1/2 Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)08:46 No. 818828 ID: 8a947d
File 150117039893.png - (243.76KB , 1212x826 , Arrival 1.png )

Ender port.

Light Church influence and a great view, a nice reminder that a few spots in the world still have some light left in them. You and you companions walk up to the small town from the train station.

You:...So then I let them go, probably should've asked how they knew we were there but we'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

Troy: You sure lettin' those two leave alive was such a good idea ?

You: I had a chance to end it peacefully, if they do come around again we'll just feed 'em to Issei.

Issei: i'm not a garbage disposal for everyone that tries to kill you.

Before you reach Ender Port a red raven flies down from the sky and towards you...

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)08:55 No. 818829 ID: 8a947d
File 150117091037.png - (353.86KB , 1212x826 , Arrival 2.png )

Troy: What's that ?

You: It's a Blood Raven. The Pagans use them like messengers, look this one has something strapped to its leg.

You take the piece of paper and unfurl it. It's a note from Flint, the head summoner in New Olmec.

Yo Gallows.

If you're getting this it means you've reached Ender Port all right, a beautiful place to stop by. Next you're going to want to catch a boat to Ebony Port, I don't have anything planned for you but I'm sure you'll think of something.

Look at your map if you need to know where to go, but before you do anything check around the Warehouse on the otherside of town.

Flint

>>818828
>I'm not a garbage disposal for everyone that tries to kill you.
"Well, I meant if you're hungry and you wanted to eat them, we'd feed them to you. I wasn't gonna shove 'em down your throat or anything!"

".....besides, I thought you'd be up for that. Hasn't it been a while since you ate anyone rotten? You can't survive off only strawberries, right?"

>>818829
I guess we're going to the other side of town to check the area around the Warehouse.

To the warehouse! Let's go meet some other pagans

Issei, we're not intentionally exploiting your digestive system by making you eat garbage people. It's just that a lot of people who want me dead are also really, really bad.

Really, we're concerned about your nutrition, and that's part of why mercy is at least a footnote in our playbook.

Also, those were the best strawberries they had.

Issei we are just wanting to make sure all of your nutritional needs are met. Maybe if we can we'll find some run down shitty tavern and you can have a go at the most rotten dude there.

Alright to the warehouse! and then maybe the waygate. Also we should head to the harbor to see about getting passage on a boat

1/3 Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)17:56 No. 818910 ID: 8a947d
File 150120340621.png - (291.42KB , 1212x826 , Warehouse.png )

You trek across town to the warehouse on the otherside.

The front door is chained shut.

Troy: Well...Now what ?

2/3 Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)18:00 No. 818913 ID: 8a947d
File 150120363153.png - (180.34KB , 1212x826 , Warehouse 2.png )

You look around the otherside of the warehouse for any other openings when you see a red graffiti marking on one of the walls. Its a Pagan Mark used to tell pagans messages, this one signals that there supplies somewhere further left of the building.

After a little more walking you find a piece of metal sticking out from a hole in the ground..

3/3 Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)18:06 No. 818916 ID: 8a947d
File 150120397293.png - (139.03KB , 863x599 , Care Package.png )

You dig up a small box from the ground. Inside there are 2 Summon Packs: one for a Demon Flagellum and one for a Serpentine Vanguard.
Along with the Summon Packs you find a small key that seem's to fit the chain lock on the front door of the warehouse.

You unlock the chains and step inside the warehouse, there's nothing but rubble and old trash littered around the place.

Troy: Gallows, There's something over here!

You head towards Troy and find a Waystone hidden behind a hunk of old machinery. You slot your Waykey into the stone lighting it up.

Do you want to head back anywhere else before you leave for a boat ?

>>818916
Let's try making some summon packs of our own. Just in case we need to summon in combat.

Get to the boat.

>>818916
>Do you want to head back anywhere else before you leave for a boat?
Let's look around town and see what's being sold in the shops. Who knows? You might find another spell, like that one time you found the spell for Stun Spike in Ada's shop. And that spell has been a literal lifesaver!

Heretic 2017/07/27(Thu)22:31 No. 818967 ID: 8a947d
File 150121989203.png - (346.24KB , 1212x826 , Ender Port 1.png )

>>818933
>>818921

There are several shops in Ender Port that could be useful to you. From what you see most of the shops are fish based along with a few shops that sell trinkets baubles.

There are three places that you think could be useful.

The Meat Market here is mostly fish but there are a few places selling some beef or other "exotic" meats.

The Trinkets Booth has plenty of odds and ends that you could use for summoning, plus some other oddities.

A Bar is always a good place to relax in, plenty of people with plenty of complaints and problems. Maybe you can hear some news or buy a drink.

You have 275G to spend

>>818967
Let's go to The Trinkets Booth!

>Blood Raven
You sure it didn't steal anything from you? Or look particularly bold and foolish?

Heretic 2017/07/28(Fri)00:20 No. 818993 ID: 8a947d
File 150122642192.png - (260.99KB , 1212x826 , Trinket Booth 1.png )

>>818983
You don't think so, the Pagan's blood ravens are very well trained and almost never steal anything from their message targets. They do steal things from other people though.

>Trinket Booth
You walk up to the booth, a man draped in heavy clothing and a wide brimmed hat mans the front. You can't see his face with his scarf in the way and hat in the way. The plaque on his desk says "Andre"

Andre: Hmm...What want ?

From his stock a few things catch your eye. You currently have 275G

Seaside Bracelet(50G): A small bracelet made of sea-glass and shells. Would make a nice gift to someone

Hand Mirror(25G)

Whalebone Charm(50G): A circular talisman carved from the bone of a whale, it's supposed to bring good luck to fishermen.

Water-stained Page(100G): A little stained but still legible, its written in pagan code.

Amethyst Necklace(25G): A small prism of amethyst held on a small string.

rolled 11 = 11

---

This guy looks like a grey marketer. Ask him if he has any... cheaper scrap. Like broken merchandise or uncut jewel shards.

Rolling for persuasion check.

You absolutely need to buy that page.

What summoning ingredients do you currently have? Check inventory.

Buy a mirror! Also definitely the page and the amethyst. Wait how does he have that page without the church coming down on him?

Heretic 2017/07/28(Fri)04:42 No. 819028 ID: 8a947d
File 150124217072.png - (260.99KB , 1212x826 , Trinket Booth 1.png )

>>819007
>>819009

You Buy the Mirror, Page, and Amethyst for 150G leaving you at 125G

Inventory:
-3 Amethyst Shards
-Clear Crystal
-Dead Fly
-Dead Cockroach
-Feather Pack
-Flask
-8 Pieces of Paper
-Tent
-Lantern

>>818996
That's 11 plus 7 from CHARM and 2 from [Speech 1] = 20

You: You wouldn't happen to have any cheaper materials would you ? Maybe some broken merchandise or uncut jewel shards ?

Andre stands there for a moment, you can't tell if he's staring at you or not. Suddenly he moves around to the back of his booth. You hear the sound of boxes being moved and junk being rummaged through. Andre comes back out with a box of extra stuff for you.

Andre: No one buy these things. Worthless, very low price.

He empties the box out onto the table.

Scrap Metal(2G Each): A large chunk of metal from some unknown source. Very dull, 2 in total

Impure Rubies(5G each): Small ruby shards. Ugly, discolored, and misshapen but fine for summoning, 3 in total.

Cracked Monoscope(10G): A tiny handheld scope, cracked but functional.

Weird Spare Part(15G): You don't know what it is, but it look's important.

I say take them all.

Take everything but the monoscope.

buy it all

>>819028
>Weird Spare Part(15G): You don't know what it is, but it look's important.
Ada said she was looking for a certain spare part that has been giving her some difficulty to find called A Compensation Drive. The odds of this Weird Spare Part being what she's looking for are low, but we might get lucky and this is what she's looking for. I say it's worth a shot, so let's buy it.

.....also, we don't have to catch the boat that's leaving to Ebony Port today. So, I think we should spend some time here in Ender Port and find ways to earn some money.

Heretic 2017/07/28(Fri)15:53 No. 819125 ID: 8a947d
File 150128241330.png - (260.99KB , 1212x826 , Trinket Booth 1.png )

You buy up all of the junk he brought out for 44G, leaving you with 81G.

That seem's like all you have to do here, unless you'd like to try to talk to Andre more ?

Stop by the meat market next. you can probably pick up some unwanted bone, teeth, and viscera for next to nothing.

Also grab a couple of sticks off the ground along the way, and burn one of them. So we have the ingredients for the Pyre.

Look for ways to earn some money, we're dangerously low on funds!

>>819127
Let's not waste anymore money on summoning things! We need to save it for food so we don't die from starvation!

Does Issei has enough strawberries? If not we probably should find some.

And I say we check for food first, then for extra summoning stuff... Also Do Troy or Issei would like to buy something for themselves or they are fine?

