>>924616
Yes, it’s a dream gun with infinite ammo, but remember what Matzen said here: >>915018 ? He said that Troy has little to no control over anything in this dream, since Cenred has trapped him here, which means that Troy is stuck with what Julia gave him, his pistol and normal ammo.

>>924621
Who are you 5f, the fucking cops? If the suggestion is invalid then it just won't be used.

Besides, it wouldn't hurt to try. If it fails we just end up shooting the red shit in the corner normally.

Hey, speaking of the gun thing, Matzen has another organ now, so he should be more stable and give us a hand with the silver bullets, perhaps? Is worth the try.

>>924547
If we're going to try the vending machine idea, we might want to keep the bomb off our person while we do it. Dismemberment could cause trouble.
>>924623
Woah man, try to keep your disagreement civil and impersonal.

1/2 Heretic 2019/03/06(Wed)03:54 No. 924725 ID: a451fc
File 155187329213.png - (1.27MB , 1558x1064 , Bad Dream Roots 2.png )

>ask Julia to input C4 on the vending machine
You poke your head through the cloth and ask Julia to input C4 into the vending machine...It doesn't do anything.

>Troy has a dream gun that's whatever he wants it to be.
You really don't. In the same way you can't just wish yourself out of the dream you can't just make your gun whatever you want it to be. You're still trapped by Cenred after all...

>flamethrower that fires a vortex of fire
>automatic shotgun that fires explosive silver buckshot
but god you'd kill to have one of these. Hell you'd kill to have both of these!

>Matzen has another organ now, so he should be more stable and give us a hand with the silver bullets, perhaps?
You never actually gave Matzen his organ did you? You hand the take out bag to him and he slots his stomach into his body. His form becomes much more solid now, but he is still at low strength and unable to produce any silver or new weapons for you...then again you remember killing a demon no problem with a regular bullet, so hopefully you should be just fine.

>Head to the giant block of stone in the center.
You continue forward, as you climb onto the chunk of stone you can hear a voice echo in the air.

CENRED: My ability is almost unbeatable in most circumstances, however those will particularly strong wills find themselves traversing the dream much easier. It doesn't help that you have friend here too. I don't give second chances Troy!
YOU: Good! I don't need you're fuckin' handouts you prick!

The floor below you begins to shake and the roots start to slither in writhe jostling the floor you stand on.

MATZEN: Shit! Troy!
YOU: Yeah yeah I know...Exit light, enter night, take my hand...

2/2 Heretic 2019/03/06(Wed)03:55 No. 924726 ID: a451fc
File 155187330352.png - (2.09MB , 1558x2128 , Nightmare Root.png )

YOU: We're off to never-never land...

NIGHTMARE: 8K_)#:/i?2:K0kV:.HF$:JsV(<(K;M+B2,Z;aj+t=\i$?:f:(f:dn8X<Dt#+:.-3q5u:B\/g*_.79EAT6W>1':K0kV:.HEn<E()?84=Xf78m/.7T*#V+B_K?+A#<N<(KG#7TEDf;FM`

Looks like a fine fellow to converse with.

>>924726
Roland would love to see this.

>>924726
Luckily there are stone platforms all around you, so if you need to dodge out of the way, you can use The Doors to go through the platform you’re currently standing on so that you can travel to one of the other platforms.

>Giant demon
Well, I guess you should start by shooting out it’s eyes.

And make sure you keep a look out for Cenred because if you can snag Matzen’s last organ from him, you can just leave and not have to worry about fighting this thing!

>>924726
Ask it to speak english. You know it can, the first demon you saw was perfectly capable of it.

>>924725
>Vending machine does nothing
Oh well, I tried.

>>924726
>Nightmare
Try shooting out its eyes!

CYPHER: ASCII 85
>8K_)#:/i?2:K0kV:.HF$:JsV(<(K;M+B2,Z;aj+t=\i$?:f:(f:dn8X<Dt#+:.-3q5u:B\/g*_.79EAT6W>1':K0kV:.HEn<E()?84=Xf78m/.7T*#V+B_K?+A#<N<(KG#7TEDf;FM`

I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO SEE YOU PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY. I EXPECT NOTHING BUT THE BEST FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE!

I went back and decoded the rest. The demons... They've... been encouraging you the whole time.

Hold your fire.

