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>>4582439
“We will depart tomorrow. You will stay here. We'll leave you with enough money to return home.” Her words ring like brass bells. The white-haired, red-eyed, star-blessed hero has dismissed you. Aliss, the child of prophecy, doesn't need you.

“You're kidding, right?!” You try to rise from your bed, ignoring the pain and tautness of your wounded flesh, but barely manage to lift your bandaged head to stare at her. “Zana would have died if I didn't take the hit for her!”

“She would have been able to dodge if she was not so exhausted from healing you.” She does not even blink as she disdains you with her gaze. “I have seen the extent of your talent. It's not enough to face the Demon King.”

“I'll train more! I'll have Azzurro teach me defensive magic, and...” Train more? You already spend every moment you're not sleeping or eating, training. You can't make the day have more hours.

“I will not have another Sole.” And that takes the wind out of your sails. Sole, the starry-eyed kid that pestered you for sword lessons and needed to be cuddled to sleep. The child that could speak to monsters and turn them into allies. A cast-off shard of Demon King Melas had killed her, turned her inside out with a gesture. You buried what was left of her in a shallow grave.

Taking advantage of your shock, the hero prepares to walk out of the room, not giving you another word.

So this is your sentence. The end result of thousands of hours of training. Of all your blood and tears.

You...
>crawl after her, hurling abuse, spitting, and crying. You make sure the rest of the party can hear you. Aliss, the demon spawn without a heart. Zana, the girl you know sees you as nothing more than a pitiable pet, childhood friend no more. Azzurro, whose master will never be proud of him. And Dorha, the wastrel who will be cast away when Aliss no longer needs someone to disarm traps and open chests. You scream at them well past the point where you know they're gone. (Your relationship with the heroes is an open wound. But it is a clean one, and it will heal if you want it to.)
>curse Aliss, the blessed hero, who not content with being given everything just for being born, takes your dream and friends from you. Then, you cry, for all the bonds you thought you had meant nothing. (You're hurt, and it will take you a lot of time to trust someone again. And it will take much more than an apology for you to forgive the heroes.)
>say nothing. You seethe quietly. You drag your rage to the bottom of your heart, where it compresses into hate and forms a cornerstone for your ambition. You will trample the heroes. They will be nothing more than a stepping stone. (Your relationship with the Heroes is irreparable, short of a miracle.)

After the painful remembrance, the nightmare lightens but continues. Gruesome visions assault you, devoid of meaning. You will have no recollection of them when you wake up.

(2/3)

>>4582441
You awaken with a snarl, straining against steel bindings. Of course, the witch would “forget” to free you and leave. Insufferable woman.

You're still alive, at least. You wiggle your fingers and toes: everything is attached. Your private bits are there too, chaffing against the cold steel through the few scraps of clothing that keep your modesty.

You look down to your bare chest. Your white skin has taken a deep emerald sheen, and your nails look sharp and claw-like. You expected something more monstrous.

Then, you feel it: an intangible something in the tension of your neck and the clenching of your abs. Something that tells you of your newfound strength.

>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)
>Call for the witch. It would be just like her to be watching you right now.

(3/3)

Kinda new to QMing, and by that I mean completely new, so tell me if I get too purpley or melodramatic in the prose.

I'll try to update daily, and give some forewarning if I have enough time to hold a session.

Feel free to ask questions or call me a fag.

>>4582439
>A dream of a legacy
>Curse Aliss
>Attempt to break free
>>4582448
Just try to keep the number of choices per update down, three can be a lot to mull over and can slows things down a lot

>>4582439
>A dream of glory. You will never go back to that little town where nothing happens, to that ratty old inn with your name in it. You will have riches untold, songs in your name, the adoration of the masses, and a million men under you. You will have a kingdom. You just need the strength first. (Gain Trait “Proud Angel”: There's a humbling, regal air around you. No matter how extensive your transformation you will always look inspiring and beautiful, like a great white hawk.)
>curse Aliss, the blessed hero, who not content with being given everything just for being born, takes your dream and friends from you. Then, you cry, for all the bonds you thought you had meant nothing. (You're hurt, and it will take you a lot of time to trust someone again. And it will take much more than an apology for you to forgive the heroes.)
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)

>>4582448
Seems interesting my mans , I like the diversity but try to keep the number of choices down , I like your writing tho

>>4582439
>A dream of glory. You will never go back to that little town where nothing happens, to that ratty old inn with your name in it. You will have riches untold, songs in your name, the adoration of the masses, and a million men under you. You will have a kingdom. You just need the strength first. (Gain Trait “Proud Angel”: There's a humbling, regal air around you. No matter how extensive your transformation you will always look inspiring and beautiful, like a great white hawk.)
>>4582441
>curse Aliss, the blessed hero, who not content with being given everything just for being born, takes your dream and friends from you. Then, you cry, for all the bonds you thought you had meant nothing. (You're hurt, and it will take you a lot of time to trust someone again. And it will take much more than an apology for you to forgive the heroes.)
>>4582443
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)

>>4582443
>A dream of glory. You will never go back to that little town where nothing happens, to that ratty old inn with your name in it. You will have riches untold, songs in your name, the adoration of the masses, and a million men under you. You will have a kingdom. You just need the strength first. (Gain Trait “Proud Angel”: There's a humbling, regal air around you. No matter how extensive your transformation you will always look inspiring and beautiful, like a great white hawk.)
>curse Aliss, the blessed hero, who not content with being given everything just for being born, takes your dream and friends from you. Then, you cry, for all the bonds you thought you had meant nothing. (You're hurt, and it will take you a lot of time to trust someone again. And it will take much more than an apology for you to forgive the heroes.)
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)

>>4582439
>A dream of a legacy.
I'd rather go for a more humble kind of hero, but oh well, I guess if we dream, we dream big.
>Curse Aliss
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)
>>4582448
You're an impressive QM for posting paragraphs of this size from a phone.

>>4582504
Supporting this one

Rolled 4, 10, 1 = 15 (3d10)

>>4582439
>A dream of a legacy. You want to be to children, what the King of Knights, the Seven-Colored Storm, and the Prophet of Smiles were to you. You want to be their lit match in the cold winter night, the one that turns into a blazing inferno. You want to be the story that fills their head with pleasant daydreams. You want to be their hope. (Gain Trait “Golden Heart”: Buried beneath pain and beneath greed, there lays a true hero's soul. It will lead you on the right path, if you're willing to listen to it.)
>crawl after her, hurling abuse, spitting, and crying. You make sure the rest of the party can hear you. Aliss, the demon spawn without a heart. Zana, the girl you know sees you as nothing more than a pitiable pet, childhood friend no more. Azzurro, whose master will never be proud of him. And Dorha, the wastrel who will be cast away when Aliss no longer needs someone to disarm traps and open chests. You scream at them well past the point where you know they're gone.
>You attempt to break free of your bindings

>>4582443
>A dream of a legacy.
>curse Aliss
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)

Rolled 4, 2, 6 = 12 (3d10)

Rolled 10, 3, 5 = 18 (3d10)

since everyone is rolling

>>4582512
>>4582522
>>4582523
10,10,6 nice

Rolled 2, 8, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>4582439
>>4582441
>>4582443
>A dream of a legacy. You want to be to children, what the King of Knights, the Seven-Colored Storm, and the Prophet of Smiles were to you. You want to be their lit match in the cold winter night, the one that turns into a blazing inferno. You want to be the story that fills their head with pleasant daydreams. You want to be their hope. (Gain Trait “Golden Heart”: Buried beneath pain and beneath greed, there lays a true hero's soul. It will lead you on the right path, if you're willing to listen to it.)
>curse Aliss, the blessed hero, who not content with being given everything just for being born, takes your dream and friends from you. Then, you cry, for all the bonds you thought you had meant nothing. (You're hurt, and it will take you a lot of time to trust someone again. And it will take much more than an apology for you to forgive the heroes.)
>You attempt to break free of your bindings. (Roll 3d10, Bo3)
Why no one is rolling?

good shit my bruthas

Calling the vote, kinda surprised no one went for power. Also, 8 votes holy shit, I expected like two.

>>4582526
I'm taking the highest sum, not the highest individual. So it's a 18, more than enough to pass the DC.

Writing.

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>>4582443
With a deep breath and what little leeway you have, you start pushing. There are the shrill, disagreeable noises of bending steel, and the snapping of broken bolts. Your arms go free first, and with them, you rip off the steel bands keeping you trapped.

You leap off the operating table, almost touching the ceiling, and feel no pain when you land. You flex your muscles, seeing the veins distend under green skin. You've grown more in strength in a few hours on that table that you have in the last two years. You can't resist pumping your fists in elation with a muted “Yes!”.

It was worth it: your limits, broken in a flash.

Clapping behind your back brings you back down to earth. And that muffled laughter, so deliberately pristine it feels ugly, can only belong to your benefactor.

Repressing a sigh, you turn to look at the Witch of Tharazar, Endorai. And then you wish you could be looking at anyone else: the almost respectable attire she wore as she did gods know what to your body has been replaced with a version of a nurse's outfit you'd be ashamed to see in a brothel.

You're not going to give her the pleasure of seeing you flustered. You steel your gaze into her eyes and wait for her to speak.

“Amazing~ bravo, bravissimo.” She cheers and smiles. “ I did so know you had potential, Ze~dek.” She places a great deal of gusto in saying your name, looking you from head to toe.

