ahha, i knew something was going on. you have a popped seam and it seems to be getting bigger. was trying a stealth route this time, get everything almost off and then it just falls apart. i'm not sure what to do about it though, maybe noticing it is happening is enough.

>>236889
Perfect! Oh and we can call this the Breaker property, because why not? I'm sure you'll have sizable list of features sooner or later. And I'm not sure how much control we might have over your future powers, but note that when using sylvan striker you were not the ideal sort of blade, and in slime form you weren't there at all. Suppose your shape could adapt to her styles and forms? Even if it were a piecemeal adaption to one use at a time it might be a worthwhile path.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/05(Tue)06:10 No. 238743 ID: e31d52
File 128628420361.png - (77.96KB , 700x700 , 79.png )

>>236941
Most of my Forms cannot use weaponry, so... that's kinda a moot point.

>>236906
I what! My pants! I liked these...

>>236892
I walk up to the bars, and with a few cuts, they fall to the floor.

And then they slide down, as if there was more portcullis hidden in the wall. I do it again.

And again.

...

>>238743
>Most of my Forms cannot use weaponry, so... that's kinda a moot point.
I was thinking it could get around that... oh well. Slime form with a sharp and fluid acidic sword seemed neat.

Leave the bars alone, clearly this place is ridiculously overdesigned. Can't even break properly. Check out the next new passage.

>>238743
Don't fight the werk right now. Try cutting your way through the gate that leads up instead. It will probably also have the endless portcullis thing going on. But you should atleast try it.

Oh, and cut off some slices from the fleshy golem. It might be edible and you don't know when you're going to get out of find something that you can eat again. You should get some skin to make into a waterskin as well, if you find a source of water you should be able to carry some with you so you can last a bit longer if getting out drags on for several days.

well, since the only thing that broke is the seam that one spell Marcus has, that fixing one, it should work fine at fixing them. tomorrow though. so he doesn't blow them all the way off trying to fix them.

>>238750
there are no stairs that lead up. two passages, down and back. the back passage is the one she just tried to cut through. so the only passage left is down. i don't know WHERE you got that an up passage is somewhere.

>>238764
My bad then. Down it is. Although I could have sworn that there was another passage. Hmm, must have been the shop that looked like another exit then.

also it's a bit sad we didn't need the ring but it's like an umbrella, rather have it an not need it, then need it and not have it.

>>238743
Doesn't Marcus have a spell to fix things? He ought to have a spell to fix things. Make him fix your pants.

Clearly, we must quest on to find magic pants

>>238790
those ARE magic pans, it's just that the book is an artifact so it can bypass lesser magic.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/05(Tue)23:47 No. 239319 ID: e31d52
File 128634765223.png - (51.06KB , 500x500 , 80.png )

I mention the issue of my pants to Marcus and he nods.

"Not now, though. I'd rather wait until I'm not liable to have your clothing... or mine... explode off my body. You'll have to endure for now."

"But-"

"But nothing, Samantha. It doesn't hinder you as far as I can tell, it's not a problem."

"But it is!"

"Would you like me to undress as well, or shall we move on?" he asks, pulling out the knife. "I shall now prepare this meat for making jerky. Do you have any more issues to address?" he asks.

He pauses. "I apologize. My concern for you was overbearing and I feel I may have lashed out. This is rather uncommon for me. Excuse me."

He walks over to the golem and begins to carve off the membrane, inspecting the muscle tissue and mumbling quietly to himself as he usually does.

I wonder what that book would do, if no one was wearing clothes. Probably something even more perverse. Well I guess that's not worth worrying about... how flesh golem jerky tastes, would be a more immediate concern. Assist him with that if you are able, preparing a good amount quickly is important if you can't find any other sort of food down here.

>>238815
...We must quest for artifact pants.

Social hangups around nudity
jeez, apologize back, it's just leggings. and it's not like he hasn't been perfect gentleman this whole time. i'm sure he would be more then willing to fix them later. also, are you sure you wouldn't be okay with him stripping too? it may be jumping a few steps but being comfortable around each other is a key part in making sure you no longer feel weird about it. it's fine if you say no at the moment, it IS skipping some steps.

