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File: 1669073838950.png (733.19 KB, 1410x555, Buiwong Cut-In Final.png)

 No.762858[View All]

>Amy
"Are we supposing there's a little teapot somewhere in this valley we gotta find?" Hurricanrana says, tilting his head. "Is it perhaps short and stout?"

"No more singing, please," Desert sighs.

"Actually…" Mudi says. "In Tartarus, the will is supreme… It's even true at an Anchor. You saw how people suffered when they used techniques to move great distances without being seen, like the Ecclesian flash step. Oh! And we all had to agree on what we saw before we could even enter the anchor!"

"Oh no…" Desert groans.

"The singing probably helped us get this far!" Mudi extrapolates.

"No, no, no–!" Vizsla complains.

"We gotta sing to find the tea ingredient!!!" Mudi declares.

The Paper Trail shrugs.

"R-right?" Mudi asks, losing all her momentary bravado.

>Cloak
As a unit, with paces in sync despite the disparities in height and length, the Ecclesians move out, following behind the Paper Trail.

>Shei
"Take it from someone who has spent more time down here than you–" the Witch says. "Anything you hear claim to belong to or be from 'God' is not to be believed. Best not to overuse that word. An Anchor may be safe enough, but in the Abyss – tantamount to suicide. What you encountered was most likely an Umbral who became overmuch obsessed with that thing, and began to hallucinate a theosis."

>Shei and Flaming
"Cursed?" the Witch repeats. "Is that what they're saying?"

She scoffs, then full-on laughs, like it's the only funny thing she's heard all day. She shakes a ratchet at you. "My Craft is in the mechanical arts. I put no curse on any one of them.

https://youtu.be/C9ESv2NzKkw

"People like them… don't need any curse from anyone. They are curses unto themselves. Curses unto one another… you get me?"

The others ponder this in silence.

She looks at Flow. "But, it is true I got into a dispute with the royals. Must be the genesis of this rumor. Why do you ask?"
553 posts and 4 image replies omitted. Click reply to view.

 No.766485

>>766481
>>766480
Shorthorns continues to bawl even as Shei's body dissolves into chains, gripping onto it tightly as she wails openly for the loss of her brother. Wordlessly, loudly, proudly crying like a child without shame as a send off for the idiotic, brilliant, cowardly, courageous, utterly befuddling and profound God of Bastards and Kids.

She pauses momentarily as her cries are interrupted by the tremendous howl coming from Amy, the wolf's piercing cry taking her out of her depression for a few brief moments as the awesome power taken from Shei gives way to a shrine… the first memorial of many to be made to Shei-Sher. She still sniffles, weeping openly as she watches the beauty around them gather with the paths and gardens. She notices the others, seemingly far more composed, begin making their way to the offertory-box to give him their final blessings.

Shorthorns walks slowly over to the box, and presses her hooves together, summoning forth a bit of clay and earth of deepest red. Having proven somewhat skilled in her crafts earlier, she makes a goat - a near perfect replica of Shei-Sher as the young goat back when they first met, what feels like an eternity ago. Recalling his innocence and kid-ish charm, Shorthorns also etches in words to the base - the final gift Shei gave her of the written word and Equish language

>"Shei-Sher, God of Bastards and Kids."
>"Beloved Clan Brother and Husband, Brilliant Maniac, Perpetual Pain in the Butt, and Dearly Missed For All Time"
>"Rest in Peace, Forever Unchained."

And places it within the box, weepily bowing her head in remembrance.

 No.766486

>>766485

Amy puts her hoof paw on Flaming's opposite shoulder. She pulls her in for a tight side hug.

"What does it say?" Amy asks softly, referring to the words that Flaming put on the statuette.

 No.766488

>>766486
Shorthorns sniffs, pulling herself tightly into a full-blown hug as she wraps her hooves around Amy's soft coat.

"Sh…Sh-shei-Sher, G-God of Bastards and Kids…"
"Beloved Clan Brother… and h-husband," she chokes up, "Brilliant maniac… perpetual pain in the butt… and dearly missed for all time."
"Rest in peace… forever unchained…"

Shorthorns gulps and keeps sobbing, "It's stupid… I-I just put down whatever came to mind first, I-I should have thought it out more first…"

 No.766489

>>766484
>>766485
In silence, you depart from the hilltop shrine, and head a little down the hill as well, in the opposite direction that the Vestal went. For even if she's gone off to sleep, there's little need to risk disturbing her sleep.

The Malakhim, Shei's bandmates, are still here, having gathered up all his possessions using the cloak as a bindle.

"Not to… take away from the moment," the trianglist says. "But obviously we're sticking the journey through with you all."

The bassist and violinist nod as well. "Only thing is that now," the violinist continues. "Our connection to the surface world is gone too. Kerberos will probably be keen on shutting the gate again with Shei's thread gone."

