"Come, we have much to discuss." The Speaker gestures to behind the stage, his hand upon your shoulder. He still bears a faint smile, his major blood vessels gleaming like sparkling rivers of blue beneath his skin.
The same with the others, and their respective abilities.
The fish-woman that saved you, her bones glimmer a faint green, indicating her power, and the man of "shining" eyes stares on, waving his hand and about with flashes of his nerves like the crackling of fireworks.

The people out there, among the arena still fight amongst themselves. Reckless magic fires off across the room, while others brawl, blood splatters of the seats mixing with the furnishing's own crimson color.

It's a blood bath with very few holding their own.

You can't even tell who had raised their hand at this point, they may as well all be dead or beaten close enough to it in this hysteria.

You don't see the priest anywhere, he must've fled. The girl that had leaped onto the stage before lies unconscious in the very first row of seats, her body beaming as she's barely alive. With the rest of the chaos, that attack may very well have saved her life.

The man urges you to come with him again as you look on.

>[] Try to do something to stop the fighting.
>[] Pull up the girl from before. May as well get her out of here. If she walks in peace afterwards, they won't kill her.
>[] Go with them, don't look back.
>[] Attack him with what water you've got, this is your chance.
>[] (Other)

>>29158539
>[x] Go with them, don't look back.
I don't trust pancake girl

>>29158539
>[] Go with them, don't look back.

>>29158539
>[] Go with them, don't look back.

Unrelated question. About how difficult would it be to get to the point where we could control the fluids in people's bodies?

Like water->ice is one stage jump, I'm imagining that puppeting people or freezing their blood would be several.

>>29158690
Water is water. But Blood "belongs" to someone. It bears the signature of their soul/aura/chi/"insert spiritual name here."

To get through that it would require very high grade manipulation or direct contact to wrest control away. Though the fundamental as an Evoker would be to "Change the person" rather than changing something in the environment.

It's possible. It's just significantly more difficult.

>>29158539
>[] Go with them, don't look back.

I don't really trust anyone in the crowd. If anyone else makes it to the stage that's fine, but there's no way in hell we're going back in there.

>>29158775
Is controlling our own blood easier? Is the blood still difficult to manipulate even after it's been spilled and is no longer in their veins?

>>29158830
Your own blood is a bit easier. Though it's not recommended that you do that unless it's been spilled.
Speaking of that, the blood of another still bears their signature for some time after, even more-so if it's an animist.
Though you may also attack their spirit directly when they use their aura to manipulate the environment. More on that later.

I think we should focus on ice powers and summoning. I lean towards mythos summoning. A bit too soon for that but curious. Ice can be sharp!

>>29158977
>not focusing on throwing steam in people's faces and running the fuck away.

Surprise Steam is what makes Asher so fucking awesome!

>>29159013
The phrase 'Surprise Steam' is convincing. I must ponder this.

>>29158977
I actually agree with you on both counts.

Ice means that we can create things that are durable and don't require us maintaining them. Also, they're sharp.

And we're predisposed towards Mythos or Thoughtform Summoning, so we should get good at least one of them, and I prefer Mythos.

>>29159013
We won't stop using the surprise steam, we might even use it for stuff, but there's stuff steam can't do.

>>29159091
>but there's stuff steam can't do.
Like what?

>>29159013
>>29159049
Ice can augment our steam. We can create concealable ice marbles and heat 'em up in a pinch. Good source of steam.
>>29159119
Ice sword and board. Ice shard. Ice mace. Ice bolas. Ice armor. Ice. Ice. Ice.

>>29159119
It isn't a wolf of legend that will hamstring people while its partner draws their attention by trying to bite their face off.

It can't make walls. It doesn't pierce flesh. It isn't much use for blocking.

It's very useful in its own way, but there are things you can't do with steam.

>take water glob
>Put it over someone's head
>Freeze it
>run away

You close your tired eyes for a moment, the burning in your nerves still fresh from wielding your magic.
You have chosen to go with them, and so you will.
Giving them a nod, you take a step to the backstage, the other two standing at the fore of the platform as guards.

