>>40606892
Attaraan...the name doesn’t ring any bells with you. Some sort of constrictor prince? You don’t know what ranks they have here upon foreign shores save that all are beneath your own. Cennen has advised you to keep that particular fact to yourself, that to immediately place yourself above them would be impolite. You can see the wisdom in that.
But speaking of Cennen, what did Tash mean when he had last spoken? “Your alchemist has been less than honest with you”? What did that mean? What did it have to do with Attaraan, prince and suzerain of the “Compact House”?

You push his hand out of yours as you inspect his face, his broad features struggling to stay coherent. And that tells you all you need to know. Tash isn’t just stirring up trouble for the hell of it and for that he should be thankful for you have half a mind to kill him regardless. But he’s right. Cennen is keeping something from you. Something important.
You feel your gums push apart as your fangs extend, the movement wholly instinctual. Has Cennen betrayed you? After you just publicly exclaimed your trust in him? He wouldn’t dare! And yet his traitor-face tells you all you need to know, prompting a ball of bile and venom to build almost painfully within your gut. How could he? What has he done?

Tash isn’t done speaking. This ‘Attaraan’ is arriving shortly and he demands an audience with you. Demands! As if you were just some scaled worm to come at his beck and call! You have half a mind to refuse him outright but that could scuttle all your hopes.

Your true name cannot be written in any language and cannot be spoken by human tongue. Cennen calls you Hiss, something that you more or less live with.

> Ask Cennen what the fuck is going on.

> No, you need to prepare for this constrictor’s arrival. This is your first real impression and you can’t afford to look weak.

> Other

>>40606922
>> No, you need to prepare for this constrictor’s arrival. This is your first real impression and you can’t afford to look weak.
>Cennen, we will be having a "talk" after this is done.

>>40606922
> Ask Cennen what the fuck is going on.
I trust that you had a good reason for withholding information from me?

>>40606922
>>40606963
This.
Good to have you back, boss.

>>40606922
> Ask Cennen what the fuck is going on.

>>40606922
> Ask Cennen what the fuck is going on.

>>40606922
> No, you need to prepare for this constrictor’s arrival. This is your first real impression and you can’t afford to look weak.
>Cennen, we will be having a "talk" after this is done.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

Evens for having the talk later, odds for doing it now.

>>40607310
God damn it, my vote still loses the tiebreaker roll every time

> No, you need to prepare for this constrictor’s arrival. This is your first real impression and you can’t afford to look weak.
>Cennen, we will be having a "talk" after this is done.

You breathe out as you impose your will upon yourself, stilling your temper as best you can. He must have had some sort of good reason. And the fact of things is that you can't afford to look weak in the face of Attaraan's arrival. You need to prepare for it the best you can and that precludes showing such a schism.
"Cennen, we will be having a talk after this is done. Don't you go anywhere."

You reach out and he barely flinches as you shove him away. You push your fangs back as best you can. It would not do to meet this envoy with your fangs visible. Or would it? Showing such a deadly weapon would certainly be considered a breach of propriety among humans but to a fellow snake? Surely he would understand that everything about you is deadly, the fangs simply a formality.
Or maybe not. These constrictors have no fangs and your encounter with the albino hasn't exactly instilled you with respect for them.

> Ask Tash what we should be expecting here.

> Call for Oster to attend you.

> Ask Tash if the incident with Laldeep affects anything.

> Stomp back to quarters in a huff.

> Send Cennen away.

> Acquire a potion from Cennen (Specify)

> Just wait inside.

> Other

>>40607491
> Ask Tash what we should be expecting here.
> Ask Tash if the incident with Laldeep affects anything.

>>40607491
>> Ask Tash what we should be expecting here.
> Call for Oster to attend you.
> Ask Tash if the incident with Laldeep affects anything.

>>40607491
> Ask Tash what we should be expecting here.
> Ask Tash if the incident with Laldeep affects anything.
> Call for Oster to attend you.
What are the odds of this going wrong? Do you guys think we should take a scalebane, just in case?

>>40607491
Ask Cennen what he hasn't told us, it would actually be useful for making a plan
I'm glad you finally ran a thread but I'm still kinda butthurt that it's hiss POV

File: 2013-10-06 12.16.32.jpg (2.49 MB, 2560x1920)

2.49 MB JPG

>>40607883
U wot m8?

> Ask Tash what we should be expecting here.
> Ask Tash if the incident with Laldeep affects anything.
> Call for Oster to attend you

Lacking a more physical outlet you start to pace. Why did things have to suddenly become so complicated?
"Tash, get down off that wall you look like an idiot."

"As you wish," the masked man bows and eases himself down.

"Now, what do I have to do here? Should I be wearing anything different? Is my body fine?"
Are you supposed to be a snake or a human in this audience? Which one is he going to be?

"Your body is very fine," Tash replies, prompting the raise of an eyebrow from you and the tiniest of scowls from Cennen.
"And while there is a great deal to learn about how one member of the invisible courts greets to and speaks with another, not all of it is laid open to me."

Ugh, just like him. Tash loves dancing around your questions and letting them roll off of him.
"But what about my encounter with that jumped up servant of his? I assume it was his."

