>>43074652
>> See if you can sneak around and stealth kill the POJ on your own.

>>43074652
> Find and secure the Hubris swarm first, then help Pytor.

>>43074652
>> See if you can sneak around and stealth kill the POJ on your own.

Ya know, that is an awfully peppy tune for this quest. I mean it works but just saying.

>>43074652
> See if you can sneak around and stealth kill the POJ on your own.

>>43074686
>>43074899
>>43075043

"Stay here," You say to Musor. "If any People of Joy try to steal the van, maul them. Oh...if you see Pytor, he's okay."

Musor huffs again as you give him images of the few people in your life that you don't want Musor to hurt. Then he sits down in front of the door to the RV. Calm and patient.

"Do we have any tricks that can help us sneak up on these guys?" You ask Joy, as you unsheathe your knife, and start to slowly head towards the sound of gunfire.

"Maybe. There's plenty of options in our History from a Wind-Based lineage." Joy says. "We'll have to shut down two expressions that we already have. Then maybe we can get something new."

> Give up two combat powers (randomly chosen) for a stealth power
> Stay with what you have.

>>43075274
> Stay with what you have.

>>43075274
> Stay with what you have.
Knives are already pretty good for sneaky stuff

>>43075274
> Stay with what you have.
Don't think risking loosing two good powers is worth it for one power right now, maybe if we have excess later on, but not now

>>43075274
> Stay with what you have.

>>43075463
"We're good." You say.

"Alright, first person we have to take out is that guy with the laser rifle that's on top of that bank." Joy says.

You can see him. It's a POJ, in their white uniforms, and its like that woman back in Meadows' manor. It's all sealed, like a hazmat jumpsuit designed for combat. They must have implants that turn them into walking fallout-reactors. That lets them use the glass and plastic junk guns that don't work anymore...except for them.

He's (Or she, hard to tell from this distance.) is the one with the best high ground. Looks like Pytor's team only has someone inside a second story building. Hazmat's forcing everyone to keep down and blind firing.

You work your way to the side of the building. It's a bank, Three stories high, square, stout, and worn away marble on the front. The rest is solid metal.

> See if you can get inside the bank and go up from there.
> Climb up the fire escape of the building next to it and make the (rather long) jump.
> See if you can use a combination of parkour and ash dodge to 'climb' up the side of the building

>>43075619
>> Climb up the fire escape of the building next to it and make the (rather long) jump.
Smoke powers are good at jumping.

>>43075619
> Climb up the fire escape of the building next to it and make the (rather long) jump.

>>43075619
> See if you can use a combination of parkour and ash dodge to 'climb' up the side of the building

>>43075619
> Climb up the fire escape of the building next to it and make the (rather long) jump.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>43075677
>>43075706
>>43075790

You climb up the rusted ladder to the top of the building, no idea what it used to be.

You hope that Hazmat hasn't noticed you.

>>43075851
Nope. It looks like the rifleman is trying to keep Pytor's head down.

Now...you just need to get a good running start, and jump. Hopefully you can clear the deceptively large gap between the two buildings just relying on your regalia-enhanced self.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>43075913
Is this where we fall and die?

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>43075913

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43075913

>>43076005
That Joy for you anon.

>>43076005
You end up hopping a little, as your landing is a little less graceful than you'd like, but you've cleared the gap, and Hazmat hasn't noticed you at all.

So it's just a matter of how you want to attack them.

> Creep up on them, risky, but once you get close, a swift jab under the armpit and boom, dead.
> Start with your standard attacks. You won't kill them, but you'll certainly get the drop on them, and better chance of hitting them.

>>43076223
> Creep up on them, risky, but once you get close, a swift jab under the armpit and boom, dead.

>>43076223
> Creep up on them, risky, but once you get close, a swift jab under the armpit and boom, dead.

>>43076223
>> Creep up on them, risky, but once you get close, a swift jab under the armpit and boom, dead.
Are we in regalia right now? If so, does equipping the ash armor make any sound?
If not we should equip it now.

