Topic: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure (Ended) (Read 188591 times)

Liquefied Spleens · « **Reply #2610 on:** November 26, 2018, 05:50:29 pm »

Right, as you can see, these wings are purely for show. Look, there isn't enough space for them to even flap properly. However, the transformative aspect of the creature is clearly present. Look how the muscles here can slide into eachother? Much of the body is actually sort of hollow. Of course... it doesn't make sense. Pure muscle and sinew? No anatomy would form like that... And yet, it has. Frustrating. It doesn't even have a heart.
Odd. I remember plenty of organs when I dealt with it.
Ah? Well, perhaps its human form hides or removes the organs. Makes sense, at least. Folding into the shape of a human is taxing, I bet.
Isn't it just magic?
Teleporting or hiding internals isn't easy. Saps mana. So they make do, have some holes, that sort of thing. Of course, our little demon IS still alive.
Ah? How can you tell, it's just muscles.
The silence spell has been on for the last few minutes. He's not pain immune, this one.
We're dissecting him alive, then?
Yes. And believe me when I say it grants me a very visceral and deep sort of pleasure. This thing is basically responsible for me having to leave my original research to help against the plague with my brothers and sisters. It was GOOD research, that I would have preferred FINISHING. She punctuates her little outbursts with particularly careless stabs of the scalpel.
How will you dispose of it when it finally bites the dust?
If it isn't self-cleaning? Figure i'd bury it alive in the sands. Attach a beartrap around its head, attached to the lid.
I think that whole attachment to respectful treatment of patients is kind of lost when you deal with demons.
If they force me to spend a massive amount of time dealing with a plague that could end humanity? Yes. I get a little miffed. Don't forget, as necromancers we know exactly where things hurt the most.
I didn't get medical in my education...
Ah, yes, they removed that, didn't they? Admittedly, anatomy is all you need for our purposes. We don't USUALLY do this kind of thing, with the plagues? But we've been drafted by IDC.
Infectious Diseases Containment?
The very same. The nature of magical diseases gives them quite a few rights. Gaining control over our order is one of those things. Could you hand me the tweezers?

The silence spell flashes a moment as the good doctor forcefully pulls out a chunk of muscle, though the tissues visibly kind of "unravel" before the chunk comes loose.
Ah, coiled musculature. Explains a little more. Notice how the blood is slightly darker? It's a consistent thing for most of the Gestating God's creatures, I've been told. It's actually old blood. Decay is kind of a theme... Which... I... Hhhh.
The beakhead's knees begin to shake, and she has to catch herself on the operation table.
I remember her. Or I... I don't... I'm remembering things that... You hear a retching sound, followed by her ripping her mask off to allow herself to vomit. It looks perfectly clear, nothing but water. It didn't happen, I don't know this, I SHOULDN'T know this... It's... Her name is Mantorok. That's her. She's Mantorok, but... twisted. She's not supposed to... aaaAAH. She keeps gasping for air, clutching her head and shaking. Finally, she just screams. Whether in pain or terror isn't quite clear. Then, on her knees, she finally just starts yelling to herself
THIS. ISN'T. REALLY... HAPPENING!
All at once, she stops shaking. She slowly picks herself up, and stares at you. You've been aiming your Ram Dao at her during the entire outburst. Without her mask, her face is surprisingly gentle, despite the clear amount of terror. Pale as a ghost, though.
I... It's over. This is... I don't remember what I said. Only that it was important. M-maybe? I... I'm going to lie down for a while... Do me a favour and kill that... thing. Would you?
Don't you think we should look for a way to discover them more easily, first?
I just remembered things I wasn't there for, and I suspect didn't exist until now. If you want to perform some research on that creature, be my guest. As it stands, I want it gone.
You make a choice, here.

Kill the creature
Keep it alive a little longer.

Now that's over, I need to say one more thing. I have a way to figure out EVERYTHING a cultist knows. But it's... unethical, to say the least.
Yes? Well. I don't care. D-do what you want, I... I'm going to bed.

