>>28579466
Those guys are fools. Stealth won't do shit.
I say we just go full balls deep in, ask them politely, and go from there.

>>28579466
>> Ask the other two priests what they think
Seem like the most sensible choice.

Agree with the Rain priest. Technically they're not expecting us to do anything we weren't planning to do anyway, so it doesn't hurt us to play along for now.

Ahhhh shit, time to get my spank on.

Could we assassinate the leader of the footman school and replace him with someone loyal to us disguised as their old leader through sand magic?

>>28579466
>Find Nakurtum and ask her opinion.

She knows more about the Warrior schools than everyone else here and she's the closest thing to trustworthy we have. She may present us with more options, or polish some of the existing options.

File: 1385832051483.png-(254 KB, 810x720, 547b18242c02553c537d8189e(...).png)

254 KB PNG

>>28579466
"What do the rest of you think we should do?"

The Sand Priest smiles. "If we found the hostages and released them on our own, that would be amusing, wouldn't it? Especially if they think they still have them the next time we move on them. I will put my research on hold and begin the search for them instead.
The Blood Priest shakes his head. "We do nothing. This changes nothing. It's only a distraction. They won't dare harm their hostages, and we have nothing to gain in tempting them to try. We should send Hunzuu to the dig site where the adventurers found the relic that created her. The last scout I sent there never returned."

> One of those plans sounds good.
> They're all idiots. The obvious thing to do is just show up at their barracks and ask nicely to see your friends.
> Tell them to bring in Nakurtum. SHe'll have a good plan.

>>28579466
>>> Ask the other two priests what they think

>>28579605
Ask nicely. They're not going to be stupid enough to say no. If they act dumb, we can just spit up a fuss until they let us see them.
I don't want to be paranoid, but there is a chance that the footmen don't actually have our friends.

>>28579605
Blood priest is right, but I would prefer it if we kept an eye on them.

Could we send a spy to make sure the hostages are alright?

>Send Hunzuu to the dig site.

>>28579605
Got to agree with the Blood Priest on this one.

They wont do anything because if they did bad things would happen.

>>28579466
I'm leaning towards a combination of Rain and Gold.

I'm thinking of Diplomacy With Force.

If we could gather enough forces, we could bully them into handing over their leaders.

We make an example out of them to establish a position of strength while, at the same time, offering generous terms and a promise of cooperation to their replacements.

Before we decide anything though, we should ask Nakurtum.

Wasn't she a Master of a Warrior School? She should be able to provide insight.

>>28579605
Ze blood priest knows where it's at.

....You know....i'm suprised we havn't asked for their names yet. Well besides the sand priest since who knows if he would be telling the truth.

>>28579666
Nakurtum was of the adventurers not the Warriors.

>>28579605
>Tell them to bring in Nakurtum.

I don't think we should just ignore it. This is hardly their first move. They've been in the process of making a power grab for a while now.

It's possible they grabbed our friends now because they're about to pull some shit.

>>28579692
The Adventurers School is (was) one of the Warrior Schools.

Just like the Footmen School. Slingers School. Ect..

>>28579645
>>28579673
Mostly, but we probably should ask them if we can check on the hostages, just to put pressure on them. As long as we're not threatening about it we can't really come across as unreasonable given how they tried to spin this.

File: 1385833030730.jpg-(215 KB, 482x500, pic213587_md.jpg)

215 KB JPG

>>28579605
It hurts to think you're abandoning your friends, but knowing you started a war in the streets would hurt more. "I don't mind going to the dig site. Can we make sure they're treating my friends all right, though?"

The Sand Priest bows to you, "I will make it my first priority."

"No, I mean we as in me. I want to know if they'll show them to me willingly."

The Sand Priest rolls his eyes. "I can tell you now that they won't. If they put them within sight of you, what can they do to keep you from freeing them? Do they have walls you can't break, guards you can't kill? No, the only cage they have is secrecy."

> Fine, just send your spies or whatever.
> I don't believe that. I'm going myself.
> I'm asking Nakurtum about all this.

>>28579605
This may or may not be a good option but I'll vote for it because of the character.

She's a 12 year old girl worried about her friends.

>Go over there /demand/ to see them and make sure they're all right. Make examples of the highest ranking people we can spot until we get results.

>>28579807
>> Fine, just send your spies or whatever.

As much as it pains me, he's right.

>>28579807
Regardless of what option we pick in the end.

>We should ask Nakurtum about all this.

Assuming she doesn't offer information that changes this.

>Fine, send your spies or whatever. But I'm still going there myself to show them I'm serious.

>>28579807
"I know they don't trust me enough to let me see. I want to see how many excuses they can make when I ask"

>>28579807
Anu, in previous threads you've mentioned Hunzuus' Human arms and torso are a bit stronger than they used to be but nothing super-human.

What else can you tell us? Are her bones as strong as her carapace? Does she have a flexible layer of chitin under her human-flesh?

Or is she just Human norm?

I expect Nakurtum would have tested this as best she could during training and we should really know this before we pick any fights.

Our Scorpion body might be unstoppable but if they can just kill us with a spear to the head/heart like any normal Human.... We need to know this.

File: 1385834651694.jpg-(144 KB, 476x706, 7f3baa8d420f2ec0474ff235b(...).jpg)

144 KB JPG

>>28579807
"I'm going. Do whatever else you want, but I'm going. I'l be back soon."

The priests immediately start bickering among themselves. You go off to tell Nakurtum about your plan. You find her in her small, bare room, taking the chance to sleep in. Her red arm twitches in her sleep and grasps at nothing.

You gently shake her awake. "Nakurtum? Sorry to bother you. But I have to know what I'm getting into. The Footmen took my friends. I"m going to go and ask to see them."
Nakurtum rubs the sleep from her eyes. "And you want to know what they're like? I've known some of them. They're a proud lot. Their commander is a fat old man, but he's got a hell of a body count. He extracted the first tributes from Turtak way back in the day by painting the city red. They want you on their side, I'm sure. They want everyone on their side." She yawns. "And who's to say they're wrong? I'm bound to this place, but you're not."

>>28579985
Your skin is tougher than human skin but bruises and eventually breaks under repeated impacts from normal weapons. You can take hits to your human half, but not forever. The toughness of your bones has not been tested.

> Help me get my best armor on.
> I'm going to be nice to them. Help me get my most innocent-looking dress on.

>>28580153
Why not both?
Get best armour on and be nice.

>>28580153
>I'm going to be nice to them. Help me get my most innocent-looking dress on.
Soft pressure here. Remember, they're trying not to make this look like a hostage situation.

>>28579807
Sending a spy to find them seems like the best option for now but it can't hurt to ask Nakurtum. She might have other ideas.

>Ask Nakurtum and send your spies.

>>28580153
>> Help me get my best armor on.
Preferably, one with spikes and skulls.

>>28580153
>Help me get my best armor on

>>28580169
Seconded.

We're a Scorpion Monster. A frilly dress isn't going to do crap for making us less scary.

Do our best to look spiffy in our best armour. Dress to Impress.

>>28580153
I haz an idea!

The Pyramid doesn't have a proper armoury. We've just been making do until they get something made for us.

I bet the Palace has a well stocked armoury.
Maybe we could agree to show support by wearing the Royal Crest or something, in exchange for providing us some nice gear.

Also, the implications that we have the backing of the Pyramid & Wizards School and the Palace & Charioteers School could lend a lot of clout to any demands we make.

