From whence cometh the rust colored dust. Never from gold which cankereth not. Tis the beast, twisted with avarice, that rots away thus. The corpse ever seeketh the dust from which it formed. The spirit ever yearneth to possess the flame eternal. Trapped betwixt heaven and earth the corruption billoweth forth, red as blood.
Gundhram the Reader, Belligerent Knight and Amateur Historian
You could point at a roughhewn table, a flock of pigeons, or the corpses of the Divine Multiplicity that litter the Red City and STILL that utterance would drip with as much truth as it does now.
Prolly not. I think Allison was able to do so not only because she accepted herself, but because she had a Key, so she could punch in the same metaphysical weight class.
I think it’s a combo of acceptance and will. Incubus was planting the seeds of self doubt and you can’t take on your stronger half, cuz you are weak. He seems the type to go for the ones that will let themselves be consumed and he was willing to take a gamble Alice was down and self hating enoghf to believe his bs on top of her own bs and become a power addict.
Actually, Incubus did seem to have an attitude of “you know this is going to blow up in our faces, don’t you?”
Come to think of it, I’m surprised Incubus didn’t pick on the boyfriend instead — from description, he would seem to be much more the Seducer’s type. For that matter, given all the tempations about, how much you want to bet that he comes out as a Little Bad?
Uther "Chaos Angel", Least of Jagganoth's Foreservants
I think her wounds provide a clear enough answer to that. Those we saw in the pit, they actually would die if they weren’t able to will themselves alive with Incubus’ help.
Incubus speaks true, all who accept his “gift” do so ultimately by their own agreement. Although their choices, like his, ultimately find themselves rooted in ever-unreasonable fear. Which is why he will slow Jagganoth, killer of fear, least of all when the time comes.
Well, that’s not terrifying at all. I love all the swords embedded in his neck. I think it’s safe to say cutting his throat is not the way to go. But perhaps she can use them as a ladder to reach his eyes. If she’s bold enough.
Why the eyes? does not their whiteness reveal that the monster is blind already?
Better to pity the crippled veteran of countless wars. No family to visit during the holidays. Hand outstretch for a bit of coin to ease the emptiness inside. Can you pass by without compassion?
Who would dare attack such as Mammon with a plebeian weapon? And no doubt over time they’ve all been encrusted with jewels and gold simply by impacting and aggregating the rest of his horde/ecology.
For some dragons, swords embedded into the hide are symbols of status. If a wurm should have that many blades, it proves it is a wurm that is feared. That they remain embedded, and the beast still alive, means the wurm is powerful enough to crush its enemies.
For a being as great and terrible as a dragon, collecting weapons lodged in the scales is as much Hoard-Making as the coin heaped in its den.
Oh, no, Cutting his throat works just fine. These idiots clearly were not masters of Cutting, however. Looks like a hack-job that a lot of people took a stab at.
ENTERING the dragon just might be the wrong approach to take here.
Most dragons are quite happy to have adventurers enter them, particularly if said adventurers have been seared first for a few seconds on each side to seal in the juices.
Al-Yisun re-discovers humanities foibles, each wound a kiss, a footstep on the journey from cradle to grave. It was this that gave her contrast between the life of king and commoner or so it is recorded.
Well that was quick. Hello there mister dragon.
And the wounds *reappear* when she stops healing them magically? Ouch.
Yeah, I think that the silver-haired and scarred Alison from the christmas break picture is the “canon” Alison for the next arc. I wonder how many scars she’ll have by the end.
To stand at the head of the hierarchy of being requires a truly Enlightened being. Achieving that Enlightenment requires no less than the scouring flame. The being passing into a crucible, that burns away all impurities. Until what once was lead – and was once putrefacted into dross – strides forth from the furnace shining and Gold. A being whose spirit alone acts as catalyst for effecting change upon the surrounding environs.
Any monarch who cannot claim to have endured this crucible is, at worst, a delusional pretender. At best, a steward, faithfully keeping the throne warm for True Royalty. Such is the way of things.
