>>40783368

"Yeah, a lot. I used to run a lot more, but there hasn't been much time. I've been cramped up on a ship for the last three weeks, and before that I spent a lot of time travelling with my sisters, so I had to move slow so they could keep up. I don't have a lot of chances to really let loose. I think I'm pretty good, though!"

"Do you swim?"

"Swim?"

"Yeah, you know. Go out in the water? Dive? Move around?" Your look of confusion causes him to grin. "I'm pretty good. I'll show you how when the sun comes up."

>Okay
>Why not now?!
>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?
>Other

>>40783368
>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?

>>40783393
>>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?

>>40783393
>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?

>>40783393
>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?

Woah, how many threads did I miss?

>>40783537
Enough for Lotus to try shoving shitty romance down our throats

>>40783574
>characters can't exist and be friendly without us wanting to fuck their brains out

>>40783393
>>Okay
>Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?

No-nonsense kobold time.

Writing.

>>40783574
Vaelys, if you don't like it why haven't you left yet?

>>40783393
"Maybe." You put your hands on your hips and turn to him, the drums now a deep beating in the near distance. "But for now, didn't you have a story for me?"

"Yeah..." He puts a hand on the back of his head and looks anywhere but at you. "It's... I kind of wanted to ease into it though. It's not something I like to talk about."

"Then why did you ask me out here?" You try to keep the annoyance out of your voice, and for the most part succeed. Although, considering the look on his face, maybe not well enough.

"Well, like I said: I won't discuss it in my father's house. Skin-thieves are a... sore spot in this family." He looks like he really doesn't want to continue, but you're not having it. You stomp your foot, tail swiping back and forth, and ears tilting forward.

"C'mon, c'mon! You asked me out here, so let's hear it! I don't wanna leave Emma alone for too long! Bad things happen when I leave my friends alone." You actually manage not to whine. Good girl, Nadia. Good girl.

Cain sighs and takes a seat in the sand, facing the water. The tide has come up since you began walking, and you feel the first bits of surf licking at your feet. You scurry up the bank to sit down beside him, facing toward him instead of the water. He stares at the moon, takes in a deep breath, and sighs. "My brother was a skinchanger. He was blessed of the hunt goddess, and she favored him with a fair form, and strength. But he lacked father's gifts and it troubled him. He tried to hunt larger and larger prey, until one day he set out to seek the great guardian of the depths. He never returned.."

You growl low in your throat. "You mean he killed people and animals too..."

Cain looks at you with a mix of surprise and anger. "Don't... no. Never people, never! Only what he hunted. Sharks, the great lizards of the marshes, the birds of the jungle, but never anything like you or I. How dare y-"

>>40783962
"We met one. My sisters and I. He wore a cloak, and clothes made out of patches of skins. He said we weren't strong enough to kill yet, and he'd offer us up to the hunt goddess when we got older." You deliver the line deadpan, but your stomach clenches. Your fists clenched in your lap tremble, your tail laying flat in the sand. The trembling moves up your arms into your spine, and all you want to do is cry... but not now. Not in front of this man.

Cain looks horrified, pale as a sheet. "Oh my... I'm sorry, I had no idea... I-"

"No! No, you didn't! 'How dare I?' How dare you!?" You rise, standing over him, tail raised and legs apart, glaring down at him with your arms straight at your sides. You notice a figure approaching, and look up to see Kiva moving slowly up the beach toward you, a grin on his face.

"If you're so terrible at dealing with women, Cain, I'd be happy to give you a demonstration."

>What do you want?!
>Leave us alone...
>Remain silent
>Other

>>40783984
>Leave us alone...
I have no time for your foolishness.

>>40783984
>Hiss

>>40783984
>>What do you want?!
>>Leave us alone...
>>Fuck this go back to Emma

>>40783984
>Go find Emma.
Not in the mood for either of their shit.

>>40783984
>>Fuck this go back to Emma

>>40784075
>>40784077
yeah backing

>>40783984
>What do you want?!
He might actually have something of some import to impart us.

>>40783984
Why is Nadia such a bitch recently?

>>40784075
>>40784077
>>40784094
What, really? We haven't even found out his brother's name yet.

>>40784098
snide comment?
veiled threat?
mating joke?

>>40784117
Puberty

>>40784133
Or maybe a message. Is it so hard to conceive of?

>>40784148
...are you fucking kidding.

>>40784117
I'd think it would be cause for concern if she were to ever stop being a bitch.

>>40784186
Canine gender joke, or jab at the QM?

>>40784117
Well she's been one her whole life..

>>40784159
Which he'll deliver like an ass. Or he's just here to stir shit.

>>40784207
Canine joke.

>>40784207
Some anons are upset that while a family member is out in the unknown she's stressed and not hopping on the first dick she see's.

Clearly she should be trying to date one of these nice boys. Djanna is fiiiine.

>>40784220
Carry on, then.

