>>379649
The other book.. perhaps we could return and find it once more some day? It may hold the key to what we have lost.

uh. elaborate?

>>379657
I have a feeling that that would be a bad idea.

Maybe what we lost isn't such a bad thing.

Think about this in terms of amnesiac protagonists in videogames everywhere:

Half of them turn out to have been the prequel's big bad, and turn out all the better for having forgotten their past and having had the chance to develop without whatever influence made them evil in the first place.

>>379649
Then we owe you greatly, and must thank you for not abusing the position it has placed us in. Can you elaborate on how this came to be?

>>379661

"Can you tell me more?"

She shakes her head.
"You have to trust me - even I am not certain. But I know this much, in the two years of memory we lost, if I could have done things differently, I would have."

She looks up at you pleadingly. "You have to understand, Legion. There are risks I can and cannot take with a bound demon. For now... goodbye."

She releases your hand, and walks away, the blood draining from her dress as she takes Rose's hand and kisses her lovingly - and you fall through the floor into the darkness of her unused mind.

Perk gained: [For we are Many]. You may now ask Sera questions directly, and recieve answers in the email field of the responding post. In combat, Sera can more reliably perceive enemies and threats with Legion's help.

--[DISCONTINUITY]--

I blink awake, and try to breathe in - only to find myself nestled in warmth. Soft warmth. I pull my face out of Ayda's chest, and turn to look outside. It's still night. I try to return to sleep, but find I can't, rising out of bed and quietly replacing my armor upon my suit. That dream... I shake my head and walk outside, into the chill night air.

Testing, testing. One, two, three...

I blink, looking around suddenly. This is Warrior Harumda, calling to all my demon comrades. My summoner has died, and left me in a bounded field. I'm due south of Tinsel. Three favors to whomever helps a brother out, here.

... I guess he got through because of Legion's... er, your location in relation to my mental defenses.

You remember this demon, vaguely. An honourable knight in Wrath's armies. He has trouble telling lies or setting traps - he is straightforward.

This is typical of his luck.

Well, normally I'd suspect a trap, but I guess this guy's a special case. For the same reasons, I expect his favors are uniquely valuable.

That said, something killed his summoner, and we are most likely not the only ones to have received this message. Let's try to reply to him directly ourselves and inquire about what happened to his summoner and what his surroundings are like. If we go, we should go cautiously, alone, and leave a note so nobody comes charging after us only to endanger both us and themselves—but we aren't very stealthy in the first place, so we might as well be quick as well. I say we go for it.

Uh, hrm.

...

Not sure what to say to this one.

I say go find the demon, help it and have it bodyguard you when you try summon demon. See if you can summon a horse demon or something.

>>379671
You attempt a sending back.
What is the area like? What happened to the summoner?

"First of all, I didn't kill him. Fucker fell down a goddamn hole in the floor. Secondly, I'm in a largish building - I think it's large, anyway. Warehouse? I'm not sure."

O-kay, then. I leave a note for the others - Got something I have to take care of quick - be back soonish. and leave it on the door outbefore picking up my gun and ammo - only to stop in the doorway out.

The full moon, red and high in the sky, casts the world into a blood-like haze. So much blood. I take a step ba-

"Get it together. You are stronger than that, master."

I shake my head and step outside. Cold! Really cold. I'm glad I didn't go out without the suit earlier. Still, it's easy to grow accustomed to, and I begin to trek south. I make my way over a hill that drops into a rocky cliff, and see the place where the man had fallen. Interestingly, I don't think anyone would notice this place or blunder upon it. It looks like some sort of hangar or warehouse of some sort. Looking around, I see nothing but the wispy yellow fireballs of fireflies dancing in the night, and creep a little closer. I don't see anything near the place, so I clamber down with care along the cliff, landing on the even cooler sands softly. I step forward in the redness, carefully, until I'm near the door.

"Watch your step." a voice inside warns. "The floor isn't incredibly stable. Might want to look for struts." the voice is rough, seemingly on the edge of anger at all times. Something about it sends shivers up my spine. There is real threat within that tone. I gather myself and move closer, slowly, along the places where it would be most structually sound.

"Hold it." mutters the voice, and a flame lights the darkness - a red fire.

In the hands of a demon, bound within a circle of black magic.

The demon has an avian head, though its beak is serrated with long spikes, hooked slightly like a bird of prey. Its skin shines black, like polished onyx or marble, layered on a heavily muscular body. The skin moves and stretches despite the look of stone about it. Horns curl on the sides of the beast's head, and two glowing hemispheres appear to be its eyes. And...

I sharply bring my eyes to that strange face.

"H-uh. Well, then, are you here to release me, or bargain with me, or shall we draw up a contract?" he asks. "I ain' goin' anywhere, but, ah... I'm obli... ob... supposed to tell you that this circle's only gonna last a day and a half and once it's toast, so is..." he chuckles. "Well, anyone that can't match me in combat. So, probably a few towns."

You would really offer up three favors just to avoid a day and a half of waiting?

If we do get some favors here... A bodyguard for X time could be one. And he knows magic so maybe a teacher too.

How does one distinguish between a demon and a mutated human?

Also holy shit the summoner is here and fell through a hole? Loot the corpse, maybe s/he has magic book, maybe money and equipment... maybe identification.

Well damn. Good thing we got here quickly. Might as well tell him the word he's looking for is "obligated."

Now, as I see it, we have two options: Contract this guy to do things other than random murder (murder of people who are trying to kill us instead, for example) for us for the indefinite future, or banish him. Banishment should fulfill the conditions to get his three favors, since we're still freeing him from his circle. The problem is, we don't know the spell. However, given that his summoner summoned him in the first place, I bet he did. Since we have plenty of time our absolute first order of business should be to loot the shit out of that corpse, find that spell, and if it's there, learn it.

Failing that, we should have enough time to make it to town, purchase a spellbook containing Banish, return, study, and apply the spell. However, this runs a much greater risk of another demon showing up and freeing him in the meantime, so we should seriously consider a contract that precludes mass murder in the event that his summoner's corpse lacks the requisite information. Should that become necessary, I propose the following:
"Kill anyone or anything who would, without your interference, have succeeded in killing or with hostile intent grievously wounding Sera. Do no harm other than this. Remain hidden from others to the best of your ability except as required to fulfill the other requirements of this contract."
Simple, straightforward, and hard to abuse even by a demon who's good at that sort of thing. It's not the most use we could get out of him, but it's probably about as safe as demonic contracts get, and it prevents him from committing random and/or mass murder.

If he's unwilling to accept that as-is, this clause should make it much more attractive without putting us or anyone else at greater risk:
"This contract may be terminated by your voluntary banishment at any time later than one month from now, only at such an time that both you and Sera judge Sera to be secure from foreseeable harm, or your Banishment by Sera at any time."

>>379688
I think discussing contracting him is jumping the gun a bit. We need some answers first before committing to such a thing. Besides which, how big a favor are we talking about here? "Will not try to betray us" big? "Will server us for a year and a day" big? "will investigate what other demons know of the taint in the demon world and then send us information" big? (the last one is my favorite)

Agreeing with looting the dead Black Mage's stuff, assuming we can get to it without jumping down the same hole and dying.

And yeah, asking questions about the world can't hurt. We're REALLY ignorant, here.

>>379683
"You would really offer up three blank checks, just to get moving?"

The demon laughs.
"Mortals - and I'm not saying that just to be condescending, there's so many kinds of you these days - have interesting requests, most times. Besides, you help me out, I get to do something new and exciting, and I can stretch these legs of mine again. Everyone wins."

"How big are these favours?"

"Nothing that would take a year or more to complete. Nothing that would kill me outright, though there's not much of that, these days. And nothing that would force me to betray a Harbringer. I really doubt you'd've the balls anyway. As for contracts, we can factor'n those favours, or we can come to some other deal once they're said and done."

I look around.
"This the hole?"

"Yep. Like I said, be careful. Place is fallin' apart. And it's dark as Hell."

He gives me a wry smile.

"So, then. Whatcha plannin'? What favours you want to ask?"

