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Post by Bowyer on Sept 6, 2018 1:40:08 GMT
"So it will be difficult." A flat expression on his face. "It is still our best chance to begin. We need an army and Crimson's scant plan is the best we have. You said yourself that Valora would be of no use to us. And I doubt Cragspur would be receptive to us at the moment or soon enough won't be. Better to wait a short time before we pursue any avenue with them. They will be more willing to listen once things have rested for some time."
Stones were rolling in his head. Were there any other options? "There are those....shards of our power...Perhaps we work on finding those? I would much prefer the army but we are....weak at the moment."
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Post by masterblade007 on Sept 7, 2018 5:05:29 GMT
"We could also just... go home?" Lootbox suggested, shrugging at the other options. "There's a massive war going on. War displaces people of all sorts. Refugees that would be loyal to any old sod with land for them to place homes on. And, as it so happens, unclaimed land is literally our ONLY asset!"
There was also the matter of thieves and pirates; for all intents and purposes, it seemed the southern coast was safest from Illusio's wrath. Civilization still had roots there, and thus, trade to be pillaged. Give those pirates a home and that's an army in itself. Combine it with all the fleeing bodies could lead to a lucrative kingdom if one was willing to give it structure.
"We have one other asset; time. Dunno about you, but godship usually implies agelessness. We could set these peasants to work for us, show them a smile, and maybe have loyal zealots to us godkings in one or two generations. But that requires us to NOT rush into a war with an army of three people and no moneys."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 7, 2018 17:52:21 GMT
"I am pretty sure it is all claimed," Crimson chitters, as (ha) dryly as she can manage. "Claimed by the swamp. It is certainly no place that I would choose to live."
"As for people and time... you saw these people, how they reacted," she points out, crossing both sets of arms. "The ones that would desire escape, new land, they would not do so while one that seems like their hated enemies would be around. Not to mention, the same time that we would have to build up forces, so would others. We would be just as bad off. No... just waiting will not likely work. And we do not even know if we will not perish from age, especially not as we are." She stands silent, pondering, before having a thought. "Perhaps the best way to go about doing things would be trying to build ourselves up. If we cannot take on an army as we are now... then maybe we can manage to find other shards, build up some more impressive power, that does not struggle against a mere village. So that we can deal with this ourselves. And perhaps we will find servants in that journey. The only issue would be finding where the shards are..."
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 11, 2018 2:50:42 GMT
Iwakashi grinds to a halt as Lootbox brings up more than fair points. They weren't going to be able to stop an army by themselves. Even if they had a little more help it would still be a futile effort. "I forget that I don't have an army at my back anymore. We should withdraw. Building an army was never my strong suit, merely honing it to a fine edge. I don't know how we're going to turn that swamp into a livable land but perhaps....more Croagunk or the like would help. They seem sturdy and able. If we don't prove ageless, at least one of use will still live for a time."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 12, 2018 10:54:56 GMT
With a bit more discussion, it is decided the scouting attempt is at a close, with incursion to be made again later. With no army to trail back to your impromptu country, nor any indication of an allegiance the strike against a lone village, single murder for foodstuffs, and overall presence is confusing. Mildly upsetting even, but no retaliatory action is forthcoming nor do the dogs of war bite at your heels in your retreat.
Blessedly, the journey home is a relaxing one by comparison to the journey to Cragspur. You eat well and have foodstuffs remaining on your return to the swamp. You go thoroughly unmolested and find your host directing Bibarel in building a mud wall around the castle to block out the seawater from flooding in when the rest of it is drained. "Here I had assumed the last of you, it has been nearly five days." He rumbles from his balcony.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 12, 2018 17:48:30 GMT
"You should not write us off so swiftly," Crimson says, lamenting the return of the swampland... but it looks as if there's been some progress made with that regard. "You've been busy, though, I see." She looks around. "We'll have to progress much more, however. We learned... concerning things. My kin have been spreading throughout the land. And I am not yet strong enough to wrest control back from whomever is the usurper there. So, we may have to prepare for an invasion at some point."
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Post by masterblade007 on Sept 12, 2018 18:10:46 GMT
"Won't be much of an invasion. Let them dig a tunnel here; we could use a drain or two."
