>>24255816

You look around. You're alone, and in the dark...wait...wait you've been here before. This is where you normally talk to the Fifth. It's a calm not warm, not cold place that has a single bright light directly aboe your head, and a smooth black floor made of wood covered in black paint.

You see a person in a robe approach. It's not a Dramatae...but it isn't the Fifth. This one has a mask that isn't made to look human in the slightest. It's got horns, fangs, red gems where its eyes are, and bearing teeth made of ivory. The rest of the dragon mask is black.

"So...you are here, boring your way through my corpse." The figure says. "And now you have the audacity to dance upon my dead spine, as a final insult." There's a rush and the figure has a clawed throat around your neck. "Do you know who I AM? Do you know what I WAS? BEFORE I was shattered and left to ROT in this MISERABLE FORGOTTEN place?! You KNOW me, Beautiful One." The thing lets go. "And now...you are mine."

First for VICTORY!

>>24255822
The Entity formerly known as the Dragon Who Was of Shadow I presume?

No fear, face it down. It breeds on hate and suffering. It shall not find purchase upon our soul.

>>24255822
"Yes, I know what you are, Dragon who Was of Shadow. I can almost pity you. After all, after you were cast out, it is not like your successor is any better in temperament; it just chooses different ones to favor."

>>24255822
"Oh? And by what authority do you claim that?"

Let us see the extent of his power. Bad ideas all around.

>>24255822
"I only know the name that others refer to you as. What would you like to be called, 'Dragon-who-was-of-Shadow'? I didn't come here to insult you, I didn't even know that you are here."

>>24255822
Yeaaaaaaah, no that's not happening.

>>24255842
"The Entity formerly known as the Dragon Who Was of Shadow I presume?"

"You owe your existence to me." He says. "Right now, your life is in my hands. I can reshape this world as however I see fit. You are as an ANT to me, you will address me as GOD!" It barks.

The Entity keeps walking around you. "You were spawned in the woods in a forgotten tower, all three of your mothers were corrupt. The lizard creature that was your sperm donor was corrupt. Your sisters were corrupt, and the Paladin had been broken to nothing...and yet he stands there covered in the blood of your kin, your birth mother's corpse staring at you with half her face sliced off...and you do not run, you do not attack, you do not run. You just stayed there, looking at him."

The word shimmers and you see. There is father, covered in gore. Mother and Other Mothers dead, bisected and slashed up. Sister dead, kissed to sleep...and all you say is. "Don't wanna be alone."

"Why? Why those words? You shouldn't even have KNOWN words? WHY?" He asks.

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He's 1984. Citadel is Brave New World.

>>24255943
"...Thank you for showing me that. I genuinely appreciate it; I don't remember it myself. I don't know what happened that day, but I'm eternally grateful for it."

>>24255943
"I don't properly recall. Probably because it was the truth, though."

>>24255944
Actually this is EXACTLY the comic that I was thinking of when I came up with Citadel and the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow. Thanks for finding it.

>>24255943
"Why? Because it was the truth, why should I be alone just because something like you made us, and the Citadel twisted our kind for its own purposes."

"We are no more corrupt than we choose to be, most are simply not strong enough to see past the gifts you or Citadel have offered them.

>>24255993
"Thank you for showing me that. I genuinely appreciate it; I don't properly recall why. Probably because it was the truth, though. I'm eternally grateful for it."

The Entity waves its hands and there's a new scene on the stage. Little Ssen in her too big shirt, playing in the mud by a river. Suddenly a wad of mud hits her and she turns to look. A little girl with orange hair has a big handful of mud.

"Sneaky Snake should slither in the mud!" She says and she tosses another clump at Little Ssen.

"Not funny, Stupid Buzzy!" Ssen snaps. "I'll tell Daddy and he'll tell your Daddy!" Ssen says as she throws some mud back at Tricia who dodges.

"Yeah, well my Daddy's smarter than yours!" Tricia snaps.

"The little feak doesn't HAVE a Daddy!" There's laughter. It's a group of other kids. "She's just a monster!"

"I do too have a Daddy." Ssen says, quietly. "He loves me."

"No one loves you. Monster!" The large boy, the asshole's son. Chucks a rock at you. It hits you and you hurt and you're angry and you want to hurt them all back...but Daddy said no.

You look at Tricia, and she doesn't do anything or say anything. She just looks at you.

You slither away to the jeers and a few more rocks from the other kids.

"And yet you love her." The Entity sneers.

"Why should I be alone just because something like you made us, and the Citadel twisted our kind for its own purposes?

"We are no more corrupt than we choose to be, most are simply not strong enough to see past the gifts you or Citadel have offered them. I choose to be strong now, and I choose to love Tricia."

The Entity just shakes its head. It's kind of amusing. It stalks and swoops around you, but it's kind of hard to fear it, even though it desperately wants you too.

"You will be more hated than me. You will be the one who ends days of plenty, causes the kings to play games with the people and the churches to fracture. You will bring nothing but suffering. I should be THANKING you."

>>24256115
A master may treat his slaves well, better than they would be treated on their own even. But they're still slaves.

>>24256115
"You made people fear you, and for that you were hated and driven out. Citadel gives people everything they want, and yet it's a more insidious evil than you could ever hope to be.

But people are stronger than you give them credit for. They'll survive without the silver platter, and they'll be stronger for it. And their minds and lives will be their own, free to move forward, change, and grow, without the capricious favor or interference of a petulant child who wants its bedtime story to stay the same."

>>24256115
"I think you misunderstand my desires. Just as Citadel twisted me and mine, I shall twist it back in turn."

>>24256115
"Things won't keep 'just working out' forever. Something has got to change and someone has to put things in motion. I will do everything in my power to protect as many as I can from the grasp of that happymonster, even if it means dragging them kicking and screaming."

>>24256115
"Then thank me while you have the chance- I intend to enact some wide sweeping reforms, perhaps even altering the nature of prosperity. You might be pulling your non-existant hair before this is all through. Assuming I don't get myself killed first, of course."

>>24256175
I like the start of this; I'd like to see where you're going with it.

>>24256183
Our standing plan is to convert the citadel to the light.

The first ever land spirit that worships another land spirit.

>>24256115

>>24256170
Bueno.
"Besides, I already have some ideas on what to do in regards to the other problems."
Potatoes and crop rotation hoooooo.

>>24256115
"If that is what it takes so be it. It is better than letting this lie continue, the Citadel controlling everything and everyone, crushing those it does not approve of."

"At least people would be free and able to Choose to hate me or not. You where a great evil, but the Citadel is more insidious and evil than you could ever have dreamed of being."

>>24256192
But how will we get the foreign crops imported from the phoenix empire through customs?

>>24256191
This.

If not to the Light, then something thats less...pushy about things, less pidgeonholey.

And less requiring that someone dies every so often to sustain it.

Ideally we'd also add in progressiveness and SCIENCE but thats a tertiary goal.

>>24256115
"Dark times may come with the ending of Citadel. People may turn upon themselves or myself to look for to blame for a time. Yet they will be free to choose to do so. Not because some thing like yourself or Citadel tells them too.

"However, I believe at the end of a long road, after all the suffering people will find a way to live without Citadel. I have faith people will find a way of living that isn't based on hate or some twisted from a ideal dream life."

>>24256193
The terrible thing is that Citadel rarely controls people outright. People choose to follow it.

>>24256205
I would like to keep a strong backbone of THE LIGHT wherever we go with the civilization. It preaches change and adaptability, which is the foundation of the longest lasting societies.

>>24256180
"Then thank me while you have the chance- I intend to enact some wide sweeping reforms, perhaps even altering the nature of prosperity. You might be pulling your non-existant hair before this is all through. Assuming I don't get myself killed first, of course."

"Oh, you will die, and when you do I will be waiting, with a HOST of others..." He chuckles. "Do you see them? Just out of the corners of your eye? The ones who's lives you ruined? THey gave MANY things to me, just for the CHANCE to have you...but not now. Now while you are strong...one day...one day you will be weak, and afraid, and I will be there. So will they..."

There's a flash of light, and you see them. The Underwasp Witch, Donovan, Odette, Lady Glenn, Ghouls of all shapes and sizes, and people you never met in your life, but you know they hate you enough to give their souls to him...just for a shot. There's quite a line up.

"And to keep them happy, when your loved ones are weak, or afraid, and have their moment, because there is NO ONE who is not afraid at their death...I will give them to them...to tide them over. And I will make you listen in your dreams."

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>>24256198
Just show up looking like this.

>>24256191
That'd certainly make for quite the legendary demonstration of Paladin diplomacy, talking Citadel itself into something better. But we don't want to just blindly convert it. We don't want Citadel enforcing the teachings of the Light and pushing for constant change and novelty, any more than we want it in its current state. A prettier coat of paint on a pair of shackles doesn't make people free.

We'd need to convince it to let people live their own lives, to help like the Light does if it wishes to help, but not to run things for any goal no matter how noble.

>>24256238
"Wow, a bunch of people I've already triumphed over or never met. I'm absolutely petrified."

>>24256270
This.

We need to make a true Benevolent Dictator out of Citadel.

>>24256238
"Nice army you've got there. I'd hate to see something happen to it. I notice how many of them we've already defeated. A few of them I have some pity for, but I won't live in regret of the past. As for the ones I haven't seen yet, bring them on."