"Fret not," Doctor Galton says. "That's what the talismans are for."

"Mmm…" the bassist mumbles.

Vizsla turns toward the base of the hill.

There, you see the three Paper Trails, who guided you here, on Mister Moolah's orders. In perfect synchronization, the Paper Trails bow to you, before turning and heading off.

"Off to deliver their report, I presume," Vizsla says. "Now Belphecorp will hold up its end of the bargain."

"When word gets out across LIMBO about the Vestal…" Mudi mumbles.

"It's all going to come crashing down," Flow answers.

"Let's let the future's concerns belong to the future," Gegenschein says. "We haven't even toasted Shei yet. Let's hold a toast without tea, shall we?"

 No.766491

>>766488

Amy squeezes Flaming harder as she reads it out for her. The words make her start bawling into Flaming's shoulder.

"No, it's perfect," Amy whines at Flaming's objections to her own words. "I love you…" she chokes out the words as she squeezes Flaming so hard that she might choke the life out of her.

>>766489

Once they have gotten the hug out of their system, Amy heads toward the Malakhim.

"Could I have the book and the little throne?" Amy asks somberly.

>>766489

"Dealing with the demons is why we came here. This doesn't change anything," Amy says with grim determination.

 No.766493

>>766491
Shorthorns cries harder into Amy's shoulder, and hugs her back, not at all minding the strength with which she is held, "I love you too… I'm so sorry Amy, I-I know… you REALLY loved him, I know how important he was to you… I hurt so much right now I can't imagine how much more it must be for you…" she says, crying openly into Amy's withers.

>>766489
As all the others pay their respects and offer a toast in honor of Shei's memories, Shorthorns hiccups and tells them all, "Ju-just a bit… I'm sorry, I need just a bit before I can do all that…" she says plainly, trying to fight back the encroaching sadness in spite of the victory they've earned.

 No.766496

>>766491
The Malakhim hand over the book and the throne.

>>766493
>>766491
Your companions give you some space, grouping up among themselves to discuss and make plans for the period of wait that shall follow. Leather Cloak gives you a quiet and respectful nod, but remains at the ready near Holy Hours. Vizsla, Mudi, Desert and Hurricanrana keep a similar distance.

It's little wonder to what they're thinking… With the Vestal now out of commission, an assassination attempt – or an "unfortunate accident" – is now all the more possible, however ill-advised it would be.

Flow, for his part, keeps you company. His hat is kept low, his expression stoic, but his gaze distant.

 No.766497

>>766493

"Honestly… so much has happened at once, I don't really know what to think… I know he's…" Amy chokes on her words for a moment.

"I know he's gone, but with everything that just happened… Honestly, at least I can say that he died doing something good. And, he didn't unexist himself."

"I'm not saying good bye to him because he's not gone. Not forever. He's a god now. And, I've finally found some gods I can believe in," she says with a smile and a ruffling of Flaming's mane.

 No.766498

>>766496
>>766496
Shorthorns offers another sniff, trying to dry her eyes but still staining Amy's coat with her tears. She keeps her in a tight hug, shuddering as she struggles to calm herself down. "T-that's true… I know it is. I-if there's one thing we've learned through all of this is that nothing is ever really the end… Shei IS a god now, and he'll always be remembered."

She sighs, offering one last tight squeeze. "I just… I thought we had more time. I really thought he'd make it to the end with us, I really did… I was so mean to him, sometimes, but I really thought he was amazing! I hope he knows that…"

 No.766499

>>766497
>>766498
The Ecclesians split their forces, with Freischutz, Ichimonji, Anzu and Fox going into town, and the others poking about in this gated garden area. The air remains stale and stagnant, but you can now feel the minute stirrings of a faint breeze…

 No.766500

>>766498

"Of course he knows that, silly!"

"I definitely thought he'd make it to the end, too… I was waiting for him to do some stupid sacrifice… I just didn't think he'd do it so soon."

Amy trails off, tears well up in her face again.

Then, she forces another smile. "But, worrying about what to do about Shei is a problem for after Tartarus now."

>>766499

"Anyway, we should go back to MISTER MOOLAH, now," Amy says with the appropriate amount of enthusiasm.

 No.766501

>>766500
>>766499
Shorthorns finishes the last of her sobs (for now), pulling herself from Amy's embrace and wiping at her eyes.

"R-right… he wouldn't want us to linger on him. Not when there's still work that needs to be done…"

She looks over at the Vestal, now sleeping peacefully with their mission successful. "Shei gave up his life so no one else would have to, so we could put the Vestal to rest, and finally move forwards towards the Lake… I won't let his sacrifice be wasted, I won't!"

She turns towards Shei's monument one last time, offering it a sincere bow and prayer. "Shei… I promise, one way or another, I will see you again, and I swear I will make you proud of us until that day comes."

