS: POSSIBILITY CELLS] ACHIEVED

>>229820
>>229944
>>229947
I order Phohn to have the Deep Spawn carrying Oz's palanquin to shift to the side, opening enough room for this weighty wanderer to pass us by, but make no move myself to relocate, as our two respective parties draw ever nearer. I see the gnarled skin of this traveler before us contort and twist, aged lips pursing in speculation, as the mouth opens to reveal black teeth, withered vocal cords irking out a single question with a tongue as dry as paper.

"You do not move to make room?"
"The road is wide, and enough room exists for you to easily pass now: Why should all of us move just so you can stay in the middle of the walkway?"

As Korgotyo casts an engorged eye over this exchange, he grunts as he continues on, eyes already orienting on a massive building with high windows, doors large enough to allow a figure of such gargantuan proportions entry. The leathery skinned warrior passes us by, right as Korgotyo branches off.

"An interesting choice."

Without further comment save his last excerpt, the battle-scarred warrior trundles by, taking the opening I had my Deep Spawn provide, as Oz observes the whole exchange with a lazy eye, already turning back to scanning the buildings within Waltora-

"Ah, there is is, got the sigil of Tyotworro on it.... huh, nice set of buildings.."

I see what Oz motioned towards shortly, buildings set with darkly colored woods and carvings of birds of prey featuring prominently within the town, and I waste no time in having my Deep Spawn locomote towards these structures, though my efforts seem a moot point, as Oz is already leaping to the ground and marching before our group as several servants emerge to accost us. After a brief exchange where he reveals the signet ring and names Bagrom, the initially defensive staff turns obsequious, happily allowing us within and asking us what we would like. After Oz reflexively orders spiced meats for all the Deep Spawn and himself, I verbally ask the Deep Spawn to assist Oz however he wishes, as I find a suitable place to hunker down and feign sleep, already planning the next day's attempts to ingratiate myself with the Left Handed God of the fist, as my mind turns towards the duo seeking martial contest to the east....

>>229765
>>229778
>>229782
>>229782
>>229789
>Keddic/Bagrom Option

......................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: KEDDIC......................................................

[DAY 139: DAY 9 OF WEEK 2 OF MONTH 4:]
[Rathday of the Second Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


The monk Bagrom, who had been limping when we first set out, rather clearly nursing a broken leg, now walks without any evidence of favoring one side over the other, and has replaced the bindings about his severed right forearm, the blood-encrusted initial wrappings discarded in favor of cleaner bandages. His remaining hand does not look to have substantial mobility in its fingers, but I can see solidly fused bone shifting beneath his skin, as the monk in green keeps pace with me. We marched without end through the night at Bagrom's urging, who seems quite certain that the last days for entering the tournament are nigh. And lo, in the pre-dawn glimmer of soft light bathing the landscape, we do indeed happen upon a sizable village, a signpost outside reading 'Gainer', with another set of banners set up, fluttering in the chill morning air, proclaiming to one and all that the Grand Gainer is open and accepting applicants. We hardly have any trouble finding the place in question, audience members and those that could only be combatants all moving towards a massive building shaped like some titanic trio of drums, where people cluster and chatter already.

I say nothing for the moment, allowing Bagrom to take the lead with his evidenced experience with this patch of the Land of Dragons. he leads us to an open kiosk, an old, gritty man with a drooping mustache and scarred eyebrows patiently waits with an open ledger before him. At our approach, the old man gruffly addresses us before we can speak.

"I don't recognize you, so you haven't signed up yet. You're also not the audience type, so you're here to fight. Fine, there is still time to register... but you have about ten minutes before the first fight starts in each group, so, what are your names, and what level of competition do you want, Disciple, Expert, or Grab-Bag?"
>[Bagrom]"Is Grab-Bag new?"
"Yeah, added that three seasons ago. Its what the name says, random match-ups, don't know of it'll be some wet behind the ears punk or some near-master slumming it. Mixes Disciple and Expert, really. Now, names, and desired combat type?"
>"My name is Bagrom-"
"Master?"
>"My master is Oz the Breaker."
"Sure he is. So, what level?"
>"Grab-Bag."
"Alright"

The man scribbles some notes in the book before him, stamps some sheets of paper, and hands an entry permit to Bagrom.

"Hall 3, go through the main doors, they'll tell you where to wait. And what about you, Brighthair? Name, desired group?"


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 229988 ID: 6a17b0

>>229900
She bangs by Ricky Martin.
>>
No. 229994 ID: 0d54b5

Ah damn, we Perspective shifted I wished to stay with Mordre...

Hmm...

QUESTION TIME!

Keddic, mah boy, how are you doing? What are your thoughts on recent events? What do you think of Mordre? What do you think of his recent upgrades? How did you like your previous journey to the north? What do you think of Mordreden and its inhabitants? How are things with Bang? What do you think of the Deep Spawn? How do you look on the task we are given and what do you think of Lubu? Do you want to seek out your old master? What do you thing of Oz and his new disciple?
...

>>229900
Hands down the second best Golem Quest fan-art (you know which is the best. Hint: I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE YETIS!)
>>
No. 230000 ID: 56dc25

>>229979
Let's follow our companion's lead and go with Grab-Bag. We don't have a lot of basis upon which to judge the skill of the contestants, so if we guess either Disciple or Expert we could end up fighting a bunch of people in a different class from us. With Grab-Bag at least we'll have an excuse.

You might also want to ask what the rules and format (single elimination, double elimination, whatever) of this competition are, since that's fairly important.
>>
No. 230001 ID: 5f0943

Yeah I think I'll go with grab bag.
It could turn out real interesting.
>>
No. 230006 ID: 445c48

"My name is Keddic, Grab-Bag."

If he asks your master, say your father's name, don't say The Lined One, after all, he's a wanted man, and there was trouble with that last time.
>>
No. 230044 ID: e67080

Well, we know some things about approximate rankings...

Bagrom is below a Master level, thus why he could duel Oz with impunity.
Oz has an additional title of Living Legend, similar to Dragons, that must be above Master to some extent (probably a fairly large one).

Bagrom can bypass the prodigious regeneration rate of spawn, which as we know when dealing with them in the Premen campaign are quite strong compared to our level of fighting. Although its likely the two individuated spawn that led the attack with the Premen were stronger than our more 'newly created' Deep Spawn's spawn.

Keddic as a result is likely weaker than Bagrom overall. However, Bagrom is willing to risk an expert in the Grab Bag area. As such, Disciple or Grab Bag are probably more appropriate than Expert.

I vote Grab Bag.
>>
No. 230045 ID: f4e4f9

>>230044

"Weaker" is a misleading term.

Comptency and cunning are much more powerful force multipliers. I'd put my money on Keddic over Bagrom any day of the week.
>>
No. 230046 ID: 96a0f1

If you want to make it interesting say that your master is Lubu.
*grin*

No, don't do that.
Hmmm, I was hoping to enter you in master, but I suppose you have not mastered WoTH as yet.

The rule about modified humans disturbs me, you may just have to make due with switching places (maybe not because your master is a wanted man), muted SKP and swordplay.

TIME TO THINK UP MORE MOVES FOR KEDDIC; At the very least, clever ways to use the moves he has.
>>
No. 230049 ID: 96a0f1

Oh yes, grab bag.

Also, Bagrom may be master level, just not recognized.
It was said that his teacher preferred the traditional ones (ie the other type of Jade monk) so he might not have awarded him the title when the time came.
Thus he had to go and earn it.
>>
No. 230051 ID: e31d52

>>230046
Since you don;t have a blade, Keddic, you'll need to open up your skin for Sanguine techs another way.


However, I have another idea. Would it be possible to freeze the blood inside your blood vessels, make it incredible solid? Like, say, SANGUINE ARMOR?
>>
No. 230054 ID: 96a0f1

>>230051
Bite finger and/or make blood scalpel while it is still inside and force it out?

Keddic Harksbuton the bloody wolverine.
>>
No. 230055 ID: 56dc25

>>230051
>Would it be possible to freeze the blood inside your blood vessels, make it incredible solid?
...thereby stopping the flow of blood throughout his body, causing lack of oxygen and rapid incapacitation? There are probably numerous excellent ways to make blood armor, but that doesn't sound like one of them to me.
>>
No. 230056 ID: e31d52

>>230054
I was thinking punch something hard enough to split his knuckles then use Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism.
>>
No. 230057 ID: 199311

>>230051
Keddic doesn't need a blade; he can just force enough blood into the body part that his blood vessels rupture, and then harden his blood sufficiently that it can cut through the thin skin that is left.
>>
No. 230098 ID: a76809
File 12843344824.jpg - (101.23KB , 500x500 , Opponent 01.jpg )
230098

>>230051
[Keddic already passively hardens blood inside veins to iron like consistency when hit, so he effectively already has subdermal armor, except when using Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism. There are also the issues with freezing one's one blood.]

>>230000
>>230001
>>230006
>>230044
>>230049
I decide to follow Bagrom's example, seeking interesting matches... and think ahead, in choosing who I claim to be my master, even if both answers possible are truthful.

"Keddic Harksburton the 4th"
>"Harks..."
"Harksburton."
>"...the 4th?"
"That is correct."
>"Master?"
"Keddic Harksburton the 3rd."

The old man looks at me strangely for a second, before continuing on, scribbling away in his massive tome.

>"..Okay, master Keddic Harkburt-"
"Harksburton. Mind the 's'."
>"Harksburton the 3rd. Which type?"
"Grab Bag."
>"Fine. Hall 3, here you go."

And I am handed a lengthy piece of parchment that just barely contains both my own and my father's names. I make my way to the mentioned building, following after Bagrom, with both of us eventually ending up giving our parchments to a man with a massive pot, who waits some ten minutes longer, till the doors begin shutting behind us, and the conversation dies down amongst the crowd, more than a hundred people of all sorts surrounding us. The old man puts a hand into the urn, the focus of all attention, and pulls forth to strips of paper. Names are called, people step forth, walking down the corridor to the central arena, where the dull murmur of an expectant crowd is heard. A cheer rises, some distant person speaks, the crowd surges in chaos... and eventually drowns into a tumultuous deluge as once more distant words echo. All eyes turn again to the old man, as pairs of parchment are pulled, and people named. They walk, are passed by one of the two fighters that left earlier, and the cycle continues, Bagrom being called and likewise returning, as the crowd dwindles.

>>229994
I use this time to consider how things have been going. Mordre has been remarkably cavalier about his riotous life, accepting outrageous shifts with far more alacrity than I've seen in any companion... well, save Bang, but he is a rather simple person, in essence. I find the changes wrought on Mordre's golem to be most impressive, quite an effective bit of psychological warfare, the floating skull, the ominous glare... I can't help but think that while impressive to those smaller than the golem, what with those enormous Ragegluts about, Mordre won't be able to rely on intimidation much, unless he really bulks that form up. The knight motif is nice, makes him look somewhat more human and all, but... I've seen Soul Graves sport far more armor than that, back during the war. Some were even like blasted onions, always peeling off outer layers as damaged to expose new weapons and change the fight. I suppose he couldn't have known, as the specifics of Soul Graves and their use in the war was deemed sealed by Castiliathen, records purged, all that business. Only those that were, that saw it could comment... I shall have to suggest that to him sometime, what with his already excellent alloy composition and rather impressive new speeds, he could certainly benefit from some heavy armor plating.

My Journey to the north, where Mordre gained this new speed, where I met the tribals... it was an interesting place, to say the least. I don't think most people even know the mountains contain that many inhabitants, the resources are scarce, conditions harsh... I doubt many know just how many numbers there are up there. I thought Lorgk to be an excellent leader, a competent commander, and most of the others I met struck me as very businesslike by necessity, a sort of perpetual diligence that pervades such resource-starved areas... and then I remember the rubies I saw there...

I consider many further things. My rising opinion of Bang, seeing him less as a crazy brawler and more of a rather eccentric field researcher of curatiomancy, a lightning quick mind beneath his rather irregular mannerisms. What he does grows more extraordinary, the more I learn of healing and Blood in general. The sheer amount of calculations he must run to appropriately estimate what he should repair, when and how, are ludicrous, to say the least. An interesting fellow, that one. Thinking of impressive regeneration turns my mind to Deep Spawn, and I wonder at this turn, of these dealings with what I thought were Core Beings, and beyond that Mordre's creation through his golem with the aid of others of the deep, making his OWN Deep Spawn. I have no issue with this mission that came shortly thereafter from that Grand Elder Mage-who I was not at all aware was a little child-as it gives me a chance to return to a place I thought held many possibilities for the Way of the Harksburton, if I must rebuild it after it was stripped of it's Soul based components.

If I can find my master The Lined One while here I would be most pleased, I still hope to help clear his name. I have been thinking of him more often these last few days, reminded by Oz and his pupil Bagrom. Thinking of them, I have to admire that boy Bagrom's gumption, to seek out someone titled a Living Legend and just challenge him like that, and take what comes when trying to become their student.

My reverie is aborted as I see the old man's hand pulling free a length of parchment longer than it's twin, the bit of paper that bears my name.

"Duodee of Gainer.... and Keddic, of Keddic!"

I march forward with a monk perhaps a third my size, spiral patterns whorled into his bare scalp faintly glowing during the brief shadows of the corridor. We emerge into an open ring, a pit of smooth, flat sand, blood already spattered from the prior fights upon the ground. I hear the announcer, a man on a simple rope harness that feeds to the ceiling, proudly proclaims from above the middle of the arena as my opponent and I take up opposed positions some eighteen feet from one another.

"Wwwwwelcome, honored guests, to the Grand Gainer, Day 3! For our twenty-second round one match of Grab Bag, our newest and biggest feature, to surrender, unconsciousness or death, featuring... the home-town hero, the claimer of pride, Duuuoooodeeee!"

The crowd roars as my foe does naught but bow to me while breathing deeply.

"And his opponent, the giant from beyond the desert, the sun-haired warrior, Keeeeeediiiiiiic!"

A few people clap but most boo, as the crows roar their bets, workers rushing about to take money and record wagers. I am clearly meant to fall before their favored fighter. The announcer is hoisted away, rising out of our way by the rope he bore. He shouts out a last cry.

"Begin!"



What should I do?
Should I go with my default style or Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism?
Or should I take a different attack pattern?
>>
No. 230100 ID: e31d52

Go with Sanguine Kinetic pugilism to start off. If he proves to be tough, mix it up with your normal style. You've been among these people before, and seen how they commonly fight, what sort of things and philosiphies carry though all styles.
>>
No. 230108 ID: 445c48

Go for your default style for now, since it has better defense than SKP, test the field, see what he can do and all.
>>
No. 230109 ID: 6a17b0

>>230098
He'll be fast. Probably look to get underneath your guard rather than destroy it or go over.

Watch out for spinning attacks.
>>
No. 230110 ID: 903f16

>>230098
Open up with your default style, it's more defensive and will allow us to weather whatever attacks he'll try to pull on us and give us an opportunity to examine his style. We can break out the Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism once we have an idea of what he can do and how to get around it. Alternatively just keep up the defensive stance until he tires himself and starts making mistakes and then pop him with a good combination of punches powered by Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, basically give him the Rope-a-dope.

You also might want to play with the idea of being a heel for fun and to make this a better show for the spectators. Do things like sneer at the audience and gloat after a good move. Of course you'd only do things like this when it's safe and you aren't in danger of getting punched in the back of the head or something.

Oh and Keddic, aside from reuniting with your master and learning the secrets of white blood what else would you like to add to add to the Way of the Harksburton?
>>
No. 230118 ID: 96a0f1

Keddic, remember to make it flashy.
You have to be a crowd pleaser in this game, don't end the fight in an instant unless you do it with something big, flashy and overwhelming.

I would say start out with SKP with blood spikes rupturing from the place where he is about to hit you, kind of like a whole body counter attack, which leaves your hands free to punch the crap out of him.
>>
No. 230121 ID: a594b9

Default style. First, focus on not dying. Second, determine if it's possible to defeat your foe. Third, determine the best way to defeat them.
>>
No. 230126 ID: a69afd

>>230098
You're still wearing the cloak and toga, right? Remember how the armors of Abeloth and that horse riding domintus soldier operated? Could you do something like that with the blood under your control, make blood hands and mouths to attack your opponent should he choose to remain in close proximity? Also, could you combine the Scourging Arena with a non-sword version of the Hematic Reversal- use the underground blood tendrils to keep your opponent rooted to the floor while the Scourging Arena skewers him? And as an afterthought, could you use an underground blood tendril to passively vacuum up the blood already spilled in the area and add it to your stores?
>>
No. 230161 ID: ddd48d

>>229988
yep. you gets a drawing (big surprise!) 6a17b0. whatcha want?

put yourself in guard, Keddic! you know not what skills this warrior weilds!
>>
No. 230170 ID: a76809
File 128434696091.jpg - (78.25KB , 517x850 , Opponent 02.jpg )
230170

>>230108
>>230109
>>230110
>>230118
>>230121
I maintain the normal form of the Way of Harksburton, my blood tensing ready to spring taught within my veins and dull or ward off incoming attacks, as I track my foe, Duodee. He starts with a simple breathing exercise with his eyes locked on mine, the air about him shimmering as he slowly turns his body and leads with his left foot. As he dashes off to face me, a cloud of sand kicked up, two things occur to me.

I have seen far swifter advances from Bang nearly every day I have known him, and I have no trouble acting during this window.

I also recall that as he is not wearing armor, my ability to exude spikes of blood could come in quite handy here. I start a set rising from my Blood Toga, thankful for the wealth of blood I wear, the spikes quickly questing towards the impending knuckles. Duodee's face shifts as eyes widen, his body contorting midair as it hurtles even closer, fist drawing back as the other moves to strike me in the face, reaching for the one bit of skin I have exposed. Quick bugger.

>>230126
Sadly for him having so much blood owing ownership to me that I need not pull from my own veins proves his downfall, as I unveil a modified form of past sanguine emissions, replacing my prior acts with a single tentacle with-

"LION'S MANE!!"

I see Duodee's eyes widen one more time as he tries in vain to stop himself, and then with a sickening scrunch, he is impaled on the sudden forest of spikes festooning my form, his charge turned into his death. ...A pity, I had hoped he would have defenses sufficient to ward that off.

The crowd goes silent for a moment before those that bet on me begin cheering, and the stands explode as they reel from watching a local favorite forced to kill himself by a dark horse competitor. I think they shall remember my name this time.

I exit the arena, and await the rest of the initial group to finish their matches, before the sixty or so of us left, all with a win under our belt, move once more to the old man and his over-sized pot that we fixate upon so heavily as his gnarled hand rummages about within. Names are pulled forth. People are called. Two leave, one returns, the same as before, though now I find myself wondering how many surrender, how many are rendered unconscious... and how many die, as Duodee did?

This time I see my own name tag appearing first, before Bagrom is called, as I find myself paired with a man nearly my own size, heavy slabs of muscle adorning a robust frame, leather bracers topped with some strange green goo that shifts on its own cover his knuckles, and dollop of the slime is likewise fashioned to his waste, swirling and churning in endless gyrations without ever sloughing off his body. He eyes me speculatively, and grins as we make our way into the arena. The announcer once more takes our slips of paper, and begins announcing our impending fight as my foe confidently takes a wide stance opposite me.

"Wwwwwelcome, to the eighth round two match, featuring two faces you already know!"

Jeers and some smattering of cheers explode from the audience, as some of the swifter gamblers already start calling out bets.

"For this fight, we have the sun-haired foreigner, the bloody manipulator, the red monk, Keeeeediiiiic!!"

This time the booing is even louder, fans of the now deceased Duodee crying out their outrage, as my own fans cheer ever harder, their numbers bolstered by a win under my belt drawing more gamblers to my side. I note several, if I am assessing hand gestures right, are mentioning my method of slaying Duodee to late-coming audience members, pantomiming impalement.

"Facing the three-time competitor in the Expert league, commander of the Fluid Fist.... Leeeeeyyydoooo!"

The fans of Duodee join Leydo's own, siding with anyone they think could bring down the one that felled their champion.

"Begin!"

Leydo gestures to me with his right hand, bubbles rising in the goo atop his bracer, as he offers his own words, loud and carrying in the suddenly hushed arena, as all wait for the first move.

"Fancy little trick with your blood I hear you have, but it won't help you against the Fluid Fist! I'll let you live despite your poor sportsmanship earlier with Duodee, if you surrender now. I'd rather not dirty my hands fighting a foreigner."

The showman before me gets the crowd behind him as he awaits my answer, be it verbal or martial.


What should I say or do?
Should I continue to use my default style, or use Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism?
>>
No. 230173 ID: 732129

>>230170

Hey, Duodee knew what he was signing up for. It's unfortunate that you overestimated his defensive ability, but he had ample warning that you were weaponizing your blood. He should have shown more caution when he saw that.
>>
No. 230174 ID: e31d52

You haven't spoken yet, so you may as well now.
"Duodee knew that he faced death walking into this arena, and you despoil his name with insults and heckling. Come at me honestly, not as a foreigner, but as another human being, for I shall do the same."
>>
No. 230175 ID: d3dfb8

>>230170
Oh how I wish we could just TELEKILL this guy.

Oh well, lets stick with our default for now. I doubt this guy will come flying at us like the last one, but lets let him take the first move.

If worse comes to worst we can always Sanguine Wings then Bloody Pinions.
>>
No. 230176 ID: d3dfb8

also this guy seems like he favors his fists, so we won't have to worry about kicks. However he might try something like cutting your ankles like we did with Abaeloth. If he comes close enough I recommend we hamstring him, reduce his movement before we go in for the kill.
>>
No. 230177 ID: b10c0e

P-Poor Sportmanship?! THAT SWINE! No one sullies the name of the WAY OF HARKSBURTON! Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism will deal with this Gutter Trash!

"No one talks about my Father like that." And Keddic! What powers of the WHITE LION have you unlocked?
>>
No. 230188 ID: 96a0f1

Oh dammit, I told you to make it flashy.

Hmmm lets see.

When he advances kick a rock at him. If I am right the Goo will move to protect him from it.

In any case, dodge a few attacks, make them look close, and watch out in case the goo moves out to strike you (fluid fist and watnot) then when you have him in the perfect place for a counter,Send out three tendrils from around your wrist and make them coil around while you move forward into the blow.

SKP: CORKSCREW PUNCH!!!!!

Or if you want to be non-lethal just give him a super SKP uppercut (minus the spikes).
>>
No. 230191 ID: a69afd

>>230170

Duodee didn't feel like dieing? Tough shit, he should've thought about that before coming to the tournament. If Leydo feels like it's his job to avenge the man, feel free to try. Death is common in this tournament, we've been here for less than an hour and we understand this fact better than two veteran contestants.

Punch his fist, run a tendril of blood across your arm and have it coil about his, smothering the bracer with the goo in it. Use the tendril as a whip and smash him about the arena. If he doesn't surrender and continues to badmouth our sportsmanship, rip his arm off and take the bracer. If he tries anything after that, rip the other arm off and take the other bracer.

"I assure you, your hands are quite clean. Reattaching them in time is up to you, sir."
>>
No. 230197 ID: 56dc25

>>230170
Poor sportsmanship? Such slander, to level such accusations at you! Yes, your opponent died, but you weren't about to use a less than fully effective defense against an opponent of unknown capability. Duodee's boldness in going for an all-out attack on an unfamiliar foe was his end, not some sort of cheap move on your part.

Anyway, play it cautious at first, test this guy's abilities, and once you have a good sense of what he can do proceed to really take it to him. He's been remarkably rude and as much as said that he's planning to kill you, so there's no reason to treat this as less than a fight to the death.

>>230191
I don't think we actually know that death is common. It might be quite uncommon, even, although I imagine that would be less true in the grab bag than either of the other brackets.
>>
No. 230199 ID: e67080

Alright Keddic! a shame noone seems to understand the rather accidental nature of the death, but this cannot be an event you expect to be completely unscathed...

anyways, tell me, is there some other talents you have picked up outside of combat? poetry, a knowledge of literature/dance/theater? Have any love interests, or maybe an expected arranged marriage? Any siblings?
>>
No. 230208 ID: 45be60

>>230174
Trip offers good dialog

As for how to fight, we have valuable knowledge about this foe from the announcer. He is a three time veteran of the expert league, so he is bound to be a more dangerous fighter. And based on his brief dialog, I doubt he is a patient fighter. He will strike fast and hard. Do not overextend yourself to attack, and do not rely on your potent physical defenses to protect yourself until you know what he is capable of. Dodge, fight defensively, wait for an opening. Observe the effects of the fluid he uses.
>>
No. 230210 ID: f4e4f9

Frown in a suitably disapproving manner.

"While tragic and regretted, Duodee's death was due to his own mistake. I'd thought such a simple trick would be avoidable.

But if you must sully this duel with posturing, very well. I wish you luck in any case."

Be the better man.

Regarding how to fight him: I suspect he uses some manner of mutable material from those bubbling gauntlets of his to launch attacks, possibly using them as long-range bludgeons. Keep an eye out for this tactic and snake a tendril toward his legs. Upset his footing.
>>
No. 230264 ID: 0d54b5

Can't we say that we just overestimated the guy, him being the town hero, the town -let me remind you- that houses these competitions for a long time. It was quite justified to think that a guy who comes from here should have been quite impressive.

We never intended to kill him but calling us unsportsmanlike is uncalled for.
>>
No. 230289 ID: 5f0943

Say something like: "Well excuse me, but the way he seemed to be the crowd favorite, and therefore probably quite skilled, I thought he would have adequate defenses against such an attack. In the least I thought he would be able to evade it. And he should have KNOWN what he was getting himself into, this is a fighting tournament after all. Saying I got a case of poor sportmanship, when he practically skewered himself, seems to me like rather dirty attempt to ride his popularity wave."

Also, go with sanguine kinetic pugilism, he probably knows a bit about your default style, so do something he won't expect.
>>
No. 230290 ID: b10c0e

>>230177
Mhm. To correct this:

"He who insults my style, and my upbringing has insulted my master. And no one talks about my Father like that."
>>
No. 230325 ID: a594b9

We should express regret that he died. From what we saw of other warriors here so far, it seemed like he would've survived such an attack. It was an error in judgment. Our fault.
>>
No. 230556 ID: a76809
File 128443265337.jpg - (70.99KB , 680x793 , Opponent 03.jpg )
230556

>>230173
>>230174
>>230175
>>230176
>>230177
>>230188
>>230191
>>230197

"Gainer hosts this challenge four times a year, Duodee knew that he faced death walking into this arena, as any warrior does. Despite this, you impugn upon his name, by claiming some fault in his demise: Would you claim his death an accident then, and further belittle the deceased warrior?"

The crowd goes silent at my words, likely in no small part surprised I can even speak their tongue, foreigners usually coming to seek employment as mercenaries all throughout the Land of Dragons. My words mere existence shocks them along with their carried retort, and as I continue, I relish the rapt attention, the completely flat-footed expression of my foe, the paired responses viscerally satisfying.

"Come at me honestly, not as a foreigner, but as another human being, for I shall do the same."

As Leydo of the Fluid Fist's face contorts in confusion at having the show stolen away from him, I hear murmurs and mutters flying as the crowd speculates on my response, eying my foe who they once rallied behind askance. My finger is pointed forth, entire body devoted to centering attention on Leydo, as I offer forth some more words, the crow hanging on every one of them.

"You also insulted my family's style, to call it naught but fancy tricks."

I draw a thumb across my throat and speak a moment before I lunge forward.

"For this, I will thoroughly enjoy thrashing you."

The crowd roars in beat with my charge, as Leydo immediately starts backpedaling. He dances away and curving to the right, keeping himself from flatly running into the arena walls, as strings and fibers of ooze leap from bracer, to belt, to bracer, connecting lines beating and pulsing alike as it all swells.

From the bracers, a lashing whip of ooze as thick as my wrist springs forth, the pair of emerald goo tentacles striving towards me. They stretch out towards my advancing form.

And I brush each aside with tendrils of blood from toga and cloak both, unwilling to advertise their innate harm reflection abilities just yet. I feel a bit of blood boiling, dissolving on contact-that ooze is acidic, rather severely so. Hm.

I shall have to simply kill him upon closing as I intended anyway, then. This ultimately changes nothing.

Again the lashes return, and again I block them without deviating from my charge, gaining proximity to the retreating Leydo in exchange for melted blood. I now shed effected blood immediately upon losing contact with Leydo's attack, minimizing my losses. My coat's barest edges and borders lose their scarlet sheen, as I see Leydo realizing the inevitability of my approach to melee range, as he draws back a fist, acid lash now coiling about his entire hand and half his forearm, the bracer faintly shimmering as the acid fails to eat his flesh. A point as keen as a spear's forms as punctuation to his fist's threat to me, an acid pike-topped knuckle sandwich whirling at me on the recoil of the last attempted lashing.

Blood burns away from my last utilitarian purging of the cloak's supply, as I start raising a short wall of blood about my face in direct obstruction to Leydo's blow.

At this same time, the rhythmic cycling of my blood-flow shifting to Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism complete.

An unclenched hand that was idly held at my side, a habit of carrying a sword so often , shudders and thrums as blood surges through veins and muscle alike, waves of tightness spreading through my flesh.

And the fist so abruptly cocked spasms again, and flies forth without any bother for building speed, racing from the start, as blood from the cloak rises to coat my own hand, as I build a pulse of Mass Connection in my own fist. Leydo's buckle sheds ooze that quickly rises in mimic of my own facial shield, betwixt my own assault and Leydo's temple.

As I finally close the gap, fists swing around towards fluid barriers.

The acid lance crumples against my sanguine armor even as its sustained contact starts eroding its way through.

My fist now covered in a glove of blood slams into the acid barrier, and begins dissolving almost immediately, even as my momentum pushes my fist closer and closer, the acid elastic, giving.

I trigger the energy gathered from Mass Connection, one of The Lined one's teachings adapted to the Way of Harksburton.

The bloody glove explodes into a writhing bed of shifting spikes, their radical movements and undulations tearing a path through the acid even as my shock-wave likewise begins to make it explode, droplets scattering as Leydo's connection is broken, his magic undone.

With nothing left to stop them, the surging, expanding sphere of writhing spikes meets Leydo's unarmored body, accompanied by a splash of acid no longer under his control.

Let us simply say I lost every scrap of blood armoring my hand and consider myself lucky.

You should see what's left of the other guy.

As the crowd explodes into cheering at my second KO, I hear a few beginning to chant 'Keee-ddic, Keeee-ddic' as I begin to leave, some attendants rushing in to throw sand on the acid still bubbling about Leydo's corpse, before hauling him away.

I consider that before his demise, the acid spear-turned mallet about his own fist had naught but a paper thin layer of blood left to block it. ...Considering that between the exchange, I lost more blood than I did in closing, I now have a wavy outline of start white about my cloak, the stored blood receding towards my own heart as it loses mass. I still have some two thirds of blood left on my cloak, a nearly fully loaded toga, and I have managed to not suffer a single wound, or reveal my magical vestment's innate abilities.

And after Bagrom once more leaves and returns, this time sporting several burns, I count those remaining after the last match... thirty two. Sixteen, eight... a five matches left, potentially.

I briefly consider that if Bagrom and I continue winning... we would end up facing one another. I'm not sure how I'd feel about that, I like the lad's pluck and he also seems integral to Mordre's attempts to ingratiate himself to Oz the Breaker.

Names begin to be pulled once more, and thirty two gazes return to the old man and his metal pot.

"Wahkoto Of Iron Body, Keddic of Keddic!"
I step forth with a man perhaps a foot shorter than me and half my weight, his unadorned form marching out to the arena at my side without ever glancing my way. Our entrance is heralded by a roaring crowd, and in that din I hear my own name, a gratifying feeling indeed.

The announcer, feet briefly on the ground, calls out his words, sparking the crowd's interest even higher as bets are yelled, workers run, money is proffered and taken.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand welcome to ROUND 3 of the GRAAAAAAAAAAANNND GAAAAAAIIIINNNNERRRR!!! Its day 4, the last day, and we couldn't ask for better to kick of the round! To my right, we have a new contender making quite a splash, with two wins, two deaths to his name, the sun-haired giant, the manipulator of blood, KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDIIIIIC!!"

I hear newly made fans roaring with the crowd, which seethes, at least as many booing me as cheering my name.

"Tooooooooo my left, we have another new competitor with an impressive first run. One surrender, one unconsciousness to his name to flavor his wins, he's the sultan of steel, the unbreakable man, WWWWAAAAHHHKOOOOHHHTOOO!!!"

The announcer is hauled away as Wahkoto bows to me from across the sand-strewn and blood covered arena floor.

"I wish you luck, brother warrior."

The crowd heard his offer, and now more than a few look to me to see how I respond.



What should I say?
What should I do?
>>
No. 230574 ID: a594b9

>>230556
Bow to him, and wish him luck as well.

This should be interesting! He's got defense on his side, so we can either go with SKP or just try to out-defend him.
>>
No. 230577 ID: e31d52

Bow in kind.

"I wish you skill, my brother warrior, for one hopes you would not need rely on luck."
>>
No. 230588 ID: d3dfb8

>>230577
Hells yes.
Let's try SKP this time.
>>
No. 230607 ID: b10c0e

>>230588

Keddic, My Boy! How About You Mix It Up! Both the SKP and the True Way Of Harksburton! And, young Keddic, You did not roar the name of your attack! That fist of power was increadable!

>>230577
I can't really think of anything else cool as this.
>>
No. 230629 ID: 6a17b0

>>230556
Blood covered, you say?
You have blood magic, you say?
You can manipulate blood, you say?
Destroy this man, I say.
>>
No. 230640 ID: b10c0e

>>230629
Haha! I am afraid that won't work, my friend! For it is The Harksburton Way to control the blood of the self! We are not arcane mages, my friend!

And Keddic, my dear boy, ask this...this Bagrom what his duels have been like when next you meet.
>>
No. 230650 ID: a69afd

>>230556
Dedicate both your cloak and toga to bringing the blood on the arena floor under your command, direct all of it to form a puddle just behind Wahkoto. Using this blood make a replica of yourself that will rise up and bearhug your opponent. While this is happening, boot up SKP and charge two pulses of Mass Connection, have those sit in your forearms for now. Put the index and middle fingers of both hands in your mouth and bite the tips to open a path for the blood to come out. Rush towards Wahkoto with your fingers held in the shape of guns, fire blood bullets at him as you advance. Regardless of what effect(if any) the bullets or your replica have on him, it should distract Wahkoto enough for you to jab your fingers into his eyes and release both pulses of Mass Connection directly into his head, blowing it up.
>>
No. 230668 ID: 6a17b0

>>230650
Now waitaminute. Are we seriously going to kill this guy? He hasn't been a dick to us, or had unforseen circumstances act upon his death.

Seriously? Are we going to kill everyone we meet? We're not a sniper here, you know.
>>
No. 230674 ID: a76809

>>230650
[Doesn't work that way. Can only claim blood by actively making it come into contact with cloak or toga, you cannot 'call' it to you.]

>>230607
I realize I forgot to roar out the name of my strike, the blood encrusted and winding way infused strike powered by my own vital fluids acting as pressurized hydraulics to drive my blows... just as I realize that beyond the name for the entire sub-style, I have not named any specific moves in Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism. Hmm... I wonder what I could call this...

I spur myself to think of something creative to do, some flashy maneuver i could pull and name to restore my flow, and find myself considering if mixing both the default Way of the Harksburton and its Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism sub-style.... hm, some way to make blood tense, able to harden in a moment, while still being swift, and likewise ready to surge about the body... perhaps if I become more familiar with SKP this could become possible, but as it is now I do not think I could manage such a diverse concurrent manipulation of my blood.

>>230574
>>230577
>>230588
I decide to answer him with a bow of my own, and words made honeyed and courteous while still biting, as I once more find myself thanking the Lined One for teaching me both the tongue and some of his Ways.

"To you I wish skill, my brother warrior,
for one hopes you would not need rely on luck."

Wahkoto smiles wanly as I hear the crowds absorb and dissect my retort, whilst I eye my foe. I see him take another deep breath, as he lays his arms flat at his sides, and slowly raises them as he exhales.... his skin gaining a reddish gray tinge that intensifies till he almost appears forged of blood-stained iron, his body reminiscent of Oz's right fist. He sets his feet wide, digs in, and faces me squarely with an open palmed stance.

"Come at me then."

I oblige.

I dart forward as I cycle my blood-flow back into the appropriate format for Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, my steps on the ground becoming more explosive as I accelerate amidst growing clouds of sand kicked free by my riotous passing. I veil both hands in blood from my cloak, assuming his demeanor and title means Wahkoto is defensively oriented...

His hands whip out to encircle my rushing fist, and even when I trigger the weighting well of the Winding Way and bombard his approaching limbs with writhing sabers of blood, I do naught but fling his arms back, faint scratches his only trophoy of the exchange. Still, his intervention disrupted my assault, my fist's energies spent before ever reaching his form.

This is when my other hand whips about, connecting with his small-ribs even as I trigger the Winding Way within it to blossom.

As the bloody gauntlet explodes into activity, Wahkoto rocks to the side, his far knee benind as he takes me blow. I see him bringing his hands together, some maneuver planned-and I abort it for him, another blow following on the heels of the first as I finally spend the last of my rushing momentum. My fist catches him in the jaw, neck and chest clenching to prevent his spine from snapping as he takes this blow as well. He once more moves to put his hands together, thinking me done.

But the jerky yet potent movements of SKP are not restricted to my arms.

"S.K.P. ONSLAUGHT!!"

legs twitch and writhe as muscles spasm and veins buck, feet stamping into the ground and finding purchase as I continue. A blow to his right kidney. A blow to his forehead. A blow to his liver. To his heart. My fists begin to go number from repetitious expulsions of the Winding Way, shock-waves again and again turning my sanguine gloves into spiky spheres. Through it all, Wahkoto stays standing... but his flesh continues to cut, and scratch, wounds appearing and widening with every strike, his balance too disrupted for him to retaliate. I feel fatigue starting to creep into my body around my fiftieth blow. By the ninetieth, Wahkohto's right knee touches the ground for the barest instant. By the hundred, my veins are throbbing from the punishment, the vicious internal currents wreaking havoc with my system.

Punch number one hundred thirty seven hits naught but air, as Wahkoto buckles, falling to the ground, a mass of beaten metal flesh-

And I see sand start shifting and climbing from the ground up along his hands and arms, even as he spits out blood while panting heavily, looking up at me. I consider my own arms, almost completely numb while the blood-vessels within scream the agony of overuse.


What should I say or do?
Should I risk using more Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism now or attempt to gain victory through some other method?


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 230679 ID: e31d52

"The first to overcome my initial onslaught. Very good!"

Now then. You need to mix this up. My first suggestion is that he can't be that hard ALL OVER, but poking his eyes out would be just plain unsporting...
>>
No. 230681 ID: efa282

>>230668
Agreed. We should at least try to get some of these guys to surrender, or at least knock them out.
>>
No. 230686 ID: a69afd

>>230674
Distance yourself from him, leap into the air and land on his chest, use SKP to rebound back into the air. Use a bloody grapple or two if your arms can manage, pull yourself back towards him to impact HARDER, gather blood around your boots and form a bed of spikes on your soles. Destroy him.
>>
No. 230688 ID: b10c0e

AHHA! I have it, Keddic lad! "S.K.P. MAELSTROM FIST!"