I contemplate...

>>379688
While the contract outlined sounds fairly solid, I'd stipulate that he must gain assent before attacking anyone 'threatening', somehow, and then add in another clause that states anyone who actually draws blood from me without permission is to be attacked.

>>379691
...
Looking around, it's too dark to go in there. I don't really have a way of making light.

...Unless I ask Harumda to go with me. He's eyeing me quietly.

"Oh, yeah, one more thing - I'm no incubus, but if you ask, heheh, I can try. I won;t even hurt yeh, at least not on purpose."

I don't dignify that with an answer.

What am I going to do here?

facepalm

Note to selves: Acquire a flashlight/lamp and carry it and spare batteries/fuel with us at all times.

The demon can obviously create light. Perhaps we should simply convert the favors directly into 3 years of servitude wherein he will obey our commands in our interest to the best of his ability?

I still think that looting that dead mage is worth it. That'll probably cost us a favor, though.

>>379710
Good call.

Maybe.

>>379710

and rope.

>>379708

>Harbringer

it's spelled 'Harbinger'.

get them three favors to be used at a later time.

so your cat eyes aren't functional, huh? damn shame.

>>379711
We don't get the favors until we get him out of that circle, at which point we can just wait until daylight anyway.

>and rope
Sera got 100ft rope in >>questarch/374901. I haven't seen her selling or otherwise getting rid of them. She should still have them.

Perhaps we can get Hamruda's help to get to the corpse without using a favor. Does it smell like oil or gasoline here? If not, ask for a demonstration of his abilities, how he can be useful. Try to get him to set some debris you can reach on fire. You could then use that fire to light a branch or board.

>Perhaps we should simply convert the favors directly into 3 years of servitude wherein he will obey our commands in our interest to the best of his ability?
That sounds good if the above doesn't work. But we need to be careful with phrases like in our best interest. We need to stress we are the judge of what is in our best interest. Remember we are dealing with an unrepentant demon here, we never should allow him to decide what is in Sera's best interest. We should also include penalties. I have the feeling Hamruda's current situation is result of a penalty. He probably failed the task to protect his master's body or something similar.

ooh, I got this. ask to free him if he agrees to retrieve the dead dfude and his stuff without giving away his favor rights, and also only if he agrees to never tell anyone it was you who freed him.

*without Sera spending any of her three favors

The dead mage is DEAD! His corpse is not going anywhere. We can go back to town for a flashlight (we have rope). And if we do get service out of this guy, we can just order him to retrieve the corpse and all it carried without using up a favor.

Also, to get the favors we need to actually release him or banish him. The only way releasing is acceptable is if we contract him first (else he kills us before we use the favors), and banishment is something we don't know how to do.

So realistically our options are:
1. Make a contract with him
2. Go back to town (either to tell the locals and see if THEY have someone who can banish him, or to get the supplies needed to acquire tome).

>>379710
>3 years of service to best of his abilities
I like it, here are some refinements to the idea

Make a contract, we MUST stipulate that at the end of the contract he goes back to hell rather then immediately rampage.
Furthermore, why would we stipulate who he attacks in the contract and LIMIT it to attacking only? We should get a contract wherein he serves us in any way we tell him to, it is silly to limit it to JUST killing things for us?

The contract should be that in exchange for releasing him, he shall serve and obey us for 1 year and grant us 2 favors. He is to never restrain/harm/attack Sera (important!). He is to refuse orders to harm himself, suicide, or attacking a harbinger; but giving such orders do not break the contract (no verbal trickery please). Each favor could be used to extend the service by an additional year. We may banish him at any time which ends his service, but does not forfeit the other favors. At the end of his service to us or our death he is to return to hell without killing anyone save for self defense or killing those who killed Sera, if she is dead.

Then we order him to protect us with the orders/stipulations from >>379708 and >>379688
Also we order him to retrieve the person who tried to summon him and his belonging, teach us more magic, and tell us what he knows of the cataclysm and the taint and demon's involvement in it.
And some orders to prevent him from randomly picking fights with people.

>>379747
>Trick him into providing light
No need for trickery, we could just say that if he wants us to banish him we need to recover the corpse's belonging and that if he would shine a light we would use our rope to retrieve it...
And that is of course only if we don't actually get him to serve us.

"Very well, demon. I have a contract for you."

"Great! Lay it out for me." he says, genuinely interested.

"In return for being freed, you are to grant me a full year of service and two favors of my choosing. You are not to harm me, restrain me, or cause me grief. You are to refuse orders to harm himself, suicide, or attacking a harbinger; but giving such orders will not break the contract forged between us. Each 'favour' can extend thy service for an additional year."

"A'right. What sorta service is non-favour? Seein' as yer only have the two."

"Protecting me from harm, martial or mundane."

"Bodyguard work, hokeydokey."

"Can you change your shape, at all? I need you disguised in town."

"Nawp, sorry. This is what I'll look like, take it or leave it."

I frown. "A suggestion: One master I had used a great iron chain aroun' mah neck, like a leash. Easy way of quicklah sayin', 'this here's mah demon'."

I frown.
"Well, nothing to be done about that. Do you agree to these terms?"

"Let's jus' be clear here: Anyone harms you, by drawin' blood or pain enough to make yer cry out, I can kill'em."

"Yes."

"Excellent. I agree to the bindings inherent in this contract, to not harm you or yours, to not betray you or yours, to not bring foul law upon your head, to not disgrace you or yours."

"I agree to this contract, and its payment: To free you from your bindings."

I reach down and mar the circle. It drops instantly, and Harumda rises to his full height and stretches. Ten feet tall, five feet wide, with arms as long as I am tall and... I keep my eyes on his face as he leans down and chuckles.

"I'll even carry yeh on mah shoulder, if yer like. I'm a smooth ride."

I sigh.
"Make a light, Harumda, and guide me to the summoner's body as best you can."

"Naturally, milady." he says, holding up a red fire that is brighter than the moonlight. We navigate to the bottom of the building, finding the summoner. His neck's at an odd angle - he died on impact. Let's take a look...

I don't take his robes, which are red and black with a red symbol of a bleeding eye. He has a black magic book and forty caps, as well as...

I blink at the massive blade impaled near his body into the concrete. It's barely even a sword - more like a slab of iron with a handle, taller than I. Harumda emits an impressed whistle.

"What an excellent bondan' gift." he says with a chuckle. "He probably meant to give it to me while I was in his service."

"Bring that light here." I ask, sitting down and flipping through the book. I groan. "No Banishment?"

Harumda laughs.
"You'd be surprised how many demonologists forget to learn dat one." he says with a chuckle.

Still... There's at least four other spells in here. I could really advance my repertoire. Without sacrifice. I pick up my second new book, looking up at the pit he fell through. "Can I have the blade?" Harumda asks.

"Take it. The body, too."

"Yes'm." he says, and we make our way back out, much swifter than going in. Stepping into the cool air, he breathes deep. "Ah, so sweet and fresh." he says. "So wotcher gonna do with Dumbass?"

"Bury him."

Harumda laughs, and bows to the task, quickly and efficiently burying the body.

"So now what? Back to town an' friends?"

I'm still uncertain about civilization and him...

>>379786
Might want to grab a jacket or something to mask him so that we don't walk around advertising "owner of a demon is here".

>>379786
Might want to get him some pants. Won't do to constantly be distracted by "him".

You should see if you can communicate with him remotely using us as a relay. If so, you can have him hide out while you enter towns, but wont have to go out of your way to retrieve him.

We really aren't expecting trouble inside towns anyway. And even if we did, having a demon killing people inside a town, even in self defence, is likely to get the whole town after you.

...

Is there such a thing as an Elemental in this setting?

Guy's hewn from marble, appearance-wise. Maybe we can pass him off as an Earth-y...

...

No, we look too demon-y for that to work.

Actually, I think you should bring the summoner's corpse to town, they might identify him or at least his clothes.

And you shouldn't HIDE the demon but do a PR spin... go with him and the corpse to the tavern, get a WEAK drink (only 1, and don't finish it, take sips), and start telling the bartender, loudly enough for everyone to hear...

