Death Among the Stars Quest 52

I don't think they are

I'm not sure the masked are behind this. Yes they like messing with us but only when the fates of entire civilizations are in the balance

They were all sharded after we got them out of system 88 after the flat odor in the offing dropped smoke grenades on them

Also reread Jor looking at the immortals rustling leaves sounds, familiar

I kinda, reread the whole quest this week >.>

And with a meeting with the elder trees to secure our alliance

Still we need to find them

Your home system grows ever crowded. Your own fleet arrayed throughout and in construction with the fleet of captive ships held docked among the already mined sections of the asteroid belt or parked on the moon. Yet it grows even more crowded as the black hulled ships of the Blackscale fleet exit from warp in orbit over Horizon's Drop, their flagship Pestilence a dark stain against the sun behind it.

As your blackscale cabal retreats to the refuge of your home system you are deep below Iti'a'Ropku where no living being besides Jor dared tread. Arrayed before you was a line tanks once filled with bubbling necrotic fluid and holding the Immortals but now empty and silent. Waving a hand ten domination spikes lift from the tanks and float toward you and you inspect them as Jor stands nearby silently.

Finally you speak out, the human jumping at the sound, "There was no footage of their disappearance?" you ask despite knowing the answer.

Nodding Jor points to the clusters of eyes and sensors hidden behind bubbles of opaque glass hidden along the walls, "The memories the Deep Rot just show they were in their tanks but then their shadows grew faint until they disappeared and I was alerted by the Think Tanks. The Spikes were found at the bottom of the tanks. I-I'm sorry, Lord Jadyk," the man says with regret in his voice and looking down, "I should have brought you immediately to them."

The spikes float to lay down in a perfect row on a nearby table of surgical tools, "Do not fret, Jor. I doubt there would've been much we could have done," you say as he looks up in surprise, "You said you heard leaves when you first saw them?"

He nods, "Uh, yes. I didn't think much of it, I, uh, there are many strange sounds in Iti'a'Ropku," he says with a frown.

"Worrisome," you say as you feel the wooden mask hidden within your armor shift, "Very worrisome indeed."

We should probably subtly hint at Jor about te mask "Jor when I am absent you may be approached by entities, know this they will not lie to you but they will not tell you the whole true, also know that talking openly about them make them very angry... Now I have plans for more cities to it all our citizens where do you suggest we build

I fucking knew they didn't have spikes!

Full alert! With the blackscales here and the elder trees coming I see too many things that could go very very wrong

This,
Find them nigga

Coffins containing the restrained and comatose Sunscale prisoners begin transporting them to the Blackscale while a singular one containing a group of rather unlucky Worker caste travels to the moon of Horizon's Drop where Lorgul, Nekris, and Valresko await to begin their own Weapon Bonding Rituals.

There is a brief message from Buddy reporting in on his mission to the Confederate world of Veraga Prime. With the Wick parked in a rental dock they had gone out to the bustling markets of the trade-hub world. It wasn't hard for them to find buyers interested in the standard farmed kelp, eventually getting possible contracts with legitimate food companies that would sell and distribute harvests of kelp as a food supplement. Yet they have had luck contacting a representative of one of the planets local drug-rings after bribing a customs official and letting them sample the narcotikelp. He says they were meeting with them the next day and would report back with the results quickly.

Your prison wardens report that there was a large number rallying and demanding to speak to you or the Voidsinger Commander, the crowds whipped up by the Osjiic Roktir and the Confederate Captain Dretst. To their credit they had kept the protesting peaceful beyond the nearly uncontrollable Tyrre who were growing more furious by the day in their confinement and were rallying behind a particularly violent Tyrre that had to be subdued constantly.

Your new Necromancer apprentices rested after their night of gluttony but soon they're visited by a Think Tank to begin their lessons in the history and language of the Wormstar. Lessons the stonestars find quite amusing but focus on the written half of the language in their absence of a proper singing voice.

