>>23601234
It's not particularly large, maybe fifteen paces or so across at its widest point, but compared to the goblin-made tunnel it feels like a grand amphitheater. For one thing, the ceiling is high enough that you can stand up without hitting your head if you wanted to. An opening roughly opposite the tunnel you just collapsed leads deeper into the cavern system. You listen carefully to see if you can notice any signs of goblin activity from deeper in the caverns or the rubble behind you, but the only thing you hear is the animated chatter of the twins and Haruka's hushed voice as she tries to soothe Yukiho. Figuring it should be safe to relax a bit, you lean back against the cavern wall and unstrap your shield from your arm.

After a minute or two, Miki speaks up. "I'm hungry! Can we eat now?"

>[] Sure, it's getting to be about that time, and we should be safe for now.
>[] No, let's wait until we find someplace a little more secure.

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[X] No, let's wait until we find someplace a little more secure.

Let's get started.

>>23601238
Check over the room first. After that, yeah. God knows we need it.

>[] No, let's wait until we find someplace a little more secure.

>[] No, let's wait until we find someplace a little more secure.

>>23601238
We should make sure it's safe first.

>>23601269
This. Producer can be a lookout while the others rest a bit.

>>23601238
Ehh, we're fine. Might as well get some lunch before the next obnoxious thing.

>>23601238
I say secure where we are right now. There's probably not a better spot around anyway. Light, rotate guards while others eat, have the twins put out some traps/warnings around the perimeter.

>>23601238
>[x] Sure, it's getting to be about that time, and we should be safe for now.

We should be clear of the goblins for now, and who knows when we'll get a another clearance. Might as well fight next on a full stomach.

Having the twins set up a trap while we snack a bit sounds like a good idea.

>>23601238
Sit down so we can see the opposite tunnel and keep an eye on it, then eat.

>>23601329
I'm with this nigga.

>>23601329
This.

>>23601238
[x] Sure, it's getting to be about that time, and we should be safe for now.

>>23601329
I'm with this. Either have them set up a trap or keep watch while they eat while the rest sit down and eat.

>>23601238
"Well, I think it's safe to say we should be safe from the goblins in the tunnel we came from for quite some time, and there's no telling when we'll next get a good chance. As long as we stay alert for goblins coming from the caverns, we should be fine. Ami, Mami, think you could rig up some sort of trap or alarm down the tunnel?"

Turning from whatever odd thing the two were doing over by the mouth of the tunnel, Ami shouts a jaunty "Ok!"
Mami chimes in, "We'll prob'ly need to take the lantern and use some of your string, though."
"Maybe pitons, too!" Ami adds.

"Alright here's the twine and pitons. But the lantern --"

Haruka interrupts you. "Don't worry about the lantern, I can make some light while Ami and Mami work!"

After making sure it wouldn't be too much of a strain for Haruka ("I'll be fine! This much is nothing!"), you pass the lantern to the twins and they head down the tunnel to set up their trap.

Haruka takes a moment to focus her magic, producing a small orb of light floating over her cupped hands which then flies to the top of the room, bathing it in a soft yellow glow as the lantern's light recedes down the tunnel. She then rummages in her pack to find the earthenware containers with the food she made this afternoon. As she removes the lids and unwraps the thin towels within, a wonderful aroma wafts out, making the chamber smell ever so faintly like a bakery.

>>23601634
>making the chamber smell ever so faintly like a bakery
uh oh

>>23601674
Very uh oh.

>making the chamber smell ever so faintly like a bakery

I DON'T like where this is going.

as if goblins eat human bread guys

>>23601634
Before you can get up, Haruka takes one of the towels and moves some of the crock's contents into it, then brings the bundle over and hands it to you with a smile. In it you find a small loaf of bread and a decent-sized piece of cheese, along with a handful of nuts. The bread seems to actually still be somewhat warm -- the earthenware must have insulated it well.

"Here you go, Producer!"

"Is this what you made earlier today?"

"Yep! Fresh bread, with herbs and butter baked in! And there's honey cakes with jam for dessert, too!"

Shortly after you, Miki, Haruka, and Yukiho have all begun eating, Ami and Mami return from the tunnel, sniffing the air eagerly.

"Smells tasty!"
"Hey, Harurun, did you make this?"

"Yep! Help yourselves, I made sure there'd be plenty for everyone!"

After a few moments for the twins to get their portions, the room goes quiet as everyone digs in.

>Any topics you'd like to suggest for dinner conversation? Now might be a good time to get to know your companions better, or perhaps discuss a plan of action for the next leg of your expedition deeper into the caverns.

>>23601816
Talk with Miki, I don't think we've bonded with her much.

>>23601816
I dunno, make sure Yukiho's doing okay? The past couple of session were pretty rough on her.

>>23601816
Let's not bother Yukiho just yet.
How about Miki? Why'd she become an adventurer?

ask if haruka often makes bread for the guild members

Getting to know them better would be good.

