"A leg," That's the boar mask, as he chuckles, "Got some spirit she does."
"Or, whoever slit Waltham's throat helped her."
"No more speculating, Carl," The boar mask peers around the trees. You stay hidden, "He's been picking off those weak in faith."
"What's that supposed to mean?" The cat mask tries to follow the boar mask's eyes.

"Think about it," The man in the boar mask drops his stretcher, "Mrs. Abbot has led us through thick and thin, and, bless her, has called a hunt tonight after so long. And coincidentally, what comes to our door but two lost lambs, to accompany the sick and bent old man that Call gave us? And Golomir is let loose?" The boar, taking advantage of his height, leans over the cat mask, "This is a purge. Mrs. Abbot is on the rise again. Lee, dared speak against our mistress, he's gone. Delinard, Call's bitch, she's gone. Then Waltham, that mealy mouthed doubter, has his throat slit. Do you see where I'm going, Carl?"
"Okay, okay Martin," The fat man raises his hands feebly, "I get it, I really do. Hooray. All praise the Detroit hunt," The man tries to creep back, but the boar places a hand on his shoulder.

"Carl. I saw you on the phone. I know about your debts," The sneering brown carved figure leans in close to the demure, cheap looking orange painted smiling cat face, "Have you doubted our high priestess?"

Half lit by the moon, you can swear you see a glimmer of drool coming from the ridiculous wooden boar mask that the man is wearing by the pit.

>[ ] Wait and watch.
>[ ] Listen to the razor. 3 1d100 rolls, 55 and below.
>[ ] No Officer Bryan here. Head back, find the main hunt. They were supposed to have grabbed him.
>[ ] Other.

>>26515421
Listen to razor.

>>26515421
>[x] No Officer Bryan here. Head back, find the main hunt. They were supposed to have grabbed him.

>>26515421
Listen to the razor.

Ella wants her leg back. We'll get it.

>>26515421
>[ ] No Officer Bryan here. Head back, find the main hunt. They were supposed to have grabbed him.

>>26515421
>[ ] No Officer Bryan here. Head back, find the main hunt. They were supposed to have grabbed him.

Let them trade conjectures here all they want. If they are here, that's a couple of people less that's out hunting Officer Brian.

>>26515562
>>26515555
>>26515511
Officer Brian barely wins.

Also, I'm drunk, misspelling character names like that.

You run a finger along the side of your razor. The blood warmth it used to have is gone. You'd have to bathe it again, to keep it warm. There are two, right here, two-

No. You had people to save. Officer Brian isn't here, there's no point hanging about. You flick the razor shut, and skulk back from the trap, and the two arguing. All this means is that there would be less people guarding Officer Brian.

You leave the two to their argument, keeping a solid hold on the straight razor, and holding your right arm properly in place. You're starting to sweat now from the pain.

Some back tracking through the gnarled woods, brushing through undergrowth and trees, and you find the tail end of the group, marching along raggedly. No songs any more. No more feeling of a jolly outing. They gaze around in worry, weapons out in their hands. They seem nervous, and agitated. Only six in their number, not including Officer Brian, who is slung over the horse. Mrs. Abbot is nowhere to be seen. The group are heading back for the carved statue of theirs again, in their artificial valley. Their flash lights sweep about the trees. They are very much on their guard.

It'll be a challenge to get close.

>[ ] Sneak close enough to do something, anything. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below to succeed.
>[ ] Wait out of sight. They're going to hit the rise, and on the hill they'll be in trouble, especially as nervous as they are.
>[ ] Where is Mrs. Abbot? Look around for her. She's easily the most dangerous of the hunters.
>[ ] Other.

>>26515794
>[X] Where is Mrs. Abbot? Look around for her. She's easily the most dangerous of the hunters.

>>26515794
>[ ] Sneak close enough to do something, anything. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below to succeed.

Back to the sneaking groove.

Rolled 89

>>26515794
>[X] Sneak close enough to do something, anything. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below to succeed.

>>26515794
>[ ] Where is Mrs. Abbot? Look around for her. She's easily the most dangerous of the hunters.

>>26515794
>[ ] Sneak close enough to do something, anything. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below to succeed.

>>26515939
>>26515830
>>26515827
Shwew, worried I'd have to 1d2.

Gimme 3 1d100 rolls for sneaking.

Rolled 29

>>26515953
Got it.

Rolled 20

>>26515953
Cool beans.

>>26515965
>>26515985
Welp

Rolled 83

>>26515953

>>26516003
>>26515985
>>26515965
Two successes. Fate is on Tim's sneaky side. Writing.

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Yeah Tax Quest.

>>26516041
Indeed. Hows your foot Red? You said he'd come be my friend but I never heard from it.

For hunters, they're awfully unperceptive. You'd laugh, if you weren't scared out of your wits. You creep along side the band as they make for their bizarre pagan refuge, willing yourself not to breath, not to be noticed, not even to be looked at it. You suddenly regret not grabbing one of the masks. You don't know how successful you'd be, with your blatantly swinging broken arm, but the possibility of enmeshing with the band would present itself, if you had grabbed one of the masks. Oh well.

Officer Brian seems to have a head wound. Thankfully, the rough trail comes close to a tree you're hidden behind, and you manage to get a glimpse. He seems insensate, but other than the bleeding head wound, fine. Most of the damage seems cosmetic. A glance around doesn't show Mrs. Abbot- where in the world is she? But any further questions are dampened by the shining flash lights coming near, and you drop behind a moss covered log.

The horse is in front of the band- that's the biggest issue. You can practically reach out and touch it, as you creep parallel to the group. It doesn't look like Officer Brian is actually tied to the horse, which is beneficial. Just tied up, and slung over it.

The horse rider had a large angry bruise puffing up on the right side of his face, and didn't look entirely 100% either. Good on you, Officer Brian. Still, he was a problem. Along with the other five following.

>[ ] Scare the horse. Have it run off before Kevin gets to whatever sick ceremony these heathens have planned.
>[ ] One man, for another. Grab one of the hunters, hold the razor up to his neck, and present a trade.
>[ ] Follow from afar. Maybe there will be an opportunity later on?
>[ ] Mask or no mask, they can't keep an eye on everyone. Follow in the back, see if you can't hear anything back here.
>[ ] Officer Brian is lost. You are crippled. Go, go quickly. Get the proper authorities here, before it's too late!
>[ ] Other.

>>26516286
>[ ] Follow from afar. Maybe there will be an opportunity later on?
Take Mrs. Abbot hostage if the opportunity presents itself later?

>>26516286
Starting picking them off with our pistol.

>>26516336
Yeah, let's do this.

>>26516286
Scare the horse.

>>26516286
>[ ] Follow from afar. Maybe there will be an opportunity later on?

>>26516348
>>26516336
This is a really terrible idea.
We're going to have to use one arm, so our aim will be poor.
After we fire the first shot, it'll turn to hell.

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What kind of fucking taxman are we?

>>26516286
scare the horse, if they are shapeshifters then we might see what kind, or we might see what other powers they have. also if one or two disapear while they are chasing the horse then that is fine

>>26516405
It's...A long story.

>>26516414
Are we magic?

>>26516420
No. Our razor might be though

>>26516405
Man, that picture is perfect for your post.

>>26516420
Maybe, maybe not.

We are almost certainly in over our head though.

>>26516420
No.

So, it seems there are three options with two votes.

Scaring the horse.
Following from afar.
Or shooting them.

I'll give it two more minutes.

>>26516420
us, not really but we have visions and listen to our knife when it wants blood

>>26516444
Scare the horse.

>>26516444
Shooting them pretty much guarantees scaring the horse though.

Still staying with "Follow from afar."