But walk to this...ah...ahem...Wahkoto and off him your hand. "Do you yield?" You should ask him with that winning Harksburton smile and charm. Haha! Perhaps one day one of our ancestors will work that into the Way, eh? If he does not, pull him to his feet and away from that sand. Then continue with >>230679 and adopt a defensive stance. Attempt that standard position of the Way of Harksburton, and gesture for him to attack. Be smooth, flow like blood from a wound, dodge his attacks. "Come at me then."
>>
No. 230701 ID: a594b9

Ask him if he's had enough.

You could use the Winding Way against him. Don't you have that life-ending punch you've barely used? Not sure if using Winding Way here would get you some bad attention...
>>
No. 230705 ID: a76809

>>230701
[Winding Way shock-waves? Those ARE the life ending punch. Just messier, under the layer of blood.]
>>
No. 230711 ID: 56dc25

>>230674
You're not Bang, to keep going on relentlessly while ignoring any and all injuries. If your arms are screaming at you to stop, you should stop lest you be your own undoing. Return to your default style.

Your need to do so provides a good excuse to exchange a few words. Offer him a chance to surrender, and if he declines, offer him the chance to go on the offensive next, as he so kindly gave you the initiative at the fight's start.

Since your default style doesn't have quite the punch of SKP and you were having difficulty harming him even with that, you might need alternate routes to victory. Entering a grapple and smothering him with your blood might work, if you think you've got enough of an edge in strength and speed to pull it off. That has the added bonus of not necessarily being lethal, since he'll go unconscious before he dies; killing this guy should be avoided if you can win without it. He seems okay.
>>
No. 230713 ID: e31d52

>>230711
Sanguine suffocate? Cover his face in a blob of blood and wrap it around his head until he goes unconsiuos?
>>
No. 230715 ID: f4e4f9

Hmm...

Use the blood from the cloak to form a Scourging Arena, while keeping the blood toga as a defensive ace.

I'm against suggesting he surrender, lest we insult him by saying he's not worthy.

If your arms are worn and numb from the onslaught, utilize the weapons least damaged: You legs. Utilize a kick to the face, backed by your enhanced striking power. Given his durability, it's not likely to kill him, but a solid kick to the head will put most people out, iron skin or no. Momentum's a bitch.

Once the strike lands, back off a bit. Use the Scourging arena to zone him, and go for non-lethal strikes to the legs and joints to immobilize but not permanently damage. This should let you zone him and force a surrender if he ends up not being unconscious.
>>
No. 230716 ID: 45be60

Buy yourself a moment to change stance with dialog. "Oh hoh ho! Glorious! I have done you a disservice in underestimating you, Wahkoto. You are indeed a durable combatant, I salute your skill. The techniques I have been experimenting with of late defeated my last opponent in a mere handful of strikes, and you have withstood well beyond one hundred. I see now that an incomplete form cannot strike decisively against you, so I return to the style passed down by my ancestors. Do you yield, or shall this continue to the risk of death?"

Now I do support returning to a style which gives our arms a break, but suffocation attacks? That sort of thing WILL fall under the category of cheep tricks and dishonorable combat unless they are damn flashy. Blood tentacles for slashing and grappling should be okay, and if we jam one of THOSE down his throat, we are in business.
>>
No. 230728 ID: 46c430

>>230716
Eh, don't be insulting or arrogant, I say, but -do- offer him the chance to surrender.
>>
No. 230787 ID: fadd5f

Keep up the appearance of unshakable strength. Smile and shake your limbs like you had a light workout.

Looks like you'll have to consider other avenues of attack for this guy. How did his body feel when you hit it? Is it just his skin that is reinforced? What about his muscles, ligaments and internal organs? He might not be able to protect them as well.

Idea 1 - Wrestle! Get up close and add blood-powered might and blood tendril leverage to your wrestling, using it to force his limbs beyond their natural range of movement. You might be able to dislocate his joints, tear his tendons or snap his bones.

Idea 2 - Can Mass Connection and the Winding Way be used to strike his internal organs, bypassing his armor? Say if you place one of your hands on the side of his head, create a mass connection through his skull and punch that mass connected hand can the force of the punch be displaced by a few centimeters to directly impact his brain matter (or any other vital organ)?
>>
No. 230791 ID: 10f195

[holy crap 100+ hits?]
Sand armour?
hmmmmm.

SKP-Grab face
"Not so fast"
SKP chuck into the air.

Prepare super winding way dropkick.
He hits the ground
IMPACT!

Your arms should be able to take at least two more SKP uses.

If that does not work then PUNCH OUT HIS SOUL!
>>
No. 230813 ID: 2e9cec

Can we at least TRY no to kill this guy?
>>
No. 230817 ID: 46c430

>>230813
Yeah, I'm -really- going to have to agree with him. Seriously. We've already had two deaths, and this guy has had a KO and a surrender. Let's try to end at least -SOME- of our fights nonlethally, hm?
>>
No. 230832 ID: f4e4f9

Concurred. No more killing if it can be helped.
>>
No. 230841 ID: b10c0e

>>230813
>>230817
>>230832
A-ha! My friends are correct, young Keddic! The first death was tragic and nothing you could do for it and the poor soul should have known what to expect. The second...A suitable response to one who would sully the name of the great Way of the Harksburton! This fight is with a true warrior. To make him wield is noble and considering his great strength and that his skill is in wearing the fighter done, to make him yield would be quite the Coup, eh Keddic my boy? KNOCK HIM OUT, MY BOY!
>>
No. 230843 ID: 903f16

>>230674
Back off and switch to your less taxing default style. We're playing into his strengths and not so much into ours by tiring ourselves out like this. Hell, that is probably how this guy wins most of his fights. He turns on the skin, let's them wail on him a bit and then finishes them with some open palmed attacks. We've made a good dent in him with SKP and he probably wasn't prepared for how vicious it was, but we just can't keep it up. We'll need to push out some pretty potent attacks to make further progress on him. I'd recommend attempting to use an underground blood tentacle to upset his balance and put him into a grappling position. His skin may be very protective, but I sincerely doubt that protection extends to having his limps twisted and his connective tissues streched the wrong way.

Also, his technique is interesting, using what appears to be a combination of Blood magic and Magnetomancy to draw out some of his blood iron into skin. Should he survive this encounter we may want to talk to this man afterwords. Maybe we could even invite him to the house so we have a proper opportunity to learn this.
>>
No. 230871 ID: 062f7c

Well I had hoped that that would not kill him but instead render him unconscious, being so tough and all.

Hmmmmm
*ding*!
Hit him on both sides of the head at the same time, HARD.
Hopefully the vibration should render him unconscious.
No matter how tough he is, the vibrations should still pass through, rinse repeat if it does now work.
>>
No. 230872 ID: 062f7c

Another option would be to simply bury him.

I am not sure how effective that would be though, seeing as the sand is moving to cover him, indicating that he has at least some command of it.

Hmmmm, while he is incapacitated, you could try the ranged way of the Harksburton thing I(Mordre) mentioned.

Just fire one and focus on it with all your energy.

Another option would be to grapple him and spin. While you are doing that switch places with him twice to disorient him and hopefully make him drop the iron skin.
Spinning is to make the switch harder to see to the untrained eye, therefore keeping your true movements secret.
Chances are however that there are people in the audience who are skilled enough to see it and recognize it, especially since you have been a definitive Dark horse and in this whole fiasco, some masters who are done might be checking up on you and notice your style.

Keep that in mind no matter what you decide to do.
>>
No. 230877 ID: a76809
File 128452001780.jpg - (99.55KB , 620x799 , Opponent 04.jpg )
230877

>>230679
I lead with psychological warfare, hoping to unbalance my hardy foe, while buying time for my protesting arms to recover... this is quite the intensive style to maintain, something I had not realized in my experimentations. This thought flits through my mind as I carefully arrange words,

"The first in this tournament to overcome my initial onslaught. I must commend you."

I see Wahkoto's workings that pull sand onto his form waver and halt as he looks up at me warily, his attention joined by the entire fickle crowd, all hanging on my next move.

>>230686
[Slap a name on that ability, as while the current trend seems to be towards nonlethal take-down, that is a highly effective tech there. Easier to reference later.]

>>230715
>>230791
[Using Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism... for kicking? Such an atrocity cannot even be conceived by Keddic, he is far too great a fan of general fisticuffs, and having already named the style after pugilism, legs are relegated only to mobility with SKP.]

>>230787
[His skin, connective tissue, muscle and bone are all hardened. The organs thereafter are not. And winding way can only do mass transposition, not general transportation. So Keddic would have to give up blood, and then only be able to switch it with a piece of matter from the target, losing considerable sanguine mass to power the spell through the opponent's innate self-Ownership. That's the closest he could come, and it would not be particularly precise in its initial uses.]

>>230681
>>230688
>>230701
>>230711
>>230716
>>230728
>>46c430
"Well, do you yield, Wahkoto of the Iron Body?"

I offer forth my hand to the still prone warrior, doing what I can to quell the minute tremors in my protesting arms-and it isn't enough. I see Wahkoto spot my fatigue, and smile as he continues to draw sand from the ground.

>[Wahkoto]"I must decline your offer, Keddic of Blood."
[Keddic]"Then what of a fair return to your offer? Come at me, warrior."

I see the crowd's attention turn towards Wahkoto, as his body takes on a beige tinge to its burgundy and gray tonation, lapping up the sand with an ever increasing pace till he finally moves, now slowly rising-

To stand a full half foot taller than he did before, body more heavily built and generally more massive, as I note the abscess he stands upon, a pit in the arena's floor of sand. He stretches his neck as I lower my arm and steady myself, returning my blood's flow to normal for my more defensively attuned passive stylings of the Way of Harksburton. Wahkoto offers another clipped, calm response to my offer, as he slowly stretches an arm.

>"Then I shall oblige you."

I start pulling Blood from the back of the toga and cloak alike even as Wahkoto's fist moves like a crashing mountain, rushing to smite my throat in a rather terminal looking manner. My arms protesting a little less than before start to rise, but are far too slow for this. I shall have to make due wholly on manipulation then. Twin tendrils of blood rise as my torso sways back, encircling the rushing sand and iron arm of my foe, and spiraling ever forward. I see eyes widen in shock, as the twin tendrils leap towards his face. I see him clench eyes shut and press lips together as his left arm starts to fall, relying on my own anchor to his form to find his target-

And I send the floods of blood rushing up his nostrils, flowing into his sinus cavity and back down his throat.

Eyes snap open in shock as his balance falters, muscles unclenching in his moment of weakness. I force the tendrils to loop back around, coming out his now open mouth and merging with their own forms, now twin sanguine ropes looped through nose and throat alike, tugging ever so lightly.

I see Wahkoto's eyes dart down to me as I speak.

"I again ask you to yield.... or I am afraid I will have to pull."

I see his brow furrow, before it slackens a bare second later.

His body begins shedding sand, losing weight as skin returns to normal coloration, and fists are unclenched. I see him glancing to the hooks I placed in his face, the gory threat I hold over his head, and realize he cannot move to speak or otherwise evidence his surrender. Considering he dropping his combat magic, I believe I can extend him some trust... I step carefully back as I shift the bloody tendrils to my shaky left arm as it rises, stepping back as Wahkoto looks on motionless. Once fully upright again, I relinquish my grasp on his skull's inner workings-

To find him promptly bowing to the floor, head and hands alike pressing to the ground as my sanguine coils slip off his arm mid-descent, returning to my possession.

>"I submit."

The crowd explodes into cheer as I return to the waiting room, Wahkoto walking out a separate entrance without a look of regret to stain his face, clearly thankful to still be in possession of all of his head. I find Bagrom as I return, and get a brief description of his own bouts as other names are called. He confides his first foe was some amateur that surrendered before he even threw a punch, and his second foe was a student of Flesh of Fire, but was unremarkable outside of his thermal armor. Bagrom is unable to say more as his name is called again, and he walks out beside a man half a head shorter than me yet twice as wide, a mountain of muscle and fat covered in scars. After the two leave, it is thirty minutes of tense waiting, before Bagrom finally returns, heavy welts and bruises already rising all over his stumbling form, as blood drips from mouth, nose and swollen eye alike. He looks at me in a daze, and simply smiles aimlessly as I see his attention dragged inward, turning whatever measure of restorative ability he has upon himself. Another seven matches pass, during which time his eyes lose some of their glazed appearance, before those sixteen of us yet unbested stand alone, as always watching the wizened handler of the urn, grasping our fate as he pulls forth naught more than names on paper.

But two pairs of fighters depart and contest supremacy before I see that familiar overly-long strip of paper pulled free.

"Senth of Trollingwood, Keddic of Keddic."

My foe that steps forth at the calling of his name is still a lad, a few scraggly hairs festooning his chin, as vibrantly red as the hair that hangs lank from his scalp, a messy tumble on a body that is too lithe, too lanky to yet be full grown. Wearing naught but raggedy trousers and a tattered shirt, each stitched with intricate yet simplistic designs, he hardly looks the fighter, as he walks with a bowlegged step, hands reaching behind his head-

To pull forth a small pouch of some pungent herb, which he rolls in a loose sheet of paper, eventually sticking his crafting betwixt his lips as he puts away the pouch, his now empty hands cupping about the cigarette-to have flames spark within their protective embrace with the sound of tiny thunder. His hands now move to rest behind his head as he continues to mosey forth, grin growing wider as he drags on his herbal refreshment. The billowing column of smoke he exudes smells reminiscent of something I cannot place as we finally emerge onto the arena floor.

The crowd explodes-into boos, heckling, jeering, and all aimed at my companion, my own presence apparently dwarfed by his in their eyes.

The announcer looks at my foe with a stiffly held mask, clear dislike being held at bay by sheer professionalism.

"Aaaaaaaaaaannnd here we are, at the third match of ROUND FOUR! We have here a new crowd favorite and newcomer to these fights, with two deaths and a surrender to his name, the Sun-Haired Lion, the Giant in Red, the Blood Manipulator, KEEEEEEEEEEEEDDIIIIIIIIIC!!!!"

For once the entire crowd cheers my presence, those who had staunchly opposed me before now rabidly rooting for me.

"But-heeeeeerree's where the going gets tough! Can our new golden boy face this new foe? A competitor of the Grand Gainer in ever single offering of the Grab Bag, the career child mercenary, the master of intoxication, the turner of lives, you know him, you hate him.... SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENTH!!!"

As the crowd explodes into boos, the announcer is hauled away as Senth merely grins, continuing to smoke his way through his rolling.

"BEGIN!"

Senth continues to stand with horrific balance, his legs splayed and back arched, hands cupped behind his head with a hazy grin and droopy, reddened eyes staring me in the face.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 230879 ID: e31d52

Shit.

This guy is clearly something like a drunken master: Inebriating his body to make his own movements erratic and impossible to predict. The clear and simple response?

Your punches with SKP, if you could make them additionally shoot out long, thin spears at the end of each punch, expanding your striking area at the very last moment, that should work. ((S.K.P CANNON)) Furthermore, enhancing the movement of your legs and torso would be ideal. ((S.K.P. UNTOUCHABLE)) Lastly, if you can somehow rid him of his drug, that would also be ideal...


Hey, you still got your own pipe? Why don't you light up after knocking him on his ass?
>>
No. 230880 ID: 732129

Senth is a drunken style master, by the looks of his non-obvious stance. He has survived this far, and survived as a child soldier too. His style of fighting will have him avoiding most blows and striking from impossible positions.
>>
No. 230882 ID: 445c48

Light your own pipe and ask him what he smokes.
>>
No. 230883 ID: 445c48
File 128452122739.jpg - (41.86KB , 544x404 , Trollingwood.jpg )
230883

Also, >trollingwood

I suspect that all this "Drunken Master" stuff is trollin' trollin' trollin'.
>>
No. 230888 ID: 732129

>>230882

Might as well be polite and ham it up for the audience. Stay on your guard, of course.
>>
No. 230889 ID: b10c0e

KEDDIC! Have you forgotten so soon? The wrapping of a foe's eyes and mouth? THE WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODLESS TAKEDOWN! And the Looping of Your Blood through both Nose and Mouth? WAY OF HARKSBURTON: LION LEADS THE BULL!

Mhm. A mere youth! Well, if he shall not respect you, remove Old Bessie and light up yourself, puffing away.

"Hello, Senth. Today I have fought with brave home town warriors, smug and childish wielders of acid, a noble fighter of sand who would not yield until I let him about by the nose. How shall you come at me?"

Let him come to you, however - and be ready for smoke! Cover your own mouth, nose and eyes with some kind of mask of blood that will filter any concoction he could use to sap your strength and abilities. WAY OF HARKSBURTON: MASK OF THE RED DEATH! And dodge! Be as fluid first, to test him. Do not allow any blow to dislodge Ol' Bessie or hit you physically.
>>
No. 230903 ID: 56dc25

>>230877
Play this one cautious, Keddic. From this guy's rep (and the fact that he got this far), he's far more dangerous than he seems; don't do anything too bold until you have a decent handle on at least some of his tricks. Move fast and keep at medium range for now.
>>
No. 230911 ID: 45be60

Be cautious, it is possible his specialization in mild altering substances is not entirely internal. Don't want to have your own mind altered mid fight.
>>
No. 230938 ID: a69afd

>>230686
>>230877
Very well.
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: SANGUINE CRUSHER

As to how this next opponent should be approached: Don't. Let us see if the passive effect of our cloak and toga throw him off before we act.
>>
No. 230942 ID: a76809

>>230882
I pull out Old Bessie, a directed puff of inflamed exhalation lighting the bowl after I finish packing the trusty wood pipe, as I nod in recognition to my foe. Senth's sleepy bloodshot eyes abruptly flutter wide open, as he shoots me a mischievous grin that lights up his whole face, before deforming into a smirk.

>>230879
I set to sending shocks of circulating blood throughout my body, my legs kicking off the ground with greater force, as I subject them to the same degree of attention I did my earlier deluge of blows. I experimentally shift to my right-

"S.K.P. UNTOUCHABLE!"

And find myself rushing off, legs thundering into calamitous leaps and bounds before I even realize it, the twitching, jerking muscles spasming as blood surges around them, internal tides sloshing about. I turn my run into a curve, circling about Senth's back, his form still fully immobile, as I form sanguine gauntlets over my fists once more, noting that some blood was depleted in my bout against Wahkoto, my coat now halfway depleted, covered in crazy whorls of white and red. I try to concentrate the buildup of the Winding Way in my fists, directing it only to exist in my knuckles, as I grit my teeth at the bone weariness of my arms. That barrage earlier has still not been recovered from, it would seem. I trigger the pair of directed Winding Way energy cores as I get directly behind the warrior from Trollingwood, now partly surrounded in a cloud of his own smoky vapors.

"S.K.P. CANNON!!"

The directed lenses of energy explode, blood cascading from my pseudo-gloves as an ever-lengthening sea of swords and spears, sanguine lances striving for Senth's back, riding the directed and more intense shock-waves I learned how to craft from the Lined One. These pairs blasts of harm race towards Senth's back, as he flicks a palm to face the coming attack.

Abruptly the dancing sea of spikes is snarled, coiling and warping all over the place in a hopeless jumble, as Senth's entire body rotates about his hand, flipping through the air on some unseen force that defies the normal weighting of bodies. He starts to tumble through the air in a coiling slide that draws him ever closer to me, a trail of smoke wafting after him, anchoring him to the cloud he just exited.

I try to straighten the paired beds of bloody blades, to find a most peculiar thing: Every sense but sight proclaims to me that there is nothing wrong with the blood, and that it is simply riding the shock-wave patterns as it should. As I start drawing the tendrils back amidst Senth's strange movements, I see him reaching hands out towards my form.

>>230903
>>230911
I kick back, my rebellious legs exploding into action beneath the sway of Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism's internal effects, my body leaping back from Senth's outstretching hands with a speed I would have thought would surprise him.

With a face still split by a lazy smile, Senth manages to brush my fleeing form's cloak with a single fingertip.

Mid-retreat I find myself transition from standing to a frenzied tumble, my own momentum sending me spinning and crashing across the arena floor, my balance so skewed that even were the world not whirling before my eyes I could not have stood. I slam into the arena wall with a heavy crash, thankful for my alchemically amplified and robust body, as I know my back will be at best only moderately usable now, while I work to prevent blood from lending itself to swelling and further worsening my situation. As my sense of balance stops feeling so distorted I cannot even move, I see Senth snickering as he points at me, standing where I stood but seconds ago. The smoky trail marking where he has been refuses to dissipate, obstinately hovering in the air. I test my body, and find that while my back is ablaze with considerable pain, nothing is broken, and my arms are still fully functional. I consider what to do, from my prone position slouching again the wall, legs sprawled before me from my mad tumble.

....It is at this point that Senth turns to point at Old Bessie, lying unnatended on the ground, thrown free during my wild rolling, some twelve feet away, somewhat closer to my foe than myself.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 230946 ID: e31d52

Hm.

It seems he messes with magic and supernatural abilities: both things he touched were things inherently magical.

Give him a normal everyday punch in the face.
>>
No. 230953 ID: b10c0e

"Yes, if you could please return that. I seem to have dropped it when you did something to my clothing and sent me flying." And yes, young Keddic! After all, what is all of the Way of Harksburton but pure fisticuffs? Let your blood be at ease and engage this young man in simple boxing! When he returns Old Bessie, offer a hand to shake and then just start punching, without the powers of the blood.

Mmhm...an idea, an idea Keddic, my boy! Your senses are reeling from this smoke! Maybe now would be a time to use the White Lion to burn through the haze within and let it's all powerful cleansing wipe away any confusion.
>>
No. 230954 ID: e67080

stand up, dust self off quickly, and walk slowly and nonchalantly towards Bessie. Don't attack unless attacked. I suspect he will let you go over unmolested, but while walking take care to pay careful attention to all your senses... watch the dust fall from your body, listen to the ambient noise, notice any inconsistencies as your main focus.
>>
No. 230955 ID: edb273

Vectormancy?
>>
No. 230956 ID: 45be60

Okay, lesson learned. Don't attack him with momentum which can be turned against you. If he wants to hurt you, make him strike you himself, so that your cloak may reveal its purpose.

I am curious if his apparent ability to bend space is, in fact, an illusion. Hey Keddic, how good are you at fighting with your eyes closed?
>>
No. 230969 ID: a594b9

Play it cool. The less movement you do in this fight the better. So far he has not directly attacked you.

In fact, just ignore Ol Bessie.
>>
No. 230983 ID: f4e4f9

Oh come on, you can't be serious. I'm just gonna toss a few ideas out there:

>His hands now move to rest behind his head as he continues to mosey forth, grin growing wider as he drags on his herbal refreshment. The billowing column of smoke he exudes smells reminiscent of something I cannot place as we finally emerge onto the arena floor.

1. You went and inhaled an unknown substance on the way to the fight.

>Every sense but sight proclaims to me that there is nothing wrong with the blood, and that it is simply riding the shock-wave patterns as it should.

2. Your magical senses are telling you everythings fine, but your physical ones not so much.

>The crowd explodes-into boos, heckling, jeering, and all aimed at my companion, my own presence apparently dwarfed by his in their eyes.

3. He's despised by a crowd of pit-fight spectators. Magic Redirection and negation aren't abilities that would draw that kind of hatred. You know what is? Beating your opponent on account of them not being able to fight back...

...Because you drugged their stupid ass on the walk-in from the waiting hall to the arena with your damn weed.

You recognize that smell? You said as much, though you can't place it. I doubt you've had much experience with poisons and hallucinogens, given your nature, beyond maybe sampling them once or twice during your travels. Perhaps not enough to truly recognize them now, but enough that it rings a bell when you catch a whiff.

There are a few ways to test this out:
1. Your affinity with blood may give you some measure of awareness of the state of your body beyond the norm. Try a self examination.

2. Test the environment. Your blood is still reacting to your will, so expand it in a ring near the ground: As in, just below the layers of dust and sand. See if your can't feel the vibrations of Senth moving.
>>
No. 230989 ID: 7150d8

I say that you should ignore Ol Bessie for now, this guy doesn't strike as the kind of person who is the least interested in being nice to his oponents, and he might have done something to him.

If all else fails against this guy, then don't charge at him and all that stuff, instead, walk slowly towards him, face displaying maximum displeasure, then try to punch him in the face without any magical aid, or just grapple him to death.
This guy doesn't strike me as the kind of person who can fight back in a fair man to man fight.
>>
No. 230992 ID: e31d52

>>230983
Changing vote to this.
>>
No. 231081 ID: 56dc25

>>230989
With a wrenched back, how well can we expect Keddic to fight?

>>230983
Considering that the sensation of everything being horribly wrong got massively spiked when Keddic was touched, it's more than just having inhaled something on the way in- possibly he's massively amplifying the effect of the drug?

>>230956
Closing eyes won't help. Senth disrupted his sense of balance, as well as screwing up his vision; that's kind of important for blind-fighting.

I'm definitely thinking that we should begin to rely on our cloak for this one, though. Throwing ourselves against an enemy with demonstrated ability to utterly screw up our attack pattern and hurt us with it when we have that sort of defensive ace seems foolish.
>>
No. 231092 ID: 5f0943

>>231081
I don't really think the back will be much of a problem.
Kedick is though, and although that would normally impair fighting, I don't think this is a situation it would do much bad.
Senth doesn't strike me as much of a fighter, since he has most likely relied on his little trick to make his oponents damage themselves for him (probably by goading them into charging at him in blind rage, i.e trolling).
The best thing to do here is take it slowly, and not make any sudden movements.
Any real attacks he may attempt will be redirected at him by the cloak.
So as long as we don't try to make it quick, he can't win.
Hopefully Kedick can get his hand on him so that he can strangle the bastard, because that shitface has to die.
>>
No. 231104 ID: c695b4

People may be drawing the wrong conclusions here.

I believe Senth is a Tractomancer of some sort who manipulates space and dimensions. He distorted and warped Keddic's blood attacks without Keddic actually sensing them being pushed aside! Like the reality around them changed rather than the blood itself being moved or redirected. He also did that strange midair flip about his own hand, suggesting either kinetimancy or tractomancy, maybe a bit of aeromancy.

Similarly when he touched Keddic he distorted the world around Keddic, temporarly annihilating his balance and sending Keddic flying spinning into the arena. This didn't seem to involve any of his smoke cloud so his power isn't necessarily limited to the smoke cloud.

The cloud of smoke is probably his main area of influence as well as anything he touches. It might also be a focus for his powers (whoa I can see 5 dimensions duuude). Try striking from somewhere his smoke doesn't reach and where he won't expect it - from below. Use a variation of the Hematic Reversal, the HEMATIC HARPOON. Send a barbed blood tendril through the ground and up through Senth's foot, piercing it and anchoring him to the ground. From there on it might be possible to trap him in a loop of blood or to slowly grab him and crush him with sheer physical force, maybe he can even be goaded into striking the blood toga for some clever reverse damage.

Another possibility would be Keddic wrapping himself defensively in the winding way since it also works on some principle of folding and distorting space. Is it possible to charge up a ranged winding way shockwave strike? Even a metre would do if it allows Keddic to punch and hit without entering the smoke cloud himself.

Last possibility would be to form blood into a giant fan and using it to simply fan away the smoke. Then slap the cigarette out of his mouth with a superfast S.G.P movement and cut/beat him senseless after that.
>>
No. 231105 ID: 10f195

*Sigh*
Keddic, close your eyes and wait.
Blood in a pool around you underground.
Blood-lance upwards if you sense him.
>>
No. 231106 ID: 10f195

Use magic to sense him, physical is messed up but magic, not just yet.

Closing your eyes is just so that your brain won't be fooled by visual elements.

Also just in case, warp your magic flow violently with Mass connection/winding way/way of the Harksburton. If he is also fooling you magically that should make it harder for him to do so.
>>
No. 231108 ID: 865b1f

>>231081
He evidently has SOME form of combat capability, of that I don't argue. But the drug is acting as a force multiplier. Whatever form of combat he uses outside of trolling his opponents with hallucinogens, it hurts. Some kind of vector and weight manipulation, allowing him to balance himself in odd ways and apply a shit-ton of force on contact.

We need to clear our head so we can avoid it and.
>>
No. 231112 ID: a594b9

Throw some rubble at him to determine his true abilities.
>>
No. 231137 ID: 445c48

>>231104
I believe it is this. I don't think it was a drug, Keddic's alchemically robust, just inhaling the smoke wouldn't make him this out of it.

Stand up, rub your back, send out a tentacle to grab Old Bessy, if it's between you and him, while sending one through the ground to get him from below.
>>
No. 231147 ID: f4e4f9

>>231137
Being bigger and tougher doesn't make you poison immune. If his body just filtered foreign substances like that, there'd be no point to him having a pipe.
>>
No. 231171 ID: 445c48

>>231147
He's alchemically tough, in addition to being a large man. While being large doesn't make you immune to toxins and drugs, it does require more to have an effect. If a big large man was to go and drink, for example, he would require more to get drunk than a short skinny man. I am just doubting inhaling the smoke would have such a powerful effect on Keddic. I doubt it's a hallucinogen, but somethingsomething magic somethingsomething mass connection. Try disrupting one of the smoke trails that was left behind. Don't make too big a show about it in case I'm stupid, but it's good to cover your bases.

Since we're on the topic of fine smokables, did The Lined One smoke? If so, did he smoke anything particular, or just plain tobacco?
>>
No. 231174 ID: b10c0e

>>230942
>>230889

Young Keddic, have you ignored your elder? You must roar the names of the Harksburton Way to the heavens like the Lions that we ARE!

And I do believe that a way to clean your system of any toxins would be most ingenious, don't you think? Pump your blood furiously through those fleshy organs used to clean up the body and you should be right as rain! WAY OF HARKSBURTON: ANCIENT HANGOVER CURE!
>>
No. 231208 ID: a76809
File 128460991227.jpg - (235.76KB , 800x1138 , Senths Smoke.jpg )
231208

>>231171
I find my mind wandering to my master in these lands, the outlaw The Lined One. He certainly never smoked, a calm, dispassionately analytical individual. He would likely know more about the type of person I am fighting-

>>231104
>>231137
[If this was Mordre, this would be damn near a Moment of Inspiration]
Senth's red hair, his title as mercenary in this land, his complexion... he is a foreigner here the same as eye, and as such may fall under more conventional magic classification. Hmm... that warping, in my blood... that had to be Tractomancy, now that I look at it from a more familiar approach. The path was right, and not right, bits of space connecting in a snarled manner of his making. His upset of my balance, and his odd, looping movements suggest he can somehow use Mass Connection to move, well, his mass and center of weight-or that of someone he touches-to wherever he wants. It explains what I have seen thus far of my opponent, and perfectly matches his apparant origins from back north.

This also explains why he said nothing, as all was said in the tongue of dragons, and it could be this lad only speaks common. Considering his named occupation as mercenary, this could be entirely possible. I know from experience that most armies and several of the older family lines have those who can speak both tongues under their employ, to deal with sorting the wealth of travelers here for work. It would not be hard, bouncing from job to job, speaking with other mercenaries and your dispatch agent with whoever your client is, to never learn the local language.

>>230956
>>230969
I consider that to effectively combat this foe, I may want to make him come to me, give him no momentum to manipulate but his own, and play a reactive foil to his attacks. I stand as I stretch my back, considering my poor attempts at fighting blind. With my alchemically altered sight granting excellent night-vision making me a highly visual fighter. As I spend this time stretching slowly I do not waste action, jetting out a tendril of blood towards Old Bessie-

To find Senth flipping and flowing that way, space bending before his fingertips as I find it impossible to reach my pipe, sanguine tendril warping and coiling uselessly in circles. I withdraw it as I pump my arms experimentally.

>>230983
And find Senth holding his distance, as the smoke wafts ever closer to me. I again think about the smell...and find it to be a local narcotic, as I recall. But my body is far larger and hardier between alchemical modulation and the possibility to finely cycle my blood, and with him having to smoke the stuff first. I wonder if it is really feasible he could be so talented at personal warding from alteration to use a drug potent enough he could hinder me..... yet my mind keeps wandering back to the hateful booing thrown his way, and using such a trick would easily explain the outrage. This keeps me wary as the smoke slowly starts to press in at a crawl. ...That, or he was expecting someone of a lesser constitution than a Harksburton.

He seems unwilling to advance, placidly assuming a bowlegged stance some thirteen feet away, hands returning behind his head as he puffs contentedly at his crafting, now half-way burned through as a new cloud of smoke starts to gather about him.

The crowd is beginning to grow bored, impatient. I can feel their dislike of our lack of flash.


What should I say or do?
How should I deal with Senth of Trollingwood?
>>
No. 231209 ID: b10c0e

"Senth of Trollingwood," Keddic should say in the common tongue, "I take it that you prefer the waiting game? I also wonder if you enjoy these tournaments, with such an uncaring air. Has anyone ever merely asked for you to yield? I would rather engage in some more, ahem, enjoyable sport - not to insult, but unless you come at me soon, I may take a rest myself and the crowd will surely lynch one of us. If you dont' wish to continue fighting, just say so. Also, Give Me Back My Pipe, Blast It All."
>>
No. 231215 ID: 45be60

>>231209
seconding the last sentence.


You know, he is probably under the impression that the pipe is part of our style. He is as in the dark as we are about his opponents, after all. Maybe even more so, since he can't understand the announcer when he is giving titles. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage.
>>
No. 231229 ID: a76809

>>231209
>>231215
I decide to test my theory, that Senth merely does not speak the language. I speak to him not in the Low Tongue of the Land of Dragons, but the Common tongue of the north.

"Senth of Trollingwood, I take it that you prefer the waiting game?"

A face repleted with such indulgent smugness as to color his whole expression tilts and contorts, before an easy grin under hazy eyes issues forth a drawling response, in a voice that occasionally cracks.

>[Senth]"Yyyyyyeeeep. Pretty solid at counters. And pretty patient, especially with herbal supplement. Can just... zone out, and wait. ...So, where you from, then?"
[Keddic]"Castiliathen, as it were."
>"No shit? You from one of them rich state warrior families?"
"I am of the Harksburton line."
>"Harksburton, Harksburton.... nnnnoooope, don't know that one. Really only know Hechler and Fyssikus, personally."
"So where are you from, to end up here?"
>"Not...sure, actually. Kinda got raised by mercs, as it were. Dunno about my parents."
" I also wonder if you enjoy these tournaments, with such an uncaring air. Has anyone ever merely asked for you to yield?"
>"Yeah, a couple have. I usually don't accept though, unless I'm up against some, I dunno, crazy shit, where I need to bow out. In it for the money, you know? Prize for Grab Bag is 800 Lo, that is a hefty purse."
"I would rather engage in some more, ahem, enjoyable sport - not to insult, but unless you come at me soon, I may take a rest myself and the crowd will surely lynch one of us. If you don't' wish to continue fighting, just say so. Also, Give Me Back My Pipe, Blast It All."
>"Hah, nope, no pipe for you! ...Yeah, the crowd can, um, get mad about the waiting game... but you can go ahead, I'm fine on the receiving end. ...What is it, that would be more enjoyable?"
"Hm?"
>"That sport you mentioned, what would make it better than getting a solid shot at a hefty sum, and getting to, uh, enjoy myself, in the process?"


The crowd is now nigh boiling at a fever pitch, and Senth seems completely unwilling to make a move, awaiting my action.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 231232 ID: a594b9

>>231229
Use your tendrils to anchor yourself and propel yourself towards him. Losing your balance isn't so bad when you can literally tie yourself to the ground.

I'm thinking we just punch him straight on. Also, ditch SKP, it's not going to work. Standard, improved defense is good.
>>
No. 231235 ID: e31d52

"Tell you what, you want money and fun? I know a person who could, possibly, supply both. If an enourmous amount of danger and strange conflict is your idea of 'fun'. His name is the Mage Mordre, and he's here... in a sense, helping some very interesting people with some very interesting problems. Thing is, in order to help him along, I want to win this tournament. Tell you what, if I win here, I could see you get hired for a very interesting man in the State. He pays in rubies. And the fights, hahaha, the fights are never boring."
>>
No. 231237 ID: a594b9

>>231235
I like this idea, but in the interests of not getting lynched, let's talk and fight.
>>
No. 231240 ID: a69afd

>>231229
Send more blood lances at him, when he uses his tractomancy to make them swirl uselessly in the air, hit the blood with a winding way enhanced fist. My guess is that the stuff he's smoking has nothing do with his actual fighting style, it's just a supplement as he said. When Bang fights, he's gotta do a million calculations to keep himself in one piece. The stuff Senth is using probably speeds his mind up to deal with all the attack probabilities an opponent can throw at him, or the herb sets off some kinda biological trigger that makes his brain do that stuff subconsciously. I'm not really sure, things aren't really adding up here.
>>
No. 231270 ID: 9dffab

How much is 800 Lo in ruby money?
>>
No. 231289 ID: f4e4f9

>>231235
Agreed about talking while fighting, however:

I would point out that it doesn't really seem to be danger that interests him, hence his fighting style and statement that he's totally willing to simply bow out when things get hairy. Rather, it seems he's a bit like Derkin, and enjoys the simpler pleasures.
>>
No. 231318 ID: 10f195

"What would make it better? Knowing that you beat someone by putting your best in, not just enough. Knowing that your opponent put out his best, not just his best under the circumstances, but his best EVER and you defeated him. Finding an opponent worth challenging, that is makes the sport worth it my boy."

Seth needs a rival or somn. I am not sure how to put this right now.
>>
No. 231324 ID: 716eb0

As you are doing whatever you are doing, walk steadily towards him. Try to corner him and get close. The less time he has to react, the harder it will be for him to stop your attacks. If you can make it to a grapple you will be at an advantage.
>>
No. 231334 ID: 445c48

Ask him if he knows Bang.
>>
No. 231351 ID: 445c48

>>231270
I think the better question is, how much is it in marks. I don't want to convert it to rubies and then have to convert it to marks at 50 marks/carat. That's just unnecessary math.
>>
No. 231381 ID: 4b5513

"Putting your all into something" would be a good amendment for that speech thing.
>>
No. 231404 ID: a76809

>>231270
>>231351
I consider the prize offered. 800 Lo... hm, if there's one thousand Dobu in a Lo, and about fourteen, fifteen Dobu to a Mark.... that would make it some fifty three thousands marks worth. ...Granted, with the literal thousands in the stands, all betting madly and likely paying just for entrance, there is sufficient support for such a purse, but I could certainly not match it without access to the family estates, something I surely could not do here. Hm.

>>231232
>>231240
I form a plan. Those spatial distortions, those uses of Tractomancy, I wonder how they would fair if my blood increased in complexity and number of vectors abruptly, thanks to the winding way. I also plan out anchoring stakes of blood into the ground, with a ring about my waist, ensuring I stay upright. I do some mental sums, and realize I shall need more blood than the cloak and toga's reservoirs. With the aid of some sanguine tendrils, I pone small incisions on my forearms beneath my cloak, carefully siphoning off a fifth of my internal supply of blood. While this amount would be alarming to displace from ones veins normally, my mastery of blood allows me to stay fully conscious and capable with only a third of my blood still to my name. That, and the alchemical augmentations of the Harksburton line include provisions to make the body less dependent on having normally functioning circulation, for the pounding the Way exerted.