Well, you've already decided that you're going to hunt them down. How will you start with that? Also, be sure to say if you killed that creature or not.

Sweep the town
You might get in legal trouble if you just go for it. But, hey, time is of the essence.

Leech the bugman.
...Maybe not in full view of everybody. Also, will it even work on this thing?

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Get creative.

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crazyabe · « **Reply #2611 on:** November 26, 2018, 10:35:33 pm »

Keep it alive a bit longer, leech it.

Egan_BW · « **Reply #2612 on:** November 26, 2018, 10:42:21 pm »

You know what's concerning? She took her mask off in front of this thing. Let's be on our guard right now.

Better safe than sorry. We should leech the thing and start asking questions. Including questions about what just happened. And leave no room for misleading but technically true answers.

Devastator · « **Reply #2613 on:** November 27, 2018, 03:34:51 am »

Leech it, ask questions, kill it. This is world-ending stuff here. If we're all alive in six months, we can talk about the consequences of us having that ability.

I'm against letting it live a bit longer. We ask it our questions and it dies without leaving this room. The god might be able to override the leech, for instance, or use it to plague-bomb the city while we're keeping it alive.

omada · « **Reply #2614 on:** November 27, 2018, 08:17:35 pm »

Leech
ask
kill

get names locations and plans, get cure tips

Liquefied Spleens · « **Reply #2615 on:** November 28, 2018, 06:23:54 pm »

Are you still awake? Don't try to answer, of course, that silence spell isn't going anywhere. But first.
You slam the operating table with a closed fist, flipping it upwards so you can see his face a little more clearly. It's contorted in agony, and the silencing rune is still active. You don't see a lot of runework, tends to be a lot of work for something you can just apply by itself. Still, makes it easier to end.
You know, I really am wondering: when I apply my little therapy session, do you still think? is there something still happening in your mind, as you watch your body do whatevver I ask of it? Trapped in the corners of your skull, unable to do a thing? In your case, I really hope so. Say "Aaaah"!
You slam your hand against his mouth, and you feel the leech leaving. You scuff the silence rune as you watch your creation head down its throat, bulging obscenely and causing the veins to pop out like a web of misshapen flesh. Thick and throbbing. The creature finds enough presence of mind to scream before its eyes go blank.
Right. Tell me where I can find the other cultists.
The creature makes a choking noise, and stares at you with pure hate before it begins speaking. It sounds like it struggles against every sound passing its lips, but none will change.There is one leader remaining. The main librarian. Top of the mirror.
Really... Damn. Right then, what are your plans?
S-subvert... The... *scrrr* Subvert the population, make sure they are as useful as possible before the plague t-takes. D-DAMN YOU, TAINTED CREATURE. I WILL-
It visibly struggles against its own words. You elect to give a backhand with your demon arm, knocking the creature out for a second.
What did you just do with the doctor?
...Nothing. She experienced creation feedback. Learning about us created the memories from before. She is one of the few blessed to know the true name of our lord. The great Mantorok. Gestating still, she will rot your world. She will crack from this wretched earth like an egg.
Sure thing. I'll just have to kill it before that happens.
The ham-h-hamlee.... The creature's eyes bulge as it struggles and tears at the restraints, gaining no real advantage. It certainly has a mouth on it, though.
MAY THE RATS EAT YOUR EYES!
How can I cure this plague.
I'M DONE TALKING. YOUR-...Y-YOUR *GGhh*
How do I cure this plague. You say, slightly more insistent.
*Ggh* I d-don't... Know. T-the curse is strong. I-it finds... The connection to... Mantorok.. *ggghhhaaa*
The creature's face bulges and stretches, and then, all at once, it begins to bleed. You stare at it, dispassionately, as the creature seems to burn itself out without even moving. Finally, the bulging eyes finally... "pop". The white turns completely red, as bloody tears drip down. A bloody nose, broken teeth...It manages to break its shoulder from pulling at its restraint, and it just starts screaming. Looks like your leech has its limits on the demons.
Where can I find the small fry cultists.
*ggghhh* I... Will... Never... *kku*
B-beneath the c-city. Under the m-mant... Grraaah!
You think you hear something pop before the creature goes completely limp. A frustrated smack and a cautionary check of the pulse confirms that its dead. An aneurysm, sort of. Deciding against taking any chances, you chop off the creature's head. It lands with an unceremonious thud as you sheathe your heavy machete.

