No.761609[Last 50 Posts]
>Iron King Ischyros, the Far Seeker, sets down the fourth and final Report of the Agatecastle Investigation, and sips the coffee Sister Root had set before him. They are the only ones to occupy the conference room on this Cycle.
>Mabin, High Director of the Lux Deorum, is uncharacteristically absent.
>"Sister," Ischyros says, keen to take his mind off anything other than his confidant's absence. "Make a note about this Concord program. It desperately needs some security updates. I mean, have you read this Report? Seems just about everyone's exploiting it one way or another."
>"Yes, sire," the Sister says. She casts another glance at the conference room's sealed and enchanted door. "…Th-this Report was late in coming, I note. Do you think Mabin's absence may be–"
>Before she can finish that sentence, the door flies open. With quick and long strides, a lanky white Diamond Dog, his clothing ruffled and stained by dried blood, enters the room. Sister Root gasps, fishing for the medical supplies she always carries in her saddlebag.
>"You must forgive my tardiness, your Majesty," High Director Mabin says as he takes a seat, taking care to not let the dried blood flake off as he fishes his cigarettes from his coat pocket. "I had an unexpected rendezvous with a certain Noble and spent the past hours in a most gripping discussion."
>Iron King Ischyros scoffs. "Surely we have known each other long enough that you do not need to hide your personal affairs behind euphemisms!" he says. "Truly, it seems the missus was–"
>"No, no," Mabin interrupts. "I speak plainly, but allow me to be even clearer. The Noble who accosted me was none other than Lady Offbeaten Path, of House Titanite."
No.761610
>>761609The others keep silent as they help the soldiers get to the safety of the arcade, following Firmgold's direction for an indirect, winding route. However, they exchange glances of doubt, conveying they caught it too – this hope the battle has engendered is nothing but deceit.
No.761611
>>761610Lost continued to hunt for anything of value
{Previous roll was a 10}
No.761612
>>761610And I'm here too.
No.761613
>>761610Once we are across the arcade, I will whisper "we should make a dash for it."
No.761614
>>761611Unfortunately, it seems there is naught much among the battlefield worth taking.
>DeadweightThinking it over, you reason that staging battles like this would have little purpose, other than to convince the Iron Souls unwittingly caught up in them that the floating machines are their allies. The one who controls them seems to want the Ironcastle forces on their side, and is more than willing to sacrifice a few security bots, and possibly even able-bodied Iron soldiers, to achieve that.
>>761612>>761613>>761611>Deadweight"I agree," Huitlapan says. "We have yet two Floors to breach before we reach the Necromancer's lair. Let Vissei take commmand of healing the injured while we forge on."
"I too am in agreement," Cautaa says. "We've done what we can here."
"There's a stairway downward not too far from here," Xu says. "I'm ready to head out if you all are."
No.761615
>>761614"I suppose if we must…" Lost seemed more keen to keep in large number.
No.761616
>>761614>>761615"Let's forge ahead."
No.761617
>>761614Deadweight mutters, "I think those floating machines were trying to win our favor."
When the party discusses moving on, Deadweight nods in agreement.
No.761618
>>761614"Every new step will take us to completion of this objective, and we should not tarry."
I will go with the group down
No.761619
>>761618>>761617>>761616>>761615Xu nods, pulling up the map on her semi-bricked Comp. "Hope Sapphire didn't go through my Pictures folder…"
>"I did, and you should be ashamed," Sapphire types."Shit!" Xu hisses.
>"How the hell can you find anything when it's so disorganized!?" Sapphire scolds."That's the idea!" Xu says. "If somebody steals my Comp I need to buy as much time as I can before they find– we have a quest to get to!"
Xu leads the way north towards a downward-leading stairway station. As you approach the stairway, it looks to be in relatively good repair, and no hostiles are nearby… but the lights in the stair-tower are dim, and flickering.
No.761620
>>761619"Are you the type to send unsolicited memes Xu?" Lost asked as she began to try and slip into the shadows for the umpteenth time.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.761621
>>761619I'll shine my suit light down it.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.761622
>>761619Deadweight blushes slightly overhearing the mention of Xu's Pictures folder.
Deadweight follows Xu to the stairway section and squints down the stairway. Looks deceptively safe.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.761623
>>761619I will use Spellbreaker pointed to just about everything before us prior to descending [1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.761624
>>761620"They're funny! Nobody else posts in that channel because they're all waiting to see what I post!" Xu insists.
"There are only so many puns one can make on Prench cuisine," Huitlapan says. "Perhaps it is better if you branch out somewhat?"
"Es-car-go-to-hell," Xu says.
"You posted that one last week," Cautaa says.
Xu sighs like her career's been ended.
>>761620>>761621>>761622>>761623As you take some tentative steps into the stairwell, Firmgold's instincts warn her, and she takes aim, and blasts into the air before her. Her intuition is proved as keen as ever. Her magic bolt collides with a heretofore unseen rippling in the space before you, similar in appearance to heat shimmers, but much, much more difficult to see.
Now with something to look out for, Conflagration and Deadweight see that the corridor is full of the shimmerings. Each one is about 2-3 feet wide, and 4-5 tall. They are not so numerous that you could not descend the stairwell with some care, but if you were to sally forth without looking for them, at least one of you would surely collide with one, and experience whatever effects it may beget.
No.761625
>>761624I pick up a loose bolt from the floor and toss it at a shimmering field with my telekinesis.
No.761626
>>761624>>761625Deadweight waits to see what the field does to the bolt.
No.761627
>>761624"Ah, perhaps it's a good thing that these creatures are not entirely magical. Hold fast as I find some… way to alert others who will pass through this way-"
I turn to look at everyone
"If we don't take the time to rid the staircase of these fiends. Neither choice is ideal, but I wish to save others from what we discovered."
I will then pull out my utility knife and start etching a warning triangle ahead of the staircase
No.761628
>>761627"Good thinking," Deadweight says to Firmgold.
No.761629
>>761628"Thank you, Miss Deadweight."
No.761630
>>761628>>761627>>761626>>761625The bolt disappears, as does the shimmering, the second the two connect. Your allies fall silent, Xu and Huitlapan's ears twitching as they attempt to listen for another sound, some indication of its true effect… but none comes.
"No residue, so unlikely to be a disintegration," Huitlapan observes. "Perhaps shrinking… or teleportation?"
"Any idea where?" Xu asks.
"Nowhere any of us would like to be," Huitlapan concludes.
No.761631
>>761624Lost began to shoot some very basic memes into the channel if sher had access to it as she didn't wish to make Xu self conscious.
No.761632
>>761629Deadweight smirks and does the cool upwards nod at her.
>>761630Deadweight tosses another piece of debris at where the shimmering was. If nothing happens to it, she gathers a bunch of debris in her wing and scatters it down the stairwell.
No.761633
>>761630I chuck another bolt through the area where the shimmering was. If it doesn't also disappear I'll proceed a few steps, chuck another, and repeat the process all the way down the staircase.
No.761634
>>761633>>761632I will watch as Conflagration and Deadweight move down the stairs, and then do my best to etch that path in my warning
>>761630then put my dulled knife away and follow the group as they cautiously trail down the stairs.
[1d10] my artcraft
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.761635
>>761630Lost remains sneaky and watching as she dind't want to vanish.
No.761636
[1d10]
Roll #1 6 = 6
No.761637
[1d10] tosser
Roll #1 3 = 3
No.761638
>>761635The others stop and check what you post… and a hail of disappointed glances fall upon you. The icons of the others' accounts all change to "Busy."
>>761634>>761633>>761632>>761631>>761637You proceed down the stairwell, judiciously stopping to dispel the shimmerings with tossed debris… but after a few successes, one very small one suddenly
appears. It happens just as Firmgold's hoof nearly settles onto a step below. But then, the shimmering
disappears, and in its place, left behind by no discernable source besides the shimmering, is a banana peel, just under Firmgold's boot.
Firmgold goes tumbling into the aether, and Conflagration and Deadweight desperately pick up the pace, throwing as much debris as they can to protect Firmgold from colliding with the shimmerings. Your three allies join in as well. In the frenzy to protect Firmgold, some shots miss, bounce off railings, and then bounce off of foreheads, lightly injuring poor Conflagration.
>Conflagration 3/5Soon enough, Firmgold comes to a halt – by slamming into the door at the bottom of the steps. The door is closed, but electrical displays near it indicate that it is unlocked.
>Firmgold 0/4 No.761639
>>761638"A banana peel? Diabolical."
I help Firmgold up.
No.761640
>>761638Deadweight sweats as she tries to dispel the shimmerings ahead of Firmgold. Once they reach the bottom, Deadweight silently sighs in relief and tends to Firmgold and Conflagration's injuries, with medical kits if necessary.
No.761641
>>761638Lost winced and began to try and find something a bit more timely.
Puros being caught doing cat things. She hoped that would help.
No.761642
>>761638>>761639I thank Conflagration for helping me up, but turn down the medical kit offered by Deadweight.
>>761640"Thank you Miss Deadweight, however I ache all over and if I don't know the extend of my injuries then I cannot place where medical application would help the most."
>Name: Apparent InvincibilityI will run my tongue around my mouth to make sure no teeth were knocked loose, and then stand behind the group to stretch and lean as I try to figure out where I'm most hurt.
No.761643
>>761642In your social image, you are definitely most hurt.
And between your shoulder blades. That absolutely smarts. You probably don't have any cracked vertebrae, probably just some bruising, but it wouldn't hurt to have a medical examination just to be sure.
>>761641>>761640>>761639>>761642While you assist Lost, Conflagration and Firmgold get over their recent misfortunes, Cautaa, Xu an d Huitlapan take up positions by the door. After preparing themselves for whatever might lie ahead in ambush… they open it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcJk8FstIw0Before you is a scene straight from the Orchards of Ironcastle. Grass grows from below, shoots poking through the flagstones of the roads and sidewalks, even scattering them in some cases. Trees and vines are overtaking nearby buildings and disrupting trolley lightlanes, and they stretch high in the distance, in colors varied and rich. You appear to be in the midst of a public park – this place was verdant even before this sudden growth.
"Floor 5…" Cautaa says. "This is where we are to meet the forward teams and receive the spies' reports, is it not?"
"Right," Huitlapan says. "We should look out for signals from the other teams."
There is a sidewalk to the north, and a fountain to the south. All around you are high-growing and dense trees, leaving little walkable space. You can't get through to the east, and behind you, to the west, is the stairwell.
No.761644
>>761643"Okay, it's likely between my shoulder blades and my spine.."
Entering the orchard, I will look on the ground for signs of activity.
[1d10]
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.761645
>>761643Lost steels herself after the pain of rejection and moves along, remaining the groups stealthed eyes and ears.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.761646
>>761643I'll check out the fountain.
[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.761647
>>761642"Mhm," Deadweight hums with a nod, putting away the med kit.
>>761643Deadweight keeps her eyes peeled for anything
sus.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.761648
>>761644>>761645>>761646>>761647As you prepare to explore this strange and overgrown floor, you keep your heads on a swivel to maximize your situational awareness – and out of all the possible combinations of blindspot overlaps, the worst possible circumstances arise…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwxTZaa3NgIYou all collide heads.
>all lose 1 WoundAs you sit there, dazed in your newfound headaches, you hear distant echoes… the faintest of rumblings… behemoths walk about here.
No.761649
>>761648Lost yelped and winced back in pain as she rubbed her head.
No.761650
>>761648I sit and hold my head
"This isn't good, the furthest we've gone and the most damage we've all taken is from each other's misfortunes… How long have we been at this?"
I will check to see if the clock on my magicomp is working
No.761651
>>761648Deadweight grumbles as she rubs her head. She stops when she hears something nearby. She hides in a nearby bush and tries to ascertain the behemoths' location.
No.761652
>Perception
[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3
No.761653
>>761648Can I tell where they are?
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.761654
>>761650Things are still all good there. It is about 1600 hours.
>>761649>>761650>>761651>>761653Listening carefully, you discern that they are quite far from you, and distantly apart… four… maybe five, in number.
"There aren't any within our vicinity, at least?" Huitlapan asks.
"None that I could hear," Cautaa confirms, and Xu nods in agreement.
"Should be safe enough to poke around a bit here," Xu adds.
No.761655
>>761654"I could try and peek on them while I'm still in the shadows if it helps?"
No.761656
>>761654Determining the coast is clear, Deadweight emerges from the bush, says, "I'm gonna walk down sidewalk," and walks down the sidewalk to the north, keeping her eyes peeled.
No.761657
>>761656"I will follow."
>>761654[1d10] Perception as I ride Steadfast
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.761658
>Perception
[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9
No.761659
>>761655>>761654[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.761660
>>761654I follow along and keep my eyes peeled.
[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.761661
>>761657>>761658>>761659>>761660Just before Firmgold, elevated on Steadfast's back, can get whacked by a low-hanging branch, Deadweight flies in and catches it, moving it aside so Firmgold can pass.
However, before they advance too far, Lost notices something, now that the branch has been parted: A camp, occupied by Iron Souls. Between the branches, you can see a group of four leaders – an Elemen, a Hippogriff, a Caprinos, and the Knight-Brother Mountain himself – sitting in a group, with their teams huddled about them. They are discussing something in low voices, and members of their groups are taking watch nearby. Perhaps owing to the serendipitous nature of your discovery, they haven't seen you yet.
No.761662
>>761661>>761660>>761658>>761657Lost quickly messages the others on Concord
>Camp ahead, shall we move to join them? No.761906
>>761662++
I support this choice, if so we remember who we passed and who passed us on this trial.++
No.761908
>>761661>>761662>>761906>>761907Deadweight replies with a wings up emoji.
No.761909
>>761908>>761662>>761906>>761907As you push through the branches and bushes to approach the camp, Xu calls out. "Hail, Iron– gyah!"
The camp's guards snap towards her with weapons drawn… but lower them once they recognize the Ironcastle heraldry upon your armorsuits.
"Hail," Knight-Brother Mountain grunts in reply. Stress and worry darken his otherwise stoic countenance. The other leaders also look perturbed, but Mountain is the worst of them.
Cautaa, Xu and Huitlapan make ready to salute Mountain, but he motions them down. "Sit," he orders.
You can see that the groups have their comps on display, all showing an annotated map of this part of L-8, F-5. Many comps' screens glitch out now and then, much to the annoyance of the users.
"The team that ventured to L-8, F-4 got cut off from us," Mountain says. "Seals of a peculiar material appeared on the doors to both elevators and stairwells, after that team descended.
"The seals themselves didn't react to any attempt to break them, but they possess five indentations, where someone might insert a 'key' of sorts. We searched around, and identified five behemoths nearby. Each of them possesses a circular stone object. Most likely, the keys we're after. We circled the areas on the map where each behemoth was spotted patrolling."
No.761910
>>761909"That is unfortunate."
I turn to the group
"Perhaps we can visit the closest of these behemoths, while we still have the energy to."
No.761911
>>761909"Any description of them beyond that they're big?"
No.761912
>>761909Deadeweight sits when Mountain motions him to and nods as he relays info to her.
No.761913
>>761909Lost took a moment before joining the others for a seat and opening her helmet a bit to sigh and breathe in some non recycled air.
No.761914
>>761910>>761912>>761913>>761911"There are two which walk upright, and three which walk quadrupedally," Mountain says.
"The first upright one prefers to fight with its claws, and the second uses magic. We believe it to be Dark-attribute, as it produces dark clouds, which are intangible, unlike smoke. However, our scouts didn't get close enough to run airborne tests, so we don't know if the clouds contain poison.
"The first quadruped is heavily armored, and seems capable of resisting most attacks. The second also uses magic, but seems skittish. Its magic appears to be of a primarily defensive nature. The third is also on the skittish side, but is quick on its feet, and throws objects at its targets."
"Prey?" Huitlapan prompts. "You have already engaged these behemoths?"
"Not us," Mountain says. "These behemoths have been making short work of Dreaded Ones. Our scouts were able to watch from a distance. It was a one-sided massacre on every front. The behemoths have sustained some damage, but it's anyone's guess if they are capable of recovering, or how long it'll take."
He nods to Firmgold. "My thoughts exactly. While each of them reels from their wounds, we move in and crush them. Five teams, we each take one, and meet back in Sector 1 with the recovered keys. Any objections?"
No.761915
>>761914"I've got no opinion on any of them. What about the rest of you?"
No.761916
>>761914"I have no overt objections beyond perhaps suggesting two teams to each behemoth, it would take three tries but we may incur fewer injuries as well."
>>761915"I may be a soft counter to the magic-user, as my weapon cannot pass through armor."
No.761917
>>761914>>761916"I agree with Firmgold," Deadweight says.
No.761918
>>761914Lost seemed to be fine with whatever the group chose to do.
No.761919
>>761918>>761917>>761915>>761916"We don't have time for that," Mountain says. "The Seneschal herself is with the forward team trapped on L-8 F-4."
His agitation is getting worse, no matter how badly he tries to hold it back behind a set jaw and steeled eyes.
"Last transmission we got from them– we heard a crossfire," Mountain continues. "They need backup and they needed it five minutes ago."
With effort, he steadies his breathing. The other teams look between you and him, clearly contemplating your suggestion… with some pressure, he might relent…
No.761920
>>761919Deadweight furrows her brows and nods. "Looks like we don't have a choice then."
No.761922
>>761919"Then by your word, Sir Mountain we shall take these behemoths on per team. I cast my vote to challenge the magical one."
No.761923
>>761919"Sir I think perhaps you need a moment to calm and consider things before rushing in."
No.761924
>>761920>>761921>>761922>>761923"Come again?" Mountain asks, turning to Lost with a grimace. He's normally double her height, and with his scowl, seems even taller.
"Sir," Cautaa says, stepping to Lost's side. "If the behemoths massacred Dreaded Ones, surely living souls such as we should take greater precaution when facing them, despite their wounds… even if it might take more time."
Mountain pauses to think…
No.761925
>>761923>>761924Deadweight looks at Lost in surprise, but she agrees with her words. She looks to the Knight-Brother to see what he says.
No.761926
>>761924>>761925Lost started to bend but she cleared her throat "I'm just saying perhaps it's best if we think through all our actions before we push in blind."
No.761927
>>761924"Are any of them flammable?"
No.761928
>>761924I said my piece and will wait for further development
No.761929
>>761927>>761928>>761926>>761925Mountain is momentarily distracted by Conflagration's question. "The lot of them should be susceptible to fire – every one of them appeared to be skeletal, undead."
"What?" Huitlapan gasps.
"Now what's the matter?" Mountain asks.
Cautaa freezes up for a moment. Perhaps he's suspecting the same thing. "…We have an adept fire magus among our numbers, and another skilled at countermagic. Let us take another group with us to fight one of the magic users. With overwhelming numbers and our advantages, we'll make short work of them."
"…Granted," Mountain relents. "Pick your allies and get a move on."
No.761930
>>761929"I vote for the dark magic one."
No.761931
>>761929"I'll just go wherever Deadweight goes."
No.761932
>>761929>>761930>>761931"We'll also go for the dark magic behemoth," Deadweight says.
No.761933
>>761929I ascent to the dark magic one
No.761934
>>761930>>761931>>761932>>761933Mountain nods, and transmits the map data to you. "The dark magus was last sighted near Sector 10, but each of them is highly mobile, despite their size. Don't rule out an ambush, especially with one that can manipulate darkness."
He turns to the other three groups. "Meet Finether, Sonard and Idana," he says, gesturing to the elemen (a floating, vaguely equine-shaped crystal which emanates a dark, equine-shaped vapor), caprinos and hippogriff, respectively. Each one has a team of their own, consisting of three members total.
Finether's team consists of two magi, covering the smoke and bloom attributes.