“It's worked.” That's all you give her.

>“Bring me my sword.” You wish to test your new limits more thoroughly. You see a playful glint on the witch's eye.
>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai
>“What now?” As much as it pains you to admit, the witch would know best of how to make use of the boon she has given you. Seek her counsel.

>>4582570
>>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai

Let's check if we are angelic yet , I dunno why but I feel like our mc could have the same vibes as that one dude in dbz that has two appearences

>>4582575
Zarbon is this dude name

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>>4582570
>“What now?” As much as it pains you to admit, the witch would know best of how to make use of the boon she has given you. Seek her counsel.

Scorned and kicked out by our allies we turn to a witch to give us new powers by rejecting our humanity. So next are we going to going to go on our own quest where we gather the outcasts and those left behind by society to form a new party that will eventually surpass nations as some sort of Chimera Big Boss?

>>4582570
>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai
alright OP, got it

>>4582570
>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai
We're muscly and green, but are there any other changes?

>>4582570
>>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai

>>4582570
>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai

Calling the vote. Seeing just how much the witch has fucked you up wins 5 to 1.
>>4582575
Legacy won five to three, so looking angelic will take effort instead of coming naturally. As for shapeshifting and alternate forms, they will come up.

>>4582527
I normally assume we vote for a choice then roll to avoid people changing the vote based on the results.
>>4582570
>“Get a mirror, let's see all you've done to me.” Check your appearance, and get a detailed description of exactly what has been done to you, courtesy of Endorai

>>4582606
Me brainlet, me forget to link post.
>>4582570

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>>4582570
With a catlike smile, Endorai snaps her fingers, and a silver-haired maid appears out of nowhere, bearing a mirror.

As you could tell before, you have gained muscle mass and your skin has turned green. Apart from that, and the clawed nails, your body remains much like it was before.

Your face is another story. Your lower jaw protrudes slightly forward, a necessity to keep the thumb-sized tusks sprouting from your mouth from cutting your lips. And your eyes, once caramel brown, are yellow with distended irises. Your red hair looks greasy, and clumps together in tufts.

The sight does not disturb you as much as it should. Your armor will cover it all, anyway.

Endorai places herself to your side.

“Easy to see just what monster blood runs through you, no?” She asks, giddy.

“Goblin.” You say. The blood of the weakest monster in existence has given you this much power. You can't help but wonder, what would a dragon's have done? For a brief moment, you see yourself clad in adamantine scales, and with piercing, lidless eyes.

“I wasn't going to risk you dying of rejection. Orcusians and humans are compatible species, after all.”

She reaches for your face, and you turn to stare at her before she can touch you. She retreats her hand with a bemused smile.

“But perhaps this is less than what you expected?” You deliberate for a second as the witch walks circles around you, sashaying her hips. “You aren't satisfied with being a big goblin~ no, you want more.” You do want more. The heroes you want to be like slaughtered dragons and demons, and you are still a worm compared to them.

“I didn't just turn your skin green, my Zedek. I planted the seeds for so much more.” There's a flash of raw, dark enjoyment in her voice.

She grows so close her breath washes upon your chest. She stares up into your eyes.

“There's nothing you won't be able to take for yourself.” The flash passes, and her seductive practiced smile returns.

“But first!” She snaps her fingers and the ever-present maid reappears holding a brown leather bag towards you.

“Take it, it's a modified Bag of Holding that connects with an ice room.”

You grab it, the maid once again retreating before you can catch where she's going.

“What is this for?”

“You, silly! I can't make more modifications without materials. Monster parts, eggs, or pregnant fresh corpses if you can.” She fakes a pensive gesture. “I do have some rare parts, but I can't be all give and no take in this relationship.”

There she is again, doing her very best to not tell you what she wants.

“What do you want?” You grunt.

(1/2)

>>4582632
“You're no fun~. I want proof of your competence. A tiny itty bitty favor, and I'll feel so much more reassured about my investment in you. I have some things I want done. I'll even let you choose.”

>Part Hunting. She wants you to go to the outskirts of Tharazar, kill any monster your find interesting, and send its corpse to her. (Random Encounter)
>Goblin Infestation. The sewers of Tharazar have very green, very unwanted inhabitants. If you rid the city of them before the royal knights do, Endorai would increase in reputation with both the common folk and the nobility. (Guaranteed Orcusian Encounters: Goblins and up)
>The Beast of Tharazar. The exotic pet of a high-ranking noble escaped a few months ago, a man-eating feline with magical powers. Putting it down will not only help the nobility save face but also do a lot to quell the terror shaking the common folk. (Guaranteed Magical Beast Encounter)

(2/2)

Man, exposition's hard, any tips?.

In case it's not clear, you will get stronger by giving the witch monster parts and leveling your races.

Your current unlocked races are Human and Orcus Squirt (Goblins and other weakshit greenskins)

This is the last update for today, so I'd appreciate any feedback, oppinions, or shitposts.

>>4582633
>The Beast of Tharazar. The exotic pet of a high-ranking noble escaped a few months ago, a man-eating feline with magical powers. Putting it down will not only help the nobility save face but also do a lot to quell the terror shaking the common folk. (Guaranteed Magical Beast Encounter)
Let's do this. Big Game Hunt is on boys.

>>4582633
>Goblin Infestation. The sewers of Tharazar have very green, very unwanted inhabitants. If you rid the city of them before the royal knights do, Endorai would increase in reputation with both the common folk and the nobility. (Guaranteed Orcusian Encounters: Goblins and up)
I want to see if we can “convince” the weaker goblins to join with us if we can beat up their boss

>>4582633
>The Beast of Tharazar.
Diversify our mutations.
>>4582636
I think you'll get a better response in /qtg/ to these kinds of questions.

>>4582633
>>Goblin Infestation. The sewers of Tharazar have very green, very unwanted inhabitants. If you rid the city of them before the royal knights do, Endorai would increase in reputation with both the common folk and the nobility. (Guaranteed Orcusian Encounters: Goblins and up)

>>4582633
>The Beast of Tharazar.

>>4582633
>>The Beast of Tharazar. The exotic pet of a high-ranking noble escaped a few months ago, a man-eating feline with magical powers. Putting it down will not only help the nobility save face but also do a lot to quell the terror shaking the common folk. (Guaranteed Magical Beast Encounter)
The heroine might have judged us insufficient to fight for her cause, but we were still a member of her party for some time. We should be strong enough to defeat something that was kept as a pet.

>>4582636
I think you're doing a fine job, personally. Your introductory posts did a good job of conveying background information on why Zedek is doing this crazy plan through exploring the backstory, and here having a sage-type character to explain the mechanics worked quite well.

>>4582633
>Goblin Infestation. The sewers of Tharazar have very green, very unwanted inhabitants. If you rid the city of them before the royal knights do, Endorai would increase in reputation with both the common folk and the nobility. (Guaranteed Orcusian Encounters: Goblins and up)

>>4582633
>The Beast of Tharazar.
Not quite the Most dangerous game, but we'll work up to there.

>>4582633
>Part Hunting. She wants you to go to the outskirts of Tharazar, kill any monster your find interesting, and send its corpse to her. (Random Encounter)

>>4582633
>The Beast of Tharazar. The exotic pet of a high-ranking noble escaped a few months ago, a man-eating feline with magical powers. Putting it down will not only help the nobility save face but also do a lot to quell the terror shaking the common folk. (Guaranteed Magical Beast Encounter)

I know this'll come later but by golly, I wanna nab us a Griffin so damn bad it HURTS

>>4582633
>>The Beast of Tharazar. The exotic pet of a high-ranking noble escaped a few months ago, a man-eating feline with magical powers. Putting it down will not only help the nobility save face but also do a lot to quell the terror shaking the common folk. (Guaranteed Magical Beast Encounter)


I think you are doing great , if you wanna ask for advice go on the general qst thread

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>>4582633
As if there was any choice. There's no glory to be found in a sewer, at least not like hunting down a terrible beast.

The witch claps her hands, pleased.

“Won~der~ful! I've been wanting to see exactly what Umveos wasn't man enough to keep for weeks.”

Without even needing instruction, the suspicious silver-haired maid appears, this time bearing an entire mannequin. One dressed in armor you recognize. Your silver armor, purchased in Irem, the last city you visited with the heroes. Swallowing the bittersweet memory, you begin to don the armor.

The maid helps, tightening straps and ensuring everything is in its place. A second later, she produces your sword, of the same make as your armor, from behind the mannequin.

It makes you feel complete, the weight of the gambeson and the metal, the tinkling as you take a few steps.

“Oh!” Endorai interrupts, “Before I forget, I must remind you that our relationship must be kept private. At least until you arere more... presentable.”

You didn't need her to state the obvious. Of course, what she has done, and you yourself, are both crime and heresy. You're not going to go around showing your face and boasting of her witchery.

The maid guides you out of Endorai's labyrinthine estate through a secret corridor. In a few minutes, you exit into the streets of Tharazar from a dilapidated house.

It's early night, and there's bustling in the streets. Bards sing, adventurers boast and drink, and the guards, in their gilded, magicked armor, keep watch of it all.

To kill the beast, you'll need to find it first. Where do you start?
>The Adventurer's Guild. Someone must have put in a request for the beast's head, so there's surely some info to be found there.
>The Guard's Barracks. They probably aren't allowed to tell you all they know, but you might be able to get something out of them.
>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.

