>>29536902
> "If I'm guessing correctly, the magic is making him think he really is the king. He needs help. We need to find his real family, or something else that will help him remember."

That, and suggest we could tell the priests the truth about the situation to get their help. Maybe. The priests are kind of oddball.

>>29536902
>> "Maybe the two of them could coexist. Could we introduce the real king into his service as a decoy, claim that they just happen to look alike?"

Honestly the old king is fucking useless.
... unless we want to take his place.
I doubt the magic went into his head, he took the opportunity to stay the king, who wouldn't do the same?

Also
> "What's wrong with violence? It hasn't failed me yet."

>>29536974
eh, I think the old king could be useful if we actually got some priests to help him out with his brain problems.

>>29536902
>if I'm guessing correctly...
>alternatively, figure a bogus reason for the priests to have some time with the king and reverse the spell.

>>29536999
Agreed

>>29536999
how would he be useful though?

>>29537138
A king with a legitimate blood claim who is competent at rulership and isn't made out of illusions of thinking he is a king?

I mean, he was charming and magnanimous when talking about things he remembered. And he's not one dispel away from being shown to be a sham.

>>29536902
>I'll see what I can do, if you come with me and talk to the priests about the king's brain problems
>seriously, we need to get that fixed

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>>29536902

"If I'm guessing correctly, the magic is making him think he really is the king. He needs help. We need to find his real family, or something else that will help him remember."
The graybeard leads the way further away from the "king" and toward a small shrine lined with jeweled bas-reliefs of the gods and whole statues of lapis lazuli. "I don't know who he is, not for certain. The plan was carried out with my consent but not my direct involvement. I know he's a Charioteer. Their commander was slain in the battle, they say, but maybe that's a lie and the commander wears the king's face.

> "That must be him. Tell me where his 'widow' lives and I'll give her the good news."
> "No, it's probably someone else. I'll have to go to their barracks and find someone who'll talk."
> "Whoever it is, let's just see if we can get him in front of the Sand Priest. Make him look like himself again, and the problem's solved."

>>29537241
> "No, it's probably someone else. I'll have to go to their barracks and find someone who'll talk."
> "Whoever it is, let's just see if we can get him in front of the Sand Priest. Make him look like himself again, and the problem's solved."

Let's offer these options, and let the advisor choose which he prefers. I doubt the charioteer leader is still alive, I am PRETTY sure I saw him during the war.

>>29537241
>> "Whoever it is, let's just see if we can get him in front of the Sand Priest. Make him look like himself again, and the problem's solved."

Rolled 16

>>29537241
>> "Whoever it is, let's just see if we can get him in front of the Sand Priest. Make him look like himself again, and the problem's solved."
Lets be the crafty scorpion

I'm still of the mind that we should ask him about bringing the real king to the priests later on for some diagnosis.
Just, uh, don't do it without us guarding the procedure. Or some trusted guards. I like the priests, they're nice to me, but they are not good people.

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>>29537241

"Whoever it is, let's just see if we can get him in front of the Sand Priest. Make him look like himself again, and the problem's solved."
The graybeard touches a likeness of Sin on the wall and says a silent prayer. "So you say he may have forgotten that he's not the king?"
"Something like that. Sand magic can mess with your head."
He raises an eyebrow. "That would mean he's forgotten when the priests changed him."
"It would. If that's what's happening here."
"Then he'd have no qualms about paying them another visit!" The man smiles and folds his arms. "Arrange for a feast at the pyramid. Invite him."

> "I always did love feasts."
> "Wait, we don't need to risk it. We'll bring the Sand Priest here. He can sneak in if he has to. He's the Sand Priest."

Rolled 5

>>29537473
>> "I always did love feasts."
Especially if it involve lightly cooked meats.

>>29537473
[x]I love feasts!
I can't think of any real bad result of this plan.

>>29537473
>> "I always did love feasts."

Fuck yeah. Food. Wine. Strippers.

>>29537473
I do love feasts

All the priests know this is the fake king, so they won't try to assassinate him during the feast. It's relaxing, in a way.

Also let's try to arrange some way for this charioteer to not get strung up for one crime or another, as it aint really his fault.

>>29537511
Shut up or you'll jinx it.

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>>29537473
"I always did love feasts," You say in your best impression of a dry, witty voice. You never felt very witty before. But then, you never thought you could sing, either, and you pulled that off pretty well.

The graybeard lays a hand on your claw, something like when two men clasp arms to seal an oath. "Good. As soon as possible would be ideal. Every day that passes, more people risk disappearing. Myself most of all. He may have suspicions already."

> "Then don't stay here. Go into hiding."
> "Then tell me where the real king is. If you die, I'll recover him. And sing at your funeral. I'm an excellent singer."
> "You'll be fine. Just wait and see!"

>>29537689
>go into hiding
>tell me in case things go bad. I'll sing at your funeral.

Rolled 5

>>29537689
>> "Then tell me where the real king is. Then go hiding.

>>29537689
[x]Do you want to hide in the pyramid until the feast? You could say it's a religious thing with the priests.

>>29537473
Wait!

Do we want to fix this? Do we need to fix this?

I vote we talk to the Sand Priest; find out if this will last or if the illusion is likely to just fade one day. Or if the image will pop if he gets hit.

If that's not the case, maybe we should keep him.

Look, I feel sorry for the King. He was in a bad accident and got pretty screwed up.

But this isn't about just him. It's about our entire city and thousands of people.

Having a poor brain-damaged fool in charge is not good for the city. It's can only lead to a continuation of the problems we've already had.

>>29537809
we should have a big ol' talk with the advisor and the priests on this topic, and the brain damage repair topic, and come to a decision based on what we can do and what would be best.

Whether we can actually have such a talk, well, who knows. politics.

>>29537809
Problem is that the charioteer might, just might become a tyrant.

We've already seen a few advisers' heads rolling.

They might start extending to the rest of the city.

>>29537834
Maybe keep him, maybe not. Either way, I think we need to consider the options.

First, we need to talk to the Sand Priest. If this spell is liable to just fade or pop, then this is moot.

Second, we need to look at the new 'King'. Is he doing a good job? Does he seem like a nice guy? Or is he cruel and useless?

Probably other things we should find out before we make Dynasty effecting decisions.