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I feel it only fair to point out that shooting the pistol comes across to Timothy as a bad idea- he's only got one arm to shoot with, there are more of them than him, and he's a bad shot even without his dominant arm broken.

Also, I wanted an excuse to post this picture.

>>26516471
Hey, let's not shoot them.

Rolled 1

>>26516462
>>26516456
Okay, in the interests of keeping things moving-

1 - Scare the horse. (I suppose you did have a good point, shooting the pistol would do the job as well, but I imagined something a bit more stealthy)

2 - Follow from afar.

Rolled 89, 53, 64 = 206

>>26516511
Okay. Writing.

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>>26516522
All those high rolls for our opposition.

You have to remain careful in these circumstances. Your greatest exertions up to this point were walking up stairs while carrying your briefcase heavy with documents. Not at all anything like running about woods for what you know are hours but feel like weeks. It's good to take a breather. Almost tempting to gather up the compost and loam, curl up in the dirt, and sleep, hope you'll wake up, happy, back at home. But you can't. Officer Brian is in need. Where in God's name are you getting this courage from?

There is no conversation among the riders. They sweep the shadows, looking out. Weary and wary. You rouse yourself, creep out, further down the trail, and hide, waiting for the horse to come closer. Closer. Closer. Close enough to feel the heat coming off the horse from its exertions.

You lash out with your razor, lickety split. No real harm. Just a surface cut on its flank. But the horse screams, kicks, sending the rider half out of a stirrup, and making Officer Brian slip off before the horse bolts, riding out in to the brush.

The rider screams, desperately trying to get himself untangled from his saddle, as he's dragged off. A fine torch for the hunters to follow. They shout and yell, and run off, after the wayward horse, leaving only two men to look after Officer Brian. No one has noticed you. You were always easily overlooked. You roll your razor in your palm. They still have their guns out though, looking after the hunters merry chase.

>[ ] Let your razor talk. 3 1d100, 55 and below.
>[ ] Wait for them to put their guns away. Dangerous right now.
>[ ] Just walk out there. Talk to them. Make it clear that they let Officer Brian go, it's all over. They can walk away.
>[ ] Other.

>>26516777
Talk to them, but from the darkness. Don't show ourselves. Keep hold of that fear we've been working on.

>>26516811
Seconded, but be prepared to jump backwards and down behind a tree if they look like they're going to shoot

>>26516777

This
>>26516811

>>26516777

Supporting this >>26516811
We really need to put a lid on the bloodthirsty razor for now.
Unless they start shooting around the darkness right away.

>>26516853
>>26516843
>>26516840
>>26516811
Heh, I like it when people come up with custom options like that. It'll take a roll to keep hidden while talking, but I'll give it a bonus.

Gimme 3 1d100 rolls, 65 and below succeeding.

Rolled 51

>>26516895
Talkin' from the darkness now.

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Rolled 39

>>26516895
Let's. Get. Dangerous.

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>>26516923
Please tell me that we say 'bitches leave.'

Rolled 8

>>26516895

Rolled 43

>>26516895
lets do this.

>>26516950
Well now we HAVE to.

>>26516963
>>26516923
>>26516913
All three dices are successful.

Even when Timothy is speaking, he's hard to find. Writing.

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God damn, Timothy is getting fucking scary.

>>26516984
You never pay the tax man any mind until he's at your door step for an audit.

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>>26517123

You can't throw your voice. You'd heard of people doing that, ventriloquist sort of people. You'd already killed one man. What's two more? Especially, especially to save the life of a police officer. They probably give out medals for that, you know. It would be nice to get a medal, wouldn't it?

You fold the razor shut. It takes a bit of effort. No.

"Leave him," You whisper from the dark. The two hunters perk up, holding out flash lights in to the dark.

"Gerald?" One says with trepidation, stepping forward.

"No closer," Your voice is hoarse. All the running, all the fear, the screaming as your shoulder was shattered. You can't let go of your razor. You stay out of the moon light, keep a grip on the razor in your pocket, feel your thumbnail fitting in to the nick above the razor's edge, ready to flip it out, "Leave the cop."

The two hunters look at one another beneath their masks, but come no closer. They raise their guns instead.

"Why don't you come out, chum? Let's talk in the light?" Old gun that one has. Old man. Looked like a brown bess, almost.

"Just walk away," You're not sure what to say. You squeeze the razor's handle, "Walk away, and you don't have to follow Lee, Delinard, Waltham, or Kevin."

That got their attention. They raise their flash lights, looking carefully.

"Where you at, stranger?" Not the old man talking. The other one, younger, has the look of a middle manager that filches buying hats out of his expense reports on trips. Has a Winchester, "You got a big mouth, saying those kinds of things."

"I'll give you a head start," You don't know how to throw your voice, so you move quickly, quietly after speaking, "But I really need to be going. There is business to take care of. That requires the police officer. Please, do not stand in the way of official business."

>>26517368
I'm as giddy as a school girl!

You quickly dart across the trail, the two still looking at the opposite side. The old man leans in, whispers to the young man. The old man sets his flash light on the ground.

"Okay, sure, you want the cop?" The young man's Winchester points down to Officer Bryan- not pointed directly at him, but near him, "You step out here, otherwise you're gonna need a shovel! And our friends will be back, they will be soon!" They have a point. The other hunters would return. You think, feel your thumb nail working in to the razor blade's groove-

"There!" The young man points with his flash light, drops it. The old man's gun fires, and then the Winchester snaps off shots, four, in rapid sequence. The gun shots are load, and snip and snap at the leaves and branches of the trees. Bullets fly, and send splinters up and in the air. Nowhere near you.

Some poor squirrel might have suffered their wrath. But you're behind them. They lean in, not even reloading, peering in the dark, lifting their flash lights. You creep forward- Officer Brian looks up, but brain addled as he is, he has the good sense to stay quiet. You could grab him, get him going, and with them reloading, they wouldn't have a chance to get you, but just in case...You lean forward, over Officer Brian.

"Run," You whisper between the two of them.

They both turn, and see a shadowy, bloody figure, a razor blade out, perhaps two inches away from them, eyes covered by a beaten hat. They obey, swearing, the old man throws the brown bess at you uselessly, and then they sprint headlong in the bushes after the horse and his followers.

Thank God. Your heart was probably about to give out.

>[ ] Don't let them get away! They'll warn someone! 3 1d100 rolls, 55 and below succeed.
>[ ] Focus, Timothy. Get Brian's binds loose, and get him moving, quick, back to your car.
>[ ] No time. Grab Kevin, drag him in to hiding. You'll have to elude pursuers before thinking of running. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

Rolled 2

>>26517408
>[ ] Focus, Timothy. Get Brian's binds loose, and get him moving, quick, back to your car.

>>26517408
>[ ] Focus, Timothy. Get Brian's binds loose, and get him moving, quick, back to your car.
>[ ] Other.
Grab the Brown Bess the old man threw at us, but pick it up with gloves, or something so we don't put our fingerprints on it.

>>26517408
>[ ] No time. Grab Kevin, drag him in to hiding. You'll have to elude pursuers before thinking of running. 3 1d100 rolls, 60 and below succeed.

I want to get Tim out of here, but they still have numbers, and if we run, they'll head to the car sooner rather than later.

Head towards the boats.

>>26517408
>[ ] Focus, Timothy. Get Brian's binds loose, and get him moving, quick, back to your car.
Time to get a move on and out of the woods.

>>26517466
THIS!
Kevin takes one of the boats, we go back for our car.

>>26517466
Oh, right, do this, but can we grab the gun?

>>26517466
This

>>26517532
You and your gun collecting. Remember the Webley? If that was you, that is.

