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''No, no, no. That's what I call a lie, Arawn!'' A tiny rivulet of movement under Elina cloak further betrayed the inviting vulnerability caused by your ''insistence.'' ''I don't think I even played! Things ended with Vilma munching your soul!''

''Belphegor wouldn't have allowed you to wiggle out of the game, Elina.'' The fact that you were enjoying yourself immensely made you sound a little arrogant. ''We might have some trouble remembering but you can -feel- the truth, right?'' Now that you think about it... did Hao even play? Had you mistaken her victories for Vilma's? Why is it so hard to remember? You weren't drunk!

''What did you earn with those dices, Arawn?'' Curiosity and frustration blinded Klesiah usual decorum, motivating a hard slap on the table that made Ama laugh.

''The one thing any man of honor could wish for.'' Whilst your knight is looking mighty intimidating right now, you felt no pressure for you spoke from your heart! ''The privilege of touching the monstrous bits that help make Mamonos such wonderful people!''

You injected a little too much passion in your tone, resulting in a nearly still tavern, only the noises of Mina nonchalant steps resonated, almost sounding like the clockwork.

''Let's play a game right now.'' Zhu suddenly said, rising to her feet. ''Lemme earn the privilege of touching a man manly bits.''

''Hell no!''

''I concur.'' The fluffy witch proceeded to follow the swordswoman. This is getting out of hand!

Your attention strayed toward Hildegarde in a silent plea for aid but the maid simply stared in this strange expression of calm disbelief, remaining indifferent to your plight.

''You'll do no such thing.'' Elina, thankfully, imposed herself by also standing up. ''This is just between me and Arawn, no need to make things even more complicated!'' For some reason, Mina placed a hand on her shoulder.

There goes keeping your name quiet in the tavern. Oh well, didn't work last time.

''Indeed.'' Your stalwart knight thankfully stepped in and placed her hand on your shoulder? ''Let's take care of this little complication now.''

''Huh? hold on!'' Mina second hand gently gripped Elina shoulder, forcing the angel to step away from the table... your knight did the same to you.

''You three will stay here and wait until this business is over.'' The blue knight imposed herself, nodding to her divine guardian. Mina let go of Elina, whose countenance changed into grim despair, looking at the stair as if it was the guillotine of her impending execution.

''Ooooh come on!'' Ama whined all six of her fiery tails sashayed behind her in a whirlwind of annoyance.

''Milady, would you like to accompany us?'' Klesiah completely ignored the witch and turned to invite the quiet Shereen.

''H-huh?'' Your little sun blinked in surprise yet rose to her feet. ''Sure.'' She responded, growing increasingly willful the more seconds she spent observing your knight. ''I was thinking it was befitting of me to supervise.''

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''This is not how that game went I feel it! Arawn, you are a dirty opportunistic! We need a damn ritual of memory or whatever, I'm being oppressed here!''

It was only when Elina was forced through the threshold of one of your party rented rooms that she finally stopped complaining. Her boundless panic and frustration stilled into grim acceptance, no end of embarrassment, and excitement?

The room was comfortable. Spacious, with a good amount of furniture, a lamp, a carpet, and a closed window, feeling relaxed here wouldn't be difficult.

Elina went to sit on the large double bed, somehow galvanized by a feeling of courage and frustration to let her long cape flow on the ground before anyone could say anything, and promptly worked to loosen the pair of heavy belts keeping her wings imprisoned. Two marvelous limbs of rosy-red colors stretched in all their splendors, taking their full two meters lengths of deployment before Klesiah finished lighting the lamp despite the angel halo being already sufficient for the room.

''W-whoa, somehow it feels even more impressive to see them here...'' Shereen commented, her awkwardness at being dragged in here was gone.

A new atmosphere truly does change perspective. Elina wings made the room feel small.

''It's no big deal.'' Grumbled the shiny blond, her nervousness caused a few flaps that, in turn, created a magical refreshing wind in the closed room.

''Indeed it's not.'' Having put your magitek gauntlet on a table, the hypnotic temptation of wonderful heavenly appendages was far, far too strong to resist. You won fair and square back then... That, at least, you know most of all! Having a small audience wasn't going to hold you back, not anymore!

''You...Hrm!'' Elina remained staunchly proud, her wings flapped out of reach when you briefly touched one but she calmed down, glared at you, and allowed you to feel what you've rightfully earned.

You've always believed her angelic wings to be soft and it was no mirage. Her feathers felt like fur to your touch, the entire length of the wing was covered in countless, tiny feathers that, once you put your palm on them, revealed themselves as the softest thing you've ever touched. As you put a little strength in your limb, you discovered the wing itself felt a little flexible, almost like skin and sinking a finger-

''Kuh!''

This resulted in a protest from the angel who continued to keep a sulky silence. The wing also had another wondrous trait: a soft, barely perceptible wind constantly reached out to push against your touch. When you stopped putting strength into your limb and let it rest, your hand moved gently along Elina rosy-red surface, as if carried by the fluffiness of her wing!

Fascinating, majestic, precious...

''Ah!? What are you...?'' Contact was momentarily severed when Elina flapped her wings in surprise (you didn't mind at all being slapped by the one you were touching) when Klesiah went to rub the other wing.

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Damn it, you were just about to start on that one! Wait, Klesiah?

''Oh... it's soft, that windy phenomenon is fascinating.'' Your knight completely ignored the attention she'd gathered and looked to Shereen. ''Come here, try it.''

''Hold on now...'' Elina protested weakly, her wings returned to their previous position, allowing you to run your hands along its surface again.

''I've never read anything about angels wings.'' Shereen ignored the angel and walked beside Klesiah. While she didn't outright say it, it was clear the princess was tempted to try.

And try she did. Elina gave your little sun a genuine fearful glance as she saw the princess's natural claws reach for her wing but Shereen was careful and soon enough, a shudder of genuine pleasure ran through your stalwart, angelic friend. Shereen animalistic hands accompanied Klesiah in exploring the rosy-red surface of Elina addictive softness.

Yes...

''G-guys?''

You'll need to find some excuse to rub them again, it's like all the built-up stress of the last few days has gathered into your fingertips to be ejected and absorbed into those glorious fluffed appendages!

''I don't remember agreeing to a three-way molestation!''

No matter her complaints, Elina honest feelings were the opposite of unpleasant, whatever resistance she put folded like paper whilst her wing bent to everyone else wills. Time became a complication to ignore as you used both of your hands to continue exploring the long length of the angel wing...

''Eep!?'' Shereen suddenly squealed.

Klesiah had reached for your little sun head and grabbed one of her ears, promptly going for a deep scratch that made the canine girl bend her head cutely, her long dark tail swished sideways from the sensation.

''You know...'' Klesiah began as she looked at you in genuine pride. ''...Ever since we encountered Hecate, I've had to repress urges unbefitting a knight. Our friend is an adorable mothgirl, she's looked so fluffy and fuzzy yet the only ones who could enjoy her softness were you and Zhu!''

''I-I'm not a moth!'' Shereen interjected yet she didn't put any effort into getting away from Klesiah touch.

''Indeed you aren't.'' The blue knight agreed... and didn't say anything else, she opted to let her hand speak for her with more deep scratches that made your ''living sun'' growl, squeal and laugh in random orders whilst Elina felt little hints of fear toward Klesiah who, clearly, wasn't the submissive doll one could mistake her to be. That confession today had broken something inside her, it might be for the best.

''Let's remedy that next time we meet our wayward friend.'' Your comment caused a gentle rush of bubbly happiness to flow out of your knight.

Elina wings and now Shereen tail twitched nervously under the indulgent assault of Klesiah... Goodness, this truly had been one of the best ideas you've had but... Maybe you can indulge in your little sun too?

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>There's more fluffiness to indulge in. Shereen dark tail is mighty inviting, Elina's wing is a wonder you can continue to explore... have at it! Tonight might be your last! Continue until interrupted!

>Show some restraint. The girls don't look uncomfortable... but maybe you can let Klesiah have her fun and perhaps tease her about it later?

>Tease Klesiah. You doubt she ever showed such openness toward her desires before. You aren't the only one tempted by the allure of fantastic appendages after all.

>Free.

>>4612932
>Show some restraint. The girls don't look uncomfortable... but maybe you can let Klesiah have her fun and perhaps tease her about it later?
We should be able to get the others at a future date

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Keep it cool Arawn, keep it under control... With some effort, you manage to reduce the manic fog clouding your mind, the sheer joy that spread into your body from the tiniest touch of Elina wing was like a drug... one you had to resist else you'd end up pulling Shereen into a hug!

''Whilst I can't speak for the past, I can assure you that I've never been ashamed of my... love.'' In all honesty, calling your obsession for what it was would be plain truth, you'd rather avoid giving Elina a chance for her opinion of yourself to sink even more.

''I understand, my lord.'' Said the knight fully indulging the near-molestation of a heavenly wing and a dark furry ear. ''Back then, we didn't have the luxury of time and could barely get to know the few Mamonos we did happen to see but now... things are different.''

She didn't need to say anything else. She'd been dragged out of her knightly shell kicking and screaming earlier today, something she'd built for herself through years of hard work and belief in ''natural'' self-sacrifice. Always honorable, never risk lowering the opinion of her lord... In the few hours since then, she's had more than enough time to investigate your linked souls and sense for herself that her fistfight with Zhu and her love confession had reversed her fears. Not the best of outcomes given your indecision but good enough.

''D-did you drag me here so you could touch me too!?'' Shereen managed to extract herself out of Klesiah grasp after one too many scratches on the root of her ear. Her foot had stomped the ground a few time... Knightly magic fingers?

''Yes.'' Klesiah answer couldn't be anymore blunt and honest.

''W-well... Um...'' As always, Shereen faltered in front of pure sincerity. ''...You can't just touch the Living sun so casually!''

''The fact that my hand did not burn from this ignominy has only emboldened my desire, milady.'' Bereft of canine fluff, Klesiah went back to pat the wing before her as Shereen looked at her, then you, with this familiar expression of sudden realization... She understands now that both human (as close to human as elves are, anyway) in the room were menaces to decorum and good senses... behind closed doors.

''Are we done now?'' Elina complained.

''Not even close.'' You responded.

''I'm hungry! Please let me keep my chastity!'' Her barrage of complaints went unheard...

...You and Klesiah were forced to stop when the door opened later on. By then, Elina cheeks had grown red and her balance was threatened by the sensation of countless pets and scratches. You and Klesiah had moved on the bed to trail the solid path linking wings to her skin and would have begun scratching the roots joining mundane to fluffy fantasy.

''Holy shit.'' That remark put a definitive end to your reward.

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A dizzying wave of embarrassment explored out of Elina and she embraced Focus in a panic, sending you and Klesiah crashing on the ground as a room-shaking wind exploded out of her, sending all two chairs violently clattering on the ground, nearly smashing Zhu face with the door she held open.

''W-what are yoouuuuu doiiiiiing here!? What have you guys beeeen doooooooooooiing!?'' The poor angel yelled, pointing and yelling at everyone, even innocent (complicit) Shereen.

''Bout time for the bath, everything all prepped up.'' Zhu answered, her broad grin made it obvious that she'd collected dangerous ammunitions.

''O-oh... Well then, I... We've supervised my moon honorable conduct and can affirm that nothing untoward happened.'' At least your sun has your back.

''Huh-uh.'' Zhu wasn't impressed. ''So Arawn yo-''

''Don't say a word!'' You interjected in a panic.

''Coming for another round?'' Her grin couldn't be any fucking wider. Her statement had the intended effect, throwing a cold bucket on Elina and Klesiah would have been a lesser shock.

And during that incredibly tense silence, Shereen understood that it was time to leave and promptly left you alone, using her small frame to sneak through the half-open door.

''Another round?'' Elina question sounded like an accusation. The fact she was little more than putty under your and Klesiah hands five minutes ago was nothing more than a forlorn memory now...

''What did she mean by this, Arawn?'' Klesiah plainly asked, she already knew the answer.

''Just the usual teasing.'' You answered in a panic forced to step back as both ladies closed on you.

''Aw cmon nothing amazing.''

''Will you shut up!?'' You interrupted the one-eyed swordswoman.

''We came here before getting to Myrtidal.'' She was determined to do the exact opposite of what you wanted. ''Warm water a luxury y'know? Those baths are big and comfy so why not have him over? He's been a good boy anyhow.''

''Is that so?'' Both ladies said with ominous synchronization. The Soul links are turning against you!

>''That is so. I intended to wash off at the earliest opportunity, let's go.'' Brave. Fearless. Foolish.
>''I got dragged in there against my well, tonight doesn't have to be a repeat!'' A proper gentleman would sit this one out...right?
>''If you have to ask, I regret nothing.'' Let things happen. What little agency you have with getting a bath is fleeting at best.
>Free.

>>4613100
>''If you have to ask, I regret nothing.'' Let things happen. What little agency you have with getting a bath is fleeting at best.

I'm not sure that we could mange to flee from our fate, regardless of our actions. Nor would we really want to.

>>4613100
Damnit I'm late! Oh well, it probably wouldn't have ended well if we lost control of ourselves.

Well, Zhu's gonna follow us if we stay out and try to have her way with us again. What's the difference between letting things happen and being bold? Do we end up in the mixed bath with the girls either way?

>>4613112
>What's the difference between letting things happen and being bold? Do we end up in the mixed bath with the girls either way?
Mostly a change in attitude but you might not get a chance to wash up if you stay passive... at least, depending on Klesiah and Elina mood. Or you'd get dragged in there either way, who knows. You'll be at the girls whims. Being bold will at least give Arawn a leg to stand on.

>>4613116
Well, we have been a good boy. Very good in fact. I want to end up in the bath with the girls. Whatever option gets us in there is OK with me. Is Ama going to be in there too?

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>>4613120
Do you even have to ask?
I suppose we can let things happen then.

>>4613121
>That pic
Funny, but I don't think following the advice of a Baphomet devoted to Slaanesh is a good idea.

Try to ensure we have someone between us and Ama in there. She's going to molest us with her fluffy tails! If she wants to do that she'd better offer us something in return!

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''If you have to ask, I regret nothing.'' Feel no fear, hear no shame. They felt your pure, undiluted truth. Whatever it is they can do is meaningless for you have already won.

''Is that so?'' Now standing as comrades, Elina and Klesiah looked at you with brimstones frustrations that somehow felt harmless, which only worked to further fuel this passion into a self-fulfilling prophecy of brashness.

''Why would a man regret spending time in a bath after all?'' You felt Elina wing tapping your back when she moved beside you and grabbed your hand.

''Right.'' Klesiah went the other way, grabbing your second hand with both of hers. Damn it! Where's that united front against the angel!? What a quick change in momentum! ''Nothing shameful at all. You wouldn't mind making more memories that you wouldn't regret, right, my lord?''

''Heehehehe.'' Zhu laughed as you tried to defend yourself. ''Let's go, ladies.''

--

Truly, the world move in mysterious ways. Now standing inside the changing room by your lonesome, excited chatter and Ama naturally deep voices reached your ears whilst most of the party had gone ahead to give you one last chance at decency. Your fluffy nemesis had imposed herself and that made Elina and Klesiah suspiciously possessive, how things will go in there, well...

''Are you okay without cleaning yourself?'' You ask the only lady outside the room.

''Do not worry, I'll be fine. I'll find another opportunity to tease you.'' Mina responded. She had elected to stand guard, making you simultaneously glad and fearful. With one last glance at your magitek gauntlet, you wrapped a thick towel around your waist and entered what was, undeniably, a glimpse of heaven.

Inside the big communal bath was almost a crowd... of naked ladies. Wherever you looked that wasn't the ceiling was risky flesh and so, with a quick prayer to the Father stoicism and hopeful forgiveness toward Mother Earth, you grabbed your courage and looked forward as a suspicious giggle erupted from one of the baths.

Your instincts saw Zhu first because this damn shameless woman was sitting inside a small pool without making an effort to hide, giving another dose of frontal nudity with numerous scars traveling her flesh that had, slowly but surely, begun to tan under Muribel harsh sun. Thankfully her odd sight didn't make you realize you were looking but Shereen reaction gave away your attention.

Your little sun had jumped into the water when you opened the door and now bubbled wordless words as half her face stayed underwater, leaving her head of black hair and upright dark ears in the air. Occupying the last spot of the circle bath was...

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Ama had discarded her disguise. Nine purely white tails hovered around her naked body, her skin almost reflected the paleness of the moon, looking similar to Hildegarde porcelain arms. With equally long white, wet hair clinging to her generous form, the deep redness of the witch eyes didn't simply stand out, they shone with dangerous predatory intent. Her confident nakedness oozed raw seduction in a different way than Zhu... Playful was the perfect word to describe your comrade but to see your nemesis standing right here before you, without a shred of clothes, soaked in warm water, somehow contrasting between vulnerability and predatory intent...

It made you feel aggressive in a way that you liked.

She's responsible for Throne Town. She's responsible for Throne Town.. Keep this mantra to heart!