Idana's team consists of a knight and a rogue.
Sonard's team consists of a second bard (as Sonard himself is a bard), and a paladin who looks like he'd be more at home in a mosh pit.
You are the ones who recovered the survivor, Green… Finether says.
If you weren't after a dark magus, I'd consider my team and yours to be suitable allies."I don't know how well I'd be able to assist you," Idana says. "But if you want to team up, I am willing."
"The Seneschal promised me a concert at the end of all this," Sonard says. "So, if you wanna save her, let's get a move on already."
No.761935
>>761934Lost seemed to be leaning towards Sonard
No.761936
>>761934I will make a point on Concord to recruit Sonard's team
No.761937
>>761934I have no opinions.
No.761938
>>761935>>761936>>761937"Righteous…" Sonard says with a nod. His fellow bard, a she-goat with a small portable theramin, plays a spooky sound. The paladin, a male diamond dog in dark, spike-covered armor, puts his paws together, in a rather timid posture.
The other teams start to mobilize and make for their own assassination targets.
"…I hope we have not already met our targets," Cautaa mutters with apprehension.
>Paused No.761985
>>761938"It's a pleasure to meet you all."
I make a quick introduction and then move for a waythrough to our destination.
No.761986
>>761938"This is going to be a blast."
No.761987
>>761938Deadweight gives Sonard a nod back, one of the cool guy ones with the half-smirk.
No.761988
>>761938Lost gave a lazy wave to them.
No.761989
>>761985>>761986>>761987>>761988As you gather together with your new allies, you review the map data transferred earlier.
See:
>>761909At first, it seems that there is are two only slightly divergent paths one could take to Sector 10:
The first, head east from Sector 9, then either head south to Sector 13, then east, south, north, pass through Sector 18, then reach Sector 10.
The second, head north from Sector 9, cutting through Sector 7 to bypass Sector 13, then proceed to Sector 18 and then 10 as previously mentioned.
However, a glance back at the path that you took to get here, through the opening in the treeline, suggests an alternative.
"Ah," Cautaa says. "Perhaps this Floor's makeshift 'walls' offer an opportunity to bushwhack our own path. What say you?"
No.761990
>>761989"I suppose. I shall return to the shadows for now."
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.761991
>>761989"Sounds good," Deadweight says.
No.761992
>>761989"I like that idea, and we have our map to consult so lets be on our way."
No.761993
>>761989"I hardly ever get a chance to whack some bush. Let's do it."
No.761994
>>761990>>761991>>761992>>761993Your new group proceeds to Sector 9, as you speak. You see the remains of a covered seating area, full of rotted wooden benches, and old stone stools, now covered with moss. There is a broad river nearby, and you see that the long "corridor" just east of Sector nine is actually a series of bridges. Much of the area to the south and east is a densely forested lake, with towering, reed-like trees growing up from underwater.
Xu and the female goat bardess stop to marvel at the view…
Sector 7, just to the north of this bridge, is another land-based seating area, with tree-walls to the north and east.
"Okay…" Cautaa says, consulting the map again. "In theory, cutting through due east of here would lead to Sectors 18 and 10."
"But," Sonard says. "Judging by the scenery, we might just cut a path into part of the lake if we cut through here."
No.761995
>>761994"Would setting the trees on fire help? I can burn down this entire floor. Except the lake."
No.761996
>>761994Lost for her part grunts and decides to not actually hide as she sucks at it.
No.761997
>>761994"Perhaps this water isn't deep enough to pose a problem."
>>761995"Perhaps a finder's flare would help better."
No.761998
>>761996You creep behind the group hiding behind every mossy rock and bridge post you can find. It works for now.
No.761999
>>761994>>761995>>761997"Yeah, let's not set anything on fire yet.
>>761994>>761997"Yeah, let's try cutting across. If it's too deep, we'll just take a different way."
>>761996Deadweight gives Lost a consoling pat.
No.762000
>>761999>>761997>>761996>>761995"Given how much water these plants must be getting, a fire wouldn't be very successful," Cautaa says.
"And, it could just as easily turn against us," Huitlapan says.
As you suggest cutting across, Xu pulls up an image file of a lightbulb, and holds it over her head.
Sonard points to her. "Yes, you in the back, with your hoof raised?"
"There could still be maintenance boats docked somewhere under the bridge," Xu says. "We could swipe one, and maybe even get the drop on the target better like that!"
No.762001
>>762000"Maintanance bots sounds good. Do we just nab one and hack it or?"
No.762002
>>762000"I like that idea the best. Except haven't the robots been acting weird?"
No.762003
>>762000"Good thinking," Deadweight says, pointing a hoof at Xu.
No.762004
>>762000Rather than join in the conversation, I will keep an ear out as we pass through this place.
[1d10] Awareness
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.762005
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 10 = 10
No.762006
>>762000>>762003Deadweight looks around for a maintenance boat.
[1d10]
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.762007
>>762002>>762000"Oh, boats! Good idea!"
I'll look around for some boats while keeping a safe distance from the water.
[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.762008
>>762005>>762004>>762003>>762002>>762004>>762007You do some searching around the bridges, and after some proscribed burning by Conflagration, you find a stairwell down to the underside of the bridge, near the water's edge. There is a lower bridge, specifically only to be used by maintenance workers. It's not nearly as nice or decorated as the upper bridge, for visitors to the park.
Closer to the land side, you see a small dock, where several boats are tied off. Most of them are in pretty bad shape, having been left without care recently. However, you see one that is mounted on the wall, and as such, is in fairly good condition. It's a gondola-style boat, with room for one pilot, and three riders.
Unfortunately, there's only the one…
"So, four of us can take that boat," Xu says. "But that leaves the rest of us with these old things."
"We might be able to jury-rig a quick repair…" Cautaa suggests.
"And risk sinking if it is insufficient," Huitlapan notes. "Or if we are attacked."
"Others could just stay on land," Sonard adds. "Might be able to pull off a pincer maneuver, if the target's still in its last known location."
No.762009
>>762008"Yeah, I don't think we should take any of the other boats. Half of us can just go by land, and I can be in the air."
No.762010
>>762008"I am fine going on land. I can remain hidden better there."
No.762011
>>762008"I might set the boat on fire on accident. I'll walk."
No.762012
>>762008I agree with my team about going the long way
No.762013
>>762012>>762011>>762010>>762009Sonard nods. "Sound travels easier over water, so we'll take the boat. Let's exchange Concord codes, and keep in touch if we see anything."
If you choose to do so, Sonard and the gang will give you their Concord codes, and accept yours as well.
"Looks like we're back to the long way," Cautaa says. "Now, then, north or south, everyone?"
No.762014
>>762013"There doesn't seem to be a through-way to the north, perhaps south as the path should be guaranteed."
No.762016
>>762013>>762014Deadweight exchanges Concord codes, then says, "South sounds good."
No.762017
>>762013"I… whatever the group wants."
No.762018
>>762013I'll swap codes.
"South."
No.762019
>>762017"Something on your mind?" Deadweight asks Lost.
No.762020
>>762014Ah! And seeing Conflagration swap codes I will do the same after him
No.762021
>>762019"I unno, without something to actually track I'm… not very good at finding my way."
No.762022
>>762021"No worries, just stick with us," Deadweight says with a wink and a smirk.
No.762023
>>762016>>762017>>762018>>762014Xu starts filling the new groupchat with memes. Sonard and his crew all start dropping links to Trotify playlists there too.
Cautaa, sensing Xu about to start roasting their musical tastes, intervenes.
>"Focus!" he types. "If you see ANY of the five behemoths, I beg you do not attack before we have a chance to study their appearance. I have a terrible inkling we may already have intel on these things, but I need to see to be certain."
>"Copy," Sonard and his crew type in response.As these exchanges take place, you start making your way south along the rightmost bridge from Sector 7. Soon, in the distance to the east, you can see a tree-filled island, surrounded by more bridges.
"Another behemoth was spotted there," Huitlapan says. "Be on guard, everyone."
No.762024
>>762023Lost Tries once more to vanish into the shadows.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.762025
>>762023I will notify Steadfast that we should add our ears to this.
[1d10] Awareness, myself
[1d10] Awareness, Steadfast
Roll #1 6 = 6 /
Roll #2 2 = 2 No.762026
>>762023Time to sneak.
[1d10] Stealth
[1d10] Awareness
Roll #1 6 = 6 /
Roll #2 3 = 3 No.762027
>>762023Deadweight keeps an eye out for any hostiles.
[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.762028
>>762027>>762025>>762026>>762024You reach a T-intersection, and begin heading east to continue following your chosen path to Sector 10. But as you cross the south face of the densely-jungled island, your sixth senses irritate you, your hairs rising, and skin prickling with goosebumps… something on that island has its eye, or eyes, upon you…
>Paused No.762074
>>762028I take cover and try to spot what it is.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.762075
>>762028Lost bristles and moves to lock onto him.
[1d10] Hunter Sense
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.762076
>>762028Deadweight jerks her head towards where she senses the eyes on her.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762077
>>762028I will position myself and Steadfast between the island and our squishier members in the group.
"We should hurry and avoid a fight with whatever is watching us and the precious time we have to regroup with Sonard's group."
No.762078
>>762074>>762075>>762076>>762077Out from the shadows of the treeline streak a flurry of near-white blurs!
>everyone roll dodge; Firmgold and Deadweight get a +1 bonus from previous turn's perceptionsHuitlapan, Xu and Cautaa hit the deck.
[3d10]
Roll #1 8, 5, 10 = 23 No.762079
>>762078Deadweight takes to the skies to avoid the ambush.
>Dodge[1d10+1]
Roll #1 8 + 1 = 9 No.762080
>>762078Lost moved to avoid it.
[1d10] Dodge
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762081
>>762078[1d10] dodge
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.762082
I will pull Steadfast behind a tree, or a bench.
[1d10+1] Myself
[1d10] Steadfast
Roll #1 3 + 1 = 4 / Roll #2 2 = 2
No.762083
>>762078>>762079>>762080Seeing Lost stumble, Deadweight dives in front of her to block her from the attack.
>Block[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762084
>>762082>>762079>>762080>>762081Conflagration, Firmgold and Huitlapan get just barely grazed by the streaks, yet the wounds sting screaming all the same. A silver-white mark, almost like a burn, lingers around the site of their armorsuits where the ammunition glanced them.
>Conflagration and Huitlapan lose 2 Hits, Firmgold loses 3Lost and Steadfast aren't so lucky, and take the shots straight to the body, managing to twist just in time to take them to the haunches, and not to any vitals. The impact flings them to the far side of the bridge, where they slam into the safety rails.
Steadfast is large enough to brace himself, but Lost nearly falls over the edge. Deadweight drops in and grabs her by the hoof to pull her back, but takes a shot in the flank, and barely avoids collapsing. Straining through the pain, she flings Lost back onto the center of the bridge.
>Lost 0/5
>Steadfast and Deadweight lose 6 HitsAfter they've landed, you can see the ammunition used: Long, silvery-white bolts, almost more like small javelins, for how large they are. No weapon used by a mortal fired these bolts. If you look at them for more than a moment, your visors start to blur, turning mosaic over the bolts.
Conflagration remembers a similar effect, from when he beheld the dust left behind by the floating machines' attacks against the "malfunctioning" security bots…
The others scatter, bracing themselves behind what limited coverage the great bridge's supports can give them. You can hear a rustling, and a metallic clicking and rattling, from the island… a great shadow steps back from the treeline, too fast to behold.
>"Are you all well? Can you run?" Cautaa says over voice chat.
>"Lost is down!" Xu says.
>"Shield me and I'll help her," Huitlapan says.He attempts to heal Lost from behind his cover.
[1d10+2] Heal
Roll #1 8 + 2 = 10 No.762085
>>762084Lost Groaned and did her best to stand back up.
[1d10] Stand
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.762086
>>762084"It's like those weird floating robots we saw earlier!"
I'll grab a stick with my telekinesis and give one of the bolts that landed nearest me a good whack to see what happens.
No.762087
>>762084I unsheathe my sword behind cover and grab Steadfast's attention through the group voice chat. My helmet enclosed.
"You must remain, sir Steadfast!"
[1d10] Lay on Hands: Steadfast
Steadfast prepares a Counter as he moves over to me.
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762088
[1d10+2] Steadfast's Counter Slam (crit 8+)
Roll #1 5 + 2 = 7
No.762089
>>762086A fine silvery dust floats up from the javelin, and placidly drifts back down, feather-light. That which falls upon the stick lingers a moment, and then, starts to spread, like a creeping mold. Over nearby inorganic matter, it does not spread, only upon the stick.
>>762085>Hunter SenseYou duck behind the nearest cover, and squint out over the railing at the shooter's last known location. Focusing deep, an image comes to mind, translucent-silver behind the great trees of the island…
It is nearly ten feet fall, and three feet wide, lean and scrappy looking. It is equine in shape, and covered, unevenly, with thin scraps of white plate metal, intended to straddle the line between protection and a low profile. Sections of the plate metal have dozens of the javelins protruding from built-in quivers, almost like patches of porcupine quills. Upon its shoulders are mounted a pair of large crossbows, rigged to be able to fire a half-dozen bolts apiece.
Between the plate metal, you can see that the figure has no flesh nor muscle, but only a skeleton. The skeleton is coated with white dust in uneven patches, as if it had simply dropped a bag of flour.
Additionally, the figure… appears to be dancing? Behind the treeline, it shuffles, wiggling its shoulders and hips, its hooves tapping out some unheard rhythm, the lone participant of a rave only it can hear. This, along with its white color, clashes with its otherwise stealthy form and strategy.
Perhaps it is because the face is no more than a skull, but something strikes you as… wrong. Well, many things are wrong here. But, something behind its metal helm, in particular…>>762087>>762086>>762085>>762088>1 + CounterAs Firmgold rushes over to aid Steadfast, his head snaps to attention, and he pushes her aside. A bolt streaks from the treeline to where her center of mass had just been, and instead stabs into the wooden support stringer of the bridge. Steadfast yanks the bolt out of the stringer, stands and heaves it straight at the cover behind which the shooter was last seen.
The bolt vanishes behind the treeline, but Lost can see that the bolt struck true, grazing off the shooter's helmet. Still keeping up its crazed dance, it steps back and shakes its head to recover.
>"Where's the target?" Sonard says over vc.
>"Somewhere in the trees!" Xu shouts.Your allies approach from below on their boat, their progress slow from the fact that it's a gondola. Lost can see the crossbows on the shooter's arms rack more ammunition… it's looking right at Sonard's crew!
No.762090
>>762089>It's some kind of large skeleton in the trees. Big and covered in a strange dust. It's behind the trees so we need to close distance since it seems to fight from range.She moved to slip into the shadows and approach.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.762091
>>762084>>762089Deadweight grunts when she's shot and grunts again when she throws Lost back on the bridge.
Seeing Huitlapan taking care of Lost, Deadweight, Deadweight flies into the trees with her claymore in hoof.
>Tactician, declaring 2>Slam, +2 bonus, crits on +9[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.762092
>>762091>>762090>>762088"Don't let the bolts strike flesh! They've got some sort of dust on them that grows on organic material!"
>>762089I toss the stick away and summon up some burning homing magic.
[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.762093
>>762089I will pull myself away from this stagger, move ahead of Steadfast and shout "Show yourself!"
[1d10+2] Word of Power (antimagic focused on the bolts first)
Steadfast will request healing from Xu, as Slam and Counter are on cooldown
Roll #1 5 + 2 = 7 No.762094
>>762092You conjure up four bolts.
>>762093Hui slides in to the rescue.
[1d10+2] Heal
>>762092>>762093>>762091>>762090With no direct connection to the island, Lost waits a moment for Deadweight to fly over the water, then leaps and bounces off her back to hit the treeline. This throws off Deadweight's trajectory, and she makes an improvised landing on a steep slope, nearly falling into the lake. Through the shadows of the trees, she can see the towering shooter leap back, as if spooked. It lines up its shot, putting Deadweight square in the sights of one crossbow, and Sonard and company into those of the other.
However, when Firmgold calls out, the shooter raises its head toward her. Its shoulders slump, as if… almost as if in relief. The shooter turns its head toward both crossbows, which are still trained on their targets, then appears to strain. The crossbows shudder, as if they themselves were struggling against the shooter, but the shooter's will is stronger. Both crossbows point straight down and fire their heinous volley straight into the ground. A thick cloud of silvery dust balloons up from the impact site, blocking everyone's view. Only Lost is able to see as the shooter leaps back further toward the center of the island.
>"A skeleton, you said!?" Cautaa repeats. "I can't see! Did it respond to language at all!? Get it closer to the shoreline!"
>"What are you getting at?" Xu asks.
>"We may have met this target sometime before!" Cautaa says. Roll #1 10 + 2 = 12 No.762095
>>762094>It's moving to the center. Watch for the dust.Lost then moved to tail the beast, summoning a pair of dual claws through use of her partnership with Dhampir.
>Symbiosis Evolved, Dual Weapons No.762096
I will request of Steadfast that we be used to protect our crew who can't fly over the water.
No.762097
>>762094Deadweight tails Lost and tries to get her eyes on the hostile.
>Perception, +2 bonus from tactician[1d10+2]
Roll #1 7 + 2 = 9 No.762098
>>762096>>762094"Did they really run off ahead like that?"
No.762099
>>762098I will let out a worried sigh.
"It seems they did, but we shouldn't worry. There may be a way we can aid them from here."
No.762100
>>762096>"What are you talking about?" Xu asks.
>"It might be one of the Knights of the Gravepyre!" Cautaa says. "Oh, you never met them – a group of good-hearted fools, playing at serving the Necromancer!"
>"Whoever it is, our allies just ran in after it!" Huitlapan says.He runs about on the bridge, desperate to find a quick way across. When none presents itself, he looks to Steadfast. "Throw me!"
>>762098>>762096>"Island access is on the north side," Sonard says. "And if we all piled into the gondola, we'd sink. We'll have to drop off our guys then ferry you over."Their boat stops near the island, and he and the goat get out, leaving the diamond dog to steer toward the bridge. There's a maintenance ladder nearby you could climb down to get to the water's level.
>>762095>>762097Lost and Deadweight spring after the shooter, leaping over earth and rock to pursue the target, until it suddenly stops, near a shadowy bend where the canopy is thick. The thing spins around and fires at Deadweight, who on reflex, chops at the bolts… only to realize that both shots were aimed for the ground before her; they wouldn't have hit her unless she went for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVZQJL4c034The shooter, yet again changing its tactics, holds its ground. It resumes its bizarre gyrations and grooves, yet as it does, both crossbows stay trained upon Deadweight and Lost.
>Reflex Shot; A vs Deadweight, B vs LostCrossbow A: [1d10+3]
Crossbow B: [1d10+3]
Roll #1 1 + 3 = 4 /
Roll #2 5 + 3 = 8 No.762101
>>762100Down the ladder I go.
No.762102
>>762100Deadweight dives toward the shooter and tries to pin it down.
>Protect>Grappler, +1 bonus[1d10+1]
Roll #1 6 + 1 = 7 No.762103
>>762100"Mister Huitlapan that's not a wonderful idea. H-…how will you land?"
If he presses this, then I nod to Steadfast to throw the rhodos to the other island [1d10]Seeing Conflagration go for the ladder I will follow as well
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.762104
>>762100Lost, seeing it stopped, decided to move and harm it with her claws.
>Unseen Foe>Rupture[1d10+2]
Roll #1 1 + 2 = 3 No.762105
>>762103"You may not know, but I'm a dab hand at rollerblading," Huitlapan says. "I know how to take a fall."
