>>38710396
You open your eyes, still groggy from whatever spell that priestess cast on you. Blinking, you see that you are no longer inside the watchtower, but outside, by a camp fire. You try to move, but you seem to have been tied to a tree. You struggle a bit, but to no avail.

"Look who's awake."

Looking up, you see the priestess, sitting on the opposite side of the fire and roasting some sort of strange meat. The imp, however, is nowhere to be found.

>"Ugh, my head. Where am I? Where are you taking me?"
>"You're making a big mistake here, you know that? Somebody from the tower is sure to come looking for me."
>Struggle some more against the ropes binding you.
>Try and communicate with Galadriel. She's not here, but you should still have that telepathic link.
>Other

I just realized I used the wrong OP image. Great start.

>>38710424
>"Ugh, my head. Where am I? Where are you taking me?"
>Try and communicate with Galadriel. She's not here, but you should still have that telepathic link.
>Other
Work on our bonds try to loosen them.

>>38710424
>Try and communicate with Galadriel. She's not here, but you should still have that telepathic link.
>>38710595
Also try to subtly loosen bonds

>>38710424
>>Other
Let's wait until she starts monologing, then annoy her by interrupting her at the end by playing dumb.

>>38710595
>>38710424
This

>>38710424
>Try and communicate with Galadriel. She's not here, but you should still have that telepathic link.

Along with this >>38710805

"Hey, Galadriel. How much you want to bet this is a succubus?

Also
>Wake up last night to get some water
>Check if HSQ is still up cause sparks is crazy
>Oh look we are fighting the Imp right now
>Its trying to get away
>It rolls a 6 or something and we roll a 98

Almost woke up my roommate laughing.

>>38710424
>"So, any explanation for why I'm not dead yet?"

>Try and communicate with Galadriel. She's not here, but you should still have that telepathic link.
multiple conversations, ho!

>>38711120
I just caught up on that too I laughed so fucking hard.

>>38710424
You try to subtly loosen your bonds, and try to send a mental message to Galadriel.

'Galadriel? Can you hear me?'

There's a response, but it's very hard to make out. You only catch a few pieces of what she's saying, and even what you hear sounds like a whisper.

'Si...red...ke...afe...ming...st...an.'

Damn, you can't tell what she's trying to say. In any case, it seems you're on your own here.

The ropes are tight, but you do your best to try and loosen them subtly. Given time, you might be able to make some progress, but it will be a while before you can slip free.

The "priestess" continues to roast that strange meat over the fire, seemingly carefree. After a while, she pulls the meat away from the fire, and takes a bite of it right off the stick.

"You know, usually this is the part where people start screaming for help or making threats." She says between bites. "Cat got your tongue?"

>Say nothing. You have nothing to say to a demon.
>"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."
>"Where are you taking me? I thought you were trying to kill me?"
>"Where's the imp? I thought he was working with you?"
>Other

>>38711212
>>"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."

"Imp for dinner?"

>>38711212
>shrug

>>38711212
>"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."

>>38711212
>Other
Who are you, again?

>>38711212
>>"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."
>keep working on the ropes while talking

>>38711212
>"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."
Also you didnt have to eat the poor thing because he had bad luck you know.

>>38711212
Siegfried
ke(ep?)
(s?)afe


>"Sorry, I'm not used to being important enough to kidnap. Guard, you see, so usually I'm the one doing the rescuing."
>"So, why am i not dead yet?"

>>38711212
I really want to be mocking, like, say the kidnapper thing and then something incredibly stupid sounding like:

>"I guess I'll try then. Foul beast! Release me this instant! I shall suffer not your fiendish tricks! Instead, let us engage in fisticuffs, and may the stronger of us prevail!

>>38711464
I'd go for that.

>>38711464
Oh hell yeah, let's do this.

>>38711464
Sure, lets annoy ourselves some succubutt.

"Fiendish cur! Untie me this minute, so that I may give you the well deserved trouncing you require!"

>>38711464
good, good, I can go with that

>>38711212
You shrug mockingly, while still working at your bonds. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware it was proper etiquette to make conversation with your kidnapper."

She shrugs. "Well hey, if you'd rather sit there and be quiet, be my guest. Makes my job easier."

"I guess I'll try then. Foul beast! Release me this instant! I shall suffer not your fiendish tricks! Instead, let us engage in fisticuffs, and may the stronger of us prevail!"

She rolls her eyes and chuckles. "I'll give you this at least, it's the first time I've seen someone try make a joke after being kidnapped." She takes another bite out of the mystery meat, finishing what's left on the stick. She reaches behind her and pulls out more, then starts cooking it over the fire. You know, for some reason that looks a lot like an ar-

Oh. Well, now you know what happened to the imp.

>"That's kind of harsh to eat the little guy, isn't it? Weren't you two partners or something?"
>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"
>"That's weird, I didn't know demons even had to eat."
>"You know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"
>Other

>>38711975
>>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"

>>38711975
>"That's weird, I didn't know demons even had to eat."

>>38711975
>>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"
>"You know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"
I'm curious as to exactly how awful it tastes.

>>38711975
>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"
>"You know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"
Well, I'M curious to see if demon burns taste a lot better than demon flesh.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>38711975
>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"
>"That's weird, I didn't know demons even had to eat."
>"You know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"

>>38711790
>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"

>>38711975
>>"You know that can't be very tasty. I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"

>"So, obviously, you need me alive, because if you didn't, you wouldn't have gone to the trouble of tying me to a tree and letting me wake up first, rather then dragging me out, then killing me while I was knocked out. The question is, how exactly doing that benefits you enough to risk your cover spying on the White Watchtower."