It seems our hero is going to have vanquish the dragon before rescuing our beloved Cio… A classic form of love story, yes?
However, gods like these don’t die easy. It’ll be interesting to see what our heroine can pull off here.
…Or maybe Yabalchoath will have to settle some scores.
You think Cio was the first or last to try to kill the Demiurge of Avarice? Dragons are there to be targets of proud and righteous knights. To have no enemies is a grave insult to dragon kind, as it implies the wurm is of so little importance as to be beneath the notice of warriors.
Therefore, I ask that you not insult Mammon’s honor by implying such. That is just rude.
The Young King’s intention to find her travelling companion gives me hope. But will the imp be willing to forgive? And will they find their prize of the false heir? And what of the dragon?
My thoughts exactly! Though I guess can I see Abbadon’s narrative intent, if she’s lost the deal’s benefits–we can’t let Allison control all that raw power yet, since her coming-of-age tale has yet to even reach its middle (if we’re to assume the midway point is Allsion realizing her boyfriend is NOT the prophesied King after all–which it might not be).
Still, I was kinda hoping at least SOME of that power-up juice would carry over. Maybe it did, but not noticeably so? I guess we’ll see soon enough.
Though the bones of their former owners do not last as long as their once-held steel, dragons will collect and adorn themselves with this metal. The collected steel of course does not last as long as the gold in the horde, glittering idly in the gloom where captured and lost among the scales of the beast. It’s still questionable if the gold in the horde lasts longer than the dragon or not, for the dragon must be slain first to see what happens to the gold.
Hence, the collected steel.
The treasure to be found is that of self unity. The dragon who guards it is fear. There are many weapons to fight the foe, compassion, understanding, and courage count among the finest.
Behold: the divine corpse.
From whence cometh the rust colored dust. Never from gold which cankereth not. Tis the beast, twisted with avarice, that rots away thus. The corpse ever seeketh the dust from which it formed. The spirit ever yearneth to possess the flame eternal. Trapped betwixt heaven and earth the corruption billoweth forth, red as blood.
You could point at a roughhewn table, a flock of pigeons, or the corpses of the Divine Multiplicity that litter the Red City and STILL that utterance would drip with as much truth as it does now.
Could any of Incubus’ ‘victims’ reverse the change by accepting themselves for who they are?
Prolly not. I think Allison was able to do so not only because she accepted herself, but because she had a Key, so she could punch in the same metaphysical weight class.
Maybe Inky hoofed it because of who was a-comin!
I think it’s a combo of acceptance and will. Incubus was planting the seeds of self doubt and you can’t take on your stronger half, cuz you are weak. He seems the type to go for the ones that will let themselves be consumed and he was willing to take a gamble Alice was down and self hating enoghf to believe his bs on top of her own bs and become a power addict.
Actually, Incubus did seem to have an attitude of “you know this is going to blow up in our faces, don’t you?”
Come to think of it, I’m surprised Incubus didn’t pick on the boyfriend instead — from description, he would seem to be much more the Seducer’s type. For that matter, given all the tempations about, how much you want to bet that he comes out as a Little Bad?
I think her wounds provide a clear enough answer to that. Those we saw in the pit, they actually would die if they weren’t able to will themselves alive with Incubus’ help.
Incubus speaks true, all who accept his “gift” do so ultimately by their own agreement. Although their choices, like his, ultimately find themselves rooted in ever-unreasonable fear. Which is why he will slow Jagganoth, killer of fear, least of all when the time comes.
Just act naturally and he’ll think you’re loot.
Well, wee lass from Los Angeles.
Here be a dragon.
Lesse ya kill it.
Well, that’s not terrifying at all. I love all the swords embedded in his neck. I think it’s safe to say cutting his throat is not the way to go. But perhaps she can use them as a ladder to reach his eyes. If she’s bold enough.
Why the eyes? does not their whiteness reveal that the monster is blind already?
