Guys there's not...there's not a write in option. Like it's a choice of "either/or" and they're already, like, sorta angling in more on the prestige and trophy aspect too rather than just cold hard fiscal value. Basically what I'm saying is that if the most obvious third options isn't put down as an option for IC reasons like it kinda-

It kinda gets a bit weird if you put it in anyway.
look i just want eldo to stumble over his words while inviting this VERY BUFF duo home and accidentally refer to it as a shagpad

because it is where he make-a de fuk
 
[x] Tala deserves the lamp. She destroyed the armoured elementals, used her unique powers to set up the killing throw for Datu, and is your brand new boyfriend's sister so maybe you shouldn't antagonise her the very first time you meet her. More to the point, if she gets the lamp you'll probably never have to see it again. On the other hand, immediately siding with his sister over him may not be the best way to kick off a relationship with Datu.
 
Guys I mean I do like Tala too and I'm not, like, gonna hysterically beg for it or anything. But y'do realize that we're basically passing on a pretty sizeable metaplot hook and, like, guaranteeing that it's going to crop up again in an unexpected context and shit. Plus there hasn't been much, like, selling on the benefits of stiffing (eyyy) Datu especially considering that he's the last-ish LI we're going to collect because the Plutocracy one is almost definitely going to bring us into contact with the Dragonslayer and Takara's hatching a plan with the bull guy. And bbbeeeyond that that's pretty much all the spots accounted for?
 
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Guy I mean I do like Tala too and I'm not, like, gonna hysterically beg for it or anything. But y'do realize that we're basically passing on a pretty sizeable metaplot hook and, like, guaranteeing that it's going to crop up again in an unexpected context and shit. Plus there hasn't been much, like, selling on the benefits of stiffing (eyyy) Datu especially considering that he's the last-ish LI we're going to collect because the Plutocracy one is almost definitely going to bring us into contact with the Dragonslayer and Takara's hatching a plan with the bull guy. And bbbeeeyond that that's pretty much all the spots accounted for?

Given Datu is down 4 poly I'm hoping that stiffing him will lead to him spending more time with Jun-Ho which is good because Jun-Ho also deserves a bunch of boyfriends
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.

I DEMAND PLOT!

and I demand to see Makram react like we've brought a new kitten home.
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.

Maaaaaaaybe beating the piss out of her cleansed Maram and she'll be totally fine if she ever boots up?
 
"(Eldingar?)" Jun-ho murmurs.

"(Mhm?)"

"(That's a lady aquean, right?)"

"(Yes. They have the slimmer head-fins and wider hips. And tend to be bigger than males of equivalent age and fitness.)"

"(... Eldingar?)"

"(Mm?)"

"(I think I'm bisexual now.)"

Are you trying to kill me? I choked on nothing. Jesus Christ.
 
Wait, so is he saying the djiin is or isn't likely to pop out in a similar state? Because if its going to be more freaky rapey water elemental we shoukd probably just reduce it into exotic materials than risk it.

Also are we going to get our asses handed to us EVERY time we fight? Its kinda frustrating if the only workable option is "run away and have someone protect you"
 
"(That's a lady aquean, right?)"

"(Yes. They have the slimmer head-fins and wider hips. And tend to be bigger than males of equivalent age and fitness.)"

"(... Eldingar?)"

"(Mm?)"

"(I think I'm bisexual now.)"
I may come from precisely the other end of this, but I understand you perfectly Jun-ho.

"Because we can't split the lamp," Datu and Tala answer in perfect unison.

"(oh okay sorry ignore me)"
Oh how dare they make my baby sad

[Y] Yes you can! You are a mighty dragon and with your definitely invincible lightning breath you will heat up the lamp to a point where it can be broken in two, after which both siblings get half. This is definitely the most fair course of action and is -without a doubt- a good idea.

But more seriously. it seems our sharkpeople have forgotten that there's actually three treasures in this room.

[X] Tala deserves the lamp. She destroyed the armoured elementals, used her unique powers to set up the killing throw for Datu, and is your brand new boyfriend's sister so maybe you shouldn't antagonise her the very first time you meet her. More to the point, if she gets the lamp you'll probably never have to see it again. On the other hand, immediately siding with his sister over him may not be the best way to kick off a relationship with Datu.