>>40784208
>Which he'll deliver like an ass.
That doesn't stop it being relevant.
"Oh, he gave me a funny look when telling me something important is happening, better disregard that entirely!"

"Fuck you, I'm-a take my kitty and bounce."

Writing.

>>40784239
Do you honestly think the prideful upstart is going to tell us anything remotely important when he opens up with sleazy flirting?

>>40784291
No, but do you really think it would hurt to listen to his bullshit and THEN move on?
It's not entirely unlikely that the council use his as the defacto messengerboy to shit on his pride and have something important to tell us, like 'come meet fishpeople at once' or something.

>>40783984
"You know what? I don't want to deal with this. I have had it. I'm sorry about your brother, but this doesn't help me. You could have just said 'it's a family matter' and left it at that. Taken me outside and told me, even. This? This was all... just... ugh, good night!" You growl as you stalk past Cain, who reaches out for you, mouth moving like a fish out of water as he tries to find words.

You start to run, but a massive hand on your chest stops you cold. Kiva glowers down at you, his dark hair and beard framing his dark eyes, his scarred, muscled body dwarfing yours in all the ways Garush's does.

"Hold it, pup. I have a message for you. The high-and-mighty Grand Trout wants a word with you. I'm here to fetch you, and you're not going to keep the Elder waiting." He turns his head and spits into the surf, turning back to lean down. He runs his hand up your neck under your chin. "But, if you want to delay a little while..."

"Kiva! She's a guest! Leave her alone!" Cain, having found his voice, rises to his feet and moves toward the older man.

Kiva glares and steps past you. "Don't think you can talk to me like that, grass-beater, unless you want to be the one drawing the fish in for the real men tomorrow."

"How dare... my father-"

Kiva slams his fist into the boy's jaw, sending him rolling back onto the sand. He comes to a stop in the surf and Kiva grunts, shaking out his fist. "Isn't here to keep that damned mouth of yours in check, boy. Don't forget, you may be the headman's son, but I'm a shark-hunter. I earned my teeth. Your brother died and left you his."

Kiva turns and walks back toward the lights of the village, not even bothering to look behind him. Cain remains on the ground where he fell, dazed, his fists clenched in the frothy sand.

>Go to the Elder
>Talk to... (Write-In)
>Go to Emma
>Other

>>40784555
>>Other
This is a horrible idea, but
>Beat the shit out of Kiva

>>40784555
>>Go to the Elder
After helping Cain up.

>>40784555
>Go to the Elder

And I thought Kobolds were yokels.

Backwards ass village people. Swear to Yra or Gra or whichever one is listening.

>>40784555
>Help Cain up
>Throw a rock at Kiva's big stupid head

>>40784597
Seconding

>>40784555
>Help Cain up
>Throw a rock at Kiva's big stupid head

>>40784555
>>Go to the Elder

>>40784555
...welp! By golly, it looks like we're assaulting the pack omega.

>Full ass-beat
>Rock!

>>40784801
>Rock!

Omega means last, Wouldn't he be higher up than that?

>>40784801
Hit him with a rock and then jump on him while he reels in pain.

>>40784826
Beta is usually taken to be "inferior," but really, it's second in command. You're right, but if we're just talking about the headmen, he's low on the list. Dat temper. Dem rapey eyes.

>>40784856
>>Throw a rock at Kiva's big stupid head
So Epilson? or Theta?

>>40784883
Something like that. Sigma?

>>40784801
All right. Gimme 2d100.

Anything you want to say to the bully?

Rolled 3, 25 = 28 (2d100)

>>40784938
Stop being a jerk you hopped up Bully!

Rolled 67, 22 = 89 (2d100)

>>40784938

Rolled 69, 91 = 160 (2d100)

>>40784938
Say that again and i'll castrate you

>>40784801
>Full ass-beat

>>40784951
>>40784952
3/22
Not bad

>>40784954
Hey, CBT-anon. Haven't seen you since the early threads. Don't touch my nuts.

>>40784951
>3
Omega's getting his ass kicked by a little girl. This is gonna be good.

>>40784978
Different anon actually, I don't even remember who you're talking about. I just felt like threatening to castrate him

>>40784993
Yeah, he... he's not going to take this well.

Writing.

Decorative bird pins are now ice cream. Captcha was a mistake. - Hayao Miyazaki

>>40784993
To be fair, we killed an owlbear, Nadia's kinda badass for only being a few months old

>>40784555
You growl low in your throat and turn, reaching down to grab Cain by the wrist and haul him to his feet. He's holding his jaw, already swelling and turning purple, but you ignore him for now, eyes scanning the surf for - there. A smooth, round stone, the perfect shape. You scoop it up in a paw and turn, taking a few quick steps forward. Raising a hand in a practiced gesture you'd never before done in your life, you put your fingers in your mouth and whistle loudly. Kiva turns in surprise, looking back, and you let the stone fly, running after it the moment it leaves your hand.

