you need to pre-emptive attack on the neighbors. walk up to the gates openly and pretend it's diplomacy. then BAM.

>>384920
Go join up with Shabin and her Kobold fortress.
If we're talking about the future on accident, then stab Chomp because he's sold you out to a necromancer.

>>384920
Let's capture somebody and ask them wtf.

Hey Clamp! Did you get the message from the kobolds?What do you plan to do?

Clamp 2012/02/06(Mon)19:05 No. 384934 ID: d6af4f
File 132858393630.png - (112.55KB , 700x700 , 02.png )

>Kobold's message
Yeah. We never saw 'em, but one of our hunting parties just got back with a nice supply of valuables. Some gold and all that, nothin' we can use right now though. Shame about Chomp. Was my last living brother. Happens. Told us how he was a necro's plaything, too. Had it comin'. Nice to know Hilt didn't bite the big one. Wasn't plannin' on doing anything about the 'bolds message, frankly I didn't think it necessary.

"Jus' thought it a good idea to capture one of 'em, and ask what's up."
>"Shoulda thought of that before you introduced metal to heart."

>Go join up with Shabin.
We got problems, and they won't go away just 'cause we joined up. Our problems'll get to be their problems. Got kids too, and even though though they probly won't get killed, I don't much like the idea of another clan takin' em in and raising 'em. Then again... the 'bolds did mention somethin' about an artifact down deep. Might be able to help 'em with that one, in return for some damn peace. Otherwise, we track some clans, and show 'em not to mess with us.

Or we just keep on movin' wherever. Leaf was s'pose to show up by now with a real nice map. Not like he's ever on time.

Well first we wait for Leaf.

Then we go find someone and ask wtf.

What you really need is some intelligence. Something's changed to make all these guys attack you. Just straight up fighting will only treat the symptom.

Ugh, but it would take forever to go along the Oremor trail to help them get that artifact. What with the amount of enemy gnoll factions, faggot elves, faggot humans and terribly lethal one-foot rivers, you'd barely make it there all in one piece or sane or at least suffering a humiliating case of dysentery and cholera.

What we could do is hold a big gnoll conference of clans. Get organization together pfthahahaha no we make a "Clamp's Gnoll Peace Conference" sign and ambush the ambushers

ye, pretend to come in peace
then kill all the enemy chiefs.

That's a little backhanded though, isn't it? Would any gnolls be able to trust us after something that low? Hell, would anyone trust us?

Trust ain't the issue right here, it's numbers: yours are dwindling, and inviting all the other clans even for sneaky ambushings is probably just asking to get shanked. We need to cut losses and start thinking either escape plans, or surgical strikes. Being gnolls, I'm guessing you're better suited to the more fighty option.

Clamp 2012/02/06(Mon)19:41 No. 384947 ID: d6af4f
File 132858611384.png - (99.27KB , 700x700 , 03.png )

Ain't afraid of stickly elves, 'pparently already hunted by enemy gnolls, and the only rivers to the west are knee high. May as well wait for Leaf. Haven't made it easy for him, what with the movin' around. We just spent most of yesterday walkin' northwest.

"'ey grasswind."
>"... yeah, boss?"

Been 8 years since I killed her damn dad, and she still says 'boss' all sarcastic.

"Think you can track us down some enemy gnolls?"
>"Yeah, easy. You want to keep killing, don't you? Whatever, I've also seen tracks around the size of humans or elves. Close by, and too fresh."

Just keeps gettin' better. Haven't seen much for humans after they canceled that trade agreement. Gotta wonder what they're doin' so far from home.

Ain't gonna diplomacy anyone, either. Ain't even gonna pretend anymore. Diplomacy ain't a damn thing except trading bullshit with bullshit.

except this time it would be trading bullshit with a sword to the face.

Suspicious tracks! That sounds like a PLOT HOO^W^W intel source!