>>26517556
I admit that was not the best of choices, which is why I said to grab it with gloves or something
It was me, but not me alone.

With Aliquam's voteswap, grabbing Kevin and getting him in to hiding wins. Gimme 3 1d100 rolls.

Also, I generally wait 10 minutes before calling it for votes. I think I've already asked this before, but just want to double check if that's cool with you guys.

And, uh, the Brown Bess. Yeah, I'll say Timothy has driving gloves in his pocket, and can slip them on to grab it.

>>26517466
Or we could just set the boat off by itself, making them think we're on it. Then the both of us head to the cars.

Rolled 9

>>26517615
Back to hiding!

Rolled 45

>>26517615
Great.

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>>26517617
God damn it, me. I'm going to put my foot so far up my ass, I'm going to taste my gold bond for a week.

Rolled 100

>>26517615

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>>26517655

>>26517655
....... well, good thing this isn't a crit priority kind of quest.

>>26517655
Well, you got two other successes, so don't worry too much.

Writing.

>>26517690
>>26517698

Sorry. That makes two times I rolled a 100 for Timothy. I should stay away from the /tg/ dice

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>>26517726
Law of averages, Dumb Ass. You only have a 1/100 chance to get a natural 100. Don't think too much of it and keep playing.

bump

Kevin looks up, and opens his mouth, but you cover it up with your hand- thankfully, remembering to fold the razor up. You remember a split second too late that your shoulder has been shattered, and feel blinding pain as you try to bring your right hand up to shush him. You grab Officer Brian by the rope around his feet, and drag him quickly in to the under brush. As an after thought, you pull on your gloves, and grab the antique musket, keep it rather irreverently wedged in your armpit.

Good lord you are tired, and he is heavy. A few panting, wheezing, agonizing moments later, you manage to get Officer Brian into a cluster of arisaema, and crouch down.

True to form, the hunters return, one bellowing in fury at the others. Evidently, the man dragged by the horse felt that they should go back to the manor while they still lived. The yelling man, on the other hand, said that he hadn't had his 'soup' in months, and damn it, he would be coming back with some of it, or not at all.

You realize something, through the glimpses in the greenery as you see them spread out. They seemed to ordinary. Keeping your hand clamped down on Officer Brian's mouth, you shake your head at the sight. They weren't really hunters. Your father had been a hunter, a careful and quiet man, that brought you along (much to your distress) whenever possible on his outings. He knew his prey, had a plan, and brought home game. These men weren't hunters. You didn't know what they were, but they were singularly unimpressive, now that you had a chance to breath, to come to grips with your situation. You see them sweep past, the old man complaining that his prized possession had been right there-

But then they're gone. You breath a sigh of relief. Kevin looks up at you, with a bit of annoyance. Oh, right, the binds-

First:
>[ ] Actually. Let's leave Officer Brian the way he is. Something not right about him. Drag him along, sure, but don't let his arms and legs loose.
>[ ] He's a peace officer. Free him.
>[ ] Leave him behind.
>[ ] Other.

Second:
>[ ] Make for your car. Drive out of here.
>[ ] Make for the docks. Sail out of here. Or make a distraction, whichever.
>[ ] Make for the manor. Mrs. Abbot has some questions she needs to answer.
>[ ] Walk back to Detroit. No one would suspect that!
>[ ] Other.

>>26518058
Free him.

Make for the docks first. Decide what to do once we get there. Either both try to leave, Kevin leave, or we use a boat as a distraction.

>>26518088
I second this

>>26518058
>[ ] He's a peace officer. Free him.
We need him walking, not being a burden.

>[ ] Make for the docks. Sail out of here. Or make a distraction, whichever.
Distraction. No way are we leaving the car. Again.

>>26518112
Seconded.

>>26518088
>>26518098
>>26518112
Straightforward enough. Sorry about the delay folks. Also, sorry about this, but I've gotta go for like, twenty minutes. So, expect next post in about 40. I get to play impromptu therapist.

>>26518280
Good luck.

>>26518280
bump

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Damn, I need to leave.

You dumb asses better not get Timmy killed.

>>26518585
See you next week.

>>26518058
free him first then, use the boat as a distaction I F POSSABLE! if there are others there, leave it, head for the car.

Rolled 15

>>26518585
we're tring not too!
>>26518280
roll to assist you in therapy.

Rolled 59

>>26518795
Not bad. Not bad at all.

Rolled 98

>>26518924
i guess we need one more roll. wish me luck.

>>26519057
NOOO! the dice has failed me in assisting our QM in his therapy task!

quick! we need a back up plan!

>>26519079
no takers? i guess i have to make my own plan. (seriously guys, sound off once in awhile so our thread doesn't die)

>>26519342
I'm interested in our razor.

>>26519381
We got it from a polish man. Who may or may not have been sent by Call. He had that piece of paper that may or may not have been significant.

>>26519417
there is something about that razor is being to worry me. when we have it out, it seems to make our poor Tax man turn a bit more blood thirsty every time he has it out. i think it's cursed and/or corrupting us. once we are out of here we should ditch it or lock it away in our basement. find another and better knife to use.

Aaaand that was a lot more dramatic than it needed to be. Sorry again. Writing.

>>26519461
did the rolls help?

>>26519449
yeah, that's been pretty obvious for a while that the razor is possessed. it's helpful, but definitely needs to be under lock and key.

>>26519449
I wanna keep it.
I will never let it go.

Did we ever find out who nailed that pigeon to our door?

And what happened to the tall man?

>>26519482
You're obsessed with getting weapons. This one is clearly detrimental to us in the long run. Remember the condition of the previous owner?

>>26519498
not yet.

>>26519508
Fine, fine, I'll stop.

>>26519498
No idea on the first.
I think the tall man is the hoofed monster, which we shot.

threadly reminder that Kevin has been hinted rather heavily by IR to be related to the eyeless men, and so should be treated with as much suspicion as possible.

>>26519534
Maybe we should keep his hands tied.

>>26519498
i believe that was a red herring.

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The razor is making you paranoid.You look down at it. How strange your reflection is, in its steel. How strange that it doesn't catch the light, but it catches the image of you just fine.

You fold it away, tempted almost to hurl it out in to the woods, but not yet. You might need it again. When did you take it out, actually? Ignore it. You go for Officer Brian's bonds, unworking the knots on his hand with your one hand.

"Nice to see you too, Timothy," Officer Brian sounds sarcastic, "So they're gone then?"

"Yes," You manage to make enough slack that the policeman can wriggle his own hand out. His hands work speedier than your one, so you leave him to it, looking out for intruders.

"And Ella, is Ella alright?"
"Yes. She had her foot caught in a bear trap," You try not to look at Officer Brian's eyes. He looks horrified, "We managed to get her out, but..." You leave the rest unsaid. Hard to tell a man his fiancée lost his leg.
"Spare me the gory details, I get your meaning," Kevin shakes off the ropes on his legs, and stands, brushing himself down, shaking his head, "Ella, she, I mean," He shakes his head, "She loved to dance."

You nod. You didn't know her, but you sense that now is not the time to disagree. Kevin looks a bit shaky on his feet, and shivers, "I'm never gonna go in to any woods ever again."

Implausible. If Kevin lived, you sincerely doubt he'd be able to keep this vow of his, but again, now does not seem the time to disagree. You stand yourself.

"Let's get out of here, c'mon, my car is out front-"
"We should go to the dock. They'll be waiting for us at our cars."
"They have a dock here? Christ," Kevin nods, "Yeah, yeah, no, you got a point there- wait, how is Ella going to get out?"
Now really isn't the time for explanations, "I enlisted the aid of a good man, and extracted a promise from him to get her out-"

"Are, are you kidding me? Who in the hell did you meet out in the woods that would- y'know what, never mind," Kevin shakes his head, "I got captured, and you didn't. Though, I guess it's not all good for you-" He indicates your shoulder.

