Varnavictus 2011/12/07(Wed)20:04 No. 370537 ID: a9ba96
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"Those Beyond, Those Beyond, I grant my mind unto you, so you may speak and unto me your many tongues be heard.
Those Beyond, Those Beyond, I grant my mind unto you, so you may speak and unto me your many tongues be heard.
Those Beyond, Those Beyond, I grant my mind unto you, so you may speak and unto me your many tongues be heard."

Varnavictus 2011/12/07(Wed)20:05 No. 370539 ID: a9ba96
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>"Hey, Varn, I have the stuff you asked for! How goes the summoning?"
"Neena, I'm in the middle of a very delicate ritual. Leave the ingredients at the door. I only have a short timeframe to attract the attention of Those Beyond - should I fail here, we'll have to start again from square one."
>"Looks like you're making progress, I don't remember it glowing like that before."
"Glowing? We're not far enough along for it to be -- Oh! OH! Those Beyond, Those Beyond, I grant my mind unto you, so you may speak and unto me your many tongues be heard! Those Beyond, Those Beyond, I grant my mind unto you, so you may speak and unto me your many tongues be heard!

Ehh, what's up, Doc?

>>370539
For better or worse, you have our attention.

Who's that, your wife?

the glowing means you connected, dude, you can stop. your lovely assistant showing up actually helped a little.

FOOL, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EVIL YOU HAVE UNLEASHED, AND FOREVER NOW MUST BE FORCED TO DEAL WITH... aww fuck it I can't keep this act up. What's goin' on, four-eyes and one-eye?

Well that didn't turn out right at all

Hold on a sec folks, lemme just fix this

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)14:10 No. 370698 ID: a9ba96
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By the Gods, I did it! I finally did it! Forty years and I'm the one who finally summons Those Beyond!

I am Varnavictus, apprentice of Archmage Harkven, and our cyclopean assistant here is Neena. Right now your presence is within my personal study on floor fifty-three of the Spire of Eternity, where the greatest mages in this realm reside.

I have been working... No, we, many of us, have been working for many years to call upon your powers, Those Beyond. We believe you hold the key to unlocking long lost knowledge that will aid our Guild immensely in coming days!

What lost knowledge do you have in mind? We likely don't have it with us at the moment, though we do know some things, like this amusing mind trick involving a fake hand and a box. We also know a fairly large amount about mechanical weaponry, but it is generally against Outsider etiquette to divulge too much about those.

gonna need to see an example of this lost knowledge, before we can tell you much. how this works.

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)16:40 No. 370734 ID: a9ba96
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Hmm... No, it is unlikely that you have the information I seek right now. At least, this part of you does not. But the whole, the full entity that is Those Beyond, does.

Eons ago, there lived a man named Samon the Barbarian. In the years prior to the Grand Crisis of Ution, or the "Drow-Elf War," as it's more commonly called, Samon made a name for himself going on a myriad of adventures, and upon those adventures he learned secrets that are now long since lost to this realm. We have reason to believe that Samon stumbled upon some very important knowledge in the years before he fell the Drow, and we believe that we have a way of recovering this knowledge.

While we don't know what Samon stumbled upon during these adventures, we do know that he called upon part of you, Those Beyond, to aid him. You are part of the whole, so somewhere deep within you lies the information that I seek, even if it is as but a faint memory. I have momentarily called you away from whoever you currently occupy, be it through an arcane artifact built to contain you or a man foolish enough to grant you access to their mind, in hopes of extracting this information from Those Beyond.

Without the exact part of Those Beyond used by Samon, the process is tricky. Through your presence and an object carried by Samon during each of these adventures, I believe I can tap into your buried memory of the knowledge and perform a ritual that will artificially re-create the events where this knowledge was gained. The ritual will rebuild the knowledge by physically casting Neena into the part of your presence where the memories of these events rest, and as you recall them you will guide her as she relives the event beside Samon. Should all go well, you will regain your knowledge.

Then, you will bring it to me.

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)16:41 No. 370735 ID: a9ba96
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>"Can I touch it?"
"Wh-- What? Are you mad? I've trained since birth to be able to hear Those Beyond without an artifact but even with a mind strong enough to hear It's many tongues touching the summoning orb would risk exposing me to its entire body! I've explained this before, Neena!"
>"Yeah, I know, but you've been talking about this thing ever since you brought me here, and now that it's here you're just... Sitting there, thinking back and forth with it. I want to hear them too."
"In due time! Take all the ingredients that you've brought, and assemble them as I've shown you. We need to move this part of Those Beyond to something so that you may hear them."
>"Alright! Alright! Give me a second, kay?"

