Casey breaaathe. Remember, stay calm. Anyway I think it's safe to say that you're not alone here, and why would you be? You're the visitors. What kind of host would leave unattended visitors?

>>1088891

Oh hey, voices in the magic plane.

Yeah, we probably should have foreseen that one.

Toxoglossa 2024/04/17(Wed)17:37 No. 1089074 ID: 8a1605
File 171340065395.png - (50.08KB , 700x500 , 16-97.png )

“Wait! Hold it!” Casey brings up her palms in a sort of rational wall against confusion. “There’s someone else here, right? Is this some kind of fey trick? You can come out now!”

There’s a shape in the mist: not a solid object, but a void roughly the size of a person.

“You were quick to catch on…” Says someone through Kol’s voice.

“Are- are you our guide?” Casey asks, squinting as she tries to make out any features of the speaker.

“I’m a shepherd of sorts.” Says Gabe’s voice. “The souls tend to get lost amid the roots without my help.”

“Oh, this is going to get confusing.” Kol states, “Nice to meet you. I’m Kol, this is Casey and Gabe.”

“Well met. I take it you’re trying to find the sea of mana and font of souls?” Says the guide through Casey’s voice.”

trying to find the sea and mana and souls half-quickly, both to not suffer from the mana, and because we don't got much time up top

>>1089074
Right on the first try!
Would it be so kind as to guide us there?
We're a bit pressed for time.

3/3 Silv 2024/04/17(Wed)12:31 No. 1089055 ID: 1effd3
File 171338227283.png - (580.28KB , 900x750 , 041624_FromNothing63_ToxRuins2.png )

Inside, rubble and torn metal litter the ground. There is a great number of voidling slugs in here eating the rubble, along with some runes.
x2 runes obtained.
“More runes! Nothing new, but it means we can use them when we get back home.”

Silv begins to walk out of the ruined building, towards the giant crystal structure in the crater.
“Let's see if we can get a bit of this crystal now!”

>>1089053
Some recipes include trace amounts of toxic ingredients, like nutmeg.

>>1089055
Metal! Literally!
Steel is strong and abundant, but you don't have the means to produce it yet. Grab some, and try to get your voidlings to recycle it into steel-production runes! Steel alloys are mostly iron and oxygen, so it should be non-toxic.

Lastly, tame some more voidlings.

>>1089055
Are those shears on that pile?

>>1089056
Maybe feed one of the fruit to a voidling here to tame it...and if it's poisonous, at least you didn't poison st that was already your friend. ;P

>>1089055
Oooh, metal. We should take some of that back.
Is that a smaller crystal back there you can identify?

See if you can find a nice metal bar in the rubble, to use as a pick for crystal samples.

H D J C

A, e
Because DRAGONs and ROMANCE just go together!

A, B, H

Let's see, E, and uh... E, E and E. For E-xplicit and E-rotic, and an E-mbarassing number of them hidden under your bed.

B, J, H, and G

Ah.
Well, I hate to admit it, but we screwed up.

See, we took a mercenary job. Help the Gormoamhi survivors of Venian's Titan rampage survive and rebuild. I was hoping we could get them to accept a surrender to clan Makag and become Venian's personal army.

Turns out, it was all a conspiracy by House Yish - or rather, the supposed descendants of the tyrannical lineage of emperors that was exterminated. They're the ones creating that army of magical zombies. The head honcho's a loser, still managed to usurp the two clans we created and is busy using them to, in his words, 'breed me an army'. Point is, we have some affinity with clans Guk and Sizzalak, but they're now enemies working for someone who wants the three clans to die screaming, and if you stay here, that asshole is going to torture you until you tell him where Nietch is, and since you don't know who that is, he's not going to stop until you die.

Try talking to her. I know the clan's leaders have implants that can translate their tribal language, see if the grunts got them yet.

Politely ask to be untied.

Baron 2024/04/17(Wed)16:37 No. 1089069 ID: 7a1a17
File 171339703764.png - (829.64KB , 2000x2000 , 5.png )

I could check that weird thing you just said. Or...

"Hey! Hey blue girl!"

Yeah that got her attention. She throws her loin cloth back on and scrambles up to me.

Baron 2024/04/17(Wed)16:44 No. 1089071 ID: 7a1a17
File 171339748498.png - (1.07MB , 2000x2000 , 6.png )

Ooh I knew these things were strong, but she lifts me up pretty easy. She's sniffing me, looking me up and down. Now I'm not a judge or nothing, but she looks real shocked.

"You! How do you speak?!"

"With my mouth."