There was much to do and tend to. What shall you do first?
>Tell Jor about the Masked
>Speak with Blackscale about cloning project
>Speak with prisoners
>Attempt to contact Masked
>Diplomacy (Who?)
>Create troops
>Create shops
>Other

Tell jor about the masked then take care of the angry prisoners

>>Speak with prisoners

Warn Jor
Then prisoners
Then black sale

This

>>Speak with prisoners

"Do you remember when I asked you so long ago about the legend of the Masked?" you ask as you drift down the hall sitting in the air with legs crossed, Jor walking by your side.

He glances at you then down as his staff taps the ground as he walks, "I do," he is silent a moment then continues before you could speak, "Do you suspect it was them?"

Impressed by his intuition you nod, "That is my guess although I have learned they do not like to be spoken of freely. I suspect you may be visited by them in the future. Know they do not appear to outright lie but you will never gain the full truth. Their offers and deals always have an unseen price."

He stops walking to look at you and you turn to face him, "What should I do if they contact me?"

You point a talon at his chest, "They seem to be a personal obstacle every being of significance in this universe must face on their own. I cannot influence your interaction with them but know I trust your discretion and loyalty," you say with a dismissive wave of the hand and resume your trip down the dark hallways, light crystals illuminating in the walls as you neared and fading as you passed.

Jor catches up to you and is silent for some time before speaking, "Thank you, Lord Jadyk."

You look at him curiously, "For?"

He gives a small grin, "For trusting in me. With everything."

The prisoners of the various different factions you've faced are rallying behind several former officers. The Osjiic Lance-Commander Roktir allying himself with the Vorh Captain Dretst gathering both Osjiic, former Confederate troops and even Ahkam soldiers to their sides. The third was a vicious Tyrre who had slaughtered several of his own kind and broken a troll guard in an attempted escape. He was now riling up the other tyrre and more brutal of the Osjiic and Ahkam soldiers.

All three demand to either speak with you, a General, or even calling for the Voidsinger Commander of the Necrolytes but they refuse to divulge their grievances to the Think Tanks that attempted to speak with them.

>Speak to them yourself
>Bring the Voidsinger Commander
>Send a General (Who?)
>Send only the Voidsinger Commander
>Other

>>Speak to them yourself

>>Speak to them yourself
This is a matter we should handle ourselves.

>Speak to them yourself

Easier to get people to serve you if they feel that they've got a handle on who they're working for.

>Speak to them yourself
>Bring the Voidsinger Commander
Recruitment time

Oh, changing my vote to add
>Bring the Voidsinger Commander

I didn't really understand that option correctly.

Seconding

All will serve it's merely a matter if finding how best to apply then

Idea for our meeting with the armotocere. We should create more glutton spheres and attune then to necrotic energy and bring them to the meeting along with a cloning men of dirges

I he the feeling either wraiths or the immortals will be there to upset the party so it would be good to have a set up that could deal with those outcomes

Also does Jaydk remember how to battle wraiths?

Contingent of dirges*

The vorh woman looks out a port of the Coffin she and the other two captives were on at the fleet of necrotic ships they passed. Her mandibles clicked worriedly as she turned away, the Osjiic seated across from her nodding, "The fleets getting larger every time I see it," he says in a low voice.

Dretst nods then glances warily at the tyree fuming silently further back in the shuttles hold. He was held aloft in the telekinetic grip of a Dirge restraining him and thankfully muzzling him as well after his shouting grew to annoy the Pilot Reconstructed.

The Coffin docks with the Charnel Vault and the captives are escorted down dark passages that gave them the more the impression of a mausoleum rather than a starship. Guided by a guard of Shock Trolls they are brought into the large command bridge and brought to stand before you. Pilots line the almost cavernous hall as they tend to holographic screens in their pods on the walls. Your throne perches on an almost delicate looking dais with the Voidsinger Commander standing sternly by its base.

