Jail Quest: a text adventure occasionally illustrated.A night of drinking and a failed attempt to cheat on cards had landed you the strangest job slash community service sentence you've ever had: ensuring Gongalla Gaol survives the reality storm called Singularity.Now you travel around with your employer and a handpicked crew to survey the four Reality Anchors. Hey, beats being tarred and feathered, right?You are Rosa Montagni, who woke up after binging on booze at the local Viridis casino to find Nemo and Craig missing! But Valencio filled you in on their adventures, which involves Liv, a long-time bounty hunter friend of yours. So, convinced that they're alright and headed to Hexbourne, you've decided to head there as well, even if you have to ride a Machine Men-made smuggler transport network on the ceiling.Once you've been intentionally crashlanded on Hexbourne, you find the splitting image of a certain cultist fox that you've helped capture way back at the Orphanage - but this time, he's only a lookalike. Then you find out you have another cousin enrolled in the magic school that is Hexbourne, and try a bit of scrying to check where Craig and Nemo is at the moment.But then... things went belly-up fast. Craig's been laid low by someone you thought was dead all this time -Sierra, your former mentor at connivery! Thankfully they're able to teleport. Soon after, you've been summoned to meet the principal of Hexbourne, which turned out to be the Eastern anchor's deity, Kagutsuchi AKA Homusubi...Wonder what he wants from you?
>>6428026Before you sits the massive form of Kagutsuchi, behind an equally large desk that you mistook for a small storage shed. The god of black fire coughs - just enough to break whatever awe or terror you might have been thinking about."A-hm. I'd usually engage in pleasantries, but there are urgent matters at hand."He raises a finger, as if showing you how dire the situation is."One: one of our 'existential threat' alarms was triggered recently, regarding a certain monitored entity's mana signature suddenly appearing in very close proximity to Hexbourne. In the same island, maybe just outside our campus."You still have no idea why you'd be called for this, until the hefty deity gestured towards one of the many screens behind him."Two: we detected these two escorting some of our presumed lost students... until they ran afoul of the threat entity I mentioned earlier."The screen flickers out of static, now showing a bedridden Craig. Nemo awaits by his side, watching over the unconscious boy. This sent you into panic."NEMO! CRAIG!"Anxiety abound, since you've seen him attacked by Sierra - thanks to the scrying you've done earlier."CRAIG! Is he okay?!"Kagutsuchi answers your fears."Not to worry, I had them teleported in as soon after they lost. The students managed to return via the back entrance. I am already acquainted by Nemo, and it is he who petitioned me to summon you, as a fellow surveyor of the anchors. Furthermore, as we scanned Craig's mana signature, we've detected a potential existential threat laying dormant within him. I was told you're his guardian - were you aware of this?"Now, was he talking about Craig's spirits? Or was it something else?Then again, there's some weird details about what he said, that you'd like to ask questions about.>CHOOSE ONE>□ Yes, it's about one of the spirits he has, isn't it?>□ No, is it because of that grimoire I bought for him?>□ No, did Sierra do something to him?>□ Other (fill in)>ALSO CHOOSE ONE>□ What is this threat entity of yours? Is it a person?>□ Why did you wait until they've lost the fight before teleporting them?>□ How are you outside your anchor? Wait, are we in an anchor now?>□ Why did you scan Craig's mana signature? Seems unnecessary for treatment.>□ Other (fill in)
>>6428026Whoops, almost forgotPrevious thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2026/6370348/Gongallaverse:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Gongalla%20Gaol
>>6428055>Yes, it's about one of the spirits he has, isn't it?And>What is this threat entity of yours? Is it a person?
>>6428073+1>>6428057Welcome back QM
>>6428055>>6428073+1 to this. And yes, welcome back, KING
>>6428073+1Welcome back QM!
>>6428055>□ Yes, it's about one of the spirits he has, isn't it?>□ What is this threat entity of yours? Is it a person?
