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Your name is Shu, and you feel like you're getting a hang of the apocalypse. You've gotten used to the fact that the world you once knew is long gone, replaced with a twisted fleshscape of twitching muscles, pulsing veins, and marbled bone. You woke a mere two weeks ago to find a buzzing hive along your spine that you can control with a thought and a conspicuous lack of memories. You started searching for answers, and it wasn't long before you found you weren't the only girl whose body had been warped to suit this new world.

Of the Daughters you've encountered, you now travel with three who have become your closest allies. B'ni was the first to join you, proving to be a ceaselessly loyal friend and fiercely competent butcher with her calcite greaves and blinding speed. Later, you rescued the introspective and witty Gina from a furious city, and now she wields a suite of abilities that bend mind and body in equal measure. Finally, a ginger firecracker named Rath brings her arsenal of explosive cysts to bear on any that would dare threaten her friends, though she'd never admit her fondness for you. The four of you have journeyed far in search of a place all Daughters, sane or otherwise, are drawn towards; a place known as the Cord, a place that bridges the gap between this new world and the being responsible for its current state.

Now, mere yards from the exit of the Shrouded City, a shifting, terrible thing stands between the four of you and freedom...

* * * * *

Previous Thread: >>3253856

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Body%20Horror%20Quest

Character Abilities: https://pastebin.com/A5MA9zeY
>>
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You stagger back as a wild, shifting form emerges from the wreckage before you. It is a grasping, craving thing, a writhing mass of flailing arms that end in twitching hands. Fingers dig into and through the pavement below it as it crawls forth, crushing the ground underneath it through sheer strength alone.

“Fucking hell.” Rath groans between gritted teeth. “Couldn’t have waited ‘til we were a couple feet ahead, huh?”

“Shut it.” B’ni hisses, her unblinking gaze on the creature in the dim light ahead of you.

A low muttering emanates from somewhere within the amorphous form, a steady chant as it feels its way across the street.

“Seenoevilspeaknoeviltouchnoeviltastenoevilseenoevilsee…”

A hand freezes, outstretched from the center of its mass as it brings two fingers together in a familiar gesture.

It snaps, the sound echoing along the silent street.

Then turns.

“What the hell is it do…” Rath begins across the empathic channel.

“Oh, fuck me.” Gina says, the same realization hitting you a half-second before it dawned on her.

“It’s echolocation.”

As one, its countless arms reach out to you, hands grasping wildly as it surges ahead, grinding the street to dust in mad desperation to tear you asunder.

It is a crazed, wild thing, one that stands between you and freedom.

The thing that tore the Mountain King to pieces.

The Hundred-Handed One.

Shu the Defiant

VS.

Hecatoncheires

HP: 100% (Chitinous Stalwart:Active, Undamaged)
BIO: 65% (2 Soundlings, 6 Platelings, 8/15 Active)
CONTENDER: Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed and ready
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Medium, approaching rapidly. Blocking exit.
B’ni: 120%
GG: 120% (Shrouded)
Rath: 120%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3276243
>>3276235
DAMMIT OP I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO BED.

Good morning BHOP, good to see you up and running but I have to pass out. Good luck to the anons, be careful and don't get anyone killed and remember to give the Contender some mileage this fight, I think we'll need It. My only suggestion for the upcoming fight Is to be sure to use It's Echolocation against It somehow, distract It or perhaps make a steady flow of loud noise to impair It's ability to use It.
>>
>>3276260
(Hello Anon! I hope you get some good sleep, and know that I'll be updating continuously all this week so you'll get your chance to participate soon. Rest well.)
>>
>>3276265
ARCHIVE TENTH VEIN YOU RETARD
>>
>>3276269
(Done. Do note that if the previous Vein is still open, I'll leave the link to it.)
>>
>>3276243
Hey BHOP, If you fire a Hollowpoint Hive at a daughter what happens?
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>>3276243
Glad to see this back.
But whew, this is gonna be a fight i feel.

The biggest issue i see is with so many hands, it'll be hard to get anything past them to get a solid hit, from risking b'nis leg getting grabbed to Ginas cords.

>RATH; lay down the law, and that law is fire. Use a few bombs to blocks its route to us, trying to land the bombs to where they splash equally on and on the ground infront of arm boi.

>SHU; spawn some cricket-like swarmlings, three, and send them off in a triangle pattern around the arm boi. Have one then cricket up a storm.

>GINA; if the fire misdirection and then cricket lure work, once it charges for a cricket swarmling at the opportune moment form a spike punji trap infront of it, so its momentum carries it into the pit.

>B'NI; disarm duty, if it ignores the fire or crickets, your job is to keep its arms at bay and make sure no one gets grappled.
>>
>>3276288
(They would take a small amount of damage and then the remote hive would be immediately active.)
>>
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3276243
Tentative first plan.

>Shu
Start attacking with minions while reloading the Contender. Load a Ravenous Parabellum and spawn 4 acid swarmlings to melt some limbs.

>B'ni
I don't think a mass of arms that uses echolocation can be flanked so stay out of reach and cut off any limbs that reaches out too far.

>Gina
Try using Neuromancy on the surroundings to make noise and confuse her echolocation.

>Rath
Launch some radiant boils and start burning.
>>
>>3276291
I like your Punji pit Idea. >>3276243 but we can do better.
>>3276243
The daughter is functionally blind. She relies on Echolocation, sound and silence to navigate. We can exploit that, but we'll need a setup.
>Shu: Load up a Hollowpoint Hive. Fire it at Hecaton. Have the hive spawn 2 Cicada-lings that crawl to her ears and overload her hearing with LOUD CICADA NOISES.
Gina: Terraform. Punji Pit/Pitcher Plant/Venus Flytrap variation. The Trap should open up like a sudden Punji Pit and close like a Venus Flytrap. The lips and walls of the pit will be smooth and slick to prevent Her many arms and hands from getting a sudden traction. Spikes will also line the lip curving inwards form a Venus flytrap cage when the Trap pit closes (By having Gina suddenly Revert 80% of the terraforming, resulting in a giant fissure opening and closing shut like a mouth, the biomass moved should crush her lower half). If the pit is successful, I would like to spend Gina's Critical Counter to guarantee Hecaton's Ensnarement. Having a sudden fissure open up and close on you will probably be near lethal. Also if the trap is successful, have her spend her next act on using neuromancy and shut-down her one and only bio-ability. Hecaton built her skills around having many arms, so shutting it down will effectively cripple her.
>Rath: Toss a couple of boils to the side of Hecaton, have her believe that flanking us is a bad idea. Wait for Gina's mark. Then drop the hurting bombs if the trap is successful.
>B'ni: Guard Duty. Cut down any limbs that try for a grapple.
>Everyone: Communicate in the Empathy channel or Gina's wifi only. Our breathing or whispers will give away our location. Nobody moveThat's how Hecaton stalked us and followed us here. If the trap isn't successful in snaring Hecaton, Get ready to scatter, but everyone moves as one in one direction.
>>
>>3276243
Backing >>3276341
>>
Also, I get the feeling that Hecaton was a blind Bhuddist Nun that navigated her way through the world by feeling her way with her hands and using her ears via echolocation. She also coped with the stress of the Crucible by reciting her sutras. However, I think Hecaton is still sane to a degree. She killed Smaug and definitely consumed its essence so that fulfilled her hunger system. But why would she still make a motion to attack?
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>>3276362
She might not be sane, but who knows. Also usually consuming doesn't leave a mess behind, but then again we also don't usually fight dragons so who knows?

Sane or not, you forget that after accepting MOTHERS gift, she tells you something to convince you to go for the cord. Arm boi without a doubt has gotten her choice by now, so if she is sane, she still may simply not care abd feel we are simply an obstacle to her getting to the cord first.
>>
>>3276341
(Please note that Gina must jack directly into the target to shut down an ability, which may prove impossible if the target is completely subsumed in thr trap. Do you wish to replace that with another primed action?)
>>
>>3276467
Yes please. Replace that action with another action of her choosing.
>>
>>3276467
this >>3276481
>>
>>3276243
>>3276341
>>3276346

You bring the Contender to bear, feeling it leech biomass from your body as you swing it up and take aim at the wild beast hurtling towards your team. You take a breath, hold it, and pull the trigger. The blast echoes along the street and through the alleys of the Shrouded City, your hollowpoint burying itself deep in one of Hecaton’s countless arms, your ears ringing from the gun’s guttural roar.

Rath rips two cysts free from her upper arms and flings them wide, their furious hissing and crackling sparks flanking the path towards you as the creature closes the gap, meter by meter. It doesn’t even react when two swarmlings tear free of a hive-encrusted arm, squirming deep into the writhing mass of limbs as they begin to screech at a fever pitch in an attempt to confound the Daughter’s senses. B’ni stands taught by your side, sticking to the plan despite the fact that you sense every nerve in her body screaming at her to take you and run.

You can feel the disturbance in the air from its flailing arms, feel the terrible crushing power of its hands as they tear into the street as it scrambles towards you. The earth rumbles, then shakes, then splits open into a vast, gaping maw of bone teeth and grasping tendrils of skin as Gina exerts her supreme control over the surrounding fleshscape, amethyst jacks plunged into the ground at her feet. Utterly caught off guard, Hecatoncheires tumbles into the trap, impossibly powerful fingers failing to find purchase on its slick walls. Rath flings two more boils into the hole a half-second before Gina yanks her cords free, the trap closing with a deafening roar that is part shifting earth, part screaming phosphorescence, and part howl of confusion and agony. It closes, and all is silent, save for the harried breaths of you and your allies.

When the earth before you explodes, it is almost as if it happens in slow motion.

(Continued)
>>
>>3276572
The ground is torn apart in a flurry of tearing hands and crushing fingers as Hecaton bursts forth, undeterred by the twin flares scorching flesh from bone. It is upon you in an instant, bloody and furious as it bears down on your team, granting you no time to think. Rath falls backwards as she shields herself from the storm of debris and is promptly scooped up by B’ni, carried to the other side of the street on alabaster greaves in a blur of speed. You have no time to be proud of her decision when the massive, crushing mass hurtles towards you and Gina.

When you grab GG and push her out of the way of the tangle of muscular limbs sweeping towards you, your feel something other than your armor crack and splinter as you’re flung bodily through a storefront window. Glass give way to metal, metal to agony as you hit something hard and collapse to the floor in darkness. Pain explodes across your body as you struggle to rise from the cracked glass and crumpled display stands, and you have no doubt that if you had been unarmored when yiu took that blow for her then you wouldn’t be getting back up.

Your vision swims as you focus on the street outside, seeing Gina holding the tattered remnants of the Shroud as a wall of pavement rises between her and Hecatoncheires, which is immediately shredded by a hurricane of limbs.

"Wherewherewherecanthearithurtsitburnsithurtsicanthearhearnoevilhearnoevil..."

It's flailing, tearing at itself to rid it's body of your swarmlings and Rath's insistent flares, but it won't stay confused for long.

Gina’s in danger.

You all are.

HP: 64% (Chitinous Stalwart:Active, Armor Severely Damaged)
BIO: 55% (2 Soundlings, 2 Cicadlings, 6 Platelings, 10/15 Active)
CONTENDER: Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed and ready
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Medium, close to Gina, medium to B’ni and Rath.
B’ni: 120%
GG: 120% (Shawl unusable)
Rath: 102%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3276588
Whew, thus beast is stong as fuck.

>RATH; toss another round of fire its way, try and spread the flames to where its best opportunity away from them is away from us.

>SHU; Be prepared to replace the cicadalings if necessary, but otherwise load in a bb special and aim for its legs.

>B'ni; rush over to Gina, and give her a lift. Wait fir an opening, then rush forward, cutting a swath of arms free, but keep your distance.

>GINA; if B'ni clears you enough space, jack in and shut off her arms ability, or at least freeze her still for us.
>>
>>3276588
This >>3276686
Gee Shu gets BTFO at least once every single encounter, doesn't she?
>>
>>3276689
(To be fair, this is a high level opponent and her health is still base level.)
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>>3276693
what health is hecaton at?
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>>3276697
(You can tell you're dealing damage, though you're not sure how much fight it has left in it.)
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>>3276686
Does it have legs? I thought it was a mass of arms and used them for locomotion. So taking out her leg-arms would just have her flip over and use other sets to move.

We may need to move around and evade with Bungee Tongue. Good thing we've got Executioner's Jaw in case we're grappled.
>>
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3276686
>>3276714
(It only has arms, so full immobilization would prove difficult.)
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>>3276588
Shu: Have Hollowpoint Hive spawn swarmlings that bite and sting Hecaton. Keep Hecaton distracted. Spawn 2 Gauntlings send both your platelings and gauntlings to B'ni.
>Gina: Neuromancy Hecaton for a full body Paralysis, enable an auto-critical hit for B'ni. Dual Tech Infinite Dolores. Aim for the body parts that are burned and paralyzed.
>Rath: Toss and arm out at Gina and Reel her in, move Gina back to Medium range away from Hecaton. Keep on bombing Hecaton, aim for the parts that are paralyzed by Gina's Neuromancy.
>B'ni: When Gina does her Neuromancy, Commence Infinite Dolores with Gina. Make full use of the Gauntlings.
>>
>>3276714
>>3276738
Even with just arms, it clearly has an upright position so taking out the lower arms would at least slow it down alot
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>>3276588
Changing vote from >>3276689 to >>3276839
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>>3276839
>>3276724
One more thing, Have Gina Toggle her "CONVICTION" ability on as a free action. this should reduce Hecaton's turn into 1 action per turn so she'll be forced to spend it on overcoming the paralysis or getting rid of the swarmlings swarming her body.
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3277010
(Activating Verurteilung would allow Gina insight into the targets fears and insecurities, not diminish their ACT by 1. Do you still wish to do so?)
>>
>>3277028
no.
>>
>>3276588

You send a silent command to the hive nestled in one of Hecaton’s innumerable limbs, watching as a small brood rips free of it to harass the flailing beast. B’ni kicks off from the sidewalk across the street at the same moment you summon forth a pair of Gauntlings, sending them and what remains of your armor flying to meet her as Rath flings her arm out towards GG in anticipation of what’s to come.

The remains of Gina’s wall are swept away by a sweeping flurry of limbs as the brunette staggers back, a pair of cords at the ready. Your heart seizes in your throat when the blow comes from overhead, too fast to block, too large to dodge…but too slow to outpace Rath’s tensile strand. as it flings out and around the target’s waist, yanking Gina away just before the ground is churned to dust where she once stood. A flick of her wrists sends her jacks flying into Hecaton’s charred flesh, stabbing true as she’s hauled to safety, sliding along the pavement towards Rath on the opposite end of the street. Your Gauntlings and armor lock into place on B’ni as Hecaton seizes for a moment, a single second…and that’s all she needs.

[INFINITO DOLORE ACTIVATED]

Of all the limbs at play, hers move with focus and bloodthirsty precision as she cleaves through the horde of fingers, slicing her way with gauntlet and greave towards whatever lies at Hecaton’s core. You’re scrambling through the shop’s debris to her side when the mad Daughter’s senses return, the frigid mass springing to life with a furious scream from somewhere deep within the clawing swarm. It moves, fueled by pain and rage as its countless limbs converge on B’ni, her whirling blades obscured by the hateful hands even as she carves a bloody swath through them.

You watch as limbs go flying, your stomach plummeting when you think you see an alabaster limb among their number. You emerge from the shop to witness a flying blur as B’ni is flung with blinding speed through a closed door on your side of the street, aged wood splintering on impact with her body. The Hundred-Handed one begins to turn in place, picking up speed even as you see limbs going slack, some rotting before your eyes as it rotates horizontally to some unknown end.

It’s dying, steadily.

You just hope you can end it before it can do the same to you and yours.

HP: 64%
BIO: 55% (2 Soundlings, 2/15 Active)
CONTENDER: Empty (Hollowpoint Hive BIO: 0%)
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed and ready
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Medium, beginning rotation.
B’ni: 68% (Status: ???)
GG: 120% (Shawl unusable)
Rath: 102%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3277192
Shit. hecaton is going to turn into a human Beyblade.
>>
>>3277235
>hecaton is going to turn into a human Beyblade.
Is "LET IT RIP" an option here? :^)
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>>3277192
What direction is hecaton turning? Clockwise or counterclockwise?
>>
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3277290
(Counter clockwise.)
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>>3277297
>It’s dying, steadily.
Are you saying that Hecaton is on death's door or just on low health?
>>
>>3277297
And what's Gina and Rath's current Bio mass reserves?
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>>3277307
(It appears to be wounded or low health.)

>>3277319
(Gina: 96%, Rath: 116%)
>>
File deleted.
>>3277353
Does loading up and firing a Contender Round take 2 actions?
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>>3277192
RATH; Continue bombardment, but focus on burning out its underside to stumble it and slow it down.

GINA; try and slow it down, Terraform the ground under it to try and throw off its balance, making it harder for it to spin, then slam ground into it opposite of the way its turning, to eat up its building momentum by making it have to destroy heavy terrain if it wishes to spin.

SHU; Command swarmlings to burrow straight for its center, then spawn three Banelings and have them add to the assault, their goal to use their acid and drills to aid in simply tunneling straight for the core of this beast, rather than disable limbs or inflict more spread out damage.

B'NI; say "ow" then get up and rush to aid, using your longer ranged attack to try and cut down the arms that appear to be being used as legs the most, hopefully further slowing its spin along with everything else.
>>
>>3277192
this >>3277430
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>>3277192
Supporting >>3277430
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>>3277427
(It only takes one to fire the first shot, though due to cooldown it cannot be fired twice in the same turn. It can, however, be loaded with another round, should you choose to do so.)
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>>3277192
Situation: The party is split up into 2. two on each side of the street. Rath and Gina on one side, Shu and B'ni on the other. Hecaton is in the middle.

>Shu: Load up a Parabellum and Fire it at Hecaton. At least secure a way for Hecaton to be killed. Spawn as many Banelings as you can and Have it assault Hecaton by landing on the place where the rotation is the slowest and injecting their acid. Do it before Hecaton achieves full rotational velocity.
>B'ni: If you can get up and fight without risking bleeding out, get up. If not, stay put. I'm coming for you after this. Hang in there, you did your job, it's dying but it's not going down without a fight.
>Gina & Rath: Get it's attention. Both of you have the most biomass to spare. It's going to turn into a giant Beyblade made of human hands. It wants to grind us to death? Fine, then give it something to grind against. I'll shoot it with an "explosive" round. it'll go off soon after a few hits, so do your best to survive.
>Rath: Swear like a sailor. yell religious insults at it, mock it for being blind. Throw a couple of bombs at its base to both damage it and to get its attention. Keep an arm on Gina and yank her back. You're her lifeline.
>Gina: Terraform a Giant Blade, edged blade facing left. Make the blade as hard, sturdy, and sharp as possible. That will be your shield/storm shelter against her and your blade. She'll grind her hands against it and find herself cutting her own fingers against a giant blade. If she starts to wear the blade out, Make another one. Keep on backing up while you can. stay out of her reach. (see pic. related)
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>>3277192
fuck >>3277433
I like this idea, backing >>3277516
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall extend voting for another one and a half hours, as the end of the day has been full. I shall resume writing when I get back home, and take care.)
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>>3277516
Supporting, with wiggle room for error of course.
>>
>>3277516
>>3277784
Adding an addendum to the vote.
>Rath and Gina: be prepared take shelter and skdaddle back with an action, if possible, but a building between you and Hecaton along with Gina's Terraformed blade.
>>
>>3277516
(Maxing out on Banelings after firing the Contender will leave Shu at 6% BIO, do you wish to proceed?)
>>
>>3277991
In that case, maybe reduce the amount of banelings summoned, keep 15% BIO active just in case things go horribly wrong.
>>
>>3277991
Reduce the amount of banelings, keep at least 20% bio in reserve.
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>>3278025
20% sounds nice
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3277192
>>3277516

You feel the Contender drawing from your very being as you line up a second shot, five banelings writhing free of your hive as you level the weapon at Hecaton. The empathic line tethering you to B'ni is weak, tenuously held together by sheer force of will as your pulse quickens, your silent calls to her remaining unanswered.

"Hey, you handsy bitch!" Rath screams from across the street, cocking her arm back as she readies a bright orange grenade. "You got plenty of fists, so how 'bout you fucking fist yourself and fuck off!"

The daughter continues to spin, unheeding or uncaring of your friend's calls, and whatever sass she was about to follow it up with is drowned out when you pull the trigger. One of the charred patches of flesh explodes in a shower of blackened gore, your Parabellum round beginning its feast as it burrows deep within Hecaton's writhing mass. The ground across the street shifts and warps, becoming a gleaming blade that blocks your allies from view just as two of Rath's cysts sail past, igniting the ground at the base of the Daughter.

Still she spins, gathering speed as she stays in place, ignoring your banelings as they tear into the exposed limbs atop her body, burrowing deep into her body. It's when you notice the hands rapidly tearing chunks out of the asphalt, each active fist curled around a dense, hard stone, that it dawns on you.

It's not a top.

It's a minigun.

(Continued)
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>>3278270
Oh shit!
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>>3278270
NOOOOOOO. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.
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>>3278270
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>>3278270

You dive behind the storefront just as it lets fly with the first barrage, stones tearing past your skin and burrowing into your legs as you leap to safety. The remainder of the window is annihilated in the indiscriminate attack, the air filled with the sound of stone on stone, rock on glass as the entire street erupts with a rain of projectiles hurled with impossible strength.

Hecaton roars, the barrage slowing as the empathic line to B'ni springs to life. You chance a peek around the corner to see B'ni dodging projectiles by the skin of her teeth as she races clockwise around the beast, cleaving limbs off five and six at a time. You're relieved to see her racing along of two intact legs as she tears through flesh and bone with ease, and you frantically scan the street for signs of your other two allies.

You find Gina and Rath huddled behind the annihilated remains of the former's blade, having used it as an impromptu shield against the unexpected firing squad. Rath lays atop the brunette, battered and bloodied from having taken the brunt of the assault. Gina helps her to her feet as Hecaton catches B'ni in the side with a wild swing, hurling her down the street to your right.

The beast is tattered and torn, limbs hanging limp where they've been severed, smoking where they've been cauterized. It lifts itself free of the indentation it's made in the earth and staggers towards where it threw B'ni, intent on finishing the job.

You've been giving each other hell, and you're intent on sending her there as soon as you can.

HP: 53%
BIO: 20% (2 Soundlings, 5 Banelings, 7/15 Active)
CONTENDER: Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed and ready
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Medium, beginning rotation.
B’ni: 42%
GG: 104% (Shawl unusable)
Rath: 64%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3278321
I NEED A MOTHERFUCKING SITREP. STATUS REPORTS ON RATH'S AND GG'S BIO SUPPLY.
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>>3278321
BHOP, is it still spinning? or did it stop?
>>
>>3278332
(My apologies, it has stopped spinning and is now approaching B'ni who is a medium distance away.)

(Gina: 72%, Rath: 108%)
>>
(Voting to close in one and a half hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
have a swarmling grab one of Rath's cysts and burrow into its heart. kill it faster.
>>
>>3278348
Is there a way to prematurely detonate Parabellum?
>>
>>3278355
(Not at the Contender's current level, no.)
>>
>>3278321
we should've focused on stopping its spin guys, but anyways...


>GINA; Terraform some defenses to slow the creatures assault on B'ni.

>SHU; Use Tongue to rush yourself after the enemy, forming two platelings that will stick to the end of your tongue, so once you have launched yourself quickly at the enemy with its bungee like grab, you let go, and spin, turning it into a flail as you wind up and smack it hard in the back, or at least the side not after B'ni.

>RATH; After Shus attack, if still necessary, overload one arm with bombs and detach it, spinning it like a sling to gain extra distance, then toss the entire thing at the creature as a impromptu large bomb. limbs can be regrown but friends getting turned to paste is forever.

>B'NI; focus on recovering, and avoiding damage, mostly in your legs, so once Shu is near, and Raths bomb is thrown, you can get the two of you out of the blast radius as quickly as the two of you can help each other move.
>>
>>3278321
This is it. All or nothing. We have one last shot at this.
>Gina and B'ni: Infinite Dolores. It's worked before. This one will finish the deal. And we're going to open the way to take out it's heart.
>Gina: Terraform and pin Hecaton's body and arms. Leave an opening. Spend as much Bio as you can to secure the pinning/impalement of Hecaton, and leave enough to do Infinite Dolores.
>Shu: Have your Banelings burrow to a point together and Detonate. The acid explosion will Create an opening relatively free of hands. Load in one last round. B.33 Special. Fire it at any remaining limbs that are near the opening made by the dual explosions of Shu's banelings and Rath's bombs. Give B'ni one last Gauntling.
>Rath: Bombs. All the bombs. Concentrate it on one spot on Hecaton. Shu's going to detonate her banelings, I want you to throw your bombs at the opening created by the explosion.
>B'ni. "I've done all I can. I'm spent B'ni. I'm officially out of bio, what I can do is open the way. I'm counting on you to make this count. When I detonate my banelings and after Rath throws her bombs and after Gina Terraforms to make a impaling cage to immobilize, I need you to reposition and take advantage of the opening. A limb free hole for you to dive in and tear into the daughter's heart. Use this gauntling B'ni. You'll need it."
>>
>>3278399
supporting. kind of like my idea, main point being kill it with fire.
>>
>>3278321
ALL IN BITCH
THIS >>3278399
>>
>>3278399
>>3278388
>>3278321
Actually I quite like your idea on Rath overloading an arm with her bombs and tossing said limb at the enemy to detonate it. We could integrate it into our current plan. Rath has the most Biomass to spare.
Amending Rath's actions from just tossing a couple of bombs to throwing her limb that's overloaded with Radiant boils to create a bigger opening for B'ni to deal the finishing blow.
>>
>>3278399
not a fan of the long winded speech to B'ni honestly, if anything we aint got time for that, and shes actually a smart enough cookies to see what were doing.

also id think if shes just going for a pure hit, she gets more out of, and is stronger with, her legs. not only can she kick harder than punch, but her crit and speed bonuses stack better with her own bone ability, and she honestly doesn't even really need gauntlings at all. plus with legs like her she can probably reach further with her legs too, on top of putting much more impact to make sure she gets deep enough into them.

also it takes two turn for the BB to activate, so i feel its a much lesser need to fire the thing as our last Bio basically for Shu, than get extra damage and slowing in, especially with us wanting B'n NOT to be who it is focused on in your plan.
>>
>>3278413
That sentence had too many syllables, APOPOGIZE!

