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Its been quite a long time since last thread so I will answer questions you have.
But I have also forgoten some details so dont worry.

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>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)

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>>5692166
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)
The mothchildren will need somewhere to learn.

love your work QM glad you brought this back the art really adds something to the quest!

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>>5692166
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)
Welcome back, QM!

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>>5692166

Welcome back QM!
I've been waiting for this quest to return.
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)

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>>5692166
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)
Welcome back! We missed you

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>>5692166
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)
hey there sugar dick. good to see you're still up and pumpin.

>What have you been rebuilding in this past… days? weeks?
bio-mecha, because why the fuck not?

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Where… where did you all come from? And why would you wait for this quest? Is mediocre at best. So confusing.

[Game of distortion]
>>5692339 - Water purification
>>5692350 - Mothchildren education ( I had forgoten about them)
>>5692614-Flying jellyfish (???)
>>5692641-Perfect cake/ well preserved prewar food
>>5692700-Forklift/ industry?
>>5692823-new scifi tech monsters

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Unanimous
>Try to find some better food at the kitchens (warmup, talk to some NPCs)

You didn't have to think long about the decision.
You were in no hurry to meet the chimeras leaders and you were somewhat hungry.
So you decided to stop by the cafeteria first.

The corridors of the fortress were never silent but somehow always covered in dust.
Tempered glass windows and fluorescent lights contrasted with the ornamental wallpaper that accumulated mold.
And heading into the depths of the building, it had been ripped away exposing bare concrete and pipe ceilings.
The chimera that had offered you the archaic military ration followed you two steps behind.
Always alert, waiting for an enemy to appear.
Always neutral in expression and movement, disturbing efficiency in the few actions that it performed.

[Game of distortion: >>5692339 and >>5692641. You are going to avoid needing to use the Chimera rations and the problems it carries. You got me]

The cafeteria was a large room with skylights and long rectangular tables.
Some round ones that probably belonged to officers or the like.
And the food stations were embedded in the wall, an automated system that left much to be desired.

You entered expecting for the silence of dawn.
You found the noise of infants devouring curiously well-preserved food.
Something more than half a dozen humanoid caterpillars were socializing at one of the tables.
Their chittering mandibles made incomprehensible sounds that you could not tell if they belonged to their own language or to imitation of speech.
The mothman was watching them, just as confused by the premise.
He greeted you in silence and turned his attention to breaking up a fight over the cutlery.

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You also diverted your attention, but to the other occupied table.
Emilia greeted you from a distance while Hildra tried to stay awake and pay attention to what Jericho was telling her.
She grabbed bread with what appeared to be jam and a coffee substitute before approaching.

"Morning pricess," Emilia greeted you, none of the three had a plate of food "What brings you here so early?"
"I couldn't sleep, what about you?"

"Tog has gone missing!" Jericho tried to say with suppressed urgency.
"So your boy toy didn’t go to bed last night," Emilia said trying to reassure him
"That doesn't mean something happened to him. He is probably hiding in some vents after Flora scared him or something.
He will turn up eventually."

"Yeah, he probably ahhhhhh." Hildra yawned and rubbed her good eye. "He probably fell asleep tinkering in the workshop."
"But he was trying to find a way out of this place, what if he found it and the chimeras aren't letting him back inside?" The young elf said shaking his hands.

"Then the Colonel would tell us, right? Or Ghal since he is permitted to leave."
This was new to you.
Hildra sighed deeply, and put her hand on the elf's shoulder.
"I'm going back to sleep, we will see what to do later."
"But-"
"No, I've had to test the new chimera abominations and you woke me up too early."

The mercenary got up from the table and wandered towards the exit, bumping into tables and chairs.
One of the chimeras that waited at the door left after her.
Apparently everyone had "bodyguards".
There was a moment of silence as you tentatively sipped the dark liquid in your cup.

Were you going to say something?
>Try to reassure Jericho (what do you say?)
>"Where did Tog say he was going?"
>"What is Ghal doing outside?"
>"What abominations was Hildra referring to?"
>Go talk with the Mothman (about what?)
>Stay quiet, let Emilia calm Jericho down.
>Write in


Note:
If you have questions on what or who i'm talking about I will answer them.

>>5693007
They are very cute, I love them.
>>5693009
>"Where did Tog say he was going?"
>Try to reassure Jericho (what do you say?)
>"I'll see if I can get a small search party going if he doesn't show up soon."

>>5693009
Woah your drawing skills improved a lot, since the last time I saw it.
Cant wait to see our Rakta. >:^)
>>5693076
>+Support

>>5693076
Oh, and the reason for the search party to be small is that if it's too big, he might get scared thinking he is being hunted down or something like that.
And probably would be easier to convince the chimera leaders to spare resources.

>>5693009
>"Where did Tog say he was going?"
>Try to reassure Jericho (what do you say?)
>"I'll see if I can get a small search party going if he doesn't show up soon."

As others said, you art has improved immensely! Good job!

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>>5693009
BIG DWARF MOMMY MILKERS!

>>5693408
>>5693198
>>5693076
>"Where did Tog say he was going?"
>Try to reassure Jericho (what do you say?)
>"I'll see if I can get a small search party going if he doesn't show up soon."

It was true that Tog had not adapted particularly well to this place.
Even if the fortress was wide, you were still locked up here.
There was nothing green for miles and the sun never hit directly.
Sometimes you had the impression that even the wind had died too.
And the kobold had had bouts of paranoia from the constant watch of the chimeras.
So deciding to look into the problem, you inquired a bit more.
"Where did Tog say he was going?"

Jericho closed his eyes, trying to remember.
"He was seeking access to the subway, to go to the train station you told us about.
He wasn't sure what a train was but it seemed like a good escape route to him."
You remembered mentioning it, Hildra too.
The relatively intact tunnel maze under the city.
And you remembered the station where you were in the last expedition.
The number of corpses and the butchers dedicated to processing the meat brought in from outside the Wasteland.

Emilia didn't react, she didn't know what was there.
She simply patted her back.
"Kobolds are sneaky, I'm sure he is fine."
You also spoke, radiating as much calmness as you could.
"I'll see if I can get a small search party going if he doesn't show up soon."
Maybe you should go personally, a large team could scare the lizard.
The young elf smiled nervously.
"Thanks, and you are probably right. He will turn up eventually and I'm just-"
"Hey, don't think to much about it. Why don't you go ask the other two gremlins, maybe they have seen him." Emilia interrupted him
"What has Potato been doing this week?"
she just shrugged

You considered this enough talk for now.
Maybe you should go looking for the lizard directly?
It was certainly a bit worrisome, maybe you could send someone to look for him.

>You can probably find him yourself, search for Tog the Kobold.
> Ask Rakta to search for him, she also feels uneasy here so if someone was helping him it was her.
> Ask Flora for help, the psychopath has a lot of magic that she could help
> Go to the meeting with Cedalion and ask him, she has the resources.
> Don't mention it to anyone for now, in case he has found a way out.
>Write in

Note:
I need to leave for an hour, I will make art later.

no, the art has not improved, I just got a pen to go over the pencil.
Its like null oil for minis

>>5693719
>You can probably find him yourself, search for Tog the Kobold.
> Ask Rakta to search for him, she also feels uneasy here so if someone was helping him it was her.

>>5693719
> Ask Rakta to help search for him, she also feels uneasy here so if someone was helping him it was her.
> Ask Flora for help, the psychopath has a lot of magic that she could help
>Go with them

>>5693736
+1

Man, being stuck down here sucks. Sure wish we could program a game of DOOM to pass the time, or do something important before the world starts to end.

>>5693736
support

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> You can probably find it yourself, look for Tog the Kobold.
> Ask Rakta to find him, she feels uncomfortable here too, so if anyone was helping him, it was her.

Knowing what the kobold had been doing, it might be best if you went looking for him directly.
Cedalion could wait.
You left the cafeteria with a quick farewell and considered your options.

You had a vague idea of where Tog could be, there weren't that many places where someone could access the underground.
But covering all that area would require more time than you had.
You considered asking Flora for help, surely she had some spell to locate creatures quickly.
But knowing her tendencies there was a chance that it would bite you in the ass in the future.
So you decided to turn to the other person who was actively keeping the chimeras away.

Rakta's room was a little further from the center of the building.
She had blocked the few corridors that gave access to it,
and it was another of the few places where the chimeras that acted as your "bodyguards" did not enter.
After several incidents, Cedalion decided to give her space.
Jumping a small barricade and avoiding a booby trap, you arrived at her door.

You knocked on it and waited in silence.
Some minutes later and after the sounds of suffling inside stoped, it finally opened.
You were greated by the tyr woman wearing a pink robe and forcefully keeping open one eye.
behind her you could see and unhealthy amount of weapons at arms reach.

"Its very early. Are we purging the abominations?" She asked in a monotone voice
"... not yet. Where did you find a bathrobe?"
"Anon, Qothos love is runing thin. What happened?"
You decided to make it brief, telling her about the missing kobold and asking if she knew where to find him.
"Yes, he comes here from time to time.
He has been squeezing between some walls to explore some maintinance tunnels.
Give me a minute to get dressed."

....

One hour later and you were both in the depths of some partially collapsed tunnels.
Surrounded by tangles of pipes and cables.
The concrete walls were cracked by time and war.
There were also various chalk marks on the walls.
Rakta explained to you that they were mining signs,
that was how the kobold would avoid getting lost.

You passed several strange areas while following the most recent-looking trail.
menacing doors of iron and rust that blocked the way to the slight sound of moving water,
Pinkish clouds of cobwebs covering entire tunnels
And a large chasm in the wall with jagged pipes covering its walls where you would swear to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

At the end of your journey you found the reason why the kobold had not returned.
a mountain of rubble blocked the tunnel.
If he had been trapped below he would be dead,
if he was trapped on the other side...

What will you do? [Roll 1d20 Bo3 just in case]
>Return. He knows the tunnels better than you, he will come back eventually
>Keep going foward. (through what? the iron gate/spider nest/pipe tunnel)(what is the plan?)
>Try another path marked by the kobold (what are you searching for?)
>write in

I'm on the move this weekend so i'll be phoneposting.
I'm going to try have 1 post a day but i cant make promises.

>>5694531
>Try another path marked by the kobold (what are you searching for?)
Some alternative passage, or any signs that he was there.
There is a chance that he could have purposefully collapsed the tunnel behind him so he couldn't be followed, so let's make sure first.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5694531
>Try another path marked by the kobold (what are you searching for?)
B-bobba!
P-pretty l-lady!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5694537
Support.
Also: chat up Rakta, ask how she's doing.

>>5694531

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5694529
So what exactly did I miss again? I kind of took a break to finish some work after Anon got bombed and took a crippling chest trait. Is rakta Anon's body guard? Servant? GF?

How is everyone taking in the fact that all the gods, races, and humans are both at fault and sort of innocent? How everyone did a fucky wucky? Pretty sure we have enough evidence to come to that conclusion.

>>5694529

"Anon, Qothos's love is runing thin"
But mine is not. :^)

>>5694531
>Try another path marked by the kobold (what are you searching for?)
How do the markings look?

Thinking critically about the scene presented, your thoughts became clouded by the many posibilities.
Was this an accident or a cave-in caused on purpose? And by whom?
Tog avoiding being followed or the chimeras?
No, Cedalion would not do this.
But an automated system of defence?
Who else was left in these ruins?

>>5694537
There was only one way to narrow down the possibilities,
and it was by inspecting in detail.
You had followed a trail because it was the most recent, but was it his?
You didn't really have much tracker skills, so you relied on Rakta for this task.

"Most of the trail we follow is just dust that has been disturbed,
we know that the path has been traveled a lot but not what has crossed it.
But we are tracking a kobold, look at the wall, here we see the marks of its tail movements.
And up here we see..."
There was a pause, hesitation in saying what she saw.

She frowned and dragged her hand across the surface of the pipes,
trailing a thick layer of dirt and raising the smell of gunpowder.
Her gaze followed the cracks in the walls, the wounds in the rock concentrating somewhere under the rubble.
"This was a controlled detonation, did Tog have any explosives?"
"Not that I know of."
This created even more questions.

The paths that had a clear way foward seemed too risky.
So following the other marked tunnels you tried to find an alternative route.
With the soft light of a torch, you both marched into the blackness.

>>5694812
>>5694696
As you made your way through the dark searching for the chalk marks that would guide you,
you glanced back momentarily.
Rakta followed you, attentive to her surroundings but showing displeasure.
"How are you doing?" You asked a simple question that caught her by surprise.

"Oh. Fine, it's not the first time I've done something like this." she gave a quick answer without giving it much thought.
"I wasn't talking about this. How are you keeping up with what's been going on?"
"I-" she paused, thinking of the right words, "My faith has been tested far more than I thought possible. I dont have a real answer for you."
"Dont worry, its a lot to take in. The fact that all the gods, races, and humans are both at fault and sort of innocent."

She sighed and nodded, hiding an annoyed grimace.
Like someone who felt an old wound ache again. "Sometimes I think Qothos's plan has been to send me here to finish his work.
Other times I think of the human god, not the Demon Lord, the one I found in a ruined chapel, the one in in the prayer beads.
Your crucified god, your dead god.
Do you think Qothos feels kinship to him now?"
>[How do you respond?]

[Roll =19 + 6; DC =20; Result= success]
The tunnels under the city spread with a cancerous method.
A warren of pipes and wires.
Many more paths blocked by entropy or more explosions.
And even with its labyrinthine structure, you found sucess.

You passed through the originally blocked path and emerged through a sewer tunnel onto a hill at the edge of city.
Before you, the expansive ash wasteland that made up the entire territory of the Remnants.
And to your left, the train station.

Industrial warehouses of wrought iron stand tall among the desolation.
[Game of distorsion >>5692700]
its figure full of sealed windows and support beams was the center of great activity.
Vehicles and chimeras constantly moving materials.
Gigantic iron crates and drums in abundance, the spark of reconstruction returned to the capital.

But that was not what you came to see, you followed a trail.
And the reddish earth of this place painted a clearer picture.
Tog had come to this place, gone to the station, and come back.
Perhaps he had done this route several times,
but there was footprint evidence of a multitude of chimera that had come from the station and entered the tunnels.
With this information you only had to wonder if the kobold would let himself be found.

