You’re ANTON PEAS: mild-mannered frycook, stage magician, extradimensional tourist, and now a mafioso mulcher!You heard right! Life’s been a whirlwind ever since you woke up in ZORAL: a fantasy world shrouded in perpetual darkness. There’s your fuzzy memories, of course, not to mention the fact that your gun-crazy ex-girlfriend LIZ somehow found her way in after you! Oh, and let’s not forget how your soul’s being held hostage by the eponymously-named RED: an archdevil who–in return for the demonic power you inadvertently pilfered on your arrival–wants you to slay THE FOUR LORDS OF ZORAL: a rogue’s gallery of godlike tyrants, monsters, and all-around persons of low moral fiber!Thankfully you’re not alone… you’re more popular than ever, in fact! There’s TZAH-TZIE, of course: your feisty ladyfriend and a brash bard, VOLKA: Grand Marshall of a neighborhood safety group called THE LAMPLIGHTERS whose kindness is only matched by her dizzying size, MOROOK: a quiet, but competent ranger and Volka’s half-brother, REZALITH: once a fearsome foe, now one of your most powerful–and loyal–allies, OTI: skilled sorcerer with a chip on his shoulder, and TOPPEL: a manic mage with a penchant for less-than-ethical experiments and running into trouble!Your arrival in UMBERAL: the gem of the North and self-proclaimed ‘City of Tomorrow’ was anything but uneventful. Despite being watched by the cold, unyielding gaze of ARCHMAGE TRIER: one of the many lords on your death docket, Umberal is also well-known for being home to the infamous SPICE CARTEL: a criminal enterprise whose reach spans all of Zoral… and maybe even beyond!Well, it did, anyways. In search of ways to defeat the aforementioned archmage, your search inevitably led you to cross paths with the cartel, along with their leader, VHALE NESSURMOS--Tzah-Tzie’s ‘betrothed’ and Five-Star jerk! The feud reached its breaking point when he and his lackeys kidnapped your favorite catthing, and in a climactic clash in the cartel’s compound you managed to not only best Vhale and reclaim your girlfriend, but also acquire NOTES on how to defeat the seemingly-invincible archmage!The battle may be won, but the war is far from over: Vhale’s lieutenants may not be as dead as you hope, and their troops won’t forget the blow you struck any time soon! Not to mention you’ve got an appointment with TRIER at dawn whether you like it or not! For now, however, all you can do is sit back, relax, and watch as your spunky Spinner’s concert comes to a close!Ears still ringing from the bardic brawl’s aftermath, THIS is where your tale continues…https://youtu.be/1lR8VLt1Xlk
>>6361939Find your seats and don’t forget the snacks, it’s DARK QUEST! Take a look at a few resources before we get this party started:>Archive link to catch up with the last thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Quest>Pastebin for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Character and Other Info compiled by everyone’s favorite Spinner…https://pastebin.com/YKhP6xCtRolls are handled by a 1(or more)d100--I take the BEST OF THREE ROLLS! 1’s are CRITFAILS while 100’s are CRITSUCCESSES! Certain boosts and maluses will be applied based on the situation and existing skills.PLEASE ONLY 1 VOTE/ROLL PER PLAYER! If it’s exceptionally slow I’ll ask for people to roll again!BEEP BEEP! NEW MECHANIC!!! Thank you to the brave anons that weighed in last thread to make it happen: BAD LUCK BALATRO: Every day you get ONE reroll on a LUCK-BASED ROLL (Bluffing, Acrobatics, Dodging... situations where BAD LUCK would make sense per the anon that suggested it! Swell idea, mac!) I will provide the prompt when appropriate!Describing your actions, write-ins, and GENERAL CREATIVITY are all APPRECIATED AND REWARDED--we like to keep things LIGHT and CHILL here, so come on in and have some fun! FAN ART, THEORIES, AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK ARE ALL VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!DISCLAIMER: THIS QUEST IS DARK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
An uncanny dryness cakes your parched mouth as you stand gobstruck at the foot of the stage atop CRYSTALMELT LODGE. The icy air pricks your wide eyes and stings your ears, but you don’t pay it any mind–but you pay the sensations no mind as the crowd below explodes into raucous cheers.At center stage stands Tzah-Tzie–the girl panting like a dog after a long walk on a hot Summer’s day… and grinning from ear to pointy ear like a cat that caught the canary! Basking in the crowd’s adoration, the girl still can’t resist shooting you a cheeky wink–the small gesture sending a shiver down your spine and a goofy smile onto your face!“HELLS!” Exclaims a boisterous and very-familiar voice as it approaches your flank, “Didja’ hear her up there, Rook!?”Your first reaction is to assume the question’s of the rhetorical variety, but once you remember who’s asking it you waste no time in responding! Yea, Volka, you respond, beaming like a sentient headlight, you heard her alright!“That right there?” The Skog smiles with a satisfied nod, “THAT’S music!”She can say that again! Before she can say it again, however, you sense a pair of flapping wings ferrying someone down to the ground next to you! “REZA!” Chirps Volka as she snatches up the fiend in a bearhug, “Not bad, right? Riiiiight!?”“ACK!” Snarls the satanthing as she makes a show of ‘struggling’ to escape the gentle giant’s grasp, “I… It was adequate! The Snack is good for something other than Emergency Rations, I suppose!”High praise from Rezzie! Before you can interrogate her further, your posse is approached by a pair of bulbous yellow eyes–their owner groaning as he hobbles over. Morook, you begin with a wry grin, thoughts?“... I mean no disrespect,” He weakly drones with a flicker in his eyes, “But I’m glad it’s over…” Sensing a faux-pas, the Chytree straightens his posture with renewed vigor in his gaze! “Th-that’s not to say I’m not impressed by Ms. Tzie’s skills, of course! Very musical, yes!”“I’m fluent in Morookish,” Volka chimes in, “And that means he liked it!”“My aching head…”>CONTD.
>>6361941… right… As your favorite catthing exits the stage opposite from her opponent Lutza, you can almost see a glimmer of hope in her rival’s purple eyes… “Quite the show, that! Top-notch performance indeed!” You barely even notice Toppel as she poofs into existence behind you all–the sorcerer still small thanks to Oti transmogrifying her into a Durher. “Didn’t peg you for a music fan, Top!” Volka remarks, earning a shrug from the witch. “True artistes flock together, you know!”No one dares asks what art she practices, nor does anyone try to react as her vampire-turned-Makaar brother approaches the group with impeccable timing.“Where’s Oti?” She asks, idly kicking her sibling to the side. Probably still watching over the crowd like a vulture, you respond with a half-shrug. You just hope he finishes enchanting your robe soon–something tells you you’re gonna need it!“ANT!!!!”The shout doesn’t prepare you for the fuzzy torpedo crashing into your chest! Nearly bowling you over, Tzah-Tzie plants a big, wet smooch on your cheek before pulling back with a cheeky, if not somewhat weary, grin on her foxlike face!“Weeeelllll?” She coos with a roguish glimmer forming in her big green eyes, “Was I great, or was I GREAT!?”What say ye?>You kicked BUTT out there!>Pretty good, kid!>Tease her a bit! She was okay!>Just ask the crowd, dude!>Thoughts, everyone?>Is she okay? She got a little emotional at the end there!>Write-In!
>>6361942>Tease her a bit! She was okay!We don't have that many opportunities to tease her, yknow.
>>6361946The cattethinge is tease-resistant, it's true! Can't tease the teaser! TEASE AT YOUR OWN PERIL!
>>6361951That just makes it all the better when she gets teased.
>>6361941Welcome back, QM! I just want to say that whenever Rezalith calls TT "The Snack," I picture The Cheat from Hemostat Runner. From now on, that will be my mental image of her.>>6361946+1
>>6361958>Hemostat RunnerAh, yes, the Homestar Runner medical drama spinoff that autocorrect just invented.
>>6361958And now Strongbad is Rezzie's canon VA
>>6361942We are so fucking back, uh, I mean, DARK! >You kicked BUTT out there!I am Nice and want to be Supportive :3But with some teasing first
>>6361942>Tease her a bit! She was okay!Bully the catthinge.Tease the catthinge.Hug the catthinge.