"Laldeep?" Tash replies, surrending the Vtriya's name. "No, you acted within the bounds of how one can treat the mortal servitors of another. As long as you don't try to kill, injure or eat part of him without permission you'll probably get away with it. I wouldn't recommend mentioning it if he doesn't however. If Attaraan doesn't bring up the incident, it means that he's willing to let it slide without comment if you are. But if you bring it up of your own accord you are asserting dominance in a way, raising the subject just to show that you don't heed any possible fallout."

And is that so wrong? You love the dominant approach. Why should you act so meek? Which one would be wise? Another idea strikes you as you think. It might be wise to get all of your servants assembled lest he take it as an offense. Who can know?
"Cennen, go get Oster! Quickly! Surely I can trust you with that?"

As the alchemist bustles off looking hurt, you round on Tash once more.
1/2

>>40607966
2/2

"And don't think I'm going to let you dodge that question. Why don't you want to tell me the proper manners?"
Manners? Ugh, such a human idea. But these constrictors seem very human in general. You don't like it.

You half-expect Tash to be taken aback by your accusation but he doesn't skip a beat.
"In truth your Highness, there are several ways to go about this. I refrained from telling you because I think it would be better to start cultivating your image early."

"My image?"

"I believe you already know that you are unlikely to be taken seriously. But to be held in jest is an allowance in itself. They won't expect a barbarian to know or respect their rules so you'll get away with more. It's why I recommended that you remained in a Teln form. The pallor of your skin makes you look exotic and lets everyone know in no small way that you are, snake or no snake, just a foreigner in the end."
Tash backs away as you advance, matching you step for step.
"But you will not be respected. If you want you can try to match him in the proper ways but then you stand the risk of simply looking like a clown, a child dressed in clothes much too big for her and putting on airs. It is up to you."

You grimace as you think about it. Can you afford to challenge him upon such a foreign field? Can you afford not to?

> "You're right, this is fine."

> Pull Tash aside and make him teach you what he can. You are nobody's fool.

> Other

>>40608114
> Pull Tash aside and make him teach you what he can. You are nobody's fool.

>>40607883
It probably won't be her POV the whole time but that depends on your choices.

>>40608114
> Pull Tash aside and make him teach you what he can. You are nobody's fool.

Have every weapon available Tash, every weapon. Politics is another kind of combat.

>>40608114
> "You're right, this is fine."

>>40608114
> Other.
"Exactly how much time do I have before Attaraan arrives?"

I think Tash is right and Hiss' position alone won't earn us much.
Whatever respect or support we might get from the constrictors will come from a show of strenght in our part. So pretty much...
> Pull Tash aside and make him teach you what he can. You are nobody's fool.

> Pull Tash aside and make him teach you what he can. You are nobody's fool.

As much as you don't like to think about it, your position probably doesn't mean much here. What is the royal lineage to the descendants of those who defied it in the first place? It does make you objectively better and stronger as far as you're concerned but that's a viewpoint that is hard to immediately prove.
Tash is right, the only respect that they will give you is that which you take. Then so be it. You're more than ready to do this, even if it means stepping foot in an arena that you've never even come close to doing battle in before.
But what is politics if not simply fangs without venom?

You pull Tash aside and spend what time you have left speaking with him, taking in both what he knows formally and what he's gleaned from watching his own lady. You have no idea if he's telling you the truth or not or even how far his own expertise truly stretches in this matter but you have to accept his word as law in this matter. You don't have enough time to do anything else.

Indeed, it is only minutes later that your foe arrives. There is a great rumbling along the road past the compound as a great caravan barges its way through the streets. Was this what was causing all the commotion down in the market?

It is a column of covered wagons pulled by bone-white cattle and flanked to either side by rows of what must be Laldeep's red-flecked Ishmin. The first few wagons circle the last one, a veritable temple on wheels. It is raised higher than most of the buildings around it, a fortified wagon-palace constructed of black wood and wrapped in white silks. The spiraled insignia is plain for all to see, the fat snake curling within itself.

Oster and Cennen both run out to join you as Tash's Ishmin assemble, blockading off the satrap and his own staff and preventing them from prostrating themselves. This is not a human affair.

Tash coughs.
"Now would the wise time to start moving."

1/2

>>40608688
2/2

> Accept the implied invitation and enter alone. You know that this shows some confidence but also shows you are willing to place yourself within his power.

> Accept the implied invitation and enter, bringing in all three of your servants. This shows less confidence but a more guarded approach.

> Do not move. He must come to you. This is something done only by those in extremely high standings and by refusing his invitation you attempt to place yourself within those ranks.

> Other

>>40608786
> Accept the implied invitation and enter alone. You know that this shows some confidence but also shows you are willing to place yourself within his power.

>>40608786
>> Accept the implied invitation and enter alone. You know that this shows some confidence but also shows you are willing to place yourself within his power.

>>40608786
> Accept the implied invitation and enter, bringing in all three of your servants. This shows less confidence but a more guarded approach.

>>40608786
> Accept the implied invitation and enter alone. You know that this shows some confidence but also shows you are willing to place yourself within his power.

If things go wrong is our mark strong enough to call for Cennen?

> Accept the implied invitation and enter alone. You know that this shows some confidence but also shows you are willing to place yourself within his power.

You walk forward, letting everyone see you wave Cennen and Oster back. This way it'll be communicated without a shadow of a doubt that you are placing yourself in his power and thus either subservient or unshakably confident. Though of course they'll know that this is just the image you want to craft but you'll know that they know that you are putting this on. But do they know that you know that they know?

