Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Post-Apocalypse%20Magical%20Girl%20Quest
Twitter: @echogarrote
Opening Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3FKgL7YVFg
Last Episode: Joy-In-Ashes talked her ancestor into leaving her alone, and Pytor into staying with her. Also, Genesis Settlement is under attack. It seems that the People Of Joy have had enough of waiting.
"Lupa." Amelia is gently shaking you awake. "We're arriving."
"What time is it?" You ask.
"Late." Amelia says.
Now it's not a trick of the mind, you hear shots of gunfire echoing through the valleys and canyons of Peninsular.
"Where did they get so many people?" You mumble. "Alright, what's the plan."
"We're a little split." Amelia says. "I say that we need to go to Naahma, Arthur Rozen and the Council are there, organizing the fight.
"Ray's demanding that we go to the Confessor Ranch, and check on his people. Which is...understandable. I think he's going to do that anyway." Amelia says.
You nod, there's also the option of heading to the trading town of Salome. If Gaft, one of the original People of Joy, is hiding there, then it's very important that you reach him.
> Let's go to Naahma, if we don't there's a chance Genesis' army could break and the PoJ would have control over the colony.
> Let's go to the Confessors, if we don't they could be captured, wiped out, or worse.
> We need to go to Salome, if we don't the PoJ can get Gaft.
>>47475790
How fast can we fly?
>>47475790
> Let's go to Naahma, if we don't there's a chance Genesis' army could break and the PoJ would have control over the colony.
>>47475790
> Let's go to the Confessors, if we don't they could be captured, wiped out, or worse.
>>47475790
> Let's go to the Confessors, if we don't they could be captured, wiped out, or worse.
>>47476256
>>47476427
"I'm with Ray." You say. "We need to go help the Confessors."
"Really?" Amelia asks.
"Yeah," You say. "There's more people like there who are like Ray. Plus, there's a chance that they'll help us. Attacking the PoJ with a small army of our own is better than just us alone."
Amelia nods. "How are you sure that they're going to help us? They might want to protect their ranch."
You grin. "I think when their Holy Angel of Ash appears before them and asks for their aid...they'll come help."
Amelia opens her mouth and then winces. "Of course that was you. Alright, good idea."
Now it's a question about how you want to arrive.
> Use Zephyr's Bracelet and ride the wind, you'll get their quickly, but you'll be there alone.
> Grab one of your crew and drive the bike to the ranch. It'll take a bit longer, but you'll have back up.
> Arrive with everyone in the RV. Slowest, but you'll be there in full force.
Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>47476800
Torn between the bike and the bracelet
>>47476800
> Grab one of your crew and drive the bike to the ranch. It'll take a bit longer, but you'll have back up.
Ray he can rally people and snipe.
>>47476863
>>47476883
"Ray!" You get out of the RV. Ray is talking to Pytor. "Get on the bike. We're going to your Ranch."
"Got it." Ray smirks at Pytor, and grabs his rifle, and a duffle bag that Pytor uses to carry his home made pipe bombs.
Pytor turns to look at you. "Should we follow?"
> Yes, please. We'll need the back up.
> No, you two should head to Naahma.
> No, I need you, and Amelia, to go to Salome.
>>47477271
> No, I need you, and Amelia, to go to Salome.
Find Gaft, he might know something we can sue against the PoJ. And it's safer than going to Naahma.
>>47477271
>> No, you two should head to Naahma.
Wait, what about Musor?
>>47477443
Musor goes with the RV, and the other two.
>>47477480
>Pytor and Musor.
>Bearbowl confirmed.
>get hype
>>47477429
Why are they heading straight in the battle field without us?
>>47477511
>*I like your style*
>*Thanks, you're pretty good yourself*
>Amelia watch them grunts to each other after dispatching a group of PoJs
>Please don't tell me you can understand each other..
>>47477397
>>47477429
So, is Lupa unsure, or are there more votes?
>>47477271
> No, I need you, and Amelia, to go to Salome.
>>47477397
>>47477845
"You three need to go to Salome," You say. "There's a man there, he goes by Dr. Heart. His real name is Gaft. He knows more about all of this than Wren. If the PoJ get him, we're going to be in a lot more trouble."
Pytor nods.
"Alive, Pytor." You say. "I want to kick his ass myself, first. He's the one that turned me into...this." You say.
"Are you sorry that he did?" Pytor asks.
You shrug. "I don't know. It was easier when we just had to survive. Let the world happen to us."
Pytor nods, and then goes to the van.
You point Ray to slide back on the bike. "I'm driving." You say.
"Sure." Ray says.
The pair of you take off.
It takes a while for you to arrive near the compound, and the pair of you stop the bike, about a half-mile away and go by foot the remaining distance.