Steadfast nods, and with Huitlapan's assent, loads him up like a shotput, spins him around, and flings him toward the island. Huitlapan, balled up with his knees to his chest, lands on a heap of earth with a winded grunt. Sonard and his companion help him up.
>>762101>>762103You both climb into the boat, and Xu and Cautaa remain behind on the ladder. The mosh pit dog begins the arduous process of turning about the gondola to make the trip to the island.
>>762104>>762102Deadweight throws herself in Lost's way, and chops up a volley of bolts, but these ones erupt into sharp splinters, stabbing into her like a slew of porcupine quills. She keeps her footing for now, and grabs onto the shooter's right shoulder, yanking it down toward the ground. Lost uses the opportunity to run up and slam her blades into Crossbow A, shattering some of the dusty metal upon it.
>Crossbow A loses 5 HP
>Deadweight has 12 damage stored up in Protect>Protect turn 1/2The shooter's back half is still enraptured in its peculiar dance, despite its right foreleg being pinned by Deadweight. Now at point-blank, Crossbows A and B fire at Lost and Deadweight again!
>Marksman Shot; A vs Deadweight, B vs LostA: [1d10+3]
B: [1d10+3]
Roll #1 3 + 3 = 6 /
Roll #2 10 + 3 = 13 No.762108
>>762105Lost yelped and did her best to dodge the attacks. Yet she also did her best to slash apart crossbow A with her claws.
[1d10] dodge
[1d10] dual attack 1
[1d10] dual attack 2
Roll #1 9 = 9 /
Roll #2 9 = 9 /
Roll #3 9 = 9 No.762109
>>762105"AGH!" Deadweight shrieks when she's pierced by the bolts. That was a
bad hit. Once Lost lands her blow, Deadweight tries to land one herself then says, "I'm bailing!" and flaps her wings to fly back to the party.
>Dodge and gtfo[1d10]
>Basic attack, Lone Knight[1d10]
Roll #1 6 = 6 /
Roll #2 9 = 9 No.762200
>>762105I will wait as fast as I can while the gondola makes its trip to the island, shouting for Steadfast to wait on its return so he can get on as well.
No.762385
>>762109>>762108Lost swerves the first of the crossbow's volleys and slashes across its frame, driving deep gouges into it! Yet in the slim instant she has to back up, she sees the other crossbow turn at a sharp angle, its reticule trained upon her. With no other choice, Deadweight shoves Lost aside, and is shot full of bolts for her chivalry.
>Crossbow A loses 12 HP
>Deadweight stores 12 more damage in Protect, 24 total>Protect turn 2/2The monstrosity steps back as its crossbows' reloading mechanisms rack more bolts for another volley… then unleashes a deep and pained roar. With sudden sharp twitching, the crossbows abruptly aim for the ground, and shoot their volley into the soil.
>"H-h-he…lp…"The voice is metallic, grating– and desperate. The source is none other than your very attacker. The crossbows upon its shoulders train themselves back on you and start to reload – apparently against the attacker's will.
>>762200>Conflagration tooThe gondola arrives, but there are only two spaces left, with the dog as the helmsman. One of the four of you is going to have to stay behind, lest the boat sink.
No.762511
>>762385I will stay behind while everyone else goes ahead
No.762512
>>762385She's starting to feel it, and it does not feel good. She tries to find someone who can heal her before she stops feeling anything.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762514
>>762385Lost growled and moved to try and rip the thing off as she turned he claws to the base of the crossbow (A) where it met the body.
[1d10+2] Rupture
Roll #1 7 + 2 = 9 No.762515
>>762512>>762514The ranger skeleton, seeing Lost lunge at it, holds steady and turns the crossbow toward Lost, enabling her to get a better stab into it with her blades. More and more of the stock breaks away, and it's hanging from its shoulder by mere scraps of metal.
>"Keep it up… destroy it…!" the attacker stammers, its voice strained and ghostly. However, as Deadweight hears Huitlapan's approaching footfalls, and turns to seek his aid, her muscles scream out, and she collapses at last under the pain, unable to bear it no more. Blood spurts out through cracks in her armor.
>Deadweight 0/4The skeleton tries to break off from the fight as well, but you see a great spark of light and lightning coming from its chest, which is covered by a great wall of armor. The skeleton's head goes limp, and with jerking movements, turns back towards you. Much of its body has gone limp, yet it remains upright, like a puppet whose only functional string is upon its chest.
At this moment, Huitlapan stumbles in through the brush, just in time to see both crossbows turn towards you again!
[1d10+2] Barrage A
[1d10+3] Barrage B
Huitlapan tries to heal Deadweight.
[1d10+2]
>>762200>>762511>>762513With each moment crawling by, you hop into the boat, and the dog, straining and wheezing, arms burning, steers you toward the island. Soon enough, you reach the shore, greeted by the distant sounds of muffled violence.
Roll #1 8 + 2 = 10 /
Roll #2 6 + 3 = 9 /
Roll #3 5 + 2 = 7 No.762516
>>762515Off I rush in the direction of the violent sounds.
No.762517
>>762515Lost cried out in rage once more trying everything in her power to completely remove A from it's body as she ripped and tore.
[1d10] Dual Attack 1
[1d10] Dual Attack 2
Roll #1 9 = 9 /
Roll #2 10 = 10 No.762518
>>762515I tell the Paladin he cannot fight in that state, and that we should waylay the trip back for him to rest, afterwards I will raise myself up on my back legs and SHOUT a distraction at the perpetrator
Spellbreaker: Ranged
[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.762519
>>762515Her face to the ground, she breathes heavily, gritting her teeth. She's utterly relieved to see Huitlapan, but she doesn't quite have the energy to express her appreciation right now.
>Upsy daisy[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.762520
>>762519>>762517In a flurry of living blades and metal bolts, Lost crushes and shreds what remains of Crossbow A – only for her and Huitlapan, riddled with bolts, to fall to the ground moments later.
>Lost 0/6>Huitlapan 0/4Some of Deadweight's uglier wounds seal back up, the bolts falling out from her body as they do. Other wounds, still stabbed through with bolts, are coating over with a strange white dust-like substance. The flesh covered by the dust is numb, and immobile.
>1 Stack of ??? status gained
>Deadweight 11/5>>762516>>762518Sprinting as fast as you can over the jungle island, you finally catch glimpses of the fight through gaps in the branches. A tall metal skeleton, its body mostly limp but somehow still upright, faces Deadweight, Huitlapan and Lost. A glowing light can be seen behind its armored chest. A damaged crossbow hangs from one shoulder, and a relatively intact one is perched upon the other.
>>762516>>762517>>762518>>762519The skeleton shoots at the two wounded!
>Trick Ammo: Split Shot vs Huitlapan and Lost[1d10+3] Crossbow B
Roll #1 2 + 3 = 5 No.762521
>>762520Lost shuddered and tried to rise as she ached in pain.
If it's something dreaded Dhampir, eat it and let me keep going [1d10] Stand up
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.762522
>>762520I blast the intact crossbow with all four of my homing magic bolts I summoned earlier
>>762092 and I'll hit the damaged crossbow with a two-hit fire storm bolt too.
[4d10] homing magic
[1d10+1] storm bolt
Roll #1 10, 9, 9, 6 = 34 /
Roll #2 10 + 1 = 11 No.762523
>>762520I will bound forward and shout "Untrue to yourself!"
Word of Power [1d10+2]
Roll #1 1 + 2 = 3 No.762524
>>762520The sensation unsettles Deadweight, but she ignores it to help Lost up and protect Huitlapan from the skeleton's attack.
>Helping Lost up[1d10]
>Protecting Huitlapan, automatic instantRoll #1 4 = 4 No.762525
>>762521Nope. It's all bones, and its armor is made of some kind of creepy mineral. There *is* a little something behind its ribcage, but it's nothing I've ever smelt before. Not particularly appetizing, is what I'm saying.>>762522>>762521>>762523>>762524With every self-detonation from the past few Cycles rushing to the forefront of his mind, Conflagration's eyes are engulfed in flame, and from his horn screams a full-blown firestorm! The skeleton is launched across the way, slams into a rock, where it's pinned as blast after blast streaks across its armor!
For a moment, all is still, and a thick black smoke engulfs the blast zone… until a blur of white – a hunk of twisted metal, thrown like a discus, flies out and strikes Firmgold in the throat, catching her voice. She falls to the ground, blood leaking between her teeth.
>Firmgold 0/5As the smoke clears, out stumbles a charred skeleton. Much of its armor is broken, melded together, and worthless. Behind what remains of its chestplate, you see a clump of glowing, twisting metal, wires and pipes, a crude parody of a cluster of organs – heart, lungs, kidneys and others, all woven and fused together. Despite being metal, it twitches, pulses and breathes – and it's glowing brighter and brighter.
The skeleton collapses to its knees, left now with no methods of attack…
>"G-get…" the skeleton breathes…The hideous organ glows brighter and brighter…!
No.762526
>>762525I attempt to stand up [1d10]
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.762527
>>762525Lost growled and tried once again to force herself up.
[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.762528
>>762525"Leg it!"
I try and telekenetically rip the cluster of mechanical organs out of the skeleton and toss them high up into the air before turning to flee.
[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762529
>>762525"Get away!" Deadweight exclaims before grabbing Conflagration before he does anything clumsy.
No.762530
[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9
No.762531
>>762528>>762526>>762527>>762529Lost and Firmgold get up and spin about – and Deadweight grabs a collapsed, burning Conflagration (0/4) to pull him away…
But… before you can get more than a step away from the now-blinding machine organ, as it shrieks out an alarming claxon–
Huitlapan runs
toward the core, grabs it, and hurls it into the sky.
[1d10+1]
Roll #1 2 + 1 = 3 No.762532
>>762531Lost moves quickly trying to aid Huitlapan as fast as she could.
[1d10] Assist
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.762533
>>762531"NO!"
SPELLBREAKER [1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.762534
>>762531After getting Conflagration to relative safety, Deadweight sees Huitlapan being dumb and self-sacrificial and yells, "No!" With the energy she has left, she jumps towards Huitlapan and tries to quickly pull his little rodent body away from the core.
No.762535
>>762531I dust myself off and try to stand.
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.762536
>Brace
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8
No.762537
>>762532>>762533>>762534>>762535>>762536As the core leaves Huitlapan's hand, Lost and Deadweight crowd around Huitlapan, and Firmgold ricochets a spell off the core, launching it just a bit further – before
https://youtu.be/iT2bZDOga0Q?t=14…By the time you regain a little sense, the flames have subsided, and the smoke has largely cleared. Much of the nearby jungle is gone, leaving barren rock and scorched dirt. You are all badly wounded from the blast – but perhaps a little better off than you might have been.
>All lose 2 Wounds, Deadweight loses 4 for having taken Hui's for him.By the time your sight and hearing return to you, Sonard and his crew have made it to the island, and are tending to your injuries.
No.762538
>>762537Lost groaned in discomfort "I am in a catastrophic amount of pain right now." she said looking around.
No.762539
>>762537I will force myself to stand and see what became of the skeleton we fought
No.762540
>>762537"Where'd it get those metal bits?"
No.762541
>>762537Deadeweight's still lying there silently, though her chest still rises and falls.
No.762542
>>762540"No idea…" Sonard says. "Doesn't look like it was part of its original body at all."
>>762539>>762538>>762540Not much remains of the skeleton – the blast vaporized most of his right side. Below his ribcage rests a small circular stone, engraved with an etching of some kind of sharp-quilled monster.
Somehow, the skeleton still retains its peculiar bony eyebrows – identifying him as one of the Knights of the Gravepyre… the LARPers who fell in with the Necromancer. His eyes glow with a little lingering spiritual energy.
Huitlapan is too busy treating Deadweight to speak. His face is wrought with guilt and horror – her injuries are dire. Burns are deep, and many bones shattered. Much of her armor is now useless – or in some places, fused with her very flesh.
No.762678
>>762542Do I recognize the monster?
[1d10] smarts
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.762679
>>762542>>762541Lost agonizingly looks between Dead and the skeleton, horrified at it all before looking to the rest "We need to leave now. Forget going deeper, I don't want any of us to die."
No.762680
>>762542Deadweight's nearly lifeless. If you look closely at her, you can see tears dried down her face.
No.762681
>>762542I start for the skeleton and pause when I hear Lost speak, turning to face her instead.
>>762679With a low and serious tone I will respond. "Miss Hope, I understand your fear; but imagine this moment played out a million times over as Agatecastle became a tomb. There is precedent to discovering the cause, and stopping it before such a thing comes to Ironcastle."
No.762682
>>762678No doubt about it; the metal components were all from the pale, floating machines you've seen before – first, in the ghostly mall, and second, staging a fight with the security bots on F-5. Now robbed of their power core and destroyed, you're able to examine the bits of metal without your visor clouding over with static.
It looks like one of the floating machines was fused to the skeleton's body, much like a parasite.
>>762679||
Oh, now you take my advice! Dhampir complains.
Hey, we'd better not dip before we find Shikka. Or at the very least, her Concord info!||
>>762678>>762679>>762680>>762681Between Sonard's group and Huitlapan's aid, the worst of the injuries are undone, though dull pain radiates through your bodies still, worse when you move.
Huitlapan is too exhausted to say anything to Lost's words.
Th-thanks… a burnt-dry voice creaks. It comes from the skeleton – or what remains of him.
Sorry… I tried to resist it… but I couldn't hold it back… it kept… No.762683
>>762681"And what good will it do if we fall learning nothing? What good will it do if all my friends die in some pit where nothing makes any sense!?" She screamed back at him.
She moved next to Deadweight and placed a hoof on her, closing her eyes as she listened to Dhampir.
No.762684
>>762682"I've got no idea what this monster is, but this metal is the same stuff those weird robots are made out of."
I'll heal my wounds with my med packs.
No.762685
>>762682Hearing the skeleton speak, I rush over and turn on my recorder.
"Wait! Please, speak your words again to forewarn others of this!"
No.762686
>>762685It was singing… and the sounds turned into this… pale, perfect light… the more it shone, the less I could resist…A shudder racks the bones. He's not got much time left.
>>762684>>762683"Look," Sonard says, peering about. Seeing nobody else around, he leans in and lowers his voice. "If you want to split, I don't blame you. I don't even think mission command would fault you after that blast. But we've got friends on the Floor below. We're heading down once you're well enough to manage on your own."
No.762687
>>762686Lost was beside herself at this point. She was torn hard.
No.762688
>>762684https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR6cC-arMpwYou regain two wounds with some application of your advanced first responder training (as all who adventure outside Ironcastle learn).
No.762689
>>762682>>762683With the little energy she has, she wraps her forelegs around Lost and breathes deeply.
No.762690
>>762689Lost jumped then immediately embraced her back.
No.762691
>>762686I continue to record
No.762692
>>762686In a whisper, Deadweight says, "We should… keep going… I just need… a breather…"
>>762690Tears start streaming down Deadweight's battered face.
No.762693
>>762686>>762687>>762689>>762691"We're in this far, and it's not like we're not all on borrowed time anyway. Especially if this castle's heart could go bonkers or whatever happened. I say we press on."
No.762694
>>762692"Please… I don't want to lose you." she mumbled.
No.762695
>>762692Huitlapan stares at you, aghast. But, the memory of his insistence on remaining with the team surfaces… he cannot reconcile the hypocrisy, and remains silent.
>>762689>>762690>>762691>>762692>>762693Xu and Cautaa approach from behind, keeping their steps quiet as they see Firmgold interviewing the skeleton.
I don't remember when they got me… everything's all scrambled up in my mind… but, I did see them trying to get someone else, too… at least, I thought that at first. They were following him… thought he was being chased… but, he had this staff… he…Zonshii gasps.
W-wait, I remember–! Mogao! It was Mogao! No.762696
>>762693>>762695Deadweight nods weakly to Conflagration.
>>762694Deadweight's lips start quivering. She buries her face in Lost's mane and starts sobbing, as quietly as she can.
No.762697
>>762695"What did Mogao do, Sir Zonshii?"
No.762698
>>762695"Mogao wasn't the one that did this?"
No.762699
>>762696Lost hugged her tightly.
No.762700
>>762696>>762697>>762699>>762698When I called out to him… he turned and saw me, then raised the staff… then, one of the angels flew towards me… everything's a mess after that."'An-gels'?" Sonard repeats, sounding out the word like something from a foreign language. "What's that?"
Indeed – this concept is as foreign to you as it is to him.
"Not just influencing these 'angels', as I thought before," Cautaa says. "But weaponizing them…"
No.762701
>>762700"Are we really surprised he's a traitor?"
No.762702
>>762701>>762700Her tone was filled with melancholy and venom.
No.762703
>>762700"Yes another reason to kick his ass."
No.762704
>>762700>>762701Deadweight continues holding Lost. There's nothing else she feels prompted to do at the moment.
No.762705
>>762701>>762703>>762704"Hardly," Cautaa says. "He was cagey from the first. He tried to pass it off before, under the pretense of being Lux Deorum, but has decided to lose the mask entirely now that everything is coming to a head."
"His search for computer data was genuine, however," Huitlapan adds. "The Necromancer attested to the trail of purged tech left in his wake, and Ruby and Sapphire both suffered his attempts at their data."
"That aside, I've got a bad feeling 'bout what's on F-4," Xu says. "If we're gonna dip, this is the last call…"
Sonard nods. "We'll be regrouping with the others now, too."
He points to the stone disc that fell out of Zonshii's body. "We'll be taking that, if you're planning to run. But if you do, do us a solid and don't drag our names into it. Mission command could be sympathetic, but they'd still put you through the wringer if they find out you're abandoning ship. Can't help you there."
No.762706
>>762705"I doubt they'd blame us given we're in no shape to fight." she responded snappily "Better to have a soldier who can fight another day over one who's dead."
No.762707
>>762701>>762705Deadweight takes a few deep breaths, then releases Lost from her embrace. She nods to the group. She's ready to go.
No.762708
>>762705"I'm ready to keep going."
No.762709
>>762705I am ready, but continue looking at the fading skeleton and ask, almost whispering "Where are your compatriots, sir Zonshii?"
No.762710
>>762709Probably… fighting your other allies, like I did…"I tried to warn the others," Cautaa mutters. "W-with any luck, they may show some restraint."
Thanks… stay safe… else the Necromancer might be your only hope of continuing on…Huitlapan shudders.
>>762706>>762707>>762708>>762709Sonard nods at your determination. "The three of us will take turns rowing for you lot then. Take all the time you can to recover. Let's move out."
Huitlapan and Xu move in to help Deadweight stand, as you make your way to the boat.
Several trips later, you're back at the massive wooden bridge, where the angel-possessed Zonshii started to shoot at you.
No.762711
>>762707>>762710"Do we have any medical supplies?
No.762712
>>762710Deadweight swallows her pride and accepts the help from Huitlapan and Xu.
>>762711"I should have some kits in my saddle bag," Deadweight says.
No.762713
>>762710I'll leave the skeleton propped up somewhere and join Sonard at the boat. I did little to physically fight so I'll help rowing.
I'll then DM huitlapan that I too require healing, but not as urgent to have it now.
No.762714
>>762711"Down to my last one," Xu says.
"I used the last of mine," Cautaa says.
"I've got two left," Huitlapan says.
"KB Mountain's probably got one or two to spare," Sonard says. "But with Reprise on his mind I doubt he'll part with them easily. Could always try to search for a few on the way down."
>>762712>>762711>>762713As you continue on, Huitlapan cleans and dresses Firmgold's wounds as well.
After some time of following the bridge, you eventually reach dry land once more – Sector Seven. The stone infrastructure nearby suggests that you've reached the peripheries of a great plaza. A gate to the north leads to Sector Six, per the map.
A message shows up on Concord, from KB Mountain.
