Yes, information is key. If something made the bird go crazy it would be nice to know what.

OH NO

I MISSED SO MUCH VOTING :<

>>174687
>>174728
are you self-conscious about your roar

because if so that's adorable

>>174728
We're going to the palace, but not because Baod told us to; he doesn't control us. He just had a good idea that we decided to humor in our infinite wisdom and majesty.

Checking the palace is a good idea. If you don't find anyone, start patrolling around with your disciple, using your newfound speed and agility to find more refugees and command they spread the good news. The higher the post-disaster population of the city, the more prestige you get!

>>174728
Lets go to the palace

Suggestion 2010/05/07(Fri)20:34 No. 174799 ID: 7595e4
File 127328969814.png - (29.31KB , 512x512 , 29.png )

Of course Mirage is not self-conscious of his roar. He is very confident in his roar. Always. All the time. Baod shouldn't ask about it either.

Mirage also reminds Baod that this is definitely his idea. Baod doesn't object, but reminds you that landing near the palace would probably break it. Mirage burrows while Baod takes the streets.

They both arrive to the palace quickly, where Baod ascends the stairs into the small building. He says he will look for survivors. Mirage remembers hearing footsteps on the way to the palace, but he is not a good judge of numbers. Mirage bides his time in the palace garden.

Suggestion 2010/05/07(Fri)20:37 No. 174802 ID: 7595e4
File 127328983361.png - (23.47KB , 512x512 , 30.png )

Baod emerges with two survivors, who introduce themselves as the princess and the chamberlain, whatever those are. They explain that the King was killed by the bird just yesterday, and while no one would dispute you if you wished to rule Kya'tor, the Queen is in mourning and will not greet Mirage for a few days.

Baod looks at Mirage questioningly. "We could make the announcement now. They would not let me see the Queen."

How about a temporary rule till the queen feels better? After three days you can decide where to go from there.

>>174802
We will rule this city, but allow it's people some form of freedom. If they wish we will keep the queen around to deal with the day to day aspects of managing and up keeping this town, though having all important matters run through us. For the interim time period between now and when the queen is able to take care of these duties princess can deal with the job.

In the meantime after getting all that sorted out I propose we attempt to salvage the bird for a feast for our new subjects on the third day when the queen is well again. Our new subjects will love us and it will be a great way to make use of the kill.

Hey, Mirage, it's an endearing personality quirk. :B

>>174806
I have no qualms with this. I mean, sure, these guys are members of a LESSER RACE, but they're your members of a LESSER RACE, basically, and it couldn't hurt for them to like you. :V

>>174806
What exactly do we mean by "rule"? Because I have no interest nor patience in the affairs of a lesser race. They can rule themselves for all I care. Just fulfill the occasional request.

For instance, they could build us a bitchin' custom-designed lair, and maybe set up some sort of cult to guard it while we're out flying around doing greater beastly things. That would be awesome.

>>174814
Yeah I'm all for leaving the hands-on ruling to the people who were doing it before. They can just answer to us as the need arises. :V

Also, yeah, when these guys get things running again well enough where they could do something like that (I mean, to be fair, the city is probably not in the best shape right now), we really oughta see about some kinda kickass lair.

>>174802
Also you look cute with your head pokin' out of the ground like that. |3

>>174814
I meant we would talk on these people as a servant race that would pay us tribute every couple months and be beholden to our wishes. I was thinking they would produce servants for us every couple months and get us delicious gold and valuables for our hoard. If they happen to be sneaky buggers we could also use them as spies to gather information among other great beast's territories.

The payoff for them, of course, being not getting eaten and the occasional bit of help with Great Beast trouble.

Excuse you? we just killed the giant bird and the Queen won't grant us an audience? If she doesn't come out here right now we are taking the city for ourself. Even a queen of the lesser races should be properly subservient to her superiors.

Announce that the Queen will now rule in your name, and in your service. Also, "You're welcome."

>>174838
Why should we care about the queen? One member of the lesser races is much like the next. We make whatever demands please us and expect to be obeyed regardless; whichever of them is present to receive our instructions will do.

The duty of speaking for the city falls upon whomever is there, not upon someone who may or may not show up. That they declare one of them "queen" matters not to us. And if someone who couldn't even bother to show themselves should later object to our statements stringently enough that our demands are not carried out, well, we can adequately show our displeasure then.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)00:12 No. 174912 ID: 7595e4
File 127330274137.png - (20.28KB , 512x512 , 31.png )

Baod reminds them that Mirage is, in fact, a GREAT BEAST who went out of his way to save their city. As if snapping out of a dream, the Princess bows her head and thanks Mirage profusely. When Baod relays Mirage's inquiries about the Queen, the Princess says she will definitely serve in her stead, should Mirage ask that of her.