With her last respects paid, she joins alongside the others, nodding along with Amy. "Right… we should let MISTAH MOOLAH know the job is done… and he'd better appreciate what it took to do it or I'm going to make him WISH the Vestal was still around to keep him safe…"

 No.766502

>>766501
>>766500
Vizsla shakes her head. "Us going is unnecessary. I questioned the Paper Trails before they left. They're going on for our sake, at which point they will return to us, both to confirm the Vestal's continual sleep, and to satisfy their end of the Contract to which they are bound."

Gegenschein chuckles. "It seems we now have ample time to…" he says, then spins his head around to where the remaining Ecclesians remain. "Hurry up and wait!"

The other Ecclesians groan at the dreadful phrase, the bane of any industrious government worker – and the blessing of the lazy ones.

"You guys wanna learn some mahjong while we wait?" Anzu offers. The Witches back away slowly.

Galton looks toward the town. "You can also aid Freischutz and her entourage in ascertaining the social climate of the town, how it may change with the Vestal's repose."

 No.766503

>>766502

"You know, I've always seen people playing Mahjong, but I've NEVER understood how it works. Please explain!" Amy says, wagging her tail in excitement at the prospect of playing.

 No.766504

>>766502
Shorthorns steals a glance towards the sleeping Vestal, her ears flattening as she again laments that someone who only wished for peace had to be their enemy.

"Thank you, but, I think I would like to take this time to pray… both for Shei, and for the Vestal." She says, looking again at the slumbering entity. "It's a shame what we had to do to her… she did it in the wrong way, and she had no ability to understand any of us, but all she wanted was peace. That isn't such a bad thing to want, these days."

 No.766505

>>766503
Before you know it, Anzu's set up the board and pieces on one of the picnic benches. Monkey and Lion attempt to sneak away, but Anzu catches them by the collar, forcibly conscripting them into the tutorial game.

>>766504
>>766503
Galton seems to have a reply ready for Shorthorned's sentiments, but remembers herself. The Ecclesians are accustomed to brutality and the suppression of the self… but some, such as Galton, are not completely without compassion for those unlike themselves. With a gentle word of respect, Galton leaves the two of you in peace to deal with your emotions as you will.

>timeskip available

 No.766507

>>766505

Amy enjoys definitely learning how to play Mah Jong (she doesn't learn a thing) and loses track of time as she does so.

>timeskip

 No.766510

>>766505
>Ready for timeskip
Shorthorns spends her time in a rare hobby - meditation. Not something those of her clan oft practice, being more action/fighting oriented, but Shorthorns takes her time to pray and to focus her mind, thinking of all she's lost and all she's gained through this party's events.

She weeps for Shei a little more still - tears that she isn't convinced will ever stop in their entirety - but more at peace than she was thanks to Amy's soft words. And she prays for the Vestal, respecting her mission above all else. Shorthorns can hardly remember a time when she was younger where she was not at lease a little preoccupied with violence to some degree. It was etched into her warrior clan's upbringing and culture, was the constant stampede and struggle against nature and beast and foreigners and change. But now, after years of suffering under the demons running rampant above, after all she's lost to violence however justified, Shorthorns can't help but feel herself wishing more and more for what the Vestal wanted - peace.

 No.766513

>>766510
The metaphysical chain given to you by the God of Bastards and kids rattles as you pray at his shrine. When you pray for peace you feel it rattle with an urge to be used.

 No.766515

>>766507
"…So if you and another opponent declare 'Pon' and 'Chi' at the same time, Pon beats Chi, but honestly I'd just be more amazed at the crazy coincidence than anything," Anzu says. "But anyway that brings us to Kan if you like to live dangerously, and Ron if you want to be a little bitch…"

>>766507
>>766510
Thus begins a cycle of simulated "days" at this Anchor of the Vestal's. Your companions settle into a pattern of following the bell-chimes of the town below the Vestal's garden, for lack of sun and moon to tell the time. You ration your food and water as ever, despite your lack of need in Tartarus. The normalcy helps stave off tedium and boredom. There is a little anxiety among the others as they wait for the Paper Trails to return… both the Ecclesians and the Witches keep a culture of paranoia, and they cannot but suspect treachery… But Umbrals are Umbrals– they are bound by the Contract, and must inevitably return.

Should you venture into the town below, you will find that life continues somewhat… normally. All things considered, they did not pay the Vestal very much mind while she was awake. The Vestal seemed to be to them how a surface town would regard a local deity– something kept in the background, paid some reverence, perhaps taken for granted. Although some are troubled at the idea that she will not consciously watch over LIMBO, those who are more faithful remain convinced that they are safer near her than they would be elsewhere.

