You’re ANTON PEAS: a loose-cannon cop with a hair-trigger temper and a hunger for justice… whatever the cost!Wait, no… no you’re not–you’re a Grill Jockey at GREASE MONKEY: THE DEEP-FRIED EVERYTHING FAMILY RESTAURANT! Thanks to a demonic ritual gone wrong, you were whisked away to ZORAL: a fantasy realm shrouded in perpetual darkness–the surprise trip leaving you with a plate full of troubles and a head full of holes!Dazed, confused, and bloodied by the local fauna (and a particularly feisty demoness named Rezalith), you somehow managed to stumble across some friendly locals… or rather they stumbled across you: there’s VOLKA: gentle giantess and Marshall of some kind of militia/neighborhood watch called THE LAMPLIGHTERS, TZAH-TZIE: a spunky bard that kinda latched onto you for inspiration, MOROOK: the stoic ranger and gatherer of alchemical regents, and the ever-grumpy OTI: a moody mage with an interest in your recently-acquired powers…You heard right! Conveniently manifesting right before becoming a treat for the wildlife, the ability to summon fireballs from your fingertips has helped you out of a few jams… it’s a shame the gift might be demonic in origin!Needless to say, you’ve been busy! VOLKIR, Volka’s adoptive father and potion seller has promised to assist you in finding a way home–for a price! 20,000 BELLS is his fee, and though you already have several leads on how to acquire said sum, the task is already shaping up to be far more troublesome than it appears. In an attempt to refresh an Innkeeper’s stock of booze, your journey took you to the DOCKS DISTRICT. What began as a simple sidequest has put you through the proverbial ‘wringer’--and might have even put you in the sights of unseen, but surely wicked forces…Speaking to a shaky sugarseller, THIS is where your story continues…https://youtu.be/1lR8VLt1Xlk
What’s that in the shadows!?! Why, it’s DARK QUEST, of course! Don’t worry–it doesn’t bite. Much! Check out 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>Twitter Account with art and other stupid shit:https://x.com/DemBonez3>Pastebin for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyARolls 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. 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!DISCLAIMER: THIS QUEST IS DARK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
Even while unconscious the musical menace’s wicked influence wriggles into your mind like a brain-eating parasite… no, you respond, shaking your head knowing full damn well Obber can’t see you do it, you’re not Rolo’s new hirees… and he won’t have to pay you anything for the rescue!“Didn’t we need some SUGAR from him though-”Oh crap, she’s right! Thanks, Volka! Yes, you add hastily, he WILL have to pay you something! Well, not you, but Obber…Despite the alien nature of his bulging, segmented, glowing eyes, you manage to decipher the look Obber’s giving you: it‘s confusion. Complete and utter confusion. Or hunger. Hard to tell.“Is…” He begins in a reedy, almost hushed voice, “Is this a… test?”“Nope!” Replies Volka with a resounding laugh that makes your bones twitch, “Just a few LAMPLIGHTERS doing their job, citizen! No need ta’ thank us!”The Chytree’s eyes twitch. “... you mean those vigilantes? They f-fished one of you out of the water a few weeks ago…”“N-none of us signed up for a quiet life… heh…” The Skog weakly answers as the bravado fades drains from her voice.Look, you continue, you’re not one of Rolo’s thugs–you were sent by Obber to grab some sugar. Can he hook you up?“Why would Obber need sugar?” Frowns the sugarman as he cocks his eyes to the side. “That’d spoil his booze…”Okay, this joke was pretty funny in the last thread, you explain as you massage your temples with growing frustration in your voice, but the new readers aren’t gonna get it! Can he get Obber some sugar?! Obber the SCHECKT SELLER!“Oooh, why didn’t you s-say so?” Chitters the Chytree with recognition in his tone! “It’d b-be a pleasure… e-especially after you handled those thugs s-so soundly…”Yea, about that, you add, glancing over your shoulder at the pile of KO’d criminals, you’re not gonna kill any of them–is he gonna be okay?Obber’s eyes darken, but only for a moment. “I’ll… handle it…”Hey, super! “Saw some guards down the way earlier!” Volka helpfully adds, “We can flag ‘em down if ya’ want!”“Not n-necessary…”The big gal’s armor creaks as she responds with a shrug! “Kay! Suit yourself~”>CONTD.
>>6137394One last thing, you add, earning a startled noise from the skittish sugarmaker, does he have anything that can get her back on her feet?It takes you a moment to remember no one can see where you’re pointing, but once you do you turn your eyes towards where you’re pretty sure Tzah-Tzie was knocked out. “Hmmm…” Muses the Chytree, “O-one moment, p-please…”Rummaging around in the barrels he emerged from, Obber scurries over and places something coarse and kinda circular on your head! Taking it down, you give the mysterious rock a sniff and are rewarded with a scent somewhere between cotton candy and cold medicine!“Th-that’s UNREFINED SUGAR…” The Chytree helpfully explains! “I-It’s v-very potent…”“Ooh, lemme get a taste, Rook!”Dodging underneath Volka’s massive claw, you stow the coarse confectionary in your pocket! No way, you sternly retort–you don’t wanna know what Volka’s like on a SUGAR HIGH!“... but you wanna make her hyper?”You don’t even need to follow the Skog’s gaze to know who she’s talking about. Shit, she’s right... that was a close one! You’ll hold onto it for now!“In that case,” Volka grunts, picking up the sleeping Spinner like a piece of beach litter, “How about we report back to Obber, Rook?”“I-I’m r-right here…”“Nah, I meant the other Obber!” The Skog replies with a good-natured laugh!“... the Scheckt maker?”Let’s just leave before we spend another thread here, you interrupt with a groan.What’s next?>Wake TT up!>Loot the thug’s bodies!>Ask Obber something?>Turn in the damn quest already!>Write-In!
>>6137396>Turn in the damn quest already!TT's small. We can carry her, I'm sure. if we can't Volka can.Welcome back, Bones!
>>6137489>TURN IN THE DAMN QUEST!Writing! Been a day and a half so this'll probably be the last one for tonight! Should update some more on Friday, though!Also thanks! Good to be back even if it was only for a little bit!Writing!
>>6137396>Loot the thug’s bodies!
Curious though you may be about Zoral’s sugar industry, the way Obber continues to stare at you suggests he has more important things to do. Dang! Welp, you begin, taking your place next to Volka as she carries the unconscious TT like a takeout bag, take care, Obber! You’re gonna confirm things with Obber!“Say hi to Obber for us~” Adds your amazonian ally with a darling smile!Right, don’t forget to give Obber the sugar!Obber nods. “L-leave it t-to me…”Leaving the sugarsmith and Dock 118 with a friendly wave that he definitely didn’t see, you lead the way back along the seaside warehouses towards what you hope is Obber’s booze warehouse. The place where it all began: the Ur-Obber…“We’re gonna have to head back to The Far Throw Inn eventually, huh?” Muses Volka, her heavy boots causing the dock below to quake in protest with each step.If you want to get paid, yea, you reply, barely sidestepping a pack of chum-scented dockworkers, a reward out of the hand is, like, worth none in the bush…The Skog responds with a polite nod, but the look in her big yellow eyes tells you she didn’t really get it. You’re a complex guy! It happens! By the time you duck back into Obber’s warehouse, you find the Gnok having an animated conversation with another Gnok! You’re pretty sure he’s a Gnok at least… Look, the eyes seem similar, okay?“Really makes you think, right? Hey hey, there’s the Gnok of the hour!” Greeting you with a hearty laugh, the boozemaker slaps the wooden counter signaling you to approach! “You ain’t gonna believe this: there was a scheckt spill over at Obber’s today!”“Damned near washed away half the pier!” Adds Obber’s pal! You WOULD believe it, actually, you respond as you puff out your chest! You helped fix the problem!“Mhm! Ant handled it like a pro!” Adds Volka, giving your head a pat with enough force to send your spine into microspasms. “And I directed foot traffic!”She sure did, you agree in a tone overwhelming with pride!>CONTD.
>>6137621“Well I hope it wasn’t too much trouble!” Says Obber as he gives you and Volka a once-over before remembering something! “Where are my manners? I didn’t introduce you to my friend, did I?”Let me guess, you say with a wry smirk, his name’s Obber? Both Obber and Maybe-Obber frown in confusion.“Huh? No, his name’s Bobber!”“Pleased ta’ meet’cher.” Bobber grunts, his smile missing several teeth as he shares it with you. “Bobber here’s runs a Snarin’ Business with his sons!” Explains Obber as he gives his pal a spirited smack on the shoulder! “Best Cholps in Crossroads!”“Wouldn’t call ‘em the best, but they’re up there.” Laughs the uh, ‘Snarer’ politely. “You swing by to DOCK 28 anytime, though! We’ll letcha’ judge for yerselves!”“Oh we’ll BE there!” Gushes Volka, the Skog drooling like a tusked Niagra Falls! “W-we WILL be there, right, Rook?”Sure, you half-nod, it’s uh… they’re food, right?“Hah! Depends! Do ya’ consider steamin’-hot fried seafood coated in spice butter food?”Yes, you stammer as the mental image takes root in your brainmeats, yes you DO!“Then yea, it’s food!” Volka concludes with a wink! Maybe being trapped here isn’t so bad…“So,” Obber begins as Bobber excuses himself and Tzah-Tzie starts to stirr in Volka’s grip, “I take it this means I’ll be getting my scheckt soon, right?”He takes it correct, you laugh! It’s all set, so he can get to brewing! Chop chop! When no one else laughs, you raise an eyebrow at the warehouse worker. Errr, please?“Sorry, Ant,” Obber explains with a polite laugh, “Brewin’ a full shipment ain’t gonna happen overnight!”You blink. So, what, two nights? Something about that genuine question causes the Gnok to nearly tumble over the counter in hysterics! You can’t help but feel a little hurt when it takes him five minutes to recover, and when he does Obber’s eyes are damp with tears!“Tell… tell ya what, kid…” Ducking beneath the counter, a loud metal CLANG rings out across the warehouse causing you and Volka to jump and Tzah-Tzie to rouse from her sleep with a high-pitched yelp! As the latter falls from the Skog’s grip onto the floor, the rest of you simmer down when Obber stuffs a familiar PIECE OF METAL into your hand–the Innkeeper’s token now stamped with a maze of tiny grooves!“Give this to INNGO– tell ‘em it’ll be about three days. That’ll make ‘em happy.”Wait, you retort in disbelief, Three? Why’d he laugh at two, then?“Two’s WAY too soon!” Snorts Obber as he gives his counter another slap! “Come on now, Ant!”“Whazzat about two days?” Mumbles Tzah-Tzie as she rises to her feet like a zombie!“HAH! It never gets old!”>CONTD.
>>6137624After the fifth bout of laughter you decide to hit the bricks. Welp, you announce, stretching as you take a big whiff of low tide, QUEST COMPLETE! Good work, everyone!“Not so fast, Rook!” Warns Volka in a chiding tone, “Gotta tell the Innkeep first, remember?”“Yea, don’t give up that easy!” Adds Tzah-Tzie as the energy swiftly returns to her voice, “Oof, that’s outside of the city though, isn’t it? Bleh…”So much for not giving up… also is she okay? She took that barrel lid to the noggin pretty hard…“Hah! It’ll take more than that to knock this gal out!” Remarks the Spinner, her eyes still drifting a bit. “All part of the job, Ant!”You’re about to disagree when you feel something, or someONE whizz by you like a very quiet rocket towards the warehouses!“Hey, slow down!” Warns Volka as she catches you mid-stumble, “You’ll hurt someone!”Yea, seriously, you groan! What’s their deal anyways? As you regain your now somewhat lighter balance, both you and Tzah-Tzie, based on the wide-eyed glance she gives you at least, come to the same conclusion!That jerk ROBBED you!“That jerk ROBBED you!” Shouts the Durher! Yea, you know! Insane, right!?You can’t decide whether you’re pissed or impressed–despite being tucked away in your LEATHER ARMOR’S many pockets, you definitely feel like you lost some stuff! Maybe ImPISSED is good? “After ‘em!”Oh yea, huh… Bolting off like a dog after a squirrel, Tzah-Tzie leads the charge after the mysterious mugger!What do!?>Follow TT!>Take another route! Pincer the mugger!>Volka, THROW ME!>Let ‘em go… they probably need it more than you do!>Write-In!
>>6137626>Take another route! Pincer the mugger!
>>6137631>>6137641>CUT 'EM OFF!That's the spirit! Let's see some ROOLLLLLS!>Roll me 1d100+5 (+3 Still early in the chase, +3 Tzah-Tzie on the move!, +2 Pincer attack, -2 Dark, -1 All alone...) to catch 'up! Best of 3 rolls!
Rolled 81 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6137810
Rolled 92 (1d100)>>6137810
>>6137810It looks like we are set
Rolled 81 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6137891
>>6137830>>6137866>>6137893>HIGHEST ROLL: 97!!Writing!>>6137891NOW we're all set! Let's gooooo
OH NO YOU DON’T, you snarl, galloping after the thief like a pissed-off unicorn! Skidding around a corner, you barely avoid colliding with a dockworker carrying a tower of what sound like crates–the lifter in question and his pal greeting and bidding you farewell with a string of curses I’d rather not transcribe!It’s only after you clear a few crate hurdles, clear meaning stumble over them like an absolute tool, that you notice you can’t hear or Tzie any sign of Tzah-Tzie–not that your vision was that good here anyways! Did… did you go the WRONG WAY!?Your quiet contemplation sesh is cut short as two dockworkers emerge from what you assume is one of the warehouses–both of them maintaining an unusually-far distance from each other! Maybe one of them has a cold?The faint tinkling of gossamer trinkets between the two tells you all you need to know… and with your newly-remembered LIMBO EXPERTISE you deftly slide underneath whatever it is they’re carrying–your nose just barely scraping against something cool and smooth as you rush by!You haven’t the foggiest idea what kind of wackjob would need a window in this world, but you’ve got bigger fish to fry! Concentrating on the vague reverberations sent out by your RING OF ECHOS, you hang a left at the next alleyway you spot and cross your fingers hoping you made the right choice!Your reward is a wall to the face at terminal velocity. OW!NEXT to the wall, however, is the passage you seek! Shaking off the pain, you half-lumber, half-limp into an alleyway where your nose is met with a fine bouquet of old seafood, musty packing materials, and some other whiffs and sniffs you can’t place, but wouldn’t want to even if you could!“Lemme GO, ya’ creep! I’m warning you… I’ll BITE! HARD!”Oh good, Tzah-Tzie’s here already. Plugging your nose and creeping deeper into the alley, you follow the sounds of scuffling straight to the source and find your sassy Spinner struggling to slip free of who you assume is THE MUGGER!Quiet as a mouse wearing slippers, you immediately notice two things: first, Tzah-Tzie’s assailant seems to be wearing a mask of some sort given that you can only see their bulging orange eyes. Secondly, they don’t seem to be much taller than your favorite Durher… As Tzah-Tzie continues to struggle, you briefly hear the sound of heavy bootsteps approaching… sounds like Volka’s on the way too!What’s the plan here, chief?>Address the mugger! CEASE!>Wait for Volka to arrive!>Make a distraction!>Attack the mugger!>BURN THEM TO ASHES>Write-In!
>>6137920>>Address the mugger! CEASE!
>>6137928>SPEAK!Writing!
There’s nowhere for this guy to go, and as easy as it would be to sneak up and clock his ass, you don’t wanna risk hurting TT! Plus how hard could a hostage negotiation be, right?Ey, you begin, taking a few slow steps into the alley with a smile on your face, how about we all make like a fridge and COOL I-Your attempts at diplomacy are met with something metal and painful to the face–your face, to be precise! Groaning as what sounds like a DAGGER clatters to the cobblestone, the Spinnernapper follows up with an angry snarl!“‘Throwin’ Knives’ me arse… kitchen knives, more like! Bloody cheapskate…” The knife thrower’s voice is muffled through a cloth mask, but it sounds young… younger than you, at least. Look, you continue, clutching your sore nose as the mugger struggles to keep a hold on Tzah-Tzie, you don’t want any trouble-“Well ya found it, mate!” Fires back the troublesome teen with venom in his voice, “Want less trouble? Then clear the path and kiss the wall!”“DON’T!” Yowls Tzah-Tzie as she continues to wriggle like a cat getting a photo taken, “Think of the MONEY, Ant!”“Clock’s tickin’, GRAMPS!” Adds the mugger with an extra helping of haughtiness, “Get the girl stabbed or get outta the way–choice is yours!”You find it kinda funny that the kid with the British accent is threatening to stab someone, but you don’t dare laugh… just when Volka’s bootsteps come to a head, they go silent, prompting the fisheyed filcher’s eyes to bug out even more!“Y’think I’m lyin’, old man!?”Part of you wants to see what Volka has planned, but the other part is telling you to chuck a FIREBALL at this punk–the part that REALLY doesn’t like being called ‘GRAMPS!’ You’re not old, damn it!And then there’s that other part of you that can’t help but wonder if you left your computer on at home… crap, why do you only remember the stuff that makes you ANXIOUS!?What’s the plan?>Get to know this kid! Keep him talking!>Talk to TT! Maybe she can think of something!>Distraction!>Just rush him–he ain’t gonna hurt your Spinner!>Do what the hooligan says!>Go completely silent! He might think you left!>Write-In!
>>6138008>>Just rush him–he ain’t gonna hurt your Spinner!THE TIME FOR TALKING HAS CEASEDKILLKILL KILLKILL.
>>6138008>Talk to TT! Maybe she can think of something!>Distraction!Chat casually with TT, making up (spinning, one could say) a story about what different maneuvers we could sue from our extensive Lamplighter repertoire to wreck his shit and if they'd be too cruel and/or unusual. Imply we're totally unafraid, and that he SHOULD be.Volka can take him.
>>6138013+1We just need to buy time, we have the best backup
>>6138009>DESTROY THE CHILD>>6138013>>6138041>DISTRACT!Writiiiiiiing~
Speaking of anxious, your mugger-turned-kidnapper is starting to look kinda jumpy. Look, you begin, you know this looks bad-“Chuck me my knife so I can chuck it back atcha again, geezer!”Yea, you’re not gonna do-wait, does that mean he doesn’t have a knife!? The fishboy’s pupils grow ever so smaller.“N-no, I got tons!”“He’s got one in his claw, Ant,” Tzah-Tzie helpfully chimes in, “And it’s shaking! Ha! What an amateur, am I right?”Let’s not antagonize the guy with the knife, you reply in a diplomatic tone! Listen, you continue with a flustered sigh, what’s your name, kid?“Don’t call me KID, grandpa!”Don’t call me GRANDPA, KID!As the tension between you grows thick enough to carve through, you spot a familiar pair of twinkling yellow eyes on the roof overlooking the alley! You’re pretty sure she waves when she locks eyes with you, but you don’t return the gesture.Keeping up the facade, you keep up the conversation! Your name is ANTON PEAS, you explain in the friendliest voice you can muster, now is he gonna tell you his, or-“HAW! That’s the dumbest name I’ve ever heard!” Guffaws (yep, he managed a guffaw) the street punk as TT tries and fails to drop to the ground! “Seriously… what the hells!?”Oh yea!? What’s HIS name then, huh? You bet it’s pretty dumb too!“ALTON KIES! An’ don’t you forget it!”Watching Volka try to be sneaky on the roof is like watching a horseshoe crab try to blend into a ballet–she needs a bit more time! And what, uh, what turned you to a life of petty crime, Alton Kies? You brace yourself for more abuse, but as you unclench your jaw and lower your hands from your face you instead find yourself looking at a very… contrite-looking fish!“Huh… nobody’s ever asked me that before…”It’s hard to ask when he’s throwing knives and running around, you retort, but take a conversational step back when you get a glare in response. Erm, continue!“Well it all started when my dad-”“NOW, GUYS!” Roars the Skog as she springs into action above with a crash and a thunk!NOW WHAT!?>Roll me 1d100+2 (+4 Alton Surprised, +2 Pincer attack, -2 Dark, -2 Surprised!) to do… something!? Best of 3!Last update of the night, by the way! Seeyas tomorrow!
Rolled 34 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6138108
Rolled 12 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6138108AIE AIE AIE AIE
>>6138109>>6138110
Rolled 59 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6138108URAAAA
>>6138125Not great, but damnit if it isn't probably a pass. Thanks, anon.
>>6138137Nope, Volka's fuckin' DEAD.
>>6138292Just kidding right
Hah! Just kidding! Generally if it's over a 50 then it's a pass! Thanks again for reminding me--I knew the Anchor Post was missing some info... anyways, let's get this stuff rolling.>>6138109>>6138110>>6138125>HIGHEST ROLL: 61!Writing~
>>6138292>Cucked by some random guy named Dead>She's doing it with him right in front of usThis is the darkest quest of all time
Just like that the standoff explodes into a shower of chaos, not that it was particularly under control in the first place! Preparing for whatever kind of intervention Volka’s got planned, Tzah-Tzie takes the opportunity to deliver on her earlier threat and bites her captor’s arm! HARD!Sending a shriek of cartoonish proportions into the air, Alton’s howl is cut short by something crashing onto his head with a dull ‘SPLUT’! While TT takes the opportunity to scramble away, your next move is put on hold when a spray of mist douses your face and the alley around you! Eyes wide in horror, you wrench your eyes away from where Alton was standing and stare daggers at Volka! Did… did she blow his HEAD up!?“Ert’sh FRUID, Roogh!” She fires back through a full mouth just as a trickle of tart juice tickles your lips, “Fonda carght on dr run ogrr!”“My eeeeeyes!” Groans Alton as he stumbles around like a dog with a bag on its head, “I can’t seeeeeee!”He couldn’t see in the first place, you snarl! But he’s gonna LOVE this! Winding up your arm like that cartoon sailor you used to watch when you were a kid, you rush towards the fruit-covered felon with a fresh outta’ the oven KNUCKLE SANDWICH! On the HOU-AAAUUUGH, FUCK!STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 16The execution’s a little off, you’ll admit, but the spirit’s still there! As your fist connects with Alton’s damp, scaly face, the two of you half-stumble, half-fall backwards onto eachother just as Volka clambers into the alleyway!“Drop the weapons, Alton! It’s over!”O-okay!“Not you, Rook…” Grumbles the Skog as you hastily retrieve your weapons from the floor next to you. The mugger opens his mouth to protest, but quickly complies when he registers just how tall Volka is. “Hells…” Alton Groans as you hover over him with your CURVED BLADE drawn against his back, “Just my luck…”“How could you have known you’d be up against ANTON THE UNDYING?” Chirps Tzah-Tzie as she slinks over to your side with a strum of her Striilii! “And this is for you, good sir~”>CONTD.
>>6138327Before you can ask, the Durher deposits a familiar piece of METAL into your outstretched palm–the one Obber gave you to take back to the Innkeeper! Phew, you remark as Volka cautiously approaches the cutpurse, that woulda’ been a pain! Why’d he steal this anyways?“You tell ME!” Growls the grifter as he kicks at the approaching Skog, “What kind of idiot doesn’t have any bells, ey? I wasn’t gonna stick around an’ ask!”You’ve got those stored in your underw-errr, in a SECRET COMPARTMENT, you explain, dodging the inquisitive look TT shoots you! But it doesn’t matter–he’s old enough to know that crime doesn’t pay!“Fuck ya’ mean it doesn’t!?” The youth spits, “Crime pays heaps! Why the fuck d’ya think people do it–excitement!?”“He’s right, Ant…” Adds Tzah-Tzie with a sagely nod before she realizes what she said. “E-err, I mean… He MIGHT have a point, but it doesn’t excuse him! Mhm! Nope!”“Got any family, Alton?” Volka asks in a kind voice as she stoops to meet the fishboy’s gaze. “Anyone ta’ look out for ya?”“Why, looking for a snack, tusks!?” He retorts! “I don’t need nobody! Fuck d’you care anyway?”The barb stings the gentle giant a bit, but she holds firm. “I know what it’s like to grow up on the streets, is all.”This earns a laugh from the cutpurse! “HAH! Where’d yer’ folks go, ey? Yer’ belly!? Fuck off…”He’s acting pretty darn cavalier for someone who just got his butt kicked, you add, earning a disapproving scowl from the Skog. Why’d he mug you anyways? Surely there were better targets!“Saw ya’ take down those ICER idiots…” Alton grumbles, his mission to kick Volka officially abandoned. “Figured you’d have something good on ya. And ya’ didn’t. Morons…”“They didn’t have much either…” Confirms Tzah-Tzie. “Err, valuable, that is!”You’re gonna have to talk to her about that in a bit, but for now you let it go. Before you can continue the interrogation, Alton spits a gob of something on the ground in yet another act of defiance.“Well go on, kill me already! Unless ya’ plan on BORING me ta’ death! Which is working, by the way!”“He probably won’t mess with us again, Ant,” Begins TT as she shoots you a sideways glance, “And the Guards can be pretty brutal here in Crossroads…”It’s a possibility, you sigh, but…“Everyone deserves a second chance, Rook…” Adds Volka in an uncharacteristically-somber tone, her bright yellow eyes not shifting from the troublesome teen.What do?>Interrogate him more! Where does he live? Who is he!?>Nuh-uh. Call the guards!>He can go, but take his weapons!>He’s free to leave!>Volka, maybe the Lamplighters could straighten this kid out?>He can leave, but he works for YOU now!>Too risky. Kill him now!>Write-In!
>>6138328>Volka, maybe the Lamplighters could straighten this kid out?We have to show him that crime isn't the only option, its not kidnapping if he doesn't have any family
>>6138328>Volka, maybe the Lamplighters could straighten this kid out?
>>6138342>>6138349>WE WANT YOUWriting!!
You’re not keen on giving every enemy you meet a second chance, especially after how that went with that pack of BEAKWOLVES you dealt with when you first rolled into this world… Wait, was that the same pack? Are you being beakcist right now? Crap!Doesn’t matter now. Lowering your blade to your side, you shift your gaze towards the Skog. Volk, you begin, maybe this guy could use, y’know… some good role models? Eh?She blinks. “I dunno, Rook… it’s pretty crowded already at dad’s shop… and I’m always knocking over products-”You were talking about THE LAMPLIGHTERS, you clarify, you know-“That’s a GREAT idea, Rook!” Exclaims the amazon as a wide smile plants itself on her face! “Say, keep this up and you’ll be promoted!” The girl’s armor shifts as she moves to offer a hand to the troubled youth. “Whaddaya say, kid? Wanna put that gumption towards the community?”“Why? I fuckin’ hate the community!” Replies the fishboy with a mixture of disbelief and confusion in his tone! “‘Sides, aren’t you guys always turnin’ up dead?”“W-we’ve got a high turnover rate, it’s true…” Volka answers with a nervous giggle, “But one day we’re gonna change the face of Crossroads forever! For you, for me… for… for EVERYBODY!” Leaping to her feet to adopt a heroic pose, you can’t help but be a little inspired by Volka’s enthusiasm… “Does it pay?”The Skog’s stance buckles almost immediately. “Hm? Wha?”“Does. It. Pay.” Repeats the robber with growing impatience. “If I’m gonna join yer’ little suicide squad I should at least get paid, don’tcha think?”“He’s got a point…”Quiet, TT!“Well, uh…” Volka continues uneasily, “S-service begets service, and some folks give out treats when you help them, so-”For a brief moment your Marshall sends a pleading glance your way. Looks like she might need some help…How do you convince this guy?>Threaten him! It’s this or jail, creep!>Excite him! Think of all the stories you’ll have and the gals you’ll impress!>Bribe Him! What if you paid him a little to start out?>Appeal! Does he WANT to make Volka sad?>Lie to him! You’re a member and look how tough you are!>Reverse Psychology! Yea, he’s probably a wuss!>TT? Any ideas?>Forget it, Volk. This guy’s a jerk!>Write-In!
>>6138402>Rewards are based on performance and the food is free, there is free food right Volka?>Also do you really want the guards to hear about this, if you join us we will put this little incident behind us, give you a clean slate, a fresh start
>>6138413>FREE FOOD!>FRESH START!Writing!
Come on, man, you begin with a good-natured scoff, free food from old ladies and a fresh start? Sounds like a good deal to me!“Heeeey, you never said anything about ‘free fo-”“Fuck ya’ mean a ‘fresh start’?” Alton asks, eyeing you warily as you hold Tzah-Tzie’s mouth shut. “You talkin’ about-”You’re talking about a small workplace disagreement, you interject with a sly grin! No need to call the guards if this was just a little misunderstanding between coworkers, yea? Your words sink into the hooligan’s brain like a mammoth in a tarpit… and after watching the gears twist behind his vacant gaze for a moment or two, you shoot Volka an inconspicuous wink as Alton speaks up!“... What kinda food do these old ladies hand out?”“You’ll just have to find out, Rookie~” The Skog retorts, sending you an appreciative smile that makes your heart skip a beat! “Find out where?” Frowns the new recruit, clearly not as jazzed as Volka is about his new gig, “Ya’ got a clubhouse or something?”“Well, not really…” Giggles Volka as she sheepishly scratches a tusk, “But we usually talk shop at the…” The tall girl’s sentence grinds to a halt halfway to the station as another one leaps onto the tracks! “Oh HELLS! I nearly forgot about the MEETING tonight! I got so caught up with… well, you, Rook!” “I just got conscripted.” Grunts the new conscri-err, recruit!“Not you–I meant Anton!” Volka corrects as she sends a wide-eyed and vaguely bewildered glance your way! “And you were recruited~ we’ll work on that.”Errr, my bad, you mutter, yanking your hand away from Tzah-Tzie’s mouth before she can nip it! “Oh! No! No! Don’t be sorry!” Sputters the Skog, her commanding presence evaporating before your very eyes! “I’m glad we met up! Err, what I meant to say is that I got so caught up in what I was doing I forgot, that’s all!”“So when’s the meeting, ey?” Inquires Alton as he slowly rises to his feet, keeping an especially-watchful eye on Tzah-Tzie. “An’ where?”“BATTLE’S END TAVERN,” Volka replies with a smile, “We usually meet around Six O’ Clock, but sometimes-”“Right, ta.” Moving with the swiftness of a toddler towards an electrical outlet, Alton ducks past his new commanding officer and is leaving the alley before you can even utter a futile ‘s-stooop…’!>CONTD.
>>6138542“HEY!” Shouts Volka, unsure of whether to tackle him or not, “Y-you’re coming, right!?”No response. As the three of you idle around the alley like a pack of mall Goths, it’s Tzah-Tzie who speaks up first! Not that that’s a surprise...“Don’t worry,” she begins with a laugh in her tone, “He’ll show up!”She stole his wallet, didn’t she?“Wh-wha!? Ant, come oooon! You can’t always assume I’m gonna steal everyone’s wallet-”You’re not even surprised anymore, but it worked out in your favor! And you’ve got all your stuff, so all’s well that ends well, right?“Yup-yup!” Smirks Volka as her heavy tail thumps against the ground! “And It’s barely even lunchtime! Hells, we might even make it to the Inn by nightfall if we-”Before she can finish the plan, the three of you jolt upright as a series of long, almost mournful bells ring out across the city! Wow, you remark as they continue long past twelve chimes, you guys have extra hours here?“No…” Mutters the Skog under her breath as worry creeps across her face, “That’s…”“It’s an alarm...” TT interrupts with equal trepidation! “Gotta be a big deal if all of Crossroads is hearing it.”“We should go. Find a place to hunker down and see what the commotion is.” Volka suggests in a grave tone. “Might have to put our Inn trip on hold, Rook…”Putting your heads together, the three of you opt to:>Head to the BATTLE’S END TAVERN!>Return to VOLKIR’S APOTHECARY!>Find a MAIN STREET and listen for a cryer!>Check in with Obber at OBBER’S WAREHOUSE! You know which one!>Write-In!
>>6138543>Find a MAIN STREET and listen for a cryer!
>>6138543>Head to the BATTLE’S END TAVERN!News travels fast, and it would be best to have the squad together if something bad is happening
>>6138546>>6138652>>6138698>TO THE STREETS!>>6138549>TO THE PUB!Looks like the streets win it! Writing!>>6138549ALWAYS. BE. SQUADDIN.
Why, head for a big street, of course! You’re not really even sure how you all decided on that–the three of you just wordlessly leave the alley and make for the last main street you remember! You have a few close calls nearly falling off the docks, sure, but once you get moving it isn’t hard to find a good spot–before long you’re joined by countless other unseen dockworkers, sailors, and vendors who clearly had the same idea!Shuffling along with the rest of the sweaty, seafood-scented pack, you do your best to stick close to Volka while TT alternates between sticking to your hip and drifting into the crowd. She’s an oddball, that one! It’s only after you bump into a person in front of you that you realize you’ve made it–the distant boom of a prim, authoritative voice from down the road heralding the arrival of someone official! Muttering a hasty apology, you crane your ear towards the sound of an approaching entourage of metal boots and clanking armor–the chatter in the crowd dying down in almost perfect unison.Amidst the marchers comes a shrill voice that carries across the crowd like a firework on a moonless night–their words reverberating with unseen energy as they glide along the path carried by an unseen platform!“WE SPEAK WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE GUILDS: LISTEN WELL AND KNOW THE TRUTH!”You steal a glance at TT expecting some silly commentary, but you find the Durher’s eyes wide as saucers and her mouth sealed shut! “ON THIS DAY, ON THIS MORNING, GUILD CHAIRMAN FELLICK WAS FOUND DEAD.”The words barely leave the crier’s lips before the crowd erupts like an orchestra tuning their instruments. Dead? The Chairman!? The words exchanged are different, but the message is the same no matter who you eavesdrop on–this is big.“A SUCCESSOR WILL BE NAMED.” Continues the crier with practiced impartiality, their escort not stopping to take questions, “AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY. ALL PASSAGE IN AND OUT OF CROSSROADS, BY LAND, SEA, AIR, OR MAGICKS, IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.”The last part earns some ire from the crowd, but even though you aren’t speaking you feel something in the crier’s words… something that compels you to be silent. To listen.“RETURN TO YOUR BUSINESS. COOPERATE WITH THE BELLCOUNTERS. DEFIANCE SHALL BE PUNISHED.”Like a fart in the wind, the crier and their entourage disappear down the road in complete silence–the people around you waiting hushed until they can no longer hear the sound of boots hitting cobblestone. The uncomfortable silence lingers for a moment, pressure building up like a shaken soda bottle, but like a lightswitch being flicked the crowd explodes into raucous conversation immediately after!“So,” Tzah-Tzie begins, her tiny voice straining above the sea of chatter surrounding you, “Long story short: this is bad.”Yea, you holler back, you figured! >CONTD.
>>6138933This Chairman guy, you continue, shrugging off someone in the crowd jostling you, was he, like, the king or something?“Crossroads has never had a king,” Explains the Spinner as she huddles close to you to avoid being trampled, “Won’t bore ya’ with the details, but it’s always been run by a council of Guild Members–people who regulate trade, set market prices, that sort of thing!”And what, pray tell, happens when the guy running the show croaks?“My guess? Panic!”“Speaking of,” Interjects Volka, her tail shielding the two of you as some onlookers shove past you, “We might wanna get outta’ here before-”“OI! YOU!”Ho boy… feeling the crowd around you make some room, it doesn’t take you long to realize you’re being addressed. Err, yes?“Guessin’ they don’t got MANNERS where yer’ from!” Snarls a Gnok as he stares down at you with an irate tinge to his humanlike eyes! “Or maybe ya just get yer’ JOLLIES from pissin’ people off!?”“Is there a problem here, sir?” Inquires Volka in a saccharine tone as her tail wraps closer around you and your Spinner!“Not with you, TUSKS!” Before said ‘Tusks’ can protest, the irate Gnok picks you up with surprising strength and dips you towards the cobblestone! “Go on, touch the road! Feel what ya’ did!”Your comrades don’t seem to be in a hurry to assist you, so you acquiesce. Amidst the cold, dirty cobblestone lies a warm, sweet-scented puddle… the liquid rapidly cooling in the brisk afternoon air! Uh, bummer, you mutter, unsure of how to best address the situation!“Ya’ think you can just push an shove whoever ya’ want!? How am I supposed ta’ make it through my shift without my mornin’ ZOTKI, ey!?”You don’t even need to be able to see to know that the crowd around you has already formed a circle… and you’re smack dab in the middle of it. Super.“He didn’t mean it, sir,” Continues Volka in the most charming voice she can muster given the situation, “It was-”“Of-fuckin-course he didn’t mean it!” Roars the Gnok as he shakes you around for good measure! “What kinda FREAK does that on PURPOSE? But that don’t replace my drink, do it!? And this rude little prick ‘asn’t even apologized yet!”You did, but you don’t think arguing that point will do you any good… with the news putting everyone on edge, it looks like you’re about to be the next act in the show…. Unless you can cool things down, that is!What do!?>Apologize again! And profusely!>Tell this guy to COOL IT!>SUCKER PUNCH!>Actually THAT guy did it! Deflect!>Go completely silent! Maybe he’ll think you left!>Volka? A little help?>TT? Please?>Write-In!
>>6138935>Actually THAT guy did it! Deflect!Have we got any witnesses, anyone saw what happened, I don't think so, and how do we know the puddle is your drink and not your piss
>>6138935>>Actually THAT guy did it! Deflect!
>>6138962>>6138967>DEFLEEEECT!Work smarter, not harder! I dig it! Let's have a roll, shall we? With BONEuses thanks to the good ideas from >>6138962 over here! Love me some write-in deets!>Roll me 1d100+4 (+3 Convincing Arguments! +2 Crowded, -1 Anxious Crowd) to diffuse the situation! Best O' 3 rolls, please!
Rolled 40 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6139047
Rolled 21 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6139047
Rolled 37 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6139047
>>6139052>>6139076>>6139120>HIGHEST ROLL: 44!Writing! YOWCH
You’ve dealt with more unruly customers than you can count, and you can count kinda high! Granted, most of said encounters ended with you rushing to get the manager while trying not to cry, but… but you get the idea!Look, buddy, you retort with uncharacteristic confidence in your voice, that’s a whole lot of accusations he’s making… care to back any of them up?!The Gnok’s anger falters for a moment to let in some confusion. “... You… you were right behind me, mate. I’d know if it was yer’ PET SKOG or the ANKLEBITER!”“HEY! I don’t bite ankles!”Calm down, TT, you’ve got this! Carefully extracting yourself from your accuser’s slightly-feathery claw, you respond to his statement with a derisive snort! And can he prove it was you that did it? How does he know it wasn’t someone else, huh?“Did you eat scheckt as a kid?” He counters as anger seeps back into his voice! “You’re behind me! You still are! How about YOU prove YOU didn’t do it instead of arguin’, ey?”“Yea, prove it!” Adds one of the bystanders, his dumb comment signaling the others to join in!“Err, Anton…” Volka mutters under her breath, “Maybe we should just apologi-”No, you know what? You’ve been a doormat ever since you arrived, you snarl! Today’s the day that ends! You’re ANTON THE UNDYING, damn it-“Formal copyright in progress!” Squeaks Tzah-Tzie!… and you’re DONE apologizing! Taking a step towards the nasty Gnok, you plant a finger on his surprisingly-broad chest! He’s so sure, is he? How do we know he didn’t just PISS, huh?“Wh-huh?” Asks the potential pisser–confusion taking the reins in his expression once more. “Excuse me?”He heard you! What’s wrong… weak bladder?The Gnok goes eerily quiet as the rest of the crowd follows suit… until another Gnok emerges and rushes to his friend’s simmering form! “He… he didn’t mean nothin’ by it, Porri… Jus’... jus’ let it go, mate…”The veins spidering across his eyes tell you that Porri has no intention of letting it go… and as his breathing gets louder and heavier, it dawns on you that you might’ve made a mistake…>CONTD.
>>6139144“Nobody…” He snarls through clenched teeth, “Calls me… PISSY PORRI!”Grabbing you by the collar with a trembling claw, Piss-err, PORRI chucks you over his shoulder like a gorilla tossing a baby! Landing in a heap in the drink (or maybe pee) puddle, you barely have time to scramble to your feet before Porri comes crashing down onto the place you just vacated!“I… DON’T… PISS MESELF!” He roars as he rips open what you hope is his tunic, “NOT ANYMOOOOOOORE!”His friend rushes to intervene, but he gets the same treatment you received–only this time his friend lands outside the circle!“NOBODY INTERFERES! ‘E’S MINE!”Well crud. That’s what you get for being confident… As Volka watches from the sidelines with a lost and worried look on her face, Tzah-Tzie breaks out her Striilii and gives you a tune just as Porri rushes to separate your neck from your body!>Roll me 1d100 (+1 Footwork, +2 Limbo, +3 Spinner’s Song, -2 Dark, -4 Urine Trouble) to not get got! Best of 3!
Rolled 71 (1d100)>>6139145AIE AIE
Rolled 90 (1d100)>>6139145
>>6139161Oh?
Rolled 7 (1d100)>>6139145>Aiming for the neckSounds like an easy thing to limbo under.
>>6139148>>6139161>>6139171>HIGHEST ROLL: 90!!!Writing! Might be the last update of the night--we'll see!>>6139166https://youtu.be/sRkE_Gv6ALM
You weren’t lying when you said you’ve dealt with unruly customers before–and dodging projectiles is just part of the job! Granted, Porri doesn’t seem to be as drunk as your average night shift belligerent, but even in the dark you can see his wild swings coming at you from a mile away!Ducking and weaving thanks to Volka’s footwork lesson, you work your way around the circle like a boxer as your opponent’s blind rage becomes more sluggish with each clumsy haymaker!“STAND… STILL!” Porri roars, each whiffed blow earning a cheer from your onlookers-turned-audience! Seeing Volka watch you go with worried eyes like a mom watching her kid ice skate for the first time, you snap your attention back to Porri just in time to LIMBOOOOOO beneath a massive fist headed for your face! You can’t help but get a little greedy as the Gnok stumbles from the force of his own blow–you’re no martial artist, of course, but you don’t need a black belt to elbow the poor jerk in his side! Sending your assailant reeling, you scamper away towards the outer part of the ‘ring’ to catch your breath!“Ant!”The squeaky voice and the loud strumming next to you tells you all you need to know. Kinda busy here, TT!“I’ll keep it quick!” She hisses with a sly grin on her face and a wink in her voice! “Don’t get hit–already got a few saps who say you ain’t gonna walk away without getting smacked once!”She’s BETTING on you!? Before the Durher can answer, Porri comes in with a fresh shipment of swings! Ducking to the side, you can’t help but smirk a bit as his wild attack sends him tumbling into the onlookers–the dockworkers shoving him back in with a chorus of groans!“You… you bastard…” Wheezing from the rage wearing off, Porri leaves himself open to you… and whatever it is you plan on doing to stop this guy!What’s the move?>Keep ducking and weaving! Let him tire himself out!>Your weapons have blunt parts–knock him on his ass!>Sneak up and choke him out!>Call the fight–no need for anyone to get hurt!>TEAR HIS GUTS OUT>Write-In!
>>6139231>>Keep ducking and weaving! Let him tire himself out!Let's not get hit, then! Seems simple enough!!!
>>6139231>Keep ducking and weaving! Let him tire himself out!
>>6139232>>6139262>ROPE A DOPE!The path of least(?) resistance? We'll see! >Roll me 1d100+5 (+1 Footwork, +2 Limbo, +3 Spinner's Song, +2 Porri Tired, -2 Dark, -1 Getting tired) to wear this guy out! Best of 3!
Rolled 36 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6139458
Rolled 95 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6139458Float like a bee, sting like a butterfly!
Rolled 4 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6139458Mostly rolling out of obligation, hard to be a 100.
>>6139509Whew. What a roll!
>>6139468>>6139509>>6139568>HIGHEST ROLL: 100!!!!!! (Non-nat but still not bad, questers)Writing! Gimme a little bit--today's been a bitch and this is my therapy>>6139509Dope a rope>>6139568You never know if that last roll is gonna be a Nat 1! Rare, but it happens, my dude. Thanks for being roller #3 though--sometimes it takes a while!>>6139625YOU SAID IT JABRONI
Your breath becomes dry and your lungs start to burn, but every punch Porri whiffs slows him down even more! Huffing and puffing as he struggles to keep up, the gnarly Gnok’s attacks grow more and more desperate as the crowd chants your name with each dodge! Either this guy’s in bad shape, you think as another sluggish uppercut passes by your face, or you’re doing pretty well!“Ach… Hells…” Stumbling after you like he just finished a marathon, Porri prepares another punch, but decides at the last minute to just fall on you instead! Deftly LIMBOING away from the last-ditch attempt to clobber you, you straighten back up and smirk just as the Gnok tumbles to the ground with a decisive THUD!The crowd goes silent as the grave as you move to check on your weary rival… approaching cautiously so as not to invite a sucker punch, you give the Gnok’s shoulder a few light taps with your toe and breathe a sigh of relief as you hear a gurgling snore escape the dockworker’s mouth!Before you can turn to leave, however, a faint trickling near Porri’s legs heralds the arrival of a pool of warm liquid at your feet! Leaping back towards the crowd, several unfamiliar claws grab hold of you and toss you into the air, the name ANTON THE UNDYING rising high above the docks!You bask in the adoration until it dies down, and while your audience departs to chant ‘PISSY PORRI!’ for a while, you feel another gnarled claw stuff something COIN-SHAPED into your pocket!“Good scrap, pup…” Hisses a raspy voice in your ear, “Come down to THE SALT SHAKER an’ ask for ‘dinner an’ a show’ if ya’ wanna make some REAL bells…”The voice’s owner and claw are gone long before you can sputter a response, and by the time you do ANOTHER shady character has already accosted you!“Nyeheheh~Anton, my friend, you are chock FULL of surprises… most of ‘em pleasant!” Sidling up next to you with a claw full of BELLS, your favorite Spinner drops a few in your hand with a conspiratorial wink!“FIFTY BELLS, pal! You earned ‘em!”Thanks, you reply in a somewhat unenthused tone, but she totally earned more than this, didn’t she?“Hey, don’t sell yourself short! YOU did all the work!” Tzah-Tzie counters as she gives your hip a playful nudge! “Sorry, Volkie–you’ll get your cut next time!”“That’s okay!” Replies the Skog as she plods over with a nervous laugh, “Betting on street fights isn’t very, um… Lamplighterish…”>CONTD.