>>38711975
>Other
"You know, my sword is pretty good for cooking imp, maybe you should use that instead. Or better yet, give it to me and I'll totally cook the imp through for you."

>>38711975
>"You know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"

I am honestly surprised that eating Imp got this much traction. More you know I guess.

>>38711975
>"That's weird, I didn't know demons even had to eat."
Clearly not a succubutt.

>>38711975
"You know that can't be very tasty." You point out. "I mean, the little runt was ugly enough when he was alive, wasn't he?"

She shrugs. "You're right, it does taste like shit. But then again, there's certain advantages to it. You wouldn't understand."

You shrug. "Alright then. But you know, I'm pretty sure it's also proper etiquette to feed your prisoners. Mind tossing some of that imp my way?"

She raises an eyebrow, then shrugs. She breaks a piece off of the stick, then walks over to you. Your hands are bound, so she has to feed it to you by hand.

Well, this demon might be many things, but she wasn't lying when she said this meat was terrible. Almost immediately after you start chewing you have to spit it out, very nearly vomiting. By the Void, that was awful!

"Told you so." Your captor says, taking a seat by the fire again. "Stuff's terrible, especially for mortals."

"Gah! By Aureus, why would anyone ever eat that shit?"

"Because it makes our kind stronger when we feast on each other." She says, taking another bite out of the imp's arm. "Which is incentive not to fuck up when you're given a job, like this poor runt."

>"Damn, that's harsh. Not even a little sympathy for your fellow demons?"
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."
>"Speaking of which, you know you just ruined your cover back at the Watchtower, right?"
>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."
>Other

>>38712831
>>"Damn, that's harsh. Not even a little sympathy for your fellow demons?"
>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."

>>38712831
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."
>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."

>>38712831
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."
>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."

>>38712831
>>"Damn, that's harsh. Not even a little sympathy for your fellow demons?"
>>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."

>>38712831
>"Damn, that's harsh. Not even a little sympathy for your fellow demons?"
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."

>>38712831
>"Speaking of which, you know you just ruined your cover back at the Watchtower, right?"
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."

No, wait, lemmie guess. You want to be the one to bring me in so you can get all the glory and fame for bringing the chosen one to the boss man. Am I right, or am I right?

>>38713026
Temporary chosen one of not even a week.

>>38712831
>"So, I'm guessing you're rebelling against some demon lord, seeing as I'm still alive?"

>>38712831
>"Sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck."
>"Speaking of his job, why am I still alive? I thought you were both trying to kill me."

>>38712831
"Damn, sounds like living in the Forsaken Lands must really suck. But damn, not even a little sympathy for your fellow demons?"

She shrugs. "No room for sympathy in the Forsaken Lands, not when you're lower caste. Maybe if he was the same type as me I'd feel a little sorry for him, but I don't feel any sympathy for an imp, especially when he was about to rat me out."

"Same type? What, you're not an imp too?"

She scoffs. "Do I look like an imp to you?" When you don't respond to that, she sighs. "No, I'm not an imp. I'm a doppelganger, dammit, there's a huge difference."

Doppelganger? You don't know anything about those, but you suppose you could learn more from Galadriel or the library...assuming you ever get back to either of those, at least.

You shrug. "Well in any case, why am I still alive? I thought you and the imp were trying to kill me."

She shrugs. "We were, originally, but not now. Well, he was still trying to kill you, but as you can see that didn't go well for him."

You raise an eyebrow, confused. "Alright, well what changed?"

"What changed is that I got an offer from someone very important who would sooner I bring you to him so he could do it instead."

"And who exactly is it that wants you to bring me to him?"

"Andras." She says, finishing the last of the imp meat. "You must have really pissed him off, because he was ready to give anything for me to bring you to him."

Oh shit, that doesn't sound very good. Whatever Andras has planned for you when you get there, you have a feeling it's not going to be very fun for you. Luckily, however, the bonds that are holding you are starting to come loose. You could probably break free now if you wanted to.

>Break out and run
>Break out and fight
>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.
>Other

>>38713554
>>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.
"What the hell did you cast at me?"

>>38713554
Andras....is going to hire us to help him take over the demons, isn't he?

>Wait, how are you carrying-did you leave Galadriel back there? I mean, this is important for me to know whether Andras plans to kill me or not.

>>38713554
>>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.
"Where the hell are we?"

Need to get some bearing before we run for it.

>>38713554
>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.
So mind telling me about dopplegangers?

>>38713554
>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.

"Really? Andras more important than the Demon lord? You might need to get your head checked."

>>38713554
>Don't break out yet, wait for the right time.
Gather as much information as you can get.

>>38713554
Can you fuck other people?

>>38713554
You decide to wait for the opportune moment to run. After all, you've only got one shot at this.

"Really? Andras more important than the Demon King? You might want to get your head checked, because I'd imagine Malaphas doesn't like it when his subordinates disobey him."

"And I suppose telling one of his best generals to beat it is a much smarter choice, right? Besides, I'm still doing what I'm told. I doubt Andras would want me to bring you to him unless he planned to kill you, so as far as I see it I'm just hitting two birds with one stone. I bring you to him, he kills you, I get my rewards from him and Malaphas, and everything comes out fine. Well, maybe not for you. If it's any consolation, this is nothing personal."