You stop thinking about that. Now, wouldn't that be a fine way to bite your own tail? You walk into the caravan and do not slow from your steady measured pace, demanding that the crowd of people attending fall back away from you.
The air is clogged with incense and you do your best not to sneeze or cough, especially as you draw closer. You walk past the tens of oxen used to pull the mobile palace and do your best not to react as the Ishmin open two thick wooden doors, each one painted red and lined with leather.
There is nothing wrong with this. This is how things should be. You step inside and the doors swing shut behind you.

It's all one room within, one giant chamber. For some reason you had the fool idea that it would be like a building in the inside as well but you suppose that that's what the rest of the caravan is probably for. The chamber is lit with torches, the massive blackwood chamber lined with austere white silks. There are none of the usual intricate tapestries here, just an attempt at stark majesty.

The room is filled with human servants but they shy away from your gaze, seating themselves amidst the nooks and crannies of the room in such a way to become almost invisible.
1/2

>>40609150
2/2

Seated almost thirty feet away from you upon a clawed throne is a Quedeshi man dressed in a simple white robe, one thin enough to see the movements of muscles beneath. His shoulders are wrapped in some sort of red scarf, one that goes up to cover the back and sides of his head as well. And he's tall, way too tall. At first you just think it some trick of the light but as he ceases to lounge and draws himself upright you note him to be at least ten feet tall. Maybe more.

His eyes flick over you for a moment, dull brown human eyes and then pass on. Seconds slowly pass with no change. You know he's seen you, it would be impossible for him not to! And he's hardly ignoring you. And yet he says nothing, letting the silence stretch on as you remain standing.

> Announce and introduce yourself. Doing this is the standard way of someone entering their lord's abode and while polite, tells him that you are willing to be within his power.

> Say nothing. This sends the message that while you are willing to be polite, you consider yourself to be of approaching equal status.

> Say nothing and sit down. You are not only above his rank but you wish to show that such petty games for dominance bore you.

> "What do you want?" This just simply isn't done.

> Other

>>40609310
>> Say nothing and sit down. You are not only above his rank but you wish to show that such petty games for dominance bore you.
>> "What do you want?" This just simply isn't done.

>>40609310
> Say nothing. This sends the message that while you are willing to be polite, you consider yourself to be of approaching equal status.

>>40609310
> Say nothing and sit down. You are not only above his rank but you wish to show that such petty games for dominance bore you.

>>40609310
> Say nothing and sit down. You are not only above his rank but you wish to show that such petty games for dominance bore you.
>Once seated spread your arms wide, acting like you're giving him permission to continue.

>>40609310
> Announce and introduce yourself. Doing this is the standard way of someone entering their lord's abode and while polite, tells him that you are willing to be within his power.

We need to lure him into thinking we're submissive until we know more about who he is

> Say nothing and sit down. You are not only above his rank but you wish to show that such petty games for dominance bore you.

Really, this whole system that Tash has described to you strikes you as rather droll. It's all about dominance and establishing rank without ever actually fighting. Not that you've ever had to do much of either to get your way back home.
But you know what? Fuck this guy. Fuck his system. He's the one that demanded an audience with you. You're not here to be jerked around.
You do your best not to yawn as you simply shrug and find a spot to sit down, parking yourself atop a cushion. You nod at him, as if inviting him to continue. No, not just inviting. Giving him permission.

The silence stretches on as your eyes meet. Not that the gaze would be of any use, you doubt either of you truly fears the other. No, this man doesn't strike you as someone who has ever had to know fear.
But the fact remains that he initiated this, there must be something he wants. So he must take the first move if he wants anything to get done because you have no stake here. You can just sit around and wait forever.

He ends the silence himself in time, one hand idly clutching his leg.
"What is your name?"

> "I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.

> "Hiss."

> "Attaraan, I presume?"

> "You may address me as your Highness." Very dominant, maybe even too far.

> Other

>>40609812
> "I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.

>>40609812
>"I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.

If we call ourself hiss it would come off like a joke.

>>40609812
> "I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.
Saying our name is hiss would probably not get much respect. Maybe tell him to call us Sera if he wants, we used it before with Lady trebain

>>40609812
> "I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things

>>40609812
> "Attaraan, I presume?"
Wait for answer.
> "Hiss."

>>40609812
>"I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.

Hiss is for Cenna. We're not tolerating that shit from other people.

> "I do not have a human name." Unlike him, you are not lowered to such things.

You let a few seconds tick by before answering.
"I do not burden myself with a human name."
Not strictly true but that's all you need to say. Let the rest be implied by your attitude.

Attaraan stands up, almost unfolding himself just to rise. He pads over to you, barefooted and plain. You keep yourself seated even as he towers over you. And then he sits down just across from you with his legs crossed, his hands held out above his knees with their palms open.
You don't know what that gesture means. Tash never covered this part! And of course he wouldn't know. How would a human raised to serve know how a serpent acts among equals?

"You are," Attaraan says, his voice listless and dull, "determined to be an obstruction, aren't you?"

Is he mocking you? You can't tell, his features are slack and devoid of any show of emotion.

"Will you eat? There is no price."

The doors open once more, robed servants carrying metal bowls and vats. You can smell raw meat.

> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.

> Remain silent and do not eat. Doing so either implies you do not trust his hospitality or do not find it worthy.

> "What do you want with me?"

> Other

>>40610224
> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
DO not fill yourself up. If you do he'll take advantage of your addled state. Also eat slowly.
>If I was trying to be an obstruction, There would be questioning it, not even rhetorically.
SO
> "What do you want with me?"