"So here I was relaxing in town when I detected a demon was summoned nearby, and that he was somehow stuck. Had to investigate. So I go up there and what do I find? This moron *point at summoner* went and summoned a warrior demon in a rotting warehouse. Then the floorboards gave and the fall broke his neck.

Now here I am trying to figure out how to get rid of the demon, what with him promising to slaughter every living being in the nearby towns and his temporary summon binding growing weaker by the moment and what do I find? The fool of a summoner had a book about summon and binding demons but nothing about actually banishing demons!

Well I could hardly let the towns be destroyed, had to bind it as a bodyguard for now just to prevent him from going on a rampage; At least that fool of a summoner did one thing right and brought a suitable offering, this giant sword here. Now I only got 1 year to fix this; say, you all know where I can find a banishment spell?"

Go over it with the demon prior to getting to town and explain to him you are just spinning the tale and am not gonna banish him right away... as long he behaves.
The nice thing is that all of the above is true; not a single lie... just the story from YOUR side.

Also if someone does provide you with a banishment spell, don't banish him right away... explain you have to take care of a few things first before the banishment (like having him kill some bandits) and that you are thankful for the banishment spell knowledge though as that is essential as a safety precaution if he finds a loophole and for preventing him from going on a murder spree when the time is up. Oh, and if someone offers to banish him for you, explain that would count as an attack and the demon will retaliate.

Now, you are probably gonna have to give this spiel to the guards too, and make sure you approach town using the demon as a cover in case they shoot first.

Once we got him back in town, well we put him to work. There are lots of high paying stuff we can use him for like taking out bandits (and if we order him to capture them as broken as he wants as long as they are alive and will remain alive for at least a day) we could sacrifice them as well. And then we can probably use him to capture and herd in some dangerous wild beasts and set up some sort of farm or some such (get someone else to run it, split profits, its a partnership). Oh and ask him what he knows about the cataclysm, the taint, demonic involvement in the above, harbingers, what type of demon he is, and demon in general

First things first - I dash back into the warehouse, grab a tarp, and toss it at Harumda.
"Cover your shame."

"Aww, but it's such a big shame." he says with a laugh, wrapping it around his waist. It's about 4 AM before we get to town.

I frown. Most places still won't be open...

So I sit down.

"I have a question."

"Can't claim to know a whole lot - or remember it. But I will answer, milady."

"What do you know about the cataclysm, taint, and the harbringers?"

"Hm. Well, I can't say I know much about the Cataclysm. World was enveloped in hellfire, the Harbringers rose and rode until they got bored. It wasn't that different. Just a pattern, really, repeating itself. Mortals like to kill each other. That was just a bit of a spike, eh? As for the Taint, it just... happened. Even Pestilence ain' talkin' on that. And the Harbringers - Big boys downstairs. Powerful things - no demon or angel can touch them. 'Specially War." he pulls out his blade and points it towards the dusk light. "They say he rode out of the sunrise, as firey as the sun itself. Men in armor magical and technological fell before his burning blade, like paper. His horse's hooves beat down the weak, the proud, the cowardly, and he roars with the mightiest of warcries, that which splits men's hearts in TERROR! His only home is the blood of his foes, his only comfort, their dying screams. He makes no art but from the entrails of the dying and the dead, and finds no lovers but the wives of the fallen! Who he then kills, all the same!" he says, chest heaving. "What ho, the glorious splendour of his ride! What beauty, in the shining sword as it parts flesh! What song, as he reaps the hundreds of battlefields that folly and menace have sown! What power, as-"

"Okay, that's about enough. I think I understand now."

"You sure? I haven't reall cap-"

"I'm sure."

I sigh, watching the dusk. "So what kind of demon are you?"

"What kind of person are you?" he asks, in reply. "I can answer broadly - that I work to advance War's schemas - But beyond that, there's not much to say. I a big mean mother hubbard who likes to wreck shit. What more is there to say?"

Hrm.
"Did you know the name of the summoner?"

"William. But personally, I'll always call him Dumbass." he says dismissively. Despite myself, I find myself giggling. "Dumbass summoned a demon without banish spells. Dumbass did it in a dangerous place, near a civilization center. Dumbass made a weak, two-day binding. And finally, Dumbass fell in a hole in the ground and died. Damn, I wanted to go topside, but I wanted some resistance, fuck. 'So how'd you get up there, Harumda?' 'Oh, my summoner fell in a damn hole.'" he scoffs. "No glory."

I raise an eyebrow at him, but look at the town. People are starting to emerge.

"Welp. Let's head in."

Harumda stretches, and walks behind me as I wander back into town. People hide before our approach, and I come upon Dreanin and Ayda.

"h-hey guys."

Dreanin turns, and his eyes go wide. Meanwhile, Ayda shouts a curse and pulls out her shotgun, firing on him.

The fire washes over him like a stiff breeze, and Harumda leans in close to her.

"Demon. Hellfire. hey boss, she tried to kill me. Can I kill her?"

"No, Harumda! These are my friends."

"Righto, no-kill list for them..." he grumbles.

"You tamed a DEMON!?" Ayda shrieks.

"No, no! He's bound to my word. He won't hurt anyone! Honest. I just... don't have a banishment spell."

Ayda sighs.
"For how long."

"Three years, unless she gives me some damn fine battle. I might consider giving her free time if she shows me enough glory."

Dreanin and Ayda look at one another, then huddle.

After a few minutes, they return.

"You can keep him."

Harumda snickers.

"Oh for- He's not an abandoned puppy! He's dangerous!"

"I'll kick if you rub my tummy." Harumda chimes in.

"Augh."

"He's a useful tool in the right hands." Dreanin says simply. "Besides, he's just scary - not like we'll get kicked out of town for it."

"I still want to get a banishment scroll, just in case."

"Righto." Dreanin says, leading me to a dealer in scrolls and books. We buy one, and I'm a little shocked at the price.

"Ten chip?" I ask.

"Low as hell demand. Not that many demons around here, and most angelic prescence is Cult activity around Salt." he says.

I put it in my bags with my books.

"Anything we could use him for around here?"

Dreanin thinks for a moment.
"It's risky, but the first thing that comes to mind is riding to Jamestown's rescue."

"Are you fucking insane, Dreanin!?" Ayda says, apparently unable to converse calmly near Harumda. "That... could backfire so easily..."

"It is one of my own plans - but it's where he'd be needed most. Many bandit camps rise and fall within days - you hear about them, go take care of them, and it turns out one of the Seven done wiped it clean."

Ayda sighs.
"I need a drink." she mumbles. "I'll see you all at the Golden Rod. Lunatics."

Harumda crosses his arms.
"Wow. What a firey bitch." he comments.

>riding to Jamestown's rescue.
Ha, exactly what I had in mind... Well, one of the MANY plans I had for him.
Lets do it!

two questions, 1 whats up with Jamestown ? and 2, who/what are the seven? it sounds like Jamestown might be a settlement under siege by bandits or something, if it is something like that we may want to consider helping. not that i'm saying we would charge in guns blazing and smash the siege , i'm thinking more sneak in and poison the food of the invaders. or set fire to there tents. you'd be amazed at the problems you can solve with the proper application of fire.

>>379883
>whats up with Jamestown
>>/questarch/374970
Jamestown is under extended siege by the Nobles, which is a group of bandits.

Also, before we charge into a major war/seige. I would like to do a test run against a minor bandit encampment. Just you and harmuda... with order for him to capture the bandits alive, injured is fine. Then sacrifice them all. Oh, and not to hurt the bandit's prisoners and victims... Probably want to learn heal to make sure you can stabilize any of them that need it and then hit the first of nearby bandit locations.

RAIDER KILLFEST HO

"So... we should ride out to Jamestown?" I ask. "But the train..."

Dreanin smiles.
"I can get us a cart, and... You have the beast."

Harumda raises an eyebrow.
"You can't be serious."

"Harumda, it's a siege. Once we deliver the supplies, I'll let you have all the fun you like with the bandits."