Suspicious tracks? Sure, let's check that out.

you need to find out whether those tracks are elves or humans

fortunately, they probably aren't an elf war host.
as it's unlikely they'd leave visible tracks.

which means they are either elves that are way to confident, or humans that are way to stupid.

in either case, be careful about killing simple travellers, last thing you need is heroes on your ass trying to slay the local menace (which is you) aim to scare the people off injure/kill only if necessary

1/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)06:01 No. 385012 ID: d6af4f
File 132862329504.png - (117.16KB , 700x700 , 04.png )

"We'll follow the small tracks. I wanna figure out why whoever they belong to is so far outta town."
>"You're the boss."

"Alright, everyone listen up. Humans or elves or somethin' 're wanderin' about, and we're gonna figure out why."

>"Uh, Chief.. why? What do we care? What about the the other gnolls?"
"Nothin' funny about gettin' attacked by gnolls."
>"But we hadn't gotten attacked for so-"
"You kids all lived the easy life! Real gnolls'd be lucky to go an entire day without another gnoll tryin' to off 'im. Now quit all yer whining and pack up."

Raised a buncha princesses.

2/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)06:01 No. 385013 ID: d6af4f
File 132862331208.png - (115.90KB , 700x700 , 05.png )

A few hours later.

Huh.

>"What? Never seen a few chopped down trees before?" Grasswind says.
"Use yer head for me."
>"Someone wanted wood? Just tell me, geez."
"You wanna be a tracker? You gotta use your head. Figure it out."
>"I don't know, some gnoll clan chopped down trees. What about it?"
"How many times have I told you that everyone but us was nomadic? Ain't any other gnoll clans that cared much for carrying wood tables around with 'em."
>"Okay, so you're saying humans or elves chopped down this tree?"
"Which?"
>"How should I know?"

You gotta be kidding... it's gonna be a long time before we get someone to fill Leaf's shoes.

I think the humans are trying to get the elves to attack us, maybe in an attempt at taking our territory.

Smack her, smack her hard on the ass

tell the dumb bitch that since Elves are tree loving hippies a fact that every child knows, which option does that leave as to who chopped down the trees.

if she answers wrong or gives you lip, smack her again

>>385014
That's the kind of twisty (paranoid) thinking that makes a gnollboss.

i doubt the elves would chop down trees, humans on the other hand probably do. this could be a very bad sign. if the humans are cutting lumbar here it might mean they want your territory, or at least the trees in it. i'd send a scout towards the human lands to see if they have exhausted all closer sources of lumber, if they have it would make sense they would want the resources in your territory. if the humans want something in your land your going to have to make a deal or move, they are way to numerous to fight.

1/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)09:34 No. 385036 ID: d6af4f
File 132863606255.png - (74.92KB , 700x700 , 06.png )

She aint tough enough to earn herself the consideration of a slap. She gets a flick.

"Think, girl. Elves don't chop down trees, they'd hack off their own head with a club before they did that. Who does that leave?"
>"Gah, humans?"
"And why might humans be here?"
>"I dunno, for our territory? You tell me, boss."
"Now there's a thought. Could be that they want elves to attack us, but they're hostile 'nuff as is, so I dunno."

>"Ey, boss." Leaf says.

Now there's a voice to a competent guy.

2/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)09:35 No. 385037 ID: d6af4f
File 132863614625.png - (481.34KB , 1071x1500 , 07.png )

>"I updated my map like you asked."
"No wonder you're late. Been busy. Thought I told you not to go through harpy land. What're all these red X's?"
>"It's cool Boss, they're not as numerous as they once were. Orcs were more trouble than harpies exploring south, but they're slow as always. X's are other gnoll clans approximate areas of more activity."
"Whatever, it ain't them I'm worried about. Lotta trees between us and the human territory, if we're at the green O. Ain't any reason for 'em to come out here for wood."