>"All teams report in, stat." No.762715
>>762714"What was our team name?"
No.762716
>>762714I recommend we top up then if we're gonna make this suicide charge into the depths. Me and Deadweight need it."
No.762815
>>762715"I.. don't think we made one, to be quite honest with you. Perhaps we can respond that we're still en route?"
No.762816
>>762815"'Still en route'. That's deep. I like it."
No.762817
>>762714"We're a little roughed up, but we're still alive," Deadweight manages to message back.
No.762818
>>762817>>762715>>762716>>762815One by one, each team reports in that they've successfully recovered the sigil stones that each behemoth – the former Knights of the Gravepyre – had held. The damage report follows. It sounds like each team has suffered bad injuries, and all are running desperately low on medical supplies.
>"Understood," KB Mountain says.>"And what of the other behemoths, sir?" Cautaa asks.>"Damaged beyond repair," Mountain reports. "The machinery that grafted itself onto their bodies proved too dangerous to remove during combat. However– our priests should be able to purify their souls after the danger is past.">"I see… thank you, sir," Cautaa says.>"All teams, rendezvous at Sector One," Mountain says. "That's where the closest stairwell is. We'll assess who can and cannot descend to F-4 there. Let's not keep our foes waiting."Mountain closes the call.
No.762819
>>762818Off we march to sector one.
No.762820
>>762818When the call is closed I speak underbreath, and then lead the way.
No.762821
>>762818Deadweight reacts to the message with a (griffin) thumbs up emote and makes her way to Sector One.
No.762822
>>762818"Shouldn't we… heal up before we rush into this fight?"
No.762823
>>762822"We'll heal up once we find the others," Deadweight says.
No.762824
>>762822>>762821>>762820>>762819https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7FjnyTjooSector One, as surmised earlier, is indeed a great courtyard, marked by a long fountain in its center, which is flanked by benches, tables, and surrounded by a number of now-deprecated buildings. These appear to have been shops, gymnasiums, parlors and other pillars of communal life. Now all gone, and empty.
Overlooking it all is a great metal slab, which has grafted onto the stairwell terminal like melted slag. Your visors hum over with static when you behold it… like the metal that covered Zonshii. This slab is made of the same kind of metal. Best not to stand too close.
On the surface of the slab are five circular indentations, roughly the same size as the circular seal that you recovered from Zonshii's chest cavity.
Standing at a distance from the slab are KB Mountain's forces. Each of them look badly roughed up. Some are barely standing, but pressing through, countenances frozen in grim determination.
Mountain nods in acknowledgement as you approach. "Well-fought," he grunts.
Xu, Cautaa and Huitlapan remain silent, and visibly nervous.
When Lost speaks up, Mountain shakes his head.
"We don't have time to dally," he says. However, he looks over her and Deadweight for a moment, then reaches into a storage cache, and hands them another small medical kit. "Our allies below have been cut off from support for too long. Do what you need to, but be quick."
He holds out his hoof for the seal you recovered from Zonshii.
No.762825
>>762824Lost quickly took one of the kits and used it on herself.
No.762826
>>762824I will give Mountain the seal.
No.762827
Deadweight also takes a kit and uses it on herself.
No.762828
>>762824I'll hang around.
No.762829
>>762825>>762826>>762827>>762828Mountain takes the sigil stone, and approaches the metal slab, as does a representative from each of the other cavalry teams.
When each stone has been slid into place, there is a moment of stillness– then a great cracking. Fissures shudder through the surface of the slab, as if it were not metal, but another peculiar kind of stone. Then, the material contradicts its nature again, and bends, and dents, as if being slammed by an invisible sledgehammer. The others back away, even as they study the alien material's inexplicable properties.
When at last the slab is near-totally covered with damage, it falls still again, until it crumbles, blown away like so much dust in a breeze. Compared to the earlier erratic breaking, its final departure is downright tranquil. Finally, when enough dust is clear to reveal the door controls, some of the cavalry approach, and inspect the door systems. They get it to work, and the doors slide open.
The Necromancer's Lair awaits below.
No.762830
>>762829"Spooky."
I preemptively call up some homing fire magic.
[1d10]
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.762831
>>762829With the passage open I take a step forward and pause, drawing out my march forward before turning back to my group and moving to them instead. I will speak in a low tone
"I understand this will not look well with Agatecastle's agency but not all of us are ready with only Sir Huitlapan's healing. If we're unsure about what lies ahead then we should use my courier and our pooled funds to bring medical supplies… I will deal with the outcome after the Necromancer is defeated."
No.762832
>>762831Lost nodded and handed over all 400 schillings she had on her to Firm to buy them all the meds it could.
No.762833
>>762831>>762830Cautaa nods. "At this point, the expedition's leadership has graver concerns to contend with than a little smuggling."
Huitlapan grimaces, tapping his foot impatiently. "How fast can this courier of yours get here?"
Xu clicks her tongue. "I, uh… don't have any cash to lend."
>"She spent it all on this mobile game," Sapphire types."True…" Xu admits, too bummed about being a broke ass to even banter over it.
No.762834
>>762829>>762831Deadweight also gives Firmgold all her schillings.
>>762833Deadweight nods. She understands.
No.762835
>>762833"I don't think I have any money."
No.762836
>>762833"Well, perhaps quicker if I divert my 70 shillings to quicker delivery. In all truth I've never asked for faster delivery as a timely arrival was more than affordable."
>>762832>>762834"Thank you dearly"
No.762837
>>762836Deadweight nods, more resolutely than when she nodded at Xu.
No.762838
"Perhaps we could change the purchase of several of these medkits for some sage brew? I believe consuming them may give us access to spells that Sir Huitlapan may impart."
No.762839
>>762838"Yes but at the same time we could fudge the spell and make it worse."
No.762840
>>762839"Noted, sticking with medkits only."
I will make the purchase and spend however much of my own 70 shillings to make it next-second delivery
if possible, teleports are expensive when you can't use 'em No.762841
>>762839>>762836>>762835>>762834The smuggler takes a bit to respond to Firmgold's request – normally the customer service department is quite prompt with responding. Maybe even they've been mobilized… or maybe they're just making sure you didn't put in the wrong amount. But, eventually:
>"Request accepted."Some minutes later, after KB Mountain's forces have descended the staircase, a drone zooms overhead, and a box falls from the sky, held aloft by a parachute, descending toward your location.
When it lands, you and your allies tear into it – and it's a whole cache, packed near to bursting, with medkits.
No.762842
>>762841I will break one open and apply it to Deadweight.
No.762843
>>762841"That's a lot of medkits," Deadweight comments.
>>762842"Thank you, Firmgold."
>>762841"Aright, anything else before we head down?"
No.762844
>>762841Lost grabbed several, taking the time to heal herself up to full health.
No.762845
>>762843"You are welcome, Miss Deadweight. I should have sent for another set of armor for yourself but circumstance may not allow us such luxury."
No.762846
>>762845"Still appreciate the thought," Deadweight says.
No.762847
No.762848
>>762840>>762841I communicate a desire to buy three bottles of Noble's Wine, one bottle of Peasant's Aid, one set of High-Grade Explosives, and six set of Firecrackers. I'll hand over the 430 shillings needed.
No.762849
>>762848I nod my affirmation and put this down for another delivery
No.762850
>>762848>>762849>"Request accepted."Another drone zooms overhead, dropping another box of supplies.
Huitlapan, visibly agitated by the wait, casts pointed glances at the stairwell. His leg has not ceased tapping since it began.
No.762987
>>762850"We'll get goin' soon," Deadweight assures Huitlapan.
No.762988
>>762850My body is ready.
No.762989
>>762850I will apply more medkits until Deadweight conveys she's numb enough to move without trouble.
And then I'm ready
No.762990
>>762987>>762988>>762989Down a long and winding stairwell do you descend. Recalling the traps laid out in the last stairwell, you proceed with caution, at times throwing bits of debris and the like ahead, anticipating spatial anomalies. However, none await you. In fact, no traps await you. All in all, this final set of stairs is… well, remarkably plain. It's hard to see, as the lights are off, but when you scan about with your visor's low-light settings, you see that the stairwell is actually quite clean. No major damage to speak of, and although dust particulate is in the air, overall, it seems like an ordinary stairwell that one would see in Ironcastle.
"We're certainly getting our cardio in, aren't we?" Cautaa asks. "All these stairs."
>"I wish I had a butt," Sapphire sighs.Cautaa clears his throat awkwardly.
Before the awkwardness can linger much longer, you reach the bottom of the stairs, where you find that the door is propped open by debris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDG-84WgGUcBefore you is a circular room, not overly large. It is orderly and clean, and the furniture is of good quality. A desk and chairs occupies the center of the room, and there are other desks here and there on the northeast and western sides of the room. Though, there is nobody to be seen inside.
There are three other exits to the room. One adjacent to the stairwell, just to the right of it. Another is on the eastern surface of the room. The third exit is due south, across from the stairwell. All three of the doors of the exits are nice and well-kept, too.
No.762991
>>762990I'll rummage through the desks.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.762992
>>762990I will look at the floor and search for scuff marks and evidence of someone disturbing hundred-years old dust settling.
[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.762993
>>762990Lost quickly scanned for any threats to them.
[1d10] Search
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.762994
>>762990Deadweight furrows her brows in suspicion.
>Observation[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.762995
>>762991Inside are an assortment of pens, staples, paperclips, rubber bands, sticky notes, all kinds of office miscellany. The central desk of the room contains a rather large novelty guest book. Most of the pages are blank, and structured with rows and columns for organizing guests: Printed names, signatures, dates of their arrival, departure and notes.
As for the few pages that have been filled in, you see a number of recurring names… most you don't recognize, except for those of the Knights of the Gravepyre. However, something stands out. In the "date" section, every year is different, sometimes wildly so. Many are decades or centuries in the past. A few appear to be in the future. This book doesn't look old enough to make the former plausible, and the latter is definitely out of the question… right?
>>762992>>762993>>762994Nothing looks to be out of order around here – really, just a well-kept room. Deadweight shudders as a premonition of a falling anvil assails her mind… but it's all good.
"Whoa…" Xu mutters.
"Find something?" Huitlapan whispers.
"Not a single water mark on the desks," Xu says. "Must've been real strict with the coasters."
Huitlapan's stare bores right through her.
No.762996
>>762995"It is unnecessarily clean in here."
I will use Spellbreaker on this room
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.762997
>>762995>>762996>>762994>>762993"Hey, check it out! Time travelers!"
I show off the dates in the book.
No.762998
>>762995Deadweight braces for an anvil falling out of the ceiling, but seeing the coast is clear, she relaxes a little.
>>762997Deadweight takes a look at the dates. "Must be part of an illusion."
No.762999
>>762990>>762995Deadweight looks back at the exit next to the stairwell. "I'm gonna take a look," she announces before taking a peek.
No.763000
>>762998>>762997>>762995"Or time distortions. I wouldn't put it past either of us." sh
No.763001
>>762996There is no effect. This is the product of honest, mundane work.
But who in the world would go to such lengths to keep this area clean?
>>762997>>762998>>763000Cautaa looks over the dates with… well, after all he's seen, disbelief is about as far from his mind as it can be.
"Illusions, hmm…" Cautaa repeats. "No – I think that Lost has the right idea. Recall that the survivors we have met thus far have disagreed with how long ago Agatecastle fell. Green attested that it was but year ago, and Ruby, a decade. Ironcastle intel initially attested that the fall came thousands of years ago. And now this guest book has visitors from… well, the future, it seems."
>>762999Finding the door unlocked, you crack it ajar, and peer through the gap. It's quite dark, but this door appears to open to a kind of bespoke patio workspace. The ground is covered with flagstones, though grass peers through the cracks in the stones. The walls are comprised of peculiar hedges, the likes of which you have not seen before, even in the overgrowth of the Floor above. There is a translucent cloth ceiling, held up on wooden stringers. It all carries the atmosphere of one with an intense obsession with their own idiosyncrasies of decorating.
No.763002
>>763001I turn around and around in a huff before stopping on the group.
"I've no idea where Sir Mountain or our cohort could have gone. I would have hoped this crossroads may have stayed them as well."
No.763003
>>763001"Weird."
I'll put the book back where I found it then check out the south exit.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.763004
>>763001"Hmm," Deadweight hums. Time travel's weird.
Deadweight peers through the gap and sees nothing particularly noteworthy. She trots over to the door on the eastern side of the room and checks what's behind it.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763005
>>763001"Perhaps there's some kind of Dreaded One doing it. Or maybe this is a dream." she said looking around
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.763006
>>763002>>763003>>763004Conflagration and Deadweight check to the east and south, and see much the same as Deadweight saw when she looked through the door of the northern exit (see: last response of
>>763001)
>To clarify, there is a HALLWAY to the north, as there is to the east and south. The east hallway bends to the north, while the south hallway continues south for some time, before veering to the east.
There is a key difference, however. Conflagration can sense a high concentration of magic coming from further down the southern hallway, suggesting a powerful presence waits further beyond.
To the east, Deadweight can smell the faint scent of cigarettes.
>>763005You flinch, following the brief premonition of anvils dropping from the sky… but it's all good. Coast is clear.
No.763007
>>763006Lost wondered quietly if she had been going insane as she waited for the others to pick a path.
No.763008
>>763003>>763006"You see a patio there too, Conflagration?" Deadweight asks.
>>763006She smells the faint smell of cigarette smoke and decides to investigate the hallway to the east.
No.763009
>>763006>>763007>>763008>>763006>>763002"Hey, there's a bunch of magic to the south. We might want to head this way last."
I'll check the other two halls to see if I also sense magic.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.763010
>>763008"It's patios all the way down, man."
No.763011
>>763008>>763007Lost tailed Deadweight
No.763012
>>763006>>763009"The south it is."
I'm going south
No.763013
>>763012"I said south last, not first."
No.763014
>>763009You can sense a faint presence down the northern hall, but to the east, all you can sense is that cigarette smoke.
>>763011>>763008The eastern hallway zig-zags north and east for a little while, until you see, at a three-branch junction, a familiar face. Or rather, a familiar skull.
It's the janitor, from L-8 F-9.
Finally, he's found a lighter that works.
He's got his cleaning stuff with him… but his clothes are worse for wear. Tears, cuts and burn marks mar them. Damage to his bones is visible through the tears.
All the same, he's just kicking back, having a cig.
No.763015
>>763014"Hey, long time no see!" Deadweight says to the janitor with a salute. "What're you doin' here?"
No.763016
>>763013>>763014Down the hallway I will hear this echo and stop, turn back to see I'm the only one going this way and then sprint back towards the group.
No.763017
>>763015>>763014Lost was a bit surprised "Wow. He's tough to have made it this far."
No.763018
>>763017>>763015>>763016"Cleanin', same as always," the janitor says. You can hear him at last, thanks to the effects of the potion brewed by the Knights of the Gravepyre.
"And when this all blows over I'll be back to cleanin'. No.763072
>>763018"Keep at it," Deadweight says, as if he needed the encouragement. "Have you seen anything out of the ordinary? she asks as she looks at her surroundings.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.763073
>>763018Having caught up, I will wait for my turn to ask on his path to here.
No.763074
>>763014>>763018"You look like you've been through a rough patch."
No.763075
>>763072"Not much," he says.
"Apart from the big kerfuffle in the courtyard.">>763074"Yyyyep, some big hullaballoo happening in the ol' public square east of here. I was takin' lunch there when it all popped off. Still had 15 minutes on my lunch so I came 'round here to finish it.">>763073"You wouldn't happen to have change for a five, would you ma'am?" the janitor asks.
No.763076
>>763075"I wouldn't, I apologize. I- we spent nearly all our shillings on medkits. My own funds went to a speedy delivery on them."
No.763077
>>763075>>763018"In a way I envy how satisfied this work makes you."
No.763078
>>763075"Can you define hullaballoo? We've been through a bunch of different ones already."
No.763079
>>763077"It put my kids through college in the Arcanum," the janitor says with a nod.
>>763076"Money well spent if you're gonna be pokin' around here much more," the janitor says.
>>763078"By hullaballoo, I mean a confrontation, going on in the old public square."You got this cheeky Lagomos fella, on the north side, and he's got all these floating machines, seems to be giving them orders. On the south side is the old fella who came from the Sky. And scattered all around between them are armored-up folks. They got the same crests on their armor as you do."Xu rubs her chin. "Mogao to the north, Necromancer to the south, and the Ironcastle investigation forces between them."
"Sure, if that's their names," the janitor says.
"Was lookin' like a big fight was breakin' out there, til seemed like the leaders of the three groups got something of negotiations started." No.763080
>>763079"Well what sounds like a real hot mess of a situation."
I look at the rest of the group.
"Who do we like the least again? The necromancer dark one or asshole Mogao?"
No.763081
>>763075>>763079"Mhm," Deadweight hums with a nod. "Say, do you happen to have a map of the place, or know where we can find one?"
No.763082
>>763080"Neither's really
preferable," Deadweight says.
No.763083
>>763079"Indeed sir."
I will nod my agreement before looking at Conflagration to respond.
>>763080"I would believe neither, but the Necromancer yet called us to action through trickery as Mogao already has. Even now our allies and acquaintances have been injured by the controlled machines."
No.763084
>>763079I mean if its genuine negotiations then that's good… If its some kind of trick… I'm scared.
>>763082"Well one might make us skeletons. So that's not great."
No.763085
>>763084"That's true," Deadweight says, poking the air with her hoof.
No.763086
>>763085"Though Mogao is kinda… Jerky. So he's not fun either. The ironcastle guys are cool though."
No.763087
>>763083>>763082>>763080>>763084The others start a concord voice chat to discuss this outside the Janitor's hearing.
>"Let's review what the two have done so far," Cautaa says. "The Necromancer seemed intent on inducting the Ironcastle investigation forces into his undead thralls.">"And he froze me in ice," Huitlapan complains.>"But Mogao was bein' a total creepo toward Ruby!" Xu says. "And he tried to brick our comps, and he attacked Sapphire!">"Get him! Drag him!" Sapphire joins in. "…But more to the point, Firmgold's correct. Mogao was orchestrating fake shootouts between the security bots and the floating machines, two Floors above us. These injured many of your comrades. He was probably trying to thin our numbers.">"And based on what Zonshii said," Cautaa adds. "Mogao likely used one of the floating machines to capture the Knights of the Gravepyre and turn them into his own thralls.">"I think it's fair to say we're fans of neither of the two," Huitlapan says. "But if we want to make it out of here, we'll probably have to subdue BOTH of them. The question is how.">>763081"'S' a library down this way," the Janitor says, pointing down the north hedge path.
"The directory section there should getcha the map." No.763088
>>763087I'll join in the concord conversation.
>Can we make them fight each other? No.763089
>>763086Deadweight nods.
>>763087"Thanks," Deadweight says with a casual salute before walking over to the library. When she's there, she looks at the map.
No.763092
>>763091>>763090>>763088>"That's probably the wisest course of action," Sapphire agrees.>"But," Cautaa interjects. "Seneschal Reprise said that several investigation members had been attacked by the Necromancer's forces and were trapped on this Floor. We should take care to rescue them while we have the chance.">"Assuming that's not also one of Mogao's tricks," Huitlapan adds.>"All too true," Cautaa says.>>763089Xu follows you to ensure you've got someone watching your back.
The hedge-path to the Library is anything but direct, but soon enough, it does take you there. The library is quite small, but it is orderly, much like the welcoming area you found earlier. The lights are also on – the generators in this district must be active.
You come to a public access terminal, and pull up map data for the Floor.
