ANTON PEAS: that’s your name… don’t wear it out! Feels like it’s been ages since a botched summoning ritual brought you to ZORAL: a fantasy world shrouded in perpetual darkness… but you’ve really only been here for a few days–and BOY have you been busy!Your memories? Foggy! A way home? Uncertain! People trying to kill you? Very Yes! To say this new world is treacherous would be an understatement, to say the least, and to make matters worse, an archdevil who calls himself ’RED’ is your best chance at remembering who you were! His price? Slaying THE FOUR LORDS: a kooky quartet of tyrants and beasts who jealously rule their slice of Zoral with an iron fist… or claw… or whatever they have! Having just put an end to the overdue reign of ARCHMAGE TRIER in the never-sleeping city of UMBERAL, your aggressive altruism freed none other than KNODD, Earthmother and god of the land!Juiced up on divine powers and named the first ’CHAMPION OF THE GODS’, your new status attracted the notice of several high-rung folks, chief among them THE STAR-CLOAKS: a clandestine cadre of mages devoted to maintaining order in Zoral, no matter the cost! Weirder still was when you met their Guildmaster: VOLKIR! Volka’s adoptive father and curmudgeon par excellence, the old coot didn’t waste much time in tossing a new crisis your way: per what you heard from Trier, there’s a SIEGE headed to CROSSROADS! Who’s planning it and why? The details are foggy, but who better than you is there to help save the day?Having just acquired several Emergency Supply caches for the city from a pair of Spice Cartel Holdouts, you turn your heroic attention towards your next task: investigating a group of HEDGE MAGES holed up in one of Crossroads’ many parks… and maybe even recruiting them to your side! With the trade hub bursting at the seams from civil unrest and outside influence, you can use all the help you can get your mitts on… something tells you this ain’t gonna be easy!Making your way across a rapidly-deteriorating city, THIS is where your story continues…NEW DIVINITY-POWERED THREAD THEME!https://youtu.be/p4Z96WwZrL0
>>6405694Bar the gates and hunker down with the rest of the lads… it’s DARK QUEST! Take a peek at the links and rules below while you’re at it–you’ll be glad ya’ did!>Archive link to catch up with the last thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Quest>Pastebin for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Character and Other Info compiled by everyone’s favorite Spinner…https://pastebin.com/YKhP6xCtRolls are handled by a 1(or more)d100--I take the BEST OF THREE ROLLS! 1’s are CRITFAILS while 100’s are CRITSUCCESSES! Certain boosts and maluses will be applied based on the situation and existing skills.PLEASE ONLY 1 VOTE/ROLL PER PLAYER! If it’s exceptionally slow I’ll ask for people to roll again!BEEP BEEP! NEW MECHANIC!!! 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
>>6405696“About time.”Speak of the devil and he shall appear, you reply with a wry grin and an odd and extra-angry glance from Rezalith next to you.The three-eyed construct doesn’t even have to turn around to address you as you enter the store–a series of chimes announcing your arrival like a pixie garage band. “Toppel and I are downstairs entertaining our… guest.” Oti continues as his autonomous assistant finally faces you. “Hurry down and we’ll cut to the main course.”Sure, you shrug, face puckering at the acrid smell of gunpowder blanketing the store, but… why HERE exactly? You had to hoof it halfway across CROSSROADS! And people are getting looty!“Don’t act like I didn’t carry you most of the way…” Snarls Rezalith, the fiend’s wings flapping angrily as she sends you a sidelong and very snippy glance!You didn’t know a magical construct could frown, but ya’ learn something new every day! “Surely you recall this is where my TOWER is located?” Asks the Chytree’s disembodied and perpetually-peeved voice as you firmly, but politely snatch a particularly-large piece of ordnance out of Rezalith’s eager claws, “The defenses are primed. No one will be able to scry us or our new tenant, and if they do, well… they’ll wish they didn’t.”The automaton pauses.“... And it’s a FIREWORKS SHOP. Who buys fireworks at a time like this?”… What if someone wanted to use them to blow something up? People are getting a little antsy outside, what with the martial law and-A faint metallic rumble wriggles free of the robot. A laugh?“The shop’s closed–I unlocked the door when I sensed your approach, but unless someone else shows up in the nex-”A door’s-worth of perfect timing slams into your back and sends you stumbling, heralding the arrival of an EXEPTIONALLY surly-looking Skog! With you too busy peeling yourself off the floor and Rezzie too busy snickering at your misfortune, it falls upon Oti’s magically-animated merchant to take charge of the situation!“We’re closed. Go away.”Expertly-handled. Yep, that oughta’ do it.“Now hold on a coupla twoertree seconds!” Growls the giant as he stoops under the doorframe with a stony look in his eye, “I’s been tryin’ ta’ frequent dis’ here fireworksery fer’ weeks now, see?!”“And why, pray tell, can’t our automated associates assist you… sir?” Oti answers in a tone that usually precedes a particularly murderous spell.“It’s a special order I’ve got, see?” Explains the Skog as he steps over your still-collapsed carcass! “An’ they kept tellin’ me ta’ speak ta’ the manager about it! So where’s the manager, ey?”An uncomfortable silence settles over the shop as you stumble to your feet. “He’s… a bit tied up,” Groans Oti through his construct, “But-”>CONTD.
>>6405703“Oi. You.” The Skog snarls, jabbing a claw into your recently-risen chest that is TOTALLY gonna leave a bruise, you just know it, “Youse’s the manager, ain’tcha? Well MANAGE!”You answer his request with a befuddled blink followed by a placating grin. And, uh, what makes him assume you’re the manager of this fine establi-“Yer’ the only one in ‘ere, ain’t ya? ‘Side fer’ your security wench, that is!” He rumbles as his eye flits over to a confused Rezalith! Bad move, you think with a sinister smile! She’s not gonna let him talk about her li-“I want my name to be BEATRY.”Goddamn it. Look, you groan, you’re no-“Anton,” Oti’s construct crackles, “I’ve too many potions on the boil right now. Handle this swiftly. Or I will.”Why are YOU always handling everyone else’s problems? When’s someone gonna handle YOUR problems, huh? You were fine with helping Tzah-Tzie scratch that itch between her ears before she ran off to help with the RECRUITMENT DRIVE! You politely listened to Volka’s joke through the COMMS DOOHICKY! AND Morook’s attempt at one! You even acquiesced when Rezalith ordered you to give her a compliment–any why wouldn’t you? She was carrying you, like, a million feet above the city!This uh, ‘customer’ doesn’t seem too riled up, but you dunno how much that’ll change if you screw things up here! Taking a steadying breath, you decide to…>Double-down! We’re closed! Come back later please!>Indulge! What exactly does he need?>Probe! Can’t he come back later? What’s the rush?>Delegate! Rezzo, deal with this guy!>Deflect! You’re not the manager, dude, and the guy who is is a powerful and really impatient wizard!>Stay Silent! He’ll Think You Disappeared!>BIISII’S BAG!>Write-In!
>>6405705>Deflect! You’re not the manager, dude, and the guy who is is a powerful and really impatient wizard!
>>6405705>Deflect! You’re not the manager, dude, and the guy who is is a powerful and really impatient wizard!Missed you, bub, and glad to be back in Zoral!
>>6405706>>6405823>>6405825>DEFLECT! Writing! Expect it to take a little time though--my idiot brain decided to start this shit when I'm busy. Leopard can't change its spots I guess!>>6405825Thanks, big dog--missed you jerks too. And writing.
You’re not exaggerating when you say you don’t have time for this. The siege of Crossroads approaches, probably–hard to say considering how dark this damn place is–and you’re no expert, but you’re pretty sure whoever’s coming isn’t going to give anyone advance notice!Look, you begin with a contrite smile and a sigh, you’re… you’re not the manager here–Hell, you don’t even work at this joint. The Skog’s face scrunches up in confusion.“Then why the HELLS-”You have to meet with the guy in charge, you continue in the most measured tone you can muster, who just so happens to be a really powerful and EXTREMELY impatient wizard… and Crossroads itself hangs in the balance, so-The tusked terror’s sour expression softens somewhat. “... Oh. You ain’t jokin’, are ya…?”Fraid not, you shrug, you don’t wanna alarm him or anything, but there’s actually a siege on the horizon an-“A SIEGE?” Sputters the Skog as his eyes bulge in shock, “Hells, and here I am tryin’ ta’ grab some fireworks for my boy’s birthday! Tapping tottas… B-but a siege? Ya’ sure?”You can’t help but blink at the sudden reveal. Y-yea, you nod, did… does he not notice how tense it is outside? You must’ve passed, like, six lootings on the way here!“Woulda’ been seven if you didn’t wuss out on me…” Rezzie grunts as she idly juggles some explosives.She’s damn right you did!The customer’s face scrunches up with very Volka-esque contemplation.“... I DID hear a few soothsayers shouting about the end times and the red comet, yea…” He murmurs, stroking his tusk in thought. “But I reckoned that was just from Guild Chair Fellick dyin’! Ya’ hear about how they still haven’t got a suspect? Scary!”Yea, it’s, uh… it’s really been at the forefront of your mind, you reply with a half-assed nod. Your answer isn’t wholly-sarcastic–your recon mission to the Bell Tower with Tzah-Tzie a few days ago left you with more questions than answers: sure, you managed to fight off that one BURROWER CULT summoner Jhairo and snag their hand in the process, but from what you gathered from the scene and your subsequent cult infiltration, the Burrowers didn’t seem to be the ones behind the death of Crossroads’ de facto ‘ruler’...Fat load of good the ensuing lockdown did. Granted, you had to leave town through secret smuggling tunnels, but you don’t need to see to tell the town’s losing its cool–and a siege is only gonna add more fuel to the fire!So uh, you cough, would it be okay if he came back another time, or-“Wha? Of course, of course!” Answers the Skog with an embarrassed laugh! “Hells, if we’ve got a siege on the way then it can wait! Stay safe, lil’ buddy!”Errr, y-yea, you too, you mutter as the Skog departs with an amicable wave! B-big buddy…>CONTD.
>>6406031“Tch. Poor performance indeed!” Rezzie grumbles as a blanket of fresh silence falls over the shop. Is that right, you remark as you make your way towards the entrance to Oti’s Tower, and what, pray tell, would SHE have done differently, hmm?“5% Discount on his next purchase for being such a trooper.” She replies with a glimmer in her eye! “Rewards loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth advertising that’ll appeal to the wary consumer. Anyone can buy a firecracker these days, but finding a store that cares about its customers? THAT’S money in the bank.”… Yea alright, let’s just go already.“AnTURNIP doesn’t even know about Retention 101… SAD!”SSHHH!!!“That was quicker than I anticipated.”Yea, you scoff as Oti’s bright green eyes await you at the bottom of a long, spiraling ramp, no thanks to him! What’s he thinking, foisting a customer on you like that? The Chytree shrugs.“You’re better with people.”… Okay, granted, but-An exultant cackle echoes across the antechamber as a pair of orange eyes dart around a corner and rush over to the Tower’s master!“HaHAAA! Took some time, but that mischievous little mage is ready to siiiing~”“Perfect timing–our interrogator is here.”Following Oti’s gaze over to yours, the mirth in Toppel’s delighted Durher face dissipates like sugar in a rainstorm!“... Ah.” She remarks as your presence settles in, “... I should… probably put something on… huh.”Oti’s stare only intensifies. “I haven’t a clue why you didn’t sooner, but I know better than to ask.” The sorceress’ expression sharpens.“Y-you know I work best this way! And I never heard you complaini-”Fun as this conversation is, you interject with a pointed sigh, this mage they caught–what’s the story?“What indeed…” Toppel huffs as a snap of her fingers swaddles her unseen form in fresh magic, “We found them skulking about BRAITHWIID PARK a few hours ago. Mox girl. Kinda jittery.”You blink. So they just… kidnapped some random lady from the park?“Would it KILL you to give me some credit?” The sorceress groans as her eyes dance over to Rezzie for encouragement! She gets none.“... The girl reeks of magic–you’ll smell it too.” Toppel continues with a halfhearted sigh. “Nothing in her pockets save for a few bells and some Scraperoot. Here’s the important part, however: she was CLOAKED. Tried her damndest to hide every and any magical signature… but look where it got her!” She concludes with a triumphant laugh!Who’s watching her now?“Obber,” The girl shrugs, “But don’t worry–he knows better than to play with the goods.”“Her magical abilities should be fettered for a time…” Adds Oti as he leads you closer to where they’re keeping her, “I trust the potion worked?”>CONTD.
>>6406032“Course it did!” Toppel answers with a twirl! “She’s rattled, but she’ll talk–I’d bet my name on it!”Part of you wants to bring up how you just ran into Toppel’s brother at Torfeo’s place, but you decide otherwise when Oti half-leads, half-ushers you down the hall, leaving Rezalith to fend for herself against her ‘biggest fan’.“The prisoner should be malleable,” He begins in the usual stern, vaguely-condescending tone, “But ask your questions slowly and clearly.”Anything in particular you should fish for? The Chytree nods.“We need to know who else is with her and what they intend.” He answers, drifting at your side like a loyal party balloon. “With luck they’ll merely wish to be left alone.”… And… without luck?“They’re up to something.” Oti answers as his eyes burn into yours. “... Do you feel lucky today?”You don’t bother answering. Turning the corner places you in a room ripe with the smell of ozone, alcohol (of the medical variety), and several more medicine-like fragrances your nose has trouble placing. In the center of it all sits a Mox–the girl’s half-lidded gaze and dopey grin hiding any sense of fear or worry!“We’ll be outside.” Oti hisses as you feel his presence depart from your side, “Call if you need us!”Making your way inside, you hear a few familiar claw-clicks against the stony floor. Obber, you begin, any ideas on where to start?“Click.”Good call. Where do you begin with this one?>Introductions! You’re Anton! Who is she?>To the point: What is she doing in the park?>Associates: Who are her friends?>Demographics: Where is she from, exactly?>Current Events: She knows there’s a siege coming, right?>Comforts: Does she need anything?>Profession: She’s a mage, right? Shouldn’t she be at Trimbault Academy or something?>W-wait a sec! Toppel! Oti! You've got a question!!!! P-PLEAAAAASSEEE!!!>Write-In!
>>6406033>Introductions! You’re Anton! Who is she?
>>6406033>Introductions! You’re Anton! Who is she?>Demographics: Where is she from, exactly?Let's get to know each other, shall we?
>>6406033>Introductions! You’re Anton! Who is she?>To the point: What is she doing in the park?
>>6406036>>6406043>>6406044THE TALLY:>INTRODUCTIONS: 3>WHERE FROM: 1>WHAT YOU DOIN: 1Screw it, I'll toss 'em all in! Writing!
Hey, you might’ve indirectly been involved in kidnapping her, but that doesn’t mean you have to be mean about it! Clearing your throat to get the captive caster’s attention, you give the Mox that winning Anton Smile of yours as you introduce yourself!ANTON PEAS: that’s your name… don’t wear it out! Feels like it’s been ages since a botched summoning ritual brought you to ZORAL: a fantasy world shrouded in perpetua-Err, s-sorry, you cough as the Mox watches in muted confusion, force of habit! Anyways, you’re Anton! Who is she? Still gobsmacked by what you can only assume is a far cry from whatever Toppel and Obber were putting her through, the Mox stammers out a quiet response:“O-O-Oodeel…” She squeaks, Toppel’s potion clearly not doing as much for her nerves as the sorceress suggested, “C-can you let me out, please?”All in due time, you reply with a laugh! But look, Oodie–can you call her Oodie?If Oodie has any complaints, she doesn’t voice them.… Super. So Oodie, you uh… where is she from, anyways? The Mox stirs with discomfort etched into her expression.“... Wh-why?”You’re just curious, you answer as you approach with a nonchalant shrug! You, uh… you heard she was hanging out in the park and-“BIRSTAADT…” She interrupts–eyes widening as she realizes she talked over you! “E-errr, I… I’m from Birstaadt… th-the briarberry town…”Wow, you answer as a low whistle leaves your lips, quite a jaunt, that!“... It’s… a Hamlet… right outside Crossroads…”Ah. Well. Clearing your throat again, you make the rare decision NOT to embarrass yourself any further! Here’s the thing, you begin in a placating tone, you heard through the grapevine that she and some other people are, well… loitering in the park.You pause as the girl starts to tremble.M-maybe even lurking? Perhaps? What’s that all about? The girl turns away from your question as panic wells up in her face!“... N-nothing really…”Huh. Well, you tried… Clapping your hands together with a sigh, you move to leave the room–or you try to at least! Before you can get very far, you feel a beak dig into your robe and tug it back towards your interviewee! Obber, you hiss, what’s the deal!? She said they weren’t-That’s when it hits you. What if… what if she isn’t telling you the whole truth!? Scratching your somewhat-hairy chin in thought, you abandon your abandoning and turn your attention back towards your mark!There’s no way that’s the truth–not unless this is just some random Mox, that is! You’ll admit you wouldn’t put it past Oti and Toppel to kidnap a random woman off the street–you literally met the former in the middle of a kidnapping and the latter, well…Toppel’s never really struck you as a girl flush with morals…>CONTD.
>>6406183Steadying yourself with another breath, you begin to conjure up an idea–you know she’s not telling the truth now, of course, but how do you get it outta her?>Cooperate: Tell her you’re trying to save the city! You’re a hero and you need her help!>Bargain: If she tells you you’ll let her go! And her pals, maybe!>Befriend: Hey, want something to eat?>Intimidate: She wouldn’t like to make you angry…>Stay Silent! She’ll think you’re super angry!>Good Cop/Bad Cop: Bring Toppel or Oti in! That’ll get ‘em on your side!>Your ole’ pal RED has some ideas…>Obber: You’re not sure what he’ll do, but maybe he can help?>Plead: C’mon you really really need this>Authority: Hint at who she’s dealing with! It’d be a REALLY bad idea to not cooperate…!>Write-In!
>>6406185>Cooperate: Tell her you’re trying to save the city! You’re a hero and you need her help!We're the GOOD GUYS. We love being GOOD>Befriend: Hey, want something to eat?And that means you're our FRIEND NOW :^)
>>6406185>Cooperate: Tell her you’re trying to save the city! You’re a hero and you need her help!That's exactly right! >Obber: You’re not sure what he’ll do, but maybe he can help?I'm not sure what he would do at all... And I'm not afraid to find out!!!
>>6406185>>Cooperate: Tell her you’re trying to save the city! You’re a hero and you need her help!
>>6406237>>6406275>>6406298THE TALLY:>COOPERATE: 3>BEFRIEND: 1>OBBER: 1Looks like COOPERATION wins the day--let's see how it pays off!>Roll me 1d100 (+3 All The World's a Stage, +2 Favorable Beginnings, +2 Potion'd, -4 These people kidnapped me, -3 Who is this person and what are they doing?) to convince her to open up to you! Best of 3!
Rolled 70 (1d100)>>6406383First roll of the thread, can't be THAT bad
Rolled 91 (1d100)>>6406383
Rolled 53 (1d100)>>6406383
>>6406385>>6406389>>6406391>HIGHEST ROLL: 91!!!You've foiled my plans this time, but I'll get you, my pretties... and your little CATTETHINGE TOO!After I write the update, that is. Writing.
You’ve never been a good judge of character, but this Hedge Mage trembling in front of you like a chihuahua in a blizzard? You don’t think they’re ‘Evil Ringleader’ material. A goon or lackey at worst–and at best? You’re not up to date on age ranges for Zoral’s races either, but she seems like a kid to you–one who is clearly in over her bulbous, scaly head! Look, you sigh as the girl’s big, trembling eyes burn into your skull, you don’t know what she and her pals are up to, but that isn’t important right now!“I-It’s… n-not?” She mutters, casting a wary glance your way!You have very good reason to believe that Crossroads is going to be under siege soon, you explain, but you and your friends? You’re here to save the day! The wary glance only becomes… warier.“R-really?”Yea, you nod, you’re working with the city–err, well, you’re more of an independent contractor really–and you just came back from acquiring a boatload of EMERGENCY SUPPLIES!“You…” She stammers as the suspicion starts to fade from her voice, “You did that?”Absolutely, but it’s kind of a long story so she can read the last thread if she wants the details! Check it out here!https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2026/6361939/Just like that the wariness returns. “... How do you do that? With your words? Was that another language, or-”“Click.” Obber interjects.He’s right–you really need to keep your beak to the grindstone! SO, you cough, in the interest of saving lives, what are her friends up to anyways?Like a stone being dislodged from its spot along a trail, the Mox’s panicked silence gives way to a defeated sigh!“We… we just want to use our magic for good, y’know?”Is… that not allowed? You’re not really up to date on magickal politics.“Click.”Wait, seriously?“Yes…” Oodeel mutters in assent, “It starts when you’re young–the moment you show signs of… well, talent, people start to show up: Templars. Wizards. City ‘Officials’ who don’t show your parents any identification… and it just gets worse the older you get…” She continues as her voice grows quieter with each syllable! “They say it’s different in Umberal, but only if you’re rich… and the West, well… Sk-Skogs don’t like magic…”So let me guess, you interrupt with a frown, she and her pals are, what, just free agents?“Aiido–h-he’s the leader of the pack–he was a pen pal of mine.” Oodeel answers as the specter of a smile slips onto her face. “He’s a mage too… One day he just… asked to meet. So I did.”Your frown deepens. He didn’t…“Hurt me? No, of course not!” She answers almost incredulously! “Turns out he… he was corresponding with a lot of people… l-like me…”Mages that weren’t too keen on being monitored, huh? The Mox nods.>CONTD.
>>6406401“None of us came from wealth or status, really.” She shrugs. “So Aiido, he… he suggested we just… work for ourselves. If we all team up, well-”They’d be a force to be reckoned with, huh? She shakes her head with a weak smile.“F-force? No, just… we’d look out for each other… a-and others, if they needed help…”A girl after Volka’s own heart, you think to yourself with a wry grin. Still, it’s hard to believe these folks could warrant such a stir from the city… guess you gotta dig deeper.So, you continue, what brings them to the park, then? Couldn’t they just… y’know, magick up a cabin or something?“Oh, we’re… we’re not LIVING in the park…” Oodeel explains as the tension slowly fades from her form, “We, well… w-we have a… a job…”Ah. And there it is. What job, exactly? The girl squirms a bit in her seat–probably some kind of dentist chair, knowing the kooks you hang out with.“Under the park, well… th–there’s supposed to be a… a vault…” She begins, still clearly unsure if she wants to tell you or not, “W-we were asked to open it…”You and Obber exchange a glance. Probably. Hard to tell when the guy’s all-beak–you really oughta get him and Toppel to go back to their original forms…… or not, actually. Obber looks a lot less creepy as a Maakar bloodsucker.Oodeel’s eyes nearly pop out as an invisible timer seems to go off in her head! “A-AH!!! A-And I REALLY need to get back to them! Th-they’ll be worried SICK about me a-and… and the job–w-we need to do it SOON or-!”You’d love to ask her more, but the poor thing’s practically gnawing at whatever’s restraining her to the chair… moreover, how much would she even know about the job anyways? Never hurts to ask, but she’s got a point–once her pals notice she’s gone missing, well…What do? (Choose 1 or more, but remember: you’re on a schedule!)>What’s in this vault?>Who hired them?>’Under the park’? Do they plan on digging or something?>Tell me more about your friends!>This sounds like a dangerous job. Is it a dangerous job?>Do they need help?>They need to cancel. It’s not a good time for it!>Be right back–you gotta talk to your associates.>Write-In!
>>6406403>They need to cancel. It’s not a good time for it!Let's get right to the point. This is a really bad time to be doing this, man. Maybe wait, I dunno, forever before you do it.
>>6406403>Who hired them?>Write-in: Maybe let's put a fork in this, and you tackle this vault situation AFTER we've managed to break the siege? I don't think it's a good time to do that for your sake, and might be a problem for everyone else too.
>>6406403>They need to cancel. It’s not a good time for it!
>>6406475>>6406627>YEA TIME TO RESCHEDULE DUDE>>6406477>WHO HIRED THEM>ALSO YEA DO IT AFTER THE SIEGESorry for the wait--Friday got mad busy! Looks like telling them to call a rain check wins it. Writing later today!
You have no clue what Oodie means by ‘vault’, but you get the feeling she isn’t talking about a piggie bank. Doesn’t matter. Whatever’s inside can probably wait to be freed AFTER the potential sacking of the city, right? Relaying your rationale to your prisoner, you’re almost taken aback by how swiftly she surrenders!“Yes!” She squeaks with an emphatic nod, “Y-you’re absolutely right, Anton! If Crossroads is on the cusp of a siege, well… t-then we definitely can’t open any vaults! Nope! None!”Hey hey! Mission ACCOMPLISHED, then, you remark as you stoop down to give Obber a high-beak! And hand!“CLICK!”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“Oh… but wait…” The Mox mutters as the excitement fades from her face, “Th-they… they won’t listen to me… probably…”Really? Aren’t they your pals?“Y-yes, but…” She stammers, “But Aiido’s the leader–and he said this job would be really l-lucrative… and we REALLY need money, s-so… s-sorry…”Okay, you groan, maybe… maybe if she tells them what you told her?The Mox lights up once more! “Y-you’re right! Aiido’s not dumb! Or mean! He’ll listen, I’m sure of it!”Alriiiight! Up top!“Click.”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“D’ohhh, wait! Oh I’m SO STUPID! Stupid, stupid Oodeel!!”This time it’s your turn to join her in looking morose. Oh brother, you sigh, what’s wrong now?“W-well…” Oodeel explains with an apologetic smile, “I, erm… w-well I can’t exactly send them a message in this… well, wherever we are…”So you’ll get her out! Easy-peasy!“Yes! Yes, let’s do that! I’ll send the message immediately!”“Click.”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“Wait, what if… what if they’ve already departed? I… I might not be able to get the message to them if–”Would they really leave without her? She was helping prepare, right?“Yes! Yes I was! I was going to gather rations! There’s no way they’d go on a deep delve without those!”“Clack.”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“D’OH WAIT THEY CAN JUST CONJURE RATIONS! STUPID!”C-can’t we just rush over and stop them!?“You’re RIGHT!”“CLICK.”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“B-but what if it’s too laaaatte!?”It’s fine, you laugh in a placating tone, she hasn’t been in here for that long–if she knows where to go you’ll have plenty of time to head them off! They probably didn’t even leave yet!“Y-yea..”“Cli-”https://youtu.be/Z-8kpqYhMSE“ANTON! Any luck!? I spent HOURS doping that dope, so-”DAMN IT, TOPPEL!>CONTD.
>>6406825“So…” Oti remarks after you finish explaining the situation, “A vault beneath the park… not outside the realm of possibility in these parts…”“More common than you’d think!” Chirps Toppel as the now-freed Oodeel cowers at your side, “Leftovers from the Nuugal, Ospeerli, Kiitorn! Weapons, enchanted artifacts… and lots of traps, of course. The city works tirelessly to seal them away and out of the public eye, but they’re there! Quite a lucky find for these mages!”“I-It’s f-for… our employer…” Oodeel whimpers. “B-but that sounds… nice…”Yea, about that, you interject with a reassuring, albeit impatient smile, who hired them again? The Mox squirms at the question.“Th-they spoke to Aiido…” She begins in an apologetic tone, “B-but they didn’t… l-leave a name. That’s wh-what Aiido told us, at least…”“Sounds like a COWARD to me! Won’t give their name… foists tasks onto others… typical...” Rezalith remarks with a disapproving snort!“More likely someone deficient in scruples.” Oti sighs with a shake of his head, “But you’re correct–they must know something about the vault’s contents if they’ve opted to send in a pack of magic-slinging vagabonds.”Your ex-captive frowns. “H-hey…”“Click.”Obber's right, you begin with a confident nod, whatever’s in there should stay in there… for now, at least!“Good thinking!” Toppel adds with a toothy grin, “We can plunder it for ourselves while everyone else is busy!”You’ll burn that bridge when you get there. Oodie, can you tell us where the entrance to the Vault is?“B-better!” She says with a smile! “I c-can just s-share the information directly into y-your mind!” The fishy-looking thing blinks. “O-or I can lead you there myself… I can speak to my friends…”“Sure,” Toppel scoffs with a Rezzie-like eyeroll, “And lead us right into an ambush…”“Wh-wha!? No! I… I wouldn’t!”Good grief. Well the party’s been briefed, and with luck Oodeel’s friends are taking their sweet time… what’s the move here?>Ask about their employer–were they going to meet them after opening the vault, or?>Oti, Toppel–anything helpful you can add about these Vaults?>Oodie, should you know anything about her pals in advance?>Let’s move out! (Who ya’ takin’? CHOOSE NONE, SOME, OR ALL! REZZIE/OTI/TOPPEL/OBBER/OODEEL)?>Write-In!
>>6406827>Ask about their employer–were they going to meet them after opening the vault, or?Whoever they are, they seem to think the siege is the right distraction to send some punks in to swipe some kind of loot. >Let’s move out! (Who ya’ takin’? CHOOSE NONE, SOME, OR ALL! REZZIE/OTI/TOPPEL/OBBER/OODEEL)?We'll take Rez, Oti, and Oodalolly. Tops and Obber can go attend to other shit for us, maybe investigate this employer?
>>6406827>>6406832 +1
>>6406832+1
>>6406832>>6407055>>6407057>EMPLOYER>REZZIE, OTI, OODEEL--YOU'RE WITH ME>TOPPEL AND OBBER--SEE WHAT YOU CAN DIG UP!Writing! Sorry, yesterday got a lil busy
Nobody’s leading nobody into an ambush, okay?“Anybody.” Frowns Rezalith.Whatever! Anybody isn’t leading nobody into an ambush! But that brings up an interesting point–Oodeel, did this mysterious employer mention, like, a drop-off point or anything? Y’know, for the payout? The Mox’s already-enlarged eyes puff out to even bigger proportions!“W-well…” She mutters as Oti and Toppel exchange a glance, “A-Aiido received half already…” She explains, slowly retracing what happened in her head, “A-and I think they said something about k-knowing when the job is done?”“Understandable. The collective magical discharge from a vault being unlocked would make for quite a beacon…” Toppel mutters, earning a nod from her beau. “To those expecting one, that is.”So this guy and his crew-“N-no, just one guy!” Oodeel interjects with an apologetic laugh! “H-he approached Aiido on his own–s-some kind of c-collector…?”You give the ache forming in your temples a preemptive rub. So he negotiated on his own, you narrate with a furrowed brow, that doesn’t prove anything!“No… no it doesn’t…” Oti sighs as he joins you in the headache club! “You do realize this ‘Collector’ can merely dispose of you all once you’ve cleared the way to the Vault, yes?”The Mox averts her massive gaze as embarrassment floods her face. “... W-we can handle ourselves…”The Chytree isn’t convinced. “I wonder how many bands of misguided magelings chose those as their last words... No matter. Whether the vault remains sealed or not, Anton, we’d do well to keep vigilant. Plunderers of ancient vaults are rarely charitable.”You can’t help but blink at that. Oti, you begin as a wry grin slips onto your face, is… is he worried about these gu-“Finish that syllable and it’ll be the last one you utter.” He snaps, turning his attention towards the wall, much to Toppel’s delight. “Every moment we tarry is one closer to the vault being unlocked. You, girl. Focus?”The question coupled with Oti’s stony stare takes the sorceress by surprise! “Ah! E-err, R-restoration…”“Excellent.”“Paired with my Enhancements we should be able to tackle anything!” Toppel chirps as her brother clicks in assent! Yea, about that, you mutter with a deepening frown, you’re gonna have her and her bro sit back on this one…“Wh-wha!?” Sputters the sorceress as her eyes come close to Oodeel’s size, “B-but… but you NEED me! You ALL need me!”This time it’s your turn to exchange glances with Oti.“No we don’t.”Yea, not really.The Durher’s frantic grin fades a bit. “B-but… but you like me… r-right?”>CONTD.
>>6407324You’d LIKE her and her brother to take up the rear guard, you explain in a diplomatic tone, putting the girl at ease somewhat! You, Oti, and Rezzie’ll watch Oodie’s back–they’re in charge of figuring out anything they can about this ‘Employer’!“Nothing to it!” Toppel croons with a spirited nod! “Just point us to where your last meeting took place, girl, and we’ll hunt them down like Viislan Pathfinders!“R-right!” Oodeel answers with a hint of relief in her voice, “Let… let me send you the memory…”“So we’re the ones going into the Vault, hmm?” Rezzie remarks as Oodeel’s eyes light up with magic! “I do hope this will be less boring than our last task…”“You’re more than welcome to take point when we arrive,” Answers Oti with a devious smile in his tone, “Surely a being of your caliber can thwart a gauntlet of ancient traps…”“Tch! Easy!” The demon retorts with a flick of her tail! “We’ll be done before dinnertime! Count on it!”Toppel’s eyes flicker in glowing recognition upon receiving Oodeel’s info, and with a nod and a wink your party departs–your group to the vault and its would-be pilferers, and the Gransee Siblings hot on the trail of their employer!Your trip to BRAITHWIID PARK is relatively uneventful, mainly due to Oti’s generous teleportation spell. Even in the wake of growing civil unrest the park remains somewhat… peaceful–the distant sounds of looting and panic replaced by the gentle melody of the midday breeze passing through the canopy overhead coupled with the babbling of a distant brook!If anyone else is sampling the outdoors with you, they choose not to be seen–but if any of your jolly entourage cares, well, they don’t speak up about it!“J-just down h-here…” Oodeel chitters, the poor girl rubberbanding between leading the charge and slowing down to stay close to your pack. “W-watch, um… y-your step… pl-please…”A timely and considerate warning, but one that doesn’t matter as you tumble down a steep bank and into a muddy bank below! As your pals float down to meet you, no one offers to help you back to your mud-caked feet…THANKS, guys! You were a HUGE help back there!“You’re the Geomancer.” Oti shrugs as Rezalith stifles a giggle, “Didn’t want to ‘cramp your style’.”Funny. Funny guy over here!“Th-there should be a… y-yes! There!”Nestled between a few boulders wedged into the riverside sits a crack–though that’d be an overstatement, you think. Even if you could see where you were going it’d be a stretch to slip inside… and you almost do so until you remember the little gift KNODD imparted upon you!“W-wow…!” Oodeel remarks as the offending boulders bend out of the way, “G-Geomancy…”>CONTD.
>>6407326“Far simpler than teleporting through indeed…” Remarks your favorite Chytree as he gives your muddy shoulder a pat as he leads the way in!“That GOD stuff still makes you smell funny, AnTICK.” Adds Rezzie as she slips inside too! Well she smells like a 24 Hour Grease Fire, so-… Ah. She’s gone. Dang it, you really shoulda’ had that one ready to go!Greeted by a musty bouquet of earth-scented humidity, your face scrunches up with displeasure as your COOL HAT is battered by large, muddy drops from the cavern ceiling!“S-so…” Oodeel begins, her mousy voice still echoing all along the damp tunnel walls, “Th-the vault is… is protected by a hidden gate…”What, like the one you passed to slip in here? The Mox shakes her head.“N-no… O-Ouxlee d-did some research–oh, my, er… OUR friend, that is… s-she said the path is obscured by illusion magic…”“Naturally. The passphrase?” Inquires Oti with the patience of a customer in a coffee shop queue.“Oh, uh-”Hang on, you frown, why can’t we just… y’know, dispel the magic? If it’s illusioned and all..“A sound idea,” Begins the Chytree, “But breaking an illusion and ‘solving’ one are two different processes entirely. Dispelling the illusion might clear the path, but a proper passphrase will deactivate it and activate other adjacent enchantments.”“Y-yes…” Nods Oodeel, “L-like extending a tunnel or draining water in the way…”… Or activating traps? Both Oti and Oodeel nod in unison.“Yes, but brute-forcing magical barriers can lead to… complications as well.” Oti frowns. “And if we don’t run into any recently-bored tunnels or evidence of magical mischief, it’s safe to say our predecessors didn’t brute force things either.”“Th-though these vaults have a habit of r-resetting… a-after being unlocked…” Adds the Mox. “S-safety precautions…”“Why bother?” Rezzie grumbles as she kicks the back of your boot, “These clowns are ahead of us. Rip open a path for us with your powers, Anton. Chop chop!”Fun as that sounds, you don’t like the idea of triggering other traps with your brute force… Oodie, you cough, what’s the uh… she was gonna say a passphrase?“Ah, right…” The sorceress replies, eyes closed in thought, “It… was a r-riddle, I think? ‘I can be light or heavy, but never solid. A gift to earth’s children, but a bane to the squalid.’”More riddles. And here you thought you were done with em’ after the last thread’s misadventures! Coming to a halt in front of a vast rocky wall (which Rezalith wastes no time in kicking), you decide to…>GEOMANCE! You’ll make your own tunnel!>Try the RIDDLE!>Oti? Anything he can do?>Try to find ANOTHER ROUTE!>Rezzie, think you can get us through?>BIISII’S BAG!>Write-In!
>>6407327>Try the RIDDLE!I'm like 90% sure the answer to that would be a rainstorm. They can be heavy or light, but they'd never be solid. The earth loves rain, but people without shelter (the squalid) would hate it.
>>6407455Fat +1 for you brother
Trying hard to find the motivation to get through the last few updates of the past thread so i can catch up with this one
>>6407482I don't blame ya, brother--this quest is a slog... I'd know! Also probably gonna update this later on Tues so keep that shit comin
>>6407504It's not boredom or sadness or annoyance I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but it just gives that odd empty "deflated" feeling. The kind that makes you want to sigh. But it's very clearly not sadness or boredom. I'm not sure how to call it.
>>6407512... Neat! That one's going into the testimonials
>>6407512Brother what the hell are you talking about? Dark is what I read to get away from odd empty "deflated" feelings.
>>6407455>>6407480>RIDDLE ME THISGonna call the vote for this one as well as the answer anon guessed! Ran into a few computer troubles so I'm not on my main rig--update might not happen til' Tuesday while I get shit fixed... or maybe I'll just go for it on my laptop, we'll see. Writing!
Your misadventures in Trier’s Maze leave your mind and mouth malleable–so much so that Oodeel’s riddle scarcely leaves her large lips before an answer slips free from yours!‘RAINSTORM’...It’s almost automatic, your response, and as you let the word echo across the chamber, all you receive in return is an unnerving silence…AND a kick in the side! OW!“There’s no RAIN underground, AnTOOL! Get a clue!” Snarls Rezalith! B-but, you whine as you try and fail to guard your flank, it’s… y-you’re trying to answer the rid-“Two for FLINCHING!”Just before she can ready another assault, however, the cavern fills with a low, grinding rumble… one that sends your teeth a-chatter and your bones-a…a-batter? As the sound subsides, no one dares make a move–drat, you think as the silence grows downright uncomfortable, you should’ve asked how many TRIES you ha-Your thoughts are derailed when you sense something falling from above… MANY somethings!A gut-wrenching SHRIEK leaves your lips as the ceiling collapses, an-…d lands on your COOL HAT with a few harmless ‘plop’s!“Blehhh….” Rezzie groans as Oti and Oodeel shake off like magical dogs, “Water…”You’re about two seconds away from asking ‘water you talking about’ when you realize what happened… that and you’re pretty sure the demon would give you a dead arm if you tried! Probing your hat with your fingers brings you to the same conclusion everyone else shortly arrives at…“Ah…” Oti remarks with a hint of a laugh in his tone, “A ‘rainstorm’ indeed…”“N-not bad…” Oodeel adds, eyes wide with childlike delight! “F-first try!”HEH, you respond as you tip the droplets from your cap, wasn’t THAT big of a deal!“Correct, it wasn’t.” Adds Oti with the usual ire, “We’ve taken our first step, it would seem… we’d best hurry before the way closes again.”He doesn’t have to tell you twice… leading the charge through a freshly-opened passage, you can’t help but marvel a bit when you’re greeted by the sound of water trickling onto stone from above like Mother Nature’s orchestra… Hitting the stones at different pitches and rhythms, you almost want to take your time and listen for a bit… but you think twice when Rezalith ‘accidentally’ steps on your heel!“Got a deadline to meet, remember? Idiot.”Oh, NOW she cares about missions? Ducking the ensuing attempt at flicking your ear, your newly-formed path delves deeper into the caverns… and as the air grows colder and wetter, you emerge into…>A vast, damp chamber dominated by several statues and a distant mechanical drone…>A cavern split by a rushing river–you would’ve been swept away if you didn’t collapse face-first into some ruins jutting out!>A towering room with walls covered in holes large enough to stick your hand into…
>>6407732Also I just realized this picture makes Anton look like he's taking the biggest piss of his life. This was intentional probably
>>6407732>A cavern split by a rushing river–you would’ve been swept away if you didn’t collapse face-first into some ruins jutting out!
>>6407734Piss quest....>>6407732Heh. Knew I was right. Frankly I couldn't think of anything else beyond 'water' in general but of course 'water' could be solid.>A vast, damp chamber dominated by several statues and a distant mechanical drone…
I'ma check this in the morning and roll for it then if need be. See you alley cats then!
>>6407737Fehhh. >A cavern split by a rushing river–you would’ve been swept away if you didn’t collapse face-first into some ruins jutting out!Just gonna vote for this before I go to bed, even if I know we won't get an update for a sec.
>>6407732>A vast, damp chamber dominated by several statues and a distant mechanical drone…I love drones
Rolled 2 (1d2)>[1]CAVERN WITH RIVERor>[2]STATUE CHAMBERRolling and writing eventually
Statue enjoyers we're fucking BACK
Shivers take hold of your body as you’re greeted by a rush of cold, wet air emanating from above–the force behind the gales causing an unnerving rattling to ring out from the chamber ahead! As you take a few tenuous steps onto the puddle-slick stone, it’s only after a few more drops of icy condensation pitter-patter against your hat that you realize you’re still below ground. But with how the wind is blowing and the rocks around you are rattl-OW, FUCK!STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 37!Your cautious advance is thwarted by a particularly-egregious pillar in your path. One that–had you not vigorously explored with your toe and face–appears to be some kind of…… Statue? Oodie. Oti. Get a load of this!The mages descend upon your discovery like a pack of dogs on a dropped plate at Thanksgiving! Pouring over your find with intense stares and periodic ‘hmm’s, the two otherwise remain totally silent as they appraise the obstacle!S-so, you cough as Rezalith watches from your side with a bemused grin, what is it?“A statue.” Oti dryly replies. “PUU’LRII in origin.” The Chytree pauses. “... Ancient Mzz’goe’virr. Not as dated as the Nuugal, but…” A grunt leaves his unseen lips as he ushers you forward. “Here–feel the head.”O-Oti-kun…!“... Stop acting stupid.”A quick probe of the statue tells you everything you need to know: hard to say if it’s an abstract piece or the subject was wearing a helmet, but once your hand brushes over a cluster of six oblong protrusions it’s hard to argue with Oti’s assessment!Ancient Mzz’goe’virr, huh?“Indeed.” Nods the sage, “Their people once dominated the seas–an empire stretched across Zoral’s many continents–but they spread too thin. Most of the Mzz’goe’virr are the children of the Puu’lrii Diaspora. Cultural driftwood.”“They had a whole empire and lost it?” Rezalith remarks with a derisive snort. “How?”“Th-that’s still a, erm… m-mystery…” Oodeel chimes in with a nervous giggle. “S-some believe th-they..”“They unearthed something in their homeland.” Oti interjects with the usual grace. “Something that brought the whole empire to its knees… and sent its people fleeing across the land.” His glowing gaze darkens. “This occurred long before The Darkening, of course–a shame we were never able to conduct a proper autopsy.”That’s, uh… that’s bananas... The Chytree’s eyes flicker.“No. ‘PUU’LRII.”“Hm.”Sensing her chance, Rezalith takes center stage with a puzzled look on her face! Hey, you begin, something wrong?“... Statue’s magic.” She reports as she gives the offending obelisk a few cursory sniffs. “Indeed…” Oti nods, “But to what end?”>CONTD.