Humans aren't competent at slow encroachment. When they want to take a territory they tend to mass at the edge of it and just swarm the place. Usually any small groups of humans you find aren't going to be seeking territory. More likely raiders.

clearly what you need to do, is capture a human and find out what the heck they are doing

>>385037
I say we find out where the wood's going. Wanna bet it's NOT going back to human territory?

>>385037
What about Dark Elves? I mean, no one ever thinks they've done anything!

Dorfs? 'bolds? Goblins?

Well, unless the humans are burning these entire trees in one go, they're building something with them. Since you don't see any funeral-pyre sized smoke columns (right?), that leaves building stuff. Now, why they're building stuff out here in the middle of gnoll territory is the big question. Better find where the logs went.

Look for the drag marks those tree trunks would leave from being hauled off. Or hoof-prints from the pack animals, if the humans sawed them down right here. Even Grasswind couldn't miss either of those.
...When she does miss either of those, give her a dope-slap, and hand her off to Leaf. You don't have the time or patience for surly wannabe trackers.

1/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)12:58 No. 385071 ID: d6af4f
File 132864828624.png - (95.39KB , 700x700 , 08.png )

Followin' the lumber trail. Easy 'nuff, there's wheels tracks and animal tracks on animal tracks. Even Grasswind can follow a path that looks like it's been wrecked. Looks so damn proud about it too.

>Dark elves, bolds, goblins and dorfs
That'd be a real twist. Only ever seen a couple dark elves in my life. As for the others, it's possible there's some goblin's, but they're pretty far west, and bolds and dorfs even further.

2/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)13:01 No. 385072 ID: d6af4f
File 132864848381.png - (161.94KB , 700x700 , 09.png )

Humans. As expected. Buildin' something. Not surprisin'. Looks like it was right, territory. Sounds real obvious, but they've never paid much mind to us before, so I can't help but think there's still somethin' goin' on. I think I counted 35 gnolls we got behind my back.

>"What're you standin' there for, boss? Never had a chance to test myself against humans before! They must be real strong, to move around with those buildings."
"....... I'm thinkin' about how to get a human alive to ask 'em a few questions."
>"Well then why don't we just charge?! We got over 30 gnolls ready, and there can't be more than a dozen or so humans at this place!"

Startin' to get to be night out, they're probably either in their homes, or returning to 'em.

Send a small party with a white flag or whatever is the universal signal for surrender/peace is here.

Degrade that the girl would probably get an arrow to the neck or impaled before she even got to the camp. Human's are crafty, adaptive Jack-of-all-trades, nearly worth a misfit team a gnolls, elves, kolbolds, and orcs for a good group of two experienced fighters. And with ten times the racism with none of the elven faggotry and very self-aware.

Granted, this just looks like a simple community of lumberja- HOLY FUCK GET AWAY! No, not human lumberjacks! Anything but them. They eat, drink and piss lumber.

ok something to keep in mind, humans have allot of noncombatants, and they take avenging them seriously. if you go down there and kill everyone, (and if its mostly a civilian settlement you probably could) the main human settlement will send there army after you, and they will not stop until ever last man women and child of your tribe is dead. if it comes down to a fight make a point of letting the noncombatants leave unharmed.

>lumberjacks
>take one alive
Invite them to a pancake social. :V

Seriously, though, I can think of two ways to do this. We can either wait near one of the homes and nab the guy living there when he returns or we can just knock on a door and talk to whoever answers. Depends on whether or not we expect these humans to be hostile.

Didn't we have some sort of treaty with the humans? Better talk to ONE of them alone before we wipe out the settlement.

Send a small group to talk, but have backup on standby in case they're openly hostile.

The problem with humans is that attacking a settlement tends to bring down the whole country on your head.

Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)15:04 No. 385104 ID: d6af4f
File 132865588315.png - (117.51KB , 700x700 , 10.png )

>>385098
That was canceled a couple years after it was made, right about 6 years ago.

I keep my gnolls hidden for now, but guide them as close as they can get without revealing the fact that there's a buncha gnolls right outside.