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>>29537689
"Then don't stay here. Go into hiding. But tell me where the real king is first."
He lowers his head with a worried look. "You don't think that would arouse suspicion, if I left?"
You shrug. "Either he thinks you're a traitor or he doesn't. If he does, you have to get out of here. If he doesn't, he shouldn't have anything against you leaving for a little while."
He nods. "Yes, it would be best to leave either way. The king and a small party of loyalists are in the eastern grasslands. They probably haven't strayed too far from the Lake of Horses. The king thinks he's on a three-day hunting trip. He's been thinking that for a month."
You try not to be amused by that. "Well, he won't have to be out there much longer. I'll tell the priests to send an invitation tomorrow. See if you can find a good reason to leave the palace before then."
"Thank you, Hunzuu. May Sin's blessings go with you."

> Go straight to the pyramid and tell the priests your plan
> Visit the poorhouse or go shopping on your way home
> Ask the graybeard for permission to share the secret of the king's memory problem

>>29537904
He honestly believes he's the king and they told him to pick a date for abdication.

He probably thought it was just a really bad coup.

Also, he said they were just locked away. We might be able to help them and still keep the new king.

>>29537930
fair enough, and yes, I do think we should get a bit more information before making the big decision.

Though, the spell "popping" is most likely a thing, since apparently if you believe the spell too hard the illusion only works on you. Or so the sand priest said.

>>29537968
[x]Ask the graybeard for permission to share the secret of the king's memory problem

After that, can we visit the poorhouse too? I'd like to see them once before we do the ghost thing.

I realize this is basically an [x]all the things vote, but darn.

Rolled 15

>>29537968
>> Ask the graybeard for permission to share the secret of the king's memory problem

>>29537991
>really bad coup
"Hey, uh, king? Can you, um, er, give the crown away now?
Oh jeez, guards, okay, nevermind, sorry, sorry!"

>>29537968
>[x]Ask the graybeard for permission to share the secret of the king's memory problem

>[x]Visit the poorhouse or go shopping on your way home

>[x]When we get back. Ask the Sand Priest about the spell. Will it be permanent if left alone? Is there a risk of it just popping? Ect...

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>>29537968
You stop the man as he prepares to leave the shrine. "Wait," you call out to him before remembering to lower your voice. "I know I promised not to tell anyone about the king's memory. But can I please ask the priests if they can fix him?"
He hesitates to answer. "I... For the longest time, my brothers and I hesitated to put the king's life and reputation in the priests' hands. It was our opinion that they were power-hungry madmen. Is this the case? What is your honest experience of them? The Blood Priest especially."

> "They've been like family to me. They lifted me up from starvation. They're good men."
> "They... have their good days and bad days. But I can control them."
> "They're pretty awful. But what would they have to gain from exposing or killing the king?"

here's the previous misarchived thread, for anyone looking for it.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/29372744/

>>29538204
well, they're kinda crazy, but I like them. The blood priest, well, that's true for him too, but I think if I'm there I can keep him from doing anything to hurt the king. At least overtly.

Rolled 20

>>29538204
>> "They've been like family to me. They lifted me up from starvation. They're good men."

>>29538204
>> "They... have their good days and bad days. But I can... mostly keep them in line.

>Also, this problem won't go away if we just ignore it. If you couldn't fix him yourselves, we'll need to try others.

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>>29538204
"They... have their good days and bad days. But I can... mostly keep them in line. Also, this problem won't go away if we just ignore it. If you couldn't fix him yourselves, we'll need to try others."
The graybeard can't argue with that. "Yes, something needs to be done eventually. Maybe after we finally find a suitable wife for him and he puts an heir in her. Just in case anything goes wrong. The matter of succession has been difficult. His mother was from Turtak, you know, back when they were loyal tributaries. That leaves his living relatives unsuitable for consideration."
You think you'd heard about that once from the eunuch who teaches you history. "But that could take some time! Please consider letting me help him sooner."
"And if I decide not to? You will continue to honor your pledge?"

> "Of course."
> "For a while. I've had enough of distrust and foolishness."

Rolled 15

>>29538463
>> "Of course."

>>29538463
[x]of course
We'll keep the secret if he doesn't want to reveal it.
But we REALLY want him to reveal the secret.

The feast plan was sort of contingent on getting the king cured though, so that might not go through perfectly, as we're not quite sure which would make the best leader. Maybe mention that we do have some misgiving about purposefully not curing the king.

>>29537968
>May Sin's blessings go with you.
This reminds me, can someone throw that list of the gods up in the wiki? I keep wanting to check it, but I've lost my link to it.

>>29538562
That might be nice. Right now I'm just sort of googling mesopotamian gods when I'm interested in one of 'em.

>>29538463
>"I will as long as I can. But I won't let innocent people die or our city fall to ruin for it. This isn't just about us or the king.

>If you force me to choose between my honour and my pledge, I'll choose my honour."

>>29538463
>> "For a while. I've had enough of distrust and foolishness."
After all, I still want to be empress/queen of the city.

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>>29538463
"Of course. But there will be a point where breaking a promise is the lesser of two evils. If it will save lives, I'll start talking."

He grumbles and looks away. "Just... just a little longer, I beg you. And thank you... for all you've done. Good luck, Hunzuu."

On your way home, you check on the poorhouse, where Meluku and the nursemaids are ecstatic to see you but the smallest children still hide when they see you. Some of them had nicer clothes provided for them so they could attend Ettu's wedding, and they've been wearing nothing else since.

> See if Meluku is more open to the idea of coming with you to be studied
> Just tell them pleasantries about yourself and Kullaa

>>29538583
>>29538562

Enlil: Air and storms. A leader of gods. Very Zeus-ish. Started the Great Flood.
Anu: The highest heaven. Called father of them all, but usually not highest in authority.
Shamash: Justice and the positive aspects of the sun. Judges even the other gods.
Aruru: Life. Creator of humans.
Sin: The moon and vigilance against evil
Ereshkigal: The dead
Nergal: The hot dry season, manhunters, and the negative aspects of the sun. Consort of Ereshkigal.
Ninurta: Beast hunters and honorable warfare.
Ishtar: Sex and total war.
Tammuz: Rebirth. Husband to Ishtar.
Ea: Earth and fresh water.
Tiamat: Salt water. Mother of monsters. Killed by Marduk.
Apsu: Former consort to Tiamat and primal god of fresh water. Dead.
Marduk: Kingship and heroism. Not universally worshiped, because the cities that worship him are very antagonistic against the ones that hold other gods higher.

