>>245846
>Get dressed and head into town

>>245846
>E) Head into town and rob a store.

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>>245876
>>245894

Cash is low. You need a job. They're usually not hard to find; there are always plenty around the town.

First, you get dressed. Boots. Armor. Bandoliers. Mask. Hat.

And, of course, your weapons. Revolvers, your rifle, the tarkatan arm-blade, and a few sand grenades, small bulbs of your own invention. A small bag of caltrops, and another small bag for your coins.

In a place like Outworld, you secure weapons first. Now for other supplies: a canteen of water, and another for whiskey. A bit of rope. Some trail rations. A shovel, in case you need to bury a body.

Walking outside, you find your steed. It's not exactly a horse like the home you once knew, but it gets along well enough. It's a stubborn beast, but you're even more stubborn, on top of being patient. You broke him in soon enough after acquiring him.

You saddle him up and put your extra supplies on his back. Jumping up into the saddle and readying yourself for the journey, you take a moment to survey your property. The cabin is locked, the cattle are grazing nearby, and things shouldn't change by the time you get back.

Of course, if you did come back and the whole place was burnt down, it wouldn't be the first time in your long life. Nor likely the last.

Setting aside sour memories, you kick the beast's sides and off you go, riding across the wastelands. The first few orange streaks of light from the rising sun cut across the purple sky above, softly illuminating the landscape.

>A) Head straight for the capital city
>B) Go to a nearby village instead
>C) Find the main road and ride alongside it to the city
>D) Travel slowly and keep your eyes peeled for any trouble
>E) Other

>>245903
>Travel slowly and keep your eyes peeled for any trouble

>>245903
>D) Travel slowly and keep your eyes peeled for any trouble

>>245903
Never know what oppritunuties we will come across

>>245921
>>C) Find the main road and ride alongside it to the city
Forgot actual answer choice

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>>245905
>>245912
>>245924
>>245921

You're not in a particular hurry. A lifetime and a half has given you the patience and precision of a snake. Taking your time, you keep your eyes peeled and scan them across the horizon for any sign of trouble. Things can move quickly here in the wasteland. If something sneaks up on you, it could mean death.

Today it pays off. Traveling slow means you aren't noticed by a nearby group of raiders. You hone in on them almost immediately; horse archers with torches, flying the colors of the dead Emperor. That means they're in service to General Reiko, and fighting against the new regime.

Political struggle was never your interest unless it paid, and so far, neither side's made you an offer, so you couldn't much care. Keeping track of them, you see they're headed for a village under the new Emperor's protection. Likely to pillage, raid and rape to send him a message.

For a moment, your mind is taken back to long ago, to another small town in another world. Imagery of riders on the horizon, burnt into your memory, along with buildings on fire, a swirling inferno giving way to a great pillar of black smoke, darkening the skies for miles around...

You're back in the present. Shaking your head, you banish the memory. Another time. Another life. Another world. You don't care about that now. It's a harsh world, the one you come from, and this one is even harsher. It's not your problem. Or maybe it could be...

>A) Ignore the raiders; keep going
>B) Watch their attack on the village
>C) Change course to stop them before they reach the village and speak with their leader
>D) Attack them and kill them all
>E) Join them and cause some chaos
>F) Other

>>245928
>>B) Watch their attack on the village
We're patient, let's follow them from a distance and see what their target is. If it looks like a good score, we can join in. If not, we can easily ride away in the chaos of the attack or join in the defense to gain the gratitude of the townspeople

>>245928
>D) Attack them and kill them all

>>245934
Agree with this.

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>>245934
>>245942

Turning your steed, you follow their trail, keeping low and quiet. You observe them as they approach the village, firing flaming arrows at its wall. The village closes its gate quickly and a standoff soon ensues, but the raiders keep mobile, circling the village and firing at its defending archers, who themselves shoot from small towers that line the wall.

The leader of the raiders seems to be giving orders to plant explosives, gunpowder bombs carried by one of his lieutenants, at the main gate. Once done and set off, they would be able to swarm into the town. In response, the village starts throwing flaming jars of tar over their walls, keeping them at bay for the moment.

They almost appear to be stalling... and in a minute, you realize why.

Over a nearby hill appears a cavalry. The raiders are too busy to notice right away, but from your vantage point, the remainder of this battle unfolds in front of your eyes before it even happens. The reinforcements ride large lizards, quick and ravenous beasts with sharp talons, but the leader of the charge, surprisingly enough, is a young woman.

You've heard of her before. She fights for the new Emperor against the soldiers of the old. Her name is Li Mei, a young Outworld native to the village of Sun Do. She was trained personally by Master Bo' Rai Cho, a man you've encountered before in seedy taverns. Hell of a drinker, a man worth respecting, both in bars and battle.

Li Mei leads the charge down the hill, riding atop a large raptor with a lance in her hand and reigns in the other. Her admittedly skimpy outfit doesn't seem too practical to take into battle, making her look more like an edenian than an outworlder, but it matters little. This was a trap for the raiders, set by her forces, and they run them all down soon enough. The raptors overtake the horse-beasts and shred them while the soldiers attack the raiders.

With no sign of reinforcements, the raiders attempt to flee. Some of them manage to break off and escape while the bulk of their force dies. Cowards, perhaps, but a man who can run away is a man who lives to fight another day.

Unless you stop them, if you feel like it.

>A) Gun them down from a distance
>B) Chase them and take them alive
>C) Ignore them and approach the village
>D) Ignore this entire situation and continue on towards the city
>E) Other

>>245957
>Gun them down from a distance

>>245957
>A) Gun them down from a distance

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>>245961
>>245985

In a moment, your rifle is in hand. Looking down the sights, your mind goes through a number of details in an instant: the wind, the distance, the speed they're traveling at.

Three of them, moving fast, heads bouncing up and down as they ride. Low wind, but a good distance.

You make the needed adjustments to your aim and fire three times, and just like that, all of them are dead.

'Easy.'

They fall from their steeds into the dirt, with the beasts running on into the distance. You put the rifle away onto your back and steady your own beast before looking back towards the village. You know they heard the gunshots and saw the men fall dead, and you're the only person in this land, perhaps this entire world, with weapons that make noise like that.

Still, probably not worth sticking around unless you can get something out of it.

>A) Ride on to the city
>B) Approach the village and its defenders
>C) Wait and see if they approach you
>D) Demand payment for killing those men
>E) Other

>>245987
>>C) Wait and see if they approach you
>>D) Demand payment for killing those men
Let's get payed, we aren't a charity worker after all

>>245987
>Demand payment for killing those men

>>245987
>C) Wait and see if they approach you
>D) Demand payment for killing those men

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>>245991
>>245994
>>246012

After waiting for several moments, you see a small number of them heading in your direction. Specifically, Li Mei and two others, each riding a raptor. The guards behind her wear skull-masks upon their faces as part of their helmets.

They spy you and adjust course. You remain still as the sky overhead turns to a complete orange as the morning sun now rises fully over the horizon. The three of them stop across the clearing from you, near a dead tree.

"Erron Black," she calls out. "Your reputation precedes you."

"Good. Then you know my services don't come cheap."

Her men look at each other, but she remains steady. "Typically, payment is done for a job that is agreed upon before the work is done. You killed those men of your own choice, not because you were hired to."

Your eyes narrow.

"However," she continues after a few seconds, "I recognize talent. I would be more than willing to pay you for those men, and more, if you would help us. We have more men to kill today, and your help would be both appreciated... and compensated for."

>A) What men do you need killed?
>B) I want the money for those three, and then I'm gone.
>C) Pay me for those three first and I'll help you kill more.
>D) No deal.
>E) Other

>>246038
>A) What men do you need killed?
Wishfully tap that pocket that contains the bullet for Kaito. Maybe one day someone will pay us again to take down the sparky.

Also I have no reaction image that could convey how glad I am to see you back Damashi. I've missed Thief quest almost entirely, but I'm hoping things can be different this time around.

>>246051
>Also I have no reaction image that could convey how glad I am to see you back Damashi. I've missed Thief quest almost entirely, but I'm hoping things can be different this time around.

Good to see you too, Anon.

>>246051
>>246038
Second

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>>246051

"What men do you need killed?"

"These raiders were only part of a larger camp. Kotal Kahn has ordered me to help lead the attack against them while his forces prepare to strike from the east. Join us, and I promise you that the Emperor will reward you."

"I'm not interested in rewards if they aren't koins. I'm not looking for imperial favor, like you. I want to be paid."

"And paid you shall be, Erron Black, on my word. Ride with us and see."

>A) Agree to her terms
>B) Demand a portion of payment first, then the rest after
>C) Ask for more details about the camp you are traveling to
>D) Deny her
>E) Other

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>246085
>C) Ask for more details about the camp you are traveling to
Are we payed for the act of taking part in the attack, or by enemies dropped? Is there anything else that is required of us? How much can she offer?