>>239319
Affection towards Marcus
He's right, and he's obviously thinking about your feelings if he's apologizing for his comment without having been called out for it. I think he cares more than he lets on.

>>239319
Well then, nothing for it except to take matters in your own hands. Get a sliver of bone you can use as a needle and get fish out some tendons. Let them dry and then you can sew your pants back together yourself. The tricky parts are going to be the needle and the tendons, sewing isn't that hard, unless you're trying to make it look good.

Suggestion 2010/10/06(Wed)17:23 No. 239576 ID: e31d52
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>>239330
>+5
>30
I but what!? That would be totally inappropriate! I can't ask him to do that! Seriously!

>>239346
>+5 ((New category!))
>6

Maybe that... maybe that's the case but now is not the time! We have places to go. Bodies to dry out and eat.

>>239361
The creature has no bones, and is almost entirely muscle mass.
"How did this even work?" I ask, looking over the opened creature.

"Magically animated." he replies. "As per the spell. I believe that high-ranking Werks can cast something like it when they become strong enough."
"Ah. Do you think it'll taste any good?"
"Meh. Artificially made muscle isn't really all that good for taste, but it is incredibly nutritious. If I dry all this we could live down here for months, if we can find some source of citrus and water."

"Ah... Were you serious, before?"

"Hm? I'm always serious, Samantha." he pulls out a large hunk of meat.

O-oh.

Social hangups around nudity
i did say it was skipping a bunch of steps. step one is just sleep in the same bed clothes on with a blanket between you. which isn't so bad. the next step starts when you are totally comfortable with the current step, at which point the next step will be considered not so bad. it is a slow but good way of getting over fears.

>>239576
What are you waiting for? Thank him for being concerned for you. Plus, help him cut some flesh off.

>>239576
Affection towards Marcus
On the contrary, this is the perfect time for this.
You're trapped in a dungeon, and the only direction you can move in is away from the surface. You're going to be putting much more than your life in his hands, and he will be doing the same for you. Beyond the simple need to establish a rapport and develop your teamwork, you also need to build emotional bonds. The closer you two are the more protective and decisive you will be about each other, and hesitation kills.
I am rather disappointed that they didn't cover survival psychology as part of your training. At the very least as far as explaining how the brain handles this in an instinctual process.

Well, what's done is done. What's important to understand now is that you're going to become emotionally attached towards Marcus. This is completely normal, and something you should encourage instead of fight.

>>239576
There should still be some tendons in there somewhere. Help with the cutting and look for some. You don't actually need a needle if you can just dry out the tendons, then you can usually make one end hard enough that all you need are some holes in the cloth you're trying to sew. And with a knife and premade holes that's not very hard to fix. So look for those tendons while helping him work.

Honestly there is a multitude of uses for tendons, so it would be really good if you could find some.

How do I shot trip!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/09(Sat)05:46 No. 240634 ID: e31d52
File 128662840911.png - (109.25KB , 500x500 , 82.png )

>>239625
"Th-thank you for the concern."

"You place yourself in unreasonable danger. You deal with embarrassment on a regular basis. And yet you put up with me." he cuts out a rather large piece, placing it by his side while I look for tendons.

>>239835

He watches me for a moment. "They don't teach you much beyond Martial Arts there, do they?"

"N-no, why?"

"A minion must know how to do many things. repair cheif among them. Butchering, cooking, and other similar arts as well." he goes on, pulling out a long, thin muscle. "I was hoping to wait for the next day, but this will give me something to do." he says, placing it carefully atop the skins. "It'll need some time to dry." he says, then gets back to work with me, explaining how and where to cut. He takes a break and hands me his knife, watching me and instructing.