Also, we're an unstoppable monster. That has some clout in its own right.

File: 1385835834659.jpg-(155 KB, 500x750, fe4dcad104ab1e1185d7b069a(...).jpg)

155 KB JPG

>>28580153
"Help me get my armor on. The scary kind."

Nakurtum throws some clothes on herself, then retrieves the scariest-looking breastplate from the vault, the one with the little silver skulls on it, along with a lot of padding to make it fit properly. Your custom suit of armor isn't complete yet, but you do have a helmet made just for you.

Nakurtum tightens the last strap on your armor and pats you on the side. "Good luck, kid. I'm pulling for you."

The Great Priests appear to still be at their meeting when you ask to leave the pyramid. The gatekeepers obey you with some reluctance, hoping that another attack doesn't happen while you're out.

You know your way around the streets well enough to find the Footman's School on your own. It started as a large, stout building, and it got even larger by absorbing some of the houses around it, connecting them with bridges and altering them to be more defensible.

You quickly see dozens of eyes on you, looking down from the roof, from the high arrow-slits, from buildings on the other side of the street. A female voice calls out, "Let her in!"

When the gate slides open, its source comes into view. It's the sweet-talking "farmer's daughter" you met during the selection ceremony. She has gold ornaments in her hair and two long knives hanging from her waist. "Hunzuu, our honored guest. Can I get you something to eat or drink?"

> Yes, please. I like raw flesh best.
> Yes, please. I'll have a little of whatever you're having.
> You! I knew something was up with you. And you almost got away with it, too.
> My friends. Now.

>>28580350
>You! I knew something was up with you. And you almost got away with it, too.

"I want to know if my friends are being treated properly."

>>28580350
>> My friends. Now.

>>28580350
We didn't come here to talk with some peon!

>Take me to your leader.

Ask nicely at first. Ask not-nicely if we have to.
We will achieve nothing unless we can talk to someone who matters.

File: 1385836980061.jpg-(550 KB, 850x1124, sample_af3aae421c8fd367db(...).jpg)

550 KB JPG

>>28580350
"No thank you. I just need to know that my friends are being treated properly."

She leads you into a room lined with training dummies and a map of the city carved in stone with wet clay markers stuck into it. Her melodic voice takes some of the ominous edge off of her words. "Oh, they are. I made sure of it myself. They want for nothing. Our own commander will starve before they do, I swear it. We recognized that someone would try to get to you through them if you kept having priests send them things, so we granted them our protection. The priests exposed them but left them totally undefended. I'm sorry they don't seem to care about you as much as we do."

> About that commander. Where is he?
> She's stalling. Let's see our friends already.
> You know, you have to admit she has a point. Ask to see our friends, but also admit that the priests don't really care about your feelings that much.

>>28580525
>> About that commander. Where is he?

>>28580525
>> She's stalling. Let's see our friends already.
I SAID FRIENDS. NOW.

>>28580525
>About that commander. Where is he? Ask about her too.

"You were almost chosen in my place. Did you want this? Why did they send you?"

Just ask her a few harmless-sounding personal questions. Fish for information.

Maybe we'll get lucky and she's the Commanders daughter or something.

We could 'invite' her to stay with us at the Pyramid for a while.

>>28580525
> About that commander. Where is he?

>>28580525
"We both know what's really happening here. You recognized someone would try to get the me through them, and you thought it might as well be you"

>>28580525
"If anything the guilt falls entirely on me, I should have told the acolytes to be discreet when sending food to them."

File: 1385838145954.jpg-(21 KB, 298x425, hammurabic-warrior-and-ak(...).jpg)

21 KB JPG

>>28580525
"About that commander. Where is he?"

"Ninurta-Nasir wasn't sure you'd come. But I was. Let's go see him."

She gives you a little tour of the barracks as you work your way up to the command center.

"You were almost chosen in my place. Did you want this? Why did they send you?"

She sighs sweetly. "I'll admit, yes, did. I wanted it for the same reason they sent me. Because I hoped I could end the feud between our school and the priesthood and make the city that much safer. I remain a little jealous. You ended up very beautiful, if I may say so."

"Yes, but... why you? Are you related to one of them?"

"Just a good friend. My name is Iltani."

The commander, a scarred, weatherbeaten man with a pot belly, finds you and Iltani in the halls while you're looking for him. "They let her come! Very good. Is she only interested in understanding our gift to her, or would she like to talk about working together with us?"

> I'm open to the idea of working together. This city could use more cooperation, honestly.
> I'll work with you when you work with the king.
> I don't know about all this bargaining stuff. I'm just a lonely little girl...
> You're all pretty awful. Just give me my friends or things will get ugly.

>>28580724
What are you trying to do here.

>>28580724
> I don't know about all this bargaining stuff. I'm just a lonely little girl...

>>28580724
>I don't know about all this bargaining stuff. I'm just a lonely little girl...

>>28580724
>> I'm open to the idea of working together. This city could use more cooperation, honestly.

>>28580724
>I'm open to the idea of working together. This city could use more cooperation, honestly.

We can hear him out for now. "How would you want to work together? What are you trying to do?"

If we've got the Commander in our reach, 'inviting' him to come see the Pyramid with us is a realistic option.

Depending on what he says here, we could use him as a hostage of our own.

>>28580724
> I'm open to the idea of working together. This city could use more cooperation, honestly.

>>28580807

I don't think he'd be stupid enough to come along with us.

>>28580844
You didn't notice the quote marks on 'invite' did you.

If he's in our reach, he doesn't have any say in the matter.

>>28580724
>turn to Iltani
"you know, you never told me just how you planned to end the feud"

fuckin' hell, I slept in, what'd I miss

>>28580870

we're not impervious to weapons and we're deep in unfriendly territory, that and they have the orphan kids.

File: 1385839177304.jpg-(8 KB, 168x299, scale-armor.jpg)

8 KB JPG

>>28580724
"I'm open to the idea of working together. This city could use more cooperation, honestly. What are you trying to do?"

Ninurta-Nasir gestures for you to follow him into a nearby room, where he was half-finished with a heavy meal. "Let's be honest. We are Ligish's army. The rest are posers and troublemakers. The priests hold on to you, not because they are most qualified to command you, but just because they consider you their property. What I really want is for us to exchange information with them. They show us how they got this new magic and how to use it. We take charge of making future... special people like you. And in return, we put the priests in charge of judging those we capture during our patrols. A proper court system, by the grace of the gods. Their own people can share the nights with us. And of course, you'd live with us. And your friends."

> They won't like this.
> They'll love this! [incredibly baldfaced lie]
> I'll give them the offer. Friends now, please?
> You think I don't see what you're up to? I should sting you to death right now.

>>28580920
>"I never asked for this and I don't think anyone should. Magic is dangerous and you should stay the hell away from it, not to mention that Priests will NEVER teach it to anyone outside of their circle, me included"

>>28580955
This.

>>28580920
The priests don't teach magic yo. They straight up do not. I'll mention the offer, though, if it means you're going to let me see my friends.

>>28580955
That sounds about right.
Add in a threat of "Friends now or I get stabby" and we're fine

>>28580920
We will give them the offer, but I doubt they will like it and maybe add the part from >>28580955 about them most likely never teaching anyone outside their circle.

Of course they will teach us sooner or later.