"Eshe mentioned that she had saved you when you raised your hand."

The man walks at your left side, his right hand still upon your shoulder.

"That the name of the fish woman? She said that earlier." Your glance to his hand upon your shoulder. His hands are suspiciously smooth, much unlike those that you've seen in the city. They'd been much rougher and hardier. His tell of a more sheltered existence.

"Fish, yes." He chuckles a bit at that, nodding with an open smile. He feels kind of like an old friend, like you can just sort of speak with this man, yet you haven't even gotten his name. "I would call her a barracuda for how she is so very predatory and viscous. Though fish is a far more humble word, yes?"

The two of you stand among the backstage rooms, what would have been the dressing and makeup rooms for learning actors and actresses is a motley mash with those sort of things put to the side.

There are more of those people here. Black-skinned, of all shapes and sizes.
They look you over with fearsome, zealous eyes. Like wolves assessing the girth of a sheep beyond its fur.

The man with white teeth stops and holds up his other hand," This is one who has chosen to walk with us. Eshe and Kontari have stayed at the stage to pull out anyone else that chooses us.
Please welcome.." He looks to you now, expecting you to introduce yourself.

>[] Speak your name.
>[] Give them a false one.
>[] Hold your silence.
>[] Say that you have no name.

>>29159285
>[] Speak your name.
Names are important.

>>29159285
>[] Speak your name.

>>29159285
>[] Say that you have no name.

>>29159314
This

>>29159285
[X] Speak your name.

Names matter, don't bullshit them on this one.

"My name is Asher Smith." You speak loud and clear to the people in the room, suddenly feeling a bit meek as you draw the gaze of those that had not already paid you mind.

A man black as a shadow leaned against the wall, he looks you over, no hint of a grin upon his face. He spits at the floor, a sizzle rising up from the impact zone.
"Thought they would all walk away. You see what we mean to do, after crushing your city?" Like all the others you've met, the accent is thick. At the very least this thug can put words together.

The man at your side touches a hand across his chest, he looks to you again," This is all you, Asher. Why do you join us? What is your story?"

>[] Tell them the truth. You meant to crush them from the inside...
> But now you see the error of that way.
>[] Lie, make up some kind of story here.

Then your past...
"I was a student that was going to attend the new college here..."

>[] "My Father beat me and my mother left him. Stayed with her at Aunt's and Uncle's. Haven't seen mom since the Aurora riots."
>[] "I lived quietly in the suburbs, scraping by with my family. Worked two jobs and went to school up until they had to make this new one."
>[] "Took care of a brother and sister. Life was kind of shit, but at least... Well, we had each other."
>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

>>29159791
>[] Lie, make up some kind of story here.
Thinking of something.
>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."
Full wizard

>>29159791
We didn't care about those people. We just want to learn what we can do, and working with the people who have had the time to puzzle it out seemed like the easiest way

>>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

>>29159791
>>[] Tell them the truth. You meant to crush them from the inside...
>> But now you see the error of that way.

>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

>>29159855
This.

Going with the desire to learn seems like a good idea.

>>29159791
[X] Tell them the truth. You meant to crush them from the inside...
> But now you see the error of that way.

"Honestly, I was planning on doing what I could to sabotage you. You probably suspected this.

But after seeing the howling mob it all made sense."

>[] "My Father beat me and my mother left him. Stayed with her at Aunt's and Uncle's. Haven't seen mom since the Aurora riots."

>>29159791
I think combining >>29159969 + >>29159855
>"Honestly, I was planning on doing what I could to sabotage you. You probably suspected this.
>But after seeing the howling mob it all made sense."


>We didn't care about those people. We just want to learn what we can do, and working with the people who have had the time to puzzle it out seemed like the easiest way

would be the best thing for the first question.