I don't think she'd understand "I picked it up with the six other languages they speak in the bordellos in Rezo-Low. If Veni knew, he'd probably be upset and lecture me about using my attention in lessons instead of negotiating a discount at the whorehouses.

"NO! The nonpeople cannot speak! You are stupid! You cannot speak until we teach you. We cannot teach you until you are half person! How do you have a soul of Gormoamhi?!"

I don't think she'd untie me if I asked.

>>1089071
Yep, definitely a Gormoamhi tribeswoman. You can't fake that level of ultra-racist arrogance.

Keep distracting her. I'll start casting spells to get you out of this.

[Pymary('spear tip', 'loincloth', hardness);]
...
Okay, done! I'm no expert at magic, but I got creative and weakened her spear while strengthening your loincloth into a shiv! Sit up and jab her with it!

Silence 2024/04/17(Wed)07:26 No. 1089026 ID: ed041d
File 171336399733.png - (8.36KB , 180x106 , Mech142.png )

You take off, the Walkers are on a short timer and may try to find out where the splash come from.

Silence 2024/04/17(Wed)07:27 No. 1089027 ID: ed041d
File 171336402561.png - (90.77KB , 847x649 , Mech143.png )

You pass through the door and enter into the main section of the compound, finding a massive machine in the center...

You suspect this is the superweapon.

Oh good. It is one single superweapon then, not a huge pile of them. Now, it's surely impervious to the firepower of a single lonely mech, but there must be access panels to get into it. Is anything inscribed on the side?

You're sure it's a superweapon, right? This is starting to feel like a setup. What could get Kowalski-Wayne in serious trouble, if you mistakenly blew it up?

Well, no time for hesitation now. Cast IDENTIFY on the—I mean, access panels. Find out what's inside this beast, and where you might be able to sabatoge it.

No guards? Great so its a trap then.
Look for panels and hatches, any way to the interior

Literally stuff missiles in there and wire them to explode when they stop receiving your coded signal.

A) This isn't how adults should deal with their interpersonal problems. If you two can't talk this out, then maybe your partnership just isn't working. And hitting each other when you don't like what the other did won't fix that.

This castle could really use a therapist on staff.

My vote is for the vote of the executioner to count, as for my vote it is that the Queen needs to be punished.

Well time to deal with this tie, by rolling the dice. Every even number on the dice is going to be for the punishment to be ignored, every odd number is going to be for the punishment to happen.

rolled 3 = 3

---

>>1088765
This.

>>1088506
*Corax turns his attention his notebook and the one way Mirror*

Inner thoughts to "Peregrine": It appears you already know not to make eye contact with her, that is how she can read your thoughts. Interesting. We knew she had some connection to enemy groups before she joined us, but is there some connection between her and your former colleagues that you should enlighten me on? We'll discuss that later. For now, focus on the task at hand. If you need to step out while she is here, make some excuse, get tea for us, use the bathroom. Also keep an

Absurdity DeVoid 2024/04/15(Mon)02:29 No. 1088826 ID: 2e92e5
File 171317338383.jpg - (4.57MB , 3260x4329 , Divergent 334.jpg )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-R2vaN0d8&ab_channel=MilesEdgeworth1337

>>1088826
*Corax sighs in frustration then grabs his notes and quickly scribbles something down before entering the interrogation room*

Practical Empath, you forgot your notes. This should help you, please remember them in the future, carry them with you always; especially when you yourself identified her pet fish, Daylight. You said it was a black and white one and was even believed to be immortal.

*Written on the notepad is the following:*
You are there to ask her questions, not the other way around. Do not let her bully you into a position of weakness. You can read people like they are open books and that is invaluable. She may try to keep you out, but you are able to break those walls down. I have the utmost confidence in your capabilities. I have put a copy of Spirit Contaminators dossier on the next page for further assistance for you.

Tribunal Criminal Dossier

Subject Name: Unknown (referred to as "Spirit Contaminator")

Alias/Nickname: Contamy

Age: Approximated to be in the range of 30's to 40's, though exact age is unknown due to hybrid nature. Known to act and behave as if in late teens to early 20's

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Absurdity DeVoid 2024/04/17(Wed)09:39 No. 1089034 ID: bdef32
File 171337195167.jpg - (2.97MB , 3391x2532 , Divergent 335.jpg )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG_TJbjMVQA&ab_channel=GrayHunterMusic

>>1089034
Incorrect. Please stick with the facts.

You did not have any such relationship with Essence of Life. Your relationship was more seen as maternal, you were more like a daughter and apprentice to Essence. You acted like her daughter despite your age, even keeping up the charade by reading you bedtime stories. If Happy was your father, she was the maternal figure you had filling in the role of Mother/Older Sister.