I step closer, still hidden. I mighta brought a group, but there's two armed guards. Funny, I didn't see 'em while coming closer. Heavy armor, too, like they're expectin' a fight.

>"Whoa, is that actually a human?" Grasswind states.
"Told ya to keep behind."
>"And miss this? No way, they look silly."

>>385102
You didn't see ANYONE, then you see two heavily armed guards? I suspect magic. Like, they've got a limited invisibility spell on the place, hiding all their guards from being spotted from a distance.

But in any case I think we would lose a bunch of gnolls if they have guards in heavy armor. I really think we should interrogate a civilian.

Okay, that doesn't bode well. Do you have any anti-armor weapons? Crossbows, perhaps? You could probably swarm two of them, but you'd take losses. Perhaps we should look for opportunities to abduct someone stealthily instead. Still, the problem with taking hostile action is it gives them all the excuse they need to be hostile in kind. Maybe hang around for a day or two and look for an opportunity to peacably approach someone off by themselves.

I don't suppose there's any chance of parleying with the other gnoll clans and finding out what's going on from their perspective?

Can we get ahold of the guy who was fishing on the dock? He looked unarmored. The biggest problem would be that the dock is out in the open, and you might be seen.

Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)15:40 No. 385116 ID: d6af4f
File 132865802044.png - (93.45KB , 700x700 , 11.png )

I'll keep an eye out for a few lone straggles. Tellin' everyone else to do the same.

>Contacting other gnoll clans to see what's going on
"Normally ain't a problem, but given recent events, I'm a tad skeptical about contactin' other gnolls.

>guy at the dock
Yeah, let me check 'em out. Or not. He's gone. His stuff is still there, but the fisher's just gone. Not even rippling water to suggest he fell in, an' I kept a close eye on the settlement while movin', I'm pretty sure I woulda seen him move off the docks.

This is suspicious as all hell. Back off quietly before something happens; you've gotten ambushed enough lately. Set up camp somewhere they won't find you and run surveillance on them for a few days, following people that leave when you have the sufficiently stealthy manpower to do so.

My bets this place was under an illusion or under a weird time-space spell. Only reason I think it might be a time spell is that there is fisherman stuff here, implying there is a fisherman in the village and he was doing it earlier and what you were seeing was a past version of this settlement until you got closer, where time drew forward.

But bets are it's an illusion spell. Also bets are that those heavy armor blokes are zombies.

>>385118

Don't you remember alternate alternate Chee from the past from the future? Illusions are worse than weird time/space spells!

>>385120
nope.avi
weird time/space spells almost destroyed the world, illusion spells just alter reality for a bit and just affect people who see the illusion.

>>385116
Yep. This is a trap. They probably built this place JUST to lure gnoll raiders in and slaughter them.

So this is a false lead, it won't tell us why the other clans are harassing you suddenly. Let's go find an enemy gnoll to capture.

1/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)19:04 No. 385155 ID: d6af4f
File 132867025257.png - (92.89KB , 700x700 , 12.png )

>"Back so soon?" Grasswind asks.
"Yeah. We're leavin'."
>"What's the development?" asks Leaf.
"There's somethin' wrong with this place. Ain't someplace we should tamper with.
>"What?! Are you chickening out?" grasswind says.
"Grasswind, yer beginnin' to remind me an awful lot bout a girl I once killed. Jus' 'sayin."

We're moving somewhere else for the time being. Leaf says there's an alcove that isn't often used that should be safe.

2/2 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)19:04 No. 385156 ID: d6af4f
File 132867026221.png - (122.82KB , 700x700 , 13.png )

The next morning...

"Now, Leaf, we gotta capture an enemy gnoll. Ask 'em nicely why they're givin' us a hard time."
>"Easy 'nuff. There's a clan around here, and we'll almost definitely get ambushed."