>>28580955

this with: >I'll give them the offer. Friends now, please?

>>28580920
>I'm not promising anything but I'll give them the offer. But first, I want to see my friends, to see if they're okay."

He probably won't show us but it can't hurt to try.

Right now I'm leaning towards kidnapping him.
Leave a message with the girl saying "He won't be hurt as long as I hear nothing about my friends being hurt."

Then we just walk directly through the fucking walls like Japanese paper-divides.

The shortest route out of this place without even breaking stride. Like a Boss.

>>28581005

there will be guards on us like white on rice, probably.

>>28580985
>Of course they will teach us sooner or later
Do we even need it?
So far we know that blood magic is too impractical, requiring lot of time and sacrifices, and sand magic can backfire SO FUCKING HARD.
Considering the setting, rain magic is probably rain summoning rituals, mainly, to substain agriculture
What else, gold magic? Probably related to money
Maybe bronze, but I'm not sure

>>28580955
>>28581005
Vote for a combo of these two.

>>28581005
I am 100% for walking directly through the wall if we wind up having to kidnap their boss.

Because seriously.

SERIOUSLY.

Don't kidnap our friends.

>>28581012
We can just go full Jackie Chan with "I don't want any trouble"

>>28581012
Only organised, fortified, defensive positions could hope to stop us leaving.

If we just take a short-cut directly through the walls, they won't have any such positions set up.

Also, we would be holding a hostage. That greatly limits their options.

>>28581005
>Then we just walk directly through the fucking walls
That makes me think
We should really learn how to run fast. And order such equipment: shields on our claws and a tower shield for our human half. We become the pain train

>>28581073
we don't need shields on our claws, all that would do is make the pain train slightly less painful for the enemy.
A tower shield for the human would be aces though, and I am in support of that paintrain plan

speaking of:

>>28580920
How healed it our hurt claw? It's been a few weeks, but as I understand it, exoskeleton is like a skeleton. It might still be quite tender

>>28581037
>>28581040
>>28581065

I hope you guys realize that they also have hostages. Do we really want to risk it?

>>28581073
Scorpion physiology question, can they run sideway like crabs?

File: 1385840161869.jpg-(56 KB, 254x450, q6557159.jpg)

56 KB JPG

>>28580920
"I never asked for this and I don't think anyone should. Magic is dangerous and you should stay the hell away from it, not to mention that Priests will NEVER teach it to anyone outside of their circle, me included!"

Ninurta-Nasir goes red in the face. "Making monsters has nothing to do with commanding them! Those old fools will ruin this city with you, destroy all we've worked so hard to build up! They've already worked their lies into you. If they won't give us what we need to defend our people, we'll find someone who will! You the the that! You tell that blood-drinker right to his ugly face!"

"You're not helping..." Iltani sidles up to Ninurta-Nasir and touches his face. "We want to be fiends with Hunzuu. She has a good heart. She'll come around. Come this way, Hunzuu dear. We've split up your friends, but the youngest are here with us. Come and see them." You get the feeling that she's yielding ground to prevent you from getting angry right back at him.

> "Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."
> "We can still make an offer than everyone will agree to. The priests might give you future monsters they've already made."
> Grab the commander and bust out of here. Oh yeah!

>>28581005
>>28581037
>>28581065
Why are you so eager to antagonize our hero before everybody?

>>28581093
If we broke their base and kidnapped one of their own for just kidnapping, do you think they'd have the balls to outright kill them?

>>28581107
sounds like a good idea, theoretically. But we don't need it, since they're letting us see some of our friends.

>>28581102
See our friends. It's why we came here and the only thing we give a shit about here.

>>28581102
>> "Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."
I don't trust that guy.

>>28581102
Good, good. Friendship time. Ask them if they've been mistreated in any way. If they have, cause a scene.

>>28581102
> "Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."
Optional:
>"Am I a monster? Do I kidnap children and keep them as political hostages?"

>>28581102
>>28581121
>>28581122
let's maybe take off our scary helmet if we are seeing them

>>28581102
before we go, say something along the lines of
"I didn't mind working with you guys before you took my friends. That worm thing was a success."

>>28581102
You split them up? Unsplit them.

>>28581102
>"Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."

Taking action is still an option after this but we should see them.

>>28581096
Hunzuu can, yes. She worked that out a few weeks ago when getting to grips with her new body.

>>28581102

this smells like 5 different kinds of trap.

good to know they see us as a monster, how ungrateful.

>"Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."

but be ready to bust out of there though.
>>28581132
>"Am I a monster? Do I kidnap children and keep them as political hostages?"

is also acceptable.

>>28581152
Seconded. Say this.

>>28581156
If they were all together, we could just bust this place open and free them all. They split them to prevent that. At most we could get the few here.

We should ask how they are and when they last saw the others. If they're okay too.

honestly, they should leave monster production in the hands of the magical specialists.
I wouldn't mind working with these guys in combat, maybe even doing some training with them occasionally too. But they're silly if they think the best person to command us is footmen.
Heck, it would probably be the charioteers or horsemen or something, as our tactics would be similar.

>>28581218
That's why you tell them to unsplit
or do you not want higher chances of rescue

>>28581238
Yeah, but that's why they *won't* unsplit them.

>>28581254
Doesn't hurt to ask, they're already letting us see them when they didn't plan on it.

File: 1385841017493.jpg-(148 KB, 1158x689, dungeon_level_2___level_c(...).jpg)

148 KB JPG

>>28581102
You've had enough of this guy. "Good! Let's go. It's what I'm here for."

Ninurta-Nasir keeps shouting to you as you and Iltani leave him. "You tell them! Their advantage is only temporary! We will break them!"

Iltani lays a hand on your flank as she walks with you. "Forgive him, Hunzuu. He is impatient. He knows the time is short. He knows about Pazuzu."

"Wait, who?"

"Oh, look, here we are!" She shooes away a line of guards and leads you into an underground storeroom. Six of the poorhouse's infants and toddlers are here, along with Ettu, the blind nursemaid, and some servants you're not familiar with. Ettu was always pretty nice to you. The other nurses and the landlord would always nag you that you were getting too old to stay there and had to find your way in the world, but Ettu was more like a proper mother figure.

>>28581096
You can. You've been practicing.

>>28581090
The shell is still a little thinner there, but it's healed.

> Clawhugs!
> Wait, no. No clawhugs.
> "Back up. Tell me about Pazuzu and why it's such a big deal."

>>28581286
>wait, no clawhugs
Just normal clawhugs, as they are infants.

Greet Ettu. We missed her. We can talk about pazuzu after glorious re-unions.

>>28581286
> Wait, no. No clawhugs.

>>28581286
>"Back up. Tell me about Pazuzu and why it's such a big deal."

>>28581286

>Wait, no. No clawhugs.

"Hi Ettu, It's me, Hunzuu. Are they treating you properly?"

let's not have her get to close yet.

>>28581286
>pazuzu?

Pazuzu
What the fuck is a Pa-
Oh jesus christ the worm was one of our friends wasn't it

Pazuzu is a well known humanoid bird demon with incredible magical power. I don't think that it was the maggot.

Its probably the monstrous protector of another city.

>>28581286
>Ask how they are. No clawhugs yet, they're probably a bit freaked out about us.

After we've seen to them, have Iltani take us back to the Commander.

"Maybe he's calmed down now. Maybe we can make some sort of agreement."