>>6361946>>6361958>>6361987>TEASE THE CATTETHINGE>>6361966>ACTUALLY BE NICE AND SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR CATGIRLTHINGFRIENDYou asked... we answered! Writing!
Okay, it goes without saying that you’re proud of your favorite fuzzball, but if she keeps this up you’re gonna have to take her to the mechanic for a SMUG Check! Gracing the gremlin with a gentle and well-deserved headpat, you lock eyes with the performer and grin.Does… does she mean the performance, or-“No, I meant my hair, Anton.”W-wait, rea-“OF COURSE I MEANT THE PERFORMANCE!”“I was a little confused too, not gonna lie!” Volka admits, shaking off the embarrassment with a hearty laugh! Riiiight, you nod as you give your fuzzy chin a good rub, yea, it… it was neat! Lots of energy! You don’t mean to sound like a cultural chauvinist, but you don’t normally find Durhers threatening–aside from Vhale, of course, but he’s deader than Disco now! The look Tzah-Tzie gives you as your assessment leaves your lips, however…“... Neat?”Y-yea, you add as you try not to react to your friends cautiously clearing the area around you, it was pretty good, y’know? A real toe-tapper!The Durher’s eyes continue to bore holes through yours as you feel her claws dig deeper into your sides–you’re unsure if Durhers can chew through bone or not, but something about the way she stares you down prompts you to shield your sternum.As the tension in the air becomes thick enough to spread across a bagel, the girl dispels the murderous atmosphere with a sing-song laugh as she gives your forearm a playful, but still painful, nip!“Jackass…” TT mutters with a derisive snort and a toothy grin, “You’re from another plane–what would YOU know about good music anyways, hmm!?”Hey, you counter, she heard your SANDY SEASHELLS spiel… you’ve forgotten more things about music than she’ll ever kn-OW!“Alas! Alack!” Sighs Tzah-Tzie as her teeth leave your forearm, “My music was so moving! So provocative! So befuddlingly BEAUTIFUL that it pulverized that poor pudding populating his porous pate!”“There’s something IN there?” Rezzie remarks as she gives your head a flick! OW!“M-music… can DO that!?” Sputters Volka, much to her brother’s chagrin.“No, Volka… no it can’t.”“Actually, with the right frequency it could-”As Toppel mutters to herself about death music, your favorite Durher presses her head against your abdomen and sighs a weary, wistful sigh. Bell for her thoughts?“I’ve been swept up in a maelstrom…” She muses from the comfort of your shirt, “I… feel sad, sure, and worried… and angry…”You know exactly who caused those feelings, but you don’t say his name.“And yet I feel… excited.” She murmurs as she gives you a gentle squeeze, “And proud… and… and light–lighter than a sunbeam!” >CONTD.
>>6362056Craning her neck upwards, the girl gives you a fresh smile through her still-damp eyes. “It’s weird, but I feel… alive… Like I just took a deep breath after being underwater.”Her small skull cocks to the side as you feel her foxlike ears flatten against her hair. “Does that make sense? I’m feeling oddly poetic tonight…”Yea, you nod as you give her thick hair another playful tousle, you think it does! The Spinner smiles. “Great, because if I so much as smell a bed in the next few minutes I’m gonna pass out… whoof!”“Dawn IS approaching…” Morook mutters remorsefully as you feel Tzah-Tzie slump against your trunk, “Anton, are you-”‘Prepared’? Good question, you reply with a halfhearted shrug! How do you even begin to prepare for a showdown with one of Zoral’s most powerful mages? Granted, you’ve got an ANTI-MAGIC BOMB ready to ruin his day, Oti’s weaving a spell into your COMFY ROBE that should trap the Archmage in one body, and RED is standing by to steal the sorcerer’s soul…But having all the pieces of a magic trick? That’s easy. Pulling it off? That’s a whole other story! Speaking of, as you stand trapped within the vise-grip of your favorite fuzzball, a pair of steely, familiar eyes approaches from around the corner of the stage!“A fine performance indeed, Miss Tzie.” Remarks Joplin as the Gnok sends an appraising glance TT’s way, “Miss Lutza wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience.”“That was fast, huh, Ant?” Chuckles Tzah-Tzie as she shoots you a wink before releasing her hold on you, “You sure she doesn’t need a moment or twenty? Don’t wanna interrupt a sob sesh-”“You’ll find us in the suite.” Replies the manager in a matter-of-fact tone. “We’ve also reserved a room for you to ‘meet-and-greet’ some of your new fans.” Striding over with purpose, Joplin drops a key in Tzah-Tzie’s hand, much to her befuddlement. “The Tiito Triplets will join you as a security precaution, but as your manager I encourage you to limit the number of meetings, should you choose to do any at a-”“W-wait a tick–” Stammers Volka, her face mirroring Tzah-Tzie’s as the two of them study Joplin’s dour expression, “Did… did you say-”“’As your manager?’”The Gnok stiffens at TT’s question as if he’d just stepped on a tack. “... I, erm… I certainly wouldn’t scoff at the suggestion....” He answers, cutting himself off with a forced cough. “Were it suggested, that is…”>CONTD.
>>6362058Beating a hasty retreat, Joplin leaves you standing alongside the stage with Tzah-Tzie, Volka, Morook, Rezzie, Toppel, and Obber as the crowd below continues to mill about outside CRYSTALMELT LODGE. You get the feeling this kind of thing doesn’t happen every evening–especially as your eyes wander over to the blue, gaslamp-like eyes guarding the crowd’s perimeter.Dawn is coming, you think as Tzah-Tzie sends a concerned glance your way, but what should you do in the meantime?>Greet some fans with TT!>See what Lutza wants!>Check in with Oti about your Enchanted Robe!>Talk to Toppel about demons!>Call Joji! Bring the airship around!>Strategize with Morook and Volka!>RED–Is he ready?>Write-In!
>>6362060>See what Lutza wants!Probably the last time we will get before everything goes to hell, and at that point her manager might try to get her outta the city.
>>6362060>See what Lutza wants!>Call Joji! Bring the airship around!Wanna know what his deal is>Strategize with Morook and Volka!Wanna prepare
>>6362069+1, in that order.
>>6362069+1Alas, alack, TT...
>>6362060>Check in with Oti about your Enchanted Robe!
>>6362069>>6362074>>6362168>LUTZA!>JOJI!>STRATZ!>>6362062>LUTZA FIRST!>>6362172>OTI!Writing! Might take a bit so apologies in advance--we'll just go in the order folks voted for!
Oti’ll track you down when he’s done, you think as you give your galpal’s ears a reassuring scritch, sending her into a purring fit as she leans into your fingers. The only thing that’s certain, you quietly reason to yourself, is that whether you succeed against Trier or not, your pals will need to be ready to depart from Umberal at the drop of a hat!Better get your ducks in order while you can, starting with whatever Lutza wants! Relaying your idea to your pals, you’re met with a resounding display of SYNERGY when everyone nods in assent!… Even TT! What about her fans, though?“Pssh, doing a fan meet-n-greet at the first performance? Desperate, much?” She chirps, tossing her hair to the side with a defiant smirk! “Gotta build up to it, y’know? Cultivate that mystique! Can’t just rush into it!”Kinda like-“Exactly,” Purrs the performer as her tail gently smacks your side. “Besides, I’ve got my biggest fans right here!”“Heheh… guilty!” Smirks Volka, the girl grinning from ear to ear! That’s… not really what she meant, bu-“Probably for the best–seems like a good way to let an angry Carteler close, security be damned.” Morook drones with a gloomy sigh. Rezzie frowns, as she is wont to do. “So we get a show and a meal–what’s the problem?”Okay, you sigh with a clap of your hands, Lutza’s suite! Let’s mosey! Crystalmelt Staffers usher you and the gang over to a covered rampway leading back into the Lodge, and once that’s taken care of it doesn’t take long for you all to make your way back to Lutza’s Lodgings. The damage from the earlier battle is all but repaired, save for the faint scent of ozone just barely permeating the Lodge’s persistent pine-and-berry scent. Joplin opens the door long before you knock, and directs you inside with a stoic flick of his eyes.When you enter, Lutza is already waiting–eyes still damp with emotion as something rattles in her trembling arms. Not waiting for an invitation, Tzah-Tzie takes a few steps ahead of the herd before stopping a few arm’s lengths shy of her opponent!“Let’s make this quick.” She mutters with fresh ire on her foxlike face, “Give it back.”A weak smile slips onto Lutza’s face as she gives her Striilii a gentle strum. “... You’re amazing…”The compliment sends your catthing off-guard, but she swiftly recovers. “Y-yea, damn right I am!” She scoffs, wide-eyed and gobsmacked, “Now give it-”“I knew you had potential…” Lutza continues as her gaze falls floorward, “Knew it the moment you stepped onto that stage with this Striilii.”>CONTD.