I also think we should stick around a little bit and search for jobs, unless we are in a hurry.

Ask Andre where he's from.

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/28(Fri)20:00 No. 819191 ID: 8a947d
File 150129723681.png - (260.99KB , 1212x826 , Trinket Booth 1.png )

>>819151
Andre doesn't seem like he's a big talker, but you could give it a try.

You: So...Where ya from Andre ?

Andre: Far.

You:...

Looks like that's all you're getting out of him about that.

You: Uhh ... are there any places that have any jobs need doing ?

Andre:... Bar need help with pest problem. Not much else going on in town.

Look's like there might be something at the bar, but for know you're heading for the Butcher's

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/28(Fri)20:10 No. 819194 ID: 8a947d
File 150129784976.png - (325.42KB , 1212x826 , Butchers.png )

You arrive at the Butchers Booth. There's cool air coming from out of the front, probably from the iceboxes and coolers keeping meat cold. The man at the front's got a name tag that reads "Boon".

Boon: Whatcha need stranger ?

Fish Cut(15G)

Beef Cut(15G)

Mystery Fish(???G): There's a large fish wrapped in cloth, there's no price tag on it.

You could probably persuade him into giving you some extra unwanted animal parts (1d20 + 7 from CHARM and 2 from [Speech 1] Success = 20)

rolled 15 = 15

---

You don't have enough money to waste on meat right now. Ask him about unwanted parts.

rolled 10 + 9 = 19

---

Ask if he's got anything that he doesn't want and if you can take it.

Then let's go take care off that pest problem at the Bar!

Ask what's with the fish.

Heretic 2017/07/29(Sat)07:31 No. 819260 ID: 8a947d
File 150133866009.png - (180.44KB , 745x764 , Mystery Fish.png )

>rolled 15 + 9 = 24

You: Do you have any parts of your animal that you'd normally just throw away ? I need some for...reasons

Boon: Well sure I ain't got much use for 'em, they just end up stinkin' up my booth til the trash man comes round. here

Boon hands you a paper bag full of animal guts, you've got about 2 good handfuls of guts.

>Whats with the fish

You ask about the unmarked wrapped fish.

Boon: Oh this thing ?

Boon picks it up by the tail fin and unwraps it, to your surprise the fish is growing eight spider like legs from its stomach and it's mouth is lined with sharp teeth. It still occasionally kicks and squirms.

Boon: Yeah thought bout sellin' it to some sorta fish specialist or somethin' like that. If you know what it is I could give it to ya.

Try to analyse the fish ? (1d20 + 10 from INTELLIGENCE Success = 25)

Something straight of Junji Ito's 'Gyo'.

rolled 12 + 10 = 22

---

>>819260
>Try to analyse the fish?
Yeah, sure, let's give it a shot.

>>819261
Damnit! You beat me to it!

rolled 15 + 10 = 25

---

>>819260
Clearly it's a spiderfish and it does whatever a spiderfish can.

Heretic 2017/07/29(Sat)12:46 No. 819306 ID: 8a947d
File 150135759953.png - (325.42KB , 1212x826 , Butchers.png )

>rolled 15 + 10 = 25

Looking closer at the fish you notice that it's legs are growing from inside of it's body, like they sprouted out from it's organs. The mouth is split open and the area's around the teeth are torn apart, again as if the teeth grew out rapidly from the mouth. You put your hand over it's side, it's still breathing somehow out of the water.

Boon: Yeeesh! That thing ain't right ain't to be keepin' around this place then. Get that thing outta here.

You got a Mystery Fish. Maybe someone else knows more about than you ?

Unless you plan to buy anything else from the store your next stop is the Bar.

>still breathing
Maybe carrying around fish infected with a mysterious still living parasite isn't the best idea. If you really want to keep it, at least make sure that thing is wrapped up tight.


There's nothing else we need to buy, get going to the bar.

Heretic 2017/07/29(Sat)16:04 No. 819362 ID: 8a947d
File 150136946090.png - (350.00KB , 1212x826 , Bar 1.png )

>>819314
Sure maybe keeping it with you might not be the smartest idea, but you're really curious about what it is.

You and your friends walk into the Water-Logged Bar. It looks like a slow day, the lights are low and one or two tables are filled. An old record play's in the back filling the bar with music

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/472999

The three of you sit at the front bar and talk to the Barkeep, her torn nametag reads in cat-scratch "Martha"

Martha: Welcome boys, what can I do for you three ?

Troy: Gallows, I know we got stuff to do but d'you think we can order some drinks before we get to workin' on anythin' ?

Three beers and a strawberry milkshake, please.

Order drinks, then ask about the pest job.

Heretic 2017/07/29(Sat)17:04 No. 819372 ID: 8a947d
File 150137308928.png - (350.00KB , 1212x826 , Bar 1.png )

>Three beers and a strawberry milkshake, please.

You tell Troy to make the order and he gets you your drinks and pays for em. You take your beverages and...wait.

You: Troy...did you order yourself two beers?

Troy:...I might have.

You: We're gonna try to take a job and you're going to down two beers ?

Troy: Hey! I know my limits, and it's way past two beers.

You: Anyway, Ma'am we're here because we heard that you were having a pest problem ?

Martha: Why yes. There's been a problem with some critters chewin' on the wires and eatin' up ingredients from the back. I've never gotten to see 'em but they're buggin' the hell outta me.

Martha: They only come out at nighttime but if you can deal with 'em I'll pay ya.

>>819372
Sure, let's do it.

I bet his has something to do with that fish.

Did they appear recently, or have they have been here for some time?

We probably should take a look at what they have done, if she wants to show us so we can try to get an idea of how big they could be.

>>819384
And before I forget again... Shouldn't we read that we got from the trader?

>>819387
*page

>>819387
>>819393
>Read the Water-stained Page before we forget again.
Damnit! I forgot about that too! Let's read it!

Heretic 2017/07/29(Sat)19:19 No. 819408 ID: 8a947d
File 150138114467.png - (124.27KB , 870x807 , Summon's Page.png )

You remember the page you bought from Andre, you unfold underneath the counter and read it. They're summon signs and ingredients for a few Demons.

Gelatinous Cube: 3 Pieces of Dead Meat, Acidic Substance, Something Made of Bone.

Volatile Deviant: 1 Sulfur, 1 Saltpeter, 1 Charcoal, Something Made of Iron.

>>819381
Makes sense, no way this fish is just a convenient oddity.

>>819384
You: How bad was the damage they caused ? Can you tell how big they were from it ?

Martha: It's different from time to time, sometimes there just a few bits taken from some fruit or vegetables and other times whole crates have been smashed open and pipes had been broken off of the walls.

Martha:...but I never find any paw prints or traces of anythin' come mornin'

Unless you have anything else to do you'd better come back later at night.

>>819408
How acidic does something have to be to count as acidic? Would lemon juice work? Orange juice? Soda?

>>819408
From what she's describing, it sounds like there's probably a nest of these things somewhere. Fending off the pests won't cut it, we'll have to find the nest and exterminate them at the source in order to have a more permanent solution!

>Unless you have anything else to do you'd better come back later at night.
Nope, nothing else to do.

>Gelatinous Cube
Nice, you're summoning a fancy restaurant's marbled fat to eat your enemies.

>Volatile Deviant
Wait, isn't this just inscribing your bullets so they can summon demons? Doesn't take a genius to get this creative. What a ripoff.

Some animals will gauge their level of destruction based on how much noise there is, so you'll need to lay down some silent traps and let the vermin have it.

>>819437
More like muskets. The summoning recipe is basically black powder and iron. Bullets are smokeless powder and lead. Smokeless powder is generally some sort of nitrated glycerine and cellulose.
That's not to say we can't have special bullets made. It would be neat to have a gun that shoots demons.

>>819440
>It would be neat to have a gun that shoots demons.
I don't see that working.

I think either the demon will be comically stuck in the gun, with only it's head sticking out or the gun gets destroyed from a demon appearing inside of it.

Well, Maybe Issei would want to hunt around for rotten people? I mean, at this rate he could lose practice, and I don't think we will need him for now until night.

As for us, we could ask the Fisherman where did he get that strange fish. If it is related to this problem, that could lead us to their nest.

Also, could we have a quick look of our inventory to see what we have so far?

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/30(Sun)08:38 No. 819482 ID: 8a947d
File 150142909053.png - (346.24KB , 1212x826 , Ender Port 1.png )

>>819433
Acidic in this case really means Caustic, as in some substance that can cause a chemical burn. Now that you think about it that makes more sense than "acidic", you alter the recipe so it makes a little more sense.

Gelatinous Cube: 3 Pieces of Dead Meat, Acidic Caustic Substance, Something Made of Bone.

