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File: 1584713349049.jpg (142.54 KB, 716x1008, 1547178368740.jpg)

 No.734574[View All]

…Now, there exists a certain fanciful legend regarding the Time Long Forgotten, holding that the Outlands were not always a lightless expanse, as it is in this our present age, but that there was once a great Lamp perched upon some colossal mountain, that with a gentle and pale light illuminated all the earth, and that this Lamp was known as The Moon, and that it was kept and maintained by a godly Queen, and that her land was called Night.

Some hold to another version of the tale, which attests that there was another great Lamp, and that this one, called The Sun, gave off such a glow that it shamed the dim light of The Moon, and that it was kept and maintained by a mighty King, whose country was called Day. Those adherents of this version of the legend disagree as to whether the King of Day and the Queen of Night were wedded or bitter enemies, or perhaps even siblings. Some say that it was an earth-shaking war between these divine monarchs which rid our world of light.

But, those who believe in this fable claim a still more incredible thing: That the light of The Sun and the light of The Moon were so powerful that they were anathema to the Dreaded Ones, and that even the mightiest of those abominations were so weakened by the light that they had to hide deep underground, as we hide in our Castles in this our present age. With The Sun and The Moon keeping watch over the lands, there was a peace in the earth, the likes of which not one living soul in this era knows.

It may only be a legend… but I pray that it be true, and that there may be some way of restoring even a modicum of the light of The Sun or The Moon. For, if this not be the case, then at our current projections, these Castles which seal us off from the Dreaded Ones will exhaust the last of their power in this generation. These walls, built by our First Ancestors and their secret wisdom, will soon crumble, and the Dreaded Ones shall finally fall upon us.

But life shall not be extinguished, for the Dreaded Ones harbor no such mercy.

-Mendicant Rudolph, Anno Castra 31274
1018 posts and 5 image replies omitted. Click reply to view.

 No.739569

>>739568
>>739567
Zamrud concentrates after hearing the familiar syllable, piecing together the syllables and phonemes to try to construct some semblance of a coherent sentence. The trouble, he soon realizes, is that the tank itself is skipping every few words, and mispronounces others due to damage to its voice circuitry.

>"Pardon… sir… appear to be lost… assistance is requested… my duties," the Helping Hoof says.


It seems unlikely that it may be referring to anything around here, if for nothing other than that this town is thousands upon thousands of years old, yet that is what it insists upon.

 No.739570

>>739569
Seeing that things are well Good relaxes as he didn't really wish for their to be a fight.

"Oh Good."

 No.739571

>>739564
>>739565
"I'll head there with you, may never know what mess they got caught up in."

 No.739572

>>739571
>>739565
>>739566
With the ruined house cleared up for now, you decide to check in on the others, passing underneath the outer arch into the inner courtyard. From there, you are able to see Good and Zamrud speaking with the Helping Hoof, who speaks to them in what sounds to you like nothing more than gibberish.

 No.739573

>>739569
>>739570
"Ah, ah!" Zamrud says excitedly, "I understood more of that! I cannot believe those extra courses I took are actually paying off."

"He seems to mean HE is the one who is lost, young lord. Considering we did not see this machine last time we were here, I surmise he's come a very long way." He clears his throat, trying to translate

>"I would be happy to assist you. Where are you from?"

[1d10]

Roll #1 9 = 9

 No.739574

>>739572
"Well, they don't seem to be having that much trouble with the robot over there. Though I think we should head on over just to make sure nothing is going on that we can't see." Billy thinks out loud.

 No.739575

>>739572
"Ah great, gibberish… the many languages I don't know. Actually a lot of languages sound like gibberish to me." Grutar remarks when he notices the two talking to the Helping Hoof.

 No.739576

>>739575
>>739575
As Zamrud converses with the machine, he turns to look at Grutar, "It is not gibberish. It is the First Tongue, the language used long before the time of the Castles. It is the only language this tank seems to know."

 No.739577

>>739576
"First tongue? I can't keep track of the rest of the tongues. Do you understand it at all?"

 No.739578

>>739577
"Better than I was anticipating. Noble tutoring requires at least a minor knowledge of it but I studied out of curiosity when I was 13. I'm surprised I remember so much of it, at first I thought I could just barely scrape by."

"The tank appears to be lost, I am trying to learn more but it would appear the others were correct in assuming it may not be confrontational."

 No.739579

>>739572
>>739573
"Hrm… what exactly is it saying? What is 'First Tongue'?

 No.739580

>>739579
>>739570
>>739573
>>739574
>>739575
>"The Grand… and Holy… of the Fourth… Canterlot…" the Helping Hoof says. "It is…"

Its voice trails off, you can hear the circuitry in its head whirring and grinding as it processes data.

>"It is in–"


At once, its voice changes.

>"[Data access denied,"]


And back to normal–

>"…to the East."

 No.739581

>>739580
"Hrm. Why the two voices? I do not understand… I do not understand much of any of what it says." he says, frowning a little bit.