Concentrate on this little pocket reality he has going. See if we can't summon up some images of Tricia, Mage, Mari and Peri, Lea, Isen, Tara, and Father.

>>24256238
"Fine fine, I thought I'd be haunted by my mistakes in a more metaphorical sense, but if you insist on the melodrama, I can deal with it. Though I swear to you, if you interrupt our vacations with your nonsense, I will have a team of strip miners and mages out here before you can say seismology."

Threatening the god has always turned out well for me in the past.

>>24256238
"I do not fear you or your threats, False Dragon."

>>24256238
"It is a shame that such a thing must be, especially to those who were simply pawns in the workings of your kind. Though I am not surprised you would take advantage of that. Grasping at any rope you can from this place you have been banished to. Molding and changing yourself to find a new niche to grow powerful. Power is all well and good, however your kind don't seem to realize the truth. It is not, "This is how people are, how do we change them", but rather "This is how people are, how do we make the most of it.""

>>24256238
All that hate. All that willing hate. It's more depressing than fearful, but I'll admit it hurts to see it.

>>24256301
I definitely laughed at this one.

>>24256301
Thisthisthis.

If it wants to play rough we'll develop mind shielding magic and fucking murder it flat out.

>>24256301
If we do go with this, don't call them "mistakes".

>>24256238
"I want to to know something." The Enity says. "I'm not a fool...so I will not insult you with gifts or bargains or anything like that. I will just tell you something." The Entity smiles. "Citadel will never, ever, let anything be greater than itself. Just as myself. I was broken, beaten, and cast down here..but I remain, and I WILL remain...and there will be NONE who can say that they held dominion over ME. I lost, but I was NEVER defeated. Citadel is the same. You cannot save it, it wants what it wants, and will never EVER allow anyone to tell it no." The Entity laughs. "I should be proud...such a fine creation of mine...I thought it was the perfect trap...easy instruction, and then I would rise again after a proper sacrifice that the humans walked RIGHT into...but apparently Peace believes that living well is the best revenge...ungrateful little bitch." The Entity snarls. "But that is not what I wanted to tell you about...when you kill Citadel, and its corpse slowly rots...you will no longer be alone in your sentience. Monsters will stop being savage, most will remain, and those that are enlightened by how they SHOULD be will remain...but others will become as you. And suffer for it..I know your heart, Lamia. I know you will want to save them. You will try, and you may even win a little, but you will fail many many many times, and blood and bodies will CHOKE your throat...and when that happens. I want you to remember that I will ALWAYS be here...and I can help." The Entity smiles. "But now you're going to scoff and turn away...but just remember that."

The Entity paces around you. "I can hold you here as long as I want...so...my price to let you go?" It chuckles. "Pain. I want that most painful awful moment of your life...and I'm not talking about the Bag. I'm talking about the day you got thrown into it. When you father almost didn't love you as a person any more." He chuckles. "Tell me about the day you bit Tricia, and almost killed her."

>>24256250
We should get a bitchin' tattoo.

>>24256414
>the day of the bag
Oh god

>>24256414
holy crap.

>>24256411
Ssen. Why?
>rageLi same

>>24256414
>"Tell me about the day you bit Tricia, and almost killed her."

... wut

>>24256469
Probably shortly after we ate her caterpillar. She may have tried to reprise against us violently later.

It was NEVER about the caterpillar.

>>24256414
>Ssen: Be thoroughly unimpressed

So we get to decide retroactive canon here? Freaky shit. What possible reason would Ssen have for biting tricia? Anyone have a compelling one?

>>24256481
Tricia kept biting her... she eventually bit back. Whoops.

>>24256414
This is bad idea. I know it but sometimes ...

"Show me."

>>24256519
Dear god you'll scar Ssen for life. She already repressed the memory with THE BAG.

I am so glad that my little bag joke has become a critical life moment for our hero.

>>24256449
>>24256452
My reaction exactly.

>>24256414
"You and Citadel both have the most questionable taste in bedtime stories.

But fine, you want the pain from my life, you can have it. The rocks, the names, everything else, I could take that, I could live with it. The insults about my Father, those I knew to be untrue. I let it all roll off of me.

That day, Tricia sent one of her caterpillars after me, which she'd done a few times before. I got angry with her, so I snatched it and. When Tricia found out, she had this look on her face, a sadness in her eyes at losing a friend.

She said she cared more about that caterpillar than anyone ever would about me. And she said I should have died in that cave with the rest of the monsters.

(continued)

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>>24256414
"It is like I you expect me not to have considered all these possibilities before. Happiness and sadness, joy and suffering. We make up for the mistakes of our youth with the wisdom age brings. As for old memories. They are what make us. If it brings you satisfaction to you to bring that up then so be it."

I'd actually like you to make a story for this one. This is your chance to make a bit of ssen's past. This is the thing that she and Tricia never EVER talk about. Not just the Bag which then became a threat and a joke. This is the day that Ssen almost lost faith in herself as well. Basically, the facts are these. Ssen bit Tricia for some reason, and gave her a small dose of venom. Tricia almost died. Liam had been using Ssen's venom to make a cure for Lamia posioning for years, so he was able to save her. In the mean time he put Ssen in a bag, and her and Alexander had a long long talk about if they had to 'deal with Ssen' to prevent this from happening again, if this was an accident or not, and if Ssen would eventually just go wild and become a monster. Eventually they heard Ssen crying in the bag, and they let her out and remembered that they had souls and so did she, because the first thing Ssen asked was if Tricia was okay or not.

But that's not the worst thing of that day.

The worst part was that Ssen heard the whole discussion between Alexander and Liam. She heard her adopted father doubt that she was a person.

>>24256512
That's not the very beeest of reasons. Can we think of any more? Besides my previously proposed caterpillar feud reason, hmmm. What would Ssen and tricia fight over the most?

>>24256561
>The worst part was that Ssen heard the whole discussion between Alexander and Liam. She heard her adopted father doubt that she was a person.

Ouch.

>>24256561
These details help. It may slow down your quest some for us to think of a properly interesting reason for the bite. Though I am think that Ssen went to tell dad right away about the bite. Either that or hid. I am not entirely sure.

>>24256561
oh you cruel bastard Echo.

>>24256595
The question is; did Ssen really know just how poisonous she was back then? Or when ever Alexander got her poison for his cure did they tell her or not just what they were doing? A lot of little things will put a spin on this.

>>24256615
Stop it, I am trying very hard not to have tragedy back up my writerbrain. I need to come up with backstories! Tragic, tragic backstories!

>>24256637
I think we get to decide?

Well, snakes tend to also bite defensively when cornered. Perhaps Ssen was being bullied (as per usual) and Tricia ended up a bit too close? I really doubt Ssen would have actively decided to bite someone.

>>24256644
Your call, but Alexander just asked Ssen to bite a jar with a cheesecloth cover to milk her. She thought it was fun, and Uncle Alexander gave her honeycomb for it. So it wasn't seen as a weird thing.

>>24256644
So what will it be then? Did she really know or not? If she didn't I think she might go to her father and say there was something wrong with Tricia. That she had bite her if he ask what happen. If she did. I think she might just hide not really understanding just how bad it could be.

>>24256549
> so I snatched it and.
"and ate it", that should have said.

It wasn't about the caterpillar; Tricia had plenty of "friends", and she knew they lived short lives. It was that look, like I really was something less than a person. I got angry, and for one brief moment I lost control, and that's all it took. I bit her.

She freaked out, and I did as well the moment I realized how serious this was; this wasn't a thrown rock. Maybe I really was a monster, if I could kill people that easily.

Father was the one true constant in my life, the guiding light that helped me become a good person, helped me become a person at all. I ran to him, and he saved Tricia.

And then he saved me. You're wrong about one thing, false dragon. Looking back now, with the ears and mind of an adult, he didn't once doubt that I was a person. He wouldn't have fought so hard for me otherwise. He feared for other people's safety, and it nearly broke him to think what it might take to protect them. And he feared that his raising me might not be enough, that he couldn't overcome what I now know was Citadel's influence.

Every time I argue with the most vile of people, trying to find some good in them, I think of that conversation, and how my father fought so hard to save me.

Of course, sometimes I have to wrap them up and keep them from moving first, just to be safe.

>>24256664
It's your call on how much Ssen knew about her own poison.

>>24256637
Personally, I'd say she wouldn't have known.

Just two kids fighting, one bites the other, the other thinks turnabout is fair play and bites back.

>>24256684
That's what I'm leaning too as well. That they may have not told out fear she may used it against someone or something.

>>24256684
I'd agree. It also makes sense, because most young venomous snakes can't regulate their bites either. You could get a dry bite, or it could dump all the venom it has in one bite. That's why a baby rattlesnake is far more dangerous than an adult, for example.

The more you know.

>>24256684
Agreed, she didn't know. She bit Tricia because she didn't think it was any more serious than when the other kids threw rocks at her; she'd been warned about biting, but she was too young to really understand that it was a deadly weapon.

And I agree with the several anons that said she ran to her father, when Tricia started reacting to the venom. Tricia always was the closest thing Ssen had to a friend, and she didn't really want to *hurt* her. Tricia would have done the same thing if Ssen had really gotten seriously hurt with one of those thrown rocks.

>>24256731
Tricia never threw rocks. Just mud, and she let Ssen throw back.