>Ask her about this Pazuzu thing on the way back.

I'm still leaning towards kidnapping him. He's a fucking dick.

"I promise he won't be hurt as long as my friends are safe. But every time I hear they've been hurt, I'll cut something off and deliver it here personally. And I'll level part of your building every time I visit."

>Then leave directly through the walls. Like a Boss.

>>28581366
Oh. So since time is short, we have to kill the bird thing soon? Oh joy.
But grim monster fights can wait, talk to our friends.

>>28581286
> Wait, no. No clawhugs.
> "Back up. Tell me about Pazuzu and why it's such a big deal."

>>28581366
It wouldn't be the first time someone mispronounced the magic words.

File: 1385841946558.png-(460 KB, 600x750, d9c563705e55f665acb40a2da(...).png)

460 KB PNG

>>28581286
Of course, the little ones all scream and flee when they see you. Ettu sighs in resignation, pretty sure that something bad has come for them all.

"It's me! Hunzuu! I came to make sure they're treating you well."

Ettu loosens her grip on the orphan she has in one arm. "Oh, it's you. They say they turned you into a giant scorpion."

"Yes, they did."

"You'll forgive me for not hugging you, then."

"Of course. But how are you?"

"Still alive. They feed us, let us walk around the rooms a little. We're the ones they think are harmless. I can only imagine what happened to the others."

> "Bring the others all together again. I want them to see that it's still me." [Once they're together again,escape with them by force.]
> If they still have the others, they don't need you. I'm negotiating for the release of everyone here."
> "I'm glad they're not hurting you. Be brave. I'll convince them to let you go in time. Because I really am the savior of the city now."

>>28581461
I want to see the other and I want to know who this Pazuzu fella is.

>>28581461
I'm glad they're not hurting you. We'll get you freed as soon as we can.

Uh- what happened to all the food I sent? Did you guys get to enjoy it at least?

>>28581461
>No really, what the fuck is Pazuzu?

>>28581461
>"I'm glad they're not hurting you. Be brave. I'll convince them to let you go in time. Because I really am the savior of the city now."

"The other better be safe as well Iltani." preferably want to have a look but we need to find out more about this Pazuzu.

>>28581516
Hey anon. That's the naive option.
He put it there to ruse us.

>>28581461
Why don't we see the others, while you tell me about this Pazuzu fella?

>>28581461
> "I'm glad they're not hurting you.
>No really, what the fuck is Pazuzu?

>>28581461
See if we can calm the kids down and convince them we're friendly. But if it's not working and we're just freaking them out, leave.

>"I'm glad they're not hurting you. Be brave. I'll convince them to let you go in time."

Then I vote for something like this >>28581388

Get info on this Pazuzu thing and grab a hostage of our own the balance the scales a little.

>>28581558
Well, we could indeed "ask" Iltani to come with us as a "guest".

>>28581600
No, I'm saying we "invite" the Commander to be our "guest".

He would be a far more valuable "guest".

File: 1385843109674.jpg-(149 KB, 400x634, 4b86d0af98f29525175eefcb1(...).jpg)

149 KB JPG

>>28581461
"I'm glad they're not hurting you. We'll get you freed as soon as we can. Did you at least get the food I sent you?"

"Oh yes. The first night it came was a very happy surprise. We were able to set aside what we usually had to spend on grain, we were talking about making some repairs to the place. We just got used to letting people in with food. Until some men came in with food but came out with all of us."

Ettu nods and tells you about her time here as you call out to the toddlers and ask them if they remember you. You recount the times you had together, which is enough to make some of them peek out from behind sacks and clay jars. Ettu adds, "You know, when I heard they were making you volunteer to be turned into something, I thought, you know, maybe it'll end up for the best. Maybe she'll be able to help people. She's got a good heart, that Hunzuu. She won't grow up fast as she'll need to, but a good heart."

"I hope so." You call Iltani closer, who's been watching slyly from a distance. "Now what's that you were saying about Pazuzu?"

Iltani comes up alongside you, brushing her hand across your four right legs as she goes. She's very touchy. "Pazuzu is the monster whose name makes all other monsters flee. They buried him under earth and water. But he'll be back. I see it in my dreams. We have to be ready."

"I don't suppose I can see the others, can I?"

"They're far away. We're under orders not to have them all together. For safety's sake."

> Thank her for doing what she could. Promise you'll do all you can to get the city read for any attack
> Escape by force with [Iltani/your friends/the commander/all of the above] in tow

>>28581701
>thank her for doing what she could, promise you'll protect the city from attack

Also: Do let them out to wander. You're GUARDING them, yes? That means that you move with them, not them moving with you.

>>28581701
"Take me back to the Commander. Maybe he's calmed down now and we can work something out."

>Threat of brutal reprisals if they hurt the hostages. Kidnapping. Epic escape through the walls. Ect..

>>28581701
Safety?
I don't know who's safety it's supposed to be for. Definitely not yours.

>>28581701
>Thank her for doing what she could. Promise you'll do all you can to get the city read for any attack

>>28581809

mostly to protect themselves from us.

>>28581701
Have them realize that their safety is now tied to the safety of these hostages.

then

> Thank her for doing what she could. Promise you'll do all you can to get the city read for any attack

>>28581701
> Thank her for doing what she could. Promise you'll do all you can to get the city read for any attack

>>28581701
Didn't we give them a blue crown as "evidence"? I would love to see that again.

>>28581883
We kept that. It's ours now.

>>28581701
>Thank her for doing what she could. Promise you'll do all you can to get the city read for any attack
>Say, you wouldn't object if I had a quick chat with your commander again before I leave, would you?

File: 1385844010685.jpg-(278 KB, 650x1114, 2eb8330cf03c6e8ca966d3346(...).jpg)

278 KB JPG

>>28581701
"Well, thanks for letting me see my friends. I promise I'll protect the city no matter what. I'm glad you want everyone to be ready."

Iltani smirks and gestures back the way you came. "Let's see if our dear commander has calmed down. I find that keeping him from flying off the handle is the hardest part of getting us all ready."

> Tell him you'll try to convince the priests to trade with the Footmen once they've made more monsters like you. A balance of power will keep more stupid shit like this from happening.
> Kidnap the commander. For safety's sake.

>>28581903
>You bring the crown back up to the others and tell them about the sarcophagus. The Gold Priest waves his hand over it, touches the glass beads he wears around his neck, then decides that it probably isn't cursed but probably is from before the Flood. The patrolman want to take it away, and he gives them permission. Too bad. Maybe you'll take that crown back again one day.

I'm pretty sure we didn't

File: 1385844106158.jpg-(88 KB, 640x760, Pazuzu.jpg)

88 KB JPG

>>28581903
>>28581925
>> Tell him you'll try to convince the priests to trade with the Footmen once they've made more monsters like you. A balance of power will keep more stupid shit like this from happening.
hmmm delicious brown girl

>>28581925
>Kidnap the commander. For safety's sake.
"I have to be honest with you: I'm not sure the priests will listen to me if I share your proposal with them. I feel it would carry much more weight coming from you, in person"

>>28581925
I'm not exactly cool with you kidnapping at splitting up my friends.

>>28581925
Tell him you'll try to convince the priests to trade with the Footmen.
Also mention we would like that crown back.

>>28581925
>Tell him you'll try to convince the priests to trade with the Footmen once they've made more monsters like you. A balance of power will keep more stupid shit like this from happening.

