>>42094794
You step forward, doing your best to look outwardly confident. No, not just confident. Invincible. Someone who is in control, someone who would gladly break before they bent or bowed. Like Hiss, more or less.
And you need to act like her because you ARE her, in a sense. Your body double plan has succeeded wildly, resulting in a Shapestealer mixup and you now temporarily adopting Hiss’ shape. The real Hiss is behind you in a fairly accurate approximation of your usual form and carrying your pack and all your potions save for a single Knockout Brew you’ve hidden away.
This has been a very strange day, all in all. But it should be fine, you don’t need to keep this deception up for long, just long enough to sneak Hiss past any troubles that might be awaiting her. Once you’re in the House itself everything should be fine. Should be.
You just need to keep the act up. You’re pretty sure you know how Hiss behaves.

The Ishmin look up as you approach, their heads moving as one. And they do nothing else and you cannot gauge their reaction behind their veils.
You simply hold your head high and ignore them. What else would Hiss do? She certainly wouldn't let anything show that she's even remotely the same status as a bunch of human servants.

The gate to the Seventy Seventh is an echo of the First, a giant set of hinged circular doors. You stride up to them without hesitation and balling up your fist, slam it into the door. You do it hard enough to dent the metal and black scales instinctively dance up your arm for a moment in response.
"Oi!," you cry out. "Open up! Do you think I have all day?"

Aashenpreet smiles and turns away as Hiss scowls.
"I don't sound lik-"

1/?

>>42094808
She is cut off by the doors swinging outward, a mind-eaten servant awaiting you on the other side. A fat white constrictor is coiled around him, shaking its tail before his eyes. And his eyes, otherwise vacant, follow that movement with cold precision before he speaks.
"Welcome, princess. We have heard much about your coming."

You do your best to look disgusted.
"That's nice, you crippled freak."
Aashenpreet squeaks behind you.
"Now how about you just let us through already? I'm sick of waiting!"

Aashenpreet shoves past you, still stronger than you, and prostrates herself before the serpent.
"Forgive her impudence-"

"Impudence?"
You let outrage fill your voice, as if you could ever be IMPUDENT. Behind you, Hiss is frowning and it doesn't look like she appreciates your act. But she stays silent for now.

The servant speaks up once more, the constrictor curling around him as protection against the light of the sun.
"Do not fear. We were prewarned of her ...attitude. But all are allowed to pass if they so desire, particularly one of such a distinguished bloodline."

You doubt any of them actually care for Hiss' lineage and you're pretty sure that Hiss would recognize this. But you're just as certain that Hiss would be flattered anyway despite herself and thus mollified.
"It's about time someone here treats me with the respect I deserve."

The slave nods, still guided by the movements of his mute master.
"You will find all you deserve here."

You look past him, staring the bloated serpent in the eye instead.
"I can only hope. Now let us pass."

"Mmm, in time, in time. But first there is one duty that we must adhere to, one request that we must make of you."

You do your best attempt at a frustrated groan, one that segues into a sigh halfway through.
"Name it."

"The House is a place of peace and before we can allow you passage, you must leave all weapons and means of harm here with us."

2/3

>>42094932
Interesting. Is that why the Ishmin were stranded outside? But Attaraan apparently lives in this place, he would know the rules of the House. So why would he bring them if they were just going to be forced outside?
And more importantly, don't your potions count? You can't leave your potions here!

"I would prefer to ask you to surrender your weapons politely," the slave continues. "But we will search your belongings if need be."

Oster grimaces, clearly unwilling to give up his swords.
And as for you? You're not entirely sure how to go about this. Surrendering your potions would be bad but there's almost no way they'll believe you that they're NOT weapons of a sort. What would Hiss do? And more importantly, is doing what Hiss would do actually a good idea here?

> "I think you misunderstand my purpose. I did not come to prostrate myself before foreign law. Let us pass."

> Surrender the swords and the more conventional weapons but try to save your pack.

> Give up the potions but don't tell them about the Knockout Brew you have hidden.

> Come clean with everything you have. It's a sign of good faith after all.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42095041
>"I think you misunderstand my purpose. I did not come to prostrate myself before foreign law. Let us pass."

Trap as fuck.