 No.739582

>>739580
>>739579
"The Grand and Holy… of the Fourth… Canterlot…" Zamrud raises a brow in confusion as the 'ACCESS DENIED' sparks out, translating out lout for the others. "To the East. Well, at least we know where it is from. 'Canterlot' may be an old city or even country. This machine is damaged, unfortunately. Every other word is cut off, and it appears unable to share certain information with me. I do not have the skill-set needed to repair it, but perhaps if I were to direct it to Ironcastle, someone could take care of it."

He clears his throat,
>"I am sorry, but I do not know where it may be. What made you stray so far from Canterlot?"
[1d10]

Roll #1 1 = 1

 No.739583

>>739581
"That second voice was informing me whatever information it wanted to share was 'Access Denied'."

 No.739584

>>739580
"Well, that was quite bizarre. I don't quite understand what is going on here. Will this bot here be okay?" Billy asks out loud with his head tilted.

 No.739585

>>739584
"I do not think it is as dangerous as I initially thought. It had its barrel literally pressed up against my back and did not open fire, for which I am grateful. I think it may be safe to share the fortress with it after all."

 No.739586

>>739580
Good decided to take a chance and attempted to link his magicomp to the Helping Hoof. Maybe he could update it or something.

[1d10]

Roll #1 5 = 5

 No.739587

>>739581
>>739582
>>739584
Zamrud loses track of the conversation, and the machine shows no signs of comprehending this, simply replying in its ancient gibberish.

>>739586
As you attempt to interface directly with the robot, a UI for wired communications pops up on your magicomp. However, within mere seconds of initiating the communications, another message pops up.

>"Data Exchange System (DES) not available for this system. Error Code 107333. Contact system administrator for assistance.

 No.739588

>>739580
>>739578
Grutar nods and continues to listen to the tank, but then nudges Zamrud when it speaks up. "What did it say this time?"

>>739582
"That's what it said? Well why don't we repair it!"

 No.739589

>>739587
"Should we bring this with us after we finish our mission? That is if the robot is compliant with us in following orders me thinks." He scrunched his face looking at the bot.

 No.739590

>>739587
"What? No, wait, slow down I missed that… bah!" Zamrud says in frustration, completely lost in its latest statement. "I lost it."

"I apologize everyone. Seems my First Tongue still has room for improvement. I will try again.

>"Wait, please hold on. Is your OS capable of interpreting a new default language?"

[1d10]

>>739588
"Who among us would know how? I can barely maintain modern equipment, much less ancient ones. I was thinking of sending it back to Ironcastle with a prr-recorded message, perhaps they would send it to someone who might repair it."

>>739589
"It DID make pretty short work of those Sightseers… I am not sure yet if it will take our orders."

Roll #1 7 = 7

 No.739591

>>739587
"Perhaps there are ways we can… ask it something, and get information on what it says? It might explain this 'Fourth Canterlot'."

 No.739592

>>739587
Well… Shit," Good said aloud without really thinking.

 No.739593

>>739592
"Noncompatible, I take it? They ARE separated by a few centuries of technological progress."

 No.739594

>>739589
>>739588
>>739591
>>739592
>>739590
>"The Helping Hoof AI… available in… 400… and written languages. Please…. request… into the microphone… now… Speak… slow… clearly."

The tank scoots forward toward Zamrud, adjusting the barrel of its gun so as to not jab him in the chest again. Its one remaining eye changes in color, going from an ominous red to a somewhat thoughtful shade of blue, suggesting some kind of change within.

 No.739595

>>739593
"I was hoping I might be able to make a connection."

 No.739596

>>739594
>>739593
"Would there be a language worth trying?"

 No.739597

>>739594
>>739595
>>739596
"I just tried asking it if it could update its default language. Hopefully it recognizes Equish even remotely."

He clears his throat, speaking toward it clear.

"Equish, if you would be so kind. Is that an available option?"

>Alleycat: Instant; DC 4; Every alleycat develops a keen sense of where he or she should look for potential attackers. You can roll this to identify places in your immediate surroundings that would be relevant in combat, such as ambush spots, choke points, and good escape routes. Higher rolls can even anticipate incoming attacks.

JUST in case there's something fishy here
[1d10]

Roll #1 3 = 3

 No.739598

>>739594
"What is the purpose of this machine anyhow. It looks pretty much like a war machine, but I think I could be wrong about that. Though I am doubtful with its abilities." Billy makes a click with his tongue.

 No.739599

>>739598
"I have been thinking about that. I thought it bizarre considering it's war-machine body but almost personable mare head. Perhaps it is two machines that somehow fused into one? It may have had entirely different purposes before now forced to coincide."

 No.739600

>>739598
>>739597
>>739596
>>739595
Zamrud gets a nagging feeling like he may have flubbed a few of the more nasal and guttural sounds he was supposed to make there. After a few moments, the tank's eyes turn back red.