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)16:44 No. 370737 ID: a9ba96
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Now, where was I? Oh!

If I cast Neena into your collective cognizance unprotected it's likely that she'll be driven mad instantaneously. A part of you must be properly bound to an object first, and you will speak to her through that. Now, typically, those who worshipped you in the old days would connect bits of you to ancient gemstones and crystals and other artifacts from long ago, and wear it as a necklace.

The thing is, It's very unlikely that I will be able to transition any equipment beyond a potion or a few arrows for Neena to use into your memories besides the object you will be communicating with her through. A necklace is classy, but Samon's adventures were always very dangerous...

I'll cut the the chase. If I were to say that you could be a Sword, a Shield, or a Bow, which would you pick?

that sounds insanely dangerous for Neena. we could just walk you through an industrial revolution if you'd prefer. magic is nice, but its rarely mass producible on a large scale, and i'm willing to bet the locals of your world would be better at dealing with powerful magic than with an army using semiautomatic riffles.

>>370737
I want to say a Sword. Because it just fits.

Because penis hurhurhur

i'd say sword.
wait, what year is this? has Erick Samwell been be traveling for a time?

I like swords. That's a personal weapon.

Also some of us may 'remember' more than others. Such as the fact that Neena may have had a part to play in the death of one or more members of your circle of mages. Food for thought~

A shield would probably be the best form. Nice swords are a lot easier to come by than magic shields. And if she knows any magic, a shield is definitely the best, as personal protection is where most mages are weakest.

So... how are you keeping the addition of a person from changing the scenario to the point where different things are discovered or the particular knowledge is not found at all?

By the way, the bit about the necklaces reminds me: how prepared are you for an event like... say... an undead invasion of one of the nearby kingdoms?

Sword sounds good to this guy.

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)21:18 No. 370830 ID: a9ba96
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Almost unanimously in favor for the sword it would seem. That works for me.

To address any concerns about Neena's safety here, she has a very long history of adventuring in the Outlands, and we have gone to great lengths to train her for this task. You need not worry about her presence having a negative effect on the memory, either - the addition of a new person will obviously lead to a memory that is not entirely accurate, but you should still have a good deal of freedom in how you handle things as long as you stick to the specific goal of the event. As long as you make sure that whatever Samon set out to do in the memory is accomplished, the knowledge should still be attainable.

And I assure you, we have reason to believe that this knowledge is more than some ancient spells. This knowledge may have far more potential than any old spell could ever have, and certainly far more potential than the factories, trains, and gunpowder that the Dwarves and the people of Egias seem so fascinated with over the past few decades.

To answer your other questions, it has been over a year since the Prince of Farway set off into the Outlands, but if I recall the story is that he angered a tribe of goblins and was hung from a tree. As for Neena's past mistakes, and armies of the undead...

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)21:19 No. 370831 ID: a9ba96
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Well, the former I'm aware of, but there are much more important matters right now. If you are interested in that story, feel free to ask her once we get started. Anshould latter... should be much less of a threat if all goes well here today. At least, that's what the Archmages say. I've been told small details about it, but only as much as they believe I need to know - eyeball pendants, ancient legions, a warlord named Warpath... But I have also been told the Guild of Mages is, as always, one step ahead. They wouldn't be where they were today if that wasn't the case. Even if we fail here, they have a plan, so we have little reason to worry.

I'm... curious as to where you learned of the last two, but for now that can wait.

When Samon grew old in age, he had a scholar help record his memoirs. There is a curious passage which states that Samon had not only "killed beasts that the gods had likely never intended mortal man to kill", but had "learned secrets that man wasn't likely meant to know." He went on to say that his experiences at Deadtooth's Den, the Deep Well, and the Murderpits tought him information that he would later use to help him defeat the Drow, but this information he also never shared, out of fear that it would fall into the wrong hands.

Varnavictus 2011/12/08(Thu)21:20 No. 370832 ID: a9ba96
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To help jog your memory of each event, the Guild has gone to great lengths to recover these trinkets, each bearing a connection to one of these three important moments in Samon's life.

