File: 1373075078653.gif (1.04 MB, 520x498, pinkie in a moon bounce.gif, IO Google TinEye)
The eastern horizon has only just started to glow thanks to the sun's rays. For one reason or another, the entire party is awake at this early hour.
Pomelo, Dreamkicker, and Bessy
The three of you spent the night in the temple and were woken bright and early by a priest who returned your donation money to you. The three of you currently have a Large money level that can be used to buy dresses to replace the ones Pomelo ate, but only have until noon to get them back to the temple. Dreamkicker is the only one left among the three of you who still has any money of his own.
Andelia
You stayed up talking with the Twins before taking a nap in one of the bedrooms.
Olga
You and Hornbeard were given a bed in the Nature temple.
Brutus
After a long night of talking and learning you settled down for a nap. As you wake up you can feel that you only have a short time before you turn back into a buffalo.
Happyhorn and Muddy Morass
Both of you probably found rooms at an inexpensive inn or a temple.
Pomelo, Dreamkicker, and Bessy
The three of you spent the night in the temple and were woken bright and early by a priest who returned your donation money to you. The three of you currently have a Large money level that can be used to buy dresses to replace the ones Pomelo ate, but only have until noon to get them back to the temple. Dreamkicker is the only one left among the three of you who still has any money of his own.
Andelia
You stayed up talking with the Twins before taking a nap in one of the bedrooms.
Olga
You and Hornbeard were given a bed in the Nature temple.
Brutus
After a long night of talking and learning you settled down for a nap. As you wake up you can feel that you only have a short time before you turn back into a buffalo.
Happyhorn and Muddy Morass
Both of you probably found rooms at an inexpensive inn or a temple.
>>445200
You had to leave quickly because of some sort of ritual they were about to start, but luckily you found an inexpensive place to stay right across the street. What luck.
>>445201
>>445203
They direct you to the Market district. Once the three of you get there Pomelo spots some fancy, but expensive dress shops right away. Maybe there are less expensive ones farther in?
You had to leave quickly because of some sort of ritual they were about to start, but luckily you found an inexpensive place to stay right across the street. What luck.
>>445201
>>445203
They direct you to the Market district. Once the three of you get there Pomelo spots some fancy, but expensive dress shops right away. Maybe there are less expensive ones farther in?
>>445205
You grunt and strain but nothing happens.
>>445206
You see a store named Pluto's Closet with a few okay looking dresses on display.
>>445207
You look around, but your eyes keep going back to the fancy stores and the fancy dresses in their fancy window displays.
>>445208
>>445210
You hop into an alley to try and look through the thrash behind the dress stores for free dresses, but the smell convinces you that buying them would be a better idea. You have the money from the temple with you so you are the one who can make the final call on which shop to visit.
Speaking of the money, you feel a hoof pulling on the coinpurse.
>>445211
Down here? No one. While you were asleep Sandy woke up and returned to the temple and the Twins returned to their coffins to sleep the day away.
You grunt and strain but nothing happens.
>>445206
You see a store named Pluto's Closet with a few okay looking dresses on display.
>>445207
You look around, but your eyes keep going back to the fancy stores and the fancy dresses in their fancy window displays.
>>445208
>>445210
You hop into an alley to try and look through the thrash behind the dress stores for free dresses, but the smell convinces you that buying them would be a better idea. You have the money from the temple with you so you are the one who can make the final call on which shop to visit.
Speaking of the money, you feel a hoof pulling on the coinpurse.
>>445211
Down here? No one. While you were asleep Sandy woke up and returned to the temple and the Twins returned to their coffins to sleep the day away.
>>445214
As you sit down to wiat you feel your body start to bulk up and your hair curl and grow thicker. With two small pops your horn stick back out of your head. You are once again a buffalo. The others, their forms the same was they were a few minutes ago, begin to wake up.
>>445215
A small earth pony filly is balancing on top of a small unicorn colt so she can reach your purse. They are both naked and their fur is covered in dirt and grime. The filly glares at you when you turn around but the colt starts to shiver.
>>445218
You make your way back through the labyrinth and press a hidden button to open the wall into the broom closet. You can hear a few early birds rising and leaving their rooms as well as late nighters returning to bed.
>>445219
He points at a clock in an alcove.
"Have you come to talk more about the horn?"
As you sit down to wiat you feel your body start to bulk up and your hair curl and grow thicker. With two small pops your horn stick back out of your head. You are once again a buffalo. The others, their forms the same was they were a few minutes ago, begin to wake up.
>>445215
A small earth pony filly is balancing on top of a small unicorn colt so she can reach your purse. They are both naked and their fur is covered in dirt and grime. The filly glares at you when you turn around but the colt starts to shiver.
>>445218
You make your way back through the labyrinth and press a hidden button to open the wall into the broom closet. You can hear a few early birds rising and leaving their rooms as well as late nighters returning to bed.
>>445219
He points at a clock in an alcove.
"Have you come to talk more about the horn?"
>>445226
One of them yawns.
"Morning. You going into the city or do you want to hunt down some tasty grass for breakfast?"
>>445227
"Talk? No, there is nothing in there to talk to. The horn contains a magical imprint, sort of like a picture, of whoever it used to belong to. I can change the magic so that it will help you in a way related to its owner."
He brushes some embers off his coat.
"If you can't remember what I said I can do with it I can tell you again."
>>445228
The colt and filly answer at the same time.
"N-no!"
"Yes."
>>445229
There she is! She's walking back towards the temple district for some reason. Better catch her before she gets away.
One of them yawns.
"Morning. You going into the city or do you want to hunt down some tasty grass for breakfast?"
>>445227
"Talk? No, there is nothing in there to talk to. The horn contains a magical imprint, sort of like a picture, of whoever it used to belong to. I can change the magic so that it will help you in a way related to its owner."
He brushes some embers off his coat.
"If you can't remember what I said I can do with it I can tell you again."
>>445228
The colt and filly answer at the same time.
"N-no!"
"Yes."
>>445229
There she is! She's walking back towards the temple district for some reason. Better catch her before she gets away.
>>445231
I scrunch up and my face softens up.
"You two are only doing this 'cause you're hungry and sad and you both have no money… that's so saaaad!"
I pull them both into a hug and start crying, but quickly recover.
"Wait a minute… I can take you both to the Pinkie temple! They can feed you and wash you and clothe you and teach you there! MAYBE THEY CAN EVEN HAVE A PARTY!"
I let them go and give a little hop of joy.
I scrunch up and my face softens up.
"You two are only doing this 'cause you're hungry and sad and you both have no money… that's so saaaad!"
I pull them both into a hug and start crying, but quickly recover.
"Wait a minute… I can take you both to the Pinkie temple! They can feed you and wash you and clothe you and teach you there! MAYBE THEY CAN EVEN HAVE A PARTY!"
I let them go and give a little hop of joy.
>>445232
"Alright. Remember that Cloey wants you here sooner tonight."
They lead you to the river exit from the caverns then back to the forest path.
>>445233
All the ones who are up and about look about as awake as you, which is the say their eyes are blurry and their faces scowly. There are a few zebras and ponies of various types walking around the hallways, but maybe you can find some coffee or tea as well as some more awake people if you look harder.
>>445234
>>445235
The two of you follow Bessy and Pomelo hops up onto her back. As he does this the buffalo lets loose a startled bellow and throws Pomelo off. She spins around and, now that you can both see her face, you realize that she isn't Bessy.
"What's the big idea?"
>>445236
"Right. The horn and the magic in it are weak, so it can only do one of those things. Do you want to be able to fire flaming bolts from your crossbow or raise minions that can burn whatever they attack."
He brushes a few more embers off his coat and steps away from the fire.
"Your minions would not usually make things burst into flame, of course. it would be like pressing hot embers against whatever they attacked."
>>445237
They both hug you back, albeit awkwardly. When you let them go and start hopping around you can see the filly looking through your coinpurse, which is now in her hooves. The colt shakes his head.
"Nu uh, no hoofouts. We get our own money and or own food. It's called self reliance."
His stomach grumbles and he grimaces.
"We aren't very good at it."
"Alright. Remember that Cloey wants you here sooner tonight."
They lead you to the river exit from the caverns then back to the forest path.
>>445233
All the ones who are up and about look about as awake as you, which is the say their eyes are blurry and their faces scowly. There are a few zebras and ponies of various types walking around the hallways, but maybe you can find some coffee or tea as well as some more awake people if you look harder.
>>445234
>>445235
The two of you follow Bessy and Pomelo hops up onto her back. As he does this the buffalo lets loose a startled bellow and throws Pomelo off. She spins around and, now that you can both see her face, you realize that she isn't Bessy.
"What's the big idea?"
>>445236
"Right. The horn and the magic in it are weak, so it can only do one of those things. Do you want to be able to fire flaming bolts from your crossbow or raise minions that can burn whatever they attack."
He brushes a few more embers off his coat and steps away from the fire.
"Your minions would not usually make things burst into flame, of course. it would be like pressing hot embers against whatever they attacked."
>>445237
They both hug you back, albeit awkwardly. When you let them go and start hopping around you can see the filly looking through your coinpurse, which is now in her hooves. The colt shakes his head.
"Nu uh, no hoofouts. We get our own money and or own food. It's called self reliance."
His stomach grumbles and he grimaces.
"We aren't very good at it."
>>445239
"Nope!"
She runs out of the alley and a few seconds later the confused looking colt follows her.
>>445240
You stampede your way back to the city but move more slowly through the farming village. The farmers all wave at you as they head out to the fields. It is early morning when you get back to the city.
>>445241
She scowls at you.
Try as you might you cannot see Bessy.
>>445242
She huffs and leaves.
You cannot see Bessy either, but see two dirty looking foals running right towards you. One of them, a filly, is holding the coinpurse the priest gave Bessy in her mouth.
>>445245
>>445247
You fail to find any. Looks like the ponies here wake up the old fashioned way: dunking your head into a cold pond. You can see a few wet-but-alert ponies and diamond dogs chatting in the main room of the temple by a pond.
>>445246
"Whenever your minions attack something they will burn it as if they were on fire. The downside is that it makes your minions more, ah, volatile and over a period of months will turn to ash. You can still raise normal ones if you wish, of course."
"Nope!"
She runs out of the alley and a few seconds later the confused looking colt follows her.
>>445240
You stampede your way back to the city but move more slowly through the farming village. The farmers all wave at you as they head out to the fields. It is early morning when you get back to the city.
>>445241
She scowls at you.
Try as you might you cannot see Bessy.
>>445242
She huffs and leaves.
You cannot see Bessy either, but see two dirty looking foals running right towards you. One of them, a filly, is holding the coinpurse the priest gave Bessy in her mouth.
>>445245
>>445247
You fail to find any. Looks like the ponies here wake up the old fashioned way: dunking your head into a cold pond. You can see a few wet-but-alert ponies and diamond dogs chatting in the main room of the temple by a pond.
>>445246
"Whenever your minions attack something they will burn it as if they were on fire. The downside is that it makes your minions more, ah, volatile and over a period of months will turn to ash. You can still raise normal ones if you wish, of course."
>>445250
Your buffalo legs are superior to their little foal legs and soon they are trapped between you, Dreamkicker, and the moving crowd of early morning risers.
>>445251
You find a pawn shop run by an old donkey jack in the Adventurer's district. When you walk in he is reading a paper and drinking coffee.
"How can I help ya', son?"
>>445259
"With help from the Fire and some magic from my own. Follow me."
He leads you to the main room with the large bonfire. it is smaller now, only the size of a house, and the chanting ponies are all gone. He holds out his hoof for the horn.
>>445260
You pick them both up with you magic and pull the bag of money over to you.
"Help!"
"Thief!"
"He's trying to rob us!"
No one pays any attention to them.
Your buffalo legs are superior to their little foal legs and soon they are trapped between you, Dreamkicker, and the moving crowd of early morning risers.
>>445251
You find a pawn shop run by an old donkey jack in the Adventurer's district. When you walk in he is reading a paper and drinking coffee.
"How can I help ya', son?"
>>445259
"With help from the Fire and some magic from my own. Follow me."
He leads you to the main room with the large bonfire. it is smaller now, only the size of a house, and the chanting ponies are all gone. He holds out his hoof for the horn.
>>445260
You pick them both up with you magic and pull the bag of money over to you.
"Help!"
"Thief!"
"He's trying to rob us!"
No one pays any attention to them.
>>445265
He puts on a pair of thick bifocals and puts down his paper.
"Give 'em here then."
>>445267
He chants a few words then leans far back and throws the horn into the flames. The fire flares up and shifts from red and orange to yellow and white for a split second before the horn is launched back out. Without thinking about it you reach up with your hoof and grab it as it sails overhead. Unlike every other time you have touched it it does not give you a hallucination.
You can now apply Elementalist: Fire to Raise Dead. Whether or not you want to do this must be chosen at the time the skill is used and cannot be applied after the minion is raised. Raise Dead defaults to normal if you do not specify what you want to do when casting it.
>>445268
>>445269
>>445272
"Don't give us to the guards!"
"We're hungry!"
"We just wanted some food!"
"And a nice room at an inn!"
"Why do you even want dresses, you're a boy!"
>>445253
>>445273
You are wide awake now. You can see the zebra mare you met on the first day. There are plenty of members of every race here, save for donkeys. As far as you can see all of them have at least two sets of bite marks on their necks, or are covering up their bite marks with clothing.
He puts on a pair of thick bifocals and puts down his paper.
"Give 'em here then."
>>445267
He chants a few words then leans far back and throws the horn into the flames. The fire flares up and shifts from red and orange to yellow and white for a split second before the horn is launched back out. Without thinking about it you reach up with your hoof and grab it as it sails overhead. Unlike every other time you have touched it it does not give you a hallucination.