Tala gets the useless yandere lamp, Datu gets the two most handsomest and cutest dragons in the kingdom. This is also definitely a fair split and a good idea.
 


[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
There's actually a legitimate reason: if we bring it back to our lair we can have Makram, Issachar, and Abzu take a look at it as creepy as the thing fucking is. And if it's going to pop out or try to make a break for it it's better that it happens there around- well around professionals and Eldingar. And Tala's probably hard enough to fuck up anything that crawls back out, especially without all this built up black water to draw upon, but I still get the sense that the rising underground sea is a fairly new development. Plus it means that now she has an excuse to come bother us and the other guys/nb besides just for the sake of annoying her brother.
...Welp. This is actually pretty fair, along with the other post. As much as my gut reaction is to get rid of the thing, keeping it does make for a more interesting story. Changing vote.

[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
don't make me expose my kink powerlevel here zerban i beg of you
 
But y'do realize that we're basically passing on a pretty sizeable metaplot hook and, like, guaranteeing that it's going to crop up again in an unexpected context and shit.
Better to fuck up deliberately now, where it's under some control?
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
Chapter Thirty-Four: There Are Some Things That Should Probably Be Left To The Professionals No Matter How Much Of A Dragon You Are
I thought as much. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to call it.
"And that plan is 'attack'!" you say resolutely, balling your free claw into a tight fist.
I'm sorry Eldingar, you haven't built enough power armour to be Tony Stark.
"I... should tell you..." you grunt through gritted fangs, straining so hard to fear the tendril will pull your arm from its socket, "I'm... spoken for... many times over..."
See, that was much better! The boy's got some sass.
you strike the marid's icewall ass-first with a heavy thud and finally go still. Your tail flops between your legs and hits you in the face.
Admittedly, the follow-through needs some work.
You raise your arms and he obliges, grabbing your claws and hoisting you back to your feet with a grunt of effort. You spin around to face the rest of the proceedings feeling, you hope, a bit less punch-drunk. Just in time to witness your saviour skidding to a stop before you, eddies of wind rippling all around him, and recalling his spear. He's standing before you in a fighter's crouch, one arm raised as if to ward the two of you from approaching, but you smell the magic in the air before you even see it. His arm, rough grey sharkskin wrapped tight around bulging muscle, is tattooed from shoulder to wrist in regular geometric patterns. Solid bands of ink, diamonds for texturing, shapes like zephyrs of wind emerging from the negative space in places. Black turns to luminous teal as his spear yanks itself from the lip of the fountain and goes spinning through the air back to his webbed, clawed hand with a meaty thwack. The weapon in question looks to have been carved from a single piece of bone from some wretched deep-sea monster - with, curiously enough, three recesses for Arosan-style runestones in the shaft. You manage to glimpse the wind rune he has slotted before he lowers the spear and adjusts his grip, holding the weapon at the ready.

He looks back over his shoulder at the two of you, shooting you a wide shark-toothed grin. "Gents." A grey-and-white aquean with the brightest turquoise eyes you've ever seen, absolutely rippling with muscle - and you can tell because good lord is he not wearing much. A necklace of runestones, a single belt over his shoulder for carrying pouches, a large metal stud set in the leather just below his dorsal fin, and little more than a swimsuit - one that has to ride scandalously low to make room for his shark-tail at that. Reducing drag in the water is one thing, but really now. With that much skin exposed you can see his legs are inked just like his arm, subtly different patterns but definitely the same overall style, extending straight up over his rear and past his hips like some strange pair of tattooed-on tights.

He notices where you're looking. He clicks his tongue twice and winks at you. You'd be blushing hard enough to blow the scales off your face if you could.
oh hey it's sharkboy and-
A dozen spears of translucent white force rain down, like the ghost of a squad of javelin-throws decided to join the party all of a sudden. Each 'knight' gets three apiece, icy armour cracking and fracturing like glass around the points of impact, briefly stymied in their inexorable march. Another shape lands beside your rescuer. This one is even bigger, even broader, even more muscular. It rises to its full height a head taller than him in all, dressed just like him, hide the same grey-and-white.

"Really?" he says.