>>6428055"Ah, damnit - it's one of his spirits, isn't it? The trickster one that Skadi spoke of."You remember the last time it manifested along with another spirit, back in the South - that trickster unleashed havoc on those broken anvil intruders."Ah, your job with Nemo, to survey and maintain the Reality Anchors, is it not? That explains your familiarity with Skadi, you must have visited her before me."Behind Kagutsuchi, the screen switches to the exact event you were thinking of. Seems like Kagutsuchi had comandeered the majority of Gongalla's PANOPTIKON feed for his own uses, huh?"But no. That fragment of Loki - while powerful - is of no threat. Hrmm. Seems like you are actually ignorant of the threat."Threat this, threat that... wait, isn't the one who fought Craig was Sierra?"Hold on, that first threat you told me... is this entity a person?""Correct.""Then I might have seen her while scrying, just now.""Oh?"Kagutsuchi shifts in his seat, leaning a bit more forward."It was my ex-mentor...""Then you have seen...""Sierra""Durga"Both of you spoke at the same time, but what he said startles you. Can it be...? It can't be! Despite that, a small grin rises from Kagutsuchi."O-hm! This is quite interesting. Who is this other Sierra you spoke of, and why did you mistake Durga for her?"Kagutsuchi's smile disappears as he continues."As for the matter of your cousin... how attached are you to him? I cannot let an existential threat to Gongalla continue this way."Wait, what? What is he implying?>CHOOSE ONE>□ Sierra's the one I saw while scrying>□ Did Durga disguise herself as Sierra?>□ Oh snap, they're one and the same!>□ Other (fill in)>ALSO CHOOSE ONE>□ Are you going to kill him?!>□ Are you going to extract the threat from him?!>□ Are you going to study him for a cure?!>□ Are you going to do nothing about him?!>□ Other (fill in)
>>6429275>Oh snap, they're one and the same!And >Other (fill in)>"I'm plenty attached. Surely there's some way to fix the condition? Without destroying him?"
>>6429275>□ Oh snap, they're one and the same!AAAIIIEEEEEEEand>>6429297+1 to this for the second response. Don't even think of destroying my cousin you bitch
>>6429297+1The ultimate scam to ruse the gods: become one yourself
>>6429297+1
>>6429275Blood rushes to your head once you realize Kagutsuchi's going to neutralize whatever threat that was, by utterly eliminating Craig."Hey, hey! Don't you dare!! Don't even think about it!! That's MY cousin we're talking about, and I swore to keep him safe!!!"Despite the outburst, you find yourself deflating quicker than you thought you'd be. All this emotional rollercoaster you've been having lately might be draining you somewhat. And Kagutsuchi isn't anymore bothered than before."E-hm. Shame that the most efficient way is off-limits, then."You try to appeal to his logical side."There's bound to be another way..."Kagutsuchi nodded."True. I'll just surveil him, for now.""Thanks for that. As for your other question... Sierra was a con artist, and my mentor. We've traveled together for some time, but she died trying to 'scam the gods' with a magic bullet. The worst thing is... I think she really did it. She and Durga are one and the same, now."The deity of the East shifts forward on his seat."Hm-hm! Now that is quite alarming and fascinating at the same time."After a slight bit of nigh-uncomfortable silence, he makes you an offer."Now, I suppose while you're here, why not survey my Reality Anchor?"You'd guessed as much. That elevator must've been connected to the Anchor's insides. On with your job...>CHOOSE ONE>□ His task is to learn something new, a skill perhaps?>□ His task is to show what your ability can do>□ His task is to solve three of his tests>□ His task is to answer a quiz>□ Other (fill in)>ALSO CHOOSE ONE>□ May we check on Craig?>□ May we get more info on Durga?>□ May we get a boon from you?>□ Were you behind those recent pillar explosions?>□ Just pick up Craig and leave after the anchor maintenance>□ Other (fill in)
Rosa is too cute
>>6431964>□ His task is to show what your ability can do>□ May we get a boon from you?
>>6431964>□ His task is to learn something new, a skill perhaps?This is a magic school, anybody can learn anything new here>□ May we get more info on Durga?How much does what he know line up with what Rosa knows?
>>6431964>>6432014+1 to this! I wanna know about this butthead
>>6431964>□ His task is to show what your ability can doAnd>□ May we get a boon from you?