>>6408163“C-contamination, m-maybe?” Oodeel suggests, earning another grunt from her fellow mage. “... Or… m-maybe it’s part of the next task?”Yeesh, you HOPE not! Wandering a few steps away as your sorcerers work their magic, you get about three steps in bef-OW!!STUBBED TOE COUNTER: 38!“Does the concept of ‘caution’ not exist in your plane?” Grumbles Oti as he drifts over to your staggered form! “Contain your OAFISHNESS–there’s no telling what we might stumble int-”“W-wait a moment…!”Oodeel’s interruption snaps you all back into reality, and the ensuing survey proves what you already began to suspect: the chamber stretches about as far as a football field… that’s not what you expected, mind, but what you DID expect was its contents: standing in what you guess used to be neat, orderly rows are statues–each one’s outfit slightly different than the last!One’s helmet has a dent carved into it. Another is missing a pair of eyes on the right side. A few statues are even missing some limbs, but the vacant areas on the statue are too smooth and precise to be unintentional!A hasty account of the whole room leads you to two unnerving conclusions: first, no two statues are the same! Second: they all emit a dash of magickal energy… especially one specimen found on the far side of the chamber! Oh, and the far corner of the room is dominated by a big pond–no statues or secret tunnels, though.“Yes…” Nods Oti as you conclude your survey, “No doubt about it–this one’s contamination is far more potent…”What do you think it means, you ask as you give your chin an idle scratch, some kinda starting point, maybe? The Chytree answers with a weary sigh.“Sound logic, but who knows?” His disco ball-sized eyes fall upon your newest party member. “You. Did your associate mention anything pertaining to a room like this?”“I… s-sorry, no…” Oodeel answers with a defeated sigh! “W-we only learned about the entry riddle…”Makes sense, you shrug, if someone knew how to do all these ‘challenges’ they probably woulda’ just kept all the loot for themselves, right? Oti continues to frown.“Unless they wanted to keep it sealed… but even then they wouldn’t be sharing answers, would they?”Yea… “What are we even wasting time for?” Rezzie groans as she kicks a pebble along the muddy floor! “And don’t give me that ‘It could mess up the passages’ crap again!”Just… pause for a second, you sigh as you give the demon’s luscious hair a gentle pat, and listen. Does she hear that?Rezalith’s face scrunches up as she tunes in. Then frowns.“... No.”Exactly, you reply, earning a twinkle from the corner of Oti’s eye, if the last group bored a hole through the wall we would’ve found it, right? And if they teleported->CONTD.
>>6408165“We’d have picked up some residual magic.” Concludes the Chytree with a hint of pride in his tone. “Very astute, Anton.”So, you finish, clapping your hands together, the last group probably figured out the solution–and if they can get through the right way, well…“Then we can too, naturally!” Rezzie cackles with wide-eyed delight! “Our combined intellect–mine, mostly–dwarfs that of these measly mageling’s! Very well then… we shall pummel this puzzle…”Giving the girl’s head another pat, your efforts to avoid addressing the elephant in the room are soundly thwarted by the timid Mox!“B-but… but what even… i-is the puzzle, exactly… th-that’s the um… q-question…”Oodeel’s innocent utterance is enough to awaken ire in your ally! “H-hey, YEA! How are we supposed to solve a puzzle if we don’t even know how to start it, huh!? You’re just trying to sound cool, aren’t you, AnTOOL!? You and your ‘Nyyyerrr, erf the lahhhsssht grewwwwup’!-”“Anton may be ‘trying to sound cool’,” Begins Oti in a firm, placating tone, “But abusing him won’t get us anywhere.”Rezzie frowns. “... It’ll make ME feel better…”I-It won’t make YOU feel better! Welp, it just goes to show: if you wanna solve a puzzle, ya’ gotta figure out what it is first! Mhm, words to live by… anyways, what’s the first step here? You haven’t been crushed by a giant rock or attacked by Bog Leeches yet, so…>Cast some MAGIC on that statue with the MOST magical contamination!>Investigate the POND some more!>See if the WALLS have anything useful to add! >Try to MOVE the MOST MAGICAL STATUE!>EXAMINE the statues FURTHER!>CRITIQUE the statues–maybe the solution is ART?>Try to TALK to a STATUE!>Screw this, GEOMANCE a way out!>BIISII’S BAG!>CONTACT TOPPEL! Maybe she knows something useful!>Write-In!
>>6408166>EXAMINE the statues FURTHER!>See if the WALLS have anything useful to add!>Cast some MAGIC on that statue with the MOST magical contaminationIn this order!
>>6408166>EXAMINE the statues FURTHER!>See if the WALLS have anything useful to add!>Cast some MAGIC on that statue with the MOST magical contamination
>>6408178>>6408272>EXAMINE!>WALLS!>MAGIIIIICCCC!!!An impressive idea... let's see if it pays off for him, folks! We're gonna do TWO rolls here--one for the STATUE EXAMINATION and one for the WALLS! I'll take care of the bonuses/maluses--you just roll like hell!>ROLL 1 (STATUE EXAMINATION): +4 (+5 Oti Aid, +3 Oodeel Aid, -2 Shit's old, man, -2 Lotsa statues)>ROLL 2 (WALL EXAMINATION): +7 (+5 Oti Aid, +3 Oodeel Aid, +2 Rezzie Aid, -3 Crumbly)>Roll me 2d100! Best of 3 wins em!Will probably write the result tomorrow or tonight if I'm feeling particularly perky.
Rolled 11, 40 = 51 (2d100)Watch THIS!!!
Don't watch! Close thine eyes!!!
Rolled 99, 35 = 134 (2d100)>>6408283WATCH AND DON'T LEARN!
>>6408320I AM WATCHING INTENTLY AND I DONT KNOW FUCKING SHIT BROTHER
Rolled 96, 81 = 177 (2d100)>>6408283
>>6408318>>6408320>>6408351Holy Macaroni!>HIGHEST ROLLS: 103, 88!Yyyea, that'll... that'll do it, I think! Writing!>>6408320As the QM I am hereby ordering everyone to learn NOTHING from this anon>>6408318Now this one? You could learn a thing or two from them!
First thing’s first–the statues! You’re no expert on ancient art or anything, but the room’s stuffed with the damn things and they’re all dripping with magic, if what Oti and Oodeel said is true… clearly they’ve got some part to play!Ordering your allies to spread out and search, you begin your examination with the statue seeping with the most sorcery… It doesn’t take long for you to confirm what your mages already mentioned–that teeth-trembling sensation you get when a spell’s about to be cast? You don’t feel it when you press your cheek against the statue, but you DO feel a tingling–an itch, you’d say–one that drops to next to nothing when you try the same maneuver on the statues in your periphery!Okay, you think as you give your chin a good scratch, they’re magical. Big whoop–everything in this dumb quest is! What else is this thing hiding? Stooping low to really check this art out, you try not to react when Oti and Rezalith’s eyes flit over to you with bemusement etched into their faces. As your hands explore the stone-carved soldier’s armor and accessories, you begin to notice something…… Intriguing.“Well?” Oti inquires as he drifts over with a strangely neutral tone in his voice, “Anything?”Yea, you nod as you rise from the ground, these statues–they can move!“Eh?” Rezzie remarks as she gives one of them a poke, “Well yea, if you’re tough enough-”No, you frown, they… o-on their own! Like… look, just watch! Dropping back into a crouch, you make a show of knocking your knuckles against the statue’s joints. It’s subtle, you report, but if you reach between the armor you can feel them–grooves… for MOVING!“That’d explain the wall…” Frowns Oti as Oodeel scurries over with a delighted grin!“Mhm! Th-the wall… it… it’s got INSTRUCTIONS!”You’re not exactly thrilled about your achievement being overshadowed, but you leave it be for now. Instructions?“Mhm!” The Mox answers with an emphatic nod! “I… I only deciphered the b-basics, but… but it said something about ‘the magic dancing… be not distracted… strike from within… strike true the sorcerer lords…’”You frown. Did they not have Phonics back then or something?“My… my PUU’LRII i-is a little r-rusty… s-sorry…”“Apology not accepted.”Quiet, Rezzie. So what, there’s some kind of dance and-“And you’re expected to ‘strike from within’...” Oti interrupts as his glowing gaze falls upon the square of statues. “And ‘strike true the sorcerer lords…’”Huh. Does he think this guy’s the first lord, you ask as you give your examinee a few taps!>CONTD.
>>6408623“If we operate under the knowledge that he’s exuding the most magickal energy then yes…” The mage answers with a scowl in his voice. “But I’m more concerned about the other lord.”Right, you agree as you cast your gaze across the soldier statues, there… weren't any others that felt as magical as this one, were there? The sorcerer silently shakes his head.“Considering the rest of the bunch boast a magical pulse, however faint, I’d assume the second lord shall make themself known during… the trial.”You blink at the last words. Trial?“Test. Task. The wall mentioned a ‘dance’, and if your theory about movement is correct-”The realization hits you like a bag of potatoes to the face! S-so wait… will these guys be MOVING, y’think!? A-and you’ll have to find-“The other lord? I presume so.” Oti answers in a bemused tone!“S-strike from w-within…” Repeats the big-eyed witch as she slinks over like a frightened dog, “S-so I believe i-it’ll take place... W-within… inside…”Inside the group… you’d prefer if it wasn’t so literal, but you know better than to assume anything would be easy! So, you frown, we have an idea for how to do this, so what, do we just blast this jerk with magic, o-“STOP!”You don’t often hear Oti raise his voice–he’s abusive enough as-is–but the word launching from his lips freezes you in place like the rest of the statues… your hand seconds away from chucking some magic at Lord #1!Y-yes, Oti, you ask behind a weak smile!“That may trigger the trial.”Yea, you answer in a less-friendly tone, that’s the point, isn’t it? The Chytree’s frown deepens. “Attend well to the room’s aroma. What do you smell?”What DO you smell? Damp earth, for one… some funky, fungal scent from the pond… and ozone. Faint, but the odor follows you everywhere…“Movement may not be the only trick up these statue’s sleeves…” He warns as Rezzie casts a fresh glare at the one closest to her. “Just… don’t start anything we aren’t ready for, yes?”Good thinking! Say, could he keep a lookout for Lord #2 when it starts? That’s kind of their thing, right? Chytree?The sorcerer’s eyes sink a bit. “... Yes, that is ‘kind of our thing’. I’ll do my best.”“I-I’ll help too!” Oodeel declares with a resolute nod!“I’ll stay above just in case.” Rezzie adds, flapping her wings much to Oodeel’s excitement. “Be easier to track what to do and not do when you die horribly.”Thanks, you nod, y-wait, wha?Anything you wanna do before starting the show?>NOPE! Let’s BEGIN!>Cast some MAGIC on the statue from far away!>Investigate the POND some more!>Try to MOVE the MOST MAGICAL STATUE!>CRITIQUE the statues–maybe the solution is ART?>Try to TALK to a STATUE!>Screw this, GEOMANCE a way out!>BIISII’S BAG!>CONTACT TOPPEL! Maybe she knows something useful!>Write-In!
>>6408625>NOPE! Let’s BEGIN!Ain't nothin' to it but to do it, that's what Anton always says, right? Maybe I have him mixed up with some other clown. Anyways! Half past trial'o'clock!
>>6408625>BIISII’S BAG!>THEN, begin the trialFUCK IT LET'S BALL
>>6408625>Investigate the POND some more!
Rolled 3 (1d3)>>6408672>>6408678>>6408819RANDOR STRIKES AGAIN!!!!>[1]: JUST START>[2]: USE BIISII'S BAG AND THEN START>[3]: WAIT WHAT ABOUT THAT POND DUDEWill write whichever is rolled!
Having gathered several pieces of the puzzle, your mind wanders to the last of the chamber’s features: a pool of precipitation collecting in the corner of the room–its presence only made known by the gentle trickle of countless tiny streams spidering across the chamber like tributaries feeding into a great lake!Well that and you nearly stumbled in while you were casing the joint, and as the sting of cold seeps through your damp boots an idea slips into your head…“M-mister Anton? S-sir?” Oodeel asks as she creeps up to your side like a dog spotting a cheeseburger in your hand, “Are you… okay?”‘Strike from within’... does it mean the block of statues, or…!You don’t even give her a response as you rush into the pond with renewed vigor in your step! The frigid water stings your feet and ankles as it seeps into your shoes, but it doesn’t bother you–you’ve got an idea and you’-OOOF!Something catches your foot in the midst of your frantic wading–waterlogged fabric, you wager, and lots of it! The trap snags you splendidly, and with a panicked yelp you tumble into the pool with an unceremonious SPLASH!“Smooth, idiot.”You opt to ignore the barb given that Rezalith’s the only one that flew over to help you out. Spitting out some water and sending a weak ‘thanks’ her way, your mind zeroes back in on the underwater obstacle… but Oodeel beats you to the punch! Wading to where you just were, the Mox Magess stoops low to investigate, but whatever her claws discover sends a jolt of horror through her features!“W-wha…!”A gut-wrenching shriek echoes across the chamber long before you can ask what she found, but the way Oodeel crab-walks backwards out of the pond with pure terror etched into her features tells you half of the story!Luckily for you all, Oti’s quick to take the lead, and as you and Rezalith land on the shore, you feel a pit grow in your chest as the Chytree turns to confirm what Oodeel helped you suspect:“A body,” He declares in a tone more solemn than usual, “Difficult to determine whose.”You can determine one thing, you think as the Mox falls into a sobbing fit, whoever it is was probably one of her friends…By the time you pull the corpse from the pond, Oodeel’s breathing has slowed, but not by much. Eyes wide in horror, the girl can only watch as Oti conducts a quick autopsy.“Peculiar.” He remarks as he circles the corpse like a vulture, “And troubling.”Yea, you frown, finding a body will do that! A body of a friend, you think as your eyes hop between the Chytree and the still-trembling Mox.“This corpse,” Oti continues in a measured tone, “Exhibits acid burns. Enough to corrode most of the victim’s features.”That’d explain why you didn’t feel it when you tripped, you ponder as you give Oodeel’s shoulder a gentle pat. She doesn’t shy away from the contact.>CONTD.
>>6409005“However,” Sighs the Chytree, “Some of the burns present… differently. Heat-induced, from both the high and low ends of the spectrum.”So what, you frown, is he saying this person got, y’know… ‘The Works’? Oti nods.“Indeed. Flames. Frost. If I was a betting man I’d wager the acid was what-” Sensing the Mox girl’s gaze, the Chytree cuts his diagnosis short with a curt cough. “... her friend failed the trial.”“Sure, or someone killed ‘em.” Scoffs Rezzie as she watches from afar. “You MORTALS tend to do that, y’know.”Since when is she IMMORTAL? Rezalith’s suggestion only earns a weary sigh from the sorcerer. “... Anton, please inform the demon why her assessment is incorrect, would you?”H-huh? W-well, uh… you’re no expert, you shrug, but… >Roll me 1d100-1 (+2 Tripped on the body, +3 Examined statues and wall, +2 Oti’s Diagnosis, +3 Rezzie tends to be an idiot, -7 You weren’t here for it…, -2 Who are Oodeel’s pals anyways?, -2 Missing Employer…) to come up with a valid reason! BEST OF 3! OR>WRITE-IN YOUR GUESS!
Rolled 93 - 1 (1d100 - 1)>>6409006Throwing in my vote for a guess anyways, just in cas this roll fails the multiple sources of damage would be very overkill for someone who wanted to just KILL someone. Rezzie, if you just wanted someone dead, you'd burn them or slice their throat off.Wouldn't a murderer just get to the point? It's a lot for one person to do for one body.
>>6409070Good start! Keep rolling and/or guessing, folks! Sorry if the instructions were unclear!
Rolled 5 - 1 (1d100 - 1)It's been eight hours and no one else is rolling. Mind if I just crank out the remaining dice?
Rolled 35 - 1 (1d100 - 1)And the last one, for good measure.
>>6409070>>6409185>>6409186Fine by me, yep!>HIGHEST ROLL: 92!Writing! This miiiight be a short one
Where do you even start? The overkill, for one–even if someone was conspiring to kill Oodie’s friend, you explain as you give the girl in question’s shoulder another pat, what would be the point of using so many different spells?“Isn’t it obvious? Oh right, I’m talking to AnTWIT. Of course it’s not!” Scoffs the satanthinge with a flick of her tail! “They fought. They’re mages. Mages use SPELLS, remember? Clearly the blows just added up!”Mmm, you don’t think so! Oti, you continue as you turn your attention to your magical muchacho, how many spells does he know?“Plenty.”But most of the time he uses ICE magic, right? And Toppel enhances things… and Oodie here said she focused on-“Restoration, what’s your point!?” Rezzie interjects with a haughty grin! “Betcha’ didn’t think I was paying attention back then either, didja?”Your point is, you continue, that Rezzie only uses HELLFIRE too! And why? Because one spell is more than enough–why would a corpse have freezer burns, heat burns, and acid burns when one good hit oughta’ do the trick? Or better yet, you shrug, why not just slit their throat when they aren’t looking?“They could’ve!” Rezzie counters with a defiant stomp! “You just can’t see their throat when it’s all burned up like that! And look where you found the body! Clearly someone tried to hide the evidence! It’s as simple as that!”IS it, though? Eager to move on from the details so as not to disappoint Oodeel for much longer, you go for the coupe de grace! Rezalith, you begin as cool composure creeps into your tone, if they had fire and acid magic like you said, then…All eyes fall upon you… even the chamber itself seems to hold its collective breath!“T-then…?” Rezzie mutters, confidence crumbling!THEN WHY DIDN’T THEY JUST BURN AWAY THE BODY?!https://youtu.be/lAWdWk6a2ggThe hellthing visibly contorts at your question with a dramatic “GCKH!”Taking her stunned silence as permission to continue, you take the opportunity to get to the root of your theory! Yes, you nod as you pace around the room, why didn’t the body burn completely? Surely any spell worth its salt could take care of a measly body, right?“Indeed…” Oti nods, “An Arcane Assassin is quite an adversary…”“B-but…” Oodeel mutters as she tries to pry her gaze from the pond, “Then why were they… i-in…” In the pond? Where else would you go if you were on fire? That’s what they were thinking, at least, but…“But?” Rezzie asks, wringing her claws!Rapping your knuckles against a nearby statue, you begin your journey over to the pond… and by the time you arrive a minute later, the whole gang gets the proverbial picture!“So…” Oodeel whispers as she wipes the remaining tears from her eyes, “They… they didn’t make it in time…”>CONTD.
>>6409231And that was from the edge of the statue garden, you conclude with a nod. Imagine trying to find your way out from within! “Impressive, Anton,” Answers Oti with a nod, “But a damaged corpse leaves us with little to profit from…”Doesn’t it? You’ve learned something valuable here, you reply with a wry grin! “Wh-which is?” The Mox asks, cocking her big head to the side!The trial, you conclude, involves lots of dangerous magic–those burns? You’re betting they came from those!Oti follows your gaze to the statues with a fresh frown. “... It would certainly complicate things, yes…”Oodie, you begin as you stoop back down to the witch’s level to give her a reassuring smile, could she… stand by with some magic? Just in case you… y’know…The Mox answers with a firm nod! “I’ll… I’ll d-do my best! We still need to track down the rest of my friends!”Damn right you do! Steadying yourself with a fresh breath, you take position back at the ‘starting point’ in the middle of the statues and conjure up a handful of EARTHEN FORCE... everyone ready?Oti nods, Oodeel chants, and Rezalith takes to the skies! You dunno what’s next, but you know one thing: you’re not bowing out without a fight!>Roll me 1d100+2 (+3 Swift Footwork, +2 LIMBOOO, +5 Well-Prepared, -4 Dance Trial, -4 Many Statues!) to get things started! Best of 3!
Rolled 54 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6409233ANTON WINS YET AGAIN. WE MIGHT DIE SOON BUT HEY WE'RE COOL WE'RE FROSTY
Rolled 8 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6409233
Rolled 93 + 2 (1d100 + 2)>>6409233>>6409290Rerolling
>>6409256>>6409290>>6409406>HIGHEST ROLL: 95!Not bad, not bad! Writing in a bit!>>6409256REZZIErunts got destroyed yea
The chamber stands in silent stillness as the burst of magic leaves your hand and washes over the first–and hopefully second-to-last–statue ‘Lord’! As the room and its few inhabitants (you included) collectively hold their breath, you feel a faint tingle at your feet as the air fills with the sound of grinding stone!They emerge from the gloom like fireflies–statue eyes glowing with fresh magical energy–and an old Merry-Go-Round starting up for the first time in decades, their owners begin to move… “D A N C E…” booms a crackly voice from the dark, crusty depths of the statue you ensorcelled, “C O M M E N C E.”“What did it say!?” Oti shouts from outside the perimeter! The incredulous look you send his way dies mid-transit–right, you think as the air thickens with the tingle of magic, you can understand all languages! Some kinda side-effect of your botched summoning, Morook said, but that was ages ag-“L-LOOK OUT!!!”Both Rezzie and Oodeel have the same idea, and great timing to boot! The words scarcely leave both of their lips before two adjacent statues twirl in place–their hands crackling with spells about to be, well, SPELLED!Backing away leaves you right where you started in no small part thanks to the OTHER statues surrounding you! Smacked upside the head by a well-placed stone palm, you use the opportunity to stumble to your knees just in time to dodge the spinning statue’s sorceries!Flame and frost collide just over your head, but there’s no time to rest! A heavy stone foot stomps itself into a recess in the floor between your legs, and with the grace of a drunken line dancer the Lord that started it all asserts itself into where you were just standing! He’s not alone, either–moving to a silent beat, the rest of the statues trade spaces with military efficiency as their hands erupt with nigh-constant magical attacks!“Not good!” Oti mutters as Rezalith is flung away from the square by an unseen barrier, “If he moves too slow he’ll be crushed…”“B-but if he doesn’t watch h-his step, he’ll be t-torched!” Oodeel whines with despair! “Th-this test… y-you’d have to somehow blend CONSTANT MOVEMENT with INCREDIBLE DEXTERITY and TIMING to-”Your allies gasp as the statues close in, blocking your eyes from their view! “A-ANTON!” Sputters Rezzie with alarming amounts of alarm, “NOOO!”“W-wait…” Heeding Oti’s instructions pays off–for as the statues continue their deadly dance, you emerge from below their magical ministrations with a smug, grinning face PERPENDICULAR to that of the statues!“W-wait a second…” Oti remarks as Rezalith and Oodeel sigh with relief, “That’s… It’s…”That’s RIGHT, you scoff as you slip through the ambling art pieces with a cat’s grace, it’s time…… to LIMBO!>CONTD.
>>6409468https://youtu.be/7YjZA-ftQBYIt’s not easy at first, dodging the statues… to the uninitiated their movements seem spastic–random, even–but once you get the rhythm down, you’re ducking and weaving through the dancers with only a few singed hairs!OTI, you shout as your friends watch with a mixture of panic and delight, th-the next Lord!“RIGHT!” Skirting around the perimeter to avoid the arcane barrier formed by the beginning of the trial, the Chytree’s eyes narrow in concentration as he tries to pluck your target’s whereabouts from the mass of dancers!“THERE!” He reports, groaning in frustration as the wisp of magic he fired to direct you bounces off the barrier, “Th-that one! Four rows down, two columns over!”… okay, you sheepishly sputter as you LIMBOOO beneath two statue’s-worth of acid, by rows does he mean, like, lengthwise, or-“Four places ahead of you, six to your right!”Okay, bet!A few droplets of acid sting your cheek as you barely manage to slip between two more statues–no room for error now, you reason, moving your foot aside just in time to keep it from getting stomped, gotta get that Lord!LIMBO LOWER!!!>Roll me one more 1d100+7 (+3 Swift Footwork, +2 LIMBOOO, +5 Well-Prepared, +3 Oti Guidance, -2 Dance Trial (Got The Rhythm Down), -4 Many Statues) to bring it home! Best of 3!
Rolled 19 + 7 (1d100 + 7)>>6409469
Rolled 18 + 7 (1d100 + 7)>>6409469REZZIERUNTS are DOOMED. VOLKA VISCOUNTS? TT TYRANTS? WHERE ARE YOU?
Rolled 47 + 7 (1d100 + 7)>>6409469WOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHBUDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
>>6409475>>6409479>>6409505>HIGHEST ROLL: 54!Just scraped by! Writinggggg!
Just a few spaces away, you think as you slip under a pair of spinning, spelling statues, just a few more and you’re golden, baby! If only! As you move to the trial’s torturous tempo a realization slips into your skull: these statues… they’re not just moving around…!“They’re closing in!” Shouts Oti from the sidelines, stealing the thought right out of your head! “MOVE!”Better late than never! Letting a pair of statues stomp by ahead of you, you waste no time in slipping into the space behind them just as a few more form a box around where you just fled! Though your lungs burn from exertion and inhaling slivers of flame, frost, and acid, you rely on your ears as you surge forward through the gargoylish gauntlet!The trial knows what it’s doing, however, and just when you think you’re one step ahead, the statues reveal their two step lead! Moving with renewed rhythm, the magic-spewing statues make to block you off from their Lord in a perilous pincer-strike!Caution, it would seem, has no place on the dance floor… and with a resigned groan you throw safety to the wind and scamper towards your target before dropping into a slide as the golemesque guards fill your path with magic!Your face burns as you slip beneath the sorcerous salvo, but the move pays off–rising to your feet in front of the Lord, you gather up a fresh handful of magic and shove it in their stony face! For a moment, the whole production grinds to a halt: eyes flicker, the march stops…… before resuming even FASTER than before! H-how the HELL is some normal jerk supposed to do this!?“ANTON!” Oti barks from across the deadly dance floor, “BACK TO THE BEGINNING! HURRY!”He doesn’t need to tell you twice–even as a novice you can feel it: a powerful pulse of arcane energy rising from a Lord looming on the other side of the sea of statues! As you move to meet him, however, his guards beat you to the punch and box you into a kill corner!“G-get out of there!!!” Oodeel whines as Rezzie watches from above in abject panic! The situation’s grim, that’s for sure… but what do you do when a magic trick fails?… you IMPROVISE!Ducking below a double-lariat, you scamper onto the nearest statue and leap for your target like a squirrel onto a bird feeder! It’s an impressive idea–one that puts awe into all of your allie’s expressions–but it’s swiftly replaced by looks of disdain when gravity pulls you back towards Earth!With one last grunt, you hurl a hunk of magic at your target! Slamming onto the floor amidst a forest of statue feet with the grace of a fallen grocery bag, all you can do is cover your face with your hands as several prepare to pulp you!But the pulping never comes…>CONTD.
>>6409516Peeking through your fingers, you watch in confusion as your deadly dance partners merely… stop. It’s only after Rezzie swoops in to scoop you up with a delighted cackle that you realize you’ve won… and as the fiend flies you around for a few victory laps, a dull grinding in the far wall signals the opening of another passage!“Hm.” Oti remarks as you land next to him and Oodeel, “Impressive work.”… You’re sensing a ‘but’ somewhere in there.“Well,” The Chytree sighs as he casts a glance towards the ‘dance floor’, “I just realized how simple it would’ve been to just… cast a spell at the offending ‘Lord’. With the right mage it could’ve been done in seconds, reall-”Stop, you groan as you lean against Rezalith’s diminutive form to catch your breath, just… whatever…“Indeed.” Nods the mage as he gives your shoulder a light pat, “We succeeded–that’s what matters.”Damn… right… you did…Still weary from your impromptu dance number, you keep up the pace as the newly-opened exit snakes deeper into the ground… and just when you consider taking a breather, you hear it–Spells. Magic. Sorcery. Witchcraft! Whatever you wanna call it, it’s just down the way… and as you and your pals rush to ascertain its origin, another voice echoes along the passage!“No… nononoNO….”To say it fills you with confidence would be a lie. Even worse, Oodeel’s already-large eyes widen at the sound of the voice!“A-AIIDO!?”Scampering after the sorceress leads you into another large room–one far more oblong than the last, from the looks of it, and smack-dab in the center on his knees sits a Durher with fresh panic in his amber-colored eyes!“Ouxlee…” He whimpers, barely aware of your approach, “I… I’m..!”“Aiido…” Repeats your prisoner, prompting the Durher to straighten up in shock, “W-what… what happened?”His eyes flit between hers, yours, and the spot in front of him. Wild, fearful eyes… ones that give way to…… Excitement?“O-Oodeel!” He sputters as he stumbles into wrapping the girl in a hug, “Oh thank BIISII you’re safe!”“Y-yes!” She murmurs, a bit shocked, but not scandalized by the contact, “A-and… and I brought some friends who-”“Friends?” He repeats hastily, “O-oh, yes! Yes, friends! Excellent, excellent, we’ll need some!”Clearing his dry throat with unusual speed, the Durher turns your way with a toothy smile! “Aiido Mounos at your service, friends! Since you’re here with my good friend Oodeel I’m sure you’re already aware of what’s at stake?”“We are,” Oti nods with a wary glimmer in his eye, “Which is why your warm greeting, while appreciated, is unexpected…”>CONTD.
>>6409519Aiido answers with a nervous laugh. “What? Unexpected? Wh-what in Zoral would make you think th-You’re a pack of strangers, you interject, isn’t he worried you’re about to swoop in on his loot?“Aiido…” Oodeel mutters in a labored tone, almost as if she was being restrained, “W-where’s Ouxlee?”“Accident.” The Durher mutters with wild eyes, “She.. they… this lock–a sacrifice. Needs a sacrifice…” His words leave his lips stunted. Panicked. “The last lock. Last lock. Needs a sacrifice. Ouxlee wouldn’t… crushed herself into paste… accidental. Her accident. It was an accident…”Rezalith takes a step forward, but you step ahead of her. Look, Aiido, you begin in a placating tone, you’re-“Wasting time. Needs a sacrifice, no way around it…” He stammers as Oodeel squirms at his side… does he have a weapon? “A choice before–difficult… difficult… b-but now? J-just one! Just one of you new friends and… a-and we all get what we deserve!”“Anton.” Oti hisses through… d-do Chytree have teeth? Wait, no, it’s telepathy! Man, you’re tripping today, haha! “Do you feel that?”You only need a moment to sense what he’s speaking about–buzzing in your teeth: the usual sign of a spell forming… and you can feel it all around you like static electricity…“Sigils. Exploding variety.” The Chytree intones as the demented Durher begins muttering to his ally. “Careful.”Oodeel appears to be at an impasse. If she wants to sacrifice you she doesn’t say anything, but the air grows tenser by the moment… better tread cautiously…What do?>Tell Aiido to let Oodeel go!>Inform him of the plan--put it on hold! There’s a siege about to occur!>Negotiate: What would he want to let this all go?>Ultimatum: Give up! No one else needs to die!>Probe: what happened with Ouxlee and the other one in the last room?>His employer–who is it and what’s their angle?>The Vault… is what’s inside worth this?>VENTRILOQUISM: S-someone’s behind him!>GEOMANCY: ROCK his world!>OTI: Any ideas?>REZZIE: You’re fast, right?>BIISII’S BAG: Add some CHAOS to this fire!>Write-In!
>>6409520>VENTRILOQUISM: S-someone’s behind him!DISTRACTION>REZZIE: You’re fast, right?ACTION.KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL
>>6409636>VENTRILOQUISM!>REZZIE!Go gettem, girl!>ROLL ME 2d100 for your VENTRILOQUISM ARTE and REZZIE'S.... R-REZZIETUDE! BEST OF 3! Bonuses calculated below:>ROLL 1 (VENTRILOQUISM): +2 (+3 All The World's a Stage, +2 Paranoid Aiido, +2 Favorable Beginnings, -5 Paranoid Aiido)>ROLL 2 (REZZIE): +3 (+5 Demon Power, +2 Favorable Beginnings, -4 Mage Shield)
Rolled 81, 57 = 138 (2d100)I have watched, but what have I learned?
Rolled 96, 41 = 137 (2d100)>>6409805
Rolled 11, 32 = 43 (2d100)>>6409805YES..........
>>6409806>>6409840>>6409856>HIGHEST ROLLS: 98 N' 60!>>6409806You have learned how to roll a damn fine second roll, apparently! Our gal Rezzie ain't gonna lose any cred today, it seems! Writing!
Maybe you’re just becoming jaded to this kind of thing, but interactions like these? They rarely go well! Though that might be the threat of being blown into kibble talking… fortunately for you–and unfortunately for your would-be executioner–you’ve gotten well-acquainted for readying yourself for negotiations like this… and by the time Oti’s warning hits your midbrain your mouth is already stiff as a wad of gum in a blizzard!As for your throat, well…Aiido’s eyes twitch in silent desperation as Oodeel stands at his side with confusion etched into her features–whatever’s going on here, you reason, is not the normal bill of fare… and just when things couldn’t get any more tense…hey im the vault king an the sacrifice worked now im gonna open up here goes lookit meAiido’s head would’ve spun off if it wasn’t attached to his neck! Whipping around like a cat hearing a vacuum cleaner, the manic mage gives you the chance you need!Well, not you, exactly… as your eyes flit over to Rezzies and a sharp hiss leaves your lips, your fiendish friend leaps–quite literally–into action! Rushing the wizard with frankly terrifying speed, Aiido is only able to let out a confused yelp as the demon crashes into–and subsequently through--his magical barrier!“W-WAIT!!!” Oodeel shrieks as her eyes nearly leap from her skull, “NO!”Too late. Flailing and screaming like a rabbit in a hawk’s talons, Aiido barely manages to mutter the beginning of a spell before his infernal assailant brings him crashing into the vault’s final door with a sickening CRUNCH.The chamber falls silent once more, save for a faint dripping from the mage’s corpse barely registering over Rezalith’s low, heavy breaths. As she moves to enjoy her treat, however, something grabs her claw from behind!“A-AIIDO!!!” Oodeel shrieks, the word barely escaping through panicked sobs, “Y-YOU… YOU KI-YOU KILLED H-HIM!”Whatever snarky answer Rezzie had ready dies as the two lock eyes–Oodeel’s drowned in fresh, heavy tears, Rezalith’s wide in stupefied shock.“But-”“YOU. KILLED. MY. FRIEND!” The Mox wails as the sound of her soft fists pounding against Rezalith’s side echo about the chamber, “H-HE… Y-YOU…!”Whether it’s the sudden confrontation or the ‘F’ Word is up for debate, but whatever the cause, Rezalith merely stands over her fresh kill in stunned silence. Justified or not, Oodeel’s reaction was something she didn’t expect at all.“And he would’ve killed us.” Oti snaps as you feel the magical sigils around you fade into the aether, “Like he killed your other friend.”“Y-you’re WRONG!” Sobs the Mox as her face scrunches up with fresh pain, “He w-wouldn’t… he was always s-so… it… it just… SLAUGHTERED him…!”>CONTD.
>>6409880Words fail you. Could Rezzie have shown more restraint? Probably, but who knows what might’ve happened if she pulled her punches? Whether Aiido was scared, coerced, or simply opportunistic you’ll never know, but reasonable or not, the Durher is dead.All that remains is a sealed vault, a mysterious employer, and a sad, sad Mox.What’s next?>Side with Rezzie. She made the right call.>Critique Rezzie–she couldn’t have knocked him out?!>Examine the vault–is it still secure?>Just leave–the problem is solved, more or less.>Call Toppel–any news on the employer?>Placate Oodeel. >Tell Oodeel to leave–it’s over now.>GEOMANCE some more cover for the vault!>Ask Oti for advice.>Write-In!
>>6409882>Side with Rezzie. She made the right call.Buddy, he was about to ritually sacrifice us in order to get rich. I don't really care if we could've done it nonlethally.If you wave a loaded gun at someone, you shouldn't be shocked when someone shoots back at you.
>>6409882>Side with Rezzie. She made the right call.>Call Toppel–any news on the employer?I am leaning towards Just Leave, but wouldn't wanna bail if it seems like the masterminds behind this expedition are gonna throw more rubes at it
>>6409882>Side with Rezzie. She made the right call.
>>6409888>>6409899>SIDE WITH REZ-DAWG>>6409891>SIDE WITH REZ-DAWG>AND ALSO CALL TOPPEL ABOUT THE EMPLOYER EEEEEKWriting!
>>6410003Actually, sorry all, thought I could write this part today, but it might have to wait til' Sunday. Did a lot of errands today and they're catching up with me. While we wait, though, got a question for ya. I know calling Toppel only got one vote, but should I include it in the next update?>YES! INCLUDE THAT!>NO! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU WORM?Seeya tomorrow, most likely. Sorry for the bait-n-switch!
>>6410046>YESI see no reason why not!
>>6410046Sure
The whole gig’s a mess, to say the least: a girl lost her whole ‘family’ chasing some ancient boondoggle, and that last spatter of blood is–semantics aside–on your hands!Nevertheless, in the moments that follow you find yourself standing next to Rezalith with your hand on her trembling shoulder.For what it’s worth, you begin in a solemn voice, you’re… sorry. For how everything turned out. The Mox sends an incredulous glance your way. “‘S-Sorry’?” She sobs, eyes widening as a deluge of tears pour down her face, “A-all… all of my friends… a-are DEAD... a-and you’re… You’re SORR-”YEA, you snarl, bringing the girl’s retort to a screeching halt, you’re SORRY! You came here to help, not get sacrificed, and friend or not, if she’d come here on her own he’d be sacrificing her instead! Rezalith here saved all of us!Oodeel shakes her head. “N-no, they-”What was he holding her in place with, hmm? Friendship? The Mox doesn’t respond. Abandoning the argument with a resigned sigh, you give Rezzie another appreciative pat before turning your attention over to Oti. Think we can reach Toppel from here? The Chytree shrugs.“We’re not that deep. Fire away.”You scarcely manage to retrieve your COMMUNICATOR from your pocket before it blares to life with a grating, frantic voice!“OTI! OTI, COME IN!!!”Toppel. Sorry, you reply with a touch of ‘tude in your tone, it’s just Anton here…“Oh. Right. Whatever!” She replies through a burst of crackly static! “L-listen: Obber and I tracked the–no, you can’t say ‘hi’, you simpering idiot, I’m–ugh. Obber says ‘hi’.”Sup, dude.“Click.”“A-anywho, we tracked the residual magic from the Hedge Mage’s camp–totally torn up, might I add–and our mysterious Collector? They’re teleporting. A LOT!”“Trying not to be followed…” Muses Oti. “Prudent for them, irksome for us...””Riiight? Hi, Otes!” The Chytree shifts awkwardly.“... Hi.”That’s a start, you reply as you avert your eyes from Oodeel’s direction, but did they dig up anything else?“That’s the strange part! I believe we’ve located a hideout, but, well…” Toppel explains with uncertainty creeping into her tone, “It’s… barren. These wards are impressive, but we can’t sniff out anything–nothing to suggest an allegiance, at leas-huh!? Obber, what’s the mat-”A burst of magic crackles through the communicator followed by a low, growling voice… then a scuffle!“T-two mages!” Toppel exclaims, “W-wearing hoods! Just mentioned ‘warning’! Be carefu-”Oti’s on the move long before the communication fizzles out! “Your camp.” He snaps as he glides over to Oodeel, “Where is it?”>CONTD.
>>6410354The Mox merely sobs–until Oti lifts her into the air with a white-hot glow in his gaze! “NOW!”Oti, you begin as Oodeel relents in a burst of magic, what are-“They’ll require aid,” He mutters curtly, “Watch the Vault. I’ll bring them here.”The chamber is bathed in fresh silence once the Chytree poofs away… but the quiet is short-lived. That was quick, you remark at the sound of a fresh teleport, so what’s the deal with tho-“Anton Peas…”The familiar voice leads your eyes to the center of the chamber revealing…… Well, nothing, really! Wait, Toppel mentioned hoods…“We finally meet.” Purrs the interloper as the air around them crackles with arcane energy, “Officially, that is…”Rezalith doesn’t waste any time! Hurling herself at the newcomer, the fiend’s flight path bends as a pained groan leaves her lips! “Nghhh… stings!” She snarls! “Faith is a powerful shield indeed,” The conjurer continues as they float in the center of the room like a menacing balloon, “When one serves the highest of all powers…”“Y-you…” Oodeel mutters, still huddled in the corner, “Y-you’re… th-them! The C-Collector!!”“Correct.” Answers the arcanist, “And despite several setbacks, you managed to unlock The Vault. Bravo indeed…” They conclude with a golf clap. “It would appear I didn’t need to cast that GEASS on your friend at all.”“G-GEASS!? He’s… you put Aiido-”“Under my spell, yes.” Shrugs the sorcerer. “And why wouldn’t he accept? ‘Unlock The Vault, retire early’. I was ready to pay him for his services…”Listen, asshole, you interject with fresh magic glowing in your palms, they're acting awfully familiar for someone you don’t remember! Who are they!? What do they want with the Vault?A low laugh leaves the newcomer’s unseen lips. “Oh, it’s not what I want… It's what my Master wants. I am but their humble servant–an insignificant worm who would see this world return to its roots-”It’s at that moment you feel something squirming in your pocket like a hamburger-sized spider… but by the time you fish it out you already know who this jerk is! The androgynous voice, the vague, condescending answers, the mention of worms…Let me guess, you growl as you point the offending item in their direction, they’re a servant of that ASSCLOWN LORD LARIUS, aren’t they!?Even with a hood you can tell the sorcerer is shocked–that SEVERED MAGE HAND you stole from him during your scrap in FELLICK’S OFFICE is trembling like crazy!AREN’T THEY!?“N-no…”C’mon, dude, you groan as you wave his severed hand around like a feather duster, you carved their hand off in your last fight! They’re a member of that dipshit commune–THE CULT OF THE BURROWER! Don’t try to wriggle outta’ this!>CONTD.
>>6410356“... No… you didn't… you didn’t know...”Jesus Christ… Pocketing the hand with a dismissive sigh, your eyes flit over to the Vault door. So that’s their plan, huh? Contract some nobodies to unlock an ancient vault, then slip in and pilfer all the goodies?“You know NOTHING of our-err, MY machinations!” You don’t NEED to know, prick! The Vault’s still closed! Take a peek! Turning to face the still very much LOCKED vault with a triumphant laugh, you meet the cultist’s frustrated groan with a sigh!Too bad, you shrug, guess they’re not getting in! LARIUS is gonna be maaaa-Just before the last word can leave your lips, you hear something slump to the ground by the vault entrance–Aiido’s corpse! Well, you think with a cough, if his death was enough of a sacrifice the door would be open by n-Just like that, the chamber erupts in a low, booming voice!”A C C E P T A B L E…”As the voice fades, the room starts to quake, and on the far side of the chamber comes the grinding of stone moving against stone!“Well, WELL!” Croons the Cultist as the ancient vault door slowly recedes into the walls, “It would appear I DON’T need to sacrifice you after all! But blood begets blood, Anton Peas… and you’ve been meddling in ou-err, MY affairs for long enough! I’m afraid your adventuring days… are OVER!”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7jfuaD-iDEThis freak’s a SUMMONER, you remember that much! Sure enough, the moment their threat lands, the floor hums with freshly-cast magic… better get ready for whatever’s on the way! What do!?>GEOMANCY! They’re flying, but you can still get ‘em!>Whittle them down with some HELLFIRE! Let’s see a shield block that!>DISPEL MAGIC! You can probably stop one of his summons!>Tag-Team with REZZIE! Have her fly you in close!>MAGIC SHIELD–bait an attack and bat it back at them!>BIISII’S BAG! CHAOOOSSSSS>Write-In!
>>6410357>BIISII’S BAG! CHAOOOSSSSSI don't want the cult knowing about our geomancy just yet, bets keep some things in reserve until we need them
>>6410357>Whittle them down with some HELLFIRE! Let’s see a shield block that!I'd like to aim high, and signal for Rezzie to lunge in low, so if the mage dodges down its easier for Rez-dawg to grab those knobby toothpick nerd ankles for a ground & pound.
>>6410357>Whittle them down with some HELLFIRE! Let’s see a shield block that!Mmh, I would've gone for Biisii's, but I like v+z's plan more.
>>6410385>THE BAG! THE BAAAAAGGG!!!!>>6410409>>6410426>FIRE AWAY!!!Hellfire wins it! Let's see how it goes!>ROLL me 1d100-1 (+3 HELLFIRE!!!, +5 Rezzie Support, -4 Mage Shield, -2 Summoning, -3 Fought you before...) to torch this tool! Best of 3!
Rolled 13 - 1 (1d100 - 1)>>6410501REZZIEIF YOU WIN THISIF YOU FUCKING WIN THISI'LLI'LL[insert reward later]
Rolled 36 (1d100)>>6410501Up top! >>6410503Rezzie don't listen to this guy his dice stink
Rolled 98 - 1 (1d100 - 1)>>6410503Rolling again, since no one else seems to be rolling.
>>6410503>>6410504>>6410585>HIGHEST ROLL: JESUS CHRIST NINETY-FRICKIN-SEVENYou maniacs. You absolute maniacs. Will probably write the next bit up later on Monday since I had a big day, but good LORD, y'all are rolling DINGERS. Seeya then, probably!