>>43076223
> Creep up on them, risky, but once you get close, a swift jab under the armpit and boom, dead.

>>43076323
The armor doesn't make noise, but becoming less-solid does, and the armor's not that useful unless you've also become slightly less solid.

>>43076323
>>43076303
>>43076281

You flip your knife in your hand, and slowly start to walk up to the shooter.

You really hope that Pytor hasn't been shot or hurt by this person.

If he was, then this is WAY too swift a death for him.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43076581
Gogo

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>43076592
Please don't ruin the previous roll. ..

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>43076581
>>43076592
Nice

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>43076581

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43076592
You learned how to walk quietly and be silent long before you got your regalia. Even before you met Pytor, actually.

The regalia and Pytor's training have only made you better at this.

However, you never know...sometimes you're just unlucky...

File: 1397196030118.jpg (37 KB, 752x375)

37 KB JPG

>>43076719
Dick Niggers.

>>43076719
Huh... So what happens on a tie?

>>43076752
Something stupid

PREPARE THE KNIFE STORM

>>43076719
And today is one of those days. You are right behind Hazmat, and your knife is just a few inches away...and they turn and see you.

Thankfully, you're so close that Hazmat can't bear their rifle on you fast enough.

You've got enough time to attempt to stab them anyway. Maybe your luck will bounce back.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>43076783

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>43076783
Knife Storm!!!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>43076783
Mexican stand-off!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>43076814
Well, you managed to stab them, piercing the suit, which lets out a gust of hot, sweat-smelling, air along with a scream of pain.

However, it wasn't fatal. Not instantly however.

Hazmat tries to swing their rifle at you, as an attempt to get some room between the two of you so that the rifle is some real use.

>>43076964
You barely even notice it banging against you.

Anyway, let's see if another good hard stab will put them down for good, shall we? It's the easiest, quickest, option. That has the least possibility of causing notice.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>43077011
HWG

>>43077011
For Mother!!!

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>43077011

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>43077011

File: 1400561060844.jpg (105 KB, 1024x757)

105 KB JPG

>>43077108

>>43077108
This one was solidly under the ribcage, and ripped open things that probably should have remained intact.

Hazmat spits blood onto the hard plastic bubble covering their face, and drops to the ground.

You slit their throat, after that. To ensure that they don't get back up.

Alright, so that's their high ground taken care of.

You start when you notice that Pytor's sharpshooter on the second floor across the square has taken advantage of the moment and is firing into the crowd.

It's Ray! Holy crap, he left the Confessors and came all this way?

Why?

Well...okay, you have a guess as to why, but...well...it isn't like there weren't other attractive girls at the Confessors' Camp that he could have sex with.

What's so special about you?

Ah well, no time for him to be distracted. You duck out of sight, and crawl on the roof of the bank, so you can see the People Of Joy's set up.

It looks like there's about five people behind sturdy looking makeshift barricades. They've got a basic firing line. Two of them are Hazmat Implants and using Laser pistols. Two have a pile of rilfes and handguns, and one has a shotgun to keep anyone from charging their position.

There's a small moving truck that's down an alley that's behind the firing line. There's a PoJ in a very fancy white uniform, the others look a bit less fancy and more salvages and dyed white. He's got...it looks like there's three bodies inside the van. You can see clearly that they're in regalia, Joy-In-Heart corpses.

You don't know what the Doctor is doing to them, but you don't think it's good, or remotely respectful.

> Assault the firing line from the bank roof
> Jump down and ambush the firing line from the ground
> Jump down and steal the truck
> Jump down and take the doctor/leader hostage (or kill him. Either's fine.)

>>43077414
>> Assault the firing line from the bank roof

>>43077414
>> Jump down and steal the truck
This will create a distraction and give our allies an oppertunity. I also don't want to know what will happen to the bodies/what they will do with that information if we let them fall into enemy hands.

>>43077414
> Jump down and take the doctor/leader hostage (or kill him. Either's fine.)

>>43077414
> Assault the firing line from the bank roof

>>43077414
> Jump down and take the doctor/leader hostage (or kill him. Either's fine.)