>>6139708“Well it’s a good thing I ain’t a member, huh?” Snickers the Spinner as the three of you join the rest of the dockworkers in departing from the main street! “Whoof! That fight nearly made me forget why we were there in the first place!”“Yea…” Frowns Volka as her tail drags behind her along the cobblestone, “Hope Morook makes it back okay…”TT twitches at the unfamiliar name. “Ohoho~a special someone?”“Yep!” The Skog replies, her eyes bulging out a second later as she realizes her mistake, “I mean NO! He’s like my brother, is all! He’s not… he’s not THAT kind of special!”“We’ll be the judge of that when he shows up, right, Ant?” The Durher replies as she gives your hip another nudge. She’s gonna bruise it if she keeps that up!“At any rate, we probably won’t be able to leave town any time soon…” Muses the amazon somberly, “But I’m sure there’s plenty of ways to make some money in the meantime…”“Plenty if you know where to look and who to ask!” Adds TT as she strums an unfamiliar tune mid-stride! “They have a job board at that tavern you mentioned, right, Volk?”“Hey, yea!” Exclaims the Skog, eyes wide in realization! “They’re always posting stuff there!”These jobs, you begin warily, are they dangerous?“Course they are! Beats tilling fields all day or betting your life away in… euch… GOLD TOWN…”“Say, that’s a great idea too!” Chirps Tzah-Tzie as she loudly licks her lips in earnest!“We’re not going to Gold Town…” Groans Volka as her tail swishes angrily! “It’s dangerous!”“As long as we don’t throw my name around we’ll be fiiine! C’mon, Ant, don’tcha wanna get rich quick?”To be honest, you retort, what you really wanna do is…PASTEBIN UPDATED!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Check out the JOB BOARD at the BATTLE’S END TAVERN!>See how Volkir’s doing!>Investigate this Guild Guy… where’s the GUILD OFFICE?>Try to slip outta’ town!>Win big at GOLD TOWN!>Follow the money-making opportunity at THE SALT SHAKER!>Drop in on Oti… get some insight on your POWERS!>Scope out MITAAR’S TEMPLE… someone mentioned a ‘devil’?>Let’s see some sights! What do you two recommend?>Write-In!
>>6139712>Check out the JOB BOARD at the BATTLE’S END TAVERN!
>>6139712>Check out the JOB BOARD at the BATTLE’S END TAVERN!Volka was really excited for our new guy to join up, and since WE'RE a Lamplighter and all, we should see who else is part of this, ah, esteemed organization while we orient Rookie.
>>6139712>Scope out MITAAR’S TEMPLE… someone mentioned a ‘devil’?Danger? What’s that?
Gonna leave this choice open til' around Tuesday 5:30-6pm MST, folks--had a huge day today and I figure this decision merits a little longer of a voting window. Hopefully see you then!
>>6139712>Drop in on Oti… get some insight on your POWERS!
>>6139727>>6139741>TO THE TAVERN!>>6139747>GO TO CHURCH!>>6139870>HEY OTI!Writing! Gonna be a slow update tonight folks--today was a long one.
You’re fine with getting rich at a normal pace, you reply in a diplomatic tone, so you’re thinkin’ THE TAVERN’S your best bet! Besides, isn’t it a little early to be visiting a gambling hall?“First of all, it’s a gambling district,” Tzah-Tzie retorts as if it strengthens her argument, “And second, isn’t it a little early to go to a bar? Hmmm?”This is different, you fire back! You’re just going to check out the job board–it’s just business! Hells, you aren’t even planning on drinking!“Wh-whuuuh?” Asks Volka, her betrayed face reminding you of a cat caught in the rain! You were just speaking for yourself, you hastily reply, she can do what she wants!“Heh! Damn right I can~”Then that’s settled, you conclude, making sure to punctuate your decision with a decisive nod! Volka, you know how to get there?“Course I do!” Boasts the Skog as her tail happily cleaves through some kind of crate! “It’s pretty much my second home, y’know!”You find that a little concerning, but decide not to mention it. Where is this place anyways, you add, following closely behind Volka’s heavy bootsteps on the cobblestone.“Southern tip of the DRUNKEN MILE!” The Skog chirps as she kicks a puddle with the energy of a gradeschooler! “And a stone’s-throw from dad’s shop! Nifty, huh?”You’re gonna have to start writing down these district names… or at least put together some kind of map... for now, however, Volka’s more than pleased to guide you and TT along! “And this right here’s the MOSS WALL!” The girl explains like a twelve-foot-tall tour guide as you use said masonry to guide yourself down a steep ramp! “When it gets warmer the whole thing sprouts a whole buncha flowers… and they taste as good as they smell! Ooh! And down here’s the old bridge–that’s where you can find all the good rocks…”She sure knows a lot about this place, you remark, sidestepping a grumbling figure who clearly made an early visit to the aforementioned ‘DRUNKEN MILE’, you knew she was a big drinker, but-“Pfft! Knock it off~” Chides the Skog as she playfully bats at you with her tail and nearly smacks your head off! “I grew up around here, is all! You learn the lay of the land real quick when you’re a kid!”You get that, you nod, ducking underneath a cluster of clay chimes dangling in the middle of the path. You don’t remember much about where you grew up, but you definitely remember digging snow tunnels in the Winter and picking bugs from under the rocks in the Summer… and hopping into the creek when it got too humid…>CONTD.
>>6140535“How about you, Tzie-Tzie?” Asks Volka as she giggles thinking about the picture you just painted, “I’ll betcha’ got into plenty of mischief when you were younger!”“Err, yep!” The Durher replies as she nearly trips over an unseen twig, “Never could keep me in one room for long! And gods help ya’ if I made it to the gardens…”“Gardens!?” Sputters Volka with a low whistle! “You had gardens growing up? More than one!?”“N-nah,” Tzah-Tzie stammers, “They were uh, they were nearby! Sure smelled nice though! Mhm!”You’re not even sure where the truths start and the lies end anymore, so you just give the girl a noncommital ‘uh-huh.’ As you continue on your merry way, the clusters of roaming drunks grow larger and more frequent–so much so that you have to stop every now and then to let them pass by!Dodging past hordes of plastered pilgrims trying to hug you, grope you, and/or kick the crap outta you, you breathe a sigh of relief when Volka points you towards the distant creaking of a rusty metal windmill.“Look alive, gang! An’ mind your manners when we go inside–the innkeep’s a real piece a’ work!”You’re about to inquire further when a claw bigger than your head plucks you up by your hood, the startled squeak you hear next to you suggesting Tzah-Tzie got the same treatment! Jogging over to the saloon with a hoot and a holler, Volka all but kicks down the front door with a cheerful “I’M BAAACK, MA!” That sends a poor patron bowling head over heels like an umbrella in a hurricane!From the back of the crowded bar comes a gruff voice belonging to a Skog with one less eye than usual: “So I see! Take a seat, hon, an’ don’t even think of tracking mud in here…”>CONTD.
>>6140538With a polite ‘whoops’, Volka stamps her boots on a mat you can tell has seen far better days just by listening to it. With her soles thoroughly cleaned, your guide brings you and Tzah-Tzie over to the far end of the bar where you’re greeted by the lovely smell of stale ale, but also a warm, inviting aroma of spices and savory bits that makes your mouth water!“So who are these two, then?” Inquires the barmatron as she hobbles her way over to your side and gives you a once-over. “New recruits?”“Heh heh! ONE is!” You’ve never been held over a bar before, but you’ve tried a lot of new things ever since you arrived here. “Ma, meet Anton! Anton, meet Ma!” You’re just about to introduce yourself when you hear glass clanging and booze spilling on Tzah-Tzie’s side! “Whoops! And this is Tzah-Tzie.”“Charmed, both of yas.” Drawls ‘Ma’ as she dips beneath the counter to grab some fresh, unsmashed glassware. “Call me Ma. Everyone else does.” Whipping up a concoction as easily as one would scratch their cheek while Volka plants you and TT into some massive metal barstools, the bartender plants the beverage in front of your guide before swiveling her one good eye in your direction.“What can I getcha, sweetheart? Volka’s friends get one on the house.” A crooked smile forms on her weathered face. “Boyfriends pay triple.”“Pfft, like THAT’LL ever happen!” Snorts Volka as she guzzles her drink like it’s about to explode! “Yr shrdh askh aboud dr JOP BORT!”“Mouth’s full, hon.”“Sorry~”What’s yer’ poison?>I’ll have what she’s having!>Surprise me!>The STRONGEST STUFF YA GOT!>A Britzoff Scorcher, if you please…>Just some juice or something…>TT, what are you having?>RUUPAA PLEASE!>Nothing, thanks!>What’s that spicy smell?>Write-In!
>>6140540That's it for tonight, all... apologies--today kinda kicked my ass. Will definitely try to update again on Wednesday though!
>>6140540>TT, what are you having?
>>6140540>Gimme Obber's favorite!
>>6140540>A Britzoff Scorcher, if you please…How do we know what this is? Do we have an actual demon in us, not just demon powers?
>>6140540>A Britzoff Scorcher, if you please…
Fuuuuuck sorry, gang, got home late and had a late shopping trip too. I can still write based on these results, though...>>6140550>>6140599>TT, WHATCHA HAVIN>>6140562>GIMME THE OBBER!>>6140961>>6140987>GIMME THE SCORCHERRRWriting!
You’re uh, you’re still thinking, you reply with a polite laugh! She can take the other lady’s order first!“Wow, ya’ scrounged up a gentleman here, didn’tcha, hon?” Ma remarks as she gives the other Skog a smirk. “You first then, sweetheart.”The Spinner blinks a few times, clearly having not heard that expression often. “Yeesh… I don’t have much alcohol tolerance, but if it’s freeeee….”Something tells you this is a big mistake, but you let it happen anyways. Making a show of deliberating, TT’s eyes go saucer-sized as an idea pops into her head!“Ooh, I’ll take a COASTAL! That’s a tasty one!”“Grd choish!” Agrees Volka as she briefly resurfaces from her tankard.The bartenderess raises a ragged eyebrow. “With gel?”“You betcha!” Tzah-Tzie replies with a wink! “Nothing like a drink to end a hard day~”“It’s still morning, kiddo.” Grunts Ma as she begins to toss ingredients around behind the bar. “You kids picked a strange time to swing by… first the RED COMET, then Fellick croaking… Might close up early today–misery comes in threes, y’know.”Pausing mid-mix, Ma sends an apologetic glance in Volka’s direction. “Don’t worry, hon–you can still have your meetin’ here tonight. You still got yer’ key?”“Yup!” Nods your Skog as she polishes off the rest of her tankard with an exultant ‘aaah~’, “Wait, comet?”“Yep, eye’s still burning from starin’ at it!” Ma snorts as she pours something gooey into TT’s drink! “I was opening up when it happened: some kinda energy peeked in through a hole I never noticed in the ceiling–the whole morning crowd stampeded outside to take a gander while I nearly knocked over all my stock!”“Talk about lucky, hm?” TT remarks, her eyes lighting up as her drink is placed in front of her!“Well I wouldn’t say that…” Mutters the bartender with a faint chill in her tone, “Wasn’t very lucky for Chairman Fellick… and a red comet’s a whole different story when yer’ a Skog.”“It is?” Volka asks, the bar groaning in protest under her weight as she leans forward! “Whatsit mean?”“‘Favorable War’,” the old Skog replies like a parent telling a ghost story at a campfire. “But what the hells do I know? Declarin’ war ain’t as easy as it used to be, so…” You can’t see it, but you’re pretty sure she’s shrugging.“And there I go ruining the mood… you know whatcha’ want yet, Andon?”It’s Anton, you smile, and you’re still think-Britzoff Scorcher… that’s a good one…>CONTD.
>>6141116The words rush out of your mouth like cockroaches fleeing a beam of light–each syllable spoken cool and composed like you were an actor in an old-timey movie or a spy flick… while you struggle to figure out where the words came from, everyone else stares your way like you just grew horns!“That’s a new one…” Remarks Ma while Volka and TT search you with wide eyes, “How do ya’ make it?”You have no clue–that’s what you plan on saying, at least!Two parts Skog Futskaa, one part Rimber, a dash of Otz and a kiss of Meetz leaf on top… shaken, of course.Based on Ma’s expression, you can’t tell if she wants to club you or kiss you… but as she gets to work on the drink you can see a faint twinkle in her eye like an artist beginning to see a statue emerge from the marble!Coming to life amidst a chorus of hisses and gurgles, the drink is placed in front of you with a definitive ‘CLUNK’ on the wood bar–its effervescent contents tickling your nose as you draw close!“Hope ya’ don’t mind I made one fer’ myself.” Before you can reply, you feel another tankard clink against your own before it’s lifted up to the old Skog’s mouth! “Don’t just sit there, kid–when a lady taps your glass, ya’ drink! Now down the hatch!”She doesn’t have to tell you twice! Bringing the hissing mug close, you can’t help but wince a bit as its fizzy contents burn your lips! With one deep steadying breath, you take as big of a swig as you can muster and…Oh my GOD!The flavor is… well, it’s not of this world! Or YOUR world, for that matter! It’s boozy, yea, so much so that you feel your eyes spinning in their sockets, but the taste–it’s like being wrapped up in a warm blanket on Christmas morning… in Tahiti! On the beach! You have no clue what the hell Rimber is, or a Meetz leaf, but one thing’s for certain–you could drink this stuff til you die!Slowly recovering from the kick in the mouth, you look over to find Ma going through a similar come-to-God experience! Bracing herself against the counter, the old Skog lets out an ear-ringing whoop as she slams the tankard onto the bar!“Hells, kid, that one’s goin’ on the menu…” She remarks in an almost dreamy voice! “Rimber and Futskaa, I’ll be damned… how’d ya’ come up with that one, ey?”“Yea, Rook!” Adds Volka as she leans over to your side of the bar! “I wanna try one too, Ma!”You uh, it’s a home recipe, you stammer as Volka takes a swig from Ma’s tankard and nearly falls out of her seat! Took a lot of experimenting, but…“Well I ain’t one ta’ drag family through the mud,” The bartender smirks as she snatches her mug back from a swaying Volka, “But I’m gonna call that one THE ANTON. Rolls off the tongue a little better, don’cha think?”Sure, you nod with a nervous smile, you’re not that attached to the other name anyways!>CONTD.
>>6141118“Mind if I have a sip too, Ant? Thaaaanks~”Before you can answer, Tzah-Tzie’s already lapping up half of your drink! HEY! DOWN, GIRL! TSST! NO!“Ooh~I shoulda gotten that...” Observes the Spinner as she sways in her barstool! “Woo… I gotta... siddown sm'more...”“Well now that we’re all good an’ acquainted,” Continues Ma with a more amicable expression than before, “What can I do ya’ for? Volk’s the sweetest girl in Crossroads, sure, but I know she didn’t just bring ya’ here to meet this fossil…”Well, you begin,>Can I see the job board?>Another drink, please!>Tell me more about Skog stuff!>How does she know Volka?>Who is she anyways?>This Red Comet–tell us more!>Any word on Fellick’s death?>Hear any odd rumors lately?>You’re good for now–gonna talk with your partners!>Write-In!That's it fer tonight, folks--dead tired! Seeya on Thurs!
>>6141121>Can I see the job board?>Any word on Fellick’s death?>How does she know Volka?
>>6141121>This Red Comet–tell us more!
>>6141128>>6141135I can see the way the wind is blowing here--it ain't my first quest rodeo! I'm gonna assume we wanna ask about all four of these things, but if that's the case I'm gonna save the update for FRIDAY since I'm still wiped from the last few days. Consider this shit LOCKED and seeya Friday!
>>6141546See you then, QM, and thanks for the update!
>>6141121>>6141128 +1
>>6141121>>6141135+1 to both. Can’t fight the wind, I tried and lost.
C’mon, you reply, giving the Skog an amicable smile as you wrestle your drink free of Tzah-Tzie’s wicked clutches, there’s no way she’s that old!“HAH!” Roars Ma, slapping the counter hard enough to bend it as she lets loose a belly laugh that dwarfs Volka’s in comparison, “You’re alright, ya’ know that, kid?”If she says so, you reply with a polite laugh! She’s right, though–Volka mentioned she had some kind of JOB BOARD?“Ant’s gotta make some bells, Ma.” Explains the original Skog as the new one plants a fresh BRITZO- err, ANTON in front of her, “Dad’s gonna help him out, so-”“Oh?” Ma interjects as she raises an eyebrow, “Well imagine that–grumpy ole’ bastard’s helping people again, huh? Maybe that comet wasn’t such a bad omen after all!”“MA!”“I’m kidding, I’m kidding…” Groans the bartendress as Volka angrily slaps her tail against the floor and shakes half the bar! “Still, you musta’ made a good impression on Volkir if he’s willing to help you get home.”You open your mouth to respond, but stop midway as your brain finishes processing her words! How did-“Gimme some credit, kid. Lost look on yer’ face? Weird scent? Manners?” Ma scoffs as she takes another swig from her tankard. “I knew you weren’t from around here the minute Volk dragged ya’ in. Not ta’ mention you’d have to be three kinds of desperate to ask that mangy prick for help-”She uh, she knows Volkir, then?“Intimately.” Ma replies as she leans on the bar. “Not that he seems to remember, mind. Could’ve at least paid his tab…”“Maaa, just tell him about the boaaaard!” Groans Volka as she licks the booze suds off her tusks!“Yea, yea… it’s right over there.” Following the one-eyed Skog’s gaze, your nostrils pick up a faint, but distinct scent–some kind of incense?“Just follow that scent and you’ll find the board–that’s how it works everywhere, really.” Explains the bar matron as she idly clicks some unseen claws on the bar. “Watch yer’ step on the way over for any nappers… oh, and don’t take any jobs from anyone called Yiba.. Don’t ask.”… why shouldn’t you take an-“Trust me, you don’t wanna know!”“Isn’t that the-”“VOLKA.”“Sorry!”Fair enough…>CONTD.
>>6142312Right, you add as Tzah-Tzie nearly falls out of her seat thanks to a particularly violent burp-hiccup, about the comet-“I ain’t no Warchanter, hon,” Ma interjects, picking up a fresh glass to polish as studies you with her remaining eye, “But I know Skogs–do yourself a favor and play nice if you run across any on yer’ way home today, y’hear?”Seems like a lot of hoopla for a dumb comet, you shrug, the withering stare you get from the bar matron instantly makes you regret it. “Course it is! If an omen told a Skog ta’ cover themselves in scheckt an’ roll around in sand you wouldn’t have any sand left! Or scheckt!”“CrAazzhee…” Nods your Spinner as she half-falls, half-headbutts your side!“That’s puttin' it mildly…” Grunts Ma as she polishes the mug with renewed fervor! “Had to learn hundreds of ‘em when I was still a pup. Omens for trickery… omens for traitors… omens for mating… omens for hunting…” She shakes her head as a rowdy group across the tavern cheer one of their friends on, “Why d’ya wanna know anyways?”You just wanna know for uh… research! Yea! Ma’s eye narrows.“Ya’ don’t strike me as some kinda Skog scholar… not that those last very long, mind. But what the hells.” Clearing her throat, the bartender recites some unusually eloquent words with barely a pause between any of the words:“The searing orb will slither across the sky like a great Kellath–its jagged tail leading the path for Khodra’s Immortals and its blinding light and majesty precursors to the spilling of blood and splintering of bones. All but Khodra’s Chosen touched by the comet shall be struck down–struck down by the might of the comet’s power wielded like a divine blade come to purify the stolen lands…”As the last word leaves her lips, Ma slumps onto the bar gasping for air–the tavern silenced by the resounding CLUNG produced by her body crashing against the counter! “MA!”Before you can do anything, Volka’s already over the bar and tending to her adoptive mother! TT, on the other hand, is already sipping the Skog’s drink! Wretched beast!“I’m fine, I’m fine…” Mutters Ma as she gently pries herself loose from Volka’s grasp! “Just a lotta words, is all…” Rising back to her impressive and mildly terrifying stature, the bar matron takes a swig from her drink to steady herself. “Damn, that’s good…”So, you continue, scooting away from Volka as she tackles the beverage bandito to the ground, things are gonna get pretty busy around here, huh?“Well it ain’t gonna get any calmer…” Ma snorts before glancing around her establishment. “But don’t take my word fer’ it. Folks have been talkin’ about it all day.”Following the Skog’s lead, you purse your lips and crane your ear to eavesdrop on the rest of the tavern!“-onna be a war-”“-sell everything-”“-kog girls…”>CONTD.
>>6142315Speaking of current events, you add as you try and fail to ignore the catfight brewing on the tavern floor next to you, what does she know about the whole Fellick thing?Ma cocks her head to the side–a shrug, you think. “Well he wasn’t exactly the most well-liked Durher in Crossroads… but dead? Can hardly believe it’s real…”You take another swig from your drink and smile–yep, STILL good! She liked him, then?“I didn’t dislike him...” Shrugs the Skog once more. “But his policies didn’t endear him to the public much.”He was a politician, right?“More like a doorman,” Explains Ma in an almost teacherly voice, “Want to pass a law? You’d have to go through Fellick… and his platform pretty much amounted to ‘Keep Crossroads Out of It’. You can imagine why that’d rub some people the wrong way.”But… but neutrality-“Is all well and good, yea,” Nods the Skog, “But THE FOUR know the game Crossroads is playing… and the question buzzing around folk’s heads is ‘when are they gonna get fed up’?”Your mind drifts back to the comet… then back to the Guild Chair’s sudden death. Do they have a plan for when… when this kind of thing happens?“Course they do, but not when it’s so sudden!” Ma scoffs! “Fellick seemed like he was gonna outlive us all…”Does she think he was… y’know, murdered?An unnerving silence drapes over the tavern as the word leaves your lips–your voice cracking as a sudden dryness settles in your throat!“Well it wouldn’t be easy...” The bartendress mutters in an almost reverent tone, “You could say plenty of things about Fellick, but he was a sly sonnovabitch–no one’ll deny that.”So it’s impossible, you ask, leaning across the bar!“Not impossible, but damned tricky....” Retorts the Skog with a derisive snort! “But you wouldn’t have much trouble scrounging up volunteers…”So, you continue as you take another sip from what little remains in your mug, what happens next? Do people, like, vote for the next chairman, or-“HAH! VOTE!” Ma laughs as she gives the counter another slap, “Not us plebs, mate–it’s gonna be handled internally, an’ all that implies…” >CONTD.
>>6142316You’re not exactly big into politics, and that hasn’t changed–still, you can’t help but feel a little curious as you continue to grill the one-eyed amazon. Internal or not, you begin, who’s gonna be replacing Fellick anyways?“Hard ta’ say,” Ma sighs, her eye glancing skyward for an answer, “But I’d chalk it up to three candidates: KUBRI, GHIRA, and ZIST.”Why’s that? And who are they?“Politicians,” Replies the Skog with a roll of her eye, “And politicians… Fellick’s inner circle come ta’ pick at his bones.”You’re not sure how to react, so you frown. They’re guild members, then?“In every sense, yep.” Nods the bartender as she gets to work on another dirty mug. “Reckon they’re busy polishing their eulogies as we speak… but while Fellick’s busy getting cremated they’ll be sending word to their ‘patrons’.”It’s strangely comforting to see that politics aren’t much different from your world… So what sets them all apart, anyways? Do they have, like, talking points?“Yea, if by that ya’ mean fingers in pies! Kubri’s an easy one,” Begins Ma as the two of you ignore a loud crash from further into the bar, “He’s got all kinds of ties in the West, which isn’t a small feat when you’re a Gnok in Skoglands. You can probably guess what his big solution is.”You’re still figuring things out, you say with a nervous smirk, but doesn’t, like, everything belong to that Khodra guy in the West? How does trade even work?“Kinda like gambling: if Khodra lets some of his ‘wealth’ go, he might get more in return.” Explains the Skog with a bitter smile. “Kubri’s just one of the lucky few to not piss ‘em off. Not ta’ mention he wants ta’ negotiate Crossroads into some kinda’ protectorate deal…”The other candidates probably don’t like that…>CONTD.
>>6142318“Not in the least!” Ma laughs, placing another clean mug on an unseen rack! “Ghira’s got a similar plan, only she wants ta’ broker a deal with Umberal… not a bad deal if you like Ruuppaa and magic.”She’s a WIIIITCH?!“And a graduate of TRIMBAULT ACADEMY--a bit stuffy if ya’ ask me, but quite an’ institution for magic folk. Anyways, if she gets her way she’ll definitely try to broker a deal with Umberal. Not sure how I feel about it, but I’ll take clockwork paths and steel soldiers over Skog Bloodletters any day…”What about Zist, then?“From what I hear he and Fellick were thick as thieves… I’d wager he’s the safer option,” The bartender continues with a shrug in her tone, “Wants to preserve the status quo, for better or worse.”Well this has been nothing if not enlightening, you remark with an impressed nod! How’d she learn so much anyways? “I’m old and I run a bar. You learn ta’ pick up on things when you can’t run around anymore.” Ma explains with a weary grin as she glances at the whirling dervish that is TT and Volka. “You’re an outsider–if you had ta’ pick someone ta’ run things, who’d it be?”Well…>Kubri. If he could make a deal with the Skogs…>Ghira. Magic and machines seem like a good combo…>Zist. Neutrality’s pretty damn useful!>Ma! She seems to know how stuff works!>You dunno! Shit’s complicated!>Write-In!Fuck, folks, sorry about the wait! Will get to the Volka/Ma relationship tomorrow--Mr. Sandman smacked my shit halfway through writing all this stuff! Thanks for being patient and seeya on Sat, most likely!
>>6142320>Zist. Neutrality’s pretty damn useful!
>>6142320>Ma! Running a bar keeps you in touch with the people, and she’d always be one rabble-rousing speech away from sacking her politician minions. Anyone else can be bought off with drinks.She’ll be too busy running the bar to get up to any trouble herself.A seemingly leaderless Crossroads also seems like the sort of thing everybody would be too wary to attack. Not because the Crossroads would win, but because occupying it would take effort and the NEXT group in could try to finish both sides off, then the next joins in to attack the others, then the fourth, then the upstart rebels have their fun and so on and so forth.The only winning move is to be the final one in, and everyone knows that. They can’t be the final one until someone else moves first though, so it’s a forever stalemate. Until some lunkhead decides they just want to fuck up a town and damn the consequences.But at least the boss girl would serve a mean drink until that happens.
>>6142320>Ma! She seems to know how stuff works!Don't know enough to rightly say. Thoguh if Ma likes Ghira's whole deal, she's a sound second pick.
>>6142320>>Ma! She seems to know how stuff works!
>>6142320>VOLKIR. Nobody would mess with him, and he's too grumpy to bullshit anyone politically. You know exactly what you're getting with him. He'd HATE it, but that just means he'd be extra good at it.
>>6142320>Ghira. Magic and machines seem like a good combo…>>6142343>Until some lunkhead decides they just want to fuck up a town and damn the consequences.Like Khodra?
>>6142340>ZIST ALL THE WAY!>>6142343>>6142345>>6142354>#MASWEEP>>6142364>VOLKIR FOR HEAD GRUMP>>6142504>GHIRAGANGWriting!!! See guys we're being like Disco Elysium
Having learned the basics of Crossroad’s political system a few minutes ago, you opt to do what you always do when confronted about something you don’t quite have a grasp on.With how much she knows, you reply with a roguish expression and a suave tone of voice, SHE oughta be running this town!Your answer earns a predictable, but not unwelcome response. Doubling over with laughter that shakes the whole tavern, Ma barely manages to hold onto the mug she was cleaning as the Volka/TT battle seems to wind down in the background! “Hoo boy… where the Hells were you when I was young?” Steadying herself against the counter, the bar matron wipes an unseen tear from her eye as she shakes her head and grins. “Haven’t laughed like that since… ah, doesn’t matter… ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer, right?”Glancing wistfully in the direction of where you last heard Volka and Tzah-Tzie, the bar Skog sighs as she rests against the counter–the casual action sending a low groan across the whole venue! “She’s been visiting less an’ less… warms my cold, dead heart ta’ see her stayin’ outta trouble…”You shift your gaze towards Ma with a raised eyebrow. She’s not really Volka’s mom, right? Your question earns you a playful flick to the forehead that sends your brain pinballing around your skull!“Just cuz’ I’m a Skog doesn’t make me her ma, ya’ cheeky prick.” She replies with a wry, almost nostalgic grin on her face! “Funny ya’ mention it, though–that’s actually how we met.”You barely finish the last dregs of your drink before another fizzing concoction is placed in front of you! Guess you’re sticking around…“It was only a few years back, but it feels like ages ago now that I think about it…” Begins the Skog as she drums her claws against the counter, “I’d just finished up a long, painful chapter in my life… an’ finally got started on a new one. Had the bar, a roof over my head, an’ I wasn’t waking up at night bathed in my own sweat anymore. It wasn’t much,” Ma continues with a nostalgic sigh, “But it was somethin’.”Then what happened?“Life did, as it does.” She shrugs. “It was snowy as all hell that night–bar was packed tighter than a barrel of scheckt, could barely breathe from how hot an’ smelly it was… had half a mind ta’ kick everyone out just so I could think straight when some Bellcounters came in–turned the whole place ice cold real quick.”Let me guess, you interrupt, your mind wandering back to how you found Volka outside her dad’s potion shop, Volka was with them!>CONTD.
>>6142601“Barely came up ta’ my hip back then–eyes wide as plates an’ scowling somethin’ fierce…” Ma chuckles as she recalls the image. “I was ready ta’ chuck a table at ‘em when they asked if she was mine, but seeing that little pup trembling… still can’t tell if it was fear or the cold…”The bartendress takes a swig of her drink to hide swallowing a lump in her throat, “Well, I sure as Hells couldn’t say no, now could I?”You respond by taking a long swig of your namesake. So that’s how it happened, huh? “That’s how it started, sure!” Ma snorts! “I played my part, of course–wrapped Volk in my tail, bit my tongue while the guards lectured me on how I oughta know better, paid the fine… an’ the whole time Volka just stood there wrapped in my tail like a doll–couldn’t get a word outta’ here even after the Bellcounters left.”So what did she do?“Well, I went back ta’ work.” Ma shrugs again. “Needless ta’ say my customers were surprised ta’ hear I was a ‘mom’ this whole time… drunk bastards. They… they were kind, though.” The Skog says, a weak smile forming on her face. “They waited fer’ their drinks, smiled at my ‘daughter’... Hells, even the rowdier folks kept quiet all night. And as for Volka, well… coulda’ swore the girl was mute til’ I fed her some Kruutz skewers.” Blinking in realization, the bar matron cocks her head to the side. “Skog dish. Spices, meats, all the essentials for a growin’ Bloodletter.”So THAT’S what that smell is, you remark, shifting your gaze towards the spicy smell behind her!“My specialty!” Ma replies, puffing her chest out with pride! “Anyways, poor thing musta’ housed five servings before she spoke up–an’ I use ‘spoke’ lightly, cuz’ at the time it was more of a whisper than anything else–and do you know what she said?”You weren’t there, so no, you reply with an apologetic smile!“‘You’re not my mother.’” Answers Ma adopting a quiet, shivering tone! “HA! Can ya’ believe it? Girl was barely the size of my leg an’ she had me SPEECHLESS!”That’s… harsh, you remark, struggling to imagine Volka being so cold.“That ain’t the half of it!” Snorts the bartender with a shake of her head, “Little snot bit my tail when I tried ta’ stop her from running off… scurried off into the blizzard without a shred of thanks! Thought that was the end of it until about a month or so later–biggest spiking Crossroad’s had in years-Spiking?“Right… Ice storm. Like a blizzard, but with daggers. Not too common out here, but in the West? Bout’ as common as rain.”You make a mental note to invest in a high-grade umbrella. So Volka came back, huh?>CONTD.
>>6142606“Sure did–kicked my damned door open like she owned the place…” Ma explains with a roll of her eye. “Customers greeted her like a princess, but she just planted herself in front of me with the sourest expression I’ve ever seen… didn’t budge until I gave her some food, the brat.”Lemme guess, you smile, she took off after that?“And he’s a mindreader too. Amazing.” The bartender says with a laugh! “She waited until the storm died down, at least. Didn’t see her again until the warmer season, and that time it was during a Zetsi Pollen shower. That reminds me–next time ya’ see that old bastard at the potion shop, beg him for an ANTISPORE TINCTURE. You’ll thank me later.”Sure, you nod, terror building as your mind wonders just what the hell Zetsi Pollen is.“Or just steal it. Knowing him, the prick’ll probably charge ya’ full price.” Shrugs the Skog. “Anyways, after Volka ate I was sure that’d be it, but I musta’ tripped over her three times before I realized she wasn’t leaving… even after I closed shop I could feel her shadowing me–didn’t have the heart ta’ kick her out, so I set her up in one of the guest bedrooms and… that was that.”So what brought her to Volkir’s place, then? Seems like she’d fit in better here…“Oh she did, trust me!” Ma replies with a smile! “For a time, at least. Got tired of her being on bodyguard detail real quick, so I started giving her some simple chores: bussing tables, sweeping the floors… next thing I know she’s slinging drinks, singing songs, armwrestling my customers… you can imagine all the colorful vocabulary she learned, too…” Ma groans. “Things were good… real good…”But it didn’t last, did it?“Never does…” Sighs the Skog as she gets to work cleaning another mug. “It was about as busy as it gets–standing room only, could barely hear myself think over the drunken singing and breaking glass… was almost relieved when everything went quiet.” Ma’s eye trembles a bit as she relives the memory in her head–an almost haunted look on her stony face. “That’s when the shouting started. An’ the shoving.”The bar matron pauses as a shout rings out across the tavern, but relaxes as a round of laughter follows it.“I still dunno who started it, but Volka was still my-” She pauses mid-sentence. “Volka was a little girl… didn’t look the part when she was about my height, of course, but I knew.”What did she do?“What Skogs do best, I s’pose…” Ma shudders, the haunted look still in her eye. “I rushed over ready ta’ stomp some heads–but I got careless.” She pauses at the sound of creaking wood, only to find it’s the sound of her squeezing the mug she’d been cleaning.>CONTD.
>>6142608“They were sellswords. Regulars, actually, but they’d had a bit ta’ drink an a few bad experiences with Skogs in the past. So when they saw me rushing at ‘em with blood in my eye, well…”Did they hurt Volka?“No, thank Gods…” Ma sniffs. “But there comes a time in a Skog’s life where ya’ don’t regenerate any more… I’d already lost my eye, sure, but that night I’d lost my tail–and a few chunks of my guts, too.”So, you continue in a reverent tone, what uh… what happened?“The mercs never came back–probably didn’t realize what they’d done til’ they got ta’ safety. Not that I blame ‘em, course.” The matron replies in a ‘what-can-ya-do’ and yet somewhat rueful tone. “Volka, though–I’d barely hit the floor before she rushed to my side. Rallied the whole damn tavern, she did. Probably woulda died that night if she hadn’t.”She’s pretty persuasive, you nod with a warm smile.“Damn right she is,” Ma agrees with a smidge of pride in her voice. “Wouldn’t let me outta’ bed for weeks after that–ran the whole tavern herself. And me, well… I had a lotta’ time ta’ think.”About?“About how Volka was wasted serving drinks an’ sweeping a bar…” Explains the Skog, “And how I didn’t want her ta’ grow up in some Totta warren with a buncha’ drunks an’ murderers. So I called in a favor from a regular of mine,” The matron’s face brightens at the word ‘regular’, “And that was that.”Musta’ been hard, you remark, sending her off like that.“Damn right it was–that girl’s strong! Had ta’ dislodge her claws with a prybar from the doorframe when I broke the news! An’ trying ta’ keep her out, Hells…”Before you and Ma can reminisce further, a heavily-breathing Volka and a swaying Tzah-Tzie slump back into their seats! “Ah-HAH! Gossiping, are we?” “Sheckritsh segits arno fuuuun…” “I think she’s had enough, ma!” Volka chirps, earning a curt ‘mhm’ from the older Skog. “She wasn’t mean ta’ you, was she, Rook?”Quite the opposite, you smirk, she’s been on her best behavior!“You heard ‘im.” Snickers Ma as she pours something into a glass and places it in front of the drunken Durher. “Mulla Juice. Make sure she drinks it all.”Enjoying your beverage, you decide to:>Ask Ma about herself!>Chat with Volka!>Check in on TT!>Look at the Job Board!>Explore the tavern!>Write-In!
>>6142612>>Look at the Job Board!
>>6142612>Explore the tavern!There should be a shady (more than usual) corner inhabited by something.
>>6142612>Check in on TT!Are Durhers usually lightweights, or is Anton just that good at holding his liquor?>Look at the Job Board!We did come here for a reason, after all.
>>6142612>Check in on TT!
>>6142648>>6142726>BOARD MEETING!>>6142726>>6142876>TT? YOU GOOD?>>6142707>EXPLORE!Writing! Sorry, this wasn't a huge decision or anything, just ended up going out last night and didn't come back til later! HANG ONTA SOMETHIIIIIING
She doesn’t gotta tell you twice! Watching with pity as the drunken Durher sways like seaweed, you gently prod the juice closer to her and tell the girl to drink!“Dun… dunh you SHEEE!?” Snarls the Spinner as she swats at the air far above the mug, “I… I’m finshink my OThrr dring, Anndun… hellish, cngnaGIRL geddalil dring timuron heer…”Super. You’ll uh… you’ll check on her after you look at that board. “GarrrRy meee ovvrrr… wanngOme chuu…”Yea, not happening.Taking your drink with you, you march on over to the infamous JOB BOARD while Ma keeps an eye on the soused Spinner! It ain’t hard to find–in the short trek over to the board side of the bar you’re already beaten to the punch by several patrons… some clad in armor that jingles with every step, a few stepping so softly you nearly bump into them! Guess the job industry is boomin, huh?“Hah! You can say that again!” Replies Volka as she pauses to let a party of Durhers slip past, “Not ta’ mention you get to help people doing it! Everybody wins!”Unless they die on the job, right? Volka’s smile dips a bit.“Y-yea! Err, lemme take a look at these…”As the Skog dips down to peruse the postings, you step aside for a few more pushy professionals. Question, you begin as a Mzz’goe’virr sends six eyes-worth of nasty glances your way, why aren’t they just taking all the jobs off the board?“Courtesy, mostly!” Chirps your interpreter as she tsks at one of the unseen postings, “Let’s say ya’ get in a tight spot, yea? If you’re lucky another person might come along for the same gig an’ help ya out!”What if you die? Or they wanna poach your reward?“Ya’ improvise!” She replies with a sly wink! “Okay, here’s a few good ones ta’ get your feet wet–lemme know what ya’ think!”CHOOSE YOUR JOB!https://youtu.be/ZJCJPr6TrNo>TOTTA INFESTATION: My shop basement is brimming with the damn things! Looking for a quick and effective solution! 250 BELLS, BROAD DISTRICT! Ask for MITZA>EVENT SECURITY: We’re holding another Spin-Off in Whisper Park to help spread the word about new talent! The audience grew a bit rowdy last time… need some muscle to keep things pleasant! 300 BELLS, WHISPER PARK. Speak to BOOLI>MISSING CHILDREN: Can’t find. Please need help. 200 BELLS, RAGS DISTRICT. Talk Mimut>Is there anything ELSE!?“Just ta’ help ya’ decide,” Volka chimes in, “Broad’s a Merchant’s Quarter. Lotsa businesses! Whisper Park’s near FOUNDER’S COURT--y’know, where all the politicians gather. As for the Rags District, well… it’s where ya’ go when ya’ can’t afford anywhere else…”
>>6143145>MISSING CHILDREN: Can’t find. Please need help. 200 BELLS, RAGS DISTRICT. Talk MimutThis seems like a lamplighter job, also we won't have a lot of competition for this job
>>6143145>MISSING CHILDREN: Can’t find. Please need help. 200 BELLS, RAGS DISTRICT. Talk Mimut>Once picked, pat the drunk TT on the head.
>>6143154>>6143173>FOR THE KIDS!Writing!
You give the job tag a good tap with your finger to make it official–the cold metal sending a tingle through your digit as it connects! Missing kids, you remark to your scale-covered colleague, sounds like a job for the LAMPLIGHTERS!“Normally we’d do this kinda’ thing for free,” Replies Volka with a polite giggle, “But you need the money so I suppose we’ll see!”“NYYYYOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAUUUUUGHH!”The sudden shriek at your side sends you reeling and the rest of the tavern into a tizzy–the sound of dozens of blades and weapons being drawn as the patrons prepare for a scrap! Though you’re a tad late on the draw, you’re the first person to relax when you realize the scream wasn’t a monster or a threat so much as it was a drunken yowl!T, you groan, you can’t do that…“False alarm, all!” Reports Volka as you feel the boozed-up bard collapse against your leg with a wet hiccup, “Sorry about that!”“Dun… dun dooertfer… ferfree…” Slurs Tzah-Tzie, her eyes spinning like a pair of bloodshot wagon wheels! “Praomish…. merrr….”You respond by rolling your own eyes. Did she finish the juice?“Lemmr… lemmehr chell yer sumfrn abouthad…”Did she?“.... Depensh on ther shool erf fought–”Goddamn it. You’re just about to force feed her when Ma intervenes by sending a jovial smile your way! “Find a job, hon?”Yea, you nod, gonna help someone find their missing kids!“It came from the Rags District, Ma.” Adds Volka with a matching grin! “Got any tips fer’ us?”The old Skog scratches her broken tusk in contemplation. “Reckon I know the client, actually–Mimut, right? Used ta’ be a regular ‘til her money dried up–told her she could keep a tab, but she wanted ta’ be responsible…”Any other info she can provide?“Mimut’s a sweetheart,” Ma explains, as if that helps, “But she had ta’ take a job in Gold Town ta’ make ends meet–long hours. An’ the Rags District ain’t a place ta’ leave your kids alone, that’s for sure…”You and Volka exchange uncertain glances. “Lotta suspects,Rook.”Doesn’t matter, you retort–you’re doing this for the KIDS!“It ain’t gonna be easy, but Mimut’s good people and she needs help…” The bartendress says with a sagely nod, “Can’t put a price tag on that.”“Jhureyergaaan…”You give the mumbling minstrel a gentle pat on the head, her soft hair jingling with the sound of countless tiny bangles! Volka, you begin in a composed voice, give TT her drink, please.Anything else before you hit the streets?>Grill Ma for more intel!>Explore the tavern!>Talk to TT!>Chat with Volka!>Choose a different gig!>Nah, let’s roll!>Write-In!
>>6143301>Nah, let’s roll!There is nothing wrong with doing good deeds and getting paid for it.
>>6143301>Waterboard sobriety into TT!
>>6143309+1
>>6143309+1 >This is for your own good, TT
>>6143309>>6143310>>6143314>DUNK THE DRUNK!Hoo boy, here goes... >Roll me 1d100+5 (+4 VOLKA STRONK, +2 TT Schwasted, +3 Ma Support, +2 Good Write-In! -4 Like a greased-up weasel..., -2 OW, SHE BITES) to sober up the Spinner! Best of 3!
Rolled 19 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6143383Damn. My vote wouldn’t have mattered, but I was willing to leave it to the professional (Volka) and just ask her to talk through how she handles rowdy patrons. Sounds like she has experience after all, and it wouldn’t be waterboarding. Probably…
Rolled 70 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6143383WATCH AND LEARN
>>6143385It totally woulda been waterboarding
>>6143389kek
Rolled 64 + 5 (1d100 + 5)>>6143383
YAY! WE'RE WATERBOARDING OUR FRIEND!...WAIT WHY AM I CHEERING FOR THIS.
>>6143389>*warcrime* in picNo, it’s not a warcrime when a cute(?) innocent(??) girl(???) does it. It’s just helping a friend avoid further consequences from their actions!
>>6143385>>6143387>>6143397>HIGHEST ROLL: 75!Wrrrrrittttiiiiiiiing!>>6143387Very educational! You all could learn a thing or two from this guy!>>6143398Because deep down you know it's the only way to get TT to do anything. And it's funny>>6143405When you put it like that there are a lot of warcrimes we can forgive
Hearing the words ‘Volka, Give, and Drink’ sets TT off like a dog hearing the word ‘BATH’! Now that you think about it, though, your dog Bibi actually really enjoyed the water-“DON’T LET HER GET AWAY, ROOK!”Figures this would happen right when you remember you had a dog! Putting the thought on hold, you focus your energy towards corralling the wasted warbler, but fail to grab her as she scampers away between your legs! Fortunately in her drunken stupor TT doesn’t seem to recall how doors work, so when she makes it to the exit she doesn’t really push or pull so much as she just crashes into it like a car during a crash test!You’ll give her one thing, though–the Durher is spry! By the time you and Volka arrive to catch her, Tzah-Tzie is already bounding past both of you with the energy of a coked-up macaque! You reach to snatch her up by her tail, but it slips out of your reach, not that you could see how close you are!As the rest of the bar patrons either ignore you or listen with mild interest, you see your chance when your plastered pursuee goes up against the woman who’s made a living dealing with drunks! Snapping a dish rag taut between her claws, Ma lashes her makeshift whip at the Durher just as she leaps for what you assume is the bottle rack! A shrill yowl tells you all you need to know, and with the skill of a veteran ranch hand the bartenderess yanks the snared Spinner towards you and Volka! Snatching the girl mid-flight like kids on a fishing trip, you exchange a curt nod with your Skog pal and put OPERATION: INEBRIATION into play!Taking the rag from your bar mom, You pin TT to the floor and cover her face with the cloth, the loquacious lush scratching and biting like a cat at the vet! Wait, why are YOU doing this!?Too late now! While your favorite Spinner lays into you like a new scratching post, Volka skids to a halt at your side with what sounds like multiple tankards of Mulla Juice!At least you hope so… Man, imagine if it was more booze! Booze or not, Tzah-Tzie’s tune changes dramatically when Volka starts pouring the drinks onto the rag! Say, you mutter as the Durher coughs and writhes with each drop on her face, is she sure there isn’t, like, a better way to do this?“There’s other ways?”>CONTD.