As the vault door grinds open at a glacial pace, you seize the moment by rushing into the fray and hurling a hail of HELLFIRE at the hooded henchman! Just before the fireballs can meet their mark, however, an unseen aberration emerges before the summoner with a menacing gurgle!He expected your attack–there’s no other way to slice it–and though your magical missiles pop the summonee like a meat-filled water balloon, its master remains unscathed!“Bold,” They croon as their OTHER beast emerges from an unseen circle with a series of low, rumbling clicks, “But we know ALL of your tricks, An-”One-Hand’s taunt is cut short by a Rezzie-shaped missile! Slipping through the gap left by his first summon, the devil violently crashes into the mage, sending a thunderous crack of magical energy across the chamber! Watching the two careen across the room, you nearly fall victim to a thorny tendril to the face!A lesser adventurer would’ve totally BEEFED it right there, but you? You’re ANTON THE UNDYING, damn it! That’s what TT calls you, at least! Slipping to the side just in time to feel the summoned beast’s tentacle whip past your cheek, you hurl a fresh helping of HELLFIRE at the beast and grin at the ensuing crackles and shrieks!It’s all fun and games, however, until the beast starts THRASHING! You can’t really blame them–HELLFIRE is lame even in the best of situations–but whatever the hell One-Hand summoned isn’t being polite about it… and the mass of barbed tendrils is coming right for you! EEEK!>Roll me 1d100-1 (+3 Swift Footwork, +2 LIMBOOO, +1 HELLFIRE Resistance, -4 BIG BEASTIE, -3 One-Hand Interference) to get outta the waaaayyyy!!!! Best of 3!
Rolled 98 - 1 (1d100 - 1)>>6410887AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADON'T KILL ME DON'T KILL ME DON'T KILL ME PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Rolled 44 (1d100)>>6410887Thrashing?! I hate when beasts thrash. I actually wish they would just make it illegal already. They don't need to do stuff like that.
>>6410904Cheese Louise are you using, like, GAMESHARK or something with these rolls good lord
>>6410928oh wait i didn't even notice i rolled a 97 again Yes, I'm using GameTzah, the most powerful cheating device.
Feel free to roll again if you've already done so--gonna try to update a lil' earlier on Tuesday assuming I don't have as many meetings!
Rolled 8 (1d100)Don't mind if I do, bub, only got a 1% chance of fucking this up, and a 2% chance of improving things - and I LIKE those odds!!!
>>6410904>>6410925>>6411076>HIGHEST ROLL: 97!!!! >>6411076Thanks, big dog, will get that update out a little later on Tuesday! Thanks for y'all's patience
>>6411078Based on your recent and frequent experience with avoiding death, the trick to not dying, you’ve learned, is to put yourself far from the thing that can kill you! And put yourself you do! A loud grunt leaves your lips as you dive into a PERFECTLY-EXECUTED CARTWHEEL that takes you out of the rampaging beast’s path just in the nick of time!… Okay, maybe it wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and that’s what matters most! As the monster’s spikes whip past you like an angry rose bush, you skid to a halt just in time to avoid a sudden burst of magic crashing at your feet!One-Hand shook Rezzie, it would seem, and the way he hovers menacingly above you tells you he’s not ready to throw in the towel! The flurry of acrid-scented attacks he sends your way proves it–and as you bat each one back at him with your ever-handy MAGIC SHIELD, your counterattack is cut short by a panicked shriek in the direction of the burning beast!Oodeel–still rattled from all that’s happened–levitates away from the crispy critter you cooked, but in blind fury it follows her with a series of menacing clicks! Before you can act, a beam of energy slams into your shield, sending you skidding across the chamber as One-Hand presses the assault!“Foolishness, Anton!” They snarl as they double-down, “FOOLISHNE-”Interrupted by a fireball whizzing past their face, the Cultist dips and weaves through a flurry of flames flung by your favorite fiend… and as she uses the confusion to dive at your foe, Rezalith is taken completely off-guard as the area surrounding One-Hand EXPLODES with magical energy! Rezzie is sent flying, but you’ve got an opening! The question is… what do?>GEOMANCY! Surprise, jerk!>They’re distracted! HELLFIRE time!>DISPEL MAGIC! Break through that barrier!>Assist Oodeel! Stop that summon!>MAGIC SHIELD–bait an attack and bat it back at them!>BIISII’S BAG!>THROWING KNIVES! You’ve got plenty!>REZZIE TAG-TEAM! HELLGEYSER over and have her fling you!>Write-In!
>>6411267>THROWING KNIVES! You’ve got plenty!
>>6411267>DISPEL MAGIC! Break through that barrier!Zing zap and so on
>>6411267>DISPEL MAGIC! Break through that barrier!LISTEN HERE YOU FUCKING KEK. YOU WILL BE DISPELLED. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISPELLED.
>>6411299>A KNIFE PLAN ALL THINGS CONSIDERED>>6411315>>6411318>DISPELLING ERRORMAGIC WINS IT AGAIN>Roll me 1d100+4 (+5 Rezzie Support, +2 Occupied, -2 Summoned Beast, -1 Fought You Before (But Ya Didn't Do THIS!)) to smash that shield! Best of 3!
Rolled 18 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6411382DON'T WATCHDON'T LEARNDON'T TALKDON'T BREATH
Rolled 45 (1d100)>>6411382Maybe a little bit of watching and some sparknotes...
Rolled 90 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6411392No rolls for a while, so I'll try to redeem myself.
>>6411583And you did
>>6411583Good job, redeemoid
>>6411392>>6411420>>6411583>HIGHEST ROLL: 94!!!>>6411583I forgive you, anon. For everything. WRITING>>6411420Yea boot up those Dark Quest Youtube Essays
Sensing your chance, you bolt towards One-Hand with a fistful of magic cooking in your palm! Well, ANTI-MAGIC in this case, and it’s got this jerk’s name written all over it!Reality has a habit of complicating things, however, and as you approach your adversary a deafening THOOM rocks the chamber from your right, sending the summoned beast reeling with a baleful moan!Fortunately it sounds like Oodeel’s not completely defenseless! UNfortunately she just sent One-Hand’s remaining monster sliding your way! With a determined breath and swift footwork, you manage to leap into the air just in time to land on the creature’s crackling, serpentine body, and as a forest of writhing tendrils swipe at your sprinting form, you use the burning beast as an impromptu–and very dangerous–stairway to reach your target!One-Hand, however, is a bit preoccupied with your fiend friend’s counterattack! Dipping and banking through a flurry of magical motes, Rezalith cackles for a moment before her eyes disappear in a magical ‘THWOOP’ and reappear perpendicular to the floor!You… can guess what happens next.“HA!” One-Hand laughs as the demon gets intimately and violently-acquainted with the floor, “Mind over matter! And now for YOU, ANTO-”Their bravado slips into abject terror as a high-pitched shriek leaps from the Cultist’s unseen mouth and into your face! Joining it in the assault is a frantic blast of magic–some kind of beam, given how it rips past your side with an icy burn as you scurry forth–but what you don’t manage to dodge you bat away with your MAGIC SHIELD! Just before they can slip away with a teleport spell, you lunge forward with a loud ‘DISPEL MAGIC’ leaping from your lips!You probably didn’t need to add that little detail, but the blow strikes its mark–and with a burst of static electricity you feel a repellant force around One-Hand fizzle into nothing like an old-timey TV being shut off! In the absence of magic, they tumble towards the ground with you in hot pursuit–your magical dampening prompting their summoned subordinate to writhe like a worm on a hot tin roof!Taking a page from what Rezalith did just moments before, the two of you crash onto the cavern floor in a scrambling heap! Ha-HA, you croon as you wrestle your foe to the floor, not so tough with one DUMB HAND and without your fancy-shmancy MAGIC, are w-In your struggle, your hand presses against One-Hand’s voluminous robes… Wait, are they a-!?Hey, remember when One-Hand blasted Rezalith away from them? With that unseen, but probably really nasty force? It was around that time they mentioned something about their faith in the BURROWER?>CONTD.
>>6411929Yea, whatever the hells it is, it STINGS as it emanates from your floored foe like stink from an onion–so much so that you find yourself reeling more than you did around that Divine Energy from before! What… what the FRICK!?“You…” Hisses One-Hand as they stagger to their feet swaying like a scarecrow, “You’ve… improved…”Damn right you have, you reply as you strike a heroic pose, and they’re the same they were back in that tower: LAME!“Tch…” They grunt as Rezalith circles them like a red-eyed hawk just outside of their malevolent ‘aura’, “You jest about forces you cannot begin to comprehend… this vault, like our battles, are but one of many. Your luck, ample though it may be, will not last...”The vault door continues to trundle open behind the Cultist, whose body slowly crackles with fresh magical force…“Do what you will, ANTON,” They snarl with fresh haughtiness in their tone, “We’ve already won here…”You blink. No they haven’t.“Yes we did.”No they didn’t!“Yuh-huh! We’re one step ahead of you! Every step of the way!”Jesus CHRIST, this is getting you nowhere! But they’re clearly getting ready to escape, somehow, so…What do?>ATTACK! You can still deal a nasty blow!>INTERROGATE! Ask them a question! These damned cultists are so obnoxious!>DEMEAN! You and your Burrower SUCK!>BE THOROUGH! Make sure their cringe summon is dead!>DELEGATE! Oodeel, Rezzie, anything you’d like to add?>GOAD! They don’t even know what’s in this stupid vault, do they!?>Write-In!
>>6411930>GOAD! They don’t even know what’s in this stupid vault, do they!?YOU KNOWIF YOU THINK YOU WONGO AHEAD, TELL US WHAT'S IN THE VAULT. SINCE YOU **WON** SO HARD, OBVIOUSLY TELLING US WON'T CHANGE ANYTHINGRIGHT?
>>6411930>GOAD! They don’t even know what’s in this stupid vault, do they!?Goadal Cultist Death
>>6411930>GOAD! They don’t even know what’s in this stupid vault, do they!?
>>6412121>>6412125>>6412200>GOAD FOR THE GOLD!WwWWWWwwWWwWRRRrrRRRRIIIIIIIIITTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGg
The rest of Zoral might not know much about THE CULT OF THE BURROWER, but you do–sneaky bastards with cells all over the land holding clandestine meetings run by their mysterious leader: LORD LARIUS. What you DON’T know, however, is why they’re risking life and limb (doubly-so in One-Hand’s case) to crack open some ancient vault right before a siege!Fortunately One-Hand isn’t as tight-lipped as you used to think they were… and just like you learned during your brief stint in stage magic, it’s sleight-of-hand, not force, that wins the day!Staring your floundering foe down, you disarm them even further with a derisive laugh!“H-huh!?” Mutters One-Hand, “Hey… we’re the harbingers of your demise, you know! You could at least act like it!”“Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt…” Rezalith grumbles with a shrug. “He doesn’t respond to threats or superior beings.”The Cultist blinks at the reveal. Probably. Hoods have a tendency to obscure those gestures. “... That’s stupid.”Your fiend friend nods in solemn assent. “Yes… yes he is…”Look, can we stop talking about how stupid you are for a second? If we wanna talk about dumbasses, you huff, why not look in a MIRROR!?“... What is that.”D’oh! It’s… whatever! You bet they don’t even know what’s in that vault, do they!? Flinging Rezalith away with another pulse of UNdivine energy, One-Hand’s voice falters somewhat as they stammer out a response!“... O-of COURSE we know! An ANCIENT TREASURE that will reduce this sinful city to rubble! Our master’s machinations span centuries! You don-”Okay but seriously, you interrupt flatly, what is it? Another awkward silence falls over the chamber, save for the slow grinding of stone against stone. Jeez, this vault is taking ages to unlock!“HAH! As if I’d tell you–our mortal foe!” One-Hand sneers with a haughty laugh! “In fact, why tell you…” They continue as an idea slips into their tone, “... When I can SHOW YOU!?”Turning to face the vault, One-Hand makes a sweeping gesture with their remaining hand–probably–as they bark a command into the inky darkness!“LANDSHAPER! AWAKEN… AND DESTROY THESE FOOLS!”Their order echoes into the abyss.And echoes.…… Do they wanna try again, or-“LANDSHAPER! RESPOND!... please...”‘Landshaper’, you ask, sharing a dismissive grin with Rezalith before she tries and fails once again to tackle the Cultist, what’s th-The words scarcely leave your lips before six dim lights ignite beyond the vault door–the dust covering them doing little to dim their owner’s otherworldly hue! >CONTD.
>>6412515… Huh. Is there gonna be more? Whatever they belong to is barely taller than you…“Wh-WHA?!” Sputters the enemy sorcerer in unfiltered disbelief, “W-what did you just saaaaay!? T-TELL ME!”“That… w-was…” Oodeel murmurs from her corner, “P-PUU’LRII...”“P-PUU’LRII?!” One-Hand exclaims as a sound akin to a generator firing up roars from beyond the still-rising vault door, “H-how?! How do you know that language!? It’s been dead for ages!”A magician never reveals his tricks, you reply with a shrug! Dumbfounded by the sudden reveal, a forced laugh leaves One-Hand as they attempt to reclaim the narrative! “W-well done, FOOL! You’ve activated our new weapon! A-as expected!” Turning once more to face their ‘new weapon’, the Cultist makes another sweeping gesture (as evidenced by the sound of their robe fluttering) as they give another command!“LANDSHAPER! ANNIHILATE THEM!”“Landshaper, do you hear me?”The eyes pulse with fresh life. “WE HEAR YOU, COMMANDER.”A sound akin to a vole being stepped on escapes One-Hand’s unseen mouth. Hear that? You’re their COMMAN-“Y-YES, I HEARD!” They snarl, taking a few steps away as the vault door finally concludes its glacial-paced journey! “Y-you… th-this is…!”Just when things couldn’t get any better, a ‘THOOP’ of magic heralds the return of your two favorite mages! And Obber!… Okay, maybe they’re not your favorite.“Ah, just in time.” Oti remarks as his glowing eyes fall upon One-Hand’s general direction. “Apologies for the detour.”“Those mages won’t be bothering anyone anymore!” Croons Toppel with a menacing cackle! “Right, Obber?”“Click.” You don’t even wanna know what he did to them…Stunned and surrounded, One-Hand stands like a statue as they slowly realize they’re outgunned. So, you begin with a polite cough, do they surrender, or-“‘SURRENDER!?’” One-Hand snarls indignantly, “You WISH! We are LEGION! We are RELENTLESS! THE BURROWER WA-”“Ah. They’re preparing to teleport.” Toppel reports, earning a strangled noise from the Summoner.“Mhm.” Oti mutters as his eyes glimmer. “HOLD PE-”A panicked yelp leaves the hooded henchman as a burst of magic surges from their position! Just as it triggers, however, another blast rings out from across the chamber!“Y-YOU KILLED MY FRIIEEEENDS!”Oodeel’s cry is punctuated by the sound of her spell impacting against something… and a subsequent wet SPLUT of something fleshy hitting the floor!“DAAAGHNOTMYOTHERHAAAND-”>CONTD.
>>6412517As One-Hand–now No-Hand–poofs out of the chamber, you’re left with the silence of your success: the vault’s treasure stares blankly from its shadowy sarcophagus like a car’s headlights in the fog, Oodeel collapses into a quiet, quivering mess, Rezzie pauses mid-bite like a cat getting caught in the kibble, no doubt having picked up the Cultist’s freshly-amputated appendage, and Toppel, Oti, and Obber are already glowing with fresh magic!H-hey, you stammer, what’s-“What do you think?” Oti answers with a frown in his tone.“We can chase them!” Toppel smirks!“Click.”Okay they don’t need to go THAT far with it, Obber! With the battle more or less won, you give your back a well-deserved stretch before…CHOICE 1:>Let the mages chase No-Hand!>Let SOME of the mages chase No-Hand! (Who?)>Tell them not to chase ‘em!CHOICE 2:>Checking in with Oti, Toppel, and Obber!>Getting to know the ‘LANDSHAPER’!>Dealing with Oodeel!>Getting that HAND from Rezzie!>Write-In!
>>6412518>Tell them not to chase ‘em!Guy's kind of a jobber, it'll be alright. >Getting to know the ‘LANDSHAPER’! Methinks
>>6412518>Tell them not to chase ‘em!>Getting to know the ‘LANDSHAPER’!
>>6412606>>6412722>NO CHASE!>LANDSHAPER? I 'ARDLY KNOW 'ER!Writing a short one, folks!
Wait… wait, guys… wait…Your menagerie of mages pauses mid-cast and mildly-miffed!“WHAT.” Toppel snarls as Oti watches with pure annoyance etched into his features!Forget about the Cultist, you answer with a dismissive wave that no one notices, they’re not worth it!“W-WHAT?!” Oodeel exclaims from her sad little corner, “B-bu-but they-”You know, you interrupt as kindly as you can, but these guys are cautious–following after them might land people in a trap or something… not to mention you’ve already got something that can lead you right to them!“... An extremely fresh cloud of portal residue? Still hot?” Oti answers, prompting you to groan!No, you sigh, you can just use what you used last time to sniff ‘em out: THE HAND!… Rezzie can you please stop gnawing on it so Oti can ensorcel it later please?The demon drops the limb to the floor with an exaggerated eyeroll! “Tch… wasn’t even that tasty…”Muchas Gracias!“Don’t call me that, AnTWIT!”With your mages managed for the time-being, you turn your attention to the vault’s contents… or lack thereof. You don’t wanna sound ungrateful, but the movies you grew up watching might’ve spoiled you when it comes to ancient treasure–you don’t even feel any piles of GOLD COINS as you head over to its sole occupant!The prize, or LANDSHAPER as No-Hand called it, doesn’t flinch, doesn’t blink, and doesn’t move as you approach–nor does it react when you wave a hand in front of its six glowing eyes… or give it a few taps with your knuckles.Errr, EARTHSHAPER? Your query sends the construct into a series of rapid clicks and hisses–venting steam, maybe? You don’t feel anything…“COMMANDER.”Finally some RECOGNITION around here! Hey guys, you laugh, turning to face your friends, did… did you hear what they sai-“SCORCHING SPELLS!” Exclaims Toppel as she scurries over wide-eyed and awestruck, “Is.. is that what I THINK it is!?”“Indeed,” Nods Oti from the sidelines, “A PUU’LRII construct. In good condition, no less.”The sorceress squeals with delight as she pushes past you to give it a once-over… and then a five-over!“This… this is MIRACULOUS!” She croons, practically drooling as her Maakar brother trots over, “To think the PUU’LRII were capable of such… such SOPHISTICATION!”… She’s not gonna drool on it, is she?>CONTD.
>>6412799No answer–too busy climbing all over the damn thing. If the construct minds, it doesn’t say anything, but it seems like it’s up to you to make contact…What do?>What are you?>Who made you?>What are your functions?>Why were you in a vault?>Tell me more about the PUU’LRII!>Know anything about DEMONS?>Wanna help us save the day?>Toppel, what’s your analysis of this thing?>Do you only speak PUU’LRII, or?>What do you know about sieges?>Is there any more of you?>You were kinda expecting some more treasure…>You can talk later, let’s get outta’ this dump!>Write-In!
>>6412800I figure we more or less know the first two answers, and it called us commander so I think if can communicate passably... But I AM very curious so forgive me for picking multiple questions my good bub.>What are your functions?>Tell me more about the PUU’LRII!>Wanna help us save the day?>Toppel, what’s your HEY STOP DROOLING, what's your, HEY I MEAN IT YOU FREAKAZOID WHAT THE FUCKING FART ARE YOU DOING THATS GROSS, ok what's your analysis of this thing?>What do you know about sieges?>Is there any more of you?Not necessarily in that order (^:
>>6412800>What are your functions?>Toppel, what’s your HEY STOP DROOLING,, ok what's your analysis of this thing?>What do you know about sieges?>Is there any more of you?
>>6412800>What are your functions?>Tell me more about the PUU’LRII!>Toppel, what’s your....gross, stop drooling man. You're a sick freak you know that, right? Anyways, what's your analysis of this thing?>What do you know about sieges?
>>6412810>>6412860>>6412862THE TALLY:>FUNCTIONS: 3>PUU'LRII: 2>WANNA HELP?: 1>TOPPEL YOU DISGUSTING DEGENERATE WHAT'S THE ANALYSIS GOD YOU'RE A WRETCHED BEAST: 3>SIEGES?: 3>ANY MORE OF YOU?:1Looks like FUNCTIONS/TOPPEL ANALYSIS/SIEGES wins it! Writinggggg
When it’s clear the LANDSHAPER isn’t going to shape the bejeezus out of you, you start with something simple! Err, LANDSHAPER, you begin, trusting whatever strange language-bestowing glitch your botched summoning gave you to get your message across, FUNCTIONS!?At your request, the construct shudders, creaks, and clicks as it prepares a response! TOPPEL, you snarl as the polymorphed Durher leaps onto the LANDSHAPER like a tick on a mission, c-COOL IT!“MagNIFICENT!” She chirps, leaving your warning by the wayside, “This design–there’s similarities to NUUGAL engineering, and yet I can barely sense any magical animat-OW!”She got her paw pinched, huh? The ensuing raspberry blown in your direction tells you everything you need to know.“DIRECTIVE: SHAPE THE LAND BY THE WILL OF THE COMMANDER,” booms the ‘bot, their sheer volume sending you tumbling backwards, “FUNCTIONS: DEEPSTEEL ALLOY DIGGING TALONS AND LAYERED PROTECTIVE SKELETON. CONTINUOUS CONSTELLATION-LINKED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS. PRESSURE-SUPPLIED POINT PROPULSION. NUTRIENT SYNTHESIS AND DISPERSAL EMITTERS-”H-hold on, you interject as the construct continues to rattle along, is… when it says ‘LANDSHAPE’ does it mean-“DIRECTIVE:” It repeats in that same booming voice, “SHAPE THE LAND BY THE WI-”Toppel, you mutter under the LANDSHAPER’s droning voice, is… is this thing a-“It would appear so…” She nods grimly as she sucks her pinched claw, “This automaton isn’t an ancient weapon at all… it’s a GARDENING CONSTRUCT.”… Does she have to sound so dejected? The witch answers with a dramatic pout!“Of COURSE I do!” She whines, stomping her tiny foot just a hair’s-bredth from her quadripedal brother, “I was expecting fearsome, ancient technology! Engineering bordering witchcraft! An unstoppable, unyielding force that conquered whole continents unfettered by the confines of individuality or delusions of morality! Big, SNAPPING CLAWS! FEET MADE TO CRUSH SKULLS INTO THE DIRT! And… and FIRE! Fire and DEATH pouring from every metal orifice!!!”“Click.”Yea, you have to agree with Obber on this one–his sister can be pretty koo-koo!“... Click.”… No, you don’t find it ‘hot’. Look, Toppel, you repeat with as much patience as you can muster, she has a knack for this stuff, maybe–what’s her analysis?“Well…” She huffs, reclaiming what little decorum she has as she circles the construct like an angry squirrel, “Soil-tiller or not, this construct is in remarkable condition, even having been confined to a vault for however many years…”Does she think everything works? The Durher gives the contraption a few smacks with her staff before responding.>CONTD.
>>6413107“I suppose we won’t know until we test it–oh brother dearest~”“Click.”N-never mind that! It… mentioned propulsion and nutrients and crap–what’s that all about?“What indeed…” She purrs, slipping between the robot’s legs and limbs like a coked-up otter, “I can definitely feel ports of some sort on the individual limbs and posterior thorax…”Wait, you stammer as your eyes light up with childlike glee, it… it can FLY!? That’s NEAT!“Fly? Perhaps. Hover, most likely.” She sighs, peeking out from beneath the bot. “With how thick this exoskeleton is, at least…”Yea, they mentioned DEEPSTEEL–“Ancient PUU’LRII alloy used in weapons and shipbuilding.” She recites as if you’d asked her what her favorite food was. “PUU’LRII aquanauts would mine it from the ocean floor–hard to come by these days.”Yea, you can imagine… can we count on this thing to stay on our side, she thinks?“Well as luck would have it, YOU seem to be the only one capable of commanding it…” She retorts with undisguised ire in her tone and gaze. “Yet another boon for ANTON THE UNDYING… huzzah…”If she keeps being nasty you’re gonna punt her into a pond.“Click.”“Of course it would make my robe cling to my body–that’s what water DOES, you drooling invalid! It CLINGS!” Toppel snarls as she gives her brother a kick! “What does THAT have to do with anything, you repulsive cur, you!?”You’ve had your fill of the Gransee siblings for now. While Oti and Rezalith engage in some kind of conversation with Oodeel, you bring your new toy up to the task at hand! LANDSHAPER, you bark, uh… SIEGES! What does it know about ‘em?The LANDSHAPER belches acrid-scented steam! “DEFINITION: SUSTAINED MILITARY STRATEGY WITH THE GOAL OF FORCING A SURRENDER OF FORTIFIED FORCES. WARRANTED DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS AND WEAPONS USED IN THE PIERCING AND/OR WEARING DOWN OF DEFENSES. A NECESSITY IN PUU’LRRAADI MARINE ASSAULTS. VESSEL-MOUNTED CANNON-HARPOONS NOTED TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY EFFECTIVE.” A tiny hiss leaves the automaton’s ‘head’.“STRATEGIC RECORDS SUGGEST SIEGES AND SUBSEQUENT CONFLICT INTERFERE WITH CROP YIELD AND SOIL QUALITY. CONCLUSION: DETRIMENTAL TO LAND CULTIVATION EFFORTS.”Okay, you frown, so what happens if someone tries to step on their Begonias? Does it have any combat capabilities?The automaton answers by RAKING its talons across the floor, reducing the moss-choked stone to ribbons that poke at your ankle!“W-wow…” Stammers Toppel in a breathless tone as her cheeks turn a concerning shade of red, “I-impressive…”Just when you’re about to get over the claws, the air next to your head roars as a stream of unseen flames billows from the automaton’s appendage!>CONTD.
>>6413109“CONTROLLED BURN DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETE. ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL.”You join Toppel in stunned silence as the last of the residual flames flicker into nothingness. Well, you cough, that’s… that could help…“Maybe that pervert with the ship could look at it too.” Suggests Rezzie as the fiend appears at your side.“Indeed.” Oti adds with an approving nod. “We were fortunate our foes didn’t take it.”Who wouldn’t want a big, stompy garden robot? Giving it an appreciative pat on the… head, maybe? You weigh your next options carefully–the threats are gone and the situation is solved, more or less, but you’ve still gotta get back to the surface…… And figure out what to do with poor Oodeel.What’s next?CHOICE 1>What should we call our new bot buddy?CHOICE 2>Ask the bot something else!>Deal with Oodeel!>One more question for Toppel!>Rezzie, you wanna talk!>Oti, some words!>Just look for a way out–can you teleport a construct?>Write-in!
>>6413110>What should we call our new bot buddy?Appleseed (^: >Deal with Oodeel!Let's wrap this up Once we have her sorted >Write-in >Have the LANDSHAPER assist you as you use your Geomancy to tunnel out of this joint real expeditious-like
>>6413110>What should we call our new bot buddy?JOHNNY "APPLESEED" MCINTOSHTHIS NAME WILL BE KINO>Deal with Oodeel!OKEY LISTEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU WON'T MURDER US LATER LOVE YA
>>6413280>MCINTOSHOh shit that's clever anon, very fucking kino!!!!!!!
>>6413110>>6413280 +1So we're all thinking we're the Commander because of our geomancy, right?
Congratulations, our new baby bot boy is named>JOHNNY 'APPLESEED' MCINTOSHThis will no doubt cause him immense confusion growing up and spur relentless teasing from the other Ancient Gardening Bots in his class, but he will eventually rise above it as a resilient young man and eventually rely on that nacent confidence when he runs for local office in a small, midwestern community.As for the OTHER stuff..>>6413113>DEAL WITH DEEL>JOHNNY GET US OUTTA HERE BRO>>6413280>>6413395>DEAL WITH DEELLet's address the Mox in the room, shall we? Writing, but expect delays today--got errands to run, shit to take care of. No rest for the wicked...
The prize is pilfered and the baddies are beaten–only one loose end remains, and it’s a bit of a doozie to say the least…LANDSHAPER, you bark in a booming voice, you hereby dub him… JOHNNY! JOHNNY APPLESEED! MCINTOSH!The construct’s eyes glow in acknowledgement! “IT IS DONE, COMMANDER. UNIT ‘JOHNNY APPLESEED MCINTOSH’ STANDS READY TO PAVE YOUR PATH WITH ANY AND ALL WEEDS, PESTS, AND BLIGHTS THAT DARE THREATEN OUR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST.”… Alright, bet, you nod, but like… he can just go by ‘Johnny’ if he wants… or ‘Appleseed’.“A dreadful moniker if there ever was one!” Scoffs Toppel with a derisive laugh! “What kind of name is THAT for a metal mercenary? Alas~if only your intellect matched your propensity for hitting things-”Johnny–pick this pest up and shake her around until she cries.“W-wait, wha-”“ACKNOWLEDGED, COMMANDER.”With THAT matter settled, you move on to ANOTHER loose end you nearly forgot about:Oodeel. Say what you will about her Geassed-up buddy sharpening his sacrificial dagger seconds after meeting you, to say she’s had a rough day would be an understatement. Oodeel, you begin, cautiously-approaching the girl as she stares blankly across the chamber, how’s she holding up, hmm?“Physically? Better than expected.” Oti reports as he turns from his patient to face you. “That Summoned Beast could’ve done some real damage, but she’s no worse for wear.”“Healing’s… always b-been… my thing…” Mutters the Mox from the floor. “Just… comes naturally..”“Mentally, well…” The Chytree concludes with a grave glimmer in his gaze, “... We vanquished Toppel and Obber’s ambushers, but there may be more… and they may seek vengeance.”“W-why?”The question takes you, Oti, and Rezzie all off-guard. Oodeel repeats it.“Why? I… th-they already took ev-everything… e-everyone...”Rezalith turns away and joins Obber in watching his sister flail around like a tassel at a strip club. You open your mouth to respond, but a light, albeit firm birdlike talon clasps your shoulder. Oti’s, you realize, and its owner’s slow shaking head tells you the battle’s not worth fighting.Oodeel, you sigh as you stoop down to her level, you hate to do this, but you really can’t stick around here for long–“G-go then…” She stammers, her voice hitching amidst the fresh anger in her voice, “S-SO G-GREAT meeting you a-all! I-it’s been a real treat, really!”>CONTD.
>>6413937She doesn’t mean to snap–even you, King Heartbreaker, can sense that… and while you failed to do right by Liz, you can still try to help this misguided mage…What’s the plan for Oodeel?>Does she have any family you can take her to? Anyone?>You know a Skog Lady who owns a Tavern… she can probably stay there until she’s ready to move on.>If she really wants to help people, there’s this group called THE LAMPLIGHTERS…>Does she wanna join your gang for a while? You could use her healing…>The siege is coming. Would she be willing to assist Crossroads’ forces?>Oti, would erm, your ‘special group’ (STAR-CLOAKS) be interested in her?>Oti, could she stay in your tower for a while? Maybe she could learn a thing or two from you?>Just get her out of this vault. It’s best if she figures her next steps out herself.>Write-In!Sorry for the delay, all--was outside in the sun working all day and it kinda took a chunk out of me when I finally sat down! Wiped the frick OUT
>>6413938>If she really wants to help people, there’s this group called THE LAMPLIGHTERS…They can whip her into shape for sure. She's too bush league right now, I think. We got this siege to handle, sure, but also LORDS and DEMONS and SIXFACE. She's got growing to do before all that. She didn't handle the deep end well, but I think she has potential. The Lamplighters will be able to use a healer for themselves and the people they help.
>>6413938>If she really wants to help people, there’s this group called THE LAMPLIGHTERS…
>>6413938>If she really wants to help people, there’s this group called THE LAMPLIGHTERS…FRIENDSHIP FOREVER
>>6413944>>6414042>>6414113>LAMPLIGHTERRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSWriting! Got more errands today so might take a while--apologies in advance!
Oodeel, you begin in as placating of a tone as you can muster, shes’... she’s not a bad person.“Unless this series of unfortunate events leads her down the path to darkness, that is.”You open your mouth to shush Oti, but falter. She’s… she’s not gonna do that, right, you ask as you lean in with concern tattooed across your face! This series of unfortunate events isn’t going to lead her down the path to darkness… is it? Be honest!The Mox merely answers you both with an incredulous look.“... who… ARE you people?”We’re the GOOD GUYS, you reply with a wink when your thumb’s up doesn’t land! And even if evil’s foul talons grasp at her heart, you know… y-you KNOW she’s better than that! Everyone does!“Potential is a terrible thing to waste.” Oti shrugs, which you know is high praise coming from him!Rezzie merely nods from over her shoulder.“Click.”“T-TELL THIS THING TO STOP SHAKING ME”Despite the whole team’s combined efforts, Oodeel doesn’t look convinced. “... I… j-just want to be alone…”Does she, though? Really?Your question takes the conjurer off-guard. “Wh-huh?”You… get it, okay? You know what it feels like to just want to crawl into a hole and fester, you explain as some of your recently-reclaimed drift through your mind. You know, you continue, because you’ve been there before… and it feels easy because it is–and that’s what she’s looking for right now, isn’t she? An easy way to avoid staring that pain in the eye?Oodeel’s face dips floorward. “... They were… they were the only family I had…”You know, you answer with a solemn nod, and for what it’s worth, you’re still sorry for… well, how it all played out.She doesn’t respond.But, you continue as determination flares in your eyes, everyone, EVERYONE deserves another chance… a chance to turn that pain into something productive! A chance to help ensure others don’t feel what she’s feeling right now!The Mox’s soggy gaze meets yours with a sob. “... Is… are you talking about another Cult?”>CONTD.
>>6414341What? No! No, you repeat with a spirited head shake, you’re… you’re talking about THE LAMPLIGHTERS! Fighters for the common man! Defenders of the meek and weak!Oodeel’s sullen expression intermingles with fresh befuddlement. “... That group of suicidal maniacs that keep ending up stabbed or mauled?”… yea, Volka REALLY needs to invest in a PR Manager… w-wha, you reply with a bit too much faux-confusion, where… where did she hear that?“The Criers.” The Mox flatly replies. “Used to be their obituaries would t-take up half the a-announcements…” She blinks. “... I even tripped over a dead one once. H-head c-completely dissolved-”Nevermind that, you interject with a shrug! The point is, they’re dying a lot less now… and you’ve actually recruited quite a few new members as of late!She blinks again. “... YOU’RE a m-member?”…. Mmmaybe?You brace yourself for a blow that never comes. A fresh silence falls over the chamber with only Toppel’s pathetic mumbling remaining. Oti watches from your flank with an inscrutable look as always… no doubt waiting for the other boot to drop.All you get, however, is a long, ragged, resigned sigh. “... C-can I… meet them? At least? No pr-promises...”A-actually, you reply, trying not to let too much surprise slip into your voice, you were probably going to check in with them in a bit… they’re helping drum up recruitment efforts for, uh-“The Siege.” Interrupts the Mox. “I see…”Yea, you laugh, they’re uh… there’s gonna be a talent show! And a tourney! Lots of… lots of cool stuff! And it’ll be at this tavern she’s gonna love!“... I don’t d-drink…”… Okay, she’ll love it anyways! “Does that mean we’re finished here, Anton?” Oti asks expectantly. You think so, you answer with a nod, but… What’s next?>Contact someone in The Gang! (Who?)>Ask someone here another question! (Oodeel, Toppel, Oti, Rezzie, Obber, JOHNNY)>Go help Joji the Machinist and Joplin the Manager set up fortifications! (Who ya’ takin’ with you?)>Assist with the Recruitment Drive! Volka, TT, and Lutza might appreciate the help! (Who bring?)>Write-In!
>>6414342>Go help Joji the Machinist and Joplin the Manager set up fortifications! (Who ya’ takin’ with you?)Let's bring Appleseed and Oti, we can use his LANDSHAPING and our Geomancy along with Oti's brains to build an ironclad defense!
>>6414342>Go help Joji the Machinist and Joplin the Manager set up fortifications! (Who ya’ takin’ with you?)HEY JOJI MEET APPLESEEDSAY HI APPLESEED
>>6414377>>6414446>FORTIFYLooks like there are votes to bring JOHNNY and OTI... screw it, let's bring em both. Writing!
With the most imminent threats on your docket quelled for the time-being, you opt to focus your attention on more… grounded... matters?“... Why are you staring at me like that, AnTWERP? Quit it!”Yeesh, touchy! Leaving Rezzie to her brooding, you relay your plans to Oti: you’ve put the fortifications off for long enough! Time to go to work!“And I suppose you’ll be needing my teleportation?” He answers in a dry tone. W-well, if he wouldn’t mind… h-he can come help you too if he likes! As a treat!The Chytree doesn’t seem fully swayed by that last bit until he relents with a shrug. “Very well. I’ll do what I can.”Chin up, buttercup, you conclude with a winning smile, JOHNNY’S coming too! Right, JOHNNY? The steam-powered landscaper lets loose a billow of steam in assent!“You don’t intend to hand it over to that kooky tinkerer, do you?” Toppel inquires as she slinks over like a stray cat. “He’ll probably just break it! Or weld it to that airship of his!”That’s none of her concern, you deflect, giving the sorceress a stern stare. She, Obber, and Rezzie are on Recruitment Drive duty–and introducing Oodie to the LAMPLIGHTERS The witch’s smug grin sinks as if you’d just served her a plate of stewed caterpillars.“B-but… but I wanted to go with… Oti…” She whines as her Maakar-morphed brother watches with muted amusement. And you want your very own water park, you groan, but sometimes you don’t get what you want, do you?The Durher cocks her head to the side. “... What’s a ‘Water Park’?”Oh man, these guys are YOKELS! Shaking off your inward snickering, you turn your attention to Rezalith. Rez-Dawg, you continue, does that plan work for her?“For now…” She scoffs, averting her eyes from the still-sullen Oodeel. “We shall rendezvous with Volka and The Snack and discuss things… FRIEND things!”Super. With the matter more or less settled, you leave Oodeel with one last reassuring smile before Oti whisks you and your new agricultural assistant into the aether! It takes a few jumps to get to where you need to go–and a rather embarrassing tumble into a freshly-dug muddy trench–but a few warps later and a quick stop for directions has you standing on the firm, wooden deck of SHUURI--the metal monster parked smack dab in the middle of…Well, it smells like a rotten fart, your face is swarmed by biting critters the size of your pinky nail, and every so often the persistent sound of muddy water gurgling below you is interrupted by crackle and crunch of siege engineers toiling away in the distance. A swamp, maybe?Before you can ponder your location any further, a blue-eyed BLUR divebombs you from across the deck, its hard, spiney head crashing into your chest like a barbed battering ram!“GET OFF MY VESSEL, YOU PUSILLANIMOUS PIRATES!”>CONTD.
>>6414815The good news is that JOHNNY stops you from flying over the side of the airship and into the muck.The bad news is that JOHNNY stops you from flying over the side of the airship and into the muck. Slamming into the darksteel-forged automaton with a CLANG that might just reach all the way to UMBERAL, you crumple onto the deck at the construct’s feet and lay there twitching until cooler heads prevail…“Calm down, old man–it’s us.” Oti explains in a tone far too calm for your liking! Nevertheless, the minute his words hit Joji’s post-headbutting head, the tinkerer falls upon you like a hawk and immediately helps you to your shaky feet!“Anton, boy! What in the Hells are you doing, creeping aboard a man’s vessel like a rogue into a lady’s chambers!?” He exclaims with a jovial laugh! “Hoho! And here I was a frill’s-bredth away from blasting you lot with my RAY-SCATTERER! Good thing I didn’t, ey, wot? Could you imagine?!”“Precisely why I put it back in its case.” Following the voice to its source, you breathe an inward sigh of relief as JOPLIN, Lutza’s manager and mage, approaches from the airship’s innards. “Seemed prudent.”“It was.” Oti answers with a smile in his tone. “We’re here to assist in the fortification efforts–and I do hope we didn’t miss the brunt of the labor…”You get the feeling THAT wasn’t very genuine!“Steady as she goes.” Joplin reports as he paces the deck with his usual professional poise. “CROSSROADS’ NORTH and EAST walls progress smoothly–no reports of any Skog sabotage or Fuuxi tunnelers from any of the City’s Engineer Corps.” He frowns. “Not that they’ve proceeded very far from the wall’s perimeter, that is. They’re primarily focusing on point defenses–spike pits, mud trenches to funnel their infantry, sinkholes…”“Made a few trenches of our own with ole’ SHUURI,” Joji adds with a confident grin, “But nothing too intricate–just enough ta’ give would-be invaders something ta’ climb up an’ over.”So where are we, you ask, rubbing your sore chest as you catch your breath.“SOUTH WALL!” The tinkerer reports! “With the WEST blocked by the river, this here’s the area needin’ the most work! Great timing, by the way!”“You mentioned something earlier,” Oti remarks with a low glow in his gaze, “Creatures hindering the process?”Joji frowns. “Did I? I think there’s some beasts slithering about here, yea… hm. Welp, doesn’t matter now! We’ve got work ta’ do, boy! Look alive!”Ugh.. fine… steading yourself against Johnny, you realize your mistake when Joji’s eyes somehow light up beneath his thick tinkerer’s goggles!>CONTD.
>>6414816“P-P-POUNDING PISTONS!” He roars, giving you and Oti barely a moment to exchange worried glances before trundling over to investigate, “What in the Devil’s Dealings is THIS?!”“Well-”“NO, NO! DON’T TELL ME!” Accosting JOHNNY like a dog would an unguarded steak, Joji wastes no time in examining the robot with the violent eagerness only a tinkerer could provide!“D-DARKSTEEL! And with barely any weathering, either!” He croons as a delighted laugh leaves his lips! “Finely-bored pores… munitions distribution? Heat management? Scarcely a smattering of any arcanities, either…!”Joplin opens his mouth to chime in, but thinks better of it when a dull clang reverberates across the deck!“HA! And these talons! Sharper than a Skog’s tooth and twice as strong! THRICE, easily! B-E-A-UTIFUL! Simply BEAUTIFUL!”“A new ally, I hope?” Asks Joplin. You nod.With Joji busy conducting his assessment, you decide to…>The Engineer Corps. Anyone I can talk to?>Survey the SOUTH WALL. See what you’re dealing with!>Head into No Man’s Land. If there are siegers, they’ll be waiting somewhere past there…>GEOMANCY: Let’s FORTIFY!>Get Joji’s assessment on JOHNNY!>Ask Joji about Shuuri’s fortification capabilities… What can the airship do right now?>Have your layabout teammates help! (Who? Oti, Joplin, JOHNNY, Joji)>Write-In!
>>6414818>Survey the SOUTH WALL. See what you’re dealing with!AIGHTSOUTH WALLSOUTH WALL IS GOD WALL
>>6414818>Survey the SOUTH WALL. See what you’re dealing with!
>>6414818>Survey the SOUTH WALL. See what you’re dealing with!>GEOMANCY: Let’s FORTIFY!I read Joji's lines in the voice of the alcoholic WWI pilot veteran from the hotel in The Mummy.
>>6414982Oh, shoot, that's a fair addition.>>6414897Also adding in >GEOMANCY: Let’s FORTIFY!We got rock magic, after all, we might as well use it.