"That's not really much of a consolation. And what happens when Malaphas finds out you went behind his back?"

For a second, you think you can see a hint of worry on the false priestess's face. "It won't come to that. What Malaphas doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Or you, I suppose. And where exactly are we now? This place looks pretty normal for the Forsaken Lands, I always pictured something more sinister, you know? Rivers of fire and all that."

She shakes her head. "We're not there yet, but we will be soon. Sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt you'll be seeing any rivers of fire this far from the fortress anyways."

'This far from the fortress'? Wait, is she saying those are actually a thing?

>>38714398
You're about to say something else, but then you hear a familiar voice coming from inside your head, this time much clearer than before.

'Siegf...ed, are you al...ight?'

'I'm fine.' You tell her mentally, glad to hear her again. 'You sound clearer now, what's happening?'

'Get..ing cl...er, connection is g...ng stronger. St...fe, I'll be...oon.'

Hold up, is she saying she's "Getting closer"?

>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'
>'Are there others with you? Is backup coming, or are we on our own?'
>'Can you repeat that? It's still hard to tell what you're saying.'
>Other

>>38714419
>>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'

>>38714419
>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'

>>38714419
>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'
At the same time chat up the priestess.
>Ask about her kinds, and how they procreate, and joke around.

>>38714419
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'
Oh can you bring Andras' favorite drink while you're at it? Seems like I'm headed there for some reason

>>38714419
>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'
>'Are there others with you? Is backup coming, or are we on our own?'

>>38714419
>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'

"Wait HOW are you getting closer?"

Has the champ arrived?

>>38714419
"So, rivers of fire. Are those legitimately a thing, because I was joking. How do you maintain them? And what are they even for, a mote? Seems like it'd be easier to just have a ditch with spikes at the bottom.

>>38714419

>'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'
>'Galadriel, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'

>>38714556
>Has the champ arrived?

I read that as "chimp" my mental image of a chimp running upright carrying a sword gave me a great deal of chuckles.

>>38714419
>Distract the doppelganger "What would you do if Andras actually wants me to help him kill Malaphas? Which side would you pick?"

If/when people get here but the doppelganger copies us to confuse them, all we need to do is tell them to hand us Galadriel. Even if the doppelganger can protect itself from Galadriel's burning somehow, it will still not be able to hold her.

>>38714419
'Well can you hurry? It sounds like this demon is planning to take me to Andras.'

'An...as? Don't wo...ry, I'll be the...soon.'

'Alright, thank you. Also, the demon that kidnapped me is a doppelganger. Can you give me any advice on how to fight her?'

'Shape...fters, their v...is envy. The...ake shape o...hing they se...hard to pr...ct, stay on...re guard.'

As you converse with Galadriel mentally, you stall for time by talking to the doppelganger.

"So, uh, rivers of fire? Are those legitimately a thing, because I was joking."

She nods. "They're real, though you only start seeing them when you get further in. His highness likes to leave an impression I guess"

"How does he even maintain them? And what are they even for, motes? Seems like it'd be easier to just have a ditch with spikes at the bottom."

She shrugs. "Hell if I know. Maybe his highness likes the scenery, I don't know. I'm just a spy, I've never gone and asked him myself."

"How long have you been a spy anyways? The imp said he's been in the Watchtower for twenty years, what about you?"

She shrugs. "150 years maybe? I lost count after a while."

"150 years? How long do your kind even live for?"

"How high can you count?"

"Damn. So you've been spying on the tower 150 years, and no one has noticed?"

"I'm a doppelganger, not being noticed is what I do best. Besides, your watchtower's security has gotten really lose since the last crusade."

You continue to make small talk, trying to keep the doppelganger busy when you hear Galadriel speak again.

'I'm almost there Siegfried, be ready to fight.'

;Alright, good. I'm ready to fight as soon as you get he- wait a minute, how have you been getting closer this whole time?'

'Look up and see for yourself.'

Reinhardt the true champ has arrived

>>38715317
As if on cue, you can see a bright golden light start to approach, lighting up the night sky. It's moving fast, VERY fast, and it's heading straight for you.

The doppelganger notices too, and between the two of you you're not sure who's more confused.

"What in the Voi-"

Before she can finish that though, the glowing light crash lands right between you two. The force of impact is enough to knock the doppelganger out off the log she's been sitting on.

'Hurry Siegfried, grab my blade!' Galadriel shouts mentally, this time loud and clear. You oblige, slipping out of your bonds and grabbing the sword.

"Ugh, fuck." You hear the doppelganger complain, picking herself back up. "No one told me the damn sword could do THAT." Her hands start to change, now sporting some very viscous looking claws.

>Attack her while she's still changing shape
>Cast a spell
>Say something (Specify)
>Run for the woods. Now that your free and you have Galadriel, you just need to escape.
>Other

File: file.png (114 KB, 1377x626)

114 KB PNG

>>38715345
>Attack her while she's still changing shape

>>38715345
>>Attack her while she's still changing shape
>Say something (Specify)
"No one told me either."

>>38715345
>Attack her while she's still changing shape
They also didn't tell you that you should have been using manacles rather then rope.

>>38715345
>Attack her while she's still changing shape
>go for non-lethal
The shapeshifter seems to be a fucking bro. I wonder if we can get it to change sides.

>>38715345
Well seeing as how this>>38715364 is exactly what I was going to put i'll back it.