With my personal contribution, my now stark white toga and cloak connect me to a plethora of protrusions, as my form marches towards Senth encircled by sanguine support, while blood tendrils, anchored to hands already charged in the Winding Way, fly out to meet my foe.
>lead with blood tendrils with winding way when he twists, no effect.
>blood tendrils into ground, advance on senth, passive style regular punch

>>231235
>>231237
>>231289
And while I attack, I speak, following a train of thought to its conclusion, whatever it may be. My mouth opens as my first blood whip is bent and subsequently explodes into shifting shards and spikes as it houses the warping wave of the winding way.

"Tell you what, you want money and fun? I know a person who could, supply both. If an enormous amount of danger, glory, pay and strange conflict is your idea of 'fun'. His name is the Mage Mordre, and he's here... in a sense, helping out a Dragon with his problems. Thing is, in order to help him along, I want to win this tournament. Tell you what, if I win here, I could see you get hired for a very interesting man in the State. He pays in rubies. And the fights, hahaha, the fights are never boring."

I see Senth's lidded eyes continue to placidly star, as hands stay connected to bubbles of distorted space, further shaping the specifics of here and there to prevent my attacks from reaching him. He has ultimately been able to deal with the added twist I gave my ranged attacks-and so as I close the distance, I reclaim the blood I spend on these attacks, as I see Senth idly forming a response to my query, as the crowd's roar makes his words hard to pick out.

>"Wwwwork for a Dragon, huh? Must be pretty high and mighty, to be the friend of such. Aaaand pay in jewels is always nice. But work for someone back north? I haven't been there since I was four, I'd hardly know the place, any part of it. The trip would be long, and boring, and crossing the desert would not be fun-"

"Ah, but the Mage Mordre has transportation of his own, some glorious teleport boxes, making reaching the north as simply as going back to the capital, where his hub in these lands currently resides."

As his eyes widen incrementally at this abrupt change in potential transportation, I finally get within arm's reach, and with the passive armoring of the Way of Harksburton in effect and my rigidly set anchor to keep me upright, I throw a fist at Senth. I see him raising a hand with deceptive lethargy, intercepting my blow before it ever reaches him, to tap my arm. My balance goes off, my body heaves and shifts as I barely avoid flailing about-And with my anchor in place, my punch carries on, reaching for Senth's forehead-

And his head is missed by a fair margin, considering it now protrudes from his belly.

Unfettered by this shift in the situation, I slam forth my other fist, looking to wail away on him-but his body continues to warp and distort even as he slides and sways, his body reconfiguring as if a doll to never be in the way of my blows. I note a thoughtful expression on Senth's face.

>"Wwwwait, is this, this Mordre, he a Tractomancer?"
"Not that I am aware of. He has magical constructs that run the system."

The crowds cheers shift to boos, denoting a certain familiarity with Senth's tactic now. As I continue to throw out blows, strengthening my anchoring and adding kicks to the onslaught, I continue to catch naught but air. His moving form, a flailing, warping and damnably spry mass that foils my every attempt to harm it, to even touch it.

>"Ooookay, so he's a golem type mage, then?"
"Most assuredly."
>"And how would he have enough money to pay me to lose this?"
"I have personally seen his ruby mines."

Senth continues dodging my blows-

And from within that shifting, writhing mass of body, a foot emerges to brush my leg, a finger to grace my arm. My stomach swims, my vision blurs, and through my severe impairment I see Senth blowing a cloud of smoke in my face. With my body anchored to the ground so to prevent falls, I am ultimately unable to avoid the vapors Senth expels as he laughs out a retort.

>"Hah, interesting, interesting... but going to have to say more before you have me convinced. After all, could all be a trick to get me to surrender. That sort of thing."

The cloud of smoke is coming closer, and even as I move to strike at Senth while he maintains contact with me, I find his continued shifting still too considerable to find a clean strike on him.



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 231408 ID: e31d52

"My good man, if he does not pay you, I will. I'm confident enough that I can beat the ones that come after you. After all, I imagine they will be far more straightforward that yourself... But Mordre could use a man like you."
>>
No. 231415 ID: a594b9

First, get out of the way of that smoke.

Second, whip out some tendrils and entwine them into a net around the man, that you then pull tight. Let's see him get out of that.

CAGE OF BLOOD!
>>
No. 231420 ID: f4e4f9

Why are we trying to convince him to throw the match? That seems like a downright Un-Keddic thing to do.

At his quip, crack into a grin. Lance your blood to the distant ground, and utilize WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON - BLOODY GRAPPLE to force yourself away and to safety. Bracing shouldn't interfere with this at all.

"Haha, EXCELLENT. I hoped you wouldn't give out so quickly, and I commend you. Now then, I suppose we can talk more on this subject proper after this bout."

Alright, If it isn't clear by now: Close combat while he's defensively prepared is a bad, bad idea. Bad idea.

I still maintain that you are under the effects of a drug, and heres how you're going to counter that shit: You can't trust your senses 100 percent, so consider: You're Proud Lion's telekill ability involves forming a link to a persons soul and then swaping them, yes? That, by virtue of it's result, implies that Positional Information is acquired.

Can you not use that to track Senth? If so, do the following: Launch a WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON - SCIONS REACH, using your blood to maintain the necessary connection with the blade. If you CAN sense him, alter the aim as if your not going to hit, and then jerk it to the side. Bring the flat of the blade into his head for a WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON - SCION'S REACH - IMPACT.
>>
No. 231421 ID: e31d52

>>231420
>Why are we trying to convince him to throw the match?

I'm more interested in hiring him than anything else. Look at this bastard and thihit he could pull on a battlefield.
>>
No. 231422 ID: e31d52

>and think of the shit he could

keyboard i am dissapoint
>>
No. 231423 ID: f4e4f9

>>231421
I agree, but trying to get him to throw the match is something that we should avoid. We gain nothing by it in the way of Keddics Development, Instead we should be trying to think logically of how to work around his fighing style, and how to efficiently and (relatively) harmlessly incapacitate him.
>>
No. 231428 ID: a69afd

>>231404
Keep applying pressure to him, use your blood to force yourself away from any contact with his limbs. Scourging Arena would be great here, so long as the lances aim to ensnare his arms and legs while aiming for his core. And just for the hell of it, try and grab his hand and then send a winding way core to explode and fracture his wrist(and possibly yours).

Also, I know Keddic isn't an arcane mage but- Could he attempt to use some of his blood as fuel for a winding way core?
>>
No. 231444 ID: ddd48d

>>231404
>could all be a trick to get me to surrender
"A trick to get you to surrender? I think you misunderstand me, boy, I have to see just how you respond to certain ideas. I doubt Mordre would want to hire someone who would just default to the highest bidder at a moment's notice. Now, prove yourself. I want you to give me a fight, show me what you got, boy. Come at me and EARN that prize."

Keddic, its go time.
>>
No. 231455 ID: 56dc25

Let's see... you're able to switch places with people by making a connection to them, right? Could you set yourself up for a teleport, and then switch some of your blood (which presumably counts as "you") with some of his somewhat more vital parts? But not all of them. Presumably he wouldn't be able to dodge that with his nasty dimensional tricks. Probably.

On the bright side, this guy has shown extremely little in the way of offensive abilities, so as long as Keddic carefully tries to avoid hurting himself, he'll hopefully be fine.
>>
No. 231474 ID: d3dfb8

Lets try one of Bang's shticks. SKP clap your hands together. It should blow the smoke away and fuck him up pretty bad at this close range.
LION'S ROAR!
>>
No. 231481 ID: 46c8d6

How about a wide sweeping attack?
A huge kick and whatnot.

If he doges the kick, switch places with him and continue the kick.

That'll fix im.


Another idea would be this
Stop moving
"Fine then, I will lose. Gimme your best shot"
This might phase him. If he asks why you don't surrender then say
"Ïf I must lose, I would rather it be by being knocked senseless than by surrendering, because to surrender in not my normal way"

I suppose that we changed goals from winning to recruiting this bastard, so I think this is acceptable.
>>
No. 231487 ID: a594b9

>>231481
Can't switch places without the sword.
>>
No. 231500 ID: 445c48

Tell him that you've every intention of finishing the match, and you're just making small talk and offering a job afterwards, that sort of thing. Nothing about throwing the fight.
>>
No. 231501 ID: 445c48

Oh right, if you get near your pipe, try and pick it up with some spare blood-tentacles.
>>
No. 231502 ID: f4e4f9

I do not think it's acceptable at all. Losing doesn't net us a recruitment, at all, and in no way furthers either of our goals.
>>
No. 231505 ID: 0cbc30

Dammit, there must be a weakness to Tracktomancy otherwise it would have been ultimate auto-win discipline and everyone would want to learn it.
Throw dirt at him or something...
>>
No. 231514 ID: d3dfb8

>>231505
I'm thinking AOE attacks
>>
No. 231519 ID: ab04d4

If Mordre were here I'd just have him go and AA this bastard.

Would it be possible to create a 100% holeless sphere of blood and spike him? Only way I can think up that would ensure he couldn't dodge. Probably wouldn't work, Keddic doesn't have that much blood after all.
>>
No. 231562 ID: 445c48

DOES Mordre pay in rubies? I was under the impression that he hadn't paid anyone yet, aside from giving them a place to live and work in safety, and no taxes.
>>
No. 231567 ID: e31d52

>>231562
Del Rogo was paid in rubies.
>>
No. 231573 ID: 445c48

>>231567
Oh yes, I forgot about that. But that's not quite what I meant, since we were ordering something, not paying employees.
>>
No. 231576 ID: 45be60

I'm not even sure we should be thinking in terms of recruiting this guy right now. We just met him, and the only things that make him stand out over the other combatants are 1) the languages he knows and 2) the locals think he is kind of a douche.

Anyway, if he is touching you, then you have a path. Trail blood across your skin and onto him. He will have to let go of you in order to escape it, and he must touch you to affect you personally. Sheathe yourself in blood Sir Keddic, and should he ever touch you again, catch his body as you would a blade cutting into your flesh, and do not let go.
>>
No. 231583 ID: a76809
File 128478152595.jpg - (84.24KB , 472x639 , Opponent 05.jpg )
231583

>>231514
[Certainly worth a shot. How do you propose Keddic performs such an attack? Wait you know what, I'll give an example, for future suggestions.]

>>231519
[That would take three fifths internal supplies and all of robe/toga, and remove your sanguine support anchor you currently have active, and it would be relatively thin.. its doable.]

>>231408
I exhale powerfully, warding away the incoming cloud even as I again attempt Senth's temptation.

"My good man, if he does not pay you, I will.
I'm confident enough that I can beat the ones that come after you.
After all, I imagine they will be far more straightforward that yourself
... But Mordre could use a man like you."

With no response coming from my ever evasive foe, I feel something must be done.

>>231415
My first attempt is to throw my bloody anchor into the offense, remolding it into an ensnaring net. Blood tendrils whip out wide, and start to tighten about Senth-and that irritating bugger manages to slip out, his body so distorted and bent that it manages to slip through a hole no bigger than my wrist, before shaping back to his normal form, laughing at me as the crowd continues to boo his antics... and some begin heckling my own inability to surmount him.

>>231420
Lacking my sword, I have no acceptable channel to work the Winding Way, and force transposition based on the soul's disposition. I do retain one use of my normal swordplay maneuver: I can still sense Senth's soul, verifying his presence as being where his warping body is. This recognition also makes me more aware of how... off, his soul seems. If souls were houses, the conman man a simple home, heroes in castles and cowards in tiny huts, then Senth's soul would be all of them at some point or other. Which makes my assessment of his soul's status practically impossible, as moment by moment, he seems to be a wholly different person.

The still physically whole Senth, scrawny and lanky at turns with messy red hair, grins as I start to dash at him, recovered from his prior balance unsettling touch, my blood once more pooled and ready to act. I find myself breaking into my own smile, as I feel my blood pumping merrily away, back already by increments unknotting under my internal ministrations.

"Good, good, I'd hoped you wouldn't give out so easily! NOW TRY THIS!
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: ENDO-TELE-STRIKE!!"

My fist flies forward, shrouded in blood, bearing the weight of three Winding Way charges I furiously pour my Will and Blood into.

>>231455
The first is lost powering a shock-wave from my fist, the rampaging shards and spikes of writhing blood making his work of bending space betwixt his once more outstretched arms far harder, and while he somehow manages to just [i]drop
the mass of blood to the wayside after wresting with its riotous explosion, his attention is diverted. In that instant his personal warping stops, and with my momentum I surpass the evasiveness his swaying movements grant, and my fist finally finds purchase. The moment contact is made, before the blow's weight has even begun to fall in all its glory, I activate the second charge of Winding Way energy. It disperses in another shock-wave, this one directly transmitted to Senth's body. This is the strike that let me tear that assassin apart a few months ago. The response I am met with from Senth in that instant of contact is astounding. His body writhes, warping around the passing waves, avoiding the horrendous unmaking vibrations within, still grinning as I feel his own attention finally fully back on me as has hands move to encircle my body, the air already rippling as I feel my balance shifting and body preparing to tumble in vertigo.

I trigger the third charge.

I switch a section of blood from body, toga and cloak with a layer of muscle from Senth's stomach, replicating in pugilism what it normally takes me the Proud Lion to use. And for the briefest of moments, I have him, a chunk of his flesh now flying away, discharged from my assault-

And the flesh becomes blood with a blip of static, as I feel my own sanguine fluids again flying away, joining the earlier splatter on the bloody arena floor. Senth leans closer as the crowd's cheer for me turns into an outcry of surprise.

>"This'll take a bit to bounce back from..."

>>231514
>>231519
I continue to grin, the tendrils of my blood I lashed out to reclaim my spilt fluids already feeding me back my vital essence, as my cloak, veins and toga all open in a river of blood, leaving me wearing stark white and pale skin, three fifths of my bodies blood external, now aiding in completely encapsulating Senth's form, faster than a heartbeat, no opening for him to flow out. As blood creeps up nose, into ear and prods eye, I start building as many charges of Winding Way I can, making no secret of my efforts as the air cracks and thunders in tiny ways about me, as I make my own reply.

"If you don't yield, I don't think you'll get to bounce back, son."

I pause, for a heartbeat, enforcing my ownership and attack alike, leaving no weakness for my finally caught foe to exploit, and-

>"Alright alright, I yield!"

And again, in a bellowed, blood shaking cry in broken Low:

"I YIELD!!"

And the crowd thunders, applauding my performance. In my moment of glory I note Old Bessie to be right beside me, but in a flicker of static the size of a body the pipe is gone, and I feel naught within my sanguine grasp, the abrupt vacuum sucking the blood into a clump before I hurriedly withdraw it, not wishing to look a klutz before the audience, who already tinge their cheers with some snickers, pointing at-

I see Senth standing near the exit only the conscious losers get to use, some forty feet away, packing some of his herbs into Old Bessie as he spits his old roach away, grinning as he cups hands about the bowl and once more produces a flare of flame without revealing his method.... now puffing away on, on... Old Bessie.

>"I'll enjoy working for this Mordre Keddic, if he can pay as well as you say. Besides, there's this dude Jeeba in the competition, and he's got some heavy duty stuff to his name. Not sure I want to test whether I can take it, if I could get work instead? By the way, love the pipe, I'm sure I'll enjoy working with you!"

And with that, Senth departs, leaving me still standing within the arena.

That little scoundrel, HE TOOK OLD BESSIE.

I only barely note my own body marching back into the corridor, as fighters come and go, the old man calls names, and the crowd shifts and dwindles. I barely note any of it as I seethe in outrage. That was MY pipe he took!

I note someone is prodding me, and find Bagrom at my side, as the old man holds my name tag: The fifth round must have already started! I turn to see a man with wild braided hair and a body covered in scars wearing naught but a tattered, multilayered skirt, wild rag-ends of black, gold and red festooning his form. I note he is nearly as tall as I, and while less heavy and likely leaner, his form is so compactly toned one almost believe a map or a face is hidden in there. He says nothing as I join him, walking out to the arena. I realize I do not know my foe's name, not having listened when my name was called. As we exit onto the arena floor, the announcer is awaiting our arrival, the crowd cheering louder than I have heard yet-and their attention seems focused on my foe, not I. I ponde this as the announcer speaks... even as I feel that I know the name Jeeba...

"Wwwwwwwelcome fine patrons, to THE GRAND GAINER GRAB BAG, ROUND FIVE! Aaaand to open the games, we once more have our rising star! The new-coming foreigner with four wins, a pair of deaths and surrenders each to his name has been giving us a great show! A veteran and a young hopeful knocked down with a single blow, the Iron Body bloodied and the vexing Senth thwarted! Let's here it for the Sun Haired Giant In Red, The White Lion, The Blood Manipulator, KEEEEEEEEDDIIIIIC!!!"

The crowds roar my name, but fall quite with unusual swiftness as my foe and I finish taking our places, as the announcer turns to my foe.

"But can he face up to this? A One Time Grab-Bag, Two Time Expert, Seven Time Disciple champion, he's got more than sixty wins to his name! He's the Heaviest Foe, the Master of the Soul's Weight, The Crushing Fist, SEEEEEEEEIIIIIJUUUUU!!!!"

"BEGIN!!"


My foe raises his arms like hammers to break the world as his body shakes with a heavy shadow, a slow grin spreading as he considers me.

I consider me too, and come to some realizations:
-My back is still badly wracked with pain, even if slowly recovering.
-My cloak holds half the blood it once did, my toga two thirds.
-From the sustained S.K.P. use and recent rapid exchanges of sanguine fluids, my veins are feeling somewhat worn out, and my arms are still partly numb from that earlier bout of boxing.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 231584 ID: d3dfb8

... Let him punch himself. We are wearing this blood toga and cloak for a reason.
>>
No. 231586 ID: e31d52

>>231584
Declare to the crowd that you shall punch the man without moving your arms.
>>
No. 231587 ID: 45be60

Enough with the boxing good sir. No sense in hurting yourself trying to hurt your opponent. Your toga, as a blood fueled magic, is unable to protect you from the likes of Soul magic, correct? You must use care not to be struck by an attack which could bypass your defenses, but if he attacks without the weight of his soul behind it, you probably want to use its enchantments to turn the blow back on him.
>>
No. 231588 ID: ce188d

Yield

Aw crap I hope you don't die.
This will require some multitasking.

Send out blood tendrils into the pools on the ground and absorb them. They should have been around long enough to have lost their ownership factor and you should be able to use that yourself.


Ward yourself with the winding way, stir your energy. Think of what would make it difficult for you to hook someones soul and attempt to do that to yourself.

Go UNTOUCHABLE and get out of arms reach, DO NOT LET HIM TOUCH YOU!!! PERIOD!

After you have gathered the blood....
Damn this is one time I do wish we could punch his soul out.... wait a minute

>Master of the souls weight

Screw it, Yield.
No time to be losing your life in this place.
You still have a score to settle with Aurockoth.
>>
No. 231589 ID: 903f16

>>231583
If his tittles mean anything this guy knows some Gravimancy. The fight with Goran taught us how potent this magic can be and we need to do our best to avoid it. Keep away from him and out of his range while trying to score any hits you can using your blood tentacles. If he does get to hit you make it go to the toga so he can punch himself out. If you feel like he's reduced your own gravity so he can punch you into the sky try forming a quick anchor before he can.
>>
No. 231590 ID: ce188d

I totally expect this guy to fight like Akuma... just better.
>>
No. 231600 ID: f4e4f9
File 128479152893.jpg - (660.39KB , 1955x2368 , KEDDIC.jpg )
231600

What the hell is going on? Since when did Keddic become a pussy?

Yielding? Now? Falcon, as the proponent and deviser of a Keddic-Specific attack SOLELY DESIGNED TO BE INCREDIBLY SUPER RISKY, what happened?

If Keddic doesn't try, doesn't fight and push himself, he'll never be able to grow to the point where he can best Aurockoth. Ever. His soul will never develop.

Some seem to have become too used to Perspective Switching Bang, and why? Because he's "safe", would be my guess. His power is a healing factor, so everyones feeling safe pushing him and getting him to grow in dangerous situations.

Well, balls to that. Fight, I say, Keddic. Challenges are how you push yourself to become great, how you become stronger. If he looks strong, good. If he IS strong, so much the better. Lets not complain about powers being difficult to overcome, guys. We've worked our way through bigger, badder fights, and more threatening positions. We just gotta think and use what abilities are available to us. Get creative. Cover bases.

Was hoping to save this, but I'll be working on more before this tourney thing ends so what the hell. A Keddic Portrait (Short hair becuase I imagine its still growing back from being burned off in the Abaeloth fight)
>>
No. 231603 ID: e31d52

>>231600
THAT FACIAL HAIR

SUCH AUTHORITY
>>
No. 231607 ID: c00244

>>231600
I'm with you on this one. Keddic is hurt, weary, he'll need to play things cautious and recover as much blood as he can while figuring out what this guy can do, but he should definitely not yield unless it's clear that he'll die otherwise. Probing attacks and play the defense, once we know this guy's tricks we'll be able to come up with a strategy for beating him.
>>
No. 231658 ID: a76809

>>231584
>>231586
>>231587
I briefly consider finally revealing my hidden trick, letting the innate powers of my vestments turn whatever attacks Seijuu has upon himself, but refrain for several reasons. The largest reason is simply that as far as I know they fall prey to the same flaws most magic does, in that it can be bypassed by Soul Magic, which coupled with some of the titles I heard for my foe makes me uneasy. Another contributing reason nearly as important is that I have made it this far without tipping my hand, and I relish the idea of saving it for the finals as a grand unveiling.

I shall have to best my foe without it then, unless I become absolutely certain it shall work.

>>231588
>>231589
>>231600
[Fanart Bonus!]

Even with my body weary, my form creaking and groaning from earlier exertions and injuries, and my blood supply partially depleted, I smile. This foe looks like what I have sought for some time, representing what I almost found in Goran. A powerful foe, one to pit my soul against, a tribulation that will force my soul to grow as I surpass it. I grin even as I begin cycling my blood up, entering Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism with a dull throb of pain as my veins are jarred into action, as I dance back, my abrupt movements once ore accelerated by my internal currents.

Less than half a second after I have begun moving, I become immediately gratified, both that I was cautious, and in my hopes my foe is capable. Seijuu kicks off the ground, the weighty shadows about him now flowing upward as his body springs roofward as if it weighed as much as a feather. Then the shadows about him drag back towards the ground bowing under their own weight before Seijuu begins plummeting, falling towards where I stood like the wrath of god, elbow and knee proffered and impacting the sandy arena floor. The ground rumbles, shakes, and craters under his collision, and before the cloud of sandy grit and dust kicked up by his horrendously heavy fall, Seijuu darts after me, hands held wide as he charges.

I continue to cycle my circulation, and the evasive footwork I employ keeps me out of his grasp as I weave a dashing retreat all across the arena, which normally would draw heckling from the crowd-But they see the tendrils of blood I shoot out, scraping free the wet and dry blood alike splattered across the arena floor, claiming the spilt and no longer 'owned' vital fluids. I start pulling water weight from my own flesh, revitalizing the dried leavings I am in the process of claiming, adding material suffused with my own ownership to the mix, bit by bit claiming every resource I can in the arena. During this time I extend my evasive movements to my torso, swaying and weaving as blood staples keep my cloths close to my flesh, preventing even the slightest touch from reaching me. The crowd waits with bated breath, looking to see what I intend as I sweep the arena clean of spilt vital fluids, my own body losing some seventeen pounds of water weight in the process.

Seijuu notes my preparation as well, and even as he charges, evidencing turns of speed I doubt I could dodge so cleanly without S.K.P., he speaks to me.

"So, the foreigner has a plan? I hope you do not think you could bribe me as you did Senth, o honored foe. I see no pipe to offer as token of a deal struck, so do not expect my own surrender to be so easily secured!"

My left foot catches a patch of thick sand, and drags, ever so slightly, upon the arena floor: Seijuu exploits this, a brutal dash finally bringing him into melee range as a fist cloaked in heavy shadows and covered in a tapestry of scars streaks towards my form. As this impact looms closer with my balance upset, I realize that I now have fully restocked my toga and cloak alike, in addition to gaining a small surplus of blood to work with, besides my own internal stores... and that the continued dodging is threatening to render my back inoperable soon, and my legs shortly thereafter, both unable to withstand sustained use the same as my arms.


What should I say or do?
Do I have any plan for how to deal with Seijuu's strike?
>>
No. 231659 ID: edb273

He seems like a gravimancer.
>>
No. 231660 ID: e31d52

Hmmm. We can't risk letting it go to the Toga. Mass Connection might be able to bypass it. Instead, duck under the punch, grab the arm, brace yourself, and then make as if to throw him but instead erupt spikes from the toga and cloak.

In other words, pretend to use his weight against him (Really, a silly idea, unless you can disorient him) then make him into a pincushion.
>>
No. 231663 ID: 0dc9ac
File 128482595479.jpg - (587.66KB , 1023x731 , enlightenment1.jpg )
231663

>>231600
Heh. Well then. LETS GET IT ON

Shoot blood lances from your back into the ground and pull yourself down to avoid his attack, then erupt sanguine spikes from every part of your body up into him as he passes and hook him.
Blood spike him into the wall and send 3 winding way pulses into him before throwing him to the other side of the arena.

Shoot blood lances into the walls and floor use them in conjunction with SKP to move yourself around the hall and attack him from range.

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: BLOODY PUPPET-MASTER!

Throw some Sanguine Maelstroms in there with balls of prepared winding way energy as substitutes for the blade.

Life ending move coming soon.
>>
No. 231664 ID: 0dc9ac

Very strenuous on the veins, but keep it up. Lack of sword really cuts down our options since your techs are based around your familial blade.
>>
No. 231666 ID: d3dfb8

>>231660
Oh shit, this.
>>
No. 231667 ID: f4e4f9

>>231659

I suspect so as well. Gravimancy fueled by Soul Magic.

As much as I hate the yetis, those fucking yetis, god I wish they'd all just die I HATE THEM SO MUCH...I think they may be good for something in this case. Remember the melting golem that Dulu fought, and how it used it's fluid tendrils to amplify it's own movements? Why could you not do the same? I don't see any obvious reason it would put further strain on your body. I'd say it would be an excellent use for all that surplus blood.

To also borrow from a decent concept, subsurface strikes could be good. As you use this new ability to dash away, soak a bit through the sand you just occupied. When he impacts: Strike, aim to hamper one of his legs.

>>231658
"You speak the language! How wonderfully surprising! Well, as we are somewhat preoccupied, I'm afraid I'll have to simply ask that you take my word for it that things did not happen as you think, and hope you'll extend me that courteous bit of trust.
>>
No. 231672 ID: 445c48

Bribe? You did not bribe him! You merely discussed employment opportunities for later during the fight, because he was a cool guy, and we can use all the cool guys we can get. While he initially took it as an attempt to bribe, you cleared that right up. The talking did not have an effect on the outcome, aside from distracting him a little, I suppose. Besides, he's a mercenary, we just wanted to hire him, but since he might leave after the fight, or we might not find him, we thought it best to talk to him during the fight.

And that bastard STOLE Old Bessie, he's going to get a punch to the gut for that he is.
>>
No. 231673 ID: e31d52

>>231660
Oh, and before I forget:

"You seem to neglect that I killed to men getting to you. Perhaps you were remiss, or paying attention to something else?"
>>
No. 231674 ID: bdc692

There's also a shadow aspect to Seijuu's fighting style. Watch out for them.

Perhaps the cloak or toga can be used as a shield rather than armor? Fill it with some blood and wield it. Alternatively create some blood armour underneath the toga/cloak. That way Keddic can use it to block devastating attacks with less risk to his more vulnerable body from secondary gravity/mass/shadow effects.

Similarly Keddic could get his sword style going by pulling off his belt or a strip of cloth from his clothing and coating it with metal-hard blood to create an organic blade on the spot.
>>
No. 231680 ID: 445c48

>>231674
I think that would be considered unsporting in an unarmed tournament.

And why take off a belt or strip of cloth, when he can just do it without it?
>>
No. 231682 ID: f4e4f9

rolled 1 = 1

Keddic one last thing I want you to consider:

Recall the true blow magic laid upon you by the Drazken Shaman? Such a technique was quite obviously closely tied with Blood magic. Did you glean anything from it?

As I recall, it encompassed pressurising blood flow and circulation while simultaneously infusing it with some form of magic similar to chronomancy in that it distorted the flow of time and multiplied a single strike into dozens.

If you could emulate it...it could be a very potent weapon in this tournament.
>>
No. 231689 ID: a76809

>>231659
I feel confident his combat magic in at least some ways would be appreciably identical to what I know of Gravimancy's use, I do not wish to feel his touch.

>>231660
>>231666
I brace my legs as I prepare S.K.P. surges to keep myself upright as my twisting body and arms now move to meet Seijuu's incoming fist. The moment I make contact with the intended threat, My body quakes and spine protests as I feel ten-fold heavier, my straining limbs aided by my internal workings only just keeping me upright-

And I feel some other magic held in the fist redirecting as Seijuu's own arm, now moving over my shoulder as I act as if to throw him, falls on me like a lead bar.

"LION'S MANE"

I erupt in a shower of blood spikes, tapping the entirety of my cloak now exposed to my foe's body, jutting towards arm and torso alike. I feel the spikes meeting his gut, his chest and his throat meeting considerable resistance but ultimately beginning to pierce through.

From the shards I shot upwards towards his arm, I feel a horrific weight as my blood cascades back down, unable to resist the oppressive weight of Seijuu's arm, as it plummets towards my shoulder as if to smite the entire side of my body.

>>231663
I choose not to stay in place to receive such a blow, turning the blood of my toga towards anchoring me to the arena floor and jerking me away in assistance to my still-continuing use of S.K.P. Untouchable, just barely outracing the arm as I twist to break away. The moment I lose contact with Seijuu I feel my weight beginning to return to normal, but my contortions have wrenched my lower back about something fierce.

I spin myself around just outside of his reach as his arm continues to the ground to fall like an avalanche, and turn the blood towards another assault, driving a trio of sharply edged sanguine lances racing towards his arm-only for two to dart about and strike for his throat at the last second. Despite this abrupt change, mere inches before they reached his skin, those oddly clinging shadows about his form race up and interpose themselves, my assault rebounding from their touch as a shower of blood I move swiftly to reclaim, unsure how he undid my connection to the blood.

Thankfully, the third tentacle that I sent around the far side of his arm strives for his side, and adds another moderate puncture to his form, digging in with gusto. I anchor another tendril to the wall behind me, and begin reeling myself back, trying to rip out the barbs I just formed within my sanguine protrusion. Seijuu cups his hands about my tentacle, and grits his teeth.

I find my anchor to the wall snapping, some blood dropping to the floor now separated from my form as I fall forwards, drawn to Seijuu as if he were the ground racing to meet me. He raises a fist as I continue to plummet sideways towards him, setting his feet solidly.

>>231667
I become thankful I paid attention to the many interesting things I witnessed in those fights upon the northern mountains halfway across the world, as I employ a trick I saw that Yeti-crafted Golem that Dulu fought utilize to great effect. I slam some sanguine anchors to the floor, striving to keep myself from falling directly into Seijuu's fist, as I send one tendril onward, a subterranean spike that now stabs into his left sole. I feel the magical pull upon me slacken in his surprise, while I sever the line of blood anchoring me to him outside of his influence, pulling back to myself the anchors as I re-attach myself to the wall for a rapid retreat, considering my options as I note Seijuu idly sticking a finger in the new hole in his side while his eyes stay locked on mine. I speak to him now that some distance has opened up, noting his lack of an immediate assault.

>>231673
"You seem to neglect that I killed two men getting to you. Perhaps you were remiss, or paying attention to something else?"

I say this loudly, proclaiming my words so the watching audience hangs on my words, now looking towards Seijuu, noting the blood that trickles from his form. But they do not look particularly concerned, and neither does the focus of their attention, Seijuu slowly raising his arms high, as he sets his feet ever wider. The crowd leans closer as I see several people calling out new bets, while Seijuu speaks.

>"Perhaps I did not pay you the attention you deserved. I shall solve this problem."

The air around his arms groans and sighs, warping and shimmering in increasing amounts as the ground slowly sinks beneath his feet, his arms slowly lowering to his sides, muscles knotting intensely as he labors.

>>231674
>>231680
I wonder about crafting a weapon out of my blood, a pseudo sword to wield. It would not violate the rules as explained to me concerning this competition, and be similar enough to the Proud Lion that I believe I could employ several of my swordplay techniques with the facsimile... an option to consider, but the blood demand would be high, enough I would barely have anything left external to my own veins. I could make a smaller sword, but reach is a huge advantage to give up, and I am not as practiced with smaller, less weighty blades. If I were to use such a tactic, I would have to have a clear plan, both in terms of what I would attempt, how big of a sword replica I would attempt to make, and most importantly what I would call this maneuver.

>>231682
Beyond the many wonderful uses I find I can put my sizable supplies of blood thanks to my vestments, I find my thoughts turning to Blood Magic itself, as I recall the enchantments lain upon Bang and myself alike, those hollow crystals that worked upon our bodies. It seemed to involve pressurizing blood, and using this process to infuse something like Chronomancy into the circulating vital fluids. I try to connect these observations with what I felt when it acted upon me, and bridge the gap to my own knowledge of Blood Magic....
[1]
But I cannot, several problems arising as I attempt to adapt the technique to my own use. My biggest problem is that I have no way to bridge the act of blood pressurization to direct magical gain, as no additional blood is added. This could mean that what I took for pressurization was merely a byproduct of something else happening to the blood, but I felt no external influence after the crystals were in place: I need to figure out just what was being done to my blood. My second concern is the strikes that were made, and identifying how that would work. I have no personal knowledge of Chronomancy, so directly replicating the feeling I felt would be impossible, I think. So I wonder if I could come up with some other means of achieving an amplified attack reminiscent of the enchantment lain on me. Perhaps something that would make winding way pulses transmitted through external blood more potent, or a direct attempt to replicate the impact multiplication.

Between these two ideas occurring to me, I feel I have considerable options on how to continue, and I feel I may have to decide quickly, as energy continues to gather about Seijuu. He still has several long seconds before his arms are even fully horizontal so I feel certain whatever he works on is not done, but I need to act swiftly.


What should I say or do?
Should I attempt to use my sanguine sword idea, or try to puzzle through the Drazken buff idea?
Or should I do something else?
[If proposing a way to make the Drazken buff replica in the Way of Harksburton, roll a 1d10, the higher the roll the better the chance the proposed plan will work. Lower rolls will commensurately make it less likely to happen.]
>>
No. 231693 ID: d3dfb8

rolled 9 = 9

Nothin but a roll to contribute.
>>
No. 231694 ID: 445c48

Shame Keddic doesn't have a means of making a lot of light at once, to break up those shadows, which I'm sure do something for this guy. I suppose we can use his Fire-making trick a little, though.
>>
No. 231695 ID: f4e4f9

rolled 4 = 4

>>231689
Square off against Seiju. He's going to try some kind of doomy attack, so here's what you're going to do:

All that surplus blood you obtained in addition to your Cloak ANd Toga just now? Use the extra as a substitute for the Proud Lion to amplify your magic. If you have to, dip into your Toga stores a little. Use it to perform a body swap just as he is about to strike.

The effects are two-fold: One of the chief side-effects of such a forcible body swap is intense nausea and disorientation, which YOU can compensate for since you'll know it's coming. Seiju, on the other hand won't.

Secondly, you'll maintain your facing after a teleport, so his blow will strike at nothing while you are given the opportunity to turn around, and drive your fist into either his back or the back of his head.

Additionally, perhaps we're thinking of it wrong: The Pressurization is just a means to an end, a way to get the blood randomized, wild, and excited, and build it to a frenzy. So by accelerating your own blood flow and randomizing it's rates a bit, you can emulate it. As for how to create the multi-striking effect, use the erratic nature of your blood flow to Pulse the Winding way through your fists in time with the erratic undulations of the blood in your veins. Let the pulses ride the blood, instead of the other way around.

If you still cant get it right, use an actual Winding Way punch, It'll serve as well against an unprepared opponent. I don't know how durable this guy is, but at least TRY not to kill him. He has students he has responsibilities to.
>>
No. 231698 ID: 0632a2

rolled 8 = 8

Hmmm.

Accelerate the blood through your veins with your normal control. Then use mass connection to build the speed and pressurize the blood while building winding way charges in your fist.
When you strike, release all the charges into your foe so that hey detonate one after the other.
All of this can be amplified with blood magic
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: WITHERING STRIKE
>>
No. 231701 ID: 0632a2

>>231698
Damn, I have gotten too used to Bang style fighting, well it is my own preferred style *shrug*. Time to get back to Keddic.

Hmmmmm
Use blood lances to attack him, If he grabs and uses the 'gravity well' trick again, use the momentum to shoot an even STRONGER lance at him and then launch yourself up and over him, use his own move to slingshot over him.
Stopping would be good, but countering that force might be too much for your ailing body.

Hopefully the super lance makes him stop pulling.
>>
No. 231709 ID: 445c48

Well, don't let him/his shadow step in any shadows that aren't his. I guess he could magically attach them to his own shadow, giving him bonus power. Are there any torches, or wood, or something you can grab/light with your pipe-lighting trick? If nothing else, I guess you could use that little flame when he gets close to mess with the shadows. Or something. I forget the specifics of the flame-making trick and it's not on the wiki.
>>
No. 231739 ID: a76809

>>231693
>>231695
[Because the poster specifically said he was contributing a roll... and keep in mind this works both ways-]

I decide to mold a sword with all the blood I hold external to my body, draining cloak and toga alike to form a sword facsimile roughly the size of the Proud Lion, hardening into rigid angles under my Will, as I disengage the my wall anchor and drop to my feet, regarding my foe. I begin coiling the powers of the Winding Way into my pseudo sword, charging the blood with the energy I'll need, straining to contain it as I watch Seijuu's arms continue to lower. My thoughts turn back towards the enchantment the tribals lay upon me, as I wonder if the power might come not from the pressurization... but from the imparting of chaos. With the madly boiling riot my blood became, it was as if I possessed sanguine chaos coursing in my veins... and I wonder if it was not exactly that, Chaos made manifest. Then, that wild storm was turned towards strikes, breaching the barrier between possibilities to bring a myriad of strikes into simultaneous existence. This seems to explain what I had tried to attribute to Chronomancy, and I switch my attempts to trigger my own version of the enhancement to looking for Chaos, not trying to somehow rewind time to strike over and over again.
[9]
And I find something happening. As I try to split Blood and Will based energy apart within my body, re-absorbing the Order within as I continue to collect Chaos, I feel my blood beginning to squirm and boil, my veins itching as a familiar state falls over me. Without crystals to act as focus, I start gathering the energy for this coming assault, as I begin walking towards Seijuu, still gathering energy about his hands. Noting my approach, he does nothing as his attention stays glued to his own charging, yet I note his eyes narrowing all the same. As I switch gears from walk to jog, I suspect him to know something... as I recall where I heard the name Jeeba before: Jeeba Hechler, the scion of House Hechler, a warrior with decades of bloodletting to his name. Beyond the royal house of Fissykus, no other family of Warriors within Castiliathen has as much prestige to their name.