Baod, Mirage, and the Princess talk back and forth. There are a few choices for Mirage to make - in all of them, though, Kya'tor comes under his territory.

Kya'tor could send him tribute, in the form of SERVANTS, GOODS, and whatever else Mirage might require.

He could live in Kya'tor, and rule there as King.

He could also leave Kya'tor empty-handed, but that seems silly after doing all that work. He could think of other options, as well...He just needs to decide how to handle Kya'tor.

>>174912
Not really a city creature, but we could establish a home in Kya'tor.

The important thing, though, is vassalage. Request that they swear fealty to us. That way, we leave the princess in charge, and don't need to pay heed, but we can require goods and services at a later date if we need them. It's the best of all worlds, really.

>>174912
Tribute sounds good to me. Our name isn't Mirage of the Sandstorm because we like hanging out in cities ruling things; we're meant for the vast deserts.

While I'm not particularly greedy- leaving with more than a double handful of new servants and whatever we/they can easily carry seems excessive for the moment, as we are still establishing ourselves- it should be made clear that the people of Kya'tor will remain in our debt, should we call on them for something in the future.

>>174919
Seconding, and have them model the city guard armor after you, or make a statue or something awesome like that. OH A STATUE OF YOU ROARING!

Option 1 but have the LESSER RACES wave a banner or flag or maybe a statue symbolizing that you own this territory and the town it is under your protection.

>>174912
Take this as a tributary city where we are the king in tittle, but not so much in function. We won't really want to live here, we have our own lair that we could be living in and improving, but they should build an area for us to rest in as is due to their ruler.

I agree that sticking around in the town for an extended period doesn't sound very fun. We should visit regularly though to make sure nothing bad happens to it.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)02:15 No. 174961 ID: 7595e4
File 127331014334.png - (27.23KB , 512x512 , 32.png )

Baod explains that Mirage prefers his lair to the cramped city, and the Princess looks somewhat relieved. Baod, Mirage, and the Princess make plans to arrange for the tribute - they will send it to the oasis nearest Mirage's lair as soon as they get organized.

The Princess says she will make good on her promise to pay homage to Mirage. Already, workers beset upon the bird's corpse, using meat for food and bones for materials - not even the beak or feathers will be wasted. Mirage feels pleased that they will make use of the kill.

With everything arranged, Mirage shrugs out of the sands, puts Baod back on his neck, and flies home for much deserved rest. Tomorrow would hold more promises for expanding his territory.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)02:16 No. 174962 ID: 7595e4
File 127331017931.png - (27.48KB , 512x512 , end1.png )

>Congratulations!

That is one adorable beastmaster.

>>174980
Beastspeaker.

>>174989
That is an adorable beastspeaker.

>>174962
@Mirage: Completent Baod on how adorable he is.

>>174961
Have them make the grandest of the mad beast's feathers into something for your tribute.

Your first kill as an Adult should be remembered for all time, and a powerful reminder to these people of your new relationship.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)14:15 No. 175110 ID: 68af80
File 127335331614.png - (31.88KB , 512x512 , 33.png )

Mirage would never tell Baod he is adorable. That is not fitting for a BEAST of his newly risen stature. Ahem.

Mirage and Baod fly back to Mirage's lair, a sandy cave carved by wind and rain. There is not exactly a room, per say, for Baod, so Mirage lets Baod share his bed. There is, after all, room for them both.

Before they settle for the night, Mirage may ask Baod any questions about the world of LESSER RACES, and Baod vice-versa. If he had any curiousity that needed quenching, now would be the time.

Mirage: Ask whether Baod thinks the city will be able to return to a populated, productive state any time soon.

Baod: Ask how a Beast Court works. Is it an authority over everything, or just a place to communicate?

Someone: How are servants usually supposed to work? Are we going to end up with a small town worth of them, or what? Do we need uniforms, or just collars with name tags?

>>175110
So hey Mirage, you were able to give us a map earlier of the territories of the beasts in the area.

Just in the interest of knowing more about stuff, could Baod conceivably do the same for whatever political entities exist among the lesser races? Couldn't hurt to know who's sworn allegiance to who or whatever if we intend to go for further expansion.

Do greater beasts go mad often? Do lesser beasts even have methods of fighting them?