>>38715345
>Attack her while she's still changing shape
Can we make Galadriel a net and just throw it over her, seems like it would work really well since Galadriel burns demons and is really heavy for people who aren't us to hold. Ideally we also want to capture this demon as well, since she's been spying for 150 years.

>>38715345
>Say something (Specify)

Do you really want to do this? Last time you had the drop on me, and I wasn't even trying to kill your buddy and look how he turned out. Besides, you have no idea what I can do with this sword.

>>38715364
Seconding this

>>38715345
>>Attack her while she's still changing shape
>>"Neither did I!"

>>38715404
>Besides, you have no idea what I can do with this sword.
To be fair neither do we.

Rolled 16 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38715345
"No one told me either." You say, rushing forward for the first strike. She's still changing shape, but she does have some nasty claws, which she swings at you when you attack.

>Roll 1d100+10

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>38715446

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>38715446
I apologize in advance.

Rolled 56 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715446

Rolled 42 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715446
Capture

Rolled 12 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715446
Huh neat.

Rolled 66 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715446

>>38715473
Luck had to run out sometime.

>>38715446
>>38715468
>>38715473
Do these even count?

>>38715501
Um why would the QMs roll not count? Also why the fuck would you not take the opponent rolling a 16 out of 100?

>>38715501
Yeah just add 10. I don't think we've ever been a hardass for syntax.

>>38715446
>>38715477
She swings at you with her claws, but you manage to avoid the sluggish swing and slash at the arm she swung at you with.

Her arm burns where the sword cut, and she lets out a roar you would have never expected from her earlier. Before you can attack again, she turns into a snake and slithers out of your reach, reforming a fair distance from you.

>Normal attack
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)
>Cast a spell
>Retreat
>Other

>>38715585
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
Dont know what kinda of bullshit it can pull off yet.

>>38715585
>GALADRIEL FISTICUFFS
We warned it.

>>38715585
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)

>>38715585
>>Cast a spell
Flash.

>>38715585
>>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)

>>38715585

Change Galadrial into a spear or halberd

>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)

>>38715585
>>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
Kite her! Kite the bitch!

Rolled 61 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715585
Looks like you guys are going to fight defensively.

Roll 1d100+15

>>38715585
>Cast a spell
Flash

>Doppelgangers. Their vice is envy. They take shape of thing they see, hard to predict, stay on your(e?) guard.
If she can't see, she can't copy.

At least, I hope this applies when snakes see by smell/heat.

Rolled 20 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>38715674

Rolled 12 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>38715674

Rolled 34 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>38715674
Welp this gun be gud.

Rolled 32 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>38715674

We are taking a hit this time.

>>38715688
>>38715691
>>38715704
>>38715715
sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiittttttttttttt

>>38715774
It happens, the Doppelganger didnt crit so we are taking the hit this time, its fine enough.

>>38715674
>>38715704
You don't know what she's capable of, so you decide to fight defensively, get a grasp for what she's capable of.

The doppelganger regrows her claws and charges. You see it coming though, and move out of the way and swing at her as she charges by.

Or at least, that was the intention.

When you swing at her, she changes shape just in time, turning into a crocodile and biting your right leg. Thankfully, she doesn't get a chance to sink her teeth in too deep, as you swing down at her head, forcing her to turn into a snake again to evade the blow. She slithers away, this time turning into a large bear when she gets away.

-2 HP, 18/20 remaining.

>Normal attack
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)
>Shift weapon to (Specify)
>Cast a spell
>Retreat
>Other

>>38715875
>>Normal attack
>Shift weapon to (Specify)
Halberd
"I can do that too."

>>38715875
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
>Shift weapon to (Specify)
Shift it to a halberd.

>>38715875
>>38715903
This.

>>38715875
Wait a minute, is it possible to change it to an avelyn with pre-loaded bolts? Avelyn, shoot volley, change to halberd, fend off attacks, repeat.

Rolled 61 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38715875
I can do that too." You say, quickly shifting Galadriel into a halberd. The doppelganger roars, and charges forward with her claws.

>Roll 1d100+10

>>38715903
Supportan

Rolled 61 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715993
She's doing better than the Imp thats for sure

Rolled 37 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715993

Rolled 16 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715993
Come and get some!

Rolled 57 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715993

>>38715993

Rolled 27 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38715993

>>38715993
>>38716008
You take advantage of her charge, and move to the side at the last second. As she passes, you stab her in the side with the halberd. She roars in pain, and slides to a stop. Now she changes back to normal form, though her hands still end in a set of nasty claws. She scowls, clearly angered by that last hit.

>Normal attack
>Fight defensively (Bonus to roll, penalty to damage)
>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)
>Shift weapon to (Specify)
>Cast a spell
>Retreat
>Other

>>38716107
>>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)

>>38716107
"Sorry, but I'd rather not see Andras OR Malaphas."

>Cast a spell
Flash

>>38716107
>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)

>>38716107
>Power attack (Penalty to roll, bonus to damage)
Claws huh? We still have reach on her. Hope we roll well.

>>38716107
Looks like you guys are doing a power attack with the halberd.

Roll 1d100+10

Rolled 1 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>38716195
And then I forget her roll. My bad.

Rolled 53 - 10 (1d100 - 10)

>>38716195

Rolled 50 + 100 (1d100 + 100)

>>38716195

Rolled 3 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38716206
I'm sorry doppleganger

>>38716195

>>38716206
Well I guess she accidentally offs herself then?