Rolled 2 (1d2)Time to consult the winds of fate...>1: show our ability, boon>2: learn a new skill, Durga info
>>6431964"Yeah, sure, why not? What's your maintenance task?"An impatient huff escapes your nostrils as Kagutsuchi nods towards you."O-hm, quite the enthusiasm!"He then raises his hand upwards, beckoning you to look upwards. Screens upon screens, monitors upon monitors line the inner surface of the Reality Anchor, stacked upon each other and stretching up into infinity. And each of them shows a different thing. Some are tracking individuals of interest within Gongalla, some are monitoring locations, and some are full of static - but upon closer inspection, they are pointed towards the realms of Nowhere."As you can see, I fancy myself an educator, and to that end I have installed the PANOPTIKON system in my anchor. So, your task would be to learn. Nothing much, just a new skill. Any skill."You shoot an incredulous look at Kagutsuchi."I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a Null!"Kagutsuchi's little smile returns."A-hm! Astounding, but my other name is Homusubi - 'He Who Starts Sparks'. Which means I can spark a potential in you."You mull over the offer. Does this mean you can learn how to do magic? Or utilize glitches?"Any skill, huh?""Anything. Just pick a screen, and I'll tutor you."Now this could turn out to be interesting...>CHOOSE ONE>□ Maybe you'll learn magic, maybe illusions?>□ Maybe you'll learn the Gongallan sleight of hand?>□ Maybe you'll learn to see and talk to spirits?>□ Maybe you'll learn to exploit glitches in reality?>□ Maybe you'll learn a sight beyond sight?>□ Maybe you'll learn how to actually shoot your gun?>□ Other (fill in)
>>6433904>□ Maybe you'll learn how to actually shoot your gun?Pistolero time lfg
>>6433904>>□ Maybe you'll learn how to actually shoot your gun?Mr. Kagutsuchi is helping me fire my gun
>>6433904>□ Maybe you'll learn how to actually shoot your gun?Tragic poetic justice if Rosa has to use the gun to kill Sierra later
>>6433904>>□ Maybe you'll learn how to actually shoot your gun?
>>6433904Despite the myriad options in front of you, you feel that the big 'meta'-skills such as magic, glitches, seerwork or spirit-talking would change you too much in a way you're not truly comfortable with. So you settle for a lesser skill that might be very useful when you head West - which could be as soon as you finish the maintenance here."Then... teach me how to shoot. I have this gun whose trigger I couldn't pull."From your inventory you gingerly fish out your revolver - it is true, that thing about the trigger.The whole room went silent for a while, the hum of the screens ceasing as Kagutsuchi adjusts his glasses and inspects your gun from his seat."A-hm... I'd say you'd be better off asking Durga for that matter, but that gun was hers, correct?"You nod solemnly."That, my dear Rosa, is no ordinary gun. It's designed with the necessary magitech to be able to take anything as ammunition. Bullets, pebbles, mushrooms, animals, people, hopes, dreams, concepts... any and everything, as long as you can imagine it."That revelation comes as a surprise to you. It does explain why you've never actually seen Sierra actually shoot using that particular revolver - except for that one incident that scarred you so. What sort of 'magic bullet' did she think of when she did it?"From what I've seen, it is currently fully loaded with regrets."Kagutsuchi continues, pausing only as some of the screen flickered into a blank white void - except for a single one with a target shown."E-hm. To accurately teach you shooting, I'll need to observe your current aptitude. Whenever you're ready, go ahead and shoot that target."Full of regrets, huh? Maybe this is how you'll let them go. You grip the handle, steady your breath, and aim...>EACH PLAYER, ROLL 1D20>TAKING THE FIRST SIX ROLLS20: bullseye15: hits target10: hits the screen the target's on7: pulls the trigger6 and below: mental block
Rolled 2 (1d20)>>6435999
Rolled 15 (1d20)>>6435999
Rolled 20 (1d20)>>6435999These regrets, if they're all Rosa's, well... the gun might make the process easier but letting go of anything not just regrets is always easier said than done. Nobody should expect this to work the first time, but it's still a good step forwardhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Z_GFpXScI
can we stop there? We can't top this progression.
Rolled 8 (1d20)>>6436044Coward. All 6 bullets MUST be fired. In fact I will roll again and the QM can simply disregard this if he so wishes
Rolled 17 (1d20)>>6436045Let me mog your roll if that's so.
Rolled 20 (1d20)>>6435999JINGLE JANGLE!