Still, you hear also of outbursts of violence on this Anchor. Disputes now allowed to escalate… Vengeances, unsatisfied with lip-service "forgiveness," now quenched with knives in the dark, glass bottles smashed over heads… your companions, for their part, maintain a cautious distance. But, the worst and most unjustified of the offending Umbrals had a certain tendency to vanish without explanation after their outbursts…

So it goes.

>
>
>

After quite some time encamping near Shei's shrine, the ever-present breeze has cleared away the stale air surrounding the TREES. And, just as the wind takes away, so too does it give. Gegenschein, having taken the night watch, whistles for the camp to hear. You have guests… the Paper Trails can be seen at the gate of the wall which surrounds the Vestal's garden.

 No.766518

>>766513
As she prays and feels Shei's remaining chain start to rattle, she jumps with a start, looking down at the small chain link in her possession as it shakes. Knowing a sign when she sees one, Shorthorns feels out the chain, trying to remember how Shei made use of them…
[1d10] Analyzing the chain, can it be used for a catalyst

>>766515
Shorthorns takes her days slowly. She is still recovering from the loss of Shei, but moves on, knowing he of all goats wouldn't want her to linger over his death. She still visits his memorial daily, as does she with the Vestal, contemplating the very nature of what it is to bring peace and how, exactly, the Vestal failed where she could succeed. She does not entirely cut herself off from the others, engaging with them as they are her friends and comrades, but they notice she's a little less rambunctious and outgoing than before. Especially when she hears the rise of aggression around her, already noting the loss of the Vestal and how it's affecting all of LIMBO.

Finally, one night as Gegenschein keeps watch, she is awoken by the alarming whistles. Notification that MISTER MOOLAH's paper trails have returned. Shorthorns rises, ready to meet them with the others, as she stifles a yawn from being awoken at this hour…

Roll #1 6 = 6

 No.766519

>>766518
You notice the single visible chain connects metaphysically to a longer link of chains. Likely connecting all the way back to Shei-Sher. If you apply magic to it like a catalyst, the chain visibly duplicates chain links, extending out the physical chain.

 No.766522

>>766515

Amy spends much of her time learning games taught to her by the Ecclesians. She also does her best to get as many of the witches as she can involved in the game playing as well - especially Mudi.

At first, she was upset and disturbed by being forced to try to live a normal life in Tartarus. But, she was even more disturbed by how easily she fell back into the groove. Perhaps it was due to the relative calmness of this Anchor, but then it still was never quite right even here. The lingering desperate weirdness of Tartarus always plays with the mind. But, Amy got used to it - arguably the first sign of losing sanity.

When the Paper Trail returns, Amy is more than ready to get up and get out of here. "FINALLY," she declares as she goes out to greet the living paper. "What took them so long!?" she asks as if she doesn't already know how little sense Tartarus makes.

 No.766524

>>766522
>>766519
>>766518
"YOU have my DEEPEST no-pologies," declares a voice greasy enough for palms and the gears of industry alike. As the Paper Trails open the gate, a towering figure walks through. It's hard to tell whether being outdoors makes him look bigger or smaller, but you once again see the zoot-suited corporate magnate of Belphecorp: MISTER MOOLAH himself.

"We had to go on a bit of a COFFEE run," MOOLAH says, gesturing with a broad arm. Through the gate, flanked by paper trails, a vast and familiar entourage follows: Buiwong, and his Spiders. The mercenaries of the Light Brigade. And, those Saviors who accompanied you into Tartarus… out of the last number, Gadriel pushes his way through the crowd. Although most of them wear solemn expressions, Gadriel's is twisted with grief as he sprints up the hill. The Ecclesians and the Witches offer chilly greetings to the others who follow, as they let Gadriel up.

 No.766526

>>766519
>>766524
Shorthorns looks up to Mistah Moolah as he arrives, flanked by none other than Buiwong and the rest of the Saviors. She means to address Moolah right away, but is taken by surprise as Gadriel - Shei's constructed brethren - immediately pushes through, his face twisted with grief as he makes way to Shei's memorial.

Her face furrows in sorrow, wanting to offer Gadriel solace for his loss, as they all had felt, but feels at this moment he is best left to grieve for his brother alone, in peace. Instead, she refocuses her attention on MOOLAH, moving forward to approach him.

"As I'm sure you can tell by now, it's done. The Vestal is asleep, forever. We accomplished our end of the deal, at tremendous sacrifice I might add."

 No.766530

>>766526
"NO great act of progress was EVER accomplished without tears, sweat and a whole LOT of BLOOD," MOOLAH retorts. "But I can assure you this NOBLE sacrifice will NOT be forgotten. Once we have Shei's likeness copyrighted, we'll begin printing COMMEMORATIVE MERCHANDISE right away."

Great Voyage furrows his brow. "Do we get free samp– I mean, you're not doing that to our friend."

"I wouldn't be too quick to write off the idea," Buiwong says. "The attention economy's a fitting means of feeding a god, and a growing one like him's gonna have a mighty big appetite."