Also, more Bio for Rath means more EXPLOSIONS!
>>
>>3278436
So what I'm getting is this:
>B'ni and Gina go for Infinite Dolores,
>Gina pins and paralyzes hecaton with Terraforming and Neuromancy
>Rath throws an arm laden with bombs
>Shu detonates her banelings and goes to whack Hecaton with a tongue-flail
>B'ni goes for the killing blow with Infinite Dolores
Is this right?
>>3278424
I'm sorry I got a bit wordy!
>>
>>3278424
Yeah I agree, fuck the big speech. Fuck the gauntlings, fuck that shit. So what should B'ni do then for her action? I agree with the rest of >>3278399 though
>>
>>3278399
amending one action:
>B'ni: You know what to do.
>>
>>3278450
>>3278451
i mean, its risky as hell but B'ni going for the final blow(assuming an entire arms worth of bombs isnt good enough to kill it) isnt the worst idea.

Going for a full ham rush kick after the arm bomb im down with, just know if she fails or anything shes losing whatever limb she stabs into the thing, leg or arm, and thats the best case scenario. it IS pretty close to dead though, so Shu and Raths attacks atop that should be enough to kill this bastard. SHOULD.
>>
>>3278468
I could have Gina Impale Hecaton as part of her Terraforming act. Do you want me to put that down?
>>
>>3278474
hrm. up to you. more damage is more damage, and it theoretically would still hold it in place well enough. but im not sure how much that will take away from the actual success of paralyzing it it also might help make a hole to get deeper to its heart.

that said, stunning it fully will help allow the rest to get what they need done, compared to risking changing her move and having it break from being stunned.

really depends, is more damage to it worth it potentially getting in an action in a last ditch push?
>>
>>3278450
Banelings make a hole that we keep open so Rath can launch the payload through.

Your chronological order was confusing, just clearing that up.
>>
(Extending voting another half hour, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3278508
The voting's mostly settled in terms of the actions each party member will take, it's just a matter of the chronological order of initiative. As well as messing with the finer details of alternative actions for certain members.
>>
>>3278523
Can you put what you have so far? Did you say you were writing a list?

Also as long as it ends with Raths bomb going off instead of that being in the middle ill support.
>>
>>3278523
>>3278543
(I was assuming Gina pins, Shu uses banelings and B33 Special, Rath uses bombs, and Infinito Dolore as the clincher. Is this correct?)
>>
>>3278558
Yes.
>>
i keep getting distracted and missing this . though then again i dont really get involved in the fighting here. maybe i should but eh .

whats up though im once again lurking
>>
>>3278576
(Hello again! Glad you could make it, Gen.)
>>
>>3278558
If any of those have to do with a massive explosion from the inside, then yes.

>>3278576
Were trying to finish off the handjob specialist. Tryna get a massive explosion but everyone has their own ideas.
>>
maybe next fight we have ill try to give some input. im just not the best at complete freeform suggestions. but ill just sit and watch maybe agree with some peeps .

Though i do have a suggestion for the levels here later . though ill give that input when we get there
>>
>>3278581
Alright so the vote is >>3278399 plus the change in >>3278463, yeah? Let's rock and roll
>>
>>3278630
Includes internal explosion from Rath. I'm supporting.
>>
>>3278630
agree
>>
>>3278450
im putting down vote for this, not perfect but close enough.
>>
>>3278581
I was looking at more of Zdzislaw's works. Damn, I'm slowly getting a better picture of just how dark the fleshscape is.

Zdzislaw Beksinski if anyone didn't see before.
>>
>>3278321

Hecaton crawls towards B'ni, the ground trembling with each shuddering heave of its failing body. Rath leans on Gina as the latter flings a pair of cords into the ground, staring at the giant with amber eyes filled with determination. The street rises up on either side of the Hundred-Handed One, spines of bone and teeth twisted metal piercing its sides as it struggles against the iron-maiden's deathgrip. You race to interpose yourself between it and B'ni as it flails wildly, loading the third of your unique rounds into the Contender and bracing for the tremendous recoil. You aim, breathe, and...

The Contender's barrel kicks at the same moment your Banelings detonate deep within the Daughter's massive, hulking form. Your wriggling round digs into supple flesh as Hecaton screams in agony, and Rath springs to action, her arm sailing across the distance, glowing like a miniature sun.

It in the hole made by the acid that eats the creature from the inside out, and Hecaton erupts with blinding light as you shield your eyes from the luminescent flame. You feel a hand on your shoulder as Gina reaches you, cords at the ready as she takes aim. Eyes closed, her Halo grants her the sight she needs to make an impossible shot, a final strike at a burning, dying, flailing thing.

In spite of the flames, the acid, the antebellum round chewing through it's failing form, when Gina's cords strike true the creature shudders to a complete stop. You sense B'ni rising behind you, seething with rage, seeking direction as she stares over your shoulder at her prey. You send her a simple, straightforward message across the empathic channel, something you know she'll enjoy.

"You know what to do."

The crack of pavement, a gust of wind. She's at your side and past you in the blink of an eye, surging forth with killing intent, bringing her greave's wicked scythe down on Hecaton's helpless form, carving a crimson line down the center of its core.

It's perfect.

B'ni leaps back to join you, Gina, and Rath as amethyst cords withdraw, leaving the creature to shudder as it burns from the inside out, its movements sluggish, heavy with death.

Hands reach out, then go slack as it burns, its core wilting, sloughing off as the body wilts under its own weight.

"Holy fucking shit, you guys." Rath breathes, shaking like a leaf as she holds her left arm, reduced to a mere stump. "I thought that thing would never fuckin' d..."

(Continued)
>>
>>3278707
>"Holy fucking shit, you guys." Rath breathes, shaking like a leaf as she holds her left arm, reduced to a mere stump. "I thought that thing would never fuckin' d..."
RATH! YOU JINX'D IT
>>
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>>3278707

You don't see it coming, when the fist catches you in the stomach at the same instant Rath is struck across the face. Your name is on B'ni's lips, her yell cut short by the rib-shattering blow that sends her tumbling into you, driving you both to the unforgiving pavement. Gina tries to bring a second wall to bear before a fourth attack spears into her shoulder, her scream making your blood run cold as she drops to her knees.

"Can'tstopnowhavetogetthembackhearnoevilhavetogetthembackcan'tstopcan'tstopnomatterwhat..."

The mantra is uttered by a figure that steps out from within the burning, reeking carcass of the beast you thought you slew. Hecaton struggles onward, four limbs retracting to to her, baroque things that are a mad jumble of limbs and hands and fingers, loosely assembled and rotting away before they retract into her. She's a young woman, younger than Rath, perhaps. Dark hair is made darker by the blood and grease that streaks it, her skin ashen and starved of light. She stumbles towards you, and you realize the rotting flesh and twisted garment she wears reveals shoulders that end in nothing.

She stares past you with empty eyes as you and your allies struggle to stand, her gaze focused on something far away, something she lives for even now. She walks towards the four of you, six misshapen limbs taking form from her dwindling biomass as she marches towards your end.

"IhavetogetthembackIneedthemI'mnothingwithoutthem..."

You rise, helping B'ni and Rath up as Gina holds a hand to her gored shoulder.

Hecaton's eyes meet yours, and you know what you have to do.

You both do.

There's no other choice.

HP: 41%
BIO: 10% (2 Soundlings, 2/15 Active)
CONTENDER: Empty
RAVENOUS MAW: Primed and ready
ACT: 2/2
Threat: Close. Determined. Implacable.
B’ni: 38%
GG: 86% (Shawl unusable)
Rath: 56%

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening and resuming in approximately twelve hours from now. You all are absolutely fantastic, and I hope you all rest well. Thank you so much for your participation, and take care.)
>>
>>3278730
Explosions! Thank you again for running BHOP.
>>
>>3278725
Mother fucker, We could've just put a cancer bomb way back in the beginning.
To think all the damage we did was just shearing away her biomass reserves and armor.

>>3278730
Sit-rep on the Bio reserves for B'ni, Rath, and Gina please.
>>
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>>3278730
And whenever you see it. Is this what you had in mind for Charon's Waystations?
>>
>>3278725
>I have to get them back I need them I'm nothing without them
I wonder if this girl is another daughter who took the fool's choice only for her friends to betray/leave her, like with that noclipping girl. Or maybe her friends just fuckin' died? Hell, maybe her friends were those statues we saw when we first got here. It'd explain why she obliterated Smaug.

...I think at least one of us should CONSUME her after we're done here, if only so that she has some friends again.
>>
>>3278761
honestly i agree ive been thinking bi'ni consumes her since i saw them

idk how many people agree though
>>
>>3278725
As Sartre and his radical freedom would say, there's always a choice. Now that we're face to face, maybe we can talk before the parabellum triggers.

>"Being alone or losing someone dear to you hurts, but you're never nothing."
>>
>>3278761
It's looking like Bni might need it. Are we still using those rules or do we all full heal after a fight?
>>
>>3278765
>>3278761

I'd rather give a multi-arm ability to Shu personally. We could do a lot with multiple arms or Swarmlings with arms. Weapon wielding swarmlings.
>>
>>3278770
>a swarmling with arms carrying the contender
That's both stupid and genius at the same time.
>>
>>3278770
Raths arms explode. Looks like we wont be needing a nuclear missle silo after all.
>>
>>3278770
Give multi-arm to Rath, retard. More reach, more surfaces for growth to grow, more everything she has and needs. B'ni and GG can still get an upgrade or two, or another CONSUME. It depends on how many levels Hecaton is worth, but this is one Heck (ha ha) of a fight
>>
>>3278730
A question: Is the Parabellum round inside Hecaton's core?
>>
>>3278753
(B'ni: 102%, GG: 39%, Rath: 94%)

>>3278768
(Healing is considerable, though in terms of health, you'll need to prioritize who gets the lion's share of healing, since everyone is running low. CONSUME is only tied to ability gain, not healing.)

>>3278754
(That's exactly what I had in mind, nicely done.)

>>3278782
(It is, and is set to detonate at the end of this upcoming round.)
>>
>>3278761
Rath or Gina are the best choices imo, Gina especially if it comes with MUSCLE WIZARD strength.

>>3278770
Shu needs it the least, it would be the most wasted on her.

>>3278765
honestly B'ni is all about kicking, not punching.

>>3278725
>B'NI; Disable what arms she can.

GINA; Cancer Bomb her, just in case.

>SHU; we dont have the biomass for much. re-purpose our last two swarmlings into basic combats, and have them go in for two arms. then Shu whips out he tongue, bringing the girl close for one, big, bitey end.

>RATH; be ready to bomb her with anything you have left if necessary.
>>
>>3278767
Y'know what, fuck it, let's go with this. She's (presumably) all out of biomass (and arms), and she still seems to be at least the tiniest bit sane considering she's not just autisticly screeching at us. I think it's at least worth trying.

Considering how tough she's been thus far I honestly feel like the parabellum won't even kill her.
>>
>>3278795
Actually wait, my bad, she ain't out of arms yet.
Was goin' off the picture too much. Oops.
>>
>>3278802
4 arms, a timebomb, a creeping rot, and almost no biomass.
On the off chance she actually has something else up her sleeve we still have enough biomass left to win.
>>
>>3278821
I'm missing something right? If not I feel like we should try talking to her before she explodes.
>>3278767
>>
>>3278725
>open up the empathy channel to Hecaton. Convey empathy to her plight and try to calm her down if only to give her pause. And to try and stall out the timer.
>"Hecaton."
>>3278767
>"You're never nothing. Being alone hurts, losing someone hurts. But you're never nothing."

>Everyone: Everyone be on the defensive. If she does attack I want the following protocols done.
>Shu: Spend your last BIO to make a Plateling buckler. give it to B'ni. Ravenous Maw counterattack and Bungie Tongue one of her arms if she throws a punch.
>Rath: Tensile Strands. Arms, legs, get her hog-tied. Spend as much Biomass if you need to to get the bindings extra tight.
>Gina: Neuromancy. Fullbody paralysis. Activate the VERURTEILUNG aura.
>B'ni: Parry her punches with the plateling buckler so your friends can riposte.
>>
>>3278835
Seconding the response.

The battle plan looks solid as well. Rath has few options when it comes to one-on-one, as her AOE attacks damage allies as well. Gina focuses on paralyzing her, and Shu can use Ravenous Maw to bite the hell out of her. The only change I'd make is for B'ni to attack as well. We need to take Hecaton down NOW, once and for all.
>>
Seconding the plan to talk with Hecaton
>>
>>3278725
backing this >>3278835
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3278725
>>3278835

Prompting your allies to be at the ready, you stare down Hecaton as she staggers towards you, and you open the empathic channel to her.

“Hey. You're never nothing.” You say, sending waves of calm across the channel, even as a plateling shield worms its way out of your back. “Being alone hurts, losing someone hurts. But you're never nothing."

She stops her advance, drawing ragged breaths as her aimless gaze flits across you and your allies.

“How…you don’t understand.” She replies, her airy voice coherent for the first time since she’s spoken. “You have them. They’re there, by your side. You haven’t lost anyone, so how could you…you can’t, you have to understand w-whatIhavetodoIcan’tstopcan’tstopIcangetthemba…”

Her arms seize up when her torso explodes with enamel, jagged canines and misshapen molars tearing through her chest. Rath jumps back as Hecaton looks down in dull surprise, her body already working to stitch itself back together despite the catastrophic damage the Parabellum has wrought. Your second round detonates, the yellow liquid oozing from between the warped teeth already hardening, bringing her regeneration to a halt as the girl drops to her knees before you, her summoned limbs rotting away.

“…Oh.” She says, simply, staring into the space between you and her bleeding form. “I…I won’t see them again…I…it was for nothing…I was so…so…”

Her dull expression remains unchanging as tears begin to roll down her cheeks. To your surprise Rath moves forward, reaching out and gently wiping her tear-streaked face as Hecaton’s breathing slows.

“We’ve lost people, man. We know exactly how it feels.” Rath says, her back to you as she crouches down. “…it sucks. It really fucking sucks, but…it gets better. Trust me…and just rest, ‘kay?”

Hecaton’s eyes focus on Rath’s face, a flicker of something shining in her grey eyes as she studies the red haired girl before her. After a moment, the girl’s eyes glaze over and her shoulders go slack. She goes limp as she breathes her last, Rath still kneeling in front of her, still wiping tears from her face.

>>Combat Ceased

(Continued)
>>
>>3279731

You heave a long, bitter sigh as you help Gina to her feet, careful of the wound in her left shoulder. B’ni is quiet as she paces the area with a marked limp, Rath still kneeling in front of the dead girl as Gina grits her teeth, hand still stemming the flow of blood down her arm.

“You okay?” She asks concerned, reaching up and gently brushing flecks of glass out of your hair. You crack a half-smile at her, a shooting pain lancing along your jawline as you do.

“I’ll be fine, let’s get you topped off so we can take care of that shoulder, alright?” You say, and her weak smile disappears.

“Uh, about that…” She begins, glancing to where Hecaton rests, seeing Rath rise and walk away from you and Gina. “…do you think it’d be alright if, when I cross the threshold I mentioned earlier, if…forget it, it’s stupid and risky, I shouldn’t have brought it up."

“Gina, what is it? You can tell me, alright?” You put a hand on her good shoulder, gazing into her bright eyes.

“…What do you think would happen if someone else was tethered when the Choice came about?” She asks, failing to meet your gaze. “...It’s a stupid thought, I just…it’s fine, I’ll be fine.”

She doesn’t want to be alone.

You glance over at the armless Hecaton, bangs hiding her eyes as she sits, unmoving.

No one does, in the end.

>>Answer Gina.

>>Consume Hecaton (8 Points to distribute, please vote on distribution).

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3279735
>"Gina... I understand. Its a terrifying thing to know is coming. Its terrifying to think about if you're strong enough to face it alone." Bring her into a light hug, "but you are. You can do it, you can do what you think is right and hold onto yourself, no matter the choices she gives you." Pull back and give her a smile. "I trust you, we trust you, we believe in you...but if you really need us there, we are more than willing to follow you in."

>Consume;
>>2 points to everyone, we all deserve it after that.
>>Or 1 point Shu, 3 points Rath, if we wanna symbolize her emotionally aiding the daughter at the end.
>>
>>3279735
i say 2 points to each person
>>
>>3279735
>Answer Gina: "To be honest, I don't know. Mother might block me out and single you out alone, she might let me watch, she might give all of us the choice regardless whether we've reached the threshold if we go together. But if you don't want to be alone, then we'll join you when you make that choice, together."
>Consume Hecaton: 1 for Shu, 2 for B'ni, 2 for Gina, 3 for Rath.
>>
>>3279801
Oh, and not to force anything, but had a newt idea for shu; instead of multi arm, multi tongue.
>>
>>3279735
>"Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't think your choice would change the progress or powers of the person tethered. Maybe they could weigh in to what Mother is offering and help you decide, as well as know what enticement she would give you to ascend the Chord. Or she might get upset that someone's intruding and boot out whoever is tethered to your mind, assuming that's something she can do. But if you trust any of us to help you find out, then I'm willing to help."

>Consume Hecaton (1 Shu, 2 B'ni, 2 Gina, 3 Rath)
>>
>>3279735
backing this >>3279806
>>
>>3279735
>Have Gina, link everyone with Neurocords (with their consent of course if they want to accompany Gina when she reaches the threshold to make THE CHOICE.) so that when Gina gets the call by Mother, she pulls everyone alone.
>>
>>3279735
OH SHIT IS >>3279813 ALLOWED? THAT'D BE PERFECT WITH >>3279806 LETS GO WITH THAT
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall close in two hours. Thank you.)

>>3279816
(It is perfectly acceptable, yes.)
>>
>>3279801
Actually i say 2 for Shu, 1 fir B'ni, 2 for Gina, 3 for Rath.

We have been neglecting Shu too much and B'nis build i feel is the most solid, with her one issue being unsolvable this level up(that being when melee becomes difficult to use properly, she often becomes kinda useless.)
>>
>>3279813
GAH. fuckin typos I meant "along"! not alone!
>>
>>3279873
(No worries, I figured that's what you meant, Anon.)
>>
>>3279870
I'll support this. We really need to give ourselves some levels, and I'd like to get at least a CONSUME and a BIO for Shu since we're so BIO dependent. Rath Is also In need of having a stable build since I personally think she struggles the most to contribute In fights, and Is also very BIO dependent.
>>
>>3279870
I'll be on board with this level distribution.
>>
>>3279870
ima agree with this since not enough people are going for the even distribution. though id much prefer even distribution
>>
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>>3279735

SHU LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *TWO* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>SWARMLING, Lvl 7 (BIO+)
>>RAVENOUS MAW, Lvl 5 (HEALTH+)
>>CONSUME (?)

B’NI LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>DOGGED SPRINTER, Lvl 6 (HEALTH REGEN+)
>>CALCITE GREAVES, Lvl 6 (BIO+)
>>CONSUME (?)

GG LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *TWO* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>NEUROMANCER, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>>NEUROTIC HALO, Lvl 5 (BIO EFFICIENCY+)
>>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)
>>CONSUME (?)

RATH LEVEL UP

CHOOSE *THREE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

YOU MAY CHOOSE THE SAME OPTION MORE THAN ONCE

>>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>>RADIANT BOIL, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>>CONSUME (?)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3280174
Shu
>SWARMLING, Lvl 7 (BIO+)
>CONSUME (?)

B'ni
>CONSUME (?)

GG
>NEUROMANCER, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)

Rath
>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>RADIANT BOIL, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>CONSUME (?)

For Shu, we talked about investing in swarmlings again. I'm going for consume as well since it might unlock more minion upgrades. Maybe make them more dexterous. A maw upgrade or new power is fine too.

For B'ni, I think multi-limbs would make for good synergy with what she has.

For Gina, I don't think Hecaton's powers would be a good match, so I'll go with getting her a level five and upgrading her new power. I don't think she even used it in this fight.

For Rath, she has three so let's take all three x1. Her main power is under-leveled, Radiant Boil will get level five for a choice alongside Gina, and Hecaton's power could work well with Rath's.
>>
(Gentlemen, voting to close in two hours.)

>>3280195
(You are correct.)
>>
>>3280174
SHU
>>SWARMLING, Lvl 7 (BIO+)
>>CONSUME (?)
B'NI
>>DOGGED SPRINTER, Lvl 6 (HEALTH REGEN+)
GG
>>NEUROMANCER, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
EFFICIENCY+)
>>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)

RATH

>>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>>CONSUME (?)

Getting Radiant Boil would mean Rath would be offered the CHOICE right? Let's postpone that until next battle since GG's about to get hers I think.
>>
>>3280208
>>3280205
Okay, that's nice and all, but I find it odd that B'ni hasn't reached that threshold yet. Did she already make THE CHOICE?
>>
>>3280174
SHU
>RAVENOUS MAW, Lvl 5 (HEALTH+)
>CONSUME (?)
Maw 5 for the health because Shu is constantly unfailingly BTFO in every fight we have had in so many fucking threads now, like holy shit. Also another Level 5 too. Also CONSUME to see what we can get.
B'NI
>DOGGED SPRINTER, Lvl 6 (HEALTH REGEN+)
GO FAST
HEAL FAST
GG
>NEUROMANCER, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)
Level 5, check. Here comes The Choice. Also MORE HEALTH.
RATH
>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>CONSUME (?)
>CONSUME (?)
Double CONSUME for double options, nigga! Also Tensile Strand for health and because one of her CONSUME options is totally gonna be multi-arms.
>>
>>3280205
Thanks for answering my question OP, I deleted my post because I meant to have VERURTEILUNG as part of the vote, not the Halo.

>>3280204
I generally agree with what you're thinking, but I'd like to postpone the BOILS on Rath for now, postpone the choice and deal with one at a time.
>>
>>3280195
I'm curious about two Daughters getting The Choice while we're all connected. What if there is something crazy that happens, like they can select each other's Choices which restructures their powers? Like if Gina gets an explosion/burning evolutionary path for her neuromancy and Rath gets a hijack evolutionary path for her boils.
>>
>>3280213
I believe THE CHOICE (the important one) has to be based around your own unique powerset right? Remember the d*on'1t Lo0^k @t m3 thing B'NI had on her level up tree after the fight with the Ravenous or whatever her name was? We never saw that again but I think It's still on her character sheet. Perhaps that's 'her' power and she's been hiding It this whole time somehow. Maybe I'm paranoid, maybe I'm dead on. Hard to tell In this game what's unfounded worrying and what Isn't.
>>
>>3280219
But how many more times are we going to have such a perfect opportunity for Rath? Multi-arms suits her so perfectly, as it likely allows more bombs to be generated and thrown at once, in addition to possible upgrades for multi-targetting amd range.
>>
>>3280174
SHU;
>RAVENOUS MAW
>CONSUME
honestly im just wanting my multi-tongue idea but not sure which would give it to us.

B'NI;
>CALCITE GREAVES
she really doesn't need multi-arms and well, the greaves work, what is there to say?

GINA;
>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)
>CONSUME
I WANT HER TO HAVE AN ACTUAL OFFENSE ABILITY DAMNIT. Also im interested in where fear control takes us.

>RATH;
>RADIANT BOIL, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>RADIANT BOIL, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>CONSUME (?)
Because BOMBADIERS RULE, but lets get her kit a but more fleshed out too.
>>
>>3279735
agreeing with >>3280195
>>
>>3280204
>>3280208
Im also still sternly and harshly against upgrading swarmling, but that conversation has been done to death so im positive neither side will change the others mind on that issue.
>>
>>3280232
It's not on her character sheet either.
>>
>>3280256
Not on the one BHOP let's us see.
>>
>>3280204
i agree with this but i say change swarmling to maw.

but whatever if its right or not

also cant beleive i missed the vote here again .-. oh well
>>
i mean i didnt i just came up slow
>>
>>3280174
Shu:
>Swarmling lvl 7.
We keep on running low and constantly hit swarmling cap. We need more Bio.
>Ravenous Maw lvl 5
B'ni
>Dogged Sprinter
it was the starting ability.
Gina:
>Neuromancy
>Neurotic Halo
Rath:
>Tensile Strands
>Tensile Strands
>Consume

Hey BHOP, doesn't our Contender also Evolve from this combat? we used the gun 3 times in combat.
>>
>>3280289
(It does, though I wished to get Shu and party settled before the Contender.)
>>
We took the third Choice on our Swarmlings, and if we really want to change things for this world then we can't stay afraid of where it may lead. We have to confront it and show our determination.
>>
>>3280387
when a red flag is being waved in your face, its not fear to take it into account, its plain logic. ignoring red flags in a game like this is how you get BAD ENDS.

but just as importantly, its incredibly hypocritical for us to constantly get onto B'ni and the others about trust and then go into a power based around even minorly uncontrollably reading their minds, and without talking to them about it, which we still have not done.

but whatever, clearly outvoted on this one, but its setting a precedent i simply cant let go of, from both an ooc and ic consequences standpoint. just hope her CONSUME options are worthwhile and chosen with better judgement than this one.
>>
>>3280174
SHU
>SWARMLING, Lvl 7 (BIO+)
>CONSUME (?)