>>43077414
> Jump down and take the doctor/leader hostage (or kill him. Either's fine.)

>>43077414
> Jump down and steal the truck

Bump

>>43077490
>>43077518
>>43077555

The firing line's time is numbered, now that they've lost their sharpshooter, so best to make sure that they don't get what they're here for.

You jump down from the roof and land on the ground in a three point landing.

Turns out, now that you can see, there's more than just those three bodies. There's a pile of Joy-In-Hearts and Small Joys next to the truck.

There's no sense of self in them. At least...not as individuals. There's a mind that makes you think of lesser invertebrates, or fungus. It's...unnerving.

You can see what the leader is doing to the corpses in the van. He's...taking tailor's measurements. Every so often he clips off a piece of regalia with small white scissors. He's trying to go as quickly as he can, without rushing. So he's fairly preoccupied.

> Blast him from where you are.
> Charge the truck and get up close
> Try to do another stealth kill

>>43078928
>> Blast him from where you are.
Welcome back?

>>43078928
> Try to do another stealth kill

>>43078928
> Blast him from where you are.
Disable the van

>>43078982
>>43079034

> Ash Shot the 'Tailor'
> Ash Knife the tires of the truck
> Ash Knife the Tailor
> Ash choke the tailor

>>43079319
> Ash Knife the tires of the truck

>>43079319
>>43079319
>> Ash Knife the tires of the truck

>>43079319
>> Ash Knife the tires of the truck

>>43079630
Two knives, two tires. Shouldn't be a problem.

> Roll 2d20

Rolled 12, 20 = 32 (2d20)

>>43079744

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d20)

>>43079744

Rolled 14, 4 = 18 (2d20)

>>43079744
I'm kind of curious as to what the dude is up to, and why it's so important that he has to do whatever it is he is doing right in the middle of a firefight instead of finding friendlier climes

>>43079760
Well, one misses, but another hits AND you get that surge up you arm that forms two more knives.

> Roll 2d20

Rolled 8, 14 = 22 (2d20)

>>43079815

>>43079760
Oh fuck, is it happening again?

Rolled 9, 9 = 18 (2d20)

>>43079815
aww yeah let's knife that shit over and over

Rolled 4, 7 = 11 (2d20)

>>43079815
miss, crit

Rolled 9, 7 = 16 (2d20)

>>43079815

>>43079832
And there's the other tire.

Of course, the Tailor instantly notices when the truck lurches as two of its tires get ripped open. So he looks up and sees you.

"SHIT! It's her! Ashes is here! Get her!" He yells.

You have a brief moment before the firing line processes the new order, due to gunfire volume.

> Ash cloud and Run away
> Run into the truck and engage the Tailor in close combat.
> Assault the firing line
> Ash dodge upwards and get on top of a roof

>>43079996
>> Ash dodge upwards and get on top of a roof

>>43079996
> Run into the truck and engage the Tailor in close combat.

>>43079996
> Ash dodge upwards and get on top of a roof

>>43079996
>> Run into the truck and engage the Tailor in close combat.

>>43079996
>Run into the truck and engage the Tailor in close combat.
Best distract him and capture him as soon as we can. We don't know why he is so intent in feeling up those bodies right this instant, but it can't be good news.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>43080039
>>43080277
>>43080577

You charge forward, with a small ash dodge for that extra burst of speed.

However, this PoJ is an actual member, not a latecomer. That means he's one of the Accepted, which means improved reflexes.

Those white scissors are more like a multi-tool, and he effortlessly flicks them into a knife configuration.

You and he are in a cramped truck, stepping over dead bodies, in a knife fight.

> Roll 1d10 for initative

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>43080643

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>43080643

>>43080669
Alright, you get first action.

> Stab/Punch with intent to kill
> Stab/Punch with intent to subdue
> Ash Armor
> Ash Cloud
> Dodge Kick

>>43080718
> Stab/Punch with intent to subdue

>>43080718
> Stab/Punch with intent to subdue

>>43080643
> Stab/Punch with intent to kill
I don't think we'll get much information directly from him.