>>6414982>>6414992>SURVEY THE SOUTH>GEOMANCYYYYYY>>6414947>SURVEY SOUTHLooks like surveying wins it, but we'll see if we can't GEOMANCE a lil when we git there! Writing!>>6414982An anon of good taste, I see
So, you sigh, swatting at a swarm of tiny critters nipping at your face, the South, ey? Joplin nods. Why isn’t HE getting bitten!?“Indeed.” He purrs in that velvety voice of his, “Crossroads boasts a host of ‘Merchant-Marines’ in port–they and the city’s Cryo and Hydromancers will handle the ports on the West side.” His eyes narrow as caution creeps into his tone. “I shouldn’t have to inform you that this isn’t farm land, Mr. Peas. Cautious or carefree, these mires spell danger to all.”You figured, you frown as Joji continues to loudly dote on your new landscaping bot behind you. He’s the managerial type: what would make the South Side safe for Siege Engineering? The Gnok frowns as he weighs your words.“All-told, it might be best to just leave it the way it is.” He shrugs as he casts a glance towards the deeper reaches of the hissing, clicking swamps. “Skogs aren’t stupid–if they can’t find a path that doesn’t swallow them in muck or feed them to the local flora and/or fauna, they won’t take it. Not even the bravest in the pack.”You frown. So… what exactly needs to be done, then? Why bring it up, you ask, jolting upright as a loud ripple pierces the fetid water below!“That’s why.” Joplin answers as he follows your gaze over the airship’s guardrail. “In a manner of speaking, at least.”“Let me guess:” Oti guesses, eyes glowing with renewed intrigue, “Something’s becoming territorial?”“Quite so.” Joplin nods again. “As I mentioned before, when I spoke to the Siege Engineers they informed me that while they intend to leave the swamps relatively untouched, the wall’s perimeter still needs a few touchups.”The Gnok’s gaze picks a spot in the distance–towards the wall, you assume, that or a neat bug or something. “Unfortunately for them, something seems to have riled up the local TSERG population. Emboldened them enough to start snaring workers and dragging them into the silt.”“Cautious things, normally.” Oti helpfully adds, no doubt spotting the confusion etched into your face. “Though exceptionally-violent when provoked. Stick to the mud and the water. Long, dextrous tentacles. Can grow quite large if nature favors them enough, but they’re ordinarily solitary beasts except for-”Both him and Joplin come to the same wide-eyed conclusion!“...Mating season.”“... Mating season.”Err, ‘Mating season…’“Could be a matron nesting near the walls.” Oti reports as his eyes snap back to yours. “Very aggressive. Very territorial, especially when producing or guarding eggs.”>CONTD.
>>6415189Why can’t animals just be nice after ‘doing the nasty’? TT gets all snuggly and-“I don’t need to hear this.”“Neither do I.”Oti and Joplin turn to each other before exchanging stoic nods. Great, you groan as Joji cheers behind you having gotten a blast of steam to the face, they made friends...If you get rid of this TSURG-“TSERG.” Corrects Oti.…TSERG, will the South be ripe for the pickins? Both sitting members and chairmen of the Professional Party exchange a very professional glance.“I would believe so, yes.” Nods Joplin, earning a nod of support from his new best bud.Great, you shrug with a fresh smile, then let’s cook this calamari! Where do we start?>Speak to some South Wall Engineers!>Investigate where the last worker got attacked!>Set some bait in the South Swamp!>Just start GEOMANCING! Something’s bound to show up, right?>Joji? Any ideas? What about you, JOHNNY?>BIISII’S BAG!>Write-In!
>>6415190>Just start GEOMANCING! Something’s bound to show up, right?Let's take Appleseed and Oti to the places where touchups are needed - we can use geomancy and the bot can use his gizmos while Oti keeps watch with those big ol' eyes of his. If the tserg mama shows up and wants some smoke, we can duke it out, but I'm tempted to leave her be - if the tsergs are especially hostile right now, that will just make this route that much more difficult for the Skogs to utilize for some kind of rush, maybe impossible since it's already such difficult terrain. I can see how it'd be an issue now, since it's getting in the way of fortification, but I guess my hope is that with the LANDSHAPER and our magic we can work a lot faster and efficiently than the engineers, and knock it out without having to settle the tserg problem. It's only OUR problem until these defenses are ironed out, once that's done? It's the enemy's problem, yaknow?
>>6415190>Just start GEOMANCING! Something’s bound to show up, right?
>>6415201>>6415549>>6415594>GEOMANCYTime to ROCK this place! >Roll me 1d100+6 (+3 GEOMANCY, +3 JOHNNY Support, +3 Oti Support, +2 Close to Wall, +2 Good Write-In! -2 Treacherous Turf, -5 Angry Tsergs...) to move some dirt! Best of 3!
Rolled 90 (1d100)>>6415784Let's see what we're ROCKIN with, shall we? haha heh (^:
Rolled 54 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6415784Apparently rock puns make for good rolls!
Rolled 41 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6415784
>>6415788>>6415795>>6415859>HIGHEST ROLL: 96!Writing! Y'all are rolling well as of late--don't take that luck for granite..
A tiny puddle of cold, foul-smelling water laps against your boots as the dinghy you borrowed from a pair of Engineers trudges through the marshes–the sound of distant ‘scree’s and ‘scaw’s in the air joined intermittently by the faint crackle of waterreeds swaying in the wind and the persistent sound of JOHNNY’S NUTRIENT DISPERSAL EMITTER propelling you through the muck!“Remind me, because I can never fully comprehend what goes on in that head of yours,” Oti drones, standing on the prow like a moody George Washington, “Why did we not choose to teleport, again?”The Engineers can handle the wall, you shrug as you sally forth into the great boggy beyond, but that stretch between ‘Just Outside the Wall’ and ‘Into the Swamp’? That’s where your powers are really needed!“Where the rabid Tsergs are?”Kinda, you shrug as the skiff hits a particularly-large wake, it’s… look, in all honesty you don’t mind leaving them there for any would-be invaders… but if said invaders find a way through...“... Then our alterations will ensure they still have a rough time of it.” The Chytree nods with approval. “I still have my doubts about entering from the bog, however…”A reasonable position to take, you fire back with a wry grin. With you, JOHNNY, and this boat, though, we can probably knock out some work long before any swamp critters crash the party!To your shock and awe, you’re actually right about that–your trek across the swamp proves relatively uneventful, and when the distant sound of workers on the wall carries across the wind to your ears, you know you’ve found the right place!“So,” Oti begins as his disco ball eyes scan the swamp for saboteurs, “What shall we whip up, hm?”>CONTD.
>>6415896What indeed! With Oti and JOHNNY you have quite a few options…What do? (Good Rolls, so CHOOSE 3!)>PERMAFROST WALL: Work with Oti’s Cryomancy to make a huge wall fortified with magical frost! Invaders WILL notice, but will have to work hard to bust through.>SINK TRAPS: By boring holes beneath the swamp’s surface, you can create several deadly traps that invaders will slip into and drown in! Can’t be seen at first, but others will grow wise to them.>TANGLEWEED: With JOHNNY’S NUTRIENT SCATTERER you can entice local flora to grow to an alarming degree, making the swamp difficult to traverse on foot! Will slow invaders down!>DEEP MUCK: There’s already quite an aquifer below the swamps, but digging deeper will allow it to flood even LOWER. Can destabilize and discourage tunnels, whoever plans on using them.>MIRE MAZE: Work with JOHNNY to shape the local flora into maze-like patterns, making it harder to find a way through! Oti can help by freezing them in place to resist flames.>FLORAL FEAST: By casting ENLARGE and adding nutrients to MURKY TOEBITERS: an indigenous flora known for snaring unwary swampgoer’s ankles, you can create a gauntlet of bloodthirsty plants that could easily chomp a Skog in half!>SLIPPERY SWAMP: Working with Oti you can freeze and reshape large swathes of swamp into frozen slopes and pitfalls. Will make it very difficult to traverse!>GIANT FRICKIN’ HOLE: Just make a massive hole in the swamp. Good luck crossing this, morons.>I JUST HAD A GREAT IDEA: (WRITE-IN!)
>>6415897>TANGLEWEED: With JOHNNY’S NUTRIENT SCATTERER you can entice local flora to grow to an alarming degree, making the swamp difficult to traverse on foot! Will slow invaders down!>>DEEP MUCK: There’s already quite an aquifer below the swamps, but digging deeper will allow it to flood even LOWER. Can destabilize and discourage tunnels, whoever plans on using them.>>FLORAL FEAST: By casting ENLARGE and adding nutrients to MURKY TOEBITERS: an indigenous flora known for snaring unwary swampgoer’s ankles, you can create a gauntlet of bloodthirsty plants that could easily chomp a Skog in half!I think this is the way to go, with a write-in addendum that we should, if able, get the ROOTS of the swamp plants to grow DOWNWARDS and tangled to fuck so that any potential tunneling is as hindered as those trying to move above ground. If we do all of that, and the tsergs are hanging too, this are is probably totally impassable to invaders, saving manpower for the other walls.
Speaking more broadly as we continue to prep for assaults or attempts to breach into the town, I will just lay out some principles to stick to: With enough time and/or the right tools, any security measure can be overcome or bypassed. Anyone selling you a safe that they claim is burglar proof is full of shit. It is all about delay and hindrance and buying time. We should never try to totally shut down a specific means of entry when we can instead compound complications for multiple means of entry. We want what outwardly appears to be our weakest point to inwardly be our strongest. It seems like this area already naturally has a lot of complicating elements, which is excellent. We should find a different part of the city where it's more difficult to erect exterior defenses, but layer them from within so that attacks focusing there will waste more resources before they realize they need to re-assess.
>>6415897>TANGLEWEED: With JOHNNY’S NUTRIENT SCATTERER you can entice local flora to grow to an alarming degree, making the swamp difficult to traverse on foot! Will slow invaders down!>DEEP MUCK: There’s already quite an aquifer below the swamps, but digging deeper will allow it to flood even LOWER. Can destabilize and discourage tunnels, whoever plans on using them.>>FLORAL FEAST: By casting ENLARGE and adding nutrients to MURKY TOEBITERS: an indigenous flora known for snaring unwary swampgoer’s ankles, you can create a gauntlet of bloodthirsty plants that could easily chomp a Skog in half!
>>6415925>>6416073>TANGLEWEED>DEEP MUCK>FLORAL FEASTGot a big day at work coming up so expect delays! Sorry, all! I'll be much more free soonish, honest!
It’s hard work. Honest work… but hard work! Preparing a city for a siege is draining in the best of worlds–and even in a world where you’ve got an ancient landscaping bot and a grumpy mage on your side, not to mention a fistful of sweet, sweet Earthen divinity, the going is slow.VERY slow. Slower than a trickle of molasses on a flat stretch of concrete… during a blizzard.’Work smarter, not harder’, as your boss used to say–wait, no, Lars always said it the other way around. A-anyways, you opt to work SMARTER this time, and needless to say things work out pretty darn well! By the end of the first hour, your arms are aching–seems like divine intervention is still pretty taxing! With no harassment from the local wildlife–aside from an extremely persistent gnat-thing that nips at your ears–you manage to bang out quite a bit of your plan–namely the move that will, if you and Oti are correct, keep anything from tunneling beneath this stretch of swamp!“Keeping the route unblocked, I see.” Oti remarks as JOHNNY works his magic on a patch of what the Chytree refers to as STRANGLEMOSS, “Wise indeed.”Thanks, you reply with a grin as you wipe some chilled sweat off your brow. Wanted to let ‘em think they’ve got a fighting chance.“This might not be as much of a disaster as I had initially anticipated.”That’s high praise coming from him! The bug-eyed mage merely grunts. “Don’t allow these defenses to render you too comfortable. A siege gives way to a battle, more often than not, even in these modern times we live in.”You try not to react too much to the ‘modern times’ bit. Has, uh… has he been in one before? The Chytree shifts on the skiff’s prow. “... some.”Woah, you exclaim, even earning JOHNNY’s attention, w-what was it like? Who were the siegers? The siegees? A-any cool tips for a newbie?A long, weary sigh leaves Oti’s… whatever Chytree have. “Harrowing. Star-Cloak Assets. Plenty: Gnok Separatists, Skogs, Mzz’goe’virr pirates, Skogs, Mox Pirates, Skogs, and finally a pack of very irate Durher factory workers.” His eyes thrum with thought. “And a tip? Always keep someone else close by to take cover behind. But never clump up.”Weighing his words carefully, one tidbit rises above the rest: He… didn’t mention any FUUXI. The Sorcerer stares.“... I did not.”But he’s fought some, right? Another sigh. Are you BUGGING him?!“No, it’s just…” Oti’s eyes scan the horizon as something on his head rattles like a snake’s tail. “Fuuxi don’t siege. They swarm.”You exchange a somewhat one-sided glance with JOHNNY. What’s the difference?“The difference,” Continues the mage in a laconic tone even for him, “Is that there are those–myself included–who wonder if Fuuxi are even smart enough for higher tactics in the first place.”>CONTD.
>>6416390They’re bossed around by a queen or something, right? Or, like… commandery thingies? The wizard scowls at your word choices like you’d just given his mom’s rump a good spank.“... Yes, they have… ‘commandery thingies’.” He answers, spitting the last words out like chunks of gristle. “But they aren’t like Skogs. Skogs–obnoxious though they can be–create. They plan. They demonstrate several hallmarks of sentience.… And Fuuxi?“Many scholars believe they’re more complicated than they lead us to believe,” Shrugs the sorcerer, the small gesture causing your dinghy to gently bob in the muck, “But the evidence is sparse, to say the least. They come in all shapes and sizes… cannot–or refuse to–communicate, and their colonies strewn about Zoral can remain dormant for decades. So when ARCHMAGE TRIER of all people asserts they might be preparing for an attack–”It gives him the heebie-jeebies? The Chytree frowns.“I have no idea what that means.”It means it spooks him, you repeat with an apologetic smile. Oti’s eyes flicker like cheap Christmas lights.“Ah. Well I’d be lying if I said they didn’t unnerve me.” He pauses. “And for good reason, I might add.”Right, you nod as JOHNNY blasts some more nutrients into the bog, they’re naturally magic-resistant, right?“For a start.” Oti sighs. “They’re nigh-undetectible by magic. Every second or third spell just fizzles in their wake… and the vile things seem to actively seek out mages on the battlefield…” He shudders. “If you could call it that.”What would he call it?“A slaughterhouse.”Ah.“That’s not to say Skogs aren’t terrible,” He segues with a flicker in his eyes, “But-”>Roll me 1d100 for REASONS! Best of 3! Next update on Friday, probably--big day at work!
Rolled 84 (1d100)Meow?
Rolled 45 (1d100)>>6416391
Rolled 42 (1d100)>>6416391I'M AWAKELET'S ROLL
>>6416405>>6416485>>6416583>HIGHEST ROLL: 84Damn, can't pull a fast one on you guys! Writing!
Just as Oti’s about to say something charitable about Skogs for once, the brackish water behind him EXPLODES in a foul-smelling fountain that showers the dinghy and its dinghers in a flurry of filthy water! That’s pretty bad, yea, but what’s worse is what comes after: the eruption’s architect bursts from the bog and sends your vessel rocking back and forth like a baby cradle on a faultline–a massive, flailing appendage the size of a tree and twice as thick! “HELLS!” Roars Oti as JOHNNY cheerfully continues to spray nutrients around the boat, “It’s HERE!”You’re about to ask ‘what is’ when you get another stanky shower from the water behind you… and unless you’re mistaken, what bursts out in its wake sounds an awful lot like the tentacle that nearly took Oti’s head off!Ducking beneath what feels like a tree swinging at your head, you spring into action as soon as you can!What is!?“T-THE TSERG, you buffoon!” Stammers Oti as he skillfully balances uncharacteristic bafflement while dodging the tentacle behind him! “It must’ve slipped right past us!”Gosh, you nod as three–no,FOUR more tentacles spring from the muddy depths, this swamp’s pretty deep, huh?“I’m sure we’ll get a full tour if we don’t DEAL with this!” The mage snarls as the spell he’s conjuring is put on hold when a tentacle smacks your boat! Spinning across the swamp like a leaf in a toilet bowl, you can’t help but tense up a bit as the murk erupts in a low, rumbling howl! Wh-what does THAT mean!?“It means it’s ANGRY!” Answers your favorite sorcerer as he sends a flailing appendage reeling with a well-placed spell! “I can teleport us, but-”Another tentacle comes crashing down into the water just inches from your dinghy, sending you and your merry band of misfits skipping along the swamp!“-but I’ll need to concentrate!” He concludes, wiping some fresh gunk from his eye!Another massive drunken swipe sweeps inches above your hat–bet they didn’t count on facing a LIMBOER! Spitting the spray off of your mouth, you send an incredulous glance Oti’s way! Wh-what if you wanna deal with this thing now?!“I DON’T CARE, JUST KEEP THE DAMNED THING AWAY OR WE’RE SUNK!”Okay, rude!What’s the plan?>HELLFIRE and Water = HELL…STEAM? Might drive it off!>JOHNNY! That thing’s trying to kill the plants!>The swamp’s deep, but maybe you can trap this thing with some GEOMANCY?>You have a BLASTCAP or two left… time for some Southern-style Fishing!>HELLGEYSER those tentacles! It can’t kill you if it doesn’t have any of those, right?>HELLGEYSER/NUTRIENT BLAST your way to safety! They can propel your boat outta’ here!>Write-In!
>>6416655>The swamp’s deep, but maybe you can trap this thing with some GEOMANCY?Rock em! >You have a BLASTCAP or two left… time for some Southern-style Fishing!Sock em! >JOHNNY! That thing’s trying to kill the plants!ROBOT! Basically, if we can sweep the mud out from around the thing and make a hole below it, the current of the water rushing in and the current should make it hard for the tserg to swim out for long enough to toss in a blast cap, and Johnny can swat the fucker if it tries to escape!
>>6416655>You have a BLASTCAP or two left… time for some Southern-style Fishing!BLOW THEM UP BLOW THEM UP BLOW THEM UP BLOW THEM UP>JOHNNY! That thing’s trying to kill the plants!COOL ROBOT COOL ROBOT COOL ROBOT
>>6416685>>6416699FUCK IT WE'LL DO ALL THREE THIS IS DARK QUEST NOT PICK ONE COMBAT OPTION QUEST RRRRAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! T O W E R O F P O W E R R R R>Roll me 3d100's. Yep, 3d100 for each voter/roller/whatever! I'll calculate each bonusthing as follows:>ROLL 1 (GEOMANCY):-2 (+3 GEOMANCY, +2 Oti didn't get got, -7 DEEP SWAMP)>ROLL 2 (BLASTCAP):+5 (+4 Nasty in the Water, +3 Big target, -2 Shaking around)>ROLL 3 (JOHNNY):+7 (+3 Big Target, +5 FLAMESHOT, -1 Shaking around (but superior engineering)Best of 3 rolls!
Rolled 25, 44, 2 = 71 (3d100)>>6416807MACINTOSH AND PRESTO PEAS FROM THA TOP ROPE! TOWER OF POWER! DOUBLE THREAT DUO! TAKE HER TO THE MATTRESS!
Holy fucking kek, I think I need to take my dice in to the shop for an oil change!
Rolled 72, 45, 27 = 144 (3d100)>>6416807
Rolled 93, 30, 98 = 221 (3d100)>>6416807
After, uh....basically a month of procrastinating, I have finally got myself to catch up to the quest. It was pretty hard getting through some scenes in questions, but not in the sense of them being bad, though it's a bit hard to explain.Anyway, here's something I made just for the sake of having something.
>>6417024LMFAO that rulesWelcome back anon(:
>>6417024DARK QUEST CHUDS? WE'RE BACK?
>>6416809>>6416891>>6417011>HIGHEST ROLLS: 91! 50 (JUST NAILED IT), 105 (JESUS CHRIST, JOHNNY)Sorry for the wait--Saturday is chore day so expect some delays!>>6417024Thank you? I'm gonna be honest: I love fanart and all, but the vagueposting attached to it kind of cheapens it for me. Not trying to sound ungrateful, I just don't really understand what you're aiming at.Anywho, WRITING
>>6417073> I just don't really understand what you're aiming at.Well, let me put it that way...during the whole vault adventure, after Rezzie killed the mageman, Anton said he was sorry but defended Rezzie.But that's the thing, you see? Saying you defend an action and do not regret it is the literal opposite of saying sorry. Why would you say sorry if you're not actually sorry? I hate it when people do that. If Rezzie did her usual killing-or-maiming-people routine on somebody and they caved her head in with a frying pan, and their only response was "Sorry, but she deserved it", would Anton be fine with that? Would he go >yeah fair enough i'll join you guys? No, because sorry isn't a magic word. I HATE the word sorry. It's a stupid word that is never used right because nobody who actually says sorry is sorry.
>>6417078I think Anton's the type to say 'sorry' no matter what--it's a trait of his that sets him apart from Diesel and Stanley. As for the aftermath of Oodeel's whole thing, well, I think you guys will have something to discuss with Rezalith once you have the down-time to do so. I tried not to make it too obvious, but she was a bit more muted after the end of the Vault shenanigans.Short version though: Anton's not perfect. I hate perfect characters. Thank you for at least adding some context though. Here's hoping the rest of Part 9 gets better!
>>6417080It's not about Anton being perfect, I'm just saying that it's an entirely meaningless usage when you're declaring the literal antonym of sorry so it kinda set me off.But I suppose Oodel has the spine of a Noodel so it wasn't gonna lead to nothing.
>>6417078>Why would you say sorry if you're not actually sorry?You can hold the sentiments>This person was an imminent threat and we were right to defend ourselves, and you And >I am sorry you experienced this traumatic event where your friend tried to kill you and we had to take his life for everyone's safety after having just met youAt the same time. That's how I read it, anyways, like we can console this emotionally hurt kid and justify our self defense.
>>6417084>You can hold the sentimentsBut he doesn't. He specifically says "No, we were right to kill him", even if you're right and he was a threat, that's literally the exact opposite of being sorry.
>>6417085Idunno man, respectfully, at this point it just seems like you have hangups with apologies. He didn't say, 'I'm sorry we killed him, that was wrong', yaknow? I feel like it's possible to feel pity and even sorrow for someone that experiences something awful like that, even if you also know that it was the right call. I feel those feelings about it as a player, anyways, like, I am sorry for her and I still know Rezzie did the right thing.
>>6417088I understand that some people use "sorry" as some sort of generic word for "your life sure is tough buddy", I simply disagree with the usage. It's why I used the comparison. Rez maims or kills people all the time, but I doubt a simple "Sorry, but she deserved it" would have alleviated any feelings whatsoever towards the person who did it.
https://youtu.be/9_w04en5CK4?list=RD9_w04en5CK4Spurred into action by Oti’s harsh tone–totally uncalled for, by the way, you get that he’s stressed out, but–you fall backwards into the dinghy just in time to avoid another clumsy swipe from the tsitanic Tserg menacing your vessel!JOHNNY, you shout as you dip your hand into the brackish water and HELLGEYSER your skiff out of the way of a mighty smack, this thing! It’s going to crush the plants you just cultivated!The automaton creaks and hisses at your assertion as the many-limbed leviathan below you lets loose with another gurgled bellow from below! JOHNNY, you repeat as another tentacle slams into the water next to you, THE PLAAAANTS! THE PLAAAAANTS, JOHNNY!!!Meanwhile, Oti remains crouched in the skiff’s center, eyes glowing with intense concentration… and growing frustration! “JUST… TELL IT TO ATTA-”A wet wail reverberates across the bog as you hear a pair of appendages rise from the depths like mud-slaked menhirs… and they’re about to collapse!On YOU! As another HELLGEYSER charges up in your fists, however, your vessel bobs and rocks as your new landscaper strides to meet the monster’s boat-mashers mid-way!CLOOOOONG!And stops them mid-strike!“STAY. OFF. THE. PLANTS.”Shoving the sucker-stalks away like they were made of balsa wood, the irate automaton’s eyes glow with renewed energy as the air in front of it ignites with fresh flames!Squealing in shock, the beast’s tentacles retreat to the muck… but you’re not letting it go that easily! While JOHNNY works crowd control with the remaining arms, your divine grip finds purchase on some deep, deep soil… and YANKS it!JOHNNY’s flames divert another tentacle slap from your scow as you pull with all your might–whatever you’ve got ahold of feels like tugging at a railroad spike–and as you feel your efforts slowly rise from the muddy depths, the Tserg tsurns its attention towards your gallant gardener!Metal clangs across the muddy mire as the fiend flails–the fire trick might’ve worked before, but now? Whatever this thing is doesn’t seem to mind a little searing anymore! Taking a blow to the side, JOHNNY staggers around the skiff with increasing unease–half due to the increasing fury behind each strike, the other from the unstable footing! Squirming away just in time to avoid being stomped, you give the ground one final TUG! The gamble pays off–breaching the surface like a foul-smelling submarine, the Tserg gurgles with alarming clarity as the air fills with even fouler odors than usual–talk about a bad case of halitosis!You didn’t pack breath mints, but you’ve got something else for the monster’s maw…>CONTD.
>>6417098https://youtu.be/OTNfuztCMgMLeaping to your feet and off the boat, your boots land on the beast’s mucus-slick body and struggle to find purchase… Nevertheless, you charge up it like a soldier taking a hill–the air around you ablaze with JOHNNY’S fire-blasts and the Tserg’s forest of flailing arms!The slick surface has one advantage–sensing your intent, the mama Tserg sweeps at you like a mosquito–but you manage to slip underneath with a well-timed POWER-SLIDE! While VERY cool, the fist-pump that follows proves to be a bit premature: another limb is waiting to snatch you up like a loaded nacho before you can even react!Hoisted above the beast’s body, you try to contain your stomach’s contents as you’re whipped back and forth like a baby rattle–each swing sending your innards crashing into the side of their container! As your consciousness fades and your head swims, you reach into your voluminous pockets and retrieve your aces in the hole: BLASTCAPS. One for each hand… two for each… m-mouth! Yea!Another shake nearly makes you lose your grip, but you hold firm just long enough to feel hot, humid, butcher shop dumpster-scented air hit your face–its mouth!Igniting your ordnance with some HELLFIRE, you let gravity take the wheel and drop them both towards the monster’s waiting maw…BOOOOM!!!!The ensuing explosion rocks the water below, causing the beast to let you go!… Mid-swing!It’s a good thing Zoral’s dark–otherwise you’d probably look really silly right now! Sailing over the swamp like a blimp on a mission, you feel an arcane force snatch you out of existence…VOOIP!And land with a crash onto the skiff’s muddy deck!“Not very graceful.”Ignoring Oti’s cute little remark, you instead focus on the baleful moan cutting across the bog–by the sound of the water shifting around you you gather your bombing run didn’t quite hit its mark, but the monster mama’s clearly weighing its options!Oti, you groan as you stagger to your feet–no small feat on a rocking boat, you might add–the teleport spell?“I just used it to save your skin.” He replies blandly. “Apologies.”You get it, you cough, but now you’ve got a decision to make! As JOHNNY continues to keep the beast at bay like a loyal hunting hound, you turn to pass judgement on the eyeless aberration!A smell akin to burnt, rotten fish fills the air as the Tserg’s attacks no longer come–in place of mighty howls come cautious gurgles… is the Tserg beaten… or just biding its time?What do?>Finish it off now–it’ll only cause trouble even if it survives the siege!>Just leave–the battle is won and it’ll be more cautious if and when invaders arrive…>Write-In!
>>6417099>Just leave–the battle is won and it’ll be more cautious if and when invaders arrive…Mating season will pass, in the meantime, this thing's presence will have the other tsergs especially violent and be a nice final deterrent for this section of the defenses, I think.
>>6417099>Just leave–the battle is won and it’ll be more cautious if and when invaders arrive…
>>6417133>>6417395>>6417426>RESPECT MOTHER NATUREWriting! Sorry, had some errands to run!>>6417133"The enemy of your enemy might still try to kill you, but they also might attack your other enemy, so"~Lamplighter Handbook Section 8, Subsection 22!
Oti, you mutter as your gaze remains locked on the muck-dwelling menace, do-“It’s over there.”Oh. Right! Ot-“There.”… Look, he knows about Tsergs, right? The bog grows quiet save for the occasional gurgle of an air bubble wriggling free of the murky water.“... Marginally.”Okay, cool–do… how are their planning skills? Can they establish and act upon grudges or anything? Do they do that, usually?Another pause–this one free of any gurglings.“... Are you asking me if the repulsive bog monsters are capable of pursuing acts of vengeance?”… Yea?“No, Anton, the repulsive bog monster is not capable of pursuing acts of vengeance.” He sighs with a shake of his glowing eyes, “But knowing our luck I wouldn’t put it past us discovering Zoral’s only outlier.”Well don’t JINX it! Jeez! Still, that’s good to know–and while you of all people knows how unlucky your unluck can get, well… you can’t quite bring yourself to deliver a decisive blow to the swamp beast!JOHNNY probably can, though, so you tell him to cool it for now! With your landscaper standing down, you send Oti a decisive nod–let’s get outta’ here before your newly-grown plants get too peckish!“An excellent idea. Let’s.”Giving JOHNNY the command to nutrient-blast your boat back the way you came, you cast a furtive glance at the beaten bog beast as it leaves you with one last muted gurgle before slowly slipping beneath the water from whence it came. The way back to the airship is slow-going, doubly-so thanks to the… modifications you made on the local plant life, but while the flora hinders you somewhat, the fauna stays far away…By the time you get back, the cold, moist air blanketing the swamps has grown even colder–it’s been quite a productive day, you think as your dinghy jostles against Shuuri’s hull, but night approaches…“Still alive, I see.” Joplin remarks as he gives you a magical hand onto the deck. “No close encounters with the local wildlife, then?”Oh, you got close alright, you grumble as you shake some swamp scum off your COOL HAT onto the deck, real educational, lemme tell ya!“The Southern Swamps should prove to be far more challenging to traverse now,” Oti adds with an approving nod, “What word is there from the other areas?”“Steady pacing on all sides.” Answers Joplin with a shrug. “No incidents of note either, at least not since the last time I spoke to the Engineering Corps Liaison."So that… that’s good, right? Joplin and Oti exchange a glance while JOHNNY admires the scenery as best he can from the guardrail, which, as you might’ve guessed from the title, is not much!“Inconclusive.” The Chytree answers, earning a nod from his Gnok counterpart. “If the invaders are smart, they won’t risk any moves that’ll spoil their surprise.”>CONTD.
>>6417611“They’ll most likely attack later in the evening… or early in the morning.” Adds Joplin. “Those wee hours when the civilians and some of the defenders are resting.”“Or nursing a hangover.” Oti mutters as he gives you a pointed stare.Right, you nod, say, where’s Joji?“Below deck. Tinkering, I’d suspect.” Joplin answers as a small smile slips onto his face. “Though he claimed he’d be ready for takeoff at, and I quote, ‘the drop of a Coil Dampener’, whatever that means… ah, right. If we’re finished here, I had hoped to check in on my Spinner. The Triplets no doubt have her on a tight leash, but…”The Manager’s shrug tells you everything the rest of the sentence could’ve. “Anywho, if you intend to check in on the Recruitment Drive, I’d appreciate it if you allowed me to accompany you.”“They most likely have it well in hand already…” Chides the Chytree with an unseen wave of his claw. “We should use this time to ensure we’re prepared for whatever comes next–whenever it comes, that is.”You feel an idle twitch in your inner ear. Both of them have good points–you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you get the feeling it won’t be long now before the powder keg goes off… which means you should choose your next move carefully…What’s the next step?>Assist the Engineering Corps in strengthening the remaining borders!>Check in on the Recruitment Drive at Ma’s Tavern!>Head back into Crossroads and check in with the Bellcounters and other troops!>Scout out Crossroads’ Perimeter–maybe someone can give you a lead?>Check in with one of your party members via COMMUNICATION DOOHICKY! (Who?)>Meet up with Crossroads' Bigwigs one more time!>Write-In!
>>6417612>Assist the Engineering Corps in strengthening the remaining borders!I think presently we are uniquely suited to the task of securing the perimeter, especially with MacBook Pro helping out, so let's lean on it.
>>6417612>Assist the Engineering Corps in strengthening the remaining borders!
>>6417641>>6417816>>6417849>IT'S LIKE PLAYING LOGI IN FOXHOLE, BROWriting! Expect delays--holiday here in burgerland
The Recruitment Crew, or the ‘RECREWTMENT CRUIT’ as you’ve just now decided to call them (it’ll catch on!) should be fine without you–it’s Volka, TT, Lutza, Rezzie, and the Lamplighters! You’ll admit you wouldn’t mind catching up over a mug of Ruuppaa, but if your sixth sense is sure about its sensings, you only have so much time left before something goes pear-shaped… and you ain’t talking about ladies!So work you do! Ever the busybodies, Joji, Joplin, and Oti barely bat an eyelash at your decision–and JOHNNY’s pretty enthused too from what you can glean from his steely demeanor!To say you make an impression would be an understatement. Toiling away in the trenches, bleary-eyed Engineers watch with childlike awe as your airship strafes the fields with you molding the earth like clay in its wake! TRENCHES! TOWERS! BUNKERS! You lose track after a while, but can anyone blame you?It’s like being a kid building sandcastles on the beach again! It’s a little disconcerting, to be honest, seeing all of those eyes follow your every move, and yet the simple gesture is just the thing your weary arms need to carry on through the approaching evening…“Hells,” Grunts Noomo, an Engineer Corps Captain you’re currently sharing a cup of Silkweed Tea with as you look over your latest masterpiece:A deep-ass trench filled with spikes!“If we had three or four of ya’ we’d never need ta’ worry about sieges again!” He remarks as his massive Mox head dips into an approving nod! “Or planting season. Or harvesting. Say, whatcha’ doin’ after all this blows over, kid?”I, uh… you mutter, waving at the sound of Joji’s airship as it sails away to another plot further down the line, you actually have a bit of a tight schedule-“HA! Don’t we all! Don’t we all…” The Captain chuckles as he takes another hearty sip from his minty-scented mug, “Hells, I’ll be lucky if a third of my crops make it through this mess…” You can’t help but blink at that. His… crops?“What, you thought I was some big-britched soldier boy?” The Mox answers incredulously with a rumbling belly laugh! “I’m a damned farmer, kid! Me and my sons… and I’ve had more of them than I’ve ever had the need ta’ pick up a warscourge!”A familiar fungal scent settles in your nostrils as JOHNNY stomps along the line spraying a fresh mist of nutrients along the trenches. You… find that hard to believe.“Well, usually some other folks pick up their warscourges instead…” Noomo admits with a nervous laugh. “But my great granddad brought us here ta’ Crossroads–dug our home himself. No one’s gotta convince me ta’ fight to protect it!”“CAPTAIN!”>CONTD.
>>6418023A fleet-footed Durher scurries out of a nearby trench like a ferret before hastily smacking the dirt from his muddy-smelling mail. “Oh, err, I mean…” Snapping into a well-rehearsed salute, the young fuzzball holds it until the Captain relieves him with a weary grunt.“Report.”“Ermm… Frontier Squad Eight didn’t make its scheduled check-in…” The Durher coughs as he casts a furtive glance towards the far side of the trench maze. “They may just be delayed due to the changes in the field, but-”“But nothing.” Noomo growls as he pours the remaining tea from his cup onto the mud. “Send word to our Bellcounter Liaison. I want a team investigating within the hour.”The Durher shrinks somewhat. “Th-they’re already spread thin on the Northern Side-”“Then ask the IRREGULARS LIAISON! Hells, the battle’s not even started yet and we’re already ‘spread thin’...”You suspected something like this would happen–not this soon or blatant, of course, but still! Anything you can help with, you ask after dumping your remaining tea down your parched throat!“No, no…” Noomo answers with a shake of his big head, “We’ve got these divisions for a reason–and I’d rather not send off our star architect to get lost in the woods.”He has a point, but you have a LANDSCAPER BOT! And DEMON POWERS! And DIVINE POWERS! And an AIRSHIP!Which reminds you: RED’S been awfully quiet, huh?”D’awww, miss me already?”Not THAT much.”I’m touched. Sorry, been dealing with tasks of my own. You know what they say: good Hells never sleep!”… Yea, you’ve never heard anyone say that, but whatever.What’s the plan here?>Insist! You’ll go investigate!>Send someone else! (Oti? Joplin? Morook? Did you even give that guy a task? Where is he anyways?)>Stay here and work! You already got one lecture today about micromanaging!>Contact someone in your party! (Who?)>Write-In!
>>6418024>Send someone else! Morook, he should be able ti fins his way around without too much trouble
>>6418319>MOROOK!Writing!
A lost squad on Crossroad’s outskirts… and its defenders are too tied up with other preparations. Sure, you could probably handle it tout suite with your GEOMANCER powers, but it’d be like finding a needle in a haystack! On a moonless prairie night, no less! Joji could probably do a sweep too, sure, but the ship’s not exactly subtle--so if something bad happened to the squad, their assailants could just scamper away!Joplin left to check up on his managee–totally understandable–and JOHNNY, well… you love the guy, but he probably wouldn’t know the first thing about Search and Rescue unless it was rescuing some dying Begonias or something. Oti could probably manage, but you like him here–and he’s been having a blast coating some of the ridges with ice! You’ve… you’ve never seen him so giddy before! He might even jump for joy if you watch long enough!Everyone else is too far away… and while it wouldn’t hurt to just let these military types do their thing, you can’t help but feel a pit form in your gut at the thought of throwing them to the proverbial ‘wolves’! If you only had someone well-versed in Rangery who cou-WAIT A MINUTE! MOROOK!“Yes, Anton?”https://youtu.be/nbWD8s5Y5-IThe sudden monotone question from over your shoulder nearly makes your heart burst free of its bony cage! M-MOROOK, you sputter, ticker still jackhammering against your heaving chest, wh-what are… When did YOU get here?“I’ve been here.” He shrugs as he and Oti exchange a silent nod.For how long!?“Well, when you didn’t give me a task I stuck with Volka and the others for a time,” He begins, recounting his tale with all the energy of a cousin at a family reunion that you’ve just met, “But it got a bit loud in the tavern, so I came here.”Why didn’t he say anything!?“You looked busy.”So… so the fight with the Tserg–“Beautiful specimen. Beautiful.” He answers with a solemn nod of appreciation. “Did you know a female Tserg can lay up to two-hundred eggs in one clutch? Nature is amazing.”Yea, sure… and he didn’t, you continue, aimlessly gesticulating with an impatient look on your face, think of maybe… dropping in!? Helping OUT?!?“I was going to,” Shrugs the Chytree as he continues to not pick up on your growing frustration, “But on my approach I nearly trampled a bloom of MIRE MOTHER--very rare in this climate, especially during the colder seasons. And, well.”You wait for an elaboration that never comes. W-well?“Oh. I just had to take some cuttings. Opportunities like that don’t come often.”>CONTD.
>>6418431He’s fucking with you. He’s gotta be. The longer he goes without saying ‘just kidding~’, however, the more you realize he might be completely, utterly genuine.… okay, you sigh, so this patrol-“Oh yes, I heard it all from Captain Noomo.” Morook politely interjects. “That tea of his hit the spot.”“Any time, my boy!” The Mox adds with a cheery nod! HE DRANK TEA WITH YOU TOO?“It’d be rude not ta’ offer!” Noomo shrugs as if you’d just asked him if it was dark outside, “I just figured he was one of your pals!”… Right.“I’ll admit this sudden disappearance has me greatly concerned…” Morook drones, the aforementioned ‘great concern’ not present in his tone at all, “This side of Crossroads is hardly swampy at all, meaning they couldn’t possibly be ensnared by territorial Tsergs… and most predators, even Makaar packs, rarely linger around sites of heavy industry.”If not those, then what?“That’s the million bell question, isn’t it?” Morook answers, eyes a-flickering. “I’ll look into it. It’s a lovely evening for a hike.”“Don’t lose yourself in The Great Outdoors too much, dreg.” Oti answers as he drifts into your conversation with the usual kindness. “We’re expecting a siege, not a stampede, and most well-prepared invaders are more than capable of masking their magical auras for a time.”Morook merely stares at his fellow Chytree. “That almost sounded like concern, mage.” Oti answers with a derisive chitter.“... Just don’t waste our time getting fileted in the woods.”“We’ll see.” The ranger retorts before turning his attention to the young Durher who broke the news in the first place. “Any clue as to their last whereabouts?”“Z-ZONE 13…” The fuzzball answers, his posture relaxing somewhat at the situation being handled. “Th-there’s a trench that’ll lead you right to it… I can take you there if you like, sir!”“That’d be splendid.” Morook answers with glowing eyes. “I have one of those communicators Joji made, Anton. I’ll be in touch if anyone… or anything... turns up.”Any last words/requests for our stalwart scout?INVENTORY PASTEBIN LINK: https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Wait–he’s not going alone! (Who will accompany him? Oti/Anton/JOHNNY)>If he sees anything out there–take care of them!>Don’t risk anything–if anything goes bad, get outta’ there!>Hold on, take this (CHOOSE FROM INVENTORY BIN!)>Actually wait… let’s not send you.>You have a question for him, actually!>Write-In!CHOICE 2:>Let Morook handle this (NO PERSPECTIVE SWAP)>Wonder how Morook is doing (PERSPECTIVE SWAP)
>>6418432>Hold on, take this (CHOOSE FROM INVENTORY BIN!)-1 Bottle of Unidentified Alcohol (FOR GOOD LUCK)-1 Energy Potion (TO KEEP YOU MOVING)>Let Morook handle this (NO PERSPECTIVE SWAP)
>>6418432>Wait–he’s not going alone! (Anton)>Wonder how Morook is doing (PERSPECTIVE SWAP)Perspective swap...WHILE ANTON IS THERE?????
>>6418432>Wait–he’s not going alone! (Who will accompany him? Oti/Anton/JOHNNY)Anton + Oti >Wonder how Morook is doing (PERSPECTIVE SWAP)Actually would be hilarious for Anton to be a side character for a bit, and this way of roping Morook into the plot cracked me up.
>>6418476>>6418494>>6418497Approaching a consensus here. Looks like we're definitely doing the PERSPECTIVE SWAP, but let's narrow stuff down some more:CHOICE 1: WHO DOES MOROOK GO WITH? (Choose 0 or more!)>NO ONE>ANTON>OTI>JOHNNYCHOICE 2: If Anton doesn't come, what should he give Morook?>CHOOSE ITEMS FROM PASTEBIN
>>6418572>ANTONObviously...
>>6418497I'm this guy, and will change my vote to >>6418494This guy
>>6418572>ANTONFinneeeeee. We'll be the SIDE CHARACTER here.
>>6418574>>6418576>>6418578>#ANTONSWEEPWoah you must really like that guy huh. Anywho, WRITING
By the time you reach the outskirts, the telltale signs of night falling are out in full force: the brisk air feels heavier–the telltale sign of a snowstorm in the making–the Gulpwallers hiss their nightly greetings, and the Pathscrawl retract their long, twisted tendrils in preparation for a long, cold evening.Nature’s daydwellers hurry to get some rest, but your work is just beginning.You’re MOROOK VOLGIR--no one of circumstance, really. A squad of Engineers has gone missing outside Crossroads, however, and you volunteered to seek them out. Though you don’t have any spells to sling or otherworldly powers to provide, you’d like to think you’re a halfway decent tracker… and you made doubly-certain your SLINGER was oiled-up and ready for trouble long before you arrived at the trenches.Trudging uphill through ice-caked mud, you spare a quiet glance at Anton as he steps on three twigs, six leaves, and one siltdigger over the course of one minute. You smile–he’s improving. Noise aside, you’d be lying to yourself if you said you weren’t happy to have him along. Even without his divine and demonic powers, which, you’ve noticed, have balanced out quite nicely in his overall aura, he’d proven to be a reliable ally…Maybe even a friend.… Yes. Your friend. Sensing you staring, the ‘hoo’maahn’ returns your gaze with an amicable smile–unsure of whether he’s allowed to speak or not.Their scent will linger, you begin in a hushed tone, but only for a time. Less so if it begins to snow. Anton sighs. “So, uh…” His eyes bug out as he swiftly realizes his mistake! “Err, any clue what dragged them out here?” He continues in a quieter voice. You shrug.You’re not entirely certain they were ‘dragged out’ to begin with. THAT gets his attention!“H-huh?”You don’t blame him for not coming to the same conclusion, but the proof is in the puddle, really. Well, you begin, not daring to slow down in your muddy ascent, these tracks you’re following–they’re light. Spaced far apart.“... They were moving quickly, then…” Anton remarks as he nods to himself in recognition. “Liz, err, my… ex? She was pretty big into hunting.”Ah.You’re back in that cell in Hjall’dah Falls–the air thick with that strange, rancid smelling smoke. Cultists weakly gurgling through their own fluids as she carves a swathe through them like a rabid Fruum…Her eyes locked with yours with that otherworldly glow…She seemed… effective, you respond tactfully as the memory fades a bit too slowly for your liking. “Yea, she knows a thing or two abo-” Anton’s genial tone fades into the evening air. “... Right. Sorry…”Nothing to apologize for, you reply with a reassuring chitter. He and the others rescued you shortly after, if he recalls.>CONTD.