Harumda contemplates this exchange of services. "If you're a good demon I'll even let you chase them home~."

"Damnit, woman. Very well. Gather your supplies and cart."

Dreanin whoops.
"Finally, a chance to kick those damn Nobles in the fork!" he says with a grin. "I'll be back in a minute." he says, rushing off.

I look up at Harumda, who is grinning wide.
"Nobles, huh? This should be interesting." he looks down at me. "Before we go - I should tell you somethin'."

"?"

He draws his blade from his back - how it stays there, I have no idea, and he points it at the sky.

"Should I 'appen to die in battle. This sword of mine. Make sure it finds a child of battle proper. Make sure the blood on it don't stay dry long."

"Are you asking me a favour, demon?"

He chuckles, impaling the blade into the earth.
"Professional courtesy. Just keep it in mind."

"..."

Dreanin returns hauling a large cart, loaded with weapons and supplies - it's closed-top, heavily armored as well.
"Damn near broke my bank for this." Dreanin says with a grin. "But I'm sure Senior Splendid will be pleased."

"...Splendid?" I ask.

"Mayor of Jamestown." Dreanin says, slipping inside the cart and securing everything. "Nice guy, really, but not the sort you'd like to mess with." he says. "Let's hitch up that badass of yours and get rolling."

"The shipment of whiskey-"

"Will handle itself, it's on the next train." he says, almost giddy with anticipation. "Is there anything you want to take care of before we ride to the rescue?"

if we are planing on messing with the nobles we should try and get either some explosives or some incendiaries to wreck there camp. fairly certain one demon won't be able to kill all of them but if we can wreck there encampment and ruin there food/water/ammo we could do allot of damage to siege.

>>379980
That's right, we should get to buying some equipment, shouldn't we?

Rose'll understand. I daresay she'd even be proud.

>>379980
Good call. A hit and run on their logistics and infrastructure will break the siege. Dreanin may have already obtained the right stuff, though, so check first. Do let Harumda enjoy himself with the bad guys, though; him being happy benefits us so long as it doesn't cost much. Ask him to preserve some in sacrificable condition (but no need for them to be unharmed) for your own use, but if he really wants to kill some outright himself, allow that too. If they can besiege an entire town I'm sure there are plenty for both of you. Not to mention that limiting the number of sacrifices you do at once will help avoid creeping people out.

Some thoughts enter my mind.

"I'll need to pick some stuff up, I'll be right back."

A quick trip around town affords me:

>-500 Chips

>A Pyromancer's Manual, which has four Red Magic Spells, which will be listed along with all other new spells for the trip.
I need fire if I'm going to light up their camp - magic is learned once and then can be used as much as I like. A worthy addition to my repertoire.

>Four (4) magic bombs.
I was told these could blow apart anything smaller than a pre-cataclysm tank, and they all share one detonator. They're roughly the size of my fist.

>One (1) new suit of Boiled Leather armor
The outside of the suit is tough leather plates made of layers of leather, with a more supple undersuit of hide that fits me pretty well. It's overall lighter than my Suit, which I trade in.

And finally...

>Three (3) molotov cocktails and a single lighter.

It's almost too much to carry altogether, the books, the bombs, the bottles, But I put them in the cart with the rest. I check my pistol and load the clips, now fully prepared.

Dreanin smiles, and I direct Harumda to get moving.

He dashes off as if the thousand pound cart wasn't even there, possibly moving faster than the train! I think I'll have time to learn two new spells on the way from my various books.

"Harumda, before we arrive, I want you to capture and disable any Nobles you don't kill!"

"You're the boss! Just don't expect a whole lot of them."

Dreanin leans close to me as I duck back inside.
"You'll have to get off out of sight. Me and Dreanin will provide you with a distraction so you can slip into the perimeter camp and set those charges onto their siege equipment - target the largest things you can. Once the charges are set, you'll want to find the infantry barracks, and light those on fire. After that, circle around to where we drop you off - I'll come by to pick you up. There won't be a signal, sorry."

I nod.
"Is there enough time to learn a few spells on the way?"

"Can you do it in six hours?"

"I can try."

Please go to the Discussion thread here to vote on new spells.
>>/questdis/357788

>>380042
I snap the book on black magic shut. Two new spells under my belt, I'm ready now - or at least more ready than I was before. I take two of the molotovs, sliding them into my bag. Then I strap on the bomb bandolier, green spheres glowing softly.

"You realize this is the most dangerous part of the job, right?" he asks. "You could follow me in, be safe. Harumda and I would likely be enough help on our own."

I shake my head.

"I want to do something on my own for once." I hear myself saying.

He smiles, taking off his hat and gently sliding it on my head.
"Take care of this for me." he says, drawing his huge revolver. "next we see each other, we're heroes, or dead. This is your stop." he adds, as Harumda slows to a stop and I get out. The sun is already low in the sky.

He salutes, then smiles at Harumda. "Let's kill us some sonsabitches, eh?"

Harumda lets out a bloodcurdling roar and rushes forth as I crest the sand dune nearby.

Tents. Lots of tents. Purple is the dominating color. There's guards patrolling around the edges, men in serious-looking armor wielding powerful-looking rifles. Finally, looking over into the distance, I see Jamestown on the horizon.

It's like a concrete giant, squatted there. Tall and thick, domineering of the landscape. There must e at least five floors, and even with that much height, it still looks squat and stocky. I duck back behind the dune and think.


How should I approach this?

Stay behind the dune and use wicked hands to deliver the explosives, use smite on enemies when the opportunity to shoot presents itself?

we could spend all day killing bandits and not make much a difference, however if we burn there supplies we could end the seige in a day. use wicked hands to get the explosives into supply dumps. try and stay behind cover and let Harumda draw most of the attention.

No matter what, don't act until they've engaged Harumda. That way even if they do notice you you'll be a secondary or tertiary target; hopefully they won't realize you're there at all.

Definitely use Wicked Hands to place the explosives, but be sure to pick your targets carefully; we only have a few of these things, so let's make them count. Prioritize targets as was previously discussed (largest siege equipment), and take your time unless it looks like Dreanin is in desperate need of a distraction.

Once you've selected your targets, use wicked hands to set charges on them, but do so sneakily: run them along the ground to a point far away from you, then raise them up in the air as high as you can without losing track of them, and don't lower them down until they're directly above the equipment, at which point you should lower them straight down, gently set the charges on the equipment, and dispel the hands without any further movement once all three charges are set. During this operation, you should maintain as far under cover as possible, though of course you'll need line of sight to guide things properly. If you're about to get noticed, or are under fire, suspend the hands in place and take cover, then work around and finish the job from a different vantage.

Don't necessarily detonate them immediately, especially if we're going to sneak in and set fire to their tents next; you'll be wanting that distraction later.

Right, considering we have one demon in the field right now, why not summon some minor demons in areas away from Dreanin and Harumda? Focus on large tents, troops gatherings - where ever there is the possibility that one will do damage before it is overwhelmed.

>>380364
because our allies don't know we can summon demons and summoning demons is considered pretty fucking bad.
Also they will attack jamestown when done with the bandits.

I wait, and I watch, and I listen. It takes a while, but...A commotion. Gunfire. Cries of 'Monster!' and 'Demon!' and...
Cultist?

I shake my head, peering over the dune. Guards are being drawn away from the area, so I begin to detach my bombs and arm them. It takes a scat moment of concentration to generate the hands, letting them hold three of the bombs. The last one stays with me. I hover the bombs far away, over the edge of the dune and into the sky, until three tiny green stars are all I can see as I move them out with care. I take my time as I place them atop a piece of equipment each - A tall, mobile tower festooned with cover and ladders, a small train-looking vehicle with a long spike at the front, and a catapult. There's two more - but this will severely hamper them. Making absolutely certain that the distraction has grown to suitable levels (a black/red fire has engulfed a significant portion of the tents), I slide down the dune with my gun drawn and approach from the opposite direction, moving through the tents as quickly and quietly as I can.