>>43080718
>Stab/Punch with intent to kill

>>43080747
>>43080841
We kinda need him alive for hostage and info.

>>43080882
Die-hard members of religious groups probably won't give up information.

>>43080913
>assuming he's a die hard
>Assuming between 3 hard asses and ray we can't MAKE him talk
we kill him we gain NOTHING

>>43080932
We need to stay focused on our current mission, the tailoring is obviously what allowed the small joys to become actual joy in hearts and if they have done a good job compartmentalizing knowledge he won't know much more.

>>43080982
He could still give us upgrades, or knowledge on how to fix certain things. He also would be invaluable to us. Worst case is we have a hostage and possible Hubris bait.

>>43080731
>>43080741

>>43080747
>>43080841
Stuck in a stalemate

>>43081381
roll it then since you have 2 reasonable people and 2 murder hobos.

>>43081381
I'll change my >>43080731 vote to a kill one then

>>43081392
It's a lot harder to subdue someone non-lethally especially when they are trying to stab you.

>>43081381
>>43081398

You don't plan, or need, to hear any of the crazy that comes out of the mouths of these people. You also do not want them anywhere near you with anything, especially those with sharp edges.

Also, taking a corpse's dress measurements is creepy.

So you're trying to kill the guy.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>43081500

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>43081500
die, plox

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>43081500
what a fucking waste. Great job murderhobos.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43081521
You get a good deep slash on the guy.

"This is the only way you fool! You spoke to Joy-In-Thought didn't you? You know that we're all doomed! This is all for Her! She who will deliver us all to the Golden Age!" The Tailor says, as you two square off.

"What does that have to do with anything?" You ask, watching him for movement.

"You stupid child. We harvest the power of all the dead, and feed it to Time. Then SHE rips open the walls of time and we return to ACTUAL time, not this nightmare! We'll fix everything, and reap our reward for our trial." The Tailor says, spittle flying from his mouth.

"What about Genesis, the Confessors, the rest of us? What about me, and Embers?" You snap. "Also, won't that KILL Joy-In-Time?"

"It's...I don't expect something as broken as you to ever understand." He scoffs, and lunges at you.

>>43081612
Shit! Blocked with the wrong arm. Ahh, that cut you. Pretty deeply too.

"Trey! Get down!" You hear a voice yell.

The Tailor's eyes go wide and you see him duck down and hit the floor of the truck.

There's two PoJ, with rifles, and they're about to fire into the truck.

> Ash dodge when they fire so the bullets go through you harmlessly.
> Charge the gunmen with an ash dodge, before they fire.
> Grab the Tailor and use him as a human shield.
> Hit the floor.

>>43081670
>Grab the Tailor and use him as a human shield.
if it doesn't work, then at least the tailor dies too.

>>43081670
> Ash dodge when they fire so the bullets go through you harmlessly.

>>43081670
>Grab the Tailor and use him as a human shield.

>>43081670
>> Grab the Tailor and use him as a human shield.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>43081677
>>43081705
>>43081714

You reach down and grab the protesting Tailor upwards.

He tries to break free.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>43081913

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>43081913

Rolled 7, 17 = 24 (2d20)

>>43081920
One of the PoJ lowers his rifle as you successfully pull the Tailor in front of your body.

The other one doesn't even pause as he opens fire.

"Shit! That's Trey, Walt!" The other one says as he grabs at the other's rifle.

"She HAS to die!" The guy says as he fires off a second shot.

>>43082001
unfortunate that the second roll was so late.

>>43082001
The tailor takes two to the chest. His body bucks.

"STOP!" The other one tackles the shooter and the pair start wrestling. 'Walt' keeps screaming that you have to die.

The tailor coughs. He's not doing well. Being shot in the chest twice can take the fight out of anyone, Accepting or not.

> Finish him off.
> Leave him and go take on the two fighting gunmen
> Make a break for it.

>>43082107
> Leave him and go take on the two fighting gunmen

>>43082107
>Finish him off.
We don't want to turn our back on someone who still might be combat capable.