>>1088981
Let's go skiing then.

Aelsaw 2024/04/17(Wed)09:26 No. 1089032 ID: ce93a7
File 171337120826.png - (74.07KB , 1200x1200 , 696.png )

>You can't just take his memories secretly can you?
It's possible. At my low energy level, a target must lower their passive energy defenses for me. I could then read his memories and make him forget I did anything. Judging by Pillet's memories, it's possible to brute force it, but it requires a great deal of energy beyond the target. There is a sense that she had a good idea of how much energy is required, but the details are lost with the memory's damage.

I think Pillet might've tried to trick Rewk, but he's been taken away. I suppose I could try and visit him, but from his phone and Gel's attitude, I think it's unlikely that he's got valuable knowledge in that head of his.

"I'm okay." I answer. "I think I'd like to go skiing after this."
>"Really? So were we. Are you skiing with anyone?"
"Nope."
>"Ever done it before?"
"Nope."
>"Wow, tell me you've scheduled an instructor or something."
"Can I not just show up and ask any local instructors?"
>"Pff, last I saw all class signups - "

Her response is cut off by but Pesh and Vix following us in. Pesh flashes us a thumbs up.

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You want to be able to leave it somewhere, or hide it in someone's bag, so he'll think you're somewhere else, but you won't have much time until he figures it out, so keep the phone for now and only get rid of it when you have to make your move.

That said, it would be hard to say Gel's not on your side. He went through reconstructive surgery to pose as your body double, so he has to be at least equally committed to this as you are. Still be ready to misplace the bugged phone when you need to go dark.

Hang out with the other possible spies for a fun ski day and find a signal blocking bag for the bugged phone on the way.

Should not hurt to keep contact with Gel open. Even if its to send someone after him later because it turns out he is bad news.

>>1089032

Probably more suspicious to drop it at this point, and keeping a line to Gel may be worthwhile, if only to be able to receive any information.

And if it gets weird, we can tell Tesh and Pesh that it's our twin sister, and while Rewk went about things really poorly, she's concerned about us.

7/10 Grey 2024/04/17(Wed)10:12 No. 1089043 ID: 3f89df
File 171337394223.png - (13.95KB , 500x500 , woah thats a lot of rocks.png )

>I already don't like that guy. A thousand gold is nothing to sneeze at, and that was your seasonal payment?!
>No, this reeks of a scam. The people on loan were Gold Scale; how hard would it be for them to ditch you so Gold Scales could claim your lives on default?
>In any case, his investment is suspicious, and his terms are profoundly unfair. Screw that guy.

>You need guns. It's the only way to get the Empire to back off. Go south, but carefully, and find an outpost. If you can steal some guns and a few ammo crates, hunting will become incredibly easy, and you can quickly train up an army and oust Gold Scale from power.

Look, as much as I don’t like Gold Scale, he’s the capital, and besides some nearby towns and cities, He has much more of a political and social standing between the kobolds than we could ever dream of, I don’t think that if we fail to pay our seasonal payment he’ll initially go to execute us, It’s more likely that Crocodile would lose his privileges and his land, and at most we would be banished, of course, that is if we don’t rebel militaristically, in which case we’d have the same reaction to what he sent to deal with the Crimision Flame.

Or we’d be perfectly indebted to him. I must admit, despite what the other kobolds think, I hate GoldScale. He throws out our current leader, Fang, then says he’s an illegitimate heir, renames the capital, and has a religious god complex in the capital. Not only that, but he embodies what drove blood mother to reside among the ground, Worshiping her children among herself.

Initially, that may be a good idea, but it is risky. Right now, we need some room to produce goods and gain enough people, so that is a good idea.

Oh! It seems as if Bardeibor has already finished, a

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8/10 Grey 2024/04/17(Wed)10:12 No. 1089044 ID: 3f89df
File 171337394444.png - (14.60KB , 500x500 , woah bardeibor.png )

Oh! A table and a couple of chairs? It’s not much, a bit tight, and the plywood is definitely not something we can keep long-term, but this looks rather good. Of course, there’s the storage container, which now, with a perceptive eye, contains most of our inventory from the caravan; going north from the storage container or kitchen seems to lead to a small hallway with a cramped bathroom to the end of the right side, and what seems to be two doors to two-rooms on the left side. To the left, there’s nothing. It looks more like a closet than anything else; I hope to BloodMother that is Bardeibor’s room, and to the right, it’s…

Well, thankfully, It’s much larger, but there’s also nothing, by the Gods! Bardeibor made a table and chairs but didn’t find it fit to make a bed for Crocodile!