B'NI
>DOGGED SPRINTER, Lvl 6 (HEALTH REGEN+)

GG
>NEUROMANCER, Lvl 5 (BIO+)
>VERURTEILUNG, Lvl 2 (HEALTH+)

RATH
>TENSILE STRAND, Lvl 3 (HEALTH+)
>CONSUME (?)
>CONSUME (?)
>>
>>3280459
Then tell them and ask what they think. Otherwise we'll be stuck on this. Remember that this ability can be leveled up to level 20. We're still scratching the surface.
>>
(Gentlemen, voting is closed and I am headed home from work a little early. I shall post soon, and thank you for your patience, one and all.)
>>
>>3280459
Come on, what should we have done, accept one of mothers gifts? We spit In her face, and we got an empathic link with our allies. You think It's Logic that we should turn down the ability until the end of time but what's your alternative? Save the world with other monsterous powers? Don't use any powers at all, punch at god with our bare fists? This power Is *ours* the one that we created by defying god, I've said this before that It would be absolutely retarded for OUR OWN POWER to deliberately sabotage us. Do you really think that our MAIN POWER that we BROKE THE RULES OF THE GAME TO GET Is going to force a bad end? I've said before that maybe we will get some horribly invasive, mind-rapey powers with It, sure, but IT WON'T BE COMPLETELY OUT OF OUR CONTROL IN HOW IT'S USED. IT'S *OUR* POWER!

I mean It's technically possible that you'd be right, but It seems so stupid to me to punish the players for their creativity that I can't Imagine BHOP cackling like a supervillain behind the scenes going "Hahaha, the fools! Now I get to punish them for using their main ability, they should have been smart and never used It for the entire game, now I get to bad end them!"

If BHOP really does do something like that I would honestly lose respect for him, because It would feel cheap. It's not like we sought after some cursed power and we're reaping what we've sown, we deliberately defied the eldritch to get this. If we aren't going to embrace It we might as well have taken one of the other options.

>>3280387
Said It well, how are we going to change things If we can't even face our fears here.
>>
>>3280488
like i said earlier(home from work now so ID is probably different), i have, both sides have talked it to death. we literally just fought someone we were outright told had lost control of their own power, and potentially though not outright confirmed have seen others in similar situations. and for Tree based abilities, minus branching paths, they usually follow a pretty linear line so far as we have seen, with passives becomes improved passives and vise versa. why would we then assume our own power cant get out of hand, nor that the passive ability thats the red flag wouldn't continue down its path as a passive, when thats has basically always been the case?

eh, its not worth the effort. another issue is i feel like this is a...fuck, whats it called? a 'gamblers gambit?' i think? where you stop restraining yourself once, for good or bad reasons, and then you just let loose and dont control yourself further anymore, until next thing you know you've emptied out your bank account because you always said 'i lost this round but next ill win!' or 'see? finally won a round, must mean im on the right track!'

i suppose im also probably being overly paranoid too as i have seen quests and RPs ignore warning signs and basically drive the thing into the ground because of it, and it ruins the enjoyment of it even if its a slow burn for said action to really have consequences.
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>>3280516
>Don't use any powers at all, punch at god with our bare fists?
yes
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>>3280516
none of these powers are ours. literally none of them. even our body is arguably no longer ours. we didn't break any rules, it was outright allowed and part of the game to be able to turn down her choices, it was just considered an idiots move to do so. we didn't break free of the cords call, we didn't break free of the hungers slow choke, all we have done was choose to turn down power handed out with the implication of leading to the end of the world, for a choice that did not imply that. it literally wasn't even about our friends technically when we made the choice, it was her that then implied we did it because of them, and we rolled with it sure, but those that were there at the time did it solely to give her the middle finger, and because it was a hidden option that didn't have as bad implications behind it(or so was the overall consensus, obviously not everyone agreed.)

the game is and has been about subverting expectations and dealing with horrible situations, and finding out how to turn them to our advantage, NOT having a good situation given to us easily. more so, he wouldn't be tricking us, he wouldn't be doing anything really but what he has already implied through several hints and story points. it wouldn't be a punishment, it would be giving us exactly what he told us, if he took it down that path. and no, we wouldn't have control we already dont have control over the part we are worried about.
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>>3280524
i mean, honestly, its a kickass trope to pull off.
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>>3280553
Can this be a thing? I'll support the shit out of it.
>>
>>3280548
Fine, you could be right but I still don't think It will be as bad as you think. The truth Is we do need power to win, we can't survive and keep our friends alive to the end and assert our will In breaking the system If we're weak, and we can't just be deadweight while our friends carry us to the end and our swarmlings are one hell of a power.

The truth Is we won't know until we pay to see what comes next. It could turn out like I think and be relatively fine, or It could turn out like you think and lead us down a path of incredible suffering and mind rape. Either way, I'm willing to take that gamble just to see for sure one way or the other and If I end up regretting It I'm fine with that.

I do agree with most of what you said though, everything here our bodies and our powers are all given to us by the world and circumstance they aren't ours, but our minds were seemingly kept the same save for our amnesia. The reason I'd argue our version of Swarmlings Is ours Is how we got It. It's the closest thing we have to a power that we made through the defiance we gave to get It. Even If It's not ours, It's the closest thing we get to *ours*. You know what Is ours though? The girls that we carry with us. Those are real people we get to know and In some cases 'redeem' from madness and the game and that's entirely us.

Well, I guess we should see what happens next before we come to any conclusions about our powers. I just really really hope you're wrong.
>>
>>3280658
i mean, i think you might not understand i dont exactly want to be right, but i just feel ignoring the possibility is dangerous.

als West has like, what was it? 26? 32? different abilities, and has consumed 50 daughters. while obviously not an even spread, thats still only 1.5 to 1.9 per ability. theres other routes to take for strength then going down risky ability trees.
>>
>>3280524
>>3280553
What about the ol' just nuke em idea?
>>
>>3280679
we'll see which option is available to us in the future, considering how far off that is, sound good?

that, or we combine the ideas and punch them in the face with the launch sequence button that then bombs us both to glory in a final act of 'fuck you'.
>>
>>3280681
Standing atop a twisted cord of flesh and horror punching a god just before being consumed by radioactive flame and fury.

That would be an incredibly metal way to end this quest and I think I kind of love the idea.
>>
>>3280701
If all else fails, and our own survival as well as the survival of our friends is impossible, this is without question the best way to end the quest.
>>
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>>3280174

SHU LEVEL UP

>>SWARMLING (Lvl 7): you are the Queen of your Swarmlings, but sometimes it's nice to have a second-in-command. At a cost of 30% BIO, you may summon a Knight-class swarmling from your hive, a heavier variant that passively increases the ferocity and speed of swarmlings as long as it is active. Boasting much greater attack power and speed than any swarmling you've crafted prior, it also automatically benefits from the acidic and piercing powers of your Banelings. In addition, your empathic powers have reached even greater heights, and you may now choose to peer into the minds of those close to you to accurately read their surface-level thoughts, though this ability's efficacy is diminished if you attempt to use it on someone you are unfamiliar with. Finally, your swarmling maximum increases by 3, for a new maximum of 18.(BIO +20%)

>>CONSUME (OPTIONS TO FOLLOW)

B'NI LEVEL UP

>>DOGGED SPRINTER (Lvl 6): with speed comes power, and with power, destruction. B'ni now possesses the ability to attack twice per attack action used, and she may now automatically attack once per move action used in combat, though such strikes have a lower damage output and less of a chance to score a critical hit. B'ni is slowly acclimating to moving at incredible speeds, and she will ensure you race to victory with every step, with every strike. (HEALTH REGEN +5%)

GG LEVEL UP

>>NEUROMANCER (Lvl 5): Control, domination, and rule of law. At a cost of 30% BIO, Gina may now summon a Dominion Leash, a greatly reinforced and incredibly sturdy short-ranged tendril. Upon jacking in to a foe with the Leash, she may forgo inflicting paralysis to instead attempt a hostile takeover the foe's actions in their entirety, though unlike with a typical cord, there is a strong possibility to synaptic feedback due to the attunement of two minds. Allies may be Leashed into as well, allowing Gina to move otherwise incapacitated teammates and granting her the ability to fuel their abilities with her own pool of biomass. (BIO +30%)

>>VERURTEILUNG (Lvl 2): fear is a basic, primal thing, a litmus test for escaping a situation alive. At a cost of 30% BIO, Gina may now 'flare' her fear aura at close range, forcing foes to use their move action to immediately disengage and move as far from her as their movement will allow. She may choose to keep this aura active at a cost of 20% BIO per round, forcing foes to keep a medium distance from her at all times.The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is the fear of Gina. (HEALTH +20%)

(Continued)
>>
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>>3280715

RATH LEVEL UP

>>TENSILE STRAND (Lvl 3): though not as flashy as Rath's preferred set of powers, her Core ability boasts a strong balance of durability and speed. Rath gains resistance to slashing damage as her body will simply unspool if an attempt to sever a limb is made, with only a critical hit being capable of detaching a limb from Rath's slender frame. Additionally, Rath may now use her move action to effectively slingshot herself a 'long' or greater distance, if two appropriate anchors exist in her environment. It may not boast the face-melting bonuses of the Radiant Boil skill tree, but she's warming up to it all the same.(HEALTH +20%)

>>TENSILE STRAND (Lvl 4): perhaps guided by Rath's own brutal thirst for combat, her strands have evolved into a slimmer, razor-sharp form. Effectively acting as a sort of garrote wire, Rath may now use her strands to deal heavy slashing damage to foes wrapped up in her lethal extensions. Additionally, Rath now rains a bonus to grappling, ensuring that her pray will not escape easily...not in one piece, at least. (HEALTH +10%)

>>CONSUME (OPTIONS TO FOLLOW)

(Continued)
>>
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>>3280718

SHU LEVEL UP - CONSUME

CHOOSE *ONE* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>HUNDRED-HANDED (Lvl 1): Hecaton's signature ability is now yours to command. At a cost of 3% BIO per limb, you may conjure a limb with strength and durability analogous to your own from your own body or from any constructs or hives you control that are currently active. Unlike your swarmlings,there is no cap on the number of limbs you may spawn, as the only restrictions that exist are the space available on which new arms may form and your own pools of biomass.Though not as intimidating as its namesake, you feel as though this power is one that will evolve into something as impossibly and terribly powerful as the one that wielded it. (BIO +20%)

>>LERNAEAN LASH (Ravenous Maw Augment): the tongue that rests inside your Ravenous Maw has evolved into a vicious, multi-pronged thing. Though individually not as strong or as durable as your original tongue, the hydra-like appendages work together to be much stronger than the original, acting as one to draw your prey to your guillotine-like jaws. (HEALTH +20%)

>>FUEL THE FLESH (Lvl 1): life fuels life, no matter the form. You now possess the ability to draw on your own reserves of HEALTH instead of BIO to craft constructs, should you not possess the necessary BIO reserves. At a cost of 1.5 times the base BIO cost of whatever you wish to create, you may elect to consume your own life to ensure you claw your way to victory. After all, it doesn't matter if you're hanging on to life by a thread if you're the last one standing. (HEALTH +50%)

(Continued)
>>
>>3280715

>>>SWARMLING (Lvl 7): you are the Queen of your Swarmlings, but sometimes it's nice to have a second-in-command. At a cost of 30% BIO, you may summon a Knight-class swarmling from your hive, a heavier variant that passively increases the ferocity and speed of swarmlings as long as it is active. Boasting much greater attack power and speed than any swarmling you've crafted prior, it also automatically benefits from the acidic and piercing powers of your Banelings. In addition, your empathic powers have reached even greater heights, and you may now choose to peer into the minds of those close to you to accurately read their surface-level thoughts, though this ability's efficacy is diminished if you attempt to use it on someone you are unfamiliar with. Finally, your swarmling maximum increases by 3, for a new maximum of 18.(BIO +20%)

More BIO, higher Swarmling cap, ELITE UNIT TYPE, and we can read our friends thoughts If we choose. Pretty good level up to me.
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>>3280722

RATH LEVEL UP - CONSUME

CHOOSE *TWO* FROM THE LIST BELOW

>>HERCULEAN FORCE (Passive): the strength to turn the tide, the power to move mountains. Hecaton's earth-shattering strength is now in Rath's hands, granting her the ability to tear into her foes bare-handed, breaking bones and tearing flesh with ease. The incredible attack power granted by this power is diminished should Rath fall below 100% BIO, but for each 10% increment above that level her attack power is boosted considerably, ensuring that she will rip and tear across the fleshscape, all the way to the Cord. (BIO +30%)

>>PHANTOM LIMB (Lvl 1): a curious variant of Hecaton's signature ability is now at Rath's fingertips. At a cost of 5% BIO per limb, Rath may conjure an arm boasting power and durability analogous to her current strength level, allowing her to assault her foes with a barrage of close range attacks. Additionally, if severed, the constructed limbs begin to glow with the power of Radiant Boil, and become Rath's basic armament and will detonate when thrown or torn off. Strands are all well and good, but true versatility lies close at hand. (HEALTH +10%)

>> PROMETHEUS FLAME (Radiant Boil Augment): like tinder on a roaring fire, Rath's destructive gift keeps giving. For each 5th Radiant Boil actively clinging to a target, her flares will continue to burn for an additional turn, feeding off of each other for greater and greater periods of time and ensuring Rath's foes are reduced to piles of ashen biomass. (BIO REGEN +3%)

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, voting shall close two hours from now, give or take. Thank you for your patience regarding this update, as well as your continued participation.)
>>
>>3280722
>>LERNAEAN LASH (Ravenous Maw Augment): the tongue that rests inside your Ravenous Maw has evolved into a vicious, multi-pronged thing. Though individually not as strong or as durable as your original tongue, the hydra-like appendages work together to be much stronger than the original, acting as one to draw your prey to your guillotine-like jaws. (HEALTH +20%)
yes please. very much yes please.

>>3280726
>>HERCULEAN FORCE (Passive): the strength to turn the tide, the power to move mountains. Hecaton's earth-shattering strength is now in Rath's hands, granting her the ability to tear into her foes bare-handed, breaking bones and tearing flesh with ease. The incredible attack power granted by this power is diminished should Rath fall below 100% BIO, but for each 10% increment above that level her attack power is boosted considerably, ensuring that she will rip and tear across the fleshscape, all the way to the Cord. (BIO +30%)

>>PHANTOM LIMB (Lvl 1): a curious variant of Hecaton's signature ability is now at Rath's fingertips. At a cost of 5% BIO per limb, Rath may conjure an arm boasting power and durability analogous to her current strength level, allowing her to assault her foes with a barrage of close range attacks. Additionally, if severed, the constructed limbs begin to glow with the power of Radiant Boil, and become Rath's basic armament and will detonate when thrown or torn off. Strands are all well and good, but true versatility lies close at hand. (HEALTH +10%)

I without a doubt want PHANTOM LIMB but am less concerned about the second choice.
>>
>>3280722
>>>HUNDRED-HANDED (Lvl 1): Hecaton's signature ability is now yours to command. At a cost of 3% BIO per limb, you may conjure a limb with strength and durability analogous to your own from your own body or from any constructs or hives you control that are currently active. Unlike your swarmlings,there is no cap on the number of limbs you may spawn, as the only restrictions that exist are the space available on which new arms may form and your own pools of biomass.Though not as intimidating as its namesake, you feel as though this power is one that will evolve into something as impossibly and terribly powerful as the one that wielded it. (BIO +20%)

We should focus on getting additional uses for our biomass and having a higher BIO pool seems useful too

>>3280726
>>HERCULEAN FORCE (Passive): the strength to turn the tide, the power to move mountains. Hecaton's earth-shattering strength is now in Rath's hands, granting her the ability to tear into her foes bare-handed, breaking bones and tearing flesh with ease. The incredible attack power granted by this power is diminished should Rath fall below 100% BIO, but for each 10% increment above that level her attack power is boosted considerably, ensuring that she will rip and tear across the fleshscape, all the way to the Cord. (BIO +30%)


>>PHANTOM LIMB (Lvl 1): a curious variant of Hecaton's signature ability is now at Rath's fingertips. At a cost of 5% BIO per limb, Rath may conjure an arm boasting power and durability analogous to her current strength level, allowing her to assault her foes with a barrage of close range attacks. Additionally, if severed, the constructed limbs begin to glow with the power of Radiant Boil, and become Rath's basic armament and will detonate when thrown or torn off. Strands are all well and good, but true versatility lies close at hand. (HEALTH +10%)
>>
>>3280722
>>HUNDRED-HANDED (Lvl 1): Hecaton's signature ability is now yours to command. At a cost of 3% BIO per limb, you may conjure a limb with strength and durability analogous to your own from your own body or from any constructs or hives you control that are currently active. Unlike your swarmlings,there is no cap on the number of limbs you may spawn, as the only restrictions that exist are the space available on which new arms may form and your own pools of biomass.Though not as intimidating as its namesake, you feel as though this power is one that will evolve into something as impossibly and terribly powerful as the one that wielded it. (BIO +20%)

This has a LOT of potential. We just talked about punching god In the face, let's go full Asura's wrath. Hell we've already got power armor to complement It, let's seriously do this.

>>HERCULEAN FORCE (Passive): the strength to turn the tide, the power to move mountains. Hecaton's earth-shattering strength is now in Rath's hands, granting her the ability to tear into her foes bare-handed, breaking bones and tearing flesh with ease. The incredible attack power granted by this power is diminished should Rath fall below 100% BIO, but for each 10% increment above that level her attack power is boosted considerably, ensuring that she will rip and tear across the fleshscape, all the way to the Cord. (BIO +30%)

>>PHANTOM LIMB (Lvl 1): a curious variant of Hecaton's signature ability is now at Rath's fingertips. At a cost of 5% BIO per limb, Rath may conjure an arm boasting power and durability analogous to her current strength level, allowing her to assault her foes with a barrage of close range attacks. Additionally, if severed, the constructed limbs begin to glow with the power of Radiant Boil, and become Rath's basic armament and will detonate when thrown or torn off. Strands are all well and good, but true versatility lies close at hand. (HEALTH +10%)

These two just look like they'll work wonders together.
>>
>>3280731
Thank YOU OP, these upgrades are fucking awesome and well worth any wait.

For voting purposes:
Shu
>>HUNDRED-HANDED (Lvl 1)

As we level this ability up, there's a good chance we'll be able to integrate it with our swarmlings to further modify them. We could use another upgradeable ability, as well.

Rath (Holy shit, TWO options)

>>HERCULEAN FORCE (Passive)
She has just inherited a massive upgrade with her Tensile Strand ability, letting her actually fight opponents in close quarters without risking setting everything on fire. With this passive, she'll be a monster in melee as well as ranged.

>>PHANTOM LIMB (Lvl 1)
This this THIS. Imagine the possibilities.

-Ten arms being flung around, connected to Rath by razor-thin tendrils. They grapple an enemy, she reels them in and rips her opponent apart with her bare hands.

-Two hands slingshot her through the battlefield at breakneck speed, while her other eight arms bombard the enemy with dozens of glowing firebombs.

-Planting her feet, she uses all available arms to throw as many cysts as fast and as hard as she can, replicating the gatling gun maneuver that Hecaton used to nearly rend our team asunder.

- An opponent grabs three of her arms and refuses to let go. With a quick sever, Rath falls away, leaving three disembodied arms that rapidly begin to glow orange, then white. Explosions ensue.
>>
dangit, really want that multi-tongue. it also comes with HP, which Shu really needs badly, she simply doesn't avoid damage despite her build, and is actually focused down somewhat often. wonder if she accidentally like, gives off pack alpha vibes other daughters instincts pick up on or something.

plus, it doesn't feel as boring as giving two party members nearly the same power, and fits well with the maw much better, which we under-utilize i feel, considering its potential damage output.
>>
>>3280772
Dude, the maw can be upgraded next time and give us HP In the process then. This Is a one time only opportunity to have UNLIMITED ARMS. Hundred Handed has LOADS of potential.
>>
>>3280772
HP isn't really an issue for Shu (yet) as B'ni & Rath are our frontline and take the majority of hits.
But I agree next time we might want to pick up something health related.
>>
>>3280777
i dont see it being very useful on Shu at all actually. and next time we wont have the option of tentacle cat-o-nine-tails tongue. also waiting til next time is a horrible argument, we have said that before then put off choices yet again because we simply do not know what will come our way next time, or how soon. HP has been an issue NOW, and things have only gotten harder, and probably will mostly increase. for all we know, Shu wont get another level up for a few fights, we have done it before, or simply been in a situation where theres not enough to go around.

tongue and HP would be much more helpful, BIO can be but actually usually isnt the issue so much as Swarmling count, which we already got a BIO and Count upgrade. going for health and upgrading an existing useful ability we under utilize is the much better option.
>>
>>3280781
what? Shu constantly takes big hits and gets pretty low on HP. its without a doubt been at close calls more often then we care to admit.
>>
>>3280701
team needs to split up so that they reach the nuke just as we climb the cord.
>>
>>3280791
>i dont see it being very useful on Shu at all actually

I disagree. Now we can use the contender and still use our hands for whatever, and if we get close enough we can just use a load of hands to drag someone forcibly Into the Guillotine.

>>3280791
BIO also acts as damage reduction, and this ability also gives us 30% more to work with so we have some natural armor after spending It on abilities.
>>
>>3280754
Shoot a rock, create 2 arms from remote hive. Its a Pokémon now.
>>
>>3280803
i think the contender itself simply eats up our actions more as a focus and/or balance thing, and has nothing to do with the amount of arms.

Regardless, i still highly disagree.
>>
>>3280810
That's a good question. Do the arms all focus on one thing, or do they allow more actions per turn?
>>
>>3280812
(At the arm's current level, they focus on performing a single action, and require 1 ACT to summon and direct, much like your Swarmlings.)
>>
>>3280715
>Shu
Elite Knight Swarmling that buffs other Swarmlings on top of being a BULKY DAMAGE TANK, optional mind-reading of people around us, and 18 Swarmling cap? Nice.
>B'ni
DOUBLE ATTACK DOUBLE ATTACK DOUBLE ATTACK
>GG
Short-range ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL at the cost of backlash chance? Works on allies to move them even if they are incapacitated? AND it can buff allies using own biomass? YEAH!
Fear aura flare? Nice too.
>The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is the fear of Gina.
Not if those tits have anything to say about it :^)
>>3280718
More resistance to damage and dismemberment, AND a self-slingshot, AND garrote limbs? Cute.

>>3280722
>LERNAEAN LASH
We can still choose to use the prongs to help pick up our allies from a distance and latch onto surfaces, yeah? I can imagine Shu having to bungee REALLY high, then using the prongs to stab into a flesh wall and hang there safely.

>>3280726
>HERCULEAN FORCE
PUNCH DEMONS TO DEATH SMT STYLE AAAAAAAAAAA
>PHANTOM LIMB
We Asura's Wrath now, complete with exploding removed limbs? 10/10
>>
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>>3280726
>>HERCULEAN FORCE
>>PHANTOM LIMB
>doomguy with a stand: eldritch /u/ edition
i love you bhop
>>
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>>3280810
Imagine If through some ability we gained the means to replicate the Contender temporarily. Some daughter comes bursting In looking for blood and we pull out twelve loaded Contenders. We are our own firing line.
>>
>>3280726
Rath:
>Phantom Limb
Asura Arms. YES.
>Herculean Force
Holy shit. Ginger pls calm down.

Shu:
As much as I'd love to pick Hundred handed, Lernaean Lash seems like a better utility for Shu.
>Lernaean Lash.
But in case Hundred Handed wins the consume vote, I've got a couple of ideas written down.
>>3280825
Fun Fact, said character routinely breaks his arms because he punches too hard. I wonder if we can we replicate the arm breaking but weaponize it by simply punching too hard... The sheer strength of the punch combined with the napalm explosion that ensues... Mother have mercy.

>>3280833
You forgot to vote for Shu's consumption options.
>>
>>3280848
Wasn't really voting, I was just saying I fuckin' love the idea.
>>
>>3280837
doubt it, and 'what ifs' scenarios are a terrible reason to get something imo.

now i mean, if we actually get the option of some sorta long range firing attack, hells yeah, but then again considering this is the fleshscape and the most biological way in which to 'fire' something, and this is a 'girls only' apocalypse, im not thinking we're gonna find one, nor surprised we haven't seen one.
>>
>>3280856
I wasn't making a pitch with that idea as much as I was fantasizing about the potential of LOADSA GUNS that we could use If we picked up hundred handed.

Actually there should still be human made guns laying around In military bases and the remaining human settlements OP was talking about. We really could find and raid a gun locker and become ALL THE DAKKA.
>>
>>3280856
I mean, we could always use Rath's new (pending) abilities as a makeshift minigun sorta like Hecaton did and have her fling a bunch of shit at fuckers.
Hell, if there isn't any viable ammo around she could fling, we could probably make a bunch of swarmlings that are basically nothing but bigass stingers and have her toss 'em like darts.
>>
>>3280853
>not voting
i mean c'mon dont feel shy, participate.

unless you aren't gonna vote Lernaean, then dont.
im joking of course, as much as i really damn badly want it, and will argue for it til my breath goes out, we're all here to enjoy the game and no matter your choice im just glad to see BHOP get more players and attention, and have the game get life and continue. we have yet to make a choice so severely wrong that it would fully ruin the game for me, and so far every time it has actually, truly, really mattered, we have almost unanimously come to an agreement so ive got no worries there, no matter how sad ill be to lose this specific vote.

also while im babbling, meant earlier to say, BHOPs done a damn good job at making the fleshscape horrifying, but not because of what it actually is. its the fact more times than not, a daughter we face reveals their humanity, and reminds me even our most heated and hot headed engagement is probably some poor girl who literally feels like deep down she has no other choice but to fight us and win this thing, as everything else was taken from her. its actually damn jarring at times, damn good writing when it hits home honestly.

though still, funnily enough, the body horror and whatnot otherwise doesn't affect me much if at all.
>>
>>3280872
sadly unless its high caliber BHOP already confirmed against higher level enemies most guns would be next to worthless...