Think Troy. Back in your gang days, who did you consider a REAL, friend? I think they may be hampering Cenred's abilities over you, so Cenred is distorting the dream and pitting you against them.

IF YOU KILL THIS DEMON CENRED WINS

Trust that the demon will not hurt you, and let whatever it does come to pass.

>>924818
>Decoded demon voices
>Demons have been encouraging Troy
If what you say is true, then if we can somehow get these guys to turn against Cenred, then they can kill him, both in the Dream and in the real world!

>Cenred is distorting the dream and pitting you against friends.
I'm not sure about that. We've been told that these guys are real demons that Cenred has trapped here.

>>924818
Oh neat, I wasn't familiar with this cipher.
Translations follow.
>>921098
THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

>>922988
DEMONS: YOU CAN'T LET IT GET YOU DOWN YOU CAN'T LET IT GET YOU DOWN YOU CAN'T LET IT GET YOU DOWN
DEMONS: MASTER THE DAY THEN KEEP DOING THAT EVERY DAY MASTER THE DAY THEN KEEP DOING THAT EVERY DAY MASTER THE DAY THEN KEEP DOING THAT EVERY DAY
DEMONS: I'LL BELIEVE IN YOU EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE DOES I'LL BELIEVE IN YOU EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE DOES I'LL BELIEVE IN YOU EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE DOES

>>924276
DEMONS: DON'T GIVE UP! BELIVE IN YOURSELF ALL THE WAY THROUGH DON'T GIVE UP! BELIVE IN YOURSELF ALL THE WAY THROUGH

>>924547
DEMON: YOU'RE DOING SO WELL DON'T GIVE UP! YOU'RE DOING SO WELL DON'T GIVE UP! YOU'RE DOING SO WELL DON'T GIVE UP!

>>924726
NIGHTMARE: I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO SEE YOU PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY. I EXPECT NOTHING BUT THE BEST FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE!

...I uh, don't know what to make of this, honestly. They're screeching a garbled mess that used to be positive reinforcement, but can we be sure that's their intent? I say wait to see what it does. Obviously, dodge if it attacks.

>>924822
>I'm not sure about that

Thing is...
When we talked to Cenred directly, he twice reinforced that the demons were our enemies. Once by mentioning that Channing suggested he use them, and once by telling us that the demons would take care of us.

Thing is... Cenred has nothing to gain by appearing before us directly. He controls this dream. He can utilize this power without sticking his neck out at all.

Our encounter with him was orchestrated. It was an attempt at manipulation. If he thought we might actually willingly come back to Channing, why didn't he try convincing us by parlaying with us while disguised as him? Moreso, why couldn't he just bring Channing into the dream directly?

And that's all ignoring the fact that the way we thwarted Channings most recent attacks must have dealt him a serious blow. It's obvious that coming peacefully could never happen.

That thread was all cover. Besides it, all he he does is illustrate our dire situation, and suggest that the demons are going to kill us.

He Wants us to believe that they are the enemy.

That alone makes me trust them.

Is this thing with the demons the same thing when Diablo said to brush your teeth and eat your vegetables but in reverse? Because back then you have to kill him anyway. So i am confused, are demons here bad too or what?

>>924825
I... guess we could try to just walk past it? If it doesn't show hostility, there is no reason for us to fight. Be prepared to teleport if it does try to attack us though. It still might be best to just avoid it and look for that bag. I mean, if we run out of time we're probably dead anyway, right?

>>924830
As dangerous as Channing is, I doubt he has as Krueger effect. He'd be more annoying here than a threat.

>>924848
The point of bringing him into the dream would be to parlay in this instance, which did not happen.

>>924857
You do remember that Channing has been described as a “fucking psychopath”, right? He even killed his own men for not standing in a straight line!

I’m pretty sure he was always going to kill Troy, even if he did successfully parlay with him.

>>924867
...Further reinforcing the idea that that the whole "Channing is in a good mood" thing was a just a line to hide some other sort of manipulation.

>>924879
Anyways, how do you supposed we do this? Do we just ask it for help or do we ask if it can show us where Cenred is or what?

>>924892
Perhaps we can ask them to help us because we both share a common enemy? Cenred trapped both of us here, so maybe we can both work together and kill him?