I don't condone the footmen's actions but a unified city would be a great step in the right direction.

>>28581925
>Kidnap the commander. For safety's sake.
Be sure to deliver the message that he'll be safe as long as our friends are safe. But he starts losing body parts and we come back here to "renovate" this place if they're hurt.

>>28581926
Oh. Remembered it wrong then.

>>28581925
[x]I -would- take your deal to the priests and hear how they like it, but I no longer trust you people after this whole friend-taking issue. Return them all to the orphanage, allot them to operate as they normally would, and assign guards around them instead of keeping them here, and I'll work with you again.

>>28581926
>>28582009
I am interested in seeing that crown again as well.

>>28581925
Tell him you'll try to convince the priests to trade with the Footmen once they've made more monsters like you, but first a small offering would be nice. Say a crown that was taken away from us.

>people actually voting for kidnapping the commander
Oh this is gonna suck
This is borderline initiating civil war. That's quite an achievment in murder-hoboing

>>28582148
I'm not voting for that, anon.

>>28582014
>>28582009
>>28581949
No matter what we say or do. I think there is zero chance of the Priests giving the Footmen their magic or any monsters they create.

And I sure as hell wouldn't trust the Footmen if they did get any.

They coughed up a few nice words about working together, uniting everyone and protecting the city. But their actions show nothing more than ruthless ambition.

This looks like a simple power-grab on their part. Nothing more.

>>28582148
I think it's time for Hunzuu to let 'er rip

>>28582176
Too early

>>28582197
>>28582176
yeah, too early for full on kidnappings.
The kidnap-leader thing was for if they DIDN'T let us see our friends.

>>28582215
No, I meant too early for quoting Revengeance
Kidnapping is not even an option

>>28581925
Kill him, horribly, free our friends, force the locations of the others out of the farmers daughter by threat of a slow poisoned death.

>>28582148
>This is borderline initiating civil war

They've taken unilateral control and imposed Martial Law on the city.
They've got their own "secret police" prowling the streets at night and kidnapping people.
Fighting with members of the other Schools.

That ship has sailed Anon. It's been borderline civil war since before we got here.

>>28582252
I keep forgetting we're scorpion raiden apparently

>>28582252
Technically it's not full-on kidnapping. We're just 'asking' him if he'd like to give his proposal to the priests in person.

File: 1385845378354.jpg-(164 KB, 450x600, 54eab7e94201bd5bfad619bfe(...).jpg)

164 KB JPG

>>28581925
Yo nod to the commander, who's finished his meal and is now going to work on a jug of wine. He seems to have calmed down.

You say, "I'll tell the priests they should sell you monsters once they make more. Right now I'm the only one they have, and they still can't make more. And honestly, I don't want to ever stay here with you. You'e been bad to me and my friends."

He narrows his eyes. "I have done what was necessary."

"Well, sometimes friendship is necessary. I'd appreciate some first step. Something nice that didn't feel so forced. How about that crown I found the night of the attack?"

The commander and Iltani trade terse whispers. Then the commander groans in resignation. "Fine. They tell me it's not even magical. We drowned the thing in blood, prayed to all the gods, put it on heroes and virgins and anyone else we could think of. It doesn't do anything."

Some servants fetch the crown for you, bloodstained around the edges of its stone setting, crudely bent back into a rough approximation of its old shape.

> Actually give the priests that offer - finished monsters in exchange for some control of the night and a new court run by the priests
> It would get them mad to even make the offer. Just wash your hands of this mess and ask to be directed to the dig site
> "This will be my crown when I rule Ligish and you are my slaves."

>>28582275
There's no need to blow it the fuck up!
>>28582284
Apparently
How did it come to this? Is it the "poorfag being made into a child soldier" thing?

>>28582284
It was that or scorpion subzero.

>>28582310
I think it's the poorfag turned into AUGMENTED child soldier that is what did it.

But with scorpions instead of cyborgs.

>>28582307
>wash hands of mess
>dig site
>these_peasants.jpg

>>28582307
>> Actually give the priests that offer - finished monsters in exchange for some control of the night and a new court run by the priests

And then go to the dig site.

>>28582307
>Actually give the priests that offer - finished monsters in exchange for some control of the night and a new court run by the priests
No, I don't think they'll agree, but hey, we kinda have a deal besides it doesn't cost us
Also making priests angry at footmen should benefit us

>>28582307
>tell the priests the commander is totally psychotic and there is no way he can be trusted with finished monsters under any circumstances

>>28582334
yeah no
these guys are jerks
they get nothing
we double cross them l8r

>>28582307
>> Actually give the priests that offer - finished monsters in exchange for some control of the night and a new court run by the priests

Then ask to be directed to the dig site.

>>28582307
actually make the offer. Though, tell them you don't like it yourself, as monster military should be its own thing.

Then we go to the dig site.

oh, and before we leave:

"Do be prepared for the priests outright refusing the offer. You would be wise to have my friends in places I can visit by then, so negotiations don't break down."

>>28582307
>Actually give the priests that offer - finished monsters in exchange for some control of the night and a new court run by the priests

Let them argue over that for a while, they'll want to know what happened anyway, throw in that we would like to know what happened to the children they are holding elsewhere without endangering them.

>We drowned the thing in blood.
slightly worried about this.

>>28582307
They'll never accept the offer and I don't think they should, but we should tell them about it.

I still say we should "offer our hospitality" the same way he offered it to our friends but if that gets voted against we should make suitable and clear threats of what happens if our friends get hurt.

>Head back to the Pyramid (with or without 'guest'), deliver message then go to the dig-site.

>>28582433
I'm fine with clear threats.
I had been planning on doing whatever they do to the kids to the footmen in general, if it comes to getting-thumbs-in-the-mail tactics.

>>28582307
>We drowned the thing in blood.
If I find out it was the other girls, I'll drown this city in the blood of your guild.

>>28582310
>There's no need to blow it the fuck up!

It wasn't blown up. That's an accurate recounting of their actions in this Quest.

-Martial Law.
-Snatching people.
-Fighting with the other Schools. (Seems fairly small scale so far. As far as I know)

File: 1385846085719.jpg-(345 KB, 449x800, 532afafbf7f9a9cd936a7bf94(...).jpg)

345 KB JPG

>>28582307
"Thank you." You silently bid the commander good riddance.

Iltani shows you to the door. "I still want to be your friend, Hunzuu. And I can help you. I may not have been blessed with that spectacular body of yours, but I am far from powerless. Wait for good things to come to the pyramid." You find it kind of creepy how she repeatedly almost hits on you, but you thank her and move on.

When you return, the Blood Priest is waiting in your room. "You did that without permission."
"I did what I felt was right, unlike some people around here. Nothing came of it, really. They want to give you come territory and control of the courts if you give them finished monsters. But they're total creeps."

"And you brought back that crown. Is that what you dream of, Hunzuu, dear? Being a queen? Going from the bottom all the way to the top? You always struck me as humbler than that more of a woman of action.


> "I'm just interested in old things. Speaking of that, let's go to that dig site."
> "I don't want to be a queen. I want to be THE queen."

>>28582509
>"It's just a souvenir! Now let's go to the dig site and get some more"

>>28582509
>"I'm just interested in old things. Speaking of that, let's go to that dig site."

It's just a crown, a little bloody and bendy right now but still nice!