It appeared as though Kingsy had the right idea with these ones. Look at them! An adorable workforce of tiny beavers! Poor things didn't look particularly bright, but that mattered not. Beggars can't be choosers, or at least when there aren't any marks worth choosing.
In all seriousness, however, getting the castle invasion-ready wouldn't be too bad a plan. While Lootbox had a good hunch that a tunneling nation would mark them as low priority, he had less confidence that the displaced wouldn't take a shot at it out of desperation. An army WOULD have to be acquired. Which, for the mimic, meant tracking down more of those delightfully-devious-looking frogs to conscript into a militia.
But first, a day of rest. He earned it! "I missed you too, Kingsy! Have you perchance pulled up a spare chair from the murk yet? My standards are lower than ever, and a stump would be akin to a throne at this point."
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 14, 2018 20:19:54 GMT
Iwakashi surveys the wall that the Bibarel are building. It was crude but serviceable. Or at least waterproof enough that there'd be little risk of further flooding. The old king was industrious as his workers it seemed. Much more so than the three of them had been. Yes they had learned much but little had been gained. A disappointing outcome.
"We should be safe from raids for the time being. Wars are started to take what someone else has." And they had very little. Something else that would need to change. The swamp dwelling Pokemon could perchance change that. "How did you manage to convince these Pokemon to aid you? Some hidden enticement? There is much to be done and knowledge is precious."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 15, 2018 14:08:57 GMT
The skeleton considered Crimson for a moment with his empty sockets but did not answer her quip. He had written off many in his time here. Often correctly. "No chair that isn't more rotted then the last. Stone and mud, minus a foray into Yaksha to poach lumber." He spoke in a gravelly voice. "They follow because I hunted down and subjugated their leader. Alpha Pokemon are strong, and others of it's kind will fall into step behind it with a display of power."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 15, 2018 19:08:50 GMT
"I see. That makes sense," Crimson says. Pokémon were something she'd never particularly bothered with before, bar as food. And humans... well, you kill one of them, several more will just start to work immediately to take their place. It creates chaos, rather than loyalty. It's something that will have to be considered in the future.
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 18, 2018 1:47:14 GMT
Alpha Pokemon? That would have been useful knowledge before they went traipsing around half of Ransei. A lost opportunity. But there was still opportunity. Iwakashi asks sharply of his Croagunk, "Do you know what Lord Yosei speaks of? Was there one that you followed before we met?" If the Reserved had a former commander, it would give him something to work with. Training the toads would help him feel more grounded with the changes godhood brought.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Sept 22, 2018 12:24:21 GMT
"Yeah, he goes by Shuma." The Croagunk stops before giving much detail at all, sharing a very long stare with Iwakashi. When it is clear this wasn't going to stop any time soon he finally continues. "Lives out in the mud pots, sort of a mix of tidal pool and geyser. Been around a long time, s'all bloated. Keeps the prettiest girls to himself, that whole thing." The Pokemon lazily glances to the side.
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 23, 2018 7:31:20 GMT
Iawakashi's stare betrays impatience as the Croagunk keeps him waiting. He'd spoken to it of breaking the habit but it had persisted. But he had gained some valuable knowledge. "If you could lead us there, then perhaps we could have ourselves another unit of useful hands." He glances at the drooping Lootbox. "Saved for tomorrow. We'll need to be in prime shape if we are to challenge this alpha and claim our prize."
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Post by masterblade007 on Sept 23, 2018 11:43:45 GMT
"We don't need to challenge Shuma, and quite frankly, I don't want to." Lootbox commented, having heard enough to form a plan. So these frogs had a society of alpha dominance. Not only that, a fatal flaw; the alpha had an expectation that ALL the best prizes be for him. The solution was ultimately simple. Don the disguise of another trophy, be claimed into Shuma's entourage, then liberate his treasured brides by usurping his role.
A concubine assassin. The easiest way to stab one's heart is to be given it freely. How quick would these frogs fall in line to the one who so graciously freed the best girls for their arms? "We're going to play dirty. Frog... whatever your name is. Coach me in swamp beauty standards. Tomorrow Shuma will bite off more than he can chew, and I'll choke him for it."