Kyn'tk twists in your grasp as you look down at the three silently. Roktir and the tyrre alpha meet your gaze while Dretst glances about the room, mouthing silently to herself.

Your Voidsinger Commander breaks the silence, "You strand before the Lich-Lord of the New Necrotic Armada. You will kneel in his presence," he commands gruffly.

Dretst, perhaps knowing the futility of resistance, kneels before you and bows her head. Roktir delays a few moments before kneeling as well but keeping his eyes on you. The Tyrre alpha snarls as the Dirges bonds loosen and it stands defiantly. A wave of your hand and he finds himself contorted painfuly against his will to kneel before you with shock on his face.

"You wished to speak with me? Very well, speak," you command simply.

>cont

The osjiic and vorh glance at each other and Dretst makes to speak but the Tyrre bellows out before her, "You are worse than Ahkam! Keeping us prisoner and do not allow us to fight! Where is the honor and pleasure in imprisonment? Give us something to fight! Please!" he almost begs and struggles against the Dirges hold.

Roktir snorts in disgust and speaks up next, "Tyrre are little more than beasts, they live on conflict and go mad if they can't. It's why the Ahkam use them in their vanguards and why I would never trust one to fight by my side," he looks to the Voidsinger, "We hear that you recruit from your prisoners to be soldiers. Many of my troops have come to me saying they wish to join this band of traitors of yours," he glances back to you, "The Empire considers us dead and if we were somehow freed we'd be considered traitors for allowing ourselves to be imprisoned for so long. We have nothing left."

Dretst speaks up finally, "Many of my compatriots feel similar to this Osjiic but there are many others who wish only to be released. They are going mad in your prison, there are much too many down there and fighting is rampant and something must be done," she pleads.

How shall you respond to these pleas?

I have a feeling that the immortals will hijack part of whatever ship we bring and fire on the meeting.
If we bring a ship without combat power then we will be in a situation where we will need it.
Remember, we are dealing with the masked, nomatter what we plan they have a plan for that

Whoever wants to join Legion can while the noncombatants can take residence on Horizon's Drop as workers until they can prove themselves loyal

The tyrre though, I don't know if we should have them be Legionnaires. Maybe make them an arena they can fight out their aggression against each other or reconstructed we can easily repair. Maybe even turn it into sport for the populace and even let Legionnaires join in if they want

We offer those willing to fight a place in the Neceolyte Legion, and anyone else will be given menial jobs in the armada, like manning those hunting outpost on HD or mining.

This essentially

I like te arena idea maybe make a suicide squad for them where mission with high body counts and they have the honour of being at the front

During their down time they get to fight in an arena against reconstructed to keep the crazy at bay but they are at the necrolyte legions discretion to use

Those who simply want to be release will be allowed to work ff their debt

Explain to then the system we have and once the minor debt it paid they are allowed to do as they please so long as they do not cause trouble

Tyrr would be perfect for a weapon testing/arena

Could we... Modify the tyrre to take out the fight crazy. I get the feeling that that is something the Akam put in to make them slave soldiers

Also all for testing our latest creations on them in non lethal combat arenas
Hell we could televise it to the colonists as a combat arena beta and narcotikelp all round

Tyrre biology is naturally like that. Their world is considered a death world to the rest of the galaxy and they evolved an overactive adrenal system. If they don't burn it off regularly, something they would do in their day to day lives hunting and competing with other predators they can become sick and even more emotionally unstable than they are already

Would they be partial to our necrokelp?

And how would they feel about their battle being televised?

Looks like:
>Offer recruitment into the Necrolyte Legion for willing soldiers
>Send non-combatants to work on Horizon's Drop doing menial labor as their sentence with chance of eventual release into the Armada population
>Create an arena for the Tyrre population to fight against Reconstructed and allow the Legion to deploy them as they see fit

Is this acceptable?
>Y/N?