"What are you d-" The stone impacts his nose, and he screams in rage, hands going to his shattered face. A moment later, you leap, driving your knees into his chest and forcing him off his center of balance with the impact, driving him flat to his back. You grab his wrists, pulling them away from his face and slamming them into the sand. He's strong. You can feel his muscles tensed beneath you as he prepares to buck you off, but you bend down and snarl, pulling back your head and slamming your brow once more into his shattered face. He gurgles and falls still, far too dazed to mount a resistance.

"Listen to me, you... you bully. I don't know you, and I don't know him, but what I do know is you're being a big, mean jerk and I don't like it. So... so knock it off or I'll have to get rough. Got it!?" A bloody air bubble grows and pops from a flattened nostril. You take it as a sign of agreement.

"ARE YOU ALL RIGHT!?" You turn back to see Cain runing toward you up the surf, and alongside him, two silvery figures following along in the deeper water, watching.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine." You stand slowly, whining as you reach up to scrub the blood from your forehead with the back of a paw. "Don't get the wrong idea... I just don't like people who act like that. Family gotta get along..." You nod to yourself.

>Call out to the fishmen
>Go see the Elder
>Talk to... (Write-In)
>Other

>>40785182
>Go see the Elder

>>40785182
>Go see the Elder

>>40785182
>Go see the Elder

File: Swiggity Swooty.gif (2.65 MB, 500x341)

2.65 MB GIF

>>40785182
>>Go see the Elder

>Walk away like a Boss.

>>40785182
>Go see the Elder

>>40785182
Plot advancement, ho'!

Just for future reference: On average, how long would you like fight scenes to last? Seems like a one-round KO was good for thrown stone and follow-up assault.

>>40785182
>>Go see the Elder
>>40785312
Careful now too much tail wagging makes our hips sway in a manner that might cause Cain to stare to much.

>>40785404
Depends on the level of importance, but more than five rounds is probably pushing it. Definitely only one for regular hunts or random bandits. Two or three would be good averages.

Strategy modifiers would be nice, too, like if we put together a good plan or ambushed something, so one round worked well here.

>>40785182
You ignore the silvery forms in the water for now, stepping along the beach toward the village. Cain calls after you. "What should I do with him?"

You shrug without turning around, making your way back. When you return, you find the Elder standing on the end of the dock, several silvery heads poking out of the water. One has long, black whiskers, like the fish you ate the day prior. A rumpled-looking Emma stands at the back of the throng gathered around the docks, and you lay a hand on her head as you move to stand behind her. She jumps a bit, then looks up at you with a sleepy smile, rubbing an eye.

"Drums woke me up... where you been?"

"Bad date. Tell you later." You smile down at her and start making your way through the gathered people.

"What's a 'date'?" you hear the kitsune's voice swallowed up by the murmurs of people as you make your way to the dock, laying your paw on the spray-slick wood and walking out to the end. It sways underfoot much like the deck of the ship had, and you mutter thanks to whatever might be listening that you still have your sea legs.

The Elder turns and smiles at you, and you notice two more heads poke out of the water beside the one with the whiskers, one speaking in those same, strange musical notes. The whiskered one nods.

"I hope Kiva wasn't his usual self, though I long ago gave up such hopes foolish dreams." The Elder licks his thumb and smooths down one of your eyebrows. "I'm sorry for his conduct. I'll ask about it further later, but for now, Nadia. I would like to introduce his Great Depth, the Lord of All Below, Vsszah. There are a bunch of other titles, but they don't speak the common tongue too well, and frankly I can't be bothered with further formalities." The last part is whispered, but he sounds exhausted. There is sweat on his brow, and a haggard look on his face. He claps a hand on your shoulder and gestures you to the end of the dock.

>>40785647
The water of the bay begins to roil, and it slowly begins to raise in a column, buoying Vsszah and his two attendants up to your eye level. You can barely make out their bodies inside of the surf, and they look somehow thin, frail, and alien.

"Landwalker. You bloody packmate. You walk with crazy feather. Why?"

>Answer (Courteously/Curtly)
>Write-In
>Other

>>40785661
>Answer Courtesously
>Write-in
She offered help to find my sister, and she was the only one offering at the time.

>>40785661
>>Answer (Courteously)
Tell them exactly what happened, polite but firm.

>>40785661
>Answer (Courteously)
didn't know what would happen. nothing else to do. was scary.

>>40785661
>Answer (Courteously
A Dragon took my sister, she said she knew the way to the dragon so I could save or avenge her.

>>40785661
Courteous kobold is go.

Writing.

Do you suppose that Vsszah will accept "He's a douche" for why you attacked Kiva?

>>40785863
He'd probably wonder what that word means.

>>40785863
A better reasoning would be the constant disrespect, and then attacking our host.

>>40785863
Something tells me even the Zora know what kind of personality Kiva has.

>>40785980
Probably yeah, maybe combine that with "That's how we handled things back at the warren"

>>40785980
Should we also mention that technically he felt us up after punching Cain?