What will you do?
>Go to the station, maybe the kobold found another way in
>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)
>If Tog did not carry supplies the list of possible places where he is, is reduced (Guess where he could be at.)
>Return to the fortress, talk to Cedalion. If Tog was arrested, he will know.
>Write in

Sorry for the delay,and mistakes. Phone posting again
>>5694812
>So what exactly did I miss again?
Flora got mad you stole her kill and Rakta had a minor panic attack after the miracle to cure you(a demon) worked.
Cedalion gave you a tour of the dead capital and they fixed your lungs.
Not much else.

>Is rakta Anon's body guard? Servant? GF?
She sold you her soul so you would give the fragment of Qothos to the church.
You have tried to explain you dont own her soul, she refuses to belive you.
So she follows you around despite only being bound by her will.
So like marrige in Vegas.

>>5695458
>How do the markings look?
The hobo code but drawn by a hyperactive chicken

>>5695586
>Back home, we often say that God's plan
is mysterious.
>Jesus didn't die in a war, but he did let himself be sacrificed for love of humanity to redeem our souls. So maybe they do have some things to bond over?
>>5695589
>Go to the station, maybe the kobold found another way in
If there is reconstruction, then maybe there were explosives on site? He wouldn't need to have brought in that case.

>>5695586
>Jesus didn't die in a war, but he did let himself be sacrificed for love of humanity to redeem our souls. So maybe they do have some things to bond over?
Anon confirmed Christian? Sure, why not?

>Go to the station, maybe the kobold found another way in

"Back home, we often say that God's plan is mysterious"
She nodded with a low chuckle, finding the humor in discussing theology with a demon.
But you decided not to leave it there, and tried to expand her horizons.

"Jesus didn't die in a war, but he did let himself be sacrificed for the love of humanity to redeem our souls.
So maybe they do have some things to bond over?"

The revelation that the human god in question had sacrificed himself conflicted with her understanding of divinity.
"Why? If he loved humanity so much, why would he abandon it?
Why did you need your souls to be redeemed? Why did your god create you with that defect?
Why did he sacrifice himself to correct his mistake?"
The chosen one was confused and frustrated by the enlightment.
The similarities of the two deities were inversed, exposing their abysmal differences.

"Would Qothos not have died for his creations?"
You asked, trying to understand the source of her frustration.

"No. The tyr will never be complete without him... He was selfish."
The last words remained in a whisper, an echo of something dying inside the warrior.
She was looking at the ground as you advanced, avoiding your gaze.
Knowing that she would cry if you kept asking, you decided to remain silent.

>Go to the station, maybe the kobold found another way in

Under the gloom of the ever gray sky you crept towards the station.
Rakta two steps behind, short sword in hand.
You approached without any problem, the patrolling chimeras only did so inside the complex.
And you found a kobold-sized hole in the chain link fence that gave you quick access inside.

An asphalt plain full of rusty androids completely focused on their tasks.
Bringing in and returning supplies, this seemed to serve as a temporary storage until it was known where the resources were going.
Security, was lacking.
A couple of guards patrolling in a linearly predictable path so terrible it seemed on purpose.

Here you separated from Rakta, she went to see the containers outside and you would climb to the roof of the station to see what was inside.
This did prove to be a challenge, pipes painted with viscous liquids and barbed wire welded to the iron wall slowed down your progress.
When you finished ascending, Rakta had already opened a couple of containers.
They mostly contain primary resources such as wood, resins and textiles.
Surely obtained from raids on the Empire.

You turned and witnessed from the skylight of the station the other resources they obtained.
There were a couple of abandoned platforms and two in operation.
One contained various live and dead animals in diferent stages of butchering being transported.
The other contained several living people. Tyr, Elves, and Dwarves.
All chained and waiting for their final destination.

The interior was well fortified, walkways above the tracks always had chimeras watching.
And there were always half a dozen guards checking the prisoners.
Constant patrols in a state of alert, the level of security within the iron walls was impressive.

What are you going to do?
>You have to release them (Do you have a plan?)
>Keep watching, Tog is not among them but maybe he is somewhere else.
>Infiltrate, pretend to be a prisoner, figure out what's happening from there.
>Go downstairs, speak to the chimeras, Demand that Cedalion come.
>Let Rakta call a miracle (Choose an emotion.)
>Write in

...

I'm back home, Next post will have art.
If you are going with the first option you will probably need a map so even if this takes two days don't worry.

>>5695618
>Anon confirmed Christian? Sure, why not?
Oh, its not that. We are just loading another of Chekov’s guns, not sure when we can fire it tho.

>>5696340
>Go downstairs, speak to the chimeras, Demand that Cedalion come.
Is this how they make more chimeras? If Tog saw this, his paranoia would rightfully would have become even worse.
Poor Rakta, she doesn't even the beggining of how complex human religion is. Would her head implode if we mentioned that we have a bunch of competing religions that don't agree with eachother?

>>5696335
Oh no, we broke the haughty cutie! Well, nothing Jesus can't fix. Hallelujah!

>>5696340
>Go downstairs, speak to the chimeras, Demand that Cedalion come.
>You have to release them (Do you have a plan?)
>>Ask Cedalion to free the captives peaceably; if he can't control the robots for some reason, we free them by force of arms

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>Go downstairs, speak to the chimeras, Demand that Cedalion come.
>Ask Cedalion to free the captives peaceably; if he can't control the robots for some reason, we free them by force of arms

There was a small army defending this place and the building acted as a cage, so nothing could get in or out.
It was a volatile situation, and ironically, you were going to take the most direct solution.

You came down from the roof and met Rakta at the edge of the compound.
Giving an explanation of your plan and intentions and you asked her to stay away and hidden just in case.
But you didn't mention what was inside the station because you know she would quickly resort to violence.
"I don't understand why you trust the abominations, but i'm trusting you to not get shot."
She said with a stern face and ended up jabbing her finger accusingly at the scars on your chest.
"Dont be an idiot, don't give them the benefit of the doubt."


She withdrew from the area and tried to find cover in the ash desert.
With that more or less resolved, you stepped into the open and called the attention of the patrolling chimeras with a shout.
There were few outside the building, but they all turned their gaze to you.
And they kept still, if they weren't machines you would think they were confused.

They remained in that state of suspension until a chimera came out of the building and came at you with its weapon raised.
Its prerecorded voice was too distorted, some words were lost in the static.
“Stop! Identify ####self!// You ar###n viol##ion of the law // ### are [TRESSPAS####] on [MILITARY #####] // You are: # #DER ARREST! "

You understood enough, you identified yourself and demanded that Colonel Cedalion appear immediately.
There was a pause in the movement of the chimera.
After half a minute of waiting, he spoke again, lowering his weapon.
"5 minute wait."
And that's what you expected, almost exactly five minutes.
You mentally preparing yourself and thinking of arguments to use with Cedalion.
And the chimeras around you frozen in time, the movement of their breathing the only indication that they were still alive.

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The leader of the chimeras arrived in a military convoy gnawed by rust.
Cedalion got out of a vehicle and was followed by an android with a ceramic mask, this one you assumed was Charon.
It was the first time you saw in person the right hand of the leader of the Remnants.
His body was that of a deconstruction droid, but severely modified.
Additional circuit boards and organic fragments all compressed into the silhouette of this strange amalgamation.


"What are you doing here?" Cedalion spoke in a clear and demanding manner, showing no emotion or doubt.
"That doesn't matter, I've seen what's in there. Is that how chimeras are made? With people?"
"It's the efficient way." Cedalion gave his answer coldly "Three weeks if we use them as a base, a little over a year if we do it from scratch."

"Law ( 56 ) == True // [DATA] = 0 // <HUMAN> = Data_Leek “
Charon expressed his displeasure in sharing information with you.
You ignored him and tried to convince Cedalion to release the prisoners peacefully.
"No. Rigek has too many troops in the north and the Empire is sending scouts, we need soldiers. We can't show weakness."

Cedalion looked from him to the iron building, thinking about all he had done.
"Why do you care?" He asked honestly "They are the enemy, they are to blame for our situation.
There is nothing noble in sacrificing ourselves for them. Revenge is a factor, but this is a necessity."


What will you say?
>Kill Cedalion and Charon (auto-success)
>Ask for Tog (What do you want to ask?)
>Ask for something else (what do you want to know?)
>Tries to convince him to release the prisoners (What is your argument?)
>Write in

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>>5696356
>Would her head implode if we mentioned that we have a bunch of competing religions that don't agree with eachother?
Probably, so please dont.

>>5696373
>Well, nothing Jesus can't fix.
Pic

>>5696959
>Tries to convince him to release the prisoners
If the Chimeras/Remnants stop doing this sort of body horror shit and start releasing prisoners and showing mercy, someday i may be possible for humanity t normalize relations here, if more humans like us show up. Otherwise, we'll always be a demon.

Also, as far as nothing being noble about self-sacrifice, let's tell HIM about Human God Jesus Christ. Maybe that will help sway him?

If all else fails:
>Give us Tog, and we'll leave
and once he's safe and Cedalion ad Charon leave
>Go back with Rakta and free the prisoners, then sue our explosives to sabotage the factory

>>5696959
Lets try a different approach.

>Try to convince him

>Colonel the outside world sees the Fedaration as parasitic monsters that kidnap their people.
>I came here to rebuild what once was, to turn this into a proper civilisation.
>So that the Human Federation can rise again and become a shining beacon it is meant to be.
>Cedalion we have to be better than this, we MUST know better.
>If we are to do this we have to do this properly.

>I promise I will find a better option.
>When we first met I gave my word I would return, and I did.
>And if you still doubt me?
>This world's magic system operates on a programming language that is almost identical to human made programming languages.
>While I usually prefer not to boast, I have proven myself as an expert in modifying existing code, or writing entirely new code structures. I have even found myself adept in the field of medicine, Rakta here is proof of that.
>I imagine the manufacturing and development of new Chimeras is no easy task, but with the help of Ghal and Charon Im confident such a thing is possible.

Whew I hope this is not too much and it succeeds.

>>5696959
>>5697037

If we get to create the new type of chimera Im thinking of a general griveus/terminator/cyberman creation, with the heavy units looking like that awesome spacemarine terminator that was posted a while back.

>>5697037
oops I forgot that Rakta is hiding
just correct it to
>Rakta is proof of that.

>>5696978
We kind of decided on the rebuilding the federation to a proper civilisation part before the hiatus.
While the lives of these prisoners are important , throwing away this entire project because of them is crappy.
Im not sure how much QM remebers from previous threads

>>5697048
I recall, but if Cedalion won't listen to reason, we do what we must. Better to beg forgiveness than to keep fruitlessly begging for permission while people get ripped apart and rebuilt into monsters.

>>5696959
>Ask for Tog (What do you want to ask?)
Does he know Tog's whereabouts
>Ask for something else (what do you want to know?)
About the collapsed tunnel.
>Tries to convince him to release the prisoners (What is your argument?)
I'm too tired and dumb to think of an argument right now

>>5696978
>>5697037
>>5697040
>>5697134
>Where is Tog (This had to go first for narrative continuity. Sorry)

One of the most difficult conversations of your life awaited you.
One that could end the rebirth of humanity or something catastrophic.
But before starting it you needed information, you had another objective when you came here.
"What happened to Tog? I came here looking for him and found collapsed tunnels and his trace disappeared in them along with several chimeras."

"I don't know anything about it." He said quietly, after a little consideration turning to Charon.
"Inform me of this." Cedalion said with annoyance in his voice.
"def find_all("Tog"): results = [145]"

"You know who I'm talking about, confess." Cedalion said, tired of the insubordination.
"find_files("Tog_145", NOT_FOUND)// [CAPTURE] == FAILURE "
Cedalion sighed with some relief.
"Activate Guidance protocol on the chimeras that find him.
They are forbidden to use force for cooperation and have orders not to follow him. And give me the files of the operation."

There was a second of silence, Cedalion waving his withered arms in the air, imitating turning pages.
His gaze was lost in the digital light that shone in his eyes.
"Charon found him snooping around, he set a trap, he failed.
Tog will appear when he decides, I have already given the order for them to stop pursuing him.
Will it work for you, Anon?"

[Does it work for you?]

1/3

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>Try to convince him
Under gray skies and the rumble of machinery you contemplated the colonel.
An abomination in flesh and mind, the last defender of humanity and the one who held hostage any hope of change.
You balled your fists, your nails digging into your palms.
There wasn't an enemy you couldn't kill, but this felt like a battle you couldn't win.
And yet you had to try.
It was your moral duty to change him, to show him that there was another way.
That the future could be better.

"The outside world sees the Federation as parasitic monsters that kidnap their people.
And they are right, we need to start showing mercy, so that someday there is a possible for us to be more than demons.
Stop doing this horror and release the prisoners , there is still a chance to normalize relations here.
That's why I came here to rebuild what once was, to turn this into a proper civilization."
Your speech was from the heart, you believe that this is possible and you do your best to convey your optimism to the veteran.
Trying to infect him with your vision of the future, with the hope that he had lost.

"The Human Federation can rise again and become a shining beacon it is meant to be.
Cedalion we have to be better than this, we MUST know better.
If we are to do this we have to do this properly."
Cedalion stood impassive, a stone wall before you.
His thoughts and emotions locked away.
You couldn't give up, so you continued.

"I promise I will find a better option.
When we first met I gave my word I would return, and I did.
And if you still doubt me?
This world's magic system operates on a programming language that is almost identical to human made.
I have proven myself as an expert in modifying existing code and writing entirely new structures.
I have even found myself adept in the field of medicine, Rakta is proof of that."
You took a second to breathe.
Cedalion hadn't moved a muscle, but you knew he was thinking about what you were saying.
Maybe it was working? You had to hope.
Charon on the other hand, even with his porcelain mask, beamed with enthusiasm.
The prospect of great new experiments had won him over.
You continued.

"I imagine the manufacturing and development of new Chimeras is no easy task,
but with the help of Ghal and Charon I'm confident such a thing is possible.
Let's make a better future for everyone.
This was your closing argument, you had put your soul into this moment.
It had to work, not for you, for this world.

Silence.

Absolute silence while Cedalion considered possibilities.
His mind flooded with simulations and collected data, dissected emotions and weighing facts.
His eyes glowed as he looked into the future, so it felt wrong when the light died so soon.
Charon put a hand on his creator's shoulder, trying to quietly support your vision.

After that Cedalion look at you, his black eyes fixed on your being.
Stopping to think about what he was going to tell you, but getting frustrated and deciding to be direct.
"No. I'm sorry but..."
There was sadness in his voice. For the first time, his mask had fallen.