>"…not found… the inconvenience. Visit our… download your… of choice… contact our… service… agent at… Or, if you are… regional dialect… say 'run compiler' now… provide… 30 minutes… audio samples… machine-learning… build your dialect."

 No.739601

>>739600
Good raised a brow "I feel like that didn't work."

 No.739602

>>739600
"Figures, nothing is ever simple out here. Though I don't think anything worth doing ever is."

 No.739603

>>739600
>>739598
>>739596
>>739595
Zamrud furrows his brow. "Well, that is indeed inconvenient, but thank you nontheless." he says in Equish.

"It does not know Equish. Its artificial intelligence does seem capable of learning it, however, but it will require 30 minutes of audio samples to compile it. I take it since we plan on staying here for the evening, there would be no harm in trying?" He smiles. "And I do pride myself on being a good teacher."

 No.739604

>>739603
Why not, we can talk to it. Maybe we can try and make it sound like some kind of um… I dunno a… a Saucy Senorita?" he said trying to recall something that might have an accent to it from his own knowledge.

 No.739605

>>739604
Zamrud's eyes open wide as Good suggests giving the machine a sexy accent. "An interesting choice, young lord. How is it a fine, upstanding colt such as yourself knows what a, quote, 'saucy senorita', unquote, sounds like?"

 No.739606

>>739605
My Mother was very blunt and hands off when it came to my er… adult lessons. She put me on the computer and showed me things…"

 No.739607

>>739600
>>739597
>>739603
"That sounds very agreeable- perhaps we can figure out more of what it was trying to say!"

 No.739608

>>739607
>>739603
>>739602
>>739601
The tank awaits your command.

>If providing an audio sample, roll for communication and specify what, if any, kind of accent you wish to give it

 No.739609

>>739608
Good tried his best to teach it the accent he had suggested, figuring if nothing else it would be cool. Saucy Robo Senorita

[1d10]

Roll #1 4 = 4

 No.739610

>>739608
Billy tries to teach the bot the righteousness of his god Blod through the same tales he has been taught of his gods heroics.

[1d10]

Roll #1 7 = 7

 No.739611

>>739608
Qhapaq doesn't want his language or accent to throw anything off, so he stays quiet.

 No.739612

>>739606
As Good goes into explain, Zamrud immediately has regrets. He holds up his paws, "No, no no no… I, believe I have the picture, my lord. And some questions regarding your mother's… ahem… teachings, but that is neither here nor there."

He sighs, "I think it would be distracting, but I have no objection if that is your wish. Though, mind, its accent will only be as good as any of ours. I personally do not think I pull off a very saucy horspañol. And 'senorita' was an elective I did not take."

>>739607
"My thoughts exactly. It will be far easier to communicate with this machine when I am not trying to speak in a language no one has used for thousands of years."

>>739608
Zamrud clears his throat, speaking aloud in the First Tongue

>"Thank you. 'Run compiler'."


From there, he starts trying to provide as many Equish words (and their translations to First Tongue for reference) as he can. He leaves the accent to the others, merely trying to make sure the machine learns the language first and foremost.

[1d10+2] Teaching the machine how to speak good

Roll #1 6 + 2 = 8

 No.739613

>>739609
>>739610
>>739612
>>739611
In between your various responsibilities for setting up your camp for the Dark Hours, you stop and speak with the nameless Helping Hoof, teaching it-or-her various words in the Equish tongue, with some of you putting in various cultural and linguistic influences that the others don't think of. By the end of it all, the robot informs you – still in its ghastly metallic tone – that it will require ample time to run its initial compiler for developing a language from the ground up.

In the meantime, there are watches to be kept as the others retire to rest.

>Pausing slightly early so Grutar can have input on the robot's voice; roll for keeping watch, two shifts are required.

 No.739614

>>739613
Good decided to offer to take the first watch so he could be somewhat rested for tomorrow.

[1d10]

Roll #1 8 = 8

 No.739615

File: 1590818033420.jpg (71.76 KB, 960x540, cheese bisque.jpg)

>>739613
After taking the time to each the Helping Hoof all he knows of languages, Zamrud takes off his teacher hat to put on his chef's hat, preparing dinner for the evening with an old classic: cheese sandwiches with tomato bisque.
[1d10] for cooking

After which, given his keen eyesight, he offers to take the first watch over the Fortress, hoping its defenses will do most of the work in keeping them safe
[1d10+1] lookout

Roll #1 2 = 2 / Roll #2 4 + 1 = 5

 No.739616

[1d10] Using Dexterity to attempt better food (at least)

Roll #1 4 = 4

 No.739617

>>739616
The cheese is burnt, the tomato slices are crispy, and the avocado distribution is shamefully uneven… the bisque is okay though. The only way you're going to be able to play off these cheese sandwiches is to spin it to be about building character.

 No.739618

>>739613
Qhapaq doesn't manage to get a chance to keep watch, but he does sleep close enough to ensure he'll wake up if one of the two needs help.


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