It's not looking good when you arrive at the parking lot of the Confessor's Ranch. There's a huge truck there, and two unfamiliar jeeps. The jeeps are painted white, PoJ vehicles.
There's no sound of active gunfire, so it looks like any fighting has already happened.
> Charge in, with kicks, ash and knives.
> Go up to the truck quietly.
> Use Zephyr's bracelet to wind-walk right into the center of the compound.
>>47478058
>> Go up to the truck quietly.
remove keys and whatnot to prevent the fuckers to leave in a hurry
>>47478058
> Go up to the truck quietly.
>ask if Ray sees any signs of fighting, struggle or anything else anomalous. he ahs better eyes than we do.
>>47478058
> Go up to the truck quietly.
>>47478058
> Go up to the truck quietly.
HWG
>>47478075
>>47478076
>>47478079
"Hang back." You say to Ray.
"Got it." Ray says, he's hoisted his rifle up to his shoulder and you can see his eyes slightly shine, and twitch.
You give his shoulder a quick touch. You always like looking at Ray's eyes when they do that.
Then you quietly head up towards the truck. You duck down to the side, when you realize that they have a person sitting in the cabin. He's looking straight ahead, and he reeks of Hubris, but...he's not a hive. Also, there's something familiar about his 'scent,' but you don't really have time to focus on it. The back end of the truck is busy.
The Confessors are being led inside, their heads covered with bags, and their arms zip-tied behind their back. 4 people that 'smell' the same as the driver are watching the procession, three of them have various firearms with them, and the last has a machete.
Watching the people who are watching the Confessor prisoners are two PoJ's in their clean white combat vests and body armor. They're loaded for bear, and have working Clean Energy rifles.
"So, now Melpomene's sent the kill order." One of them says, as he gets off his walkie-talkie.
"What? Augustus was very clear that these people were to be taken in alive." The other says. "We need them to enter the Holy Temple."
"Mel says that things have changed." The other one says.
"You get confirmation from Augustus?" The second one says.
"I'm trying to reach him, but you know our time table's really strict." The first one says.
"Ugh...alright...let me think." The second one says.
"Maybe we should take out half of them?" The first one says.
"Great, so that way BOTH of them will be mad at us." The second one says. "Let's just get them into the truck first."
> Go for a sneak attack and take out the PoJ
> Cripple the truck silently
> Go for mass chaos and give the Confessors a window to run/fight back.
>>47478258
> Go for a sneak attack and take out the PoJ
>>47478258
Please note, most of the Confessors are 'Potential' Accepting. Ray only manifested his abilities thanks to close exposure to you, your powers, and active Clean Energy devices.
>>47478285
Wait so you mean if we or the POJ use too much energy in this fight it can cause a mass awakening of the confessors and cause a clusterfuck then given they are already on the edge right now?
>>47478258
>> Cripple the truck silently
>something familiar about his 'scent,
Ruin?
>>47478285
Did you ever keep what you wrote for the first threads somewhere? i saw in the archive that you started when some asshole anons started fucking with the archives
>>47478258
>> Cripple the truck silently
>>47478323
Perhaps. Also a good way to get people killed.
>>47478328
Oh...now that you think about it, it does feel the same as when Ruin used her power.
>>47478339
There's a link in the third thread, the first one posted, to the earlier threads.
>>47478328
Can anon tell me the significance of that? Is he demi-infected or something?
>>47478429
That's roughly it, yeah.
>>47478328
>>47478367
You go over to the tires of the truck and use your knife to slash them open, slowly the truck starts to sag, and it lurches to one side.
"Oh for the love of Joy, what now?!" One of the PoJ says. "You." He points to the machete guy. "Go look."
It's easy to keep creeping around the truck so you stay out of sight of everyone, crowd control is their priority.
"Flat tire." The machete guy says in a calm, inflectionless, voice.
"Son of a bitch." The first PoJ says. "They gave us the crap truck. All that bullshit about how this is so important and they give us five Servants and a crap truck."
"Fuck it." The second one says. "I say we kill them all now, leave the damn truck, and let Augustus yell at Mel."
"Alright, alright. Driver! Get out here, and bring your weapon!"
Wonderful, it seems the guy in the truck has a shotgun, and now there's seven people to deal with.
You're going to have to work quickly.
> Take out the PoJ
> Full chaos with ash clouds
> Be a distraction to get the PoJ and the Servants AWAY from the Confessors.
>>47478662
> Full chaos with ash clouds
HWG
>>47478662
> Be a distraction to get the PoJ and the Servants AWAY from the Confessors.
>>47478662
>> Full chaos with ash clouds
>>47478662
>> Be a distraction to get the PoJ and the Servants AWAY from the Confessors.
preferably into Ray's Line of Fire
>>47478662
> Full chaos with ash clouds
>>47478670
>>47478704
>>47478778
Time to bring it. You focus, and summon up all the Joy that you can, and then you force it down into the ground.