"So, he's escaped, right?" the Dragon asks. "Not trapped down here in– hmm, what Layer would he be? LUST? GLUTTONY?"

"Wouldn't say, 'escaped' precisely," Buiwong says. "But nothin' to worry about nonetheless."

>>766526

 No.766534

>>766530
Shorthorns grumbles, "To be honest, I'm not sure I could put it past Shei for that to NOT be what he would have wanted…" he says, still finding MOOLAH's quick attempt to capitalize on their friends death more than a little distasteful.

"In either case, you will hold on those plans for now. Right now we have our mission ahead of us. Shei gave his life to see it done, so let's get to it."

 No.766535

>>766524
>>766530

"I agree that it's important to get Shei some attention," Amy nods at Buiwong.

"Which is exactly why I don't want him to have anything to do with it," she adds, pointing to MISTER MOOLAH. "I don't get what a copyright is, but I do know that he's in charge of Shei's popularity, it won't be what's best for Shei."

 No.766536

>>766535
MOOLAH shrugs. "You can kiss goodbye to your share of the royalties then."

"Hmm?" Mocha asks. "He was a prince?"

>>766534
>>766535
"But OF COURSE!" MISTER MOOLAH affirms to Shorthorned's objection. He checks three watches upon his many right arms. "Right on time too – time to get DOWN to BUSINESS and fulfill our CONTRACT."

Buiwong rolls his eyes. "Might wanna siddown for this part, kiddo…"

"As promised, BELPHECORP LLC, LTD, PhD… etc, etc, as payment for services rendered, will escort [ENTER SIGNATORY NAMES HERE] to the agreed-upon designation: The Momentary Lake. There is, as [SIGNATORIES] will understand – IF THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM – is that there is a bit of a… PROCESS involved in securing the aforementioned transit."

Flow glowers with distrust.

"Indulge me in a LITTLE context," MOOLAH continues. "LIMBO, of all the Ten Layers of Tartarus, is quite the desirable real estate for those Umbrals who harbor aims of one day returning to the surface world for their own PETTY AMBITIONS. This is one of the reasons why LIMBO is home to Umbrals who hail from several other Layers of Tartarus – like the Vestal, who hails from VIOLENCE.

"Additionally, there are many Anchors within LIMBO which are particularly desirable, not just for the sake of acquiring territory, but for the wonders contained within. And as you've no doubt experienced, heroes from the surface world, one's force of will is the key by which one may travel to and from Anchors within Tartarus… But what happens when someone of an exceptionally powerful will – and who has subsumed the wills of innumerable other beings beneath their own – desires to keep others AWAY from an Anchor, to hoard it all to themselves like a LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR'S ITEM?"

Great Voyage's eyes widen with sudden understanding.

 No.766537

>>766536
Surprisingly insightful of her, Shorthorns seems to pick up on the same hints Voyage is, and she asks Mister Moolah

"You're saying that someone or something is blocking passage from here to the Momentary Lake? The same way we will ourselves from one anchor to another, someone can use their will to STOP people from going there?!"

 No.766538

>>766536

"I don't know what that means, but you can be sure that I'm not going to stop talking about and showing off Shei wherever I want however I want."

>>766536

None of this is really news to Amy. She's already tragically aware of how Tartarus works. What she's more interested in is the fact that Moolah is explaining this at all like it's solvable.

"Do you have a way to fix it?" Amy asks with interest.

 No.766539

>>766538
>>766537
"Introducing the contest of the LORDS OF LIMBO," MOOLAH says. "Something of a war-game to its contenders, but for LITTLE, ITTY-BITTY guys like you, it's just war; blood and guts, shattered bones and septic shock included. Fortunately for you, BELPHECORP has amassed its power and influence to stand as the newest contestant for the throne of TRUE LORD. With the Vestal – the last stop-gap against the contest of LORDS – FINALLY out of the picture, we can get on with what we'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

"You won't need to assure BELPHECORP'S total victory – that wasn't in your Contract – but in order for BELPHECORP to deliver you unto the Momentary Lake, you will have to help us capture the Lake in the first place, after which you may use it as you please. Hell, take it with you on the way out, a LITTLE SOUVENIR!"

Buiwong nods. "While you've dealt with the Vestal, the rest of us've been beefing up Belphecorp's power – and scouting out their competition."

"Our strategy is going to be one of MATCHMAKER – pitting the other LORDS against one another, to let them do the heavy lifting for us. The contenders this time around," MOOLAH says, "Include – but are not limited to…

THE SERPENT ASPHODEL, native of LIMBO.

THE STORM KING, who traveled here from GLUTTONY.

BELPHECORP LLC, LTD, PhD, ETC. – would you guess we're from AVARICE?

LORD GROGAR, who fought his way out from the Layer of WRATH.