You can now apply Elementalist: Fire to Raise Dead. Whether or not you want to do this must be chosen at the time the skill is used and cannot be applied after the minion is raised. Raise Dead defaults to normal if you do not specify what you want to do when casting it.
>>445268
>>445269
>>445272
"Don't give us to the guards!"
"We're hungry!"
"We just wanted some food!"
"And a nice room at an inn!"
"Why do you even want dresses, you're a boy!"
>>445253
>>445273
You are wide awake now. You can see the zebra mare you met on the first day. There are plenty of members of every race here, save for donkeys. As far as you can see all of them have at least two sets of bite marks on their necks, or are covering up their bite marks with clothing.
>>445277
I continue frowning.
"That money was going to go towards buying dresses for the goat orphanage as a treat for them, because they've been eating old cans for the past forever!"
I bop both of them on the nose again.
"And just because you were hungry doesn't mean you should steal! Stealing is bad, very bad!"
I continue frowning.
"That money was going to go towards buying dresses for the goat orphanage as a treat for them, because they've been eating old cans for the past forever!"
I bop both of them on the nose again.
"And just because you were hungry doesn't mean you should steal! Stealing is bad, very bad!"
>>445277
I tap my hooves on the ground and give them a stern look.
"Well… we need that to buy dresses for hungry orphans! And Bessy's right! Stealing is wrong!"
I put a hoof to my chin and pause
"Hm.. in fact, I think you two should come shop for dresses with us as punishment!"
Lean in and wink at them
"There might be a little reward for you if you do it without causin' trouble!"
I tap my hooves on the ground and give them a stern look.
"Well… we need that to buy dresses for hungry orphans! And Bessy's right! Stealing is wrong!"
I put a hoof to my chin and pause
"Hm.. in fact, I think you two should come shop for dresses with us as punishment!"
Lean in and wink at them
"There might be a little reward for you if you do it without causin' trouble!"
>>445279
"Got some sort of allergy? Whatever, doesn't matter."
He leans down to get a very close look at the candlesticks, knives, forks, and spoons laid out in front of him.
"Not too bad, not too bad. here's what I can give you for them."
Seelling these will raise your money level back to comfortable Medium, instead of leaving you at the point where any purchase will take you from Medium to Low.
>>445283
>>445296
"Starving is bad too."
"Yeah!"
"Are you really got to let a couple of orphan foals starve? Can't we just have a little bit?"
They try to give you three puppydog eyes.
[1d10]
>>445284
It looks the same as before, but feels a little more brittle now.
"Don't thank me, thank the Fire. Keep that horn with you, I have no idea if it will continue to help you if you lose it."
>>445294
"Why would I want to go dress shopping?"
His sister punches him in the gut.
"He means we'd love to go dress shopping. We're the best at it."
Roll #1 8 = 8
"Got some sort of allergy? Whatever, doesn't matter."
He leans down to get a very close look at the candlesticks, knives, forks, and spoons laid out in front of him.
"Not too bad, not too bad. here's what I can give you for them."
Seelling these will raise your money level back to comfortable Medium, instead of leaving you at the point where any purchase will take you from Medium to Low.
>>445283
>>445296
"Starving is bad too."
"Yeah!"
"Are you really got to let a couple of orphan foals starve? Can't we just have a little bit?"
They try to give you three puppydog eyes.
[1d10]
>>445284
It looks the same as before, but feels a little more brittle now.
"Don't thank me, thank the Fire. Keep that horn with you, I have no idea if it will continue to help you if you lose it."
>>445294
"Why would I want to go dress shopping?"
His sister punches him in the gut.
"He means we'd love to go dress shopping. We're the best at it."
Roll #1 8 = 8
>>445307
"Hurray!"
"Can you put us down now?"
>>445311
You arrive at the smithy just as the smith turns around the CLOSED sign to display the side that says OPEN.
"You're here early. Armor's all ready though. Follow me."
He leads you through the shop and into the smithy in the back. Your armor is resting on an upsized ponikin. All the holes, dents, and scratches in it have been fixed.
"It's all yours. You should still have the directions to my friend's palace if you want it magicked, and if you want something done to that helmet you should check the Nature temple to see what they have to say."
>>445314
"Right!"
"What did he says, sis?"
"He said shut up, stupid."
"Hurray!"
"Can you put us down now?"
>>445311
You arrive at the smithy just as the smith turns around the CLOSED sign to display the side that says OPEN.
"You're here early. Armor's all ready though. Follow me."
He leads you through the shop and into the smithy in the back. Your armor is resting on an upsized ponikin. All the holes, dents, and scratches in it have been fixed.
"It's all yours. You should still have the directions to my friend's palace if you want it magicked, and if you want something done to that helmet you should check the Nature temple to see what they have to say."
>>445314
"Right!"
"What did he says, sis?"
"He said shut up, stupid."
>>445329
"We know where Taylor is, but he doesn't like dresses so I don't think he'd be helpful."
"Pluto's closet has used dresses and it's right over there!"
He points at it.
"There are a few others too if you want us to take you to them."
If you had to guess it is about eight o'clock now.
>>445331
"Come back if you need it fixed again."
After a bit of walking you find a smithy with a large prop anvil on top of it. Inside is a unicorn fitting the smith's description.
"Yes? How can I help you today?"
>>445333
"No?"
"We aren't goats."
>>445313
>>445335
Brutus is inside a smithy. Pomelo, Bessy, and Dreamkicker are in the Merchant's district talking to some orphans. Andelia is probably talking to those vampires, Olga is whever old goats go when they want to act weird, and you will possibly run into Muddy Morass if you look for long enough.
"We know where Taylor is, but he doesn't like dresses so I don't think he'd be helpful."
"Pluto's closet has used dresses and it's right over there!"
He points at it.
"There are a few others too if you want us to take you to them."
If you had to guess it is about eight o'clock now.
>>445331
"Come back if you need it fixed again."
After a bit of walking you find a smithy with a large prop anvil on top of it. Inside is a unicorn fitting the smith's description.
"Yes? How can I help you today?"
>>445333
"No?"
"We aren't goats."
>>445313
>>445335
Brutus is inside a smithy. Pomelo, Bessy, and Dreamkicker are in the Merchant's district talking to some orphans. Andelia is probably talking to those vampires, Olga is whever old goats go when they want to act weird, and you will possibly run into Muddy Morass if you look for long enough.
>>445345
You arrive at a smithy with a large prop anvil on the roof. You can see Brutus inside.
>>445346
Nothing that looks cheaper than Pluto's Closet.
>>445348
He floats a measuring tape off a counter and measures you in a few different places.
"I can do that, but it will cost you."
That enchantment can only be purchased with a Large amount of money or greater.
You arrive at a smithy with a large prop anvil on the roof. You can see Brutus inside.
>>445346
Nothing that looks cheaper than Pluto's Closet.
>>445348
He floats a measuring tape off a counter and measures you in a few different places.
"I can do that, but it will cost you."
That enchantment can only be purchased with a Large amount of money or greater.
>>445357
"Oh really? I won't make the price any lower, but I can do something else for you. For only a Low amount of money I can give your armor part of the enchantment. If you get transformed the armor will vanish into otherspace and return once your body is more or less normal again. Come back with the rest of the money and I can finish the enchantment to make it morph with your body."
>>445358
>>445363
>>445364
The five of you enter the store. Inside are racks and racks of dresses, coats, jackets, saddles, saddle blankets, hats, boots, and shoes. A male diamond dog is sewing shut a hole in a saddle blanket but puts it down and smiles when all of you enter.
"Are you three making a purchase or a donation?"
>>445365
An attendant greets you.
"Hello, looking for anything in particular?"
"Oh really? I won't make the price any lower, but I can do something else for you. For only a Low amount of money I can give your armor part of the enchantment. If you get transformed the armor will vanish into otherspace and return once your body is more or less normal again. Come back with the rest of the money and I can finish the enchantment to make it morph with your body."
>>445358
>>445363
>>445364
The five of you enter the store. Inside are racks and racks of dresses, coats, jackets, saddles, saddle blankets, hats, boots, and shoes. A male diamond dog is sewing shut a hole in a saddle blanket but puts it down and smiles when all of you enter.
"Are you three making a purchase or a donation?"
>>445365
An attendant greets you.
"Hello, looking for anything in particular?"
>>445370
"Only a few hours."
>>445372
"The whole stock? Let me see how many I have and what condition they are in."
He gets up and walks around the store before going into the back room.
[1d10+3]
>>445373
>>445374
You can both find some okay quality old dresses that are out of fashion. There are some newer, fancier dresses but they all have stains on them.
>>445375
"Oh we have a wide variety of enchanted leathers that range in price from Medium money level to Rich money level. Are you looking for any particular enchantment?"
Roll #1 9 + 3 = 12
"Only a few hours."
>>445372
"The whole stock? Let me see how many I have and what condition they are in."
He gets up and walks around the store before going into the back room.
[1d10+3]
>>445373
>>445374
You can both find some okay quality old dresses that are out of fashion. There are some newer, fancier dresses but they all have stains on them.
>>445375
"Oh we have a wide variety of enchanted leathers that range in price from Medium money level to Rich money level. Are you looking for any particular enchantment?"
Roll #1 9 + 3 = 12
>>445390
"Perhaps they're out by the nature temple, or the temple of the laughing one."
I'll stop a moment.
"Oh, you remember that town from yesterday? Turns out they want to throw us a party for dealing with their problem, along with returning their lost silver. Think the others will be up to it?"
"Perhaps they're out by the nature temple, or the temple of the laughing one."
I'll stop a moment.
"Oh, you remember that town from yesterday? Turns out they want to throw us a party for dealing with their problem, along with returning their lost silver. Think the others will be up to it?"
>>445393
"Do you take payment in street urchins?" I pull one of the orphans up to the counter
"Make that pathetic face again, dear, if you want to eat tonight," I whisper to the orphan.
'1d10'
"I jest, of course. We are buying dresses for the benefit of such wonderful youths as these over at the Pink Temple. Surely a discount of some sort would be in order."
Roll #1 7 = 7
"Do you take payment in street urchins?" I pull one of the orphans up to the counter
"Make that pathetic face again, dear, if you want to eat tonight," I whisper to the orphan.
'1d10'
"I jest, of course. We are buying dresses for the benefit of such wonderful youths as these over at the Pink Temple. Surely a discount of some sort would be in order."
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>445384
"Excellent. Will you need help or a changing room to remove your armor?"
>>445386
You find a very tasty looking dress with images of candy sewn into it. A large stain in a blank and easily removed area means that it is very affordable.
>>445389
You find a wedding dress that looks like it is straight from Fancy. The price is high enough to make you recoil.
>>445390
"Our economy enchantments will keep your armor from staying wet in the rain, being stained by blood or other things, make sure it always has that new leather smell, and things like those. Each of those cost a Low money level.. We also sell rust resistance for metal armor.
"Excellent. Will you need help or a changing room to remove your armor?"
>>445386
You find a very tasty looking dress with images of candy sewn into it. A large stain in a blank and easily removed area means that it is very affordable.
>>445389
You find a wedding dress that looks like it is straight from Fancy. The price is high enough to make you recoil.
>>445390
"Our economy enchantments will keep your armor from staying wet in the rain, being stained by blood or other things, make sure it always has that new leather smell, and things like those. Each of those cost a Low money level.. We also sell rust resistance for metal armor.
>>445400
"Follow me, sir."
The store owner leads you to a few rooms in the back with thick curtains covering the entrance.
"They are all empty, pick whicher one you like."
>>445407
"All premium enchantments come with the rain protection. Our cheapest premium enchantments offer +1 Hit, +1 Wound, a +1 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a hidden compartment for a small weapon. For a High money level you can buy +2 Hits, +2 Wounds, a +2 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a +1 to get up from Helplessness. For a Very High money level you can buy +3 Hits, +3 Wounds, a +3 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, a +2 to get up from Helplessness, a hidden compartment for a medium sized weapon, or a +1 to Spot rolls, . For a Rich money level you can buy +4 Hits, +4 Wounds, a +4 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a +3 to get up from Helplessness, a hidden compartment for a Great weapon, +2 to Spot rolls, or a +1 to regular attacks..
>>445408
>>445409
>>445410
You add your eyes, but Pomelo's song sort of ruins any good they may have done.
"I'm sorry, but that is as low as I can go. You get all my old dresses and a few of the newer, nicer ones for a Medium Money level."
>>445417
"I accept clothing donations."
"Follow me, sir."
The store owner leads you to a few rooms in the back with thick curtains covering the entrance.
"They are all empty, pick whicher one you like."
>>445407
"All premium enchantments come with the rain protection. Our cheapest premium enchantments offer +1 Hit, +1 Wound, a +1 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a hidden compartment for a small weapon. For a High money level you can buy +2 Hits, +2 Wounds, a +2 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a +1 to get up from Helplessness. For a Very High money level you can buy +3 Hits, +3 Wounds, a +3 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, a +2 to get up from Helplessness, a hidden compartment for a medium sized weapon, or a +1 to Spot rolls, . For a Rich money level you can buy +4 Hits, +4 Wounds, a +4 to resist attacks of a chosen element type, or a +3 to get up from Helplessness, a hidden compartment for a Great weapon, +2 to Spot rolls, or a +1 to regular attacks..
>>445408
>>445409
>>445410
You add your eyes, but Pomelo's song sort of ruins any good they may have done.
"I'm sorry, but that is as low as I can go. You get all my old dresses and a few of the newer, nicer ones for a Medium Money level."
>>445417
"I accept clothing donations."