The Draconic Eye is a large pendant, consisting of a large diamond carved to resemble the eye of a dragon, frames by several other gems and rubies. Samon plucked this from the treasure room of the Dragon Dygoragaiús, also known as "Dreadtooth." Long ago, Dygoragaiús and his cult controlled the Outlands and tormented its people, until Samon and a group of Paladins raided his lair and killed him in a grand battle. Your goal here would be to travel through Dreadtooth Den and aid Samon in slaying Dreadtooth.

The Heart of Torment used to be the phylactery of the mad lich known only as Torment, who brought havoc to the Elven nation of Thernt long ago. When Samon and a group of warriors from Thernt traveled into The Deep Well, the lair of Torment, he recovered the Heart of Torment from deep with its bowels and destroyed its gemstone, allowing him to permanently kill the Lich in the battle that followed. Your goal here would be to find the Heart of Torment within the Deep Well, destroy its stone, and slay Torment the lich.

Doggo's Tooth is a necklace made from the tooth of Doggo, champion of the Murderpits. Samon was captured and shipped to Turgeth during the war sparked by the arrival of the Orcs in Ution, where he was sentenced to fight in the Murderpits. As the story goes, Samon eventually defeated the Murderpits' greatest fighter Doggo, and then proceeded to provoke an uprising amongst the other captive fighters, destroy the arena, and sail back to Ution on stolen boats. Your goal here would be to survive in the Murderpits until Samon frees the prisoners, and escape alongside him.

I'll leave the decision up to you. Which tale do you wish to start with; Samon in Dreadtooth's Den, Samon in the Deep Well, or Samon in the Murderpits?

>>370832
Holy shit you talk a lot.

LET'S FUCK UP A LICH

the deep well. feel we owe killing a lich.

>>370834
What do you mean we o-... oh wait, yeah... >_> overgrown kobold girl. Not like she could have taken it anyhow.

Okay, Lich it is then, we gotta bone to pick.

While I enjoy working with Paladins, I think of most benefit to us would be if we went on the 'memory' relating to Turgeth, as that is the homeland of the orcs and where Warpath has set up his base of operations since the end of the Giant Wars, or Fall of the Giants, or whatever it's called. So yeah, Doggo's Tooth would be my choice, for Samon and the Murderpits (now in local bookstores in YOUR area!)

Varnavictus 2011/12/10(Sat)15:01 No. 371157 ID: a9ba96
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Mmmm... it looks like we'll be staring with Samon in the Deep Well. Don't worry though, we'll get around to all three over time and there is important knowledge to be found in each one.

But first...

"Si majak sia ricin ekess relgr-
Nomenes Putole
eckess nomeno cayosin!"

Varnavictus 2011/12/10(Sat)15:01 No. 371158 ID: a9ba96
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"Haaaaaah!"

Varnavictus 2011/12/10(Sat)15:07 No. 371164 ID: a9ba96
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"Ha ha... (Huff)... I... It is done.... (Huff)"

Enchantments are very delicate rituals - very physically taxing, very tiring, leaves the Mage feeling exhausted and drained, and even then most ore only temporary. To create a permanent enchantment, a Mage must effectively... give up part of himself in the process. One who tries it too often or with insufficiently trained risks giving up himself entirely, and going mad.

>"Varn? Are you alright?"
"Have you gotten everything in place?"
>"Yeah, but are you-"
"Neena... I need you to take this sword... And think very, very hard at it."

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)15:08 No. 371165 ID: a9ba96
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Um...

Testing... testing...

I... hello? Are you there?

>>371165
[total silence]

>>371165

[Crickets]

hello

>>371165
*taps mike*

>>371165
Hallo Hallo

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)15:27 No. 371172 ID: a9ba96
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>>371166
>>371167

"Hey... I don't think it's working."
>"One moment, it may require a bit of time to establish its initial link."

Alright then. Uh... Hello?

Helloooo-

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)15:31 No. 371173 ID: a9ba96
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>>371168
>>371169
>>371171

WHOAH!

Alright, so uh, my name's Neena! The guild needs to fix your memories so they can save the world, and I'm the one they picked to help you do it!

So uh, Hi! How's it going?