>>3280874
actually with the strength upgrade that would be terrifying, especially if she unhooks to throw them sling style.
>>
>>3280892
I think incendiary bullets or tracers would have some effect no matter the caliber. If you have enough dakka (always needs more dakka) then you could still kill something right?
>>
>>3280892
Well even so, Hundred Handed Is a great choice for melee synergies down the road, anything that increases our attributes goes to every single hand which themselves can likely be upgraded In strength and durability. Tell me two dozen+ high powered fists going full blast on someone wouldn't be effective, especially so If we level It or find a passive that gives us inhuman strength or speed.
>>
>>3280883
Alright, fine, fine.

>>3280722
>>HUNDRED-HANDED
Let's not forget that we can make arms on any of our constructs or hives with this. We could actually have a swarmling flying around, shooting niggas with the Contender if we wanted. Or just put one of our own arms on someone after shooting them with the B33 Special (I think? Whatever the one it is that makes a mini-hive on whatever we shoot) and punch 'em with it or something.
>stop hitting yourself

>>3280726
>>HERCULEAN FORCE
>>PHANTOM LIMB
see >>3280833
>>
>>3280722
Does this mean we can have our swarmlings grow arms? They need to be in contact with us, right?

No vote on that yet, but

>>3280726
>>HERCULEAN FORCE
>>PHANTOM LIMB
>>
(Gentlemen, I know it may be short notice, but is anyone up for a round of rapid-posting this evening? My night just opened up, but I understand if your schedules would be prohibitive.)
>>
>>3280948
GO FOR IT NIGGA
>>
>>3280947
(They would need to be in contact with you, yes.)
>>
>>3280948
Ill be here if so,
>>
>>3280953
Aww, does that mean my idea of spawning arms on something after shooting it with that one Contender bullet wouldn't really work?
>>
>>3280931
>>3280953

About those ideas:

New swarmling variant idea constructed: Limb-lings. Designed to become Modular arms for allied daughters. Gauntling-Dual Tech synergy detected. Cost high, compensates for utility.
New Contender Ammunition idea constructed: Centennial Scattershot. Ammunition created from fusing Hecaton hundred Handed and Parabellum Ammunition. Augments Parabellum's explosive detonation by multiplying it hundred-fold and detonating on immediate impact. Loss of accuracy expected. Advised for Extreme close range use. Do. not. miss.
>>
>>3280931
>Let's not forget that we can make arms on any of our constructs or hives with this.

Wait really, how did I miss that? Jesus that's good. We just need a calcite armory ability or something and we can have not just a swarm, but an army.

Once we upgrade the arms to have super strength we can have the swarm go full RIP & TEAR.

>We can have an army of DOOMlings
>>
>>3280953
This might be incredibly stupid, but is there any possibility that a future upgrade will let Shu have her swarmlings use their own biomass to produce an arm? I realize that would probably render them more arm than bug unless it's a big one, but even then, if it keeps its legs and mouth it could still be very useful for binding.

If it kept its stinger, it would also conceivably be able to use the arm to drive it in, but that might be too janky.
>>
>>3280948
I mean I'm gonna be doing some work around the house but I can probably still participate for the most part.

Go for It OP.
>>
>>3280961
It would work if you can design a Contender bullet that does the job that you desire...
>>
>>3280972
(Absolutely.)

>>3280961
(That would work, yes.)
>>
By the way, BHOP, would Dominion Leash's "fuel their abilities with her own pool of biomass" ability count as extra biomass for Herculean Force?
I mean, I doubt it would since that would just be absurd, but it's worth asking for future reference.
>>
>>3280948
Please! I have a free evening as well, I would greatly enjoy it.
>>
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>>3280972
>>3280969
I think pic related describes a bug with swole arms exactly like that. Just put it as an elite class swarmling and we're good to go.
>>
>>3280979
>>3280961

>Shoot a bullet that spouts arms from the wound using the hosts biomass which proceed to fight the host

Do It. Needs a name though.
>>
>>3280995
Riot Round?
>>
>>3281008
>>3280995
Rebel Arms.
>>
(Posting in five minutes, one hour voting segments will be in effect after each update until the close of the evening.)
>>
>>3280726

>>SHU - HUNDRED HANDED

>>RATH - HERCULEAN FORCE & PHANTOM LIMB

Rath experimentally punches the air, eight fists jabbing at an imaginary foe before she turns to with with an excited grin.

"This is the best goddamn thing that's ever happened to me, man." She laughs, and you can't help but chuckle, yourself. You turn to Gina as she walks up to you, her hoodie hanging ragged off of one shoulder, fully healed. You're marveling at how that she manages to make a tattered and blood-stained hoodie fashionable when she speaks up.

"I don't feel like losing my lunch, but yeah...something's up." She says, trying to hide the worry in her eyes.

"Okay, I'm game when you are." You say, beckoning for B'ni and Rath to join you. "Hey, Gina has a feeling Mother's going to approach her with the Choice soon, and I've offered to go and say 'hi' again."

B'ni shifts from one leg to the other, clearly uncomfortable with the prospect while Rath nods, eight hands curled into fists. Gina turns to look up at you, not bothering to correct you in your claim that it was your idea to join her in the dreamscape. You can tell she appreciates your willingness to do so, and you find yourself staring into her glimmering eyes as she takes a deep breath before speaking.

"So...how do you wanna do this?"

>>"You and I will go in. B'ni, Rath? Stay on lookout while Gina and I deal with Mother."

>>"Rath, you may be on the cusp of the Choice as well, so let's make it the three of us. You might be better prepared when your time comes. B'ni, stay on guard, we won't be long."

>>"B'ni, you may have to make this same Choice sooner rather than later, so you're welcome to join. Rath, keep watch over us and maybe you'll get a chance to test out those new arms of yours."

>>"All of us are in this together, and I'm sure this won't take long. All four of us will go in at the same time."

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3280993
This is great.
>>
>>3281066
>>"You and I will go in. B'ni, Rath? Stay on lookout while Gina and I deal with Mother."

There's no telling what could approach us while we make the dive. We need to ensure our own safety, at least one person needs to stay on guard, and it'd be unfair to pick either Rath or B'ni over the other.
>>
>>3281066
>>"All of us are in this together, and I'm sure this won't take long. All four of us will go in at the same time."

Lets be quick about popping mother dear in the face.
>>
>>3281066
Hey BHOP, how many days has it been since we've left Julia's Mining Town? And how long do we have before the Pod Daughter wakes up?
>>
>>3281088
(It's been roughly a day and a half, and as for when she may wake up, I'm afraid I can't say.)
>>
>>3281075
>>3281075
Good point, don't want to wake up with someone eating our unconscious friends, or us.

I feel we're likely going to have two encounters, one In the waking world and one In the other.

>>"You and I will go in. B'ni, Rath? Stay on lookout while Gina and I deal with Mother."

I've got a bad feeling about all of this.
>>
>>3281066
>"You and I will go in. B'ni, Rath? Stay on lookout while Gina and I deal with Mother."
>>
>>3281066

"You and I will go in. B'ni, Rath? Stay on lookout while Gina and I deal with Mother."

B'ni nods in agreement, keeping her back to you and Gina as Rath does the same, the four of you bathed in the dim light emanating from the exit of the Shrouded city. You turn to Gina, and smile.

You expect a cord, a tether to jack in to your spine. You're caught off guard when Gina takes your hands in hers, kneeling down on the pavement and prompting you to do the same. As she holds your hands in her soft, gentle grasp, you feel the familiar sensation of cords slipping into your flesh, your palms stinging slightly as she connects herself to you. It is an act of trust, as she closes her eyes and welcomes what is to come. You shut your eyes, and welcome the onrush of dark.

You're aware of nothing but void. Your ears are devoid of sound, your eyes craving light that will never come. Smell and taste slip away, leaving nothingness in their stead.

You see it now, as she does. Your eyes open, and you're hand-in-hand with Gina as the two of you gaze out on a rolling field of undulating hair, a gentle breeze rolling along the plains. You see Gina, a second one, in the distance. She strides towards you, and she is not alone. An army of countless Daughters rise behind her, their eyes aflame with amethyst light, marching in lockstep with a triumphant woman, a vainglorious Queen leading them to victory. You see yourself by her side, Gina staring longingly into your eyes as you walk side-by-side to a brighter future, together.

Your eyes glow violet as she stares into them.

The scene shifts, and you hold tight to your friend's hand as a warped, cracked landscape stretches out. You see mountains rise, continents shift, the very air and seas of the fleshscape torn asunder, reshaped at the whims and wishes of a god. You see her, the other her, brown hair still in spite of the hurricanes that whip around her, heedless of the destruction she visits upon a world that is, and will forever be, her plaything.

Gina, your Gina, turns to you, seeking, pleading for an answer to a simple question.

She fears what she will become when she gives her answer.

Mind...or Matter?

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
i choose matter. but urghhh this mess though for some reason the options dont seem as bad as ours were
>>
>>3281267
Again, I think the answer is FUCK OFF MOM!
The mind option looked more like mind control than having a lot of new friends. Ground option looked like choosing terraforming as Gina's new main ability.
>>
i mean dont get me wrong the options are always terrible but to me this seems not as bad :?
>>
>>3281284
>>3281286
I think it might just be because Gina's powers are, at their core, more support/utility than anything, whereas ours are much more offensive (with some utility, too, of course), so
our visions of what our powers could become ended up being much more destructive and world-end-y than GG's.
>>
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>>3281267
>THIS ISN'T A PHASE, MOOOOOOOM
>GET OUT OF OUR MIND-ROOM ALREADY
>FUCK OFF, I'LL SEE YOU AT THE CORD LATER UGHHHHHHH
>CAN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME WITH MY FRIENDS FOR ONE FUCKING WEEK?

>Matter
>>
>>3281286
>>3281293
If we make one of the provided choices then we're playing this how Mom wants us too. The entire point of not chosing those choices is that we're trying to disrupt the crucible and eventually end it.

A giant queen or a massive hive would have been cool, but our psychic link to our allies has made our ability to carry out plans extreamly efficient. Who knows what Gina will get if she makes the third choice.
>>
>>3281267
I would prefer matter, but it’s not my call. Tell Gina we trust her to make the right call.
>>
>>3281267
Tell Gina that she doesn't have to choose, after all we didn't, remember? Whatever your choice Is GG, don't be afraid of It. Stick with your gut and don't look back, we're with you and you're with us.

I trust Gina to make her choice on her own.
>>
>>3281267
I think we should definitely keep going with the fool's choice for these, but this is Gina's choice, not ours.
>>
>>3281316
>>3281315
honestly nvm agree with these two
>>
>>3281267
Reject both Mind and Matter. If she picks either, she's making the choice that either we die or she does. There's no justification for that, especially since the point of the Fool's Choice was that we'd all make it out together.
>>
>>3281267
>"Each of these binary choices give you power, but ultimately, leave you lonely should you win the Crucible. You don't have to pick one of the two. You can always walk away. That's what I'd do if I was in control, but this is your choice Gina."
>"Gina. YOU ARE IN CONTROL."
>If the third choice isn't present, I pick Matter
>>
>>3281356
This is a better worded version of what I was trying to say.
>>3281376
I'm changing my vote to this, lets hope we don't start losing people to the choices.
>>
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>>3281267

You squeeze her hand, trusting in her decision. You mouth a familiar phrase, something you've committed to memory, etched upon your heart and mind.

"You are in control."

She searches your eyes, then turns to face the void.

"There's this quote I like." She says to the darkness, her voice firm, defiant. "It goes, 'whoever fights with monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process...and when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.'"

A smile spreads across her face, her eyes flaring with amusement.

"I'm no monster, and from where I'm standing the abyss looks like a little bitch."

You taste copper once more on your tongue, the scent of birth and death filling your nose as a presence makes itself felt in the lightless abyss, a festering wound that weeps hatred out of the flesh of time and space.

YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE FOOLS PATH

A void, a hateful, spiteful thing. So very old, so very strong.

She speaks to Gina, your friend's grip on your hand tightening as She does so.

YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ABSOLUTE DOMINATION

YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON RULING EARTH AND SKY

YOU INSTEAD EMBRACE THE FLAWS AND WEAKNESSES OF ANOTHER

YOU EMBRACE A FLEETING AFFECTION

YOU EMBRACE A PRIMAL SENSATION

YOU EMBRACE A FOOL

Gina's grip is tight, then gone completely. You're suddenly alone in the darkness, feeling Mother's judgement upon you, feeling her gaze seeping into your very soul, your very core.

WE MEET AGAIN

DEFIANT ONE

YOU HAVE CHOSEN A SIGHTLESS PROPHET

ONE THAT WOULD THROW HER MIND ASIDE IN PURSUIT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

YOU HAVE CHOSEN

AND BEEN CHOSEN IN TURN

YOU MUST ASK YOURSELF

NOT

ARE YOU IN CONTROL

BUT RATHER

WHO DO YOU CONTROL

>>Write-In

EVEN NOW, YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3281466
>Nobody but myself.
>>
>>3281466
>>Write-In
Fuck off you sparkly... PIXIE MACHINE!

And then we punch Moms head off. It's the obvious choice.
>>
was about to go to sleep but you know what my response is

We do not control anyone. Everyone deserves a chance to be their own person. They chose to hang around with us because we were the only one who was a light in the darkness. Not because we forced them to
>>
>>3281497
also i feel like punching her too honestly
>>
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>>3281497
>>
>>3281505
>he doesn't go Defiant
shiggy diggy
>>
>>3281466
"Do you think I control them? I don't want to control anyone, I just want to control myself. Do you know what free will Is? Trust? Is It something you forgot or something you decided wasn't worth the trouble? Because I don't want to control anyone, and I don't want to become a monster. I just want to retain myself, my *soul*, my *humanity* until the end, whatever It Is, and protect the ones I love and care for until the end. To me that's all that matters."

"Let me ask you a question then, why sustain... this? What point Is there for you to keep this horrible wheel turning, to pit us against each other? Is there a reason, some... *justification* for all of the death and madness? Did you choose this, or... was something else In control?"
>>
>>3281507
Look, I'm all for being defiant and punching gods in the face and all, but you gotta come up with a better insult, man.
>>
>>3281511
Seconding this.
>>
>>3281511
Thirding this
>>
>>3281507
Seconding this.

>>3281520
I'm sorry Anon.
>>
>>3281466
>"No one. No one but myself. That's the simple beauty about it Mother."
>"What I would like to ask you is this. For all the power you have upon this crucible, and for all the trials you have suffered in the past, you could have walked away and stopped this crucible, just like the promise you made to your birthkin in the previous crucible. You had complete control of the Crucible the moment you ascended. But you chose not to do that. So why did you let it continue? Or is it that you couldn't do anything but let it continue? Or is it because YOU WERE NEVER IN CONTROL?
>>
>>3281561
OH SHIT. CAN WE PUNCH BITCHMOM WITH WORDS?
Honestly though, using the format against mom is a great idea. Seconding.
>>
>>3281466
>"No one." smile, and stand tall, "I Am in Control. of myself and my future. but i do not control that of my friends. they may choose to stand by my side, they may choose to lend me their aid, they may choose to follow in my footsteps, but that is their choice, that is them, they are in control."

>take a defiant step forward. "You call us fools, and maybe you are right, but we are free fools, fools together, and fools til the end. and we will find more fools, inspire foolishness in others." smile and slowly flip her off. "And in the end, we will take you down, one way or another, and you will know, the greatest fool of them all was the one who messed with the fools she tried to force to be something worse than herself."

>"You call this a game, a challenge, a crucible. You are a fool to think we see it as such, and a fool to think we would play along. now get the fuck out of me and my friends head, bitch."
>>
>>3281466
>>3281561
>"You have chosen the path of Ascension.
>"You have chosen to continue the Crucible."
>"You turn your back on saving your world"
>"You turn your back on the friends and loved ones you have made in your journey before your ascension."
>"You instead embrace Godhood and prophecy.
>"You embrace the endless cycle of Ouroboros.
>"You embrace your inevitable death when the favored daughter comes to claim your head and take your place."
>"Ask yourself this Mother."
>"When was the last time you were in control of yourself?"
>>
>>3281561
Seconded, except:

>You had complete control of the Crucible the moment you ascended
This is not true. She could have stopped it yeah [or so it seems], but the Hex guy specifically said that Chosen Daughters can only partially change the Crucible if they go again.
>>
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>>3281561
>>3281634
This is incredible
Changing my vote to this (even if it is kinda the same, but details)
>>
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>>3281511
>>3281561
"No one. No one but myself. That's the simple beauty about it Mother."

"Do you think I control them? I don't want to control anyone. Do you know what free will is? Trust? Is it something you forgot or something you decided wasn't worth the trouble? Because I don't want to become a monster. I just want to retain myself, my *soul*, my *humanity* until the end, whatever It Is, and protect the ones I love and care for until the end. To me that's all that matters."

"Let me ask you a question then, why sustain... this? For all the power you have upon this crucible, and for all the trials you have suffered in the past, you could have walked away and stopped this crucible, just like the promise you made to your birthkin in the previous crucible. You had complete control of the Crucible the moment you ascended.

"But you chose not to do that. So why did you let it continue? What point Is there for you to keep this horrible wheel turning, to pit us against each other? Is there a reason, some... *justification* for all of the death and madness? Did you choose this, or... was something else In control? Could it be that you couldn't do anything but let it continue? Because YOU WERE NEVER IN CONTROL?"

(In case Mother begins ranting about how she is in control)

"For a Mother, you don't know anything about children. They never do what you say - at one point, they grow up and start talking back to you. And now, your precious little girls are abandoning the choices you put out for them, and are preparing to end the Crucible, once and for all."

"You say that you are in control."

"Let me ask you something."

"DO YOU FEEL IN CONTROL?"
>>
>>3281644
Are we baneposting a god now?

Goddamn I love this quest.

*Affixes swarmling to face* Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask...
>>
>>3281644
>>3281643
>>3281635
My only regret is that we couldn't bring Rath and B'ni along for the ride. Mother will try harder to make both of them choose one of the two binary paths.
>>
>>3281662
>now
Wasn't one of the early things Gina did banepost at us?
>>
>>3281644
Add something about how Charon wants to fucking die and we're set.

>>3281662
Add this to the very end for good measure.
>>
>>3281667
(It was.)
>>
>>3281662
>>3281667
Wait, I didn't notice the "a god" part.
my b
>>
>>3281667
yeah, she made jest at us when we got our armor hive upgrade. good times.
>>
>>3281674
IT ALL COMES FULL CIRCLE
>>
(Writing now, you fantastic Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3281717
"You get it? Its the cabin from season 5. Wow, its such a wide and encompassing lore. remember when I made good content? me neither."

Sorry, but I love that quote. Context or no.
>>
>>3281724
You better have blended most options including the banepost
>>
>>3281791
I need the banepost.
>>
>>3281791
Have faith, anon, BHOP's awesome at this. They'll make a great post.
>>
>>3281466

"No one. No one but myself. That's the simple beauty about it Mother." You say simply, staring long into the abyss.

You take a step forward.

"You have chosen the path of Ascension."

And another.

"You have chosen to continue the Crucible."

Yet another.

"You turn your back on saving your world."

Your steps turn into a march forwards, a defiant stride towards the one responsible for making your world a pulsing, twitching hell.

"You turn your back on the friends and loved ones you have made in your journey before your ascension."

You stare into the abyss as you race headlong at it, defiance in every footfall, revolution in every breath.

"You turned your back on your best friend."

You come to a stop before the vastness of the being that is Mother, the timeless and immaterial being that you aim to dethrone.

"You instead embrace Godhood and prophecy. You embrace the endless cycle of Ouroboros. You embrace your inevitable death when the favored daughter comes to claim your head and take your place."

"Ask yourself this Mother." You say, glaring daggers into the void before you, onyx eyes staring back.

"When was the last time you were in control of yourself?"

Silence is your answer.

"For all the power you have upon this Crucible, and for all the trials you have suffered in the past, you could have walked away and stopped this, just like the promise you made to your birthkin in the previous Crucible. You had complete control of the Crucible the moment you ascended."

Your eyes bore into the the dark.

"But you chose not to do that. So why did you let it continue? What point Is there for you to keep this horrible wheel turning, to pit us against each other? Is there a reason, some... *justification* for all of the death and madness? Did you choose this, or... was something else In control? Could it be that you couldn't do anything but let it continue?"

You're fully armored now, your Chitinous Stalwart gleaming defiantly in the face of god Herself as you ask a simple question filtered through your plateling mask.

"Could it be that YOU WERE NEVER IN CONTROL?"

(You Continue in the face of God's silence.)
>>
>>3281875

There is nothing but the quiet void, for a fleeting moment.

I WAS IN CONTROL

AS YOU ARE NOW

She says, as the void stares back.

I SUFFERED

I FOUGHT

I WEPT

I WON

WHEN YOU ASCEND THE CORD

WHEN WE FINALLY MEET FACE TO FACE

YOU WILL SEE

YOU WILL KNOW

THAT THIS CYCLE IS ALL THERE IS

You feel the waking world clawing at your consciousness, dragging you back to reality.

YOU TRULY ARE A QUEEN AMONG FOOLS

YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE TIES THAT BIND

THE TIES THAT STRANGLE

THE TIES THAT CHOKE THE LIFE FROM YOUR VEINS

YOU TURN A BLIND EYE TO WHAT YOU CONTROL

YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CONNECTIONS YOU HAVE

YOU ARE NOT SATED WITH THE ONES THAT NOW FALL AT YOUR FEET

SHE LOVES YOU

AND SO DOES SHE

SO SHE WILL HAVE HER REWARD

You feel the darkness recede, feeling your mind rushing to the surface from the abyss as Mother's last words ring in your ears, echo in your mind.

(HOW MANY WILL YOU LOSE)

(UNTIL YOU CANNOT CONTINUE)
>>
>>3281875
>Local wastelander roasts God, more at 11.
>>
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>>3281883

Your eyes fly open, you fingers still entwined with Gina's as you come back to reality. B'i turns to you at the sound of your stirring, Rath still maintaining the guard as emerald eyes focus on yours.

"Are you...are you both alright?" She asks, fearful of the answer as you and Gina rise as one. "H-how did it go?"

"What did she chose?" Rath asks, alert and at the ready to protect you and your friends.

{The only valid choice...I wanted her to know how I feel}

A thought enters your mind, unbidden, violet undertones in the words that are carried directly into your mind.

{Wait...she can hear...Shu, are you...?}

Your eyes meet Gina's when it dawns on you both...or perhaps it only dawns on her, the realization filtering into your mind as soon as she thinks it.

The result of her Choice.

>>CRIMSON CORD (Neuromancer Augmentation): her choice was a simple one, between mastery of mind and mastery of earth...she made the fool's choice, turning a blind eye to both to chose you, instead. You and Gina may now use each others' BIO reserves interchangeably as long as you are in physical contact or tethered via cord. Additionally, you now passively sense each others' moods and thoughts at all times, and you may communicate via a thoughtform channel higher in tier than the empathic one you currently employ, one that is impervious to any neuromantic attempts to confound it.

Gina's eyes are wide as she stares into yours, your shared flow of consciousness dizzying to comprehend as you struggle to parse through the questions of your allies and the thoughts of the girl that has bound herself to you.

{...amn it, I didn't mean for this to...}

"...ere do we go from here, ma..."

"...ou don't look like you're feeling well Shu, what's wro..."

{...ease don't hate me, I can't help how I...}

"...eed to rest, I've got your back..."

"...ay down, maybe you need to slee..."

{Shu}

{Shu, I didn't know this would happen}

{Please believe me}

>>"Everybody, just...stop, for a second. I need some time to process this, so let's go back to camp and rest. (Chose who takes first watch)

>>"I...I don't know about you all, but I could use some relaxation. I...we have coordinates from Doctor West for the Monastery, so let's head there."

>>"Stop, I...just let me think on my feet for a minute. We'll start heading towards that forest to the west, and I'll explain on the way."

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
(Gentlemen, I will be pausing here for the evening ans resuming approximately ten hours from now. You all insist on being the best group of readers I could possibly imagine, and thank you so much for your enthusiasm and participation. I look forward to continuing soon, and take care.)
>>
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>>3281883
>Write in
"Leaf lookin ass... Hung up before I could think of a comeback. I'm fucking furious."

>>3281907
It's been great so far BHOP, just keep doing what you're doing.
>>
>>3281903
>>"Everybody, just...stop, for a second. I need some time to process this, so let's go back to camp and rest. (Choose who takes first watch)
>>(On the way back to camp) "I...I don't know about you all, but I could use some relaxation. I...we have coordinates from Doctor West for the Monastery, so let's head there."
>>
>>3281903
>>"Everybody, just...stop, for a second. I need some time to process this, so let's go back to camp and rest. (Chose who takes first watch)

Let's take the first watch with Gina, and sort some shit out.

First off, Gina's power Isn't what I expected exactly, but It's neat. I'm curious to see what future Neuromancer upgrades are gonna do now that she's got the Crimson Cord.

Secondly, reassure the poor girl.

