can the tentacles be eaten safely if grilled?

>>495640
>>495662
I disagree with traveling on the surface as it leaves us visible to anything that is watching, including potential snipers. Bandits are a much bigger danger to us then parasites as bandits may shoot back.

>>495760
Yeah, you're right. Stay in the trench but change up formation so Samael is on point so any para-zombies along the way will attack him first, giving the rest of you time to shoot their legs out to immobilize them.

1/3 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/25(Mon)17:32 No. 496080 ID: 874a6b
File 136184235023.png - (18.26KB , 800x800 , 70.png )

It is best to leave this thing to die. The parasite itself cannot cause any further harm the way it is, than if it was dead. Shooting the body could enkindle unwanted attention. I is difficult to know what brought this person here. Whether he became infested here and stayed, or if he wandered here by himself.

“Samael, you are biologically immune to parasites, yes?”

>”Yeah. Though obviously, it's possible for the little grubs to crawl around on me, and risk infesting others.”

“Could you please go on point, then? If the parasite has a presence here, it would be best to not risk us.”

>”And what, it's okay to risk me? Yeah, thanks a lot.”

I go to apologise, but he laughs.

>”Actually, it would be for the best if he had some kind of flamethrower... or poison gas. But we don't, so a gun will have to do. Alright, everyone behind me, then.”

2/3 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/25(Mon)17:32 No. 496081 ID: 874a6b
File 136184237479.png - (27.92KB , 800x800 , 71.png )

With Samael at the front of our party, we navigate the trenches of the Iron Forest. I keep a look out at the back of the group, but nothing ever appears.

3/3 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/25(Mon)17:33 No. 496082 ID: 874a6b
File 136184239363.png - (25.89KB , 800x800 , 72.png )

It is after a short while that we come across something of an alcove. In it, several parasite victims. Concerning, is that not all of them are so enervated as our last encountered. They are all starving, though, and I am certain that they would feed on us. There is not a need to go near them, however. Destroying them is a matter of choice, and not necessity.

It's better that we avoid conflict if we can. Could we skirt around them by going up out of the trenches?

Avoid, preferably up above for a short distance, unless you feel like removing the obstacle could help you when you return this way, and will not pose a significant difficulty.

>>496082
Is this usual for there to be such a concentration of parasite victims all in so advanced a stage? Are infected driven to congregate with other infected by the parasite or is this an indication that a group had unknowingly become infected and not realized?

There seem to be few in this group that could pose a threat should you decide to kill them, but if there is a concentration of infected in this area for some reason then there could be other in better condition that would be drawn by the sound of gunfire. Better to carefully avoid.

>>496082
Shooting them would cause quite a bit of noise. Let's avoid that.

avoid

yeah, avoid. mercykilling is tempting, but ending the atrocity happening here would probably reduce less than a billionth of atrocities going on around the planet right now.

Avoid them, and in the future as we keep going in the metal trenches keep an eye to where something can spot us the best, from the top of the chimneys

>>496294
Dammit. The top of one of those chimneys would be a perfect spotter's perch for a bandit. One of them gets up there, watches for travelers, then signals the other bandits. Is there any way they could get up those chimneys, or have the ladders and stairs long since fallen down?

Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/27(Wed)02:04 No. 496534 ID: 715f82
File 136195945943.png - (37.80KB , 800x800 , 73.png )

We decide to leave the parasite victims in peace, since they do not block our route.

The great chimneys would make ideal places for bandit snipers, or lookouts. While I imagine that the access ladders would be destroyed on some, and on others, too dangerous to climb, some are certainly still accessible, and would provide an excellent view of what is happening all around. Unfortunately, it is hard to see if somebody else had this idea already. The chimney peaks are far too high, making it difficult for the naked eye to see whether somebody is perched on one. I imagine that it is easy to see anybody in the trench, from up there.

My train of thought is disrupted when one of the doors in the trench creaks. A small, but ugly-sounding voice slips out.