HEY ONE-EYE THE MAGE IS TIRED AND DRAINED, MAYBE YOU CAN KILL HIM LIKE THAT OTHER MAGE YOU AND MARK KILLED.

WE KNOW ALL YOUR SECRETS.

>>371173
We are a sword. Polish us. Rub our length.

>>371173

We're also a little crazy. But we can do some world-saving, sure.

Although sometimes it's not really clear the difference between that and destroying the world.

And the first bit of knowledge you get is that you shouldn't listen to everything magical voices tell you.

>>371173
You hear us now, for better or ill.

>>371178
Yes, please do.

>>371174
There was no murder. I do not know what you are talking about.
Not funny.

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)17:32 No. 371197 ID: a9ba96
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>HEY ONE-EYE THE MAGE IS TIRED AND DRAINED, MAYBE YOU CAN KILL HIM LIKE THAT OTHER MAGE YOU AND MARK KILLED.

>WE KNOW ALL YOUR SECRETS.
Whaaa? How do- but I didn't--!

"Varn! I think this thing like, knows things about me and I don't know why!"

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)17:34 No. 371199 ID: a9ba96
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>"I found it curious as well, but Those Beyond is a mysterious force. It holdsntousands of years of knowledge within it, seen through the eyes of those who had called upon it in the old days and those who have used the artifacts they've crated since. I'm sure they'll tell you where they learned of you if you ask, but in the meantime, please focus on the knowledge it gained while traveling with Samon."
"Okay, okay, but... You've explained all of this stuff to me about sending me inside Those Beyond and helping it like, relive these adventures they had with Samon, but I still don't understand what I'm supposed to be looking for
>"That I'm unclear on. All I know is that for this first memory, the knowledge will come after you kill a Lich."

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)17:40 No. 371204 ID: a9ba96
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"Kill a what!?"
>"Don't worry! Since Samon killed this Lich when he originally fought him, he should be able to do it again when Those Beyond relives the fight. Samon can handle the Lich, all you have to do is make it through the Lich's lair safely."
"That still seems really dangerous! I mean, I knew I would be fighting stuff, but Liches are really really dangerous!"
>"Those Beyond will guide you. You'll have to trust in the voices to keep you safe."

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)17:41 No. 371205 ID: a9ba96
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>We are a sword. Polish us.

>Rub our length.

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)17:41 No. 371206 ID: a9ba96
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"I don't think I wanna do this anymore!"

I'm just glad none of us suggested you take up sword swallowing as a hobby.

ahahah, MOST of us are okay. some just get way way bored. as long as you keep your wits about you, you will be fine. also most jokers just act like that when nothing important is happening. when it is time to fight, they will get serious.

Well if this is already bothering you, I shouldn't mention what part of us you're holding RIGHT NOW~

Don't stop.

Sorry, that was extremely rude of us (no matter how funny the look on your face was...)

So sorry about that. Some of the voices are perverted... Not all of us are though.
And honestly they are really only saying that stuff in order to mess with your head.

oh for gods sake we're a buncha voices crammed into a WHATEVER you think we won't perv out every now and again? Seriously, you have any idea what it's like to only be able to live vicariously through other people, who, by the way, don't even thank us properly by letting us watch? A good half of us have never SEEN a naked woman!

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)22:56 No. 371318 ID: a9ba96
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Well... Okay then. If you're just joking around, fine.... just promise not to do that kinda stuff when I'm actually in danger, kay?

>"If Those Beyond is speaking to you and you've put everything in place, I'm afraid that it's too late to back down."
"Huh?"
>"The ritual is too far along to stop now that the voices have spoken to you."
"Well is there anything else I should know before I go?"
>"You will be returned here when Those Beyond recognizes the memory as completed. While Those Beyond is reconstructing its memory, it will alter events to the best of its abilities to accommodate your presence while remaining true to the events that happened. For example, the people present within the memory will notice you and interact with you based on how Those Beyond remembered them. However, the basis of this memory is an adventure of Samon's, so if Samon were to fall before the objective were complete, I'm not sure if Those Beyond would be able to complete the memory - nor am I sure what would happen to you as a result."
"Well, Samon did just fine the first time around, right?"
>"True, but I figured it was important to warn you either way. Your presence could greatly alter the way this memory plays out. Just make sure the main objective is completed."
"Got it!"
>Also, don't die. I don't know what would happen if you died during this, so it's best avoided altogether."