>>6418897“Y-yup…” Nods the hoo’maahn, his smile still a bit crooked, “Silver linings, right?”Of course, you respond, not comprehending the meaning at all. In any case, they were moving swiftly, you continue. “Chasing something…” Muses Anton with a frown, “... Or being chased?”If they were being chased, you reply, politely stepping into Anton’s space a bit so that he doesn’t stumble into a mud hole, we’d most likely notice the pursuers tracks.“But… we don’t.”You nod with approval. Yes.“So unless they were being chased by some kind of…” He mutters, face scrunched up in thought, “Flying… thing… then it’s probably best to assume they weren’t being chased at all.”“Huh. Still pretty stupid to run off into the woods, though.”Very.Anton’s smile twists even… smilier? Is that how it works with hoo’maahns? “... Maybe they had a good reason?”Maybe. You could regale him with your knowledge of the scores of predators known to lure unsuspecting prey into the darkness, but you opt not to. It’s not very pleasant trail talk.The problem is, you continue, senses primed for any changes in the woods surrounding you, you can’t quite sense any tracks from what they were pursuing, meaning they were much further ahead or-“Were flying.”Right again. Before you can speculate further, however, your finely-tuned senses pick up something just over the ridge.Somethings, rather. Things you’d prefer not to pick up. You silently motion for Anton to stop, and he does so–albeit a tad clumsily.“W… what’s-”Blood, you hiss, barely audible, fresh.The human merely nods and waits for your recommendation. Your senses are muddled by the smell of blood and the magic dissipating from what you can only assume are bodies–if there’s something–or somethings ahead, you can’t quite place them. Not yet. What do you do?>Creep into the clearing to ascertain the situation.>Throw a pebble. See if something reacts.>Pause. Listen. Learn?>Ask Anton for support. Maybe that ‘Sound Magic’ he does? ‘Ventrilomancy’?>Write-In!
>>6418898>Pause. Listen. Learn?Make them think you disappeared.
>>6418898>“Y-yup…” Nods the hoo’maahn, his smile still a bit crooked, “Silver linings, right?”>Of course, you respond, not comprehending the meaning at all. In any case, they were moving swiftly, you continue.Yeah this fucking rules LMAO>Pause. Listen. Learn?MAKE THEM THINK YOU DISAPPEARED
Unironically wanna make a 'Make Them Think You Disappeared' bumper sticker, ultimate inside joke
>>6418917>>6418925>STAY A WHILE AND LISTEN>Roll me 1d100+6 (+5 Ranger Wariness, +3 Anton has Sneaky Leather Armor, +2 Favorable Beginnings, -4 ???) to see what you can dig up! Best of 3! Also expect delays in the next few days--got visitors coming from outta' town. Apologies in advance!
Rolled 52 (1d100)*bends ears*
Rolled 60 (1d100)>>6418998
Rolled 96 + 6 (1d100 + 6)>>6418998
>>6418999>>6419000>>6419002>HIGHEST ROLL: 103Shit, sorry questie besties, had a long-ass day and I'm BEAT. Lemme see what we can cook up here though! Writing~>>6418999>bends earsDurher in the thread
Haste makes waste–one of nature’s many fundamentals. The adage falls apart when you’re being chased by an angry predator, of course, but that’s more of an exception than anything else.Right, haste. Waste. Your eyes dim as you attempt to ascertain who–or what–awaits you on the other side of the hill. Having kept yourself and Anton downwind and free of more brush-covered trail, you’re not worried about being detected… though while your body doesn’t exude much magic due to your… condition, you’ll admit you have your doubts about Anton. He may be getting better at staying unnoticed, but his magical aura is–and you mean it in the nicest way possible–loud.“Wait.” You mutter, hoping your suggestion meets its mark! Anton hears you–his ensuing expression tells you that much–but as is what you assume is just hoo’maahn tradition, his gaze drifts downwards and his jaw goes slack as his pupils scan the darkness for…… Well, you’re not quite sure. Answers, maybe? Choices? The ritual had unnerved you when you first witnessed it–doubly so when it occurred multiple times in casual conversation, but now you’ve more or less gotten used to it along with his many other eccentricities.Hoo’maahns. Magical auras that dwarf even the most pious soul… an uncanny knack for surviving dire circumstances… and an almost magnetic pull on unfortunate occurrences.Marvelous creatures. Simply marvelous. You hope you can meet more some day.After what feels like hours, Anton finally rouses from his indecisive stupor with a cheeky grin on his face! With nary a word, he springs into action!His eyes close.His mouth shuts.His breathing slows.If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he faded from Zoral entirely… and it’s time you did so as well. The process is much quicker in your case–more due to years of practice than anything else, but as your breathing slows to the bare minimum and your eyes dim completely, your senses expand like a brooktooth’s swim bladder during a rain squall!Peeking through the hills and valleys of lingering magical energy and the scent of blood, you feel it: movement. Light. Cautious. And its owner?The strange odor scrambles your senses, not out of foulness, no, but befuddlement! The scent is… it’s familiar--almost nostalgic–and yet you can swear with near certainty that you’ve never encountered it in your life!It reeks of smoke… quelled flames… the sourness of sweat after working a forge… but there’s something else, too–something akin to the strange sterility of Mitaaran Templars…… Divinity?By the time you come to the conclusion, Anton’s already creeping towards the conundrum. You move to grab him–his aura’s too strong!--but despite your attempts, he manages to proceed unnoticed…The smell of fresh blood overpowers you as you crest the hill–Durher. Gnok. Mox. … Skog, too.>CONTD.
>>6419080That’s when you hear it–a cloaked figure rummaging through Mox Mail and Deech Leather Armor… pockets and pouches.Anton’s eye opens a sliver to send you a sidelong glance. A simple gesture with a simple message:‘What now?’You’re not embarrassed to admit you’re not sure. Whoever you’re sensing isn’t a Skog–though there’s plenty of Skog blood strewn about the clearing–but they don’t strike you as your missing Engineers either…They’re hooded–you’d see their eyes if they weren’t–and they smell… different. Their movements are cautious, yet swift.They don’t want to be found. They mustn’t.What’s next?>Wait longer!>Throw a pebble into the distance–see how they react!>Try to apprehend them with Anton!>Address the interloper!>Let Anton decide!>You’ve got a Slinger–shoot them while you can!>Write-In!
>>6419081>Wait longer!Do nothing.
>>6419081>Try to apprehend them with Anton!C'mere
Rolled 2 (1d2)>>6419081>>6419082 is 1>>6419099 is 2
>>6419081>Try to apprehend them with Anton!
>>6419082>...>>6419099>>6419162>>6419290>https://youtu.be/uybzeitUAUkDelay Day has come! Sorry in advance if updates come out a little slower in the next few days! Until then, though...>Roll me 1d100+4 (+10 Anton Aid, +5 Ranger Wariness, -7 Divine Aid? -4 Trained... Person!) to NAB 'EM! Best of 3!
Rolled 32 - 4 (1d100 - 4)>>6419316
Rolled 60 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6419316HALT!x1000 (Nightcore Remix)
Rolled 22 + 4 (1d100 + 4)>>6419316HALT HALT HALT HALT HALT
>>6419319>>6419321>>6419323>HIGHEST ROLL: 64!https://youtu.be/IpeettBUmF4WRITING
>>6419324You crack me tf up Bones, you'll be like>Gonna be delays so sorry meow meow And then >Well I have my rolls so I am gonna start working on another update within an hour of having called for them Busiest man in show business, I tell ya
>>6419327Ain't I a stinker?! Nah really though it was more referring to, like, the next few days. I've got a couple more hours or so NOW, but after that? ALL BETS ARE OFF!!!
Thoughts rapidly fire off in your head like slinger darts–whoever this is is ready to bolt at a moment’s notice, and the way they move swiftly like a specter from corpse to corpse tells you they won’t linger for much longer! You could trail them, you think, but if they belong to a larger force or teleport away, well…The opportunity is too risky to let slip through your talons–exchanging a glance with your hiking partner tells you he’s come to a similar conclusion. Counting off with synchronized head bobs, the two of you spring into action with impeccable timing!By the time your quarry senses your approach, you’re already halfway across the clearing! Leaping to their feet with remarkable guile, the mysterious looter manages to weave through the stones you throw at the backs of their legs… but they can’t outrun the EARTH!A strained hiss slips through Anton’s clenched teeth as he tugs on something immaterial… and before the thief can escape, their exit route is cut off by the groan of shifting soil and rumbling rock!Tumbling to the forest floor with a muffled grunt, the fleeing filcher flips around to face you both before cutting off your follow-up with a hasty ‘WAIT!’“Why?” Inquires Morook as his eyes shift to the side, “So you can have another go at fleeing?”ANTON PEAS: CHAMPION OF THE GODS, glad to have you back! Smiling at your unseen geological handiwork, you turn your grinning attention to your catch of the day–whoever the hell they are!“We aim for the same goals.” The figure begins, words muffled beneath thick cloth, you’d assume!“And what goals might those be?” Prods Morook in a tone that could be harsh, friendly, scared… shit, you dunno with him, man! Hungry?“The Siege…” The figure sighs as they begin to rise to their feet, but abandon the idea when Morook sends a sharp ‘tsst’ their way! “... It approaches.”Woah, you exclaim, eyes wide as you give your captive a VERY sarcastic golf clap, thanks for the tip, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! Morook steals a glance your way.“You… know this person, Anton?”No, it’s-“A captain? In what army?”Morook let me handle this please“... Right, sorry.” He relents, settling into a more-relaxed, albeit still-tense pose.Okay, you sigh as you pick up the pieces of your authority like bits of spilled cereal off the kitchen floor, one step at a time, please: who are they?“We serve the same purpose-”No, you groan as your palm slaps your forehead, you DON’T... well, you might, actually. Maybe?! Just… look, can they tell you who they’re working for, please? Without riddles? You had enough riddles in the last thread, thanks!The thief’s posture seems to relax a bit. Or they're about to bolt. You dunno, man! This DARKNESS...!>CONTD.
>>6419366“... We serve THE SPARK.” They answer reverently–like the name was a credit card number or something. “We are but one blade marching in their LEGION OF TOMORROW.”You must look REALLY confused, because Morook steps in to assist with the usual gentle tone. “... RAELO? The Enticing Flame?”Hey, y-yea, you nod as your head hastily catches up with everyone elses’, the, uh, the NUUGAL deity, or whatever! Your captive merely grunts.“We are aware of your ascent to DIVINE CHAMPION. And we are aware of the peril Crossroads finds itself in. We share the same aims, but…”You wait for an answer that never comes. … but?“... Mitaar’s faithful remain… wary of our faith.” They conclude as a maroon, oval-shaped eye peeks out from a hood’s baggy folds. A Mzz’goe’virr, maybe? “And where you walk, countless eyes follow. We will say what we can say, but we cannot say much.” Their eye flits over to the smell of fresh corpses. “We did not slay your allies… but we did slay their slayers.”The woods around you stand still. Eerily still. The glance Morook sends you tells you you might not want to linger too long regardless. Okay, you sigh, you’ll give them the benefit of doubt for now…What talk about? Choose 1-3!>Legion of Tomorrow. Tell me more.>What were they doing out here in the woods?>Where’s the rest of their pals?>Why were your allies drawn out into the woods?>Who’s gonna attack Crossroads?>What do they stand to gain from helping you?>Mitaar and Raelo–what’s their beef?>Why were they rooting through the corpses?>They wouldn’t happen to be affiliated with, like, Cloaks? Or… Burrowers… right?>Any tips for the siege?>Why should we trust you?>What do you plan on doing if we let you go?>I wanna speak to your manager!>Write-In!
>>6419369>>Legion of Tomorrow. Tell me more.And>Where’s the rest of their pals?Annnnd>Who’s gonna attack Crossroads?
>>6419369>Legion of Tomorrow. Tell me more.>Where’s the rest of their pals?>Who’s gonna attack Crossroads?Whoops, forgot to vote.
>>6419369>Who’s gonna attack Crossroads?>Legion of Tomorrow. Tell me more.>Any tips for the siege?
>>6419372>>6419675>LEGION>WHERE'S THE REST>WHO ATTACK :o>>6419689>WHO ATTACK :o>LEGION>ANY TIPS? : 3Writing! Again, apologies for delays--they're gonna happen for the weekend, basically UmU
>>6419791>Image Fucking kek man thanks, worth the wait
There’s a lot to unpack here. If what this looter says is true, you’ve got yet ANOTHER group of freaks to add to the mental pile! And they might be on your side? Maybe? If they’re lying, though…Look, let’s start with the basics, you begin as you steady yourself with a resigned sigh, this Legion of theirs–“LEGION OF TOMORROW.”Right, you reply with a somewhat dismissive nod, that. Who are you guys? The looter shifts ever-so-slightly in their seat on the ground.“We are the calloused claw of RAELO: THE SPARK THAT IGNITES ALL THINGS. The builders. The reclaimers. The safekeepers.”You and Morook exchange a glance. “RAELO is… not what you’d call a traditional deity of the pantheon.” Remarks the Chytree in as diplomatic of a tone he can manage. Which, y’know, isn’t very much.“The pantheon is obsolete.”Morook wordlessly takes a sip from a canteen before passing it to you! Graciously accepting the gesture, you take a swig of its contents, exchange a nod with the Chytree, and simultaneously spit your respective sips onto the ground in shock!O-O-OBSOLETE?! But… but you’re the DIVINE CHAMPION! The reboot’s already in the works!“That… IS quite the claim, yes…” Morook nods, still somewhat shaken by how easily it left your new friend’s unseen lips. “Especially in front of Anton…”“Make no mistake: we do not seek to purge the pantheon’s faithful from this world,” Looty responds in a tone better suited for explaining why someone doesn’t drink tea, eat red meat, or watch a sport. “We seek to deliver Zoral from its darkness-induced apathy… and lay the foundation for what follows in its wake.”You blink. So, like, a new world order? That sounds sinister! The thief shrugs.“We are a collective born from the collective frustration of feeling powerless. Powerless against the lingering darkness. Powerless against the LORD’S HEGEMONY strangling this world. Powerless against the gods who let our world slip from their fingers in the first place.”Okay, okay, you answer with a nod, they’re Third-Party Voters! Now you get it!“I was not aware there was a first party, let alone a second...” Morook glumly remarks. “Though, admittedly, I don’t get invited to many…”You’ll catch him up later, you reply as you give the ranger’s chitinous shoulder a reassuring pat! So this ‘legion’ of theirs-“LEGION OF TOMORROW.”.… how many of them are there, exactly? The Thief’s one visible eye beneath their hood’s folds droops. “I cannot divulge that information.”… More than five?“Yes.”….. More than ten?“Yes.”…….. More than fift-“More than one-thousand?” Interjects Morook with a flicker in his gaze!“... Yes.”Holy macaroni…“So,” Sighs Morook, “You really are an army.”>CONTD.
>>6420013“And much more.” Looty agrees with a calm nod. “Know that we are not mercenaries, nor bloodthirsty reavers. We learned of the coming siege in the midst of our operations in the South and, true to RAELO’S teachings, saw an opportunity to spread our faith and foster good will with Crossroads’ inhabitants.”A frown flops onto your face. Won’t that piss off the Mitaarans, though?Another shrug from the sneakthief’s shoulders.“Change is always jarring. We will assist, be it at the gates or from the shadows. There is no alternative.”… Okay, you nod with uncertainty leaking into your tone, coolio… “You’re a long way’s out on your lonesome.” Morook observes with a faint chitter. “Where’s the rest of your group?”The Mzz’goe’virr stares the ranger down as if he had a treat hidden in his pockets. “... I am but one of many outrider scouts tasked with gathering information about Crossroads’ outskirts. My partners are nearby. You will not be permitted to meet or follow them.”You blink. Why? Aren’t we pals now?“I was instructed not to interfere with any altercations between CROSSROADS DEFENSE FORCES or BREAKER TAA’JHAA’S FORCES.”THAT raises your eyebrow a bit! Why? The Mzz’goe’virr sighs.“The potential information gained is outweighed by the potential risks. Direct intervention raises the risk of detection.” They pause. “... Like so. I will face disciplinary actions upon my return.”“Will we be permitted to meet them all later?” Morook continues as curiosity wells up in his glowing eyes! “What about your Commanding Officer?”“Yes.” The thief nods. “They will insist.”A weary sigh leaves your lips as you pace around the clearing. Alright, you groan, but like… you’ve already met with a bunch of people as of la-OOF!“... Watch those corpses, Anton.”Thank you, Morook… recovering from your somewhat embarrassing stumble, a few wires connect in your dusty brain. Hey, TAA’JHAA? is… is that the guy attacking Crossroads!? It’s Skogs! It’s SKOGS, ISN’T IT!?“It is.” Nods your new pal. “BREAKER TAA’JHAA marches on Crossroads with a host composed of siege specialists, berserkers, weaponmasters, and marksmen armed with what our interrogations have revealed to be known as ‘BLEEDERS’. We know little of his aims, but his troops hold him in high regard. Enough to risk an assault on Crossroads.”That… doesn’t sound reassuring.“There’s more.” The scout continues in a low, wary tone: “Some of TAA’JHAA’S soldiers we captured contained… metal.”You heard of iron deficiency, you remark with a grin as you nudge Morook’s side, but THIS is ridiculous!“Absolutely.”… so, metal. Like, what, we talkin' lil’ piecy-wiecies, or->CONTD.
>>6420014“Subdermal armor.” The Mzz’goe’virr pointedly interjects, “Scabbed into place by their natural regeneration. Crude, but effective… and far more resilient than usual.”That… that sounds stupid, you remark with a skeptical laugh! R-really stupid!“All the same, Skogs WOULD be capable of it.” Morook counters with a wary glimmer in his gaze. “And it would be effective, to a degree.”Right, right, you nod, if a plan is stupid, but it works… it’s not really stupid, right?“It hasn’t failed us yet, no…”Right… h-heeey…!“Ther-”Before the Mzz’goe’virr can finish, the woods ROCK violently like a tiny ship caught in a washing machine! Wh-what the hell was THAT, you exclaim, stumbling around the clearing like an extra in an old Sci-Fi flick!“Abnormal, that’s what.” Morook stoically answers as his eyes glance the way you came! “We should head back. Now.”“I thank you for your trust.” The hooded figure hisses as they cautiously rise to their feet. “All will make sense in time.”Any last-minute stuff before they–and you–dip out?!>YEA (What?)>NAH (Then what are we waiting around for!?)>WRITE-IN! (THIS’D BETTER BE GOOOOOODDDDD)Sorry again for the wait--absolutely wiped from today.
>>6420021>NAH (Then what are we waiting around for!?)
>>6420021>NAH (Then what are we waiting around for!?)GO GO GO GO GO GO
>>6420032>>6420097>>6420227>NAAAURRRRRWriting eventually! Big day and a BIG update coming up, Dark Dweebs! Stay tuned!!!!
You’re not too keen on letting this curious crusader dip into the night, but when an aftershock rattles the forest floor at your feet, you opt to take them at their word, shaky though it may seem! Realizing that you aren’t going to detain them, your new pal and what few eyes of theirs are visible fade into the darkness leaving you and your ranger buddy alone in a clearing that reeks of blood and battle…“Anton!” Morook sputters as you scurry over to where the smell of blood is at its freshest, “We need to go!”One second, you retort, trying not to grimace as your hands meet your missing squad’s corpses, just give me a moment! You’re done long before Morook can follow up–while you don’t bother relieving any of the troops of their soiled armor or weaponry, you DO collect the pendants hanging from each of their necks–the simple baubles engraved with what you can only hope are their names! Joining Morook at the edge of the clearing, you’re met with a hasty, albeit approving nod!“Good thinking. Let’s be off.”He doesn’t need to tell you twice!“... I wasn’t planning on it, bu-”Let’s MOVE!Turns out you don’t have to tell Morook twice either–at your suggestion the Chytree bolts into the woods, eyes a-glowing like a pair of runaway lanterns! You follow as best as you can, but the steep grade and the debris-strewn trail leaves you a bit flatfooted! You’re about two seconds away from begging Morook to carry you when the solution hits you like…… Well, a rock to the face!Gathering up some earth by its invisible strings, you bite your lip and try not to freak out as you take a leap–or a step, rather–of faith… and find purchase on a freshly-raised bed of soil! A relieved sigh leaves your lips, but only a small one–the hard part comes next, after all! Hopping aboard, you cautiously take the slab of soil’s strings in your hands like those on a sleigh…And usher it FORWARD!You didn’t know Morook could look so flabbergasted, but hey, you learn new things every day! It’s a good thing the guy catches on quick–you’re too busy screaming atop your out-of-control conveyance to help him aboard, but he manages with a well-timed hop!“I’ve heard of landslides,” He mutters, birdlike talons digging into your shoulders as he finds his balance, “But THIS is ridiculous!”He’s not wrong! Your divine intervention only helps your ride gain momentum… and before long your terrainsportation is crashing past smaller saplings and fungal blooms like an out-of-control ice cream truck!“Impressive!” Morook remarks as a low-hanging branch gets intimately-acquainted with your face, “How do you know where the boulders and trees are?”That’s the neat part, you answer, accompanied by a nervous laugh, you don’t! The Chytree’s eyes bore into you like highbeams on the interstate.“... Ah.”>CONTD.
>>6421571>Roll me 1d100+3 (+3 GEOMANCY, +2 Ring of Echoes (Hey remember that), +3 Morook Help, Kinda? -5 VERY FAST!) to not crash on the way down! Best of 3!Aaaaand we're back, folks! Might have a few more slight delays this week, but nothing as wild as this last one. Sorry for the wait and thanks for your patience!
Rolled 64 (1d100)>>6421573Welcome back bub!
Rolled 83 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6421573
Rolled 83 + 3 (1d100 + 3)>>6421573Buh.
>>6421580>>6421582>>6421868>HIGHEST ROLL: 86! DUBBELS!Golly! Writing! Got some errands today, but don't worry too much!
https://youtu.be/EYp-i_SDOw8You take control of the ill-thought out situation with the usual class and composure. Screaming like a little girl trapped in a rat convention, your white-knuckled hands clutch your sod sleigh’s phantom strings close to your chest as you desperately try to avoid hitting a tree. In a forest.Yea, it’s about as easy as it sounds. Fortunately your erstwhile companion Morook doesn’t jeer or critique your performance–whether that’s due to his polite nature or just an assumption that this is how humans work remains to be seen, but whatever the reason the only feedback he gives is when he senses an oncoming obstacle that you can’t!Which, as you might imagine, happens quite a lot!“Oh!” He exclaims after you swerve away from a fungal tower full of critters that shriek indignantly as you speed by, “Add some reeds or branches to the front!”You tug a thread and just BARELY skirt around what you assume is either a really squat tree or a really wide boulder! Y-you’re a little busy, man!“They’ll warn us of what’s ahead! Like a Reedmaw’s barbels!”Oh! Neat! Yea, hang on a sec! You move to hand off the ‘reins’ to Morook before remembering who the DIVINE CHAMPION is here. Snatching up a few vinelike growths from the plants you manage to pass, you add them to your ‘ride’ and use their ensuing bends to guide your way through the hilly forest!Your peat-aided plunge only becomes more perilous, however–the hill growing steeper with every swerve–but as your feeler-armed ferry rumbles over a cluster of semi-buried stones, you feel a familiar weightlessness build in your stomach as your wild ride goes airborne!“Ah,” Morook observes in his usual clinical tone as you cling to him screaming bloody murder, “This will help us avoid the underbrush at the foothills. Lucky indee-”Before the Chytree can finish remarking on how lucky you are, your grassy go-kart hits the ground with a muffled ‘PLOT’ before bounding off the hill like a wayward tennis ball! A few lazy arcs later send you CRASHING into a clearing where the scent of mountain-dwelling trees no longer stings your flared nostrils!Collecting your splayed-out self off of the ground, you can’t help but rejoice a bit when your arms, chest, and everything else come up muddy! MOROOK, you exclaim, barely able to stop yourself from cackling with delight, we… we MADE it!“Anton…”And perfect timing, too, you sigh, taking a moment to bask in the swampy scents, just gotta head back to CROSSROADS and see what’s going on with that earthquake or whatever-“Anton.”>CONTD.
>>6422191It takes a moment before you smell it–the unmistakable smell of freshly-burned flames… distant, but pungent even where you lie! What’s worse, from across the muddy expanse you hear a smorgasbord of sounds you’d rather not hear: faint, panicked shouts, clattering artillery, muffled magical explosions… all coming from the direction of the city you sought to protect!Morook, you mutter in a near-breathless voice, are… were you too late, or?“ANTON.”It takes even longer to realize Morook is concerned with more immediate concerns: namely the fact that you’re sitting smack-dab in the middle of what could easily be mistaken for a yellow eye convention!… or a Tusk Meetup.No, you don’t think those exist, but–look, you get it, right? The eye’s owners stare you and Morook down with a mixture of confusion and menace–their number easily above twenty!The most uncomfortable silence you’ve ever endured (yet) blankets the clearing as neither you nor the Skogs move to break it! Thankfully a metallic squawk emanating from one of the tusked terror’s pockets does it for you!“ALL GROUPS: SEISMIC DISTURBANCES SUGGEST FUUXI ACTIVITY IN THE OPERATION AREA. THE CITY IS BREACHED, DEFENSES IN TEMPORARY DISARRAY. ACQUIRING STRUCTURAL WEAKPOINTS NOW–AWAIT BREACHING ORDERS.”The announcement fades with a final hiss of static before leaving you, Morook, and the Skog squad you’re currently surrounded by another uncomfortable silence–way more uncomfortable than the one above! Easily!Exchanging a glance with your Chytree companion, your thoughts turn to your friends still in Crossroads–the worst case scenario, you realize, has come to pass: it wasn’t the magic-nullifying FUUXI planning a siege, nor the vicious SKOGS...It was BOTH. At the same time. And from the bewildered look in the invader’s yellow eyes, you can’t imagine it was planned!… man, you HATE this dark, dumb world!What do? You get the sneaking suspicion a BIG PERSPECTIVE CHANGE is on the horizon here…>ATTACK!>BLUFF!>RUN!>STAY SILENT!>WRITE-IN!
>>6422192Sorry for the wait, all--migraine popped up early in the day and, well, you know how THOSE go! Might squeeze in another update later today, but we'll see--sorry again!
>>6422192>RUN!I think we gotta get back to town!!!
>>6422192>ATTACK!KILL THEM ALL
>>6422208You know what, anon? You make a really compelling case, here. 'Kill them all', heh, why didn't I think of that? >>6422201I change my vote to >KILL THEM ALL
>>6422218KILL THEM ALLEVERY EIGHT KILLS, WE'LL GET STRONGERWE WILL BECOME **GOD**
>>6422192>BLUFF!Here's my counter argument as to why we should bluff instead of killing...It would be funnier.
>>6422192>BLUFF!
You know... I could go for a laugh! I change my vote from >>6422218To>>6422225>>6422465>BLUFF! Maybe even use some 'ventrilomancy'!
>>6422225>>6422465>>6422470>BLUFF!>>6422208>*E1M1 INTENSIFIES*Bluff it is! Get ready!!!!!!!!!
The stage is set and all eyes fall on you–each pair adding to the overwhelming pressure pushing down on your comparatively-scrawny body! But are you worried? ANTON THE UNDYING? LORDSLAYER? DIVINE CHAMPION?… yea, maybe a little, but everyone gets pre-show jitters, right? And you’re nothing if not a performer! So while the Skogs decide what to do with you and Morook, you loosen up your vocal cords a bit… and just when the tension turns thick enough to stick a knife into, a fresh voice escapes from the Skog’s pocket from before!‘hey lookit me its breaker tartar not gonna lie fellas this siege just got a little crazy so everybody gets to go home last one outs a rotten egg haha lookit me’Your words–or BREAKER TARTAR’s, for that matter–percolate for a few uncomfortable moments. Long enough to shoot Morook a forced–and definitely panicked–grin! You’re about two seconds away from bolting into the bog when one of your new pals speaks up…“Heyooo! Here for the RECRUITMENT DRIVE?”The girl’s big, yellow eyes take you in with a cheery grin you don’t tend to see often on a Skog. The air around you is thick and moist–ripe with sweat and booze courtesy of the roaring crowd you hear just past the half-cracked door to the BATTLE’S END TAVERN.“Just look at ‘em, Volk. Course they are~”The owner of the sultry voice sitting next to the Skog gives you an appraising glance with her lime green eyes. A Durher.“Pretty good gig, not gonna lie!” She continues in a singsong tone! “Soldiers, Spinners, Spellcasters… Shopkeepers! Plenty of bells ta’ go around for everyone!” “Yup-yup!” Nods the Skog girl with undisguised enthusiasm! “Still got a little time before the TOURNEY and the TALENT SHOW! But all-told, I think we’re just gonna take whoever! Haha!”“They… don’t need to know that…” The Durher coughs as she shoots you an apologetic smile! “What my friend here is TRYING to say is that there’s plenty of opportunities to go around–but you can’t put a price tag on GLORY and CAMRADERIE, can ya’, pal?”Several bell tolls before the earth erupted beneath Crossroads… before the air grew thick with the roar of Skogs and sorcery… you were here. Another volunteer lured in by the promise of wealth, duty, and glory. But who ARE you, really?“Between you and me?” Hisses the Durher as she leans in closer with a conspiratorial glimmer in her eye, “This might be the easiest gig you’ll ever have, friend–walk a few laps around the ramparts, shoot the shit with some new pals, then boom: you’re relieved of duty a few bells heavier! Not to mention you can say you served with the CROSSROADS IRREGULARS!”She had a point. What did you have to lose, really? You were volunteering, after all–it’s not like this little diversion was going to turn into some kind of…SIEGE OF CROSSROADS MINI-SKIRMISH!
>>6422675https://youtu.be/SZNbabKjKpAWelcome to a stupid little diversion I’ve been cooking up for the last month or so! Anton’s cool and all, but why shouldn’t some other pricks get a shot at the spotlight for once? For this MINI-SKIRMISH you’ll be thrust into the boots of a CROSSROADS IRREGULAR of your own design! Will they survive The Siege of Crossroads? Only you and your comrades can decide!YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE FOLLOWED THIS DUMBSHIT QUEST TO PLAY! This skirmish will last maybe 1-2 missions… maybe more if it works out! I’ll try to keep things relatively simple, so don’t worry! As for players, well, I don’t expect many, but I’ll give folks time to join anywho. Without further ado, here areTHE RULES:>-You and your pals will complete missions that will affect the outcome of The Siege of Crossroads. You might die! You might not! Just have fun with it!>-Roll 2d6 to hit a foe! If it meets the AC, it BEATS the AC! Damage is calculated based on weapons!>-Base AC is 3. Equipment, Spells, and other stuff can change this!>-Feel free to roleplay and chat, just don’t be a jerk! If your character is cool enough and doesn’t die I MIGHT have them show up later on!Races (CHOOSE 1):>Durher: Tiny (+1 to AC(Dodge)) 4 MOV 4 HP>Gnok: Weapons Expert (+2 to Melee Damage) 3 MOV 5HP>Skog: Giant (+1 to Melee Damage, +1 to AC) 2 MOV 6HP>Chytree: Magickal Savant (+2 to Magick Damage) 3 MOV 4 HP>Mzz’goe’virr: Skillful Snipers (+2 to Ranged Damage) 4 MOV 5 HP>Mox: Stout N’ Sturdy (+2 AC) 2 MOV 5 HPWeapons (CHOOSE 1):>Slinger: Ranged. 1d8 DMG 4 Range. (Can pierce and hit enemy behind target for 1d4)>Magickal Implement (You Choose What it Is!): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy). >Blade and Shield: 1d6 DMG (+1 AC)>Greatblade: 2d6 DMG (Can cleave one other adjacent enemy on-hit for 1d6)>Maul: 1d6 DMG (Lowers enemy AC by 1 On-Hit for 1 turn)
>>6422678Spells (CHOOSE 1. CHOOSE 3 IF WIELDING MAGICAL IMPLEMENT):>Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range.>Slow: -2 Accuracy on target for 1 turn. 4 Range>Haste: +1 MOV +1 ACC on target for 1 turn. 4 Range>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.>Ice Daggers: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. On hit leaves target with -1 MOV til next turn>Force Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.>Shock Strike: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. On-Hit stops enemy from moving for 1 turn.>Viisla’s Mark: Lowers DC to hit target by 2 for one turn. 3 Range.>Shield: +2 AC to target for 1 turn. 3 Range>Biisii’s Bolt: 1d6 DMG. On-Hit target takes a random effect. 3 Range.>Itchy Aegis: 1 Range. Creates a cloud of PURE ITCHYNESS that deals 1d4 to anyone that ends their turn in the effect area. Lasts 1 turn.>Blink: Target can be moved up to 3 spaces and still have their movement. Unwilling targets require a 2d6 roll. 3 Range.>Grease: Creates a ‘cross sign’ of difficult terrain that enemies must make a dex check to cross. If failed, they fall and lose their turn. Lasts 1 turn. 3 Range>Stinging Swarm: Conjures a 3 square line swarm of irate Swoos that bite anyone that dares to cross for 2d4 damage. Lasts 2 turns. 3 RangeGear (Pick 1):>Mox Mail: +1 AC>Skog Armor: +2 AC, -1 MOV>Lutza Carving: +2 AC to Melee Attacks>Trusty Helmet: +2 AC to Ranged Attacks>Magick Charm: +2 AC to Magic Attacks>Striili: -1 AC. +1 ACC All, +1 DMG All>Maakar Skin Boots: +1 MOV>Dueling Shoes: +1 ACC All>Arcane Focus: +1 ACC to Magick Attacks>Sniper Monocle: +2 ACC Ranged Attacks>Warrior Gloves: +2 ACC Melee AttacksCHARACTER INFO:>NAME:>SEX:>APPEARANCE (REMEMBER: IT’S DARK! I CAN DRAW ‘EM IF YOU DON’T WANNA!):>BACKSTORY (Can be a few sentences!):
>>6422680I claim dibs on being a skog wizard. I will do stuff later when I have time...I got a pretty funny idea.
>>6422683Actually, just to ask, is there a limit to how many times you can cast spell, if it's not a spell that needs to hit?Grease + Stinging Swarm + Force Blast Combo = Fun
>>6422680Would the Mzz’goe’virr get a benefit to ranged spell damage? Or is it just mundane ranged
>>6422688Good question. You can cast 1 SPELL per turn--any more than that and you'd... I dunno, burst into flames or something. No limits/spell slots/whatever. I'm gonna be real and say I do NOT plan to take this skirmish super-seriously, so I apologize in advance if balancing gets a little wacky. I'm gonna try, though! Honest!
>>6422693I was planning on Mundane, but you know what? Screw it, magic too. That'll go for the Melee Damage bonuses to the other races as well--wouldn't want to pigeonhole y'all too hard in creativity :)
>>6422695Hmm....then I'm not sure if it'll work at all..that's a shame. I was going to do the funny meme of keeping the enemy in a loop of lining up stinging swarm and grease and then sending them backwards whanever they got through with a shocking blast, but given how short they last, it might not work out...>>6422696I don't think there's a melee damage spell, is there?
>>6422697Shock Strike, Force Blast, Itchy Aegis...
>>6422699Hmmm, that could work. It would mean 3d4 of sure-hit damage in any chokepoint... I'll think about it while I finish my stuff..
>>6422701No rush! We've got a LOT of time to prep. But yes, sorry for not tagging them sooner and thanks for bringing it up:>SHOCK STRIKE>FORCE BLAST>ITCHY AEGISAre all MELEE RANGE SPELLS!
>>6422678NAME: Leedle MizzunzhyneSEX: FEMALEAPPEARANCE: Dull yellow pupils, chronically bored/disinterested expression, baggy eyes.BACKSTORY: A disgraced aristocrat who ended up in the CROSSROADS after fleeing from another part of Zoral, thanks to a very, very socially unacceptable incident she was a part of. Mentioning her name around polite company is a sure way of getting your ass booted from a party. Has taken up the art of wielding weaponry meant for someone twice her size out of sheer spite. Intends on getting her former position back by any means necessary.RACE: DURHER (AC 4, MOV 4, HP 4)WEAPON: GREATBLADE (2d6 DMG)SPELL: Haste (+1 MOV, +1 ACC when used)GEAR: Warrior Gloves (+2 ACC MELEE ATTACK, bringing her hit roll to 2d6+2.)Is this balanced? No. Would I be better using a Skog or a Gnok? Yes. Is this funny to imagine a tiny furball running around, swinging a giant sword? Yes.
>>6422678>Thick 'Scottish' accentRACE>Durher: Tiny (+1 to AC(Dodge)) 4 MOV 4 HPWEAPON>Magickal Implement (You Choose What it Is!): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy).>The Great Eye of Goomoh, a silver sphere with a diameter of 10 inches that levitates in the air, and follows Angkis around, never straying more than five feet from where he stands. It seems to have a mind of its own almost, but really is tethered to the will of its master, and obeys Angkis' as breathlessly as if it were another limb.SPELLS>Blink: Target can be moved up to 3 spaces and still have their movement. Unwilling targets require a 2d6 roll. 3 Range.>Force Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.GEAR>Maakar Skin Boots: +1 MOVINFO>Angkis MakDoog'ahl, Lancepesade First Class>Male>Missing his left arm, left eye, with many scars, and prominent silver right fang, thick 'Scottish' accent>Grizzled old veteran of four military campaigns as a mercenary, first with the Cold Claw Company, but as a lone agent for the following three after the CCC was disbanded. The last conflict was The Siege of Sark'Rah'Vek, where Angkis spent two weeks helping to lead his battalion up the side of Sark'Rah'Vek itself, a tremendous three-sided pyramid of jagged obsidian. Infiltrating the High Fane of Goomoh at the top, they managed to defeat the terrible wizard once and for all, but Angkis lost his arm in the process. He took Goomoh's third eye as restitution, as he was left handed and knew he would never be able to swing a cutlass again. The Eye, however, bonded with his psyche and became a kind of appendage on its own, allowing him to cast certain spells. Angkis decided to become an adventurer with this strange power, and having become fond of Crossroads since, is eager to lend his services for what may be his last fight. >I cannot into art
>>6422739So, Bones, if I am understanding right my only means of doing damage is with magic. The Eye has 1d6 damage, but what is its range, and what do I roll to land a hit with it? Flamebolt is 1d10 and Force Blast is 1d4, with a range of 4 and 1 respectively, but a +2 to accuracy due to The Eye. My play style is shaping up to be about high mobility and manipulating the movement/position of those around me, I am thinking of Lancer Angkis as being kind of a tactician type that likes to use environmental hazards, quick thinking, quick feet, and teamwork now that he can't swing a sword anymore.
>>6422741Sorry for the confusion--the 1d6 is for smacking people upside the head and whatnot with your magical implement kind of like using your staff in D&D to hit someone as a last resort.
>>6422743Ok cool, so I can have the thing fly into people and bash them as long as they are in melee range (which was what I was initially thinking, so I gave it the short leash of like five feet or so)
>>6422744You betcha, yep!
>>6422680>NAME: Huxxer Virrux>SEX: Male>APPEARANCE: Lanky for a Mzz'goe'virr with a wiry build, the most outstanding feature is his Monocles(?) or are they glasses?>BACKSTORY: Having finished his apprenticeship, Huxxer is a touch strapped for material wealth. This battle should provide adequate compensation.>Mzz’goe’virr: Skillful Snipers (+2 to Ranged Damage) 4 MOV 5 HP>Magickal Implement (Good old fashioned staff): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy)>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.>Ice Daggers: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. On hit leaves target with -1 MOV til next turn>Blink: Target can be moved up to 3 spaces and still have their movement. Unwilling targets require a 2d6 roll. 3 Range.>Sniper Monocle: +2 ACC Ranged AttacksEnds up at +4 to hit with ranged spells and +2 damage.
>>6422743Slow dowwwn maaaan I can't do it right now and I don't want all the spots to be filled
>>6422773Don't worry, big dog--I don't have a slot limit as of yet. Will probably keep this open until tomorrow or something just to gauge interest.
>Skog: Giant (+1 to Melee Damage, +1 to AC) 2 MOV 6HP>Blade and Shield: 1d6 DMG (+1 AC)>Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range.>Mox Mail: +1 AC>NAME: Beats>SEX: FEMALE>APPEARANCE: Tall and wide for a Skog. Brown eyes. Smiley. Left tusk is bigger than the right>BACKSTORY: A soldier looking to fund her eclectic interests in taxidermied dogs.
Is GEAR only 1 slot? Or can pals wear friends' trusty boots?
>>6422827For flavor you can wear whatever the hell ya want. For mechanics? Only one bit of fancy gear, sorry! Wouldn't want EVERYONE to be freakishly overpowered!
>>6422678>NAME: Xuon>SEX: MALE>APPEARANCE: Average height and build for a mox, eyes slightly larger than average>RACE: Mox: Stout N’ Sturdy (+2 AC) 2 MOV 5 HP>WEAPON: >Maul: 1d6 DMG (Lowers enemy AC by 1 On-Hit for 1 turn)>SPELL:>GEAR: >Mox Mail: +1 AC
>>6422982Forgot the spellForce Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.
>>6422680Question, is there even any reason to choose Arcane Focus is Dueling Shoes gives the same bonus to ALL? Since the focus only gives out a +1 ACC...I've got my boy pretty much ready, but I need to choose the item.
> Race:> > Mox > Weapon: > > Magical Implement (A fist sized rock. Its awfully unimpressive, good thing none can see it because of the darkness.) > Spells: > > Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range. > > Shield: +2 AC to target for 1 turn. 3 Range > > Grease: Creates a ‘cross sign’ of difficult terrain that enemies must make a dex check to cross. If failed, they fall and lose their turn. Lasts 1 turn. 3 Range > Gear: > > Striili: -1 AC. +1 ACC All, +1 DMG All > Info: > > Name: > > > Wally > > Sex: > > > Male > > Appearance: > > > Picrel > > Backstory: > > > Wally used to serve under slavers, his main job was standing as bait during hunting sessions, no doubt causing him numerous traumatic brain injuries. He long outlived his life expectancy, so much so that he has also happened to outlive his captors by retard strength alone. He has been wandering Crossroads aimlessly the months past, living on small favors he collects by being perpetually eager to help out where he can. Frankly, its a miracle no one enslaved him again. As for his instrument, he clearly has no idea how to use it, but in an endearing way. > In character comment to everything going on: 'ello! :)
>>6423077Oops, I'm an idiot! I totally meant for the ARCANE FOCUS to give you a +2 to Accuracy with magical attacks. Sorry about that and the wait--ended up dozing off pretty early. I'll keep things open a little longer so you can get your character in, but otherwise I might allow late-joiners once we get started!
>>6422680>NAME: Barbaran>SEX: Male>APPEARANCE: The Skog equivalent of Melvin Eugene Punymeyer. A big, musclebound nerd, complete with the big silly glasses. >BACKSTORY: Abandoning his historied family tradition of whacking people over the head with a big stick, Barbaran has chosen to pursue his dreams of studying ancient lore and deep magic! Sadly, no one in Umberal would take him...but it's fine, because he found a sketchy figure selling magic textbooks out of his coat in an alley. Now, armed with the power of whacking people over the head with the magic that comes out of his stick, he is ready to defend this uh...place, this uh city-thing-location he definitely didn't forget the name of.Also, he thinks flamebolts are lame and overrated.>RACE: Skog>WEAPONS: Magickal Implement>SPELLS: Force Blast, Blink, Stinging Swarm>GEAR: Arcane Focus
>>6423115"Oi! Dune ear, fella... Ded muh fuhzy wee ears mehsleed meh, oar dedja sayh jes now thah flahmbolt'z... Ohver-rayted... Ehnd LAME?"[Excuse me! Down here, sir... Did I mishear, or did you perhaps contend that the Flamebolt spell is overrated and 'lame'?]
>>6423120>"Eet is lame. Shooting fire from fingers, what creativity is there in that? You might as well use a gun!"
Uh-oh. They're starting to RP! Means it's probably time to get this ball rolling!>>6422711WELCOME, LEEDLE!>>6422739WELCOME, ANGKIS!>>6422751WELCOME, HUXXER!>>6422817WELCOME, BEATS!>>6422982WELCOME, XUON!>>6423100WELCOME, WALLY!>>6423115AND WELCOME, BARBARAN!Writing now! For any late joiners: feel free to throw in a character for now--once the mission begins, however, you're gonna have to wait! Bitch!