>>4582973
>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.
The prompt said it was the commoners who were being terrorized by this thing, so presumably the poor would have information on it.

I'll be holding a session at around 18:00 GMT. Leaving the vote open until then.

>>4582973
>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.

>>4582973
>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.

>>4582973
>>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.

>>4582973
>The Slums. If old Baumes, the local drunkard of your village, ever taught you something, it is that whores, drunkards, and beggars always know more than they let on.

>>4582973
>The Guard's Barracks.

>>4582973
On sighting you, all clad in armor and of sure stride, most retreat into their hovels. The ones that don't even have that hide in the “alleyways” between them.

The sight of armed men is not welcome in the slums. You know well how hard it is to trust those that can hurt you. And the consequences of trust so misplaced.

Well, you do not intend to disturb them more than necessary.

Your stare over the street, hawkish, looking for someone or something that might be of help in your quest.

>roll 1d100 (Taking first roll, degrees of success)

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>4583041

>>4583042
Noice.

writan'

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>>4583041
The first thing that attracts your attention is a man with a ridiculous outfit and a big club to his side. Some thug of no importance.

But looking to his right, you see inside one of the hovels a man all bandaged, limping through his day. Perhaps he had an encounter with the beast.

A southern wind blows, carrying air from deeper in the slum. It reeks of shit, blood, and a pungent smell that you can almost place. Yes, you remember now. Zana, your childhood fr- burden, kept a pet cat. The little furball pissed everywhere it could, you included, and this smell is similar but far more potent.

The beast probably pisses nearby, which means it's marking this place as its territory.

And as if to confirm your suspicions, you see places where the wooden roofs have been dented by something powerful leaping from them. You can almost imagine the beast prowling in the dark, unseen, waiting for an unfortunate soul to be alone. It is here.

You will have to take to the rooftops for a chance of spotting it, but you see no stairs anywhere. It's not a problem.

Preparing to leap, you-

“Oi, mate. Watchu doing here?” It's the same thug that you dismissed not five minutes earlier. “You a debt collector or what? This' our turf y'know?” He gesticulates wildly, making a show of moving his club as he speaks.

Is... is he threatening you? Incredulous, you look down at him. He's a head and a half shorter than you, but twice as wide. Still, he seems undaunted by your height and superior equipment, growing more foul-mouthed and aggressive by the second.

>You've no time for this stupidity. Go to the rooftops, and locate the beast.
> Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.
>You have little time for stupidity, but even less love for thugs who parade around their strength. Get him off the way.
>Write-in?

>>4583058
>Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.
At worst they’re cannon fodder, and at best they’re secret badasses but we didn’t come here to start a fight with the local gang without know what they’ve been doing

>>4583058
>Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.


Also nice dragon quest reference

>>4583058
>Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.

>>4583058
>> Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.

>>4583058
>Their turf, huh? Perhaps he'll be willing to lend some help. Tell him you're here to hunt the beast.

>>4583058
The diplomatic option wins. Writan'.

>>4583063
Only DQ I've played other than IV. My PS2 bit the dust before I could beat the final boss.

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>>4583058
“I've come to kill the beast.” You cut through a stream of insults that somehow involved a parrot and a cheesegrater. The man stops his tirade, plants his club on the ground, and sniffs the air.

“You sure 'bout that? You got more armor than the entire barrack, only dudes that sold their buttcheeks to the shitters up there look like that.” That you sold not only your sphincter but your entire body to a noble has nothing to do with your full suit of armor. And you would be doing this even if Endorai didn't order you to.

“Yes, I'm sure.”

“Sure sure?”

“Sure.” Why do you attract this kind of people?

“OK, mate, then let's get going. That thing got me mom's uncle's second cousin last week. It's gotta pay!”

You're speechless. In the time it takes you to regain your bearings, the man has hoisted his club on his shoulder with one hand and slapped you in the back with the other.

His drive is admirable if nothing else. You prod him for information.

“We've gotten that cat's ass against the wall once or twice, but then, bam, it disappears. And it's got these whips with teeth on its back. They smart like a motherfucker,” Invisibility? That could complicate things.

“Oh, and Boss told us it goes out at night. That's why me and the boys are watchin' the streets. Name's Chungus, by the way.”

You reply with your own while formulating a plan.

>You have two sets of eyes and an area to cover. You will take the rooftops and Chungus the streets. Let's see if you can corral the beast. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)
>You don't know much about beasts, but they keep a nest. If you found it, you could force it into a confrontation it can't flee from. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 21)
>Write-in?

Rolled 1, 1, 5 = 7 (3d10)

>>4583085
>You have two sets of eyes and an area to cover. You will take the rooftops and Chungus the streets. Let's see if you can corral the beast. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)
Good to meet you, Chungus. Let's kill that displacer beast

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4583085
>You have two sets of eyes and an area to cover. You will take the rooftops and Chungus the streets. Let's see if you can corral the beast. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)
Glad we picked diplomacy, I can’t wait for all the other colorful characters we’ll meet.

Rolled 7, 7, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>4583092
Fuck messed up me fuckin roll

Rolled 3, 10, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>4583085
>You don't know much about beasts, but they keep a nest. If you found it, you could force it into a confrontation it can't flee from.
Cornering the beast is worth the risk of higher dc.

>>4583085
Calling the vote now. Corralling wins and succeeds. Writan'

>>4583089
>displacer beast
That easy to guess, huh?

>>4583110
The back whips are pretty distinctive. The "teleporting" clinched it.

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>>4583085
“I'll take the roofs, you take the ground. We'll go north first.”

“Wha? The roofs-” Before Chungus can finish his question, you leap meters into the air, landing on a particularly solid roof with practiced ease. “Cor blimey! What did ya mum gib you to eat?!” He shouts as he follows you in the ground.

You jump from rooftop to rooftop, the strength granted by your chimerization making your armor not impact your agility at all.

The night has grown darker, but it is thanks to that that you have a stroke of luck. You almost confused it with two stars low on the faraway horizon, but then the glint moved forward and back. The eyes of the beast.

Following them, you see a little boy on the street, shivering from the cold. You can almost feel its intentions.

Oh no, no it isn't.

>roll 3d10+5 to engage (Bo3, Success DC 18, Great Success DC 26)

A little thing came up. I'll be away for 40~60 minutes.

Rolled 8, 3, 6 + 5 = 22 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583125

Rolled 1, 5, 8 + 5 = 19 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583125

Rolled 5, 4, 1 + 5 = 15 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583125

Rolled 5, 9, 6 + 5 = 25 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583125

Rolled 7, 1, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>4583131
>>4583132
>>4583133
Success. Now, for Chungus' contribution.

Writan'

Rolled 6, 5, 1 + 5 = 17 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583125
came late but trying anyway

>>4583125
You do not have time to unsheath your sword. So you just burst forwards, the roof caving under the strength of your kick.

The world is a blur around you, your speed so great you can't track where you're going. But you didn't need to: you aimed right.

A blackness appears before you, and you impact it, crashing together into an empty hovel. You and the beast wrestle among the sawdust, you grappling its forelimbs as whips and two of its six limbs lash and try to rend your armor.

“Get outta here, kid!” You hear Chungus shouting, moments before a stone hits the beast in its feline head. You follow it with a brutal headbutt and manage to kick the animal off of you, and into the street.

By the time it gets up, you've unsheathed your sword and stand in front of it. Chungus is behind it, raising his club.

The beast's eyes flicker, and its muscles tense.

>Finish it before it can do whatever it's doing. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 24. If successful, this will end the fight. Failure will leave you exposed to counterattack.)
>Your gut's telling you to watch your back. Listen to it. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)

Rolled 3, 8, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>4583181
>Finish it before it can do whatever it's doing. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 24. If successful, this will end the fight. Failure will leave you exposed to counterattack.)

Rolled 6, 2, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>4583181
>>Your gut's telling you to watch your back. Listen to it.

Rolled 5, 4, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>4583181
>Finish it before it can do whatever it's doing. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 24. If successful, this will end the fight. Failure will leave you exposed to counterattack.)

Rolled 10, 3, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>4583181
>Your gut's telling you to watch your back. Listen to it. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)
Chungus said it was slippery. Even without using OOC knowledge, we can guess it's not going to be so easy to kill it.

Rolled 5, 1, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>4583181
>Your gut's telling you to watch your back. Listen to it. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)

Rolled 5, 1, 6 = 12 (3d10)

>>4583181
>>Your gut's telling you to watch your back. Listen to it. (Roll 3d10. Bo3. DC 17)

Rolled 1, 1, 6 = 8 (3d10)

Well, this was a surprising tournabout. Trusting your guts prevails.

Let's see how Chungus does.

>>4583209
Kek

>>4583209

To avoid this situation some QMs only take rolls after an option is locked in.

>>4583181
You don't know exactly why you turn on your heels, showing your back to the beast. But you are glad that you did.

With a cracking sound, the beast appears mid-leap towards you, and for a moment you can see surprise in its eyes. Pain substitutes it, as you slash at it as it passes you by. Its ribcage holds, but you leave a deep, lengthy gash in its underside, blood splattering everywhere.

You can almost taste victory, as the beast crashes behind you. Then you hear distinctively human hollers of pain.

The beast has landed on Chungus and is mauling him, aided by his lack of armor. You're on it the next second, cutting off one of its tendrils with a well-aimed slash. With a roar of pain, the beast's eyes flicker once again, but you cut it off by bashing its head with the pommel of your sword.