>”Don't be alarmed, travelers. I mean no harm to you.

From the darkness, emerges a squat figure, little more than a metre in height. When its face comes into the light, it is repulsive to behold. It is bug-eyed, and its greasy, asymmetrical face carries sharp, little teeth.

>”Please don't be alarmed. I bear no weapons.”

It bares its hands to prove its statement.

“What do you want, creature?”

>”I seek only to help you, travelers. You are lost in the maze, yes?

It coughs, and a string of thick, brown dribble trails from its malformed mouth.

“We are not lost. At least, we have approximate knowledge of our destination.”

>”And where might that be, traveler?”

“We are moving to a settlement that is said to be North of here.”

>”Ah, I know it well. I can take you there, away from these crawlers. A passage beneath the steel skin.”

“Why do you want to help us?”

>”I want a reward! Haha!”

“Is that so?”

>”All I ask is a little of your food in return. I can't eat the crawlers. No, no.”

>>496534
A little of our food, or us as food? For all we know there are a dozen of his friends waiting down there to gun us down and feast on our corpses. In other words, how do we know he isn't leading us to an ambush? Does anyone in our party know anything about the sort of creature this person is? Any advance reputation? Then again I mean, we have a rather large robot that wouldn't make for good eating and would be rather difficult to take down. An ambush against us would be difficult to pull off without heavy weaponry.

Anyway, do we really need a guide? Then again I suppose we could run into an ambush if we stayed on the surface. Not an easy decision.

The price of food is not a large concern I suppose. Though, we should make sure it's clear ahead of time how much he's asking for.

Ask him how long ago someone else came through this way and took his offer?

We could also just offer him food for information about the surface routes, if he knows anything about them.

ask your companions if they know what the hell this thing is. if they don't, ask it.

Hide his payment at the entrance, then bind him. Inform him that in the event of ambush he will be the first to die, but if you are escorted safely he will be freed and will be able to retrieve the food. Mutants may be loathsome, but they generally have a sense of self-preservation.

Not always though.

>>496673
That... seems a bit harsh?

give food and be on your merry way

1/2 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/28(Thu)01:33 No. 496763 ID: 259f33
File 136204400459.png - (21.47KB , 800x800 , 74.png )

After some consideration, we agree, though somewhat reluctantly, to allow the mutant to lead us.

“Very well. We will give you some food. However, you will not get it yet. We will leave it right here. We will tie your hands, and you will lead us to the way out. When we are there, we will free you, and you can then retrieve it.”

>”Ah yes, yes. Of course.”

“Know that any attempts to endanger or otherwise mislead us will result in your death. I will not hesitate. Do you understand?”

>”Ahh, yes, please. Do not fear, there is no need to make my overdue here!”

I offer two energy bars. I look to the others for contributions, but they do not seem inclined to charity. After a pause, Samael takes a small bag from his pack, and drops it down with the energy bars.

>”It's hopper meat. It's probably starting to go a little funny, so he might as well have it.”

We follow the short mutant into the darkness.

2/2 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/02/28(Thu)01:33 No. 496764 ID: 259f33
File 136204403752.png - (24.04KB , 800x800 , 75.png )

Sorry, the art here is not very good.

It is not as dark as I had initially thought. There are some lights which are somehow operational still. Perhaps this little thing had repaired them, or maybe they simply have a greater longevity than for what they are given credit.

As we follow, its phlegm-clogged throat makes it easy to hear that the mutant is breathing faster.

We are descending a set of stairs when Lox, to my left, falls over, and tumbles down the steps. I go to offer my aid when something bumps into me. It hits really hard in my chest, and almost knocks me off my feet. I tumble down the steps myself. My limbs hurt, and I can hear screaming. I feel alright, though.

It is not until I look up and see Lox, choking with a harpoon through his neck, that I realise we have been ambushed.

Return fire and scream "ambush!"

Do you have any flares or some other light source with you?