>>819437
Your bullets aren't made of Iron,en if they were they're too small to draw a summon sigil on. They do have gunpowder in them, there isn't a lot though so if you wanted to get enough to make the summon you'd need to open up 10 of them.

>Gun that shoots demons
It's possible but difficult. First of all you'd need to know how to accurately draw a sigil on a small surface; possibly with the use of special tools, then you would need to have a high amount of focus and summoning prowess to channel the summon from so far away from you as the further away a catalyst is the harder it becomes to summon from it.

>>819477
Issei: it's been sort of hard to find someone in this town, no one really rings as rotten. it'd be easier if we were in Itsdin, that place is full of potential lunch.

Heretic 2017/07/30(Sun)09:29 No. 819488 ID: 8a947d
File 150143216239.png - (325.42KB , 1212x826 , Butchers.png )

You return to Boon's to ask about where he got the fish.

Boon: Hmm? The fish ? I found it skitterin' around the old aquarium. Church shut the place down after an officer got in an argument with the owner, don't nobody go down there anymore.

You check your inventory real quick...
-Sixshot Pistol (21 Bullets)
-Ivory Repeater (26 Bullets)
-Blue Baroness (3 Bullets)
-Wicked Knife
-Curved Dagger

-Demon Flagellum Summon Pack
-Serpentine Vanguard Summon Pack
-4 Amethyst Shards
-Clear Crystal
-Dead Fly
-Dead Cockroach
-Feather Pack
-Flask
-8 Pieces of Paper
-Tent
-Lantern
-Hand Mirror
-3 Impure Rubies
-2 Scrap Metal
-Weird Spare Part
-Cracked Mono-scope

>>819488
Hmmm, that makes me think it came from the aquarium and it was shut down because more of those weird fish were found there.

Ask him how long ago the aquarium was shut down? And if it was a while ago, ask why it's still shut down? If the Church got involved, then wouldn't they have fixed what was going on and then reopened the aquarium? It's kinda weird how it sounds like they didn't do anything and left something potentially dangerous there.

Oh well, not the job we signed up for, so let's just focus on eliminating the pests that come to the Bar tonight.

Alright, I think it would be wise to stay away from church territory for now. Last thing we want to do is to give them an excuse to storm this place.

Well, that would be all I think, I say we wait for the night now.

Heretic 2017/07/30(Sun)11:38 No. 819513 ID: 8a947d
File 150143989386.png - (380.01KB , 1212x826 , Butchers 2.png )

>>819490
You ask more about the aquarium.

Boon: There wan't nothin' official about the place bein' closed down. An officer of the Church Guard got mad at the owner and shut the place down outta spite.

Boon: That was years ago though, and I ain't never seen any ugly fish 'round before. I found that thing this morning.

There's still time to do other things before night, you can always use the Waystone you found in the Warehouse to warp to and from Ender Port. Do you just want to wait for night fall ?

>>819513
Thanks for the info!

Let's just wait until night.

So it's not forbiden to go to that place, but people just avoid going there?

Even if we can go there, If the church is around I don't know how freely we can move without raising suspicion. I say we wait for night and then investigate any further.

>>819563
Actually, we could warp back to Eat something, if we need. And also ask the gunner back at Istdin if he has seen before the Blue Baroness, and for Issei to hunt too, if he so wishes.

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)00:22 No. 819675 ID: 8a947d
File 150148574958.png - (152.33KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 1.png )

You wait in town until night fall, afterwards you head back to The Water-Logged Bar. Martha's locking up the bar.

Martha: Oh good! I was worried you wouldn' show.

Martha: By now those things outta be comin' into the basement.

You: Got it Martha, we'll take care of these pests as quick as possible.

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)00:34 No. 819677 ID: 8a947d
File 150148649324.png - (137.08KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 2.png )

You move into the bar and descend into the basement. The entire basement is dark, you try to flip a switch but nothing happens; you look up and notice the cord connected to the switch has been chewed through.
(-5 to PERCEPTION)

You move deeper into the basement. There are some remnants of smashed boxes and broken pipes but it is hard to see anything else. From what you can see there are some holes chewed into the bottom of one of the walls.

Turn on Aether Sight, and for once, leave it on! You're gonna need it to see your enemies in this dark.

Use Aether Sight, look for signs of the pests.

Try not to destroy too many things yeah.

Pull out your Lantern from your inventory and turn it on. Let's not jump straight into using Aether Sight just yet!

>>819704
Oh yeah, we have a lantern, lets use that instead. Does it have fuel in it?

>>819704
Oh derp. Yeah.

Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)14:01 No. 819735 ID: 8a947d
File 150153486898.png - (218.76KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 3.png )

You turn on your lantern to give yourself a little more light. (PERCEPTION penalty removed while lantern is on)

Troy: You light up my life Gallows...Uggh smells like fish down here.

You: If something's been chewing through electric wires then maybe an ice chest full of fish got turned off.

Issei: well it smells disgusting. there are traps set up to catch rodents, but none of them have been tripped. they're place right next to one of these rat holes too.

Troy: Ya think we can get free drinks for this job ?

You: I'd rather have money Troy, we can't destroy a government with whiskey

Troy: Not with that attitude we can't. There are some scratches on the floor over here but i don't know what animal would make these

Issei and Troy have both found something interesting.

Do you want to go to Issei and investigate the rat hole

or Go to Troy and try to identify the scratches on the floor ?

Scratches always gets us some results. For issei however I would tell him to investigate but don't get too close.

What about that thing skittering on the ceiling?

>>819735
>Skittering noises.
"Huh? Did anyone else here that?"

>Investigate with Troy or Issei?
Let's go with Troy.

Also, tell Issei to not stick his hand into the hole in the wall because he might get bitten! There's no telling if these things have some kind of disease or something and if Issei gets sick, I'm not sure if the medicine he'll need comes in a strawberry flavor.

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)14:56 No. 819741 ID: 8a947d
File 150153821310.png - (136.32KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 4.png )

>>819738
>>819739

You: Wait!... No one else heard that ?

Issei:... i don't hear anything.

Troy: You're creepin' me out Gallows, come look at these scratches man they could be important.

The scratches aren't deep but there are a lot of them and there's blood underneath them, They follow no real pattern but you can see where they lead...

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)15:00 No. 819742 ID: 8a947d
File 150153845350.png - (203.59KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 5.png )

The scratches go back to the wall next to the stairs and cover a good part of the wall's surface. You notice that the box below the wall is shaking slightly.

Do you want to try and analyze the scratches to try and figure out what could make them before investigating ? (Roll for Intelligence + 10 [Success = 24] )

Or do you go straight to investigating the box ?

Aether Sight on the box. These scratches are too confusing to identify.

rolled 2 + 10 = 12

---

>>819742
It's probably another fish-parasite thing.

Carefully prod the box.

rolled 12 + 10 = 22

---

>>819742
>Analyze scratches?
Might as well give it a shot.

>Scratches leading up the wall.
If it can crawl on the walls, then that would mean that it could also crawl on the ceiling.

Look up!

rolled 9 + 10 = 19

---

better safe than sorry

rolled 16 + 10 = 26

---

let's see if we can figure it out

1/3 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)19:15 No. 819787 ID: 8a947d
File 150155373171.png - (127.15KB , 851x709 , Bar Basement 6.png )

>rolled 16 + 10 = 26

You don't know any animal that would make deep scratches like this, but you remember something else. You take out the Mystery Fish you bought from Boon, it's small but maybe something like it could be the cause of it.

What you know for certain is that no normal animal would make these scratches.

2/3 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)19:16 No. 819789 ID: 8a947d
File 150155379135.png - (122.18KB , 851x709 , Bar Basement 7.png )

You: Troy get behind me. If there's something under this be ready.

You go to lift the box...

3/3 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)19:23 No. 819793 ID: 8a947d
File 150155421486.png - (127.78KB , 851x709 , Bar Basement 8.png )

You: GAH!

A rat scurries out from under the box and past your feet, it runs into the darkness.

Troy: Ha! Ya can fight monster sandworms but jump at rats.

You: Shut up Troy.

Troy: Well, that's gotta be it then. Just rats in the basement right ? This shouldn't be too hard.

You: No. Those scratches weren't made by rats, the damage done here couldn't have possibly be done by rats. Broken crates and busted pipes are not rat damages.

Troy: Then what are we lookin' for ?

ZOMBIE DOGS WITH KNIVES FOR FEET!

>>819793
>Then what are we lookin' for?
"Hell if I know. Let's check and see if Issei has found anything."

Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)21:04 No. 819812 ID: 8a947d
File 150156026333.png - (242.39KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 9.png )

You shrug and the box you're holding opens up as you move.

You: Fuck how am I supposed to know...Knifed legged zombie dogs ?

You: Anyway Issei might have found more than us maybe we should...

Troy:...

You: What?

>>819812
Another parasite, this time in some sort of giant cuttlefish or octopus/cuttlefish hybrid. Don't let it grab you!