>>23601842
Oh, also this >>23601841.

>>23601816
Well, first I suppose let's check on everyone's conditions and general opinions of the situation. And what they think we should do next.

Also maybe apologize to Yukiho for yelling earlier but that could wait for much later.

>>23601816
How very nice, Harurun. I'd ask them a little about their background and why they became idols...err adventurers I mean.

>>23601816
Keep it light for now. Haruka and Miki were overrun by goblins and Yukiho had a breakdown. The last thing we need is more serious.

We can check on them before we get going again.

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>>23601816

Ask the girls about what doing magic feels like. Need some worldbuilding.

>>23601854
Also what everyone's saying about choosing to be adventurers.

>>23601816

I'm interested in what their family situations are in this world.

>>23601816
"Say, Miki," you remark, "I haven't really gotten a chance to get to know you at all yet. What made you decide to take up adventuring?"

"Hm..." She ponders the question for a moment. "I figured it'd be easy, nano!"

You're rather puzzled by this. "You think this is...easy?"

"Well, I mean, you only gotta actually do stuff, like, once or twice a week! And then I can just relax in the guildhall, nano~!"

You suppose she actually has something of a point there -- an adventurer can easily make a month's wages for a normal tradesman from just a handful of quests.

"But what about training between quests? Your life depends on keeping your skills well-honed, you can't just let them get rusty."

"Well, yeah, but that doesn't take all day, right? It's like, a couple hours, maybe? Way better than working all the time on a normal job!"

"So the danger doesn't bother you at all?"

"I'll be fine, nano!"

>[] Ask/say something else to Miki (specify)
>[] Ask the other girls why they started adventuring
>[] Talk about something else entirely (specify)

>>23602137
>[] Ask the other girls why they started adventuring

Let's go for a general introduction for now. We can go into specifics later.

>>23602137
[X] Ask the other girls why they started adventuring


Let's get some character depth..

>[] Ask the other girls why they started adventuring

>>23602137
>>[] Ask the other girls why they started adventuring
I want to hear from all of them.

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>>23602137
>"So the danger doesn't bother you at all?"
>"I'll be fine, nano!"

WE NEARLY DIED

>>23602137
"So, Ami, Mami, how about you? Why do you want to be adventurers?"

In unison, with hardly any pause, the two reply: "'Cuz it's fun!"

"Well, it's certainly an *interesting* trade, I'll give you that. But fun?"

"Yeah, we get to do all sortsa stuff!"
"Like fight goblins!"
"And weird blobby things!"
"And giant bugs!"
"And armor guys!"
"And blow stuff up!"
"And playing with neat alchemy whatzits!"
"Yeah, like that fire stuff we found earlier!"
"And sm--"
"Shh! Ami!
"Ah...ssssEEING cool places...like this cave...hehehe..."

Glancing around at the other girls, it looks like if any of them picked up on Ami's barely-covered slip that might have implicated the twins in yesterday's smoke incident, they're not concerned enough to show it.

"Well, I guess it's good to have fun. Just don't get too carried away, ok? Remember, adventuring isn't a game -- you could really get hurt. Remember what happened to Takane last night?"

"Eh, we know!"
"Yeah, Nii-chan, don't be so stuffy!"

Haruka turns to you with a concerned look. "What happened to Takane? Is she alright?"

You explain about Takane's injury from the suit of armor in Findlay's manor, assuring Haruka that while it was certainly scary, she's fine now thanks to your healing potion. Relieved, Haruka goes back to her meal.

"Well, Yukiho, since I already asked Haruka the other day, I guess that just leaves you. Why'd you join 765Pro? No offense, but you don't really strike me as the adventuring type..."

>>23602408
Miki didn't do anything wrong.

>>23602418

Landmine in 3, 2, 1....

>>23602426

Her tits were not enough to bounce Haruka back into position.

>>23602418
Wow, don't ask so quickly.

We might startle her enough to dig deep enough for lava to gush through the hole.

>>23602418
>yesterday's smoke incident
>what happened to Takane last night?
I don't think i'll ever get used to in game time versus real time.

>>23602418
"N-no, you're right," she says with a sheepish smile. "I'm not much of an adventurer. I'm scrawny and weak, a-and scared of a lot of things. And I'm not very confident in my magic or my fighting...or anything but my digging, really.
B-but I want to be stronger! I think if I can try hard to, to face my fears and learn from all the strong, brave people at 765Pro, like Makoto and Takane, t-then maybe I won't be so useless!"

>How do you respond?

>>23602592

Whip out your dick.


But seriously, encourage her.
She's not useless.

>>23602592
I'd tell her that she came to the right place to learn to be stronger and that's she's already made herself useful on her first adventure. I'd say to keep it up but to take it at her own pace and feel that she can ask for help and rely on Producer and the other adventurers in the company.