>>29538717
ehhh, I'd like to dodge that bullet if at all possible.

>>29538753
Make with as many pleasantries as you can. We want to hear their gossip, and vice versa.
Ask meluku quickly about coming to the pyramid for a checkup during it, but leave it at that if he doesn't want to, no trying to convince him.

>>29538754
>ehhh, I'd like to dodge that bullet if at all possible.
Can we be the ancient defender of the city, while kings come and go beneath us?

>>29538753
>Just tell them pleasantries about yourself and Kullaa

Rolled 2

>>29538753
>> See if Meluku is more open to the idea of coming with you to be studied

>>29538800
>Can we be the ancient defender of the city, while kings come and go beneath us?
Yes, that is EXACTLY what I'm going for.
I don't want to be scorpion queen so much as "That scorpion that's been here for like three kings now"

>>29538787
>>29538812
Maybe we should just ask him if he's considered the offer, without pressing?

>>29538830
yeah. Ask him about it, don't press. It's not the reason we're here, which is VISITING! Hide and seek!
Okay so we lost hide and seek, but still visiting!
Lousy cheaters.

>>29538753
>Just tell them pleasantries about yourself and Kullaa

We got a lot on our plate right now. Let's just keep this a social visit.

A reminder. Don't forget we have to fight the ghosts or.... something.
Talk to the Priests; ask if they can give us weapons or information to help fighting ghosts.

>>29538903
we have to SOMETHING the ghosts.
My bet is they will visit us with nightly torments instead of sick battles. we should have someone watch us for a night, while we trigger one night's worth of curse naturally, and wake us if we start freaking out/not breathing.

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>>29538753
You tell the kids the kid-friendly version of how your days have been going. "Well! I've been training really hard, to prepare for fighting some..." You wonder if it's all right to tell them that you've been cursed to face those you've killed. "...some guys. You know, whoever threatens our city next. It's fun! I get to play with wooden spears, and carry big rocks around, and they're teaching me to read!"
You see that you're losing their interest. "And Kullaa is helping me learn magic, a little! She's learning to grow back arms and legs that people have lost." They like Kullaa a lot, so that gets their interest again.

You think that this would be a good time to bring up your offer to Meluku. "You know... Kullaa's very busy, but if you came to visit me to get studied some time, she'll be there!"

Meluku looks interested. He's been back home long enough to get bored with it. "Some time like when? Like tonight?"

>"Sure, why not?"
>"I'll have to see when the priests have time for you."

>>29538800
>>29538823
>the ancient defender of the city "That scorpion that's been here for like three kings now"

Well, I have no idea if we'll have the lifespan to do that but I fully support the general idea.

We won't be Queen. We'll take a higher office. We are the Lady Scorpion. Guardian of our City.!

>>29538994
>"I'll have to see when the priests have time for you."
"we're sort of dealing with some, uh, ghost stuff right now."

I don't think that's too much to tell children. Right? I hope not.

Rolled 13

>>29538994
>>"I'll have to see when the priests have time for you."

Its ghost day.

>>29538994
"Sure thing, Meluku!"

If the priests kick up a fuss we can tell them to be glad we got him to come along at all.

>>29538994
>"I'll have to see when the priests have time for you."

Lot of stuff going on right now. Fake king. Real king with brain-damage. Curse involving ghosts.

Maybe put this off until we've solved at least one of these.

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>>29538994
"I'll have to see when the priests have time for you."

You've done the one thing that is guaranteed to make children want something. You've told them no. Meluku will probably be much more cooperative when you come back.

> Tell the priests about your plan to restore the rightful king. Delay resolving your curse until that's sorted out.
> You set today as curse day, and you're going to stick with that! Tell them about the plan, then make final preparations to face those you've killed.

>>29539213
> You set today as curse day, and you're going to stick with that! Tell them about the plan, then make final preparations to face those you've killed.

the plan doesn't involve us acting directly, so it'll be fine even if we, er, get murdalized.
We should also ask the priests if they can help with weathering the ghosts in some way that isn't cutting a leg off. Like, don't they have some amulets or something?

Rolled 17

>>29539213
Spooktastic Ghost hunting time!

Rolled 15

>>29539213
>> You set today as curse day, and you're going to stick with that! Tell them about the plan, then make final preparations to face those you've killed.
Lets set our priorities straigth

>>29539213
>You set today as curse day, and you're going to stick with that! Tell them about the plan, then make final preparations to face those you've killed.
We shall do this!

I am predicting a line of ghosts, with us apologizing to each of them in turn individually.

>>29539213
>Ask the Sand Priest about the magic.
We need to know what we're working with before we decide what to do with it.

>You set today as curse day, and you're going to stick with that! Tell them about the plan, then make final preparations to face those you've killed.
Ask about anything that can help against ghosts. Maybe we should do this outside the city. Summoning an army of pissed off spirits inside the city sounds like is could go very wrong!

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>>29539213
You catch the priests taking a light meal in their solar. The Gold Priest has a silk scarf around his neck to hide all the sucker-bites, but you'd guess he's not fooling anyone. You explain that the "king" has probably gone mad, and you promised the true king's one remaining advisor that you'd have them invite the false king over for a feast, during which time he can be disenchanted. They act like that seems reasonable to them. The Sand Priest even wrings his hands in that evil way. "Yes... A feast... delightful..."
You change the subject. "Well, in other business... it's just about time to break my curse and see what happens. Do you have any idea what will help me survive it? Something to protect against ghosts?"

The Blood Priest finishes a cup of wine and strokes his beard. "Hmm... there's that clay ball with the liquid in it. That mole-woman kept it for her own use. It must be very powerful."
The Gold Priest makes sure his scarf is on tight. "I, er... I could see if the Bronze Priest is well enough to put a temporary enchantment on a weapon for you."
The Sand Priest shifts his eyes around the room. "I doubt lies and mirages will help you much. I suppose we could cover you in every magic trinket in the workshop and see if any of them are of any use."
The Rain Priest almost interrupts the Sand Priest, but stammers and hesitates until after he's finished. "I... well... perhaps if Hunzuu were in touch with the spirit of the pyramid? We could open the catacombs, beseech the help of the first priesthood. The dead could keep the dead in check."

> Pick any or all of their suggestions
> "You guys are priests, not just magicians. Tell the gods I'm really sorry and want to live so I can help people. All I need to protect me is their favor."