9/10 Grey 2024/04/17(Wed)10:12 No. 1089045 ID: 3f89df
File 171337394723.png - (16.71KB , 500x500 , uhoh sleepy cringey.png )

This is bad, really bad. Crocodile is quite greedy regarding his chambers, and I already know how much he dislikes sleeping in a bedroll. I don’t personally care too much as I could survive sleeping on the floor, but I can’t imagine Crocodile liking the same.

Our dinner wasn't too noteworthy, and while his reaction to sleeping on the floor was just as I expected, it wasn’t bad enough for him to have a complete breakdown. He accepted it quite well, but mumbled about the savagery of the day. I found it hard to disagree, and despite not feeling safe, I inevitably fell asleep.

10/10 Grey 2024/04/17(Wed)10:13 No. 1089047 ID: 3f89df
File 171337398632.png - (13.47KB , 500x500 , Yawwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.png )

Now, with a new day on the horizon and the sound of a caravan passing by the roads, I ask for your assistance, Muni, on what we should prioritize now.

>>1089039
Well... fine. Just... be careful. Even if he was a hero, what is he right now? What is he going to be if the crisis keeps growing?
I'll give him some time. We'll see how this plays out.

>>1089041
That's very insightful. You're the expert on magic, not us.

>>1089047
Alright, I did some 'training' on settlement tactics. It's complicated.
Everything begins with food. Make sure you have enough to perform at least one mid-term project. If not, then concentrate your efforts on securing more, no matter how tempting the other gambits.
Next, put all your efforts into chopping trees. You need space, building materials, and fuel, and the local trees can give you all of that. As long as your numbers are low, the devastation on the environment should be minimal, even if you clear out a glade.
And be daring! You're kind of desperate, so look for high-risk adventures to give you an edge in new resources and powers found in these dark woods!

>>1088934
Oh wow, you're right! I didn't know spiders did that.

>>1088928
Damn...
Hes really walked through the proverbial fire to be rid of that thing.
Give him your time for now ona.
Be goodvto have you close if he reacts to the gallshound.
Hey.
Maybe a sweet tea might clear the pallete for him?

>>1088928
We have the technology. We have the tinkerer and the handyman to make the world's first bionic bugfolk. Pendel will be that bugfolk.

Ona 2024/04/17(Wed)11:27 No. 1089049 ID: 46e818
File 171337844383.png - (15.58KB , 800x600 , 2147.png )

"We'll work on a prosthetic for your leg."
>"I'll make do until then."

>"How are you doing? Since everything happened."
"Me? I'm fine. You're the one who's--"
>"I can't thank you properly for helping me like this, after all I did."
"We all know it wasn't you. Everyone's forgiven you, except you."
>"I suppose it will take time, for all of us."

>>1088991
To be fair, he's more a spiderfolk. Or arachnidfolk? Eight limbs, while bugfolk only have six.

Whatever past you believed you have a patron god: The Whisper or Solo. Please refrain from defaming someone who want your well being and is nice enough to accept a date with one fellow wind.

Some of us may judge and debate morality, but I want to clarify something: My priorities have nothing to do with being good or bad. The main objective is your safety followed by your self interest.
If you chose to assume that your desire for the box is the result of manipulation I will once again mention the option of leaving, preferable with Mina. Why should you sacrifice yourself to the influence of the box for people you don't even know? Travel to the next city and whatever consequences result of this hopefully won't reach you.

Assuming you still won't abandon this problem:

First ask about her remaining friends. What each one of them is capable of. Is there really three of them like we believe? Why is the one we haven't seen yet less trusted by the lizard and the dog?

Mina being attacked by a spider in the smelly room give her the opportunity to question them if sound from here can be heard where they are and if they didn't care that she was in danger.

For the deception we should use half trues. She could ask their help rescuing Jacob from the spider, this way we would separate them since Rod have difficulty dealing with the smell.

>>1088960
Ah. So, the reason she was spared is that she didn't touch the box, and the influence didn't want her to do that at all. Maybe something inconvenient would happen if she touched it? Well, that's up to her in the end-- if she wants to risk falling under its influence by touching it on the bet that touching it will allow her patron to do something about the problem.

...wait, something doesn't add up here. If only touching the box causes it to take you over, then... why would you infiltrate the party in the first place? I think you were indeed sent by someone or something. Also, when you saw that Weaver symbol in the cell you were ordered by the unknown entity associated with the box, and you PROMISED to get it. You can't break your word to an entity that powerful, so you have to get the box no matter what. Thankfully you weren't ordered to do anything specific afterwards, so... we have a good amount of wiggle room here.

