Grey 2010/01/24(Sun)13:32 No. 117887 ID: c16184
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My brother didn't do anything to me.
But he cheated.

"Grey? Grey, you came after all. Did you get seperated from the others? It's alright. Stay close to me, Grey, we will get through this. Just this one mission and the duke will grant us a patch of land with a fortress on it. Then you will never have to fight again."

He wasn't a real friend of fire, not like me

White is wise, Yellow wants to trick you into sex.

>>117887
It looks like White wanted to trust you with more responsibilities. Looks like he thought highly of your skills.

Also, Fire 'is' amazing, it keeps us warm, it cooks our food, it refines our weapons and makes our metal strong, it lights up out paths, it dances beautiful for us... It does so many things.

Are you like fire Geppa?

Grey 2010/01/24(Sun)13:42 No. 117894 ID: c16184
File 126436934288.png - (192.83KB , 700x700 , c18-15.png )

My and fire hunt together and we destroy and consume and kill and maim and so many things together.
We're the best of friends, you know.

The fire eats White Fang.

Well, that clears up a lot of things, Greppa.

Grey 2010/01/24(Sun)13:49 No. 117897 ID: c16184
File 126436975683.png - (248.11KB , 700x700 , c18-16.png )

The fire eats mama and papa.

...

A sword to the heart would be a humane ending.

Her mind was gone from an early age. I don't think there is anything left but the beast.

Still. Geppa, would you tell me why fire burns?

Awesome, Grey. That's my girl!

Grey 2010/01/24(Sun)13:55 No. 117901 ID: c16184
File 126437015471.png - (230.04KB , 700x700 , c18-17.png )

The fire eats Yellow.

Fire is indeed awesome.

The fire eats everything you love Geppa.

>>117901
Yellow was no predator. He lost to something you can control. He was weaker than you; he was stupid. The worst part is that he thought you were stupid when he made you do things. Are you stupid, Geppa? Are you going to listen to someone who was consumed by fire, your fire?

And, since he was so stupid, maybe he was wrong about a few things. He told you White was stupid, that all you and the Fangs are good for is killing. Remember that a stupid weakling told you these things, Geppa.

Think about it. You are stronger and smarter than he ever was. You don't have to believe him anymore.

Grey 2010/01/24(Sun)14:07 No. 117906 ID: c16184
File 126437087876.png - (250.54KB , 700x700 , c18-18.png )

But the fire never eats Geppa.

You are not fire, Geppa.

You are a Gnoll. A gnoll who was first raised by her parents, then by a good person.

Three of your loved ones are dead by your hands, Geppa. Tell us why you burn things.

Well then, move on.
=­>

... what happened to your brother, Geppa?

>>117913

She burned him. Probably around the time she started to see if fire would not burn her.

Jump into fire. Burn sins away.

>>117920
This

>>117920
This

>>117920
Yeah, I think green has the right idea. Self-sacrifice is by far the best option.

>>117920
>>117921
>>117922
>>117926
What... stop getting all drama guys just because we aren't seeing the answers.

Maybe we didn't ask the right questions. Lets review what we learned. Seems like survivor's guilt coupled with feelings of invulnerability and an excessive need for freedom, and the desire to consume.

Perhaps you Geppa loves fire because it ate everyone who loved her and who she loved?

You are what you eat... and the fire ate them. Geppa is also what one would call a fire-eater (her little fire-blowing trick.) Maybe some kind of weird cycle of consumption (remember her word about being a predator and eating everything.)

>>117931

I like this train of thought, but unless Ridder or Muschio (Or god forbid, us) finds a way to crack the shell of psychosis, we're going to to be a wind blowing at the mountains.

It will take to long. There has to be something we can say, or that Ridder/Muschio can do that would pierce the that shell and lay her psyche bare for us to piece together.

She lost her parents to fire. She lost her brother to fire. She killed White Fang with fire. She killed Yellow Fang with fire.

She is vicious, partially due to the loss, partially due perhaps to something like us - A form of psychosis - goading her all the time. It is what Ridder says we are to him, at least. His own voice, fractured, berating, and at times reassuring.

I cannot actively suggest that Ridder go about doing anything, however. The poor lad's got enough to worry about. I would like Black Fang to talk with her. I'd like to be in his mind and have him talk with her, guide him through the motions and see if a fellow fang couldn't get to her.