>>28582509
It's just a pretty hat, blood priest.
Waitaminute
What even is your name anyway, we've known each other for weeks
Whatever, let's go to the dig site.

>>28582509
>> "I'm just interested in old things. Speaking of that, let's go to that dig site."
Besides, I have a weird feeling about that crown.

>>28582509
It was really sparkly...
I remember it being more sparkly...

>>28582509
> "I'm just interested in old things. Speaking of that, let's go to that dig site."

Why would anyone want to be a queen? Why limit yourself to that position.

>>28582509
>"Mostly, I couldn't come away with what I wanted, so I just wanted to come away with something. It's a bit silly I guess.
Also, it's pretty."

Explain about the deal in a bit more detail. It's a shit deal but they should know what was said.

Then ask about the dig. Maybe we can achieve something there.

>>28582509
>I dream of not having to be a monster. Sorry if that goes against your plans.

>>28582509
"It makes me feel pretty."

>>28582621
Man, we'd have to get the apothecaries to treat a burn of that magnitude.
I'm all for being an asshole to the asshole priests.

>>28582688
I think it's better to identify people who AREN'T assholes at this point than people who are.

Our combat trainer. The chef. Maybe that one girl in the footman's guild. The orphans, except for big timmy, who was always a bully.

>>28582646
>"... cause god DAMN you guys aren't helping"

>>28582646
I lick this one

File: 1385847109789.jpg-(127 KB, 576x955, c90d0ad12bcc9ada145f27812(...).jpg)

127 KB JPG

>>28582509
"I'm just interested in old things. Speaking of that, let's go to that dig site."

"Of course you are. It's several days' travel, so we'll assign you some scouts. Maybe some pack animals. Unless you can be your own pack animal!"

You take offense. "Hey... And here I thought we were getting to be friends!"
"We are."
"What's even your name?"
He gets defensive. "We prefer to use our titles. It commands the right amount of respect."
"You didn't answer the question."
"Well... my parents named me Ubar-Sin. Sin is the moon god, I hope they taught you that. God of watchers. But I do my best work when nobody's watching."

> Demand that Nakurtum come with you.
> Leave Nakurtum here to care for Mr. Clicks. You don't trust anyone else with him.
> Try to bring your weapons and armor along. A scout went missing; you may have to fight.
> Ask the Blood Priest to come with you. He'll probably say no, but it'll help you make friendly with him.

>>28582805
Take Clicks and Nakurtum.
We can give Clicks some field training!

>>28582805
>ask blood priest if he wants to come with

>>28582805

> Demand that Nakurtum come with you.

> Try to bring your weapons and armor along. A scout went missing; you may have to fight.

>> Ask the Blood Priest to come with you. He'll probably say no, but it'll help you make friendly with him.

>>28582805
>Demand that Nakurtum come with you.
>Try to bring your weapons and armor along. A scout went missing; you may have to fight.
>Ask the Blood Priest to come with you. He'll probably say no, but it'll help you make friendly with him.
There can be some weird magic shit going on there. Having a magic expert should help a lot

>>28582881
This sounds good to me.

>>28582805
> Demand that Nakurtum come with you.
> Try to bring your weapons and armor along. A scout went missing; you may have to fight.
> Ask the Blood Priest to come with you. He'll probably say no, but it'll help you make friendly with him.

either one of these or all three would be nice.

ask the cook to throw Mr. Clicks a cricket while we're out.

>>28582805
>Leave Nakurtum here to care for Mr. Clicks. You don't trust anyone else with him.
> Try to bring your weapons and armor along. A scout went missing; you may have to fight.
"No one bothered to teach me anything, before"
>sad face

>>28582805
>several days
Bring combat trainer and clicks.
Also bring a shield for the human half. a weapon isn't really important though, since we have scorpion.

Also, ask to have SOME kind of magic guy along, if not the blood priest. Because there's magic shit in the ruins, right?

>>28582805
The last time we were gone for the day, this place was raided.

If we're going to be away for a week minimum, probably more, there should be a good reason for it.

What, exactly do that want/expect Hunzuu to do at this dig site?

Do they suspect a problem of Hunzuus scale?

Any reports or monsters?

>>28582950
these are important questions.
What are we supposed to do that a scout can't?
Can we even -fit- into ruins?

>>28582950
Good questions. What do they want us to do there? Why do they think Hunzuu is needed at all?

Any reports of freaky shit that would need Hunzuus attention? Because if it's just one lone scout gone missing... Shit happens, send more than one guy.

File: 1385847945955.png-(611 KB, 700x750, 27faccd96611ee1c375376c40(...).png)

611 KB PNG

>>28582805
You follow the Blood Priest around as he summons Nakurtum and has gear and provisions prepared. "What am I even supposed to do there?" you ask him. "Can I even fit into ruins?"

"Other cities have found ways to make monsters. And if that maggot is any indication, sometimes monsters spring up on their own. Someone else could have found this site, could be searching it for more old magic. They could be defending it. If they are, it is your job to kill them all."

> I guess that's what I do best...
> Just send your best magic guys. I'm still not done training.

>>28583088
>I guess that's what I do best...
>But I still need magic support. Me and Nakurtum know nothing about it, you know. You should come with us, it'll be fun!

>>28583088
>I guess you need me there then.

>>28583088
>I guess that's what I do best...

we also need someone who at least knows enough about magic to to able to recognize it easily, just in case.

>>28583088
>> I guess that's what I do best...

>>28583113
seconding this

>>28582334
Elegant solution would have been to just make the Footmen responsible for their hostages.

Force them to adopt the orphans, and let the guild know that if any harm comes to them you'll be down on them like a tonne of bricks. Treat them well, though and you will be well pleased with them.

>>28583088
>"Yeah, that maggot thing... Who knows what else is there.

>Who else is coming? I can't search for relics and magic stuff myself. I don't know what to look for. Are you sending some acolytes or are some of the Priests coming."

Seriously, Hunzuu can search for shiny things, but that's about it. If she stumbles upon an ancient tablet revealing the secrets of Deepest Magic.... How the hell would she know?

>>28583088
I'll go and deal with any monsters, sure.
But I need some magic guy there in case magic stuff happens.

>>28583088
>I guess that's what I do best...
I'm half expecting we'll encounter another orphan who never asked for this out there.

>>28583255
the last one seemed to have been made without a human control unit at all.

I think sticking a little girl on the giant monster is an important part to prevent rampage

>>28583271
>I think sticking a little girl on the giant monster is an important part to prevent rampage

So far the Little Girl feature has a 1 to 0 success ratio.

Initial data supports that conclusion.

>>28583271
That's the other half of what I'm expecting. Obviously that doesn't leave as much scope for hot blooded speeches.

File: 1385848817445.jpg-(10 KB, 345x146, images.jpg)

10 KB JPG

>>28583088
Part of you wishes that your foremost talent was being pretty. "I guess that's all I"m good for... But I still need magic support. Me and Nakurtum know nothing about it, you know. You should come with us, it'll be fun!"

The Blood Priest laughs. "A young girl thinks it would be fun to have me around. I don't think that's ever happened, even when I *was* young. But no, I'm not cut out for that kind of thing. I'll send you my best acolytes. They should be at least competent enough to know what they're looking for."

With you, Nakurtum, the four guards who know the way, and up to five of the acolytes in red, it's getting to be quite a traveling party.