>>43082165
he's taken two shots to the chest, he's done anon, and if we kill him now the gunmen might shoot at us.

>>43082107
can we throw him AT the gunmen or something?
>Finish him off.

>>43082187
He's accepting they don't die very easily. He might be mortally wounded but I wouldn't be surprised if he had a knife thrust left in him.

>>43082107
>"Some friends you have"
>Throw him at the two fighting gunmen and take them on

>>43082107
> Leave him and go take on the two fighting gunmen

>>43082158
>>43082272
>>43082265

"Some friends you have." You say and you shove/throw the tailor at the fighting gunmen.

He falls and leans into them, making sounds of the wounded, dying, and desperate for help.

It gets them busy enough that they aren't focused on you for those crucial moments where you can

> Fire an Ash Shot at Shooter A or Shooter B
> generate Knives for both of them
> Ash cloud the area
> Dodge Kick them both in the face
> Apply your ash armor
> Choke Shooter A or B

>>43082328
> Apply your ash armor

>>43082328
> generate Knives for both of them

>>43082328
> generate Knives for both of them

>>43082328
> Apply your ash armor
Armour up.

someone break tie.

>>43082328
> Apply your ash armor

>>43082328
>Apply your ash armor.

Rolled 14, 19, 10, 17 = 60 (4d20)

>>43082335
>>43082476
>>43082703

You summon up your armor and you feel yourself become slightly less than normal.

The gunmen have let the tailor drop to the ground. The urgency of killing you has just barely overwhelmed their need to save him. You are, after all, a living tornado of blades, ash, and death.

They fire at you, four rifle shots. The guns must be custom.

>>43082894
Okay, 2 possibly hit.

Roll 2d20 to see if you dodge them.

Rolled 9, 9 = 18 (2d20)

>>43082903

Rolled 17, 19 = 36 (2d20)

>>43082903
rolling

Rolled 17, 14 = 31 (2d20)

>>43082903

>>43082921
Its creepy watching bullets pass through you, and feel them pass through you, but see them just push through wisps of smoke and ash. Then see your flesh snap back into place.

Now it's your turn.

> Targets: Shooter A, Shooter B, and the Tailor is trying to get to his feet using the corpse pile as leverage.

> Ash shot
> Ash knives
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Dodge kick

>>43083079
> Ash shot
To shooter A

>>43083079
> Ash cloud

>>43083079
> Ash cloud

>>43083141
>>43083172
Time to make things even harder for the people trying to shoot you.

You focus your Joy and blast it down into the ground and the area around you.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>43083211
Go go

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>43083211

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>43083211
roll

Rolled 2, 17 = 19 (2d20)

>>43083222
Gah! Something...wrong happened. It was...something blocked it.

Something like the half-dream voices of a pile and truck full of dead Joy-In-Hearts. Yeah. That would do it.

The crazy one is shooting at you again. The other one has some kind of gel in a packet that he's smearing over the Tailor's chest.

>>43083341
One's a miss, the second may hit.

You hear the sounds of close combat and a shotgun, coming from the firing line. So something's happening over there.

>Roll 1d20 to dodge

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>43083349

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>43083349

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>43083349

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>43083349

>>43083385
Thank you anon.

>>43083361
Another puff of dust.

Your turn again.

> Shooter A, B, and the Tailor is back on his feet

> Ash shot
> Ash knives
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Dodge kick

>>43083391
> Ash knives

>>43083391
> Ash knives

>>43083391
>Dodge kick
We need to close the distance where we have the advantage

>>43083398
>>43083403

You summon up some knives, and chuck the blades at the two shooters.

> Roll 2d20

Rolled 19, 14 = 33 (2d20)

>>43083428

Rolled 17, 15 = 32 (2d20)

>>43083428

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d20)

>>43083428
roll

>>43083430
One knife for each shooter...and you also get that surge of energy.

Another two blades incoming!