Kotal is man of his word, but always secure the details before agreeing to a deal

>>246085
>C) Ask for more details about the camp you are traveling to

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>>246102
>>246112

Moving your steed alongside theirs as you head towards the village, you ask a few reasonable questions.

"Is this a flat rate, or am I getting paid per head?"

"Helping us defeat the enemy is all that is required. The only thing our Emperor does not wish is the execution of any who may surrender."

"So don't shoot the ones with their hands up. Gotcha. When is this going down?"

"When the sun is at its highest point in the sky."

"High noon. Fitting."

Out of the corner of your eye, you catch one of the guards staring. Out of awe or fear, you aren't certain. Li Mei's word is true; your reputation precedes you. It's what tends to keep people away from your home while you're not there.

"And what kind of koins are we talkin' about? Ruby? Onyx?"

"Kotal Kahn pays in gold, Erron Black. And blood." She smiles. "The reason he does not wish for those who surrender to be killed is so that he may kill them himself."

"He could do that on the battlefield, too."

"And he has, many times. But today his attention is elsewhere; he will not be joining our attack."

After regrouping with her fellow riders, they begin to travel eastward.

"The camp is not far from the Living Forest. General Reiko's forces have moved through the haunted woodland and, according to the ones we have captured, will soon be moving against the capital."

"How many men at this camp?"

"A few hundred only, but this is because it is not where the bulk of his forces are. Kotal Kahn is preparing an assault on them with the shokan. No, this is a smaller camp, one for men and their families."

You pause for a moment and look over at her. "Families?"

"Women and children, yes. We intend to capture them all alive."

"So your Emperor can kill them?"

She shakes her head and looks at you. "Kotal Kahn does not kill women and children who do not take up arms against him. Only soldiers. He intends to let their families live."

You don't reply. You keep your eyes forward as you keep on riding.

>A) Ride in silence
>B) Ask more questions
>C) Ride ahead and scout around
>D) Keep your distance from the main force and attack by yourself when they make their play
>E) Other

>>246123
>A) Ride in silence

>>246123
>>C) Ride ahead and scout around
Sounds like an easy job, but it can't hurt to be careful.

>>246123
>>246192
let's go with this then. I have no strong opinion on this decision

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>>246143
>>246192
>>246209

You spend the rest of the trip there in silence. As the group travels east, you decide to ride on ahead and see what you'll be dealing with.

"Remember, high noon!" Li Mei calls out, but you don't reply.

You ride across the wasteland. To the south, you spy the Living Forest. The dark green, misty woods are a dark mark upon the horizon. Your beast grunts as it charges on ahead, and it isn't long before your target is in sight.

Sticking to one side of a hill, you dismount and crawl on your belly to the top to get a better look. Pushing your hat up slightly, you see a large camp with walls of bone and wood, sentry towers and many hastily-constructed shacks and tents. Kahn guards, the old Kahn guards that is, patrol the walls and the main gate, armed with swords, spears, bows and axes. You can see a number of key details about the camp; your hawk-like eyes quickly identify several potential weak points in the walls, as well as several useful vantage points that you could snipe from. Of course, it all depends on how you want to proceed from here...

>A) Find a good spot, and when the fighting starts, snipe
>B) Sneak into the village now and attack from within when they make their move
>C) Ride back to Li Mei and tell her what you have seen; note the weak points to her
>D) Warn this camp about the impending attack
>E) Other

>>246222
>>C) Ride back to Li Mei and tell her what you have seen; note the weak points to her
>A) Find a good spot, and when the fighting starts, snipe
We may work pretty good on our own, but we should not let our allies go to waste. Tell them about the weak points, then take up a good over watch position. As the fight continues we can move into the camp or stay sniping as needed.

>>246222
>D)
Let's see who can make a better offer.

>>246222
>A) Find a good spot, and when the fighting starts, snipe
I'd like to go back, but we ain't doing favors for the mere promise of payment, only finish the job. If Li Mei wants to Black-scout service, she should have paid in advance.

>>246247
truth

>>246247
You know what this does sound good change >>246242
to A

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>>246233
>>246247
>>246250
>>246257

After searching around for a bit, you find a good place to set up. It's well-covered, has a good view on most of the camp, is elevated and the only way to get up to your position is from behind you, which means you know where any enemies that try to find you would be coming from.

Rifle in hand, you lay on your stomach and wait. You're steady, nerves calm, completely at ease. Down the sights of your rifle, you mark several targets that would be good to hit when the fighting starts.

You also see children. Two of them. A little girl and a little boy, playing in a small puddle of water. Completely oblivious to what's about to happen, and likely, the wider world around them.

Time trickles by as you keep them out of sight and mind, focusing on the camp itself. You can tell from the shadow of a nearby plant that noon is here.

It starts with several balls of fire hurled at the western wall of the camp, setting them ablaze. A force of Kahn warriors, Kotal Kahn's men, appear from the east, with siege vehicles of war, lobbing projectiles of fire and stone. Osh-tekk warriors charge in ahead of them, throwing magic as they run.

As the camp begins to react, Li Mei's riders from the west charge towards the camp.

'Time to earn your pay.'

>Roll 1d100 and describe an action to accompany your roll. The higher the roll, the better!

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>246280
Try to get a headshot on whomever in the camp seems to be giving orders. Demoralize the enemy as fully as possible and leave them without leadership

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>246280
Up for turkey shoot!
Try not to damage any lootable goods tough

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>>246288

You look for the leader of the camp, but do not find him. He must be indoors, or coordinating the defense of the camp somewhere out of sight. You've got no clean shot on him, so you focus on something else.

>>246298

Two shots take down two of the soldiers along the wall. They fall back with bleeding holes in their skulls, and in the confusion of the attack and the shouting, nobody notices right away, nor do they pick up on your location.

Li Mei's riders have reached the camp and are strafing its walls. The other force, the one from the east, is led by a massive brute with a little girl riding on his back. They charge towards the wall and burst through it, making a hole large enough for other soldiers to run through and start attacking the enemy within.

Adjusting your weapon, you prepare to shoot again.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>246324
Try to find the one who's head might worth something. Either for the Khan, or anywhere else.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>246324
The Kahn's forces are making good progress. They don't need our help. Aim at the side of the compound that Lei Mei is attacking and start thinning out the guards

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>>246333
>>246349

You fire several more times, but you don't seem to be making any significant progress. The chaos in the camp is robbing you of better targets, and the fire and families are starting to become a problem.

With fewer options for sniping, you decide to take out one of your pistols and draw your tarkatan blade with your other hand. Time to get up close and personal.

Leaving your sniper position, you run down the hill towards the enemy and charge up to the wall. Bursting through one of its weak points, two guards turn and look at you.

"Afternoon," you say, raising your revolver.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>246388
Blast them both in the face, one revolver each.

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>246388
>Rip and/or Tear

>>246324
I see the dice gods have once again turned their hateful gaze towards this quest

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>>246418

They both charge in at you, but you drop the tarkatan blade and draw your second revolver before it even hits the ground. Raising them both up, you blast them in the face, one bullet each, and they drop to the ground.

From one corner of your eye, you see another coming. Turning to the side, you blast him in the neck and send him hurtling down to the ground.

>>246436

Taking a moment to pick your blade back up, you stride into the camp. A warrior in red and silver armor howls like a madman as he charges towards you, but you dodge his attack before impaling him with your blade, cleanly shoving it through his stomach. You stare into his wide eyes as you twist it before tearing it out and letting him fall to the ground, staining the sand red.

All around you, men clash against each other and the sounds of blades striking rings throughout the air. Fireballs and blasts of magical conjuring soar overhead as a tower falls, its occupants quickly set upon by raptor riders.

Such is a day in Outworld.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>246453
Hijack a fucking raptor!

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>246468
>>246453
Second

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>>246468
>>246495

Looking nearby, you see a man with a spear throw it cleanly through the heart of one of the raptor riders. Running towards his mount, you fire a pistol off to the side and blast the spear-wielding enemy before jumping up onto the beast.

You grab its reigns and pull back, getting the viscious animal under your control. It responds well to your commands, and with a pistol in your other hand, you prepare to ride the creature into battle. It's certainly quicker than your last mount.

The battle continues around you. Nearby, you see Li Mei with her sword, striking down one of the camp guards. The symbiotic pair, the brute and the little girl, are tearing through two others, each of them focusing on someone else as they fight in a dynamic duo. You've seen those symbiotes before, but these two are particularly powerful and skilled.

Nearby, a large tent opens up and a man emerges. He is a massive brute in his own right, with armor resembling the old dead Emperor and two large axes in his hands. He roars and the men of the camp rally to him.

'There's a good target,' you think to yourself.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>246502
Charge the man and have the raptor jump up and strike with its clawed feet

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>246502
Sand bomb, then one right between the eyes

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>>246516
>>246517

Turning the raptor towards the man, you take out a sand grenade and hurl it at his eyes. It explodes on impact; they don't hurt much, but they are useful for stunning and surprising an opponent. As he stumbles back from the sand and force of the blast, you kick the raptor and urge it to jump up onto him. Both clawed feet of the reptillian beast land on his chest, taking him down to the ground. The hulking man shouts in pain and drops both of his axes as he struggles to get the raptor off of him.

