Rolled 3, 3 = 6

>>32202165
We're not shit at magic anymore, so
> Practice healing yourself. Roll 2d6

Rolled 17

>>32202165
Practise healing ourselves,>>32202195
this anon is right.

>>32202165
>Let Kullaa heal you.
Also, we should ask the footmen whats up before we leave.

>>32202165
> Practice healing yourself. Roll 2d6

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>>32202165
With the blood Kullaa provides, you cast the necessary spells and successfully restore the scabbed-over cuts and cracked chitin in your claws. Your claws seem to take a lot of abuse.

After instructing Nergal-Edir to start preparing some trail ration for you and Rabi-Tammuz to get together your other things, you have some free time to see to other business in the city.

>Go back to the palace and check on the king and the nagas
>Go to the Footmen's School
>Go to other fighting schools to see if you can get more troops to volunteer for your mission
>Go shopping

>>32202372
>Go to the Footmen's School

Rolled 2, 4 = 6

>>32202372
>Go to the Footmen
Those guys were kinda nice last time we fought with them.

>>32202372
>Go to the Footmen's School

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>>32202372
You skitter toward the Footmen's School. You hear the usual pleas shouted from the common folk on the streets. "Lady Scorpion, you're not going out again, are you?" "Lady Scorpion, heal me!" "Lady Scorpion, is it true that you're betrothed?" "Lady Scorpion, when can I go back to my village?"

The Footmen guarding the gates naturally recognize you and wave you in. Sharo and most of the other men are drilling in the yard, but Ettu, visibly pregnant now, starts calling out for you as soon as she hears of your visit. You give her clawhugs, and this time she knows that your chitinous claws are not the cruel embrace of death. "Hunzuu! It seems like it's been so long!"

"I know! Hey, I got you something. Hold out your hand." You give her the doll that Rabi-Tammuz made, the one with the little replica organs inside.

"Oh, thank you! Oh, she has a little face, I can feel it! What's this inside her, though? Why is she so lumpy?"

"You don't want to know."

>Ask her about all the prisoners they've been taking lately
>Ask to see Sharo
>Ask her who'd be the best person to go to to beg for troops to come with you
>Just double-check that her husband is treating her well. Because if he isn't, then you'll eviscerate him.

>>32202730
>Just double-check that her husband is treating her well. Because if he isn't, then you'll eviscerate him.

>>32202730
>Ask her about all the prisoners they've been taking lately
Then
>Ask to see Sharo

>>32202730
>double-check that her husband is treating her well and ask whats up with all the prisoners.

>>32202730
>Ask her who'd be the best person to go to to beg for troops to come with you
>Just double-check that her husband is treating her well. Because if he isn't, then you'll eviscerate him.

>>32202730
>"Lady Scorpion, when can I go back to my village?"
I'm curious about this one. If we see them again once we leave, ask why they can't go home.

>>32202730
>Just double-check that her husband is treating her well. Because if he isn't, then you'll eviscerate him.

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>>32202730
"So how are you? How's your husband? Is he perfect? If he's anything less than perfect, you know you can send for me and I'll take care of it."

Ettu laughs. "He's fine, he's fine. Very loving. Amazing in bed, if I may say so. He's afraid of you, though. Terrified, even. I can't imagine why." You're not sure whether she's being sarcastic.

"Good. So I hear that the Footmen have been collecting way more prisoners than normal, even for minor offenses. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"Well, I overhear things. The boys are so used to having me come around the barracks, they're not afraid to say things. It was a suggestion from the king. He says the priests could use some more blood, because now they're sitting on more relics than they know what to do with, and our monster supply is stretched a little thin. That giant with the man buried in her, she's proven hard to control. She went out on her own for like four days to stop an outbreak of blight demons, didn't even tell anyone where she was going."

After chatting for a few minutes, you see the commander come in, a small man in big bulky gilded armor. "Lady Scorpion! How may I help you?"

> Request aid in your mission of vengeance
> "The priests say your services are no longer required. Turn your patrols back to the way they were before."

>>32203114
>Request aid in vengeance mission

>>32203114
> Request aid in your mission of vengeance
It's why we came here anyway.

>>32203114
>> Request aid in your mission of vengeance
>> "The priests say your services are no longer required. Turn your patrols back to the way they were before."

>>32203114
>Turn your patrols back to the way they were before, i have a better solution to the need for blood.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
"People of ligesh. In order to ensure the priests have enough blood to heal the sick an injured, we are creating a new blood tax. Each healthy adult must give a jar of blood each season.

As a reward, we will hold a day of [healing god] each month, to heal those in greatest need."

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>>32203114
"You can help me with men. I'll be joining some forces from Zagros on a mission to kill those renegade monsters who started that battle in the palace square. The king has pledged only a token force of charioteers, but I know that you will be more generous when asked in person."

The commander scratches his short beard. "Will I? Then how am I to defend the city? We need everything we can get, especially when you're away, and there's no telling when that damned giant might wander off again. Why should I send anyone to go with you when the king himself deemed it unwise?"

> "You'll do it because I said so." Physically threaten him a little.
> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."
> "Because I can make it worth your while."
> Make sad-scorpion eyes. "I'll be your best frieeeend..."

>>32203409
> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need as much defending after this."