>>40785661
"Because a dragon took my sister. She offered to take me to find it, so I could get her back. And... and packmate?" You tilt your head, and Vsszah looks at you expectantly. You haven't fought anyone recently! Except...

"Oh, him. He's not my packmate! He's a meany and a jerk and I don't like him. He was mean to Cain." You nod, putting your hands on your hips. "I'd do it again, too."

The Elder coughs softly into his hand, disguising a nod. Vsszah doesn't bother disguising his.

"Fine, but feather no. You travel. Friends. Us, no friends."

"Hm. I was afraid of this..." the Elder mumbles, putting his hands behind his back. "They think you're friends with her, instead of just convenient travelling partners. Great Regent, please, if I may..."

"No no, I can do it!" you insist, putting out a hand to him. You crouch down and look up at Vsszah, his black eyes locked on yours. The water lowers, putting you both at eye level again. "Listen... um, sir... Great Trout..."

The Elder groans and claps a hand over his mouth, and a few of the closer headmen shake their heads. You don't have time to question it.

"I don't know her well. When our ship crashed, my sister and I landed here and we met her on accident. Accident, you understand? She was the only person who said they knew the dragon, or where to find it, so we didn't have a choice. I just wanted my sister back. That's all. I'm sorry your friend got hurt, or... or worse, but I didn't know what else to do. Please!"

The fishman shakes his head, as if his mind were made up. "No. Friends. Elder, give girl. Give girl, we make peace."

The Elder looks taken aback, looking between you and Vsszah. "I couldn't- no! She's a guest, and that is just barbarous!"

"Drylander die. No us, die. Give girl. Live."

"Stupid fish. You talk too much."

>>40786134
You turn to see Emma approaching, her eyes half-lidded, tail-tips flicking about with anger. "What's this talk about giving away my sister?"

"I had no intention of-" the Elder begins, but Emma just takes his hand and looks up at him, nodding.

"I didn't think you would, old man. But them-" she looks back at the other headmen, glaring. "Big ears make for good hearing." The other men turn their heads, in shame or disdain, who knows. You whimper softly. "This dumb trout doesn't speak the language, you said? Let me help enlighten him about how we sisters do things."

>Emma, I can handle this.
>What are you gonna do?
>Let her do what she's going to do
>Other

>>40786159
>>What are you gonna do?
Illusion of OMG WTF WHY?

>>40786159
>Let her do what she's going to do
Gotta rely on our companions. Plus she is an illusionist. She doesn't need words to show someone what she means.

>>40786159
>>What are you gonna do?

>>40786159
>What are you gonna do?
if it's "a surprise" or "What needs to be done" she's too far gone down the pah of darkness.

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>40786202
Well, she does have fire magic, and after last night's dinner, a taste for fish stew...

Meh, I say let Emma do what she feels right to the dagon spawn.

Unrelated, but if we ever get to talk to a god, or God's messenger, we should have it tell the Hunt goddess to tell her followers to chill out. At the very least they should have respect for their prey.

>>40786159
>Let her do what she's going to do

>>40786270
Sorry, quick break for supper. Back soon.

>>40786159
"Emma? What are you gonna do?" you ask curiously, a note of worry in your voice. She smiles and pats your arm lightly.

"Don't worry about it. Just stand back and watch. You're crazy strong, and Djanna's got a lot of heart, but I'm pretty smart, so let me solve this problem the best way I know how!" She begins chanting, weaving her small fingers in intricate gestures and focusing hard. Slowly, a shimmering sphere of light appears in front of her, and inside you can see something moving. You lean over Emma's shoulder and- HOLY WOW!

The Elder leans over and gasps deeply. "That's... that looks..."

You bite your lips as the small stick figures inside the sphere of light strike ridiculous poses on what appear to be children's drawings of boats, marshes, and beaches. You see them re-enacting the events of the past three days, but it's just so...

"Terrible..."

The fishman, however, seems enthralled as he reaches out and swipes a hand through the ball. The illusion wavers and fades, Emma swooning and falling backward. You move to catch her, but the Elder is just a bit faster. "Gotcha."

You sigh and run your hand over her head. "Good girl, Emma. Good girl."

"Strange magic. That true?" Vsszha asks, gesticulating a finned hand wildly at where the sphere had been moments before.

You nod. "Yeah... that's how everything happened."

He frowns at you, raising a hand out of the surf and holding it up, palm-forward. "Swear."

"I sw-"

The Elder shakes his head. "Like he's doing. It's a Merfolk thing. Shows that you're being honest."

You tilt your head, but nod, mirroring the motion. "All right. I sw-"

Vsszah gasps. "Sunmark! Sunmark!"

...huh?

>"Sunmark?"
>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?
>OH GOD WHAT DID I DO NOW!?
>Other

>>40786847
>>"Sunmark?"
>>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?
Casualbold is casual.

>>40786847
Yep! I gots two of em!
>hold up both paws!