>>42095041
>> "I think you misunderstand my purpose. I did not come to prostrate myself before foreign law. Let us pass."
No point surrendering something so mundane when we are stronger that just weapons.

>>42095041
>> "I think you misunderstand my purpose. I did not come to prostrate myself before foreign law. Let us pass."
when that fails
> Give up the potions but don't tell them about the Knockout Brew you have hidden

>>42095041
>> Surrender the swords and the more conventional weapons but try to save your pack.
Steel weapons don't mean anything to the Serpent Queen anyway
If they go after the potions specifically we know somethings up.

>>42095041
> Give up the potions but don't tell them about the Knockout Brew you have hidden.
They've already spoken with tash and attaraan, they know our bag is filled with potentially deadly weapons

>"I think you misunderstand my purpose. I did not come to prostrate myself before foreign law. Let us pass."

You do your best to sound incredulous, as if this was some bizarre affront better sprung upon people who aren't you.
"Excuse me? I don't think you understand me. I'm not here so I can prostrate myself before arbitrary foreign law. Let us pass."

The slave pulls back, the snake retracting.
"It is not a matter of status. All who come here must surrender such items."

"For what purpose? I'm already far stronger than any mere sword and it wouldn't surprise me if the majority of pilgrims are the same. We are not human after all, children who have to lean on petty tools. You cannot confiscate my fangs or my Art and compared to those, the weapons my servants carry are trivial."
You lock eyes with the serpent once more and do not look away. You can feel your own body changing in response, fangs in your mouth lengthening and filling with venom.
You don't know who told the priestess about what she had to say to you but they are not here. You are.

Roll a 1d100.

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>42095338

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>42095338

>>42095338
dice+1d100

Welcome back, Ouro. Excited for today's thread.

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>42095338

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>42095338
come on dice gods

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>42095338
this is what we get for not sacrificing that decision last thread...

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>42095338

>>42095416
Well that was awkward. That's what I get for trying to roll.

fuck. we need more tied votes

File: Laptop_Snake.jpg (34 KB, 600x428)

34 KB JPG

Ouro with new laptop

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>42095338

> A series of unfortunate rolls

Your attempt to stare them down fails and instead you look away first, finding it uncomfortable to meet their blank gaze. The slave speaks once more.
"Your petulance will not endear you nor will it grant you favor. Surrender your weapons."

> "Or...or what?"

> Give up everything but the pack and your potions.

> Give up the potions so they won't suspect your hidden Knockout Brew.

> Surrender everything, you can always brew more.

> Nobble the priestess.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a Wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42095507
We ran out of luck after all of those 90+ rolls we had for a while.

>>42095560
> Give up everything but the pack and your potions.
We better get our things back.

>>42095560
>"Or...or what?"

Fuck yoooooou

>>42095560
> Give up the potions so they won't suspect your hidden Knockout Brew.

>>42095560
> Give up everything but the pack and your potions.
Toss them the swords

>>42095560
> Give up everything but the pack and your potions.

>>42095507
The recent stretch of having no ties actually seems to have done us in. I'm starting to become a genuine believer in the Dice Gods theory.

>>42095511
It's a pretty sweet machine, no lie.

>>42095560
>> Give up the potions so they won't suspect your hidden Knockout Brew.
perhaps this is too conciliatory but, that was a seriously bad run of luck

>>42095698
Maybe the problem is that you ever doubted the dice gods theory. We're being punished for your lack of faith.

Rolled 34 (1d100)

rollan again to confirm the truth of our theory

>>42095679
No tossing sharp things around.

rollan 1d6 in an attempt to fool the dice gods

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>42095908
shit I might be retarded. Evens confirm I'm retarded, odds I'm not.

>>42095951
Okay now the dice gods are just being dicks.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

Dice rolling attempt number two. Let's see if I understood the instructions this time.

> Give up everything but the pack and your potions.

You look down, defeated. Or doing your best to seem defeated anyway.
"Very well. Oster, Cennen, surrender your blades."

Oster gives you a resentful look as he passes several swords over. What was that for? Does he think that the real Hiss would have been able to let him keep them?
Hell, he's probably right.
Hiss steps past you with your sword and your knives and her expression confirms it. She even gives up your small hammer while shaking her head at you.

"We will need to see the insides of your pack as well."

Oh hell no.
"I assure you," you say, doing your best to copy Hiss' icy tone, "you do not."