I switch gears again as my blood continues to steep in Chaos and I build a charge of Winding Way in my sword, charging straight towards my foe at a dead run. I see Seijuu snapping back his left arm, disengaging the magic he was building within it as he channels it all into a blow so distorted that on it's approach I see naught but a blur approaching, starting to swing my faux-blade towards Seijuu-

Only to tap the power of the winding way and transpose our bodies before either blow ever strikes.

As the crowd gasps I continue my spin, bringing my blade of blood about in vicious arc on a collision course with my foe's neck. It slams into a cloud of shadow as I see Seijuu only now starting to turn around, pain promised in his glare.

I dash towards him as my body continues its rotation, withdrawing my blade of blood back to my vestments as I lash out with a fist carrying my experimental attempt to copy the technique used on me earlier. With a strident cry, I bring Chaos to the battlefield.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROLIFIC PUGILISM!"

My fist finds his back near the area of his liver, and while shadow gathers to stop this attack as well, the continually restarting impact blows through his defenses, meeting the small of his back. I feel another layer of resistance, some innate body enhancement armoring his flesh: This too is battered down in that instant, as a punch filled with possibilities slams home with a crack heard throughout the arena. Seijuu's feet leave the arena floor, wrenched free of the dirt, as his body flies forward, bent about the still impacting blow, twisting and jerking as shock-wave after shock-wave shudders through his body. My foe slams face-first into the walls of the arena as flesh peels back and muscle flays itself off his back, unable to stave off all the unmaking energies imparted by my strike. Nevertheless in the span of a short breath Seijuu is already rising, now bleeding more than he had before-

As I note my arm to by wailing at me, my hand in particular so encapsulated in pain I feel as if my veins are trying to shake their way free of my body. As I consider that I can only barely move my left arm now, I see Seijuu turning about to face me as he spits blood on the ground-and the energy he managed to sustain within his right arm folding about itself, as his arm-

Completely vanishes, it's shadow stretching wide and long towards me.


What should I say or do?
>>
No. 231743 ID: a594b9

Oh god dodge that

Also I think we can't beat him. That single strike was the strongest attack we came up with so far, and it wasn't nearly enough to put him down.

We're going to have to yield, but... let's see how much longer we can keep fighting.
>>
No. 231748 ID: 445c48

>>231743
I think we could, if we focus on where we've injured him.

Untouchable dodge that, get into the light. If there's anything within reach you can set on fire with the trick you use to light your pipe, grab it and light it, otherwise...
>>
No. 231750 ID: b18ccb

Keddic, my son, You have great strength of will and power within your heart. This! This is the strength of the name HARKSBURTON. You will not yield, you will not falter. It is you, Keddic, who has unlocked the WHITE LION lurking within the blood of all HARKSBURTONS! It is you, Keddic, who has just unleashed Chaos Pure with your Mighty Fists! THIS MAGIC IS NOTHING TO OUR WILL, OUR HEART, OUR BURNING SOUL! PUMP THAT WHITE LION, THAT WHITE BLOOD INTO YOUR ARMS, YOUNG KEDDIC! REACH FORWARD, GRIP THAT SHADOW AND AS THE WHITE LION DEVOURS THAT ACCURSED MAGIC, PULL THIS SEIJUU TO YOUR FIST! LET HIM BE THE FIRST TO TASTE THE WHITE LION BURNING IN YOUR SOUL!

"It would seem that you did not pay enough attetion at all, Seijuu! Yeild, or be devoured! And, you cur, that blasted Senth STOLE MY PIPE!"
>>
No. 231751 ID: b18ccb

>>231750
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: WHITE LION POUNCES!
>>
No. 231753 ID: b18ccb

>>231751
Ah-ha! Forgive me, Keddic, for bombarding you with ideas, but a last thought from an old man. This White Blood, and even that Wild Bang's ideas of Probability Cells...What if you were to use them not merely as an additive, but as the basis of an entire style! [b]WHITE LION BITE![b]
>>
No. 231759 ID: b0175b

Why?

Not every opponent will be brought down in one strike. Our blow caused catastrophic damage. A significant amount of muscle-tissue has been ruptured and flensed from his back, and he is bleeding profusely.

Right now, we need to focus on how to dodge this. So lets turn our efforts toward that.

It seems to be a shadow based attack, so there are several possibilities: It could be reaching for our physical body, or it could have some kind of magical effect should it contact our shadow.

OUr goal should be to avoid BOTH of these situations if possible.

We know of one weakness to shadow magics, thanks to Uggrok and Jezebel. Intense flashes of light.

Tell me Keddic, what is used as a light source in the arena? Can you use your Mobility-Enhancing Tendrils to outpace the racing hand of shadow and snag one of them?

Or, indeed, do you know of any magics to create an intense light? Such seems a rather simple spell and one you'd have learned as matter of course in your journey down the path of blood magic.
>>
No. 231767 ID: fe19c5

>>231759
If he did know it, that would have been a very useful thing to mention back in the fight with Wenshio's people.

I think we could beat him if we threw our all into it, but would it be worth it?
I heard no indication that this was the championship battle and as such I think that even if we win by sacrificing our other arm for the strike (and maybe even a leg), we would find ourselves no closer to victory because his body would be wrecked beyond fighting condition.

The only reasons I can identify that would make the sacrifice worthwhile, would be Keddic trumping this rival family's heir, thus proving the Harksburton's better, and pride. Defeating him here and then withdrawing from the tourney would allow him to save face among the tourney's audience and keep his own pride entact.

Sometimes it is better to simply bow out, but since we have come this far, we might as well finish it.

Prepare UNTOUCHABLE and wait until the strike(shadow) is about to hit you, the switch places with him.
UNTOUCHABLE dash back towards him and spin to face away from him when you near him or his next attacks range, then UNTOUCHABLE towards him again and PROLIFIC PUGILISM.

To add one more bluff in there, use your judgment. If it looks like he might be preparing for another switch, don't switch. If he looks ready to meet your attack, switch once more.

If this goes on any longer I will have to go back to Sun Tzu.
>>
No. 231770 ID: a594b9

>>231750
Keddic can't use Possibility Cells yet. Bang had an epiphany recently though. Maybe after the tournament.
>>
No. 231773 ID: 445c48

Oh, right, forgot to ask, Did the Blood-Magic think-tank in Mordreden produce any ideas you can put into practice? In addition, any other theories produced by the think-tank that we've not already heard would be good.
>>
No. 231776 ID: 903f16

>>231767
>I heard no indication that this was the championship battle

By my estimations we're one match away from the semifinals with eight fighters including Keddic currently competing.
>>
No. 231784 ID: b0175b

>>231767

Once this match is complete, we'll be able to focus on between-fight healing. We've been neglected that recently. Perhaps we could ask the organizer about it.

I'll be frank, I find it hard to believe there is no injury-treatment service between fights. That would imply that in this series of fights, we're the only ones out of all the people we've fought up to this point who have been injured at all in these fights. Slightly unlikely.
>>
No. 231786 ID: a594b9

...I guess you could use your right arm for another superpunch...
>>
No. 231788 ID: 732129

>>231694

If he could concentrate enough energy in a little strand of blood-iron, he could make it glow incandescently.
>>
No. 231795 ID: 445c48

>>231784
>That would imply that in this series of fights, we're the only ones out of all the people we've fought up to this point who have been injured at all in these fights. Slightly unlikely.

Not unlikely at all. Look at our opponents, after all. The first guy, well that was the first match, doesn't count. A guy that manipulated acid ooze, used it as a defense burnan hands and such, if he went against an easy guy, could have been unharmed. Then the Iron Body guy, his whole thing was durability. Senth bent space so he didn't get hit, and this guy's a tough bastard.

Bagrom was injured, though. He just healed himself, so I doubt there's any healer on hand.

>>231786
But then we wouldn't have a hand to punch in the next fight. As the tournament progresses, we have less and less time to heal in between rounds... Or not, I guess. There are less matches, but the matches are powerful men against powerful men, and could last a bit.
>>
No. 231796 ID: b225c1

>>231784
Matters not if we are the only ones injured or not. The fact that they allow death in these matches without a second thought indicates that if you die because of accumulated injury it wold be your fault for not being skilled enough or not preparing for your lack of skill.

Keddic is new and jumped into this competition without knowing the house rules, so it is possible that this could be the case.

Seeing as Keddic did not notice Bagrom, who is more experienced, go to seeking out any first aid other than his own in between matches, I think it unlikely that there is any at all. Unless of course Oz told him to win without using it. I don't recall if there was a period that they spoke in private after we learned of the tourney.

tl;dr
Bagrom got injured and we did not notice him going for first aid, so there probably isn't any.
>>
No. 231810 ID: a76809
File 128486781430.jpg - (1.73MB , 1754x1754 , Disciples Of Domintus Knight Captain Jeeba Hechler.jpg )
231810

>>231750
>>231751
>>231753
[Keddic cannot use White Blood or Possibility Cells yet, so none of these suggestions are valid. Keep them on hand for whenever you guys get Keddic to sufficiently follow up on the studies he has been part of concerning White Blood.]

>>231784
[First dude was a fresh fighter, second was a veteran that got an easy first foe, third was a defense oriented warrior made to absorb blows, next was someone pretty much impossible to hit, and now is a crowd favorite to win the tournament, who has been crushing foes with relative ease. This can account for their lack of incoming injuries... as does the fact Mass Connection has been evidenced to in at least some ways have restorative capabilities.]

>>231773
FOr an idle moment a series of thoughts race through my mind, as memory takes me back to Mordreden. I recall my talks with Bang, Fersh, Nanal and Mordre, and the followup talks Bang and I attempted with Jojo and the general shaman population of the tribals. Several things were discussed concerning blood, in particular about White Blood, that stood out:
--White Blood is somehow involved with the concepts of SENSING and REJECTION.
--White Blood is empowered by fighting off (or rejecting) illness, which requires sensing.
--The more White Blood a person has in their veins and under their ownership, the more toxins and diseases their body can fight off.
--In addition, the White Blood saturation would also make one more capable at detection, as well as rejecting the magical defenses of others through means of Blood Magic.

I wonder at how I could put this information to use, given that I can only barely detect the material at all.

>>231743
>>231748
>>231759
>>231767
>>231786
My left arm now allocated to simply hanging at my side as I encase it in blood as I move to sooth overburdened tubings and muscles, I switch my blood-flow form defensive to offensive, embracing Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism as I engage my Untouchable footwork, presuming this shadow to be an attack against me, something to avoid making contact with-or letting my own shadow touch it. While I dance about, working to evade the darting, warping limb of gloom I focus, pooling energy in my right arm, as I preemptively start doing what I can to ease the remaining aches in the arm, in preparation to the attack I plan. Just as surely as I know I cannot let this hand of shadow touch my person or my shadow, I know that if I want to move on, I must strike my foe again. I have bloodied him, and wounded him, but his pride will not yet let him yield.

I draw the shadow limb off near to the arena wall, and with a burst of motion I kick off the arena wall, my spasming legs rocketing me forward as I rush to close the distance with Seijuu. My abrupt rush seems to have caught him slightly off-guard, and I see him reflexively raising a veil of shadows to block my incoming fist, even as I see the realization his choice was in error flit across his eyes. Once more, the Chaos I brew in my blood plays channel for the Winding Way, as my fist collides with my foe.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROLIFIC PUGILISM!"

Shadows are blasted away as I note his shadow limb racing towards me-

And shatter, his arm reappearing as his body again is racked by spasms, a blow striking dozens of times beating down onto his chest, flaying back flesh and cracking bone underneath, as he drops to a knee. I see his arms begin to gather a fell force about them again for the barest of instants before the magic is dropped, and the now seriously bleeding Seijuu screws up his face as he regains his footing.

"...I yield."

The crowd explodes into cheering, some exulting, some purely of shock, as Seijuu limps away, his steady breathing already accompanying a lessening rate of blood-loss, as he takes the loser's door. I find myself thankful there is no door to return to the waiting room, as I doubt I could raise either arm right now to open such. I turn my attention immediately to wrapping my right arm in the same sanguine sling that encases my left as I split my attention working to repair the havoc I just wrought on my own flesh, a third compress of blood coating my back as I work to ease my spine. My attention is so caught up in this recuperation I do not note much of the goings on about me, as several other fights transpire, and eventually the number drops to four. Someone that looks vaguely familiar is called to fight first, and returns in seconds, before-

"Bagrom, Of Oz, Keddic, Of Keddic!"

And so it comes, a match against the man I so recently met. I appraise his form as I tentatively move my arms, begrudgingly accepting that I only removed some of my pains as I see his state. Bagrom's left eye is swollen shut, his stump of a right arm is bleeding through it's bindings, bruises, welts and burns adorn his body, and his left hand's knuckles look severely broken under split skin. His gait is unsteady as we walk out, heavily favoring his left leg, as he speaks to me.

>[Bagrom]"You are looking somewhat withered. What happened?"
[Keddic]"I had to devote some water to recouping spilt blood."
>"...I cannot fight you."

Oh? I continue to listen to this chance to avoid contesting Oz's disciple, and potentially slaying him.

>"I am done, enough fractures in my ribs and limbs, enough damage done. I was prepared to submit to Seijuu... and I find you in his place. As you do not nearly look the wreck I do, I must assume you proved superior to your foe. I fully intend to surrender... but because its you, and not Seijuu, I have an offer: Knock me out, let me exit against my apparant will to save my pride, and I'll perform a working on you with all my remaining energies, to restore what of your injuries I can."
"Why would you do this? Why would you ask?"

As we begin to enter the arena, the crowd roaring my name, I hear Bagrom's muted response.

>"I would ask because I am coming to term you a friend, and I do not wish to disappoint master Oz. I offer because I'd like to have the excuse I lost to the tournament winner. Does this suit you?"

I find myself grinning as we make our way to the center, where the announcer is ready to launch into his spiel.

"I accept."
>"Thank you."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand welcome, to the second semifinal match of the GRAND GAINER GRAB BAG TOURNAMENT! It's been an exciting day folks, a Dark horse rising up the ranks, some of the bloodies fights we've ever seen, known veterans falling left and right-but now we have the one-armed monk, he who feels no pain, the dead fist, BAAAAAGROOOM!!"

There is some halfhearted cheering before the announcer turns to me.

"But things look dicey for Bagrom! Another new fighter to the tournament just like him, this golden-haired giant has been squashing all his foes, just recently trouncing Seijuu himself, a long-time ranking champion of these events! With five wins to his name, two deaths, and three surrenders, he's the manipulator of Blood, the Red and White Lion, KEEEEEEEEEEDDIIIIIIIC!!!"

The crowd explodes into such a roar of ebullient cheering that the cacophony completely drowns out the announcer starting the match, already being hoisted away. I force my arms to move, stretching them even as I maintain the below-cloak casts about them, and edge towards my foe, lips barely moving as I discretely plan out with him the general flow of his impending fall and my subsequent healing, masked as we circle each-other as weary fighter looking to conserve energy. Just as the crowd begins to grow impatient, Bagrom dashes forth, already building a charge of energy in his jaw. His movements are clearly those of one barely able to stand, and the crowd leans in to see him get creamed. My fist flies up to connect with him, my teeth gritted against the pain-and on contact, the power Bagrom held, a batch of Jade Soul styled healing is jolted into my body, and I find my striking arm, my left, and my back both feeling almost fully unharmed again, while my right arm only halfway recovers. There is an almost peaceful look on Bagrom's face as his body follows his head in bonelessly flying back, as if that last casting simply turned out his lights, more so than my blow. A pair of workers rush out to carry Bagrom away as the crowd cheers my easy victory, and I take a moment to sweep some freshly spilled blood into my care, adding it to my somewhat over-swollen reserves, noting my breathing to be fully even as I make my way back, now one of but two fighters. The old man does not pull papers this time, but I hardly notice it as my gaze fully takes in my foe.

He is a giant, dwarfing me by a full foot and at least a hundred pounds, his flesh is taught over slabs of ropey muscle, and veins throb as he looks me up and down, before saying something to me in common, before the old man can speak.

>"Sooooo, you're the 4th, then? Haha, interesting."

As my foe grins, I hear the old man speak.

"Keddic, of Keddic, Jeeba, of Oggduro!"

Jeeba? Oggduro?
....And Senth mentioned the Hechler line?

Ah.

He sees the recognition in my eyes, Jeeba Hechler, scion of the Hechler line of Castiliathen, the family to pioneer alchemical enhancements for warriors of the kingdom, with decades of warring to his name, looks me up and down. Despite being more than eighty years old by my understanding, the gargantuan Jeeba hardly looks more aged than I, still in his prime as he smirkingly comments to me.

>"...Ha, took me a bit to recognize you, without that stupid family sword of yours. So, is the Third still a pathetic one-eyed simpleton, refusing to have the organ regenerated? And is the Second still obsessed with books? I can never remember the going's on of the lesser houses."

Lesser Houses?

Did he just insult my entire family line?

As we walk out to the cheering crowd, Jeeba continues to speak to me as the announcer hails our coming, speaking of our titanic final as the scion of Hechler ignores him.

>"If that insult didn't suffice, then I could always play on the bleeding heart you Harksburtons have. I'll kill every single audience member here if you don't come at me with the intent to kill."

I gave into Jeeba's eyes, worried by the amount of whites I see, as the announcers hand swings between us.

>"Or if even that doesn't do it, how about this: I'm not happy sitting on my ass in Castiliathen, so I've joined the Disciples of Domintus since last I saw you, since they actually get into a bit of blood spilling. So, Harksburton Whelp, come face a Knight Captain of the Disciples Of Domintus, or I'll kill everyone and lay waste to everything, because you did not play with me"

"BEGIN!"

As the announcer is hauled away, I note Jeeba breathing like a bellows as his heartbeat thuds ever louder, now easily audible despite the distance between us.

>"So, what's it going to be?"



What should I say or do?
>>
No. 231816 ID: f4e4f9

>>231810

"Well, Jeeba, I'd say that you sound distinctly rabid.

And like with any rabid animal, its my duty to put you down for the good of society. You'll make the second Domintus Knight Captain I've partaken in fighting and besting."

NOW TELL US EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY KNOW ABOUT HIS FIGHTING STYLE. Followup post coming soon.
>>
No. 231817 ID: d3dfb8

>>231807
I say we kill this fucker. Kill him hard. The white blood can be used to breach defenses so if we tip our bloodspikes with it we should be able to breach all defenses save soul magic. How about we try it out against this asshat?
>>
No. 231830 ID: e31d52

((In low:)) "Did you just say you would kill the audience?!"
>>
No. 231833 ID: f4e4f9

>>231830
Whoa now. If we try to incite the audience and officials against him, we may end up triggering a killing spree.

The guys a Knight Captain of the Disciples of Domintus.

Like Abaeloth was. That would end poorly.
>>
No. 231835 ID: e67080

>>231830
Unfortunately, even if we do say that, its likely that will make us seem like the insane ones. If there were those in the audience who heard that and knew common, it would likely already have registered. Suddenly crying that will make you look insane instead.

I do agree, we need all known info on this guy, his house, and what they can do... stat! I don't care if its a rumor that he punches soul graves for breakfast and wrestles demons for dinner, we need info!

This said, Keddic, its time for the SANGUINE GAME FACE! Hes likely trying to goad you more than anything, but this will definitely be a hell of a fight. Don't let him get under your skin, despite your sullied honor, maybe see if you can get him riled instead, throw some unsubstantiated rumor like noble houses are wont to do about rivals and foes.
>>
No. 231836 ID: a69afd

>>231810
"Greetings Jeeba, it has been a while hasn't it. Sadly, Aurockoth has dealt my family some blows that have been hard to recover from in recent times. It's good to know that a man of my home has managed to prosper and gain a suitable reputation. However, I am afraid I shall have to decline your request- I have no intention of playing games here. If you want me to come forth with the intent to kill, then that is exactly what you will recieve. It is only fitting that I give you a battle worthy of a comrade of Abeloth the All-consuming. Also, if it is hatred you are attempting to solicit from me, you will find none here. Where true warriors are concerned, nothing matters but the devotion of your entire being to a fight. Let us waste no more time on petty things, let us finish this contest."
>>
No. 231846 ID: 445c48

Yes, tell us what you know of how he fights, and mention that you've met and killed another highup of the DoD, the All Consuming.

Man, this guy's an asshole. And what's with all that "Intent to Kill" Stuff? Perhaps he's just weird? Or maybe it has something to do with his magic? I recommend not going in too hotly, keep your head and all.
>>
No. 231853 ID: a594b9

We should, obviously, try to kill him. However, keep in mind we cannot lose our cool.
>>
No. 231889 ID: 445998

I think Keddic should seriously consider the punch-his-soul-out move. This guy seems overly reliant on alchemical modifications rather than on focusing his own soul. He's also a turncoat and a villain so he might just not have a very strong sense of conviction. If his body doesn't fit his soul then it might be easy to push said soul right out of it.

"I'm just curious about one thing. Why is a hound of Domintus taking part in a small tournament deep inside the Land of Dragons? You seem to be rather far out of your way here. Are you and your blood-crazed companions seeking new Southern targets to burn and pillage?"

Regarding the White Blood - remember how certain diseases only strike people once? Like typical childhood diseases? Perhaps the White Blood has some other blood mechanism involved that specifically remembers, senses and helps reject known threats. If you could only get a sample of Jeeba or give your blood a taste of him then perhaps there is some way you could speed up this mechanism and condition your blood and body alike towards rejecting and defeating Jeeba. Like some kind of... antibody defense.

What is known about the Hechler style of battle anyway? You must have a very good idea since they're another noble house that deals with warfare. Are they known for using or having used soul magic in the past?
>>
No. 231905 ID: b18ccb

"Oh, Jeeba Hechler, it is good to see you as well. Now, it would be a gentlemanly pleasure to rip your tongue from your cursing head but, as a gentleman, I shall not. After all, your...what was his name, ah yes, Abaeloth. He said that I, and my friends, shall be left alone by the rest of the Disciples of Domintus after we killed him. I am quite sure you don't want to disappoint that great man's ideas of survival of the fittest, now do you? And to honor him, I will not strike you - unless you break the All Consumer's word and come at me first. So run home to your father, welp, I am sure he could use some help upon the farm." Relax, Young Keddic. Either he will attack first and you must be SKP UNTOUCHABLE or he will do the proper thing and yield. Begin to test the white lion laying within your blood - pull it to your wounded arm and attempt to use it to repair your wounds. If this is impossible, simply start pumping the White Blood through your veins in a White Blood Kinetic Pugilism manner.

[Woo! Thank god for Secret Bonus 013! Hopefully we can make him yield by doing nothing at all!]
>>
No. 231907 ID: 9338f5

>>231889
dont talk, just punch his soul out as our opening move. if he has time to work himself into a frenzy it will make the soul punch a great deal more difficult
>>
No. 231908 ID: 0cbc30
File 128490716854.jpg - (433.95KB , 1333x1911 , Keddic.jpg )
231908

Oh, Man. Keddic will need all help and power he can master to win this fight.
Good thing that I can contribute without having to think tactically in a fight (I suck at that)

Oh some questions for Keddic again
> So, is the Third still a pathetic one-eyed simpleton, refusing to have the organ regenerated? And is the Second still obsessed with books? I can never remember the going's on of the lesser houses.
What does he mean by that? For some reason I thought that the 1st, 2nd and 4rd were dead. Can you tell more about them?



Also, anyone who forgot how ludiculously huge Keddics sword is supposed to be raise had (*raises hand*)
Seriously, we would have crushed everyone we fought with no problem if we were allowed to use that sword.
>>
No. 231912 ID: 5f0943

>>231908
Uhhh... last time I checked Keddic's sword was supposed to be a rather larger cleaver like sword, nothing man sized.

Though I do think huge swords are awesome. And that picture is awesome non-the less
>>
No. 231913 ID: b18ccb

>>231908
>>231912

Well, that's what the buster sword will look like when we get it Next upgrade for the Proud Lion will look like.
>>
No. 231917 ID: f4e4f9

>>231905
He was just talking about how he just went and joined the Disciples because he just wanted to kill people. I don't think he holds Abaeloths posthumous wishes in very high regard at all.

And I thought we still didn't have access to the White Lion yet? I think we should hold the soul punching until it doesn't mean our certain death on failure.
>>
No. 231919 ID: 0cbc30

>>231912
>>231913

well, I was just working from the original art we got when we met Keddic. The sword there is HUGE
>>
No. 231921 ID: a76809
File 128491720942.jpg - (935.43KB , 1470x2000 , Disciples Of Domintus Knight Captain Jeeba Hechler.jpg )
231921

>>231919
[Keddic's sword is indeed man-sized, but a normal person size, with Keddic double that size, being so big.]


>>231908
[F-F-F-FANART INFO BONUS0
[Nope, they are not dead. Concerning the Harksburtons: The 1st is dead due to old age, the 2nd Harksburton is the third son, the second son having been slain by Oggduro Hechler in a duel over honor incurred by the Harksburton, the first slain in battle. The 3rd Harksburton is the first son, with a younger brother, Cleotuth Harksburton. There were four brothers between them originally, but three were slain by Aurockoth and one in battle against Mosmordre. Besides Keddic the 4th's father, his grandfather, his uncle Cleotuth, his sister Kyalora and his aunt (Cleotuth's wife) Tierlyria, there are the attendant branch family members, the bastards spawned along the way outside of the kingdom orchestrated marriages that frequently are an inevitability for heirs. These children are one and all given a home in the house, and if they inherit sufficient talent/alteration from the Harksburton line, they are rendered as high ranking officers, while the less talented get jobs otherwise serving the family. Many are part of the family regiment, the Lions of Harksburton, but others soldiers also take up residence without a speck of the Harksburton blood in them. Regiment is five hundred at any given time, twelve hundred in total number. The Lions of Harksburton are commanded by Cleotuth Harksburton, under the current Head of the family, Keddic Harksburton the Third. Keddic Harksburton the Second largely spends his time reading and managing the family finances, much to their success. To tie this all back to your original query, the Second was not expecting to lead the family, and was preparing to take over managing the family finances, and not recieving the more traditional combat and leadership training his older brothers received. So the Second, when the title passed to him, made a name for himself, not just for surviving when not ultimately trained for it, but for doing so in a very different way than the First, eschewing supreme guard and implacable attack for evasive mobility and swift unpredictable attacks. He also did so with famously little armor, which he oft complained of only slowing him down. The Third was conventional to the style as crafted by the First, the type to stand and trade blows, knocking down any in his way. His blunt, impossibly direct demeanor plies itself well in commanding soldiers, but has not served the family well in political exchanges, unless the Second is present to smooth things over. Does that provide enough info on family?]

>>231816
Before my mouth moves, my mind races.

Jeeba Hechler.

The current scion of the Hechler line, and if I am not mistaken, their Head of family as well. That makes him a Big Person, with distinct capital letters, back in Castiliathen. And one of the eight... seven commanding officers of the entire Domintus army. But more than the notoriety clearly attached to his name abroad as well as here where I face him, it is the fact his father killed one of my family members, not aided by the fact the note they look down on us and publicly mock all houses save Fissykus and their own. I have been in campaigns in which he participated, frequently with my father there as well, and I have noted several things about his fighting style that would be most pertinent now:
--Jeeba Hechler is always in the van, and I have only seen him wear armor as a formality. His body is ridiculously durable, skin giving as easily as teak, wounds repairing themselves in minutes, and inexhaustable stamina ever powering his monstrous strength. As far as I am aware, he is the physically strongest warrior in Castiliathen.
--Because the Alchemical boosting applied to him, which his family ultimately devises for all families at the King's request, is famed as being the most potent yet crafted, and as such I have rarely seen him even employing Combat Magic. It is quite likely he may lead with relying solely on brute force-but considering our families history with one another, I have reason to doubt this.
--From what little I have seen of his Way of Hechler, it seems to involve spinning, sweeping blows and leg movements to whirl the body about, touch imparting some sort of torsion on foes, causing their spines to twist and ultimately shatter themselves, limbs to likewise curl up. It seems to be something to do with rotation, and the imparting thereof, but I am unsure of the mechanism. I note this style also lets him turn blows to follow his spin, making striking him directly while he spins monstrously difficult, from what I have seen.
--I feel quite confident he is violating the Soul Magic Ban, and continues to practice his families full arts, as on two occasions, when separated from our force in one of his frequent deep strikes alone into enemy territory, I had occasion to follow after him. He was surrounded by a gray and green hemisphere of light that spun madly, any foe that stepped into this field was stripped of flesh, of muscle, sinew and bone, purged to nothingness as they were rejected by the field. It seemed some sort of deadly field of ownership, that extended to anywhere he could feasibly rach to with his feet being the epicenter.

As my mind races through recalling to my active memory all these dregs of information that could be vitally important now, I speak, having to work to craft my normal cavalier smile.

"Well, Jeeba, I'd say that you sound distinctly rabid. And like with any rabid animal, its my duty to put you down for the good of society. You'll make the second Domintus Knight Captain I've partaken in fighting and besting."

The only reaction I see about Jeeba is his grin spreading wider, thin trails of saliva starting to trickle down from the corners, as he laughs out a response.

>"Hah, really? And who couldn't cut it, then?"
"Abaeloth, the not-so All Consuming."
>"Ah, was inevitable. Fuck could fight fine still at least five years ago, but his style just had no staying power. Ate him up, and there's his just desserts. ...But still dead, and by your hand?"
"As it was in war, I could not claim exclusive rights on his death, no duel taking-"
>"I didn't ask if you dueled him, I asked if you killed him."
"I hamstrung him and stuck a sword in his skull, the final blow was delivered by a comrade kicking said sword through Abaeloth."
>"...Yep, that would be enough trauma to off him. Huh, no exaggeration of your part in that? I know how fond your family is of... embellishment."

>>231846
I begin to wonder if he has some magic that could be reliant on a foe coming to kill, or perhaps on rage, and this thought helps me as I fight off the urge to simply charge and take satisfaction from him.

>>231817
>>231817
>>231833
>>231853
>>231889
In my bout of fighting off reflexive rage, I come up with a theory, concerning White Blood, that begs to be tested. Given how associated with detection and rejection it is, how influenced by encountering a disease, perhaps I could do the same with magic? If I could somehow either take a sample of some of Jeeba's magic into my blood stream so that my own White Blood could assess it, I may then be able to use the White Blood to reject his magic. Such an advantage would be huge, and seems well worth striving for.

I drain my cloak and toga, while once more channeling my blood into the rhythm of Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism. I form a sword of blood as I breathe deeply, enjoying my bodies relative lack of acquired aches.

>"Hm? That's a new trick, as I recall. Nice to see that pathetic style of yours still has something to it even after it was crippled by the Mandate! Now, show me what you have!"

I start dashing forward, purposefully keeping my speed muted, and thankful for such as I find one of Jeeba's massive fists flying towards me like an artillery shell, and only my increase in speed coupled with my dodge saves me. I press on, zigzagging in closer as my pseudo-blade swings and Jeeba's knee begins to rise towards me.

With a jarring wrench of distorted perception, Jeeba and I switch places, my sword continuing it's swing just as it did in my strike against Seijuu earlier, this time morphing into a set of flensing jaws, as I put all my focus into maintaining the construct even as I trigger a pulse of Winding Way energy. The ravaging blades that explode forth scrape across Jeeba's side, their frenzied antics drawing blood, which I quickly claim-

As an elbow finds my side, and even with such limited power from the awkward angle, I am hurled back, flying through the air to impact the wall, a distinct crack sounding from my upper arm. I divert some internal flow towards wrapping about and hardening around the bone, to hold it together for the moment, as I sift through my findings, pulling Jeeba's sample into my circulation.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 01/??]

And I feel my knowledge of Jeeba expanding, even as I feel something churning in my blood. Those clusters where I suspected White Blood to be now bloom in energy, informing me of another feature of Jeeba's alchemical augmentation I did not know: Those wild white eyes allow him to see any and all moving objects in an omnidirectional format. This does not extend to motionless objects. I also learn his regeneration is not limitless, and he cannot maintain it when using Soul Magic, which he certainly does know, as I suspected. His strength is enough that even were I armored in the defensive form the the Harksburton Way, I would get further broken by and direct strike.

I feel some shift in the White Blood in my veins, and with it, some sense of growth. This evolution seems to improve my sensory information, as I now find it easier to sense both the White Blood in my body and that in my pseudo-sword, still external to my body. My senses still cannot pierce the haze of Jeeba's self ownership, but I have gained much information here.

>"Well, are you going to get up?"

I rise, still holding my sanguine sword and garbed in white, Jeeba some twenty feet away, a smile returning to his face as I stand.

>"Good! I had feared without armor you'd be weak, but it seems the whelp takes after the Second of his line to some degree. He would cry to see how I struck you though. Honestly, can you not dodge? This will be a very short fight if you can't be a bit more evasive like your grandfather. Then again, he was a pissant coward in my eyes. Well, let's see the color of your soul!"

Without further comment the panting Jeeba surges into motion, the heavy thuds of his heart palpable on my flesh as he comes closer, raising a fist like a guillotine.


What should I say or do?
Should I try to get him talking about my family? I might learn something, as he fought both the prior Keddics.
Do I have any more ideas on what to do concerning White Blood?
>>
No. 231926 ID: a594b9

Keddic. Pool your blood back in your toga and cloak. The sword is useless now.

Dart around, slashing at him with blood tendrils. Collect more of his blood so that you may increase your knowledge of his abilities. Also, since you are more aware of the White Blood, do you think you could pull it from your external supply and bring it into your body?

While injuring him a bit like this, wait for him to try an especially powerful attack then take it full on to your redirecting toga. Let him feel his own strength! Afterwards, press the advantage with a CHAOS PUNCH!
>>
No. 231935 ID: 445c48

I'm not too sure Chaos Punch is a good idea right now, since our hand's still fresh, we should get a bit of normal use out of it first.

"The mage I work with tells me it's a sort of fluorescent greenish-yellow purple(Octarine, Discworld reference is a go) color, but he's not too sure."
>>
No. 231936 ID: 445c48

Oh yes, and use Untouchable to dodge.
>>
No. 231943 ID: 445998

First of all keep talking. Try to keep on his good side so he doesn't go into all-out soul magic mode yet. Keep your composure, you're going to kill this guy dead so there's no point in letting him get you angry, just imagine that sweet vengeance. While talking cycle your blood through your bone marrow to strengthen the White Blood response.

"That wasn't a bad strike, Jeeba. You say you saw the Second battle did you? Where did he go wrong in the end?"

Mark him with your blood! Swing your hand sending out a few droplets his way. You might want to make it seem like you're trying to blind him. Your new bloodsense coupled with the rejection factor means that any blood that touches Jeeba could let you sense him and his intents even better or it could potentially serve as a remote point of ownership. He breathes very heavily as well, I presume his lungs act as a supercharger, letting him fight infinitely at high levels. However if a little blood is made into a mist near his face then he'll probably inhale some of Keddic's blood for an internal marker or focal point for a mass connection attack.

It might also be possible to create some active blood defense system. Now that you have his 'flavour' the White Blood present in all your blood tendrils might be conditioned to automatically form a defense against his attacks. This could be incredibly powerful if your blood can defend on its own, letting you focus on attacking.

Another idea would be something more sinister - What if it is possible to recondition Jeeba's OWN white blood to attack HIMSELF? Then his regeneration might be turned against his own body, destroying him utterly. This would surely be the masterwork move of a White Blood wielder. Probably too early to try.

As for generic battle advice, if you can lure him into striking your toga and cloak covered neck or spine with his most powerful attack then he might just snap his own back, immobilizing him. Then you can do a full power winding way blow to the head or send a blood spike through his eye into his brain for an instant kill.

If he starts spinning then attack with a soft, flexible blood attack and try to get his legs wrapped in sharpening blood so you can shear the legs off or at least sever his tendons. Severed tendons pull back into the muscle so it might be hard to heal them.
>>
No. 231947 ID: a69afd

>>231921
Backflip and use SKP: untouchable to launch yourself from the wall. Slit a wrist with your blood sword and make a blood tendril in the vein protruding outward with a spike. Cut open his jugular and insert the blood tendril, dig deep and get as much blood as you can. Bonus points if you can send a winding way core through your bloodstream to detonate in his.
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: VAMPIRIC CONNECTION

Slam your sword into his back, hop off his shoulder, bloody grapple the ground, carve a line through his back, all the while using your sword to siphon excess blood from the wound. Fall back and process the new information.
>>
No. 231948 ID: bf39da

Go into puppet mode (spikes in the ground and/or walls + UNTOUCHABLE). This will allow you to maneuver even when you should not be able to.

Lets try this then. Remember that assassin that came for you? Lets try to replicate his techs, Harksburton style.
Focus on a small section of your blood using mass connection and put it on top of a sanguine lance to strike at whats-his-face. When you hit(after your attack), make that section fall off while still keeping your focus on it with mass connection, try to make something like an energy wire to connect that blood to you or your blood.
Next time Jeeba goes near that blood, run your energy along the mass connection line and spike the blood into his hamstring.

If this works out, we could have an awesome minefield made of blood and great potential for mindgames.
>>
No. 231950 ID: 445c48

Try to get a little more of his blood, see if that does anything with your White Blood
>>
No. 231956 ID: e31d52

I'm a little sad we don't have enough blood for Bloody Pinions.
>>
No. 231971 ID: f4e4f9

1. His combat style revolves around rotation and tortion of the spine when striking?

Dunno about stopping it, but you can mitigate it's effects on stray landed hits. Use some of your blood to reinforce your spinal column. Because it's default state is fluid and it hardens in response to applied force, it should allow you to maintain flexibility while still preventing your spine from shattering like a graham cracker or wrenching too badly.

2. He wants evasive? So be it. Apply Melting Golem Tendrils to enhance movement (here on out, lets just call it something like Hematic Mobility) and leave a small amount of blood an the ground while dodging him. Keep it stationary on the ground and you paint a circle around him, so that his 360 Vision can't pick it up.

SCOURGING ARENA. Send one of the tendrils for his eye. If it misses, adopt another ready stance. If it hits or glances near his eye, adopt a ready stance and say, calmly:

"THAT was for you comment on my father."

If any of the spikes are still embedded in him, try to send a winding way pulse through them, if you can.
>>
No. 231974 ID: bf39da

Oh yea right. I think he uses Kinectomancy.
>>
No. 231990 ID: a76809
File 128494251688.jpg - (905.05KB , 875x1149 , Disciples Of Domintus Knight Captain Jeeba Hechler.jpg )
231990

>>231926
I return my blood to my vestments as I consider how to go about getting more of Jeeba's blood, supposing it's addition to my system might yield further benefits. I also come to the hypothesis that if I bring the White Blood I now claim ownership of from my vestments into my body, I'll not only increase my concentration of the stuff, but improve its variety. The sanguine soakings of my clothing writhe as I slowly sift through, claiming White Blood to put in my veins, and-

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 02/??]

I can feel it. With each beat of Jeeba's cacophonous heart, I feel my own system, now stocked more amply with White Blood, growing more in tune with it. I feel some sense of countermeasures to his body starting to grow in my blood, but ultimately not knowing what that may mean I elect to first find a way to deal with Jeeba's charge, as I wonder what makes White Blood physically different from Red, and whether I might be able to cause that change myself.