"Do you want to solve this by creating more intelligent chimeras?
You are fucking delusional.
There have been hundreds and only three of us are left, a bloodthirsty warlord, a sadist in a lab coat and me.
The many committed suicide soon after understanding what we are, and the others were swallowed by the war.
Look at me and tell me that there should be more like me. LOOK AT ME!"

Cedalion turned to one of his bodyguards.
"Shoot yourself in the head." He gave the order with a cracking voice.
The soldier did, and fell to the ground dead with his skull melting from the acid in his bullet.
"Look, Anon. This is what we are, if I gave that order to Charon, he would follow it.
If a superior gave it to me, I would follow it. We are not creatures made to live!"

"Charon, I know you have a conventional pistol. Give it to Anon."
The android extracted a small revolver from some compartment in his body and handed it to you.

"I have killed hundreds of thousands, I regret nothing.
I have done everything for humanity and you want to undo it.
I cannot kill you and I will not watch you destroy what little remains.
You change? Do you believe in justice? Shoot me!
I have sent the order, you are now officially Major General of the Army.
Just as you wanted, NOW SHOOT!"

What will you do?
>Shoot (Cedalion dies)
>Write in

3/3

Okay. Big update.
I will make more art tomorrow.
Now sleep.

Do tell if you need me to slow down or change the formating.

>>5697647
Awww shit QM you sure did gave us some tough homework to mull over

smells like cruel indifference here..

Maybe its time to invoke the [INDOMITABLE HUMAN SPIRIT]

>>5697643
>Works for me, but I plan to go find him

>>5697647
We already outrank him? Fine
>Order Cedalion to release the prisoners, to escort them to the outskirts of the territory after we issue a firmal apology and explanation of our new mission, and to let them leave and luve
>Order Cedalion to neither kill himself nor arrange his death
In the words of a famous movie character from Earth, "The living are not done with you yet."

File: Shoot.me!.jpg (488 KB, 1914x2090)

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Am... am I suposed to write with one vote?
I understand why this happens but it feels very weird.

Another Cedalion with the corrected dialogue.

>>5698376
He needs a hug

As for why I didn't vote for anything, it's decision paralysis.

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>>5698389
I understand, I'm the same as a player.
I guess i should start doing this(>>5697703) then

>>5698383
Non canon for now

>>5698376
aw shit
I forgot about this it is not too late right?

>>5698434
Almost done.
What you got?

>>5698399
Wholesome

>>5697647
Sorry QM for the late reply
Its about 2 to 3 AM when you post in my timezone given that I was exhausted yesterday
I almost completely forgot about posting something. hope this will suffice cos I forgot most things that I planned to put in my reply and im pretty sure you would not let us get off with just a few lines of dialogue.

>You know I have not been the resident of this world for too long...
>I could have given up numerous times.
>The first time was when we escaped a facility infested with Rot eaters. Right after that a Tyr inquisitor kindly asked me to kill myself.
>I could have worked for Niven that dammn cultist or just obey Gaia to end this world as we know it.
>I chose not to do it. I have felt that all of that was wrong.
>I felt a bit hopeless thankfully I had a few friends I could rely on. I would have tried to help this world even without you. Im not going to lie, probably would have died trying.
>When I found out there was still remnants of the human Federation. I felt a sliver of hope. That all of this might work out. That I wouldnt have to spend my life hiding or being chased. All the while making the world if not just a bit better but at least steer it away from hell on earth.
>You had all this time to live. No orders. You say that I will destroy all that you preserved? That your kind was not meant to live? The very proof that we are having this conversation, that you tried to protect that Rot titan. You can choose things to live for you are not just a machine.
>Listen to me. Do not try to blame me that you and your brethren never tried to be more than killing machines.
>Im here for the ride. Until Im old and grey, maybe even beyond that.
>I will not give up, and will not let you give up.
>>5697703
>"The living are not done with you yet."

>>5698445
Crap uhh you dont have to put it in the update sry my bad at least I hope Cedalion wont commit suidcide

>>5698456
>suidcide
fat fingered that one lol

>>5698399

Honestly If I were in anons place I would be pretty dammn sad if our Doomer Flesh automaton fren kys themselves. Even if elves resemble humans a bit. Altough born to kill he gives us that tiny chunk of normalcy that we would expect from humanity in another world or whats left of it. A bloodthirsty warlord a sadistic android. The fact that he is depressed shows that maybe just maybe he is not as inhuman as he would like us to believe, could be guilt ridden too just doesn't want to admit it, or dont know where to put the feeling

>>5698475
I'm very sad, I'm just afraid of saying the wrong things and making it even worse.

>>5697703
>>5698453

You looked at the gun in your hand and back at Cedalion.
Was he shaking, was it fear or anticipation of dying?
You saw how he tried to control his emotions, to seal them again.
But you didn't have to listen to him.
In his moment of weakness he had given you power over him.
Now you could set the rules.

"I order you to neither kill yourself nor arrange your death by the hands of others."
There was a moment of stunned silence in which Cedalion understood his intentions and his mistake.
"No.No. NO! You can't do this! Are you going to force me to destroy everything I've created?! It's inhumane!"
Cedalion did not see the irony in what he said.

"Now go release the prisoners and escort them to the outskirts of the territory.
Then issue a formal apology and explain of our new mission. After that let them leave."
Cedalion seethed with anger, his withered arms clenched into fists.
"FUCK! What kind of pleasure do you get from tormenting me! What have I done to you to force me to participate?"
There was something inherently wrong with Cedalion.
Preferring to die rather than fix the suffering he had caused.
Was this morality a product of the war or something deeper?
You started talking without realizing it.

"You know I have not been the resident of this world for too long... But could have given up numerous times.
The first time was when we escaped a facility infested with Rot eaters. Right after that a Tyr inquisitor kindly asked me to kill myself."
You looked at the veteran for any reaction, but his lack of facial features worked against you.

"I could have worked for Niven, that damn cultist, or just obey Gaia to end this world as we know it.
I chose not to do it. I have felt that all of that was wrong.
I felt a bit hopelessly thankfully I had a few friends I could rely on."
Charon tried to help you by putting his hand on the shoulder of his superior.
And he gave him another look of contempt, reminding him of all his betrayals.
You kept talking, getting his attention again, preventing him from thinking about his subordinates.

"I would have tried to help this world even without you. Im not going to lie, probably would have died trying.
When I found out there was still remnants of the human Federation. I felt a sliver of hope.
That all of this might work out.
That I wouldn't have to spend my life hiding or being chased.
All the while making the world if not just a bit better but at least steer it away from hell on earth.
You had all this time to live. No orders. You say that I will destroy all that you preserved? That your kind was not meant to live?
The very proof that we are having this conversation, that you tried to protect that Rot titan.
You can choose things to live for you are not just a machine."

You could see pain on his face.
Some of what you had told him had worked, you could see the end of the tunnel.
You could do it.

"Listen to me. Do not try to blame me that you and your brethren never tried to be more than killing machines.
Im here for the ride. Until Im old and grey, maybe even beyond that.
I will not give up, and I will not let you give up."


You managed to calm the Chimera, maybe he would have cried if he had been able to.
"You are so naive. You don't deserve the hell that chases us. You should run while you can."
After finishing speaking, he obeyed your orders.
He mobilized some of his bodyguards to prepare the transport that would take the prisoners out and he entered the station.

You were left alone with Charon outside.
He tried to talk to you, complicated phrases and code imitations to convey a simple message.
Thank you.
Then he quickly left, probably to avoid you ordering him around.

So you were left alone on the edge of the ruined capital.
Leader of all in the ash desert.
And you still had to find the kobold.
This was going to be a little difficult.


>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)
> If Tog did not carry supplies the list of possible places where he is, he is reduced (Guess where he could be at.)
>Return to the fortress, Cedalion gave reasonable orders. He will show up eventually.
>Write in

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5698492
>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)
I'm so happy right now.
Let's give this search one last try.

Okay, the news is that I got a new job and I start this monday.
Our schedule will be the same for now,
Will keep you updated if something pops up.

>>5698453
>Sorry QM for the late reply
Dont worry , you did a great job.
Now go to bed.

>>5698456
> at least I hope Cedalion wont commit suidcide
He wont, he got ordered not to.
Anon(>>5697703)saw it coming.

>>5698492
QM, are we pacafist Undertale route now?

>>5698495
Okay
>>5698499
Pacifist?
hmm if I remember right we are on [Martyr] route. Even if its hell we are walking into, its what we have chosen.

>>5698508
>[Martyr] route
The Jesus talk foreshadowing

>>5698499
Its been the trend since thread 2.
But what are you planing?

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5698492
I have no guesses as to where Tog is, because I am a bad detective. okay diploma, though, I guess!
>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5698492
Let's see what we get

>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)

>>5698890
>17
nice, let's see if this is enough

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>>5698890
>>5698761
>>5698494
>Return to the tunnels, try to find a better trail (Roll1d20 Bo3)
You left the station soon after, leaving the sounds of machinery behind.
You had to find Tog and there weren't many options.
There were many places where he could be hiding, and none of them were clearly the right places.
You had to go back to the burrow of tunnels and sewers to see if you could find his trail again.
It was the most reasonable option to locate him.

When you got far enough away, Rakta emerged from hiding.
She covered in dust and her hair streaked gray with ashes.
"What happened? I heard someone scream."
You thought about everything that had happened, and knowing that she was already there, you decided to tell her everything.
It was a matter of time before she found out and delaying the inevitable would only intensify her reaction.

There were a couple of minutes of panic and you had to restrain her so she wouldn't go to the station to kill chimeras.
After better understanding your new status as a general and what was going to happen, I let him go.
You knew I had questions but you wanted to focus on finding Tog.
So you plunged into the darkness of the underground.
Following the traces of the trail that the kobold left when fleeing from the ambush.

[Roll =17 + 6; CD =20; Result=success]

The paths the kobold took in panic were less than conventional.
You had to crawl through cracks, surface for a couple of blocks, and knock down barricades the kobold had created.
A strange route that seemed to have a direction, a place to get to.

At one point, Tog had cut himself on a rock.
Leaving a small trail of blood drops that was easy to follow.
An accident he hadn't noticed in the frantic escape.
This trail led you to the edge of the crater.
Massive depth of destruction covered by black obelisks impaled on the earth.
The glowing white mass at its center, the gigantic fragment of Gaia.

[Game of distorsion:>>5692614]
This was the only place where the chimeras did not enter.
Tog had known this place through one of your latest creations.
The neural clouds floating and connecting.
A new cage for the stirring god.

Descending was inevitable, you knew that the Kobold was in here.
But everything felt wrong, your hairs stood on end.
Hot air seemed to rise from the ground, carrying a strange burning smell.
Nothing had changed but he felt distant, dyed in the indigo color of neurons.
The walk lasted a long time, time you used to think about all the things that could go wrong.
The white mass at the bottom of the precipice getting closer, more oppressive.
would Tog be ok? Did he understand what was here?
You know that he knew the truth of Gaia but not how much he understood it.
You had only witnessed a glimpse of her intentions, of her plan.

File: player.map.base.png (1.33 MB, 1124x1153)

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"Why is there a Demon soul so big here?" Rakta asked, snapping you out of your cyclical train of thought.
"What? Wait, we've had this conversation before. That's a Gaia fragment. There's no such thing as a demon soul."
Rakta looked at you like you were crazy.
"Everybody has a soul, it's what we... It's..." The Chosen one moved her hands, trying to grasp the idea.
But her confidence in the word of Qothos had been shaken, she knew too much to trust it again.
I decided to avoid the subject.
"What is "That" doing here?"
You weren't 100 percent sure, but you did share some of your theories.


Perhaps you would have gone into detail with some, but you got distracted.
Hiding in the whitish stone in the center, you saw an orange stain move.
You placed your attention to the monument, silently advancing towards it.
Would the lizard be okay? What had he been doing here?

You didn't have much time to think.
Tog poked his head out of her and saw you.
He seemed surprised that someone had found him.
"Hi." He said in a nervously.
Leaving slowly from his hiding place.
"A-are the chimeras out there?"

Rakta tried to calm him down, explaining the situation and what was happening.
And you kept looking at the kobold, assessing its condition.
He looked terrible, covered in dirt and scratches.
His eyes twitching with paranoia, and fiddling with something in his hands.
"Ready to go back?" You asked him.
"Should I? The chimeras are..." he shuddered "I could stay here, this is safe."

What will you say?
>Pressure him to come back(Auto success)
>Convince him to come back
>Call someone else to help you deal with the Kobold (Who?)
>Ask him about something else
>Write in


I should have divided this into two post.

>>5699184
>Offer to have the chimeras escort him to the edge of their territory, reassur8ng him that we command them
>Offer him the option to say, on the same basis: he is safe now, we arr in charge

>>5699184
>Convince him to come back
>"I don't think they were planning on using you for anything since you were with me, but now I have complete authority over the chimeras."
>"And I'm not sure if this place is safer. That thing is locked in there afterall, and even if the cage is perfect, it's cunning. And has a habit of manipulating people."

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>>5699188
>>5699199

Leaving the kobold here was not an option, even if he felt safe here.
This was one of the most dangerous places in the capital.
But forcing him out might make him want to return next time he feels threatened.
So a diplomatic approach must be done.

But the trembling figure of the lizard created a doubt in you.
Did he want to be here?
Your found family had followed you to this place
but you doubted that they would have understood at that moment what you were doing.
How long have you been here? Your head stung when you tried to remember.
It was a long time, did Tog have somewhere to return to?

You hadn't thought of that, so it would be only fair to first offer him a way out of this place.
Take him to the edge of the desert and let him return to the civilization he knew.
Tog, between nervous twitching, expressed indignation.
"No! I'm not leaving you guys here. Shit. We just need to think."
The kobold tapped his foot incessantly, murmuring plans to escape or experiments where he could end up.

"I don't think they were planning on using you for anything since you were with me, but now I have complete authority over the chimeras."
Tog looked up at you, raising his head like a puppy, the appearance more the fault of his height than his intentions.
"You are boss the chimeras now? Are you sure? I don't trust the talking ones." Tog said looking at the edge of the crater, vigilant.

Tog was getting lost in thought again and you wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible.
"I'm not sure if this place is safe, Tog. That thing is locked in there after all, and even if the cage is perfect, it's cunning.
And has a habit of manipulating people."