Rolled 3 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38716206
10/10

Rolled 45 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>38716206
>>38716195

File: FourtyKeks.jpg (34 KB, 292x257)

34 KB JPG

>>38716209
>>38716206
Whelp. Writing.

File: 127972.jpg (1.05 MB, 1920x1080)

1.05 MB JPG

>>38716259
this pleases me

>>38716206
>>38716225
both of these are terrible

>>38716195
>>38716206
>>38716209
You charge in for a heavy jab. The Doppelganger gets into a stance, preparing to fight defensively.

Unfortunately for her though, it seems fate has an ironic sense of humor, because when she moves her feet to take a firm stance, her foot slips on the big soggy chunk of imp meat you nearly vomited out earlier.

While she's off balance, you rush in and stab her in the gut with your halberd, nearly lifting her off the ground with the force of it. She lands on her back about five feet away.

It looks like this fight is almost over, but she's not finished yet. Sitting herself up and grasping at her gut where you stabbed her, she extends her free hand and starts muttering an incantation. You see a familiar green light start to form around her outstretched hand.

>Try to dodge the spell
>Try to rush in and finish her before she can finish casting
>Cast a spell of your own
>Other

>>38716412
>Cast a spell of your own

We need an incantation, right? Flash, but if not, let's just see what the fuck happens.

>>38716412
>>Try to rush in and finish her before she can finish casting

>>38716412
>Cast a spell of your own
GUARD used FLASH
IT'S SUPER EFFECTIVE

>>38716412
>>Cast a spell of your own
We need more spells

>>38716446
>not guard used pocket sand+flash

Guess I'll start prepping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpSHC1dqX1o

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>38716412
Alright, the consensus seems to be that you're casting flash.

Roll 1d100+5

>>38716412
>>Cast a spell of your own
Flash
Blinding is as good as silencing, right?

Rolled 74 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38716498
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Rolled 34 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38716498

Rolled 80 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38716498

Rolled 43 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>38716498

>>38716540
>>38716521
>>38716515
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vle64_qu2vQ

File: Brutal.jpg (16 KB, 400x300)

16 KB JPG

>>38716557

>>38716498
>>38716540
You hold out your hand and quickly mutter the incantation for Flash. The spell goes off, and the resulting flash lights up the night sky.

The doppelganger flinches at the sudden light, and her spell goes wide, firing off into the air.

With the doppelganger blinded and injured, it looks like now's your chance to finish this.

>Finish her off while she's blinded
>Knock her out
>Other

>>38716649
>>Finish her off while she's blinded
"Nothing personal, sorry."

>>38716649
>>Knock her out
Time for interrogation! If nothing else the other knights can use this as an opportunity to study their enemy.

>>38716649
>Chop and cauterize limbs
>Ask Galadriel if those regenerated
>If no and she's not dead yet, knock out
>If yes or she's already dead, I guess we're bringing back a corpse

>>38716649
>>Knock her out

We know Galadrial can become a whip but can Galadrial become a rope?

>>38716649
>Knock her out
Nonlethal > lethal

>>38716705
Not a rope. She can become a whip or a net though.

Shapeshifters are a dangerous element to keep alive. Hope you guys have a plan/know what you are doing.

>>38716649
>>Knock her out

>>38716722
What are you talking about, of course they don't.

>>38716771
Well help me man. I'm the only who voted to kill her so far. I think it's too late now though.

>>38716785
see >>38716692

>>38716722
We tie her up with the whip. She ain't fleeing that.
After we interrogate her we get her to the tower and imprison her. We will feed her the corpses of the other demons we kill. What could go wrong? Amirite?

>>38716785
Planning things ahead gets in the way of stupid decisions.
I agree it's a good idea to kill her, but it's less fun than having a vengeful demon after us.

>>38716649
>Finish her off while she's blinded
keep it simple stupid, well maybe not stupid, but we won't likely get much info we don't know from someone who's been out of country 150yrs, besides that they want us dead, and I don't want to deal with a super spy prisoner.

>>38716824
>trying to interrogate someone whose hands are burning at the time
Brutal, but not effective.

>>38716804
Ah my mistake.

>>38716824
You already seem to know things could go wrong easily.

>>38716825
And your one of those 'It'll be more interesting to do the worst option' people

Got it, just making sure I have everyones motivations down.

I do want to hear exactly *how* you anons are planning on containing a shapeshifter.

>>38716649
>Knock her out

>>38716897
The power of friendship, spoils and dead demon corpses is not something you should underrestimate.

>>38716897
A holy sword and asking very nicely?

>>38716897
Airtight room and enchanted shackles that drain her magic power.

>>38716897
Stab in the gut 64 times. Then bash head. That should knock her out for a while.

I hope this doesn't get someone killed.

>>38716897
Magic holy net with an angel inside it that burns demons by touching them.

you guys do realize the towers going to interrogate her then execute her after they got all they could from her

>>38716951
So your going to drag a demon all the way back to the tower by putting it into a net that constantly burns them which may or may not be fatal to them all by yourself?

>>38716962
Thats for the best.

>>38716962
The only difference between this and us losing is the target of interrogation and death.

>>38716897
I'm chiming in with the Pokeball container. Solid hollow sphere with air pockets too small for flies.

Unless she can shapeshift into ooze or gas?

>>38716966
Exactly. We are going to be the most brutal hero that Galardriel ever had.