Heretic 2019/03/07(Thu)18:13 No. 925033 ID: a451fc
File 155201119850.png - (1.71MB , 1558x2128 , Nightmare Root 4.png )

>Don't attack
Something in the back of your mind tells you not to attack. You're not sure what but you get the feeling that...just maybe you shsould dbe fine if you don't. You try to talk to the demon.

YOU: H...h-hi?
NIGHTMARE: <(KG#6pXmL+A#KS6pX^D78m/.6:F@>;FM^-84=Xh6!$f6+B1m#+@JLs:*<,,+@JLn91;cY+@8Ld:JsV(<(KG#6pXmL/g++a73Fua=&'l0;]nIo;G0GW<$4Lr7ScoN+B1m#+@JLs:+c

As the demon roars it's distorted nonsense the ground below you quakes and one of it's roots darts out of the stone breaking the platform below you into bits. As the rocks are pushed up you are thrown back. You almost fall off of the platform but luckily Matzen, with his more solid form, manages to catch you and keep you from falling.

MATZEN: Troy, you're a real friendly guy and all but I don't think now's the time for any of that.

>>925033
>THE DAWN IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN. THE DAWN IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN. THE DAWN IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN.

Translated by cypher.

>>925033
We don't have time to deal with this, just find Cenred and avoid the demon if you must.

Alright fuck it, start shooting eyes.

>>925033
Ok, talking doesn’t work, so let’s just shoot out its eyes! And since you have infinite ammo, I suggest you fan the hammer!

Remember that you can use The Doors to travel between the different platforms around the demon!

>>925033
>>925034
Try saying, "DUSK IS BRIGHTEST BEFORE THE DUSK."(x3)

Well, it was worth the try. I still think we should not attack, but i don't see any other option. Maybe we can just incapacitate it?

What if we avoid shooting the demon itself, but instead take out all the eye-fruit?

>>925050
Still against fighting it, seeing as this is clearly to buy Cenred time, and that we might actually be able to get it to kill him.

But if he were to fight it, the eyes are clearly the best part to aim for.

Heretic 2019/03/08(Fri)15:48 No. 925105 ID: a451fc
File 155208888412.png - (1.59MB , 1558x1064 , Nightmare Root 5-1.png )

>Shoot it's eyes
You recompose yourself and use The Doors to get to a better angle. You fire at the Nightmare's eyes, this doesn't do much but get's it to flinch.

>Shoot the eye-like fruits
You reposition yourself again to get further away. The roots continue to break apart and impale the rocks around you as you portal through them. Once you reach a safe enough spot you target the eye fruits growing on the demon. The growths pop after a single shot and seem to stop the limb they were attached to from moving for short period of time and cause the Nightmare some discomfort, but it doesn't seem like doing this will kill it at all.

YOU This demon's just here to buy Cenred time 'til his ability completes!
MATZEN: Yeah it is...he's still near here though. I can still feel my organ in this area, he want's to make sure you either die or get pulled in by him. I don't think the fighting's going to help much, any ideas?

>>925105
Maybe goad the demon into rampaging somehow? Maybe it could clear the area enough for us to find him.

>>925105
Let's look for Cenred by repeatedly using The Doors. See if we can provoke the demon into whacking him, or just catch him and take the organ from him.

>>925105
Are those legs a few platforms behind Troy? Could that be Cenred falling over from losing his balance? Or are those Troy's legs because he's in the middle of phasing through the floor?

>he's still near here though. I can still feel my organ in this area
No, offence or anything, but "in this area" isn't really helpful.

Any chance you could be a little more precise? Like, can you tell if we're getting closer or farther away from your organ?

>>925107
Yeah, let's do this.

Make sure you check every platform! And shoot at the eye fruit if you need to stop the demon from hitting you!

>>925105
Ask Matzen if he thinks it’s at all possible to try and reason with the demon to help us kill the asshole that trapped it in here? Because you’d think revenge would be more important that attacking us.

>Where is Cenred?
Do either you or Matzen know anything about Cenred that we can use against him? Does he have a cocky attitude or big ego? Or is there anything we can yell at him to get him to show himself?

>>925107
This is pretty much the only thing we can do for now.

>>925108
>legs?
Yeah, I see them too.

But like you said, it’s hard to tell if that’s supposed to be Cenred’s legs or Troy’s legs.