Lootbox would once again melt down into the Croagunk shape he had concocted earlier based on the looks of Iwakashi's minion. Adjust a few curves here, brighten or darken a few colors elsewhere. This could be potent trick...
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 23, 2018 18:06:12 GMT
"Yes, indirect conflict is always preferable," Crimson says, remembering her own path to queenhood. "If you can kill them without them ever knowing you were a threat, that is the best victory that one can have."
"I do wonder, though," she says, "on what exactly I should be doing here. I cannot understand these creatures like you all seem to be able to do - bar Viridian, but I brought her into the Hive... and that is not something that I can do on a regular basis. It is draining. I suppose that I could send her out to scout, and see if there is anything of interest around."
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 24, 2018 3:38:58 GMT
Iwakashi fails to follow what Lootbox means. Laying some sort of trap by imitating a Croagunk, where was the bait? All the same he gestures for his Pokemon to oblige with Lootbox's wishes. "Just hope that whatever you plan allows you to strike fatally. We may not be able to interfere if things take a sour turn. Subterfuge may work for now but at some point we will need to fight in a pitched battle. Getting some experience before then would be good." It would happen someday. Their destiny would come knocking and the three of them must be ready...and Yosei.
"Scouting from above would be a valuable endeavor. I doubt there is much to find in this muck but it would give us a bit of notice if some group did come to seek us out." But her question does leave him put out. What was he to do whilst this preparation for tomorrow was going on? Eventually he resolves to aid the Bibarell. He'd built walls before....but mud was not his preferred choice of building material.
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Post by Robot on Sept 24, 2018 12:59:42 GMT
Apparently in frog society, the most attractive females were the best fed, and brightest colored to show off their toxicity, who knew. With some coaching, Lootbox develops a suitable lure, and the ire of Iwakashi's minion. What was the point of crafting such a beauty if she couldn't be enjoyed. A crime, a horrible, horrible crime.
Iwakashi's efforts add discarded stone from the castle itself to the mud wall, reinforcing it and helping progress along. The Bibarel seem intent to work around him, but observe what he is doing, even pausing in their work to curiously push at the stones embedded in the mud, chittering amongst themselves. Yosei turned to Crimson as the other two went about their respective businesses. "There may be something you can do... while you were away a small group of exceptionally... dense.. Pokemon opted to settle against the east wall. Clearing them before the drainage wall reaches them would be ideal."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 24, 2018 20:59:57 GMT
"It figures," Crimson chitters, "that this place would lay desolate for many years, and yet only now that someone's trying to actually do something here would they move in." How inconvenient. "I will go and see what I can do to dislodge them, though."
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Post by masterblade007 on Sept 24, 2018 23:36:31 GMT
The world was filled with many vibrant mushrooms, caps shining in vibrant colors like wonderful candy. One bite, and its offspring finds a new corpse to decompose. Beauty is the worst of curses, both to the beautiful and to those who hold it as a virtue to ascend to. For eyes lead one to traps the mind could avoid if it were not ignored.
Tomorrow, Lootbox would visit the camp of this Shuma. The mimic's presence would be a poison to the alpha's leadership, inciting jealousy from kinsmen of how they were deprived by past greed. With fresh wounds, questions may float about as to Shuma's legitimacy; whether they would want to follow one that takes treasured gems while already having a horde of their own.
These answers would then be answered once and for all, with Shuma's murder proving his weakness. And a new leader would rise up, appeasing the masses with the relinquishing of the old alpha's brides to new hands. All for one simple price; loyalty to the King of Thieves.
This is a trick that had worked well when recruiting lesser bandits into his underground empire; Lootbox was eager to see how well it worked in the courts of beasts.
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Post by Bowyer on Sept 26, 2018 3:13:23 GMT
Ignoring the curious Pokemon for a moment, Iwakashi continues his work on the wall. But eventually the chittering and shifting of stones out of position drives him to berate them. "Leave those be," Expertly shifting a stone back into it's proper space, "Once the wall hardens these will provide extra support. Small defense if our enemies come attacking. It's not much but dredge up enough stone to do it properly. But it will do for now." He goes back to his task motions exaggerated. Bah what good would it do to talk to these Bibarrel. He couldn't understand them as he did Croagunk. It was probably wasted breath.
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