"Yes, the demooo- That thing is known to create specters that possesses the living." Rakta supported your assessment.
Tog looked confused.
"Are you guys sure? Its just a rock with drawings and schematics."
"Schematics?" You asked, somewhat confused as to what the hell Gaia's plan was this time.
"Yes, I'll explain. There's a tube with a cap and you squeeze it, and inside there's a liquid that explodes and -"
"An internal combustion piston." You said without thinking.

Tog seemed proud of you? he was hard to read at times.
"Yes! There were also some hexagons like this."
He moved his hands in circular ways, you didn't understand.
It was like a very bad Macarena dance.
"Where do you say this is?"
"There" He said happily pointing at the hole he had been hiding at.

It was too dark, felt too deep.
Bas-reliefs from mythology surrounded it as if they had been spat out to create something new within.
a stream of cool air came from the crack, bearing the smell of wine.
"Am I the only one hearing... stone cracking?" Rakta asked, the answer was no.
You heard it.

What will you do?
>Go inside
>Send someone else (Who?)
>Let's get out of here.

>>5699993
>Let's get out of here.
>"It's already trying to tempt you, by giving you access to things you are interested in. When you are confident and trusting, it will either make an offer or take over."

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>>5700005
You had no idea what Gaia was trying to do, but curiosity killed the cat.
Whatever she was offering would come at a cost, probably.
You were not going to risk it knowing the consequences could be disastrous.
You didn’t know why Tog had not been possessed, maybe she was weakened.
But with her limited actions, she had managed to make the kobold see this place as safe heaven.
That was a perception you had to dispel.

"It's already trying to tempt you, by giving you access to things you are interested in.
When you are confident and trusting, it will either make an offer or take over."
The kobold was confused, he felt nothing off with the place.
But he heeded your advice.
"We should go back then. Just , stay close please."
…

You returned to the fortress respecting the sepulchral silence of the city.
Leaving Gaia's call unattended, somewhere in your mind you expected some kind of revenge or action on her part.
But nothing happened.
You were able to put those worries aside for now.

You went back by walking on the surface, the path was shorter.
And the chimeras that patrolled and found you followed Cedalion's orders.
Leading you back to the fortress, without ordering anything.
You saw many buildings on your walk.
Residences, shops, parks, museums...
All in some state of dismantling to supply the Remnants with materials.
The entire city was an architectural butcher shop.

The fortress itself had not been touched.
Cedalion had the common sense to leave his defenses intact.
You passed the almost armored entrance, defended by more than a dozen soldiers
And they let you walk through the corridors, as if nothing had happened.
How you had turned out was not part of their concerns.

By the time you could stop to rest, you realized that it was already noon.
And with Cedalion busy guiding prisoners, any work would be delayed until tomorrow.
Rakta informed you that he would stay with Tog for today.
Reassuring him while he went back to his workshop and keeping an eye on him.

That left you with a lot of time on your hands, and being a General now, a lot of resources.

What will you do?
>Start a project (What do you plan to build/manufacture?)
>Go talk to someone (What NPC?)
>Go somewhere (Pick location)
>Write in


Civ Resources:

-Water and Food = Supplies to sustain 400
-Industry (Bio-mechanics) = Slow
-Arcane (Minor spells) = Slow
-Bio-weapons(Gases) = Low
-Ruins =Many
- Basic materials (Stone; Iron; Steel, Flesh) = Medium
-Transports(Armored car) = Low
-Manpower(Androids) = 540
-Military(Chimeras(Various))= 123
-Military(Defences) = Medium

Commanders:
-Cedalion(+++Military,+Diplomacy)
-Charon(++Science, +Industry)
-Rigek(++Military, Skill:Terror Tactics)[Unavailable]
[Promote someone?]

In use:
Quest(Retrieve mining equipment)[Rigek/150 Chimeras]

note:
Ok, we've reached the point where I have to admit that I don't know how to make a civ.
At least not one in which the MC is a single person, because of the time skips.
I have also lost a word document with many ideas.
I'm going to continue with this, if you have ideas do tell.

>>5700994
QM You Mentioned something about the rations having a negative side effect on people who consume them.
Since we sustain ourselves on preserved pre war food that is somehow better, we dont have any ailments relating to that.

Do our companions eat the chimera rations or they too eat the preserved food?

Before the hiatus there was a plan to retrieve a water pump which (maybe) could supply us with clean water.
Is this mission still relevant?

Im thinking about investigating whats wrong with the rations.
If water pump mission is still relevant retrieve it, and with its help create an underground hydrophonics facility since the soil around us is super dead.
That of course could require expeditions to retrieve crop samples that would be suitable for this purpose.

If we manage to solve the unhealthy ration problem maybe develop a protein slurry/nutrient paste similar to what could be seen in the first Matrix movie. (something about cultivating single cell organisms in an enclosed environment?)

I tought about this because I dont know how Chimeras are created without kidnapping people, But I imagined lots of gestation vats that require a steady supply of nutrients.

Right we gotta check on Charon and ask him to show us how vat grown chimeras are created.
Preferably alone since this might be disturbing for our companions.

>>5700994
>Start a project: try to develop or access sustainable water and food sources
>Improve/enrich our companions lovong conditions by asking them what their favourite hobbies are and fabricating diversions and amenities
If QM will accept/can amamge a thirs major thing:
>Chat more with Rakta about our world and theology

>>5701011
>Do our companions eat the chimera rations or they too eat the preserved food?
Only Chimeras eat the chimera rations

>Before the hiatus there was a plan to retrieve a water pump which (maybe) could supply us with clean water.
>Is this mission still relevant?
Rigek is on it, but Cedalion wants to talk you about that.

>That of course could require expeditions to retrieve crop samples
We can wave that

>But I imagined lots of gestation vats that require a steady supply of nutrients.
Yes

>>5701077
*living conditions

*can accept and manage a third major thing

Total proposed projects:
1- Try to develop or access sustainable water (In progress)
2-Try to grow food in this place (hydroponics?)
3-Improve/enrich our companions living conditions
4-Investigating what's wrong with the chimera rations
5-Learn how chimeras can be created

Secondary Objectives:
-Chat more with Rakta about our world and theology


Conclusion=
Go talk to Charon to start 4 and 5.

--

There were always things to do in this place, most of it to do with keeping it from falling apart.
You had already stabilized the situation with supplies, but you still remembered when you were eating the rations that chimeras use.
Discounting the taste and consistency issues, giving the impression that you were ingesting molten plastic.
There was a pattern of people getting sick after several days of eating them.
A fever followed by crystalline cysts.
The only ones not affected by these side effects were the most inhuman of your group.
Ghal, Potato, Flora and the Mothman showed nothing.
If you remember correctly, Flora still uses those rations.

You also had doubts about the methods of creating chimeras with everything that had happened.
There had to be alternatives to using people, but you didn't know about them.
That left the only option to go after Charon, so he could explain it to you.
Something that shouldn't be too difficult considering that he was almost always in the labs.
At minimum, it was a good starting point to look for it.

...

It took you less than an hour to get to his lab.
The two large skyscrapers covered by clouds of artificial bats.
Crystal monoliths interconnected by bridges and walkways built long after the capital fell.
You have been here before, or at least you remember something about this place.
You pass an android that points you to the fourth floor and you use an elevator operated by several soldiers.
The stairs had apparently been removed for some reason.

The metal doors parted to let you into a sterile white hallway.
Except for cracked ceilings and some broken tile floors this place looked new.
There was no sign to guide you except those that indicated the number of the rooms.
So you wandered.
You found many storage units, housing old and maybe broken medical equipment.
All covered in a thick layer of dust.


That was till you found the laboratory.
A repurpose auditorium filled with machinery and droids working tirelessly under Charon's direction.
Sitting as he was in front of several screens, issuing orders almost constantly.

[Game of distortion: >>5692823]

And in the center of everything, a glass tube where a gigantic abomination was suspended in a green liquid.
You recognized parts of a Dwarf, and others of a gigantic reptile.
All meshed by circuitry and steel, the technology forcing unit.
The creature's eyes held no life, black mirrors to the world.
The dwarf's mind no longer existed, and the chimera's intelligence had not settled.

The samples of the dinosaur you hunted came to mind.
Also of the prisoners, who would have had this fate.
Was there anything to to for this creature?

While you were questioning what you were seeing, the android noticed your presence.
He got up from his commanding place, and approached you.
"Def get_lock(Status) =/ (Known)" It said, asking if you were okay?

"Is this the only way to make chimeras?" You asked, unwiling to answer his question.
Charon gave a conflicted reply, for this was the fast way.
A couple of weeks to produce a soldier, if he made them from scratch it would take him 10 months each.
With what he had currently available.
The golden age Bioforges had been better, altho still limited to months.
And all this only produced automata, true intelligence like Cedalion was a lost thing.

"And you and Rigek? you were created afterward. You are intelligent."
The truth was that Rigek was flawed, and Charon was created from a volunteer to chimerization.
You decided not to ask, as the answer would have led to an extremely personal conversation.

You also had to ask why there was a problem with the rartions.
But he couldn't answer you.
The process was somewhat automated since before the war.
They introduced organic material obtained in raids and the machine produced the viscosity.
You would have to investigate the factory itself.

You took one last look at the creation behind the scientist.
Floating a luminescence.

What will you do?
>Intervene in this experiment (how?)
>Go to the factory that produces the rations
>Many chimeras are produced higher up, go up and see if you learn anything.
>Ask something else to Charon (The what?)
>[Reanimator Skill] "Revive" the Dwarf in the vat (Pick an undead, anyone from anything/any setting)
>Write in

I will draw this later, I am very caught up in time with something else.

>>5701611
>[Reanimator Skill] "Revive" the Dwarf in the vat (Pick an undead, anyone from anything/any setting)
Not an undead, but the firat thing that deacription amde me think was Frank Horrigan

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>>5701627
In this ocasion I have to admit I have no plan for what you gave me.

The idea is picking an undead becouse each type has a diferent drawback I can apply to the benefits.
Example: You say zombie, you get a new troop type thats a very buff rot eater with a shock collar.
You say lich, well the dwarf is back, an inteligent chimera has a compulsion to eat the living.
And so on.

Frank Horrigan has no weakpoints.
I cannot give you a new troop type.
Probably a failure on my part for not explaining but I cant write an update.
At least I cant think of something to do with Frank.

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>>5702249
oh dammn it im having unholy toughts

>>5702249
Oh, I thought it was going to be a hero unit, not a troop type.
>>5702374
Do not

>>5702249

What if we instead try to turn it into something resembling a spriggan instead?
Like potato or flora.
But since we have a mostly intact and powerful body rather we try to manipulate the nervous system and brain. Since magical tech seems organic in nature this could be possible.

Qm does this body have cybernetics in its brain? Does it have a data port for these cybernetics?
If I remember correctly potato was described as a magical machine which has layers as spriggans grow they get more layers, more complicated code. Right?

Also it seems a bit unfinished.
Missing muscles near the chest area and other things...
lord have mercy we must stay focused brothers

We can always make it inspired by the Frankenstein monster, lean on the different parts and the bit of metal.
I guess it would be powered by electricity, but afraid of fire Maybe even capable of thought and emotion, but would have to learn everything from zero.

>>5701611
>[Reanimator Skill] "Revive" the Dwarf in the vat (Pick an undead, anyone from anything/any setting)
Bride of Dracula. Dependent. Subservient. We'll feed it rations and teach it to behave.

File: 1688048737041252.png (1.83 MB, 1577x1125)

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>>5702380
>What if we instead try to turn it into something resembling a spriggan instead?
That is an option, no need for the reanimator skill for this one tho.

>has layers as spriggans grow they get more layers
Thats a good description. Magic onion man.

>Qm does this body have cybernetics in its brain? Does it have a data port for these cybernetics?
Probably

So the proposals are:
>>5702380 Call Flora and make an thing similar to Ghal in desing
(Benefit: Inate magic casting, easy to repair. Cost: High upkeep)
>>5702384 Frankenstein monster (movie)(Not an undead but I will allow it)
(Benefit: A tank on legs. Cost: Will not always follow instructions perfectly)
>>5702539 Vampire spawn
(Benefit: Inteligent troop, Cost: The ego of a vampire)

[Base benefit of the troop: Very durable, very dificult to kill Base cost: High production cost]
In any case/path/whatever, it will follow simple or direct orders. Same as Cedalion and others.

I'm going to do stuff, you can continue proposing options, evaluating what you want.
If we don't roll a dice.

>>5702765
A tank of legs sounds pretty good to, to be perfectly desu. I cannsupport Frankenstein's Monster to break the tie.

>>5702765
I can support vampire, but only if we don't have to feed it blood or souls.
Dealing with Flora doing that is already difficult enough.

>>5702801 Volunteer if it breaks tie
>>5702930 Supports vampire spawn if it does not feed on souls.

Vampire Spawn it is then.
Have one of the songs I had on loop while writing this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeMC0SG2cnA
--

You had long since thought of the path of enlightenment for the Chimeras.
Machines of war left unchecked, automated hell on earth.
And for all that could be done, with humanity holding the leash again, you could right no wrong as long as they remained only tools.
You looked at Charon's mighty work, and saw the canvas for a breakthrough.
A chance for the remnants of humanity not only to endure, but finally prosper.

You looked at the scientist with renewed vigor and asked him to show you his work.
There was a hint of skepticism that you could understand his life's work.
But he would never turn down the opportunity to show it to you.
You saw the designs traced by android, all the knowledge obtained in centuries of experimentation poured into the creature.
This was the distilled product of countless failures.
If the latest attempt to create his magnum opus would be added to them, was impossible to say.

You looked up at his porcelain mask, you noticed his expectation.
Hoping to know if he had managed to impress the creature that belonged to legends.
A member of the race of architects that made his flesh
You smiled, and that was enough for him.

This was all much more than you could comprehend, but Charon had a limitation that you didn't.
You could use magic.
So you started to show him your mastery in this subject.
Modifications, spells and enchantments to seal under the skin.
Designs drawn in the air explaining how to build bodies under these principles.
A new form created over his work, a new thing far beyond his comprehension.

You expected various reactions from him, including hate for trying to distort his craftmanship.
But you saw excitement in his movements, hope in his voice.
Exceeding his expectations of humans, you both started working.
The only limitation being the quality of the tools at your disposal.