>>40786847
>OH GOD WHAT DID I DO NOW!?
>Cower behind the kitty

>>40784555
So I had to go do other stuff for a couple hours but I just want to say I fucking told you so to the tosser claiming this guy had nothing of importance to say.

>>40786847
>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?

>>40786847
>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?
Fish people are pretty dumb.

>>40786926
And he told us anyway. So your entire argument with that guy didn't matter.

>>40786847
>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?

>>40786847
>>Yra's brand? Yeah, what about it?

>>40786847
Writing

>>40786946
Sure, only because Lotus isn't willing to let us fuck ourselves over by ignoring happenings. We should definitely still have listened to the guy.

>>40787108
Except even if we hadn't heard the message and had just gone to get Emma, she was already at the place that the message was supposed to tell us to go to.

It really didn't matter at all.

>>40787201
But the place that we believed Emma to be wasn't the place that this meeting is taking place.
So, yes, it did.

>>40787232
Except we would've tracked her down instead of just leaving the village without her or whatever it was we were going to do after collecting her, and the first place we'd check would probably have been the place with all the people gathered around it.

She was even at the back of the group and immediately visible.

>>40787232
but if we searched for Emma, somebody is likely going to tell us "She's at the docks where the king fish is showing up" and we would end up at the same place.

>>40786847
"Huh? Yra's brand?" You turn your palm upward, looking down at it, then back to the fish. He nods and beckons you closer. You hesitate, but inch closer. He reaches out and grabs your paw and oh... oh god. His hands are wet, and cold, and slimy. He turns your paw, examining the mark, and gasps as he accidentally presses one of your claws out, smiling at the gleaming golden light.

"Lightbearer. Lightbearer to banish darkness in depths..." His tone is almost reverent as he burbles and croaks, the other figures with him taking up a more musical, harmonious chorus.

You look up at the Elder with wide eyes and mouth "Help me..."

He nods and settles Emma on the dock before he steps forward. "Your Lordship, please. Explain what you mean?" He takes a seat on the dock and gently takes your hand from the fishman's grip. Vsszah looks at him indignantly.

"Lightbearer bring sun to depths. Rid shrine of child-swallower. Free us."

You raise a brow, frowning. "But I can't! I have to save Djanna..."

"No! Come to shrine! So is written." He burbles and one of his advisers sings, seemingly in agreement, given the nod.

"Your Lordship, be reasonable. The child may do as she likes. She is not your subject, nor are we. We are friendly, nothing more."

Now he looks angry. He pulls away from the dock with a glare. "No. No friends. Child come to shrine, or no fish. No travel waters. Die. All drylanders die."

The Elder glowers at the Vsszah. "You've never been this much of a hardhead before, you damned old fish... what's your game..."

You scowl and stand, crossing your arms. Vsszah lowers the level of the water again, looking up at the docks. Specifically, up at you.

"You come now."

>You don't have a choice...
>Fuck this, and fuck them.
>Ask for advice from... (Write-In)
>Other

>>40787319
>>40787321
Sure. Late.

>>40787337
>"What is this 'child-swallower'?"

>>40787348
In which case, you could have grabbed her and fucked off. The people in the back probably wouldn't have known that the Elder wanted you.

>>40787337
What is the child swallower?

>>40787337
>You don't have a choice...
"I can't breath underwater. or swim that well."

>>40787337
>"What is this 'child-swallower'?"

Also... he said a shrine is there. We gotta go now.

>>40787337
>Fuck this, and fuck them.
Everyone on and around this island is crazy. Can't be too hard to find a giant firebreathing dragon on our own.

>>40787368
>"What is this 'child-swallower'?"
Seconded

>Ask for advice from...
Ask the merfolk if they know about the dragon.

>>40787337
>What is this "child swallower"?

I just now realized how that sounded. God damn.

Writing.

>>40787337
I dont think we should help them with anything if they dont quit threatening people.

>>40787621
They're weird fish people that have the upper hand and they know it. The only way they'll stop strongarming the villagers is if we find the villagers a trump card or we go on an extended fishing trip and use their carcasses to lure the dragon out.

>>40787337
"Wait... child-swallower?" you ask, looking down at Vsszah. He nods.

"Eater. Devours young. Horrible monster comes from deep shrine. Monster. Kills many..."

You frown and nod. A monster then. "But, I can't breathe underwater. Or swim all that well. I don't know how I can get down there and help you..."

"We fix somehow. Underwater magics. You come?" He sounds like he's actually asking for the time being. You chew on your lower lip, unsure.

"What about Djanna? What about the dragon?"

"We take to dragon after. Promise. Offer what help we can. Swear by ancient oaths of sea and sand." Vsszah raises his hand, holding his palm forward. "Please. Sunbearer. We need."

Your tail flicks lightly in indecision. On the one hand, it's a shrine, and they need your help. On the other, these people... other than the elder... have been strange and unpleasant. The fish peole are mean, Kiva is mean, Cain is weird... all you want is your sister, damn it!