''Evening, good prince.'' The witch welcomed you and then, from the world ether (Shereen embraced Focus, could they talk wordlessly?) her pipe materialized, adding a long trail of purple smoke into the steamy atmosphere of the big bathroom.

Staying outside the water, for now, Elina and Klesiah stood side by side, your knight helped the angel clean her wing. Both had wrapped a towel around their bodies but you could still see their long, slender, muscled legs.

Finally, on the far back was Hildegarde submerged in one of the auxiliary baths. Alone, ignored, and looking happy about it too. Her wet hair clung to her body and what hints of arms and flesh you saw further reinforced her doll-like, unapproachable impression. Time spent in your party had thankfully made you understand she wasn't at all hostile to company and, in current circumstances, she looked to be the sanest person around.

''My lord.'' Klesiah sounded sarcastic. A first. ''Choose your spot.''

Oh. Oooooooh... So that's the game. The pressure that's been lingering around the room nearly suffocated you.

Ama, Elina, Klesiah, Zhu. Four predators... and it seems the girls had come to some kind of understanding when you took your sweet time changing. Even Ama of all people is being docile!

>Join the main bath with Ama, Shereen and Zhu. Show this vixen you do not know the meaning of fear, protect your little sun from her machinations!
>Elina and Klesiah are the ones who dragged you in here, join them. Surely nothing will happen, not with your honorable knight and adorably shy winged comrade.
>This bath is a nuthouse and the only sane one here is Hildegarde. Go next to her, deny everyone else the pleasure of teasing you.
>Free

>>4613253
>This bath is a nuthouse and the only sane one here is Hildegarde. Go next to her, deny everyone else the pleasure of teasing you.

Allow the others to make the first move, I guess we're what they are after right. Don't show favoritism.

>>4613253
Could we invite or otherwise get Hilde to accompany us over to where Ama is? I do want to try to get her out of her shell but I also don't want Ama to have free reign to plant dangerous ideas in Shereen's innocent little head!

>>4613283
>Could we invite or otherwise get Hilde to accompany us over to where Ama is?
Nope. Not at first, anyway. The opposite will work though.

>>4613286
So we have to go over to Hilde and then convince her to accompany us or do we have to go over to Ama and wave her over?

>>4613293
Hild will need some convincing to come over but Ama will have no trouble following you.

>>4613300
I think it'd be better to go over and try to convince Hilde. I have a feeling that she'll just move away if we have Ama in tow. After all, Ama said she intends to "play" with her charge after all this. She does not like Bad Fluffy.

>>4613274
>>4613314
Alright, two votes for Hildegarde with the intent of bringing her into the main bathing area. I'll update tomorrow, but I'm still locking votes since I'll write tonight.

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''Heehehe. Knew it.'' Ama makes this remark as you boldly walk past her. One of her tails brushes against your leg as you make the effort of ignoring her and settle near Hildegarde.

''Really?'' The maid says, deadpan, looking at you with an accusatory stare, watery splashes resounding around her as she hugs herself. You make an effort to avoid looking into the clear water as you turn your back to her. Temptations still made you catch a brief glimpse of her body... Her forms aren't generous like Ama or Zhu but her finely sculpted feminine elegance made for a different charm that easily rivaled the vixen seductiveness.

''Bad idea?'' You ask, utterly failing at hiding your awkwardness. Elina and Klesiah were watching you like hawks whilst helping one another washes as if they were the best of friends. The movement of your knight body-Look away! Her towel is slipping!

''There are no other baths next to me.'' The maid continues, the noises of splashing water betrays her movement no matter how subtle she tries to be. What is she doing? ''So I'm the safe option?''

''I was thinking of bringing you into the main bath.'' Said bath looked dangerous. Ama tails slithered through air and water like vipers, looking at you in smug satisfaction as she delicately washed Shereen's long hair. ''You...'' A pause, your heart began to race when Elina and Klesiah shared passionate emotions reached you, demanding an effort of will to keep the stoicism Hildegarde found respectable. ''Looked lonely.''

That's honestly all it was, Hildegarde almost looked like a pariah by remaining submerged in that isolated tub.

''There's no need to worry about me. I'm not easily afflicted by loneliness and even when it happens, sitting in comfortable company is enough to cure my woes.'' Hildegarde responds gently, the noise you hear behind you -splashing water, droplets landing on your skin- betrayed a suspicious purpose that made you anticipate something. Thankfully, Zhu began a conversation with Ama (asking the fox about her bathing habits of all things) so that gave you some kind of distracting shield.

''My apology, it seems I've made myself believe your feelings.'' Despite being nearly naked in the company of many women bereft of clothes, this polite, comfortable conversation with Hildegarde was calming you down, the cloud of dangerous lust was lessening and with it, temptation of the flesh dried into a simple, easily controllable feeling instead of being a burden to manage.

That is until you felt Hildegarde hands on your back. Your entire body straightened so damn quick that you got lucky not to pull a muscle. Her limbs had been warmed by the water so their solid, porcelain consistency did not make her gentle touch uncomfortable, much the opposite. She trailed the length of your body gently, rubbing a bar of soap with practiced tenderness

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''You're a man, being the center of attention is normal.'' Hildegarde continued, completely ignoring your discomfort. ''I do appreciate the concern, before you and the rest of your party came along, I've only known three people who'd worry about my wellbeing, I'm not used to company. Let alone a group worthy of trust... Minus a fox.''

Kreszen queen, her husband and Anais?

''I-I see.'' It was impossible to relax, not with Elina and Klesiah throwing jealous daggers your way and feeling Hildegarde's hands move behind your shoulders, you heard -then felt- the maid well-trained body touching you as she got closer, almost intimately so!

''Is there a problem?'' Now she's bloody teasing you. Hildegarde hands moved to your lower back, you did your best to resist a groan. She's good, despite her hardened limbs and what must be deadened sensations, those fingers were magical.

''M-maybe there will be one soon.'' You stated as Klesiah got to her feet, pawing at the towel covering her decency then helped Elina with hers, rolling it in a way that'd be comfortable for her wings.

''Something rising upfront?'' Gods damn it, woman. ''I'll give the witch some credit. She made us all agree that whoever you sat next to would earn the privilege of washing you, even I was forced to agree if I wanted a little peace of mind but it seems you'll be attracting troubles from you lovers either way.''

''L-lovers? Hold on now there's been huh...'' Numbness weighted your lips, nervousness slowed your tongue, Klesiah and Elina giggled and began walking toward you. ''...It's too soon to think like that.''

''Mh. Milady Anais would relish the chance of teasing you. Do you need me as your shield then, mysir? Will you lead me into the communal bath before you get dragged away by a mythical angel and your loyal knight?''

This maid is playing with you and enjoying every second. A deeply embedded sadistic streak is coming to the surface, at your expense of course.

''H-hold on if whoever I sit with earns a special privilege what'll happen if I go into the circle?''

Hildegarde's silence was telling enough. Go and find out.

The damn witch corrupted your party! This bath is a trap against your chastity!

>Remain tactical against adversity. Use Hildegarde sarcastic comment against her, bring her with you into the main bath. The girls made a contest; by diluting the prize, you'll surely earn peace of mind!

>Remain where you are in Hildegarde good company. You've embraced the concept of being an immovable wall, Elina and Klesiah arrival will not... complicate...anything.

>Foolhardy is the man who doesn't understand when to make a tactical retreat. You might not have finished washing yourself but you've done enough to get rid of the grime. Now run, these women are feral! Nowhere is safe!

>Free.

>Remain tactical against adversity. Use Hildegarde sarcastic comment against her, bring her with you into the main bath. The girls made a contest; by diluting the prize, you'll surely earn peace of mind!

How awkward, I love it!

I do need to catch up on this, though. Last time I checked, Ama was a bitter enemy and we were rallying our forces against her .And now here she is in a bath with us, with the rest of our friends. How did this happen.

>>4614084
>Remain tactical against adversity. Use Hildegarde sarcastic comment against her, bring her with you into the main bath. The girls made a contest; by diluting the prize, you'll surely earn peace of mind!

This is how things work right?

>>4614090
We're sort of allies of convenience because we managed to walk into a 'Bigger' bad doing potentially World altering stuff that wouldn't be a good time for anyone, and we would be completely out of our depth if we had to face her with just our current party alone.

>>4614093

Ooh, so we went from bad to worse, heh. Arawn has this talent to get entangled in the biggest messes.
Good thing we still have chances for levity like this, hehe.

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>>4614090
>Last time I checked, Ama was a bitter enemy and we were rallying our forces against her .And now here she is in a bath with us, with the rest of our friends. How did this happen
Short version: She used the excuse of stopping someone even more dangerous than her to insert herself in the party while submitting to Shereen authority. Arawn still has no idea how honest she is but she's been acting admirably... so far. This anon also put it succinctly >>4614093

>>4614093
Hoho, two quick votes. Arawn can be bold when he wants to I see.

>>4614084
Bring her with us into the main bath. That was our original intent and this little game won't dissuade us.

>>4614090
Ama is now bound to Shereen like Mina is to Klesiah. Short version of why: Shereen's mom intends to sacrifice the entire nation's populace to attain apotheosis/true godhood. This means Anais will die as well. Ama doesn't want that, we don't want that, so we've formed a temporary alliance to ensure that doesn't happen.

Devils we know, lesser of two evils, ya get the picture. Plus only Ama (and maybe Mina) really knows jack shit about pearl magic and that's what we're gonna face when we roll up on that scaled bitch. Or could use, we have two awakened Death Pearls now...

Hmm, very intriguing.

I am eager to re-read everything from the beginning to refresh on things, it's been far too long X3

At the very least, as long as choices are more of a fun thing and less of a tactical, survival, iportant choices, I won't feel bad for voting with very reduced context.

>>4614108
We will be heading into combat somewhat soon, since it is possible that get interrupted on the way to our destination by a long range patrol on the way back to the capital where there is a 'friendly' invasion force with the rest of our friends.

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A pair of intense feelings reverberated into your body as Elina and Klesiah had somehow created a united purpose to get -not reach but get- you. Somehow images of a mother bear with a cub, a wolf with her youngs, conjured themselves in your mind. This is probably some unconscious coping with fear, there's no motherliness in them!

''My old shield broke, I could use a new one!'' Your voice changed at the end, becoming almost a squeak. Aaaah shame! Shame!

You didn't allow Hildegarde to reply. You forced her out(rather, she allowed herself to) of the bath with one hand, held onto your towel with the other, and carefully raced on the wet ground, promptly leaving behind the stupefied angel and knight.

''Coming through!'' There wasn't any need to warn anyone but you had to say something before hitting the water! You heard a healthy guffaw before submerging yourself and then, for a blissful moment, all noises degraded into the mushy noise of underwater current...

...Then you opened your eyes and saw legs. Beautiful legs, pale like the moon, healthy peach with a few dangerous lines marking old battles, beautiful exotic brown. A second was enough to imprint a powerful memory.

''W-what are you doing!?'' Shereen yelled at the top of her lungs when you reemerged. The poor girl was hugging herself, using her tail to further shield her body from your gaze, and seeing Zhu complete nonchalance and Ama unending mocking laughter, she moved beside her second moon and forced her to move.

''Just taking a bath.'' You answered her far too late. Putting yourself underwater had been immensely comfortable, really but goodness gracious...

Zhu utter shamelessness made her stand comfortably upright, her nakedness felt almost familiar now and she flaunted it with a confident pride that made her so much more inviting. Curvaceous, slim, scarred, trained; all these praises wrapped inside a decidedly feminine package belonging to an inviting older warrior-woman made words useless. She knew it, you knew it. All she needed to do is stay there to tempt you.

It was a good thing for Shereen to have moved behind her because she, too, possesses charms that'd break any man's fortitude. Short she may be, her body wasn't exactly small, the few glimpses you caught had revealed a developed body befitting her little majesty, a charm wholly different from everyone else; Shereen aura was one of irresistible vulnerability, making you want to simultaneously protect and own her.

Aah... Lust is eroding your sanity. Or perhaps it is finally giving you clarity: all of these girls possess irresistible charms in bodies and souls.

Everyone but one.

''Humhum, welcome home my dear.'' The seduction oozing out of Ama didn't need emphasis, you might as well call her the avatar of lust.

In the excitement, the vixen had discarded her only barrier of decency and slithered toward you like the viper she was.

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''Ssssshaaaaa!'' That was the only thing your conscious mind could say to keep her at bay and it worked... for a second. Her luscious pale lips curved into a cruel smile then opened into a theatric, yet honest, guffaw.

Ama existence and beauty were downright criminal, an image of the perfect woman. Curvy, seductive, healthy, yet incredibly dangerous... all nine of her white tails pointed to you, giving the illusion of trapping you in a cage, her vulpine ears stood upright atop a head of drenched, heavy platinum hair. Each steps carrying her closer made her hips dance, her breasts bounces and you could only watch as she ignored your warning to grab one of your arms.

''Oi, I'm here to wash myself, woman!'' You didn't have the strength... no, you actually didn't want to throw her off. Maybe it'll ruin the atmosphere, maybe it'll send her crashing on Zhu, maybe you're just making excuses.

''And were here to help, my lord Prince.'' She answered far too smoothly then hugged your arm between her breasts. The pumping of her heart made you shudder, she was warm, so warm... Her face inched closer and, at the last moment, you grabbed your good sense by the horns and turned your face. Her lips landed on your cheek in an audible kiss.

The bath was a trap of course who could have guessed, right! You totally didn't see it coming! It's not a trap if you walk into it!

''Am I witnessing insanity?'' Hildegarde, bless her soul, walked closer... Wait, this doesn't help! Her body is touching you

''Of couuuurse not.'' The fluffy witch responded, turning her head to look at the stoic bodyguard, wet hair and ear tickled your skin. ''Stress, my dear, is the mind-killer and it needs a powerful discharge. This poor man burden has been unbelievable ever since he came to Muribel, a little luxury isn't only harmless, but deserved.''

''Whose responsible for his trouble?'' Hildegarde said mercilessly.

''Whose responsible for yours?'' The fox retort ended that little argument.

''Aaah!'' Klesiah frustrated scream resonated in the enclosed room. ''To hell with it! Good sense, decorum, proper romance, and wholesome dating are dead! You hear me!? Dead!''

You heard the towel before it landed on your face. ''Ooof!?'' You wobbled on your feet, putting far too much theatric in your weakness, Ama tails coiled around your legs to keep you upright. What nearly made you slip was the new body jumping in the water, causing a sudden current to splash all over you then Klesiah naked body occupied your second flank.

''You don't get to put your paws all over him you nasty whore!'' What fury! What possessiveness! ''He's still a virgin, you can't just... fuck him!'' What the bloody hell are you saying now, woman!?

''Oooh? My dear, Arawn has his desire as you can see.'' Ama made a movement in the water, toward your crotch. ''A clear head is vital for the coming trials, there's nothing wrong with having a little, hm... communal secret.''

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Wise men always say that is it better to remain silent than open your mouth and confirm yourself a fool. This time you disagreed but when you did open your mouth, no words came out because you really couldn't say a damn thing. Ama statement was backed by physical, undying, proofs. Not the only thing being backed You thought to yourself, if Gardy was here, would he laugh?

''That's... I mean it's normal. He's a good, healthy man.'' Klesiah growled, pulling on you a little harder. Her body felt warm, soft yet also hardened, her stomach was iron, the lack of-
No, don't even think about that. She is NOT lacking!

''Indeed everything is normal. Let's wash him up real good, every inch, as we agreed.'' Continued the smooth fox woman.

''Don't I have a say in this!?'' You interjected.

''No.'' Ama didn't relent. From behind you heard soft claps of watery movement. Did Elina enter the bath?

''Hell no...'' Anger, fiery, possessive, loving anger, burst out of Klesiah. ''...I'd rather suck his cock right here than letting you touch him, you hear me!? You'll, you'll just give him diseases I bet you poisonous bitch or-or or....aaa...!?'' And truly did bury her common sense for a few dangerous seconds.

''BAHAHAHA-gwarl'' Zhu exploded in raucous laughter, lost her footing, and began drowning underwater.

Meanwhile, pure, sincere horror radiated out of Klesiah, her deep, beautiful blue eyes looked at you with such sincere embarrassment and regret that you just couldn't look back... Ooh dear knight.

''Heeeheheheheheheh.'' Ama laugh was this ugly, witchery cackle of pure selfish mischief.

''Aaaaah! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!'' Your precious knight yelled in pure agony and with all the hard trained athletism and dexterity she imposed on herself, jumped out of the bath and ran.

''Ya don't get to run after thaaaaaaaat!'' Like a monster from a cruel fairy tail, Zhu jumped out of her underwater tomb and gave chase, her naturally longer limbs and superior athletism allowed her to grab Klesiah before she could escape from the changing room.

''Awa...awawawa...'' Sometimes elven ears can be a curse. Shereen muttered this noise and you realize that, during this excitement, your towel had come undone, and with the water being crystal clear...