Better to pity the crippled veteran of countless wars. No family to visit during the holidays. Hand outstretch for a bit of coin to ease the emptiness inside. Can you pass by without compassion?
Eyes may be the easiest way to the brain. Unless his brain resides in his rump.
Only the finest of swords, mind you.
Who would dare attack such as Mammon with a plebeian weapon? And no doubt over time they’ve all been encrusted with jewels and gold simply by impacting and aggregating the rest of his horde/ecology.
For some dragons, swords embedded into the hide are symbols of status. If a wurm should have that many blades, it proves it is a wurm that is feared. That they remain embedded, and the beast still alive, means the wurm is powerful enough to crush its enemies.
For a being as great and terrible as a dragon, collecting weapons lodged in the scales is as much Hoard-Making as the coin heaped in its den.
Oh, no, Cutting his throat works just fine. These idiots clearly were not masters of Cutting, however. Looks like a hack-job that a lot of people took a stab at.
IA! IA!
ENTER THE DRAGON!
SCALED GOD OF THE DEEP!
NUMBERLESS DEATHS AWAIT HIS FOES!
HIS SCALES BULLION!
HIS TEETH QUILLS!
HIS BREATH DEBT!
IA! IA!
PRAISE THE COUNT AND FLEE THE DRAGON!
ENTERING the dragon just might be the wrong approach to take here.
Most dragons are quite happy to have adventurers enter them, particularly if said adventurers have been seared first for a few seconds on each side to seal in the juices.
IA! IA! IA!
HIS FOOTSTEPS RESOUND OFF THE FACES OF INFINITE COINS!
HIS WILL IS THE DIVINE LEDGER
HIS WISDOM IS THE HOLY COUNT
HIS WRATH IS THE REPAYMENT OF ALL WORLDLY DEBTS
PRAISE THE SCALED GOD, OWNER OF ALL, LORD OF AVARICE
M A M M O N
WRITER OF MY PAYCHECK!
The secret name of God is exchangeable for all debts public and private
IA! IA!
THE DRAGON WALKS!
BENEATH HIS FEET THE MIGHTY VAULT!
HIS EYES SURVEY THE NOBLE COUNT!
A HOARD WITHIN THE GREAT REDOUBT!
THE IRON IN HIS BLOOD WAS TAKEN
FROM THE EARTH HIS FEET NOW SHAKE AND
FROM THE BLADES OF THOSE WHO SOUGHT
TO STEAL FROM MAMMON; MELTED, WROUGHT
INTO BUT MORE JEWELLERY.
MIGHTY DRAGON ROYALTY
IA! IA! HIS WEALTH UNTOLD
THE KING WHOSE CROWN WAS BOUGHT AND SOLD
AVARICE AND NECESSITY ARE EVER CONFUSED IN THE SOULS OF MEN.
SO DOES FANCY BECOME SCRIPTURE.
SO DOES GREED BECOME GOD.
-From, Bakker’s “The White Luck Warrior”
Truly an envied throat.
…that hasta itch!
Much respect for the beard!
https://giphy.com/gifs/qrQO1wpZLA2PK/html5
Al-Yisun re-discovers humanities foibles, each wound a kiss, a footstep on the journey from cradle to grave. It was this that gave her contrast between the life of king and commoner or so it is recorded.
Well that was quick. Hello there mister dragon.
And the wounds *reappear* when she stops healing them magically? Ouch.
Yeah, I think that the silver-haired and scarred Alison from the christmas break picture is the “canon” Alison for the next arc. I wonder how many scars she’ll have by the end.
Is a King who has not earned many scars truly a King? Through pain and fire comes strength and resilience.
To stand at the head of the hierarchy of being requires a truly Enlightened being. Achieving that Enlightenment requires no less than the scouring flame. The being passing into a crucible, that burns away all impurities. Until what once was lead – and was once putrefacted into dross – strides forth from the furnace shining and Gold. A being whose spirit alone acts as catalyst for effecting change upon the surrounding environs.