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)22:58 No. 371319 ID: a9ba96
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"Wh-"
The room is engulfed in a bright light, instantly consuming Neena

>"Good luck."

Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)22:59 No. 371320 ID: a9ba96
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...

MEMORY ONE: SAMON IN THE DEEP WELL Neena 2011/12/10(Sat)23:01 No. 371321 ID: a9ba96
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Neena awakens in some bushes, deep within a forest.

Ugh... that felt, I dunno, weird. Really weird. I guess I'm inside your mind... minds, now? I know Varn explained all of this, but it's still really surreal.

I think I hear something...

>"And you say that this be the well from whence the creatures spawn?"
>"There is do doubt. I watched last night as the skeletal fiends emerged from these very waters. They say that you vanquish evil wherever you roam. They say you are capable of aiding us in clearing the evils within this murky well, Samon."
>"Aye, Verily."

By the Gods, It's really him.

I'm... not sure what to do here. Am I just supposed to walk up to them? What would I even say? "Oh hi, I'm just a friendly cyclops who was passing through the neighborhood and I couldn't help notice that you were about to clear some unspeakable evils out of this well. Could you use some extra help?"

>>371321
Nope. Just step out of the bushes, cross your arms, and glare at them. Don't flinch, or move, or say anything. Just stare them down from a distance.
Eventually, the awkwardness will cause them to ask what the hell is up, at which point you improvise.

When they ask why your are there, you can say you were sent by the wizard Varnavictus to help them destroy the local undead.

Heyyy... Samon originally had an instance of us in an item. We should see if we can access the dream-version of his Beyond item.
[Attempt to transfer to dream-Samon's Beyond item]
If we can access the dream version of us (or at least get them to work with us) we can avoid mentioning a wizard their mage might have questions about and just say that you are here on behalf of Those Beyond.

>>371321
If we're assisting them, then our memory-copy will vouch for you. Say that you are reinforcements sent by Those Beyond. Or... actually I have no idea what we called ourselves back then. You could just say you were sent by allies of his talking item whatever it is.

>>371341

Legion, 'Gion, "Fuckball", "Asshole voices", Those Beyond, "You Guys", Spirits, Guardians... we've got many names.

Anyway this is our memory of events, we should be able to shift things a little by mis-remembering. Like, I remember that Clyde there (with the bow) thought you might show up to help today. He'll recognize you as a nodding acquaintance who is good at fighting in enclosed spaces (caverns, urban fighting, and so on against goblins).

"hello friends, i heard you were going to destroy the undead that plagued these lands and i came to help. one more weapon is always helpful."

>>371321
Emerge from bushes, say you have heard a great evil blights this place, then ask if you can join them on their righteous purging.
Don't forget to mention your GLOWY MAGIC SWORD.

Just walk out there and question THEIR intentions rather then letting them questions yours... "Ho there, what are you four doing here? You should be careful near that well, evil undead crawl out of it."

If they say they are going to cleanse it, "A noble goal, I shall aid you in this endeavor then".

If they ask why you didn't do something before, "I am just one woman, I cannot single handedly defeat an army of undead and whomever is creating them.

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)16:34 No. 371474 ID: 3bad51
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The reconstruction of this memory is being done by Those Beyond on a subconscious level - attempts to directly alter with the memory seem to be unsuccessful for now... Attempts to transfer to or communicate with the part of Those Beyond presumably working with Samon yields no result either.

Hmm... You know, I guess this all comes down to playing the role well. I used to be part of a Drow-Elf war reenactment group, so I guess the same general rules apply. Just... With a bit more improvisation... and better costumes.

Alright guys, wish me luck.

Neena takes a deep breath and emerges from the bush. Samon and the elven warriors turn their heads and gaze at her.

"Ho there! What be your business by this well? Do you not know that evil creatures come from within?"

Heh, "what be your business." Old-timey talk is cool.