But if this is what it takes...

>Agree - Go to the shrine
>Refuse - You'll settle things on your own (Seek the Dragon without help)
>Refuse - Fight for the villagers (Attack the fishmen)
>Other

>>40787775
>Agree - Go to the shrine
They need it, and they've agreed to give their help for our own problem.

Good enough for me.

>>40787775
>Agree - Go to the shrine
but take Emma and fish people have to be nice to the werewolves.

>>40787775
>Agree - Go to the shrine
If you play me false, May Yra take you and set you all ablaze.

>>40787775
>>Agree - Go to the shrine
This should also hopefully endeer us to Yra, after all, since we represent her in our actions here, they will likely worship her for this in stories long after we get murdered and have our skin stolen.

File: Malachi Nadia.png (1002 KB, 900x1400)

1002 KB PNG

>>40787898

>>40787898
INB4 Malachi uses a divine gift to skin us without a fight. We don't die via Yra's blessings healing us. Bold vs Bold fight.

>>40787950
Well, that, or it's still Bold v. Bold.

Just that the other bold has Baltas' hammer.

>>40787775
You sigh and nod. "All right, fine. I'll go. But Emma's coming too, and I have another condition."

Vsszah nods quickly. "Anything. Name."

"You don't try and cut off these people's fishing or travel rights again. Live and let live peacefully. All right?" You put your hands on your hips and look down at him. The Lord nods.

"Agreed. I so swear."

"Great. Then when do we-"

You find yourself suddenly unable to breathe as a wave sweeps up over the dock, dragging you and Emma suddenly off into the depths. You flail, trying ot grab onto whatever solid land you can, and finding nothing for purchase. A few moments later, you feel air feel your lungs, an amorphous bubble surrounding you and Emma. The girl slowly wakes, blinking her eyes before they snap open and she screams, the sound muffled by the water.

"GAH! WHAT THE HELL!? WHAT'S GOING ON!?"

You feel one of the slimy, slippery hands grab you and start dragging you down, and you see another of the merfolk grab Emma and drag the flailing girl along as well.

Soon enough, you reach the sandy bottom of the sea between the islets, small caves of stacked rock serving as makeshift shelter for the merfolk. You and Emma are carried toward the largest of these, following along behind Vsszah. Soon, you find yourself settled onto the cold sand, the merfolk lord facing you.

"Now... you do us favor. We prepare you. Ask questions. We tell ou what you want know. Arm you. Prepare you. No weapons. Fighting hard."

>Does it have any weaknesses?
>What weapons can we use?
>Do you know anything about the monster specifically?
>Other

Short break. Sorry, folks.

>>40788221
>Does it have any weaknesses?
>What weapons can we use?
>Do you know anything about the monster specifically?

>>40788252
>>Does it have any weaknesses?
>>What weapons can we use?
>>Do you know anything about the monster specifically?
This. We need all of the info.

>>40788221
>Does it have any weaknesses?
>What weapons can we use?
>Do you know anything about the monster specifically?
ask about everything

>>40788221
>Does it have any weaknesses?
>What weapons can we use?
>Do you know anything about the monster specifically?

Heh. I just noticed that Lotus lost his trip last post.

>>40789255
Well, damn. Good eye.

Also, time got away from me. We'll resume once I get to work and settled in. Sorry!

Is nobody going to address the puberty thing? It seems a bit weird to put in a light hearted, fluffy quest

>>40789958
It's not a light hearted fluffy quest, the MC is fluffy and cute, the rest of the world will kick your ass. This has already been addressed, don't start the arguments again.

>>40789958
It was a joke, dude.

>>40789987
No, it wasn't. I was the guy who said it, and it makes sense, the way nadia's been really irritable lately, either she's a little stir-crazy from having been on that ship, she''s mad as hell that djanna's gone, or she's hit puberty.

>>40790022
I want you to stop and realize that in your own post you gave two very good examples that are infinitely more believable than puberty.

>>40790022
Anon, she's at most a few months old. Puberty is a long way away still.

>>40790078
She's already walking on her hind legs, talking, and beating the shit out of giant bear monsters. Pretty sure they grow up faster than humans
>>40790068
I know I did, and I personally believe it's the second one, but I'm not gonna write the third one off as impossible. I'm just gonna wait and see.

>>40790129
What proof do you need? Blood in the water?

>>40790515
I didn't say I waiting for proof, I just meant I wasn't going to wildly assume it was and then force my opinion on others. That kind of thing tends to be extremely annoying for everybody else.

>>40790607
Well! Nothing got done tonight. Temporarily ded while I pick up slack.

>>40790729
Kobold resumes soon. I'm sorry for the delay.

>>40788221
"Well... what can you tell me about the monster in particular? Weaknesses, anything like that." You're surprised by how small your voice sounds, muffled by the press of the deep ocean. Emma seems about ready to utterly implode, clinging to your arm like a lifeline. You pull her into your lap and gently run your fingers through the fur of her tail, and this seems to calm her somewhat.