>>38716962
No fucking shit man. Interrogation is WHY we want to capture her. That imp probably didnt know anyone other than her, but this bitch is a handler, so she probably has other demon spies in the Tower for the rest of her network.

>>38716966
Yes?

If it kills the demon then we're back at square one, but if it doesn't we can get valuable information. Remember that spell that prevents demons from entering a room? We can just put her in a cell and have someone casting the spell on the only exit at any given point while the demon is interrogated.

Guess we'll see what happens then. Not sure how this is going to work. I'm just hoping Knock out people are only doing this to get information and not some misguided sympathy cause it talked to us. We would be the one being eaten if it didn't need us alive.

>>38716649
You have questions for this shapeshifter, so rather than killing her, you shift Galadriel into a hammer and hit her in the side of the head. The force of the blow may have killed a normal human, but as you've learned it's not so easy to kill a demon, and rather than dying she simply loses consciousness.

With the fighting now finished, you take a moment to sit down and catch your breath.

'Why didn't you kill her?' Galadriel asks curiously.

'I have questions for her first.' You answer.

'It will be difficult to question a doppelganger, Siegfried. She can still change her form at will.'

'Shit, you're right. Anything I can do to contain her?'

She thinks for a moment. 'Nothing that you can do as of right now, no. There are spells for this sort of thing, but none of which are available to you now.'

You curse. 'Well, in that case I guess we'll do this the same way we did with the imp.'

-----
The doppelganger, finally returns to consciousness. She groans and tries to reach for her head, but finds that she's been tied to a tree, much like you were not long ago.

You stand in front of her, sword pointed at her throat in case she tries something funny.

"Look who's awake." You say, copying what she said to you when you woke up earlier.

She tugs at the ropes tying her to the tree, then looks at the sword pointed at her throat.

"I'd think twice about trying to shift your way out if I were you." You tell her. "One sudden move, and I'll finish you here and now."

She sighs. "I guess now it's my turn to ask why I'm still alive, isn't it? What do you want?"

>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"
>"You said Andras wanted you to bring me to him. Where did he tell you to meet him?"
>"I have questions for you about (Specify)
>Other

>>38717064
>>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"

>>38717064
>>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"

>>38717064
>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"

>>38717064
>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"
We are not setting up a trap for Andras, that fucker is far too powerful for us to confront right now. The only reason we got where we did in the first fight was because we got lucky. And he still almost killed us.

>>38717064
>>>"I have questions for you about (Specify)
how did you get me out here with no one noticing?

>>38717064
>>"You said Andras wanted you to bring me to him. Where did he tell you to meet him?"
We can get rid of him finally!
He sprung a trap on him self.

>>How were you able to get me out of the castle with no one noticing.

>>38717064
>"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"
>Other
Just where in the heck are we? And how far is it for us to get back to the White Watchtower?

>>38717064
"Were there others at the tower besides you and the imp?"

She shakes her head. "Nope, just me and the imp."

"Don't lie to me now."

"It's the truth." She says firmly. "It used to be just me there, until someone had the 'brilliant' idea of dropping the little runt there with me."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

She shrugs. "I already told you the truth, nothing else I can do to prove it. Believe me or don't, you're choice."

'We should speak with the Knight-Captain about checking for demons when we get back' Galadriel says in your mind. 'Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if she's lying or not right now.'

"Okay, now for my other question. Just how in the Void did you sneak me out of the castle without anyone noticing?"

"Through the window." She says simply. "After I knocked you out, I grabbed you and what was left of the imp, grew some wings, and broke through one of the chapel windows."

You can feel Galadriel's anger in the back of your mind. She doesn't say anything, but you're guessing she doesn't like the idea that a demon broke one of the church windows.

>Ask another question (Specify)
>No more questions, kill her now
>No more questions, let her go
>Other

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now
"I'll make it quick."

>>38717302
If you've spent the past 150 years at the watchtower, how did Andreas contact you? Or Malpheas himself, for that matter.

>>38717302
>No more questions, kill her now
Nothing personal. But we should probably leave before Andras's hitmen show up.

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now
I'll make it a swift death.
Good luck in your next life.

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now
If it makes you feel better, at least you're not going to face your bosses wrath and be tortured for eternity.

>>38717335
Seconding this. Learning how the demons communicate with each other is important.

>>38717302
>>No more questions, kill her now
"Thank you for the information, and if it's any consolation it's better this than your master killing you."

>>38717302

Supporting >>38717335

Also
>What would happen to you if you returned home without me and with your disguise broken?
>How do you stay loyal to your masters after spending over century in a relatively decent society?

I vote to lead her back to the castle and only kill her if she tries to escape, although I guess executing her on the spot is the safest course of action.

On that note we could ask Galadriel what happens to defeated angels/demons, whether they just end existing or are somehow reborn or recycled.

>>38717302
"If you've spent the past 150 years at the watchtower, how did Andras contact you? Or Malaphas himself, for that matter."

"We got our orders by familiar." She answers. "Once a week, a raven would come in and we would tell it anything important we'd learned that week. If we had orders, it would tell us what they were."

"It would 'tell' you? You mean it carried a message, right?"

She shakes her head. "No, it would speak. Like I said, it's a familiar, not a normal raven."

'Familiars are creatures that a spellcaster forms a pact with.' Galadriel informs you when she realizes you're confused. 'Mages often use them to run errands or deliver messages.'

"Well, that's everything I can tell you." The doppelganger tells you. "Now can I go now?"