>>6423137"EHT SHUR WHEREN'T 'LAYME' WHIN GRANDMASTER GOOMOH YOOZD WUN TA TOARCH ME LIH'EL WEE AHRM TA WEE CRESPY SENDURS! AN' INNIEWAY WHAHT'Z S'BAD ABOOT LAYMENESS INNIEHOO?! AHM LAYME S'THA SKY'Z DAHRK N'AYE KIN STUHL TAHNGLE W'THA WURHST'V'M!!!"[It wasn't 'lame' when Grandmaster Goomoh used it to burn my arm away! What's the problem with being lame, anyways? I am disabled and still perfectly dangerous!]
>>6423137>>6423158Oi, why so angy?
>>6423178"Ehtz jus owh aye'yam, s'ehn meh naychur, ah s'pose..." [I was born this way.]
>>6423180Huh, I thought you said it was the lame wizard or something?...Hey, have you tried like regrowing it?I know a skog, he would like do it all the time. He told me he would teach me doing it, but then his head was cut off and i haven't talked to him since.
>>6423185Kek!
https://youtu.be/a4ifdZNy5bUStories are like vines.They all start with a seed–lil’ thing barely bigger than a Veeti’s toe–but with a touch of nourishment, proper soil, and a bit of patience, well… that little seed won’t be so little anymore. Some vines wither. Some vines thrive. Some vines, in all their viney wisdom, branch out into their own separate sprigs.And this story? Just another branch… but even the smallest sprout can climb a tower, can’t it? Stories are like vines…Like most stories, this one started simple enough: In a tavern, of all places–the BATTLE’S END TAVERN. Now this watering hole, if you’ve never been, is by no means any better than its many, MANY counterparts lining the drunken mile… sure, the barmatron’s sweet for a one-eyed old Skog, and her Mox and Durher helpers will always greet you with a smile, but for the first time in a long, long while, the BATTLE’S END chose to stick out.A RECRUITMENT DRIVE. Organized by a pair of starry-eyed Spinners and some suicidal neighborhood watch, the aim was simple enough: bolster the ranks in the event of a siege on Crossroads, whenever that might occur. And while there was no shortage of drunken fools seeking to whet their whistles that day, there was quite a crowd of sober fools as well… eccentric folk starved for opportunity.An exiled aristocrat fueled by spite and vengeance.A maimed mercenary seeking one last sip of gory glory.An arcane apprentice–fresh from the proverbial ‘forge’ and eager to ply his trade.A tusked taxidermist seeking to procure some much-needed pay.A stubborn soldier with a mace long overdue for a fresh coat of blood.A slaver’s stooge, now a starving Spinner.And a Skog sorcerer–a rarity not just among his people, but Zoral entirely.There were countless more, of course–no shortage of fools in Zoral–but this story’s sprig can only spread so sizeably… and as any good storyteller can tell ya, stories have a habit of moving in swift spurts.By day our humble heroes boozed, brayed, and battled–didn’t take much more than a signature and a smile to enlist, really–but just when night’s icy arms began to wrap around Crossroads…The earth opened up.It began, as most bad things do, rather quietly: a jostled table, a rattled mug, a few shakes here and there easily attributed to the crowd drawn by the recruiters… but when the shakes became rumbles and that group of loud drunks outside disappeared beneath the cobblestone?Suddenly it wasn’t too easy to ignore anymore.One quake became several–and as Crossroads itself seemed to rock on its very moorings, a few enterprising bar patrons suddenly remembered they were soldiers again!“YOU LOT!” Barked a brusque, clear voice, “THIS WAY!”>CONTD.
>>6423199With tabs unpaid and pub fare unfinished, you stole away into the night as Crossroads crumbled around you–the icy air filled with the distant shrieks of creatures you’d never heard before… or did and wished you hadn’t:FUUXI. Emerging eyeless from their freshly-bored burrows, their shrill clicks and clacks are only dwarfed by the sound of groaning masonry, shattering stone, and the distant roar of warhorns outside the city!“THIS WAY!” Growls your guide, not bothering to wait for you to catch up, “IN HERE!”Your frantic flight leads you into a damp, echoing rampway–a cellar, you think, but whose, well, you couldn’t say. Ushering you all inside, your leader slams the door shut behind you before daring to catch her breath.“Rest…” She pants, unseen armor clanking with every languished move she takes, “You’re gonna need it… Irregulars…”Stumbling into the nearest seat, you let the rest of your body catch up with the adrenaline as the sound of clashing steel and beastly snarls seep in through the cellar walls!Trapped in what might very well be your cramped, mildewy casket, THIS is where YOUR story begins…Oh, a thousand apologies–who am I, you ask? No one of consequence–just a dull-toothed old Durher with a habit of being at the wrong place at the right time… Not unlike yourselves, hmm? After waiting for what feels like hours, your de facto leader returns from the hell above with renewed anger in her sharp Gnok eyes.“Alright,” She sighs, casting a furtive glance the way you came, “Break time’s over. Name’s ILGA, CAPTAIN ILGA, and as luck would have it I’m one of the unlucky bastards tasked with molding you lot into something useful.” Her raptor-like eyes scan you all with practiced distaste. “I won’t succeed, but don’t plan on dying without trying.”Her face remains cool and composed as she begins to pace the cellar. “I’ll be blunt: we’re cut off right now. The streets are in complete disarray and we won’t be much help without actual orders.” She stops. “We need to regroup. And that means making difficult choices.”Her golden eyes flit towards the cellar exit once again. “I know of three routes to the BELLTOWER--if we’re going to meet our superiors, we’ll find them there. That said, I did some scouting in advance… and neither route is ideal.” The Gnok’s stony stare probes you all. “In the spirit of being an actual squad, I’m open to hearing your thoughts. Ah. I nearly forgot.”Clearing her throat, the Gnok’s armor clacks as she adopts a statuelike posture! “As of now, we are ISSVAL SQUAD. Etch it into your memory–if we survive this mess you can tell everyone that’s where you served. Right–huddle up…”>CONTD.
>>6423200https://youtu.be/ZJCJPr6TrNoMISSION SELECT: WHICH ROUTE?>Follow the canals! (Water present. Wider route. Fuuxi are averse to water, but Skogs…)>Cut through the shopping district! (Cramped. Could make good bottlenecks? Fuuxi burrows present.)>Slip through Forge Lane! (Industrial. Sticky Sheckt spills and molten metal detected–hazardous. Fuuxi burrows present.)
>>6423158"Burning your arm away doesn't make it not lame...I'm sure you could find a way to deal with it anyway...">>6423201>Cut through the shopping district! (Cramped. Could make good bottlenecks? Fuuxi burrows present.)"Ay have a reeal cool trick to try. I've been waiting a reeeal long time to do it."
>>6423201>Cut through the shopping district! (Cramped. Could make good bottlenecks? Fuuxi burrows present.)"I like shopping. Its fun to watch others shopping."
>>6423201>Cut through the shopping district! (Cramped. Could make good bottlenecks? Fuuxi burrows present.)Angkis' good eye, weary though it may be, peers out towards the shopping district. A silver sphere circles his small frame like a vulture anticipating fresh carrion... He turns to the Captain and salutes. "Aye, s'uh mite nayrow skweez, methinks, buht thah's nayver bin uh prahblum fer yerz trooly, eh? Thah shawpin diztrekt seems arr bes' bet. Ah cood tayk thuh grunt n'elp th'less nemble uh'mungus uh'void th'fooshi..." [Looks tight, but I have never had trouble with that - we should take the shopping district. If I am to the front of our formation, I can use my speed and spatial magic to help the less dextrous members of our party avoid harm, perhaps.]
>>6423201>Slip through Forge Lane! (Industrial. Sticky Sheckt spills and molten metal detected–hazardous. Fuuxi burrows present.)Let's use Blink to force our foes into being the subject of a casualty report while we block any natural chokepoint.
>>6423201>Slip through Forge Lane! (Industrial. Sticky Sheckt spills and molten metal detected–hazardous. Fuuxi burrows present.
>>6423201>Cut through the shopping district! (Cramped. Could make good bottlenecks? Fuuxi burrows present.)"It is only fair that I get something out of this debacle of degeneracy and wasted time. Give me treat."
>>6423210>>6423216>>6423221>>6423247>SHOP TIL YOU DROP?>>6423230>>6423241>FORGE A PATH?Looks like shop wins it! Writing! Got some plans tonight so expect some delays. Oh, and for future reference during combat I WILL try to wait for every player to make their move--I just wanted to get the ball rolling with the mission choice here so yea
>>6423257The cellar fills with murmurs and mutterings–a storm of suggestions as to what the next move should be. Listening intently, Captain Ilga cuts the discussion short with a resolute nod.“Not one for shopping, myself, but we don’t have many other choices, now do we? Came across a FUUXI BURROW when I was scouting the place out–tread lightly. Bastards love their ambushes.”After loading up on provisions and a few quick team-building exercises and icebreaker activities, ISSVAL SQUAD is ready to rock… and, perhaps, roll...You’re almost relieved to depart the cellar–you didn’t much relish the idea of waiting for a Fuuxi to burrow into your hiding place, not to mention you’re pretty sure you were breathing mold down there.You emerge on the surface greeted by the acrid odor of thick plumes of smoke and the distant sound of Crossroads’ booming arcane artillery–a desperate attempt to keep the owner of those warhorns at bay. Your path to the SHOPPING DISTRICT is paved with thick, fibrous web clusters and countless corpses–some fresh, some… gnawed. Silence covers the once booming market–interrupted every so often by a distant scream or clash of steel.There was no avoiding it now: you’re in the thick of it.“Right,” Captain Ilga begins in a hushed tone as she leads your tiptoeing troupe through the terrifying terrain, “Place is pockmarked with burrows. Watch your step–you fall down one and we ain’t climbing in after you. Save yer’ heroics too,” She adds with a wary look in her eyes as they wash over you, “We just need to get to THE BELLTOWER.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUAkfPhdFwwOBJECTIVE: CROSS THE DISTRICT. MISSION ENDS WHEN MAJORITY OF SURVIVING SQUADDIES REACH THE EXTRACTION POINT.ACTIONS: MOVEMENT & 1 OF THE FOLLOWING: (MAGIC, ATTACK, ASSIST, INTERACT WITH ITEM/ENVIRONMENT)IF A SQUADDIE GOES DOWN, THEY CAN BE REVIVED TO 1HP WITH THE ASSIST ACTION. THIS WILL USE THE ASSISTER’S AND THE REVIVEE’S TURN.>Place yourselves on the GAME MAP and watch those shadows… you’re not alone! Feel free to talk with your squaddies and ask me any questions you might have!
>>6423282"Tsk. A poor welcome. A proper host would have offered their guests a nice cup of tea by now." Leedle languidly points her sword in front of her. "So be it.">SPAWN IN #5>MOVE TWO TILES UP, TWO TILES LEFT>CAST HASTE ON SELF."Please, do not make too much noise when we eventually must fight these degenerative, malformed creatures. Meow."
Are we still allowed to join sorry I overslept and missed the registration voice
>>6423293I'll allow it, but you're on THIN ICE. Bitch..!Nah yea go fer it I probably won't be able to write out the first turn until tomorrow gomen neAlso I'll eventually draw all of your dipshits so don't worry friends :DDD
>Chytree: Magickal Savant (+2 to Magick Damage) 3 MOV 4 HP>Magickal Implement (You Choose What it Is!): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy). A mysterious cooking implement:SPELLS:>Grease: Creates a ‘cross sign’ of difficult terrain that enemies must make a dex check to cross. If failed, they fall and lose their turn. Lasts 1 turn. 3 Range>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.>Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range.>Arcane Focus: +1 ACC to Magick AttacksNAME: CHY-LEESEX: MALE, I THINKAPPEARENCE: SEE PICBACKSTORY: A former chef who chose to retire to the crossroads.
I'll deploy at 8
>>6422678>Race:Gnok: Weapons Expert (+2 to Melee Damage) 3 MOV 5HP>Weapon>Blade and Shield: 1d6 DMG (+1 AC)>Spell:Viisla’s Mark: Lowers DC to hit target by 2 for one turn. 3 Range.Gear:>Mox Mail: +1 AC>NAME: Terrii>SEX: Yes (F)>APPEARANCE (REMEMBER: IT’S DARK! I CAN DRAW ‘EM IF YOU DON’T WANNA!): Droopy eyes, dark red in colour. Half lidded, somewhere between half-asleep and sultry. >BACKSTORY (Can be a few sentences!): Airheaded, distracted, Terrii was a clerk at some sort of comestics store, but spent most of her time polishing her horn (literally, not a sexual innuendo, freak!) and grooming her feathers. Eventually, she got fired, but not before being called a "retarded bimbo whore" by her employer. Thus, she decided to go rob her former boss' house as revenge for these choice words. There, she picked up his family heirlooms, a nice sword and shield, and a suit of armor that she hurriedly tried on. Unfortunately, she was caught by his wife as she came home early from an extramarital affair, and beat the fuck out of said wife. Following this, each of his 10 family members trickled inside of the house one by one, where she was forced to teach them a lesson so they'd keep quiet, culminating in throwing her boss from a third floor window. Still having yet to grasp the consequences of her actions, she left as quietly as she could, avoiding suspicion as local guards questioned her and labeled her "clearly too stupid to have planned all this". She has since taken up odd and violent jobs here and there to keep herself afloat, having found her calling in committing assault. Why is she here? Well, they called for fighting, and she's pretty alright at it, so...
>>6423282"Leht's us git dune tae tha task aht hahnd, then, eh laddies?" [Nothin' to it but to do it, right guys?]Angkis practically barks, and the speed of that weird sphere with him seems to pick up, as it's orbit stretches into a more elliptical, diagonal pattern. The grizzled Durher flexes the fingers of his remaining hand, and smirks. >SPAWN IN #6 >Move up four spaces >INTERACT: squint around for signs of movement If that isn't a valid use of Interact, I will hold my action and spend it on Blink if anyone wants a boost!
>>6423282>Deploy at 10"..."She is clearly spacing out and thinking about something else entirely. "Oh, I used to work here. I wonder if I could help myself to some of the stock..."
>>6423282>Deploy at 8"There's a nice shop that used to be here, it had such great dogs!"
>>6423282>Deploy 7, Move forward 2. Fire Flamebolt straight north."I'm sure noone'd mind a bit of property damage."
Rolled 5, 4 + 4 = 13 (2d6 + 4)>>6423384Messed up the roll.
>>6423282Barbaran seems to shrink from his excitement when he actually arrives in the field of battle. His years spent reading books and sleeping on warm beds have atrophied his sense of suicidal recklessness."Ahhh...ehh..you fighters can go first! With your pokey bits...">Deploy at 9, Move Forward 2
>>6423426Ahh, and Interact, I gotta use an action right?>Interact: Barbarian is gonna be looking real careful for any...burrows
>>6423282Deploy at 5Look aroundCan't be too close to other players thanks to force blast
>>6423334>Move 2 forward
>>6423282> deploy at 6All other gear is a passive bonus, so I assume my striili is also a passive, right?Depending on the answer, I would like to nominate Mr. Xuon:>>6422982as the team tank (meat shield) with a passive AC of 7, or 9 while I spam shield on him.Alternatively, if the striili is an active ability, I will take the punchbag role on me.>>6423329I believe the blink should go to the front-line-man. ^^^>>6423282I would also like to hear about the rules of over-healing.
>>6423529My bad, the striili removes AC from the user, but adds ACC to the others.That would would mean Xuon would have 6/8 AC instead of 7/9,but everything else I said still stands.
>>6423531No, sorry, that's my bad--the Striilii buffs YOU, it's just a tiny tradeoff. As for overhealing, nah, you get to your maximum and that's it. Might have a spell that does that later, but we'll see.Anywho, writing update later today! Sorry for all the delays--should be reaching the end of em soon!>>6423329>move up 4 spacesHow very... bold of you, Angkis...https://youtu.be/uJV-pfsx_UM
>>6423330>>6423282Also>MOVE UP THREE>INTERACT"Huhhhh... This is all broken..."
>>6423618Didn't lose an arm by kickin' it in the nosebleeds! Probably gonna get my shit rocked since I'm a magic guy dealing with Fuuxi, but nobody said sieges were easy money, right?
Rolled 6, 5, 5, 6, 3, 3 = 28 (6d6)Oh right, there were a few other jerks too! A Gnok broad and some Chytree that looked an awful lot like a Mzz’goe’virr! Anyways, where was I? Ah yes…Gurgles and screams filled the smoky air as our stalwart squad was torn limb-from-limb by the bloodthirst-… Whoops, sorry. Didn’t get to that part yet, did we? Right, right… ahem.What was once a bustling monument to materialism and excess was now what the free market would no doubt do to it in a few years: dead. Though the sounds of combat and carnage still itched our hero’s collective ears, the brave-ish troops in ISSVAL SQUAD crept through the battered bazaar like Tottas creeping through a Fruum’s den!ANGKIS leads the charge through the ruins–the fearless fuzzball’s GREAT EYE OF GOOMOH hovering closely at his side.XUON, on the other hand, hangs back–the meticulous Mox opting to inspect their surroundings carefully before proceeding forward. The caution pays off–circumventing the battered remains of what he assumes used to be an innocent fruit cart, Xuon nearly stumbles into a gaping pit punched out from the cobblestone like a bullethole–its rim slick with freshly-spittled webbing…Captain Ilga wasn’t wrong–Fuuxi had been here. And there was a good chance they hadn’t left! Joining her Mox matey with a hint of bemusement on her bored face, Leedle tips a chunk of stone into the pit, prompting the squaddies to listen close for the end of its descent.The sound never comes–due to depth or web is anyone’s guess, but much to their relief, no burrowing beast emerges to return their rock.As seasoned Fuuxi fighters know, however, the fiends are known for more than their ferocity and magical dampening. Ambushers through-and-through, they wait like grim, eyeless statues in their chosen hiding spots for prey… sometimes even lurking beneath soft ground only to emerge like ground-dwelling leviathans! Joined by HUXXER and TERRII, the squad’s Skogs stumble upon a few more freshly-bored burrows–their webbed ridges still damp with saliva and gore… barely poking out from beneath some more ruined vendor carts, it was almost as if they were covered up intentionally!The shopping street grows quiet–deathly so… but the spark that sets off the powderkeg comes from HUXXER–the magely Mzz’goe’virr probing the darkness with a simple flamebolt spell.The shot barely smacks a distant barrel before several burrows erupt in dust and web! From the webby depths they come–silent as specters save for the menacing clicks rattling past their chittering, drool-slaked mandibles! One lunges for ANGKIS, no doubt expecting an easy, fuzzy treat! The others scuttle to drag TERRII and HUXXER into their nests–the former barely able to react in time, the latter answering for his sudden spellcasting!ROLLING ENEMY ATTACKS IN ORDER>CONTD.
>>6423745The Durher’s fast–senses honed through years of warfare–but even the most-experienced soldier knows not to trifle with Fuuxi! Backing away, ANGKIS’ foot catches on a clump of damp web–an amateur error, but one that proves nasty: the Fuuxi drone lashes out with its fearsome claws, raking the Durher’s shoulder with a jagged cut!ANGKIS -1HPDistracted and dulled, TERRII too is caught off-guard–the Gnok only reacting quick enough to feel a gnarled claw scrape her hip! Stumbling away from the beast’s attempt at snatching her up, the Gnok prepares to respond in kind!TERRII -1HPHUXXER, however, through some magely foresight or mere chance, was expecting an attack! Conjuring an arcane barrier just in time, he smirks beneath his spectacles as his would-be attacker is deftly deflected by his spell!… That was the plan, anyways. Fearsome to a fault, Fuuxi are well-known for their natural resistance to the arcane–and while other foes might be beaten back by the barrier, the Fuuxi’s claw carves through it like a hot knife through pudding–its serrated edge plumbing into HUXXER’s shoulder!HUXXER -1HPThey were ambushed, yes, but not beaten, and ISSVAL SQUAD had, for better or worse, coaxed several drones from their dens… but was it worth responding to their attacks in kind? How many more of them and their ilk laid in wait along their treacherous path?That’s the thing about fortune–it applies to everyone.Yes, an enemy attack on a player will usually only deal 1HP damage. Your attacks will do much more! There WILL be foes that can multiattack or hit harder--I'll point them out for ya' in advance, but watch it!>TURN 2 BEGINS NOW!
Rolled 1, 4 + 3 = 8 (2d6 + 3)>>6423745Leedle lets out a low hiss at the sight of the FUXXI. Disgusting little creatures. Wastes of flesh, made to be cleaved by in half by her blade."It is socially unacceptable to attack my associates. Begone with you." The tiny cattethinge skitters towards the target at incredibly high speeds. The power of haste... "Please do not spray any blood onto my outfit. I invested a considerable amount of my fortune to buy this luxurious piece of fabric.">MOVE UP 2, LEFT 1>CLEAVE FUUXI DRONE 1 IN HALF (Autohit, but rolling for the sake of transparency.)
Ok, before I make the move, would anyone WANT Angkis to put a Fuuxi in striking distance? Or want me to try and use Blink to give them some breathing room? I am heavily considering doing a Force Blast to bop both of the ones adjacent, but it would knock one, most likely, closer to a couple of you. I will hold back a bit before I declare so I don't step on toes.
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)>>6423758And her sword found her target. "Please, if you would be so kind, die for me." She silently prays that the blade will cleanly cut the FUUXI in half. It would be a shame if it survived for long enough to dirty her outfit or, god forbid, her fur.>ROLLING DMG. 2d6 DMG DEALT, let's see if I kill the fucker!
>>6423745Question!>Does Force Blast have friendly fire? Also, in which direction does it apply, only directly touching or diagonals too?
>>6423761Good question! Let's say it DOESN'T for the sake of ease. And sure, diagonals are fine :)
>>6423763Very good. I'll be waiting to see what the fellows on my side do...don't wanna punch them out of range before they can get their attack in.I like the art for the crew by the way, but Boy, I really missed with the whole "Barbaran" name. It sounds stupid when you look at it. I should have just gone with some lame ass nerdy name. Or something that sounds like a big scary skog. Instead of a shitty pun. And his introduction was not my best work, either...
>>6423768Hey, plenty of time to goof off and chat with your fellow dumbasses to build your character! Who knows? They might show up later on if I like 'em enough!... And if they survive. HEHEHEH
>>6423769No, no, I know how to write better than this, I just messed up his name and introduction. It's a miss, no doubt. Which is bad, because skog wizard is a cool concept that I just bungled.
Rolled 2, 4 + 4 = 10 (2d6 + 4)>>6423745>Target Drone 3 with Ice Daggers, Move 2 Spaces to the left"I'd say freeze, but you seem ahead of that."
Rolled 8 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6423787Damage Roll
>>6423745Move up 2 so on my next turn I can help either Leedle or angkis
>>6423745"Huhhhh... You're so mean? I seriously hope you didn't damage my stuff too bad..."The Gnok prepares to take revenge, but it is skewered by her ally's ice daggers before she can show it what she's made of. "Whoa~ You guys sure have quick reflexes... I'll scout up ahead, okay~~">MOVE UP ONE>MOVE LEFT ONE>INTERACTTERRII kicks the Fuuxi drone around, gauging its hardiness and weight. Eventually, she grows tired of it and kicks it right back into the burrow with incredible soccer technique! Could it be she used to play in the Crossroads Soccer Youth club?
>>6423840I think you need to attack it, lad.
Rolled 3, 3 + 2 = 8 (2d6 + 2)>>6423746Ok, no takers, gonna roll for Force Blast! *Ahem ahem in character voice*"AYYYGH, KURSE YER SILKE-SPITTLIN' SLAG WHOOR UV'A MUHTHER AN' YER DHIRT-DIGGIN' DAG-HOMPIN' DERTY DHITCH-DWEHLLER DAH, I REH-BYOOK THA DAM'DABLE LOHT A'YUH TA' TH'PITS UH' PYOOTRESSNCE FRAHM WHINTZ YA' CREYP'D AN' KRAWL'D FUR'AYV'R MOOR!"[Fuck you, your mother is promiscuous, and your father is low class trash, I rebuke you all to the depths from whence you came!] >FORCE BLAST FIRST>MOVE FOUR TO THE RIGHT, AND ONE UPAngkis howls his curses with the ferocity of a whole pack of hunting hounds. The silver satellite at his side changes its movements again, this time to a spiraling pattern with occasional tight loops...
Rolled 1 (1d4)>>6423868(I roll for damage now I think...)Suddenly, the Great Eye of Goomoh hangs frozen directly in front of the Durher, and its surface ripples from top to bottom like water disturbed by a stone. Beneath its master's feet, the earth vibrates, trembles, and then from just around where he stands a shockwave of mystical force ruptures outward onto the two adjacent Fuuxi!
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)>>6423745>MOVE LEFT>ATTACK FUUXI 2"It ain't a dog, but it'll do!"AC: 6 (3+1 mail+1 GIANT+1 shield)6/6 HPATTACK: 2d6 (sword and shield)DMG: 1d6+1 (GIANT)Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range.
>>6423745Barbaran, watching a drone rises out right in front of him, gives an undecidedly un-skogly yelp, almost dropping his staff. To his good luck, however, the Drone quickly meets the wrong end of an ice dagger! It seems his friends are quite good at the fighting business..."Oooh, I du not want these these theengs coming up...gitttiout!">He decides to move one step forward and cast STINGING WARM into the burrow, to make sure they think twice about getting out of it.
>>6423758>>6423760>>6423787>>6423788>>6423799>>6423840>>6423868>>6423869>>6423900>>6423918>ACTIONS COUNTED!Writing! Might take a while--last night got crazy and I didn't get to bed until after midnight. Thanks for your patience!
Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d6)>>6423840>>6423867TERRII, naturally, does not forget her attack roll on the presumably-but-maybe-not downed Fuuxi.
Rolled 2, 6, 2, 2 = 12 (4d6)War isn’t that complex, really–there’s order woven into the chaos… rules hidden beneath the blood.Rule 1 is simple: Don’t Die, and needless to say, ISSVAL SQUAD followed it to the letter! The ambush may have caught some of them off-guard, there was no denying it, but after taking their lumps from the fearsome Fuuxi, the squad dealt them right back… plus interest!First in the fray is LEEDLE, the diminutive Durher wasting no time in cleaving her greatblade through a Fuuxi in one, decisive slice! Not to be outdone, HUXXER ‘huxx’d some magic at his would-be devourer! A gamble, to be sure, especially with the beast’s natural resistance to magic, but whether it was a testament to the Mzz’goe’virr’s magical prowess or the positive affirmations the squad had so-enthusiastically participated in before the battle, his frosty blades pierce the predator with palpable power, which, in tandem with TERRII’s well-timed kick, send the felled foe falling into the pit from which it came!True to her name, BEATS rushes over to ‘BEATS’ upon the remaining drone, but the beast anticipates her clumsy attack and slips beneath it like a malevolent, clicking noodle! Adding a fresh wound to his collection, ANGKIS rushes to the Skog’s aid with a gallant gale that sends the Fuuxi tumbling! Dodge THAT, punk!Ever the strategist, BARBARAN turns his efforts towards more practical preparations–namely by conjuring a swarm of stinging SWOOS over one of the beast’s burrows! While the magical mites wouldn’t do much to fell a full-grown Fuuxi, they WOULD, surmised the Skog scholar–or ‘SKOGLAR’ as he had taken to calling himself–hinder traffic a bit. Amusing indeed, he remarks to no one in particular, that someone could be HARMED by SWOOS, especially considering how popular SWOOS LOUNGES are! Anyone remotely threatened by Swoos, specifically the non-aggressive variety–he continues, indulging in a resolute nod, is PATHETIC.No doubt hearing the commotion, the seemingly-empty burrow near XUON, HUXXER, and WALLY bursts with fresh debris as another DRONE scurries to join the skirmish! And join it does…ROLLING ATTACK ROLLS!
>>6424247The gale force doesn’t slow the Fuuxi one bit–blown into BEATS’ Skog-sized flank, the Fuuxi lashes out with a claw and rakes it across the girl’s sizable and sensitive tail! YOW!BEATS -1HPThe freshly-emerged Fuuxi isn’t as lucky–no doubt due to them not having their pre-Siege coffee yet! Lunging at XUON, the Mox’s defenses prove even larger than his eyes! Batting the blow aside with his maul, his wide-eyed stare bores into the beast with quiet fury… almost as if to say something along the lines of ‘That was shit. You’re shit. Get out of my sight, you freaky thing, you’.’XUON -0HP! MISSED! HAHAHAHA WHAT A MAROON>TURN 3 BEGINS NOW!Also I’m tired as shit since I didn’t go to bed til’ past 3 last night, so expect the next (and a far better-written, I might add) update TOMORROW!
Rolled 1 (1d2)>>6422678Is it too late to join in?>RACE: CHYTREE>WEAPONS: MAGICAL IMPLEMENT: A BRANCH WITH SOME LEAVES ON IT>NAME: CAZZ'TAR>SEX: ROLLING A 1D2 (1=MALE/2=FEMALE)SPELLS:>Force Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.>Stinging Swarm: Conjures a 3 square line swarm of irate Swoos that bite anyone that dares to cross for 2d4 damage. Lasts 2 turns. 3 Range>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.>BACKSTORY: NO CLUE I DON'T READ DARK QUEST I JUST LIKE SKIRMISHES
>>6424253>>6424253>Doesn't read Dark Quest>Joins anywayI like the cut of your jib, anon! You've got moxie! Reminds me of myself when I was your age! Sure, you can join--pick a spot to deploy on and make a move if ya' like! Ask me if you have any mechanics questions!
>>6424247"Heh heh heh..."The Gnok seems exceedingly proud of her aim! She's just about to make a dash for the end when she hears a Fuuxi make some more noise behind her. Overflowing with generosity, she decides to instead make a detour...>MOVE ONE RIGHT TWO UP>CAST Viisla’s Mark ON FUUXI DRONE TWOFrom a chain wrapped up around her horn, a sound full of dangling and clicks travels towards the drone, hitting with a "SCWHOOOOOOM", generating the sound of chimes ringing every few moments from its body."Huhhhhh~ Why didn't I attack it straight up? Well, I don't wanna hog all the glory...This is a team effort, riiiight? And I wanted to show off my COOL MAGIC! Don't it look and sound AWESOME? Huuhh, I wonder if it's unique enough... Aren't chimes overdone? What do you think?" Wait, is she talking to herself, or expecting a reply? Narrator guy, feel free to answer her, too!
>>6424247The diminutive cattethinge grimaces as she feels blood splattering onto her fur. Disgusting. Repulsive. The last time she felt this disgusted by something, it was after a conversation with a particularly pathetic man she used to associate with.To be quite frank, she might actually prefer the blood over this.>ACTION: PICK UP THE FUUXI CORPSE NEXT TO ME, AND TOSS IT AS MANY TILES UP AS MY TINY CATTETHINGE ARMS WILL ALOW. REASON: LURE OUT MORE BUGS WITH A DISTRACTION>MOVEMENT: 3 TILES RIGHT, 1 UP."I trust that the rest of you are sufficiently capable of killing the rest of them. It is not hard to kill them if you know what you are doing. Please do not disappoint me."
Rolled 4, 1 + 2 = 7 (2d6 + 2)>>6424250>MOVE: DOWN FOUR AND ONE TO THE LEFT (I-14) >SPELL: FLAMEBOLT AT FUUXI 4Reaching the edge of the corridor, Angkis slides in, widening his stance, then pivots and heads back down along the wall in the direction he came from, springing over a half-busted crate and somersaulting under a tattered banner, then twists again and comes to a stop. The amount of distance he's able to cover in so short a span is impressive for a mangled old merc like himself. He points a finger out at the Fuuxi between Wally and Hux. "WECKED BEEST, OFF'R AHP YER PIT'YUS PRAIRZ, WHOT CAHMS FER YOO NAOW EHZ TH'PERJIN' FYERS UHV RAYCHUS RAT'TRIBYOOSHUN!" [I am going to burn you to death.] Bristling with adrenaline, flecks of spit fly from his miniature muzzle, and as if the threat were an incantation, the Great Eye of Goomoh complies by glowing red-hot, it's shape altering to become a silver ring with the same diameter as its sphere-form. The air in the center of the glowing circle quickly begins to shimmer like asphalt in July, and a ball of blue-white flame is suddenly flying from within, hurtling right for the insectoid invader...!
Rolled 5 (1d10)>>6424283Assuming a 7 is able to cut the mustard, I am rolling for damage...
Rolled 7 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6424247"Feels clear that we are gonna get outnumbered if we linger, we need to hurry. Good move with blocking burrows but I think we need to pile up into a pointer shape.">>6424273"Chimes are IN right now, it's clunkers like staves that are OUT. But those have staying power because they're a classic. Being a big stick doesn't hurt either">Target Drone 4 with Ice Daggers, Move F12 to F9. Rolling Damage because autohit
>>6424247Move up two, and casting AID on BEATS. Do I need to roll for this since it's for an ally?
>>6424291Naurrrr u good buffs and healing spells work automatically!>>6424287OOH! Been a long time since I saw anyone share their image interpretation of a race! This is a radical Mzz'goe'virr idea here, anon!>>6424273Also I love this idea. I'll allow it. Keep thinking outside the box--chances are I'll usually allow it!
>>6422678I'm late to the party...>RACE: Mzz’goe’virr>WEAPON: Slinger>GEAR: Trusty Helmet>SPELL: Force Blast>CHARACTER>NAME: Renniah Salads (Or Renny for short)>SEX: FEMALE >APPEARANCE: Freckled face with a semi-consitently looking docile gaze. Has lavender colored bright eyes and tends to have an uneasy expression mouth-wise. Is wearing a Morion styled trusty helmet that is loosely strapped on.>BACKSTORY: Can't remember who she is and most of what's going around her. Only really knows her name. She somehow managed to find herself in the shopping district and knows she needed to get a job done and to help her other fellows... but the details and nuance of it are almost completely lost on her. She's hoping she finds her answers and figure out the mess she got herself in. QUESTION: Can forceblast push back slinger projectiles? Would that give more AC bonus or anytype of bonus at all? If not I'll change my spell to Firebolt in the hopes that since it can ignite shield it can maybe ignite my projectiles or some grease too
>>6424305Welcome to the shit! Love this character design! As for the question, well, let me just say this:In a turn you get ONE MOVE ACTION and ONE ACTION (ATTACK/SPELL/AID/INTERACT). I say if you wanna use FIREBOLT to like your slinger dart on fire to shoot next turn then I'll allow it--I'll let that shot have the same properties as the spell, how about that?
>>6424307Thanks! Sounds like it's gonna be a good option. Is that a yay or nay on the forcebolt interaction of projectile strenght boosting?
>>6424309*Force blastOops
>>6424309Tell you what: I'll allow you to do the same thing with forceblast, but it just knocks your target back. Sound good? Dunno if I wanna go FULL ULTRAKILL with punching projectiles and stuff, but I can respect casting spells on projectiles
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)>>6424247>ATTACK Fuuxi 2‘‘*$&#@!”
Rolled 5 + 1 (1d6 + 1)>>6424312>DMG ROLL“#$&$!@“
>>6424312woah easy on the bad language you're gonna get us in trouble beats
>>6424311I'll take that. Thankees for accepting the barter bonemaster>>6424247Gonna assume I'll take my turn after this so I'll deploy on 1 to have some ranged advantage next turn.
>>6424322No worries, big dog--I'll let you deploy and make your turn now just to make it easier. Ain't gonna update til tomorrow most likely, so
>>6424314>MOVE 2 UP
>>6424254>DEPLOY AT 2>MOVE 3 FWD
>>6424247>DEPLOY to : 10Renniah seemingly emerges from the dark as she peers coyly over the corner. "Gwah... think I'm late... I got lost." >MOVEMENT: Move up 1 tile [14:J]Renny frenetically looks around for any threat but notices she's in mostly good company and settles down as she nudges cautiously forward and tags along keeping her slinger abreast."...we really swhould get outta here..."
>>6424317
Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)>>6424247After laughing at the pathetic attempts of the Fuuxie to hit him from behind Xoun decides to show them how it's done. He swings his maul in a wide arc while shouting>My turn!
Rolled 5 (1d6)>>6424493And just in case rolling for damage as well
>>64244934 is already dead. Angkis and I blasted it
>>6424247Wish I had more free time to do stuff...but as it stands>MOVE 2 UP
>6424273>6424277>6424283>6424287>6424291>6424312>6424329>6424345>6424374>6424493>6424632LOCKED IN! WRITING THAT SHIT(Didn't reply because they think my post is spam because of course)Also can I just say that I>>6424382am>>6424345LOVING>>6424305all of this>>6424287ART
Funny thing about fighting–causes quite a stir once it really gets going. Good thing, too, because it tends to give the common folk a good idea of where not to go. ‘A battle avoided is a battle won’, to quote an old Durher proverb. Can’t quite recall who said it, but… ah Hells, I’m ramblin’ again.Anywho, most folk don’t charge towards the sound of battle–most sane folk, at least. Keeps ‘em alive a little longer. From the layer of smoke and dust surrounding the shopping district, however, came two new fools into the fold–a Mzz’goe’virr and a Chytree, if you can believe it. Sounds like the setup fer’ a joke!“YOU!” Snarls Captain Ilga, eyes wide and teeth flared as she rushes over to redirect the duo, “This area’s dangerous! Go ar-”“Err, w-we’re here to… help?” Mutters the Mzz’goe’virr, each of her eyes looking more lost than the last! “We think?”The Chytree merely cooks up a spell in his claws. A traditional Chytree greeting that roughly translates to: ‘Point me towards the foe.’ Flummoxed by the influx of recruits, Ilga merely shakes away the confusion from her head! “Right! You’re with us now. We’re headed for the BELLTOWER. Move!”The original squad is already well at work by the time their new recruits join in–in a heartwarming and frankly bizarre display of Durher and Skog cooperation, ANGKIS and BEATS tend to the Fuuxi flock with help from HUXXER and TERRII! As the team advances towards their goal, however, the shopping arcade is rocked by a fresh set of shakes!The street itself shifts beneath ISSVAL SQUAD’S collective feet–enough for some of the team’s veterans to realize what’s happening!“They’re going to drop the whole street!” Snarls Ilga as she leads the charge towards their destination! “We’ve got to move or we’re SUNK!”Seeking to bait out any other ambushes, LEEDLE puts her aristocratic brain and her tiny body to use and somehow manages to FLING a fresh Fuuxi corpse further into the gloom! Don’t ask how she managed it–by all accounts the physics don’t add up, but this is a story where some grilljockey didn’t get brutally murdered in the first five posts written by someone who doesn’t understand basic wargame mechanics. Best not to think on it too hard.The gamble pays off… to a degree. While LEEDLE’s foresight saves the squad from another ambush, it DOES also kick the proverbial Zitzer’s nest: A pair of acrid-scented Fuuxi emerge from a burrow buried beneath rubble followed by something FAR bigger than an average drone!>CONTD.
>>6424681https://youtu.be/VA0e1gXDIs4Hot, foul-smelling breath. Heavy chitin crunching through loose cobblestone and debris like a hammer through pottery. The veterans knew exactly what was coming–a mountain of menace: a FUUXI DEFENDER!A despondent sigh leaves Barbaran’s tusked mouth. “Is that all? How disappointingly jejune...”The jury’s still out on whether or not Fuuxi can communicate with Zoral’s more sentient races, but something must’ve heard the Skog–emerging from beneath the cobblestone street with a belligerent bellow comes ANOTHER DEFENDER--this one from the center of the street!No doubt about it–the noose is tightening around the district. The Fuuxi have many advantages–chief among them numbers... and the tide would only rise and the terrain would only sink if our stalwart heroes tarried!ROLLING ATTACKS!
Rolled 4, 5, 4, 3, 5, 6, 3, 2 = 32 (8d6)>>6424683>Roll 1&2: Fuuxi Defender 1 [ATTACKING TERRII] (Does 2 Damage if hits!)>Roll 3&4: Fuuxi Defender 2 [ATTACKING HUXXER] Does 2 Damage if hits!)>Roll 5&6: Fuuxi Bilerender 1 [ATTACKING LEEDLE]>Roll 7&8: Fuuxi Bilerender 2 [ATTACKING HUXXER]>>6424345Oh by the way lemme know what gear you picked so I can give you a bonus or whatever
>>6424685The first Defender charges at the team's sole Gnok (not counting the Captain) like she owed it money! Though TERRII moves to dodge, her boot catches on a poorly-placed piece of putrid produce... and that's enough hesitation for the Fuuxi to deliver a bone-crushing swipe to her ribs!HIT! TERRII -2HPNot to be outdone, the OTHER Defender charges upon one of the squad's most eminent spellcasters! Engaged with finishing off the drone, the Mzz'goe'virr moves to divert the beast's charge with a barrier, but the action comes too late! A claw--no, a tail--swipes at the sorcerer and delivers a blow that rivals what TERRII suffered just a few feet away!At least they'd have something in common to chat about, should they survive.HIT! HUXXER -2HPLong after this mission, Huxxer would later find the reason the Fuuxi were so incensed with him: yes, they didn't quite like his propensity for striking them down like some six-eyed weed-whacker, but he ALSO happened to have some MUUSP JERKY in his pocket! Fuuxi LOVE that stuff!Anywho, it's no surprise, then, that one of the gurgling Fuuxi ahead spit a wad of hissing, steaming venom his way! If the poisonous projectile was aimed at any other race it would've missed, but with Huxxer's SIX eyes? It was like hitting a dart board the size of a Skog Matron! YOW!HIT! HUXXER -1HP!Their counterpart wastes no time either--LEEDLE's a small target--there's no denying it--but she was not small enough to duck beneath another splash of venom from the second bilerender! Blood on her fur was bad enough, but VENOM? That's not gonna wash out any time soon...HIT! LEEDLE -1HP!>TURN 4 BEGINS!
Whoops I'm a retard DEFENDERS have 3 MOV anyways have fun
Ok gang, Angkis here - I am tied up for a bit but I think we should start to really push instead of letting ourselves be held up on the front end. I am gonna use my 5 MOV to jump straight up to where Terrii is when I move, then I'd like to use Blink to give one of you less mobile/tougher guys a boost up ahead and slightly to the middle; in chess terms it'd be better for us to have some control over the middle and side of the board than get bunched up on the edge. So, HUX, BARB, LEEDLE, BEATS? Do any of you guys want me to rocket you up with a teleport? If you get hurt I can use my mobility to catch up to you and spend my action on an assist to heal it on my next turn.
Rolled 2, 4 = 6 (2d4)>>6424681"ssshhaaaallll weeeee geetttt movvvinnggggggg?">MOVE 3 SQUARES FORWARD>CAST STINGING SWARM IN THE FORWARD DIAGONAL DIRECTION ONTO THE BURROW>>6424685>GEAR: MAGICK CHARM
Rolled 3, 6 + 2 = 11 (2d6 + 2)>>6424710(Already pretty mobile so I'm good.)>>6424681What a disgusting creature. All Leedle wants to do, all that she cares to do, is to carve the creature right next to her into tiny little shreds. But, no, she has a better idea. Or at least a slightly better position she can get into.>MOVE 1 RIGHT, 2 UP, 1 RIGHT>SLICE FUUXI'S DEFENDER'S HEAD CLEAN OFF. (rolling to hit...)"It is socially acceptable for you to die a slow, painful death."
Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)>>6424759And rolling for damage."Perish. For your own sake, please do not make any noise that would agitate my headache."(To clarify to my other skirm chuds, I'm attacking Fuuxi Defender 1, the one right above Terrii.)
> move up 2> use aid on HuxxerI only speed-read the previous rounds, I hope he counts as in-range.
>>6424681>AID Huxxer>MOVE 2 up“Mush! Mush! Mush!”>>6424710I’m good, I need to be in range to cast AID on my FELLOWS.
>>6424772I’ll switch target>AID TERII
>>6424681Getting hit by the big Fuuxi, TERRII goes flying, catching herself with a roll on the floor! "Grgrgrrrrr... You're going to ruin my coat! I'll show you what I'm made of!"Feeling Beats' healing magicks rejuvenate her, she changes direction all of a sudden to try and outspeed the creature!Except... The Durher already decapitated it, jumping in from the shadows!"Buh.... Mah revenge..."Dejected, TERRII jumps onto the deceased Fuuxi with both feet, and uses it as a jumping pad to reposition herself.>MOVE UP TWO>CAST VIISLA'S MARK ON FUUXI BILERENDER 1"I'm still in the lead~ Follow in my footsteps, okie~?"