Your precious Sun was still hugging herself but her shiny green gaze was locked directly where it shouldn't and to put a final nail on any kind of denial, she said. ''...Not at all like the books.''

Elina wings broke the spell, prompting Shereen to escape underwater.

''Elina...'' You croaked toward your precious angelic comrade. From the corner of your eye, you witnessed Hildegarde holding her mouth, shoulders shaking in mirth. Good for you, maid. Good for you.

''Yeah.'' She responded simply, her anger and frustration were gone, replaced by beautiful sympathy.

''...All I did was enter the bath.''

''Yeah.''

Lord Father, I hope you aren't looking.

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''Lemme go!'' Klesiah yelled from the changing room.

''Hell no, ya don't get to walk back from this darling, I'll show you how it's done if I have t-'' Zhu booming voice was interrupted by a sudden violent zap of thunder. ''Ooooh MAN!'' She continued afterward. ''Now that's what I call living!''

''Nooooooo!'' Klesiah wailed in despair.

Zhu had captured her blueberry friend and hoisted her on her shoulder, effort-

Bloody hell Klesiah is completely naked!

''In two weeks you'll look back fondly on this entire night!'' Elina suddenly commented. Maybe that was true, but tonight is still tonight!

''This isn't how a romance is supposed to gooo!'' Klesiah sounded childish instead of what you first thought as agony. The link also revealed-

No, no no don't go looking there Arawn! Not in these circumstances! This is getting out of hands!

Or is it?

>Will lewdness happen? [Supplementary pastebin will be posted eventually]
>Will mommy Mina crash this insane party? [No lewdness.]

Whatever the choice, the bath is over. Arawn is one lucky man, aint he? Also, don't fear too much about your relationships, a little indulgence won't break your bonds. Of course, this will change some things but hey, sometimes a little chaotic insanity can be good. Ama having fun at least!

Continuation tomorrow, at least I'll try my best.

>>4614251
>Will lewdness happen? [Supplementary pastebin will be posted eventually] It would be worth it to mirror any pastebin that gets made elsewhere as well since they have been stepping up their purges.

Catharsis is probably necessary at this point so we can recenter ourselves before the upcoming fight(s). And make some (Nice?) memories, which may also prove to be a very useful resource for when things go badly.

>>4614276
>It would be worth it to mirror any pastebin that gets made elsewhere as well since they have been stepping up their purges.
Right, I'm not to sure where to find a way to share text easily but I'll find something... at least if you guys vote that way.

>>4614251
Wait, are we gonna get friggin' gang raped by all the girls? Ama included? If so than no, not like this! Not with our nemesis claiming our unspoiled virginity or even sloppy seconds!

Hell, we're close enough for Sieg to feel this. She'll know, and it might screw with her head and cause her to make a major mistake!

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>>4614298
>Wait, are we gonna get friggin' gang raped by all the girls?
Naaah,. Arawn will keep his virginity... technically. Can't rape the willing!
>Ama included?
Well, yes, but that's nothing to worry about.
>Hell, we're close enough for Sieg to feel this. She'll know, and it might screw with her head and cause her to make a major mistake!
You've been feeling so much intense stuff that, honestly, if your feelings would cause her to make a mistake she already made one.

>>4614305
So... what. They gonna give us various "jobs" but no errr... "potential babies" I if ya catch my meaning?

I don't think contraceptives exist in this world or, if they do, they're considered ugly vile things that no well adjusted person would use for various reasons by most of the population. Mamonos want kids, and the holy church, understanding the potential threat to the species all female mamono births represent, would insist that humans make as many more humans as possible. A not-pope of the past would have already published the fantasy with mamonos version of Humane Vitae I'd wager. Potentially with or without condemnation of "relations" with monstergirls.

>>4614324
Nothing is going to get stuck anywhere not for a lack of trying because Zhu but there will be plenty of enjoyment. Unless... You guys want Arawn to take risks! I'm not averse to that.

Alchemy is fairly advanced so contraceptives do exist but, as you said, it's wildly unpopular. Not quite heresy for humans but close and you don't have any on hand, of course.

>Will lewdness happen? [Supplementary pastebin will be posted eventually]

>>4614343
Damn it's hard to talk about this without using lewd/vulgar language. Hands, mouth, feet, boobs, tails, wings, pits... that's what I think the lewd path entails.

If that's all it entails, and if you're right about Sieg, than I can relent. It's impossible to escape and Mina seems to be the type that'd let this happen. After all, I bet she's rooting for our blueberry to get with us.

The instant it looked like our actual V-card was about to get punched by anyone but her she'd likely beg/order Mina to barge in and break it all up. She seems to be internally insistent that *she* will get the first go at carnal enjoyment with her beloved elf lord!

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Oh man, it's actually happening. Guess Arawn has his limit too.

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>>4614366
Well you see, Klesiah is in a bit of a special place mentally right now because she got dragged (literally) out of her shell kicking and screaming and was forced to reveal ugly secrets that were accepted with so much warmth and pure honesty that she can't even use denial as a shield, feelings with soul links make it almost impossible to have misunderstanding or for her very, very bad habit of assuming things to happen, meaning that... Klesiah is actually feeling much, much more secure now.

Sure as hell doesn't look like it but hey, she's a shy one.

Also, Klesiah is a heavily repressed dom. Though she`s very soft on Arawn, of course. Guess we'll see a new side of our blueberry. Two confirmed votes for lewdness... interesting. Well, knowing early will make it easier to write the continuation.

>>4614368
Oh, and paw pads, forgot potential paw pads. I think Shereen will get involved for reasons. After all, if others get to enjoy her property why shouldn't she!

Also, it's not us reaching a limit. It's more like us getting trapped and Klesiah and Mina concluding that, deep down, they want this to happen and thus don't move to stop it. We cannot escape, all the girls want a piece of our ass, and soul arms and body reinforcement will do diddly dick against girls this thicc. They strong, especially in numbers!

>>4614384
Oh, also, about the incoming smut. I think you can make a PDF and post it in a thread. That shouldn't get purged. I think...

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>>4614433
Hm, might actually work. Pastebin sure is a pain in the ass, I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Honestly didn't expect things to go that way but that's what makes it fun. Though it's important to keep a clear head, I'll work on that smut once I close the thread.

>>4614439
So you're going to continue on to us going to bed and whatever that entails after experiencing some high impact sexual violence and make the smut later?

Damn, hope I don't gotta wait too long for it. Like in a good VN, the H-scenes can move the plot forward and/or can be a chance to see character development. The best H-scenes have a purpose beyond mere titillation and fanservice!

How long have we lasted before getting one? I think we were at 46 threads before this one. Did we break our previous record?

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>>4614468
>So you're going to continue on to us going to bed and whatever that entails after experiencing some high impact sexual violence and make the smut later?
Yeah, things are still happening this night, gonna have little talk with Ama before the next day.
>Damn, hope I don't gotta wait too long for it. Like in a good VN, the H-scenes can move the plot forward and/or can be a chance to see character development. The best H-scenes have a purpose beyond mere titillation and fanservice!
Hm... It's true that the scene is a logical next step and would keep the general flow going instead of an old fade to black. I'll think on it, my will to push forward with the story might not be the best way to go about it.

>How long have we lasted before getting one? I think we were at 46 threads before this one. Did we break our previous record?
If I remember right the last one occurred in a bath with Ame and Tsukiyomi around thread 40 maybe? Thing is, threads of last quest were smaller and it took us 3 years o this one to get lewdness. I'd say the record was utterly demolished.

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Might as well ask. You guys want that smut asap? (Should take me 3 or 4 days to get it done I'd say.) Or would you rather continue with the thread and wait a bit longer for that bonus?

>>4614532
Couldn't you make the smut and then continue on from that point? Like you said, it is the logical "next scene" here.

>>4614667
Well, yeah. It's just that writing it up will have me pause the quest for a couple of days, so I'm asking if you guys would like to continue instead of having to stop for a little while.

>>4614671
I'd wait for the others to vote because I don't mind either way (though having the smut scene before the continuation could influence dialogue decisions directly down the road). Also, I just caught the thing Klesiah said up above. That she'd rather fellate us here and now in front of everyone over allowing Bad Fluffy to touch us.

Damn girl, that's some rather hardcore exhibitionism. Didn't think she could be that lewd. I'd expect that out of Zhu or Ama, but Klesiah? Maybe you're right about her repressing some serious kinks...

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>>4614688
Yeah, I'll wait for tomorrow to get more voices.
1 vote for smut so far.
She has to make up some way for being the boring vanilla human girl amongst exotic monsters right? ''Repression'' is very much the biggest relevant word for your knight, so much so that not even Arawn had a clue despite his time with her. It took one year for someone reading her emotions daily to find out what was happening... in a way, she's kinda lucky.

One has to wonder how different things would have gone without Mina.

>>4614704
Exotic bits are nice and all, but no matter what good women are damned hard to find. The fluffiest of tails or other most wonderful of exotic bits won't compensate for a personality that just turns you off (e.g. Ama).

Likewise, a "vanilla" human can exceed the appeal of a mamono if she hit all the other buttons just right. Looks, personality, kinks... so many variables. People don't seem to understand the levels of complex derivative calculus a given male puts into determining what qualifies as his "ideal" woman! There truly is no one "true" answer there. Hence why I say the "waifu wars" have only just begun here.

Also, what role did Mina play exactly? I am curious. Can she feel what's happening with Klesiah's emotions like we can right now? Is she, like I suspect, the type that could and would let this lewdness happen?

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>>4614713
>Also, what role did Mina play exactly?
Emotional support and camaraderie throughout the year of your coma. Teaching Klesiah how to do soul related exercise, and... more things.
If you meant in relation to what happened between Klesiah and Zhu, she dragged the swordswoman out of the bed during early morning and had a long, serious talk with her that culminated with Zhu understanding one very important thing. Mina told Zhu that Klesiah was about to break emotionally, she believed Arawn loved Zhu (after spying on them) and was forcing herself to accept it and was retreating so far mentally into her fortress of ''perfect knightood'' that she forced herself to believe Zhu ''betrayal'' as perfectly okay since her lord wanted it.

She wanted Zhu to confront her about that, she couldn't do it herself because the emotional whiplash could very well severe their soul connection, which would only lead to Klesiah hating herself. So throughout the day as you learned theology, Zhu wondered how the fuck she could help her best friend and settled on what happened last thread.

>Can she feel what's happening with Klesiah's emotions like we can right now?
Yes, not on the same level but Klesiah is feeling things waaaay too strongly to camouflage anything.
>Is she, like I suspect, the type that could and would let this lewdness happen?
Children do the darnest things.

>>4614728
That was before we revitalized her right? Must have done it in dreamspace then. Either way, I'm actually kind of sure we did back then. Ara-Ara issues aside, Zhu fell for us because we needed her for all she is, was, and ever will be.

She admitted it herself. We were the first and only entity that needed her both for her combat prowess as a Khornate Berserker and as a woman in a scenario that didn't involve raw and unrestrained lust with all that entailed. We trusted her without question both then and now when the shit truly hit the fan. Hell, she even acquiesced multiple times in circumstances she could have easily raped us. That's worth something significant in what she hopes is our eyes I'd wager.

I'll say it again. If your goal is to get us to make Zhu our #1 waifu you're doing a damn good job.

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>>4614751
>That was before we revitalized her right? Must have done it in dreamspace then.
Nope. Despite being critically low, she still had enough for a talk.
>I'll say it again. If your goal is to get us to make Zhu our #1 waifu you're doing a damn good job.
Teehee
I'm not really trying anything, Zhu is simply my take on the battle maniac archetype with a small dose of chaotic neutral and doing my best to remove the ''sociopath'' trait that is so often attached with this trope, she does on her thing, in this case sticking by you and Shereen. Weak things are fun to protect after all. It's amazing that you happened on her by pure chance... and now she's finally getting what she wants as act 2 will reach its climax soon.

>>4614754
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWE_KtlVHOg

Than this is the song I think was playing while Zhu and Adam fought Jab (that was her name right)?

They were, on paper, hopelessly out gunned and out skilled. However, humanity was, is, and every will be the chose races of Chaos. Thus, one or two majorly angry "humans" can and do easily eviscerate a clearly and obviously superior being like Jab.

I wonder if I am correct in that conjecture...

>>4614789
Her name was Jab yeah and the fight was damn close that's for sure, Adam played support pretty good. The enemy ended up fleeing though, no death so who knows what she's up to.

Maybe I'll write that fight as supplementary material one day, for now, I'll keep my motivations on threads and the lewd.

>>4614809
Hopefully lewds. More I think on it the more I desire that info so that I may craft better dialogue for whatever comes after.

Sieg will need a clear answer as will bestest buddy. Our time without his responses truly is/was the worst. He was such a bro y'know? If Ama does anything to even inconvenience us in our quest to restore him, well, fuck her in the worst of ways!

If she wants us to stop hating her so damn much she can start by allowing us to restore the entity that literally saved our soul from oblivion. If that isn't a steal of a bargain for her, well, what is?

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In case in what lost during the conversation I'll ask again. >>4614532

I'd like an answer by 3 pm, where I'll begin writing the thread or this new... material.

>>4615239
Lewds. I want lewds. I will note that I am not looking forward to Ama's bad touch. All the other girls are fine (welcome in fact), but she isn't.

Sadly, we have no way of avoiding it now. How and what she touches will give us a hint as to her feelings towards us are. I fear that by saving Leena we have inadvertently gained enough affection to start on her "route" as it were.

I do not like that route for it is bad. Also, hope the other girls prevent Zhu from just going for it. She would take the chance to forcibly punch our V-card if presented an opportunity and this definitely qualifies as one.

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Alright I'll go with the vote I've got. I'll still take me a while to get into the required, hm, mindset to write this so I'll leave the decision till evening, you guys can think of this as me taking a little one day break if needed. Otherwise I'll be back with something that I find hopefully good enough in a few days. Hopefully finding somewhere to host the text won't be a pain in the ass but I'll worry about that later.

>>4615400
These lewd pervs don't speak for me! I'm being oppressed!
Yes they do, Aarawn needs some lewd in his life. Have some fun with it, BUT NO BAD FLUFF!

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>>4615790
>No Bad fluff.
Sorry not sorry my dear. Time for indulgence.

>>4615796
So Ama will touch us with her fluffy tails. We will not enjoy this but rather endure it. Millions of lives are on the line, if putting up with Ama helps save them, so be it.

We will not errr... "have congress" with her under any circumstances however. Bestest buddy would riot!

>>4615814
Bestest Buddy isn't here. Heehehehe.

>>4615882
Once he gets restored, if we can even restore him, he'll get access to all our memories of when he was away. Hopefully we've conducted ourselves in a way he'd approve of and I'm pretty sure shagging Bad Fluffy is a thing he would most definitely not endorse.

I miss Gardy. Broest of brobots.

So I just caught up, didn't realize how far behind I was. But boy did I pick a good time to show up.
Honestly complaining about Ama only fuels his fire more. Lord knows, he's probably got a secret clause tucked away in that contract saying we are betrothed to the mad fluff. She's just willing to share so long as she gets some giggles outta it.

>>4616494
I don't think there's a clause *quite* that cruel in the contract. Though you are right about how our displeasure and suffering pleases Ama.

We are gonna get a load of her bad fluff. Especially because we don't want it! At least now we'll find out how fluffy those things are. I am morbidly curious about it.

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>>4616578
>>4616494
Amazing how much dread the gentle fox cause, even in these circumstances.

>>4616625
>That pic
That's how Ama's looking at us now isn't it? Damnit, I shouldn't be turned on but damnit that look in her eyes is making it hard not to be!

And she is not gentile. She is bad, hence why we call her Bad Fluffy! This deal may save the populace of this nation and preserve the lives of our friends in the process, but what happens after that's all settled? That's the real dread I'm sure everyone suppressing right now. I doubt she's just going to let Shereen go after this is over for starters.

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2k words on the lewd so far. My pace of 1k/day is keeping up so far, I'm thinking two more days will do it. Stay tuned.

>>4616720
Now now, no need to worry about the end yet. Ama is a good girl, Shereen is in good hands.

>>4617357
>That pic
Oh fuck, it's been years but I think you know about that manga and I think I remember its basic premise. Damnit, that's gonna be Shereen's fate isn't it? Damnit! Well, at least we have a chance to save her as the poor friend character wasn't categorically fucked...

Sorry for the delay, things oughta happen soon, unless my health take a turn for the worse. Big lewd... Arawn sure is a lucky one.

Posting a googledoc in roughly one hour, I'll also work on posting an update on the thread afterward to resume things. I really didn't expect the lewd option to get chosen, so we got a little sidetracked.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rCnN1tcTnqUuIodJchGFVVnBAMVYDK-cFWbrsSOG32w/edit?usp=sharing

Let it not be said that I never deliver... though I'm too slow for my own good.

>>4625629
Speed doesn't really matter, sure fast updating quest are fun because more gets done, in a shorter period of time but slower ones allow us to consider our actions, come up with plans and do other things while we wait.