>>32203409
> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."

Best defense is a good offense.

>>32203409
> Make sad-scorpion eyes. "I'll be your best frieeeend..."

>>32203431
>"We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."
Revenge with a slice of vengeance is how we do it.

>>32203409
> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."

>>32203409
> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."

>>32203409
>"We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. You can best defend it by helping me kill these monsters.

>>32203372
Still voting for blood tax

>>32203409
> Make sad-scorpion eyes. "I'll be your best frieeeend..."
>> "We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."

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>>32203409
"We'll be hunting the number one threat to the city. It won't need defending after this."

"That's assuming you find them at all. They could come back while you're looking for them in the wrong side of the world."

"I know where they went. They went east, to see if any more pieces of Pazuzu are among the naga"

"The what?"

"The snake-people."

He glares at you as if to test your mettle. "I'll allow companies to volunteer. No more than that."

> "Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6.
> "Now I see why your men don't like you." Go find Sharo and make him give a speech for you.

Rolled 5

>>32203660
> "Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6.
We'll have VENGEANCE. We'll also be saving the city and possibly the world, but revenge too.

Rolled 1

>>32203660
>"Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6

Rolled 5

>>32203660
> "Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6.

Rolled 1

>>32203660
>> "Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6.

Rolled 5

>"Fine." Go out to the yard and make a rousing speech. Roll 1d6.
Do I get 5?

>>32203695
>>32203699
>>32203755
Are you all KoG?

The dice seem to have a thing for 5's and 1's today.

>>32203755
THE DICE HAVE BECOME SCENTIENT!

>>32203755
It is a sign from the dice gods!

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>>32203660
You scout out the yard from a window before showing yourself. You identify the most dramatic place to show yourself. You go around and squeeze through a doorway atop a semicircular platform, where most of the drilling Footman happen to be facing.

You try to do it the way Ninlil would have. "FOOTMEN! Who will come with me on a mission of vengeance? That traitorous lizard and his cronies strode into Ligish with impunity and killed our people! They remain unpunished, and they know that they can do it again whenever they please! This time I say we take the fight to them. Strike them where they sleep, surround them, and butcher every last one of them. Your commander wants only volunteers to join me, because he wants to honor me with only the best and bravest among you! So who shall it be?!"

Several men cheer and raise their training weapons. At least two hundred, including Sharo. It seems your speech went over well.

"Prepare yourselves! We march in two days!"

> Return to the commander to talk more business
> See if you can have a word with Sharo in private
> Go to the palace
> Try the same approach with other schools
> Go back to the pyramid

>>32203906
> See if you can have a word with Sharo in private

>>32203906
> Go back to the pyramid

>>32203906
>See if you can have a word with Sharo in private

>>32203906
> See if you can have a word with Sharo in private

Rolled 5

>>32203906
>> See if you can have a word with Sharo in private
Strategy and planning!

>>32203906
>Return to the commander to talk more business

A Bit sad no one has seconded the blood tax. It could stop the arrests and solve the blood shortage.

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>>32203906
You go back to chat with Ettu until the drilling has finished and argue over baby names for a while, then Sharo seeks you out. "Hunzuu. We haven't spoken since we returned from the Turtak campaign. A lot has happened since then. I wanted to say I'm sorry about your friend. I wouldn't usually speak in favor of revenge, but this seems like something that needs to be done anyway.

> Ask him for advice on commanding troops
> Tell him you're letting Mannuqappu take care of the strategy side of things, but if he's doing anything really stupid, let you know.
> Write in whatever else you want to say

>>32204189
Nope, it's a bad idea, drop it

>>32204211
>Ask him for advice on commanding troops

>>32204211
> Tell him you're letting Mannuqappu take care of the strategy side of things, but if he's doing anything really stupid, let you know.

>>32204211
>> Write in whatever else you want to say
So what's the deal with excessive arresting?

>>32203906
> Tell him you're letting Mannuqappu take care of the strategy side of things, but if he's doing anything really stupid, let you know.

Rolled 4

>>32204211
>> Ask him for advice on commanding troops

>>32204211
>Ask him for advice on commanding troops

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>>32204211
"Good to see you, Sharo. I think I want to try taking charge of this campaign myself. I've studied a little bit about strategy and tactics with the Rain Priest and with my friend's eunuchs, but I've never really done anything like this before. I think some of the histories they make me study are a little... exaggerated."

Sharo smiles. "I'll help however I can. I know I didn't step up for the position of commander last time, but I've done my share of correcting others when they're about to give ill-advised orders. Nobody's perfect, but a good commander has to look the part. So never correct someone, or let yourself be corrected, when people are watching."

> Stay with him and Ettu for the rest of the day, just reviewing the things you can do with the mixed force you'll be having
> Just stay an hour or so and then go check on Hilallum and the nagas
> Just stay for an hour or so and then go back tot he pyramid

>>32204228
Why is it a bad idea? It stops the arrests, innocent people don't have to die just for their blood.

It provides a much greater blood supply for the priests.

And presented right, it could be great for public relations.