It leaps away from you, amidst Chungus' moans of pain, and the thrashing of its severed limb.
It's bleeding copiously, it's black pelt dyed crimson red. Looking for a chance to escape, even when it's death is assured.

“Bo... bollocks... it got me good” You hear Chungus's voice behind you, but know better than to take your eyes off your prey. “...go get it, mate. Don't ya dare worry about me.”

That's the tone you used when you were trying to power through dire wounds...

>He doesn't need to say it twice. Go after the beast with all you have, even if you have to lose sight of Chungus. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 17. Chungus has to beat a 17 in his roll to not be crippled.)
>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 21)
>Unlike some people, you're not the sort to leave comrades behind. The beast is dying, anyway. Let it escape and attend to Chungus.
>Write-In?

>>4583231
>>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 21)

>>4583229
I'll do that after this session ends. For now, roll as usual.

Rolled 10, 5, 9 + 5 = 29 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583231
>He doesn't need to say it twice. Go after the beast with all you have, even if you have to lose sight of Chungus. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 17. Chungus has to beat a 17 in his roll to not be crippled.)

rip chungus

Rolled 10, 3, 4 + 5 = 22 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583231
>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 21)
Chungus seems like a decent sort. I'm not going to abandon him.

Rolled 1, 4, 3 + 5 = 13 (3d10 + 5)

>>4583232

>>4583235
Well I guess we saved him, support this result.

Rolled 4, 5, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>4583240
>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 21)
Gonna give a try with a roll, who knows maybe we can get a good result.

>>4583231
>>He doesn't need to say it twice. Go after the beast with all you have, even if you have to lose sight of Chungus. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 17. Chungus has to beat a 17 in his roll to not be crippled.)

>>4583231
>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward.

>>4583231
>You feel like there's a middle ground. Try to finish the beast in a single blow, and attend to Chungus afterward. (Roll 3d10+5. Bo3. DC 21)
>>4583234
>>4583235
nice

Calling the vote. The golden middle has won, with good results.

Writan'

>>4583231
Obtain glory, or save the people? The great men that lead armies and sign pacts always had to make this choice, but you do not chase after them.

No, you have sacrificed your humanity to be as the heroes of myth. You will have both.

You hold your sword in front of you, the pale moon reflected in its blade. You have one shot.

You launch yourself in a thrust that few humans could match. The beast's eyes glint for the last time.

Your one shot strikes true. You pierce the beast's heart with such force that you pin it to a wall. It does not have the time to roar or claw before it dies.

Such is your haste to check on your ally, that you do not retrieve your sword, leaving it impaling the monster.

Chungus is in bad shape, full of cuts and gashes. But most of the damage seems to be focused on the stomach, where his fat has stopped the damage from reaching the innards.

As if to assure you, he lifts himself to rest on his arms, groaning all the way, but with a victorious smile on his face.

“Damn, mate. You downed it in one!” He attempts to do something, maybe offer a fist bump, before almost falling back on the ground.

You kneel by his side and support him. You feel the weight of his torso on your arm as he stops exerting himself.

“You're losing blood. We'll need to bandage you.” You know how. When you're the designated meatshield of the party, you learn how to nurse a few wounds.

“With wot, mate? Don't see no cloth around here.” Poignantly, you turn your gaze to the only piece of cloth that could be turned into bandages around here: Chungus' pants.

He shakes his head. You nod yours. He crosses his arms. You keep insisting. Minutes are lost like this, until...

(1/2)

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>>4583286
“OH HELL NO, MATE! I'M NOT SHOWING MY BUTTCHEEKS TO ANYONE, GUTS OUT OR IN.”

There's a bout of childish laughter at that. Both of you turn to see the child you rescued from the beast, holding the hand of a withered old woman, who on her other hand holds a bag.

Recognition flashes on Chungus' face.

“Nana Vanga! Just the lass I wanted to see! Look, we got it-” Before he can continue, the old woman, having already crossed the distance, slaps Chungus on the back of the head.

“Chungus the Third! What did I tell you about going after the monster by yourself!” Chungus goes even paler, and you can almost taste the second-hand fear.

“But nana! I didn't go alone, look at my mate here!” He points at you, and the old woman's gaze falls on yours before she slaps Chungus on the back of the head again.

“Mate that had the good sense to wear armor!”

“But nana!”

“No buts! After we fix you up, you're gonna be scrubbing the shithouse for a week!”

You stay quiet as the woman extracts medicine, bandages, and ointments, and begins to treat Chungus. So, this is a family that cares for each other. You'll never get used to the sight.

“Thank you, sir knight! For saving me!” A child's voice stops your thoughts from going to darker places.

You look down at the little thing, a pure smile on his face. Well, it's not a statue or a song, but still a good price.

As you ruffle the child's hair, to his complaint, you notice that people have started to appear. Beggars and their friends, whores, and even the odd guard. All looking past you and to the impaled beast.

Your kill.

“Yeah, get a good look at it!” Chungus' shouts, before letting out an ouch as Vanga tightens a bandage. “Know who did it? Me and my mate Zedek over here!” He points at you.

There's silence, and then, cheering. You're surrounded by beggars and whores, all praising your name, offering you a roof and a meal at their table if you ever need it.

One of the guards gathers the bravery to ignore the hateful stares and comments about their incompetence and inform you and Chungus about the reward for putting down the beast.

Two hundred gold coins, a sum that could buy a small plot of land. Or a suit of gold armor, maybe even mythril, if you met a merchant willing to haggle.

“You... you should take it all, mate.” Chungus says, downtrodden. “You did almost all the work.”

>You did do almost all the work, and you wouldn't like to be given a prize for things you did not do. Take the money.
>Endorai's coffers run deep. You've no qualms draining them and do not need this money. Give it away to these poor people.
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.
>You just need the corpse, that will be all the payment you need. Give all the money to Chungus, for him to do as he wishes.
>Write-in?

This is the last update of the session.

I felt that the combat encounter dragged on for too long. I'll try to make the next ones shorter.

>>4583287
>>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.

>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.
>Write-in?
>"You risked your life to save that kid, man. Doesn't matter if you didn't land the killing blow, you did good."

Because I can see Zedek feeling more than a bit of sympathy in regards to "I wasn't strong enough to matter in this fight".

>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 70/30. 70 to us

>>4583302
+1
All party members, no matter how much they actually helped in killing a beast deserves compensation for willingly putting their lives on the line to protect others.

>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.

In exchange, we get the body

>>4583302
support

>>4583302
Support this
>>4583287

>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.

>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.
Need to make sure to bag the corpse
>>4583296
combat was fine and well written, just sort out the rolls so we can't manipulate them too much
or don't :D

>>4583287
>>4583302
Support.

>>4582441
>A cast-off shard of Demon King Melas had killed her, turned her inside out with a gesture. You buried what was left of her in a shallow grave.
Well shit. You had my curiosity, now you have my attention.
>>4583287
>Chungus did help you, and he deserves something in exchange. Split the money 50/50.
>Maybe donate the rest? Something to help the folks affected by the beast get their lives back in order, such as they can be in a slum

>>4583287
>>4583311
support

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>>4583287
You stare at Chungus' downcast expression and see a familiar doubt gnawing at him.

The same one that consumed you when Aliss killed twice the monsters you did with a tenth of the effort. The crushing pressure of seeing the top of the mountain get further and further away. Of seeing your own weakness exposed.

Aliss dismissed such feelings, uncaring of what her words do to others.

Of all the things you are, of all the things you will be, the star-blessed heroine is not one of them.

You have little practice with comforting words, both given and taken. But you will try.

“Chungus, a man who risks his life for others deserves a reward.” Even if they do not get it often, “Take half the coins. They're yours. You did well.”

“You serious, mate?” He asks, looking up at you. You nod. His eyes are getting teary. “I'd hug ya if I could! I'll pay you back one day, I swear!” He's crying now, running his thick arms over his beady eyes.

“If you wish to pay me back, then...” Your gaze turns to the beast's corpse. “I'll keep the trophy, and you'll owe me nothing.”

“Right, mate! I don't think anyone wants to see that thing ever again!” His words provoke mutters of agreement from the gathered crowd.

You stride forwards to the impaled corpse, yanking your sword out of it in a show of inhuman strength, accompanied by the sound of the beast's ribcage cracking and the thunk of it hitting the ground.

Now, what to do?

>Hoist it over your shoulder and carry it through the city to the guard's barracks to receive our reward. Basking in the population's gazes all the while. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND gain renown for your incredible strength.)
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND Endorai receives the parts soon enough that she will have time to prepare a coming-home surprise for you.)
>>Bring Chungus? Or ensure he gets his part of the money otherwise?

>>4583555
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND Endorai receives the parts soon enough that she will have time to prepare a coming-home surprise for you.)
Incredible Strength renown is a bit on the nose this early, let's start humble in case paranoia start spreading through the nobility.
>Allow Chungus to come with, if he doesn't want to then just bring him the rest of the money. Keeping your word.

>>4583555
Yeah, >>4583561 sounds good. Supporting.

>>4583555
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward.
>Bring Chungus

>>4583555
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND Endorai receives the parts soon enough that she will have time to prepare a coming-home surprise for you.)

