In Progress [LP CYOA] Tower

[Kz3r0]

I honestly expect A to bring us all home.

I think there's a real possibility that he will accept "no" in keeping with his gentlemanly persona

fairy tale logic could easily apply here.

and his offer is obviously dodgy, he isn't hostile to us.

These LPs are all in good sport and I don’t want to be mean, but this is a post that puts at shame sphere diplomacy, really.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

The guy talks about fairy tales and forgets that in half of them the monsters lie in order to try to EAT CHILDREN.

 

[Kz3r0]

The guy talks about fairy tales and forgets that in half of them the monsters lie in order to try to EAT CHILDREN.

Also the reasons for lying are quite obvious, avoiding a ruckus that can attract Tlalli attention and the fact that we are armed savages, basically a rapist telling a scared woman with a gun to be quiet and don’t shoot.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Exactly. Look at the creature’s actions, not his words, sheep!!!

This is a life or death situation. We need to treat it as such, even if this guy wants us to believe that it is some conveniently more comfortable alternative.

 

[Life of the Party]

D>B

 

[CappenVarra]

Indeed, I had thought better of the Grand Old Lady than to bring such delectably young, upstanding youths into the jaws of danger, tsk tsk. What would I be if I did not offer my assistance to you then? A monster, hmm?

I MEAN FOR FUCK'S SAKE

The guy could be the real shapeshifter Tlalli has been hunting all along!

yes, i'm kinda the first that wondered about that

i'm still in favor of calmly looking him in the eye and telling him we'll find our own way home

 

[Kz3r0]

i'm still in favor of calmly looking him in the eye and telling him we'll find our own way home

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

This whole thing reminds me of the Rick and Morty episode where shapeshifting aliens that look like wacky characters.

Spoiler

Hear me out:

Maybe this guy looks like John Bull because he's part of Sophie's culture. Part of her memories. As is her desire to go home. Don't you think it's AWFULLY CONVENIENT that someone should suddenly show up IN THE MIDDLE OF A SWAMP WITH SHAPESHIFTERS and offer Sophie INSTANT travel back home?

The fact that John Bull is make believe is irrelevant to the shapeshifter. He just senses some familiarity or trust concerning her image of the man.

This, btw, would also explain his creepy expressions:

John Bull’s grin widens even further, as if to split his face apart.

So, Tigranes, it is important that the guy's name is John Bull. Because John Bull isn't fucking real. Which should tell us that this guy isn't really John Bull and maybe not even a human at all.

He's not a fucking fairy, not some magic user seeking an apprentice, he's a higher-level shapeshifter and intends to literally eat us.

 

[Nevill]

He's not a fucking fairy, not some magic user seeking an apprentice, he's a higher-level shapeshifter and intends to literally eat us.

But does it happen before or after the abduction?

I still think he wants hostages. Or a hostage. I suppose he can always... split the difference.

 

[CappenVarra]

so if the dude is a shapeshifted monstrosity, why don't Sophie's glasses see through the illusion - why isn't she screaming but listening to him?

maybe she doesn't see the fog at all?

fog or no fog, i expect our minimap book can show us the way towards grandma and the others (we're not so dumb not to have remembered the relative positions) - but it doesn't guarantee they'll be able to perceive us if the Malk put lotsa points in Obfuscate

if we attack every sleazy guy we meet, we'll soon be quite famous

if we had the revolver (btw, Strelok Wrinkloff would not fail to disengage the safety - because it most probably doesn't have one; cock the hammer, pull the trigger, bang) i'd joke about being the quick or the dead, but with a slingshot (not very effective at point blank, btw) i only see dead people

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

so if the dude is a shapeshifted monstrosity, why don't Sophie's glasses see through the illusion - why isn't she screaming but listening to him?

Because it isn't an illusion and/or because the mist is affecting her.