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>>4625639
I still think having some expediency matters. Gonna work on an update for the quest tonight now, should post in an hour. That one won't be too long.

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''Aren't children adorable?''

Mina said after a few minutes of awkward silence. The two of you were the only ones inside the tavern floor, the girls had decided to remain in the bath and clean up the mess to avoid any embarrassment with the innkeeper.

Rather, Shereen had insisted on that, and everyone else tagged along.

''I-I suppose.'' Sitting alone with the shard of Mother Earth made it impossible not to look back on what just happened, that cold shill gripping your spine was an interesting feeling.

''Mmhm.'' You felt keenly aware of every single one of her movements. ''Did you know that Mother Earth has blessings tied with fertility, family harmony, and safe pregnancies?''

You might as well have been stabbed in the kidney with the way you flinched.

''Huhu.'' The mercilessly sweet woman was enjoying herself. She rested her chin on top of interlocked fingers (magically changed) brown eyes observing you in open amusement. ''I'll be sure to stay near Zhu in the hope that Mother blessings will take root.''

''Y-you huh...'' You had to clear your throat. ''You were watching? I mean, there's no need for that!''

Mina grin was a simple line that showed the briefest hints of white teeth, perhaps the best expression of gentle sadism you've seen yet. ''Why wouldn't I watch?'' She answered with the simplicity of describing the weather. ''All the noises in there needed investigations, I wanted to see how many blooming new lives I could report to Mother... I'll be sure to insist on coming back to Klesiah so I can bless the new life that will be growing in her bosom.''

''By all the gods of Creation!'' You flumped on the table, hiding your eyes from her. ''Spare me, Mina! Please!''

''Hmmuhuhuhuh!'' Good to know divine beings are capable of mirth! You could have done without, all these beliefs about gods being above human conditions was and always will be propaganda!

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The first person to arrive inside the main room was Ama. The witch did not have any of the vulnerabilities she displayed in the bath and confidently took a place next to Mina and you, winking. ''That was fun.'' She greeted, bushy orange tails fluttering, she had donned her magical disguise again and took a satisfying puff out of her lit pipe.

''Don't get too comfortable.'' You straightened yourself.

''Ufufufu.'' Ama laughed, thankfully the sultriness of her teasing kimono didn't have much effect now. ''We'll continue to have fun my dear... but for now, I'd like to give you a short lesson tonight. You've more than earned how to use your pearls. Well, the ones in your pocket, not that I'd mind instructing you about your other pairs.''

This woman!

''Would you like for Shereen to be present for this lesson?'' Ama moved into a new subject flawlessly and you nearly choked on your drink. ''Our connection will allow her to use the Death Pearls, yes.'' She answered your silent question. ''Both of us know she can be a little impetuous, perhaps the knowledge could backfire and make her do something she shouldn't... Confronting her family will be a touchy subject.''

Footsteps creaked the wooden ground, Elina was the second to emerge from the basement and upon crossing eyes with you, blushed with tremendous embarrassment. ''I-I'm going to bed!'' She said, fleeing upstairs. Shortly afterward, the last four revealed themselves.

''All traces have been nicely dispelled.'' The maid spoke while Shereen and Klesiah turned their heads in a fruitless attempt to hide their blushes.

Zhu walked next to you, took your mug and finished its content in one gulp, rested one hand on top of your head, and smirked. ''Don't forget your shut-eyes, my man.'' She ruffled your hair and went upstairs, fingers toying with her magical pommel.

''I'll be making one last round of the area then guard the hallway.'' Hildegarde commented while walking toward the door. ''I suspect all the inhabitants of this hamlet are asleep, I still insist on ensuring our safety.'' When she opened the main tavern door, a white fog filtered inside the room, barely tall enough to reach your ankles.

The gentle mood, alas, died. Thankfully the phenomenon stopped when Hildegarde closed the door.

''Guess my patrol ended.'' She commented.

''Oh dear...'' Ama bushy ears flicked.

''What the hell? Didn't you secure Anais? Without Shereen, there's no way Zerase can do her ritual!'' You resisted the temptation of slamming your fist on the table, Ama returned your aggression with a pout.

''Don't be like that, lover.'' Bah! ''The pharaoh can still attempt an imperfect ritual and I suppose after yesterday's events, she was motivated to move forward.''

''Will the people be alright?'' Shereen asked, holding onto Klesiah nervously.

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''Oh yes, for now.'' Ama lazily let herself plop down on her seat, all the energy in her tail evaporated, making them droop like dying plants. ''This fog is a preliminary step. It'll take a day or two to spread then it'll increase in volume. All this while people will breathe it in... and it'll remain harmless until Zerase decide otherwise.''

''Then our best step is a good night of sleep to have all the energy we need tomorrow.'' Klesiah gently let go of Shereen whose lovely ears had flattened on her head, the princess looked at the fog in silence until it evaporated.

''Yeah. Today was a good day, especially tonight huh?'' Your chest tightened and you had to let out a cough. Hrm! ''Don't stay up too late you three.''

>Stop Shereen from going to bed, she should hear Ama lesson too.
>Let her go silently. The curse of the pearls shouldn't be a temptation, you'll take care of these things alone.
>Free.

Gonna resume proper tomorrow.

>>4625775
>Stop Shereen from going to bed, she should hear Ama lesson too.

Hopefully we don't get interrupted so we can have the entire parties magical reserves restored fully.

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Did I do good on that lewd?

>>4625848
Yes.

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>>4625864
Okay.

>>4625629
Do hentai doujins have writers who aren't also the artists? I think you've got a talent for this shit. That was extreme, top tier "I'll be in my bunk" hot.

Didn't think Zhu would finally get what she wanted and punch our V-card. Bet Mina ensures she conceives. Did we bone Elina too or was that more of a thigh job?

>>4625775
>Stop Shereen
Her own nature and hot headedness aside, there could come a time in the fight where we'll be unable to use a pearl when we'll *really* need to and Shereen could serve where we cannot. We need our allies to be as dangerous as possible.

Also, Zerase's started the ritual without Shereen? How much time before the this thing goes full Blood Fort Andromeda? Any way to resist it if and when she decides activate it and start the mass sacrifice?

I hate to say this but this could be her gambling and accurately calling our actions. She knows we're coming for her and this will hasten our actions...

>>4625915
I would assume that, Zerase may have either found a stand in for Shereen, or is being forced to wait to 'begin' because of outside interference from the besieging forces.

It's not a good sign though, we may need to travel overnight to make up for lost time.

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>>4625915
I try my best!
Elina was a tight job that very nearly become the real thing until Ama interruption. Also no, Mina won't go that far. Though, possibly, she could help Zhu in that department if asked. 100% real here. You'd need to go back to the Allied Kingdoms though.

>Also, Zerase's started the ritual without Shereen? How much time before the this thing goes full Blood Fort Andromeda?
The fog itself is harmless, she needs it to spread all over the country so she'll need about a week if she wants it to spread without... hm... mistakes. The fog itself was just another part of her ritual, she started it but it's in a harmless stage by now. Think of it as putting olive oil in the pan.

>>4625928
>outside interference from the besieging forces.
The capital isn't besieged, but you'll see when you get there. Zipangu was indeed willing to help but having their naval force transport their army to besiege Muribel capital would have made things far, far too dangerous with the explosive situation in the Allied Kingdoms. They are ready to overreact at any moment due to Daiyu presence in Kreszenz, so having the Commonwealth war fleet show up out of nowhere -even if merely passing by the ocean they don't control- would make things real complicated real quick.

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>>4625935
Zhu might have gotten preggers anyway though. How do we know if it was a safe day or not!? Oh man, that's a metric fuckton of Death Flags raised for everyone now that I think on it. Please tell me our allies are safe and in a good position within the city. I think we left a few loose ends untied when we left that may have screwed them over somehow. Relief followed by renewed worry.

Plus we... with Ama... Oh man, Bestest Buddy isn't gonna be happy with that memory/action even though she was kinda thrust upon us by the party! Hope we can restore him. I can't wait to see his reaction to the lewd.

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>>4625947
Wouldn't it be fuuuuun to have to take responsibility with Zhu of all people!?
As for you allies, you'll get news pretty soon. Good thing Banu stayed in the capital.
I'm sure Gardy will be perfectly okay with everything that happened and won't at all feel like a grandpa who just caught his grandkid being way too horny. He'll understand the immense stress and pressure!

Also Shereen is cute. Very cute.

>>4625960
That she is. I didn't expect her to have some romantic feelings towards us or even just raw lustful ones but she was very cute and earnest back there.

Always thought of her more like a daughter or younger sister but if she puts in the effort she could become our waifu. Still going for a monogamy end, but I get the whole harem event. Everyone's pent up, stressed out, and we were the only good man in town so yeah, that happened. Happy memory, but still searching for one true love.

Also priestess is best girl. Hope she gets what she wants. God I need to get caught up with that manga.

>>4625983
You can't forget about any elven consorts we're probably going need to take so we can continue the royal line and help the population recover.

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>>4625983
Little princess is trying her best. Monogamy end could be difficult, Arawn isn't realizing it but he's getting firmly implanted in Mamono culture as it is... and this scene barely had any monstergirls! Klesiah newfound mindset will surprise you in many ways I'd say.

I keep hesitating between Guildgirl and Sword Maiden. I hope the author makes several spin-offs ends cause they're all good girls.

>>4625994
Royalty complicates that. See, all our offspring are potential heirs to the throne. That shit can get hella complicated fast if we involve elven concubines. See Chinese history for examples of that BS. Best to let the plebes do the "hard work" on that front.

>>4625996
Maybe, but I'ma still go for it. Again, if the main waifu *insists* upon sharing us, well, who are we to refuse? Plus we still gotta get bestest buddy a waifu. It will be hard, but nothing worth doing is easy!

Those are good girls too and I wouldn't mind if they won the heart of that well meaning autist, but Priestess is just so cute! Though Elf Ranger (or was it archer) is putting in some work as competition.

>>4626086
I guess it all depends on how the line of succession is determined, there might be something that could be used to deflect if we absolutely needed to.

>>4626086
>Plus we still gotta get bestest buddy a waifu. It will be hard, but nothing worth doing is easy!
How can a living machine even have a waifu? Gardy is big bro/daddy material.
High Elf Archer is 100% in the friendzone.

>>4626095
I was speaking more on personal appeal. After all, whom one considers "best girl" is their own opinion. Though, again, they're all good so plot wise I don't care who he ends up with, just so long as it makes sense.

Speaking of which, no way in hell we end up with Ama even in a full harem end. Nope, not happening. Best end involves Bad Fluffy's death. It's just that the path towards it currently involves her not dying here. We'll need someone to dismantle this whole damn ritual and, though I hate to admit it, I think she's the only one with any idea as to how to do so safely for everyone.

Thankfully, you just said that it'll take a whole week for it to be become "properly" armed so we're on a timeline where my worst case scenario is unlikely so long as we're quick and take out the Bad Scaled Duo before Day 5 (today being Day 1).

I also just thought of this, but did Ama influence Shereen? I mean, our links influenced those girls, would Ama's feelings/lust have transferred to Shereen in a similar way?

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>>4626101
There would be some influence, yes but not a strong one. Mina level-headedness wasn't enough to stop Klesiah after all. Besides, you know very well that Ama abhors influencing people's free will when it comes to making important decisions.

>>4626095
Oh, and as to how Gardy can have/would want a waifu? That machine was "more human than human" if you catch my meaning.

After all, he was the guardian of Humanity's pretender god and thus had to, on some level, get us in a way even we may fail to do and concluded it was worth it in regards to protecting us. The framework's there, it just need's "Mrs. Right" to make it all come together.

That brings up another question though. Who/what were Mother Earth and Father Sky the pretender gods of? I fear that'll trigger a SAN check but once you've read one Tome ya really ought not to have read, well, what's one more?

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>>4626109
>After all, he was the guardian of Humanity's pretender god and thus had to, on some level, get us in a way even we may fail to do and concluded it was worth it in regards to protecting us. The framework's there, it just need's "Mrs. Right" to make it all come together.
The tales of Humanity Pretender God tell that her stalwart guardian was seemingly born from nothing... too bad anyone that doesn't study history forgot that.
>Who/what were Mother Earth and Father Sky the pretender gods of?
Father Sky is a complete mystery. Nobody know if he was a Pretender God who redeemed himself or something else.
Mother Earth origin, however, is well established in the religion mythos. She was born from the goodwill of humanity. From the simplest acts of kindness like a man carrying an old woman baggage or a man being satisfied with his lot in life by being a carpenter to the ultimate sacrifice of love like a father dying to save his son... All things that bring good and positivity to people slowly but surely created her existence during the awful era of Pretenders and once she came to life, she ended the era by showing that Good is not weak.

>>4626125
So he was born of nothing. So what? What he did, how he acted, how he apparently felt in the eyes of those who got the chance to know him.

That's what matters. Sadly, as those records were likely destroyed only we and his former charge could ever speak as to who Gardy truly was/is.

A shot in the dark question. Is it possible that his former charge still lives? That a pretender who lost that war could lay low and still be around? If so, if we came into proximity to them, would they notice and move to engage us as if we were Gardy?

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>>4626158
It could be possible if the Pretender is outside Mother Earth reach since, during antiquity, dear mommy did not exactly know the meaning of mercy with these people. Some Pretenders were kept alive by the faith of their followers (strongest ones) others, like humanity, were full incarnation. It is impossible to tell if such a person would have a finite lifespan or not once Mommy went around killing everybody and ''broke'' what made Pretenders what they are. As for recognizing Gardy, that's not something I can answer.

>>4626167
Eh, something to look forward to if we survive into act 3. I believe you said this was going to be the climax of act 2. Certainly fits. for we've suffered many a setback in regards to the "hero" faction....

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>>4626169
Oh yes, rejoining all of your links, returning t other capital and the ritual of the blessed pharaoh make for quite a climax indeed, one Ama can be proud of!

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Had some pretty bad insomnia so I<ll be slow today. I'll write up the capabilities of the Awakened Pearls in a more neutral way instead of doing my usual in-character explanation then work on a proper update afterward.... I just gotta find my notes about said pearls.

Bah, damn it. Look like I completely lost my notes on the pearls, I'll have to do it by memory, explanation coming later tonight, just gotta make sure I don't fuck it up too much.

>>4626755
Damn my crap internet! Oh well, I will ask a very important question I intended to much earlier.

We and Shereen are going to have the same attitude and feelings towards those pearls as Van Hohenheim from FMA did in regards to... well, I don't wanna spoil that very poignant plot point from that amazing Manga/Anime but yeah, that. Leena's parents are like that to us. They matter that much to us even though I don't think we even caught their names. Can we learn them without spending the pearls? Can we converse with them without spending them?

Will/does that matter? Please tell me it does. I doubt the souls of Awakened Pearls were given that level of consideration, empathy, and feels during the Age of Pretenders save perhaps those that were used by Gardy's charge. She was humanity's goddess, and a goddess of humanity would extend that basic curtesy towards the likely source of them. If for no other reason that a willing sacrifice made regretfully is far, far more potent than an unwilling one made with glee. Blood offered freely and consensually is far greater in potency than blood that is simply taken and forced into service against it's owner's will. A thing a certain fake vampire learned the hard way.

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>>4627309
>Can we learn them without spending the pearls?
Ama knew them. Kemat Dulce (mother) and Pihor Dulce (father).
>Can we learn them without spending the pearls? Can we converse with them without spending them?
This, however, is impossible. You'll have a small window for a short conversation after using one and that is it. Leena parents are sleeping.
>Will/does that matter? Please tell me it does.
I'll give a good explanation about the pearls tomorrow. I was far too distracted tonight to focus, so I'll write when I'm refreshed.

>I doubt the souls of Awakened Pearls were given that level of consideration, empathy, and feels during the Age of Pretenders
The act of creating Awakened Pearls was considered torture because pearls were fuel for magic, having one moment of consciousness before being burnt and used up for some deadly magic or ritual was rightfully seen as a hellish experience, thus the practice was wildly unpopular. Very few cases occurred where the souls inside were willing to cooperate and even then, the effectiveness was poor for anything that wasn't summoning undeads.

Remember that magic fundamentally changed since antiquity, the concept of Focus, magical pathways, and Nature did not exist. Mages were much more similar to the typical wizard, studying paths of magic. There were plenty of creatures naturally gifted in magic though, so the skeleton for today's magical evolution was there.

>Blood offered freely and consensually is far greater in potency than blood that is simply taken and forced into service against it's owner's will.
Consensual blood offering was just convenient in the old days. Some ritual needed unwilling victims and/or horrendous torture inflicted on these unfortunate souls. Blood Magic is all about the ingredient of your ritual. Virgin girls, kids, tired old man wizened by years, everyone is meat. Ritualistic blood magic still functions by these old rules for anyone remembering the old practices.

Thankfully, present day changed the rules. Consent carries power and Shereen is an outright anomaly by manipulating blood naturally.