>>239709
>+7
>11
Like Marcus said, the most advanced training is martial arts. Very few courses fall outside that, and if they do, they go into general prep (maintaining heavy armor and weapons, things like that) or combat magic. I'm not very good at either. B-but you're probably right. I'm not sure, though. It's only been two days!

sounds like you were expected to be on the front line, and anywhere else is sub par for your training. Marcus was given a behind the scenes education.
i am rather curious about what this meat tastes like, hopefully not BAD, and at worst just unpleasant.

>>240634
Affection towards Marcus
Ugh, I don't know if it's incompetence or malice but your school is in dire need of a good throttling.
You're more capable of coming out on top in a fight, but Marcus is more capable of surviving on his own.
Watch him. Learn from him. He will keep you alive while he teaches you how to survive without the sort of support your previous teachers assumed you would always have.

Well you two make an excellent team. Maybe you can stay together for more ventures once you escape this hellhole?

What spells and stuff did Marcus get from the magic library?

How do I shot trip!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/12(Tue)00:39 No. 242457 ID: e31d52
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>>241370
"Oh, what spells did I find? I managed to recover Limited Teleport, Space-to-Hand, and another spell that I'm not certain about called... Amaega. The first lets me teleport myself and gear about 40 feet, without error, the second lets me teletor hand-held objects into my hand so long as they aren't attended or out of sight, but I have no idea what the last one does at all... It was the only spell in the book, and the description was heavily damaged. It's also a fifth-circle spell, so it's very powerful!"

There isn't much of anything in the area to burn for fuel, but Marcus is able to find a way to cook some anyway anyway. It's not much.

Bleh, terrible!

"Much better as a jerky." he says with a chuckle.

... Did he just laugh?!

hahaha, if he did then that means he is also loosening up to you. getting less business and more friendly.

>>242457
Seems that way doesn't it. Anyway, those spells seem rather nice and possibly useful. Compliment him on gaining them.

But you know you should probably start moving again pretty soon. The bosswerk thing might be back with more nasty stuff to use against you.

>>242457
So he can teleport up to 40', while you can turn into a slime?

Turn into a slime and go through the bars.
Marcus teleports after you.
You then proceed to kick the crap out of the now-overpowered Boss Werk and loot his things.
Following that, Marcus teleports out of the pit you fell down and retrieves a rope with which he can extract you.

>>242504
the pit is deeper then 40 feet.

You'll have to try out the Amaega spell then next time you stop to rest or have a chance to restore Marcus' magic.

Once the jerky is done you should probably take point making use of your Slithering Slime form to scout ahead stealthily.

Limited Teleport won't let Marcus teleport together with you will it? Even if he holds you in his arms?

How do I shot trip!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/16(Sat)21:07 No. 244523 ID: e31d52
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>Limited Teleport won't let Marcus teleport together with you will it? Even if he holds you in his arms?

"Nope." he replies. "Limited only teleports myself and gear. And unless you could, like, turn into a suit of armor..."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Amaega seems to be in the Arcana school, by the way. No penalties, which is nice."

Silence.

"So, uhm." I manage quietly. "Why were you there?"

"Hm?"

"The book. Why did you want it?"

He goes into thought.
"I was born without the ability to channel magic." he admits quietly. "I don't want to grow up to be some sweat-backed hauler for some random incompetent. I'm tired of seeing the school in disrepair. And the growth, it's just... frivolous. I've heard that it's started to even tunnel down! Sooner or later, there won't be any down to tunnel through. And when that happens..."

A grim image of the schools colapsing fills my mind. "It won't be pleasant." he finishes darkly. "I want to be stronger. I want to rule this place, and see it done right."

I-I.... I've never seen anyone so... passionate. Even the paladins never get this... this w-wild look in their eyes.

that is because most paladins simply do what their god tells them, they say go slay evil and they slay evil. but Marcus here, he is trying to do something that is both extremely selfish and selfless at the same time, he wants enough power to save everything. you should be his moral compass, power is an extremely corrupting force and he could break under the pressure alone.

>>244523
Confidence
Tell him that you'll help him, if he'll have you. He can't handle everything on his own, and someone's going to look after him... and you care about the schools too, right? You're capable, fairly smart, and if you set your mind to it, you can accomplish this goal. Rule the schools. Let nothing stand in your way.