Rolled 6

>>32204454
>> Stay with him and Ettu for the rest of the day, just reviewing the things you can do with the mixed force you'll be having

>>32204454
>Just stay an hour or so and then go check on Hilallum and the nagas

>>32204520
>And presented right, it could be great for public relations.
Please tell me you're joking. This whole thing was a joke, right? You don't seriously believe collecting blood from people monthly would improve their opinion of you. Please anon, I don't think I could live anymore if a fellow human being, a member of the race I also belong to, seriously believed this. Please say it was all a joke.

>>32204454
> Stay with him and Ettu for the rest of the day, just reviewing the things you can do with the mixed force you'll be having

>>32204454
> Just stay an hour or so and then go check on Hilallum and the nagas

>>32204454
> Just stay an hour or so and then go check on Hilallum and the nagas
Disregard footmen acquire shotca

>>32204621
>Each healthy adult must give a jar of blood each season.
>As a reward, we will hold a day of [healing god] each month, to heal those in greatest need."

You didn't even read it before you started disagreeing, did you.

>>32204819
Other cities will call us barbaric for "stealing" the vital bodily fluids of adults.

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>>32204454
You spend an hour just going over what Sharo's learned about tactics before taking your leave and heading for the palace.

You're told that the king has let Mannuqappu go to see to his troops stationed outside the city walls. Hillallum is in a guest room napping - maybe all that sparring with Nakurtum took a lit out of him. Jaya and Kiresh are in the king's study, studying all the illuminated scrolls and star charts and generally making a mess of things.

> Tell them that they should both come with you
> Take just one of them
> Ask them to write a message for you to take to their people
> Have them do whatever they please and go sneak into Hillallum's room

>>32204819
Oh god, he really thinks healing a couple people every month makes up for taking a full jar of blood from everyone 4 times a year. A fellow human being really believes this. Time to kill myself.

Rolled 6

>>32204970
>> Ask them to write a message for you to take to their people
Don't want to endanger them

>>32204970
> Take just one of them
Jaya should do

>>32204970
>> Ask them to write a message for you to take to their people
This is the responsible option that we should do...
But...
I...
> Have them do whatever they please and go sneak into Hillallum's room
The allure of the /ss/ is too strong.

>>32205022
Yes, i think getting people to make blood donations, and rewarding them for it, is better than SNATCHING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND BLEEDING THEM TO DEATH!

Please explain how the current situation is better.

>>32205251
We're not snatching people off the streets, we're arresting criminals. Instead of rotting uselessly in jail and taking up resources, we're recycling them into resources we can use. How is it not better? I mean, your suggestion would make the people rebel within a month.

>>32205356
they are bleeding people that would have only got a fine now

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>>32204970
"Can you write?" You pantomime writing on a blank scroll. "I can take it back to the naga, so they know you're doing good."

Jaya nods enthusiastically. "You think good, Hunzuu!" She looks for an inkpot and starts scrawling on a scroll in an incomprehensible script with the tip of her tail.

She looks up at you in between thinking of things to write. Her usual smirl is even more mischievous. "Hunzuu... you go to your home with the boy Hunzuu, and later the boy Hunzuu comes back, and he is a little bit wet. And he is blue, here and here in the face. Does Hunzuu have a man now?"

> "No. One day, maybe."
> "Mm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"

>>32205356
>"Well, there's no shortage of blood," she says, "but that's not entirely a good thing. They say the only reason the king's dungeons still have prisoners to give us is because the Footmen have stepped up their night patrols again. Things that were once only punished with fines or floggings are now declared capital offenses. I don't know if that's the priests' doing or the king's. Anyway, I hope it doesn't last long."

Learn to read. Minor things that once got a fine now get the death penalty.

It was the footmen doing shit like this that almost caused civil war.

You can't possibly that stupid or callous. You trolling, aren't you.

Rolled 1

>>32205545
>> "No. One day, maybe."

>>32205545
> "Mmm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"
He ain't getting out of this, so we can act as if he's already ours.

>>32205545
>"No. One day, maybe."

>>32205545
> "Mm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"

>>32205545
>"No. One day, maybe."

He is not a man yet.

>>32205545
> "Mm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"

>>32205545
> "Mm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"

>>32205569
>You can't possibly that stupid or callous. You trolling, aren't you.

You can be stupid enough to believe that people will be ok with donating a jar of blood every season, but I can't be callous enough to not care about criminals getting killed instead of fined during a time of crisis? That doesn't sound fair at all.

Okay, so, my computer is broken and I have to use a public charge terminal to get on here, and I only have ten minutes to actually be in the thread, so I just sort of want to come in and make it count.

First, the blood from prisoners thing. Instead of bleeding prisoners dry for things that they should have gotten fines for, let us simply include a "blood fine" on top of whatever previous punishment they would have gotten. It's entirely possible to non-lethally bleed someone in the setting, we do it to slaves all the time. Instead of a death penalty, we should be simply draining a bit and letting them go.

I wanted to talk about getting the doll to ettu, but we did that already. So the other two things I'd like to mention while I can are A. maintaining the title of "the merciful"- we should perhaps consider letting some of our less important foes go. (not the lizard or anyone who destroyed the fuck out of villages.)
and B, I think we should really do something with that grey kid. If we don't get him into a profession, he's going to grow up to be the archetypal creepy tailor.