She’s SORRY?It only took about twelve minutes and a few refills, but you find yourself making your way to the Rags District some time later–you sporting some actively-hemorrhaging scratches, Tzah-Tzie staggering like someone smacked her upside the head with a sledgehammer!“Yea…” Whines the Durher as she leans on Volka for support, “I tend to… overdo it…”“Hah! You can say THAT again!” Laughs Volka, causing the hungover harmonizer to wince in agony! “Fun times, though! Had no idea you knew that many dirty poems, T!”“Always a hit…” She chuckles, sending a weak grin in Volka’s direction, “at parties…” Shifting a tired, bloodshot eye your way, the Durher’s expression sinks a bit from the embarrassment weighing it down. “F-forgive me?”Yea, you shrug, smiling as you give Tzah-Tzie’s head a gentle pat, we’ve all been there before! Just, uh, save the partying for later in the day from now on, yea?“Don’t gotta tell ME twice… huagh…” Tripping over her own two feet, the Spinner takes out her Striilii and gives it a few cautious strums before putting it away. “Head feels like it’s gonna crack open…”“You sure you don’t wanna rest at the tavern? Ma said she was fine with it!” Volka suggests as she gives the Durher a sympathetic glance! “Maybe you can ride on my back?”“No, no…” Groans the Spinner, “Gotta… gotta support my patron…”You’re not sure whether you should be honored or worried, but all that goes out the window as your nostrils are assaulted by the unmistakable smell of burning trash and biological waste… either you’re in the GREASE MONKEY restroom or this is the RAGS DISTRICT…“Yep,” Announces Volka as she takes a deep whiff, “Welcome to the Rags District, gang.”Oh thank god. Before you can delve deeper, you’re accosted byfour pairs of feet skidding to a halt in front of you–each one belonging to someone tinier than Tzah-Tzie!“Welcome, folks!” Exclaims the one on the left with the raspy, but high-pitched voice of a child, “I’m Vilah!”“An’ I’m Dilah!” Adds their partner, grinning at you with a smile full of gaps!“And together we’re the RAGGAMUFFIN TOUR AGENCY!” They cheer in perfect unison!“FIVE BELLS gets ya’ anywhere ya’ want, when ya want, safe an’ sound!” Vilah shouts, earning another pained groan from TT!“Won’t find a better deal!” Milah chirps! “We checked!”Volka steals a glance your way that says ‘careful…’ while Tzah-Tzie searches the area for a safe place to puke.What say ye?>No thanks, kids!>Guides, ey? How do I know you’re legit?>Lead on!>Take anything BESIDES bells?>Take me where I need to go. NOW.>Can you tell me about the area?>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
That's it for tonight, Dark Dorks--should have more for ya later on Monday, though! Hope to seeya then and thanks for playing!
>>6143494>Guides, ey? How do I know you’re legit?>I rather not be lured into an alleyway and having all of my stuff stolen. SURELY two INNOCENT YOUNG GUIDES would NEVER do that, HUH?
>>6143494>Guides, ey? How do I know you’re legit?
>>6143408>And it's funny100%.>>6143494>>6143499 +1>>6143495Thanks for running!
>>6143494>We’re looking for Mimut. She posted a job about missing children like yourselves. Does she usually look after kids around here?>Payment when we speak with Mimut, and we’ll double it if they can tell us anything that would help with the job while we walk.Show them that we’re here to solve a problem that could become theirs soon enough, and add an additional incentive to be cooperative to offset some of the opportunity cost of not leading us into a trap.Hopefully Mimut is well-known and pleasant enough that they’d feel guilty robbing someone who is here to help her help them.I’m not opposed to doing >>6143499 before making the requests.
>>6143499>>6143509>>6143528>>6143549>GUIDES, EY?>>6143499>>6143528>GUILT 'EM!>>6143660>WE'RE LOOKIN' FER SOMEONE! HALF NOW, HALF WHEN WE REACH ALDERAANWriting!
Your teeth clench and eyes bore holes into the girls’ grime-flecked faces as you try to plot out every possible outcome. If you had a nickel for every time you’ve been coerced into buying Gal Ranger Cookies, well… you’d have more money to spend on Gal Ranger Cookies!Guides, ey? Leaning forward to scrutinize your would-be tour leaders more closely, you abandon the gesture when you remember you can barely see. For all you know this could save you from a bunch of annoying encounters… but it could also get you and your pals gutted and left bleeding in an alley!Let’s say you DO wanna hire them, you begin, your voice and tone still dripping with judgemental uncertainty, how do you know they’re legit? “Legit!?” Barks Dilah indignantly, “Course we’re legit!”“Whaddaya want from us? Credentials?!” Adds her colleague with matching spice in her voice!Well, yea.“Shoot, left ‘em in our other RAGS!” Vilah retorts before her eyes bug out in embarrassment! “Err, but you may have a point, good sir-”“We don’t got no credentials…” Agrees Dilah with a defeated sigh.What about collateral, then? Something they can get back once the job’s done?“Well we don’t got much…” Begins Vilah as she gives her unseen ear a good scratch, “Wait! Dilah, what about-”“YOU’RE RIGHT!” Her friend interjects with an excited hop! “Let’s give ‘em-”“THE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE!”“If we pay extra can they keep it doooown?” Groans Tzah-Tzie as she staggers over.A guarantee’s not gonna do much if they lure you into an ambush, you frown.“You’ve got a lively imagination!” Scoffs Vilah!“Yea, an’ a real bright outlook on life!” Dilah ALSO scoffs! “An’ it ain’t your money… it’s some of OURS!”Before you can ask, Dilah rummages through her ragged pockets and produces something that produces a weak, dusty, ‘JING-JANG!’ “You get some bells from us, we get ‘em back at the end of the trip, PLUS whatcha’ owe us!”“FIVE BELLS, case ya’ forgot!” Vilah smirks, showing off her gap-filled grin once more!Yea, that… that doesn’t change anything, though, you groan! They’ll get that back when you die too! Your sound logic is rewarded by a whining duet!“We… we’re just trying to stay aliiiive…” Sobs Dilah!“Aint’cha got a heart, mister?” Adds Vilah, her left eye still shut. “Pleaaase…”“Oh no… cryin’ kids are my weakness, Rook…” Volka moans as she too starts to tear up!“Mine too… eugh…” Growls TT, her usually smug face scrunched up in disdain!The crying starts to draw a crowd from deeper in the district… Oh maaaan...>Okay, we’ll pay!>RUN!>Take anything BESIDES bells?>Take me where I need to go. NOW.>Can you fill me in on the area a bit first?>Come on, quit crying!>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6143907>Look, how about this? We'll give you six bells. Six whole bells! BUT!>We need you to do two things for us. One: Tell us if there's any grownups who are putting you up to this. Two: You tell us what you know about Mimut.>If you can do that: We'll...get you some food. You do want to stay alive and all of that.Weirdly shady kids love two things: Food AND extra money. Sure it's only one extra bell but I think for a kid begging for five bells that would be a lot.
>>6143907>>6143915 +1
>>6143915+1>>6143907
>>6143915>>6144022>>6144489>SIX BELLS, BUT YOU GOTTA DO THIS STUFFWriting! Sorry, had a late work day and a buttload of dishes to do!
Okay, OKAY, you sputter as several pairs of shambling feet draw closer, you’ll pay, alright!? Like a spell being broken, both girls are immediately cured of their crying fits!“An’ excellent choice, sir!” Announces Vilah! “Knew you’d see reason!”“They always do~” Adds her colleague with as toothy of a grin as she can muster!But they’re gonna have to do some stuff for you first!Just like that, the girl’s faces sink again. You’re gonna pay them SIX BELLS, you interject, deftly cutting off the waterworks, an-“NOT SO LOUUUD!” Vilah hisses as Dilah supports her with a loud ‘SHHHH!’ “Rule #1 of the Rags District: if ya’ got money, keep it to yerself!”“Yea, c’mon, Ant…” Groans Tzah-Tzie with a disapproving snort! If she’s so good at this why isn’t SHE negotiating, huh!?“I’m trying to concentrate on not puking all over my boots…” She weakly replies. “Go gettem, hero…”Anyways, you sigh, you’ll pay a little extra… but they’ve gotta help you out a little extra too. They can quit staring at you like that, you add, trying and failing to ignore the pair of judgemental stares boring into your face, you’re not gonna ask them to do anything weird!“Okay…” Replies Vilah, she and her associate still clearly unconvinced, “Let’s hear it.”Number One: are there any grownups putting you up to this? B-blink twice if yes! The girls exchange a confused glance, then look back at you. “We’re just tryin’ ta’ survive, mister…” Begins Dilah with a slight quiver to her voice!“Da’ disappeared one day when we were young,” Vilah adds, “An’ mum caught the Rust Pox…” The girl’s gaze drops to her feet. “She um… she isn’t around anymore…”As your guides go quiet, you feel something give your hip a weak shove! OWWwwWWw!“Heroes DON’T make kids CRY!” Tzah-Tzie hisses through clenched teeth! “Fix it!”“Yea! Fix it, Rook!”Great, now she’s got Volka on board… >CONTD.
>>6144522Err, second, you stammer, you wanna know what they know about someone named ‘Mimut’! “She’s supposed ta’ live around here!” Volka helpfully adds! At the sound of the name, the girl’s morose faces shift into uncertainty!“W-why do you wanna know about her?” Dilah stammers, the girl’s good eye trembling with worry!Her kids are missing, you explain, you came here to meet with her and get the facts straight! As your explanation settles in, the girls relax their posture!“She’s got kids?” Frowns Vilah, raising an inquisitive eyebrow! “She doesn’t look like a mom…”“Yea, she’s too big! An’ scary!” Agrees the other guide with a shake of her head! “Even fer’ a Moleg!”Wait a sec, you interject, they’ve seen her? Where is she?“Not far from here!” Vilah smirks, “We always play a game where we knock on her door an’ get real quiet! She gets so mad!”“SO mad!” Giggles Dilah! “But if she’s missing her kids then that’s a bit sad, Vil…”“Yea… well we can show ya’ the way if ya’ want!” Concludes her sister with a determined nod! “Just stick close an’ stay quiet, yea?”“An’ whatever ya’ do, don’t follow anyone else! Even if they scream!” Hisses Dilah with deadly seriousness in her voice! “Oh, an’ watch your step! Lotsa pointy bits!”Sneakily handing over 3 BELLS for the first leg of the trip, you and your entourage fall in behind the Durher gals with uncertainty in each step… the darkness around you growing more oppressive as you delve deeper into the district…>Roll me 1d00+6 (+1 Footwork, +4 Guides!, +7 Volka Senses, -2 Dark, -4 Rags District) for reasons! Best of 3!Also last update for tonight, folks. Just dang tired. Should have more for ya Wednesday--sorry again for the sporadic updates
Rolled 53 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6144523C'mon, dice....
Rolled 56 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6144523TT isn’t much bigger than those kids. Is she even old enough to drink at bars?Also,>Roll 1d00I would, but I don’t think we’d pass a 50 on that…
>>6144534>roll 1d00Well that's it, gang. Time to take me out behind the shed
>>6144540
Rolled 50 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6144523
>59>62>56Wow! We're so mediocre at this!
>>6144553Mediocre is better than dead! Will write an update tomorrow--sorry for the wait, folks
You only need to take a few steps deeper into the district to realize how lucky you are to have some guides. One second you’re wading through ankle-high puddles of viscous liquid that clings to your boots, the next you’re squeezing through ‘shortcuts’ where the walls themselves scrape at your flesh and tear your robe with countless unseen hooks and chipped masonry! Like a funhouse in a crack den, each corner brings a new horror–though you still can’t see any better, your nose and ears work pretty damn well! Thick, acrid smoke smelling of old meat and pesticide violates your nostrils–its source impossible to place in the gloom. Distant screams, yells, and unintelligible gibbering motivate you to stay close to the girls, and as you delve deeper into the district you hear the unmistakable sound of someone, or someTHING, scrambling out of your path as you press on.And then you hear more. Like spiders or cockroaches lingering just out of sight in the garage, you know for a fact that you’re being watched… though whether the watchers seek to do you harm or escape some doled out by you is…Well, you’re not getting anything worrying about it, that’s for sure!“Okay,” Whispers Vilah as she motions for your little wagon train to hold, “It’s a little tricky, but follow us!”Before you can acquire more information, the Durher hops onto an unseen parapet like a cat–her acrobatic feat sending several hunks of crunchy, metal refuse tumbling to the damp cobblestone! Her sister joins immediately after, and as you watch with silent awe both girls clamber up to what you guess is some kind of elevated walkway… or a rooftop.“C’mon, Ant, it’s safer than the streets!” Clearly not wanting to be outdone by her younger counterparts, Tzah-Tzie deftly climbs after the guides–the spry Spinner barely making a sound as she mounts the wall! You move to follow, but pause to turn and check on your, uh, heftier team member. Gonna be okay, Volk?The Skog responds with a cheerful nod! “You betcha! Believe it or not I’ve only fallen through three roofs in my life–less common than ya’ think!”You wanna hear those stories, but you manage to resist the temptation! You’re doing this for the kids, damn it! Leaping for the parapet, your hands fail to find purchase as you fall head-over-heels into some dead plants on the other side! OW!“Overshot it a bit!” Hisses TT as she helps Volka onto the correct footholds, “Over here!”Oh, so she helps Volka... >CONTD.
>>6145000Grumbling all the way to the top, your irritation quickly fades into unease as each step you take causes the creaky wood at your feet to lurch a bit–the structure damp and rickety from years of neglect!“How do you know that?” Asks Volka, the boisterous behemoth following close behind with nary a care in her head! Well, you begin, you just remembered you used to help your dad out when the roof needed repairs-and by help out you mean you did all the work while your dad-Before you can finish regaling everyone with your tale, you tense up as you feel something slink past your knees with the grace and guile of some kind of… G-G-G-GHOST CAT!You quickly settle down and quit shivering once you realize no one else is gonna join in. You’re moments away from bugging the sisters when Dilah answers the question you didn’t get a chance to ask:“Smart types use the roofs for travel… most of ‘em ain’t lookin’ for trouble or a conversation neither, so smart thing is ta’ just let’ em pass.”“Good ta’ know…” Grunts Volka as her posture relaxes somewhat, “Was about ta’ clean that guy’s clock…”She nearly cleans another guy’s ‘clock’ moments later, and it falls upon you to be on ‘Volka Duty’. The pay is bad, but the company is nice. With the help of the Durher Gals pointing out what unseen gaps to hop over and which holes to avoid, you can’t help but relax a little bit as you cut through the spooky slum…What do you do in the brief moment of ease?>Talk to Volka!>Speak to TT!>Chat with the Sisters!>Take in the surroundings!>Take a detour>Just stay quiet and move!>Write-In!
>>6145001>Talk to Volka!We can share roof stories and she can tell us if she has any suspicions about the missing kids situation... She knows this area of town better than we do at least. Does this sort f thing happen a lot?Also, for some reason I think we should>Take a detour
>>6145001>Talk to Volka!
>>6145005>>6145007>TALK TO VOLKA!>>6145005>DETOUR???Writing the last update of the night!
So, you begin, hastily adjusting your volume when you get a triple-dose of withering stares from the gals ahead of you, kidnapping–it common around here?The Skog shrugs, sending her armor pieces jangling like a Christmas Tree in a washing machine! “You saw what Salty Suutz tried ta’ pull earlier, Rook–pretty easy ta’ do when no one can see you do it…”You just assumed they’d have some method to prevent it, you add, hopping over a crack pointed out by your guides and wincing as the wood creaks below! Like, magic, or something!“Best thing you can do is keep your kids close…” Sighs Volka as she matches your pace. “Can’t imagine it’s easy to keep anyone safe around here… feels like I could bust this roof open with a sneeze!”What’s her take on this job anyways? Slavers? Cultists? Jilted lover? Your Marshall responds by giving her tusk a thoughtful scratch. “All of the above? You’ve seen a few, Rook–Molegs are tough. Spent most of their history underground chewing through rocks… you’ve gotta be a special kinda idiot to piss one off, but if you’ve got one on your side, well…”Then you’d have one heck of an employee on your hands, you conclude with a nod. Crap, that really does widen the suspect list… has she been in the Rags much?“Not since I was a whelp…” She replies in a slightly somber tone, “It ain’t exactly a tourist attraction.” Pausing so the two of you can leap a gap, Volka lands next to you with a resounding CRUNCH beneath her feet!“AAAYYYY, WHADDAHELL YA DOOOIN UP THEAAA!?”“Sorry!” Volka exclaims, the sincerity in her voice catching the other voice off-guard!“Oh uh… no problem…”Climbing down from one roof and onto another, the Skog expedites the process by picking you up by your hood and placing you next to her! Err, thanks!“Best advice I got, Rook? Stick close to your pals around here. Easy ta’ get sidetracked, an’ from there it’s easy to get…”You politely wait for the girl to finish her sentence, but after about a minute you realize she’s not doing it for dramatic effect! Following her gaze, you realize that your nimble navigators and your Spinner Sherpa are nowhere to be seen… or sensed, for that matter!“Lost…” Volka concludes as she rests a mighty claw on the blade strapped to her back! “Crud.”>Roll 1d100+2 (+7 Volka Senses, -2 Dark, -3 Rooftop Maze) to reconvene with your comrades! Best of 3!
Rolled 30 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6145041
Rolled 41 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6145041
Rolled 95 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6145041Bwong
>>6145069Now that's how it's done, IG!
>>6145044>>6145050>>6145069>HIGHEST ROLL: 97!!!Writingggg~sorry for the late start again--shit's been busy...>>6145071You guys could learn a thing or two from them! Just keep rolling like that!
If it were anywhere else you’d probably have trouble getting lost on a rooftop or anywhere high up for that matter, but you’ve experienced all sorts of things since you arrived in Zoral, and not all of them have been pleasant!For example, you and Volka trying to locate your guides without making a scene! That’s a new one! And the sound just barely reaching your ears over the roar of harsh, wintry winds stinging your cheeks and the rustling of forgotten rags and clothes left to hang between the buildings… the dull scraping of nails, no, claws slowly creeping up from the alleyways and streets below to meet you!That’s new too!Drawing your CURVED BLADE, after hearing Volka draw hers, you exchange a curt nod as you ready yourselves for whatever’s coming to greet you…Whatever they are, you can hear their ragged, gasping breaths from a mile aw-“Helloooo!? You comin’ or what?!”Tzah-Tzie’s chiding words rouse you better than any spell could–following the voice to its pint-sized source, you and your Skog bodyguard, your ‘Skoggyguard’ as you call her in your head, waste no time in catching up!“How’d you get lost on a roof?” Smirks the Spinner, her hangover growing weaker by the moment, “You okay?”“We should keep moving…” Pants Volka as she steals a glance behind you, “It’s not safe-”“That’s what we’re TRYING to do!” Dilah interjects! “Keep up!”Before you can explain yourselves, your supposed ‘guides’ rush off again prompting you to shake a proverbial ‘tail feather’!Incensed though you may be, your ire is swiftly transformed into gratitude as you watch the girls work–tripwires you never would have noticed, footholds to take you to new heights, and despite your scare a few minutes earlier, zero encounters with the district’s more unsavory inhabitants!Still shaken by your would-be ambushers, it’s only after you receive a gentle prod on your hip that you realize you’ve stopped… and you’re at ground level again!“Look alive! We’re here!” Announces Vilah, the girl crouched low and ready to bolt at a moment’s notice! Following her gaze, you hear the creaking of a building that probably should have collapsed centuries ago–and maybe already did.“Go ahead an’ knock! We’ll wait fer’ ya!” Says her sister with a genial grin!Hey, you remark as you match her smile, that’s nice of them–“Ya’ still gotta pay the rest of our fee.”Oh yea, huh… staring at your pals until it’s clear they’re not gonna volunteer, you crack your neck and approach what you’re pretty sure is a door! A few rappings from your knuckles confirm your theory, and you only get a few knocks in before the door swings open to reveal a fiery-eyed giant looming past the threshold!“... Go away.”>CONTD.
>>6145537The softness of her voice takes you by surprise–so much so that the Moleg nearly closes the door on your face when you take too long to respond! You’re here abo-OW!“Mimut? I’m Volka–we’re here about the job!” Volka explains as you cradle the foot that just got crushed, “An’ we’re friends of Ma!”“And the guy you slammed the door on is ANTON THE UNDYING!” Adds Tzah-Tzie as she shoots your groaning form a wink! “And no, he’s not sobbing! That’s just a heroic mantra he chants before doing heroic deeds! Mhm!”The Moleg stands like a statue for a few moments as your friend’s explanations percolate. You’re just about to stand up when the door swings open catching you in the jaw and inviting everyone in!Entering Mimut’s domicile behind everyone else, you find it a bit hard to stretch out–even without the privilege of lights you can tell how cramped the place is by how much Volka’s tail is prodding your face… good thing the sisters decided to wait outside!“Here…” You have no clue what the home’s owner is referring to until Volka picks you up and drops you at the client’s feet. Hearing some furniture creak as it’s shifted around, your face is met with a rush of sweltering air carrying the scent of something between aged mayonnaise and burnt hot dogs! Whoof!“I think I’m hungover again…” Groans TT weakly as her face scrunches up in disgust!“Anyone else hungry?” Volka remarks.“Was here…” Stooping to around your height, the Moleg leads the way into a secret tunnel beneath the furniture–each step you take adding degrees to the thermometer! You’re about to ask when your shoulder grazes one of the rough-hewn tunnel walls and pulls away covered in a hot, gooey substance that, upon a moment of inspection, seems to be the source of the pleasant aroma… eugh… wait, you frown, what was here?The Moleg gives your merry band a confused glance… you think. Molegs are tough nuts to crack. “... Eggs… all of them.”Volka gasps hard enough to nearly suck you and TT into her mouth! “You mean… your BABIES were stolen!? I’m so sorry, Mimut!”Your colossal client shifts a bit. “... want them back…”So we’re not looking for children, you begin as you rub your chin in contemplation, but eggs...Mimut doesn’t seem to be in any mood to talk more, so you decide to…>Ask her when it happened!>Does she have any enemies?>Any weird stuff happening around here lately?>Moleg eggs–are they fragile?>Any witnesses?>Let TT take a crack at this!>Volka, show us how it’s done!>Write-In!
>>6145539>Volka, show us how it’s done!suggest she maybe start with>Any weird stuff happening around here lately?My thinking: if there's any likely enemies involved, they'll be grouped in with "weird stuff" if Mimut has seen them around. Asking about egg frailty (ergo, could your kids be an accidental omelette somewhere?) is only going to make her get all sad/scared and clam right up, so it's better to ask that one privately. Volka's also gotten the best results and most words out of her so far, and is Lamplighter Prime.
>>6145539>Does she have any enemies?>Moleg eggs–are they fragile?>Someone stealing eggs? Do, like, people want Moleg eggs for some reason? I don't really see why they'd steal EGGS of all things.
>>6145539>Someone stealing eggs? Do, like, people want Moleg eggs for some reason? I don't really see why they'd steal EGGS of all things.is a good question, too, if Volka or TT can't fill us in.>>6145547Good thinking! Adding it to my suggestions at >>6145545
>>6145539>>6145545 +1
>>6145545>>6145547>>6145548>>6145562>VOLKA! 2>WEIRD SHIT? 2>EGG THIEVES? 2>ENEMIES? 1>WEIRD SHIT? 1Writing!
Volka, you begin, wincing as you rub your still-tender jaw, got any questions for the lady? “A couple, if that’s alright…” She replies in a softer voice than usual as she shifts her gaze towards your colossal client. Yea, you nod, you’re fine with-oh, she’s talking to her...Mimut lets out a rumbling sound akin to a despondent sigh. “Yes…”“Okay… would you like to sit down first? Get comfortable?” The Moleg answers Volka’s question by leading the way back out of the tunnel and into her home before collapsing on what must be either a very small or very warped couch!“Let’s start with the facts, then:” The Skog begins, kneeling to match Mimut’s height. “When did this all start?”“Came home last night…” The mother mumbles, “From work… door was open an…” She pauses, her steely gaze trembling for the briefest of moments, “... an they were gone…”“And where do you work again?” Volka inquires with a raised eyebrow. “Devil’s Dice…” Mimut replies, “GOLD TOWN… Bouncer.”“When the bouncer’s away the thieves will play, e-NYAA!”“Did you notice anything strange when you came home? Anything out of the ordinary?” Continues Volka, maintaining her professional demeanor even as she swats TT with her tail, “Think hard: every detail helps.”Mimut sits on the couch like a tired glacier. The Skog’s just about to repeat her question when the Moleg’s soft, but gravely voice rings out across the modest home.“Keep a DOORPLANT next to the entrance. ‘Case of thieves.”“Sprays spores at people whose blood it hasn’t tasted…” TT groans in your ear as she rises to her feet next to you. “Nasty, but good for security…”“Is it still around?” Asks Volka as she instinctively covers her face with a claw!“Dead…” Frowns your client as if she’d just noticed it herself, “An’ frosty.”“Good, Mimut… that’s very helpful…” The Skog muses with a warm smile! “Anything else?”“Tunnel was cold…” Grunts the Moleg, her fiery eyes shifting towards the tunnel. “Eggs need to be warm to… to live…” Shaking off another shiver, the ember eyes turn back towards your entourage with renewed determination. “Furniture moved aside…”“Did the neighbors see or hear anything?” Your Marshall glances back at you with an encouraging nod!Mimut’s eyes narrow with ire… and a hint of sadness. “... they don’t talk… to me…” >CONTD.
>>6145871“Don’t worry, we’ll follow up with ‘em.” Rising to her normal, albeit dizzying height, Volka cocks her head towards the way you entered from. “You’ve been very helpful, Mimut… Is it alright if I talk to the gang for a minute?”The Moleg doesn’t respond apart from a quiet grunt. Leading the way outside, Volka ensures the door is closed and you’re a safe distance away before addressing you.“This-”“That was quick!” Vilah exclaims as she and her sister drop from above like pint-sized ninja, “Betcha got plenty of bells now!”“Ready ta’ head back?” Dilah asks excitedly!“Errr, give us a bit, girls!” Volka replies with a polite chuckle! “Gotta go over some details first!”“Okay~”“We’ll be the lookouts!”Waiting until the Durhers slink away, the Skog clears her throat before resuming her sentence. “This reeks of slavers, Rook. Almost certain of it.”“Busting into someone’s home, though?” Remarks Tzah-Tzie as she kicks an unseen piece of glass refuse, “Weird, even here in the Rags…”“Been here much?”“I’ve been all over!” Replies the Spinner, deftly dodging the Skog’s question with a giggle! “But it IS strange, y’know.”Seems like a hassle to go after eggs, too, you frown, the rusty cogs in your brain spinning at full-speed! Why would they wanna risk getting pummeled by mom? And how would they hide ‘em? They smell GRODY!“More common than ya’ think…” Volka sighs as her tail gives the ground a good smack, “Like I said earlier, Slavers love Skogs an’ Molegs… an’ Chytree and Veeti if you’re lookin’ for natural magic affinity,” she explains as she paces around outside the house, “But taming ‘em? No small feat.”Wait a sec, what’s a Veeti?“Small, sassy, know their way around a spell or two.” Tzah-Tzie helpfully answers!“You might meet one tonight at the Lamplighter Meeting! Bila’s an institution!” Smiles the Skog before falling back into her detective persona, “Anywho, nowadays it’s just easier to snatch up an’ egg clutch or two and cultivate ‘em. Teach a Moleg they’re property when they’re young, and well…” She pauses, letting out a drawn-out sigh. “Ya’ breed the fight right out of ‘em, Rook.”Well shit, you groan, then you’ve gotta track those eggs down fast! She said it happened last night, right?“Yea…” Volka nods, biting her lip with worry, “But someone had to have noticed something!”“You’re never alone in the Rags…” Adds TT with a sagely nod, “And friendly folk are few and far between… gangs, thieves, they all like to play around here, Ant.”Yea, you noticed… Stretching your legs, you decide to…>Question the neighbors!>Search the area for more clues!>Talk to Mimut more!>Check in with the Durher Guides!>Write-In!
>>6145873>Check in with the Durher Guides!We owe them some bells, and we can extend the contract a little further. They might know what places take in and beat the fight out of children because they learned to AVOID it.It’d be the same sort of place that you’d hawk Moleg eggs at.TT and Volka can split off to question the neighbors before reporting back here.
>>6145889Oh, and general question for the team - we already ran into some ice-based gang members earlier. Were they also the type to steal children?
>>6145873The ice has me thinking it's those cold creeps like the ones we clobbered at the docks.>Question the neighbors!Ask around about the Icers, see if people seem scared or edgy about it, or better yet are openly willing to say what they've seen (uh,heard) around here lately.
>>6145890Great minds think alike.
>>6145873>Question the neighbors! >Ask around about any ice-based gang members, ala >>6145890
>>6145873>>6145925+1>>6145891If it is we will need to kick their ass extra hard this time
>>6145889>CHECK WITH THE GUIDES!>>6145891>>6145925>>6146133>ASK ABOUT ICESCAPADES!Writing!
Gangs, huh? Like those jackasses you whalloped back at the Docks?Volka and TT exchange a contemplative glance.“It’s definitely their MO…” Nods Volka as she fits a few puzzles pieces together in her head, “But it’s not like they’re the only people who know how to use ice magic.”Sure, you shrug, but it would fit, right? Occam’s Razor.“How would they fit into a razor?” Inquires Tzah-Tzie as Volka stares at you with a perplexed look on her face.No, it’s… it’s an expression, you groan, it basically means the simplest solution is usually the best one. “Yea, but… but the razor…” Volka mutters, her train of thought desperately trying to roll over the log your words chucked onto her metaphorical tracks! “Did they use a magical razor?”“Where can we get our hands on this thing, Ant?” Asks the Spinner with a renewed twinkle in her eyes! “Sounds useful!”There is none, the razor doesn’t matter, let’s just move on, you reply in a tone dripping with defeat! Anyways, some of the neighbors might have heard something–let’s start with them!“Yea…” The Skog replies with a slow nod, “Maybe they found a razor lying aro-”It takes you around ten or so more minutes to convince your partners to drop the razor talk and get with the neighborhood walk. Even if they don’t like Minat, you reason mid-stride, they still might share if they noticed anything outta’ the ordinary!“Eyes sharp, Ant,” Tzah-Tzie warns as you tromp through a pile of what feels like a pit of broken glass, “The locals can be pretty cagey around here…”How bad could they be, you retort with a genial grin! They’ll melt once they see how charming you can be!>Roll me 1d100-3 (+1 Footwork, +2 LIMBOOOO, -2 Dark, -4 They didn’t melt) for reasons! Best of 3!
Rolled 70 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6146259It would be totally funny if someone rolled below 0, r-right?Couldn't be me.
Rolled 92 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6146259Occam’s razor would make for a good weapon. The simplest way to fight with it is to not let silly things like “armor” or “bone” get in the way.
Rolled 32 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6146259
>>6146303>>6146275Whew, good thing you anons were here.
>>6146275>>6146303>>6146376>HIGHEST ROLL: 89!Writing!>>6146303Quit reading my nOoOOooOotes...
While they don’t exactly melt when they see how charming you can be, the neighbors don’t melt you either. “Aye, I heard somethin’!” Begins the kindly old Mzz’goe’virr lady you speak to after getting chased away from your last two homes, “A group of mischief makers, t’was–marchin’ along like a grand parade, t’were!”“They were trying to put out the CANDLES!” Stammers the wild-eyed Mox a few doors down, his massive, bloodshot eyes peering out from inside a room so sweltering you can feel it from the outside, “Th-they think their ice can extinguish them! B-but they can’t comprehend the power I hold! The candles are the source, you see, and once they felt my burning power they fled into the night like tottas!”“Jus’ ‘avin’ a quiet evenin’ wit’ da’ mates, I was!” Explains the burly Gnok living at the end of the row with breath reeking of booze and some other substance you can’t quite place, “Strickly on the up an’ up, yeh? We was’ jussabout ta’ plan our jo-err, picnic later this week when they all commabout shoutin’ abou’ tradin’ fer’ eggs! Now I dunno nuffin’ about it personalike, but I knows when enuff bodies pile up the city gessinvolved, so me an’ the lads sat it out, seen?”“If ye’ be wantin' ta’ stay safe in the Rags, me boy, stay away from the ole’ GARMIT FACTORIES!” The old lady says as she returns to brewing some foul-smelling tea in her kitchen, “No one be makin’ dresses ‘round ‘ere, no more, an’ it’s a right shame, ‘tis! Why, I used ta’ get them as presents from boys all over the neighborhood, I did–couldn’t keep ‘em away!”“So cold… so cold, so cold, and yet they THRIVE!” You take a few nervous steps away from the Mox’s door as his volume grows! “Why do they shun the candlelight!? Why don’t they see that it’s not LIGHT we need, but HEAT!? Maybe I’ll show them… maybe I’ll visit and light some more candles, yes…”“So really it was jus’ circumstanding evidence tha’ landed Jisco an’ I in the Clank,” Continues the hoodlum as some of his aforementioned ‘mates’ throw him a few ‘yeeah’s and ‘that’s roight’s from the safety of his home, “But while we wuzzere we ran inter anuvver Rags Lad: said ‘e was an ICER, e’ was… well now he’s not nuffin no more, haw! Followed ‘im ‘ome once we got released! Dunnede that koinder offority attention in this end, seen?”With your only other would-be interviewees being a man who saw fit to breathe heavily at you until you left and a nest of stinging critters Volka helpfully defined as ‘Zitzers’, you opt to regroup at Mimut’s house and discuss your findings…>CONTD.
>>6146438“I’m still betting it’s the Old Lady...”So you keep saying, TT, you sigh, rubbing your temples as you once again find yourselves in Mimut’s drafty, yet crowded living room, but the other testimonies tell a different story… and she shouldn’t be betting on anything, you add with genuine concern creeping into your tone!“Why?”Because you’re pretty sure she has an addictive personality. The Spinner responds to your diagnosis with a giggle as she shifts from foot to foot.“Gee, Ant, no one’s ever called my personality ‘addictive’ before~”That’s not what it means, you groan, you’re saying she-“L-let’s save the c-compliments for later, okay?” Volka stammers as she relocates her massive self between you and TT! “And Anton’s right–if the culprits were ICERS--”Then they’re probably using that old factory as a base, you interrupt with a nod, and they mentioned something about trading-“Get them BACK.” Growls Mimut in the loudest volume you’ve heard her speak in since you met! Noticing the effect it has on you and your pals, however, the Moleg carefully lowers herself back onto her sunken couch with a sliver of embarrassment in her coal ember eyes!“... please…”Don’t worry, you respond as you put a smile on your face, you’re gonna check the place out for her!Volka gives the worried mother a reassuring pat before the three of you make your way back outside! You scarcely feel the afternoon chill on your face before two familiar presences move in for the kill…“So, the factories, ey?” Recites Dilah as her one good eye peeks up at you from around your side!“Sounds dangerous… and expensive!” Adds Vilah from your other side! “Fortunately for you our schedule juuuust opened up~”Dropping enough bells into Vilah’s rough, rag-wrapped hand to cover your remaining balance, you ask if she or her sister know much about the place you’re going!“Used ta’ make clothes a long while back,” Vilah begins as she cocks her head to the side in thought, “But the only people who use it now are the types that don’t like bein’ spied on!”“And there’s GHOSTS!” Cackles Dilah before receiving a shove from her sister! “Ooww!”“Ghosts, street toughs… don’t matter much if you know the lay of the land!” The Durher counters as she puffs out her chest! “But gang territory’s real dangerous-like, so if you wanna go it’s gonna be at a premium: 20 Bells Round-Trip!”Your jaw goes into freefall. T-T-T-TWENTY!?"That's what she said, Rook."You KNOW!>CONTD.
>>6146439“Pick it off the floor, chum,” Vilah chides with a frown, “We can still get ya’ there fer’ 10, but that’s the direct route! Getcha’ to the front, but then yer’ on yer’ own!”“An’ if you wanna get in sneaky-like ya’ gotta pay the toll!” Snickers Dilah as she sidles up to her sis! “An’ if you want US ta’ help ya’ in an’ out, well…”“25!” Vilah interjects with a toothy grin and a glint in her eye! “But only cuz’ my sis likes you lot! So what’s it gonna be, flash?”Good question…PASTEBIN UPDATED!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>You’ll find your way on your own! (0 BELLS?)>Direct! You’ll find your own way in! (10 BELLS)>Sneaky! Get us in the back way!(20 BELLS)>Deluxe! Sneaky and INTO the building, then help us out! (25 BELLS)>Will you take anything BESIDES bells?>Lemme confer with my colleagues…>Write-In!
>>6146444>Direct! You’ll find your own way in! (10 BELLS)Yeah, I ain't risking exploring this place all by ourselves but I ain't spending more than is necessary.
>>6146439>the girls are both jealous over usOh no, my heart. I know I joked about it before, but TT and Volka are both so likeable... I can't choose between them! What if it breaks the other's heart?? Nooooo!>>6146444>Sneaky! Get us in the back way!(20 BELLS)Got to spend money to make money.
>>6146444>Sneaky! Get us in the back way!(20 BELLS)
>>6146447>>6146459>>6146505c'mon guys, dont be so cheap. we are a busy person we have places to be.>Deluxe! Sneaky and INTO the building, then help us out! (25 BELLS)>attempt to bargain it down to 15 BELLS
>>6146447>DIRECT! (10 BELLS!)>>6146459>>6146505>SNEAKY! (20 BELLS!)>>6146536>DELUXE (25 BELLS!)>BUT ALSO HAGGLING!Looks like SNEAKY wins it... now let's see how much it pays off!>Roll me 1d100+4 (+5 Sneaky Route, +3 Leather Sneaky Armor, -2 Dark, -2 Guarded Location) to begin OPERATION INTRUDE! Best O' 3 Rolls!
Rolled 93 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6146682does za echo ring help any?
>>6146684Ring of Echos has been consistently lowering the Dark penalty from -4 to -2! But mayhap that number will go lower as you progress... start collecting all the HIDDEN BONES scattered across the land and see what happens!
>>6146686I found some! They're under your skin! Help me dig them out!
Rolled 16 (1d100)>>6146682
>>6146707Kek
Rolled 24 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6146682Oh, and a roll
>>6146684>>6146708>>6146710>HIGHEST ROLL: 97!Writinnnng!>>6146707Fool me once...
The girls haven’t steered you wrong yet, and taking a hit to the wallet is always better than taking a hit to the gut… with a knife.Alright, you begin, handing over 10 BELLS to the girls, you’re counting on them–are they certain they know which factory we’re looking for?“The frosties are a lotta’ things, but they ain’t subtle!” Vilah explains as she and her sister pocket the first of two payments, “An’ you’re doin’ it for a good cause, so we’ll keep looking until we find it!”With that settled, you and your entourage take to the roofs once more like a pack of vengeful chimney sweeps! Leaping over alleys and ducking clotheslines strewn across the route like spiderwebs, you quietly thank yourself for paying when all you hear in the streets below are sobs, screams, and shouts… a grim musical score to a district that was probably terrible long before the light disappeared.It’s not long, however, before the screams fade into the distance behind you. Climbing down the side of a swaying building, you huddle up with your guides as something large and metal creaks above you in the brisk afternoon breeze…“This here’s the FACTORY ROW,” Vilah begins in a hushed tone while Dilah keeps a lookout, “Now the guys yer’ lookin’ for ain’t the only troublemakers hangin’ around, so keep low and keep quiet, yea?”“Weren’t we already doing that?” Asks TT with a smirk in her tone!“Course, Miss, but it goes double here!”You’re unsure if it was the explanation or being addressed as ‘Miss’ that did it, but whatever it was, TT clams up as you all proceed into the belly of the proverbial beast!“I’m not that old…”It was the first one! >CONTD.
>>6146811Compared to where you came from, the factories are far less crowded as you stalk its silent streets–well, far more quiet is a better assessment. Even with the sisters doggedly leading you onwards, you can’t help but feel like you’re being watched all the while… like someone has you in their sights and is just waiting for the right moment to-Your assessment is put on hold as you nearly trip over Dilah and Vilah–both girls frozen like statues as you smack into them! Before you can ask what the holdup is, you-Wait, Volka and TT have to stumble into you first. “Oof! Sor-”The Skog gets about halfway through the word ‘sorry’ when something soft smacks her face–a rag, maybe? Before you or her can ask, Dilah and Vilah catch your gaze and reach for the ground! Creeping over to you, Dilah presses something cold and powdery against your leg… something you’d recognize anywhere, but still find it out of place especially with how warm it is.Snow, you whisper, confusion etched on your face!Nodding at your appraisal of the situation, the sisters take you another way–one that skirts around the direction you were just headed! Pausing every few steps to test the ground, the girls come to the same conclusion you do: the ground is positively powdery!“Using the crunch to hear intruders…” Hisses Tzah-Tzie as she keeps close to your side, “Explains why there aren’t any guards out here…”She ain’t wrong–as you examine the perimeter created by the blanket of snow you don’t see or hear anyone milling about. Part of you wants to assume no one’s home, but… well, you know better.Coming to what sounds like a metal fence, you watch as Dilah and Vilah probe it for holes before electing to climb over. Fortunately while it hindered your advance into the factory, the snow manages to blanket the sound you make clambering over pretty well–especially in Volka’s clangy case. You’re just about to continue when you hear a door creak open far to your right–a pair of cool-hued Chytree eyes emerging from where the sound originated!“Back in a minute! Just play the hand without me, Hells...”Well it’s hard to say if he’s an Icer or not, but he has presented you with a means to enter the factory… glancing at Vilah and Dilah tells you that the girls have the same thing in mind. The question is, how do you play this?>Just slip in!>Take down the Chytree first! >Interrogate the Chytree!>Try to find a better entrance–a doorway is still pretty risky…>Send someone ahead! (Who?)>Write-In!
>>6146812>Just slip in!A bird it the hand's worth two in the bush, and taking a prisoner before we're even inside will just create new risks and complications.
>>6146816+1
>>6146816>>6146831>SLIP ON IN!Writing!
The Cosmos just threw you a bone here–you’re not gonna let it sit on the floor and… and get dirty, or something! Nodding to your guides as if to say ‘we got dis’’, you get about two steps closer to the open door when you feel a polite tap on your arm!“Err, Rook? What about the guard?”They’ll get suspicious if he doesn’t come back, you reply in a hushed tone, just let him do his thing! Taking another step, you risk letting out a sigh and turn to face Volka again. What’s wrong?“I, erm…” She mutters with a sheepish look on her face, “I’m, uh… I’m not good at the whole ‘sneaky’ thing, Anton…”Yea, you reply as diplomatically as you can manage, she’s, um… her armor’s very jingly…“Maybe she oughta’ stand guard outside until the scheckt hits the fan?” TT suggests with a shrug! Mayb-hey, what does she mean, ‘UNTIL!?’ ’IF’!“I can do that!” Nods the Skog, her tail hitting the ground with a muffled thump! “Don’t worry–I’ll secure our exit! And if things go South I’ll make a Uulumese Vate call!”TT gives your forearm a pat. “Trust me, you’ll know it when ya’ hear it.”Super. Nodding farewell to your bodyguard and the guide gals, you and TT creep in through the open door like a pair of kids sneaking into an R-Rated Movie! Funnily enough, the air grows even more frigid as you enter the abandoned factory floor, and as you move to get a lay of the land, you hear the sound of metal and glass clanking against a tabletop along with the special brand of idle chit-chat exclusive to people playing some kind of card or board game!“Empress and her guards,” Drones one of the players, his segmented eyes glittering a bit as the Chytree takes a swig of an unseen beverage! “Try to beat it.”“Gladly.” Scoffs a one-eyed Mox as some more metal hits the tabletop! “Emperor an’ his men!”“Damn it all…” Groans a Gnok leaning back in his chair, “Last chance ta’ admit yer cheatin’, Rusk.”“Queer way ta’ say ‘Good Round’, but I accept!” Laughs the Mox as he scoops two handfuls of BELLS towards him! “Tell Tiro to hurry up so I can whip his arse too.”“Tell ‘em yerself,” Counters the Gnok with a frown, “I ain’t slippin’ on that feckin’ ice again…”>CONTD.
>>6146989“Real question is which one of you idiots is gonna do inventory upstairs?” Asks the Chytree, your ears popping as they chill their drink with ice magic. “An’ the basement? Boss was sour last time…”Rusk the Mox makes a show of patting his unseen leather garments. “Hells, I completely forgot ta’ bring my broom!”“Heh, so did I!” Guffaws the Gnok!“Y’know how much boss loves dropping in unexpected…” The Chytree continues with composed frustration in their tone! “Then ya’d better get to it!” Smirks Rusk! “Or convince Tiro, whydoncha?”“Yea, bat them pretty ole’ eyes a yers!” The Gnok snickers, earning a laugh from his Mox counterpart in the process! “You can bat ‘em, cantcha?”“To the Hells with both of ya.”As the Chytree moves to get up, you elect to:>Continue eavesdropping!>Head upstairs! Inventory sounds promising!>Check out the basement!>See if you can get to the table!>Head back outside!>Write-In!
>>6146992>Head upstairs! Inventory sounds promising!
>>6146992>Check out the basement!Mimut stored her eggs in her basement, right? Maybe hat's where these guys also store them? Maybe big-old-frog-people eggs NEED to be stored in a basement?
>>6146992>Check out the basement!
>>6146992>BURN THEM TO DEATH WHILE THEY'RE UNAWARE.
>>6147010>UPSTAIRS!>>6147018>>6147075>DOWNSTAIRS!>>6147095>BBQ!It would appear heading downstairs wins it! Might be a tad busy today so expect slow updates. Speaking of, let's update with some ROLLS!>Roll me 1d100+1 (+3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +2 Goons Distracted, -2 Where the fuck's the Basement though lol, -2 Dark) To see how successful you are! Best of 3!>>6147018>big-old-frog-peopleSo THAT'S how you see Molegs, ey? Intriguiiiing~
Rolled 94 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6147200TIME TO BREAK MY FUCKING BONES.For good luck, that is.>So THAT'S how you see Molegs, ey? Intriguiiiing~oh nyo we're gonna be cancelled.
Rolled 28 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6147200
Rolled 43 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6147203Nice!>>6147200Here's #3...
>>6147203>>6147205>>6147223>HIGHEST ROLL: 95!Writing!