As for Muschio? I'm not sure... He might be able to deal with her, but I'm worried. He might hand her off to Dompag, and while that may fix one problem, it will certain cause a thousand more...

>>117938
hmmm... on second thought we may be seeing some kind control issues here as well. Remember what she liked about Buster was the ability to control him, also compare with her desire to be a queen. She rebels against us when we try to control her.

Everyone fire killed had power over her in one way or another (her parent's, Grey, even Yellow.) Fire doesn't like being controlled, but in the end not even she could control fire (Yellow's death) despite it being her friend.

To Geppa, power is all about being exercised (she was angry because Ridder "didn't" rape though when he had it within his power.) It frustrates her how little is within her control.

She feels bad for a number of reasons. Survivor's guilt seems prime among them. Fire has eaten away everything she loved, but it hasn't taken her. In this way she views it as a kind of friend, the one thing that's been there all along. The one thing she has left.
We were right when we told Ridder he couldn't kill her. All the misery and suffering and persecution she's lived through, the abuse at the hands of her so-called friends and her new family. It's horrible.

But now we have a chance to turn that around. To separate her from her fixation on fire. Or perhaps even turn it from a destructive force into a productive one. I don't know quite how we can approach this, or how much progress we'll get before we have to hand her over to the Prince, but dammit, this is our chance to start healing the scars so deep-set in her psyche. We can't just tell her she's wrong, we can't treat this burn victim turned arsonist like some animal. We have to lead by showing. It will take time. It will take a lot of deep thinking. But we have a real chance here.

☎
Do you hear that? It's destiny calling.

Ridder, I think something you need to do for Geppa is keep her company at the least so she isn't alone with her thoughts. For most of her life she's had the bad influence of Yellow Fang, maybe we can replace him and get her to consider another way. We can start small and get her thinking we actually care about her by staying with her and not just leaving her alone.

>>118002

Are you suggesting we fracture off from Ridder and help her in her recovery?

It's an interesting idea, but I'm not entirely sure it would work...

And as for her recovery, I think we'd need someone physically with her. Someone strong enough to restrain her and keep her from hurting others, yet someone kindly, perhaps to the point of being...

Well, as a mentor to her. A true one, at least.

>>118032
...Black fang?

But yeah, she got issues and the schitzo personalities are here to help.,,
Issue here is how to wean her off fire. What else can she like (minus sex/rape and eating people)

Maybe if we teach her that fire can eat her too, she will change.

>>118217

Hmmm... that raises an interesting idea. But... will it be worth it to set her on fire?

Besides the smell of burnt fur, anyways?

How about we show her fire's predator: water or sand.

>>118258

Water. Water does not consume. It is powerful when in great volume. It is gentle when it falls to the earth.

So we need someone who can teach her about the water.

A sailor, maybe?

>>118207

Also, Black Fang would need a boatload of work in order to become a mentor.

Poor little Geppa...

Living in a world of fire, hatred, and deception.

Maybe the fire has already eaten you long long ago. And all that's left is the sad, grey ashes.

I hope we can find someone for you to help new life spring from the ashes of your old one.

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)11:22 No. 118368 ID: c16184
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Well said..
Here is a girl whose life was destroyed by fire, yet it spared her, beginning a strange bond between them. Survivor's guilt, like you say, and the compensation for it.
You may be right: The fire may have eaten her the same night it ate her parents, leaving only grey ashes. Easy for Yellow Fang to play with.

Now, don't be worried. I did not expect you to be able to help her, but you did well nontheless. Through your wellplaced questions to her psyche, you've helped reveal more about her past than she would probably be able to tell us, even if she wanted to.
Now I have a story to give to Muschio.

It is quite strange that I would find myself getting attached to this woman who is obviously a rampant murderer-- No, I find myself attached to the young helpless girl.
I would feel bad that I could not do anything for her, but I can not help the entire world. I have to accept that.

She seems like she will be out of it for a while longer. These herbs were very potent.

In future interactions, I would counsel against direct opposition to her views - to meet her head-on is not productive, contradicting her views only causes her to dismiss the source of that contradiction as "stupid".