... [Charon and You dont need to roll, the bonuses alone make failure imposible]

You didn't know how long you spent inside the lab.
Working on the creature, a work of art in flesh and blood.
Calling it a chimera would no longer be appropriate.
It would be like calling a wolf a wild dog.
And after all your effort, it was time to give it life.

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With the pull a lever, the fluid in the tube drained.
The abomination descended, leaving its ethereal weightlessness behind.
It was left slumped in the metalic floor before the tube lifted away.
It seemed drowsy with its movements, slowly gaining awareness of the world.
It began to try to get up, staggering like an infant.
Some of the unthinking androids had to assist it, preventing it from collapsing to the ground.
A few seconds later, it vomited more of the green substance and was able to stand upright.


Your creation was gigantic, even for being based on a dwarven female.
For the most part, it was covered by dark fur or bony-looking sheets.
Its digitigrade legs assisted by a barbed tail.
The exposed tubes and guts already covered in rune-carved flesh.
Her face, only retaining mantained the prominent features of its origin.
And bright eyes, harboring the success that had eluded Cedalion and Charon for so long.
Intelligence.

The newborn studied everything around it and focused its gaze on you two.
Charon's ceramic mask hid only expression, as the emotion was seen in the excited stutter that did not allow him to speak.
You didn't know what to say either.


"I...exist?" Said the creature feeling its being, becoming aware of itself.
It was unexpected, but understandable.
At what point is a child aware of his life? For your creation it was something abrupt.
How much knowledge had Charon imparted in its circuits? And it's brain?

"What do you remember?" You asked feeling a bit silly, maybe you should have prepared a speech?
How are you supposed to introduce yourself to a life you've created?
Were you a father now?


"I know... so much. I know you are my creators. I know I have circuitry full of information, I know I am a warrior.
And I have memories of a mercenary, captured by chimeras. But they are not my memories, she was so... weak."
Oh no.
You asked the next question, fearing that the creature in front of you would hate you all for what they had done to that dwarf.
"How do you feel?"

There was a bit of stunned silence, she flexed her hands.
"I feel amazing, Creator."
You looked at Charon, who had disappeared back to his papers and computers.
Trying to understand what he saw, compared to what he had planned and checking that everything was in order.

What's the plan?
>Start slowly producing this chimeras in favor of the old ones.
>Keep making the old ones, you still need to see how this one works out.
>Write in

And what is the plan with It?
>Leave it in the laboratories, it is a place that can contain it and make sure its stable.
>Take it to the fortress, keep a close eye on it
>Take it to the fortress, let it Shadow Cedalion for a while, learn the ropes.
>Write in.

>Do you want to ask/talk about something with the newborn Chimera?

Apologies for piss poor quality of art, The writing and finding the correct proportions took too much time.
I will keep working on that art some other time.
Or make a sculture some day, IDK.

Also, more bad news.
Next week I will be working double shifts for the entire week, so 14h a day.
Can write during that time, sorry.
I will remind you Sunday about the five day “break” again.

>>5703333
>Start slowly producing this chimeras in favor of the old ones.
>Take it to the fortress, keep a close eye on it

>Do you want to ask/talk about something with the newborn Chimera?
The issue of names. Does she have any that she would prefer?

>>5703333
>Take it to the fortress, keep a close eye on it
Don't kill anything without our permission, 'kay?

>Start slowly producing this chimeras in favor of the old ones
>Give her a name (I suggest Frankie)

(P.S., the art is more than adequate and I'm sorry to hear about the delay but will still be here when you can return.)

>>5703335
The art is unfinished but nice so far, hope you do finish it would look great.

>>5703368
>+Support naming the newborn chimera Frankie

>>5703333
Also give it clothes hopefully a giant sized tanktop and shorts is not too hard to procure.
Would Hildra freak out if she saw her?

>Take it to the fortress, keep a close eye on it
teach her manners and common sense.

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>Start slowly producing this chimeras in favor of the old ones
>Take it to the fortress, keep a close eye on it

You had succeeded in changing the flow of history.
For all the greatness that went into this achievement, there was no way to predict what would emerge from this event.
But you would not let it fizzle out, you had too keep feeding this fire.

The order you gave Charon was simple, from now on, all new chimera would be created under this template.
The android seemed stunned, did he not think of creating more than one or was he concerned about the stability of the creature?
When he agreed to a monotone voice, you could only guess.
The estimated time for the first batch, since no prisoners where allowed to be used, would be 10 months.
That seemed like enough time to teach this one, and that should help in shaping the rest.


You turned to the newborn chimera, who was tapping the head of one of the unthinking androids that still surrounded her.
Testing the things infinite patience.
"You are going to come with me to the fortress, okay? It's our main base of operations and everyone was at."
You phrased it as a question, but it was an obligation.
You wanted to keep an eye on this creature while it was still unpredictable.

The chimera noded in agreement.
"How many people are there?" She asked
"Less than a dozen. On that note, they may be scared of you at the start, and some are rude people,"
You said thinking of the spriggan and her quest to vex you. "So don't kill anything without my permission, 'kay?"
"Am I supposed to kill something eventually?"
"In the best case scenario, no. Let's get going."

...

You left the labs quickly, and were greeted by a gray night sky.
The cosmos blocked by the perpetual clouds, and even so, the visage of the moon glowed purely.
Drowning your city in pleased light.
You decided not to linger in any of this.

You caught a nearby vehicle and one of the many androids drove you back.
So you had a bit of time to reflect on what you were bringing to the fortress.
It was many things, but the first thing is that you didn't know how to address her.
"Do you have a name, or any preference on what to be called?"

She thought about it, amd replied with with no.
Nothing she had been called felt right.
"What about Frankie? It does fit." You suggested.
She looked at the air, searching in her mind to what you were referencing.
"Like the doctor? I don't know why it fits but I will accept your name, Creator."
That was not it, but nevermind.
She seemed happy enough.

With that out of the way, the second thing that drew a lot of attention was nudity.
"We should find you clothes, hopefully a giant sized tanktop and shorts is not too hard to procure."
"Why would I cover my body in cloth?" It said in a very serious manner.

"What? You... you have memories of the mercenary, why would you not get why clothes are important?"
"Clothes could never equal the perfection of my bare body."
"What about other people, and the simple hygiene of clothes."
"My body is impeccable in shape and form, and I'm immune to all diseases. Other creatures should be pleased to be able to see your work, Creator."

[>How do you deal with this]

...

After this long day, you felt exhausted.
So many things in your mind, accumulated tiredness clouded your senses..
So much so, that you didn't remember how you got to bed.
You just collapsed and drifted off to sleep.
Empty dreams where fear is distant.
You just needed to rest.


Meanwhile, the world continued to turn.
Scheming and intrigue bloomed and withered,
change forever constant.

...
A faction is having a major event, which occurs first?
>The Giants (Debate for invasion of the continent)
>The Democracy (Trade permits dispute escalate)
>The Empire ( Salazar (The Inquisitor that helped you) is on trial)
> The kobold conglomerate (Another complete collapse of his government)
>Write in

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>>5703340
>The issue of names.
Ah yes, my nemesis

>>5703368
>Frankie
Thats nice

>>5703421
>Also give it clothes hopefully a giant sized tanktop and shorts is not too hard to procure.
Thanks for the idea for the first minor conflict.

>Would Hildra freak out if she saw her?
Now we have a scale drawing of Frankie next to a android.
The android is your height, Hildra one head taller.
Its going to have an impact.

Anyway, Frankie will have variable apearance till i find something that you could pet but with body horror.
Do give ideas on what I should not touch.

>>5704198
>The Giants (Debate for invasion of the continent)

>>5704198
[How do you deal with this]
Besides the pratical reasons, there's also the cultural ones. Obviously there's the taboo of nudity, mainly due to sexuality, but there's way more then that. Clothing is a way to express a person's identity, either their individuality, by picking clothes that they prefer, or being part of a collective, like military uniforms or religious garb. It can serve to denote social class, denoting position, power or wealth. Even cultures that went mainly naked still heavily adopt other means to achieve the same, such as accessories like jewlery or body modications such as tatoos.
What I'm trying to say is that not wearing any form of clothes would be expressing to the world that you are in some way primitive, a mere object or an animal, likely a mix of the latter to since there were only 3 thinking chimeras on the world, and now with you, 4. And even in humanities ideals of what a perfect being would look like, they still wore clothes or acessories, often to enhance their desired qualities, either physical beauty, or mental traits such as modesty.

I think I wrote too much

>>5704198
>How do you deal with this

Show her people dressed in elegant clothes, and emphasize the importance of hygene and grooming herself after all a grand creation like her is no mere beast.
We are here to build a civilisation and she is supposed to be a high class chimera. Later we could give her more elegant accesories like covering cosmetic metal plates basically like fancy hubcaps and chrome ornaments on a luxury car.
Im talking blued steel and brass engravings.

For example on her arm where the flesh and metal meet. We could also sneak spells into the engravings to be pretty and functional.
Could be drawn as a different colored consistent metal plate with bright highlights, like fluted gothic plate etc.
If she uses a gun maybe a water jacketed machinegun to give a vintage feel.
Polearm for melee weapon like us, of course she still has claws.
Im thinking we could capitalize on her imposing form and inteligence both awe and intimidation she has the equipment for it.

On a side note this could be a reacurring gag that she just randomly undressses and flashes people flexing her gains.
Walking into public without any covering as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Reasons could be that she wishes to show off the genius of her creators.
Maybe she might get an army of thirsty simps like flora, sparking a rivalry between the two.
Eh this might be a bit too much. Ill leave it up to you QM.

>>5704198
>Allow our vampire bride to be a nudist if she wants, I guess
>But do what >>5704291 suggested and explain our rationale to her

>The Empire ( Salazar (The Inquisitor that helped you) is on trial)

>>5704205
Oh god, Hildra is gonna' want to fight her.

You were understanding the logic of the chimera.
It was an argument based on the premise that his form was perfect and he deserved respect for it.
And you, for creating her.
She positioned you as an equal, so you would probably be the only one able to convince her to wear her clothes.

>"Look, if you don't want to wear clothes don't. Besides the practical reasons, there's also the cultural ones.
>Obviously there's the taboo of nudity, mainly due to sexuality, but there's way more then that.
> Clothing is a way to express a person's identity, either their individuality, by picking clothes that they prefer,
> or being part of a collective, like military uniforms or religious garb.

Initially she made a gesture dismissing the idea, she thought herself above all those pieces of life.
But she lingered on the thought, picking memories of different sources and comparing.
Individuality was dismissed. She was unique, a sole creation.
But the collective.
"Am I in the military? I'm a warrior, but I'm not sure."
"Me neither, we'll see in the future."
"I should be a general." she fantasized.
It was unlikely, Cedalion was only a colonel and...
Cedalion was also naked? fuck!
You decided to ignore it for now.


>"It can also serve to denote social class, denoting position, power or wealth.
>Even cultures that went mainly naked still heavily adopt other means to achieve the same, such as accessories like jewlery or body modifications such as tattoos."

That did get her attention.
A conflict of interest emerged in her mind.
She should demonstrate the greatest power compared to anyone else.
But her figure was perfection, that waas sign enough of recognition.

>"What I'm trying to say is that not wearing any form of clothes would be expressing to the world that you are in some way primitive,
> a mere object or an animal, likely a mix of the latter to since there were only 3 thinking chimeras on the world, and now with me-"

"ANIMAL!" apparently that was the selling point.
animal dont wear clothes.
The indignity of even suggesting that and the simplicity of it.
There was no way around it.
She demanded clothes that very moment, even simple rags sufficed.
From then on she refused to talk about it further, maybe out of embarasment.

....

I bit off more than I could chew with the last post and it's been a busy day.
Today this, tomorrow the event.
If you could break the tie or roll a dice I would appreciate it.
1 -The Giants (Debate for invasion of the continent)
2-The Empire (Salazar (The Inquisitor that helped you) is on trial)

>>5704291
>I think I wrote too much
You didnt, it was a passionate speech.

>>5704304
It does sound like a bit too much.
I don't do gags, or humor, because I'm not funny.
And this ridiculous situation, while kinda fun, serves more to the point of feeling the character.
The train of logic is there, demented as is:
my creators made this perfect body -> Everyone should pay respect to the creators and me -> This body must be exposed so they know why they should.
Salazar was the same, very impacting first scene.
"Please kys, "Opens a presentation "And this is why, mathematically, you should."
But flexing to counter arguments sounds funny enough.

>>5704329
>Hildra is gonna' want to fight her.
It hadn't occurred to me at the time.
Thanks.

>>5705159
I had thought of mentioning that Cedalion and the others were naked, but decided not too because the reasons for it would be purely speculation. And would weaken the argument.
>>5705161
Oh nice.

I'll change to
>The Empire (Salazar (The Inquisitor that helped you) is on trial)
To break the tie.
Good luck Sal

>>5705159
>Cedalion is a nudist
Huh. But he doesn't have distractingly-huge knockers, so it's fine.

Thanks for running, QM! Looking forward to the next update.

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To whom is an inquisitor supposed to owe allegiance?
It is a question that each of us has to answer for himself.
Because for all the structure and power we hold, it never had true centralization.
These are my thoughts as I'm lead out of my cell in chains.
My guards lead me in silence to the court, they know they can't give me solace even if they were allowed to.
They are good soldiers, doing what they think is best.
That ends up being the oath for many inquisitors.
Protect the people, at any cost.

We emerge from the dark hallways and I'm blinded by the light.
The tall multicolored windows recreate scenes from the great war.
Of the death of Qothos.
It is ironic that in our work we invoke his name so much, knowing what we know.
Some call him the first Inquistor, for he did the same task as us with similar methods.
The only difference was the scope of his work.
We all have loyalty to him, but in many degrees and strengths.

The court is waiting for me in their gilded box, pretending this trial will be fair.
This is just a formality, everyone thinks I'll die before the sun sets.
Iconography distributed in abstract murals around us, showing opulence without meaning.
A small group of grand inquisitors will hear me out and set my sentence.
Grand inquisitors, the members of our order who reach old age with enough achievements not to be executed for incompetence or cowardice.
Always a generation behind the world, always hating how everything changes.
A great motivation for many inquisitors, myself included, to maintain the status quo.
All the time it has ben broken, something terrible has followed.

"Salazar You are accused of so many things, most important of all is allowing a Demon to live.
We know he exists, we know were he is hiding, we know what you did. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The speaker stood there, expecting my response like a disappointed father.