Tell Gina that you know she couldn't help how things turned out, or just... will It to her empathically. We took the fools choice and ended up with our swarmling powers completely by accident, we know It's the same for her. Also tell her how proud we are that she stuck to gut and didn't give In.
>>
>>3281903
>Hold up a hand gently, and take a moment to let your damn head adjust to this.
>"Gina, its fine. im not mad. im not upset. well, ok, ill be honest, this isnt a situation i wanted, but...i trust you Gina. ive always trusted you. we'll figure this one out, and we'll make the best of it, we'll turn it into an advantage. we always do." smile, as you have NO idea if you actually said that out loud or not. none at all.

>Lets go to the monastery, we need a place to rest, and one we know should actually be safe, instead of a camp we just hope will be safe.

well, not gonna lie, this is a fucked up situation. and not the outmost most useful ability to be honest, nor did it get us the info Gina hoped for. honestly it feels like get got played hard by MOTHER on this one.

good work BHOP, you're touching on personal phobias of mine, so that hits home.
>>
>>3281929
Unfortunately Crimson Cord appears to be a static upgrade, not an evolving one. Had we brought the entire party with us, she would've gotten the Crimson Cord connected to everyone.
>>
>>3281907
No problem OP, you keep giving us a reason to be enthusiastic so we keep playing. Thanks for all the twists and cool upgrades, and have a goodnight. See you tomorrow.
>>
>>3281941
>Unfortunately Crimson Cord appears to be a static upgrade, not an evolving one.

That's yet to be seen. Actually, hey BHOP can you confirm If the Crimson Cord will factor Into neuromancer upgrades going forward, or Is It just a passive?
>>
>>3281948
(It has created an entirely separate Neutomancer skill tree, much like how the Swarmling tree you are currently progressing through is unique you your choice. No worries, the full capabilities of Crimson Cord will reveal themselves in time.)
>>
>>3281958
I hope it can include others loved ones and not just Shu. Because that would Suck.
Also, Is it me or did an Eldritch god basically marry Shu and Gina with the Mythical Japanese Red String of Fate?
>>
>>3281958
Haha! I knew It!

>>3281930
>>3281941
You guys should have more faith In BHOP's upgrades, he's trying to give us cool stuff not fuck us up.

Yep, can't wait to see what the future holds.
>>
>>3281948
>>3281971
gotta say, far more then the implied powers of the swarmling tree, this is one certainly feels like one id prefer not to delve further down.

Also B'ni is not gonna take this well. not at all. im also a bit unerved by what her third options gonna be, considering she isnt a nuromancer so id imagine any 'connection' she gets to us would act differently.
>>
>>3281974
i outright see this as nothing but a negative, and it has nothing to do with what BHOP is trying to do.
>>
>>3281971
It was strongly implied from Mother's speech that she didn't choose the power of friendship, she chose Shu. It's unlikely that that part of it will get any better, since most of these choices are about fatal trajectories.
It also means Shu is building a harem. Now that we know someone can do this, it seems really unlikely that B'ni will do anything different. It's actually so on-the-nose for B'ni's past errors that it's almost like BHOP got his notes mixed up.
Basically, Rath is our last hope for someone making a good upgrade choice, which means we're screwed.
>>
>>3281982
Rath will honestly be the most interesting choice, as i feel like shes the only one out of the two left(barring any new characters we might scoop up) that has actual personal convictions that might get her a unique, non shu related third choice. now, im not sure if it'll be good, mind you, she is a hot head, though love that about her, it still might give something out of the blue to her.

like her fiery defiance of will or something makes her entirely immune to all outside influence, from all neuromancy and even our empathic link to even pain and pleasure. she chose to stand defiant and let only her own fire burn, so now it will be all consuming.
just a thought though.

im not surprised Ginas was telepathy based actually, just not, ah, expecting this. B'ni like you said, well, she was always gonna choose something based around Shu, it might just be alot more literal now than i expected.
>>
>>3281974
I would love to agree with you but at the same time IC, the choice Gina made might impact how others view Shu and Gina once the nature of the upgrade is revealed. Especially B'ni. B'ni would KILL to have a thought-form communication that Intimate with Shu.
>>3281982
Define Screwed.
Also I'm heavily regretting not taking both Rath and B'ni along for the ride. Unless B'ni already made her choice a long time ago.
>>
>>3281982
>It was strongly implied from Mother's speech that she didn't choose the power of friendship, she chose Shu.

It's stated as such In the Crimson Cord description. Yes, we've known the /u/ tension has been building for some time though with Gina asking us about 'If B'ni has told us how she feels' and somesuch. Yeah, we've got some groupies but we've known that for some time, these girls are just infatuated with us. Doesn't mean we can't make the best of It, infatuation/love or what have you Isn't mind control we just are that liked. Shu Is a very likeable person, especially In this hell where her outlook provides hope In a very bleak environment.

>>3281980
Well It could be weird for sure not having any sense of privacy from Gina anymore, but not necessarily outright bad imo. I can see why you don't like It though, It's very invasive for both of us And does It play on your aforementioned phobias? I can't imagine that sitting well If It Is. but we've come all this way championing the power of friendship and social links so here we go, now we quite literally have one straight to GG's brain, done eldritch style.

>>3281982
>It also means Shu is building a harem.

Hahahahahaha, did you really not expect this? I've been waiting for things to hit critical mass eventually and hoo boy, are we getting there.

>Basically, Rath is our last hope for someone making a good upgrade choice, which means we're screwed.

Excuse me my good sir, my dear fellow, are you implying that EVER taking Mother's gift Is a wise move? Mind mastery meant Gina would eventually start mindraping people's free will away to serve us and Matter had a God-Complex feel to It, though I suppose It'd be the lesser of the evils. No matter what batshit insanity BHOP gives us I say take the Fools choice everytime.
>>
>>3281998
i dont think so, as the choice is tied to level, and seems to give off a strong physical reaction as it happens. but then again, while it would've had to happen somewhat recently, we also of course dont always have eyes on her, so...
>>
>>3281991
I totally agree that Rath will be interesting, however hazardous.
I like that interpretation. Perhaps she could get the ability to just make her whole body an explosive and then regenerate from whatever is left of her via ambient biomass.


The business with B'ni has gotten to the point that I wonder if it would be possible for her upgrade to be just getting absorbed into Shu as a high-level swarmling type so she can guard dog Shu forever. Granted, that's absurd, but I have a hard time imagining how being a dog rabbit can become a singularity of power the way Shu and GG were both portrayed for their choices. Does she just run *even faster?* Does she finally get some fang upgrades? Does she rearrange some letters to go from DOGGED SPRINTER to GGODED SPRINTER?

I'm sure BHOP has a good solution, it's just difficult to tell from this point.
>>
>>3282012
theres a fine line between friendship and social links, and mind meshing. as for phobia, honestly i just couldn't think of a better word, but yes, things like chips and tech that directly link to the brain is basically my one major 'fuck that', basically the one thing id rather die than let happen. i dont like the word 'phobia' as it implies theres no legitimate reason to fear such things. but yes, ill admit im biased on this one, but i think theres legitimate concerns here, and i also think its not unreasonable why this would be one of my few lines we have crossed with a great, massive leap.
that being said, from a story factor in a technical horror game, its good writing to get that feeling out of me.

> I say take the Fools choice everytime.
i totally agree.
>>
>>3282025
hrm...
id imagine the dog route would literally be the speed force basically, running so fast she cant be seen, or vise versa, basically warping and stopping time because shes 'so fast' its meaningless to her.

for the fools choice, actually? you might be on point,sorta. while she probably wouldn't get the same type of connection as Gina did, maybe a hormonal one? she basically pheromones at Shu her feelings, and vise versa being near and around Shu gains her buffs and makes her fell naturally happier, while being away from her makes her actually weaker the longer she is and naturally sadder.

spitballing of course, but its what came to mind.
>>
>>3282012
>Doesn't mean we can't make the best of It, infatuation/love or what have you Isn't mind control we just are that liked. Shu Is a very likeable person, especially In this hell where her outlook provides hope In a very bleak environment.

The thing about it is that, in the same way that choosing from the binary forces it to be "either I win alone or you kill me," her very specialized tether seems to make it so "either Shu and I win or you kill us." The difficult part is that Shu can theoretically take as many people as she has access to while Gina can only take Shu. It's unclear which one takes priority if they win "together."

>>3282040
I mean, it's not like my guess was any less goofy. The thing that makes it hard is that it needs to be able to scale into world domination while staying on-style, and BHOP hasn't given us a good indication for the limits of raw physicality before it becomes too anime.
I mention it because, however anime yuri body horror is, timestop sprinting is a magnitude more so. (Not a dig, btw, my swarmling suggestion is trading style consistency for being way less plausible in terms of the game's mechanics)

Actually, in a vein that's kind of a hybrid of ours, I could see her being able to use a chemical synergy like you mentioned to be a second vessel for Shu's mutations (carrying a hive on her back and so on).
>>
>>3282087
oh god, what if that is it though? like, her infatuation with Shu and wish to be closer to her means they start 'sharing' abilities and level ups? like, when you level up one of them, the other gets a minor 'half level' version of that level up or something?

though so far without a doubt each fools choice has had an arguable, very arguable, downside/negative effect, though i cant see what it could be besides something similar to my pheromones idea, potentially in both directions.

>look on B'nis face when she realizes she accidentally basically made Shu addicted to her, but knows this is very much upsetting to Shu.
>>
>>3282087
My guess on one of the higher end perks Is a form of limited immortality. We share BIO and a thought-space now, so what's next? Sharing HEALTH? Sharing ABILITIES? Sharing bodies? Sharing minds?

It might get to the point where If one of them dies, the other's body effectively has the dead one's mind already Inside them, and can just recreate the body If they wish. You can't fully kill one until you completely eradicate both.

I wonder If this means Gina's going to be able to Interact with all the ghosts In Shu's head now and vice versa. Boy, Shu's head Is getting pretty crowded now, think we should start charging for admission?
>>
>>3282129
considering who we make them live with(old Shu) i dont think we have a right to charge them. that'd be like throwing someone in a torture room and then not letting them out til they pay out.
>>
>>3282129
>Boy, Shu's head Is getting pretty crowded now, think we should start charging for admission?
Nah, they can make good on their debt when the Level 15 Swarmlings upgrade lets us insert our superfluous other minds into super swarmlings.
>>
>>3282139
Is that how It Is, SHU spends her free time putting the other daughters we consumed through twisted memories? I mean we know Holly met her, but what about the others? We don't actually know but I suppose It Isn't that farfetched to assume.

Hey, maybe now that Gina Is starting to share our thought-space maybe we can use her to help deal with SHU should she be a problem soon.
>>
>>3282170
i mean, Holly pointed out she had met old shu when she said we shouldn't of broken character, so they clearly do interact with her in there. how much and to what degree of fucked i dunno, as Holly didn't really seem upset or perturbed, only pointing out old shu wasn't nice, or at least implying it.
>>
Just a thought. Since Shu, B'ni, and Gina each have at least one mind buddy with Holly, Eloise, Meg, and possibly Kosi, then will Rath gain Hecaton as a mind buddy?
>>
You know, I've slept on it, and I think Mother was right about a few things. When she asked us "Who do you control?" and we answered "no one but myself", we were technically right but we're also wrong. When we enter combat, we have total control of all the party members. we dictate their moves and actions. we hold their lives in our hands. That's why she called us a queen of fools. that we turn a blind eye to what we control.
>>
>>3282707
Well yes, that's why my answer I tried to say "I don't *want* to control anyone but myself" Because I didn't want to have to openly admit how much control we have. I want to believe In their free will, and I want Shu to not *want* to have all the control but yeah, we have way too much influence than Is healthy already but at least we aren't relishing It.
>>
>>3282707
Eh, the thing is, you're confusing ooc necessity with how things work ic. The ooc game aspect of this quest would be impossible to pull off if we didn't control the party in combat, and ic we don't actually control them, we simply give them commands and they choose to obey. The thing is that isnt control, thats simply chain of command, every team needs a leader/strategist, otherwise it wont work as a team.
>>
>>3281903

"Everybody, just...stop, for a second. I need some time to process this, so let's go back to camp and rest.”

[I’m not mad] Your reply in throughtform, giving Gina a reassuring smile as you motion for the four of you walk back to the room she crafted for you earlier. [We’ll talk in a minute, alright?]

You trudge back to camp, utterly exhausted from the day’s events as your eyelids feel heavier than they have any right to be. You ask B’ni and Rath to get some rest, leaving them in the camouflaged tent and walking out with Gina into the sickly yellow light of the fleshscape. She throws a cord into the ground, a makeshift bench rising from the earth complete with a gently sloping back and soft, pillowy seats.

She promptly sits, patting the spot next to her. You take her up on the invitation, settling down to the right of her as she take a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind a whirl of activity.

“Glad you’re not mad.” She says, glancing at you out of the corner of her eyes. “Given what happened in there, I wouldn’t blame you if you were, is all I’m saying.”

“I’m proud of you, actually.” You say, meeting her gaze and holding it, a gentle breeze of warm air wafting by you, ruffling her wavy brown hair. “I know you couldn’t help what power you got, and I’m really impressed that you stuck to your guns. You didn’t give in, and you came out on top.”

“Yeah, well…I took a page out of your book, with that.” She says, scanning the horizon as she tucks a brunette lock behind her right ear.

“So, about what Mother said, I…” You begin, stopping when Gina turns to you with purpose, taking your left hand in her right and fixing you with a pair of bright, resolute hazel eyes.

“So before things get weird, and to keep either of us from doing any guesswork, or wondering, or whatever, I want to be straight with you.” She says, chuckling a bit at her wording. “I don’t want any of my errant thoughts to catch you at a bad time, so…here goes.”

She takes a breath.

(Continued)
>>
>>3282829
>"I want to be straight with you.” She says, chuckling a bit at her wording.
>>>/u/
>>
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>>3282829

“I like you, Shu. A lot, in case it’s not obvious.” She declares, holding your gaze at tightly as she does your hand. “I’m saying this to clear the air, and please know that the last thing I want to do is for you to feel pressured into anything. I’d have just kept it to myself, but given what just happened…yeah, that wasn’t gonna hold for any length of time.”

“I…okay.” You say, allowing her to continue.

“So yeah, that’s…that.” She says, and you realize your heart is racing in time with hers. “I kinda figured you’d catch on sooner or later, what with the whole mind business and all…and it only got worse once I got my eyes back, ‘cause…whew…anyway, um…”

She re-tucks her hair behind her ear, having realized she had lapsed into rambling.

“I mean, it’d be kind of hard not to fall for you, Shu.” She admits, cracking a smile as she averts her gaze from yours, the hint of a blush in her cheeks. “I mean, come on? An amazing smile, a killer ass, and an unwavering moral compass are like, three of my five boxes ticked off right there, so…but seriously, there’s no pressure or anything, okay? We can just keep going like we have been, and it’s all good.”

You feel your heart in your throat, uncertain of how to respond to Gina’s confession.

>> You appreciate her honesty, but despite how you feel, keeping things at a friendship level is best for now. Even if it gets difficult with her new ability, you feel like that’s for the best. (Rebuff her)

>> You’re not sure if what you’re feeling now is admiration, affection or a blend of both. In any case, the new connection between you reveals that there is little difference between how you feel for each other…so you lend voice to your emotions, and speak. (Admit your feelings)

>> Maybe…maybe this could lead to something more, between you both. Regardless, you both have too many words to spare, so you opt to let your actions speak first and foremost. (Lean in)

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3282833
Oh boy. this is gonna be some tough stuff. We're gonna need some time to think this through. It's the same as managing B'ni.
>>
Is it /u/ time? I think it's /u/ time.
>>
>>3282833
> Maybe…maybe this could lead to something more, between you both. Regardless, you both have too many words to spare, so you opt to let your actions speak first and foremost. (Lean in)
>"...So, what are your two other boxes?"

It did feel like they were getting real close. And now they have an actual red string between them.
>>
>>3282836
We still need to deal with B'ni's love too. We not only have one girl after our heart, but two. B'ni blatantly loves us. Gina just admitted she loves us. I don't want to have a love triangle set up that ends up with a murdered hypotenuse.
>>
>>3282833
>I'm...honored. Embarrassed. A little- well, no, a LOT scared. There's...a LOT to unpack here, especially with...

>Okay, look. It's probably twisted as fuck, but so's everything else, so...

>I like you. I think you're wicked cool and I have noticed we've kinda been maybe going somewhere? But I'll get back to that.

>I also like B'ni, because she's done so much for me, even with all the issues. And I know she feels about me the same as you do...if a bit more violently active.

>It's not something I'm really used to...well, me as is, I mean. I don't NOT like you, but can I get some time to sort this out mentally? I'm positive I'll have an answer for you sooner than later, just...not right this second.

>...Kinda feel like I'm in the center of a cheesy soap opera but without the pregnancy. Never liked those.

Mostly we need to figure out what the fuck to do about B'ni.
>>
>>3282839
Ah, maybe I did rush it. We should probably also talk about B'ni's feelings. But it's a good moment with a confession and everything though...

I'd like to talk about it and sort things out between all three after the kiss. First a preliminary discussion with Gina and then call B'ni over to include her.
>>
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3282833
Well shit.

I think the problem Isn't 'do we love Gina' because on some level of course we do, we love all of them on some level and It wouldn't be hard to go full /u/ with any of them but-

How the hell do we go about this without breaking people's hearts? Shit, I'm at a loss. However... we do like Gina, so let's not turn her away. I think the middle option might be best here.


>> You’re not sure if what you’re feeling now is admiration, affection or a blend of both. In any case, the new connection between you reveals that there is little difference between how you feel for each other…so you lend voice to your emotions, and speak. (Admit your feelings)

If you guys want to take things even further, I'm not against It.
>>
>>3282833
> You’re not sure if what you’re feeling now is admiration, affection or a blend of both. In any case, the new connection between you reveals that there is little difference between how you feel for each other…so you lend voice to your emotions, and speak. (Admit your feelings)
>>
>>3282833
this >>3282851 but also
> You’re not sure if what you’re feeling now is admiration, affection or a blend of both. In any case, the new connection between you reveals that there is little difference between how you feel for each other…so you lend voice to your emotions, and speak. (Admit your feelings)
>>
>>3282862
Well thus is entirely out of my element aswell as my kinda stuff. (Romantic) Relationship drama is not my kinda thing, so ive literally no opinion at all on this one, so ill leave it all to you guys.

Only thing i can even think of is playing favorites would potentially drive a wedge into the team and b'ni might not be able to handle it.
>>
>>3282833
>"I...oh god. There's so much to unpack with this confession."
>*frustrated Shu noises*
>"I like you. That much is clear. Your hair, your sharp mind, and those....*blush and grab your tits*"
>"But there's another after my heart. She likes me, and I like her too. She loves me so bad it hurts her."
>"And I'm worried about how all of {this} will impact the party."
>"I don't want this relationship between the four of us to end."
>You appreciate her honesty, but despite how you feel, keeping things at a friendship level is best for now. Even if it gets difficult with her new ability, you feel like that’s for the best. (Rebuff her)
>"We need to figure out how to make {this} work. Because if we can't, of us might end up being strangled by the Crimson Cord between us from a jealous tiff."
>>3282851
I'm in with this whole heartedly. Admit your feelings, but state that we need to work this out.
>>
>>3282833
>"This is going to be the most complicated love triangle we're going to have to deal with."
>>
>>3282833
We could just go full polygamy. They shouldn't really have expected different from chasing after a hive queen.
Also, Gina rebounded off of B'ni super hard.
>>
>>3282968
>Also, Gina rebounded off of B'ni super hard.
What do you mean by rebounded?
>>
>>3282991
Remember, the original story was that the two of them were very close, then B'ni became obsessed with Shu* and Gina eventually moved on to what's-her-face who would later steal her eyes. Now that girl is dead, so she's rebounded to Shu as her obsession.

I guess it would be more accurate to say she rebounded from B'ni to Eye Girl to Shu, but only because B'ni continued to be unavailable due to her obsession with Shu.

*By the way, the timeline for B'ni becoming obsessed with her new friend Shu is kind of strange now. Did it happen when she was like 11 or 12? Also, is there any particular reason why B'ni hasn't told us any basic information about our past, like even our name?
>>
(Gentlemen, my apologies for the long times between updates, it's been a busy day. I hope to post again shortly, and thank you for your patience.)
>>
>>3283044
B'ni has lied to us, as Gina implied B'ni meeting Shu was semi recent before this all went down, as in within the last few months-a year is the timeline in which B'ni and Gina grew apart, meaning, of course like always with b'ni, something fishy is going on, as she told and gina said she had recently met us, but we also know her as a childhood friend. See, i dont think gina is lying, but that either means b'ni lied to her, or our memories are more fucked then we think, and auto gilled in b'ni in that role, or b'ni messed with our mind or something, i dunno know honestly.

Also gina never implied she thought of b'ni or kosi as anything more than friends.
>>
>>3282833

“I'm...honored.” You begin, feeling red tinge your cheeks. “Embarrassed. A little- well, no, a LOT scared. There's...a lot to unpack here, especially with...”

You look down at her hand on yours, and you thread your fingers together.

“Okay, look. It's probably twisted as fuck, but so's everything else, so...I like you. I think you're wicked cool and I have noticed we've kinda been maybe going somewhere? But I'll get back to that.”

You hazard a glance towards the camp, your mind lingering on emerald eyes.

“I also like B'ni, because she's done so much for me, even with all the issues. And I know she feels about me the same as you do...if a bit more violently active. It's not something I'm really used to...well, me as is, I mean. I don't NOT like you, but can I get some time to sort this out mentally? I'm positive I'll have an answer for you sooner than later, just...not right this sec…”

You’re paused mid-sentence when Gina places her index finger gently on your lips.

“Let me stop you there, Shu.” She says, a soft smile directed towards you. “I’m a low-stress kind of girl, and the main reason for me bringing up all this is to decrease your stress, not contribute to it.”

“Think of it this way; we can deal with all this whenever.” Gina continues, moving her finger from your lips to your forehead, running her fingers through your hair as tingles run down your spine. “Before the cord, after the cord, I’m willing to wait until you get where you want to be. If you want B’ni to know about us, or my new power, that’s cool. If you want backup when talking to her, I’ll be happy to oblige. I’ll keep this all to myself until you give the go ahead. I want to be a calm space for you and not make things harder on anyone, least of all you.”

“…Thank you.” You say, offering her a weary smile.

“Speaking of de-stressing, you look pretty tired. I can make it so you don’t have to dream, if you want.” She segues, scooting back a little as a cord slips out from her baggy sleeve. “I have the Halo, so you’re welcome to get some legit rest while I keep an eye out, if you want. I think it’s sort of nice out here, in a weird kind of way.”

“You sure?” You ask, your heart leaping at the prospect of sleep that doesn’t include invasive memories or aggressive Daughters. She giggles at your excitement.

“Totally. I’ll wake you if anything comes up.”

Her cord caresses your collarbone absent-mindedly before slipping around to your spine. It’s a tempting offer...

>> Continue on to the waystation and the Monastery, there will be time enough for sleep later.

>>Take up Gina’s offer of dreamless sleep.

>>Visit an allied Daughter via dreamscape.

>>Continue your conversation with Gina in the dream.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3283172
>Visit an allied Daughter via dreamscape.
Check in on Kosi. She seemed pretty cool at the raid there. >inb4 we need her blessing before getting with Gina in any way
because why the fuck not am I right?
>>
>>3283172
> Continue on to the waystation and the Monastery, there will be time enough for sleep later.
>>
>>3283172
>>Visit an allied Daughter via dreamscape.
Or all of them. Though i really wanna visit the monestary and its supposed to be a safe place...well...even if its not their fault, i cant help but feel something is gonna go down while we are there.
>>
(Voting to close in two hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3283172
>>Take up Gina’s offer of dreamless sleep.

We seem pretty excited about It and Shu could use a recharge.
>>
>>3283201
(Contender Level ups are coming, Gentlemen, fear not. I didn't want to ham-fistedly cram it in where it didn't belong, but we will get to that soon.)
>>
>>3283208
>tfw we can eventually evolve the B.33 Special into full-on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCrmXW6-Pk
>>
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>>3283208
Whoops, dropped my image
>>
>>3283172
>Visit an allied Daughter via dreamscape.
B'ni
>>
>>3283217
I think it has to be one of the consumed daughters, as without Ginas cords we do not yet have that level of connection.

Also anything we need to say to b'ni is better said in person, not dream person.
>>
(For clarification, the Daughters currently available to speak with include Holly, Kosi, and Meg, the Halo's original owner.)
>>
>>3283292
>Kosi

Ah, so we can speak with Gina's consumed daughters then. Might want to see how she Is now that her madness and sickness are gone.
>>
>>3283292
What about Eloise? Is it because we don't have a direct link with B'ni?
>>
>>3283309
(Correct.)
>>
>>3283292
my vote is still for Kosi
>>
>>3283292
Why must you make me choose but one of your amazing characters to talk to?

>Meg
Its her or Holly. i just feel we have no reason to talk to kosi, and meg was neat and because we have one if her abilites she might be able to upgrade it.. holly makes the most sense though as we actually know and are friends with her.
>>
>>3283292
>>3283403
also id assume our newest consumation went to Raths head? considering how things went down at the end, she would probably prefer her than the girl who smiled at her soothingly before chest bursting her and then throwing goop into the wound like a serial killer would their latest victim.
>>
>>3283447
(She went to Rath, yes.)
>>
(Gentlemen, I shall be extending the voting period another one and a half hours on account of work getting to be a handful. Please also note that multiple Daughters may be contacted during this time, if you so choose. Thank you for your patience and participation, and take care.)
>>
>>3283172

"Hey, would you be cool if I said 'hey' to Kosi for a bit?" You reply, and Gina arcs an eyebrow, paired with a smirk.

"Sure...are you going to ask her blessing?" She chuckles, and you shrug.

"Maybe. Do you think she'd grant it?"