>>4627331
So her full and true name was Leena Dulce. Fitting line for one of ours if/when they land the killing blow in regards to Zerase. "That was for Leena Dulce you bitch!"

If Ama knows who they are than it cannot hurt to ask her what their true names are. Plus if consent carries power and Shereen has a hidden perk in regards to this path/wind of magic well... seems we're making all the right choices in regards to fully trusting her.

Though now it also entails we also trust Ama. We trust Shereen fully, but we'd rather not trust Bad Fluffy!

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>>4627350
>If Ama knows who they are than it cannot hurt to ask her what their true names are.
What do you mean? They were married and the mom took the family name of the father, so this is their true name.
I suspect Arawn and my players are just tsundere for the good witch. You already got intimate with her!

>>4627360
We don't need to know Leena's mom's maiden name in this case. We just need to know the name they call themselves as of the time of their demise.

And no, we are "hate" dere towards the witch. Lust overrode that because our entire party basically demanded we hate fuck her but if we had been introduced into a scenario where Ama had to actually seduce us without them forcing our...?

Nope, never would have worked save for if she gave us a ironclad way to save Sieg from her terminal illness. Then, and only then, would we submit to her whims of our own free and open will. Sieg is worth that. We owe her that much.

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Awakened Death Pearls (Based on Ama explanations. You'll have to decide if you can trust this information)

Having willing souls inside Death Pearls is an extremely important distinction for these items because better synchrony makes a world of difference. It will allow you to bypass the needed training to adjust your magical pathways (and soul) with this foreign influence, meaning you can directly absorb them inside your body because you have the consent of the slumbering souls. Meaning you and Shereen can completely unlock the potential of these Death Pearls instead of using them as ammunitions for a spell or ritual (which is the regular use for them).

This will allows several applications.

The Awakened Pearls can completely replenish Arawn and Shereen magical reserves like a regular Astral Pearl. It is a simple, to-the-point activity that Ama openly describes as a waste but the possibility is there should you want it.

The most terrifying application of the Awakened Pearl will be to combine Arawn and Shereen magical natures with the attribute of death. This is as scary as it sounds and, for Arawn, it is possible to completely replace soul magic with a pure, undistilled, death nature.

You've already had a taste of this when Ensan cursed Rupert to death. Now imagine having that power for roughly 10 minutes (Ama rough estimation. The pearl effect naturally evaporates out of your body.) Ama would describe Ensan's execution of Rupert as one of the rudimentary uses of a death pearl and you saw how quickly it ravaged the poor cat... Thankfully, that spell wouldn't have killed anyone because of people's natural magical resistance and ego but it's easy to imagine the danger with more power or focus.

Don't compare this with Vilma summoning capabilities, in fact, remove any and all possibility of summoning skeletons out of your mind because even by using the lesser evil that is ''adding'' the concept of death to your nature, you'd end up outright murdering all but the strongest spirits attempting to possess the empty husk you'd create for them. Though Ama does make a point that you could coordinate with ancestors spirits but good luck finding any of them in Muribel.

This is the greatest disadvantage of using Awakened Pearls. Regular ones would be able to create summons without any trouble, in fact, this is something they excel at. Keep this in mind when it comes to handling Ensan and Zerase.

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For Shereen, adding the death attribute to her nature will allow her to unleash virulent plagues with her blood and potentially enchant people to carry them harmlessly. From horrific blood fevers to uncontrollable nauseas or diarrheas, the purity of her blood magic is twisted into one of, if not the worst, imaginable application and could even directly attack the Corruption inside Mamonos bodies, leading to horrific out-of-control mutants once the victim protection has been broken down (which is inevitable with a quick-acting hemorrhagic fever, just a matter of when.)

Now with some creativity and a good deal of restraint, it'd be possible to use this modified Blood Magic in another way but Ama doesn't know. Her knowledge of blood magic is based on the Old Ways, not its modern applications. It could be possible to create something paradoxical, a combination of blood magic inherent value with life and the new attribute of death but... Shereen would only have one shot and there's no way to practice. Ama doesn't know how something like that would function, her only guess would be using summons because summoners already embody this paradox. (To a much lesser extent)
As you can expect, Shereen has been thoroughly horrified by this knowledge.

For Arawn, adding death to his nature will manifest in another form of horrors: quick-acting mental illnesses and diseases of the soul (often believed to be the same and you'd end up combining both).

Imagine causing mass hallucinations, severe schizophrenia, berserk rages... now combine all of it to truly break someone or sow mass confusion inside a group. Your support capabilities will be replaced with mass debilitations; the Awakened Pearls will turn you into an offensive mage who can attack souls. A simple but terrifying concept, unlike Shereen, you might not even struggle with people's inherent magical resistances...

Replacing Soul with Death is something Ama isn't too confident to explain because you might end up using the old application of death magic with modern technique and influence, Ama never stumbled upon anything similar before. Logically this would mean you'd be able to conjure any non-summoning spells from the ancients, Ama has a terrifying repertoire of these so she'd be able to help instruct you in this case but given magic change from a studious science into a more primal force, Arawn could quite simply be able to imbue ''death'' as a magical concept for the time his pearl is active. You might become a genuine danger to your allies.

Overall, everything you do with those things remains unexplored territory. Ama wants you and Shereen to keep healthy skepticism with her explanations, all she's doing is applying the best logic she can with this new magical phenomenon.

Now, time for me to write the update. Things are afoot, feel free to ask questions but there`s a whole lot to digest.

>>4628140
If we ended up having to use a pearl. sticking with the less theoretical uses seems like the best bet, to get what we actually want to happen.

Though figuring out a way to prevent the appearance of or immediately nuke a bunch of pearl 'empowered' summons's could be useful.

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The more you learned about the Awakened Pearls, the more they burned a hole in your pockets. You haven't spent a long time knowing Leena parents but you're willing to believe they were good folks: a simple family living in the mess that was Myrtidal without bothering anyone, only for the pharaoh's ''policy'' to change them into magical fuel... Disgusting.

You had hoped that Shereen could have gone to bed with a better memory. Learning about the pearls and her own capabilities only reinforced her horror, the fog hadn't helped anyone's mood either... at least Elina, Klesiah and Zhu were able to go to bed in a better mood. Thankfully, Shereen was always quick to bounce back, her discomfort didn't last.

''I didn't think I'd be tempted not to use a weapon at our disposal.'' You stated once the witch finished her lengthy explanation.

''Moderation is the keyword.'' Ama replied after taking a long gulp of water. ''Ultimately we might not have a choice if Zerase decides to expedite her ritual. It's important to have an idea about the dangers of your new capabilities instead of going blind.'' A sudden yawn interrupted the witch, prompting her to rise from her chair and force a little energy inside her drooping tails.

''Not going to feel spooked by the atmosphere?'' You remarked toward Hildegarde, prompting her to glance curiously at the rest of the tavern.

It was the deadest of night, the innkeeper had disappeared before your bath and with your party being the only patrons huddled in a corner, the silence felt oppressive. What few windows there was were high up, meaning no sight of the fog and the peaceful wilderness of Muribel felt dead, not even insects made their presence known with annoying noises. Footsteps sounded amplified, what wind filtered inside sounded like some odd primal whistling, it was unsettling.

''Let's make a trip into the swamp and teach you the real meaning of a dead night.'' The maid responded casually.

''Oooh! Now that's a good idea, I could even welcome you properly into my home... Though I suppose after tonight, home is wherever you guys want to be hm?'' Ama half-turned to tease you, the way her body moved... Down with the lust, Arawn! This isn't even Ama, she's stealing the look of another ninetailed fox!

Shereen ears flicked and flattened, an adorable blush spread on her tanned features.

''Tonight was a fluke.'' You cleared your throat, unable to remember the sight of all the naked ladies. That memory will be a powerful one. ''Nothing more.''

''Mmhm.'' You'd expect Ama to continue the teasing but Hildegarde was driving the stake deeper...!

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Then something soundlessly entered the tavern, you saw it by pure luck because you were gazing in the direction of the door. A familiar shadowy thing phased through the wooden obstruction. It was short and hazy with a legless, vaporous lower half, you immediately recognized the creature.

''Shadows!'' You screamed at the same moment Hildegarde threw off her vest toward the entity, the clothe nearly completely froze over when the entity swiped at it.

''Sssshit!'' Ama jumped back with surprising nimbleness despite her lazy allure. Her disguise disappeared in a small sparkly shower before she touched the ground. A pair of emancipated, child-sized shadows had attempted to ram her from the stairs, resulting in them shooting out like arrows then disappear out of the wall leading into a storeroom.

''What the fuck is that!?'' A muffled scream filtered from upstairs, quickly followed by the loud booming noise of a door kicked open. In this same instant, you kicked a table into an emerging shadow coming out of the fireplace, surprisingly, it seemed to reel from the impact. More nightly beings filtered into the tavern from nearly every angle, the three girls upstairs made a cacophony as they ran.

The first to come down was Klesiah with nothing but her sword and pajamas who promptly jumped down all the stairs and rammed herself on a wall and proceeded to touch another one, enchanting it with lightning, causing the two child-like shadows to hiss in pain as they were mid-emergence.

''Zhu!?'' Shereen screamed and that made you worried. Your angel had embraced Focus and was garbed in armor, yet instead of holding her halberd she had Zhu arm around her shoulder, helping her descend the stairs quickly.

''Am fine!'' Your dear friend slurred her words, eyes closed, wincing in pain. ''Fucking white spider or someshit sneaking round the room and the moment it realized I was awake it blasted me with a fucking headache!''

''White spider!?'' Ama growled. ''This fucking bitch went and did it, Arawn, don't let ANYTHING near Shereen! An Outsider is trying to rip her soul out of her body! She's been Horror Marked!''

What does that even mean!? A sudden hissing noise from the entrance revealed that Hildegarde had just finished murdering one of the assailants. She had thrown a jab into its chest and the creature had wrapped its frigid arms around the maid limb, yet Hildegarde grabbed its head and promptly pulled it out, revealing an attached spinal cord that dissipated in seconds.

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Your party was quickly being encircled by a dozen shadows, the tavern was big but not enough for everyone to make a defensive formation without stepping on each, you did notice one peculiar detail: nothing was coming out of the baths.

It is much more open down there with only a few holes to worry about and it should help funnel the enemy, as they need a few seconds to go through solid walls... Or perhaps you oughta go outside, your numbers allow a much more defensive formation with space, but that also give this ''white spider'' equal opportunity to move.

Your mace and shields are still upstairs, the only thing you have is your magitek gauntlet.

>Direct everyone toward the baths, having some cover will be more efficient!
>Hildegarde cleared the door, use this opportunity to funnel everyone outside!
>Free.
Rolls are likely to happen.

>>4628429
>Hildegarde cleared the door, use this opportunity to funnel everyone outside!
It will free it the most space to allow us free range with our magic.

Also I'm going to assume that we're still limited by our reserves.

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>>4628447
70% for Arawn, Shereen, and Klesiah are at 10%.

I'd like another vote at least since combat things are important! Also, it's getting late. That smut took a whole lot of words outta me.

>>4628429
Fuck. Can Ama or Mina expunge the mark? What's the risk involved for each option? It's between going for the baths or going outside right? Can Ama or Mina guard her soul? How long until dawn? If it gets really bad can Ama portal us all to safety and then back here once it's dawn here?

>>4628488
Oh, and where is everyone in relation to us and each option?

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>>4628488
>Can Ama or Mina expunge the mark?
You'll have to worry about that later. The mark isn't actively harming Shereen at least, it's a passive thing.
>What's the risk involved for each option?
All the options will need the girls to dodge a few lucky strikes from the Shadows because of repositioning unless you pile up in the hall but then everyone will suffer some malus to fighting due to a lack of space.
>It's between going for the baths or going outside right?
I also forgot the option of staying inside the tavern.
>Can Ama or Mina guard her soul?
No. Don't let the spider get close to Shereen.
>How long until dawn?
Impossible to tell, it's completely dark and there are no clocks anywhere.
>If it gets really bad can Ama portal us all to safety and then back here once it's dawn here?
Not without a pearl or a magic scroll, she could try something a bit drastic if things truly go FUBAR but that's not something I can tell.
She DOES have a plan with taking care of that ''outsider'' but there's no time to explain.
>>4628489
Arawn, Ama, Shereen and Mina are at the center of the tavern. Mina hasn't used her bow yet because her arrows will pierce through the building and might also cause a fire so she's enchanted her fists and waiting for the creatures to get closer.
Hildegarde is near the tavern door, which is close to your own position.
Elina, Klesiah and Zhu have just come downstairs and into the hall, pursued by a pair of ghosts and the two small child-sized ones have also emerged upstairs to dodge Klesiah lightning. The girls closer than your group to the baths. Zhu will be combat-ready after moving or resting two rounds.

>>4628511
Ok then, where are the bulk of the shades coming from? Where the hell is that white spider? Did anyone grab our gear? Can anything phase through solid walls or walk on the ceiling?

That last one's really important. If things can phase through solid walls or walk on ceilings we need to head outside to prevent the enemy from ambushing us or exploiting the 3rd dimension for a "death from above" attack.

If they can't, than baths. The cover will be useful and Elina can block at least one entrance with a shield. Could Elina use a big wind spell to "plow the road" towards either option? Also, I'm afraid I know Zerase's play. Is the ability to use magic tied to one's soul and could a mage use their gift as a wraith or other somesuch "disembodied" undead? If so I know what she's going for and fuck her for being every bit the sociopathic monster I thought she was!

>>4628577
>Ok then, where are the bulk of the shades coming from?
The southern part of the tavern where the chimney is but they're phasing -slowly- from the walls everywhere. Rough total estimate of Shades is around 12.
>Where the hell is that white spider?
No idea, might be outside.
>Did anyone grab our gear?
No. Klesiah went out with only her sword, Zhu thankfully sleep with hers.
>Can anything phase through solid walls or walk on the ceiling?
Shades can go through solid walls yes, it just takes them time. Roughly 10 seconds for the wooden walls of the tavern. They can't navigate through solid ground, thankfully. Arawn isn't hearing anything on the ceiling but there are too many noises to be absolutely certain of this.
>Is the ability to use magic tied to one's soul and could a mage use their gift as a wraith or other somesuch "disembodied" undead?
Magic is tied to body AND soul. As for your other question, I can't give any answers until you research such a possibility.

>>4628593
The fog is outside right? I fear that the shades or the spider can essentially teleport or emerge wherever they please in the fog. Can they?

I'm partial towards the baths but no matter what option we choose the vanguard party member must be both combat ready and make their exit/entrance back towards it.

Door and corners, that's where they get ya. Fully assume there's a hostile camping that corner for an easy backstab. Conversely, two can go in at the same time checking each corner SWAT/Military clearing style. Also, someone needs to look up periodically, whenever they get a free moment.

Finally, a potential spell. Could we join with Shereen to "spoof" her soul signature and then chuck it as a modified bait spell? Like, make a bait spell that "smells" like Shereen on the soul level. We need to lure that spider into a kill zone and most definitely away from Shereen.

>>4628617
To more fully explain the "back towards entrance" concept. Say the entrance is this []. The party member enters like this < []. Pointy bit is where they're facing as they go through the door. This means they'll immediately spot and be able to engage a corner camper.

>>4628617
>The fog is outside right?
Yes.
>I fear that the shades or the spider can essentially teleport or emerge wherever they please in the fog. Can they?
Won't know till you get outside.
>Finally, a potential spell. Could we join with Shereen to "spoof" her soul signature and then chuck it as a modified bait spell? Like, make a bait spell that "smells" like Shereen on the soul level. We need to lure that spider into a kill zone and most definitely away from Shereen.
By making a joining of flow with her, it's possible. The process and spell cost 5% of your mana though, you don't have time to establish a temporary soul link by the usual method so you need to brute force its creation with magic. Of course, you'll need to see if it work by committing to it.
>>4628629
In all honesty, the situation is a bit too chaotic for 100% Super Operator doorkicking. The girls are all experienced warriors, trust them to move and keep themselves safe. I'll still have to roll for potential hits if the party moves somewhere.
Going outside will have Elina, Klesiah, and Zhu roll at a (small) malus. Going in the bath will have Ama, Arawn, Shereen and Mina roll at a (small) malus. Hildegarde is agile enough to auto succeed on whatever you do.

>>4628646
Ok, say someone eats a hit from a shade. How bad would that be? Can holy heal it? Elina's basically at full reserves right? Can we cast Soul Arms at strong level? We don't have our mace and shield so that leaves the gauntlet and good ol' fisticuffs. We did train a bit in unarmed combat didn't we?

>>4628650
>How bad would that be?
Not too bad, it'll be like getting slashed by frigid claws.
>Can holy heal it? Elina's basically at full reserves right? Can we cast Soul Arms at strong level? We did train a bit in unarmed combat didn't we?
Yes on everything.

>>4628660
Forgot to add. The real danger when it comes to Shades is getting grappled since, as Arawn experienced, those things suck the body heat right out of you.