Three seconds, and then the whole world, or at least everything around all of the PoJ's vehicles explodes into a churning, coughing, massive cloud of grey ash.
"What the-?"
> Try to appear behind one of the PoJ and slash his neck
> Start Normal combat
> Cut some Confessors free
>>47478879
> Try to appear behind one of the PoJ and slash his neck
>>47478879
> Try to appear behind one of the PoJ and slash his neck
>>47478879
> Try to appear behind one of the PoJ and slash his neck
HWG
>>47478879
>> Try to appear behind one of the PoJ and slash his neck
Do we risk unleashing the knife frenzy?
>>47478893
>>47478898
>>47478901
>>47478904
You ash dodge behind one of the PoJ, and you pull your blade out and...
> roll 1d20
Rolled 13 (1d20)
>>47478920
Rolled 11 (1d20)
>>47478920
Rolled 16 (1d20)
>>47478920
HWG
Rolled 4 (1d20)
>>47478920
Psssh...nothin personnel
Rolled 5 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47478943
He makes a gurgling noise as your blade cuts deep into his neck and he drops to the ground.
"Huh? What the-Ralph? RALPH!" The other one shouts.
That's when Ray takes his shot. He has no difficulty seeing through your ash cloud, but it's still a minor obstruction to him.
>>47479007
Taken a page from Embers, huh
Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d10)
>>47479007
It's still a far shot, and it goes wide.
Roll 1d10 for initiative.
Rolled 3 (1d10)
>>47479026
Rolled 8 (1d10)
>>47479026
Rolled 3 (1d10)
>>47479026
Wonder how the joys in our head are reacting to the situation.
Rolled 6 (1d10)
>>47479026
HWG
>>47479042
You go first.
> Ash Shot
> Ash Armor
> Ash Cloud
> Ash Choke
> Ash Knife
> Purify
> Dodge Kick
>>47479109
> Ash Shot
>>47479109
> Dodge Kick
>>47479109
>> Ash Shot
>>47479109
> Ash Armor
>>47479109
> Ash Choke
>>47479115
>>47479135
You blast a thick soup of your element right into the PoJ's face.
Being inside a giant ash cloud makes it a bit easier for you to summon, control, and make hurt.
> Roll 1d20+1
Rolled 14 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47479231
Rolled 16 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47479231
Rolled 14 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47479231
Rolled 4 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47479231
let's not fuck it up
Rolled 5 (1d20)
>>47479231
HWG
Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>47479244
The PoJ screams as the ash rips into his face, and into his mouth, he gags and starts spitting out huge clumps of black stuff.
Ray fires his rifle again, he's had more time to aim, and his eyes are wide and shining.
>>47479309
Man, the dice sure do hate all of lu[a's companions. Except Pytor.. It's probably a sign.
>>47479309
The fuck, why is ray stuck at 5?
>>47479309
Still his shot goes wide.
The PoJ is too busy gagging to do anything.
The Servants just stand there.
The Confessors start to realize, under their hoods, that something's happening.
Your turn.
> Ash Shot
> Ash Armor
> Ash Cloud
> Ash Choke
> Ash Knife
> Purify
> Dodge Kick
> Help the confessors.
>>47479309
>>47479309
Embers, pls.
>>47479336
> Help the confessors.
>>47479336
> Ash Choke
>>47479336
>> Ash Knife
It's time
>>47479336
> Purify
>>47479336
> Ash Knife
>>47479355
Fuck it your right
HWG
>>47479447
>>47479355
You grin, and let that feeling run up your arms, it's just a faint tingle at the moment...
> Roll 2d20
Rolled 20, 9 = 29 (2d20)
>>47479500
I wonder what'll happen this time
Rolled 20, 8 = 28 (2d20)
>>47479500
Remove PoJ
Rolled 3, 12 = 15 (2d20)
>>47479500
>inb4 we kill the people we were trying to save.
>>47479507
>>47479521
Well, now that's something
So um, should we take a captive to find out whats going on and were they got the increase of numbers?
>>47479507
>>47479521
It hasn't even begun
>>47479547
At this rate we're probably going to kill everyone but Ray, and only because he's out of range.
>>47479507
And there it is...like always in it's glorious ecstasy, you know that you're going to kill someone.
One knife cuts into the PoJ.
> Roll 1d20, hit on 15+
Rolled 8 (1d20)
>>47479567
Rolled 6 (1d20)
>>47479567
Rolled 15 (1d20)
>>47479567
Rolled 8 (1d20)
>>47479567
>>47479582
clutch save there
>>47479567
Wait dont we throw another 2 knives every time we get a 18, 19 and 20?
Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)
>>47479582
(I'm trying to nerf the blades a little, so they aren't as game breaking as they have been.)