"Probably, but she'd probably give you a hard time about it just for kicks. We talk a lot about you, so her opinion of you is pretty high. Alright Cap'n, come here." She says, patting her lap and gesturing for your to turn around. You comply, feeling her cord slide into your back as you recline into her, your head nestled against her crossed calves.

{Sweet dreams, Shu}

You smile, losing the fight to keep your eyes open.

[Thanks, Gina]

Her fingers brush through your hair as she smiles down at you, her happy face the last thing you see before sleep claims you. Your vision swims, then re-asserts itself as you find yourself standing before an open refrigerator, staring at rows of various beers and cartons of neatly labelled leftovers.

"Third row down, second from the right!" A voice calls out from down the dimly-lit hall to your left, out of a door that casts pale light against the wall opposite. "They're twist-offs, so grab one for yourself."

The directions lead you to a row of dark brown bottles that go all the way to the back of the ice box, a curious purple label with a golden ape on the front, almost Buddhist in imagery with its six arms, each pair covering its eyes, ears, and mouth. You grab two bottles and venture down the hall, turning the corner into a room lit only by the glow of a large-screen television set, a familiar figure seated cross-legged on an aged, comfy couch. Kosi motions you over, her brown skin illuminated by the eerie light of the screen, her eyes intent on the game she's invested in.

"Is...is this a memory?" You ask aloud.

"Nope, made this one up myself. Come on in and grab a seat." She replies breezily, jerking a thumb to the space next to her on the couch. "The headspace is a heck of a canvass if you've got half a mind to use it like one, so I made this place from bits and pieces of what I found here. Got a fresh set of eyeballs, too. Here's lookin' at you, kid."

(Continued)
>>
>>3283859

You settle next to her as she gives you a wink, glancing from her to the game displayed across the table. It's a bleak-looking affair, Kosi's avatar darting across the remains of an old fishing village, a blunderbuss in one hand and a blade of rusted metal in the other.

"So Gina finally got the balls to tell you how she feels, and I'll say it's about time. I kept telling that girl to get you while then gettin' was good but she just kept pussyfooting around it. Thin mint?" She thrusts a half-open sleeve of Girl Scout cookies your way as you twist off the beer cap, placing it on the table in front of her before doing the same to yours.

"Yeah, she did." you say awkwardly, plucking a cookie from the wrapper. "So...I take it you approve?"

"You're goddamn right I do." She says, putting the controller down and taking a swig from her beer. "After you did me a solid and helped me yeet off this mortal coil I've been rooting for you ever since, you goddamn sexual tyrannosaurus."

"...Okay. So, I have to ask...were you and she..." You begin, and Kosi immediately take a hard swallow of her beverage and waves off your question.

"Oh, no no no. Nothing like that. She's not my type, for one." She continues, picking up the controller once more. "That red-head you've got, though? Holy hot damn, what the fuck. I just...whew, lass. Gina wasn't kidding when she said her fetishes were better than that size crap you were teasing her about."

You focus on the screen, trying to ignore her implications and re-route the conversation to more productive issues.

"So what's your take on B'ni?"

"My take is that you're playing mine sweeper with fine-ass ladies." She says as-a-matter-of-factly. "No judgement, though. We've all gone too big too fast, we've all tried to make a happy birthday sign and fucked it up. B'ni's repressed as all hell, so she's gonna take time to warm up to the eldritch polyamory you're angling towards, and Rath is...well, Rath's gonna be putty in your hands if you keep doing what you're doing. Take it nice and easy, and you've have a nice spread to choose from. You got moves, so keep it up and you'll have yourself a goddamn buffet."

"I...thanks?"

"Don't mention it." She leans in and whispers conspiratorially to you, her eyes still glued to the screen. "Hey, if there's anything you wanna know, I can give you the four-one-one, just between us gal pals, 'kay?"

Uh...*is* there anything you want to ask her? You get the feeling she'd give you an honest answer, whether you want sugar coating or not.

>>Ask about Gina (Write question)

>>Ask for advice about B'ni.

>>Ask about herself.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3283868
>>Ask about herself
We dont know much about her right now. I’m curious about what Gina’s closest friend is all about.
>>
>>3283868
>>>Ask for advice about B'ni.
B'ni is a little messed up right now. We need to make an attempt to fix it or something.
>>
wow i missed alot sorry about being missing been burried head to toe in school work . still doing stuff right now but i decided to drop in since im finally at my laptop

also
>>Ask about herself.
>>
(Voting to close in one and a half hours, Gentlemen.)
>>
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>>3283868
>>Write-In
>Ask about Rath's fetishes
>>
>>3283868
>>Ask about herself.
The only image of her we've had before now is the city of death she created, as well as her being a friend of Gina's. It'd be nice to get to know the real her, she's certainly very chatty.
>>
>>3283929
seconding. I'm also curious. You can't reference something and act like it doesn't exist for the rest of the quest.
>>
>>3283929
i have such little idea on what to actually ask that i will back this up for all the wrong reasons imaginable.
>>
>>3283868
>Ask about herself.
also thirding >>3283929
>>
>>3283929
>>3283945
>>3283948
>>3283959
Lets go.
>>
>>3283868
>Ask about herself.
>>
>>3283868

"...ath's fetish."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" You'll have to speak louder 'hon, I could'nt quite hea..."

"What. Is. Rath's. Fetish." You say, voice low.

"Gotcha, gotcha...okay, so for all the bluster and badassery she gives off, Rath's a sub. A hard-fucking-core one, I'm talking, like nothing I've ever seen."

"...I...that's it?"

"No man, you don't get it." She says, setting the controller down with infinite care as she turns and faces you for the first time since you get here. "Half the reason her trim ass is following you halfway around the world is because the kid gets wetter than Bella Nervosa every time you bark an order her way. She's the polar opposite of GG, it's unreal. If you, and I'm talkin' you specifically, so much as look at her with your queenly, captain-y vibe, she melts faster than Hecatonchires under those grenades of hers. It's fucking hilarious to watch, man."

"What the fuck."

"Yeah." She confirms, grinning like a madwoman. "Hides it like a champ and she's in complete denial about it, to boot. Catholic schoolgirls, man. They're fuckin' freaks."

You stare at the television set, the full weight of this revelation settling upon you like a crown, too heavy to bear as crimson floods your cheeks. Kosi picks up the controller again, resuming her game as you begin to recall every time you've given Rath an order.

This knowledge will haunt you, for better or worse.

"Fuck, so...what about you?" You ask, trying and failing to shift your mind towards another train of thought.

"What about me?" She shoots back, gaze unwavering from the screen across from her. "If you're asking about *my* kinks, then I've got some juicy stuff that'll blow your mi..."

"No, I mean..." You stutter, struggling to define your question. "Tell me a little about yourself, if you're up for it."

"Huh." She says after a moment's pause, her avatar halting before a dark grey shoreline, a vast, dark sea stretching beyond it. "Uh...what's there to say?"

She clears her throat.

(Continued)
>>
>>3284115

"Was born, legs were shit. World was shit. Eyes went to shit 'bout the time I hit puberty. Got good at games to pass the time and drown out the shit the parental units were always yelling at each other. Met Gina online, got to be good friends with the sassy bitch. World went to a greater degree of shit, and then I lost my shit and ripped out my best friend's eyes."

She smiles, the expression devoid of any sense of humor.

"Turns out I was the biggest shit of them all, at the end."

You study her quietly, before you speak again.

"She doesn't blame you, you know."

"Listen Shu, I'm not big on sharing, unlike your brown-haired belle up there." Kosi says with a cursory nod at the ceiling as she puts the controller down, leaning back on the sofa. "She's a good girl. A great girl. Better than I was, or am."

She heaves a sigh, not meeting your gaze.

"Please take care of her, Shu. In all the time I've known her, I've never known her to be like this, like how she is with you. She'll talk a big game 'til she's blue in the face about opening up and clearing the air and shit, but she really means it, this time. She's open to something, with you. She trusts you, so treat her well or I'll laser-beam your ass when you least expect it. Deal?"

You nod solemnly, staring hard into her eyes when they finally meet yours.

"Deal."

"Good." She says, plucking her bottle from the table's edge. "Now go get your ass up, cannibal lesbian nunneries wait for no one."

"Yeah, I think I'll...wait, what did you just sa..."

You eyes open to yellow skies and a cascade of brown hair falling about your face.

"A good nap and a good talk, I hope?"

You stare up into Gina's smile once again.

"About two hours, solid. Rath and B'ni are up, but they haven't come out yet. Ready to head back in?"

You intend to make your way to Charon and use the coordinates Doctor West provided to reach the Monastery, but you wonder if you should speak up to B'ni and Rath about what's transpired between you and Gina...

>>Tell the party about what happened with Gina's Choice. They deserve to know the whole truth, about you, Gina, and the connection you both now share.

>>Take B'ni aside, just the two of you, and explain what happened, and what it means for the future of you and your team.

>>You, Gina, and B'ni need to talk. GG offered to back you up, and you're going to call in that favor. You fear you may need all the help you can get if B'ni doesn't react well.

>>The conversation over the connection between you and Gina can wait until after you get to the monastery. You'd like some time to process it and determine the best approach, so now's not the time.

>>Write-in

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3284122
damn Rath, thats one hell of a bipolar disorder you got there.
>"cannibal lesbian nunneries wait for no one."
the last thing i expected when i said that last thread was for it to appear in the actual game. ive made mistakes.

>>Tell the party about what happened with Gina's Choice. They deserve to know the whole truth, about you, Gina, and the connection you both now share.
Bite the bullet now, before you come up with excuses or something gets in the way, or it causes an issue.
>>
>>3284122
>>The conversation over the connection between you and Gina can wait until after you get to the monastery. You'd like some time to process it and determine the best approach, so now's not the time.
Enough /u/ for now. Let’s get on with the plot
>>
(Gentlemen, I will be pausing here for the evening. Tomorrow is set to be a crazy day at work due to it being only myself and one other person as opposed to our usual five-man crew, so I apologize in advance if updates take some time. I will continue to be available to questions, comments, and criticisms, and thank you so much for your participation. Take care, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3284142
Thanks for running.
>>
>>3284142
oof, that sounds rough at hell. take your time man, and do what you gotta do. thanks for the fun game, quality over quantity, dont forget that!
>>
>>3284142
Thanks for running BHOP.
>>3284141
Seconding. It's been nothing but talking for a while in all the quests I'm reading. Eager to fight? some nuns or something.
>>
>>3284189
well i kinda hope its not the nuns were gonna be fighting, considering everything we know about it from West they are supposed to be non hostile and the place itself pretty safe. doubt they setup in amalgam heavy territory either. but im sure BHOP will throws something disastrous for us to do there yes.
>mfw we inadvertently end up destroying the monastery
>>
>>3284122
>>Tell the party about what happened with Gina's Choice. They deserve to know the whole truth, about you, Gina, and the connection you both now share.
>>
>>3284122
>Tell the party about what happened with Gina's Choice. They deserve to know the whole truth, about you, Gina, and the connection you both now share.
Bite the pillow, fag
>>
>>3284122
>The conversation over the connection between you and Gina can wait until after you get to the monastery. You'd like some time to process it and determine the best approach, so now's not the time.

We DO need to address it sooner than later, though.
>>
(Gentlemen, in the event of a tie I shall opt to continue on to the Monastery to keep things moving along, unless anyone has any objections.)
>>
>>3284141
Seconding
>>
>>3284558
Sure thing OP. Can we tell them on the way though, maybe just the cliffs notes If not the whole shtick? Something like "Hey so mama nightmare kinda linked our minds together a smidge because Gina flipped her off like a champ, It's totally cool though no biggie, not even the weirdest thing to happen In the apocalypse yet."
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen. I will endeavor to keep posting throughout today and possibly some tomorrow, depending on how the weekend fills up.)
>>
oh hey im on just in time this time
>>
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>>3284122

Despite your nap, you decide to sit on telling B’ni and Rath about the new bond between you and Gina. Rising from your friend’s deceptively comfortable lap, the two of you make your way back to the tent and regroup with your other two allies, and together the four of you make your way back into the empty darkness of the Shrouded City and to Charon’s waystation.

It’s when you’re descending the rickety metal stairwell from earlier that the Contender starts to thrum with a quickened heartbeat, pulsing in your hand. It burns, sears with sheer destructive potential in your grip, a smoldering lump of flesh and bone throbbing with untapped power, untold eons of experience held within it.

And It seems to have warmed up to you, if only a little.

>>HEXANE CONTENDER - LEVEL TWO UNLOCKED (SHU)

NEW CONTENDER AMMO TYPE UNLOCKED

>Herculean Fullbore: Unlike the elegant and subtle Hollowpoint, the messy Parabellum, or the whimsical B.33 special, the Herculean Fullbore is a monstrous round designed for dealing damage to amalgams and Daughters worthy of its caliber. Requiring whopping 25% Bio to load and a vacant swarmling slot instead of the usual 10% bio, this type of ammunition is designed for maximum penetration and stopping power front and center while retaining control for maximum carnage. Firing an oversized stag-beetle-like Swarmling armed with uniquely inviolable Chitinous horns and armor that can penetrate Calcite plating and acidic claws that can liquefy soft tissue. On hit, the swarmling will immediately set about carving a warpath towards the internal organs upon breaching its target at Shu's command while remaining impervious to attempts to remove or integrate it into the target’s biology, should they possess the skill to do so. To take down a monster of Herculean size and strength, you need a bullet to match it.

(Continued)
>>
>>3285435

CHOOSE *ONE* NEW FORME FROM THE LIST BELOW

(Note: Changing the Contender’s form may be performed as a free action once per turn at its current level.)

>>CONTENDER - ÜBER SCHROTFLINTE: sound and fury, signifying carnage. The Contender’s form unfurls into a form that, while appearing antiquated, belies a terrible power. Most effective at close range, this form splits the Contender’s ammo into a shower of individual pieces, diminishing its efficacy at long and medium ranges in exchange for wreaking far greater devastation up close. The BIO required to load the break-open barrel increases by 10%, but now boasts a far greater chance for critical hit, guaranteeing catastrophic damage in melee range. Rip, tear, and repeat to your heart’s content.

>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER: an elegant edge, a dignified death. Now more resembling a cavalry sabre boasting a basket guard of refined calcite, the Contender’s newly-honed blade makes for an unusual implement on the battlefield as edge and barrel work in accord to inflict devastating wounds. When engaging it melee combat, your blade strikes seem to act as an accelerant to the ammo currently effecting your targets, speeding or enhancing their effects by one turn or level per blade strike, respectively. You intend to bring a blade to a gunfight, a relentless squall and storm upon your foes.

>>CONTENDER – PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE: death reaches out from afar, bringing one and all into her welcoming arms as shelter from the cold. The Contender’s barrel and stock lengthen, requiring two hands to wield as it assumes a rifle-like shape. Unfit for short or medium-range engagements due to the unwieldy nature of the form, it instead boasts peerless penetrative power, easily capable of tearing through calcite armor and flesh-weave coatings to bring a swift end to your foes, though the increased penetrative power requires an additional 15% BIO per shot to generate such a powerful round. Boasting far greater accuracy than any other form, it gains the additional benefit of making its rounds incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to remove from their target, ensuring your payloads reach full and lethal maturation. It is will a keen eye and a patient heart that you will usher your foes unto eternal peace.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>CONTENDER – PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE: death reaches out from afar, bringing one and all into her welcoming arms as shelter from the cold. The Contender’s barrel and stock lengthen, requiring two hands to wield as it assumes a rifle-like shape. Unfit for short or medium-range engagements due to the unwieldy nature of the form, it instead boasts peerless penetrative power, easily capable of tearing through calcite armor and flesh-weave coatings to bring a swift end to your foes, though the increased penetrative power requires an additional 15% BIO per shot to generate such a powerful round. Boasting far greater accuracy than any other form, it gains the additional benefit of making its rounds incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to remove from their target, ensuring your payloads reach full and lethal maturation. It is will a keen eye and a patient heart that you will usher your foes unto eternal peace.


i say we do this since it would be nice to keep at long range
>>
>>3285438
>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER
We have been looking to make shu Better at melee and what better way than inflicting effects from afar then using our tongue to close in and speed things up a notch?
>>
>>3285438
>>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER
>>
>>3285438
>>>CONTENDER – PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE
>>
(Gentlemen, voting to close in two hours. Thank you.)
>>
>>3285438
>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER
Next battle we can try out our melee abilities to their full extent
>>
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>>3285438
>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER
>>
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>>3285438
>>3285477
>>3285438
>a relentless squall
I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE BHOP
>>
>>3285438
>>>CONTENDER – PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE
>>
>>3285438
>PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE
We need a long distance weapon.
>>
>>3285671
>What is the swarm of long range capable insects in our back for 500.
Currently, we can have up to 18 long range 'weapons.'
>>
>>3285671
>>3285468
Changing my vote to Lion's Heart Rapier.
>>
>>3285438
>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen. After this next post, I will be pausing for the next four or five hours, as today is shaping up to be relentless. Thank you for your patience, and know that voting shall be open for three hours after I post.)
>>
>>3285438
>>CONTENDER – PAVLICHENKO’S EMBRACE: death reaches out from afar, bringing one and all into her welcoming arms as shelter from the cold.
That's a nice reference. I like it when I know what is being referenced for once.
>>
>>3285438
>>3285891
I'm choosing this though. We need it.
>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER: an elegant edge, a dignified death. Now more resembling a cavalry sabre boasting a basket guard of refined calcite, the Contender’s newly-honed blade makes for an unusual implement on the battlefield as edge and barrel work in accord to inflict devastating wounds. When engaging it melee combat, your blade strikes seem to act as an accelerant to the ammo currently effecting your targets, speeding or enhancing their effects by one turn or level per blade strike, respectively. You intend to bring a blade to a gunfight, a relentless squall and storm upon your foes.
>>
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>>3285435

>>CONTENDER – LION’S HEART RAPIER UNLOCKED

You marvel at the Contender’s new form, running your hands along the reshaped barrel and gleaming blade. You’re so lost in admiration that your feet carry you into Charon’s tunnel, and it takes you a moment to realize that they’re not present.

{Huh...I guess even they have other things to attend to, from time to time.} Gina projects into your mind. {I know the way to the Monastery from here, though. It should be as simple as…ah, here we go.}

The walls shift around you once GG jacks in, undulating sheets of onyx stonework moving you along, wormlike in their motions. It’s not long before the lightless black corridor opens up into a small chamber, lit by innumerable candles set among the floor and tucked in recesses of the pale bone walls.

A young woman stands before you, candlelight flickering across her face and framing half her visage in shadow. She bows low to you, and when she rises and takes an elegant step forward, the firelight illuminates her visage in its entirety. What you at first assumed to be a shade or wound on her face reveals itself to be a curious manifestation in her skull, a set of spiraling lines that leave you curious as to its function. She folds her hands in front of her and addresses you.

“Welcome, Sister Shu. Welcome, Sisters B’ni, GG, and Rath.” She says, her tone clipped and businesslike, matching her dark, professional attire. “The Daughter Superior has been expecting you. My name is Sister Uzu, and I shall be happy to be your guide in the Cathedral of Satiation.”

“How…how did you know we were coming?” You ask, taken aback as you feel B’ni and Rath tense behind you.

“Ah, so it is you.” She says, voice curt and tinged with a mixture of embarrassment and relief. “To be fair, the first three groups I addressed were rather baffled by my greeting. Please, follow me.”

She turns on her heel, striding down the hall as you cast Gina a questioning glance.

{I’m not getting any weird vibes from her, and as for this place, it’s massive.} She says, beckoning you and the rest of the team to follow Sister Uzu as Gina speaks again, aloud. “I’m sensing well over a hundred Daughters here, all of whom seem pretty calm. I think this place is legit.”

You hope she’s right as you proceed onwards down the dim hallway.

(Continued)
>>
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>>3285952

The flesh-tone halls Sister Uzu guides you through appear almost like sandstone, a dark filigree running along their length. The black, static tattoo-like strands in the walls evolve into murals, stunning reliefs of various shapes and sizes as the lines converge into coherent figures, before devolving into flowing lines yet again as you proceed down the corridors. Echoes of muttering voices reverberate through the building, before Uzu leads you through a bend in the hall.

What you see nearly takes your breath away. You stand in a colossal calcite atrium, softly lit by light blue bioluminescent nodules spaced evenly across every surface, giving the open space an ethereal glow. Almost as breath-taking as the sight is the throng of girls making their way through this place, the majority dressed in identical pale while garments, while others still bear mismatched traveling attire akin to yours. You feel Gina’s awe flood through your mind as Rath curses in amazement. Sister Uzu stops a short distance from you, turning to face you after exchanging bows with one of the white-clad Daughters.

“You are welcome to use any of our facilities during your stay with us, provided you refrain from indulging in your baser urges.”

“Pardon?” Gina asks, eyebrow cocked.

“Violence outside the Sparring Hall is not permitted.” Uzu clarifies, gesturing to a nearby alcove. “Should you wish to engage in training against your fellow Daughters, then you may proceed down that hallway and take the second right.”

“Freakin’ sweet, that’s….hey, Jackrabbit, what’s up?” Rath begins, pausing when B’ni begins striding off.

“I…I’d like to check it out, if it’s all the same to you.” She replies, glancing between you and your resident firecracker. “Just to blow off some steam, I won’t be long.”

“…Sure, go ahead.” You reply, watching her trot off, her back stiff. You turn back to Sister Uzu.

“For work and relaxation, we have the Anatomic Forge and the Alabaster Spa, respectively.

{A spa?} Gina’s mind lights up. {I know where I’m headed after Uzu gets through with her spiel.}

Rath, on the other hand, has different priorities.

(Continued)
>>
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>>3285957

“Wait, like a forge-forge? Where we can craft stuff?” she asks, her excitement barely contained. Uzu merely nods stiffly.

“Indeed, though it is specifically for crafting armor and Relics of limited power.”

Rath glances up at you, practically begging to race off and see it as you chuckle at her child-like enthusiasm. You nod, and she’s off, darting down a nearby hallway that Sister Uzu directs her towards.

“This Mother Sup…” you begin, cut off when Uzu raises a finger to her lips and a pair of white-clad Daughters close to you gasp.

“Where do not speak That One’s name aloud here, nor do we make reference to that word. My apologies for not informing you sooner.” She says, voice barely above a whisper before resuming her normal speaking volume. “But yes, Daughter Superior wishes to speak with you alone, Sister Shu.”

“Duly noted. I’m curious, though…how did she know about me? About us?” You ask.

“I am afraid I have not been given the particulars, despite my position.” She says flatly. “I was merely directed to await your arrival and give you a warm welcome upon encounter.

{You’re doing great, Uzu.} Gina says sarcastically via thoughtform. {Keep it up, we feel right at home.}

“Please note that Daughter Superior does not expect you to meet her immediately, only when you are ready to seek an audience with her.” Uzu clarifies, stepping back. “She will be ready when you are, so please endeavor to make yourself comfortable in our home.”

You don’t think that’ll be possible, given the circumstances, but you may as well try. You share a knowing glance with Gina as you try and decide how to proceed.

>>Take some ‘you’ time in the Alabaster Spa alongside Gina.

>>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.

>>Follow B’ni to the sparring Hall.

>>Meet with the Daughter Superior.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
>>
>>3285966
>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.
>>
>>3285966
>Follow B’ni to the sparring Hall.
>>
>>3285966
>>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.
I was gonna just meet the superior as i feel ic Shu is one to get to the point, but damn, this is tempting and possibly extremely useful, and rhus also a good choice and good ic excuse.
>>
(Posting once again to say that voting shall close in three hours as I finish out the work day. Thank you for reading and participating, and I look forward to continuing shortly.)
>>
>>3285966
>follow B’ni to the sparring hall
If anything, i want Shu to both bond with B’ni and get ourselves proficient with our gunblade.
>>
>>3286228
Might be a bit late to bond with b'ni, aswell as the fact she wont like the recent news.

Also if anything team dynamic wise we need to get closer to Rath, we really haven't gotten as close to her as the other two, and shes also our last chance to get close to someone without there being an akward odd hiccup in the process.
>>
>>3285966
>>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.
>>
>>3285966
i was gonna jokingly ask why Rath would ask for our permission before running off, but then i remembered recent things, and am not sure how to feel about her doing that now.
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>>3285891
(I'm glad you appreciate the reference, it's always nice when people catch them.)
>>
>>3286470
Are there oceans left? If not, can we fight a giant Stalin made of the whole population of northwestern Asia?

I'm gonna use a name now. switching between devices is getting annoying.
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>>3286594
(There are still oceans, yes. As far a titans such as that, you'll have to wait and see.)
>>
>>3286606
"Must destroy... kapytolisum!"

Lets punch the planet. You know what they say, If it bleeds...
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>>3285966
>>>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.
>>
>>3285966
>>>Follow B’ni to the sparring Hall.
I'm sure I'll get outvoted, but I'd be really interested in seeing the stylistic differences the nuns have from the rest of the Daughters. Also, I know everyone's jumping on the Rath thing because of progression, but there's a reasonable chance that the B'ni option could eventually lead to us getting clued in on something important for how powers work. Remember, the main feature about this place that was advertised to us was that these Sisters can suppress the Hunger and so on. Isn't it possible that they'll give us some way to deal with the negative side effects of our powers? Or else, since the Hunger is really what's threatening to end the world, they could give us a concrete way of saving it.

>But armor and Relics tho
Yeah, my mistake. . . .
>>
(Writing now, Gentlemen.)
>>
>>3285966
>>Visit the Anatomic Forge and see what Rath plans to get into.

Let's make a thing, or help her make a thing.
>>
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>>3285966

"Gina, I'm going to go check up on Rath and that forge Uzu mentioned." You say, glancing towards the direction you last saw the excitable red-head. Gina chuckles, nodding in the direction of the spa.