The warrior with the ax responds
>"We've come to cleanse this well of the very evils you speak of. What be your business?"
"The same as yours, noble elf."
>"I know no cyclopean from my town, nor the towns around it. I know no cyclopean noble enough to stray from the forest to aid in such a cause. Who sends thee?
"Those Beyond."
Samon suddenly smiles widely.
>"Fret not, Arkidus, she is an ally. Of this I am sure. My One-Eyed sister of Those Beyond, I am Samon the Barbarian, warrior of the West, who has come to aid these elves in ridding their nation of a most vile threat. Three elves from a town nearby have called upon me to cleanse the evils which dwell in these waters - they are Arkidus of the Axe, Barthellon Swiftarrow, and Thissarin the Mage of Frost. Shall you join us in our most noble venture?"
"Aye, this I shall!"

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)16:35 No. 371475 ID: 3bad51
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I used to know this guy named Mark, and he talked about Samon all the time. With all the stories he would tell I figured most of them were just exaggerations, but wow, this guy really does seem to live up to all of it.

>"If you wish to aid us, we must make haste! Come forth, for the call of adventure awaits!"

With a shout, Samon leaps into the well. The trio of elves follows close behind.

Well... wish me luck.

Neena runs after them and enters the well...

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)16:36 No. 371476 ID: 3bad51
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...emerging in an unfamiliar place.

Whoa...

Barthellon Swiftarrow grumbles
>"Whoever's behind this... For some reason I get the feeling that he thinks rather highly of himself."

don't see any clues yet, just look around for now like you are looking for clues.

Check the ceiling.

>>371476
I think we should follow Samon's lead for the most part. If we can stay within the normal events of the memory we shouldn't have any problems completing it. Diversion is the enemy. That said, if we can see something obvious to assist with we should. Stack the odds in favor of survival.

Does the water look deep? Fast current? Monsters in it?

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)18:35 No. 371498 ID: a9ba96
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>Check the ceiling
We're outdoors, somewhere deep in a forest. Presumably a forest far away from the one I woke up in.

>Look for clues.
Neena and the others move across the water towards the waterfall, and approach the door beneath the large statue.

Hmm... There's a door here, but I don't see any sort of handle.

As they grow close, a skull appears above the door's frame and shouts loudly.
>YOU SHALL NOT FACE WHAT LIES AHEAD. I OPEN ONLY FOR THE DEAD.

Ghastly cackling fills the air as skeletal warriors begin to rise from the waters. The group turns around, raising their weapons. Samon looks over to Neena and the Elf with the axe and yells to them.
>"Arkidus! Cyclops! Work on getting the door open! I'll help the others hold off these shambling fiends! To arms!"

Shit shit shit shit shit what do I do what do I do

Neena pushes against the door, but the skull atop its frame simply laughs and yells once more;
>"YOU SHALL NOT FACE WHAT LIES AHEAD. I OPEN ONLY FOR THE DEAD.

stab us into the skull and let go for a bit, we may be able to control it.

"Then you'll let us is, for what other than dead is one that encounters a linch"

Maybe try knocking using a bone from a re-killed skeleton?
Though first you should see whether these skeletons are endless or not. If there are a finite number it it likely best to finish them off now in case something is waiting to attack from inside the door.

>>371500
good chance it is magical and literally detect life energy

>>371498
Obvious solution is to get a skeleton to come close enough to make the door open. By force, if necessary.

Technically you ought to be able to accomplish everything you need to do by doing nothing at all, since without you there Samon successfully completed this dungeon, and thus logically as long as you don't hinder him it should work out. Still... Go with other people's suggestions.

Cut off the arm of one of the dead. Use its arm to open the door.

>>371566
That is a very good point. However if you do nothing at all they will question your motive and loyalty.

unless of course, we actually time travels, and we were always here, just wasn't recorded.

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)23:08 No. 371613 ID: a9ba96
File 132367371844.jpg - (329.23KB , 1024x768 , e709f936.jpg )

>Technically you ought to be able to accomplish everything you need to do by doing nothing at all
Technically, yeah. But when you're dungeon crawling, people get really suspicious when someone just stands around and does nothing. I'm gonna try not getting in Samon's way here, but it's in our best interest that we do what we're told here. I can get in-character really well, but I'm not sure if it would be well enough if these guys get the wrong idea and start thinking I'm gonna backstab them and run off with the loot first chance I get.
>Unless we time traveled.
I don't think that's possible. I mean, if it were, the Guild would be the first people to know how to do it... But I hope they would tell me before sending me to rewrite the past.
>You need an arm of one of the skeletons
Yeah, that sounds right.