LORD TIRAC, once imprisoned within VIOLENCE, but following his most recent escape from Tartarus, he was put back within a special Anchor of LIMBO.

Finally… we're hearing some rather chilling reports that the SONS OF PERDITION have made their way here… from the land of TREACHERY.

>Amy can roll knowledge twice (take better) for more info on these characters

 No.766540

>>766539

Amy has surely heard these names before. But, whether or not she actually took the time and effort to commit them to memory is another thing entirely.

[1d10] [1d10]

Roll #1 1 = 1 / Roll #2 6 = 6

 No.766541

>>766539
Shorthorns grumbles, "All that, everything we've done and lost, and we're still a million miles away…" she lets out a sigh, shaking her head, "Shei, God of Bastards, give me the strength to deal with this nonsense…"

She looks up to Mistah Moolah, "Who currently has control over the Momentary Lake? We should focus on them first."

 No.766542

>>766540
By now you've heard plenty about Belphecorp… The Storm King is a new one, as well. But Grogar, and Tirac are two that nobody would want to cross paths with. Cruel, brutal, and with the power to back it up, those two are rumored to have set records for how often they've broken out of Tartarus… if even half of those rumors are legitimate, just about anything would be preferable to fighting them.

Well, with the exception of the Sons of Perdition… distorted, disordered traitors, all. They're probably the cornerstone of Belphcorp's strategy of sabotaging, dividing and conquering. Every one of them, a bringer of misfortune, snake-eyed dice, plans brought to ruin by one-in-a-million probabilities… even the thought of dealing with them is like trying to take burning coals in your bare hands to strike your opponent.

As for the Serpent, Asphodel… it's something of a misnomer to say that it's a "contender" in this war. Asphodel is an Undefiled, but may be as close as an Umbral can get to a simple animal. A colossal wyrm, Asphodel subsumes Anchors into itself, just as an honest beast will find and eat food. Those Anchors it takes, it wears upon its back, until the time that they are discarded, just as a serpent sheds its skin – thus the epithet. Asphodel is ordinarily docile, you've heard, but if attacked, is a capable fighter. You suspect it has brewed a powerful appetite, if its hunt has been disrupted by the Vestal. But you and Shorthorned are perhaps uniquely suited to coaxing Asphodel to help you.

>>766541
>>766540
"Per the last report," MOOLAH says. "The Lake is currently under Lord Grogar's control, although that information could be outdated at this very moment. Surely by now the Vestal's influence has waned, and experimental outbursts of bloodshed proliferate across LIMBO."

"So what are we waiting for?" Great Voyage asks.

"A little division of labor," MOOLAH answers. "Each group of ours will pick a Lord to make our target, after which we will scheme to pit them against one another, so as to pry the Lake from the grasp of Grogar – or whoever might have it right now."

 No.766544

>>766542
"So you're suggesting we split up again, huh…" She contemplates, looking around at all those gathered. "With everyone here now, how many do we have in total? I heard at least six different Lords we have to deal with, it sounded like."

 No.766546

>>766542
>>766539
>>766544

Amy listens to the names with growing apprehension. Her memories of Tartarus make her more and more uncertain as to how she's ever going to become strong enough to tame these heavy hitters.

"We could throw like half of those names at Asphodel at once, and I still think it would win. I think we could just point that thing in the direction of the other competitors and that would work just fine."

"Heck, even if it DOES die, that's just one HUGE problem taken care of. Fighting really strong guys is hard, but it's easier than fighting a really massive… thing. Even if the thing is not as strong, it's harder to hurt."

"I'm confused, though," Amy looks toward MISTER MOOLAH. "How does this get us closer to the Monumental Pond?"

 No.766547

>>766546
>>766544
MOOLAH smiles with waning patience at Amy. "The Momentary Lake offers a form of immortality altogether preferable to what comes standard issue to all Umbrals – true, godlike immortality, incorruptibility, invincibility… so I've heard. I actually LIED THROUGH MY GOLD-PLATED TEETH earlier. You can't take it with you."

"We'll only need it for a moment," Mudi interjects.

"But anyway," MOOLAH continues, totally ignoring the tiny Witch. "It is little exaggeration to say that it is one of the most desirable pieces of real estate in this neck of LIMBO. Grogar – or whoever holds it now – will not give it up lightly, not unless we can turn his focus away from holding the territory long enough for it to fall out of his control. It takes a lot of brain power to deny access to an Anchor. If we can just tip the balance out of favor for whoever currently holds it, we'll be able to swoop right in and color it like this is a damn map game! This is WAR! And you know who profits the most from war? THE INVESTORS WHO SIT BACK WITHOUT GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY!!! Ahem. Hence our strategy."

MOOLAH stops to consider your appraisal of Asphodel. "You're not wrong – but the same could be said of both Tirac and the Sons of Perdition. We're going to want to keep tabs on those two most of all."