You shake your head. "Sorry, it's too dangerous to let you go. If it's any consolation, I'll try to make this quick."

Before the doppelganger can say or do anything, you swing Galadriel and decapitate her. Her head lands at your feet, wisps of smoke rising from her head and neck where you cut her.

'A quick death. More than she would have received from Malaphas or Andras, to be sure.'

>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
>'To be honest, I kind of feel bad for her. What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'
>'I'd say I feel bad for her, but she was bound to come back for revenge or turn on us later, so it's not like I had much choice.'
>'Yeah, I guess so. Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her.'
>'Good riddance, honestly. She might have been less obviously aggressive then the others I've run across, but she's still a demon. Besides, she was trying to kill me, what else could I do?'
>Other

>>38717630
>>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
>>'To be honest, I kind of feel bad for her. What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'

>>38717630
>>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
'It's been a long day. Lets head home....which ways home again?'

>>38717630
>>'To be honest, I kind of feel bad for her. What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'
>'Yeah, I guess so. Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her.'

Except the head. We need that as proof of what happened.

>>38717630
>>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
>>'To be honest, I kind of feel bad for her. What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'
>>'Yeah, I guess so. Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her.'

>>38717630
>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
>What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'
>'I'd say I feel bad for her, but she was bound to come back for revenge or turn on us later, so it's not like I had much choice.'

>>38717658
I'm sure they'll take our and Galadriel's word.

>>38717630
>>'Yeah, I guess so. Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her.'
>'I'd say I feel bad for her, but she was bound to come back for revenge or turn on us later, so it's not like I had much choice.'
>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'

>>38717673
I know, but it couldn't hurt. The more evidence, the better.

>>38717630
>'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower?'
>'To be honest, I kind of feel bad for her. What happens to angels and demons when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'
>Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her. If not out of respect for another talking creature so at least to deny other demons the strength from eating her... unless demonic flesh decays too fast for that to matter

>>38717658
They have no reason to doubt us and we have no reason to lie. Taking the head for proof is unnecessary

Grabbing a drink and counting votes, then writing.

>>38717763
DEUS VULT! sparks, the pope just siad go kill ISIS.
So does this setting have a pope?

>>38717630
'I suppose so. Now, how do we get back to the Watchtower from here?'

'I know the way. It will take a while to get there, as I cannot fly you to there as I did to get here, but I know the way back.'

Damn, that's a shame. To be honest, you were hoping she could fly you back to the tower, but you suppose you'll just have to walk. You start to head off, but something makes you stop and look back at the doppelganger's body.

'Galadriel, can you turn into a shovel or something? Demon or not, I feel like we should bury her.'

You can feel in the back of your mind that Galadriel is surprised. 'I can, yes. Why, do you pity her?'

You shrug. 'To be honest, I do kind of feel bad for her. Why, is that bad?'

'No, that's not what I meant. It is an honorable sentiment, you should not be ashamed of it.'

As she says this, the sword in your hand changes shape into a shovel. A shovel with very sharp edges, but a shovel nonetheless. You find a spot to start and begin digging. It's long, tiring work, but eventually you dig a hole deep enough to bury her in. You untie her body, and set it down into the hole, along with her head. You have a moment of silence out of respect, then bury her. You consider doing the same for the imp, but there isn't really anything left of the imp besides the piece of meat the doppelganger slipped on. When that's done, you start walking in the direction Galadriel says leads to the tower.

>>38718127
Thank you, chunk of imp meat. Though you were wholly inedible by human standards, you saved us from our doom when we needed you most. Godspeed.

File: WhiteWatchtower.jpg (674 KB, 877x1240)

674 KB JPG

>>38718127
'Galadriel?' You ask along the way. 'What happens to demons and angels when they die anyways, if you don't mind me asking?'

'The same thing that happens to all things that die in this world. The aether which composes their soul returns to the Void, where it flows with the rest of the aether until it is bound to a new body in rebirth. Such is the circle of life, as Aureus designed before his own death long ago.'

'Reborn, huh? How long does that take?'

'It depends. It could be in a thousand years, in a week, or even as we speak, she may have been reborn into the world.'

'Huh. Well, whenever that happens, I hope next time she comes back as a normal mortal.'

'I hope so to.'

------
Almost an entire day later, you can finally see it. The white watchtower lies right up ahead. Your stomach grumbles, complaining at the lack of food you've eaten since being kidnapped. You're tired and hungry, but you've finally made it back.

File: Roland.jpg (1.51 MB, 2352x3328)

1.51 MB JPG

>>38718185
The guards at the entrance start to murmur when you approach. You suppose your disappearance was noticed by the whole tower. One of the guards, a familiar face, rushes out to greet you when he sees you approach.

"Siegfried, is that you?! By the Void, we thought we'd lost you. What happened? We tried looking for you after you went missing, but we couldn't find you anywhere, and then suddenly Galadriel just flew out a window. We tried following it, but it was to fast to follow on foot. Are you alright?"

>"It's a long story Roland, I promise I'll tell you and everyone else what happened later, but right now I could really go for something to eat."
>"Not right now Roland. I'll tell you later, but first I need to see the Knight-Captain. This place needs to make some changes to security."
>"I was kidnapped by one of the priestesses. Turns out she was a demon in disguise. I'm find now though, just a little tired."
>"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."
>Other

Don't you hate it when you notice a mistake in your post, then when you go back and edit it you reach the character limit again?

>>38718206
>>"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."