While the goons continue to argue, your brain shifts into OVERDRIIIIVE! You’ll be the first to admit you don’t know much about Molegs–you know they have glowing eyes, some of ‘em have long teeth, one of them owns a tavern, they’re nasty in a fight–wait a sec, you know a LOT about Molegs! Now if only you could confirm if they were froglike or not… it’s been bugging you an-“ANT!” Hisses TT through clenched teeth, “PLAN?”Right, you were getting to that. You ALSO recently learned that Moleg Eggs, or Moleggs as you’ve chosen to call them, need to be kept in dark tunnels… and a BASEMENT is kinda like a dark tunnel! The Spinner stares at you as if you’d just asked her to lick your foot. “Ooookay… yea, I can see some reasoning going on here! Let’s find it!”It’s difficult to find a basement in a factory you’ve never visited, even more so when it’s dark as heck! Thankfully the goons don’t notice as you and TT clumsily and aimlessly creep around the factory floor like an old dog at a Christmas Party, and after a few strikeouts with some empty storage containers and what definitely smells like the lavatory, you half-find, half-tumble down a flight of stairs leading deeper into the belly of the industrial beast!“Good find, Ant!” Chirps TT as she helps you peel your face off of the icy concrete at the foot of the stairs, “There’s gotta be some good stuff down h-”The Durher swiftly plugs her own mouth as you hear the plodding steps of an approaching sentry–the culprit rounding a corner further down from the stairwell grumbling to himself all while sniffling like a possum!“Go clean the basement, Dyl…. Go load the eggs into their wagon, DYL! Go do EVERYTHING... DYYYYYLLLL!” Kicking a chunk of ice at his feet, the downtrodden Durher pauses mere steps away from you and TT before letting out a spirited ‘HARRUMPH’!“Caught a damned Cold being down here for so long, but do they care? Probably forgot I existed again… I’ll show them... Once Boss comes back…”His stuffy nose proves to be your salvation–plugged and unable to pick up on your presence, the Durher continues down the frosty hall, pausing periodically to trip on more ice chunks!“I can hear it now: go sweep up the ice, DYL! I HATE my life! I wish I was DEAD!”You and TT exchange a worried, and mildly sympathetic glance before the ganger sends a handful of enchanted ice crashing into the wall!“Wait, no… I wish everyone ELSE was DEAD!”As Dyl continues his rounds, you elect to:>Head back up. No need to rouse any suspicions!>Get him! He sounds like he knows a thing or two!>Speak to Dyl! Maybe he could be an asset!>Scour the basement–there’s gotta be some neat stuff down here!>TT, got any ideas?>Write-In!
>>6147280>Speak to Dyl! Maybe he could be an asset!
>>6147280>Head back up. No need to rouse any suspicions!Okay, so we struck out in the basement, but "Go load the eggs into their wagon, DYL!" is a deifnite lead, irght? let's go find that wagon!
>>6147280>Speak to Dyl! Maybe he could be an asset!You wish everyone you work with was dead? YOUR WISH HAS SHALL BE GRANTED.
>>6147280>Speak to Dyl! Maybe he could be an asset!Hey kid, you don’t seem very chill. Not a good fit for these cold-hearted folks.How about you join up with a crew that knows how to lighten up? If you’re going to get fired up then you should get some respect for it.I still wish we’d been a mob boss caricature with that one guy.
>>6147400>>6147403>>6147439>DIPLOMANCE>>6147401>YEA NAHHoo boy here we go. Gonna have to update more on Tuesday, but until then...>Roll me 1d100-3 (+1 Footwork, +2 Limbo, +2 Maybe a better deal? -5 Who Goes There!?, -3 Gang Member) to see if the guy even gives you the time of day! Best of 3!
Rolled 73 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6147542uh oh.
Rolled 40 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6147542
Rolled 42 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6147542
>>6147547>>6147552>>6147578>HIGHEST ROLL: 70!WrrrRRrRrRRIIIIITTtTTTIIINGGGG>>6147547>uh-ohWe're just rolling for how happy Dyl will be to see Anton and TT, that's all! You worry too much!
Mentally pocketing the tidbit of intel Dyl unwittingly just gave to you, you’re about two seconds away from coming up with another amazing idea for what to do next when your petite partner speeds things up a bit! Eyes wide like a cat facing down one of those vacuuming robots, the sound of TT unsheathing a knife is drowned out by Dyl letting loose a trio of sneezes!“Heh…” he mutters, wiping his nose as your murderous musician moves to wipe him out, “Three sneezes… means someone’s thinkin’ about me…”With all the composure of a parent seeing their baby climb over a guard rail, you slink in front of TT and try to adopt a friendly expression! Hey kid-“WHAT THE HELLS!?”Death misses his appointment with you again as you feel a cone of icicles as sharp as steak knives whiz past your face–one even being so bold as to give you a little kiss on your cheek, causing it to bleed!Snatching Tzah-Tzie out of the air mid-pounce, you sputter a few ‘be cool’s in the friendliest voice you can muster after nearly being pincushioned as Dyl winds up another spell! He needs to chill!Heheh.“Got five seconds to explain what you’re doing down here, mate,” Sputters the Durher as he takes a few cautious steps back, “And two just passed!”“He’s ANTON THE UNDYING and he’s come to put you on ICE!” Snarls your spicy Spinner as she struggles to break free of your hold on her hood! Yea, no, you stammer with an apologetic and somewhat embarrassed chuckle, you’re just, uh… look, can he reset the timer please?The gang member sniffles a bit and nods, but doesn’t put away whatever spell it is he’s cooking up!“Make it quick, Anton... you picked the wrong Zitzer nest to stick your nose into…”Hey, at least he’s willing to communicate! That’s the most important part of a relationship, probably!Not that you’re into this guy. Are you? You’ve been so confused ever since you got here…What do?>Throw TT at him while he’s distracted!>Try to sway him to your side!>Pretend to be a new recruit!>Ask about the eggs!>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!>Ponder homosexuality!>TT, can you handle this?>Try to get outta here–this was a bad idea…>Write-In!
>>6147853>Throw TT at him while he’s distracted!
>>6147853>Pretend to be a new recruit!This dude's a psycho, so I don't know that he'd make a good Lamplighter, but we can maybe get him yo lead us to the eggs? Claim we were sent with new orders but also, hey, good news: they gave him a helper or two! See, Dyl, people care about you after all! Don't second-guess it, hahaha!I'd ponder homosexuality if we weren't surrounded by prime waifus.
>>6147853>Pretend to be a new recruit!>Ask about the eggs!We were sent to report to him since the others were busy with, uh, cards. They mentioned something about eggs?Stroke his ego a bit by making it seem like HE can fob off work to someone else now.
>>6147855>TT TOMAHAWK!>>6147920>>6147944>I'M THE NEW GUY, TELL ME ABOUT EEGGGGSSSWe writin
Shoving those thoughts deep down for now, you instead focus on whipping up a good explanation for the guy about to go all Ogres & Oubliettes on your ass with another ice spell! Making a show of smacking your forehead, you let loose with another embarrassed laugh as you pull TT back to a much safer distance!Safer for Dyl, that is. This girl can lunge!Well THIS is awkward, you snicker, piling on as much faux-friendliness as you can, you forgot to mention that you’re one of the new recruits! The guys upstairs were busy playing a game, but told you to check on Dyl, so…“Oh yea? And who’s your pe-wait…” You can almost see the moment your last few words sink into the gangster’s brain, which is impressive cuz’ you can barely see anything these days!“They… they wanted you to… to check on me?”That’s right, you nod, what, did he think they forgot about him or something? Ha! Imagine! Your rhetorical question is answered by a few sniffles from the Durher. Does, uh, does he need a tissue or something?“N-no…” He stammers as a shaky smile forms on his face, “I just… just…”Hey, you begin, moving to Dyl’s side to give him a reassuring pat on the head, it’s… it’s oka-T, STOP!The girl stops mid-lunge and shoots you an apologetic glance. “Sorry, force a’ habit…”Anyways, you sigh, this is, uh… SHA-SEE! She’s also a new recruit!“Yep! We got into the gang by eating a guy!”Well, you scoff, we didn’t eat anyo-“Anton here housed his entire head! It was crazy!”Look, you groan as you try to find and plug TT’s mouth in the darkness, you heard something about eggs–did he, uh… what’s the situation on… is it-“We already handed ‘em off, rememb-ohhhh right, you weren’t here!” Dyl remarks, his disposition changing mid-sentence! “Yea, the Spicys came by earlier an’ did the tradeoff–you got lucky, those egg clutches are heavy!”“The… Spicys?” Shudders Tzah-Tzie, her tone bristling up like a porcupine in a barrel full of weasels, “They took them?”“Yep,” Nods Dyl, his expression softening as he speaks to TT, “Said something about an AUCTION at THE COMEBACK CANTINA in GOLD TOWN. Never been, but, y’know,” The Durher’s voice lowers as he adopts a more ‘suave’ expression, “Should see a few more bells after the auction finishes… I could take ya’ to play a few games if you want-”That’d be great, you interject, but you might be busy for the next week or so…“I was talkin’ to her-”Oh…>CONTD.
>>6147983>d“This auction,” TT begins, giving her fellow Durher a hard stare as you grapple with yet another rejection, “Did it happen yet?”“Don’t think so…” Dyl frowns, clearly a little put-off by her ignoring his offer, “But if I was gonna run something like that I’d do it at night–Bellcounters are probably gonna be busy dealing with that RED COMET or whatever the Hells happened this morning…”“Ant,” Remarks Tzah-Tzie as she makes a show of batting her eyes at you, “We should probably let the others know about this, hmm?”“Oh, they know already.” Dyl smirks, “Kinda weird that they’d tell you to come down here and ask me about it, to be honest-”Maybe they just thought he could use a check-in? Your suggestion earns a surprised sniff from your ‘senior’!“W-wha? Pfft, n-nah… no way…”Well you’re not in danger of being flash-freezed anymore… Anything else you wanna do with this guy? You’re no expert Girlologist, but you get the feeling TT doesn’t wanna be near him for much longer…>Ask about the Icers!>Inquire about the Cantina!>The Spicys? Does he mean the Cartel?>What’s Boss like anyways?>What’s there to find in the basement anyways?>TT, anything else?>Hey, is that a SUCKER PUNCH!?>Nope! Let’s go!>Write-In!
>>6147984>Nope! Let’s go!We got our business here done.
>>6147984>Nope! Let’s go!
>>6147984>SHA-SEE, anything else?Let her deck the guy at least. We’ll feel better since we’re upset at getting rejected(?), and she’ll definitely feel better. Win-win for everyone who matters.
>>6147984>Nope! Let’s go!Let's not test our luck more than we need to. Get in, get out.
>>6147989>>6148009>>6148055>systemshock2ending>>6148022>Sha-See,wanna deck this guy?Writingggggg>>6148022>implying Dyl doesn't matter
Welp, you grunt, slapping your knees for good measure, best get back to, uh… the rest of the stuff you gotta do, ey Sha-See?“Right…” Replies the Spinner, her curt nod telling you her mind’s in another place–somewhere far from Dyl, the Rags District, or anywhere nearby, for that matter. “Lead the way, Ant.”“Heheh… you know where I’ll be!” Chuckles Dyl as he tries and fails to look nonchalant as he leans against the wall! “Tell the gang I said ‘hey’ from here in the dungeon, yea? Ha ha!”Absolutely, you reply halfheartedly as you and Sha-S-err, TT cautiously climb back up the stairs you came from! Dodging icy steps as best and as sneakily as you can, you barely manage to make it to the top of the stairway before an icy projectile sails past your face and slams into the wall behind it with a sickening CRUNCH!“We… we didn’t tell nobody, boss!” Stammers the Mox high-roller from before as you hear his winnings jangle to the floor!“Honest!” Adds the Chytree with added worry in their voice!“‘Zat right?” Purrs a deep, gruffly feminine voice! “Well then that makes it all better, don’t it?”Taking a few cautious steps away from the stairs, you silently curse as you realize where the voice’s owner is standing–their six glacier-blue eyes radiating anger between you and the door you entered from!“Where, uh… where are Vusi an’ the rest, b-Boss?” Stammers the swarthy Gnok, now sitting with all four trembling legs of his chair firmly on the floor!“Lessee… found ‘em stumblin’ around the Docks mutterin’ about a failed shakedown on a Spicy-protected merchant…” Snarls the menacing Mzz’goe’virr as she paces around the entryway, “then dragged ‘em to the Spicys ta’ iron things out…” Pausing mid-stalk, the gang leader looms over the Gnok with an unnatural flame in her eyes!“So my best guess, Dzo, is that they’re probably bein’ EATEN paired with a dry Umberal Cordial!” Letting loose a feral roar, the Boss kicks the Gnok’s chair and, by association, the Gnok, over!>CONTD.
>>6148092“How many times do I have ta’ say it!? When the Spicys got a job, we take it! When they’re protec’in someone, we leave ‘em the FUCK alone!”“W-we’ll be careful, Boss-” Stammers the Chytree, earning an iceball aimed at their bulbous eyes for their trouble!“FUCK ‘careful’!” Boss hisses, “If I so much as hear ONE more bit’a bad news tonight I’ll bury this whole godsdamned district in permafrost! Now quit fuckin’ around an’ make sure everything’s where it oughta’ be, you lazy cunts!”To the Boss’ pleasure, and your immense displeasure, the gang gets to work combing the factory for any way to avoid making their leader angrier… Exchanging a worried glance with TT, you decide to:>Sneak out the way you came! Maybe she’ll be distracted?>Try your luck upstairs–maybe there’s a window?>Head back into the basement. There might be an exit you missed?>See if Volka can distract them?>Call Volka! No more stealth!>Stay silent! Maybe they’ll just leave!>Try to get the drop on The Boss!>Write-In!
>>6148093>Try your luck upstairs–maybe there’s a window?
>>6148093>Try your luck upstairs–maybe there’s a window?Though we could TRY to make the boss flip her lid.>Hello boss, what do you need doing?>Uh, I was recruited by Vusi and told to come here. Who… won’t be here for my first day, it sounds like.>What am I doing here? Well, nothing so far. Everyone was busy with card games and such and I didn’t want to bother anyone on break…Just be absolutely clueless and make sure we cast the others in a bad light for a) not catching us and b) not working hard while the boss was out.
>>6148151>>6148172>>6148228>Head Upstairs!Looks like this wins it! One more small update for the night and it's... A ROLL!>Roll me 1d100(+1 Footwork, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +3 TT Helps, -2 Dark, -3 Patrolling Goons, -2 Unknown Territory) to find a way out without finding a way straight into a bad guy! Best of 3!>>6148228Also good write-ins, anon! Credit where credit's due! Keep 'em comin
Rolled 79 (1d100)>>6148244
Rolled 51 (1d100)>>6148244
Rolled 69 (1d100)>>6148244
>>6148245>>6148253>>6148255>HIGHEST ROLL: 79!also>>6148255>69niiiiiiceeeeAnyways, writing!
No need to push your luck here–you got the info you needed and the gang seems like it’s got its own share of internal problems to work on! Not to mention there might be more of ‘em hiding nearby–if they forgot about Dyl who knows how many goons are lying in wait?Watching the Chytree’s eyes float upwards by the corner of the factory opposite from you gives you an idea–leading the way on your tip-toes, you and Tzah-Tzie serpentine across the frost-streaked factory floor as the others scour it for… well, you, you guess!“Godsdamn it all…” Snarls the Boss as she kicks over the game table filling the factory with the sound of breaking glass, “Bellcounters are all tied up dealin’ wit’ dis’ COMET crap an’ you’re all loungin’ about! The iron is HOT, ya’ damned layabouts!”Yea okay she’s really mad! Ducking under a furious spray of frost from The Big Cheese’s hand… or claw… or whatever Mzz’goe’virrs have, you creep up the stairs after the Chytree towards what you can only hope is some kind of fire exit or twisty slide! Sadly all you get is startled when one of your boots hits the metal catwalk a bit too loudly!“Huh?” Spinning around mid-stride, the Chytree’s eyes glisten a bit as they move to investigate!“MIGA!” The Boss hisses from below, “Geddown ‘ere an’ clean this mess up.”“O-of course, Boss!”Scampering mere inches past you, ‘Miga’ makes their way down the stairs you just climbed and hastily gets to work sweeping up the remains of the table! Allowing yourself a sigh of relief, you and Tzah-Tzie are about to press on when you hear it–the faint rattling of the wind jostling a window… Creeping over with renewed pep in your proverbial ‘step’, you and your daring Durher grope for a latch, a lock, anything! For a moment it appears to be one of those ‘doesn’t open’ kind of windows, especially with the hastily-applied wooden boards plastered across its surface, but near the bottom you find not only a gap large enough to squeeze through, but also a rust-covered latch!You move to open it, but are stopped short by a stern look from the Spinner. Following her glance down to the factory floor, you manage to get the gist of what she’s telling you: this might get noisy!No sense in chickening out now–it’s all in the timing! That’s what you tell yourself, anyways…>Roll me 1d100+2 (+3 TT Helps, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +1 Goons Busy, -2 Dark, -1 Rusty, -2 Windy Outside) to crack a window! Best of 3!
Rolled 52 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6148457> dark quest: the only thread on this forsaken site im willing to wait 15 mins to post in
Rolled 30 + 2 (1d100 + 2)Can’t win all the write-ins.>>6148457I have a few I’m willing to wait 15 minutes before, but it (usually) remembers me anyway.
Rolled 4, 19, 75 = 98 (3d100)>>6148457
>>6148526Whoops, I'm retarded and didn't sleep very well.I meant to type 1d100.
>>6148478>>6148497>>614852654's our best? Well, uh... It'a a success at least, right? But probably a qualified success...
>>6148478>>6148497>>6148526>HIGHEST ROLL: 54!Writing!>>6148527Zamn folks anon is ZONKED. Hope you get better sleep tonight and you feel better soon!>>6148536Time to kill Art
Yep, you think to yourself as you listen to the goons desperately try to find ways to look busy, it’s all about the timing…“Hey guys, what’s all the ruck-”Dyl barely gets a word out before The Boss and her mook menagerie carpet bomb his position with ice magic! Seeing your chance, you use the moment to wrench open the window and grit your teeth as a gust of brisk air chills your face!“Well whaddaya know,” Snaps The Boss as the others fall back to form a protective circle around here, “INTRUDERS! What did I FUCKIN’ tell ya...”“How’d they get in?” Frowns the one-eyed Mox, his mirth from earlier fading as he readies another spell!“Musta’ found a way through the BASEMENT…” Replies the Gnok as he spits on the floor!“Whad’ I miss, guys?”The whole gang turns to face the blue-eyed Chytree you saw heading outside earlier!“Sino…” Mutters the other Chytree, “About time…”“Someone snuck in, IDIOT.” Growls The Boss as she skulks over to the newcomer, “Where the fuck were you, ey?”“I was grabbing us some tea cakes…” Stammers the errand boy as some kind of bag rustles in his hands! Snatching them up, The Boss gives the contents a whiff and continues in a calmer tone.“Hmmm… alright, that’s acceptable. Rest of ya’s spread out–if there’s any more uninvited guests round ‘ere I wanna meet ‘em…”Not keen on getting what Dyl’s having, you give T a nod before glancing out the window and subsequently remembering you can’t see SHIT! Okay, you think to yourself, it’s all about timi-“Who the HELLS cracked a window upstairs!?” Roars The Boss as she hobbles with grim purpose towards the stairs! “What, is it too TOASTY!?”Yep, now’s a good time! In her usual helpful fashion, TT practically pushes you out the window–but you’re only on the second floor! Maybe there’s a snow patch or you can tuck and roll like in those Parkour vi-CRUNCH!Nope, it was just scrap metal… jagged scrap metal… ow.If it makes you feel better, your partner’s fall is softened by her landing on your back! Hopping off of you with the speed and guile of someone who didn’t just leap face-first into a pile of scrap, the Durher tries her best to help you to your feet as you hear the commotion grow louder within the gang hideout!Scampering off into the darkness like teens caught in the mall after hours, you don’t have to scurry for long before you’re joined by a familiar set of yellow eyes towering over you!“Hey guys! It’s me–Volka!”Oh thank god… if it was that Temple Guard hunk…>CONTD.
>>6148565“I see…” Volka remarks with a sagely nod as the three of you sit huddled in what you assume is a derelict garbage dumpster, “So that’s what happened…”You didn’t even get a chance to tell her anything yet! “Sorry! Thought we were tryin’ ta’ skip ahead!” The Skog replies with an apologetic smile! “So what happened?”“The eggs were taken to GOLD TOWN…” Frowns Tzah-Tzie as she scoots a little closer to you. “For some kinda auction. Tonight.”At a place called THE CHUMBA CASINO…Volka’s eyes light up! “I know that place!”“COMEBACK CANTINA, Ant.” Corrects Tzah-Tzie with an ‘oh you’ expression. Wait, really? Man, how did you get Chumba Casino? Haha, wow…Volka’s eyes light up! “Never mind! I don’t know the last place cuz’ it doesn’t exist, but I know THAT place!”Oh? Has uh… has she been before? Tzah-Tzie also raises a curious eyebrow.“Not like thaaat,” Chides Volka with an embarrassed look and a swish of her tail! “One of my patrols took me ta’ Gold Town once! We, uh… we don’t go there much.”Wait, what does she mean ‘like thaaat'?“The ‘establishments’” Explains Tzah-Tzie with a foul expression plastered on her face, “Have their own security… hired by-”No, you meant ‘what does she mean by’-“The Spice Cartel…” Volka growls! “Figures they’d be behind this… scum, the lot of ‘em… but powerful scum. The kinda ya’ can’t just scrub off…”“Yea, I’d rather we didn’t tangle with ‘em…” Groans your Spinner as she stretches like a cat, “But Ant’s gotta get those eggs back, so…”The question is when, though, you frown! Won’t there be security before the auction?“There’ll be security period...” Replies the Skog as she mulls your worry over in her head! “But I’m guessin’ they’ll have ‘em stored somewhere secure until tonight…”“Until it’s bidding time. And when someone buys ‘em!” Adds Tzah-Tzie! Just to confirm, you interject, this isn’t legal, is it? Both girls respond by vigorously shaking their heads!“Nope! Absolutely not in Crossroads!” Volka explains with a frown! “Or in Umberal… lotsa places, really. Pretty sure the only place it ain’t frowned on is to the West…”“Not that you won’t see people try it everywhere else…” The Spinner adds with a shrug. “Probably gonna be a lot of high rollers there tonight…”Volka turns to give you a determined stare! “Just say the word an’ I’ll cancel tonight’s Lamplighter meeting!” It might not be necessary, you retort, but thanks… As for your plan, well…>Let’s sneak in before the auction!>Tell the guards or someone!>Cancel your plans and wear something fancy, gals, we’re GOING tonight!>Wait until the auction’s over and jump the buyer!>Write-In!
>>6148566>Let’s sneak in before the auction!I have a feeling that the guards won't give a shit
>>6148566>>Let’s sneak in before the auction!
>>6148566>Let’s sneak in before the auction!
>>6148573>>6148575>>6148588>SNEAK IN FIRST!Hey, works for me! Writing!
No matter how you slice it, you can’t help but end up at the same conclusion: security might be tighter with them setting up, you explain, bu-OW!“Yea, careful!” Volka explains as you recover from smacking your head on the top of the dumpster, “‘s happened ta’ me a buncha’ times now!”BUT, you hiss through clenched teeth as you massage your sore head, it’s gonna be a lot easier grabbing the eggs before the show starts! Let’s pay ‘em a visit now!“Hells yea!” Roars Volka as she rises to her massive stature and sends the dumpster flying into the stratosphere, “Let’s do it!”“A daring rescue from the depths of depravity…” Mutters Tzah-Tzie, eyes glowing with delight as she taps away at her tablet, “I like it! Just… be careful around the Spicys, Ant… seriously…”“T’s right–I don’t like it, but the less we tangle with ‘em the better…” Explains the Skog with a quick swish of her tail! “Just do what’cha did here an’ you’ll be fine, though! You two made like ghosts!”“Sure, until we talked t-”Thanks, you sputter as you cut the sneaky Spinner off by applying an old bag to her face! Now we just need to find-“Some guiiiiiiides?”You’re not ashamed to admit the sudden question got a scream out of you–not that you could deny it with how shrill you were.“Vilah! Dilah!” Volka observes, kindly opting to ignore your outburst, “Howd’ja find us?”The one-eyed sister responds with a hard stare. “We heard you, duh.”“Yea, you’re speaking at normal volume…” Vilah adds, “It was hard not to find ya’, really.”Then that means the Icers won’t have trouble either, will they? Glancing over your shoulder, you turn your attention back to the siblings–can they get you to the edge of the district?“Course we can!” Dilah replies with a cocky smile! “If ya’ wanna head there, that is!”“You don’t owe us anything til’ ya’ leave the district,” Continues Vilah with a friendly smile, “Seein’ as how you’re doin’ it fer’ a good cause, an’ all!”“We could tell Mimut what’s happening…” Tzah-Tzie ponders aloud, “She does work in Gold Town after all…”“But the sooner we get there the more time we got til’ they set things up!” Volka counters with a noncommittal sigh! “I dunno…”Choose Your Destiny:>Head back to Mimut’s!>Go to the District Exit!And on the way:>Talk to Tzah-Tzie!>Speak to the Siblings!>Vocalize with Volka!>Write-In!
>>6148642>Go to the District Exit!>Talk to Tzah-Tzie!EGGS FIRSTTALK TO HER LATER
>>6148642>Go to the District Exit!Mimut's pretty emotional, understandably. She might not be the best one to bring on a stealth mission.>>6148642>Vocalize with Volka!Alright, so what's the deal with this Spice Cartel? Fire, right? They shoot fire?
>>6148642>Go to the District Exit!>Discuss with your DemonThe least productive vote possible. I don’t even know if we CAN talk with whatever took us over when we ordered the Britzoff Scorcher.If we tie then I’ll break for TwTT.
>>6148673+1
>>6148673So wait a sec--are you saying to talk to TT AFTER we do this whole Gold Town heist thing, or are you saying to tell her you'll talk to her later? I'm assuming you meant the first one, but the second one's pretty funny so lemme know
>>6148712Ah, by 'her'', I mean Mimut. Mostly just going "hey let's not bother Mimut let's get the eggs first"However, the mental image of going "I'll talk to you later" to Tzah-Tzie is absolutely hilarious.
>>6148718Works for me!>>6148673>>6148698>>6148703>>6148707>Go to Exit: 4!>Talk to Mimut: ZIP!>Talk to TT: 2!>Vocalize with Volka: 1!>Dialogue with your Demon: 1!Here goes somethiiiiing>>6148703Anything is possible, anon, that's all I'm gonna say. Stanley's Other Boss in Bones Quest started with a write-in~
Volka’s right: time is of the essence here! Let’s head for the exit!“Not a problem!” Dilah replies with a wink of her good eye! “Getcha’ there safe an’ sound!”“Jus’ follow close-like this time, yea?” Chides her sister as she sends a mischievous grin your way! “Really though–no dillying.”“OR dallying!” Adds the other guide with 100% seriousness! “Let’s move!”Yea yea, you groan, they made their point… your trek out of the factory row proves to be pretty simple–that’s not to say you don’t hear distant screams carried on the afternoon breeze, but to be perfectly honest you’re almost used to them by now! Is… is that a bad thing?As you ponder whether or not you’re becoming old and jaded, you pause when you realize you aren’t climbing anything this time around. The rooftops, you begin with growing concern in your voice, wh-why aren’t we using the rooftops!?“Cuttin’ through the stockyards.” Dilah grunts as she gnaws through some kind of tripwire trap with her good tooth, “Faster-like.”“Jus’ keep an ear cut, yea?” Suggests Vilah with a smile!You’d like to do that, but as you continue along whatever path the gals are taking you on, you can’t help but notice how quiet TT’s being! Something in your gaze catches her attention, and before you can explain yourself the Durher’s already responding with a cheeky grin!“Need a map?”Err, you stammer, you have guides–why would-“Cuz’ I can seeya getting lost in my eyes~” She giggles as she gives your boot a playful kick! “What’s wrong, Ant? You really do look lost, y’know.”You don’t feel lost… not as lost as you were when you first arrived, at least… but you still see an opportunity to speak to the Spinner as your guides and Volka take point…What ask ye?>What does she know about the uh, ‘Spicys’?>Is she okay? She’s been kinda quiet.>Are there lots of gangs around here, or?>She’s been to the Rags District before, hasn’t she?>Gold Town: what's the scoop?>Is she getting inspired yet?>Write-In!
>>6148801>Is she okay? She’s been kinda quiet. >She’s been to the Rags District before, hasn’t she?
>>6148801>Hit on her back, see if she can take the same kind of heat she dishes outIf I said you had a nice body, would you hold it against me?
>>6148818+1>>6148803Also +1. If we're doing this, might as well get her to open up a little.>>6148801
>>6148801>>Is she getting inspired yet?>>6148818+0.5?>If I said you had a nice bodywe havent seen her body, like, at all. is the joke flying over my head?do we agree on best girl?
>>6148818+1
>>6148910It is in fact flying over your head. The punchline is that you're suggesting they should hold their body against you.
>>6148947kek, yeah right, good onethats not even the only thing i failed to understand tho. my mental image was:> hit her on the back> say nonsensical and awkward pick up line
>>6148801>It’s a little hard to make the details out from a distance. Would you be willing to come closer?Double-layered flirt.>Is she okay? She’s been kinda quiet.>What does she know about the uh, ‘Spicys’?>She’s been to the Rags District before, hasn’t she?I figure we use the latter two as evidence she’s not fine (she reacted to both topics) and see if we can get her to spill more than the basics on at least one.If she really fights it, hit her directly in the feels:>”Your tale is worth recording too, isn’t it?”>”I’m no bard, but I’ll do my best!”
>>6148803>>6148818>>6148821>>6148910>>6148932>>6149009THE TALLY:>SHE QUIET: 3>RAGS DISTRICT BEFORE: 3>CLUMSY FLIRT: 4>INSPIRED: 1>SPICYS: 1Writing! Probably gonna be the only update today since I have an obligation to eat a shitton of turkey later. It's a living!Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, happy Non-Thanksgiving for those who don't! Wherever you are I hope you find something to be thankful for today! I'm thankful that you sick bastards are still reading this, that's for sure!
>>6148910>spoilerNo, I still think it's a toe and want to split rhe difference in the direction of Rezzie. I just think this will be funny.>>6149015Happy Turksgiving!
Oh no… no no no, she’s not one-upping you this time! Digging deep into your fractured memory for the BEST lines you have, you chuck a real dinger at the Spinner as you reciprocate her playful kick with a smack on the back! If I said you had a nice body, you begin as the girl stumbles and lets out a slight yelp from your sudden ATTACK, would she hold it against you?“Ya good back there?” Asks Volka as she and your guides pause their conversation to check up on you! “Yep!” Tzah-Tzie replies with a chuckle in her voice, “Just tripped…” As the Pointmen… or women… or whatever you’d call them turn their attention back to the path, Tzah-Tzie’s eyes glimmer with mischief as she glances back your way! With the speed of a squirrel on a sugar high, the devious Durher leaps onto your back and scales it before wrapping her arms around your neck as an anchor!“What,” She whispers, her warm breath tickling your ear, “Like this?”You open your mouth to protest, but the girl’s not very heavy at all–the way she’s dangling from you feels like you’re carrying a well-stocked backpack rather than a living, breathing creature. Granted your backpack never smelled faintly of flowers, but-“Thanks for the offer, Ant!” She giggles as she readjusts her grip around your neck, “My feet were juuuust getting tired. You read my mind~”Yea, uh… happy to oblige, you grunt. “And I’d be pleased as punch to engage in a full lexical analysis of your invitation after we leave the district…” She whispers into your ear with a hint of playfulness in her tone. “And we’re a little less busy~”Uh, you mutter, your mind going into freefall when you realize the Pepper Spray isn’t coming, y-yea…“So,” your backpack begins in a more businesslike tone, “Didja actually have something you wanted to ask me, or were you just looking for a backwarmer?”Yea, you reply, your brain unclenching as you move back into more casual territory, she seems to know a bit about the Rags District… “No more than anyone else!” She chuckles as you feel a poofy tail smack against your back! C’mon, you frown, how about a straight answer? She’s been here, hasn’t she? For an extended period.The Spinner clams up a bit at your question–so much so that you’re about to repeat it when she opens up again! “It’s… where you go when you’ve got no more options, Ant. No more rope ta’ pull yourself up with.”Volka didn’t seem like she’d been here, you counter, so-“Like I said, it ain’t just about Bells,” TT adds, “It’s about options. Easy to get lost in here, y’know?”Sure, you nod, not fully understanding, so she’s->CONTD.
>>6149046“It’s not a place you really decide to go–more of an inevitability than anything else.” She continues in a quieter tone. “And for every Mimut able to get her voice heard through a job board, you’ve got a thousand other poor saps who died without ever being heard…” The girl pauses. “Sometimes I wonder, Ant: is it better to die alone an’ afraid, but free?”You stumble over a piece of loose cobblestone as the question hits you like a pool noodle to the face. You, uh-Your answer is cut off by a cheeky snicker! “Aw relax, Ant… I’m just floating some song ideas by ya’! Loosen up a bit!”You sincerely doubt that’s the case, but you let it be for now. If there’s one thing you’ve learned about the bite-sized Bard in the past day or so it’s that she’s not an open book like Volka is, but she’s starting to let you peek at a page or two. Sounds like progress to you!You only asked because she seems a little quiet, you add, fishing for some more details! Everything okay?“Oough, sneaking around a gang hideout while still a little hungover doesn’t help…” She groans as she presses a soft cheek against your back! “An’ when I found out the SPICYS were involved…”Yea, you’re not really jazzed about that anywhere, you nod. What’s her connection with them anyways? The Durher stiffens again. “Llllet’s just say we have a history…” She replies, her voice slightly trembling with each syllable, “And no, I never worked for them–I just have a few, uh… debts I haven’t paid…”So that’s it, huh? Not sure why she didn’t mention it before!“Ya’ didn’t ask!” TT retorts as the pep returns to her voice! “But seriously, Ant: they ain’t street thugs like the ICERS--these guys roll the Bells all over Zoral. Big players!”Don’t worry, you smirk, you’ll protect her! Your offer is rewarded with a firm, but gentle nip on the shoulder! OW!“I mean it, Ant,” The Spinner growls in an unusually serious tone, “The Spice Cartel is BAD news!”>CONTD.
>>6149047You’re about to ask for the editorial when a gut-wrenching scream rings out across your path–one far too close for your liking! Bristling up like cats hearing a vacuum cleaner, Vilah and Dilah turn to face you as Volka places a claw on her blade!“Bad route. Gotta double back.” Dilah hisses, neither girl waiting for your response! You’re just about to follow suit when you hear not one, not two, but FOUR familiar laughs and ONE familiar voice!“Wrong place, wrong time, my friend!” Sneers the unmistakably gruff voice of the ICERS’ Head Honcho, “An’ unlucky fer’ you I’m in a REAL sour mood today…”Untangling Tzah-Tzie from around your neck, you creep forward to peek around the corner and find the frost-wielding freebooters gathered around a very distressed-looking Chytree: their eyes trembling as some unseen force holds them aloft in the air!“Whaddleitbe today, lads n’ lasses?” Boss asks as she circles her prey like a leopard, “Chip off something low, work my way up?” Your ears pop and the air grows cold as she conjures an unseen spell, “Or do I jus’ start prunin?”You feel a tug at your leg and find Vilah staring daggers up at you!“Not. Worth. It.” She hisses! “Les’ go...”What do?>Follow the guides!>Make a distraction! Lure the goons away!>Sneakily attack the Boss!>Speak to the Icers!>Melt them all.>Write-In!>>6148478>>6148497I also realize I never responded to these. Easily some of the best praise I could get on this godforsaken website! I appreciate your suffering and hope this stupid posting thing gets better!
>>6149048>Melt them all.>…except for the Chytree. A witness should remain.Not many places we could fight with the red option and not deal with the anti-demon types. Rags district seems like one of them. Can we see what happens?
>>6149048>>6149060Sure, I'll support the antihero plan.Frankly, these icers deserve it.
>>6149060+1, but>give them a warning first, with hands aglowthe moment they twitch wrong, the boss goes up like a candlestick.>>6149048
>>6149060+1
>>6149237No way. Don't give them any warning. They've had plenty of chances to not be pieces of shit already.
>>6149237I was assuming Ant would try to go on, but whatever ordered the drink back at the bar would assert itself instead. Whatever they are, they don’t seem like the sort to warn anyone.It’s why I tossed in the bit about the Chytree. Couldn’t be sure if “all” included our victim or not from Red’s perspective. May as well give him an excuse to keep him alive.I don’t think the kids will be sticking around to watch, we’re leaving with Volka and TT, and the ICER’s… well, they may not be leaving at all.
>>6149060>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Quest>>6149124>>6149237>>6149239>MELT THE ICE>Roll me 1d100+6 (+7 Luck?, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +2 Surprise, -2 Dark, -2 Watch out for the Chytree, -2 Ice Defenses) to start the BBQ! Best of 3!Will probably update early on Friday, so stay tuned!
>>6149305>No clue why the archived thread got stuck in there, but hey--it's there if people wanna check it out! I dunno, man!
Rolled 16 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149305MELTMELTMELTMELTKILL ALL OF THEM
Rolled 83 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149305
Rolled 14 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149305
>>6149315holy shit anon thank you
>>6149322
>>6149305Ice defenses? Pshh! What defenses? ICE IS SUPER-WEAK TO FIRE!
>>6149310>>6149315>>6149317>HIGHEST ROLL: 89!Writing! Not feeling the Eggnog or post-dinner sleepies anymore, so here's hoping I'm a bit more coherent today!>>6149323Get this anon a MEDAL>>6149330Oh shit, yea huh...
It may not be worth it to the street urchins who see this shit every day, but you saw how quickly these bloodthirsty bandits iced their own gang member–whether it’s the sound of Dyl’s last words before being flash-frozen, the doomed look in the captive Chytree’s eyes, or simply how cocky the Icers are acting you’ll never know, but something about the whole situation makes you more angry than cautious…That something compels you to gently push Vilah aside and stride with growing purpose towards the tormentors! You hear a few nervous squeaks behind you as you leave your friends behind, and yet you know you could turn back if you wanted to–your legs aren’t being compelled to move, you realize… this is ANTON PEAS. This is ALL YOU!“Oi, got a new contestant, Boss!” Reports the Maroon-eyed Gnok with a slight chuckle in his voice! Shifting her many-eyed gaze from her current ‘art project’, the menacing Mzz’goe’virr’s crooked, toothy grin broadens as she notices your approach!“Ah, anovver customer!” She snickers as her toadies form a wall between you and her, “Sit tight, love–bit busy ‘ere at the moment…”She’d better get busy running, you snarl as you feel heat well up in your eyes! The Boss’ expression darkens at your warning.“‘Zat right? ‘Old ‘im down, lads–I’ll see what he means by that when I’m done wif’ bigeyes ‘ere…”“Sorry, mate,” Snickers the one-eyed Mox as he and his Gnok pal make a show of ambling over to you, “Gonna learn a hard lesson toda-”Both goons stop dead in their tracks as you feel a familiar heat course through your blood and into your fingertips. You don’t even need to look to know you’re loaded up–small though they may be, each ember of flickering red flame is enough to sting your eyes! The Icers, however, shrink at the sight of the crimson light–the Mox and Gnok hissing and groaning as they struggle to shield their eyes!“What… the Hells...” Snarls the Boss as she struggles to squint past the dancing flames on your fingers! Their captive, however, refuses to look away–his bulbous eyes flickering in your radiance!Sharing a determined nod, your would-be restrainers brave the burning blood-tinged light and try to rush you! Meeting them with your burning hands, you merely place a palm on each thug and watch as the fire leaps from your fingers and sets them both alight like candles on a birthday cake!The sound of screams and sizzling flesh fill the smoky air as the Icers aimlessly flee like headless chickens–the remaining gangers watching in abject horror at how easily their comrades were dispatched! “KILL ‘EM!”>CONTD.
>>6149455With a snap of her claw, The Boss leads the remaining Chytree goons in casting a series of spells! Hers sends a blanket of cold dullness around the general area–like when you jump into the deep end of a pool! The Chytrees, however, huddle up and send a blast of icy needles in your path!Preparing to counter with another handful of flames, you feel something jiggle out of your pocket: the shard of magically-tempered glass you pilfered from your fight with the SEWER GOLEM! Catching the glint of your magical flames, your eyes widen as some of your energy seeps into the glass! With a roar of arcane energy, you watch as the Chytree’s icy salvo is deftly blocked by…CHOOSE WISELY…>A SUIT OF MAGICAL ARMOR that ebbs and flows to your body’s movements! (+Elemental & Physical Armor, -Stealth)>A GLASS SHIELD that catches their magic and sends it back their way! (+Elemental & Physical Armor, Needs 1 Hand Free)>A CRYSTAL STAFF that draws your energy into a single point, focusing your flames into a BEAM! (+Magic, Ranged Attacks Needs Two Hands Free)>AN OBSIDIAN BLADE that cuts with whatever magic is imbued into it–including the ice your opponents just attacked with! (+Elemental Damage, Needs 1 Hand Free)>A GOSSAMER CROSSBOW WOVEN OF LIGHT that fires magical bolts–your flames now sailing through the air like countless minute comets! (+Elemental Damage, Penalties for Melee Range, Ranged Attacks)
>>6149457>A GLASS SHIELD that catches their magic and sends it back their way! (+Elemental & Physical Armor, Needs 1 Hand Free)Shields are cool. Bitches love shields.
>>6149457>A GLASS SHIELD that catches their magic and sends it back their way! (+Elemental & Physical Armor, Needs 1 Hand Free)Ice them with their own magic
>>6149457Huh, weird image. I’m sure it’s nothing.>A CRYSTAL STAFF that draws your energy into a single point, focusing your flames into a BEAM! (+Magic, Ranged Attacks Needs Two Hands Free)More magic!
>>6149457>A CRYSTAL STAFF that draws your energy into a single point, focusing your flames into a BEAM! (+Magic, Ranged Attacks Needs Two Hands Free)BEESBUS BARRASBUS BOMBINOMICON!
>>6149476>>6149479>>6149481>>6149483Gonna give it a little longer and then I'm gonna flip a coin, folks. Last chance to not surrender your COOL LOOT to RANDALOR THE DESTRUCTOR
>>6149457>A GLASS SHIELDI can do this all day.
>>6149476>>6149479>>6149609>GLASS SHIELD>>6149481>>6149483>LASERY STAFF THING!Works for me! Updating the Pastebin now! And writing!
Well, you can’t really see what it is, but you can feel it: a pair of impossibly-smooth leather straps coil around your arm like serpents as a slab of enchanted glass widens into a diamond the size of your chest! As your arm twitches beneath the shield’s strange energy, you breathe a sigh of relief as both of the mage’s spells crash harmlessly into its other side!“What…” Stammers The Boss as her Chytree cronies hastily whip up another salvo of slush, “What’s going on here? Kill ‘em!”You open your mouth to answer, but pause as a different word appears in your head:RETURN.With a flick of your shielded wrist, you feel the icicle arrows leap from your shield’s surface back to their senders! Before the attack can land, however, you hear a faint sizzle as if the ice dipped into a lake–the slight change in speed giving both Cryomancers enough time to tuck and roll to safety!“REFLECT THIS!”You’re about to ask what The Boss wants you to reflect when you’re preemptively answered by her chucking something at you with an enraged grunt! Your Ring of Echos can’t get a good bead on it with how fast it’s traveling, but it’s definitely bigger than what her goons sent at you! And pointier based on how it sounds whistling towards you!What do!?>Do what the lady says! Reflect it!>LIMBOOOOO!>Try to knock it at her cronies!>Grab it out of the air and wield it!>Write-In!
>>6149652>Do what the lady says! Reflect it!>LIMBOOOOO!May as well try both. Drop to your knees and lean back, putting the shield lay on an angle. If it doesn’t reflect, it should at least deflect up.Yes, I have tank armor on my mind. Don’t ask me why.I shouldn’t have closed my browser. The 15 minute wait returns…
>>6149652>>LIMBOOOOO!any hero can play badass, but how many can limbo like us?
>>6149652>Do what the lady says! Reflect it!
>>6149666+1>>6149652
>>6149652>Grab it out of the air and wield it!
>>6149666>>6149683>>6149713>>6149740>>6149752>Reflect: 3!>Limbo: 3!>Grab: 1!Gonna be a tad busy tomorrow so expect slower updates! Until then though let's finish this off with a ROOOOOOLLLLL>Roll me 1d100+6 (+1 Footwork, +2 LIMBO, +7 Luck?, +2 Magic Shield, -2 Dark, -2 Limboing AND Blocking!?, -2 Boss Magic!) To LimBLOCK! Best of 3!
Rolled 62 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149769Whatever. Go, my Scar- I mean LIMBLOCK.
Rolled 36 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149769Check out this nat 69
Rolled 82 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6149769We will eventually become the weirdest contortionist blocker this world has never seen!
>>6149976>88LIMBO always works, huh?INFINITE LIMBOINFINITE HP.
>>6149978That’d be advanced limboing. Limbo so low and so hard it turns into a backwards roll and you can proceed to go low again.88 is the prefect number for this. 2 pairs of connected circles, each circle limboing under another before circling around to do it again.
>>6149788>>6149789>>6149976>HIGHEST ROLL: 88!Sorry for the wait! Writing....>>6149789We'll get 'em next time, anon.>>6149976Some day soon, brother!>>6149978>>6149982Yea sorry you guys haven't unlocked ADVANCED LIMBO... yet
Your memory’s still a little patchy, but one thing you DO recall is that you’ve never been one to refuse a lady’s request, especially when threatened with bodily harm! Raising your shield and bracing for impact, your panicked mind is visited by yet another memory! A spotty one, to say the least, but you get the gist: one involving an irate girl at a Halloween party sending you over a railing with a well-thrown PROP SHARK!You can’t recall what movie or book she was emulating when wearing the costume, but the memory alone is enough to make your chest ache and impart a grim reminder about how energy transfers through objects on collision… meaning that whatever this projectile is made of, it’s still gonna STING!You imagine little workers scampering around your braincase in a desperate attempt to deal with the incoming calamity–their tiny rubber boots and jumpsuits squeaking as they scramble around your ‘command center’! One brave Ensign has an idea, however, and with the guile of a cheetah he leaps across your head and lands face-first on a button that has already saved you several times since you arrived in Zoral:LIMBO!White-knuckling your shield, you drop to your knees like a rockstar and bend backwards just as what feels like some kind of ICE JAVELIN scrapes against your shield and soars into the air whistling like a bottle rocket! As you and your opponents vainly attempt to track its trajectory, a familiar Gnok smelling of burnt poultry shambles into the alley!“Go’a shry ‘arrrer hen HAAAT-”His threat is cut short by what might be equally-interpreted as an act of mercy or extremely bad luck: in this case being the aforementioned ICE JAVELIN crashing onto him and exploding into a cloud of icy shrapnel!Feeling something cold, yet fleshy smack against your face like a thawed tuna, you turn your attention back towards your remaining combatants: though The Boss rushes to meet you even after watching her seared subordinate get mulched, her remaining goons are clearly trembling as they fumble over the words of their next spells!With your shield still radiating a pinch of icy energy, you decide to:>Spray and pray some FIRE MOTES! Aim for ‘em all!>Focus your flames on one person! (Boss? Chytree Blue? Chytree Magenta?)>Send some ICE SPIKES at the galloping gang boss!>Discharge some ice on the floor and send ‘em slipping!>Write-In!