More careful guidance is required, a more gentle approach to divert her from her destructive course. As a fencer cannot block an axe-blow outright, he can still nudge it aside with a subtle touch in the right place.

She is a creature of strong will and stubborn character. To chastise her leads her only to rebel all the more fiercely. Instead, find something about her that you find positive and praise it well. Any improvement in her behaviour, however slight, is to be rewarded and encouraged. Help her to find a purpose above mere destruction for its own sake, and let her discover a sense of self-worth in that.

I do not know that she might ever be truly healed of her scars, but perhaps, with care and compassion, she might find a kind of peace that she has previously lacked.

>>118368

D...d'aww...

Give her a pat on the head, won't you? She at least could use that.

>>118371

Eloquent and well put. The need for a kindly mentor rises.

Shame we don't have a fencer. He'd/She'd be really useful right about now.

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)12:59 No. 118384 ID: c16184
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Very good. I shall tell Muschio everything I learned.

I gently stroke her cheek.

"Sleep well, little Geppa. The prince will take care of you."

"S.. S-sir, there's an intruder coming from the direction of Sepia Town, sir."

>>118384
Tell whoever it is to pls go. If they won't go see what they want and offer them a refreshment.

>>118384
can she tell you who it is? or give you any description?

Ask for a description. This could be Muschio, after all.

Or it could be someone looking for the rocket wielding crazies out in the woods.

Confront intruder.

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)13:36 No. 118398 ID: c16184
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Yes, it might be unwanted attention attracted by Grek and Petal. If it Muschio then his arrival is perfectly timed.

"Describe this intruder."
"S-sir, he was wearing a suit of metal armor and a helmet with.. with a big feather coming out of it. S-sir."
"How long will it be until he is here?"
"Sir, at his current speed ten minutes, sir."

That is barely enough time to don my armor.

>>118398
Sounds like one of the Knight's Blades... I think that may have been the mounted rider who witnessed our "little display" near the highway.

Get your armor on and get Iesgip to alert the rest of camp.

If you need a few more minutes, get Iesgip to stage a distraction like launching a bolt onto the path whoever is taking. He should at least pause for a minute to try to figure out what the hell that was.

Grab your chestplate and your spear. We could do with SOME protection.

ah man I think it's that guy again... well he did say he was watching us...
go without armor if there isn't enough time. But atleast have some back up, like black fang or something...
or a risky alternative: you could let him come up to the door and wait to see what he does... hell he may knock and one of you can greet him and ask him to wait while you get ready. I mean he did kill that bandit before he might be a good guy and wait. I doubt it though.

>>118398
No need to don your armor, he wouldn't be making himself known like this if he planned on killing you, and if he makes an attempt anyway you have your entire team there to help you. Help Iesgip tell the rest of the camp and get them ready, and await him unarmored. You may want to have one person stay with Grey Fang so she doesn't wake up alone in another new circumstance.

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)14:17 No. 118415 ID: c16184
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Very well. I better not risk him getting close to the mansion.

"Sticks, alert the others, then bring Black Fang to back me up with him."
"Sir, yes, sir."

I can not simply wear pieces of my armor. It will be terribly unbalanced. I better take advantage of my freedom of movement instead.

I walk in the direction of Sepia Town. Soon I see the rider.
We walk towards eachother and stop at a respectful distance.

"Sir Ridder, you are hiding an entity of great evil. Surrender her so she may be destroyed, then submit to a cleansing ritual."

His voice sounds somehow familiar.

>>118415
"Hey babe, nice mount. Care if I borrow it for a bit?"

Under whose authority?

Is, is that Tim?

>>118415
"I am no enemy of good. She is in my care and I believe she can be saved. I do not wish to fight, but I will not let you harm her. Perhaps we may have a drink and talk things over before resorting to a less civilized method of debate."

>>118415
Tell Timotei that his evil radar is off again. A truly evil entity raped her and she has the same residual evil that was present on the orc from before after she had sex with The Boss.

>>118419
Okay, is he talking about Grek (maybe, maybe not) or Geppa (much more likely if this is Tim, considering his senses.)

The mentally ill are an evil to be slain? Am I a source of evil for attempting to cure the mind of one twisted by others since childhood? Is there a soul that exists that is beyond redemption?