My nerves are on fire. I have never been quite so scared - the screaming, the feeling that I could be attacked at any moment. I move towards the core of the camp, surprised at the lack of enemies, to find one with a horse tied outside it. A beautiful one, too - with golden and silver branding and a purple skirt with gold trim. I slip close and stroke its head gently, and peek inside the tent.

A man wearing a long purple coat with golden epaulets sits at a desk. He's huge - at least seven feet tall and quite wide. And then I realize, that's the armor he's wearing. I raise my hand and let loose Smite, three crosses careening at him.

But they stop halfway there, slicing through the centerpole and collapsing the tent on him. In a panic, I light a molotov and toss it onto the lump in the tent, turning to run. There's a long and narrow tent I can see, it must be the supplies. I light another molotov and toss it high - it lands and lights up the canvas wonderfully. Now I just need to get out. I turn on my heel and

[Dance of Demons]

instinctively lean waaaay back, watching a sword pass over where my belly had been bare moments ago. I stumble back a little and see a man covered in flaming canvas that he tears away, the hiss of hydraulics and the whirr of mechanics hinting that his armor may be more than simple protection.

He wears thick, heavy armor painted purple. The helm is crested by a single golden blade pointed up, below that are blue glowing lenses. In his right hand, a long, sharp-looking blade. The other is a little larger, a bright blue gem shining on the back of the palm. A purple cape drapes from just below the shoulderblades, and purple cloth spills between the legs, front and back.

"You could have been my whore, had you not done that. Now you'll be my toy, until I break you." he says, disturbingly calm - the voice amplified slightly by his helmet.

shit, a power-armor swordsman- and with possible magical capabilities, what with the gem and all.

try giving him like ten mutations and see how he manages to fit inside that steambox of an armor with tail and wings and modified limbs and shit.

>>380374
I wonder if you can use your Wicked Hands to tangle the cloth and his cape between his legs?If you can then good, you've limited his mobility and now you're ready to run away and scream for Harumda. In fact screaming for Harumda is a good idea anyway and should be done.

it looks like he has some sort of magic protection, its a good thing you still have that bomb. see if you can use wicked hands to try and tangle the canvas around his legs, if the magic protection doesn't let the hands get that close you might be able to accomplish the same thing by circling him so he has to turn allot rather than go in a straight line. once you have distance(either by tangling his legs or just running like hell) throw the last bomb at him and detonate them.

Try giving him mutations, as that armor's certainly closely fit, and if we can screw it up he'll have a hard time getting out, which will let us run away, find the infantry barracks, then GTFO.

Or just GTFO, if you can't lose him.

>>380416
Do that, but use black hands to carry the bomb to him rather then just tossing it.
I doubt we can outrun him and have serious misgivings about using grant mutation offensively (we should test it on an animal some time).

If he does have some magic protection, then use black hands to lift heavy large stuff and bludgeon him with it.

>>380437
I see no dificulty in mutating him until the armor is useles to him, as long as we recognise it wont make him less of a badass in the long run.

What it will do, is give him an assload of horrible pain during witch we can politely drop the third bomb at his feet and run.

I flee. Well, sort of - I know for a fact I can't outrun him. I turn and let loose a torrent of mutational energies at him, having to briefly stop to gather myself. I don't even know if it worked - until he stops short and a scream erupts from the helmet's speakers. Emboldened, I start again.

But I fail to notice him moving. A metal foot slams into my belly, knocking me back. A horrible feeling washes over me.

DRAMATIC SPELL FAILURE. Penalty: MUTATION.

I scream in pain as the energies slide through me, ripping at my core. The man stops and laughs.

"You fool whore! Using magic now..." he says, holding the blade aloft as wings erupt from my back, tearing through my undersuit, new bones and muscles and tendons growing into place rapidly, a leathery skin growing over them as I stand and stumble away. I quickly gain my balance, my wings twitching behind me. I try to cast again, but the recent pain has yet to dull, and ruins the spell before it can even manifest.

I swear, and turn to run, but he keeps a solid pace barely twenty feet behind me.

"HARUMDA! HARUMDA I NEED YOU!" I scream, and the metal man laughs.

"Scream for your minions all you want, woman. They won't sa-"

He's cut off when Harumda lands between us with a solid thump.
"I am here, Mi-oooh." Harumda grins devilishly. "Don't you DARE run away." he says to the metal man, settling into a low stance with his massive weapon.

He immediately rushes forth, with speed that defies his massive size and equipment. The armored man holds up the jeweled gauntlet, a sphere of white flowing up around him. Harumda swings his blade into it, a flow of sparks rising from the striking point. Once, twice, three times he strikes, and the barrier shatters. Harumda swings again, blade barely knocked aside by the armored foe.

I cast Wicked Hands while the man is distracted. I roll the bomb around the fight, and secure it under the Noble's cloak.

"Harumda! Behind me, now!" I scream. "I'll smite him!"

The man laughs, erecting the barrier has Harumda dubiously leaps over me.

I smile, and detonate the bombs. Behind me, three of the siege weapons explode in wild fire that reaches for the heavens, burning bits landing among the tents. In front of me, the magical sheild shakes - but holds. Good. I turn away, averting my eyes from the horrible wreck that must remain.

"Harumda, is he dead?"

"Yeah, boss." he says, in reverence.

"Good. We're done here. Let's get into the town."

He picks me up, and I sit on his shoulder as he walks to the tangle of metal and flesh, picking up the misshapen saber.
"Proof." he explains, then he leaps into the air.

This feeling - Of soaring and falling at the same time - scares me, thrills me, sends strange motions through my gut. We land among a pile of the dead and dying, and Harumda lets me down.

"As you asked, boss. Thirty men I could, heh, save."

I hold the White Book aloft.

"To Legion, I gift these weary souls. To Legion, I gift this spilled and drying blood. To Legion, I gift this torn and rendered flesh. Gift me power! Gift me greatness!" I incant.

The bodies liquify instantly, and blood writes on the pages of the tome, floating there. More taint touches me. I shudder - with strange pleasure, and strange pain.

New spells: Void, Tentacle Pit, and Dark Armor. These will be posted in the Questdis.

"Inside the town, please, Harumda." I say, picking up the tome from the air. He nods, and I ride him again to the doors. The slot opens once, and the massive doors open.

Good, then. Good. I made it. I think... I think, yes, I'll take a nap.

[current Taint: 500 + Wicked hands (3*2 = 6) + Smite (1) + FAILURE (10) + Sacrifice (30) = 547]

---DISCONTINUITY---

Allow her to rest, or speak with her further? Or observe her dreams?

we should let her sleep, though if it looks like shes having a nightmare we should step into her dream. right now I think she needs rest and we can talk to her in the morning.

Yeah, lets let her sleep

Yeah, let's let the poor thing rest.

Might as well observe her dreams so long as it won't interfere with her rest.

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/17(Tue)22:57 No. 380538 ID: 338c67
File 132686982506.png - (115.20KB , 576x483 , ssplendid.png )

You let her sleep, deciding not to peer into her dreams.

---[DISCONTINUITY]---

I wake up in another hospital bed. This one is nicer than the one back at Transit town. The bed is softer, the room warm and inviting - and my clothes are gone mostly, the gown back on. My wings twitch involuntarily with my tail as I wake.

Oh yeah, I have wings now.I blink awake... to find Rose kneeling beside the bed, head rested on her arms, again sans armor in a black shirt and jeans.

She's alive. And she's here.I reach out, and gently stroke that red hair from her face, smiling and holding back a laigh as she starts to purr quietly. And then she wakes up and smiles.

"We've got to stop meeting like this." she says, kissing my cheek. "What were you doing ut there?"

"I was helping."

She smiles, then laughs.
"I see. Found a demon and just rode to the rescue?" she nuzzles into my neck and shoulder, gently kissing my neck. I smile, kissing her cheek back.

"Mhm. uhm, I wanted to a-"

"WHAT HO, THE HERO AWAKENS!?" calls a deep, cheerful voice - and a man in a huge set of armor sidles into the room. The helmet is off - in its place a strange, rigid hat, and a single lens over one eye. A third arm sips him some tea and a large gun rests on his shoulders.