>>445420
"To feel good about helping the less wealthy."
>>445421
You put them on the counter and he collects all the old dresses.
"Throwing a party, goat?"
>>445422
"Thank you."
The money left from the temple is currently at a Low level. The time is now ten o'clock, leaving you all only any hour left to shop and an hour to return to the temple. You have enough dresses to replace the ones Pomelo ate.
>>445423
"For a paying customer? Certainly."
"To feel good about helping the less wealthy."
>>445421
You put them on the counter and he collects all the old dresses.
"Throwing a party, goat?"
>>445422
"Thank you."
The money left from the temple is currently at a Low level. The time is now ten o'clock, leaving you all only any hour left to shop and an hour to return to the temple. You have enough dresses to replace the ones Pomelo ate.
>>445423
"For a paying customer? Certainly."
>>445425
"Just feeding hungry orphans."
I frown at him and walk out
"Maybe there's someplace nearby that can wash these dresses in an hour? Oh, but I still gotta keep my word…"
Turn to the filly and colt
"You guys were super behaved and didn't cause any trouble, so like I said, you get a reward!"
Any good food vendors around? '1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
"Just feeding hungry orphans."
I frown at him and walk out
"Maybe there's someplace nearby that can wash these dresses in an hour? Oh, but I still gotta keep my word…"
Turn to the filly and colt
"You guys were super behaved and didn't cause any trouble, so like I said, you get a reward!"
Any good food vendors around? '1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>445426
He levitates it out and is silent for a minute.
"Yes, this is connected to Nature. I can do some things with it, but would need to charge you. The Nature priests might do it for free if you are a follower or have some other connection to them, I don't know."
>>445432
"We look forwards to your business."
>>445433
"Yup."
"What's it cost you to know 'em, bub?"
>>445436
There are a few food carts selling fresh fruit and fried dough.
>>445440
You are trying to recall something, not learn something. Scholar does not apply here.
You remember how to remove a certain type of stain, yes. Whether or not it will work on food stains, ink stains, dirt stains, and grass stains is anyone's guess.
>>445441
"You continue down this road and turn right two turns down."
>>445447
She yawns then dunks her head in the pool.
"A warm bed and a warm stallion. Same as every other night."
She look at your neck and brushes your bits with a hoof.
"Looks like I wasn't the only one who has some company, although I bet mine was certainly warmer."
He levitates it out and is silent for a minute.
"Yes, this is connected to Nature. I can do some things with it, but would need to charge you. The Nature priests might do it for free if you are a follower or have some other connection to them, I don't know."
>>445432
"We look forwards to your business."
>>445433
"Yup."
"What's it cost you to know 'em, bub?"
>>445436
There are a few food carts selling fresh fruit and fried dough.
>>445440
You are trying to recall something, not learn something. Scholar does not apply here.
You remember how to remove a certain type of stain, yes. Whether or not it will work on food stains, ink stains, dirt stains, and grass stains is anyone's guess.
>>445441
"You continue down this road and turn right two turns down."
>>445447
She yawns then dunks her head in the pool.
"A warm bed and a warm stallion. Same as every other night."
She look at your neck and brushes your bits with a hoof.
"Looks like I wasn't the only one who has some company, although I bet mine was certainly warmer."
>>445450
"Best of luck."
He takes the armor to a back room.
>>445451
You can. They hardly cost anything.
>>445452
"Fine."
"Okay."
>>445453
Inside the store you can see some older, moth eaten dresses on display at the front.
>>445458
>>445459
You see one, but it is a bit of a distance away. You could run there and run back, but you seriously doubt you could learn an extension of your old spell and clean the dresses, and get back to the temple in time.
"Best of luck."
He takes the armor to a back room.
>>445451
You can. They hardly cost anything.
>>445452
"Fine."
"Okay."
>>445453
Inside the store you can see some older, moth eaten dresses on display at the front.
>>445458
>>445459
You see one, but it is a bit of a distance away. You could run there and run back, but you seriously doubt you could learn an extension of your old spell and clean the dresses, and get back to the temple in time.
>>445462
>>445463
You arrive. It is nearly midday. You can see members of every race except for donkeys inside and outside the temple doing Nature things or relaxing on the ground.
>>445464
Those dresses at the front are the best they have. All the others look like they were pulled out of the garbage or off of murder victims.
>>445465
The stain vanishes. you aren't sure if it was a certain sort of stain, or if you spell works on other ones.
>>445468
"Olive Twist."
"Fin Berry."
They take the food and start chowing down.
>>445470
She nods.
"They're perfect. Smart, handsome, beautiful, sexy, nice, and fun. Funny too. I'm glad they came here."
>>445463
You arrive. It is nearly midday. You can see members of every race except for donkeys inside and outside the temple doing Nature things or relaxing on the ground.
>>445464
Those dresses at the front are the best they have. All the others look like they were pulled out of the garbage or off of murder victims.
>>445465
The stain vanishes. you aren't sure if it was a certain sort of stain, or if you spell works on other ones.
>>445468
"Olive Twist."
"Fin Berry."
They take the food and start chowing down.
>>445470
She nods.
"They're perfect. Smart, handsome, beautiful, sexy, nice, and fun. Funny too. I'm glad they came here."
>>445479
I smile at them
"Olive Twist, Fin Berry, I'm Pomelo! And the stallion with the cute mane is Dreamkicker and the pretty buffalo is Bessy!
I start hopping around them
"Like we said, we're on our way back to the temple of the Pink One to give these dresses to hungry orphans. Wanna come with us? There's a super neat bouncy floor there you can play on! And there might even be… parties!"
I smile at them
"Olive Twist, Fin Berry, I'm Pomelo! And the stallion with the cute mane is Dreamkicker and the pretty buffalo is Bessy!
I start hopping around them
"Like we said, we're on our way back to the temple of the Pink One to give these dresses to hungry orphans. Wanna come with us? There's a super neat bouncy floor there you can play on! And there might even be… parties!"
>>445480
There is, but it is getting very late. You do not have time to open the mystery box.
>>445481
"He's coming around!"
You open your eyes and find that you are in the middle of the forest and tightly secured by branches and roots. A few ponies with long, silver spears stand in front of you. They are armored in ironbark and wear ironbark masks.
"Another one?"
"You think he's a straggler?"
"Wait, is that Brutus?"
>>445484
They look at each other.
"Is this a trick?"
>>445485
She scratches her head.
"I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah. I like to have fun now. It used to be that I'd just pray, tend the gardens, and wait for visitors and worshipers all day. I was really boring."
There is, but it is getting very late. You do not have time to open the mystery box.
>>445481
"He's coming around!"
You open your eyes and find that you are in the middle of the forest and tightly secured by branches and roots. A few ponies with long, silver spears stand in front of you. They are armored in ironbark and wear ironbark masks.
"Another one?"
"You think he's a straggler?"
"Wait, is that Brutus?"
>>445484
They look at each other.
"Is this a trick?"
>>445485
She scratches her head.
"I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah. I like to have fun now. It used to be that I'd just pray, tend the gardens, and wait for visitors and worshipers all day. I was really boring."
>>445490
"I still do, of course. Just because I have fun doesn't mean I don't still do my work. Others help too."
>>445491
"If you're looking for a cure we are sure the seed council will say yes."
The vines release you.
>>445493
"Well okay."
"This better not be a trick. We'll mess you up."
"Yeah!"
>>445494
you use the last of your money and buy…
[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7
"I still do, of course. Just because I have fun doesn't mean I don't still do my work. Others help too."
>>445491
"If you're looking for a cure we are sure the seed council will say yes."
The vines release you.
>>445493
"Well okay."
"This better not be a trick. We'll mess you up."
"Yeah!"
>>445494
you use the last of your money and buy…
[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>445500
She nods.
"We all did. A lot. It was a great night. I passed out a few times but it was worth it."
She rubs her bite wounds too as she talks.
"I fed them before that, of course. They didn't invite people they didn't know."
>>445501
"Oh."
He scowls but takes the helmet. He freeze for a few seconds before turning it over.
"I think the seed will want to see this. Problem is that you are a wercreature. I can have it taken to them for you, but you cannot meet them yourself. You would need to wait in the temple."
>>445502
"We'll mess you up too!"
"Double yeah!"
>>445504
>>445509
The three of you rush back and get to the head honcho's room just in time.
"You have all of the dresses? Excellent! Was there any money left over?"
She nods.
"We all did. A lot. It was a great night. I passed out a few times but it was worth it."
She rubs her bite wounds too as she talks.
"I fed them before that, of course. They didn't invite people they didn't know."
>>445501
"Oh."
He scowls but takes the helmet. He freeze for a few seconds before turning it over.
"I think the seed will want to see this. Problem is that you are a wercreature. I can have it taken to them for you, but you cannot meet them yourself. You would need to wait in the temple."
>>445502
"We'll mess you up too!"
"Double yeah!"
>>445504
>>445509
The three of you rush back and get to the head honcho's room just in time.
"You have all of the dresses? Excellent! Was there any money left over?"
>>445523
"Oh, wait! We brought two special guests with us!"
I point to the urchins
"Olive Twist and Fin Berry. I told 'em about how fun the temple is! …Also they were kinda trying to steal from us because they were incredibly hungry and I thought maybe the temple could give them some help! If they want it, that is."
"Oh, wait! We brought two special guests with us!"
I point to the urchins
"Olive Twist and Fin Berry. I told 'em about how fun the temple is! …Also they were kinda trying to steal from us because they were incredibly hungry and I thought maybe the temple could give them some help! If they want it, that is."
>>445524
>>445526
>>445527
"I have another job for you three. Rest your hooves and get some refreshments while I have some partiers clean up those two foals you found."
This is all for this session. You three can continue to mess around and talk with NPCs if you want.
>>445528
"She is still here. She may still be with her friends though."
He looks around the forest as he says this.
>>445529
You clean up some broken glass from fallen roof tiles. The tiles themselves were replaced but these shards were missed by the cleaners.
>>445531
"We can give them baths, food parties, and work if they want it."
"Parties?"
"It's a package deal."
"Awww."
>>445526
>>445527
"I have another job for you three. Rest your hooves and get some refreshments while I have some partiers clean up those two foals you found."
This is all for this session. You three can continue to mess around and talk with NPCs if you want.
>>445528
"She is still here. She may still be with her friends though."
He looks around the forest as he says this.
>>445529
You clean up some broken glass from fallen roof tiles. The tiles themselves were replaced but these shards were missed by the cleaners.
>>445531
"We can give them baths, food parties, and work if they want it."
"Parties?"
"It's a package deal."
"Awww."
>>445543
"Oh… no parents huh… Just like me."
I start to frown, then perk up.
"Well, I had the temple to watch over me! And Bessy too! And they'd be plenty happy to watch over you two too! They'll make you laugh and have fun and even keep away any icky vampires!"
I make spooky motions with my hooves as I say 'vampires'
"Oh… no parents huh… Just like me."
I start to frown, then perk up.
"Well, I had the temple to watch over me! And Bessy too! And they'd be plenty happy to watch over you two too! They'll make you laugh and have fun and even keep away any icky vampires!"
I make spooky motions with my hooves as I say 'vampires'
>>445544
You wait. The warm sun, soft grass, and chirping birds make you realize how little sleep you had last night.
>>445545
It was a unicorn stallion and his bites are as obvious as Sandy's. He floats the glass you found to a trash bin.
"Care to share?"
>>445546
"Yeah!"
>>445548
"Really?"
"Did vampires eat yours too?"
>>445549
"Vampires don't look in trashcans."
You wait. The warm sun, soft grass, and chirping birds make you realize how little sleep you had last night.
>>445545
It was a unicorn stallion and his bites are as obvious as Sandy's. He floats the glass you found to a trash bin.
"Care to share?"
>>445546
"Yeah!"
>>445548
"Really?"
"Did vampires eat yours too?"
>>445549
"Vampires don't look in trashcans."
>>445562
You certainly are. The pony returns to you with the helmet.
"The seed council had some ideas for what they could do with it."
>>445568
The faraway look vanishes as you pull his hoof down.
"I..was? I was! Why wouldn't I? It feels so nice."
His hoof tries to pull free of yours and go back to his neck.
"I can't remember how often I've been bitten. Lots. I was one of the first ones to volunteer to feed them when they showed up here."
>>445571
"Can we help?"
"Yeah, we want revenge!"
You certainly are. The pony returns to you with the helmet.
"The seed council had some ideas for what they could do with it."
>>445568
The faraway look vanishes as you pull his hoof down.
"I..was? I was! Why wouldn't I? It feels so nice."
His hoof tries to pull free of yours and go back to his neck.
"I can't remember how often I've been bitten. Lots. I was one of the first ones to volunteer to feed them when they showed up here."
>>445571
"Can we help?"
"Yeah, we want revenge!"
>>445579
He nods again.
"I would feed them every few nights. We, that is us and the Twins, decide to rotate through feeders so none of us would have problems with blood loss. I used to think they were just big leaches and Nature was playing a joke on us, but after the first few times I started to talk more with them and learned that they were good ponies. I started to lighten up because they taught me that I could still do the things I had to do and have time for fun. As for the mares…"
He looks you up and down and smiles.
"Yes I do notice how pretty they are."
>>445580
>>445582
"Awww."
"Okay."
>>445590
"Watch who you're callin' a mule, bonehead!"
He nods again.
"I would feed them every few nights. We, that is us and the Twins, decide to rotate through feeders so none of us would have problems with blood loss. I used to think they were just big leaches and Nature was playing a joke on us, but after the first few times I started to talk more with them and learned that they were good ponies. I started to lighten up because they taught me that I could still do the things I had to do and have time for fun. As for the mares…"
He looks you up and down and smiles.