"Yo Chief! We want to duel you!"
>"What. You dumbass kid, are you dense? We ain't got the time."
"Don't chicken out, old man. You're goin' senile! Bout time we got another gnoll in charge!"

Talon. Only gnoll in existence who hates harpies more than me. Normally he ain't one of the normal challengers, which has me worried that if he's challengin' me, there's another bunch that wants to. Including that one at his side. Forgot his name.

Think you can take 'em?

Don't go easy on them.

>>385156
"Senile? Boy, when Gnolls go senile, they kill everything in sight until they can't kill anymore. You don't even understand the ramifications should you beat my crippled and aged ass. Schisms will split this clan apart and death will just spread among us. People will constantly duel you because you don't have either my reputation or my berserking rage. You will be worn down and killed as chief eventually, far, far sooner than me, with your pups killed or assimilated into some other clan. That is what it was like in my day. You will die and you will all have lived for nothing. You want to be chief, face me when your stronger, older, and wiser and this clan is stabler. Otherwise, you'll just start a long trend of death for this clan."

Pfft, just beat 'em down already. And take that sweet necklace when it's over.

Punch them out, continue about your business.

Alternatively, invite them to go explore the settlement-trap themselves if they think pulling back was such an unworthy idea.

One of them needs to have their spine removed.

>>385165
this is a good speech for after you beat the shit out of him.

1/3 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)23:42 No. 385208 ID: d6af4f
File 132868697693.png - (121.98KB , 700x700 , 14.png )

"When I go senile, you'll know it, boy!"

2/3 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)23:43 No. 385209 ID: d6af4f
File 132868698623.png - (78.29KB , 700x700 , 15.png )

"If you actually manage to beat my ass, you'll break the damn clan! Think they'll follow you?! You don't have reputation, strength, wit, not a damn thing cept a necklace to show you killed a few scrawny birds!"

3/3 Clamp 2012/02/07(Tue)23:43 No. 385210 ID: d6af4f
File 132868699692.png - (109.44KB , 700x700 , 16.png )

"You wanna be chief? Come back when you're more than a damn pup!"
>"W-whoa, Boss, go easy on 'em, we need 'em for a fight."
"Ain't goin easy on this one! Listen up, you wanna challenge me?! I ain't pullin' my punches anymore! Talon, I'm takin' yer harpy bone necklace! You want it back, make it up by makin' yourself useful!"

>>385210
Right. That'll make the others hesitate before attempting to duel you in the coming days of travel investigation and battle. Having one moderately injured gnoll is better than having 5 lightly injured ones, or being injured yourself.

Also you could use the extra respect and fear. So next, find an enemy gnoll so we can find out what the hell's going on.

beat him him good, make and example of this arrogant shmuck

Rip out his earring too~

*ahem*

And make a prime example of what happens when you mess with the Clamps.

Don't push it too far. If you do, the rebels' hatred of you may override their fear resulting in more rebellion, not less. You need to show you are both strong and honorable.

>>385236
This.

Eh, that's enough of a show of dominance for now. Don't want to end up having to fight your own clan more than the others.

Oh, and Talon's buddy's name will be "Mud," until they both prove they're useful.

Now, time to go ambush some ambushing gnolls. Maybe get some idea what the hell is going on.

Yeah, you're about done here. There's some good and shocked faces behind you - I think you've made your point.

Now - onwards: let's get to that alcove.

Clamp 2012/02/08(Wed)09:09 No. 385272 ID: d6af4f
File 132872098913.png - (119.01KB , 700x700 , 17.png )

This necklace is his pride n' joy, his testament to being a damn enthusiastic harpy hunter. I hurt him more takin' that, than all my punches. No need to do more n' that, so not gonna nickname him or take his earring or nothin'. Once he's useful, he'll get his necklace back.

Told my clan to prepare for an ambush. Got to the alcove before anythin' like that happened. No idea what I'm lookin' at, now. Ain't part of my clan, that's for sure.