>>244523
Insight
Equal parts passion and obsession, it seems. He seems to have good control and ability to reason, but I wonder if he is tempered by anything else? Not exactly a people person, if you get my drift. Even if well intentioned and capable of transforming the school, he may become a tyrant for his vision. Can't be sure of that with what we know now... try asking him about how well he thinks he can deal with people, with leadership and power over others.

>>244523
Well that's because this is something he himself truly wants, and something that he's willing to do almost anything to get. If eternal damnation was the price for it then he would accept it.

Anyway, what he said about leadership was just how he would want the school to expand, not what he would want the students to focus on and stuff. Ask about that as well.

Well tell him this, " Listen I want to help you rule this school if you would want me. ( Hug him, show him your intentions) I want you to know that I will help you in any way I can but there is a piece of advice I should give you. Rememeber to use your passion to drive yourself foward but always be aware of what you are doing and what effect is will have. That is the true way to power."

Then stick your tounge out at him to show a bit of humour.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/19(Tue)00:41 No. 245901 ID: e31d52
File 128747410073.png - (98.23KB , 500x500 , 85.png )

A personal drive, rather than a divine one? I... suppose that makes sense. But my teachers always told me that it is the ambition in our hearts that turns us to darkness.

That we should only strive for greater power because it would let us protect people more effectively. Doing it for yourself is Wrong and Evil and Selfish and things...

>>244554

"But what about people? Surely such an upset will-"

"They will recognise my vision or die so that I can make it real without being impeded."

... He... He is definitely... Well, he is defenitely not Good. I mean... throwing away life like that?

>>244809

"And the students?"

"I'd direct them to learn as they please. A good third of R.A.M. is library. I will appoint advisors of subjects that can direct proper study, and enforce rules. Knowledge should be sought after by those who desire it. Those who do not want it will merely let it rot within their skulls."

There's a pause.

"What about you, Samantha? Why did you come down here?"

Oh god if I tell him I'm a paladin in training he might not trust me or he will like me less but I can't lie because that would be Wrong but I don't want him to think I'll kill him for what he just said what do I dooooo

>>245901
It's isn't like he's aligned with dark forces here, he's just ambitious. It isn't that alone that leads to darkness, it's neglecting everything else in blind desire. Doing the "right" thing with a big dose of "the ends justifying the means". He doesn't speak of cold murder but defeating those who fight back. If those who stood in his way were instead peacefully removed, made to not mind or converted over to his side he certainly wouldn't mind. Just be honest about what you want to be, and that you would like to guide his course of action to not lead to such bloodshed.

Try to be calm and ask him that you want to try and help him to acheive his objectives but try to guide him to achieve his goals through non-violence. Be honest with yourself but try and develop and a romance with him. Build it up gradually at your own pace.

There is a question that I want to know, what would you do if you were incharge of the school and how would you deal with poential threats.

>>245906
you mean friendship.

Calm down, you already told him you were a paladin back when you two met, if that would effect his trust and/or liking of you then it would have already.

>>245901

Insight

You're a Paladin-to-be, so you don't know this yet. I could be mistaken, but I believe Marcus has never actually lead in a complex political situation, and so he probably doesn't know it either yet.

There's a secret to all forms of leadership. The secret is this: running an organization is a sort of constant war. Instead of the lives of soldiers, the normal currency spent to gain territory (willing followers) is social influence. Lives are only lost when opposing sides see absolutely no way to reconcile. This is because each time a leader loses a member of his organization, or overtly attacks his opponents, he destroys territory.

Killing people in a political situation is, at best, a scorched earth policy that results in living members leaving the longer it goes on. It's non-sustainable. Marcus, even with the full power of the book at his disposal, won't be able to afford to kill many people at all.

He's rational though, and he's ruthless (a great quality in a leader), and logical. As soon as he understands that killing his political opponents is not the optimal path to consolidating power, he'll change his plans. As it is, he's young and while well trained is still inexperienced in the practicum of political maneuvering. Killing is so quick and so final that's it's quite easy to make the mistake of viewing it as the optimum solution.