Some of the men around him attempt to grab you or jab you with spears. With your revolver, you shoot three of them down, more than enough to keep the others at bay.

The man grabs the raptor and manages to force the beast off with his great strength. The raptor falls to the side and you roll off as the man stands up and stares you down, blood running down his chest from the claws.

You stand up and stare him back, your hands gripping your weapons tightly.

'Another showdown.'

He dives towards you in a tackle!

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>246535
Go flat on your back, and kick him over you!

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>246535
>Hurdle the punk
Also stab in the back if we have our blade in hand

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>246535
Throw a quarter up in the air to distract him and while he's looking up at it shoot the quarter to hit his head

>>246574
>>246583
>And the dice gods reply "This is Mortal Kombat, Lethal attacks are for plebs"

>>246593
That's because you immediately want to finish off a semi-boss fighter.
There is a health-bar to erode before you can finish him!

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>246535
Fan the hammer. Empty all 6 shots into his torso

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>>246548
>>246574
>>246583

You dive back as well, planting your boots squarely on his chest as he jumps over you. With your back and arms, you hit the ground and balance yourself as you kick him backwards. He tumbles behind you as you spring back up onto your feet.

Turning around and taking out your blade, you attempt to stab him in the eyes. He reaches up and manages to grab the end of your weapon as you jab it downwards. He pushes against you, but you have the leverage. You'll need a distraction...

He forces the blade off to one side and you let go, rolling away. Getting up to your feet, you use your free hand to take out a koin before flipping it up into the air with your thumb. This draws his attention for a moment as he watches the golden glint of light.

You draw your pistol and fire up at the koin, bouncing the bullet off and causing it to fire right at him. It lands right between his legs, in a place that no man should have to be shot in.

He falls down in pain as you catch the koin.

'Hmm. Wrong head.'

You slide the revolver away as the symbiote and her men deal with all of the others. The leader is sufficiently pacified. Poor bastard.

Better him than you, though.

Walking away, you approach Li Mei, who is overseeing the capture of the enemy troops. She notes your approach. "Erron Black. Good work."

"Work is work, good or bad," you reply. "So long as it gets done and I get paid."

"Yes, I understand." She faces you fully. "I don't have much money with me. I can pay you a bit now, and more later, if you accompany our forces to the city and help escort these prisoners."

"I'm not very fond of traveling with groups."

"Regardless, if you intend to collect now or later, I will inform the Kahn of your contributions to our efforts here. He will ensure that his treasurer, Countess Mira, will pay you a proper fee for your work."

The symbiotic pair approach, the large one lumbering over as the smaller one rides upon his back. "Bang bang fun!" she says. "Shoot shoot!"

Ignoring her, you cross your arms and think. You could take some of the money now, or supplies from the camp. That would solve your immediate supply issues back home. Of course, helping guard the caravan as it heads to the capital could also make you demand a higher fee.

>Select one or a few:
>A) Take some money now, get more later
>B) Accompany the caravan of prisoners north to the capital
>C) Take some supplies from this camp and bring them home
>D) Keep the raptor
>E) Take none of the money and get all of it later
>F) Other (Write-in)

>>246643
F: accompany the caravan of prisoners north to the capital, stealing any possible supplies black finds in a position for easy pickings

>>246643
>B) Accompany the caravan of prisoners north to the capital
We better follow up on our money. We haven't left the oven on at home, right?
Do we even have an oven?

>>246643
D: we gotta keep the raptor

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>>246684

Yes, we have an oven.

>>246696
Well I sure do hope we turned it off then. That scorpion didn't taste that good to give up our lair for.

>>246643
>>A) Take some money now, get more later
>>B) Accompany the caravan of prisoners north to the capital
>>C) Take some supplies from this camp and bring them home
Let's make sure to accept an initial payment from Lei Mei and grab the some supplies so even if the Kahn decides not to pay us more we still come away with something.

>>246643
>>A) Take some money now, get more later
>>B) Accompany the caravan of prisoners north to the capital

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>>246680
>>246684
>>246688
>>246749
>>246752

"Pay me what you can now. I'll head north with the rest of you and take my pay straight from the Kahn himself. I better not get shortchanged, Li Mei, otherwise I'll make a bullet with your name on it."

As the raptor you rode earlier is lead nearby, you grab the reigns from the man and push him back. "Think I'll take this, too. I've been lookin' for a faster ride."

Li Mei is amused and pays little heed to your threat, and stops any protest from her men. "Very well, mercenary. Come with us and I'll see you paid."

A few minutes later and you're outside the burning camp. A long chain of prisoners is being marched north, along with their families. You watch them as they pass by, under heavy guard from the mounted soldiers. Those who cannot walk are carried on improvised litters.

As you stare, you see the same little boy and little girl from earlier. They walk behind a man and a woman, and the woman is heavy with child. Through narrow eyes, you look at them all, especially the young boy. For the briefest of moments, his gaze meets yours, and you see a strong, burning hatred in them.

Good. Sooner or later, the kid will just grow up to be an enemy. Better he learn hate now, and learn it well. When he sees his father killed by the Kahn, it'll be all he has to drive him.

Either that or he'll just die young, like many of the others.

You couldn't much care.

With your pack freshly stocked with supplies, and a bag full of koins from Li Mei, you head out and follow alongside them, leading your raptor and your other steed with a rope.

>A) Stay in front with Li Mei
>B) Stay in the middle
>C) Stay in the rear of the caravan
>D) Give the caravan a wide berth and keep your distance
>E) Other

>>246781
E: travel ahead once more

>>246796
>>246781
This

>>246781
>A) Stay in front with Li Mei
Ah, so that's where we are in time.

>>246781
>>A) Stay in front with Li Mei
Also how's it's going Cao?

>>246817
Pretty shit but stable right now, as you can see.

>>246817

That little boy WAS Cao.

>>246832
I figured it was Cao and his family from the fact that they kept getting empasis in the descriptions and that we were probably in the past due to Black not being employed as Kotal's enforcer.

>>246858
Have we ever figured it out why was he after Nightwolf in the Otiak timeline?

>>246872
No idea. Maybe it had something to do with Wolf's relations with the shokan shaman or just being a defender of earthrealmers, both reasons enough for someone in outworld to want him dead

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>>246796
>>246800

You're a loner. That's the way of things. After telling Li Mei that you're going to ride ahead and meet her at the city, you do just that.

Doing so helps banish unfavorable thoughts in your head about those prisoners, things that remind you of a long time ago. Another husband, another wife, another child. Another life.

Riding on, you see the city in the distance. Z'unkahrah, Kotal Kahn's capital. It used to belong to Shao Kahn, but that's what happens when you push another realm too far.

You weren't involved in that conflict between Earthrealm and Outworld, though your fate and past have been entwined with both. The only thing you remember from that time was your attempt to take out a man named Kaito. Rain, an edenian prince and someone with a severe case of stick-up-his-ass, hired you for quite a bit of gold.

You almost had him, too. Put up a decent fight. From what you've heard in taverns, he went on to help kill Shao Kahn, so that's hardly surprising.

You still have a bullet with his name on it. But that job is over. According to whispers, he's asleep in Earthrealm, pulling a Rip Van Winkle.

Rip Van Winkle... now there's a story you haven't heard in a long while. Man sleeps so long that the world's left him behind. You've got a bit of that going on yourself---only you're not asleep.

Staring ahead at the city, you think about your next move. The route seems clear of danger. You could wait for them, or move on. The market might be a good distraction.

>A) Wait for the caravan
>B) Enter the city
>C) Find a good place to tie up your mounts
>D) Head back to the caravan
>E) Other

>>246938
>C) Find a good place to tie up your mounts

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>>246938
>C) Find a good place to tie up your mounts
>pulling a Rip Van Winkle

>>246938
>>B) Enter the city
We can wait for the caravan there

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>>246953
>>246969
>>247002

You approach the city and find a stable outside. For a koin, the man there will keep your mounts and feed them. For a koin extra, he'll wash them.

"Watch out for the green one. She's a biter."

You toss the man two gold koins and approach the gate. There, two Kahn guards stop you, holding spears and swords of wood and obsidian.

"Halt!" one calls out. "In this time of war, we cannot let just anyone past! Identify yourself and your business in our city!"

You stare them both down. It's not the first time guards have tried to stall you, but these two clearly aren't aware of what happened to the last pair that did.

Of course, you could be more diplomatic this time. It'll be a couple of hours before Li Mei arrives at the walking pace they're going at.