Nakurtum catches you gently adding Mr. Clicks' cage to the pile of gear. "You sure about that? It's a big dangerous world out there. He could get squished, or break out and sting someone he is't supposed to."

"I'm Mr. Clicks' mom and I decide where he goes!"

> Keep it down to as few people as possible
> Lots more guards to watch your back
> Bring pack animals
> Let them load everything onto your back

>>28583400
>keep numbers pretty low, maybe a few extra
>pack animals

>>28583400
Keep the party small, we only need the guards and acolytes, really.

Also, bring a pack animal or two. Never know when we'll get hungry.

>>28583400
I think we're good to go, no?

>>28583400
>> Bring pack animals
>> Let them load some things onto your back.

>>28583400
> Keep it down to as few people as possible
> Let them load everything onto your back
Really the guards will slow us down more than the weight.

>>28583400
They try to load stuff on us, we load them into the food sacks.

>>28583400
That seems fine.
Let us do the heavy lifting, and see if we can control scorpions.
Controlling scorpions would be an awesome power. You could sting people and shit.

>>28583400
>Bring pack animals

you never know what we might pick up along the way or inside the ruins.

we can carry a little as well but not the full load.

take enough guards with us to keep the animals and acolytes safe.

I had an idea, maybe we can command smaller scorpions? just a little something we could try along the way.

>>28583503
I don't mind things being loaded on us, the only reason I want pack animals is so we have snacks if need be. And even then, only one or two.

>>28583400
I think us + 10 is enough.
>Four guards to show the way and Five acolytes to search the ruins.

>If they can fit us with some saddle bags to carry our stuff, that would be handy but we are *not* a pack-mule.

>If they can't carry their own stuff, they can bring pack animals.

>>28583400
Do NOT let them load you down with crap.
That is not the image we want to present.

>>28583529
Seconded.

We are not some beast of burden and we are not a slave.

We can carry our own stuff but we'll not be loaded up like a mule.

>>28583400
Keep it down to as few people as possible
And
Let them load us up.

>>28583503
Changing my vote to pack animals to carry the load. We can't reach behind us so we need someone else to take it off, which is bad if we get ambushed.

>>28583616
How I see it is having them load us up is just more training.

File: 1385849742613.jpg-(129 KB, 1024x794, DSCI0005.jpg)

129 KB JPG

>>28583400
You keep it down to a party of seven: you, Naurtum, two guards, two acolytes, and Mr. Clicks. When Nakurtum tries tying a rope around your abdomen, you tell her to knock it off, so you bring a couple of camels instead. The guards tell you their names are Bastard and The Spit Priest. You're sure they're very charming.

>>28583515
>>28583507
So far you've been able to punish or intimidate Mr. Clicks by hissing, but you haven't managed to train him to do anything useful. You certainly can't speak scorpion, at least not yet.

You set out on your journey into the dry scrubland to the west of the city. Fortunately, it's not oppressively hot this time of year. You find that even with protective clothing over your human half, the constant sunlight annoys you. You also have trouble sleeping with the rest of the party at night.

> Make the party travel only by night.
> Spend your break time hunting for fresh meat
> Spend your break time trying to train Mr. Clicks
> Spend your break time bonding with Nakurtum and making new friends

>>28583715
>Spend your break time bonding with Nakurtum and making new friends
Let's try to stay relatively human for now.

>>28583715
Talk to the people.
We really don't want to be that scorpion woman who only talks to scorpions.

>>28583715
>Spend your break time bonding with Nakurtum and making new friends

sneak in some time trying to figure out how to talk to scorpions if possible.

>>28583715
bond
share swag

File: 1385849965361.gif-(698 KB, 555x666, 1385231996393.gif)

698 KB GIF

>>28583715
We've talked to clicks a lot recently, so talk to people.
It's enough if we manage to get clicks to sit on our head without running away or stinging.

Also- take to burrowing into the scrubland at night, if possible.

>>28583715
>Spend some time bonding with Nakurtum and making new friends before they go to sleep.

>Try a little night hunting. Maybe we can tire ourself out and sleep for part of the night. If not, we might catch some food anyway.

>Work Mr. Clicks into our routine. Chat with him while we chat with the others. Talk to him while we travel. Ect..

>>28583868
yeah, if we're not sleepy at night, we should at least hunt a bit.

File: 1385850492115.jpg-(440 KB, 781x673, 90b09c517ec4d9accb364aaf7(...).jpg)

440 KB JPG

>>28583715
You decide to be social each time the long hikes stop and the party makes camp. You try to introduce everyone to Mr. Clicks because you're so proud of him, but nobody else is interested in him as long as he stays in his cage and out of their stuff.

You realize that one of the two acolytes is that boy in red you met with Tabni-Ninsun that one time. You finally learn his name, Puzur-Ea, and you get to hear him go on and on about how he wants to be the greatest magician the world has ever seen. He compliments you, even your scorpion body, but he always keeps his distance. Part of him must still be afraid of you. The guards are friendly but spending a lot of time bragging about what they'll do to Ku-Aya if they ever get their hands on her. Your interaction with Mr. Clicks is mostly limited to feeding him dried locusts and telling him that he's a good boy.

Finally, the guards tell you that the ruins will be coming into view any minute now. You all draw your weapons, Nakurtum armors herself, and you raise the shield Nakurtum gave you. In the distance, you hear hoofbeats.

> Try to hide yourself in a nearby creek bed.
> Bring it.

>>28583957
>Try to hide

>>28583957
Try to hide.
Might as well.

>>28583957
I like pazur-ea a lot more than tabni-ninsun.

I have no stance on hiding/not hiding. Perhaps hide, just so our human friends get hurt less.

>>28583957
Did we practice burrowing?

>>28583957
>Try to hide yourself in a nearby creek bed.

the element of surprise, baby.

>>28583957
>Stealth. If we can.

See who/what's coming first, then we'll decide on our move.

File: 1385851097903.jpg-(265 KB, 768x768, XXX_L20091601_A.jpg)

265 KB JPG

>>28583957
Without a word, you try to hide, crawling into the dry remains of a creek and lowering your human half to the cracked ground. The others hesitate or crouch down where they are, except Nakurtum, who remains on lookout with a spear at the ready.

Your fears are confirmed when the hooves turn out to be a centaur, a man with a shaggy black beard, a staff sling and some knives strapped to his body, and a long bronze sword at the ready.

> Roll 1d6 to stay hidden
> Do something else?

Rolled 1

>>28584149
>Roll 1d6 to stay hidden

are you a threat, Sir?

>>28584149
> a centaur
Hah, that's hardly threatening at all. He doesn't have any claws!

Also, there's only one of him.

Is this guy the scout?

Rolled 5

>>28584149

Rolled 2

>>28584149
>Roll 1d6 to stay hidden
The guy probably has more experience in a fight than we do, if he's old enough for a beard.

>>28584181
I really, REALLY hope this is a roll under system. Although I very much doubt that

>>28584149
If we fight, take him alive if possible. We can ask him questions.

>>28584254
I doubt it.
Also, we're bad at hiding, being as big as this centaur but with claws and stinger.

Hopefully he's the scout and he impaled himself on magic horse.

Rolled 6

>>28584149

File: 1385851537415.jpg-(78 KB, 464x600, 6ab00db77493151f1397a631e(...).jpg)

78 KB JPG

>>28584149

As you'd suspected, you're not an easy creature to hide. Nakurtum holds her spear out and braces herself. The beast shouts something indistinct when he sees you, turns back, and gallops toward the ruins.