>>6150310>Send some ICE SPIKES at the galloping gang boss!Humiliate, incapacitate, and (only if necessary, becasue we're a LAMPLIGHTER and all) kill the boss. Spare the subordinates if possible, but let them know we'll be around to stop them if they decide to fill the power vacuum. That;s my thinking. We'll bring peace to Povertyville!
>>6150310>Send some ICE SPIKES at the galloping gang boss!Captcha read SNAG. Portent?
>>6150317>>6150346>SERVE, SET, SPIKE!Last update of the night! Here goes!>Roll me 1d100+1 (+1 Footwork, +6 Luck? Diminishing, +2 Magic Shield SPIKES, -2 Dark, -2 Boss Magic, -4 Mzz'Goe'Virr Reach) To get to the POINT! Best of 3!
Rolled 10 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6150404Rollin’
Rolled 75 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6150404SNAG her with a spike and pin her to the floor!
Rolled 6 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6150404Pain.
Rolled 46 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6150404
>>6150442>>6150443>>6150447>HIGHEST ROLL: 76!That'll do'er! WritiIiIIiiInnnngggg>>6150317Gonna incorporate this thinking into the update. Set icicles to STUN!>>6150346A grim omen, to be sure...
Hold the line, of course! If she wants to come to you, then you’ll give her a warm welcome! Dropping to one knee, you grit your teeth as you feel more icy arrows crash against your shield–each projectile showering you in frigid powder! Hurling spells at you mid-stride like they were going outta’ style, the crazed criminal quickly closes the distance and looms over you like a six-eyed cat above a mouse!“OH NO YOU DOOOON’T!”Finally breaking her silence, Volka comes rushing from where you emerged with eyes burning with determination! The sudden interruption diverts the Boss’ attention for but a moment, but it’s all you need! Harnessing the frosty magic absorbed into your shield, you send an icy blast into your assailant at point-blank range and send her flying like a frog in a slingshot! The whole alley stops to watch as The Boss howls in pain and confusion–her shouting only ending when she crashes into the wall with a sickening CRUNCH!“Augh… d-damn it all….”Oh wait, that was just the ice! Rushing over to her ‘hangout’, you wind up your infamous WINDMILL PUNCH when your opponent interrupts you with a panicked ‘WAIT!’She doesn’t sound to be in much pain, so you’re guessing your icicle only impaled whatever she’s wearing… As for her Chytree cronies, well… the look in their bulbous eyes tells you they’re stuck between going out in a blaze of glory and simply booking it the minute you look away!Their captive, however, has already begun the process of de-icing themselves–rather rapidly, you might add!How do you finish this?>With threats! The Icers are DONE, capisce!?>With violence! Put their leader on ICE! (How?)>With LAW! Volka, help me round these hooligans up!>With a DEAL! They work for YOU now!>Write-In!
>>6150638>With a DEAL! They work for YOU now! By which you mean, they work for THE LAMPLIGHTERS! Or else.
>>6150638>With LAW! Volka, help me round these hooligans up!
>>6150638>With LAW! Volka, help me round these hooligans up!For the boss!>With threats! The Icers are DONE, capisce!?For the rest!And if they resist...>With violence! Put their leader on ICE!...immolate 'em!
>>6150642I don't know if I trust theses goons enough to work for us, the boss has some sick magic skills though so maybe we can work out a deal with just the boss. The gang is done without the boss and the boss will have more information than the average icer goon.>Offer the boss a choice between justice or working for usFor the boss!>With threats! The Icers are DONE, capisce!?For the rest!And if they resist...>With violence! Put their leader on ICE!...immolate 'em!
>>6150707I can back this approach in lieu of >>6150681>>6150638
>>6150638>>6150681Sure, I’ll support this.To help sell her on the “don’t fuck with us” angle, be sure to point out Volka is the boss, not us, and that she should think of what that means. Imply that however screwed she was against us, Volka could whip her even worse.Will we end the Lamplighter quest with Volka in charge of all organized crime in the Crossroads? Tune in next thread to find out!
>>6150642>THEY WORK FOR THE LAMPLIGHTERS! (Not a criminal organization)>>6150646>LAW AND ORDER!>>6150681>>6150707>>6150710>>6150738You're gonna have to clarify for me just in case, but what I'm getting here is essentially:>Boss works for US or goes to the CLINK!>Rest of the gang is DONEZO if The Boss refuses>Melt 'em if they resistHere goes something! Writing~
As you cautiously approach your Catch of the Day with your MAGIC SHIELD ready for anything even remotely smelling like a surprise, you politely ask Volka to keep an eye on The Boss’s little cheerleaders!“My pleasure!” Chirps the Skog as she takes her time trotting over to the now very concerned Chytrees! “Oi, quit it with the casting already! I mean it!”While her henchmen comply, The Boss is a little more reluctant–spitting a hissing gob onto your shield, she snarls as you recoil from the acidity wreaking havoc on your eyes and nostrils!“Jus’ my luck…” She groans, still struggling to break free of her self-imposed icy prison, “Who the Hells do ya’ think you are anyways, ey? Ruinin’ my day…”Your name is ANTON THE UNDYING, you reply with a puffed-out chest, FBI! And from where you’re standing, it looks like she’s got a choice to make!“Fuck off,” She snaps as she spits another wad of acid your way, “Jus’ kill me or send me to the Clank already! I grew up aroun’ corpses–fuck do I care!? Jus’ leave Tiro an’ Sino outta’ it…”“Not a chance, Boss!” Shouts the blue-eyed Chytree in an almost mournful tone!“We’re with ya’ til’ the end!” Adds his magenta-hued counterpart!“Fuckin’ idiots…” Growls the Mzz’goe’virr as she prepares another spitbomb!Is that what she wants? To be locked away? The six-eyed scoundrel holds off on her next attack to respond with a side-eyed glance.“... You really thinkin’ of cuttin’ a deal? Truly?”Truly, you retort, unless she’s ready to head downtown, that is!“Les’ hear it then,” Growls The Boss in a wary, but slightly less-abrasive tone! “An’ before ya’ ask, no, I ain’t gonna be yer’ fuckin’ girlyfriend. Two-eyed Gnok cunt…”Let’s quit it with the profanity, okay? There are kids around here, probably! As for the deal, well…An uncomfortable silence blows through the alley as your brain struggles to track down whatever you planned on offering!What’s the deal again?>No more crime–they amend their ways or ELSE!>You want all their bells and cool stuff!>Gimme info on the Spice Cartel!>They’re gonna join a rehab program: it’s called THE LAMPLIGHTERS!>They can only mess with other gangs from now on!>Is she SURE she doesn’t wanna be your girlfriend, or…?>Yea, screw this. (AGGRESS)>Write-In!
>>6150818>Gimme info on the Spice Cartel!>They’re gonna join a rehab program: it’s called THE LAMPLIGHTERS!>No more crime–they amend their ways or ELSE!If we are going to face the spice cartel we might as well have all the information, we are not ready for a war with them yet. The underlings can do whatever but if we catch them doing crime again its over for them
>>6150830Seconding
>>6150818>Gimme info on the Spice Cartel!>They’re gonna join a rehab program: it’s called THE LAMPLIGHTERS!>No more crime–they amend their ways or ELSE!>Report to the BATTLE’S END TAVERN while we’re out. They’re helping Ma until we’re done and the boss is ready is deal with them in full.Backing >>6150830, but I’ll give them a little bit of work in the meantime. Just for fun.
>>6150896+1>>6150818
>>6150830>>6150840>SPICE CARTEL!>LAMPLIGHTERS!>NO MORE CRIME >:L>>6150896>>6150915>THE ABOVE BUT ALSO HELP OUT AT BATTLE'S END WHILE WE'RE OUT!Writing! Might be the last update of the night because I go back to work tomorrow, but we'll see! HANG ONTA SOMETHIIIING
The deal, you reply, adding in a sagely nod for good measure, yes… yes, you’ve got a deal… for HER!“Then hurry up an’ spill it already!” Snarls The Boss as the ice crackles behind her! “I ain’t plannin’ on hanging here all day!”Deal Part 1, you begin, staring her down like a hawk eyeing a field mouse, you wanna know more about the SPICE CARTEL! Speak! The shishkabob'd scoundrel answers you with a derisive snort! And a laugh! Ouch!“Fuuuuck that! Jus’ kill me now–it’d be a mercy!” Boss snickers! “Anton the Undyin’... you’re new around ‘ere, ain’tcha, ya’ dumb cunt?”You know she and her pals delivered some Moleg eggs to them, you counter, matching her tone with a nasty one of your own! You want DEETS! The hand you play silences the Mzz’goe’virr’s laughter and replaces it with a wary stare.“How the fuck do you know that?”Because she just told you! HA! Gotcha! You raise your hand for Volka or TT to high-five, but neither of them are close enough. Where IS TT anyways?“Fine,” grumbles your criminal captive as she rolls five of her six eyes, “Fuck do I care if they skin ya alive? Stupid bastard…” Spitting another caustic gob onto the floor next to you, Boss stretches her back and begins to spill the proverbial ‘beans’!“Rolo runs most’a the rackets in Crossroads–not that that’s privileged information, mind. Spicys have a claw in all the big-time establishments in Gold Town. Spicys run their own security, so they don’t get many visits from the Law–followin’ so far?”Yes, you nod, very educational.“Fuckin’ wiseass…” Hisses the boss with another crack of her back! “Anywho, Rolo got word of some Moleg bitch with fresh eggs, so he hired us ta’ do the wetwork.”Why not just have his own goons do it? Your question earns you another spit wad on your shield! Rude!“Keeps his claws clean, that’s why!” The Boss answers as she puffs out her chest with pride! “An’ he knows the Icers get the job done, so there’s that!”Yea, you scoff, they sure showed you...“Laugh it up, whelp… stick around til’ the ice melts an’ see what happens!”This place they delivered the eggs to, you continue with a frown, what does she know about it?“Fuck all. They picked the eggs up from us, took it somewhere called THE COMEBACK CANTINA. Thas’ it.”>CONTD.
>>6150982Baloney, you shout! That’s ALL she knows!? What about entrances? Guards?“I. Don’t. KNOW!” Snarls your conversation partner as a few chunks of ice tumble to the ground! “They keep things vague!”Why, because they think she’s stupid? THAT little remark nearly gets your face bitten off!“It’s for SECURITY, you dumb cunt! Like if, for example, I get captured by the Counters or some upstart two-eyed magic-slinging PRICK I won’t be able ta’ tell them anything! Get the picture!?”Fine, you sigh, can she at least tell you, like, the name of the guy that picked the merch up?“RIISII.” She growls, “Silent, by-the-books type. Chytree fella.”You respond to the new intel by pacing around a bit. It’s not the windfall of information you hoped for, but it’s something… okay, you shrug, anything else she wants to share? Last chance.“Yea,” Boss nods, “You. Are. A. Cunt.” A crooked grin forms under her shiny blue eyes. “Write that one down, yea?”She can write it down and give it to you later, you reply with a smug grin of your own, because she and her merry band of misfits are about to have a little career change!The Mzz’goe’virr leans closer. “Oh yea? To what? Spinners?”Even better, you begin, they’re gonna give back to the community by joining THE LAM-The word ‘The’ barely leaves your lips before your Grand Marshall scampers over with uncharacteristic and frankly frightening agility! Skidding to a halt right next to you, Volka clasps a claw the size of your head over, well, your head! “The lamp IS a little dim, isn’t it, Ant? Let’s uh… would you excuse us for a moment, please?”“Course!” Smirks your pinned prey, “Take all the time ya’ like…”Leading you a few steps away so as not to give anyone a chance to make a break for it, Volka wraps her tail around you and gives you a long, hard stare! Errr, something in your teeth?“I’ll make it quick since we’re in a tight spot, Ant:” The Skog begins in a very un-jovial tone, “I appreciate what you’re doing an’ all, but we can NOT have them in The Lamplighters!”>CONTD.
>>6150984One of your eyebrows slowly scales your forehead. She accepted Alton, you counter! Why can’t these guys join?“Because a few minutes ago they were ready ta’ chisel a man’s parts off!” She replies in a hushed, but stern voice! “I get that you’re new an’ all, but give it to me straight, Ant: do…” The Marshall pauses to bite her lip as she prepares for your answer, “Do you think I’m trying to run some kind of… press gang?”N-no, you reply with an apologetic shake of your head, you jus-“Because I know your heart’s in the right place, Rook,” She continues in a softer tone, “But I don’t know if your head is. I…” Another pause, this one punctuated with a deep breath, “I don’t recruit just anyone, Ant–I choose people that I tru-” Clamming up mid-word, the Skog shifts her gaze to the side with an uncomfortable laugh! “Err, that I think won’t muck it up! So…”As her eyes wander back over to yours, Volka concludes her argument with a shrug. “Just… do you think they’d be a good addition? Truly?”What say ye?>Absolutely!>We won’t know unless we try!>No… Maybe jail’s the place, huh?>Nope… but they might cause trouble if we let them leave…>She’s right–it’s her organization, she should make the decision!>Write-In!
>>6150985>Its not necessarily permanent, if they slack off or go back to crime I will handle it. Absorbing the Icers makes sure another gang doesn't come to fill the void.>You like to think people can change, don't they at least deserve a chance?
>>6150985>Finding ways to make people do better should be the real goal of every organization.>Would they have a better chance of that with us, or in jail? Serious question, we have no idea what jail is like here.It’sLet her decidebut asking questions along the way. Maybe they have extensive rehabilitation programs attached to their jails. I doubt it, but I’m willing to be surprised.
>>6150985>Nope… but they might cause trouble if we let them leave…
>>6150985>>Nope… but they might cause trouble if we let them leave…
>>6150985>Offer them redemption by acting as a diversion while we heist the eggs back.>If they do that, they'll prove that they aren't that bad and will earn some clemency.>But someone will need to be there to chaperone them
>>6151276What if they tip the spicers off instead, that is just creating more factors for failure in our mission, we already have TT who could do something like that and we have been working with her for longer
>>6150985>Nope… but they might cause trouble if we let them leave…The Boss in particular is a total bitch, but her subordinates might be misguided more than evil. At the very least, what >>6151000 and >>6151276 said:>Its not necessarily permanent, if they slack off or go back to crime we'll will handle it. Absorbing the Icers makes sure another gang doesn't come to fill the void.but>She’s right–it’s her organization, she should make the decision!If she thinks jail's the better bet and that the area around here will be okay, then she knows best. We're new here.
>>6151000>>6151052>>6151098>>6151146>>6151152>>6151341>Not really, but we can work with them and kick their asses if they mess around! Also does jail suck here orI'm gonna pool these together since it seems like we're gravitating towards the same answer, albeit for different reasons! Excellent ideas, alley cats!>>6151276>They can help in the heist!>But we need chaperonesLooks like the vote went another way, anon, but don't fret--plenty more decisions where that came from! Writing!
You open your mouth to answer, but your response gets caught in your throat like a rogue chicken bone. Can you respond ‘yes’ to her question? Certainly. Can you respond ‘yes’ when she added that ‘truly’ at the end of her sentence?Maybe not. In truth you hadn’t really considered the long-term ramifications of loading up Volka’s band of City Scouts with dangerous criminals, but perhaps that was because you were taken by the idea behind it… the possibility of giving back to the community! Yea… that just might work, actually…Taking a steadying breath, you respond to the Marshall with a confident ‘No!’ Buuut, you add as the Skog shoots you a bewildered glance, does she think they can’t BECOME a good addition? Truly?Now it’s her turn to choke on the metaphorical chicken bone! “Well,” She begins, her expression betraying her uncertainty, “We do have an ex-bandit on the team, but-”Well there she has it then, you interject! When the only alternatives are jail or death, isn’t this what the Lamplighters are all about? The community?“I… I see your point, Ant-”Daring to give the girl’s tail a gentle pat, you give her a reassuring smile as she continues to look perplexed. She said before that everyone deserves a second chance…Any ammo left in Volka’s argument fizzles as your words hit her… does she have ears?“... You’re right.” She sighs, her tail flopping against the ground like a rubber gavel. “Hells, here I am spouting off about ‘second chances’, but I can’t even give one ta’ people who might really benefit from it…” A sheepish grin forms on her face. “Some leader I am, huh?”Well go ahead, you reply, stepping aside for the Skog to pass, give it to ‘em! With a grateful nod and renewed confidence in her mighty stride, Volka approaches Boss with nothing but business in her yellow eyes!“Hells…” Groans her would-be recruit, “Now the pet Skog’s gonna give it a go? Spare me…”“Right, you:” Snarls the ‘pet Skog’ with the composure and kindness of a hungover drill sergeant, “Say goodbye to your old life, cuz’ it’s over.”“‘Zat right?” Snickers Boss as she leans closer to Volka, “So sure are you, tusks?”“I’m certain.” ‘Tusks’ replies, “Your life of crime is done–now ya’ gotta’ make a choice: finish things here, or start with a clean slate!”“Clean slate, ey?” Frowns the quasi-dead Boss, “An’ how d’ya suppose that’ll work?”“Simple:” Volka smiles, “You and your remaining crew will join THE LAMPLIGHTERS! Give back to your community an-”The pitch is deftly shot down by a long, derisive laugh!>CONTD.
>>6151537“Th-those whistle-carryin’ cunts!?” Wheezes the Boss, the ice holding her aloft crackling from the sheer force of laughter, “D’ya know how many of ‘em me an’ mine killed? Only stopped cuz’ they never carried anything good on ‘em! Fuckin’ wastes of a-”The word ‘of’ barely leaves the Mzz’goe’virr’s lips when Volka RIPS the criminal from her icy perch and slams her onto the bricks with a resounding THUD!“Maybe I wasn’t clear:” Snarls the Skog as she holds the fairly-rattled recruit aloft, “Start a new chapter with us… or end it right here.” A low, rumbling growl emanates from the girl’s throat as she brings the Boss’s face closer to hers! “Chop. Chop.”“Hey… you just gonna let her do this? Huh?!” You answer the Boss’ question with a shrug. What’s it gonna be, huh?A moment that feels like an hour drifts through the alleyway before the Mzz’goe’virr makes her move. Seeing her lurch in Volka’s grasp, you’re one second away from lighting her up like a Christmas Tree when she lets loose a defeated sigh!“Fuck it all, fine... you win this one, you smug bastards…”“W-wait a minute!”“B-Boss-”“I said they WIN, godsdamnit!” Snarls the ex-Boss to her ex-subordinates! “Can’t be any worse than the Clank…”“Welcome to the team!” Chirps Volka, her demeanor doing a 180 degree turn into her usual chipperness! “Got a meeting tonight at BATTLE’S END TAVERN– I’ll give ya’ the details there!”The new recruit replies with a derisive snort! “Oh sure, princess... an’ what’s stoppin’ me from cuttin’ an’ running, ey?”“Hmm…” The Skog makes a show of pondering the question before answering in a firm, but bubbly manner: “That jewelry you’ve got jingling around your neck. Give it here.” Before the Boss can protest, a faint ‘SNAP’ rings out across the alley as Volka relieves her of her possession!“OI!” Snarls the thievee, “THAT’S MINE, YOU CU-”“Swing by the tavern tonight and you’ll get it back~” Smirks the Skog with a wink! “Oh, an’ I’ll need your name…”“She’s ‘BOSS’!” The blue-eyed Chytree chimes in! “And don’t you forget i-”“VUUSE…” Groans the aforementioned Boss, “My name… is Vuuse…”“Huh…” Mutters the magenta-eyed mook, “I always thought she looked like a ‘Fruusi’...”“Nice to make your acquaintance, Vuuse!” Volka replies as she puts her down on the ground, “I’m Volka! We’ll do the rest of the introductions later!”“Fucking Hells…” Wiping some unseen dirt and frost off of her, the Mzz’goe’virr stares daggers your way. “Oi teammate--your eyes are blue now. Why?”You’ll tell her later, you respond flatly! Can she stay outta trouble until tonight?>CONTD.
>>6151538“Guess we’ll see, won’t we?” She counters as Tiro and Sino rush to her flanks! “I’ll be getting that necklace back, Tusks…” Vuuse adds with a menacing glimmer in her eye! “Count on it…”“Battle’s End Tavern,” Volka smiles, “Seeya there.”With one last glance, the ex-Icers slink into the darkness with their proverbial, and maybe literal, tails between their legs! Waiting a few moments to ensure they’ve departed, the Skog nearly stumbles over herself and takes a deep, steadying breath!“HELLS, Ant…” She wheezes, her eyes wide as her tail rushes to keep her balanced, “That… that could have gone FAR worse…”“I’ll say!” You nearly sling what little ice magic remains in your shield at the sudden voice, but you barely manage to stop yourself when you see the green eyes it’s attached to! Where the heck was she!?“Chasin’ the guy they trapped.” TT shrugs, “He got away, but he dropped this. Catch!”You catch it alright–with your face. Grumbling as you struggle to pick up the credit card-sized metal object hucked your way by the Spinner, you frown as, like everything else in this damn world, you fail to comprehend the intricate divots and bumps on the surface!“Here, lemme see…” Reaching over your shoulder and taking the metal, Volka’s face scrunches up as she reads its contents aloud. “KARSTEN’S CLOCKS: My grandfather’s clock needs a new gear: Tallerite with five notches…”“Hate ta’ spoil the mystique of it all, but I’m betting it’s a code.” Leaning against your hip, the Durher looks up at you and smiles. “When it rains it pours, ey, Anton the Undying?”She can say that again, you groan! You’ll be lucky if you get home in a few years at this rate!“W-we can still get you there!”“Yea!”Scurrying out from behind a nearby wall like frightened kittens, Vilah and Dilah watch you with bulging eyes as they approach!“You um… you still want to leave the district, right?” Dilah asks as she shoots her sister an uncertain glance!“No problem! A-and it’s on the house!” Vilah adds, her eyes shifting between your face and your now-extinguished fingertips! “Our treat, m-mister!”With the situation more or less handled, you decide to:>Gab with the Guides. For FREE?>Speak with the Spinner! TT!>Vocalize with the Volka!>Just head to Gold Town already!>Let’s stop by Ma’s Place first…>Write-In!
>>6151541>Gab with the Guides. For FREE?>Nah, we'll still pay them. We insist!:( The kittens are scared of us. This tragedy will not stand!Then...>Just head to Gold Town already!Also, we've definitely hovered more around TT's moral level than Volka's, even fi we're somewhere more in the middle, huh? Between that and ho much she's clearly into us, I think TT might end up being bestgirl after all.
>>6151541>>6151545 +1
>>6151541>If they want to be generous, we’ll accept a reduced rate on behalf of the Lamplighters. Can’t expect any group that works for absolutely nothing to last long!Yes Volka, I’m calling you out. The money can go to equipment to keep recruits safer at least!>Gab with the Guides. For FREE?>Vocalize with the Volka!See if we can loop the guides and Volka into talking more. Might be able to use the kids as a small network for steering business towards Lamplighters through Ma. They get a small commission when the jobs are completed, Volka gets more work where the help is really needed. The pay will never be great but we know Volka wouldn’t care.
>>6151545+1
>>6151545>>6151626>>6151847>Nah dude don't cry here have some money>GO FOR THE GOLD!>>6151789>Reduced rate for THE LAMPLIGHTERRRSSS>Volka, play nice with the kiddosHad a bit of a late start today and I'm tired as hell--might hold off on this next update til' tomorrow, but we'll see. Sorry for the wait, folks! Feelin' funky ever since I made it home... Have a Volka as a shitty apology until then!
>>6152086No worries, take your time.
Guess what fuckersWe writin
You start by staring down the guide gals, because they’re acting mighty fishy right now! Abruptly waiving their fee? Weiiiirrd….“What’s weird!? Nothing’s weird!” Sputters Vilah as her one-eyed associate nods profusely! “J-just, y-know… wouldn’t want to b-BURN any b-bridges…”“Welp,” Sighs TT as she shoots you a ‘what-can-ya-do’ glance, “If they really want us to hold on to our hard-earned bells, well-“Stop it, you.” Chides your yellow-eyed friend as she crosses over to the kiddos with her usual brand of moral fiber, “Don’t worry, kids–Ant’s one of the good guys. He ain’t gonna hurtcha!”Yea, you add with a reassuring grin, besides, you barely know how to control that stuff at all, so-The glare Volka gives you tells you that you should stop your explanation right there, so you do. Handling the tike’s toll like a handful of deadly, sleeping spiders, you place their fee on the ground in front of them and just kinda slither away so that they can pick it up!PASTEBIN UPDATED! TOTAL BELLS:394!Right, you sigh, any chance they can get you to the edge of the district? It’s about time you checked out this ‘Gold Town’...“N-no problem at all!” The guides reply as the money swiftly kicks their fears to the curb! “Follow us~”As much as you’d love to say the trip out of the Rags was more pleasant with Vuuse and the Icers dealt with, the whole burg seems to remain woefully impassive towards your actions: Broken glass, hasty footsteps further down the road, the occasional snarl… you only really feel free when your lungs no longer tremble under the burnt, rotten mixture stuffing itself down your airways! “And that’s that!” Announces Dilah with a twirl! “We’d say we hope ta’ see you again soon, but…” Vilah adds, no doubt gesturing to the hellhole behind her, “... anyways, look us up if ya’ need some help again~”“Thanks again, ladies!” Smiles Volka as she gives them both pats on the head! “An’ if yer ever lookin’ for a warm fire an’ a hot meal, just look me up at THE BATTLE’S END TAVERN, yea?”All three of the Durher Sister’s eyes widen at the thought! “Y-you mean it!?”“Sure! Ma can’t say no to street urchins! It’s her weakness!” She adds, drooping low to share a conspiratorial wink! With one last perfectly-synced ‘bye-bye~’ the girls scamper away in a smokescreen of giggles…So, you sigh, pausing for a moment to take in some fresh air, you guys think there are CLOCK STORES in Gold town?“Hah! That’d be a first!” Snickers TT as she begins tuning her Striilii! What’s so funny?“You’ll see when we get there, Ant…” She replies in a voice clearly knowing more than she lets on! “KARSTEN’S CLOCKS, right? Maybe that old coot at the Potion Shop knows...”>CONTD.
>>6152629“He’s not an old coot, he’s my POP!” Growls Volka as she barely misses Tzah-Tzie with a tail swipe! “... Ma might have an idea too…”Might be worth looking into later, you shrug. Could be a good lead!“For the eggs?” Asks the Skog as she cocks her head to the side. Nah, you reply, just seemed weird, is all! You’ve got a nose for these things! Letting TT lead the way this time around, you follow the idle strumming from her instrument as the road around you starts to grow a little more… active.You had the lion’s share of the path when you escaped the Rags, but as you delve deeper into Crossroad’s belly you find yourself getting squeezed like toothpaste out of a tube as pedestrians and wagons choke the thoroughfare! Shouted commands, frantic discussions, creaking wheels, and chittering livestock–all of it nearly makes you yank off your Ring of Echos as you continue towards what you hope is your destination!“Guess word’s got around about the Chairman…” Whistles TT as a pack of pedestrians rudely shove past you! “And that Comet…”“Where’s the fire, though?” Frowns Volka as another callous commuter bounces off of her armor and into a nearby fruit cart in an attempt to shove her aside! “S’Not like anyone can leave the city, right?”“Not through the usual methods, no…” The Spinner replies with a cheeky strum of her Striilii! “But if you guys ever need a way ou-”Yea, no thanks, you interject shuddering from head to toe! You’re never setting foot near a sewer again…Speaking of sewers, it isn’t long before things start to stink, albeit in a much different way! The crowds clogging the street start to grow, for starters. While you might have been shoved once or twice by people rushing off to their own quests, you quickly find yourself somewhere between a mosh pit and a department store on Black Friday! Buffeted by meandering merry-makers hooting and hollering in your ears, the cacophony is only barely drowned out by the sound of windchimes and beaded curtains marking the entrances to the cornucopia of gambling dens and ‘playplaces’ lining the road–the latter providing its own share of noises that put a blush on your face… >CONTD.
>>6152630Amidst the smell of suds, smut, and incense, however, one odor manages to trump the rest of your senses: a persistent, spicy scent… one that seems to blend every spice rack staple you’ve ever laid nose on, and yet completely and utterly unique…“HOW ABOUT A DRINK, BUDDY!?”“GIRLS! EVERY SHAPE, EVERY SIZE!”“SENSUAL STALKRUBS! RIGHT HERE, PALLY!”You nearly clock the first Barker in the face, but as the sound of shouted advertisements slowly begins to blend together, you almost manage to hear yourself think… for a second.“Therrre’s my man!” Growls a Mox covered in what sounds like a SUIT of bangles, “Wanna feel good, boss? I betcha’ do, bright-eyes!”Ha ha, well you do like feeling good-Your eyes nearly remain with the barker as something thick and leathery sweeps you away! “Hop lively, Rook, the Rags wishes it could sink its teeth inta’ ya like Gold Town can…” Ushering you close as she bores a trail through the pedestrian-choked streets, Volka tsks as a drunken Durher stumbles into her leg! “Ssshhhorrry, doll…”Man, you remark as he half-stumbles, half-passes out to the side, that’s a guy who looks like he’s feeling good!“Eyes on the prize, Ant,” Warns Tzah-Tzie as she gives up on playing her instrument, “If you’re not careful this place will-”“ALL YER’ CAN EAT AN’ DRINK FER’ THE RESTA THE NIGHT! DOOBLO DUMPLINGS HOTTER ‘N HELLS! FUTSKAA FLOWIN’ LIKE A GODDAMN WATERFALL! GETTEM’ HERE!”“MACHINES! TABLES! WE GOT ‘EM ALL! FIRST HUNDRED TOKENS ARE FREE, FOLKS! I ONLY GOT A FEW LEFT!”Your would-be guides crumble like wet papier-mache hearing the siren’s call of their respective vices. Practically levitating off their feet, Volka and Tzah-Tzie start to drift away as you too consider learning what a ‘SWOOS LOUNGE’ is!>Roll me 1d100-4 (+3 FOR THE KIDS!, -5 TT and Volka Charmed, -2 What’s a Swoos Lounge?) TO GET A GRIP! Best of 3!PASTEBIN UPDATED!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA
Rolled 45 - 4 (1d100 - 4)>>6152631
Rolled 22 - 4 (1d100 - 4)>>6152631
>>6152661>>6152673
Rolled 49 - 4 (1d100 - 4)>>6152631>Anxiety (Not a skill)I cast Anxiety!We are not in the mood to engage with strangers!
>>6152756fuck
>>6152661>>6152673>>6152756SHIIIIIIETTTT, WE ARE GOING TO END UP MUGGED, STABBED OR BOTH!
>>6152873The eggs are toast...
>>6152661>>6152673>>6152756>HIGHEST ROLL: 45!YOW! WRITING!>>6152756Anxiety cast! Oh fuck it made things worse!>>6152873These are all good ideas! Thanks, anon!>>6152936Eggstinct....
Your already tenuous grasp on the situation goes pear-shaped as your two companions drift away from you like a cartoon rat after a hunk of cheese! You can’t really blame yourself for losing TT, of course–the girl’s like a hyperactive toddler with a gambling addiction, but you can’t help but smack yourself upside the head as you somehow manage to lose Volka! Girl’s bigger than a FRIDGE!With all the care and composure of an explorer trying to hack his way through jungle brush to escape a tiger, you burrow as quickly as you can through the crowd in an attempt to track your pals down! Try as you might, and you try pretty damn hard, mind, you feel a pit grow in your stomach as you realize just how difficult it’s gonna be to single out two people in a crowd… in perpetual darkness!Why couldn’t you have been whisked away to, like, a beach dimension or something? Or one with monster trucks? SHOOT…Giving your face a few steadying smacks, you do your damndest to pull yourself together! It’s okay, you think as someone spills their drink on your head, just gotta take command of the situation… and you know exactly where to start!“Welcome to the DIAMOND DUST, sir: finest Swoos Lounge on the Golden Mile… Have you visited us before?”It takes you a moment to answer the question from the pair of sunken eyes lurking in the corner of the room. Y-yea, you stammer, each syllable allowing a thick gulp of the pungent incense blanketing the establishment into your already-parched mouth, er, no, it’s your first time…“No trouble at all, sir,” Purrs the deep, but amicable voice as you hear some kind of drawer open beneath its owner, “As a newcomer we offer the first ten minutes of a private session free of charge–tell me, do you have a preference?”You open your mouth to tell him you’re just browsing, but a well-timed plume of incense and your damned ANXIETY deftly parry your attempt! Erk, you wheeze, P-preference…?“Male. Female. Non…” Recites the receptionist in a tone reserved for service industry workers who have asked the question thousands of times, “Skog, Durher, Moleg, Gnok… our Zetsi specialist is out today and our Viitii are all busy… but I’m certain we can accommodate any taste you might have, sir.”W-well, uh…CHOICE 1:>Male>Female>Uh… Non?CHOICE 2:>Skog>Durher>Moleg>Gnok
>>6153008>Female>Gnok'Cause that's what we're supposed to be, right? A gnok?
>>6153008>Female >Durher*audiblewink.jpg*
>>6153008>Female>Durher...Cat girls? Me, i want to go the route of TT, so better establish his cat girl tastes.>>6153010He's asking our preference, not what we are, right?
>>6153014>He's asking our preference, not what we are, right?Helps sell the lie, though.
>>6153055This is a hoe house, the fact that they have all these different specializations means different preferences aren't seen as weird at all.
>>6153008>Female>Whichever gal has the biggest breasts!Go on, ass-men. Fight me. I won't lose, not to anyone.
>>6153057A true breast lover loves breasts of all sizes, and his favorites are from the woman he loves.Since we don't love any of the hoes, I'll settle for the same species.
>>6153061Are you sayin' you're switching to another species, my man? Might put this update off til tomorrow regardless, but just thought I'd ask to clarify. At the moment by my count we have:>>6153013>>6153014>Durher Lass>>6153010>Gnok Lass>>6153057>Ta-TasLemme know and I'll lock 'er in!>>6153056>Hoe HouseUh it's a fucking SWOOS Lounge my dude please try to pay attention
>>6153061If I had a nickel for every time I heard this argument, I'd be the richest man on earth. Don't you know that a master of one beats a master of none? I'm a SPECIALIST, son. And that specialty is BIG, JUICY, FAT FUCKIN TITTIES. You can cry about small titties all day, it won't affect me even a little! You fuckin fence-sitters will never feel even a trillionth of the love I feel for big boobs.
>>6153108I applaud this anon's passion, and change my (>>6153010) vote to back >Female>Whichever gal has the biggest breasts!which will inevitably be skog
>>6153111You never know! It might be Massive Moleg Mammaries. Or we could be surprised and get a Durher champion who has the greatest body-to-boob ratio. That's kino in its own way.
>>6153008>Female>Gnok
>>6153014+1
Fuck me, stuff just keeps getting BUSY, folks! Will definitely update early on Saturday, but for now let's just get this tally settled and locked!>>6153013>>6153014>>6153187>DURHER>>6153057>>6153111>BOOBS>>6153143>GNOKLemme know if I fucked that up--been a long-ass day and I can't really count anymore. Will update Saturday in the early AM--thank you so much for being patient!
Well, uh, you stammer, wiping a sizable bead of sweat off your brow before it can grow any larger, are, erm… any Durher girls available? “Certainly, sir,” Nods the concierge as you steal a glance around the lobby for any sign of TT, “I’m sure we can accommodate any need you might have.”Coughing out a quiet ‘good, good…’ as if you know what you’re talking about, you find yourself in a mental quagmire: you’ve gotten this far, you think as your mind grows a little fuzzy from the enchanting aroma in the room, and no doubt your friends are ALSO engaging in some vices of their own, so… so why shouldn’t you try this place out, right? Y-you’re no better than they are when you really think about it!Sidling up next to the concierge’s desk, you swiftly scan the room one last time for your associates before adding in a hushed tone: and, um… c-could he also hook you up with a girl with, uh… big breasts...“No trouble at all,” Nods the Gnok Lobbyman with nary a hint of surprise or judgement in his measured tone. “As I said, sir: we aim to please.” Tapping away at an unseen tablet for a moment, your helper steps down from his perch behind the counter and opens up a door leading deeper into the establishment!“Right this way, sir,” He purrs, leading you down a hallway choked with warm, pleasant-smelling condensation. Your mind drifts to memories of the indoor swimming pool at your old rec center–the inviting humidity distracting you from the burn of stale chlorine in your eyes and nostrils. Leading you through a maze of corridors, the concierge maintains his rigid professionalism even as you overhear muffled voices from behind closed doors…“Here you are, sir,” He announces as he comes to a halt in front of a door marked with a rough rug, “Payment is due upon leaving the room, the establishment waives all responsibility for any issues that may arise, treat our employees with respect and kindness, and please know that you may choose to remain anonymous for the session: discretion is key and the customer is king here at the Diamond Dust.”Before you can respond, the Gnok gives the door a series of firm, but gentle knocks, prompting a muffled confirmation from within. “I shall collect you in half an hour, sir.” Punctuating his sentence with a polite bow, the concierge opens the door for you, sending a wave of incense washing over your face!>CONTD.
>>6153766As you take a few tentative steps inside the room, a sense of dreamlike comfort settles into your head akin to having your mind padded with cotton balls… drops of warm, pleasant-smelling liquid fall from the low ceiling onto your face and nose as a thick blanket of humidity wraps around your robes and armor. The room itself feels barely bigger than a sauna, and as you proceed deeper along the polished tile floor, you nearly trip head over heels into a toasty pool dominating the center of the chamber!“Woah, easy now…”A voice silky as, well… silk caresses your ears as you feel a gentle arm wrap around your waist and guide you to a cushioned seat bordering the pool. “That’s it… just relax, sir…”Her voice is low, but reassuring–like a lover’s who had just woken up. Crackly, but inviting. Gossamer fabric tickles your side as the Durher lets you lean against her–her golden, half-lidded eyes putting you at ease as you feel a, uh, ample set of assets holding you steady.“So…” she purrs as you clear your throat of a particularly heavy gulp of incense, “How can I help you relax, sir?”>What’s uh, her name?>This is your first time here…>Lotta incense here…>What’s with the pool?>Wanna, uh… snuggle?>Does she, like, sing, or do any cool stuff?>Yyyyea I actually gotta go–my bad!>Write-In!
>>6153768>This is your first time here…Catgirls...
>>6153768>This is your first time here…Panic! Panic at the Swoos Lounge!
>>6153768>This is your first time here…>Write in ("look i'm about five seconds away from having a panic attack please be gentle.")
>>6153768>This is your first time here…
>>6153768>Yyyyea I actually gotta go–my bad!>>6153777>Panic! Panic at the Swoos Lounge!+1
>>6153770>>6153777>>6153778>>6153790>I-IT'S MY FIRST TIIIIIME>>6153778>Write-In: Pwuease be gendle /:333>>6153816>IFORGOTTODOSOMETHIIIIINGWriting!
Whether it’s her soothing, almost whispered tone of voice, her massive bazongas pressing into your side, the pleasant aroma around you or just all three you’ll never know, but you allow yourself to sink into the seat a bit and be frank with the girl.Look, you mutter, taking in a deep breath of the humid air as a pleasant fog drapes over your worried head, it’s… it’s your first time to a Swoos, uh, thing, so…Your declaration is met with a hushed giggle. “I can tell… but that’s okay–everyone reacts differently to the Swoos at first. Just leave the worrying to me, okay?”The attendant gives you a reassuring smile as she traces a line across your shoulders with a well-manicured claw. “How about we get you into the water? That’ll clear you up…” Leaving you with a wink, the girl removes her, uh, assets from your side to dip down and start working on removing your boots… Yea, about that, you stammer, rapidly blinking your eyes as they start to feel… filmy... what’s a ‘Swoos’ anyways? The tub?Your hostess pops one of your boots off as she sends another sleepy-eyed glance your way. “You weren’t kidding about being new… no, they’re tiny creatures, silly! Smaller than you can see.”That’s… not what you expected, you reply, clearing your throat of mucus with a quiet apology! Are they in the water, or-“They’re what smells so good.” The attendant giggles as she manages to pry your other boot free! “Well… I shouldn’t say good--every species takes it differently.” Before you can continue, you feel a pair of gentle claws dip your feet into the tub–the warm water nibbling away at the aches and weariness of the last day or so!“... Hmmm…” If she has anything else to say, she doesn’t bring it up. Humming a soft tune to herself, the attendant pours water over your socks… “There’s plenty of room in the bath if you’d like… but you can just relax there if you want…”It takes you a moment to respond–the fog in your head has grown into a full-blown miasma.What… what do?>Name?>Let her>Rest>Snuggle>Water>Sing>Go>Write
>>6153912>Let her
>>6153912>Name?>Snuggle.
>>6153912>Name?>Water>Let herL-let her what?
>>6153923Let her SWOOCE right in.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNJvcpMOzQ
>>6153925>we get pegged by a busty catgirl in a strange bacteria-filled alien hot tub
>>6153912Oooh, I just don't know. It's *reeeeally* tempting to let her, but at the same time, wouldn't that be a bit of a betrayal to TT? She did say she'd be willing to do stuff with us once we got some alone time. The last thing i want is for her to like, smell this girl on us and feel totally betrayed.Gee, I dunno.
Goddamn it you horndogs I'm gonna make it clear right now that 'Let Her' doesn't mean hanky-panky.
>>6153933Hey, the point about TT smelling her on us works even if we just vote for snuggles.
>>6153933Lets just see what happens :)
>>6153912Anyway, I almost forgot,>Name?>Water>Let her
>>6153933The question is what does ANTON think is happening here?
>>6153918>>6153923>>6153943>LET HER>>6153921>>6153923>>6153943>NAME?>>6153921>SNUGGLE>>6153923>>6153943>WATERWritinggggg
A weak ‘sure’ escapes your lips as you find it difficult to sit up, the poor girl interpreting the request with a pitying smile. “Never seen a Gnok react this heavily to the Swoos before… you okay, hon?” She asks as she begins the daunting task of removing your ROBE! “Just let Reesmi take care of you…”You parrot her name as the attendant tries her damndest to roll your robe up over your face. Thanks…“No need to thank me, sir… it’s what I do~” Giggling at her response, Reesmi gently lowers you into the water–the warmth now spreading from the water all over your body. You could… you could stay here forever…“Wouldn’t recommend it unless you’ve got a lot of bells!” She chirps as she lowers herself into the bath next to you and begins kneading your shoulders like dough! “How’s that feel, hmm?”Heavenly, you purr as Reesmi’s claws dive deep into your muscles, you… you barely feel anything anymore…“Hmm…” She muses, “Usually Gnoks feel warm and fuzzy…” Pausing mid-massage, the attendant wades in front of you to examine your eyes. “Funny…”Your mouth just barely manages to creak open as every action you take comes inDelayed…Huh?“Must be allergies…” Reesmi remarks as she takes some water and brushes your cheek with it, “But don’t mind me, sir… just take it easy…”>Swoos>Relax>Wri
>>6153969>Wri
>>6153969>Swoos
>>6153969>Swoos>>6153971I THINK "Wri" may be "Write-in!" gradually melting away due to swoos intoxication.
>>6153987Oh, in that case.>>6153971>Wri (Swooce.)
>>6153973>>6153987>SWOOS>>6153990>SWOOCEWe writinnnnn
Hold on the swoos is what there lot questioning you need not too good outside get a breath TT Volka are whats
Every syllable takes a little bit more out of you until there’s nothing left… you’re hollow. A husk drifting through a kelp forest at the bottom of the sea that is…Well, wherever you are.Your senses return to you one by one like switches in a fusebox. Flick. Your skin bristles at the deathly chill gnawing at its exterior.Flick. Your nose takes in a colossal breath of air–bigger than you. Bigger than a whale… and in that life-giving gasp you catch a whiff of something familiar…Tobacco…Flick.“For they marked the spot…. Where his bones were lain…”The voice crackles and rumbles like a thunderstorm on the horizon… and yet it’s gentle. Mournful.“Fling a handful of roses… o’er his grave…”Nostalgic. Like the wailings of a businessman marinating in a sweat-filled suit reeking of cheap booze at a karaoke night. You can’t tear your ears away.“With a prayer to God… his soul to… save…”For the first time in hours, you see a shape–red as an ember on a BBQ and flickering like a candle in the breeze. Every blink you make just fuzzes the image even more, but once you piece things together you can’t unsee what you see: A cowboy–hat and all–smoking a cigarette without a care in the world. Though you can’t seem to discern his face beneath the shadow of his lid’s brim, you know he’s smiling at you.“Bad luck, kid,” He remarks like a father comforting a son after a lost little league game, “You lasted a few hands an’ that’s better’n most, but…” A fresh plume of crimson smoke coats the room. “Well, ya can’t blame the game, now can ya?”It takes you a minute to remember how to speak–your sluggish jaw now limber and ready to gab. What’s… where are we?“The end of the trail, so to speak,” Replies the man in red as he shakes his head with a disappointed sigh, “Game’s over, kid–you’re bust.”The man looks skyward–his cigarette smoke drifting high above your head into the wild black yonder. “An’ just when the night was getting started…”What say ye?>Seriously, what happened?>Who ARE you?>Can I have a smoke?>Can you help me?>Where are my pals?>Write-In!
>>6154026>Who ARE you?>Can I have a smoke?
>>6154026>Seriously, what happened?What, was the swooce poisonous to us or something?
>>6154029>>6154035>Who ARE you!?>What Happened Though!?>Smoke?Let's just do 'em all, what the hell! Writing
You’re dying to further investigate what the hell this guy means by the game being over, especially when two minutes ago you were getting bathed by a well-endowed Durher, but that and the rest of your concerns take a knee while you focus on the most pressing question you have:Who the HELL is he and why can you SEE him!?“No one of consequence, really,” Chuckles the man who is most definitely someone of consequence, “I’ve never been one for formalities and this is hardly a formal meeting, so for the time being you can call me RED. Charmed, I’m sure.”Yea, it’s a real treat, you reply as ‘RED’ takes another drag from his cigarette, but seriously: who is he?“The question you’re asking, kid, isn’t who I am,” He drawls, exhaling another red cloud into the abyss, “But why I’m here.” Crossing one leg over the other, the crimson caballero leans back in his unseen seat. “As it happens, I’m here to collect.”You open your mouth to take a guess at what he means when the cowpoke beats you to it! “Y’see, son, those… powers... you’ve been using… you’re a smart enough kid to understand they didn’t just fall out of an apple tree…”You got them when you arrived, you nod, well, you didn’t know you had them until you torched some local wildlife, but-Your eyes nearly leap from your skull as you connect the dots. He… he’s-“Not a local, far from it!” Replies Red with a raspy, coughing laugh! “Here’s the thing, Anton–and let me just say I LOVE what you’ve been up to since you blew into town–sowing chaos, gathering damsels, charging windmills… entertaining to a fault, really!”You feel sensation return to your extremities. But?“But as all roads lead to Rome, amicus, all of my power, well…” He jabs his cigarette at you, “It all comes back to me. Like a bad penny.”Look, you stammer as you feel the proverbial ‘walls’ closing in around you, you never ASKED for his powers! Hell, they were pretty much FOISTED onto you! Th-there’s this other chick from where he’s from->CONTD.