You didn't need his reminder. You walk past him, silently, making for the dock. Kevin follows eventually. Blessedly, he knows to stay silent to avoid detection.

You're surprised at how far you had gone in to the woods. It takes quite a walk to get back to the well trimmed yard surrounding the manor. You have some close calls with some hunters on the way, but thankfully, none that manifest themselves as a true problem. Kevin is quick to point out that it doesn't look like anyone is at the cars (Strangely still parked fine in front of the manor, unmolested), but you ignore him, continue to make for the dock. Why would somebody wait out in the open by the cars?

The dock though- the speedboat is still there, along with the larger, old fashioned and poorly maintained boat. But there is a lit lantern hanging off of the cabin door. From your perspective at the top of the stairs down to the dock, you can't see any other signs of life. Kevin frowns at the sight of it, and while looking at it, whispers to you, "Gimme your gun."
"What?"
"Your gun," He still has his eye on the boat, "I guarantee, you don't know how to shoot that as well as me, even if your arm weren't broke. So, gimme the gun- I'll go check it out."

>[ ] "No. It's my gun."
>[ ] "Very well, officer."
>[ ] Ignore him. Just get up, and walk to the boat. Lead by example.
>[ ] Abandon the boat idea. Make for the car.
>[ ] Other.

>>26519669
>[ ] Ignore him. Just get up, and walk to the boat. Lead by example.

>>26519669
>[x] "Very well, officer."
He has a point.

>>26519669
I don't trust him.

>Oh, also, side note- while I do appreciate somebody archiving this, and I'm sorry about my long farewell, it's best not to archive until the thread has come to a close. I understand that it eats up suptg's bandwidth to set up an archive this early. In the future, wait for the thread to run its course before archiving. I am grateful though, for you guys archiving this quest so diligently.

>>26519669
>[ ] Ignore him. Just get up, and walk to the boat. Lead by example.
>[ ] Other.
Hand him the musket(which isn't loaded)
Try and shoot us now

>>26519669
"there were ordinary people on that boat earlier tonight, and they don't need to know i've got a broken arm. take the musket instead."

>>26519708
I've gotta run, see you guys next week

>>26519669
>[ ] Ignore him. Just get up, and walk to the boat. Lead by example.
It was our idea afterall.

>[ ] Other.
What about that rifle the old guy dropped? If he needs something for self-defense, surely that would suffice.

>>26519721
Sorry. If it's any comfort, we should be outtadawoods by the time you get back here.

>>26519724
>>26519711
>>26519691
Ignoring him, and giving him an antique. Writing.

Not worth your time. You glance down at the Brown Bess. A musket. You don't have any black powder or shot, but-

You push Kevin the musket. He looks dumbfounded.

"Uh, great, but Mr. Washington sir, this isn't Lexington, and I wouldn't be able to see the whites of their eyes anyway in the dark. I know you have a real gu- Damn it, Johnson, are you listening to me?"

You're not, really. You've got something more important to worry about. You're not sure how you're supposed to feel about the razor in your pocket. Nice little tool this. Perhaps too nice. Your hand is in your pocket again, as you're strolling down the dock to the boat. You hear Kevin hurrying behind you as you walk along. He's still holding on to the musket.

"Sheesh, Johnson, when my girl described you as not being a big talker, I was thinking you'd be kinda quiet, not a brick wall," Officer Brian seems agitated, "Though you sure are calm, huh? I was thinking, thinking with that poem my girl told me about, you'd be the sort to fold in and blubber, but, well, guess not?" He walks beside you, holding the Brown Bess like it would do some good, barrel down, cradled good. He had been there when it shot. Still a little woozy- you see him shut his eyes hard and blink rapidly.

The boat sways on the water in front of you, moored by two ropes. You hear, what you think, is some kind of classical record. Holst? Maybe? Mercury, winged messenger. Not a fitting tune for this night.

>[ ] Untie the ropes.
>[ ] Go in. Make sure you're not surprised.
>[ ] Send Kevin in. Make sure you're not surprised by either of them.
>[ ] Other.

>>26519938
>[ ] Go in. Make sure you're not surprised.
gun at the ready.

>>26519938
>[ ] Other.
Knock on the wood. See if anyone responds.

>>26519938
>>[ ] Untie the ropes
ugh. i should go to bed but i want to keep reading....

>>26519938
>[ ] Untie the ropes.
this is ment to be a distraction guys, we're not sailors and it's night time. look inside real quick if you must. but we were heading for the car! we need it back!

>>26519993
http://youtu.be/7ejsM0VF-Os?t=3m16s

Untie the ropes of both of them. Then, rev up the engine of the speed boat and let it go flying off, while we push the bigger boat away, letting it drift. Then we RUN and HIDE, ready to head to the cars.

>>26520070
>>26520024
>>26519993

dammit, that's three votes. we're gonna get ambushed so badly. go in first gun ready.

>>26520024
>>26519993
>>26520070
Untying ropes. Writing.

Also, should I start this quest earlier? I rather don't want to keep people up.

>>26520107
That would probably be a good idea

>>26520107
I had just waken up shortly after you started. Didn't really participate today, though, due to distractions.

>>26520107
yes, it's about 2:30 in the morning EST for me. i do need to go to bed soon. (although i am self employed with a flexable time table, but STILL this is late. no offence my good QM.) distractions and real life happens. we're cool and roll with it. i am willing to contiune this later even.

"The ropes," You whisper to the police officer, keeping an eye out. You crouch down, trying to do what you can with one hand, but the traffic cop is definitely faster. You are tempted to use your razor to keep up, but you don't want to blunt the blade by trying to work wet boat rope. While you're still working with one knot, he finishes the others on the old sail boat, and quickly moves for the speed boat, all the while keeping the musket tucked in his arm pit.

It really is frustrating to be one armed.

You hear the record stop. Kevin shouts "Finished!"

Shouts.

That idiot.

The lamp goes out, just as a cloud passes in front of the half moon. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the dark. But you do distinctly hear the noise of a door clatter open, a rushing like wind, and then the useless click of an unloaded musket's trigger.

You whirl around, and in the dim light of the moon, you see Kevin suspended in midair, pale arm around his throat, hanging him above and Mrs. Abbot's pale face behind him, wicked red fingernails at his throat.

Your razor is out.

Kevin drops the Brown Bess to dock with a clatter, as he tries to pull uselessly at Mrs. Abbot's arm. Mrs. Abbot looks all wrong. Too stretched, too vague, too tall, in the dark. Her pale arm seems to run almost like an oil painting, and Kevin seems to be bobbing, seems almost uncertain even as he's held up a good two feet off the ground. You glance up. The cloud isn't that big. The moon light might return.

"Drop it," She hisses, all sibilant, high pitched, teeth bared, eyes narrowed in fury, "Drop it, or he will die."

>[ ] Drop the razor.
>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.
>[ ] Rush her. 3 1d100, 50 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

>>26520131
Okay, next Thursday, I'll try to start the game two hours earlier. I should be able to, but I'll post if I'm not able to.

>>26520322
>>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.
Thank you

>>26520322
>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.

"What? Are you afraid of this little thing? Don't want to be ruffled in front of your congregation?"

>>26520322
>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.
"are you... afraid... Mrs. Abbot?"
keep aware of her goons and monsters sneaking up.

>>26520322
I TOLD YOU TO CHECK THE BOAT, BUT NOOOOOOOO, WE HAVE TO GO HEADLONG INTO THE BLATANT TRAP.
>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.
Don't taunt her, not while she's got his neck in her hands.