>>24256561
OK, here's my suggestion all in one series:
>>24256549
>>24256672
>>24256731

Looking forward to reading several more.

I love how The Bag Incident has become a childhood trauma, life lesson, and plot point, all from a brilliant offhand joke. And I love how you've turned it back on us.

>>24256731
we could tie it in to the bullying incident the false dragon showed us, tricia was playing rough with us soon after we where bullied rather badly/beaten up by the other kids, and we take it the wrong way like she is joining them in bullying us.

of course tricia is completely unaware we just got beat up etc.

it gets rougher, she bites us, we bite back, and tricia knows our bite is dangerous so freaks out, then we slither to father freaking out the whole way.

>>24256561
"You know, you're much better at picking hard subjects than citadel. I'm almost impressed. So, you don't want to hear about the bag. What part would you like to start with? Why I bit her? Childish reasons. One caterpillar in the hair too many, I make a rash decision, Tricia loses a pet. She was more angry than I've ever seen! With bees! I... didn't deal with it right. I didn't know what to do if someone really wanted to hurt me. I panicked. Then Tricia was bitten, and I panicked more. Father heard, Tricia's father too. How could they not, the commotion we were making? I tried to say something, anything, but all I could do was call them over, cry for help. Then came the bag, and a long, terrible discussion about my future. They heard me crying sometime during it, and decided to let me out. I asked about Tricia- They thought she would be okay, but were a bit unsure. Tricia's Dad was shaking. I explained to my father what happened later that night, how I panicked and didn't know what to do.

He started teaching me self defense a few days after that- once I was done being grounded. Didn't want the problem to ever happen again.

Is that enough, corpse dragon?"

>>24256782
I didn't mean to imply otherwise; I just meant that Tricia would have run to get help if Ssen had gotten hurt. I believe that she was never one of the really mean-spirited ones. That's why when *Tricia* looked at Ssen as though something less than a person, and really seemed to mean it, it really hurt Ssen, unlike all the other comments.

>>24256675
I think the general consensus seems to be that she wasn't aware that her poison did anything, and that the incident arose over the caterpillar. Tricia was really angry and tried to tackle Ssen, and Ssen reacted on pure instinct, going for Tricia's hand.

Later, after Ssen both overheard the conversation outside the bag and learned that she had nearly killed Tricia, she started to build up defenses against it by repressing the memory, leaving it as a vaguely remembered tussle over a caterpillar. Similarly, the fact that Tricia was so badly envenomed means she hardly remembers the details herself.

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Okay there I wrote my piece for you guys.

Now if you'll excuse me I think I have something in my eye

I don't remember us ever using our fangs. I think this might be the reason why.

>>24256807
Seconding this.

>>24256857
I think a more prominent reason is that we haven't met anyone we thought deserved a horrible melty death yet.

I'm willing to bet that if we ever got the chance we'd happily bite one of the Dramatae.

>>24256873
>>24256807
If we use this, can you alter it some to include a portion about Ssen running to her dad, echo?

>>24256788
I am super glad I suggested bags as the best way of capturing lamias. I hope later on the elves attempt it.

>>24256893
Well, "running".

>>24256900
I tend to think the bag would just piss her off after this nice little chat.

>>24256900
We can pick one of our scales out, sharpen it against our teeth, and then cut out of the bag.

If you want to talk about that day, we can. First, let me say something. When I die, I know I will have to meet those who either feel hurt by me our were.

This is something I will do gladly, because they need help as well. It may take an eternity, but I will give them the rest they deserve. And if you feel you need it as well, I will be there.

>>24256819
Sounds like a reasonable summary. But I don't think Tricia getting angry alone would have done it, and they'd have fought before. I think it's that Tricia was one of the only ones who never treated Ssen as anything less than a person, probably because she was a bit strange herself. So that look from Tricia broke something in Ssen, just long enough for her to do something she'd been told never to do.

I wouldn't mind seeing the first half and motivation from mine (replacing the "childish reasons") with the second half of
>>24256807
. I don't think we should pass up the opportunity for the incident to be something more meaningful than "I bit her back" or similar.

>>24256929
I never said it would work, just that it would be great if they tried

>>24256938
Can we splice the two then? The part I most want to salvage from my work is the martial training practice, and some manner of panic when it comes to physical conflagiration. It just makes sense to me.

>>24256933
And, of course, I forget to namefag it up.

>>24256802
This makes sense. At first I didn't think it would make sense for Tricia to know that the venom is poisonous, but perhaps she learned about snakes from her friends. That'd be a good reason for her, and then Ssen, to freak out, and for Ssen to run to Liam.

>>24256900
>Elves attempt to trap Ssen in a bag.

"What mad Paladin variant is this that gets Barbarian Rage as a class ability?!"

>>24256973
On it.

>>24256807

"You know, you're much better at picking hard subjects than Citadel. I'm almost impressed. So, you don't want to hear about the bag. What part would you like to start with? Why I bit her? Childish reasons. One caterpillar in the hair too many, I make a rash decision, Tricia loses a pet. She was more angry than I've ever seen! With bees! I... didn't deal with it right. I didn't know what to do if someone really wanted to hurt me. I panicked. Then Tricia was bitten, and I panicked more. I headed off to fin Father. Screaming for him and his help. Father heard, Tricia's father too. How could they not, the commotion we were making? I tried to say something, anything, but all I could do was call them over, cry for help. Then came the bag, and a long, terrible discussion about my future. They heard me crying sometime during it, and decided to let me out. I asked about Tricia- They thought she would be okay, but were a bit unsure. Tricia's Dad was shaking. I explained to my father what happened later that night, how I panicked and didn't know what to do.

"He started teaching me self defense a few days after that- once I was done being grounded. Didn't want the problem to ever happen again.

"Is that enough, corpse dragon?"

"No." The Entity says. "What did he say?"

You look away.

"There was a question Alexander asked, and your Father answered it. THEN you began crying." The Entity says. "And that answer will never, ever, be forgotten...and not because it was something that reminds you of his honor, or faith, or strength. Or how he loved you...I want you to say it. Out loud.

"What did you father say when Alexander asked..."

The Entity points a finger up and you hear those awful awful words.

"Liam...honestly...I don't know what I'm going to do if Tricia dies. You won't...if it happens..."

"I'll do it, Alex." You hear father says.

"Liam...do you really think that a Lamia can have a soul?" Alexander asks.

The Entity waits. It's going to make you say it...

>>24256984
>Lamia Paladin
>Barbarian Rage available 1/bag.

>>24256990
>>24257004
Aw jeez, sorry about that story. We should have spliced like three minutes ago.

>>24256990
>>24257004
(Nevermind then.)

>>24257017
(Still up for doing it as long as we're sitting here retconning Ssen's past anyway, if that's what people want.)

>>24257017
>>24257019

(Sorry sorry! If you were working on a story then I can back track! I WANT to see you guys come up with something epic. I just saw people agree on that one.)

>>24257004
"We'll find out."
Is that chilling enough?

>>24257004
"'Does anyone really have a soul?'"

>>24257024
>(Still up for doing it as long as we're sitting here retconning Ssen's past anyway, if that's what people want.)

(Do it and I'll give you a re-roll. I want it.)

>>24257024
>>24257031
(Well, let's see what story comes up with then. He's making a splice or some shit.)

>>24257004
...he said he didn't know.

He didn't now if I really had a soul.

>>24257004
For Liam's answer: "I don't know. I don't think the rest of the monsters do."

>>24257031
Will do.

>>24257004
Look him straight in the eye.

"No."

Not Liam's answer, not the correct answer, but a denial. A refusal of this bastard's attempts to color our memories of our Father by using his moment of foolishness against him.

He may well have meant it then, but it wasn't long after that he learned otherwise. Probably much to his shame.

>>24257050
Seconding this hard.

To the maximum extent possible.

>>24257031
Echo, can you splice this into something we say before we get kicked out of the Dragon of Shadow's emo pit?
>>24256933
Starting at and instead of 'First', 'Before I leave'

>>24257031
Based on
>>24256973
>>24256788
>>24256802
>>24256807

"The rocks, the names, everything else, I could take that, I could live with it. The insults about my Father, those I knew to be untrue. I let it all roll off of me.

Tricia was one of the ones who never really meant any of it. She'd call me Snake, I'd call her Bug Queen, we might throw mud but we'd laugh it off, we were friends as often as we were rivals. She never tried to hurt me.

Right after some bullies had thrown rocks at me, Tricia confronted me about her caterpillar. It was childish; I'd eaten it because she annoyed me with something. It wasn't about the caterpillar; Tricia had plenty of "friends", and she knew they lived short lives. It was that look she gave me that she never had before, like I really was something less than a person. And then she started pushing me around. I got angry, and I didn't know how to deal with fighting, especially from her. For one brief moment I lost control, and that's all it took. I bit her.

She fell to the ground, and started freaking out. She said something about poison, that her friends said I was poison. I didn't want Tricia hurt; maybe I really was a monster, like everyone said. I ran to my Father, who could make anything better; he and Alexander were already on their way when they heard the commotion. I couldn't say anything, I just pointed at Tricia. And Father saved Tricia.