>>6362342TT’s eyes narrow in growing confusion. You don’t have to be a fuzzball expert to know she didn’t expect this. “That’s… that’s then, this is now! Now quit acting all humble and give me-”“You had that spark in your eyes back then… and now?” The performer’s peepers return to study Tzah-Tzie. “They’re burning... burning brighter than ever before.” Lutza’s smile widens as pride floods into her features. “Brighter than mine di-”“Will you SHUT UP already!?”TT’s sudden outburst nearly sends you tumbling into Volka… and Lutza? She barely even fliches!“You wanna talk about the PAST!?” Snarls Tzah-Tzie as she takes a step closer, “You wanna talk about BURNING!? That Striilii you took… that was the one good memory I had of my past life!”Like a switch being flicked, The Spinner’s bubbly demeanor shifts into unfiltered ire! “You wanna wax nostalgic? Want to reminisce about how I became a PARIAH after that little duel of ours? How I couldn’t pluck a single godsdamned note after that without being recognized as the girl who embarrassed herself in front of Lutza!?”TT’s melodious voice cracks as she grits her teeth in defiance. “How I had to scrimp and save every bell I could scrounge up to resculpt my eyes and voice just to avoid getting recognized? The INDIGNITIES I had to endure!?”“A Spinner’s Duel is-”“SHUT UP!”For the first time since you met him, it’s Joplin’s turn to look shocked–the explanation dying in his throat as TT’s order emerges from her throat ragged and angry!“You… you KNEW you were better than me…” The Crooner continues as her pinprick pupils return to Lutza, “And you raised those stakes knowing damn well that they’d ruin me!”“But it didn’t ruin you, did it?”The response takes TT off guard as Lutza’s eyes grow firm under her gaze. “You were bloodied. bruised... but not beaten. You were discouraged… but you didn’t give in.”Tzah-Tzie’s mouth moves to respond, but no words emerge. “You said it yourself: your path was rough and rocky… but it led you to countless others. Now here you stand: stronger. Wiser. Every note and lyric bolstered by the stories you’ve collected along the way.”Her gaze softens. “I still remember my first–a tired-eyed man shuffling in from the cold… the sound of one boot hitting the floor before being ambushed by his giggling daughter…” Lutza blinks a tear off of her eyelid and onto the plush carpet. “The sound his calloused claws made as they scraped the Striilii strings… slow. Soft. Near-silent. Their sounds drifting away in a dull haze as I laid in his lap, my eyelids growing heavy…”The Spinner bites her lip as her amethyst eyes lift skyward. “I remember all of them. You do too, don’t you?”>CONTD.
>>6362343TT blinks in angry confusion. “Of… of course I do, but-”“You only reach the end of that path once, you know.” Lutza sighs as she gives the instrument in her arms a loving stroke, “I’ve known that for some time, and yet…” She swallows the lump forming in her throat. “Stories aren’t spun behind security guards and closed doors… they’re found in the dark corners of the world–paths we don’t want to tread after tasting fame’s sweet nectar.”Tzah-Tzie recoils a bit as her rival strides forward and gently places her instrument into her outstretched claws–an invisible weight leaving Lutza’s shoulders as she passes it off.“Don’t ever let that flame die, Tzah-Tzie.” Lutza concludes as her sad smile rises with reassurance, “And don’t ever lose track of who stoked them.”For once in her life, TT is speechless, as are Morook, Volka, and Rezzie (you assume Toppel went off to bother Oti). You don’t envy her, that’s for sure–this was supposed to be her moment of vengeance–of closure! And yet?The spunky Spinner just stands there with her sister’s gift trembling like a green-eyed leaf in the wind, neither one of them daring to make another move.Maybe… you should step in?>It’s time to bury the hatchet, TT.>Let’s go.>You two aren’t so different, are you?>Was there anything else, Joplin?>How’s it feel, TT?>Where are you headed next, Lutza?>Is it cold in here, or is it just me?>Hug it out already, girls.>Stay Silent.>Write-In!>>6361958I want you to know that this comment kept me up last night thinking about who everyone's Voice Actor would be. Hope you're happy, you ROGUE!
>>6362344Hm..I don't want to have to *tell* TT to do the first move. But I'd like to do something. Maybe we could>Silently encourage her
>>6362342TT has hair to toss? Like, long, human-style head-fur? this changes everything!What, exactly? I'm not sure. It's just not how I pictured Durhers.>>6362344>How’s it feel, TT?A little prompt, to get her going.>I want you to know that this comment kept me up last night thinking about who everyone's Voice Actor would be. Hope you're happy, you ROGUE!I am, yes. Who'd you decide on?
>>6362357A few off the top of my head thus far (and subject to change since I got, like, zero sleep last night):TT: Sarah StilesVolka: Samantha BéartRED: Sam ElliottRezzie: Melissa FahnVhale: Dan SouthworthRolo: Richard HawleyVolkir: David KayeTrier: Tony Jay (RIP)Oti: Rich KeebleToppel: Sarah PitardMorook: Martin StarrAnton: Billy WestLiz: Still eludes me.Sometimes I write and these change in my head, though, especially Anton's, but some of 'em are pretty solid in my mindWhat are YOUR VOICES for each character, Dark Dukes?
>>6362366All the ones I recognize are great shouts. Rukia as Rezzie is inspired.
>>6362385Fahn also plays Gaz in Invader Zim which I thought was kinda appropriate
Rolled 2 (1d2)>>6362349[1]>>6362357[2]Let's flip a coin for it! Writing the result!
>>6362388Oh damn! That is also a very good reference point.
The ensuing silence sends a shiver down your spine. So, you cough into your hand, shattering the quiet like a phlegmy wrecking ball, how’s it feel, TT?The words dispel the lingering anger in the fuzzball’s features, prompting her claws to find the instrument’s frets! A few soft notes slowly slip from the Striilii’s surface as if they were asking permission to be heard… and within moments the room is filled with the dulcet tones of a forlorn song!Losing herself in the music, TT’s eyes close and her expression softens as the notes travel across the suite like clouds drifting through clear, blue skies taking the room’s tension away with them. Listening in soothing silence, you and the others let your ears feast as TT gets reacquainted with her old instrument. Volka’s tail tries to tap the floor to the beat, but by the time the girl gives up the song fades away into nothingness like a dream dispelled by a pleasant awakening.Emerging from her trance with a warm smile on her face, TT meets your gaze with an over-the-shoulder glance.“It…” she begins in a hesitant tone, “It feels like… home...”“I thought you hated your home, thou-err, I mean-”“I mean the feeling, you know?” Tzah-Tzie softly replies as she shrugs off Volka’s faux-pas, “Like coming home after a long, long journey. And there’s a warm fireplace waiting for you… the scent of hot stew cooking on the stove… a nice, toasty blanket…”For the briefest of moments you see it: Tzah-Tzie’s vision of home and all it entails!“A fire would be nice…” Muses Morook as his sister licks her lips with her eyes closed behind him.“Stew…” Rezzie grunts, tail whipping back and forth in excitement!Rubbing her cheek against the Striilii like a doll, TT’s eyes wander back over to Lutza–the other starlet merely watching with a mixture of pride and relief in her gaze. “I…” begins TT, the word coming out choked, “I’m-”“Hold onto those images.” Lutza requests, closing her eyes in earnest, “Keep them close to your heart and anywhere can feel like home.”Tzah-Tzie’s eyes light up at that… but their glimmer fades with a resigned sigh. “Why… why are you making it so hard for me to-”“To hate me?” Lutza interjects as a single laugh leaves her lips, “It’s selfish, really… I would love nothing more than to be your rival, Tzah-Tzie–to test my mettle against yours until our tails grow mangy and grey…” A mischievous grin slips onto the Spinner’s face. “But I’d prefer to do it as an artistic colleague… and maybe… if you’d have me…”TT whispers the word long before it can leave Lutza’s lips. “... A friend?” Her rival nods. “... I dunno, Lutz… my mind’s a mess, I’ve got so many thoughts flying around my head an-NYAAGH!”>CONTD.