Let it stay in its box, I say. Close it, bring it to the guy who used to run the aquarium, find out what the heck is up with it.

>>819812
Suddenly notice things coming out of the box and make no sudden movements!

".....Troy.....do you think you can, uh, kill this thing without taking off my arm? I'd really appreciate it if you could do that right about now."

OKAY knife legged zombie dogs is stupid, but I'm really at a loss okay??

>>819815
It's the middle of the night and that guy isn't going to be at his booth selling things now and we don't know where his house is. Plus, it's the middle of the fucking night, he's not gonna be in a question answering mood.

What's wrong with killing it and bringing the thing's body to show him in the morning?

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)22:08 No. 819823 ID: 8a947d
File 150156409014.png - (335.60KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 9_2.png )

You: Okay yes, knife legged zombie dogs isn't the smartest thing I've said but I'm drawing a blank here!

Troy:...Gallows?

You: I mean I don't know why it has to be a zombie dog anyway I'm sure an alive dog with knives for legs would be just as.

Troy: ROLAND! THE BOX!

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)22:11 No. 819825 ID: 8a947d
File 150156429994.png - (437.80KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 10.png )

Something jumps from the box you were holding and latches onto Troy's face.

Troy: MMMMPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHHH!!!

Issei: what!? what's happening

Troy starts to try to pry the thing off of his face. On closer inspection you realize its a Throttle Fish, but something is very obviously wrong with it.

rolled 15 = 15

---

Stun spike the fish! STUN SPIKE THE FISH!!!

>>819825
Try to help pry it off. Maybe lure it off with some food?
Chances are it's just an animal reacting to Troy's yelling.

"Issei your tiny cousin over here is invading Troy's personal space!"

rolled 16 = 16

---

>>819825
Hit it with the box!

>>819828
It's not called Stun Spike anymore, it's called Stun Claw!

1/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)23:12 No. 819838 ID: 8a947d
File 150156797375.png - (275.17KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 11.png )

>rolled 15 = 15

You blast Stun Claw at the Throttle Fish... but it leaps off and you end up hitting Troy in the face instead. He's out cold...

2/2 Heretic 2017/07/31(Mon)23:16 No. 819839 ID: 8a947d
File 150156819685.png - (161.70KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 12.png )

You: Oh shit! Sorry Troy!...Troy?

Troy: Urrrghhhhhh....

You: Umm...Issei?

The Throttle Fish is skittering around the basement, Issei tries to hit it but it moves unnaturally fast. You doubt you'll be able to shot or stab it, but maybe you can do something...

Shoot it! (PERCEPTION + 9)

Stab it! (AGILITY + 7)

Capture it! (STRENGTH + 4)

rolled 15 + 7 = 22

---

Dual wield both of your knives and go in for the kill!

rolled 8 + 4 = 12

---

Lure it with the fish then try to capture it.

>>819838
I saw that coming a mile away! That's why I tried to hit the thing with the box it jumped out of! So that if it did move, Troy would've just gotten a box to the face, but he'd still be able to help!

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/01(Tue)17:43 No. 819996 ID: 8a947d
File 150163458884.png - (324.81KB , 1104x751 , Bar Basement 13.png )

>rolled 15 + 7 = 22

You lunge at the Throttle Fish with a knife in both hands.

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/01(Tue)17:47 No. 819999 ID: 8a947d
File 150163482546.png - (321.81KB , 988x782 , Bar Basement 14.png )

You land on it and skewer both ends of it's body with a knife, it squirms a little before going totally limp. You pick up the fish with your knives.

Issei: is that all ?

You: Probably, there might be more but I doubt it's just one.

>>819999
Good news, you now have proof that you're doing the job you were hired to do!

Bad news, this thing looks like the fish you got from Boon, meaning that there are definitely more of them!

Even better news, since Boon found the first fish over by the Aquarium, that means that these things are probably coming from there and you can go take out the nest after getting some rest in the morning.

Even worse news, Aquariums don't only have tiny fish in them and if everything at the Aquarium is like this.....let's hope the people sized fish and larger than that, don't show up tonight!

Just focus on waking Troy up so that he's not getting attacked while you're not watching him!

Also, summon Fiddler Imp, he might know what these are. And even if he doesn't, he can still help out!

good, but no time for victory dance, Check on Troy and make sure he's fine.

>>820006
>there are bigger things like this
GASHUNK GASHUNK

>>819999
Keep looking around. There could be more than one in here. See if you can find where they're entering the basement from, too- the rat holes aren't big enough for them, are they? ...wait a minute, that's a soft-bodied fish. It probably could squeeze through a rat hole.

>>820039
>GASHUNK GASHUNK
What is that supposed to mean??? I'm so confused???

>>820042
Google it.

>>820044
Ha! Now I get it!

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/01(Tue)23:06 No. 820060 ID: 8a947d
File 150165396596.png - (253.79KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 15.png )

You: Okay, so that guy who runs the butcher shop-

Issei: boon.

You: Yeah! Boon. He said he found the fish he got from somewhere near an old aquarium, So there may be more there.

Issei swoops over to pick up Troy off of the ground, you hear the rat from earlier squeak in pain.

You: Looks like the rat found a trap...

Issei: no he didn't, i picked up the trap from over there when i was looking at it.

Issei holds it out towards you, you walk over to where the rat squeal came from.

If there is a mutated catfish in 2/2 I will expletive.

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/02(Wed)06:32 No. 820082 ID: 8a947d
File 150168075054.png - (219.44KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 16.png )

An infected Dollyfish is chewing on the rat by a couple more boxes. Once it see's you it runs off into a hole in the wall.

You: Yeah, looks like there's more of 'em.

Issei: that one must be headed somewhere. let's investigate the aquarium

Sorry about that delay if anyone noticed, Tgchan just stopped working mid update

Keep going. Make sure you've got the materials for a roaming gluttony at hand. I have a feeling you might need it if there's lots of fishies.

I'm all prepared for burning everything if things go wrong.

>>820082
If we're going to chase after that thing, then we better leave a note for Martha to let her know that we went to the Aquarium because we believe that's where her pests are coming from and we're going to go kill them all at the source by destroying their nest!

>>820090
Also, don't forget to bring your Lantern with you!

>>820090
This. Root out the nest and then clear out any that remain.

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/02(Wed)19:06 No. 820150 ID: 8a947d
File 150172598449.png - (329.60KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 17.png )

You and Issei head out of the bar and towards the old aquarium.

Martha: What's wrong ?

You: We think we know where your problem's coming from!

Issei: until then wait for us to talk to you again... if we come back.

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/02(Wed)19:11 No. 820154 ID: 8a947d
File 150172629972.png - (202.12KB , 1212x826 , Bar Basement 18.png )

You run down to the shore where the aquarium is built into the side of the rock face.

Troy: Wha...Where are we ?

Issei: the aquarium, gallows shot you in the face with magic and you got knocked out.

You: It seemed like a good idea at the time!

The aquarium is in bad shape. The front door's have been boarded shut but many of windows have been broken and you could easily climb through one.

>>820154
Scope out the place before you go in. See if you can find a good exit route, not just a good entrance.

Let's summon Fiddler Imp and ask if he knows what's up with the fish you've got.

Even if he doesn't know, he's proven to be good in a fight and his help will be appreciated!

>>820163
We can also introduce him to Troy and Issei before we go into the Aquarium.

Well gentlemen, nothing ventured nothing gained right? But best proceed with caution anyway. And yeah, lets make sure we know a way out first before we proceed.

Heretic 2017/08/03(Thu)00:24 No. 820221 ID: 8a947d
File 150174509685.png - (162.12KB , 910x790 , Fiddler Imp Summon.png )

>exit routes
You assumed you'd just use the same entrance as the exit, but you guess having another way out would be a good idea. From what you can see there's no alternate way out besides the obvious windows and boarded front door, Issei or Troy could probably break the front door but that would make a lot of noise.

>Fiddler Imp
You play the song and summon Fiddler Imp.

Fiddler: Ay Gal! What are we doin' now huh ? dese ya friends ?

You: Yeah. That's Troy and that's Issei.

Fiddler looks back and forward between the two in silence before whispering to you.

Fiddler: Yo You sure 'bout dese two Gally ? dat tall one's given me da creeps!

>>820221
>Yo You sure 'bout dese two Gally? Dat tall one's given me da creeps!
"Well, before I even got the sheet music to summon you, they've both saved my ass a few times. So yeah, they're good. And Issei's always like that, just be glad he's on our side."

"Anyways, what do you think about this?" Show him the weird fish. "Is it demonic or maybe voodoo or something else? Because whatever this is, we think there's a whole nest of them in that abandoned Aquarium over there. Think you can lend us a hand if we get into a fight?"

>>820221
Yeah Issei isn't human, good eye.