"Yes I do notice how pretty they are."
>>445580
>>445582
"Awww."
"Okay."
>>445590
"Watch who you're callin' a mule, bonehead!"
>Brutus and Happyhorn
The two of you are waiting in in the forest near where an automated magical defense nabbed Brutus. The priests should soon be returning with his helmet.
Fidget, tell me again which two upgrades you chose.
>Muddy Morass
You are in the city somewhere.
>Andelia
You are in the Nature temple outside Charming Masquerade's room looking at the feeding schedule for the Twins.
>Olga
You are in the Nature temple's main chamber.
>PB&D
The three of you are in the temple of the Laughing One. The priests there have agreed to take care of the two thieving orphans you found. Pomelo has bee forgiven for eating the dresses.
The two of you are waiting in in the forest near where an automated magical defense nabbed Brutus. The priests should soon be returning with his helmet.
Fidget, tell me again which two upgrades you chose.
>Muddy Morass
You are in the city somewhere.
>Andelia
You are in the Nature temple outside Charming Masquerade's room looking at the feeding schedule for the Twins.
>Olga
You are in the Nature temple's main chamber.
>PB&D
The three of you are in the temple of the Laughing One. The priests there have agreed to take care of the two thieving orphans you found. Pomelo has bee forgiven for eating the dresses.
>>448153
"I'm sure that even if I said 'no,' we'd be back here anyways."
I look around a bit. What time is it?
"We need to find the others. I still want to talk to the Grogar and Tirek temples about what they know, but first we should really make sure that our companions haven't done anything stupid like get infected with lycanthropy or fall into a well and die."
"I'm sure that even if I said 'no,' we'd be back here anyways."
I look around a bit. What time is it?
"We need to find the others. I still want to talk to the Grogar and Tirek temples about what they know, but first we should really make sure that our companions haven't done anything stupid like get infected with lycanthropy or fall into a well and die."
>>448159
The priests return with your helmet. It no longer looks like it was trampled under hoof, and also has a pair of sharp horns and larger eye holes.
"The Seed Council was able to repurpose some of its magic while they repaired it. Try it on."
>>448160
>>448162
The three of you soon arrive at the forest that surrounds the temple.
>>448163
"Look around the temple and I'm sure you will run into them. They will be tending to the trees and flowers in the forest, others in one of the various indoor gardens, praying, or relaxing outside or in the front room."
>>448166
"Once we are certain you can control yourself we will let you through without any hassle."
>>448167
Sorry. I've been too distracted by studying and video games. I can try winging it if you want.
The priests return with your helmet. It no longer looks like it was trampled under hoof, and also has a pair of sharp horns and larger eye holes.
"The Seed Council was able to repurpose some of its magic while they repaired it. Try it on."
>>448160
>>448162
The three of you soon arrive at the forest that surrounds the temple.
>>448163
"Look around the temple and I'm sure you will run into them. They will be tending to the trees and flowers in the forest, others in one of the various indoor gardens, praying, or relaxing outside or in the front room."
>>448166
"Once we are certain you can control yourself we will let you through without any hassle."
>>448167
Sorry. I've been too distracted by studying and video games. I can try winging it if you want.
>>448172
>>448174
>>448175
As the three of you are walking down the path all of you see Happyhorn, Brutus, and several priests armed with silver headed spears and wearing ironbark armor. Brutus's helmet looks different.
>>448173
The illusion that normally comes when you touch the helmet is no where near as strong and fades away after a few seconds.
>>448176
You ask a few questions and are led to a buffalo cow relaxing by the pond in the front room.
>>448177
There are some graves behind the temple.
>>448180
Sounds like a good idea.
>>448174
>>448175
As the three of you are walking down the path all of you see Happyhorn, Brutus, and several priests armed with silver headed spears and wearing ironbark armor. Brutus's helmet looks different.
>>448173
The illusion that normally comes when you touch the helmet is no where near as strong and fades away after a few seconds.
>>448176
You ask a few questions and are led to a buffalo cow relaxing by the pond in the front room.
>>448177
There are some graves behind the temple.
>>448180
Sounds like a good idea.
>>448183
>>448186
>>448187
The priests greet the three of you.
>>448189
She nods her head drowsily.
>>448190
"They were an imprint left by its previous owner's soul."
>>448191
Several ghosts rise from the graves.
"Dark Spirits and foul creatures?"
"Be more specific please, this city has gotten bad lately."
>>448192
"The Seed Council is the temple's guiding council of priests and priestesses."
>>448193
Maybe they are at the Nature temple with those vampires?
>>448194
"Andelia? she is either in the temple or with the Twins."
>>448186
>>448187
The priests greet the three of you.
>>448189
She nods her head drowsily.
>>448190
"They were an imprint left by its previous owner's soul."
>>448191
Several ghosts rise from the graves.
"Dark Spirits and foul creatures?"
"Be more specific please, this city has gotten bad lately."
>>448192
"The Seed Council is the temple's guiding council of priests and priestesses."
>>448193
Maybe they are at the Nature temple with those vampires?
>>448194
"Andelia? she is either in the temple or with the Twins."
>>448197
"Friends of the Twins are friends of ours."
You get back onto the path and quickly find the temple. There are plenty of priests and priestesses talking, reading, cuddling, and meditating outside. Inside Andelia is talking to a buffalo cow.
>>448198
"It's only an imprint. It would be like trying to talk to a painting."
>>448199
She again.
"The Seed Council asked that I be one of the ones to feed them. Their reasoning was that I was big enough to not suffer any problems if they drank too much and big enough to stop them if they tried to do anything evil."
She laughs at that last bit.
>>448200
You see everything Dreamkicker saw plus a few fruit trees outside.
>>448202
She is followed.
"Friends of the Twins are friends of ours."
You get back onto the path and quickly find the temple. There are plenty of priests and priestesses talking, reading, cuddling, and meditating outside. Inside Andelia is talking to a buffalo cow.
>>448198
"It's only an imprint. It would be like trying to talk to a painting."
>>448199
She again.
"The Seed Council asked that I be one of the ones to feed them. Their reasoning was that I was big enough to not suffer any problems if they drank too much and big enough to stop them if they tried to do anything evil."
She laughs at that last bit.
>>448200
You see everything Dreamkicker saw plus a few fruit trees outside.
>>448202
She is followed.
>>448206
"Of course."
>>448207
"The Grogarians and a few other death worshiping have been doing something in the graveyard, but they keep ghosts out or blind them while they work."
"The city is plagued by vampires, but none of us know where they stay."
"A bunch of werbeasts just showed up here and are being kept contained for the time being."
"We've not heard anything about Nighmares or Shadows, but then again we wouldn't. They can catch and eat ghosts."
"Discord's always doing something or other. He and the Laughing one just finished a joint venture to pants a minotaur deity."
>>448210
Apples. You get a few small buckets from near the trees and fill them with apples.
>>448211
Happyhorn and Brutus are talking with priests near the path away from the temple. Outside the temple are a bunch of priestesses and priests talking, cuddling, reading, and praying. Inside the temple are more priests and priestesses as well as Andelia, Bessy, Dreamkicker, and Pomelo.
>>448213
She nods again.
"Why do you ask?"
"Of course."
>>448207
"The Grogarians and a few other death worshiping have been doing something in the graveyard, but they keep ghosts out or blind them while they work."
"The city is plagued by vampires, but none of us know where they stay."
"A bunch of werbeasts just showed up here and are being kept contained for the time being."
"We've not heard anything about Nighmares or Shadows, but then again we wouldn't. They can catch and eat ghosts."
"Discord's always doing something or other. He and the Laughing one just finished a joint venture to pants a minotaur deity."
>>448210
Apples. You get a few small buckets from near the trees and fill them with apples.
>>448211
Happyhorn and Brutus are talking with priests near the path away from the temple. Outside the temple are a bunch of priestesses and priests talking, cuddling, reading, and praying. Inside the temple are more priests and priestesses as well as Andelia, Bessy, Dreamkicker, and Pomelo.
>>448213
She nods again.
"Why do you ask?"
>>448217
Ew, why would you be looking at a mare's neck?
>>448218
You sure do. You even recognize it as a vampire bite.
>>448220
She taps her chin with her hoof.
"I think I started to like socializing more. Yes, yes I did. Before them I would wander off into the forest and read once my duties for the day were done."
Ew, why would you be looking at a mare's neck?
>>448218
You sure do. You even recognize it as a vampire bite.
>>448220
She taps her chin with her hoof.
"I think I started to like socializing more. Yes, yes I did. Before them I would wander off into the forest and read once my duties for the day were done."
>>448253
"They are afraid one of us might try something. I enjoy the day too much to consider it, but I've not talked to the others to see how they feel."
>>448254
"I am very sure I know my gender, little goat."
>>448255
She shrugs.
"They told us being bitten was safe."
>>448257
"Any time, Andelia."
She pulls out a book and starts reading.
"They are afraid one of us might try something. I enjoy the day too much to consider it, but I've not talked to the others to see how they feel."
>>448254
"I am very sure I know my gender, little goat."
>>448255
She shrugs.
"They told us being bitten was safe."
>>448257
"Any time, Andelia."
She pulls out a book and starts reading.
>>448263
>>448259
I roll my eyes "It wasn't exactly like that, but the short version is never wake up a vampire early."
>>448258
>>448260
>>448261
I nod guiding you all to a more empty spot in the temple "so, you'll try to help figure it out? I've been getting the same answers from everyone so far: they were all normal priests and priestesses, very devot, a little stuffy, and ritualistic about things, now.. well you've seen how they are, very unpriest like.. and the change seem to have to do with feeding the twins, its more obvious in those that have fed them longer.. Everyone seems to believe the twins are beyond fault, and they all seem to barely notice anything changed at all. The twins definitely didn't do this on purpose, they had little experience in how ponies normally act and did not know the extend of the change. So, can you look in dreamkicker's book for a vampire's bite?"
>>448259
I roll my eyes "It wasn't exactly like that, but the short version is never wake up a vampire early."
>>448258
>>448260
>>448261
I nod guiding you all to a more empty spot in the temple "so, you'll try to help figure it out? I've been getting the same answers from everyone so far: they were all normal priests and priestesses, very devot, a little stuffy, and ritualistic about things, now.. well you've seen how they are, very unpriest like.. and the change seem to have to do with feeding the twins, its more obvious in those that have fed them longer.. Everyone seems to believe the twins are beyond fault, and they all seem to barely notice anything changed at all. The twins definitely didn't do this on purpose, they had little experience in how ponies normally act and did not know the extend of the change. So, can you look in dreamkicker's book for a vampire's bite?"
>>448265
"Let's leave this place and discuss what we know.
"And, just so we are all clear, we're not staying here with these perverts and plague victims tonight. I'd rather endure the midnight gong parties at the Pink temple than worry about protecting my honor here."
>>448267
I look through my book for the appropriate information.
'1d10'
scholar should help here
Roll #1 9 = 9
"Let's leave this place and discuss what we know.
"And, just so we are all clear, we're not staying here with these perverts and plague victims tonight. I'd rather endure the midnight gong parties at the Pink temple than worry about protecting my honor here."
>>448267
I look through my book for the appropriate information.
'1d10'
scholar should help here
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>448270
"You can go ahead and ask someone." I nod.
>>448268
I look disturbed at the idea "I hope not.."
>>448269
"They are perverts but not rapists, they won't violate your honor."
>>448273
"No, its not normal. In fact, the high seed themselves told me it wasn't normal, and that they are concerned."
>>448271
"Well, it does seem like that.. but.. no I spoke to them and that's definitely not what they're doing"
>>448274
"That doesn't surprise me, but where should we start to look?" I glance worriedly at Brutus "Maybe you should call him The Charioteer for now?"
>>448275
"Well, I've been bitten and I"m fine, but it does seem as if the bite effects their minds.."
"You can go ahead and ask someone." I nod.
>>448268
I look disturbed at the idea "I hope not.."
>>448269
"They are perverts but not rapists, they won't violate your honor."
>>448273
"No, its not normal. In fact, the high seed themselves told me it wasn't normal, and that they are concerned."
>>448271
"Well, it does seem like that.. but.. no I spoke to them and that's definitely not what they're doing"
>>448274
"That doesn't surprise me, but where should we start to look?" I glance worriedly at Brutus "Maybe you should call him The Charioteer for now?"
>>448275
"Well, I've been bitten and I"m fine, but it does seem as if the bite effects their minds.."
>>448275
"Perhaps…
"It's possible that their bite imparts some sort of low-level magical energy that builds up over time.
"It could also be that it does something that interacts with another magical source, which might explain why Andelia – who may not have been exposed to this second source – has not started molesting passers-by.
"In any case, I would like to talk to the Grogar and Tirek temples while we're here. They may know more."
"Perhaps…
"It's possible that their bite imparts some sort of low-level magical energy that builds up over time.
"It could also be that it does something that interacts with another magical source, which might explain why Andelia – who may not have been exposed to this second source – has not started molesting passers-by.
"In any case, I would like to talk to the Grogar and Tirek temples while we're here. They may know more."
>>448269
You find the relevant passage in your book.
Vampire Bite, the Dangers of:
Vampire bites tend to clot very slowly which is problematic for hemophiliacs. If the vampire is careful the bite will not hurt, and may even feel pleasant the first time. If the vampire stays inserted for long enough the victim will eventually experience a "floaty" sensation much like one who has been stupefied by a dentist before having a tooth drilled. Although it is rare for a victim to survive long enough repeated feedings will cause the victim to take on personality traits of the vampire that feeds on them and become subservient or even eager to do what they are told and what they think the vampire wants them to do. All evidence points to this being a natural effect of repeated feedings and not a deliberate action but the vampire, but once it reaches a certain point it becomes very similar to enthrallment. For more on enthrallment see the section dedicated to it.