It's also worth noting that you were ordered to GET the box. Not open it. Also, the ruffians aren't letting you get it. Which means there are two separate influences here. The symbol being on the box *could* mean that the unknown entity ordering you around helped make the box but isn't responsible for its effects? Like, maybe the ritual the cultists here did corrupted the box? Or they used the provided box to contain something evil but unrelated to your boss? All questions we have no way of answering right now unfortunately. Unless we receive orders to the contrary I think our best bet is to take the box somewhere it can be examined safely. Somewhere that isn't Weaver-associated.

Once your new friend has calmed down you need to come up with a basic plan of engagement. How can you two use

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Better start making plans for how to transport the box without physically touching it, I suppose. And how to get it out of this place without touching it. You all have rope?

Getting the box seems like less and less of a good idea. You don't even know where you're supposed to deliver this box anymore. It's safer on the floor of this abandoned temple than in your hands, where you could be taking it in the completely wrong direction.

My suggestion would be:
1) hide the box
2) convince Mina's friends you've taken it
3) run like heck

They'll follow you, and if you can evade them (this time), then they won't go back looking for the box. You can find out who wants you to get it, then go back, get the box, and deliver it to them.

Cassilda seems like an annoyance at worst, but Omorful’henzio Khakranzee... his followers did what the butterfly's weren't willing to do. Did they take the box, kill everyone who touched it, then kill themselves, to leave it stranded without anyone to influence? (Then from whence came Roderick, influenced by it before even touching it?) Omorful’henzio Khakranzee might be trouble.

>>1089028

I don't think leaving a dangerous and attractive artifact in the kind of place that attracts desperate ruin delvers, looters, and robbers is a good idea for keeping it out of people's hands, yea? There has to be SOME sort of reasonably trustworthy institution for handling dangerous things like this somewhere, right??

A terrarium seems like an appropriate sealing vessel for Stargazer's little garden of horrors. Will her having all that mana in quarantine be dangerous? Will she still be in this state when your patron arrives for his tour?
Hopefully you have enough mana after that sealing to fix this curse again. You know how things were supposed to go... will anyone else remember?

>>1088929
A stargazer sealing-mech she can move around or you can take over sounds excellent. A walking time-out-cage. It could even function as a miniboss!

You can easily use Sculpted Simulacrum to make a golem body made in her image, and seal her in that. Very good conceptual fit!

>>1089008
the mental image of this with a crude sign hung on it saying something to the effect of "I have been a very naughty staff" is absolutely sending me

>>1088917
Is there a suitable fruit, or gourd you could seal her in? That would fit the worm metaphor. Maybe hang it on a hook as well, just to drive the point home.

2/2 Buckwheat 2024/04/16(Tue)17:50 No. 1088977 ID: 15a025
File 171331501416.png - (8.23KB , 800x800 , 20.png )

I grumble to myself and start stomping down the stairs. Not too bad, could make a decent storm shelter down here or something.

I find deer in rough shape sitting on a bed.

Patient: “I-who are you? ”

Gretchen: “Just an angry wife looking to get her fire wood back. I take it you're the patient?”

Patient: ”I- wait are you an actual doctor?”

Gretchen: “I-no? Do I look like a doctor?!”

Patient: ”Look, I don't know why she let you down here, but you need to get me out before we’re both trapped!”

they look to be in pretty rough shape to be running off anywhere. Ask them trapped by whom, the doctor or the harvesters?

>>1088977
Bite wounds. She's probably delirious from whatever it is. Go back upstairs immediately, ask what she's infected with.

I think it's worth asking for the patient's story now. The plague doctor is confident enough to give you free access to the patient, so let's make good on it, and confirm their stories jibe. The bite marks might suggest there's truth to the risk of predation tonight.

Bummer about that firewood, though. If we really want it back, then talking to these strangers is turning out to be a dead end. If there are theives still out there, they're getting away, and we should leave now to pursue a different set of tracks in the snow.

>>1088977
Theres a good chance you're about to hear a door close and lock behind you now gretchen, so you might as well ask for her story.
Lets hear from the deer.
Find out who the buck stops with.

1/2 Hop 2024/04/15(Mon)13:14 No. 1088852 ID: 3f89df
File 171321207888.png - (72.67KB , 500x500 , me on the left clipstudio on the right when there .png )

Alex is being unreasonable. The entire day, he's been unreasonable. I'd get it if he were some feral creature or a teenager near mating season, but he's a grown adult with responsibilities, taxes to pay, and a reputation to pursue. When will he, or his dick, know that sometimes are the wrong time to pursue, and how I had to do something entirely sinful today to keep his attention? And He's already been dog-housed? So no, Alex, There's no sex for you.