But alas, your words carry no power anymore and even less respect. The priestess ignores you and reaches for the pack, Hiss pulling back and snarling.

-The pack is fine. Do not touch it-

As they reach for the pack, something inside the pack reaches back for them. It's Rock, the spirit unearthing itself from where she had been meditating among your alchemical detritus.
What the hell is she doing, she's supposed to be a secret! But of course, she's doing it to protect the pack that she knows you desire.
-I wish to see this House myself. I trust you will not obstruct us further?-

The slave does not react but the serpent does, springing itself back into a tight coil and nothing is said for quite some time before they manage to communicate something to the slave.
"Of course, suzerain. If they are with you, all is well. Proceed."

The priestess uncoils from the slave and winds away into the darkness, leaving the mind-eaten man to escort you through the Seventy-Seventh. Like the First, the building is in near-complete darkness and as it turns out, Hiss isn't much better at seeing in the dark than you are.
But you do notice many tunnels snaking off the main passage, each one leading to somewhere new in the cliff-face. How far does this place extend? Why is it so big?
1/2

>>42096229
None of those questions are answered by your journey for the slave never leads you off the main passageway, a dark tunnel that climbs upwards in what is almost a straight diagonal line. The incline is stepped though you can't help but notice the gutters that run up the slope perpendicular to the steps, grooves hollowed out for those in bodies that have no legs. Some of them are disturbingly large.

The darkness grows thicker and ever more cloying as you continue your silent ascent and it soon becomes too dark to see, the slave breaking silence to ask you to all link hands. He walks ahead of you still, his fingers tracing the unseen wall.
You cannot see. You know without knowing that whatever this place is, you are in the center now, the passages directly beneath the House and above the heart of the Chau Devi. An eyeless world that has never known light, populated by deformed priests and priestesses and the humans who serve them, each human a spiritual eunuch with their souls ceremonially cored out.
What few words are occasionally exchanged betray that both Hiss and Oster are becoming increasingly grim and even Rock ceases her movement. Only Aashenpreet seems at ease, skipping up the steps in the dark without issue.

The next set of doors to bar your path open into a shorter chamber with the true exterior doors lying beyond, almost acting as some strange form of seal so that the passages below would never be touched by daylight. And to confirm your suspicion the slave only opens the exterior doors after he has chained the first door shut. Sudden light floods into the chamber, causing you to hiss in response and cover your eyes.

Beyond is the open sky, one that can be seen both above and around and below for you are at the peak of the mountain. There is a relatively flat space up here, all bare gray rock thrusting upwards through a layer of thin soil and anemic yellow grass.
2/3

>>42096483
The flattened peak continues until the far side of the mountain, at which point it suddenly drops away in a steep incline so straight that makes it look like the far side of the Chau Devi had been cleaved away by some immense knife.

And sitting atop all of that is the House, a square tower with sloping walls that are painted a stained white. Behind it grow more towers, a collection of squat yet impressive buildings clustered together and intermingling. Some of them even seem to flow into the others, merging as if they occupied the same space.
What you can see of the roofs are bright green, overcrowded with vegetation and thin yellow trees. A river flows from the roof of the highest building, creating a ribbon of water the spills over the cliff and into the jungle far below. And above the the water a single banner, one in stark white and smeared with a black spiral, letting all know that just in case they had any doubts, this is well and truly constrictor ground.

"Uh, right," you say, seeking out the slave that had guided you here. "What do we do now?"

But he has already left, disappearing back into the darkness of the Seventy-Seventh. You turn to Aashenpreet instead but she's no use, too busy holding herself and rocking from one foot to the other in excitement.
Rock is silent and still, perched on your shoulder like a statue.

"How about we just walk up, moron," Hiss says.

"I'm sure there's some sort of protocol here."

> She's right. Just march right in there.

> Stop outside the House and call for someone to come out and show you the way.

> Is there something we should prepare or do first? (Specify)

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42096759
> Stop outside the House and call for someone to come out and show you the way.

>>42096759
>> Stop outside the House and call for someone to come out and show you the way.

>>42096759
> Is there something we should prepare or do first? (Specify)
Give hiss a soul guise so that it's completely impossible to tell that she's a snake. Give oster a potence so he feels better about being unarmed. Ask Aash for any other information she can give about this place.