She raises one arm as if flexing, webbed hand curled into a fist. She has her own tattoos, a pair of sleeve tattoos with subtly different patterns, flowing up over her shoulders and wrapping around her chest and back, even around her neck and throat, only stopping at the jawline and base of her skull. The bicep strains against the rough hide, the ink on her right arm flaring flame-orange, and all at once the spears embedded in the creatures explode with bright flashes of flame and bursts of heat. The ice-armoured things, whatever they were, are splattered in all directions, only oily stains remaining as proof they were ever there. The aquean woman's arm actually ripples from the recoil, as if she threw a physical punch.

"Yep," she finally replies.
/me staaaaares

Somehow I feel like this is @TheOneMoiderah 's work.

Still though, the Sharknado Twins are good civ.
"(Eldingar?)" Jun-ho murmurs.

"(Mhm?)"

"(That's a lady aquean, right?)"

"(Yes. They have the slimmer head-fins and wider hips. And tend to be bigger than males of equivalent age and fitness.)"

"(... Eldingar?)"

"(Mm?)"

"(I think I'm bisexual now.)"

"(Shush, it doesn't work that way,)" you say, refraining from making any comments about your own confused sexuality.
i mean

it could. Jun-ho deserves the love.
"A-bup-bup-bup that's not up for discussion right now," you say quickly, cutting the aquean off.
don't lie eldingar, it's totally up for discussion.
"Fair enough!" Datu extends his hand, waiting for Jun-ho to hesitantly do likewise. He clamps down hard on the eastern dragon's claw and shakes enthusiastically. "Loosen up a little. Cute guy like you doesn't have the right to be so shy."

"O-oh that's- I mean- (eheehee~)" Jun-ho mumbles in a completely disgusting fashion. Datu lets go of his claw and pats him on the shoulder.
See! This adorable kiddo deserves only the best in life.
"This here is my brand new boyfriend uh- what's your name?"

"Eldingar."
Perfection.
look i just want eldo to stumble over his words while inviting this VERY BUFF duo home and accidentally refer to it as a shagpad

because it is where he make-a de fuk
Not so far it isn't! :V

[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.

gib plot plz
 
@ZerbanDaGreat Could we have a third option just this once?

I mean at the very least, maybe Maram deserves a chance to pick her own master this time, instead of being passed around as booty.
 
A dozen spears of translucent white force rain down, like the ghost of a squad of javelin-throws decided to join the party all of a sudden. Each 'knight' gets three apiece, icy armour cracking and fracturing like glass around the points of impact, briefly stymied in their inexorable march. Another shape lands beside your rescuer. This one is even bigger, even broader, even more muscular. It rises to its full height a head taller than him in all, dressed just like him, hide the same grey-and-white.
She raises one arm as if flexing, webbed hand curled into a fist. She has her own tattoos, a pair of sleeve tattoos with subtly different patterns, flowing up over her shoulders and wrapping around her chest and back, even around her neck and throat, only stopping at the jawline and base of her skull. The bicep strains against the rough hide, the ink on her right arm flaring flame-orange, and all at once the spears embedded in the creatures explode with bright flashes of flame and bursts of heat. The ice-armoured things, whatever they were, are splattered in all directions, only oily stains remaining as proof they were ever there. The aquean woman's arm actually ripples from the recoil, as if she threw a physical punch.
"Yep," she finally replies.
The woman drives her knuckles into her open palm and cricks her neck.
Another tendril comes flying like a black spear in its own right, aiming to spit the woman straight through the chest. She ducks to the side, a dodge somehow both brutal and graceful, not a second of movement wasted. The man hurls his spear and it strikes true, lodging deep as it ices over the tip of the tentacle where it struck. The woman twists, conjuring another spear of her own, driving it into and straight through the frozen limb with her own strength, moving on beyond the blast radius before detonating it.
Shout-out to Tala though
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
[X] Datu deserves the lamp. He saved you from getting made into its new registered master, whatever that means (nothing good), made the throw that blew up the marid, and is your brand new boyfriend whom you may have to live with very soon. On the other hand it was a team effort, and if he gets the lamp that potentially means bringing it back to your lair and you really don't want to see that thing again as long as you live.
 
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