>>4628660
I assume that the shades can't snatch Shereen's soul and Mina will just instagib any of them if they attempt to restrain her so the spider can get her.

I'll also assume that the votes are open until tomorrow afternoon so I'ma sleep/drink on it but for now I'll say baths. Holy works on everyone including Ama right? Also, was the room Zhu saw the spider in "above" the baths? Because if so that might change my mind.

>>4628662
So a really bad roll means someone gets grappled and that group gets delayed because they gotta deal with that. Great. You are out for blood again, knew we wouldn't get to rest easy and recover our mana.

Is the outsider the source/cause of the shades and if we kill it dead will that make us "safe" or will that mark persist and draw more horrors towards Shereen "Brand of Sacrifice" style?

>>4628447
One vote for going outside.
>>4628685
One vote for bath.
Leaving things open until tomorrow afternoon.
>Also, was the room Zhu saw the spider in "above" the baths?
No, it was one of the two rooms of your party. Spider didn't follow the girls after they fled.
>>4628685
>Is the outsider the source/cause of the shades and if we kill it dead will that make us "safe" or will that mark persist and draw more horrors towards Shereen "Brand of Sacrifice" style?
You'll need to ask Ama. for now, deal with the immediate trouble.

>>4628698
I'm afraid to ask, but all the other people in this inn are now dead aren't they? Shades like body heat and they be warm and unsuspecting so yeah, frigid corpses the lot of em' I bet.

Killing yet more innocents. Zerase has even more to answer for now. Death is too good for that bitch. I want her raised as a pet zombie lamia! We'll use her as an undead rotting meat shield going forward with our adventures!... But Shereen will probably insist on a respectful burial that she also doesn't deserve and that's also a little bit too evil, vindictive, and cruel for Gardy to swallow. Man, being the good guys sure has its drawbacks sometimes...

>>4628718
>I'm afraid to ask, but all the other people in this inn are now dead aren't they?
Actually, Ama hypnosis did one good thing. It instilled so much trust in the owners that the master bedroom was empty, they left the inn to your party. Though, it's impossible to tell if the shades have armed people in the community tonight...

>>4628725
Oh, just thought of this. What phase is the moon (or moons) outside and how steamy and deep are the baths? Visibility is about to become very important as spiders and shadows/shades are great at the sneaky sneak.

>>4628835
Half-moon, it's really dark outside.
Baths aren't hot anymore so there's no steam, there's 3 of them. Two sized for one person and a big circular one for a group where all the fun things happened. As for how deep... I didn't really give it any real though, I'd say regular size for the small baths while the deep one had enough water to reach Arawn waist.

>>4628843
So the water is clear, there's no steam, and I assume it's fully lit. Should we end up going outside, how far does the glow of Elina's halo allow us to see and can she focus on making it brighter if needed? Is "Holy Light" a spell she can cast? If I remember really bright light fucks these shades good. Or is that only the case if it's natural sunlight? Can Elina mimic that with holy magic if needed?

Yeah, that settles it for me. Baths. Go baths. We'll be able to see everything clearly. Waist high water will complicate movement though, it'll limit our party's top speed and hopefully our enemy's as well. Can we walk on our soul arms? They're 2 meters long so that would negate that problem for us if needed.

Anything we can use as an improvised weapon? How about shit we can "gravity gun" with our soul arms? These things are vulnerable to physical damage if I remember and that means blunt force trauma is an option. Thank god the collective will of every race and Mother Earth herself decreed that "hit it really hard!" is almost always a sound course of action.

>>4628857
>Should we end up going outside, how far does the glow of Elina's halo allow us to see and can she focus on making it brighter if needed?
The light will only give you 1 meter of circular vision but by pouring a maximum of 5% mana, Elina can light it up to illuminate the entire hamlet.
>Is "Holy Light" a spell she can cast?
No, it's a spell that exist but she never bothered to make it due to her halo.
>If I remember really bright light fucks these shades good. Or is that only the case if it's natural sunlight?
Only sunlight.
>Can Elina mimic that with holy magic if needed?
Nope. Mimicking sunlight is possible but it's on the very high tier of Holy magic. It need a very sophisticated employ of holy.
>Waist high water will complicate movement though
There's enough space to move around that without too much trouble.
>Can we walk on our soul arms?
No, only lift yourself. You aren't dextrous enough with them to walk.
>Anything we can use as an improvised weapon?
You can grab a chair but it'll be very unwieldy.

I suppose activate your soul arms is a unanimous choice, so I'll auto-include it. I'll roll tomorrow between baths or outside if I don't get a tiebreaker.

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>>4628864
Chairs are ammo for our "Totally not a Gravity Gun" Soul Arms. Tables are nice big shields we can hide ourselves and others behind as well as being ammo for the Soul Arms.

Chairlegs, however, are basically budget maces/clubs. How fast can our soul arms break one off before holding it in one arm as ammo?

Also, it'd be dumb for us to not cast Soul Arms here. Ammo's important, but not dying is even more important. Shereen not getting her soul ripped out and, if I'm right, turned into a Blood Pearl by Zerase is more important than anything!

Errr, quick question, could Ama use one of our pearls to, well, just yeet these shades for the rest of the night and leave only that damned spider vs. our whole damn party? I'd hate to spend one here but hey, if we got an easy counter to this BS it'd be worth it to know...

>>4628892
Oh, also, if we go for the baths, what mode is our gauntlet in? I think it was Ice. If so can we freeze water into bundles of spikes that we can rapidly gravity gun into our opposition? Or, if we can't. can we shatter a big block of ice into sizeable chunks we could then gravity gun at them?

Players must utilize all tools at their disposal, be on their toes and consider all angles and use them wisely if they hope to prevail. Gary Gygax himself felt as such and I'd bet you'd give his bloodlust a run for its money.

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>>4628892
>Chairlegs, however, are basically budget maces/clubs. How fast can our soul arms break one off before holding it in one arm as ammo?
You'll need your two hands to grab one and pull something useable, Arawn is far too likely to outright break the wood otherwise. Our elf is a bit clumsy, he's used to be a wall after all.
>Errr, quick question, could Ama use one of our pearls to, well, just yeet these shades for the rest of the night and leave only that damned spider vs. our whole damn party?
That would need something besides death pearls. Also, I can't remember... You guys picked up a few regular ones in Solemnval? My instincts tell me you picked up one or two but I can't remember at all.
Regardless, Ama doesn't have access to any pearls that don't belong to your party. Remember that she needed Shereen to hold onto her pipe -a physical object belonging to her, filled with her essence- for her to ''reside'' in Shereen soul. Meaning that right now, Ama is an existence similar to Mina.
Letting her consume one regular death pearl will certainly reveal the witch can be mighty dangerous...

>>4628902
>Oh, also, if we go for the baths, what mode is our gauntlet in?
Lightning. It might have been ice but I decided to settle on lightning now, we can just handwave it as Arawn modifying it during the walking today.
There's no need to be -that- thorough in battle. You aren't about to sign a contract with the witch! No matter how much you prepare and think, there will still be rolls.

>>4628904
We did. Zhu grabbed one off the ground/out of a corpse's remains and I assume she just pocketed it. This led to a revelation that horrified Shereen as she put two and two together after that. Solemnval turns people into death pearls, and mommy has made over a thousand of them into said pearls. Her poor pure heart...

Thus, our true stockpile is two awakened death pearls and one normal death pearl in Zhu's possession. Doubt Zhu would just throw it away in disgust, but it would also be a thing everyone but her might forget. After all, after that Ama showed up and that whole drama with Leena happened. Then we decided that a real man knows when to *run like a little bitch* against Shereen's will so yeah, that.

>>4628909
Yeah, if we head for the baths we need to switch. Lightning will shock all parties in the water unless the baths auto distill themselves. I doubt people know about how conductivity works so yeah, shock a thing in water, get shocked in turn.

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>>4628914
>Thus, our true stockpile is two awakened death pearls and one normal death pearl in Zhu's possession.
That does one up with my memory, yes. Why the hell didn't I write it on your character sheet? Regardless, you have one death pearl and Ama knows how to use them.
Switching element can happen once you get there.

>>4628921
If using that thing yeets these shades until dawn and leaves only that damnable spider than I vote Zhu tosses it to Ama and hard counters this BS whilst we all give Zerase the finger!

Granted, this means we don't get to hard counter Zerase and Big Sis in a similar fashion when they pull the same BS when we confront/fight them but hey, I think you said Hadraniel came along with old Siggy. That's another "hard counter" to mass shade/undead BS if I remember right. It was years ago, but I think I remember old Siggy drew the sword her existence was bound to in the cursed swamp and utterly obliterated that skeleton army that was about to fuck us hard up the rear with the resultant burst of holy energies.

He/we/our whole former party was shocked at how easy that was, but there was that whole "curse" Haddy and the heroes were still afflicted with so that damn thing quickly extinguished our joy. We still lived, but only because we rolled well and had a scroll that could summon the daddy figure of Tsukuyomi and decided to use it. A living suit of armor, the greatest paladin to ever exist yet sworn to an oath of silence. He banished it, but could not truly defeat it. And died his final death against Orion/The Embodiment of Strife if I remember.

>>4628933
If Ama gets that pearl and Zerase is watching well, here's the theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHUtxSB1g_s

"Let me show you how these pearls are truly meant to be used you boring, cruel, weak pretender."

I'd need more info about how that fight went and how Ama feels about Zerase now that she's gotten way more info to construct a true own of that scaled sociopathic monster but I'm sure Ama knows as well as I do that a well timed and delivered verbal roast can be just as potent as a blade lodged right between the eyes.

>>4628933
>If using that thing yeets these shades until dawn and leaves only that damnable spider than I vote Zhu tosses it to Ama and hard counters this BS whilst we all give Zerase the finger!
There's no time to explain what she'll do. You'll have to trust in her.

>Granted, this means we don't get to hard counter Zerase and Big Sis in a similar fashion when they pull the same BS when we confront/fight them but hey, I think you said Hadraniel came along with old Siggy. That's another "hard counter" to mass shade/undead BS if I remember right.
Holy is the single most frustrating energy to work with. Nothing is better for defense and healing but it also has many different employs... which are all frustrating as all fuck to use reliably for its practitioners. Normally, Holy magic is a direct counter to undeath but outside dousing zombies in holy fog, most people find it very hard to do anything else that works. It's why angels develop surprisingly efficient wind magic with their wings instead of going all-in on holy manipulations.

>But there was that whole "curse" Haddy and the heroes were still afflicted with so that damn thing quickly extinguished our joy. We still lived, but only because we rolled well and had a scroll that could summon the daddy figure of Tsukuyomi and decided to use it.
Siegfried, Deruella, Sieglinde, Martha, Belphegor, and Daiyu found a way to cheat the curse, which eventually led to its dissipation, freeing Kyorn and Hadraniel. Amazing what some cooperation can do huh?
>A living suit of armor, the greatest paladin to ever exist yet sworn to an oath of silence
Yeah, Batrion, the greatest of paladins, one of the original six heroes that first operated in the Old World before the descent of the angels. His holy magic was twisted due to being a soul inside an armor. Anything he touched while embracing Focus caused Corruption to literally explode. Couple that with an indefatigable body and mastery of melee and you've got a reason why demons were afraid of this silent clacking suit. Grunts that threw themselves on his shield went kaboom.
His duty to Tsu ended when he held back the Embodiment of Strife by himself, yes.

>>4628950
I trust her to desire Shereen and our party live past tonight even if she intends to do what I fear in my Omega worst case scenario That I won't fill you in on because I refuse to feed you ideas on that front.

Bitch needs Shereen's soul to *not* get ripped out here and now by mommy dearest.

Thus, because for no other reason than her own self interest and desire to not see her newest toy ruined by a boring and vindictive bitch, trust her. Give her that pearl. Isolate and annihilate that spider. Than, hopefully, sleep like a log and recover our collective mana reserves ahead of schedule. A schedule you sought to deny us...

>>4628958
If you tell me your bad idea, it won't happen!
Alright, to summarize.
>One vote to move outside.
>One vote to move into the baths
BONUS
>Give Ama your regular Death Pearl.
Things like soul arms and breaking a chair leg are details that'll be added with whatever we do

>>4628967
I'm pretty sure you already know what it is, but I won't spell it out for you. You're a smart GM in the mold that Gary himself would admire. Ye are tough but fair (but also very intent on killing PC's). As any good GM ought to be in his eyes.

I am now thankful we took Bad Fluffy up on her offer. We'd be stabbing in the dark without her now unless Mina also had her level of knowledge and paranoia.

>>4628972
>Gary himself would admire.
I wouldn't dare presume to be anything close to the man, especially since I cannot math.
>Ye are tough but fair (but also very intent on killing PC's).
I'd say I'm more trying my best on finding appropriate ways to kill PCs instead of being ''intent'' on it and ultimately, I do my best to remember they are competent companions. Which is why actually killing them is hard and why Zhu consistent low rolls piss me off to no end since poor combat performance is NOT how she's meant to be.. Ultimately, things could have gone differently in many places if I was crueler, if Ama wasn't as playful, if the world of ToM itself was grimmer...
>We'd be stabbing in the dark without her now unless Mina also had her level of knowledge and paranoia.
She doesn't, Mina specialty is all things godly, religion, and Klesiah.

>>4628984
Zhu's low rolls can be a blessing in certain systems. She gained a fuckton of Karma due to that for instance. Since she ultimately lived, she essentially "power leveled" as it were. She went from a mere favored of Khorne to a full on Khornate Champion and then some. Most recent example: The spider's curse ought to have killed her outright I bet. Instead, it just gave her a rapidly fading migraine. Pussy ass Tzeentchian daemons, should have just fought her like a real warrior!

I am curious as to what we and Shereen can do if we use an awakened Death Pearl. Shereen essentially becomes Lord Skrulk of Clan Pestilens and/or a chaos sorcerer of Nurgle (with the bonus of being able to use "Bolt of Change" on mamonos and reduce them into horrific Chaos Spawn bound to her will because why not). Won't help us now and here as these things are not organic beings but in the upcoming fight with with Zerase and Ensan and that potential army... Oh, oh honey. They won't see that one coming.

As for if we use one, well, we're basically Xel'otath's chosen. Our soul arcana is/will be translated into the arcana of the mind. We could break the minds of our adversaries with a whisper, and drive to madness entire nations with a mere suggestion. Face us, and ye shall surely perish! I bet that's how we become a threat to our own allies. Madness isn't exactly a thing you can precisely target. Our non-soul linked allies will suffer if caught in that AoE I'd wager...

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4628967
Breaking the tie. I'll have to do a few more rolls afterward.

Also I'm thinking of resting my brain for a few days, reopen the thread later this week I'd say. This one can still be used for a while longer so I'd like to avoid making a new one for now.

Rolled 2, 14, 17, 2, 6 = 41 (5d20)

>>4629733
Moving outside it is.
Arawn will be using Bodily Reinforcement + Strong Soul Arm. Reserve = 65%
Elina will be strengthening her halo to maximum power. Reserve = 95%

Rolling for group 1.
Arawn, Ama, Shereen, Mina and Hildegarde.

I'm considering this an group action so having more success is better than individual high rolls.

Rolled 11, 2, 3 + 2 = 18 (3d20 + 2)

Now for Klesiah, Elina and Zhu.

They've got a slight malus going on due to the distance but the angel fast shields help tremendously to cover their advances so it's not too bad.

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Well fuck, at least no crit but looks like quite a few people are gonna get the cold claw.
Shereen gonna feel useless again.
Also, Arawn didn't crit fail so he doesn't fumble the pearl by giving it to Ama so hey, small mercies.
Now I'll give my brain well deserved rest and resume later this week. Smut took a whole lot outta me!

>>4629745
>>4629749
So we, Mina, Hilde, Elina, and Zhu get slashed? Fuck. Well, I assume a crit fail meant that person gets grappled instead which is far worse but this is still calamitous. Can Elina do a chain or AoE heal or will each person require individual ministrations (i.e. a round dedicated to healing each wounded party member each)? We got any healing pots left? How bad are the wounds gonna be and how bad will that fuck our rolls going forward?

Also, given that spoiler, it looks like we eat damage to protect Shereen again. Oh well, at least we don't get flash fried and impaled again. Please say we don't get impaled again, that would really suck right now.

>>4629809
Oh, err, I don't know if this matters but will Elina's max halo glow be visible from the city walls? We ran like a little bitch so Zerase shouldn't know we got an angel in the party but a bright glow suddenly appearing in the distance might attract attention we'd rather not. We still gotta use it but I gotta ask.