That was educational. Where to next?

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Egan_BW · « **Reply #2616 on:** November 29, 2018, 01:25:00 pm »

If we kill the other leader quickly, the rest of the cult might lose its cohesion and be easy to mop up. Have the cat's venom refilled, and start observing the librarian. I'd rather get some visual proof first, rather than relying on the word of a demon, even if it was under our control... But if it comes down to it, just walking up and killing it will work, too.

Devastator · « **Reply #2617 on:** November 29, 2018, 03:59:26 pm »

At this point there's a clock running before the bomb drops and crazy stuff starts happening. Lets get a witness or two for the librarian, and lets get some suited people to cover the entrances to the underground areas, probably along with a couple of our allies. After that, we can take down the other leader, and then hopefully move to clean out the rank and file. Lets move quickly, the clock is running.

I do recommend looking for proof before doing anything permanent, but this is time-sensitive enough that we should move on it immediately.

Also, If the librarian is a cultist, the first question should be "How can we summon the cult members together?"

omada · « **Reply #2618 on:** November 30, 2018, 08:02:00 pm »

Did the cat in this whole time got any sucess in getting a rat?

our rat zombies can check the sewers without suspect, our pigeon can also check the tower's windows without suspect "are there pidgeons here?"

Liquefied Spleens · « **Reply #2619 on:** December 01, 2018, 07:05:59 pm »

We need to get moving. With this guy down the city's a ticking time bomb.
How so? We killed the leader, things should be improving.
They have a second leader, and he's in a position of authority. He's the head librarian, top of the mirror tower. We can barely borrow a damned book, let alone start claiming their head honcho is a cultist.
How do you know?
Enhanced interrogation techniques. I know that's not infallible, of course. We need a little more proof. I'm sending in the bird.
They don't have pigeons. It'll stick out.
We'll just have to risk it, then. In the meantime, I'll try to get the cat prepped again to capture THAT guy.Also, I need to look "beneath the city" to find the small fries.
Sewer system? It's not nearly as fleshed out as the western countries;
Explains that consistent smell in some streets. Well, regardless, I'm going to hope we have a few rats to resurrect.
I suspect that might not have worked out. There was a lot of time spent modifying that cat. The carrion it caught must be long gone.
I guess we'll need to spend some time on THAT, as well.
We'd better decide on what we spend the most time on first.

Focus on getting the cat rearing to go (and thus also make sure those suits are here...)
Your two scientists are getting those suits. They're taking a while, aren't they? Anyway, they're the only ones with the required toxin.

Get to ratting
You need your eyes under the ground.

Focus on getting your pigeon in the tower.
You'll probably need to control it personally if you want to get that thing in there, somehow. Not to mention, you're unlikely to find the guy monologuing about how many cultisty things he'll be doing. . Maybe consider where you might find evidence.

Gather up some movement to just go to him directly.
The town or the beaks. Maybe both.

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Gah, I can't put anything to paper, recently. Sorry.

Devastator · « **Reply #2620 on:** December 01, 2018, 08:13:19 pm »

Eyes on the tower and then drumming up support. If it comes down to it, we can climb the outside and just smash our way in, if we have to. We need eyes to make accurate decisions.

Outside of the eyes, lets get some support. Getting some beaks together so we can force a meeting and examination would be good. But first we need eyes. If the head librarian is asleep or cloistered, maybe we should just carry one up the tower, climb in, and confront him that way. If the head librarian is in public, then we'll want a few beaks and force a meeting, be it loud or quiet. And if he's doing something nasty and magical, we smash our way in and stop it.