>>29539623
yeah, the clay ball is a good idea. We may use that if the ghosts prove too hazardois. We should also get some of the relics to wear.

Though, the rest of you, make nice with the gods! Rain priest, have the gods forgiven us for the temple burning thing even? Will we be having a feast in the middle of a famine?

Rolled 11

>>29539623
>> Pick any or all of their suggestions
I like the Rain priest and Gold priest ideas

Rolled 13

>>29539623
All we need is their favor to be victorious. May Ishtar bless us from the heavens, and may Tiamat support us from the afterlife .

>>29539623
Didn't we get told to use the clay ball in some specific circumstance just recently? I wouldn't be opposed to trying that though.

But I DO really want to find out more about this first priesthood. Since when do pyramids have spirits?

>>29539781
we were told to use it when some great worm came, but it would probably be fine to use it here too.
Depending on what it is, it could even be better, if it's something that would make us grow stronger throughout a lifetime.

>>29539623
> Pick any or all of their suggestions

Take the clay ball and a few or the magic trinkets from the workshop. Anything that doesn't get in the way or cause problems.

See if the Bronze Priest or some of his acolytes can enchant our spear and armour.

I recommend doing outside the city. Away from collateral damage. We killed a LOT of people and if they all just rise as ghosts.... Anyone else thinking of the Ghost Army from Lord of the Rings?

>>29539623
>"I... well... perhaps if Hunzuu were in touch with the spirit of the pyramid? We could open the catacombs, beseech the help of the first priesthood. The dead could keep the dead in check."
Ghosts, thank you.

Clay ball stays where it is.

>>29539781
>>29539848
>clay ball
Just keeping it with us as an option of last resort can't hurt. If we can manage without it; we'll save it for later.

If we're screwed and out of other options....

>>29539984
I kind of agree. Hell, I kind of want to face these ghosts as is.

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>>29539623
You ask for anything magic that might help. The Gold Priest gives you a lot of strings of green glass beads that he uses for reference when identifying magic items. The Blood Priest gives you a ceremonial dagger that's picked up traces of magic from use in countless blood rituals. The Bronze Priest is bedridden and in great pain, but he manages to cast a spell upon a spear that will keep its bronze head glowing red-hot for hours. That black metal crown you took from the sarcophagus isn't magic, but it's very old and makes you feel pretty, so you put it on. Kullaa gives you a tooth from the corpse whose limb she regenerated, for good luck. You wrap a sash around your waist and keep the clay ball inside, just in case you feel the need to use it.

> Unseal the catacombs
> That will probably only work if you do this inside the pyramid. Go outside the city walls.

>>29539781
The creepy mud-streaked guy from the Deathless Delta told you to break open the clay ball and drink from it when you were faced with something that crawled out of the angry earth, something bigger than a blight demon. But maybe that's the curse? Probably not, but maybe...

Rolled 20

>>29540130
>> Unseal the catacombs

>>29540130
>Unseal the catacombs
Lets do this.

>>29540130
Relocate the crown from head to tail
It fits better there
Later, we get a tailful of crowns. Much later.

I am unsure on catacombs/outside the city, they both offer very tempting advantages in containment.

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>>29540130
"I'm opening the catacombs. We'll break the curse down there. Whoever's doing this, come with me."

You give Nakurtum, Kullaa, and Ninlil hugs and bid them farewell, you hope not for the last time. The healthy Great Priests and one bronze acolyte go with you into the pyramid's little-used dungeons. The Blood Priest, who will be leading the ritual, leads the way to an area in the dungeons that you always thought was a dead end. You drag a heavy stone slab out of the way to reveal a dusty, utterly dark passageway. Iltani hears the sound of the sliding stone from her cell in the deep darkness, and she says something, but her words are lost in the mass of echoes. You decide that she's wishing you well.

In the light of the Blood Priest's magic torch, you glow bright blue, and you can see several skulls and scratched messages set in the walls.

> Ask the Rain Priest about the history of all this
> Focus on talking to the skulls as you bass by and being as sweet and polite as possible to those entombed here

>>29540376
>Ask the Rain Priest about the history of all this
Knowing is respecting.

waitno, we're like... 12
> Focus on talking to the skulls as you bass by and being as sweet and polite as possible to those entombed here

Rolled 4

>>29540376
>> Focus on talking to the skulls as you bass by and being as sweet and polite as possible to those entombed here
Kawaii as fuck

>>29540376
the smart option is talking about the history, but the IC one is nervous attempts to make chummy with skulls because who the fuck knows how ghosts work

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>>29540376
You feel like the skulls are watching you. Who were they? Should you bow to them? You decide to wave to them a little. "H-hi, everyone... My name's Hunzuu. I hope you're all doing well I guess you're all in the underworld with Ereshkigal now? Or are you still here? Anyway... I have a curse that I'm going to be dealing with down here, and I'd really appreciate any help you could provide. If I make it out of this, I'll come visit you again and pray for you and stuff. Thank you! Love, Hunzuu."

You pass three sarcophagi stacked on top of each other. A child's skull on the wall, misplaced among all the adult skulls. A bronze cage, behind which sits a brittle skeleton wearing opulent silver jewelry and a gorgeous gray dress.

The Bronze Priest's voice echoes through the narrow passage. "Here. This is the place." The passage you're in opens to a large, round room where a seated female figure is carved out of the bedrock itself. An altar to Ereshkigal, probably. The Blood Priest pulls out a small vial of dark glass. "Rain Priest, try to put this place on her side. The rest us speak the ritual, pour this on her, and run. If anything escapes, we and the guards will try to hold it off at the dungeon entrance."

> "Will someone stay behind with me? I'm scared..."
> "I am not afraid of any ghost. I'm ready."

>>29540761
>> "I am not afraid of any ghost. I'm ready."
We can't let them get hurt because of our curse.

>>29540761
[x]We're scared, but ready.
[x]try to get out of here if things look like they're getting out of control, we don't want ghost casualties.

Rolled 13

>>29540761
>> "I am not afraid of any ghost. I'm ready."

>>29540761
>"I am not afraid of any ghost. I'm ready."
Stay safe, priesties!

so, uh

Have any of you guys ever fought a ghost before?

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>>29540761
"I am not afraid of any ghost. I'm ready."