Kill the mutant first. Then return fire.

>>496764
Make things die good.

yeah, this was stupid. we shoulda interrogated it more.

have everyone fire and retreat. grab Lox and anyone else wounded.

Fools! Look what has happened! Time to die! Samael, get our revenge

...You knew this had to happen at some point. You just didn't think it'd be from such a boneheaded choice on you and the other's part. Seriously, the mutant's offer was so obviously a trap it's painful.

Alright, they're using harpoon launchers instead of guns for a reason. It may be that it's because they don't cause a muzzle flash, which would blind in the dim light down here. If may be that it's because they don't make any noise when they're fired, both for ambush reasons, but to keep anything else from being attracted to the noise. Of course, it might be they just don't have guns or ammo, but we'll go with the first two for now.

Can you estimate where those harpoons would have come from? If so, then close your eyes, fire one shot straight up to blind all lookers with the muzzle flash, then get your gun pointed in that direction and fire a burst, then move, then fire. Make sure they can't target you on the muzzle flash in case they have more harpoons ready, or their own guns. And if you happen to hear Samael's gun spin up, hit the deck and start rolling to the side before the hail of lead comes down.

Harpoon implies that there is a line connected to the spear. They're not just shooting spears at you, they want to drag you somewhere. Do not stay and try to shoot at shadows like a moron; that is what they are counting on you doing.

Retreat immediately. Do not stay and allow more of your party to become injured and ensnared. Break the back haft of the harpoon in Lox's neck but leave it in. He may bleed out if you remove it here. Your armor appears to be perfectly apt at absorbing the impact of their weapons; interpose yourself between their fire and the less-protected of your group and get Lox back out into daylight. Gryr and Lex, if she is armed, can do the fighting retreat with Samuel and yourself as cover. Naturally, Samuel can fire back too.

You, however, need to focus on getting Lox and everyone else out of the ambush you marched everyone into.

GET OUT OF HERE

1/4 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/01(Fri)06:28 No. 497016 ID: 42abe9
File 136214808641.png - (29.99KB , 800x800 , 76.png )

“Return fire!”

I shout to the others, and begin firing into the darkness. I do not know if I am hitting anything. It is difficult to see in these lighting conditions. With Gryr covering me, I try to free the harpoon lodged in Lox. It is a steel cable, and I lack the tools to cut it quickly. As I try to hopelessly sever it with my knife, the cable begins to tighten, and pull on the harpoon. I make an attempt to resist, but I cannot. Lox is dragged away into the darkness.

2/4 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/01(Fri)06:28 No. 497017 ID: 42abe9
File 136214810884.png - (45.95KB , 800x800 , 77.png )

Samael pushes past me, his weapon whirring, ready to fire.

>”Get the girl out of here.”

“What are you doing?”

>”I'll get him, just go!”

Samael moves down the corridor. His weapon lights up, and a loud buzz fills my ears.

3/4 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/01(Fri)06:28 No. 497018 ID: 42abe9
File 136214813422.png - (17.08KB , 800x800 , 78.png )

I grab Lex by the arm and pull her, screaming, up and into the open. When I let go she immediately tries to rush back through the door, but Gryr is there to stop her. I stand awkwardly for a few minutes, as Gryr comforts the grieving Lex.

4/4 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/01(Fri)06:29 No. 497019 ID: 42abe9
File 136214815648.png - (24.14KB , 800x800 , 79.png )

When Samael finally returns through the door, he is covered in blood. Thrashing in his hand, is the mutant which deceived us, its hands still bound.

I quietly ask him about the fate of Lox.

>”It is better that he remains there. The sight wouldn't do well to his sister.”

The mutant hears him and shouts out.

>”Aha, he's bled dry! You didn't have a hope of fixin' him from the first second, haha.”

Samael shakes it violently, and it starts coughing.

>”I brought him back alive, which is more than I can say for his friends.”

