ANTON PEAS: that’s your name, don’t wear it out! Originally a mild-mannered grilljockey, a botched demonic summoning brought you to ZORAL: a fantasy world shrouded in perpetual darkness!You get used to it!The memory loss and everyone trying to kill you? That’s the tricky part. See, your unexpected trip landed you in one Hell of a mess: not only did you lose a huge chunk of your memories, but you also forfeit your soul to RED--you don’t know the specifics, but essentially your summoning granted you some DEMONIC POWERS, so it’s not all bad! What IS bad is what you’re up to now: your hellish helper can restore your memories, but he won’t do it for free! The price: delivering the heads of THE FOUR LORDS OF ZORAL: tyrants and titans that rule the darklands with iron fists, claws, and… you dunno, tentacles, maybe? There’s a reason they’ve ruled for so long, however, and despite your platoon of pals and plentiful powers you can’t help but feel a little apprehensive about the whole thing!Exhibit A: ARCHMAGE TRIER. Arriving in UMBERAL: Zoral’s very own city of tomorrow, you were swiftly introduced to the TEKSOULS: menacing magitek that follow every whim Trier can think up… and you met the guy–he thinks a LOT!Not to be outdone, you also ran into THE SPICE CARTEL--not only is Umberal their home turf, they’re also running some kind of deal with the Archmage… as for what it is, well, you shudder to think!Your search for leverage over the Archmage took you to TRIMBAULT ACADEMY: Zoral’s most prestigious magical academy, and whole you managed to snag some goodies and teach a surprisingly-decent class (don’t ask), you didn’t manage to find notes other mages took on their Archmage adversary! Even worse, all signs point to The Cartel snatching them up for their own perfidious plots!Luckily you had an in: TZAH-TZIE, skilled songstress and your current beau, has an axe to grind with her musical rival LUTZA. Having saved the starlet from a kidnapping on the Umberal Skyrail, you earned your way into holding a concert in Umberal, and some of the biggest names in The Cartel just happen to be huge fans!You were just about to plot out the details at the glitzy CRYSTALMELT HOT SPRINGS LODGE when you ran smack-dab into The Cartel’s higher-ups… and the big cheese himself, VHALE NESSURMOS.Did we mention he’s also your girlfriend’s husband? And that she freezes up like a clam on Pluto at the mere mention of his name?Cornered by the Cartel, THIS is where your tale continues…https://youtu.be/1lR8VLt1Xlk>CONTD.
>>6322706Welcome to DARK QUEST! Leave your worries by the door with your shoes, ya’ ain’t gonna need ‘em! Socks optional!>Archive link to catch up with the last thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Quest>Pastebin for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Character and Other Info compiled by everyone’s favorite fuzzball! https://pastebin.com/YKhP6xCt>Twitter for updates, dumb art, etc.https://x.com/DemBonez3Rolls are handled by a 1(or more)d100--I take the BEST OF THREE ROLLS! 1’s are CRITFAILS while 100’s are CRITSUCCESSES! Certain boosts and maluses will be applied based on the situation and existing skills.PLEASE ONLY 1 VOTE/ROLL PER PLAYER! If it’s exceptionally slow I’ll ask for people to roll again!BEEP BEEP! NEW MECHANIC!!! Thank you to the brave anons that weighed in last thread to make it happen: BAD LUCK BALATRO: Every day you get ONE reroll on a LUCK-BASED ROLL (Bluffing, Acrobatics, Dodging... situations where BAD LUCK would make sense per the anon that suggested it! Swell idea, mac!) I will provide the prompt when appropriate!Describing your actions, write-ins, and GENERAL CREATIVITY are all APPRECIATED AND REWARDED--we like to keep things LIGHT and CHILL here, so come on in and have some fun! FAN ART, THEORIES, AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK ARE ALL VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!DISCLAIMER: THIS QUEST IS DARK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
“So,” He begins as if catching up with an old friend, “How’s my… blushing bride, hmm?”An uncanny silence blankets Lutza’s suite as the question echoes in your skull, the words violently crashing against it as if they were trying to break out! Ever the professional, Joplin the Manager and one of Lutza’s Skog Bodyguards stand between the mafiosos and his managee–the former’s stern expression even stonier as the room’s tension becomes thick enough to taste!Rolo and Sixface, however, remain bent in perfect bows, neither daring to speak over their boss.And Vhale?The Durher just stares you down, unblinking, his eyes deader than a shark’s. Borderline emotionless, but with a hint of amusement? You don’t sense ire in his gaze, you think, but you don’t sense much of anything, really.That’s what worries you.Though the mafia don is several heads shorter than you, the simple gesture sends a shiver down your spine as if you were staring down the barrel of a bootlegger’s shotgun…With a hair trigger.Vhale doesn’t repeat his question, but you get the burning sense that he isn’t going to let you go without an answer. But how do you respond to the man who nearly snuffed the whimsy out of Tzah-Tzie’s eyes? A monster so vile Tzah-Tzie forced herself to vomit all over to escape his… ‘touch’ on their expedited honeymoon? How do you respond to Vhale Nessurmos: Cartel Kingpin, Ally to the Archmage, and breaker of spirits?>She’s safe.>What does he care?>She’s upgraded, actually!>He’s not getting her back.>Spit in his face.>Stay Silent! He’ll think you disappeared!>Come closer and I’ll tell you.>ATTACK!>Write-In!