>>6424690(Alright in that case..!)>MOVE: FIVE SPACES UP >MAGIC: BLINK ON SELF TO GET TO H7 No sooner than he flame-blasts the frontline Fuuxi, Angkis is whirling about to move back towards the other end of the corridor. He vaults a dead bug and power slides between the trunk-like legs of Barbaran and to his other side as the DEFENDER's emerge from the scuttling darkness below... He exchanges a glance with Terrii, offering her an understanding nod once they're even, and then the Great Eye of Goomoh morphs once again into a large ring - this time thinner, and wider, directly above him. It drops, and as it passes over the Durher's slight figure, he vanishes, as does the ring itself when it hits the floor. Up and to the left, in less than an instant, the ring rises from the ruined, rubble-strewn floor, and Angkis along with it until it's above his head once more. Then, it reforms into a sphere and circles around him quickly, almost defensively. The merc shifts his single-eyed gaze from the Defender to the bilerender...
Also very important detail, folks: gather around. Huddle up. Take a knee.DIAGONAL MOVEMENT COUNTS AS 1 MOVEMENT. USE THIS AS YOU WILL.
Rolled 4, 6 + 4 = 14 (2d6 + 4)>>6424690>Flamebolt Targetting Defender 2, then move to J10. (Something titled Defender probably has a shield.)After receiving the harm and subsequent aid, Huxxer Materializes a gout of flame towards the Defender as he makes distance ending up between Barbaran and Terri
Rolled 10 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6424962Damage Roll>>6424305Renny is scrunkly, love the lavender color
Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d6)>>6424963Thanks Huxxer-anon! I liked your interpretation of the Mzz'goe, maybe bonez will give us a definite answer someday >>6424681Renny notices all the commotion and tries psyching herself up to push forward.>MOVEMENT: MOVE UP 1 TILE, 2 DIAGONALLY UPPER LEFT AND 1 UP [11:H]Catching her breath she realizes that she was too late to cull the immediate threat to the team. Renny nervously holds her grippers close to her mouth as she starts thinking of what she could do to bide her time.>SPELL: USE FORCE BLAST>ROLLING: FOR FUN"I-I really hope this shworks..." Renny murmurs as she cocks back her mitt and pulls power from within, conjuring a concentrated blast towards one of her ready-to-go darts. Somehow it seems like the concentrated gravitational power is latent inside the singular dart it was carefully net into. This could prove useful. [Or maybe not! May have misunderstood if this was a thing. If not, it's fine and she just randomly pushes a dart nowhere] [Made a little contextualizer for recap purposes. Need to organize it a little better and add enemy values but it's whats happened so far in my turn at least.]
>>6425015HOLY RIGATONI, ANON! These look incredible! Love what you did with it especially when we've only had such a short time to get to know everyone! Excellent work on the expressions!>definite answerCan't confirm or deny, but I've dropped a few hints at certain features over the last few threads. Always love seeing people's interpretations, though--it's part of the reason I went with the whole Darkness thing in the first place! What? No, I wasn't too lazy to draw...Really though, if y'all are jumping into the thread for the first time in the skirmish, I definitely recommend reading through the other threads! There's quite a lot of ground to cover now, but you'll have a better idea of what's going on and maybe--and this is a BIG maybe--you might actually enjoy it!>>6424771Seems fine to me, yep! Welcome back!>>6424748Thanks, I'll add that bonus to your character blurb on the Turn Play-By-Play. Remind me if I roll an attack on your character and don't remember that bonus!
>>6424681I hate to be missing on all the RP fun...but I just haven't been able to catch up...I hate it, but I'll try to get up to speed as soon as I can.As far as I'm aware though, I should be able to move close enough to cast stinging swarm on those bilerenders.
>>6425020"Yesssssssss...">>6425015"Thisssssss is a marvelousssssss picture of meeeeee. Many thanksssssss, Rennyyyyyyyyy."
>>6425023No sweat, anon! We've got plenty of time and at least a few more missions left in this interlude! You do you--we'll be here when you're ready!
>>6425015Berry cool!Can aid be used to revive?
>>6425035Sure, why not? Makes sense to me. Just means I'm going to have to make stuff even TOUGHER to compensate... HEH HEH HEH.
>>6425037>TOUGHERUnrelated question, but is it possible to throw my smaller inclined FELLOWS at the enemy?
>>6425042Well Anton can do it with TT, so surely BEATS could manage! I'll have to think of any damage that might occur depending on who's being thrown, but for now let's say that yes, it's possible.>SKOGS CAN THROW EVERYONE BUT OTHER SKOGS UP TO 2 SPACES AND DURHERS UP TO 3>MEDIUM-SIZED FOLKS CAN THROW DURHERS 2 SPACES
>>6425043"Look, Ma, I got my own blink move!"One step closer to Dynasty Warriors.I like to imagine that the +1 dmg skogs have is due to them just poking eyes with their tusks.
>>6425043"Hhhooooowwwww bigggg amm I? Cannnnnn I throw my brethhhhhhhrennnnnnn?"
>>6425060You are medium-sized, my dude. Skogs are the big kids in town. There's Molegg too, but I didn't make 'em playable. Sorry!
Rolled 3 (1d6)>>6424681Move diagonal to 12 and then to 11 to help Leedle Beats and Huxxer"I'm coming."Once there if there are Defenders left he will swing his maul at the nearest one
Rolled 6, 1 = 7 (2d6)>>6425112Forgot one of my attack dice, so let's roll those now
>>6425112>nearest oneFuxxi Defender 2 got turned into a burning mush by Huxxer, >>6424963.Honestly, with our 2 MOV and unmodified 2d6 and 1d6 to attack, our magic FELLOWS plus LEEDLE are outpacing and killing the foes by the time we reach them. Saving grace is we tanky.
Someone's gonna walk into a burrow eventually
Actions counted! Writing it out later today!>>6425180Yea watch your frickin' step around those, bois
Rolled 4, 4, 3, 4 = 15 (4d4)Rolling Stinging Swarm on the Bilerenders...
>>6425276One away from full quads...
A violent tremor rocks the boulevard as the squad shows the Fuuxi some of that good ole’ Crossroads Hospitality!Magic springs from CAZZ’TAR’s… well, whatever Chytree have–the incantation buzzing and popping as it soars across the street! Landing in a patch of webbing with a muffled ‘thup’, the air above it begins to stir with fresh magical energy that spreads across the area like dirt through water!Not to be outdone, BARBARAN adjusts his massive spectacles before casting the same brand of spell–but instead of coating a Fuuxi burrow, he instead spreads the mass of magic across where the BILERENDERS are! Even with its natural resistance to the arcane, one of the Fuuxi howls in agony as the Swoos envelop it, its counterpart barely able to skitter away in time!Before the survivor can get far, however, TERRII enacts some well-deserved revenge in the form of VIISLA’S MARK–aptly named for a spell crafted by the Goddess of the Hunt’s fervent followers! Weakened, but not beaten, the bilerender scurries away, but not before spitting a caustic gob of goop at BARBARAN! Violence begets violence…While WALLY and BEATS rush to aid their allies, LEEDLE faces down a DEFENDER! There’s lots you could say about Durhers–as one myself I’d say they’re all true, mostly–but if there’s one fact you can count on, it’s this:Be it a Fuuxi or a Skog, a Durher never, NEVER backs down from a big, mean, sonnovabitch. And that’s the honest truth!LEEDLE, of course, is no different! Letting the beast come to her, she stands like a tiny statue–tired eyes locked in silent focus with her claws clasped around her blade! Just as the Fuuxi lunges, the blade whistles through the air… and meets its mark with a grim SCHLUNK!Something big–much bigger than a Durher, at least–lands a few strides away… and the beast falls as swiftly as it emerged.As RENNY mutters an incantation beneath her breath, ANGKIS scampers across the street like a Totta from a Tiijhek as HUXXER hurls a FIREBOLT at the remaining DEFENDER! As the flames dissipate, however, the beast continues to charge–magic is powerful, it’s true, but it can only get you so far… until it can’t!MAGICAL ATTACKS HALVED AGAINST FUUXI! WATCH OUT!As the squad continues to keep the local Fuuxi population in check, the district around them shakes and warps like a leaf on a rushing river! But while previous tremors passed, these ones only seem to grow… so much so that the STREET ITSELF SPLITS INTO MASSIVE FISSURES!Low, defeated groans emerge from the road as what little remains starts to crumble… and just as a pair of familiar eyes appears on the far end of the district, so too does the sound of cracking masonry!“HELLS!” Shouts CAPTAIN ILGA long before the dust settles, “We’re blocked in! Help me clear a path! Quickly!”>CONTD.
Rolled 3, 4, 3, 4, 1, 1 = 16 (6d6)>>6425355No better time than the present–as the street splinters, an unholy chorus of incensed howls and clicks fills the smoky air! The Fuuxi had smelt blood… and they would soon be there in full force to collect! Speak of the devil and he shall appear: as the remaining DEFENDER moves to strike CHY-LEE, another bursts free of the earth and rushes WALLY!ROLLING ATTACKS!
>>6425357The DEFENDER SLAMS into WALLY with full, primal force and killing intent, sending the Mox for a loop!HIT! WALLY -2HP!The other DEFENDER serves up some PAIN for CHY-LEE–hold the mercy! Carving into the Mzz’goe’tree or whatever he is like a freshly-served pastry, the DEFENDER lets loose a bloodthirsty bellow that echoes across the district!HIT! CHY-LEE -2HP!Still squirming and shrieking beneath the Swoos assault, the remaining BILERENDER spits its putrid payload at BARBARAN… but the Skog is already several steps away from the impact zone! Elementary indeed!MISS! BARBARAN PREDICTED THIS WOULD HAPPEN! HAHAHA!>TURN 5 BEGINS! FISSURES ARE SPREADING! -1 MOV FOR REST OF MISSION!
>>6425361>HURL BILERENDER 2 into E10 burow.>MOVE UP 1These tremors -1 MOV are going to kill me.
>>6425369>BILERENDER 2I meant DEFENDER 2
>>6425361"Gonna need a blinker or Wally will fall behind.">Blink to G7, Move to D4
>>6425361>CAST HASTE ON BARBARAN. +1 MOV and +1 ACC to them this turn."Get moving, you waste of air. Chop. Chop. Stop falling behind.">MOVE 3 UP."Tsk. Sooner we are out of this dump, the better."
Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d4)>>6425361>MOVE 2 FWD>CAST ANOTHER STINGING SWARM ON THE BURROW"tthiiiisssssss issssssss diabolical..."
>>6425361>MAGIC: BLINK THREE FORWARD (H4) >MOVE: ONE FORWARD, LEFT DIAGONAL TWO (F1) Angkis' slightly frayed - yet still adorable - ears perk and swivel at the command from Captain Ilga echoing past the beasts. "Ahma cuhmin' uh'long, lasseh!" [Be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail, Captain!] Once more, the Great Eye of Goomoh transforms into a mercury hoop that disappears the durable Durher, then summons him a ways ahead, on the edge of a Fuuxi burrow and safely on the other side of the Stinging Swarm cast by his capable comrade. With a grunt, and a twitching of his whiskers, he bounds off with a renewed vigor until he's just next to Ilga. He starts shoveling with his single calloused paw. The silver sphere that hovers just behind him lilts back and forth, almost like a lookout protecting his flank.
Rolled 2, 6 + 3 = 11 (2d6 + 3)>>6425361Flamebolt targeting Fuxxi defender 4. Move to F12.
ROLLING FOR DAMAGE
>>6425376"We gotta get a move on! I-I can push them off should they get closer but I kwan't help out!" >>6425361>MOVEMENT: MOVE UP 2 AND DIAGONALLY UP RIGHT 1 [7:I]"Swhet shiet shiet!" Renny trusts her senses to weave in the battlefield without losing her step from the terrain tremors.>SPELL: FORCE BLAST on Slinger Dart"I sweriously hope whatever I'm doing this for is worth the risk..." Renny breathly says as she enchants yet another dart for her worries.
Rolled 7 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6425415FUCK
Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d6)>>6425355Move to 11 and attack any of the defenders remaining on 10Let's see if this time I don't end up trying to handle something that has already been dealt with
Rolled 1 (1d6)>>6425500Plus the damage roll
Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)>>6425361>MOVE UP LEFT, MOVE UP"Argh!! This is SO pissing me off! Am I really going to take FOREVER to leave the market?">KICK MARKET DEBRIS INTO BURROW, HOPEFULLY STALLING WHATEVER WOULD COME OUT OF IT FOR A TURN (rollan just in case)"Sighhh... I barely even get to KICK their ass, too... I knew I should have picked something to make me more mobile..."
>>6425361> MOVE UP 2> Aid Chy-lee>>6425414>> 'ello :D
I got some free time today...I'll try to catch up to everything, and then post my move! I might change stuff, but if I end up holding the turn back just assume I move forward as much as possible, using blink as well
>>6425762No problemo big dog we got time
But not THAT much time! WRITING
Rolled 6, 1, 4, 3, 5, 1, 5, 2 = 27 (8d6)The sky is falling.Okay, not really–though your face does collect a few frigid kisses from the snowflakes slowly beginning to fall–but the way the shopping district shakes upon its very foundations makes it certainly feels that way! Showered by rubble from the buildings surrounding the street, you rush to act as you feel the ground tremble beneath you with every footstep!While LEEDLE, ANGKIS, BARBARAN, and HUXXER rush to assist in clearing a path, the rest of their squadmates focus on the FUUXI problem!BEATS proves to be more than just muscle (I knew that already, of course, but I bet YOU didn’t! Racists!) when she TACKLES a DEFENDER and flips them like a homicidal omelette back into the pit from whence it came! Bracing herself for a counterattack, the Skog’s tail flops to the floor in puzzlement when they fail to resurface! Dead? Knocked out? Embarrassed? Whatever the reason, the burrow doesn’t belch out any more Fuuxi… for the time being, at least!Not one to be left out of the fun, TERRII follows suit and scampers over to another hole a bit too close to her allies for comfort! Kicking some ex-FRUIT CART into the Fuuxi hole, the Gnok smiles to herself as she hears the cart components clog up the cavern! Temporary, she thinks, but better than nothing!Where might fails, MAGIC prevails–that’s what CAZZ’TAR keeps telling himself, anyways. And while some enterprising Fuuxi would LOVE to show him some might of their own, the cheeky Chytree takes the opportunity to close off their tunnel once more with a fresh burst of SWOOS! Take the long way around, punks!XUON and CHY-LEE, however, are out for BLOOD, not blockages! And blood they spill–the Mox delivering a mighty blow that sends a Fuuxi Defender reeling, the Chy’goe’virr dishing out flames to the Defender’s duplicate!As the tremors intensify, however, so too do the Fuuxi’s efforts! As a fresh BILERENDER emerges and spits at WALLY, the remaining monsters double their efforts in gathering up an early evening meal!>ROLLING ATTACKS!
>>6425856With blatant disregard to their namesake, a rebellious Fuuxi Defender goes on… the OFFENSIVE! Unfortunately for Xuon, the offensive takes place on the Mox’s befuddled face. Sorry, bud.HIT XUON -2HPCHY-LEE gets similar treatment! Is this a sign that Fuuxi are changing!? Some kind of strange evolutionary process, perhaps? Or am I just being too literal-minded? Man, what’s in this drink?HIT CHY-LEE -2HPANGKIS is speedy for a crusty ole’ Durher, but not speedy enough to outrun a BILERENDER’s barf! As the caustic material seeps into his fuzz, the messy merc quietly sighs in relief after opting to NOT hit the bathhouse before going to the Recruitment Drive! Imagine the bells wasted!HIT ANGKIS -1HPWALLY only wanted to heal his new friends… but those cruel, CRUEL Fuuxi wouldn’t even let him do that, the scoundrels! Popping out of the ground like an evil crop, the NEW BILERENDER proves to be plenty accurate as well and fires a gob into WALLY’S eye! A cruel reminder of the importance of proper safety equipment! WALLY didn’t use his safety goggles, dear listeners, and now?… Well, now it’s still damned dark, so it probably doesn’t really matter. Someone really oughta’ fix that…HIT WALLY -1HP>TURN 6 BEGINS! YOU MAY [INTERACT] IN THE GREEN SPACES TO HELP UNBLOCK THE WAY! THE MAJORITY OF THE TEAM NEEDS TO END THEIR TURN THERE TO ESCAPE!
Bones, can you remind me what I need to roll to Blink an unwilling target? I wanna (try to) send the Fuuxi that just hurled on me to the Stinging Swarm three squares away.
>>64258622d6 just like the other stuff! Naturally if you get a bonus to casting rolls then you get one for that too!
>>6425866Ok based B^)
Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d4)>>6425859"I will notttt beeeee sssssslowed down...">MOVE ONE SQUARE DIAGONALLY-RIGHT AND ONE SQUARE FORWARD>CAST STINGING SWARM AT FUUXI BILERENDER>>6425424"thisssssss rocksssssss"
Rolled 1, 3 + 2 = 6 (2d6 + 2)The mangey merc's matted fur fizzles, sizzles, and smokes, causing his spine to twist in agony. His shoulders lock up, and he whirls around to confront the Bilerender. The Great Eye of Goomoh vibrates with something in the neighborhood of irritation, or maybe a shiver of sympathetic pain, it's hard to tell in the Dark.
>>6425873(Linking)>>6425859Abruptly, the ominous orb shrinks in on itself, becoming nothing more than a metallic pearl in seconds, and in less time than that, a grain of twinkling sand, and then gone altogether. It reappears above the fiendish Fuuxi that dared hurl putrid chunks on Lancer Angkis! Now expanding rapidly to a very large, thin ring as before, it swallows the creature to nothing, vanishes, and instantaneously deposits the dope right into a STINGING SWARM some few yards further away. If you'd blinked? You coulda missed it...
>>6425859>MOVE TO F7>CAST HASTE ON XUON (+1 MOV, +1 ACC this turn.)The catte thinge hisses at how painfully slow some of her 'associates' are. "Hurry up. This place is a DEATH TRAP. I will not die a dog's death down here. I rather die a cat's death, thank you very kindly."
>>6425859Can I blink some of the rubble out of the way?
>>6425909You know what? SURE!
>>6425859>Move to C1, Blink Rubble from F1 to D4"Cazz, I can get you into the zone soon. Keep up that disruption."
Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d6)>>6425914"Y-yeah I dwon't think we'd be getting such an easier time upfront without your help. Keep it up Carl- uh, Cam- Cass!" >>6425859Renny nervously looks at her teammates in the backline. "Oh gwods how..." her expression changes to one of determination as she thinks in the spur of the moment of something she could do. She briskly grabs her slinger and empowered slinger dart and tries her hardest to calculate if she's going to hit the ground where she wants to. >ATTACK: Shoot force blast slinger dart at the ground at 11:I ! "M-maybe it'll serve as a distraction if awnything..."Immediately after shooting, not even having hte pleasantry to look back at the result, Renny scurries off steadfast towards the upper part of the district. >MOVEMENT: Move UP 2 and diagonally right 1 [H:4]
>>6425921*diagonally left oops. Of course I'd rather be closer to the group...
>>6425914"yessssssss... conssssider it done.">>6425921"A bug begetsssssss more bugsssss..."
>>6425859>Aid Wally>Move 1 up
Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d6)>>6425859>>6425878"Thanks, I needed the boost."He then used force blast to push the defender away before diagonally moving to 9
Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d4)>>6425873>>6425876Oh I guess I should roll for Stinging Swarm! Since I put that guy there.
Rolled 1 (1d4)>>6425989>>6425989 (You)>rolling for force blast damage
At last, I've catched up!Barbaran looks at the battlefield behind him, the ground opening up as his so-called squadmen attempt to rush their way. A pitiful, sorry sight, half-wounded and half-late while he remains completely unharmed. A perfect opportunity to show off his blinking skills!>Barbaran will proceed to begin BLINKing any ally within his range to the finish zone."Trry not too squirm too hard when you're within my magical grip!"
ACTIONS COUNTED! Writing it out--EVERYBODY HANG ONTA SOMETHIIIIINGGGGG!!!>>6426188Oh hell yes I imagine this could come in useful>>6425937And this art too! DETERMINATION!
Rolled 6, 6, 4, 3, 3, 3, 1, 4 = 30 (8d6)The crevasses in the street only seem to yawn wider as ISSVAL SQUAD slowly, but surely makes their way towards the end of the avenue–their Captain already conjuring up a storm by the time they arrive!… Wait, no, she’s just cursing.“C’moooon!” She grunts as she flings debris and rubble around like a steamshovel gone mad, “If the Fuuxi sink this street, we’re SUNK!”No one dares call her out on her word choices. Captain Ilga hadn’t punched anybody yet, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of it… While HUXXER helps clear the way with the ole’ ‘Razzle-Dazzle’, ANGKIS assists in his own way–sending a VERY confused Fuuxi back into a swarm of Swoos after being put there by CAZZ’TAR! An unorthodox attack, some might say, but it works!Not to be outdone, RENNY fires a FORCE BOLT-charged dart into the ground near a nearby fissure! It’s hard to say if the gamble works or not, but there’d be plenty of time for feedback when they weren’t all in danger of tumbling into a stirred Fuuxi den!While BARBARAN flings TERRII towards the exit and BEATS heals WALLY’s wounds, the southern side of the street erupts with fresh activity! Though XUON manages to send a DEFENDER tumbling to its doom, several more Fuuxi emerge to ensure not every squaddie makes it out without a few cool scars that’ll totally impress some chicks in a tavern later on!>ROLLING ATTACKS!
>>6426249Whether the DEFENDER XUON blew away was a friend, lover, or something else we’ll never know, but one thing’s for certain–the other nearby DEFENDER is NOT happy about it! Rushing the Mox, the DEFENDER plunges its meaty claws into the magic-slinging Mox and sends the poor guy reeling from the sheer ferocity!XUON HIT! -2HP! [[WARNING! 1HP LEFT!!!]]WALLY isn’t safe either–even after riding that sweet, sweet healing high the poor Mox can’t catch a break! Sending a menacing bellow into the snowflake-laden air, the Fuuxi strikes THIS Mox too! Are these Fuuxi racist or WHAT!?WALLY HIT! -2HP!A lot of people enjoyed CAZZ’TAR’s little Swoos trick… but a BILERENDER didn’t find it very funny! Spitting a poisonous glob with frightening accuracy, the Fuuxi earns a round of clicks of its own as the spit lands on the Chytree’s face!CAZZ’TAR HIT! -1HP!It’s hard to say what CHY-LEE is up to–there aren’t exactly any clouds to stare at. Maybe he left the oven on at home? Whatever the reason, he stands like a many-eyed statue as the other remaining BILERENDER gives him a spitshine free of charge! YOOOOWWW!!!CHY-LEE HIT! -1HP! [[WARNING! 1HP LEFT!!!]]>TURN 7 BEGINS!HAVE A MAJORITY OF THE TEAM IN THE GREEN BY THE END OF THIS TURN TO ESCAPE!!!
>>6426255"I did all that was socially expected of me. Adieu, adieu. I will not miss the rest of you.">CAST HASTE ON XUON AGAIN. He has another +1 MOV and +1 ACC this turn.>MOVE TO B3 after, using the power of DIAGONAL MOVEMENT.
Since it MIIIIGHT be the last turn, here's an updated EXTRACTION ZONE map. Two rows of green spaces rather than one--good luck!
>>6426255>aid XUON >UP 1“BARBARAN, HELP A FELLOW SKOG OUT BY BLINKING ME OUT!”
>>6426307I don't think you're in range of blink
>>6426312Blink has a casting range of 3 squares so it's def possible
>>6426312Just move down one
>>6426314How does it work exactly? Is it 3 blocks and then the one after that, or up to 3?
>>6426319You can cast it on anything 3 squares away from you and send them anywhere 3 squares away from you. So it can go like this:>1) Move a space>2) Cast BLINK on someone up to 3 spaces away from you>3) Move them up to 3 spaces from where they are.>4) They can move after they've been blinked.
>>6426322I assume you wouldn't be able to move, cast blink, then move again
>>6426325Nope, but again not everyone has to be at the 'finish line' for this mish to end so don't stress out too hard about it!
>>6426328What happens to those left behind?
>>6426255"I wouldn't quite know about being a 'Fellow'...but I sooppose my magic is vvery generous.">Move 1 DOWN >Cast BLINK to bring Beats to the evacuation zone
>>6426331If you really wanna know...https://youtu.be/uJV-pfsx_UM
>>6426377Alright really thoughI'm not gonna kill you goofballs because you were far away. I said the majority need to be in the exit to complete the mission, not survive! This might be the last turn of this mission anyways so do what ya' can. I'm not THAT heartless! That said, keep an eye on the mission objectives in the coming missions--that'll save you some stress going forward.
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)>>6426288>MOVEMENT: Move UP 3 [H:1]"I dwon't think I can take it out at a good pace so I'm gonna try to force it all out..." >SPELL: Use FORCEBLAST in front
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)>>6426188>>6426255"I wonder if Fuuxi have their own fashion... Do they have anything they consider as clothing? Or maybe they alter their shells or something... Maybe I can do something to take revenge on them for trying to hurt me using that."TERRII was caught completely SPACING OUT for the past turn! Thankfully, the kind BARBARAN took her right to the finish line!Blinking confusedly, she then realizes they've reached the end of the district."Huuuuh.... I wanted to help myself to some more stuff, though... I barely even got to try on anything..."Well, there's not much she can do, so she'll just spend her turn seeing if there's anything worthy of scavenging around here...>INSPECT
(doing the math, I don't think at this point I will be able to help anyone else cross the finish line, so I am gonna stay put and shovel rubble!)
>>6426255While wondering if he should try to get revenge on the defender Xuon is hit by another haste and healed. Making up his mind he moved to 9>"Thanks, you two!"
>>6426288>Move to C2, Blink Cazz into D1 or D2.
>>6426288Aight Skirm Scum, we're writing. This'll be a wrap-up so, y'know, brace for impact or something
Bile comes down like rain as ISSVAL SQUAD scurries towards the end of the street like tottas rushing from a sinking ship–the now-persistent tremors only making the treacherous trek more dangerous! As the street shakes and sinks with every step, the Irregulars frantically claw and cast at the barrier blocking their escape! After a few false alarms and one brief, but tense shouting match between ANGKIS and the others born from the diminutive Durher claiming the hole was ‘More than big enough to squeeze through’, the way is finally CLEARED!Splendid timing, too–Fuuxi are many things, but polite isn’t one of them! Though the debris shields the squad for a time from the bilerender’s acrid artillery, the ever-growing number of Defenders suffer no such scruples… and by the time the team plows a sizeable enough passage, the street behind them has not only been replenished, but CROWDED with freshly-furious Fuuxi!That or there’s just a few that are really good at mimicking large crowds of Fuuxi–you don’t really feel like sticking around to verify! Some squaddies waste no time in vacating the street–others stay behind to ensure their comrades don’t become ‘NOM’rades!No? Nothing? Alright then… Battered, but not beaten, the brave troops of ISSVAL SQUAD emerge from the shopping slaughterhouse and into a wider, less-crowded road! Good thing, too–because while this route is also brimming with Fuuxi, the sheer size allows the team to slip by relatively-unscathed!The air is thick with the sound of crumbling structures just like the one they vacated, but they don’t have time to reflect–though the road is grim and full of terrors, the sound of distant voices rejuvenates the squad’s collective spirit!“Nearly there!” Barks Captain Ilga! “Don’t even think of taking a breather!”A smattering of shouts ahead tell you everything you need to know–that and the distant clank of approaching armor! “Got some more over here!” Barks a Bellcounter as he and a few of his armor-clad comrades rush to greet your group, “And not civilians, from the sound of it…”“We aren’t.” Captain Ilga replies in her perpetually-curt tone, “I’m Captain Ilga. This is Issval Quad. Irregulars.”The lead Bellcounter trembles at the name. “M-Ma’am! Apologies, I wasn’t aware that-”“Skip the formalities. We just came from combat–which way to the Belltower?”“W-we’d be happy to escort you and your squad ourselves, ma’am!” Suggests one of the others. “Erm… if they’re all cleared, that is…”It takes Ilga a moment to realize who the Bellcounter’s referring to–the Skogs in the squad even sooner. “They’re with US.” She snarls as she strides into the Bellcounter’s personal bubble, “Now shut up and get us somewhere safe before I have you all written up for insubordination!”>CONTD.
>>6426744No one dares question her as you’re led towards the BELLTOWER: Crossroad’s seat of government. Or what’s left of it. The tower was racked with chaos long before the siege began–in no small part due to Guild Chair Fellick’s untimely death–but now? As you approach it nursing your well-earned wounds?It was a safe haven. And gods know you deserve one.https://youtu.be/7lsdJDiJ0QEMISSION COMPLETE! CHOOSE A REWARD! YOU’LL GET 3 CHOICES FOR WHICHEVER ONE YOU CHOOSE! YES, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO ALTER YOUR LOADOUT!/b]>NEW WEAPON! >NEW SPELL!>NEW GEAR!
>>6426750>NEW GEAR!"Our current lineup of spells is more than suitable for our cause. I also believe the dullards that I loathe to call my associates will stubbornly stick to their magical sticks.""So, give us something all of us can use. Also, I have the softest tail of all of Zoral. That is a socially accepted fact."
>>6426750"Hmmmph. I du not have time to...sharpen my tusks...like a barbarian, when I have magic to study.">New Spell
>>6426750>NEW GEAR!
>>6426750>NEW WEAPON!"As the Duhrer saying goes~ Treat give treat treat!"
>>6426750>NEW GEAR!“I hope it’s a dog!”
>>6426750>New Gear"I'm content with our selection of magicks, but variety in gear would be nice.
>>6426750>WEAPON"...What kind of instruments can I get my grubby hands on..."
>NEW GEAR!
>>6426750New gear
THE TALLY:>GEAR: 6>SPELL: 2 (CAZZ'TAR's been IP-Banned and reached out to me)>WEPON: 2Looks like gear wins it! Got some meetings today so expect a lil delay! Writiiiiiingggg
Your safe haven, as it turns out, is a tad bustling, to say the least. Led through a gauntlet of barking Bellcounters, busy bureaucrats, and confused common folk by Captain Ilga, the Merchant Guild-run seat of Crossroads’ government feels less like a stronghold and more like a Lutza concert!Fortunately you don’t have to navigate the place yourself. Aside from a few sidelong and suspicious glances aimed at the team’s Skogs, no one really seems to notice your little entourage until Captain Ilga flags a soldier down!“You there. Irregulars reporting.”“Err, up the ramp to the third floor,” He mutters as if he has somewhere better to be, “They’ve commandeered the whole level for Irregular Operations.” His eyes wander over to Barbaran and his sizable spectacles. “... Just, uh, try not to make a mess. Command is already testy enough as-is.”If the Captain perceives a sleight directed at her troop, she doesn’t call it out. “Noted. Come along, everyone.” As the last of your battle-induced adrenaline fades and your bodies begin to burn, you shamble up a spiral rampway towards your designated floor. You smell and hear your destination long before you arrive–a cornucopia of sweat, blood, and bile meets your nostrils as an ear-stinging din of chatter and conversation greets you at the landing. Irregulars. Lots of them. You can see why they just gave them the whole floor–what little space remains in the atrium is standing room only, every seat and surface spoken for by soldiers of all shapes and sizes!“Hells..” Grumbles Ilga as her perpetually-irate expression turns… irater, “Right, just.. find a place to rest for now. I need to find out who’s running this circus.”Wading into the crowd with the usual confidence, the Gnok pauses mid-exit to shoot you all a sidelong, almost motherly glare! “And don’t even THINK of breaking or starting anything! I’ll find you once I’ve assessed the situation.”Leaving you to your own nebulous devices, you’re about to take the Captain up on her offer of resting up when a raspy cough greets you from close to ground level!“Pardon me, folks,” Begins the voice’s owner: a ragged-sounding old Durher with a crooked smile on his weary face, “But you lot look like ya’ just blew in from the thick of it… am I wrong?”The mini-merchant steals a mischievous glance your way before setting what sounds like a pack thrice his size on the floor with a dull thud. “Got something that might interest ya, strangers...”>CONTD.
>>6427146NEW GEAR TIME! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVE AND IT’LL BE ADDED TO THE TEAM INVENTORY!https://youtu.be/caqLDtUsMJA>Blastcaps (1x): Bombs. Nasty ones! Can be thrown up to 3 spaces–4 if you’re a Skog–and will EXPLODE damaging everything within a 1-tile radius for 2d5 damage!>Firedust (1x): The Bellcounters call it an ‘illegal substance’. The Cartel calls it a ‘performance enhancer’. Dab some in your mouth and for TWO TURNS you’ll get a +3 to DMG and +3 to MOV… but the comedown’s a killer: -2 DMG and -2 MOV for TWO TURNS.>Vial of Nysk Poison(1x): Dab some of this on your weapon and let the poison do the rest! Your next melee or ranged attack will poison an enemy for 1d4 DMG for the next THREE TURNS! Just don’t poke yourself…>Health Potion(1x): Exactly what it says on the bottle–cuts, bites, burns, bruises? It heals it all! Hurts like Hells when it works its magic, sure, but it’s a small price to pay, right? Heals 1d4 of damage and yes, it’s topical! Toss it on your pal and it’ll work just fine!DOWNTIME! FEEL FREE TO CONVERSE IF YOU WISH! WE’LL PICK THE NEXT MISSION LATER ON!
>>6427150>Firedust (1x): The Bellcounters call it an ‘illegal substance’. The Cartel calls it a ‘performance enhancer’. Dab some in your mouth and for TWO TURNS you’ll get a +3 to DMG and +3 to MOV… but the comedown’s a killer: -2 DMG and -2 MOV for TWO TURNS."Ooooooo, these sound like fun! Maybe it'll help me focus a little~""So, anyone have an interest in FASHION? Ever since I started doing this fighting for money gig, everyone has just been soooooo lame :-( I'm really PISSED at those Fuuxi for RUINING my plans for next week! I was going to use all my hoarded cash to make some friends by hanging out at the cool kids clothing store... Be a bit of a trendsetter, yknow? Show them that grimy jobs can be cute and cool! ;-D"
>>6427150>Health Potion(1x): "Whyy, I think you less...magickally gifted fellows could quite use one of these things. You took quite a beating during that market run, after all..."
>>6427156"Waow.. You thwat sounds noble... I need to remember what I was going to use my dosh for, maybe armaments count as a type of rewl fashion...">>6427150Renny's eyes transfix to the explosives."Ahahaaha... the blast caps... Why we cwould cause a lot of trouble with it... Maybe blink a group into the radius... Blast it even further with a force blast, why I could even attwach it to my dart and enchant it for a big burst... We should go for it aeheeh...">Blastcaps
>>6427150"NO DOGS!?! Am I to SHOW for MY WORK neither the funds nor TROPHIES vaguely looking like DOGS? Me! The head judge of my city's dog competitions!">Blastcaps
>>6427150>Blastcaps (1x)"Mmh. HIgh grade explosives. A delicious treat treat. We shall rend everything that stands in our way as nothing more than ash and dust.">>6427156The cattethinge perks up at the mention of FASHION. "I would not usually degrade myself by associating with a no-name such as yourself, but I have heard of 'diamonds in the rough'. Small pockets of competence within the sludge of mediocrity people call 'the crossroads'.""Perhaps you might have a design that is passable enough, for someone of my status. You have my attention."
>>6427150>Vial of Nysk Poison"I can mix this with my assorted spells to imbue a caustic element, that should make up for their resistance.">>6427156"The elder mages have been touching the idea of adding tinted glass to alter viewed eyecolor."
>>6427150>Blastcaps (1x)
>>6427150>Health Potion(1x): Exactly what it says on the bottle–cuts, bites, burns, bruises? It heals it all! Hurts like Hells when it works its magic, sure, but it’s a small price to pay, right? Heals 1d4 of damage and yes, it’s topical! Toss it on your pal and it’ll work just fine!
THE TALLY:>FIREDUST: 1>HEALTH POT: 2>BLASTCAPS: 4>POOOOIIIIISSSOOOON: 1Looks like BOOM wins it! Don't do drugs, folks! Writing in a bit!>>6427261You DO find a statue of a dog, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Whoever sculpted it seemed to really dial it in on the tentacles and the teeth aren't even properly hooked. You get the harrowing feeling that whoever made it has never encountered a Zoralian Dog before... and it SHOWS!
“Interesting choice!” Cackles the Durher as your team pools together some bells for payment. “A little edge can go a long way–use those wisely, now~”NEW GEAR UNLOCKED: BLASTCAPSBefore you can converse any further, you overhear a commotion coming from the rampway–shouts. Stomps. The makings of a bad scene just waiting to happen! The more-enterprising people in your little entourage move to investigate.“Wait!” Snaps a tiny, impatient voice from a landing above, “I said WAIT!”“To HELLS with that!” Snarls another small, singsong, yet surly voice as its owner comes stomping down the ramp with fresh fury burning in her lime green eyes! A Durher, you realize–the one from the Recruitment Drive at the tavern! “The whole city’s getting carved up and Anton’s still out there! I don’t care HOW many Fuuxi or Skogs there are–I’m going after him!”“Yea! YEAAA!!!” Roars the Skog stomping in her wake, her mighty tail smacking against the walls as they both descend! “Hang on, Rook! Cavalry’s comin’! Just gotta gather up Rezzie an-”A pop of magic ripples through the rampway as an orange-eyed and very annoyed Durher poofs into the space just ahead of the would-be rescuers! “I said LISTEN! I want to be out there as much as you do–Hells, MORE than you do! Oti’s on the field too, in case you forgot!”“Well,” Purrs the lime-eyed Durher with faux-politeness in her features, “All the more reason to go GET them, then! One side, shorty!”“W-WE’RE THE SAME SIZE!” Shouts orange eyes with growing ire! “And they’re no fools–” Her sentence dies halfway out of her mouth. “... Well, OTI’S no fool… but they’re all more than capable enough!”“So what,” Frowns the Skog, tail thumping on the floor impatiently, “We just leave ‘em? LAMPLIGHTER CODE: ALWAYS STICK TOGETHE-”“We’ve split up MULTIPLE times now!” The Durher sorceress sighs impatiently! “They know where to find us–we may as well ensure one of the city’s last safe havens doesn’t fall in their absence!”Lime eyes opens her mouth to protest, but all that emerges is a long, resigned sigh. “... Fine. But if they aren’t back in an hour I’ll tear this whole damned siege apart–Fuuxi AND Skog.”“There, there, TT…” Coos the Skog as she pats the Durher’s head, nearly sending the poor thing sprawling onto the floor, “Ant’s with Morook, too–he’ll bring him back safe and sound! You’ll see!”The fiery fuzzball’s fury fades with the sigh that leaves her pursed lips. “... Fine. Where’s Rezzie?”“When last I saw her, she told me she was ‘going out for some exercise’.” Grumbles the Durher Sorceress. “I’m sure you can decipher the hidden meaning there.”“Great…” Grumbles the girl referred to as ‘TT’. “Welp, might as well make ourselves useful, then…”>CONTD.
>>6427552“Lila’s got the Lamplighters all mobilized!” Explains the Skog, puffing out her chest with pride, “We can fall in with them and start a little mischief!”“... Anything to get my mind off of…” Begins the lime-eyed Durher before shaking it off. “... Nevermind. Let’s mosey...”The next hour or so blurs into a weary, contented slog–you’ve been up for hours–some of you had even spent the whole day traveling before ending up at the recruitment drive. Rest, not sleep, comes for you quickly… but you’re roused from your battle-induced torpor long before you can feel its full effects!“Look alive. We’ve got work to do.”Captain Ilga. She doesn’t even wait for everyone to get up before leading you to a comparatively more-secluded part of the third floor.“Right,” She huffs, claw drumming against her armored hip, “Don’t have to tell you all that the situation is out of hand–the Fuuxi ambush tore a few too many holes into our defenses… and a Skog War Party is taking advantage–that means we’re officially fighting a two-sided battle. Fuuxi don’t play nice with anyone, but Skogs have a history with ‘em… and they know how to step aside and let them work their ‘magic’.”A weary sigh leaves her pursed lips. “In short: we’re stretched thin. But we fight best when we’re desperate, so if you’ve got any concerns rattling around in your heads? Bury ‘em. Burn ‘em into fuel for your blade arm.”Clearing her throat, the Gnok presents your next objective:VOTE FOR YOUR NEXT MISSION! YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ADJUST YOUR LOADOUT BEFORE WE BEGIN!>Skogs are entering the city by way of the canals. We’re going to close ‘em up.>Sappers have located a Fuuxi tunnel ripe for demolishing. We’re going to help them.>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support.>There’s a residential district that got cut off in the chaos that needs evacuating. Fuuxi are bound to be there too.
>>6427554"Why, this sounds like the perfect opportunity to test out my spells...I have yet to truly use them as they were meant to."
>>6427641>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support.
>>6427554>Skogs are entering the city by way of the canals. We’re going to close ‘em up.
>>6427554>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support.S-K-O-G S-K-O-G S-K-O-G
>>6427554>Sappers have located a Fuuxi tunnel ripe for demolishing. We’re going to help them."Why dwon't we take our blastcaps for a test...?"
>>6427554>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support."A perfectly acceptable mission, for perfectly acceptable people."
>>6427554>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support."I'm hearing that there's a lovely chokepoint for targets that aren't resistant to our conjurations, any use of blastcaps will have to be away from the breach however."
>>6427554>Sappers have located a Fuuxi tunnel ripe for demolishing. We’re going to help them.
>There’s a gap in our walls and Skogs are using it. Our mages can seal it, but they’ll need support.
The gap in the wall wins it! Got some plans today, but here's what I need you to do:PLEASE POST YOUR LOADOUTS FOR THIS MISSION. EVEN IF YOU'RE TAKING THE SAME SHIT! REMEMBER: THE NEW BLASTCAPS REPLACE YOUR GEAR!Also feel free to swap your spells!
>>6427944>Blade and Shield: 1d6 DMG (+1 AC)>Aid: +2 HP to target. 4 Range.>Mox Mail: +1 AC
>>6427944I don't quite get what you mean here, do we just post our build again? What if we change nothing?
>>6427997Yup, I wanna know your load out for the next mission!
>>6428058Alrighty then>>6427554Barbaran changes...absolutely nothing! Because he's already perfect in every way outside his lack of spells which he COULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE OF if people APPRECIATED LEARNING instead of being DISTRACTED BY SHINY EXPLODING GADGETS>WeaponMagikal Implement (His big, trusty, probably-legally-classifiable-as-a-club magical staff)Spells>Stinging Swarm>Force Blast>BlinkGear>Arcane Focus
>>6422678>>6427944"Heehee, it seems the skogs are on the lam. Let's put a RINKLE in their plans!"Race:>ChytreeWeapon:>Magickal Implement (jester's hat, casts by doing a little jump and ringing the bells)Spells:>Biisii’s Bolt: 1d6 DMG. On-Hit target takes a random effect. 3 Range.>Itchy Aegis: 1 Range. Creates a cloud of PURE ITCHYNESS that deals 1d4 to anyone that ends their turn in the effect area. Lasts 1 turn.>Grease: Creates a ‘cross sign’ of difficult terrain that enemies must make a dex check to cross. If failed, they fall and lose their turn. Lasts 1 turn. 3 Range>Arcane Focus: +1 ACC to Magick AttacksThe RAMBUNCTIOUS RINKLE, a little jester fit with bells on his cap and little pointy shoes, born with heterochromia and a (very unfunny) funny streak. He's looking to work as a mercenary long enough to earn the money he needs to open his own comedy club.
>>6428124>A chytree jesterI've got good news and bad news, anon: the good news is that I fucking love clowns and clown characters. The bad news is that you are now on the clock to goof around for the remainder of this silly skirmish. I WILL be watching.Welcome to THE SHIIIIIIT
>>6427944"guessssssss who'ssssssss backkkkkkkk?">MAGICAL IMPLEMENT (TREE BRANCH WITH LEAVES)>MAGIC CHARM>STINGING SWARM>BLINK>FORCE BLAST
>>6427944The blastcaps *REPLACE* our gear? Or are they an additional piece of kit? I think I'd like to keep my boots if I have to pick between the two, that +1 Move is handy! Anyhow, keeping my loadout: WEAPON>Magickal Implement (Great Eye of Goomoh): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy).SPELLS>Blink: Target can be moved up to 3 spaces and still have their movement. Unwilling targets require a 2d6 roll. 3 Range.>Force Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.GEAR (if I can)>Maakar Skin Boots: +1 MOV
>>6428150They replace the item in your GEAR slot, so yea, if you wanna keep your booty wootys then you'll have to forgo blastcaps :c
>>6427554"I'll stick to my evocations, lets hope the skogs actually use shields.">Magickal Implement (Good old fashioned staff): 1d6 DMG (+2 to spell accuracy)>Flamebolt: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. Can ignite shields.>Ice Daggers: 1d10 DMG. 4 Range. On hit leaves target with -1 MOV til next turn>Blink: Target can be moved up to 3 spaces and still have their movement. Unwilling targets require a 2d6 roll. 3 Range.>Sniper Monocle: +2 ACC Ranged Attacks
>>6428152Hmmm, lemme think on it, seems like nobody else wants to use the caps either so maybe I should to make sure we didn't waste the vote. They are pretty strong, too... I just like being able to scramble around like crazy.