So last time when you got forcibly evicted from this plane of existence how did that feel.

>>820254

"Speakin' of - thanks for helpin', Fiddler. I managed to deal with the voodoo users - they ditched out once I smashed their effigies. Implied they had some kind of big plan of their own."

"We're in a place called Ender Port right now. We've taken on a little pest extermination job, but it seems to have turned out to be more serious than we first thought."

"Anyway, now taking bets, fellas: I got ten on it being a 'mommy' parasite spawner in there somewhere - or elsewhere in town."

It's alright, Issei only eats rotten people, so you are safe. Unless he also eats demons, But I don't think he does that.

Issei, do you smell anyone around here? Priority are persons, but if you smell those things around, it could also be useful.

Also, Sorry for the Friendly fire Troy.

Heretic 2017/08/03(Thu)17:13 No. 820323 ID: 8a947d
File 150180562234.png - (175.08KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 1.png )

You: Yeah they look pretty sketchy but we can trust 'em.

Troy: Do I look sketchy Gallows ?

You: Nah Troy, a smuggler from shit-hole Itsdin ? You're a beacon of civility.

Troy: Aww you're makin' me blush. Issei d'ya smell anythin' in the place ?

Issei: fish, a lot of fish. i don't know if they're mutated or not but i smell them.

Before you forget you show Fiddler both infected fish corpses and ask him if he knows any thing about them.

Fiddler: Ugh! Da hell is dat ding ? Ain't neva seen nothin' like it an' I neva wanna see one again!

You climb in through one of the windows. The inside of the aquarium is worse than the outside, and now that you are inside you do smell the overwhelming scent of fish. The signs directing to certain areas are scratched and illegible but there are staircases leading higher up in the building and some leading down.

>>820323
>an' I neva wanna see one again!
"Well, considering the fact that this place might be a nest for a bunch of them, you're gonna end up seeing them again. And they'll also be alive instead of dead."

Ok, this is important: Stay together and don't split up!

Look at the signs very carefully. Even if you can't read them, there might be pictures on the signs that show what aquatic animals they're pointing at.

Usually, the best course of action is to start at the top and work your way to the bottom, so let's go up the stairs.

>>820323
What's that thing on the right, on the floor?

Secure an escape route. If this viral curse infected the entire supply, you could be looking at a horde of crawling sea-dwellers with some giant whales thrown in. I'd recommend you summon one big demon just to be safe and have it guard the halfway point between you and the exit.

Odd 4am tiredness idea, but do you have any rope / string? You could put the still living mutant fish on a leash and see where it tries to go.

>>820332
I think it's a light fixture that's fallen to the floor.

>>820344
We can't, both of the mutant fish we've got are dead.

Heretic 2017/08/03(Thu)22:17 No. 820361 ID: 8a947d
File 150182382681.png - (229.76KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 2.png )

You move up the stairs to the top floor. There are small tanks for little fish and sea plants surrounded by little plaques informing the visitors on the dietary habits and other interesting facts about the fish and plants. In the back there's a table covered in boxes labeled with different kinds of food for the different fish, they're all empty. There are scratches and water drop marks all over the floor, besides the water marks are actual pools of water leading from the tanks.

You: This place had a lot of stuff for learning, looks like this room was for helping children learn more about fish.

Troy: Of course the Church closed this place down for a stupid reason, a fun little place for kids to learn get's shut down 'cus a Church Officer got a bit pissy over nothin'.

There are other doors leading to other rooms on the upper floor, you can continue to search or stay in the current room to investigate more.

>>820361
Best to investigate, if nothing turns up we can explore the lower levels. But let's not split the party, bad things will happen then and we do not want that.

>>820361
What was the reason cited, exactly? I wonder if public perception of the shutdown isn't quite accurate.

Investigate what's left inside the tank. Are there any remnants of eggs or something? Something left over from when the parasites got into the fish?

>>820361
"You think maybe this place was closed because of these weird looking fish? Because if that's the reason, then apparently the Church is too fucking lazy to come in here and get rid of them!"

Make sure you guys look up every once and a while, so that you can avoid these things literally getting the drop on you.

>>820363
>>820367
These.

Which means many of these fish were pet by human hands. How many human skin flakes have been invested in their mutation?

Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)14:03 No. 820478 ID: 8a947d
File 150188060451.png - (126.21KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 3.png )

>>820363
You stay in the room and try to look for anything else that might help you.

You: Why did was this place closed down again ?

Troy: Boon said there was some sort of argument between the owner and some Church official. Could it have been over these spider fish things ?

You: Probably not, from what I've seen no one's ever seen these fish creatures until today, it probably was just Church-head throwing his weight around.

You: Hey...Why are these tanks still full of water ?

Troy: Its not just left over from when the place shutdown ?

You run your hand through the water...it's pretty clean. You look down and notice still wet pools of water leading from the tank, there are more scratches on the tile besides the water.

Follow that water trail.

>>820478
>It's not just left over from when the place shutdown?
"The water would be dirty by now, since the employees ain't being payed to clean the fish tanks anymore. Unless the fish learned how to clean the water by themselves."

>>820480
This.

Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)16:58 No. 820498 ID: 8a947d
File 150189111621.png - (209.86KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 4.png )

You: This water's too clean... someone must be keeping it clean and using it.

Troy: You mean there's a person behind all this ?

You: Maybe, but we got a lot more ground to cover.

You follow the water trail and scratches into the next room. Inside there is a film projector and a ruined screen, it looks like this is where they would show films or documentaries about aquatic life. The droplets of water lead into the cabinet that would house the extra reels for the projector, in the corner there is a shelf that was meant to hold books but only 2 or 3 books still remain.

Do you want to open the projector cabinet or Look at the books on the shelf ?

>>820498
>Do you want to open the projector cabinet or Look at the books on the shelf?
We can look at the books later.

Have Fiddler Imp stand off to the side of the cabinet and everyone else stand directly in front of it with your weapons drawn and prepared to attack anything that jumps out of there. Then on the count of 3, have Fiddler open the cabinet!

If there's nothing in there, then you can look at the books.

Grab the books to sell later, then use the film canisters.

Don't attack blindly. The cabinet is big enough to hide a person. There really shouldn't be anything in it otherwise!

Look in the cabinet first tho.

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)19:03 No. 820508 ID: 8a947d
File 150189858974.png - (73.86KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 5.png )

You: Someones gotta open that cabinet...

Troy:...

Issei:...

You...Fiddler, you do it.

Fiddler: WHAT!? why can't-

You: do it.

Fiddler: -but what if-

You: FIDDLER!

Fiddler: FINE!

Fine stands next to the cabinet, his hand on the handle. You, Troy and Issei prepare for whatever comes out.

You: 3...2...1...

Fiddler turns the handle and opens the cabinet...

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)19:18 No. 820509 ID: 8a947d
File 150189949207.png - (615.00KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 6.png )

You don't see anything as thousands of small fish fly from the cabinet and cover your field of view, you're knocked back in surprise. The fish latch onto your body and bite, no matter how many you swat more replace them and continue to gnaw at your flesh. No matter how many times Issei lashes his tentacles he misses almost every hit and gets bogged down with more and more. Troy's Jet Black Icicles can't hit anything either and he ends up firing blindly into the air.

The best you can do is wave your poncho to get them off of you but that doesn't last for long, there doesn't seem to be any sign of them letting up.

Why is the cabinet full of fish, let alone flying ones?! We need AoE, can you get a living pyre out? We got rubies, paper might count as wood but if not the cabinet looks wooden, but we're missing something burnt.

Residue from within the lantern, or maybe the film on the projector counts if it got hot enough to char at some point? Although the film might have info on it.

>>820509
SHIT! FUCK! ASS! TITS! DAMNIT! SON OF A BITCH! OW OW OW! DX

>>820510
Normally, I'd say don't bother summoning anything because it would get swarmed. But in this situation, Living Pyre seems to be the only thing that can get swarmed and it would be a good thing!

Although, I'm worried about the fact that we've got Impure Rubies instead of normal ones.
Let's hope it still works!

>we're missing something burnt.
Our lantern comes with a thing that's meant for lighting a fire in the lantern and we've got paper in our inventory! Let's use these for the something burnt! Then throw in the wooden cabinet and 2 of our Impure Rubies, draw the summon symbol, and hope it works!

Yeah, Pyre should sort this out.

1/3 Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)23:49 No. 820547 ID: 8a947d
File 150191576378.png - (297.48KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 7.png )

The video cabinet is made of metal...but the shelf holding books is wood! you crawl over through the swarm and break off a plank.

You burn a piece of paper, gather your Impure Rubies and the wood together and prepare to summon...

2/3 Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)23:51 No. 820548 ID: 8a947d
File 150191591712.png - (554.44KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 8.png )

upon summoning the Living Pyre emits a large flash of heat and flames burning the Fish Flies around you, the Pyre continues around the room getting the rest of the fish immolating them entirely.

