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'.