>X is the location of the janitor and the rest of the group No.763093
>>763092Deadweight gives Xu a cool kid nod, seeing she has her back. She saves the map to her Magicomp, takes a cursory look around, and if she finds nothing of interest, she joins back with the group and shows them the map.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763094
>>763092I tap the room corresponding with number 13 on the map.
"I felt a presence in this direction. Should we look there before we go south?"
No.763095
>>763094Correction: I instead suggest we check out rooms 3 and 11.
No.763096
>>763092>"Our actions are decided then? Wonderful! First to rescue!"I will make sure we're all together before moving to the next room
No.763097
>>763093As you prepare to leave with Xu, you stop and glance about. A strange presence stirs the air – like tiny ripples in otherwise placid water. The source is somewhere just south of the library.
No.763098
>>763092"I shall follow the group."
No.763099
Seeing that Deadweight is not here
>>763094"Yes we should, Sir Conflagration."
No.763100
>>763097Deadweight squints at the uncanny feeling, then she leaves the room and joins back with the others.
>>763094After sending the map to the Concord group chat, Deadweight happens to join back with the group right when Conflagration suggests they check out rooms 3 and 11. "Sounds good," she says as she saunters in.
No.763101
>>763100>>763099>>763098>>763096>going to the library area by post-game discussionAfter Deadweight rejoins you, she stops you before you can go on towards the east. As she gives you the map data, she brings up the faint presence she noticed near the vicinity of the library. Reminded of the presence you felt to the north earlier, you decide to investigate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDG-84WgGUcAfter reaching the library, you poke around and find two eastbound side-doors, which open to another hedge-lined path that leads south, then east. Now, even without focusing overmuch, you can feel something off. It is soundless, but the feeling it evokes within is like listening to a binaural tone for an extended period – a tad unsettling, though not altogether unpleasant.
You follow the sensation to its source, only to find a dead-end. There are a few chairs and an umbrella here – in the old days, it might have been a little hideaway for readers or library staff who wanted a quiet break.
The source of the strange sensation is somewhere around here, but isn't immediately obvious.
>roll perception up to twice, take higher No.763102
>>763101[2d10] Perception
Roll #1 7, 4 = 11 No.763104
>>763101>Perception[2d10]
Roll #1 9, 2 = 11 No.763166
>>763101Lost scanned the area to the best of her ability.
[2d10] Perception
Roll #1 10, 2 = 12 No.763167
>>763101I'll poke around and see what I find.
[2d10]
Roll #1 8, 1 = 9 No.763168
>>763166>>763104On the table in the reading nook – is a really rare trading card! It depicts a saint of the Abbey, a diamond dog lady who could work miracles unattributable to the powers of magic or technology… You recognize her from history courses – Deadweight's from her education as a knight, and Lost Hope, from her education under the tutelage of Lady Offbeaten Path.
But… that's just the issue. You shouldn't recognize her. This is an Agatecastle saint, a place believed to have been destroyed since time immemorial. You are Iron Souls, separated from this place by thousands of miles of inhospitable terrain… yet this saint is quite recognizable to you… Well, mostly, anyway. She doesn't look quite like you recall in the history books. Slight differences in her height, the tone of her fur… still, a near-doppelganger…>>763167>>763102>>763104>>763166You soon discover a paradoxical curiosity, at the back of the reading nook, where small trees close off the space between the nook and a high stone wall. The trees at the back are clumped closely together – in a way that should be flat-out impossible. Branches are passing through one another, even passing into the trunks of the trees adjacent to them, like models in a computer game that lack collision. These branches even clip into the wall behind them.
"An illusion, perhaps?" Cautaa whispers as he leans in and studies the visual oddity.
"But I cannot sense any magic here," Huitlapan says. "A strange presence, to be sure, but not that of magical energy."
"Maybe a hologram or somethin'," Xu hazards.
No.763169
>>763168"We are well within the territory of Mogao and the Necromancer, each with their own power on display. Are we to interact with this oddity or find our compatriots?"
No.763170
>>763168"Hmm. I've got a trick that worked with that fake crowd of ponies earlier. Maybe it'll work again?"
I orient myself facing the clipping trees, close my eyes, and trot in their direction.
No.763171
>>763168This whole place… it's like a broken mirror version of what I know…" she said with a shiver. She moves to the table to pick the card up.
No.763172
>>763168Deadweight picks up the trading card and studies it with a look of disbelief. She puts it in her bag.
>>763170"What are you doing?!" Deadweight exclaims.
No.763173
>>763171After Lost has a look at the card, Deadweight gestures to look at the card herself. "It's uncanny," she says in reply as she studies the card. She then puts it in her bag.
No.763174
>>763172>>763171You retrieve the card. Despite its strange location and unsettling content, it seems to be a genuine physical object. Pretty good quality card stock, too. Would be a nice curio in other circumstances.
>>763172>>763171>>763169>>763170As Conflagration walks towards the clipping trees, he meets absolutely no physical resistance, walking through them as though they were no more than a fog. Further he goes, until the tip of his snout reaches the wall. His nose passes through, but at this point, the passage slows. The wall possesses a certain viscous quality, putting up some, but not much resistance.
Yet, assuming Conflagration chooses to press on, he is able to do so. After about a foot of resistance, he feels his movements are free again. He must be through the stone wall, and his eyes are closed.
Those of you still in
this reality see that Conflagration has disappeared about halfway into the wall, confirming that this reading nook, by whatever mechanism, is hiding something beyond it. Your allies are stunned, but fascinated.
No.763175
>>763174"Oh my. Mister Conflagration! Can you hear us over there!?"
No.763176
>>763174Keeping my eyes closed, I'll type them out a Concord message to let them know I'm safe.
>nkmlczxvdiour3e4ipocdfxzgr,m.wesdoui934oijwqhi54 No.763177
>>763174Lost decided to follow, closing her eyes and trying to follow Conflagration by sound.
No.763179
I look at the message on Concord and pace in place.
>>763178"Oh! Wonderful! Your message is… jumbled, what do you see in there??"
No.763180
>>763174"No threats? Take a good look," Deadweight shouts to Conflagration. She gets a Concord notification and sees the gibberish he sent, and she shakes her head.
No.763181
>>763179"Nothing! My eyes are still closed. It's hard to type like this."
No.763182
>>763177Deadweight puts a hoof in front of Lost. "Wait till Conflagration confirms it's safe."
No.763183
>>763181"Open your eyes!" Deadweight says. You can hear her rolling her eyes from the tone of her voice.
No.763184
>>763183>>763174I open them up. What do I see?
No.763185
>>763175>>763177>>763179>>763180The initial garbled Concord message clearly disturbs your allies, already imagining some terrible fate having gobbled up Conflagration's front half beyond the strange boundary– but his voiced reply reassures them.
>>763184When your eyes open, your body almost immediately forces them back closed, a reflex triggered by a deluge of visual information. You will them open once more…
https://youtu.be/cloOIj2ApLY…and behold a kaleidoscope of reality. There is an arcade pathway before you, buildings on either side. That is all that is consistent. As you move your eyes this way and that, the image shifts, like a lenticular picture. When you look one way, you see pedestrians walking about, running errands, chatting at a cafe, catching up with old friends. When you look the other way, the pedestrians disappear, and on the other side of the pathway, you see similarly mundane sights. Pigeons pecking about; mendicant priests collecting alms for the needy; delivery drivers on lightcycles.
You can see a distant light at the end of the pathway, but it is blurry, and unclear how far away it might be.
No.763186
>>763185"It's kind of like that mall, or whatever it was! Lots of things and people that I don't think are really there! Or maybe they're real and not here, but I think it's the same for us either way! There's a light at the end of this street that looks like it might be important!"
No.763187
>>763185>>763186"Hmm," Deadweight hums. "Try coming back to this side," she says.
No.763188
>>763187>>763185I carefully walk backwards without looking behind me instead of turning around.
"Has anyone got a rope or something? I don't know if the way in is visible from this side but I've sort of got the feeling it won't be! This entire place has been screwy for a while now!"
No.763189
>>763185Lost opened her eyes finally, having realized that she had not gone into the wall.
No.763190
>>763189>>763188>>763187>>763186As Conflagration asks for a rope, Cautaa, Huitlapan, and Xu all withdraw some from their bags. Seeing that they all came quite prepared, they give eachother nods of quiet, stoic affirmation.
They get caught up in nodding for a bit.
When the nodding's done, they tie the rope lengths together and offer them to Conflagration.
No.763191
>>763190>>763190"Thanks. Let's see if keeping my eyes open works."
When I walk into the visual glitch this time around I keep my eyes open.
No.763192
>>763190>>763188I watch as Conflagration readies another trip in.
"Perhaps you should ready for an attack, now, to avoid catastrophe. Mister Caonflagration."
No.763193
>>763190Lost got ready to help with the rope where needed.
No.763194
>>763192"Ehhh. I can always explode after I get attacked."
No.763195
>>763194Perception.
[1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763196
>>763194>>763192>>763193>>763195You take good hold of one end of the rope, while Conflagration keeps hold of the other. He steps back into the dimension on the other side of the wall.
>>763191As you pass through the trees and wall with open eyes, your vision is briefly disturbed by a blue light, which you did not see last time, since you passed through the wall entire with your eyes shut. You see that it is quite similar to the distant light. These lights most likely mark the gateways to and from this strange dimension. The gateway-light is roughly a diamond in shape. The light churns, coagulates and breaks apart near the center, and at times, you see something like an image of a heart, in the shapes it forms. A diamond containing a heart – this is the common symbol of the Abbey.
You look about, and see flying machines – the parasitic machines Zonshii identified as "Angels" – patrolling overhead. They are distant, and few in number, travelling either alone or alongside only one other. This is the fewest you've seen; normally they seem to prefer traveling in great numbers, so that they resemble clouds. If this dimension can be thought of as their home turf, something has occupied a great number of their species elsewhere. This place should be safe enough for now, if you make no disturbance.
No.763197
>>763196I send back another Concord message.
>There's a few Angels up above. Nobody make a fuss. No.763199
>>763196>>763197Deadweight puts her muzzle near her claymore, ready for things to go awry.
No.763254
>>763196I keep my grip on the rope and watch behind us.
No.763340
>>763254>>763199>>763198>>763197However, none of these so-called "Angels" seem to take notice of Conflagration. The few which are about make for distant sources of blue, diamond-shaped light – presumably, the gateways leading back from this strange subspace, into the reality which you are more accustomed to…
…though, which reality may be the more genuine, is a question yet unanswered.
No.763341
>>763340Lost seemed to be just waiting
No.763342
>>763340"Perhaps we should pull him back."
After waiting for awhile I will speak into Concord's voice chat
"Mister Conflagration it's difficult to hear you, perhaps you should return so we can move as a group once more."
No.763358
>>763340I back out if the strange space and rejoin the group.
No.763360
>>763199>>763340>>763341>>763342"The angels were all headed away. I think if we keep our heads down we'll be fine in there."
No.763361
>>763360"In there as in we follow them?"
No.763362
>>763360>>763358>>763342>>763341Cautaa, Xu and Huitlapan all look relatively apprehensive at this assessment of the strange space. But soon enough, curiosity gets the better of Xu, and she approaches the dimensional rift.
>"Put me into Cautaa's Comp before you start peering into alternate dimensions!" Sapphire protests."He'd just plug you into one of his dating sims," Xu counters.
Cautaa sputters but cannot quite muster himself to deny the accusation.
"Join mine," Huitlapan says. "The worst that would befall you there is facing me in chess."
No.763363
>>763362"I'll take you if you want Sapphire. you'd pretty much have free reign."
No.763364
>>763361"Or poke around and see what's up."
>>763362"I hardly use mine."
No.763367
>>763362>>763364I take a deep breath and make sure my helmet is secured.
"Right, perhaps they'll lead us to Mountain and the rest."
No.763370
>>763360>>763362Deadweight gently nods at what Conflagration says, and she slowly proceeds through the dimensional rift with her guard up.
No.763374
>>763364>>763363>"You must fight over the honor of me becoming your desktop mascot," Sapphire decides. Huitlapan arches an eyebrow at the two of you. His hand rests upon a pocketknife. >>763367>>763370>>763364>>763363Assuming you all proceed into the dimensional rift, you undergo a brief disorientation, followed by a re-stabilization. You can see the world as described in these posts:
>>763185>>763196The light at the far end of this arcade corridor remains visible.
No.763376
>>763374"Well his is probably pretty melted from exploding, mines nice and secure."
No.763378
>>763374>>763376"Mine's mostly fireproof. It's made of Nokium."
I trot towards the light at the end of the arcade.
No.763462
test
No.763463
>>763374>>763378Deadweight follows Conflagration. She keeps her eyes peeled for anything
too out of the ordinary.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763464
>>763374I will study the heart/light thing as I follow Conflagration.
No.763465
>>763376>>763378>>763463>>763464>"Nokium, huh?" Sapphire asks. "Changed my mind, I'm going with Conflagration. I could beat somebody senseless with a Nokium chassis.""Now hold on," Xu asks, mulling the logistics. "How would you move the magicomp?"
>"Get a little closer and I'll show ya."Xu gulps.
As your allies exchange such banter, you examine the world about you. Ever-shifting, nothing remains constant here, like watercolors exposed to rain, like sand and snow, worn away by wind. These specters of Agatecastle fade in and out, trading forms with others by the minute. The iconography of the Abbey remains visible in the twin blue lights, awaiting at either end of the corridor.
As Deadweight looks about, she nearly double-takes time and again– as souls she recognizes mingle among the Agatecastle ghosts. No friends nor family, but simply passerby, distinctive enough in appearance or stature to be somewhat more memorable than all the others one crosses by on city streets, seen once, and never encountered again. Yet now these passerby have followed her into this peculiar realm, inside of Agatecastle, in defiance of time and space…
In time, you reach the other end of the arcade corridor, where a blue icon floats, awaiting your touch.
No.763466
>>763465I will walk forward and scan the icon
[1d10]
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763467
>>763465Using my tried and tested method of exploring alternative realities, I close my eyes and walk into the blue icon.
No.763468
>>763376>>763464>>763465>>763466Deadweight squints at the figures she spies.
When they reach the end of the corridor, she asks the group, "So, uh, we gonna boop it?"
No.763470
>>763469Sapphire floods your inbox with no shortage of heart, kissy-face and related emoticons. Seems she's not as into the modern emoji of Ironcastle.
>"I also take commissions for ASCII art," Sapphire adds to the narration. >>763466Your comp, as with all Magicomps registered to those few permitted to leave Ironcastle on missions, comes equipped with an index of knowledge, collected from countless prior expeditions into the Outlands. Scanner functions pull the entries in the index most relevant to the scanned object, and create new entries for new oddities.
Normally.
When you scan the blue icon, your screen is awash with a number of apparent junk files, most of them nothing but mosaics of other entries. It looks like the relevant files for this blue icon were deliberately overwritten… by someone with a less-than-thorough approach to redacting material.
You have a recovery program on your comp, as well. With a little luck, it might be able to restore these files.
>>763467>>763468>>763469Conflagration (and anyone who chooses to follow him) passes through the blue light, and once beyond it, surfaces back into the more grounded reality of before.
You find yourself in the remains of an arboretum. On either side of you are displays of rare plants, hidden behind protective reinforced glass panels, and marked by display placards. The path ahead curves to the right after a short distance.
According to your maps, you've teleported no short distance – to the opposite side of this area, in fact.
No.763471
>>763470Lost remained in place for a bit, seeing if she could take another path.
No.763472
>>763466>>763470"What's it say?" Deadweight asks Firmgold, not having crossed the threshold.
No.763473
>>763470>>763472"I believe these are overwritten files that I may have to work on restoring.. If sir Conflagration reports back nothing then we may be safe to traverse over as well."
I will pass through the blue light and get to copying these files before using a recovery app
No.763474
>>763470>>763473Deadweight nods and follows her through the blue light.
No.763475
>>763470"Well this is strange."
I send a message with my discovery to the others then head off out of the room.
No.763476
>>763471>>763472>>763473>>763475As you proceed through the arboretum's maze-like displays, you soon reach a junction, with one branch zig-zagging north, and the other, turning due south (towards Room 14).
It's not long before you sense a great tension in the air, coming from the southwest. Through the glass of the arboretum's displays, you see glimpses of Angel-clouds. But, rather than patrolling in constant movement, as others have been, these ones are clumped up, in a tight defensive formation. You cannot see from here what they are guarding, if anything, but they are, down to the last of them, facing south. None of them can see you from here– heading southeast, or circling around them to the north, would keep you in their blind spot.
No.763477
>>763476Lost opts to go north
No.763478
>>763476I will check the progress of my backing-up on these files.
"Odd, they look to be defending something. Perhaps someone? I cannot see whoever very clear."
No.763479
>>763476>>763477>>763478"Let's not get too close," Deadweight says. She follows Lost to the north.
No.763481
>>763478The restoration continues at a smooth enough pace, but the entries are not yet usefully legible. You do see that the filenames all include a similar refrain:
"The Castle-Seed"
There isn't enough of the restored files to determine what is meant by either term yet…
>>763477>>763478>>763479>>763480You follow the arboretum's northward path, until you reach another junction. To the south is another path leading to room 14, while to the west, you see a long corridor stretching away into the distance, before it bends south.
You can also sense a subtle vibration, of a disturbance nearby…
No.763482
>>763481Deadweight's ears flick at the sensation, and her eyes dart around, looking for anything amiss.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.763483
Lost also begins to scan the area for threats.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 5 = 5
No.763484
>>763481I will have the copied files moved to Steadfast's magicomp so we don't lose these in case of further corruption.
>>763482>>763483"I take it we're to leave these Angels alone? Perhaps west-long is our preferred choice."
No.763485
>>763481Another disturbance? I start pressing against walls looking for another weird portal.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.763486
>>763484"Yeah, let's go west," Deadweight answers.
No.763487
>>763485>>763484>>763483>>763482You head down the west corridor for a time, until about halfway through, when Conflagration slows, and notices something. Three vending machines are grouped together on the south side of the western corridor. Despite everything Agatecastle has been through, these vending machines are well-stocked, and in good condition. A kind of anomaly in itself.
Conflagration feels his attention drawn to the vending machine in the middle. It vends various kinds of drinks. No soda, only fruit- and vegetable-based beverages here.
And perhaps, more than that…
No.763488
>>763487Lost decided to take this time to try and slip into the shadows and camouflage.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.763489
>>763487I seek the forbidden V8 blend of fruits and veggies.
[1d10]
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.763490
>>763487Deadweight takes a look at the vending machines herself. Anomaly or not, she could go for a drink.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763492
>>763490>>763489>>763488As you examine the machines… the less sure you are that they dispense anything but mysteries. Most of the drink icons are little more than cylindrical smears of colors and typography. The "letters" on the cans can barely be called that. They're more like squiggles that don't seem to match any known languages recorded in your Comps' research indexes.
You note that three of the buttons are more worn-down than the others.
"And I'll bet they don't even use real sugar…" Xu mutters.
"With magic, I could attempt to force the machines to reveal their purpose to us," Cautaa posits. "But, doing so may risk security finding us. It's that or try to puzzle out a combination, if that's what these worn-down buttons suggest. What say you?"
No.763493
>>763492"Let's try and figure out the combination first."
Can I see anything else on the machine or buttons that indicate what the combination is, if there is one?
[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763494
>>763492>>763493"I've not come across many of these on my home level, perhaps interacting with it using your memory of having used one before would help?"
No.763495
>>763492Lost opts to investigate the machines as well.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763496
>>763492>>763493Deadweight squints at the unintelligible markings.
"Let's try figuring this thing out first. Looks easy enough, just three buttons."