I wouldn't worry about the animal. In this case, we can break in ourselves and can deliver the sleeping poision via syringe or something, if we want to capture the guy.

I'd also ask someone to hire some mercenaries as muscle for the cult-clearing, as we'll have several entrances to cover. Plague suits and money should be sufficient payment for them.

Liquefied Spleens · « **Reply #2621 on:** December 03, 2018, 05:36:46 pm »

I'll try to get that bird in the tower, see if we can get a weak moment on that head librarian... He should be at the top of the tower.
Basement?
Let's just make an assumption, here. If nothing else, one has an available window, the other one requires more sneaking tactics.
Rats.
That'll probably work. Just have to get one, I suppose. But let's just star with the window theory.
Yup.
You close your eyes to fully focus on the pigeon. It's a little disorienting at first, though not quite as bad as the first time you focused on a flying creature. It helps that the pigeon's eyes aren't quite as sharp, but most of it comes down to increased practice. Entering the window was easy enough. You were lucky enough that it was partially open, though it did need a little nudge from your bird to allow full entry. The glass is tinted in several colours, like that of a church. It's kind of gaudy.
Oh-hoh! Welcome, little peeper! A voice suddenly says. It sounds old, and surprisingly kindly. It's odd that whoever this man is, he's speaking common. You keep letting your pigeon act all pidgeon-y, to avoid arousing suspicion
Now, please. Necromancer? If you wished to have a chat, all you need do is ask. Though, I must admit, I rather enjoy your western birds. They have this fanciful colour around their necks... Ah, but I'm rambling. What do you wish of an old man?
You can't exactly communicate with a pigeon, but considering the jig is already up, you turn to look at the man. He looks... not like a cultist, to say the least.
Can't talk through that minion, can you? Hm. Well, as I said, my door is open. I've been keeping track of you since you arrived. At first, to see if the driders began developing proper sentience, later because you are quite divided in your pursuits. Sent away a companion, and then you *ahem* surreptitiously abducted one of the major traders. A little bi- ah, err, nevermind that, then told me that you proceeded to prove they were connected to a cult of sorts. Quite deeply. And then, instantly, an undead bird comes knocking upon my window?
Well, he's got you dead to rights. Looks like the plan will have to be really fast.
...I admit that you are not wrong. I AM working for that infernal cult. But please realize I have little choice. They have my family, and if I make use of any of my power, they will enact upon them a fate worse than death. I realize that this sounds like a trap, but I would like to ask of you to come to my room. Once there, we can make a move towards removing their leverage over me. I pray you will consider my offer. And, come alone. They might think a group is somebody i'd contract. One person, however... That should be fine.

You fly out of there without issue. Well... The offer is open to get to him directly, but it sure sounds like a trap. You should get beaks together, regardless of what happens next. Alternatively, you make a move to enter through his window and taking him out from an unexpected angle. Or you could try to siege the town through hired muscle... If you had the money for it. 410 gold coins will get you about four mercs, and not high quality ones, either. Probably better to get beakies. Unless you try to buy people with the selection of suits you should have...
But where are Sucy and Francine? They should probably back by now. They're probably checking things out in that basement, but your time is limited as it is...

Accept the invitation and go there alone.
You'll just improvise if something goes off.

Siege the tower with beakheads.
No risks. You'll deal with the fallout AFTER you've decapitated this potential army

Check on Sucy and Francine
Maybe things have gone wrong. But it'll take time you might not have.

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Egan_BW · « **Reply #2622 on:** December 03, 2018, 05:49:08 pm »

If it's not a trap, the best option is to talk it out. If it's a trap, the best option is to personally go demon berserker on his ass. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Sucy and Francine have probably hit a snag, but probably nothing they can't handle. Recall the part where we're glad they're on our side? Yeah.