>A) Teach them a lesson
>B) Kill them
>C) Inform them that you are ahead of Li Mei
>D) Tip them off with a koin
>E) Wait for Li Mei and her caravan
>F) Other

By the way, for anyone who has Discord, I just set up a chatroom for this quest. I'll be including it, alongside other usual information, in the OP of the next thread.

https://discordapp.com/invite/014EClI4Ui1s65Ir2

>>247073
>C) Inform them that you are ahead of Li Mei
Tell them we come from battle, and we just shot of the balls of the enemy warleader. It's the only pair we've been paid for, but we don't mind doing extra if we are forced to.

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>>247112

Folding your arms, you approach them and tilt your hat down a bit. "I just came from battle, helping out your forces wipe out a camp of General Reiko's soldiers. I shot the balls off their leader. It's the only pair I've been paid for, but it might not be the only pair I take today."

They look at you and back at each other.

"Care to find out which pair gets taken first?"

The second one speaks up. "My apoligies, sir, we didn't recognize you... Go on in, of course."

They part and you stride into the town.

Z'unkahrah is a big town, with many different people from many different places. Accents blur and blend as you walk through the streets, as do the various species. Outworlder, shokan, tarkatan, or other mutants---it doesn't matter.

You're probably the only human in this town, but you don't care too much about that.

>A) Go to the marketplace
>B) Head to Kotal Kahn's palace
>C) Find a bar and get drink in you
>D) Find a nice brothel
>E) Other

>>247183
>A) Go to the marketplace
Shhesh, no idea. We shouldn't drink before we are paid, and we don't have too much money to shop. Maybe we can look around and see if there is something nice worth purchasing later.

>>247183
>A) Go to the marketplace

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>>247254
>>247274

The market is bustling with activity. People rush about to and fro from stall to stall and bargain with the shopkeeps. Merchants call out to anyone passing by, trying to call attention to their wares.

For the most part, you ignore them as you pick out the places you'd like to see.

>A) Water merchant
>B) Wine merchant
>C) Cattle merchant
>D) Hat merchant
>E) Other

>>247286
>B) Wine merchant
You know what, let's see if something worth stocking up at home. We don't keep cattle, and our hat is the best in the land.
Maybe that water form the wellspring would worth getting, but we can do without it

Also, where the fuck is everyone?

>>247286
E.Strange woman in a hut near the outskirts of the marketplace

Why are we on /qst/?

>>247286
>>B) Wine merchant
Let's get something to pass the time until the convoy gets here

>>247286
>Wine Merchant

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>>247286
>a cowboy that drinks wine

PASS THA WHISKEY

>>247357

I'm giving it a shot. Both archives at /tg/ and /qst/ now link to each other, so there's little harm in hosting it here.

>>247382
Y'know, except the acceptance you'll never get a new audience and the acceptance of a ghetto.

But hey

>>247387
Also that without a third party help like twitter, you can't tell which quests are active, and which haven't been touched in over a day, because everything autosages after 48 hours.

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>>247387
>>247397

I'm only giving it a shot. I'll see how it turns out.

>>247346
>>247358
>>247371

Moving towards a stall with many different bottles of wine and other alcohol, along with small barrels, you are greeted by a woman in red with her face hidden by a mask.

"Greetings, stranger. You have made a fine choice coming to my stall."

"I imagine most everyone would say that about their stalls."

"Ah, but for me it is the truth. I have wines and exotic liquors from every corner of the realm, carried and preserved each according to their needs so that I may provide for yours. What do you desire?"

>A) Something hard-hitting
>B) Something sweet and flavorful
>C) Something to help with pain
>D) Something to steady your nerves
>E) Other

>>247423
>>A) Something hard-hitting

>>247423
>A) Something hard-hitting
My nerves are fucking steel, and I eat pain for breakfast

>>247423
E: "Pass the whiskey"

(i mean if its an alt-universe, theres a possibility that its there)

>>247423
>>A) Something hard-hitting
Lads lads lads lads!

>>247423

E: pulls out a guitar and plays this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxJde5lQHn8

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>>247440
>>247448
>>247452
>>247380
>>247459

"Something hard-hitting. Whiskey, if you've got it."

"I have that and many more," she says, taking out a bottle from her stock. She hands it to you and you inspect it.

The bottle is plain and nondescript, dark and heavy. You slosh it around a bit, determining how much is inside. It all seems legitimate.

"This better not be watered-down swill," you tell her, placing a few koins on the table. "I test it before I pay."

"Of course."

Popping it open, you take a swig. You taste a great many things and, having lived as long as you have, you can pick many of them out. It's not bad. A lesser man might have thought it too strong.

It'll do. You seal it back up and slide the koins over. "Much obliged, ma'am."

She bows as you walk off, sliding the drink into your pocket.

You've still got some time before Li Mei and her entourage are expected.

>A) Inspect another stall
>B) Talk to one of the blind sages in the streets
>C) Run into some trouble
>D) Take a nap while you wait
>E) Other

>>247509
B: talk to one of the blind sages in the streets

>>247509
>>D) Take a nap while you wait

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>247509

>1 talk to one of the blind sages in the streets
>2 Take a nap while you wait

>>247509
>B) Talk to one of the blind sages in the streets

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>>247574
>>247593
>>247632
>>247565

Passing by one of the blind sages you've seen before, you ignore her and keep walking. You don't take much stock in what the blind have to say, certainly less if they call themselves sages. You prefer to make your own wisdom than take it from those who can't see the world around them.

But as you move on, you discover you have little choice. A blind girl reaches out and grabs your hand. She's young, and pretty, with long brown hair and cloth stretched around her eyes.

"I see you, gunslinger," she whispers urgently. "I see you and the one you carry."

You shake off her hand. "I don't carry anyone."

"You will," she says, reaching up to touch your arm. "I see the one you carry. She is hunted, as you will be hunted."

"I don't care."

"But you do. You will. One reason, or another, you will."

She sits back down and grows silent. "She waits at your home."

You blink a few times. "My home, is it? We'll see."

You walk off and find a nice, shady spot to sit in yourself, ignoring the blind woman's words. Any mystic or soothsayer can say things and make them seem true through the power of belief. You've certainly seen plenty of mystical things in your time, but you've never put much belief in seeing the future, especially from someone blind.

You close your eyes and rest.

When you wake up, a few hours have passed. You push yourself up and stretch for a moment before putting your hat back on and walking off. Perhaps Li Mei is back.

>A) Head to the palace
>B) Head to the main gate
>C) Check on your steeds at the stables
>D) Ask a guard if a caravan of prisoners has come through
>E) Other

>>247670
>>D) Ask a guard if a caravan of prisoners has come through
If so,
>A) Head to the palace

>>247687
got no better idea myself

>>247687
>>247670
Seems good enough

>>247687
C

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>>247687
>>247693
>>247705

Heading back out into the street, you look for one of the Kahn's guards and ask him if Li Mei has returned to the city. He says that yes, she has, and has led the prisoners to the dungeon and is currently at the palace. You walk away without thanking him and head towards the massive ziggurat in the heart of the city. There, you are once more stopped by guards, ones who are firmer and don't respond as well to casual threats.

After explaining yourself to them, they send word to Li Mei, who then sends word back to allow you to enter the palace. You walk into the palace and find yourself in a rather luxurious entrance hall. Wandering around a bit, you also discover a large interior garden.

A nice place, but not your style.

>A) Head to the throne room
>B) Explore the first floor
>C) Explore the second floor
>D) Head to the council chamber hall
>E) Step out into the palace gardens
>F) Other

>>247808
fuckit

>throne room

#bitchbetterhavemymoney2016

>>247808
>A) Head to the throne room
That's where the man with our check might reside.

>>247823
my bad we're not playing as johnny cage

>>247808
>>A) Head to the throne room
Time to aquire significant dosh

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>>247851
>we're not playing as johnny cage
those were some glorious days

>>247868
over time we would get an other action id go for a quick sacktap

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>>247823
>>247828
>>247855

Proceeding up a large staircase, find yourself entering a grand throne room of stone and gold. Here, upon a throne of rock, metal and bone, sits the osh-tekk ruler of Outworld, Emperor Kotal Kahn. He is flanked by a kytinn warrior you have met before, D'Vorah. You don't much like her, or her kind, or bugs in general. To the Kahn's left is a hinparian, Ruby, a woman with whom you have had dealings before.

Li Mei is crouching before the throne, kneeling to her ruler. As you enter, Kotal Kahn's eyes drift upwards. He bids Li Mei to rise.

"Ah... the wandering mercenary. A man I have heard much about."

"Your highness." You bow your hat, more of a courtesy than anything else. You've heard of his reputation for taking offense to certain things and an angry emperor isn't someone you'd like on your back.

"Li Mei was just informing me of the role you played in eliminating an encamptment of my enemy. I am very pleased with this news."

"Yes, well, suffice to say Emperor, I didn't do it out of the kindness of my heart."

"She was very clear on this point. I shall send word to my treasurer, Countess Mira, immediately. You shall be well-compensated for your work. But, if I recall, this is not my first attempt to earn your services, is it?"