They have not been giving the narcotikelp but they would likely be susceptible to it similar to how it eases the Diver Sunscales sadomasochist tendencies

And we learned nothing new from them?
Mate they are fucking SPACE AUSTRALIANS!

We already have better fighters in every way, but what we don't have is better worshippers! Praying arena! Fucking ya
A prayer arena made of Kelp!
Fucking underwater kelp arena prayer combat! Fuckin ya

As long as the arena invols kelp! Like the plant crown thing the Romans had, but in this case it's kelp

Y to all

Give them necrokelp in their down time and a coliseum to battle in to their hearts content once we are sure the necrokelp can help stop their violent nature and we know they are loyal we let them into the colony on occasions

Necrolytes can use then as see fit but only those who prove themselves worthy through co-operative may be sent on missions

You actually did learn something!

>Berserker Gland: With oversized and redundant adrenal glands units can now enter a berserker state that causes them to move faster and hit harder in melee, able to ignore damage that would cause others to flinch or hesitate. Berserk units will continue to attack until their target is dead or they themselves are destroyed. The intensely physical demands of the Berserker state means a unit can only enter the state once a day and must enter a hibernation to recuperate afterwards. Cost: 3B

These can also be included to exosuits functioning as injectable drugs like the Space Marine Stimpacks from Starcraft

Yeah

Oh, sorry

Y

Also can we make a point to the osjiic and fleet commander by letting them know that we have only been out if iur box for a out 2 months and we are already becoming a mahout player

Y to all. That last option is especially great. Reconstructed are cheap on a small scale, and fighting against Tyrre repeatedly might help us improve our own troop designs.

However, if a Tyrre would rather serve in the Necrolyte Legion they should be free to do so.

I want to see Jadyk teasing other people for how long it took them to get there empire going

mahout is the best autocorrect of major I've seen.

Your talons tap on the armrest of your stone throne as you consider your options, "Did you know I've only been out of my imprisonment for a few months?" you ask to the startled looks of the two former officers then nod to the Voidsinger, "Commander?"

The osjiic steps forward, his necrotic armor leaking ripples of void light across his form, "Those that will fight will join my Necrolyte Legion. The Legion will be your new families and the Armada your only loyalty. All former allegiances and feuds between race or faction will be forgotten or dealt with forcefully. We live our new lives to serve until our deaths where we shall continue to serve in undeath. That is the way of the Necrolyte Legion," he says.

The Osjiic scowls but nods, "There is no other choice."

Dretst clicks her mandibles angrily before answering, "Fine. There really is no other choice is there?"

"There is always a choice in the Armada," the Voidsinger says, "The choice between life and death. Your life will become much simpler once you come to accept this as your fate."

The tyrre alpha snarls and thrashes against the bonds of the Dirge, "What about us!?" he demands loudly.

"I admire the ferocity of the Tyrre and I would be loathe to see that potential wasted. Very well," you jut a finger at the berserker, "You shall have your combat. A colosseum will be constructed and there you will prove the might of the Tyrre as you face my Reconstructed," you proclaim and you could feel the sudden spike of joy surging through the nearly overwhelming rage that permeated his emotions, "Prove yourselves worthy and loyal to the Wormstar and the Armada and in time you may face my enemies."

Laughing their guttural laugh the alpha strains against his bonds in excitement, "Turn us against the Ahkam and we would rip their scales from their bodies for you!" he proclaims and you join his laughing with your own booming voice

Where shall the Colosseum be built?
>Iti'a'Ropku
>Moon of Horizon's Drop

no worries mang

>Iti'a'Ropku

That's that capital, right? If so, there.

It can be a public spectacle, not just a secret research facility. Who is going to get the see the glory of the Tyrre in combat if it's hidden away on a moon?

The Tyrre love it, at least some people would love to watch, and we get the benefits of testing out our Reconstructed designs.