The blade sinks into the PoJ and you feel the surge of enjoyment fade.
Ray takes a third shot. Hopefully he's got a dead bead on the man now.
>>47479637
at long last
>>47479637
FINALLY!
>>47479637
NOW Ray's got his aim right, with the rifle and the ash cloud. The PoJ takes one in the neck, and he drops to the ground. He twitches and goes still.
The Servants just stand there.
> Roll 1d20
Rolled 20 (1d20)
>>47479694
Rolled 6 (1d20)
>>47479694
Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>47479694
How many POJ were there again and how many are still standing?
>>47479711
You go up close to one of the Servants. And yes, you recognize them. These are the people that were under Joy-In-Ruin's control when she and they were all controlled by Hubris.
You remember them saying that they were planning to go to Genesis. Why wouldn't they? It was the largest, most stable, settlement for miles. Apparently the PoJ got to them first, and now it's clear where they got their sudden surge of numbers.
They're not Hubris infected though, not normally. You know that purifying these people is a BAD idea as it would remove all Hubris traces from their body, which as you recall, would cause them to have organ failure, or put them into possibly fatal shock.
They do have that dreamy, stupid-happy, look on their faces that you and Ember got when the PoJ used that Pacification Tone, that Unity's security also used.
So...how to snap them out of that? CAN you snap them out of it? It's not like you, sometimes mind control doesn't go away.
> Leave them be
> Smack them
> Try to give them orders
> Put them out of their misery.
>>47479787
7 and we killed 2 and Ray got 1. I think.
>>47479834
> Smack them
>>47479787
Two actual PoJ, and five Servants. The PoJ are both dead, and all the Servants are still standing.
Ray has run up and is helping the Confessors free of their bonds.
>>47479834
> Smack them
>>47479834
> Try to give them orders
>>47479834
> Try to give them orders
>>47479834
Can we try a different purification rune? Not the one that destroys the hubris taint, but one that knocks them out of their stupor?
Stupor...thesaurus gives us "liveliness" and "wakefulness" for antonyms. Maybe those could work?
>>47480024
You can certainly try. You'll need to pick a word that's 6 letters at most, any longer and you can't use a single sigil and only a single sigil will work.
>>47480171
hmm...how about "awake" or "alert"? Any anons willing to offer suggestions?
>>47480231
think
arise
sleep
forget
coffee
brain
blink
alert
live
wonder
angry
punch
nod
jump
>>47480279
react
talk
shout
eat
nom
dakka
kick
turn on
stop
>>47480279
>coffee
Supporting.
>>47480231
Wake
Darn Echo is a beast. Glad I came in time!
What are we doing now? did echo say choose a word or already using a different action?
>>47478058
Did Ray cop a good feel of Lupa when they are riding together?
>>47480422
You'll need to agree on a word, or give votes to the other, earlier listed, actions.
>>47480486
> Try to give them orders
think
>>47480299
>Dakka
The ruin to end all other ruins. The ruin to beat them all.
>>47480279
>think
I am for this.
Alternatively, we can try:
>friend
>>47480508
>>47479878
>>47479864
Well, before you do anything new or risky, try for the simple route.
"Servants. Drop your weapons, and go sit down on the grass over there." You say, loudly and clearly.
> Roll 1d20+1
Rolled 10 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47480656
Rolled 7 (1d20)
>>47480656
We are awesome.
Rolled 14 (1d20)
>>47480656
HWG
Rolled 12 + 1 (1d20 + 1)
>>47480656
HWG
Rolled 17 (1d20)
>>47480656
>>47480730
Woh Nelly.
oh shit Echo of LDQ fame is running another quest?
>>47480730
>>47480726
hmm 15 alright then but fuck an 18
>>47480748
Yes. It is Lamia Quest echo. We waited a whole year for him to continue this. It is that good.
>>47480726
The People Of Joy use stuff that was designed by people who all but worshipped Joy-In-Hearts, and they haven't done any big alterations to that tech.
So, this stuff works...kinda. They don't 'drop their weapons' but more just 'let go' of them, the machete and handgun clatter to the earth, but the guy with the rifle slug around his shoulder just hangs there.
Also, they don't sit down on the grass, but they just all walk over to the area you indicated and stand there, still with those dreamy smiles on their face.
Well...you suppose it's a start. Either way, they're not going to be hurting themselves or others at the moment, and you have more important things at hand.
Namely, the Confessors that are all before you, on their knees, mumbling praises at you.
Riiiight, they think you're a living angel.
And add to the fact that you arrived to them in their darkest hour of need and smote the wicked and spared the unwilling (who follow your divine commands) that's probably pushed you even further into 'divine being' role.
Thing is, you're sort of getting a weird feeling, having the Confessors out and out worship out.
'It's a feedback loop.' Joy says.