"Stop him!" Nakurtum tries throwing her spear at him, but it isn't balanced for throwing and doesn't go far.

> Chase him down? You probably can't, but roll 4d6 if you want to try.
> He's gone. Just follow him and maybe the ruins won't be entirely ready to fight when you get there
> Try to approach the ruins from an angle they won't expect. Roll 1d6 to help strategize.

Rolled 6, 6, 1, 6 = 19

>>28584302
>chase

Rolled 6

>>28584302
> Try to approach the ruins from an angle they won't expect. Roll 1d6 to help strategize.

>>28584321
HOLY SHIT ANON

Rolled 3, 5, 5, 1 = 14

>>28584302

catch but don't kill him just yet.

Rolled 5, 5, 2, 2 = 14

>>28584333
I was >>28584301 also

Rolled 1, 2, 1, 1 = 5

>>28584302
> Chase him down? You probably can't, but roll 4d6 if you want to try.
> He's gone. Just follow him and maybe the ruins won't be entirely ready to fight when you get there

We'll either catch him or get there before he has a chance to warn them.

>>28584354
RUINING MY GOOD ROLLS.

>>28584321
Four legs?

I've got EIGHT legs bitch! You can't get away from me.

Catch him alive if possible. We have questions. He might have answers.

>>28584366
I just hope to fuck he takes the first roll this time instead of averaging.

Do crossbows exist in this setting? Because a ballista would be handy if this happens again in the future.

File: 1385852230262.png-(357 KB, 480x640, c57789c159a3793e452aaf2de(...).png)

357 KB PNG

>>28584302
You do as Nakurtum says and lope toward the centaur as fast as you can, with Nakurtum and the others bringing up the rear. "Hey, get back here!" You don't catch him, but you come damn close. You can taste the dust he kicks up. Soon the ruins come into view. As you'd expected, there are new tents put up everywhere. You se a few more centaurs in the distance, as well, and a deep pit being dug outside one of the more intact ruins.

> Keep going. Carve your way in immediately.
> Wait for your friends to catch up.
> Find a defensible position and hold there.

>>28584486
Keep going, you're right on his tail. don't give them time to prepare.

>>28584486
well, I think we found out why the scout didn't make it back.

We need to guard our friends, or they'll be taken by centaur outriders. Either defensive position or wait for friends.

>>28584486
>Keep going. Carve your way in immediately.
I don't see the redshirts helping much here.

>>28584486
>Carve an opening.

>>28584486
Kill.
Maim
Slaughter
Play with Clicks over their corpses.

>>28584486
>Find a defensible position and hold there.

>>28584486
Do we have any reason to kill them? I'm confus

Wait for friends.

>>28584486
See, if we burst in, they have no time to prepare for our stabby. We only need a single stabby before we can move to the next victim of the slicy/crushy.

>>28584607
>Do we have any reason to kill them? I'm confus
Do we have any reason not to?

>>28584486
>Keep going. Carve your way in immediately.

>>28584644
We could gain respect for our city. So that when we rule it, we have more trade partners.

Also having centaur buddies to call on when the city police get uppity might be good.

File: 1385852793243.jpg-(165 KB, 500x714, d867499da7df98949264cb259(...).jpg)

165 KB JPG

>>28584486
The centaur continues to outrun you, but not by too much. He shouts out to the camp. "Enemies! Five men and a flesh-eater! Surround it!"

Men emerge from the tents, and a few emerge from the pit. They start slinging stones at you, and the other centaur outriders move in to flank the spot that the first centaur is leading you to.

>Roll 2d6 to not get slung at
>Roll 1d6 to maneuver yourself into a better position
>Or just go straight at that same centaur and hope he trips up so you can rip and tear

Rolled 1

>>28584694
>Roll 1d6 to maneuver yourself into a better position

Rolled 1, 5 = 6

>>28584694
escape!

Rolled 2, 1, 3, 5 = 11

>>28584644
I think it's been established the being a Monster is about more than claws and scales.

These ruins and what's in them is fucking dangerous. We'll kill to defend them if we need to but if we can intimidate them into surrender or capture them, we should.

In fact. Roll to intemidate. Shout threats and warnings to surrender.

I expect a Bonus to this action since we're a charging Scorpion Monster.

Rolled 5

>>28584694
>maneuver better
>continue charging into camp

Rolled 6, 1, 6, 5 = 18

>>28584694
Continue charging and order them to surrender.

"SURRENDER AND LIVE. FIGHT AND DIE."

>>28584694
>>Or just go straight at that same centaur and hope he trips up so you can rip and tear

File: 1385853606649.png-(1.05 MB, 850x878, sample_579eb0a5e5621e1834(...).png)

1.05 MB PNG

>>28584694
A few sling stones strike your carapace. One bounces off your shield. Even through the shield, it stings. Those things hit harder than you'd think!

You try something the eunuchs taught you about strategy. You try to lead the lead centaur away from his friends and into lower ground where he'll be more vulnerable. You don't think until it's too late that that will put you in a bad place as well. You end up with three centaurs ready to charge at you one by one and some human spearmen warily advancing on you.

> Roll 4d6 to resist the sling stones. Also roll 4d6 to fight off the centaurs with your claws.
> You don't know how much Slow Death you have in you, so let me know if you're using it right away.

Rolled 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 2, 4, 3 = 35

>>28584987
Use slow death immediately
We can't pull any punches in a situation like this.

>>28585027
damn I rock today
I should namefag as high rolla

Rolled 4, 3, 1, 1 = 9

>>28584987
Resist roll

Rolled 3, 4, 2, 2 = 11

>>28584987
Slow death right off the bat.

Rolled 5, 4, 3, 4, 2, 2, 5, 5 = 30

>>28584987
Centaurs probably can't run sideways like we can. Try to circle around them.

Rolled 2, 3, 5, 3 = 13

>>28584987
Nip off their legs!

Rolled 5, 6, 5, 4, 1, 6, 6, 4 = 37

>>28584987
First 4 dice are for stones. Second 4 are for claws.

If we can make an example of one, it might intimidate the others. See if we can tear one right in half!

>>28584987
They're throwing ROCKS!
UNFAIR!
Pick up a boulder and throw it back.

>>28585077
You are now imagining that scene from A Life of Brian.

Rolled 4, 2, 6, 4 = 16

>>28584987
I always think that picture is of a catgirl. But It's just the shield straps messing with me.

File: 1385854291400.jpg-(142 KB, 600x750, 667e7ff40a0c10c20a4e6c993(...).jpg)

142 KB JPG

>>28584987
The first centaur tries to lip your head off with his sword as he rides by you. You catch him with one claw. You strike him with one claw and strain to push him away. He falls on his side and you sting him several times in his unprotected flesh. As he screams in pain, you tear him apart with your claws, just to intimidate the spearmen with a rain of gore.

Finally, you see Nakurtum and the others show up at the ridge you came from. You overhear a slinger yell, "The pit! Get it! Get it!"

> Yell something to Nakurtum
> Prepare to catch the next centaur. Roll 4d6 to murder it.
> Turn your back on the other centaurs. You think you can mow down the spearmen before they can get away. Roll 4d6 to murder them.

Rolled 1, 4, 1, 3 = 9

>>28585184
Remember to avoid the pit.