>>26520322
>[ ] Delay. Talk. Keep her talking.
"Let him go, Mrs. Abbot, or you'll have another horrorshow in your hands. The Strahan kid is out of the hunt anyway."

>>26520322
>[ ] Rush her. 3 1d100, 50 and below succeed.

>>26520407
>>26520353
>>26520423
Well. That's 3 for taunting. Merging.

>>26520442
NO, DO- GAH. The knob-gobblers are out in force tonight.

>>26520423
Wait, let's rephrase that
"Your man is dead, your guests scared and scattered, and Strahan kid is out of the game already. Just go, before things turn really unpleasant."

>>26520458
Hush, I know what I'm doing.

>>26520458
>complains about suggestions
>doesn't offer any of his own

You summon up some bravado from a barrel that should have run dry long ago. You hold up the blade, "Afraid of this, Mrs. Abbot?" You sidle around her, keeping an eye near the end of the dock, the back of the manor, the stairs. You would not get snuck up on this time, "The Strahan boy is gone already. The hunt is over, Mrs. Abbot. Let the policeman go, and we can all walk away fine."

From the look Mrs. Abbot is giving you, you're surprised the lake hasn't frozen over. You glance up at the moon. Still blocked. Just a bit longer-

"I know what you are now, Mr. Johnson. I understand now, what Delinard was trying to feed me," Her hand narrows on officer's throat, causing him to vocally gag, "And you are much, mistaken. Congregations come and go, but me? What I am? I am ETERNAL! I have wed a god, Mr. Johnson, and I will send you whimpering back to Call. To Hell with the Strahans! To Hell with Lee, that backstabbing shit. To Hell with Delinard, that bitch in a pelt!" She holds Kevin in front of her now, holding him in front of you with one ghastly pale arm, with red fingernails- and you note, the long, red wounds down from wrist to elbow. His face is going red, "You are singularly not frightening, Mr. Johnson, the only thing worth a thought about you are the strings that are in you," The moon starts to show through the clouds, and she draws her hand back, out of the light, "Do not challenge me again, Mr. Johnson! Drop. Your. Blade."

>[ ] Drop it.
>[ ] Keep her talking.
>[ ] Rush her. 3 1d100, 48 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

>>26520553
] Rush her. 3 1d100, 48 and below succeed.

>>26520553
>[ ] Keep her talking.

>>26520553
>[ ] Other.
"I'm going to take it all away, Mrs. Abbot. Not your life, no no, but something more important. Your wealth. You think that I'm called the Tax Man just for fun? Come Monday and you can say goodbye to your manor, your estates, your social standing and what's left of your little circle of friends."
"You're going to be homeless, Mrs. Abbot."

>>26520553
>>[ ] Keep her talking.

>>26520553
>>[ ] Rush her. 3 1d100, 48 and below succeed.

Note the 'wed a god' bit. there's definitely going to be backlash for attempting to take her out.

>>26520482
A, because IR had already started writing, B, I did offer. not taunting her when our associate's life is on the line.

>[ ] Rush her.

>>26520600
changing my vote to this

Rolled 76

>>26520553
>[ ] Rush her.

Rolled 100

>>26520616
correction. change vote to this
>>26520600

>>26520627
blarg! please ignore the roll. my bad

>>26520600
you know, this has class. I'm changing to this.

>>26520627
If we were rolling, you would have killed us. please don't do it again.

>>26520651
the dice hate me.

>>26520640
Don't take player-written responses. They are bad.

OP pls ignore.

>>26520698
well, yes, obviously edit it so that it reads better, but why not the underlying idea? bluff her with the idea that an Audit of her ownings has been created, an our death will only exacerbate the proceedings. it could work.

>>26520698
But some crucial moments of Tax Quest actually implemented player write-ins.
And IR adjusts suggestions to fit in better.
Also, Mrs. Abbot will probably keep gloating that we're bringing up such an insubstantial thing.

It seems that 26520600 has the most approval. Writing.

>>26520698
Counterpoint: some of player-written responses are really cool and fit the story perfectly.

>>26520733
Well, seeing that she's all revved up on how powerful she is in the magical world, suddenly shocking her with crude reality of money might do the trick. What's the point of being immortal if you have to hang out with the hobos and so on.

>>26520768
I hope she can still laugh about that idiocy. Oh well, impromptu bluffing doesn't have to be great.

You stand there. Look up at her. All you needed, was a bit more time.

"I'm going to take-"

Kevin doesn't scream. There's a forceful expulsion of flesh, and air. It makes a sound. A sound like a wet towel being torn. Her red finger nails for a moment are lost in his throat, and for a moment, it's like a little white cloud wrapped around his neck. And then his blood comes out. And you see the outline of her arm, of the whitened knuckles. Kevin's eyes almost look like they're popping out of his skull. You half expect them to.

Your words die in your throat, as you reach up with your good arm. Mrs. Abbot stares back at you, back down. Her hand, twists, with the ragged meat of what was once Officer Brian's neck in it. It squirts through her fingers, like wet dough. She never looks at him. Never looks away from your eyes.

Officer Brian's head bounces off of the dock, and then rolls in to the lake with a faint and hollow splash. Then, his body slips out of her fingers, and falls on to the water eaten wood, with a faint spatter of blood dripping from between her fingers. The moon light encroaches on her, but you see her draw back, drift back of the lake, drawing in her red hands, looking at you.

"I told you not to challenge me again, Mr. Johnson."

Her words are a glass of water poured in to a tidal wave. You stare, at the wet, red, sack of meat that was once Officer Brian. Your mouth is hanging open. You wanted, wanted to do something, anything, but it was over so fast. Or maybe something else stopped you. His head. His head is gone. Blood doesn't flow very easily through the pinched neck hole. Strange wound, this. It seems to sizzle in the moon light.

"Now, Mr. Johnson," You look up, and Mrs. Abbot's body is floating there, ragged at the edges, as the moonlight encompasses you, "Why shouldn't I kill you?"

>[ ] Rage against the dying of the light.
>[ ] The better part of valor.
>[ ] Better to reign in Hell.
>[ ] Other.

>>26520922
>[ ] Rage against the dying of the light.

>>26520922
>[ ] Rage against the dying of the light.

>>26520922
>Officer Brian's head bounces off of the dock, and then rolls in to the lake with a faint and hollow splash.
Oh bummer.

"Because that would be very rude?"
Slash at her with the razor, this ends here one way or another.

>>26520922
>[ ] Rage against the dying of the light.

YOU FUCKING KNOB GOBBLERS I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN GOD DAMMIT YES I MAD

>>26520922
>>[ ] Rage against the dying of the light.

>>26520980
Shh now, what happened, happened. Try to make a more compelling case earlier next time. Which will surely happen.

>Rage, dying light etc

>>26521016
Right. It's clear we need to go full Shadow Quest with Threadly Reminders at the beginning. We already have our first rule.

1. DO NOT TAUNT THE ELDRITCH ABOMINATIONS.

any other ideas?

>>26521016
How about you be less stupid next time instead?
Really, you were retarded enough to think that this would actually work out?

>>26520957
>>26520961
>>26520972
>>26520980
>>26520996
>>26521016
Do not go gentle in to that good night. Writing.

>>26521046
It would have been fine if he hadn't yelled out that he was done untying the rope.

>>26521041
2. DO NOT CHARGE AT THE ELDRITCH ABOMINATIONS WITH A BROKEN DOMINANT ARM AND A FLIMSY BLADE?

>>26521041
2. We are not G-men. Don't try and act like one.