As for the second,
>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

>>29160022
I really don't see why we should tell them we planned on stabbing them in the back. Especially if we are planning on it.

>>29159855
"I want the truth. I want to be 'cured of my ignorance', as wolf-man here said. I want to know what has happened to me and what I can do so I can survive. These are going to be tumultuous times. Us Learned must stick together."
>>29160101
Agree. Strongly against telling them.

>>29160101
Why would we plan on stabbing them in the back?

They're our best shot for long-term survival.

>>29160130
Because their long-term goals are stupid and nonsensical.

>>29160115
"Us Learned must stick together, and you seem like a powerful pack to me."
Wolf comparisons. Wolf comparisons everywhere.
>>29160130
Let's just keep our options open. Even if we are not planning on it, telling them is retarded. We immediately lose large amounts of trust. We must seem reliable.
>>29160160
We don't really know their goals.

>>29159791
>[] Lie, make up some kind of story here.
>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

>>29160160
Honestly, they seem well organized and know what they're doing.

Just because you don't understand what they're doing doesn't mean it's stupid. They're very powerful, and they aren't stupid by any means.

If their goals were to make Magic public they definitely succeeded with this. A city destroyed and a pile of people on the Path of Blood roaming around, fighting like the disorganized rabble they are. They have forced a lot of societal change with this one act.

I never was planning on stabbing them in the back for revenge or its own sake. I mostly just wanted us to learn ancient magickes and all that good stuff. The betrayal is just a hypothetical.

>>29160283
I didn't say I don't understand. They outlined their goals, but the problem is that they drifted into the "well intentioned extremist" angle that always means "antagonist," and they did so for a goal that shouldn't really be achieved.

>>29159791

>[] Tell them the truth. You meant to crush them from the inside... > But now you see the error of that way.

And

>[] "I didn't have anyone close to me. I lived alone and survived alone."

These are the two best options. We need power in order to make our way in this world. If we try any shit with these people, even after we learn all we can, they can still kill us. Probably very easily.

>Everyone agrees that Asher was a loner that don't give a fuck about the city that just got rekt
>Half the people still want to attempt to betray these peopel for no reason.

>>29160318
Let's not tell them the truth (which isn't really the truth). We gain nothing from doing that. Asher is out for himself. We need to think how it benefits us. Telling them does not benefit us at all.

>>29160317
Honestly, I like their goals. And they've got style.

And they are still the best choice for our survival. Why would we betray them, that makes us a target.

>>29160394
If we do it now, yes. Nobody wants to do it before a good opportunity presents itself.

File: 1388375334228.jpg-(81 KB, 520x580, Mercenary_Ashur.jpg)

81 KB JPG

>>29160390
So kinda sociopath protagonist? I can dig it.

What if they're mind reading Asher right now and not telling the truth makes them treat us as being on the path of blood?

>http://pastebin.com/kmsL31FP

Huh. Reminds me of Broken Shield.

>>29160553
None of what we're saying is a lie. We joined them to gain knowledge and protection. We are more likely to survive with a pack.

>>29160623
We should also say something more empathetic. Something like, "I've always lived life alone. I'm glad to join a brotherhood/clan/pack."
Makes us seem like more than just a pure pragmatist.

>>29160684
That's suspicious. If we were that sort of person, we wouldn't be siding with them. Pure pragmatism is the most reasonable approach, so its the best sales pitch.

>>29160730
Agreed.

"Honestly," You begin, all eyes on you. The hand removed from your shoulder as your "friend" takes a step back, giving you some space. A light comes down on you from above as you stand before at least twenty people all bearing powerful magic.
Sweat gleans from your brow, you look up and see that the light has no discernible source.

"I am here because I thought that by joining you I could learn. That mob out there- back there." You turn to from whence you had come. The faint noise of the brawl persisting even now.
"I saw people of my own nation turn on me." You feel emotion welling within your chest, you cover up your remaining eye with one hand to hold back the tears of stress and agony from the last 24 hours.