>>231936
I once more turn to S.K.P. Untouchable, flitting about the arena as Jeeba charges me. I feel certain as my system draws ever closer into synchronicity with his, that he is not using a whit of active magic-which makes how close he comes to catching me with his sweeping blows a problem. He's bigger, stronger, heavier and without magic I only barely keep ahead of him, even as I consider the fate that awaited my arms when I sustained S.K.P. for too long. This is not a solution, only a means to buy time.

>>231943
With my blood now suffused with White Blood claimed from the arena floor and elsewhere, my thoughts turn towards how I could further refine it, elicit some greater degree of potency from it. I recall the Possibility Cells found within bones, that miasma of proto-soul, and I check the blood vessels connecting me to my skeleton's innards. I turn the flow of S.K.P. to also cycling through my bones, and almost immediately begin to feel as if I am... sharpening my blood, the effects of passing through my bones now actively charged with some energy within the White Blood causing a reaction. As the cycles continue with my ever-flowing blood, amidst my bones starting to acquire a slow ache, I feel something brewing, if only I can give it enough time. I find my mind racing to applications of what little I have discovered in the heat of this battle, possible some form of thoughtless, automatic defense against identified bodies, some external rejection process as my most likely idea... and the concept of turning a foe's White Blood upon them, ripping them apart from the inside out also arises in my mind.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 02.5/??]

This change in the flow of S.K.P. is also slowing me down, something I only realize as one of Jeeba's punches comes even closer, within a hair of my brow. I recall that I have as of yet kept my toga and cloak's innate magic secret, and turn my retreat into a rush, streaking towards Jeeba. I see a smile sprouting on his face as he sets his feet in an instant, a riotous right screaming towards my heart I make no move to dodge, as I divert the blood on my cloak towards crafting spikes thrusting towards his neck and face, several intended for his eyes. His fist hits my toga.

In an instant I feel the toga fluttering, a ripple that has nothing to do with the wind traveling through its fabric as the blood simply burns away, every last drop in the toga-and as it does, a drop of force reaches me, as if a child had tapped my chest. Simultaneous to this I see Jeeba's sternum cracking with the sound of thunder, chest caving in as broken shards of bone tear through his skin, blood spraying and swiftly caught by the tentacles I still strive towards face and neck with. I see surprise on his face, a moment of uncertainty into which my attack interposes itself, spikes flattening against his absurdly durable flesh-and wrapping about his neck like a noose, interior lining with teeth as I set the blood to revolving, looking to simply saw his head off and be done with it before he can take me seriously.

Even with his chest caved in, He does not falter, his hands rushing in about my form, looking to simply encircle and crush me-and I think he could do it. Instead of attempting retreat, I strive deeper, maintaining my momentum, as I finish splitting the energy in my left arm, its blood flow sectioned off from the rest of my body as I sow Chaos, and trigger a repeating burst of Winding Way, already bracing for the agony that comes lancing through my arm.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROLIFIC PUGILISM!"

My fist slams into Jeeba's chest, right where his reflected blow struck, and while the shock-waves that tear apart lesser foes outright strip his flesh back even more slowly than Seijuu, the preexisting wound aids it's process, half his chest now having its skin and muscle peel back above broken and crumbling bone-and amidst the spray of blood, I see a hint of his heart, my still outstretched hand striving for it...

But my blow turns into my undoing, the repeating force throwing back Jeeba faster than my airborne form can follow, harshly pulling free his ox-like neck from my grasp, a bleeding circle marking his flesh in place of a severed neck, simply too dense for me to cut through as I move the wealth of his blood I scavenged towards my veins again. As Jeeba flies into the arena wall, adding yet another set of broken timber to the slowly deteriorating walls separating us from the audience, I shake my hand as I speak to Jeeba, the crowd roaring approval to our brutal clash.

"THAT was for the comment concerning my father."

I take Jeeba's blood into my body and begin processing it even as I hear his deep, rumbling laugh like ominous thunder playing partner to his still intensely throbbing heart and bellow-like breathing, as he stays impacted in the wall and speaks.

>"...Nah, you ain't like the Second that much, now that I think about it. About as easy to catch as air, but he bled you dry by inches, no big, heavy attacks, no risk, just cautious attrition. No, you're more like your father, looking to pit your strength against foes. Bet you got some phrase about pitting souls against another you like to pull out now and again? Stupid sentimental rubbish, but at least you don't fight like a coward, looks like. ...Course, your father's a shit fighter still, so its hardly an improvement to say your more like him."

With an explosion of flying timber twisting itself apart into a shower of splinters, Jeeba whirls upright, feet skidding to a halt as his abrupt bout with severe rotation ends, as I see muscle already moving to re-weave bone into place and begin healing, as he wipes a thin trickle of blood from beneath one nostril.

>"So, I just insulted Keddic Harksburton the Third AGAIN, what are you going to do about it? Its not like I'm saying it just to piss you off, I genuinely believe it. Yes, fine, he could take a hit or two and he could dish out some heavy helpings of pain, but he never had enough... enough thirst for power to be a real Warrior. That's what I hate about your whole family, actually. Father Oggduro speaks highly of the First Keddic, and he is sparing with praise, so I have to believe he had some real talent to him... but your father? A bare shadow of him, a pathetic knock-off. Go ahead, charge me just like your idiot father, see how well that ends for you. Even with Soul Magic on his side he couldn't fell me, do you really think crippled as you are you could stop me? Prove it, boy!"

While I try to mask my panting from exertion and grimace from pain, Jeeba's hands are held rigidly open, his body in a loose stance, knees heavily bent as if to leap into motion, as I watch the cut about his throat beginning to seal up. ...I cannot help but also note that, between the time I've had to keep circulating my blood, particularly my White Blood, through my bones, and the assimilation of even more of Jeeba's blood...

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 03/??]

I feel as if my blood has become... deeper, somehow, richer... more potent. I sense the White Blood cells I pulled into my form, from Jeeba's own few to those pulled from my cloak, all now identical to my own, as fully mine as if I grew them myself... and my increased saturation hums with power to my senses. ...This is both good and bad. While this relatively easy growth on a subject I had struggled with before is wondrous, it rather heavily suggests I am facing a warrior with a more potent, more honed Soul than eye, encouraging growth through our clash... I did not need the further reminder that Jeeba is likely stronger than I by a fair margin. Still, if I can ride this wave of growth, put together the knowledge gained earlier with the struggle-fueled growth I seem to find now, maybe...


What should I say or do?
Do I have any further ideas on how to promote White Blood growth or development?
>>
No. 231992 ID: e31d52

"Enough! Are you going to fight me, or are you going to talk all day!? If you want to see a damn fight, then do so! Cease with your pointless insults and come at me like a goddamn MAN!"
>>
No. 231996 ID: a76809

[Oh, and, just an FYI, the guy in blue and white pants is Keddic The Second, circa when Jeeba ran into him on the battlefield, and this most recent pic is Keddic The Third, once again circa when Jeeba ran into them. So, thirty years ago for the Third, seventy years ago for the Second. Thought I should clarify.]
>>
No. 231999 ID: d3dfb8

Are there any rocks lying around? I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate suddenly having a rock where a large part of his brain should be.
>>
No. 232003 ID: e31d52

>>231999
I reeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaally wouldn't recommend large projectiles against a guy whose main defense is spinning. Wouldn't want to hurt the crowd.
>>
No. 232004 ID: d3dfb8

>>232003
Actually, I was thinking telekill.
>>
No. 232009 ID: b18ccb

"What was that, old man? You're whispering again. It's always the ears that go first, that's what they say. And stop your demented old ramblings and fight me, Cur."

First, We must not Falter in the face of this Cur! Remember to Roar your Attacks, to set the Fear of Harksburton into him! Even this simple faux sword should be Roared Aloud!
"WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON! BLOODY LION!

Next, as he heals his bones if you can still feel your blood in his, send to to that protosoul! Subvert them, take his strength for your's! Have your Blood Infest, Spawn, Control his Blood.
Next, let us use this White Blood: If the Cur of Hechler is weakened by our Way of The Harksburton: White Lion Stalking - but Hush! We must not Roar this, for it would give the show away! - We should meditate on the blood we have acquired. Not all of it was shed by you, young Keddic, or this Cur of Hechler!Search through the BLOODY MIND of all the warriors who fought! One of them must have some blood magic they could share, or a skill that the Way of The Harksburton could use!

And if that Cur has not been weakened, gather Together that White Blood and ready a simple spear of Blood to drive into his wounded chest. "WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: IVORY LANCE!" Let us see what power is within this White Blood for pure offensive attacks.

And a thought to ponder: What do you know of the Harksburton Line before Keddic the First?

And lastly, remember the ways of My Son: Learn The Second's Style, as well, to augment your own!



[First: I was wondering about the pictures, because they didn't really look like a creepy man with white hair and white eyes and vampire teeth. Second: As someone attempting to be the voice of the First, I really hope we get a picture of the First before too long! I also hope he looks suitably badass.]
>>
No. 232011 ID: a594b9

SENSING and REJECTION eh? It would be quite useful to utilize it to SENSE where our foe is going to attack, so that the White Blood would rush there and REJECT the blow. Like improved dermal armor.

Or, you could have it start rushing through your muscles too. Or brain? Is that a good idea? Brain's kinda squishy, don't want to subject it to too much pressure.

I also wonder... could you prompt your body to make more of this stuff? You must produce it yourself for it to exist.
...Hey. You could internally try to attack the white blood, to cause it to eat your red blood to make more white blood.
>>
No. 232032 ID: a69afd

>>231990
We can further increase the effectiveness of the white blood in several ways, we just need to change the course the mass of white blood takes through our veins. We should keep moving the white blood through our marrow on a regular basis to improve the sharpness, we should also leave some clusters of white blood cells to sit in the bone marrow every other circulation to increase the exposure of these two potent tools to each other. We should focus on having our blood travel through two important areas, the liver and spleen. Where the liver, lungs, and brain are concerned, we have(thanks to our control of blood) a direct line of travel from our bloodstream to the outside world. If we can use our external blood to bring oxygen straight to the liver without giving Keddic an aneurysm, we can drastically improve his entire body, from how quickly he can respond to attacks, to how much internal blood he can make in a single SKP infused circulation. The spleen is even more important because of it's ability to store and recycle red blood, and the ability to make white blood cells. If we sacrifice some of our extra external blood and feed it directly into the spleen to trigger the recycling process, we get extra blood iron which Keddic can use to reinforce his fists or his pseudo-sword, and we get extra white blood to run through the sharpening process. If you really want to speed up the growth and potency of white blood, give it something to fight. White blood is made to defend the body against foreign substances already, the more stuff it fights, and the more times it fights, it gets stronger. Rub dirt in your wounds Keddic, no pain, no gain.

As to what should be done with Jeeba, double non-sword hematic reversal with double bloody grapple aimed at his ankles. Make him fall on his back, then SANGUINE CRUSHER to reopen his chest.
>>
No. 232040 ID: d3dfb8

>>232032
That makes me think, we should ask Mordre to teach us a little magnetomancy. Use it to manipulate the iron in our blood. It could be used to coat the edges of our spikes for increased cutting power.
Also, mayhaps an alchemical augmentation could be made to increase the natural amount of iron in the Keddic's body.
>>
No. 232046 ID: 3b7f1a

Hmm... perhaps Endo-Tele-Strike? If he gains a significant portion of Jeeba's flesh, Keddic could feed it to his White Blood Cells. It does not need to be flesh even; anything that is part of Jeeba's body is good enough, because what we want is an effective defense against Jeeba's attacks. Known attacks of Jeeba are primarily in the physical world, directed by his body, so we want our White Blood Cells to attack his body. The only attack we know of that does not use the body is the sphere of body-rejection ownership (which sounds a lot like what Abaeloth's defense. In that it involves the destruction of matter. Perhaps they had the same teacher? teachers of combat styles closely related in the heredity line of martial styles?), but that's Soul Magic and cannot be used while he is regenerating (why? Is he, like, turning that sphere of ownership onto his body and forcing the idea of his body not being whole and unmarred from him? That seems like how the sphere works: This place is mine. None who are not me may exist in this sanctified place. On further thought, it sounds more like what WBCs do, sense what is foreign and reject it. …! Hey, can Keddic do this? Project a sphere like Jeeba‘s basing it more on WBCs than sanctity of the soul? Perhaps concentrate his WBCs under his skin and force the ‘SENSE‘ and ‘REJECTION‘ magic contained in all WBCs out into the space around the body and rotate the magic into a sphere? This is turning into a much too long digression, onward to the original thought.). Since the concentration of White Blood Cells in a particular region of the body increases in response to the invasion of the body by foreign organisms, the dissemination of Jeeba's tissue into Keddic's bloodstream might provoke an accelerated rate of propagation of WBCs by the Possibility Cells contained in the bone. ...Though I think it takes hours for the mounting of an effective defense by the body if the foreign organism isn't one that the body hasn't fought off before? So, unless the fight takes hours, that won't be immediately useful. Correct me if I am wrong; I am not an expert on WBCs. The only ones I am remotely familiar with are lymphocytes.

…But, Keddic wants the cells themselves, and the magic potential contained within them, even if the 'protect body from disease' aspect would be thoroughly useful and a goal to be worked for. There's magic involved though, so perhaps influence the cells we got from Jeeba to release the stimulants(?) that tell the hematopoietic stem cells to produce more of that particular lympocytes’ kind?

...Hmm, considering Oz's comments on partial soul death, if Jeeba loses limbs, is his Soul Magic weakened? That is, does a piece of his soul dissipate when a limb is disconnected from the main body? Though, even if his Magic isn't weakened, we could still absorb his bones, couldn't we? gain his Possibility Cells? take a piece of his potential soul?

On a Goran-inspired idea, can Keddic modify his WBCs so that, instead of ‘REJECTION’, it’s more ‘COMSUMPTION’? So that, when presented with the body (and soul?) of another, Keddic can direct his blood to eat it, gaining the power for his own. We’re doing that with blood already, so why not other parts of the body? Though… the method of melding is not available to Keddic, isn’t it. With blood, it’s easy, just pour it into Keddic’s blood vessels, he’s a master of blood, he can reset it to himself. But skin? bone? muscle? That’s not Keddic’s area of expertise. Perhaps, since blood touches almost every area in the body at some point or another, Keddic might be able to modify his body to absorb organic material directly, instead of the particles carried through the blood? What I am thinking of is turning his entire body into something like miniature stomachs and intestines, which most cells already are, I think, just not on the scale I am thinking of. Even if Keddic can’t do that with just Blood and Will Magic, can he modify his body enough of that he could render down bodies with his blood and then directly feed his cells with the particles formerly of another’s body to gain some/all of the power contained in that (part even) body?
>>
No. 232071 ID: a76809
File 128495571817.jpg - (329.38KB , 1167x800 , Keddic Harksburton The First Forger Of Proud Lion .jpg )
232071

>>231999
[No rocks, just sand on arena floor.]

>>232040
I find myself thinking of the future, wondering if by gaining some measure of Magnetomantic mastery, I could better control my blood, better make armor or edges. I even consider seeking out some alchemical augmentation to grant my body higher iron concentrations in my blood, just as I now seek higher White Blood portions. But while certainly ideas of note, both for improving and further refining the augmentations passed down the Harksburton, and for improving the Way's function, I can do nothing with them now. I try my best to file them away, to recall later and perhaps broach to Mordre, who has thus far established himself as an excellent man to get things done.

For now, I must deal with Jeeba, still awaiting my attack.

>>232011
>>232032
I feel ideas floating to mind, like grasping enlightenment from thin air, as I desperately strive to kick-start the power I know dwells in White Blood. I continue my circulation of blood through bone, now pooling at least half my White Blood Count within my marrow per cycle, increasing the exposure time between White Blood and Possibility Cells. I feel the rate at which the sense of sharpening grows in my blood pick up pace, even as I feel my White Blood more strongly in my senses, as if it were growing, bit by bit.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 04/??]

I press on, desperate to use this brief window where Jeeba does not hound me and I can focus inward, to try more, do more. I let the White Blood circulating in my system start to cluster about my liver, as I rely on my fine control of Blood magic to start grafting White Blood to the organ in question, seeking to... augment its function. I begin pulling blood from my cloak into my veins, as I turbocharge my liver, fire in my side as I pump oxygen directly, my mind burning as my blood vessels churn, blood being recycled and rebuilt at ludicrous rates, agony building-but I keep any White Blood from being recycled, even as I encourage the development of more White Blood. I see Jeeba quirking an eyelid as my cloak's blood supply recedes in hazy whorls, my coat joining my toga in pristine whiteness before re-staining red as I pump the excess blood out of my body. As I finish cycling all the blood I had, biting back a gasp of pain from my inflamed side and blinding headache....

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 05/?? INITIAL LIMIT BREACHED CRUDE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY GAINED]
>-Minor Passive Regeneration Gained
>-Automatic Reactive Defenses (Blood-Tasted Foes)
>-Blood Magic now Arcane Defense Piercing

I feel the changes wrought by making fully a fifth of my blood White Blood. I fee that sense of knowing Jeeba, of his rage and way, ingrained in my veins, a promise not just that his attacks will be seen, but that his defenses will be broken. I feel my broken arm singing with the White Blood, the huge masses within and without vastly accelerating the healing, fracture mending. I feel my tired arms relaxing as muscle re-knits, and my back's bruising begins to recede. The pain in my head cools far more slowly, and my liver is taking its time, but ultimately looks to recover. I feel power that I knew waited to be discovered, beginning to unveil itself to me. Before I can wonder at myself more, I hear Jeeba speak again.

>"You know, I was going to kill a spectator to make you hurry up, but looks like you got something brewing there... now what made your skin change like that?"

I look to myself to find once tanned and scarred flesh now gray-gold, the reduced saturation of red within my veins leaving me ashen and yellow in turn, but rather than looking sickly I look slightly metallic. The effect isn't severe... but if I were to increase the saturation, it likely would. Ultimately this is only secondary to my attention now, as with my energy rebounding with my recent gambits and forays into White Blood, I decide that I need not restrain my words to the scion of Hechler.

>>231992
"Enough! Are you going to fight me, or are you going to talk all day!? If you want to see a damn fight, then do so! Cease with your pointless insults and come at me like a goddamn MAN!"
>"..Heh... HAH!!"

Thoroughly goaded and with spittle flying from his straining lips, Jeeba rushes forward, his body flying into a spin-as I here words flying out of his mouth, my sense of his blood portraying an incredible build of energy coming.

"WAY OF HECHLER: TREMENDOUS TORTION TOUCH!!"

>>232009
[So, can't read minds of foes whose blood you harvested, controlling another's blood like that would take AT LEAST a 15 on your White Blood rating, but otherwise-]

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: IVORY LANCE!!"

Without thought I raise my arm, extending a spear of blood from my wrists even as I condense White Blood within its tip. My vision still swimming from my beating head, I barely note the precise direction I send off the protrusion, knowing only it is aimed at my foe. I see his whirling form raising a hand to brush aside my attack as if it were rubbish-

And I just as easily see the spear shimmering with an ivory gleam flashing across it's scarlet expanse, the spike of blood tearing through Jeeba's hand like paper, two fingers dropping to the ground The blade continues on, questing towards his heart, and I see Jeeba straining as he halts his spin before he impales himself.

Immediately leaping without pause into a vertical spin, bringing a leg around to fall on me like an executioner's axe as he shouts out a cry.

"WAY OF HECHLER: CONQUEROR'S HEEL!!"

Without time to switch from my open stance to something more evasive and caught off guard by his abrupt vector change, I raise my arms over my head, realizing too late that no blood extends down my sleeves, white cloth awaiting the blow. The leg drops, and the floor beneath me craters and flattens.

With a resounding boom that echoes through the arena, several spectators clapping hands over their ears in pain at the palpable intensity of the impact sweeps across them, the ground cratering beneath me as my arms break, even through the mass of White Blood that moved without my need to direct, warding my body from harm. What would have been a fatal strike, driving my borken flesh into the ground to slay and bury me in a single move, not even bringing me to my knees. ...I wonder at just HOW durable I have become, as I nurse my arms with internal wraps of White Blood, my one arm now a mass of fractures after the earlier break was exacerbated by this new impact. ....And yet all of it, I feel beginning to heel.

Spinning through the air on a rebound from his riotous impact with me, demonstrating a nimbleness I would not have expected from one of his size, Jeeba lands heavily as he regards his left hand, idly pulling off the little finger that hangs by only a few strands of flesh. He speaks with a calmness that seems completely at odds with what I have seen from him yet, his face looking strange so masked in calm.

>"I couldn't see it. I can see your blood flow, I've fought enough of your family to know how your style works. I saw the pooling of blood, the launching of your spear of blood... and I don't know what you did. The Second, the Third, I could see their actions, even if I could not slay them.... but you... I find myself recalling what my father told me of the First, the founder of your house. A prodigy with blood and iron alike, always learning, always dreaming, new ways of death appearing in his possession as if divine will. He was one that could lay waste to armies, was a pillar of strength, bested only by time, no one ever taking victory from him, in any form. My father said the few fights he had with him made his blood sing, made the world grow quiet.... Could you give me the same, Fourth? Could you grant me violence enough to sate me?"

I sense Jeeba's soul swelling, his blood-flow partly masked by sheer magical pressure as static starts to pop in the air around him, as his face contorts into a look of expectant joy and jubilation. As I demand an explanation from the White Blood as to his intentions and receive naught, I find my thoughts flitting back to what I know of my Great Grandfather, the Founder. The First forged the Proud Lion with his own blood, linking it to our family line. He likewise crafted the Obdurate Ox, an armor worked with palladium and blood, so heavily amplifying any magic worked through it that in the hands of a Harksburton using the Way it is an implacable Bastion. I know he was a smith's apprentice once, before joining the army and ultimately finding the fame and glory that lead to his ascendancy... and beyond that, I know little indeed. My thoughts snap away from this as I carefully consider how to respond to Jeeba's out of character question.


What should I say or do?
Should I attempt another blood circulation to make more White Blood yet?
Do I have further ideas of how to use or improve White Blood to further my understanding?
Do I have any desire to try and pull more second-hand accounts of my Great-Grandfather from my foe?
>>
No. 232073 ID: e31d52

Don't reply.

Pool White Blood about your shoulders and chest.

It's time for the [b]IVORY LION'S MANE[/i].
>>
No. 232083 ID: a594b9

Let him speak further. We need to recover. Keep him talking a little longer so that we have time to heal a little...

Next time he attacks, how about a bit of WHITE LION'S MANE? The same attack we used on the first dude, but add white blood tips so that it actually hurts him. No more active tentacles. Keep dodging so he doesn't catch you with another heel.
>>
No. 232085 ID: 3b7f1a

Why don't we snatch up the severed fingers? We get more WBCs, and the Possibility Cells in the bone.
>>
No. 232089 ID: 903f16

>>232071

>What should I say or do?

You can let your actions speak for themselves, he'll find you more than live up to The First's name. Form up another blade of blood and use a portion of White Blood to give it a keener edge. After his first encounter with that technique he probably underestimate it a tad and may give us an opening to strike him, hoping for another counter attack like he got to give us before. If he doesn't you can extend your range with Scion's reach and just launch the thing at him. If even that fails then there's always an upgraded version of Lion's Mane to fall back on.

>Should I attempt another blood circulation to make more White Blood yet?

Do it, but be careful. There may be a point where you could over saturate yourself. Let's just hope you don't discover it the hard way.

>Do I have further ideas of how to use or improve White Blood to further my understanding?

You can still make more improvements to your internal organs to facilitate the increased growth of WBCs. In this case you should now turn your attention towards a little gland located in front of your heart, but below your sternum. It's the thymus and it produces a particular flavor of WBC called a T cell and a secretion that controls other aspects of your immune system.

>Do I have any desire to try and pull more second-hand accounts of my Great-Grandfather from my foe?

What about the first time your two families met on the battle field? Also, see if you remember where the Obdurate Ox is now. It seems like it would only be fitting to have it with the Proud Lion, especially now that you could really put it's magic amplifying effects to use with your new found power.
>>
No. 232091 ID: f4e4f9

With white blood powering your defense and reinforcing your body...how would the functionally self-destructive Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism and True Blow Multi-Strike react, when used together?

I wonder.

Also: White blood is closely linked with sensing and detecting, is it not?

Pool a larger percentage into the blood vessels within your eyes, amplify your alchemically enhanced vision.

What do you see?
>>
No. 232093 ID: d3dfb8

I wonder what would happen if the blood toga/cloak had a coating of purely white blood.
>>
No. 232096 ID: 56dc25

I would certainly speak further. Not only does it buy us time to heal (assuming that we're healing faster than he is, which is questionable), but regardless of how rude this guy is when he speaks of our family, he's a valuable source of information due to his age and skeptical, hostile perspective.

And as a backup plan, if we end up losing, having convinced Jeeba that we're going to grow into someone who can "make his blood sing" might make him decide to spare us instead of finishing us off. Which would be humiliating, but probably better than dying. Not that we will actually need this backup plan since Keddic will of course wipe the floor with this guy, but it can't hurt to make a good impression.

>>232085
This is a very good point. If we learned this much about our opponent from a mere taste of his blood, think how much more knowledge of him our white blood could gain from thoroughly investigating his very bones, with their close link to his own blood's formation.

If white blood governs sensing and rejection, then gaining a more complete understanding not only how your white blood works but also how his works could give you the ability to not only sense and reject his attacks, but also to attack in such a way that his form will not sense and reject you- that his very blood, tied so closely to the ability to sense and reject attacks, will deem you no threat and pass its judgment on to the rest of him.
>>
No. 232126 ID: a594b9

Um, don't attempt another white blood circulation until you've healed up. It drained you and made you a sitting duck.
>>
No. 232133 ID: a69afd

>>232071
Now that you have the basics of manipulating white blood down, it's time to refine the process, and assign your white blood cells proper tasks to help achive not only victory in this battle, but change your body into a true fighting machine. First things first, you must learn to control white blood cells as individuals so you can make the whole system stronger. Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes- these are your five new best friends. We've got to change your body so your techniques stop hurting you and wasting your newfound passive regeneration, and start making your innards extra durable so you can exert more effort towards devastating your enemies. Your main problem right now, is the stress put on your veins from all of these new tricks. There is one type of white blood cell in particular that will guide us in the endeavor of augmenting your bloodstream. Neutrophils, they are the most numerous of your white blood cells, and they already have the job of coating the walls of your blood vessels and barring entry of any foreign substances. So, starting in the heart and radiating outwards towards your extremites, perform a mass grafting of Neutrophils to the walls of your major arteries, and then repeat the process with your veins as the mass of white blood recirculates into the heart. Now your bloodstream will become a literal highway, able to support this rapid production and circulation of blood. This will be the easiest and one of the most helpful changes to your body. Now, we aren't dealing with parasites, germs, or bacteria of any major threat at the moment, so Eosinophils, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes really ain't helping our current situation. However, that does not mean we can't prepare for future events that may involve any combination of those things. Once your veins and arteries have been reinforced, start concentrating those three white blood cell types together and placing clusters of them at chokepoints in your circulatory and digestive system. Now you've got roadblocks in place to make even the worst diaseases and ailments are weakened if not outright eliminated before they reach your major organs. Last but not least, are the Basophils, which make up only one percent of your total white blood cell count. These cells are already known for producing an immediate reaction against external influences, so it stands to reason that these cells most of all should be the frontline fighters. Send every last one you can find right to your cloak and toga, there they can do their job with unparalelled efficiency, as well as amplifying our defense to astounding levels. And there you have it, building a better Keddic, one step at a time.
>>
No. 232240 ID: 445998

Keep talking about family and combat styles. That fight-maniac might be held at bay while you soak up more of his power and master yourself. Don't try another blood circulation, you don't know the limits of how much white blood you can support.

"Looks like there's some respect in you still, Jeeba. I suggest you savour this moment to its fullest as I'll show you the true power of a Harksburton heir born for battle!"

But hold on Keddic! That power you got from Jeeba's blood... Perhaps there's something else about it. He doesn't seem to use blood magic, but could his family style with its rotations and circular movements have been ingraining some kind of deep secret into his very bloodcells?! There may be far more power to be had. Try forming a blood gauntlet and SPIN the liquid blood in a wide circle around your fist at max speed while building one or more winding way cores in that very fist! Once you reach full power, strike him with all your might! Remember how blood also stands for family! This is the WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: CONSANGUINE ENGINE! (Essentially a weaponized blood centrifuge)
>>
No. 232277 ID: 10f195

As the Ivory lance recedes, grab his fingers and try and get to his bone marrow with your white cells.
>>
No. 232287 ID: 46c430

His soul is swelling? Perhaps he prepares to use Soul Magic. He certainly seems to be settling down for a true fight now. Beware his feet, Keddic.
>>
No. 232288 ID: 46c430

...Hey. The blood toga? I wonder if its effects would be greater if it was soaked in pure white blood, as opposed to just ordinary mish-mash blood? They -are- both centered around REJECTION, so...
>>
No. 232289 ID: 2c5251
File 128501494353.jpg - (394.82KB , 1676x1376 , MORTAL COMBAT!.jpg )
232289

>>231921
>Does that provide enough info on family
Ummm... yeah... actually so much that I'm a bit confused but thats probably my poor reading comprehension.

But
>[F-F-F-FANART INFO BONUS]
Thats not what I meant by contributing. I preferred a combat bonus... Or at least if the information provided was unique and directly useful making us powerful.



Anyway, to avoid further misunderstandings I request that the bonus be combat oriented or helping develop white bloodcelss.
Also, I hope to get double-bonus as I spent-HOLY FUCK!- the better of parts of the past two days drawing this.
Also, I found new respect fro painters/drawfags.... Shit was tedious and frustrating and didn't come out that good anyway.

Next time I'll just draw someone standing and looking intensely at something. All these postures are hard to draw.


Now for a suggestion.
Keddic, try to get a hold of your foes white bloodcells. Since he is much more powerful and much better augmented than you, I suppose that his white bloodcells are different and much more potent and probably hold lots of info. Try to incorporate his design and produce blood cells similar to his. Also try to steal the information on his augmentation and try to jury-rig them as your own!
>>
No. 232300 ID: f4e4f9

>>232289
>didn't come out good

Looks awesome to me. Reminds me of stylized cartoons like the wakfu-nox special.
>>
No. 232360 ID: bf39da

Try and get a massive amount of your white blood in him next time you strike. Currently, you have a more white blood than he does, even if his is stronger, plus, yours are experienced in combating his so your cells will attack him from the inside.

No time. somebody refine this for me please.
>>
No. 232379 ID: a76809
File 128504091095.jpg - (89.52KB , 600x900 , Keddic Harksburton The First Rival Oggduro Hechler.jpg )
232379

>>232085
With my eyes glued to the finger Jeeba idly discarded, I waste no time jutting forth a claret lance to claim the prize, flaying away flesh and stripping bone as I seek his marrow, wondering if adding his Possibility cells to me could yield something of worth. I introduce this new prize into my system... and nothing happens. The cells stay dead and inert in my care, and while I deposit them within my own skeleton, in the hopes they can be revived, no initial signs point to this hope being well founded.

>>232089
As I begin pulling blood from my cloak and veins alike to form a sanguine sword once more, my thoughts turn inward, in the haze of revelations. A heart, its beat, no matter what kind of blood I manipulate surely the Heart must be of grave importance? I cast into myself, seeking more clues to using White Blood-and find something. Not the heart itself, but near it, just before it, a tiny gland. I likely would not even have noted its presence as being relevant at all, were it not positively shining to my inward perception, so heavily involved in White Blood as to be unmistakable. I delve into this space, this White Place within my body... and I feel a sense of Order, of command and precision that could be grafted to my recently swollen supply of the ivory fluids.

I reach for it.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 06/?? CRUDE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

As I feel a heightened sense of clarity and uniformity spreading through my body, I try to mask my workings as I speak to Jeeba, noting that I can no longer see his heart, the bone and muscle already halfway reknit.

"I recall the tales of the First clashing with Oggduro that I have been told, but it is my understanding that Oggduro himself is still alive, is this not so?"
>"My father yet lives, this is true."
"...How is the blighter, that advanced in age?"
>"His power has waned, I am well aware. I look forward to killing him and proving my right to lead the family, once I have tasted the death of a Dragon. I must say, I have found the countryside... invigorating, so survivalist, might equating rank without exception., and it has been an excellent place to gain sufficient notoriety and experience with the local ways that I could have some grasp of what makes a Dragon so. I imagine you are here for the same."
"..I suppose this is true, as I have met a Dragon but once... but I must agree, there is something fundamentally altered about their existence, their souls too bright-"
>"You belie your pathetic family history with your analysis. That is exactly what I have not yet found the means to fathom, how they can exist with that state of near death epiphany always, just by existing. That is the secret to strength, pure and great, and I want it.... and I'm not keen to share with some whelp like you. But I'll tell you this, since I think you're going to give me some real entertainment, I'll indulge in a bit of remembrance, of one other thing said by my father, of one of his exchanges with the first."
"A story of my own family from a rival house? How could I not attend?"
>"First, you must understand that whatever my father is now, back then, some one hundred and fifty years ago... he was a type of Strength that was rare indeed, and were he still that potent, I think I'd still not even be dreaming of supplanting him."
"Fine, I understand you, now on with it!"
>"...Oggduro fought Keddic the First in Athelens, when both got involved on opposed sides of a civil war. My father, in all his might, was broken without hesitation-and spared. The first left to save some peasants and soldiers alike that had been threatened in their contest's riot, instead of taking the time to insure my old man stayed down. Be aware, that this is a rather lengthy thing, to make him die... or me. But ultimately, it was through repeated brushes with your First that he claims he reached his peak. Not words he said lightly."


I find myself wishing that the Obdurate Ox were not the current possession of my father as the Head of the family, likewise wishing the Proud Lion in my hands.

As I find this not happening, I resign myself to finding some means to make due, as I almost drunkenly sway forward, neurons still firing in massive bursts as the means to control White Blood continues to flow to me. I hope I can ride this wave, as long as I can, as I feel there is so very much more I could do with this, and facing a soul greater than my own, with a threat to grow on... oh, the growth I could accomplish! I've had my education, on what was learned of the soul before the ban, and my father and grandfather both admitted to having at least a moment or two of these themselves, even going so far as to advise me to strive with my every fiber to keep dreaming as I fight.

>>232091
The wave of enlightenment on sanguine matters continues when I once more attempt an experiment that does not end of backfiring with crippling consequences, still favoring my side as my liver aches. I move White Blood to my eyes, slowly maneuvering them down capillaries and into the iris, and tentatively, into the retina-

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 07/?? RUDIMENTARY WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

I see... threat, or the possibility of it. Anything that ultimately might have to be rejected is given a glow of varying urgency, Jeeba flaring bright contrast to the soft glow of the audience, several of the drunker members feeling more antagonistic than their brethren.

...I know this. Dulu oft spoke of how he was so evasive, and he mentioned feeling threat beforehand, and simply acting accordingly. This would seem to fit, all too well. The simple pooling of magical energy via cellular manipulation yields to me... a danger sight, unless I miss my guess.

The tiny pit of White in my continues to contribute Order to my system, binding it to me ever tighter as I dart towards Jeeba-

And proceed to dodge his fist easily, having seen the Threat coming far in advance, the look of shock in his wide white eyes as he still reels from just how much faster I seem to be, this ever growing command of White Blood as my own blood is swarming with it brings enhanced performance to the footwork of Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism. ..As I feel the power building, I wonder at what would come of my ever more Ordered system commanding Chaos with the True blow of Prolific Pugilism. This new growth may make that recent technique harder to use, even as my control of my blood skyrockets with the added presence of the White blood discovered in the space near my heart. With speed now vastly greater, I continue to push my moment, my fist slicing through the air like a reaping scythe, the charge of Winding Way in my fist accompanied by S.K.P. backed striking and a spherical glove of White blood heavy vital fluids adds to my fist's mass.

I slam my fist home into Jeeba's half-healed heart.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON:"

I trigger the Winding way pulse as the surging waves of blood add to my impact.

"PROUD LION!!"

The sphere of blood enveloping my fist explodes into a bed of spikes and tendrils so prolific, so manifold, that it merely looks like chaotically swirling mist, a rabid dance that only my new vision can see through, as it see a Threat ending. The blood returns to my hand in an instant, having simply cored Jeeba's body, removing his heart entirely, his body hurled back by the sheer kinetic energy my blow and added momentum when I struck delivered.

Jeeba hits a wall.

Again, from having his heart attacked.

And again I find him starting to rise, face snarling and grinning alike in my direction, as his body writhes, his Threat blooming, as I see arteries and veins alike already straddling the gory crater, a new heart beginning to grow as muscle and bone around it grow at an accelerated rate for a brief while, establishing some basic support before drastically slowing again, Jeeba beginning to spin in place the moment he rises, and I decide to keep my distance for the moment. The creative wave I ride could yield more than pressing the attack.

>>2321133
With my added Order enhanced connection to my White Blood, I find further differentiation reveal itself to me. There is some significant variant of White blood, some mass of considerable size that already seems tied to arteries, and the protection thereof. The connection is feeble, still the bodies default, something likely not even known concerning the body when my alchemical augmentation was designed. I direct the entirety of the mass I feel connected to this function, even those claimed from other bodies, recycled and new alike, all are grafted to my arteries from my heart outward, coating ever vessel of outward circulation with a heavy set of internal armoring-and a magical mainline to further enhance diffusion of Blood Magic into my own body with a White Blood amplification. As the White blood attuned to this function continues on its way, it simply runs out of space to coat on my arteries, and is only just spent coming back coating my veins alike. Magic surges as I struggle to concentrate, the blinding overuse my brain is undergoing incredible, even with the issue of migraine now alleviated as the blood vessels function more ably.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 08/?? RUDIMENTARY WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]


I press on, unwilling to give up growth to pain or danger. An adventurer never stops striving.

I consider the rest of my White blood, now thinned of the one type I so recently found, I feel something that smacks too strongly of Rejection, of one of the pillars of how I understand White Blood, for me to leave sitting in my veins. Every last bit I can find I move from wrists to toga and cloak alike, distributing the meager amount as evenly as I can I find my sense of ownership to toga and cloak alike blossom considerably as it falls deeper under the pall of my Order. I feel my vestments independently orienting themselves to Jeeba, readying their existence towards his threat without the need for my thought or direction. ...I believe that I shall have to name my cloak at least. ...And quite possibly get it in shag or brocade or some such thicker cloth, more space to store blood.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 09/?? BASIC WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

I turn my attention inward again, marveling that my mind can race so swiftly, blood flow so rapidly, that I can do so much while Jeeba continues to rise, extricating himself as if in slow motion as my mind continues through the electric haze of epiphany. I look upon my White blood, finding something that makes me think of besting disease or poison, the threat internal-and I find it scattered haphazardly about my system, in all its forms. Being of a military upbringing, I tactically reorder it, armoring and enforcing choke-points, pathways to organs and bones alike of the heaviest concentration. This effectively creates internal sealing to prevent any threat from claiming more than a small section of my body, as the whole rest of my hale self crushes it. I find myself feeling healthier by sheer dint of anticipation, especially as I consider the plummeting prospects of my assassination.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 10/?? BASIC WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

My knowledge, my Blood. As I learn, my connection grows, mind and body becoming more attuned to the richer brew I have made my own blood, as well as the external organs that are now my toga and cloak.