'You've been gone for a while.' You respond.
'Well, Zephyr hit me for a loop, it helps that you're feeding off of the Confessor's Adulation.' Joy says.
'I'm not hurting them, am I?' You respond.
'Nah. Your presence and power is causing their Acceptance to activate, and that makes them manipulate trace amounts of Clean Energy. It's how Ray's eye sight keeps getting sharper and sharper when he focuses. And you're picking up on that Clean Energy, since it's all focused on you, and that makes you give off more ambient C.E., which makes the Confessors stronger, and it loops around.'
'Oh.' You say.
'We can use this.' Joy says. 'If you keep them in this state, you could march your 'holy army' right into Genesis, and they'd have a big power boost, and so would you.
(cont)
>>47480772
I didn't even know he had returned to QMing in 2015.
>>47480772
Oh shit I didn't know echo had a quest before this one. And LDQ sounds familiar, Lamia daughter, right? Cool.
>>47481017
Yes. Echo was doing a day a thread back then. Don't know how he did it.
Also best Op for a quest. Trip the light was great.
>>47481046
>Trip the light
>thread a day
Bloody madman!
>>47480925
'But...I don't think if they know that their Angel is just Lupa the Scavenger, that they'll be able to keep their focus.' Joy says.
'Do I WANT to be worshipped?' You ask Joy.
'The only thing I've found in your mind as a true desire, and I've dug through ALL of your psyche, is one thing:
'You want to be warm.
'Hunger, fear, kill frenzy, it doesn't matter. You've just been cold all your life, and you just want one single day where you don't feel that gnawing coldness that seems to be everywhere and all throughout your body.
'It's why you wanted to make Wren happy, because her place was warm and you want her to let you live there. It's why you feel so good when you're on a kill rush, because your heart beats so fast that you finally feel less cold. It's why you feel more affection for Pytor than your own Mother.
'It's why you hated Embers so much. How her skin was so warm. It's why yo-'
'ENOUGH!' You snap. 'I don't...I don't need to hear this. I need to think. Be quiet and let me think.'
You see Ray with his father. He's not saying anything, and Preacher Bill is on his knees like the others. You're fairly sure that Ray's smart enough to understand that he needs to go along with whatever you say, so you don't need to worry about him saying anything until after the crisis is over.
> Keep up the Angel charade
> Show the Confessors the truth
>>47481070
What is the story behind Trip the Light song? Only thing I can find is the dancing 2012 music video.
>>47481075
>> Show the Confessors the truth
>Then Hug Ray for warmth
>>47481075
> Show the Confessors the truth
>>47481075
>'You want to be warm.
Dammit now I want to hug Lupa.
>>47481075
> Show the Confessors the truth
Hug Ray
>>47481075
> Show the Confessors the truth
>>47481075
>> Show the Confessors the truth
I have faith they will still believe in Lupa.
>>47481096
Yeah that it. Maybe I just really like that song?
>>47481101
I am for this.
>>47481139
I loved that song since Lamia Daughter Quest. I was curious where it came from but the interwebs offered no source.
Anons are amazingly consistent.
>>47481101
>>47481102
>>47481129
>>47481135
>>47481136
You hold up your hand to the other Confessors and then, you release your Joy.
And everyone stares as the Angel turns into a young girl in a survival suit and gas mask. Then she takes off her mask, and a few people recognize the scavenger girl/Pytor's girl/Ray's girlfriend.
Confusion is the general feeling, and some people get back up from their kneeling position.
You walk over to Ray and Preacher Bill.
Preacher Bill is very confused. He looks at you, and then he looks at his son. Then he does a double take as he realizes that his son doesn't look the same as when he left with Pytor, all that time ago. The red-ish, slightly glowing, eyes are more than a little discerning.
You hug Ray at that point.
He hugs you back. "Thank you." He says. After all you did just save his family. "I love you, Lupa."
You can't say that you love him back. You aren't sure why.
He knows you can't say it, and he doesn't care.
You don't understand why you're crying.
Preacher Bill then, mercifully, takes back charge of his flock. The Servants are ziptied themselves and set aside. The Ranch is put into lockdown, and everyone gets their guns, and other weapons. If the attackers decide to try a second assault, it will end badly for them.
You, and Ray, get a bowl of stew as Preacher Bill waits for an explanation as to what the hell is happening.
> You will be giving Preacher Bill a run-down of events, and a plea for help. There's just a few more sensitive pieces of information that you need to decide if you're going to mention or not.