"You have all destroyed a city where I had a family that had cast me out. A city... where I had lived alone." You clench your fist, knuckles cracking from the force as you ignite your nerves to show your power.
"And have given this to me. This power."
You relax it, feeling the residual tingle from the use and let your arms fall at either side.

"If you teach me, I will walk with you. I want to be enlightened."

With that conclusion, you are given an incredibly tenuous silence. They don't give you any emotion, though after a time one of them nods, an older woman.

The bone of her nose and brow bear a faint glimmering lavender,"He speaks true. I see no lies in his eyes or body. We should teach him an oath. The Oath of Truth would be my suggestion, but it is he who needs to decide."

The rest nod in approval of the lady, though you can't quite see anything else of this dusky room, especially with this light blinding you.

Friend claps you on the back," It is good that you tell us the truth my friend. I would have had to throw you back out into the Path of Blood. You have far too much courage to be wasted there, come now. Let us get you food, water, and some sleep..."

>>29160964
I fucking knew that one of them was going to be magi-lie detectoring us.

Your gaze lingers upon the woman for a moment, she steps into a band of light, revealing that her lips bear scars of old stitching, white makeup around her eyes.
You two stare at each other for a moment before she smiles, revealing dagger-like teeth.

_______________________________________________
>The Next Day

You wake up to the dull beat of something from outside, repetitive and consistent, yet distant and droning. It sounds kind of familiar, this is a sound you've heard before, yet only rarely.

Friend had taken you to a Classroom the prior night. Two others had come out of the melee. An older woman and a teen a touch younger than yourself.

The woman came in with bruises, cuts, and burn marks, though you could tell that her awakening had something to do with the cloth wrapped around her face.
The kid didn't really want to talk much either. He wasn't in the same state as the woman though. The only discernible marks that you could see he had laid in his ring fingers, absent.

The fish woman, Eshe had come in, to look over the three of you, give you some food- apples and bananas- for breakfast and change the woman's bandages in private.

Now she brings you to meet with the one you still only know of as "Friend."

"Good morning you three that seek enlightenment. It is truly a mir-" He stops himself, grinning with a finger to his brow," Well, I will not say that.
You three have chosen to learn and walk with us. We will leave here in three days. I am certain that you three have many, many questions to ask. Let us begin."

>Do you have anything to ask?
>Goal
>Magic
>Them
>Their leader.
>No, carry on.

An actual time-skip may be soon, or it may not be.
It will depend on a choice that is yet to come.

>>29161488
>No, carry on.

I'm more interested in what the others ask

>>29161618
Second

>>29161488
Let the others ask stuff first.

Then, if it hasn't already been answered, ask about their goal, then magic. And if we have time ask about them and their leader.

>>29161683

Seconding

>>29161618
Good way to gauge the other recruits. I think we'll make a good leader. We've already got a headstart as the first to raise his hand. Need to be solid as a rock.
>>29161683
Meh.

You hold your peace, leaving it to the two others that stand beside you. At the very least, you would like to see what they have to say, what they want to know.

If you have a question left unanswered you will deign to let them know.
Looking to the others, you pass it along.

The woman stares at Friend wearily, her persisting fatigue showing in her eyes.
She looks away for a moment, her spirit like a flame flickering in the wind, and just as downcast.
She pulls away the bandages, shaking with her own apprehension among the lingering smell of her own burnt hair, she reveals that her mouth has been cut into a cheshire's smile. the flaps of her cheeks being held together by some kind of force as a faint violet energy runs though her cheeks.
"I... want to know why this was done to me... I want to know what greater purpose you people serve..." Her voice is hoarse and tired ss though her throat is sore.

Friend steps forward among the morning light streaming through the windows of what would have been a lovely cafeteria cafe. Remnants of blood still linger in this place from deeds that are still quite recent.