The shifter's form can physically change. As we saw, one became like a seal to slither out of Tlalli's grasp. True seeing may not help you see if a form really does change. It would just help you see under the murk of the swamp etc.

if we had the revolver (btw, Strelok Wrinkloff would not fail to disengage the safety - because it most probably doesn't have one; cock the hammer, pull the trigger, bang)

Untrue. Grip safeties and the like were common. Simply not holding it right would be a big problem.

All things being equal though, I suppose I should have simply asked treave if we could have a quick bit of training with it, but these two part choices are a bit hectic and I imagined it as if she just handed it to us without instruction and we went right into the second part oft he update.

 

[Esquilax]

People who are voting for using the sling against John Bull better be the same people who wanted to attack Raspy. Consistency!

If Raspy was too big of a mouthful to chew, then John Bull is too. Better to either decline, or try to engage him in conversation.

Those two situations have nothing to do with one another. If you want to talk consistency, then maybe the people who voted to protect Sophie last update (which was most of us) should take steps to protect her again.

Because it isn't an illusion and/or because the mist is affecting her.

The shifter's form can physically change. As we saw, one became like a seal to slither out of Tlalli's grasp. True seeing may not help you see if a form really does change. It would just help you see under the murk of the swamp etc.

Well, there's plenty of reason why Sophie wouldn't be able to see John Bull's "true form", assuming he's a shapeshifting monster using mental-based abilities rather than Tzimisce-like physical metamorphosis. One is the mist, but the other, more compelling reason is that she's still trying to get a handle on using her Astra, just like we are.

For reference, this is where we're at in terms of proficiency with our Astra:

Tome of Theseus (Water, mutability)
Rank 1/3 - Maps your surroundings in a 1 meter radius.

Much like how we don't really have a popamole quest compass of The Tower yet, Sophie is a novice at using her Astra too. So I'm not expecting her to spot Nyarlathotep or some master shapeshifter whose abilities are vastly greater than our own at this point.

But regardless - that's all irrelevant. This guy is preventing us from leaving or calling for help. He knows Tlalli and it's apparent that there's a thinly-veiled tension/conflict between them. Lastly, he is somewhat desperate and tight on time. So guys, let's PLEASE chuck a rock at his head and call out for Grandma.

I haven't seen a single argument for B that hasn't been based on wishful thinking thus far.

 

[ItsChon]

The shifter's form can physically change. As we saw, one became like a seal to slither out of Tlalli's grasp. True seeing may not help you see if a form really does change. It would just help you see under the murk of the swamp etc.

Nah mate, in the previous update it was discussed that Sophie's glasses help her see through all forms. What good would the glasses be in identifying the shifters if they were just walking around as a randoms swamp animal than huh? Let's be honest with ourselves, this proves that Bull isn't a shifter. He is definitely a human that is of the same creed as Rasputin and Tlalli.

Swapping my vote to B. The more I think about it, the more I start to think shooting at him could lead to some bad outcomes. B is the safest bet.

I haven't seen a single argument for B that hasn't been based on wishful thinking thus far.

Lmao. The guy is obviously strong enough to kill us and catch us if we run. He magically appeared behind us for Gods sake and he has an aura about him that can do god knows what. Perhaps it can manifest itself into physical objects or grab people/things? How is people saying B because we don't want to piss him off by shooting a rock at his head wishful thinking? If anything, picking C is wishful thinking because we're assuming our lowly sling launched rock will be enough to kill/disrupt Bull long enough for us to call out to Tlalli. Nevermind the fact that it's highly possible he can kill us or chase us around while keeping up this aura and isolating us from Tlalli if we piss him off.

 

[Tigranes]

Jesus christ. Whether he is a shifter or not, he is not our friend, and 2A isn't just "let's hear this guy out", it's "rape us, eat our organs, whatever, we completely entrust all our lives to you!"