"Who..."

"SENIOR SPLENDID, MY LADY! And you are the hero, er, heroine, of the hour! Why, if those siege weapons had been marshalled along with the full brunt of their men, we may not have lasted the day! And poor Jeffery would have been out a home!"

A suited... lion... bows quietly, and I note it to be taller and wider than Rose by a fair margin, and even more bestial. "Theretofore, you are the man, er, woman of the hour! And as mayor of this fine town, I can grant you a single wish! What ho, think of me as a genie, my lady! Anything you like, within some reason."

"Sera, meet Senior Splendid, mayor of Jamestown."

I like this guy, he seems classy. as for the favor I recommend you hold onto it for now. we are still finding our feet in the wastes and we should probably save a favor like that for when we have some large goal we are working towards.

>>380538
Well, we need to politely introduce ourselves after that, and ask to hear what happened after we passed out, of course.

Take a rain check on the favor, if we can. We aren't really in a position of needing anything too badly at the moment.

If we can't get that, the only thing I'd consider asking for right now would be something like being put up and given access to the magical knowledge at their disposal for a while- based on our advancement thus far, a month or two or downtime and studying could help us a lot. All this combat is flooding us with Taint and not giving us the time we need to digest the potential for advancement that we've already secured.

Need some time to think of a favor.

Spend some time with Rose. Check up on harmuda and congratulate him on a job well done.

Have a day out relaxing with rose. And then muddle your nonworking wings until you get working wings or regeneration.

>>380600
Let's not muddle with our wings. Roll with it for a time. When we're close to the next mutation, then we'll muddle with it.

Thank him for the favor. Tell him you need more time to decide. Neither do you know what he can provide nor do you know what you would want at this time. I am also not quite sure if the siege is broken or just very much set back.


I want Sera to study the magic theory in Shan's Book for a few hours before she Muddles, but nowish isn't a bad time or place to Muddle.
For one we are in a save place so Sera can concentrate and try to influence the Muddle. For another Sera just damaged her new leather armor with the eruption of wings and needs it repaired or replaced anyway. It's better to Muddle before we reequip, because Muddle has a habit of adding demands/constraints for equipment.
>Muddle until you get working wings or regeneration.
I think we shouldn't just Muddle till we get a certain result. The number of possible results is too great and we risk getting a hundred taint or more till we get the right mutation. Lets just muddle the useless wings one time and see what we get.
When you are casting Muddle on the wings, try to keep in mind the image of yourself with large, strong, light and well-build feathered wings growing out of your back. Anchored with strong muscles on a strong but light ribcage and shoulder blades. Also remember the feeling when Hamruda jumped you both through the air.
>This feeling - Of soaring and falling at the same time - scares me, thrills me, sends strange motions through my gut.

>When we're close to the next mutation, then we'll muddle with it.
Is there something I am missing? Aren't muddling and taint based mutations two different, independent from each other things?

>>380641
>The number of possible results is too great
Actually its 1/10 chance to get regen or working wings. 1/30 to get just regen. 1/15 to get just working wings. look up the charts in tg, and you only roll on charts for which you have cast spells. So only black, white, and mutation for us

>>380651

Okay, a hundred was too high to be likely. I calculated it for out and probable are somewhere around 30 taint. But a really unlucky run can get up to a hundred.
You are right on the probabilities for one Muddle. But rolling for a specific result is a geometric distribution. Take the 1/10 chance for regen or wings. That makes the expected value 10 Muddles before a wanted mutation comes. That where the 30 taint above comes from.
The probability we don't get the wanted mutation in 15 tries is still 20%. The probability to need 33 Muddles is about 3%.

To add, I don't think regen is a desirable mutation at this time. Working wings is on the other hand are desirable.

compliment his fine armor. ask how the siege is going.

Try and hold off on that favor for a while. If you are up to it, get up on your feet. Go with Rose and see the fortress a bit, after all, its what you just fought for.

Test out your wings a bit. If they are difficult to use and cumbersome it may be better to muddle them away, but don't muddle too much, just enough to get something generally positive. You can always try again later, when there is less stress.

"Can I take a rain check on that, Mister Splendid?"

"Naturally, good lady. Don't fret too much over it. Have a pleasant stay in Jamestown." He makes a little bow, and departs with his upright lion. Then, finally, I relax, leaning into Rose and kissing her lips with slight hesitation. She kisses me back, warmly, holding me close, tail lashing a little.

"What was it you wanted to ask?" she asks.

"Uhm. I wanted to know, if... if we... we were more than, uhm, than f-friends. If there was something... More to... to us."

She smiles, kissing my neck. It sends a strange feeling down my body, as always.

"When you put it that way... I think so." she says softly, gently pushing hair from my face. "Let's get you on your feet." she adds, "Fun can happen later." she helps me out of the bed, and while I stumble slightly, I regain it just as fast. After I get dressed and get my things, She shows me around town. The feel here is much different from Transit. There's a sense of... adventure? It seems everyone here is like Rose, or Dreanin. Strong, independent. There's no bar - which feels odd - but there is an armory and the medical office. Rose tells me the siege is almost over - since I had slept, groups had been striking at the raider camp, chipping bits and pieces away.

Which brings us to a statue of Harumda.
"They work awful fast." I manage, and Rose laughs.

"No, it's-"

The statue crumbles, and soon Harumda stands before me with a bow.
"A most glorious battle, milady. You have my thanks! Should you wish it, I can go again!"

Rose raises an eyebrow at me, and I explain.

She nods thoughtfully.
"You've put him to good use. Better than I can say for a lot of summoners." She says gently. "Good work."

Butterflies flutter in my belly as I process the compliment.

"I actually have a place here - though I rarely use it, Splendid gifted it to me once when I did him a special favour. If you like, we can go there, or..."

"Well, I do need to do some study, and these wings..." I flap them a little. It feels like if I had a bit less weight, I could get some lift. But Rose is carrying my bags... So that leaves...

Yeah no. Not happening. "I'm not sure if I want to keep them. So I'd need to work with my mutation magics for a bit."

"Well, you can do that there. I had a spare key made - here you go." she says, placing it in my palm, my face flushing even deeper.

"I, uh, but, you, this..." I stammer, but she silences me with another kiss.

"When you're ready." she says. "I'll be there."

She walks away. Both me and Harumda watch her go.

"Goddamn, does she always do that thing with her hips and tail?"
I smack Harumda across the face, then shake the pain out of my hand.

That being said, should I go to Rose's abode? And for what purpose?

go to her abode for learning some majykks, researching some magyeickhss, and using some muddling meghyugkhfzsghkkk.

>>380683
What he said.

What time of day is it? Not sure how Rose thinks about you bringing her food, but drinks should be okay. The free drink Rose choose at Utah's was coffee with cream and alcohol. So look for someone selling coffee. Once at the flat great Rose and share a meal if it's close to a meal time. Catch up with Rose about what she and you did since you've last seen her.

Now to the magics. Let's start with muddling the useless wings using the imagery and feelings already mentioned in >>380641. Then curl up and cuddle up with Rose and study Shan's book for a few hours. After >>/questdis/358209 I prefer this order since Sera has some time to rest and anchor herself after the muddle and we can do a second muddle if necessary/wanted with little risk.

>>380688

you're right. I support leaving some time to chill out inbetween sessions of magiecgz so Sera's mind can cool off from all the rape.

whatever else we do we should check out the armory, see if they have better light armor than boiled leather.

Maybe Senior Splendid can get us a deal on something.

Or maybe we can get our pick of the loot.

Those Noble guys had POWER ARMOR, they have to have some other, slightly lesser equipment we can ask for since we took such a big hand in breaking the siege.

>>380753
I gotta agree with this. We just have a pistol, a knife, and leather armor, which we probably ruined the back of with our wings emerging. An upgrade is probably easy to get considering we helped break the siege and all.