3. Discretion is the better part of valor. When the opportunity to run comes, take it.

4. Don't fuck around with 'being cool' when people's lives are on the line; that's the way to get people killed.

5. Don't use items you're uncertain about. They might be cursed.

Any other ideas?

>>26521046
Like you had any better ideas.

>>26521065
The boats were an obvious trap, and giving Kevin a musket with no powder didn't help him at all either.
You basically chose every wrong action possible.

>>26521113
You know, I'm half-expecting the quest trolls showed up to try and get us killed. there's no way we suddenly fucked up this badly when we were doing so well before.

>>26521113
And the completely unguarded cars weren't a trap?

>>26521125
Huh? We were doing perfectly fine up until this point. There's no reason to assume that some boats would be guarded, since no one in their sane mind would try to escape on them, especially if they arrived to the scene by car.

>>26521132
Well since Mrs. Abbott was here and not at the cars, apparently not.

>>26521132
It's not that they weren't a trap, it's that we DIDN'T CHECK THE BOAT BEFORE WE CAST OFF. My god, any roleplayer worth a handful of shit knows to always check for traps and ambushes.

>>26521153
rocks fall party dies

>>26521041
>1. DO NOT TAUNT THE ELDRITCH ABOMINATIONS.
Try to be more precise. The first few taunts were quite useful. Only when we stopped doing anything else and used incredibly stupid taunts did it become a problem.
>1. TAUNTING IS NOT THE ONLY POSSIBLE SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH VAMPIRES
>>26521046
I was not. I came to late to say anything other than >>26520921.

>>26521113
>2. ASSUME NPCs ARE IDIOTS.
>3. ALWAYS ASSUME TRAPS.

>>26521158
EXACTLY. I think I'm starting to believe the people bitching about how quests are full of retards from other boards.

>>26521153
What are you talking about, we didn't cast off? Timothy and Abbott are still standing on the pier, she came out of the hut not boat.

>>26521180
>implying you're not trolling to make people angry and ruin the mood

1. DO NOT TAUNT THE ELDRITCH ABOMINATIONS.

2. ASSUME NPCs ARE IDIOTS.

3. ALWAYS ASSUME TRAPS AND AMBUSHES.

4. WE ARE NOT G-MEN, DON'T ACT LIKE ONE.

5. DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR. IF A SITUATION IS OUT OF CONTROL, RUN WHEN POSSIBLE.

6. DO NOT FUCK AROUND WITH 'BEING COOL' WHEN PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE. PEOPLE WILL DIE IF YOU DO.

7. DO NOT USE ITEMS YOU ARE UNSURE OF AS TO THEIR ORIGIN; THEY MAY BE CURSED.

any other ideas, or should we screencap?

The body is still breathing. Horrifying to see. Or maybe those were dying spasms? You didn't like Officer Brian. Why? He might have been tied to your nightmares. He might have been about to discover your crime. He had led you here, in pointless glory seeking. He had actually shouted, in the dark. He was a fool. But no one deserves to die like that.

A man's dying wish has power. I wonder what he wished for?

"Why shouldn't I kill you?"

Your razor gleams, as you shout incoherently, stumbling up, swinging your razor with abandon. Mrs. Abbot sneers, drifts back, eyes narrowed- but then she goes too far, the moon light falls on her, and she grows substantial, solid. Over past the boat, she drops, in the light, suddenly rational, no longer ephemeral, she splashes down in the dark.

You run off the pier, stumble over the speedboat, and leap after her, razor above you. You're yelling something you're not sure of. Mrs. Abbot is below, raises her left arm, the bandages off. Your blade slices through her fingers like a pair of scissors through paper. The digits fly free, red fingernails at the end.

Timothy, please stay calm.

You're not listening to the blade at the moment. As she cries out, crawls back through the shallow water, she waves her hand- suddenly the claw marks, the one that she gave you earlier on the arm, they open, and fire creeps up and down them, and blood runs free. But you're beyond caring.

You push the blade in, going for her neck, but her right hand reaches out, pushes it away from her neck, and you slice open right underneath her clavicle, making her cry out.

Remember what you are.

There is someone coming down the rocks. Someone very large, shining in he light. Long, long fingers, gleaming in the moon light. Insubstantial shape, fuzzy at the edges.

"Stop!" Mrs. Abbot cries out, left with only a thumb on her left side that she pushes up, at your face. You feel it pierce your cheek. You bite. She screams. Your hand rises again. Razor, wet with blood and water comes up a glittering arc. He wasn't supposed to die. He wasn't supposed to die. You could save everyone.

The large figure is gone. There is a naked woman now, on the steps, the only ornament she has is a large, fur coat. She is smiling.

Don't forget.

Mrs. Abbot cries out, her right hand grabbing on to your shattered shoulder. She squeezes, the pain, the pain is immense. Her left arm is bleeding. She's trying to pull her arm free of your cheek. You wish you still had your molars at that moment. You gave her those wounds earlier, and only now do they bleed. You bring your razor down, hard, It splits her ear, runs along the side, coming through her top lip.

A woman is laughing from the stairs of the dock. You can't spare her a look.

>[ ] Abbot must die.
>[ ] Abbot must die.
>[ ] Stop.
>[ ] Abbot must die.
>[ ] Look at the woman at the dock.
>[ ] Go, run. She's down. You won't survive if you stay.
>[ ] Abbot must die.
>[ ] Other.

>Everybody, please remain calm.

>>26521289
>[ ] Go, run. She's down. You won't survive if you stay.

>>26521289
>[ ] Stop.
We're cutting Ella right now.

>>26521265
Nah, it's good. Just name it nofunallowed.jpg while you're at it.

>>26521307
oh god i didn't even think of that

>>26521289
>[ ] Look at the woman at the dock.

laughing women as we're murdering somebody is a bad sign. remember the Eyeless men.

>>26521289
>[ ] Stop.

>>26521289
>[ ] Look at the woman at the dock.
Seems to be the one from the dreams, based on the descriptions.

>>26521323
Ella would push us, Abbot would put an arm through us.

>>26521329
oh god I just realized this is exactly what the Eyeless men want, it's the classy lady, if we kill her we're giving the Eyeless men an answer STOP RIGHT NOW.

>>26521289
>[ ] Stop
We must remain calm. Two worst times to lose your head, in a fight, and in the water.

>>26521289
[x] Stop.
[x] Look at the woman at the dock.

When the murder-happy razor blade is advocating calm, that's when you know you're about to do something stupid.

>>26521289
>Stop.

>Stop
>Look at the woman on the dock

>>26521289
>Cut her until she doesn't move anymore. Ignore Call's bitch for now.

>>26521313
>implying

we just got a dude killed because we thought we were a shounen hero who could talk down the monster. We need our feet of clay right now.

Yeah, I'm sorry folks. I don't want people to get so so mad at each other. It's just a game/story. It's unfortunate, but you gotta look at it from other people's perspective. Taunting worked last encounter. Regrettably, Mrs. Abbot was kind of running out of patience, and eager to prove that she was still someone to be respected.

As of such...Poor Kevin.

He was an idiot though. There were three words I wrote down for his description as a character, and that was one of them.

>>26521289
>Stop
and
>Look at the woman at the dock

>>26521370
since he's dead, can you tell us whether he was related to the nightmares? or is that still classified information?

>>26521370
What were the other 2?

>>26521265
Let's change 2. a bit.

1. Assume friendly NPCs are idiots. Hope enemies are as well.

>>26521387
>>26521394
Sorry. Maybe at the end of this quest (Which, judging by the innawoods segment, will be forever away. I'm still learning, damn it), I'll put up my notes for the quest, along with a few other things.

Well, the two other words wouldn't hurt. "Heroic, gloryseeker."