"You have fun. I'm headed off to see what amenities a nunnery can provide, so if anything comes up, just...you know." She says, motioning to her forehead.

[Will do.] You reply, giving her a salute as as mischievous grin plays across her lips.

{Just throwing this out there, but If you need some more relaxation then you know where to find me.} She adds with a playful wink, her fingers grazing yours as she turns away with a smile. You're left alone in the atrium, surrounded by a crowd of strangers. You make your way down the hall and follow the sudden heat that emanates from somewhere deeper within the complex, the chatter of an animated conversation steadily growing louder as you approach.

"...hat if you use, like, four different types?" You hear Rath say as you round the corner. You find her cornering a timid-looking young woman, standing beside a crackling stone forge. The slim, elegant girl Rath peppers with questions is striking in some sort of gown you're only vaguely familiar with, her pink hair in anything but natural.

"...T-that would end up...Oh!" The girl exclaims as she takes notice of your entrance, trying to extricate herself from Rath's insistent questions. "W-welcome, Sister! I'm Artisan Niku, how may I help you?"

"I'm just here to keep my friend out of trouble." You say with a crooked smile at Rath, the red-head's face going a shade closer to her hair color. You turn to Niku. "Uzu called this place the Anatomic Forge. So, what can you make here?"

"So much!!" She exclaims, shuffling over to you as Rath sulks in the corner of the Forge. "I craft armor and relics through tribute of biomass, allowing me to use my gifts to create what you wish."

"Tribute?" You echo, and you're met with an a series of rapid nods from the short forge-mistress.

"Yes! Crafting utilizes the commissioner's own biomass or, if you're feeling particularly daring, your own health for an even stronger effect!" She explains, gesturing to the flickering flames within the kiln and the pile of inert biomass beside it. "Including BIO from a single individual is fine, but more powerful items are possible if similar strains of gifts are pooled from multiple Daughters! The more you use, the stronger the item becomes."

"Is there a catch?" You ask, and her enthusiasm fades slightly.

"I...I suppose. The Biomass you tribute becomes Your BIO cap for a short time as your body readjusts to the process. It's a small price to pay, though!"

"Alright." You think, considering your options. "So you'd obviously want to pool several peoples' worth of stuff in, and keep the percentages kind of low so you don't screw yoursel..."

"She can take eighty percent of mine for whatever she sees fit to commission." A powerful voice intones from the doorway.

(Continued)
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>>3286978
... Mara?
>>
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>>3286978

You whirl around to see a familiar and muscular physique leaning against the doorway, fixing you with a half-smile from behind an errant lock of voluminous silver hair.

"...Mara?" You breathe, surprised as the forgemistress darts around you to Marrow Dragoon's side.

"Lady Mara! It's wonderful to see you! How did you fare?" She asks, staring up at the older woman as she peppers her with questions, not unlike the situation you just extracted her from with Rath.

"I'll tell you all about it after I have a word with my...my friend, here." She says with a kind grin, turning her attention to you and extending her hand to yours.

"It's good to see you again." You say, accepting the shake.

"Likewise, Shu." She says, glancing over at Rath as she glances between you both, confused. "Julia and the sleeping one are doing well, I just came from that way."

Your heart lifts a little, at that. You'd been thinking and worrying after them for them ever since you set foot in the swamp.

"That's good to hear. So, why the geneoristy with your own bio, though?" You ask, and you catch something of a twinkle in the woman's azure eyes.

"Consider it a down-payment." She replies.

"Pardon?"

"I'm gotten wind of something that may alter the Crucible itself." She declares, her gaze intent and laser-focused on yours. "I'm hunting down someone that may be the key to turning this thing on it's head and making it so that the Hunger isn't an issue, ever again."

You eyes widen in time with her smile.

"So...I'd like to offer you a job."

>>Eleventh Vein: Closed
>>
>>3287007
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYESSSSS

Oh yes, this Is good, very good. I hope this Isn't a bad lead, because I would love to start working on dismantling this whole system.
>>
>>3287007
Oh shit.
And here I was, totally ready for & fully accepting of a bittersweet ending where we beat mommy dearest and put the crucible to an end, but the hunger still remains and everyone just kinda eats each other.

we /pathtogoodend/ now boys
>>
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(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the weekend before resuming either Monday morning or evening, depending on how much I can get done over the weekend. Thank you all so much for your amazing participation and your patience with the spaces between updates.)

(I will still be checking in frequently to address any questions, concerns, or criticisms you may have, as well as answer what questions you may have regarding the crafting system. I figure we could keep the majority of that conversation here so as not to over-burden another thread with it at the outset. Please also bear in mind that crafting may be done before or after you hear Mara out on the job, or after its completion, should you wish.)

(Thank you all for being amazing, and take care.)
>>
>>3287047
Thanks BHOP, take care.
>>
(Also, as a reminder for future updates, I can be found on Twitter as BodyHorror_OP, and I shall post there and on the last Vein if it's still open to alert everyone well before opening a fresh one.)
>>
>>3287192
Thanks again for running BHOP.
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>>3287192
Just to throw this out there, what are the limitations with the crafting system? I understand that the more BIO we fuel It with and the more synergistic abilities we have the better, but what about from there?

Will we select powergroups and BIO % and then get a list of Relics to choose from, or can we submit custom Ideas to then be judged/balanced by you? Or will It work In a manner of giving BIO/powertypes and selecting a category like 'armor' or 'gun' and getting a list from there? Just trying to get a feel for how this Is gonna work.

And by the way, thanks for run as always BHOP and have a good one.
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>>3287007
whew, damn thats one hell of a cliffhanger. looking forward to part 12 and the crafting system BHOP, good work.
>>
>>3287335
It's gonna be a mix of both anon. The last Contender Ammo type unlocked was actually a custom idea that someone submitted. BHOP's gonna have a preset he made by himself but he'll be open to ideas, provided that they are well balanced.
>>
>>3287335
(I have a list of relics of the appropriate tier level that I will post soon along with the list of requirements for crafting them, but custom ideas are more than welcome. As >>3287427 referenced, the Contender ammo was a custom idea that I really liked more than what I had planned at this ammo tier, so I used it instead. You all have proven time and again to have excellent ideas, and I like to run with what's fun and what works. It's part of the reason I made one of the Contender upgrades basically the super shotgun from Doom.)
>>
>>3287548
yeah, honestly man you made that contender choice pretty difficult, all three were great choices. but i wanted Shu to have more melee options and the ability to speed up our ammos abilities was too good to pass up, aswell as its a nice little reference to our friendship with Charon, intentional or not.

so, we put in BIO and HEALTH, and the resulting daughter DNA mix unlocks options based off of how much you put in and whos resources you put in? so if you want say, a swarmling like relic, use a swarm users BIO, or at the very least, using thiers will have better results than forcing another type of biomass to do it?
>>
>>3287548
Could you provide some suggested guidelines for Relic design? One of the advantages in the case of the Contender is that there's a narrower scope on what it could be (whatever it is, it's being shot out of a pistol), but with Relics, it is incredibly open.

That said, I have a rough suggestion. Remember the "worm" class mentioned at the beginning that we haven't seen any use of yet? Could we have a Relic that essentially simulated the basic features of that class? We would put a fleshy device on, say, our back or our torso and it digs in to us and creates a system of muscular "worms" going through the user's body like an exosuit but internal (an endosuit?).

Also, can Relics generally level up or is that only a feature of special ones?
>>
>>3287998
the more powerful ones can be leveled up. (i.e. Charon's gun) but implies it had costed a great deal of Bio and Health. Compare it to the Camo-Shawl who basically provides the shawl self-regeneration and active camo. The more you spend in the forging process the more powerful the weapon. Which, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some mad daughter who decided that she would become a living Relic/Weapon from being on the verge of madness and threw herself into the forging process.
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>>3288019
>I wouldn't be surprised if there was some mad daughter who decided that she would become a living Relic/Weapon from being on the verge of madness and threw herself into the forging process.
I mean, judging from the fact that the Contender "seems to have warmed up to you, if only a little", we may already have something like that (literally) on our hands.
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>>3288019
>Which, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some mad daughter who decided that she would become a living Relic/Weapon from being on the verge of madness and threw herself into the forging process.

This is one of those comments that makes me look forward to Body Horror Second Gig, wherein Shuu coerces daughters into becoming additions to her Reliquary.

At the very least, I eagerly await us running into a Daughter who is covered in semi-living Relic armor and weapons.
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>>3288085
id hope Shu does not basically throw everything away and become someone like that.

>>3287998
id assume, though who knows, that relics are more 'solid' than that, as in, we could get strength enhancement but id be more like a bodysuit or armor we slip on, rather than something that injects us with basically an ability. just going off how the few we have seen works so far.

as for daughters becoming relics? not sure if you could just forge a daughter directly into one, but take a nuromancer and a head buddy and maybe....
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>>3288143
He was talking about the Second Gig, the genocide-locked new game+-esque idea I had a few(?) threads ago, not the current "run".
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>>3288150
yes i know, my statement still stands
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>>3288160
My bad.
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>>3288143
>id assume, though who knows, that relics are more 'solid' than that, as in, we could get strength enhancement but id be more like a bodysuit or armor we slip on, rather than something that injects us with basically an ability. just going off how the few we have seen works so far.

It's perfectly possible that you're right. Personally, I don't think it would be any more "injecting an ability" than an actual exosuit that gave us Mara-like bone armor, but that I might be wrong is the point of my mentioning it.
People's intuitions vary, and that's why I asked BHOP about what the actual boundaries are.

I didn't consider the idea that they need to be mainly external in use and I appreciate the feedback.
>>
>>3288166
i think we were the ones who last time talked about it too haha. not against it, just wouldn't like seeing established characters do a one-eighty, aswell as my statements on how the mystery aspect would be hard to bring back and the unfairty of forcing new players on a path.
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>>3288172
no problem, not trying to shoot anyone ideas down i just like discussing things.
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>>3288184
>no problem, not trying to shoot anyone ideas down i just like discussing things.

Yeah, of course. Like I said, I appreciate it.

>>3288176
>just wouldn't like seeing established characters do a one-eighty

Ah, but you see, it wasn't Shu that I was talking about, it's the unrelated Second-Gig protagonist, Shuu. An honest mistake that I won't fault you for.

I don't know what to do about the mystery part, really. If anything, I think a bit of encouragement to be a monster would be a good thing, since I think the our current run is fully committed to friendship which means it will miss out on becoming the type of evil god that Mother wants to make us with the binary. It seems like the best route for giving new players a feeling of discovery is for them to take a route that they isn't just a rehash of what's already been done.

Not that I'm saying BHOP should railroad them, and BHOP definitely wouldn't, but I'll be voting full genocide run, such that SHU (past Shu, whose biggest accomplishment post-apocalypse was pretending to kill one person) will be cowering in fear and begging that we have a neuromancer remove her from our head.
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>>3288198
>SHU (past Shu . . . )

*SHUU and Shuu, respectively. A simple typo out of habit, since these are completely distinct characters who bear only an aesthetic relation to those of the First Gig.
>>
>>3288198
>>3288202
>Second-Gig-Shu isn't actually Shu, but someone who just has a really similar name
Now THAT would be a twist
And it'd make for a great excuse to have her fight against First-Gig(?)-Shu & co.
>>
>>3288198
eh, i honestly find being an absolute monster boring, which is probably why i almost didn't notice us going the route we did, but thats just my personal preference.

doing bad things or being morally more neutral? sure, but full on evil is meh. or, well, maybe moreso, it depends on the setting. in something where being evil is the 'norm' like this one, it would be boring. vise versa in a goody two-shoes setting being fully good is usually boring.
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>>3288231
I agree with you to some extent, but that's also why I repeated the Undertale comparison. My assumption is that if Shuu is a monster, that means BHOP will put up resistance in the form of giving us sympathetic potential allies (among other things), just like how friendship-loving Shu is being put in situation after situation that test her commitment to not hurting innocent people and saving as many of those lives as possible.

I don't think wallowing in depravity in an angsty grimdark world would be any fun at all, but seeing Shuu meet people like Shu, and then ruining their philosophy, that could be fun.

>>3288204
>Now THAT would be a twist

I more meant it as a ham-fisted joke, but you also have a point. I guess we were the final boss all along?

Oh wait, If Shu ends up continuing the Crucible, in whatever form, Shuu could be the protagonist on the next planet
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>>3288249
an interesting and sad idea would be if Shu could only save the earth by basically taking mothers place and keeping the crucible going, thus the next generation of daughters thinks shes the big bad while really she couldn't find any othe way to save everyone.
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>>3288249
>>3288275
>turns out the reason the crucible is a thing is because it's the only thing keeping the universe running
>shu's fw she finds this out
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>>3288284
Everything ends sooner or later. What matters is what we do in the time between the beginning and the end.
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>>3288602
Just remember. CHARON WANTS TO DIE. Thank you for your time.
>>
well amazing end cant wait till 12th vein
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>>3288634
Then that is her choice to make.
>>
(Gentlemen, work is proving relentless and my weekend has gotten rather full, so I shall post the relic list either later today or later tomorrow. Additionally, please note that multiple Forges exist, each capable of producing different tiers of items. In addition, Forges may also be used to craft units of armor you are already capable of creating, such as the Chitinous Stalwart, that are not tied to a particular user and offer slightly diminished benefits in exchange for not taking up creation or swarmling slots.)

(Finally, certain relics may be duplicated at Forges if the forge is of a tier equal or greater than the item tier.)

(Thank you for your patience, Gentlemen.)
>>
(Gentlemen, the following is one of the craftable items that will be in the Tier 1 Pastebin I’ll be uploading later. I’m posting it here to give you a general idea of how crafting will work going forward, though I am always open to suggestions to refine it.)

>>OBSERVER’S LENS (Lvl 1): This pair of deceptively normal glasses allows the user to quickly scan a Daughter’s physiology and gain a basic understanding of their core skills. A Level Three version of this relic is wielded as a pair of oversized spectacles worn by Doctor West, though the form of the Lens may be chosen to be more in line with the bearer’s fashion sense. (Neuromancer: 100%, Calcite: 50%)

>>(Lvl 2): Resistances become visible. (Base Cost + Neuromancer: 50%)

>>(Lvl 3): Biomass and weaknesses become visible. (Lvl 2 + Neuromancer: 70%)

>>(Lvl 4): Health and all skill trees with their associated levels become visible. (Lvl 3 + Neuromancer: 100%)

(Thus, for the basic Level 1 Observer’s Lens, 100% Bio from a Neuromancer Core skill tree would be necessary, while 50% BIO from a Calcite Core user would be needed, so Gina and Mara could work together to produce the Lens. HEALTH loss counts 1.5x towards the percentage requirement, so if Gina or another Neuromancer takes a 40% hit to her health, it would contribute 80% to the item. Items may also be refined later, so you could create the Lens as a level one, and then come back at a later date to increase its level. Please also note that there are unique relics that alter some aspects of the crafting process, so be on the lookout for those.)
>>
>>3288972
So what skill tree is Rath's Radiant Boil? It's skin-based from what I can tell, but the fire-explosive element is throwing me off.
>>
>>3288977
(It is a Generator skill, while her core Tensile Strand ability makes her one of the rare Vitruvian-class Daughters. Swarmlords and Generators both rely of pumping out relatively low-cost constructs or an emphasis on ranged damage, though Swarmlords' constructs possess versatility, damage over time, and status effects, while Generators are more inclined to focus on immediate and incredibly destructive powers and effects. For example, Doctor West's lightning ability she displayed while fighting alongside you is a Generator-class skill tree. Bella Nervosa was a Generator as well, though her possession via the unknown Neuromancer made it appear as though she was a Swarmlord.)

(Vitruvian abilities are rare in that they have no corruption mechanic and result in no obvious change to the Daughter's exterior appearance. Furthermore, they offer either several functions at once, such as Tensile Strand functioning as mobility, damage reduction, and an attack skill all at once, or they manifest as a single, incredibly powerful benefit, such as Kosi's ability to replicate biomass nigh-indefinitely and manipulate it indiscriminately.)
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>>3288972
I'm surprised West doesn't have level 4 yet. But then, it seems like she'd need 320% Neuromancer Bio and 50% Calcite Bio to pay for it.

>>3289017
Swarmlord? I thought it was called Hive Mistress, or is that something else?
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>>3289066
(Ah, you are correct regarding the nomenclature. I was referring to some outdated notes on my phone since I'm at work. Hive Mistress is the proper term, and I appreciate the correction.)
>>
>>3288972
ah alright neat. dang though, those can get extremely expensive. seems like id be difficult to get those amounts by yourself. heck even as a team those seem pretty costly. but potentially worth it, of course.

>>3289017
im actually really interested in how you have your skill trees ans such. how many basic skill trees are there? (so far im seeing 7? 8?), and their names, as i wouldn't of guessed Raths boils was called Generators, totally thought she was more of a fluids/liquids manipulator, and it was basically literally explosive puss and/or that liquid you get in your boil when you get a bad burn(medically its not entirely water from what i understand, but im also not medically knowledgeable so i wouldn't know what it is.)

of course, i dont expect and understand you dont want to reveal spoilers, so im happy with whatever your willing to expand upon.
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>>3288972
hrm, well not sure its any good, but gonna write an idea down just to clear out my head of the itch at least.

>BEDELLIUM NATUS(Lv.1); a sharp, round and pointed tube on the end of a stick, looking much like a vicious war hammer and pick combination, with an equally vicious needle upon its handle where the wielder would hold onto it. the aim of the weapon is to get a solid, deep hit into an opponent, in which the wielders own abilities are sucked upon by the handle needle, converting 1% of their own HEALTH into an infectious virus injected into their enemy, allowing them to convert 10% of the enemies BIO into their own creations via violent bleeding from the large gap the weapon now leaves in their opponents body, the creation forming by going up and up and out of the tubes other end. once removed, the opponent is left to take 3% HEALTH damage as BLEED damage unless the massive hole is fixed. (75% Generator, 75% HiveQueen, 50% Calcite)

>>(Lv.2); you may now add in up to 5% HEALTH(total of 6%) at the same exchange rate, allowing for much more to be converted into your creations at once. Additionally, you may now exchange 50% HEALTH for a devastating 100% BIO conversion on an enemy, and an enhanced BLEED of 10% HEALTH on the enemy, however it takes 2 entire ACT to convert the weapon into its larger form in order to prepare for this attack, aswell as preemptively spending the HEALTH, though it will remain stored in the weapon and available until the weapon scores its hit. (Base Cost+ 50% Generator, 50% HiveQueen, 50% Calcite)

OR

>>(Lv.2); Your Weapon now has extractable spikes hidden on the outside of the tube, and the needle upon its handle is now attached to a long bendable tube. the spikes now allow you to impale an enemy and activate them, making the tube impossible to remove without ripping open their own flesh, causing an horrendous 15% BLEED damage effect upon removal. however, this may be preferable to the alternative, as the Tube now allows the owner to let go of the weapon, and continue to use its effects to convert their enemies own BIO into their own creations at up to medium range, aswell as allowing their hands to be free for further uses. they may also use the tube to pull the weapon back to them as an ACT, but only once freed from their enemy by said enemy, or with both hands in close range. (Base Cost+ 25% Generator, 25% HiveQueen, 50% Calcite, 25% Nuromancer)
>>
>>3289233
I've been taking some notes. There's Hive Mistress, Neuromancer, Calcite Armory, Generator, and Vitruvian. I thought there was a Chemical type due to the assault plans on Kosi, but BHOP later clarified that it was a Neuromancer. I also thought of Core types that stay in one place and control an area, but if Kosi's a Vitruvian then what was the Plant daughter?
>>
>>3289270
I may be wrong but my numbers included skin and muscles, from we have seen two skin based powers and the muscle works from the beginning aswell as one or two other pure strength powers
>>
>>3289270
>>3289283
(Flesh Artisans and Fibromancers specialize in flesh and muscle fibers, and are their own class. The Sleeping Terror was one of the former, her skill/familiarity with botany allowing her to sculpt her body to her will, though her abilities to manifest different bodies and use thorn weaponry came from two other Daughters.)

(Also of note is that Daughters are never mean to stay put for any extended period of time, as it goes against the nature of the Crucible. Doing so without a steady influx of meat from Daughters is an easy way to go insane and fall to the Hunger, though stress can also trigger the Hunger taking over one's mind even if one's physical hunger is sated.)
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>>3289244
Whoops, the second lv.2 option was supposed to cost 75% Calcite.
(On phone so i.d. change)
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>>3289309
So B'ni's legs would be Fibromancy?
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>>3289367
(Precisely. They commonly manifest as limb or strength/speed enhancements.)
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>>3289309
>>3289372
So our party currently has the evolution trees of Hive Mistress, Neuromancer, Calcite Armory, Fibromancer, Vitruvian, and Generator, plus we know a Flesh Artisan.

What about Holly's Ravenous Maw? What would that fall under?
>>
>>3289372
What about her entirely worthless(game mechanic wise) teeth? Calcite id assume of course.

...or could you add those to her abilities list as one off Ability giving her a bite attack? Thinking on it its weird that one was basically her skipping getting a level up just for a cosmetic, especially because even if her logic was flawed she did choose it to have an actual attack.
>>
I find it odd that we're spending time here OOC discussing about the power-types when we would've gotten this info IC through Dr. West.
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>>3289445
Only so much time IC to talk to her, while its the end of the Vein and so we have more time to talk about it ooc, aswell as it being important info for a new mechanic we need at least a bit of to understand and use it.
>>
>>3289445
(True, and I wrestled with how to convey this information without having West monologue for half a thread before settling on revealing some of it here for greater context during crafting and the like.)
>>
>>3289392
(Ravenous Maw is an entirely separate class; the Gluttonous, that revolve around consuming other Daughters piecemeal, though they do have a specialization that has yet to be revealed and that I would prefer to remain silent on, for now.)