>Tell Preacher Bill about Ember and Ruin? Yes/No
> Tell him about the Global Cooling? Yes/No
> Tell him about Joy In Time? Yes/No
> Explain to him that ALL the Confessors are potential Accepting, and that Ray is not a special case? Yes/No
> Tell him that the Confessors are the result of Gaft's eugenic program? Yes/No
>>47481323
>Yes
>Yes
>No
>Yes
>No
>>47481323
>Tell Preacher Bill about Ember and Ruin? Yes
> Tell him about the Global Cooling? No
> Tell him about Joy In Time? Yes
> Explain to him that ALL the Confessors are potential Accepting, and that Ray is not a special case? Yes
> Tell him that the Confessors are the result of Gaft's eugenic program? Yes
>>47481323
>>Tell Preacher Bill about Ember and Ruin? Yes
>> Tell him about the Global Cooling? Yes
> Tell him about Joy In Time? Yes
> Explain to him that ALL the Confessors are potential Accepting, and that Ray is not a special case? Yes
> Tell him that the Confessors are the result of Gaft's eugenic program? No
There are things they will find out no matter what. Ember and Genesis knows it already. It will spread some day. They will believe that Lupa came to them for a reason.
>>47481366
Why would you tell someone they are just soldiers bred to fight? Give them a real reason to do something.
>>47481323
>Y
>y
>Y
>Y
>N
Remember anons, being truthful did not help Lupa in the past.
But I still believe the confessors will be good to us.
>>47481323
>y
>n
>n
>y
>n
>>47481451
>>47481392
>>47481373
>>47481366
>>47481364
You tell him about finding and awakening Ember and discovering and saving Ruin. Which means you have to explain that the Servants were Ruin's people.
You tell him about the Global Cooling and that the human race has 50-ish years left. You then tell him about Wren's discovery of OLYMPUS and Joy-In-Time. It also means you give him, and Ray, a brief primer about how the End of The World came to be.
Then you explain Ray's eyes, and how they came to be and how they work. Then you explain that all the Confessors are just like Ray. How if they are exposed to Clean Energy sources, like yourself, then they too could show advancement or gifts.
You leave out everything about Gaft, and how he created, manipulated, and 'cultivated' the Confessors for the explicit reason you just mentioned.
You close with telling Preacher Bill about how the People of Joy are attacking Genesis to get to OLYMPUS and how they're planning on ripping open a hole in time so they can escape Now, and how it will kill Joy-In-Time.
Preacher Bill sits there for a while. He asks a few clarification questions about some details of your story. Then he gets up and goes over to his pulpit and gets one of his favorite props. His plate of beans that he murdered another man over.
"You've heard me say that sermon a few times, haven't you?" He says.
You nod.
"A person must be willing to face God," Preacher Bill says. "And account for all that he has done. They cannot rationalize it, they cannot excuse it. Our deeds are what matter, and all we can do is face up to them."
He sighs. "The Lord is there to help us up when we fall. And we fall so many times."
"Do you think they'll come back?" He asks.
"Maybe." You say. "They were debating if they needed you, or if they were just going to kill you."
"I can spare about five men. Pistols, two rifles, and a shotgun." He nods at Ray. "And it seems my son has chosen his own path. Lord, help him."
(cont)
>>47481669
"The rest need to stay here, and when this is over. I want you to tell Arthur Rozen that I don't want any more of his spies lurking around and watching us." He says.
"Although, Lupa..." He sighs. "Lupa, I'd rather you didn't use that poor girl. She's trapped in that place. It'd be better if you released her, and let her live out here with us. She deserves a real life."
"You call this living?" Ray says. "I saw glimpses of the world she had...there's no comparison."
Preacher Bill nods. "But it's life, and it's ours. We live it the best, and we'll do all that we can. She deserves to live in the fresh air, and we shouldn't pretend that our mistakes never happened. God asks us that we live, and that we live with our mistakes."
"But we weren't the one who MADE the mistake!" Ray says. "You'd rather all us just freeze to death, knowing that 'at least we didn't try to cheat God'?"
Preacher Bill shakes his head. "Ray, you know it's more than that. You know that there's more to this world, than just this world. We should treasure it all. For however long we have."
Ray sighs and looks at you for support.
You just shrug. "Thank you for the help Father, and for the Stew. We need to get going, the others need our help."
Preacher Bill nods and he goes to get the Confessors that will be coming with you.
"I cannot believe him!" Ray says. "I'm glad he sees the PoJ as the bad guys, but how can he think using Time is an affront to God? She's a gift FROM God!"
You hold up your hands, in an attempt to stay out of it. However, it looks like Ray's in one of those moods.
"You can't not have an opinion on this, Lupa." Ray says. "You've said yourself that you want to use Joy-In-Time to fix this. I know you...I know you don't have deep feelings about God, but you have to have SOME reason to do this. What is it?"
> Well?
> Or is Preacher Bill not wrong/you're worried about being erased from existence with the change to the timeline, and you're having second thoughts?
>>47481839
Maybe Joy is right. We don't really have a strong reason to do this. We just want to truly feel warm for once.