Anyway, I wish you guys all luck with this, and vote for simple blushing and avoiding of the issue for this current vote here
>>32205545

>>32205750
>Donating a little blood, as the staff and slaves of the pyramid do, and many people do irl, is OUTRAGOUS!

>Dragging people off the streets for any excuse and murdering them, that's fine.

>>32206026
A jar is not a little. It's not even remotely close to a little and you know it. If you're going to be so anal about this how about >>32205782
It's not as cruel as murdering people for any excuse, and not as retarded as your blood tax.

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>>32205545
"Mm, yes, but don't tell anyone!"

Jaya gets all giddy and hugs you. On instinct, her tail coils around your leg and gets a little ink on it. "It is good! I am will have a man soon, too, I think. When I am home going, maybe, after doing good for the naga and learning about Hunzuu and her Hunzuus. I like mans."

"Yes, Jaya, I know you do."

Once Jaya's message is complete and Kiresh reviews it with an approving nod, you leave it on a table to dry and take stock of what else you have to do before your little army moves out.

> See if the armorer can do anything good for you in a little under two days
> See if the priests can contribute anything to the cause. If they're collecting all this blood, maybe they could make a monster or two for you tonight or tomorrow
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.

>>32206026
>>32205750
Be nice, you two. Both options have their own risks.

Rolled 4, 3, 2 = 9

>>32206119
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.

Rolled 5, 3, 5 = 13

>>32206119
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.

Rolled 3, 6, 6 = 15

>>32206119
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.
We don't really need more monsters and the armorer can't make anything really useful.

Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4

>>32206119
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.

>>32206119
>> See if the priests can contribute anything to the cause. If they're collecting all this blood, maybe they could make a monster or two for you tonight or tomorrow

Lets do that >>32205782
A blood fine seem like a good idea.

Rolled 6, 2, 4 = 12

>>32206119
> First thing's first. Go sneak up on Hillallum. Roll 3d6.

posting appropriate music, hope my roll is good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCI-gNK_y4

Rolled 1, 6, 2 = 9

>>32206227
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uxhk1ZEKTk
SNEAK QUEEN HUNZUU

>>32206102
Oh, and how much is a jar of Blood? i just said jar because that's the only measurement i'v heard used for blood in this quest. Since the people at the pyramid give a 'jar' on a regula Basis, I assume it's not too much.

>>32205782
The only question i'd have with a 'blood fine' is, will a single jar from criminals be enough? If it doesn't produce enough, they won't do it. The priests will continue as they are.

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>>32206119
At first, you make your way nonchalantly through the halls of the palace with their polished stone floors, occasionally squeezing through doorways. Servants bow and stand aside, having no idea what your true purpose is. When you draw near to the guest bedroom, you creep as silently as possible, planning each gentle footfall. You life the fine wooden door upward as you undo the latch and push it open with only a tiny creak. The guest bedroom on the other side is opulent enough to satisfy any foreign dignitary, with silk drapery and gem-studded bas-reliefs in the walls depicting the history of Ligish. The silk sheets and the mattress have been pulled off of the bed frame, and Hillallum is sleeping underneath them in a pile on the floor. He must have a burrowing instinct, too.

> Let him sleep, the little dear.
> Gently wake him.
> Tousle his hair.
> Write-in

>>32206443
A jar is a little less than a pint. Bleeding someone completely dry yields 10 jars' worth of blood.

Rolled 2, 6, 3 = 11

>>32206511
>> Tousle his hair.
NO HAIR SHALL BE LEFT UNTOUSLED

>>32206511
>Tousle his hair.

>>32206511
> Let him sleep, the little dear.

>>32206511

Adorable.
>Let him sleep, the little dear.

>>32206511
> Tousle his hair.
> Gently wake him.
Ask him if he wants to go hunting together.

>>32206511
> Tousle his hair.

>>32206511
> Gently wake him.
> Tousle his hair.

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>>32206511
You can't help yourself. His hair is just so eminently touslable. With your hair still growing in since your molting, Hillallum's hair is even a little bit longer than yours. You quietly crawl toward him, bend down, and tousle. He wakes with a start. You don't stop tousling. You can't help but giggle.

"Hey there!" you say.

"Oh, hello, Hunzuu. For a second there I didn't know what was going on."

> "This is going on. And you're being a very good sport about it, thank you." Keep tousling until his hair is a wonderful mess.
> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."
> "We have to come up with a plan to convince your people and my people to get us betrothed already."

>>32206511
> Let him sleep, the little dear.
You perverts.

>>32206537
>a little less than a pint.
Oh good. Perfectly safe for a healthy adult.

I Vote for talking with the priests. Find out if a blood fine on criminals will yeild enough blood. Without arresting hundreds of people for nothing, anyway.

Failing that, i vote for a tax on healthy adults. The people fucking LOVED IT when we did some healing in the street. I think that earned us a new title. I think most people would be accepting with a good enough reward.

>>32206805
> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."

>>32206805
> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."

>>32206839
Seconded.

>>32206805
>> "This is going on. And you're being a very good sport about it, thank you." Keep tousling until his hair is a wonderful mess.
>> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."

>>32206839
They loved it because it was free healing. If we start up a blood tax for everyone they're gonna hate it. Just look at purely monetary taxes in the modern world. Now imagine that you're not just asking for money, but blood. It ain't gonna work out.