Devastator · « **Reply #2623 on:** December 03, 2018, 06:10:22 pm »

We don't have to act much differently if this is a trap or not.

If it's not a trap, we still can 'kidnap' him and secure his family, and then get him to cooperate with us while in a safe room. It wouldn't be ideal, but it would give us decent chances to protect him. If he is lying, we can hold him powerless in said safe room. In either case, we show up ready for a fight with a bunch of kidnap-friendly silk, and bundle him up. He can then fight us or come peacefully.

That said, I'm actually in favor of checking out the basement for Sucy and Francine and getting the suits out first. What it looks like is that the cult leader on the top floor is preparing for single combat, and not a city-destroying spell, which is good, and means we can spend ten minutes making sure our friends who happen to be cruicially important medical researchers, and a supply of potentially extremely important items, are both safe.

Liquefied Spleens · « **Reply #2624 on:** December 05, 2018, 06:06:08 pm »

Well... I'm talking to the guy myself. But first, let's just make a quick check with our scientists to be. They're taking too long for my liking.
Yunikki just shrugs and follows you to the basement area. The secret door is still open when you get to it, which is kind of a red flag. You unsheathe your weapon, and Yunikki does the same. Together, you carefully head down. The place isn't very complex, fortunately, and the large hallway with all the suits has one empty storage place. Sucy is likely dressed up appropriately, at least. But where IS she? You keep heading forward, and you finally hear voices at the end of the hall, where the blasphemous idol was that the cult leader was praying to. It's been moved aside, revealing a SECOND secret passageway.
How deep does this rabbit hole go, you wonder. Still armed, you keep moving forward, past the idol and looking down past the entrance. Stone steps, slick with blood. The colouring is wrong for it to be fresh, but it's still a LOT of blood. Carefully, you go down towards the voices. When you get close enough, however, you recognize them as Francine and Sucy's whisperings. A faint red glow is coming through the doorway.
You have to admit, this room doesn't make sense. Where is the light coming from?
I suspect I know. Don't look through the holes.
Direct connection to Mantorok? Wouldn't it be purple, rather than red?
...I don't-
What the hell is this place? You ask, as you come down. The room is... strange. Perfectly square, with strange holes through the rock through which a strange red glow is seeping through. In them middle of the room is a strnage device, with five meat hooks. One large one in the middle, and four smaller ones around it. The hooks like as if there is fresh blood upon them, and in the corner of the room you see pieces of meat and bone. Sucy and Francine are hard at work looking at the device in detail, reading some kind of inscriptions along the sides.
Ah! Good to see you, darling. We found this after some fiddling with the idol. It's very interesting, you know.
It's not congruous with the rest of Mantorok's designs. Too specific towards plain violence and torture.
What's the purpose of this thing?
Human sacrifice. Rather gruesome, too. Note the pulley system for the smaller hooks? It pulls the limbs apart.
...Stop TOUCHING that thing. I'm going to have a meeting with the head librarian.
Sounds like a waste of time. Come on, help us out, here. We could discover some powerful things if we just research it. We've nearly cracked the cypher for some of these runes. I think this one is "Aretak", that one "Tier"... But I can't quite understand this one, can you help me out here? You're more experienced in demonic matters. This type of runic magic is rare, you know.

No. Stop being horror movie protagonists.
Messing with this stuff has NEVER ended well. Quit now, I'm going to the damn tower.

...I can spare a minute.
It might be important that you know this part.

It's just an ambush, I can get to it when I feel like it.
Extensive help on this might just make a real difference.

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Author Topic: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure (Ended) (Read 188591 times)

Liquefied Spleens

Re: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure

crazyabe

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Egan_BW

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Devastator

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omada

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Liquefied Spleens

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Egan_BW

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Devastator

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omada

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Liquefied Spleens

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Devastator

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Liquefied Spleens

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Egan_BW

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Devastator

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Liquefied Spleens

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