>>42096759
>She's right. Just march right in there.

Tired of these mother fucking snake games.

>>42096894
This.

>>42096894
changing mine to this followed by

>> Stop outside the House and call for someone to come out and show you the way.

deleted the old one to be clear

>>42096894
>This thing

Hiss is already advancing and you have to skip a little to catch up to her (him?) and slow them down.
"Hold on, there's a little something we should do first. Can you drink this?"

You open up the pack while Hiss is still wearing it, taking out the Soul Guise and passing it to her.
"This should make you pass as human, right?"

Hiss nods, not looking particularly enthused but she drinks it anyway and only complains about the taste a little.

You keep rummaging in your pack until you find the bottle of Potence.
"Here you go Oster, this should help you since you don't get your sword. Sorry about that by the way. Just drink it when you need it."

Oster nods appreciatively.
"I don't know if I'll need it or not but thanks."

"You probably will," Hiss drawls. "I mean right now you're the physically weakest of all of us by a very long shot."

"I am? Oh right, I guess so."
He looks rather disturbed by the revelation.

"Yeah, this should make you just as strong as me or Hiss though I think Aash will still be a little more potent. And speaking of which, can you tell us anything more, Aashenpreet? Anything we'd really need to know?"

Aashenpreet is still staring at the House.
"I can't believe it. I'm finally here. I'm actually here. Oh, oh, what do I do? Thank you Cennen! Thank you so much!"
She hugs you unexpectedly from behind, still dancing from one foot to other with the result that you are lifted bodily into the air. Hiss pushes her off of you a moment later, glowering.
"Don't touch my body!"

Regardless, she doesn't look like she's going to be saying anything comprehensive anytime soon.

"Right," Hiss continues. "Let's go."

You all advance together, loose rock sliding beneath your feet as you approach the first tower. Stopping right outside its door, you cup your hands and shout.
"Hello? Open up! I don't have the time to wait around!"
Hiss glowers behind you, still obviously annoyed by your impression of her.

1/2

>>42097314

"Why yes princess, I've been wondering when you would arrive."
The voice is deep and melliflous, one well-practiced to be smooth and pleasant despite your negative connotations regarding it.
Tash steps from around the corner of the tower, clad not in his usual formidable array but instead just a loose tied-together robe that ends above his knees. He's sopping wet, his usually meticulous hair stretching wet and smooth down his back. He's unmasked, revealing a thin and effeminate face.
"As you can see, I was not well prepared for your arrival. You caught me at a rather inopportune moment, your Highness."

"Tash-"

"Please, allow me to explain. Please forgive me for my indiscretions in Lombai, I was acting beyond my place. But perhaps I can make it up for you in other ways? In whatever way you desire, of course."

You sneak a glance back behind you and you can't help but notice Hiss looking determinedly at the ground, her face reddening.
But of course, Tash spares 'Cennen' nothing but the barest of appraisals.
"This place, as blessed as it may be, can be a little confusing for newcomers. I'd be happy to help you around."

> Tell him to fuck off.

> Agree to go with him alone while the rest get settled.

> Take up his offer as a group.

> I wonder if you can push him off the cliff from here...

> 'Hi Tash, Tanni was asking about you.'

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>42097489
> Agree to go with him alone while the rest get settled.
Haha the body swap will be so worth it. I propose we drug him with the knockout brew to bypass his trance resistance and scour his memories personally

>>42097489
> Agree to go with him alone while the rest get settled.

>>42097489
> Agree to go with him alone while the rest get settled.

>>42097489
>> Take up his offer as a group.
guys we as a snake are not equipped to be alone with this guy, and cennan doesn't need his emotions any more mixed up

>>42097489
> Take up his offer as a group.
Why is hiss so pathetic when it comes to Tash? It's ridiculous.
>>42097713
Cennen isn't a fag anon. Plus he hates Tash so much that there's no way his art will work on us.

>>42097753
>no way his art will work on us.
perhaps but we don't have anything that makes that definitive. His power is supernatural after all.

Plus i think we had some indication he has some protection against memory checks
anyhow it will be amusing to see how it plays out regardless

>>42097821
His ability is to resist the trance that comes from a snakes gaze. If we knock him out with our brew instead he has no defense.