All 6 have been rolled>mental block>hit>bullseye>miss>hit>bullseye
>>6435999As your finger comes into contact with the trigger, a rush of memory arise unprovoked. A moment's faltering as the feeling of regret at leaving home sticks to you... and you press.*click*A misfire. The regret refuses to leave you."Urgh... work, damn you..."You steady yourself, perhaps grasping at the nature of your ammunition. You steel your mind against oncoming waves of regret, and pull.BANG. Target hit. Regret at not visiting Goblinton more often.BANG. Bullseye. Regret at having cheated so blatantly at cards.PCHEW. The shot goes wide and offscreen. Regret at not being able to protect Craig.BANG. Target hit. Regret at not telling Raoul your feelings for him.BANG. Bullseye. Regret at not going on this journey at all.Six shots, six regrets. The revolver feels lighter somehow, and you somehow understood that you can now put something - anything - inside each of them. But that is a matter for tomorrow."Hm-hm! You are actually an amazing shot, Rosa dear - I suppose the only guidance I can teach you is that the only thing holding you back is yourself. Mentally speaking, of course. What you need is some confidence, Rosa - actual, true confidence, mind you, and you'll be a bona fide gunslinger."Well, that's two birds with one stone, you'd say - not only you're doing your job, you get to resolve some regrets in your life."...Right, so is that it for the maintenance tasks?"True, you feel that the atmosphere inside is slightly more harmonious. Screens no longer flicker unnecessarily, the light seem to be brighter, Kagutsuchi seem more pleased than before."A-hm, yes. But, before you leave, I have a favor to ask of you."Of course, you had a feeling this would happen. Deities and their circumstances."Yeah, sure, why not? What do you need done?"Intriguing how he is able to look that pleased despite not showing his mouth at all."As you know, us Anchor deities cannot leave our Reality Anchors, at least our true bodies. But I have a project that might need... external assistance. I have seen you deal with the Machine Man named Lugal before, yes? Well, I need you to arrange a meeting between us. Here, of course, on the account of my relative immobility."He pauses to sit straighter, causing his silhouette to cut a more imposing figure."But I'd need you to do so discreetly. Having a Machine Man smuggler arrive in the middle of a magic academy without clear intentions would invite unwanted attention. I know that you have the wiles to make this a success."With that, you know that this favor would be returned with another favor, although a deity's favor would be immensely useful. But it doesn't hurt to get a question in as you leave. Then you have to actually figure out how are you going to smuggle a smuggler into a bustling Hexbourne without causing too much hubbub...(Contd.)
>>6436906>CHOOSE ONE QUESTION>□ Wait, isn't Durga supposed to be immobile from her Western Reality Anchor, too? Why is she seen in the East?>□ What's this project of yours? Can I help?>□ From your observations, can Gongalla survive the Singularity reality storm?>□ Got any idea what those 'pillar blasts' from the other day were?>ALSO CHOOSE ONE METHOD>□ Find a secluded spot in Hexbourne and then ask Lugal if he can drop-pod there>□ Smuggle Lugal in as a 'practical specimen' at studying Machine Men anatomy>□ Get an encrypted single Panopticon screen to Lugal so he and Kagutsuchi can communicate directly>□ Other (fill in)
>>6436909>□ Wait, isn't Durga supposed to be immobile from her Western Reality Anchor, too? Why is she seen in the East?And>□ Get an encrypted single Panopticon screen to Lugal so he and Kagutsuchi can communicate directly
>>6436909>>□ What's this project of yours? Can I help?>□ Smuggle Lugal in as a 'practical specimen' at studying Machine Men anatomyAmazing update and level up for OurGirl.