>>385272
What gnolls wear ROBES?! Maybe these guys are necromancers. I suggest using the element of surprise.

Suggestion 2012/02/08(Wed)09:25 No. 385280 ID: 459534

Well, we've got the advantage of numbers. Should we just surround 'em and ask what they're doing?

>>385280
With necromancers, you never have the advantage of numbers.

>>385292
Touche'. Is there something we could do to keep them from casting spells?

1/2 Clamp 2012/02/08(Wed)22:40 No. 385330 ID: d6af4f
File 132876965924.png - (75.86KB , 700x700 , 18.png )

Only seen a gnoll mage twice before, an' I doubt there's two necromancers who're so out in the open.

"Leaf."
>"Boss."
"Surprise 'em."
>"Boss."

2/2 Clamp 2012/02/08(Wed)22:41 No. 385331 ID: d6af4f
File 132876967753.png - (108.02KB , 700x700 , 19.png )

Shnk!

Go in blitzkreig-style with half your group to capture them before they know what's going on. Leave the other half in hiding as backup just in case you get surprised.

Element of surprise already used. Walk up and demand surrender in exchange for their life. You're intimidating enough that it should be an easy task. Have backup ready in case they try anything. Leaf needs to be ready to put an arrow in this one, too, just in case.

Clamp 2012/02/09(Thu)00:26 No. 385347 ID: d6af4f
File 132877598506.png - (167.34KB , 700x700 , 20.png )

>Exchange for their life
Too late fer one of 'em.

"You. Start talkin."
>"Wha-what?! What's your problem, g- crap, are you Clamp?!"
"What's it to ya?"
>"NNnothing!"
"Start talkin', or my buddy's gonna shoot you, too."
>"Fine, fine, what do you want to know?"
"Why is it that every damn clan suddenly wants out head?"
>"I wouldn't know anything about that!"
"Bullshit, you knew who I was."
>"Ehrr, n-no! I don't know why, I swear it!"

He used to be a fine warrior. Then he took an arrow to the knee.

>>385349
ಠ_ಠ

>>385347
I believe him.
Ask what he's doing in robes, what's with the box, what IS he, and what tribe is he with.

>>385363
Shoot him in the knee, is what I'm saying.

If he doesn't know that, what DOES he know? And does he know who might know why everyone's after you?

Because an un-allied gnoll who isn't useful isn't really worth keeping around, you know what I mean...

... I MEAN INTIMIDATION OK

>>385366
Why would you believe such a flimsy lie?

Continue intimidating him. Rough him up, if that doesn't work.

Clamp 2012/02/09(Thu)03:10 No. 385385 ID: d6af4f
File 132878585672.png - (133.15KB , 700x700 , 21.png )

"'You don't know'. What DO you know? What kinda gnoll has robes? What tribe're you in, what are you, and what's with the box?!"
>"I-I was just doing a little ceremony! Innocent ritual, nothing about it! These are the robes for it, nothing special! I'm part of the Razor Clan! I can't tell you what's in the box!"
"Oh, now you 'can't' tell me. What I 'can't' do is find a reason why I would keep ya alive, an un-allied gnoll, who ain't useful fer anythin'!"
>"I can't tell you what's in the box!"
"Grasswind would love to have a bone kneecap, ya know!"
>"It's true." Grasswind says.
"So what's in the damn box?!"
>"I can't tell you! I mean it! I'll die if I tell you!"
"Don't give me any bullshit, pup! You'll wish you were dead if you don't tell me what's in the damn box?!"
>"I can't.. tell you that! I'm not lying, I really can't!"

Present the options of either keeping quiet and dying now, or dying later by telling us the contents of that box.

If it was just an "Innocent ritual" that shouldn't be a problem.

>>385381
What's with the mark on his face? Anyway draw out his beating. Keep asking various questions, revisiting topics he's given faulty information on or outright refused to speak on.