>>Moon of Horizon's Drop
Welcome to the thundermoon

Why have a coliseum where no one can watch it? Build in the the big scull (the big scull is slang for ita'a'ropku because fuck trying to remember how to spell that)

I'd be fine with the moon as long as people can spectate. Is there any way for all the people at the capital to watch?

it would be broadcast and only a coffin ride away to visit in person

Oh. Well in that case I change my vote
Put it on the moon. Make the events more special. I assume we'll have plenty of transport coffins for anyone who wants to attend.

>Iti'a'Ropku
What is a capital city without an arena?

Can we have hover jousting with the chariots?

Nope, keep it in the city. Call it The Bone Zone

In the moon that way it's a special trip and the arena is set to a bak drop of stars

We should build it under a biodome

Oh and I had an idea for some attack drones can they be equipped with hard light shields? So they can act as living shields as well as being able to link together to make a shield wall of hard light

In the city!

City it is

Ambient crystal sponges when?

Might I suggest we organise the gladiators into teams where they have undead team mates so as not to make the games "the dead vs the living" it will also encourage them to work with the undead

>>Iti'a'Ropku
Our new citizens need entertainment.

With Opening Anthem by the Voidknight order

Gold team rules

I was thinking about that, right now the only entertainment the people have right now is betting on the hoverbike races the netu started. Maybe we could back them and make it an official sport of the city, they could have sanctioned Grand Prix races through the streets of Iti'a'Ropku.

Construction begins on the Colosseum addition to Iti'a'Ropku, construction Reconstructed starting to clear out and flatten a ridge of stone for the basis of it on the edge of the city's border.

The Voidsinger motions for the prisoners to be escorted away and they are guided back to their Coffin to bring word back to their compatriots. The osjiic hesitates joining them though and you can almost sense his apprehension even without his domination shard. You look down at him and he meets your gaze and you can see just under the collar of his bone armor his flesh charred and burning with the growing void corruption, "Speak your mind, Commander. This is about the shard yes?"

He looks startled at the bluntness and nods, "Yes. The decay from my voidflame progressed enough that it just fell free one day. The corruption burned a trail to it as if to cut it free of me, its host," he says as he kneels before you, "I am still loyal to you, Lich-Lord Jadyk. I give my life to you and the Necrotic Armada, freely and of my own will. I ask only one thing of you."

"Speak," you command.

"Jor told me of the Immortals. Before the time comes that I am consumed and burned to ash by the Void I would ask that you grant me that gift," he rises to his feet with a flicker of voidlight, "I honor the Voidknights and heed the words of the Voidlord Ghul and Revenant Lorgul but I would not be myself. In the Osjiic Empire I was nothing, a nameless weapon who would only be turned into fuel. With the Armada," he pauses and looks down at his hands and the cauldron forged gauntlets he wore then clenches them into fists and looks up to you, "With the Armada I am a Commander. I am my own being, not a number. I have friends here, Jor and my officers. I have a purpose here and I would see that purpose be eternal."

>The Voidsinger Commander reaffirms his loyalty to the Armada and you
>He also wishes to be made Immortal rather than a Voidknight when his time comes

Do you accept?
>Y/N?

Y
Of course

>>Y
A suitable gift for a loyal soldier.

>Y
Consider it done. Would you like a name since you lost your old one?

This

Y
But warn him of the dangers

pic related

>Ambient Energy Collection: Slow

Research added

That could be very possible. If people like we could even make that official when the Colosseum is opened.

Also last thread I forgot to reply to this but someone reminded me about Reconstructed pets.

Any citizen of the Armada is able to request a necrotic companion for themselves. Examples include but not limited to:
>Individual devouring worm
>Gargoyle (Common or Flat-body)
>Domestic Stalker (Smaller and less toothy)

Hey Smiles, great stuff.
I hate to be annoying with requests but could you draw Jor in his necromancer robes and armor?