As much as I want to go to sleep and stop thinking about everything today, it'd be best if I let all of these pent-up emotions out. An evil part of me also wants to just as a way to show Alex what we're dealing with, but I know that my thoughts and feelings are genuine.

So, Despite it being shameful, I decide to let out the emotions; as he looks at me, He drops that stupid horny look on his face, and it shifts to, hopefully, genuine empathy.
"Why did I do it?!? Why was I such an Idiot?! I'm going to Zuaren for all that I've done today!!!"
Alex goes onto the bed and snuggles up to me, holding me close in his arms.
"Hop, no! You're not an idiot, and by Ultri, you're not going to Zuaren."
"But I was the one who got us in this mess; I fucked my future over, and your future over, just cause I thought we should change our situation. There's nothing we can do, and where all going to die in here!!!"
Alex doesn't respond, But I can feel his grip intensify, but in an oddly reassuring way.
"I was also one who pressured you to sign; Magicli weaseled the both of us; not everything that happened today is your fault, hop."
"No matter how I attempted to give us an

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2/2 Magicli? 2024/04/15(Mon)13:14 No. 1088853 ID: 3f89df
File 171321207993.png - (16.25KB , 500x500 , me when clipstudio crashes and i lose 2 hours of p.png )

"Man, How Corny is that? Oh, hello, there, spirits living inside of Hops foot. Are you proud of what you've done today? Are you happy manipulating this poor girl to do whatever you wish? Oh, please, retaliate all you want; I'm more so intrested in hearing your side of the story, and if you can, then maybe i'll awnser some of your questions."

hmmmmmm... Nah, I'm good. As they say, dead men tell no tales... Literally in this case. I'll keep our secrets to myself.

oh Magicli, the poor girl merely needs to be liberated from that cancerous grasp of UltriVisc which has rooted itself deeply within her mind. It is controlling both her, and those close to her in its name - not us.
Observe the escapades that which we send her upon as opportunities to enlighten, challenge, and cure her of its poison.

Her mentality is that of a devote follower; once stripped of any purpose and meaning, a prime candidate for indoctrination. You must take advantage of the opportunity which will arise upon the challenging of her teachings in order to enlighten her.
A powerful ally may soon be at hand.

Wait, we're in her foot? Did she step on a shard?

So... how do you make bank? You're clearly planning to get most of your students killed every year, so they can't pay off their loans.

1/2 Mush 2024/04/16(Tue)17:18 No. 1088970 ID: a4d918
File 171331308645.png - (32.38KB , 653x564 , MUSHROOM10.png )

>>1088832
>>1088927
>>1088859

I subvert the mind and leave the body as it is. Fearful that the body may reject the new mind for a moment, I am relieved when a segment sloughs off and releases the bodies within. One is too far gone to be of any use and is made into more mycelium for me to work with later - the other two, however, are of far more interest - working neural mass and musculature is converted, rebuilt, remodeled into things similar to - but not as intelligent as - myself. A connection without a connection is made. A command structure - Just me and my three new servants. The large, crustacean thing with tacky, suffocating goo, and the two... things within. Whatever they might have been before, now, they are my loyal servants. Extensions of myself.

One is nimble, with four limbs and a tail, the other, rotund and clumsy. At some point it may have had a use for the thin, sharp bones in its body, but now, they simply stick out like spikes.

They will obey me without question. In order to order my extensions efficiently, I will need to segment my thoughts to the purpose. Feel free to double post to make suggestions to the minions specifically, or to Mush alone.

I am not a normal mushroom.

2/2 Mush 2024/04/16(Tue)17:18 No. 1088971 ID: a4d918
File 171331309828.png - (9.02KB , 522x775 , MUSHROOMtree2.png )

Growth surges within me again as I feel the neural matter I directly subverted into myself shift and alter into making me more of what I am. A choice rises again.
I could funnel this growth into limbs for my main body - arms and legs to better move on my own, which I might empower later, which could grant me more dexterity and strength.
Or I could enhance my abilities as a fungal entity, my subversion and rebuilding capabilities, to more quickly and efficiently repurpose living and dead flesh.

>GAIN LIMBS

>GAIN FUNGAL TRAIT

push your infesting ability
you don't need limbs when you can just ride one of your servants.

>>1088971
Fungal trait for now.

Movement can come soon, but the ability to propegate is paramount.

You are not a normal mushroom, but a mushroom you remain. Double down on the fungus.

In the meantime, send your nimble servant out to investigate. The clumsy one, we'll need to experiment with to find a use for. Can it burrow?

Uh - depending on how this is culturally expected to go, either book it, or deploy Lil Balboa to defend you.