"And some food. Food is good. I'll tell you guys the whole story later. My feet hurt."

>>38718206
>>"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."
Snarky and annoyed as possible, but not quite angry, that's how I view Sieg right now.

>>38718206
>>"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him

>>38718206
>'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."

>>38718206
>"Not right now Roland. I'll tell you later, but first I need to see the Knight-Captain. This place needs to make some changes to security."
>"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."

Time for enchanted dog taggs.

File: johnmcclane.jpg (18 KB, 563x242)

18 KB JPG

>>38718229
>>38718250
>>38718256
>>38718261

>>38718261
Add a part about take hour long meditations alone they said.

>>38718206
You know we really should get people to stop calling Galadriel it, that's sort of ride.

I wonder if we can fuck the angel in our sword.

>>38718292
Probably not right now... but maybe if we meditate.

>>38717807
No pope, no. The closest equivalents would be the Knight-Captains of the Watchtowers.

The church isn't a church in the traditional sense, but more like an organization that serves as an intermediary between mortals and angels. They also serve as historians, keeping a record of the history of the Crusades and the Creation, along with keeping records of major angels and demons. They're also the ones who call the kingdoms to arms when there's a Crusade, and they're the ones who fund the Watchtowers.

>>38718285
Considering that she has been nothing but a sword for a couple hundreds years, and i doubt they think the sword is her body.
Its not really rude just stating facts.

>>38718292
If you wish hard enough anon maybe itll come true.

Probably not man.

>>38718292
To be honest I'd prefer ending up with her to another girl, it kind of feels like it would make a better legend in a few thousand years.

>>38718206
>"It's a long story Roland, I promise I'll tell you and everyone else what happened later, but right now I could really go for something to eat."

>>38718314
It's not her body, but that is still her name, I just don't really like it.

>>38718309
>Knight-Captains of the Watchtowers.
There's more than one? I got the impression this one was special

>>38718127

>Start singing sea shanties while on the trek back, or making up songs with Galadriel, or hell just ruck march tunes.

Shit, were a guardsmen. We probably know enough songs to keep us going throughout the trek. Ask her if she knows any.

>>38718309
>>38718292
Well can we?

>>38718353
Hopefully, I actually really like her as a character.

>>38718353
Ah the inevitable question QMs are always asked by anon.

'Can we fuck it?'

Have fun sparks.

>>38718206
"'You'll be safer at the Watchtower' they said. 'No demon will try to attack you there' they said. Where's the Knight-Captain, I have a few words for that old bastard when I see him."

Roland raises an eyebrows in confusion. "Demon? You mean the imp? Is he the one that kidnapped you?"

You shake your head. "It's a long story Roland. I'll tell you and everyone else what happened later, but right now I could really go for something to eat. After that, I need to go see the Knight-Captain and have a long talk with him about the security in this place."

Calling the thread here folks, will stick around to answer questions as always. Next thread will probably be either Monday or Friday, keep an eye on the twitter.

As always, I hope you guys had fun. I know I certainly did.

>>38718292
>>38718353
You can try.

>>38718421
thanks sparks!

>>38718421
Was chunk of imp meat vomit the true hero this thread?

Was it Galadriel's champion all along?

>>38718430
I like that answer.

>>38718430
Damned if we won't Sparks, thanks for running.

>>38718347
There's a watchtower in every kingdom that borders the Forsaken Lands. For example, the White Watchtower in Iseria, and the Red Watchtower in Galloway.

>>38718430
We wont.

>>38718421
Thanks for the thread boss. Hope to see you monday.

>>38718453
exactly how many are there? I must know I am a lore fag

>>38718430
Has anyone ever managed that with an angel?

>>38718478
Three of them, the White Watchtower, the Red Watchtower, and the Grey Watchtower.

>>38718421
Any chance for us to learn enchanting or self fortification spells?

>>38718522
We really need more spells in general. Healing would be nice. Flash is probably going to remain as an old faithful I'm guessing.

>>38718516
sweet

>>38718496
Not that anyone know of, no.

When I say you can try, I don't mean you can try as in "Yeah, if you get enough votes, sure." I mean you can try as in "You can try."

Interpret that how you will.

>>38718496
>>38718552
He means stop trying to fornicate with the sword.

>>38718522
You can, yeah. It'll take practice and a good teacher, but you can.
>>38718537
That's the vibe I'm getting too. I was listening to "Light up the Night" for the rest of that battle after you guys cast it.

>>38718570
Thankfully 'Light up the Night' can still work with any flame spells we might pick up as well.

>>38718570
So are we gonna go full witch hunter with support spells and enchanted gear?

>>38718421

Thanks for the thread OP!

>>38718569
I actually like her, I don't just want to duck a sword.

>>38718431
>>38718459
>>38718606
No problem guys, thanks for playing. You guys are great players. Also, in that thread a few days ago asking who everyone's favorite quest MC was, I saw you whoever it was that said Siegfried. Really made my day seeing that, means I'm doing something right.

>>38718611
I understand. I like her too. Just don't start shamelessly flirting sword is all I'm asking. If things naturally develop and there is IC reasons for them to have affection for each other in that way somehow, sure I'll be onboard.

>>38718626
Heh that was me. I had to considering I helped shape him in the first thread. Siegfried Kircheis and all that.

>>38718652
Yeah, I'd prefer to go through friendship, maybe bond during a long and gruelling quest and discover our feelings right before finally driving out the demons and becoming a real hero.