The bronze acolyte opens a jar of blood, and everyone starts praying to all the gods in turn. At the Blood Priest's words, the blood sizzles and evaporates. "Great Aruru, you who created humans, let the curse set within this living flesh come loose and burden its host no longer. Let its power be set free. Let it be repulsed!" He pours the vial of foul back fluid directly onto you, and you feel your stomach turn. Your skin glows an even brighter blue until you light up the whole room. The Blood Priest drops the vial. "It is working. Run!" The men all flee back the way they came in mortal terror.

You feel the curse now, twisting and squirming through your body. It swells and turns ice cold inside you, then it shatters.

>Roll 4d6 to keep calm and not throw up or anything.

Rolled 4, 1, 6, 2 = 13

>>29541051
You can do it, Hunzuu!

Rolled 1, 1, 5, 4 = 11

>>29541051
It's not a big deal if we throw up, if it happens. Just sort of point it away from your selft.

Rolled 3, 1, 2, 3 = 9

>>29541051

Rolled 6, 3, 1, 1 = 11

>>29541051

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>>29541051
You tell yourself that you can't break before it's even begun. You hold strong and keep your head high. You grip your heavy shield and glowing spear extra tight for some kind of sense of security. Soon, the feeling of nausea and churning innards is gone, but now your senses are dulling, and you feel like you're being pulled down...

Your vision comes back slowly. Your spearpoint remains a dull orange in front of you, but the floor around you is mainly lit by the blue glow of your skin and chitin. You can't see the walls any more. Are you still in the catacombs? Or is this the underworld?

A human figure lurches toward you. It looks young, only a young man, but broken, his face twisted by hate. He wears acolyte's robes, the red fabric washed out to black in the pale blue light. The first man you ever killed. An innocent man. Vague shapes are following further behind him.

> Maybe he'll accept an apology?
> Roll 4d6 to defend yourself. Toss him away with your claws, or impale him on your burning spear
> Pray to the gods for protection
> Pray to the gods for absolution
> At any point you may panic and drink from the clay ball.

>>29541374
> Maybe he'll accept an apology?

Ah, you.
I feel worst about you.
You probably won't forgive me, but I'm sorry for that.

Rolled 4, 4, 3, 4 = 15

>>29541374
>> Roll 4d6 to defend yourself. Toss him away with your claws, or impale him on your burning spear
Impale him

>>29541443
can we see if an apology works first? I don't mind stabbin' him if he tries to attack us, but we ARE sorry for that killing him thing and this is nice closure.

Rolled 6, 4, 2, 2 = 14

>>29541480
Wasn't our fault. Not sure what a blood magic acolyte could do.

>>29541374
>> Pray to the gods for absolution
This is the one I truly feel guilty about.

The others were fine, but this one was an accident.

>>29541516
Having to kill the mole woman sucked as well.

>>29541633
I sort of feel bad about the lizard woman too, now that I know the war laws. And that one llamasu who we killed while he was offering surrender. Those were particularly nasty.

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>>29541374
You feel a pit in your stomach again, and you know it's not just the curse escaping. You still hate yourself for what you did to him, so much you can barely speak. Your breath is short, and your voice cracks. "I'm sorry..."

Maybe the curse forces him forward, or maybe he just doesn't accept your terse apology, but he lets out an inhuman wail that turns into a loud bellow. Black blood flies from his mouth like spittle and runs down the corner of his lips. He keeps coming.

> Roll 4d6 to swat him away or try to break him
> Explain how you have to survive - you can save more lives than you've taken.
> Call out to a god for pity
> You deserve this. Time for bitter, bitter clawhugs.

Rolled 1, 2, 2, 4 = 9

>>29541771
> Roll 4d6 to swat him away or try to break him
> Explain how you have to survive - you can save more lives than you've taken.

Tell him we're sorry for killing him, and we're sorry for fighting him now. Then swat him through a wall.

Aint no way we're breaking the curse with hugs, but at least we can apologize to those who we did it real rough to while we're double killing 'em.

Rolled 6, 1, 2, 2 = 11

>>29541771
>> Roll 4d6 to swat him away or try to break him

Rolled 1, 5, 1, 1 = 8

>>29541771
>> You deserve this. Time for bitter, bitter clawhugs.
Nah not really.
> Roll 4d6 to swat him away or try to break him
Crush him!

"i'm sorry, but I can't die here. the city still needs me."

swat him away, but try not to kill him.

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>>29541771
You try to swat him away with your scarred right claw. He clings to you and refuses to be shaken off. "Please! I didn't want to kill you, and I don't want to fight you now!" You try to crane your glowing spear directly downward to poke at him. Before you can strike him, you see more figures come into view. There are human soldiers with spears and slings, their heads tilted forward but their sullen eyes looking straight at you. Behind them is the giant maggot and the even more colossal figure of the mole-woman. You notice no centaurs in the grotesque horde.

Te mole-woman has enough of her old self left to call out to you in a growling, accusatory voice. "FLESH-EATER! You are an abomination born of blood sacrifice. You have not even the meager right to live that the true flesh-eaters could once claim. You are neither human nor monster. You are no one and nothing. Die now, and fade."

> Roll 4d6 to keep trying to double-kill
> Argue for your right to exist
> Plead to the gods to be saved from this horrible fate
> Panic and use her clay ball
> If anyone can remember people Hunzuu has killed that I've forgotten, she can add an extra 1d6 to her next roll. I've remembered the lammasus, the lizard woman, the crocodile, the red giant, and lots and lots of Turtaki soldiers.

Rolled 6, 2, 3, 5 = 16

>>29542175
we've a couple centaurs.
> Roll 4d6 to keep trying to double-kill
Hey! You killed my friend! And our guards! You've no place to talk!

Rolled 2, 2, 1, 6 = 11

>>29542175
>> Roll 4d6 to keep trying to double-kill

Rolled 1

>>29542239
>we've
I mean we've killed.

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 1 = 10

>>29542239
A whole lot of centaurs. Did we get any slingers and/or archers when we got the mole-woman too?

>>29542175
Fight while arguing for our right to live. Half of these dudes were far worse then us.

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>>29542175
You finally manage to stab the searing spear into the poor acolyte's dark flesh a few times and shake him off into the darkness. You yell at the mole-woman as she shambles toward you on her enormous clawed mole-legs. "Hey! You killed my friend! And our guards! You've no place to talk!"

The mole-woman has been stripped of her weapons, so she folds her human arms and lets the giant maggot reach you first. "They were servants of an abomination. You killed them just as well."