>>32206805
>"This is going on. And you're being a very good sport about it, thank you." Keep tousling until his hair is a wonderful mess.
>> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me.

Rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8

>>32206805
>> "I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."

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>>32206839
"This is going on. And you're being a very good sport about it, thank you."

Hillallum's cheeks turn blue. "Uh, thanks, you too..."

"I wanted to know if you'd like to go out hunting with me. We've gotten a lot done today, so there's time to enjoy ourselves."

Hillallum rubs his eyes. "Um... okay, I guess so. Like, hunting for animals? I've never done that. Whenever my parents let me go out into the wild, there was always some kind of work to do, demons or barbarians or something like that. We wouldn't be gone long, right?"

"Not at all..."

> Ask Manuqappu if he'd like to come along
> Just tell him where you're going. Only scorpions allowed on this little hike

>>32206894
>They loved it because it was free healing.

It was MAGIC HEALING.

Magic healing in a shitty bronze age setting, with a general population that has no access to real health care.

I Don't think you get how many lives this could save/improve. They will fucking love it.

>>32207042
>Just tell him where you're going. Only scorpions allowed on this little hike

>>32207042
> Just tell him where you're going. Only scorpions allowed on this little hike

>>32207042
> Just tell him where you're going. Only scorpions allowed on this little hike
Who the fuck would pick the first option? Oh my god.

>>32207042
>> Just tell him where you're going. Only scorpions allowed on this little hike

>>32207057
You know that these monthly days of healing use up the blood we collect, right? If we're healing a ton of people how do you expect to turn a profit? Also, having people give a pint blood 4 times a year doesn't sound too healthy. We'd use up the blood we collected just healing them.

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>>32207042
You tell Mannuqappu where you're going, just so people don't freak out and think you've gone missing. As you do, you get a look at the troops that Zagros has brought. There are enough to challenge a monster or two, but not enough to be a significant thread to Ligish. There are 100 spearmen, 50 archers, and a handful of very strange men with two-handed maces, javelins, and frightening leather masks shaped and painted into monstrous faces. Mannuqappu nods and waves you away in between inspecting his men. "Very well. Enjoy the hunt. And only the hunt." He gives Hillallum a stern look, and Hillallum just nods and blushes.

> Roll 2d6 to actually find something to hunt
> Just take a scenic route around the eastern hills and chat with Hillallum

>>32207190
Drawing blood from the entire healthy adult population, (on top of any we get from criminals and prisoners) then healing a few needy once a month should leave a healthy suplus.

It just takes some basic resource management.

Rolled 5, 4 = 9

>>32207333
>> Roll 2d6 to actually find something to hunt

Rolled 6, 6 = 12

>>32207333
Tell him not to use his tail so we can share the same meal.

>>32207367
we're not gonna get just a "few" needy every month

there's gonna be lines of people with everything from back pains to toothaches

>>32207333
> Just take a scenic route around the eastern hills and chat with Hillallum

Rolled 1, 2 = 3

>>32207333
>Roll 2d6 to actually find something to hunt

Ask about the guys in the gimp masks.

Rolled 4, 6 = 10

>>32207333
> Roll 2d6 to actually find something to hunt

>>32207410
>there's gonna be lines of people with everything from back pains to toothaches

So, we tell them we won't waste time on minor stuff. They can go see a normal healer The day of [healing god] is for the truly needy. Then we turn away minor cases when some come anyway.

This is an extremely minor problem that can easely be managed.

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>>32207333
"Who are those guys in the masks?"

"Them? Oh, they are the Band of Eight. An order founded by an ancient hero of Zagros. They used to only kill blight demons when a magician went wrong or when a planting season went bad. Now they are the foremost authority on fighting monsters. Their ranks will be growing soon, I think."

You head for the hills. It is late afternoon, but the two of you are more than equipped to keep hunting after twilight falls. This is a well-settled region near a major city, with many towns and farmsteads nearby, so large game is hard to come by. As luck would have it, though, you come across a single lioness. Hillallum is all excited and ready to throw a javelin at it.

> "Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."
> "Don't! She reminds me of a friend. Let's just find rabbits or something."

>>32207716
> "Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."
I'm sad about Ninlil, but to compare her to a mere animal is offensive.

>>32207678
And then they riot because you won't heal then, even though they gave their blood

not to mention a lot more people get sick and die because they're giving so much blood so often

>>32207716
>> "Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."

Rolled 95

>>32207716
>"Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."

>>32207716
> "Don't! She reminds me of a friend. Let's just find rabbits or something."
RIP Nilnil

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>>32207716
"Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."

Hillallum nods. Once you've gotten a chance to circle around the beast, he throws his weapon and strikes true. This makes the lioness very cross, and she lopes toward him with a roar and a javelin sticking out of her.

> Sting her. Roll 5d6.
> Claw her apart. This might mean her hide will be no longer salvageable. Roll 5d6
> Just watch and see how Hillallum handles himself

Rolled 5, 3 = 8

>>32207716
>> "Remember, don't sting her. I'm not immune to your venom."

Rolled 4, 6, 1, 3, 6 = 20

>>32207879
>> Sting her. Roll 5d6.

>>32207879
> Just watch and see how Hillallum handles himself

If he can't handle it, step in.