3/3 Heretic 2017/08/04(Fri)23:58 No. 820549 ID: 8a947d
File 150191629365.png - (285.27KB , 998x734 , Aquarium 9.png )

You: Well...that sucked.

Issei: well now we know that the fish can fly, that's good information to have.

Fiddler: Dammit, dese dings are fuckin' nasty!

You go over to the shelf holding the books, but two of them have been badly burnt from the fire. You take the only one left, "Introduction to Marine Biology". You remember that Medi ,the librarian in Gudon, requested more books for her business. A shame you only grabbed one.

The next room has nothing in it but empty cupboards and trash bags. That leaves the downstairs area.

>>820549
Grab some of those trash bags. We can wrap regents in those to make summon packs.

>>820548
Sweet! Looks like Impure Rubies still work and they don't make an offshoot like the Gluttonous Arachnid!

Or is it different and we just don't see it yet?

>>820549
"Normally, I'd be excited to eat some fried fish, but these are too burnt for my liking.....and even if they weren't burnt, I wouldn't want to eat these ugly things."

>You go over to the shelf holding the books, but two of them have been badly burnt from the fire. You take the only one left, "Introduction to Marine Biology". You remember that Medi ,the librarian in Gudon, requested more books for her business. A shame you only grabbed one.
Damnit. I wouldve said get the books first, but I was worried that whatever was in the cabinet was gonna sneak up on us while we were looking at the books!

Before we go downstairs, have Fiddler Imp heal everyone.

>>820553
>That leaves the downstairs area.
Downstairs as in the ground floor where you started or downstairs as in below the ground floor? Or do you mean both floors?

Time to get going in the basement.
I vote that the pyre goes first.

Fiddler, would you play us a merry tune to brighten our day a little, maybe throw in some heals if you will? And then yeah let's proceed down the lower level. Pyre in front (main damage dealer/shield), then Issei(Tank), Troy in the middle (ranged), then Gallows (can summon new stuff for us), and Fiddler in the rear (healer)

Heretic 2017/08/05(Sat)16:18 No. 820641 ID: 8a947d
File 150197510026.png - (313.54KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 10.png )

Everybody lines up: Pyre in front, Issei behind, Troy in the middle, followed by You, and Fiddler Imp in back. You continue downstairs while Fiddler plays, your wounds are minor but it's best you get them dealt with now.

You enter the lower floor, this is where the larger tanks with bigger fish are shown off. Each tank is lit up and full of different kinds of fish and aquatic life.

You: ...This place is supposed to be shut down.

Troy: Well...I guess somebody decided to open shop again. Almost all of these tanks are clean and full of healthy fish.

Issei: which means somebody's been keeping this place going. i don't smell anybody however, just the damned fish!

Interesting. Lets look at the fish in the tanks. Are they normal or mutated?

Test subjects, maybe? Not worth destroying when you can set up an underground sushi restaurant. Keep moving.

Seems fine for now, keep going.

Take a look at those tanks, I don't want to be fighting Cthulhu or anything... also maybe if we find whoever is behind this Issei can chow down on them.

Heretic 2017/08/05(Sat)18:05 No. 820666 ID: 8a947d
File 150198150692.png - (70.04KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 11.png )

>>820650
The fish are all normal... well mutated anyway, you've never seen any of these things not served on a plate before. You would've loved to come here if it was open. These fish haven't been turned into little flesh eating monsters yet.

Troy: ...Guys? I-I'm startin' to fell somethin'...

You: What? Something's wrong ?

Troy: Yeah, Freitast is freakin' out about somethin'... I think we're dealing with another god here.

Fiddler: See dis is wat I was talkin' about trustin' dese guys Gal, Prophets are always spoutin' some crazy shit.

Troy: There's nothin' crazy about this ya little shit!

You: Hold on! what do you mean another god ?

Troy: I mean a Prophet Gallows, There might be another Prophet like me in here. We outta tread carefully.

>>820666
Hmm, does Freitast have any idea of what kind of god we are dealing with? Also, is there a specific way we should go about taking one down? I'm assuming they aren't like shadowmen where you need to destroy their fetish or whatever to fully kill them.

Oh Lordy, another one with god powers. If this one has something to do with water powers then our fire demon is going to be seriously wasted.

Alright, your call Troy... friend or foe?

Everything seems to point towards this prophet being an enemy, but they may not be able to control what those things do entirely.

>>820666
"What is it? The God of Mutating Fish or something? Can Freitast tell which God it is?"

Suggestion 2017/08/05(Sat)20:43 No. 820697 ID: a05012
File 150199102574.jpg - (93.74KB , 700x680 , IMG_4106.jpg )

>>820696
Wait a minute...

Mutations? Dead things coming back life different from how they were? AND an underwater facility...?

OH FUCK, CJOPAZE! CJOPAZE FHTAGN!

IT'S RUBYQUEST ALL OVER, THAT'S IT! WE'RE DONE! GAME OVER MAN! GAME OVER!

>>820666
Well we're not really here to fight. It was just a pest control mission; nobody's really in danger as far as we know and we can just ask the Prophet here what's with the parasites. Maybe get them to keep the parasites under control a bit better? Heck, it's possible the Throttle Fish was the only one causing problems.

Not sure what was up with the cabinet. It's possible it was a trap set for intruders, which... well, we are. Not here to steal anything though.

Heretic 2017/08/05(Sat)20:56 No. 820700 ID: 8a947d
File 150199181530.png - (436.50KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 12.png )

You: What god are we dealing with here ? God of mutant bug fish

Troy: I don't know! Heck if I did knew which god it was they probably wouldn't need a prophet.

Troy: I know they aren't friendly... and they aren't here either, but a lot of what they've done is here.

As you move deeper into the Aquarium you find that some of the tanks don't have fish in them but...odd pods that occasionally kick or squirm. A few of them are torn open and empty but a lot of them seem to be full of what you assume are more fish creatures.

Fiddler: Dis is gettin' creepy! Dere are more 'a dese dings in dis room up 'ere! And dey're a lot bigga!

>>820700
Well... weapons check gentlemen? Best be ready for a fight. I'd rather avoid one if necessary but we'll end one if a fight finds us.

>>820700
>I know they aren't friendly...and they aren't here either, but a lot of what they've done is here.
That would make these things a bunch of ticking time bombs and it's only a matter of time before they all hatch and attack everyone.

And something tells me that church official that shut this place down wasn't really with the church. They might've been an imposter and got this place shut down so that they could do all of this without anyone seeing it.

.....uhhh, guys? Where'd Issei go?

>>820706
Also, I've got a feeling that if we try destroying all of these things, as soon as we smash one of them, all of the others will hatch and attack us!

If only there was a way to kill them all at once!

Maybe if we can get electricity running through all of the tanks, we could fry them all?

Heretic 2017/08/05(Sat)21:23 No. 820710 ID: 8a947d
File 150199339172.png - (122.26KB , 1212x826 , Hes right here.png )

>Issei
Issei's behind you, he just lags a lot.

You should get rid of these things, your job is to get rid of the pests.

>Shock the tanks.
Well...there is electricity powering the lights in the tanks. If you wanted you could try to find the access panel and maybe overload the system somehow. The question is if you're smart enough to do it...

[roll 1d20 + 10 from INTELLIGENCE (Success = 27)]

rolled 2 + 10 = 12

---

>>820710
I don't know are we?

rolled 5 + 10 = 15

---

Have a look at the panel, try not to electrocute yourself.

rolled 19, 13, 2 = 34

---

"We're in Lolliland, home of the stereotypically retarded brain children and their sandwich candies."

BASICALLY: Make a joke. If one of the 3d20 rolls is a 20, succeed BUT go temporarily insane for two minutes. Otherwise, just explain you have NO IDEA.

rolled 20 + 10 = 30

---

>>820710
*insert thinking sounds here*

>>820716
Wow, I got a crit! Does this mean they explode?! 8D

Heretic 2017/08/05(Sat)22:16 No. 820720 ID: 8a947d
File 150199660970.png - (491.86KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 14.png )

>rolled 20 + 10 = 30
CRITICAL

A few tugs and cuts and suddenly the tanks go up in sparks! You listen closely and you hear sparks going off in the next room as well, it sounds like whatever pods were in there have been fried too, you should still check though.

That wasn't as hard as you though it was, actually you think you understand machinery a little better than before!

New Skill ! [Engineering 1] (+2 to any rolls involving machines)

>>820720
And everything went better than expected! But we still
Might have that prophet to deal with if they are still here. Let's still proceed with caution.

>>820720
>A few tugs and cuts and suddenly the tanks go up in sparks!
What a wonderful light show!

Unfortunately, all the normal not mutated fish are also dead. Oh, well, the important thing is we got the mutated ones!