"Hey, Arkidus, I think we need one of the undead's arms for this door to open."
>"Aye, leave that to me! Thissarin, freeze the waters where those skeletons stand!"

The ice Mage freezes several skeletons in place, and Arkidus leaps upon the frozen waters. One of the immobilized skeletons reaches out for him, and he grabs onto it's arm. Akridus gives a mighty tug...

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)23:09 No. 371614 ID: a9ba96
File 132367376107.jpg - (149.70KB , 1024x768 , 34ded0bf.jpg )

...And slips on the ice as the skeleton's arm becomes detached. As he stumbles, the arm flies from his hand...

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)23:10 No. 371615 ID: a9ba96
File 132367385932.jpg - (334.67KB , 1024x768 , 3aa3ca8a.jpg )

And right through the door, which swings open.
Arkidus lands with a slash in the waters.

Thissarin cries out to the group
>"Arkidus is dazed, but not grievously harmed. I fear that these skeletons continue to spawn!!"
Samon yells back in response
>"The doors are open! Onwards!"

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)23:11 No. 371616 ID: a9ba96
File 132367391404.jpg - (174.21KB , 1024x768 , 9e41af3b.jpg )

Neena rushes down the stairs and emerges in a small underground room, its walls lined with stone.

By the gods... those heads on the table don't look that old. Another group must have come through here before us.

Samon looks at Neena from the doorway
>"Cyclops! They are coming too quickly - I fear that we be at risk of being overwhelmed! The others said they would try to hold off the skeletons for a bit and buy us some more time, but I fear they don't stand a chance against such numbers. I must assist the elves, and I need you to get these doors open while I do so. Understand?"
"Uh..."
>"Don't worry! Those Beyond will no doubt aid you."

...Shit, something tells me that that's not what originally happened here. Okay, I guess I just have to...

Neena 2011/12/11(Sun)23:13 No. 371619 ID: a9ba96
File 132367402326.jpg - (167.65KB , 1024x768 , cda76dbc.jpg )

>"HARK! AVAST! MORE COME AT LAST! LOOK TO US, WHOSE TIME HAS PASSED."

holy shit what

>>371619
Ask them how to open the door.

Looks like they're separated from their weapons- I wonder if each is directly across from their chosen tool, or if they're mixed up?

need to put a weapon on a head or a head on a weapon. ask them what the test is. race is not a good thing to go by for this.

Neena 2011/12/12(Mon)00:02 No. 371643 ID: a9ba96
File 132367695437.jpg - (108.04KB , 1024x768 , 9c32b139.jpg )

"Oh, Hi there. You three... Wouldn't happen to know how to open this door, would you?"
>"Aye, we three are adventurers who dared to brave the depths of the Deep Well, but knew not the dangers that were within. And now we are cursed, denied final rest like all who fall within the lair of the devious Lich Torment... denied rest as you soon will be as well."
"That's... all very nice. But that doesn't tell me how to open the door."
>"Each of us fell with our weapons at our side, and the door will open when we are reunited with our weapons once more. Across from us lies three weapons; a Sword, handle gold and embroidered with priceless gems with a blade forged from silver. A Knife, simple in design but effective all the same. A Staff, intricately designed with a ruby red orb at the end. You may ask each of us one of the following questions - "What were you in life?" "Why did you brave the Deep Well?", and "What did you do just before you died?" Each question may yield the facts you seek from one of us, but be of no use if asked to another. Choose wisely.
>You do not necessarily need to ask all three questions. You do not necessarily need to ask the same question thrice. But you may only ask us a single question at a time, and it must be one of those three. We will answer truthfully, and after all three questions have been answered you will place our weapons in front of our heads. If you are wrong, you must ask another three questions and try again. We will not acknowledge your choice unless three questions have been asked first, and with each wrong choice the skeletons outside come closer to forcing your friends inside, where they will crowd this room... And your heads will join ours. Are you ready?"
"I... think."

ask the elf what he did just before he died, as a look of regret.

>>371643
An interesting puzzle... you only have to get the info for two of them. Once you know the weapon for two adventurers, there is only one left for the last. So, to maximize our chances of getting the questions right the first time, ask two adventurers one question and the last one the other. That gives us a 33% chance to win on the first round (since asking the single-asked question correctly guarantees that we hit one of the other heads with a correct question), and on the second round we are guaranteed to ask the right questions since we'd know the wrong ones from the first round.