Must.... stay..... awake....

>>26521362
Or perhaps we could just let people play as they want to? Trying to go all nazi what we should and shouldn't do is wrong.

>>26521420
Sorry, man.

Writing quick. Stop, look and listen (at the woman on the stairs).

>>26521420
You can do it anon, start brewing some coffee!

>>26521443
Can't have caffeine, it messes up my body too much

>>26521370
>Taunting worked last encounter.
Indeed. As I said above, taunting was a good idea at the beginning. Somehow, people thought taunting was the only viable option though, which was stupid.

>0. The same trick only works so long. Don't be predictable when fighting the same characters several times.

>>26521453
damn, that's the saddest thing I've read in a while

>>26521499
>Yeah, it kind of sucks

File: 1376036022078.png-(20 KB, 942x300, Tax Quest Threadly Reminder.png)

20 KB PNG

Over 9000 hours in MSPaint.

>>26521453
>>26521499
>>26521519
I feel like this is the third time this happened.

>>26521571
Second, someone gave me the same suggestion in an earlier thread

>>26521555
Following that advice Timothy wouldn't even gotten involved in the first place, though, but just carried on his regular life. Being overtly cautious kills the adventure is all. I for one don't want this quest to turn to 200 post threads about arguing whether we should open a scary looking door or not.

Stop.

Your glasses are barely hanging on. Just one of the frame's limbs is on your left ear. The rest of it is swaying beneath your chin, dripping water and blood. You feel her thumb slip out of your cheek, and look down.

Even with your near sightedness, it doesn't look good. A woman on the wrong side of four, crying, right hand wrapped around the stumps of her left. The woman killed Kevin in cold blood, just to make a demonstration. You feel the hate well up again, but then compose yourself. You stand out of the surf of the water, and bring your glasses back up to your eyes.

There is a naked woman sitting on the stairs down from the manor. A big, shaggy, white fur coat on her. Mrs. Abbot sobs beneath you. You glance down. She's bleeding from a half dozen places.

So are both of your arms for that matter. You realize how loose the grip on your razor has gotten. Great. At this rate, you'll be a quadriplegic by morning. You drop the razor in your pocket, and check your watch. 11:21PM. Not far from the witching hour.

"Go on!" The naked woman called out from the step she was sitting on. You glance up. She leans forward, hugging the fur coat close to herself, in an ineffectual display of modesty, trying to cover herself, "Finish it! Better than letting her die of infection, right?"

"Don't," Breathes Mrs. Abbot under you, trying to crawl out of the waves, "Please, whatever you want."

It's not right. Usually, the bad guy dies in one quick stroke of the hero's sword. Doesn't die, bleeding, begging in the surf. But that's your fault, right? You couldn't just finish her.

"Who are you?" You're looking at Mrs. Abbot, but it's clear who you're speaking to. You're starting to sway from blood loss.

>>26521571
>>26521578
The love of coffee must be spread

"Delinard, my dear, at your service," You glance up, then look away as she stands up. No, no, she didn't care about modesty at all, "I didn't think you'd be here! You can thank Mrs. Abbot, for letting me use her phone. I had no idea what to do!"

"Bitch," Whispers Mrs. Abbot, trying to crawl up on to the beach.

"Ahhh," Delinard looks up, a smile on her face, star gazing for a moment, "Nobody ever gets sick of saying that, hm? Not even accurate, and not funny past the first twenty times. And Mrs. Abbot," She puts a hand to her breast, looking hurt, "I've done nothing to you at all! It's all the fine tax man here," She looks up, gives you a wink, "Good work, by the way."

"Please," Mrs Abbot gasps, her fingers dragging through the pebbled shore, crawling forward, "Whatever you want."
"Oh! You should ask for Officer Brian back!" Delinard seems to find this funny, setting her fists on her hips, and leaning in, letting her breasts hang free, "Just kidding. She wouldn't have a chance of doing that. And you'd be benefiting from the death of a...Friend?" She looks up, cocks an eyebrow, "Sorry, don't know your relationship with him. Mr. Call could probably help- if we can find the head. How are you at swimming, Tim?" Delinard smiles.
"She's Call's..." Whispers Mrs. Abbot, "You know, you know-"
"Yep, not even ashamed of it, sorry sweety," Delinard leans in, places a hand at the corner of her mouth conspiratorially, "I think he knows."

These people. These strange, and awful people. To speak so casually about death. About people living or dying. So flippant, about violence.

>[ ] Finish Abbot.
>[ ] See if you can find Kevin's head.
>[ ] Walk away, to your car.
>[ ] Start asking questions.
>[ ] Other.

>>26521608
>[ ] Start asking questions.

more plat pls

>>26521622
plot*

>>26521608
>[ ] Walk away, to your car.
We don't want to make things any worse than they are already

>Other
Can we stab the naked bitch, because if so do that. Fuck her.

>>26521608
>[ ] Start asking questions.

Whatever we do, don't go for Kevin's head. We're a god-fearing protestant who doesn't traffic in necromancy, and being in favor to Call is so bad it should be on the threadly reminder to not be it.

>>26521639
NO WAY. BAD IDEA. we are in no shape to be getting into another fight, let alone with someone we know almost nothing about

>>26521608
Walk to car. W

File: 1376036649206.jpg-(545 KB, 900x1197, tales-of-mystery-and-imag(...).jpg)

545 KB JPG

>>26521639
Well, it's a straight razor. Doesn't do stabbing real well. It can be done, but it's not recommended.

>>26521608
>[ ] Start asking questions.

"You're the Devil Mr. Call made a deal with, aren't you? What do you want from me?"

>>26521653
We know she beat the shit out of Lee!

>>26521608
[x] See if you can find Kevin's head
[x] Start asking questions.
"And what do you want from me?"

>>26521671
all the more reason not to fight her in our current state

>>26521671
she is the one who jumped Lee, isn't she? so she's saved our ass once before. Why?

>>26521661
Fine, slash her. If that is to stupid of an idea ask her more questions. Namely: What the fuck does Call want with us.

>>26521608
>[ ] Walk away, to your car.
There's an angry Horse-man out in the woods, a wounded ally and possible minion out at the Bureau. No time for devils, we've got more than enough for now. Can't we just go back to audits and collecting on delinquencies?

>>26521608
>[ ] Start asking questions.
We've come this far. We might as well learn something. Maybe what the ramifications of our actions might be.

>>26521694
Exactly my point

>>26521684
I think Call owed us, had us preform a favor in the form of murder, so he decided to bump Abott off while clearing the record. Or at least that's my guess.

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>>26521694
You already know the answer to that, my friend.

>>26521677
I don't think we should consider bringing Kevin back from the dead, it just goes blatantly against balanced books you know?

>>26521703
I agree with the first part but the end seems a bit out of character for Tim. He has realized that by this point he can't go back to his old job. He can still be a Taxman but what he is collecting has changed.

Okay. Questions it is. Writing. Warning, this is going to take a while. Sorry, I suck at dialogue.

>>26521701
Agreed, getting some answers was why we came here in the first place.

>>26521725
guess i will go to bed in that case, see you all next week.

>>26521725
Ugh, its so late here. I don't want to bow out now but I also want to get some sleep.

>>26521725
I'll be here. I have tasted the colombian brew and it has given me strength

>>26521725
if everybody's crashing, maybe we should just call it a night and you simply post 8 hours later. 'cause it's 3:30 here and I'm only up to try and mitigate the damage done, because I'm swaying right now.

>>26521736
Sleep when you are dead.

On an unrelated note, I'm not said Kevin is dead. He deserved it, but I feel bad for TImothy, feel wanted to save everyone so bad.