> You really don't want to have to kill this maggot-thing again. Roll 4d6 to run.
> Roll 4d6 to try using the wrestling moves you learned from your dead scorpion kin
> They're closing in on you. Clay ball time.

Rolled 4, 3, 2, 2 = 11

>>29542552
> Roll 4d6 to try using the wrestling moves you learned from your dead scorpion kin

It's not time for the clay ball. Yet. Not quiiite yet.

Unless we have to worry about the ball breaking. Then that changes things.

Rolled 3, 3, 5, 2 = 13

> Roll 4d6 to try using the wrestling moves you learned from your dead scorpion kin
Toss the thing at the incoming dead

Rolled 1, 3, 2, 6 = 12

>>29542552
Wrastle it.
I see nothing wrong with ending this one again.

>>29542593
it would be more of a... roll.
But I can agree with using it as an improvised weapon.

Rolled 5, 1, 5, 1 = 12

>>29542552
>> Roll 4d6 to try using the wrestling moves you learned from your dead scorpion kin

"what does that even mean? I don't have servants other than my tailor"

>>29542616
>nothing wrong with killing it again
well, its bites really do hurt.

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>>29542552
You'e fairly confident that you can grab at the maggot and pin it into submission again without breaking the clay ball tucked into the back of your sash. You crawl all over it, trying to stab at its tough rubbery hide with your legs, claws, stinger, and spear all at once. It is even clumsier than it was in life, so although you don't injure it, you manage not to be crushed under it either.

You hear wingbeats above you. Three lammasus have come to join in tormenting you. And behind the mole-woman, the lizard-woman watches with black tears in her eyes.

> This is too many guys at once! Pray, or plead, or drink from that ball. Roll 3d6 to see if the gods favor you.
> There's no such thing as too many guys at once. Roll 4d6 to break the maggot-thing and hurl it as a weapon at someone else.

Rolled 2, 1, 6, 4 = 13

>>29542899
Pray and fight! They seem to be happy to fight us one at at time.

The moment it looks like there's more then one coming at us, though, drink from the ball

Rolled 5, 4, 4, 2 = 15

>>29542899
>No such thing as too many guys at once.

Rolled 5, 5, 2, 5 = 17

>>29542899
>> There's no such thing as too many guys at once. Roll 4d6 to break the maggot-thing and hurl it as a weapon at someone else.

Rolled 2, 3, 4 = 9

>>29542899
imma vote for the ball.

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>>29542899
You crack the maggot's mandibles with a hard strike from your claw, then hold its head away from you with both claws like you did when you slew it, but it keeps thrashing and trying to feast on your flesh. The maggot pulls you into a thicket of human spearmen, some of whom are crushed instantly, but some of whom stab at your glowing chitinous body. The mole-woman reaches you as well and rakes her long claws across your scorpion back.

> You now have 1 wound.

> Roll 4d6 to cripple the maggot and fight your way out of here so you're no longer surrounded
> You may also pray to any particular god from >>29538753
, or to all of them in general.
> Ball time.

>>29543203
well, we're surrounded and under attack.
Let's grab the ball.
And ask the mole woman if this looks familiar to her.

Rolled 2, 3, 6, 1 = 12

>>29543203
Pray to Ishtar and Tiamat. Sting them all, and hope we have enough venom.

Rolled 2, 4, 3, 4 = 13

>>29543203
Pray to tiamat
and

> Roll 4d6 to cripple the maggot and fight your way out of here so you're no longer surrounded

>>29543262
I can second ishtar. I've been wanting to get more behind her.
Ishtar and tiamat are both pretty cool.

>>29543203
>ball time

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>>29543203
You feel truly outmatched. You beseech the deities you identify with as you wince under the impact of spear and claw, straining to completely shatter the maggot's jaws and leave it a broken husk. "Lady Ishtar... I don't know if you can hear me, but please help me kill all these dead things again! If I get out of here, I'll serve you the best I can! And Lady Tiamat... I know you're dead, but your people need you. Including me. We haven't given up on you. Please, help me!"

>Roll 3d6 to test the limits of your faith

Rolled 5, 3, 4 = 12

>>29543521
the limits aint very high. But might as well try it!
And if deities don't work, and sick ass scorpion combos don't work, then the ball may work.

Rolled 1, 2, 6 = 9

>>29543521

This is a lot of ghosts. I'm glad we didn't wait until later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmCuwfRjQZM#t=2m38s

Rolled 4, 5, 6 = 15

>>29543521
>>Roll 3d6 to test the limits of your faith

>>29543563
Yeah, soloing armies is hard.

Rolled 5, 2, 1 = 8

>>29543521
LET'S DO THIS

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>>29543521
You pull on the maggot's head with both claws until its jaws splinter in a mess of black ichor and pulp. The mole-woman continues clawing at you, cracking your chitin and causing glowing blue blood to ooze down your eight legs.

> You now have 2 wounds.

You're not sure, but over the sounds of battle and a hundred moaning dead things, you think you hear someone gently snickering.

The voice that follows you're sure you can hear, though it's faint. "Did you hear that, sweet sister? Even in your house, she calls for me. Amusing. If she dies, I'll come knocking."

> Roll 4d6 to fight your way to relative safety. Just hold out. Maybe the curse has a duration.
> Roll 4d6 to double-kill all the weak humans around you. Maybe your gallantry will impress the gods.
> Use the clay ball

Rolled 6, 1, 6, 3 = 16

>>29544071
>> Roll 4d6 to double-kill all the weak humans around you. Maybe your gallantry will impress the gods.
TIAMAT

>>29544071
I have no idea whose house we are iiin!
I'm still of the mind to use the clay ball. We're going to have to deal with at least three more big monsters before this is over.

>>29544071
>clay ball
we're getting a wound a turn guys, with a limit of 4

Rolled 1, 4, 3, 5 = 13

>>29544071
>> Roll 4d6 to fight your way to relative safety. Just hold out. Maybe the curse has a duration.

Rolled 4, 6, 3, 5 = 18

>>29544071
> Roll 4d6 to double-kill all the weak humans around you. Maybe your gallantry will impress the gods.
BATTLE CRY

Rolled 3, 1, 6, 1 = 11

>>29544071
>Roll 4d6 to fight your way to relative safety. Just hold out. Maybe the curse has a duration.

tiamat's the oldest god, so she's not sisters with anyone I think, which means it must be ishtar who is taking pride in us.
Woo ishtar! Honorable warfare!