> Agree to go with him alone while the rest get settled.

An awful idea crosses your mind. An awful, hilarious idea. He's fallen for it, he really thinks you're Hiss. And now he wants you to be alone with him? You have a pretty good idea about what he might be trying to do and there's a strong part of you that wants to burst into laughter.
Looking back, Hiss and Oster seem the same though Aashenpreet just looks confused.

You can't believe you're doing this.
"Alright, you lot can handle yourselves right? I'm sure Tash is more than well-equipped to show me around alone."

"Of course, by your leave, princess."

He steps back and you follow him behind the corner of the tower and along a hidden path in the rocks that threads through the buildings in some sort of proto-courtyard shared between them.
"Looks like we have all this space to ourselves. The poor House just doesn't have the amount of pilgrims as it used to, poor thing. But their loss is our gain."

You flinch as the smell of rotten eggs fills the air as he directs you to a small pool tucked away among the rocks. The water is quite odorous but it is hot, hot enough to relax you from just being near it.
And come to think of it, it's nowhere near as hot up here as it usually is in Quedesh. It's almost...cold. Your body almost moves on its own, wanting to get closer to the pool, to its warmth.

"I was just attending to myself here when a little bird told me of your arrival. You're free to join me."
He undoes the robe, revealing a slender but solid build as he slides back into the pool.

> It can't hurt, can it?

> "I thought you were going to guide me around the place."

> Hold him underwater.

> What would Hiss do?

> Use Potion (Knockout)

> Flee

> Other

>>42097915
Grab the knockout brew in our hand and ask him to help us disrobe. Then when he's fully out of the pool use it to knock him out so he can't avoid it by going underwater.

>>42097915
>> "I thought you were going to guide me around the place."

>>42097982
This. If he tries to avoid the gas hold him still if necessary.

>>42097915
> "I thought you were going to guide me around the place."

>>42097990
>>42098052
Guys the heat is gonna dull our senses if we waste time.

>>42097915
> Use Potion (Knockout)

>>42098089
Yeah and we probably have hardly any resistance to it.

>>42097982
We should probably be acting more flustered by the way

>Knockout

What would Hiss do here? Well for starters, she'd probably be rather flustered. You're not sure if you can do that.
You tug at the front of your tunic anxiously, unbuttoning the top so you can reach where you've secreted away the shrunken Knockout Brew.
"Uh, I think I need some help. I-if you don't mind."

"Oh but of course."

You tense up as he levers himself back out of the pool, watching and waiting. And when he's fully out and there's no chance of him being able to retreat back into the water, you strike!

You pull the brew free and swing it down to smash it into the ground only for Tash to move! He's a lot faster than he looks, his hand going to yours. He's nowhere near as strong as you are but his hands are nimble and threaten to steal the vial away from you before you can react!

Roll a 1d100.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>42098273

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>42098273

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>42098273

>>42098273
hopefully the dice gods approve of this plan more than i do

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>42098273
Dude all we had to do was break it in our grip. This is dumb.

Fuck this fuck Tash

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>42098330
but that would also make more sense if I actually rolled

>>42098334
Bueno. Thank god Ouro only uses best of 3 on certain rolls.

>>42097982
>>42098033
>>42098089
Why?

>>42098361
Wishful thinking that this isn't one of those times. When has it ever not been?

>>42098385
He always specifies when it's best of 3. He's used the 4th or 5th rolls more times than I can count

>>42098408
I must not pay close enough attention, I'll take your word for it. I just don't want to get my hopes up.

>>42098385
usually he says it,

>>42098385
I'm pretty sure he only uses best of 3 when it's especially difficult

>>42098408
well his difficulties are sometimes pretty high, we don't know what tash might have up his sleeve, I think >>42098334 is assuming a lot.

>>82

He might be quick but he's not THAT quick. You close your hand before he can snatch anything, your hand covering itself in black scales as you crush the tiny bottle in your grip.

The gas all decompresses at once with enough force to send you staggering back. Tash topples towards the water but you grab his hand and pull him back towards you, jabbing a hand into his chest and forcing him to breath as the area becomes lousy with white smoke.

It doesn't take him long before he sinks to his knees and then collapses entirely, gasping for breath.
You let him fall, taking the time to button your tunic back up.
"Didn't expect that, huh?"