>>4583561
Support

>>4583555
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND Endorai receives the parts soon enough that she will have time to prepare a coming-home surprise for you.)
>Bring Chungus

>>4583555
>Hoist it over your shoulder and carry it through the city to the guard's barracks to receive our reward. Basking in the population's gazes all the while. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND gain renown for your incredible strength.)

bask in the adoration

>>4583555
>Cut off its head and shove the rest of it down the Bag of Holding, then go get the reward. (Gain more renown for killing the beast AND Endorai receives the parts soon enough that she will have time to prepare a coming-home surprise for you.)

>>4583561
this

>>4583561
supporting

>>4583555
Ah, the victory. I like his reflections on him in Chungus’s place. Gives his that much more personality.
Supporting
>>4583561

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>>4583555
While carrying the large beast with a single hand would not be an impossible feat for a man, the few that are capable of such a feat are known and you joining their ranks so suddenly might attract untoward stares.

That you won't be able to recreate the return of the knight-king after he downed the adamantine lion stings deep into the most childish part of your soul. You will have the chance to do it later, you tell yourself.

With an executioner's strike, the beast's head rolls down. The most squeamish within the crowd turn green, their friends quick to rib at them. You test the Bag of Holding, pleased when you find out that its mouth stretches wide enough to shove the rest of the beast into it. One of the guards whistles in admiration when he recognizes the tool in your hands, muttering something akin to “no wonder he didn't mind sharing the money”.

The beast's head firmly in your grasp, you turn back to Chungus.

“Can you stand?” You ask him, offering your other hand. “We're going to get that money.”

Ignoring the old woman's protests, Chungus slaps his chest, coughs in pain, and takes your hand.

“For you, mate? Sure as hell.”

You lift him up. When he almost falls, you throw your other arm over his shoulders, supporting him.

The crowd parts for you two, cheers surrounding your triumphant departure.

As you make your way uptown, you see a trio of knights, led by a blonde woman with a bruise on her temple and irritated eyes, surrounded by a group of guards tending to them, and inquisitive commoners.

Others are already beginning to surround you two, muttering between themselves about the head you're carrying.

Chungus' gaze, after lingering on the blonde knight with unusual intensity, turns to you with a wry, puckish grin.

“Oi, mate. Do me another favor, and lift that thing as high as you can.”

You were already planning to do that, and after you do, Chungus' takes a deep breath.

“Hear ye! The beast is dead! No longer need ya fear going to the shithouse in the night!” Chungus' booms, his deep voice carrying over the street and putting every eye on you two.

They flock towards you, some even going inside bars and restaurants to tell them of what's going in the street.

You hear a “fucking seriously?!” in the distance, coming from the blonde knight. Chungus flashes a conspiratorial smile towards you.

“It's all thanks to Zedek, the, uhh, Great!”

“He struck it down from the sky, like a bigass bird of justice!”

“His sword went through its heart, like a shooting star!”

Chungus doesn't stop praising you, sometimes with better skill than others, all the way to the guard's barracks.

In there, a guard with sunken eyes takes testimony from several of his coworkers, jots down your names, and gives you your rewards.

As you do not intend to spend the money on mundane purchases such as food and drink, the witch already provides you that, you take your half in bullions. Five precious coins, that are neatly secured in a pouch.

(1/2)

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>>4583773
Chungus, instead, chooses to receive a ludicrously large sack of coppers, silvers, and golds, which he hugs like a baby.

You help him carry it to his house, having dropped the beast's head in the Bag of Holding.

There, you see several rowdy men waving at you, big dumb smiles on their faces.

“They're my mates, mate. I trust them with my life. Ya don't need ta worry about them trying to crib coin.”

You nod and keep carrying him forwards.

“I'm sorry you had to carry me all this way.” They say a comrade never weights anything. Chungus weights, but not that much.

“Oi, would you mind drinking with me and the boys? I know you've gotta more important things to do, but...”

You shake your head.

“I don't drink. My father did. I don't.” Your voice comes out clipped, and you grasp Chungus' shoulder a bit stronger without meaning to.

“Ah shit, mate. I didn't know.”

You leave Chungus with his friends, who all clap you in the back and offer you a beer, to your chagrin.

You make your way back to the witch's estate, to the same dilapidated house containing a secret corridor.

No sooner than you place a foot in it, the silver-haired maid walks out from behind you and gestures you to follow her.

>Ask her who she is.
>Ask her how she appears out of nowhere like that.
>Ask her what she thinks of her mistress.
>Ask her for counsel on how to put up with Endorei.
>Write-in?
>Ask her nothing.

(2/2)

>>4583774
>"Come to fetch me to your master? Very well, lead the way."

>>4583774
>Ask her who she is.
>”I feel it’s pretty rude that I don’t even know your name.”

>>4583774
>Ask her who she is.

>>4583774
Supporting >>4583786.

>>4583774
> Also supporting >>4583786.

>>4583774
>Also supporting >>4583806

>>4583786
+1

>>4583774
>Ask her for counsel on how to put up with Endorei.

>>4583786
Support

>>4583774
Just starting reading the thread, and I'm loving it so far.
If anything came to harm Chungus I'll be so god damn furious.

>Write-in?
No way we can come back for the rest of the monster corpse later? Just hack it into bits and stuff it into the bag of holding?

>>4583937
we already have the corpse in our bag of holding

>>4583951
oh. lovely.

>>4583774
>>4583786
this

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>>4583774
“I feel it’s pretty rude that I don’t even know your name.” You prod her. She stops in her tracks, turning to stare at you with clear, blue eyes.

“Rudeness is making the mistress wait when she's expecting you, esteemed Zedek of no surname. We're here to be seen, not heard.” She has a pleasant, foreign accent. You cannot say you've heard it before. She also placed a good deal of emphasis on your lack of surname, and of good breeding.

Among nobles, a slight to blood must be a dire insult. But for you? It might as well be praise. What you feel about your bloodline can only be expressed with one sentence: it can fuck off and die.

You snort.

“I disagree. A life in the background is a life wasted.” Her eyes widen ever so slightly in surprise, together with a minute frown. Both disappear into the carefully kept countenance the next second.

“Very well, esteemed Zedek.” She curtsies. “My name is Argis Hyakumei, head maid of Lady Endorai's estate. My current task is to guide you to the mistress' dwelling. I will carry you there if you do not wish to walk.”

You will pass on that.

Argis does not say a word unprovoked, but in the quarter of an hour it takes you to reach the meeting room where the witch is waiting for you, you manage to get two more things out of her: she likes cats, and she would die for Endorai if she so much as said the word. You cannot for the life of you imagine what is in that woman that could inspire such loyalty.

Readying yourself for a future headache, you stride into the meeting room.

(1/2)

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>>4584130
“Ah, the conquering hero returns!” She's changed outfit yet again, this time an indecent version of a foreign dress, and is nursing a cup of red wine. “And the fair maiden welcomes him with open arms, ready to give him his just rewards.” She opens her arms as if hoping you would take her by the waist and twirl her in the air. One, she's no maiden. Two, just no.

You walk past her and plod down on the one-place sofa that looked most comfortable.

“Oh, I'm scorned! My heart, it's breaking!” She gulps down the rest of her drink, before looking at you with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

She prowls towards you, it takes you a second to figure out her intentions.

“Woman, if you try to get on top of me, I'm leaving!” You say, readying to get up from your seat.

“But then you'll miss my super special surprise!”

You take off your helmet, massaging your temples. You know she's not going to stop until you play along.
“I don't like surprises.” You really don't, not since Zana's family celebrated your birthday and your father took it as a slight. Your dismissal from the heroes was a surprise, too.

“You'll like this one, for it is...” She throws her hand up and snaps her fingers. The backend of the room explodes in smoke.

When it disappears, there are five boxes, all gift-wrapped and of similar, large size.

“...Endorai's Endearing Evens and Ends! You get to pick one box, and keep its contents! My favorite is the red one!”

Seriously?!

>Pick the black box. The boring one, as Endorai describes it. That can only be a good thing.
>Pick the green box. The second boring one, again described by Endorai. Probably a good thing, too.
>Pick the blue box. For the future-minded, or so says she.
>Pick the yellow box. It has a smiling face drawn on its lid.
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.
>You're too damn tired to play her games. If she wants to give you something, then she can do it tomorrow. And without mystery boxes! (You will get the most immediately useful of the prizes this way, but where's your gambler's spirit?)

>>4584130
>>4584133
Ah, cockbiscuits, forgot the trip.
>>4583937
Glad that you like it, anon.

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.
maybe she actually put something useful in there?

>>4584133
>Pick the blue box. For the future-minded, or so says she.
Something with a lot of potential for growth, would be good to pick up at this early stage.

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>>4584133
And now, for a glimpse of the other side.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In another place, far to the south of Irem, and under the shadow of one of its countless mountains, the heroes warm themselves by a campfire.

Sword, dagger, and two staves rest on the grassy ground while their owners eat through the catch of the day.

Aliss, the heroine, is on her third chunk of meat, a small pile of bones by her side. The rest of the party, already feeling full by the end of the first one, share an amused smile.

Dorha, the thief, decides he has had enough food for the night and gets up on his feet. He makes a show of stretching himself, grunting and moaning.

“Could you stop? You're distracting me.” Azzurro, the mage, is levitating a tome in front of himself, poring over the contents.

“No can do, Glasses!”