I could say so many things.
I did the lords work, I'm innocent! lies! It's all true. Why am I alive then? I'm sorry.
So many possible words, and none of them would save me.
Whatever I say I will die, because I'm weak.
I was too weak to kill the demon when it emerged from the bunker.
And I felt pity for the thing, to be dragged to this broken world.
If he had only headed my advice.
live on some farm and have a family, forget the monsters.
Thats why Inquisitors exist, so others can have those lives.

"What will happen now?" I asked
"You are going to be beheaded. It will be a quick death."

"What will happen to the demon?" I asked, making my first question clearer.
"We can only kill it. His corpse will be the peace offering to reconcile the Empire and the Democracy.
Whatever you plan was, it failed. But it provided the ground for this act."
Their plan will fail, the demon will fight for his life and we will lose the group that is sent.
The Emperor will notice that, and when he sees the possibility of another Demon Lord he will command his armies.
If the Democracy does not assist, the southern states will rise up and kill the Emperor and there will be chaos.


I look at my judges, and state my prediction.
All my life's effort spent avoiding this scenario.
I had failed to remove it.
And this bunch of geezers ignored me.
Confident that the races would unite against the rising Demon Lord.

Fools, entrusting the fate of the worlds to chance.
They apologize for killing me, as if it were something that had already happened.
The trial ended before I walked through the door, an act of respect to let me in to see the closing.
The guards at my sides were approaching, they would take me to my burial place.
I had a chance to do something, but who am I supposed to give allegiance to?
I, who allowed this madness.
I have hidden the presence of a demon from my superiors.
What would they hear from me now?

> "The emerging cults were created by an acomplice, not the demon." (lie)
(Delay their incursion on Remnants, Increases tension between the Democracy and Empire)

>"A Chosen one is a follower of the Demon."
(The attack will be almost immediate, the Emperor will not notice it, he will still not know what is happening.)

>"The remnants hold a Giant shard of Gaia."
(There will be no attack, the inquisitors will try to force divine intervention.)

>A soul can be consumed alive if you have the will, and the explosion runes are not complicated.
(All present are killed.)(Uncoordinated efforts against the Remnants but there will be an information leek.)

>I broke the locks on my wrist a while ago, Icould try to run away.
(The attention of the Inquisiton is divided.)

>Write in.

File: giphy.gif (1.04 MB, 480x257)

1.04 MB GIF

>>5705375
>Thanks for running, QM! Looking forward to the next update.


sorry for the delay.

>>5706110
>I broke the locks on my wrist a while ago, I could try to run away.
RUN SAL, RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bVTtNHdhg4

>I broke the locks on my wrist a while ago, I could try to run away.

I have done my duty as an inquisitor all my life.
I have committed horrendous acts in the name of order and the greater good.
And today would be a day to pay for what I've done.
If Qothos really lives, he might have judged my soul in death and given me peace.
But it would be a meaningless death, there still was much work to be done.

Leaving this place would not be difficult, no inquisitor lives without an escape plan.
But what to do after that, I ponder as I knock one of the guards out.
There is a crack when I smash his skull on the table in front of me.
The other one tries to cast some spell, and I throw him the chair behind me, making him fall.
I jump on him and turn my fist red, his face becomes swollen beyond recognition.
I look up to the grand inquisitors, they have not raised the alarm.
They just sit there, disappointed.
"Accept your fate with some dignity, Salazar. You have done the unforgibable and you know it."

It is true, but I cannot die yet.
I wonder what suicide mission I should enbark on.
To kill the human hiding in the ash deserts or find the origin of the demonic cults?
An important decision for later, now I had to run.

Two lefts, climb down a window and avoid being seen by in the fake orphanage.
And instead of being locked up in an Inquisition building, he was trapped in a fortified imperial city.
For this I had no plan.

>The Inquisitions attention will now be divided between you and Salazar the traitor.

...

You woke up way past the dawn.
You were alone in the room, still dressed in yesterday's clothes.
A pounding headache and still somewhat asleep.
You stumbled up, remembering what had happened and Frankie was nowhere to be found.
You had to assume that she had wandered off.
Not an immediate emergency.
You prepared for your day with the usual routine and left the room.

The same chimera every day was there waiting for you.
It pointed to the end of the hall, informing you of the next meeting with Cedalion.
It was probably time to speak to him.

What will you do?
>Go talk with Cedalion
>Go search for someone (Who?)
>Go somewhere in the fortress (Library, armory, workshop, "gardens", common rooms, Write in)
>Write in

Note: No art becouse my phone is out of batery and cant take pictures of it rn.

>>5706930
>Go talk with Cedalion
Thinking chimeras successfully created, and she seems to be actually glad to be alive.

>>5706930
>Go talk with Cedalion
Tell him abour Frankie.
Suggest he wear clothes.

Then...
>Check on our allies and tell THEM about Frankie

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>Go talk with Cedalion

The meeting with Cedalion was long overdue.
You had to inform him of Frankie and the new types of chimera.
It would probably require discussing the entire fate of the Remnants.
You had already taken steps to rebuild, and now you had in mind who you were doing it for.
You let yourself be guided by the unthinking chimera towards the colonel's office.
The corridors of the fortress left behind the rotten wallpaper and changed to broken tiles and pure concrete.
You entered the sections of the building built with the aim of surviving the apocalypse.

You opened the door to his office as you have done many times before.
A large room full of computers, many out of order, and some androids following the commands of the chimera.
Cedalion moved around the room, checking that tasks were being performed to specification.
The table in the center of the room had only the function of formalizing the start of a meeting.

When he saw you he didn't seem surprised.
"Good afternoon. I think we have a lot to talk about, General."
You sat on opposite sides of the rotten wooden table.
An entire segment of the furniture had broken off, adding to the neglected appearance of the entire place.

"I've met the new chimera..." he said, measuring his words a lot.
"What do you think? New species that seems to be actually glad to be alive."
"I will not argue that point. Maybe in a few decades she can replace me."
Cedalion sighed.
"But not wanting to live this life wasn't always the problem. Rigek is a good example, he enjoys his job too much.
And he's giving us trouble, he's not finishing his mission to recover mining equipment because, I suspect, he's enjoying the war against the Ferals."
"What is the solution?"
"Send someone over and have them relieve him."

"Are you going to go personally?" you asked
"No, there's another problem. Some Democracy scavengers are circling the capital again.
Another expedition I haven't had time to assess. I need to be around to lead the few troops we have here."
There was many things happening, but maybe you could gain an edge thanks to them.
"What I can do?" you asked your last question.
"Whatever you are willing to command, General."

What will you do? (You can combine options if they do not exclude each other.)
>Send someone to replace Rigek (Who?)
>Call Rigek back
>Send someone to assist Rigek (who?)
>Send someone to deal with the Democracy expedition (Who?)(target)
>Use the acid mist on the expedition (Kill most of them)
>Go personally to fulfill some task (which one?)
>Write in

File: Overdue.salazar.jpg (25 KB, 422x497)

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CIV TURN:
>Create a project/quest/task. Assign a commander (if you want) and a number of units to carry it out.
>The time varies with the complexity of the task.


Civ Resources:

-Water and Food = Supplies to sustain 400
-Power (Electrical) = Nuclear Reactor
-Industry (Bio-mechanics) = Slow
-Arcane (Minor spells) = Slow
-Bio-weapons(Gases) = Low
-Ruins =Many
- Basic materials (Stone; Iron; Steel, Flesh) = Medium
-Transports(Armored car) = Low
-Manpower(Androids) = 540
-Military(Chimeras(Various))= 123
-Military(Defences) = Medium

Commanders:
-Cedalion(+++Military,+Diplomacy)
-Charon(++Science, +Industry)
-Rigek(++Military, Skill:Terror Tactics)[Unavailable]
-Ghal (+Agriculture, +Science)
[Promote someone?]

In progress:
Quest(Retrieve mining equipment)[Rigek/150 Chimeras]


NOTES:
Now yes, I see you on Saturday.

>>5707191
Sorry for ignoring your other inputs, I really didnt know how to fi them in the conversation yet,

>>5707822
>Send someone to replace Rigek (Who?)
Send Cedalion to finish the job.
As much as keeping the warhawk distracted is useful, we need the mines secured asap
>Go personally to fulfill some task (which one?)
The expedition.
>>5707826
>Create a project/quest/task.
The beginning of the wasteland revitalization project. Let's see with we can engineer some plants that can grow in here, or some way to clean up any residue from the wars.
Probably should start with tests in greenhouses. And obliviously Ghal and Charon should be in charge.

>>5707822
Hm. Not sure what to do about the Rigek situation. maybe we could...
>ask Hildra, experienced mercenary that she is, to go supervised, with our authority and protection?
while we, and any friends/waifus that want to tag along...
>attempt intercept and negotiate with the Democracy scavengers
We can even bring Frankie to show her the roped and establish ground cruel for how to deal with other races?

>>5707862
>this anon's revitalization project
Also a good idea! And when time and when it flows organically for the update we should still introduce Frankie to the gang

>Send someone to replace Rigek (Who?)
Send Cedalion to finish the job.

Rigek has fundamentally failed in his task and in his duty as an officer and because of his nature as a flawed chimera he cannot be fully remedied he needs to be reassigned in a less critical role.

>Create a project/quest/task.
The beginning of the wasteland revitalization project. Let's see with we can engineer some plants that can grow in here, or some way to clean up any residue from the wars.
Probably should start with tests in greenhouses. And obliviously Ghal and Charon should be in charge.

QM?

>Send Cedalion to finish the job.
While Rigek's tactical knowledge was not in question, there was no use for a commander who prolonged battles.
He could be a genius at bleeding the enemy with few resources, but you didn't need that.
The goal of the entire mission was to obtain the mining equipment to build wells in the desert.
Every day that he was delayed, for whatever reason, he delayed the progress of the Remnants.

You considered the alternatives to replace or assist him.
There were only two people with any kind of military knowledge in this place.
Hildra, being a mercenary, and Cedalion, the de facto commander of the chimeras.
The dwarf would be a good choice to predict the breaking of the stalemate.
But her lack of experience leading troops would leave her only for that role, unable to make calls on larger engagements.
Cedalion on the other hand, could do all of that, but it would leave your forces only with your leadership.
It was risky, since he was the only one that could manage the many cogs of the Remnants, but it was necessary.

He was not especially happy with your decision to deploy him, but he understood.
"I know you want to be friendly with the scavengers, but don't let them get close.
We are spead too thin and we lost much of our strength a long time ago,
so don't show weakness or we will have expeditions like this every week.
If you want to avoid bloodshed you must be ruthless."

[Cedalion marches to take control of Rigek's mission.]
[Casualties while Rigek was on mission= 15, 135 remain]
[Caualties inflicted by Rigek while on mission= 144, ? remain]
Note: Calculated with formula on pic. Spend many hours on it.

....

>Create a project/quest/task.
> The Wasteland Revitalization Project.

The beginning of civilizations was agriculture.
The shift from nomads to living in cities was caused by being able to produce food.
And right now, the remnants needed that.
If the raids were ever going to stop, they needed self-sufficiency.
Ghal and Charon were the obvious people to lead this project.
Both constructs originating in the flesh.
One created as a chronicler of experiments and forgotten knowledge,
The other a mad scientist capable of realizing any vision.
If anyone could bring life to the ash dunes, it was these two.

>Research(Plants that thrive here)[Ghal/Charon/ 100 Androids]


Note:
I will post what I have for now, I will post more in a few hours (3-4?) since I got to get some stuff done.

>>5712225.
I'm alive.
I know I could have posted between friday and saturday, but I wanted to sleep

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forgot this

>>5712892
Oh no, not maths!

>>5712876
Welcome back, QM! IRL comes first, but glad to see the quest is still going.

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Regarding the expedition that had approached the capital.
There weren't many things that could be done, ignoring them would cause more problems and sending in troops would only perpetuate the violence.
You had no one really qualified to play the diplomat except yourself.
You were the general of the Remnants after all, the new face of the Chimeras.

You knew what they were here for, you just had to identify who exactly they were.
For the Democracy would not have taken a chance after the last failure and Niven had been left as a director in the guild.
The Empire on the other hand didn't seem to have any real interest.
The closest thing to a true band of scavengers had been Rakta and the inquisitors.
You sighed thoughtfully at the hundreds of possible groups that could be behind this.
And the only logical conclusion you reached was to personally go and identify them from afar.

You were accompanied on this little mission by Frankie, you hoped something would rub off on her, that she'd get better social skills than the poor guidelines Charon had programmed into her.
The two of you went alone, waiting for sunset to do so.
You timed it so the the last rays of the sun blind the group of your approach, and once you were in position the lunar brightness allowed you to see from your hiding place.

“Why do this, creator. Why bother with subtlety when we know that we are better?”
Frankie asked in white dress which she had made with sheets and small silver threads, it resembled an ill-fitting gown.
“Because the goal is not to crush them or dominate them.
We want to establish a diplomatic relationship and for this we need to know who we are dealing with.”

You stopped talking as the sun's rays dipped below the horizon and the expedition's bonfires illuminated the bodies that moved between them,
wells of light surrounded by creatures painted with reflections.
Some colored spots on a bitterly gray canvas.
It was a group of mercenaries, elves, some Tyr and many kobolds.
All with uneven and improvised equipment, some in full armor others clad in leathers and helmets of what you suspected was wood
[Game of distortion: Trolls]
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5386675/thumbs/1664135405758523.jpg.

As surprising as the disorganized expedition were, more odd were the little giants the size of three bulls stacked on top of each.
Quadrupedal in pose and slow in movement.
They were carrying like backpacks that resembled train carriages.
you had to ask Frankie what they were and she can identify them as trolls.
Intermediary steps between the intelligent races and the beasts of the depths of the forests.
Stupidly social and ironically somewhat cowardly.

From all this you were able to extract that it was probably an independent group without a clear leader,
that brought the classic problems of not having someone to give a clear message to,
but the mob mentality would be easier to take advantage of, all you had to do was decide the type of approach.

> intimidation put on a show of force to scare them away
> bring an NPC to mediate with the group
> wait for the morning to come and introduce yourself as an elf who lives in this city
> wait for the morning to arrive and introduce yourself as the general of the chimeras
> set up a trap inside the city to capture them
> kill them all

>>5712915
Dont worry, I do the numbers.
Thats just for transparency and so you know from what ass I'm pulling my data.

>>5712963
>but glad to see the quest is still going.
the day it stops you will have a warning, so dont worry.