Your eyes stray over to D'Vorah. "No, it isn't. But I wasn't very interested at the time you sent your envoy to find me."

"And have you changed your mind since?"

You fold your arms. "Depends on what I'm being offered."

D'Vorah's black eyes narrow. "You are speaking to the Emperor of Outworld. You should be kneeling."

Kotal raises a hand and silences her. "I am offering employment, Erron Black, as one of my enforcers. Loyalty to my throne and my regime. My enemies would be your enemies, and you would no longer scrape by on koins. You would have plenty to spare."

You listen to his words. Being an imperial enforcer was never your plan, but if it pays well, you'd have little to object to.

>A) I'll hold judgment until I get paid for the first job.
>B) If you throw in a bonus, I'll agree.
>C) I'm willing to negotiate my terms.
>D) Disagree and decline the offer
>E) Other

>>247882
a

>>247882
>A) I'll hold judgment until I get paid for the first job.
First things first
>C) I'm willing to negotiate my terms.
He knows what we want, we know he has what we want. Isn't this the perfect business relationship?

>>247882
>>A) I'll hold judgment until I get paid for the first job.

>>247908
Seconding

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>>247899
>>247908
>>247916
>>247934

"With all due respect, Emperor, I like to take things one thing at a time, and before I take on one job, I'd like to get paid for the other first."

"You are a practical man, Mr. Black. I respect those who are firm." He turns to Ruby. "See that the man is paid. Several hundred koins, not one less."

The red-clad woman nods and moves off to take you to the treasurer.

"Right this way, Mr. Black."

You follow alongside her as she takes you to another part of the palace. "You'll have to forgive Countess Mira for not being here at the moment. She does not make many public appearances."

"Mmhmm."

>A) Walk in silence
>B) Ask about Kotal Kahn's interest in hiring you
>C) Ask Ruby about her position
>D) Ask about Countess Mira
>E) Other

>>247975
B

>>247975
>A) Walk in silence
nothing to say really

>>247975
>>B) Ask about Kotal Kahn's interest in hiring you
We may be the only Cowboy in outworld, but we aren't the only person Kotal could pick as an enforcer

>>247984
We are the best of the best, and we are utterly loyal as long as we are paid.
and he knows that he can pay.

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>>247980
>>247984

"The Emperor has spoken about you on occasional. Your reputation is very immaculate for your line of work. In particular, he was interested when he heard of your battle with the Earthrealm shaman, the one known as Nightwolf."

Memories of that battle flash in your mind. The shaman was powerful, perhaps one of the best fighters you've ever faced. In the end, he escaped, but you both had left a mark and an impression on the other.

"The Emperor had heard talk of your clash against him. At first, he was worried that it could be another incident of Outworld against Earthrealm, but then he learned of your origin."

You don't reply, you just keep walking in silence.

"Why did you fight him, if I may ask?" Ruby asks. "Were you hired?"

"No ma'am, that one was personal."

"Oh? You personally had a grievance with him?"

"Nope. Just hate injuns."

She gives you a confused look. "What?"

"Nothin', forget I said it."

She takes you to a waiting hall and instructs you to remain here while she fetches Countess Mira. The hall itself is below the temple, with no windows and hardly any furnishings. An odd place to meet a treasurer, much less a countess. Ruby moves off into a darker passage.

>A) Wait
>B) Expect an ambush
>C) Take a swig of whiskey
>D) Follow Ruby
>E) Other

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>>248008
>"nope i just hate injuns"

>>248008
c: whiskey

>>248008
>>B) Expect an ambush
>>C) Take a swig of whiskey

Real men can do both

>>248008
>C) Take a swig of whiskey
Consider stocking up with the stuff at home

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>>248021
>>248023
>>248027

While you wait, you pull down your mask and take a swig of the whiskey. It's better than what you have in your flask, that's for sure.

When you hear footsteps approaching, you put it away and slide your mask back up. A woman approaches, with two guards behind her in dark masks. She is beautiful, with skin that seems painted white and an elegent red dress.

Reminds you of a saloon girl, honestly. She's even fanning herself.

"You picked a strange place to meet, countess."

"My apologies, Mr. Black. The day just doesn't agree with my fair complexion," she says with a smile and a wink. "Tell me... you're human, aren't you?"

"Hard thing for someone to outright guess."

"I'm familiar with humans and their weaponry. You do well to blend into Outworld, but I can still see the humanity in your eyes."

Strange way to put it.

You've been alive for a considerable length of time. You've seen things and done things that would make most men turn green or yellow.

Something about this woman is off. She makes you uncomfortable.

"I'd like my money."

"Of course, ordered straight from the Kahn himself." She snaps a finger and one of her guards hands over a small chest. You take it and feel the weight, opening it up to see the koins within.

"Good. I'll be on my way now."

She reaches out and touches your arm. "Wait, Mr. Black. I have heard of you. I would be interested in hiring you for a personal task."

Your eyes narrow. "I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"I won't take long," she smiles again.

Her hand feels a bit cold.

>A) Leave
>B) Stay and listen
>C) Shake her off and tell her you aren't interested
>D) Put a hand on your gun
>E) Other

>>248100
>E) Other
>"Perhaps another time"
Sometimes, instinct is the only thing that keeps the cowboy alive. Also we got the Khan's offer to consider first. In case we refuse him, it would look bad to do private tasks for his treasurer.

>>248119
>>248100
This makes sense. I'll support it.

On another note, Mr. Black is a practical man. Do you think that with additional resources, he'll consider making more substantive grenades than a sack of sand with som black powder and magnesium?

>>248100
>>E) Other
Not today ma'am

>>248143
I think there's a little more to them than that...

https://youtu.be/8ChD2-PGxKQ?t=1m5s

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>>248119
>>248143
>>248144

"Perhaps another time... ma'am. I haven't decided if I want to work for the Kahn yet."

"This would not be a task for the Kahn," she says, moving closer even as you step away. "This would be me, paying you personally."

"Like I said, another time," you reply, leaving her and heading back the way you came.

Something about her unnerves you. You have a talent for knowing when people are hiding too much to be safe.

It's saved you more than a few times.

Like that time you met and made a deal with that sorcerer, Shang Tsung.

Of course, that deal did pay off, but still. You never liked the man. Sorcerers make your skin crawl.

Leaving the countess behind, you make your way out of the tunnels and back up to the palace.

There, you overhear some guards talking amongst themselves.

"Kotal Kahn is executing the captives in the arena. Come! We'll need to watch to help keep the crowds in line."

"I've heard stories about what he does to them. Is it true?"

"He uses blood magik. It's his way. Our Emperor is strong, and he gets his strength because of what he does to our enemies. Come on."

They move off as you enter the room.

>A) Go to the arena and watch
>B) Take your money and leave
>C) Stick around in town for a bit
>D) Get a room for the night
>E) Other

>>248161
>>B) Take your money and leave

Capitals and palaces are pretty awful places. Especially those built for blood magic.

>>248161
>You never liked the man. Sorcerers make your skin crawl.
Shang isn't so bad. More lonely and depressed.
Damashi, does Cao still visit Island Grandpa?

>>248161
>B) Take your money and leave

>>248171
What? Cao buddied up with Shang?

>>248184
Yeah sorta, when our one way teleportation device malfunctioned due to Shao kahn, we were sent to Shang's island. In return for sending him back, we got his spellbook back from his tower. He was pretty chill and seemed content to just chill on his island due to be universally hated by everyone else.

>>248161
>A) Go to the arena and watch
>D) Get a room for the night

>>248184
I wouldn't call it buddying up, but Cao ended up on Shang Tsung's island and eventually learned that Shang himself was alive.
But since he was hated by everyone he kind of just spent his time alone on his island being depressed.

>>248212
Maybe all those surgical nut-strikes got rid of his aggression. Although I am sure he could just build a new pair if he wanted to.

>>248218
He worked laboriously hard to get that reputation, and now he shuns it? What a guy.

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>>248171
>Damashi, does Cao still visit Island Grandpa?
He will in time, maybe two or three threads from now.

>>248170
>>248184

You decide to leave and get out as soon as possible. With your money tucked under one arm, you head for the palace exit. But like a carriage getting stuck in mud or snow, something keeps blocking your path.

This time, however, it is green.

"Going somewhere, Erron?" Reptile asks as he decloaks in front of you.

"Reptile," you mutter under your mask, eyes squinting at the zaterran. "Thought I smelt something foul."

"Your insults mean nothing to me," Reptile hisses. "Do not think you can curry favor with the Emperor and replace me, human."

"Replacing you would be as easy as pulling a trigger. But I'm not interested, so count your scales lucky."

His yellow eyes stare back at yours. You remember the last time you met with him; he tried to hire you, but had nothing to pay you with. The lizard's eyes then drift down to the chest. "Leaving with your reward?"

"One of the benefits of actually getting paid. I'm sure you wouldn't know about it."