"Big. Long. Like dragon, but like fish. No arms. Big, ugly teeth. Glows on head." Vsszah nods as if imparting great, deep wisdom, but it doesn't much help. You frown.

"And how am I supposed to fight it underwater? The only thing I know how to do is punch things."

Vsszah frowns. "You no use weapons? Foolish. You use spear. Good for killing." He croaks, and one of his attendants quickly swims from the cave. "Left here long ago by drylander. You use." He nods again as if that settles the matter. You remain unconvinced.

The attendant returns soon with a long trident, shining black veined with silver, a shell charm hanging entwined about the base of the tines. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but you're apprehensive about using it effectively. The attendant offers it to you and you take it from him... her... it... carefully. It's fairly light, more so than you expected, and the balance is excellent. If you were a more adept armsman, you'd be able to better appreciate the craftsmanship, how even underwater it moves with ease. Even without being so adept, you're impressed.

"So... you want me to use this? I don't know if I can..."

"It carry drylander spirit. Spirit want revenge on child-swallower. You fight together. Win. Sun-god bless. Win."

He seems really sure, but still...

"What about the monster? How can I beat it?" You're not sure if you're asking right, but you hope he understands. It's unlikely, but-

"Monster live in deep dark. Hate light. Hate sun. Hate heat. Make work."

>Ask about... (Write-In)
>Sounds good. Take me to the shrine.
>Other

>>40791979
>>Sounds good. Take me to the shrine.
Trip drop

>>40792009
This has not been my day.

>>40791979
>Sounds good. Take me to the shrine.
Pff. Spears. We'll just climb inside its skull and punch its brain out.

Great, we're dealing with an Angler. Those things can be nasty.

>>40791979
Looks like we're heading to the shrine.

Take the spear?
>Yes
>No

>>40792146
>Y

>>40792146
>Y
I don't particularly want to use it because using a weapon you aren't trained in seems like it would be counterproductive, but it might be useful. Even if it doesn't wind up being used, it's not like it's a big hassle to carry around, and we could probably sell it for something.

>>40792146
>Yes

Better to have it and not need it right? At least it will provide us some reach.

>>40792146
>Y
If he was serious about the "possessed by a vengeful spirit" thing the ghost should help offset her inexperience with weapons. Plus, a spear is a lot quicker than punching underwater so until we go back on land it wouldn't be a bad idea.

>>40792329
That's right. Think of it as a harpoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuMM72G5k48

>>40791979
You nod and lift Emma to her feet before standing yourself, setting the trident up on your shoulder. "Well, then, let's get going. The sooner I take care of your monster problem, the sooner we can go get my sister back."

Vsszah nods quickly, motioning with his hand. Another of his attendants rises and moves to the doorway, beckoning for you to follow. "Go with Ssszhva. They will lead you to the shrine. Be ready. It dark. Cold. Black."

You nod at the warning and turn, clumsily moving through the water after the merfolk. They lead you through more of the cave-houses, further along the sandy bottom, past bright jagged reefs of coral and schools of brightly colored fish. In the distance, you see massive schools of tiny aquatic life catching the light of the filtered sun, here and there scattering in every direction from the path of an oncoming predator. Despite the relative silence, you're aware of a pulse, like a beating heart, and you're not sure whether it comes from above or below. The sound is disorienting, even with your bubble of air allowing a modicum of normal hearing. Emma tags along close behind you, somewhat calmer but stil looking skittish. She's conjured several orbs of foxfire to light your way, despite the fact the filtered light from above provides ample illumination. For now.

Finally, you come to a sharp shelf, plunging deep into the ocean as is the world itself simply ends past a certain point. The merfolk points down into the murky depths, and you're barely aware of a jagged form jutting up barely into view from the ground far below, the spiral form lined with jagged spines. Your escort says something in the strange sing-song and points to its stomach. You look, noting a long, jagged scar running from its chest down to its thigh. It looks fresh and raw, and you can't help but feel that the tone is somewhat accusatory. The merfolk takes a seat on the edge of the shelf, as if prepared to wait.

>>40792452
"Well... we're really doing this, aren't we..." Emma asks quietly. You nod and look down into the depths. The kitsune sends a ball of foxfire down to illuminate the way. The thing is massive and it looks lethal, the long spines each easily twice as tall as you and razor-tipped. There is a great hole at the bottom. A door, maybe. It seems to be the only way in.

>Try and swim down
>Jump and hope for the best. You can't swim well.
>Try and climb down the wall
>Other

>>40792471
You may want to call it for the night, I think theres only you me and 3-4 lurkers left awake

>>40792593
Might not be a bad idea, but we'll need a vote option so I know what to start with on Friday. I'll just roll for it if nobody votes.

Regardless, thanks for coming everyone.