He put me in a bag, because he didn't know any other way to keep me contained; even that young I was pretty strong. He and Alexander started talking. I was too young to understand; he was talking as though I was a monster, and I already thought I might be.
(continued)

>>24257050
"No. And that's not HIS answer, it's mine. To you. I deny your attempts to use my Father's moment of shame to weaken my love for Tricia by burdening me with guilt, and I deny your attempt to malign the memory of Liam Patrick."

"Show me what you will. I have made my peace."

>>24257161
Should read
>my and my father's moment of shame

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Snake... Snake had a hard life

>>24257160
They heard me crying sometime during it, and decided to let me out. I asked about Tricia, and it seemed so important to them that that was the first thing I asked about. They thought she would be okay, but were a bit unsure. Tricia's Dad was shaking, and couldn't quite look at me. I explained to my father what happened, how I panicked and didn't know what to do.

He started teaching me self defense a few days after that- once I was done being grounded. Didn't want the problem to ever happen again. And he taught me how much more responsibility I had to bear, because I carried around deadly weapons with me everywhere I went.

But you're wrong about one thing, false dragon. Looking back now, with the ears and mind of an adult, he didn't doubt that I was a person. He wouldn't have fought so hard for me otherwise. He feared for other people's safety, and it nearly broke him to think what it might take to protect them. And he feared that his raising me might not be enough, that he couldn't overcome what I now know was Citadel's influence.

Every time I argue with the most vile of people, trying to find some good in them, I think of that conversation, and how my father fought so hard to save me.

>>24257221
>>24257160
Good job merging those tales together. Affixing them somehow. Like a stapler.

Some kind of tail stapler.

>>24257160
>>24257221
Done. I dropped the humorous ending from mine ("Of course, sometimes I have to wrap them up and keep them from moving first, just to be safe."), because it might not fit the tone we were going for; your call.

>>24257160
>>24257221
Wow.

Thats even better than anything I could have imagined.

20/10, good chap. Above and beyond the fuckin call of duty.

>>24257160
"The rocks, the names, everything else, I could take that, I could live with it. The insults about my Father, those I knew to be untrue. I let it all roll off of me.

"Tricia was one of the ones who never really meant any of it. She'd call me Snake, I'd call her Bug Queen, we might throw mud but we'd laugh it off, we were friends as often as we were rivals. She never tried to hurt me.

"Right after some bullies had thrown rocks at me, Tricia confronted me about her caterpillar. It was childish; I'd eaten it because she annoyed me with something. It wasn't about the caterpillar; Tricia had plenty of "friends", and she knew they lived short lives. It was that look she gave me that she never had before, like I really was something less than a person. And then she started pushing me around. I got angry, and I didn't know how to deal with fighting, especially from her. For one brief moment I lost control, and that's all it took. I bit her.

"She fell to the ground, and started freaking out. She said something about poison, that her friends said I was poison. I didn't want Tricia hurt; maybe I really was a monster, like everyone said. I ran to my Father, who could make anything better; he and Alexander were already on their way when they heard the commotion. I couldn't say anything, I just pointed at Tricia. And Father saved Tricia.

"He put me in a bag, because he didn't know any other way to keep me contained; even that young I was pretty strong. He and Alexander started talking. I was too young to understand; he was talking as though I was a monster, and I already thought I might be.

"They heard me crying sometime during it, and decided to let me out. I asked about Tricia, and it seemed so important to them that that was the first thing I asked about. They thought she would be okay, but were a bit unsure. Tricia's Dad was shaking, and couldn't quite look at me. I explained to my father what happened, how I panicked and didn't know what to do.

>>24257221
"He started teaching me self defense a few days after that- once I was done being grounded. Didn't want the problem to ever happen again. And he taught me how much more responsibility I had to bear, because I carried around deadly weapons with me everywhere I went.

"But you're wrong about one thing, false dragon. Looking back now, with the ears and mind of an adult, he didn't doubt that I was a person. He wouldn't have fought so hard for me otherwise. He feared for other people's safety, and it nearly broke him to think what it might take to protect them. And he feared that his raising me might not be enough, that he couldn't overcome what I now know was Citadel's influence.

"Every time I argue with the most vile of people, trying to find some good in them, I think of that conversation, and how my father fought so hard to save me.

"Is that what you wanted to hear, Corpse Dragon?"

"No." The Entity says. "What did he say?"

You look away.

"There was a question Alexander asked, and your Father answered it. THEN you began crying." The Entity says. "And that answer will never, ever, be forgotten...and not because it was something that reminds you of his honor, or faith, or strength. Or how he loved you...I want you to say it. Out loud.

"What did you father say when Alexander asked..."

The Entity points a finger up and you hear those awful awful words.

"Liam...honestly...I don't know what I'm going to do if Tricia dies. You won't...if it happens..."

"I'll do it, Alex." You hear father says.

"Liam...do you really think that a Lamia can have a soul?" Alexander asks.

The Entity waits. It's going to make you say it...

- -"I don't know. I don't think the rest of the monsters do."

You start to cry. Your heart and soul, ripped to shreds, and you feel so lost.

"But Ssen is NOT a monster!" Liam shouts. "You KNOW that Alex."

"I know but...what's that soun-oh...oh by His Light."

"Ssen...oh my little Dragon..." Arms, and Father holding you. He's crying.

I'm gonna wait to see how this last little bit ends, but it's 2am here and I need to be at a lecture in six hours.

I need to sleep sometime.

>>24257304
bet get your big boy hat on, these things can sometimes drag to the 4-5 AMs.

I hope we get a monday or tuesday snake session. I am RIGHT on the edge of my seat here.

>>24257295
>that realization a girl in a bag is crying
Classic adventurer problems.

>>24257323
No, I don't think you understand. After lecture I have office hours, and then I teach two sections in the afternoon. I literally CANNOT go more than another 15-20 minutes.

Guess I get to read the archives.

>>24257161
That was the only time you ever saw him cry. - -

"No. And that's not HIS answer, it's mine. To you. I deny your attempts to use my Father's moment of shame to weaken my love for Tricia by burdening me with guilt, and I deny your attempt to malign the memory of Liam Patrick."

Show me what you will. I have made my peace."

The Entity snarls. "I will NOT let you go until you have SATISFIED me!"

"NO! I AM DONE WITH THIS! AND I AM DONE WITH YOU! IN THE NAME OF HIS LIGHT, THE CALIGO CLARUS, MY FATHER, AND MY SELF. I BANISH YOU! RETURN TO YOUR GRAVE AND LEAVE US BE!"

For some reason Beacon is in your hands again. You slam it down as hard as you can...and the world fills with light.

Warm arms around your shoulders.

"Well done, my Dragon...but this still isn't the hard part." Father says.

"Oh! Hey!" A voice you don't recognize. "The Beautiful One is waking up!"

You sit up. You're looking into the thankful faces of the Dawnchasers. It looks like they've all been crying too. Ted is moping in a corner

There's also three new faces you don't recognize. A boy and a girl and a matronly looking woman. They're dressed in very old, very ornate clothing. They also have skin that's grey and slightly scaled at a few places.

"Welcome back." Tricia says. "Tell me you punched that fucker in the face."

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>>24257345
FUCK YES

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>>24257345
>Slightly Scaled.
I regret nothing.

>>24257345
"In a manner of speaking; I did cast him out with Beacon. But he punched me first, Tricia. He made me tell him about the Bag, and what led to it. The whole story."

After she reacts to that:

"Who are our guests? Or, I should say, who are we guests of?"

>>24257345
"Oh... sorry Tricia. About a lot of things. No face punching either, we just had a long talk about some of the less pleasant times of my childhood. Also threatening me with ghosts.

So, how did you folk do out here? Not only am I not crippled from what I assume was a nasty crash, but we even made some friends?"

>>24257345
say nothing yet, full body hug tricia with tears in our eyes from remembering we almost killer her.

then
>>24257388

>>24257394
Good call.

>>24257388
>>24257394
>"He made me tell him about the bag!"
>Tragic rememberances everywhere
Meanwhile, all of our party members are more confused than they have ever been. I love it.

>>24257388
Tell her in private.

>>24257408
I'm seconding that. We don't really need to spill everything out in the open like that.

>>24257404
I fully expect us to tell them the whole story at some point, when next we have time. Not right now, though, so they'll have to live with their confusion and the mental image of a lamia in a bag, without the weight that image carries for us. Anyone who giggles at that image will probably get a nasty look from Tricia.

(Actually, a more critical question comes to mind: "How long have I been out?")

>>24257413
We won't, not with these unknown (yet friendly) draconic folks around, and not while we're still on a deadline. The others have heard joking about the Bag, and they already have the impression Ssen and Tricia take it seriously, so this won't tell them much more. But Tricia needs to know.

>>24257345
>Ted is moping in a corner
I think he got denied.

>>24257452
this covers it, they know we fear being stuffed in a bag, and where put into one at some point, but the post does not explain why whatsoever, only Tricia would understand everything we said.

I really want to talk to these dragon servants? dragons? whatever they are?

>>24257473
You know what. If that's true then good and I'll already start liking these dragons.

>>24257388
You hug Tricia, with tears in your eyes and you don't let go for a long while. When you do, you sigh and you nod.

"In a manner of speaking; I did cast him out with Beacon. But he punched me first, Tricia. He made me tell him about the Bag, and what led to it. The whole story."