>You listen closely and you hear sparks going off in the next room as well, it sounds like whatever pods were in there have been fried too, you should still check though.
Then let's go check it out!

>New skill.
Yay!

>>820721
>Might have that prophet to deal with if they are still here.
They're not. Troy said they ain't here, but they did leave these things here.

Ha, Impressive. Although that may actually have been very notorious... I think we should check around quickly and make sure everything we wanted dead is dead and then let's try to leave this place without anyone noticing us.

>>820720
Awesome. Let's keep exploring, make sure the job's done.

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)00:16 No. 820730 ID: 8a947d
File 150200376364.png - (190.17KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 15.png )

You move into the next room, all of the pods in the tanks have been fried. The large tank way in the back however has been broken open and the pod inside has already been hatched, the floor is covered in water.

The plaque from the tank is laying in the pool below, it reads...

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)00:16 No. 820731 ID: 8a947d
File 150200381434.png - (115.59KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 15_5.png )

GREAT WHITE SHARKS

>>820731
OHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCKOHFUCK!!!!!!!!

BATTLE STATIONS DUDES!!!

rolled 10 = 10

---

>>820731
Okay everyone look in every direction. Especially the ceiling. Be ready to Stun Spike the first shark you see.

...should I roll perception or stun spike? I'm just going to roll a d20.

>>820730
>>820731
"Well shit. Looks like we missed one."

"The bad news is we've possibly got a mutated great white shark roaming around here somewhere. But the good news is it looks like there's only 1 of them! So keep a look out for anything that might lead us to this thing so we can kill it!"

>>820736
>Stun Spike.
It's not called that anymore! It's called the Stun Claw!

>>820731
"FUCK. MY. LIFE."

Make summoning kits and prepare to summon EVERYTHING.

Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)02:11 No. 820745 ID: 8a947d
File 150201067068.png - (254.09KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 16.png )

You: We...Might have a little trouble.

Troy: Don't tell me, we got somethin' big and scary lurkin' 'round don't we?

You: Quit possibly, everyone be on guard! We don't want to get ambushed.

>Make summoning kits

Currently you have a Demon Flagellum Pack and a Serpentine Vanguard Pack, and from what you have in your inventory you can summon one more Demon Flagellum and if you sacrifice some bullets then maybe you can bring out one of those Volatile Deviants.

Demon Flagellum: 1 Handful of Guts(2) + 1 Hand Mirror(1)

Volatile Deviant: 10 Bullets(47) + 1 Scrap Metal(2)

You could also try to Fusion Summon to make something stronger if you need to, you'd hate to waste ALL of your reagents on one creature.

roll for AGILITY + 7 or STRENGTH + 4

rolled 7 + 7 = 14

---

>>820745
I'm gonna say dodge.

Let's not summon anything for now. How hard could it be to shoot a shark?

>>820747
It went up to the ceiling which means new appendages, so for all we know it could be extremely fast. (Just saying)

rolled 19 + 7 = 26

---

>>820745
And now to quote Piccolo from DBZ Abridged. *ahem*

"DODGE!!!!!"

>>820754
This.

DOOOOOOOOOOOODGE!!

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)15:12 No. 820823 ID: 8a947d
File 150205754420.png - (616.76KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 17.png )

>rolled 19 + 7 = 26

you hear creaking above you, and feel water droplets drip on your shoulders. Acting on instinct you dodge out of the way of whatever's above you. The great white swoops down and bites at the air...

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)15:23 No. 820824 ID: 8a947d
File 150205818520.png - (679.98KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 18.png )

The great white has gone undergone further mutation than the other fish you've seen. It's lower half looks like some sort of centipede. It starts to thrash wildly searching for it's next target...

>>820823
GASHUNK

rolled 6 = 6

---

>>820824
Stun Claw it!

>>820829
Critical Stun Claw!

>>820829
Stun it!

Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)20:08 No. 820850 ID: 8a947d
File 150207533534.png - (377.50KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 19.png )

You hit the Sharkipede with a Stun Claw (68oz ==> 58oz), the beast locks in place and twitches wildly. After this your team begins to pour in and attack, Issei swipes wildly with his tendrils and Troy fires shot's from his shotgun. Despite all of this the Sharkipede does not seem phased, Issei's attacks barely left a scratch on its hide and The shotgun pellets seem to have bounced off of it. You Stun Claw does very minuscule damage, and you can't even gauge how much.

The Sharkipede is stunned for a little bit longer, how do you proceed ?

Is it's mouth open? Then let's hit where it's soft and vulnerable! Living pyre go inside its mouth and begin to burn it from the inside! Troy, use your Jet Black on its eyes on one side, and Issei use tentacle spikes on the other side of its eyes. Also you Gallows your knife would be more effective against it, try and get in a few slashes before times up on the stun

>>820850
Issei's our strongest hitter and he's barely leaving a scratch?! O_o

Well, we can't have that now, can we?

Tell Issei to hold still, then hit him with an Empower spell!

Also, Fiddler Imp can cast some debuffs on the Sharkipede!

Fire won't work on a beast with a reinforced acid throat! Craft a Volatile Deviant kit and throw it down the sharktipede's throat!

>>820853
[citation needed]
Acid resistance and fire resistance are wholly different mechanisms, but I don't know where the premise that its maw is acidic even came from. Fire from the inside seems like a thing to try. The teeth are pretty much the dangerous part of the shark.

Empowering Issei sounds like a good plan.

1/4 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)22:59 No. 820862 ID: 8a947d
File 150208559878.png - (478.31KB , 1158x826 , Aquarium 20 (Fwoosh).png )

Your Living Pyre shoots a wave of heat into the Sharkipede's mouth. The Shark is visibly in pain.

2/4 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)23:01 No. 820863 ID: 8a947d
File 150208570914.png - (180.04KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 20 (Empower Issei!).png )

You Empower Issei (58oz ==> 48oz)

Issei: feeling strong! and i'm not even hungry!

3/4 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)23:04 No. 820864 ID: 8a947d
File 150208586246.png - (371.86KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 20 (CRACK!).png )

You advance at the shark with your Wicked Dagger drawn. You stab at it's hide, but it's much stronger than you thought. The Wicked Dagger BREAKS against the sharks back.

The Sharkipede rears back and prepares to attack you.

4/4 Heretic 2017/08/06(Sun)23:11 No. 820865 ID: 8a947d
File 150208627998.png - (239.46KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 20 (Issei Save).png )

Issei pushes you out of the way before you get eaten and restrains the Sharkipede.

From the looks of it the Shark is barely injured, it's mutations have made it much stronger than any of the other fish you've fought...

Issei is restraining the Sharkipede.

>>820865
...Troy I think we're gonna need a big charge-up Black Ice move again.

>>820862
Would ya look at that! Looks like it's softer on the inside that it is on the outside!

>>820865
Quickly! While Issei's holding it back, yell, "You want something to eat?! Then eat this!" And then you, Troy, and the Living Pyre should shove a bunch of attacks down its throat! Hurry, before Issei's Empower wears off!

Also, while it's focusing on all of you, Fiddler Imp can easily cast spells at it, since he's not being targeted!

rolled 6 + 11 = 17

---

Looks like you should have a good shot at its gaping jaws, put a few bullets right through the roof of its mouth. Even mutant zombie fish should be vulnerable to brain damage.

rolled 18 = 18

---

Remember what I said about throwing an explosion demon down its throat? Go ahead.

1/3 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)13:51 No. 820959 ID: 8a947d
File 150213905923.png - (619.60KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 21.png )

You: Issei! Move!

Issei jumps out of the way as you Troy and the Living Pyre pour in attacks aimed at the shark's mouth.
Troy misses and hits the sharks underside but it manages to shred the sharkipede's hide anyway.

You use your Ivory Repeater and blast two shots at the shark (26 ==> 24) hitting it once in the mouth and once in the eye.

The Living Pyre manages to blast another wave of flames into the shark's mouth.

2/3 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)13:55 No. 820960 ID: 8a947d
File 150213930962.png - (348.13KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 22.png )

Things start to feel hotter than usual, you realize that the last attack from Living Pyre spread a lot of fire around the room!

3/3 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)13:59 No. 820961 ID: 8a947d
File 150213957191.png - (367.22KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 23.png )

The Sharkipede lunges forward and bites down on Issei restraining him! (Issei: 35hp ==> 15hp)

It thrashes around with Issei in its mouth and knocks Troy back with its head. (Troy: 30hp ==> 20hp)

rolled 14 + 10 = 24

---

>>820961
Rolling for Issei to impale that thing from the inside!

Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)17:49 No. 820995 ID: 8a947d
File 150215334956.png - (475.12KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 24.png )

>rolled 14 + 10 = 24

You can hear Issei try to penetrate the sharkipede's skull but fail with each strike, he then settles for attacking the side of the shark's mouth. It doesn't let Issei go however and continues to bite down on him (Issei: 15hp ==> 5hp).