Heretic 2019/03/09(Sat)15:48 No. 925243 ID: a451fc
File 155217533855.png - (2.89MB , 1558x2128 , Nightmare Root 6.png )

>Are those legs a few platforms behind Troy?
Yes, those are your legs

>>>925107
You portal around the large room using whatever clumps of rock you can but see no sign of another person.
MATZEN: I doubt he's anywhere in here. It'd make more sense for him to be outside of the demons reach, but still be close enough to see you.
YOU: Well then how am I supposed to find him?
MATZEN: We just have to think! He's still holding onto what must be my liver...you gave those quarters to Julia, we don't have a detonator to that C4 yet.
YOU: Shouldn't we be worried he's going to destroy your liver?
MATZEN: My organs in this state can't sustain any damage, so that's not an issue. If it was I would've brought it up sooner.

NIGHTMARE: 7R9U><Dl7.8Q-`t:*<>/:estg<DH+b=Wg[>+@8Le8PUBo7mT^A/g*VL8PE,^73G0#+@/aF:Jak`;H-Xk8Q8h8<)4W'77TpE+@/L`8PUl\7R9U><Dl7.8Q-`t:*<>/:estg<DH+b=Wg[>+@8Le8PUBo7mT^A/g(

Okay so the doors were C3-B1-A2. What kind of codes can we input into the vending machine? Could we try those three sequences?

>>925243
Than let's go to a place that's relatively far from the demon.

They were talking about dawn, is there a sun in this place? If so, maybe head toward that?

Is there anywhere we can go aside from the floating platforms? Try to The Doors to a different room entirely?

>>925243
>out of the demon’s reach
Well, the demon looks sorta like a plant and all of its limbs are coming from below. Maybe if we go straight up we’ll find Cenred?

>Translating the Nightmare’s words.
FAILURE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN AGAIN. FAILURE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN AGAIN. FAILURE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN AGAIN.

Heretic 2019/03/10(Sun)17:39 No. 925313 ID: a451fc
File 155226479153.png - (1.13MB , 1417x1039 , Nightmare Root 7.png )

>>925257
You try to use The Doors to leave entirely, but can't make a connection. Either the rooms outside have changed too or you've lost track of where you are and you're much further from any exit than you thought.

>>925244
You think back to the numbers on the doors you walked through. You portal to a safe enough distance away from the Nightmare and call on Julia through the cloth, you tell her to input the code C3-B1-A2 into the vending machine and after some silence something is tossed through. It's a detonator.

>Maybe if we go straight up we’ll find Cenred?
YOU: D'you think he might be above us?
MATZEN: It'd be a good place to hide wouldn't it? Just tossing that C4 could be risky, you might miss him.

Hmm. Are those cracks in the background?

I wonder if the C4 could kill the demon.

>>925313
>It'd be a good place to hide wouldn't it?
This place is a prison, right? Shouldn’t there be something like a guard tower or a window in one of the walls for the guards to keep an eye on the prisoners? Both of those would require a high vantage point in order to be effective at watching the prisoners.

>Just tossing that C4 could be risky, you might miss him.
He’s right. You’ve gotta find his exact location and use The Doors to send the C4 next to him or close enough to do serious damage!

Also, if Matzen missing a few organs weakened his power, if we manage to blow Cenred to pieces, would that also weaken his power? Perhaps make him even weaker than Matzen is right now?

>>925319
Maybe try looking above the door you used to enter this room?

...hang on, Cenred was holding the organ in a paper bag. Can we send the C4 through the bag?

>>925325
We'll have to know where he is first.

Is it possible that Cenred is hiding the same way Matzen is? Ask Matzen if Cenred is with him inside of you.

>>925337
Matzen probably would have noticed if he was.

I am amused at the image of Troy turning into a human clowncar, though.

>>925338
Well, I was going off the assumption that because he’s still weakened, he might not have noticed.

But you’re right, he probably would’ve noticed.

>>925313
>You might miss him.
Then we keep going up! We'll either hit him with the C4 or we'll bring the demon to him and that will kill him!

>>925316
>C4 kill the demon?
Maybe. But I'd rather not waste it on the demon, since there's nothing stopping Cenred from bringing in another one.

Yeah lets save the C4 for Cenred. I doubt it'll eject him from the dream, but it could be disorienting enough to give us a change of scenery.