>>32207911
this, we need to check his strength out.

>>32207879
> Just watch and see how Hillallum handles himself
>yfw this hide will become the carpet we shall make sweet scorpo-love on

Rolled 6, 2, 5, 5, 5 = 23

>>32207879
>>32207879
> Claw her apart. This might mean her hide will be no longer salvageable. Roll 5d6

>>32207879
>> Just watch and see how Hillallum handles himself

We need to see our future man in action.

>>32207761
>And then they riot because you won't heal then, even though they gave their blood

Like they won't riot over false arreasts and murders? This same situation took us to the edge of civil war last time. Either contribute a better option, or stop complaining.

>not to mention a lot more people get sick and die because they're giving so much blood so often

They've been bleeding the pyramid staff for centuries. I think they can worm out a healthy schedule.

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>>32207879
You watch and wait. If Hillallum is anything like you, a single lion should be no threat to him. You get to watch him draw a spear and fight in close quarters. It's really quite amazing how much he favores human weapons over his claws. Even when he uses his claws, it's only to hold the beast at bay so he can thrust his spear downward into the base of her neck. It's like he doesn't even think to use his claws' piercing and crushing power. It must be because he started learning to fight when he was still human. His instincts are all wrong.

Speaking of instincts, you see that the smell of warm blood has gotten the scorpion boy all worked up again. He starts skinning the beast. and tasting samples of the flesh, which steams in the cool evening air. He groans in pleasure. "Mine! My kill!"
You dare not go near him when he's like this. You know what the hunger does to you. You look around for other lions who may be lying in ambush. Fortunately, the coast seems clear. Any pridemates she may have had have fled.

> "I hope you saved me some. I'll be very disappointed in you if you didn't."
> "Try to be careful. I can have my slave make something out of that hide."
> When he's regained control, offer to help clean the blood off him.

>>32208056
>Like they won't riot over false arreasts and murders? This same situation took us to the edge of civil war last time. Either contribute a better option, or stop complaining.
Bit of an exaggeration there. What we're doing now is a better option. Consider it contributed.

>They've been bleeding the pyramid staff for centuries. I think they can worm out a healthy schedule.
The pyramid staff is well fed, and not as at risk of exposure to disease as the common populace. And I think even the pryramid staff don't get bled 4 times yearly.

>>32208134
"Hillalum! Calm down! No one's going to take it from you."

> "Try to be careful. I can have my slave make something out of that hide."
> When he's regained control, offer to help clean the blood off him.

Rolled 1, 4, 4, 1, 5 = 15

>>32208134
>> "Try to be careful. I can have my slave make something out of that hide."

>>32208134
> "Try to be careful. I can have my slave make something out of that hide."
> When he's regained control, offer to help clean the blood off him.

>>32208134
> When he's regained control, offer to help clean the blood off him.

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>>32208134
"Try to be careful. I can have my slave make something out of that hide."

"Hmm? Mm, mhmm!" Hillallum focuses to slow his eating and breathe heavily through his book lungs. You see no fear in him. He knows what's happening to him now, and that knowledge gives him power and courage to try to control it.

You feel comfortable skittering toward him now. "Well done. Oh dear but you got some blood on you. It's probably not a good idea for a soldier to wear white."

Hillallum nods and takes his last swallow. With his claws and a small knife, he finishes pulling the skin apart from the remaining bones and viscera. "Yeah, I wasn't thinking. Sorry. If we're going to carry this skin home, you should probably do it."

"Do you need help getting clean?" You smile.

"How? Like, in that stream we passed on the way?"

> "Mhmm!"
> "I think scorpions take dust baths sometimes. Could be fun."
> Shake your head. Lick some of the blood off him.

Rolled 5, 3, 3, 5, 1 = 17

>>32208336
>> "Mhmm!"
Lets not go too far

>>32208336
> "Mhmm!"

>>32208336
> Shake your head. Lick some of the blood off him.

>>32208336
> "Mhmm!"

>>32208336
>"Mhmm!"

>>32208336
That last one is too lewd. Way too fucking lewd. I cannot in good conciousness vote for it.
> "Mhmm!"

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>>32208454

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>>32208336
"Mhmm!"

Hillallum throws his hair back and collects his javelins. "Sounds good! Sorry if that was a dumb question. I don't even know what I was thinking..."

The stream isn't deep enough to properly bathe in, but you use the cold water to help get the blood off of his bare skin. He shivers and blushes again. His human half gets goosebumps, which makes it even more fun to touch him. Your claws can't hold water at all, but somehow touching him with them is better than just touching him with your human hands. You try to keep things demure, though.

"H-Hunzuu?" he says weakly. "The last time we did this, you said it was because you were i-inspecting me. Is that what this is, too? The blood is mostly on places I can reach. Or are you... you know... seducing me? Just because we're the only ones of our kind? You don't have to if you don't want to..."

> "Mmmmaybe. Is it working?"
> "You will not question why I do what I do. I'll do what I please, and you'll enjoy it."
> "'Seducing' is the wrong word. I just care about you. You're a nice kid."

>>32208600
> "You will not question why I do what I do. I'll do what I please, and you'll enjoy it."
You're the sub Hillallum. Get used to it.