>>40610224
>> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
> "What do you want with me?"

>>40610224
> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
Don't eat too much though

>>40610224
>> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
> "What do you want with me?"

>>40610224

> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
> "What do you want with me?"

> Eat with him. You're hungry and to refuse hospitality is a grave insult.
> "What do you want from me?"

You can't deny that it smells very nice, the smell of the meat flavored and accented by the smell of the spices and sauces accompanying it rather than being masked entirely. When was the last time you ate meat proper even? Taldenral?
It's been way too long.

But still you'd do well to pace yourself, you think as a servant hands you a bowl full of white-pink meat, one almost smothered in a thick red sauce and topped with a streak of cream. You get to work with your spoon, making sure first to note that both you and Attaraan are served from the same source. It's not that you distrust his hospitality it's just that...well, yes you distrust his hospitality.
Attaraan eats slowly and you follow his example. It's already rather warm in here, the last thing you need to do is fill yourself up and become sluggish. Stopping yourself takes significantly more effort than it might seem because holy shit this tastes fantastic!
You do your best to look unimpressed.
"So what do you want with me?"

"Do you take pride in being blunt? Is that a virtue where you come from?"

"Speak for yourself, that was pretty direct of you. So I think I'll just say it. I'm not really here to contest your dominance or rank."
Yet.
"What do you want?"

"Is it that strange," Attaraan tilts his head, still completely unreadable. "That when my Vtriya tells me of a pale snake, that I would not ride out out to meet her?"

He dodges the exact nature of your meeting with his servant. By paving over it and ignoring your interference, he's trying to show that it's really no big deal.

> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

> What, and make yourself look weak? Make eye contact and bring it up. You neither need nor care for his forgiveness.

> Other

>>40610724
> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

We don't really have anything to gain from making a big deal out of it. It was just some human, we have bigger things to talk about.

>>40610724
> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

>>40610724
> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

>>40610724
> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

>>40610724
> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

> Silently accept his forgiveness and do not mention it.

You decide to make nothing of it. Didn't you just say that you weren't here to play around? And besides, it was just a human. There are bigger things to talk about.
"I suppose that makes sense. You just happened to be in the area?"

The giant nods.
"Compact business."
There's that word again! Why does everyone know about it except you?
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you? It would be much appreciated if you could aid me."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," you say, leaving the aide part of his question pointedly unanswered, something that is simply beneath you.

"Nothing of great importance. Just an errant priestess. An albino python without human form, roughly twenty feet long."

You know who that is! But does he know that you know who that is? Why else would he bring it up?
He looks down at you attentively. Is he inspecting your face for tells?

> Look down back at the bowl and continue eating. This hides your face and shows you don't hold his question in much regard.

> "I'll be sure to tell you if I ever see her." Maintain eye contact.

> "I'll be sure to tell you if I ever see her." Look away, even if it is shifty.

> "Her? I know her. She's gone."

> Other

>>40611099
>> "Her? I know her. She's gone."
Shes probably roaming the countryside somewhere back in (wherever the fuck we came from on that boat that I can't be arsed to remember). Doing... whatever albino pythons do...

>>40611099
> "Her? I know her. She's gone."
I'm suddenly glad we didn't tell Hiss about the constrictor yet. We won't have any tells because hiss doesn't have any clue about her

>>40611141
We don't really have to make up any lies. Plus the constrictor would probably be able to tell if we did lie.

>>40611099
> Look down back at the bowl and continue eating. This hides your face and shows you don't hold his question in much regard.

> "Her? I know her. She's gone."

>>40611209
We're mocking someone, if hiss can keep a straight face at anything its mocking someone. They want her dead so its not an insult to them.

>>40611099
> Look down back at the bowl and continue eating. This hides your face and shows you don't hold his question in much regard.
> "Her? I know her. She's gone."
She was taken away last I saw. I imagine she'd be hard to misplace.

> "Her? I know her. She's gone."

"Oh, I know her. I met her."
You see the first sign of emotion on his face just then, a flicker as he looks down at you.
"But I'm afraid that we've parted ways. She was captured, last I heard. But I can assume that was false?"

"It was."
Oh my, is that grinding teeth you hear? That's a nasty habit.

"That's interesting. I imagine that she'd be hard to misplace."
And yet you somehow managed it, didn't you?

He blinks. But it seems like that whatever he was looking for, you weren't it.
"Very well. Now, if you don't mind me asking, just what is your business in our country? You've come quite the distance."

> "I just like the weather here."

> "I want to kill the King of Snakehome."

> "I was exiled."

> "The Compact."

> "I wanted to understand your people."

> "Coincidence."

> Other

>>40611511
>> "I wanted to understand your people."
True while not giving anything away. If he asks for examples Thing like Tash's art, etc.

>>40611511
> "I wanted to understand your people."
If he asks for an elaboration as to why.

> "Any people who were powerful enough to rebel against the might of snakehome and thrive afterwards are interesting enough to be worth learning of"

This both pleases his ego and fills the truth.

>>40611511
> "I wanted to understand your people."

Let's keep our motives a secret for now

>>40611511
Supporting >>40611616

>>40611511
> "I wanted to understand your people."
Your society is quite refreshing with the humans being ruled by our kind

>>40611616
This is good

> "I wanted to understand your people."