>>23602592
Tell her that she can do it, and that all of you will support her along the way.

>>23602592
Even the strongest people are afraid of something. Don't be so hard on yourself. You did very well today.

>>23602592
Encourage her. Tell her she's been of great help with her earth magic, and that you expect her to keep it up.

>>23602592
This is a team effort, we live or die together.

>>23602592

Tell her to keep up her Earth magic and ROCK on.

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>>23602592

/reach out a hand (She'll probably freeze up and hunker down abit) and ruffle her hair. It might take a minute or so before she calms down.

"You're not. You were fighting with us in the tunnel, in cramp conditions and outnumbered as well. I've seen folks run at such odds, scared witless. I've also seen those without sense who would charge their ranks without heed.

You stay Yukiho. That your powers didn't work correctly is not the issue. You stay, despite being scared and tried to help. Already with that, you're the bravest one here today."

>>23602764
All that speech and she wouldn't hear a word, after you ruffle her hair.
Probably shovel you in the head, too.

>>23602764
Enjoy that shovel to your face, brah.

>>23602775
But touching Yukiho feels nice.

>>23602764
We only met the girl the other day. She seems to like us but we're under stressful conditions and she doesn't really know us. Getting touchy feely with a girl afraid of men is a bad idea.

>>23602805
>>23602568
I know right?

>>23602764
>>23602805
Yeah, doesn't seem very conducive to getting focused.

>>23602592
"Well, I'd say you're off to a great start so far. You've been a great help so far today, certainly not useless! And even when you were so scared you couldn't even use your magic properly, you still stuck around and tried to help anyway. I've seen plenty of people who would've cut and run in that sort of situation, or charged in recklessly to cover up their panic. But you stood your ground and dealt with your fear as best you could. That's real bravery, right there. Mastering your fear, rather than letting it master you. Sure, you still have some room for improvement, but you're definitely on the right track. Definitely.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Even the strongest heroes have things they're afraid of, and problems they can't handle on their own. It's only natural. Just take it at your own pace, and remember that you can always rely on me and the other members of the guild for help. That's what adventurers' guilds are all about, really -- coming together to help each other out with our weaknesses."

Yukiho seems somewhat embarrassed by your little speech. "P-producer, that's, I mean, I --"

Ami and Mami cut her off.
"Nii-chan! That was kinda wise!"
"Yeah, like a priest or something!"
"Bet you're kinda fired up after that, huh Yukipyon?"
"Nii-chan, didja used to work at a temple of the Hero or something?"

"No, well, I -- come on, it wasn't that impressive, was it?"

Haruka chimes in, "It really was, Producer! Inspirational! Like something right out of a play!"

>>23603093
Check the area.

>>23603174

Eh, the trap would have notified us if anything came by.

>>23603093
You scratch your head sheepishly, a little embarassed to suddenly be the center of attention like this. "Well, I mean, I wasn't really trying to be so pompous. Just...got a little carried away, is all."

After a moment of awkward silence, Miki pipes up, staring at you inquisitively. "Hey, Producer. You said even really strong heroes are scared of something, right? What are you scared of?"

>[] Open up and reveal your deepest fear
>[] Share something more minor that you're afraid of, but keep that deepest fear private.
>[] Oh, I'm not afraid of anything! I'm the exception that proves the rule, y'see?

>>23603199
>[x] Share something more minor that you're afraid of, but keep that deepest fear private.
Might as well open up to the group, just not too much. At least not yet.

>>23603199
[X] Share something more minor that you're afraid of, but keep that deepest fear private.

Go for something minor, and more easy to relate to.

>>23603199
"Dire rats"

>>23603199
>[] Open up and reveal your deepest fear

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>>23603199

>[] Share something more minor that you're afraid of, but keep that deepest fear private.

BEEEEEES

They can even kill HIV

No seriously.

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/healthcare/researchers-bee-venom-can-kill-hiv-virus

>>23603199
Interesting. A chance to hear more about our Producer.

I'd like to say open up entirely for the sake of reading it ourselves but I think it should be more minor for now. We can figure that out later.

>[] Share something more minor that you're afraid of, but keep that deepest fear private.

>>23603236
Ah, that reminds me, I forgot to mention it -- the "lesser fear" option is intended to be another one of those chances for you guys to decide a detail of P's character, so if that's your vote feel free to suggest a fear to say.

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>>23603199
>[] Open up and reveal your deepest fear

>>23603199
I'm fine with sharing the deepest fear if it's not something terrible or really embarrassing. Good way to get the other girls to open up. I don't think we're good enough at lying for them to not realize we're holding back.

>>23603199
>[] Oh, I'm not afraid of anything! I'm the exception that proves the rule, y'see?

Alpha as fuck.

>>23603266
In that case, dogs.

>>23603266

Then the deepest fear option is already preset?

>>23603290
>alpha as fuck


OP, can we turn the difficulty of this from "Easy" to "Dante must die"?