“You're being quite a bother today, Dorha.” The tome closes with a snap, dropping onto Azzurro's lap. He removes his glasses and massages the bridge of his nose.

“Glad to hear it.” Dorha says, throwing his arms behind his head.

“Are you hoping to get me to ask you why you have been pestering me? Because it is working.”

Dorha's smile drops, his closed eyes opening into a glower.

“Really, you don't know? Because right about now I'd be messing with Swordie. You know, if we hadn't left him dying on a fucking bed! Why do you think Smiles over here hasn't shown us one in the last week!” He points a thumb at Zana, the healer, who is staring at the two of them with a mixture of pain and tiredness in her eyes.

“Ugh, not this again...” Azzurro sighs, readjusting his glasses. “His wounds weren't lethal, and we let him enough money to hire a healer if he so wished. Furthermore, I remember you agreed that he was going to die at this rate.”

“Uhm, please, stop?” Zana interrupts, her soft voice going unheard.

“I agreed we needed to help him! Not telling him to fuck off without even a goodbye!”

“How would you have helped him then? Hiding even further behind him? We all know you just miss your meatshield.”

“Oh, you wanna tussle, you little cock-”

(1/2)

>>4584159
“Silence.” The voice of the heroine, low and soft, carries a heavy presence.

“Zedek is no longer within our concern.” Zana flinches at Aliss' words, Dorha throws his hands in the air, and Azzurro just looks satisfied at winning the argument.

Silence takes hold of the group, only disturbed by the cracking of the fire.

“Aliss... do... do you think he will be okay?” Zana finally unleashes the question that had been weighing on her all this time.

The heroine turns to her, her eyes undecipherable. The moment stretches. She had little experience with comforting words, both given and taken. But she will try.

“Yes. Yes, he will. With his drive, he won't stay down for long.” Aliss lets out while stoking the fire. “But drive is not enough to kill Melas.”

“Yes, he's strong like that isn't he?” Zana mutters to herself, the weight on her stomach lightening enough for her to smile.

“Yeah! When we kick Melas' ass, I'm sure we'll return to find he's married a princess or something!” Dorha interrupts.

“Improbable,” Azzurro responds, from within his tent.

“Nobody asked you!”

“Silence.”

“Yes, ma'am!”

“Yes, Lady Alis.”

“Rest now. Tomorrow will be harsh.” With the words of the heroine, the party retreats for the night.

The next day, they would brave the dangerous path southwards. For tonight, the heroes rested.

(2/2)

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.

>>4584161
Dorha is a true bro, seems like we were good friends with him and Zana. I wonder what are relationship with Azzurro was like, looks like he didnt like us that much.

>>4584133
>>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.

Gotta say, FC, this seems solid so far. What made you decide on Goblin for our starting mutation?

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.

>>4584169
keyword: were. As for Azzurro, he's a bit of a cunt and like that with everyone except Aliss. You got along well enough, not really friends, but you didn't but heads like him and Dorha.
>>4584176
>this seems solid so far
thanks. Goblin was at the center of the Venn diagram of (relatively) weak, didn't do anything crazy (turning you into a centaur and other things on that level), and similar to a human.

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.
why not
>>4584187
>thanks. Goblin was at the center of the Venn diagram of (relatively) weak, didn't do anything crazy (turning you into a centaur and other things on that level), and similar to a human.
what diagram is this from ? d & d things ?

>>4584159
>“How would you have helped him then? Hiding even further behind him? We all know you just miss your meatshield.”
Azurro's being a prick, but this does raise a good point. Dorha's a squishy rogue archetype. If Zedek the fighter is too fragile to matter in the fight with Melas, isn't the guy who relies on him to tank damage also too fragile? How long is it going to be until Dorha gets told that he's a liability? I imagine that's something he's wondering right now. Or worse, Aliss doesn't tell him that, because she needs his skills, and he has to face the prospect of the next however long it is until the final boss fight with no party tank. Aliss better recruit a replacement for Zedek (even if it would really twist the knife), otherwise she's started the process of her party composition falling completely apart.

>>4584197
This. Those assholes.

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>>4584161
So how competent was Zedek compared to everyone else in the party?

>>4584254
Judging by how he was kicked out, despite being the tank he was considered the weakest link

Though honestly I think he was actually better than they made him out to be, maybe it was a sorta "The fighters skillset and will doesn't match his body" kinda thing, which makes the fact that he's a chimera now kinda seem way more logical

>>4584308
Think he might have been slight bodied?>>4584161
This softens my stance on Dorha and Zana somewhat, but they still made their choice concerning us.

>>4584254
Everything up to this point suggested Aliss was right to kick us out because we were completely outclassed. We got a big power boost from the chimera process, but Endorai said we were still like a worm compared to them. Some anons seem to think the latest update shows we were more necessary, but it seems more like the wizard is just insulting the rogue to me. We don't see them treating injuries or complaining how the recent fights have been harder. Just the rogue saying "we shouldn't have done our buddy dirty like that" and the wizard ribbing him in response, possibly because he too feels guilty and doesn't want it brought up.

tl;dr Aliss was right, we sucked and she saved us from becoming another Sole.

>>4584133
>Pick the blue box. For the future-minded, or so says she.

>>4584133
>Pick the green box. The second boring one, again described by Endorai. Probably a good thing, too.

forgot to vote lol

>>4584381
Anon, u read it wrong, she wasn't the one making the comparison, hell help the comparison didn't even involved our party, our boy compared himself to the stuff of legends which could punch dragons in the face for kicks, he was thinking how even though he was stronger we was a worm to then.

>You do want more. The heroes you want to be like slaughtered dragons and demons, and you are still a worm compared to them.

My take, the hero simply wasn't impressed, maybe she has her reasons to act like that but treating our boy like rubbish and don't allowing us to give a propper burial to one of our buddies and using his death against us like that just ain't right, also his "friends" aren't free of guilty, they did nothing once we were discarded they didn't even bother with a goodbye, they just left the hero shittalk him and never looked back, so I say fuck them best wishes but we're gonna go to history books without them. Also voting for the blue box.

Until proven otherwise, I think the Heroine is autistic as all hell, and everyone in the old pary are spineless asshats in from of their leader.
The healer is still cute tho. I got no beef with her.

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.
Why wouldn't we trust her.

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.

>>4584133
>Pick the red, heart-shaped box. You know that Endorai knows you would never pick this one, ergo she probably has placed the best prize in it.
Endorai you know dang well Zedek is weak to Reverse Reverse Psychology.
>>4584381
Aliss is a manipulative bitch and will in the future get a well deserved slap.
Guess we'll also have to marry a princess in the future.

>>4584133
>>Pick the yellow box. It has a smiling face drawn on its lid.

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>mfw all this discussion
>>4584197
Aliss, in true JRPG protag fashion, has a god build that allows her to do everything well. She's taking care of the frontline at the moment, but she does intend to find another tank.
>>4584254
Nice meme, saved.
You were slowly but surely being outclassed. To put it in vidya terms, you were level 40 while the rest of the party was level 20, but had shit stat growths that made you easy to surpass.

I would like to respond to the rest, but there would be spoilers.

>>4584535
QM, this may be a retarded question but why exactly doesn't Zedek want to bang Endorai? Is she that annoying and unlikeable? Not that I'm complaining, the contrast between our serious attitude and her careless cheerfulness is brilliant.

>>4584535
I don't mind the lack of responses, you just happened to strike us with interesting hooks from the start with that introduction, along with some genuine seeming character interactions.

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>>4584583
It begins

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>>4584583
He doesn't because he still believes you have to save yourself for marriage. Also because Zedek doesn't know how to deal with affection and doesn't trust her for anything else than crimes against gods and nature.

The meta reason is because I'm shit at writing smut, and that their relationship is more interesting if they're not shagging.
>>4584584
>genuine seeming character interactions
You don't know how much that means for me, anon. I consider characters the weakest point of my writing, and hearing you like them makes me really happy.
>>4584600
It's an animu quest. You should expect this.

update dropping in a minute. Also
>mfw you madmen actually picked the red box.

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>>4584133
>>4584161
You see through the witch's games! She must not want you to choose the red box, thus you must take it! Certain as the rising sun, you point to the red box.

Endorai follows your finger, expression genuinely perplexed for a second, before being replaced with a smile.

“Ah, am I finally getting through your icy shell? Ufufu~, I knew you couldn't resist my charm.”

With a snap of her fingers, your chosen box flies towards you and falls on your lap.

With the sensation of having made a mistake, you tear its wrappings and open it.

At the bottom of the otherwise empty box, there lays a small flipbook. With growing annoyance, you take it in your hands and flip through its contents. Each page has a single sentence, the words beyond your limited vocabulary, in neat calligraphy, and a scribble. A pair of lips, a hand rubbing a fluffy head, a starry sky, and others.

“What... is this?”

“A set of checks exchangeable by yours truly. No takebacks!” She says placing her arm under her chest, pronouncing her breasts.

You wonder, if you stare at it hard enough, will it burst into flames?

As if reading your mind, and to dig more into the wound, Endorai continues.

“And it comes with a guarantee that if it's lost or destroyed, it'll be replaced as many times as you need it!”

You want to walk off the room right this moment, go to sleep or maybe train and test your limits. But it's better to deal with this in one go.

“Exchanged for what?”

“Twenty kisses, twelve hugs, three headpat sessions, a shopping date, a restaurant date, a study date, and, my favorite, a night under the stars, just the two of us.”