"I am loyal to my Emperor," Reptile says. "I am chieftain of my people!"

"A toad king is still a toad."

"I am no toad!" he hisses indignantly.

"No... you're a toadie." You approach him and brush past him. "Out of my way."

"Watch your back, mercenary. You never know when it will have a knife in it."

"I'd smell you coming."

You leave the palace, and its resident bootlicking raptor, behind.

>A) Head straight to your mounts and ride home
>B) Stop by a tavern first
>C) Stock up on some more whiskey
>D) Stay in town for the night, but leave in the morning
>E) Other

>>248240
>>E) Other
Get the supplies we said that we've been meaning to. Capital prices might mean they're a bit higher than out in the wildlands, but quality should be higher as well. Food, rations, medical supplies, chemical compounds such as saltpeter or magnesium to craft more bullets, etc.

>>248232
He actually mentioned that.
>He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I tire of the game of being the boogeyman. I've been punched one too many times in the groin in past lives, I would rather avoid it again. Or being hit at all. I'm an old man and I want my peace for once in my life. Shao Kahn is dead and now I serve only myself." He brings up his head. "Now bring me the book so I can get you off of my island."

>>248240
>>B) Stop by a tavern first
>D) Stay in town for the night, but leave in the morning
Maybe pick up some supplies too. Also sell our old mount as we have a raptor now

>>248240
>C) Stock up on some more whiskey
and whatever else we might need at home, no sense leaving empty handed, especially with the new mount.

Maybe we should accept the Kahn's offer just to spire Reptile.

>>248261
Wow, I wish I'd been there. Perhaps next time.

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>>248256
>>248273
>>248275

Before leaving town, you decide to get some more supplies. Water, charcoal, some other essentials. Oil for your lamps, a few candles. You spend only for things you need, and even for things you don't need you are extremely pragmatic.

With that done, you head out to your mounts and get ready to leave town. You look at your old hound-horse mount as its knuckles tramp on the ground a bit.

Your raptor will serve fine for a primary mount now. You could sell the old one, or keep it as a pack animal.

Or eat it. Plenty of good meat from living around your cabin. Your new mount might need some food, too.

>A) Sell the old mount
>B) Keep it as a pack animal
>C) Keep it to eat it
>D) Keep them both as mounts
>E) Other

>>248353
>>B) Keep it as a pack animal

It's been good to us.

>>248363
sure why not. seconding

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>>248363
>>248451

Putting your extra supplies and money on the back of the animal, you saddle up the raptor and move them both out, heading southwest. The afternoon sun is in its final stretch before evening and it'll be a good ride back home.

Along the way, you think about Kotal Kahn's offer. You had initially turned it down because it was D'Vorah who had approached you for it, and you don't much like her. Her kind have always seemed unnatural to you. You're fine with shokan, centaurs, even tarkatans---but she makes you uncomfortable. Like that countess.

Still, despite the company Kahn keeps at his court, he could pay well. Your only concern is that this is a time of war. Your responsiblities would be quite high, and you'd be doing a lot more fighting than usual. Not that you can't handle it, but since you're not getting any older, death through mortal injury is the only thing that can stop you.

Still, the pay would be good. The city isn't so bad a place. You're thinking of accepting the job just to spite Reptile, that hateful ball of green spit.

Pushing those thoughts from your mind, you focus instead on getting to your cabin. A few days of rest and relaxation would do you some good.

Tilting your head up, something on the horizon catches your hawk-like eyes.

Fire.

Your cabin.

'Goddamnitall.'

You kick your raptor into high gear and speed towards it.

>A) Have your guns at the ready
>B) Approach it slowly in case of danger
>C) Charge in and salvage what you can
>D) Wonder if you left the stove on
>E) Other

>>248458
>>A) Have your guns at the ready
>>B) Approach it slowly in case of danger

But all the meanwhile.

>D) Wonder if you left the stove on

>>248458
>A) Have your guns at the ready
It might be too late for the cabin, but if it wasn't a stove, then someone will be the new ottoman on in the rebuilt one!

>B) Approach it slowly in case of danger
now now, you need more then setting his home on fire if you want to bait old Mr.Black

>>248466
>>248458
This

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>>248466
>>248478
>>248503

Upon approaching your burning home, a few things become apparent. One is that several people have it surrounded, and are laughing as they hold torches. Another is that your cattle are dead. A third is that you can, underneath the sounds of your home on fire and their cackling, hear crying coming from within---a baby's crying.

You approach on your raptor and dismount, stopping near the group. You raise a gun into the air and fire, causing them all to turn around.

They're mutants. Disfigured, twisted, ugly sons of bitches.

"You picked the wrong cabin, freaks."

The nearest one's face turns pale.

"Oh, Elder Gods... This is Erron Black's house!"

One of them, an ugly bastard with his face on his chest, shouts, "Who gives a damn? Take him out!"

They charge.

Your eyes burn nearly as hot as the fire consuming your home.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>248547
Well, at least we can't miss the first one's head.

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>248547
Cap the fools, attempt to stay out of melee range

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>248547
>>248551
Did we just miss the first one's head? What the fuck? How is that even possible? It's like, half his god damn torso!

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>248547
You look funny. I am going to kill you last.

Wreck bloody order among them. Shoot anyone in the leg who tries to run away.

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>248547
There clumped together, throw a sand grenade to halt thier charge. Then blast them at our leisure

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>>248551

'Well, at least I can't miss that one's head.'

You raise your pistol and fire, only for the revolver to jam.

'Goddamnitall.'

>>248552

As one of them throws an axe at you, you turn and raise the other revolver and fire it at him, killing him outright by blasting his face off. As the first one that you missed nears you, you slam the butt of the pistol into his chest face, breaking his already-mishapen nose and unjamming your gun. You point it between his eyes and fire, shooting his brain and his heart at the same time, oddly enough.

>>248564

One of them throws a torch at you, but you shoot it out of the air. You turn and blast him in the legs, before fanning your gun and decorating his face with some extra holes.

Two of them drop their weapons and run. "She's dead already! Just leg it!"

"Can't leg it with a bullet in your leg," you mutter, gunning them both down with four bullets, one for each of their legs. They fall down and cry out.

From your cabin, the baby crying only grows louder.

>>248568

You see three coming at you. Taking out a sand grenade, you roll it at them. It explodes, the flash and sand halting their charge, allowing you to gun them down at your leisure.

A great roar from behind alerts you to the presence of a particularly large mutant. You look back and see him getting reach to pummel you with a massive fist. Rolling out of the way, you take out your caltrops and place them on the ground. The one-armed brute, following you, steps on them and falls backwards, grabbing his feet in pain.

There are three left, not counting the ones you put down with shots to the leg. One of them appears to be making his way to your cabin.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>248597
Let's prioritize getting the last of whatever we had in the house and the baby out the inferno. Unsling our rifle and put down the last three, then move into the house to recover our shit.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>248597
Finish him off with the tarkatan blade. Go for the eye!

>>248610
just to clarify; I meant the big one

Could one anon shoot the fleeing one, telling him that we aren't fucking done with him yet?

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>>248609

You run towards the house to get your things and the baby, when the big one reaches up and grabs your shoulder with an extendable arm. The bandersnatch freak pulls you back like a loaded spring, hurling you across the field. You hit the dirt like a ton of bricks and roll until a rock stops you.

The big one gets up and roars as he reaches for you again, his arm stretching like rubber. Before you can react, he grabs your leg and starts dragging you towards him, laughing like an idiot.

You take out your tarkatan arm-blade.

>>248610

When he lifts you up, you jab it upwards, right into his eye socket and out the back of his head. His mouth falls agape as you twist it, causing him to jerk and let you go.

"Laugh about that, freak."

Once you're back on your feet, you see the other two coming at you. Reaching for your rifle, you draw it and blast one in the skull before using the butt of the rifle to crack the other across the skull. He falls to the ground and crawls away, but you stand on his leg.

"I'm not done with you yet," you mutter, holding the gun up to his head. "Who sent you? Why'd you burn down my cabin? ANSWER!"

He gurgles up some blood. The sound of the child crying reaches your ears again.

You blast him and put him down for good as you run for the cabin.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>248651
Okay, now we save the baby.

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>248651
It's High Noon and time for some Heroics.
Also in before Cao's family.

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>248651
Uh, kill the rest and get the baby and our shit?

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>248651
Shit, gotta save my hoster, and my extra hat!
oh and my pots! what will I cook my stuff in?
What?
Oh yeah get the baby if it's not too much bother

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>>248655
>>248657
>>248658
>>248662

You run up to your door. It's locked---from the inside.

You're about to shoot when you hear the baby crying. Can't risk hitting it with the bullet. Bringing up a boot, you kick the door in.

The entire cabin is alight, and the roof is seconds from collapse. In the heart of the room is a badly injured man with blue skin, holding a crying bundle of cloth. He looks up at you with fearful eyes.