>>6322708>She’s safeI can't say I like him, but we can't kill him just yet. Not with Trier still around.
>>6322708>She happy now, if you really care.Some spite is appropriate.Welcome back, QM!
>>6322708>>6322744 +1
>>6322708>She's actually happy now.Spitepilled. Let spite fill your soul, Antard.
>>6322744Hey gurl heeeeyyy~>>6322744>>6322761>>6322767>She's happy now, if you really care>>6322721>She's SAFEWriting! Good to be back even if it was only a short amount of time
She’s happy now, you spit as you meet his dead gaze with a glare, if he cares, that is!“No..” Shrugs the Durher as if you’d just asked him how hungry he was, “But I’ll admit my curiosity was piqued when I learned she didn’t become Makaar fodder or some bandit’s plaything…” Vhale cocks his head to the side. “She is my property, after all.”Oh, you scoff with a derisive smile, is that what he thinks? “It’s what I know.” The Durher answers in the same lackadaisical tone. “Her dear parents came crawling on their hands and knees to my father and I with the marriage certificate already stamped with their seal… practically threw her at me, really.”Steel clinks at the Cartel Kingpin’s side as he crosses one leg over the other. “It matters not how many men she’s lifted her tail for–and I suspect that’s quite a number–but it’s the same principle as my blade, really: some knuckle-dragging invalid can swing it around all he wants. Drool on the hilt, rub it against his chin…”It’s only now that you realize Vhale hasn’t blinked once since his unexpected arrival.“But were they to make the assertion that my blade belongs to them, well…” A claw idly taps against the sword at his side with a rhythmic ‘tink’, “That would be a very, very ill-informed idea indeed.”Vhale’s gray eyes tremble briefly.“... Drafty in here.”The words scarcely leave the Kingpin’s lips before his subordinates spring into action!“T-take my cloak, sir!”“A-and my hat-”Vhale neither looks at or acknowledges Rolo or Sixface as they scramble over to offer up to him their belongings. Rolo’s Mzz’goe’virr femme fatales, however, stand like gargoyles behind your chair, both wound up like homicidal Jack-In-The-Boxes waiting to pop!“So!” The Durher announces with the faintest hint of levity in his droning voice, “Let’s talk. ’Anton.’”You blink. About what? Vhale doesn’t.“Your reward,” He replies as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “For returning my stolen property, of course.” His head cocks to the side once more. “Surely you didn’t come all this way just to sample my limitless charm and legendary hospitality…” His empty eyes briefly flick over to his cowed subordinates. “Or did you simply wish to embarrass my subordinates?” A few tsks leave Vhale’s lips as he dismissively shakes his head. “Letting a rampant arsonist like this wander Umberal unimpeded, Rolo? Sixface? Poor form indeed…”The Durher known as Sixface averts her eyes as Vhale’s wander over to hers. “I’m accustomed to Rolo disappointing me, but I entrusted City Affairs to you… as a treat.”“F-forgive me, boss, but–” Sixface stammers as an uncanny bulging occurs in her eyes as she stutters out an excuse, “B-but he… he’s been claimed by… y-you know…”>CONTD.
>>6322847Vhale yawns as his gaze shifts back onto you. “Is that right?” He leans forward to study what few features he can see. “That’s a shame.” He leans back as quickly as he shifted forward. “The Old Man’s grown a bit too comfortable claiming what’s ‘his’, it would seem…” A faint grin creeps onto Vhale’s dour face. “But that’s no concern of yours, is it? Anton~”Look, you begin as you stare Vhale dead in the eyes, you didn’t come here to collect on some deranged ‘finder’s fee’, okay? So he can-“I insist.” The Durher interjects, barely raising his tone. “I’m well aware that she’s here–your entourage was spotted long before you reached Crystalmelt.” An unnerving crackle comes from his shoulder. “Quite a few of you in your merry little band, aren’t there?” Vhale leans forward in his seat once more. “But we will collect her. You and your friends will be on the next train out of Umberal by the time she suspects anything. The question is,” His voice hangs on the last word causing it to come out like a hiss, “What. Is. Yourrrr….” The Durher pauses for almost playful effect, “... Price?”“B-boss…” Rolo mutters under his breath, “T-the Archmage’ll be pissed… a-and he bu-”“Busted your toy Casino in Crossroads, I’m aware.” Purrs Vhale, his unblinking eyes not leaving yours. “My heart bleeds for you, Rolo… but when this transaction concludes, so too will our… disagreements.” Your Poker face falters, if only for a moment. Is he seriously trying to bury the hatchet?“So,” Vhale repeats, “How much is the whore worth, hm?”What say ye? What is Tzah-Tzie worth?>You want to know how to kill Trier.>Bells. More bells than you’ll ever be able to spend.>You want her to play a concert. With Lutza.>You want a way back to your home plane.>You’ll have to think about it.>Fuck you.>Fuck you.>Write-In!