You look coyly up at him as you consider your options.
"I guess you could say that I just wanted to understand you people. Constrictors, that is."

Is that amusement?
"And in what way?"

"Any people who were powerful enough to defy the King and thrive afterwards are interesting enough to be worth learning of."
That answer would please you, therefore it should please everybody.

Is he pleased? You think he's pleased. Maybe.
"I can't argue against that motive. So you've come to learn from us?"

"Exactly!"
You dredge up whatever examples you can.
"Your Art, the way you rule, the way your true forms work..."

He winces.
"Please, do not mention such things."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Our 'true' forms. I fear you may be laboring under a misconception from the albino. We, or at least I, prefer to keep human form at most times."

What?
"Why? Er..If you don't mind me asking, that is?"

He frowns slightly at you.
"The serpent form is a punishment of course, a sign of the divine wrath of Aashimid. One that we greatly deserved of course but a punishment nonetheless. It cannot be glorified or lingered in, it is a shameful mark. What use is a body without limbs and its belly in the dirt?"

Something that shouldn't be glorified? A DESERVED punishment? You try to stifle yourself but in the end your pride in what you are barely wins out.
"But that's wrong!" you blurt out.

He stares down at you.
"Is it? Tell me then, what is so good about it?"

Shit, what do you say here and still be polite? You don't know enough about their religion!
"It is our nat-"

He interrupts you. He fucking interrupts you!
"And yet I notice that you favor this body greatly. My servants claim that they have seen you in this form many times. Why is that?"

"Er...It's useful, the hands are good-"
1/2

>>40612040

Uh oh, we religious conflict now.

On the bright side, this is about as mundane as potentially life ending conflicts get.

>>40612040
2/2

"Exactly. Our natural bodies are cursed, to be designed to kill and nothing else. Fortunately Aashimid blessed us with the capability to transcend and shed our skins to take on superior bodies."

Superior bodies? Does he think you want to be human? How dare he?? And the Snake Arts, the last defiance of your people in the face of the Creator attempting to render you powerless worms, being some sort of gift or mercy? No. Noooooo.

How common are his views? Do all constrictors think this way? But still...the snakes here keep valued human servants and give them Art that can be used to influence them. The snakes here eat the dead. They do not hunt, they have fancy metal bowls filled with fucking delicious meals prepared for them by HUMAN hands. They spare the weak, the crippled, the impure. They ensconce themselves right in the heart of human lands, within civilization itself. They worship the Creator!

Your worst fears have been confirmed, the ones that had been festering within your heart ever since you had first communed with the albino at sea.
The constrictors of Quedesh are tame.

> "Humans have their uses but now I know that you've spent too long in their company."

> "If there is nothing else you'd like to talk about, I will leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

> "Just permit me one question before I leave. Are you born tame or do the humans break you into it later?"

> "How fucking dare you!"

> "I'm sorry, I came in here expecting to talk to a snake."

> Attack him.

> Leave without saying a word.

> Just be silent and do nothing.

> Other

>>40612244
> "If there is nothing else you'd like to talk about, I will leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

>>40612244
>Just be silent and do nothing

We still need to learn about they rebelled, getting angry at this one guy because reasons isn't going to help us get their secrets any.

Be the sneaky snake.

Oh boy, these options.

>>40612300
>Oh boy, these options.

It's actually impossible for Hiss to say anything even remotely benevolent right now.

>>40612244
>> "Just permit me one question before I leave. Are you born tame or do the humans break you into it later?"
Have to support this, its the most hiss thing to say.

>>40612244
>> Just be silent and do nothing.
Remember the long game Hiss the long game, bite your tongue lest you bite your tail.

>>40612244
> "If there is nothing else you'd like to talk about, I will leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

>>40612336
Be strong, Hiss. Be strong for the secrets to slaying snakeking.

Be strong so you can break Cenna over your knee later in outrage at what you've found, and wring his secrets out of his fleshy form.

Just... Be strong.

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>40612244
Rolling for willpower inb4critfail

>>40612372
I don't know why you keep saying Cenna. Is it some kind of rule 63 version of cennen? Cennen as a pro wrestler?

File: Cinna.jpg (119 KB, 428x508)

119 KB JPG

>>40612453
...

I got his name phonetically mixed up with someone else.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

Looks like a tie between asking to leave and just zipping up and doing nothing. Evens for the former, odds the latter.

> "If there is nothing else you'd like to talk about, I will leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

You slide back, holding your hands behind yourself so that you don't try to strike.
"Well, if there's nothing else you'd like to talk about," you say, doing your best to keep the ice from your tone. You fail. "I think I will take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

You don't actually wait for his permission, rising to your feet and treading back across the stark white chamber. You're nearly at the doors when sudden movement in your peripheral vision makes you seize up, fangs sliding from your gums!

It's Attaraan, looming behind you as he reaches over your shoulder to motion one of the hidden servants forward to open the door. He's so close. Doesn't he fear you at all?

"I beg your pardon," he murmurs. "You seem upset."

That absolute fucker.

Roll 1d100 for willpower.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>40612664
The Artemis dice bless this action.

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>40612664

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>40612664

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>40612664

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>40612664
My crew bless this roll!

>>40612694
>>40612688
Actually, you've got this. Nevermind.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>40612664
FUCK YOU DICE GODS YOU ARE AGENTS OF THE CREATOR!