>>6436909>□ Wait, isn't Durga supposed to be immobile from her Western Reality Anchor, too? Why is she seen in the East?>□ Find a secluded spot in Hexbourne and then ask Lugal if he can drop-pod there
>>6436909>□ What's this project of yours? Can I help?>□ Find a secluded spot in Hexbourne and then ask Lugal if he can drop-pod there
>>6436909You admit that there is a bit of curiosity regarding this project of Kagutsuchi's."So, what's this project all about? Maybe I can help."The black-flamed god looks at you up and down, as footage of your deeds against the Singularity cult play in one of the back screens."Mm-hm, you've fought against the Singularity Cult before... I suppose you can be trusted."He continues, as the screen switches to what seem like a live feed from outside of Gongalla, pointed at the reality storm itself - ominously floating in Nowhere."So, you understand that the storm called Singularity is headed right onto Gongalla, yes? Us deities have different thoughts about how to deal with it. Sierra wants to reinforce the Reality Anchors - which your team's done well, so far. Skadi prefers to hide, cloaking ourselves temporarily into Nowhere. Durga's plan is just asinine, ask her for details because I've ignored it for its incredulousness. As for my own, though, it could be simplified as: 'move out of the way'."His idea made you gasp in disbelief."You're not suggesting we abandon-"To Kagutsuchi's credit, he raises a palm at you."Nonsense! We will move the entire Gongalla aside, using the Reality Shifter Engine I'm currently developing. Although, I've hit a snag, materials-wise - I believe Lugal can help me with procurement. As for you..."Ah yeah, makes sense. Disbelief suspended, you quickly think of a way for Lugal to meet Kagutsuchi, discreetly."Well, Lugal has this ceiling-based transport network that can send people and things via drop-pod... do you have a noise-proof and secluded place in or near Hexbourne with open access to the ceiling?""Oh, so that is how! The PANOPTIKON never had much coverage in the ceiling. Hmm, I have some ideas for the location...""Great! I can arrange it with Lugal when I meet him next. As for me...">CHOOSE ONE LANDING SPOT>□ The construction site of a new dormitory building>□ An old forgotten quadrangle>□ The roof of one of the clock towers that needs renovation>□ Other (fill in)>ALSO CHOOSE ONE>□ You'll check if the materials are up to Kagutsuchi's standards>□ You can hook Kagutsuchi up with skilled workers>□ You can help root out any cultists snooping around the project>□ Other (fill in)
>>6438906>□ The roof of one of the clock towers that needs renovationHey I mean maybe this'll speed up the renovation efforts you know?>□ You can help root out any cultists snooping around the projectScrew those guys
>>6438906>Dat screen Woh.. :0 I only know about Orville(?) from the /qst/ villain art that floats around. Very cool. >□ An old forgotten quadrangleAnd >□ You can help root out any cultists snooping around the projectWe're new scoot shootin'
>>6438911+1
>>6438906>□ The roof of one of the clock towers that needs renovation>□ You can help root out any cultists snooping around the project
>>6441373"...I can look out for cultists trying to sabotage the project. PANOPTIKON notwithstanding, your focus would be the project, right?"You did feel a bit of accomplishment when you went with Millie and Clyde in dismantling the North's cultist cell. A sense of satisfaction from successfully safeguarding your home, perhaps?"Mm, true. So, what's your idea regarding the landing spot? How hidden should it be?"Kagutsuchi seemed more eager to get in contact with Lugal, huh?"First, do you have somewhere high that is also due for a renovation?""There's this clock tower on the eastern side of the island that haven't been maintained as often as it needed...""Good! That means even less eyes from the ground. I can try to get Lugal to crash on that clock tower's roof - you can then blame it on the tower needing renovations and repair. Thus no one bats an eye if materials comes in and out of Hexlock, it's for 'renovations' after all!"A loud slap echoes in the chamber, and then again - Kagutsuchi is smiling wider then you've ever seen before, and he's clapping."O-hm! Very good, as expected of a con artist! Elegantly put as well, hiding in plain sight. Then, I will arrange things on this end. You can go ahead and contact Lugal, then."He then waves you out of his 'office', where you find your companions at the designated waiting area. Hannah and the vice-headmaster are there too, enjoying tea and talking to Liz and Valencio."How did it go?"Valencio noted you arriving first."Good, nothing big on the Reality Anchor itself - I even learned something."As you walk towards them, you're still racking your brain on one question: how the hell are you going to contact Lugal?>CHOOSE ONE>□ Go back to the digsite and enquire again>□ Wait for Craig to recover, then all of you try the digsite again>□ You have that reinforcement coupon from him, right?>□ Maybe ask Kagutsuchi to teleport you to the ceiling, if not the digsite>□ Other (fill in)
>□ You have that reinforcement coupon from him, right?