>>766544
>>766546
The factions before you can be categorized as such: The Spiders, the Ecclesians, the Witches of Gehenna, the Light Brigade, the Saviors, and Belphecorp.

Of the Spiders, these are their number:
Buiwong
Mocha
The Dragon
Great Voyage
Tantra
Septum Axis



Of the Ecclesians, these are their number:
Gegenschein
Galton
Freischutz
Ichimonji
Holy Hours
Living Saint Zoantharia
Lion
Viper
Anzu
Fox
Rooster
Monkey
Leather Cloak
???
???


Of the Witches, these are their number:
Mudi
Vizsla
Hurricanrana
Desert Lamp
Supper of Crows
???



Of the Light Brigade, these are their number:
Hope
Vitalya
Gjenganger
Evil's Judgment
Zophie
Eligos



Of the Saviors, these are their number:
Flow
Volkama
Deriva
Blessings
Chorazin
Busta
Gadriel
Observer
Hafaza
Rus Tea
Wireframe
Mirror Image
Box
The three Malakhim



Of Belphecorp, these are their number:
MISTER MOOLAH
The Paper Trails
And likely others of whom you do not know.

>You can elect to change up your party composition now and assign these faction groups to manipulate the LORDS OF LIMBO as you see fit.
>These assignments do not have to be 1:1. Multiple factions can be chosen to deal with a single LORD, and LORDS can also go unassigned.
>You can also elect to have the DM select the matchups instead.

 No.766549

>>766547
Shorthorns narrows her eyes, "Based on our numbers and the LORDS we're targeting, it looks like we should have about a half dozen teams with around eight or nine members apiece."

She looks around, trying to judge who would be best to take with her at least as they consider how to group up. "I want to go after Grogar if he's the last one we think was in control of the Lake. I'd like Voyage to go with me for certain… and Gadriel too." She says, wanting to speak to the golden construct after Shei's passing. "Rus Tea, Sir Flow, and Leather are also good company but I want to make sure our teams are split evenly."

 No.766550

>>766547

Amy consults the voices in her head that she's only vaguely aware of for advice.

>Vestigial Sunlight
>[1d10+2]

Roll #1 4 + 2 = 6

 No.766551

>>766549

"Not you TOO!" Amy says when she hears Shorthorns emphasizing random words like a certain business tycoon they know.

 No.766553

>>766551
Shorthorns looks at her, "Huh, what'd I say? LORDS?"

 No.766554

>>766550
The voices – for once – are… contentious. You picture the lot of them looking over a sheet, like a party of adventurers lost on their way may argue over a map. They really, really, REALLY do not want to deal with Grogar. At least one of them is a little curious about the Storm King. One of them won't shut up about TIRAC and insists on pronouncing it in all caps… some…how. Another two vote in favor of Asphodel, but they vote with the fake enthusiasm of one who wants to get on a mild roller coaster, in order to get out of the really big tower drop one.

One of them, a gloomy, macabre sort, is possessed by a certain fascination with the Sons of Perdition… knowing that that broad path leads to destruction. Though perhaps this one voice is not alone in her fascination. You sense that MISTER MOOLAH shares that fixation with the Sons… and the calamity that follows in their wake.

An instant later, you forget each of these contentious inklings.

>>766549
>>766550
Great Voyage grumbles indecisively, while Rus Tea, Flow and Leather are more resolute. Flow goes up the hill to retrieve Gadriel.

 No.766556

>>766547
>>766553

"YES," Amy says before groaning. "GREAT, now I'M doing it!"

>>766554

"Alright, I have some ideas!" Amy announces, taking up a bit of a leadership role - after all, she IS supposed to be a leader.

"Fighting strong guys is scary, but fighting annoying guys is worse. It's not hard to figure out how to fight Tirac or Grogar. It's hard to DO, but that's still not as hard as figuring out how to fight an anchor-sized monster or some guys who always just seem to make things… work."

"Shortyhorns, you and I should go with the rest of the Saviors to lure Asphodel into attacking whatever anchor has the Sons of Predation. Either of them dying is GREAT for us."

"I think the Spiders and the Witches should team up and go learn more about Grogar. The Ecclesians and the Light Brigade should do the same with Tirac. The goal should be to get them to fight each other. Two strong guys fighting each other is good for us. It'll make any fight with them afterwards easier."

"Anyone have any other ideas?" Amy asks, concluding her shockingly coherent plan.

 No.766558

>>766554
>>766556
Shorthorns listens closely to Amy's plan, trying to think if she has any reasonable objections.

"Hmmm… if Grogar is one of the stronger ones, I guess it WOULD be better to deal with those that might be more tricky and less straight forward. Or getting those ones to fight the strong guys first so they can deal with it one way or the other."