>>40612719
DAYUM

>>40612719
holy shit what the fuck? Granted, I was going for a crit fail so their is that.

>>40612719
Rage against Asshmid gives good rolls. Kek. Dice gods are dragons.

"Am I?"

You turn back, looking up at his gangly oversized form. Your eyes meet and for one electrified second, you feel like you are finally in control.
What can a tame snake do to you? You are wild and strong and most importantly, your veins are filled with the blood of the First Dragon, the Extinction, the Million-Man Slayer. That means nothing to him but he still manages to find something within your gaze to give him pause. He stops and does not speak further as you step past him without regard, through the doors and back into the sunlight.

It barely warms you right for right now, your heart beats cold.
You confronted the thing you'd always been afraid of, a man who might as well been a flaw in your heart made true. Fear of humanity? Bah! There's nothing to be scared of, no matter how often or for how long you wear this shape. You will never be tame.
You have climbed but one more step upon your understanding of your lineage and yourself. For but a brief moment you have reached out and touched your destiny and you know it to be ironclad. It is your fangs that will tear apart the flesh of the world, even if the world doesn't know it yet.

> Gain one Snake Art.

> Improve your Princess skill to Expert Princess.

>>40612918
>> Improve your Princess skill to Expert Princess.
The most princess!

>>40612918
>> Gain one Snake Art.

>>40612918
>> Gain one Snake Art.

>>40612719
Don't expect just to be given shit like this every time you roll a 100 by the way. It's just that Hiss by nature levels up as the result of reaching points of understanding and control (overcoming her torture in Melire, confronting her fear of intimacy on the road, etc) as opposed to Cennen who improves by learning and experimentation.
That 100 just came along at a very good time for her process so don't expect goodies every time.

>>40612918
> Improve your Princess skill to Expert Princess.

>>40612952
Honestly, I was rolling for a crit fail anyway, the dice gods just seem to have decided to fuck my evil plans over because I insulted them, as opposed to punishing everyone by crit failing.

>>40612918
>Improve your Princess skill to Expert Princess.

>>40612939
>>40612953
>>40613022
How is that more helpful than another art?

>>40612918
> Improve your Princess skill to Expert Princess.
Just because it comes at the realization that Hiss is better than all the snakes here.

>>40613028
Who cares?

>>40613056
Same sentiment that has nearly gotten us killed repeatedly. Oh joy.

File: 1428600996875.png (108 KB, 420x411)

108 KB PNG

>>40613028
>I don't want to be MAXIMUM PRINCESS
>I want to remain an uncharismatic murderhobosnake

We're gonna be venomous Xena, and you're not stopping us.

>>40613072
If you care so much maybe ask the QM what being an expert princess does instead of everybody that voted for it like a little bitch that isn't getting what they want.

>>40613028
I think it's gonna be useful for things like that whole conversation we just had

>>40613084
I don't think a charisma buff until someone talk to her for more than a few minute is all that helpful. Also Hiss is still shit at weapons.

>>40613085
I know exactly what it does a charisma buff and making human believe we're royalty until they realize what a horrible person we are and how little of royalty we actually know.

>>40613093
Not really, The façade shatter pretty easily and the snakes aren't going to be that impressed.

>>40613085
Basically Hiss' Princess skill is how the world recognizes her and respects her for her innate...princessing. She's always had a regal manner, Princess is just how she gets people to realize it. It's part of what lets her always seem to land on her feet, for one.
When you first encountered her she only had Basic Princess but she's been grinding it up over time.
It does not however, substitute proper charisma in the long run. Hiss is becoming better at getting people to serve her, less good at getting people to LIKE her.

>>40613120
>Some upgrades do literally nothing
This is what min-maxers actually believe.

>>40613209
It's true in 3.PF, though.

>>40613209
Not minmaxing but>>40613084 clearly has not even read the pastebin, and has no idea what the skill fucking does. It's a fine skill, but an art is far, far more useful.

>>40612918
Holy shit I just came back. You guys are fucking awesome! I love you all.
Was going to say another snake art, but we're already pretty buff so I'll go with basic princess.
Though next time we level up we should get snake eater.

>>40613256
Yeah either snake eater or soul gullet have my vote for the next snake art

>>40613241
Perhaps less practical use, but if I'm right in assuming the princess rank is the world domination stat we'll have to get it up eventually. And if it's always be an option between that and an art I'd just alternate my votes.

>>40613167
>>40613241
I want to change >>40613256
to learn snake eater

>>40613241
To be honest we've hardly used the snake arts that we've upgraded so far

>>40613370
Shifting loss a lot of it's utility due to loss of eye and scarring. Strength we use daily.

>>40613381
To violate Cennen.

>>40613404
And other strength related things, yes. Although he's the one sticking it in, so he should take responsibility.

> Level up Princess.

In the end, you don't spend much time pondering. You know how the world works now, it all bows down to you. You are the sole inheritor of the grandest royal bloodline the world has ever seen, one that once claimed the entire world as dominion and one that will again. Your confidence in this and in your own superiority are hard to shake, perhaps even impossibly so.

>Expert Princess: People are forced to recognize and respect you, even if they don't want to. Those sworn into your service find it extremely difficult to disobey you.

The servants of the caravan clear a wide path as you march triumphantly out. And to think that you had actually been worried!

> Go find Cennen.

> Find Oster.

> Find Tash.

> Time to impose yourself on people.

> Ugh, you're sick of human form.