Rolled 2, 6, 1, 3, 2 = 14

>>32208600
>other
Ara Ara~

>>32208643
heh. I kinda want this.

> "Mmmmaybe. Is it working?"

>>32208600
> "You will not question why I do what I do. I'll do what I please, and you'll enjoy it."
But him in his place.

>>32208600
>> "You will not question why I do what I do. I'll do what I please, and you'll enjoy it."

>>32208639
>>32208656
>>32208671
I kinda feel like this is wrong, but I'm enjoying it too much.

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>>32208600
"You will not question why I do what I do. I'll do what I please, and you'll enjoy it."

He's dumbstruck. You feel him shiver hard. Maybe it's just the cold water. "Oh... All right. I'm glad it's what you want to do, then, Hunzuu. I just don't want you to think I'm helpless or need all this attention. I can take care of myself..."

"I'm sure you can. You can also let me take care of you. And that's what you're going to do now."

"I... but... okay.."

> You may ask Hillallum whatever you want on the return journey
> Tell the priests that they need to put an end to the increased bleedings.
> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for

Rolled 2, 2, 5, 5, 5 = 19

>>32208802
>> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for
> You may ask Hillallum whatever you want on the return journey
Ask him about his fighting style, why he didn't use his claws.

>>32208802
>> Tell the priests that they need to put an end to the increased bleedings.
>> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for

>>32208802
Ask him about his fighting style. Boy needs to learn the art of CLAW.
> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for

>>32208802
> Tell the priests that they need to put an end to the increased bleedings.
>> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for
Talk about him not fighting with his claws.

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>>32208800
pic related.

>>32208802
> You may ask Hillallum whatever you want on the return journey
Ask him what his parents are like.

> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for

>>32208802
> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for
Let's find this out before we tell them to stop

>>32208802
> Ask the priests what they need all this extra blood for

I guess female scorpions are bigger and meaner than the males, and the more dominant.

When we get married, we should be in our armor while he wears fine silks. And he will live with us. Zagros will have an eternal ally in us if they agree.:

>>32208975
That must be why Ishtar likes us currently. also, maybe we can find more of that red salt, enough for two people, and then make deal with Zagros that we will give it to them if they allow him to come live with us. Then they can use it to turn two of their heroes into Scorpion folk, one male and one female, and they can have their own den of scorpions. Everybody wins.

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>>32208802
You drape the bloody lion skin over your scorpion back and return home with Hillallum as night falls. "So about your fighting style... is there a reason you avoid using your claws so much? I hardly use anything but."

Hillallum whimpers a little as his only real skill is called into question. "Just a bad habit, I guess. My training didn't include how to use claws. I always knew I'd be expected to be a hero, but nobody knew I'd be a scorpion. I'm sorry, Hunzuu. I'll try harder."

You pet his hair. "It's all right. Just curious. So what are your parents like? They're both heroes, I hear?"

He nods and smiles. "Oh, yes! They're two great warriors! You have to be great at something to be recognized as a hero. We don't have kings or castes. Decisions are made by those who have done the greatest deeds."

"They're great warriors, I'm sure. How are they as parents?"

"Well... if they put a lot of pressure on me sometimes, it's because they have to. If I don't distinguish myself, it won't matter who I was born to. I think my mama was disappointed that I was a little... short for my age. So when the wizards started looking for volunteers to be changed, of course I came forward! I have to do my best, for mama and papa and for Zagros. And for Marduk. And for myself, I guess."

You return to the pyramid and give the bloody lion skin to Rabi-Tammuz. He smiles and wakes up Meluku."Meluku, do you know how they preserve hides, to keep them from rotting? It involves brains."
"Wow, neat! Does this mean I can stay up late and watch?"

You tidy up and find the Blood Priest, who's in the library poring over scrolls. "Hello? May I ask why we need so much extra blood? I'm afraid it's going to cause trouble in the city."
The Blood Priest puts the scroll away and smiles. "I'm glad you asked. You remember those relics that the renegade monsters left behind? Well, we're going to try to make a mole-woman."

> "Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"
> "Not worth it."

Rolled 4, 6, 4, 6, 3 = 23

>>32209117
>> "Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"

>>32209117
> "Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"

>>32209117
> "Not worth it."
Mole women are shit. Shiiiiiiiiiiiit.
Go for like a sandworm woman.

>>32209117
> "Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"

Hopefully they aren't like centaurs in that making one brings the soul of an original one back from the dead.

>>32209117
> "Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"

Maybe tell him what we learned from Ishtar about them?

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>>32209117
"Neat! Can it be done tomorrow?"

The Blood Priest smiles. "We've been preserving the blood that's been coming in, The plan was to hope that we get enough criminals over the course of the next month or so, and use that time to choose a suitable candidate. But for you... maybe I can pull some strings. I was considering using Nakurtum, but I'm not sure how her conjured arm would react to the ritual. Could be disastrous. I'm thinking someone younger, anyway. Someone who can grow into the new body, like you did."

> "Does Tabni-Ninsun know about this? She almost considered becoming a monster once."
> "Does it have to be a girl? Dadanum already has some stuff we looted from one of them.
> "I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."

>>32209252
If Soul-of-Lightning is correct, centaurs are the only sentient creatures who can escape death that way, because they have "swift souls" or something. So this mole-woman would not be an ancient one reborn.