>>118415
ask him how he knows your name

Tim? is that him? ask him who he is.
...
regardless although it's true she is evil in a sense. she could also be considered confused, lied to, or just angry at the world. it's not entirely her fault... entirely. besides at least she's no longer hurting anyone and we are trying to help her to some semblence of good. all be it slow.
what is he going to do is the question you should ask him.

"Oh hey Tim. How have you been? Listen, I have a prisoner inside, and I'm hoping to help her. I hope that's OK."

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)14:49 No. 118427 ID: c16184
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"Timotei? Is that you?"

The man removes his helmet. It is the paladin I know, but his expression is different somehow.

"It doesn't matter that we worked together. I found the guidance I needed for developing my natural abilitiy."
"Whose authority do you ride under now?"
"The Helianthus. I fight evil with them."
"I see. Timotei, the woman inside is more deranged than evil. I want to give her a chance to change. She'll be in good hands within the tenday."
"I can't let you do that, Ridder."

Hurm.

"We need to stabalize her mental condition so she can tell us more about those who hired her. If we kill her now, we will gain nothing, and new mercanaries will be hired. Certainly there is an evil in front of us, but behind it is an even greater one... one we cannot and will not ignore."

"Is not redeeming someone a better deed than simply killing them?"

>>118427
he wants to kill Geppa without even giving her the chance to repent or change her ways. You can't let him do that either, Ridder, if you have any knightly justice in you, you'll protect Geppa.

>>118427

"I'm going to have to insist. She may prove more useful alive than dead. Surely someone as yourself believes in redemption?"

When the battle inevitably start, sigh. "Can i at least get into my plate so we can have a fair duel?"

>>118427
The mark of a true hero is one who gives his foes the chance to repent. If she is truly lost, then what must be done will be. But we must give her this chance. It is what broadens the line between us. It is what gives us hope that, some day, we will not need to fight.
For the sake of that hope, we will fight if need be.

"Wait, are you sure of your target? You wouldn't happen to be sensing a Fang, would you?"

It was Timotei who said that evil was hurting people when you don't need to. There is no need to kill a helpless prisoner.

But before this possibly gets out of hand, ask him why he can't let us "do that".

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)15:16 No. 118436 ID: c16184
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"Timotei, it was you who said that evil was delivering pain when it is unnecessary."
"Yes, but killing all evil is necesarry."
"I would agree with you, if I had not just spend several hours and resources on uncovering the captive's reasons behind her madness. If death was her destiny I would have delivered it before getting her here. Timotei, I shall not cross blades with a champion of good in the name of an insane woman, and I hope you feel the same."
"...Where are you taking her?"
"An old friend of mine, a gentlemen and scholar in numerous fields, and a prince. He can take care of her."
"Well okay. But I'll be setting up camp here so you don't try anything else."

these terms seem acceptable to me all in all.

"Fair enough. Now we wait for him to arrive."

>>118436

This is going to be bad...

Talk to Timotei. Ask him how and where exactly he received guidance.

Perhaps we can glean the reasons for his sudden change from happy go lucky paladin to Sturn since we've last seen him.

>>118436
This one also wishes to know how he is getting his guidance now.

>>118436

"Go ahead. I have nothing to hide."

What's the worst that could happen? I mean, it's not like he'll detect evil from Muschio or anything.

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)15:58 No. 118450 ID: c16184
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"Very well. I have nothing to hide."

He dismounts casually. I take this as an opportunity to approach him.

"It is good to hear that you found the guidance you needed, Timotei. Can you tell me about your mentor and the organization you belong to?"
"The Helianthus are an order of paladins who worship the Sungod. They helped me to control my senses so I don't get overwhelmed anymore. We are cleansing this continent right now. The Sentinel demands a no-mercy no-tolerance policy to prevent backstabbing and misguidance. That's why I can't treat you any differently, Sir Ridder."
"I understand, Timotei."
"My superior will come here in a few days because I will not be able to report back. She will want to know more too."

>>118447
Use truce to get in and kill her anyway, gray-guard style.
I hope it won't come to that.
Ridder, do you recall anything about the order he mentioned?

>>118447

True, but Timotei seems to have slipped into the 'lawful good' phase a little further, thus making him a general threat to people actually trying to help others.

Code first, then any survivors.