"Your loyalty shall be awarded my friend. There was a reason I picked you to lead those that would fight for me. I've known about your missing shard for some time now but I trusted your loyalty," you bow your head respectfully, "And I shall grant your request. Just know, for those with powers of the Void like yourself, the procedure is dangerous and potentially catastrophic. Are you willing to take that chance rather than join the Voidknights? They could make you a full fledged knight, you've more than earned your name and title."

The osjiic shakes his head, "I debated with myself about this choice after Jor told me of the Immortals. It was not a long debate. He told me of the risks and I am willing to face them. There is one other thing the Armada has given me that the Empire could not instill."

You tilt your head inquisitively, "What is that, Voidsinger?"

He let's out a short laugh, "Faith," he gives a respectful bow, "Lord Jadyk," he says before excusing himself to depart with the captives.

Oh man that's cool, and hoverbike races around and in Iti'a'Ropku would be awesome, they could bridge the sections not accessible to them with hardlight highways and dirge lifted bridge segments. Maybe we could even invite some allies to join in at some point.

I believe he already did a sketch of him.

Sure I will see what I can do

That was rather touching

Faith, that pulled the gels train

Now I guess it's time to talk with the black scales and get this clone army underways. Though do we have a better name for them than Greyscales?

So we will have a first among the living and a first of the Immortals

I think they are genetically divided into seperate castes, we might have to stick with either black or sunscales.

The insectoid face of your first host looks up at you, the dark wooden mask in your grasp heavy as ever and just as deceptively lifeless. It was a powerful temptation to don the mask and attempt to contact those that gifted you with the trophy but you slip it discreetly away as the doors to the command bridge slide open and the Blackscale Cabal drifts in on the low gravity.

They each bow before you, Raakah speaking first, "We humbly give thanks for your hospitality, Lord Jadyk."

Beqor grins, his jagged teeth glinting in the light, "Our cousins you turned over to us will be reborn to serve the Wormstar and the Warbloods remade into Knights for your armies."

Guir motions to the bridge around them, "I must say we are quite impressed by your fleet, Lich-Lord. Very fitting of your old stories."

You bow your head to them, "Welcome to Horizon's Drop, Blackscale. This system can be your home as well as long as those living here under my protection are not harmed. My plans for the Armada's future are those of peace and unification among many beings."

The trio of lizard necromancers let out hissing and gurgling laughter but they quickly grow silent as you look down at them in stony silence.

Guir coughs nervously and looks down apologetically, "O-of course, Lord Jadyk. We live to serve the heir of the Wormstar."

"Do not forget this fact. You live because I find you valuable. Follow my laws and continue to provide your worth and you shall have nothing to fear of me and you shall have your place in my Armada," you say and all three bow, "Now, I have need of your knowledge and assistance in a project of mine."

"Yes, Lord Jadyk. What is our task?" Raakah asks almost eagerly

How do you wish to start off the cloning project? Also now is the time for asking the Blackscale questions
>(Write in)

Or race mix all the casts to get greay

How do the castes affect the nature of individual scales? Do you commune with your gods based on genetic predisposition, and if so would a cloned sunscale ever be made to follow a being like me on it's own volition?

The sunscales are fearsome adversaries design in no small part to deal with the necrotic. I wish to harness this power I am building a grand cloning facility to create a living army designed bred and trained to help defend us against those beings and creations specifically created to counter the power necrotic.
How ever I fear their loyalty and dedication to their gods may be more a genetic design than any mere indoctrination, yes? I want your assistance in creating a new species not sunscale not black scale but something that is... Both and neither a living vanguard if you will what are your suggestions and opinions speak freely as I would know opinions on the subject

Also mentional the immortals procedure to them in case they are, interested in shedding their diseased bodies

Might I suggest we incorporate the rods if ruin into all disciple weaponry eg mix it with the reaver staffs and void hammers

We could call them wormscales?

Start off with tissue and workers. ASk them why the sunscales seem so resilient and genetically prone to fight undead. Ask if cloning tissue and grafts/replacements would ease their discomfort.

>Void Hammer+Rod of Ruin
Oh my.