"Oh." Tricia says. She nods. "Yeah, I had to go through that...first time I talked to insects and...lost my mind to a hive." She shakes her head. "We have a new omnipresent being to add to our stab-in-the-face list. Glad you smacked him with Beacon. Next time do it with the pointy end...while we can watch."

"So, how did everyone else do out there? And how are we not crippled or crashed?"

"Well, we all got talked to by that thing in the mask, and he brought up a lot of...painful stuff. But he eventually gave up." Lea says. "Saying that he wanted the source of the strength, the hand, not the fingers. Must be why you got so out of it."

"You're amazingly strong willed to get so close to the Dead One," The woman says. "Most go mad, but you owe your lives to the Other Servant."

"Yeah." Peri says. "Turns out, while we were all getting our hearts scooped out, Ted here stops us from crashing, gathered us all up and got us the rest of the way here."

"Who knew he had it in him." Mari says.

"Beautiful One or not," Ted says. "I wasn't going to leave you to the same thing that took Whitefire from me."

"So, who are our guests? Or, I should say, who are we guests of?"

"Well, first off, we haven't lost any time. And secondly, welcome to the lair of the Old One...behold Grace, his loyal Servant, and her children Roy and Bridget." Tricia says.

"Turns out that the Old One already HAS Dragon Servants." Mage says with a shit eating grin as he looks at Ted, still sulking.

"You are welcome here, Beautiful One. Old One has watched your progress since escaping the horde of degenerates, he is impressed that so few can stand against the Dead One on will alone."

>>24257500
Ssen: realize you've only seen three occupants of the cave, and they mentioned four. Look about 30 degrees to your right and notice the dragon.

>>24257500
You look behind you. There is a very very VERY large Iron door behind you. It is closed...but you hear something either breathing or snoring on the other side. Something BIG.

>>24257500
>"Well, we all got talked to by that thing in the mask, and he brought up a lot of...painful stuff. But he eventually gave up." Lea says. "Saying that he wanted the source of the strength, the hand, not the fingers. Must be why you got so out of it."

"Well, thanks to each of you for giving him the finger."

>>24257500
>"You are welcome here, Beautiful One. Old One has watched your progress since escaping the horde of degenerates, he is impressed that so few can stand against the Dead One on will alone."

Well, that saves on explanations.

>>24257500
"Oh, I am much obliged. To all of you. Though, the old one may be a bit less impressed with the reasons which we came- they're all fairly one sided, unless he proves to be quite altruistic."

>>24257568
We must keep up our reputation for ill-timed bad puns.

Seconding.

>>24257568
>>24257580
Lamia racial traits: Ill timed puns and problemsss with Sssess.

>>24257579
We started out questing to him about the Lantern coins and stopping Citadel, which it sounds like he'll be in favor of. I don't know how much he'll already know about Citadel, since he just talked about the Dead One, but we'll fill him in on anything he doesn't already know and vice versa.

This only recently became a rush because we wanted to save Helen, but that's not our main motivation here.

>>24257606
If he's in favor of stopping these things once he knows, then fine.

If not, we're trying to barter information and coins out of him, in addition to whatever blood whoosery.

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So, how do you guys think we should ultimately deal with the Dragon?

Personally, I think we should beat it up, lock it in its room, then turn its room into a stick to beat people up with.

Then give that stick to the only person we know 100% would never ever fall prey to its corruption.

Isen.

>>24257500
"Uh, well, nice to meet you, Grace. Roy. Bridget. I'm Ssen. Thanks for having me and my friends.

>>24257637
You mean the corpse shadow dragon, right? Because we're totally binding that piece of shit double hard.

>>24257655
Of course.

>>24257500
"Thank you, Grace, Roy, Bridget, for caring for us.

And thank you, Ted, for saving our lives. Don't be so glum; being the sole servant of a dragon would be a much harder job, and perhaps the Old One will still need an additional servant. I did promise you I'd to tell him of your valiant race through Dark Peaks to reach him. Assuming he didn't just watch the whole thing somehow.

Is the Old One awake at the moment? And, could we speak with him?"

>>24257568
"Well, from the hand, thanks to each of you for giving him the finger."

The Dawnchasers all laugh.

"And I am much obliged. To all of you. Though, the Old One may be a bit less impressed with the reasons which we came- they're all fairly one sided, unless he proves to be quite altruistic."

"All-True-what-tic?" Grace asks, honestly confused.

"That's not a word they would know." Ted says. "Errand boy...I come here, risk life and limb, and what do I get? PROBATIONARY ERRAND BOY! The old woman and her children get to run the place, and what do I go? Go get the milk." Ted hangs his head in shame.

"You should feel honored that Old One is giving you THAT much, Other Servant. You Served the Corrupt!"

"Loyally until the time when she was a Dragon no more!"

"No Dragon becomes corrupt." She says. "But yes, you are loyal...which is why Old One is giving you this chance."

Ted nods and says through gritted teeth. "ANd for that I am eternally grateful."

Mage points to a circle he's making. "So, I'm putting this together, Grace and Ted are helping so it should be pretty safe. Give me another fifteen minutes and we'll be able to go back and forth between Bronze Peak and here...provided you get what we need."

Grace looks at you. She nods. "A pure Beautiful One...no signs of degeneracy...hmph...well, a Dragon with one coin is richer than a Corrupted Dragon with a mountain of gold. I suppose you are deserving of your title as being part of the Greatness that is Those Who Rule, Have Ruled, and Will Rule. You have a mate, a Servant, and handmaidens...and a decent little horde of gold and trinkets. A pale shadow of Old One, of course...but you are just a Beautiful One." She motions for you to go forward to the big Iron Doors. "Go. You may speak to Old One...alone."

>>24257655
>>24257659
The obvious solution to the dragon is to hew the bones and marrow out of his mountain, and from them forge a large statue. It doesn't really matter of what.

If we forge it into Isen's sword, he will become an immortal philosopher king. I am okay with that.

>>24257673
I wonder if Grace is representative of the Old One's attitude, or if the Old One is going to be as nontraditional of a dragon as the book he contributed to implied he might be.

Look to the others meaningfully, in that "hope I get out of this alive" way we've got plenty of practice with.

Walk up to the doors, push them both open, and walk in. Try to act fearless and confident, flying in the face of all reality.

>>24257689
I still think we should make it a sword.

Because then we'll be imitating what Demonbane did to Azathoth. Which is the joke.

Also if it keeps moving around while being held by someone of incorruptible will it won't have a chance to...set down roots.

>>24257738
Because no evil ever came of a MacGuffin like that.

>>24257673
"Well .... you got one out of three correct. I'll give you that much."

Give our group a quick roll of ours eyes go on in.

Or four if you want to count the horde thing.

>>24257673
>You have a mate, a Servant, and handmaidens
It took me a moment to remember the history of the Dragon Servants and the Ghouls, and that Grace must have meant Mage here.

>>24257673
"Very well. And so begin negotiations."

Open the doors.

>>24257673
>Please be a Draconic Andrew Carnagie.

>>24257778
>we might be compatable with mage
Whoops!

>>24257788
Wait ... didn't he eat piece of our flesh?

>>24257813
yes.

Whoops!

>>24257813
Welp.

>>24257752
Old One's horde isn't huge amounts of coins, or gems or pieces of treasure and weapons heaped in a pile.

Well, there's the small pile of Lantern coins that are off to the side. It's a pile about as big as a standard bale of hay.

But the majority of Old One's horde is gold, raw gold, chunks of the metal, some looks slightly melted into each other. Looking as if something just ripped out entire seams of the metal from the earth, or grabbed the raw ore and shook free all the stuff that wasn't gold, and heaped it up. Apparently Old One isn't one for waiting for the middle man.

The Dragon upon the pile of raw gold, is about as big as four barns stacked two high and two wide.

His head is bigger than you are. He is made of gleaming silver, or at least that's what he looks like in the torches that Grace and her children keep around the lair.

Old One opens up one eye to look at you. It has large eyes the same yellow color that your eyes are now.

"So." The voice rumbles through the room. "You are the Beautiful One, who has been causing so much...change.

"What is your name?"

i bet thats precisely how you accept a servant to your retinue as well, blood and \ or flesh.

>>24257830
"I am Ssen Patrick.

Greetings, Old One."

(Must resist the urge to call him by the name the book used.)

>>24257830
"Ssen Patrick."

Let's not be cute with titles and shit.

>>24257830
"My name is Ssen Patrick. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. "

>>24257845
Agreed; he doesn't care about Paladin or anything else.

Patrick, on the other hand, he might find interesting, for two entirely unrelated reasons.

>>24257859
yes, I am not sure it is so wise to tell him our last name.

>>24257859
I sort of hope he asks, but also sort of hope he doesn't.

It's going to be interesting either way.

>>24257869
Of course it's not wise. We're doing it anyway.

>>24257859
I don't even want to do greetings. Prefer to avoid the whole 'only speak when spoken to. Only answer what was asked,' bullshit.

>>24257884
perfect response

>>24257884
Like everything else?

>>24257869
It's *almost* as unwise as trying to deceive a dragon.

And he said he's been watching us for a long time. He might already know. In any case, he has little respect for corrupted Dragons, and told the Bear Shrine people how to kill them.

>>24257889
Believe it or not, I've been here since thread 1.

I know how this shit goes.

>>24257869
Well, our dad DID kill a corrupted dragon.

Maybe that put him in this ones good books?