Whoops, forgot a few options that are less... dealy.Inventory: https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Reach into your BIISII'S BAG!>Ask to use the bathroom!>BLASTCAPS!>Burn the floor and signal Oti!>
>>6322849Man, I don't wanna throw away this whole plan we had to kill Trier and have a cool fight...but it's definitely gonna happen if we make Vhale Flambeé
>>6322873I'll say one thing and then shut up:Toppel and a few other folks mentioned that Vhale doesn't die that easy..
>>6322873But on the other hand telling him to fuck off is certainly an option too. Okay now I'll seriously shut it
>>6322874The issue is that even if he did we wouldn't be able to do it.>>6322871Screw it,>BISII BAG
>>6322849>You want her to play a concert. With Lutza.Gives us lots of time to plan a double-cross with our boo.
>>6322849>You want her to play a concert. With Lutza.Let's not unleash the bag upon him just yet.. We must as well try to get something out of this.
>>6322883>BIISII'S BAG>>6323003>>6323014>CONCERT!Will write tomorrow! Sorry, busy Friday!
The word he uses to address Tzah-Tzie slaps you in the face like a rotten fish. Your teeth clench. Fists ball up at your sides. Your temples heat up and a vein throbs on your forehead as every voice in your head tells… no, SCREAMS at you to wipe the smirk off of this asshole’s face with two handfuls of hellfire!It’s more than he deserves… and yet you hesitate.She has a name, you spit as you lean forward to meet Vhale’s stony gaze with one of your own, and she wants to play a concert with Lutza. That’s why you’re here in the first place!Vhale doesn’t flinch at your request, nor does he seem too threatened by it. “Names are for those that warrant them.” He shrugs, leaning back as his eyes dance over to his subordinates. “A concert, hm?”“Y-yes, sir…” For the first time in what feels like ages, Lutza speaks up from behind her bodyguard bulwark! “We began planning on the Skyrail--sh-she can play well an-”Her first and last public performance…” Vhale sighs as the corner of his mouth curls up into a crooked grin, “Fitting.” His dull eyes jerk back over to yours. “So that’s it, is it? You gain nothing, she gets one last desperate gasp of freedom?”That’s right, you nod, holding your Poker face together as best you can, and that’s that.“And that’s that…” Vhale purrs as his claw clinks against his blade a few more times. “Send her up.”Hastily rubbing at her eyes, Sixface leaps to her feet for another swift bow. “O-of course, boss!”Hey, you begin as Sixface darts out the door, she doesn’t-“She does.” The Kingpin interrupts as one of his fangs pokes out from between his lips, “Would you rather we keep it a surprise? That’s cold, Anton…” His gaze drifts over to Lutza once more. “Where and when do you intend to hold this… ‘bash’?”“Tonight.” Answers Joplin, the Gnok Manager stealing a glance your way that almost says ‘just trust me’. “Here in Crystalmelt.”“Interesting venue choice.” Remarks Vhale, claw still tinking away at his blade, “Why not have it at the estate?”“For the sake of everyone’s privacy and safety we found it prudent to choose a more public area,” Joplin adds, earning a nod from his managee, “The crowds my client attracts tend to be rather large… and unruly, at times.”Before you can discuss it further, you hear a pair of familiar pitter-pattering feet enter from the front of the suite! “LUTZA~” Chirps and all-too-familiar and chipper voice, “Better start practicing, beca-”Skipping around the corner, Tzah-Tzie freezes up at the sight of Vhale, her words screeching to a halt in her throat with a violent choking noise! As the color and life drain from her features, the Kingpin takes a long, hard look at the girl as if inspecting her for damages.>CONTD.