>>6362506“SIMPERING HAIRTHING!” Suspended by her scruff from Rezzie’s claw, TT wriggles in vain like a kitten that got caught in the kibble bag! “R-Rez-Rez!” Sputters your favorite Skog as she debates stepping in, “That’s-”“Not only do you freely deny the soft one’s oath of FRIENDSHIP, you would also shy away from her CHALLENGE?! Have you no shame, Snack!?”“H-hey! I have… I have PLENTY of shame, thank you very much!” Sputters the Spinner as she sways back and forth in the demon’s grasp like a pair of fuzzy dice from a rearview mirror! “I just… sh-she’s-”“Swearing FEALTY to you… and you refuse!” Scoffs the Satan with an eyeroll you can feel! “Have you not witnessed the immeasurable POWER such a pact imbues!? Do you FEAR friendship!?”“NO!” TT wails as she struggles to stop spinning, “I… I have PLENTY of friends! I love friends! I… I make friends all the time! Ant, tell her to leggo, will ya!?”“Feast your eyes upon the Volka: the spring in her step–the ease at which she dances past attacks and swings her blade! Impossible for one of her size!”“H-hey, it’s all muscle!” Stammers the Skog as her cheeks turn a shade redder! “M-most of it, at least!”“And THIS thing!” Rezzie continues as she nearly smacks Morook in the eye with her dangling Durher! “He reeks of fungus and mold and skulks around like a PIT WRETCH searching for marrow to slurp up! Imagine the power he could wield if he had FRIENDS!”“... Rude.”“And who could forget your… your…” The devil trips over her words as she struggles to get the right one out! “B-BOSOM-BUDDY ANTON!”Now it’s your turn to feel like a deer in the headlights–but TT’s giving you a run for your money too! “He steals hearts as easily as a HEARTGOUGER would… steal a heart! And despite his homely appearance and milquetoast disposition, he struck down your wicked wedder… and now stands to topple the very pillars of this wretched world!”I think what Rezzie is, uh, trying to say, TT, you begin in a desperate attempt to cut the Hellion off, is that, well… maybe it’s worth trying?“You do appear to have several things in common.” Morook remarks, his tone still stinging from Rezalith’s rebuke, “and for what it’s worth, I enjoyed the music you made together.” His big yellow eyes glitter at Lutza. “How have I barely heard of you up until now?”>CONTD.
>>6362507“Preeeetty sure that ain’t her fault, Mor…” Chides his half-sister as she gives his head a ‘gentle’ flick that fills the suite with a sickening crack! Weighing your words like they were lined in gold, TT’s face is still scrunched up in thought when Rezalith deposits her back onto the carpet.It’s hard to say what kind of mental battle is going on behind the fuzzball’s eyes, but after a moment of visible contemplation, her expression softens… not in defeat or resignation, but something else…A familiar smile forms on the Durher’s face. “Okay, Lutz... you’re on.”Lutza looks shocked at first–composed though she may be, the girl clearly didn’t expect that from her fellow bard! “O-okay!” She sputters, wide-eyes gleaming with excitement, “Yes! It’s official, then! We’re rivals!”“Friendly rivals.” Corrects the catthing with a flick of her tail. “But just so we’re clear: this isn’t gonna stop me from dueling you, y’know!”“HA! I’ll simply have to prepare, then!” Lutza counters with a competitive smirk of her own! “And know this, Tzah-Tzie: I won’t take this loss lying down!”“Better work on that fretwork then–I caught you slipping!”“As did I–you’ll ruin your vocal cords if you don’t sing from the diaphragm, you know!”“Pfft, that’s kit stuff!”“I mean for the whole performance!”“Y-yea, I know that! It’s just hard when you’re playing for hours-”As the Durhers descend into a maelstrom of musical tips, you and the others are ushered away by Joplin–the manager’s step a bit springier than usual!“I didn’t wish to ruin the moment,” The Gnok begins in a measured tone, “But from a professional standpoint those two stand to take Zoral by storm–I’ve an eye for these things, you know.”“Don’t need an eye for it!” Scoffs the Skog behind you! “Watching those two on stage? Whoof! I got shivers!”“Even I enjoyed myself.” Adds Morook! “... To a degree.”“You have enough on your plate as-is,” Continues the manager with a satisfied quarter-smile, “But I hope you’ll keep the suggestion in mind once your schedule’s cleared up some.”That’d be up to her, you answer as you steal a glance at your favorite Spinner–the Durher still gleefully conversing with her rival giddier than a schoolgirl! “Indeed…” Joplin remarks with a nod. “Guard her close, then–she has talent.”Oh, you know, you respond beaming with pride, you knew it the minute you met the little gremlin!>CONTD.
>>6362511“On a more pressing note,” Joplin segues, “I trust you haven’t forgotten about our offer to your pilot?”Nope, you reply as you fish the CLICKER out from your pocket, you can summon him with this at any time–said he’d touch down in the back! The Gnok nods in approval.“Capital. We shouldn’t dilly-dally–every moment we remain at Crystalmelt is another opportunity for our foes. Speaking of…” His eyes narrow as he leans in closer. “Miss Lutza’s… ‘Fan’... what’s become of him?”Last you saw the big oaf, you answer with a shrug in your voice, he was leaping off the side of the airship… inconclusive, to say the least.“Hm.” Joplin’s brow furrows at your answer. “Not ideal, but the sudden restructuring of their hierarchy should keep them busy for a time.” A heavy sigh leaves his lips. “Was there anything else? Otherwise we really should depart.”Rolo... you'll get that singing scallywag eventually! Anything else for these guys?>Ask him about Rolo!>What’s next for him and Lutza?>Does he really think TT has talent?>Any advice for Trier?
>>6362512Oops, other choices got cut off!>You wanna ask Lutza something real quick!>Nope, you’re good!>Write-In!>>6362461Yea I realize I shoulda mentioned some of the characters along with the VA--totally forgot these people play a buttload of different roles!
>>6362512>Warn him he *might* want to keep a way outta town open, just in caseThings might get TRICKY soon. If Trier and Vhale end up dead on the same night, this means this city filled with criminals, cutthroat businessmen and dangerous mages will be up for grabs. Not to mention the other lords.>>6362514That's putting it lightly, if Anton's Billy West, that's a range of Fry to Elmer Fudd.
>>6362525+1 agreed!
>>6362525Alright gimme a sec hereTT: Sarah Stiles (Tootsie the Musical)Volka: Samantha Béart (Karlach: Baldur's Gate 3)RED: Sam Elliott (Cowpoke: The Big Lebowski)Rezzie: Melissa Fahn (Gaz: Invader ZimVhale: Dan Southworth (Vergil: Devil May Cry 3)Rolo: Richard Hawley (Djikstra: The Witcher 3)Volkir: David Kaye (Ford Cruller: Psychonauts)Trier: Tony Jay (RIP, Frollo, The Elder God in Soul Reaver... Dude was an institution)Oti: Rich Keeble (Monoco: Expedition 33)Toppel: Sarah Pitard (Darumi: Hundred Line)Morook: Martin Starr (Freaks N Geeks, Silicon Valley)Anton: Billy West (Fry: Futurama)Liz: I know this I frickin swear
>>6362535Maybe I ought to do one of those lineups myself. Personally, I feel like RED gives more of an "Ancient Reptilian Brain" vibe.
>>6362512>Does he really think TT has talent?
>>6362537I can actually definitely see that, yea--very gravely voice!
Eh, you don't need to be friends with everyone. I think Tzah had a reason to be angry but that's bygones now.>>6362525+1
>>6362525>>6362527>>6362668>Keep a way outta town open just in case>>6362626>TT-Talent!?Writing!>>6362668>You don't need to be friends with everyoneDid you NOT just listen to QUEEN REZALITH'S inspiring speech, you WORM!?