>>26521752
This, its 1:30 here and I want to sleep.

>>26521752
I'm up, it's midday anyway around here.

>>26521736
>>26521752
>>26521765
Nay brethren! We must stay true to the thread lest we give into temptation! Make one last glorious stand for power, for might, for the OP! What are we if not loyal? Surely we can brave more posts! Stay vigilante, lest we be taken by the cold hands of slumber and be put to the dream!

>>26521784
Nah. Sleep is good.

>>26521784
this entire thread is proof that bad decisions are made when the populace is sleepy. Sleep is a beautiful thing.

>>26521759
That's kinda the point, isn't it? I'm not happy that Kevin died, but it certainly was entertaining in a ohshit moment way. Then again I'm not particularly interested in "winning" the quest, I'm interested in a dramatic story.

>>26521809
THIS

>>26521797
One questionable decision, anon. Stop your bitching.

>>26521817
>giving him an unloaded weapon
>not checking the boat first
>not attempting to immediately rush

with the continued taunt, and not counting the other leadups, that's 4 bad decisions. I'm not counting the unguarded cars because we probably would have gotten the same encounter anyway, but it certainly would have been simpler than this.

>>26521809
>>26521817
I don't even feel bad about our choices, sure we killed our ally because we were too short sighted to put down a knife, but that knife is also subtlety influencing our mind. Its a good moment for character growth perhaps we will learn that standing down and not trying to call a person on the edge, is not a bluff, and that we will do our best to keep our friends alive.

To be honest I think she would have killed him even if we put down the knife, but we will never know.

>>26521860
>not attempting to immediately rush
>rushing an eldritch abomination with a broken arm and a straight razor
Your other points I can give you, but that would've been fucking retarded and you should know better.

>>26521809
>>26521816
God I hate fucks like you.
You're the type that go loldrama and choose the randumb choices and shit up all of the progress that other players have worked for.

>>26521860
Personally I feel our failures are more interesting man. We will strive to succeed, but now we have in-character reasons to be more cautious in the future.

>>26521869
True, true. The way I see it the story is now about 'Ella coming to grips with that her fiancée was in cahoots with cannibal cultists', and for that it matters a little whether Kevin is alive or not.

>>26521893
And I hate fucks like you, who are too afraid for the main character to step outside his house. And for the record Kevin dying progressed the story just as much as him surviving, retard.

>>26521893
God I hate fucks like you.
You're the type that go loldrama and choose the randumb choices and shit up all of the progress that other players have worked for.

>you're what's wrong with this board

>>26521893
>quests are only fun if your numbers get BIGGER and BETTER
>progress is getting BIGGER and BETTER ALWAYS ALL THE TIME
Do us a favor and go have your power fantasy somewhere else, kid, this quest is for more mature audience who can handle occasional failure.

Will you all shut up.

>>26521910
Did I miss something? I don't think there was any proof he was in cahoots with the canibals.
>>26521927
>>26521925

Don't fight. There is nothing wrong with enjoying different aspects of the Questing. I think success would be interesting, we get to learn about the world and make new allies, but we are as out of our element as we can be. I think it's important for Timothy to fail. He needs to know that he's only human, and that there are things he can't do by himself.

Maybe Kevin could have defended them better with a loaded gun, maybe not. Maybe the cars would have been safer, maybe not. Maybe we should have been more vigilant. Maybe if we trusted Kevin more he'd be alive.

We can't second guess ourselves like that. Down that road lies only madness, we can only learn and help guide our action with this knowledge.

>>26521925
>>26521927
Sure, if you're going to put hyperbolic actions in my mouth, you want to have Timothy go up and attack Call's woman over there. What next, attacking Call with the razor? Or maybe punch out the people at the Bureau for not telling us stuff?

>>26521946
Progress isn't about numbers, dipshit, but in the completion of character-held goals and in working towards them.

>>26521946
>>26521927
>>26521925
>>26521893
Just fuck already.

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>>26521946
Failure is fine, but not when it's because we went pants-on-head retarded about it. this was a choice that was EASILY avoided if people were paying even a scrap of attention to the genre and game they were playing.

>>26521968
>MFW

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>>26521979

>>26521968
Agreed, just report the little anon bitching that /tg/ killed his husbando for trolling and carry on with the quest.

>...Okay, well, everyone is falling asleep. I'll post this, then call it a night.

>I guess I'll resume this tomorrow for a short while, if this thread is still around.

"You're Mr. Call's devil, aren't you?" You murmur, stepping out of the surf, in water logged shoes. Delinard looks at you with shock. Then stands up straight, and giggles.

"Oh, oh, a devil? That's, that's quite flattering dear-"
"Skin stealer," Murmurs Mrs. Abbot, still crawling forward, on her whole hand, her fingerless hand cradled close. The surf is red with her blood, "Steals, steals skins, and makes them-"
"Oh shush," Delinard steps forward, but you raise your razor. Petulantly, she rolls her eyes, and steps back.

"What do you want with me?"
"Eddie was very concerned with your welfare, Tim, and he just wanted to make sure you were safe!"
"He wants, he wants you to have the blood on your hands, instead of his. Merit will be after you, instead," Mrs. Abbot has dragged her face out of the surf, and lays, face up, shivering, holding her wounds close. Delinard glares at her.

"Sheesh, you die slow."
"Living on bitterness, dear," Mrs. Abbot looks up at you with hate, "I hate you both. So much. But," She raises a finger, points at your razor, "That explains half of it."

"What? What is it?"
Delinard shrugs. Mrs. Abbot twists her face in to a grin, "Oh, Mr. Johnson. I look forward to seeing you in Hell."

"Dramatic windbag," Delinard pouts a bit, then looks at you with a smile, "I bet Eddie would know what that is. I'm more of a, ah, straightforward thinker, y'know?"

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You wish for nothing more than to go home at that moment. You glance between the two, then back to the sea. Maybe, maybe Kevin would live, if you dove in there, dragged out his head, and gave it to these crazy woman. Maybe not. Maybe you would just drown, with one arm cut up, and the other broken.

"I don't want to this," Your voice breaks a little, and you take a moment to regain your composure. Just the hoarseness. The exhaustion of the night, "I don't want to make immortal enemies. I don't want to be followed. I don't want to be haunted, or hunted, or, or, or, or whatever else," You roll the razor in your hand, "How do I get you to leave me alone?"

Delinard looks genuinely moved. Looks. Mrs. Abbot looks up at you with venom.

"Listen," Delinard steps forward carefully, tip toeing on her bare feet around the particularly sharp rocks. She goes in for what might have been a hug, but you step away. She frowns at that, then shakes her head, "Honey, that's why I was sent here. Eddie, Mr. Call, he's a good person. Really, if you think carefully," She leans in, looks at you with those big, dark eyes, "You might remember him."

"You sliced me up, broke in to my home, and now, now you want to be left alone?" Mrs. Abbot looks up at you. You step around Delinard, and look down at Mrs. Abbot. There's not really much else you can say.

"You killed a cop."
"Trespassing without a warrant."
"You hunt people in your woods for food!" You're really getting sick of being lectured by murderers.
"You have no proof," She whispers, hoarsely.
"And now you're going to die, alone, on the beach, bleeding out, at the hands of a taxman," That's Delinard. She sounds happy and smug.

Mrs. Abbot doesn't have a response to that.

Nothing else you can think of at the moment.
>[ ] Time to go.
>[ ] Drown Mrs. Abbot.
>[ ] Slit Delinard's throat.
>[ ] Drag Mrs. Abbot off of the beach, to her home.
>[ ] Convince Delinard to save Abbot.
>[ ] Other.

>Ok. Barring a vast response, see you tomorrow.