I say ask "what were you in life" to the first two heads, and ask the elf what he did just before he died.

>>371656
no, we could ask the wrong two heads the wrong question, and then the third head would of been right, but you switched questions, so it's still wrong.

>>371662
You misunderstand me.
Let's say ABC is the correct order.
If we ask AAC or BBC then we've hit two heads and the puzzle is solved.
If we ask CCA or CCB then yes we hit zero heads. However from either of those tests we can conclude that C is the last head's proper question, and then ask AAC or BBC next round, and win.
If we ask AAB or BBA then we hit one head. We have found the A or B head. We then replace the two we got wrong with C in order to find the C head next round, and since we found two of them the puzzle is solved.

Perfect logic.

>Each question may yield the facts you seek from one of us, but be of no use if asked to another.
This seems to indicate that asking the same question twice in the same round will not yield a positive result
> You do not necessarily need to ask the same question thrice
This indicates, however, that we can do so

>Each question may yield the facts you seek from one of us, but be of no use if asked to another.
>This seems to indicate that asking the same question twice in the same round will not yield a positive result

That's not how I read that. I think it means the heads are paired up with the questions. As in asking the same question all three heads will give you one answer that indicates a weapon from one head and answers that don't indicate a weapon from the other two.

>>371746
which suggests that if we do AAC and BBA and the luck we might "luck out" and miss out on a head.

AAA is guarenteed to give us 2 useless answers and 1 correct answer. At which point we can guess on the other 2 and get a 50/50 chance.

If we fail once our friends will probably not be overwhelmed and we can do BBB which is guarenteed to give us a correct answer for one of the other two. At which point we know for a fact 2 of the 3 which means by elimination we must know all 3...

Thus AAA followed by BBB gives us:
50% chance of success on first try
100% chance of success on second try.

Any other combination provides small chance of getting it on first try and a larger chance of missnig two tries which is too large a risk.

Warn the others that it is a puzzle that you have the solution for, but the fighting will intensify while you work, and that you will try to be quick. Then quickly do AAA followed by BBB.

>>371748
This sounds good, but of course we should change our plan in the case that we do get an answer from one of the first two asked. (So if we are doing CCC, and the second head we ask answers, we should ask the remaining head question A or B.)
The elf and what he did before he died seems like a good place to start.

>>371748
Even if we hit 0 heads with my method we can still guess at a 17% chance. Since the other two chances are a 50% guess and a 100% guess, my method's superior on average (55%) on the first round, AND has a 100% chance on the second round.

>>371759
His method gives more than a 50% chance the first time; if one of the first two heads answers she can ask a different question to the other head(s).

>>371759
Yours is similar, the problem is that you forget we actually need the correct ANSWERS not just to match it up the correct QUESTION.

If we ask question A twice and get a useless answer both time, then we know for a fact that the last head will answer correctly on A... at that point you suggest we ask the last head B or C... this is pointless. We need the actual correct answer. It will be better to actually ask the last head A and get the right answer for that. Then in subsequen rounds not ask it AT ALL since we know it is. Simply ask heads 1 and 2 question B.

We will KNOW what the correct questions after 4 questions at most... but We must actually ask that 5th question to know what the correct ANSWERS are.

The absolute worst case scenario:
1. Ask head 1 question A, it is wrong question
2. Ask head 2 question A, it is wrong question. Conclusion: We now know for a fact that head 3 should be asked question A
3. Ask head 3 question A, it is right question. We now have the right answer for head 3. Make a "50% chance to win" bet on what is the correct answer for heads 1 and 2.
4. Ask head 1 question B, it is wrong question. Conclusion: question C must be the right question for head 1, question B for head 2.
5. Ask head 2 question B, it is right question. We now have the right answers for heads 2 and 3, and via elimination head 1 as well. We solved the puzzle. We are not REQUIRED to ask head 3 a question and can finilize that round at this point.

By your method at step three we will use question B on head 3 which we KNOW is the wrong question.

Also by asking AAA we get a baseline, since if the answers are vague enough it might take further puzzling once getting the "correct" answer to figure out who is who.

We can naturally luck out, 1/6 chance of solving the puzzle by asking only two questions (question A to head 1, correct question. Question B to head 2, correct question... elimination means we don't even have to ask head 3, just place the items)