>>6427944"Goodbwye my trusty helmet... You and my blastcaps just were never going to be compatible in occupying my headspace...">Weapon: Slinger>Gear: Blastcaps>Spell: Biisii's Bolt"I pwobably should've learnt something useful like Blink... But that book was really confusing! I uh ended up with this instead..."
What does ACC mean?
>>6428209Accuracy. AC is Armor Class, ACC is Accuracy.>>6427944>WEAPON: GREATBLADE (2d6 DMG, 2d6 HIT)>SPELL: GREASE>GEAR: BLASTCAPS"Limiting the movement of our enemies will prove to be useful down the line. In addition, it will deeply amuse me to see them slip and fall.">>6428124"We have a literal jester now. Great. We truly do live in a clown world."
>>6428212> Accuracy. AC is Armor Class, ACC is Accuracy.Thank you.>>6427994I’ll switch gear to Lutza (dog) CarvingIf my math is right that’ll give me 7 AC against meleeI’ll keep the Aid spell
>>6427944Not changing my loadout so:>WEAPON: >Maul: 1d6 DMG (Lowers enemy AC by 1 On-Hit for 1 turn)>SPELL: Force Blast: 1d4 DMG. 1 Range. Targets everyone adjacent to caster. On-Hit sends them 2 squares away.>GEAR: >Mox Mail: +1 AC
Alright folks, loadouts are locked in! Will begin Mission 2 this afternoon! Lemme know if you have any questions or other silly stuff before then! WRITIIIIINGGG
>>6428315I was exceedingly BUSY and FORGOT about this. here's the loadout:Race:>Gnok: Weapons Expert (+2 to Melee Damage) 3 MOV 5HPWeapon:>Blade and Shield: 1d6 DMG (+1 AC)Spell:>Viisla’s Mark: Lowers DC to hit target by 2 for one turn. 3 Range.Gear:>Maakar Skin Boots: +1 MOVTrading her MOX MAIL for FASHIONABLE BOOTS with POMPOMS on them, Terrii arrives RIGHT ON TIME to appear and be relevant this update. It only took her two days to pick and choose.
HUXXER’S remark earns a stoic nod from the Captain… and the hint of a smile.“Refreshing to work with folk who think… ‘pragmatically’. Indeed–the chokepoint should serve us nicely.” Her brow furrows. “Our goal is simple–buy our Geomancers enough time to plug the hole in the wall. My understanding is that a few combatants have already breached. We’ll be replacing those who fell.”A curt sigh leaves the captain’s lips as her raptor-like eyes sweep across your group. “We’ll head out without delay–there are arcanists here in the Belltower who can teleport us. Tread lightly, however–these are Skogs we’re dealing with, not Fuuxi.”Her stern eyes slip over to BARBARAN’S. And then BEATS’. “These two are all the proof you need that Skogs aren’t dumb, skittering brutes like the Fuuxi. Expect the unexpected–and assume whatever it is will hurt. Ah, and grab a cloak before we depart–a storm is brewing.”Captain Ilga insists–as she is wont to do, you realize–and once everyone is properly bundled up and bolstered with a piping hot cup of Root Cream they’re WHISKED away on arcane winds courtesy of the aforementioned–and VERY overworked–municipal mages to their next fresh Hell!And fresh it is–the minute you reappear your faces are flecked with a furious flurry… the light snowfall you’d escaped earlier has now become persistent precipitation! It’d almost be invigorating were it not for the thick scent of smoke and ozone permeating the air… that and the not-so-distant crack and rumble of artillery.“Good, you’re here.” The unknown voice prompts everyone to turn to face its owner–a tired-looking Mzz’goe’virr covered in bangles that jingle with every step he takes.“Catch us up to speed.” Barks the Captain while you notice the smattering of soldiers forming a defensive line further down the incline.“Several walls collapsed during the initial Fuuxi attack,” The mage begins as two of his associates stand on opposing sides of the breach, muttering intonations that echo with unseen power, “I blame their damned tunnels. Some of them are already repaired, but other groups, such as our lucky number, encountered heavy Skog resistance shortly after they fell.” A resigned sigh leaves his lips… or whatever Mzz’goe’virr have. “A few most definitely slipped through already, but that’s out of our claws now.”Ilga frowns as she surveys the battlefield. “... They aren’t exactly charging through right now.”“Astute of you to notice.” Replies the mage in a tone drier than trail fodder. >CONTD.
>>6428367“The breach is choked with smoke courtesy of a fire started by one of my more… eager assistants.” He explains as two of his six eyes wander over to the leftmost mage–a manic-eyed Gnok whose burnt robes you can smell from here! “Skogs ran with it–threw in some AISLEAF too. Makes it hard to track things by magical auras.”“So we’re flying blind, then.”“Not quite…” Sighs the sorcerer at the Captain’s summation. “They still need to enter through the breach. As long as your troops regroup with those belo-”The Mzz’goe’virr’s explanation is cut short by a sharp whistle trailing through the smoke-choked air above–its origin sailing over the breach in a lazy arc… and landing right in the middle of the squad you were sent to bolster!They don’t even have a chance to scream before the area is ROCKED by a teeth-rattling BOOM--one that sends all but the sturdiest of you sprawling to the ground! Needless to say, the mages rebuilding the barrier are rattled–so much so that they stop casting entirely!The ensuing shocked stillness is cut short by the rumbling beat of Skog Ttanis filling the air–a rhythmic signal that even non-Skogs know the meaning of:CHARGE!https://youtu.be/wYsJ4mt4fIwThey emerge from the smoke like specters–tusked titans with burning yellow eyes locked in grim determination–their guttural roars filling the clearing like an avalanche’s rumble! BEATS and BARBARAN understand it all too well–an invocation to the Skog Paragons–great Skogs ascended to divinity–to watch!The rest of the team has little interest in their friend’s attempt to translate–they’re too busy preparing to…DEPLOY AND DEFEND! PICK A STARTING TILE AND MAKE YOUR MOVE! OBJECTIVE: DELAY THE SKOG ADVANCE AND PROTECT THE MAGES UNTIL THE BREACH IS REPAIRED!Also please double-check your stats on the left and lemme know if I fucked it up :)
Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d4)>>6428369>DEPLOY AT 3>MOVE TWO FORWARDS AND ONE DIAGONAL-RIGHT>CAST STINGING SWARM ACROSS THE OPEN BREACH, LEAVING ONE SQUARE OF OPENING
>>6428369>DEPLOY AT 4>MOVE UP TO D11>CAST GREASE ON D8. Pretty sure this doesn't need a hit roll?"Preparing a trap for these disgusting, repulsive creatures. May they slip and crack their skulls open like spoiled eggs."
>>6428390I do not believe that the range of stinging swarm is that far.
>>6428369"I don't see an invite. Unauthorized trip?Next time don't forget your permission SLIP! Ehehehe">Deploy 4, walk forwards 3, cast Grease at maximum range.
>>6428391"Haha, a minor mixup. Heh, this, uh, usually doesn't happen.">Deploy at 7 and do the same, placing the cross of grease on G6 instead
>>6428369Deploy at 5 move to 13
>>6428394"...I ought to skin you alive. Perhaps you would explode into a pile of confetti and cotton candy."A pause."Hee hee. Hoo hoo. A joke. Between two people. Meow."
>>6428396"He, *cough* hrm. You're quite the jokester, miss Leedle, t-though perhaps your sort of comedy is a bit beyond me."
"...Cwould those two be...? N-no way...">>6428369>Deploy at 3>MOVE: Up 3 tiles [C:12]>SPELL: Biisii's Bolt on Slinger DartRenny jogs briskly next to the mage and awkwardly strares at it briefly as she encantates her magick to enchant her dart while in safe bridges of cover."Hwave to get as much of an edge as I can ready...Aaahah.. I'll use the blastcap when they're more uh, bundled up...">>6428315{Question, can I get away with enchanting various times the same dart with Biisii's Bolt or is that too volatile}
>>6428369>Spawn at 7>Run 4 forwards"Skogs! They act all high and mighty, but one by one they're not all that tough... You just have to keep hitting the same spot, REALLY hard!"
>>6428369>DEPLOY 3>MOVE UP 2"Ah! What fine armor they wear! I used to have such a panoplia myself, but sold it for a true work of art. I'll shall kill them and strip their corpses to sell their armor." "Does anyone want to be thrown forward?"
>>6428369>DEPLOY: 5 >MOVE: 5 UP (E10)>ACTION: N/A Angkis enters the fray with his whiskers twitching and single eye scanning the Skogs for weakness. The Great Eye of Goomoh gleams with alien menace, a silent, silver satellite, slowly circling the miniature merc as he scrambles up to the front lines, just beyond the mage's cover. "Oi, ear meh new ya bonch-eh brootesh bomblin' bawggurts, yuhr dume hez cumb thehs dee! Aye swahr bhy me ahsh-blahst'd ahrm an' tha Grate Eye uhv Goomoh, yew goe noh fhorther!" [Listen up, dumbfucks, this is the end of the line. I swear on my dead arm and The Great Eye of Goomoh, you won't pass us alive.]
>>6428369Barbaran steps forward with renewed ambition. It would seem his initial fear, including his weird way of speaking that was dropped as a concept after realizing it sounded stupid, is no longer here! And he seems very eager to test his spells on his not-so-fellow Skogs...>Spawn at 10>Move 2 UP, BLINK to J10"Move forward! You footmen go and deal with these barbarians while we mages go forth...let us seal that wall gap with swarms and grease."
>>6428428"Angkis, could you blink me forward so that I may meet my fellows in combat?
>>6428418>>6428516Huxxer runs at Beats "WILL OBLIGE, TOSS ME FORWARD." as he gets launched, readying a spell to blink Beats>Deploy 3, move to C13 and get launched forward two spaces by Beats, move to C10 and Blink Beats to F6
>>6428516>ACTION: BLINK (BEATS, C13 to D10) "Aye lahddy, t'wood beh nahrry uh'prawblehm uh'tall!" [Sure pal, no problem.] Angkis' silvery orbiter does that thing it does - blinking itself away over to appear above the Skog's head, then disappearing him like some stage magician's trick. In the very same moment, it rises from the ground just adjacent to Angkis himself, bringing the other irregular with it in the same fashion. The Great Eye returns to its typical orb form, hovering back close to its master. "Ear y'ahr lahddy, leh'tz breng th'bah'll tuh theez buhnglin' bregganz, ayh?" [Here you are friend, let's take the fight to the invaders, shall we?]
>>6428522(Oh! Didn't refresh in time! Beats, just choose which you want, otherwise I will use my action on whoever else needs it)
>>6428522"TUSK TO TUSK!">>6428527[I think if I understand correctly, the limit was 3 spaces so I should've ended up at F7 instead of F6 from Huxxer being at C10. I should be close enough then for you at E10 to blink me right next to Cutter 1 and start duking it out. If you're willing of course.]>>6426322>2) Cast BLINK on someone up to 3 spaces away from you>3) Move them up to 3 spaces from where they are.
Wait, nvm, Ang. My action got used throwing Huxxer. I can’t fight yet. No blink.
>>6428552Kay np bub, I just deleted the post to not cause any confusion
DEPLOY AT 3. MOVE UP 3.
DEPLOYMENT SET! Let's get this road on the show! Writing!
>>6428390Stinging Swarm has a range of 3 squares--could you be a lil more specific please?
>>6428402Oops, forgot to reply to this. Sorry, only one effect at a time
Actually, pause. Gonna need some clarification on whatever the hell Huxxer and Beats are doing.>>6428522>>6428534>>6428526ANGKIS, HUXXER, and BEATS: please give me an updated and clear description of your moves so I can ensure I do what you want me to do. No replying to your previous posts, just gimme something like>DEPLOY 3>MOVE D11>BLINK BEATS H3Or something, thanks. Just wanna get a clear picture before updating
>>6428724Just sticking to my original move, boss, I should be at E10
>>6428724Huxxer and Beats deploy on 3Beats moves forward 2, Huxxer moves forward 2. Ending up in the same space (C15->C13)Beats Throws Huxxer 2 forward where he moves forward 1 (C13->C11->C10)Huxxer Blinks Beats Diagonally right 3 spaces (C13->10F)
>>6428868Splendid, thank you! I'll roll with this. Sorry for the delay--just didn't wanna ruin anyone's first turn :) Writing for real this time!
Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d4)A few quick rolls...
Rolled 2, 3, 6, 4 = 15 (4d6)>>6428889
Rolled 1 (1d3)>>6428890Aaaaand one more roll :3
DEPLOYING and DEFENDING might as well be several of ISSVAL SQUAD’S middle names! Scampering down the hill like a pack of Durher kits chasing after a freshly-chucked stickycake, the squad rushes to meet the Skogs with the usual courtesy!While HUXXER and BEATS engage in what can only be described as some kind of bizarre new dance to the front of the lines, RINKLE and CAZZ’TAR add a little mischief to the battlefield… in this case a devilishly destructive blend of GREASE and IRATE SWOOS!In any other situation they’d just be the hallmarks of a wild night in Gold Town, but in a series of powerful pratfalls the unlikely pair manages to put together the trap JUST as one of the more-eager CUTTERS charges with a bellow that echoes across the battlefield!He shuts up rather quickly, however, when his foot meets the edge of the sticky, foul-smelling grease–so much so that the Skog doesn’t even make a sound as he flops onto his back in a cloud of scale-snacking Swoos… and these ones are HUNGRY!Not hungry enough, though–BEATS and BARBARAN’s tails instinctively quiver when another sound soars above the chaos: A ROAR--fearsome. Furious. FERAL.Rising from the Swoos dripping with freshly-spilled blood comes the CUTTER–eyes wide and glowing with freshly-burning hatred! A Skog was a terrifying sight on the battlefield–no one would disagree with that–but a BERSERK Skog?That’s another thing entirely!NEW TRAIT LEARNED: UPON DEATH, CUTTERS WILL GO ‘BERSERK’ AND REVIVE WITH A LITTLE HP AND BOOSTED STATS! WATCH OUT!https://youtu.be/ylNuHYUiy5sStartled by his fellow Skog, Barbaran barely notices the whine and rumble of a grim engine roaring to life in one of the invader’s claws–the goggle-clad giant laughing a grim laugh as its tool–dubbed a ‘BLEEDER’ according to the other Irregular Squads–begins its brutal work!A hail of darts rip across the battlefield, carving up the stone around BARBARAN… and eventually his own scales!ANOTHER NEW TRAIT LEARNED: IF BLEEDERS ROLL HIGHER THAN ‘8’ ON THEIR ATTACK ROLL, THEY DEAL AN EXTRA 1d3 OF DAMAGE!BARBARAN HIT! ROLLED 1 ON 1d3–TOTAL -2HP!>TURN 2 BEGINS… the mages have not been interrupted… YET!
Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)>>6428914>MOVE UP 1>ATTACK CUTTER 1"Slash! Slash! Slash"
Rolled 3 + 1 (1d6 + 1)>>6428921"YOUR ARMOR IS MINE!"
Rolled 3, 5 + 4 = 12 (2d6 + 4)>>6428914Whether out of flinch induced muscle memory or keen battle instinct is unclear. (Ignore the slight yelp) Huxxer ducks behind his allies before opening fire upon a Bleeder>MOVE F10, Flamebolt on Bleeder 2
Rolled 10 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6428924Bleeder 2's Shield is now back down to 6DC. In case this doesn't outright end it.
>>6428926Sorry for the confusion, but the Flamebolt Perk only works on PHYSICAL SHIELDS--and don't worry, you'll see those soon. Nice rolls, however, all!
>>6428914Barbaran, still standing proudly with his staff, almost launches into a declaration about the superiority of magic over weaapons, but before he is able to do so, the bleeder in front of you is lit up like a match and roasted like barbecue. In but a few seconds there is nothing to even sting! "Hmhph...so much for your pitiful technology.">Cast Stinging Swarm to I6, H7, G8>Move to J9
>>6428932[Psst, the Bleeder got turned to ashes by Huxxer]
>>6428933(Psst thanks)
Stupid, SEXY HUXXER.... I'll get you
>>6428936And stupid, SEXY BEATS.... I'll get YOU
>>6428931Wait, shit, I got the range wrong...would it be too late to say it should be at that diagonal where the bleeder was? I shouldn't have to move for that one.
Does grease burn with Flamebolt?
>>6428939I'll allow it... THIS TIME...! rRRRrRRR!!!Yea really though no biggie my man
>>6428940Oh you bet your sweet bippy it does
>>6428941Thanks. It should be in the diagonal between the Bleeder's charred remains and ending at the pile of grease.
>>6428914Renny takes note of the grease splatters and determines that she can't really move along without comprimising her position. She decides to try to help the Mage, she's learned a spell or two before. Before that she yells outloud a plan she has been thinking of."Hey gwuys, If any of you that can teleport things want, we could try to team up and get those lot hiding in the fwog, my blastcap and dart could do as much... not sure if right now is a good time though." >ASSIST: MAGE 1Renny says as she listens on the incantations. "H-hey is there anything I can do to help...? Othwer than, you know..."
Rolled 2, 3 + 1 = 6 (2d6 + 1)>>6428914"Heheeh, no rhyme for you, mister. I'm afraid you haven't earned one. Despite your name, you just don't make the CUT!"Move to F10, cast Bolt on the
>>6428957On *cutter 1 (I missed) (sad clown noises)
Rolled 1, 1 + 2 = 4 (2d6 + 2)>>6428914>MOVE: 5 Diagonally (A5) >MAGIC: Flamebolt on Bleeder 1
>>6428967Angkis misses with his flamebolt!
Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d4)>>6428914"you sssssssskogssss will sssssssee death...">MOVE UP 3 SPACES>CAST STINGING SWARM ON CUTTER 1 IN THE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION
>>6428914Can I change my move to move forwards three spaces and BLINK to C6?
>>6428914>MOVE TO G10>CAST YET ANOTHER PILE OF GREASE ON G7. GREASE IT UP, LADS, GREASE IT UP"It is socially acceptable for my enemies to slip on the conveniently placed pile of grease. I believe I heard about this in a tooth-cleaning advertisement."
>>6428994I shall allow it, yes...
>>6428914I'll move two to G11
If you haven't made your moves yet do so or I WILL kill you. Update later in the day :)
>>6429220>Move F8>Cast Viisla's Mark on Cutter 3"Ohhh, scary, scary... My spell'll turn you into jelly~ Well, eventually!"
That's a healthy amount of responses! Writing!
Rolled 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 4 = 21 (6d6)Rollin'
Rolled 3 (1d3)>>6429277And one more :)
>>6429278Wait no disregard I got the order all borked. Angkis doesn't get mulched. Yet
IISVAL SQUAD’S bloody retribution comes swiftly like a punch in a Skoglands Tavern! While RINKLE and ANGKIS’ attacks sail wide past their targets, the rest of the team has no such troubles!BEATS knows better than anyone how to deal with a BERSERK SKOG–with another Skog, of course! In a sudden departure from her kindly demeanor, the Skogess wades into the fray with her feral foe and baits an attack with a thump of her tail!A berserk Skog can cleave a mature fungal growth in twain with their bare claws… but what they boast in power they lack in finesse–ducking under a blow that could sunder steel, BEATS plunges her blade into the Cutter’s mouth in one fluid movement, toppling the giant with a resounding ‘thud’ that echoes across the battlefield!Might goes well with magic, of course, and HUXXER has that stuff in SPADES! Waiting for a lull in the Bleeder’s barrage, the Mzz’goe’virr hurls a FLAMEBOLT at the giddy gunner! Whether it was just a lucky strike or a planned effort we’ll never know, but the spell sets off a chain reaction popping through the Skog’s kit–the Skog sniper barely able to get out a panicked yelp before erupting in a BOOM that rivals the sound of BEATS’ opponent hitting the floor!Across the battlefield, however, a different tale is told: Skogese chants echo with unearthly power as the remaining siegers ply their bloody trade: the remaining Bleeder unloads on ANGKIS’ position with a cocky roar–the generational animosity between Durhers and Skogs clearly alive and well even now! Though the Durher manages to duck into a well-placed crater, one of the darts manages to wing his shoulder!ANGKIS HIT! -1HP!Spurred to action by their comrade’s death, the Cutters charge roaring across the battlefield–one towards CAZZ’TAR, the other towards TERRII! Magic is a powerful tool indeed–no one in Zoral’s four corners would tell you otherwise–but a charging Skog is a fearsome thing as well!Thick, serrated blades easily dwarfing their height carve into both CAZZ’TAR AND TERRII, leaving gaping wounds when their wielders rip them free!CAZZ’TAR HIT! -2HP!TERRII HIT! -2HP!To make matters worse, the rattle of chain and metal echoes from the fog as a new combatant enters the fray–one whose movements are slow–cautious, even!NEW FOE: SKOG SENTINEL! ENEMIES ADJACENT TO THIS UNIT TREAT THEIR SHIELD LIKE COVER! SHIELD CAN BE BURNED TURNING THEM INTO A CUTTER!As the chaos unfolds, RENNY scuttles over to one of the chanting mages to offer aid, earning an impatient response:“Just… don’t let them interrupt us!” The smoke-scented Durher barks, brow furrowed at the interruption! “Just a little more time…!”>CONTD.
>>6429298RENNY MANAGES TO TOUCH UP THEIR DEFENSES SOMEWHAT! +2 LEFT COVER HP!The geomancers continue their work, but the countless Ttanis beyond the wall continue to beat with growing fervor–no doubt about it: more Skogs were on the way! And to make matters worse, the smoky air squeals with more arcing ordnance!WATCH YOUR POSITION! SKOG ARTILLERY HITS NEXT TURN!>TURN 3 BEGINS! The Mages should be done in 2 MORE!
Rolled 4, 5 + 2 = 11 (2d6 + 2)>>6429301>MOVE: 5 Right (F5) >MAGIC: BLINK on Cutter 2 "AOWHG! YUHR DEES UHR NOHMB'R'D YEH BOHN-HEHD'D BUH-HEMETH, MAHRK ME WURHDS!" [Ouch! Your days are numbered, dumb fatty.] Angkis breaks the shaft of the dart with his good hand, but leaves it where it is, for now, and casts the piece aside as he leaps up, then slides beneath the legs of the nearby Skog cutter in a mad dash to the middle. He pivots around, and casts an accusing finger out to the invader he just dodged around, and The Great Eye of Goomoh obliges his ill intentions by becoming a ring of teleportation...
Rolled 2, 5 = 7 (2d5)>>6429301>MOVE F9, E8, E7, E6>LIGHT UP THOSE BLAST CAPS, TOSSING THEM UP TO E3, hitting BLEEDER 1 and SENTINEL 1!>Rolling for AUTOHIT DAMAGE"You bore me. This place bores me. These people bore me. Please die in a way that's mildly amusing, lest I find myself yawning yet again."
Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d4)>>6429301>>6429310(Cutter 2 is transported to C8, rolling for damage!)
Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d6)>>6429301"Meee-yeow! You..! Grrrr! You made me bleed all over my shawl! You're REALLY going to get it now! You've been marked, so you're REAL easy to take care of! Whuh? Where's my mark??? Arrrrrghhhh!! I HATE people like you!" She points at the general direction of the Chanter. "I'm coming to make a handbag out of your skin and earrings out of your tusks next, you damn fucking PUSSY! That's right! A REAL SKOG would fucking come down here and TANK IT! You've just made your buddy out here into the SHAME OF THE SKOGS! Now, watch as he DIES ANYWAYS!!!!!!">Duck and weave to E7>Deliver a POWERFUL Shield Bash followed up by a DROPKICK TO CENTER MASS on Cutter 3, hopefully making him slip on the grease, and fall prone in H7, where he will then be bombarded! Hopefully!
>>6429301"Heehee, it's looking bad, you ugly dolt. Now might be a good time to... BOLT! Ohoho"Step to C3, then cast bolt diagonally at cutter 3
Rolled 3, 2 + 1 = 6 (2d6 + 1)>>6429322"Whoops, haha, let me just-" he jumps, jingling his bells, "there we go!"
Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d4)>>6429301"ouchhhhhhh...">CAST STINGING SWARM ON CUTTER 3>MOVE TO A1
>>6429328*A7
Rolled 2, 4 = 6 (2d6)>>6429312>Cutter 2 is transported to C8>7 damage>BERSERK>9 AC, 2 HP, 3 DMGbruh>>6429310>ATTACK Cutter 2>MOVE LEFT>MOVE LEFT DIAGONALLY"@#$%^!"[I may need some help if this hit doesn't land]
>>6429301Quite honestly I got no idea what I can do right here...I'd make up something clever, but unless someone has any plan, I'll just go and blink Barbaran back to cover. I wanted to trap the hole, but we spawned so far away so far away by the time he got close enough it'd already be sealed. And the guys close are already dead.It seems the combo will never see the light of day.
>>6429543Alas, you're right: in just 2 TURNS the hole will be plugged and the battle will be won...
>>6429544Well, it's just a shame that I built my whole thing around a specific combo and then didn't use it in the perfect battle for using it.I realize it's my fault for failing to use this good concept in any way whatsoever but it doesn't make it better.
>>6429548Yes... if only the battle wasn't going to come to a complete, total, definitive end in 2 TURNS...
>>6429549I mean, I could blink forward to like J4 and cast it on the last turn. It's doing...at least one thing in the whole battle. If I don't die.
Indeed... the mission with SURELY, CERTAINLY be over in just 2 TURNS! The mages will seal things up and that'll be that... mhm...
>>6429557Well, if it lasts beyond that, then I'll be in position to do something, I suppose.
Rolled 1, 4 + 2 = 7 (2d6 + 2)>>6429301Renny peeks around the cover to look directly at the drooling feral enemy. She gets a little unsettled. "We uh really can't let that perveted looking guy get over here! We could use some help..." She starts settling her enchanted biisii dart in slinger."I hope this lands..." >SHOOT: Cutter 2
>>6429565>Messed up the roll and even then it didn't work"O-oooh... I really should've learnt blink..."
>>6429565>>6429567I think Cutter 2 died from the swarm anyways so it's ok
>>6429568> Cutter 2 diedYea, but they get back up angrier
>>6429568Ahem
>>6429570>>6429574Oh fucking shitting farte.....
Rolled 2, 6 + 4 = 12 (2d6 + 4)>>6429301Huxxer loudly mutters out as he scampers "Leave Harder targets to me, I can pierce most defenses." before unleashing a point blank array>Move C9, Ice Daggers on Cutter 2
Rolled 1 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6429621I think even the minimum damage gets em
>>6429301I move diagonally to H10 to avoid the bomb
Rolled 4, 5 + 3 = 12 (2d6 + 3)MOVE 3-10. Cast flamebolt at CUTTER3
Rolled 16 + 2 (1d16 + 2)Damage roll 1d6 + 1d10 +2
>>6429648Whoops, looks like you got the 1d6 melee attack with your magical implement confused with the actual magical attack, anon. Please roll me a 1d10 for flamebolt! Sorry for the confusion!
Sorry rerolling
Rolled 7 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6429652OOPS
WRITING! EVERYBODY HANG ONTA SOMETHIIIIING
>>6429325Typo, meant c10>>6429313
Rolled 3, 1, 4, 4 = 12 (4d4)Rolling for Stinging Swarm Warcrimes...
Though the proud members of ISSVAL SQUAD may be smelly and unpopular, they’re not STUPID!… Okay, not VERY stupid. They ARE smart enough to learn from what befell the squad they were sent to bolster, however, so when the Skogtillery comes crashing down with a bone-rattling BOOM, the squaddies are already far away from the blast zone! Captain Ilga nods with approval!Fearsome to a fault, the little lady LEEDLE charges through a Swoos swarm to hurl a few BLASTCAPS into enemy lines… and though her explosives strike true–true enough to reduce several Skogs into what sounds like minced meat–her detour through the Swoos brings the noble to her knees!LEEDLE IS DOWNED! CAST AID OR ASSIST TO REVIVE!Her fellow Durher ANGKIS is in far better form–and with his mastery over magic he tears a Cutter out of reality and places them into the same swarm that shredded LEEDLE! Though the swarm dissipates shortly after, its damage is done… and as the Cutter rises with primal fury in its glowing gaze, a well-placed ICE DAGGER from HUXXER puts the brute down for good!Slitting a Skog’s throat with ice will do that, as we all know!Speaking of, the few Skogs that aren’t mulched by LEEDLE’S bomb or carved up by ANGKIS and HUXXER (And let’s be honest: BEATS and RENNY softened ‘em up a bit) look mighty haggard by the time CAZZ’TAR CAZZ’Ts ANOTHER stinging swarm–this one enveloping a Cutter AND TERRII–the poor Gnok barely able to react before the air around her fills with ravenous Swoos!Were they of the docile variety so popular in Swoos Lounges it’d feel relaxing–pleasant, even! But this brand of Swoos? Not only does the Cutter go down, but so too does TERRII! Unlike TERRII, however, the Cutter is fueled by rage… just enough to catch a Flamebolt to the face courtesy of CHY-LEE! Now THERE’S some professional cooking!For a moment, all is calm–calm as an active battlefield can be, anyways. The MAGES continue to work their magic, much to their head mage’s delight!“Just a little longer!” He chirps at Captain Ilga’s side! “Keep up the good work!”Not to be forgotten, two more shrill whistles arc through the air above–another volley from the Skog’s unseen artillery beyond the breach! But what gives the team pause–and the remaining Skog Chanter–is the distant sound of a mighty engine rumbling from beyond the breach… bigger than those infernal bleeder devices by far… and it’s growing louder by the second!“Steel yourselves while you can!” Barks Ilga as her sharp gaze falls upon the breach, “We’re not finished yet!”>TURN 4 BEGINS! JUST ONE MORE TURN AND IT’S ALL OVER, GUYS! STILL MIGHT WANNA PREPARE JUST IN CASE! : D
>>6429835Oh rightTERRII IS DOWNED! CAST AID OR ASSIST THEM TO REVIVE!
>>6429835Didn't I say I would be moving forward, rather than backwards?
>>6429839You gave a few possible moves and didn't outright tell me where specifically you wanted to move. If you give me a specific space I'll update it to reflect that, though!
>>6429841Well, I guess it's my mistake for not specifying it, but I meant for my move to be >>6429555
>>6429839You said "go and blink Barbaran back to cover", which Bones did, then you said you could blink forward but I don't think you actually changed your action to say that?Anyways, whoever is willing to pick me up for my movement fuck up, I'll reward you with more cat noises or something (probably best to pick me up first so I can use my action to pick up Terrii, who's right next to me, so we can both skedaddle.)
>>6429844I said unless there was a better plan, but I should have probably specified that I was going with the idea to blink forward.
>>6429843Fixed! Thanks for clarifying!UPDATED MAP, FOLKS
>>6429848>UP 2>CAST AID on LEEDLE"GET OUT OF THERE, SOFT TAIL!"
>>6429848Thank you.Barbaran is going to spring into action! By which I mean, he's going to walk two steps over to H4 and cast Stinging Swarm on G1, F2 and E3! If the shape is possible, of course...
>>6429851>>6429835"Ngh. My nose has mislead me for the first and only time. I must blame Vin'urz for this slight. Is he present? No. Should I still blame him? Yes.">SLAP TERRII AWAKE WITH MY ACTION >DART TO A6 THE MOMENT I AM CERTAIN TERRII ISNT BLEEDING OUT OF EVERY SINGLE HOLE.
(Gimme a sec to get somewhere to write, guys, but I am gonna try to blink the Sentinel away from the Chanter so he is easier for someone else to attack)
>>6429856Can you put him in the bomb zone (G5)?
>>6429856(Actually ignore this I am gonna save Leedle)
>>6429857(Oh fuck that's a great idea... Someone else save Leedle!)
>>6429858>>6429860"I am already awake, cur. In fact, there was never a point in time where I was not up and about, stretching my calves as a cat is expected to do."(lmao yeah Beats already slapped me awake, you do whatever you want, friend.)
>>6429856Also the Sentinel is dead, my man. The only unit left is Chanter-chan but I will give one last piece of advice and then shaddap:I would probably heal up if you can and/or get into good positions
>>6429863(Oh!! White X, yes, sorry I'm so unused to the cadence of a Skirm, I keep losing track of where things are at)
>>6429848>MOVE: FIVE left (A5) So I can slingshot folks up with Blink from the flank maybe >ACTION: Heal my HP back to 4
>>6429865No prob Big Ang, I barely understand it either and I'm running the damn thing
>>6429848"lookssssssss like we're done here...">MOVE TO A10 AND BLINK TO A12
>>6429835>>6429854"N-No more... Pinpricks all over.... H-hah? What? Where? Did that Skog kill me? No... It was swoos, was it? ALLIED swoos...."Confusion makes way for terrible anger on the Gnok's face!"Grrrrrrrr... Not only do I have to deal with SKOG BRUTES, I also end up getting BACKSTABBED? I'll... I'll...!"Suddenly, she realizes something!"M-my feathers! They're all... They're all ruined! N-no!!! Snifff... BOOOOHOOOOHOOOOOOOOO WEHHHHHHHHH!!" She begins crying, inadvertently deafening her Durher saviour in a most socially inacceptable way, before running away in shame with her head in her hands... Have some pity for her, please!>Run to D11>Hunker down in despair (it will take ages to regrow them!)
Rolled 6, 2 + 2 = 10 (2d6 + 2)>>6429835"There there Terri, you could've ended up like this guy."He says as he runs over a fallen cutter"I'm sure that your Plumage will grow back into a greater quality than before.""Renny could you come up with me? I hear something approaching, a blastcap would be great for shoring against a second push.">Move to C5, Fire Flamebolt at Chanter 1ACC is +4, -2 from Fog
Rolled 6 + 2 (1d10 + 2)>>6430127"Let the fog fuel your inferno as you chant a funeral dirge."
>>6429848Renny notices the advantage they have. She decides to try to reason with the chanter since it may have more of a sense of sensibility."Just... leave this place or surrender! You've lost!"She looks back to the mage next to her to check how he's doing.>INTERACT WITH MAGE 1Renny unfortunately makes some more small talk to the concentrated mage albeit in a softer tone as to not take too much of his attention. "Hey what happens to anyone stuck in the breach while it's being closed...? We cwould that mageas hostage if it ends up close to us...."
>>6430128>>6430152"Oh... nevermind. That thing is a bit too crispy for that now..."
>>6429848Moving diagonally to j8
>>6430128Has Huxxeer killed the most enemies between the two missions?
>>6430217Nobody can stop him...
>>6430217Huxxer may just be the strongest mage in the lands... especially now with Trier gone...
>>6430222Alas, by being part of a sidequest DLC rather than the main story, he will always be weaker than main cast characters like Oti.
SHIT'S COUNTED! Writing! Expect delays--got shit goin on today.>>6430308You're not wrong there. Huxxer's GOOD, but Oti ain't no slouch either. Or Toppel, but we don't talk about her
Rolled 2, 2, 6, 1, 6, 3, 6, 2, 4, 3, 1, 3, 5, 2, 5, 2, 1, 3 = 57 (18d6)Oh you slimy jerks. Rolling for Stinging Swarm damage... let it not be said that I was unfair
>>6430427Wait hold on, messed up the position so only a few get got...
Y'all better not have the new turn while I'm asleep and leave me in the dirt...
>>6430554Gonna write the update early Sat in my timezone--today got a lil too busy and I'm wiped. Sorry for the wait, all! SOON!
Rolled 3, 4, 6, 3, 2, 6, 1, 1, 5, 1, 4, 5, 1, 4 = 46 (14d6)Ope time for more rolls actually hehe
An uncanny lull washes over the breach as the Skogtillery finds their marks, prompting ISSVAL SQUAD to take the opportunity to mend each other’s wounds… or inflict them in BARBARAN and HUXXER’s cases! As the last attacker falls, much to RENNY’s disappointment, a blanket of calm drapes across the battlefield…Until, that is, a violent groan erupts from the rubble and stone within the smoky breach!“YES!!!” Roars the lead mage with a spirited snicker, “YOU DID IT!!! WE’RE IN BUSINESS!”Captain Ilga merely listens to the mages work with an approving nod as the sound of grinding stone echoes across the battlefield… and the breach in the wall is finally plugge-That’s when you hear it–the rumbling engine from before now rising to a near-deafening rumble! The very ground shakes beneath your feet and your teeth (for the teeth-bearing squaddies) chatter as what can only be some sort of mechanized LEVIATHAN approaches the newly-sealed breach with terrifying speed!“GET AWAY FROM THE BREACH!” Shouts Ilga, eyes widening to saucer size as she and her arcane associates realize something’s awry, “NOW-”The battlefield rocks with a deafening CRUNCH as something MASSIVE breaches the recently-sealed breach–its wicked engine still roaring like an angry Fruum as its passengers disembark from the top! A siege engine of some kind–one that turned the geomancer’s had work into rubble in mere moments!Several Skog reinforcements fall to the swarm of SWOOS BARBARAN so wisely-planted… but the ones that don’t are ushered forth by a series of booming roars emanating from a positively MASSIVE Skog–tusks filed down and face covered in ‘taks’--a Skog’s grim tally of how many lives they’ve taken in one battle alone!To the other squaddies, the Skog speaks in a brusque, menacing tone, but BARBARAN and BEATS can understand all-too-well what is said in their mother tongue:“FLOW LIKE BLOOD! 100 CUTS FOR EVERY STEP BACK! COOK THE TUSKLESS AND TAKE THE TRAITORS ALIVE… BREAKER TAA’JHAA WILL DESIRE ENTERTAINMENT WHEN THE CITY FALLS!”Like a stinging swarm they pour through the break with renewed menace in their eyes–the beat of the Ttani rumbling beyond the wall like thunder as distant explosions erupt far beyond!What follows can only be described as ‘pandemonium’--though several Skogs slipped through the Swoos, their mighty siege engine carried them far too fast to feel the full brunt… and the invaders take the opportunity with grim efficiency!”YOU!” Barks the leader as his massive eyes fall upon HUXXER, “MY DATJAA HAS SOME WORDS FOR YOU, TUSKLESS!”BARBARAN shouts something about a ‘Datjaa’ being some kind of long Skog blade commonly wielded by high-ranking officers, but HUXXER’s too busy conjuring up a shield to care!>CONTD.
>>6430716“AND THOSE WORDS ARE,” Snarls the Skog leader as the blade in question spins high above his skull and he surges forward in a sea of chains clanking around his mighty legs, “DIIIIEEEE!!!!!”HIT! HUXXER -2HPThe counterattack comes swifter than a pent-up Maakar–darts and blades whistling through the air with grim efficiency! Eager to impress his Captain, another Cutter cleaves into HUXXER from the side!HIT! HUXXER -2HPThe other strikes BARBARAN–hissing ‘TRAITOR…’ through his teeth in Skogese!HIT! BARBARAN -2HPA salvo of darts sails over Xuon’s head–the Mox sighing in silent relief that for once his height deficiency had helped!MISS! XUON!Another Bleeder, however, has no such issues even when Leedle is far smaller than her Mox ally! Thankfully only one dart really grazes her–the others fly well over her aristocratic head!HIT! LEEDLE -1HPAs for the shield-bearing Sentinels? They close in on ANGKIS and BARBARAN respectively–striking both with thick, barbed clubs that send the two reeling!HIT! ANGKIS -1HPHIT! BARBARAN -1HP“HOLD FIRM!” Shouts Captain Ilga as she rushes down the incline, “I’ll mend your wounds, just hold fast!”>TURN 5 BEGINS! By the way–I need anyone to roll me a 1d100 for reasons. Best of 3! Sorry for the wait, folks!
>>6430717Is this supposed to be an...11? Also, you can choose which direction you fling people with force blast, right?
>>6430719Yes, that's an 11! A CHANTER SHIELDED his ass for 1 turn. And yea you can choose where to fling!
Rolled 5, 6 + 4 = 15 (2d6 + 4)>>6430723In that case..Barbaran is very, very hurt - he has been stabbed, shot, shot again, and he is nearly completely surrounded by his foes - but he is not scared. He is smiling. For the time has FINALLY come for him to do that which he has been waiting for so much time.>MOVE TO G3>FORCE BLAST ON CHANTER 3>DIAGONAL MOVEMENT
Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d4)>>6430726And That's a FULL HIT on EVERYBODAHDamage Roll.
>>6430726Barbaran over here likehttps://youtu.be/7OeiDrCbWYI
Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d4)>>6430727I do believe those lads are all doomed with this, regardless of what happens, but just to be sure, rolling for stinging swarm to finish them off.
Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d6)>>6430717An eye for an eye shall make the whole world blind. It's a great thing that in the DARK, it doesn't matter if you're blind or not!>MOVE TO B3!>RAISE UP MY SWORD AND SLICE THROUGH CHANTER 2 AS THE MAIN TARGET, AND BLEEDER 3 AS MY CLEAVE TARGET>ROLLING TO HIT.
>>6430739...and her blade totally misses his head in a blundering display of ineptitude. Nice going, numbnuts, way to go. Should've brought those gloves instead of bombs."Well. I would like to ask you to forgive me for this social faux pas, but I believe you are not the type of civilized individual who would do such a thing."
Rolled 83 (1d100)>>6430717"Boohooo... My f-f-f-feathers..." Slowly, the Gnok's cries begin to die down. Noticing Ilga's presence next to her, TERRII turns to her, still crouched down. "Snifff... Captain... As a fellow Gnok... W-What should I do? D-Do you think I'm still pretty?"The Captain's words WILL have a MAJOR impact on her actions for the rest of the battle! Also rollan as asked by the QM.
Rolled 71 (1d100)>>6430717LEEDLE's blood shall stain this next roll, by the by. AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>6430757Captain Ilga impassively stares at TERRII like a cow regarding a passing freight train as the air around them roars with Skog warcries and distant artillery--the air thick with the scent of freshly-spilled blood and the acrid stench of smoke and bile.The longest moment in TERRII'S short life passes... and then?"You are a Gnok."The words emerge low from Ilga's frowning lips as their owner gives TERRII an icy stare."Our history is marked by bloody conflict. Internal disputes. Bonds rend asunder and forged anew by the heat of our collective will and resilience."Her face hardens as a Bleeder salvo rips past their position."There was a time where our very existence was threatened--not by Skogs. Not by Fuuxi. Not by Mzz'goe'virr or Mox, nor Durhers or Molegg... but by our own. Separate Houses who would see our race die rather than evolve and cooperate with others."A thick, gauntleted hand clasps TERRII'S trembling shoulder as another wipes a rogue tear from the fashionista's waterlogged eye. "Our people were tempered through conflict. Our very existence owed to perseverance and grit."Her steely eyes lock with TERRII's."Your plumage may be plucked. Your body broken... but even at their worst, kin, Gnoks shine with a brilliance like no other--a glow one can feel even in this darkness-throttled world of ours."Ilga gives TERRII'S damp, dirty cheek a playful tap. "You are beautiful, kin... and no battle nor foe can ever hope to take that from you."She releases her hold on TERRII'S shoulder. "Walk with pride--yours is a visage that cannot be marred. No Gnok's can."TERRII IS NOW FULLY HEALED! +2 ACC FOR THIS TURN!
>>6430717“Oh, it’s ol’ Obag. That ain’t good. I’ll try something to enrage him towards me, so you can flee, Huxxer. I’ll need some help.”>Move D9>Hack off Cutter 1&2’s tusks and armor.Howling in skogese“OBAG, YOU GUTLESS SCUM-SUCKING WORM. LOOK HERE, THIS WHAT I WILL DO TO YOU. YOUR TUSKS WILL BE PLAYTHINGS OF MY DOGS. WE ALL KNOW YOU FLED FROM YOUR FIRST BATTLE WITH TAIL BETWEEN YOUR LEGS. FACE ME TUSK TO TUSK IF YOU ARE A TRUE SKOG”