> Other

>>40613469
> Go find Cennen.

>>40613469
>> Ugh, you're sick of human form.
Then
> Go find Cennen.

We are going to very angry at him in snake form for a good hour or so before actually tearing into him. He better tell us things.

>>40613469
> Go find Cennen.
> Time to impose yourself on people.

Time for him to spill his secrets

Only then we can
> Ugh, you're sick of human form.

>>40613469
>Go find Cennen.

ripntear

>>40613469
> Go find Cennen.

>>40613469
>> Go find Cennen.
Its time to brutally murder the MC with the DMPC, because we can.

I don't get why you guys always like to use hiss POV as a chance to be as aggressive as possible towards cennen

>>40613469
>> Go find Cennen.

>>40613568
Half-and-half doses of sticking to part of her established personality and masochism.

>>40613568
It's her personality.

>>40613568
Yeah I don't know. She's never meaner to Cennen than when we're in control. Do they crave drama or what? She wasn't even that pissed earlier

>>40613469
> Go find Cennen.
> Time to impose yourself on people.
> Ugh, you're sick of human form.
In the way >>40613521 said

Man, Cennen's in for a ride

I already have several good ways for us to talk our way out of this as cennan.

>>40613568
Personally I feel it's time she finds out about the wishbond and all the jazz. With a side order of sadism and jealous world dominating snake princess.

>>40613615
Except she's been pretty consistent throughout, we just usually play her when our actions as Cennen would get our as kicked.

>>40613615
Attaraan fixed that

>>40613568
this is why I will always hate POV switches

>>40613568
Its my fetish

>>40613656
In her current mood, I think telling her the truth is our best bet.

> Go find Cennen.

Your name is Cennen. This isn't really a surprise as you have always been Cennen except for that one brief time when you weren't.

You've been waiting around for Hiss for some time, you're not sure how long they're going to take. Both Tash and Oster have wandered off to do who knows what. You hope Oster isn't trying to eavesdrop Hiss, that could end...poorly.

And as for you, well...how have you been spending your time?

> Just waiting in the compound for Hiss.

> Making sure Oster doesn't do something dumb.

> Keeping an eye out on Tash.

> Brewing (Specify)

> Reading

> Talking to Aashenpreet.

> Trying to eavesdrop on Hiss.

> Other

>>40613712
The modified truth, we didn't feel this was a pressing concern for her, once we determined that the albino didn't pose a threat to hiss we decided to take matters into our hands and make sure that she had a form that wouldn't complicate things for everyone. As for the wish bond it was a side effect of our ""resolution"" and is only to last long enough that we don't have to worry about getting murdered by her over this.

>>40613739
> Making sure Oster doesn't do something dumb.
Bros before hoes

>>40613739
> Reading

>>40613739
> Reading

>>40613739
>Talking to Aashenpreet.

>>40613739
> Talking to Aashenpreet.
Getting her ready

>>40613739
>> Reading
And
> Making sure Oster doesn't do something dumb.

File: Impending_violence.jpg (81 KB, 350x298)

81 KB JPG

>>40613739
> Reading
>>40613762
What about the compact?

>>40613850
We really didn't know shit about it whatsoever until after the fact. We just knew they wanted to lynch her. Not that they'd come looking for her or anything. Besides, hiss doesn't give a fuck what they think.

Haha what the fuck? I just noticed some dude is paying to advertise his quest with a banner ad at the top of the page

>>40613946
I know anon, I'm getting the cringes just thinking about it. Thank god for adblock.

> Reading
You've decided to spend the rest of your time doing your best to try and crack that damn alchemical theory book. You've leafed through it a few times already but you still lack the understanding, entire sections of it still not making any sense. Are you just not thinking about it the right way?

You sit in your quarters, turning page after page. And then finally an idea sparks within you. One revelation quickly leads to another, a spark begetting a bushfire. Of course, it's all so simple! Mastery is just another way of looking at things! You feel like you've reached the very edge of understanding and you are ab-

Someone plucks the book out of your hands with contemptuous ease. Startled, you trip up and fall, landing on your behind. Hiss is standing over you, the book dangling in one hand.
"Oh I'm sorry, were you reading this?"

"Give it back Hiss."

She makes an extremely fake display of considering your proposal.
"No. But maybe if you actually tell me what's going on, I won't throw this in the fire. Your choice."

Fuck.
Your chances of physically wresting it off her are basically nil so that's not even an option. Maybe if you-

"Tell me what the fuck you've been up to Cennen!"

Roll a d100.

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>40614045

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>40614045

Rolled 79 (1d0000100)

>>40614045
Man, why don't we just tell her what we're up to?

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>40614045
what are we rolling for specifically?

>>40614084
You can if you want, this roll is just to see if you even get presented with the choice or not.

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>40614045
It's a rather involved telling, I suggest you be careful with that unless you don't want your eye back. I was simply waiting for the timing to be right so as to not inconvenience you.

>>40614100

"Hey, be careful with that! You're not going to get your eye back if you don't!"
You get to your feet, doing your best to keep yourself from talking further. It's a weird sensation, it's like your mouth WANTS to talk. Telling Hiss what she wants to know feels like the most natural thing in the world. After all, didn't you swear to serve her?

But you manage to hold your tongue while you think about things a bit more.

> Tell her the truth.

> Tell her a half-truth.

> Lie.

> Lie like crazy.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Other

>>40614100
Nice roll. Does anyone else remember that time that our best roll of three was a fuckin 8?