>>23603266
Well, I wrote up a shitty story involving dire rats in order to cheer up Yukiho if she needed it. I could post that and you could do whatever with it, if you want.

>>23603293
Yes. That's a core part of P's character that I've had in mind for awhile. You'll learn about it sooner or later, this would just be the "sooner" option.

>>23603317
Oh well in that case
>>23603199
[x] Open up and reveal your deepest fear

>>23603317

Okay.jpg.

Not infront of the girls then. Not yet at least.

Good thing Hibiki isn't here. She'll see through our bullshit immediately.

Also voting for bees.

>>23603307
I actually have an idea I might use if dire rats gets the vote (actually taken from my own D&D experiences), but it looks like bees has the lead.

>>23603317
Let's wait

>>23603342

Dire bees, then.

>>23603331
On second thought, I'm changing my vote from dogs to bees.

Though dire rats might be interesting too. We'll just have to wait and see.

Don't make him afraid of bees.

Bees are bros.

Now WASPS.
FUCK THEM.

>>23603342

Whats the idea. Can we hear it first?

>>23603342
Let's go with dire rats, then. I'm curious.

>>23603348
>Dire bees
>The Size of Rats
NO, gods NO!

>>23603360

Oh gods, YES.

>>23603342
I wanted greatest fear but if that doesnt get past, and it seems like it wont, lets go bees

Hey, no one said spiders.

>>23603354
No Bees are the suicide bombers of the animal kingdom, they are assholes.

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>>23603360
>>23603366
What about a man that controls bees?

>>23603406
Spider bees

>>23603412

Our worst nightmare.

I didn't vote for minor but if it goes that way then rats. Which you know, are in tunnels like these soo....

Yeah, better than bees. Let's see what P is like when he's scared.

>>23603412
The size of Rats? Sure why not.

>>23603355
>>23603358
Looks like bees have the overwhelming majority, but I'll tell you the story real quick just because.

Long story short, the very first time I played D&D, we nearly had a total party wipe in the second session due to dire rats. Partly due to abysmal rolls, and partly due to the fact that they DROPPED ON US FROM THE CEILING OF THE CAVE and none of us players thought to check the ceiling before entering due to all being new to D&D.

Rats.

>>23603411
At least bees attack you for a reason.

Wasps?
"HEY, FUCK YOU FOR SITTING THERE, 100 FEET AWAY FROM OUR NESTS, MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS!"

Hornets are even worse.

>>23603244
>>23603269
>>23603348
>>23603360
>>23603412
>>23603406
>Dire Spider Bees the Size of Rats, Controlled by a Human.

>>23603416

Dire Spider Bee

These bees the size of rats spin giantic webs hives that trap all sort of creatures, including birds.

The honey is produced from the harvested blood and flesh of the captured creatures and are a rare delicacy for noble folk and royalty as these bees are highly territorial and aggressive.

>>23603474
The horror.

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>>23603474

How horrifying.

>>23603474
oh fuck this could work

>>23603474

Due to the varying diets and prey of various Dire Spider Bee hive colonies, the texture and flavour of the honey produced varies tremendously, with honey from specific hives bottled according to year, and region.

Some exception vintages are well known for their slightly salty and meaty flavours. That the year coincided with a surge in Dire Spider Bee honey harvesting craze is purely hyperbole.

>>23603199
"Bees," you reply. "And wasps. Stinging insects in general, really."

"But bees aren't that bad," Haruka says. "They're usually pretty peaceful. My family knows some beekeepers, that's where I got the honey for these cakes."

"I know that," you say, "but still, they really bother me. Doesn't help that I ran into some dire bees early in my adventuring career."

"Dire bees?"

"Very ill-tempered, and about the size of a rat. If you're lucky. The largest varieties can get as big as a horse, with a stinger that can run a man straight through. Sometimes even if you're wearing armor. I hear the larger varieties tend to be carnivorous, t--"

You freeze up abruptly as a small flash of yellow zips across the corner of your vision, accompanied by a buzzing noise.

Leaping to your feet shouting an incoherent stream of curses and profanities, you swat at the air in the general area of where you saw the horrid insect. You cease your frantic efforts when you notice the twins sniggering at you.

"That was one of your illusions, wasn't it? Of course it was, there's no way a bee would be all the way down here, is there? You two really need to --"

Your reprimand is cut short by a loud clang from down the tunnel, accompanied by a sound of crashing glass and the roar of flames.

>Response?

>>23603717
Use smoke from the fires to take care of them. It's very effective (beekeepers use it all the time).

>>23603717

Draw steel.

"Miki, Haruka, to me!"

Ami, Mami, stay with Yukiho!"

Shield up, advance.

>>23603717
TAKE UP POSITIONS AND CHECK IT OUT

>>23603717

Send a fireball down the tunnel.