Speaking of, you remark as TT and Lutza continue to chatter on the far side of the suite, you’re pretty sure the airship will work out, but-“But there may be… complications following the deaths of several prominent Umberal figures.” The Manager mutters with the usual stony expression. Well, uh… yea!“We expected as such. ‘Plan for Plan B’--an old saying I picked up during my time in the Lancers. There’s an old HYDROMANCER’S LABORATORY bordering the Northern Canals–technically owned by Trimbault Academy, but barely used anymore according to a friend. We’ve a boat stashed away there–we’ll rendezvous there if anything goes wrong. Not that far of a jaunt, considering.”“And the Canals,” Morook counters, “They’ll be safe?”“Safer. Comparatively.” The Gnok promptly replies. “I hope you understand that if you succeed at what you intend to do, Umberal will light up like a powder keg.”You know, you reply with a shrug, but you don’t exactly have a choice…“No great changes ever happen smoothly.” Joplin shrugs. “And if we’re discussing evils, eliminating the Archmage is certainly the lesser. Those Teksouls can’t be allowed to persist–not here, not anywhere.”“Phew! And here I was thinking I was the only one who found ‘em freaky!” Volka sighs with relief! “You wanna call the airship now, Rook?”There… is one last thing, you add as you lean in closer to Joplin. Does he… does he really think TT has talent?You make a mental note to never play this guy in Poker as he answers your question with the usual steely gaze.“Of course. I don’t waste time on hopeless cases–neither does Miss Lutza.” One of his brows raises ever so slightly. “Do you think we employed your assistance on the Skyrail on a mere lark?”No, you answer with a nervous grin, it’s just that… like, how does he know, y’know? You didn’t think it was possible, but the manager’s posture stiffens even more at your question! Answering it with a long, weary sigh, he leads you further away from the Durhers.“As you may have already surmised, I haven’t always been a Manager.”“Potent magic, iron will, precise movements…” Morook observes, eyes glimmering in the dark like salt lamps, “You mentioned the Lancers.”“Indeed. CALLAY LANCER DIVISION 22. Enlisted barely before my first feathers grew in. Left with a smattering of lofty titles, a lord’s estate here in Umberal… and more bad memories than I could ever hope to forget.” You hear something wooden strike the wall near the Gnok’s feet. “Lost it in the last FUUXI OFFENSIVE. Kept the peg to remind me that it could’ve been my head.”>CONTD.
>>6362763The look in Volka’s big yellow eyes tells you Joplin was either some kind of hero or just really, really lucky to be alive. You don’t interrupt.“Spent most of the campaign in a Medical Tent. Normally a grunt’ll spend a minute or two with a Healer, but-”“But Fuuxi Venom can negate magical energy.” Mutters Morook with an apology in his gaze!“Quite the problem unless you’re a Skog.” Joplin nods as his stern gaze wanders over to Volka. “Doesn’t hinder natural regeneration, but magical is out of the question. Takes a different breed of gumption to serve in a Medical Tent when fighting Fuuxi–takes mettle. And…” For the briefest of moments, Joplin’s eyes tremble.“... Creativity.”Sensing a change in your expression, the Manager proceeds.“I was stuck in one for a month–nothing to do but practice my incantations, map out the area with the sounds I heard outside the tent… there were others, of course, but you can only speak to another Lancer for so long before wanting to tear his arms off.”It takes you a moment to register Joplin’s remark as a joke–Volka lets out a singular laugh.“Better men than I would’ve gone mad from the boredom…” He continues, gaze drooping as he starts down a path he hadn’t walked in ages, from the looks of it. “But there was this one Healer–MIISMI--must’ve been the smallest Durher I’d ever met. Always moving, that one.” He adds as a sliver of fondness slips onto his face, “The lads and I would take bets on how long it’d take for her to stop scampering around.” Joplin frowns.“Never did get those bells Tonig owed me.”This ‘Miismi’, you begin, was she also a-“A Spinner? Never got the chance, no.” Joplin gruffly replies. “Worked at an apothecary run by her family–cared for her parents, nieces, and nephews when she wasn’t. Tied bandages a bit too tight, but…”The Gnok’s voice trails off as the faintest of glimmers forms in his stony eyes.“But her voice… it was her voice that saved us.” Another quarter-smile graces his lips. “She’d start softly–barely above a whisper–but when the other Healers didn’t stop her, well…” His eyes close as he takes a long, hearty breath. “The tent didn’t feel like a prison anymore.”“This girl…” Rezzie frowns, throwing in a scoff to hide her obvious interest, “What became of her?” The question wipes all traces of mirth away from the Gnok’s face.“PRAJEN SHAKES. Must’ve caught it tending to all of the sick and injured–the girl barely ever sat down… practically slept on her feet.” Another sigh escapes his mouth. “She passed before the brass could even send her home. The Prajen’s a nuisance to most races– runny eyes, chills, irritation around the teeth–but the smaller folk?” >CONTD.
>>6362764His eyes briefly shift over to Lutza and TT–the girls still giggling like old friends.“After she went, the tent became a tomb again. Some of us persisted, healed, and went back to the front, but others?” His raptor-like eyes fall upon you. “Some just stopped fighting. Never left their sickbeds.”Clearing his throat, Joplin straightens up his posture before continuing. “Music is… a powerful, powerful force. It can keep a man marching when he’s got no strength left to give… bring hope to the hopeless… Hells, Iasman and the Fruum tells the tale of a Gnok who soothed a rabid Fruum’s spirit with his trusty Orgnay.”“They have been known to react positively to the right tune, yes…” Nods Morook.“I can’t even remember why I enlisted back then,” Joplin concludes, “No doubt some selfish, infantile reason characteristic of a hotheaded youth with nothing to take it out on. When I was honorably discharged, however, I had a purpose–a calling, you might say.”Managing Spinners?“When I met Miss Lutza, she was up to her ears in predatory contracts–she was young. Foolish. But she didn’t have to be prey.” The Manager casts a fond glance over to his client. “She wasn’t my first representee, and I don’t intend for her to be my last.” His eyes wander back over to yours. “In a perfect world I would not be needed, but I exist because you don’t need to be a crippled soldier to understand the truth.”You blink. Which is?“The world is not kind, Mister Peas,” The Gnok answers plainly, “But it doesn’t have to be.”“YES!” Exclaims Volka, causing the Durhers to freeze like raccoons caught stealing from a dumpster, “That’s… that’s EXACTLY what I’ve been sayin’! Ever hear of THE LAMPLIGHTERS?”The Manager frowns. “... Those suicidal neighborhood watch-”“Yea! To the ‘neighborhood watch’ bit, not the first part!”“Yes.” Joplin nods, clearly doing his best to be diplomatic, “The execution could use some work, but I admire your goals, lofty though they may be.”“Well someone’s gotta do ‘em!” Volka counters as she puffs out her chest with pride on her face! “The goals, I mean!”“Too true.” He nods as something flickers in the corner of his eye, “It’s a long, dizzying climb, hope–but it doesn’t have to be undertaken alone.”Another cough leaves the Lancer’s lips as you almost pick up a hint of… embarassment on his face?“At any rate, you didn’t ask for a sermon. The girl has talent–I’d bet my life on it. Speaking of,” He adds as he regains his professional aura, “Shall we call the transport now? The longer we wait, the more our foes stand to gain.”Well?>One more question!>You wanna ask Lutza something!>You gotta talk to TT real quick!>Let’s strategize here!>You wanna track down Oti and Toppel first!>Sure, let’s ride!>Write-In!
>>6362765>Sure, let’s ride!
>>6362765>You wanna track down Oti and Toppel first!
>>6362765Woke up just in time to be tiebreaker-sama.>You wanna track down Oti and Toppel first!Let's find these two schizos.
>>6362769>>6362773>Lets get up in the air!>>6362813>>6362871>>6363037>Check in with Oti and Toppel!Sorry, all--didn't mean to take that long to respond yesterday! Stuff got a little busy! Will write this next update out this afternoon!