>>175117
Oh, one other thing.

Mirage, you don't move too much when you sleep, do you? |3

What do Greater Beasts do for fun/enjoyment? Or is it all terrorizing/pillaging/expanding your territory?

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)18:49 No. 175210 ID: 5e8434
File 127336974780.png - (23.30KB , 512x512 , 34.png )

Baod says Kya'tor should be back in working order in just a few days. LESSER RACES are resiliant to this sort of thing.

Mirage, in turn, explains the BEAST COURT. It is when the GREATER BEASTS of the region meet. Here is where the loose rules that GREATER BEASTS choose to govern themselves are formed. Formal challenges can be issued, greviances addressed...In its most basic form, the BEAST COURT prevents every other BEAST from consuming each other for ambition. Stepping out of line at a BEAST COURT attracts the attentions of things even GREATER BEASTS fear.

Between Mirage and Baod, they know how servants work. The LESSER makes an oath to serve the GREATER, and it binds their fates. In exchange for their service, SERVANTS eventually gain strength and powers from their GREATER BEAST master. In this way, it is mutually beneficial.

Mirage does not understand the politics of LESSER RACES, and could not show you their boundaries.

No one is sure what makes a BEAST go mad. Some older BEASTS say it is the LESSER RACES that make them so, others say it is the taint of the earth. There is no known cure.

Mirage sleeps in one place. He definitely does not roll on his back and kick sometimes in his dreams. Either way, his connection to Baod will prevent him from accidentally rolling on him.

Mirage likes to collect strange rocks as a passtime. He also likes glass and strange-colored sand. He tends to his appearance often. There is much to waste time on when he isn't doing his BEASTLY duties.

If there is nothing more, Baod and Mirage will sleep until tomorrow.

>>175210
You're definitely not going to rub your nose up against Baod in your sleep either, right?

>>175210

I think the question regarding lesser race politics and boundaries was directed toward baod.

>>175210
Yeah that question was for Baod. I wouldn't expect Mirage to know that, but I would expect Baod to at least have a cursory knowledge of the local area.

Beyond that,

There are things GREATER BEASTS fear, beyond other more powerful beasts?

Also, are there ways for the LESSER RACES to take on a GREATER BEAST? Baod mentioned something about HUNTERS earlier, while he was still with the caravan.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)19:42 No. 175230 ID: 5e8434
File 127337295147.png - (27.34KB , 512x512 , 35.png )

Baod does, indeed, know better than Mirage! Mirage wonders why he didn't see him asking Baod in the first place.

Baod reveals additional cities and trade routes to Mirage. He says many of the cities are in an uneasy truce, though Kya'tor might present a soft target now that they are weakened. Still, if word passes that they are protected by a GREATER BEAST, that alone is enough to give many a second thought.

The only thing that could turn the tides are more BEASTS, or HUNTERS.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)19:44 No. 175233 ID: 5e8434
File 127337309472.png - (30.45KB , 512x512 , 36.png )

HUNTERS are skilled warriors from the LESSER RACES that band together just to hunt GREATER BEASTS. They make armor from their scales, blades from their fangs, and some say become like BEASTS themselves. GREATER BEASTS have little protection from weapons made of their kin.

Mirage is afraid of the things that are GREATER THAN GREAT, that is, greater than GREATER BEASTS. He tells Baod that his mother told him that when the things that made the world made BEASTS, they made things greater than BEASTS to carry their messages and uphold their laws. He has never seen one, but he does not want to, either.

>>175233
Good to know. I can't really think of anything else which should be asked at the moment.

Excepting of course,

>>175217
You're definitely not going to do this, right? Because it certainly wouldn't be endearing or anything like that, and would in no way fit in with your established, rather quirky personality. |3

Do you have any way of controlling what kind of power Baod might get?

Something to think about while you sleep.

Suggestion 2010/05/08(Sat)22:32 No. 175311 ID: 5e8434
File 127338317330.png - (27.30KB , 512x512 , 37.png )

BAOD JUST HAPPENS TO BE SLEEPING NEAR MIRAGE'S NOSE. NO ONE SHOULD QUESTION WHY. AHEM.

Mirage cannot control how Baod will grow, but in the beginning, the changes will be very basic. It will take years for Baod to drastically change.

Mirage muses over the many ways he's heard of servants changing as he falls asleep. And Mirage begins to dream.

And then we get weird Freudian dreams regarding Mirage's mother.

>>175315
Really? Do we have to? I wanted some prophetic dreams.