>Roll 2d20

Rolled 8, 10 = 18 (2d20)

>>43083461

Rolled 11, 13 = 24 (2d20)

>>43083461

Rolled 9, 9 = 18 (2d20)

>>43083461
roll

Rolled 13, 2, 4, 6 = 25 (4d20)

>>43083483
And just so he doesn't feel left out, the Tailor gets one too.

"You are the embodiment of this world." The Tailor says. "Nothing but cold, and death. Have you ever made anyone in your world happy?"

"I KNOW!" The crazed shooter says. "That's why I've been TRYING to shoot her! It's HARD!"

"You listen to Mel too much." The other shooter says.

The pair open fire on you again, full semi-auto.

File: Angel Eyes.jpg (20 KB, 500x417)

20 KB JPG

>>43083504
You effortlessly dodge all of the bullets, and you even let one harmlessly sail through your transient flesh.

"DAMNIT! For the sake of the Great Mother! WHY DON'T BULLETS WORK ON YOU!?" The psychotic one says.

"Wait...Great what? What did you just s-" Is all the second shooter gets out, before half of his head is blown off with a shotgun blast.

"Amen." A voice says, and you see a guy in Confessor robes, holding the reclaimed shotgun in his hands.

You gape at Ray. He looks...different.

The crazed man spins around to aim at Ray, but there's a ZOT sound, and he falls to the ground screaming as his head is on fire.

You don't know the woman standing with Ray, but she's dressed in a Hazmat suit, with Genesis color painted on, along with the usual heraldry that their soldiers wear.

The tailor coughs up some blood and just looks from you, to Ray, and to the woman who's apparently on Ray's side.

(cont)

File: Amelia.jpg (12 KB, 236x401)

12 KB JPG

>>43083533
"Nice shot, Angel Eyes." The woman says.

"I don't think we need code names at this point, Amelia." Ray says. "We need to...by the Sacred Spirit..."

Oh crap, he finally noticed who was standing in the truck.

"Hello Ray." You say, slowly walking out.

"You have to be kidding me." Amelia says.

"Oh blessed be the Heavens!" Ray says, and he drops to his knees and clasps his hands together. "Truly we have been on the path of His Will because today we have been reunited! Thank you, Heavenly Father, and may you continue to bless us. We who serve in your name, in humility amen."

"Has he always been like that?" Amelia asks.

"Afraid so." You say.

You look down at the Tailor. He's dying. It's just a matter of moments.

(cont)

File: Pytor.jpg (53 KB, 470x800)

53 KB JPG

>>43083548
Then, of course, looking slightly bloodied with blood that's both his and not-his. Pytor walks up to join the three of you.

You just stand there. You...you don't know what to say. He would not want you to say that you missed him, or that you're happy that he's here, you CERTAINLY aren't going to hug him.

Pytor walks up, his crowbar in hand. He doesn't even look at you. He's looking at the Tailor, he examines him for a moment. Then he looks up at you for a moment, questioning.

You shake your head.

Pytor nods, and with three savage blows he bashes in the Tailor's skull with the crowbar.

Just like before.

You force yourself to not cry. You've had lots of practice doing that.

Pytor finishes his work, and then stands up straight and looks at you.

There's a moment where you two just stare at each other.

"We have food. Come." He says, and he turns to leave.

"Yes, sir." You say. "I left my bear to guard the RV."

Pytor nods.

"You have a bear?" Ray asks.

"Sure, why not." Amelia says. "Why should things get LESS weird when we finally do find the girls? I don't know why I dared to hope that."

"I'm glad you're safe, Lupa." Ray says.

"I'm glad you're safe too, Ray." You say, and you are. For all his annoying beliefs, Ray is useful to have around, and since he's become a proficient shot, that's even better.

He beams at you when you say that. Like those words just made his entire day.

You don't understand why.

END EPISODE 20

>>43083589
Thanks for running Echo.

Also jeez was this ep20? Doesn't seem like that many when I think about it...

>>43083589
Thanks for running~

>>43083589
>Pytor nods, and with three savage blows he bashes in the Tailor's skull with the crowbar.

>Just like before.

Jeez, Lupa sure does have some issues huh.

>>43083589
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/43074652/
Archived