A dude who just happens to pop out in the midst of a battle in the middle of nowhere dressed for a ballroom party decides to make a five second "too good to be true take it or leave it trust me with your life" offer. That is the very epitome of a drive-by pedo kidnapper.

monocle on one eye and a clownishly tall top-hat atop his head. His tailcoat is a deep blue, strained around his immense belly

If dude was a trustworthy friend why is he teleporting us away with nary a word to grandma while she fights against a dangerous enemy? Why doesn't he help grandma? What's she going to think when battle is over and the kids have disappeared?

If you vote 2A by god I have some cruise company stocks to sell you

 

[Nevill]

2A is so last update.

People are voting for B, Tigranes. No one wants to accept the offer... except Kipeci, but he's a bird.
The question is whether to refuse him politely, or smack him with a bullet between the eyes.

I do think that it makes no difference what Mr. Bull is, so long as he behaves like he does though.

 

[CappenVarra]

if we had the revolver (btw, Strelok Wrinkloff would not fail to disengage the safety - because it most probably doesn't have one; cock the hammer, pull the trigger, bang)

Untrue. Grip safeties and the like were common. Simply not holding it right would be a big problem.

All things being equal though, I suppose I should have simply asked treave if we could have a quick bit of training with it, but these two part choices are a bit hectic and I imagined it as if she just handed it to us without instruction and we went right into the second part oft he update.

it's a minor point in the larger scheme of things, but

Spoiler

show me the grip safety?

 

[Kz3r0]

Guys, the creep is stronger than us obviously and we are at its mercy, the point is that C is the only proactive option that can achieve anything, all the other options are various grades of “be nice mister creep, pretty please”.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

if we had the revolver (btw, Strelok Wrinkloff would not fail to disengage the safety - because it most probably doesn't have one; cock the hammer, pull the trigger, bang)

Untrue. Grip safeties and the like were common. Simply not holding it right would be a big problem.

All things being equal though, I suppose I should have simply asked treave if we could have a quick bit of training with it, but these two part choices are a bit hectic and I imagined it as if she just handed it to us without instruction and we went right into the second part oft he update.

it's a minor point in the larger scheme of things, but

Spoiler

View attachment 13241
show me the grip safety?

idk, you show it to me here:

Spoiler

Not that other forms of safeties didn't exist.

Maybe you could show me the safety here:

Spoiler

Or here:

Spoiler

Or here:

Spoiler

It's almost like not all revolvers are the same and have the same features.

I know it's a minor issue though.

Not that I'm trying to be an expert here. I just remember reading an article on revolver safeties being somewhat of a fad during this period or around this time.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

*ahem* but back on topic:

THIS DUDE IS A SHAPESHIFTING MONSTER THAT WANTS TO EAT US WTF ARE YOU CUCKS DOING JUST SAYING NO TO IT FFS!!!!

 

[CappenVarra]

if we had the revolver (btw, Strelok Wrinkloff would not fail to disengage the safety - because it most probably doesn't have one; cock the hammer, pull the trigger, bang)

Untrue. Grip safeties and the like were common. Simply not holding it right would be a big problem.

All things being equal though, I suppose I should have simply asked treave if we could have a quick bit of training with it, but these two part choices are a bit hectic and I imagined it as if she just handed it to us without instruction and we went right into the second part oft he update.

it's a minor point in the larger scheme of things, but

Spoiler

View attachment 13241
show me the grip safety?

idk, you show it to me here:

Spoiler

Not that other forms of safeties didn't exist.

Maybe you could show me the safety here:

Spoiler

Or here:

Spoiler

Or here:

Spoiler

It's almost like not all revolvers are the same and have the same features.

I know it's a minor issue though.