>>6154169Your protest is cut short when the cowpoke wags a long, gnarled claw in front of your face. “Asked or not, kid, you used ‘em… and I do so HATE to be such a stickler for the rules, but, well… it’s like buyin’ a car: the minute ya’ drive it off the lot it loses value. Can’t roll back what’s already been spent, I’m afraid. Not without some divine intervention, at least.”So what, you hiss, not realizing you had your teeth clenched, that’s… that’s it? He’s cashing in on, what, your SOUL or something? You’re… you’re not ready! You had so many plans!You can’t see any eyes under Red’s hat, but you can tell when he’s giving you a long stare.You PROBABLY had plans!“Which is precisely what makes this such a waste, friend–and look: I know appearances are what they are,” He adds as he thumbs his bolo tie, “But I really am apologetic for all this mess, truly! I’m as mad as hell too about the whole consarned thing, really!”Standing up to reveal his true, dizzying height, the cowboy flicks a spent cigarette butt into the abyss just as another poofs into his claw in a burst of flame! Can uh…He responds with a theatrical slap of his forehead! “And where did my manners scarper off to? By all means, kid. An’ let me light that for ya…”A matching cigarette appears in your hand–its tip popping into a fine cherry of smoke. Lifting the end to your lips, you take a long drag and relish the burn tickling the back of your throat!“Never was one for filters–if they’re bad for ya’ then ya’ might as well get the full experience, that’s what I say,” Red says as another raspy laugh escapes his lips. “Which is why I’m here, Ant: I’ve been keeping tabs through your eyes–seen everything you’ve seen, heard everything you’ve heard.”So why did he wait until now to say hi? The desperado shrugs. “My… pull... in this world isn’t as powerful as I’d like. Far from it!” You can almost see a twinkle under his hat where an eye would be. “So I wasn’t able to sit you down for a friendly chat until you were tuckered out, so to speak.”The swoos, you frown, what even happened there?>CONTD.
>>6154170“I’m hardly an expert on the subject,” Red explains with another puff of his cigarette, “But something in that den of debauchery didn’t sit well with your person. Small though they may be, those things handed your head to ya’, fella.”Your annoyance shifts into desperation! But… but there’s still time, right!? To not die?“I ain’t gonna sugarcoat it, kid:” Sighs the cowpoke as he takes a seat next to you, “The way I see it? You’ll be deader’n a beaver in a beartrap long before that busty beaut notices anything wrong with ya.” Letting loose a smoky sigh, the well-dressed dude drums his claws on the back of your seat. “Unless…”You lean in a little closer. Unless?“It’s, well… it’s more of a THEORY than anything else,” Red begins, “But you know all too well what can be done with that sliver of power you have of mine.” Rubbing his chin in contemplation for a moment, the cowboy snaps his claw as an idea comes to mind!“You let me take the reins, pard, and I’ll getcha’ out safe and sound!”And what, pray tell, is stopping him from just holding ON to said reins, hm? Your bolo tie-wearing benefactor crosses his heart with a claw!“On my honor I’ll hand it back to you as soon as we’re outside of the lounge.” He replies in a reassuring voice, “C’mon, kid, would I be offering you this deal if I didn’t want ya’ to live?”That depends, you frown, what’s in it for him? What’s the catch, huh?“Tch… Catch… Cynicism is alive an’ well, I see!” He scoffs, adjusting his hat to a more roguish angle! “You’re too clever for me, Ant, and I’d be a scurrilous scoundrel if I didn’t come clean about it: this bailout? Free of charge, no strings attached!”You hold your tongue as you wait for the but. Not a ‘butt’, but-“But I shall call on you down the line when things become, shall we say, a little calmer?” Adds the crimson cowpoke as he cocks his head to the side! “And I know what you’re thinking, and no: that offer will be completely optional as well! But who knows? Do right by me and you might find a little more power in your pocket, if’n you’re catchin’ my proverbial drift.”You open your mouth to respond, but your jaw suddenly becomes sluggish! Red pulls out a ticking pocketwatch from his jacket pocket and tsks!“Aw hells, time’s runnin’ out on us like a pack-a chuckwallas on a train track…” Turning his attention back towards you, you feel Red’s unseen eye burn a hole through your head!“Whaddaya’ say, pard? Help me help you?”>Yea, take the reins!>I’ll take my chances…>Write-In
>>6154173>No offense but I’ll take my chances…>After our encounter with Rezalith, we're a tiny smidge wary about making deals with strangers like that.
>>6154173>Yea, take the reins!
>>6154173>"Halfsies. You take one side of the reign, I'll take the other. I can't trust a man I've met enough to give him FULL control, even if it's just until we get out of the lounge! Maybe once I get to know you a little better, pal."
>>6154192+1
>>6154180+1>>6154179its because of her that we met Volka and TT. she did good to us, intentionally or not>>6154192>palhave some respect towards the literal demon inside our head!
>>6154192Is this an option? I'll support it if it is.
>>6154192>>6154244I said you could write-in, so this is absolutely viable! Give it a shot!
>>6154259Alright, I'll change my vite to "halvsies" too, then.
>>6154192+1YOU GET THE RIGHT SIDEI GET THE LEFT.
>>6154179>Naaaah>>6154180>Take em, hoss>>6154192>>6154229>>6154241>>6154244>>6154273>>6154275>HALFSIESWritingggg!>>6154241This anon's right! Without GLORIOUS AND MIRACULOUS QUEEN REZALITH you would never have met your favorite girlfailures!>>6154275Ah yes, the left. Anton's canonically-favorite side
You’re not exactly AGAINST it, you reply, cautiously measuring every syllable, but if he’s been able to see everything you’ve seen then he knows the last encounter you had with a demon didn’t go so hot… Your answer earns another raspy laugh from Red!“HAH! Good ole Rezzie… Chaa’tai ain’t the same without that lil’ firecracker skulking around, it’s true!” He wheezes with a shake of his head! “We’ll circle back to her later, don’t you worry…”Shouldn’t he be a little more worried? She IS their queen, aft-This time the devil nearly falls out of his seat! Doubling over in hysterics that rattle the whole… well, wherever you are, the cowpoke barely manages to stammer out a few words amidst his violent laughing fit!“Q-QUEEN!?” He chokes as his cigarette tumbles out of his claw, “H-Hells… if… if she’s a queen, pard, then I’m a PRINCESS…”With one last steadying breath, the devil reclaims his cool cowpoke aura! “Hoowee…. And lemme tell ya, kid: I ain’t THAT kinda royalty… phew… Queen… ain’t that a kick…”Anyways, you interject as you take another puff of your sinful ciggy, how about half? Red pauses in the middle of conjuring a replacement smoke to stare at you. “Half?”Half, you nod. He can the right, you’ll take the left! Y’know, for transparency!The cowboy takes you apart piece by piece with his gaze before answering with a laugh and a shake of his head!“See, I knew I liked something about you, kid: ’d be a damned waste for you to die right now…” Shrugging his broad, jacketed shoulders, the cowboy-hatted hellion confirms things with a nod!“What the hells, why not? ‘Sides, I’m all for fosterin’ more trust an’ the like…” Shaking hands, Red’s tone takes a turn for the grave.“Now how about I show ya’ what a deal with a devil is all about?>CONTD.
>>6154400A flash of red and a sensation akin to being yanked out of a car on the freeway signals your return to the world of the living: a world currently akin to lying in a motel bathtub in the dark… after a hurricane. The fog clouding your mind is gone now–in its place you feel a certain… heat. Like someone roasting your brain on a grill!“A-and h-he just st-stopped responding…” As your brain warms up, so too do your senses: every drop of condensation hitting the tile, every sniffle from your poor bath attendant… every bit of fresh air entering from the hallway through the now-open door–all of it comes in crystal clear!“Don’t worry about a thing–we’ll take care of it.” You recognize the voice almost immediately, not that his spicy cologne didn’t spoil it for you: the lobby manager stands at the distraught Durher’s side giving the girl a reassuring pat on the head as she struggles to stop sobbing!“H-he… he looked like a Gnok…” She blubbers, not bothering to glance back at your prone form, “B-but his feet felt different… A-and he was… he was reacting like a Chytree… but I didn’t think…”“Accidents happen…” Purrs the manager as he turns to face your body with a cold look in his eyes, “He’ll just… disappear, okay? He never visited.”Before you can voice your protest, an unfamiliar presence in your muscles and bones does it for you! Rising to your feet like a vampire, you feel your body puppet itself over to the manager with the posture of, well, a cowboy!“Oh! S-sir!” Stammers the Gnok, clearly just as surprised as you are about the turn of events, “W-well um, your time’s up… How uh… how do you feel?”A sardonic grin stretches across your face. “Like a new man…” Feeling your right hand jab forward, you watch in horror as your fingers penetrate through cloth, flesh, and muscle! Warmed by a fresh coat of viscera, you feel your fingers root around for a moment before something is dragged kicking and screaming from the Gnok! As his face twists and his body contorts, the bath attendant’s perpetually-sleepy stare widens in horror as you feel something seep into your blood… something GOOD!Slurping up the remaining dregs of, well, whatever that was, your co-operator retracts your hand from the concierge and shudders with delight!“Phoowee! Free-Range Souls… nothin’ quite like ‘em!” Taking a few steps over the concierge’s crumpled corpse and towards the open door, you pause in front of the cowering bath attendant and smile!“Sorry fer’ the startle, sweetheart,” You purr as she watches you with trembling, pinprick pupils, “But let me just say: your bosom and bathside manner are second only to your sunny disposition!” You give the attendant a nod and a wink before taking your leave into the hallway. “Adios!”>CONTD.
>>6154402No one hinders you as you take your leave–jury’s still out on whether that’s a good or bad thing. Whistling a jaunty tune all the while, you kick open the front door with an exultant breath of fresh, booze-scented air!“Get a taste of THAT, ey, kid?” You roar to yourself, the passerby on the street politely continuing on their way on the assumption that you’re schwasted, “Fresh air for a fresh world! Don’t get much-a that in Chaa’tai, no siree! Though I guess the burning corpses smell kinda fresh!”Laughing at his own joke, you take a few steps down the street before you take control again: Hold on, you say, startling a Mox as he staggers past, you had a deal: he had control until you left the bathhouse! Time’s up!“Well shoot, ya’ got me there…” You grumble with a defeated sigh, “But I still got a little time before my influence fades… say, why don’t I help ya’ track down those lovely lady-friends of yers? Boy, you know how to pick ‘em, Ant!”While Red’s power could certainly help you track them down, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t still a little shaken by his treatment of the lobby man… and who’s to say he isn’t just looking for more ways to stick around in your body? Seems like he can only really take over if you’re incapacitated… and even then it’s temporary…“I mean it, kid, I’ve been leafing through your thoughts a bit since I uh, took up shop, and lemme just say: utterly DEPRAVED! You’re gonna fit right in to Chaa’tai once ya’ kick the tumbleweed, ya’ sick bastard, you!”What do?>Sure, gimme a hand!>Nope, a deal’s a deal!>I have a question, actually…>Write-In!
>>6154403>Nope, a deal’s a deal!See you later, demon man. Really hope we can find a way to avoid having this guy jump in should we, say, get a private moments with TT
>>6154403>I have a question, actually…SO he's from, like, Hell? HELL Hell? Like, where people go when they die, if they're bad. And we're BAD? Like, going to Hell when we die bad??
>>6154403>Nope, a deal’s a deal!Note to self: Be careful with right hand, DO NOT headpat TT with it.
>>6154403>>Nope, a deal’s a deal!on one hand it would be very nice to use him, but he wont respect us going forward if we dont draw barriers right nowalso, we just ate the soul of a man. it would be wise to scatter.we might have not found out which species has the biggest boobs, but we do know now that Gnok feet is no good
>>6154403>Nope, a deal’s a deal!He's welcome to renegotiate the next time this happens.
>>6154403>Nope, a deal’s a deal!
>>6154407>>6154411>>6154438>>6154451>DEAL'S A DEAL, TAKE A HIKE!>>6154410>ERM, QUESTIONWriting!>>6154407RED just wants to hang out, anon!>>6154411I'm gonna make you roll to keep remembering this>>6154438Anton had the biggest boobs all along, anon!
You’re good, you reply as if declining a slice of cake at a birthday party, but you’ll be happy to talk shop with him later! Oh, and thanks again for the whole ‘saving your life’ thing!“Use those powers while ya’ can, kid,” Warns the demon as you feel your brain and blood rapidly cool back down, “Can’t get off that train you’re ridin’, but you can buy a few drinks at the bar cart!”I understand, you nod, not understanding in the least. Fading away in one last bout of raspy laughter, the hellion leaves you to your own, hopefully less-fatal devices. Like your sinful sponsor, the post-escape adrenaline leaves you high and dry and sends you tumbling to your knees in the middle of the street!Volkir was right, you think as a Moleg trips over you and hurls a curse your way, those powers of yours aren’t powered by friendship–and the guy behind them intends to collect when you shuffle off this mortal coil… with interest!Rising to your shaky legs after tripping your third drunken pedestrian, you pick a direction and start marching in hopes of running into a friendly face. Questions come down like rain drops: is this RED guy on the level? Where’s Rezalith anyways? Is there any way to weasel out of this contract?You almost consider braving Oti’s crummy attitude just to see if he could give you any answers, but before you can do anything else you’ve got a job to do… and before that you need to round up your pals!And before you do that... Stumbling along until you find something rag-like, you unceremoniously wipe your blood-soaked right hand clean and beat a hasty retreat when it turns out to be a bum’s tunic! Bracing your ears for the beating they’re about to receive, you dive into the bay of barkers again in an attempt to track down whoever sunk their proverbial ‘claws’ into your friends! If you recall correctly, Volka was suckered into an WRESTLING ARENA while TT was roped into a DANCE CLUB? Unconventional, you shrug, but-“Wha!? Is yer’ head screwed on straight, kiddo?” Grunts a passing Skog with a tusk weighed down by a gift shop’s-worth of jangling trinkets, “They were goin’ to a ALL YOU CAN EAT AN’ DRINK PLACE and a GAMBLIN’ JOINT! You really oughta’ pay better attention, ya’ know!”Shoot, he’s right! Guess the Swoos knocked you for a bigger loop than you had anticipated! You hope there’s no permanent damage…Leaving the Skog with a heartfelt thanks, you decide to tackle each girl one at a time… first up:>VOLKA!>TT!>Try to find the COMEBACK CANTINA! Maybe they’re already there!>Just wait around where you all split up like a lost child in a supermarket!>Write-In!
>>6154582>VOLKA!
>>6154582>TT!Gambling is a serious problem, so lets stop her first
>>6154582>TTIt's not a deal with the devil if you can't find out some cheeky clever way to cheat your way out of paying.
>>6154586Switching to TT.
>>6154660
>>6154582>TT!
>>6154582>VOLKA!TT will be better to rope in once we've got reinforcement
>>6154695This was my thinking.
>>6154585>>6154695>VOLKAAAAA>>6154587>>6154590>>6154627>>6154664>TT!The girlfailure has been chosen! Now for the tricky part!>Roll me 1d100-3 (+3 Follow the barker, -2 Dark, -4 Small Durher in a BIG World) to see if you can easily track her down! Best of 3!>>6154587What's the worst that can happen? :^)
Rolled 84 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6155032WATCH AND FUCKING DIENGHGHGHGHGHGHNGHGHGHGHHGHGHG
Rolled 6 - 3 (1d100 - 3)>>6155032
Rolled 92 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6155032>>6155038Its not a 1 so we are fine, but that was close anon
>>6155066>>6155037Well, thank God or Red? for you two.
>>6155037>>6155038>>6155066>HIGHEST ROLL: 95!The question is: is it a good thing you can find TT so easily in a casino, or...? Anyways, writiiiinnng~
TT, of course! Volka might be a devil for the drink and a fiend for the food, sure, but you’ve seen how much booze she can handle–the lady’s gonna be just fine!Based on what little you know about your favorite pint-sized pest, however, Gold Town and TT probably get along like ice and a deep fryer… all the more reason to wrangle her sooner!Retracing your steps as best you can after your little brush with death and a glowing cowboy, you divert all of your power to your EARS to isolate the casino barker’s voice from the rest!Okay, you can’t really do that, but you still manage to track him down–even after your little misadventure the barker remains in the same place you left him doing what he does best!“MACHINES! TABLES! WE GOT ‘EM ALL! FIRST HUNDRED TOKENS ARE FREE, FOLKS! I ONLY GOT A FEW LEFT!”Crap, he’s… he’s only got a few left! Good thing you caught him! Shoving a few passerby out of your way, you rush over to the crier and madly flail your arms like one of those inflatable things at the used car dealership! ME, you holler, MEEEE! You wanna gooooo!“Oh thank Mitaar–can barely feel my throat anymore…” Hisses the barker as he dumps a handful of metal triangles in your hand, “Place is called KIBA’S CORNER–can’t miss it!”Well uh, you stammer as you pocket 100 TOKENS, what if… what if you can miss it? The Mox barker stares at you as if you just told him you were a flesh-eating bee. For the sake of this metaphor assume this Mox knows what a bee is, okay? Thanks!“... pardon?”You uh, you can’t read, you explain with a bashful chuckle! Weird, you know… The barker still ain’t convinced.“Why don’t you just warp there like you did with the Swoos Lounge? No one questioned that.”Hey, he’s RIGHT! Gee, gotta love crappy authors, huh?“Wouldn’t be alive without ‘em!” Snickers the crier with a wink! “Anywho, I’m gonna track down a cheap Cryomancer to cool down my throat… or just mercy-kill me. Later!”Have fun!>CONTD.
>>6155094Your trek to KIBA’S CORNER isn’t even worth describing with how boring it is! Pushing your way through the saloon-style doors, you’re immediately greeted by a cornucopia of sounds and scents–tokens clicking onto tables, drunken laughter and merriment, sweet-scented water features strewn about the joint, and more rich-scented smoke than you can shake a stick at! Yowza!“Welcome to Kiba’s Corner, sir,” Grunts a posh-voiced Moleg from far above your head, “Have you played with us before?”Not exactly, you shrug, but you think a friend of yours might have wandered in here… did he se-err, hear a Durher girl slip in? Likes to play music? Kinda shifty?“Plenty,” Replies the staff member with a throaty chuckle, “But perhaps I can assist… does she have a favorite game?”You wouldn’t know even if you knew what games they played here in Zoral, but you can give it a shot… Inquiring about their attractions, you decide to check out:>Jikka Races!>Tink-Tink-Tonk!>Roll N’ Count!>Tiny Tussles!>Where do people hang out when they go bust?>Write-In a Game!
>>6155095>Tink-Tink-Tonk!TT, TTT, it tracks.
>>6155095>Tiny Tussles!TT, TT, it tracks even better
>>6155095>Tiny Tussles!And if she's not there, she'll be in the bust zone.
>>6155095>Tiny Tussles!She likes a good fight.>>6155246Agreed.
>>6155107>I TINK SHE'S AT TINK!>>6155131>>6155246>>6155354>MOVE OUR MUSCLES TOWARD THE TUSSLES!Writing!>>6155131Damn, this guy's GOOD
Given how often Tzah-Tzie gets you into fights, you decide to check out the ‘Tiny Tussles’ area! With a polite bow, the Moleg leads you across the casino floor, the patrons and staff parting before you like curtains all the while!You’re not sure what you expected–surrounded by the sound of tokens hitting tables, you come to a halt at the far end of the casino to find…Well, more tables, from the sound of it! As you breathe in the ambience of gamblers cheering at the sound of clashing metal and roaring beasts, you can’t help but sigh when you realize the reality of the situation…“Everything alright, sir?” Inquires the Moleg in an ever-so-polite tone.Yea, you shrug, you guess... you were just imagining people were gonna be, like, shrunk down and forced into gladiatorial combat is all…The Moleg stares at you like a father whose daughter just told him she wants to grow up to be a frilled-neck lizard. “No… no, why… why would we do that? That’d be a terrible business model.”You know it sounds dumb, you sigh, but… but it was just your opinion, you guess…As you wallow in your idea being shot down with extreme prejudice, you feel something TACKLE your hip as a pack of stern-eyed Skog and Moleg pit bosses stride over!“Hey, we’re not done wit-”“Oh thank HEAVENS you’re here, my love~” Purrs the bite-sized barnacle currently attached to your leg, “They’re acting so fierce over a simple misunderstanding, nyaa….”Goddamn it. GodDAMN it, you KNEW this would happen! >CONTD.
>>6155439Glaring at the painfully-familiar set of light-green eyes giving you an apologetic stare, you give Tzah-Tzie’s short hair an admittedly-rough tousle as you smile at the bouncers! What uh, what seems to be the trouble?“She is,” Grunts the leader: a Skog that could easily eat you and TT like a shrimp puff, “Caught her tryin’ ta’ leave the premises after bein’ caught with phony bells!”“I told you before, sir:” Purrs Tzah-Tzie as you feel your eye start to twitch, “I merely misplaced my wallet with a few trinkets my husband bought me!” She pauses to run a coquettish finger down your chest, “He spoils me, it’s the truth!”Ignoring the forced giggle and pleading glance TT gives you, you run your hand over your face in exasperation! Look, you groan, what’s… how can we figure this out? You just want to get her outta here! The bouncers and your escort soften up a bit, but don’t break the circle they’ve formed around you… “She owes the house 150 BELLS,” explains the lead Skog in an admirably-diplomatic voice, “As soon as we get that she’ll be good to go.”And, erm, you reply, struggling to maintain a cordial tone and not strangle the Spinner fused to your leg, “Any way that could be knocked down a bit? Fellas?”“You must be new here, so I’ll keep it simple:” Begins the Skog with a firm stare, “We run a tight ship here in Gold Town… and we take security very seriously. Pay the balance and it all gets swept under the rug. Doesn’t matter how.”With the atmosphere tense and Volka no doubt getting into her own wacky hijinks, you’re tempted to just pay the fee and dip, but you ARE in a Casino…What do?>I’ve got tokens–mind if I play a game or two first?>Just PAY!>You can hold onto her until she pays it back. She can serve drinks or something!>Lemme speak to my WIFE for a second… in PRIVATE.>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>DISTRACT ‘EM AND MAKE A RUN FOR IT!>Write-In!
>>6155441>Lemme speak to my WIFE for a second… in PRIVATE.She better have a real honeymoon-tier apology if she doesn't want to experience what marital violence is like.
>>6155441>Lemme speak to my WIFE for a second… in PRIVATE.>WRITE IN TO ABOVE: "Husband? Isn't it usually 'boyfriend'? Got something you wanna tell me, TT?" If she's going to get herself into trouble we might as well make fun of her as well.
Also, how many bells do we have again?Maybe we could like...use our tokens to help pay off the 'debt'>>6155450Better not break character in front of the casino guys.
>>6155454I mean the whole thing is we're trying to speak in 'private'. I'm not saying Anton should screech it out to the guards like a spastic. I'm just saying that if we do manage to get a private convo with herWe should jerk her chain a little bit for getting herself into this situation.
>>6155456I think we should just get to speaking privately *before* we dig into her.
>>6155457...yeah? That's what the write in's intention was?Get into private, jerk her chain after. I mean I'm fine not doing it but I feel like you're overthinking a meme write in.
>>6155462>>6155457also, we have 394 bells so 150 is a pretty hefty chunk.
>>6155454I'm a retard--you do have 100 Tokens. Those could totally be used to help pay if you exchange 'em for Bells. Think of them like Casino Chips--sorry for not explaining more!>>6155466Thank you, anon! Yep, you currently have 394 BELLS and 100 TOKENS
>>6155441>Lemme speak to my WIFE for a second… in PRIVATE.>Razz TT in private
>>6155444kek>>6155450+1after which we should bailthe last establishment we have been at, we killed a manwith that in the picture, we are showing an upwards trend
>>6155471>after which we should bailYeeeah, we don't need to raise any more attention than we already have. It's not like we're gonna waste our time gambling. It might be wiser to just use the tokens and 50 bells to pay off the debt.But we're *definitely* collecting on that debt with interest from Neco-lady over there....after we find Volka and skedaddle before someone notices the murder.
>>6155444>>6155450>>6155469>Lemme speak to the wifey!Writing!
With the Durher plastered to your leg and the Great Wall of Goons erected around you, you can’t help but feel a little… claustrophobic. Listen, you reply with a good-natured chuckle, this kind of thing happens all the time with, um… the ole’ ball an’ chain-“Weapons are not allowed on the premises, sir!” Growls the Head Skog, prompting his fellow mooks to tense up! No, no, you sputter, it’s… it’s a pet name… for the wife! Look, can–do they mind if you speak to her really quick? In private?You’ve seen glaciers move more than the Casino Security do upon making your request! You’re about to repeat it when your new friend grunts a gruff answer:“Make it quick, and don’t even think of trying to run away. I got yer’ scent…”“Yea…” Nods one of his Moleg compatriots, “Me too...”“And me…” Growls his associate with a crack of his unseen knuckles!“I got allergies, but I’ll still find ya…” Adds the last of them in a nasally, but still menacing voice!Super, you reply with a nervous laugh! Come along, dear~ dragging Tzah-Tzie along by her hood, you take a short walk over to what you think is just far enough before looking down at your blushing bride.“Okay,” she begins with a frantic look and an uncomfortable giggle, “Here’s the thing-”Yes, ’My Love’, you interject, leaning deep into the smug zone to avoid getting angry, what can dear ole’ hubby do for her? Tzah-Tzie bristles up a bit as she averts your gaze! “W-well what was I supposed to say, huh? ‘Brother? DAD?’ Look, you’re mad–totally understandable! But we can’t get hung up on the details right now–we gotta form a plan-”Oh really? What say you?>Keep teasing her! Make her sweat, if Durhers can do that!>Does she have any ideas? Good ones?>She’s about to owe you BIG TIME. How’s she gonna repay you, huh?>She got herself into this mess–why should you help her?>What the heck did she DO!?>You’ll pick her up later. She can hang with Casino Security for a bit!>Write-In!
>>6155528>She got herself into this mess–why should you help her?>She’s about to owe you BIG TIME. How’s she gonna repay you, huh?After we're done drilling into her we can just pay them the 50 bells.
>>6155528>She’s about to owe you BIG TIME. How’s she gonna repay you, huh?>Keep teasing her! Make her sweat, if Durhers can do that!
>>6155528>What the heck did she DO!?>She’s about to owe you BIG TIME. How’s she gonna repay you, huh?>Keep teasing her! Make her sweat, if Durhers can do that!Wait until she's flustered and then just pay up, like >>6155529 said. I don't actually want her to feel obligated to repay us in any weird way, but she deserves some ribbing.
>>6155563>. I don't actually want her to feel obligated to repay us in any weird way, but she deserves some ribbing.Why not? She did fuck up. If we didn't have those tokens that'd have been half our hard earned money.
>>6155566Because she's our friend.
>>6155568Well sure, but screwing over your friends is not something nice to do, and just paying it off while acting like it's no big deal incentivizes this behavior.
>>6155529>>6155538>>6155563THE TALLY:>Why Help: 1>How Repay: 3>TEASE: 2Writingggggg
No, you interject with unfiltered irritation in your tone, you’re gonna start with repayment options! The Durher’s smile sinks a bit. “Well they said they’ll take your bells-”You’re talking about her repaying YOU! In case she didn’t hear, they want you to shell out 150 BELLS to save her ass, and so far those haven’t exactly grown on trees!“I understand your frustration, Ant, but once these ballads compose themse-”So she keeps saying, you groan, but ever since she’s joined up she’s led you from one frying pan to another! It’s just… you pause to run your palm over your face as the Spinner watches with growing concern, you’re not here on vacation–you need to get home and…Your voice catches a bit as you struggle to put together your next sentence.You just… you need to get home, is all.Even on the casino floor, the area around the two of you grows quiet as the Durher stares up at you with saucer-sized eyes and a pensive expression. “I meant what I said, Ant…” She murmurs in a voice so soft you can barely hear it, “I wanna help you no matter what…”Okay, you begin, b-“A-and I know I’m a pain, okay? And I have problems, and I’m not very ladylike!” She sputters as she grabs onto your hip and shakes it, “And I know everything I say sounds like a big sham and doesn’t amount to much, but…” Pausing to swallow a lump in her throat, the girl’s voice grows a little quieter. “But I’m not lying to you when I say I wanna help… and I DO wanna see your world when you get there.”Nudging your side with her head, the girl blinks her big eyes a few times before continuing with a hopeful smile growing on her face! “This last day traveling with you has been wild–I haven’t been so inspired in ages! And I mean it when I say you’ll get a share of every bell my songs make, but if you need something in the short term, well…”Taking a deep breath, the Spinner takes a few steps back to give you a good look at her!“Then… Then name your price and I’ll pay it! Anything! ANYTHING at all! Want my Striilii? It’s yours! Need me to shut up forever? Done! That’s a Tzah-Tzie Guarantee!”Her smile falters for a moment as she awaits your offer.“J-just… just gimme another chance…”Well shoot, you were hoping she was gonna be evasive and annoying again–you didn’t expect sentiment! Ball’s in your court now, so…>Try to stay outta trouble from now on! Really try!>Does she have anything on her that can help you?>Can she be more truthful with you?>I need a friend… one I can count on no matter what.>She owes you dinner or something… just the two of you!>She doesn’t owe you anything…>A favor. You’ll call it in when you want it.>Write-In!
>>6155629>Can she be more truthful with you?How dare you interrupt my comedy routine with actual depth. I expected innuendo jokes and blowjob offers, not a talk from the heart!
>>6155629>Can she be more truthful with you?
>>6155629Oh no, she's winning the Antonbowl>Can she be more truthful with you?
>>6155629>Can she be more truthful with you?also>Try to stay outta trouble from now on! Really try!Because we aren't going to bail her out the next time, got to set proper boundaries
>>6155629>>Can she be more truthful with you?and, assuming thats legal, -1 to "Try to stay outta trouble from now on! Really try!">>6155630>How dare you interrupt my comedy routine with actual depth. I expected innuendo jokes and blowjob offers, not a talk from the heart!yeah, i think we started digging up the tip of the emotions she has regarding abandonment>>6155529>>6155472no one said one token equals one bell>inb4 they have a ration of 10:1
>>6155630>>6155643>>6155660>>6155819>>6155878>I WANT THE TRUUUUTH!>>6155819>>6155878>Also please stop getting into troubleWriting! We'll just do both--I think she's good for it! Apologies for the delay, stuff got really busy when I got home.>>6155630>How dare youI mean... there's still a chance!>>6155878>no one said token equals 1 bellIn this case they're the same value, but don't try to use 'em elsewhereeeee!>>6155660>SpoilerThe quest is still young, my dear
You give yourself a few stealthy pinches as the girl stares at you like a dog watching their master leave for work–nope, you’re not dreaming… this might actually be real! It’s not the pinches that convince you, though: hidden behind her saucer-sized eyes you sense the faint outline of a girl realizing she’s about to push someone away…This isn’t Tzah-Tzie placating you, you realize as a shiver runs down your spine, it’s the most honest she’s ever been.You’d… never ask her to shut up, you begin in a measured tone as you try not to react to the Durher trembling like the last leaf on a tree limb, but if you’re gonna be traveling together you want to get to know the real Tzah-Tzie… not the made-up version. The Spinner opens her mouth, but you cut her off! She can have her secrets, you add in a placating voice, and you’re not asking her to spill them all now, but can she at least try being a little more honest? Please?The girl’s expression tells you she had some ammo loaded for another argument, but it dies in her throat as she hangs her head and nods.“... Deal.” She replies with determination slowly creeping into her voice, “You’ve got a deal, Ant.”Tzah-Tzie’s eyes once again rise to meet yours with renewed resolve, and as the tension fades away between you two you realize you’re smiling back at her! Sharing a goofy grin for what feels like an hour, TT breaks the ice with a cheeky giggle!“Gotta say, Ant: choosing THAT when a gal offers you anything? You’re either a true gentleman or-” The girl nearly trips over her words as they die in her mouth! Or?“... or a real dork!” She snickers, though you’re not convinced she meant it. “Phew! What a relief~”Well if she’s taking additional requests, you add, crossing your arms with a furrowed brow, can she please try to stay outta trouble from now on?Your request is answered with an exaggerated ‘pssh’! “I toldja already: people call me bad luck, remember?” A sly grin forms on her face as she peeks at you out of the side of her eye! “... and you said you were pretty unlucky too, if I recall correctly… what a pair we make, huh?”Yea, about that… peeking out of the corner of your eye at the Casino Security, you send a worried glance over to TT. We still gotta deal with them.“Well you cooouuuulllllld pay them, I s’poooooose~” Begins your ‘wife’ in a tone dripping with mischief. Your neck hairs bristle. Oh no…>CONTD.
>>6156311Biting your lip, you motion for her to proceed. Orrrrrr?A Cheshire grin plasters across the Spinner’s face. “Orrrrrrrr we have ourselves a little lover’s quarrel… and as I dramatically race away you chase me to the back of the joint and out to the streets!”And just how can she be so sure there’s an exit? And that you won’t get torn to shreds by security? The devious Durher turns around for a moment and rummages around in what you assume is the front of her tunic?“You’d be surprised what they leave lying around in these places~” She chirps as she shakes what sounds like a KEY in your face! “And their conversations about back loading docks and maintenance passages… oof! So careless!”Even so, you retort, what’s stopping these guys from catching up later?“C’mon, Ant–we’re small frys! It’s not like we’re robbing them blind, sheesh!” Tzah-Tzie cocks her head to the side. “Besides, didn’tcha just say bells don’t grow on trees? We’d be breaking even!”Didn’t she say these places were run by the Spic-“Which is why we gotta do it NOW, HUBBY!”… Letting loose a long breath, you decide to…>Too risky, I’ll pay ‘em.>Let’s try it!>Can we edit your plan a little bit?>I wanna spend these tokens first…>Maybe there’s another distraction we can use?>Write-In!
>>6156313I mean...The Spice Cartel ARE our enemies...>Let’s try it!
>>6156313>Let’s try it!
>>6156313>>Let’s try it!FUCK IT WE BALLFUCK IT WE BALLFUCK IT WE BALL FUCK IT WE BALL
>>6156313>Can we edit your plan a little bit?I've got an idea. See. These guys are obviously gonna be suspicious of us. They're expecting us to leave. So instead of a "Lover's Quarrel", let's play more the role of an "Ridiculously angry husband who just found out his wife is 150 bells in debt"So, you know, less, "Come back here, my love" and more "You fucking BITCH COME BACK BACK HERE"Honestly I'd much rather just pay them but you guys have obviously chosen another path and i'd like something that has an actual chance to win
>>6156402+1
>>6156402I can back this.>>6156313>>6156345
>>6156402I like what you're putting down. Switching to support this
You know, I feel a bit hypocritical, asking TT to be hoenst and stay out of trouble given we just gave half our body to a demon, murdered a man, and are keeping that secret.
>>6156543Well, technically speaking, she didn't reveal any secrets to us yet either...
>>6156543>we just gave half our body to a demon, murdered a man, and are keeping that secret.are we? i was thinking about casually mentioning "accidently devouring the eternal soul of a man, driven by the voice inside our head" and refusing to further elaborateno, seriously, we should tell someone when the time is right
>>6156543There is a time and place for everything, we don't want spice cartel casino guards overhearing about the demon inside of us
>>6156543We should tell her when it's a good time.
>>6156543I think going "oh hey TT we murdered a man and we can no longer jerk off with our right hand because a demon lives in it" right now is like Wrong time, wrong place.
>>6156402>>6156449>>6156494>>6156538>Okay but what if I was pissed off instead>>6156347>DO IT!But I think this vote swapped? Apologies if I misread! In any case, SPLENDID. Let's 'Ball'!>Roll me 1d100+3 (+3 Mmmm Souls, +3 TT Takes the Lead, +2 Good Write-In, -2 Dark, -1 Swoos Sick, -2 Spicy Magic!) to beat a hasty retreat! Best of 3!>>6156543God forbid a man has hobbies>>6156544yfw she's revealed to be the big titty bath attendant all along>>6156576>Tell her we can't JO any morepicrel
Rolled 95 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6156716don't tell TT what JO means.....Anywho, ROLLING
Rolled 87 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6156716kek
Rolled 10 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6156716
>>6156722>>6156723>>6156736>HIGHEST ROLL: 98!Writing~
>>6156722>don't tell TT what JO meansCorrect, we should give her a hands on example instead Get it? Hands on?[/spoilee]
Okay, you say with a small nod, but you’re gonna play it mad–throw ‘em off a little, maybe make them not wanna get involved!“Don’t go easy on me now~” TT replies with a wink before making a show of backing away from you with genuine worry in her eyes! “S-sweetheart, you’re… you’re scaring me!”Oh THIS scares you, you snarl, earning a few audience members as you stomp after your ‘beau’, wait until she sees what you do NEXT!“Please… i-it w-was only a few bells, hon-” She sputters, her meek voice trembling with each syllable!It’s ALWAYS a ‘few bells’, you roar, causing the Durher to hop in genuine shock! You know what? You’re gonna teach her a LESSON! Maybe then she’ll be able to count better! A well-timed table acts as the cherry on top: harnessing every last drop of rage you can muster, you fling the furniture aside and send an avalanche of tableware and drinks crashing to the floor!All eyes in the crowd fall on you now–some mortified, others sizing you up for a scrap! Not one to miss seizing an opportunity, Tzah-Tzie bolts into the crowd and begins the chase! Shoving aside a would-be hero in your way, you take off after your spooked spouse while the rest of the casino struggles to process what just happened!It’s not hard to scramble after Tzah-Tzie–the girl stumbles and glances back your way like the final girl in a slasher flick! While she’s much, much faster than you, she manages to lead you along a route relatively clear of obstacles, save for an unfortunate dining cart that gets knocked over as she vaults over it!“NOOOO!” Cries a casino patron as you hop over what remains of his meal, “M-MY SUPPERRRR!”You’re just starting to wonder how big this damn place is when your wife slows down… her way blocked by two burly Skog bouncers… and we’re talking burly by Skog standards! Yowza! Sending one last glance your way, TT ducks under the Spicy Security as your ears pop signifying a spell on the way! Hunky AND Spellcasters!?You seem to be in the home stretch though… Just one last push!>Roll me 1d100(+3 TT Takes the Lead, +3 Mmm Souls, +2 LIMBOOOOO, -5 Skog Senses (But Casting), -2 Dark, -1 Swoos Sick) to LIMBOOOOOO! Best of 3!Also probably gonna be last post of the night, gang--big day today!
Rolled 48 (1d100)>>6156768TT IF WE GET OUT OF HERE I'LL HEADPAT YOU FIFTY TIMES IN A ROW AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Rolled 92 (1d100)>>6156768
Rolled 14 (1d100)>>6156768>>6156771Letsgo
>>6156770>>6156771>>6156775>HIGHEST ROLL: 92!Writiiiiing!>>6156770>Fifty timesYou're gonna hurt the poor girl, CHRIST
>>6157245DO I LOOK LIKE A MAN OF REASONOF COMMON SENSEOF HUMAN DECENCY? WE SHALL HEADPAT HER AND SHE WILL FUCKING ENJOY IT.
You unconsciously grit your teeth as you hear some more hired muscle shouting from behind you and the air around you begin to crackle with magic! No time for second-thoughts, you think as you preemptively bend your knees, you’re gonna have to use…THAT!With each mighty stride you take you lean back a little more–so much so that the Skogs flanking the way Tzah-Tzie scampered start to look confused! “What’s… what’s he-”“Hey… STOP!”Too late! Becoming nigh-parallel to the floor is simple enough for a limboer of your caliber, but it’s another thing entirely to go even FURTHER! A primal roar tears free of your lungs as you drop to your shins–your PLUSH ROBE softening them from the contact with the ground as you slide like a hockey puck through the Skog Gauntlet just as their spells burst to life!A muffled ‘PLOOM!’ erupts behind you, your nose just barely catching a whiff of a powdery substance that smells somewhere between lavender and… chlorine? Sliding past the muscly mages, it doesn’t take long for your pursuers to demonstrate what spell they used: tumbling to the ground in a snoring pile of Skogs and Molegs, the snuggle puddle’s inertia launches them into the mages like a sleepy sledgehammer!Leaving casino security in your proverbial ‘dust’, you drift around the corner and catch up with your fuzzy friend just as she pops open a door at the end of the hall!“C’mon, c’mon!” A breath of brisk, fresh air is your reward as the two of you burst free from the casino and past a half-asleep and very confused guard! Following the fleet-footed fuzzball’s lead, you don’t stop running until you hear hawkers and Gold Town-goers!Skidding to a halt a few feet in front of you panting like a dog in Summer, Tzah-Tzie lets a triumphant laugh loose into the air as she skips over to you and wraps her tiny arms around your waist!“You. Were. A. NATURAL! If I didn’t know any better I’da thought you were furious!”Well you’re not not mad, you retort–but if you hadn’t shown up-Giving your hip a playful punch, the girl looks up at you with renewed smugness on her face! “Aaahhh, relax! I knew no matter what you’d swoop in and save me, and look how everything turned out! It’s like our bad luck cancels each other’s out or something, huh?”Sure, you snort, you’ve been rolling in luck…She giggles into her hand. “I’ve never been this lucky in my life, Ant… guess you’re gonna have to stick around and be my good luck charm from now on… just kidding~”>CONTD.
>>6157306Clearing her throat before letting go of you, Tzah-Tzie trots a few steps in the direction of the street revelry before perking up a bit! “Oh right, gotcha’ a lil’ something! Hold out your claaaawws~”Actually, you begin as you hold out your claws, they’re called ‘hands’ an- your protest dies in your mouth as the devious Durher dumps a pile of BELLS into your cla-err, hands! Wait, you frown, she had money this whole time!?“Not until the end!” TT scoffs! “Why do ya’ think I was bumping into all those people on the way out? Attention?”So wait, you sputter, this is-“100 BELLS!” Chirps the girl with a wink! “And dump those TOKENS on the ground while you’re at it–some joints like to cast tracking wards on ‘em.”Your words keep crumbling in your mouth. How… why… you should be-“Having a ‘friendly chat’ with security?” She retorts as she playfully cocks her head to the side, “Well we aren’t!” Sending one more smile your way, the girl gives the area a quick search. “So where’s Volkie?”Probably still wherever she wandered off to, you shrug, earning a playful giggle from the Spinner!“O-ho~, so you went after me first? Anton... you spoil me~”You cross your arms and smirk. Nah, you laugh, she’s just more danger-prone!Sticking her tongue out at you with a childish ‘bleeh!’, Tzah-Tzie’s eyes perk up as her nose picks up a scent in your direction! “Say… it took you a while to come get me… what trouble did you get into, hm?”Oh no! Does she smell the bath attendant’s scent on you!? Does she smell RED!? Quick, think of something!>Truth! You went to a Swoos Lounge and Met the Devil sharing your body!>Some Truth! You went to a Swoos Lounge… not your thing!>Deflect! She’s one to talk! How did she get caught at the casino anyhow?>Lie! You got suckered into another bar–don’t ask!>Stay silent! She’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6157307>Write-inWe tried out one of those "Swoos lounges" and it was so relaxing we died. Also we'll tell you the full story later when we grab Volka. The less time we spend in this district the better.
>>6157307>WRITE IN>I panicked, went to a Swoos Lounge, got knocked out because I had a bad reaction with the Swoos and the bath attendant didn't notice. Left the moment I woke up.Let's not mention the fact we died or the fact a demon is in our body until we can tell that to the others. But let's not flatout lied.
>>6157316We really ought to tell them. RED never told us not to do anything like that, right?
>>6157317I just think we should wait until we're with everyone before we start babbling about dying and demons and stuff like that.I'm not saying we shouldn't tell her. Far from it, we have to tell TT and Volka...when we're out of the district we just started shit in.
>>6157319Well yeah, that's why I said we should tell her we'll tell the full story later. We just asked her to be more honest. We should be more honest too
>>6157307>Some truth, you passed out in a swoos lounge and met a guy who is not from around here. The details are kind of sensitive, you will tell her and Volka the full details later.>>6157319I think this version of events would suffice.
>>6157325Yeah, I like that. I just don't like immediately going to "so we died and met satan :)"
>>6157309>We died in a Swoos Lounge but we'll tell you when we grab Volka>>6157325>>6157330>I passed out in a Swoos lounge and met some guy from outta town. Tell ya later with VolkieWritingggggg, hope that was pretty much all the votes!
Well, you begin as the Durher probes you with curious eyes, to be honest you got a little sidetracked too…“I’ll bet,” She smirks, “You smell like a Swoos Lounge!”Sensing your chance, you confirm her suspicions with a sheepish ‘yyyea….’ prompting Tzah-Tzie’s smugness to shift into concern!“Oh no, really, Ant?” She chides like a mom spotting a trail of mud tracks leading to her child, “That stuff is dangerous if you’re not the right race–it pretty much vaporizes Chytree, y’know!” Yea, well, you add, silently thanking whatever deity set you up with such a swell way to avoid revealing RED, you passed out when you went there–probably would still be asleep if it wasn’t for this guy-THAT sparks the Spinner’s interest! “Ooh,” She croons, leaning in close with a smile in her gaze, “A guy, ey?”Okay, you huff, it wasn’t like that--he just managed to rescue you, is all! You tried, but based on her cheeky expression Tzah-Tzie definitely isn’t convinced. Damn it!“Where’s ‘this guy’ now, hmmm?” She giggles as she gives your hip a nudge! “Do I get to meet him? Hmmm??”You’ll tell her about him later, you grunt as you dismissively pat the girl on the head, but you really oughta track down Volka first!“Yea, she’ll wanna hear about it too!” Chirps the Spinner as she leads the way towards the main street! “Got a clue as to where she coulda’ gone?”Some ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ joint, you shrug, you’ll recognize the barker’s voice when you get back…“Ooh, hope she’s still eating! I could demolish a Muusp steak right now…” TT purrs! Turning her attention back to idly plucking at her Striilii, the girl keeps pace with you as you both head back to where you originally split off…Anything you wanna ask or do on the way?>How’s the ballads coming?>She ready to share anything new about the cartel?>She seems to have taken a liking to Volka…>What got her into music anyways?>Nah, let’s just track down the Skog!>Write-In!
>>6157365>She ready to share anything new about the cartel?