1/2 Heretic 2019/03/11(Mon)23:35 No. 925448 ID: a451fc
File 155237252306.png - (4.69MB , 1558x3192 , Nightmare Root 8-9.png )

>Then we keep going up!
You use The Doors to teleport through a chunk of stone out of the ceiling, almost immediately the root's dart up and impale the ceiling. One of the Nightmare's tentacles stab the ceiling barely missing your head, but the rest of it follows through knocking the wind out of you and sending you crashing through the ceiling and into a whole new room entirely.

2/2 Heretic 2019/03/11(Mon)23:35 No. 925449 ID: a451fc
File 155237252913.png - (2.77MB , 1558x2128 , Nightmare Root 10-11.png )

You're flung through the air and collide with a solid pillar, it shatters behind you and so does your back. The pain makes it almost unbearable to stand back up after falling down. The tentacle raises through the floor and into the room. Behind it you can see Cenred, stunned by your sudden entrance.

CENRED: Christ! Can't you just fucking die already?

The tentacle whips around wildly.

NIGHTMARE: :/<!.:.69m5u&Oj:EW5.+AY`T<(KGL;BSb::*C`T:EWG.73Fr`:*;r#+A#NT:JN$384?*J+AZ'6+WsNU+AYa$+@AFi+@K!J8Q6g.:*<M,77gB":KL:7

>>925449
>shattered solid pillar
There should be a bunch of pieces of that pillar near you. Look for one that’s big enough to use The Doors to send the C4 through it so that it comes through the pillar behind Cenred. Then detonate it on that mother fucker!

And like Matzen said, don’t worry about his organ, it can’t sustain any damage.

>Translating the Nightmare’s words.
NO ONE CAN DO IT ON THEIR OWN! NO ONE CAN DO IT ON THEIR OWN! NO ONE CAN DO IT ON THEIR OWN!

>>925452
Agreed.

Hmm, it's almost like the demon helped you.

>>925452
Also, I’m really hoping that Cenred’s ability forces him to obey the laws of the Dream Plane the same way Matzen does, where he needs to be in one piece or else he can’t use his abilities! Because we really need him to be unable to use his abilities right now!

>>925452
Hell yeah! Blow that mother fucker up!
But you ahve to use a one-liner.

>>925452
>>925466

Challenge accepted.

"You first, asshole."

Do doors out before detonation but after one-liner.

>Christ! Can't you just fucking die already?

You're just not creative enough.
I won't go out without a bang.

>>925452
Yes, please do this and make it end.

1/3 Heretic 2019/03/14(Thu)19:33 No. 925786 ID: a451fc
File 155261722039.png - (4.33MB , 1558x3192 , Nightmare 12-13.png )

YOU: Problem is...you just ain't creative enough man. I refuse to go out without a bang!

You chuck the C4 explosive through a chunk of pillar rubble next to you, release it through another pillar close to Cenred, and detonate it mid-air. The bright explosion rocks the room and kicks up dust, blinding you. After the ringing in your ears subsides all you can hear is screaming. Below you can hear Cenred as he falls down the pit of a room underneath you.

CENRED: W-wait! I was just doing a job it wasn't anything personal! PLEASE!

Pretty soon his screams are drowned out by the horrible garbled growls and roars of the Nightmare below.

NIGHTMARE: +A!\L:KBn,=\i$?8K^]&<^e-6:K8N/+A>R373G`/<?OjU9M\\X+B_K?+A!\L:KBn,=\i$?8K^]&<^e-6:K8N/+A>R373G`/<?OjU9M\\X+B_K?+A!\L:KBn,=\i$?8K^]&<^e-6:K8N/+A>R373G`/<?OjU9M\\X+B_K?+A!\L:KBn,=\i$?8K^]&<^e-6:K8N/+A>R373G`/<?OjU9M\\X+B_K?+A!\L:KBn,=\i$?8K^]&<^e-6:K8N/+A>R373G`/<?OjU9M\\X+B_K?+A!\L:KBn,=\i#

2/3 Heretic 2019/03/14(Thu)19:33 No. 925787 ID: a451fc
File 155261723689.png - (1.00MB , 1558x1064 , Nightmare Root (END).png )

Above you, you can see the bloody bag with Matzen's body part slowly floating down as if it were light as a feather, you're so sick of this dream stuff. Matzen grabs the bag.

MATZEN: Well, looks like that's it for him...