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>>4629809
>Can Elina do a chain or AoE heal or will each person require individual ministrations (i.e. a round dedicated to healing each wounded party member each)?
She can heal two people at once effectively by channeling the holy fog out of her arm, doing a aoe like a fog ball is possible but cost a whole lot of mana for only small gains.
>We got any healing pots left?
4 of them but they're all in your room. You got ambushed during sleep/rest, nobody but Elina got armor on.
>How bad are the wounds gonna be and how bad will that fuck our rolls going forward?
Everyone who'll get lovetapped can take some pain.
>>4629817
>Oh, err, I don't know if this matters but will Elina's max halo glow be visible from the city walls?
Nah, you've still got a solid 4 hours of travel before reaching Marleon. Muribel landscape is pretty flat and the nights are super dark, but it's not the ocean, the light won't reach that far.

>>4629834
So the people hit are now "primed" for a debuff to their rolls should they eat another hit. Great.

Hope Ama's use of that pearl bails us out of this one or at least gives Elina the chance to heal everyone up. I don't think she can heal herself but she has armor. Thus her armor got fucked up and not her directly. Seriously, why the hell would Zerase wanna rip the soul out of her own daughter? I mean, besides the possible desire to turn her into a blood pearl. I assume one can, if they're evil enough, convert the souls of mages into pearls of their element. How this is done I don't know but it must be absolutely horrific.

>>4629834
I liked the lewd, very lewd without breaking suspension of disbelief.
I want outside, so the roll is good by me.
Sorry I'm so slow, me and mine are trying to figure out moving in together.

>>4630246
That's alright fren, I'm planning to restart around Friday.

>>4630253
Oh shit, I just thought of this one. Ama was in Zerase's domain and she may have known about Ama's condition (i.e. the need of an anchor in realspace to manifest there).

Her own worst case scenario involved Shereen becoming her anchor and storming the castle with her moons and whom/whatever she managed to get on her side with the intent to kill/stop her. Said moons already killed porky so add Ama and other potential wildcard additional allies... oh fuck, that's gonna have a damn good chance at stopping her.

Thus, it was Ama that got marked. Rather, she was cursed to inflict a mark upon whomever became her anchor. If that was Shereen, well, girl's not ever gonna cooperate if she went that far so rip out her soul and do something with it to carry the two and make that infernal ritual work as intended. Damn Zerase to hell! May she suffer eternally.

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>>4630467
Amazing how much Zerase is hated despite only encountering her once!

>>4630485
Not really. Intending to sacrifice millions of innocents for your own personal gain goes against most any sane person's sense of morality on an absolutely visceral level. It's a thorny subject but suffice it to say you could pop that kind of character into any story in almost any conceivable culture and you best believe they'd all agree: "Fuck that bitch. Yes she deserves to die slowly and we all hope she burns in the worst part of hell!"

The real kicker, however, is how indiscriminate she is in this endeavor. That not even her own daughter (and mothers *know* by categorical definition who their children are) is safe from her ambition/cruelty. Hell, this BS is happening because she wants to *rip the soul out of her own daughter* for some reason!

If she hesitated if only a bit, if she showed her just a bit more love and concern, if she showed some sense of pride in how Shereen was so soft, merciful, and filled with boundless (relatively speaking) empathy (and, by extension, encouraged if only in a subtle sense Ensan to learn from her weak/inferior sister), than maybe her plan might have gone off without too much of a hitch.

She did none of these things and more I could think up if given the time and motivation. Zerase is a villain straight out of the pulp era as it stands for me here and now. Damn bitch is pure evil in a way that even Ama finds disgusting and that says quite a lot coming out of a friggin' cannibal...

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>>4630535
Oiii! Those cannibal accusations are slanders! Fox didn't bite off Arawn dick! That's all the proof you need.

As for Zerase, well, Shereen does believe she care... after all Zerase instructed her in blood magic a little bit and gave her everything she ever wanted in the palace! She's an aloof mother but she care! She does!

>>4630550
Still doubting it. She needed her to know about some blood magic, but not enough to say, for instance, go full Hohenheim from FMA. An innate blood mage might feel the emotions of their potential sacrifices. People will gladly give a bit of their energy to save a stranger, but they won't outright give their lives. Shereen asked for the former in the ritual that revived us, not the latter.

Digging deeper... It was obvious from an early age that Shereen wasn't at all like Ensan. She had empathy, she had a "troublesome" moral code.

If she really cared she wouldn't have horror marked Shereen even if what I said above was the case (i.e. Zerase's worst case scenario). If Shereen chose to allow Ama to make her an anchor it was because she failed as a mother. She failed to convey how much she loved her over how she viewed her as a tool towards an end and nothing more.

In short, the scaled bitch only loved Shereen as a tool towards obtaining her ends. At least Ama gave a shit about appearances and we came around to viewing her as a soul worth protecting in the vein that Gardy viewed us...

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>>4630609
I'm sure it's only Ensan being jealous of Shereen natural, squandered magical talent. No mother could be so cold to their child!

It's interesting how the dynamic Between Shereen and Arawn progressed so quickly. You guys started as her slave yet... no resentment! and now she's a soul Arawn hold worthy of protection to a point equal to his links.

>>4630618
>squandered
Only in the eyes of sociopaths like Zerase and Ensan. In the eyes of most anyone else? A sigh of friggin' relief!

Blood magic is "bad" in the eyes of most. If there must be an innate blood mage though, it is a sign of outright divine intervention that Shereen is that mage. She cares, she would rather bleed herself over bleeding others. She does not want to resort to the worst uses of her nature unless it's a binary choice between "unleash a horror from beyond the veil" or "sit back and watch as a million innocents die"

We can only pray that Zerase and Ensan don't back Shereen into a corner where she uses a death pearl and inflicts upon them the horror of becoming a gibbering chaos spawn. Or we get pushed into a corner and just break them psychologically as a master of the mind arcana tends to do...

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Here's a question!

>>4631382
Take responsibility, for our actions?

>>4631396
Good man.
I really do miss writing Sieglinde and Hao.

>>4631406
I was worried that Zhu might have 'failed' a roll or something.

>>4631421
Oh, you can keep worrying... Heehehehe

>>4631427
It probably won't be the worst thing that happens to us, this week. Let alone in nine months time.

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>>4631445
It'll be the worst thing to happen to Zhu after a few months though. Ah well, it's a complete non-issue for now, but it's really fun to tease.

>>4631450
The others probably aren't going to take it lying down, and might attempt to 'stake' a claim once they find out.

Holy spells, and potions can help with crushed pelvises right?

>>4631468
Keep yourself reinforced, too.

>>4631382
We don't bounce because we got a girl preggers. The kid needs a daddy and we will be the best daddy ever. Gardy can even give us pointers.

Errr, *is* Zhu preggers now? It won't matter for at least a week but is she? That's a very important thing to know.

I believe the other girls will demand we pop one in their oven if Zhu gets one. I may not be going for the harem end but it may well be foisted upon us. If the girls collectively agree on that issue we will be mercilessly milked until everyone's got a big baby bump!

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>>4631506
I won't confirm or deny anything regarding Zhu my dear anons. I'm having far too much fun imagining the squirming fear of having caused such a sudden little change... Besides, maybe you do know the answer! Look into your heart.

>>4631514
A "little" change? Kids ain't little changes. Kids are life altering moments! I'm not squirming, I'm just worried about what the other girls will do *if* we have a kid with Zhu.

Like me and the other anon fear. The other girls will, errr, "stake a claim" if they can. Should the others and Zhu agree that that is a wonderful idea we will be restrained and forced to "serve our part" in granting them offspring.

In short, if Zhu's preggers, then we gonna get raped by the other girls!

>>4631524
Also we may have to deal with a 'Shotgun' wedding if 'things' happen or, fend off a party from Elven sanctuary coming to reclaim their linage, if our survival reaches their ears.

>>4631514
Ok then. I will assume that Zhu really is preggers. It won't affect her combat abilities before the week is out and even if she eats an impalement to the gut within that time the odds of it actually severing the developing umblilical chord/wounding/obliterating the embryo are pretty damn low. Like, triple crit fail low though given her history in regards to her rolls I'm not exactly optimistic here if it comes to that particular check.

Pregnancy will affect all potential combatants sadly. Pretty much all our party members are girls and yeah, that actually matters here. We have a critical lack of bros in our party options. We need to work on that the instant this whole mess gets sorted out.

>>4632037
If things came down to it we could probably convince her to pull security for the boat, since it's kind of important that we have a way out quickly.

>>4632037
Anon, anon... remember last time Zhu got pierced in the guts? There was some revelation there!

As for bros, that is true. Alas, dudes aren'T exactly numerous in monsterlands

>>4632059
Yeah, Zhu got impaled through the guts, but she asked immediately afterward if she could still have kids and they all said yes.

Thus, she can still get preggers and I will assume we just popped a bun in her oven. This is sadly a major death flag for poor Zhu (case in point: she just rolled poorly again). I hope she survives long enough to develop a baby bump and then survive long enough to deliver the child.

I hope it's a male. We do need an heir after all and mamonos need suitors!

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>>4632327
I wanted to bait you into remembering wrong.
So you've already resolved yourself, how quaint. It's rare for one shot to do it... So you want a boy huh? Interesting interesting.

I'll be resuming tomorrow instead of today. See you soon for a little action. I'll take the time we need to finish this scene and then close the thread properly.

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''Outside!'' You scream, pointing at the door while your body embraced Focus to fully reinforce itself. ''Not enough space to fight here!''

Your party moved immediately. Hildegarde was the first to react and opened the door, only to be ambushed on the other side by a shade. The creature wrapped its long clawed hands around her arm and pulled, your companion immediately retaliated with a punch that sank into the entity floaty torso and, still being dragged, Hildegarde jumped to tackle the creature, disappearing into the darkness outside.

''Arawn!'' Cold pain suddenly radiated into your shoulder a second after Shereen screamed. The shade you had momentarily stunned in the chimney had phased through the table quicker than you anticipated!

Wearing only a bathrobe, it easily tore into the cotton and found your flesh, mercilessly slicing and spreading an unnatural chill into your body. ''Fucker!'' You barked and thankfully avoided a dangerous embrace by conjuring your pair of additional magical limbs, infused with strong magical energy. Two punches were enough to push it away!

''Aah! Arawn, I'm sorry it came so fast!'' Shereen spoke with this familiar heartbreaking agony... ''I-I shouldn't have moved!''

''Nonsense, I'm your protector!'' Your gauntlet crackled with life but sudden waves of pain made you wince, momentarily distracting you. The girls on the other side of the tavern had gotten unlucky while they made their way into the center.

One of the child-sized shades had collided with Klesiah but a swipe of her sword spared her a deadly embrace, another attempted to wrap itself on Zhu thigh but the swordswoman chased it off with a solid connection of her sword handle. Elina vigilance prevented the three other shades that came as reinforcement from striking at the girls back.

Everyone but Mina, Shereen, and Ama have been lightly wounded. (The damage isn't enough to impede them in combat.)

These shades were a little different compared to your first encounter in the boat, they felt more tangible in Mother Earth reality... is it because it's night?

''Eaten, eat ya!''
''Gonna get ya ooh! Oohaha!''
''Brainfreeze!'' A loud snapping noise next to you almost made you commit a mistake of self-defense.

You saw the last ember of an adventurous shade disappear into the somber ether of the tavern, three of Ama tails retreated to her side. All nine of her fluffy appendages had undergone a dangerous yet simple metamorphosis: the brushy tips had shapeshifted into big animalistic maws and those things were damnably chatty, letting out an incessant flow of short sentences of various offensiveness mostly centered around eating. Ama arms had changed, growing long enough to reach her knees, reminiscent of a dead tree that didn't belong in Muribel climate.

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''I'll give you our only Death Pearl!'' You announced, trying your best to restart your brain as all nine of her tails snapped, growled, and insulted six shades floating through the back wall of the tavern. ''Can you do anything against... whatever that Outsider thing is?''

''Oh yes.'' Ama face hadn't changed yet you still felt a chill tingling your spine when her red gaze settled on you. ''Using it will make things so much simpler.''

''Move!'' Mina sudden scream almost made you drop the purple jewel. Her hands glowered with traces of gold, she had run to cover the doorway leading outside and the recent hole she punched in a wall revealed she had her hands full dealing with flanking shades.

''We're good!'' Zhu yelled. She had shaken off her malaise in the short minutes of the struggle and stumbled outside as Elina conjured one wide shield to impede the progress of the enemies, giving everyone enough breathing room to rush out of the doorway; those coming from the inn back were still intimidated by Ama tails.

The darkness outside combined with the white fog reaching up to your ankle created a downright oppressive atmosphere. Zhu anger manifested with the activation of her sword, casting a torchlight inside the abyss, creating a sudden scattering of five shades circling a lone Hildegarde who had been fighting by herself in the middle of the road. She looked relatively unscathed, her discarded clothes the heat slightly distorting the air around her arms and legs made it obvious how she avoided the shades deadly embrace.

''Join up with Hildegarde!'' You screamed, holding onto Shereen hand firmly. It wouldn't do to be separated from her!
''Strong light incoming!'' Elina yelled at the same time, a screen of gold magically introduced itself in the doorway, sending a trio of ghosts reeling from the shock of ramming themselves on an obstruction they couldn't dig into. ''Careful with your eyes!''

The instant it took you to raise your arm in front of your face, the night was lit up in gold.

A few shades lingering on the road were sent scattering by the second sun glowering above the angel. So strong was her luminosity that you saw the entire hamlet effortlessly, in fact you could gaze into the eastern and western horizon for a hundred or more meters.

The singular main road only had a pair of houses a dozen or so meters away from it, the inn was the only building directly adjacent to it. The rest of the community looked still sleepy; the three big farms of wheat and various vegetables remained undisturbed, the inn was the beehive of malicious activity.

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So many shadowy silhouettes skittered about that you initially lost count. Trait-less creatures, little more than dark humanoid shapes, filtered through the walls to float in the air, changing the comfortable inn into a damned haunted house. Ten, fifteen... twenty-five or more of these creatures hovered out of reach until a sudden trait of gold pierced and killed one. Twenty-four. This caused a flurry of activity as they realized Elina light wasn't harmful.

By now your party had made a protective circle on the road with Shereen and Ama in the center. ''Do not stare at our hidden white Outsider too much, else your soul itself will receive a painful blast.'' Ama clapped her hands together, her arms had already completely reversed their metamorphosis during the few seconds it took to run outside. ''Once the beast gets close, I'll weaken it, one of you need to deal the finishing blow.'' Starting from her palms, her veins began to glow an ominous purple and she covered her eyes and mouth, leaving only a pair of perked fluffy ears to keep vigilance. What in the world is she doing...?

You couldn't see any traces of this ''white spider'' yet. The roof of the tavern was wide and triangular, anyone could easily hide on the other side from your current angle and for now, there was something else to worry about.

Thirty shades in all were approaching your party, flying around like angry bees. The only secure flank -for now- was your back and it just so happened that it was the road leading toward the capital, the way the shades moved, however, made it obvious they were going to encircle the party.

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>Keep a defensive circle, stay still and pluck away at the enemies with your magical gauntlet. These shades seem to have an animal mind and thus, a sense of self-preservation: by keeping your party on the defense, you'll keep these entities hesitating.

>Encourage aggression. You, Elina and Mina have enough magical energy to wreak some serious havoc. Once the shades gather, force their hands: this might result in collateral damage on the inn but to hell with it! You're severely outnumbered. (Will consume 10% of your reserve. Possibly more if the situation worsens.)

>Fall back. There's no telling if the hamlet inhabitants will endanger themselves, you can at least bring the fight someplace else by running into the only safe direction.

>Free.

Since your party has been ambushed, you have none of your equipment besides your magitek gauntlet. Klesiah only has her sword, Elina is the only one with armor.

BONUS CHOICE
By giving Ama your only pearl, she'll somehow weaken the main enemy and create a valuable opportunity to kill it off... Who should concentrate on doing it? This is likely to endanger them since they'll have to run out of the party formation to deliver a fatal blow.

>Zhu sword is your best chance for a clean kill. Tell her to take the first opportunity she can to get revenge.
>Hildegarde already showed her effectiveness in dealing with the spiritual entity when she fought the god summoned by the paladins. She's your best bet for a quick kill and she's good enough to keep herself from dying to these shades, after all, you found her inside an enclosed dimension filled with the things.
>Your paladin, Klesiah, has enough remaining magical energy to wrap herself in protective electricity while delivering a deathblow. Trust in her.
>Mina is the only archer of the group, why even consider putting your friends in dangers? Her arrows are blessed by Mother Earth, let her deliver the goddess vengeance!
>Free.

>>4639497
>Keep a defensive circle, stay still and pluck away at the enemies with your magical gauntlet. These shades seem to have an animal mind and thus, a sense of self-preservation: by keeping your party on the defense, you'll keep these entities hesitating.
Swap to lighting if we aren't already since we don't want to set anything on fire, and we need the range.

and

>Mina is the only archer of the group, why even consider putting your friends in dangers? Her arrows are blessed by Mother Earth, let her deliver the goddess vengeance!

She is really the only one that could reasonably avoid the shades, and take the fight to the 'Spider' safely at range.

>>4639506
This battle choice fairly important since it'll shape the encounter so I'll give this around 40 minutes of wait time.