Not that I'm trying to be an expert here. I just remember reading an article on revolver safeties being somewhat of a fad during this period or around this time.

nice photos, but as Gun Jesus himself says in the article these were a minority:

It is true—the vast majority of revolvers do not have these mechanisms. Revolvers either must be manually cocked before firing (thus making a safety catch redundant) or have long and heavy trigger pulls which prevent unintentional firing quite adequately without an additional safety catch

and some of them were just released if we're adventuring in the year 1900 - and grandma doesn't strike me like somebody to go for the newest models that just came in - if 1899 models are an option, i'd go for a S&W Model 10 thank you

 

[CappenVarra]

i'm still in favor of calmly looking him in the eye and telling him we'll find our own way home

best reply so far, in my personal selection

remind me, didn't the kid prevail in the end?

and imagine the kid with a sling, shooting at old Khan's head from that distance

on the other hand, if the kid had a nice revolver...

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

and some of them were just released if we're adventuring in the year 1900

We're in an alternate timeline. My point is that they exist. And not all were released in 1900. Others were released in the late 1800s.

Regardless, I'm just pointing out one of the ways that a 10yo with a revolver could screw up. Though as I said in my initial post, such things could have been explained to us by Tlalli and I should have asked if we were to receive any training.

 

[hello friend]

I think it's a fair assumption that a professional monster hunter doesn't just assume a 10yo (also of humble means) kid is a firearms expert and would give at least a basic rundown.

Not that any of that matter now.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

I think it's a fair assumption that a professional monster hunter doesn't just assume a 10yo (also of humble means) kid is a firearms expert and would give at least a basic rundown.

Not that any of that matter now.

Any professional monster hunter who would risk children's lives by bringing them with her on a hunt, let alone one who would give a 10yo a gun shouldn't have any positive assumptions made regarding how responsible she would be when issuing firearms.

Anyway, CappenVarra, btw an amusing ad featured in various publications starting in 1898:

Spoiler

 

[Baltika9]

===Poll===

A - 1
B - 8 (10)
C - 9
D - 1 (0)

Votes

Kipeci - A

ItsChon - B
Absinthe - B
CappenVarra - B
Azira - B>D
Grimgravy - B
baud - B>D>C
oscar - B
asxetos - B
Tigranes - B

Baltika9 - C
Nevill - C
ERYFKRAD - C
Kz3r0 - C>B
Lambchop19 - C>D>B
Esquilax - C>B
Zerafall - C
hello friend - C>D
Egosphere - C

Life of the Party - D>B

===

and imagine the kid with a sling, shooting at old Khan's head from that distance

on the other hand, if the kid had a nice revolver...

Bro, I feel the butthurt from not picking the revolver, but we're past that vote. In the here and now, that slingshot will do some damage, especially since gram-gram gave us sharpened rocks to use for projectiles. I have no doubts as to its efficacy:

B. A slingshot to replace the one you lost. The pebbles that Tlalli provides are already polished and sharpened – they will fly well.

The main concern is this: will attacking him for +1d6 sneak attack damage and a forced concentration check be a better course of action than just saying 'no' to the jolly gentleman? I think the answer is 'yes,' for all of the reasons stated by myself and other posters earlier. I don't want us to argue in circles, so I won't bring them up again.

The only thing that I think bears repeating is this: both B and C rely on some pretty big assumptions. In B, we're assuming that this gentleman will simply take 'no' for an answer and be on his merry way. In C, we're assuming that hitting him with a rock will force him to drop his mist, or give us or Sophie an opening to run for Tlalli, at which point our grandma will track him down and put him in a full nelson.

I doubt that B will work as it's proponents expect it to. He approached us instead of Tlalli, whom he says he's here for. I'm thinking that this was a trap he set for her and wants to take one or both of us as hostages, as leverage or snacks. Attacking him will at least shock him enough to let Sophie run to get help, if not dispel his illusion. I'm thinking that we can hold out long enough for help to arrive with our willpower and constitution. And I have zero doubts in Tlalli's ability to find this creepazoid when she's focused on him, and not on pulling the heads off of changelings.

TL;DR, I think that the Home Alone response is our best option, even if it is rather rude.