>>23603717
Fire. Use up the air. Clever.

Advance, us in front. Yukiho stand ready.

Aren't we going to scare the shit out of Yukiho again with these Fell Bees of Hell?

>>23603771
No, Yukiho isn't particularly scared of them, anymore than anyone else. She's only really scared of men and dogs. She's fine with other things like snakes.

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>>23603781

And harukasans.

>>23603793
I think that falls with a reasonable level of fear for something that wants to eat your face.

>>23603781
and spepapupu's

but then again, spepapupu's are bros

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>>23603807
Don't be silly. She just wants a smooch.

>>23603717
Snatching up your shield and strapping it on, you issue orders to your party. "Miki, Haruka, with me. Ami, Mami, hang back with Yukiho, but be ready to come help if I call."

Haruka moves to start packing up the containers from your meal, but you stop her. "Leave it. We'll get those after this is taken care of."

Hooking the lantern to your belt, you head down the tunnel, Haruka and Miki close on your heels. It doesn't take long until you run into a goblin -- literally, colliding with it as it rounds a sharp bend, running in a blind panic and covered in green and yellow flames. The goblin bounces off you and falls down, writhing in pain.

Looking around the bend, you see two more goblins, apparently chasing after their comrade. Upon seeing you, they immediately turn tail and start running back the way they came.

>Response?
>Also, roll 1d20. May or may not be used, depending on whether it's appropriate. Tonight, the 5th post rolling is the result I'll take; sorry I forgot to note that earlier.

Rolled 3

>>23603965

Haruka, light spell, blind them!

Charge, take em out. Don't let them run.

Rolled 16

>>23603965

Maybe we should have miki put out the one that is on fire?

We have ourselves a captive to interrogate.

Rolled 18

>>23603965

Don't let them escape.

Rolled 19

>>23603965
Combination of what's been mentioned. Get Haruka or someone else to stop the escapees while Miki takes out the fire on the other one.

Rolled 18

Follow them.

Rolled 7

>>23603965
Can we talk to goblins? It'd make sense to try and ask but I'm guessing we probably can't get much out of it. So, take the goblin with you and all move cautiously forward to see what the deal is with the fire and goblins. Be prepared for anything.

Rolled 16

Put out the fire, ask questions.

>>23604030
>>23604053
>>23604058
Wow. Fortune hates us.

Rolled 19

>>23604058

arrrrrgh.

>>23604058
Oh well. Guess it's about to get a little hot around here.

INFERNO. Calling it.

>>23604058

Not sure if should reroll...

>>23604014
Nobody speaks goblin. I don't just mean "nobody in your party", I mean NOBODY.

>Attempts to communicate with goblinoids have so far universally met with abysmal failure. Captured goblinoid prisoners are stubbornly uncommunicative, only biding their time until they can escape and attempt to kill their captors, and diplomatic envoys are greeted with a flurry of arrows, rocks, and spears. Thus, though the goblinoids do possess a spoken language, no human has managed to spend enough time among them to learn it.

Rolled 3

>>23604079

REROLL.

WE'LL BE ON FIRE.

Rolled 16

>>23604058

Rerolling.

Seeing too many people not likeing the number I rolled.

>>23604079

I support the reroll

>>23604085

and the roll

>>23604088
... Wow. Fortune REALLY hates us.

No on the reroll. Nothing bad's happened, yet. OP said he might not even use it. Save it when we may really need it.

>>23604088
>>23604103

Questm@ster has to reroll for us if we vote to do so.

>>23604106

>burning goblin bounces into us.

Must I invoke F/A Shirou and that bike?

Rolled 13

>>23604111
Then dammit, let's get a reroll!

I don't like having my bad luck affecting my rolls!

>>23604106

I feel like this session might not go on for too much longer though, and we get one per session anyways.

>>23604124
You only get one reroll a night. Nothing's even happened and you guys are panicking. Grow a little backbone.

>>23604147

So you want to reroll AFTER we get set on fire?

>>23604147

Well let's ask QM how much longer we have for tonight then.

I think we should use it if it's close to curtains. If there's still like an hour or more left, we'll keep it for now.

I say we reroll.
If not now, when?

>>23604156
Are you always this paranoid? Or do you not care when we have to roll later to save everyone from the fire that is going to be there no matter what?

>>23604175

I get a bulk discount on paranoia.

>>23604186
That's just what they want you to think.

just take it guys

>>23604186
Let me just say this from a story-telling perspective. There's fire and goblins. Even if we were to pass the first hurdle (which we don't know) successfully, there will be at least ONE other hurdle, if not multiple ones.

I'm a funny guy. I like to know what my actual gains and loss is before I decide to use up a "do over" rather than avoid something bad on a guess.

>>23604217

That's why I think we should ask how much longer we have. If we don't have many other obstacles might as well use it now. If there will be more obstacles then I agree with you.