Before I head there, I go to the armory. The man smiles at me with a chuckle.
"Hallo hallo young lady and..." he raises an eyebrow "...Friend. Welcome to Argyle Armor and Ammo. How c'n I help yer today?"

"Well, I was thinking of buying some armor? Something light but strong..."

"Welp, we got some excellent light protectives. Suit?"

"Yes, please."

"Arightydighty. Yer in luck - the recent raid on the Noble camp brought in some excellent hide and leather craftmanship. For instance, Dualcroc hide." he slaps down a greenish, scaled suit of armor. "Stops most knives, blades and other things of that nature - hard as hell to cut, practically need sum'thing vorpal to slice it. Five-hunnerd chip fer a full suit - I'll even fit it for you. It's probably lighter and more manueverable than yer current suit - since it uses scales, not plates. Bullets, though, they just as handy."

I nod, and he folds it up and puts it away. "We also have reinforced leather armor, with a pocketed cape for storing things. The plates can turn small ballistics at most angles, and turn penetrations from wounds to bruises." he says. "It is reinfarced with metal plates on the chest and back, as well. A bit heavy - but grand in terms of prahtection. Six-hunnerd chip."

I nod.

"Anything else?"

"Not really, miss. Most of the rest is hard armors and even proipah heavy combat armor."

"Can... you reserve them for me?"

"Coitn'ly." he says with a smile. "For a week. Then they're back on th' market."

"Thank you~!"

"Not a problem." he says.

My next stop is the general store - which I find hidden away in a corner. I buy a bag of coffee beans, but there's no cream. Either way...

>-25 Chip

With that done, I make my way to the housing - which is mostly underground, long halls flanked by apartments. Reaching her door, I knock nervously.

She opens the door.

In her panties.

I open my mouth to say something, but I can't find the words, instead, I'm pulled inside.

"R-rose, I... I need to study. And. And muddle... m-m-muh-mutations." I manage. I'd forgotten those soft curves, and the softness of her fur as I'm pulled into a gentle embrace. In fact, everything is that much sharper and more clear, since I'm sober now.

"I know." she says, sticking out her tongue teasingly. "Thanks for the beans." she says, "I'd run out from last time I stayed here. Make yourself comfortable."

There's not much furniture - the whole place is two rooms, a merged bedroom, living space and kitchen, with a bathroom behind a door - with no privacy lock. There's just a bed and a dresser. The clothes I saw her in before sit folded on the dresser, and I seat myself, reading the white magic book and relaxing while I hear Rose work in the kitchen.

[Voting up in Questdis thread.]

At some point, you should ask who she went off to visit, Sera.

>>380770
Is Harumda still around? It sounds like the siege isn't quite broken yet. He'd probably appreciate getting permission to go off and mop the raiders up.

This would also conveniently get him out of here for certain things which might be happening soon and he might make annoying comments on.

Harumda is gaurding the door. I made sure to tell him not to enter, and to force anyone else to knock. I studied diligently, avoiding staring at Rose with great difficulty.

(Sera has made progress on mastering White Magic.)
(Sera has learned a new spell: Heal.)

Now then...

"Uhm, Rose. Can you help me out of this leather?" I ask quietly. I see the sparkle in her eyes and sigh. "I need out of it in case the new mutation pops out somewhere unexpected."

"Mmmhm." she purrs, sidling over to sit behind me. She unzips the back slowly, fingers gently touching the line of my spine.

"Rose..." I mumble.

"Sorry, sorry. I can't help myself." she says, peeling it away and off. And this time, the embarrassment of her eyes on my naked body is even worse from the lack of alcohol. I sigh.
"Wait, you're gonna ditch those wings?"

"er... Yeah, why?"

"Keep them. Please. They're cute."

"..." I chuckle. "Alright."

But I summon the power forth, and let it touch and warp me, my extra ears quivering and changing shape, reforming, shifting, growing... A dull pain touches me, and I whimper...

And then Rose giggles and hugs me tightly.

"It's adorable! It's so adorable!" she manages, and holds up a mirror.

I reach up and touch the miniature white wings on my head and sigh.

Well, at least you have built in air conditioning now.

...

Keep 'em.

they provide shade and can fan your head, that's nothing to sneeze at. might as well keep them for now, you can muddle them later.

They also make you look slightly less demonic. Keep 'em.

At least swap the stunted back wings for functional large back wings... explain to rose that you want to fly and these wings are too small. And you know you can get bigger ones. Although if you do get regeneration while muddling back wings then KEEP IT as its better and rare then wings.

Also people don't care THAT much about demons, but DO about mutations in general... And angels are known to exterminate all humans because of their innate sinfulness.

She nuzzles closer to me, oddly clingy.

And then the question occurs to me.

"Rose... Who did you visit?" I ask.

She backs away a little, ears turning on her head as she thinks. She avoids eye contact, and for the first time since I met her, even looks a little self-conscious, arms rising to cover her breasts.

"You'll meet them eventually, I promise." she says softly.

"..."

"I mean it." she adds. "I can't tell anyone about them. Not yet."

"When can you?"

"I... I don't know."

Suddenly there's a knock on the door.

"Dreanin here for a miss Sera." rumbles an amused voice. "All ladies make themselves decent in ten... nine..."

"oh for god's sake" Rose mutters, pulling on a robe.
"six... Five... four..."

I groan, wings reflexively wrapping around my shoulders, clasping in the front. It... Well, it's adequate.

"two... one..."

Rose opens the door, and I see a grinning Dreanin smiling at me. Rose looks at him for all of three seconds, then shuts the door.

"Aww, Rose, don't be like that..."

"I need to get dressed, bozo! And so does Sera!"

She looks over at me, raising an eyebrow. I nod, pulling on the suit - which I've modified again to have two more openings on the back that I can button more snugly shut. Rose, however, pulls on her tee, a heraldic image printed on the front, and her pants, sliding into her boots with ease before finally opening the door again as I'm pulling on my own footwear.

Dreanin smiles, lifting the hat from my head and placing it on his.
"Thanks." he says, tapping the top with a grin. "That was some right looney shit you pulled back there. Looney enough that I think a plan that's been rattling about in my skull fell out and wants some air."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Remember when I told you about the salt flats?" he asks. "I was thinking maybe I wasn't thorough enough."

"Oh, no. Dreanin, you're often stupid enough to damn near fall into the Bowels -"

"not my fault the wagon lost it's left wheel-"

"Damn near mad enough to nearly attack the ACE OF FUCKING SPADES-"

"look, I knew where he was going and I had a prime opportunity to drop a cliff on him-"

"And close enough to insane to go out to the Salt Flats in the first place, but I'll be damned if I let you take Sera there."

"Now hold on. The last time I went, I went alone." Dreanin clarifies. "But I think Sera's ready for some bigger league stuff, and she's got a nice friend looking out for her. Not to mention, you."

"Me?!" Rose's hair puffs out a little.

"Yes, you. Methinks you noticed how likely this young miss is to find trouble, and you're not gonna let her out of sight."

Rose growls, a real, deep sound from her throat, raising a finger to open a rebuttal...

But finds none.
"You're right."

"What do you say, Sera?" Dreanin asks. "We can leave whenever you like, I got nothing to really worry about."

1. What exactly do you want to go do?
2. If it can wait, can we take some days to relax, study spells, finish muddling mutations, etc.

if they don't mind letting you finish learning all of these spells and reading all of the non-spell stuff and experimenting around with 'em a wee bit, sure.

does he man he want to clear out the cultist around the salt flats? unless he has at least a rough idea of how strong they are I would advise against it, and if he does have an idea and there numbers are in the three figure range no way could we take them unsupported.

It sounds like Dreinan's plans are stupidly ambitious and he got out there more due to luck in how they failed than anything else. What happened the last time Dreinan went into the Salt Flats?

But let's hear his newest plan for the Salt Flats. If it is too outrageous we can still say no. But a few questions I expect to have answers for are 'how to deal with angels', 'how to deal with angel worshipers', 'where and how we get supplies', and most important 'who's boss' and 'how do we get back'.
Additionally I want to spend some time in Jamestown. Learn what Jamestown has to offer and spend time with Rose. There should be a lot of fighters here. Sera should look around and find some mages to talk shop with.