>>24257886
Grace suggested he was already impressed with us. We should act completely respectful, but not cowed. Seems like a dragon would have more respect for us that way.

>>24257906
We can but hope.

>>24257906
He still killed a dragon. Corrupted or not. He may frown upon that on principle alone.

corrupted dragons aren't dragons anymore. as dragons cannot be corrupted

>>24257924
We'll see, now won't we? Now what even were our reasons for being here?

Questioning him about the mysterious 30 year period before the first age of citadel. Asking him about the true nature of the light coins. Gaining blood samples.

Anything else?

>>24257936
risks, benefits etc from bonding with a human.

>>24257936
The bonding thing was missing a lot of details we would like.

>>24257924
Dragons do not become Corrupt.

>>24257813
Yup:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23602868/#p23637251

>>24257943
>>24257946
Also we have to tell him about citadel, and tell him that it knows of him and his horde.

>>24257947
Yes, yes. They just become less dragon than before. Still fallen off the path of true dragons and such. Corrupt just faster to say. Shh you.

>>24257845
"Ssen Patrick." You say. Trying not to freak out or show any weakness.

"Not THAT name, your name that you were GIVEN...what name did you TAKE?!" Old One rumbles.

"Ah...too young, and a Beautiful One at that." He closes his eye. "Still, your horde is greater than most can claim." The eye opens again. "It is a shame that the only ones with hordes that equal mine are two Beautiful Ones, or those that live with the birds." He growls, a sound that shakes the room. "So...what part of my horde did you come here to take from me?" He narrows his eyes. "No one comes to just see a Dragon or speaks to them...those men died long long ago..." He sniffs. "Though you carry MY book with them. THAT goes BACK to the library where I WANT to be, when you are DONE with it. That is still MY book." He growls. "But again...tell me what you want...and then we will see what happens."

>>24257961
>Also we have to tell him about citadel, and tell him that it knows of him and his horde.

This is what we're offering up in trade. Not before or for free. Info for Info.

>>24257965
>doing things to be faster around dragons
Slowwww down there son. Sit a spell. We have hundreds of years to talk this over.

>>24257936
List from the previous thread:

First and foremost, an ally.

At least one, and preferably three, doses of dragon's blood.

Any information the Dragon has that we'd find valuable, especially about the Lantern coins, their "corruption", the Dramatae, Citadel, and the Dragon who Was of Shadow.

Any actual Lantern coins we can get from him.

>>24257946
Sure, along with a lot of other information, but that's fairly low on the priority list.

>>24257970
>Though you carry MY book with them. THAT goes BACK to the library where I WANT to be, when you are DONE with it. That is still MY book.
Oh man, if Ted had brought the book to him as tribute...

>>24257982
And don't forget to offer him knowledge in return - of Citadel, the Dramatae, and the latter's desire to kill him and destroy his horde.

>>24257982
So basically we did come to talk to him.
All the things we "want" are basically plans to disrupt those that would harm him.

>>24257970
"Information, knowledge only you would know. As well any of these lantern coins you may have."

Clearly show him the coin we have with us.

If ask what we have in exchange. Information, gold coins, books, and such.

well we rushed here for the dragon blood. And the uncorrupted coins would be nice. But the main thing we came here before the recent troubles was information. We know far too little about what we face and how to defeat it.

>>24258011
"Ah and blood. Yours."

Almost forgot that. Derp.

>>24257970
"Actually, I quite would like to talk to you, about ancient history specifically. Well, that and a host of other, less important things. As for the material reasons for my visit- First, I am interested in those coins over there. They hold some special properties that may be key to my work, though I know little about them, and own few of them. Second, and much more personally, a sample of your blood, assuming it does have the curative properties I've heard it does. That reasons specifically was the reason for our rush here."

I figure we should be frank. Right? Frankness?

>>24258011
Actually, we don't even know if the coins will work again. We're pretty much after his knowledge as well as borrowing the coins if they could actually help.

>>24258034
This. Hell, it might surprise him.

>>24257970
Ooops, we miscalculated on that one. Dragons love titles; he'd love our list of titles.

>>24257989
Indeed.

"First and foremost, we had hoped for an ally in fighting Citadel, the Daughter of the Dead One.

We're also seeking information you have, on Citadel, the Dead One, their history, the Lantern, the coins, and how they came to be corrupted.

If the lantern coins have any hope of fighting Citadel, we would ask to borrow them from you. Not to keep; we would happily return them when the threat is vanquished, if possible. And uncorrupted, which would make them more valuable to you. [Only say that last part if the coins look the same as our coin; otherwise the coins might be untainted and he'd take offense at us saying otherwise.]

Last, but most dear, we have heard that Dragon's Blood is a powerful healing agent. We have two in desperate need of it, and one more who would benefit from it greatly, if it is a thing that you can share safely. That was the reason for our rushed trip here, though not our original reason for seeking you out.

I come bearing much information to trade, including information about a threat to your horde and your servants, and tales of the Dramatae."

(add more here about what else we can offer.)

>>24258034
>That reason specifically was the reason for our rush here
Replace that with "That reason specifically was the cause for our rush here". On account of me hating redundancy in my work.

>>24258011
"Information, knowledge only you would know. As well any of these lantern coins you may have." You take a deep breath. "And some of your blood."

A long rumble as Old One make a sound deep in its throat. "You ask for value, then for trash, and then...for what is unreturnable." The head goes forward and you see that Old One still has all of its teeth and they are VERY big and ALL of them are sharp. "Do you know what a Dragon's blood IS? It is more than just life, more than just something that keeps limbs moving, more than just a red drop. IT IS ME. You ask for blood...you ask me to give you a part of myself so that you may USE ME in anyway that YOU. See. Fit." The head rears up and the wings expand. Holy fuck, Old One looks WAY bigger with those wings unfolded. "NO ONE COMMANDS A DRAGON IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM!"

>>24258079
Echo why.... we had longer reasons.... echo...

>>24258094
Obviously, we spaghetti'd it in the sight of such a majestic dragon.

>>24258094
I think any mention of 'his' blood would set this off.

>>24258103
But that would be the first thing we posted, not the WORST WAY EVER to ask for anything.

>>24258079
Bow head, raise arms.

"I would never dare to try to command you! I merely laid out what I wanted from you, as you desired to know! And I was ignorant of the nature of Dragon's Blood. But you don't have to give me any of it! Just what you think information on a grave danger to you and your horde is worth!"

>>24258079
Trying to recover: "I am sorry, Old One; I would never presume. I did not mean to suggest that you would ever give us such a thing to do with as we wished. I had hoped to tell you precisely of our reasons, and leave the choice entirely in your hands. You and you alone command yourself; I can but explain and ask."

>>24258079
"If that is the way of things, so be it. Not all impossible tasks can be accomplished, and I'm not about to steal lifeblood from someone who isn't going to give it up willingly. I will speak no more on that subject, if you desire. Though, I take it you didn't find the other matters reprehensible?"

>>24258115
Add onto the last bit:

"Just what you think information on a grave danger to you and your horde is worth! I expect you know of the nature of this threat, but you might not know of their malicious intention towards you."

>>24258115
>>24258147
A bit too plaintive for me.
>>24258140
This too, but I prefer it to the previous one.

Though, I may just be biased towards my own.

>>24257993
>So basically we did come to talk to him.
>All the things we "want" are basically plans to disrupt those that would harm him.

This seems like the right approach to take. Make this something he would want; heck, make it his idea in the first place. An opportunity to disrupt his enemies and protect his horde, and if that should happen to help us in the process, we'd be eternally grateful.

>>24258094
Sorry, grabbed it early and had that blood rant ready.
>>24258140
>>24258140
"I am sorry, Old One; I would never presume. I did not mean to suggest that you would ever give us such a thing to do with as we wished. I had hoped to tell you precisely of our reasons, and leave the choice entirely in your hands. You and you alone command yourself; I can but explain and ask. And I would never ask for anything, without offering something in return. I ask for nothing more than just what you think information on a grave danger to you and your horde is worth! I expect you know of the nature of this threat, but you might not know of their malicious intention towards you."

Old One settles back down upon its gold horde. "Very well...if you wish those corrupted coins, they are yours. I have no use for trash.

"As for Information." Old One laughs, a sound that chills you to the bone. "Ahhh, now we may trade properly. Secrets are the best currency. Speak, of what do you wish to know from me?"

>>24258235
"All sorts of things. How bonding works, what specifically makes a degenerate so, any information you have on those trash coins.

But Primarily? History. Citadel records don't mention or go over what happened in the 30 years immediately prior to the creation of citadel, the stone tribe book's history ends before the date, and the phoenix empire's records are vague at best.

How was citadel formed?"

>>24258235
"The dark period of history before the founding of Citadel. The original form and purpose of the First Lantern, and the nature of its corruption. Your opinion on the Citadel and Dramatae situation. Where to find information on magic to shields one mind, as we are not as mighty as dragons and can fall prey to outside influences. How one may influence and change a land spirit like the Citadel. These are the secrets we desire to learn."

Cough.

"...And any information on that 'bonding' thing, the book wasn't too clear on some details."

>>24258235

"First and foremost, I had hoped for an ally in fighting Citadel, the Daughter of the Dead One. I have information to trade on its current activities, and those who serve it, the Dramatae. I'd like to learn more of its history, that of the Dead One, the Lantern and coins, and how they came to be corrupted.