>>47481839
> Or is Preacher Bill not wrong/you're worried about being erased from existence with the change to the timeline, and you're having second thoughts?
>>47481839
I just want to feel warm. This world is so cruel, so,... so wrong. I just want it to be fixed. Time might be able to do that. Whether it be resetting everything or something else entirely. Between her and Wren we can figure something out.
>>47481839
> Or is Preacher Bill not wrong/you're worried about being erased from existence with the change to the timeline, and you're having second thoughts?
This happened because of human stupidly and ignorance and risking the use of time travel seems even more reckless
I would like to end the global cooling but i would rather have the world as is then ignore the consequences of the old joys stupidly
>>47481961
I am for this.
Ray deserves to know.
>>47482019
How about looking at it from a different angle - if Joy in Time is willing to sacrifice herself to reset the world because we are good people to her, deserving of help, then let her do it. If she does not, then let her live the rest of her life in peace with the ranch.
>>47481961
This is good. Even if we don't have much stake in it, the world shouldn't go on like this.
>>47481961
You sag in your seat. "I just want to feel warm. This world is so cruel, so cold...so wrong. I just want it to be fixed. Time might be able to do that.
"Whether it be resetting everything, or something else entirely. Between her and Wren, I think we can figure something out." You say. "If nothing can be done, then she can live here, and get some peace."
Ray nods. "So...if there was some way to stop the cooling...you'd want to stay. I mean...stay here, with me?" He asks.
You look at him. Slowly Ray lowers his head and looks at the ground.
"Oh." He says quietly.
You take his hand and hold it for a while. He nods. "You'll visit?"
"As long as you keep making good rabbit stew." You say.
He nods. Then he lets go of your hand. "We better get ready to go. Dad's probably got the others ready and those PoJ jeeps working. Are we going to regroup with the others at Salome, go to Naahma, or are we trying to get to Ester Township, the one nearest OLYMPUS?"
> We're going to Salome and get the others.
> Naahma, radio the others to meet us there.
> Let's get to Ester. I want to see OLYMPUS.
>>47482239
> We're going to Salome and get the others.
>>47482239
>> Naahma, radio the others to meet us there.
>>47482239
> We're going to Salome and get the others.
>>47482257
>>47482266
We still have that army attacking Naahma. We really need to take care of that.
>>47482279
If you want, you can send Ray off with the Confessors to somewhere else and you can Wind-Walk with Zephyr's Bracelet to another location.
Ray cannot leave his brothers, and you're pretty sure that the other Confessors look to Ray at 'Prophet' levels of reverence. So keeping him with them is best to keep them under control.
> Split up to different locations (Name them.)
> Stay as a single unit.
>>47482403
> Stay as a single unit.
>>47482403
> Stay as a single unit.
>>47482403
>> Split up to different locations (Ray to naahma, Us to Salome)
>>47482239
>"As long as you keep making good rabbit stew." You say.
D'awww.
>>47482410
>>47482444
Why? The longer we dally the more likely they are to win. They win, we lose. Why are you delaying?
>>47482257
>>47482266
>>47482410
>>47482444
You hold off on turning back into Ashes until you and the Confessors are in sight of Salome.
It's not a pretty sight, the trading town is wrecked. The walls are down, and there's a few fires, and a bunch of dead bodies.
Thankfully it also seems that half of the dead are Servants, along with one PoJ. Apparently, taking Salome was a higher priority than the Confessor Ranch, and since Genesis had more guns, they brought more people, and guns. There's two vans and three PoJ jeeps. Both vans, and one of the jeeps are smoldering ruins. Pytor is in top form as usual, and Genesis aren't slouches either.
You hear fighting inside one of the large buildings.
You change, and Ray leads in his zealots.
At this point, Pytor, Amelia, Musor, and the Genesis forces at Salome have whittled the PoJ and Servants down to a handful. It's fairly clear to see that the problem is that your side has run out of ammo, and the PoJ hasn't. Amelia's got her Clean Energy rifle, but it looks like the others are nearly dry.
You feel that Musor is fine, but he's taken a shot or two in his carapace.
Thankfully, the arrival of six people with plenty of weapons and ammo, and a Joy-In-Heart is enough to take out the last stragglers.
Salome has been broken, but it didn't fall.
Also, after a brief reunion, Pytor dumps a man in an unusually clean suit in front of you. You recognize him in a moment.
"Hello, Lupa." Gaft says. "You are Joy-In-Ashes...oh...to see...to see again..." He drops to his knees and kisses the steel toe of your boot. "To be in the grace and presence of one most Holy. You have made me so happy...where are your sisters? We have such work to do. Such work. It is time...yes?"
> Kick him.
> Kick him, and let everyone have a turn.
> Pull him up, throw him in the RV, and go to the next location. (Hitting is optional, but we're on a time crunch.)