>>40792629
>>40792629
You could just repost
>>40792452
>>40792471
as the first posts, that way nobody feels cheated.

>>40792593
I'm here!

>>40792471
>>Jump and hope for the best. You can't swim well.

DEATH FROM ABOVE! Strike with the spear in one fierce blow!

>>40792659
Probably a sound idea.

I'll give it a bit longer, and if we don't get some votes, I'll save the post and we'll start off with this on the next go-round.

Q&A time, meanwhile.

>>40792671
Is there a pastebin link for our abilities and whatnot?

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>40792671
> At least two other people here

> Neither of them voting

Imma roll for death from above then for fun.

>>40792713
http://pastebin.com/u/Lotus_Eater

>>40792726
See that's the thing, I don't feel comfortable voting with so few people, because it feels like cheating the other players

>>40792727
PHANTASMAL REALITY
Area-of-Effect
Illusion
Create an illusory terrain over mundane, causing those who fail a Mental challenge to react as if they were in said terrain.

Can we use this to make the creature to see nothing but light all around it, and blind it?

>>40792774
Potentially, but it might be easier to just conjure foxfire in its face at that point since Phantasmal Reality would essentially blind you as well.

>>40792749
>>40792671

Well, I frequently miss the beginning of these because of my work times, so can I have my one vote count?

>>40792471
>Jump and hope for the best. You can't swim well.
I'm just being distracted by the Summer Sale.

>>40792749
It's a fight scene, not a character changing decision or otherwise important decision, everyone would just want to win. Don't intentionally vote to get us killed and it's all good.

>>40792828
Ah, I didn't realize it would affect us as well.

Does Foxfire summon on the spot chosen, or does she have to send it out?

>>40792831
What days do you have off, anon?

>>40792851
It's usually just a burning globe that hovers around her, but she can direct it with a bit of concentration.

>>40792854
Thurs - Sun.

But I work 12 - 14 hours on Mon - Wed.

I'm actually at work now! But I wasn't able to post until >>40792670 since I'm pretty busy for the first 5 hours of the shift.

>>40791979
>"Big. Long. Like dragon, but like fish. No arms. Big, ugly teeth. Glows on head."

So like this?
>>>/d/6244254

>>40792960
Minus swallowing the girl, but yeah.

>>40792956
Sounds like putting it to a revote next thread is what's going to happen, but given that it'll be Friday, you should have a chance to vote again. I'll make sure to post early enough on the Twitter that you'll have a chance to cast it. Sound good?

>>40792960

Hey that looks neat! . . . .

> Links to /d/

Goddamnit Anon, I'm at work you asshat. Thankfully I actually check links before clicking them.

>>40793008
Yeah, that works out great!

>>40793008
When did you say kobolds started maturing? Not trying to stir shit here.

>>40793035
Between 3-6 months, and fully adult at around a year, if I remember what I said earlier. Correct me if I'm wrong, anons.

>>40793078
Pedophile.

>>40793152
Please, she's a couple of months old.

Ephebophile is more accurate.

>>40793194
Pervert, regardless. Disgusting.

>>40793321
Dude, what is your problem?

>>40793571
Besides this kind of bullshit routine stuff in a quest about kobolds punching things?

Bump

>>40795340
Don't bump. Awooo~

>>40795379
Why not? We're not even halfway to autosage. Lotus could finish up.

So what do you think is happening to Djanna while we're here not rescuing her because of jerks who think their problems are more important?
I'm going to keep my ideas quiet because I'd like to think Lotus is better than that and/or I don't want to give him ideas.

>>40796135
Check her character sheet.

>>40796135
Probably getting her training offscreen. If ya know what I mean.

>>40796154
>5: Creature Kidnapped
>10: Ded

Fuck you Lotus.

>>40796280
inb4 the dragon is ded

>>40796280
I don't think he'd track levels if she died.

>>40796280
Have we learned nothing, anon?

Holy shit, why is this still alive?

>>40796401
Anons can't let go.

>>40793008
>Minus swallowing the girl, but yeah.
You did call it the child-swallower.

>>40793012
>Goddamnit Anon, I'm at work you asshat.
The link clearly says /d/
>Thankfully I actually check links before clicking them.
Then you have nothing to complain about.

>>40796135
Her mother traveled with another dragon in years past, it's probably him

>>40797424
Too convenient, eh?

>>40798387
What do you mean?

>>40797424
>>40798387
It's didn't have to be the same dragon for it to have known Djanna's mom.

>You make your way through the smoky dimness, but as you approach the stairs above, you hear a sibilant hiss, deep and rumbling.

>"Sssssssssssssssssyleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

>>40800224
Does Djanna even look like her mom?

>>40800408
Maybe not but all Djanna has to do is mention her

>>40801657
Except, she didn't?

>>40802125
Are you sure? We don't know what she said to dragon.

>>40802320
She didn't say anything. She tried to scare it off, the poor dumb girl. Fired off a breath weapon at it to try and save the captain from getting stomped.