>>32209411
>Alright, good luck with that!

Rolled 4, 5, 4, 4, 4 = 21

>>32209411
>> "I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."

>>32209411
> "I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."

Also bring up the blood-fine thing.

>>32209411
> "I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."

>>32209411
>"I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."

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>>32209411
"I'll help you find someone. Maybe another orphan like me and Meluku."
"You're welcome to try. Anyone you find will have to be approved by all five Great Priests. That alone may make the task impossible to complete in a day."

"Another thing I was thinking about... there's got to be a better way to get blood from the city besides killing people for crimes that don't deserve it. What if we just collected a little blood as a fine instead of killing everyone? Or bleed the whole city in shifts like we do the pyramid slaves?"

"Like a tax?" The Blood Priest chuckles and pats your claw. "Oh, Hunzuu, and I thought I was the ambitious one. We can already make war all by ourselves. If we start passing laws and levying taxes, we'll rule Ligish in all but name. My own plan for world domination was a little different - start out by mediating the alliances between cities, and let that position turn into rulership above all the individual cities."

"Well... can we at least make the Footmen stop doing what they're doing? After tomorrow, at least?"

"Hmm... The king might like that. It'll look like we're acquiescing to him. It will flatter his tender ego..."

"And also we'd be saving people who don't deserve to die."

"Yes and we... what you sad. All that."

>I've got to call it a night soon. Is there anything else you'd like to see to before going out on your mission of vengeance?

>>32209738
See how good ol' Iltani is shaping up...?
Thanks for running dude.

>>32209738
visit our surrogate big sis
(i forgot her name)

>>32209738
More flirting with Hillallum

Also I guess we can check in on Iltani too
SIGH

>>32209796
>>32209810
these sound good

>>32209738
Damnit I love the Blood Priest.

>>32209822
He's like a mad scientist supervillain. Who's also our surrogate father.

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>>32209738
Nakurtum catches news that you killed a lion, so she's all eager to hug and congratulate you, even though it wasn't a very impressive feat for a monster such as you, and you weren't even the one who did it.

You feel like sharing the more sordid details of your hunting trip with someone, and you're sure Nakurtum will like the way your strange courtship is going. "Guess what? I told Hillallum that he was going to be mine, and not the other way around, and he seemed to be okay with it! He lets me wash him and stuff, and it's ind of cute how uncomfortable he gets, even though he never says no. So if those guys from Zagros try to get him to control me, it totally won't work."

"Hah! Good! Oh, by the way, that slave courier finally found me a kitten." She opens the door to her room to reveal a tiny black kitten curled up on her bed. "I'm naming him Ishme-Ea, after my brother. If you don't like it, get your own."

"Ee!" You squeeze through the door to try to play with him. He runs behind a weapons chest. You are a sad scorpion.

After that, you go looking for Iltani. You find her out on the terrace, looking out over the city and combing her hair. It's come in again to an impressive length. She almost looks like before, but her eyes remain blackened by your venom. "Hello, Hunzuu. I've been good. Well, I've been trying to be good. Your slave keeps tempting me, though. After we all told stories together, he thinks I'm like him. I am, a little, but I can't be anymore. I have to be good for you."

You nod and offer clawhugs. "I'm very proud of you. I know it can't be easy to block out the voices."

She accepts clawhugs. "And sometimes I think I should listen to them because they might tell me something we could use Like, I'm getting a feeling that something bad is going to happen soon. Really bad."

> All right, I think that's it! Next thread will be Wednesday. I'll archive it now.

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>>32210014
And that is spectacular.

>>32210120
Thanks for running Anu! See you Wednesday.

>>32210120
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

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>>32210014
What could be more important than your family, Blood Priest?

>>32210120
If Hillallum doesn't use his scorpion parts well does that mean we could easily take him in a fight? I kinda want to have a practice spar with him and obviously and easily win.

>>32211405
But in an instructive way. We bully him enough already. It has to come from a place of love.

>>32211507
yyyeeeeeeaaaaaaaa I guess we could instruct him a bit
it's not like I wanted to get him pinned and then molest him or anything
that's ridiculous

>>32211601
Maybe a little molesting, that way he knows how to protect himself from other girls that want him for his cute scorpion bod.

>>32211601
It's a fine line between loving domme and bad-touch-I-need-an-adult

>>32212071
And we could walk that line
every
day

>>32211405
>>32211507
>>32211601
>>32212019
>>32212071
Easy solution: every time we spar we end up on top. We correct flaws, teach techniques, offer aid and advice, and we always end up on top.

That we he gets used to that position.

>>32212154
>That way he gets used to that position.

Derp

>>32212154
>>32212184
and we molest him a little bit every time
so he gets used to us touching him
p-purely for educational purposes

>>32212269
No.

That remains separate. We only combine the two after the start of official courtship.

Speaking of, we should be prepared for his family to object to us being the dominant partner. But their devotion to Marduk may be helpful here. We could list our deeds, and titles, and defeated foes. The wedding itself would be amusing.

"Let any who would object to this marriage challenge the bride in personal combat or forever hold his peace."

>>32212393
Official courtship has already begun. We're courting him pretty aggressively.

>>32212154
unf