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Rolled 87 (1d100)

Doesn't seem like we'll get another choice. Give me 1d20, best of 2. The formation itself won't have any rolls and telling Mina to prepare is a roll for another answer

Arawn will spend 5% mana at the very least since he's ranged support.

Don't mind this roll.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4639572

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>>4639574
Interesting, I'll wait another 15 minutes for another anon roll, otherwise I'll provide the last one.

These slippery shades sure are a handful.

>>4639579
We probably won't enough time to go back to sleep and refresh our mana pool(s) will we, which will give them an extra day or so, right?

>>4639590
Will entirely depend on how things go but it's still total darkness, sleeping to refresh yourself will still be possible afterward.

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Rolled 19 (1d20)

Let's see where this goes. Time to write.

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>>4639605
Bullshit.

>>4639605
It could always be better, I guess.

>>4639605
Welp, at least we live past this round. Errr, who was that other roll for? I think high is good so if that wasn't for one of ours this is still gonna suck and blow. Hard.

>>4639608
The only thing better is an actual Crit.

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You felt the familiar vibration throughout your gauntlet as it broke down your mana and transformed it into crackles of blue lightning, electrical phenomenons spread throughout its surface as the topaz shone with a light of its own. ''Brace your ears, lightning coming!'' You warned your party and Shereen let go of your hands to cover her fluffy ears.

One jolt of lightning exited your palm to slam into a shade whilst one of Mina arrows flew toward a creature on the roof and, unfortunately, missed but you didn't. One shade was hovering above one of the inn side gardens and your spell slammed into it, causing it to scream, reel, and crash into the stone wall.

So, one medium lightning spell is enough but there's still a whole lot of shades! Trying to catch many of them in a big spell will be a complete waste until they get closer.

''Mina!'' Another of your lightning jolts slammed into an entity's side as it attempted to move toward one of the houses. You didn't manage a kill this time but its left arm was gone. ''I want you to concentrate on killing whatever this Outsider is once Ama weakens it!''

Another golden arrow flew right through the head of an entity emerging out of the doorway, the projectile ended its course by piercing through the wooden welcoming counter and thankfully didn't start a fire. ''Understood!'' The shard responded, already letting fly another arrow toward a shade floating above. The creature dodged by rolling sideway and promptly lost control of its flight and fell to the ground.

What you and Mina were doing was little more than thinning the herd. Thirty became twenty-five, the horde of floating shady humanoids had completely encircled your unmoving party but remained at a distance, still unwilling to answer Zhu many taunts... they were waiting despite their slowly dwindling numbers. Maybe if Elina hadn't held back and unleashed some wind to chip away at the inn, she'd have disturbed the shade formation... but the angel was unwilling to harm your host property.
Magical reserve: 60%.

A bright purple light squeezed through Ama hands covering her face followed quickly by a strange, muffled noise. Like two wooden bowl grinding together hard enough to break, a quiet ''Kreeeeeee'' elicited a strange fright in your guts, demanding your concentration to shake this feeling, it was as if the witch was tickling a deep primal fear deep inside you. All of her tails kept laughing, adding more creepiness to this phenomenon.

''These fucking things are going to rush us all at once.'' Klesiah commented. ''Girls... and man, brace for the charge, don't get grabbed, we'll have the advantage in a melee.'' Electricity crackled around her body, the light of her magic was diminished, already mixed with blood but Klesiah wasn't so afraid of Overcast anymore... and that wasn't good. Her magical reserve was almost completely spent.

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''Maybe I can blunt their advance...'' Elina commented, flapping her wind to send a sudden gust toward the nexus of the biggest group, the shades briefly retreated, floating around the small vortex to keep their formation. ''...Not like that, I guess.''

One more jolt, one more arrow. Two shades dead!

Then an unbelievable scream shook your bone. A distorted high-pitched voice somehow elicited images of a drowning young girl but the sheer volume of that noise rooted you on the spot. You saw a white shape, something jumped from the inn rooftop and landed heavily on your party eastern flank.

An eight-legged being stood on the path leading to the farms, each legs big enough to rival Elina halberd. The creature's skin was a sickly white with silvery warts all over its body with a bulbous back reminiscent of a regular spider, one fused with a humanoid torso. Two long arms with deadly fingers shaped like blades made it obvious this was no harmless entity. Its entire front was open, like a piece of finely cut meat. There were no organs, no bones, no structure, only a strange nebulous red hole? Was it smoke? Something behind its head floated like a tail, but this hole, this... is it another dimension? What...?

''Don't stare!'' Zhu kicked you and the reverie ended, leaving you with a strange feeling of loss mixed with déjà-vue... and a headache.

Merely staring had it absorb a tiny portion of your soul! And induce a feeling of hypnotic awe... what the hell is this thing!?

''KreeeEEeeeee!'' Ama noise changed in pitch and she pointed at the enemy with her hands.

Her lovely face (facts are facts even if you hate it!) has undergone total disfigurement. Both eyes had grown twice in length, becoming glowing purple orbs, her mouth had tried up into a hole befitting a dried-up corpse, her jaw and chin had elongated, becoming a freakish picture of, of... what the hell is this? A banshee?

A memory flashed into your mind. Vilma duel against that blond demoness... She had grown so hateful of the crowd, of all Mamonos in general that she lost herself in her power and tried killing all the bystanders. Is Ama spell similar?

''Eeeerrrraaaa!''

The witch machination took root, taking everyone by surprise. The entity hypnotic front was suddenly closed like a badly sewn wound and it lost its balance and struggled to get upright, its many legs skewering the ground in vain attempts to get itself battle-ready. There was no visible damage but you were more than willing to believe Ama spell was taking a deadly toll.

''Mina!''
''Got it!''

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Klesiah faithful guardian had already prepared to act. She jumped and took flight, a sudden golden shield protected her from the numbers of shades and a golden light gathered into her arrow, making her glower dangerously bright inside the already clear night. She let fly, her talent and angle making it impossible to miss, the creature far too debilitated to dodge: her projectile pierced through the spider with a deadly vengeance, skewering from the shoulder and exiting out of its bulbous back.. and exploded in a shower of vengeful gold, cooking most of its exposed flesh.

Mina pulled the string a second time, another arrow appeared and launched itself into the spider screaming bloody murder, another time she pulled the string.

''Mina, behind you!'' Hildegarde yelled, giving the shard the half-second she needed not to be rammed by a suicidal shade.

Mina let go of her bow (which promptly disappearing) and grabbed with the sudden enemy and directly her momentum downward to slam herself in the middle of the party, not even a second later Klesiah swiped her sword to bisect the shade arms and removed its head with another slice.

Close, so damn close!

The white spider suddenly rammed through the inn wall. There was no subtlety there, it simply physically overpowered the old stones to break line of sight with all the cacophony you'd expect.

''No dead...'' Ama struggled to speak because of her deformed face. ''But dying.''

''Bastards are coming! Brace! Brace!''

Elina screamed and all the shades now encircling your party rushed at once in a wave of dark death.

Not even a second to act...!

>Scream for Elina to protect your entire party inside a Holy bubble. Nobody has been separated, blunt that charge, give yourself time to think!
>Push your gauntlet to its limit by unleashing an enormous spell inside the biggest crowd of shit! Malfunction be damned!
>a) Only do a strong spell, you can't afford to stand uselessly until your gauntlet readjust!
>Protect Shereen as best you can. Maybe that Outsider can command these shades, in this case, their objective is clear!
>Free
You don't have time to do anything elaborate.

>>4639801
>a) Only do a strong spell, you can't afford to stand uselessly until your gauntlet readjust!
It would probably be one of the worst times to have it malfunction, or risk us loosing an arm.

If someone (especially Shereen, or Klesiah since they both may have additional troubles) gets grappled we may be able to use our soul arm(s) to help while still using the gauntlet.

I'd like to settle the choice tonight but, depending on rolls, I might have to answer tomorrow. I'll keep things open for an hour if need be, though I'd feel uncomfortable proceeding without at least another voice.

>>4639801
So it is dying meaning we just have to hold out a few more rounds? Can't we source Klesiah for another indignation cast? Can we source Elina for a super chonky bubble?

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>>4639819
>So it is dying meaning we just have to hold out a few more rounds?
Impossible to say.
>Can't we source Klesiah for another indignation cast?
I didn't list every possibility but doing this is possible because of your link allowing telepathic information during highly stressful moments. You can also source Elina.
Both are possible if you aren't worried about getting drained for a huuuge chunk, they don't have time to measure.

>>4639819
We probably want to avoid having Klesiah enter Overcast, so unless we share some which might take a while. She probably shouldn't cast anything.

>>4639826
I may not be able to post for a bit but for now we source Klesiah for indignation an tell Elina to shield everywhere but the direction we launch the lightning blast in.

Also, can that outsider heal itself if left alone long enough or does it need to nom a soul to do that? Please tell me what bad fluffy and Mina did was enough to bleed it out.

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>>4639862
>I may not be able to post for a bit but for now we source Klesiah for indignation an tell Elina to shield everywhere but the direction we launch the lightning blast in.

Hm, so you mean to create a protective Holy bubble with, say, the front exposed for uber soul-infused lightning? Unfortunately, it won't work as you want.

I'll have to make some changes to this choice because there's no time to actually tell the girls an elaborate strategy, Elina will force a complete bubble to protect everyone no matter what you want but... Doing this won't need any combat roll, only a measuring one to see how much of your reserves are left. A source Holy bubble is, well, I won't tell. It remains to be seen if you guys opt for it.

I suppose you could consider this a ''good'' option for the fight. Klesiah can and will unleash some serious hell, too.

>Source Elina and Klesiah to protect your party and hopefully deal with the gathered enemies afterward. Now is not the time to be conservative with your magic!

I'll wait to see if we have an agreement for this choice, otherwise, I'll roll for it.

>Also, can that outsider heal itself if left alone long enough or does it need to nom a soul to do that?
Arawn has no idea.

>>4639882
Yeah sure I'll swap to a Sourced holy shield, it might not do much but at least it should let things develop further.

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4639893
Alright. Let's see for measurement... Reminder that they don't have any bonus, only Arawn is skilled in this area.

>>4639882
Can we quick source Elina and use the time bought by that bubble to measure out the mana needed for indignation or will that still need a roll?

We need to deal with these shades and finish off that outsider ASAP but we also need to not end up bone dry if the dice hate us after this. Damn we need that perk to apply our measurement mastery to our battery spell.

>>4639907
that just means that we need to start doing it more, and improve. if we get any downtime while in the capital we may be able to practice something.

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>>4639903
Hm, so they take a full half of your current reserve, each getting 15%
Arawn now stands at 30% mana.
>>4639907
>Can we quick source Elina and use the time bought by that bubble to measure out the mana needed for indignation
That is possible, you could do something else entirely after the bubble. This will fall into a modified protection choice.

Alright I'll go with our established choice here
>>4639882
I'd like to start early tomorrow so voting is closed, I'll write up the answer tonight.

>>4639955
So we're gonna source Elina casting Ward of Dawn before following up with sourcing Klesiah's Indignation?

Sounds like a plan, but damn 30 percent of our reserves. Hope this opens up options to end this quick so we can catch some sleep and restore our mana. Confronting mommy dearest with sub 50 percent mana (i.e. the amount we at least need for a medium or full fusion activation) is not a thing I wanna do.

>>4640016
If it doesn't work out, all it will mean is that we need to bunk down for an extra day to get it back before we go searching the palace.

>>4640016
Oh, just thought about this. In sourcing her bubble shield we're adding onto what she was originally going to spend and thus it results in a bubble far stronger that it otherwise would have been yes?

>>4640161
Yes but recent developments will also reveal something unusual, stay tuned

>>4640164
Why is that worrying me? I don't know why but now I'm worried that we may have fucked up somehow.

Also, Ama's "combat form" sounds pretty damn strong here. She's basically a Hydra. Nine ravenous maws, maybe Ten if we include her own mouth, able and eager to devour all her adversaries in an instant. Yeah, she needs to be out in front om nom nomming the shit out of this horde. Well, whatever survives of it after we yet again turn Klesiah into a god of thunder.

God it's so nice having a way to easily cast Indignation essentially risk free. I mean, we can do it too, but that risks the gauntlet malfunctioning or even breaking. With best knight girl? Eh, might get drained but otherwise no worries!

>>4640181
Soul magic is really coming onto its own now, amplifying your party magical talent sure is handy.

>>4640194
So what you're saying is, if we source a spell for a mage, it now gets bumped up a tier or two? Like, for Klesiah, mere lightning gets bumped up towards the same thing, but with "electron/quantum manipulation" as the actual "base" of the spell? Y'know, like Hei from Darker than Black.

As for Elina, well, Holy seems to tie into Mother Earth. This means that within that totally not Ward of Dawn Bubble shield Mina actually gains a connection to Big ME's Web. That means she refills her reserves to full the instant that lands. If she gets full access to her powers for even a minute or two that ends this shit outright.

Well, almost. Girl might just take that chance to off Ama's shard because hey, why not? I hate to say it, but we now owe Ama our lives. Thus, backstabbing her now leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted Mina to purge her, now, now I'm not so sure about that.

>>4640208
It would still be a good idea to have the shard around for the upcoming boss fight to since she probably will have a better idea of what is going on.

>>4640212
Kinda my point. As much as Ama is bad as fuck news... she's actually not in these circumstances.

Yes, we will need to remove her from Shereen after this is all said and done and no I doubt Ama will just up and leave her because we asked nicely but until Mommy Dearest has either gone through a Redemption arc or is well and thoroughly dead we... Kinda need Ama to be alive.

I want Bad Fluffy dead as much as anyone don't get me wrong but... Not just yet. For now, we need her alive in whatever capacity she is capable of. After all, she can't even affect or manifest in the physical world without an anchor like Shereen.

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>>4640208
>So what you're saying is, if we source a spell for a mage, it now gets bumped up a tier or two?
No.
You need to be linked with them, also the smut is still fresh in everyone's minds. The harmonious security that came after clearing up Klesiah misunderstanding and having everyone satisfied had an effect. You may or may not have discovered a new trait of your battery spell.
>As for Elina, well, Holy seems to tie into Mother Earth.
Nope. Though that's a mistake almost everyone makes, Mother Earth can employ some Holy but she is no... say, authority on it. Though she -can- use magical healing it isn't actually Holy, it's much more similar to Teruko regenerative capability. (Holy doesn't cure diseases very well for instance, but Mother Earth miracles are excellent for this)

Here's something to think about
Corruption.
Holy.
Magic and the primal elements.
Soul.
Blood.
Mundane forces (good old regular science. Alchemy and Magitek are counted here.)
Are all considered fundamental forces of the world. Of course, many of them intersect, a Holy mage wields Magic and Holy etc but a being like Mother Earth would represent at most two elements because of how strong she is.

>>4640219
Now I am confused. Oh well, I shall eagerly await the next update and pray that we made the right choice over fucking up in a fundamental way.

If we didn't, well, now I'm actually scared to share my good ideas with you. I have an idea as to how this works out so well for us it qualifies as a miracle given what you said but now I'm scared to share that with you too!

>>4640228
>Now I am confused.
The information you get might conflict because of people's perception of course. Truth is so hard to find!
>now I'm actually scared to share my good ideas with you.
You have absolutely nothing to worry about, for I am kind and fair. Tell me whatever you have, my friend.

>>4640234
The reason I'm scared is the same as why I won't share my darkest visions.

If I give you my darkest vision, you'll actualize it with glee. If, conversely, I give you a vision of the light, you'll immediately formulate a way to counter it somehow.

Though I must admit it'll be damn hard for you to do this if the option you've selected happens in the way I'm imagining it if you're not railroading.

Critical question: Do we source Elina and Klesiah at the same time? Timeline doesn't exactly matter too much. Key factor is if we link up with and source them pretty much at the same time.

>>4640241
>Do we source Elina and Klesiah at the same time?
No. The spells of the girls can't combine. You'll see tomorrow.

>>4640244
Ok, gonna risk it. We are linked to them and they are linked to us. Thus, is it possible to violate a rule or two?

Like, if you know what "Ward of Dawn" is. You can't exactly fire from within it and land hits to things outside of it unless you really know what you're doing. The bubble works both ways sadly.

But say it didn't. Say you could open a hole or somehow allow a linked soul to be able to fire upon enemies outside of it because reasons. Is that possible?

>>4640254
>But say it didn't. Say you could open a hole or somehow allow a linked soul to be able to fire upon enemies outside of it because reasons. Is that possible?
That isn't impossible but would require some serious practice. That won't happen in your present circumstances, the bubble is going first, after that, Klesiah electricity. That's why the coming update might be a long one.

>>4640256
So it's going to be all the shades crashing against the bubble, hopefully failing to penetrate or fully engulf it, and then they all hopefully getting nuked by Klesiah's Indignation cast?

I can get behind that, but that still doesn't answer the anomaly we're about to encounter. What weirdness are we going to experience between those events?