The shark's starting to look much worse for wear but is still well enough to keep fighting for a while.

The fire is beginning to spread a little more now.

Issei, go small size and then become a whirlwind of tentacles and buzzsaw your way out!

Issei! Quick, empower him again! I don't think he can take another hit so we've got to kill it now.

>>820995
Issei should shrink and cut his way to the heart of the beast. He can hold his breath for long enough to kill it, I hope.

>>821002
No, don't! You might accidentally hit the Sharkipede and Empower it instead!

Can Issei accelerate his healing? I know he'll still be trapped, but accelerated healing should keep him alive!

Uhh, I know this might not help, but can we shove a summon pack into that new hole that Issei made? Because I was thinking that maybe using our Serpentine Vanguard summon pack inside the Sharkipede's mouth and then we summon it, it'll cause the Sharkipede to explode from having something bigger than it inside its mouth!

I just have no idea what I'm supposed to roll to do that.

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)21:21 No. 821030 ID: 8a947d
File 150216607448.png - (413.69KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 25.png )

You hit Issei with another Empower cast (48oz ==> 38oz) as he shrinks down and slips into the shark's stomach, not a moment later Issei leaps out of the lower half of the sharkipede in a huge geyser of blood.

Issei:i cant believe people have fetish for stuff like that!

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)21:24 No. 821032 ID: 8a947d
File 150216627905.png - (661.70KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 26.png )

The fire starts to spread more, to a point where the tank that the sharkipede came out of is completely engulfed in flames.

The shark leaps up and climbs onto the ceiling, before you can react the sharkipede comes crashing back down onto the ground on top of you! (You: 25hp ==> 15hp)

You are restrained by the shark.

Okay, Pyro can jump in now as a distraction

rolled 11 = 11

---

>>821030
Issei, start accelerating your healing!

>>821032
Troy, use Jet Black to make icicle spikes come out of the floor around Roland, so that it'll lift the Sharkipede off of him! Even if it doesn't do damage, it'll get that thing off of Roland!

>>821030
>I can't believe people have a fetish for stuff like that!
I'm not sure I even want to know how Issei discovered that! DX

1/2 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)22:20 No. 821051 ID: 8a947d
File 150216963988.png - (627.14KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 27.png )

>>821036
Living Pyre does a little more than distract the sharkipede, the fire demon launches itself at the shark and knocks it back into the tank full of fire. The sharkipede tries to get out but the Pyre holds it down and lets it burn in the fire.

2/2 Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)22:26 No. 821052 ID: 8a947d
File 150216999694.png - (589.85KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 28.png )

The sharkipede thrashes around wildly until it stays still twitching and spasming once in a while.

The fire's starting to get out of control, you can try to find some useful materials in the room if you're fast enough but if not you'll need to leave.

>Search quickly
roll for AGILITY + 7.

>Search carefully
roll for PERCEPTION +3 (-5 from smoke and fire).

>Just leave
get the hell out of here.

rolled 17 + 7 = 24

---

We're all kind of hurting here, so let's search fast and book it out of here before we choke to death on the smoke.

rolled 20 + 7 = 27

---

Yeah let's just look around real quick.

Good job everyone. Now grab something and run!

>>821057
A crit! We might get some pretty good stuff from this!

Alright, after we get the materials, let's get a head count and make sure you, Issei, Troy, and Fiddler Imp are all together when you book it outta here!

Heretic 2017/08/07(Mon)23:55 No. 821063 ID: 8a947d
File 150217534559.png - (515.28KB , 1212x826 , Aquarium 29.png )

>rolled 20 + 7 = 27
CRITICAL

You manage to rummage up a few useful items.
You've found a half empty bottle of old bleach, a cracked paper weight made of obsidian, and a sharks tooth.

After you get what you can you run out of the building and back onto the shore outside of the burning aquarium.

You: *huff* *huff* I didn't know how much I hated centipedes and sharks until now... everyone alright?

Issei:i can't say alright,i was eaten by a mutant shark and i'm bleeding heavily but yes i am alive.

Troy: Is it weird that I really want a cigarette right now ? Also, I found this in the room.
Troy hands you a bag filled with 55G

Fiddler: Dis is da second time ya summoned me fer a fight an' I gotta say I prefer gettin' blasted by a voodoo skull Gall.

Everybody seems to be fine. Looks like you've dealt with the pest problem for now, but you still need to be on the look out for that prophet that started all of this. Actually, what you really need is some sleep. You passed an Inn somewhere around here.

You're all badly injured. Sleep now, turn on brain after your head clock tick right.

Yeah fiddler? Mind playing us a jaunty tune to boost some spirits? And then maybe a lullaby? Actually hey, before that how about we go grab dinner first?

...did Fiddler do anything during that fight? I wish team members went on autopilot if we don't give them suggestions.

Anyone got any bandages for Issei?

>>821063
>Is it weird that I really want a cigarette right now?
"No, not really. The only weird thing about you is how you somehow like clam chowder."

>Dis is da second time ya summoned me fer a fight an' I gotta say I prefer gettin' blasted by a voodoo skull Gall.
"Look on the bright side, at least you didn't have a giant Sharkipede drop its fatass on you! Ugh, I'm gonna be feeling that in the morning."

Have Fiddler Imp heal everyone. Actually, would the healing effects be increased if you joined him for a duet? After everyone is healed, unsummon Fiddler Imp and head for the inn.

We're probably going to have to explain what happened when we go to collect our payment from Martha. And show her the dead mutated fish corpses we've got as proof.

But let's save that for the morning.

>>821066
He can accelerate his healing.

>>821063
>a half empty bottle of old bleach
Bleach is caustic and can cause chemical burns, so now we can summon a Gelatinous Cube if we need one next time!

However, I've gotta ask: Does the bleach need to be in the bottle or can we pour it out? And if we can pour it out, do we need to use all of it or can we use a little and save some for next time and/or multiple Gelatinous Cubes?

Do not pay attention to the fact that you lost a big ammount of blood, while also being injured, and that you probably could pass out by this or the fact that you are probably very dizy and tired and, instead, feel proud of being able to do all of that, and that you probably should get something to drink or eat as you deserve it, not because you are in dire need to have something in your stomach

Also, you should probably leave this place as fast as you can, maybe warn somebody of the smoke coming out of the abandoned aquarium, but try to not stay around for too long, I don't think we are in condition to answer questions.

1/3 Heretic 2017/08/08(Tue)15:00 No. 821142 ID: 8a947d
File 150222965053.png - (380.36KB , 1212x826 , Gazin' at the moon.png )

You: Fiddler quit whining you didn't even do anything during that whole fight!

Fiddler: I was dere fer da moral support ya know ?

You: Yeah, because being there for moral support is so much harder than getting body slammed by a ton of shark fat. Get your violin out, let's heal these wounds before I start to bleed out

Troy: Whoa! We jammin' ? cuz uhh...I picked this bad boy up from April back at New Olmec.

Troy pulls out an old bass guitar.

You: Is that fine with you Fiddler ?

Fiddler: Yeah sure, ya friend ain't too bad fer a prophet I guess...

The three of you play on your way to the Ender Inn under the moonlight, and Issei whistles along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ZzaXxK_L0

2/3 Heretic 2017/08/08(Tue)15:04 No. 821143 ID: 8a947d
File 150222987248.png - (220.47KB , 1212x826 , Ender Inn.png )

You don't feel like you're going to die anymore, but you're still very tired. You de-summon Fiddler and go to buy a room at the Ender Inn.

3/3 Heretic 2017/08/08(Tue)15:12 No. 821150 ID: 8a947d
File 150223034156.png - (250.58KB , 1212x826 , Level Up.png )

Even at your most tired you still have enough energy to Level Up.

You have one extra Attribute point to slot into any stat you want, and in addition you can also improve any one of your Skills.

[Pistols 1] ==> [Pistols 2](+5 to rolls involving pistols)

[Summoning 2] ==> [Summoning 3] (+5 to summoning rolls, summons that require more than one reagent may have one of them replaced with a sacrifice of 20oz of blood)

[Speech 1] ==> [Speech 2](+5 to rolls involving talking or speech)

[Engineering 1] ==> [Engineering 2] (+5 to rolls involving machines)

Which Skill would you like to improve ?

>>821150
>You have one extra Attribute point to slot into any stat you want, and in addition you can also improve any one of your Skills.
Put the extra Attribute point into Endurance and improve Pistols, since we use those the most.

>>821154
This sounds good

Pistols and perception.

>>821150
>replace a missing ingredient with blood
This is actually really fucking good, guys. Some of the ingredients have been very difficult to come by! ...wait, what does "reagent" mean? The ones that aren't the "something" we have to write the symbol on, I guess? Still really useful.

Perception, Summoning.