Rolled 16

Votes in favor of reroll:
>>23604085
>>23604088
>>23604092
>>23604169
>>23604204

Votes against reroll:
>>23604106

There are also a number of posts which I'm not sure are votes or people who've already cast their vote trying to persuade those who haven't, but at any rate there aren't enough of these might-be-votes arguing against use of the reroll to outweigh the definite votes in favor, so reroll it is.

For those curious about how much longer we have, probably about an hour or so.

>>23604260
Unless he concludes it within the middle of a situation, there will be more obstacles. That's how he's put together all the scenarios thus far.

Not to mention, the first obstacle is rarely if ever the worst.

>>23604287
>>23604290

Well it's moot now, since we're boned anyways.

>>23604302
Not boned if we get lucky with other rolls tonight. Or if nothing bad happens (haha, right).

>>23604287

Fuck.

Rolled 1

>>23604323
As long I don't don't roll again.

My luck is TERRIBLE.

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>>23604335

Rolled 15

>>23604335
>1

Are you fucking with me, dice?

>>23604335
Isn't the Questm@ster suppose to roll?

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>>23604335

Rolled 11

>>23604349
Most likely.

>>23604349

This was his roll >>23604287

Bad luck anon has cursed us with bad luck.

>>23604349
Yes.
He just did.
Congratulations on moving from an 18 to a 16! Excellent use of a reroll.
Idiots.

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>>23604335

>>23604369
Pls nice.

>>23604369

anon pls
pls anon

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>>23604369

>>23604369
Welp, I tried to argue against it but I guess it was too little too late. It feels like last time when I was too late with the uh, guys, maybe we shouldn't molest Yukiho thing.

>>23604369
Words hurt, anon.

Rolled 11

Alright, let's be mature here.

We may be fucked, but let's try to make the best of it.

a 16 isn't THAT bad.
It's not like Bromont's doing this.

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>>23604430

>inb4 DIRE BEES fall and everyone dies.

Rolled 15

>>23604452
We'll probably just follow the gobs into a large chamber full of them.

Gobs aren't much of a threat.
And since this isn't Berserk, we should be alright.

>>23603965
>>23604287
"Haruka! Blind the runners, keep them from getting away! Miki, blow out that fire!"

Haruka extends her shield arm, palm open under the straps, toward the fleeing goblins, and you see a small mote of light appear down-tunnel at the same time as her hand begins to glow with a soft white light. The glow of the mote and her hand both intensify steadily, then the light limning her hand stops abruptly as the mote blossoms outward into...

...a pleasant, diffuse light blanketing the tunnel. Certainly nowhere near blinding.

Meanwhile, your ears are filled with the rush of wind and flames as Miki attempts to blow out the screaming, immolated goblin. After seeing that Haruka's attempts to disrupt the runners' flight by blinding them didn't exactly pan out, you turn to check on Miki's progress.

Your eyes confirm what you'd already begun to suspect from the loud roar of flames and intensifying heat: Miki's "progress" in extinguishing the goblin has been pretty minimal. In fact, it seems that the goblin might be burning more intensely now than previously.

Which...kind of makes sense, when you think about it. Even a torch is hard to blow out, let alone a goblin-sized fire, and this is alchemical fire, which is specifically intended to be difficult to put out. Rather foolish of you to suggest such a tactic, really.

You blame the shovels. Yeah, that's it.

>>23604511
Call up Yukiho, have her smother it.

>>23604511

Stab it.

Summon shovel.

>>23604511
Well, we're boned. Or at least a fight on our hands with the dice gods.

The burning goblins does amuse me though. Just not the part where they're running towards you.

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>>23604511
>You blame the shovels. Yeah, that's it.
Why.

>>23604511
just kill it already

>>23604558
I don't think he's done posting yet. I'm not too worried about that because I think earth magic can smother alchemist fire.

>>23604581

Or we can stab it and mount it on Mikis spear and advance with it in front.

>>23604595

That seems like a better idea then my idea of tossing it like a Goblin Bomb.

>>23604511
With an exasperated sigh, you gesture to Miki to stop with the wind and put the writhing goblin out of its misery with your sword. As you wait for the flames to burn down, you consider the situation.

Given the small size of the group, this was probably a scouting expedition that fell afoul of the twins' trap, of which the fire was probably a part. With two of them having scampered off, it's only a matter of time before the whole colony is mobilized against you. And the only way out you know of is collapsed in a pile of rubble (though you suppose Yukiho could probably fix that quickly enough).

>Wat do?

Rolled 10

>>23604614

Dig a new way out.

Get the fuck out of there.

>>23604570
You've taken two goblin shovels and two Yukiho shovels to the head since entering the tunnels. Head trauma, yo.

>>23604614

How many AlchemFire Bottles do we have left, and can we fashion some sort of trap with it?

>>23604614

Reinforce cavern, have yukiho bring everything else down?

How large are these colonies, anyways?