>>6157365oh no she thinks we're a faggot>"What got her into music anyways?"
>>6157370Would a faggot have done what he did for her?
>>6157365>>She ready to share anything new about the cartel?>>6157370she was already suspicious of us:>“Gotta say, Ant: choosing THAT when a gal offers you anything? You’re either a true gentleman or-” The girl nearly trips over her words as they die in her mouth! Or?>“... or a real dork!” She snickers, though you’re not convinced she meant it. “Phew! What a relief~”
>>6157369>>6157458>>6157534>CARTELLLL? HMMM?>>6157370>MUSIC?We writing, bitches>>6157534>suspiciouspicrel
Since she promised to be more truthful, you muse, causing your pint-sized partner to jolt upright, is she ready to share anything new about the Cartel?“What’s there to share?” She scoffs, spitting the words out like rotten pieces of meat, “They’re a bunch of thieving, murdering animals… and they’d sell their own mothers if it’d make ‘em some bells. Which it probably does!”Yea, you picked up on that, you reply with a frown. But what does SHE know about them? She’s had, like, a tude ever since they came up! You nearly trip over Tzah-Tzie as she stops dead in her tracks and lets out a long, reluctant sigh.“Ant…” she groans as she turns to face you with a pained expression, “Don’t think this is me going back on what I said back in the casino, because it’s not, but-”But she isn’t gonna tell you, is she? The girl answers with an apologetic stare.“... not yet.” She says in a voice barely over a whisper. “And it’s not because I don’t trust you, it’s just…” Biting her lip, the Spinner strums her Striilii a few times to steady herself. “It’s a lot to unpack. For me. And I’d rather not share it smack dab in the middle of ‘Spice City’...”Makes sense, you shrug, but you do wanna know eventually… Taking a few more steps, Tzah-Tzie stops again and steadies herself.“My real name… is Ruusdii,” she whispers through clenched teeth, “And it’s not totally related, but I know a thing or two about Swoos Lounges because..”She’s worked in them before? Her silence tells you all you need to know. The name evokes some kind of significance to you, like hearing the name of a celebrity, but try as you might, you can’t seem to decipher what it is. Could someone else? Probably, but you can let that sleeping dog lie for now… The rest of your walk is done in complete silence, but not before you end the conversation with a quiet ‘Thanks, Ruu-erm, Tzah-Tzie.’“Not a word to Volkie, okay? Please?”You find your way back to the strip in a relatively short time, and though you no longer hear the barker for Tzah-Tzie’s casino, you’re certain the All-You-Can-Eat hawker is somewhere amidst the din…>Roll me 1d100+1 (+2 Mmm, Souls!, +3 TT Takes the Lead!, -2 Dark, -2 Noisy!) to track down Volka! Best of 3!
Rolled 90 (1d100)>>6157738Ruuusdiiiii? I think i prefer TT.Also, too bad about the Swoos being deadly to us, it seemed pretty comfy.
>>6157748oops, i forgot the +1Does that still count? A 90 is pretty good...
Rolled 56 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6157738
Rolled 29 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>>6157738Since no one is doing it...
>>6157749Yep, you're good! Don't fret, I can usually work out the rolls in case of a formatting error.
>>6157748>>6157768>>6157789>HIGHEST ROLL: 91!!!Jesus, save some good rolls for later, gang. Writing~
With TT in tow, tracking down your other companion is easy as pie. It’s a good thing, too–as you push and slink your way through the perpetual jungle of Gold Town-goers you catch more than a few whiffs of that unmistakable spicy aroma you sampled both in the Swoos Lounge and the Casino… and you’ve heard zero clanks of Templar or Bellcounter armor.Tzah-Tzie was right: you’re on their turf.Thankfully a wholly more appealing aroma greets your nostrils as you reach your destination: a spicy one, sure, but if the smell of Ma’s kitchen was anything to go by, you get the feeling that’s just how Skog chow works!“Mmm-MMM!” Remarks Tzah-Tzie, wiping her mouth off as the two of you push past a beaded curtain and into the restaurant, “Dooblo dumplings~say whatcha’ will about Skogs, they know their way around a kitchen!”You’ve never had ‘em, but the savory-scented steam blanketing the whole establishment makes you wish you did! Grunting a curt ‘HOI’ as the beads signal your arrival, the chefs continue to work their magic behind what you assume is a counter as several patrons crowd around…Oh no...“Pass ‘em another bottle!” Laughs a Mzz’goe’vir as he slaps his Moleg pal on the shoulder! “Ya’ got this, Isvo!”As you soon realize, Isvo might NOT got this! Sitting at a table with both orange eyes burning like furnaces, you can still see him adjusting his posture every few seconds while a hype squad of drinkers keeps him motivated! His opponent, however, is no one to sneeze at either–you’d know that better than anyone!“C’mon, lass! He’s reelin’!”A gang of Mox crowd around a very familiar and VERY pleased-looking Skog, the fish-faced friends filling Volka’s tankard with booze that burns your eyes even from across the room!“Futskaa…” Tzah-Tzie remarks as she tries and fails to hide the sound of her chewing something, “They shay it wash invended by a Durher Alghemisht way bag in the Northern War to poishin Shkogs…” She pauses to swallow when she notices you staring. “Turns out it doesn’t kill ‘em, but it does get ya’ six shades of plastered…”>CONTD.
>>6157845Downing another mug as if it were water, Volka slams the empty beverage onto the table with an exultant breath prompting another round of cheers from the audience! You’re just about to join her when you’re jostled by one of the serving staff! Before you can apologize, they’re stopped by one of the Durhers supporting Volka’s opponent!“Remember:” He hisses as the Skog stealthily stoops to his level, “Just keep my friend’s booze watered-down, yea?” You hear the faint jingle of something being stuffed into the waitress’ pocket.“Plenty more where that came from…” The Durher adds with a wink!You go to share what you saw with TT, but the Spinner’s already glaring your way! So that’s the game, hmm?What do?>Watered or not, Volka’s got this!>Bump the Waitress! Whoops, new bottle over here!>Have TT swap the bottles for ya sneaky-like!>Tell Volka! Hey gurl, guess what this jerk's doing!>Confront the cheater! Really classy, dude!>Write-In!
>>6157848I dunno. We should probably do something, but bumping into her's no good....
>>6157848>Bump the Waitress! Whoops, new bottle over here!Oh nyo! How clumsy we are, teehee!But in all seriousness, confronting the cheater outright would probably cause a real nasty fight. Let's just mess with them for now.
>>6157849Well, if we just let Volka go at it, the cheater will have an unfair advantage.Telling Volka about it or calling out the Cheater might just cause a fight.It's either swapping it or bumping into her. Pick your poison. Lest you wanna fight him, then we can always confront him.
>>6157853If we bump into her that'll just cause a mess. Plus we don't wanna bring attention to ourselves given it's Spicys territory.>>6157848>Have TT swap the bottles for ya sneaky-like!
Is nobody gonna break the tie?
>>6157917bud it's only been two hours.
Yea don't worry grab some tea or something
>>6157848>Have TT swap the bottles for ya sneaky-like!Knowing our luck it'll turn out Volka already knew it from the start and was working with the waitress or something.
>>6157854+1
>>6157949>>6157947>>6157854>TT, DO YO THING>>6157852>WHOOPS :333It's TIME. And since we're trying to be hush-hush about it...>Roll me 1d100+2 (+5 TT Do your thing, -3 Crowded) to see how your fuzzy friend fares! Best of 3!
>>6157959
Rolled 19 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6157964must have typed it wrong
Rolled 8 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6157959TT IF YOU DON'T WIN THIS CHECK YOU'RE A DYKE
Rolled 97 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6157959>>6157966>>6157967Let me show you how its done
>>6157968holy shit.
>>6157968I kneel.
>>6157966>>6157967>>6157968>HIGHEST ROLL: 99!!!!!!That's the ticket! Writing~>>6157967Guess that means she's straight as an arrow.... :c
>>6158015TT is so straight that she actively cancels out the gayness around her. That's why she keeps flirting with Anton despite thinking he's a fruit.
Cheating? In a drinking contest!? You’re about 90% certain Volka can handle it, 99% when you watch her empty a plate of savory-scented dumplings into her mouth with a cocky laugh, but you weren’t around to hear what the stakes were… and so far Gold Town’s been anything but friendly!Okay, a lot of that is your own fault, but still! Giving TT a gentle nudge, you don’t even have to say anything to get the sneaky Spinner to slink her way over to the server! It’s hard to decipher how things are going given the lack of light, but if anyone can pull this off, well…She DID totally snag some dumplings mere seconds after you walked in. Comical though it may be, you make a mental note to never piss off Tzah-Tzie… especially if you’re planning on hiding anything!Feeling a stealthy tug at your robe, you look down to find the Durher back at your side grinning like a cat that got into the birdcage! Before you can ask, you get your answer as two fresh bottles of futskaa are placed before the contestants!“To yer’ health…” Snickers the Moleg as his six-eyed sidekick pours him a fresh mug!“And yers!” Volka replies, grinning over her own fresh drink! Clinking their glasses together, the two empty the debilitating drinks down their gullets–each gulp sending a reverberating cheer around the restaurant! Volka’s competitor is the first to finish, but the act of slamming his empty tankard against the table starts a chain reaction: Losing hold of his glass, the Moleg scrambles to save face as his claw goes wide and knocks over a stack of empty mugs!As his side of the table gasps, the cock-eyed combatant jerks away from the tumbling tower of tankards and topples head-over-tusk out of his seat and onto the floor! While he struggles to right himself, the dastardly Durher from before begrudgingly deposits two claws-worth of BELLS into Volka’s waiting palm!“Laugh it up, tusks…” He snarls as he helps the Mzz’goe’vir stand his pickled pal off the ground, “Boozin’ and battling–s’all you lot are good for…”“Make sure your friend drinks plenty of water~” Titters the tusked top dog with a cheeky grin! Oh no she DIIIIIN’T!>CONTD.
>>6158038Turning to shake the claws of her fishy friends before they depart, Volka’s boozy bravado drains instantly upon spotting you and Tzah-Tzie!“Oh, hey guys! Sorry–guess my stomach took over for my head…” An apologetic laugh leaves her lips before her face lights up in realization!“OH! You’ll never guess! I just landed us 1000 BELLS!”Both you and Tzah-Tzie nearly faint right then and there!“Th-th-THOUSAND…” Sputters the Spinner, eyes wide and voice quivering, “V-Volkie….”“Ha-HA! That’s my name, don’t wear it out~” Snickers the Skog as she polishes off the rest of the bottle! “And you won’t believe what else-”“Anything else for ya, champ?” Inquires a passing Skog waitress.Volka’s eyes go wide. “Oh, where the hells did my manners go?” Slapping the seats next to her, you hear the victor’s tail slide out of the way and land on the floor with a ‘thud’! “Take a seat, you two! Can’t let’cha leave without some genuine Skog cuisine!”What say ye?>We gotta scoot, Volka…>Sure, why the hell not?>You wanna try some of that booze…>Wait, what was she gonna say?>Write-In!
>>6158041>We gotta scoot, Volka…Guddarhn, that is a lot of money. But uh...we gotta go. Like. Now.
>>6158041>We gotta scoot, Volka…WE GOTTA GO, MAN
>>6158045>>6158064>WE GOTTA SCOOOOOTWriting~>>6158020TT is too powerful...
You want some. Dear GOD you want some. With every second you remain in Gold Town, however, you get the stirring feeling that someone, or something, is closing in… and you don’t wanna be around when it does!That sounds great, Volk, you reply as you struggle to contain the drool pooling in your mouth, but we really oughta’ complete that job… Mimut’s probably worried sick an-Seems like you found the magic word–the minute the client’s name leaves your lips your Skog pal is already leaping from her seat with shame burning on her face!“Y-you’re right! Oh gods, I can’t believe I got so sidetracked!” Scooting away from the table, she turns to the waitress with an apologetic smile!“Maybe next time–jobs ta’ do, rights ta’ wrong! What’s the damage, hm?”The waitress runs a claw over an unseen tablet in her grasp. “All-You-Can-Eat Deluxe…. Four Bottles of Futskaa…” Tallying the totals in her head, the Skogess shifts her yellow-eyed gaze up from her calculations. “800 BELLS.”While Tzah-Tzie lets out a sound akin to a bunny being strangled, Volka’s eyes become bowling balls as she shoots you a sheepish glance!“Eheheh… c-can’t put a price on… on quality…”Morale is low as you push past the beaded curtain entrance. Neither you nor your associates bid a ‘thank you’ or ‘farewell’ as the chefs wish you well with the same greeting they gave you earlier–well that’s not true, Volka gives them a cheerful goodbye!“I’m so ashamed…” She adds, her tail flopping on the ground as the three of you depart, “Here I am supposed to be setting a good example for ya’ and I end up getting roped into a Skog Deli…”“Don’t feel too bad, Volkie!” Chirps Tzah-Tzie with a mischievous glimmer in her eye, “You won’t believe what Ant di-”NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!PASTEBIN UPDATED! +300 BELLS (100 FROM TT, 200 FROM VOLKA!)https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>CONTD.
>>6158154-Ooooooo, uh…w-we all got distracted, you interject as you put the sneaky Spinner in a headlock,but we lived to tell the tale, so no harm done! Say, what was she gonna say back in the restaurant, hm?“Oh, uh…” Begins the Skog as her tail taps on the ground in thought, “Oh! That guy I was drinkin’ against–turns out he loads equipment at that place we’re goin’...”THE COMEBACK CANTINA?“Yea, that one!” She chirps with an emphatic nod! “Said there was a loading dock in the back, but it’s got more guards than the front does… guess they don’t want people peepin’ their ‘stocks’...”“Makes sense…” Coughs Tzah-Tzie as she squirms free of your admittedly noodly grip, “Though I’m betting they’ll have security at every entrance…” Her lime green eyes shift towards you. “Gonna be a bit dicier than that casino was, Ant.”Then we’ll just have to be DICIEST, you retort with a cocky grin! No one applauds, so you drop it. Did this guy mention where this place even is, Volk?“Not too far off the strip, thankfully! Getting in’s gonna be the tricky part!”You just so happen to have a PLAN, actually! How about THIS:>Act like casino patrons, head in through the front. Incognito!>Go in low: sneak in through, ugh, some sewers or something! Find a dirty route!>This guy tried to swindle Volka–the loading dock is probably totally empty!>What’s stopping us from acting like Casino Staff?>TT, think you can case the joint?>Write-In!Last update of the night, probably! Look out!
>>6158155>Go in low: sneak in through, ugh, some sewers or something! Find a dirty route!
>>6158155>TT, think you can case the joint?
Went to bed, woke up and there hasn't been a vote in twelve hours, so I'm flipping this to >TT, think you can case the joint
>>6158197>>6158400>TCONNAISSANCE!Let's see what she digs up!>Roll me 1d100-5 (+5 TT Do your thing, -7 Heavy Security, -3 Crowded) to see if Tzah-Tzie can find something useful! Best of 3!
Rolled 19 - 5 (1d100 - 5)>>6158468Don't like our odds but let's see....
Rolled 41 - 5 (1d100 - 5)>>6158468
Rolled 67 - 5 (1d100 - 5)
>>6158471>>6158484>>6158501>HIGHEST ROLL: 62!Writingggg!
The plan is simple: Tzah-Tzie scouts ahead to get the lay of the land. Guard placements, modes of entry, secrets… if it’s interesting, you wanna hear about it!No one voices any objections, and you hear the venue long before you arrive! There’s the usual din of a crowd, of course–no doubt the line to enter the building–but as you draw closer your ears are treated to what sounds like live music piping out from within! But what gets you isn’t the sound or the lines, no… it’s that same damn smell from before: spice strong enough to make your nose wrinkle as you approach.If there ever was a Spice Cartel hangout, this’d be the spot… Feeling the hairs on your neck bristle in response, you shift your gaze down to Tzah-Tzie. She doesn’t have to do this if she doesn’t want to…“Pfft, are you kidding?” She scoffs with a cocky smile on her face, “I’ll take any chance to mess with these goons…”“Well be careful anyways, yea?” Warns Volka with concern leaking into her tone, “Just shout an’ well come runnin’ with fire on our heels!”Leaving you both with a wink, the Spinner slinks off towards the casino like a cat in the night… “She’s something else, ey, Rook?” The Skog remarks as she sends a grin your way. “To think I was tryin’ ta’ shoo her away when we first met…”She’s a handful, you shrug, but Tzah-Tzie’s been an asset so far… and if you can avoid tangling with these Spice guys then all the better!Nodding in agreement, Volka’s eyes narrow a bit. “Hey um… not to pry or anything, but…”You feel a hole starting to dig itself in your chest. But?“Well uh… TT…” Stammers the Skog as she averts her gaze from yours, “What erm… what do you think about her?”>She’s great!>A bit secretive, but…>Dunno yet.>I don’t trust her…>She’s a good friend so far!>What does she mean?>What’s VOLKA’S opinion, hmmm?>Stay silent! She’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In
>>6158532>She's great!>Gets into trouble a lot, I admit, but she's still a great friend.
>>6158532>What does she mean?>What’s VOLKA’S opinion, hmmm?This feels like less of a question and more of an 'I have something to say about her and want to see what you think before doing it'Alternatively, just tell her she's weirdly attractive. It's true!
>>6158532>She’s a good friend so far!>What’s VOLKA’S opinion, hmmm?Definitely not going to sell us out for a few bells
>>6158532>>What does she mean?
>>6158537>>6158546>>6158560>>6158570THE TALLY:>GREAT: 1>LOTSA TROUBLE BUT FRIEND: 2>WHAT MEAN: 2>VOLKA OPINION: 2Writing~>>6158560Nah, one bell oughta' be enough>>6158546>spoilerI see, I see...
You’re not sure how to tackle the question at first–knowing Volka the reasoning behind it could be anything, really, so you begin as you usually do with diplomacy: she gets into trouble more often than you brush your teeth, you reply, but she’s been a good friend so far! With your bases more or less covered, you redirect the question towards the Skog! Why, what does she think, hm? “O-Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that!” She replies with a bashful giggle! “No, I think TT’s great when she isn’t getting into trouble, but…” Pausing mid-sentence to check around her for any sign of the dastardly Durher, the Grand Marshall motions for you to come closer!“It’s… probably nothing,” Volka whispers, “But, well…” Another sigh. “You know what? Nevermind–it’s silly!”C’mon, Volk, you groan, she’s already brought it up and she can trust you–you’re not gonna be mad! The reassurances do their job and visibly put the Skog at ease–for such a big package she can really be a Nervous Nelly!“Okay, okay!” The girl nods, pausing to survey the area one more time, “It’s just that… well, y’know the name ‘Tzah-Tzie?”Yea, you frown, you’ve uh… you’ve heard it used…“Well here’s the thing:” Continues Volka in a tone more appropriate for telling a ghost story: “Tzah-Tzie? That’s a SKOG name. Like, one of the most common female ones!”That’s… weird, you respond, trying to react appropriately given that TT told you her real name less than an hour ago, why do you think she’d do that?The Skog’s face scrunches up in thought. “I’m sure she has her reasons… and she seems like a good person to me. I just found it weird, is all. Thought you oughta’ know.”Is it weird? Volka shrugs.“Not really–my name ain’t a Skog one, it’s Durher! Dad just started calling me that one day and it stuck. I’ll bet Ma could remember my old one, but I don’t have much use for it anymore.” Another shrug. “Sorry, didn’t mean to make things funny–just made me curious, is all. Tzah-Tzie’s a pretty common name, but I wouldn’t use it as a stage name…”>CONTD.
>>6158624You barely have time to digest the information before you feel a dark presence in your midst… something that makes your hair stand on-end with primal fear!“Oh-ho-ho~am I interrupting anythiiiiing?”“Hi, TT! Didja find anything?” Asks Volka as she reverts to her usual loud self!“Did I!” Boasts the Durher as she takes the stage between you both, “Ladies and gentlemen: I’ve found a route into the establishment that’s safe, sneaky, and is even big enough for you, Volkie!”It’s another sewer, isn’t it?Tzah-Tzie’s stance falters a bit. “W-well not exactly, b-”Because she knows how you feel about sewers.“Worry not, friend: this route has NOTHING to do with sewers!”Minutes Later…You barely manage to shield your eyes as something reeking of rotten meat splatters on the ground! This is basically a sewer, you sigh. It’s, like, an above-ground sewer!“Nonsense, it’s a TRASH CHUTE!” Laughs Tzah-Tzie as she steps behind you and Volka to avoid any more splashing! “And look: no guards! No magical wards!”“Anyone up above, though?” Asks Volka as she gives the chute a few whiffs.“Not since I last checked!” TT replies! “When I climbed up I emerged in a separate room… I’d wager the staff doesn’t like spending too much time there…”Well it’s hardly your first choice, you shrug, but it’s better than the other options! You give your spritely scout a pat on the head. She did good!“Nyehehe, I did do good, didn’t I~” She says, her tail wagging up a storm from the pats! “Now c’mon, let’s go hunt for some eggs!”“Just gotta figure out where they’d store ‘em once we get inside…” Frowns Volka as she limbers up a bit! “You climb up first… I might, erm, take a little longer…”As you prepare to climb, you hear the sound of footsteps approaching…>Roll me 1d100-1 (+3 TT Leads the Way, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +1 Coast Clear Above, -2 Dark, -4 Volka… -2 Spice Magic) To get up there undetected! Best of 3!
Rolled 84 + 1 (1d100 + 1)>>6158626Go!
>>6158629Wait, what? Why's it 1? I am sure i put in a minuslet me test something
Rolled 4 + 1 (1d5 + 1)>>6158631forgot the actual 'dice' before but still
>>6158632Yep, see, knew it. You can't actually put in a -1 on with the dice. It just turns into a +
>>6158632Nah, you had it! And it's kinda weird on /qst/ but to do a minus roll you type:dice+1d100+-1 or some weird shit like that
Rolled 29 - 1 (1d100 - 1)>>6158626Actual second roll.
Rolled 37 (1d100)>>6158626So, the names are switched.
>>6158638at this rate, i expect Anton suddenly remembering that, that's actually his dog's name
>>6158629>>6158637>>6158638>HIGHEST ROLL: 83!We WRIIITTTIIIIINNNNGGGGG!>>6158657yfw Anton was a dog all along
TT’s already clambering up the chute like a spider up a drainpipe by the time you react to the footsteps–following suit, you do your best to plug your nose as you begin the steep climb upwards while Volka hastily trails behind!If the owner of the footsteps noticed anything off, they don’t show it. The rest of the climb goes relatively well save for the free sample of Eau du Garbage assailing your nostrils the whole damn way. One thing you’ll say about this place: everything smells a whole lot worse when you’re not using your eyes!Just when you get into the rhythm of things, you’re stopped dead in your tracks by an impossibly poofy tail! Volka doesn’t get the memo, so she has to settle with smacking face first into your ass. Before you can ask what the hold up is, you get an answer in the form of a door slamming shut above!“Can ya handle that?”A few more steps ring across the room above. Big ones! “How the hell do those little fuzzballs hold so much puke anyways? Hells, this reeks…”The hatch opens above you with a rusty creak revealing a set of six eyes! With nowhere to hide in the chute, you and your pals go dead silent as the many-eyed mobster chucks something reeking of fresh puke inside with you–the grand prize missing Tzah-Tzie and landing on YOU!“Where the hell’s Bili anyways?” Asks the Mzz’goe’vir as he slams the chute shut! “He’s the one who oughta’ be dealin’ with this…”“Handlin’ a mix-up downstairs…” Replies the voice at the far end of the room, “Err, tryin’ to. Went ta’ grab the key to the lower levels.”“It ain’t gonna be in the office,” the Six-Eye snickers, “Betcha twenty bells.”“If it were me I’d ask Tikko,” Laughs the door-holder, “But I think he’s, uh, ‘occupied’ at the bar again, if ya’ catch my drift…”The conversation continues and fades as both goons leave the room and slam the door shut behind them! Scurrying out of the chute like a centipede, you waste no time in tossing the barf-covered cloth on the ground! You don’t even wanna KNOW what kind of clothing it was! EEeuuuch!“Well that coulda gone worse!” Remarks Tzah-Tzie as she takes the lead and peeks out the door. What does she see?“Nothing… it’s dark.” She replies before turning your way and smirking.Uuugggggghh….>CONTD.
>>6158678You suppress the urge to dunk TT down the chute, at least for now. She knows what you meant! Eyes? Magic stuff? Anything!?“Coast is clear for now… and we got ourselves a clue!” The Spinner says as Volka squeezes out of the chute and lands on the ground like a freshly-made sausage!“Oof… Well let’s keep it light-footed, yea?” She grunts as she rises to her normal, massive height! “Call me crazy, but this sounds like the floor normal folk aren’t allowed to be on…”For better or worse, you’re in, and as you near the door you begin to hear the sound of casinogoers below. Okay, you sigh, let’s make a pla-Your words trail off as you realize your fuzzy friend is full-on TREMBLING with a look of pure anger on her face–before you can investigate, you hear a few words barely above a whisper leave her lips:“She’s… here…”Hang on, you frown, who’s here? What’s-That’s when you hear it: the strum of a Striilii so clear you could swear it was being played in the room with you… Swaying softly to the rhythm, it’s only after a few seconds of getting glared at by TT that you manage to stop!“No WAY,” Whispers Volka with excitement bedazzling her wide eyes, “I can’t believe it! LUTZA’S playing!”“No,” Snarls Tzah-Tzie with uncharacteristic malice in her squeaky voice, “Hundred casinos in Gold Town and she had to play here….”W-well uh, you stammer, let’s make a plan, yea?>Check around upstairs! Maybe you can find that OFFICE?>Head as low as you can go! Perhaps someone will open the LOWER LEVELS for you?>Check out the Casino Floor–that Tikko guy is supposed to be at the bar…>Okay, you GOTTA hear this Lutza chick.>Write-In!
>>6158679>>Check around upstairs! Maybe you can find that OFFICE?TT. You can have your literal catfight later. Mission first.
>>6158679>Check around upstairs! Maybe you can find that OFFICE?>>6158662>Anton is a dog>TT is a catA truly Shakespearean romance
>>6158679>Check around upstairs! Maybe you can find that OFFICE?
>>6158680>>6158686>>6158693>>6158834>TO THE OFFICE!It.... is TIME. Writing!>>6158680Cute that you believe you can control her>>6158686Very 'Lady & the Tramp', yes. I'll let you figure out which is which
Fun as it’d be to watch Tzah-Tzie and this Lutza chick throw down, you’ve still got a plan to ‘eggs’ecute… You indulge in a bit of laughter at the joke only you heard before sharing the plan with your pals: if there’s any info or things you can use, they’ll be in the OFFICE! Let’s take a look around for it!“Yea…” Snarls TT as she takes point, “Maybe there’ll be a button inside to drop her tonedeaf butt into a Shyppa tank…”“Or a button that shoots poppers and streamers!” Adds Volka with a wide-eyed grin!There’s not gonna be any buttons, okay? You’ve been in your boss’s office millions of times–it’s just cigarette smoke and disconcerting browser tabs… and sometimes something useful!“Ssh….” Hisses your pint-sized pointDurher, “And keep close…”Your little shortcut seems to have taken you to a whole level completely separate from the rest of the casino–aside from the dulcet tones from Lutza’s performance osmosing through the floor below, you don’t really hear much on the top floor save for the odd clunking of boots and the occasional door swinging open!Silent or not, in your mind it confirms one thing: the real heart of the operation’s definitely below!Your hypothesis is only supported by the guard population up here… or lack thereof. You creep around a few, of course, but after ducking past a gruff-looking Skog with the hiccups you come to the conclusion that they’re either down by the casino or hanging around even deeper...Unfortunately for your data, as you round another corner you barely manage to press against the wall before an outlier pushes past a set of double doors in the center of the hallway! Waiting for him to depart, you listen as Tzah-Tzie creeps over to where he was and flits around the threshold like a hummingbird around an orchid!“Plaque says ‘office’,” She whispers as her big eyes point at a section of the wall you couldn’t see in the best of circumstances, “This must be it…”Dipping inside for a moment, the girl peeks back out with extra caution in her voice!“Someone’s sleepin’ by the desk! Smells like a Durher…”What’s the plan?>Search the joint… QUIETLY!>Send TT alone!>Make sure the guy stays asleep…>Nah, too risky. Let’s go.>Write-In!
>>6159251>Send TT aloneShe's sneeky
>>6159251>>Make sure the guy stays asleep…
>>6159251>Make sure the guy stays asleep…But not, like, dead. Just out like a light, which here is very easy because lights are all out by default.
>>6159251>Make sure the guy stays asleep…
>>6159254>SEND THE SNEAK!>>6159281>>6159357>>6159375>MAKE SURE HE'S OUT! BUT NOT, LIKE, DEAD!It's TIME! For the last update of the night, that is!>Roll me 1d100+2 (+3 TT Takes the Lead!, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, -2 Dark, -2 Sleeping Guy...) to knock 'em out! Best of 3!
Rolled 25 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6159404PUNCH.
>>6159404Don't use the right hand! That's the one with the murder-monster in it!
Rolled 3 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6159417>>6159404Now with a proper roll.
Rolled 93 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6159404
>>6159483THANK YOU
>>6159483Close one. Thanks, anon.
>>6159412>>6159418>>6159483>HIGHEST ROLL: 95!>Be QM>Have some silly plans for this guy waking up>You blithering buffoons roll amazing AGAINOne of these days, anons... one of these days.... anyways, writing
>>6159873Oh, don' worry, I'm sure Anton will have plenty of opportunities to suffer hilarious and horrible hijinks.
Sounds like the best chance you’re gonna get! Motioning for TT to follow, you creep inside the office opening the door at a glacial pace to avoid causing any sudden creaks! It’s hard to gauge given, well, the darkness, but as you follow the shag carpet over to the other end of the room you get the feeling it’s, well… an actual office!Stale incense and the scent of old food hangs in the air courtesy of a burner you suspect sits on the owner’s desk. The furniture piece in question dominates the center of the room like a car in a garage–a fact you confirm when you unceremoniously slam your big toe into it.STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 17Ow. Anyways, in true filcher fashion, TT immediately breaks away from formation and searches the perimeter of the room. The supportive, positive-thinking side of you wants to assume she’s searching for traps, important clues, something like that.The not-stupid part of you, and the one that has working ears, can tell by the ‘jing-jang’ emanating from her side of the room that she’s just robbing the joint. Damn it, TT!As you go to reprimand her with a flick to the ear, you freeze mid-skulk as you hear the office’s owner stir–his rhythmic, almost adorable snore swiftly shifting into a choke!“Ant, put him to sleep!”Confirming with a curt nod, you skip across the room like a kid at a sleepover trying to make it to the bathroom and land next to your target with nary a sound! As you close in to shut him up, a jarring fact worms its way into your brain… one that prompts you to take drastic measures!“ANT!” Snarls TT with uncharacteristic nastiness in her voice, “What the HELLS are you doing to him!?”Y-you’ve never knocked anyone out before, you whisper back as you rock the dozing Durher in your arms like a baby, and you didn’t wanna cause any permanent damage! You’re… you’re SORRY!Humming a soothing lullaby seems to work twofold: a contented smile forms on the boss’s sleeping face AND it seems to calm TT down too! You’re just about to start snuggling your mark when the stealthy Spinner shifts her eyes towards the door where Volka waits like a dog left on the back porch! Placing the boss back into his chair, you feel something thin, metallic, and cylindrical tumble out of his tunic pocket–something that sends a jolt of static electricity through your finger as you snag it!>CONTD.
>>6159983Pocketing the staticy cylinder, you follow TT back out the way you came and frown–what’s wrong? Didn’t she find anything?“Nothing spectacular…” Sighs the Spinner as she quietly closes the door behind you, “I think that goon was right: there was a key hook near the desk, but no key...”“Didja find anything else, at least?” Asks Volka as she cocks her head to the side! “Clues, maybe?”“Kkkkinda…” TT Shrugs as she rummages around in her pockets! “I found this note… reads like an invoice if anything.” The girl shoves it into your hand before realizing her mistake and giving it to Volka instead.“Hells…” The Skog hisses as she skims the contents, “This is for a SHYPPA...”Oh boy, you groan, you’re guessing that’s a bad thing? You’re answered by TWO emphatic nods, one from each party member!“Think lotsa teeth, sharp claws, thick scales-” Begins Volka,“-And a habit of luring people into the water with ‘em.” TT concludes with a shiver! “People don’t swim much in Zoral for a reason, Ant.”“Speak for yourself!” Frowns the Skog! “Just gotta stick ta’ ponds and leave your armor on the shore! It’s refreshing after a long day, y’know!”Fascinating, you interject impatiently, so why would these guys need to buy one, exactly? Your question is met by TWO emphatic blank stares, one from each party member!“Well if they’re holding an auction I’d assume they’d wanna resell it…” Muses TT as her tail gently smacks against the wall! “But Shyppas don’t make good slaves…”“Yea, they’d made better garbage disposals than anything else!” Smirks Volka! “They can tear through a Skog in minutes, Rook. Spooky stuff!”She doesn’t seem so spooked. The Skog puffs out her chest, rattling her draped armor!“Gotta wake up pretty early in the mornin’ to nibble on this gal, thank you~”Yea, you’re not touching that one… what else didja find, T? The Durher answers by shoving a small, round, metallic object into your hand–its surface sending a chill through your palm and down your spine!“Feels like a BADGE of some sort… definitely magical.” She answers with a glint in her eye! “Trust me–I know magic when I feel it!”You gently toss the magic item up and down with a quizzical look on your face. Can she feel what the hell it’s for? The glint in the Spinner’s eye leaves as quickly as it arrived!“... well I’m not a mage...”Volka?“Couldn’t tell ya!”You hate to admit it, but someone like Oti would be real handy right about now… >CONTD.
>>6159984If that’s the case, you add, you’re guessing they can’t tell you what this is either, huh? Holding out the cylindrical rod you obtained from the office’s owner, your suspicion is answered almost immediately.“No, but…” TT begins, her eyes growing wide in recognition, “But that seems like a ROD to me!”Heheh, rod... seriously though, is it, like, a magical zappy thing?“Yup! Very expensive, very dangerous!” Says Volka with a helpful nod! “Pretty hard ta’ recharge ‘em once they’re outta’ juice… definitely hold onta’ that one, Ant.”Yea, you snicker, you’ll… you’ll keep a firm hold on… on your rod… HA!“... Well that’s settled, then!” Chirps the Skog with a genial smile! “Leaving it to you, Rook~”Ignoring TT’s smug look currently burning into your side, you plot out your next step. If the key to the seedy underbelly of the already seedy casino isn’t in the office, well…>Maybe someone in the Casino has it?>Perhaps if you head downstairs someone will open the way!>Conceivably that Tikko guy at the bar might have it!>Presumably you might find something where Lutza is performing!>Wait, I have a question!>Write-in!PASTEBIN UPDATED!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA
>>6159985>Conceivably that Tikko guy at the bar might have it!We're a regular RODney at this rate.
>>6159985>>Conceivably that Tikko guy at the bar might have it!
>>6159985>Conceivably that Tikko guy at the bar might have it!
>>6159989>>6159995>>6160047>TO THE BAR! AGAIN!Writinggggg>>6159989You're right, anon, Anton DOES need an annoying foil character...
>>6160676>annoying foilWe already have TT.
>>6160677Shit, you're right...
Based on what you heard earlier, that guy TIKKO should have a key on him…. And if he’s by the bar, well…“Hah! Well if you insist~”Easy, Volk, you warn, this is strictly for the sake of the job! YOU’RE DOING IT FOR THE KIDS!The look in the Skog’s eyes says she understands, but she’s also a little disappointed. “Yea… you’re right…” TT, on the other hand, is all frizzed up again: eyes narrowed and lips pursed in silent fury! Lemme guess, you sigh, Lutza?“LUTZA!” The Spinner snarls as if each letter in the name stung like acid! “I’m warning you guys: I ain’t gonna be held responsible for what I do if I see that hack…”Just focus on the job, you reply! Or the casino! She loves those!“I dunno, Ant,” Frowns Volka as TT continues to tremble in quiet rage, “She’s pretty annoyed…”Please, you snort, what’s the worst that can happen?Two Minutes Later…HOLD HER, damn it!“I’m… trying!” Groans your Grand Marshall as she struggles to restrain the belligerent bard as the three of you work your way across the casino floor! “She’s just… REALLY squirmy, Rook…”“NNNYAAARRR!” Roars Tzah-Tzie as she lunges towards the source of the admittedly catchy Striilii tunes, “RRRRAAAARRR!”“Hey, keep your pet under control.” Warns a casino-goer as Tzah-Tzie nearly scratches his eye out! Muttering a quick apology, you motion for Volka to follow as you wander randomly across the venue in search of the bar!Hey, you begin, spotting a Mox with a boozy odor and a blurry look in his bulbous eyes, know where a guy can get a drink around here?“Jushup datta’ way, chum…” Slurs the scaly sot as he grabs and points you in a direction, “Jush… jush know dish: jesh… jesh know DISH: they’re all gonna FUG ya…”Yea, you’ll… you’ll watch out, you nod as you and Volka exchange a bewildered glance. Have a good day…“Fuggern worlsh endin… why NOD fuggerryone…”Absolutely… Letting the Mox stumble past you, you continue on your trek through the jungle of gamblers and socialites in search of booze… pausing only to offer a genial grin or a friendly nod when the odd spicy-scented security goon struts past!“Busy place for this time of day…” Volka observes as a Skog Security guard shoots her a wink as he passes, “Even for Gold Town…”She heard the drunk, you shrug, sound like that RED COMET’s got people scared… you’d probably be partying too if you thought the world was gonna end…“I just figured they’d be spending time with family or… or loved ones or something…” She muses with a hint of disappointment seeping into her voice. “Kinda sad, is all..”“NNNYAAAARRR!!!”“Exactly, TT!”>CONTD.
>>6160720You’re about to chime in with your own thoughts when you hear something similar to a cocktail shaker over the din of the casino around you! Eyes lighting up like a Christmas Tree, you carve your way through the crowd and find yourself standing in front of a bar with a Mzz’goe’virr tending it!After running into the bar, that is. Ow.STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 18Excuse me sir, you begin, catching the mixologist’s attention almost immediately, you wanted to know where Tikko was-“Hm?” Says the Six-Eye as he scrutinizes you for a moment, “Say, I know you…”You freeze up like a windshield on a snowy day as a cold spike pounds its way through your gut! H-h-he does!?“Oh yea,” he snarls as a grim smile forms on his toothy face, “We’ve been expecting you!”>Roll me 1d100 (+6 Volka, but preoccupied, +2 Mmm, Souls!, -2 Dark, -4 Wild Durher) for reasons! Best of 3!
Rolled 81 (1d100)>>6160723>for reasonsHow ominous!Let's use that ANTON SPECIAL!
Rolled 79 (1d100)>>6160723
Rolled 71 (1d100)>>6160723
>>6160724>>6160727>>6160755>HIGHEST ROLL: 81!Writing! Sorry, forgot to actually tally up the maluses and bonuses like a goddamn animal.
>>6160724>ANTON SPECIAL!Supernatural flame, limbo, or lullabies?
>>6160765Yes!
As if things couldn’t get any more tense, Tzah-Tzie picks this moment of all moments to try to wriggle free of her scaly handler! Thankfully Volka’s on the job, and despite the devious Durher’s best attempts, the Grand Marshall is able to keep the snarling Spinner snug against her chest!Ah, memories…Right, impending doom. Clearing your throat while Volka wrestles with TT, you stand your ground against the menacing mixologist with a reedy ‘Exsqueeze me?’“You’re the new gal the boss’ interviewin’, yea?” Inquires the Mzz’goe’virr as all traces of wickedness vacate his voice! “MIILO?”You deftly answer with a falsetto ‘Y-yes!’ that melts away any lingering apprehensions the bartender had! “Glad ta’ have ya! Name’s KLUUS: Poisoner Extraordinaire!”Laughing at his own joke, the bright-eyed barman wipes his brow and sends a few flecks of ichor tumbling onto your face! EEuugh!“Don’t gotta’’ tell ya the place has seen a bit more foot traffic as of late… been slingin’ so many drinks my arms feel ready ta’ fall off! Har!”Yea, you mutter as a drunken Gnok stumbles over you and into a table, you uh… you noticed! You’re about to inquire about Tikko’s whereabouts when the amicable aleslinger gives the bar a few friendly pats!“Well c’mon in–I’ll show ya’ around the place!”That’s okay, you stammer, you really oughta-“Kluus! KLUUUS!”A spindly, but firm limb nearly sends you tumbling into Volka as a pushy Chytree with a half-lidded stare stumbles over to your place on the bar–the smell of booze only matched by that now-familiar spicy odor belonging to made men!“Tik!” Kluus answers like he just ran into an old friend, “Lemme guess: you’re just tipsy, right?”“Yer’ goddsdamned right…” The Chytree nods before swiveling one of his massive eyes in your direction! “Whozis?”“The new gal, Miilo!” Smiles your new boss, apparently! “Boss says she’s a mixin’ fiend!”Your heart sinks as you feel Tikko’s eyes burn deep into your side! “Zat right? Then by all meansh, ‘MIILO’,” He slurs as he forcibly passes you over to Kluus who directs you behind the counter, “Mixsh away!”D-does he mean go away, or-“MIX.”Ah, gotcha.>CONTD.
>>6160779Time slows to a crawl as you struggle to get your bearings. You’re about as comfortable behind a bar as a horseshoe crab is in a sumo ring… and being stuck behind one in pitch darkness doesn’t help either! You’re about to tug on Kluus’ apron when he turns his attention to Volka, the poor Skog’s hands still VERY much full containing TT!“You handle Tik’s order, Mimi,” He begins, “I’ll help your friend here! Getcha’ something, miss? Maybe some water for yer’ pet?”“RUUPPAA, PLEASE!” Volka chirps, her polite voice and genial grin barely hiding the growing distress!“Comin’ up!”Your customer is nowhere near as patient… drumming his claw on the bar in front of you, the mobster hums with an unknown magical energy… best watch your step…So, you begin in your crummy falsetto voice, what can you get s-“Surprish me…” He interjects with a withering stare.Biting your lip, you rummage around behind the counter and find a vat of icy balls of goo next to a few bottles. Taking one of the orbs, you place it in front of him and smile!S-surpriiiiise~Your customer responds to your endearing joke by slapping the goo into the crowd. Guess he’s not a jokester…In any case, you found some bottles… mixing drinks is a lot like jazz, right? How hard could it be?>Shake up something sweet!>Brew him something bitter!>Fix him something fiery!>Stir him something simple!>Britzoff Scorcher!>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6160781>Britzoff Scorcher!We know that one, and it's a crowd-pleaser! Call it "The Anton", though. No relation.
>>6160781>Britzoff Scorcher!BURN.
>>6160781>Britzoff Scorcher!
>>6160781>>Britzoff Scorcher!complete agreement
>>6160781>Britzoff Scorcher!It just has to be this way, it is the only cocktail we know
>>6160781>Britzoff Scorcher!I, too, will vote for the Britzoff Scorches.
>>6160782>>6160801>>6160809>>6160830>>6161014>>6161029>>6161063>>6161080>picrelWE WRITINNNNN
Pretty damn hard, now that you think about it! If you were back home you could probably mix… you dunno, FIZZ COLA and some vodka or something, but here?! What the hell is Futskaa anyways!? Why does everything smell like cleaning products and fruity dentist goo!? Why can’t you just mix a drink you kno-Wait a second…Hey Klu-erm, Hey Kluus, you repeat, making sure to add a massive helping of ‘girly’ to your voice, where’s the Futskaa? “Right here, kid!” He answers, placing a hefty bottle in front of you as he prepares Volka’s drink!And Rimber? Otz?THAT gets the Mzz’goe’virr’s attention as well as the Chytree’s! “Err, here ya go…”“I said ta’ mix, not experiment…” Tikko growls, his segmented eyes glowing with increasing menace!Just trust me, you fire back as the components are placed in front of you! One more thing: any chance you could get a Meetz leaf?All eyes are on you as you work your magic: and what magic it is! Whether it’s RED influencing you or just good memory from watching and listening to Ma, you whip up the drink like you’ve made one every day for the past twenty years! Is… is this what bartending’s like?Kinda fun!With a flourish of your fingers, you let the Meetz leaf flutter onto the drink and let it sit for a moment. Okay, you sigh with a confident smile, try that on for size!Tikko shows the beverage no such reverence–snatching it up like a dog grabbing some lasagna off a plate, he empties the entire tankard’s contents into… whatever Chytree have!Everyone holds their collective breath. You: worried about how the mobster will take it, Kluus: wary of any backlash he’ll get for hyping you up, and Volka: trying and failing to calm herself down as she continues to wrestle with TT!You’re about two seconds away from booking it when your customer slams his empty mug onto the counter with an exultant sigh!“Holy HELLS, thash’ a godsdamned DRINK!” Eyes glittering like a disco ball, Tikko slams a handful of BELLS in front of you and glares at Kluus! “Don’t jus’ shtand there, y’idiot… get the damned RESHIPEE!”“Futskaa and Otz…” Mutters the mixologist as you quietly pocket the bells, “Well I’ll be damned… whaddaya’ call that one, ey, Mimi?”THE ANTON, you smile! It’s, uh… a family recipe…“No kiddin’?” He remarks as Tikko drums his fists against the counter to a tune you can’t hear, “Where ya’ from again?”Out of town.“Gotcha.” He replies with a knowing wink! “Same!”>CONTD.
>>6161310Sensing your chance, you move to talk to Tikko about that key of his when he cuts you off by placing a spindly, but surprisingly pointy arm around your shoulder! “Come wiv me, kid… gotshomthin ta’ talk to ya about…”You have no clue how he got behind the bar so fast, but you’re not about to let this opportunity slip through your fingers! Sure, you stammer, where are we going?“Jush’ walg with me…” he grunts, leading you away from the bar! “Geddanother one of those Andons ready fer’ me when I get back, Kluush…”The bartender’s jovial expression droops with worry. “Hey, uh, you probably shouldn’t take her down ther-”“You sherv the drings… I handle the helb…” Snarls the sloshee! Before you can protest, he’s already leading you across the casino floor with remarkable speed for a drunk!“Sho… sho lishen here…” He slurs as he shoves a patron out of your collective way, “Jush gotta finalishe a few dechails before yer’ hired, doll…”Every warning siren in your body is blaring itself dead right now, but you hold firm: Spice Cartel though he may be, you’re pretty sure you could take him if it came to that…… in a FIGHT, mind! Christ…The two of you smack face-first into a wall that, upon your escort pulling a key out from his spice-scented garb, turns out to be a DOOR! Yanking it open, the Chytree half-guides, half-shoves you inside!“Geddin…”Gee, THANKS. Stumbling to a halt at the top of what feels like a long, long ramp, you turn around just in time to feel a claw press against the wall beside your head! S-so this is what that feels like…Closing the door behind him, the crocked casinoman takes a long, steadying breath before he leans in close to your face…>CONTD.