>>232240
My attention turns towards the blood and Marrow of Jeeba I claimed, looking closer with greater sight-and finding the cells twisted, minute amplifiers for Jeeba's spinning motion, enhancing spells withing their pall. ...I think I could replicate this, with my own blood, if I dared another circulation to overproduce it, and the blood would be less effective in normal uses, but I believe I could indeed steel his technique. ...In fact, twisted blood might be ideal for my garments, as spinning spikes or tentacles would ultimately be more effective, achieving rotational ablative force, becoming sanguine drills. I consider If I might do attempt this, to make my now automatically defensive array even more potent. This is an idea to ponder, and expands my knowledge of blood in general, and I am grateful I could catch it amidst my flurry of White blood epiphanies.

>>232289
[FANART COMBAT BONUS, AS REQUESTED]
I dash forward as Jeeba begins spinning yet again, energy swelling as he does, gathering in fist and foot. He's more accustomed to my speed now, and his own spin is viciously swift. But my sight of Threat shows my a patch where nothing could possibly harm me, a dark tunnel in a sea of sullenly glowing pain and death. I leap through this path before me, and find myself flitting through Jeeba's whirling defense without harm, much to my foes surprise as the battle-cry dies on his lips while he scrabbles to react. A fist coated in a sphere of blood jets forth to accompany my appearance.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROUD LION!!!"

Again the explosion of blood moving with a... a sense of Chaos, as if the Winding Way energy inverted the building Order I brew, the chaos carving out a deep channel along Jeeba's leg, crippling the leg as he drops to his knees, my momentum carrying me past. I turn about again as footwork swift enough to turn my riotous flight into a smooth, spinning landing to an idle boxer's dancing stance, as I face my struggling foe, throwing some old Harksburton charm into the air, speaking in Low dragon again.

"Ah, nice try by the big one, but he doesn't seem to measure up?"
>"I can speak Low as well."

The abrupt expectant silence as the audience leans in close to watch the fallout, I watch the very air about Jeeba whirling in a dome, spinning faster and faster as it takes on a sickening rotten green tone, crazy whorls of dessication seeming to flit about as recurring images within its depths. Within this sphere, I see Jeeba standing, leg and chest completely whole again, the pouch hanging at his side empty as I note some force spreading through his blood via his stomach... he ingested something.

He only had one of them, which I suppose is some consolation as I see my foe completely unharmed again, now standing in a hemisphere of eldritch olive energy, seeming to trace every single place his body could reach, stretched from toe to fingertip, the radius thus defined for a sphere centered about his feet. His heart beat is even louder, but through that murky, swirling air, so densely under his control as to be a separate material from the simple gas it once was, there is static and strange hollows not present before. The audience alike seems ill at ease with this development, several of the spectators on the bottom, closest seats sidling back further up the stands or outright leaving.

>"You belittle me? ME!?"

With a snap from calm into an enraged mad rush, Jeeba pounces towards me, a field that from what I have seen I'd have to term a... death field flying ever closer. I feel my blood reacting to its presence, especially the White Blood.... but considering what awaited all the foes I ever saw face him in this manner, I am somewhat hesitant to simply consider it a ...non-issue, as it were.




What should I say or do?
Do I have any more ideas on how to further refine or improve my control of White Blood, and its interactions with my body as a magical amplifier?
Should I attempt another Blood cycling, to make more White Blood?
Or should I twist Blood cells for a vastly more able cloak and toga, despite only having halfway bloody vestments?
Or should I pull from internal supplies to further dampen them?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 232390 ID: e31d52

Hm.

I wonder... what if you pumped your own white blood into the toga and cloak? Hell, this is an excellent idea because it makes it damn near impossible to tell that the toga and cloak are actually full of CRAZY MAGIC BLOOD, making them instead think them empty.
WAY OF HARKSBURTON: IVORY LION'S HIDE!
>>
No. 232394 ID: d3dfb8

Fucker had a Senzu Bean.
>>
No. 232396 ID: 445c48

"Well, yes, Sorry if you got offended, shouldn't take it too personally, it's a public tournament, trying to put on a show for the audience. They rather enjoy smack-talk, banter, jokes, and such, come on, you try one. "

Man, he got kinda pissed, that was hardly even an insult. More of a joke about him being tall.
>>
No. 232400 ID: d3dfb8

>>232396
>More of a joke about him being tall.
>You belittle me? ME!?
I lold
>>
No. 232402 ID: 445c48

>>232400
Oh! Haha, oh wow, I didn't notice that, that's a good one.
>>
No. 232410 ID: f4e4f9

"Actually, I believe I was mocking the fact that you're TALL."

Punch the ground, crater it and kick up sand. Your threat-sense shouldn't be hampered by it, and I doubt he's calm enough to exercise proper caution.

Hmm. His souls death field doesn't rot his own form, I wonder: would it recognize the white blood you commandeered from his own body so recently? Would it still have some lingering sense of ownership?

Coat a lash of blood with some of Jeeba's own former blood/white blood. Strike him as you dart out of the cloud of debris.

"Close guess though."
>>
No. 232412 ID: 6a17b0

>>232379
If Blood is life, then White Blood is the protection of it.

Pull all the White Blood you can spare out of your body and vestments, and form it into as large a sword as you can, as close to the Proud Lion in size as possible.

And strike, for your life.
>>
No. 232415 ID: f4e4f9

>>232410
Nix the Sand obscurement. Neglected the omnivision Jeeba has.
>>
No. 232426 ID: b18ccb

">>232388, it's not so hard Grandpa. See, I'll do it again: 'Of course you know Low, you Cur, It's because you are low!' And really, this anger is most unbecoming. Look, you're scaring off the audience."


Keddic, perhaps allowing blood to flow through your brain that has been super-charged with white blood cells might...be able to enhance your processing time, not unlike Bang's? Or, if nothing else, stop the possibility of killing yourself as your brain goes into over drive.

Try once more to decipher the white blood inside those discard fingers and did your Proud Lion Fist - To not confuse the family blade with your own destructive blow - devour the heart? See what you have learned from that, as well, for you ate at least one of this Cur's hearts and that new gland you discovered.

Another idea is...this White Blood must produce some kind of anti-foreign-bodies against minute attackers. What if you were to use these anti-bodies to create anti-magic-bodies?. Sense in the bloody you have taken the heart of any magic and use it on these Cells to produce...an anti-magic-body, to diminish any magical attack against you to just punching, kicking or nothing. Of course, you'd have to be hit by the magic first, so that could be quiet a problem...

And let us try again to have the blood within Jeeba Hechler The Cur react poorly, rebel within him. And again let us study the blood we have claimed from other's, to sense their White Blood and, if we can not read warrior's mind with their blood, then let us try to read the Mind of the Blood! For blood should retain some basic memory of blood magic it recently had engaged in.

And one last idea to ponder, Keddic! The SKP! Release the White Lion to Roar through your veins! Feel the power rage through you!

And...if you wish to end this battle, an idea: S.K.P. WHITE ONSLAUGHT INTO WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROUD LION!!! FLOOD HIS BODY WITH WHITE BLOOD AND LET IT EAT HIM FROM THE INSIDE OUT! "WHITE LION DEVOURS, YOU ARE ALREADY DEAD! And if I were a cruel man, I would let you die. My ancestor was a kind man, and so am I." Stop the devouring agony, and pull your blood back out. "Heal and find some modicum of dignity and restraint, Jeeba. Hopefully one day we shall face each other again and your hands will be less bloody and I will teach you more then you have taught me."

[As a post script, I am -so- outside my scope when it comes to coming up with cool ways to use magic T-Cells, B-Cells, Anti-bodies and the rest of the Lymph Nodes and other Immunology terms I'm not really learning from Wikipeida, but the fact that we're almost at fifteen is awesome.

Also, which Todd McFarlane beast is Oggduro Hechler? At least, I'm pretty sure that's a Spawn Toy...]
>>
No. 232428 ID: 522b99

Ever read blood music? Hopefully that does not happen to Keddic... it would be most unfortunate..

DID SOMEONE SAY SOULS!!!!!
>>
No. 232429 ID: 522b99

>>232426
Don't dis the people's language.
>>
No. 232430 ID: 522b99

Super jump/dash backwards and create more white cells while you are in the air.

Flood your toga with the excess and fill up the space with your own reserves.
>>
No. 232431 ID: 522b99

Maybe you could extend a blood tendril to graze the soul dome so that your white cells can get a sample of the energy and begin processing.
>>
No. 232432 ID: b18ccb

>>232428
See, I'm just hoping for Osmosis Jones.
>>
No. 232433 ID: 522b99

Also, recommending that if you kill him you get rid of the excess white blood. It's not good for you. You can look into getting augmentations based on your new discovery, but until then you should probably remain in normal state and enter 'white Lion' only when necessary.

Sorry about the rapid fire posting.
>>
No. 232436 ID: d3dfb8

Well, the white blood doesn't seem too bothered. Perhaps we could try a blood bullet using white blood? At the very least we will find out if white blood is immune to this. If it is we can set our liver into another (milder) overdrive and coat our entire body, then laugh at his now useless ultimatemove.

Also, we are in a circular arena right? It shouldn't be hard to keep away from him.

Anyway, just remember Keddic, no matter how powerful a foe is with magic, it doesnt matter if they have no way of focusing/controlling that power. Take out his brain.
>>
No. 232437 ID: a594b9

Next time we are able, ATTACK HIS STOMACH. Steal whatever's in it.

Hey, perhaps you can use the Winding Way to turn Red Blood into White Blood. Best be careful though not to do that too much; you still need Red Blood for circulation.
>>
No. 232438 ID: d3dfb8

>>232433
We can store it on the togas.
>>232436
One last thing, when we beat him we should steal into his corpses veins and take his blood for our own. Cycle it through our body and store it on our cloak/toga.
>>
No. 232439 ID: f4e4f9

>>232438
I'm no longer certain our goal should be implicitly to kill him.

Imagine: Harksburton and Hechler, true rivals clashing and honing each other's souls battle after battle.
>>
No. 232441 ID: 56dc25

>>232379
>Do I have any more ideas on how to further refine or improve my control of White Blood, and its interactions with my body as a magical amplifier?
Time for lymph nodes and memory cells, I think.

On the matter of white blood: You may have noticed this already when gathering them up, but a significant amount of white blood gathers in tiny garrison organs, nodes if you will, located throughout the body- many hundreds of them, distributed wherever they are needed. Part of the blood, normally heavy with white, filters through these nodes and uses them to check for any hostile intrusion- and if anything is detected these garrisons arm a portion of the white blood to eliminate that specific threat rather than any others.

Could you perhaps make use of this feature on a macro scale, by specializing a portion of your white blood to reject Jeeba? Or by specializing it in other ways?

Also, taking these nodes into account may allow you to refine your manually organized defenses against infection. They are the field command posts to your white blood's soldiers, and you should arrange your forces accordingly. You might even be able to relocate them to more efficient locations, if you're feeling particularly bold- there is not normally a very efficient flow of blood to and through them.
>>
No. 232443 ID: a594b9

Oh right yes do move out of the way of the spinning death globe.
>>
No. 232465 ID: e67080

>>232439

Yes, on this vein I feel I should make my one comment on this battle (as Keddic is a character I don't resonate with, ive stayed out mostly).

I think considering this man a rival, and not outright killing him if it can be avoided is in your best interest Keddic. Certainly his salivating over battle is a bit... slovenly... but I believe you both share essentially the same thirst for a good fight. I think something about his situation has left him without a decent challenge in some time, penning up an extreme amount of anxiety (just imagine if you had no decent challenges Keddic!). Although he has made many threats and been a bit boorish, he has yet to act out on any of them against the innocents and outsiders as best you know. I think given time to grow to respect you, and a good reason to calm down some with a decent fight now and again would be exactly the sporting challenge all true men need!

My only slight dislike comes from the implication he would kill one of his own family. I suppose such in familiy politics are commonplace enough, but it seems so... dishonorable. You may want to try and talk him down from that at some point.
>>
No. 232469 ID: 3b7f1a

>>232465
...I think you and Emba aren't getting Jeeba's character. He's a <i>Knight Captain of the Disciples of Domintus</i>! He lives only to fight and kill! That's the very definition of the Disciples of Domintus! They're a bunch of fanatics dedicated to fighting and killing. You can't talk them down from killing people, unless you point them at another people. I don't even think that they would even think of surrendering, which is the only way we can win this fight non-lethally (well, we might be able to knock him out, but that is generally reserved for being massively more powerful than others).

That said, I do like the idea of saving his soul for Mordre. I want the whole set. (I am slightly disappointed that Lenyrt killed the 7th Grand Elder Mage. I wanted to eat all the Grand Elder Mages' souls. I'll settle for just 6 or 7, but...)
>>
No. 232475 ID: f4e4f9

>>232469

Oh, no, I fully understand Jeeba's character, at least insofar as it has been shown. I'm merely saying that having a worthy rival, an mirror and echo of Keddic himself, to test himself against on numerous battlefields (like their fore-fathers did in the past) could be an INTERESTING thing, and could be a valuable tool in honing Keddic into a true legend. (Of course, I doubt Keddic would think of it this way, but still, its an idea for us to consider, should opportunity arise. And I'd hate to kill off such an awesome potential for DRAMA and MANLY DUELS down the line)
>>
No. 232480 ID: a69afd

>>232379
Now that your bloodstream can handle your heavy demand for the production and distribution of blood of all types, the next step in your development is to further increase durability and help your brain process even more taxing demands. Up until this point, you've been distributing white blood in equal amounts along bone marrow in the path of your natural circulation, now we need to start concentrating all the white blood we possibly can directly into the spinal column and even more importantly, the sternum. Not only will the sharpening process skyrocket due to the concentration of bone marrow being the highest in the body compared to the bones that support your extremites, the amount of rejecting power in the white blood will transform the ribcage from a base evolutionary defense against the outside world, to a nigh impenetrable fortress of blood and bone surpassing and repelling dangers that range from physical attacks to raw magical might and anywhere inbetween. With the conversion of our ribcage and spinal column, our white blood that gains greater potency each and every passing second, procures access to another highway of information and power within the body- the nervous system. Trying to augment this portion of our body, brain or otherwise, is a tremendous risk. However, if Keddic is to reach the depths of power that Oggduro and the first had lain claim to, these are things that must be done. Like we did with the arteries and veins, the pathways of the nervous system shall be improved. The main obstacle Keddic faces is the blood-brain barrier, which cannot be erased, altered, or broken without turning Keddic's innards into Keddic soup. However, we can make the barrier more lenient towards our changes by exerting the white blood's power of extending our sense of ownership and order on the Epithelial and Endothelial tissues. Through this process, we'll be able to slowly let our white blood cells influence and reinforce our nerves. Working from the spinal cord and moving outward to the sensory-somatic nervous system, and then working back into the autonomic nervous system, we can extend what threats Keddic can percieve and respond to while relieving some of the stress being piled upon him. Once that is done, we can move upward to the brain. The first change to be made here is to upgrade the cerebrospinal fluid that the brain floats in, we can accomplish this by manipulating the Choroid Plexus to create Epithelial cells that are stronger and more receptive to Keddic's sense of ownership. In the step before, we had to trick the barrier into letting us do what we wanted, now that we're in control of border patrol we can rewrite the entire system to let us in when changes need to be made, and keep everything else out. The last change to make here is by far the MOST DANGEROUS of all the possible things we could suggest to Keddic. If Keddic slips up at any point for even the barest fraction of a second, it spells game over for him and likely everyone else in the area. Unlike other fuckups we could make, this is something that cannot be healed or undone. In the human brain, a miniscule growth hanging beneath the organ exists, it's called the Pituitary gland. It is a part of the Endocrine system, the most important of all the glands that fall under that jurisdiction. The importance and value of the Pituitary gland stems from the fact that it produces the hormones that tell the human body what, where, when, and why something should be grown. Not only that, these hormones hold the key to Keddic being able to obtain a Legendary body, in addition to a Legendary soul. Cells in the human body have a hard limit of fifty-two divisions, after this point growth is no longer allowed. This happens because the Telomeres in the cell grow shorter and shorter with each division. But after discovering the sheer power of white blood and possibility cells, we can break the hard limit, and produce infinite cells, custom made to respond to any threat, and any situation. This is also the biggest problem we face, it's why I said this couldn't be healed or undone. The most common example of the hard limit being broken, and the dangers of such, come from victims of a vicious ailment. Those consumed by cancer are a cautionary tale for us, cells that are told to keep growing infinitely cannot do so without eating away at the host, for normal humans do not posess a limitless ocean of potential and power to draw from. Keddic, should he keep riding this wave of growth, shall soon begin to tap such a deep and distant root, and this is where the danger begins. If we break the hard limit, and do not constantly keep the growth of cells in check, Keddic will keep growing and never stop because of the immense magical stores the cells will gain access to. His personality will be lost, and his body will become a monster greater than Aurockoth. But if Keddic is game, then so am I. If we don't try, our favorite Scion of the Harksburton household might never become all the things he wishes to be.
>>
No. 232488 ID: 7150d8

>>232480

whoa man, serious block of text there.
Can't you use some spacing?
Or at least press enter a time or two after a sentence, thereby dividing the text and making it easier to read?
>>
No. 232508 ID: 445c48

Something about this Death Field reminds me of Prolific Pugilism, something about chaos and bringing possible strikes to reality, but attached to his legs. The Chaos behind the attack would explain why your white blood reacts so much I guess. I'm not sure, I just had a thought in the shower, I should clean this up later.
>>
No. 232516 ID: b18ccb

>>232480
Another idea we could use is replicating the Blood/Brain barrier as a last layer beneath the skin. The Ultimate Blood Defense. Mhm...another idea regarding defense. Within the White Blood, there are cells suited solely for the creation of scabs - new skin, a hard barrier of defense, the body's own Plate armor. Creating extra 'Platelets' and having them stationed around your skin should allow your defenses to react swifter and even when injured, the blow should be lessened and healing much faster.

And, Keddic my boy, I know you are not a Curatiomancy of sorts, but is it possible to create new blood vessels to increase the amount of blood that pumps through your veins.

And, if you can tap various hormones as suggested...there is a small gland atop your kidneys that will help you excessively. The Adreneal medulla. And another quick suggestion, if within the blood, you can increase hormones: Androgens, from the Testes. These will hopefully regrow your beard quicker. As well as some other activities.
>>
No. 232529 ID: 10f195

>>232480
Read Blood Music, at least the Novella.

If we breach the Blood/Brain barrier it is likely that the cells will begin to control Keddic's body to remove all 'threats' in the physical world, just s they do in his body.

I really don't want to see Keddic flailing around like man possessed, destroying everything that could bruise his skin.
>>
No. 232531 ID: f4e4f9

>>232529
Blood/brain barrier...?

That makes literally no sense at all.
>>
No. 232532 ID: a69afd
File 128508423114.jpg - (55.02KB , 400x400 , drill-bit-cityscape-rpm1200.jpg )
232532

>>232379
>>232480
Another idea- Should we twist our cells to replicate Jeeba's technique within the confines of our toga and cloak, we can actually take a note from Mordre here. Keddic has seen his deadly style of combat, and we would do well to incorporate one of his tricks directly into our growing defensive arsenal. Keddic has blood iron to spare currently, and though he knows no magnetomancy, the massive eroding field of death Mordre(intresting similarities between him and Jeeba, no?) creates when he gets enough blood iron can be recreated on a smaller scale. If we send the blood iron to the surface of the cloak/toga and let the particles attach to the twisting cells, any wounds inflicted by our bloody defense would be catastrophic. The varying razor sharp textures added to the sanguine drills would make Keddic's vestments a terrifying tool indeed.
>>
No. 232533 ID: a69afd
File 128508443988.jpg - (13.17KB , 344x226 , nbc_the_more_you_know.jpg )
232533

>>232531
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood-brain_barrier
>>
No. 232535 ID: b18ccb

>>232531
>>Biology makes literally no sense at all.
>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood-brain_barrier

Uh-huh.

>>232529
I know this could be a problem, so maybe we could just lower the Blood-Brain Barrier for combat? I mostly just want to increase the blood flow to the brain so we don't kill him by over-strain, while not killing him with Hypertension in the brain.

Perhaps we can circumvent the Blood-Brain barrier by making the blood and white blood much smaller? Maybe create more Glial cell, those Specialized Brain Defenses? Maybe find a way to send those back over the Blood-Brain Barrier?
>>
No. 232538 ID: f4e4f9

I'm sorry, I should have been clearer.

I was referring to the idea of Keddic's blood taking control of him simply by virtue of oversaturation in the brain.

(Though I did not not know there was an actual name for that particular separation, that IS new.)
>>
No. 232539 ID: f4e4f9

Also, it's not really possible for white blood cells to breach that barrier, since they are literally to big, However high the saturation is in Keddic's blood.
>>
No. 232540 ID: b18ccb

Well, it's the basic premise of Blood Music by Bear. White Blood Cells are smart and eat boy and planet before techno-organic singularity. The chief reason we shouldn't worry is that the Boy in question had used his Lymph Nodes as biocomputers and granted them artificial intelligence. We're just using Keddic's natural defenses to become BLOOD GOD, WARRIOR OF GOOD!
>>
No. 232542 ID: b18ccb

>>232539 I direct you to >>232535. Even if we can't miniaturize blood for increased usage, flow and delivery, we should at least be able to get the glial cells, being the defensive cells of the brain, to work with our White Blood.
>>
No. 232545 ID: f4e4f9

Actually, upon further reading on the subject, there ARE some types of white blood cells small enough to circulate through the barrier (though they still lack the fundamental means to actually do anything other than attack invading bodies)
>>
No. 232547 ID: f4e4f9

>>232540
There are...other reasons it shouldn't be a concern, chief of which being that there are already white blood cells that circulate through the brain, apparently, and increased numbers of them aren't going to trigger sentience.
>>
No. 232575 ID: 10f195

>>232547
I'm not worried about the numbers inducing sentience, I'm worried about the SUPER MAGIC CHARGED OH WHAT THE HELL cells deciding that they just found a better way to defend the body from foreign bodies as they are supposed to.
>>
No. 232610 ID: 716eb0

So have we tried putting white blood directly inside a threat, and leaving it there to do its thing yet? That seems like a good thing to try.
>>
No. 232612 ID: 1384b4

Don't know if anyone suggested this but anyway..

Since we managed to enhance our sight with White Blood I think it stands to reason that we can enhance our other senses too. Like the sense of smell, taste, touch and hearing (maybe some other sense I do not know about). The most useful I think would be enhancing the sense of hearing, we could filter out the ambient noises and fully focus on our foe, as if we are fighting in a total stillness.
Also we could boost up our sense of touch so that we can feel even slightest vibrations.
These will help us to predict our enemies moves even better.

Also, concerning our liver. It is obvious that our outdated liver cannot hold up with our demand. Focus into yourself and try to alter or remake your liver so that you can strain it without any concerns.
>>
No. 232615 ID: e5b1bf

>>232575
I agree with your desire to not breach the blood-brain barrier, but your argument can be better made with actual, reasoned, based on reality instead of panicked flailings, delusions from reading a book that isn't concerned with the setting thus far revealed. For example, instead of saying "White Blood Cells will take over Keddic's body!!!", it would be better to say "If the blood-brain barrier was to be breached, Keddic may suffer from Multiple Sclerosis when the White Blood Cells attack the myelin, which makes breaching the blood-brain barrier a very bad idea to experiment with in a fight."

Otherwise, you look more like a paranoid fool, a deluded idiot to be ignored.

...Though, with better mastery over White Blood, Keddic probably could breach the barrier without any concern for the danger, since he could just force the cells to do only what he wants, and not attack his body.
>>
No. 232625 ID: f3c078

It looks like Keddic is getting a medical lecture here.

My piece of advice is don't go for a power move just yet. Jeeba has ingested something to start this death field technique. Maybe some kind of external soul source? I recommend "tasting" it to build up a white blood rejection ability before engaging full force.

Also this field seems to be spinning horizontally around Jeeba centered on his feet. Kind of like a spinning top. It should be more vulnerable at the top and the bottom. That's where the rotation will be the slowest.
>>
No. 232636 ID: b18ccb

>>232625
Hey, we're getting massive bonus from ideas related to blood-magic, especially immunology. Hells yes, medical science dump!

Also, Bob, I wanna say that I love the fact that you've spliced together modern science and bad-ass magic. It's damn cool.
>>
No. 232669 ID: c65a7b

>>232615
Yes, yes, of course. The excuse that I have no great amount of time to craft a good response does not suffice.

I suppose I should not post at all until all my shit is worked out.

In any case.

Keddic, If you do incorporate the twisting into your style, try and twist your arm next time you use Prolific Pugilism.
>>
No. 232671 ID: b18ccb

>>232669
Now, Falcon, we don't mind it when you look like a paranoid fool. You just give Bob too many ideas and work better when you're not frothing at the mouth. Wait until we're Bang to do that, then it's cool.
>>
No. 232689 ID: 732129

You know, the spectators are all full of blood.
>>
No. 232696 ID: a76809

>>232390
[Already put White Blood cells specialized towards reactive defense into clothing, so until you get more White Blood to work with, you would ultimately be putting unspecialized variants into your clothes and out of your body.]

>>232394
A DragonSpark.

Jeeba had a DragonSpark.

...What my foe just used is known to me, even if native to the Land of Dragons. The Dragon Spark, a medicinal supplement made from the hearts of trees growing on Leyline Geysers and blood from a Dragon, in addition to blood from actual dragons, native to the LoD. There are augmentations, enhancements from dozens of masters, and the impressive belief of millions in its supreme power. Considering all the effort that goes into them, these things are rare enough you would have trouble putting a price on them. These DragonSparks completely revert the body to its last known default state for the consumer, undoing damage, fatigue, all personal evidence of recent injurious events. Well, at least he dropped a considerable investment into this fight, rather than taking the time to heal on his own. I rather sincerely doubt he could have another. So I suppose there is that, as I consider my still partly broken arms, and Jeeba's death field.

>>232400
>>232402
>>232410
"Actually, I believe I was mocking the fact that you're TALL."

I hear a few giggles escape from the crowd, so few and swiftly silenced they must be accidental, as Jeeba's foot, about to be his first step towards my doom, hesitates, his anger dulling as mental processing power is reflexively diverted.

"Close guess though."

>>232426
"It's not so hard my elderly foe. See, I'll do it again:
'Of course you know Low, you Cur, It's because you are low!'
-And really, this anger is most unbecoming. Look, you're scaring off the audience."

His rage returns twofold, and instead of stepping he leaps towards me, death and hate approaching ever faster. I grimly note the audience is most amused by my continued taunts.

I really must stop tweaking a bloke's nose in a fight.... but I can't help it.

Helps that it's fun.

>>232436
>>232437
I snapfire a lance of blood tipped with White, cutting my physical connection immediately to leave the sanguine bullet hurtling towards my rushing foe. I see it beginning to sizzle away-

>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >9 PASS]

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 11/?? BASIC WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

My blood boils, my eyes turning to the extinguishing bullet of White of their own accord, all focusing, sensing the dying piece-

And a tiny bit of blood falls to the ground, a bare fraction of what I sent in, but clearly existing within Jeeba's sphere of influence. Despite the pain in my liver, I see nothing more precious, than the chance to scoff at his move. I pull my sanguine vestments in, and begin building another wave of mass blood recycling in my already strained liver. with magic turbocharging the tissue, I feel thoroughly ravaged in the end, my side a singularity of agony my White enhanced healing is having trouble piercing, but I have it. With my cloaks thinly coated rather than soaked, my skin equally given a thin silvery pink layer, I face Jeeba.

And laugh as his death field reaches me, and after scouring away my good boots, which I neglected to coat due to mass constraints, find myself untouched by his workings. His flat, uncomplicated charge begins to stutter to a stop at my continued existence, as I plant my feet and put my whole body behind my right fist, set to terminally intercept Jeeba's gut. I regret that I have no spare blood to surround my fist for some real impact, but I take satisfaction nonetheless as my blow reverses his momentum with sickening speed, latching him on my fist as I continue my swing and charge alike.

I trigger the Winding Way energy in my fist, as I cry out a defiant roar.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PROUD BLOW!!"

The ripple the peels back his skin and flays away several layers of abdominal muscle in its single shock-wave that sends Jeeba bonelessly flying back the way he came, still cradled about his feet, firmly sticking on its previously evidenced point of origin. He flies some thirty feet before falling to the ground, noxious olive hemisphere already corroding away the wood of the arena walls, but the previously hesitant spectators are spared by their earlier retreat.

>>232439
>>232465
>>232469
>>232475
Somewhere amidst the flashing haze that is my own mind in this moment of inspiration that goes on and on, I find myself considering the optimal soul growth patterns possible from this fight. Truthfully, if I leave Jeeba alive somehow, besting him with enough room to spare his life, I could replicate the Founder's act, and potentially start a rivalry that could yield me further possible moments for my mind to go into overdrive as my soul gains richness. Granted the evidenced primal bloodthirstiness and sociopathy, I may wish to reconsider this, though I suppose I shall cross that bridge when I come to it. He hasn't killed a spectator yet though... and I still truly do agree with Jeeba: The Dragons are strange folk from what I've seen... and I feel captivated in trying to understand them, the same as he. I wonder in this storm of thoughts if I should bring this up with Mordre at some time.

>>232441
Still coated in an airtight White skin, I turn my attention inward again with my foe knocked down for a third time, having some trouble uncoiling himself before his core muscles recover enough to be used. I find my ever more Ordered and refined senses of my White analysis sift ever further, revealing minuscule pits of white attending to blood vessels all about my form. I find the circulation to them pitiful even as I marvel at the incredible fineness of what I sense, the sheer detail I am achieving. As the blood-flow increases, the building magic that accompanied the clustered White within continues to swell, and I feel my veins get even more charged, the sheer power I can throw about with Blood magic growing by the second as I blaze new ground.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 12/?? GENERAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

I go further still, taking the choke-points I built around infection within my system, and redeploy them in accordance with the sheer importance of these circulatory bastions. Once relocated, I find the coverage denser in key areas while more widespread on the whole. I feel like I could weather enough poison for an army, or take on an entire plague myself. All the while, White Blood gains clarity as I find more knowledge of its function, ever-building Order bringing an ever-swelling pool of power to draw on. I nearly stumble at the twin inspirations, vision blurring as more of my brain diverts to its blinding storms from which I continue to find such wondrous pieces of knowledge.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 13/?? GENERAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]


>>232480
I press on, happy for the numbing haze through which I see the world as my mind continues to spark, happy for the distraction from my side. I consider the White Blood pooled in my bones: Could it be optimized in disposition, the same as I did with my internal seals from infection? I consider how important the spine is, how proximal the sternum is to the hear... I reorder the White blood radiating in density from heart outwards, the heaviest concentrations by far now about my spine, sternum and to a lesser extent ribs, than everywhere else combined. With this change, I feel bands and columns of Blood magic coating the bones in question, flesh, connective tissue, marrow and bone alike, all being sheltered and strengthened, ribs flowing about more fully to a somewhat heavier sternum. My heart becomes much more warded from harm, my spine more resolute with this innate generation of magic, a change I find welcome indeed. Again I feel the clumsiness I sense straying into the realm of using White Blood slipping away bit by bit.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 14/?? GENERAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

I feel something, some alternate body network emanating from my spine, and I plunge onward, possibly maddened by my continued flurry of ideas. With the ache in my mind building with each heartbeat, Jeeba only now beginning to rise, I push the White power towards this system, and with an almost delicate hand, pump White along these pathways the same as I did for my circulatory system, presuming that at least a smattering of White and the general magic it brings could do no harm. I intensely regret this as my body lapses into an all-consuming fire of pain so great I cannot even more-

>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >12 PASS]

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 15/?? AMPLE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

The pain passes as the cells slot into place, all a part of a system that has no reason to reject itself, agony replaced by clarity as Order comes to my nerves. I feel details tightening from my every sense, more finite and complex reports coming to my senses. I am almost knocked out of my train of epiphanies by the deluge of sensory information, finally shunting it all aside as I dive even deeper into my own potential. I feel the fluid my own mind physically floats in, a decidedly poor shock-absorber-and in need of improving in terms of connectivity, as well. I decide to go with my catchall, flitting in an almost imperceptible saturation of White Blood, just individual cells to slowly form a network. And as it connects up, I bring a gentle hum of magic into existence, imbuing the fluids by matter of course as it synchronizes with the amplified nervous system. The building pain of the sustained moment of inspiration abates as my mind takes... comfort in the magic's presence. A strange feeling, but ultimately one that brings relief as I spiral ever deeper.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 16/?? AMPLE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]


>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >15 PASS]

Even with all this power, I find even the normal filtering my liver performs such agony I can barely think, and decide to simply let it rest as I strive to restore the battered organ. As I make this choice, my utilitarian disposition of the moment makes me start to think of my White Blood as a sea of tiny people. Why would I-ah, the energy they have, that sense of depth that feels just somewhat like a soul... it dies, when the cell dies. I know enough to Blood to know it divides, and now I can feel it... and the trend that comes. Fifty two. Every where I look, fifty two. Divide, dive, as much as I look none reach a fifty third division. The building Order I hold surges as I demand answers of my body, casting through familiar Blood and only recently colonized nervous system for an answer. I feel a response, a presence nestled beneath my brain... a tricky area to work in, but in my current fugue I completely ignore the concept of caution, pressing onward in a fey mood. I cluster White Blood about the location, the gland in question, seeking to know what of my body could limit me so. I sense a danger, a threat, of body unchecked being warded and fought. Even half-mad recognizing the dire problems that could arise if I simply uncapped such a limit without fully understanding just what could happen, I hit upon a middle ground: I simply raise the limit.

Fifty two becomes One Hundred Twenty Eight.
[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 17/?? AMPLE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

My body surges as blood gets a literal new lease on life, almost bucking as my Blood magic active pool expands dramatically. I feel my works to heal broken bones finish at last, as progress towards mending my liver accelerates.

>>232508
My Ordered White Blood. Jeeba's Chaotic Soul Sphere. I feel certain now that the wild feel to his current workings denotes Chaos, especially with my recent workings and my currently Ordered system. I think the contrast may be protecting me in and of itself, as if part of his workings were on the level of Chaos and Order, and my current lack of Chaos gives him no opening to exploit.


>>232516
>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >15 PASS]
I presume that my blows to Jeeba quite possibly consumed what I excised from his form, as I find my body even greater in mass, despite my furious chemical workings. I decide to exploit this, spending several kilograms to form an entirely new organ, modifying my own body in a way that seems far too like crafting a Flesh Golem... and yet completely evades its description. This legal loophole mystifies me and compels me onward, as I build a subdermal membrane of blood betwixt flesh and muscle, and established organ that is now my playground. Any attack that could breach the considerable defenses of my skin's network of blood vessels like iron would meet a wall of iron and magic to block harm, plate beneath my skin that I can equally use to amplify further use of Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism, more material to flood about. I also consider the sheer usefulness of having more blood within my system to tap, now five pounds heavier in sanguine fluid, as My heard takes the added demand without issue, the heavy coating of Whiteblood giving it a magic that belies strain of this level. Another step made, as Jeeba finds his feet. He looks at me as if seeing a holy figure as I realize just how swiftly White Blood is becoming familiar to me.


[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 18/?? DIVERSE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]


>>232532
Each heartbeat bringing relief to my side, I start to contemplate changes for the future. Once I am appropriately resupplied in blood, I can cycle that which I house in the cloak, ensuring the Red is coiled like Jeeba's was, and increase the Iron density, possibly with Mordre's help. I could make it the equivalent of a heavy lance, complete with spinning, rending teeth, quick as a snake and bound to both my will and automatic reactions to known threats. This coupled with adding more padding to my cloak for increased blood capacity would make it a truly fearsome means of wearing the Way of Harksburton-and even more in need of a name.

>>232610
I test my ever improving self, darting forth with Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism guiding my footwork, legs blurred engines of motion as I carve a path across the arena in the blink of an eye, once more piercing Jeeba's sphere, his face again displaying shock as he notes my speed has risen yet again. I stab his own sternum, seeking to introduce my own White Blood shaped as his own, to take command of his own and attack his body from within. He barely even notices the spike pierce his flesh-but as my blood flows into him, his wide eyes go wider still. I feel a chain of events starting, his body beginning to reject itself, and I don't think he knows how to stop what I did. ...If I were asked but a few handful of minutes ago what I just did, I could not have answered. Yet this knowledge adds to the pool as I keep learning, growing. Such a use to put blood to...

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 19/?? DIVERSE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

>>232612
In this brief instant while Jeeba still reels from my abrupt entry to his personal space and subsequent blow catch him and hurling him back to the ground with a speed he was not expecting. I find myself ever more thankful for my altered sight, as I read the building threat in Jeeba, dodging a sweeping leg as he swivels about with uncanny spryness to right himself while beginning a dervish spin. I send White Blood to eardrums, to skin, looking for places to sidle into place, further continuing my saturation. I realize with a start that somewhere along the line I withdrew my coating of White Blood to power my internal workings... and within Jeeba's range, I am still free. I see this reflected in Jeeba's unnerved state now that I look for it, as I wonder just what is protecting me from his abilities, the White Blood itself, the thorough samplings of his workings, or something stranger still? As my senses of hearing and touch, even that of taste and smell, all find themselves being given a similar treatment to my eyes. My sense of Threat explodes, gaining texture and depth that defies description, the world bombarding me with information that before would have been overwhelming, but my enhanced nervous system channels the data effectively, and my rioting mind continues to handle the strain... for now, though the headache threatens to return even as I marvel at all I can sense.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 20/?? DIVERSE WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]



>>232535
>>232538
>>232539
>>232541
>>232545
>>232547
>>232575
With great trepidation, I consider flooding my brain itself with White Blood, to complete the set, so heavily linking my body to this recently tapped source of power. The wild imaginings that turn to gold in my hands continue to happen, and with completely cavalier disregard for personal safety, I drunkenly forget my prior hesitance and proceed blindly onward. White Blood moves into the Brain-
>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >20 PASS] (I did say you could do some crazy shit round 20 plus)

My thoughts explode into greater alacrity, superior clarity, and I find myself knowing everything about my White Blood, every last cell, without even having to focus. With my system so streamlined, I find the previously nearly overwhelming cascade of data from my heightened senses far easier to bear, even deducing more distant threats than before, adding further complexity to what I can see. ...Ultimately, I gaze into the possible future, even if it seems based on perceiving possible harm to be deterred. This thought amuses me as my comprehension of White Blood reaches new heights, in minutes already having climbed to incredible heights. If I were fully in my normal state of mind, I would be stunned by this. As it is, it simply feels... right.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 21/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]
[RANK: ADEPT OF WHITE BLOOD]

Jeeba speaks to me even as he spins ever faster, my body still slipping like an eel between his blows all the while safely within his Death field, my body simply following the paths of safety I see, too swift for Jeeba to catch any more. How long ago it feels, that I considered him such a great threat, so insurmountable... and with that thought I realize the time of epiphanies is likely to crash to a halt soon, without a superior soul to face. I start trying to think of some final bits of enlightenment concerning White Blood as Jeeba's words wash over me.