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>>29544071
Secure in the knowledge that someone is listening, you turn from the broken maggot-thing, tumble under the mole-woman's foreleg as it takes another swipe at you, and tear through some amassed ranks of Turtaki soldiers. Your venom seems to have no effect on them, since they're already dead, but your claws and your spear can break their bodies past the point of fighting back.

The mole-woman growls at you and digs her claws into the floor. "The gods will not answer you! They want you dead just as much as I..."

A great rumbling sound interrupts the mole-woman. Two glowing violet eyes open. An enormous stone figure walks toward you and starts scattering the masses of the vengeful dead.

> Stay here and say something contrary to the mole-woman
> Take the opportunity to run
> The lizard-woman is still watching from the sidelines. Go to her and see what her deal is.

>>29544338
Almost. A lot of the gods represent half of one or more dualities. Ninurta oversees the honorable side of war, and the fickle Ishtar oversees the nasty, ruthless side of war.

>>29544739
I do -not- remember killing a giant stone figure. Get away from that shit, it must be a natural denizen of the underworld passing through our battle.

Also, you've got my curiosity with the lizard woman thing, so do that. Also tell her you didn't know about the war rules, and that it wasn't good of you to chase her when she ran.

Rolled 6, 2, 5, 1 = 14

>>29544739
You are already dead, lay in peace, mole-woman. You had your chance in life, I won't give you another in death.

Rolled 3, 4, 5, 3 = 15

>>29544739
>> The lizard-woman is still watching from the sidelines. Go to her and see what her deal is.
What the hell is that thing?

>>29544739
>> Stay here and say something contrary to the mole-woman

"Why don't you want to be friends?"

>>29544739
>Stay and contradict mole woman
"LOL I dunno, that stone giant looks pretty godly and supportive to me."

>>29544739
>> Stay here and say something contrary to the mole-woman
Maybe not.
>> The lizard-woman is still watching from the sidelines. Go to her and see what her deal is.

Rolled 6

>>29544739
Mole woman and And Lizard chick
>rolling for friendship

>>29544739
Call out to Ereshkigal, and ask her if there is a way to bring the lizard woman thing back to life. Her husband misses her dearly. And we feel bad about killing her, too.

>>29544739
darn, I was hoping we were being sweet with the god of honorable warfare.

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>>29544739
The mole-woman looks at the approaching stone creature in disbelief. She hisses and sputters black blood. "Is that... It can't be! My lady. I must kill this flesh-eater! I MUST! I feel it! Is it not your will?"

The stone woman seizes the mole-woman by her human arm and squeezes. She looks like she might be the statue of Ereshkigal that was carved into the catacomb wall, somehow arisen and moving on its own. The dead certainly react to her as though they recognize her. Even the three lammasus come down from the sky and bow before her.

The lizard-woman just looks at you, her mouth tight, her eyes obscured with thick, decayed blood. She speak in a pained croak. "Something makes me want to... hurt you... something more than hate. It's pushing me forward. But there's no point to it. There's no point to anything anymore..."

> Say something to her, if there's anything left to say
> Beg the stone woman to bring back the ones you killed unfairly
> Run from all of them.

>>29545154
Ask the storm woman to bring them back please

>>29545154
>Say something to her
Sounds like somebody needs a hug~

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 5 = 14

>>29545154
Apologise for the curse forcing them to do this. The dead should know rest.

We regret killing her, once we met her husband, but All is Fair in war.

>>29545154
the stone woman won't bring anyone back. She seems very against that shit.

We can't apologize enough to make it right to any of these dead folk, but we can tell the lizard woman her husband lived, and remembers her fondly.

>>29545194
Yes to clawhugs
Also apologise to her

>>29545154
>> Beg the stone woman to bring back the ones you killed unfairly
Might as well ask while we here.

>>29545154
>> Say something to her, if there's anything left to say
"That makes me feel a little better about dragging you back, I never wanted to hurt you either"
>> Beg the stone woman to bring back the ones you killed unfairly

>>29545194
>>29545235
I gotta say, this is one of the few instances where clawhugs are probably a bad idea.

>>29545232
Can't be to sure she won't unless we try

Rolled 5, 5, 3, 6 = 19

>>29545213
I sort of forgot to finish that last sentence. We were right to attack, but it's sad knowing that she had no children.

we should apologize, and ask if she has anything she wants us to tell her husband.

>>29545268
E everyone like claw hugs (police we can hold her arms down wile hugging and she seemed pretty hopeless to even try and fight)

>>29545268
>>29545305
Clawhugs are always good.

>>29545154
Don't say that, if there's no point to anything then what was the point of living, of fighting, OF DYING!? You matter to those you left behind, those who still miss you.
>"Please, I don't know if its possible but please help those trapped here. I wish you could bring them all back but I'm willing to bet thats not possible. Just... not here bound to vengeance by this curse just somewhere they can find rest"

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>>29545154
You feel ashamed and terrified all at once "I'm really sorry for killing you. Your husband is still alive, and he misses you. Could I, uh, tell him anything for you?"

Her lizard muscles twitch as she fights the compulsion to tear you to pieces. "Ghh... T-tell him he doesn't have to fight anymore. We wasted all our time together... fighting things. Don't do anything more that hurts... no point... just forget about me if it hurts to remember..."

You turn to the stone woman, who's inspecting the dead things around her, looking down at them, determining what the curse is doing to them. You say to her, "Please, I don't know if its possible, but please help those trapped here. I wish you could bring them all back. but I'm willing to bet that's not possible. Just... not here, bound to vengeance by this curse. Just somewhere they can find rest."

The stone woman pets the bleeding, broken giant maggot, which is missing most of its head but still thrashing. Her touch calms it. She looks at you and gives you the slightest of nods.

The dead creatures slowly sink into the ground, some still looking at you with hate, all pained and despairing, but calm and safe in the Dark Lady's embrace. The light of the Blood Priest's fallen magic torch returns to the room. The statue of Ereshkigal is inanimate again, but is now standing and growing out of the floor instead of sitting and growing out of the wall.

> Shout some parting words to Ereshkigal or one of your victims
> Run the hell away
> Play tug-of-war with the sinking lizard-woman
> Collapse and thank the gods

Rolled 1, 4, 4, 5 = 14

>>29545638
>> Collapse and thank the gods

>>29545638
give parting words and thank gods

>>29545638
>> Collapse and thank the gods
Specificalyl Ereshkigal, Tiamat and maybe Ishtar? I have trouble telling them apart, but the ones who helped us.