>>5713214
> wait for the morning to arrive and introduce yourself as the general of the chimeras
>Bring Frankie and Emilia

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>>5713214
> wait for the morning to arrive and introduce yourself as the general of the chimeras
But make sure to wear the power armor and have some troops to give the impression of strength.
And use the stance

>>5713227
Seconding the stance.

File: Spoiler Image (3.24 MB, 1700x2500)

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Also, got you some fanart in the form of a noixle commission

>>5713950
>>5713227
>>5713222

Of all the things you could do, you preferred the direct approach.
The best way to deal with unpredictable reactions was for them to see you coming.
And for them to see you coming and not act rashly, you had to show strength.
Frankie and you returned in the middle of the night, when the bonfires were already growing dim and only the night guards remained awake.
The group of mercenaries and looters were all sleeping very closely in the center of camp.
Fearing the demonic abominations of their legends lurking in the darkness of the wasteland.

Their small wagons and tents stacked in close proximity, praying that it would provide some defense.
Or at least make it more likely to be woken by others if something were to happen.
The only ones that stayed a little further away were the gigantic trolls that slept lying under the cosmos without any concern.

…

Before the sun returned to the skies, you had prepared the group that would intercept them.
Three dozen chimeras and their vehicles, plus a couple of the winged abominations.
Along with this military deployment, Frankie, who had to learn how to be diplomatic,
and Emilia, the young con artist who was better at negotiating prices than you.
This did not bother you much, since your job wasn't necessarily to negotiate.
It was to be an intimidating presence, so you put your power armor back on.

You didn't know that Cedalion had done it to It.
But it had changed, the pieces of steel had folded into organic shapes,
the soft parts inside that when you found it writhed at your presence now stretched like a second skin taking its shape.
The armor seemed to embrace you.
It pulsed with each of your breaths and sweated smoke with your words.

With everything prepared, you all got into the vehicles and left.
And while you took advantage of the trip to mentally prepare yourself, Frankie had many questions for the elf.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in a very blunt manner
Emilia was a bit shocked, and then she played pretend to be extremely hurt.
“Oh? No hello or presentation?” She took her hands and covered her heart. “ Are you not going to even ask who poor Emilia is?”
The chimera was confused, not understanding what she was doing.
“I’m Frankie, what are you doing here?"

“Damn, you are not very fun. I`m Anon`s bullshit detector among other things. What about you, big girl?”
“I’m his perfect creation, of course I would come.” Frankie said very proudly.
This seemed to be amuse the elf.
“Anon, where do you keep finding this people?” She joked, somewhat offending the chimera.

“Look Frankie, I will admit you have fantastic tits. But what else can you do?”
The chimera seemed confused and a bit angry.
“I can do anything, I’m perfect!”

File: The team.jpg (683 KB, 2658x2776)

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“Emilia, please don’t provoke her.” You had to intervene just incase.
“Oh, come on. I don't know where you got it from but let me play for a while.”
“Are you going not going to ask where she came from?”
“You show up with weird stuff on a daily basis, a dwarf giant with a reptilian tail isn't high on the list.”
Frankie took offense to that.
“I should be on the top of that list, I’m perfection made flesh. That’s not on a daily basis.”

Emilia then spend the trip making up stuff that Frankie was not.
It culminated with the chimera trying to channel a miracle from the gods and making excuses on why she didn’t fail but the gods did.

…

You were taken out of your thoughts with the abrupt stop of the vehicle.
It was show time.
You stomped out into utter silence.
The chimeras had made a semicircle around the camp and the drones hovered over them.
All your soldiers in symmetrical positions like a Roman legion in stoic silence.
All weapons raised and waiting for your signal.

The mercenaries had crowded into the center.
They knew that running away would only leave them lost in the desert, so they prepared for a battle.
An almost professional formation of shields and spears with scattered kobolds
moving between the legs of the soldiers, equipped with daggers or other small weapons.
To the rear, magicians from different schools were preparing.
The trolls were on the flanks because their large size did not allow them to fit into the formation.

You stopped halfway the two factions and introduced yourself.
You let them know you were here to speak, the armor distorting your voice to something more in accordance with their expectations.
There was doubt and fear among their ranks, unwilling to risk sending anyone outside of the perceived safety of the group.
But the standoff could not be prolonged forever, and so they send a tyr to talk to you.

He was an old man, with many scars and a missing ear.
Fit for his age and caring what you suspected was enchanted gear.
“We didn’t expect any chimera to speak,” His eyes wandered to Emilia, who waved at him. “Or elves to be here. What exactly do you want from us?”
There was some fear in his voice, but his words did not waver.
He knew that if you wanted him dead, he would be already.

What do you want from them?
>”I want you to leave?”
>”I want to make a deal” (Explain the terms)
>”I want to know about the outside world” (Ask questions)
>”I want you to deliver a message”(What message?)
>”I need you to do something for me”(What do you need?)

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>>5714121
holy shit.
I did not expect this.

I will print it and put it on a my wall.

>>5714233
>”I want to know about the outside world” (Ask questions)
What's been happening out there? Just, you know, big news from the outside, about the various major factions.

>”I want you to deliver a message”(What message?)
The chimeras -- NAY, the Remnants -- have a new boss, and he wants peace. That's all.

>”I want you to leave?”
Now get out of here, and go with God.


>>5714236
It's the least I can do after including the big tiddy elf in the game of distortion, AND the gorefield. Flora is partly my doing, for good or ill, and I'm glad you rolled with those punches because she's very fun.

>>5714233
>”I want to know about the outside world” (Ask questions)
>"Tell me about your group. Who you are, what you are doing here, why you are braving the wastelands. Your group don't seem to be one funded by any of the powers."
>”I want you to deliver a message”(What message?)
>"Spread the world that unless they want to join the Federation as citizens, any mercenaries, adventurers, explorers or scholars should stay clear of our lands. Chimerization is no longer obligatory, but we will not tolerate infractions to our sovereignty."

And maybe
>”I want you to leave?”
>"I want check your inventory for anything you may have looted. I will not confiscate any items that did not belong to the Federation. I also want to escort you out of our territory. I would rather not have to resort to violence, but I'll not shy away from it if necessary"

>>5714281
>+Support+
Get off government land u hobos.

>>5714730
>>5714281
>>5714275
>"Tell me about your group. Who you are, what you are doing here, why you are braving the wastelands.
>Your group don't seem to be one funded by any of the powers."
"We are Karls Wretched Bastards," The tyr said somewhat proud
"We are a circus, more or less. I'm the ringmaster and those are my clowns." he said pointing back."We mainly hunt monsters, but we make exceptions."


"That doesn't explain why you would risk coming here." you said
"Well, crossing the desert is faster than going around all the mountains if you go to the west coast, and there are no monsters except you.
And if we make some small stop to , you know-"
"Some friendly plundering." Emilia quipped

"You could call it that, but its some extra cash."
He seemed to tell the truth.
There was no master plan, there was no grab for control.
You wondered how many merchants and mercenaries used the desert as a shortcut.
How many were brave enough to take the risk of crossing the demon lands and being branded as heretics if someone found out.


>What's been happening out there? Just, you know, big news from the outside, about the various major factions.

"Oh, the usual. Someone tries to kill the Emperor, another purge in the palaces, oracles predicting the end of the world,
rumors of Demons being summoned, bards singing of the beauty of the All-Mother,
another kobold city with collapses, another cult gains strength.
The more things change, the more they seem to always stay the same."

"You could elaborate on one of those rumors."
"I'd wager not. But it's my word against my memory."


>"One last thing, I want you to deliver a message.
>The Remnants have a new boss, and he wants peace.
>Anyone that wants to join the Federation as citizens can, but mercenaries, adventurers, explorers or scholars should stay clear of our lands.
>We will not tolerate infractions to our sovereignty."

The old mercenary lost his smile, wondering if you were really serious.
a sparkle in his eyes when he realized what you really were.
"Do you really think that someone will come?
To dead lands running the risk of disappearing like the thousands of people who were taken in the raids to do what knows who?"
"Chimerization is no longer mandatory."
"I'm sorry, what? Wait, never mind, I don't want to know."

He rubbed his eyes, thinking what to say and considering what would keep him alive.
"Not considering the risk to us, who do you expect will show up with that offer?
I really can only see people hiding from the law and with nothing to lose to come here."

He had a point,and when you turned for advice Emilia shrugged, confirming his statement.
She was a criminal herself, hiding here from the Democracy.
"Why are you telling me this Karl?" You asked slowly.
He seemed very keen on surviving, making such a bold statement was an unecesary risk.

"First, I'm not Karl, he got killed a long time ago but we keep the name for luck, and maybe a curse.
Don't ask about it or my name, I don't want to risk your demon magic.
And to answer your question, I was expecting you to turn a blind eye to us passing through here in the future, maybe?
Traders would kill for safe passage through this place, and maybe you could ignore us playing ferrymen over your backyard?"

>Are you willing to let him pass traders though Remnant territory
>YES/NO
>Conditions?

>"I want you to leave?"
>"I want to check your inventory for anything you may have looted. I will not confiscate any items that did not belong to the Federation.
>I also want to escort you out of our territory. I would rather not have to resort to violence, but I'll not shy away from it if necessary"

"Oh, come on! I have been nice, don't spook my clowns over stuff we don't have.
Also, we are leaving the long way out we are taking a defense contract in case giants start appearing and going around the mountains will add another week to traveling. "
"Okay, but I'm going to check you are not taking anything that belongs to the Federation."
"Fine." He agreed quickly, wanting to get done with it soon.

"Why wouldn't people want to come here, Creator?" Frankie asked.
"They are afraid. The chimeras have killed a lot of people."
"Then we will bring them here. Once they see our greatness they will stay. It’s a flawless plan."
Emilia patted her on the back.
"At least you are trying, big girl. But you are not cute enough to pull the stunts Anon does."

---

Time skip.
[I'm going to do a time skip till Cedalions and Charons missions are done]
Pick three characters and I will write a scene of some interactions that happens in the meantime.
>Ghal
>Emilia
>Hildra
>Jericho
>Tog
>Flora
>Potato
>Frankie
>Lucy the cat
>The mothman
>Write in

---
Okay, I can’t make art today because I manage my time bad.
So in exchange and because of the commission I will post some of the stuff I have made during my break.
I usually keep this stuff separate but I’m willing to part with the ones that are decent.
https://files.catbox.moe/n5hoop.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/51asfv.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/3ls7y2.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/4ehoe1.jpg

>>5714909
>YES
he can pass through here, but...
>No looting in our lands, and you have to check in with our agents
This is sovereign territory

>Potato
>Frankie
>Lucy the cat

Good art! Nice lewds. Let us know in /qtg/ if you're ever doing commissions.

>>5714909
>YES
>Conditions?
>A percentage of the profit. You can call it a tax, a toll, tariff or even a cut. It can be payed in goods.
Would 10% be fair? I imagine that the Empire and the Democracy have way higher numbers, since they are gearing up for a war.

As for Frakie's plan, it's good to remember that awe can be awesome or awful. The same thing that can make a person be amazed, can make another terrified. And fear can feed hatred.
Given the Federation's past with the war and the chimeras, chances are most will feel afraid.

>The mothman
>Frankie
>Potato
All the ones that are learning how anon see the world.

Also, nice art. I always enjoy seeing one of your sculptures.

>>5714907

>> Yes
>> conditions
>> tariff of goods, trade quarter

They can lie about profits for tariffs unless we check all their goods and our chimeras probably arent smart enough for that we should have it be a flat tariff. Preferably goods we can use such as fresh food, stuff on magic, or any raw materials we could use and cant get easily. Somthing cheap like 3%, of the adverage caravan suppies to incentive it.

We should also set up a trade quarter for them where they will be safe can trade with other caravans outside the eyes of the law and can trade with us. We can basically be a private cove for smuggling. Will help endear us to the world as well.

>>5715074
>Become a pirate bay
I can back this. Add that to >>5714916

>>5714909

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Lucy the cat -1
Mothman -2

>>5714916
>Let us know in /qtg/ if you're ever doing commissions.
I've considered it, I'm a little scared to have 20 requests at once.
I have also tormented a couple of Qm with smut and other stuff and I'm afraid I'm part of the toxic part of quest.

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>> yes
>> tariff of goods, trade quarter
>>"A percentage of the profit. You can call it a tax, a toll, tariff or even a cut. It can be paid in goods."
>"Something cheap from the total of the average caravan suppies."

"Ah yes, Taxes. Even you demons have nailed down what government is." He chuckled.
"I'm not sure what is cheap. The Empire and Democracy usually charge you a sum for selling stuff in the cities. Not for moving stuff since thats the dangerous part. There also the discount if you get some paperwork, but most Much of my knowledge comes from drunken merchants complaining about denied sales permits or that their profits are too small, so don't take my word."

"What about some trade quarter for them."
"Oh, If you manage to keep a neutral ground It could work for some of the more colorful merchants." The tyr said, thinking of the profits.


Emilia called out to you, she wanted a private talk.
"Anon, are you sure about this? Most criminals are not as cute as me, what if some drug lord appears to set shop here."
"Then we deal with it. We execute, hand it over to the Empire or whatever comes best. The goal is for people to start coming."

"I still don't get why we can't drag them here. This place will become incredible." Frankie said a bit frustrated
>"It's good to remember that awe can be awesome or awful. The same thing that can make a person be amazed, can make another terrified. And fear can feed hatred.
>Given the Federation's past with the war and the chimeras, chances are most will feel afraid."
"But its okay for them to be afraid, they are inferior. That's why we'll be here to lead."
"I appreciate your consideration, but they are not inferior. They are just build different."
"Build worse." She mumbled
...

It had been a week since Frankie was brought into the world.
Her reactions had been mixed, and it confused her.
fear, awe, hate, kindness, curiosity, pity.
Was she supposed to act on their reactions?
She saw herself as the epitome of life, yet here she was, avoiding other creatures.
They should be the ones avoiding me! She she though while pacing through old halls.
She thought of what was the correct move, so many ideas but none would make the lesser revere her like they should.
But that was not a problem, she was immortal, she had time to think of the best strategy.

It was then, when she was trying to go deep into her thoughts of her that she heard a small call for help.
the voice was followed with an uncanny echo,
With nothing to fear, Frankie followed the sound.

She arrived at a peculiar scene.
A small furry animal sitting on a table, had caught a mass of vines in its claws and was sucking on it.
The plant like thing squirmed and called for help again.
"SOMEONE! Lucy is going to eat me! HELP!"