I would also happily return the Lantern coins if I can uncorrupt them somehow, or find more that were never corrupted. We hope to use them to defeat Citadel and its servants.

I have many stories I can share, as well, if you are interested in those. We had many adventures getting this far, though I got the impression from your servants that you might have had some way of watching those adventures already."

>>24258278
"The only information I seek for myself, rather than to serve our common interest of defeating Citadel, would be more information on how to make my mate part of my horde and her part of mine; the bonding ritual spoken of in your book."

>>24258284
Don't forget "The nature of the so-called Fifth Dramatae."

>>24258284
>Where to find information on magic to shields one mind, as we are not as mighty as dragons and can fall prey to outside influences.

This too, definitely.

And in:
>>24258287
my intent in getting him to let us tell him stories would also be to tell him of the people we had hoped to use Dragon's Blood to cure, and help him see how it might be in his interests to do so, entirely of his own accord.

>>24258287
>Daughter of the Dead One
You know crazy thought. Peace.

Why? >>24256414
>but apparently Peace believes that living well is the best revenge...ungrateful little bitch.
Crazy thought or sleep deprivation, you decide!

>>24258284
>"...And any information on that 'bonding' thing, the book wasn't too clear on some details."

Heh, I like the phrasing here.

>>24258297
Good idea, since the Fifth directed both Tallow and us, and steered us towards the Old One.

>>24258318
This and several other theories about Peace has come up before. Citadel personified, the First Lightbringer, the equivalent of the Dragon who Was of Shadow's Children...

>>24258318
>but apparently Peace believes that living well is the best revenge...ungrateful little bitch.
Actually, that last remark makes it really likely that Peace was one of the Dragon's Daughters, and served the Dragon first. Then she switched sides to Citadel.

>>24258362
Peace is totally a dragon offshoot. Probably either dragon servant or full fledged "monster"

File: 1366023222070.jpg-(254 KB, 709x802, logos_coat_of_arms.jpg)

254 KB JPG

Do we have a personal coat of arms and motto yet?
Those are always fun.
Pic vaguely related.

>>24258287
"First and foremost, I had hoped for an ally in fighting Citadel, the Daughter of the Dead One. I have information to trade on its current activities, and those who serve it, the Dramatae, the nature of the so-called Fifth Dramatae. I'd like to learn more of its history, that of the Dead One, the Lantern and coins, and how they came to be corrupted. The Bear Tribe's book...YOUR book...ends before that date.

"I would also happily return the Lantern coins if I can uncorrupt them somehow, or find more that were never corrupted. Also, the original form and function of the First Lantern. We hope to use them to defeat Citadel and its servants.

"I have many stories, and secrets, I can share, as well, if you are interested in those. We had many adventures getting this far, though I got the impression from your servants that you might have had some way of watching those adventures already."

You cough and look to the side.

"The only information I seek for myself, rather than to serve our common interest of defeating Citadel, would be more information on how to make my mate part of my horde and her part of mine; the bonding ritual in your book."

You pause and let the moment pass.

"Those are the secrets I wish to know."

Old One closes his eye. "You are running up a VERY large list of things you WANT from ME." He opens his eye. "The bond ceremony? Ahh, yes...I remember that. That is no secret. I told my scribe the parts that a human could understand." He laughs. "You wish to share your life with your mate? There is nothing complicated or secret about it. You simply open your hearts to each other...and take a part of it from each other." He laughs once more. "There's not much to it. You've already bound your Servant to you in a similar way."

You blink, Mage said that he had to chew on another person to break his Uncle's control spell, and since you had a piece hanging off already he saw it as less gross. Turns out that there were some unknown side-effects.

>>24258395
(Great, how are we going to break the news to mage.

"We may have possibly dragon married and also given you partial immortality when you ate a bit of me back in the day, mage. Whoops?")

>>24258395
Is he going to continue or...

>>24258402
we both have to partake of each other, so no, we arent dragon-married to Mage, as we have not eaten his flesh.

>>24258416
>First thing when we leave
>"Hey Mage, I want your meat."

>>24258416
well, we did SOMEthing to him.

>>24258395
>>24258406
So should we continue negotiations, or is echo studiously typing away?

>>24258395
"Very well, for your price. That does NOT include the blood. THAT we must DISCUSS." Old One adjusts himself on his horde.

"Very well, I will ask for no little back and forth trade of secrets and stories. Grace has ears, they have heard you are an impatient thing. Rushing about...youth..." He growls. "Then I will ask for one thing."

"You." He looks at you. "You will forsake your claim to whatever Dragon gave birth to the first of you. You turn your back on any of the Leviathans who may say that their blood, or poisons are within you, you will be of MY line, and you will be of MY horde, and all that YOU have will be MINE." He adjusts. "I will ALLOW you to keep your little horde, but you MUST spread tale, that you are from Old One...and REMAIN pure. For ALL time, or I WILL hunt you DOWN. The other one is content to play guardian, and stay in her hovel. YOU are a Warrior, and a Champion, you will REMAIN one, and you will fight battles and glory FOR ME and IN MY NAME. YOUR name will also be changed, you REAL name...so that is it a part of MY name. That is how MY horde will grow. THAT is my price, and I will accept NONE. OTHER." He sniffs.

>>24258395
"Citadel is your enemy; it is the successor of the the Dead One, the Dragon who Was of Shadow, and it is a threat to your horde. The information we are asking would help us defeat that threat, which would serve both of our interests. Security for your horde and your servants is surely a valuable thing; it does little good to acquire and not protect. And we have further information to offer in service of that, as well as many other tales and secrets you might find valuable."

>>24258430
Sounds like the same kind of ritual used to bind a Dragon Servant. And Ghouls are descended from Dragon Servants, apparently.

>>24258445
>"Very well, I will ask for no little back and forth trade of secrets and stories. Grace has ears, they have heard you are an impatient thing. Rushing about...youth..." He growls. "Then I will ask for one thing."

Awww, I'd really hoped we could trade him stories. We do apparently have the time, since it's still the evening of the first day and we only need a few minutes to get back to town; we have the better part of a day to talk to Old One.

>>24258445
"So, basically...you adopt us? Sorta?"

"Does this mean that we won't be a Champion of the Light anymore, or can we champion both you and the Light?"

>>24258445
>The other one is content to play guardian, and stay in her hovel.

For one who values information so highly, he does casually drop tidbits of it.

>>24258463
Eh. Interest would make it worse. "It is a real shame we could not to business." and just walk out. Bugger that shit. Dragons are not servile in nature and it would be an affront to assume we would be too.

>>24258463
"So, basically...you adopt us? Sorta?"

Old One just growls.

"Does this mean that we won't be a Champion of the Light anymore, or can we champion both you and the Light?"

"What is this Light?" Old One asks. "Is it another Dragon? Whatever HE or SHE promises, I can offer to MAKE you GREATER. There are NONE who can be GREATER than the Old One's! Especially if they are such a WEAK Dragon that I have never HEARD of them. Tell me, WHAT is this Dragon that you serve that calls themselves The Light! Is their horde GREATER than mine?!"

>>24258430
we partially bound him as a Servant is what we did, and he is a Ghoul, a descendant of a fallen Dragons Servant.

>>24258445
i dont really want to be owned by the Old One.

>>24258475
I assume he means Granny, playing guardian to the lizardfolk at Stone Hall.

>>24258490
"Its a pseudo-nebulous concept of good that advocates progression and change."

>>24258490
>"What is this Light?" Old One asks. "Is it another Dragon? Whatever HE or SHE promises, I can offer to MAKE you GREATER. There are NONE who can be GREATER than the Old One's! Especially if they are such a WEAK Dragon that I have never HEARD of them. Tell me, WHAT is this Dragon that you serve that calls themselves The Light! Is their horde GREATER than mine?!"

Heh, this is a golden opportunity; let's not screw it up. Presumably he calls it a Dragon for the same reason the Dragon who Was of Shadow got its name: because of course nothing can be more powerful than a dragon.

>>24258492
I don't see it as being 'owned' so much as 'becoming a walking advertisement'

>>24258463
>>24258445
Dragons. Driving the hardest of bargains.

"A few terms I'd like to inspect- First, I know not my original line or name. I take it that either you do, or you care not for who may have founded it? Second, will championship be exclusive to you, or will I be allowed to continue my service of the light, and change? Third and finally- When there are no more battles, no more just foes to fight, what would you have me do? I'll not turn on innocents."

>>24258504
A bit late there.

>>24258490
>>24258494
>>24258499
"The light is neither the mightiest, nor the wealthiest, nor are the rewards given the most opulent. However, all it asks is that I help everyone, and regret truly when I fail."

>>24258504
He has no idea what Dragon you originate from. It's not him and their either dead or corrupt, so they naturally don't deserve any second thoughts.

>>24258517
This.

>>24258504
>>24258512
Well excuse me I was busy reading a bit earlier in the thread and totally not blubbering like an asshole baby at all.

>>24258490
Pull out the Medallion and show the Old One.

"I am a Paladin. I serve the Light."
>>24258517
This sounds perfect, and straight to the point.
But he also seemed to venerate change, and us as an agent of it, so we should mention that as one of its principles.