This turt looks too high level for a beginner, action roll away!

>>1088949
This! And if you cant roll away, roll the log away from you!
Kicking it downhill will buy you time to move.

>>1088936
Huh, poison element turtle? Very dangerous, get away from it. I don't see how you could use such a thing in your party anyway without getting sick.

If it chases you then you deploy your turtle to fight!

It must be very hungry for it to feel this upset. Deploy any apple slices you have left after catching Li'l Balboa.

>>1088888
Dont trust those spots in the open field.
Rock looks very defensible but very visible.
That said, jormy is probably getting all the attention so that's lesser of an issue.
Fresh stream might be a good start point for game trails.

I say go with the sandy patch clearing.
More room to work with.
There could be something lurking in the sand like some kind of horrific giant antlion, but thats a positive to some of the more hunthungry folk.

I couldn't quite tell what the shield does. Is it like a trampoline or something?
The sand seems like it might work for a landing zone. It's softer then landing on rocks that's for sure. How are we going to handle water supplies in the staging post? Regular deliveries?

You know, I just realized I don't know how close to the ground the portal down there is. Does it actually cut into the ground to make a "hole"? Where did all the stuff that was there go, in that case...?

>>1088899
Good point, sand would cushion the landing.

Hmm. I'm inclined to go with either the rock or the sand, though I'm wondering about things hiding in the sand. How's your water supply, though? Would the river be notably useful?

>>1088888
I say go with the rock, who knows what those dark spots are, the sand could conceal all manner of horrible burrowing monstrosities, and while fresh water is nice the stream isn't really shaped in a way to make for a good defensive barrier.

Curt 2024/04/16(Tue)19:52 No. 1088999 ID: 0fbdcd
File 171332237645.gif - (19.16KB , 650x450 , 263.gif )

: ...?!
: Did I...
: What?
: Oh, uh, thanks.

Forgot, she didn't tell you she was heading to . But all anyone needs is a second or two, and there she goes, believing she told you about it. Confabulation. Loop enough, I bet you'll start seeing it chronically, kid. People filling in their half of what you remember. Picking calls up where you left them last.

Half your memory is always stored in someone else. That's how it's always been.

Curt 2024/04/16(Tue)19:53 No. 1089000 ID: 0fbdcd
File 171332242179.gif - (19.80KB , 650x450 , 264.gif )

He's always manning a substation. Seems like every substation. I'll be honest, I don't get it. I remember you and running between substations, trying to catch an empty one. He's always there. Some mysteries, I don't think even the two of us can solve.

: Hey !
: Detective! Hey there.
: Got a question or two for you.
: Then I bet you I've got an answer.
: I'm trying to tell some stories and really ingratiate with a little clique (for an investigation).
: Right, lots of cases today.
: Given your, you know, habits, I wanted to know if you had any advice.
: It just doesn't seem to come naturally to me. I get thrown off, I lose my focus.



: Hmm... well, I know two problems you have to deal with.
: The situation and the un-focusing.

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Curt 2024/04/16(Tue)19:54 No. 1089001 ID: 0fbdcd
File 171332245704.gif - (10.33KB , 650x450 , 265.gif )

: Someone I met a long time ago taught me a couple of nice tricks.
: One of the key ones... I guess it's almost like that Intent stuff you mentioned before.
: Really? I thought invented that completely.
: Must be based on something. But it's about attaching it to something else that's effortless.
: Everyone has things they can do effortlessly. Naturally. A couple of things that just come to them without any problems.
: You don't mean instincts like breathing, or built-up skills like talents, though. Right?
: Right. I mean... Ways of being. Maybe an example helps.



: When I tell a story, it can become effortless because I'm the kind of guy who, you know, hypes people up pretty effortlessly.
: I'm not the kind of guy who changes who I am, so I don't think, "I'll act the role of a great storyteller."
: I'm using the storytelling for a purpose. The purpose is something I do effortlessly.

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Curt 2024/04/16(Tue)19:54 No. 1089002 ID: 0fbdcd
File 171332249224.gif - (20.29KB , 650x450 , 266.gif )

: Everything we do around here is sort of... it takes a while to know why we should care.
: Why anyone should care, you know? It's not like we get out of here if we go over quota.
: (Not off the station, maybe...)
: But you could justify it a lot, right? You can explain it in math and in convincing words. Smuggle motivation socially or intellectually into, which part again?
: The part that handles foresight and abstraction and communication.
: The Heads of Staff need to do a lot of that (and kind of feels like they spend half their time doing it).