You find the relevant passage in your book.
Vampire Bite, the Dangers of:
Vampire bites tend to clot very slowly which is problematic for hemophiliacs. If the vampire is careful the bite will not hurt, and may even feel pleasant the first time. If the vampire stays inserted for long enough the victim will eventually experience a "floaty" sensation much like one who has been stupefied by a dentist before having a tooth drilled. Although it is rare for a victim to survive long enough repeated feedings will cause the victim to take on personality traits of the vampire that feeds on them and become subservient or even eager to do what they are told and what they think the vampire wants them to do. All evidence points to this being a natural effect of repeated feedings and not a deliberate action but the vampire, but once it reaches a certain point it becomes very similar to enthrallment. For more on enthrallment see the section dedicated to it.
>>448280
"When they're in groups? An interesting theory, Bessy, and one we may be able to test easily enough by sending Andelia into a pack of these harlots and seeing if she feels any greater urge to shred her dignity."
>>448281
"Perhaps not, but I doubt the twins are being truthful with us, and even if they lie to us there, we may learn new information."
>>448284
"Ah, yes. They're being enthralled by the twins. Simple enough – their minds are becoming poisoned by our vampire friends, resulting in promiscuous behavior and a susceptibility to their suggestion."
Flip to the section on enthrallment for more.
"When they're in groups? An interesting theory, Bessy, and one we may be able to test easily enough by sending Andelia into a pack of these harlots and seeing if she feels any greater urge to shred her dignity."
>>448281
"Perhaps not, but I doubt the twins are being truthful with us, and even if they lie to us there, we may learn new information."
>>448284
"Ah, yes. They're being enthralled by the twins. Simple enough – their minds are becoming poisoned by our vampire friends, resulting in promiscuous behavior and a susceptibility to their suggestion."
Flip to the section on enthrallment for more.
>>448286
Enthrallment:
Even moderately skilled vampires are capable of enthralling the living with their magic. The strong, and usually older, a vampire is the more completely it can enthrall a living creature. Enthralled creatures are compelled to obey a vampires orders and can even act with complete disregard for their own life, although a weakly enthralled person may still be able to act against their master in subtle ways or even break free if their will is strong enough. If the enthrallment is complete enough or if it lasts long enough a full recovery is impossible even with the destruction of the vampire. Note that this is different from what can happen to a victim that is repeatedly fed on as enthralled people do not take on the personality traits of their vampire masters.
Enthrallment:
Even moderately skilled vampires are capable of enthralling the living with their magic. The strong, and usually older, a vampire is the more completely it can enthrall a living creature. Enthralled creatures are compelled to obey a vampires orders and can even act with complete disregard for their own life, although a weakly enthralled person may still be able to act against their master in subtle ways or even break free if their will is strong enough. If the enthrallment is complete enough or if it lasts long enough a full recovery is impossible even with the destruction of the vampire. Note that this is different from what can happen to a victim that is repeatedly fed on as enthralled people do not take on the personality traits of their vampire masters.
>>448288
I think back "When I told them about how everyone was acting they were shocked, they swore they didn't intentionally do any magic on the priestesses here and didn't know they were so.. perverted all the time, thought it was just around them because they were great in bed. I asked them a lot of questions about it, maybe I overlooked something?"
I think back "When I told them about how everyone was acting they were shocked, they swore they didn't intentionally do any magic on the priestesses here and didn't know they were so.. perverted all the time, thought it was just around them because they were great in bed. I asked them a lot of questions about it, maybe I overlooked something?"
>>448291
"Well, at least it's not proper enthrallment. If they were being deliberately enthralled, it's likely they wouldn't be touching one another nearly as much. Well, they could, if the twins were enthralling the nature-lovers and then ordering them to do that to each other – that seems like something they might do just for fun.
"But I doubt the twins are powerful enough for that."
Hey let's flip to a section on how vampirism proper spreads.
>>448295
"Maybe. It's also possible, though unlikely, that we are witnessing a vampire conspiracy of immense proportions, in which another vampire or vampires has truly enthralled the druids without the twins' knowing, ordering them to mimic the effects of this lesser enthrallment.
"In any case, we certainly have the means to track vampire feeding populations, at least in the short term. Be on the lookout for ponies acting strangely."
"Well, at least it's not proper enthrallment. If they were being deliberately enthralled, it's likely they wouldn't be touching one another nearly as much. Well, they could, if the twins were enthralling the nature-lovers and then ordering them to do that to each other – that seems like something they might do just for fun.
"But I doubt the twins are powerful enough for that."
Hey let's flip to a section on how vampirism proper spreads.
>>448295
"Maybe. It's also possible, though unlikely, that we are witnessing a vampire conspiracy of immense proportions, in which another vampire or vampires has truly enthralled the druids without the twins' knowing, ordering them to mimic the effects of this lesser enthrallment.
"In any case, we certainly have the means to track vampire feeding populations, at least in the short term. Be on the lookout for ponies acting strangely."
I forgot to mention this in >>448284
Victims will slowly recover as long as they are not fed on, but repeated feedings over a short period of time will stop or retard the recovery. If the feedings are spaced far enough apart it is assumed that a victim will recover or never develop the problem in the first place.
>>448297
Vampirism, the Spread of:
Vampirism is spread by infected blood entering the bloodstream of a non infected person. This can be done by a vampire biting itself then biting a victim, by poisoning a weapon or consumable, or in any other way a clever vampire or poisoner can imagine.
Victims will slowly recover as long as they are not fed on, but repeated feedings over a short period of time will stop or retard the recovery. If the feedings are spaced far enough apart it is assumed that a victim will recover or never develop the problem in the first place.
>>448297
Vampirism, the Spread of:
Vampirism is spread by infected blood entering the bloodstream of a non infected person. This can be done by a vampire biting itself then biting a victim, by poisoning a weapon or consumable, or in any other way a clever vampire or poisoner can imagine.
>>448306
"Or they could actually be ignorant. I once thought all lycanthropes were mindless creatures, after all, but I was proved quite wrong."
I'll shrug.
"If it's explained to them what they're doing, do you really think they wouldn't switch feeding methods? If they refuse to do so, then the Seed Council would just have them dragged out into the daylight."
"Or they could actually be ignorant. I once thought all lycanthropes were mindless creatures, after all, but I was proved quite wrong."
I'll shrug.
"If it's explained to them what they're doing, do you really think they wouldn't switch feeding methods? If they refuse to do so, then the Seed Council would just have them dragged out into the daylight."
>>448307
"That's not a good idea for reasons that I feel should be patently obvious.
"While it would be unlikely that the twins called us here simply to enthrall the lot of us, it's possible that they might take advantage of you to do so. It would make sense – call us here, have us eradicate their rivals, and then enslave us as their… playthings."
My butt cheeks clench a little.
>>448309
"The book says that you will be fine so long as you don't continue to be bitten. You'll recover from the bite's side-effects in time. But if you continue to be bitten, you'll gradually become like them and grow more susceptible to their manipulations."
"That's not a good idea for reasons that I feel should be patently obvious.
"While it would be unlikely that the twins called us here simply to enthrall the lot of us, it's possible that they might take advantage of you to do so. It would make sense – call us here, have us eradicate their rivals, and then enslave us as their… playthings."
My butt cheeks clench a little.
>>448309
"The book says that you will be fine so long as you don't continue to be bitten. You'll recover from the bite's side-effects in time. But if you continue to be bitten, you'll gradually become like them and grow more susceptible to their manipulations."
>>448313
"You think I shouldn't stay? But I can't wake them up early again, and I have to tell them about their bite's effect." I sigh "I guess I can leave them a letter about it, but that seems so impersonal and I'm not going to be effected unless I"m bitten again."
>>448314
I frown "Alright, I'll have someone with me."
"You think I shouldn't stay? But I can't wake them up early again, and I have to tell them about their bite's effect." I sigh "I guess I can leave them a letter about it, but that seems so impersonal and I'm not going to be effected unless I"m bitten again."
>>448314
I frown "Alright, I'll have someone with me."
>>448331
"Its still really early, but okay if you want to leave." I pause a bit "but I should tell you, were-creatures and vampires don't usually get along. The twins being followers of nature won't be effected, but you.. would probably feel the urge to attack any vampire you see. Just thought you should be aware of it."
"Its still really early, but okay if you want to leave." I pause a bit "but I should tell you, were-creatures and vampires don't usually get along. The twins being followers of nature won't be effected, but you.. would probably feel the urge to attack any vampire you see. Just thought you should be aware of it."
>>448334
I'll chuckle.
"These lessons are so you don't. And just think, once my armor gets enchanted properly, you'll have a ride that comes in buffalo, and warg. Not many goats can say that."
>>448336
"It should be no harder to control that urge than to control whatever else springs up from my transformation."
I'll chuckle.
"These lessons are so you don't. And just think, once my armor gets enchanted properly, you'll have a ride that comes in buffalo, and warg. Not many goats can say that."
>>448336
"It should be no harder to control that urge than to control whatever else springs up from my transformation."
>>448339
"Ask cloe for more details when you go to train, but from what I heard its almost irresistible for non-nature worshiping were-beasts, and well its the same for other species of monster too.. just be careful." I smile a bit "And don't let dreamkicker use you as bait to lure out vampires, as well as that might work it wouldn't be safe."
"Ask cloe for more details when you go to train, but from what I heard its almost irresistible for non-nature worshiping were-beasts, and well its the same for other species of monster too.. just be careful." I smile a bit "And don't let dreamkicker use you as bait to lure out vampires, as well as that might work it wouldn't be safe."
The party is currently in a part of the Nature temple awway form all the priests and priestesses. From talking with members of the Nature clergy and one of Dreamkicker's books all of you have learned that excessive biting has caused all of the priests and priestesses, some more than others, to take on the traits of the Twin. The excessive biting has also made all of them more open to suggestion by the Twins. Whether or not the Twins know this is unknown.
It is currently an hour after noon. The party is currently without a job but Dreamkicker still has those two fliers in his saddle bags.
It is currently an hour after noon. The party is currently without a job but Dreamkicker still has those two fliers in his saddle bags.
>>452331
There is a help wanted ad asking for "discreet individuals wanting to advance the fields of science and magic" that was posted by a Doctor Frank Intense. The reward for this one seems a bit small.
There is an add asking for adventurers to gather and discuss ways to combat the vampire menace. The reward for this one is moderate.
There is a help wanted ad asking for "discreet individuals wanting to advance the fields of science and magic" that was posted by a Doctor Frank Intense. The reward for this one seems a bit small.
There is an add asking for adventurers to gather and discuss ways to combat the vampire menace. The reward for this one is moderate.
>>452337
"I for one am tired of being a target for crazed hemophiles' appetites, and I think we should take an attempt to speak to a learned person here as an opportunity to not only gain some cash but to possibly gain in our knowledge and power.
"So my vote, such as it is, is for this 'Dr. Intense.'"
"I for one am tired of being a target for crazed hemophiles' appetites, and I think we should take an attempt to speak to a learned person here as an opportunity to not only gain some cash but to possibly gain in our knowledge and power.
"So my vote, such as it is, is for this 'Dr. Intense.'"
>>452343
"And I suspect that this gathering of vampire hunters business is a trap. The vampires send out their thralls to impersonate adventurers and hunters and such, we all meet in a 'safe' place, and then we suddenly find ourselves being made into thralls ourselves.
"Come to think of it, it would not surprise me one bit if half of the vampire hunters in this city are under the control of the vampire cabal."
"And I suspect that this gathering of vampire hunters business is a trap. The vampires send out their thralls to impersonate adventurers and hunters and such, we all meet in a 'safe' place, and then we suddenly find ourselves being made into thralls ourselves.
"Come to think of it, it would not surprise me one bit if half of the vampire hunters in this city are under the control of the vampire cabal."
>>452354
"Have you considered learning to soften your tone, or are you just going to go about the rest of your life as an ill-tempered, sharp-tongued unicorn?"
>>452355
>>452356
"Regardless, I can't do it tonight. The others wanted me back earlier than yesterday, so I'll be leaving in the next hour or two."
"Have you considered learning to soften your tone, or are you just going to go about the rest of your life as an ill-tempered, sharp-tongued unicorn?"
>>452355
>>452356
"Regardless, I can't do it tonight. The others wanted me back earlier than yesterday, so I'll be leaving in the next hour or two."
>>452384
>>452385
>>452386
>>452388
>>452389
It takes a while to get all the way across the city, but once you get there ponies are able to direct you all to the address. The houses in this part of the city are spaced out enough to allow alleyways to snake between each of them and are built in a way that reminds you all of ancient castles. They are all large and made of dark, damp looking, and uneven stone and have similar looking roof tiles. The streets are rough and look like they were made from stone left over when the houses were finished. The gloominess is made worse by the fact that lots of the houses here back right up to the Barrier, the tall, thick, storm cloud topped wall that separates the Forsaken district from all the other districts. The din of the Adventurer's disctrict can be heard from here, but only faintly.
All of you are now standing in front of the correct house. The windows are dark. There is a cast iron knockee on the door in the shape of a ring.
>>452385
>>452386
>>452388
>>452389
It takes a while to get all the way across the city, but once you get there ponies are able to direct you all to the address. The houses in this part of the city are spaced out enough to allow alleyways to snake between each of them and are built in a way that reminds you all of ancient castles. They are all large and made of dark, damp looking, and uneven stone and have similar looking roof tiles. The streets are rough and look like they were made from stone left over when the houses were finished. The gloominess is made worse by the fact that lots of the houses here back right up to the Barrier, the tall, thick, storm cloud topped wall that separates the Forsaken district from all the other districts. The din of the Adventurer's disctrict can be heard from here, but only faintly.