>>23604614
Dig, dig, dig your way out.

>>23604614
Damn twins, what were they thinking...I guess we need to spell out the kind of trap next time.

I say we probably need to get out. I don't think we can handle a whole colony of them on their own turf. Tell Yukiho to dig us out.

>>23604614
Let's have Yukiho do a sounding first.

>>23604654
Actually belay that. Do what >>23604656
suggests first.

>>23604646
Assuming the twins used one of theirs for the trap, 5 bottles, and yes.

>>23604649
>How large are these colonies, anyways?
There's really no way of knowing for sure unless you explore and find out. Could be anywhere from a handful of dozens to a few hundred thousand.

>>23604656
This.

>>23604656

Sounding then.

If its way too big. We need to retreat and bring the information to the the city to organise a proper sized taskforce to remove the threat.

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>>23604698

Tossing an idea out there then:

Dig ourselves out. BUT leave some small worthless supplies where we were as bait. Then when the colony gets there... BOOM!

Alchemy roasted goblinstack.

Is there any way we can just set the entire fucking network of tunnels on fire?
Like, convert the atmosphere to something flammable?

>>23604804

...The stuff is powder right?

uncork bottles, have miki blow powder all the way down the tunnel.

Throw torch.

Rolled 7

>>23604819
It's a liquid IIRC.

>>23604819
The fire bottles? They're liquid. And they ignite on air contact.

>>23604819

I remember it being liquid based since we thought it was drinkable.

Ok, so, the goblins had a bomb earlier, right?

That means that they have explosives technology. So, all we have to do is create an escape passage, then find the explosives storage room, fashion some sort of fuse, and RUN THE FUCK OUT OF THERE.

>>23604863
huh...

>>23604863

Sooo...

Yukiho earthquake?

Whatever storage they'd have will die quickly.

>>23604863

I don't think we have time to find the storage room. I say we fashion a bigger version of AmiMami's bottle trap, but with 5 bottles and whatever else flameable we have.

>>23604898

Mother of god.

Just a single bottle needs to drop and the whole thing and the colony will die.

We really need to find out how many they are and how far away they are before we have any grand plans to play with alchemist fire.

Which by the way is very dangerous stuff. So let's not try to get a bad roll with it, OK?

>>23604904
We're only a few hours into the expedition! We've got a couple of days of supplies. I'm thinking long term here.

Let's get in deep, find their storage facilities, rig it to explode, and flee.

Rolled 2

>>23604922
I'll be sure not to roll this time, then.

>>23604933
Looks like a big boom is on the menu after all!

>>23604933
Err, then you might want to take the roll thing out of your email field.

>>23604924

If we're thinking long term we might as well keep the bombs and use them as weapons.

>>23604946
Yeah, I should.

It's possible the goblins trapped behind us went overland to another entrance. We might be able to dig out, track them, and enter another part of the colony.

>>23604614
You head back to the chamber where you left Yukiho and the twins, and explain the situation to your party.

"Really, we just don't know what we're up against here. If this is a small, fledgeling colony, we should be able to handle them. But if it's a pretty big colony, we're probably in way over our heads. We need more information to decide if we want to stick around or turn back.
Yukiho, can you do another divination on the caverns ahead? Getting an idea of the size and layout of these caverns should at least give us an idea of how many goblins we might be able to expect."

"O-okay..."

Positioning her shovel upright like before, she closes her eyes and begins the divination spell.

"This tunnel winds around for a bit, then connects to a few other tunnels at a room about the size of this one," she says. "From there...there are a lot of different rooms and passageways...it's pretty complicated...but not too many very large chambers...and nothing that feels like goblin-dug tunnels, all natural stuff...at least as far as my magic can reach...it's a pretty big cavern system..."

Her expression grows puzzled. "Wait...there's...stone blocks here? Some kind of raised platform? With a big basin or something on it? And statues? Some stairs too...I think they go to the surface."

She opens her eyes, ending the spell, and looks at you. "Producer, everything in that last room was human-sized. I don't think it was made by goblins."

>>23605065
The plot thickens?

>>23605065

My gods. We're in an ancient mine shaft.

>>23605065
>statues
NECROMANCERS
CALLING IT NOW

>>23605128

>Zombie rat sized dire spider bees

Cult? Ancient Ruins?

ADVENTURE TIME

>>23605145

>that multiply when wet

>>23605065
Big cavern system, so potentially a lot of goblins, but narrow spaces so they can't all come at us at once.

I'm tempted to push on at least to the next room.

>>23605164

>They also breath fire and spit acid now
>They can also multiply without fire

>>23605181
>They can also multiply without water, by using fire*

It's that black skull thing we found on the first day man. It belongs to a goblin worshipping necromancer bee cult.