>>24258485
This is not the craziest of tactics. If we don't like the terms, "Then I'll leave you to protect your horde from an unknown threat greater than that of the Dead One, for it is Not Dead."

>>24258500
i would agree but for the little bit here.
>YOU are a Warrior, and a Champion, you will REMAIN one
great if your goal is eternal battle, but eventually we will want to settle down with Tricia, especially since she, even with the bonding, will not be immortal.

>>24258528
Indeed. I like the question here:
>>24258504
>When there are no more battles, no more just foes to fight, what would you have me do? I'll not turn on innocents.

>>24258528
I get the feeling that his response to this would be something along the lines of

'For a time you may settle down, yes, but you would not hesitate to dive back into it if you saw innocents suffering in front of you.'

>>24258525
"I am a Paladin. I serve the Light."

"Paladins killed many Corrupt Dragons." Old One says. It doesn't sound like it's upset about that, but it's hard to tell.

"The Light is neither the mightiest, nor the wealthiest, nor are the rewards given the most opulent. However, all it asks is that I help everyone, and regret truly when I fail."

"WHAT?!" Old One rears up again. "YOU! A BEING OF THE GREATEST OF THE GREATEST SERVE ANYTHING THAT IS LESSER TO ANY?! IT ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE AFTER FAILURE? EXPLAIN! NOW!"

In case it helps:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23701256/#p23709778
>The Teachings are long and flowery in their prose, but if you want to be like the Lightkeeper Priest who spoke the entire Teachings to the Conclave Student while he stood on one foot it goes as such.

>1) Love, Forgiveness, and Charity are the highest virtues
>2) Knowledge is never to be feared, Change is inevitable
>3) Evil is always a conscious choice.
>4) Treat others as you would yourself
>5) His Light is the way, grant him your reverence.

>>24258550
>Title achieved: Dragon Confuser

>>24258550
In a gale, blades of grass bend, but the oldest and most stubborn trees can only break. There is a unique strength in humility.

>>24258541
I somewhat doubt he gives a crap about innocents, the /tg/ d&d saying; Wizards! No sense of Right or Wrong!, probably applies to what are basically the worlds most egotistical wizards with scales and wings.

>>24258566
...you seriously think dragons even know the word 'humility?'

>>24258578
Not at all. I want to confuse him more.

>>24258550
I serve the Light because it gave me a the chance to become what you see before you. And it allows me to become greater still when those who would see me break rally against me. I serve it because the one who raised me served it. I serve it because it is Light against those who would drown the world in Darkness.

Without it, without Father who served it, I would be just another corrupted Beautiful One.

>>24258550
"Failure is important to the bringing about of change. In seeing where I have failed, and learning from it, I can hope to do better in the future."

And then this

>>24258566

>>24258550
"Beings like the Dead One seek to control others, and I would never serve one such as that. The Light guides but does not control; it helps but does not do all for its servants."

(more explanation of its principles go here, but especially "evil is always a conscious choice" and "knowledge is never to be feared, change is inevitable".)

>>24258578
The metaphor might not be lost on it.

>>24258587
>>24258590
Both of these are very well said.

This is a very good feel I am getting from this conversation.

Very "beast meets preacher"

>>24258550
Now the question becomes, how to explain the light to him. The Cliff notes version may work. Explaining that it is a way a life that is credited with the defeat of the Dragon Who Was of Shadow.
And that because of the light, it is how I became what you see now.

>>24258601
Well, we'll stick to our current stick. If he says "EXPLAIN IT AGAIN IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE" one more time, then we switch tacks.

>>24258550
"It is not any one master- It is a code of conduct, and a way of life. A method of conducting yourself. "

This explanation is auxillary to other explanations, and should be used if necessary in addition to them.

... i wish I could draw at all, I just had an image of this enourmous dragon rearing over a lamia with complete befuddlement on its face.

>>24258591
"Beings like the Dead One seek to control others, and I would never serve one such as that. The Light guides but does not control; it helps, but does not do all for its servants.

"I serve the Light because it gave me a the chance to become what you see before you. And it allows me to become greater still when those who would see me break rally against me. I serve it because the one who raised me served it. I serve it because it is Light against those who would drown the world in Darkness.

"Without it, without Father who served it, I would be just another corrupted Beautiful One.

"As for my failures. The Light knows that failure is important to the bringing about of change. In seeing where I have failed, and learning from it, I can hope to do better in the future."

"What does this Light demand from you? Tribute?"

"Adherence to the Teachings."

"Ahhh, OBEDIENCE. THAT I respect. What are its commands to YOU?"

"KNOW that Love, Forgiveness, and Charity are the HIGHEST virtues. ACCEPT that Knowledge is NEVER to be feared, change is INEVITABLE. Evil is always a conscious choice, and must NEVER be taken. Treat others as I would myself, hordes and all. His Light is the way and I give Him my reverence." You touch your Medallion. "Amen." (You give a quick apology in your head for the OTT dragon flourishes, but needs must...plus it was funny.)

Old One closes his eye and makes the rumbling noise again. "WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THIS DRAGON'S HORDE?"

>>24258633
Hmm I'm tempted to say it has none because it needs none.

"It is no Dragon, and therefore has no Horde, It is simply a code of conduct in which to follow during life."

>>24258633
"Nonexistant. Though its followers will allocate and distribute treasures on their own, in ways that advance the teachings or help each other. For instance, my horde could have been much larger, but a good portion of it went to rebuilding a damaged city."

>>24258645
Say this, but add on if the Dragon protests "I suppose if you want to get technical...the entire Paladin order and Church are its servants, and by proxy those who follow those two orders too."

>>24258633
>Old One closes his eye and makes the rumbling noise again. "WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THIS DRAGON'S HORDE?"

Oh, this is going to be good.

"No mere silver and gold, but the obedience and respect of millions. Humans, dwarves, elves. And one lamia. Those who respect it are treated well, its servants treated as some of the highest-respected positions in society. Its most fervent believers hope only to earn an eternal place at its side, and to improve the world in the process."

>>24258648
Anything with this much power *must* be a dragon and *must* have a horde.

>>24258657
swap obedience with adherence. It gives room for interpretation.

>>24258666
Fair point.

I just am super pleased with whatever way this conversation is going to go.

>>24258657
So... Technically, we are a servant of a Dragon which has millions of servants, a horde consisting of an entire economy and which happens to be not only truly immortal but incorruptible.

>>24258657
sounds the best. its horde is power over people. something a dragon can respect. its servants are given reverence.

>>24258677
I think this is impressive enough.

>>24258677
And this dragon both doesn't punish us for failing and has very lenient commandments, yes.

>>24258657
"No mere silver and gold, but the adherence and respect of millions. Humans, dwarves, elves. And one lamia. Those who respect it are treated well, its servants treated as some of the highest-respected positions in society. Its most fervent believers hope only to earn an eternal place at its side, and to improve the world in the process."

Old One makes that growling noise again. "Who has this Dragon defeated? There were those that sought to take this horde. Who has fallen before it? Apart from those Paladins...Servants, I see now...who were doing PEST CONTROL. Dealing with the chaff, WHO has this Light defeated to protect such a...respectable horde?"

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77 KB PNG

>>24258677
The surprise twist ending of Lamia Quest: The Light is actually a literal Dragon.

A Platinum Dragon, if you will.

>>24258695
"According to our histories, the Dead One, through its servant the Lightbringer."

>>24258695
"The Dead One."

>>24258677
The dragon may be, but its servants are not. Odette for example.

>>24258695
Tens of thousands of ignorant, wrathful or otherwise wicked people have been undone in order to defend its hoard and Servants, many of these victories having been achieved without bloodshed, such is the wisdom of The Light.

>>24258695
"It's claimed that the one defeated was the one who is still dying in these mountains to this day. The dead one, I believe your servant called it? Well, not it specifically. The tale goes that the servants of the light revealed their foe for what it was, and the foe's own servants tore it down and flocked to the light.

Our interest in the 30 years before citadel is keenly related to this, since while the people of citadel give deference and thanks to "the light", truly follow something more sinister. One I am unsure how to name. I've been calling it Citadel, as it seems part and parcel of the nation and city itself."

>>24258695
Some of its earliest followers drove out and killed the Dead One, the Dragon who Was of Shadow, and the Dead One's followers and children, for threatening the Light and its way of life.

And the Light's followers do the same to others who rule with hate or seek to control and subjugate others.

Its followers dedicate every battle against evil, every positive change, every end to war and pestilence. We are among its followers, calling ourselves the Caligo Clarus; we bring Light to the Darkness."

>>24258705
Well, of course not; a Dragon's servants cannot hope to be as incorruptible as the Dragon itself.

>>24258717
This this this.

>>24258722
It's a bit unclear- add in "the dead one" and "the light" where necessary.

>>24258717
>"It's claimed that the one defeated was the one who is still dying in these mountains to this day. The dead one, I believe your servant called it? Well, not it specifically. The tale goes that the servants of the light revealed their foe for what it was, and the foe's own servants tore it down and flocked to the light.

Oh, well done.

>>24258695
"I think you do not quite understand the nature of Light. It is not a dragon in any sense of the word, nor another willful entity, but the concept of resistance to corruption, the preservation of purity. The cause of betterment to the benefit of all."

>>24258739
No, you don't understand.

Anything that's got THAT much influence MUST be a Dragon. Its a pride thing. Maybe a language thing now too.