With no time to waste, you grab the man by the collar and drag him to the door, throwing him out of the house. He rolls so as to keep the baby safe. You run back inside and start hurling as many of your belongings as you can out of the window. Pots, pans, blankets, lantern, forks, your extra hat. Anything and everything you can get your hands on.

You hear a cracking sound and half of the roof caves in. Showers of embers and burning chunks of wood crash onto your bed and block and window.

Cursing your fortune, you dive out of the front door as the entire house collapses.

You look back at the inferno and take off your hat, watching your fourth cabin go up in flames.

'God... damnitall...'

>A) Grab the blue man and make him talk
>B) Interrogate the two living crippled mutants
>C) Shoot everyone in sight out of anger
>D) Start gathering up your things and get ready to move
>E) Other

>>248695
>>A) Grab the blue man and make him talk

>>248695
>C) Shoot everyone in sight out of anger
Time to see if we can break that record. Mind the baby and the blueberry tough. At the end of this we still want answers.

>>248695
>>A) Grab the blue man and make him talk
He's just lucky we saved our extra hat otherwise we'd be picking C.

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>>248707
>>248718

You get up onto your feet and dust yourself off. Nearby, the blue man sits, holding the child.

"Start talking, blueberry."

"I'm sorry... I was running, from those warriors... I hid in your home, it was the first place I saw..."

He holds out the sniffling child, revealing a large, gaping wound in his chest. "I couldn't run anymore..."

"Why were they chasing you?"

"The girl... Nania... They were chasing her."

Erron looks at the blue baby, noting her black eyes and pointed ears.

"What's so special about her?"

"Our last hope..." he breathes. You can hear it in his voice---he's breathing his last. He sits back, holding her close.

"Your daughter?"

"No... But my hope... my people's hope..." He looks up at you. "Please... You must save her..."

You look down on him, coldly staring into the little baby girl's eyes. "Not my problem."

"Please!" he desperately cries. "My people... she must reach the temple! You'll be... rewarded..."

You blink a few times.

>A) Ask about this reward
>B) Tell me where the temple is
>C) Why is she special
>D) Who wants her dead
>E) Other

>>248771
>>A) Ask about this reward
>>B) Tell me where the temple is
>>C) Why is she special

ABC, easy as 123

>>248771
>A) Ask about this reward
Where I come from, rewards have to be cold hard and need to have a weigh.

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>>248780
>>248787

"What reward?"

He coughs up blood that runs down his chin. He holds the baby up, all but forcing it into your arms.

"My people... great reward... Beyond dreams..."

"Where?" you ask. "What temple?"

He chokes. "South! South, beyond the bonelands! Beyond the jungles of the amazons... A temple of blue fire! A temple of blue fire..."

He slumps back onto the ground, clutching his side.

"Only... hope..."

With that, he opens his mouth, closes his eyes, and his last breath leaves his body.

You look down at the little girl in your arms. She has stopped crying, and looks up at you strangely. You tilt your head a bit.

'A baby...'

You haven't held a baby in a long time. A lifetime and a half's worth of time.

You look back at the now-dead man. What was he? A mutant? Some other blue species you've never seen before? The girl does not seem to be of his kind---he has no nose, she does. His eyes were milky white, hers black as the night.

You hold the child close and consider what to do.

>A) Take the child south
>B) Take the child to Z'unkahrah
>C) Leave the child out in the wilderness
>D) One bullet and your problem is gone
>E) Other

>>248889
>>E) Other
Go "discuss" things with the fine gentlemen that are still alive after burning down our house and most of our stuff.

>>248889
>A) Take the child south
Well earlier today the promise of payment came true. Let's see if our luck holds.

>>248897
>>248889
>Interrogation Time

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>>248897
>>248920

Setting the child down in a safe spot, you walk over to the two alive mutants who are attempting to crawl away.

You blast one of them in the skull before turning his friend over.

"You've got three seconds before I do to you what I did to your friend. Why'd you burn down my cabin?"

"Th-they were inside! The door was locked, it was!"

You press the gun to his forehead. "Why do you want her dead?"

"Boss said so!" he cries. "He said kill her no matter what!"

You cock the hammer back. "Who's the boss? Where is he?"

"I... I can't tell you! He'll kill me!"

You almost roll your eyes at his stupidity. "And what do you think I'm going to do?"

You let the chamber click and make him panic. "We came from south! The boss is camped in the Living Forest! Around the lake!"

"Thank you."

You stand up and leave him lay. He looks up, surprised. "I... I live?"

"You sure do." You blast him once in the head and walk back to the little girl as you holster the gun. You pick her up and look at her.

Nearby, the last of your cabin falls down and crumbles.

"Nania, huh..."

"Buh buh?" she burbles, sticking her tongue out.

>A) Take her south to this temple of blue fire
>B) Take her to Z'unkahrah
>C) Collect all of your things you threw outside
>D) Make plans to see this "boss" in the Living Forest
>E) Other

>>248971
>C) Collect all of your things you threw outside
Elder Gods, it's a good thing we kept our second mount as a pack animal.

>A) Take her south to this temple of blue fire
You owe me a new cabin kiddo, and I intend to collect!

>>248971
>>C) Collect all of your things you threw outside
>A) Take her south to this temple of blue fire

>>248985
>>248971
This combo

>>248240
>He will in time, maybe two or three threads from now.
Does that mean were going back to playing Cao full time or is going to be an episode like with Kaito during his nap?

>>249026

Before we get into the proper fourth arc (New Defenders) I want to have a few character threads.

This one is Erron, something I've wanted to do for a long time now and one I would've done a long while ago if people had voted on it.

I might host a small poll at the end of this thread for who the next thread will be about.

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>>248985
>>248993
>>248998

You sigh.

"You owe me a cabin, kid. Let's hope your temple pays well."

"Buh blu!"

Taking her off to one side, you set her down and collect everything you managed to throw out. Gathering it all up in a sheet, you tie it off. Just as you do, the girl begins to cry again.

You sigh.

>"Well, I can't rightly say I was ever too good with kids."

You stand up and draw your pistol, eyes wide. You heard someone say that, you know you did.

But the only thing in the clearing, aside from corpses and a burnt cabin, is you and her.

You take off your hat and shake your head a bit. That voice... it was you. Lighter, younger. A memory...

You ignore it and head over to her, picking her up and carrying her to your mounts. You count your luck that you kept the old beast as a pack animal. With all the cattle dead and the house burnt down, there's nothing here for you now.

Throwing the rest of the stuff on the back of the animal, you climb onto the raptor's back, holding little Nania tightly to you. Kicking the raptor, you begin to head south. The gentle rocking motion soon puts the child to sleep.

For a while, you just ride. You begin to feel your eyes grow heavy.

>"You're cute holding her like that."

They snap back open. A woman's voice this time.

'I'm losing my goddamned mind,' you muse. 'Should've made a deal with that sorcerer to get rid of sleep instead of aging.'

>A) Make camp for the night
>B) Press onwards
>C) Start a fire and cook some food
>D) Drink some water; try and feed the baby
>E) Other

>>249044
>>D) Drink some water; try and feed the baby
Did Cao ever talk to Nitara after the ceremony?

>>249052
>Did Cao ever talk to Nitara after the ceremony?

How would you like to find out in a pre-New Defenders thread starring Cao as a kind of epilogue for Thief Quest dealing with him adjusting to life in the imperial palace?

I was originally going to just write a pastebin for his epilogue but I think I'd like to do it with player involvement instead.

>>249044
>>D) Drink some water; try and feed the baby

>>249081
Meh, maybe.

>>249044
>D)
Not going to listen to this thing scream the whole trip.

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>>249052
>>249123
>>249158

You sit down and take out your water canteen. You drink from it as the animals lounge nearby before putting it to the baby's lips.

She suckles softly from it. You try to be careful and not make it spill. When it's over, you look for food.

To your dismay, you don't really have anything soft. You doubt she could eat jerky. You find a jar of fruit that you can cut up and feed to her, stuff that goes down easy without the need to chew it.

>"Go on, try feeding her."

Your eyes search the horizon. You're alone.

Rubbing them softly, you set her down on a bundle of blankets you saved from your bed. You try to keep her elevated so bugs don't crawl on her.

Soon enough she's asleep. You're left sitting with your back against a rock.

You tip your hat down over your eyes and close them.

>...

>"I'm sorry."

Your eyes are open and your gun is in hand. The sun isn't quite up yet. Nania is still asleep nearby, and appears safe. You pick her up and watch her stir a bit.

'I'm losing it.'

You rub your eyes and fetch your raptor from nearby, untying it and your other steed. You put everything away on the two and mount up, ready to resume your journey.

>A) Head to the Living Forest
>B) Bypass the living forest and go around
>C) Head to the River of Blood (offshoot of the Sea of Blood) and follow it south
>D) Go hunting and get some more food
>E) Other

>>249184
>>B) Bypass the living forest and go around

>>249184
>B)
>D)
Ain't no way we can watch our back and keep the kid safe in that place. Plus keep and eye out for something edible. Preferably meat based but maybe some fruit for the kid.