The world around you seems to drain of color.

MATZEN: And looks like that's it for the dream too. Yeah he's dead dead.
YOU: Does that mean this whole thing's over?
MATZEN: Yeah, for now...I can't really do much else for you in the waking world though.
YOU: This was already a lot Matty!
MATZEN: Yeah I guess...and don't call me "Matty"! Looks like dying was good for at least one of us.

Soon everything grows whiter

YOU: I'll keep you in my dreams!
MATZEN: That's gay Troy
YOU: Yeah it is.

3/3 Heretic 2019/03/14(Thu)19:34 No. 925788 ID: a451fc
File 155261724244.png - (102.63KB , 1558x1064 , I Swear I'm not Lazy.png )

Everything finally goes completely white, you feel like you're falling and maybe floating? but you're still standing. You can hear a voice echo in the blank void before your eyes.

???: I wouldn't say I hated my parents, Now I definitely resented my father but never felt poorly about my mother. If anythin' I understood why she did what she did the most. Then again her leavin' just meant my pops needed a new target, so I guess maybe in some way I was upset she didn't take me with 'er. Then again why would she? I was a worthless kid, you don't gain anythin' from takin' care of a child who can't pull their weight. How 'bout you? What were your parents like? I can't imagine they'd be great if you're where you are now.

>>925786
Text says I love you over and over.

Kinda ominous, as if someone was turned into that demon. Someone close to Troy.

>>925795
I feel like the demon was just captured and forced to work for Cenred, and it didn't appreciate that very much.

>>925788
Huh? (are we making up Troy's backstory? Here's my attempt) Uh... they were okay, but they died when I was young so I had to figure out a way to survive.

Alternatively, if we're not making anything up, only share info about your parents if the gang can't get to them.

>>925786
You are wellcome!

>>925788
Ominous! Is this about you, Troy? If it is, then answer.

>>925788
youarelazy.png

>>925786
>Nightmare’s words
It’s just saying “I love you” over and over.

Maybe it’s saying it loves Troy for finally giving it the chance to get revenge and kill Cenred for trapping it?

>>925787
>Yeah he's dead dead.
I guess what Matzen told us about the Krueger effect was true! And good riddance to Cenred!

>>925788
Troy, do you recognize the voice of the person talking?

>>925788
"My dad died before I was born, so my mom raised me by herself. She was amazing, but you can only do so much when you live in the apocalypse. Raiders sacked our home when i was little and they made me watch as they raped and killed my mother right in front of me. They burned down our home and left me for dead. With that kind of childhood, you will get thrown off-course regardless of how great your parents were."

I guess all that's left to do is ask Vol why a murderous dream demon would love you.

>>925870
>"Vol, I have an important question."
>"Lay it on me."
>"Okay, in my dreams I ran into this weird tentacle monster, and I think it has a thing for me. So, you're a male, right? Do male demons have similar anatomy to male humans?"
>"...What?"
>"Do male demons have dicks? How can I tell if a demon has a dick without looking at its dick?"
Vol then proceeds to avoid Troy as much as he can.

You know what? I think it would be funny to find out that this whole time, Troy has been sleep walking and/or talking in his sleep and both Roland and Vol are currently watching Troy to make sure he doesn't wander off or something!

Or maybe Troy activated his ability in his sleep and he's halfway through a door or something!

Heretic 2019/03/15(Fri)15:18 No. 925873 ID: a451fc
File 155268829079.png - (271.19KB , 1558x1064 , A Dream 1.png )

YOU: They were okay from what I remember, but they died when I was real young so I uh... had to figure out a way to survive on my own from then on.
???: Ah man, I'd kill to have good parents for just one year when I was a kid, but enough about that. Family isn't who you're born to though, really it's about who you make deep connections with. Lemme tell ya about New Salem, a long long time ago I was rollin' with a gang up in Oregon. Dealt in the smugglin' game for a little and we were keepin' on the low from the Church. I forget what we were carryin' but that doesn't matter, anyway we're in New Salem where the Church's got a lot of sway. We just got found out by some Church guards and we're on the run with the cargo in tow we're tryin' to get the hell out of town so we steal this car and book it. Bullets flyin' past us, people screamin' it's a mess. Anyway, the car can't hold too much on it or we're gonna get caught. My first thought was "We're gonna have to dump some of the cargo".
???: So I go to start tossin' off boxes and the second I turn around I get pushed off a' the damn car. The Church guards stop right there and beat me half to death. I get hauled off and locked up for five years...I thought we were supposed to look out for each other and those bastards just...tossed my aside to save their own skins...You ever been betrayed like that before?