Ah, so it's garbage then.

>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>>...ask Endorai about the beast you killed. Can she give you its powers?
>>...ask her about your appearance. While you don't mind being in armor all day, sometimes you're going to have to show your face. Can it be altered, somehow?
>>..ask her if there's anything else going on in the city.
>>...Write-In?
>Take the flipbook, go back to your room, drop it in the fireplace, and go train until you drop.
>Wait. Didn't she say that she'd keep you hidden until you were “presentable”? Some of these dates are in public places. Maybe you can put her on the backfoot, for once.

>>4584631
>Wait. Didn't she say that she'd keep you hidden until you were “presentable”? Some of these dates are in public places. Maybe you can put her on the backfoot, for once.

Maybe, just maybe this box will let us reject our rejection of humanity and give us our human form to shapeshift into when we go out in public.

>>4584631
>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>...ask her about your appearance. While you don't mind being in armor all day, sometimes you're going to have to show your face. Can it be altered, somehow?

We can use the Vouchers to gauge and improve our progress towards attracting a Princess / finding a wife.

Also thank you for playing this straight, without a bait & switch, it just means we need to think outside the box.

>>4584631
>Wait. Didn't she say that she'd keep you hidden until you were “presentable”? Some of these dates are in public places. Maybe you can put her on the backfoot, for once.
In before it turns out she has a monster fetish and is looking forward to being out on the town with some six meter tall lizardcatfungusman.

>>4584636
+1

>>4584631
>>Wait. Didn't she say that she'd keep you hidden until you were “presentable”? Some of these dates are in public places. Maybe you can put her on the backfoot, for once.
Is she into interracial or some shit ?

>>4584631
>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>>...ask her about your appearance. While you don't mind being in armor all day, sometimes you're going to have to show your face. Can it be altered, somehow?

While the other options are "haha funny" I feel like this is more of a consistent response.

>>4584631
>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>>...ask Endorai about the beast you killed. Can she give you its powers?
>>...ask her about your appearance. While you don't mind being in armor all day, sometimes you're going to have to show your face. Can it be altered, somehow?
inb4 we ask about public dates and she thinks there's nothing wrong with shopping in armour.

>>4584631
>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>...ask Endorai about the beast you killed. Can she give you its powers?

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>>4584631
We should give the vouchers to Chungus

>Take the loss, pocket the flipbook, and...
>>...ask Endorai about the beast you killed. Can she give you its powers?

>>4584631
>>Wait. Didn't she say that she'd keep you hidden until you were “presentable”? Some of these dates are in public places. Maybe you can put her on the backfoot, for once.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Calling the vote now. It's a five to five, so...

1-Talk
2-Date

Writin'

>>4584766
I'd like to bring up the fact of how sad it is that the witch is this desperate for affection. From a goblinized chimera man.

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>>4584631
Sometimes the only way out is through.

Steeling your resolve, you open the flipbook in its last few pages, the ones containing the dates.

“I will take you up on this then, Endorai.” You speak the words out before you think them, otherwise, they would get stuck in your throat. “How about a shopping trip?”

There are a thousand hopes running through your head: that she realizes that prancing around with an unknown man in full armor would affect her reputation, that most date activities can't be done with a helmet, that she's too busy, that she was just bluffing and you called it, and many more.

They're all dashed when you see her smile grow wolfish. She looks at you, like a lion in her den must look at a lost, headstrong lamb.

“Won~der~ful. I'll have to make preparations, but...” she kneels by your side, whispering in your ear. “...it will be worth your while...”

>Push it. The only way out is through. Say you want it tomorrow, now if possible. (Will require a roll to not spill spaghetti. You will get your questions answered no matter if it fails or succeeds.)
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.
>This was a mistake. It was all a mistake. Apologize, and ask your questions afterward.
>Write-In? (I'll decide if it requires a roll, gives a bonus, etc.)

>>4584800
>>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength. ( If we are satisfied give one headpat )
Best of both worlds

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.
Pray to fantasy Jesus later when we're alone so he can keep the thot away from your dick.
Sex is temporary.
Faith is forever.

>>4584394
Maybe, I guess we'd have to ask the witch to know who she was talking about. I didn't think she could read our mind in the moment. She might not even be accurate.

>>4584487
She's blunt, but saved our life. Only thing she really deserves is a thank you and a coupon to social interaction classes.

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

Also cash in a hug token right now.

>>4584766
I don’t get this roll, why is it a date for no reason ?
>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.
>Write-In? (I'll decide if it requires a roll, gives a bonus, etc.)
>"After all, if we're going out I should make sure to look my best."

>>4584835
The amount of votes for talking and for the attempt to tease Endorai by cashing in the date voucher were the same, and it didn't look like there was going to be a tie-breaker, so I rolled for the winning one, hence the coin-toss.
>>4584828
This seems to me like I've fucked up somewhere.
>“But perhaps this is less than what you expected?” You deliberate for a second as the witch walks circles around you, sashaying her hips. “You aren't satisfied with being a big goblin~ no, you want more.” You do want more. The heroes you want to be like slaughtered dragons and demons, and you are still a worm compared to them.
Is this the line you're thinking of? Because the one making the comparison is Zedek, towards the heroes of myth.
>>4584793
She's just having fun, anon. Insert vaguely ominous QM sentence here.
>>4584827
>fantasy Jesus
You've got six to choose from.

Also, there might not be an update tomorrow. I'm going to be busy.

>>4584800
What have we done?
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.
Tempted to pick the first option because maybe she gambles on making us more presentable before the date, but whatever.

Also QM, you've mentioned some cool names like the Prophet of Smiles and the Seven-Coloured Storm in the beginning, could you please explain who they are? Perhaps weave it into the narrative somehow or provide small infodumps with updates. I'd love to get more info about the world in general and I'd guess other anons would be interested as well.
>>4584793
>MC who has trouble returning affection
>A witch desperate for love
>An emotionless maid
Is this some twisted version of Evangelion?

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.
Can’t wait for us to spill more spaghetti than a drunken Italian
>>4584793
If the character pics are accurate, she should have no issues getting someone. So either she too much for most men, or this is a bizarro world where big breasts aren’t desirable

>>4584842
Ok, I know we were thinking about those, but I didn't think the witch would know that. I thought she would assume we wanted to catch up to the party that kicked us out. Looks like she knows us better than I thought.

>>4584846
Well, she appears to be very clingy. Makes sense that it would turn a lot of people off.

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

Alas, pushing through doesn't always grant one boons.
>>4584835
Zedek tried to be clever but failed, that's what happened.

>>4584843
>The Prophet of Smiles
The protagonist of the first book of the Poetic, or Mythic, Melapugna, a record of the first three of humanity's seven wars against Demon King Melas. His name changes depending on the translation, but you know him as Inpanu. After the first verse where he is bestowed the task of bringing happiness to everything by the gods (usually the Six Living Gods, but this an edit made by censors, the Poetic Melapugna precedes them by an unknown amount of time) he decides that while family, warmth, and food are what makes humans smile, death is the only joy a demon can find. Massacre follows. There are hundreds of apocryphal stories with him as a protagonist, several of them very popular with children, which is where your admiration for him started.

>The Seven-Coloured Storm
A shepherd that chases a dragon for killing his flock, eventually climbing the highest mountain in the world and making a pact with the seven spirits at its summit. He faces the beast in a climactic battle after adventuring through most of the known world, and is victorious, retiring to a paradise beyond the rainbow (an expression that historians haven't quite figured out yet, the main assumption is that it's a warrior's death earning him a glorious rest). The hero you empathize most with, given your common background.

As for more lore, I'll try to weave more into the narrative.

>>4584884
>your common background
Your similar background.

Sorry. my ESL is showing.

>>4584884
this some good shit , love the lore

>>4584885
It actually worked either way, its a common folk's background. Humble heroes from rural backgrounds.

>>4584631
>Each page has a single sentence, the words beyond your limited vocabulary, in neat calligraphy, and a scribble
Unless we're literally an illiterate peasant, perhaps there's some deeper meaning here we're not seeing. I want to hope, anyway. Otherwise my choice was worthless and I regret everything.
>>4584884
>Prophet of Smiles
>Seven-Coloures Storm
For a moment I thought these were references. Either way, I'm loving this stuff.
>>4584800
>Push it. The only way out is through. Say you want it tomorrow, now if possible

>>4584900
>Unless we're literally an illiterate peasant
I think we are. What backstory we know is that Zedek was from a small little hamlet, he probably isn't very literate. Especially with the mentions of an abusive father who wouldn't see the point in getting his son an education.

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

I think this scene rally solidified this as an anime quest. I mean the whole thing was MC trying to be slick and sly to try and get something from the witch, but completely butchers his attempt and ends up with agreeing to go on a date with the witch. If this isnt some ecchi anime bullshit I don’t know what is.

>>4584919
At least it ain't one of those fucking reverse harem travesties , some of that shit is traumatising

>>4584800
>You've made this bed, now you're going to lay in it. But try to salvage the night by asking about your chimerization, how to modify your appearance, and how to keep growing in strength.

Solid work Zedek. The first steps down the path of the bard, asking for dates.

>>4584941
>inb4 the witch turns out to be a dragon and we get a nat 20 on seduction

>>4584941
Pretty sure the witch is the bard here, and we're the target.

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>>4584800
The bed is made, and you'll have to be the one that lies in it.