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I'm heading to bed. I'll be resuming in the morning, and I'll give notifications on twitter and discord.

https://twitter.com/DamashiKonquest

https://discordapp.com/invite/014EClI4Ui1s65Ir2

The thread won't be going anywhere and we won't be hitting the bump limit, so feel free to discuss the quest, how it's going and what you'd like to see.

Are you enjoying Erron's quest so far? Who would you like to see next before we move into the fourth story arc?

>>249236
You've set him up with a very basic personality and skillset. I look forward to fleshing him out. I rather like down-on-their-luck mercenaries.

>>249236
It's alright so far.

>>249236
I've been enjoying it a lot. Glad we are finally getting to play as Black

Good morning. We'll be resuming in just a bit.

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>>249205
>>249206

Heading west, you find yourself approaching the River of Blood. It runs south from the Sea of Blood. Clever naming convention aside, the river is safe to travel alongside, provided you don't drink from it. The corpses that the sea is famous for don't wash this far south.

As you travel down it, carrying the baby, you reflect on how far you'll have to travel. It'll be a few days, you reckon. You've been to the bonelands, and even once to the amazon jungle, but never beyond it. You're a wanderer, not an adventurer, so the prospect of seeing new lands doesn't fill you with excitement, only apathy. You prefer to know where you are going before you get there, and all you know about this 'temple of blue fire' is, well, just that.

You hope these priests or whatever are gonna be there know the trouble you're going through for this kid and will damn sure pay well. Speaking of pay, there's Kotal Kahn's offer to take into consideration. Now that you're down a cabin and up a baby (temporarily, mind you) it might be a good idea to look into steady employment. Living in the city wouldn't be so bad, either.

Your thoughts are interrupted when you hear noise up ahead. A rustling in the undergrowth of the trees alongside the river. You're a good distance away from the Living Forest, but only a fool thinks himself safe in Outworld.

>A) Wait and see if you hear the noise again
>B) Press onwards alongside the river, gun at the ready
>C) Take out your gun and fire a warning shot
>D) Leave the river's side and walk south out in the open
>E) Other

>B) Press onwards alongside the river, gun at the ready

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>>250467

With your gun out and up, you proceed onwards. Sure enough, trouble appears.

The bushes rustle again, and out stumble a group of tarkatans. You've tangled with them before---and the arm-blade on your back is proof of how this would go down.

"You!" the big one shouts. "Big us food!"

"Give me one good reason."

"There three of us and one of you! That good reason!" he snarls.

"I've got more bullets than all of you times two."

The smaller one blinks. "What 'times two'?"

The big one shakes his head. "Thinks he smart. Give us food or we take the food!" His arm-blade extends. "Take it off your bones! Hahaha!"

>A) Shoot them
>B) Threaten them
>C) Ask why they are here
>D) Distract them
>E) Other

>>250495
>E) Other
Double-tap the big one just to make sure, kill one of the smaller ones and kneecap the other. Cripples are much easier to question.

>>250495
>>B) Threaten them
I've killed Tarkatans before (point to arm blade), get lost or get shot. Your choice

>>250495
>E) Other
Shoot one
"Now there is just two of you, but still one of me"

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>>250503
>>250507
>>250504

With your gun already out and ready, you double-tap the big guy, who falls down with two holes in his head.

"That's 'times two'. Speaking of two, now there is only two of you." You point to the tarkatan blade on your back. "See this? I took this from a tarkatan who got uppity with me. You wanna get uppity?"

They immediately run off, shouting, "Karbrac! Karbrac!" when they get far enough away.

Karbrac. Sounds like a tarkatan name. Best to get a move on before more show up.

The baby rustles from the gunshots and starts to cry. You curse under your breath and hold her close as you kick up speed and continue along down the river.

"Come on, calm down, it's just a gun," you whisper. "Goddamn kids..."

From the depths of your mind, another memory, another whisper, comes back to haunt.

>"What should we name her?"

You shake the woman's voice out of your head. Another time, another life. You've left it behind.

You clear the woods and keep riding south. You're entering the wastelands, now. A desolate stretch of ruins, desert and warzone. The lands of mutants, tarkatans and all sorts of things you don't want to run into. Things that wouldn't think twice about eating that little bundle of crying 'joy' in your arm.

The sun is rising, but the wastelands seem always perpetually dark. A thick smog covers it, keeping the land shady, fed by constant fires of ancient ruins and keeps being set ablaze. What little beams sunlight reach this land are few and far between.

It pays to keep on your guard here. In the distance, rising high above the Wastelands, is the place known only as the Tower, the domain of the shadow priests.

>A) Head straight south
>B) Keep close to narrow passageways; it will take longer but there's less chance you'll be seen
>C) Head for The Tower; you've heard the shadow priests can conjure portals for a price
>D) Find an underground passage and attempt to navigate it south out of the open
>E) Other

>>250517
>A) Head straight south
With a baby, being heard is a bigger danger than being seen. And if the child indeed has some ritualistic importance -hence the reason the temple would accept it- then we really shouldn't bring it near the Shadow priests.
Underground might be a good idea, but our mount wouldn't do much good there I figure.

>>250517
>A) Head straight south

>>250517
>>B) Keep close to narrow passageways; it will take longer but there's less chance you'll be seen
It's wide open in the wastelands, it may take longer, but it's better than being a visible target for miles around

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>>250531
>>250533

Heading straight south, you ride alongside the many ancient buildings and ruins. In the distance, you can hear the sounds of battle, so you do best to speed up and steer clear of any noise. It's been a long time since you've wandered through this wasteland, but you've kept out of it for a long time. There's no good game out here, only mutation, death, monsters and things that aren't fit to eat. And you sure as hell ain't no cannibal, like those damn dirty savages.

The girl's calmed down a bit. But she's staring up at you with wide, strange eyes. Like she's studying you. You try not to look at her and keep your eyes on the terrain. The last thing you need is something sneaking up on you. You think you see something streak across the sky---but it was probably just a bird.

Probably.

>A) Continue south
>B) Find a high spot and survey the area
>C) Pause and see if you can find a way to put the baby on your back, freeing your other arm
>D) Speed up and race through this place as quickly as you can
>E) Other

>>250558
>B) Find a high spot and survey the area

I have a bad feeling about this.

>>250558
>B) Find a high spot and survey the area
No one gets the drop on Erron Black that easy.

>C) Pause and see if you can find a way to put the baby on your back, freeing your other arm
How we gonna blast twice as fast with half an arm?

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>>250561
>>250566

Setting the mounts off to the side, you find a tall pillar of stone with stairs winding around it. It might've been a stairwell in an ancient building once upon a time, but now it's all that remains.

At the top, you have a much better idea of the path to take, which areas are clear and which look more dangerous. From here, you pick out your route and get ready to move out.

But pausing to get your bearings has only made you look a bit more appealing to an opportunistic pair of hunters looking for their next meal.

A pair of harpies swoop down from the clouds, circling you overhead. You see them in an instant. They perch on a nearby set of stones.

"Look what we have here, sister! A man, all out and alone! Oh, it's been so long since we've seen one..."

"And he has a tasty little morsel with him..." the other coos.

They both fix their eyes upon you and Nania. You face them and get ready for trouble.

>A) Make a run for it
>B) Shoot first
>C) Threaten them
>D) Talk to them
>E) Attempt seduction
>F) Other

>>250609
>D) Talk to them
>F) Other
Distract them for long enough to put the baby somewhere bit more out of the way where she is not at immediate risk of death (like your back as previously said). Once you have both of your hands free, shoot their wings

>>250609
>>B) Shoot first

Make an example of the one who talked first.

>>250609
>D) Talk to them
Birds like shiny things right? Maybe we could be persuaded to give away a few shiny coins for info.
These chicks probably know the area, and might even know where the temple is.

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>>250622
>>250635

With one hand, you start to tuck the baby away behind you, while the other reaches for the pounch of koins at your belt.

"Ladies," you say, cocking a brow. "You like shiny things?"

You take out a gold koin and their eyes shift to focus on it. 'Heh. Birds.' With them focusing on it, you continue, "I'd be willing to part with a few for information. You look like smart young ladies with eyes in the sky. Why not tell me a safe way through the wastelands and I'll give you even more."

"I like those," one says. The other one seems to snap out of it and nudges her.

"He's trying to trick us!"

You shake your head. "No tricks. It'd be a shame if things had to get... violent."

With her successfully wrapped around your shoulder, your other hand can now reach for your gun.

>A) Blast them both
>B) Blast only one
>C) Clip their wings
>D) Keep talking
>E) Other

>>250691
>D) Keep talking
Ask the questions. If they are willing to part with information, we won't go back on our word.
But if they are hell-bent on attacking, then I am sure harpy wings are just as nutritious as the chicken's