The chimera had never seen these two creatures.
She had a lot of questions, but she decided they could wait.
"Okay, don't move. I'm going to kill it."
"NOOOO" The green creature screamed.
Frankie was very confused by this, wasn't that asking to be saved?
"Why not? It's eating you, right?"
"It's important to other people, you can't kill it."
"Why would you care? It's going to hurt you now, if you kill it it will never do."

"But you don't need to, just push her off."
Frankie looked at the small animal and wondered why she should move the reature.
The Lucy was more capable than the other creature, she should be more usefull.
The chimera wondered what was better.

"HELP"
Thats when Frankie got an idea
"I will save you, but you will own me a blood debt little creature."
"Sure, just help." and with the deal sealed, the chimera waived her massive arm and scared the cat away.
A simple thing that had heard the chimera a blood debt.
This was the most advantageous outcome for her.
And she still kept going back to the situation in her mind.
Why not kill it?
Such a simple question to take her, the explanation that could be given would never be sufficient.


[Game of distortion]
You submit an image and I incorporate it into the quest, the more complex the image the more prone it will be to getting warped.
A box will be a box a starship could become a comet.
>What does the future hold for you?
I have like 6 event ideas with small time skip between them (Making this a bit more of a Civ Quest)
Alter some of the scenes I'm planning with your imput.

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>>5715699
What QM doesn't appreciate competent Rule 34 of their quest? To be recognized as worthy of porn is to be legitimate i the eyes of the internet!

>>5715789
>Game of Distortion
Pic related.

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>>5715789
In honor of OP's modelling skills, here's my submission.
Do the gang find a (somewhat) intact hobby shop? Cedalion tries to teach the gang tactics through the age old tradition of wargaming? Something competently different?

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>>5715826
The other idea I had in mind was this, to expand Rakta to silly human ideas like competing thoughts about theology.
But I think this anon's suggestion >>5715800 might do something similar, and the honestly, the poor girl is far ready to have her mind shattered like that.

>>5715800
>The annunciation of Christ(islam version/tool of god?)/Old religious manuscripts?
>>5715826
>Very expensive wargame
>>5715829
Lets give Rakta a break with this. I already have a scene planned, which depending on what you do, will lead her to hate the gods.

There still is one anon missing so I will accept his image even if its late.
Also, the art is comming but I will post now in case I fall sleep on the paper.

...

[Casualties while Cedalion was on mission= 36 + 20 | 79 Remain]
[Caualties inflicted by Cedalion while on mission= 636 | ? remain]
[Mission Success]
[>>5692339 The wells work without problems]

It had been a couple of days since Cedalion had been sent to the mines and he had already returned.
Victory at the cost of a relentless advance, a grueling offensive without quarter.
The march of the chimeras accompanied by clouds of chemical weapons flooded the tunnels.
And after salvaging the mining equipment at the cost of many soldiers, a retreat with explosives.
The lowest, cavernous levels, where darkness shielded you from the horrors that existed, had been cut off from the surface.

Cedalion returned with the equipment and you began the construction of wells.
At the moment you had been successful creating one, the water passed through the purifiers that you had rehabilitated gave a new life to this place.
There was still no green when you looked out the window, but Ghal and Charon's experiments were beginning to bear fruit.
You were sitting in the former general's office reading their reports.
Thinking of visiting them to see for yourself their progress.

"HUMAN! How dare you get my men killed!" Rigek screamed just as he kicked the door open.
He had apparently finished cleaning up the stragglers in the mines quite soon.
"All I did was relieve you of your duty, so behave. I'm your general."
"No, you sent Cedalion to a rush job and that got my men killed. They lost their lives on a skirmish against stone age cannibals, its disgracefull to them."


"You would have lost the same number of men and it would have taken much longer, we needed the mining equipment."
Rigek's face was a skull, but the few expressions he managed to implie hate.
"Cedalion would not have lost them! If you had sent him and told him to be carefull they would all still be alive."
You pondered over Chimera's intentions.
A warmonger complaining that he had lost soldiers.
Was he really angry about the death of the unthinking chimeras or was it an excuse to complain about being removed from command?
Maybe both or maybe a dislike for you being the general.

"Their sacrifices were for the future of the Remnants. Their lives have not been wasted, we will soon see the revitalization of the Wastelands."
He scoffed.
"If all the chimeras died, the Empire would return the rain to these lands and everything would be forest again. You are rebuilding a husk civilization, chimeras are not people, we are only soldiers."
He had not been informed about Frankie, so you decided to break the news to him.
He would learn the truth eventually.

"Charon and I have successfully created a new type of sentient chimera. They will be our citizens and we have a few months to prepare for their creation."
Rigek was speachless, shock in his eyes as if a nightmare of his had come true.
There was a blur in motion and it ended when he pointed a gun at you.
He seemed as incredulous as you before the situation, his instinct had taken control.
He stammered for a bit.

"I- I can't let you. We must end the war, if you do that you will only replace my men with creatures that can suffer. We must- "
He was lost in his thoughts, trying to find the justification for why he was doing this.
Trying to figure out how many people would have to die for the war to have meaning.
"Put the gun down, Rigek. That's an order." You said with a calm voice.
"You don't order me. Only Cedalion, and it's out of respect, I'm not bound. Thats why- why I know that to live is to fight, that peace requires sacrifice."
He looked at you, his gaze hardening with determination.
"I'm sorry your death will not be beutiful."

What will you do?
>Take the gun away from him (Roll 1d20 Bo3)(Strength)
>Kill him (Rigek dies)
>Say something
>get shot
>Write in

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Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5716576
>Take the gun away from him (Roll 1d20 Bo3)(Strength)
>sadge

>>5716576
Can we do the "safety's on" trick? Basically say that there's something physically preventing them from firing the gun then going for it when they check.

>>5716633
He's probably too experienced to trick that way.

>>5716576
>Kill him
Peace requires sacrifices. He's right. However, he won't accept the sacrifice of his men, or his status, or his ideals... And unlike Cedalion, we can't order him to stand down.

>>5716663
Yes but what's the opportunity cost of trying?

>>5716709
>"Hey, you safety's on."
>he pulls the trigger to check
>we're shot
>"Nope."

>>5716718
If he was that quick to pull the trigger we wouldn't be having this vote.

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Sorry about not posting art. Didnt even start.
Went back to trying to rewrite Rigeks dialog.
Cant get the right words to express the mental gimnastics he has made to justify his purpose.

Have the art with another alternative dialog.

>>5716632
1 vote to take the gun
>>5716663
1 vote to kill him
>>5716633
And 1 vote to get shot.
Dont worry, I would not give you an option that auto kills you.

We are tied, do I roll?

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bonus

>>5717055
>And 1 vote to get shot.
Is this a joke? Because that is not what I suggested.

>>5717060
A bit of a joke.
but what would you do in his situation?
Do you expect something like this to happen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqKwz5aHl3Y&t=54s

>>5717060
Okay, Roll speech.
1d20
Bluff

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5717064
More like
"You can't shoot me"
"Yes I can"
"No, I mean the safety is on"
"What?" *looks at the gun*

>>5717065
Here you go

Rolled 19 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>5717073
Then its two votes to "get the gun away from him" I guess
Diferent aproach.
Lets roll for Rigek.
you have a +7 and the Bo3

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Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5717081
I forgot to check the thread today, I feel like pic related.

>>5717134
I forgot to put the modifier, is the roll still vaild?
Oh, and the meme I meant in relation to the situation of remembering to check the thread and being threatened at gun point, and not that the choice that won was bad.

>>5717058
Hahaha, alright, that's the best.

>>5717060
Tried to warn you, alas.

>Take the gun away from him
The absurd standoff had very few possible outcomes.
You could kill him, maybe you would end up hurt but it was a certainty that you would succeed.
You could also test his will power and programming.
If you had so much time to consider your options, who said he couldn't be bluffing?
Waiting for you to make a mistake and find justification in killing you too.
But that left a lot to luck, and you preferred not to do that.
So you went to one of the oldest tricks in the book.

"You can't shoot me"
Rigek shook his head in confusion, tilting it to the side.
"Yes I can"
"No, I mean the safety is on" and you pointed to the side of the gun
"Que?"
Still aiming at you, he brought his hand to the side of the gun and twisted the safety twice.
*click* *click*

"See, he wasn't on."
"You've put it back." You said seriously, judging him with a look like a disappointed parent.
"It's not, urgh."
He reached to the side of the gun and twisted the safety once.
*click*
then he pulled the trigger.
*TINK*
"See, it-" he was interrupted by your fist.
[Roll 13 + 7 DC: 19+1 Result: Success]

Rigek fell to the ground, half of his skull shattered.
With a thump he got stuck to the floor, he did not bleed and his only movement was from breathing.
His eyes had lost their light, black holes indicating that he was unconscious.
Your hand had a few bone fragments stuck in it, but that was it.

...

Half an hour later you were with Cedalion, looking at the indent that Rigek had left on the ground when he fell.
The captain had been transferred to the cell system below the fortress.
Waiting for a trial.
"I would have understood if you had killed him," Cedalion said, looking down at the gun that was still on the ground. "But thank you for not doing it."
"Why didn't we see it coming?" It seemed so obvious in hindsight that something like this would happen.
"He could have accepted this as the end of the war and it wouldn't have surprised me either. I created him 200 years ago and he is still unpredictable."

He sighed, thinking about what he would have to do.
"Why don't you rest for today, I'll leave this ready for you." Cedalion offered.
It was something you could do, you weren't in a hurry.

>Go see progress on the revitalization process (Greenhouse)
>Put Rigek on trial (how do you want to do it?)
>Go search for someone (Who?)
>Go somewhere in the fortress (Library, armory, workshop, Shcool, common rooms, prison, Write in)
>Go somewhere outside the fortress (Map >>5699184)
>Write in

>>5717180
>School
For no reason other then wanting to see more of the cute caterpillar
Although going to the clockwork church go be interesting, since I think we never went there before

>>5717160
See? It worked!

>>5717180
> Go see progress on the revitalization process (Greenhouse)

>>5717180
>Go see progress on the revitalization process (Greenhouse)

>>5717198
>It worked!
Well, damned if you aren't right. The victory is yours.

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>Go see progress on the revitalization process (Greenhouse)

For all the intensity it had been for Rigek to pull a gun on you, you didn't feel like this was a reason to stop.
You still had things to do, visit the greenhouse the first in your priorities.
You left Cedalion to deal with the clean up and headed to the roof of the fortress.
Most of the hallways were still in disrepair, but they no longer were abandoned.
They felt lived in, perhaps it was an effect of removing debris and fixing the lighting.
Perhaps it was that they were no longer always in absolute silence.

You reached the roof and were momentarily dazed by the glimmering daylight.
The lab was somewhere else, but up here was a small shack and a gigantic greenhouse.
The glass panels were translucent and only showed dark green and gray stains from the inside.
You approached with good expectations.

Opening the door you were hit by a stream of hot air.
It was damp and the plants here had a range of strange shapes and even unhealthy colors at times.
Ash substrate covered most of the ground, from which gigantic mushrooms and green moss towers emerged.
In the center of the room, was Ghal.
Dressed in cloth that hid almost his entire body, he held a box of vials while he looked at a mushroom cap.
On it was Potato, diggin into the meat of the fungus and passing him some.

"Stop playing with the samples and give them to me." He complained to the young spriggan
"But look at them!" Potato lifted a strand from the center of the mushroom.
It contracted like a spring, blackening to ash after a few seconds.
After passing one more vial, Ghal saw you.

"Good morning Sirrr-,"He tried to stop himself, but couldn't "You've come to see our latest experiments, haven't you?"
"They are vile." The spriggan commented
"Ignore him, he doesn't like fungi. They are a good start to make use of the organic matter we have without sunlight.
There are real plants here but we are not done with them yet."

Ghal gave you a little tour of the place, showing you the varieties they had produced.
From small and eternal things to mushrooms that would create forests.
Also some insects that would live in the substrate.
At the moment they were concentrating efforts on creating something stable, not functional.
While Ghal told you about the progress, he showed concern.
"uhm, I have to warn you that this is dangerous." He said, looking at some copper mosses sealed in a glass box.
"Poison?"
"Not about these specifically, but everything. We are containing the experiments, but when we release them there will be no control.
Charon doesn't care what happens, but I fear changing the world for the worse."

"Hey! the mushrooms are eating the cactus!" The spriggan screamed from somewhere in the undergrowth.
"Excuse me, Anon. I have to deal with the kid." He took a deep breath and walk in the direction of the voice "Don't touch it yet."

>Build the mushroom.
Propagation[0] / Use [0] / Longevity [0] / Vitality [0]/ Growth Speed[0]/ Genetic Stability [0]

//You have 5 points to distribute.
(These statistics can go from -5 to 5, Example: Longevity (-5= Lives for a couple of days. 5= Lives 100 Years.
Use; -5 you can die if you inhale its spores, 5 medicinal and nutritional properties)
Growth Speed(-5 Takes years to grow considerably, 5 Takes hours to increase in size.)

If you put a -5 you earn 5 points to distribute elsewhere.


>>5717198
> It worked!
I will admit, I did not expect it to work.
then again, I forgot about the +7.

>>5717869
Propagation[2] / Use [4] / Longevity [-2] / Vitality [1]/ Growth Speed[-1]/ Genetic Stability [1]
Spreads reasonably, very useful, doesn't last forever or mature immediately but also doesn't have to.

>>5717869
Will we build the other plants, or just the mushrooms? I'm torn between tying to make them useful and hardy decomposers, or rapidly spreading and quickly mutating colonizers.
The first option would be good to have a stable ecosystem, but the second is useful to get a bunch of offshots that create a new biosphere by themselves

>>5717891
>Will we build the other plants, or just the mushrooms?
You will get a few.
This, a plant, an animal and something from your choice.

>>5717869
Min max mushroom

Propagation[-2]/ Use [5] / Longevity [-5] / Vitality [-2]/ Growth Speed[5]/ Genetic Stability [4]

A mushroom that has to be cultivated to survive grows extremely quickly with short life spans but a stable genetic code so the short lifespan dosnt cause madness.
Very controllable very useful very mass produceable.

>>5718028
I that case I'm going for

Propagation[1] / Use [1] / Longevity [-3] / Vitality [2] / Growth Speed[3] / Genetic Stability [1]