Basically, it is not a matter of being evil so much as a matter of being efficient. Talk him into thinking that killing isn't efficient, and he won't.

>>245901
Why, you lie of course. But a lie with a hidden truth in it. You tell him that you wanted the medallion so you could become a stronger warrior. It's the truth after all isn't it? You just leave out those other problematical parts.

And your teachers told you that stuff because that is what they believe or have been told to teach you. That doesn't necessarily make it the truth. Which leads up to an interesting questions. Do you want to protect people because that is what you yourself truly want or is it because your teachers have told you to do so?

>>245901
>>245974

A question for you both. Are your memories faulty?

Sam, you already told Marcus you were a Paladin-in-training, back when you first met him. He is not the sort of man to forget something like that, so you should assume that his frankness is intended to simply inform you. He would not expect you to kill him for simply speaking ruthlessly. And he's right. It's no crime to say ruthless things.

If he expects you to react to his statements in any fashion, it would be for you to attempt to talk him out of pre-meditated murder.

Insight

For now, tell him the truth about why you are here (remind him that you've already told him the most important part). Then engage him in a conversation about political leadership by asking if it wouldn't be better to convert opponents than kill them. He will admit that it usually is the case and then attempt to argue that some opponents simply cannot be converted; this is where you point out that killing someone is not the only way to politically neutralize them. Removing all their support by converting their followers is just as effective, and has the benefit of not utterly alienating squeamish people, and people who are sympathetic to the opponent.

>>244523

One last thought. Aren't animate suits of armor a popular sort of golem? Fight enough of them and you could indeed turn into a suit of armor.

>>245984
Oh I remembered it. It's just that reminding her of that would make me miss a chance to corrupt. Or open her eyes to the truth as I see it. Either way it's a lot more fun than making her into some sort of living saint that converts everyone into happy go lucky people who never hurts a fly. Granted, my influence is likely to be negliant and things will turn out in a somewhat predictable way and I will get bored of it all. But for now it's still interesting so I keep trying.

yeah, marcus doesn't seem the type to just lash out for no reason. you will be fine, just tell him the truth.

GaC: Know thy Enemy: END Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2010/10/20(Wed)12:09 No. 246329 ID: e31d52
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>>245927
I... did?

I guess I did.

"I'm becoming a paladin in training. I... I can't feel the Spark, so I came to the underschool to train."

"You're not very good at long term planning, are you? You would have died down here."

"..."

"Furthermore, your deafness to the divine is more likely due to how you think than how strong you are physically."

"B-but-"

"And lastly, I think becoming a paladin is a waste of your talents."

"Wha?"

"You're an excellent fighter, but you're terribly with morality." he says, testing one of the tendons. "A Paladin doesn't sense evil. They seek it out, and ferret it from hiding with a number of techniques. There's a lot more to it than smiting and smashing. Frankly, you don't strike me as that sort of girl." he says further, threading a needle.

"Th-then what do I strike you as?"

"Someone trying to do the right thing for everyone she can. Right?"

"..."

"Let me guess, you want to help me? You want to divert me away from murder and whatnot?"

"..."

"The way to the top is paved with bones and painted in blood, decorated in gore and designed for betrayal. It is not a pretty path, but it's the one I've chosen. If you want to divert me from that, I seriously recommend against it."

"I want to help you in any way I can. The schools are in danger. That means my sisters are too."

"Then keep me alive." he says simply. he looks intently at the tendon.

He looks up at me, meeting my eyes. Wait, the teachers told me never to loo-

I see something. Like I'm sensing a cursed Item, but far, far worse. It hurts. It hurts! My eyes! It hurts! It's moving towards me! No!

Stay away!

Monster!

Samantha has LEVELED UP!

Samantha has gained additional HP and Transformation Panels!

Samantha can now specialize in a Form or a Style!

Please vote to specialize in one and what character we will focus on in the DISCUSSION THREAD: http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/328400.html