>>925873
Honestly? I don't think so. I've been betrayed, yeah, but it was usually by people who are obviously in it for themselves. No one I'd call a friend, just assholes that happen to be working with me. Made it clear that if they had to, they'd ditch me if it meant saving their own skin.

Ok, time to ask who this guy is.

>>925873
Almost. They should have killed me if they didn't want me to reveal all their safehouses.

1/2 Heretic 2019/03/15(Fri)17:30 No. 925903 ID: a451fc
File 155269621517.png - (407.44KB , 1558x1064 , A Dream 2.png )

YOU: I've been betrayed, yeah, but it was usually by people who are obviously in it for themselves. No one I'd call a friend, just assholes that happen to be workin' with me. Made it clear that if they had to, they'd ditch me if it meant saving their own skin.
???: Hmm...Being back-stabbed by anyone's terrible. Do you know what the first thing I did after I escaped the Church police was? I made those son's of bitches pay...

The white begins to fade.

???: Trust is something that I value deeply, out of anythin' we humans offer to each other Trust is the most important. Without trust we can't ever be near another human without fear of betrayal, Troy I trust you enough to want your help. I feel like you're talented enough to make what I want to do much easier. of course there's plenty in it for you! It's definitely better than where you are now.
YOU:...Sure, beats this gutter right? Who are you anyway?
???: Channing. I'm sure this'll be the start of something great.

Everything goes black.

2/2 Heretic 2019/03/15(Fri)17:30 No. 925904 ID: a451fc
File 155269622057.png - (181.84KB , 1039x709 , Wake Up.png )

You wake up from your sleep, you still feel tired. It smells like it rained last night, but nothings wet. Your name is Troy Porter and you're starving, you don't think you ate anything before going to sleep last night. You rummage around your belongings for a can of beans or some fruit or something. You manage to find a couple of cans filled with peaches and beans. What a shitty breakfast but a breakfast none the less...wait, that's right you almost died in your sleep. Being hungry really makes you forget your brush with death.

You hear something around the corner of Roland's house, and you can see that big demon tentacle cat he keeps running around a bit.

>>925903
Ah, a memory of when Troy first met Channing, before he found out Channing was a complete psycho.

>>925904
First things first, make sure you're awake this time!

After that, go investigate what's going on with that demon thing. And bring your gun, just in case that demon thing is attacking an intruder or something.

Don't forget to warn Roland about Naos, the asshole in the mask that killed Matzen!

>big demon tentacle cat
Cool. go and take a look while you eat your horrible breakfast. Ask Roland if he needs help in the most casual way possible.

it would be smart to tell roland about the near death situation and also the demons you met. he would be interested in it

>>925904
Check to see nothing weird's happening, then eat breakfast.

>>925904
Do you have a watch or something? You should check to see what time it is, so that you know how long you’ve been sleeping.

Also, smell the air to see if Roland is cooking anything that would be better than what you’ve got in your truck. I’m sure he won’t mind sharing food with you. But if he’s not cooking anything, eat what you’ve got in your truck.

>You hear something around the corner of Roland's house, and you can see that big demon tentacle cat he keeps running around a bit.
Go check on what the big demon tentacle cat is doing.

>>925908
>Don't forget to warn Roland about Naos, the asshole in the mask that killed Matzen!
Yeah, do this.

If Roland asks how you know this stuff, just tell him what happened in your dream.

>>925904
pet the cat

>>925926
Seconding.

So you were just chatting about your childhood with Channing? Thats kinda fucked up. Well, at least you know he is kind of a decent guy. An enemy for sure, but at least someone you can sort of respect.

>>925934
You'd be surprised how charismatic psycho and sociopaths can be.

See if Roland has any cream or milk. Peaches and cream aint bad. Though steak and eggs would be better. Maybe go out for breakfast or something. Bring Roland. Discuss dream demons over breakfast.