Also what are our time constraints. A few weeks till the train runs again. The whiskey delivery goes with the next train, no work required from Sera. A week till we have decide on an armor. Have I forgotten anything?

Another thing the Jamestown job was worth 500 a week or so ago. Do we get the money even if we haven't officially taken the job?

I know Rose told you the back wings are cute, but you shouldn't keep them just because Rose thinks them cute. Is it really worth to look cute to Rose if it endangers yourself? Remember Rose liked you before the back wings just fine already.
Test the back wings out thoroughly. See if they are a hindrance when running, doubling(like rabbits), jumping and rolling on the ground. We know, they aren't good enough to fly, but do they allow gliding?

You know, with the headwings and the backwings, you might be able to fly now if you wear light clothing! You should take some time to find out Sera.

>>380967
>he got out there more due to luck in how they failed than anything else

I've had it explained to me that Dreanin is confirmed to have a literal luck stat of 0.

That said, I agree that we should hear this plan, but take it with a grain of salt. Dreanin has this weird John Constantine quality to him and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a track record of getting his friends killed.

"A week."

"huh?"

Dreanin blinks.

"I need a week to prepare. To get ready, learn what I need to learn." I say. "Then I'll be ready to head out. What are we going there for, anyway?"

"Remember how I said you can find huge boats out there?"

"Yeah." I nod. "It was an ocean, before..."

"Well, look at this."

He hands me a small device - the screen no bigger than my palm. Dates, names of things - mostly munitions and guns if I'm reading it right. All pre-calamity.

"What is it?"

"A shipping manifest. A boat was heading out, carrying everything you see there."

"This... This is a fortune." Rose says quietly. "All that ammo and weapons... An army could run for years on it."

"And some magic weapons, too. Power armor. I have no idea where it was going or why. There's just one problem."

"What's that?" I ask.

"The last item."

I scroll all the way down and blink.

"What symbol is that, on the weight for that salt?"

"Tons." Dreanin supplies.

Rose stares at him quietly.
"You're planning to talk to Blue Shield about it."

He nods.
"I need a safe place for Fidget. They've the safest. They get the location, Fidget gets a home."

"They'll ask you to go with the exploratory party to verify."

"I'll do it." he says, without thinking. "I won't even ask for the weapons in the ship. I figure if anyone can handle those angels, it's them. And if they are properly supplied..."

Rose sits on the bed heavily.
"This is pretty big."

Dreanin chuckles.
"Well, then. You still up?"

I think for a moment.
"See me in a week as agreed." I say. "I'll answer you then."

"Alrighty. Sweet dreams." he says, waving and walking out.

Harumda watches us expectantly for a few minutes.

"You too. Guard the door." I add.

"Awww." he mutters, walking out and slowly closing the door behind him.

"That man... Rrrrgh! One of these days, he's going to kill someone I care about!"

"...What do you mean?" I ask.

"Don't you know?" she asks. "Anyone who pals around with him long enough dies. He's been through more'n ten, by my count."

I blink. "Anyway. Enough being a sourpuss bookworm~ It's been so long. Let's have some fun, Sera." she says, kissing my neck again and purring, tail lashing at the air impatiently.

I know, I know. There's a lot I need to do...

But the way she feels when she insistently pushes and kisses and touches... Nnnngh...

you do have an entire week ahead of you, just saying. by the way, you might want to wait till you leave to pick up the armor if your going to be messing with your mutations at all.

>>381119
It's not like that fun will take all day... and she wants it. Be nice.

oh, go on then. you earned it. just don't spoil yourself too much, mkay?

Yeah, it's only a problem if she does it constantly and you never get to your learning. But that seems unlikely.

Damn felines and their heat.

DEW EET.

There is a lot to do... right now number 1 on that list is Rose.

Even if she wanted to say no, I'm not entirely confident she could. Also, do it!

I turn to Rose with a sheepish smile, kissing her lipss as my hands curl around her waist. She's a lot softer than I remember, warmer. She lets me push her back, onto the bed, with a grin.
"So, did you do any shopping~?" she asks, gently kissing my neck, fingers sliding along the leather undersuit around my thighs.

"I, uh. Yeah. There's a suit of dualcroc I was thinking of getting... But it'll probably take up most of my b-budget."

"Mmmm. It's worth getting." she says, fingers sliding up my waist. "Tell you what, I'll spot you for half of it. On one condition."

"Wh-what's that?"

"Let me dismantle this suit. While you're wearing it."

"I... Uh... o-okay. W-what will I wear?"

"I have some extra clothes." she says softly, and I notice, for the first time, that she has claws, slowly tracing the stitching that secures the plates of hard leather to the more supple undersuit. Then she gently pushes.

Pop-pop-pop-pop. The stitches part under her claw, and before long, the plate on mt shoulder is removed, followed by the other. her hands slide along the now bare-feeling shoulders, to remove the plates from my elbows and wrists with care. It feels so strange, to have it be carefully pulled apart while I'm wearing it. The chest plate comes off just as easily as the rest. My heart is beating faster and faster as the hip plates are slowly pulled away, then finally, the shins, leaving me in a leather bodysuit as she slowly traces the seams with her finger. "Good quality leather." she purrs, pulling off my boots and gently touching the curves of my foot. "You shop well. Or maybe you're lucky. Either way, I have a plan for this..." she says.

"A plan?"

She nods, fingers tracing the line of the seam up along my side, and down my arm. She smiles, popping the seam there and grasping the rough thread. Slowly, she pulls it from each hole, the sleeve opening wider and looser as she approaches my elbow.
"Yep. I'm gonna recycle this material for your wings. Some leather will help them turn knives, though with this much, it'll be barely better than nothing..." she mutters, the sleeve loose on my arm as she reaches my armpit and continues. "or, I could make it into a bag, or something..." she goes on, touching my bared side as the seam opens on the side of my chest. "Or maybe I'm just looking for excuses to strip you creatively." she adds, as the seam opens on my hips. Her touch on these places where it's so rare send little shocks through me. I don't know why I'm so sensitive, I just... can't help it. I manage a nod as the seam opens on my thigh, then knee, then finally ends on my ankle. Rose traces the line from the ankle to my wrist with slow, gentle kisses. "I have you all night~. I want it to last." she murmurs happily.

On the same side that has been opened on the lower side of my arm, she starts to pull apart the top seam on my sleeve, seperating it in halves, carefully and metiulously. When it finally opens at my neck, I start feeling pretty bare. "Shhh, stay still." she murmurs, taking her time in the other three seams, giggling happily as she finally finishes the inseam last. The suit rests in halves atop and under my body, as Rose pulls off her boots and clambers onto the bed, knees on either side of my hips. She peels away her shirt, breasts bouncing slightly. "You can move now." she purrs.

I sit up, feeling the suit fall away slowly, baring me to her as my hands slide over her breasts and she leans down to kiss me, one hand undoing her jeans and peeling them off hastily along with her panties. The feeling of her soft fur on my skin is so wonderful, I can't really begin to describe it - a moan, unbidden, issues from my lips as her hand caresses one of my breasts. She pulls the half-suit away from between us, and our wet places grind together briefly, making me whimper in anticipation. her lips find my neck, and again, we touch.

A steady rhythm emerges, and in the pleasure, things fade and come to crisp sharpness. The look on her face as our moans match one another's, mouth open, eyes closed, body arched against mine. The feeling of her weight atop me, both heavy and comforting. The warmth of her body. The sound of her roar as the climax touches her. The blankness of my own. Exhausted, we slump together, and I stroke her mane and back, slow and long touches that make her purr even as she looks half-asleep.

There's so much to do, so much to prepare for - but for now... I think I'll watch Rose sleep for a while, while I pull the blanket over us.

That sounds nice. Yeah. I'll just rest my eyes for a bit.

---[Discontinuity]---

>>381244
Thread completed!

Sera is now level 3.

Voting will take place in the previously linked discussion thread.