It is clear that we cannot use it as a guide, but I am sure we have some use for it; a bit of payback, if nothing else.

Just kill him and move on. This was a stupid waste of life and time.

>>497022
This.

Lox was right.

start from its feet and work your way up from there.

>>497076
breack every bones in his legs, then rip of his eyesand trow it at the crawlers mercy

Break its arms and crush its feet. Locate its genitalia, cut them off and stuff them down its throat. Consider allowing Lex have her vengeance against the filth. If she is too distraught for expressing her pain through violence, finish it off by throwing the creature into a parasite-infested corpse with great precision.

Petty vengeance is not going to solve anything. Other predators may be attracted by the things cries if we waste time standing around to mutilate the thing.

Kill it and move on. The more important thing here is to ask Samuel what was down there and how many. This may not be the last time you encounter something like that.

The only possible use for that creature is to use him as bait to attract predators away from your location.

Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/01(Fri)15:58 No. 497138 ID: 7ddf9d
File 136218229874.png - (38.18KB , 800x800 , 80.png )

I take its legs, and break them easily. It screeches in pain, before vomiting.

I ask Lex if she desires revenge upon it, but she is too distraught to look at it.

“Then we will feed it to the parasites.”

At this announcement it becomes wildly panicked, and begins begging for its life. Its pleas for mercy are ignored.

Samael and I carry the mutant to the alcove at which the group of parasites reside. Throwing it at them, the quickly realise that it is edible, and descend upon it. The mutant's screams do not go for very long, but we leave before the parasites notice us.

On the way back, I ask Samael about the mutant lair.

>”It was pretty ugly down there. We wouldn't have been their first victims. The community wasn't large, but it was developing. This is possibly why they sent that one to lead us down, rather than outright attacking us.

We are now back where this calamity began, at the door. Unfortunately, now we are lacking a man.

>>497016
Throw him to the parasites.

go in grenades blazing. maybe except Lex if she's busy crying. loot everything.

The only reason to stop here would be to recover Lox's personal belongings before moving on. Ask Samuel if it is safe to venture down there.

Pragmatically, he had food, ammunition, and a gun with him. Sentimentally, Lex deserves something to remember her brother by.

>>497167
That, and looting anything of use from the mutant's lair. That is, if Samael cleared it out completely.

If Samael didnt' clear it out now would be the time. We should inspect the basements of this lair for supplies and clues.

1/2 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/03(Sun)07:06 No. 497513 ID: 533f39
File 136232321816.png - (34.68KB , 800x800 , 81.png )

A question enters my mind.

“Samael, did you notice anything of value in the mutant lair?”

>”It depends on what you think is valuable. If you like junk and human bones, then sure. It's a goldmine.”

“What about weapons? They had harpoons, did they not? Were they otherwise unarmed.”

I bear my armour to reveal a noticeable gouge in the chest.

>”Those were traps. They were fixed to a wall, with a mechanical pulley. There were mutants manning them. One was already dead, so I guess one of you guys must have hit them. The rest of them were not equipped to fight in an open assault. They carried spears fashioned out of junk, mostly. Some of them had knives, and I guess they must have got them off those crawlers. Their main advantage over you was that they didn't seem to have any problem seeing in the darkness.”

“What about Lox? His weapons, food...”

>”He was our ally. I think it would be disrespectful to loot his body, and so I won't go down there for that reason. I think he should be left in peace.”

“Very well.”

I believe that there is no reason for us to continue standing around here, so I decide that we should move. We still have several hours of daylight, and I think that we should make the most of them.

2/2 Mord!!AwZwHkBGWx 2013/03/03(Sun)07:10 No. 497514 ID: 533f39
File 136232341970.png - (39.94KB , 800x800 , 82.png )

We continue deeper into the forest.


Act II will resume soon, when I think of how to begin it. For now, thank you for your participation. I hope that you have enjoyed reading this, and will continue to do so for future installments.

That was awesome. This quest is grimdark and brutal.