>>23605065
You ponder this information. The size and convolutedness of the cavern system could be either good or bad -- on the one hand, if it's not too densely populated by goblins, you'd have plenty of places to hide to avoid pursuit, but on the other hand, it would also provide a lot of places for goblins to live. However, the lack of goblin-dug tunnels would seem to suggest that the colony living here isn't very well-established; even with plenty of natural space, a colony that had been around for awhile would still start carving out their own tunnels and chambers to better suit the needs of the colony rather than restricting themselves to natural spaces.

And that human-sized chamber sounds mighty interesting.

"Yukiho, just how far away was that last room?"

"I-I'm not too sure. That spell is weird about distances. P-pretty far, though. We probably couldn't get there before needing to sleep tonight."

>Well, noble adventurer? Do you brave the caverns to find this strange room, or turn tail and go home?

>>23605255

>brave the caverns to find this strange room

It's not an adventure if we pussy out. And we have enough supplies for a while I believe.

>>23605255
Explore the room

>>23605255
VENTURE FORTH
We have the supplies to do so, and we know there's a surface route ahead.

Can Yukiho use earth magic to TEMPORARILY seal us into a side chamber so we can sleep?

>>23605255
part of me wants to get in that but the other part wants us to come back when ready...

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>>23605255
Adventure, I say!

>>23605255
Let's press on, but clear the exit tunnel first. If things go bad I don't want to be fighting off goblins while we do that.

>>23605255

Let us explore these caverns.

We may find a magical weapons or some valuable artifacts.

Or if my luck fucks us over, awaken a pissed off dark god.

>>23605276
What this guy said about the side cavern.

>>23605255
Go for it. Where's the fun if we don't take risks.

>>23605285
Fortune favors the bold.

>>23605315
Unless the bold one is me.

Then fortune is a menstruating bitch.

>>23605255

At least till the next room.

>>23605255
A grin spreading across your face, you turn to the rest of your party.

"Alright girls, pop quiz: What are we?"

"Um...humans?" Haruka suggests hesitantly.

"Tired, nano~" says Miki with a yawn.

"ADVENTURERS!" Ami and Mami cheer enthusiastically.

"Exactly! So, what sort of adventure would it be if we packed up and went home at the first hint of a challenge? And with such a juicy secret to investigate!
We might be hopelessly outnumbered in unfamiliar territory, but so what? We'll pull it off, because that's just what we do! We've got a pair of clever rascals who put even the trickiest goblins to shame, a couple of top-notch warmages, my own years of experience, and the best damn earth mage in Kethyria! If any goblins mess with us, we'll send them packing!

So. Let's go on an adventure!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be continued next session, which will probably be two weeks from now, as I'll be busy next weekend.
Hope you enjoyed tonight's session, even though it was pretty light on the action! As always, feedback is much appreciated, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

>>23605500
>2 weeks

Christ.


Anyway, while light on the action it was very nice.
Albeit short.

>>23605500
A cliffhanger! The suspense is gonna kill me until the next session.
Hope this pays off.

Just to clarify, we'll get another reroll in the next session, right?

>>23605500
Ooh our first cliffhanger.

>>23605557

Yes. And suck it to that one guy bitching about wasting it since we didn't even have to roll again. So it was a good call despite the bad turnout.

>>23605570
And hopefully only one of few.

>>23605576
I agreed with him. We just got lucky this time.

>>23605585
At least until an unholy coalition of goblins, orcs, elves, necromancers, druids and the other forgotten powers of the wild attack the city to take back the world from the arrogant hands of men.

Or something like that.

>>23605576
18, 16, made no difference either way

>>23605618

It's cool. We can probably control bees by then.

>>23605618
Don't forget zombie rat sized dire spider bees.

>>23605529
>Albeit short.
Yeah, I suspect the several open-ended "what do" posts might contribute to that. I need to go through sometime and do an actual check of the hard numbers, but I'm pretty sure that open-ended prompts take me longer to process than voting on a predefined list, since they're more complex by nature. Plus they tend to lead to me getting drawn into the discussion to answer questions about what's feasible or whatever, which doesn't help the pace since it distracts me from processing the suggestions.
But on the other hand, open-ended prompts give you guys more flexibility and opportunity to be creative, so there's kind of a trade-off.

>>23605557
Yep, rerolls are on a per-session basis.

>>23605694
Well, as long as you keep writing, it being short doesn't matter.

I like the quest and all but part of me wishes we could go through this scenario faster.

I understand that the way this is working kinda prevents that but it somwhat seems we've been tackling this cave for quite a while

>>23605757
Three sessions. About standard for something like this. Hell, I'd expect it to take longer were this irl.

>>23605780
We knew it'd be a really long one, longer than the other quests, based on how much we got in supplies.

>>23605757

I think part of it is that this is really the first big sized quest QM's done for us, so the sense of scale has yet to have been tested yet.

I'm pretty sure future big sized quest will be smoother once QM notes how long each segment takes.

Hmm. I don't see this thread in the archive.