You’ll catch up with them in a jiff, you begin, giving your CLICKER a few of its namesakes based off of the instructions Joji gave you, you wanna check in with Oti and Toppel before hitting the skies!“Euch. The Odd Couple, huh?”TT and Lutza approach just in time for the former to land a well-timed barb. Yea, you nod, they’re pretty much the best chance you have against Trier right now. Aside from YOU-KNOW-WHO, of course.Something stirs beneath the folds of your shattered psyche like a dog waking up to its food bowl being filled.”Eh? Huh? Cripes, Tex, what the Hells did that dead-eyed creep stick you with?”Doesn’t matter, you reply curtly. TT, Volka, Morook, Rez: Joji should touch down in the back soon–you mind telling him what the new situation is?“GLADLY!” TT chirps, “The sooner we leave this crazy town, the better!”“A-AND ON AN AIRSHIP, TOO!” Squeals the Skog as she and her half-brother exchange a high-five! “ALL ABOARD!”“Tch… it’s just flying...” Grumbles Rezzie, trying not to smirk as Volka slaps her some palm too! Anyone see those kooky conjurers, you idly ask as the rest of the gang prepares for departure! Last you checked, Oti was looming over the concert like a hawk with a grudge!“They should be able to find you if you return to the roof.” Morook suggests with a shrug. “Just listen for the bickering.”Good point and well-made! Leaving your entourage to their own devices, you return the way you came and ride the SCENDOVATOR back up to the top of the lodge! True to his word, it doesn’t take long for you to locate the caster couple–even in the brisk pre-dawn breeze you can hear the two arguing long before you spot them!“You’re toying with forces you cannot even begin to comprehend!” Oti snarls at a clearly-incensed Toppel while Obber watches from the sidelines like a child witnessing their parents fighting!“I comprehend them just fine!” The witch counters! “If that twit fails, who do you think The Archmage’ll come after next, hmm? We need a definitive victory! No half-measures!”“The Archmage is the least of your concerns.”“What’s THAT supposed to mean!?”“Unknown risks… which is precisely what you’ll be adding if you…” The mage’s glowing emerald eyes fall upon you as you approach. “You’re late.”He didn’t exactly give you a timeframe, you retort! And what’s this about risks!? Your question earns a groan out of Oti and a triumphant laugh out of Toppel!“Merely the newest product of my vast, incalculable intellect!” Cackles the witch with a mischievous glint in her eyes! “My colleague believes otherwise.”>CONTD.
>>6363178“Your colleague KNOWS otherwise,” Grumbles Oti as an invisible pair of hands drapes your COMFY ROBE neatly in your arms. “Perhaps another round of that COUNSELING will set you straight…”Yea, you don’t have nearly enough time for another one of those, you answer with an eyeroll that’d make Rezzie blush in envy! You’ve got an airship to catch, so let’s cut to the chase–what’s wrong now?Toppel responds by retrieving a small glass object from whatever it is she’s wearing. “In the interest of helping you succeed, I brewed this: I call it an AETHERIC SIPHON!”Sounds like a techno band. And what, pray tell, does this siphon do?“This vial holds a cocktail of regents that, when triggered by an appropriate reaction, shall SLURP the magical energy out of anything that treads close enough to its epicenter!” Toppel’s eyes meet yours with a roguish grin. “What’s a mage without his magic, hmm? No need to thank me–just bear in mind who made your victory possible! Maybe you could put in a good word with that fiend of yours~”Sucks the magic out, huh? Sounds a little too good to be true…“That’s because it is.” Oti interjects glumly. “What this gibbering simpleton neglects to consider is the sheer density of Umberal’s magical energy–you’ve sensed it, haven’t you? The atmosphere is positively saturated.”Lemme guess, you sigh, he’s worried it’s just gonna keep chowing down?“And he’s a buffoon to assume I didn’t consider that when mixing the concoction together!” Toppel whines like a grounded teenager! “It’s a trap, not a damned magical maelstrom!”“You’ve tested that theory, then?” Asks Oti with a pointed glare. His colleague takes a moment to respond.“... I didn’t get the chance to test it on a focus group, no, but-”Oti turns his attention your way. “Your robe’s finished, Anton… and you’ll be happy to know that it won’t open an insatiable magic-eating rift when it triggers.”“Yes, nice and safe! By-the-books! That’s our Oti!” Chides Toppel with a derisive snort! “Come now, Anton dear–you’ve seen my work! Do you wish to scrape through by the skin of your teeth… or do you wish to WIN!?”You steal a glance at Obber. She did make him, it’s true…“Nevermind Obber–he’s always been a failure.”You’ve got an airship to catch–what’s the play here?>Take Toppel’s ‘Gift’!>Refuse Toppel’s Concoction!>Grill them more! How likely is it for a rift to form?>Interrogate Toppel! You wanna know EXACTLY how this tool works!>Write-In!
>>6363179>Okay, so, consider this. What if. We made it create a rift. ON PURPOSE. And then we put it in a bottle. And we threw that bottle on Trier's FACE.
>>6363179>Interrogate Toppel! You wanna know EXACTLY how this tool works!NO SECRETSNO RUSSIANONLY FACTS.
>>6363179>Take Toppel’s ‘Gift’!We don't have to use it, but it's a good emergency fallback.
Well, darn. Once again I've made too many EXCELLENT choices to consider! I'm going into the office tomorrow, questies, so expect an update later on Tuesday. Until then feel free to decide on what to do!
>>6363180If the fear is that the rift will just keep eating and growing and eating and growing, as I understand it to be... Something like that could destroy the city's infrastructure entirely, and maybe kill a lot of people. It could erase Rezalith as an extraplanar being.
Damn. This has been at a standstill for a while, sooo.>>6363251Changing to +1 this.I like the idea of somehow weaponizing the rift but also, I can't really blame Oti for saying it's too dangerous and stupid to use. Better to go on the safe side when we're murderizing John Trier
>>6363199+1 Chekhov's nuke?
>>6363199>>6363526Welp! Guess I'm swapping back to >Interrogate Toppel! You wanna know EXACTLY how this tool works!To prevent a tie!
>>6363199>>6363526>>6363532>INGREDIENTS PLEASE>>6363180>What if it makes a rift... on TRIER'S FACEOh you scoundrels, you... I leave for one day and I come back to MULTIPLE TIES being made! What... what am I gonna do with you guys, honestly
You’ll take any advantage you can get against Trier-“HOHOHO! Too bad, so sad, OT-”… but you’re gonna be real: the all-consuming magical vortex? That might be a yellow flag! The Durher visibly droops at your follow-up as if you’d just refused to attend her birthday party.“D’oh, come OOOONNNN! Here I am trying to assist and reward you for welcoming me into your little team and this is the thanks I get!?”“He never said you were part of the team.”True, you shrug, but you never said Oti was a part of it either! You can almost see the teeniest, tiniest sliver of a reaction to your counterpoint in Oti’s bulbous eyes before you continue what you were gonna say.This concoction, you begin in a far more diplomatic tone, walk me through it! How does it work? What would keep it from turning into a doomsday device? Toppel jolts upright at the opportunity to explain!“Well it’s hardly reinventing the wheel!” She begins with an exaggerated shrug! “I merely mixed together a simple solution of magic-consuming ingredients-”What ingredients? Why doesn’t everyone make these things? The witch frowns.“You wouldn’t know them! And they don’t make them because I’m not EVERYONE! I’m TOPPEL GRANSEE--master mage an-”“You used MAGEBITE, didn’t you?” Groans Oti, not even bothering to wait for his companion to finish. “I trust you calculated-”“Its reactive properties in regards to SPELLBLIGHT POWDER? Yes, as a matter of fact I DID!” She counters, blowing a raspberry at her detractor! “It may shock you to hear this, but I DO know quite a bit about alchemy, Oti. You’d know that if you didn’t up and wander out of my life like a moody ghost, you know!”Amusing as it is to watch them bicker like an old married couple, you interject, you aren’t exactly flush with free time right now! This mixture thingie–how does it work?“Each ingredient has been measured out in careful proportions so as to avoid the issue Oti here won’t stop blathering about.” Toppel replies, much to her colleague’s chagrin. “The vial it’s housed in has been doused in an igniting agent–one that will set the reaction in motion when colliding with something at sufficient velocity.” The witch gives your forearm a firm squeeze and frowns. “... That should suffice. Exposed to the igniter AND the atmosphere outside of the vial, the mixture will rapidly burn through its inherent magical energy–so much so that once the ‘fuel’ in the mixture runs thin, it will gather more from the area around it!”See, that’s where you start to get a little concerned–when does it stop? Oti joins you in a pointed stare along with Obber–the transmogged Maakar silently judging from the floor next to his sister.>CONTD.