: But some things are self-evidently worthwhile. No need to smuggle anything through anything. Some things, you can do and not need anyone to tell you why you should.
: You could justify it if someone asked, sure, but you never needed to at the start.
: Eating delicious food. Looking at something nice. An engaging project. Or the unique things that just self-motivate for you specifically.
: Pretty much anyone has a few things that nobody ever had to tell them to do.

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>>1089002
Something like "enthusiasm"?

There's going to be tensions from this haphazard armistice... but that's what we need to feed Jam.
Isn't arbitrage fun?

Warn Jam that the adventurers are your allies, not your minions. They might do something bad if Jam pushes them too far.

>>1088871
I think it's been hours since he came into existence. I think we could try proposing the idea of coliseums to train soldiers, entertain citizens to reduce unrest, and feed Jam with combat and competition.

>>1088877
George certainly won't be happy, but hopefully we've built enough good will with him to accept it.

I'm interested to hear what Telarin has to say. It sounds like she wasn't just a turncoat, but high up enough to have a known disagreement with their leadership.

tippler 2024/04/16(Tue)19:20 No. 1088995 ID: 9ea24b
File 171332043435.png - (17.26KB , 500x500 , p89.png )

“How has existing been in the few hours since we last met?” I ask Jam.

“Quite agreeable. There were many tender organs to eat around my hole. After your warning I made it clear I was not to be the commander’s obedient servant and he promised to respect me. I was told about my predecessor. I listened to your doings with your minions.”

I decide to speak more positively of the adventurers. “Perhaps minions is the wrong term for them. They are quite formidable and it would be wise not to anger them.”

“Apart from the commander’s sister they hold no value. I will respond to resistance.”

tippler 2024/04/16(Tue)19:20 No. 1088996 ID: 9ea24b
File 171332045060.png - (15.10KB , 500x500 , p90.png )

I begin to grow more concerned as we approach the camp. I do not think any of my current allies will be happy with this agreement, and the lord in Pliny will be outraged that I have effectively usurped him. I do not think there is enough good will in the world for George to be content living under his family’s killers.

When I stretch my head over the grass I spot the glow of the fire as it wavers against the side of the wagon. I go ahead of Jam and the orc and make myself known to Flint, who yawns and scratches her beard.

I explain the deal, briefly.

“I don’t want any part of this.” she says. “Once we’re back to Pliny, I’m going to quit the group and go home. I’ll get everyone up and you can tell them what you’ve done.”

How do I approach this delicate situation?

>>1088996
To start with, we should learn more from Telarin about why she left. We should be able to speak more openly about it, this time, with Jam here and not listening in from afar.

We brought Jam here alone, and they still have the box. Right now, she has no reason not to be entirely transparent with you about the full truth of what's going on, and from there we can decide once and for all if we want to trap him or ally with him.

>>1088867
That's a promising first report. Those Boglers seem tailor made for easy catching, just hook one as bait and then net the lot of them. We might even need to limit fishing them lest we drive them extinct.

Purple has long been a highly coveted dye, and its main source is snail shells. We might just have a gold mine on our hands, but it would take a lot of shells and a long time.

Time to set up a logging camp in the forest. Our need for wood only grows.

That's a really interesting ecosystem, we should be on the lookout for burrowing snails. And the bogging fishes would probably be easier to catch with a trident or other spearfishing tools rather than fishing lines.

I suggest enacting a wildlife protection ruling to protect local fauna and flora, or else I'm a bit afraid the snail population is going to suffer once farming starts and suddenly they are seen as pests rather than part of the scenery.
That should go hand in hand with a project to find ways to protect our farms from hungry gastropods without killing them or disturbing their habitat too much.

We should also construct a watermill while there still is a waterfall on the edge of the lake. We might as well harness it while it's there, and it could power some sawmills and workshops.

>>1088868
Okay, that's easy enough. Make some travelling harvest caravans to perform basic hunter-gathering. Set up bounties for research on what they catch, different ways to cook the stuff, the long-term effects of the food, etc.

Build a basic workshop for crafting more building supplies, and we'll see what we can make from there.

>>1088870
Agreed.
The wheat is important but so is being a good neighbour.

>>1088867
Does the slimy quality indicate harvestable oil of any kind?
At the very least, whatever fish waste produced will make for good fertilizer.

>>1088874
It would also aid in the milling of the wheat. Speed that up greatly.
Once it no longer functions, the parts can be moved to somewhere the water still flows.

I propose queuing a simple road to and trading post between the Chasonite compound and our town. It's not urgent but I think it should at least be put on the books as a to-do.

It's perfectly acceptable to allow them to manage their own affairs, but seclusion and isolation are two different things. We need to at least include them as *part of society* early on, or else the same problems that drove them here will repeat themselves.