> Grab him by the throat. "OLYMPUS. Start talking. NOW!"
> Gently help him up.
>>47482780
> Pull him up, throw him in the RV, and go to the next location.
>>47482780
> Gently help him up.
Let him tell us what he wants to do. Then we kick him.
>>47482780
> Kick him.
>>47482780
>> Pull him up, throw him in the RV, and go to the next location. (Hitting is optional, but we're on a time crunch.)
>>47482780
> Pull him up, throw him in the RV, and go to the next location.
Rolled 10, 17, 15, 1 = 43 (4d20)
>>47482804
>>47482816
>>47482822
You look at him for a moment, then pick him up, and jam a rag into his mouth. "No time. Everyone, Naahma?" You say.
Amelia nods, and Pytor walks towards the RV. Ray motions to the zealots and everyone heads towards the vehicles. The Genesis soldiers here at Salome are staying to clean up and deal with the survivors.
Musor nuzzles your hand and you pat him on the head and scritch his neck. Then he goes to the RV and climbs back up the side to the roof. You have to admit, that his claw marks really do add to the RV's look.
You throw Gaft into the RV, and get everyone moving. Amelia is trying to get contact on the radio. All throughout Genesis, it's bad. You now clearly hear shouts, gunfire, and there's no question that there are multiple fires going on.
The PoJ with their Servant army has broken into Genesis, and are running wild. The only question is:
1) How bad?
2) Is the Advisory Council, and Aurthur Rozen, still alive?
3) Where are Ember and Ruin?
4) Do they have control over OLYMPUS?
They torched Salome, but didn't get Gaft, which was vital for them, and you prevented the Confessors from being massacred, which is a good thing.
As for the rest...
>>47482946
Oh fucking great we stalled for too long and lost everything. Great job guys.
>>47482946
"Alright," Amelia says to the others. "I have some good news, and I have some bad news."
"How bad?" You ask.
"About 50% of Genesis has been torched. They're just purging everything, taking out soldiers, people, townships. They are really looking to take us out, and find your 'sisters.' We're putting up a fight, but they have the numbers, and they have more resources than we do."
"Shit." You say.
"Yeah. It's bad." Amelia says. "The good news is that the Advisory Council, Arthur Rosen, and Naahma are all in one piece. The order was to pull back to there so there could be a co-ordinated defense. So while we've lost a lot of the Settlement..."
"Most of the people are still alive." You say. "And Ruin and Emmy?"
"They're at Naahma. Safe, but Rozen has them under protective custody. He's not the type to hand two girls over to an invading army." Amelia says.
"I wouldn't have let him be in charge of Genesis if he was." Gaft says.
"Shut up." Amelia says. "Anyway, so that's the good news."
"Wait, half of Genesis being torched isn't the bad news?" You ask.
"The pull-back meant that everyone from Ester Colony took off." Amelia says. "Which means that the PoJ just rolled in, and set up a perimeter.
"As of now, the People Of Joy, have completely surrounded OLYMPUS." Amelia says.
Gaft chuckled. "So like Augustus and Mel..."
"What?" You ask.
(cont)
>>47482960
It was up to fucking dice roll you colossal faggot.
>>47482946
So 1 was for olympus and all the others were somewhat alright then ok
>>47483079
"They always rush things, never willing to wait. Always biting them in the end." He sighs. "It does them no good, you see? So they've got OLYMPUS, so what?
"They have no Accepting, they have no Joy-In-Hearts, and any Small Joys that they augment are worthless." He shrugs. "Their army is having trouble dealing with Genesis, and your friends are enough to tip balances in your favor. They have OLYMPUS, but they can't USE the damn thing. They can't even get inside!"
He smiles. "We've won. It's just a matter of staying calm, and pushing back."
You nod, and you feel better. Then a spike of cold fear slams through your stomach.
"Wren." You say.
"Joy-In-Thought? What about her?" Gaft says. You can tell he doesn't think highly of her, by how he says her title.
"Would it be bad if the PoJ had sent a team to extract her, and probably had her captured and being brought here as we speak?" You say.
Gaft blinks. "That...could...be a problem. Where is Joy-In-Thought located?"
"Joy-Home University." You say. "A couple days away."
"So...we have a couple of days to come up with a solution." Gaft says. "You've faced worse, my dear. I know that your Joy will guide us all, and deliver us...you are our salvation, my child. In this cold world, you are our warmth."
And that's when you kicked him in the face.
Gaft drops to the floor of the RV like a rock.
Pytor pats you on the shoulder, and for the first time in...ever...
He gives you a big smile.
END PART 24
Ending Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycsgmGkg_mM
>>47483159
Thanks for running Echo.
>>47483159
Fucking amazing.
Good game
Thanks for running
And remember to archive
>>47483159
Thanks for running Echo