Revisit:
>why they keep attacking us
>what the ritual was for
>who he's working for
>why it's ALL the clans and not just one or two
>is the box dangerous?
>is there a person in the box?
>what happens if someone opens the box?

>>385391

Looks like a scar. Coulda gotten that from any number of reasons.

Clamp 2012/02/09(Thu)03:49 No. 385396 ID: d6af4f
File 132878815279.png - (90.75KB , 700x700 , 22.png )

Razer Clan. Damn nervy bunch, living so close to human lands. Guess they're still around.

"What's the ritual for?!"
>"I can't tell you!"
"Who're you workin' for?!"
>"I can't!"
"Why's it all the clans attackin' us?!"
>"I don't know!"
"Is there a person in the box?!"
>"I can't risk saying!"
"What happens if ya open the box?! There someone in there?! It dangerous?!"
>"I can't say, I'm telling ya! I told you everything I can! My name is Path, I'm part of the Razor Clan, and I was a scout before becoming a ritualist on the side!"
Then either ya keep quiet and die now, or tell us somethin' and die later!
>"Just kill me, then!"

He ain't much a squealer, that's for certain.

>>385396
Enough threats. Break something.

Then make him open the box.

WHY can 't he tell? Will they kill them if he tells, or is he somehow physically blocked from saying a thing?

>>385400
It is possible he is under some kind of spell that will kill him if he spills the beans.

>>385398
TORTURE NEVER WORKS.

Goddamn, how many times do I gotta say it before it sticks?

>>385396
"OH, so you're more willing to die by my hands then, what, your Necromancer master? What's he got on you, some damn leash spell that auto-kills you horrifically when you disobey? I mean, what's stopping me from finding a worse way. You ever heard of a blood eagle, son?

Wait... you're undead, ain't you? Those stitches in your face hold you together!?"

>>385402
But it's fun.

when he says he can't he might mean he is literally incapable of telling you, or telling you will trigger some sort of magical kill switch. also I feel like he's trying to bait you into killing him, likely because he figures your going to torture him for info otherwise.

hmmm... "what about nodding, can you nod and shake your head?" "is the thing in the box deadly?"

Clamp 2012/02/09(Thu)13:28 No. 385441 ID: d6af4f
File 132882289394.png - (107.65KB , 700x700 , 23.png )

>"What do you think, Boss?" Leaf asks.
"Dunno. Tempted to make him open the box. Don't even feel like he's lyin' about not bein' able to, or he's a damn good actor. Sounds crazy, but I gotta wonder if he's somehow blocked from sayin' a thing, or under some spell that'll kill him."

I ain't into torture, but he don't know that.

"Ever heard of a blood eagle, pup? How about a gut wall, or a skin shield?"

He's sweatin'. I have no damn clue what any of those things are, I'm makin' em up.

"Can you nod, pup?"
>"....may..be."
"What's in the box? Somethin' deadly?"
>"I don't actually know, I swear! Ask something else, I'll nod or shake my head if I know, really! I'll do it! You'll..."
"I'll what?"
>"Nothing, I can't say, I said too much!"

Weird kid. Sounds terrified. Which yes or no question should I ask first, then...

>>385402
You forgot to finish that sentence

TORTURE NEVER WORKS except when it does, and usually that's because you had enough time and willingness to be depraved and brutal. Clamp and the rest could do the brutal part. Not too sure about time. If possible, would be better to not attempt it, since presumably this one'll take a while.


That said-I get the feeling this is one of those 'someone he cares about more than his life is being held to insure he's quiet' it fits the scenario-why he's not talking, despite being terrified.

So on that note-what do you know of the clan he mentioned? I'd say threaten to murder your way through the clan, and see how he responds. Depending on HOW he reacts, we could get a much better sense of what's up with this guy and the ones that sent him.

>>385443
Torture wouldn't be an option any way. Clamp said he isn't into it.

get Talon to open the box,
if he declines, tell him you'll give his necklace back if he does