Placing his hands upon the woman's shoulders, he pulls her into a gentle embrace, stroking her haphazard singed hair. She seems to relax into his arms, he grows somber.
"Dear woman, dear woman. It is all for the cause of setting the world free. We must build our way to a far brighter future. Doing this to you was the only way to help you wake up.
Your spirit will be stronger for it. We are here to teach."
The way he whispers into her ear, it is almost like a lover whispering sweet nothings. To you, it means little. But something is in his tone, the closeness. It calms her, settles her, appeals to her.

As he pulls away, she tries to grasp at him for him to stay, yet he gently shoos her hands away, to face the three of you once more.

"This power you have awakened is your will, your key to freedom. This Magic is what will move the world down to its bones."

His eyes idle upon you all once more,"Any other questions?"

The teen clenches his fist a bit, looking away from Friend and biting at his lip,"So, we're not really human anymore, are we?"

Friend shakes his head slowly,"No."
"You are human. Just capable of more."

The kid nods a little, biting his lip a bit harder, a tooth shining with his light.
"I picked up a truck yesterday. How am I still human, man? Look-" He pulls back his cheek showing his teeth deforming into feline canines before your very eyes," How are you supposed to call this human? I'm some kind of freak." He pushes his hair back, the light vanishing.
"I'm just not sure what to believe, but you guys know what's going on right, you got it all set. I mean- it's cool. I don't care. Sick me on people." He fidgets nervously, shaking his leg,"I mean- I don't care. Screw people. Whatever." You can see tears glistening a little in his eyes.

"My young friend, we will find a place for you. Do not worry. You have chosen to follow us. We will lead you to the light at the end of the blood path."
The kid settles down about,"Doesn't make sense but... I think I sort of get it."

>You?

>>29162345
"Who leads you? How are you organized? Where are we headed in three days?"

>>29162448
That's maybe a little forward.
>>29162345
"What's an Oath?"

>>29162345
Ask what the oaths are.

Something about what that woman had said last night gnaws at you. If the other two are done with their inconsequential questions...

"What's an Oath?" You state simply and to the point, your one remaining eye unflinching.
Despite the events you feel like you're keeping yourself together much more than other survivors.

Friend nods with an interested,"Ah" before forming his lips into a charmed smile. Yes, he likes this question.

"An oath is just what it is. It is something you swear. Only this, it is for yourself and to the world. The oath bears your conviction and makes your magic stronger."
He places a hand over his own heart,"I, myself, as many others that follow Susej have taken oaths.

The most frequent one that we enjoy happens to be the Oath of Truth. Never will we lie. Nether word or action."

You consider what he said for a moment with a nod,"And if you break the oath?"
"Well, it depends on what you have sworn it by. One could swear it by a spell, and leave it impossible to cast again once broken.
The integrity of your body, mind, or soul.
Or you could stake your very life, making the breaking of an oath suicide."

"And your Oath of Truth, what is its stake?"

Friend leers at you on this point, leaning in closer as if to kiss you or rip your head off.
"My charm."

He paces away, ushering the three of you to take a seat at one of the tables,"Come now, let us sit."

>"Any further questions?"

>>29162801
That's it for now. We can learn about the man in black and the group later.

>>29162801
Ask about the three types of magic. Bone, Nerve, and Vein. We don't really know much about how any of them work or interact with each other.

>>29162801
Do different oaths affect your magic differently?

>>29158136

Hey, is taht an Android Jones picture?

Sure looks like it

Hey, I'm sorry to cut this short but I'm incredibly distracted by some things right now.

Most notably an increasing headache

I'll tweet the next time I'm running. I just don't think I've got it down tonight. I'd be grateful if someone could archive.
Real sorry guys.

>>29163250
Archived.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/29158136/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Over%28Human%29Limit%20Quest

>>29163567
Thank you very much.

I'm still here to take general questions and input.

Rolled 45

Archivefag here to tell you that you're spelling 'Collective' wrong when you use the tag "Colective game"

>>29164216
I must've not been paying attention the first time. That saved history. I'll have it fixed next time I do an archive.

How embarrassing.