All of you are now standing in front of the correct house. The windows are dark. There is a cast iron knockee on the door in the shape of a ring.
>>452403
>>452406
>>452408
"Oh? Oh! The doctor will be pleased!"
The thick wooden door creaks open and reveals a bug-eyed, hunchbacked donkey. The hallway is very poorly lit by dirty candles. He hobbles over to a staircase and beings to climb it.
"Come! Come! Walk this way! The doctor will see you all now!"
>>452406
>>452408
"Oh? Oh! The doctor will be pleased!"
The thick wooden door creaks open and reveals a bug-eyed, hunchbacked donkey. The hallway is very poorly lit by dirty candles. He hobbles over to a staircase and beings to climb it.
"Come! Come! Walk this way! The doctor will see you all now!"
>>452417
You trundle off and arrive at the forest as the sun nears the end of its journey to the horizon. Once you enter a few wolves step out and twist into ponies, donkeys, and zebras.
"Punctual. Good. How are your friends doing?"
>>452411
"What do you mean?"
He doesn't mean any of you any harm.
>>452412
Dark and dreary. Cobwebs and dust cover everything above the donkey's ear level. Presumably his hunch makes it impossible for him to reach that high. Old portraits of buffaloes line the walls.
>>452413
>>452415
>>452416
"The doctor is always about his work. He cares not for the rest of the house."
The donkey leads you all up the stairs and to a door which he knocks on.
"Doctor? Your flier idea worked and people have come. There is even a doctor from the university of Canterlot in Equestria!"
Several fast, booming steps can be heard running across the room before the door is pulled open by a gaunt buffalo. His eyes are slightly sunken and there are deep bags under them. It appears that he has made an attempt to straighten and oil down the fuzz on his head.
"A doctor? From Canterlot?"
He looks wildly at all of you.
"Who? Who is it? What is your field of study?"
You trundle off and arrive at the forest as the sun nears the end of its journey to the horizon. Once you enter a few wolves step out and twist into ponies, donkeys, and zebras.
"Punctual. Good. How are your friends doing?"
>>452411
"What do you mean?"
He doesn't mean any of you any harm.
>>452412
Dark and dreary. Cobwebs and dust cover everything above the donkey's ear level. Presumably his hunch makes it impossible for him to reach that high. Old portraits of buffaloes line the walls.
>>452413
>>452415
>>452416
"The doctor is always about his work. He cares not for the rest of the house."
The donkey leads you all up the stairs and to a door which he knocks on.
"Doctor? Your flier idea worked and people have come. There is even a doctor from the university of Canterlot in Equestria!"
Several fast, booming steps can be heard running across the room before the door is pulled open by a gaunt buffalo. His eyes are slightly sunken and there are deep bags under them. It appears that he has made an attempt to straighten and oil down the fuzz on his head.
"A doctor? From Canterlot?"
He looks wildly at all of you.
"Who? Who is it? What is your field of study?"
>>452420
The buffalo nods sadly.
"My assistant tells me that this city is not what it used to be. Nevertheless, I am a scholar, an honest bull of science."
>>452423
They shake their heads.
"Have you tried throwing him against a wall and beating on him until he submits? That's how we deal with troublemakers in our group."
>>452424
"Diving the past and future? Interesting, very interesting. Do you catch much grief for your non-standard choice of study? I am a doctor of the biological sciences. I seek through the natural world what a seasoned mage with the most powerful magic struggles to do. This has, of course, offended my colleges. Oh, but listen to me talk. Please, come in. I have a job for you all and I must explain what it is. Ritz, fetch the guest some refreshments."
The donkey walks back to the staircase and carefully goes down while the buffalo backs away and motions you all into an unkempt study. There are many charts hanging from the walls and half-empty bookcases with hazardous stacks of books nearby. Several tables have stacks of paper, jars of ink, and quills stacked next to dirty plates and glasses. There are a few simple pieces of glass labware scattered around the room. A large, sagging couch looks like it has been serving as a bed. Candles and a chandelier provide most of the light in the room. The buffalo starts to clear books, papers, and rolled up charts off of other chairs and couches.
"I apologize for the mess. I get so caught up in my work that I loose sight of the world around me, and I had quite given up hope of anyone responding to my fliers."
The buffalo nods sadly.
"My assistant tells me that this city is not what it used to be. Nevertheless, I am a scholar, an honest bull of science."
>>452423
They shake their heads.
"Have you tried throwing him against a wall and beating on him until he submits? That's how we deal with troublemakers in our group."
>>452424
"Diving the past and future? Interesting, very interesting. Do you catch much grief for your non-standard choice of study? I am a doctor of the biological sciences. I seek through the natural world what a seasoned mage with the most powerful magic struggles to do. This has, of course, offended my colleges. Oh, but listen to me talk. Please, come in. I have a job for you all and I must explain what it is. Ritz, fetch the guest some refreshments."
The donkey walks back to the staircase and carefully goes down while the buffalo backs away and motions you all into an unkempt study. There are many charts hanging from the walls and half-empty bookcases with hazardous stacks of books nearby. Several tables have stacks of paper, jars of ink, and quills stacked next to dirty plates and glasses. There are a few simple pieces of glass labware scattered around the room. A large, sagging couch looks like it has been serving as a bed. Candles and a chandelier provide most of the light in the room. The buffalo starts to clear books, papers, and rolled up charts off of other chairs and couches.
"I apologize for the mess. I get so caught up in my work that I loose sight of the world around me, and I had quite given up hope of anyone responding to my fliers."
>>452426
Andelia
>>452427
"More practice. I think Cloey wants to you try turning on your own without waiting for the moon."
The lot of you are approaching the cave entrance from which the river flows. A wersquid waves at your group from the water.
>>452428
He coughs.
"Well, nothing yet. The college gives me an insulting small budget to do my research with, but I will show them. I will prove that my theories are correct."
>>452429
"Science. More specifically, I study the living body and how it functions. I seek to understand the fundamental essence that makes creatures live and preserves them until it leaves or is taken from them."
>>452430
"I need you all to gather experiment materials for me. The payment is not much, I admit, but you may all keep any wealth you find while searching for the things I need."
>>452431
>>452432
He chuckles dryly.
"The Queen of Sciences, yes. Have you ever told a mage that all he does is practice math? I have never seen a pony so unjustly angry before. I need you and your subordinates to find me the things I need. I have acquired what I can myself, but I still lack a few items that I will need to conduct what I hope is my final experiment in this phase of my research."
Andelia
He certainly is. He even believes himself to be more of a scholar than his colleagues that rely so heavily on magic.
>>452427
"More practice. I think Cloey wants to you try turning on your own without waiting for the moon."
The lot of you are approaching the cave entrance from which the river flows. A wersquid waves at your group from the water.
>>452428
He coughs.
"Well, nothing yet. The college gives me an insulting small budget to do my research with, but I will show them. I will prove that my theories are correct."
>>452429
"Science. More specifically, I study the living body and how it functions. I seek to understand the fundamental essence that makes creatures live and preserves them until it leaves or is taken from them."
>>452430
"I need you all to gather experiment materials for me. The payment is not much, I admit, but you may all keep any wealth you find while searching for the things I need."
>>452431
>>452432
He chuckles dryly.
"The Queen of Sciences, yes. Have you ever told a mage that all he does is practice math? I have never seen a pony so unjustly angry before. I need you and your subordinates to find me the things I need. I have acquired what I can myself, but I still lack a few items that I will need to conduct what I hope is my final experiment in this phase of my research."
>>452433
>>452437
"Yes, what would you find out about animating forces and all that with microscopes and alchemy sets that we cannot learn through divination? I've seen souls, separated my own from my body on a routine basis, in fact.
"But while I doubt you'll find anything new, I am certainly curious about your work. What do you need us to find?"
>>452437
"Yes, what would you find out about animating forces and all that with microscopes and alchemy sets that we cannot learn through divination? I've seen souls, separated my own from my body on a routine basis, in fact.
"But while I doubt you'll find anything new, I am certainly curious about your work. What do you need us to find?"
>>452434
They wave at him as they pass by.
"He's an odd one. We have absolutely no idea where his strain came from."
Cloey finds you once you and the others have moved farther into the cave. There are a lot of wercreatures with her, but they are not transformed at the moment.
"I'm going to keep this sort to give you as much time as possible. I want you to try and force yourself to transform before the sun touches the horizon and forces your transformation."
>>452435
"Certain…things. I want to make sure you all understand what I am attempting to do and how important it is before I reveal what I need."
>>452436
"Oh, yes. I have a list somewhere. What would you like to talk to me about?"
>>452437
"No, not a soul. Liches are proof that the possession of a soul does not necessarily mean you are alive in a biological sense, and vampires are proof that the lack of a soul necessarily means you are completely dead. I can study souls more, and vampires and liches, once I prove my theories sound and obtain more money from the college."
>>452438
"Souls are not the point of this. There is some spark, some animating force, that gives true life to creatures. I intend to capture the essence of this spark; to harness it, even."
>>452439
"You really believe so? I will tell you what I have told the other doubters: The spark I look for is the same one that sets the fetus to growing in the womb once it is conceived. I seek to measure it in a way that does not require such acts and commitments."
>>452440
"Very important. Vital, even."
Ritz returns with two trays on his back. On the trays are chipped teacups and chipped pots of tea.
They wave at him as they pass by.
"He's an odd one. We have absolutely no idea where his strain came from."
Cloey finds you once you and the others have moved farther into the cave. There are a lot of wercreatures with her, but they are not transformed at the moment.
"I'm going to keep this sort to give you as much time as possible. I want you to try and force yourself to transform before the sun touches the horizon and forces your transformation."
>>452435
"Certain…things. I want to make sure you all understand what I am attempting to do and how important it is before I reveal what I need."
>>452436
"Oh, yes. I have a list somewhere. What would you like to talk to me about?"
>>452437
"No, not a soul. Liches are proof that the possession of a soul does not necessarily mean you are alive in a biological sense, and vampires are proof that the lack of a soul necessarily means you are completely dead. I can study souls more, and vampires and liches, once I prove my theories sound and obtain more money from the college."
>>452438
"Souls are not the point of this. There is some spark, some animating force, that gives true life to creatures. I intend to capture the essence of this spark; to harness it, even."
>>452439
"You really believe so? I will tell you what I have told the other doubters: The spark I look for is the same one that sets the fetus to growing in the womb once it is conceived. I seek to measure it in a way that does not require such acts and commitments."
>>452440
"Very important. Vital, even."
Ritz returns with two trays on his back. On the trays are chipped teacups and chipped pots of tea.
>>452442
You turn your mind inwards and find the werwarg sleeping in the depths of your mind.
Roll.
>>452443
"The mind is a product of the animating force. A necromancer can control a dead corpse like a puppet, but only the most skilled can force the animating force back into a body once it has died and succeed more often than they fail. I seek to harness that animating force without the aid of magic."
>>452444
"By using the laws of existence as they are written! Magic twists, bends, and even breaks the laws of reality. When I do it I shall play by the rules!"
>>452445
"You understand perfectly except for one single point. I seek to animate a diamond dog"
>>452446
"Of course not. Doing such a thing would be all my colleagues would need to kick me out of the college and have the guards lock me in a cell or exile me from the city."
>>452447
The tea leaves are stale and the tea is watery.
"No and no. I seek to build a natural life; a real life."
You turn your mind inwards and find the werwarg sleeping in the depths of your mind.
Roll.
>>452443
"The mind is a product of the animating force. A necromancer can control a dead corpse like a puppet, but only the most skilled can force the animating force back into a body once it has died and succeed more often than they fail. I seek to harness that animating force without the aid of magic."
>>452444
"By using the laws of existence as they are written! Magic twists, bends, and even breaks the laws of reality. When I do it I shall play by the rules!"
>>452445
"You understand perfectly except for one single point. I seek to animate a diamond dog"
>>452446
"Of course not. Doing such a thing would be all my colleagues would need to kick me out of the college and have the guards lock me in a cell or exile me from the city."
>>452447
The tea leaves are stale and the tea is watery.
"No and no. I seek to build a natural life; a real life."
>>452449
It wakes up. Whether or not it will behave is as of yet unkown. it growls at you and looks as if it is about to attack.
Roll.
>>452450
"You mean the forces of Nature? I am afraid that linguistics is not my strong suit. when I use words like nature and Natural I do not refer to the godly power that favors the trees, the animals, and those that can coexist with the trees and the animals."
>>452451
>>452452
"Because diamond dogs are bipedal. Their corpses lie flat on an operating table. If I had chosen to use a four legged subject i would need to rotate the body back and forth over and over again."
>>452453
"Maybe some slight emotional trauma, but nothing physical or lasting. I am an ethical bull."
>>452454
"All of them are. The body will be constructed from limbs and organs of many corpses so that none can say I used the magic of the Lifebinders. All I still need are a right arm, a right foot, a lower left leg, and a tail. I have sources in mind for each. it is important that the being be strong enough to keep the spark of life within himself once I have guided it into his body."
>>452455
He rolls his eyes.
"That is what the fire mages told the creator of the chemical match."
There are some dead moths on top of the bookcases.
It wakes up. Whether or not it will behave is as of yet unkown. it growls at you and looks as if it is about to attack.
Roll.
>>452450
"You mean the forces of Nature? I am afraid that linguistics is not my strong suit. when I use words like nature and Natural I do not refer to the godly power that favors the trees, the animals, and those that can coexist with the trees and the animals."