No.763497
>>763494>>763496>>763493>>763495>3, 3>rule of dubsAs you look into the machines themselves, you notice that all of them are fully-stocked save for the middle one. And, the middle one is fully-stocked, save for three drinks. "Lawn Clipping" Lemonade, Tomato Drank (sic), and A Vague Sense of Ease. The glare on the glass makes it hard to see, but it looks like there are different quantities of each drink.
"What… even goes into that last one?" Huitlapan wonders.
"Steal one and taste it," Xu suggests.
"
After we finish the puzzle," Cautaa insists.
No.763498
>>763497"…This actually a puzzle?" Deadweight looks around at her surroundings to try to find a clue.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763499
>>763497Is there a mathematical ratio to the remaining drinks of each type?
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763500
>>763497"Ah, unfortunately I spent all my shillings and I don't believe this machine will take makeshift currency either. Perhaps we should continue?"
No.763501
>>763497Lost opted to hit the lemonade button.
No.763502
>>763498>>763499>>763500>>763501Conflagration notes that there are 5 of the Lemonades, 4 of the Tomato Dranks, and 3 Vague Senses of Ease.
When Lost Hope hits the button for the lemonade, nothing happens. Though, it seems that button is more worn down than the other two…
No.763503
>>763502"So if there's more of a drink that means the button would be pressed less, right?"
No.763504
>>763502>>763503That makes sense." she hit one of the sodas on another machine
No.763505
>>763502>>763503>>763504"Yeah, maybe it's supposed to be hit twice, like it's a four…
drink combination."
No.763506
>Perception
[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5
No.763507
>>763504>>763502Lost also looked around for clues
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763508
>>763506>>763505>>763504>>763503There might be something to Conflagration's theory… it looks like a full stock of a certain drink means 8 cans in the row. In other words – 3 Lemonades are missing, 4 Tomatos are missing, and 5 Vagues are missing.
No.763509
>>763508"Do we have to hit
twelve buttons?" Deadweight exclaims.
No.763510
>>763508>>763509"Nah, we gotta be overthinking this. Let's look around more," Deadweight says in a huff, not wanting to admit that she's too dumb to figure out the puzzle, if there is one. She walks off in an arbitrary direction and keeps looking around.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763511
>>763508I don't have any money on myself but I will press the button for a Vague Sense of Ease
No.763512
>>763508Lost his the lemonade 3 times, the tomato 4, and the other one 5 as she felt like it might work.
No.763513
>>763512>>763511>>763510>>763509As Lost puts in a combination, of sorts… the rightmost of the three vending machines changes its appearance. The shimmering blue light, the heart inside the diamond, appears on the outside of every drink. They warble and shine in unison.
Cautaa experimentally extends a bit of measuring tape to the glass of the rightmost vending machine, and the end of the tape passes right through the glass. "Hmm. Well-done," he says to Lost. "Another path forward lies just ahead now."
Xu glances with curiosity to the other two vending machines. "Wonder why only that one changed…"
No.763514
>>763513I'll poke my head through and see what's on the other side.
No.763515
>>763513>>763512Noticing something happening to the vending machines, Deadweight turns back. "Good goin', Lost," Deadweight says to her with a smirk
No.763542
>>763513Seeing Cautaa whip out a tape measure, Deadweight says to him, "You just carry that around?"
No.763543
>>763513Lost smiles and waits for the portal to another path to be explored.
No.763544
>>763513I make sure this gets recorded and mapped out.
"We're no closer to Brother Mountain, but perhaps we're no closer to anything else either."
No.763545
>>763542Cautaa pokes your visor with the tape measure. "But of course. I am an electrician after all."
Xu scrapes up some dirt from the floor and attempts to slide it into the tape measure's case. Cautaa reels back as if she had made an attempt on his life. He hisses like an angry cat, much to her amusement.
>>763543>>763515>>763514>>763544As you then look into the other side of this occulted portal, a blue light washes over you…
There is a residential street, peopled by the watercolor apparitions you have beheld in each of your previous trips into this bizarre other space. They, and the buildings of the street are blurry. But, based on your travels within Ironcastle, it appears to be a residential district reserved for the Warrior Stratum. Better-built and better-kept than the squalor of the Commoners, yet still lesser than the residences of the Sages, to say nothing of the Nobles.
The buildings of the street are mostly a blur… save for three.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54moBCJSfXgThe first is a small townhouse, diminutive by the standards of the Warrior Stratum. The second, down the road and surrounded by a small park, is a temple dedicated to the five gods of mortalkind: Myld, Gast, Blod, Regn and Fyr. The third, at the end of the street, a meeting-hall for the guilds of the Warrior stratum, used for planning expeditions into the Outlands, and discussing the defense of the Castle… Agatecastle, in this case.
These three structures are not blurry, yet are wholly unlike any building you have seen before. They are life-sized collages of many images, stacked together in a 3-D matrix. Sepia photographs comprise the roofs. Hand-drawn images depict the outer walls, the tiny gardens, small wilting flowers and statuettes half-buried in soil. Looping home movie video clips capture the outer walls, and also the people who had happened to pass by, at the time of recording.
Each of these "buildings" – an attempt at reconstruction. At making something more than the mere sum of their parts.
"I would not be so certain, miss Firmgold," Cautaa whispers. "Be on your guard, everyone."
Huitlapan's gaze is distant.
No.763546
>>763545"I say we check the meeting hall first. There might be some useful information."
No.763547
>>763545Lost shuffled a bit "Sounds like a good start."
No.763548
>>763546"Understood, sir Conflagration."
I will move towards the meeting hall in search of an entrance and any memories of people needing to prove their identities
[1d10]
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763549
No.763550
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 5 = 5
No.763551
>>763545Preception
[1d10]
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.763552
>>763548>>763546>>763547>>763548As you make your way for the end of the street, you start to sense ambient power again… a concentrated source of supernatural power lurks in the direction of the Meeting-Hall. Even those not magically inclined among you can sense this… a great power awaits there.
However, something like an echo of it can be sensed from somewhere in the direction of the Temple…
>>763551You sense…
someone cooking haycon and hayggs. Breakfast for dinner, perhaps? No.763553
>>763552"I can smell something cooking inside my suit. Can anyone else?"
No.763554
>>763552"Interesting, perhaps we should visit the temple first "
>>763553"Hmm? I don't believe so?"
No.763555
>>763545Deadweight chuckles at Xu's prank.
>>763552>>763553"Cooking? Is your suit okay?"
No.763556
>>763555>>763554"It's probably just me."
No.763557
>>763553"Does it smell like toast? If so you may be having a stroke."
No.763558
>>763552>>763556Deadweight sniffs a little.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.763559
>>763557"Nope. Haycon and hayggs."
No.763560
>>763557Lost also tried to sniff it out.
[1d10] Perception/Smell
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763561
>>763560>>763558>>763555>>763554>>763553There may be something to this yet… one of the apparitions is bringing a tray of cooked food from the Temple toward the Meeting-Hall…
Cautaa scratches his chin. "The atmosphere 'round here seems… relaxed."
"Yes," Huitlapan concludes. "Temples – in Ironcastle at least – tend to be hubs for cordial parties, on feast Cycles. If someone's making a delivery to the Meeting-Hall, I'd surmise the cooking's being done in the Temple's backyard… leaving the inside with light security."
No.763562
>>763552>>763553>>763554>>763557"I'm sensing something at the Temple, let's go check it out," Deadweight says.
No.763563
>>763561Losy obliged and moved to investigate first.
No.763564
>>763559>>763561"Oh, I guess it wasn't your suit," Deadweight says, "Maybe if we're lucky, we can nab some."
No.763565
>>763562>>763561"Okay, let's go."
Off to the Temple.
No.763566
>>763565>>763564>>763563>>763562The Temple, despite its puzzling exterior, is quite the same as most small chapels you have seen in Ironcastle: It is an inverted nonagon in shape; there are four exits, and five recesses, for the five shrines of the five gods.
However… something is quite peculiar here. On the eastern side of the temple, you can see a stairway in the floor, leading downwards. A stone panel near the stairway has been removed; in the recess below, you can see a complex set of Abbean magical ikons. These ikons appear to have been tampered with; the purpose, it seems: to expose the stairway and keep it open.
No.763567
>>763566"Well that's spooky."
Down I go.
No.763568
>>763566I will keep my recorder on as I go down with Conflagration.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763569
>>763566Lost looks for anything of use in the area they may have missed.
[1d10]
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763570
>>763566Deadweight walks down with the group.
No.763571
>>763570>>763569>>763568>>763567The stairs descend into the shadows… candleholders dot the walls, unlit by anyone for quite some time… the descent goes on and on, and as it does, Firmgold grows vaguely aware of… others… accompanying you. Less than apparitions, mere echoes, the faintest etchings upon the world that a living soul begets… they seem to you like ashes, clinging to the silhouette of one who is no longer here… lost, and never to be truly seen again, save for memory… The figures, one old, and one young, both of them Lagomos…
The older figure stops. It raises a hand to the wall. As it does, a secret stone panel gives way, sliding into a recess to reveal a divergent path…
Further still you go for some time.
Until–
A small chamber resides before you. Perfectly circular, adorned on all sides by elaborate carvings of many perfect circles, small and large, organized in spirals of increasing size, eternally extending. As you behold each circle in turn, they seem to you more than mere carvings. All at once, each circular carving is a full white circle; half a circle; a waning crescent; an umbral outline; a waxing crescent; half again; and full again. Simultaneously coexisting, singular and many, all at once. The energy they exude is not mere magic, but something far deeper, far more ancient and fundamental… like it could be the very bones of the world…
In the center of the room is a raised altar. There is a recess in the altar, empty now. But carved to hold a staff, with a great spherical orb at the top.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYmQHwVfxmA
>Paused No.763572
>>763571Lost immediately scanned the area, seeing if she could discern anything in here.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763573
>>763572Though the chamber appears empty, you can sense something beyond it, outside it. It comes from the direction of the western murals, depicting the fullest of the white circles.
No.763584
>>763573Lost advanced towards them curious.
No.763587
>>763571"These illusions get weirder and weirder," Deadweight says as she looks around.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 4 = 4 No.763588
>>763571I will remain quiet and keep my camera going as I hope this all gets recorded, walking around the altar and looking at every nook and cranny that looks like it could be interesting
No.763589
>>763571I'll examine the alter.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763590
>>763588>>763587>>763584The surface of the full circle is absolute, lacking any details of its physical composition, be it paint, or stone, or crystal. There is no joint or other mechanism that attaches it to the metalwork that surrounds it. It seems, in fact, almost made of pure light.
>>763589This is undoubtedly the source of the diminished presence you sensed earlier. A faint echo of a much mightier power lingers in the staff-shaped divot. You see many arcane symbols tracing along the surface and edge of the altar, meticulously tracing the infinite spiral patterns etched into the walls and ceiling. A powerful ritual took place here. Given its presence below an Abbean temple, and being concealed behind two secret doors, this is likely the work of some esoteric cult.
Cautaa and Xu look a bit overwhelmed and out of their depth, while Huitlapan, Abbean faithful, is deep in thought as he studies the shrine and its surroundings.
No.763591
>>763590Lost continues to hunt for the source of the feeling.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763592
>>763590"Has anyone seen a staff with an orb lying around somewhere? Maybe if we put it back something will happen."
No.763594
>>763590Once finished, I have no other idea of what to do here and will look around for clues to a way out
[1d10]
>>763592"I'm sorry Sir Conflagration but I haven't."
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.763595
>>763592Huitlapan turns to you. "I believe I have an idea of where it may be found– in the hands of whoever's holed up in the meeting-chamber we saw down the road, far above us. If that is the case, we'd best be wary of the owner."
>>763591>>763594In the course of their investigations, Lost and Firmgold bump into one another– and in an incident that could later be described as fortuitous or perhaps the opposite, Firmgold backs up, and brushes against the ikon of the full white circle.
Her body passes clean through it, without resistance, or sensation.
Cautaa scratches his chin. "There's more to this chamber than what meets the eye, it seems."
No.763596
>>763595"Oh boy, my specialty."
I trot through the fake wall.
No.763597
>>763595Lost, seeing Firm go through, walks right in as much as she can.
No.763598
>>763590>>763591Deadweight walks up to Lost
a little closer than she would anyone else. "Something up?" she asks her as she stares at the murals, too.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763599
>>763595>>763596>>763597Deadweight gingerly passes her limbs through it, too.
No.763600
>>763595I run out of the secret passage way and take several snapshots of it before following my group through
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.763601
>>763600>>763599>>763598>>763597>>763596A long stone corridor lies hidden behind the intangible ikon. There is writing etched upon the walls of the corridor, and though it is written in the same character system as Modern Equish, the words are unintelligible to you. Perhaps it is some form of secret cant. The writing is far less orderly than the intricate and well-constructed ikonography of the earlier chamber. Many etchings are crossed out, and others staggered out, like responses to one another. More like the graffiti of rival gangs than cult religious art.
At the far end of the corridor awaits another full circle; this one a proud amber-gold hue, bright enough to be seen even at a great distance.
No.763602
>>763601This place has been giving Deadweight the heebie-jeebies, but she carries on.
No.763603
>>763601"That looks a bit like the light that comes during the waking hours." she said pushing down
No.763604
>>763603"It does," Deadweight replies.
No.763605
>>763601>>763603>>763604"Indeed. Like the legend of the sun."
I move closer to check out this circle.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763606
>>763601"Oh my, these just keep going."
I will follow the group, but this time make sure there is a recording of us walking through the ikon
No.763607
>>763606>>763605>>763602>>763603Like the full-white circle, the full-amber circle is intangible, permitting you to pass through if you are so inclined. Those who do step into another circular chamber, this one awash in golden hues. A great altar awaits at the center of the room. This one, however, is not empty.
In the divot of the altar rests a great golden staff, tipped by a spherical orb. It is wrought of amber metal, and ringed by spikes, almost like an unwieldly mace or flail. The spikes are not directly attached to the sphere, yet remain nearby it, held by a telekinetic force.
"Indeed… a hidden cult," Huitlapan echoes. "Dedicated to the legends of the sun… and I presume, the moon. Just like Mendicant Rudolph and his alarmist manifesto, some months back."
"You think they're the ones who destroyed Agatecastle?" Xu asks.
"We don't have enough information to say conclusively," Huitlapan says. "But I find it highly unlikely."
No.763608
>>763607"Anyone want to take bets on what happens if we try taking the staff here? Or should we listen in on what the moon cultists or whoever they are are doing in the meeting hall?"
No.763609
>>763607>>763608"Let's not touch anything yet," Deadweight suggests.
No.763610
>>763607[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763611
>>763607Lost was moving forward towards the staff curiously.
No.763612
>>763607>>763610"Perhaps there is another passage through here, I will search for one whilst we decide on the staff."
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763613
>>763612You see a plain section of wall that breaks the continuity of the amber-gold ikons. It is large enough to be a doorway; recalling the hidden stairwell you crossed through to reach the other chamber, you surmise that this must be the way back up. There's likely a subtle switch nearby, such as a loose or enchanted brick in the wall, that will allow you passage.
>>763611Hooooold up! Hold up, hold it hold it right there, Princess. I don't wanna be accused of bullying you or singling you out or anything, buuuuut uh, I'd really rather that WE not be the ones to touch that. Send someone else up to be the guinea pig, will ya? Call it intuition.>>763608>>763609There's barely any presence to the staff; it is not comparable to the great power you felt coming from the meeting-hall, or even the vestige of power you felt from the altar in the moon chamber. This amber-gold staff may as well be a mere decoration in comparison… at least, for right now.
No.763614
>>763613"Dhampir is saying not to touch it. Who wants to touch it?"
No.763615
>>763613>>763614"No one touch it," Deadweight says as she scans the room for anything of note.
No.763616
>Perception
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8
No.763617
>>763613"I'll touch it if I need to."
No.763618
>>763613I tap my chin while looking around the wall near this basic looking section.
"A switch, most incongruous."
I will look closer at any iconography that looks like it's etched deeper than others
[1d10] Investigation
Roll #1 6 = 6 No.763619
>>763618But convenient. You identify a brick distinctly more magical than the others; that must be the way back out.
>>763615>>763616Apart from the secret exit, this seems to be the only thing of note in the room. These two chambers were more than likely forged entirely for a singular purpose: creating these staves.
>>763615>>763617"If you are in need of a test sub–" Huitlapan begins, before Xu leans her arm on his head.
"Don't even think about it. You're our healer," she says. "And besides, that staff would go nicely with my coat."
Cautaa backs up, clearly happy with letting someone else take the staff.
No.763620
>>763619She hummed "I mean I call dibs if it won't kill me. I want something I can bring home after this. But I also don't want Dhampir to get hurt if this is like full of Light."
No.763621
>>763619"I catch on fire all the time so I still say I'm the best bet."
No.763622
>>763619>>763620"Actually… What if… what if the fact there's no staff in the last room is what messed the castle up? Like maybe they both protected this place or something?" Lost pondered aloud for the others to hear.
No.763624
>>763619>>763621"Uhp, uhp-uhp," Deadweight says when Xu suggests touching it. "I do feel better about Hothead grabbing it. If we're grabbing it in the first place."
>>763622"Huh…" Deadweight says, pondering on the thought.
No.763625
>>763619"There we go."
I will keep my hoof underneath the magical brick and look at everyone else
>>763622"Well that's better than my take, which is that one staff would move between altars. If such is the case then we should mark this place for return before going to fetch the other staff."
No.763626
>>763625"Sounds good. Let's not touch this staff, then."
No.763627
>>763625>>763624>>763623>>763622The others ponder this possibility.
"I thought it was each Castle's Heart that protected the Castles," Xu says.
"That is so," Huitlapan says. "The Hearts, located at the lowest Layer of each Castle, are the source of the Light Undefiled, which maintains the protective barriers that surround the Castles, and sustain the life within."
"So we have been told," Cautaa says.
Huitlapan arches his brow as Cautaa draws near to heresy.
"But this place…" Cautaa continues. "We entered via a portal that does not seem to comply with conventional rules of space. Remember the portal south of the library? We went into it heading west, and ended up traveling northeast, without ever turning around. Not to mention that this portal enabled us to pass through a vending machine. I believe that this interstitial dimension between the portals, where we see ghostly apparitions of the dead, living out life as it once was… well, I don't know what it is, but I suspect it may be close to what we might call the true 'Heart' of the Castle."
He looks at the sun-staff. "And, as Lost suggested, if something were to go wrong with that Heart, then surely destruction awaits."
"But this is just one temple in the vastness that its Agatecastle," Huitlapan counters. "Could one missing staff really lead to such a cataclysm?"
"…Who said anything about it only being one missing staff?" Xu suggests.
No.763628
>>763627"True. but this is the only staff we know of."
No.763629
>>763627"A pair of staffs is far easier to defend, one might think."
No.763657
>>763627>>763628>>763629Deadweight feels like all this is above her pay grade. "Let's just try to find the other staff. Did we see it somewhere?">>763629
>>763629>>763629 No.763658
>>763627"The staff we can see is very impressive looking."
No.763659
>>763657Cautaa shakes his head. "It looks like the other staff was already liberated from its altar."
>>763629Xu nods. "Especially if it's a magical focus, or at least a good beatin' stick, in a pinch."
>>763628>>763629>>763657>>763658Cautaa scratches his chin. "It seems like the staff in the other chamber was taken not long ago… whoever grabbed it either didn't know about this one, which I believe unlikely, or was in too much of a hurry to take this staff as well."
"Or they had another reason to not take it," Xu says.
Cautaa shrugs. "I don't think we have enough information to say one way or the other."
"The question is," Huitlapan says. "Are we to take it? We'd best be moving again before too long."
No.763660
>>763659"I mean, so long as we have it, we know where it is right? Nobody can snag and use it against us."