>"WhywhywhywhyWHYWHY?? I feel no Soul, NONE in your workings, yet you survive, you move, you.... you captivate me. You do what I cannot explain, and I'll learn what makes you different! No matter the cost!"

Jeeba's death field drops as his Soul swells, a sudden surge of motion forcing me back while he rights himself, claiming another consumable as he rises, this time dispensed from a wrought leather case worked to hold but the one, a single red pill. This I do not recognize, but it fills me with dread nonetheless as he gulps it down.

He had but one. Coupled with the way he spoke.

In reply to my fears I feel Jeeba's sense of threat explode, reflexively dancing back as the skin I claimed from my foe's chest when injecting him is broken down and spent making new blood as well, my liver almost completely well again. I further try enforcing it, finding my earlier work clumsy by comparison, and hope the alterations will aid further use. Jeeba's skin swells taut as it flushes with blood, shifting from a ruddy ash to sullen ebony and crimson, face contorting into a vicious snarl.

At this point I see the audience FLOODING the exits, not a single one staying as many shout cries about Ragegluts. I find myself thinking even more swiftly as Jeeba begins to have his skin mottle into scaly leather, fingers topping with claws. ...Maybe I have some time yet, where I can safely call Jeeba a clear threat, as I feel an energy far more dense than his dropped Death field seeping from those claws, which I note adorn his toes as well. Bone knobs begin to protrude from heel and knuckle, elbow and knee, and from these as well, a heavy smoke of Soul power exudes in a never-ending deluge. Heart now beating so loudly the sand is jumping in concert, Jeeba howls as he charges towards me again, with a speed rivaling my own recent gains.

Well.




What should I say or do?
What should I name any potential new move I attempt?
Do I have any more ideas on what to do with White Blood, now that I have a practiced hand with it?
And what should I call my cloak?
>>
No. 232700 ID: e31d52

>And what should I call my cloak?

Well, since you like lions so much, how does the HIDE OF THE GOLDEN LION sound?
>>
No. 232701 ID: d3dfb8

>>232700
Hide of the Ivory Lion?
Hide of the Crimson Lion?
ALL THREE?
>>
No. 232702 ID: e31d52

So we know that he a) took a POWERFUL combat drug, and b) he just started to fuck around with the structure of his body. Not to mention those REALLY NASTY bone spurs.

I think we're done doing damage to him, since he's doing the work for us. Let's not allow that to pay off, and let him stew. let unfurl the SANGUINE PINIONS, only tip as many of the feathers as possible with white blood as you take off.


"Heh. An angel of blood, and a demon of bone. Figures."

Either that, or,
"You really need to get a hold of that anger, Jeeba! It's really something you must bone up on, if I were to say so myself."
>>
No. 232705 ID: 1384b4

I was thinking calling the robe simply "Lions Mane".

Since we are much more adept at white blood can we now demand information from them just what Jeeba did now? What happened to the blood that we injected into him? Can we still use it?

So we have enhanced and reinforced some of the most important organs, what say we do that for ALL organs? Like lungs, kidneys, pancreas, stomach, etc...Don't know how that will help us but might help with further refining white blood competency.

Oh, we should try to shoot another white blood bullet to test Jeebas defenses if it goes through and hits him, we might get more information on his new form.
>>
No. 232707 ID: f4e4f9

Clever bastard. I suspect that given the shouting, the drug he took emulates the nature of a rageglut, morphing his body and giving him direct power relative to his feeling of rage. He must know himself, to keep something so keenly suited to his attitude as a power booster.
>>
No. 232715 ID: a69afd

>>232696
Interesting, Jeeba has a pill that alters his body to become similar to a life golem. Well I'm too tired tonight to smack a wall of text down, so that'll likely come tomorrow. But for the moment:

"Well that depends, you got a name for the death field you were flaunting about before and uh, whatever that is? I figure it's only fair to share secrets now, neither of us are going to get another chance since you're so keen on death being the only outcome. Although I can't say I can complain... I'll admit, there must be at least some truth in your grim philosophy, nothing I've experienced so far holds a candle to this fight."

>>232532
What was once a useful yet mundane innate ability of these sanguine garbs, has evolved into an automatic defense mechanism of gory twisting death. I feel it is only proper to name the technique as such,
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: VERMILLION VORTEX

The cloak and toga, I'm having quite a bit of trouble with naming them. I can't decide if they should be named independantly, as a set, or both.
>>
No. 232717 ID: f4e4f9

>>232715
Guys.

Guys.

GUYS.

Ragegluts are highly resistant to blood magic.

FFFFFFFFFFFF-
>>
No. 232720 ID: f4e4f9

Keddic, you spent some amount of time in the Land of Dragons in the past.

What can you tell us about ragegluts. Everything, now.
>>
No. 232721 ID: e31d52

>>232717
Exactly why I'm opting to fly out of range and let him burn out his superpill and weirdass new technique.
>>
No. 232726 ID: 6834bc

Tossing some names out here.
Toga of Twisting Torment
Anemia/Anemic Armor(*)
Sanguine Shroud
Bloody Bulwark

* - I would place greater emphasis on this if there was a way to steal blood from attacking foes as its effect activates.
>>
No. 232729 ID: a69afd

>>232726
Well the upgraded cloak and toga will be able to hold a shitton of blood when it's complete, we could make the toga dual wield Keddic's blood stealing swords by making two blood tendrils use a shortened Scion's Reach. And to further expand on that, the blood coming directly from the cloak and toga will be twisting chaotic sanguine drills, if the cloak is smart enough to wield the swords and activate a double Sanguine Maelstrom, I'm hoping what'll happen then is that the twisting nature of the blood used will compound with the abilities of both swords and form a vaccum as each victim is impaled and torn apart. This also has the benefit of leaving Keddic with a free hand if he wishes to wield the Proud Lion by itself or with something else.
>>
No. 232730 ID: a69afd

>>232729
>vacuum
Goddamn it, I'm going to bed.
>>
No. 232742 ID: a594b9

Keddic, try applying white blood to your muscles. That should do something.

Hmm. I'm thinking we should dodge those claws as much as possible. Try to make him bleed so we can grab his blood and use it for our own ends. Enhance your liver while doing this in preparation for making more White Blood. Do so... with the intent of putting it into your toga. We could use a bit more external supply!
>>
No. 232751 ID: ddd48d
File 128515728414.png - (67.43KB , 948x670 , HarksburtonCrest.png )
232751

>>232701
Bloody Lion's Hide?

I'm kind of confused now. Are what he did allowed within the rules? I guess it doesn't even matter now as we are fighting for our life now, basically. Waiting to see if this effect wears off seems like a start, until we can figure out exactly what he did to himself.
>>
No. 232757 ID: b18ccb

"Jeeba, you have scared away the audience. That simply will not do! This is a tournament, and having an audience is the most important thing in these events. I mean, is what you're doing even legal, what with looking like a Rageglut now. And you're using soul magic, aren't you. You can't heal...I bet if I punched your heart out again, you'd die this time, right?"

I like the HIDE OF THE GOLDEN LION to call your cloak. See if you can control your glands now, to optimize the use, such as the creation of adrenalin and other chemicals. Attempt to make use of the brain's own White Blood, the Glial cells. Attempt to strengthen your Nerves and make this nervous system's structure more efficient, if possible.

What would happen if you combined both White and Red Blood, young Keddic?

>>232532
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: RED RUBY DRILL! (Red Blood)
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: DIAMOND DRILL PURE! (White Blood)

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: MELANCHOLIC MAELSTROM!! (This attack will be our SANGUINE MAELSTROM, pure with our rage and the White Blood!)

Other then this, I am unsure, young Keddic. Jeeba must learn humility, but spare him. He is a cur, but a cur worthy to challenge the proud name of Harksburton. His chaos is untapped, and your Order is pure...and your first knows the way of Chaos.
>>
No. 232759 ID: 1384b4

>I realize with a start that somewhere along the line I withdrew my coating of White Blood to power my internal workings... and within Jeeba's range, I am still free. I see this reflected in Jeeba's unnerved state now that I look for it, as I wonder just what is protecting me from his abilities, the White Blood itself, the thorough samplings of his workings, or something stranger still?

I think that we are being automatically warded from any magical attacks if we experience them once not unlike using vaccine.

>>"WhywhywhywhyWHYWHY?? I feel no Soul, NONE in your workings, yet you survive, you move, you...."

Also, could it be that our white blood has gone beyond physical and now can actually protect our soul like it protects our body? I think we can be significantly protected against soul based attacks now.

>I feel an energy far more dense than his dropped Death field seeping from those claws
Maybe if we get a sample of this new energy we could be warded from Jeeba just like we became immune to his previous field?
Maybe we should let him scratch us so that we can gain information from his new power? At the same time we should try to steal more of his blood (to gain more info) and inject some of ours into him.
>>
No. 232761 ID: e31d52

>Maybe we should let him scratch us so that we can gain information from his new power?

At the risk of metagaming, NO. WE DO NOT, REPEAT NOT, WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

EVER.

TRUST ME.
>>
No. 232775 ID: 8c06b9

I believe we all are forgetting something- leaving a power untapped; the Winding Way. We continue to further our knowledge of white blood, yes, but we must not limit ourselves to only that! With our newfound expertise in white blood, let us now attempt to further merge the magics of this land into the Way of the Harksburton!
>>
No. 232787 ID: 0e443a

Keddic, there are a few more things about white blood that could potentially be the very basis of more combat related abilities and styles.

Once your white blood senses threats within your body what does it ultimately do to destroy them? It can bind to, engulf and devour the threat and/or destroy it using toxins. Last of all a very small part of your white blood works to police your own body, causing corrupted tissue to kill itself to prevent further infection.

Through your battle with Jeeba you've learned to fully sense his threat and you are rejecting his attacks. Can you engulf and devour him too? Get behind Jeeba (using a body swap?) and use your blood tendrils to encircle him and anchor onto his upper back. From there you can block his strikes easily as he can't hit behind himself with much muscular power and lock down his arms using your own as you reinforce your grapple with the sheer power of sanguine pugilism. Then start using your white blood AGGRESSIVELY to overwhelm, neutralize and devour Jeeba using the toxic and feeding powers of your white blood.

This is an extension of your Sanguine Kinetic Pugilism that adds holds and blood based soul/body submission to the existing kinetic striking force. I call this the TRUE SANGUINE PANKRATION as it will be a powerful mix of boxing AND wrestling.

Additionally if you cycle some liquid blood against Jeeba and constantly do tens or hundreds of small mass connection swaps of that blood for parts of his flesh and bone, reclaiming the used blood as it cycles and boils then you will create a flowing surface of mass-burrowing blood that digs into and absorbs your opponents body at a ferocious rate! This I would call the TELEDRILL GRASP.
>>
No. 232823 ID: 1384b4

We upgraded our senses but I wonder if we can develop new senses?
Like Spider Sense? It is almost like danger sense that we already have but ours relies on traditional sense like sight and hearing what I am talking about a completely new almost paranormal kind of sense.

Also, you know how it is said that a human only uses 10% of his brain? Total bullshit, I know but what it actually means that average human has an enormous potential to improve his brain. We just flooded ours with white cells. Now lets try to enhance our brain. A brain has a certain amount of synaptic connections, normally it takes an effort (like learning new subject, memorizing new words, etc) to increase them and in consequence make brain better. But I think we could force ours to make new once in just few moments and in turn greatly increase our processing power.
Another thing I wanted to touch upon. You know how time feels to move faster when you are having fun but slower when you are bored? Well, it's not the time but your brain. There have been reports that people in dangerous situations trigger "adrenaline rush" effect that makes everything move in bullet time. We could try to trigger that effect by will.


One more thing, we should try to upgrade our senses even further. Like upgrading our sight to the levels that we can see ultra-light, ultra-violet spectra and radiation. Also try to develop some kind of magic sight (like high-octane colour in "Discworld")
Improving hearing that we can hear high and low frequency sounds that are normally restricted to human kind.
This will be coupled with our improved brain so that we can handle all of this, normally we would have been overwhelmed but with the brain like ours we can do it!


Also, Keddic, while you made significant advances in just few minutes there is still lots of place to grow. Think about Bang, if you listened to him you would know that he KNOWS *EVERYTHING* about his body, down to the last sinew, last drop of blood and last cell. You only know everything about your blood. Try to learn about your body as much as possible. When you know that much about yourself you will be able to use your body much, much more efficiently without spending much energy.
Also, you should seriously entertain the though of learning auto-curimancy (specialized branch of curimancy that Bang has). Think about it, Bang can regenerate from his head alone in just few minutes if not faster. Do you know what that means? He can regenerate ALL of his blood. If you could do the same the amount of blood you can employ could be night infinite. And I wont even tell you the benefit of being able to heal any wounds fast.

Blood can be source of magic, right? Keddic, try to use WBC as a new completely undiscovered magic source. If I am right, this will be very potent magic source...
>>
No. 232832 ID: 1384b4

Oh, also we are forgetting that Keddic can fly now. Blood angel wings anyone? I wonder how good they would be now with our WB proficiency.
Good thing about the wings that they can be used defensively, like two big flexible shields, and offensively. They are like two extra limbs that can make us fly if we need to.
>>
No. 232836 ID: 5f0943

I say, avoid Jeeba like the plague right now.
Don't try your luck until more of his current capabilities are known.
And if he has more or less become a rageglut (No Jeeba, you are the life-golems), then we have a problem (due to blood magic resistance, though white blood may be different).

Also, proposing some names for cloak:
The Dreadnought of the Sanguine/Ivory/Golden Lion.
The Lions Dreadnought.
The Lions Bloody Mane.
Hide of Pride.
The Bloody Cloak of the Traitorous strike. (referencing it's damage reflecting capabilities, duh).

Ok, that's all I got to suggest at this point. Now, I'm off to bed.
>>
No. 232854 ID: 8b6870

Hey, Guess what is willing to die for Keddic right now? White Blood cells.

I say it is the perfect time for
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: FIST OF COURAGE

This bastard is apparently extremely resistant to blood magic now, our main magic style.

We could always go straight to Winding way stuff, and >>232787's TELEDRILL GRASP thing seems promising (though we would lose blood anyway).

If you want do do something incredibly risky (seriously, you probably have to roll 90+ to get this guy now due to the sheer size of his soul... possibly a 100), then roll 1d100 (and be incredibly lucky)
to show a second.

[There. You wanted risk, you got risk]
>>
No. 232861 ID: 8b6870

On the more sane side of life:

I created a new tech thing for Keddic
WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: BLOODY OVERDRIVE
(as usuall, name needs work)

It works by Keddic forcing his blood to carry more oxygen than normal with his magic control. It would allow his body to act on full blast longer than normal and is less stressful than SKP.

The idea is to be an intermediate body form with SKP being the top. Less stress on the veins than SKP but better than default state.

I thought of this long before the recent white blood epiphanies, but now that skill can be incorporated somehow to improve it.

In any case.
When I remember the other tech I will post it.
>>
No. 232880 ID: 445c48

The Lion's Mane is good. No need to get too fancy.
>>
No. 232883 ID: b18ccb

The Way of The Harksburton has never been too fancy! We are exactly what a Harksburton should be! IMPRESSIVE, GENTLEMANLY, BOLD, AND STRONG! LION'S MANE DOES NOT SOUND IMPRESSIVE, DOES IT? NOR DOES IT SOUND STRONG OR BOLD!
>>
No. 232891 ID: 445c48

>>232883
Well, yeah, but it generally goes [Adjective] [Noun], like Proud Blow, or Prolific Pugilism, or Bloody Pinions. Don't need The [Adjective] [Noun] of the [Adjective] [Noun] or [Noun] of the [Adjective] [Noun]. Short and sweet.
>>
No. 232893 ID: b18ccb

>>232891
My god, you're right!
>>
No. 232906 ID: a69afd

>>232696
Through the fantastic abilites of white blood, we've made Keddic's body into a highly efficient machine. However, there are still some kinks to be worked out. There are two organs in particular we can improve thanks to our newfound powers.

First up, the Gallbladder. The reason Keddic's liver is still in such a sorry state is because it's partner in crime didn't get properly modified. The liver is a filter for the body, the gallbladder is a filter for the liver. Both need to be made larger to accomodate all the production we're demanding from them. The organs also produce bile, normally made by the liver passing mineral salts to the gallbladder and being converted. Bile is the substance that is used to detoxify red blood cells, the process is strikingly similar to the way white blood cells purge and reject ailments from the body. What if Keddic were to modify the process of making bile, and the actual composition of the mucus-like fluid so that it held the same catalog of resistances and antibodies as the white blood cells do- Every cell that underwent the process would be imprinted with that very same information, making our already armored blood a phalanx of threat-busting precognition. Keddic's blood can be thought of like hundreds of millions of billions of people, we gave em bullet proof jackets, now they're all getting drafted.

This other organ has long been thought of as useless, a mere remnant from a time when humans were primitive things. I speak of the Appendix, a pouch attached to the large intestine. The power of white blood has already allowed us to create new organs and bypass the limitations of a human cellular structure, I think of the Appendix as a new building block to expand upon. By expanding the Appendix, Keddic can make an entirely new digestive tract running parallel to his own. We could make Keddic into a vastly more efficient Goran, being able to store and eat both magical and organic things(we could totally feed Keddic Trollzaru's arm and make him immune to most of his yeti magefuckery).

[I'm also working on a technique that involves his pipe lighting trick- How would people feel if Keddic were able to projectile vomit molten steel?]
>>
No. 232907 ID: 8b6870

>>232906
>Vomit steel

I'm not sure if that fits in with his gentleman vibe very much...
>>
No. 232908 ID: b18ccb

>>232907
Spit molten steel is much better.
>>
No. 232912 ID: 445c48

>>232908
It... really isn't. I think the "Spitting steel" thing can be moved back for another day. One far, far away.
>>
No. 232916 ID: b18ccb

Well, between 'Vomiting' and 'Expectoration' I'd rather spit. And it must be said, as Keddic will be the Primarch of the Blood Angels, he should spit some sort of powerful weapon.
>>
No. 232938 ID: e31d52

>>232916
>Spit bullets

Yes please.
>>
No. 232945 ID: 6834bc

>>232916
>>232938
Way of the Harksburton: Burning Bloody Bullets?
(The burning comes from the sensation of acidic blood dissolving their skin.)
>>
No. 232948 ID: ab04d4

The lymphatic system is a system driven by the heart mostly, and does not move as quickly as the bloodstream afaik. It also transports white blood throughout the body for defense.

What if Keddic made himself a separate mini-heart, maybe in the back of his ribcage behind the heart, responsible for circulating white blood? This would in short divide up white and red blood into different circulatory systems, while still allowing infusion of white blood into the normal circulatory system for fighting off diseases introduced through skin breaks and such. Such a double heart would also introduce some pretty cool upgrades, such as doubly-strong blood armor that would shift in hues of white and red as the various patches of blood are pushed around, increased concentration of red blood cells in prime circulatory system for more stamina and oxygen communication, ability to close off one heart in case of damage and combine the two circulatory systems in emergencies as a backup pump, etc.
>>
No. 232954 ID: 732129

>>232948

There's a big main artery that joins in the crotch. That would be ideal to turn into a second heart, since it has the big hook-ups into the circulatory system already, and it's reasonably well protected.
>>
No. 232958 ID: b18ccb

Bob, have we gained any automatic bonus like we did when we got five points in Whtie Blood Mastery?

And Keddic, Young man! I have a question for you but does your grandfather, father and even yourself have a nickname? And please, Keddic, who are these Fissykus and other Great Houses?
>>
No. 232968 ID: a76809

>>232775
[Would you like to suggest how Keddic would go about that?]

>>232823
[While good ideas, couple things:
-The Threat sense is about as advanced as it can get, making new senses requires comprehensive body mastery beyond what Keddic can claim as a blood specialist.
-Teaching Keddic Curatiomancy/self understanding to Bang's level would take years.
However, concerning the Adrenal gland...]
I find my body starting to slip out of the state of revelation, despite my more ably housed mind, something I strive to prevent. Plucking another concept from the ethers, I seek out that part of my that causes the state of slowed time, personal crisis management... ah, I feel some ownership. There, atop my kidneys. I pry and peek, demanding that sense of time slowed, White Blood pressing ever closer-

>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >20 PASS]

The world slows as a steady trickle of something grinds Jeeba's viciously swift halt to a perceptual standstill, my body handling as if caught in molasses. I feel the sense of epiphany, the Moment of Inspiration marching onward, mind empowered along with my body, as I sense a cascade of processes... I had not realized how much of a battle stimulant lay within my own body. A potent find indeed, to now have grafted enough White blood to the glands that I can manually control its release. The steady cushion in time connects with the Order of my system, the ride far smoother than I ever remember its natural tapping, my sobriety preserved in perfect clarity. Like a space between seconds, to be grasped at will.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 22/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

My attention next turns to improving circulation to my every sensory organ, and in the process imbuing them as well with White Blood coatings. magic surges, grafting to flesh and warping it, ever so subtly. Compounded by the saturation of White Blood granting omnisensual Threat sensing, I now have such a deluge of data coming my way that even with the adapted nervous system, my brain faces a flood. Were it not for the command of those kidney-topping glands I discovered, I doubt i could even function. But the flood of data seems perfectly tolerable. I will certainly take note that maintaining these doubly enhanced senses all the time would be less than ideal, considering its dependence on what I am recognizing is a rather taxing stimulant.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 23/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

>>232861
[Already part of Harksburton alchemical augments, in terms of blood being over-oxygenated compared to human norms. If you wish to push that even further, that's fine, but health risks appear if the saturation gets too high. Do you still wish to proceed?]

>>232906
With my liver starting to thrive again, I consider my ever dwindling supply of free White Blood, as I seek some way to improve performance. The liver is stronger, aye, but it still can break down with relative ease. ...Hmm, something dependent, reliant, a supporter of my sanguine filter. As I recheck and further enhance the circulation of my liver while grafting more White blood to it, I likewise augment this joined organ... and through these enhancements, come upon a wild realization.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 24/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

I dive into the enhanced organs, sensing the means by which blood is filtered... the process all too similar to the encoding of some variant of my White. An idea comes to me in a mood as gleeful as a child, so I act without hesitation, making my filtering itself a means to bring Order to my Red blood in the same means as the White, pairing and further entwining the forces, so that the white can control more ably and the red gains potency. My already engorged mana pool swells wider, and I find my magical stamina should prove monstrous indeed, as my blood itself becomes hardier, more reactive, a better weapon mine to command.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 25/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]
[RANK: EXPERT OF WHITE BLOOD]


I start to reach for my appendix, knowing its current state's worthlessness to me, to rework it into some new purpose-to be abruptly reminded of my already boosted form, as I find a miniaturized backup liver and accompanying filtering partner. I find my ignorance minor in comparisons to the gains I make as I spend White Blood coating, enriching and improving circulation to my backup blood filter. Were it not that I was stuck between moments, I would smirk as I now find my paired livers so capably equipped to filter and run in overdrive that had I enough of it, I could filter a lake of claret fluids.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 26/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

>>232787
In a fit of revelry filled madness, I charge towards Jeeba's altered form, knowing that his new bony protrusions must be threats of incredible lethality, by sheer dint of how molten they appear to me as a Threat. I dart around a spinning kick, ducking a sweeping arm and never touching and elbow or knee in the process either, getting in close with the aid of predictive evasion and the space between moments. I dive in deep before Jeeba can react, legs and lower torso shooting past as my spinning body lashes out with both arms to encircle Jeeba's gut, and I begin using that contact to do something that ultimately surprises me after I start it. I try to fire a Winding Way charge skewed along all my contact areas with Jeeba, to exchange my controlled blood with his own, assail it with my whole body and quickly recycle it to my own purposes, and further my attack. I planned an ever growing, rolling wave of colonization, brutal and gory. But the Winding Way pulse is too wide, and ALL of my Bodie's order is triggered. A never-ending wave of shockwaves move, as I feverishly turn each to transposing blood and flesh, simultaneously attacking the excised flesh with terrible ferocity.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: FEASTING LARIAT!!!"

I slam Jeeba to the ground to forcefully break our contact, his form missing most of his intestinal organs, even the spine nearly eaten through. As I watch cords twitch and jerk, spasming from end to end as the wound haphazardly begins to close itself, but my focus is too diverted to even consider attacking.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 27/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

In an instant, I expended that precious minute of Order I had imbued in my blood, all burned away when twisted to Chaos. In exchange, I claimed some fifty pounds of body mass, twelve of which I subverted and processed already, the rest having time for cellular defenses to kick in, some rejection of my working. Ragegluts... it would figure if he claimed some part of their Blood Magic immunity, as I now realize it will take long seconds to best that which I have claimed, without Order backing my Blood. Still, I feel power to my name, enough to triumph, and with it grow ever stronger. My body builds Order, I wage war on Jeeba's claimed flesh, and Jeeba's body begins to spasm as it recovers even more swiftly than before. Seconds pass, and Jeeba begins to rise, teeth now fangs that leak the same fell energy, soul still swelling- and fraying, to my senses, threat larger and less defined by the second. In the interim, I bested his claimed flesh, fully refilling cloak and toga, and having enough blood to direct, ample supplies to work with-and experience with fighting Rageglut spell matrices, or something very similar.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 28/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

>>232757
In my ever-fey mood, I speak to Jeeba without even realizing it.

"Jeeba, you have scared away the audience. That will not do old chap! This is a tournament, and having an audience is the most important thing, you well know this. I mean, is what you're doing even legal, what with that reaction. And you're using soul magic, aren't you. You can't heal... is what I'd like to say, but clearly that is wrong... Still, I bet if I punched your heart out again, you'd die this time, right?"
>"...HehehahahahahHAHAHA!!! THIS is what I sought, a foe to test, something to rage against with all my might! Contest our souls, our essence of violence, to find who is greater!"

Even leaking blood by the bucket-load, heedlessly regenerating flesh from some unseen wellspring to seal up his body, I notice he stands a full foot taller now, claws heavier, spurs larger. His heartbeat presses against me. as he begins to spin, building to a speed where I see no path through its threat, a dense sphere of death awaiting my coming. But he stumbles, body checked by some pain in his chest, the White Blood I seeded his body with still setting his immune system upon itself, a horrific addition to his incredible battle transformation's toll. Yet he grins regardless as he builds speed back up, movements the slightest hair more sloppy.... body a touch larger.

>>232715
With my twin livers in overdrive comfortably piling out altered cells, I flood my coat with Red blood made with a spiral structure, filling it's reserves to the brim. My prize seems potent indeed, and as Jeeba's abrupt turn of further speed brings him into range even through the fog of adrenal in my veins, I find my cloak lashing out with whirring tendrils, sanguine drill-lances that need no direction to skewer wrists, priecing through flesh that resists like wood yet again, the drilling motions now vitally useful to amplify the White. One tendril brushes against the barest edge of Jeeba's left elbow spur, and the whole tentacle abruptly unwound to neutral and withers, individual cells unraveling in a way even my enhanced senses cannot perceive, only stopping shy of my body when I about connection with the afflicted fluids.... had I not gained this mastery of adrenaline....

I find myself suspended inside of Jeeba's reach as his body strains towards breaking my impalement intercepting his blows, like a spider webbed within a giant.



What should I say or do?
Do I have any more ideas of White Blood's use, now that I have become an Expert?
Do I have any ideas of what to say to sway the clearly verbally pliable Jeeba?
>>
No. 232972 ID: e31d52

>individual cells unraveling in a way even my enhanced senses cannot perceive

Aaaaand that's why I said stay the hell away: It unravels DNA. Shit, shit shit!

We need to get the hell away, one touch to our self, and we are DEAD.
>>
No. 232977 ID: 1384b4

Oh, just like Goran (and Bang), if we are going for the kill we should destroy his brain. Just throwing this out...
>>
No. 232979 ID: a594b9

...didn't Jeeba dig at us for "spouting nonsense about pitting souls against one another"? Now he's doing that! MOCK HIM MERCILESSLY.

Also I think we have been neglecting one final element of Blood Magic. PLASMA. Keddic, seek out that which your blood is suspended in. Seize control over it as well. It may prove useful against this attack...

Also spike him in the brain. We've got to kill his head for this fight to end. It's about time we finished the fight; not much further to go for complete mastery of White Blood.
>>
No. 232985 ID: 1384b4

Oh, and if we for some reason don't want to kill him, lets say we want to save his soul for Mordre or better yet, bring his body to Kyorto so that she finally can manifest I have an idea how to keep Jeeba unconscious: after we beat him, we could connect a blood tentacle to his brain and cut of oxygen supply so that he barely has enough to survive but not enough to stay conscious. Then we put his body on a cart or something and travel to Mordre while keeping the connection...
>>
No. 232988 ID: b18ccb

If it is possible, as you're White Blood devours Jeeba from the inside out, to begin first on turning him back from a Ragegult?

Second, there are Hormones produced by the, ahem, testes, the Androgens such as Testosterone, that, along with the development of secondary sexual characteristics in man, also increases muscle mass and bone density. Focusing on this will likely make you bigger and stronger, if perhaps moody. Others can expand upon this and possibly make it work better.

As for what to -say-:

"Then stop, Jeeba. You are terrorizing the audience - this is not the way of a warrior, not someone that throws their souls gloriously into combat! This is not how combat grows, it is how combat stifles! Yield before I devour you completely!"

And I would suggest >>232702 soon, including Demon/Angel and Bone-pun.
>>
No. 232993 ID: 9338f5

After the fight or during the next pause we should do a full body check. Recent battles have put much strain on our body, some of it likely very subtle with possible long term effects.
>>
No. 232998 ID: 1384b4

How about we trigger S.K.P. - UNTOUCHABLE if things start going real bad and we need to gtfo of Jeebas death field?
>>
No. 233001 ID: 445c48

>>232998
I'm pretty sure we're already doing that.
>>
No. 233006 ID: a594b9

Oh if we're going to spike his brain... stay the fuck away from those teeth with our blood cells. Plasma should be fine.
>>
No. 233027 ID: 56dc25

There's a good thought here, but I can't articulate it very well and Golem Quest lore is eluding me in my sleep-deprived state, so I'll try to sketch it out and let someone else take it away:

This white blood thing should be extensible beyond the human form. Ley lines are the blood of the world, right? So what is the white blood of the world? What is a soul in relation to the world, and what then forms the corresponding "souls" of a living body? Can those equivalents become the equivalent of human heroic or legendary souls? How does all this fit together? Does it have to do with relative power levels of different types of magic somehow? And what does all this say about how Keddic should be able to relate to other people and the world around him?

We really need a grand unified theory of magic to make this work, but I just know that there's far more power to be grasped here if we can only nail down the concepts behind how it should work.
>>
No. 233049 ID: a69afd
File 128522594198.gif - (14.13KB , 834x600 , KEDDIC HARKSBURTON - ADEPT OF WHITE BLOOD.gif )
233049

>>232968
Jeeba's blood magic resistance, his bones spurs that undo life, these are walls- walls that must be broken! We cannot merely strike his brain and be done with it, we must defeat him with blood, how can Keddic call himself a Harksburton otherwise? Will he end this fight here, where none can see our triumph, where no glory shall be had in merely ending Jeeba like some common thug? Will we attempt to punch his soul out, risking ours in failure and imprisonment in success? I don't think so.

It is Keddic's duty to end this fight in a manner so fucking spectacular, it will be as if Keddic Harksburton the first had come back just to say "SON OF OGGDURO, I AM DISSAPOINT"

To achieve this, I propose a culmination of physical and magical force using every single cell he has under his current control. Concentrating white blood inside Keddic's fists and red blood on the outside, combine the onslaught with the proud lion. Hit Jeeba with a barrage of blows- Each a self-propagating, twisting, exploding, shredding storm of blood and power. Force Jeeba back, continue this flurry and use it to blow Jeeba out of the building. Let the inhabitants of this land witness that Keddic Harksburton is so fucking manly he beats ragegluts into submission with his fists.

THIS IS KEDDIC'S FACE WHEN HE STANDS ATOP THE BROKEN BODY OF JEEBA HECHLER. THIS FACE BELONGS TO ONE WHO HAS MASTERED BLOOD AND USED IT TO DEFEAT A MAN WHO BECAME A MONSTER, A CREATURE THAT WOULD BE OTHERWISE IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT WITH THE SANGUINE ARTS.

Ask Jeeba if he has any last words, the last thing he will hear from Keddic is: "Come at me, foe."
>>
No. 233051 ID: e31d52

>>233049
I'd agree with you, if we were to first disable his bone spurs.
>>
No. 233073 ID: 1384b4

>Do I have any more ideas of White Blood's use, now that I have become an Expert?

>[So, can't read minds of foes whose blood you harvested, controlling another's blood like that would take AT LEAST a 15 on your White Blood rating, but otherwise-]

We could try this now that we are almost on level 30
>>
No. 233079 ID: 1384b4

>>232988
>Focusing on this will likely make you bigger and stronger, if perhaps moody

With our expert ability we could be able to remove side effects, imo. Lets try this and at the same time keep cool.
>>
No. 233080 ID: e31d52

>>233073
!

>:D
>>
No. 233093 ID: 445c48

Laugh at him. Laugh at him, because he has reduced himself to criminal scum. Laugh at him, because he drags his family name through the mud. Laugh at him, because he relies on soul magic to barely come CLOSE to you.

Laugh at him, and pity him, for his life will soon be ending.
>>
No. 233128 ID: 8c06b9

...Hey. We just got a ton more blood, right? He's strong enough where I doubt he's completely ground-bound, he could likely jump hella-far and high, but I think we might be able to use blood wings to get some space, if we need it.

As for what he did... I wonder if he uncapped the limit on cellular division with that pill? He's still growing... And he just got a bit sloppier with his movements... Hrmm... I wonder if eventually his dexterity will further decrease...

Hrmm... We have some measure of control of the blood in him, yes? I wonder if we can supercharge his liver, like we did ours... Produce a shitton of white blood in him that would attack his own body. Maybe even damage his brain with the blood pressure. Hell, maybe we could use his other organs against him. Ideas, guys?

...Also, if he -is- a rageglut now, and -does- draw power from rage, maybe we -shouldn't- mock him and increase how angry he is? ...Or maybe we should. He has to crash eventually, or otherwise reach the point where it's more disadvantage than boon, otherwise he wouldn't have had the pill as a 'panic button' as it were.
>>
No. 233130 ID: e31d52

My current plan is to get him so mad, so pissed, that he loses control of his drug and pulls a fucking tetsuo, so we can kill him that much faster.
>>
No. 233132 ID: 8c06b9

Oooo, idea. The very blood within him twists and spins and rotates, right? What if we increase all that to the point where his blood grinds against his very veins, or acts as an opposite motion to slow or divert his movements and attacks. Or, if that doesn't work, maybe we can stop the spinning cells or have him simply make ordinary red blood to simply remove that advantage. Whatever we can manage.
>>
No. 233134 ID: 8ab97f

Perhaps it's time to truly use your blood mastery. Jeeba had these twisted blood cells, proving that blood can be fundamentally altered! So far you've more or less used and improved on what you've been given, but what if you create something completely new that's only possible for a white blood expert or master?

Reach deep inside of your soul and body to make a small quantity of ultra elite blood! Blood with the sensory ability and innate combat instinct of the white combined with the iron hardness and vast oxygen fueled power of the red! This is the NOBLE PURPLE BLOOD OF A HARKSBURTON! Clad in iron and limitless in strength, the strongest blood there ever will be just like the very first Harksburton!
>>
No. 233136 ID: 10f195

"You wish to pit your strength against mine? To stand upon equal ground and find our better?! YOU FOOL. Your actions have ensure that you can never stand even with me again. The Hechler shall never again stand equal with the Harksburton"


In other news, stealing from Senth(sort of).
With your newly gained understanding of keeping the blood active while outside your body, you should be able to do this little trick.

When you breath out, you make some of your upgrades W.B.Cells ride your breath. This will cause a cloud of 'null enemy' to form around you; weakening enemy attacks and damaging them when they enter it.
With this you can cause the enemy to inhale your blood where it will work on them from the inside.

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: ALBESCENT HAZE

If you want to hide it (and look good) you can do it while smoking old Bessie.
I know that normal people can't see blood in the air like that, but observant ones may notice the magical (or physical if they are awesome enough) difference in the air. If you smoke while you do it, they will likely attribute the difference to whatever you are smoking rather than the cellular attack.
>>
No. 233137 ID: 5f0943

>>233136
Keddic can't smoke Old Bessie! Seth stole it, remember?
>>
No. 233139 ID: 10f195

!!!

Instead of having the white blood make his body reject itself, how about forcing it through his blood brain barrier (I think his brain would be about the same as before due to his apparent lack of mental transformation) and having it stop him in his tracks, attack the parts that control movement.

If that does not stop him... THEN IT'S MEDULLA OBLONGATA TIME (i.e. the lower section of the brain stem)
Sever/rupture it and he dies, instantly.
>>
No. 233140 ID: 10f195

>>233137
I know, he can do it without it for the time being, but when (not if, WHEN) he takes it back from Senth, he can incorporate Old Bessie.

----
Guess we can hold off on BLOODY OVERDRIVE for now.
>>
No. 233190 ID: 8af6b8

>>233134
Another idea! This White Blood has a soul, or at least a proto-soul. A warrior's soul of blood - SO TRAIN THIS BLOOD! IMPRINT THE WISDOM OF THE WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON ONTO THESE CELLS SO THEY MAY ATTACK AS YOU DO! TO INTERNALIZE THE WINDING WAY! DEVELOP THESE TINY WARRIORS INTO HERO SOULS!

[Purple Blood + Hero Blood = No Evil, All Die, and they will even have it underlined.]
>>
No. 233196 ID: ab04d4

>>232954
Really? Sounds cool, though this makes his crotch even more of a weak point.

Anyways, what you guys all seem to have forgotten is the last part of the blood, the Platelets. If White Blood is the SPESS MEHREENS of circulatory defense, then platelets would be something like Imperial Guardsmen, holding the first line until the reinforcements arrive.

Perhaps some sort of cheap, easily-regenerated passive platelet armor via veins could be constructed? Or exoskeletal defense systems using solid reinforced platelet blocks?

Fusing the white blood's aura shield and platelets for form, defense, and extra manipulable mass to construct a solid set of blood armor similar in shape to the Obdurant Ox would be a nice compliment to the Proud Lion bloodsword thing.
>>
No. 233203 ID: b18ccb

>>233196 see >>232516. And I think we either have the Brain/Blood Barrier between...Skin and flesh, because I can't think of "B" words for that, or a layer of Platelets. If it's -not-, then yeah, I agree with repeating this idea.