>>29545638
I am struck by uncertainty at the prospect of trying to pull a dead person out of the dead zone.

>>29545638
>> Play tug-of-war with the sinking lizard-woman
This is very very tempting.

But clawhugs!

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>>29545638
"Goodbye..." The lizard-woman looks back at you with resigned indifference before sinking into nothingness.

Soon all the dead are gone. The last to fade away is the lammasu you killed at the gates of Turtak. He tries to look dignified, but death has rotted his hide and ruffled his feathers. "I offered you a chance to live, child. Live, then. While you can..."

With a sigh of relief, you collapse and allow yourself to feel the pain of your grievous injuries. You offer half-coherent prayers of thanks to Ishtar and Ereshkigal, and Tiamat if she's listening.

> Pull yourself together and return to the priests
> Take some time to wander the quiet catacombs and think about the things you've done
> Tell Iltani about your ordeal. She'll want to know what all the noise was.

>>29545712
Tiamat=dead primordial monster. Ishtar=living sexy lady

>>29545912
go to the priests

>>29545912
Sorry llamassu.
We sort of were a dick to you.
[x]report back to priests with this
no offence, uh, skulls, but you guys are scary and not calming.

We'll bring a sacrifice by later.

Rolled 6, 2, 5, 5 = 18

>>29545912
>> Pull yourself together and return to the priests

>>29545912
>> Take some time to wander the quiet catacombs and think about the things you've done
>> Tell Iltani about your ordeal. She'll want to know what all the noise was.

Let's go exploring. Maybe there's another exit, and we can loop around and find Iltani.
I don't feel like facing the priests just yet.

>>29545912
>Tiamat=dead primordial monster
>Ishtar=living sexy lady
What do my fellow players thing about these two? Our long-dead brothers and sisters worship one or the other, and I suppose we should pick a side at some point.
I personally really like Ishtar's fields of influence, but Tiamat has a lot of raw appeal.

>>29545980
I like ishtar AND tiamat. I'm a polytheist in this.
I also like ninurta. Ereshkigal did us a solid, so she's getting an extra half-goat on her sacrificial feast this year.

All the gods get a feast every year. I think. Only some of them have big ones.

>>29545912
> Take some time to wander the quiet catacombs and think about the things you've done

Time to reflect on what has just happened.

Do we have to pick sides when it comes to the gods? Or is worshipping all of them equally okay with them?

>>29546022
>ninurta
The god of killing things like us. Really?

>>29546112
she's god of honorable warfare and beast hunting.
We do a -lot- of beast hunting, and I'd like to do warfare more honorably.

>>29545912
>> Take some time to wander the quiet catacombs and think about the things you've done

Time to do some soul searching

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>>29545912
The catacombs have a desolate, terrible kind of beauty to them, but you can't bear to stay in them any longer, and you feel like you're barely escaping with your life.

The passage out of the dungeons is under extremely heavy guard. You hear cries of alarm as you approach, but cheers and sighs of relief when you come into view. Dadanum looks most relieved of all to see that it's you - both because he's your friend and because he's not exactly brave. You are welcomed back into the grateful company of the living.

> I'm going to break soon. If there are any quick bits of business you'd like to take care of tonight, we can see to them.

>>29546022
Correct. Ereshkigal has a little feast just after harvest time where people celebrate all the fools and villains who are better off dead. The next feast that's coming is the feast of Enlil, where everyone eats and enjoys themselves indoors, but the streets must remain silent all day, in remembrance of the time Enlil decided to kill all humans for making too much noise. Most people, even the Great Priests, worship all the gods in their turn except the dead gods Tiamat and Apsu and the asshole god Marduk. There was a time when each Great Priest was devoted to a specific deity, but it led to a lot of strife and backstabbing, like most things in Ligish do, so a king of old moved them all together into one pyramid.

>>29546277
Find Iltani, and see how she's doing.

>>29546277
>quick bits of business
Uh shit
Let's go get our tailor some dead scorpions to take apart for study.
Let's also talk to someone about ghosts, and write down somewhere in our near illiterate hand a reminder to tell the lizardman the wife's words.

>>29546337
>Iltani
yeah, iltani works as someone to talk to about ghosts.

>>29546277
Maybe we should tell Iltani that we won a fight against all of the dead we caused, and then rest and recover.

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>>29546277
After Nakurtum gives your wounds a rudimentary look-over and uses most of the clean dressings in the pyramid to wrap around your scorpion body, you decide to tell Iltani what all the fuss was about. She's still relatively clean, and her short black hair is still coming in. She's been listening intently at the bars for you. "I heard things. Voices, sounds. You've been fighting. What's down there to fight, I wonder? are things waking up from under the earth? That could be a sign of you-know-who..."

You explain to her how you faced the guilt of all your killings in the disused catacombs of an earlier time, and how the gods just barely saved you from being killed by the vengeful dead.
Iltani nods as her black eyes seem to sparkle in the torchlight. "Whatever it was, I knew you'd win. You're coming into your superiority. A killer without peer. Now what's this about catacombs?"

The next time you have leave to take Iltani for a walk, she insists on seeing these catacombs. You don't see the harm in it. It allows you to think about those you've killed while in the company of someone you considered killing, but relented. You wonder how many more you'll have to kill, and how many you can save instead.

>We can call it a night here. It's archived on sup/tg/ (correctly, this time!) so you can upvote it if you like. Thanks for playing, and I hope it wasn't 3spooky5you

>>29546830
Now to just worry forever that some of the ghosts stayed behind.
Thanks for running! And I made sure to archive right early to prevent misarchiving.

>>29546863
Someone did it for me, so we're cool. I worry that archiving it *too* early might come off as dickish. I notice I get a lot of early downvotes whenever I do that.

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>>29546830
>>29546830
great thread as always

>>29546986
eh, don't think too hard about it.

Goddamnit, exactly as I found the thread. Oh well, maybe next time. Thanks for running, Anu.

>>29547421
I've got my filters set up to find me scorpions.

>>29547421
Sorry to have missed a fan. I'll be running the next one either Saturday or Sunday, if you have a preference.

>>29547473
I also post the link on Twitter when a new thread goes up.