>>6161312… and discards the alcoholic act like an old newspaper!“I don’t have much time:” he hisses, eyes wide in apprehension as you feel his breath on your nose, “Find somewhere else ta’ work, kid–these guys are gonna eat you ali-”“SCUSETHEINTERRUPTION!”You barely have time to LIMBO to the side as the door explodes open sending your sloshed savior tumbling down the ramp like a marble! Brandishing Tzah-Tzie like a weapon, Volka turns her game face towards you ready to throw down until she confirms you’re safe!“Oh thank MITAAR!” She hisses as TT snarls in her hands, “When I saw him lead ya’ off I thought… well, erm…”The poor girl grapples with the unpleasant thought for a moment before throwing it out along with the stern look on her face! “Nevermind that! Is, erm, is he okay?”Your answer comes in the form of an almost cartoony CRASH far below followed by an unfamiliar set of distant voices:“Hells! What happened to him!?”“It’s TIKKO! And he’s…”An unsettling pause drapes over you and your pals as you prepare to beat a hasty retreat!“... SLOSHED. Hells, he’s konked out completely!”“Drunken bastard… here, help me move him over… he can sleep it off…”Waiting until the disembodied voices conclude their work, you lead the way to the foot of the ramp and into the cool, damp bowels of the COMEBACK CANTINA!“OoOoh…” Groans Tzah-Tzie as if awakening from a trance, “Where… where the hells are we?”“The basement, hon,” Whispers Volka as she sticks close to you, “Feeling better?”“Nghh… that bitch…” Growls the Spinner as she shakes off the rage-induced lethargy, “Yea… I’m good…”Great, you nod, because you’re in the thick of things now! You’re just about to loot Tikko’s snoring body when you hear a new pair of boots approaching! Grasping at the walls for options, you find that the path forks to the LEFT and the RIGHT--Tikko was placed in a small nook stuffed with crates and other sundries!With little time to weigh your options, you decide to:>Head left! You’re pretty sure that’s where the previous goons went!>Head right! That’s probably where Tikko’s ‘helpers’ came from!>Hide near Tikko!>Head back up the ramp for now!>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6161314>>Head right! That’s probably where Tikko’s ‘helpers’ came from!
>>6161314>Head right! That’s probably where Tikko’s ‘helpers’ came from!
>>6161322>>6161400>HEAD THE 'RIGHT' WAY!Last one for tonight... and it's a ROLL!>Roll me 1d100-2 (+3 TT Takes the Lead!, +3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +1 footwork, -2 Dark, -4 Volka, -2 Spice Magic, -1 Cramped Quarters) to scurry along! Best of 3! Also...PASTEBIN UPDATED: Current Bells: 744!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA
Rolled 67 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6161425
Rolled 100 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6161425ANTON SPECIAL: LET TT TAKE THE LEAD
Rolled 19 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6161464Welp, we're done here.>>6161425Let's get to brass tacks.
>>6161464Huh. We should rely on TT more.
>>6161459>>6161464>>6161468>High->N-NAT 100?!!?>My plans...>My traps...>FOILED!>I.>DESPISE!>THAT!>DURHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!I'll update when I get home from work today.... GRRRRRR!!
Music for the picture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TENtIgLdigsOh no… this is like that ‘Trolley Problem’ thing! You SUCK at that game! Paralyzed with indecision, you’re thankfully relieved of higher thought when Tzah-Tzie’s survival instinct takes the lead for you!“Wait a sec…” She mutters, pausing mid-scamper to take a whiff of your options, “Follow me!”You’re not really inclined to argue, but you’ll admit you have your doubts as the Durher clambers over Tikko’s comatose form and squeezes past a crate behind him! “Yep!” She hisses in a triumphant tone, “Back here! There’s a way through!”“Oough… bad time to have claustrophobia…” Groans Volka as her tail gently nudges you forward! Matching the route the Spinner took as best you can, you can’t help but be a little impressed when the path continues to delve deeper into the basement! Even your Skog pal manages to squeeze through, though not without pausing every few seconds to steady herself with some deep breaths.Leaving the sound of heavy bootsteps far behind you, the passage eventually widens once more and deposits you in another T-Section of probable routes… but as you ponder which one to choose, you come to the same conclusion TT does based on how scrunched up her face is!That… that smell, you remark, what IS that!?“Old Vuukweed, Ripe Seafood…” The girl’s eyes narrow as she concludes her analysis. “... and that stuff coating the tunnel walls back at Mimut’s place…”“They… you mean they’re here?” Stammers Volka, her eyes lighting up with glee! “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go gettem!”“Easy…” Warns Tzah-Tzie as she creeps ahead and motions for you to follow, “We’re not outta’ this yet…”She ain’t wrong! Leading you through a set of swinging metal doors, the spring-footed Spinner sends a nod your way to signal the coast is clear… and then immediately starts looting.Can’t fault her for being consistent… giving Volka’s tail a tap with your toe to get her attention, you and your partner head deeper into the warehouse in search of your quarry! Keep your nose at the ready, Volk!“Right…” She responds with a decisive sniff! “And step light, yea?”Please, you scoff, you’ve got a handle on this by n-OW!STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 19!>CONTD.
>>6161907Pain shoots through your toe once again as it smacks against a metal bar, your face twisting and your teeth clenching as the sound of the impact reverberates across the room! Steadying yourself against the metal structure, you recoil a bit when you realize what it is…“Rook,” hisses Volka as TT rejoins your side, “Is that…”Yea, you frown, it’s a cage... empty, though…“They’re all over the place…” Adds Tzah-Tzie in a bitter voice, “Three guesses for what they put in ‘em… and the first two don’t count!”“Hells…” Volka whispers as she goes to feel the cage as well, “I mean, everyone knows it happens here in Crossroads, but…” She pauses as a long, weary breath escapes her mouth. “... but it just… it just makes my scales crawl…”Ditto, you nod. All the more reason to get those eggs out of here, wherever they a-“Eggs, huh? Right over there~”You nearly tackle Volka at the sound of the new voice, but you’re too busy being tackled by TT! Following it to its source, you find yourself staring at a pair of glowing yellow orbs stuck behind another cage… and a Cheshire smile of sharp, almost serrated-looking teeth below!“HI!”Err, you stammer, hi… who is she?“Name’s ZUZU! Pleased ta’ meetcha!” The eyes reply with a clickety-clack of teeth! “Oooh! You don’t smell like the other people here! You don’t smell like ANYONE! Hey, are you gonna rescue me, hmm?”You open your mouth to respond, but are swiftly intercepted by your pals!“Easy, Rook,” Warns Volka as she steps between you and the caged creature, “Remember that invoice we found up above?”“We just found our SHYPPA…” TT concludes as she takes position behind your leg! “Keep your limbs away from the bars if you wanna keep ‘em…”>CONTD.
>>6161908“D’aawww come OOOON! I just said you smelled differeeennnnttt!” Groans the Shyppa as something scaly indignantly slaps against the inside of her cage! “I thought you’d be a nice guy… but you’re probably just as bad as those spicy-smelling goons, arent’cha…”You’re nice, you counter as Volka wanders off for a moment, but your pals are pretty trustworthy–how do you know she won’t just bite your face off once you spring her loose, hm?“Well….” Zuzu makes a show of pondering, “Ooh, I know! What if I tell you about a SPECIAL way outta’ here? I was gonna use it once I busted out, y’know!”“Got ‘em!” Reports your Grand Marshall as she returns carrying something VERY smelly on her shoulder, “And time is money, Ant–I don’t think they were keepin’ these warm…”“Oh-HO! All the more reason to use my SECRET GETAWAY!” Winks the Shyppa! “How lucky for you~”“If you were gonna use it, why haven’t you escaped yet?” Frowns TT as she leans against your leg with an unimpressed glare on her face! “Sounds like we hold all the cards here.”“Because I was waiting for the right chance, duuuuuh!” Giggles Zuzu! “And here you are! Lucky me~”“I dunno, Ant…” Tzah-Tzie remarks as she appraises the captive, “In my experience Shyppas will do anything for a free meal…”Kinda like her then, huh? You get a nip on your knee in response! Ow!“Seriously, Ant–these girls are meaner than they sound!”“Maybe we just unlock it and run?” Suggests Volka as she adjusts the bag squelching around on her shoulder! “I’d feel bad if we left her to be auctioned, but… hmm…”“I promise I’ll only eat the other guys! PuhLEEEEEEESE!? C’mon, you think you can sneak out with that smelly ole’ bag? Guess again!”You weren’t sure it was possible for a fishy-smelling flesh-eater to give you puppy-dog eyes, but ope, there they go! What’s the plan, An?>Leave her. We’ll take our chances!>Free her! Carefully!>You wanna know more about Shyppas first…>What ELSE can she give you? Sweeten the deal some more!>Stay silent! She’ll think you disappeared!>FISH FRY>Write-In!
>>6161910Kinda wish there was a way for us to like..."set a timer" on unlocking her. So we're not here when it happens.
>>6161913I ain't gonna tell you how to play, but you could CONCEIVABLY try that by heating up the cage bars with magic flame... As always, Write-Ins and harebrained schemes are always welcomed here!
>>6161910>Write in: >Offer to weaken the cells of her cage (which we'll do with flame magic) so she can escape easily...without us risking being her meal, thank you very much. In exchange, tell us the SERKET WAY.I like the idea of letting her out as long as we're not within the same tristate area as her.
>>6161910>Offer to weaken the cells of her cage (which we'll do with flame magic) so she can escape easily...without us risking being her meal, thank you very much. In exchange, tell us the SERKET WAY.
>>6161933+1The further away we are from her? the better
>>6161910>"What if I told you that you could have the FREE MEAL of your DREAMS without double-crossing us AND while getting payback at the same time? See, I got a plan for dealing with the spice cartel here...a plan that involves all of us, even YOU! It'll be an all-you-can-eat buffet!"I think we should convince her to eat people (for the sake of good)
>>6161933>>6162005>>6162108>WEAKEN THE CAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR SERKITTTS>>6162137>CONVINCE HER TO EAT PEOPLESorry, all--this wasn't a huge, game-changing decision or anything... just had a big day is all! Writing!
It’s safe to say that you’re torn here. Not torn to shreds–not yet, at least, but if Volka and TT are reliable, and you can confidently say one of them is, letting this fishy freak loose might tip the scale in that direction! Best case scenario: you’ll have a fight on your hands you’d really rather not have.That said, she’s got a point: even if you sprinted through the casino, someone’s gonna notice your ‘egg’scapades… and then you’ll REALLY bring the whole hornet’s nest down on your head!“S-so you’ll DO it!? Reaaalllyy!?”Oh crud, were you saying that all out loud?“Wouldn’t be the first time…” TT replies, smiling as she gives you an apologetic shrug!“I just thought it was a human thing…” Adds Volka with a giggle bordering on uncomfortable!Well look, you huff, if they’re all gonna listen in then they oughta’ listen to THIS: you’ve got a plan!All of the ladies lean in to hear what you have to say… man, that’s a first! Anyways, you begin in a more professional tone, you’ve got the means to bust her out… Before the glowing-eyed ghoul can ask, you answer by setting your hands ablaze with demonic flames! Weird how it’s gotten so much easier to do, but you’re not complaining! Pressing a hand against one of the bars, you nod at Zuzu as her eyes light up at the sound of the metal hissing and cracking!“HEY, HEY, WHY’D YOU STOOOOOP!!?” She whines as she starts angrily slamming her head against the bars! “No faiiiiiir, meanie!”Hey, you begin, it was a HEY, quit it! She’s gonna alert the guards! Your warning strikes true–while she doesn’t look too pleased about it, Zuzu does stop! Now look, you groan, you wanna know where the exit is first! She spills the beans, you’ll weaken the bars for her! Deal?“Oh! Okay~” She chirps, her toothy smile returning as quickly as it departed! “If ya’ leave this room and head LEFT you’ll find another room full of stuff! There’s a loooooong tunnel near the back–that’s what they brought me in through!”“Sounds a little too good to be true, ey, Ant?” Inquires Tzah-Tzie in a tone dripping with disbelief! “Could just be a closet or something!”>CONTD.
>>6162692“Go see for yourself if ya’ don’t believe me!” The Shyppa pouts! “Or just ask that mean ole’ salty-smellin’ Five Eye working in there!” Her smile takes a turn for the menacing. “... oh, and leave him to me... I REALLY wanna chew him up!”Maybe you will, you reply as you share a nod with Volka who puts the eggs down for the time-being, is she gonna behave while you go check?“Course I will~” Chirps the fish thing as her head cocks to the side at an unsettling angle, “Everybody wins, riiiiight?”Sure, you shrug as you lead your pals out of the room, you’ll see about that…Making sure the door closes behind you quietly, you and the gals follow the Shyppa’s instructions as closely and as quietly as you can! Sure enough, it isn’t long before you arrive at another set of doors… but as you open them you’re met with a powerful gust of warm, mildewy air!“STUUZEL’S TEETH, DAMNABLE DOORS!”But it isn’t the funky air that bowls you over… no, what really gets you is who scuttles over to slam the doors shut!>Roll me 1d100-2 (+3 Sneaky Leather Armor, +3 TT Leads the Way, -4 Volka, -2 Dark, -2 Damnable Doors!) to avoid detection! Best of 3!That's it for tonight, folks... I'm dog-tired! Should have more for ya early on Sun, though!
Rolled 21 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6162694DAMNABLE DOORSHAVE AT THEE!
Rolled 29 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6162694
Rolled 42 - 2 (1d100 - 2)>>6161908Oh neat, this quest's mermaid. As is glorious tradition!>>6162694Rolling.
>>6162710>>6162756>>6162777>40 is the highest we gotOh nyo.
>>6162710>>6162756>>6162777>HIGHEST ROLL: 40!Yes.... YEEEEESSSSS! My malevolent machinations are finally coming to fruition! Writing!>>6162777>mermaidPsssh get real, anon--she's a Shyppa! Totally different!>>6162710Points for getting into the door spirit tho for real
Caught somewhere between trying to hide and regain your balance, you end up doing that thing where you stumble for about seven or eight steps before falling flat on something soft and kinda fuzzy!“OW!”Whoops, sorry, TT! Ever the helper, Volka rushes to help you up, but the damage is already done… and the proverbial ‘jig’ is ‘up’! Stealing a glance behind you at the doors, panic mixes with confusion as you recognize the figure standing in the threshold–his five red eyes just a piece of the already obvious puzzle!“Ach nae… as if my day couldn’t be gettin’ any worse!”S-SALTY SUUTZ!?The Mzz’goe’virr makes the first move: backing into the warehouse, something small jangles around his neck as he fumbles with it! “Well this be a fine howdy-do, aye? Steady on, ye’ beasties–one blow on this an’ the whole operation’ll be coming runnin’!”“How are you here!?” Growls Volka, the stalwart Skog not phased by the threat in the slightest! “I gave you to the Bellcounters!”Salty Suutz answers with a laugh akin to a knife being scraped along rusty sheet metal! “Aye, I ain’t be fergettin’ that, lass! But think on it harder: didjer’ see me get booked, or were YER bein’ takern in?”You look to Volka for an answer, but all you get is a blank stare. Volk?“... Oh no… they were too busy thinking I was the slaver… b-but that doesn’t matter! You were taken in! I made sure of that!”“Aye, tis’ true…” Nods the slaver as he idly tosses the metal googaw around his neck up and down, “But ole’ Salty don’t be goin’ to ther Clank that easily… I simply stepped outta ther’ ‘Incoming’ queue and inter the ‘OUTGOIN!’ HAR!”Wait, you frown, he just… he just stepped into the line for people leaving jail?“It’s more common than ya’ think…” Shrugs TT before her eyes widen in recognition! “Erm, s-so I’ve heard, at least!”“And here ya’ are back to your old criminal ways…” Volka tsks as she dares to take a step closer, “We gave you a chance, Salty Suutz! Why go scurrying back?”A befuddled sound akin to a seagull being spanked escapes Salty Suutz’ mouth! “Wh-wha!? I be tellin’ yer before! I owed these lot! An’ where else were I be supposin’ ta go!? Ye got me wagon confiscirated! A-an’ they be takin’ me Speck an’ Daler too!”They… they took his kids!?“NAE, yer’ spotted ‘ead! Me STRIDERS! Howser be supposin’ ter’ move a wagon without Striders, ey!? I cannae pull it meself, ye dull hammer!”Oh yea, huh…>CONTD.
>>6163099So lemme get this straight, you sputter in growing disbelief, he lost all this stuff and went back to the Spicys? Is that what happened to his eye?The Mzz’goe’virr blinks his five remaining eyes and scoffs! “Nae nae, lad–I jus’ got a mite-r-DUST in it! It be perfeckally fine!”Oh! Well that’s goo-“A-COURSE THEY BE POKIN’ ‘ER OUT, YA STUMBLIN’ SNICKT! ROLO ‘IMSELF BE EATERN IT WIF A DRAM A OTZ, HE BE!”Okay chill, you hiss–if he wanted to get his ‘friends’ attention he woulda’ blew that whistle thing by now! What’s his angle, huh? Salty’s five remaining eyes narrow in thought.“... That be dependin’ on what ye’ be doin’ here…”“Your ‘friends’ stole eggs from a sweet, innocent mother!” Answers Volka, her tail slapping the floor to really drive the accusation home! “And we’re taking ‘em back!”Thanks, Volk, you groan, that’s… that pretty much sums it up, yep.“Well nae that won’t do…” Hisses Salty as he scratches his jaw in thought, “If me bosses know I be lettin’ their inventory go, well…” His expression takes a turn for the sinister. “... but if they be hearin’ ole’ Salty stopped ‘em…”Yea, he’s summarized things rather nicely, you sigh, so what’s it gonna take for him to keep his mouth shut?“Hmm… I be supposin’ I’d be distracted by 200 BELLS, aye!”Of course he’d ‘be supposin’ that…“That’s so much!” Winces your favorite Skog as her tail slaps the wall in irritation! “C’mon, we let you off easy last time!”“Then I be open ter’ hearin’ yer counter offers…” Smirks Salty!It takes you a minute to realize TT isn’t at your side anymore–bless her fuzzy, gambling-addicted heart! Maybe she can take him out if you keep him busy… or you just cut to the chase…What do?>HAGGLE!>Keep him talking while TT does her thing!>Point out TT and attack while he’s distracted!>C’mon, Salty Suutz… you REALLY want to keep working for these creeps?>SUCKER PUNCH!>Does he REALLY want to blow that whistle? Really?>He’d better jet while he can–that Shyppa’s gonna break loose in a minute.>Pay the toll!>Stay silent! He’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6163100>SUCKER PUNCH!>"THAT'S MY COUNTER OFFER!" Say this AFTER we punch him. Try to impress the ladies (and fail in doing so)
>>6163100>HAGGLE!>Keep him talking while TT does her thing!These two togetehr, as a distraction. When TT gives the signal, reveal:>He’d better jet while he can–that Shyppa’s gonna break loose in a minute.
>>6163109+1inb4 we punch him with the right hand and our cowboy friend turns him into fucking mist
>>6163109>>6163126>COUNTEROFFER!>>6163122>KANSAS CITY SHUFFLE!It's TIME!>Roll me 1d100+2 (+1 Footwork, +2 Surprise! +3 Sneaky TT, -2 Dark, -2 Wary Salty Suutz!) to-THINK FAST! Best o' 3!>>6163109>And fail in doing soLocked in! If you succeed here you WILL fail to impress the ladies! Hang onta' somethiiiiiing!
Rolled 80 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6163178
Rolled 51 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6163178>>6163178Hit him with the lullaby, hoss!
Rolled 57 (1d100)>>6163178ah shite i totally forgot to roll lmao sorry
>>6163206>>6163213>>6163288>HIGHEST ROLL: 82!!!Writing!>>6163213>The Lullaby!Well if you insist...>>6163126>spoilerY'all be goin' full GOD HAND by the end of this quest I swear
Counteroffer, ey? Scratching your chin in thought, you respond to the mischievous Mzz’goe’virr with a nod. Look, Salty… it’s-Arm spinning like a windmill gone haywire, you deliver the mother of all suckerpunches directly into Salty Suutz’ multiple-eyed mug and send him tumbling onto the floor like a house of cards! THAT’S YOUR COUNTEROFFER, you snarl, immediately regretting it when you hear your one-liner reverberate across the lower level!“That wasn’t a counteroffer at all, Ant!” Volka remarks as she joins you and Tzah-Tzie in making sure Salty Suutz is down for the count!“Yea, you just smacked him!” Adds TT as she pockets the WHISTLE for her own no doubt nefarious purposes! That’s the point, you groan as you try and fail to snatch the item from the Durher, it’s… it was supposed to sound cool!“We can talk about it later!” the Spinner replies, stuffing the prize into one of her many unseen pockets, “Time to go!”“Agreed!” Nods the Skog as she unceremoniously chucks the knocked-out ne’er-do-well into what sounds like a crate, “Rook, you comin’?”“I can find the exit, just make it quick!” Says Tzah-Tzie before scurrying off into Salty Suutz’ warehouse! “I’ll blow this if things go wrong!”Volka picks you up like a football before you can respond! Scampering down the hall, your heartbeat quickens at the sound of multiple pairs of boots coming from the direction of the ramp you entered from! Slapping open the double doors to Zuzu’s warehouse with her tail, Volka wastes no time in hoisting the dripping, foul-smelling sack filled to the brim with the missing eggs! Not keen on having the unique odor rub off on you, you opt to wriggle free from the Skog’s grasp and finish the journey on foot.“Oh hey, you’re baaaack!” Chirps the Shyppa as she presses her perpetually-smiling face against the bars of her cage, “What are you waiting for, hmm!? Lemme go!”The sound of boots growing closer by the second don’t do you any favors–struggling to ignite your hands with demonic flames, your scaly pal hops in with some inspiring words!“Hurry, Ant! They’re gonna be on us in a second!”Wait a sec, that wasn’t inspiring at all! Your route and the goods are secured… what do?>Free Zuzu!>Leave Zuzu!>Write-In!
>>6163327>Free Zuzu!A deal's a deal.
>>6163327>Free Zuzu!When has trusting a totally-not-a-mermaid ever backfired for, say, any other DemBones protagonist?
>>6163327>Free ZuzuYou can eat the guys chasing us. They're spicies, they deserve it. Have fun!
>>6163334>>6163337>>6163347>#FreeZuzu!It's a Christmas Miracle! For her! >Roll me 1d100+4 (+1 Footwork, +3 TT Takes the Lead, +3 Shyppa interference, +4 Volka backup, -2 Dark, -3 Incoming Spicys, -2 Spice Magic) to beat a hasty retreat! Best o' 3! More updates on Monday--thanks for playing and hope to seeya then!>>6163337Surely it will pay off this time!
Rolled 87 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6163419SHE CAN'T BREATHLET HER OUTLET HER OUTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Rolled 4 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6163419
Rolled 12 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6163419
>>6163420>>6163436>>6163439>HIGHEST ROLL: 91!Writiiiiiiiing! Expect fewer updates in the next few days and as we get closer to New Year's. Apologies in advance!
>>6163783>ApologiesUnncessary, good sir. Even QMs have lives. Enjoy yours! We'll be here.
A deal’s a deal, and judging by how close those boots sound, you’ll take any distraction at this point! Clasping your hands around the bars of the cage, you grit your teeth as you feel your hands heat up with otherworldly energy!“OoOooh….” Coos Zuzu as her eyes widen with excitement, “What are you…?”Volka takes a few tentative steps towards the exit and waits by the door for any uninvited guests! “Don’t worry, Rook–I ain’t leavin’ without ya!”Feeling the bars soften and hiss beneath your fingers, you shift your hands to another pair, but freeze up when you feel a pair of rough, scaly talon clasp around them! Sensing something amiss in your expression, Volka hastily drops the egg sack to the ground to assist you as you struggle to break free of the fish girl’s clutches!Zuzu, however, is calm… serene, even! Glowing eyes focused on you like floodlights, she neither tugs on you or nibbles on your fingers as the demonic flames begin to sear through her flesh…“Mmm….” She purrs as you feel scales pop and flesh bubble beneath your fingers, “That hurts SOO goood….”Torn away from the cage by your bodyguard, you follow Volka towards the door as the Shyppa presses against the bars–the cage groaning in protest with each ‘test’!“A deal’s a deal~” Zuzu chirps as she sends one last smile your way, “Seeya’ around, nice guy!”Yea, bye. Taking the lead, you retrace your steps to where you left Tzah-Tzie as the cage slowly buckles behind you! Just as you enter the hallway, however, you and Volka freeze up at the sound of gruff voices just down the passage!“Get Tikko upstairs–the rest of ya’s: spread out an’ box ‘em in. No one’s gettin’ out-”Their orders are cut short by a final squeal of metal being torn asunder behind you! Whipping around in sheer panic, you remember to breathe when you hear something damp slither up the wall…Time to scoot!Tearing off down the hall like a pair of dogs let off their leashes, you and Volka waste no time in returning to the room you left TT and Salty Suutz in. While the former is still presumably stuffed in a crate and sleeping off your punch, the former notices you almost immediately and hops up and down like a jackrabbit on a sugar high!“THIS WAY! C’MON, HURRY!”Hopping onto your back like a baby opossum, TT yelps a bit as Volka reaches down and carries you like a football! Boots slapping against the wet tunnel floor, the Skog doesn’t dare turn back even as you hear the crack and zap of magic going off far behind you! >CONTD.
>>6163805You, Volka, TT, the eggs… all are silent as you make your escape down the tunnel–the passage deathly quiet save for the Skog’s boots splashing through the occasional puddle.Bursting through a steel grille covering the end of the tunnel with extreme prejudice, the three of you don’t stop until the glitz and glamor of Gold Town is left far, far behind you…As the brisk noon air blowdries you clean of the stink of booze, incense, and spice, you let loose a shaky, but triumphant laugh that immediately spreads to your pals! Your first quest, you think, smiling from ear to ear until your cheeks hurt, you DID it!Placing you back on your own two feet, Volka gives you a gentle pat on the back with the tip of her tail as a big smile stretches across her face!“Not bad for a first-timer, Rook!”You feel a good-natured kick on your heel as TT skips over!“That’s an understatement! The ‘Messed With the Spicys and Lived’ Club is a very selective group, Ant–congrats on becoming a member~”More or less ‘Home Free’, you decide to…>Chat up TT!>Converse with Volka!>Fiddle around with your powers!>Just breathe… (All the way to Mimut’s pad!)>Write-In!
>>6163806>Chat up TT!So...I guess since we're finally free, we probably don't have any excuses about not telling the truth to TT. About what happened in the Swoos parlor.
>>6163806>Chat up TT!Also we will have a good story to tell our fellow lamplighters later
>>6163806>Chat up TT!>Converse with Volka!Tell them both about... The RED incident.
>>6163807+1Yeah I think it's time to tell them the truth.
>>6163806>>6163823 +1
>>6163807>>6163815>>6163874>CHAT UP TT>>6163823>>6163949>TALK TO BOTH!It's been a while, but I'm gonna assume y'all just wanted to tell both of them? Apologies if I'm about to thwart anyone's long-term plans of leaving Volka outta' the loop... anyways, writing! Probably not gonna be a lot of updates for the rest of the next two days or so, but here goes!
As the post-escape adrenaline starts to wear off, a singular cough escapes your throat–guess it’s still dry from your run-in at the Swoos Lou-Wait a second… that’s right! You… you almost DIED! Hell, you DID die!“Everything alright, Rook?” Inquires Volka with a curious look on her face!Yea, you nod, why?“You’re uh… you’re headed straight for a-”OW!STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 20!!“... Fruit cart.”Adjusting your trajectory a bit later than you’d like, you reenter the fold and try not to focus on the foul-smelling egg sack dangling over the Skog’s broad shoulder. Well, you sigh, now that you’re home free there IS something you wanted to tell them both…“Something to tell!? O-oh, um… m-maybe this isn’t the place, Rook…” Sputters Volka, nearly tripping over herself and dropping your goods!“Nah, go ahead! Dazzle us~” TT Chirps with the usual overabundance of smug on her face!“No, really!” Repeats the Skog as she readjusts her load and her composure, “Maybe we oughta’ talk off the street?”Why? What’s the big-Your answer comes in the form of a Durher pushing past you with a theatrical cough escaping his lips! “UUUUGH, SHIT, you STINK! Try takin’ a BATH for once, tusks!”You counter with a stern ‘well that’s just your OPINION, man!’, but the critic is long gone before he can hear it! Yea okay, you shrug, let’s take a breather…A few minutes later, TT leads you down an alleyway in an all-too-comfortable fashion. “Smells secure ta’ me!” she reports before plopping down on a metal container and strumming her Striilii.“So!” Begins Volka as she too takes a seat facing the passage you came from, “Whatcha’ wanna talk about, Rook?”Before you begin, you reply, your voice trembling with hesitation, just know it might get a little… wild.The Skog brushes your disclaimer away with a boisterous laugh! “C’mon, gimme a little credit! It takes a lot to disturb this gal, y’know!>CONTD.
>>6164211Two Minutes Later…“Okay, color me disturbed.”Both girls are rendered speechless after your play-by-play of your escapade at the Swoos Lounge, not that you expected any different. So yea, you shrug, you’re uh… that’s the way it is…“Question.” TT asks as she puts down her instrument. Shoot, T! “What did the, erm, well-endowed Durher have to do with the story?”You wanted to be honest, okay!? If you omitted that part then you’d be obfuscating the truth… and you’re not gonna hide anything from them!“I just… I can’t believe you almost DIED, Rook…” Mutters Volka with her head hung in shame! “If it wasn’t for this Red guy you’d… you’d be…”Oh god she’s starting to sniffle! L-look, you interject, it’s okay–you’re fine and-“It’s NOT fine!” The Skog snarls as she jerks her head up to face you! “TT and I got distracted… and that nearly got you KILLED!”TT opens her mouth to say something, but the sentence dies in her throat as a look of realization plasters itself onto her face. Did… did she not consider that until now?Before you can ponder it further, Volka rises to her usual intimidating height with an even more disconcerting glare on her face! “And this ‘friend’ of yours… when you die he-”He’s got you, you nod. That’s your understanding of the situation, at least.“And he’s gonna give you some deals?” Adds TT with growing concern in her voice! “For more ‘oomph’?”Mhm, you nod again, but he said they were optional, so-Volka shifts around, her massive boots grinding the alleyway’s dirt and grime. “Ant, I… I know you’re not gonna like it, but I gotta suggest it:”Steeling yourself for whatever hare-brained scheme the Skog has, you motion for her to continue. And then say ‘go ahead’ when you remember she can’t see your hand gestures!“It’s… it’s a long shot…” She begins, her big yellow eyes filled with uncertainty as they flit around the alley, “But what if… what if we asked the Temple for help?”You blink. Then blink again. Then once more for good measure.The people you hid from? The people they all say will go all ‘Spanish Inquisition’ on you if they find you? THAT temple!?“Yea, no offense, Volkie,” Grumbles TT with a sour expression forming, “But that sounds like a crummy idea…”>CONTD.
>>6164212“I know it does!” Groans the Skog as her tail swishes around with growing anxiety, “But people hate devils for a reason, Ant… a-and the longer this power sits inside you the worse it’s gonna get…”You get what she’s saying, you sigh as you massage your temples, but they don’t exactly seem like the most tolerant people, y’know?“But if anyone can fix you, it’s Mitaar…” Counters the Skog! “Maybe we can find someone who will understand! O-or at least won’t outright smite you…”TT’s eyes light up. “... there IS that JHAIRO guy… the one we saw in the shop earlier…”Yea, good one, you scoff! You wouldn’t trust that HUNK with a slice of pizza, much less your SOUL!“I’m not saying we gotta’ deal with it now,” Replies Volka in a diplomatic, yet still concerned tone, “But we should at least come up with a plan, yea?” Her gaze softens. “I promised I’d help you, Anton… so let me. Please?”TT doesn’t agree, but she doesn’t argue either. The question is, what say ye?>You’ll look for options, but fuck the Temple!>The Temple’s worth a shot… who do we ask, though?>Oti might have an idea or two!>Why do you think Jhairo’s a good option?>Can’t Volkir help? He does potions and shit…>RED’s the best chance you’ve got right now. You ain’t getting rid of him.>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6164213>Oti might have an idea or two!Ask around before going to the bloody temple no?
>>6164213>Oti might have an idea or two!And anyway...>Why do you think Jhairo’s a good option?
>>6164213>>RED’s the best chance you’ve got right now. You ain’t getting rid of him.
>>6164213>Oti might have an idea or two!>Why do you think Jhairo’s a good option?
>>6164213>Oti might have an idea or two!
>>6164227>>6164229>>6164343>>6164444>OTIIIIII>>6164229>>6164343>WHY JHAIRO THOUGH>>6164265>AIN'T GETTING RID OF RED YOU NERDSWriting! Hope everyone had a tasty Christmas if you celebrate it! For everyone else, my apolocheese for the delay
For a moment you almost consider asking the girls why they suggested that JHAIRO HUNK of all people, but your finely-honed COMMON SENSE tells you you ain’t gonna like their answers! Stupid hunks...Look, you reply with a half-chuckle, you get where they’re coming from! Really! But when it really comes down to it you just don’t really trust the people known for wiping out demons on-sight to not, well…“... wipe you out on-sight?”Precisely, TT, you nod, it just seems a little… dicey, is all. Besides, you add as you stretch your shoulders a bit, if you really wanna know more about demons you do have a lifeline you haven’t had the chance to tug on yet…Sensing who you’re speaking of, Volka’s eyes narrow into a frown. “Oh… you’re talking about that Oti guy, aren’t you…”Problem?“No, not really…” She replies in a voice that does, in fact, suggest a problem, “Though I have my suspicions about how amicable he was to aiding in a slave hunt.”Salty Suutz was running the show there, you argue with traces of ‘a-ha!’ in your tone, and she didn’t have any problems with HIM!“... because I threw him in jail, Rook.” The Skog counters, “And now that I’m comin’ down from the runner’s high, I think we might have left him to a horrible death at the hands of a deranged Shyppa…”“Hey, live by the crime, die by the crime, am I right?” Smirks TT as she nudges Volka’s impressive side!Doesn’t she engage in petty crimes, like, all the time, though?“Alleged.” Deflects the Durher as she flicks her gaze skyward, “A-anyways, I’m with Ant here: smelly and rude though he may be, it couldn’t hurt to hear the mage out, right?”“Yea… ya’ ain’t wrong…” Volka says with a begrudging nod. “At any rate, thanks for letting us know, Rook.” The unease on her face gives way to a cocky grin! “Just means I’m gonna have ta’ keep an extra close eye on ya’ from now on! Watch out~”“And speaking of watching out,” Adds TT as Volka rises to give your hair a playful tousle that nearly twists your head off, “Watch out for places you don’t understand from now on, yea? Especially Swoos Lounges...”Yea, yea, you grumble, you get the picture!“Great!” Chirps the Spinner as she strums a few notes, “Then let’s get the MONEY while we’re at it, hmmm? To the Rags?”“To the Rags!” Roars Volka as her tail triumphantly slaps the ground!“‘Kay, not that loud…” Mutters the music-maker, still wincing at the volume, “Don’t want anyone following us, do we?”C’mon, you scoff as you lead the gang out of the alley, who’d wanna track you to a slum?>CONTD.
>>6165109Are they SURE?“Course we are!”The road back to Mimut’s place through the Rags District was about as pleasant as it could have been–aside from a brief, but tense encounter with a pack of… somethings... snarling at you from the shadows and a very visceral ten minutes of hearing someone being butchered alive in the alleys below you, you can’t help but be a little flabbergasted when your stalwart street urchins, Vilah and Dilah, once again try to refuse payment for their guide services!“Girls,” Volka adds in a soft tone as she stoops to their level, “That’s a very nice offer an’ all, but don’t you need these bells?”“NOPE!” Dilah chirps, her one good eye shaking back and forth along with her head!“See the thing is,” Adds Vilah with a twinkle in her teeth, “Di and I have been thinkin’, yea? And after seein’ how you lot handled those gang goons, well…”The twins stride forward with steeled gazes before simultaneously delivering their decision!“WE’RE JOININ’ YA!”You and the members of Team… huh, you never came up with a team name! You really oughta’ get on that! Anyways, you and your pals exchange an uncertain glance… errr, joining?“Y’know, the LIGHTING LAMPS thing!” Vilah chides with a giggle! “What, didja’ forget already?”“We didn’t~” Snickers her sibling! “We wanna make things better! And hot meals!”“How about that, ey, Volkie?” Smirks TT as she shifts her smug gaze towards the Skog, “You’re gonna have an army at this rate~”“This… well, um…” Sputters the Skog as she glances your way for assistance, “I mean… this isn’t really a job for kids an-”“Neither is guiding dopes like you around the Rags!” Vilah counters as she stomps a light foot on the ground in defiance! “But you guys… especially the one that smells like burnt meat,” she adds as she shifts her eyes in your direction, “You’re actually making things better here!”“And we wanna help!”“So what’s ta’ think about? Sign us up!”“Yea! SIGN! US! UP!”Oh god, they’re hopping up and down now… well TT seems to find it hilarious, but Volka looks like a cornered opossum… maybe you should step in?>Nah, Volka’s the Lamplighter Boss! Let her sort this out!>Yea, you can join!>Sorry, girls… but no!>Sign up, but give ‘em kiddo tasks!>How about they get REAL jobs if they’re so eager?>Stay silent! They’ll think you disappeared!>Write-In!
>>6165110>Write-inTell Volka she should consider letting them join but putting them in safe jobs. Not necessarily kid work, just safe work.
>>6165116+1
>>6165116+1>>6165110It's ultimately up to her, though, like with the Icers. We don't want to undermine her authority.
>>6165116>>6165129>>6165130>WORK SAFE, WORK HARDWriting!
It ain’t your place to call the shots on Lamplighter matters… that’s Volka’s responsibility. You learned that much the last time you dealt with the Icers, at least! Based on how she’s looking your way, however, it would appear she’s opening up the floor for ideas…Well, you begin as you make a show of rubbing your chin in contemplation, it would certainly be better than having them hang out here… however, you add with a twinkle in your eye, they’d probably have to be assigned special tasks based on all their experience… right, Volk?It takes her a moment, but when the poor girl catches on she makes sure to send an appreciative grin your way!“Y-yea! That’s right, Rook! Can’t let all that slum-crawling experience go to waste, but it ain’t gonna be easy, ladies!”“Fine by us!” Barks Dilah with a stony expression on her one-eyed face!“We LIVE for the tricky stuff!” Says her sister with a firm nod! “Don’t even think of goin’ easy on us!”“Heh! We’ll see!” Smirks Volka as she rises back to her full height, “Okay, Rookies: we’ll get your enlistment figured out later today, but first thing’s first: your assignment is to scout our surroundings and secure the area around Mimut’s place! If there’s even a TOTTA within one-hundred paces I wanna know about it! Clear?”“As CRYSTAL!” Reply the girls as they high-five each other! “We won’t letcha’ down, miss!”“That’s GRAND MARSHALL to you!” The Skog corrects as she shoots you a surreptitious wink! “Now go on, make us proud!”“Better hold tight, pal,” Vilah warns you with narrowed eyes, “We’re gonna climb this ladder all the way to the top!”“An’ we ain’t gonna be nice when we pass ya’ on the way up!” Adds Dilah as the two slink into the shadows! “Heheheh, watch out, Ant…” Warns TT with a sly look in her eye, “Durher pups operate on a whole other level, y’know…”No kidding! With the matter settled for the time being, you turn your attention back to your initial job and knock on the Moleg momma’s door!>CONTD.
>>6165175“You did it…”If you didn’t know any better, and you don’t, you’d almost assume the soft-spoken Moleg was… ecstatic? Your employer doesn’t jump for joy, per se, but as she graciously takes the eggs off of Volka’s claws you sense renewed pep in her step… like a dog knowing it’s about to go for a walk!Mimut disappears into the burrow for a few moments, a set of unseen appendages clicking all the while! “Means she’s happy.” Whispers Volka, not that you needed confirmation. You’re just about to take a seat again when the Moleg reemerges with fresh flame in her eyes!“Any… problems?”You shrug. You were pretty sneaky, all things considered.“... Did you kill?”Nope. A groan akin to a creaking ship emanates from the distraught mother.“Good… not worth it…”“You gonna be okay?” Inquires TT as she bounces up and down on a chair, “They’re just gonna come back for ‘em, y’know.”You move to flick the insensitive Spinner’s ears, but Mimut creaks in response! “Done with Crossroads… going back to ITZBAAR...”“Is that safe? Moleg cities can be, uh, hectic...” Replies TT with an apologetic frown. “Not to mention Crossroads is closed…” Volka adds. “No one gets in or out til’ this murder business is cleared up.”You can almost swear you see a flicker in Mimut’s eye. “Have my ways…”You get the feeling those ways aren’t gonna be easy…“Doesn’t matter…” She creaks, “A mother must try… No matter what.” Another twinkle. “... Can handle myself. Bouncer, remember?”Leaving it at that, the mom in question moves to one of the corners and starts rooting around behind some furniture.TT’s eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “Shoot, I knew there was something over th-”Aaaand quickly dim once she notices you’re listening. Trudging back over to your entourage, Mimut places a weighty sack of BELLS in your hand!“Extra. For trouble.”Taking stock of the bag’s contents, you find yourself dealing with 400 BELLS! This… you can’t-“YES WE CAN! YES WE CAAAAAN!” TT yowls, shaking your hip like a madwoman!“Most don’t care about Rags folk…” Mimut counters, “Saved my family.” You feel a massive, chitinous claw poke your chest with the gentleness of a lamb. “Saved me.”“But… won’t you need this?” Asks Volka, eyes wide and breath shallow in disbelief!Mimut doesn’t respond. Guess that’s the answer?What say ye?>Thank you, Mimut. (Take it!)>We agreed on 200, so that’s what it’ll be!>Let’s do 100–you’ll need it!>Forget the money, just take care of yourself!>Write-In!
>>6165176>Write-In!Let's do...250. That seems good enough, right?She keeps the rest.By the way guys, remember what TT said she'd like to do once we were in a quiet, calm place?
>>6165176>>Thank you, Mimut. (Take it!)we need it too, ok?if for nothing else, our new members want to eat warm meals.
>>6165178+1 to 250.>>6165176Also>nervously recall TT's offer and begin sweating and being a self-conscious, awkward jabronieIt's in-character!
>>6165178>>6165226>250'S THE BEST I CAN DO!>>6165211>CHA-CHIIIIING!>>6165226>SPERG OUT!Writing~>>6165226>jabroniWoah... cool word...
Sorry, you reply with a reassuring smile, but the job said ‘200 BELLS’. You can’t take all of this!BUT, you add as you feel the seething Spinner’s claws dig into your hip with murderous intent, you don’t wanna insult her either: how’s 250 sound?The Moleg mulls over the offer for a moment or so before answering with a firm grunt. “Very kind… very honorable… thank you, Anton.”“He IS all of those things, isn’t he?” Chirps Volka as she gives you a playful nudge with a proud look on her face! “When do you plan on leaving town?”“Sooner the better…” Groans Mimut as she gently takes the pouch from your hands and counts out the correct amount. “Long journey… but we’ll be fine.”As you stow your payment away in your pockets, you feel a heavy claw rest itself on your head!“Will name young after you three… can never thank enough…” Giving you a few more pats, the Moleg nods one more time. “Tell Ma ‘thanks’.”“We will!” Smiles the Skog, “Safe travels, yea?”Mimut stares at her for a moment as a chittering noise emerges from where her mouth would be! Saying your farewells, you and the gals leave the mother to prepare for her trek with your purse a little heavier and your heart a little lighter!“Welp,” Volka remarks as she stretches her broad shoulders with a resounding ‘CRACK’, “Not bad for a day’s work, ey, Rook?”Sure, you sigh, giving your booted feet a few shakes, you’re about ready to pass out…“Ah-ah-ah!” Chides the Skog with a wink, “Still got the biggest Lamplighter meeting ever tonight~ Can’t be late!”What time is it, anyways? Based on how cold it’s become, you’d guess it was getting a little later in the day… Your Grand Marshall answers by giving the air a few sniffs. Well?“Not a clue! Not sure why I tried that…” She answers with a sheepish grin on her face, “Betcha’ thought it’d work though, huh?”“Probably missed the last Bell Tower toll, but I’d wager it’s almost evening now!” Adds TT as she leans against your hip! “But as they say, the night… is young!”Who says that? Anyways, it doesn’t matter–for the first time in a while you’re free, kinda, and you’re not in any immediate danger! What’s the next step?PASTEBIN UPDATED!https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Talk to Oti about your powers!>Head to the Lamplighter Meeting!>Investigate the Clock Store in that code message!>Scope out the Mitaaran Temple!>Check out the crime scene of Chairman Fellick’s murder!>Grab another job from the Job Board!>Head to The Salt Shaker Pub by the docks… something about fighting for bells?>See how Volkir’s shop is doing!>Go shopping!>Write-In!
>>6165256>Write-In!Ask TT if she's still up on her offer. Try not to drop all of your spaghetti while you do so.
>>6165256Ooooh, she's a roach lady. Thanks, roach-lady! Safe travels!>Head to the Lamplighter Meeting!Can't be late! Oti can wait for tomorrow. And as for the, uh, OTHER matter...>Spill spaghetti trying to revisit subject of flirtation with the cat(?)girl snuggled up against us, if we get a private moment>>6165260No time for love, Doctor Jones.
>>6165275>No time for loveThere's always time for love. Better now when there's nothing happening than when something big is about to. With our luck, if we leave it 'for later', we'll end up never getting a chance to do it! What if we end up in a pickle and Red basically forces us to give him a permanent stay on our body instead of just 'an optional deal'?
>>6165276If our chance to get it with a cute catgirl is so ephemeral is meant to be, it will not vanish so quickly.
>>6165278We are not a man blessed by fortune, it is only by taking fate with our own hands and taking the things we want that we will achieve our goals.
Alright, since no one else seems to be around, how about a compromise; we can do it after the meeting.I mean, it's not gonna take all night, right? We go to the meeting and then get some private time with our dear catwoman.
>>6165286+1
>>6165275+1