>>6323272“Well, well, well…” He purrs, relishing the reaction he receives as he slowly rises from his chair, “She’s finally come home.”Betrayal and confusion clouds Tzah-Tzie’s eyes as they frantically flit around the room in search of an exit… but despite the abject terror in her features, the girl doesn’t dare move… not even when Vhale closes the gap between the two and lifts her chin with a claw.“So.” He remarks, his bride trembling as his hands begin to wander around her body, “Music, hm? You never showed me your singing voice.”Tzah-Tzie’s on lockdown. No vitriol leaves her lips, no bites meet their mark… it’s as if she’s a completely different person–or an animal, rather. Trembling in place, she doesn’t respond or react to Vhale as he takes his time planting a kiss on her pursed lips.“You’re nervous. Don’t worry–we’ll have lots of time to get… reaquainted.” Vhale’s sharklike eyes drift back over to you with an almost teasing glimmer. “Anton and I had a long talk… and he settled on quite the finder’s fee for your return.”She doesn’t have to say anything to show her betrayal. As her eyes whip over to yours you see it plain as day: confusion. Anger. Despair.And Vhale? He’s just lapping it all up.You meet her gaze and mouth the words ‘trust me’, but you’re not sure if they hit their mark or not. Tzah-Tzie’s no fool, you know that better than anyone, but sometimes she’s almost too good of an actress…“In return for Anton and company’s safe passage out of the city, you and Lutza will be playing at a concert tonight,” Vhale continues, earning an uneasy snigger from Rolo, “Here at Crystalmelt.” He makes a show of rubbing his chin in mock contemplation. “Think of it as… a going away party.”TT doesn’t respond, but Vhale does. A sharp CRACK rings across the room as he brings his claw across her cheek! Lutza gasps. Joplin and her Skog bodyguard flinch. Rolo and his girls stand stoic. And you? All you can do is gnaw on your cheek to keep yourself from tackling the bastard to the ground…“What do we say when someone does something nice for us?”Tears begin to trickle down Tzah-Tzie’s trembling face. “... Thank you…” She stammers, her eyes burning into the floor. “Thank… you…”“Good girl.” Giving her shivering head a pat, Vhale shifts his gaze back your way once again. “A deal’s a deal, Anton Peas.” He turns to face Joplin. “Tell the concierge what you need. We’ll foot the bill.”The Gnok nods in silent assent as the Kingpin’s gaze falls upon a still-staken Lutza. “Break a leg, hm? This is my wife’s big night, after all…”Vhale doesn’t even acknowledge Lutza’s wary nod as he takes the first few steps towards leaving the suite, but pauses.>CONTD.
>>6323276“Ah.” Turning to face the still-statuelike Tzah-Tzie, a sharp whistle escapes his lips prompting Rolo’s floozies to scoop your girl up in their arms!“We’ll take care of her until ‘Showtime,” Explains Vhale as TT hangs limply in the Mzz’goe’virr girls’ grasp, “My mansion has plenty of quiet rooms to practice in.” That crooked smile creeps onto his face as he turns to face you. “Wouldn’t want her getting… distracted, now would we?”For the briefest of moments Tzah-Tzie’s terror is replaced by something else… you can’t quite tell what it means, but her eyes meet yours as she changes. What could she mean?“Was there anything else?” Mutters the Durher, eyes still unblinking as he lingers by the door. “Rolo, track down Six before we leave. You know how hungry they get.”“Righto, boss…”Anything else? This might be the last time you get to talk to Vhale or TT for a while…>TT stays with you!>If he even THINKS of hurting her…>Him and Trier–what’s the connection?>Trier’s not going to intervene, is he?>What guarantee do you have that the cartel will stop hounding you?>Fuck you, Vhale.>Let’s shake on it.>ATTACK!>Write-In!
>>6323280>Trier’s not going to intervene, is he?We might as well get some info. I trust TT to know we've got a plan, anyway.
>>6323280>TT stays with you!He can have her back after the concert if he's still alive, which at this rate he will not be but until then, she stays with us and our friends. This is her last desperate gasp of freedom. THAT is the deal.
>>6323284Knowing we have a plan is one thing, but leaving her in the clutches of her abusive husband is another.
>>6323291Do you think he's going to accept that?
>>6323293If he has the sort of mindset where he thinks we're being legit with this deal to begin with, why not? If he genuinely thinks we're trading TT to him, he might just think we want one last roll in the hay before she goes away, or to try to apologize.And if he deosn't accept, I'm afraid we must flambe him.
>>6323294I'm pretty sure he'd think we just want to find a way to escape with her. Even if he agreed he'd get a lot more guards on our tail.
>>6323296I'm personally more confident of our ability to operate with his guards watching us than I am in leaving out chinchillathinge in his claws, alone and without back-up. He is exceedingly rapey.
>>6323297That's cool but I still think he's not gonna let us. Plus, we kinda have to leave her alone when it's time for the showdown and we have to go somewhere else.I get that you don't wanna leave TT alone but I really don't think that he will accept it or that it would make things better.
>>6323301Then we cook him. That's my vote, anyway. We'll see what others do, but I won't vote to leave TT alone with her rapist and his goons. Blame the QM for getting me invested in her well-being.