>>6363668“When the fuel burns out, of course!” She flippantly replies as she lazily kicks her brother away! “The reaction generating the arcane siphon isn’t infinite--if the ingredients sustaining it burn away then so will the transference of magical energy… and any ‘vortexes’ you simpletons keep simpering about!”A fresh frown forms on the fuzzball’s foxlike face. “Just like logs in a campfire. You do have campfires in your plane, don’t you?”Yea-“Combustion? What about combustion?”Y-yea, you nod, you definitely have that too…“Same principles!” Toppel concludes with a dramatic huff! “Where was all of this hemming and hawing when this fathead ran his greasy little talons all over your robe, hmm?” Her frown curls into a cheeky grin.“Ah, I get it–you’re fine with men fiddling with your belongings, aren’t you~”You and Oti exchange a stoic, brotherly glance.“... Shall I vaporize her? Or shall I regale you with embarrassing facts about this smug sorceress?”Later, maybe. Sooner if she keeps being all smarmy!“H-hey, there’s no need for any vaporizing! O-Or facts!” Toppel interjects with a nervous chuckle! “I… c-can’t I just help you!? You could’ve hurt me earlier and you didn’t! I-I’m merely repaying your courtesy! Nothing more, nothing less!”You blink. Hurt her? You could’ve ground her into mulch, if you remember correctl-“E-exactly! See!? W-we work so well together!” She sputters, eyes wide and…Jesus Christ, is she about to cry?“Click.”“Silence, Obber, you filth-ridden degenerate, you!”Oti, you add as you weigh the witch’s words, any other thoughts?“Many, but I’ll keep it short.” He scoffs, eyes flickering. “If you face The Archmage in his Inner Sanctum, you’ll be battling in a concentrated cage of magical energy–such is the nature of Mage Towers, and his is no different.”So… still a ‘no’ then? The Chytree shrugs.“If a vortex does form, which is alarmingly likely even if my… companion measured her materials correctly… the tower may contain it for a time.”Let me guess, you sigh, there’s a ‘but’.“But if the tower crumbles with its owner,” Oti adds, “Or it slips free of its quasidimensional constraints, the vortex will feed on everything within… and will no doubt emerge immensely powerful.”What if you use that ANTI-MAGIC BOMB? The Chytree and Durher exchange a glance.“... It’d be your best chance.” The wizard replies with a dull glow in his gaze. “But I believe that would be of more use against The Archmage and his automatons.” He sends a sidelong look over to Toppel.>CONTD.
>>6363669“If you truly wish to help, you can achieve that by making him stronger. Faster. Use your spells. The chance of those backfiring are much slimmer in comparison, even for you."“Tch…” Grumbles Gransee with a derisive snort, “It’s HIS choice, you know! Not that he’ll be making many others if he falls in battle! And neither will we, lest you forget! I seek decisive victory, not near-death experiences!”You still don’t know what to think about Toppel–maybe it’s the fact that she tried to capture you and Rezzie on your first meeting, maybe it’s how her eyes widen and her breathing hastens when she spots the fiend, maybe it’s how eagerly she derides her transformed sibling… or maybe it’s just the fact that despite their squabbling, you can sense genuine concern for Oti beneath her frequent and unrelenting barbs…”... You’re such an idiot, Ant…”You are–don’t need memories to know that–but now’s your time to make a wise move…If only you knew which one it was!What’s the plan?>Take the Concoction!>Refuse the Concoction! Buff me instead!>Ask Oti about something!>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Ask Obber for his opinion!>Write-In!
>>6363671>Ask Obber for his opinion!Do you even need to ask
>>6363669>accuses us of being gay>keeps trying to get us to set her up with RezzieMethinks Toppel is projecting.>>6363671>Take the concoction!Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.>But also, buff me to!I mean, yeah, good thinking Hall & Otes.
>>6363672>OBBER?>>6363680>TAKE IT!>ALSO BUFFS PLZFuck it, let's do 'em all! I'm too soft on you questies... writing a short update!
The jury’s still out on whether you want to carry what very well might become a magical black hole on your person, but a few MAGICAL BUFFS would hit the spot!“Good to see you’re still capable of some form of sensibility.” Oti remarks with a smile in his voice. “Refreshing, really.”“I’d say you’ll regret this decision,” Toppel pouts as she joins her better(?) half in giving you a magical boost, “But you probably won’t be capable of regrets when you fail... Or any complex thoughts, for that matter.”Duly noted, you dryly reply. A sensation akin to walking through an automatic car wash sends jitters down your spine, but when the magical ‘brushes’ finally finish their work, you feel like a whole new man… or at least one that just drove off the lot!ARCANE AEGIS: A MAGICAL SHIELD WILL SHIELD YOU FROM A MAGICAL HIT! ONCE IT DOES ITS JOB, THOUGH, IT’S DONEZO!MAGICAL MOXIE: A CORNUCOPIA OF BUFFS HAS MADE YOU STRONGER, SPEEDIER, AND SMARTERER! +3 TO ALL COMBAT/DEFENSE ROLLS FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS!“There,” Oti sighs as you do a few jumping jacks, “That should keep you alive for at least an extra three seconds.”“Two, maybe.” Frowns Toppel as she gives you an appraising glance.“Hmm… Two point fifteen?”“Optimistic…”Thanks, TEAM. Rolling your eyes, they eventually settle on someone who’s been relatively quiet for the whole conversation–not that he was much of a talker to begin with! Obber, you begin as you thoughtfully tap your chin, what’s his read? Is his sister on the right track here?“Click.”’A chance not taken is a chance forever lost’... the Maakpire has a point. Even if you don’t use Toppel’s concoction, it could certainly prove useful down the line… and you get the sneaking suspicion it’d be safer with you than her…Relaying your decision, both mages respond more or less how you expect:“Decisive AND bold! You never cease to amaze me, boy!”“And you never cease to amaze me either…” Oti quips with a defeated sigh. “I do hope you’re ready to accept the consequences your actions may bring.”If what you’re hearing is true, you deflect as you tug your COMFY ROBE back on, Umberal is gonna have problems regardless! Stowing TOPPEL’S AETHERIC SIPHON into your pocket right next to your ANTI-MAGIC BOMB and your BLASTCAPS, you feel a somewhat warmer breeze tickle your cheeks.“Dawn approaches.” Oti recites as his gaze turns skyward. “We’d best get underway then. You mentioned an airship?”You did? The Chytree answers with a shrug. “Where is it?”>CONTD.
>>6363774As if on cue, you hear the roar of four massive engines approaching from above, much to the concertgoer’s excitement and confusion! Even the Teksouls can’t help but track the vessel’s loud approach–their eyes following the cacophony like cats eyeing a laser pointer!You feel a beak bump against your leg followed by a wary ‘click’. Obber’s right, you think as you adjust your COOL COWBOY HAT and the mages prepare to depart, ‘time is never hoarded–merely spent. What matters most is to whom it went.’Trier will come for you soon, that’s for certain–the question is, who will you spend your LAST BIT OF TIME WITH!?(You'll have a little time to talk strategy with Morook and Volka as well as say 'hey' to Joji, but this decision will be of a more social, character nature! WATCH OUT!>VOLKA!>MOROOK!>TT!>REZALITH!>OTI!>TOPPEL!>OBBER!>JOJI!>RED!>YOURSELF!
>>6363775>RED!It's pretty important that the guy in our head is on the same page.
>>6363775>RED!
>>6363775>RED!FUCK ITLET'S RED IT UP.
>>6363778>>6363809>>6363874>REEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDWriting! Expect delays!
Test
>>6363940How DARE you.Guards, seize him
>>6363946Sorry, it is too dark to see where he went
>>6363940Samefag spotted. KILL HIM.