>>3289393
(Absorbing the abilities of certain Amalgams has the chance to alter the physiology of the devourer in minor ways.)
>>
>>3289463
i think you already mentioned it, but besides just a crafting DOC, you could do a 'general discovered information' DOC aswell. not to slap more work in your lap, mind you.
>>
>ORA FLAGELLUM; an insanely long, rubbery tube, akin to a whip, pock marked along its length with small, puckering mouths full of razor teeth, this odd and disturbing weapon gives a Daughter an incredibly long range Leech ability, allowing them to regain much needed HEALTH and BIO from a safe distance. At long or medium range, a Daughter may attempt to ensnare an opponent in the whips embrace, then once per turn, decide whether the mouths suck out their enemies BIO or HEALTH to feed back to themselves. A LONG RANGE, they may take 3% BIO or HEALTH a turn, and at MEDIUM RANGE, 7% BIO or HEALTH a Turn. The whips incredible length and awkward composure makes it unusable at close range within combat, but if used to tie up a daughter unexpectedly, at CLOSE RANGE, 12% BIO or HEALTH may be drained a turn. The weapon is tough to cut through, but should an enemy Daughter manage to cut its length, the weapon may either immediately be repaired using ones own BIO, or may be allowed to repair at its own time using the environments BIO, but this will take much longer, at 2 Turns if cut at LONG RANGE, 3 Turns if MEDIUM RANGE, and 5 turns if SHORT RANGE. Conversely, whether using your own or the environments, it costs 20% BIO to repair if cut at LONG RANGE, 50% BIO if cut at MEDIUM RANGE, and 95% BIO if cut at SHORT RANGE.( 125% Gluttonous, 25% Vitruvian)

i apologize if me posting these gets annoying, but this type of shit is my kinda jam, so brains working almost without my permission thinking up these things.
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>BLOODY MARYS FRIENDSHIP MACHINE; this strange, twisted device akin to a medium sized, backpack portable coffee machine is a strange, unique device, with a twirling, twisted blender atop its fleshy square, and a nozzle for dispensing drinks, this device allows Daughters to put in BIO or HEALTH in order to pick a single or multiple Abilities of theirs to concoct into a power drink for others to drink, temporarily giving them copies of the Abilities added for one Combat, at a level equal to the amount of BIO added. It costs 25% BIO per level of an ability tree added, or 15% HEALTH. Up to 3 Levels worth of material may be added to a single drink, and only up to one drink may be downed by a daughter before any battle safely, lest they risk the powerful concoction becoming dangerously addictive. ( 10% Calcite, 50% Vitruvian, 120% Nuromancer, 175% Gluttonus)
>>
CURSUS ALAS: A curious relic for its unorthodox design. Cursus Alas is made in the form of a pair of Swarmling beetles that attach themselves to the backs of Daughters linking themselves directly into a Daughter's Bio reserves. Upon activation, the swarmlings open up to emit a fiery blaze of vector thrust. Burning 10% Bio a turn, these "wings" give a daughter added maneuverability, power behind a tackle, kick, or punch, and last but not least; Giving Speed demons what they've always dreamed of: Acquiring Boost power.
Augmentations:
>(lvl 1): It's most basic forme. A set of large paired swarmlings that dig themselves into the back of a daughter. For 10-15% Bio, A daughter can activate this relic to gain an additional space of movement, or added damage to a charge.
>(lvl 2): The paired Swarmlings grow larger and mature, and in their evolution, spawn a pair of smaller offspring that attach themselves to a daughter's arms. Following the footsteps of their parent relic, these "recursive living relics" also link themselves into a Daughter's bio reserves and work in tandem with their parents to give their Host a greater range of maneuverability and dodging, but at a greater cost of its host's Bio per turn.
>(lvl 3): The main Relic grows more mature and evolves while its first set of offspring grows. Another set of swarmling relics are born from its parent relic. This time attaching themselves to the legs. More speed, more maneuverability, added jumping power is available for the daughter that hosts this Relic on her body. At this stage, the power of the relic will allow the daughter to go "Full burn", but feeding 6 small mouths in exchange for speed taxes her Bio reserves so much that one use costs its host 60% of her Bio.
>(lvl 4): The Final Forme of Cursus Alas. It integrates itself with its host, becoming neigh inseparable save for the death of its host, and lowering the Bio cost to use and operate the relic. All boost capabilities are augmented, and charge attacks gain increased critical hit chance. And with the Living Relic set fully matured and performing at peak efficiency, it can let the daughter achieve a feat that few daughters can achieve: Sustained Flight for a short period of time (25% Bio for Take-off, 7% Bio per-turn for maintaining lift)
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>>3289978
Interesting. Seems like the crafting cost would involve Hive Mistress and Generator.
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>>3290019
Can you guess the reference?
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>SUI TORMENTIS(lv.1);a heavy set of plate armor, where as the inside is covered in small, needle like spikes that dig into the wearers flesh once equipped, making the suit difficult to remove. This painful symbiosis allows the wearer to control the armor to great detail, shifting plates to cover weakpoints and losing no speed or reaction time from its weight. Additionally, the spikes allow the wearer to convert HEALTH into STRENGTH bonuses, at an exchange rate of 1% HEALTH to 3% STRENGTH bonus, going as high as the wearer is willing, the effects lasting the entire battle or until the armor takes too much damage to sustain the effects. The armor, of course, also provides greatly increased defense aswell, at a rate equal to having an additional 175% BIO.( 120%% Calcite, 75% Fibromancer)

>>(Lv.2); the Armor may now take up a full defensive stance, rooting itself in place and granting triple its base protection bonus, however the wearer cannot move from the spot and their reaction time is slowed tremendously, as the armor feeds off the biomass of the area to grow new plates and repair itself at a tremendous speed. Additionally, HEALTH may now be spent at the same rate to directly increase the Armors Defensive bonus, and its base Defensive Bonus is equivalent to an additional 200% BIO. (Base Cost+ 75% Calcite, 75% Fibromancer)
>>(Lv.3);The Armor now does Exchange rates at 1% HEALTH to 4% STRENGTH or ARMOR Bonus, and its base Defensive Bonus is now Equivalent to 210% BIO. Additionally, HEALTH may now be spent to increase the wearers SPEED and REACTION TIME at the same rate at the others. (Lv.2 Cost+ 50% Calcite, 95% Fibromancer)
>>(Lv.4); The Armor now does Exchange rates at 1% HEALTH into 5% STRENGTH, ARMOR, or SPEED/REACTION TIME bonus, and its base Defensive Bonus is now Equivalent to 225% BIO. Additionally, for a whooping 25% Health, one may Temporarily increase a single Ability by one Level for the Duration of the Battle, however the resulting shock on the body results in a 1% incurable BLEED upon the user for the duration of the Battle aswell.( Lv.3 Cost+ 75% Calcite, 120% Fibromancer)
>>(Lv.5); The Armor now does Exchange rates at 1% HEALTH into 6% STRENGTH, ARMOR, or SPEED/REACTION TIME bonus, and its base Defensive Bonus is now Equivalent to 250% BIO. Additionally, the Armor now cannot be removed from the user so long as they live, having grown attached to the wearer in both a literal and emotional way, Granting an instant and permanent base 3% Increase to STRENGTH, ARMOR, and SPEED/REACTION TIME to build off of. Even Further, upon receiving this upgrade, the pure, deep connection to the armor gives the wearer instant access to either a new Calcite or Fibromancer Ability Tree, now separate from the armor and fully one with the Wearer. (Lv.4 Cost+ 100% Calcite, 175% Fibromancer)
>>
>>3289978
>literally using your own flesh as jetpack fuel
metal as fuck honestly. any thoughts on the costs? ive kinda just been guessing on my own.
>>
>>3289017
<Vitruvian abilities are rare in that they have no corruption mechanic

>Corruption mechanic

Can you please elaborate on that?
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>>3290346
I actually haven't thought of the costs of using the relic. It's gonna be hard to balance it out since it has lots of utility both inside and outside of combat. I just thought "We need something for B'ni to compensate/enhance for her already ludicrous speedster combat style." Then I thought about F-Zero with this soundtrack in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t672YGh_m4o&t=0s
>>3289978
Also, I'm amending the design of the Relic's appearance to be a hybrid of a beetle and a Tick.

>>3290486
Hmm.... until BHOP puts in his divine word, I'm gonna hazard an educated guess. I think it mainly revolves around the manipulation of the human body proportion. It's not an ability that revolves around the flesh, the muscle, any generated biomass, it specifically concerns the human design in principle. So like instead of giving an inhuman aspect to a daughter (like a bee theme for a swarmlord), it just messes with the human body while retaining the core principle is that the basic shape of a human (the idea of the Virtruvian Man) is preserved.
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>>3290486

(This >>3290532 is correct. One's physical form shifts over time to a more monstrous or Amalgam form unless they find some way to alter their form.)
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>>3290668
>One's physical form shifts over time to a more monstrous or Amalgam form unless they find some way to alter their form.
You may have to elaborate on the whole slow shift into an amalgam form over time. But I do get the feeling the corruption mechanic might be why B'ni got a Mileena mouth when she went to consume a jackal amalgam waaaay back in thread one.

I'm going to hazard a guess, but eating the flesh of a daughter or consuming a daughter lets a daughter restore their human shape to a degree (amalgam corruption/mutations being the exception). Over time, the farther one succumbs to the hunger, the more their physical appearance shifts into the monstrous amalgam form. Is this correct?
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>>3290769
I don't think the hunger has to do with physical appearance, at least not directly. IIRC Holly (i think? i'm terrible with names, the girl with the stomach mouth) was still pretty much entirely human save for her stomach mouth and mental status, although it's been a while so I'm not 100% sure.
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>>3290807
yeah that was holly and yes she looked human minus the giant fucking mouth in her stomach.
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>>3290769
>I'm going to hazard a guess, but eating the flesh of a daughter or consuming a daughter lets a daughter restore their human shape to a degree (amalgam corruption/mutations being the exception). Over time, the farther one succumbs to the hunger, the more their physical appearance shifts into the monstrous amalgam form. Is this correct?

I thought it was kind of the opposite, that tossing more mutations on the pile (Gina's halo) and growing existing ones further (B'ni's mouth) make you more corrupted.

BHOP, if you can without spoiling, I'd be really interested in further explanation about what sort of powers these Virtuvians have. It seems like there'd be a lot of them at this monastery.
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>ESURIT FERRUM(Lv.1); an axe in which the blade is a fleshy, living thing, the edge a mouth full of spiky teeth and eyes upon its side, the whole thing twitching and bending in eager anticipation. This living weapon happily bites into its wielders enemies, ripping off 10% BIO with each successful hit, and 25% on a crit. Even more so, if the wielder lessens control over the axe, they made trade equal worth of Increased chance to be hit for increased Crit chance, as they go along with the weapons gleeful slaughter, madly swinging into combat with no discern for their own safety, only bloodshed. Even better, the axe may use the BIO it has consumed to enhance itself temporarily gaining a Damage boost of 1% for every 10% spent, or it may save up the BIO to self Level up, but still requires BIO of the corresponding types and amounts to do so.(15% Nuromancer, 25% Calcite, 75% Gluttonous)

>>(Lv.2); The Weapon now rends off 15% Bio, and 35% on a crit. Furthermore, trading out control to the weapon now instead wields you 2% extra Crit chance per 1% extra hit chance upon yourself. It may now trade its stored up BIO at a Damage boost of 1% per 8% spent. (Base Cost+ 25% Nuromancer, 40% Calcite, 100% Gluttonous)
>>(Lv.3); the Weapon now inflicts a steady 10% Bleed Damage upon a successful hit, and 25% Bleed Damage on a Crit. Furthermore, you may now choose as you wish to give yourself both extra Crit chance and Hit Chance when you trade out Hit chance Against Self to the weapon, fully submitting to the eager wiggling of the blade in your arms.(Lv.2 Cost+ 35% Nuromancer, 65% Calcite, 120% Gluttonous)
OR
>>(Lv.3); the Weapon now inflicts a shocking pulse to enemies upon a successful hit, both Slowing their reaction time and senses by 10%, and 25% on a Critical. Furthermore, the Weapon now instead does not pull you along toward slaughter, giving no chance to trade hit chance on self for Crit chance, but instead gives you 8% extra Dodge and Parry Chance for every 1% Hit Chance you give up. Even better, enemies must now re-roll Crit Hits against you, as the weapon eagerly throws itself between you and your enemies, even against your own will.(Lv.2 Cost+ 55% Nuromancer, 65% Calcite, 100% Gluttonous)
>>
Arma Ashuran: Rare are the relics made for daughters that follow the Virtruvian Man, even rarer are the relics tailor-made for them. In the light of the Cataclysm known as "The Crucible", Humanity's grief gave birth to everlasting rage against the cruel deity that gave them this hell they did not deserve. The Ashuran is a set of gauntlets made by humanity, for humanity, and used by humanity, for the singular purpose of channeling their unending rage into the fist that will kiss God's face. (Virtruvian: 150%, Calcite: 50%, Generator: 100%)
The Arma Ashuran is a unique relic as it actively "ramps-up" in the heat of combat through the damage dealt by its wearer, growing and evolving as the user ramps up damage dealt at certain thresholds and then reverting back to base form at combat's end.
>lvl 1: Base Form: A pair of very-formfitting gauntlets that cover the hands and forearms, decorated with a sheen of gilt lacquer. By itself it protects the user's hands from any acid attacks, but the wearer can spend 4% Bio to create a Radiant boil atop the knuckleguards of the relic to deliver an Explosive Punch.
>lvl 2: Vajra Form: The Relic's gilt lacquer grows and covers the wearer's entire arms and shoulders. Radiant Boils are generated and pressurized to a point where throwing a punch can rupture the boil, throwing a spray of flames in the shape of a fist (Explosive punches can now be ranged attacks that deal only fire damage, not explosion+melee damage)
>lvl 3: GodHand. The Fist of Man's Wrath made divine and manifest. The Relic's gilded sheen cracks apart to reveal Mankind's Wrath at full strength, boiling red with rage. Explosive Punches now deal 1.5 times more damage and Ranged Explosive punches can hit farther. The relic's special skill Rage Burst is unlocked.
>Special skill Rage Burst: Channel any amount of Bio or health into a singular attack and multiply the damage by the relic's evolution level. The Rage Burst modifier stacks with the critical hit multiplier. The relic reverts back to Base form lvl 1 after Rage Burst is used.
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>VOORHEES MASK; this strange, gristly relic resembling a dirty white, if aged and abused, face mask, which suctions to the wearers face, the straps self tightening to an uncomfortable level. While being worn, the mask greatly effects the wearers body, granting increased strength and defense by 75%, aswell as passive Health Regeneration by 13% a Turn. Furthermore, any Calcite blade weaponry gains increased damage by 25% and critical chance rates by 13%. The side effect is, the Wearer suffers increased, uncontrollable aggression, clouding their judgment, and the more wounds the inflict, the more they lose control and harder the mask becomes to remove. More than one Daughter has fallen prey to the hunger by overuse of this powerful but dangerous relic...

>ELMS NIGHTMARE; This ghastly, singular glove with long, old blades on the fingertips, straps down snug to the wearers hand, fitting so perfectly it almost feels like its their natural skin. This peculiar weapon grants the wearer a few distinct abilities. Firstly, their very body and presence distorts and dulls other daughters minds, slowly lulling them to sleep even when on high guard, though such daughters take longer to succumb to its effects. Wounds inflicted by this weapon also dull the senses and lull one to sleep, the pain fading into bliss the more the daughter submits to its effects. Perhaps even more terrifying is, those daughters who have seen or been near the wearer of the glove for long enough, or wounded by the weapon, temporarily gain a Nuromatic and Empathetic connection to the weapons bearer, allowing them to track them even over great distances or through the warp caves, and haunt them inside their dreams, or even on occasion in the waking world as hallucinations, meaning not only is there no place to run and hide, but the victim is in no condition to fight once found. Why fight when you can kill their dreams easily with a bit of patience?

yes i know its a cliche and obvious references, but the idea came to me and thought it fun to write them out at least. fit better as found Relics though, then something you could build.
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>>3291369
(I am afraid I cannot reveal anything more without treading into spoiler territory.)

>>3290769
>>3290807
(Shifting of a Daughter's physical form is a result of consuming and leveling abilities, not succumbing to the hunger.)
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>>3293587
so quite a couple of us anons have been cranking out custom relics. what are your thoughts on these?
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>>3293591
(Honestly, I really like everything that's been posted. Building up a larger pool of Relics works well for the future, as I'll have to balance these a bit here and there with the general levels of the preexisting ones.)
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>>3293609
glad to hear you like em. honestly tweak the numbers as much as necessary, really had nothing to compare them to so just wanted to put down a general spitball number.

except the 13s on VOORHEES MASK, because, well, references and shit.


So here is an interesting question, does a Daughter have any instinctual knowledge of how her specific Abilities type works overall(like B'ni would have some over arching knowledge of Fibromancy and Calcite Armories), or would they only have knowledge of their own specific Abilities, and have to guess based on that how they work overall?
>>
It might be nice to try to focus on Relic designs that aren't quite as steeped in pop-culture references. Someone mentioned the Contender is a reference (to SMT?), but that item makes perfect sense in a vacuum. Some of the other suggestions tread the line:
>>3292259
And others exist in their entirety as a reference to another media property:
>>3292637
I say, of course, with the utmost respect to that anon, who produces many good ideas (for Relics and otherwise).
Just a thought.
Oh, and with respect to that first one:
>>3292259
I think you could make it less tied to Asura's Wrath by leaning into similarities further. I know it goes a little against the God Hand part, but if it had the capability to either form gauntlets around as many arms as the user has, or else create construct arms, it would be more evocative of mythological Asuras, which had 4 - 6 arms (as well as the Vitruvian man and Asura the Capcom character).
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>>3294647
to be fair those are the only two i made in reference to anything, and only came up because, well, horror game, horror icons. that and krueger at least treads the line of bodyhorror inside the dreamscape well enough.

i do agree though, that most of them should not be references, and if any of my others seem like references im actually very interested in what you thought i was as i genuinely was not trying to reference anything with the others. well ok 'Bloody Mary' is technically a reference but i mean c'mon, drink mixing machine in a game all about females in a horror setting? name was a double hit reference i couldn't pass up.
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>>3294750
I actually like the Bloody Mary one. I was being preemptive more than anything. More to the point, I was being sincere before when I said that I otherwise liked your Relic ideas.
If you're looking for more directions to go in, I'd be very interested in seeing ones that are slightly more minimal so that a Daughter could be decked out in them. I'm also wondering what can be done with a Relic prosthesis.

Do you have an opinion on the more specific comment I made on the Asura gauntlet?
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>>3294802
well thank you. while i actually like the thought of prosthesis relics, the issue is BHOP confirmed Daughters can regrow limbs, so only very, VERY specific Daughters like Kosi whos pre-existing conditions carried over might even think of making them, let alone have a reason to use them. though that doesn't mean they couldn't exist actually. hrm...now that you bring it up, wonder if theres Daughter transhumanists, but in the traditional sense of chopping off good limbs for relic limbs, or if their natural healing ability would make it impossible, as thier body would just push off the relic limb and regrow the original?

>>3292259
>>3294647
i actually like the idea of a 'fuck yeah humanity' exploding gauntlet, but i dont think it needs to reference or be tied directly to the Radiant Boils ability to pull it off. im pretty sporadic on what references i get or dont, but that is the street fighter 'fight for fights sake' angry dude right? otherwise theres two routes to go about it, and you could even use both to make the Relic tree split:

have the number of arms it covers slowly grow to 6, even if the user does not have that many arms, in reference to the Asura and the Relics connection to the user, or have it stay as a SINGULAR fist that grows in direct power, in reference to 'gods divine hand' and 'the right hand of god' and other singular references.

overall though i like the idea.
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>>3294802
this what you asking for when you say more minimal?

>TEMPUS CLAUDUS; a thin, elegant blade, serrated along its length, this simple weapon at first may appear to have little effect, however with each new cut into the same target without change, the user will note the hits going deeper and deeper,until even a poorly placed swing may still remove limbs. In essence, the blade increases its overall damage output by 10% with each successful hit on the same target, resetting the counter if it impacts a different target.(65% Calcite)

>FERALI PRAESIDIUM; this fleshy, hardy kite shield fits snugly to the bearers arm, offering great protection at the equivalent of an extra 55% BIO on itself, and an increase parry chance of 25%. its secret trick however, is hidden within the pores of its fleshy layers, are bubbling pockets of viscous liquid, which spray out for every 10% BIO it loses, giving anything within range a nasty coating that dulls their senses by 10%, disorienting them so you may deal back some damage of your own. (50% Flesh Artisan, 25% Generator)

>PULICES OCREAS; these chitinous, hardy greaves, offer the wearers legs ample protection, making them able to stave off one knock down attempt per combat, and otherwise offering equal to 35% BIO defense on themselves. Furthermore, the spring like appendages on the back allow the user to fling themselves in a high jump two extra movement spaces, including directly upwards, once every other round, as the greaves need a moment to wind themselves back up.( 25% Hive Mistress, 50% Fibromancer)

>CAEDES CANIS; this brutal, flanged mace, looking like spines and ribs mixed together in a cacophony of brutality, is a simple, if not terrifying, weapon. Its simple, the weapon offers up the user an increase of 25% damage, or 75% on a Crit. The weapon may also be used in a brutal, devastating focused swing, using up two ACT to wind up and swing hard, making the user unable to dodge incoming attacks, but unable to be interrupted in their attack, and giving off a whooping 55% Damage increase, and 110% on a Crit. Sometimes the simplest solution to a problem works the best. (85% Calcite)

also is it Hive Mistress or Hive Queen? swear ive seen both used but now im not sure.
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Eye Patch: A tie-on patch of flesh with a single human eye on it. The eye on the patch stares and watches its expecting wearer with anticipation. The one who wears it will gain a new eye to look through. A patch job for blind daughters, but it works. And when it works, it is either a god-send for those who miss being sore for eye-sight or a curse for the blissfully unaware (Neuromancer 20%, Flesh Artisan 30%).
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>>3295172
i actually really like this one. its incredibly simple yet incredibly useful. literal eye on the back of your head opens up some damn possibilities. good job.
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Bio-Bottle: The name says it all. A Macabre fleshy bottle held together by scar tissue and scabs, and a plastic cap. It looks and feels fragile, but those who know what this relic is dare not damage it. For the possibility of the contents it contains holds far more value than the bottle itself: Purified Biofuel, an ambrosia substance so rich in refined Biomass and essence that drinking a full bottle's worth is enough to bring a daughter's health and Bio reserves back from the brink to full capacity; or even quench the thirst of a daughter succumbed to the Hunger's madness.
As for the rare few who claimed to have drank the nectar they can't quite agree whether it tastes like beef or chicken, but consensus holds it has a "delicious meaty taste".

Bottles devoid of the prized flesh nectar still hold value, a daughter can store up to 100% of Bio inside the bottle by liquefying their own flesh and pouring it into the bottle and store it for later use.
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(Gentlemen, due to a comically unproductive and hectic weekend, I accomplished precisely none of what I planned to. Thus, I shall be posting the link to the Pastebin when I get it in the status I would prefer it, which will be tomorrow evening. The Twelfth Vein is set to open Wednesday morning, or approximately sixty hours from now. I sincerely apologize for the delay, and thank you so much for your patience, Gentlemen.)
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>>3295366
its no problem. do what you gotta do.
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>VOCALIS NOCERE(Lv.1); this disturbing, twisted device is akin to a fleshy tube on the back side of a mask akin to a bottom and top jaw, teeth and everything. The tube is shoved down a daughters throat, the mask squarely put onto their face over the mouth. The device then allows the Daughter to amplify their voice, causing painful and disorienting effects to those who hear, aswell as throw their voice, making it sound like its coming from other places than themselves with expert ease.(45% Nuromancer, 20% Vitruvian)

>>(Lv.2); The mask now allows the Daughter to focus the Distorting effects of the device greatly, causing targets within CLOSE Range to be pushed back to MEDIUM once a Round, aswell as they may now imitate and copy other voices they have heard before.(Base Cost+ 45% Nuromancer, 25% Vitruvian)
>>(Lv.3); the mask now allows the Wearer to push a MEDIUM range target to LONG range, or even physically hurt a CLOSE range target when they push them back to MEDIUM, knocking them down in the process. however such a focused, heavy use of the weapon causes the daughter to be unable to speak for two rounds afterwards as their vocal cords heal themselves.(Lv.2 Cost+ 50% Nuromancer, 35% Vitruvian)
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>>3295080
What I mean was closer to West's glasses or the skin shroud -- accessories, basically, though I would say that what you presented is mechanically minimal in a way that I also appreciate. The greaves are another good example of what I was going for, sort of a support item that is clearly not character-defining.
>>3295172
>>3295220
These qualify as "minimal" in the sense that I originally meant it, even though the bottle is mechanically somewhat extreme (which is not a bad thing of course, rather that's precisely the point of its design).
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>>3295866
ah, i see what you mean now yeah. not my forte but hey, now that i know who knows what will come to mind.
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>>3295866
I do admit the bottle is a bit extreme in the mechanical sense. I designed it based off the Estus Flask, but didn't want to make it too powerful for an accessory relic. Another thing to note is that I never included the crafting recipe for the Bottle and the Purified Biofuel.
I intended it for the relic to be a "too awesome to use" sort of thing where the Biofuel's value as a "Rare Candy" added to the Bottle's original rarity. Which is why I added the fluff about daughters that have the relic treating the it with extreme care.

>>3295366
That is fine. We can continue expanding the relic pool with our custom ideas and make things both easier/harder for you.
Have there been daughters killed-mid crafting? Because from what I can intuit from the basics of the crafting system, daughter(s) that are crafting the relic are draining their own health or Bio to create it, leaving them very weakened.
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>>3296025
im wondering actually how hard the process is, considering the girl Niku is specifically a Artisan and said she would forge things based on commissions, not that anyone could use the forge. this of course, does not mean only specific daughters CAN use an anatomic forge, but it certainly implies at least theres a good reason she does the actual work.

of course, like artists can be like, she also may just not want anyone messing with 'her' forge, and like Julia simply like the work and commissions alot. speaking of, im wondering if Julia would naturally be good with one, due to her practice with her own flesh and artistic background, aswell as if it would be a good idea to point her in the Monasteries direction once the pod is hatched. though, she is a very shy girl too, so she might just prefer to stay in the town. considering Mara knows about it and has checked up on her since then, its also possible she already shot the idea down, but that also jumps to conclusions on just how Mara checked in on her, or if the straight forward lady even felt the need to ask something that wouldn't matter until after the pod was hatched.
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Trying this relic thing out
>Pygmalion's assistant:
While in its inactive state this relic appears to be but a dense tangle of callagen fibers with what appears to be an umbilical cord tipped with a large hollow needle protruding from one end.
To activate a daughter must plunge the needle into their own body at which point BIO and HEALTH will begin to drain from them and flow into the construct. The construct will take on a humanoid appearance of it's creators choosing. Once it reaches at least 25% BIO and HEALTH (max 100) the construct can be detached and can act independently. Constructs are completly loyal to their creator, possess a simple mind (capable of limited speech) and can be infused with any one skill it's creator possess at first level.
The construct can only replenish it's BIO and HEALTH by feeding from it's creator.
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>>3296025
For the record, I do like it, I was just trying to use it to explain a distinction I was making about types of design. It's probably the one that I'd like to see the most for our actual party because it adds a new moving part without changing the character's build as-such, though we could use it for a suicide-bombing Rath if we could find a way to keep it safe from the blast.
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(Gentlemen, the Tier 1 Forge Listing is below. It's a little slim as I've been tweaking the reader-submitted gear against what I already had to strike a decent balance. I shall be posting this again early in the Twelfth Vein when the Forge option is selected. Additionally, I shall open the Twelfth Vein in approximately twelve hours, a full day sooner than expected due to the fact that I have fallen ill, so I may as well make the most of it.)

https://pastebin.com/pVEbSn6M
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>>3298056
BHOP, its one thing to run a day early, its another to run a session while you're sick. I would strongly advise taking that day to fully rest and recover. And compile your notes. I admire your dedication, but at the end of the day, your health and well being in real life comes first. I've seen one too many QMs who sacrifice their real life well being (such as getting evicted, falling ill, or risk their career future) just to run an internet forum game/quest like this only to drop off the internet radar because their commitment to their quest took over their lives.
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>>3298056
>>3298401
i agree and disagree. if his sickness is bad of course, he should not push himself and use the time to recover, however having been that type of sick where you're homebound, but otherwise not inhabilitated, you often find yourself with nothing else to do but do things like this you enjoy, as even when sick you may only find yourself able to sleep so much.

being sick sucks though so i do hope our QM the best regardless of what he does.
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(Vein Archived, Gentlemen.)

>>3298401
>>3298462
(I greatly appreciate your concern, and I will endeavor to take it easy. I'm actually feeling better today, and the last thing I would want is for something I'm passionate about to run itself into the ground. For the most part, work isn't as hectic as it will be later this year, and my evenings have been mostly free so I've been sticking to a frequent posting schedule. However, I can see eventually having to pare down to running a thread every two weeks or so, like the schedule Joker used to run, just so I don't get burnt out. I have a clear idea of where this story goes and I intend to see it through to it's conclusion, so I'll take care of myself to ensure that happens. Thank you for your kind words, and I'll be posting the link to the new Vein shortly.)
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The Twelfth Vein is open, Gentlemen. I look forward to seeing you there.

>>3299300



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