No.763661
>>763659"The angels may have awoken when the other staff was taken, and removing this Staff could do the same. Is the wellbeing of our compatriots worth such a risk?"
No.763662
>>763659"In my personal experience messing with artifacts that aren't well understood is a bad idea. I vote we leave this here and go listen in on that meeting we saw happening."
No.763663
>>763659>>763660>>763661>>763662"Yeah, let's leave this one. If anything, we could have someone keep watch here."
No.763664
>>763660>>763661>>763662>>763663"Keeping watch, huh?" Xu ponders. "…Sorry Deadweight, but I'm gonna have to neighsay that one. Splitting up, especially here, just gives me a creepy feeling."
"But we can mark this path," Huitlapan says. "And beeline it back here if we have need of it in the future – or if we recover the other staff."
Cautaa nods. "I can agree to that. Shall we be off, then?"
No.763666
>>763664>>763665Deadweight nods in response to Xu. The creepy feeling is mutual. When Cautaa suggests they get a move on, she says, "Yeah, let's hit the road."
No.763668
>>763664I nod in agreement to the consensus, and take the secret passageway I discovered- hitting the switch if I didn't do so before
No.763669
>>763665>>763666>>763667>>763668You take the hidden stairway back up, which brings you to another apparent dead end, where you see another not-so-subtle enchanted brick. Touching it causes the wall atop the stairs to fade away, and beyond that, you see a continuation of the staircase. The builders must not have seen much of a point in concealing the switch controlling the magical false wall on the side it was meant to hide.
In any case, you continue to head back up… until you reach the first floor of the Temple once more. This time you emerge on the far western side, whereas you first entered the secret area from the eastern side.
"One last stop, then…" Cautaa mutters, as he glances down the street, toward the meeting-hall.
The others steel themselves in silence.
No.763670
>>763669Deadweight walks over to the meeting-hall, keeping careful watch.
No.763671
>>763669I follow Deadweight.
No.763673
>>763669Lost, for old times sake if nothing else, attempts to hide in the shadows.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763674
>>763673>>763670>>763671>>763672The Meeting-Hall marks the midpoint of this road, and is easily one of the largest, if not the largest, upon it. A great set of stairs leads to the front doors, which have been thrown ajar in a somewhat haphazard fashion. Whoever was here last was in a hurry…
Beyond the front doors are a large foyer, with three doors: One each to the east and west, and one to the south; the last of these is the largest set of doors, most likely leading directly to the meeting-chamber proper. This final set of doors is open but a crack– whoever's inside had the wherewithal to close these at least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD2xQ1uSm2kSapphire beams a message to your Comps.
>"I'm detecting a strong presence ahead… do you want to go on?" she asks.Even without that warning, you'd be able to feel the same… there's a great power not far beyond the southern doors.
No.763675
>>763673>>763674Noticing Lost has hidden herself, she messages in the Concord group chat, "Lost, how about you investigate what's through the southern doors?" Deadweight meanwhile looks around for anything else of note.
>Perception[1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763676
>>763674I'll try and eavesdrop through the partially open door.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763677
>>763675>>763674Lost was timid but obliged and began to very slowly make her way to the door.
No.763678
>>763674I will unclip my greatsword and ensure it's ready to be pulled out immediately, and then move some medkits to disperse their weight evenly around myself. Next I will have my magicomp set to record audio and video in long segments for when we're ready to pass through one of these doors. Then I will stand quietly to psych myself up.
No.763679
>>763675You crack the door to the east, and see that there's a stairwell on the northern wall. It leads up to a second level, where a bridge extends southward. It looks like you could probably get to the second level of the meeting-chamber this way.
>>763677>>763676>>763678There are muffled sounds, voices overlapping and arguing. Most of the voices are audibly agitated. There is a slight filter upon these agitated voices; the voices of the distressed are coming through a speaker system. You can hear also the ambient humming of the floating Angels… there are a cluster of them behind this door.
No.763680
>>763679Lost quickly typed to the others.
>There's Angels guys, what should we do? No.763681
>>763679>>763680"Let's try going through the eastern doors instead," Deadweight messages back in the group chat.
No.763683
>>763679I check my magicomp and type my agreement with Deadweight and Conflagration.
No.763684
>>763682>>763681>>763680>>763683Rather than approach directly, you opt to head through the eastern door, which as Deadweight scoped out, takes you to a stairwell, on the northern wall. You ascend it to the second floor, whereupon you reach the southward bridge. You cross the bridge once you get to it, and see a set of three doors on the western wall. These, no doubt, lead to the second level of the meeting-hall, where you heard the distressed voices and the Angels.
No.763685
>>763684"I shall peak in first." she said listening to all three doors to see which sounded the least dangerous.
[1d10] Perception.
Roll #1 1 = 1 No.763686
>>763684I'll try listening through one of these sets of doors as well.
[1d10] perception
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.763687
>>763684Deadweight has Lost's back
just in case.
[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.763688
>>763684I will make sure we're not being followed before going in with everyone.
No.763689
>>763685>>763686>>763687>>763688Unfortunately, it seems these alcove-doors, being smaller than the big doors, are less accommodating for many ears being pressed against it to listen in. As a result, Lost ends up stumbling in, which throws the doors open in a clatter. Conflagration and Deadweight catch her before she can faceplant, but the auditory damage is done.
Below you, upon the terraced meeting-hall's floor, you can hear the electrical buzz of many augmented reality display monitors cutting out all at once.
Then, a voice. That of Mogao.
"Investigate," he says, presumably to one of the Angels. You can hear its buzz get louder as it approaches.
No.763690
Lost immediately pulled back and tried to hide herself again.
[1d10] Stealth
Roll #1 10 = 10
No.763691
>>763689Deadweight grimaces and gestures to the group to scram, and she leads the way.
>ESCAPING[1d10]
Roll #1 10 = 10 No.763692
>>763689I will quietly back out of there and down the stairs, quickly that myself and Steadfast can follow Deadweight's gesticulating.
No.763693
>>763689>>763691Proceeding to scram.
[1d10] scram
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763694
>>763690>>763691>>763692>>763693You skedaddle on out of there, and despite Huitlapan almost getting trampled under Conflagration, you make it back down the stairs, just as Angels begin to investigate your last known position. Then, as you catch your breath near the bottom of the stairwell, you realize this snafu is more of a blessing in disguise. With his attention on the upper level, you can get a better look at what Mogao's doing in the meeting-chamber… or even kick the doors down and get the drop on him.
No.763695
>>763694I settle on a look first in case there are more angels.
[1d10] Perception
Roll #1 7 = 7 No.763696
>>763694I will whisper to everyone through comms
"Alright, I believe we still have options.. however those Angels are under Mogao's command so whatever we do must be done quickly."
No.763697
>>763694Lost picked up on this clue and continued on in the shadows, making tracks to the first door.
No.763698
>>763694>>763696"Let's keep our cover for now," Deadweight replies.
No.763700
>>763695>>763696>>763697>>763698As you peer through the door, you can see Mogao standing in the middle of the vast meeting-chamber. Terraced rows of chairs surround a central podium, almost like a theater. Five large angels surround him, while four investigate the upper level, searching for you.
>"Hmm…" Cautaa whispers through voice chat. "I was sure he was the wielder of the moon-staff, if that's what it was… but I don't see it anywhere on him."There is a large projection-screen behind Mogao, upon which are many Augmented Reality display monitors. The monitors show a battlefield from multiple angles. On the northern side of the battlefield float dozens of Angel squadrons. To the south side, you can see the Necromancer, flanked by countless legions of skeletons. Sandwiched between them, desperately taking any rubble they can for cover, are most of the Ironcastle forces. Several pockets of Ironcastle forces stand at the perimeters of the battlefield, itching for any opportunity they can find to bail out their comrades trapped in the center. Knight-Brother Mountain stands atop a vantage point, facing the Necromancer from a distance. His posture appears calm, but knowing him and the position Ironcastle's in, he's anything but.
In the bottom-right corner of every AR monitor is a video chat box, usually reserved for displaying the user's face during an AR call. However, these boxes are all blank, suggesting that Mogao had probably just cut the feed of his own face upon hearing the doors open. In the feeds of the battlefield, you can see several boxes of AR static floating behind the Angels; these were probably displaying Mogao's face toward the battlefield until just now.
>"Negotiations were underway, looks like," Huitlapan whispers. "With Mogao away, the ceasefire they're in will surely end soon."
>Paused No.763721
>>763700Lost slunk into the room finding a shadowed spot before messaging.
>Should we let him talk? He may be trying to help us? Or should we just kill him now? No.763723
>>763700>>763721>>763722Deadweight sends a wings up emoji.
No.763724
>>763700"(Negotiations regarding what? Neither Mogao or the Necromancer care to see our forces live, this much can be certain.)"
No.763725
>>763724>>763721>>763722>>763723While Lost takes a strategic position in the top row of seats, the others hang back. Mogao leers around at the upper layer of the room, following the Angels as they comb the region with robotic precision. When they turn up with nothing, Mogao narrows his eyes. His hands relax, he sighs with relief, and he turns back to the AR monitors. He taps at his magicomp, and his face returns to the avatar displays in the lower-right corner of the screen.
"Sorry about that!" Mogao says, a smirk replacing his earlier grimace. "Had to go sign for a delivery, they always get here at the worst times."
Knight-Brother Mountain and the Necromancer just stare at his screens, not even entertaining his obvious lie with a retort.
"Now then," Mogao continues. "Where did we leave off?"
>"Negotiating the release of our captive comrades," Mountain says, turning back to the Necromancer. The Necromancer is silent for a time. You can hardly make out his presence, as something about his body causes the display screens to bug out around him, leaving him naught but a storm of pixels and glitching models.
>"A fruitless pursuit, as I have said before," the Necromancer says. "I cannot release that which is not captive." No.763726
>>763725Deadweight snarls silently when she hears the Necromancer talk about the captives.
No.763729
>>763725Lost was pensive as she stared at the scene, tenting her hooves a bit as she listened intently
No.763730
>>763729Deadweight isn't sure what Lost is doing at the moment, but she just knows she's doing something cute.
No.763731
>>763725I stay motionless during this
No.763732
>>763726>>763727>>763728>>763729https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hgYAmBjmM
>"It is true that a certain number of mortals entered my domain," the Necromancer continues. "They crossed into a certain section of my laboratory, evading many of my outermost defenses by means I have not yet puzzled out. I applauded them for their cunning and agility, when I at last found them."Mogao keeps a poker face.
>"They shall make fine additions to my army," the Necromancer concludes. "As I am sure many of you will, as well, if you should wish." "Well, there you have it," Mogao says to Mountain. "He's gone and killed them, just as I told you. Now let's get the lead out already. Not much to negotiate over now, is there?"
>"Hold," the Necromancer commands. "Do not make a decision on behalf of another, spymaster. The Knight-Brother has yet to speak for himself."["Spymaster?" Cautaa types. "I thought we ruled Mogao out of being one of Ironcastle's spies."]
>"Forgive me," Mountain says. "I'm a little unaccustomed to public speaking. But he's right, agent Mogao. We're just here to ask about our mission. So, Necromancer. We've come a long way to ask this: Did you play a role in Agatecastle's destruction?"Mogao's chat icon freezes up on the AR displays. However, you can see him snarl. The cameras fail to transmit this lapse of calm, instead displaying his earlier confident smirk.
>"I did not," the Necromancer answers.
>"Do you know who did?" Mountain asks."YOU," Mogao growls, his eyes now full of murder. A white aura shimmers around him, and the Angels guarding him spread back to not be caught in it. As before, the cameras conceal this episode of unmasked fury.
>"That too is something I cannot yet answer," the Necromancer says. "But at some point, with enough of the willing dead under my tutelage, we may yet discover. I shall repeat: The door remains open to your joining of my endeavor." No.763738
>>763732I wait to hear more.
No.763739
>>763737Deadweight reads the message and just narrows her eyes.
No.763741
>>763735>>763733["Mogao certainly seems to believe at least one of those," Huitlapan types. "Though I have not known the Knight-Brother long, and so cannot exhaustively exonerate his character, I know that his is not a very high rank. He would have needed to be part of a network of powerful conspirators to sabotage a Castle."]
["Which would be tantamount to Ironcastle doing it," Xu types.]
>>763734>>763736>>763737>>763738["We've seen no shortage of inconsistent timeframes on Agatecastle's destruction," Cautaa types. "Our initial intel, Green's testimony, and Ruby's account have all told us different points when Agatecastle was destroyed. But I've yet to see anything suggesting time loops… as of yet."]
["Let's not solidify a theory too early," Xu responds. "We also have to fit those crazy dreams we all shared… and the fact that everything looks perfectly normal in the 'other dimension' that we've crossed through a couple times now."]
Mountain pauses to consider the Necromancer's answer… he looks across the field of battle, to where the Seneschal Colonnade Reprise lays behind cover, with some injuries. She nods to him, and he looks back at the Necromancer.
Mountain mouths certain sentences, but they come across as nothing but static, when transmitted via the speakers. The waveform in Deadweight's and Firmgold's audio recordings suggests the cadence of words, but they were completely unintelligible.
>"Don't suppose that means anything to you?" Mountain asks.
>"The words are unfamiliar to me," the Necromancer answers. Mogao just looks as confused as he is angry.
>"Shame. In that case," Mountain says. "Our business here is concluded. We'll take our people and look elsewhere, then."
>"Hardly," the Necromancer says. "As I have said, I cannot release that which is not captive. The mortals who entered my domain did so as combatants, and as combatants I greeted them. However, they serve me now. The body may die, but the soul lives on. I take only those with the will to persevere even past death into my army. These mortals strove to continue, and so they joined me. I shall continue to recruit those who see likewise, until I have exhausted this egg you call a Castle."
>Mountain's stance shifts, and his hoof inches towards his weapon. "So, you've spilled the blood of Iron.""Like I've been saying this whole time," Mogao says. "Shall we eradicate this abomination, comrade?"
Mountain prepares to make his verdict…
No.763743
>>763741I will send a message to Mountain suggesting he tell the Necromancer that him and is cohort choose to leave as non-combatants.
No.763744
>>763743[1d10] Persuasion
Roll #1 9 = 9 No.763745
>>763742Lost paused, and sent a quick message
>Xu can you hack his displays so they stay on the whole time? So they always see what he's doing?She said before sending her own messages to the Mountain that Mogao was more than likely trying to kill him and the rest of the ironcastle expedition, And that he was nudging the two to fight.
No.763746
>>763745>>763743>>763742Mountain glances at his comp, then his eyes dart about, apparently looking for you.
Xu and Sapphire salute you with o7, and get to work…
[1d10+3]
>waitRoll #1 8 + 3 = 11 No.763747
>>763746>>763745>>763744>>763742>Knight-Brother Mountain keeps his posture even, and mulls over his words. "…The combatants of Iron surely fought well, to earn your praise, Necromancer."
>"Indeed, they did," the Necromancer replies, his gaze not leaving the Knight-Brother.
>"That said… our interests in Agatecastle are not in showing off martial prowess," Mountain continues. "I'm afraid those guys you fought were outliers."Mogao's eyes widen, and they're caught straight on camera.
>"In fact, you can see from our brief cross-fire that most of our staff are of a non-combat, investigative role," Mountain says.
>"You are too humble," the Necromancer says. "Even your healers and technicians held their own against my vanguard."
>"When backed into a corner, anyone can fight," Mountain says. "But, being flesh and blood, we aren't a suitable opposing force for undead, especially not in prolonged battles. If you send a whole army at us, you'd be wasting time, followers and power for little gain, either in entertainment, or in recruitment."Mogao's hands start to shake.
>The Necromancer tilts his head. "Perhaps… still, such a disappointing way to end things…""You coward!" Mogao hisses under his breath. But even when under your breath, voices can be caught on microphone.
>"You've something to add, spymaster?" the Necromancer asks. Mogao blinks. "…Hmm?"
The Ironcastle Expeditionary force start to direct their attention to the AR displays…
>Paused No.763790
>>763747Deadweight continues to listen to the conversation.
No.763791
>>763747I don't want to risk exploding and giving us away but I do mentally prepare myself to try and roast Mogao or at least his computers if he does the villainous thing I completely expect he's about to do.
No.763792
>>763747I will send Mountain a message that Mogao called him and everyone down there cowards, through Concord
No.763793
>>763747>>763747Lost takes that moment to very subtly peek peek over, wiggling her ears a bit as she sent another message to Mountain to see she and her team were there before ducking back into stealth.
No.763794
>>763790>>763791>>763792>>763793Mountain checks his comp again, then locks eyes with Mogao.
>"You know, Agent, I would have thought that the Lux Deorum would see the merit in a more tactful approach. Or perhaps you hold that we must seek justice for our fellow Iron Soul–"Mogao sneers with gritted teeth when he is called an Iron Soul, and the stark-white Aura flares about him. Mountain's eyes betray just a hint of surprise, but he otherwise keeps his stoic demeanor.
"Justice…?" Mogao begins, a waver at the corners of his voice. "Nine years ago… your precious Iron Souls arrived on our doorstep, under the pretense of a royal delegation… and nine Cycles later, Agatecastle was brought to ruin. You can spit the word 'justice' right out of your mouth."
["Nine years, now?" Cautaa types. "This makes the fourth alternate account of the collapse."]
["Ten thousand years, per our intel," Xu responds. "But, from the Agatecastle survivors: One year, per Green. Five years, per Ruby. Nine years, per Mogao… those numbers…"]
["Follow patterns of the Abbey's sacred numerology systems," Huitlapan answers.]
No.763795
>>763794Deadweight widens her eyes at the revelation.
No.763798
>>763794I will wait here, still recording until something changes.
No.763799
>>763798>>763795>>763796>>763797["Perhaps this discrepancy could distract him from his anger," Cautaa types. "Get him thinking about anything other than Ironcastle."]
Xu and Huitlapan look doubtful, but before they can intervene, the negotiations continue.
>"So you've finally decided to contribute to our investigation," Mountain says. "But that's an alarming accusation to hear leveled against us. Do you have any facts to back that up?"Mogao raises his comp. "The prosecution presents its evidence."
The AR monitors on Mountain's side change their displays. It's a bit hard to see from your position, but you can make out the events on the screen anyway. They begin to play recorded footage, timestamped from nine years ago.
The footage begins just outside of what you presume is Agatecastle. A small retinue of skiffs and their AI gunship guards passes through the Palisade Eternal – the protective, auroral barrier of light which surrounds every Castle, Agatecastle included. The ships enter the outer docks under the watchful gaze of hardlight gun turrets.
In the next scene, a great group of souls passes through the shipyard entry system, a long tunnel of scanners and purification chambers. The cameras are too far away for you to see clearly the number and kind of the personnel passing through.
In the third scene, the group finally enters Agatecastle, emerging into the Eighth Layer, the home of the Warrior Stratum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-3jOZ-0JsAlmost all of the members wear plain grey suits. They are of myriad races, and yet all of them are equally unremarkable. Were it not for their matching uniforms, they would be completely indistinguishable from any other random passerby whom you might see, and then immediately forget. These "grey men" are the Lux Deorum of Ironcastle, her principal intelligence agency, and rumored secret police.
The Lux Deorum surround a group of three figures, as they walk. Two of the figures appear to be quadrupeds, but as for the third, the one in the very center, you cannot tell. The reason being – in every frame of every shot, a veil of static has folded over the figure in the very center, rendering them completely unreadable and unrecognizable. Though the static is centered around this mysterious figure, the static flows outward from them, like ink dispersed underwater, and surrounds their two quadrupedal companions, obscuring them as well, though not to the degree as with the figure in the very center.