Any monarch who cannot claim to have endured this crucible is, at worst, a delusional pretender. At best, a steward, faithfully keeping the throne warm for True Royalty. Such is the way of things.
The Unscarred warrior has never seen battle.
Or is a REALLY sneaky son of a bitch.
It seems our hero is going to have vanquish the dragon before rescuing our beloved Cio… A classic form of love story, yes?
However, gods like these don’t die easy. It’ll be interesting to see what our heroine can pull off here.
…Or maybe Yabalchoath will have to settle some scores.
“Gotta find Cio and get out of here.” Did you forget that you left Cio trapped under rubble? Or were you not watching the EyeTV when that happened?
She was a bit busy at the time going “by my personality traits combined,” so she might not be entirely clear on some details.
I will allow myself to be the first to say:
Oh Fuck
That moment when you realize that when they say we’re going to fight a dragon, it means WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT A FUCK-MOTHERING DRAGON.
Who’s this “DOM” guy they are talking about?
I think it’s part of the engine browsers use to display webpages: https://i.imgur.com/xFR3W4E.png
Also remember to be wary of dragons if you are flammable and taste good with bbq sauce.
Eventually the one on top.
Hmm… There is only one DOM that is worthy of such repeated mention in these circumstances: The Captain of Chaos himself.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Su432O1ZL._SL1500_.jpg
That is quite a number of swords, and appear to be recent (they weren’t there in Cio’s flashback). Did Yabalchoath do that?
I don’t think flashbacks are supposed to be taken “literally”; Especially with that one being from a loosely-remembered previous incarnation.
Also, it has been quite a while…
You think Cio was the first or last to try to kill the Demiurge of Avarice? Dragons are there to be targets of proud and righteous knights. To have no enemies is a grave insult to dragon kind, as it implies the wurm is of so little importance as to be beneath the notice of warriors.
Therefore, I ask that you not insult Mammon’s honor by implying such. That is just rude.
Those swords in Mammon’s neck look awfully climbable. Take note, Al-Yis-Un.
The Young King’s intention to find her travelling companion gives me hope. But will the imp be willing to forgive? And will they find their prize of the false heir? And what of the dragon?
This is troubling. I worry for the Young King.
If she merged with her ambition, why has she lost it’s benefits? Shouldn’t the enormous ego-Alison that she made peace/love with be part of her now?
She always was.
Just… I think she might be slightly outnumbered by the insecure and/or sexy Alisons.
My thoughts exactly! Though I guess can I see Abbadon’s narrative intent, if she’s lost the deal’s benefits–we can’t let Allison control all that raw power yet, since her coming-of-age tale has yet to even reach its middle (if we’re to assume the midway point is Allsion realizing her boyfriend is NOT the prophesied King after all–which it might not be).
Still, I was kinda hoping at least SOME of that power-up juice would carry over. Maybe it did, but not noticeably so? I guess we’ll see soon enough.
Ah, but Crippling Self-Doubt is probably keeping Ambition close company.
I imagine making peace with herself also rid her of Incubus’ influence and power.
Though the bones of their former owners do not last as long as their once-held steel, dragons will collect and adorn themselves with this metal. The collected steel of course does not last as long as the gold in the horde, glittering idly in the gloom where captured and lost among the scales of the beast. It’s still questionable if the gold in the horde lasts longer than the dragon or not, for the dragon must be slain first to see what happens to the gold.
Hence, the collected steel.
I’m sure this is fine.
IA! THE DRAGON RISES!
The darkness of wealth flows, and remember you will always be under the feet of monsters
The treasure to be found is that of self unity. The dragon who guards it is fear. There are many weapons to fight the foe, compassion, understanding, and courage count among the finest.
Well spoken, Walker of the third.
Find Cio! Find Cio!
Raise thy sails against horizon gold!
The ship, I hear, returning from distant shore
Let us rejoice forevermore!
The most perilous geography to travel and the most dangerous people to meet are often the same thing.