>>175311
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite, yeah

Dreams of magnificent roars that make the lady great beasts swoon?

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)00:31 No. 175342 ID: 5e8434
File 127339026538.png - (85.27KB , 512x512 , 38.png )

Oh.

Oh.

Mirage appears to be in the Land of Dreams.

He also appears to be younger than he is. It's not a very enjoyable dream.

It's very pink.

What now?

rub pink all over yourself

>>175342
Walk around and attempt to influence the dream world with our mind.

OH MY GOD YOU ARE SO CUUUUUUTE~

Look around for whimsical adventures.

>>175342
D'aww, is that what you looked like when you were a kid? :3c

Explore this pink world full of harmony harmony oh love~

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)01:04 No. 175365 ID: 5e8434
File 127339225449.png - (71.92KB , 512x512 , 39.png )

MIRAGE IS VERY STATELY AT ANY AGE. He keeps telling himself that. If he rubbed pink on himself, he wouldn't be able to see himself very well. Though he tries to change the environment to one familiar, he finds he cannot. Instead, he takes off on whimsical adventures / exploration.

The world is pink and full of fluffy clouds. On one island is a rock in the shape of a sphere - one of Mirage's favorites. On another, a patchwork jungle.

The Lady of Dreams watches him from a distance. He could approach the Lady of Dreams, as well.

>>175365
Would speaking with the Lady be rude? If not, do so.

If that's risky... go play with the BALL!

>>175365
Approach the lady, perhaps she could explain her realm to us.

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)01:37 No. 175385 ID: 5e8434
File 127339426418.png - (79.92KB , 512x512 , 40.png )

The Lady of Dreams is a lady of peace, for in her do both Beast and Race find peace. Knowing this, Mirage approaches her gently.

If Mirage didn't know this was a dream, he'd swear he'd eaten bad berries. From her sleeves drip the sands of sleep and time, and her hair trails the endless seed-fluff clouds of this dream. She speaks in a thousand hushed lullabies, and in it Mirage can feel her creeping smile.

Hello, Mirage. I see you have forsaken play and adventure in the chance to speak with me. What could weigh on your mind so heavily?

Mirage knows he must be careful. Though she would never hurt him, she may end this dream as soon as she likes, and then he will never have the chance to plumb the depths of the Lady's infinite knowledge.

>>175385
Well, I mostly just wanted to find out more about her. Curiosity.

I suppose it also might be nice to know if it is possible to bring a GREATER BEAST back from madness.

>>175399
This doesn't sound like a bad idea. If you need help introducing the subject properly, you could always mention that you encountered a completely mad BEAST not long ago at all, and that as a result your mind may have come back to the concept a couple of times. Since it's true!

(Also, wait, you eat berries? :B)

>>175399
>>175489
First things first, greet her with proper politeness and formality.

Yeah, knowledge of how to cure the madness of greater beasts would be very useful. As part of the lead up, you might mention that you're feeling regretful for having had to kill the mad beast, and wish there was an alternative.

Oh, and assuming she doesn't kick us out into wakefulness, we should also ask -why- beasts go mad in the first place, because that might be just as important as the knowledge of curing them.

Last, if she won't/can't answer, but doesn't end the dream... Perhaps we can ask her where we can find this knowledge in the waking world? Somehow, I get the feeling that if we're going to get answers, we're going to have to work for them.

>>175385
Just be sure to thank the Lady of Dreams for allowing you the chance to ask her questions, what knowledge she imparts to you, and of course for her doing what she does.

>>175385
You've begun your journey into adulthood. Perhaps she could tell you why you are still a child in this dream? Perhaps it is meant to be a comfort.. perhaps it will always be so.

Or perhaps it is a sign of another aspect yet to mature.

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)11:33 No. 175542 ID: 5e8434
File 127342998072.png - (87.31KB , 512x512 , 41.png )

Mirage eats MEAT! But sometimes he's up for a little change and eating berries isn't weird we should not bring it up ever again.

Outside of Mirage's mind, the Lady smiles on her featureless mask. He asks politely, after thanking her for the dreamland he provides to all.

Why such interest in saving the mad? They are your stepping stones to greatness. Consuming the hearts of your brothers makes you stronger in turn. Or do you want to wait for centuries?

The dream doesn't seem to be fading, but as always, the Lady of Dreams is being cryptic and evasive. He might get a few more questions before she gets bored of Mirage, though.

Other than altruism? Making sure MIRAGE doesn't go mad.

>>175542
Ask her if she ever gets lonely. Maybe... she'd like to play?