The footage continues. A retinue of Agatecastle delegates, representatives from every Stratum except the Commoners, greets the group, going up to shake hands and hooves. The cameras follow them as they walk to the nearest elevator.
From there, the footage becomes almost unwatchable. The source changes constantly. Storefront security cameras, magicomp recordings from passerby, even photographic stills. All of them, focused on the three obscured figures, who supposedly came from Ironcastle. And yet, in every single shot, the figures remain hidden from the cameras.
(1/2)
No.763800
"I am an eyewitness to the procession captured in this footage," Mogao declares. "I saw the ringleader in the center myself. A dragon who bore the emblem of Ironcastle upon his uniform."
The white aura intensifies about him.
"You will surrender this agent to me, if he is among your number," Mogao continues, his voice growing in volume. "And if he is not, you will surrender yourselves to me and my authority in his stead, until such time as this dragon can be captured and extradited to Agatecastle for questioning and sentencing. You will not be free until the last of his co-conspirators are found out and dragged before the Agate throne."
Silence weighs upon your allies.
No.763801
>>763800Lost was silent for a moment before going to her magicomp
>If somebody can start blasting some music to distract him that would be great right now! No.763803
>Good idea, Cautaa, but who volunteers to step out and say that?
No.763806
>>763804>>763801>Or wait….She quickly shoots a message to Mountain pointing out that those could be any castles agents, and given all the discrepancies maybe he saw a mistake?
No.763807
>>763800I will message Mountain and remind him that every Castle would be built to the same standard, as setting up in this one was no more byzantine than our own.
No.763808
>>763799I'll message Mountain pointing out the details of the number of years since the collapse from different survivors we've encountered lining up with the Abbey's sacred numbers.
No.763809
>>763805>>763806>>763807>>763808https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwvpX6PzMiYMountain steals another glance at his comp, earning a scowl from Mogao.
"Something distracting you, Knight-Brother?" Mogao asks.
>"…Just organizing my thoughts," Mountain says. "You could stand to do the same."Mogao's eyes widen at the insult, but Mountain presses the advantage.
>"Nothing in any of that footage showed Ironcastle materiel or regalia," Mountain says. "You have the word of only a single witness – yourself – to attest to its existence. Even the skiffs and gunships were unmarked. This evidence would not indict Ironcastle in any reputable court of law.""I know what I saw," Mogao protests. "The dragon is under the effect of some spell or Mutation which prevents remote viewing and recording. Other survivors would attest the same."
>"Other survivors, you say?" Mountain asks. "Lucky for you, we have one in our custody. And their account differs from yours – down to the very time frame of the attack."Mogao pauses. "…Bring them here."
>"Your demands are not our highest priority," Mountain says. "Our investigation is. And currently we find ourselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Until both you and the Necromancer guarantee our safe return from here–""I don't remember giving you a say in the matter, saboteur," Mogao sneers. "Don't worry about the Necromancer. I have the both of you in check."
The Necromancer sighs and shrugs.
>"I do not suppose that *I* will be afforded a chance to cut in anytime?" the Necromancer asks. No.763811
>>763809I read Campfire's message and then bring it up with Mountain, instructing him to ask the Necromancer what the 'Knights of the Gravepyre' would remember in their own timeline. Then any other skeletons who rose from Agatecastle's fallen.
No.763812
>>763809Deadweight continues to maintain a low profile.
No.763813
Lost waits until nobody is looking in her direction to gently prep for if she has to pounce on Mogao for a quick kill.
No.763814
>>763813>>763812>>763810>>763811When Mogao sees Mountain glance at his comp again, his eyes narrow. Several more AR displays open up around Mogao, displaying the very meeting-chamber in which he stands, only from different angles. Cautaa winces and motions for you to get back from the door, but Huitlapan shakes his head, and jerks his chin in Lost's direction.
[1d10+2] Mogao search roll, has to beat DC 10 to reveal Lost from stealth
>Mountain turns to the Necromancer. "Here's your shot: I have a question for you."
>"Go on?" the Necromancer says.
>"Ask your undead – the ones you've gathered from Agatecastle – what year they believe the destruction of Agatecastle took place."
>The Necromancer pauses. Then, in the next moment, a cold, clattering sound clicks from him, like bones rolling down across icy stones. Your companions and many of the Ironcastle forces shudder and brace themselves as it rolls over them. After some delay, the sound echoes in reverse, as the army of skeletons clatter their answers, the clamors building up in a great avalanche that crashes upon your ears.
>"Hmm hmm hmm…" the Necromancer says. "Ask a thousand people a question, come away with a thousand and one answers."
>"Come again?" Mountain asks.
>"Not all of them can remember," the Necromancer says. "The agony and ecstasy of the death-throes often obliterate the memories surrounding the moment of death. But those who do have given me countless contradictory responses. Some say four years ago, others five, others nine. Ten, sixteen, fifteen, thirteen, eighteen, thirty-six, forty-five, nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine…"Roll #1 4 + 2 = 6 No.763815
>>763814I, too, mentally prepare myself to set someone or something on fire.
No.763816
Deadweight narrows her eyes.
No.763817
>>763814Lost readied herself but waited.
>Let us see if this galvanizes him, or makes him reconsider. No.763818
>>763814I will wait now, tense.
No.763819
>>763815>>763816>>763817>>763818The angels fan out from around Mogao, continuing their search of the room.
[1d10+2] Mogao search roll
[1d10+1] angel search roll
>"The defense calls its witnesses," Mountain says. "You can hear it straight from the source, your very countrymen. Something isn't quite right about any of our accounts. Almost nobody can agree as to when Agatecastle fell, even if you have certain theories about how it fell – theories you cannot substantiate. This goes beyond any of us, and you won't find the answer by picking a fight here.""THIS CHANGES NOTHING," Mogao declares. "I saw the ringleader myself, an agent of Ironcastle. His arrival directly precedes Agatecastle's collapse, regardless of anything else."
>"You saw him, presumably, in an Ironcastle dress uniform," Mountain says. "But anyone can steal Ironcastle garb and put it on… you'd know that very well, wouldn't you?""Tch…" Mogao sneers. As you can recall, the first meeting you had with him saw him clothed in Ironcastle armor, which he used to pass himself off as being on the expedition.
>"I am afraid I must agree with ser Mogao," the Necromancer says. "Just as his demands are not your priority, your mission is not mine. I am here to liberate this Castle, myself. As someone from the sky, I have no stake in who truly is guilty in this murder mystery. I am bound for Ragnarok, and have need to gather my aesir.""Hhhhhheheheh," Mogao laughs, regaining himself. "I said this changes nothing, Knight-Brother, including your position here. The Necromancer has no intentions of letting either of us go."
Roll #1 5 + 2 = 7 /
Roll #2 6 + 1 = 7 No.763862
>>763861>I did.>>763819I will message Mountain and suggest he ask about the Sun and Moon staffs, accompanied by a couple selected pictures I took while inside each of the small shrinerooms
No.763863
>>763819Deadweight keeps out of sight and makes sure her allies aren't in immediate danger.
No.763864
>>763863>>763862>>763820>>763861Xu flips through her pictures folder. ["Selfie… selfie… snail… dais! Here we go."]
Xu airdrops you a couple of images of the twin daises. She has at least one selfie with each. Firmgold's pictures look like the safer choice to use.
The angels ramp up their patrols as Mountain looks at his comp again.
[1d10+2]
[2d10+1]
>"Would it surprise you to hear that Ironcastle has itself been the target of sabotage?" Mountain asks. Mogao doesn't respond– but the fact that he hasn't shot back an insult might be a good sign.
>"Cultists and terrorists rambling about oncoming ecological disaster shook up Ironcastle some months ago," Mountain continues. "And some of them had particular interest in the old legends of the Moon and the Sun."Mogao's eyes widen… but this time, in genuine surprise, and recognition. The wind has been taken out of the sails of his fury and bloodlust– at least, for the moment.
>Mountain glances again at Seneschal Colonnade Reprise, who gives him a small nod.
>"I don't suppose…" Mountain continues. "Something similar happened in Agatecastle?""…Did you come this far just to chat about current events?" Mogao retorts. He's absolutely hiding something.
The Necromancer makes an exaggerated motion of checking a non-existent watch on his wrist.
Roll #1 5 + 2 = 7 /
Roll #2 8, 10 + 1 = 19 No.763865
>>763864Lost could put two and two together and moved to try and bolt out of the room to the safety of another one.
[1d10] Evasion
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.763866
>>763864I listen intently.
No.763867
>>763864>>763865Deadweight spies one of the angels about to find Lost, and she tries to swiftly fly to where she is, out of sight of the angels and Mogao, and pull her out of there.
[1d10]
Roll #1 3 = 3 No.763871
>>763864I message Mountain to say yes, because until this issue is solved all events are now current events. The desiccation of this murdered castle must be prevented.
No.763873
>>763865>>763866>>763867>>763871As Lost darts for the door, an Angel fires a force blast at it, slamming it back shut before she can escape. The force knocks back Deadweight and the others, cutting them off from her.
Mogao snaps around to face Lost. "There y–
you?"
>"Mogao!" Mountain shouts. "Hold it, we aren't finished!""Perfect timing…" Mogao begins. "…We're going to need all the help we can get against the Necromancer."
>>763866>>763867>>763871"Shit!" Cautaa hisses as he and the others scramble to get back up. He tries the door, but it's held fast now.
"Do we break it down?" Xu asks. "Or try the stairs?"
No.763876
>>763873Deadweight's heart sinks when Mogao spots Lost. When Xu asks what they should do, she's conflicted.
No.763877
>>763873"Steadfast, can you force it open?"
the Brotherhood ally attempts it [1d10+2]
Roll #1 8 + 2 = 10 No.763878
>>763873Lost panics for a moment, bouncing on her hooves as she pondered her thoughts before having an idea as she moved to the railing of the level overlooking Mogao she was on. "Wait! I… I have a question for the Necromancer. You mentioned a Ranga Rock or something? What is that? Why do you need some many skeletons for it?" she said trying to get the attention off of her and maybe get Mogao to not kill her.
She also quickly looked down to her comp seeing if she had any kind of chat she could open with Mogao so she could ask another question. She sent it hoping he would get it.
>Mogao this road will end with all of us just dead and desecrated by this monster. How many of your fellows has he enslaved so they can't even find peace after death? I can't say I know Ironcastle wouldn't do it, but I believe they wouldn't and I know they wouldn't do something as enslaving your dead to ruin this world even more." No.763879
>>763873"Here goes nothing."
I try and summon up some flaming homing magic.
[1d10]
Roll #1 2 = 2 No.763892
>>763879You light your hair on fire in preparation for a dramatic entrance.
>>763876>>763877>>763878>>763879The door is heavy, and the sounds too muffled for you to hear through it, but you
can hear that Lost is talking, and doesn't sound to be in pain, for the moment…
Lost sends a message to Mogao as she talks to the Necromancer. The former raises the device to his eye level, so as not to let Lost leave his sight. He reads… and if nothing else, the message gives him pause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6aj6AoiLbcJust as the Necromancer prepares to answer Lost, Steadfast rears up onto his front legs, and kicks the doors of the meeting-chamber down. Wood shards and screws go flying as the rest of the expedition team bolt into the room, and find Lost unharmed.
Mogao takes a step back in surprise as he performs a headcount, and finds himself nearly evenly numbered with these new intruders. "Nobody told me I was throwing a party in here…" he remarks.
>"As I was saying," the Necromancer says. "I have traveled the lands beyond these Castles, and I have traveled much of this one. Within and without its great walls, I have heard much whispering from a select few.
>"A tale of hope, believed nothing but a fairy tale by the masses. A tale holding that some time in the distant future, you will not have to hide away in these Castles, fearing their eventual destruction by the things you crudely call 'the Dreaded Ones.' That you will be free to roam the whole of the world, neither hungering nor thirsting nor knowing any other want… your paths lit by two great lamps, the Moon and the Sun."At the word "Moon," Mogao's eyes light up. He recognizes the term– and it holds great emotional weight for him.
>"There are some in this world who are searching for a way to bring about this possible future age… but it shall not come without strife… This is what is called 'Ragnarok.' Not all shall survive Ragnarok to see the future that lies beyond it. This price has given these whisperers pause… a hesitation that keeps them from bringing about Ragnarok. but I know no such trepidation. I march toward it, with an aim to win it. And I invite all who seek to see what lies beyond it, offering a place at my side. Is that so terrible an aim?"Mountain and Reprise exchange knowing glances. Something in that speech seems to have confirmed their suspicions.
No.763897
>>763892I quickly thank Steadfast and move through the entrance
"Oh good, you're safe Miss Hope."
I will pause to listen to the Necromancer's speech before I say "Any conflict will bring followers to its cause, willing or not."
I then message Mountain that Mogao found Lost, and we had to breach his camera room.
No.763902
I trot into the room rocking my new cut.
"That would explain the weird temple, secret rooms, daises, scepters, and whatnot. I told you all there was something to that sun business. You weren't the one that took the silver scepter, Mogao?"
No.763904
>>763892Deadweight's caught somewhat off guard, but not for any longer than would be unfitting for a knight. She keeps a neutral stance.
No.763905
>>763892Lost shot another message to Mogao
>Listen how he speaks these words as though dying is the best possible thing thing that could happen to us. How he wants to 'guide' us into a future where he has final say over everything we do. What future is that? Maybe we will die eventually, but is it not better to die free and fighting someone who wants to conquer your will?She looked up to the Necromancer "I see, Do you know any of the signs of Ragnarok?" she asked just trying to keep him talking so she could maybe unite the castle dwellers against him.
No.763911
>>763902Mogao smirks, trying to keep up a bold front despite the sudden turn of numbers. "I don't know what you're talking about."
>>763897>>763902>>763904>>763905>"It is said…" the Necromancer continues. "The destruction of these eggs you call Castles shall precede Ragnarok."Mogao and Mountain's eyes widen, their pupils shrinking.
>"I find it hard to fault this reasoning," the Necromancer says. "When the last place to hide is undone, what else is there to do, but to stand and fight, and to greet the future openly? To hide in a rotting shelter from that which awaits you with interminable patience… the height of cowardice.""I'll kill you," Mogao intones.
>"I should certainly hope you'll give it a try," the Necromancer says. "No hard feelings if you fail; my offer of alliance shall stand, whether you live or die."Mogao, with red eyes, barely manages to force his gaze away from the monitors, to you. Remembering that the audio feed of the monitors is compromised, he types a message.
["I can get you behind his enemy lines. No matter how many undead he's got on his side, they'll crumble when he's destroyed. I'll draw his attention, and you'll strike from his blind spot. What do you say?"]
Cautaa, Huitlapan and Xu look at the message with blatant disbelief. Sapphire's desktop icon fumes with angry emoticons.
No.763913
>>763911>Better the enemy we know? At leas Mogao might let us out of here. She sent to their private team chat.
No.763914
>>763911>>763913Deadweight messages the private team chat.
>As much as I hate him, sounds like we're on the same side for this fight. No.763916
>>763913A moment passes, then Deadweight switches to private DMs and messages Lost solely.
>You did a good job talking to him.>Deadweight is typing…>I'm also really glad you're safe. You had me worried for a sec there. No.763917
>>763911I will move through Concord to send Mogao a message
[If we have your guarantee you will allow Ironcastle souls to leave uninjured and uncontested.] No.763920
>>763911"Oh, drat, I figured it was you."
>>763911>>763913>>763914>>763916>>763917>Might as well if we can get some guarantee he won't go nuts and fry us afterward. No.763921
>>763916She sent something back
Thanks :) No.763923
>>763920For a second, Mogao looks at you with surprise; he didn't seem to think that would work.
>>763920>>763913>>763914>>763917["I still aim to find out whether or not it was an Iron soul who destroyed Agatecastle… but if you REALLY had nothing to do with it, you're free to go,"] Mogao types.
>"You may be interested to know," the Necromancer says. "Ragnarok is not the only name by which this concept is called. If we should encounter another term in our future wanderings, do not be too hung up on the specifics."Mogao slips away from the camera's view, and kicks aside a floorboard. From below it, he withdraws a long staff, with a handle of azure, and a flawlessly ivory spherical head. A lenticular image can be seen within the sphere; simultaneously, it depicts a crescent, a half-circle, an empty circle, and a full circle. Your minds bend as you behold these overlapping, contradictory images all at once… Mogao looks dizzy as he holds it, as well.
>"We are investigators," Mountain says. "Getting obsessive on the small details is our business."
>"I find that to be a dull pastime," the Necromancer says, as he begins to stretch his many limbs and roll his neck. "I am, as I have ever been, more for action. The little things sort themselves out over time. On that subject…"Mogao holds the staff before him, and in the space ahead, a tear rips open, in the shape of an azure diamond, containing a heart. Mogao, and more specifically this staff, seems to have been behind the portals' creation…
A Comp message comes from Seneschal Reprise. ["Get ready!!!"]
No.763924
>>763921A beat passes.
>Deadweight is typing…No other message appears. No.763927
>>763923Deadweight switches to Mogao's group chat and messages him.
>Deal.Deadweight unsheathes her claymore.
>Tactician, declaring 4 No.763929
>>763923[Of course I didn't. Clue me in on this sun and moon business. Especially the sun. I've got a burning desire to know more.]
Burning homing magic, take two.
[1d10]
Roll #1 8 = 8 No.763930
>>763923She sent one last message to Mogao
>I understand you, and if I lost my home and everything I cared about, I would also seek vengeance on those who took it, but I hope you find what you are looking for one day.>>763924Lost_Hope is Typing… I just wanna say I'm really happy I got to meet you Deadweight, no matter what. No.763933
>>763930Deadweight looks down at her Magicomp.
>Deadweight is typing…Me too.>Deadweight is typing…I love you.>>763923Wasting no more time, her head shoots up to the portal, and she immediately leaps into it.
No.763936
>>763923I will start walking towards the tear.
No.763939
>>763933She looked down at her own, freezing as her visor darkened to hide her blush. she took a long moment before reaching to type a response.
Lost_hope is typing…I love you tooShe moved to step through the portal as well.
No.763940
>>763929"You've got some strange priorities given the situation we're in…" Mogao complains, but sends you an invite to a private voice chat.
>>763929>>763928>>763927>>763936The portal deposits you in a small public ampitheatre atop a hill. The clattering of bones to the north clues you in that you've been dropped behind enemy lines. To the northwest, surrounded by legions of skeletons, the Necromancer stands tall. Further north, the angels' eyes alight with an icy flame. Knight-Brother Mountain's expression sinks, and he raises his hoof, his order building as he inhales a deep breath…
All at once, the angels under Mogao's command press the attack, bombing and shooting at the Necromancer's forces. Mountain bellows directions to the Ironcastle forces, who break the bluff of their offensive formations to secure the injured and get to better ground.
As for the Necromancer, he stands upon a singular leg.
"So, you have chosen to fight me as a puppetmaster… very well. I shall only hope that your marionettes can keep to the rhythm."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyWAxROq1tUHe reclines in the air, balanced upon that leg, and many arms reveal themselves from beneath his cloak, folding themselves into ornate poses of limb and hand. The Necromancer releases a soft breath… and a bitterly cold storm brews overhead.
>FOUR SEASONS: WINTER IAttribute: Ice
Tags: Spell; Automatic
Effect: For four turns, every Combatant not allied with the User shall suffer 1 Ice damage per turn. If four turns pass and this effect is not dispelled, increase the amount of damage done by this effect by 1. Repeat until Dispelled.
Duration: Until Dispelled
Recharge: Once per Combat
The Necromancer begins to dance.
>Paused No.763941
>>763940I join the chat.
"I used to experiment with magical artifacts. Turns out that can be as bad for the mind as for the body. Go figure."