It doesn’t take long for you to find your ride–though you’ll admit you have a little trouble boarding thanks to all the rubberneckers watching in awe from the Lodge’s back patio! Even with Lodge Security doing their best to contain the situation, you only really manage to get through when Oti gives you and Obber a telekinetic lift over the crowd!A quick eye count tells you the rest of the gang is already aboard long before you climb the loading ramp–Lutza’ Security Trio guard the passage like bridge trolls while she and her Manager hastily retreat into the airship’s bowels to escape the roaring crowd!“There he is!” Volka remarks as you scamper up the ramp, “Thought we lost ya, Rook!”“I was this close to getting her to chuck me back into the Lodge!” TT adds as she ambushes you with a surprise hug! “Where’d you run off to?”Tying up some loose ends, you explain before making your way to where you recall one of the ship’s SPEAKERSTONES was. Joji, you announce, you’re all aboard!”“With a few more passengers, I see!” Chirps the Mox’s voice with glee as it crackles free of the magical speaker! “I might have to prepare some appetizers! Good golly!”Just, uh… just focus on flying, okay? Rezzie appears behind you with a sour expression.“I want snacks.”LATER!Your pilot doesn’t waste any time–a massive blast of steam heralds your departure as the steel surrounding you shudders from the force… and before you can say ‘Sleepy Cookies’ the airship rockets into the air!“OOooOOughh…” Volka groans as you feel your innards flip and churn like pancakes on a griddle, “That’s… gonna take some getting used to…”Morook, on the other hand, stands frozen in wide-eyed awe like a Chytree Statue as he watches the crowd’s eyes swiftly fade into the inky blackness below!“Viisla…” He mutters in palpable disbelief, “This… this is…”Turbulence rumbles through the vessel, nearly sending Morook tumbling down the loading ramp, but a well-placed tail saves him!“High-up, yep!” Laughs a queasy, but still pleasant Volka as she gives her brother a noogie! “Eugh… now I gotta lie down…”“Impressive…” Muses Oti as he watches from afar, “Most impressive.”“THAT’S putting it mildly!” Sputters Toppel as she scurries around the cargo hold in wide-eyed confusion! “Th-they propulsion systems… how do they manage such power with so little magical influence!? I barely feel any aetheric contamination, and yet-”Once the initial excitement fades, Joji gives your gang the ‘audio tour’ of the airship, only this time he does it while still flying the dang thing! “Dunno about you all, but I need a minute ta’ get my bearings…” Admits the Skog with a hint of color in her cheeks! >CONTD.
>>6364056“Yea… I gotta catch my breath too.” TT adds, prompting a round of various forms of assent. Retreating to the OBSERVATION DECK, you find the location brisk and windy, but also relatively quiet.A good place for some last-minute introspection, you think as you lean against a guardrail overlooking the yawning abyss, but also…”Ah… ya’ feel that, kid?”… whatever this is supposed to be. The Archdevil’s consciousness spreads through your skull like it was reclining in an easy chair. ”Feels like change.”‘Change’, you scoff. What is he, a revolutionary now?”I’m a pragmatist, Ant… I don’t see problems or shortcomings… I see potential. And Zoral?”You feel a weak urge to raise your arms dramatically. You acquiesce, of course.”Ripe and fertile for the taking.”Oh yea, you nod flippantly as you wrestle your arms back down to your sides, prime real estate! Say, look down there! That’d be a great place for a skull tower, right? Oh, and maybe a blood moat and a crucifixion hill to tie it all together…”THERE’S the Anton I know: so little faith, barely hidden under a dusting of humor…” The devil retorts with a raspy laugh. ”Is that REALLY who you think I am, Tex? Some head-collecting monster with a waxed mustache and a big, red pitchfork?”He doesn’t exactly give off altruistic vibes, you retort as you push off the guardrail and begin a long, meandering trot around the deck! Why, are you missing something?”Tabula Rasa, amigo… a fresh canvas just begging to be painted on!” A spirited sigh leaves your lips. ”And it’s WASTED! WASTED on a cowardly quartet and their godsdamned DARKNESS!”You don’t notice RED getting angry much… but when he does, you can certainly feel it–your fingertips burn, your eyes sting, and for the briefest of moments you can almost feel something scraping away at the inside of your psyche!Simply put, it gives you the heebie-jeebies!”But you know what the worst part is?” He continues in a cool, measured tone. ”Everyone just accepts it.”It’s not like they really have a choice, you shrug, these LORDS have a reputation for being kind of a big dea-”Just like Vhale, right?” RED snickers as an image of the dead-eyed Durher creeps into your mind’s eye! ”The big, bad crime lord–sliced first and asked questions later, but even with all of those men and all of his power…”You blink. ”That’s right…” RED purrs with undisguised glee, ”He fell. By your hands. Not an army, not an assassin…”You feel a presence loom over you from behind like a teacher staring over your shoulder.”You.”>CONTD.
>>6364057…Technically it was Sixface.”Don’t be coy, Anton–this whole wretched world had ages to put that sick bastard in the ground themselves… and while I’ll admit I felt a bit slighted by your decision to hand his soul off to whatever’s in that bag of yours, you can’t deny that you’ve left quite the impact in such a short time!”Happy to disappoint, you smirk! But as mean of a guy as Vhale was, he was just that: a guy. Trier, well-”Trier, Khodra, Sysska, Miik, they’ll all fall, Anton–I’m so certain of it I can taste it.”And then he’ll move in, move around the furniture a bit, and then what? Zoral’s hosted its share of demons before, you grunt as you return to your favorite spot on the guardrail, and they might not be as eager for a replacement Lord as he thinks!”They’ll take anyone and anything this world gives them–they made that plenty clear when they allowed these clowns free reign for this long. The question is… who will be there to claim it when the dust settles?”That gets your attention! What’s that supposed to mean? Giving away his betrayal plot a little early, doesn’t he think?”So much NEGATIVITY!” RED groans from within your consciousness! ”Where’s your imagination, Anton? Where’s your spirit? Your soul!?”With him, last you checked! And you’ve got plenty of imagination, thanks–you’re very, very good at imagining what he’ll do to Zoral if he gets a turn in the driver’s seat!”I knew Rezalith would poison your image of me…” RED sighs. ”Do you really think I’m incapable of benevolence, Anton? That I’m not capable of sharing a domain? You don’t seem to have the same reservations around our favorite fiend…”Crud. That’s… that’s different, you fire back with a glare! She’s… she’s proven herself to b-”Useful? So if I were to slip into your little adventuring party would you give me the same graces? Will I formally join ‘Team Anton’ when we soundly trounce Trier?”The demon borrows your body to adopt a pondering pose. ”Or maybe I just need to adopt a softer, more feminine form…?”Th-that’s definitely not gonna work, you sputter! You’re taken, by the way!”Anything is possible when you’re a being of pure magic, kid.” The Archdemon purrs with grim satisfaction in his tone. “But since you’re oh-so-eager to shoot down my ideas, let’s hear some of yours, hm?”The presence closes the gap.”Assuming you succeed–that you free Zoral of these pesky Lords… What's next?”What… what IS next?>You’ll go home, duh!>You might stick around for a bit…>Zoral might need some guidance…>Whatever your friends wanna do!>I might be open to working with you…>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6364059>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!I feel like there's an issue here which Anton might begin to be realizing, and that is that Zoral is uh, ridiculously better than anything he could have possibly gotten on earth. I mean, yeah, we wanna show it to TT and all, but what was Anton before? A wagie loser with no future. Now he's a cool globetrotting adventurer and slayer of villains and monsters with a bardic girlfriend and a whole posse of friends.Besides tourism, what does Anton really have left in earth?
>>6364059>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!Sorry, RED, but if you're going to try to subdue and seduce us with a feminine body? At least try to look like a catthinge, or a Volkathinge.
>>6364078Or a rezziethinge, or a lizthinge...
>>6364067This is true. Earth has its charms, and Zoal has its problems, but there's really nothing apart from maybe teh darkness itself which makes Zoral especially worse on aggregate... And for our boy, it's way better.Hence:>You might stick around for a bit…At least until we can determine how to safely show TT around Earth and, ideally, make it back again.