>>40614172
>Tell her the truth.

>>40614172
> Tell her the truth.
Constrictor learned human form. Needed some lessons on how to be human form before seeing you. Didn't want any misunderstandings, also you kinda nobbled her

>>40614172
> The White snake snuck back. She somehow has the ability to take your form. She was in your room when I took your baggage there, and I got suspicious. I knocked her out with a selective non-lethal poison after pretending that I had a potion the real you needed to take; one to make sure that no harm would come to you if it was you back surprisingly early, and two, because I wanted to have the imposter alive for questioning. Turns out, this counts as a capture. I now have two wishes left after I burnt one finding out that we were bonded. She thinks this bond is because of a potion, and I kept her ignorant so that she wouldn't lose her faith in her god. I have a feeling we'll need her the way she is.

There, mountain of truth with a small lie.

>>40614172
> Tell her the truth.
Is probably going to hurt, but it's for the best

>>40614172
> Tell her the truth.
Tell her that we might have found a way to get her closer to the power she was looking for

>>40614172
> Tell her the truth.
If she gets upset point out the first time she was drunk and in the morning we really did want to get her something, as well as put her in a good mood to hear this and give Aashenpreet time to get her own firm, so Hiss wouldn't bite her own tail and lose rather easy access to the secrets she was looking for by killing her, or us for that matter.

>Tell her the truth.

You shake your head, wondering where to start.
"Well...do you remember that albino constrictor?"

You give her the rundown on what happened, emphasizing your accidental role in it and the need to avoid Hiss killing Aashenpreet or yourself in a brief moment of drunken rage. And as her expression hardens once more you tell her about the Compact, the supposed bond between the constrictors and the Creator and you watch as disgust and avarice war upon her face.
"I understand, I think. And I forgive you. But Cennen don't ever lie to me ever again or I...I..."
She doesn't finish the sentence for a long moment.
"I don't want to hurt you, you know that. Don't you?"

"Yeah, Hiss. I do."

"Then don't do dumb shit! Now where is she?"

"Pardon?"

"I assume you've been keeping a close eye on your newest wish-bond," she huffs.

Uh.
The last time you saw her was in the morning. That was quite some time ago.

> "She's in your chambers."

> "Here, let me lead you to her." Find her, find her quick!

> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."

> Other

>>40614520
>> "She's in your chambers."
>> She's supposed to be hiding until I can get her an image to mimic the form of.

>>40614520
>> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."
She got camoflauge maybe we could get Oster to help look for her? I would just pray but with the male snake here's it's a bad idea.

>>40614520
> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."
Let's look around, if we really can't find her we could always just put cennen's life in danger and she'll have to show up due to the wish bond

>>40614520
>> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."

Also
>your newest wish-bond

It was an accident! I mean, Hiss was an accident too, but she's not anymore, she was kind of a happy accident and...

Look, we're not cheating.

>>40614520
> "She's in your chambers."
> "She was desperate and got scared, Hiss, please don't hurt her"

Remember when this was going to be the "Sayng no to Hiss" arc?

>>40614520
> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."
She's probably smart enough to stay in the compound though

>>40614598
Or we could just call her.

>>40614647
Lol, this.

>>40614649
>Remember when this was going to be 'Saying no to Hiss' arc?

That was before you ended up giving her the power to fold Cennen's already rather pliable spine in half.
And I don't mean that in the physical sense though she could give that a pretty good go too.

> "To be honest, I have no idea where she is or what she's doing right now."

"Look, it was an accident! I mean, bonding you was an accident too but not anymore and you're really sort of a happy accident and-"
Hiss doesn't interrupt you, you just wind up interrupting yourself once you realize how stupid you sound.
"Look, we're not cheating."

"Uhuh. Where is she?"

You suck in your breath.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't know. She's somewhere! Probably still within the compound! But I haven't seen her for a while and I sort of wished that she could turn invisible so finding her might be ha-"

"You what?"
Hiss moves forward in a lightning-flash, pushing you onto the bed and forcing herself on top of you. You gasp for breath only to find your mouth sealed by her lips as she kisses you. And she doesn't stop kissing you, even after you start running out of breath and her venomous saliva courses down your throat. Everything is going dull and you can barely move.
"This ought to get her attention," Hiss says, breaking off. "If she's bonded, she'll be brought flying back to save you. It hurts like hell, I should know."

"Mrgn," you croak.

"Oh hush, you big baby. We have antivenom, don't we?"
Oh shit that's a legit question. She doesn't know, she's just assuming.

The door bursts open and Hiss rises, only to sudden back away. It's not Aashenpreet. Instead the doorway is filled with nearly a dozen red-flecked Ishmin, each one with their sword drawn and ready.

"Oh," Hiss says. "This might be my fault."

>>40614904
Sonovatog. Again? This soon?

>>40614936
>>40614904

Yeah, I'm ending the thread here today. Sorry about that but it seemed like the natural point for it. Also I'm really hungry to the point where my stomach is hurting so I should probably get on that.
Thread has been archived, will run tomorrow at the usual time, check the twitter, etc etc.

I hope you guys had fun!

>>40615014
Well, I was referring to the angry armed men.

>>40615014
Thanks for running!

>>40615014
Thanks for running. So I'm guessing we made a mistake while playing as Hiss? What was it?

>>40615027
Cockbolcked by angry henchmen