You'll think of the coming date as a wound you've taken for this mistake in verbal combat. A mistake you'll never repeat.

On seeing you deflate, Endorai flashes a smug smile.

Well, if she's so happy, she can answer your questions.

“What's the limit of what I can obtain from a monster?” You ask.

Hearing that you have begun to ask about your new body, the witch seats in front of you. Argis appears from behind you, serving her mistress a glass of wine. She does not offer you one.

“I don't know. You're my first human chimera, and the first one that can hybridize with more races than the ones that went into its construction.” She sips her wine. “Tell me Zedek, what makes a goblin be different from a human? What separates the beasts of the sea from those of the land?”

Compared to what you usually get from her, this question is a breath of fresh air. Just for that, you decide to work your head thinking about it.

“Their birth? Their blood?” You offer.

“Correct, but not entirely. Sparagmos of Sapina proved that goblin wombs could be made to bear a human, without requiring the seed of a human man.” Your face contorts in disgust at the idea. “None of the children made it to term, but their corpses were indistinguishable from a human's.” Another sip of wine.

“I believe that much like there are spirits that govern over and beget lifeless matter, there's something that forces flesh to shape itself into the many races that dwell in this world. And like the base spirits are no more than eight, I suspect there's an approachable number of these “patterns of life”. Certainly less than the million species Noes of Fralgia and his pupils insist are unique and cannot cross, except when they do.” She finishes her glass, and Argis refills it.

You can't help but stare in disbelief: there's passion, genuine passion, in her voice. No teasing, no lewd tomfoolery. Like this, she's... bearable. You dare not interrupt her.

“If one could force these “patterns of life” to coexist and synergize, you'd end with a being better than the sum of its parts. An impossible thing, a chimera. The phenomenon exists in nature, and I won't bore you with the details, but I managed to replicate it for up to four “patterns of life”, and you're my possible proof that it can be applied up to the nth. There's also granularity to them, “levels” if you wish, but I have little useable proof on them.”

“So, by reuniting those patterns, I will get stronger?” Sensing her wind down, you ask.

“Yes, beyond imagination.” You feel she's exaggerating, but nod.

“Then, why not give me all the patterns you have available?”

(1/2)

>>4585022
“You would die, my Zedek. The patterns are forced to coexist, too many at once, without settling in, would... dissonate. You'd be reduced to a stew.” Sensing your next question, Endorai continues. “To settle the patterns you need to “strengthen” them, by getting more material of that pattern. I'll tell you when I detect a settled one.”

“I understand. What can be done about my face?” She gives you a playful look, but you continue before she can interrupt. “I don't mind wearing armor all day, but someday I'm going to have to show it.”

Nursing her cup, Endorai thinks for a minute.

“Casting a glamour on your face could be done now, but it would shatter the moment you fight or do anything rough, and anyone with a bit of knowledge would know something is off. Too costly to keep up.” She crosses her legs, one over the other. “Raising your magical talent until you can cast a polymorph spell, or else becoming a shapeshifter are better, long term solutions.”

Magic, huh? The thought didn't even cross your head. As Azzurro had so succinctly put, your magical potential is null, barely able to use ki or aura, not to speak of external mana. The realization that chimerization might change that strikes you. A long-buried hope reignites within you.

“Can. Can I learn magic?” You don't know what's in your eyes, but Endorai looks at them tenderly.

“Yes. Didn't I tell you there would be nothing you couldn't seize?”

You smile, despite yourself. You'll take her up on that.

In your good mood, a first when dealing with Endorai, you almost forget your final question.

“The beast I killed today, it could teleport. Can I get that?”

“Again, I do not know. Have you heard of Unique Monsters?” This time you know the answer, any warrior worth their salt would. They're misfortune manifest, a monster born with strange, unpredictable powers. Your village had to deal with a Dire Wolf that could turn itself into water and enter the village through the nearby river.

You nod.

“Then you know one of the few things that my theory cannot explain. Their powers are not related to the patterns. But, it can be tried. Any other questions?”

You shake your head, satisfied.

“Very well~, serious mode over.” Aaaand, she's back to insufferable. “Don't you think I deserve a hug for being such a good teacher?”

She's shared a lot of knowledge. But on the other hand, you needed to know this stuff to be of use to her, so.

>Give her the hug.
>>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
>Do not hug the witch. Be a sensible person.

You retire for the night, doing push-ups and crunches for an hour before going to sleep.

(2/3)

>>4585025
On the next day, you plan to. (Select One)

>Undergo further chimerization. (Material: Displacer Beast)
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)
>Go hunting in the area surrounding Tharazar. You might find something good. (Random Encounter)
>Familiarize yourself with Tharazar. (Non-Combat Event)

(3/3)

DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE DATE OF DEMISE (SHOPPING WITH ENDORAI): 3

>>4585025
>>Give her the hug and a headpat , fuck it I love this character
>>4585028
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)

>>4585025
>Give her the hug.
>>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
>Undergo further chimerization. (Material: Displacer Beast)
oh boy time for teleporting and tentacles

>>4585025
>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
We will give her a hug... BUT IT WILL BE ON OUR TERMS DAMMIT!
>>4585028
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)

>>4585052
going with this

>>4585025
>Do not hug the witch. Be a sensible person.
NoHug for you.

>>4585028
>Undergo further chimerization. (Material: Displacer Beast)
Teleport attempt time?

>>4585025
>Give her the hug.
Actually acting like a sane person for once, I think we can indulge her this time.
>>4585028
>Familiarize yourself with Tharazar.
Maybe we can catch wind of other interesting chimerization targets in the area.

>>4585028
>Give her the hug.
>>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
>Undergo further chimerization. (Material: Displacer Beast)

>>4585025
>>4585028
>Give her the hug, on the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)

>>4585025
>Give her the hug.
>>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
Better use them up and forget about the painful experience as soon as possible.
>>4585028
THE END IS NIGH
>Undergo further chimerization. (Material: Displacer Beast)

>>4585025
>On the condition that it counts as using the voucher.
Clever girl
>>4585028
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)

I'll stay out of the hug vote.
>>4585028
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)
The City itself doesn't like em, I'm guessing Goblins have a terrible reputation for good reason.
Having a pattern that isn't at least somewhat settled might make chimerization with the Displacer Beast unnecessarily risky.

>>4585028
>Give her the hug and a headpat , fuck it I love this character
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)
Stability is key

>>4585025
>Give her the hug.
You know what, yes. Because for all that she can be overwhelming, she has done a lot for us. Also, maybe it will condition her to associate being serious with affection.

>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)
So with there being different levels, does that mean that getting further Goblin patterns would make us do the standard JRPG pastiche evolution path for goblins? Goblin to Orc to Ogre to...well, it tends to diverge past here depending on source, but they tend to culminate at something along the lines of "Asura".

>>4585145
>maybe it will condition her to associate being serious with affection.
I wouldn't word it exactly like that, but yeah she might start to associate seriousness to getting actual affection from Zedek.

I don't know. I'm working and need to re-read the post, but probably? All I know is killing more = more stable strain of GENE's = Can cram more shit into your body.

>>4585025
>Give her the hug
>>4585028
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)
Let's try to reach "level 2" of our Goblin DNA before we try to add in something potentially unstable like the Displacer Beast

So what is the appeal to (you) for picking either the Displacer Beast, goblin hunting, or random encounter?

>>4585028
Actually, wait, how much personhood do goblins have? I don't want to become what's essentially a racist serial killer.

>>4585166
Depends on the species, the ones native to the area are basically rats with tool use. No higher thought, just a strong pack drive.

>>4585169
Skaven with green skin and no rat aids basically ?

>>4585169
hive mind powers against goblins? noice

>>4585170
Even dumber than skaven. Think not even sapient.

>>4585169
Alright, then, cool. Let's go kill a bunch of things that are uncomfortable hominid in appearance but possess no higher thought.

>>4585173
damn , this is easier than stealing candy from a baby , time to murderize some green mini mee's

>>4585234
Are you even suprised?

Being turned into a monster hidden by armor for power is giving me some Black Company Quest flashbacks

>>4585028
>Give hug
>Hunt for goblins, see if you can obtain enough corpses to “settle” their pattern. (Guaranteed Orcus Squirt Encounters)

>>4585234
Do you want to refuse something as small as a hug to the witch who we're trusting with our life?

>>4585610
>..nothing. You're more than experienced enough to find goblin dens on your own.
Since we're only looking to stabilise the pattern we can probably rely on the weaker opponents. If we need to rely on better stock it would be best to figure it out early.

File: D9FB81CB-434C-4272-83A2-E(...).jpg (59 KB, 1280x720)

59 KB JPG

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.

It’s time to kill some motherfucking goblins

>>4585610
>>..nothing. You're more than experienced enough to find goblin dens on your own

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.

Might as well, while locating them on our own is doable they would probably be on the know if there are lairs that need more immediate attention.

>>4585610
>>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.
Maybe we'll make some useful acquaintances in the process.

>>4585610
>..nothing. You're more than experienced enough to find goblin dens on your own.

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.
No harm in asking

>>4585613
We could get payed something to kill them, and if we do a good job then the guild might reserve dangerous jobs for us. Jobs that might entail dangerous creatures. Then we'll have two sources for where we can find things.

>>4585610
>Go ask around at the Adventurer's Guild, see if there's any information on big or threatening dens nearby.