She nods her head, "Alright, I don't have any problems with that! Let's go after this 'Asphodel' then as our first LORD."

She pauses, "Huh… why AM I putting so much emphasis on that word?"

 No.766560

>>766558
>>766556
"An astute plan!" Buiwong congratulates you. "But one small edit, I must make. You see– I don't think the Light Brigade have ever gotten to work with the Witches."

Hope's head snaps toward Buiwong and Vizsla, his eyes burning with murder. Vizsla casts an icy leer over Buiwong and Hope.

"Oh…" Buiwong murmurs, smiling with sweet, false innocence. "Am I wrong…? Perhaps you haven't gotten to work together recently. All the same, it'd be good to touch base after how much time we've spent apart. Switch my group with the Light Brigade."

Gegenschein taps his chin. "Ah… am I to take it that a god of the Union, my homeland's beloved pantheon wishes to journey with me? A high honor indeed, divine one."

It's Buiwong's turn for irritation, as he narrows his eyes at Gegenschein, as he mentions the Union. But, he holds back, at the last moment. You know him well enough to pick up on that. "…You pecked the words right outta my mouth, birdbrain. My forces and yours shall deal with TIRAC, while the Light Brigade and the Witches handle Grogar."

"Is there a reason for this switch?" Mudi asks.

"I just think TIRAC sounds like a cooler guy to fight," Buiwong scoffs.

"The truth, for once, if you would," Vizsla growls. "Do you know something about this… Tirek, was it?"

"Oh, you caught me," Buiwong says. "I bought the strategy guide, and really it sounds like I've got the skills to exploit TIRAC's weaknesses. No spoilers, but you shouldn't have too much trouble with Grogar, so don't worry."

Vizsla nearly explodes with rage at Buiwong's continued flippancy… but she tilts her head instead, apparently… noticing something. "I see… I appreciate your input. Fine, then."

Hope, having calmed down as well, nods. "We'll accept this arrangement."

>>766558
"Too much emphasis on the word, huh…?" Great Voyage mutters, but it sounds like he's talking to himself more than anyone else. He continues to hem and haw, pacing about.

 No.766561

>>766560
CORRECTION

In Buiwong's dialogue, change every instance of TIRAC to Tirek. Have Vizsla use the word TIRAC instead.

 No.766562

>>766560
Shorthorns looks between Vizsla and Buiwong as they argue, growing impatient with their bickering but taking a calming breath, seeking inner peace as she lets them resolve their differences.

"If you're both in agreement, I have no issues with either of your targets. Just be careful… every one of us is necessary and I do not want any more loss than what we have already." She chokes up, feeling odd at having to express this at BUIWONG of all people, but for now her old grudge seems so distant in light of what's at stake. "We'll handle the Serpent on our end."

 No.766564

>>766560

Amy narrows her eyes as she watches this interaction take place. She may be dumb, but even she can see the obvious hole in Buiwong's argument. He could have just as easily asked for the groups as they were arranged be sent to the opposite targets.

Amy shrugs. "I didn't really have a reason for which groups would go to which lord," she admits. "So, if Booeywong says he has a way to mess with Tirac, then I say the Spiders and the Witches should go to Tirac and the Light Brigade and Ecclesia go to Grogar."

"Does that work for everyone?" Amy asks. As she does so, she looks directly at Vizsla. She gives Viszla an intentionally strange look to indicate the significance of her choice. She trusts Viszla's distrust of Buiwong. If Buiwong has some plans, then she trust Viszla to sus them out.

She hopes that Viszla picks up on this.

>[1d10] to hint at Viszla
>DC-4 because of Compassion and Gilded Tongue

Roll #1 4 = 4

 No.766565

>>766562
Buiwong bows. "Your wish is my command, godling. And the same to you."

>>766564
>>766562
Vizsla blinks at Amy, then back at Buiwong and Hope. Her expression is blank, but in that blank sort of way that only someone like Vizsla can manage. Buiwong, looking back at that withering blank stare, hunches forward with an exasperated frown. "Don't tell me you're going back on your agreement," he sighs.

Vizsla just keeps staring, blank-faced at them. She turns slightly, catching Gegenschein in her field of view. Gegenschein, normally so unflappable, shifts a little where he stands. Galton looks a little jealous. Normally only she gets to use that on Gegenschein.

Hope looks like he's just done with this shit.

"You already agreed to my plan," Buiwong reminds Vizsla.

She keeps staring.

"The strategy guide's pretty fool-proof…" Buiwong argues.

She keeps staring.

Buiwong groans. "Fine, fine, if that's where you wanna go eat tonight… Spiders and Witches get Tirek and the Light Brigade and Ecclesia get Grogar."

Everybody looks equally pissed off with this arrangement. Except Vizsla, who smirks and snorts.

>>766562
Great Voyage stampedes about the hillside garden in his woes.

>Paused


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