>>452451
>>452452
"Because diamond dogs are bipedal. Their corpses lie flat on an operating table. If I had chosen to use a four legged subject i would need to rotate the body back and forth over and over again."
>>452453
"Maybe some slight emotional trauma, but nothing physical or lasting. I am an ethical bull."
>>452454
"All of them are. The body will be constructed from limbs and organs of many corpses so that none can say I used the magic of the Lifebinders. All I still need are a right arm, a right foot, a lower left leg, and a tail. I have sources in mind for each. it is important that the being be strong enough to keep the spark of life within himself once I have guided it into his body."
>>452455
He rolls his eyes.
"That is what the fire mages told the creator of the chemical match."
There are some dead moths on top of the bookcases.
>>452457
The werwarg snarls and attacks you. It nearly forces your mind to yield but your will is enoough to hold its own, at least for now.
Roll.
>>452458
"What? No. What would give you that idea?"
>>452459
"They are both natural things."
>>452460
"She knows the magic of the Lifebinders? Really?"
He laughs.
"It will be good for her to watch when I finally succeed. How handy are you with a knife, little goat? You will need to cut some ropes."
>>452461
"Dig up fresh graves, open fresh tombs, and cut down hanged criminals. Bring me the bodies and I can take from them the needed parts."
>>452462
"I just told your superior. I see you Equestrian students have the same problem of not hearing things not said specifically to you that the local students have."
The werwarg snarls and attacks you. It nearly forces your mind to yield but your will is enoough to hold its own, at least for now.
Roll.
>>452458
"What? No. What would give you that idea?"
>>452459
"They are both natural things."
>>452460
"She knows the magic of the Lifebinders? Really?"
He laughs.
"It will be good for her to watch when I finally succeed. How handy are you with a knife, little goat? You will need to cut some ropes."
>>452461
"Dig up fresh graves, open fresh tombs, and cut down hanged criminals. Bring me the bodies and I can take from them the needed parts."
>>452462
"I just told your superior. I see you Equestrian students have the same problem of not hearing things not said specifically to you that the local students have."
>>452470
>>452468
"Quite right. There's something very untoward about grave robbing. I could chip a hoof, and that is very painful. Also it's really a job for somepony with a much lower skillset. Can't you think of another source of body parts? We could, for instance, raid these Grogarites for the parts they've likely stolen."
>>452468
"Quite right. There's something very untoward about grave robbing. I could chip a hoof, and that is very painful. Also it's really a job for somepony with a much lower skillset. Can't you think of another source of body parts? We could, for instance, raid these Grogarites for the parts they've likely stolen."
>>452465
The tide of battle shifts as your will forces the werwarg down. You can feel it begin to weaken.
Roll.
>>452467
"I think you are projecting something, miss. I can't prove anything by inseminating a cow. If I could have I would have put up a wanted add for one instead of the flier I had Ritz post."
>>452469
"For all I know the Grogarians are innocent in the grave robbing. I don't expect any of you to be fighting anything other than drunks in the Adventurer's district or vampires if you stay out too late."
>>452470
"You can leave the valuables behind if you want. Taking a body isn't robbing."
>>452471
"I've heard of the problem, yes. I will see about capturing one once I have succeeded in harnessing the power of the life force. Starving one for a few days and leaving it under a smocked glass skylight should weaken it sufficiently to be tested, and a strict diet and washing regime of garlic will keep Ritz and I safe from anything beyond a physical assault. That is for later, though."
>>452472
"Aquiring bodies from the Grogarians runs the risk of necromantic contamination in the body mare. I want the limbs and organs to be as free of magic as they were the day they died. If you wish to have Grogarians dig grave and cut down gallows fruit for you be my guest, just so long as they don't reanimate the bodies."
The tide of battle shifts as your will forces the werwarg down. You can feel it begin to weaken.
Roll.
>>452467
"I think you are projecting something, miss. I can't prove anything by inseminating a cow. If I could have I would have put up a wanted add for one instead of the flier I had Ritz post."
>>452469
"For all I know the Grogarians are innocent in the grave robbing. I don't expect any of you to be fighting anything other than drunks in the Adventurer's district or vampires if you stay out too late."
>>452470
"You can leave the valuables behind if you want. Taking a body isn't robbing."
>>452471
"I've heard of the problem, yes. I will see about capturing one once I have succeeded in harnessing the power of the life force. Starving one for a few days and leaving it under a smocked glass skylight should weaken it sufficiently to be tested, and a strict diet and washing regime of garlic will keep Ritz and I safe from anything beyond a physical assault. That is for later, though."
>>452472
"Aquiring bodies from the Grogarians runs the risk of necromantic contamination in the body mare. I want the limbs and organs to be as free of magic as they were the day they died. If you wish to have Grogarians dig grave and cut down gallows fruit for you be my guest, just so long as they don't reanimate the bodies."
>>452474
You pin it down under the weight of your mind. Take control.
Roll.
>>452475
"Good, good. I cannot reward you with much money, yet. Buy all of you will be famous. I will remember everyone that has helped me."
>>452476
"Yes, I have bags for you to use. Please let me do the separating unless one of you has experience as a surgeon or mortician."
>>452478
"Of course I won't The only thing I will hurt with him is pride of those that said i was mad."
You pin it down under the weight of your mind. Take control.
Roll.
>>452475
"Good, good. I cannot reward you with much money, yet. Buy all of you will be famous. I will remember everyone that has helped me."
>>452476
"Yes, I have bags for you to use. Please let me do the separating unless one of you has experience as a surgeon or mortician."
>>452478
"Of course I won't The only thing I will hurt with him is pride of those that said i was mad."
>>452485
It roars in your face and prepares to jump through your mind and into your body.
Roll to stop it.
>>452486
"Fame for discovering a way to bring the dead back to life without any side effects like their soul being forever destroyed. I am open to the discussion of payment that does not consist of currency."
It roars in your face and prepares to jump through your mind and into your body.
Roll to stop it.
>>452486
"Fame for discovering a way to bring the dead back to life without any side effects like their soul being forever destroyed. I am open to the discussion of payment that does not consist of currency."
>>452488
You force it off of you and square off against it.You can feel the moon as it draws closer and closer to rising and pulling the werwarg into your body. You need to finish this fast.
Roll.
>>452489
"My house back up again the Barrier, but there are cellar doors on the side of the house that Ritz can open for you when you drop off what you have found."
You force it off of you and square off against it.You can feel the moon as it draws closer and closer to rising and pulling the werwarg into your body. You need to finish this fast.
Roll.
>>452489
"My house back up again the Barrier, but there are cellar doors on the side of the house that Ritz can open for you when you drop off what you have found."
>>452496
You hook it by the throat with a horn, but it is just a second too late. Inside your head you can see a silver sliver rise above the horizon and the werwarg, battered and bruised, tears through your mind and makes your body its own.
"Focus, Brutus!"
Roll with a +2 modifier.
>>452497
"Follow the Barrier east and keep going until you are out of the Adventurer's district then follow the curve of it south."
You hook it by the throat with a horn, but it is just a second too late. Inside your head you can see a silver sliver rise above the horizon and the werwarg, battered and bruised, tears through your mind and makes your body its own.
"Focus, Brutus!"
Roll with a +2 modifier.
>>452497
"Follow the Barrier east and keep going until you are out of the Adventurer's district then follow the curve of it south."
>>452499
The memory of how you regained control of your form is still fresh in your mind from lasst night. That, combined with the worn out werwarg and the sound of Cloey's voice lets you take control of your changed form and send the werwarg back to the depths of your mind.
>>452500
He shakes his head.
"I am afraid not."
The memory of how you regained control of your form is still fresh in your mind from lasst night. That, combined with the worn out werwarg and the sound of Cloey's voice lets you take control of your changed form and send the werwarg back to the depths of your mind.
>>452500
He shakes his head.
"I am afraid not."
>>452504
I'll lean into the scratch a bit. This is a new and interesting sensation.
"Glad that I'm doing better than expected."
I'll sit.
"Say, I know most of you all haven't really been to the city much, but do any of you recall a group that discusses vampires near sundown? The others and I thought that was kinda suspicious, so I was wondering if you all had any ideas."
I'll lean into the scratch a bit. This is a new and interesting sensation.
"Glad that I'm doing better than expected."
I'll sit.
"Say, I know most of you all haven't really been to the city much, but do any of you recall a group that discusses vampires near sundown? The others and I thought that was kinda suspicious, so I was wondering if you all had any ideas."
>>452507
"We weren't sure if they were actually hunters, or just a clever trap baited with thralls. And if they're neither, then why wait until near sundown for their vampire chat? Why not while the sun is still high?"
I'll let out a small huff.
"Worst part is, I can't help them look into it until I get the dog in my head to accept that I'm the one calling the shots."
"We weren't sure if they were actually hunters, or just a clever trap baited with thralls. And if they're neither, then why wait until near sundown for their vampire chat? Why not while the sun is still high?"
I'll let out a small huff.
"Worst part is, I can't help them look into it until I get the dog in my head to accept that I'm the one calling the shots."
>>452508
She shrugs.
"Ponies have jobs during the day, right? We are really the wrong people to ask about this. Rest for a bit and try to turn back."
You can try next time.
>>452510
"Grogar and Tirek are two different deities. One of a ram and the other is some sort of abomination. Ritz can get you the bags and shovels while I make the list of what you need and where to find it."
She shrugs.
"Ponies have jobs during the day, right? We are really the wrong people to ask about this. Rest for a bit and try to turn back."
You can try next time.
>>452510
"Grogar and Tirek are two different deities. One of a ram and the other is some sort of abomination. Ritz can get you the bags and shovels while I make the list of what you need and where to find it."
The party is in the study of an old house with a buffalo "scientist" and his hunchbacked donkey manservant. He has told the party of his intentions to construct a diamond dog corpse and raise it from the dead without the use of magic, but needs their help to harvest body parts he has not yet acquired. He hoofs one of you a list of body parts that he needs and where they can be found.
Right leg: Gallows
Left arm paw: Gallows, grave plot #758.
[i]Tail: grave plot #760
"Those should not be too hard to find. Please bring the whole body if you can, I do not wish the limbs to be hacked off brutishly."
Right leg: Gallows
Left arm paw: Gallows, grave plot #758.
[i]Tail: grave plot #760
"Those should not be too hard to find. Please bring the whole body if you can, I do not wish the limbs to be hacked off brutishly."
>>456060
>>456061
>>456062
>>456065
>>456068
All of you quickly leave the house and make it through the Adventurer's district. Even though it is the evening there are still plenty of drunks out trying to get one last drink before retreating to theirs rooms. Eventually the party makes it to the graveyard and sees the gallows. Among a few of the shapes hanging there are two diamond dogs.
All of you please roll.
>>456067
You start barking and chasing your tail.
>>456061
>>456062
>>456065
>>456068
All of you quickly leave the house and make it through the Adventurer's district. Even though it is the evening there are still plenty of drunks out trying to get one last drink before retreating to theirs rooms. Eventually the party makes it to the graveyard and sees the gallows. Among a few of the shapes hanging there are two diamond dogs.
All of you please roll.
>>456067
You start barking and chasing your tail.
>>456074
You stop chasing your tail. The other werbeasts in the cave with you are snickering.
>>456076
>>456077
Both of you can see gaunt figures creeping around the shadows behind the gallows.
>>456083
You are too busy praying to notice anything.
>>456080
>>456082
Both of you walk right up to one of the corpses and start trying to cut it down. There is no warning as each of you are tackled by gaunt, nearly emaciated ponies with long limbs, patchy and grey coats, sharp teeth, and sunken eyes. It's been a year since you have seen them, but the sight of a hungry ghoul is hard to forget. They tear into each of you with their fangs and boney hooves.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 5/6 Wounds
Bessy: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happpyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
You stop chasing your tail. The other werbeasts in the cave with you are snickering.
>>456076
>>456077
Both of you can see gaunt figures creeping around the shadows behind the gallows.
>>456083
You are too busy praying to notice anything.
>>456080
>>456082
Both of you walk right up to one of the corpses and start trying to cut it down. There is no warning as each of you are tackled by gaunt, nearly emaciated ponies with long limbs, patchy and grey coats, sharp teeth, and sunken eyes. It's been a year since you have seen them, but the sight of a hungry ghoul is hard to forget. They tear into each of you with their fangs and boney hooves.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 5/6 Wounds
Bessy: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happpyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456091
You are able to breech the part of your mind where the werwarg it. It growls when it sees you and prepares to defend its domain.
>>456092
You cannot get out from under the cannibalistic monstrosity, but with your magic you are able to keep it from biting you any more.
>>456093
You charge at them, but before you can get there another ghoul leaps from the shadows and starts clawing into your back.
>>456096
You are not at the right angle to buck the one on top of you, but it is perfectly able to tear a strip of skin off your neck.
>>456097
You blast bolts at the ones on Dreamkicker, Andelia, Bessy, and another one you saw slinking around to try and flank the group. All four of them drop to the ground when your bolts hit them, but try to get back up.
>>456098
It is so.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 3/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happpyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Brutus: 9/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
You are able to breech the part of your mind where the werwarg it. It growls when it sees you and prepares to defend its domain.
>>456092
You cannot get out from under the cannibalistic monstrosity, but with your magic you are able to keep it from biting you any more.
>>456093
You charge at them, but before you can get there another ghoul leaps from the shadows and starts clawing into your back.
>>456096
You are not at the right angle to buck the one on top of you, but it is perfectly able to tear a strip of skin off your neck.
>>456097
You blast bolts at the ones on Dreamkicker, Andelia, Bessy, and another one you saw slinking around to try and flank the group. All four of them drop to the ground when your bolts hit them, but try to get back up.