>>926024
Oh yeah, we were going to take Roland out to eat, weren't we. It was in return for him cooking us breakfast originally and that turned out to be a fake, but you know, he's done quite a bit for us. Might be nice to just do it anyway. It would also be a good way to spend time with him without having to worry about getting killed by demons or Channing.

>>925908
Another thing that you should do:

Do as Matzen said and attempt talking to your angel! Maybe if you become friends, your angel will help improve The Doors so you can do different things with it!

>>926026
If we take Roland out, he's gonna want to bring Vol. Which is no big deal, we can pay for him too.

Just make sure Roland doesn't think Troy is trying anything romantic with him, since Troy has already stated that he's not interested in Roland like that.

Check the hiding spot where you put the Seraphim and make sure it’s still there!

1/2 Heretic 2019/03/17(Sun)15:57 No. 926162 ID: a451fc
File 155286346775.png - (805.54KB , 1558x2128 , Waking World.png )

>>926147
Still there...It needs to stay that way.

You walk over to all the commotion to find Vol standing with the displacer beast.

VOL: Hey ya filthy free loada'. How are ya?
YOU: I'm not a free loader, and I'm fine. Good mornin', where's Roland?
VOL: In Crud City trainin' all day. Says he wants to make a lotta' progress. Whattya want 'im for?
YOU: I just survived gettin' attacked by another dipshit from my old gang, and a demon too. And I've also learned that some asshole in a red mask killed on of my close friends.
VOL:...What was dat guy's name? Da' red mask guy?
YOU: He calls himself Naos.
VOL:...Fuckin' dammit. I need to tell Roland about dat, no matter how long ya stay here ya always manage to make things worse don't ya?...and what's dat thing in your hair?

You reach up and pull out something stuck to your head, a small squirming demon looking worm.

VOL: Well there's ya problem demon.
YOU: Yeah...what're you two doing out here anyway?
VOL: Playin' fetch.
YOU: Really?...Kinda looks like you two're just standing here...

2/2 Heretic 2019/03/17(Sun)15:57 No. 926163 ID: a451fc
File 155286347633.png - (854.65KB , 1558x2128 , A Different Kind of Fetch Quest 1-2.png )

As you finish your sentence the image of the displacer beast in front of you disappears in a flash of light and something big and fast rushes you from behind knocking you off of your feet. The demon worm flies out of your hand but Vol managed to catch it easily.

VOL: Does it look any different from down there?

Yeah you're awake alright, that really hurt...

D3: Slight Return - End Episode 5

ADDENDUM Heretic 2019/03/17(Sun)16:14 No. 926164 ID: a451fc
File 155286449680.png - (644.62KB , 1558x1064 , Ilywurm Journal Entry.png )

Excerpt from Roland's journal

After I returned home from my day of training with Flint, Troy had told me about an encounter he had with a demon which could attack and kill him in his dreams. He swore that while trapped in his nightmare that he could hear the disorted distorted voice of the demon chasing him speak odd, almost encouraging phrases to him. The most unsettling being a string of "I love you's" it would growl as it killed it's prey (Freaky). Due to this I decided to name this demon the "I Love You Wurm" (or Ilywurm). The way this demon operates along with the way other demons work has caused me to rethink my system of cattegorri categorization

When demons gain or lose power based on a certain circumstance, such as being in a dream or possessing somebody, I will consider it an X-Factor. I will record what the X-Factor itself is and then tally X's along the PANIC chart to show what qualities change. I'll have to reevalutae reevaluate all of my past entries to match this.

NOTE TO SELF: BUY ERASER

>>926164
Neat. Are we going to keep it? Can it eat regular food, or does it need to be in the dream world?

wait a second.... didn't Cenred bring that into the dream...
That thing couldn't have been put on troy in person. They would just killed Troy in his sleep.

Did... Did it travel through the dreamworld to appear on Troy?
Maybe it's I love you was just it thanking Troy for it's meal...

So many questions.

>>926163
>Yeah you're awake alright, that really hurt...
Does that mean that you’re not going to pet the displacer beast?

>>926168
>Maybe it's I love you was just it thanking Troy for it's meal...
That’s exactly what I was thinking. It was pretty much thanking Troy for giving it a chance to kill Cenred and get its revenge for being trapped by him.

>>926163
Also, is wrong that I imagined when Troy got run over, he yelled, “AAUGH!!!” like Charlie Brown does? XD

>>926176
No, there's nothing wrong with that.