> See if you can use your borrowed Art upon him.

> Dump him in the pool.

> You should probably relocate before you do anything else.

> Leave him here for now and go rejoin the group. They might be getting into all kinds of trouble. You can come back for Tash later.

> Use the pool to brew up a potion (Specify)

> Other

>>42098439
This poster has it right. I only add a best of 3 rider when I think it's particularly urgent or rushed and not always even then.
That said, I don't accept any rolls after I've started writing of course.

>>42098487
> See if you can use your borrowed Art upon him.
Whatever we do don't take his entire soul

>>42098487
> You should probably relocate before you do anything else.
>why did we knock him out again?

>>42098525
>Touching another's soul when we have spiritbane
Anon........

>>42098530
We can read his memories to figure out his plan and do whatever we want otherwise. Failing that we can pray to rock and get him to bring everyone else here, it's already known that we have a spirit.

>>42098550
Anon we cannot. We'd kill him with our bane, instantly.

>>42098547
We have a snake soul covering ours that prevents any contact with our actual soul. Check the ask.fm, ouro said it's similar in function to soulguise.

>>42098487
> See if you can use your borrowed Art upon him.

>>42098487
> See if you can use your borrowed Art upon him.
Just take a large chunk of his recent memories and then leave him in the pool.

>>42098487

> You should probably relocate before you do anything else.

Hide the body then go back

>>42098487
How long does the knockout brew last?

>>42098718
Oh, he'll be out for a good few hours unless something else intervenes.

>>42098741
And we can read through memories without eating them right?

>>42098766
Yes though that requires a certain degree of finesse.

>>42098766
if we want to look at his memories we should at least get hiss to do it. How bad is this to do in the House anyway. How many laws did we break?

>>42098487
At least go somewhere concealed nearby first

>>42098487
>>42098845
I like this, though it will break her guise.

> See if you can use your borrowed Art upon him.

Alright, you've come this far. You can't turn back now. If you have all of Hiss' Art you should be able to do this! You prop his head up against a rock as you get yourself ready.

You need to put a hand on his chest, don't you? That's what Hiss always did. You try to open his eyes but his eyelids keep drooping shut, making it extremely hard to get eye-contact.
And when you make eye contact, what do you do then? Do you just feel it out and take the most familiar path? That should work.

You finally get his eyes open and meet his vacant stare. You summon up the power, trying to do your best to call upon the Art. And you feel it, a push of something from you, something that dances across the invisible bridge that your eye contact creates and then ...stops. What?
Why did it stop? It felt so good! You're starting to feel a strange empty sensation, one that's almost like hunger but not. You need to make this work. There's nothing you want more then to take his soul and devour it.

A detached part of you observes this and notes it as rather worrying but you find it hard to care. This place is so warm, it feels so good. Why bother caring about anything when you have heat and prey?
You giggle vacuously, feeling your movements begin to slow. This feels great!
So why can't you make that connection?

"He's not afraid of you."
Another Quedeshi voice, one that should startle you but all you can do is grin languidly. More people? Why not?

There's a man sitting on top of the rocks, a man almost twice your size with strange etchings running along his brown skin like the rings of a tree. He's wearing a burnt orange robe.
"The prey needs to fear or their soul does not open and the sleeping fear nothing."

You laugh. What a funny guy! Everything is so funny! You don't feel the need to be alarmed by his sudden presence or do anything hasty. You've spent too long trying to unlock Tash by the heat of the springs for that.

1/2

>>42099020
Well fuck.

>>42099020
>>42099076
This is why we should have moved

>>42099076
No harm no foul right?

>>42099020
Wooo! An anaconda! Let's be friends with him

>>42099098
I didn't vote to set him by the hot water, I just voted to eat his memories, why did we default to putting him there, am I supposed to be aware of everything at once?

>>42099150
Yes, we were still near the heat, we should have moved. Especially since several players were bitching about knockout nao because heat. When it was super unnecessary and self-defeating.

>>42099020
"How'd you do that?," you slur. "You weren't there before. Show me!"

"A basic Art. Are you really drunk already? That's some impressively low tolerance. Is your homeland truly so cold?"

"Nah. Nah. No. I guess I just haven't built up a resistance, considering my circumstances and all."

"Well I'm going to have to ask you to stop your attempts regardless."