>>456098
It is so.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 3/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happpyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Brutus: 9/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456104
It is off, but you do not notice and keep throwing yourself around trying to knock it off.
>>456105
Your will hits it and throws it back a foot or two. Your mind relaxes its grip around the werwarg and you feel your body loosen slightly.
>>456108
You try to get up, but that bite on your leg makes it hard. Here comes Pomelo, maybe he can-
>>456110
-Nope. What are you doing? There are dangerous monsters around!
>>456112
You shoot again, but the darkness throws your aim off.
>>456114
You spring back to your hooves.
Two of the ghouls stand back up.
It is off, but you do not notice and keep throwing yourself around trying to knock it off.
>>456105
Your will hits it and throws it back a foot or two. Your mind relaxes its grip around the werwarg and you feel your body loosen slightly.
>>456108
You try to get up, but that bite on your leg makes it hard. Here comes Pomelo, maybe he can-
>>456110
-Nope. What are you doing? There are dangerous monsters around!
>>456112
You shoot again, but the darkness throws your aim off.
>>456114
You spring back to your hooves.
Two of the ghouls stand back up.
>>456120
A qt goat just headbutted you in the gut on accident. You cannot stand up right after such a thing happening.
>>456121
You freak out even more and crash into a gallows, knocking over and trampling one of the diamond dog corpses under your heavy hooves. The unattacked ghoul takes this chance to bite one of your legs and send you tumbling to the ground.
>>456122
It starts growling louder, but your body feels even more relaxed. Keep going.
>>456124
You raise a buffalo the hangponies someone managed to hang. It snaps the rope with a flex of its neck and joins the combat.
>>456125
You grab one of the ghouls and immobilize it with sharp rocks that cut it's skin.
>>456126
>>456130
You would much rather stay here and keep Dreamkicker safe from the monsters while he recovers.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 6/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 3/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 4/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 9/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
The other two ghouls stand up.
A qt goat just headbutted you in the gut on accident. You cannot stand up right after such a thing happening.
>>456121
You freak out even more and crash into a gallows, knocking over and trampling one of the diamond dog corpses under your heavy hooves. The unattacked ghoul takes this chance to bite one of your legs and send you tumbling to the ground.
>>456122
It starts growling louder, but your body feels even more relaxed. Keep going.
>>456124
You raise a buffalo the hangponies someone managed to hang. It snaps the rope with a flex of its neck and joins the combat.
>>456125
You grab one of the ghouls and immobilize it with sharp rocks that cut it's skin.
>>456126
>>456130
You would much rather stay here and keep Dreamkicker safe from the monsters while he recovers.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 6/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 3/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 4/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 9/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
The other two ghouls stand up.
>>456140
>>456142
Being this close to Pomelo gives you the strength to stand back up.
>>456143
You shift so that it is chewing on your fur instead nad stand up.
>>456144
It bares its fangs and leaps at you. It doesn't make contact but you can feel it's teeth around your neck.
>>456145
You climb up on top of him, but his body stinks after spending all day in the sun. You will need to try again to get your bonus back. Your minion charges at a ghoul, but the taste of rotting flesh doesn't bother it and it bites your minion.
>>456147
You lean against one of Dreamkicker's legs and catch your breath.
>>456153
It leaps forwards and starts chewing on you before you can stab it.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 2/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 1/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 4/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456142
Being this close to Pomelo gives you the strength to stand back up.
>>456143
You shift so that it is chewing on your fur instead nad stand up.
>>456144
It bares its fangs and leaps at you. It doesn't make contact but you can feel it's teeth around your neck.
>>456145
You climb up on top of him, but his body stinks after spending all day in the sun. You will need to try again to get your bonus back. Your minion charges at a ghoul, but the taste of rotting flesh doesn't bother it and it bites your minion.
>>456147
You lean against one of Dreamkicker's legs and catch your breath.
>>456153
It leaps forwards and starts chewing on you before you can stab it.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 2/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 1/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 4/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456160
You charge forwards and try to strike at it, but it slams you harder. You are pushed towards the exit of its sanctum.
>>456162
You stab it with your spear. The rocks enclosing the other ghoul crumble apart and it becomes free once again.
>>456165
You stand up and get ready to fight.
>>456168
Your lightning spell lights up the night enough for you to see where a ghoul is a split second before it jumps at you and bites your face.
>>456169
It gets past your fur and nips you on the side.
Dreamkicker: 2/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 2/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 4/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 1/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
You charge forwards and try to strike at it, but it slams you harder. You are pushed towards the exit of its sanctum.
>>456162
You stab it with your spear. The rocks enclosing the other ghoul crumble apart and it becomes free once again.
>>456165
You stand up and get ready to fight.
>>456168
Your lightning spell lights up the night enough for you to see where a ghoul is a split second before it jumps at you and bites your face.
>>456169
It gets past your fur and nips you on the side.
Dreamkicker: 2/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 2/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 4/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 1/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456172
You shoot it with a bolt. It hisses at you and backs off.
>>456174
It tastes foul. You feel a little sick and woozy.
>>456176
You take aim and shoot the one that Dreamkicker shot, but are forced to leap off your minion as a ghoul tears it apart.
>>456177
You kick your ghoul in the head an knock it off. It growls and stumbles around.
>>456179
That's right, it is your brain. You manifest a shield and bash the werwarg with it. It looks like it is about to collapse, but you feel much the same way.
>>456180
One of the ghouls tackles you and starts gnawing on your horns.
Dreamkicker: 2/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 4/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 0/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
You shoot it with a bolt. It hisses at you and backs off.
>>456174
It tastes foul. You feel a little sick and woozy.
>>456176
You take aim and shoot the one that Dreamkicker shot, but are forced to leap off your minion as a ghoul tears it apart.
>>456177
You kick your ghoul in the head an knock it off. It growls and stumbles around.
>>456179
That's right, it is your brain. You manifest a shield and bash the werwarg with it. It looks like it is about to collapse, but you feel much the same way.
>>456180
One of the ghouls tackles you and starts gnawing on your horns.
Dreamkicker: 2/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 4/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 0/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 0/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456187
>>456193
One of the ghouls attacks you from behind and knocks you to the ground again.
>>456188
You slam into the werwarg once more and send it flying through the air. It vanishes as it hits a wall and you can feel your mental self pulled in many directions at once. When you are at last looking back out at the real world you notice that you are you again. All the other werbeasts are staring at you in a surprised fashion.
>>456189
You nimbly get free and jump back upright.
>>456190
Your coat grows out and your snout gets thinner. The darkness around you becomes a little brighter as you lookat it through new eyes.
>>456191
You charge at the ghoul, but step in a hole in the ground and almost break your leg.
>>456192
Your bolt hits it in the leg and brings it down. It's still alive, but only just.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 3/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 0/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456193
One of the ghouls attacks you from behind and knocks you to the ground again.
>>456188
You slam into the werwarg once more and send it flying through the air. It vanishes as it hits a wall and you can feel your mental self pulled in many directions at once. When you are at last looking back out at the real world you notice that you are you again. All the other werbeasts are staring at you in a surprised fashion.
>>456189
You nimbly get free and jump back upright.
>>456190
Your coat grows out and your snout gets thinner. The darkness around you becomes a little brighter as you lookat it through new eyes.
>>456191
You charge at the ghoul, but step in a hole in the ground and almost break your leg.
>>456192
Your bolt hits it in the leg and brings it down. It's still alive, but only just.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 3/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 5/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Minion: 0/4 Hits 0/0 Wounds
Brutus: 2/9 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456200
You try to get up, but it's all you can do to keep that monster from killing you.
>>456201
He is surrounded by a pink glow of magic.
>>456202
"What worked? How did you manage to do that so quickly?"
>>456203
You run over to the one on the ground and tear out it's throat before it can stand up.
>>456205
>>456207
The battlefield is filled with smoke.
+1 to all ghouls for the two turns.
>>456212
You try to focus your magic through the severed unicorn horn, but are attacked before you can finish your spell.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 3/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
You try to get up, but it's all you can do to keep that monster from killing you.
>>456201
He is surrounded by a pink glow of magic.
>>456202
"What worked? How did you manage to do that so quickly?"
>>456203
You run over to the one on the ground and tear out it's throat before it can stand up.
>>456205
>>456207
The battlefield is filled with smoke.
+1 to all ghouls for the two turns.
>>456212
You try to focus your magic through the severed unicorn horn, but are attacked before you can finish your spell.
Dreamkicker: 0/6 Hits 3/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456214
Despite the ghoul gnawing on your face you manage to stand up.
>>456216
The ghoul falls off him and one of Dreamkicker's wounds is healed.
>>456218
"You fought it in your head? Did thought only naturals could do that."
>>456219
You bowl another ghoul over and tear into it. Half a minute later it is a mess of body parts and blood on the ground.
Two left.
>>456221
You haul back and punch it in the face with your hoof. The ghoul is knocked over backwards by your attack.
>>456222
You attack the dangerous, menacing…gallows? Oops. You just squished the other diamond dog corpse.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Despite the ghoul gnawing on your face you manage to stand up.
>>456216
The ghoul falls off him and one of Dreamkicker's wounds is healed.
>>456218
"You fought it in your head? Did thought only naturals could do that."
>>456219
You bowl another ghoul over and tear into it. Half a minute later it is a mess of body parts and blood on the ground.
Two left.
>>456221
You haul back and punch it in the face with your hoof. The ghoul is knocked over backwards by your attack.
>>456222
You attack the dangerous, menacing…gallows? Oops. You just squished the other diamond dog corpse.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 1/6 Hits 4/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
>>456226
"I suppose the reason I could is simply because no one said I couldn't. The walls you put up yourself are the hardest to break down, after all."
I'll think a minute.
"I'm going to try and change back. See if it'll behave a bit more this time around."
Alright, doggy, time to let you out of your doghouse. '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
"I suppose the reason I could is simply because no one said I couldn't. The walls you put up yourself are the hardest to break down, after all."
I'll think a minute.
"I'm going to try and change back. See if it'll behave a bit more this time around."
Alright, doggy, time to let you out of your doghouse. '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>456229
It growls at you from its hiding place. You still feel mentally exhausted.
>>456231
You knock it over and crisp its flesh with your magic. It tries to get up and run away.
[1d10]
>>456232
A male voice speaks in your head.
"Need a little help there, Pomelo?"
You, and only you, see a claw grab Andelia's tail and yank it hard enough for her to fall onto her rear.
>>456233
You try to attack, but something pulls your tail hard enough to force you to sit down.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 3/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Roll #1 9 = 9
It growls at you from its hiding place. You still feel mentally exhausted.
>>456231
You knock it over and crisp its flesh with your magic. It tries to get up and run away.
[1d10]
>>456232
A male voice speaks in your head.
"Need a little help there, Pomelo?"
You, and only you, see a claw grab Andelia's tail and yank it hard enough for her to fall onto her rear.
>>456233
You try to attack, but something pulls your tail hard enough to force you to sit down.
Dreamkicker: 6/6 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Andelia: 0/6 Hits 3/6 Wounds
Bessy: 1/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Pomelo: 5/5 Hits 4/5 Wounds
Happyhorn: 2/5 Hits 5/5 Wounds
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>456249
Sigh internally. Are we going to have to do this little dance every time?
…You know, I'm gonna try something stupid. I keep saying this thing's a part of me, but I still consider it separate. So I'm going to try and fuse with it. Right here. Right now. In my head. '1d10'
Roll #1 9 = 9
Sigh internally. Are we going to have to do this little dance every time?
…You know, I'm gonna try something stupid. I keep saying this thing's a part of me, but I still consider it separate. So I'm going to try and fuse with it. Right here. Right now. In my head. '1d10'
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>456250
"As if that will stop me. Ta-ta for now."
Discord left you too disoriented to use healing magic right away.
>>456252
You can get right leg from one of the corpses, but the arms are both mangled and the tails were bobbed short.
>>456254
You slam it into a wall and press your head against it's head. It growls and does the same.
[1d10]
Roll #1 4 = 4
"As if that will stop me. Ta-ta for now."
Discord left you too disoriented to use healing magic right away.
>>456252
You can get right leg from one of the corpses, but the arms are both mangled and the tails were bobbed short.
>>456254
You slam it into a wall and press your head against it's head. It growls and does the same.
[1d10]
Roll #1 4 = 4
>>456276
>>456279
The werwarg turns the tide a little. You feel your mental projection turn just a little bit more malleable and realize that it is trying to fuse with you. Something tells you that it being the one to do the fusing would be bad for you. Terminally bad.
>>456281
You give him a hug and let a trickle of healing power flow into him. It was totally an accident that you used so little magic that you had to hug him for a full minute to heal him completely.
>>456279
The werwarg turns the tide a little. You feel your mental projection turn just a little bit more malleable and realize that it is trying to fuse with you. Something tells you that it being the one to do the fusing would be bad for you. Terminally bad.
>>456281
You give him a hug and let a trickle of healing power flow into him. It was totally an accident that you used so little magic that you had to hug him for a full minute to heal him completely.
>>456376
"No. And I'm getting tired of the whole fighting for dominance thing every time it tries to take over my head. So I'm trying to put it on a leash by merging with it."
I'll look at them for a moment.
"And what do you mean 'already'? Did you merge with your brainwargs? Or did it go the other way? It tried to take control too."
"No. And I'm getting tired of the whole fighting for dominance thing every time it tries to take over my head. So I'm trying to put it on a leash by merging with it."
I'll look at them for a moment.
"And what do you mean 'already'? Did you merge with your brainwargs? Or did it go the other way? It tried to take control too."