>>175550
Not in a suggestive tone! Not in a suggestive tone!

>>175551
What? OH. Yes, I meant like with the ball.

>>175542
Because its the right thing to do. Sure, if things stayed the same, it is to our advantage, but a mad beast brings suffering, and suffers itself. Finding an alternative to simply killing them all when they lose their minds, or even discovering a way to prevent the madness completely, is a noble cause. We do not wish to wait centuries, but at the same time, simply standing by and eating the hearts of our kin as they spiral down into insanity, taking advantage of their suffering, is a bloody road, and is not a path we wish to take.

(Of course, if you go for the philosophy of enlightened self intrest over simple selflessness, we'd possibly also be immortalized in legend as a hero if we succeeded. But that doesn't matter as much as doing the right thing, I'm sure, right MIRAGE?)

>>175542
We fear the madness, as all creatures fear all the unknown. Knowledge is the way to quench this fear.

Sides, yea. If we know why it happens, we can make it not happen to us.

Hey, what if we stop the madness after we're almighty and powerful?

I'm down with having a steady source of XP. Let's worry about curing it after we're on top of the dog pile, as a means of securing our power.

Ooh! Ooh! Ask if hunters are good to eat! I bet they go crazy all the time, what with being warped by their power and all.

There's probably many sources of power. Which may or may not involve cartloads of weird berries extorted from your subjects.

What if too much power causes the madness?

>>175563
that is a good point...

>>175563
I kindof doubt it. The bird was pretty weak.

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)13:06 No. 175570 ID: 5e8434
File 127343557235.png - (80.65KB , 512x512 , 42.png )

The Lady pauses.

It is the folly of All that brought the Madness, and now it punishes all by driving Beasts into their homes, making them crazed. To cure it, one would have to silence the source, risking madness themselves.

Well that sounds...heroic. But Mirage doesn't like the idea of losing himself. He's still young. Maybe to get the strange answer off of his mind, he offers to play ball with the Lady.

I appreciate the offer, but this dream is prophetic, not silly. Maybe next time?

I will answer one more question, then it is time to wake, little one.

"If I choose to cure the madness, then how can I protect myself from it while I act against the source?"

Is all as it should be? Extradimensional and universal mechanics and all that, or people trying to screw it all up somehow.

>>175570
"Is my roar as great as it should be?"

>>175570
Well... this is a prophetic dream... I think it may be your job to stop the madness. I'm sure you have all the time in the world though. Ask her why the dream is prophetic.
Also your holding her to that game of ball.

Ask if she can tell you anything about the source of the madness.

Screw that. Ask how to get MORE POWERFUL. Any means other than hearts? Consuming Hunters? Wizards? Alchemical mixtures? Weird berries?

>>175586
Alright sure, ask how you can grow more powerful. Or what the source is of the madness. Either one.

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)13:42 No. 175588 ID: 8b616a
File 12734377725.png - (97.09KB , 512x512 , 43.png )

I'm sure you'll figure it out in time.

Mirage feels confused. He hadn't voiced a question yet!

In time...

Suggestion 2010/05/09(Sun)13:43 No. 175589 ID: 8b616a
File 127343780453.png - (58.28KB , 512x512 , 44.png )

In time...

Wake up. Don't be accidentally eating Baod.

>>175590
Or on top of him!
...
Or kissing him! We don't want that either...
unless want that...

Quick! Dream of something cool so you don't wake up disappointed!

>>175594
Given the size disparity involved, all three are likely to be life threatening.

>>175594
No, just no. Wake up and stretch, maybe eat a camel or two for breakfast.

Be sure not to accidentally rub noses with Baod during that stretch. We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?

MORNING WOOD!

>>175604
>>175610
>>175617


>>175597

Is it morning yet? If not slip out stealthily so as not to awaken Baod. Then stand looking epic as a silhouette against the moon for fun. When that gets boring, wake Baod and tell him to show you his roar. A servant of yours must learn the value of a proper roar.

>>175638
>wake Baod and tell him to show you his roar
I'm sorry but I must insist that you do this. |3

Out of curiosity, do you or Baod know if the Greater Beasts and Lesser Races share a common ancestry? Baod kinda looks like a tiny dragon :3c

>>175644
This. Should be good for a laugh, nya?~

>>175644
And if you feel like it would be strange to ask, remember that you can always just brush it off as you being half-asleep when you asked the question. |3

>>175744
A great beast need not concern himself with the strangeness of his behavior.

>>175754
Yes, but we've already established that he does anyway. :B