"Eh? Why?"

"This human wanted to trap you. He was speaking to one of the other suzerains, wanted him to join him shortly after he had provoked you into breaking the rules of the House."

"Oh. Oh noooooooo. Wait. Are you a suzywhatsit?"

"Perhaps. And while I don't know why anyone would want to trap someone as inexperienced as you or what you may have done, I feel loathe to see someone fall to Attaraan's manipulations."

"Attaraan? Where is he?"

"He'll be coming soon, I just said that. And when he arrives he'll have the grounds to throw you out forever, maybe do more than that."
He gets to his feet, his body briefly phasing out of view entirely as his skin and clothes echo the landscape behind him.
"You are not in your right mind. I will be taking the human and placing him somewhere safe. You are free to remain here until Attaraan arrives, I don't really care."

He scoops up Tash with one hand, not ungently. You just stay seated, staring up the whole spectacle and trying to think.
You giggle again. Where's Hiss? You want to do things to her.

> Stay where you are, warmth is good. This is good.

> Wait. This guy is a snake right? There's something you do with snakes. You got to do it.

> "Can I come with?"

> Find Hiss.

> Other

>>42099196
Finding out about Tash's plans would have been a huge benefit. We've been manipulated by him the entire time. We had no way of knowing about the fear requirement for eating souls, we only knew fear was necessary for the trance gaze.

>>42099219
> Find Hiss.
All is not lost. Thanks snakebro.

>>42099219
>> Find Hiss.


>>42099225
It'd be a decent corollary, and staying here by the heat was stupid in the first place. The whole reason we did this was not to fall victim to such simple ploys, rememberr?

>>42099219
>> Find Hiss.
abort this whole sordid affair we only have a day before shit goes down

>>42099219
> Find Hiss.

>>42099219
> Find Hiss.
> Ask his name first

Though I really want to go with him...

>>42099219
>>42099248
>>42099261
I'll tack on number this as well

>>42099219
> Find Hiss.
Well at least our body switch ploy prevented hiss from falling into this trap. I really wish we could've read those memories though. And now we have a few hours without any interference from tash.

>>42099307
That's some seriously impressive optimism.

>>42099219
> Find Hiss.

>>42099219
All this manipulation is confusing. First tash wanted us to destroy attaraan and now they're working together?

>>42099406
I think he's planning to double cross Attaraan, while still hoping to bang Hiss. I've got no idea about what he plans to do about Tanni

>>42099406
it seems clear he wants hiss to do something, and he thought her destroying attaraan would do the trick.

Now that attaraan is out for blood he can probably get close by seeming to ally with him

I'm beginning to think that Tash's goals sort of mirror cenans, and he wants her to ascend whilst also being as hard edged as possible

>>42099462
He was trying to get hiss kicked out just now. Which would prevent her from reaching the compact

>>42099481
>42099481
true enough that theory is basically groundless.
That said he it does seem like he wanted her to get this far at least.

>>42099462
>>42099481
>>42099533
Tash is out for Tash, He wants has boundless ambition, and the art and wit to use it. he wants it all.

>>42099554
Obviously. We're trying to figure out his specific plans though.

> Find Hiss.

You nod as you watch the man turn away. He's completely bald and not in the shaved way that Attaraan was, just completely hairless as if it had never taken root. His skin is thick and thorny, the etchings almost an inch-deep.
"Uh. Do you have a name?"
You sort of want to go with him but you want to find Hiss more.

"You can call me Sint. And I would very much like to speak to you one day when you are not drunk."

"Right. Right."
You get to your feet and head back in the opposite direction, trying to clear your head. And as it does, you can't help but feel you just messed something up. Something huge.
What were you doing with Tash again? Shit, how were you supposed to know he was working with Attaraan, last you knew you thought he wanted Hiss to kill him!
Still, at least you took it instead of Hiss. You can't imagine what Hiss would have done in that situation. She probably wouldn't have held back.

You're back around the front of the House now and the door is open, allowing you to drunkenly wander inside into a golden room.
There are many passageways leading off but what attracts your gaze first and foremost is Hiss, still wearing your body and sitting on the ground atop a cushion. There's nobody else here. What is she doing here?

Hiss jumps to her feet when she sees you.
"What have you done?"