Ridder needs to stay Neutral good to stay on Tim's good side. We also want to help everyone, so we can't show Timotei Black Fang. Or Mad Petal. Or anyone, really...

For now, press him for information.

>>118450
Ask him about the cleansing ritual he mentioned before. What does it entail?

inb4 sex

>>118450
"What is preventing you from reporting back? If you have duties to attend to, don't let me keep you!"

Yes... ask about the ritual.. for all we know it might actually be useful (and if not it is ate least useful to know what he expected of you.)

>>118450

Hoo boy... I have a good idea as to who his mentor is...

This is not good... not at all...

It's that Volto chick, I'll bet.

Talk to him some more. Tell him of your help successfully uniting part of a kingdom.

>>118450
yeeeah, put T'lear on guard duty at the small bathroom.

Also ask Nakraska about building a barracks and/or an outdoors workshop for Grek and Petal

ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)16:15 No. 118461 ID: c16184
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"What prevents you from reporting back?"
"I haven't destroyed the evil I was sent out to destroy. I need to keep watch."
"Tell me about the cleansing ritual."
"That is only for when evil has been destroyed. We scrub down the buildings with sunblessed water to prevent evil spirits from settling in."

I doubt boasting about my achievements will aid our relationship. I may as well leave him to his camp. He obviously has strict orders to follow.
Muschio will be able to assure him and his mentor that Grey will be in good hands.

So shall I return to my other duties?

Considering your base was haunted that doesnt sound like the worst idea.

>>118461
Unless his 'mentor' is that Malto-hating revolutionary Volto woman you liberated a mount from, Ridder.

Be prepared for this possibility. If it is her and she comes by when the Prince is visiting, I can only forsee bad things.

These paladins don't sit right with me, Ridder.

Someone who intends to kill someone because they are perceived as evil may not be good at all.

Someone who wants to kill someone because their views differ from the victim surely is evil.

>>118467

Good intentions, Wrong actions.

Common plight of the Paladin.

>>118467

Therefore, the Paladins must commit suicide!

Or something.

End of Chapter 18 ℜidder 2010/01/25(Mon)16:41 No. 118473 ID: c16184
File 126446648280.png - (120.95KB , 700x700 , c18-28.png )

There is little I can do now. Hopefully Timotei's mentor has more authority to make decisions.

For now I best return to my own followers.

I am just glad we didn't have to fight. Little Geppa will get her chance.

>>118415
Ridder, why did you call Iesgip Sticks?

>>118461
hmm. He says destroy the evil. If you reform Geppa, wouldn't that also count as destroying the evil that infests her?

Be careful about working with paladins. They can easily go from protecting people and destroying evil to "cleansing" anything they don't agree with.

>>118478

Slip of the tongue. He's got her on his mind, after all.

>>118525

Very much this. They've got a good history about them, but then again, that usually entails a lot of innocent blood that goes unmentioned.

I hate to say it, but we must protect Geppa first, and possibly give Timotei a sound thumping on the head should he try something stupid.

And if his mentor is that Volto women... even worse. We'll have to deal with that problem.

Ye gods. What if she and Mushio somehow wind up at the same time?

That would not be good.

Anyone else realize that Tim is going to be waiting outside when Muschio comes to visit? Tim will see him and go "YOU HAVE HUGE EVIL! SMITE AND CLEAVE!"

Tim seems brainwashed to me.

Just sayin'.

It's odd that he was sent out here specifically to kill Geppa. How did he know about her and that you were not going to killing her? Why was he so unfazed at finding you here? It seems he was briefed on the situation and told to come kill the evil, but how did they even know before sending someone in?
It seems that the The Sentinel is attempting a hostile take-over of the entire continent, and you and the "Knight Blades" are in their way. When they became aware of the failure of the Fangs and found that you were still keeping Geppa they sent Timotei out in hopes of you and he clashing over the issue.

>>117906
Anyone notice the feather-helmets torching Geppa's home?

I believe their "no-mercy, no-tolerance" bit is a little extreme... Nothing is black and white, and trying to force such an idea will create more chaos than order. "no-mercy" doesn't sound very righteous at all!

I'd guess if he sees your allies he's gonna try to slaughter them.

>>118625

While that does seem to make a great deal of sense. Maybe they just have someone in their ranks who is VERY sensitive to their sense evil skill.