And let me sadly note I am depressed that we've been less 'Many Ways of the Harksburton' and more 'Data-dump the New England Journal of Medicine into Keddic's Brain'.
>>
No. 233210 ID: 8b6870

Yea, give your stuff names people.
>>
No. 233219 ID: 445c48

So, Keddic, how exactly does the Way work? Something about Will and Blood, you said, but as far as I understand, those are just sorta fuel sources, and yet what you do is obviously more than just tapping them for energy. Or maybe I'm too rigid in my thinking?
>>
No. 233263 ID: 6a17b0

>>233073
I like the way you think.
>>
No. 233314 ID: a76809
File 128530256331.jpg - (182.47KB , 900x900 , JEEBAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg )
233314

>>232958
[You have:]
>-Minor Passive Regeneration.
>-Automatic Reactive Defenses (Blood-Tasted Foes, further improves when bone marrow has been sampled, or some other source of foe's stem cells.)
>-Blood Magic now substantially Arcane Defense Piercing.
>-Complete immunity to mundane diseases and toxins, high resistances to magical variants.
>-Passively build Order in blood as time passes, which is expended when using Winding Way for anything other than individual punches to amplify use.
>-Passive Threat detection with all senses.
>-Active Sensory boosting that amplifies threat sensing when used. Requires adrenaline for mind to process properly.
>-Passively hardened circulatory system
>-Passively boosted nervous system, better sensory data, faster innate reaction.
>-Manual control of Adrenaline release in body
>-Twin augmented livers with paired gallbladder for accelerated blood detoxifying and filtering, as well as imbuing Red Blood with White blood imprints.
>External blood can be automatically reactive to Known threats, when guided by White Blood.
>-Moderate ability to acclimatize to threats that do not outright kill.
>-Blood cell replication limit boosted from 52 to 128, improving hardiness of blood at increased risk of cancer.
>-Brain heavily insulated from adulteration and shock by outside forces.
>-Can actively attack other bodies with their own immune system by using samples of claimed blood to replicate it for cellular subterfuge.
[I think that's it.]

>>232979
"I recall a certain someone mocking my talk of pitting souls against one another. And here I find you making such utterances. A bit self-conscious, are we?"

His earlier violent joviality vanishing with the speed of the mad as he lapse back to stillness, eying me with a calm far at odds with his body still questing to break free.

>"I have not met one that could make me grow, dancing on the precipice of death, oblivion, for a long time. I had thought I would not find another... why do you think I sought out the Dragons? I thought you blowing hot air..."

Arms break free of sanguine spears with strength that borders on the obscene, blood reclaimed as he shifts to attack.

>"I was wrong, and I thank you.
WAY OF HECHLER: OBLITERATING CORKSCREW!!"

The scion of Hechler's fist races towards me, knuckles a mass of bony spur leaking Soul Magic as it races towards my form. Still in my fugue, reeling from my mind's alterations and prolonged state of inspiration, I twitch as a new thought slithers into view, and I look past the Red and White, seeing the fluid that the individual cells float in. I lash out, claiming its specific dominion as my own from the years of inadvertent use I directed to one of the many sanguine components I could not differentiate between yesterday, and put it to work. I feel a sense of unwinding, unmaking... but this yellow fluid now flowing out of my veins as my own arms flash forward, it feels so simple that I wonder if it would even be effected. I lash out, covering Jeeba's knuckles with the fluid waiting for any reason to sever the connection. The plasma touches bone and with a great yet muffled boom, the soul energy ceases flowing, as I feel Jeeba's soul; diminish by a considerable margin. The plasma survives, soaking up the spent energy greedily.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 29/?? UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]

>>233049
But while Jeeba's blow has been crippled, in the sea of slowed time I swim within my own attack continues to build, fists rising with paired Winding Way bursts flashing into being. With feet striking the ground, body and soul behind my fist, my right hand slams into Jeeba's stomach, the shockwave failing to pierce his ever hardening flesh, yet knocking him back a step all the same. He moves to recover-

As my left hand barrels into his chest with every bit as much force behind it, my furious footwork bringing me closer as I ready a third strike. Again the artillery blow of my fist along with the winding way shockwave smashes into Jeeba like a falling star, sheer brute force and magical enhancement conjoining to give him no room, no time to react, my space between moments granting me bastion from reprisals. I would be exhausted unto unconsciousness in seconds if I tried this before, but now, I build speed, beginning to charge forward with Jeeba half-suspended in the air before me, every propelled by my blows as I step and brace, step and brace, his skin slowly tearing even as it bruises. This forward advance reaches the arena wall at last, and the scion of Hechler slams into the woodwork as my blows continue to rain down on his form. I see him twitching and striving, seeking reprieve or retaliation, but the beating does not stop, even as the wood behind him begins to creak, and with my feet so firmly set, even crack. I dig my feat in ever deeper as I pull both arms back, tightening fists while my whole body lashes forth like a whip for a final double-handed blow to top off the onslaught, a name for this rush coming to mind.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: PRODIGAL PUMMELING!!!"

With a tearing thunder, the walls cave, and I blow Jeeba clear through the arena walls, tumbling out into the village proper of Gainer where spectators are still in midflight. So many turn to gawk as the very one they fled strives for his feet while I step through the blasted Arena walls, skin golden and ashen in turn, eyes scarlet with blood infused irises, my blond mane positively glowing as I begin to laugh.

>>233093
Those few still fleeing stop at my rolling rumble, my general enthusiasm as I wholeheartedly laugh, before I beckon towards my foe, savoring the moment.

"Come at me, worm."

>>233073
My mind still racing, I turn my thoughts towards the resilience to Blood Jeeba is increasingly evidencing, likely some relation to Rageglut magic. I likewise recall that I consumed some fifty pounds of his flesh several seconds ago, so perhaps within that mass...

>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >25 ADEPT+ PASS]

I hear it, an echo of woven Blood magic, not enough to claim as my own, but enough to find flaws, weak patches in the weave I sense. I likewise hear the cries of several scantly used weavings of Blood, remnants of those whose blood festooned the arena floor, and while most are inconsequential compared to my own understanding of the sanguine, a few contribute some scant few areas of improved performance, simpler, more effective commands to utilize. While a great gain, it still feels insufficient.
>-Keddic can now gain other methods of Blood magic from the blood of foes.

More.

>>232988
>>232954
>>232948
>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >20 PASS]

All the while watching the world through kaleidoscope eyes, blowing my mind as thoughts race with abandon, I turn my thought towards my circulation. I find an artery deep in my torso, in my pelvic area, while I consider the gains of having two livers.... why not two hearts? Sensing my intentions, the White builds on itself, draining away the excess fluids I control to form a wholly new organ, a heart coming to be only by being so directly related to blood. Forged and basted in white blood, it begins beating in counter to my original, now in possession of two sets of hydraulics to regulate my blood. I set this wholly new heart just above the family jewels to specializing in White Blood, to speed its flow and dissemination. I feel that mixing Red and White blood has gotten even easier....

And it is still not enough. Where I not frozen in the moment, I would have stumbled as I strived for more.

>>233134
>>233196
>[WHITE BLOOD MASTERY CHECK: >25 ADEPT+ PASS]
I cast into my blood again, riding a surge of inspiration that threatens to break my mind, as I discern yet another facet of blood, some prolific substance that feels like armor. I commune with liver and heart, Red and White, and begin to forge a bond, some means for this new find, this blood armor to reactively graft and lock about blood, improving strength and durability as needed. Where once my veins could be like iron, now they could be steel. With this last act, I feel a final shift taking place in my blood, as all the individual parts communally rejoin after being individually identified, all the while building Order and firmly grafted to my whole body. ...I feel at home, with the White under my beck and call, where once I only dreamed.

[WHITE BLOOD EXPERTISE: 30/30 UNIVERSAL WHITE BLOOD COMPETENCY]
[RANK: MASTER OF WHITE BLOOD]

I feel the Moment of Inspiration finally sputter out at this sobering realization, that the horizon has vanished, my pioneering jounrey over, as I revel in all that I wrought while I could, a far different fighter than I was before this bout. With Jeeba finally rising to his feet, my mind clears of the tumultuous fugue that gripped me, and I begin once more to dance in place, fists raised with a cocky smirk as I await Jeeba. The fleeing crowd lingers to watch, spellbound by my actions.

>>233130
[You want some TETSUOOOOOOO?]

Jeeba rises like a drunk, body already healing, as he regards me with eyes split between rage and respect. For a long moment he seems to war with himself, straining to charge me as an avalanche of hate and pain while an iron will only just restrains it. Several long seconds pass like this, in which I note Jeeba has gained another two feet of height, before he chokes out a few, simple words.

>"...One day."

A space above his left nipple abruptly caves in, some organ collapsing or crushed, as eyes go blank with rage, a cloud of Soul energy exploding about the now rapidly growing form. That olive-emerald emission spirals away into the clouds as before me I now find-

A Rageglut, a monster some sixty feet tall, in Jeeba's skin, a mindless hate guiding hands the size of houses to pluck a rock the size of a teahouse from the ground as it bellows a thundering roar of challenge, the rock now plummeting towards my form as the audience begins to flee halfheartedly, as if hopeful yet.



What should I say or do?
How should I deal with the scores of tons of rock falling my way?
And how shall I fight a foe this large, especially in the middle of a dense town?
>>
No. 233319 ID: d3dfb8

Man, Jeeba would make Dulu proud.
>>
No. 233321 ID: 445c48

Goddamnit How do I shot Trip, look what you've done.
>>
No. 233322 ID: b14128

>>233314
...

Ok. First off: >>233130 You? I hate you.

Second: BLOOD WINGS, KEDDIC, BLOOD WINGS! Fly the fuck out of the way and then at his face, send a blood-lance through his eye!
>>
No. 233324 ID: 445c48

Well, I think I know what you need to do. Climb up him Shadow of the Colossus style and stab him in his magical glowing weak point (His brain) with your (blood) sword.
>>
No. 233325 ID: b18ccb

Is it possible to use Jeeba's blood to eat through this corruption? We must return LordgenomeJeeba back to his original form, to spare him, like our ancestor did.

And Keddic! CALL FOR AID!
"WARRIORS OF GRAND GAINER, HEED MY CALL! I call, nay demand your aid! All warriors still breathing, join me in this duel with a most worthy foe! We must stop his rage before it consumes this fair city!" And clench your teeth and draw the Proud Lion to you via the Winding Way - and if that is not possible, WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: TRUEBLOOD SIMULACRUM!!!! Draw forth the Blade of the Lion from your very flesh!
"Forgive me, Jeeba, It was you that was stronger, not I." And charge! If nothing, we must leap and strike at him like a butterfly and yet sting like a hornet!

As you charge, go over the powers you unlocked from the Ring. Gravity control, acid, even the Ways of the Sprial that the Hechler's wield so devastatingly. What have you learned from them. [Idea: Cut and lick Bang when you see him again.]

[Bob, does this mean all blood now counts as White Blood, and is Keddic now legendary?]

>>233130
You're a jerk, Trip. A jerk. Turn our eternal rival into a giant, creepy baby. Cute.
>>
No. 233333 ID: a76809

>>233325
[To questions: No, and No. Post will still be viable for update tomorrow.]
>>
No. 233336 ID: 6a17b0

>>233130
Everyone hates you now. Forever.

>>233324
Totally awesome, totally impractical, totally Keddic.
>>
No. 233338 ID: e6ca9c

Can Keddic, by any chance, gain altitude by jumping onto the incoming rocks, jumping ever higher with each rock, smashing the rocks into a cloud of dust? Would that even help? Perhaps using that network of anchors (sending tendrils to worry at Jeeba's soles, too) to steady Keddic, so he can send spears to catch and latch onto the boulders, Keddic can swing the rocks around, redirecting their momentum, and release the rocks in the direction of Jeeba's face with enough force to obliterate the boulders into dust, thus harming/irritating him and preventing the rocks from harming the town/people too much? Maybe combine the two?
>>
No. 233340 ID: b18ccb

>>233333
[Viable for update tomorrow? What does that mean? And...33333...did Keddic just do something awesome again?]
>>
No. 233346 ID: e31d52

Well.

Now that the danger of our DNA being unwound has mostly passed, all we have to do is slay this Jeeba-cum-golem. And I have the perfect plan for that.

Fly into the sky, Harksburton, it's time to turn Hechler's Way against him. When of a sufficient altitude, turn your massive steely wings into a drill about your feet. Spin like mad, keeping yourself from being dizzy with control over the blood in your inner ear.

[speaking of which, it should now be utterly impossible to make Keddic unbalanced, or disorient him with normal tumbling.]

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON:BLOODY DRILL BREAKER!
>>
No. 233347 ID: a69afd

>>233314
The air is where this battle is headed. Your Sanguine Wings are good, but they can be so much more: Instead of two wings, make six. With the twisting nature of the blood in your cloak and toga and the addition of more wings, manuverability will not be an issue. Where some have noted your appearance, your abilities, your very nature to be... Angelic- Set the record straight. Remember how Jeeba described the clashing between the Founder and Oggduro?

>A prodigy with blood and iron alike, always learning, always dreaming, new ways of death appearing in his possession as if divine will.

Let us take on this visage of an ascended state of being, make this battle a thing of legends.

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: SANGUINE SERAPHIM

Reform your sword of blood, only this time make it different from a mere copy of your family sword. A longsword with flowing hooks along one edge that churn perpetually, the tips of these wicked and chaotic teeth adorned with white blood as if some cleansing fire threatened to burst free from this sanguine blade-

WAY OF THE HARKSBURTON: SCARLET TALON

NOW TAKE TO THE SKY KEDDIC, SHOW THIS DOG OF DOMINTUS THE MEANING OF HOLY WRATH.
>>
No. 233349 ID: a594b9

The tons of rock? Well you could try PUNCHING it, relying on your newfound reinforced resilience to just smash the fucking thing...

Or we could be reasonable. Jump and launch off of it, and switch to BLOODY PINIONS to fly right at our foe. It no longer has those soul-powered unraveling spurs right? Then we need not worry overmuch about its attacks. Get yerself right up to its ugly mug and spike it. Kill its brain.
>>
No. 233353 ID: e31d52

>>233349
uh guys

uh

[22:35]<TheBeardiestBob>who said the spurs are gone?
[22:35]<TheBeardiestBob>did I say the spurs were gone?
>>
No. 233380 ID: a594b9

...his soul's gone. There's no soul magic behind those spurs. They're just regular ol' bone spurs now. Not much threat.
>>
No. 233390 ID: 56dc25

>>233314
Okay. So, that's not Jeeba anymore, which amongst other things means that we've won the tournament rather handily.

I would counsel that we take this battle out of town. Considering that the creature is guided by mindless hate and that we are quite swift, it doesn't seem unreasonable that we could provoke it easily and get it to follow us rather than harm the surrounding buildings and populace. Once we're in an area less full of innocent bystanders, we can turn on him and really cut loose.

Likewise, any call for others to aid us- if we choose to do so, which I suspect is not necessary with Jeeba's soul gone- should not take place until we are outside of town, where the Rageglut being distracted from us to random people trying to help would not result in mass property damage. Though personally, I'd rather finish this ourselves; there'll a certain satisfaction in knowing that even with Jeeba throwing this at us, we were able to take his best and emerge victorious.
>>
No. 233420 ID: 1384b4

Lets ask the tournament announcer or official if taking our sword, Proud Lion, will not disqualify us. I think they will be alright with that, no?
Lets take the sword or ask someone to bring it while we hold Jeeba back.
>>
No. 233428 ID: 1384b4

Also roar out that everyone shout evacuate the area, preferably the whole town. There will be a lot of collateral damage. Oh and lets try to be a hero, like saving a shocked damsel from a falling house at the last second IF we are sure that we wont be endangering ourself too much.
>>
No. 233434 ID: aead75
File 128531333580.jpg - (42.48KB , 450x600 , Keddic_is_octavius.jpg )
233434

>>233346
eeh... i have doubts that it was ever the DNA being unwound in the first place- the only way that'd destroy our cells is if it unwound so forcefully that it tore the cells apart- probably not described by 'unraveling'. It is more probable that it does some shit with the phospholipid bilayer, which would pretty much make all the 'walls' of everything in keddic's cells falls apart. not sure how we'd counter that, but....

This is indeed a gigantic monster- and it has a gigantic brain, most likely. (or a giant armored container for it's little brain). I think you should go for the nice big gaps between it's vertebrae, as you makes his way to the brain.

If you use the Bloody Pinions to as an Octavius-like climbing mechanism, you can maintain maneuverability, pierce your way up the back of Jeeba, and sever his spine in several places! End with a nice exploding rageglut brain, and all is.. maybe well?

Also, if you have any control over the possibility cells that you were thinking about earlier... there are quite a few in your brain, and some (around 2000 an hour or so) turn into brain cells in a part of your head that kinda looks like a seahorse. If you can jumpstart these into growing more often, you'll have a better memory, and probably a more ordered mind.
>>
No. 233479 ID: 9338f5

We should cut his Achilles tendons and see how fast he heals as well as how much blood he bleeds. Also try to lead him back into the arena, we dont want the civilians killed.

I vote for killing him he is far too powerful with too little concern for harming civilians. If we leave him alive its like batman and joker only without doing anything to prevent joker from harming people after beating him.
>>
No. 233485 ID: d3dfb8

>>233434
I like the sound of this. As we are climbing up we should try to steal as much of his blood as we can. Maybe steal some Rageglut hardiness/bloodmagic resistance.
>>
No. 233488 ID: a6482a

Block the incoming boulders using mass connection. Make contact with the rock and switch yourself to the other side of it!

Let's take Jeeba on. His body is probably still destroying itself from within. Claim all the blood he's been bleeding all over since the feasting lariat and take flight using sanguine wings. Do the climb-on back maneuver, but keep using bits of the claimed blood to further attack Jeeba from inside. See if you can specifically reprogram his immune system to attack his own nerves and brain by causing swelling and cellular destruction. Watch out so he doesn't just try to crush you against the ground while you do it.

Meanwhile try to get the audience away. Shout out to the crowd that this gentlemens battle has gone a bit over the top and that they need to give you far, far more room for the fight!
>>
No. 233491 ID: 46c8d6

Lure him back into the arena.

Angel mode
Bloody pinions tipped with white blood and Winding way energy

Impales - White blood floods him - Pinions explode with winding way energy

After that, keep distance and shoot winding-way-white-blood bullets at him.

ALL DAY EVERY DAY
>>
No. 233495 ID: b18ccb

Keddic! A suggestion so we can use it later, but before you charge after Jeeba, can you sense any of Senth's blood? So we may hunt him down later and retrieve Ol' Bessie?
>>
No. 233521 ID: 9338f5

The tournament is more or less over so we no longer need to follow its rules which means we can use our sword again. are we close enough to retrive it?
>>
No. 233523 ID: b18ccb

>>233521
I'd like to make sure if they're finished or not. I don't want us to get our sword and the winner being Jeeba, dead or cured.

And why are we so in favor of 'You're huge, that means you must have huge brains, rip and tear'?
>>
No. 233543 ID: 8b6870
 

Thought you would need some tunes bro.
>>
No. 233546 ID: 8b6870

...Keddic needs a horse.

A horse made from awesome, like Lubu's horse.
>>
No. 233549 ID: b18ccb

A golem horse, mayhap?
>>
No. 233550 ID: 445c48

Pshaw, horses, Keddic seems like one of nature's pedestrians to me, a man that enjoys walking.
>>
No. 233551 ID: 8b6870

>>233550
True.
But I think he is also a man that enjoys horses.
>>
No. 233553 ID: 1384b4

Whatever we do the Blood Angel mode must be worked in sooner or later.
The shock and awe and admiration of the spectators will be worth it.
Imagine the tales, the legends, the songs that will be sung in Keddics tribute!
He would truly become immortal, I can fully imagine thousands years later that the story (after its many incarnations and retellings) would be told again.

It will be magnificent.
>>
No. 233587 ID: a69afd

>>233546

We're in the land of DRAGONS, emphasis on there being actual fire-breathing dragons running about. Keddic needs to go wrassle a dragon, beat it within an inch of it's life, heal it and tame it. Then we can go commission a set of armor and a saddle for it from Iron Dragon Zuon.
>>
No. 233616 ID: a76809
File 128538162846.jpg - (32.40KB , 480x241 , Keddic gets on his ZOMBOLT.jpg )
233616

>>233495
[Not a single drop.]

>>233340
[Means this:]

>>233325
[Can't replicate other's magics like that, only Blood manipulation can be flat out stolen via White blood's tricks.]

...My sword.

The match is over, my opponent now a monster that threatens the town. His scale is immense, and I wonder, even with the Blood I hold, if I can cause enough quantity of wounds to slay his gargantuan body. Only with the Proud Lion in my hands, do I feel confident I could slay him, cause grievous enough harm. With these thoughts rumbling about inside my mind, I reach out, sensing the familiar pall of ancestral Blood Iron worked and woven into worn steel, the massive cleaver near.... but not near enough. I begin to despair by increments, fearing what Jeeba's engorged form might do to the populace while I seek out my weapon, when a solution comes to me. The Winding Way, familiar metals, familiar pieces of blood... all are present, and manipulatable. I attempt something I dreamed of as a child, placing my hand to my chest, above my heart, triggering a burst of Winding Way as I pull.

The Proud Lion's hilt is in my hand, its blade wrenching free of my body, transported to my grasp by Will and Blood, Red and White. I feed even more blood to the blade, creating an extension to the blade, a sanguine edge dozens of feet longer than the weapon itself. I can only barely hold the blood rigid and firm at this scale, a thought I barely heed as I heave my now immensely weighty blade into motion, a scarlet edge twenty feet long whizzing towards the falling rock as I once more build a charge within my preferred weapon. As blade meets teahouse-sized boulder, I trigger the burst of power, grateful I hardened my system so to withstand what I now attempt.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: TITANIC STORM!!!"

Already cleaving through stone like butter, the sanguine blade explodes, a shifting bed of stabbing and twisting shards of blood shattering stone, breaking the pieces smaller and smaller until naught but pebbles and grit rain down around me, my twin hearts beating madly as I race to reclaim the rioting claret. As Jeeba's collosal frame bellows a roar that shatters windows, I see the crowd... remaining, watching as I heft the Proud Lion, its weight in my hand more reassuring than any other weapon could be.

>>233322
>>233324
>>233336
I sprout wings of Blood, unsure if I do so to impress the crowd or for purely utilitarian reasons, a mighty beat and leap alike sending me streaking skyward. I emerge from the cloud of shattered stone, seeing Jeeba's rheumy, blood-filled eyes turning to direct their singular hate upon me, a fist flying towards my airborne form without hesitation. My wings beat again as I lash out,a tendril of blood skewering the impending fist and giving me sufficient leverage to evade, still climbing as I heft my blade. There is no artistry in this, no clash of wills, just mindless rage that I shall cut down.

I finally fly above Jeeba's head with the eyes of the town on me.

>>233346
>>233349
I pool a mass of blood beneath my feet even as I convert my wings to a hail of sanguine spears, roaring out a challenge as I prepare my followup attack.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODY PINIONS!!"

The sanguine spears, each as large as an arm, fall down on Jeeba like raindrops, his massive form simply taking the impacts, the lances embedding in his skin and retaining their rigidity. I find myself thankful I assumed the attack would be insufficient, as I still outpace Jeeba's attempted counter, as my body plummets, a spike half the size of my body beneath my feet, forged of Jeeba's own twisted blood, revolving with ever greater speed as I rush to meet my foe before his rising hands close about me. With my sword used as a rudder to steer my descent, I gleefully howl out my attack, enjoying the moment.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODY DRILL-DRIVER!!!!"

With a crack of splintering bone that echoes about the whole of Gainer, my attack slams into Jeeba's forehead, piercing feet of hardened bone-and ultimately stopping, still not having reached the brain. ...A rather potent passive armor.

As hands rise up to clap about me to squash like a gnat, I flood myself with adrenaline.

>>233380
>>233390
>>233434
>>233485
[FANART BONUS]
With several hundred pounds of blood spilling freely from Jeeba's form, I dart behind him, evading his grasping hands as I expend all the blood in my wings, lashing out at his back as a plan brews.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODY PINIONS!!"

As once more his huge form simply takes the attack, I consider what I felt when I struck his skull, even as the great lumbering beast turns to face me as I begin leading him away from the middle of the town. I felt no soul, no sapience guiding this form... and I find myself wondering if Jeeba could have simply abandoned his body here, and fled as a soul. This thought almost distracts me from noting Jeeba's stomping footfalls draw near to the buildings, as I dart back in, already having converted the blood I stole from my foe. ...Truly, this learning ability of White blood is marvelous, a thought that sustains me as I charge a giant alone. I form wings yet again, almost immediately spending them to form even more spikes embedded in my massive foe.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODY PINIONS!!"

I dart under a fist that craters the ground and shakes nearby buildings, and begin darting up, leaping from foothold to foothold as I scale my mountainous opponent, once more forming wings only to spend them without hesitation.

"WAY OF HARKSBURTON: BLOODY PINIONS!!"

My path now extended, I finally race high enough I stand on Jeeba's chest, and I leap high into the air before he crushes me flat, the Proud Lion held high above my head in a two handed grip. I spend the last of my claimed blood, draining my toga and my cloak, the Lion's Hide, forming not two but six wings about my form, twisting and tweaking my form as a pillar of blood rises from my skyward facing blade. With the sun glistening on my sanguine emulsions, I smile as I recall what Mordre did in his bout against the Metal Titan.

My blade swings down, towards Jeeba-

And the solid line of Bloody Pinions sank into his flesh.

The blade meets resistance in the heavy skull, only barely breaking through thanks to the still healing wound I sowed moments ago, before reaching the first of my bloody trap. With each pinion the blade meets, it swells and blooms, growing larger, heavier, more potent as it continues ever downward, dividing a mountain of flesh in twain. Jeeba's form barely has time to gurgle before the blade slams to the ground with a quake that collapses a nearby storefront and divides the very earth, a new chasm beneath the falling gore-spewing halves of the giant I fought, as I think of the perfect name.

"[ u ]WAY OF HARKSBURTON: COLLOSUS CLEAVER!!!!"

...And Jeeba is no more, the respective halves pitching forward as muscles spasm, falling with a splat to encompass the whole of Gainer's main road.

Not a single person speaks. All eyes are glued to me as I withdraw my sanguine wings, unsheathe the Proud Lion in blood, and stand tall, a Giant Slayer

SECRET BONUS 21: TROLLING TROLLINGWOOD [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 22: SLAYER OF HEROES [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 23: FOURTH AND FIRST
>-Sustain a Moment of Inspiration long enough to become an Adept of Blood Magic
>-Force Jeeba to speak about the founder of the Harksburton family.

Knowledge Gain:
Backstory:
-Athelens, the single largest exporter of agricultural goods and general food-stock, has recently proclaimed an official national religion, called the World Order. This Order is based around worshiping Leylines.
-The general belief set follows that by praying to and sending magic to the Leylines, the world will yield great returns, frequently in the forms of ample harvests, and general good luck.
-Castiliathen has demanded that Athelens halt this false idolatry, claiming that 'dirt-worshiping' is a fool's game, pointing to this as why crop yields have diminished in recent seasons.
-In response, Athelens has increased the cost of all their exports to Castiliathen, making it impractical to buy directly. High King Arcturo Fissykus of Castiliathen has called for a meeting of all the heads of Warrior families to discuss how a response should be handled.

SECRET BONUS 24: FINISHING FATHER'S WORK [MISSED]
SECRET BONUS 25: GIANT SLAYER
>-Force Jeeba to use the Rageglut seed, and then slay his body.

Knowledge Gain:
Backstory:
-Jeeba, vowing to best Keddic no matter the cost, fled back to Castiliathen and the Hechler manor as a soul. To combat Keddic, he intends to-

-A hand falls onto my shoulder in my moment of reverie, and a red-haired head bobs forward, Old Bessie belching smoke between his smirking lips as Senth holds forth a bag that clinks when it moves.

>"So, I grabbed your prize there, and I am now officially under the employ of your master, that Mordre guy. Oh, and that dude who healed you during your semifinals fight-don't think I didn't notice that-is in a cot over yonder."

I follow Senth's gesturing finger to see Bagrom peacefully oblivious to the world around him, battered but whole upon a simple stretcher.

>"Well, unless you feel like buying me a drink, we gotta go."
"And why is that?"
>"They may cheer you... but they'll also expect you to clean all this up."

I look upon the shattered arena wall, the few toppled buildings, the gaping chasm in the ground, the tons of gore mucking everything up.....

And shortly find myself dragging Keddic's stretcher behind me as I march out of town, walking the walk of a hero.

>>233587
With the sun setting on our traveling trio, I finally give up on trying to reclaim Old Bessie on the seventeenth attempt, each time the youngster simply teleporting out of reach as if by reflex while snickering. As I consider how to actually come upon him unawares to reclaim what is mine, I find myself wishing to claim a dragon, one of the feral beasts that have roamed these lands since time immemorial, when two things happen:

A voice echoes in my head, the words of Mordre's minion Phohn carrying to me the following message: Mordre requests your immediate return. Dragon Jioga has found the trail.

A runner from Gainer present to me a missive before panting to catch his breath and jogging away. The letter bears naught but three lines on it's cover-the mark of my Master, The Lined One. I tear the letter open, and learn that he is within the town of Gainer, and heard of my exploits.... I could see my master again?



What should I say or do?
Should I go back to Mordre in Waltora, or should I return to Gainer to hunt down my master the Lined One?
[Yes, these are supposed to be mutually exclusive choices. Act under the assumption you cannot make both happen. Go to Mordre, miss out on meeting Lined One. Meet master, not there when Mordre might need Keddic. CHOOSE.]
>>
No. 233618 ID: ab04d4

>>myself dragging Keddic's stretcher behind me
Typo?

I vote Lined One. Mordre can handle himself mightily, and the chance to meet Keddic's master might not come again.
>>
No. 233619 ID: b5af8d

>>233616
Honestly, I feel that Mordre can hold off the Ash Dragon Jioga with the help of his Deepspawn.

Let's go meet our master.
>>
No. 233620 ID: 2ce024

>>233616
Go to Modre is my choice. But Keddic what do you feel is right?
>>
No. 233622 ID: a76809

>>233618
[Yeah, typo. Bagrom on stretcher, Keddic dragging said stretcher, Senth just strolling along, puffing on Old Bessie with the bag of money.]
>>
No. 233623 ID: d3dfb8

Master.
>>
No. 233624 ID: 56dc25

>>233616
Tell Phohn that you have an opportunity to track down your old master which you cannot pass up, and that you have secured Mordre a new employee, Senth of Trollingwood, who should be fully capable of acting in your place. You trust that Mordre will understand, as he's seemed like a reasonable fellow in all your interactions and not particularly demanding of his people. Send Senth and Bagrom to Mordre, and leave on your own to track down the Lined One.
>>
No. 233625 ID: 445c48

Go after the Lined One, Keddic, Mordre will be fine. Give Trollingwood (Yes I know that's not his name) and Bagrom directions from Phohn, or just tell him to give directions to Bagrom, and tell them to hurry it up. Also tell Mordre you hired a tractomancer, and he stole your goddamn pipe. (I reccommend seeing if you can WHITE BLOOD AND ADRENALINE your speed up to a point where you can grab it and put it in a blood bubblebag thing faster than he can react) Also tell Trollingwood that Mordre isn't currently in country, in fact you've never seen him because he remote controls a Soul Grave, don't ask how, research paper in progress, he'd tell you but he'd have to kill you hahaha kidding.

Why didn't I say this before? Mordre should have used the nights, assuming there's a time difference, to travel back to the Arcanoworks and talk to Vimes and Quinton and delay our fight with Eisenhardt, explaining that we're still working unfortunately but you hate to leave guests unattended, terrible luck of you to drop by right as I'm so busy, terrible bloody mess up north, glad that's sorted out, but now you're doing a job for a Grand Mage, can't delay that sort of business, sorry.

After all, we used a sedan chair thing, right? Didn't even need us there to move it, and if Burduko warped us home and warped himself back immediately and followed the chair again, between him and Phohn we could be back immediately in case of trouble/talkin'/where the hell's Mordre oh he's behind this tree here let me go get him.

Also, did we ever ask what the Ash Dragon Jioga does? I forgot. Probably something to do with fire. Actually probably not. Shoot.
>>
No. 233626 ID: e31d52

To the master!
>>
No. 233630 ID: a594b9

Argh. Send our new 'friend' to Mordre instead.
>>
No. 233637 ID: b18ccb

Master, but try to Phohn back and tell Mordre this, and relay the instructions. If possible, Keddic, meet with your master have him follow -you-, you want him to meet Mordre.

And to those of you saying Mordre can handily handle a Dragon, please let us not be stupid. Dragons are almost all Legendary Souls. Mordre would be be badly beaten if he tried to face a Dragon.
>>
No. 233640 ID: b18ccb

HE INTENDS TO WHAT, BOB? WHAT?

And 3x5 bonus was...what exactly? Our cool new ability to pull our sword out of us? Because that -is- awesome.
>>
No. 233643 ID: a76809

>>233640
[Senth interrupted the infodump with his appearance. I guess you'll NEVER KNOW.....]
>>
No. 233650 ID: 445c48

>>233643
FUCKING SENTH
>>
No. 233665 ID: b6460c

Ask Senth if he could teleport to the town and meet up with Mordre, if so make him carry Bagrom.

TO THE LINED ONE!
>>
No. 233667 ID: f4e4f9

Think back to Phohn:

Thank you for the alert, Phohn. Please relay the follwing to Mordre: An opportunity has presented itself to find my former teacher, the Lined One. I do not know if there will ever be another chance to meet him, as he is a hunted man. I must take this opportunity to find him, before he goes to ground once more. My friend, I will try to get back as soon as I've managed to establish contact, as I've so many things to show you and Bang. I know you'll understand.

In my place, I'm sending a new hopeful I met at the tournament, with Bagrom. His name is Senth, and he's something of a troublemaker, but very talented and ready to sign on. Do see if you can't finagle my Pipe out of his grasp at some point, would you, old chap?

Oh, one more thing: I won. He has my prize money too, so keep that in mind.

>>
No. 233668 ID: f4e4f9

>>233637
Eisenhardt right now is just on the crux of Legendary Soul territory.

And Lubu seems to be a pretty High-End dragon. I'm not saying that they're anything to scoff at, but at the same time, lets not jump to the conclusion that Mordre is out and out fucked in a fight with one.

I would dare say that this need not devolve to a fight in any case. Mordre's here as a diplomat primarily, lets act the part.
>>
No. 233710 ID: 6ae689

Well the competition with Jioga isn't necessarily a combat one so Senth might be even better for it than Keddic as his talent for trolling and annoying people might be turned against the Dragon.

Go to seek your master, but let Mordre know you'll be back stronger than ever as soon as you can. Maybe you can finish off some loose ends and find out what this Winding Way is all about really. Mordre can also turn this into a selling point when trying to get Oz to join up. There's always time for master-student interactions and people have to be allowed to seek their personal goals.
>>
No. 233716 ID: 1384b4

Hey can we try to wake up Bagrom and heal him a bit with our newfound blood abilities?
>>
No. 233733 ID: ab04d4

Well, if it gets down to combat negotiations, it'd probably be one on one in which case Keddic won't be of much help anyways. If chaos breaks out, I'm sure Mordre can handle himself in mass combat. And Mordre's smart enough to avoid fighting anyways, not when so much is at stake.

Really, there's no reason for us to forgo the tasty plot hook.

Somehow I feel unsure about just running away from Gainer instead of tying up all the loose ends like the arena and the final award procedures if such exist and talking to any other warriors... It may come back to bite us in the ass, but I'm willing to risk that for the Lined One.
>>
No. 233736 ID: a76809

>>233640
[Yup. Fanart Bonus yielded new ultimate tech Collosal Cleave, a giant slaying move, while 5x3 yielded ability to summon sword out of own blood so long as the Proud Lion is close enough to be detected.]

>>233618
>>233619
>>233623
>>233624
>>233625
>>233626
>>233630
>>233637
>>233665
>>233667
As I contemplate how to respond to this divide, these mutually exclusive demands of my attention, I funnel adrenaline into my system, slowing time as I tap the now heavily enriched Order of my system, striving to act so swiftly even Senth cannot respond, looking to reclaim my pipe-and again he teleports out of the way, in that instant between seconds. He looks at my wryly as he chuckles, offering words that when I reflect on them... are terrifying.

>"Hah, yeah, no, not gonna happen. I mean, if you can prise the pipe from my grip, obviously its yours again, but just getting faster? Not gonna do it. I figured out how to teleport electrical signals anywhere I want inside my body, sooo.... my reaction speed is faster than would be physically possible by any organic means. Nice try though, good turn of speed. Anyway, what's the plan here?"
"...Well, Senth you scoundrel-"
>"Ooooh, I like that, Scoundrel Senth, got some alliteration to it."
"I ultimately feel I need to track down my master.... but Mordre also needs able bodies at the moment. So I will send you on down the road to Woltora with Bagrom, while I return to Gainer. But before you leave, I need to send a message, and try to heal Bagrom."
>"Alllll right, works for me. Where in Woltora?"
"Should be in the Tyotworro estates, as this individual here is a family member."
>"No shit? Okay... and how exactly will you send that message?"
"...Just leave me be for a moment, I am sending it as we speak."
>"Neat."

As I ooze White blood over my foe, sinking it into flesh, coating burns and wrapping broken bones, I find Bagrom's system ravaged, organs threatening to fail, heart sluggish, and all in all surprising me that he is still alive. I find myself wising I had checked him earlier.... but if wishes were wings.... in any event, I bestow a full pound of my blood on him, expediting his recuperative process, even as I think back my reply to Phohn.

Thank you for the alert, Phohn. Please relay the following to Mordre: An opportunity has presented itself to find my former teacher, the Lined One. I do not know if there will ever be another chance to meet him, as he is a hunted man. I must take this opportunity to find him, before he goes to ground once more. My friend, I will try to get back as soon as I've managed to establish contact, as I've so many things to show you and Bang. I know you'll understand.

In my place, I'm sending a new hopeful I met at the tournament, with Bagrom. His name is Senth, and he's something of a troublemaker, but very talented and ready to sign on. Do see if you can't finagle my Pipe out of his grasp at some point, would you, old chap?

Oh, one more thing: I won. He has my prize money too, so keep that in mind.


.......

Your words have been conveyed to Mordre, and he accepts your proposed plan. He does ask that you be cautious, as Vandgurd and Zelgoto were struck down in a single blow, only surviving due to our regenerative abilities, and Jioga may ultimately travel towards Gainer, instead of Woltora.

I absorb this data, accepting the response given to me, as I nod towards Senth and the still unconscious Bagrom, whose body is still healing more swiftly thanks to my aid.

"Well Senth-"
>"What, no Scoundrel this time?"
"...Scoundrel Senth, I shall see you later, in Waltora, or wherever else Mordre's group may travel while I meet with my master. It was... interesting to meet you."
>"Hah, not bothering with simpering obsequiousness? Alright, alright. Well, bye now!"

As Senth takes the handles of Bagrom's stretcher from me, I turn back towards Gainer, and begin my trek back, the returning champion of the Grand Gainer.


GOLEM QUEST THREAD 8 COMPLETE!!
NEXT ARC: NOBLES AND DRAGONS.... AND DUNGEONS!?

New Thread: http://quest.lv/kusaba/quest/res/233735.html
>>
No. 233772 ID: 45be60

So hey, Keddic. Way to contribute something meaningful to the Way of the Harksburton there. Mission complete there, eh? Now we can see about finding you a nice girl and continuing the line.
[Return] [Entire Thread] [Last 50 posts] [Last 100 posts]

Delete post []
Password