You laugh and hug her, still more than a little fuzzy. She frowns.
"Are you heat-drunk already? Oh Cennen, what am I going to do with you? They'll be coming back soon and I've been wasting time here waiting for you!"

They? Who's that? Hiss shakes you a little.
"Come on. Get out of this body, go back to snake form. It's easy, I'll put you in your pack for you until you cool off."
She holds out your pack. Rock is missing.
"No really, get in now. We've got like a minute at most!"

What has she been doing while you were away?

1/2

>>42099584
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

> Kiss her.

> "What's going on?" Slur loudly.

> Try to tell her what happened.

> Other

>>42099605
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

>>42099605
> Kiss her.
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

>>42099605
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.
> Kiss her.

>>42099605
> Kiss her.
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

>>42099605
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.
No kiss retards. There's no time.

>>42099605
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

>>42099605
> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

I get the feeling this isn't Hiss, though I can't explain how they would know we were Cennan, something feels wrong.

>>42099657
seconding on the hope that this may elucidate this situation
>>42099716

>>42099755
It seems like we might be getting nobbled but if it's a snake impersonating us then we can't get wishbonded to it anyway

> Do as she says. You really are in no fit state to handle anything right now.

You giggle again, still feeling quite warm. What's she so worried about? Everything is fine. Everything is good. And besides, you love her. You want to do things to her.
Even when she is he? That's a little out of your comfort zone but when else are you going to be immune to her venom?

You put your hand on her back and push her head towards you with your newfound strength and...she pushes you back, matching you pound for pound.
"Wow, you really are drunk. Don't worry, I'll kiss you all you want later but just get in the damned bag!"

You nod, your thinking processes dazed. And then you relax mental muscles you didn't even know you were tensing and your entire body disintegrates, letting you fall to ground as a snake.
Hiss picks you up and stuff you in the pack, tying it up behind you.
"You're lucky I'm not as human as I look," she mutters. "Otherwise you'd owe me three wishes by now."

You coil up inside the pack, books and bottles looming around you and jostling into you. From there, it's only a matter of time before you lose consciousness entirely.

>>42099800
Why would we pass out when we're not even near heat anymore

Sorry guys but I think I'm ending here. I've been feeling sorta bad all morning and today is D&D day anyway. Thanks for playing!
(To be honest you didn't actually mess up that badly, you deflected one of the worst schemes that were waiting for you with the body double stuff at least).

Also for tomorrow I was thinking of maybe trying a summary q/a-ish thread where I write up the Summary bit by bit and look back etc. It's actually pretty hard to find the motivation to do a Summary otherwise and Thread 50 seems like a cool number for it.
But then again, we might not need it. What do you guys think?

>>42099911
I don't particularly want a summary but it's up to you in the end

>>42099888
It's not for very long, just a nap.

>>42099919
Yeah I'm not huge on the idea. It can wait until a few threads more actually.

>>42099911
I say do what you like as long as we don't have wait two weeks for the next story thread. Hard to believe it's been 50 threads already.

>>42099911
Thanks for running!

Summary thread might be good. It'll help with newcomers.

>>42099911
summary might provide some interesting perspective, but i think most players seem fairly on point. Guess it all comes down to whether people want an open qna
In any case thanks for running.

>>42099911
I would definitely prefer a continuation to the story. Really if anyone wants to join late they should have no problem reading through previous threads since it's a fun and interesting read.

>>42099911
Thanks for running!
I agree with >>42099969, although I'd expect newcomers caught up with the entire quest before they started posting as I did right guys?

>>42100029
As recently as the Tanni clusterfuck there were newfags clearly not caught up and being super edgy and/or stupid.

For example " I don't see the issue. We got to bang a smoking hot snake chick, but can we even get her pregnant?"

>>42100082
Yeah but that was the only time I remember where someone obviously had no idea what was going on but still voted

>>42099911
>>42100029 here, not entirely convinced to dedicate an entire thread to it, but it might be useful to confer amongst the players and try to do some planning ahead.

>>42100125
It's hard to make any plans when we still don't really know much about our current goal. Hiss still doesn't know what she plans to do with the compact. And we hardly know anything about the motives of our enemies except that they just tried to sabotage hiss

>>42100120
For every one blatant idiot there are 10 more who are smart enough to not be blatant but dumb enough to catch up.